Unexpected synthesis of an Au2In2 tetrametallatricyclic complex from α-aminophosphines and formation of Au-In-P and Ag-In-P nanomaterials.

Four Au-(µ-phosphinite)-In units assemble to form an unprecedented Au2In2 12-membered metallacycle which intersects at the In centres an 8-membered ring containing two In-µ-phosphinate linkages, resulting in a tricyclic structure. Thermal treatment of this complex and of its Ag(I) analog affords Au-In-P and Ag-In-P nanomaterials, respectively.

Reactivity of TCNE and TCNQ derivatives of quinonoid zwitterions with Cu(I).

The reactions of TCNE- and TCNQ-functionalized (TCNE: tetracyanoethylene and TCNQ: 7,7',8,8'-tetracyanoquinodimethane) zwitterionic benzoquinonemonoimines with a Cu(I)-BIAN complex (BIAN = bis(o,o'-bisisopropylphenyl)acenaphthenequinonediimine) have been investigated and found to follow a diversity of interesting patterns. The complexes [Cu(BIAN)(NCMe)(L2)]BF4 (2) and [Cu(BIAN)(L2)2]BF4 (4) were obtained by reacting [Cu(BIAN)(NCMe)2]BF4 (1) with one and two equivalents of L2, respectively. Following similar procedures, the complexes [Cu(BIAN)(NCMe)(L3)]BF4 (6) and [Cu(BIAN)(L3)2]BF4 (7) were obtained by reaction of 1 with L3. The reaction of 2 with 0.5 equiv. of 4,4'-bipyridine afforded [{Cu(BIAN)(L2)}2(µ-4,4'-bipyridine)](BF4)2 (3). The complexes were characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of complexes 3 ·4CH2Cl2 and 4 ·CH2Cl2 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. An unexpected coordination polymer [Cu((L2-))2]∞ (5) was also structurally characterized, which contains Cu(II) centres chelated by two N,O-bound ligands resulting from the monodeprotonation of L2.

Synthesis, Structures, and Single-Molecule Magnet Behaviour of High-Nuclearity Nickel(II) Dicubane-Type Complexes with Pyridyl-Alcohol Ligands.

The condensation reaction between two chemically different tetranuclear cubane-like clusters [Ni(µ3 -Cl)(Cl)(HL)]4 (1; HL=2-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol) and [Ni(µ3 -OH)(Cl)(HL)]4 (2) provides new access to higher nuclearity complexes, as shown with the synthesis of the octanuclear complex [Ni8 (µ3 -Cl)3 (µ3 -OH)5 (µ-Cl)2 Cl6 (HL)7 ] (3). In one instance, we also isolated the heptanuclear complex [Ni7 (µ3 -Cl)2 (µ3 -OH)6 Cl4 (H2 O)2 (HL)6 ]Cl2 (4). Magnetic properties measured by superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) susceptometry evidenced S=8 and S=5 ground states for complexes 3 and 4, respectively. In particular, alternating current (ac) susceptometry evidenced slow relaxation of the magnetisation for complex 3, and suggests a similar behaviour at sub-kelvin temperatures for complex 4.

Synthesis, structure, and optical properties of Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes with oxazolyl- and pyridyl-functionalized DPPM-type ligands: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

New square-planar complexes [Pt(1(-H))2] (2a) [1(-H) = (oxazolin-2-yl)bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide] and [Pd(1(-H))2] (2b), of general formula [M{(Ph2P)2C---C---NCH2CH2O}2] (M = Pt, 2a; M = Pd, 2b), result from deprotonation of 2-{bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl}oxazoline (1) at the PCHP site. The new, functionalized dppm-type ligand 4-{bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl}pyridine, (Ph2P)2CH(4-C5H4N) (4), was prepared by double lithiation and phosphorylation of 4-picoline. In the presence of NEt3, the reactions of 2 equiv of 4 with [PtCl2(NCPh)2] and [Pd(acac)2] (acac = acetylacetonate) afforded [Pt(4(-H))2] (5a) [4(-H) = bis(diphenylphosphino)(pyridin-4-yl)methanide] and [Pd(4(-H))2] (5b), of general formula [M{(Ph2P)2C(4-C5H4N)}2] (M = Pt, 5a; M = Pd, 5b), respectively. In the absence of base, the reactions of 2 equiv of 4 with [PtCl2(NCPh)2] and [PdCl2(NCPh)2] afforded (5a·2HCl) (6a) and (5b·2HCl) (6b), respectively, in which the PCHP proton of 4 has migrated from carbon to nitrogen to give a pyridinium derivative of general formula [M{(Ph2P)2C(4-C5H4NH)}2]Cl2 (M = Pt, 6a; M = Pd, 6b). The complexes 3a, 5a·2MeOH, and 6b·4CH2Cl2 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The absorption/emission properties of the Pt(II) complexes 2a and 5a and the Pd(II) complexes 2b and 5b have been investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy and theoretical analysis based on density functional theory. The UV-vis absorption spectra of the neutral complexes recorded in dilute N,N'-dimethylformamide solutions are dominated by intense spin-allowed intraligand transitions in the region below 350 nm. The complexes exhibit charge-transfer bands between 350 and 500 nm. The experimental and theoretical absorption spectra agree qualitatively and point to two low-lying ligand-to-metal charge transfer states that contribute to the bands observed between 350 and 500 nm. The complexes are emissive in frozen solutions at 77 K, in the pure solid state, and when doped into films of poly(methyl methacrylate) but are nonemissive in solution. A red shift is observed when Pt(II) is replaced by Pd(II).

A comparative synthetic, magnetic and theoretical study of functional M4Cl4 cubane-type Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes.

We describe the synthesis, structures, and magnetochemistry of new M4Cl4 cubane-type cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with the formula [M(µ3-Cl)Cl(HL·S)]4 (1: M = Co; 2: M = Ni), where HL·S represents a pyridyl-alcohol-type ligand with a thioether functional group, introduced to allow subsequent binding to Au surfaces. Dc and ac magnetic susceptibility data of 1 and 2 were modeled with a full spin Hamiltonian implemented in the computational framework CONDON 2.0. Although both coordination clusters 1 and 2 are isostructural, with each of their transition metal ions in a pseudo-octahedral coordination environment of four Cl atoms and N,O-donor atoms of one chelating HL·S ligand, the substantially different ligand field effects of Co(II) and Ni(II) results in stark differences in their magnetism. In contrast to compound 1 which exhibits a dominant antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling (J = -0.14 cm(-1)), 2 is characterised by a ferromagnetic coupling (J = +10.6 cm(-1)) and is considered to be a single-molecule magnet (SMM), a feature of special interest for future surface deposition studies. An analysis based on density functional theory (DFT) was performed to explore possible magnetostructural correlations in these compounds. Using a two-J model Hamiltonian, it revealed that compound 1 has four positive and two (small) negative J(Co···Co) isotropic interactions leading to a S(HS) = 6 ground state. Taking into account the magnetic anisotropy, one would recover a M(S) = 0 ground state since D > 0 from computations. In 2, all the J constants are positive and, in this framework, the zero-field splitting energy characterising the axial anisotropy was estimated to be negative (D = -0.44 cm(-1)). The computational results are consistent with compound 2 being an SMM.

Solvent-dependent reversible ligand exchange in nickel complexes of a monosulfide bis(diphenylphosphino)(N-thioether)amine.

The coordination chemistry of the DPPA-type functional phosphine bis(diphenylphosphino)(N-thioether)amine N(PPh2)2(CH2)3SMe () and its monosulfide derivative, (Ph2P)N{P(S)Ph2}(CH2)3SMe (1·S), towards Ni(II) precursors has been investigated. The crystal structures of N{P(S)Ph2}2(CH2)3SMe (1·S2), [NiCl2{(Ph2P)2N(CH2)3SMe-P,P}] (2), [NiCl2((Ph2P)N{P(S)Ph2}(CH2)3SMe-P,S)] (3), [Ni((Ph2P)N{P(S)Ph2}(CH2)3SMe-P,S)2]NiCl4 (3'), [Ni((Ph2P)N{P(S)Ph2}(CH2)3SMe-P,S)2](BF4)2 (4), and [Ni((Ph2P)NH{P(S)Ph2}-P,S)2]Cl2 (5) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all of the complexes with the hybrid ligand 1·S, P,S-chelation to the Ni(II) center is observed. Despite the stability generally associated with five-membered ring chelation, easy migration of this LL'-type P,S-chelating ligand from one metal center to another was observed, which accounts for the reversible ligand-redistribution reaction occurring in the equilibrium between the neutral, diamagnetic complex [NiCl2LL'] and the paramagnetic ion-pair [Ni(LL')2][NiCl4]. Detailed investigations by multinuclear NMR, UV/Vis, and FTIR spectroscopic methods and DFT calculations are reported. Each of the formula isomers 3 and 3' can be selectively obtained, depending on the experimental conditions.

Influence of a thioether function in short-bite diphosphine ligands on the nature of their silver complexes: structure of a trinuclear complex and of a coordination polymer.

New cationic Ag(I) complexes were prepared by reaction of AgBF4 with two thioether-functionalized bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands, Ph2PN(p-ArSMe)PPh2 (L1) and Ph2PN(n-PrSMe)PPh2 (L2), and compared with those obtained from the unfunctionalized ligands Ph2PN(Ph)PPh2 (L3) and Ph2PN(n-Bu)PPh2 (L4), respectively. The complex [Ag3(µ3-Cl)2(µ2-L1-P,P)3](BF4) (1·BF4) contains a triangular array of Ag centres supported by three bridging L1 ligands and two triply-bridging chlorides. In contrast, ligand L2 led to the coordination polymer [{Ag2(µ3-L2,-P,P,S)2(MeCN)2}{Ag2(µ2-L2-P,P)2(MeCN)2}(BF4)4]n (2) in which the tethered thioether group connects intermolecularly a Ag2 unit to the diphosphine bridging the other Ag2 unit. With L3 and L4, two similar complexes were obtained, [Ag2(µ2-L3)(BF4)2] (3) and [Ag2(µ2-L4)(BF4)2] (4), respectively, with bridging diphosphine ligands and a BF4 anion completing the coordination sphere of the metal. Complexes 1·BF4·CH2Cl2, 2·THF, 3·3CH2Cl2 and 4 have been fully characterized, including by single crystal X-ray diffraction.

Synthesis of cubane-type Ni(II) complexes from pyridyl-alcohol ligands; their single-molecule magnet behaviour.

The reactions of NiCl2·2H2O or [NiCl2(DME)] (DME = dimethoxyethane) with 2-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)propan-2-ol (HL) and 2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethanol (HLEt), in a 1:1 ratio, afforded the tetranuclear, cubane-type clusters [Ni(µ3-Cl)Cl(HL)]4 (3) and [Ni(µ3-Cl)Cl(HLEt)]4 (4), respectively. These are tetramers of the hypothetical mononuclear formula-isomers [NiCl2(HL)] and [NiCl2(HLEt)], respectively, and represent rare examples of structurally characterized cubane-like transition metal dihalogenide complexes. The 2:1 reactions between HL or HLEt and [NiCl2(DME)] yielded, instead, the mononuclear [NiCl2(HL)2] (1) and the dinuclear complex [Ni(µ-Cl)(HLEt)2]2Cl2 (2), respectively. The reaction of 3 with NaOH afforded selectively the cubane-type cluster [Ni(µ3-OH)Cl(HL)]4 (5) which differs only in the nature of the capping anions (Cl vs. OH, respectively). The magnetic properties of the unusual tetranuclear cubanes 3 and 5 have been investigated and revealed in both cases single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour.

Heptabismuthate [Bi7I24]3­: a main group element anderson-type structure and its relationships with the polyoxometalates.

We describe the unique structural and electronic arrangement in the heptanuclear polyiodobismuthate [Bi(7)I(24)](3-) which displays striking similarities with the Anderson-type structures found in polyoxometalates. This main group element anion is part of the complex [Bi(OAc)(2)(thf)(4)](3)[Bi(7)I(24)] (1) which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. We investigated the structure, stability, and bonding of [Bi(7)I(24)](3-) using relativistic dispersion-corrected density functional theory in combination with a quantitative energy decomposition and electron localization function analysis in order to better understand the main features of this isopolyanion. A comparative analysis of the properties of [Bi(7)I(24)](3-) and previously reported high-nuclearity [Bi(n)X(3n+m)](m-) anions, in the gas phase and in solution, has been performed, in the latter case to track the macroscopic solvent effects. [Bi(7)I(24)](3-) is the largest building block in the class of trianionic iodobismuthates and the sole heptanuclear framework in the family of iodobismuthates.

A phosphino-oxazoline ligand as a P,N-bridge in palladium/cobalt or P,N-chelate in nickel complexes: catalytic ethylene oligomerization.

The Pd(II) complex [PdCl(2)(1)] [1 = ({oxazolin-2-yl}methyl)diphenylphosphine] was obtained by the 1:1 reaction of 1 with [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)]. Although this neutral complex is stable in the solid-state and in solution, it reacts with the dinuclear complex [CoCl(2)(µ-1)](2) to afford the heterometallic zwitterionic complex [{PdCl(1)}(+)(µ-1)(CoCl(3))(-)] (2). Under inert atmosphere, two equivalents of 1 reacted with [NiCl(2)(dme)] to give trans-[NiCl(2)(1)(2)] (3) in CH(2)Cl(2) but cis-[NiCl(2)(1)(2)] (4) in CHCl(3). When the latter reaction was performed in air, trans-[NiCl(2)(5)(2)] (6) [5 = ({oxazolin-2-yl}methyl)diphenylphosphine oxide] was obtained. All metal complexes, 2, 3, 4 and 6, have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. Complexes 3, 4 and 6 have been evaluated as precatalysts for ethylene oligomerisation in the presence of AlEtCl(2) as cocatalyst. Complexes 3 and 6 yielded a turnover frequency (TOF) of 60,700 and 62,600 mol of C(2)H(4)/((mol of Ni)·h), respectively, in the presence of 10 equiv. of AlEtCl(2). In the presence of only 6 equiv. of cocatalyst, these Ni complexes yielded TOF values of 41,500 and 58,000 mol of C(2)H(4)/((mol of Ni)·h), respectively.

Synthesis, characterization, and single-molecule metamagnetism of new Co(II) polynuclear complexes of pyridine-2-ylmethanol.

The reaction between pyridine-2-ylmethanol (HL), anhydrous CoCl(2) and NaH afforded polynuclear Co(II) complexes [Co(7)(L)(12)]Cl(2) (1), [Co(6)Na(L)(12)]Cl (2) and [Co(4)Cl(2)(L)(6)] (3), depending on the HL:CoCl(2) ratio set in the reaction. The core structures of the centrosymmetric complexes 1 and 2 are of the M@Co(6) type (M = Co or Na, respectively) with a coplanar arrangement of the metals whereas that of centrosymmetric 3 is of an incomplete dicubane type. The experimental conditions allowing interconversions between these polynuclear complexes have been determined, which provides a more rational control of their synthesis. Thus, 1 transforms to 3 when reacted with CoCl(2) in a 1 : 1 ratio, whereas the same reaction performed with a large excess of CoCl(2) gave the tetranuclear pseudo-cubane complex [Co(4)(L)(4)Cl(2)(MeOH)(4)] upon recrystallization. Conversely, 1 was isolated from the reaction of 3 with HL and NaH. The crystal structure of these compounds is reported, along with the magnetic behaviour of 1 and 3. The analysis of the magnetism using the effective spin-1/2 Hamiltonian approach revealed single-molecule metamagnetic behavior in 3.

Chelating or bridging Pd(II) and Pt(II) metalloligands from the functional phosphine ligand N-(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine. New heterometallic Pd(II)/Pt(II) and Pt(II)/Au(I) complexes.

The reaction of two equivalents of the functional phosphine ligand N-(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine Ph2PNHC=NNCHS (2) with [PdCl2(NCPh)2] in the presence of NEt3 gives the neutral, P,N-chelated complex cis-[Pd(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2] ([Pd(2-H)2], 3b), which is analogous to the Pt(II) analogue cis-[Pt (Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2] ([Pt(2-H)2], 3a) reported previously. These complexes function as chelating metalloligands when further coordinated to a metal through each of the CH-N atoms. In the resulting complexes, each endo-cyclic N donor of the thiadiazole rings is bonded to a different metal centre. Thus, the heterodinuclear palladium/platinum complexes cis-[Pt(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2PdCl2]([Pt(2-H)2·PdCl2], 4a) and cis-[Pd(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2PtCl2]([Pd(2-H)2·PtCl2], 4b) were obtained by reaction with [PdCl2(NCPh)2] and [PtCl2(NCPh)2], respectively. In contrast, reaction of 3a with [AuCl(tht)] occurred instead at the P-bound N atom, and afforded the platinum/digold complex cis-[Pt{Ph2PN(AuCl)=CNN=CHS}2] ([Pt(2-H)2(AuCl)2], 5). For comparison, reaction of 4a with HBF4 yielded cis-[Pt(Ph2PNH=CNN=CHS)2PdCl2](BF4)2([H24a](BF4)2, 6), in which the chelated PdCl2 moiety is retained. Complexes 3b, 4a·CH2Cl2, 4b·0.5C7H8, 5·4CHCl3 and 6 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Unexpected metal-induced isomerisms and phosphoryl migrations in Pt(II) and Pd(II) complexes of the functional phosphine 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl)-oxazoline.

The reaction of the functional diphosphine 1 [1 = 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methyl-oxazoline] with [PtCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] or [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)], in the presence of excess NEt(3), affords [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}(2)] ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(2)], 3a) and [Pd{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}(2)] ([Pd(1(-H)-P,P)(2)], 3b), respectively, in which 1(-H) is (oxazoline-2-yl)bis(diphenylphosphino)methanide. The reaction of 3b with 2 equiv of [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) afforded [Pd(1(-H)-P,N)(2)(AuCl)(2)] (4), as a result of the opening of the four-membered metal chelate since ligand 1(-H), which was P,P-chelating in 3b, behaves as a P,N-chelate toward the Pd(II) center in 4 and coordinates to Au(I) through the other P donor. In the absence of a base, the reaction of ligand 1 with [PtCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] in MeCN or CH(2)Cl(2) afforded the isomers [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C═C(OCH(2)CH(2)NH)}(2)]Cl(2) ([Pt(1'-P,P)(2)]Cl(2) (5), 1' = 2-(bis(diphenylphosphino)methylene)-oxazolidine) and [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C═C(OCH(2)CH(2)NH)}{Ph(2)PCH═C(OCH(2)CH(2)N(PPh(2))}]Cl(2) ([Pt(1'-P,P)(2'-P,P)]Cl(2) (6), 2' = (E)-3-(diphenylphosphino)-2-((diphenylphosphino)methylene)oxazolidine]. The P,P-chelating ligands in 5 result from a tautomeric shift of the C-H proton of 1 to the nitrogen atom, whereas the formation of one of the P,P-chelates in 6 involves a carbon to nitrogen phosphoryl migration. The reaction of 5 and 6 with a base occurred by deprotonation at the nitrogen to afford 3a and [Pt{(Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}{Ph(2)PCH═COCH(2)CH(2)N(PPh(2))}]Cl ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(2'-P,P)]Cl (7)], respectively. In CH(2)Cl(2), an isomer of 3a, [Pt{Ph(2)P)(2)C···C(···NCH(2)CH(2)O)}{Ph(2)PC(PPh(2))═COCH(2)CH(2)N}] ([Pt(1(-H)-P,P)(1(-H)-P,N)] (8)), was obtained as a side product which contains ligand 1(-H) in two different coordination modes. Complexes 3b·4CH(2)Cl(2), 4·CHCl(3), 6·2.5CH(2)Cl(2), and 8·CH(2)Cl(2) have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.

Electrophilic activation and the formation of an unusual Tl+/Cr3+ tetranuclear ion-complex adduct.

Reaction of TlPF(6) with the Cr(III) complex fac-[CrCl(3)(NPN)] (NPN = bis(2-picolyl)phenyl phosphine) did not lead to precipitation of TlCl but rather to addition of the Tl(+) cation to the CrCl(3) moiety, which resulted in a pseudo-dimeric adduct which has an unusual tetranuclear centrosymmetric structure in the solid state.

Nuclearity of nickel and mixed sodium-nickel complexes: dependence on the spacer in chelating pyridine-alcoholate ligands.

Modifying the HL/Ni(ii) stoichiometry in the reaction between pyridine-2-ylmethanol (HL), [NiCl(2)(DME)] and NaH affords [Na(3)Ni(4)L(9)(mu(3)-OH)]Cl (1) or the new, unusual Na(10)Ni(6) polynuclear complex [Na(8)(NaL)(2)(NiL(3))(6)(mu(5)-OH)(2)] (2); starting from pyridine-2-ylethanol (HL(Et)) instead yielded [Ni(3)(mu-L(Et))(2)(mu(3)-L(Et))(2)(L(Et))(HL(Et))]Cl, whose magnetic properties are reported.

Stabilising a quinonoid-bridged dicopper(I) complex by use of a dppf (dppf = (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) backbone.

An unprecedented quinonoid-bridged dicopper(I) complex is described together with its redox, EPR and structural properties, which indicate a non-innocent role of the zwitterion-derived bridging ligand.

Tridentate assembling ligands based on oxazoline and phosphorus donors in dinuclear Pd(I)-Pd(I) complexes.

To examine the bonding preferences of potentially tridentate phosphorus, nitrogen donor ligands on a dinuclear metal core, we have studied the coordination of the oxazoline-based ligands bis(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine (NPN) and bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolyl dimethylmethoxy)phenylphosphine (NOPON(Me2)) toward the dinuclear d(9)-d(9) Pd(I) complex [Pd(2)(NCMe)(6)][BF(4)](2). In the dinuclear product [Pd(2)(NPN-N,P,N)(2)](BF(4))(2) (1), in which the Pd-Pd bond length of 2.5489(7) A is rather short, the two interacting metal centers are P,N bridged by two molecules of the NPN ligand, forming two six-membered rings. The other oxazoline ring of each ligand further chelates a Pd center through its nitrogen atom, forming five-membered chelates, as in the mononuclear complex [PdCl(2)(NPN-N,P)] (5). In contrast, the reaction between [Pd(2)(NCMe)(6)](BF(4))(2) and NOPON(Me2) in the presence of LiCl afforded the mononuclear cationic complex [Pd(NOPON(Me2)-N,P,N)Cl](BF(4)) (3), which is also obtained by halide abstraction from [Pd(NOPON(Me2)-N,P)Cl(2)] with NaBF(4). When this reaction was performed in the presence of 1 equiv of t-BuNC, the new dinuclear Pd(I)-Pd(I) complex [Pd(2)Cl(2)(CNt-Bu)(NOPON(Me2)-N,P,N)] (4) was isolated, which can also be obtained from a comproportionation reaction between Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes. The oxazoline in the P,N bridge is involved in a seven-membered ring moiety, a situation rarely encountered in Pd(I)-Pd(I) chemistry. Its nitrogen atom is coordinated trans to the isonitrile ligand whereas that of the P,N chelate at Pd(1) is trans to Pd(2). The fluxional processes involving the oxazoline moieties of the NPN and NOPON(Me2) ligands in 1 and 4, respectively, were examined by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of 1, 3.0.5CH(3)CN, and 4 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Prior to this work, relatively few complexes have been reported in the literature in which a potentially tridentate functional phosphorus ligand is simultaneously chelating and bridging a dinuclear Pd(I)-Pd(I) system.

Structure and reactivity of new iridium complexes with bis(oxazoline)-phosphonito ligands.

The synthesis and characterization of novel iridium(I) complexes bearing a neutral bis(oxazoline)phosphonite ligand, NOPON(Me(2)) (I), are reported. Numerous Ir(I) complexes have been isolated in high yields and characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. [Ir(mu-Cl)(cod)](2) (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) reacted with I to give the air-sensitive complex [IrCl(cod)(NOPON(Me(2)))] (1), which shows broad (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR signals due to dynamic exchange equilibria involving the cod and the NOPON(Me(2)) ligands. Reaction between a solution of 1 and CO afforded the carbonyl complex [IrCl(CO)(NOPON(Me(2)))] (2), whose solid-state structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Cationic complexes have been obtained by using NaBAr(F) (BAr(F) = B[3,5-(CF(3))(2)C(6)H(3)](4)) as a chloride abstractor. The complex [Ir(cod)(NOPON(Me(2)))]BAr(F) (3) displays a mononuclear structure in the solid state with ligand I acting as a bidentate P,N chelating ligand. This complex is a precatalyst for the hydrogenation of alkenes. Oxidative addition of H(2) to 3 occurred either in solution or in the solid-state and this reaction allowed the isolation of the 32 electron, dinuclear dihydrido-bridged iridium(III) complex [IrH(mu-H)(NOPON(Me(2)))](2)(BAr(F))(2) (4), in which the NOPON(Me(2)) ligands exhibit a facial coordination mode. It contains only hydrides as bridging ligands and the Ir(2)(mu-H)(2) unit can be viewed as containing a formal Ir-Ir double bond or two 3c-2e bonds. Complex 3 has also been reacted with CO in solution and in the solid state, and this yielded the dicarbonyl derivative [Ir(CO)(2)(NOPON(Me(2)))]BAr(F) (5). A transmetalation reaction between 3 and [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] afforded the cationic Pd(II) complex [PdCl(NOPON(Me(2)))]BAr(F) (6), which has been structurally characterized.