CHEM 495 TRANSITION METAL CHEMISTRY
– FALL 2001
Due Nov 26th, 2001
No pencil
or red pen
Answer all questions
Hint – have
a look at the previous answer keys for the style of answer expected
1. What is the mechanism
for the following catalytic reaction using RhCl(PPh3)3
as the catalyst? What is the other product? Which do you think is formed in
greater yield? Why? (20 points).
2. What is the oxidation state
and electron count for each of the following? (20 points)
(a) Fe(CO)2(PPh3)4
(b) [Cr(MeCN)2(PMe3)4]2+
(c) [Cr(H)(CO)2(PMe3)4]+
(d) Ru2(O2CMe)4
(e) Ru2(O2CMe)4Cl
3. If CO is a two electron donor and NO is a 3 electron donor, what are the
possible formulae of the stable 18e- Cr0 and Fe0
compounds containing just NO and/or CO (10 points).
4. What are the possible oxidation states and structure of a compound with the general formula, RuH4L3 (L = PPh3) ? Which is most likely and why? (Remember electron count, geometry, ligand field splitting and the types of ligands). (10 points)