Iridium(III) Complex Containing a Unique Bifurcated Hydrogen Bond Interaction Involving Ir−H···H(N)···F−B atoms. Crystal and Molecular Structure of [IrH(η1-SC5H4NH)(η2-SC5H4N)(PPh3)2](BF4)·0.5C6H6

Rhenium versus cadmium: an alternative structure for a thermally stable cadmium carbonyl compound

An alternative description is provided for the previously reported novel tetranuclear cadmium carbonyl compound, [Cd(CO)3(C6H3Cl)]4. Specifically, consideration of single crystal X-ray diffraction data indicates that the compound is better formulated as the rhenium compound, [Re(CO)3(C4N2H3S)]4. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations predict that, if it were to exist, [Cd(CO)3(C6H3Cl)]4 would have a very different structure to that reported. While it is well known that X-ray diffraction may not reliably distinguish between atoms of similar atomic number (e.g. N/C and Cl/S), it is not generally recognized that two atoms with very different atomic numbers could be misassigned. The misidentification of two elements as diverse as Re and Cd (ΔZ = 27) is unexpected and serves as an important caveat for structure determinations.

Structural and spectroscopic investigation of an anilinosalen cobalt complex with relevance to hydrogen production

A Co(II) anilinosalen catalyst containing proton relays in the first coordination sphere has been synthesized that catalyzes the electrochemical production of hydrogen from acid in dichloromethane and acetonitrile solutions. The complex has been spectroscopically and theoretically characterized in different protonation and redox states. We show that both coordinated anilido groups of the neutral Co(II) complex can be protonated into aniline form. Protonation induces an anodic shift of more than 1 V of the reduction wave, which concomitantly becomes irreversible. Hydrogen evolution that originates from the aniline protons located in the first coordination sphere is observed upon bulk electrolysis at -1.5 V of the protonated complex in absence of external acid. Structures for intermediates in the catalytic reaction have been identified based on this data.

Preparation of benzyl azide complexes of iridium(III)

Hydride complexes IrHCl(2)(PiPr(3))P(2) (1) and IrHCl(2)P(3) (2) [P = P(OEt)(3) and PPh(OEt)(2)] were prepared by allowing IrHCl(2)(PiPr(3))(2) to react with phosphite in refluxing benzene or toluene. Treatment of IrHCl(2)P(3), first with HBF(4).Et(2)O and then with an excess of ArCH(2)N(3), afforded benzyl azide complexes [IrCl(2)(eta(1)-N(3)CH(2)Ar)P(3)]BPh(4) (3, 4) [Ar = C(6)H(5), 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4); P = P(OEt)(3), PPh(OEt)(2)]. Azide complexes reacted in CH(2)Cl(2) solution, leading to the imine derivative [IrCl(2){eta(1)-NH=C(H)C(6)H(5)}P(3)]BPh(4) (5). The complexes were characterized by spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure determination of [IrCl(2)(eta(1)-N(3)CH(2)C(6)H(5)){P(OEt)(3)}(3)]BPh(4) (3a) and [IrCl(2){eta(1)-NH=C(H)C(6)H(5)}{P(OEt)(3)}(3)]BPh(4) (5a). Both solid-state structure and (15)N NMR data indicate that the azide is coordinated through the substituted Ngamma [Ir]-Ngamma(CH(2)Ar)NNalpha nitrogen atom.

The Effect of the “Inert” Counteranions in the Deprotonation of the Dihydrogen Complex trans-[FeH(η2-H2)(dppe)2]+: Kinetic and Theoretical Studies

Kinetic studies indicate that trans-[FeH(H2)(dppe)2]+ reacts with an excess of NEt3 to form cis-[FeH2(dppe)2] in a single kinetic step. The second-order rate constant is strongly affected by the presence of added salts, an acceleration being observed with BF4- and PF6- salts and a deceleration with BPh4-. Theoretical calculations indicate that the role of the accelerating anions consists of the formation of ion pairs that provide a more effective reaction pathway for deprotonation. However, for the ion pair with the bulky BPh4- anion, steric crowding in the proximities of the dihydrogen ligand hinders the approach of the base, and the reaction is decelerated.

Comparative neutron and X-ray study of [PPN][HIr4(CO)9(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)]

The structure of this tetranuclear iridium cluster featuring a terminal Ir–H bond has been investigated by neutron crystallography using the D19 diffractometer at the Institut Laue Langevin in Grenoble. The structure, which is stabilized by numerous C–H⋯O=C hydrogen bonds, has no π–π stacking. The neutron study described here resolves a difficulty encountered in previous X-ray work where it proved impossible to locate reliably the position of hydrogen in the presence of heavy iridium atoms. Neutron crystallography offers unique advantages for this type of problem and in this case has provided the first reliable value for a terminal Ir–H distance of 1.618(14) Å and an intramolecular H–H contact of 2.40(2) Å.