Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Ir and Ru complexes containing Mnt ligand (Mnt = maleonitriledithiolate)

16-Electron complexes Cp∗Ir(mnt) (1) and [(p-Cymene)Ru(mnt)] (2) have been synthesized and characterized. 1 and 2 can further react with PPh3 to form the corresponding 18-electron complexes Cp∗Ir(Mnt)PPh3(3) and [(p-Cymene)Ru(Mnt)PPh3] (4). The molecular structures of 1and 4 are confirmed by X-ray crystallography.