Co-ordination complexes containing multidentate ligands. Part VIII. Synthesis of three bis(o-methylthiophenylthio)alkanes and their reactions with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II), platinum(II), and rhodium(III) salts

Abstract

Three open-chain quadridentate thioether ligands, 1,2-bis(o-methylthiophenylthio)ethane, 1,3-bis(o-methylthiophenylthio)propane, and 1,4-bis(o-methylthiophenylthio)butane, have been prepared and their complexes with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), palladium(II), platinum(II), and rhodium(III) salts isolated and characterised. These are mainly of the types six-co-ordinate [MLX₂](M = Co or Ni) in which the ligand is quadridentate, four-co-ordinate [M₂LX₄](M = Cu, Pd, or Pt) in which the ligand is bridging quadridentate, and [Rh₄L₃X₁₂]. The behaviour of these ligands is discussed in terms of normal metal co-ordination numbers and their inability to compete with halides for co-ordination positions. In NN-dimethylformamide the Pd^II and Pt^II complexes undergo complicated S-dealkylation reactions. With the former three products have been identified and contain the ligands o-methylthiobenzenethiolate and benzene-1,2-dithiolate.