Synthesis and structural characterization of hetero-binuclear complexes containing a Fe-0 -> Mn+ bond bridged by a non-rigid P,N-phosphine ligand

A new non-rigid phosphine ligand, N-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)morpholine (L) , has been synthesized. Its reaction with K[HFe(CO)(4)] results in the form ation of the organometallic tridentate ligand trans-[Fe(CO)(3)(mu-L)(2)] wh ich exhibits different coordinate modes in generating hetero-binuclear Fe-0 -->Mn+ complexes (M = Hg(II), Cd(II), Cu(I), Ag(I)). In the copper(I) compl ex, both tertiary amino groups coordinate to the Cu atom at Cu-N1 = 2.059(4 ) and Cu-N2 = 2.055(4) Angstrom. In the cadmium(ll) complex, one tertiary N atom coordinates to the Cd atom at Cd-N1 = 2.481(3) Angstrom, but only a w eak interaction of 2.730 A exists between the Hg and a N atom in the isomor phous mercury(II) complex. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserv ed.