Synthesis and reactivity of nitridorhenium complexes incorporating the mercaptoethylsulfide (SSS) ligand

A method for the preparation of nitridorhenium( v ) complexes of the form (SSS)Re(N)(L) (where SSS = 2-mercaptoethylsulfide and L = PPh 3 and t -BuNC) has been described. These complexes react with Lewis acids allowing for the isolation of adducts. The lack of a significant steric profile on the SSS ligand combined with enhanced nucleophilicity of the nitrido group does not allow for the effective formation of frustrated Lewis pairs with these complexes and as a result these species are poor catalysts for the hydrogenation of unactivated olefins. The steric profile of the SSS ligand combined with enhanced nucleophilicity of the nitrido group is important for FLP reactivity.