Development of a T-joint for covalent molecular construction based on 2,2 '-bipyridine and phenanthroline isocyanide metal complexes

Tetracarbonylmolybdenum and halotricarbonylrhenium complexes of laterally e xtendable or laterally extended bipyridines such as 5,5'-dibromo-2,2'-bipyr idine, 5,5'-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,2'-bipyridine, or 3,8-dibromophena nthroline have been prepared. These complexes are potential precursors for covalent T-joints by substitution of carbon monoxide in the molybdenum comp lexes or halide in the rhenium complexes by linear terminal ligands. The fo rmation of a covalent T-joint has been demonstrated by attachment of Mo(CO) (3)(5,5'-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,2'-bipyridine) units to the free isoc yanide groups of ReCl(CO)(3)(CNC6H10CN)(2). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.