Formation of N-heterocyclic diphosphine ligands from Ag(i)-assisted condensation reactions between bdppeda and formaldehyde and their binuclear silver(i) complexes

The reaction of [Ag(MeCN)(4)]ClO(4) with N,N,N',N'-tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethylenediamine (dppeda) in CH(2)Cl(2)/MeOH afforded an unexpected cationic binuclear complex [Ag(2)(L(1))(2)(η,η-μ-ClO(4))(2)](ClO(4))(2) (L(1) = N,N'-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)-3H-4,5-dihydroimidazole-1-ium) (1). Compound 1 was also prepared in high yield from reactions of [Ag(MeCN)(4)]ClO(4) with N,N'-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethylenediamine (bdppeda) in the presence of formaldehyde (HCHO) or formic acid (HCOOH). Analogous reactions of AgCl with bdppeda and HCHO resulted in the formation a neutral binuclear complex [Ag(2)(L(2))(2)(μ-Cl)(2)] (L(2) = N,N-bis(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)-tetrahydroimidazole) (2). Treatment of 1 with concentrated HCl gave rise to a partially anion-exchanged product [Ag(2)(L(1))(2)(μ-Cl)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (3). Compounds 1 and 3 have a similar cationic binuclear structure, in which a [Ag(2)(η,η-μ-ClO(4))(2)] or [Ag(2)(μ-Cl)(2)] ring is sandwiched by two in situ-formed cationic L(1) ligands. The L(1) ligand may be generated by the Ag(I)-assisted condensation reaction between bdppeda and HCHO or HCOOH. Compound 2 holds a neutral binuclear structure, in which a [Ag(2)(μ-Cl)(2)] ring is connected by two in situ-formed L(2) ligands from its top and bottom sites. The neutral ligand L(2) may be produced from another Ag(I)-assisted condensation reaction between bdppeda and HCHO. The in situ formation of the L(1) and L(2) ligands provides a new route to the N-heterocyclic diphosphine ligands, and an interesting insight into the coordination chemistry of their metal complexes.