Metal-olefin complexes: Synthesis and molecular structure of trans-chloro(ethylene)bis(triphenylphosphine)iridium(I), IrCI(C 2H 4)(PPh 3) 2

Abstract

The complex, trans-IrCl(C 2H 4)(PPh 3) 2 has been isolated and its structure in the solid state determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic P2 1/ c, with a = 12.334(2), b = 22.957(4), c = 14.039(2) Å, β = 125.54(1)°, Z = 4. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by least-squares techniques to an R value of 0.032 for 4006 reflections. The molecule has a trans-square planar configuration. The coordinated ethylene is π-bonded to the iridium atom and is essentially perpendicular to the P 2IrCl plane with a very short CC distance of 1.375(10) Å. The olefin exerts a negligible trans-influence on the IrCl bond. Principal bond lengths are: IrCl, 2.371(2); IrP, 2.318(3), 2.312(3); IrC(1), 2.123(8); IrC(2), 2.112(8) Å.