Synthesis and Characterization of 1,4-Diimine Complexes of 1,2,3,4,5-Pentamethylcyclopentadienylrhodium and iridium

Monomeric rhodium and iridium diimine complexes $Cp^*M(HNRNH)(Cp^*$ = 1,2,3,4,5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl : (M=lr; R=o-$C_6H_4 (1a), 4,5-(CH_3)_2-C_6H_2-1,2 (1b), 4,5-(Cl)_2-C_6H_2-1,2$ (1c), NCC=CCN-1,2 (1d): M=Rh; R=NCC=CCN-1,2 (1e)) have been synthesized from $[CP^*MCl_2]_2$ and 2 equiv. of diamine in the presence of $NEt_3$. The Crystal structure of 1a was determined by X-ray diffraction method : 1a was crystallized in the monoclinic system, space group $P2_{1/c}$, with lattice constants a=9.543 (1) ${\AA}$, b=16.286 (1) ${\AA}$, c=10.068 (1) ${\AA}$ and ${\beta}$=99.25 (1), with Z= 4. Least-squares refinement of the structure led to R factor of 0.049. The coordination sphere of rhodium and iridium can be described as a 2-legged piano-stool. All complexes are highly colored. Electrochemical studies show that 1d and 1e display quasi-reversible reduction and 1a-1c display irreversible reductions, suggesting that the acceptor orbital might be localized on the diimine ring.