The First Coordination Complexes of Selenones:  A Structural Comparison with Complexes of Sulfones

Reactivity of the two classes of very weak donors R(2)XO(2) (X = S, R = Me (1) and Ph (2); X = Se, R = Me (3) and Ph (4)) have been studied. Coordination properties of sulfones and selenones in solution and in the gas phase have been compared for the first time using a model bidentate metal complex, [Rh(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4)]. Two coordination modes, bridging mu(2)-O,O' and terminal eta(1)-O, have been detected. These types of binding were realized in two series of sulfone and selenone metal complexes, polymeric mono-adducts [Rh(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4).(R(2)XO(2))]( infinity ) (X = S, R = Me (1a); R = Ph (2a); X = Se, R = Ph (4a)) and discrete bis-adducts [Rh(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(4).(R(2)XO(2))(2)] (X = S, R = Ph (2b); X = Se, R = Me (3b)). The compositions and structures of new compounds have been confirmed by NMR and IR spectroscopy, chemical analyses, and X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 3b and 4a are the first crystallographically characterized metal complexes having selenone ligands coordinated to the metal centers. Preparation and X-ray study of analogous metal complexes of sulfone and selenone ligands allow, for the first time, tracking the structural changes induced by metal coordination. In addition, the X-ray structure of dimethyl selenone, Me(2)SeO(2) (3), an analogue of Me(2)SO(2), has been determined. Geometries of coordinated sulfone and selenones ligands have been compared with those of the corresponding "free" molecules.