Cyclotriphosphorus complexes: solid-state structures and dynamic behavior of monoadducts with carbonyl fragments

Treatment of the cyclo-P3 complexes [(triphos)MP3] [triphos = 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane; M = Co (1), Rh (2)] with stoichiometric amounts of [M'(CO)5(thf)]n+ (n = 0, M' = Cr, Mo, W; n = 1, M' = Re) and [W(CO)4(PPh3)(thf)] yields the compounds [[(triphos)M](mu,eta 3:1-P3) [M'(CO)5]] [M = Co; M' = Cr (3a), Mo (3b), W (3c). M = Rh; M' = W (4)], [[(triphos)Co](mu,eta 3:1-P3)[Re(CO5)]]BF4.C7H8 (5) and [[(triphos)Rh](mu,eta 3:1-P3)[W(CO)4PPh3]].2CH2Cl2 (6). The X-ray structures of 5 and 6 have been determined. Crystal data: 5, monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 14.754(2) A, b = 24.886(4) A, c = 15.182(2) A, beta = 103.38(1) degrees, Z = 4; 6, monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 14.872(3) A, b = 27.317(6) A, c = 16.992(4) A, beta = 111.75(5) degrees, Z = 4. The effects of eta 1 coordination on the MP3 core are discussed by comparing the MP3 skeletons in the above structures with those of the previously characterized bis and tris end-on adducts of organometallic fragments of 1. Variable temperature NMR data for the compounds provide evidence for fluxional processes in solution that may be interpreted as [(triphos)M] rotation about its C3 axis and [M'(CO)5] or [M'(CO)4PPh3] scrambling over the P3 cycle. The activation parameters of the fragment scrambling process are determined.