Preparation and characterisation of the dinuclear dinitrogen complex, trichloro-µ-dinitrogen-bis(tetrahydrofuran){chlorotetrakis[dimethyl-(phenyl)phosphine]rhenium(I)}chromium(III)[(PMe2Ph)4ClReN2CrCl3(thf)2]

Abstract

The reaction of trans-[ReCl(N₂)(PMe₂Ph)₄] with [CrCl₃(thf)₃] gives the dinuclear dinitrogen complex [(PMe₂Ph)₄ClReN₂CrCl₃(thf)₂] which probably contains a bridging N₂ ligand. The compound is monomeric and only weakly conducting in solution, and the magnetic moment indicates that the metals are present as rhenium(I) and chromium(III). It hydrolyses and oxidises rapidly in the atmosphere. The complex exhibits an intense charge-transfer band at 18,600 cm^–1, which is discussed in terms of a qualitative molecular orbital model.