Metal Basicity of Dirhodium and Diiridium Complexes Induced by Isocyanide Ligands. Model for the Oxidative-Addition Reaction of Methyl Iodide with Dinuclear Complexes

High-Valent Pyrazolate-Bridged Platinum Complexes: A Joint Experimental and Theoretical Study

Complexes [{Pt(C^C*)(μ-pz)}₂] (HC^C*_A = 1-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene 1a, HC^C*_B = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene 1b) react with methyl iodide (MeI) at room temperature in the dark to give compounds [{Pt^IV(C^C*)Me(μ-pz)}₂(μ-I)]I (C^C*_A2a, C^C*_B2b). The reaction of 1a with benzyl bromide (BnBr) in the same conditions afforded [Br(C^C*_A)Pt^III(μ-pz)₂Pt^III(C^C*_A)Bn] (5a), which by heating in BnBr(l) became [{Pt^IV(C^C*_A)Bn(μ-pz)}₂(μ-Br)]Br (6a). Experimental investigations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the mechanisms of these reactions from 1a revealed that they follow a S_N2 pathway in the two steps of the double oxidative addition (OA). Based on the DFT investigations, species such as [(C^C*_A)Pt^III(μ-pz)₂Pt^III(C^C*_A)R]X (RX = MeI Int-Me, BnBr Int-Bn) and [(C^C*_A)Pt^II(μ-pz)₂Pt^IV(C^C*_A)(R)X] (RX = MeI Int′-Me, BnBr Int′-Bn) were proposed as intermediates for the first and the second OA reactions, respectively. In order to put the mechanisms on firmer grounds, Int-Me was prepared as [(C^C*_A)Pt^III(μ-pz)₂Pt^III(C^C*_A)Me]BF₄ (3a′) and used to get [I(C^C*_A)Pt^III(μ-pz)₂Pt^III(C^C*_A)Me](4a), [(C^C*_A)Pt^II(μ-pz)₂Pt^IV(C^C*_A)(Me)I](Int′-Me), and [{Pt^IV(C^C*)Me(μ-pz)}₂(μ-I)]BF₄ (2a′). The single-crystal X-ray structures of 2a, 2b, 3a′, and 5a along with the mono- and bi-dimensional ¹H and ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H} NMR spectra of all the named species allowed us to compare structural and spectroscopic data for high-valent complexes with the same core [{Pt(C^C*)(μ-pz)}₂] but different oxidation states.

Experimental and theoretical investigations on the mechanisms of OA reactions of MeI and BnBr to [{Pt^II(C^C*)(μ-pz)}₂] allowed us to get high-valent pyrazolate-bridged platinum compounds: Pt₂(III,III), Pt₂(II,IV), and Pt₂(IV,IV). Their stability and structural and spectroscopic features have been compared.

Dirhodium(II)/Xantphos-Catalyzed Relay Carbene Insertion and Allylic Alkylation Process: Reaction Development and Mechanistic Insights

Although dirhodium-catalyzed multicomponent reactions of diazo compounds, nucleophiles and electrophiles have achieved great advance in organic synthesis, the introduction of allylic moiety as the third component via allylic metal intermediate remains a formidable challenge in this area. Herein, an attractive three-component reaction of readily accessible amines, diazo compounds, and allylic compounds enabled by a novel dirhodium(II)/Xantphos catalysis is disclosed, affording various architecturally complex and functionally diverse α-quaternary α-amino acid derivatives in good yields with high atom and step economy. Mechanistic studies indicate that the transformation is achieved through a relay dirhodium(II)-catalyzed carbene insertion and allylic alkylation process, in which the catalytic properties of dirhodium are effectively modified by the coordination with Xantphos, leading to good activity in the catalytic allylic alkylation process.

Metal-Metal Cooperation in the Oxidation of a Flapping Platinum Butterfly by Haloforms: Experimental and Theoretical Evidence

The model 1-DFT for the butterfly complex [{Pt(C^∧C*)(μ-pz)}₂] (1; HC^∧C* = 1-(4-(ethoxycarbonyl)phenyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylidene) shows two minima in the potential energy surface of the ground state in acetone solution: the butterfly-wing-spreading molecules 1-s, (d_Pt-Pt ≈ 3.20 Å) and the wing-folding molecules 1-f (d_Pt-Pt ≤ 3.00 Å). Both minima are very close in energy (ΔG° = 1.7 kcal/mol) and are connected through a transition state, which lies only 1.9 kcal/mol above 1-s and 0.2 kcal/mol above 1-f. These very low barriers support a fast interconversion process, resembling a butterfly flapping, and the presence of both conformers in acetone solution. However, the 1-f ratio is so low that it is undetectable in the excitation and emission spectra of 1 in 2-MeTHF of diluted solutions (10^-5 M) at 77 K, while it is seen in more concentrated solutions (10^-3 M). In acetone solution, 1 undergoes a [2c, 2e] oxidation by CHX₃ (X = Cl, Br) in the sunlight to render the Pt₂(III,III) compounds [{Pt(C^∧C*)(μ-pz)X)}₂] (X = Cl (2-Cl), Br (2-Br)). In concentrated solutions, 1 can react with CHCl₃ under blue light to give 2-Cl and with CHBr₃ in the dark, the latter rendering the compound [BrPt(C^∧C*)(μ-pz)₂Pt(C^∧C*)CHBr₂] (3-Br) or mixtures of 2-Br and 3-Br if the reaction is performed under an argon atmosphere or in the air, respectively. Mechanistic studies showed that in concentrated solutions the oxidation processes follow a radical mechanism being the MMLCT-based species 1-f, those which trigger the reaction of 1 with CHBr₃ and CHCl₃. In the ground state (S_0f), it promotes the thermal oxidation of 1 by CHBr₃ and in the first singlet excited state (S_1f) the blue-light-driven photooxidation of 1 by CHCl₃. Complexes, 2-Cl, 2-Br, and 3-Br were selectively obtained and fully characterized, showing Pt-Pt distances (ca. 2.6 Å) shorter than that of the starting complex, 1. They are, together with the analogous [{Pt(C^∧C*)(μ-pz)I)}₂] and [IPt(C^∧C*)(μ-pz)₂Pt(C^∧C*)CHI₂], the only dinuclear metal-metal-bonded Pt^III(μ-pz)₂Pt^III compounds reported to date.

Oxidation of Half-Lantern Pt2(II,II) Compounds by Halocarbons. Evidence of Dioxygen Insertion into a Pt(III)-CH3 Bond

The half-lantern compound [{Pt(bzq)(μ-N^S)}2] (1) [bzq = benzo[h]quinoline, HN^S = 2-mercaptopyrimidine (C4H3N2HS)] reacts with CH3I and haloforms CHX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) to give the corresponding oxidized diplatinum(III) derivatives [{Pt(bzq)(μ-N^S)X}2] (X = Cl 2a, Br 2b, I 2c). These compounds exhibit half-lantern structures with short intermetallic distances (∼2.6 Å) due to Pt-Pt bond formation. The halogen abstraction mechanisms from the halocarbon molecules by the Pt2(II,II) compound 1 were investigated. NMR spectroscopic evidence using labeled reagents support that in the case of (13)CH3I the reaction initiates with an oxidative addition through an SN2 mechanism giving rise to the intermediate species [I(bzq)Pt(μ-N^S)2Pt(bzq)((13)CH3)}]. However, with haloforms the reactions proceed through a radical-like mechanism, thermally (CHBr3, CHI3) or photochemically (CHCl3) activated, giving rise to mixtures of species [X(bzq)Pt(μ-N^S)2Pt(bzq)R] (3a-c) and [X(bzq)Pt(μ-N^S)2Pt(bzq)X] (2a-c). In these cases the presence of O2 favors the formation of species 2 over 3. Transformation of 3 into 2 was possible upon irradiation with UV light. In the case of [I(bzq)Pt(μ-N^S)2Pt(bzq)((13)CH3)}] (3d), in the presence of O2 the formation of the unusual methylperoxo derivative [I(bzq)Pt(μ-N^S)2Pt(bzq)(O-O(13)CH3)}] (4d) was detected, which in the presence of (13)CH3I rendered the final product [{Pt(bzq)(μ-N^S)I}2] (2c) and (13)CH3OH.

Control of the mutual arrangement of cyclometalated ligands in cationic iridium(III) complexes. Synthesis, spectroscopy, and electroluminescence of the different isomers

Synthetic control of the mutual arrangement of the cyclometalated ligands (C^N) in Ir(III) dimers, [Ir(C^N)(2)Cl](2), and cationic bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes, [Ir(C^N)(2)(L^L)](+) (L^L = neutral ligand), is described for the first time. Using 1-benzyl-4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (HdfptrBz) as a cyclometalating ligand, two different Ir(III) dimers, [Ir(dfptrBz)(2)Cl](2), are synthesized depending on the reaction conditions. At 80 °C, the dimer with an unusual mutual cis-C,C and cis-N,N configuration of the C^N ligands is isolated. In contrast, at higher temperature (140 °C), the geometrical isomer with the common cis-C,C and trans-N,N arrangement of the C^N ligand is obtained. In both cases, an asymmetric bridge, formed by a chloro ligand and two adjacent nitrogens of the triazole ring of one of the cyclometalated ligands, is observed. The dimers are cleaved in coordinating solvents to give the solvento complexes [Ir(dfptrBz)(2)Cl(S)] (S = DMSO or acetonitrile), which maintain the C^N arrangement of the parent dimers. Controlling the C^N ligand arrangement in the dimers allows for the preparation of the first example of geometrical isomers of a cationic bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complex. Thus, N,N-trans-[Ir(dfptrBz)(2)(dmbpy)](+) (dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), with cis-C,C and trans-N,N arrangement of the C^N ligands, as well as N,N-cis-[Ir(dfptrBz)(2)(dmbpy)](+), with cis-C,C and cis-N,N C^N ligand orientation, are synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, both isomers show significantly different photophysical and electroluminescent properties, depending on the mutual arrangement of the C^N ligands. Furthermore, quantum chemical calculations give insight into the observed photophysical experimental data.

The Influence of Phosphane Coligands on the Nuclearity of Rhodium(I) 4-Thiolatobenzoic Acid Complexes

[RhCl(PR3)3] (R = Ph, Et) reacts with the potassium salt of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid to give a mixture of the monomeric and dimeric complexes, [Rh(SC6H4COOH)(PR3)3] and [{Rh(-SC6H4COOH)(PR3)2}2], respectively. With the labile PPh3 coligand, the dimer is the major product, while for the electron-richer coligand PEt3, the equilibrium is easily shifted to the monomer by the addition of excess PEt3. Phosphane dissociation and dimerization could be prevented by using the chelating coligand PPh(C2H4PPh2)2. [{Rh(-SC6H4COOH)(PPh3)2}2] (2b), [Rh(SC6H4COOH)(PEt3)3] (3a), and [Rh(SC6H4COOH){PPh(C2H4PPh2)2}] (4) were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 2b and 4 were determined by X-ray structure analysis. In solution, the lability of the phosphane ligands leads to the decomposition of 2b. One of the decomposition products, namely, the mixed-valent complex [{RhIRhIII(-SC6H4COO)(-SC6H4COOH)(SC6H4COOH)(PPh3)3}2] (5), was characterized by X-ray structural analysis. The dinuclear rhodium(III) complex [{Rh(-SC6H4COO)(SC6H4COOH)(PEt3)2}2] (6) was shown to be a byproduct in the synthesis of 3a, and this demonstrates the reactivity of the rhodium(I) complexes toward oxidative addition. The structurally characterized complexes 2b, 4, 5, and 6 show hydrogen bonding of the free carboxyl groups.

Protonation reactions of dinuclear pyrazolato iridium(I) complexes

The complex [[Ir(mu-Pz)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)] (1) undergoes double protonation reactions with HCl and with HO(2)CCF(3) to give the neutral dihydride complexes [[Ir(mu-Pz)(H)(X)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)] (X = Cl, eta(1)-O(2)CCF(3)), in which the hydride ligands were located trans to the X groups and in the boat of the complexes, both in the solid state and in solution. The complex [[Ir(mu-Pz)(H)(Cl)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)] evolves in solution to the cationic complex [[Ir(mu-Pz)(H)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)]Cl. Removal of the anionic chloride by reaction with methyltriflate allows the isolation of the triflate salt [[Ir(mu-Pz)(H)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)]OTf. This complex undergoes a metathesis reaction of hydride by chloride in CDCl(3) under exposure to the direct sunlight to give the complex [[Ir(mu-Pz)(Cl)(CNBu(t))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)]OTf. Protonation of both metal centers in [[Ir(mu-Pz)(CO)(2)](2)] with HCl occurs at low temperature, but eventually the mononuclear compound [IrCl(HPz)(CO)(2)] is isolated. The related complex [[Ir(mu-Pz)(CO)(P[OPh](3))](2)] reacts with HCl and with HO(2)CCF(3) to give the neutral Ir(III)/Ir(III) complexes [[Ir(mu-Pz)(H)(X)(CO)(P[OPh](3))](2)], respectively. Both reactions were found to take place stepwise, allowing the isolation of the intermediate monohydrides. They are of different natures, i.e., the metal-metal-bonded Ir(II)/Ir(II) compound [(P[OPh](3))(CO)(Cl)Ir(mu-Pz)(2)Ir(H)(CO)(P[OPh](3))] and the mixed-valence Ir(I)/Ir(III) complex [(P[OPh](3))(CO)Ir(mu-Pz)(2)Ir(H)(eta(1)-O(2)CCF(3))(CO)(P[OPh](3))].

Stereoselective oxidative additions of iodoalkanes and activated alkynes to a sulfido-bridged heterotrinuclear early-late (TiIr2) complex

The reactions of the early-late trinuclear complex [Cp(acac)Ti(mu(3)-S)(2)Ir(2)(CO)(4)] (1) with electrophiles have been found to occur on the iridium atoms with no other involvement of the early metal than in electronic effects. The reaction with iodine gave two isomers of the diiridium(II) complex [Cp(acac)Ti(mu(3)-S)(2)Ir(2)I(2)(CO)(4)] differentiated by the relative positions of the iodo ligands on the iridium atoms. The reactions with iodoalkanes are highly stereoselective to give one sole isomer of formula [Cp(acac)Ti(mu(3)-S)(2)Ir(2)(R)(I)(CO)(4)] (R = CH(3), CH(2)I, CHI(2)) with a carbonyl and the iodo ligand trans to the metal-metal bond. The structures of the symmetrical isomer with the iodo ligands trans to the metal-metal bond and that of the compound with R = CHI(2) have been solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The stereoselectivity of the oxidative-addition reactions can be rationalized assuming the influence of steric effects of the groups on the titanium center and a radical-like mechanism. Reactions of 1 with the activated acetylenes, dimethylacetylenedicarboxylate and methylacetylenecarboxylate, gave the complexes [Cp(acac)Ti(mu(3)-S)(2)Ir(2)(mu-eta(1)-RC=CCO(2)Me)(CO)(4)] (R = CO(2)Me, H), with the alkyne bridging the two iridium centers as a cis-dimetalated olefin and the C=C bond parallel to the Ir-Ir axis. Two isomers resulting from the disposition of the alkyne along the Ir-Ir vector were observed in solution for the compound with the nonsymmetrical alkyne (R = H), while only one was observed for the compound with R = CO(2)Me. An exchange, fast in the NMR time scale, of the apical with the equatorial carbonyls occured in the complexes [Cp(acac)Ti(mu(3)-S)(2)Ir(2)(mu-eta(1)-RC=CCO(2)Me)(CO)(4)], producing their equivalence in the (13)C((1)H) NMR spectra.

Key factors determining the course of methyl iodide oxidative addition to diamidonaphthalene-bridged diiridium(I) and dirhodium(I) complexes

The course of methyl iodide oxidative addition to various nucleophilic complexes, [Ir2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (1), [IrRh(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (2), and [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CO)2(PR3)2] (R = iPr, 3; Ph, 4; p-tolyl, 5; Me, 6), has been investigated. The CH3I addition to complex 1 readily affords the diiridium(II) complex [Ir2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)I(CH3)(CO)2(PiPr3)2] (7), which undergoes slow rearrangement to give a thermodynamically stable stereoisomer, 8. The reaction of the Ir-Rh complex 2 gives the ionic compound [IrRh(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CH3)(CO)2(PiPr3)2]I (10). The dirhodium compounds, 3-5, undergo one-center additions to yield acyl complexes of the formula (Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)I(COCH3)(CO)(PR3)2] (R = iPr, 12; Ph, 13; p-tolyl, 14). The structure of 12 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Further reactions of these Rh(III)-Rh(I) acyl derivatives with CH3I are productive only for the p-tolylphosphine derivative, which affords the bis-acyl complex [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(CH3CO)2I2(P(p-tolyl)3)2] (15). The reaction of the PMe3 derivative, 6, allows the isolation of the bis-methyl complex [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(mu-I)(CH3)2(CO)2(PMe3)2]I (16a), which emanates from a double one-center addition. Upon reaction with methyl triflate, the starting materials, 1, 2, 3, and 6, give the isostructural cationic methyl complexes 9, 11, 17, and 18, respectively. The behavior of these cationic methyl compounds toward CH3I, CH3OSO2CF3, and tetrabutylamonium iodide is consistent with the role of these species as intermediates in the SN2 addition of CH3I. Compounds 18 and 17 react with an excess of methyl triflate to give [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(mu-OSO2CF3)(CH3)2(CO)2(PMe3)2][CF3SO3] (19) and [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(OSO2CF3)(COCH3)(CH3)(CO)(PiPr3)2][CF3SO3] (20), respectively. Upon treatment with acetonitrile, complexes 17 and 18 give the isostructural cationic acyl complexes [Rh2(mu-1,8-(NH)2naphth)(COCH3)(NCCH3)(CO)(PR3)2][CF3SO3] (R = iPr, 21; Me, 22). A kinetic study of the reaction leading to 21 shows that formation of these complexes involves a slow insertion step followed by the fast coordination of the acetonitrile. The variety of reactions found in this system can be rationalized in terms of three alternative reaction pathways, which are determined by the effectiveness of the interactions between the two metal centers of the dinuclear complex and by the steric constraints due to the phosphine ligands.

Oxidative-Addition Reactions of Diiodine to Dinuclear Rhodium Pyrazolate Complexes

The pyrazolato (Pz) rhodium(I) complexes [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(CO)(L)}(2)] (L = CNBu(t), P(OMe)(3), PMe(2)Ph, P(OPh)(3), P(p-tolyl)(3)) result from the reaction of [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(CO)(2)}(2)] with the appropriate L ligand in a trans:cis ratio ranging from 60:40 (L = CNBu(t)) to 95:5 (L = P(p-tolyl)(3)). The pure trans isomers add 1 molar equiv of diiodine to give the dirhodium(II) complexes [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(L)}(2)] (L = CNBu(t) (6), P(OMe)(3) (7), PMe(2)Ph (8), P(OPh)(3) (9)). These complexes incorporate two iodide ligands trans to the rhodium-rhodium bond, as substantiated by the X-ray structure for 7, while the complex [(P{p-tolyl}(3))(CO)(I)Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(2)(&mgr;-CO)Rh(I)(P{p-tolyl}(3))] (10) contains a bridging ketonic CO ligand, due to the insertion of a terminal CO into the metal-metal bond. The metal-metal bond formation involves a 2e oxidation, since identical compounds (6-9) are obtained by oxidation with [Fe(Cp)(2)](PF(6)) followed by addition of potassium iodide. Further reactions of the dirhodium(II) complexes 6-9 with diiodine leading to the metal-metal rupture are electrophilic additions, as exemplified by the reactions with the positive iodine complex [I(Py)(2)](+). They start at the "endo site" (the metal-metal bond) if it is sterically accessible to the electrophile, to give directly the dirhodium(III) complexes [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(L)}(2)(&mgr;-I)](+) (L = CNBu(t), CO). Otherwise, as for the complexes with P-donor ligands, abstraction of a iodide ligand trans to the metal-metal bond (the "exo site") occurs first, to give the dirhodium(II) cationic complexes [(PR(3))(CO)(I)Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(2)Rh(CO)(PR(3))](+) and triiodide. These react again with diiodine to give dirhodium(III) complexes [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(PR(3))}(2)(&mgr;-I)](+) similar to those described above, but with triiodide or pentaiodide as counterion, as substantiated by the X-ray structure of [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(PMe(2)Ph)}(2)(&mgr;-I)]I(5) (18). The diiridium(II) complexes [{Ir(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(PR(3))}(2)] (PR(3) = P(OPh)(3), PMe(2)Ph) also react with diiodine to give the cationic diiridium(III) complexes [{Ir(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(PR(3))}(2)(&mgr;-I)]I(3) through a reaction pathway involving the "exo site", while no reaction is observed for [{Ir(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(2)}(2)]. Finally, replacement of a carbonyl ligand in [{Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(I)(CO)(L)}(2)(&mgr;-I)](+) (L = CNBu(t), CO) by iodide gives the compounds [(CO)(L)(I)Rh(&mgr;-Pz)(2)(&mgr;-I)Rh(I)(2)(L)].