Electrochemical synthesis of metallic complexes of bidentate thiolates containing nitrogen as an additional donor atom

In this work, we describe the results obtained by our group on the synthesi s of metallic thiolato:complexes by the electrochemical oxidation of a sacr ificial anode in a non-aqueous solution of the precursor ligand. In additio n to its simplicity and high yield, the electrochemical method is both quic k and selective, and provides a pathway to new compounds. The procedure has proven to be quite effective in obtaining mixed complexes in a single step by simply adding a second ligand to the cell. Our report is restricted to the synthesis and structural characterization of metallic compounds with he terocyclic thiones with diverse degrees of steric hindrance and containing, apart from sulfur, nitrogen atoms as donor atoms. The synthesis and struct ures of mixed complexes containing additional coligands such as 2,2'-bipyri dine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dpp m) or 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe), are also described. A main p art of the discussion is related to the influence of the steric hindrance a nd the presence of additional coligands on the degree of association of the metallic thiolates. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.