Structural Aspects and Solution Dynamics of the Auraferraboranes [Fe4(CO)12Au2L2BH]: The Crystal Structures of [Fe4(CO)12Au2(P(p-MeC6H4)3)2BH]·CH2Cl2 and [HFe4(CO)12Au2(PEt3)2B]

Catherine E. Housecroft*, Musa S. Shongwe, Arnold L. Rheingold

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Six new auraferraboranes of the general formula [Fe4(CO)12Au2LL'BH] (L = L' = P(c-C6H11)3, P(p-MeC6H4)3, PMePh2, PMe2Ph, PMe3; L = PMePh2, L' = PMe2Ph) have been prepared. Two structural types are represented, one in which the endo-hydrogen atom bridges an Fe-B edge (structure I) and one in which it bridges an Fe-Fe edge (structure II). The change in hydrogen atom location is accompanied by a rearrangement of the gold(I) phosphine moieties and a reorientation of one iron tricarbonyl unit, while essentially retaining a constant Fe4B framework. The crystal structures of two compounds, [Fe4-(CO)12Au2(P(p-C6H4)3)2BH]*CH2Cl2(1) and [HFe4(CO)12Au2(PEt3)2B] (2), are reported, the former being representative of structure I and the latter of structure II. 1: monoclinic, P21/n; a = 20.891 (6), b = 13.367 (4), c = 23.441 (7) Å; β = 110.82 (3)°; V = 6118 (4) Å 3; Z = 4; R(F) = 6.39%. 2: monoclinic, I2/a; a = 17.783 (5), b = 11.277 (3), c = 18.084 (7) Å; β = 106.26 (3)°; V = 3481.3 (17) Å3; Z = 4; R(F) = 4.75%. The structure of 1 is similar to that of the related cluster [Fe4(CO)12Au2(PPh3)2BH] (3). In solution, a ligand-dependent equilibrium exists between structures I and II for the clusters [Fe4(CO)12Au2LL'BH]. The factors that control the dominance of structure I or II for a particular phosphine ligand have been investigated, and the interplay of steric and electronic effects has been assessed. Electronic factors appear to drive the gold(I) phosphine groups to interact with Fe-B rather than Fe-Fe edges of the cluster, while steric factors dictate the actual Fe4Au2B core geometry.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2651-2658
Number of pages8
JournalOrganometallics
Volume8
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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