Ferrocene-Based Pincer Complexes of Palladium: Synthesis, Structures, and Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Properties

Bimetallic complexes that merge metallocene and pincer-metal building blocks: synthesis, stereochemistry and catalytic reactivity

This perspective is to illustrate the synthesis and applications of bimetallic complexes by merging a metallocene and a (cyclopentadienyl/aryl) pincer metal complex. Four possible ways to merge metallocene and pincer-metal motifs are reported and representative examples are discussed in more detail. These bimetallic complexes have been employed in some important catalytic reactions such as cross-coupling, transfer hydrogenation or synthesis of ammonia. The metallocene fragment may tune the electronic properties of the pincer ligand, due to its redox reversible properties. Also, the presence of two metals in a single complex allows their electronic communication, which proved beneficial for, e.g., the catalytic activity of some species. The presence of the metallocene fragment provides an excellent opportunity to develop chiral catalysts, because the metallocene merger generally renders the two faces of the pincer-metal catalytic site diastereotopic. Besides, an extra chiral functionality may be added to the bimetallic species by using pincer motifs that are planar chiral, e.g. by using the different substituents of pincer ligand "arms" or non-symmetrical arene groupings. Post-functionalization of pre-formed pincer-metal complexes, via η⁶-coordination with an areneophile such as [CpRu]⁺ and [Cp*Ru]⁺ presents a striking strategy to obtain diastereomeric metallocene-pincer type derivatives, that actually involve half-sandwich metallocenes. This approach offers the possibility to create diastereomerically pure derivatives by using the chiral TRISPHAT anion. The authors hope that this report of the synthetic, physico-chemical properties and remarkable catalytic activities of metallocene-based pincer-metal complexes will inspire other researchers to continue exploring this realm.

Steric and Electronic Effect of Cp-Substituents on the Structure of the Ruthenocene Based Pincer Palladium Borohydrides

Ruthenocene-based PCP^tBu pincer ligands were used to synthesize novel pincer palladium chloride Rc^F[PCP^tBu]PdCl (2a) and two novel palladium tetrahydroborates Rc^F[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) (3a) and Rc^*[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) (3b), where Rc^F[PCP^tBu] = κ³-{2,5-(tBu₂PCH₂)_2-C₅H₂}Ru(Cp^F) (Cp^F = C₅Me₄CF₃), and Rc*[PCP^tBu] = κ³-{2,5-(tBu₂PCH₂)₂C₅H₂}Ru(Cp*) (Cp* = C₅Me₅). These coordination compounds were characterized by X-ray, NMR and FTIR techniques. Analysis of the X-ray data shows that an increase of the steric bulk of non-metalated cyclopentadienyl ring in 3a and 3b relative to non-substituted Rc[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) analogue (3c; where Rc[PCP^tBu] = κ³-{2,5-(tBu₂PCH₂)₂C₅H₂}Ru(Cp), Cp = C₅H₅) pushes palladium atom from the middle plane of the metalated Cp ring in the direction opposite to the ruthenium atom. This displacement increases in the order 3c < 3b < 3a following the order of the Cp-ring steric volume increase. The analysis of both X-ray and IR data suggests that BH₄ ligand in both palladium tetrahydroborates 3a and 3b has the mixed coordination mode η^1,2. The strength of the BH₄ bond with palladium atom increases in the order Rc[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) < Rc*[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) < Rc^F[PCP^tBu]Pd(BH₄) that appears to be affected by both steric and electronic properties of the ruthenocene moiety.

Synthesis, structural properties and reactivity of ruthenocene-based pincer Pd(ii) tetrahydroborate

Non-covalent interactions determine the structure, crystal packing and reactivity of isolated ruthenocene-based pincer Pd(ii) complexes. Bifurcate dihydrogen-bonded complexes are active intermediates of tetrahydroborate alcoholysis.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Co(II) and Ni(II) PCP Pincer Borohydride Complexes

The 15e square-planar complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (2a) and [Co(PCP-tBu)Cl] (2b), respectively, react readily with NaBH4 to afford complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Co(PCP-tBu)(η2-BH4)] (4b) in high yields, as confirmed by IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. The borohydride ligand is symmetrically bound to the cobalt center in η2-fashion. These compounds are paramagnetic with effective magnetic moments of 2.0(1) and 2.1(1) μB consistent with a d7 low-spin system corresponding to one unpaired electron. None of these complexes reacted with CO2 to give formate complexes. For structural and reactivity comparisons, we prepared the analogous Ni(II) borohydride complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) via two different synthetic routes. One utilizes [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (3) and NaBH4, the second one makes use of the hydride complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)H] (6) and BH3·THF. In both cases, 5 is obtained in high yields. In contrast to 4a and 4b, the borohydride ligand is asymmetrically bound to the nickel center but still in an η2-mode. [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) loses readily BH3 at elevated temperatures in the presence of NEt3 to form 6. Complexes 5 and 6 are both diamagnetic and were characterized by a combination of 1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H} NMR, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structure of these compounds was established by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 5 and 6 react with CO2 to give the formate complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(OC(C=O)H] (7). The extrusion of BH3 from [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) with the aid of NH3 to yield the respective hydride complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)H] and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)H] (6) and BH3NH3 was investigated by DFT calculations showing that formation of the Ni hydride is thermodynamically favorable, whereas the formation of the Co(II) hydride, in agreement with the experiment, is unfavorable. The electronic structures and the bonding of the borohydride ligand in [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) were established by DFT computations.

Rhodium and iridium complexes of a new ferrocene-derived chelating bis(NHC) ligand

Rhodium and iridium complexes of a new ferrocene-derived bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligand, [M(cod){1,2-(MeNCHCHNCCH(2))(2)C(5)H(3)}Fe(C(5)H(5))]BF(4) (M = Rh, 8a; M = Ir, 8b; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), were synthesized from the corresponding bis(imidazolium) salt 6. The molecular structure of 8a was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 8a and 8b smoothly react with CO with displacement of the chelating cod ligand to give the corresponding dicarbonyl derivatives 9a and 9b.

Novel access to carbodiphosphoranes in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals: template synthesis and protonation of PCP pincer carbodiphosphorane complexes of C(dppm)2

In a novel template synthesis of carbodiphosphoranes (CDPs), the phosphine functionalized CDP ligand C(dppm)(2) (dppm = Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2)) is formed in the coordination sphere of group 10 metals from CS(2) and 4 equivalents of dppm. The products are the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) and 2 equivalents of dppmS. The compound C(dppm)(2), which is composed of a divalent carbon atom and two dppm subunits, represents a new PCP-type pincer ligand with the formally neutral carbon Lewis base of the CDP functionality as the central carbon. Treatment of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Pd, Pt) with hydrochloric acid results in protonation at the CDP carbon atom and the formation of the PCP pincer complexes [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt). The PCP pincer ligand [CH(dppm)(2)](+) involves a formally cationic central carbon donor. The reaction of [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl with HCl leads to the extrusion of NiCl(2) and formation of the diprotonated CDP compound [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2), from which the monoprotonated conjugate base [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl is obtained upon addition of bases, such as NH(3). The crystal structures of [M(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl (M = Ni, Pd, Pt), [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)](2)[NiCl(4)], [M(Cl)(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as well as [CH(2)(dppm)(2)]Cl(2) and [CH(dppm)(2)]Cl are presented. A comparison of the solid state structures reveals interesting features, e.g. infinite supramolecular networks mediated by C-H···Cl hydrogen bond interactions and an unexpected loss of molecular symmetry upon protonation in the complexes [M(CH(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)(Cl)]Cl(2) (M = Pd, Pt) as a result of the flexible ligand backbone. Additionally the new compounds were characterized comprehensively in solution by multinuclear (31)P, (13)C and (1)H NMR spectroscopy: Several spectroscopic parameters show a striking variability in particular regarding the carbodiphosphorane functionality. Furthermore the compound [Ni(Cl)(C(dppm)(2)-κ3P,C,P)]Cl was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and could be shown to display quasi-reversible oxidative as well as reductive behaviour.

Syntheses, Structure and Electrochemical Anion Recognition of 5-Ferrocenylisophthalicdiacyl Hydrazones

Three new 5-ferrocenylisophthalicdiacyl hydrazones derivatives (molecular tweezers), have been prepared by condensation reactions of 5-ferrocenylisophthalic dihydrazide with the corresponding aromatic aldehyde. The compounds were fully characterised by spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and an X-ray crystal structure of one example. Electrochemical investigations have demonstrated that addition of H2PO4- resulted in large shifts of respective Fc/Fc+ redox coupled to more negative potentials, indicating that these compounds have a good ability to recognise H2PO4-.

Synthesis, structure and DFT study of dinuclear iron, cobalt and nickel complexes with cyclopentadienyl-metal moieties

Reactions of 1,1'-bis(dipheny1phosphino)cobaltocene with Co(PMe(3))(4), Ni(PMe(3))(4), Fe(PMe(3))(4), Ni(COD)(2), FeMe(2)(PMe(3))(4) or NiMe(2)(PMe(3))(3) afford a series of novel dinuclear complexes [((Me(3)P)[lower bond 1 start]Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2)))((Me(3)P)M[upper bond 1 end](η(5)-C(5)H(4)P[lower bond 1 end]Ph(2)))] (M = Co(1), Ni(2) and Fe(3)) [Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)Ni[upper bond 1 end](COD)](4), [Co(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)Ni[upper bond 1 end](PMe(3))(2)] (5) and [((Me(3)P)[lower bond 1 start]Co(Me)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2)))((Me(3)P)Fe[upper bond 1 end](Me)(η(5)-C(5)H(4)P[lower bond 1 end]Ph(2)))] (6). Reactions of 1,1'-bis(dipheny1phosphino)ferrocene with Ni(PMe(3))(4), NiMe(2)(PMe(3))(3), or Co(PMe(3))(4) gives rise to complexes [Fe(η(5)-C(5)H(4)[upper bond 1 start]PPh(2))(2)M[upper bond 1 end](PMe(3))(2)] (M = Ni (7), Co (8)). The complexes 1-8 were spectroscopically investigated and studied by X-ray single crystal diffraction. The possible reaction mechanisms and structural characteristics are discussed. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations strongly support the deductions.

Nickel(II) hydride and fluoride pincer complexes and their reactivity with Lewis acids BX3·L (X = H, L = thf; X = F, L = Et2O)

Reaction of the pincer hydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(H) [(tBu)PCP = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] with BH(3)·thf in THF at 190 K generates the corresponding borohydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BH(4)). The kinetically stable (but thermodynamically unstable) species undergoes reversible borane loss. The related fluoride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(F) shows the same reactivity towards BF(3)·Et(2)O, producing ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BF(4)) as the main final product. The processes were followed through multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, at the M06//6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.

Ferrocenyl-substituted Schiff base complexes of boron: synthesis, structural, physico-chemical and biochemical aspects

Biological important complexes of boron(III) derived from 1-acetylferrocenehydrazinecarboxamide (L1H), 1-acetylferrocenehydrazinecarbothioamide (L2H) and 1-acetylferrocene carbodithioic acid (L3H) have been prepared and investigated using a combination of microanalytical analysis, melting point, electronic, IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectral studies, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray powder diffraction studies. Boron isopropoxide interacts with the ligands in 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 molar ratios (boron:ligand) resulting in the formation of coloured products. On the basis of conductance and spectral evidences, tetrahedral structures for boron(III) complexes have been assigned. The ligands are coordinated to the boron(III) via the azomethine nitrogen atom and the thiolic sulfur atom/enolic oxygen atom. On the basis of X-ray powder diffraction study one of the representative boron complex was found to have orthorhombic lattice, having lattice parameters: a=9.9700, b=15.0000 and c=7.0000. Both the ligands and their complexes have been screened for their biological activity on several pathogenic fungi and bacteria and were found to possess appreciable fungicidal and bactericidal properties. Plant growth regulating activity of one of the ligand and its complexes has also been recorded on gram plant, and results have been discussed.

Stereoselective synthesis of chiral, non-racemic 1,2,3-tri- and 1,3-disubstituted ferrocene derivatives

Chiral, non-racemic 1,2,3-trisubstituted ferrocene derivatives are accessible from monosubstituted ferrocenes through two sequential ortho-deprotonation reactions; removal of the central substituent gives 1,3-disubstituted ferrocenes.