Bimolecular fusion of [Pd3(μ-CN-C6H3Me2-2,6)3(CN-C6H3Me2-2,6)3] induced by Ph2GeH2: formation of the redox-active Pd6Ge2 complex

Abstract

The reaction of Ph₂GeH₂ with a planar tripalladium(0) complex, [Pd₃(μ-CN-C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)₃(CN-C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)₃], selectively afforded a hexagonal bipyramidal Pd₆Ge₂ complex, [Pd₆(μ-GePh₂)₂(CN-C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)₈(μ-CN-C₆H₃Me₂-2,6)₂]. The molecule is stabilized by bridging coordination of isonitrile and GePh₂ ligands, although all the Pd–Pd bonds are weak, as revealed by DFT calculations. The resulting complex undergoes two successive redox processes at E_1/2 = −1.35 and −1.03 V (vs. Fc⁺/Fc), which correspond to the stepwise oxidation of the Pd(0)₆ complex.