The reaction between [Co(PMe3)4] and B2(4-Mecat)2 (4-Mecat = 1,2-O2-4-MeC6H3) or between [Co(PMe2Ph)4] and B2(cat)2 (cat = 1,2-O2C6H4) affords the paramagnetic Co(II) bisboryl complexes [Co(PMe3)3[B(4-Mecat)]2] and [Co(PMe2Ph)3{B(cat)]2] respectively, both of which have been structurally characterised. ESR data and preliminary diboration and boryl transfer reactivity studies are also presented. The reaction between [CoMe(PMe3)4] and B2(cat)2 affords the Co(I) monoboryl complex [Co(PMe3)4[B(cat)]].

derived from L b 7 shows negligible hydroformylation activity but rapid octene isomerization activity. The overall conclusion is that, with the rhodium complexes of the simple phosphacycles described here, no special effect of the rings was observed in the hydroformylation catalysis. An R-substituent effect is identified as a common feature in several high-activity hydroformylation catalysts derived from phosphinanes.

The synthesis of a range of chiral palladium bis(phosphite) pincer complexes has been achieved via C-H activation of the parent ligands and one of the complexes formed shows good activity in the catalytic allylation of aldehydes.

The cage phosphines 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8-trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1a) and 1,3,5,7-tetraethyl-6-phenyl-2,4,8,trioxa-6-phosphaadamantane (1b) have been made by the acid catalysed addition of PhPH(2) to the appropriate beta-diketones; the acid used (HCl, H(3)PO(4) or H(2)SO(4)) and its concentration affect the rate and selectivity of these condensation reactions. Phosphines 1a and 1b react with [PdCl(2)(NCPh)(2)] to form complexes trans-[PdCl(2)(1a)(2)](2a) and trans-[PdCl(2)(1b)(2)](2b) as mixtures of rac and meso diastereoisomers. The platinum(II) chemistry is more complicated and when 1a or 1b is added to [PtCl(2)(cod)], equilibrium mixtures of trans-[PtCl(2)L(2)] and [Pt(2)Cl(4)L(2)](L = or ) are formed in CH(2)Cl(2) solution. Meso/rac mixtures of trans-[MCl(CO)(1a)(2)] M = Ir (6a) or Rh (7a) are formed upon treatment of MCl(3).nH(2)O with an excess of 1a and the anionic cobalt complex [NHEt(3)][CoCl(3)(1a)](9) was isolated from the product formed by CoCl(2).6H(2)O and 1a. The nu(CO) values from the IR spectra of 6a and 7a suggest that 1a resembles a phosphonite in its bonding to Rh and Ir. Crystal structures of meso-2a, meso-2b, rac-6a and 9 are reported and in each case a small intracage C-P-C angle of ca. 94 degrees is observed; this may partly explain the bonding characteristics of ligands 1a and 1b. The cone angles for 1a and 1b are similar and large (ca. 200 degrees). Rhodium complexes of ligands 1a and 1b are hydroformylation catalysts with similarly high activity to catalysts derived from phosphites. The catalysts derived from 1a and 1b gave unusually low linear selectivity in the hydroformylation of hexenes. This feature has been further exploited in quaternary-selective hydroformylations of unsaturated esters; catalysts derived from 1a give better yields and regioselectivities than any previously reported catalyst.

The coordination chemistry of the four phosphines, P{C6H3(o-CH3)(p-Z)}3 where Z = H (1a) or OMe (1b) and P{C6H3(o-CHMe2)(p-Z)}3 Z = H (1c) or OMe (1d) with platinum(II) and palladium(II) is reported. Mononuclear complexes trans-[PdCl2L2](L = 1a,b) and trans-[PtCl2L2](L = 1a-c) have been prepared and the crystal structures of trans-[PdCl2(1b)2] and trans-[PtCl2(1c)2] as their dichloromethane solvates have been determined. The structures show that in these complexes, the ligands adopt g+ g+ a conformations. Examination of the Cambridge Structural Database confirms this to be one of only two conformer types that tri-o-tolylphosphines adopt and the only viable conformer in 4 and 6 coordinate complexes. The binuclear complexes trans-[Pd2Cl4L2](L = 1c,d) are formed even when an excess of the bulky 1c,d is used in the synthesis and the crystal structure of trans-[Pd2Cl4(1c)2] as its chloroform solvate is reported. Reaction of [PtCl2(NCBu(t))2] with 1b-d in refluxing toluene gave the cycloplatinated species [Pt2Cl2(L - H)2] where L - H is phosphine 1b-d deprotonated at one of the ortho-methyl carbon atoms. Variable temperature 31P and 1H NMR spectroscopy reveals that all the complexes reported are fluxional. The processes are analysed in terms of restricted P-C and P-M rotations that give rise to diastereoisomeric rotamers because of the helically chiral orientations of the aryl substituents. For the complexes of the bulky ligands 1c,d, rotation about the P-C bond is slow on the NMR timescale even up to 75 degrees C. The crystal structure of the cyclometallated complex [Pt2Cl2(1d - H)2] has been determined.