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Article

Welcoming Neighbour or Inhospitable Host? Selective Second Metal Binding in 5- and 6-Phospha-Substituted Bpy Ligands

by
James A. Platts
,
Benson M. Kariuki
and
Paul D. Newman
*
School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Molecules 2024, 29(5), 1150; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051150
Submission received: 26 January 2024 / Revised: 29 February 2024 / Accepted: 1 March 2024 / Published: 5 March 2024
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Abstract

:
The controlled formation of mixed-metal bimetallics was realised through use of a fac-[Re(CO)3(N,N′-bpy-P)Cl] complex bearing an exogenous 2,4,6-trioxa-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-phosphaadamantane donor at the 5-position of the bpy. The introduction of gold, silver, and rhodium with appropriate secondary ligands was readily achieved from established starting materials. Restricted rotation about the C(bpy)-P bond was observed in several of the bimetallic complexes and correlated with the relative steric bulk of the second metal moiety. Related chemistry with the 6-substituted derivative proved more limited in scope with only the bimetallic Re/Au complex being isolated.

Graphical Abstract

1. Introduction

Bimetallic complexes, especially those containing disparate metal ions, are becoming increasingly important molecular platforms in an array of applications including catalysis [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8], medical imaging and therapy [9,10,11,12,13,14,15], and optoelectronics [16,17,18,19]. The association between the two metals can be intimate, involving direct M–M’ bonds, or be remote, with each metal occupying quite separate accommodations within the same molecule. The controlled construction of such systems requires highly selective donor groups for each particular metal ion and/or the development of astute synthetic procedures for the deliberate sequential introduction of the metals [20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31]. Our approach is based on the former, with different donor sets (2 × N of bpy and 1 × P) providing the necessary discrimination. Examples of ligands of this type with phosphine functions bonded directly to one or more positions on the pyridyl ring(s) in bpy are surprisingly rare [32,33], with only one known example involving the [Re(CO)3X] core [33].
The lack of precedence in the literature regarding metal complexes of 2,2′-bpy derivatives adorned with a phosphine donor(s) piqued our interest in exploring these systems as potential platforms for supporting heterobimetallics. The ultimate goal is to study mechanisms of electron and/or energy transfer between two unique metal centres within a single molecule and their application as theranostics and/or as metallaphotoredox catalysts. The combination of a photo-active rhenium centre and a carbonylation catalyst in a single molecule is an attractive prospect as it can enable transformations utilising CO2 as the source of CO [34,35,36]. To this end, we report here our recent efforts on the development of heterobimetallic complexes combining a light-responsive unit and a second metal fragment. The current manuscript describes studies of 5- and 6-phosphatrioxaadamantane substituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands and their ability to accommodate a [Re(CO)3Cl] core (bpy donor) and group 9, 10, or 11 metal ions (P-donor). The primary aim was to identify limitations on second metal coordination associated with the positioning of the phosphine donor on the 2,2′-bpy framework, specifically determining distinctions in the coordination behaviour of 5- and 6-phosphino derivatives.

2. Results and Discussion

Ligand Synthesis

The phosphine-derivatised bpy compounds CgP-5bpy (5L) and CgP-6bpy (6L) are ditopic ligands designed to selectively bind two disparate metal centres where one metal can potentially act as a light-activated reporter/activator and the other as a therapeutic or catalyst. The 2,4,6-trioxa-1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-8-phosphaadamantane (PCg) unit was chosen as the phosphine function as it is rigid and bulky with a cone angle between that of tBu2P and PPh2. The air-stability of many of its known derivatives was perceived to be a further advantage and it has an established coordination chemistry with the metals of interest in this study [37,38,39,40]. The bpy unit was chosen as complexes of this ligand with appropriate transition metal cores, notably those based on rhenium, ruthenium, or iridium, are renowned photo-active systems for multifold applications.
The ligands were synthesised by the C–P coupling chemistry highlighted in Scheme 1. In contrast to many derivatives, including the pyr–PCg analogue [41], 5L proved to be air-sensitive and the procedure had to be performed under strictly anaerobic conditions. Although far less susceptible to air oxidation in the solid state, as a precaution, the isolated white solid was stored under nitrogen. A single peak at δP −30.5 ppm was seen in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of 5L and all other spectroscopic data were in accord with the expected structure (see Supplementary Materials). Unlike 5L, 6L proved to be air-stable with no discernible oxidation being observed upon leaving non-degassed NMR samples in air for several weeks, as determined by the constant presence of a single peak at δP −25 ppm and the absence of any other signals in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of the compound. In both cases, there was no evidence of rotamers reflecting free rotation about the Cbpy–P bond on the NMR timescale.
κ2-N,N′-rhenium complexes: The preparation of the rhenium complex fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N′-5L)Cl] (5LRe) was achieved through heating a 1:1 mixture of [Re(CO)5Cl] and 5L in degassed PhCl for several hours under nitrogen. After the removal of all volatiles, the yellow, air-sensitive complex was acquired in good yield and of sufficient purity for all subsequent reactions (>90%). Under the same reaction conditions, selective coordination of the bpy fragment was observed as determined by the lack of a coordination shift in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum; this agrees with similar observations from the group of Bercaw on a 6-substituted diphenylphosphino derivative prepared under similar conditions [33]. Although no significant change in the chemical shift was observed, two signals of almost equal intensity were seen at δP −31.5 and −31.6 ppm in the 31P{1H} spectrum of 5LRe, reflecting the presence of rotamers resulting from restricted rotation about the Cbpy–P bond (restricted rotation has previously been observed with cagephos complexes) [42]. This was confirmed upon inspection of the 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectra, which showed distinct duplication of peaks for selected resonances (notably those hydrogen atoms in the immediate proximity of the C–P bond). The expected coordination shifts for the aromatic protons were noted, with the largest of these occurring for the 6,6′ hydrogens.
The presence of rotamers was explored using DFT for both the uncoordinated ligand and the rhenium complex. 5L has two equivalent low-energy (and two metastable) conformers at C–P–C–C torsion angles of 0 and 180°, whereas the rhenium complex has non-equivalent low-energy conformers with the same torsion angles as the ligand, with the lowest energy conformer being the one with a C–P–C–C angle of 0⁰ and the lone pair on P pointing away from the Re(CO)3 group (Figure 1). The two rotamers of 5LRe did not interconvert in d6-acetone or d6-dmso when left under ambient conditions for several weeks. However, an unrelated change was evident upon leaving these samples over extended periods of time with the emergence of two new peaks at δP 16.4 and 16.3 and 16.8 and 16.6 ppm in d6-acetone and d6-dmso, respectively. These peaks developed at the expense of those around δP −32 ppm and resulted from the coordination of the phosphine donor to a second rhenium centre (presumably through substitution of the chloride) to form a dirhenium complex in solution. A similar change was observed in the 1H spectrum recorded in C6D6, although the conversion was noticeably slower. This was not the result of oxidation, as the oxidised compound has a 31P{1H} chemical shift at δP 22.1 ppm.
Formation of the rhenium complex fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N′-6L)Cl] (6LRe) was achieved in a similar manner to above by heating a 1:1 mixture of [Re(CO)5Cl] and the ligand in PhCl for several hours. The isolated bright yellow solid proved to be poorly soluble to insoluble in most common organic solvents but did dissolve in dmso upon warming the sample. As noted for 5LRe, two isomers of 6LRe were observed by NMR spectroscopy, although a clear preference for one was evident from the 4:1 ratio. The major isomer is most likely that presenting the bulky phosphacycle away from the [Re(CO)3Cl] core. The aromatic hydrogens show the expected downfield coordination shifts as exemplified by the 6,6′ protons resonating around 0.5 ppm downfield of their position in the 1H NMR spectrum of the uncoordinated ligand.
Unlike the CgP-5bpy derivative, there was no evidence of self-dimerisation through coordination of the phosphine from one complex to another for 6LRe. As might be expected, this suggests that the phosphine is more available to act as a ligand to a second metal in 5LRe compared to 6LRe. In order to test this further, the in situ reaction of both with one equivalent of [Re(CO)5Cl] was explored. Due to limitations with solubility of the 6-derivative, the reactions were performed in d6-dmso and assessed by 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. Heating the fac-[Re(CO)3(5L)Cl]/[Re(CO)5Cl] mixture to ~70 °C led to the formation of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ-N,N′-Re-κ-P-Re’-5L)Cl{Re’(CO)4Cl}] within an hour as evidenced by the complete loss of the peaks for the starting material and the subsequent appearance of two new peaks at δP −7.6 and −8.2 ppm. Only the starting material was observed in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of the fac-[Re(CO)3(κ-N,N′-6L)Cl]/[Re(CO)5Cl] mixture even after heating at ~100 °C for 24 h; this serves to emphasise inherent limitations to binuclear complex formation for fac-[Re(CO)3(6L)Cl] through steric inhibition.
Heterometallic Re/Au complexes: As the [Re(CO)4Cl] fragment was not coordinated by the P-donor of 6LRe, a smaller metal unit was sought to further assess steric limitations. As Au(I) strongly prefers a linear, two-coordinate geometry, the sterically small AuCl group was chosen to promote the formation of the bimetallic complex. The synthesis of fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-Re,κ-P-Au-5L)(CO)3Cl(AuCl)] (5LRe,Au) was readily achieved upon mixing equimolar amounts of 5LRe and Au(THT)Cl in dichloromethane at room temperature. The orange solid obtained after the removal of volatiles was air-stable and could be recrystallised by vapour diffusion of pentane into an acetone solution of the complex. The rotational isomerism seen in the rhenium parent extended to the 5LRe,Au complex, as evidenced by the presence of two peaks in a 45:55 ratio at δP 20.9 and 20.5 ppm in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum; coordination shifts of 52 ppm are comparable with related complexes [39]. This was also evident from selected peaks in the 1H NMR spectrum, most notably the two doublets at δH 1.68 (2JH-P = 15.4 Hz) and 1.61 (2JH-P = 15.4 Hz) ppm for two of the methyls of the CgP structure. The HRMS shows the parent peak at 873.0209 amu.
The Cbpy–P rotational barrier for the gold complex showed two non-equivalent energy minima (see Supplementary Materials and discussion below) at C–P–C–C values of 80° (relative energy: zero) and 250° (rel. energy: +27 kJ mol−1). The barriers to interconversion were 51 and 24 kJ mol−1. This latter value suggested that a single isomer could be isolated under appropriate conditions. It was noticed that an NMR sample left for several days at RT showed a change in the relative intensity of the two rotamers and, hence, the presence of a solution equilibrium favouring the more stable form. The NMR sample was left to evaporate slowly over several weeks and the solid obtained redissolved in CDCl3. An analysis of the 1H and 31P{1H} NMR spectra of the recovered solid showed a single isomer (see Supplementary Materials).
The molecular structure of 5LRe,Au, along with pertinent metrics, determined by SCXRD is shown in Figure 2. Both metal ions show their anticipated geometry and the AuCl fragment is directed away (anti) from the [Re(CO)3] core with the P–Au–Cl vector projecting at an angle of 131.7° with respect to the pyridine ring and orientated on the side of the Re(bpy)(CO)2 plane that contains the rhenium-bound chloride. This places the main bulk of the CgP unit in the region of space proximate to the CO group trans to the chloride, resulting in some distortion of the Re–C–O linkage to 169.7°. At 2.2177(14) Å, the Au–P bond length is in line with values seen in similar compounds, including the related complex of Smith et al. (2.2328(16), 2.280(2)) [39] and 2.2285(8) [43] and 2.2137(18) Å for those of Stradiotto and Newman, respectively [44]. It is noteworthy that the preferred geometry/configuration determined by DFT agrees with that shown in Figure 2.
The poor solubility of 6LRe in common organic solvents proved problematic for the formation of the bimetallic complexes. Formation of the gold complex was achieved through the use of a CH2Cl2/dmso solvent mixture or by employing a relatively large volume of solely CH2Cl2. Once formed, the mixed rhenium/gold complex proved more soluble in organic solvents than the rhenium complex and, unlike the parent complex, there was no evidence of rotameric isomerism in fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N′-κ-PAu-6L)Cl(AuCl)] (6LRe,Au). A single peak was observed in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum at δP 22.5 ppm and no duplication of peaks occurred in the 1H or 13C{1H} NMR spectra. Although crystals suitable for SCXRD were not forthcoming, the theoretically derived structure had both the gold and rhenium atoms as mutually cis (see below and Figure 3). This reflects a requirement to station the bulky phosphacycle away from the rhenium core and is achievable with the sterically small AuCl unit (albeit with some necessary distortion, as noted below).
Heterometallic Re/Ag complexes: Coordination control in Ag(I) complexes is not as readily achieved as for Au(I). No attempt was made to isolate the silver complex fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N′-Re-κ-P-Ag-5L)Cl(AgOTf)], although an in situ reaction was performed on an NMR scale using 5LRe and one equivalent of AgOTf in CD3CN. The only signal observed in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of this mixture was a broad resonance centred around δP −9.3 ppm with a width at half height of ~240 Hz. The in situ 1H spectrum was also broadened and showed evidence of two isomers along with a third minor product. Although the broadening was indicative of the formation of a silver complex, no attempt was made to isolate this complex. A subsequent preparative scale reaction between 5LRe and 0.5 mol equivalents of AgOTf led to the isolation of an orange complex that was recrystallised from acetone by the slow introduction of pentane. The 31P{1H} NMR spectrum was again broad, with a peak maximum at δP −16.0 ppm and clear evidence of two species, as the peak was unsymmetrical with an obvious shoulder. The 1H NMR spectrum was not broad and assignments could be made based upon a series of 1D and 2D NMR spectra (see Supplementary Materials). All attempts to isolate a similar complex starting from 6LRe were met with failure, partly as a result of the poor solubility of the rhenium complex in common organic solvents but also the hindered nature of the P-donor in this system. Attempts to access the silver complex by prior synthesis of the P-bound silver complex [Ag(κ-P-6L)2]BF4 and subsequent coordination to rhenium were also frustrated, as the reaction of this pre-formed complex with [Re(CO)5Cl] gave largely intractable materials with no evidence of P-bound silver; the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of an isolated yellow solid mimicked that observed for 6LRe.
Heterometallic Re/Rh complexes: In situ monitoring of the reaction of 5LRe with 0.5 equivalents of [Rh(COD)Cl]2 revealed the rapid formation of two rotameric isomers of fac-[Re(CO)3(κ2-N,N′-Re-κ-P-Rh-5L)Cl(Rh(COD)Cl)] (5LRe,Rh) represented by two doublets in a 1:1 ratio at δP 7.18 (1JP-Rh 153 Hz) and 6.93 (1JP-Rh 152.6 Hz) ppm in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum. After isolating the mixture in good yield, attempts were made to obtain a single isomer by recrystallisation. Isomeric enrichment was observed with several solvent mixtures but only toluene gave a single isomer, as evidenced by the presence of one doublet, δP 6.94 ppm with 1JP-Rh = 156.0 Hz, in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum of the isolated complex. The 1H NMR spectrum confirmed the presence of a single isomer with seven distinct aromatic peaks for the bpy fragment and characteristic alkenic hydrogens of the coordinated COD ligand between δH 4.5 and 5.5 ppm.
Unfortunately, crystals suitable for SCXRD could not be obtained from toluene but were accessed by the slow evaporation of diethyl ether into an acetone solution of the isomeric mixture of the complex. An analysis of the crystallographic data revealed the presence of two isomeric forms differentiated by the relative position of the rhenium-bound chloride with respect to the rhodium atom in a 78:22 ratio. Figure 4 shows the structure of the major anti isomer with the chloride attached to rhenium being on the opposite side of the Re(bpy) plane to the rhodium. In the second (minor) isomer, the positions of the chloride bound to rhenium and the trans CO are swapped to give the syn isomer. DFT predicts this isomer with Re–Cl and Rh–Cl in anti orientation as the global minimum, with the other rotamer being 9.8 kJ mol−1 higher in energy.
Given that papers concerned with rhodium–phosphine complexes are legion, the number of reported complexes of CgP derivatives is surprisingly small and the direct comparison of metric features is hence somewhat limited, to the extent that we were unable to locate SCXRD data for any [Rh(COD)(PR3)Cl] complex where the phosphine is of the current type. Although not directly comparable, the Rh–P bond length of 2.3176(8) Å observed for 5LRe,Rh is shorter than the 2.3205(7) Å and 2.3245 (av.) seen in related [Rh(L)2CO(Cl)] complexes [44,46]. The Re–N bond lengths are equivalent, reflecting both a lack of steric impedance and little electronic influence of the 5-phospha/rhodium unit. The only noticeable distortion of the metrics about the rhenium centre is for one of the Re–C–O angles, which is slightly compressed to 172(3)° due to the presence of the phosphacycle.
The aforementioned synthetic route to 5LRe,Rh was not successful for 6LRe,Rh, with only the undissolved starting material being recovered. In an effort to circumvent this, the P-bound rhodium complex [Rh(COD)(κ-P-6L)Cl] (6LRh) was prepared prior to attempting coordination of the bpy fragment to rhenium. The synthesis of 6LRh was readily achieved upon mixing the two components in a 1:1 ratio in dichloromethane. All spectroscopic data were consistent with the expected formulation. A subsequent reaction of 6LRh with [Re(CO)5Cl] in PhCl led to the precipitation of a purple solid, which was isolated by filtration. The solid was poorly soluble in CDCl3 and d6-acetone, so the spectra were recorded in d6-dmso. Upon dissolution, the purple colour dissipated, leaving an orange solution. Examination of the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum showed a broad doublet at δP 31.4 ppm, with a 1JP-Rh coupling constant of 149 Hz. The 1H NMR spectrum only showed resonances due to the L6 ligand, with no evidence of 1,5-COD. The LRMS spectrum showed peaks for [Re(CO)3(6L)]+ at 641.09 amu (30%) and [Rh(6L)CO]+ at 501.05 amu (100%). It was noticeable that the original complex decomposed rapidly in solution, as evidenced by extensive changes in the NMR spectra over time. Although the exact nature of this purple complex remains elusive, it is not an analogue of 5LRe,Rh, again emphasising the inhospitable nature of the 6-subsituted ligand for generating bimetallic complexes.
Electronic spectroscopy: The UV/Vis spectra are given in the ESI and are typical of complexes of the type [Re(CO)3(bpy)Cl], with an observable maximum at around 310 nm of slightly higher intensity than the maximum at ~260 nm [47]. Fac-[Re(CO)3(κ-N,N′-5L)Cl] is the exception, with enhanced intensity in the higher energy absorption band and associated structure. The increased molar absorption associated with the silver(I) complex is anticipated, given that the complex is 2:1 Re/Ag; the concentration of the chromophore is double that of the others. The emission spectra (see Supplementary Materials) of [Re(CO)3(κ-N,N′-6L)Cl] and its Au(I) complex are very similar, with maxima around 610 nm. There is less consistency in the spectra of the 5L complexes, with the gold complex showing an emission maximum at 650 nm and the silver complex one at 590 nm. This disparity likely arises from the innate differences between the two, with the gold complex being a neutral 1:1 binuclear complex and the silver being a cationic 2:1 trinuclear complex. Direct comparison with related 6-(phospha)bpy and even 6-(amino)bpy complexes of type [Re(CO)3(L)Cl] is not possible due to the lack of reported spectroscopy for such analogues.
Rotamers and comparative binding: To further probe the rotational freedom and metal binding properties of these ligands, a series of DFT calculations (see Supplementary Materials for details) were performed. The 5L ligand exhibits two almost degenerate minima (relative energy) corresponding to dihedral angles C6–C5–P–C of +168° (relative energy: 0.0 kJ mol−1) and −12° (relative energy: 1.3 kJ mol−1), with a barrier of 26 kJ mol−1 separating these. In contrast, 6L is predicted to have one low-energy minimum with N–C6–P–C dihedral = 5°, which places the bulk of the cagephos ligand away from the bpy ring, and a higher energy-shallow minimum (relative energy: 10.1 kJ mol−1) with the bulky group closer to bpy. The barrier to interconversion between these forms is low at 13.8 kJ mol−1 relative to the global minimum.
5L is calculated to bind Re(CO)3Cl in the expected manner with equivalent Re–N bonds (2.20 and 2.21 Å) and regular octahedral coordination geometry. The rotational energy profile of the C–P bond, however, is altered upon formation of the Re complex, such that the low energy form is now 18.8 kJ mol−1 lower than its rotamer, with the cagephos framework and Re(CO3)Cl fragment separated as much as possible. Restricted rotation around the C–P bond is expected based on the barrier to rotation of 40.4 kJ mol−1. 6L can also bind Re(CO)3Cl in two rotameric forms. In the lowest energy form, the binding is as anticipated (Re–N = 2.19 and 2.27 Å), with the cagephos ligand oriented away from the Re centre. The rotamer with the cagephos and Re(CO3)Cl in proximity is 86 kJ mol−1 higher in energy and leads to disruption in the coordination to Re with Re–N = 2.20 and 2.45 Å.
DFT was also used to examine the electronic structure of the ligands and complexes. In the free ligands, the HOMO is mainly centred on the phosphine, with the LUMO dominated by the π* orbital on the bpy. In the Re complexes, the HOMO is metal-centred with small contributions from CO ligands, while the LUMO is still predominantly of bpy π* character. This is not significantly altered by the addition of AuCl on P. A gold-based HOMO is observed upon coordination of AuCl to P but the LUMO remains as bpy π*. Representative plots are shown in Figure 5, and frontier orbital energies are summarised in the Supplementary Materials.

3. Materials and Methods

All chemicals were purchased from commercial sources and used without further purification unless otherwise stated. All reactions and manipulations involving phosphines were performed under nitrogen using standard Schlenk techniques and previously dried, degassed solvents. NMR spectra were recorded on Bruker Fourier 300, DPX 400, and Avance 500 or 600 MHz NMR spectrometers. 1H and 13C{1H} NMR chemical shifts were referenced relative to the residual solvent resonances in the deuterated solvent. Mass spectra (ESI) were recorded on a Waters LCT premier XE spectrometer. UV/Vis spectra were obtained on a Cary 60 spectrophotometer and recorded over the range of 800 to 250 nm, with a 600 nm min−1 scan rate using a 1 cm path length quartz cuvette. Emission spectra were collected using a Cary Eclipse spectrophotometer from 700 to 450 nm, with an excitation wavelength of 410 nm and a 600 nm min−1 scan rate.
Single-crystal XRD data were collected using Mo-Kα radiation of 0.71073 Å on an Agilent SuperNova Dual Atlas diffractometer with a mirror monochromator. The sample temperature was maintained at 200K using an Oxford Cryosystems cooling apparatus. The crystal structures were solved using SHELXT [48] and refined using SHELXL [49]. Non-hydrogen atoms were refined with anisotropic displacement parameters. Hydrogen atoms were inserted in idealized positions, and a riding model was used with their Uiso set at 1.2 or 1.5 times the value of Ueq for the atom to which they are bonded. In the structure of 5LRe,Rh, the chloro and carbonyl ligands coordinated to Re are disordered, with refined Cl/CO occupancies of 0.784(7)/0.216(7) and 0.216(7)/0.784(7) over two sites. CCDC 2327744 and 2327745 contain the supplementary crystallographic data for this paper. These data can be obtained free of charge via http://www.ccdc.cam.ac.uk/conts/retrieving.html (accessed on 23 January 2024) or from the CCDC, 12 Union Road, Cambridge CB2 1EZ, UK; Fax: +44-1223-336033; E-mail: [email protected]. A table of pertinent details of the data collection and refinement is included in the ESI.
DFT calculations were carried out using the Gaussian09 program [50]. Rotational energy profiles and subsequent optimisations were calculated at the BP86/def2SVP level [51,52,53] using density fitting with automated fitting basis set assignment and D3 empirical dispersion correction [54]. All minima were confirmed as such by harmonic frequency calculation. The subsequent calculation of orbital energies used the B3LYP/def2TZVP level [55].

3.1. Synthesis of CgP-5bpy (5L)

A mixture of 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-2,4,6-Trioxa-8-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane (1.6 g, 7.4 mmol), 5-bromobpyridine (1.73 g, 7.4 mmol), Pd2(dba)3 (0.1 g, 0.12 mmol), BINAP (0.3 g, 0.48 mmol), and NaOtBu (2.0 g, 20.1 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) was heated at 100 °C for 48 h under nitrogen. After cooling to RT, the toluene was reduced to half volume in vacuo and 6 M HCl (40 mL) was added thereto. The biphasic mixture was stirred vigorously for 20 min and allowed to settle, and the organic phase was removed via a cannula. Et2O (50 mL) was added to the aqueous phase and the process was repeated. The aqueous phase was basified with solid NaOH with ice cooling and subsequently extracted with Et2O (2 × 50 mL). Each organic phase was isolated by cannula, dried over MgSO4, filtered, and taken to dryness at the pump. The sticky orange residue was triturated with 40/60 petroleum ether to remove some insoluble residues. Isolation and removal of the petroleum ether gave a pale yellow solid. Yield = 2.23 g (77%). 1H (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 8.94 (m, 1H), 8.63 (d, 3JHP 4.8 Hz, 1H), 8.33 (t, 3JHH 8.1 Hz, 2H), 8.24 (m, 1H), 7.77 (td, 3JHH 4JHH 7.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 2.20-1.85 (m, 3H), 1.65 (d, 3JHP 13.5 Hz, 1H), 1.47 (d, 3JHP 13.8 Hz, 3H), 1.37 (s, 6H), 1.22 (d, 3JHP 13.4 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (CDCl3, 100 MHz): δC 156.7 (C), 155.7 (C), 155.0 (CH), 154.7 (CH), 149.4 (CH), 143.2 (d, 2JCP 15.1 Hz, CH), 130.5 (d, 1JCP 36.1 Hz, C), 124.1 (CH), 121.3 (CH), 120.6 (d, 3JCP 4.7 Hz, CH), 96.9 (C), 96.1 (C), 73.3 (d, 1JCP 22.2 Hz, C), 73.2 (d, 1JCP 7.1 Hz, C), 45.2 (d, 2JCP 18.2 Hz, CH2), 36.4 (d, 2JCP 1.6 Hz, CH2), 28.0 (CH3), 27.8 (CH3), 27.4 (d, 2JCP 22.2 Hz, CH3), 26.8 (d, 2JCP 11.1 Hz, CH3) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP −30.5 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 371.1528 (calc. 371.1525) [L]+, 100%.

3.2. Synthesis of CgP-6bpy (6L)

Prepared as for the 5L derivative above. Yield = 2.35 g (81%). 1H (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 8.61 (ddd, 3JHH 4JHH 4.9, 1.9, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.43 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 8.0, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 7.9, 1.1 Hz, 2H), 7.85 (dd, 3JHH 4JHH 7.7, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (td, 3JHH 4JHH 7.7, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (td, 3JHH 4JHP 7.9, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (ddd, 3JHH 3JHH 4JHH 7.5, 4.7, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 2.05 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.2, 6.6 Hz, 1H), 1.88 (dd, 3JHP 2JHH 23.5, 13.2 Hz, 1H), 1.82 (d, 2JHH 13.2 Hz, 1H), 1.56 (d, 3JHP 12.4 Hz, 3H), 1.48 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 1.43 (d, 3JHP 12.5 Hz, 3H), 1.37 (s, 6H), 1.31 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (CDCl3, 100 MHz): δC 160.0 (d, 1JCP 13.4 Hz, C), 156.2 (d, 3JCP 12.0 Hz, C), 155.8 (C), 149.1 (CH), 137.0 (CH), 136.3 (CH), 129.2 (d, 2JCP 11.7 Hz, CH), 123.9 (CH), 121.2 (CH), 120.0 (CH), 96.8 (C), 96.2 (C), 73.5 (d, 1JCP 9.6 Hz, C), 72.9 (d, 1JCP 22.7 Hz, C), 45.1 (d, 2JCP 16.7 Hz, CH2), 37.5 (d, 2JCP 1.9 Hz, CH2), 28.0 (CH3), 27.8 (CH3), 27.7 (d, 2JCP 23.0 Hz, CH3), 27.3 (d, 2JCP 11.7 Hz, CH3) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP −24.9 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 371.1521 (calc. 371.1525) [L]+, 40%.

3.3. fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-5L)(CO)3Cl], 5LRe

A mixture of 5L (400 mg, 1.08 mmol) and Re(CO)5Cl (390 mg, 1.08 mmol) was heated at ~100 °C in degassed chlorobenzene (20 mL) for 6 h under nitrogen. After cooling, the volatiles were removed in vacuo to give an orange solid which was triturated with O2-free diethyl ether (10 mL) to give an insoluble and soluble fraction. The insoluble fraction was determined to be >90% pure by NMR spectroscopy and therefore used for the subsequent chemistry, whereas the soluble fraction proved to be less pure and was discarded. Yield = 526 mg (72%). 1H (d6-acetone, 400 MHz): δH 9.47 (m, 0.5H), 9.41 (m, 0.5H), 8.99 (d, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 8.56 (m, 1H), 8.42 (m, 1H), 8.21 (m, 1H), 7.67 (m, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 1.55–1.35 (m, 5H), 1.31 (s, 1.5H), 1.29 (s, 1.5H), 1.23 (s, 1.5H), 1.23 (s, 1.5H), 1.18 (d, 3JHP 8.6 Hz, 1.5H), 1.15 (d, 3JHP 8.6 Hz, 1.5H) ppm. 13C{1H} (C6D6, 150 MHz): δC 197.4 (2 × CO), 196.7 (CO) 196.5 (CO), 189.2 (2 × CO), 156.3 (C), 156.2 (C), 156.1 (C), 156.0 (C), 154.4 (CH), 154.2 (CH), 154.0 (CH), 153.9 (CH), 151.8 (2 × CH), 143.9 (d, 2JCP 29.7 Hz, CH), 143.5 (d, 2JCP 23.0 Hz, CH), 135.4 (d, 1JCP 40.0 Hz, C), 135.1 (d, 1JCP 39.7 Hz, C), 128.7 (CH), 127.6 (CH), 121.9 (CH), 121.7 (CH), 121.2 (d, 3JCP 6.8 Hz, CH), 120.8 (d, 3JCP 8.8 Hz, CH), 96.0 (C), 95.9 (C), 95.7 (C), 95.2 (C), 72.6 (d, 1JCP 7.8 Hz, C), 72.4 (d, 1JCP 7.7 Hz, C), 72.2 (d, 1JCP 22.2 Hz, C), 72.0 (d, 1JCP 21.9 Hz, C), 43.6 (d, 2JCP 17.3 Hz, CH2), 43.5 (d, 2JCP 17.4 Hz, CH2), 35.4 (CH2), 35.3 (CH2), 26.8 (CH3), 26.7 (CH3), 26.6 (CH3), 26.5 (CH3), 26.3 (d, 2JCP 22.0 Hz, CH3), 26.2 (d, 2JCP 22.1 Hz, CH3), 25.7 (CH3), 25.6 (CH3) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP −31.5, −31.6 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 641.0850 (calc. 641.0851) [M − Cl]+, 100%. IR ν(CO): 2016, 1913, 1884, 1867 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 263 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 65,288), and 303 (24,464).

3.4. fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-6L)(CO)3Cl], 6LRe

Prepared as detailed in 3.3. Yield = 599 mg (82%). 1H (d6-dmso, 400 MHz, major isomer): δH 9.10 (dd, 3JHH 4JHH 5.5, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.80 (d, 3JHH 8.2 Hz, 1H), 8.72 (d, 3JHH 8.3 Hz, 1H), 8.52 (d, 3JHH 7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (m, 2H), 7.76 (m, 1H), 2.06 (m, 1H), 2.02 (d, 3JHP 10.3 Hz, 1H), 1.82 (d, 2JHH 13.9 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 14.0, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 1.45 (s, 3H), 1.44 (d, 3JHP 12.6 Hz, 3H), 1.37 (s, 3H), 1.27 (d, 3JHP 12.6 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (d6-dmso, 100 MHz, isomeric mixture): δC 198.4 (CO), 195.6 (CO) 191.9 (CO), 163.6 (C), 163.3 (C), 159.1 (d, 1JCP 7.7 Hz, C), 156.9 (C), 156.4 (C), 153.2 (CH), 153.1 (CH), 140.7 (CH), 140.6 (CH), 139.9 (CH), 133.2 (CH), 132.7 (CH), 130.8 (C), 128.9 (C), 128.3 (CH), 125.1 (d, 2JCP 11.0 Hz, CH), 125.2 (CH), 97.3 (C), 97.2 (C), 96.2 (C), 75.1 (d, 1JCP 13.3 Hz, C), 74.7 (d, 1JCP 12.5 Hz, C), 74.5 (d, 1JCP 27.2 Hz, C), 74.1 (d, 1JCP 27.0 Hz, C), 45.0 (d, 2JCP 19.3 Hz, CH2), 35.9 (d, 2JCP 36.8 Hz, CH2), 28.8 (d, 2JCP 17.9 Hz, CH3), 28.5 (d, 2JCP 21.0 Hz, CH3), 27.8 (CH3), 27.6 (CH3), 26.8 (d, 2JCP 10.3 Hz, CH3), 26.7 (d, 2JCP 10.2 Hz, CH3) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP −15.9, −18.1 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 639.0819 (calc. 639.0823) [M − Cl]+, 100%. IR ν(CO): 2010, 1920sh, 1896, 1854 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 260 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 15,610), and 307 (17,153).

3.5. fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-Re,κ-P-Au-5L)(CO)3Cl(AuCl)], 5LRe,Au

Au(THT)Cl (47 mg, 1.48 × 10−4 mol) was added to a solution of fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-5L)(CO)3Cl] (100 mg, 1.48 × 10−4 mol) in CH2Cl2 (10 mL). After stirring for 1 h, the volatiles were removed in vacuo and the resultant orange solid crystallised from acetone by the slow inclusion of pentane. Yield = 103 mg (77%). The initial NMR spectra showed the presence of two isomers which slowly became enriched to a major and minor over several weeks in solution (d6-acetone). After slow evaporation of the d6-acetone, the yellow solid was dissolved in CDCl3, which then showed the presence of a single isomer. 1H (d6-acetone, 500 MHz): δH 9.67 (m, 2H), 9.04 (m, 2H), 8.79 (m, 4H), 8.69 (m, 2H), 8.26 (tt, 7.9, 1.6 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (m, 2H), 2.55 (dd, 3JHP 6.5, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.53 (dd, 3JHP 6.4, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.10–1.95 (m, 5H), 1.77 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 14.4, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 1.68 (d, 3JHP 15.5 Hz, 3H), 1.61 (d, 3JHP 15.4 Hz, 3H), 1.44 (s, 3H), 1.43 (s, 3H), 1.37 (s, 3H), 1.36 (s, 3H), 1.35 (d, 3JHP 16.4 Hz, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3JHP 16.6 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (d6-acetone, 150 MHz): δC 197.8 (CO), 197.4 (CO), 189.2 (CO), 158.7 (C, d, 1JCP 21.6 Hz), 156.2 (CH, d, 2JCP 10.8 Hz), 156.1 (CH, d, 2JCP 8.4 Hz), 154.7 (C), 153.5 (CH), 147.7 (CH, d, 2JCP 15.0 Hz), 147.5 (CH, d, 2JCP 15.5 Hz), 140.2 (CH), 128.7 (CH), 128.6 (CH), 126.4 (C, d, 1JCP 38.1 Hz), 125.3 (CH), 125.2 (CH), 124.3 (CH, d, 3JCP 8.1 Hz), 124.2 (CH, 3JCP d, 7.9 Hz), 97.0 (2 × C, d, 1JCP 81.6, 44.6 Hz), 74.5 (C, d, 1JCP 29.4 Hz), 74.0 (C, d, 1JCP 35.2 Hz), 43.6 (CH2, d, 2JCP 10.1 Hz), 36.5 (CH2), 26.8 (CH3, d, 2JCP 16.7 Hz), 26.6 (CH3, d, 2JCP 15.2 Hz), 26.0 (CH3, d, 2JCP 8.0 Hz), 25.9 (CH3, d, 2JCP 7.3 Hz), 24.9 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.3 Hz), 24.8 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.0 Hz) ppm. 31P{1H} (d6-acetone, 202 MHz): δP 20.9, 20.5 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 873.0209 (calc. 873.0206) [M − Cl]+, 35%. IR ν(CO): 2016, 1917, 1890, 1875 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 261 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 9441), and 310 (22,631).

3.6. fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-Re,κ-P-Au-6L)(CO)3Cl(AuCl)], 6LRe,Au

Au(THT)Cl (20 mg, 0.63 × 10−4 mol) was added to a suspension of fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-6L)(CO)3Cl] (44 mg, 0.65 × 10−4 mol) in CH2Cl2 (8 mL) and the suspension was stirred overnight. On return, a solid and yellow solution was obtained. Dmso (0.5 mL) was added to ensure complete dissolution and obtained 31P{1H} NMR—one species only at δP 22.8 ppm. The CH2Cl2 was removed in vacuo and the resultant dmso solution was diluted with water (3 mL) to give a yellow precipitate which was filtered and air-dried. Yield = 48%. Alternatively, fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-6L)(CO)3Cl] (50 mg, 0.74 × 10−4 mol) was added to CH2Cl2 (30 mL) to give a slight suspension, whereupon one equiv. of Au(THT)Cl (23 mg) was added. Within a few minutes, the mixture clarified to an orange solution. After stirring for 10 min, the volume was reduced and the complex precipitated by the addition of diethyl ether and then filtered and air-dried. Yield = 79%. 1H (d6-dmso, 400 MHz): δH 8.63 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 4.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (dd, 3JHH 4JHH 8.1, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 8.38 (d, 3JHH 7.9 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (m, 1H), 7.87 (td, 3JHH 3JHP 3JHH 7.8, 3.9 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (td, 3JHH 3JHH 4JHH 7.8, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, 3JHH 3JHH 7.4, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 2.56 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.8, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.33 (d, 2JHH 13.4 Hz, 1H), 1.93 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.6, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 1.88 (d, 2JHH 12.8 Hz, 1H), 1.54 (d, 3JHP 15.0 Hz, 3H), 1.44 (d, 3JHP 16.0 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (d6-dmso, 100 MHz): δC 196.8 (CO), 193.1 (CO), 187.7 (CO), 157.0 (C, d, 1JCP 16.3 Hz), 154.5 (C), 150.1 (CH), 149.6 (C), 139.2 (CH, d, 3JCP 8.1 Hz), 138.2 (CH), 132.2 (CH, d, 2JCP 23.0 Hz), 138.1 (CH), 132.2 (CH, d, 2JCP 23.0 Hz), 125.5 (CH), 123.4 (CH, d, 2JCP 2.1 Hz), 121.0 (CH), 97.3 (C), 96.8 (C, d, 3JCP 1.6 Hz), 74.1 (C, d, 1JCP 5.6 Hz), 73.8 (C, d, 1JCP 11.6 Hz), 43.9 (CH2, d, 2JCP 9.4 Hz), 37.6 (CH2), 27.5 (CH3), 27.4 (CH3), 27.1 (CH3, d, 2JCP 6.7 Hz), 25.7 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.5 Hz) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP 22.5 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 873.0197 (calc. 873.0206) [M − Cl]+, 30%; 864.0553 (calc. 864.0548) [M − 2Cl + CN]+, 100%. IR: 2010, 1922sh, 1886 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 260 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 13,870), and 312 (19,668).

3.7. fac-[{Re(κ2-N,N′-Re,κ-P-Ag-5L)(CO)3Cl}2(Ag)]OTf, 5LRe,Ag

Ag(OTf) (19 mg, 0.74 × 10−4 mol) was added to a solution of fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-5L)(CO)3Cl] (100 mg, 1.48 × 10−4 mol) in CH2Cl2 (10 mL). After stirring for 1 h, the volatiles were removed in vacuo and the resultant orange solid crystallised from acetone by the slow inclusion of pentane. Yield = 56%. 1H (d6-dmso, 500 MHz): δH 9.58 (m, 2H), 9.12 (d, 3JHH 5.3 Hz, 2H), 8.94 (t, 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.88 (t, 8.3 Hz, 2H), 8.80 (t, 8.1 Hz, 2H), 8.44 (qd, 8.0, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 7.87 (qd, 8.1, 1.4 Hz, 2H), 2.41 (m, 2H), 2.16 (d, 2JHH 13.5 Hz, 1H), 2.10 (d, 2JHH 14.0 Hz, 1H), 1.90-1.60 (m, 2H), 1.75 (d, 3JHP 14.1 Hz, 6H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 1.45–1.36 (6H) ppm. 13C{1H} (d6-dmso, 150 MHz): δC 198.1 (CO), 197.8 (CO), 197.5 (CO), 196.7 (CO), 190.2 (CO), 190.1 (CO), 157.0 (C), 156.1 (CH, d, 3JCP 7.2 Hz), 155.1 (C), 154.9 (C), 154.8 (C), 154.3 (CH, d, 2JCP 5.0 Hz), 153.7 CH), 147.4 (CH, d, 2JCP 24.8 Hz), 140.9 (CH), 129.0 (CH), 129.0 (CH), 125.6 (CH), 125.5 (CH), 124.6 (CH, d, 3JCP 8.9 Hz), 97.0 (2 × C, d, 1JCP 81.6, 44.6 Hz), 74.5 (C, d, 1JCP 29.4 Hz), 74.0 (C, d, 1JCP 35.2 Hz), 43.6 (CH2, d, 2JCP 10.1 Hz), 36.5 (CH2), 26.8 (CH3, d, 2JCP 16.7 Hz), 26.6 (CH3, d, 2JCP 15.2 Hz), 26.0 (CH3, d, 2JCP 8.0 Hz), 25.9 (CH3, d, 2JCP 7.3 Hz), 24.9 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.3 Hz), 24.8 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.0 Hz) ppm. 31P{1H} (d6-dmso, 202 MHz): δP −16.0(br), −15.0(sh) ppm. LRMS (ES): m/z 1459.01 (calc. 1459.01) [M]+, 2%. IR ν(CO): 2019, 1886 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 259 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 35,745), and 304 (41,689).

3.8. [Au(κ-P-6L)Cl]

The complex was prepared in situ by the addition of one equivalent of 6L to one of [Au(THT)Cl] in CH2Cl2 at RT. The removal of all volatiles gave a slightly grey solid. Yield = quant. The complex was crystallised by the slow evaporation of an acetone solution. 1H (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 8.64 (ddd, 3JHH 4JHH 4.9, 1.7, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.54 (ddd, 3JHH 4JHH 8.0, 2.7, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 8.40 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 8.0, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (ddd, 3JHH 4JHH 7.7, 5.2, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (td, 3JHH 3JHP 4JHH 8.0, 3.8 Hz, 1H), 7.83 (td, 7.7, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (ddd, 3JHH 3JHH 4JHH 7.5, 4.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 2.56 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.31 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.6, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 1.93 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.7, 7.7 Hz, 1H), 1.88 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.7, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 1.54 (d, 3JHP 15.2 Hz, 3H), 1.44 (d, 2JHH 15.9 Hz, 1H), 1.42 (s, 3H), 1.40 (s, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (CDCl3, 100 MHz): δC 157.2 (C, d, 1JCP 16.1 Hz), 154.4 (C), 150.1 (C), 149.5 (C), 149.1 (CH), 137.7 (CH), 137.5 (d, 3JCP 8.9 Hz, CH), 132.0 (CH), 124.8 (CH), 123.2 (CH, d, 2JCP 2.7 Hz), 121.7 (CH), 97.1 (C), 96.6 (d, 3JCP 1.6 Hz, C), 74.0 (C, d, 1JCP 24.3 Hz), 73.6 (C, d, 1JCP 30.0 Hz), 44.1 (CH2, d, 2JCP 9.8 Hz), 37.8 (CH2), 27.6 (CH3), 27.4 (CH3), 26.9 (CH3, d, 2JCP 7.1 Hz), 25.7 (CH3, d, 2JCP 4.4 Hz) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP 22.6 ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 603.0887 (calc. 603.0879) [M + H]+, 100%.

3.9. [Ag(κ-P-6L)2]BF4

The complex was prepared in situ by the addition of two equivalents of 6L to one of AgBF4 in CH2Cl2. The removal of all volatiles left a greyish solid. Yield = quant. The NMR data were broad for this complex (see Supplementary Materials).

3.10. fac-[Re(κ2-N,N′-Re,κ-P-Rh-5L)(CO)3Cl(Rh(COD)Cl)], 5LRe,Rh

Prepared as for the gold complex. Recrystallised from toluene. Yield = 80%. 1H (d6-acetone, 500 MHz): δH 9.76 (d, 3JHP 5.0 Hz, 1H), 9.14 (d, 3JHH 5.5 Hz, 1H), 8.82 (t, 3JHH 3JHP 6.6 Hz, 1H), 8.72 (d, 3JHH 8.2 Hz, 1H), 8.65 (d, 3JHH 8.4 Hz, 1H), 8.38 (td, 3JHH 4JHH 8.5, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (ddd, 3JHH 3JHH 4JHH 7.7, 5.5, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 5.50 (sbr, 1H), 5.41 (sbr, 1H), 4.89 (sbr, 1H), 4.74 (sbr, 1H), 3.03 (svbr, 1H), 2.55 (svbr, 1H), 2.45-2.00 (br, 5H), 1.87 (d, 3JHP 11.9 Hz, 3H), 1.79 (d, 2JHH 14.2 Hz, 1H), 1.65 (d, 3JHP 11.6 Hz, 3H), 1.62 (d, 3JHP 11.2 Hz, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 1.43 (s, 3H), 1.33 (d, 3JHP 23.0 Hz, 3H) ppm. 13C{1H} (CDCl3, 125 MHz, isomeric mixture): δC 197.4 (2 × CO), 197.3 (CO), 196.5 (CO), 189.0 (CO), 188.9 (CO), 159.1 (CH, d, 2JCP 23.5 Hz), 155.8 (CH), 155.2 (C), 155.1 (C), 153.2 (CH), 153.1 (CH), 146.6 (CH, d, 2JCP 19.0 Hz), 142.9 (CH), 139.3 (CH), 139.2 (CH), 134.2 (C, d, 1JCP 21.3 Hz), 134.0 (C, d, 1JCP 19.5 Hz), 127.5 (CH), 123.9 (CH), 123.8 (CH), 121.9 (CH), 105.5 (CH, m), 105.2 (CH, m), 104.1 (CH, m), 97.0 (C), 96.9 (C), 96.4 (C), 96.0 (C), 78.7 (CH, d, 1JCRh 13.7 Hz), 76.0 (C, t, 1JCP 2JCRh 11.0 Hz), 74.6 (C, d, 1JCP 19.6 Hz), 74.5 (C, d, 1JCP 19.0 Hz), 73.1 (CH, d, 1JCRh 13.0 Hz), 72.8 (CH, d, 1JCRh 12.6 Hz), 69.7 (CH, d, 1JCRh 12.0 Hz), 69.4 (CH, d, 1JCRh 12.0 Hz), 44.7 (CH2, t, 2JCP 3JCRh 11.4 Hz), 40.1 (CH2, d, 2JCP 19.7 Hz), 30.9 (CH2), 29.3 (CH2), 28.7 (CH3), 28.5 (CH2), 28.1 (CH2), 27.5 (CH3), 27.4 (CH3), 26.3 (CH3, t, 2JCP 3JCRh 8.1 Hz) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP 6.9 (d, 1JPRh 153.0 Hz) ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 887.0535 (calc. 887.0534) [M − Cl]+, 75%. IR ν(CO): 2018, 1884 cm−1. UV/Vis: λmax(CH2Cl2)/nm 254 (ε/dm3 mol−1 cm−1 18,211), and 306 (23,887).

3.11. [Rh(κ-P-6L)(COD)Cl)]

The [Rh(κ-P-6L)(COD)Cl)] was prepared simply by combining [Rh(COD)2Cl]2 (20 mg, 4.1 × 10−5 mol) and 6L (30 mg, 8.2 × 10−5 mol) in CH2Cl2 (3 mL) and removing the solvent to give an orange solid. Yield = 98%. 1H (CDCl3, 400 MHz): δH 8.62 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 4.8, 0.8 Hz, 1H), 8.45 (d, 3JHH 7.7 Hz, 1H), 8.34 (dt, 3JHH 4JHH 8.1, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, 3JHH 7.7 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (td, 3JHH 4JHH 7.9, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (td, 3JHH 3JHP 4JHH 7.9, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (dd, 3JHH 3JHH 7.5, 4.9 Hz, 1H), 3.23 (dd, 2JHH 3JHP 13.2, 4.5 Hz, 1H), 2.29 (m, 4H), 2.04 (d, 3JHP 11.4 Hz, 3H), 1.85 (m, 5H), 1.63 (d, 3JHP 13.4 Hz, 3H), 1.42 (m, 2H), 1.40 (s, 3H), 1.19 (s, 3H) ppm. 31P{1H} (CDCl3, 162 MHz): δP 8.5 (d, 1JPRh 152.5 Hz) ppm. HRMS (ES): m/z 581.1443 (calc. 581.1440) [M − Cl]+, 75%.

3.12. Reaction of [Rh(κ-P-6L)(COD)Cl)] with [Re(CO)5Cl]

[Rh(κ-P-6L)(COD)Cl)] was dissolved in PhCl (5 mL) and 29 mg (1 equiv.) of [Re(CO)5Cl] was added thereto. The mixture was heated at ~80 for 2 h to give a deep-purple precipitate, which was isolated by filtration. Yield = 32 mg. Note that this does not form simply upon heating [Rh(κ-P-6L)(COD)Cl)] in PhCl. NMR spectroscopic data were recorded quickly in d6-dmso as appreciable changes in the 31P{1H} NMR spectrum occurred within a relatively short timeframe (hrs) to give an orange solution which proved to be a mixture. For NMR and other data, see Supplementary Materials.

4. Conclusions

Two novel phospha–bpy hybrid ligands have been prepared and selectively coordinated to [Re(CO)3Cl] through the bpy donor set. The subsequent binding of a second metal-containing fragment has been explored and steric limitations have been exposed for the 6-phospha ligand compared with the 5-phospha derivative, to the extent that only the small AuCl group could be accommodated by the rhenium complex of the former. Hence, only the more available 5-phospha group is able to act as a ‘hospitable host’ for the larger second metal fragments explored here. Rotational isomers are present for a number of the isolated species and their relative energies compared by DFT calculations. From the UV/Vis spectra and DFT calculations, there is no substantive evidence of electronic communication between the rhenium core and the second metal centre, with orbital coefficients being localised in the frontier orbitals. Efforts continue to further explore the chemistry and application of these and related complexes.

Supplementary Materials

The following supporting information can be downloaded at https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/molecules29051150/s1: Figures S1–S81: NMR and mass spectra of the compounds; Figure S82: electronic spectra of the complexes; Figure S83: normalized emission spectra of the complexes; Table S1: Crystal data and structure refinement for 5LRe,Au and 5LRe,Rh; Table S2: Frontier molecular orbital energies.

Author Contributions

P.D.N. conceived the project, performed the synthesis, and collected the spectroscopic data. B.M.K. performed the structural characterization. J.A.P. performed the DFT calculations. P.D.N. and J.A.P. drafted the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

Data are contained within the article and Supplementary Materials.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Molecules 29 01150 sch001
Scheme 1. Synthesis of the ligands CgP-5bpy (5L) and CgP-6bpy (6L).
Scheme 1. Synthesis of the ligands CgP-5bpy (5L) and CgP-6bpy (6L).
Molecules 29 01150 sch001
Molecules 29 01150 g001
Figure 1. Optimised geometry of 5LRe (hydrogens omitted for clarity). Light blue = Re; dark blue = N; green = Cl; red = O; orange = P.
Figure 1. Optimised geometry of 5LRe (hydrogens omitted for clarity). Light blue = Re; dark blue = N; green = Cl; red = O; orange = P.
Molecules 29 01150 g001
Molecules 29 01150 g002
Figure 2. Ortep [45] representation of the molecular structure of 5LRe,Au. Hydrogen atoms and residual solvent have been omitted for clarity. Selected bond lengths (Å) and angles (°): Re1—N1 2.170(5); Re1—N2 2.162(4); Re1—C21 1.925(6); Re1—C22 1.973(6); Re1—C23 1.924(6); Re1—Cl1 2.4483(16); Au1—P1 2.2177(14); Au1—Cl2 2.2786(15); N1—Re1—C23 170.1(2); N2—Re1—C21 171.9(2); Cl1—Re1—C22 176.42(17); P1—Au1—Cl2 179.34(7).
Figure 2. Ortep [45] representation of the molecular structure of 5LRe,Au. Hydrogen atoms and residual solvent have been omitted for clarity. Selected bond lengths (Å) and angles (°): Re1—N1 2.170(5); Re1—N2 2.162(4); Re1—C21 1.925(6); Re1—C22 1.973(6); Re1—C23 1.924(6); Re1—Cl1 2.4483(16); Au1—P1 2.2177(14); Au1—Cl2 2.2786(15); N1—Re1—C23 170.1(2); N2—Re1—C21 171.9(2); Cl1—Re1—C22 176.42(17); P1—Au1—Cl2 179.34(7).
Molecules 29 01150 g002
Molecules 29 01150 g003
Figure 3. Geometry optimised molecular structure of 6LRe,Au. Light blue = Re; dark blue = N; green = Cl; red = O; orange = P; yellow = Au.
Figure 3. Geometry optimised molecular structure of 6LRe,Au. Light blue = Re; dark blue = N; green = Cl; red = O; orange = P; yellow = Au.
Molecules 29 01150 g003
Molecules 29 01150 g004
Figure 4. Ortep [45] representation of the molecular structure of anti-5LRe,Rh. Hydrogen atoms and residual solvent have been omitted for clarity. Selected bond lengths (Å) and angles (°): Re1—N1 2.173(3); Re1—N2 2.172(3); Re1—C11 1.902(6); Re1—C12 1.910(4); Re1—C13 1.908(5); Re1—Cl1 2.4563(18); Rh1—P1 2.3176(8); Rh1—Cl2 2.3580(8); N1—Re1—C13 171.67(14); N2—Re1—C12 173.15(15); Cl1—Re1—C11 179.1(2); P1—Rh1—Cl2 84.48(3).
Figure 4. Ortep [45] representation of the molecular structure of anti-5LRe,Rh. Hydrogen atoms and residual solvent have been omitted for clarity. Selected bond lengths (Å) and angles (°): Re1—N1 2.173(3); Re1—N2 2.172(3); Re1—C11 1.902(6); Re1—C12 1.910(4); Re1—C13 1.908(5); Re1—Cl1 2.4563(18); Rh1—P1 2.3176(8); Rh1—Cl2 2.3580(8); N1—Re1—C13 171.67(14); N2—Re1—C12 173.15(15); Cl1—Re1—C11 179.1(2); P1—Rh1—Cl2 84.48(3).
Molecules 29 01150 g004
Molecules 29 01150 g005
Figure 5. Frontier orbitals of 5LRe,Au. (a) The HOMO (−6.09 eV); (b) the LUMO (−2.66 eV).
Figure 5. Frontier orbitals of 5LRe,Au. (a) The HOMO (−6.09 eV); (b) the LUMO (−2.66 eV).
Molecules 29 01150 g005
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Platts, J.A.; Kariuki, B.M.; Newman, P.D. Welcoming Neighbour or Inhospitable Host? Selective Second Metal Binding in 5- and 6-Phospha-Substituted Bpy Ligands. Molecules 2024, 29, 1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051150

AMA Style

Platts JA, Kariuki BM, Newman PD. Welcoming Neighbour or Inhospitable Host? Selective Second Metal Binding in 5- and 6-Phospha-Substituted Bpy Ligands. Molecules. 2024; 29(5):1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051150

Chicago/Turabian Style

Platts, James A., Benson M. Kariuki, and Paul D. Newman. 2024. "Welcoming Neighbour or Inhospitable Host? Selective Second Metal Binding in 5- and 6-Phospha-Substituted Bpy Ligands" Molecules 29, no. 5: 1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051150

APA Style

Platts, J. A., Kariuki, B. M., & Newman, P. D. (2024). Welcoming Neighbour or Inhospitable Host? Selective Second Metal Binding in 5- and 6-Phospha-Substituted Bpy Ligands. Molecules, 29(5), 1150. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29051150

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