Synthesis and characterisation of transition metal halide complexes of the xylyl-distibine, 1,2-bis(dimethylstibanylmethyl)benzene

Complexes of the title ligand with Cu(I), Ag(I), Au(I), Pd(II), Pt(II), Rh(III), and rare examples with Ni(II) and Co(III) have been prepared and characterised by analysis, IR, UV-vis, 1H, 63Cu and 59Co NMR spectroscopy and ES+ mass spectrometry as appropriate. The structures of [Cu[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2]BF4, [PtCl2[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]], [M[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2][PF6]2 (M = Pd or Pt), and [NiI[1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2]2]ClO4 have been determined, and the varying chelate bite and conformations of the xylyl backbone in these structures are discussed. Despite the unfavourable seven-membered chelate ring and the large soft antimony donors, 1,2-C6H4(CH2SbMe2)2 proves to be a surprisingly good ligand for late transition metals in medium oxidation states.