1-Benzyl-4-((phenylthio)-/(phenylseleno)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (L1/L2) and 4-phenyl-1-((phenylthio)-/(phenylseleno)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (L3/L4) synthesized using the click reaction have been reacted for the first time with [{(η6-C6H6)RuCl(μ-Cl)}2] and NH4PF6 to design the half-sandwich complexes [(η6-benzene)RuLCl]PF6 (1–4 for L = L1–L4), which have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and explored for the catalytic oxidation of alcohols with N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) and transfer hydrogenation of ketones with 2-propanol. There is a pseudo-octahedral “piano-stool” disposition of donor atoms around Ru in 1–4. In 1 and 2, N(3) of the triazole skeleton coordinates with Ru, whereas in other complexes the nitrogen involved is N(2). The Ru–S and Ru–Se bond distances are 2.3847(11)/2.3893(10) and 2.497(5)/2.4859(9) Å, respectively. The catalytic processes are more efficient with 3 and 4 (compared to 1 and 2), in which N(2) of the triazole is involved in coordination with Ru. The nature of the chalcogen and steric factors together also appear to affect the efficiency of complexes. HOMO–LUMO energy gaps are lower for 3 and 4 than for 1 and 2. The formation of RuIVO species probably results in oxidation and transfer hydrogenation involves an intermediate containing Ru–H. Bond distances and angles based on DFT calculations are generally consistent with experimental values.

The reactions of 1-benzyl-4-((phenylthio/phenylseleno)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (L1/L2) and 4-phenyl-1-((phenylthio/phenylseleno)methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole (L3/L4), synthesized using the click reaction, with [(η5-Cp*)RhCl(μ-Cl)]2 and [(η5-Cp*)IrCl(μ-Cl)]2 at room temperature followed by treatment with NH4PF6 result in complexes of the type [[(η5-Cp*)M(L)Cl] (1–8). Their HR-MS and 1H, 13C{1H}, and 77Se{1H} NMR spectra have been found characteristic. The single-crystal structures of 2, 3, and 6 have been established by X-ray crystallography. There is a pseudo-octahedral “piano-stool” disposition of donor atoms around Rh/Ir. In 1, 2, 5, and 6 N(3) of the triazole skeleton coordinates with Rh/Ir, whereas in the other four complexes the nitrogen involved is N(2). These complexes have been explored as catalysts for N-methylmorpholine N-oxide (NMO) based and Oppenauer-type oxidation of alcohols and transfer hydrogenation (TH) of carbonyl compounds with 2-propanol. Oppenauer type oxidation is somewhat slower than that based on NMO. The homogeneous nature of TH is supported by a poisoning test. The catalytic processes are more efficient with Rh complexes than the corresponding Ir complexes. The complexes having N(2) coordinated with the metal have shown better activity than those in which N(3) is involved in ligation. The reactivity with respect to ligands is in the order Se > S. In TH the species formed with loss of Cp* appears to be involved in catalysis with Rh as well as Ir complexes. Such a loss is noticed in the case of Rh for the first time. Generally results of DFT calculations are consistent with the experimental results.

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Suzuki-Miyaura C-C cross coupling (SMC), an important synthetic strategy for many organic molecules, has several advantages such as mild reaction conditions, high tolerance toward various functional groups and ease in isolation of the product. Palladium(II) ligated with phosphines (particularly bulky and electron-rich) and N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) has been found to be efficient in the catalysis of SMC. The drawback with many of these catalysts is their air/moisture sensitivity. Since 2000, palladium(II) complexes of organosulphur and related ligands have emerged as viable alternatives to palladium-phosphine/carbene complexes as they have sufficient thermal stability, air and moisture insensitivity. Moreover synthesis of complexes of such ligands is easy. In this perspective Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reactions catalyzed with palladium(II)-complexes of organosulphur ligands have been reviewed. Catalysis of SMC with palladium(II) complexes of organoselenium and tellurium ligands, studied much less in comparison to those of organosulphur ligands, is also included.

Organoselenium ligands are building blocks of several transition metal complexes which catalyze various organic reactions efficiently in solution. In this review the survey of developments pertaining to the designing of such complexes (along with their Se-ligands), and their uses as catalysts for various organic reactions has been presented with critical analysis of present status of the subject. Undoubtedly a new family of catalysts or their precursors has been generated by organoselenium ligands. The catalytic activity and selectivity of their metal complexes can sometimes be fine-tuned efficiently by changing the ligand's framework. They show good thermal and air-stability. This, coupled with ease in their handling and synthesis, may make them not only attractive but good alternatives to several popular catalysts.