PNNL

Abstract

Reaction of Cp*Os(CO)2Cl with (Et3Si )(BArF4) under hydrogen gas affords the cationic hydrogen complex [Cp*Os(CO)2(H2)][BArF4] (1), (Cp* = C5Me5; ArF = C6F5). When this reaction is carried out with HD gas, complex 1-d1 results, with JHD = 24.5 Hz. When solutions of complex 1 are monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy over several days, the gradual formation of a trans dihydride species is observed. Similarly, reaction of CpOs(dppm)Br with NaBArF*4 (ArF* = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) under hydrogen affords the cationic dihydride complex [CpOs(dppm)H2]BArF*4 (2). At 295 K, complex 2 exists as a 10:1 mixture of cis and trans isomers. The 1H NMR spectrum of the cis form in the hydride region exhibits a triplet with JHP = 6.5 Hz, due to rapid exchange of the hydrogen atoms. At low temperature, static spectra of the HH'PP' spin system can be obtained, revealing quantum mechanical exchange coupling between the two hydride ligands. The observed JHH' is temperature dependent, varying from 133 Hz at 141 K to 176 Hz at 198 K. This is the first report of detectable exchange coupling between pairs of chemically equivalent hydrogen atoms. Research at the University of Washington was supported by the National Science Foundation. Research at Brookhaven National Laboratory was carried out under contract DE-AC02-98CH10886 with the U.S. Department of Energy and was supported by its Division of Chemical Sciences, Office of Basic Energy Sciences. Research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) was funded by LDRD funds. PNNL is operated by Battelle for the US Department of Energy.