Redox-Transmetalation Reactions: Easy Access to Homo- and Heterodimetallic d8,d10 Complexes

The ability of the imine PyCH═N-CH2Py (Py = 2-pyridyl, bpi) to behave as a heteroditopic ligand, which is suitable for creating two separate compartments to host metals in different oxidation states, has been developed by studying the reactions of the mixed-valence complexes [(cod)M-Ι(μ-bpi)MΙ(cod)] (M = Rh, Ir) with [M'(Cl)2(PPh3)2] (M' = Pd, Ni). The results depend on the molar ratio of the reagents used (1:1 or 1:2) to give the heterometallic complexes {d10-M',d8-M}-[(PPh3)(Cl)M'0(μ-bpi)MΙ(cod)] (Pd,Rh, 4; Pd,Ir, 5; Ni,Rh, 8; Ni,Ir, 9) and the two-electron mixed-valent compounds [(PPh3)(Cl)M'0(μ-bpi)M'ΙΙ(Cl)] (M' = Ni, 10; Pd, 11), respectively. A redox process occurs in the replacement of the low-valent [(cod)M-I] fragment, whereas the exchange of the [(cod)MI] fragment is redox-neutral. The metal with a d8 configuration in the products exhibits a square-planar geometry coordinated to two (Rh/Ir) or three (Ni/Pd) nitrogen atoms of the bridging bpi ligand. Conversely, the metal with a d10 configuration adopts trigonal-planar geometries, π-bonded to the imine C═N bond. The isolated complexes 4/5 and 10/11, along with the hypothetical heterometallic Pd,Ni compound (12), were studied by DFT methods. Additionally, the T-shaped moiety 'M'ΙΙ(PPh3)(Cl)(η1-CH-N(bpi))', stabilized by a secondary γ-agostic interaction, and the 'M'II(Cl)(κ3N-bpi)' fragment was found to be accessible redoxomers of complexes 10 and 11 by DFT calculations.

Cooperative bond activation reactions with carbene complexes

This review highlights the recent advances in the application of carbene complexes in bond activation reactions via metal–ligand cooperation.

Reactivity of the parent amido complexes of iridium with olefins: C-NH2 bond formation versus C-H activation

Herein we report on the different chemical reactivity displayed by two mononuclear terminal amido compounds depending on the nature of the coordinated diene. Hence, treatment of amido-bridged iridium complexes [{Ir(μ-NH₂)(tfbb)}₃] (1; tfbb = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene) with dppp (dppp = bis(diphenylphosphane)propane) leads to the rupture of the amido bridges forming the mononuclear terminal amido compound [Ir(NH₂)(dppp)(tfbb)] (3) in the first stage. On changing the reaction conditions, the formation of a C-NH₂ bond between the amido moiety and the coordinated diene is observed and a new dinuclear complex [{Ir(1,2-η²-4-κ-C₁₂H₈F₄N)(dppp)}₂(μ-dppp)] (4) has been isolated. On the contrary, the diiridium amido-bridged complex [{Ir(μ-NH₂)(cod)}₂] (2; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in the presence of dppb (dppb = bis(diphenylphosphane)butane) allows the isolation of a mononuclear complex [Ir(1,2,3-η³-6-κ-C₈H₁₀)H(dppb)] (5), as a consequence of the extrusion of ammonia. The monitoring of the reaction of 2 with dppb (and dppp) allowed us to detect terminal amido complexes [Ir(NH₂)(P-P)(cod)] (P-P = dppb (6), dppp (7)) in solution, as confirmed by an X-ray analysis of 7. Complex 7 was observed to evolve into hydrido species 5 at room temperature. DFT studies showed that C-H bond activation occurs through the deprotonation of one methylene fragment of the cod ligand by the highly basic terminal amido moiety instead of C-H oxidative addition to the Ir(i) center.

Nucleophilicity and P-C Bond Formation Reactions of a Terminal Phosphanido Iridium Complex

The diiridium complex [{Ir(ABPN2)(CO)}2(μ-CO)] (1; [ABPN2](-) = [(allyl)B(Pz)2(CH2PPh2)](-)) reacts with diphenylphosphane affording [Ir(ABPN2)(CO)(H) (PPh2)] (2), the product of the oxidative addition of the P-H bond to the metal. DFT studies revealed a large contribution of the terminal phosphanido lone pair to the HOMO of 2, indicating nucleophilic character of this ligand, which is evidenced by reactions of 2 with typical electrophiles such as H(+), Me(+), and O2. Products from the reaction of 2 with methyl chloroacetate were found to be either [Ir(ABPN2)(CO)(H)(PPh2CH2CO2Me)][PF6] ([6]PF6) or [Ir(ABPN2)(CO)(Cl)(H)] (7) and the free phosphane (PPh2CH2CO2Me), both involving P-C bond formation, depending on the reaction conditions. New complexes having iridacyclophosphapentenone and iridacyclophosphapentanone moieties result from reactions of 2 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate and dimethyl maleate, respectively, as a consequence of a further incorporation of the carbonyl ligand. In this line, the terminal alkyne methyl propiolate gave a mixture of a similar iridacyclophosphapentanone complex and [Ir(ABPN2){CH═C(CO2Me)-CO}{PPh2-CH═CH(CO2Me)}] (10), which bears the functionalized phosphane PPh2-CH═CH(CO2Me) and an iridacyclobutenone fragment. Related model reactions aimed to confirm mechanistic proposals are also studied.