Cyclometallation reactions of 2-phenylpyridine; crystal and molecular structure of (2-{2-pyridyl} phenyl)palladium(II) tetramer and (2-{2-pyridyl} phenyl)mercury(II) tetramer

Abstract

The reaction of 2-phenylpyridine (HL) with palladium(II) compounds has been investigated. Cyclometallated and non-cyclometallated complexes may be obtained, dependent upon the reaction conditions. Cyclometallated derivatives are obtained directly by the reaction of HL with {Pd(OAc) 2} 3, by thermal reactions of monodentate N-bonded HL complexes, or by a transmetallation reaction with [{HgLCl} 4]. The crystal and molecular structure of (2-{2-pyridyl}phenyl)palladium chloride tetramer (monoclinic, a=9.342(2), b=19.582(6), c=10.897(2) Å, β=104.56(2)°, P2 1/ c) has been determined, and is reported, together with that of (2-{2-pyridyl}phenyl)mercury chloride tetramer (monoclinic, a=10.334(2), b=7.484(1), c=27.052(6) Å, β=97.60(2)°, P2 t/ n).