title: Iron-Rhodium and Iron-Iridium Mixed-Metal Nitrido-Carbonyl Clusters. Synthesis, Characterization, Redox Properties, and Solid-State Structure of the Octahedral Clusters [Fe(5)RhN(CO)(15)](2)(-), [Fe(5)IrN(CO)(15)](2)(-), and [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](-). Infrared and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Studies on the Interstitial Nitride.
abstract: The cluster [Fe(5)RhN(CO)(15)](2)(-) was synthesized in 40% yield from [Fe(4)N(CO)(12)](-) and [Rh(CO)(4)](-) in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, whereas the analogous anion [Fe(5)IrN(CO)(15)](2)(-) was prepared in CH(3)CN at room temperature from [Fe(6)N(CO)(15)](3)(-) and [Ir(C(8)H(14))(2)Cl](2); the yields are higher than 60%. The monoanion [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](-) was obtained in 70% yield from [Fe(5)RhN(CO)(15)](2)(-) and hydrated RhCl(3). The solid-state structures of the three anions were determined on their [PPh(4)](+) salts: the six metal atoms are arranged in octahedral cages and are coordinated to 3 edge-bridging and 12 terminal carbonyl ligands and to a &mgr;(6)-N ligand. The Rh and Ir atoms have less terminal COs than Fe, in order to equalize the excess electrons at the d(9) metal centers. The two rhodium atoms in [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](-) are directly bound. The (15)N NMR spectra of the three compounds have been recorded; the signals of the nitride ligands were found at delta = 514 ppm for the dianions and 470 ppm for [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](-); any group 9 atom shifts the resonance of nitrogen to higher fields. The coupling constants J((15)N-(103)Rh) are 8-9 Hz. The vibrational patterns of the metal cores have been interpreted on the basis of an idealized M(6) octahedral arrangement, subsequently modified by the perturbations given by different atomic masses and M-M stretching force constants. The motions of the nitrogen are related to the idealized symmetry of the cage; the M-N force constant values depend on the type of metal and on the charge of the anion. The dianions [Fe(5)MN(CO)(15)](2)(-) can be electrochemically oxidized at -20 degrees C to their short-lived monoanions, which can be characterized by EPR spectroscopy. In contrast, the cluster [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](-) undergoes a single-step 2-electron reduction to the partially stable trianion [Fe(4)Rh(2)N(CO)(15)](3)(-), which was also characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The Fe-Rh nitride clusters are active catalysts for the hydroformylation of 1-pentene, but display low selectivity (35-65%) in n-hexanal and are demolished under catalytic conditions.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica Inorganica, Metallorganica ed Analitica and Centro del CNR, Università di Milano, via G. Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy, Dipartimento di Chimica Strutturale e Stereochimica Inorganica and Centro del CNR, Università di Milano, via G. Venezian 21, 20133 Milano, Italy, Dipartimento di Chimica I.F.M., Università di Torino, via P. Giuria 7, 10125 Torino, Italy, and Dipartimento di Chimica dell' Università, Pian dei Mantellini 44, 53100 Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Della Pergola
authors.forename: Arnaldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cinquantini
authors.forename: Eliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Diana
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garlaschelli
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Laschi
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luzzini
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manassero
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Repossi
authors.forename: Mirella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sansoni
authors.forename: Pier Luigi
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Stanghellini
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zanello