Synthesis and characterisation of transition metal halide complexes of the xylyl-distibine, 1,2-bis(dimethylstibanylmethyl)benzene

Abstract

Complexes of the title ligand with Cu(I), Ag(I), Au(I), Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), and rare examples with Ni(II) and Co(III) have been prepared and characterised by analysis, IR, UV-vis, ¹H, ⁶³Cu and ⁵⁹Co NMR spectroscopy and ES⁺ mass spectrometry as appropriate. The structures of [Cu{1,2-C₆H₄(CH₂SbMe₂)₂}₂]BF₄, [PtCl₂{1,2-C₆H₄(CH₂SbMe₂)₂}], [M{1,2-C₆H₄(CH₂SbMe₂)₂}₂][PF₆]₂ (M = Pd or Pt), and [NiI{1,2-C₆H₄(CH₂SbMe₂)₂}₂]ClO₄ have been determined, and the varying chelate bite and conformations of the xylyl backbone in these structures are discussed. Despite the unfavourable seven-membered chelate ring and the large soft antimony donors, 1,2-C₆H₄(CH₂SbMe₂)₂ proves to be a surprisingly good ligand for late transition metals in medium oxidation states.