Diminished electron density in the Vaska-type rhodium(I) complex trans-[Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(PPh3)2].

Vaska-type complexes, i.e. trans-[RhX(CO)(PPh3)2] (X is a halogen or pseudohalogen), undergo a range of reactions and exhibit considerable catalytic activity. The electron density on the Rh(I) atom in these complexes plays an important role in their reactivity. Many cyanotrihydridoborate (BH3CN(-)) complexes of Group 6-8 transition metals have been synthesized and structurally characterized, an exception being the rhodium(I) complex. Carbonyl(cyanotrihydridoborato-κN)bis(triphenylphosphine-κP)rhodium(I), [Rh(NCBH3)(CO)(C18H15P)2], was prepared by the metathesis reaction of sodium cyanotrihydridoborate with trans-[RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2], and was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and IR, (1)H, (13)C and (11)B NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction data indicate that the cyanotrihydridoborate ligand coordinates to the Rh(I) atom through the N atom in a trans position with respect to the carbonyl ligand; this was also confirmed by the IR and NMR data. The carbonyl stretching frequency ν(CO) and the carbonyl carbon (1)JC-Rh and (1)JC-P coupling constants of the Cipso atoms of the triphenylphosphine groups reflect the diminished electron density on the central Rh(I) atom compared to the parent trans-[RhCl(CO)(PPh3)2] complex.

Grafting {Cp*Rh}(2+) on the surface of Nb and Ta Lindqvist-type POM.

New hybrid POM based on Lindqvist-type polyoxometalates [M6O19](8-) (M = Nb, Ta) and organometallic fragment {Cp*Rh}(2+) have been isolated and characterized. X-ray quality crystals of K4[(Cp*Rh)2Nb6O19]·20H2O () and Cs4[(Cp*Rh)2Ta6O19]·18H2O () were obtained from solutions with {Cp*Rh} : [M6O19](8-) stoichiometry 2 : 1. The solution behavior of the hybrid polyoxoanions was studied with ESI-MS and (1)H DOSY NMR. Amongst the poorly investigated chemistry of polyoxotantalates, complex is the first complex bearing a grafted organometallic fragment. The formation of 1 : 1 complexes was detected by ESI-MS techniques.

Coordination-induced condensation of [Ta6O19](8-): synthesis and structure of [{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19](4-) and [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)](10-).

Reaction of [(C6H6)RuCl2]2 and Na8[Ta6O19] gives two new hybrid organometallic POM complexes, Na10[{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)]·39.4H2O (Na10-1) and Na4(trans-[{(C6H6)Ru}2Ta6O19]·20H2O (Na4-2). In both cases the half-sandwich fragments {(C6H6)Ru}(2+) are coordinated as additional vertices to the {Ta3(µ2-O)3} triangles of the hexatantalate. According to NMR and ESI-MS data, the dimeric complex [{(C6H6)RuTa6O18}2(µ-O)](10-) dissociates in water with the formation of monomeric [(C6H6)RuTa6O19](6-) species (1a). X-ray structural characterization and aqueous speciation of the complexes by (13)C, (1)H, and DOSY NMR; ESI-MS; and capillary electrophoresis (CE) have been carried out.

Methods of crystallochemical analysis of supramolecular complexes by means of Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra: a study of cucurbituril host-guest compounds.

Crystallochemical analysis methods based on the Voronoi-Dirichlet partition of crystal space are extended to supramolecular complexes of any complexity. The sizes and shapes of receptor cavities and substrate molecules are shown to be successfully estimated as volumes and the second moments of inertia of the corresponding molecular Voronoi-Dirichlet polyhedra. To predict which organic substrates can occupy the receptor cavity a mini-expert system known as MOLVOL was created, comprising a database on completely determined crystal structures of almost 60000 organic molecular compounds. Using the developed methods, volumes and shapes are assessed for cucurbit[n]uril receptors (n = 5-10) and their cavities. A number of organic and inorganic molecules are found which can optimally fit the cavities inside the cucurbit[5]uril and cucurbit[6]uril molecules.

Preparation, structure, and properties of the corner-shared double cubes [Mo(6)HgQ(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) (Q = S, Se) and tungsten analogues.

The purple corner-shared double cube [Mo(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) derivative of green [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+), obtained under air-free conditions by the reaction with Hg(0) (metal), is also formed with Hg(I)(2). The Hg(I)(2) reaction is accounted for by the disproportionation Hg(I)(2) <==> Hg(0) + Hg(II), which is a source of Hg(0). X-ray crystallographic information on the blue partially Cl(-) substituted cucurbituril supramolecular assemblies [Mo(6)HgQ(8)Cl(4)(H(2)O)(14)](C(36)H(36)N(24)O(12))Cl(4).14H(2)O (1) and of the Se analogue [Mo(6)HgSe(8)Cl(4) (H(2)O)(14)](C(36)H(36)N(24)O(12))Cl(4).14H(2)O (2) have been determined. The product [W(6)HgSe(8)Cl(4)(H(2)O)(14)](C(36)H(36)N(24) O(12)) Cl(4).14H(2)O (3) has also been obtained, but there is no evidence for [W(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) and related forms. The formation of [Mo(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) by the reaction of [Mo(3)S(4) (H(2)O)(9)](4+) with Hg(0) under anaerobic conditions maximizes after approximately 40 h in 2.0 M HCl, but requires longer reaction time ( approximately 120 h) in 2.0 M Hpts (p-toluenesulfonic acid) and in 2 M HClO(4) ( approximately 6 days). In 2.0 M HCl there is little absorbance increase until [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) exceeds 1.2 x 10(-)(3) M, which is explained by a dependence of the formation K (265 M(-1)) on [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)(4+)](2). Furthermore, on dilution of column-purified [Mo(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+), Beer's law is not obeyed and equilibria involving 2[Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) are apparent. The kinetics of formation of [Mo(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) is first-order in [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+), consistent with rate-determining formation of the single cube [Mo(3)HgS(4)(H(2)O)(x)](4+). The oxidations of [Mo(6)HgS(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) with [Fe(H(2)O)(6)](3+) and [Co(dipic)(2)](-) are complicated by the release of [Hg(H(2)O)(6)](2+), which also functions as an oxidant. Similar results are obtained for [Mo(6)HgSe(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+) and the less extensively studied [W(6)HgSe(8)(H(2)O)(18)](8+).

Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Molybdenum and Tungsten Cyano Complexes with Cuboidal M(4)(&mgr;(3)-E)(4) (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se, Te) Cores.

Four new tungsten and molybdenum cyano complexes of formula KCs(5)[W(4)S(4)(CN)(12)].CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (1), K(6)[W(4)Se(4)(CN)(12)].6H(2)O (2), K(6)[W(4)Te(4)(CN)(12)].5H(2)O (3), and K(7)[Mo(4)Te(4)(CN)(12)].12H(2)O (5) have been prepared by high-temperature 430-450 degrees C reaction of the polymeric chain compounds {W(3)S(7)Br(4)}(x)(), {W(3)Se(7)Br(4)}(x)(), {Mo(3)Te(7)I(4)}(x)() and solid-state WTe(2) with KCN, and crystallization from aqueous solutions. In addition Cs(6)[Mo(4)Te(4)(CN)(12)].2H(2)O (4) has been prepared by oxidation of 5 with bromine water. The molecular structures have been investigated by X-ray crystallography. Mixed-valence (3.5) compounds 1-4 are diamagnetic. Mixed-valence (3.25) compound 5 is paramagnetic (&mgr; = 2.03 &mgr;(B) at 77 K). In addition to the structural data for these complexes IR and UV-vis spectroscopy have been used to characterize the complexes. Cyclic-voltammetry data have shown that M(4)E(4)(n)()(+) (M = Mo, W; E = S, Se, Te) cubes are capable of existing in three oxidation states ranging from the most oxidized (n = 6; 10 electrons) to the most reduced electron-precise (n = 4; 12 electrons). The (77)Se, (125)Te, and (183)W NMR spectra of the cubes (1-3) demonstrate unambiguously the unaltered environments of the W and E atoms in aqueous solution.