Voltammetric behaviour of rhenium(I) complexes with phosphine and carbon monoxide ligands in acetonitrile solvent

The anodic and cathodic behaviour of the complexes mer-[ReCl(CO)3(PMe2Ph)2], fac[ReCl(CO)3(PMe2Ph)2], mer-[ReCl(CO)3(PPh3)2], and [ReCl(CO)2(PMe2Ph)3] in acetonitrile solvent were studied using platinum and mercury electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry were the main electroanalytical techniques employed. The nature of the electrolysis products and of the electrode oxidation and reduction processes were investigated. In particular, [ReCl(CO)(MeCN)2(PMe2Ph)3][ClO4]2, [ReCl3(CO)2(PMe2Ph)2], and a not completely defined rhenium(-I) complex were electrochemically synthesized and characterized by means of i.r. and1H n.m.r. spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis.