Development of a T-joint for covalent molecular construction based on 2,2′-bipyridine and phenanthroline isocyanide metal complexes

Tetracarbonylmolybdenum and halotricarbonylrhenium complexes of laterally extendable or laterally extended bipyridines such as 5,5′-dibromo-2,2′-bipyridine, 5,5′-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,2′-bipyridine, or 3,8-dibromophenanthroline have been prepared. These complexes are potential precursors for covalent T-joints by substitution of carbon monoxide in the molybdenum complexes or halide in the rhenium complexes by linear terminal ligands. The formation of a covalent T-joint has been demonstrated by attachment of Mo(CO)₃(5,5′-bis(trimethylsilylethynyl)-2,2′-bipyridine) units to the free isocyanide groups of ReCl(CO)₃(CNC₆H₁₀CN)₂.