Formation and Reactivity of the Osmium(IV)-Cyanoimido Complex [OsIV(bpy)(Cl)3(NCN)]−

Abstract

Oxo-like reactivity exists for a new series of osmium complexes such as [Os(IV) (bpy)(Cl)3 (NCN)](-) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine, see structure) containing the cyanoimido ligand. This ligand is formed directly at the metal center by the reaction of Os(VI) -nitrido precursors with tetraethylammonium cyanide. In the cyanoimido complexes there is an extensive electron-transfer chemistry at the metal center and an extensive functional-group chemistry based on the ligand.