Watching Hydrogens Migrate: Step by Step from [ReI6-C6H6)2]+ to [ReIII3-C6H9)(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)2]2

Inorg Chem. 2022 Feb 28;61(8):3683-3689. doi: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.1c03811. Epub 2022 Feb 15.

Abstract

Arene substitution reactions in [M(η6-arene)2]0/2+ are well documented for Groups 6 and 8 but are essentially unknown for the manganese triad. Aiming to replace benzene in [ReI6-C6H6)2]+, we altered the hapticity of one coordinated benzene, which we found to be tunable stepwise from an η6 to an η3-allyl coordination mode. Reduction of [ReI6-C6H6)2]+ with hydrides gives [ReI5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)]. Subsequent addition of acid yields [ReIIIH(η5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)]+, which converts to [ReI4-C6H8)(η6-C6H6)NCCH3]+ in acetonitrile. Further protonation gives the title complex [ReIII3-C6H9)(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)2]2+ by a rhenium-mediated, intramolecular hydride shift. Herein, we present a full mechanistic elucidation of these transformations based on NMR studies, isolation of reaction intermediates, and their full characterizations. The structural feature {ReIII6-C6H6)} is unprecedented. Direct arene exchange from [ReI6-C6H6)2]+ to [ReI6-arene)(η6-C6H6)]+ was found only under strongly acidic conditions in neat arene. The analogous chemistry of the lighter homologue technetium (99Tc) is distinctly different. Treatment of [TcI5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)] with acid in acetonitrile yields only mixtures of [TcI6-C6H6)2]+ and [TcII(NCCH3)6]2+.