Graeme J. Moxey

Syntheses, Spectroscopic, Electrochemical, and Third-Order Nonlinear Optical Studies of a Hybrid Tris{ruthenium(alkynyl)/(2-phenylpyridine)}iridium Complex.

The synthesis of fac-[Ir{N,C1′-(2,2′-NC5H4C6H3-5′-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-C≡CH)}3] (10), which bears pendant ethynyl groups, and its reaction with [RuCl(dppe)2]PF6 to afford the heterobimetallic complex fac-[Ir{N,C1′-(2,2′-NC5H4C6H3-5′-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CC6H4-4-C≡C-trans-[RuCl(dppe)2])}3] (11) is described. Complex 10 is available from the two-step formation of iodo-functionalized fac-tris[2-(4-iodophenyl)pyridine]iridium(III) (6), followed by ligand-centered palladium-catalyzed coupling and desilylation reactions. Structural studies of tetrakis[2-(4-iodophenyl)pyridine-N,C1′](μ-dichloro)diiridium 5, 6, fac-[Ir{N,C1′-(2,2′-NC5H4C6H3-5′-C≡C-1-C6H2-3,5-Et2-4-C≡CH)}3] (8), and 10 confirm ligand-centered derivatization of the tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium unit. Electrochemical studies reveal two (5) or one (6–10) Ir-centered oxidations for which the potential is sensitive to functionalization at the phenylpyridine groups but relatively insensitive to more remote derivatization. Compound 11 undergoes sequential Ru-centered and Ir-centered oxidation, with the potential of the latter significantly more positive than that of Ir(N,C′-NC5H4-2-C6H4-2)3. Ligand-centered π–π* transitions characteristic of the Ir(N,C′-NC5H4-2-C6H4-2)3 unit red-shift and gain in intensity following the iodo and alkynyl incorporation. Spectroelectrochemical studies of 6, 7, 9, and 11 reveal the appearance in each case of new low-energy LMCT bands following formal IrIII/IV oxidation preceded, in the case of 11, by the appearance of a low-energy LMCT band associated with the formal RuII/III oxidation process. Emission maxima of 6–10 reveal a red-shift upon alkynyl group introduction and arylalkynyl π-system lengthening; this process is quenched upon incorporation of the ligated ruthenium moiety on proceeding to 11. Third-order nonlinear optical studies of 11 were undertaken at the benchmark wavelengths of 800 nm (fs pulses) and 532 nm (ns pulses), the results from the former suggesting a dominant contribution from two-photon absorption, and results from the latter being consistent with primarily excited-state absorption.

Phosphine, isocyanide, and alkyne reactivity at pentanuclear molybdenum/tungsten-iridium clusters

The trigonal bipyramidal clusters M2Ir3(μ-CO)3(CO)6(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me4R) (M = Mo, R = Me 1a, R = H; M = W, R = Me, H) reacted with isocyanides to give ligand substitution products M2Ir3(μ-CO)3(CO)5(CNR′)(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me4R) (M = Mo, R = Me, R′ = C6H3Me2-2,6 3a; M = Mo, R = Me, R′ = (t)Bu 3b), in which core geometry and metal atom locations are maintained, whereas reactions with PPh3 afforded M2Ir3(μ-CO)4(CO)4(PPh3)(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me4R) (M = Mo, R = Me 4a, H 4c; M = W, R = Me 4b, H), with retention of core geometry but with effective site-exchange of the precursors’ apical Mo/W with an equatorial Ir. Similar treatment of trigonal bipyramidal MIr4(μ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5) (M = Mo 2a, W 2b) with PPh3 afforded the mono-substitution products MIr4(μ-CO)3(CO)6(PPh3)(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5) (M = Mo 5a; M = W 5b), and further reaction of the molybdenum example 5a with excess PPh3 afforded the bis-substituted cluster MoIr4(μ3-CO)2(μ-CO)2(CO)4(PPh3)2(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5) (6). Reaction of 1a with diphenylacetylene proceeded with alkyne coordination and C≡C cleavage, affording Mo2Ir3(μ4–η(2)-PhC2Ph)(μ3-CPh)2(CO)4(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me5) (7a) together with an isomer. Reactions of 2a and 2b with PhC≡CR afforded MIr4(μ3–η(2)-PhC2R)(μ3-CO)2(CO)6(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5) (M = Mo, R = Ph 8a; M = W, R = Ph 8b, H; M = W, R = C6H4(C2Ph)-3 9a, C6H4(C2Ph)-4), while addition of 0.5 equivalents of the diynes 1,3-C6H4(C2Ph)2 and 1,4-C6H4(C2Ph)2 to WIr4(μ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5) gave the linked clusters [WIr4(CO)8(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-C5Me5)]2(μ6–η(4)-PhC2C6H4(C2Ph)-X) (X = 3, 4). The structures of 3a, 4a–4c, 5b, 6, 7a, 8a, 8b and 9a were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, establishing the core isomerization of 4, the site selectivity for ligand substitution in 3–6, the alkyne C≡C dismutation in 7, and the site of alkyne coordination in 7–9. For clusters 3–6, ease of oxidation increases on increasing donor strength of ligand, increasing extent of ligand substitution, replacing Mo by W, and decreasing core Ir content, the Ir-rich clusters 5 and 6 being the most reversible. For clusters 7–9, ease of oxidation diminishes on replacing Mo by W, increasing the Ir content, and proceeding from mono-yne to diyne, although the latter two changes are small. In situ UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemical studies of the (electrochemically reversible) reduction process of 8b were undertaken, the spectra becoming increasingly broad and featureless following reduction. The incorporation of isocyanides, phosphines, or alkyne residues in these pentanuclear clusters all result in an increased ease of oxidation and decreased ease of reduction, and thereby tune the electron richness of the clusters.

Crystal structure of 1-nitro-4-(trimethylsilylethynyl) naphthalene

In the title compound, C15H15NO2Si, the dihedral angle between the nitro group and the mean plane of the naphthalene system is 22.04 (11)°. In the crystal, π–π interactions generate supramolecular chains propagating along the a-axis direction; the centroid-to-centroid distances range from 3.5590 (12) to 3.8535 (12) Å.

Crystal structure of ({4-[(4-bromophen-yl)ethynyl]-3,5-diethylphenyl}ethynyl)-triisopropylsilane

The title compound, C29H37BrSi, was synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling of [(3,5-diethyl-4-ethynylphenyl)ethynyl]triisopropylsilane with 4-bromo-1-iodobenzene. In the structure, the two phenyl rings are nearly parallel to each other with a dihedral angle of 4.27 (4)°. In the crystal, π–π interactions between the terminal and central phenyl rings of adjacent molecules link them in the a-axis direction [perpendicular distance = 3.5135 (14); centroid–centroid distance = 3.7393 (11) Å]. In addition, there are weak C—H⋯π interactions between the isopropyl H atoms and the phenyl rings of adjacent molecules.

Dynamic Permutational Isomerism in a closo‐Cluster

Permutational isomers of trigonal bipyramidal [W2RhIr2(CO)9(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5HMe4)] result from competitive capping of either a W2Ir or a WIr2 face of the tetrahedral cluster [W2Ir2(CO)10(η(5)-C5 H5)2] from its reaction with [Rh(CO)2(η(5)-C5HMe4)]. The permutational isomers slowly interconvert in solution by a cluster metal vertex exchange that is proposed to proceed by Rh-Ir and Rh-W bond cleavage and reformation, and via the intermediacy of an edge-bridged tetrahedral transition state. The permutational isomers display differing chemical and physical properties: replacement of CO by PPh3 occurs at one permutational isomer only, while the isomers display distinct optical power limiting behavior.

Crystal structure of ({4-[(4-bromo-phen-yl)ethyn-yl]-3,5-di-ethyl-phen-yl}ethyn-yl)triiso-propyl-silane.

The title compound, C29H37BrSi, was synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling of [(3,5-diethyl-4-ethynylphenyl)ethynyl]triisopropylsilane with 4-bromo-1-iodobenzene. In the structure, the two phenyl rings are nearly parallel to each other with a dihedral angle of 4.27 (4)°. In the crystal, π–π interactions between the terminal and central phenyl rings of adjacent molecules link them in the a-axis direction [perpendicular distance = 3.5135 (14); centroid–centroid distance = 3.7393 (11) Å]. In addition, there are weak C—H⋯π interactions between the isopropyl H atoms and the phenyl rings of adjacent molecules.

Crystal structure of ({4-[(4-bromophenyl)ethynyl]-3,5-diethylphenyl}ethynyl)triisopropylsilane

The title compound, C29H37BrSi, was synthesized by the Sonogashira coupling of [(3,5-diethyl-4-ethynylphenyl)ethynyl]triisopropylsilane with 4-bromo-1-iodobenzene. In the structure, the two phenyl rings are nearly parallel to each other with a dihedral angle of 4.27 (4)°. In the crystal, π–π interactions between the terminal and central phenyl rings of adjacent molecules link them in the a-axis direction [perpendicular distance = 3.5135 (14); centroid–centroid distance = 3.7393 (11) Å]. In addition, there are weak C—H⋯π interactions between the isopropyl H atoms and the phenyl rings of adjacent molecules.

Crystal structure of (E)-1-(4-tert-butyl­phen­yl)-2-(4-iodo­phen­yl)ethene

The title compound, C18H19I, crystallized with two independent molecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. Both molecules have an E conformation about the bridging C=C bond. They differ in the orientation of the two benzene rings; the dihedral angle being 12.3 (5)° in molecule A, but only 1.0 (6)° in molecule B. In the crystal, the individual molecules are linked by C—I⋯π interactions forming zigzag A and zigzag B chains propagating along [001]. The structure was refined as an inversion twin [Flack parameter = 0.48 (2)].