Ligand substitution and reduction reactions of decakis(isopropylisocyanide)dicobalt(II)

• Published in: Transition metal chemistry (Weinheim) 2013-04, Vol.38 (3), p.235-242
• Main Authors: Oyetunji, Olayinka A., Ramokongwa, Godiraone, Ogunlusi, Grace O., Becker, Clifford A. L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Inorganic Chemistry; Organometallic Chemistry; Physical Chemistry
• ISSN: 0340-4285; 1572-901X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11243-012-9683-3

The reactions between decakis(isopropylisocyanide)dicobalt(II), present as [Co(CNCHMe 2 ) 5 ] 2+ in solution, and three triaryl phosphines, PPh 3 , P(C 6 H 4 Me-p) 3 , and P(C 6 H 4 OMe-p) 3 , have been studied in dichloromethane. The reactions were investigated under pseudo first-order conditions at different temperatures. A combination of conventional, stopped-flow, and infrared spectroscopy was employed in order to gain insight into the reaction mechanisms. Addition of each of the three phosphines to the Co(II) complex results in a shift in the λ max followed by increase and/or decrease in absorbance at the new wavelength. The triaryl phosphines react in the order P(C 6 H 4 OMe-p) 3  ≫ P(C 6 H 4 Me-p) 3  > PPh 3 . This is explained in terms of the electron-donating/π-acceptor properties of the phosphines. The reactions are proposed to proceed via a number of reaction pathways including ligand substitution, ligand rearrangement, disproportionation, and reduction.