Further aspects of the chemistry of the dirhenium complexes [(triphos)Re(mu-X)(3)Re(triphos)](n+) (n=1 or 0), where triphos = CH3C(CH2PPh2)(3) and X = Cl or Br

The dirhenium(II) complexes [Re-2(mu-X)(3)(triphos)(2)]O3SCF3 (X = Ci or Br ) have been prepared by anion exchange reactions. These salts show well def ined simple electron-transfer redox chemistry (two reversible one-electron oxidations and two one-electron reductions) but the [Re(mu-X)(3)Re] unit is remarkably stable to reactions with donor molecules such as monodentate te rtiary phosphines which can often induce cleavage of M-X-M bridges. The cry stallographic characterization of these two salts show that Re-Re bands are not present, the Re Re distances being 3.274(1) Angstrom for X = Cl and 3. 277(1) Angstrom for X = Br.