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Previous work has shown that certain steroidal bis-(N-phenyl)ureas, derived from cholic acid, form crystals in the P6(1) space group with unusually wide unidimensional pores. A key feature of the nanoporous steroidal urea (NPSU) structure is that groups at either end of the steroid are directed into the channels and may in principle be altered without disturbing the crystal packing. Herein we report an expanded study of this system, which increases the structural variety of NPSUs and also examines their inclusion properties. Nineteen new NPSU crystal structures are described, to add to the six which were previously reported. The materials show wide variations in channel size, shape, and chemical nature. Minimum pore diameters vary from ~0 up to 13.1 Å, while some of the interior surfaces are markedly corrugated. Several variants possess functional groups positioned in the channels with potential to interact with guest molecules. Inclusion studies were performed using a relatively accessible tris-(N-phenyl)urea. Solvent removal was possible without crystal degradation, and gas adsorption could be demonstrated. Organic molecules ranging from simple aromatics (e.g., aniline and chlorobenzene) to the much larger squalene (M(w) = 411) could be adsorbed from the liquid state, while several dyes were taken up from solutions in ether. Some dyes gave dichroic complexes, implying alignment of the chromophores in the NPSU channels. Notably, these complexes were formed by direct adsorption rather than cocrystallization, emphasizing the unusually robust nature of these organic molecular hosts.

The following unsymmetrical diphosphines have been prepared: o-C6H4(CH2PtBu2)(PR2) where R = PtBu2 (L3a); PCg (L3b); PPh2 (L3c); P(o-C6H4CH3)2 (L3d); P(o-C6H4OCH3)2 (L3e) and o-C6H4(CH2PCg)(PCg) (L3f) where PCg is 6-phospha-2,4,8-trioxa-1,3,5,7-tetramethyladamant-6-yl. Hydromethoxycarbonylation of ethene under commercially relevant conditions has been investigated in the presence of Pd complexes of each of the ligands L3a–f and the results compared with those obtained with the commercially used o-C6H4(CH2PtBu2)2 (L1a). The Pd complexes of the bulkiest ligands L3a, L3b and L3f are highly active catalysts but the Pd complexes of L3c, L3d and L3e are completely inactive. The crystal structures of the complexes [PtCl2(L1a)] (1a) and [PtCl2(L3a)] (2a) have been determined and show that the crystallographic bite angles and cone angles are greater for L1a than L3a. Solution NMR studies show that the seven-membered chelate in 1a is more rigid than the six-membered chelate in 2a. Treatment of [PtCl(CH3)(cod)] with L3a–f gave [PtCl(CH3)(L3a–f)] as mixtures of 2 isomers 3a–f and 4a–f. The ratio of the products 4:3 ranges from 100:1 to 1:20, the precise proportion is apparently governed by a balance of two competing factors, steric bulk and the antisymbiotic effect. The palladium complexes [PdCl(CH3)(L3b)] (5b/6b) and [PdCl(CH3)(L3c)] (5c/6c) react with labelled 13CO to give the corresponding acyl species [PdCl(13COCH3)(L3b)] (7b/8b) and [PdCl(13COCH3)(L3c)] (7c/8c). Treatment of [PdCl(13COCH3)(L)] with MeOH gave CH3(13)COOMe rapidly when L = L3b but very slowly when L = L3c paralleling the contrasting catalytic activity of the Pd complexes of these two ligands.

We have expanded the ligand knowledge base for bidentate P,P- and P,N-donor ligands (LKB-PP, Organometallics2008, 31, 1372-1383) by 208 ligands and introduced an additional steric descriptor (nHe 8 ). This expanded knowledge base now captures information on 334 bidentate ligands and has been processed with principal component analysis (PCA) of the descriptors to produce a detailed map of bidentate ligand space, which better captures ligand variation and has been used for the analysis of ligand properties.

The aim of this critical review is to provide a broad but digestible overview of mechanochemical synthesis, i.e. reactions conducted by grinding solid reactants together with no or minimal solvent. Although mechanochemistry has historically been a sideline approach to synthesis it may soon move into the mainstream because it is increasingly apparent that it can be practical, and even advantageous, and because of the opportunities it provides for developing more sustainable methods. Concentrating on recent advances, this article covers industrial aspects, inorganic materials, organic synthesis, cocrystallisation, pharmaceutical aspects, metal complexes (including metal-organic frameworks), supramolecular aspects and characterization methods. The historical development, mechanistic aspects, limitations and opportunities are also discussed (314 references)., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2012)

The structures of [{RhLL'(μ-X)}(2)] [LL' = cod, (CO)(2), (CO)(PPh(3)) or {P(OPh)(3)}(2); X = mt or taz], prepared from [{RhLL'(μ-Cl)}(2)] and HX in the presence of NEt(3), depend on the auxiliary ligands LL'. The head-to-tail arrangement of the two N,S-bridges is accompanied by a rhodium-eclipsed conformation for the majority but the most hindered complex, [{Rh[P(OPh)(3)](2)(μ-taz)}(2)], uniquely adopts a sulfur-eclipsed structure. The least hindered complex, [{Rh(CO)(2)(μ-mt)}(2)], shows intermolecular stacking of mt rings in the solid state. The complexes [{RhLL'(μ-X)}(2)] are chemically oxidised to trinuclear cations, [(RhLL')(3)(μ-X)(2)](+), most probably via reaction of one molecule of the dimer, in the sulfur-eclipsed form, with the fragment [RhLL'](+) formed by oxidative cleavage of a second., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

The tricarbonyl [Mn(CO)(3){HC(pz')(3)}][PF(6)] 1(+)[PF(6)](-) (pz' = 3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl) reacts with a range of P-, N- and C-donor ligands, L, in the presence of trimethylamine oxide to give [Mn(CO)(2)L{HC(pz')(3)}](+) {L = PEt(3)3(+), P(OEt)(3)4(+), P(OCH(2))(3)CEt 5(+), py 6(+), MeCN 7(+), CNBu(t)8(+) and CNXyl 9(+)}. The complex [Mn(CO)(2)(PMe(3)){HC(pz')(3)}](+)2(+) is formed by reaction of 7(+) with PMe(3). Complexes 2(+) and 6(+) were structurally characterised by X-ray diffraction methods. Reaction of 7(+) with half a molar equivalent of 4,4'-bipyridine gives a purple compound assumed to be the bridged dimer [{HC(pz')(3)}Mn(CO)(2)(μ-4,4'-bipy)Mn(CO)(2){HC(pz')(3)}](2+)10(2+). The relative electron donating ability of HC(pz')(3) has been established by comparison with the cyclopentadienyl and tris(pyrazolyl)borate analogues. Cyclic voltammetry shows that each of the complexes undergoes an irreversible oxidation. The correlation between the average carbonyl stretching frequency and the oxidation potential for complexes of P- and C-donor ligands is coincident with the correlation observed for [Mn(CO)(3-m)L(m)(η-C(5)H(5-n)Me(n))]. The data for complexes of N-donor ligands, however, are not coincident due to the presence of a node (and phase change) between the metal and the N-donor in the HOMO of the complex as suggested by preliminary DFT calculations., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

The homodiphosphanes CgP-PCg (1) and PhobP-PPhob (2) and the heterodiphosphanes CgP-PPhob (3), CgP-PPh(2) (4a), CgP-P(o-Tol)(2) (4b), CgP-PCy(2) (4c), CgP-P(t)Bu(2) (4d), PhobP-PPh(2) (5a), PhobP-P(o-Tol)(2) (5b), PhobP-PCy(2) (5c), PhobP-P(t)Bu(2) (5d) where CgP = 6-phospha-2,4,8-trioxa-1,3,5,7-tetramethyladamant-9-yl and PhobP = 9-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-yl have been prepared from CgP(BH(3))Li or PhobP(BH(3))Li and the appropriate halophosphine. The formation of 1 is remarkably diastereoselective, with the major isomer (97% of the product) assigned to rac-1. Restricted rotation about the P-P bond of the bulky meso-1 is detected by variable temperature (31)P NMR spectroscopy. Diphosphane 3 reacts with BH(3) to give a mixture of CgP(BH(3))-PPhob and CgP-PPhob(BH(3)) which was unexpected in view of the predicted much greater electron-richness of the PhobP site. Each of the diphosphanes was treated with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD) in order to determine their propensity for diphosphination. The homodiphosphanes 1 and 2 did not react with DMAD. The CgP-containing heterodiphosphanes 4a-d all added to DMAD to generate the corresponding cis alkenes CgPCH(CO(2)Me)=CH(CO(2)Me)PR(2) (6a-d) which have been used in situ to form chelate complexes of the type [MCl(2)(diphos)] (7a-d) where M = Pd or Pt. The PhobP-containing heterodiphosphanes 3 and 5a-d react anomalously with DMAD and do not give the products of diphosphination. The X-ray crystal structures of the diphosphanes 2, 3, 4a, and 5a, the monoxide and dioxide of diphosphane 1, and the platinum chelate complex 7c have been determined and their structures are discussed., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011)

Reaction of [Pd(PPh(3))(4)] with 1,1-dichloro-2,3-diarylcyclopropenes gives complexes of the type cis-[PdCl(2)(PPh(3))(C(3)(Ar)(2))] (Ar = Ph 5, Mes 6). Reaction of [Pd(dba)(2)] with 1,1-dichloro-2,3-diarylcyclopropenes in benzene gave the corresponding binuclear palladium complexes trans-[PdCl(2)(C(3)(Ar)(2))](2) (Ar = Ph 7, p-(OMe)C(6)H(4)8, p-(F)C(6)H(4)9). Alternatively, when the reactions were performed in acetonitrile, the complexes trans-[PdCl(2)(NCMe)(C(3)(Ar)(2))] (Ar = Ph 10, p-(OMe)C(6)H(4)11 and p-(F)C(6)H(4)) 12) were isolated. Addition of phosphine ligands to the binuclear palladium complex 7 or acetonitrile adducts 11 and 12 gave complexes of the type cis-[PdCl(2)(PR(3))(C(3)(Ar)(2))] (Ar = Ph, R = Cy 13, Ar = p-(OMe)C(6)H(4), R = Ph 14, Ar = p-(F)C(6)H(4), R = Ph 15). Crystal structures of complexes 6·3.25CHCl(3), 10, 11·H(2)O and 12-15 are reported. DFT calculations of complexes 10-12 indicate the barrier to rotation about the carbene-palladium bond is very low, suggesting limited double bond character in these species. Complexes 5-9 were tested for catalytic activity in C-C coupling (Mizoroki-Heck, Suzuki-Miyaura and, for the first time, Stille reactions) and C-N coupling (Buchwald-Hartwig amination) showing excellent conversion with moderate to high selectivity.

The potassium salts of the new S(2)N-heteroscorpionate ligand hydrobis(methimazolyl)(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate [HB(mt)(2)(pz(3,5-Me))](-) and its known analogue hydrobis(methimazolyl)(pyrazolyl)borate [HB(mt)(2)(pz)](-) (prepared from KTp' or KTp and methimazole, Hmt), and the adduct KTp·Hmt have polymeric structures in the solid state (the first a ladder and the other two chains). The iridaboratranes [IrHLL'{B(mt)(2)X}] (X = pz(3,5-Me) or pz), prepared from the heteroscorpionate anion and [{Ir(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)] (LL' = cod), subsequent carbonylation [LL' = (CO)(2)] and then reaction with phosphine [LL' = (CO)(PR(3)), R = Ph or Cy], have a pendant pyrazolyl ring and a bicyclo-[3.3.0] cage formed by an S(2)-bound B(mt)(2) fragment. The binuclear species [(cod)HIr{μ-B(mt)(3)}IrCl(cod)], the only isolated product of the reaction of KTm with [{Ir(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)], also has an S(2)-bound iridaboratrane unit but with the third mt ring linked to square planar iridium(I).

The heteroscorpionate ligands [HB(taz)(2)(pz(R))](-) (pz(R) = pz, pz(Me2), pz(Ph)) and [HB(taz)(pz)(2)](-), synthesised from the appropriate potassium hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate salt and 4-ethyl-3-methyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazole (Htaz), react with [{Rh(cod)(μ-Cl)}(2)] to give [Rh(cod)Tx] {Tx = HB(taz)(2)(pz), HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2)), HB(taz)(2)(pz(Ph)), HB(taz)(pz)(2)}; the heteroscorpionate rhodaboratrane [Rh{B(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}{HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] is the only isolable product from the reaction of [{Rh(nbd)(μ-Cl)}(2)] with K[HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))]. Carbonylation of the cod complexes gave a mixture of [Rh(CO)(2)Tx] and [(RhTx)(2)(μ-CO)(3)] which reacts with PR(3) to give [Rh(CO)(PR(3))Tx] (R = Cy, NMe(2), Ph, OPh). In the solid state the complexes are square planar with the particular structure dependent on the steric and/or electronic properties of the scorpionate and ancillary ligands. The complex [Rh(cod){HB(taz)(pz)(2)}] has the heteroscorpionate κ(2)[N(2)]-coordinated to rhodium with the B-H bond directed away from the rhodium square plane while [Rh(cod){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] is κ(2)[SN]-coordinated, with the B-H bond directed towards the metal. The complexes [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz)}] and [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] are also κ(2)[SN]-coordinated but with the pyrazolyl ring cis to PPh(3); in the former the B-H bond is directed towards rhodium while in the latter the ring is pseudo-parallel to the rhodium square plane, as also found for [Rh(CO)(2){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}]. The analogues [Rh(CO)(PR(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Me2))}] (R = Cy, NMe(2)) have the phosphines trans to the pyrazolyl ring. Uniquely, [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){HB(taz)(2)(pz(Ph))}] is κ(2)[S(2)]-coordinated. A qualitative mechanism is given for the rapid ring-exchange, and hence isomerisation, observed in solution.

Crystalline coordination compounds [MnCl(2)(Hpz)(2)] 3, [CdCl(2)(Hpz)(2)] 5, [MnCl(2)(Him)(2)] 9, and [CdCl(2)(Him)(2)] 13 (Him = imidazole; Hpz = pyrazole) can be synthesized in solid state reactions by grinding together the appropriate metal chloride and 2 equiv of the neutral ligand. Similarly, grinding together the metal chlorides with the ligand hydrochloride salts produces the halometallate salts [H(2)pz][MnCl(3)(OH(2))] 1, [H(2)pz][CdCl(4)] 4, [H(2)im](6)[MnCl(6)][MnCl(4)] 8, and [H(2)im](6)[CdCl(6)][CdCl(4)] 11. In contrast, reacting the metal chloride salt with the ligand in concentrated HCl solution yields a second set of salts [H(2)pz][MnCl(3)] 2, [H(2)im][MnCl(3)(OH(2))(2)] 7, and [H(2)im][CdCl(3)(OH(2))]·H(2)O 12. Compound 5 can be partly dehydrochlorinated by grinding with KOH to form an impure sample of the pyrazolate compound [Cd(pz)(2)] 6, while recrystallizing 9 from ethanol yielded crystals of solvated [Mn(4)Cl(8)(Him)(8)] 10. The crystal structure determinations of 1, 2, 4, 11, and 12 are reported.

The synthesis of the salt 3 and metallo-organic framework (MOF) [{(4,4(')-bipy)CoBr(2)}(n)] 4 by a range of solid state (mechanochemical and thermochemical) and solution methods is reported; they are isostructural with their respective chloride analogues 1 and 2. 3 and 4 can be interconverted by means of HBr elimination and absorption. Single phases of controlled composition and general formula [4,4(')-H(2)bipy][CoBr(4-x)Cl(x)] 5(x) may be prepared from 2 and 4 by solid--gas reactions involving HBr or HCl respectively. Crystalline single phase samples of 5(x) and [{(4,4(')-bipy)CoBr(2-x)Cl(x)}(n)] 6(x) were prepared by solid-state mechanochemical routes, allowing fine control over the composition and unit cell volume of the product. Collectively these methods enable continuous variation of the unit cell dimensions of the salts [4,4(')-H(2)bipy][CoBr(4-x)Cl(x)] (5(x)) and the MOFs [{(4,4(')-bipy)CoBr(2-x)Cl(x)}(n)] (6(x)) by varying the bromide to chloride ratio and establish a means of controlling MOF composition and the lattice metrics, and so the physical and chemical properties that derive from it.

Solid pyrazole reacts with HCl gas to form pyrazolium chloride [H2pz]Cl, which reacts in the solid state, under grinding, with metal chlorides MCl2 (M = Co, Zn, Cu) to form the pyrazolium tetrachlorometallate salts [H2pz]2[MCl4] (M = Co 1, Zn 3, Cu 5). Salt 5 cannot be made in solution, and upon standing at room temperature spontaneously emits HCl to give the coordination compound [CuCl2(Hpz)2] (6). Compounds 1 and 3 do not exhibit this behaviour, but can be ground together with bases such as KOH or K2CO3 to effect the elimination of HCl and afford their respective [MCl2(Hpz)2] compounds (M = Co 2, Zn 4). 2, 4 and 6 can also be synthesised in the solid-state by direct reaction of the appropriate metal chloride with pyrazole, or by reaction of a basic metal salt such as the carbonate or hydroxide with pyrazolium chloride. 4 and 6 {and their nickel analogue [NiCl2(Hpz)2]} can be ground with a further two equivalents of base to make the known polymeric metal pyrazolates [M(pz)2]n (M = Ni 7, Cu 8, Zn 9); the same reaction appears to work for the cobalt analogue 2, but the presumed product [Co(pz)2]n10 then decomposes by oxidation. The imidazolate complexes [M(im)2] (M = Ni, 11; Cu, 12; Zn, 13; Co, 14) were similarly prepared by grinding the appropriate [M(Him)2Cl2] precursor with KOH.

In the title compound (C(17)H(17)N(2))(2)[Fe(2)Cl(6)O], obtained from the solid-state reaction of FeCl(2) and N,N'-dibenzyl-imidazolium chloride, the complex anion has approximate D(3d) symmetry with crystallographically imposed inversion symmetry coincident with the bridging μ-O atom. The stereochemistry about each FeCl(3)O centre is distorted tetra-hedral [Fe-Cl = 2.2176 (5)-2.2427 (5) Å and Fe-O = 1.7545 (2) Å]. The Cl atoms are involved in weak anion-cation C-H⋯Cl inter-actions, giving a network structure.

The reaction of potassium hydrotris(methimazolyl)borate {KTm = HB(mt)(3)} with [{Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)}(2)] gave [Rh(cod)Tm] while the complexes [Rh(CO)(PR(3))Tm] (R = Ph or NMe(2)) and [Rh{P(OPh)(3)}(2)Tm] were isolated from light-sensitive [Rh(CO)(2)Tm], prepared in situ from KTm and [{Rh(CO)(2)(mu-Cl)}(2)], and PR(3) or P(OPh)(3) under CO. The complexes [Rh(cod)Tm] and [Rh(CO)(PR(3))Tm] (R = Ph or NMe(2)) adopt kappa(3)-S(2)H structures in the solid state but in all cases rapid dynamic exchange processes render the three mt rings equivalent in solution. Oxidation of [Rh(CO)(PPh(3))Tm] with [Fe(eta-C(5)H(5))(2)][PF(6)] in the presence of NHPr(i)(2) gave a mixture containing two monocationic rhodaboratranes. One is assigned as [Rh(CO)(PPh(3)){B(mt)(3)}][PF(6)] on the basis of IR and NMR spectroscopy, with boron trans to the phosphine ligand. The second, structurally characterised as [Rh(PPh(3)){B(mt)(3)}][PF(6)], has boron trans to an empty coordination site, vacated by CO. Similar oxidation of [Rh(cod)Tm] gave small quantities of the boron-fluorinated bis(scorpionate) [Rh{FB(mt)(3)}(2)][PF(6)].

Solid-state reactions of palladium(II) and platinum(II) chloride complexes with imidazole (Him) and pyrazole (Hpz) or their hydrochloride salts are shown to produce metal complex salts and coordination compounds. Thus, K(2)[MCl(4)] or MCl(2) can be ground with imidazolium chloride ([H(2)im]Cl) to produce the salts [H(2)im](2)[MCl(4)] (M = Pd, 1; Pt, 5), which can then be dehydrochlorinated in the solid state to produce the coordination compounds trans-[PdCl(2)(Him)(2)] 3 or cis-[PtCl(2)(Him)(2)] 6. The complex cis-[PdCl(2)(Him)(2)] 2 is produced when Pd(OAc)(2) is ground with [H(2)im]Cl. Reaction of platinum chloride reagents with imidazole (Him) also produces cis-[PtCl(2)(Him)(2)] 6, but reaction of imidazole with analogous palladium chloride reagents first produces [Pd(Him)(4)]Cl(2) 4 which then slowly converts to trans-[PdCl(2)(Him)(2)] 3. Grinding pyrazolium chloride with K(2)[MCl(4)] produces [H(2)pz](2)[MCl(4)] (M = Pd, 7; Pt, 10), which may also be dehydrochlorinated in the solid state to produce the coordination compounds trans-[PdCl(2)(Hpz)(2)] 8 or cis-[PtCl(2)(Hpz)(2)] 11. Grinding K(2)[PdCl(4)] or PdCl(2) with pyrazole gives [Pd(Hpz)(4)]Cl(2) 9, which is then slowly converted into trans-[PdCl(2)(Hpz)(2)] 8. Grinding PtCl(2) with Hpz generates [Pt(Hpz)(4)]Cl(2) 12, but using K(2)PtCl(4) as the metal source does not generate the same product. The single-crystal structures of 8, a new polymorph of 11 and [H(2)pz](2)[PtCl(6)].2H(2)O (isolated as a decomposition product) are reported for the first time, and the structures of 5 and 10 have been solved ab ibitio from XRPD data.

A series of symmetric and unsymmetric N,N-bis(diarylphosphino)amine ('PNP') ligands (Ar2PN(R)PNAr'2: R = Me, Ar2 = o-anisyl, Ar'2 = Ph, 1, R = Me, Ar2 = o-tolyl, Ar'2 = Ph, 2, R = Me, Ar2 = Ph(o-ethyl), Ar'2 = Ph, 3, R = Me, Ar2 = Ar'2 = o-anisyl, 4, R = iPr, Ar2 = Ar'2 = Ph, 5) and symmetric N,N'-bis(diarylphosphino)dimethylhydrazine ('PNNP') ligands (Ar2PN(Me)N(Me)PAr2: Ar2 = o-tolyl, 6, Ar2 = o-anisyl, 7) have been synthesised. Catalytic screening for ethene/styrene co-trimerisation and isoprene trimerisation was performed via the in situ complexation to [CrCl3(THF)3] followed by activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO). PNNP catalytic systems showed a significant increase in activity and selectivity over previously reported PNP systems in isoprene trimerisation. Comparing the symmetric and unsymmetric variants in ethene and styrene co-trimerisation resulted in a switch in selectivity, an unsymmetric catalytic (o-anisyl)2PN(Me)PPh2 (1) ligand system affording unique incorporation of two styrenic monomers into the co-trimer product distribution differing from the familiar two ethene and one styrene -substituted alkenes. Complexes of the type [(diphosphine)Cr(CO)4] 8-11 were also synthesised, the single-crystal X-ray diffraction of which are reported. We propose the mechanisms of these catalytic transformations and an insight into the effect of the ligand series on the chromacyclic catalytic intermediates.

An efficient, classical resolution of the versatile P-ligand intermediate 6-phospha-2,4,8-trioxa-adamantane (CgPH) is described and the rhodium complex of the optically pure secondary phosphine beta-CgPH is an active and moderately selective asymmetric hydrogenation catalyst.

The conformations of the archetypal acyclic phosphorus ligands PEt(3) and P(OMe)(3) are classified on the basis of the observation that torsions about the P-C (or P-O) bonds show favoured conformations lying close to gauche (+/-60 degrees) or anti values (180 degrees). Analysis of the symmetry of the conformation space defined by the three M-P-X-C (X = CH(2) or O) torsion angles (t(1-3)) implies the existence of seven unique conformer types (A (aaa), B (g(+)g(+)g(+)), C (ag(+)g(+)), D (aag(+)), E (g(-)ag(+)), F (ag(-)g(+)), G (g(-)g(+)g(+)) and their symmetry equivalents) arising from the combinations of g(-), g(+) and a torsions. These conformers are observed in 1972 M-PEt(3) and 735 M-P(OMe)(3) fragments from crystal structures of metal complexes in the CSD following the popularity sequence: F > C >> D > B > G > E >> A for M-PEt(3); and: C > D > F >> E >> A, B, G. for M-P(OMe)(3). Pathways for low-energy interconversion of these conformers, dominated by single chain flip routes, are readily inferred for M-P(OMe)(3). The conformers of M-PEt(3) are apparently less readily interconverted. The popularity of conformations is only loosely related to the energies of these conformations as calculated by DFT or MM methods for two-, four- (square planar) and six-coordinate metal complexes of these ligands (and free PEt(3) and P(OMe)(3)). It would appear that the conformational preferences observed are determined by a balance between intra-ligand effects (repulsion between chains and avoidance of syn-pentane-like); inter-ligand effects (repulsions between gauche substituents at P and cis co-ligands notably when the coordination number at the metal is high); and residual anomeric effects (weakly favouring anti conformations in P(OMe)(3) species).

The cyclic voltammograms of the alkyne complexes [M(SR)L(eta-R'C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR')(eta-C(5)H(5))] (M = Mo or W, R = Me or Ph, R' = Me or Ph) show two oxidation processes. Both are irreversible for the stereochemically rigid carbonyls (L = CO) but the first is reversible for the fluxional phosphites {L = P(OMe)(3)}; the paramagnetic monocations [M(SPh){P(OMe)(3)}(eta-MeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CMe)(eta-C(5)H(5))](+) were detected by ESR spectroscopy after in situ chemical one-electron oxidation. By contrast, the hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate analogues [W(SR)(CO)(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] {R = Me or Ph, Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate} are oxidised in two reversible steps to the corresponding mono- and dications; the redox pair [W(SPh)(CO)(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'](z) (z = 0 and 1+) has been structurally characterised. A comparison of the redox potentials for the oxidation of [W(SR)(CO)(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] with those of the halide analogues [WX(CO)(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] suggests that the factors which give rise to the inverse halide order for the latter may not operate for the thiolates, which appear to be the better pi-donors in all three redox states [WL(CO)(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'](z) (L = halide or thiolate, z = 0, 1+ and 2+).

The reaction of a mixture of the sodium salts of dihydrobis(4-ethyl-3-methyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate, NaBt, and hydrotris(4-ethyl-3-methyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate, NaTt, with [{Rh(cod)(mu-Cl)}2] gave [Rh(cod)Bt] and [Rh(cod)Tt], which separately react with CO gas to give the unstable dicarbonyl [Rh(CO)2Bt] and an equilibrium mixture of two isomers of [Rh(CO)2Tt] and [(RhTt)2(mu-CO)3], respectively. Tertiary phosphorus donor ligands react with the mixture of [Rh(CO)2Tt] and [(RhTt)2(mu-CO)3] to give [Rh(CO)(PR3)Tt] (R = Cy, NMe(2), Ph or OPh) and [Rh{P(OPh)3}2Tt] in which rhodium is bound to two sulfur atoms of the scorpionate ligand; the B-H bond is directed towards the metal to give an agostic-like B-H...Rh interaction. Dinuclear [(RhTt)2(mu-CO)3] has kappa3[S3]-bound Tt ligands with a rhodium-rhodium bond bridged by three carbonyls. In solution the mononuclear Tt complexes undergo rapid dynamic interchange of the three thioxotriazolyl rings, probably via kappa3[S3]-coordinated intermediates. The monocarbonyls [Rh(CO)(PR3)Tt] (R = Cy, NMe2 or Ph) react with two equivalents of [Fe(eta-C5H5)2][PF6] in the presence of triethylamine to give the monocationic rhodaboratranes [Rh(CO)(PR3){B(taz)3}]+, with boron NMR spectroscopy providing evidence for the boron-rhodium bond. In the solid state, rhodium is bound to the three sulfur atoms and the boron of the B(taz)3 fragment, forming a tricyclo[3.3.3.0] cage. The phosphine is trans to the Rh-B bond, the long Rh-P bond indicating a pronounced trans influence for the coordinated boron. The cation [Rh(CO)(PPh3){B(taz)3}]+ reacts with [NBu(n)(4)]I to give [Rh(PPh3)I{B(taz)3}], in which the halide is trans to the Rh-B bond, and a second species, possibly [Rh(CO)I{B(taz)3}]. The dirhodaboratrane [Rh2(PCy3){B(taz)3}2][PF6]2, a minor byproduct in the synthesis of [Rh(CO)(PCy3){B(taz)3}][PF6], has a distorted square pyramidal rhodium atom with a vacant site trans to the Rh-B bond. The second metal has four coordination sites filled by the sulfur and boron atoms of a second B(taz)3 unit, the remaining octahedral sites occupied by two of the sulfur atoms of the first B(taz)3 unit which therefore bridges the two rhodium atoms.

We describe the development of a ligand knowledge base designed to capture the properties of C-donor ligands coordinating to transition metal centres, LKB-C. This knowledge base has been developed to describe both singlet (Arduengo and Fischer) and triplet (Schrock) carbenes, as well as related neutral monodentate C-donor ligands. The descriptors evaluated and used have been derived from a range of coordination environments to maximise their transferability and hence utility for the investigation of such ligands. These descriptors have been analysed with different statistical approaches, both individually to determine their chemical context, and collectively by principal component analysis thereby allowing the derivation of maps of ligand space for different ligand sets. The utility of such maps for investigating ligand similarity and identification of target areas for future ligand designs has been discussed. In addition, linear regression models have been fitted for the prediction of a calculated response variable, highlighting further potential applications of such a knowledge base.

The optically pure monophosphites P(OAr)(BINOLate) (7, where Ar = 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) have been prepared by treatment of PCl2(OAr) with R- or S-BINOL. Treatment of [PdCl2(NCMe)2] with 7 gave [PdCl2(7)2] (9) or the binuclear orthometallated complex [Pd2Cl2(7-H)2] (8) depending on the reaction conditions. Bridge cleavage reactions of 8 gave [PdCl(7-H)(L)] with L trans to carbon when L = PPh3 or 7 and cis to carbon when L = N-heterocyclic carbene. Treatment of [PtCl2(NCtBu)2] with 7 gave [PtCl2(7)2] (18) which upon further reaction with PtCl2 furnished a mixture of binuclear [Pt2Cl2(7-H)2] (17) and cis-[PtCl(7-H)(7)] (19). The palladium complexes containing cyclometallated 7 were screened for catalysis of 1,4-conjugate addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclohexen-2-one and the allylation of benzaldehyde with allyltributyltin. Conversions were generally high in each case but enantioselectivities were low (15% e.e. at best). The X-ray crystal structures of 8, 17 and [PdCl(7-H)(NHC)] (10a, where NHC = 1,3-(dimesityl)imidazolidin-2-ylidene) have been determined.

The new sterically encumbered facially coordinating N(3)-donor ligand cis,cis-1,3,5-tris(mesitylideneimino)cyclohexane (L1) has been synthesised. Reaction with [Cu(NCCH(3))(4)]PF(6) gives [Cu(L1)NCCH(3)]PF(6) (1), the bound acetonitrile being labile and readily replaced by CO to yield [Cu(L1)CO]PF(6) (2); both 1 and 2 have been structurally characterised. Complexes 1 and 2 do not undergo a substitution reaction with ethylene. This is in contrast to the related bidentate ligand complexes [Cu(L2)NCCH(3)]BF(4) (3) or [Cu(L2)CO]BF(4) (4) (L2= 1,2-bis(mesitylideneamino)cyclohexane) which rapidly form the ethylene complex under the same conditions.

Three methods for the large scale (50-100 g) separation of the secondary phobanes 9-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (s-PhobPH) and 9-phosphabicyclo[4.2.1]nonane (a-PhobPH) are described in detail. Selective protonation of s-PhobPH with aqueous HCl in the presence of a-PhobPH is an efficient way to obtain large quantities of a-PhobPH. Selective oxidation of a-PhobPH in an acidified mixture of a-PhobPH and s-PhobPH is an efficient way to obtain large quantities of s-PhobPH. The crystalline, air-stable phosphonium salts [s-PhobP(CH(2)OH)(2)]Cl and [a-PhobP(CH(2)OH)(2)]Cl can be separated by a selective deformylation with aqueous NaOH. a-PhobPH is shown to be a(5)-PhobPH in which the H lies over the five-membered ring. The isomeric a(7)-PhobPH has been detected but isomerizes to a(5)-PhobPH rapidly in the presence of water. s-PhobPH is more basic than a-PhobPH by about 2 pK(a) units in MeOH. Treatment of s-PhobPH with BH(3).THF gives s-PhobPH(BH(3)) and similarly a-PhobPH gives a(5)-PhobPH(BH(3)). Isomerically pure s-PhobPCl and a(5)-PhobPCl are prepared by reaction of the corresponding PhobPH with C(2)Cl(6). The n-butyl phobane s-PhobPBu is prepared by nucleophilic (using s-PhobPH or s-PhobPLi) and electrophilic (using s-PhobPCl) routes. Isomerically pure a(5)-PhobPBu is prepared by treatment of a-PhobPLi with (n)BuBr and a(7)-PhobPBu is prepared by quaternization of a-PhobPH with (n)BuBr followed by deprotonation. From the rates of conversion of a(7)-PhobPBu to a(5)-PhobPBu, the DeltaG(double dagger) (403 K) for P-inversion is calculated to be 38.1 kcal mol(-1) (160 kJ mol(-1)). The donor properties of the individual isomers of PhobPBu were assessed from the following spectroscopic measurements: (i) (1)J(PSe) for PhobP(Se)Bu; (ii) nu(CO) for trans-[RhCl(CO)(PhobPBu)(2)], (iii) (1)J(PtP) for the PEt(3) in trans-[PtCl(2)(PEt(3))(PhobPBu)]. In each case, the data are consistent with the order of sigma-donation being a(7)-PhobPBu > s-PhobPBu > a(5)-PhobPBu. This same order was found when the affinity of the PhobPBu isomers for platinum(II) was investigated by determining the relative stabilities of [Pt(CH(3))(s-PhobPBu)(dppe)][BPh(4)], [Pt(CH(3))(a(5)-PhobPBu)(dppe)][BPh(4)], and [Pt(CH(3))(a(7)-PhobPBu)(dppe)][BPh(4)] from competition experiments. Calculations of the relative stabilities of the isomers of PhobPH, [PhobPH(2)](+), and PhobPH(BH(3)) support the conclusions drawn from the experimental results. Moreover, calculations on the frontier orbital energies of PhobPMe isomers and their binding energies to H(+), BH(3), PdCl(3)(-), and PtCl(3)(-) corroborate the experimental observation of the order of sigma-donation being a(7)-PhobPR > s-PhobPR > a(5)-PhobPR. The calculated He(8) steric parameter shows that the bulk of the isomers increases in the order a(7)-PhobPR < s-PhobPR < a(5)-PhobPR. The crystal structures of [a-PhobP(CH(2)OH)(2)][s-PhobP(CH(2)OH)(2)]Cl(2), cis-[PtCl(2)(a(5)-PhobPCH(2)OH)(2)], trans-[PtCl(2)(s-PhobPBu)(2)], and trans-[PtCl(2)(a(7)-PhobPBu)(2)] are reported.

An unusual ruthenium(ii) complex frozen at an intermediate point of hydride transfer between boron and ruthenium centres is reported.

The d4 halide complexes [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp'] [R = Me, M = W, X = F; R = Ph, M = Mo or W, X = F or Cl; Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate] undergo two-electron oxidation in the presence of a halide source to give the d2 monocations [MX1X2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp']+ (R = Me, M = W, X1 = X2 = F; R = Ph, M = Mo, X1 = X2 = F or Cl; M = W, X1 = X2 = F or Cl; X1 = F, X2 = Cl). Each monocation (R = Ph) shows two reversible one-electron reductions (the second process was not detected for R = Me) corresponding to the stepwise formation of the neutral d3 and monoanionic d4 analogues, [MX1X2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] and [MX1X2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp']- respectively; the potentials for the two processes can be 'tuned' over a range of ca. 1.0 V by varying M and X. Chemical one-electron reduction of [MX2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp']+ gave [MX2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] (M = Mo or W, X = F or Cl). X-Ray structural studies on the redox pairs [WX2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp']z (X = F and Cl, z = 0 and 1+) show the alkyne to bisect the X-W-X angle in the d2 cations but align more closely with one M-X bond in the neutral d3 molecules, consistent with the anisotropic ESR spectra of the latter; the solution ESR spectrum of [MoF2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] showed equivalent fluorine atoms, i.e the alkyne oscillates at room temperature. The successful isolation of [MX2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp']+ and [MX2(eta-PhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh)Tp'] completes a series in which d6 to d2 alkyne complexes are linked in a redox family tree by sequential one-electron transfer and substitution reactions. The implications for such trees in the production of new species and the selective synthesis of paramagnetic complexes acting as synthetically useful 'alkyne radicals' are discussed.

The homologous series of diphosphines (CH(2))(n-1)P(CH(2))(3)P(CH(2))(n-1) where n = 5 (L(5)), 6 (L(6)), or 7 (L(7)) have been synthesized from the corresponding PhP(CH(2))(n-1). Treatment of [PtCl(2)(cod)] with L(5-7) gave the 6-membered chelates cis-[PtCl(2)(L(5-7))], the crystal structures for which reveal that L(5-7) have very similar steric bulk and bite angles. Treatment of [Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(4)] with L(5-7) gave the binuclear trans-[Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(2)(micro-L(5-7))(2)] with syn and anti orientations of the CO and Cl ligands suggested by the (31)P NMR spectra and the crystal structures of syn-trans-[Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(2)(micro-L(5))(2)] and anti-trans-[Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(2)(micro-L(7))(2)]. The nu(CO) values for trans-[Rh(2)Cl(2)(CO)(2)(micro-L(5-7))(2)] indicate that the donor strength increases in the order L(5) < L(6) < L(7). A study of rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of 1-octene using diphosphines L(5-7) is described. The catalyst activity decreases with increasing phosphacycle ring size: L(5) > L(6) > L(7).

Rhodium and iridium complexes of flexible scorpionate ligands based on azaindole were synthesised in good yields. The complexes were characterised in solution and in the solid state. Structural characterisation revealed a B-H-metal interaction, which is retained in solution. Given the greater flexibility of the ligand and potential cooperative effect of boron, the complexes were tested for their activity in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.

The kinetics of Pd-catalyzed Tsuji-Trost allylation employing simple phosphine ligands (L = Ar3P, etc.) are consistent with turnover-limiting nucleophilic attack of an electrophilic [L2Pd(allyl)]+ catalytic intermediate. Counter-intuitively, when L is made more electron donating, which renders [L2Pd(allyl)]+ less electrophilic (by up to an order of magnitude), higher rates of turnover are observed. In the presence of catalytic NaBAr'F, large rate differentials arise by attenuation of ion-pair return (via generation of [L2Pd(allyl)]+ [BAr'F]-) a process that also increases the asymmetric induction from 28 to 78% ee in an archetypal asymmetric allylation employing BINAP (L*) as ligand. There is substantial potential for analogous application of [M]n+([BAr'F]-)n cocatalysis in other transition metal catalyzed processes involving an ionic reactant or reagent and an ionogenic catalytic cycle.

The bidentate N-donor ligands 2-aminopyridine (2-ampy), 7-azaindolate (aza) and 1,8-naphthyridine (napy) have been used to study the steric effect of pentafluorophenyl groups in the synthesis of binuclear platinum(II) complexes. The 2-ampy and aza ligands bridge two "Pt(C 6F 5) 2" fragments with Pt...Pt distances of 4.1 and 3.4 A, respectively (complexes 1 and 3). Under the same reaction conditions the napy ligand shows chelating behavior and makes the mononuclear complex ( A) highly reactive because of its strained coordination. One of the Pt-N bonds of the chelating complex is broken on reaction with HX {X = Cl ( 4), Br ( 5)} because of protonation while the anion X (-) occupies a created vacant site. The resulting mononuclear complex eliminates C 6F 5H when refluxed, and a binuclear complex ( 6) with two napy ligands bridging two "Pt(C 6F 5)Cl" fragments is obtained. The reaction of A with HPPh 2 affords a mononuclear complex ( 7) analogous to complexes 5 and 6, but reflux gives a binuclear complex ( 8) with the two napy ligands terminally bound and the PPh 2 groups bridging the "Pt(C 6F 5)napy" moieties. The reaction of A with HCCPh gives a binuclear complex; moreover, the final product does not depend on the ratio of complex A to HCCPh. Complexes 1, 4, 6, 9 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.

The crystal structure of di-μ(3)-chlorido-tetra-μ(2)-chlorido-dichloridoocta-(imidazole-κN)tetra-manganese(II) ethanol 1.234 solvate, [Mn(4)Cl(8)(C(3)H(4)N(2))(8)]·1.234C(2)H(5)O or [Mn(4)Cl(8)(Him)(8)]·1.234EtOH, where Him is imidazole (C(3)H(4)N(2)), is based upon two Mn(4)Cl(4) cubes which share one face, and which each lack one manganese vertex, giving a Mn(4)Cl(6) unit. This contains two different octa-hedral coordination environments for the Mn atoms. Mn1 is coordinated by four bridging chlorido ligands and two imidazole N atoms, whereas Mn2 is coordinated by three bridging and one terminal Cl and two imidazole N atoms. The remaining two Mn centres are generated by inversion symmetry. A partial occupancy solvent mol-ecule (ethanol) is present. The crystal structure displays several N-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Reduction of compound "Pd(bcope)(OTf)2" [bcope = (c-C8H14-1,5)PCH2CH2P(c-C8H14-1,5); OTf = O3SCF3] with H2/CO yields a mixture of Pd(I) compounds [Pd2(bcope)2(CO)2](OTf)2 (1) and [Pd2(bcope)2(mu-CO)(mu-H)](OTf) (2), whereas reduction with H2 or Ph3SiH in the absence of CO leads to [Pd3(bcope)3(mu3-H)2](OTf)2 (3). Exposure of 3 to CO leads to 1 and 2. The structures of 1 and 3 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Complex [Pd2(bcope)2(CO)2](2+) displays a metal-metal bonded structure with a square planar environment for the Pd atoms and terminally bonded CO ligands and is fluxional in solution. DFT calculations aid the interpretation of this fluxional behavior as resulting from an intramolecular exchange of the two inequivalent P atom positions via a symmetric bis-CO-bridged intermediate. A cyclic voltammetric investigation reveals a very complex redox behavior for the "Pd(bcope)(OTf)2"/CO system and suggests possible pathways leading to the formation of the various observed products, as well as their relationship with the active species of the PdL2(2+)/CO/H2-catalyzed oxo processes (L2 = diphosphine ligands).

The structure of the centrosymmetric title compound, [Cu(2)Cl(6)(C(10)H(15)N(4))(2)]·2H(2)O, consists of a dimeric [{(HMe(4)bpz)CuCl(3)}(2)] unit (HMe(4)bpz is 3,3',5,5'-tetra-methyl-4,4'-bipyrazol-1-ium) with two solvent water molecules. Each [HMe(4)bpz](+) cation is bonded to a CuCl(3) unit through a Cu-N dative bond, effectively making square-planar geometry at the Cu atom. Two of these units then undergo a face-to-face dimerization so that the Cu atoms have a Jahn-Teller distorted square-pyramidal geometry with three chlorides and an N atom in the basal plane and one chloride weakly bound in the apical position. Several N-H⋯Cl, O-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds form a three-dimensional network.

The title compound, (C(6)H(8)N(4))[Mn(H(2)O)(6)](SO(4))(2), was obtained by cocrystallization of 2,2'-biimidazolium sulfate and bis-(tetra-butyl-ammonium) tetra-chlorido-manganate(II). The asymmetric unit contains one isolated (SO(4))(2-) anion, one half of an octa-hedral [Mn(H(2)O)(6)](2+) dication and one half of a 2,2'-biimidazolium dication, each of which lies on an inversion centre. Mol-ecules are connected by a three-dimensional N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen-bond network.

In the title compound, [CuCl(2)(C(4)H(4)N(2)O)(H(2)O)], the Cu(II) cation is coordinated by two chloride anions, one pyrimidin-2-one N atom and one water mol-ecule, giving a slightly distorted square-planar geometry. In the crystal structure, the pyrimidin-2-one rings stack along the b axis, with an inter-planar distance of 3.306 Å, as do the copper coordination planes (inter-planar spacing = 2.998 Å). The coordination around the Jahn-Teller-distorted Cu(II) ion is completed by long Cu⋯O [3.014 (5) Å] and Cu⋯Cl [3.0194 (15) Å] inter-actions with adjacent mol-ecules involved in this stacking. Several N-H⋯Cl, O-H⋯Cl and O-H⋯O inter-molecular hydrogen bonds form a polar three-dimensional network.

The title compound, (C(4)H(5)N(2)O)(5)[Cd(3)Cl(11)], was obtained from the reaction of 2-hydroxy-pyrimidine hydro-chloride and cadmium(II) chloride in concentrated HCl solution. The crystal structure consists of planar 2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-pyrimidin-3-ium cations with both N atoms protonated and the O atom unprotonated, and a complex trinuclear [Cd(3)Cl(11)](5-) anion of approximately D(3h) symmetry, which has a triangle of three octa-hedrally coordinated Cd(II) centres bonded to 11 chloride ions. Three of the chloride ions bridge adjacent Cd atoms, two cap the faces of the Cd(3) triangle and the remaining six are terminally bonded and act as hydrogen-bond acceptors. Various N-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds connect the anions and cations and, in addition, inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds contribute to the formation of a three-dimensional network.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, (C(4)H(5)N(2)O)(2)[Cu(2)Cl(6)(C(4)H(4)N(2)O)(2)]·2H(2)O, consists of one cation, one half of a centrosymmetric dianion and one water mol-ecule. The centrosymmetric dianion formed by dimerization in the crystal structure has neutral pyrimidin-2-one ligands coordinated to each copper(II) centre through Cu-N bonds. The Cu atoms each have a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry, with the N atom of the pyrimidin-2-one ligand in an axial position, and dimerize by sharing two equatorial Cl atoms. N-H⋯Cl, O-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect the anions, cations and water mol-ecules, forming a three-dimensional network.

C 1-Symmetric phosphino/phosphonite ligands are prepared by the reactions of Ph 2P(CH 2) 2P(NMe 2) 2 with ( S)-1,1'-bi-2-naphthol (to give L A ) or ( S)-10,10'-bi-9-phenanthrol (to give L B ). Racemic 10,10'-bi-9-phenanthrol is synthesized in three steps from phenanthrene in 44% overall yield. The complexes [PdCl 2( L A,B )] ( 1a, b), [PtCl 2( L A,B )] ( 2a, b), [Rh(cod)( L A,B )]BF 4 ( 3a, b) and [Rh( L A,B ) 2]BF 4 ( 4a, b) are reported and the crystal structure of 1a has been determined. A (31)P NMR study shows that M, a 1:1 mixture of the monodentates, PMePh 2 and methyl monophosphonite L 1a (based on ( S)-1,1 '-bi-2-naphthol), reacts with 1 equiv of [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 to give the heteroligand complex [Rh(cod)(PMePh 2)( L 1a )]BF 4 ( 5) and homoligand complexes [Rh(cod)(PMePh 2) 2]BF 4 ( 6) and [Rh(cod)( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 7) in the ratio 2:1:1. The same mixture of 5- 7 is obtained upon mixing the isolated homoligand complexes 6 and 7 although the equilibrium is only established rapidly in the presence of an excess of PMePh 2. The predominant species 5 is a monodentate ligand complex analogue of the chelate 3a. When the mixture of 5- 7 is exposed to 5 atm H 2 for 1 h (the conditions used for catalyst preactivation in the asymmetric hydrogenation studies), the products are identified as the solvento species [Rh(PMePh 2)( L 1a )(S) 2]BF 4 ( 5'), [Rh(S) 2(PMePh 2) 2]BF 4 ( 6') and [Rh(S) 2( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 7') and are formed in the same 2:1:1 ratio. The reaction of M with 0.5 equiv of [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 gives exclusively the heteroligand complex cis-[Rh(PMePh 2) 2( L 1a ) 2]BF 4 ( 8), an analogue of 4a. The asymmetric hydrogenation of dehydroamino acid derivatives catalyzed by 3a, b is reported, and the enantioselectivities are compared with those obtained with (a) chelate catalysts derived from analogous diphosphonite ligands L 2a and L 2b , (b) catalysts based on methyl monophosphonites L 1a and L 1b , and (c) catalysts derived from mixture M. For the cinnamate and acrylate substrates studied, the catalysts derived from the phosphino/phosphonite bidentates L A,B generally give superior enantioselectivities to the analogous diphosphonites L 2a and L 2b ; these results are rationalized in terms of delta/lambda-chelate conformations and allosteric effects of the substrates. The rate of hydrogenation of acrylate substrate A with heterochelate 3a is significantly faster than with the homochelate analogues [Rh( L 2a )(cod)]BF 4 and [Rh(dppe)(cod)]BF 4. A synergic effect on the rate is also observed with the monodentate analogues: the rate of hydrogenation with the mixture containing predominantly heteroligand complex 5 is faster than with the monophosphine complex 6 or monophosphonite complex 7. Thus the hydrogenation catalysis carried out with M and [Rh(cod) 2]BF 4 is controlled by the dominant and most efficient heteroligand complex 5. In this study, the heterodiphos chelate 3a is shown to be more efficient and gives the opposite sense of optical induction to the heteromonophos analogue 5.

Treatment of the diphosphines ortho-B10H10C(P(t)Bu2)C(PR2) (R = Et, Cy, Ph) with HCl gives the zwitterionic, nido-12-vertex species B10H10C(PH(t)Bu2)C(PClR2); these reactions are reversed by the addition of NEt3.

The reaction of [Mn(CN)L'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)] with cis- or trans-[MnBrL(CO)(2)(dppm)], in the presence of Tl[PF(6)], gives homobinuclear cyanomanganese(i) complexes cis- or trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2)LMn(micro-NC)MnL'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)](+), linkage isomers of which, cis- or trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2)LMn(micro-CN)MnL'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)](+), are synthesised by reacting cis- or trans-[Mn(CN)L(CO)(2)(dppm)] with [MnIL'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)] in the presence of Tl[PF(6)]. X-Ray structural studies on the isomers trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2){(EtO)(3)P}Mn(micro-NC)Mn(CNBu(t))(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)](+) and trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2){(EtO)(3)P}Mn(micro-CN)Mn(CNBu(t))(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)](+) show nearly identical molecular structures whereas cis-[(dppm)(CO)(2){(PhO)(3)P}Mn(micro-NC)Mn{P(OPh)(3)}(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)](+) and cis-[(dppm)(CO)(2){(PhO)(3)P}Mn(micro-CN)Mn{P(OPh)(3)}(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me)](+) differ, effectively in the N- and C-coordination respectively of two different optical isomers of the pseudo-tetrahedral units (NC)Mn{P(OPh)(3)}(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me) and (CN)Mn{P(OPh)(3)}(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)Me) to the octahedral manganese centre. Electrochemical and spectroscopic studies on [(dppm)(CO)(2)LMn(micro-XY)MnL'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)](+) show that systematic variation of the ligands L and L', of the cyclopentadienyl ring substituents R, and of the micro-CN orientation (XY = CN or NC) allows control of the order of oxidation of the two metal centres and hence the direction and energy of metal-metal charge-transfer (MMCT) through the cyanide bridge in the mixed-valence dications. Chemical one-electron oxidation of cis- or trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2)LMn(micro-NC)MnL'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)](+) with [NO][PF(6)] gives the mixed-valence dications trans-[(dppm)(CO)(2)LMn(II)(micro-NC)Mn(I)L'(NO)(eta(5)-C(5)R(4)Me)](2+) which show solvatochromic absorptions in the electronic spectrum, assigned to optically induced Mn(I)-to-Mn(II) electron transfer via the cyanide bridge.

A palladium complex supported by a 2,3-diphenylcyclopropenylidene carbene ligand is a highly active and robust catalyst for Heck and Suzuki coupling reactions.

The salts [NEt4][Ru(CN)(CO)2L(o-O2C6Cl4)] {L=PPh3 or P(OPh)3}, which undergo one-electron oxidation at the catecholate ligand to give neutral semiquinone complexes [Ru(CN)(CO)2L(o-O2C6Cl4)], react with the dimers [{Ru(CO)2L(micro-o-O2C6Cl4)}2] {L=PPh3 or P(OPh)3} to give [NEt4][(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2L'(o-O2C6Cl4)] {L or L'=PPh3 or P(OPh)3}. The cyanide-bridged binuclear anions are, in turn, reversibly oxidised to isolable neutral and cationic complexes [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2L'(o-O2C6Cl4)] and [(o-O2C6Cl4)L(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2L'(o-O2C6Cl4)]+ which contain one and two semiquinone ligands respectively. Structural studies on the redox pair [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(o-O2C6Cl4)]- and [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(o-O2C6Cl4)] confirm that the C-bound Ru(CO)2(o-O2C6Cl4) fragment is oxidised first. Uniquely, [(o-O2C6Cl4){(PhO)3P}(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2(PPh3)(o-O2C6Cl4)]- is oxidised first at the N-bound fragment, indicating that it is possible to control the site of electron transfer by tuning the co-ligands. Crystallisation of [(o-O2C6Cl4)(Ph3P)(OC)2Ru(micro-CN)Ru(CO)2{P(OPh)3}(o-O2C6Cl4)] resulted in the formation of an isomer in which the P(OPh)3 ligand is cis to the cyanide bridge, contrasting with the trans arrangement of the X-Ru-L fragment in all other complexes of the type RuX(CO)2L(o-O2C6Cl4).

The triazenide-bridged tetracarbonyls [(OC)(2)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)] (M = Rh or Ir) undergo oxidative addition of iodine across the dimetal centre, giving the [RhM](4+) complexes [I(OC)(2)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)I], structurally characterised for M = Ir. The anionic tricarbonyl iodide [I(OC)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)Rh(CO)(2)](-) forms [I(2)(OC)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)Rh(CO)I](-) by initial one-electron transfer whereas the analogous tricarbonyl phosphine complexes [(OC)(Ph(3)P)Rh(mu-p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)(2)M(CO)(2)] (M = Rh or Ir) undergo bridge cleavage, giving mononuclear [Rh(p-MeC(6)H(4)NNNC(6)H(4)Me-p)I(2)(CO)(PPh(3))] and dimeric [I(OC){RNNN(R)C(O)}M(mu-I)(2)M{C(O)N(R)NNR}(CO)I] (M = Rh or Ir, R = C(6)H(4)Me-p) in which CO has been inserted into a metal-nitrogen bond.