Understanding the factors affecting the activation of alkane by Cp'Rh(CO)2 (Cp' = Cp or Cp*).

Fast time-resolved infrared spectroscopic measurements have allowed precise determination of the rates of activation of alkanes by Cp'Rh(CO) (Cp(') = η(5)-C(5)H(5) or η(5)-C(5)Me(5)). We have monitored the kinetics of C─H activation in solution at room temperature and determined how the change in rate of oxidative cleavage varies from methane to decane. The lifetime of CpRh(CO)(alkane) shows a nearly linear behavior with respect to the length of the alkane chain, whereas the related Cp*Rh(CO)(alkane) has clear oscillatory behavior upon changing the alkane.

A systematic approach to the generation of long-lived metal alkane complexes: combined IR and NMR study of (Tp)Re(CO)2(cyclopentane).

Short wavelength photolysis of (Tp)Re(CO)(3) (Tp = tris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate) at low-temperature in cyclopentane yielded (Tp)Re(CO)(2)(cyclopentane), an alkane complex with three nitrogen ligands that was characterised by NMR spectroscopy.

Time-resolved infrared (TRIR) study on the formation and reactivity of organometallic methane and ethane complexes in room temperature solution.

We have used fast time-resolved infrared spectroscopy to characterize a series of organometallic methane and ethane complexes in solution at room temperature: W(CO)5(CH4) and M(eta5-C5R5)(CO)2(L) [where M = Mn or Re, R = H or CH3 (Re only); and L = CH4 or C2H6]. In all cases, the methane complexes are found to be short-lived and significantly more reactive than the analogous n-heptane complexes. Re(Cp)(CO)2(CH4) and Re(Cp*)(CO)2(L) [Cp* = eta5-C5(CH3)(5) and L = CH4, C2H6] were found to be in rapid equilibrium with the alkyl hydride complexes.