Reactions of TpRe(CO)2(THF) with aromatic molecules (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate)

The complex TpRe(CO)(2)(THF) (3) (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate) reacts with a variety of aromatic molecules to form stable binuclear complexes of the form {TPRe(CO)(2)}(2)(mu-eta(2)-eta(2)-L), where L = furan (6), N-methylpyrrole (7), or naphthalene (8). With thiophene, the TpRe(CO)(2) fragment yields the sulfur-bound mononuclear complex TpRe(CO)(2)(eta(1)-thiophene) (5). In the absence of a suitable ligand, complex 3 reacts under a nitrogen atmosphere to form Tp(CO)(2)Re(mu-N-2)Re(CO)(2)Tp (9). An X-ray diffraction study of a single crystal of 9 provides geometric details.