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The reaction of RuHCl(PPh3)3 with GaMe3 gives rise to the arene complex [(η6-C6H6)Ru(PPh3)(PPh2-o-C6H4-GaClMe], 1, with the Ga atom making part of an in situ generated ambiphilic phosphinogallyl ligand in a five-membered ruthenagallacycle ring with a tetracoordinate gallium. In the presence of excess GaMe3, 1 forms complex [(η6-C6H6)Ru(PPh3)(PPh2-o-C6H4-GaMe][GaMe3Cl], 2 also bearing a phosphinogallyl ligand. Crystals suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction were obtained of complex 2′, [(η6-C6H6)Ru(PPh3)(PPh2-o-C6H4-GaMe][GaMe2Cl2], showing an ion pair with two Ga atoms in different coordination environments: the first with a coordination number of three makes part of a five-membered ruthenagallacyle ring, while the second Ga atom is a gallate anion. In both complexes 1 and 2, the Ga atom binds to Ru as a σ-acceptor Z-type ligand. DFT calculations are in good agreement with the experimental single crystal X-ray diffraction data and provide Ru-Ga Wiberg bond indexes of 0.38 and 0.50, for 1 and 2 respectively. In contrast, treatment of RuHCl(PPh3)3 with GaMeCl2 and of RuCl2(PPh3)3 with GaMe3 gives rise to gallate species [(η6-C6H6)Ru(PPh3)2H][GaMeCl3], 3, and [(η6-C6H6)Ru(PPh3)2Me][GaMe2Cl2], 4, respectively. 

The formation of dimer [(μ-Cl)Rh-(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiiPr2)(o-C6H4CH2SiiPrnPr))]2 (Rh-3) with an n-propyl group on one of the silicon atoms as a minor product was affected by the reaction of [RhCl(COD)]2 with proligand PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiHiPr2)2, L1. The major product of the reaction was monomeric 14-electron Rh(III) complex [ClRh(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiiPr2)2)] (Rh-1). Computations revealed that the monomer–dimer equilibrium is shifted toward the monomer with four isopropyl substituents on the two Si atoms of the ligand as in Rh-1; conversely, the dimer is favored with only one n-propyl as in Rh-3, and with less bulky alkyl substituents such as in [ClRh(κ3(P,Si,Si)PhP(o-C6H4CH2SiMe2)2]2 (Rh-2). Computations on the mechanism of formation of Rh-3 directly from [RhCl(COD)]2 are in agreement with the experimental findings and it is found to be less energetic than if stemming from Rh-1. Additionally, a Si–O–Si complex, [μ-Cl-Rh{κ3(P,Si,C)PPh(o-C6H4CH2SiiPrO SiiPr2CH-o-C6H4)}]2, Rh-4, is generated from the reaction of Rh-1 with adventitious water as a result of intramolecular C–H activation. 

The metalation/transmetalation strategy using [Zr(NMe2)4] as initial metalating reagent offers an efficient approach to the synthesis of CCC–NHC pincer complexes. Many CCC–NHC pincer complexes have been prepared via this methodology. As efficient as this methodology is, many questions remained as to the mechanism for the process, particularly the requirement of two equivalents of Rh per proligand for good yields. Previously, no intermediates have been reported to shed light on the mechanism. In the process of investigating an intermediate and the mechanism of the metalation/transmetalation methodology, a new mixed valent bimetallic CCC–NHC pincer Rh complex with two chloro ligands bridged between a [(CCC–NHC)Rh(III)] and a [Rh(I)(COD)] fragment was isolated and fully characterized. The investigation of the Rh(III)/Rh(I) bimetallic intermediate in the CCC–NHC pincer metalation/transmetalation methodology led to an improved stoichiometric synthesis of CCC–NHC pincer Rh complexes. It was found that switching the proligand from iodide to chloride counterion obviated the need for an extra equivalent of Rh. The iodide bridged Rh(III)/Rh(I) intermediate was much more stable and prevented further reaction in comparison to the chloride congener. When it was switched to only chloride present the reaction quickly gave efficient, complete transmetalation with only a 1:1 ratio of proligand:Rh. 

MOF NU-1000 was employed to host Ni tripodal complexes prepared from new organometallic precursors [HNi(κ4(E,P,P,P)-E(o-C 6 H 4 CH 2 PPh 2 ) 3 ], E = Si (Ni-1), Ge (Ni-2). The new heterogenous catalytic materials, Ni-1@NU-1000 and Ni-2@NU-1000 show the advantages of both homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts. They catalyze the hydroboration of aldehydes and ketones more efficiently than the homogenous Ni-1 and Ni-2, under aerobic conditions, and allowing recyclability of the catalyst. 

Herein we report an experimental and computational study of a family of four coordinated 14-electron complexes of Rh( iii ) devoid of agostic interactions. The complexes [X–Rh(κ 3 ( P,Si,Si )PhP( o -C 6 H 4 CH 2 Si i Pr 2 ) 2 ], where X = Cl (Rh-1), Br (Rh-2), I (Rh-3), OTf (Rh-4), Cl·GaCl 3 (Rh-5); derive from a bis(silyl)- o -tolylphosphine with isopropyl substituents on the Si atoms. All five complexes display a sawhorse geometry around Rh and exhibit similar spectroscopic and structural properties. The catalytic activity of these complexes and [Cl–Ir(κ 3 ( P,Si,Si )PhP( o -C 6 H 4 CH 2 Si i Pr 2 ) 2 ], Ir-1, in styrene and aliphatic alkene functionalizations with hydrosilanes is disclosed. We show that Rh-1 catalyzes effectively the dehydrogenative silylation of styrene with Et 3 SiH in toluene while it leads to hydrosilylation products in acetonitrile. Rh-1 is an excellent catalyst in the sequential isomerization/hydrosilylation of terminal and remote aliphatic alkenes with Et 3 SiH including hexene isomers, leading efficiently and selectively to the terminal anti-Markonikov hydrosilylation product in all cases. With aliphatic alkenes, no hydrogenation products are observed. Conversely, catalysis of the same hexene isomers by Ir-1 renders allyl silanes, the tandem isomerization/dehydrogenative silylation products. A mechanistic proposal is made to explain the catalysis with these M( iii ) complexes. 

The new material [RuGa]@NU-1000 incorporates Ru and Ga in 1.2 and 1.8 wt% respectively (molar ratio 1 : 2). It stems from the grafting of the heterobimetallic ruthenium gallate complex, [MeRu(η 6 -C 6 H 6 )(PPh 3 ) 2 ][GaMe 2 Cl 2 ] into the MOF material NU-1000. [RuGa]@NU-1000 shows enhanced adsorption of SO 2 , specially at low pressures (10 −3 bar) even when compared with other materials employing more expensive precious metals. Additionally, [RuGa]@NU-1000 samples need not be exposed to such harsh conditions for reactivation as they retain their adsorption properties after several cycles and preserve their porosity and structure. Thus, [RuGa]@NU-1000 is an excellent, selective material suitable for detection and precise quantification of SO 2 , with a lower cost compared to other MOFs incorporating precious metals.