Synthesis and characterisation of neutral tris(bidentate) vanadium(V) complexes containing N3S23– and catecholate ligands

Abstract

The preparation and characterisation of complexes of the type [V(N₃S₂)Cl₂L](L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1; or 1,10-phenanthroline, 2) and [V(N₃S₂)L(L′)][L′= catecholate (cat) or 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate (dtbc)]3–6 is described. The new complexes have been characterised by microanalyses, ⁵¹V NMR, IR and visible spectroscopy as well as electrochemistry. All the new complexes are air stable as solids. Complexes 3 and 4 have a one-electron reversible couple and an anodic peak, whereas the dtbc complexes 5 and 6 have two one-electron reversible redox couples. The ⁵¹V NMR spectra of 1–6 are characteristic, in particular there is a large downfield shift on replacing cat by dtbc.