title: Homoleptic complexes of cobalt(0) and nickel(0,I) with 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf): synthesis and characterization.
abstract: Reduction of Co(dppf)Cl2 with 2 equiv of sodium naphthalenide in THF, in the presence of dppf, affords the homoleptic complex Co(dppf)2, 1, isolated in 65% yield as a brick red solid, extremely air sensitive. In solution, under inert atmosphere, 1 slowly decomposes into Co and dppf, following a first-order kinetic law (t1/2 = 21 h at 22 degrees C). Similarly to the Rh and Ir congeners, 1 undergoes a one-electron reversible reduction to [Co(dppf)2]-. Attempts to obtain this d10 species by chemical as well as electrochemical reduction of 1 lead to the hydride HCo(dppf)2, 2, as the only product that can be isolated. Reduction of Ni(dppf)Cl2 with sodium in the presence of dppf and catalytic amounts of naphthalene affords Ni(dppf)2, 3, isolated in 60% yield as a yellow air stable solid. The stoichiometric oxidation of 3 with [FeCp2]PF6 forms the d9 complex [Ni(dppf)2]PF6, 4, which represents the second example of a structurally characterized Ni(I) complex stabilized by phosphines. A single-crystal X-ray analysis shows for the metal a distorted tetrahedral environment with a dihedral angle defined by the planes containing the atoms P(1), Ni, P(2) and P(3), Ni, P(4) of 78.2 degrees and remarkably long Ni-P bond distances (2.342(3)-2.394(3) A). The EPR spectroscopic properties of 1 (at 106 K in THF) and 4 (at 7 K in 2-methyl-THF) have been examined and g tensor values measured (1, gx = 2.008, gy = 2.182, gz = 2.326; 4, gx = 2.098, gy = 2.113, gz = 2.332). A linear dependence between the hyperfine constants and the Ni-P bond distances has been evidenced. Finally, the change with time of the EPR spectrum of 4 indicates that it very slowly releases dppf.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Universita' di Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pilloni
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toffoletti
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bandoli
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Longato