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We present a new synthetic strategy for obtaining mixed-valence triiron complexes where the metal centers are bridged by a novel, highly functionalized hydrocarbyl ligand. The alkynyl–vinyliminium complexes [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C(X–C≡CH)CHCNMe2}]CF3SO3 (X = 4-C6H4, [2a1]CF3SO3; X = (CH2)3, [2a2]CF3SO3) were synthesized in almost quantitative yields from the aminocarbyne precursor [Fe2Cp2(CO)2(μ-CO){μ-CNMe2}]CF3SO3, [1a]CF3SO3, and the di-alkynes HC≡C–X–C≡CH. Then, the ferracycle [Fe(Cp)(CO){C(NMe2)CH＝C(4-C6H4C≡CH)C(O)}], 4a1, was produced in 47% yield from the cleavage of [2a1]CF3SO3 promoted by pyrrolidine. Subsequent reactions of the acetonitrile adducts [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO)(NCMe){μ-CNMe(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = Me, [1aACN]CF3SO3; R = Xyl, [1bACN]CF3SO3) ([FeIFeI]) with 4a1 ([FeII]) at room temperature resulted in the formation of [FeIFeIFeII] complexes [Fe2Cp2(CO)(μ-CO){μ-η1:η3-C(X–C＝CHC(NMe2)＝FeCp(CO)C＝O)CHCNMe(R)}]CF3SO3 (R = Me, [5a1]CF3SO3; R = Xyl, [5b1]CF3SO3) in yields ranging from 56% to 64%. The new products were characterized by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of [2a2]CF3SO3 and 4a1 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical studies on [5a1]+ have revealed that reduction and oxidation events occur almost independently at the [FeIFeI] and [FeII] units, respectively. This observation underscores a minimal electronic interaction between the two fragments within the triiron complex. Accordingly, DFT studies pointed out that the HOMO and LUMO orbitals are predominantly localized in the two distinct compartments of [5a1]+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimetallic complexes are suitable platforms for the assembly of small molecular units, and the reactivity of bridging alkenyl ligands has been widely investigated to model C–C bond forming processes. Here, we report the unusual coupling of an alkenyl ligand, bridging coordinated on a diruthenium scaffold, with a series of alkynes, revealing two possible outcomes. The diruthenium complex [Ru2Cp2(Cl)(CO)(μ-CO){μ–η1:η2-C(Ph)＝CH(Ph)}], 2, was prepared in two steps from [Ru2Cp2(CO)2(μ-CO){μ–η1:η2-C(Ph)＝CH(Ph)}]BF4, [1]BF4, in 69% yield. Then, the reaction of 2 with C2(CO2Me)2, promoted by AgCF3SO3 in dichloromethane, afforded in 51% yield the complex [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ–η3:η2-C(Ph)CH(Ph)C(CO2Me)C(CO2Me)}]CF3SO3, [3]CF3SO3, containing a ruthenacyclopentene-based hydrocarbyl ligand. On the other hand, 2 reacted with other alkynes and AgX salts to give the butadienyl complexes [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ–η3:η2-C(R)CH(R′)C(Ph)C(Ph)}]X (R = R′ = H, [4]BF4; R = R′ = Me, [5]CF3SO3; R = R′ = Ph, [6]CF3SO3; R = Ph, R′ = H, [7]CF3SO3), in 42–56% yields. All products were characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction in the cases of 2, [3]CF3SO3 and [6]BF4. DFT calculations highlighted the higher stability of [4–7]+-like structures with respect to the corresponding [3]+-like isomers. It is presumable that [3]+-like isomers initially form as kinetic intermediates, then undergo H-migration which is disfavoured in the presence of carboxylato substituents on the alkyne. Such hypothesis was supported by the computational optimization of the transition states for H-migration in the cases of R = R′ = H and R = R′ = CO2Me. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The room temperature reactions with internal alkynes, RC≡CR, of the μ-allenyl acetonitrile complex [Ru2Cp2(CO)2(NCMe){μ–η1:η2-C1H＝C2＝C3Me2}]BF4 (1-NCMe), freshly prepared from the tricarbonyl precursor [Ru2Cp2(CO)3{μ–η1:η2-C1H＝C2＝C3Me2}]BF4, 1, proceeded with alkyne insertion into ruthenium-allenyl bond and allenyl-CO coupling, affording compounds [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ–η2:η5-C(R)C(R)C1HC2(C3Me＝CH2)C(OH)}]BF4 (R = Ph, 2; R = CO2Me, 3; R = CO2Et, 4) in 83–94% yields. Deprotonation of 2–4 by triethylamine gave [Ru2Cp2(CO)2{μ–η2:η5-C(R)C(R)CHC(CMe＝CH2)C(O)}] (R = Ph, 5; R = CO2Me, 6; R = CO2Et, 7) in 75–88% yields, and 2–4 could be recovered upon HBF4·Et2O addition to 5–7. All the products, 2–7, were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The structure of 2 was ascertained by single crystal X-ray diffraction and investigated by DFT calculations, revealing a six-membered ruthenacycle with Shannon aromaticity index in line with related compounds. The formation of ruthenium-coordinated ruthenabenzenes from a preexistent diruthenium scaffold is a versatile but underdeveloped approach exploiting cooperative effects typical of a dimetallic core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]