Synthetic, structural and spectroscopic studies of complexes derived from the copper(II) perchlorate/succinamic acid/N,N′-donor tertiary reaction systems

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm) in Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O/N,N′-donor [2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy)] reaction mixtures yielded compounds [Cu₂(Hsucm)₃(bpy)₂](ClO₄)·0.5MeOH (1·0.5MeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)(OH)(H₂O)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₄(Hsucm)₅(dmbpy)₄]_n(ClO₄)_3n·nH₂O ·0.53nMeOH (3·nH₂O·0.53nMeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(dmbpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O (4·2H₂O), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.8MeOH (5·1.8MeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(phen)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄)₂·MeOH (6·MeOH) and [Cu(Hsucm)₂(H₂O)(4,4′-bpy)]_n (7). The succinamate(−1) ligand exists in five different coordination modes in the structures of 1-7, i.e. the common syn, syn μ₂-κO:κO′ in 1-6, the μ₂-κ²O in 1, the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 1, the μ₃-κ²O:κ²O′ in 3, and the monodentate κO in 7. The primary amide group of Hsucm⁻ remains uncoordinated and participates in intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions leading to interesting crystal structures. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands. The thermal decomposition of representative complexes was monitored by TG/DTG and DTA measurements.     

Synthesis, structure, cytotoxic activities and DNA-binding properties of tetracopper(II) complexes with dissymmetrical N,N′-bis(substituted)oxamides as ligands

To compare the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties in tetranuclear complexes with different bridging ligands, two tetracopper(II) complexes with formulae of [Cu₄(oxbe)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·4H₂O (1) and [Cu₄(oxbm)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·2H₂O (2) were synthesized, where H₃oxbe and H₃oxbm stand for N-benzoato-N′-(2-aminoethyl)oxamide and N-benzoato-N′-(1,2-propanediamine)oxamide, respectively, and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals the presence of the circular tetranuclear copper(II) cations which are assembled by a pair of cis-oxamido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) units through carboxyl bridges. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been reported in our previous paper. However, the bioactivities were not studied. Cytotoxicities experiments reveal that both the two complexes exhibit cytotoxic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC-7721 and human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549, and complex 1 has the better activities than those of complex 2. The results of the interactions between the two complexes and herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) suggest that the two complexes interact with HS-DNA in the mode of intercalation with the intrinsic binding constants of 3.93 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (1) and 2.48 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (2). These results indicated that the bridging ligands may play an important role in the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties of tetranuclear complexes.     

Aromatic N-oxide bridged copper(II) coordination polymers: Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties

The complexes [Cu₂(o-NO₂-C₆H₄COO)₄(PNO)₂] (1), [Cu₂(C₆H₅COO)₄(2,2′-BPNO)]_n (2), [Cu₂(C₆H₅COO)₄(4,4′-BPNO)]_n (3), [Cu(p-OH-C₆H₄COO)₂(4,4′-BPNO)₂·H₂O]_n (4), (where PNO = pyridine N-oxide, 2,2′-BPNO = 2,2′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide, 4,4′-BPNO = 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide) are prepared and characterized and their magnetic properties are studied as a function of temperature. Complex 1 is a discrete dinuclear complex while complexes 2-4 are polymeric of which 2 and 3 have paddle wheel repeating units. Magnetic susceptibility measurements from polycrystalline samples of 1-4 revealed strong antiferromagnetic interactions within the {Cu₂}⁴⁺ paddle wheel units and no discernible interactions between the units. The complex 5, [Cu(NicoNO)₂·2H₂O]_n·4nH₂O, in which the bridging ligand to the adjacent copper(II) ions is nicotinate N-oxide (NicoNO) the transmitted interaction is very weakly antiferromagnetic.     

Complexes of N-thiophosphorylthioureas RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 (HL) (R = pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl) with copper(I): Crystal structures of Cu(PPh3)nL (n = 1, 2)

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas of common formula RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ [R = pyridin-2-yl (HL^a), pyridin-3-yl (HL^b), 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl (HL^c)] with Cu(PPh₃)₃I in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to mononuclear [Cu(PPh₃)₂L^a,b-S,S′] (1, 2) and [Cu(PPh₃)L^c-S,S′] (3) complexes. Using copper(I) iodide instead of Cu(PPh₃)₃I, polynuclear complexes [Cu_n(L-S,S′)_n] (4-6) were obtained. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of Cu(PPh₃)₂L^b (2) and Cu(PPh₃)L^c (3) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Heteroligand copper(I) complexes of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas and phosphanes: Versatile structures and luminescence

Reaction of the potassium salts of (EtO)₂P(O)CH₂C₆H₄-4-(NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂) (HL^I), (CH₂NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₂ (H₂L^II) or cyclam(C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₄ (H₄L^III) with [Cu(PPh₃)₃I] or a mixture of CuI and Ph₂P(CH₂)_1-3PPh₂ or Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂ in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to [Cu(PPh₃)L^I] (1), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₂L^II] (2), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}L^I] (3), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}L^I] (4), [Cu{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}L^I] (5), [Cu₂(PPh₃)₂L^II] (6), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)L^II] (7), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₂L^II] (8), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₂L^II] (9), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₂L^II] (10), [Cu₈(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₈L^IIII₄] (11), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₄L^III] (12), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₄L^III] (13) or [Cu₄{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₄L^III] (14) complexes. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; their compositions were examined by microanalysis. The luminescent properties of the complexes 1-14 in the solid state are reported.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent behaviour of coordination complexes of copper with bi- and tridentate amines and phosphonic acids

The synthesis and crystal structure of four new copper(I) and copper(II) supramolecular amine, and amine phosphonate, complexes is reported. Reaction of copper(I) with 2-,9-dimethyl-1-10-phenanthroline (dmp) produced a stable 4-coordinate Cu(I) species, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂]Cl · MeOH · 5H₂O (2), i.e., the increased steric hindrance in the ‘bite’ area of dmp did not prevent interaction with the metal and provided protection against oxidation which was not possible for the phen analogue [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36]. Subsequent addition of phenylphosphonic acid to (2) produced two structures from alternative synthetic routes. An ‘in situ’ process yielded red block Cu(I) crystals, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₃H₂ · C₆H₅PO₃H] (4), whilst recrystallisation of (2) prior to addition of the acid (‘stepwise’ process) produced a green, needle-like Cu(II) complex, [Cu^(II)(dmp) · (H₂O)₂ · C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] (3). However, addition of excess dmp during the ‘stepwise’ process forced the equilibrium towards product (4) and resulted in an optimum yield (99%). The structure of (4) was similar to the phen analogue, [Cu^(II)Cl(phen)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH) · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (1) [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36], but the presence of dmp exerted some influence on global packing, whilst (3) exists as a polymeric layered material. In contrast, reaction of copper(I) with di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk), followed by phenylphosphonic acid produced purple/blue Cu(II) species, [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] Cl₂ · 4H₂O (5), and [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)₂ · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (6), respectively, i.e., in both cases oxidation of copper occurred. Solid-state luminescence was observed in (2) and (4). The latter showing a 5-fold enhancement in intensity.     

A >22 Å long metal-complex anion and a 1D cationic coordination polymer, both based on 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide, yielding a 3D and 2-fold interpenetrated fsc net of the hydrogen-bonded metal-organic 1D polymer

The cationic one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer chain ¹_∞{[Co(μ-bpdo)(H₂O)₄]²⁺} and the metal-complex anion trans-[Co(SO₄)₂(bpdo)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻, both based on the 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (bpdo) ligand, form a complementary supramolecular pair ¹_∞{[Co(μ-bpdo)(H₂O)₄]²⁺}_nn[Co(SO₄)₂(bpdo)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ (1) with respect to charge balance and hydrogen bonding. With a length of >22.14 ? along the bpdo-Co-bpdo axis the metal-complex trans-[Co(SO₄)₂(bpdo)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ is one of the longest and anisotropic counter anions (aspect ratio 22.14:8.11:4.17) observed so far in coordination polymers. Hydrogen-bonding of the anion links the cationic metal-organic 1D polymer into a 2-fold interpenetrated three-dimensional (3D) fsc (or sqc11) 4,6-c 2-nodal net of stoichiometry (4-c)(6-c) with square-planar, 4-connected (Co in anion) and octahedral, 6-connected (Co in cation) nodes in a 1:1 ratio. The 4-c point symbol is (4⁴.6²), the 6-c one (4⁴.6¹⁰.8) yielding a point symbol for the fsc net of (4⁴.6²)(4⁴.6¹⁰.8). The synthesis of 1 requires the presence of a Schiff base. Synthesis under the same conditions in the absence of the Schiff base yields the molecular complex and cocrystal [Co(bpdo)(H₂O)₅]SO₄·1/2bpdo (2) which is related (as pseudo-polymorph) to the known solvate [Co(bpdo)(H₂O)₅]SO₄·2H₂O (3) (CSD Refcodes RAXMUZ and RAXMUZ01).     

Synthesis, structures, luminescence/magnetic properties of complexes of the M/1-hydroxybenzotriazole, M = cobalt, nickel, silver, zinc and copper

Five novel complexes, Co(OBt)₂ · 7H₂O (1) (OBt = 1-hydroxybenzotriazole ion), Ni₃(OBt)₆ · 6H₂O (2), [Ag(OBt)(HOBt)]_n (3), [Zn(OBt)₂]_n (4) and [Cu₂(OBt)₄ · 3H₂O]_n (5) were synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRPD, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The results from single-crystal X-ray diffraction indicate that 1-5 are zero-dimensional (0D), zero-dimensional, one-dimensional (1D), and three-dimensional (3D) frameworks, respectively. In particular, 3 is twin crystal; 4 possesses of double-stranded chains; 5 crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a helical chain in its structure. The luminescence properties and the magnetic properties of the five complexes were investigated.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of five-, six-, and seven-coordinate mononuclear manganese(II) complexes with N-tridentate ligands

A series of four mononuclear manganese (II) complexes with the N-tridentate neutral ligands 2,2^′:6,2^′′-terpyridine (terpy) and N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylamine (bpea) have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The complexes have five- to seven-coordinate manganese(II) ions depending on the additional ligands used. The [Mn(bpea)(Br)₂] complex (1) has a five-coordinated manganese atom with a bipyramidal trigonal geometry, while [Mn(terpy)₂](I)₂ (2) is hexa-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry. Otherwise, the reactions of Mn(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O with terpy or bpea afforded novel seven-coordinate complexes [Mn(terpy)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)] (3) and [Mn(bpea)(NO₃)₂] (4), respectively. 3 has a coordination polyhedron best described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramid geometry with one nitrate acting as a bidentate chelating ligand and the other nitrate as a monodentate one. 4 possesses a highly distorted polyhedron geometry with two bidentate chelating nitrate ligands. These complexes represent unusual examples of structurally characterized complexes with a coordination number seven for the Mn(II) ion and join a small family of nitrate complexes.     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of monomeric Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes of neutral N-(aryl)-2-pyridinecarboxamides

We have prepared and structurally characterized six-coordinate Fe(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes of types [M^II(HL¹)₂(H₂O)₂][ClO₄]₂ (M = Fe, 1; Co, 3; and Ni, 5) and [M^II(HL²)₃][ClO₄]₂ · MeCN (M = Fe, 2 and Co, 4) of bidentate pyridine amide ligands, N-(phenyl)-2-pyridinecarboxamide (HL¹) and N-(4-methylphenyl)-2-pyridinecarboxamide (HL²). The metal centers in bis(ligand)-diaqua complexes 1, 3 and 5 are coordinated by two pyridyl N and two amide O atoms from two HL¹ ligands and six-coordination is completed by coordination of two water molecules. The complexes are isomorphous and possess trans-octahedral geometry. The metal centers in isomorphous tris(ligand) complexes 2 and 4 are coordinated by three pyridyl N and three amide O atoms from three HL² ligands. The relative dispositions of the pyridine N and amide O atoms reveal that the pseudo-octahedral geometry have the meridional stereochemistry. To the best of our knowledge, this work provides the first examples of structurally characterized six-coordinate iron(II) complexes in which the coordination is solely by neutral pyridine amide ligands providing pyridine N and amide O donor atoms, with or without water coordination. Careful analyses of structural parameters of 1-5 along with that reported in the literature [M^II(HL¹)₂(H₂O)₂][ClO₄]₂ (M = Cu and Zn) and [Co^III(L²)₃] have allowed us to arrive at a number of structural correlations/generalizations. The complexes are uniformly high-spin. Spectroscopic (IR and UV/Vis) and redox properties of the complexes have also been investigated.     

Formation of coordination polymer and molecular complex of 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide of manganese and zinc

A 1D-coordination polymer [{Mn₃(C₆H₅COO)₆(BPNO)₂(MeOH)₂}(MeOH)₂]_n (1) having benzoate as the anionic ligand and 4,4′-bipyridyl-N,N′-dioxide (BPNO) as bridging ligand is synthesized by reacting benzoic acid with manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrate followed by reaction with 4,4′-bipyridyl-N N′-dioxide. The bridging bidentate BPNO ligands in this coordination polymer along with the benzoate bridges hold the repeated units. The chain like structure in one dimension by benzoate bridges are connected to each other through the μ³-η²:η¹ bridges of BPNO ligands. This coordination polymer can be transformed to a molecular complex [Mn(H₂O)₆](C₆H₅COO)_2.4BPNO (2). In this complex the BPNO remains outside the coordination sphere but they are hydrogen bonded to water molecules to form self assembled structure. The reaction of 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid (L₁H2) and BPNO with manganese(II) acetate or zinc(II) acetate led to molecular complexes with composition [M₂(L₁)₂(H₂O)₆].BPNO·xH₂O {where M = Mn(II) (3), Zn(II)(4)}. These molecular complexes of BPNO are characterised by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 3-4 are binuclear carboxylate complexes having M₂O₂ core formed from carboxylate ligands with two metal ions.     

Mononuclear iron(III) complexes supported by tripodal N3O ligands: Synthesis, structure and reactivity towards DNA cleavage

A new synthetic route to the known tripodal tetradentate N₃O ligand L¹ (HL¹ = [N-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N-di-(2-pyridylmethyl)]amine) is reported. The related compounds HLⁿ (n = 2, 3) were prepared by a similar procedure. Treatment of HLⁿ (n = 1-3) with FeCl₃·6H₂O in hot methanol led to the mononuclear iron(III) complexes [Fe(Lⁿ)Cl₂] (1: n = 1, 2: n = 2, 3: n = 3). The solid-state structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography. [Fe(L¹)Cl₂] (1) showed effective nuclease activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, converting supercoiled plasmid DNA to its linear form.     

Construction of a series of 0D, 2D and 3D inorganic-organic hybrid coordination polymers based on octamolybdate and 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole and its derivative

Four octamolybdate-based compounds, that is, Cu^II₂(L¹)₄(Mo₈O₂₆) (1), Cu^II₂(HL²)₄(Mo₈O₂₆)₂ (2), [Cu^IIL²(H₂O)(Mo₈O₂₆)_0.5]·2H₂O (3) and [Cu^IIL²(H₂O)(Mo₈O₂₆)_0.5]·2H₂O (4) (L¹ = 2-(2-pyridyl)imidazole, L² = 2-(1-(pyridine-3-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine), have been hydrothermally synthesized via changing the reaction conditions and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. With L¹ ligand, we obtained compound 1, which is a 0D molecule and extends to a 3D supramolecular structure via hydrogen-bonding interactions. By using L² instead of L¹ ligand, compound 2 comes into being which is as well a discrete molecule and further extended to a 3D supramolecular structure by hydrogen bonds. Intriguingly, compounds 3 and 4 are supramolecular isomers: the former is a 2D 4-connected network and the latter is a 3D (3,4)-connected framework. The measurements of diffuse reflectance for compounds 1-4 indicate that they are potential wide gap semiconductors.     

Crystal structures and third-order NLO properties in DMF solution of Co(II)-bpfp coordination polymers (bpfp=N,N-bis(pyridylformyl)piperazine)

Two novel Co(II) coordination polymers {[Co(H₂O)₂(CH₃OH)₂(4-bpfp)](NO₃)₂}_n1 (4-bpfp=N,N^′-bis(4-pyridylformyl)piperazine) and [Co(NCS)₂(CH₃OH)₂(3-bpfp)]_n2 (3-bpfp=N,N^′-bis(3-pyridylformyl)piperazine) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both the polymers consist of one-dimensional chains constructed by bridging bpfp ligands and Co(II) ions. The existence of O?H-O hydrogen bond in 1 and S?H-O hydrogen bond in 2 play important roles in creating interesting supramolecular structures. Their third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties in DMF solution have been studied by Z-scan technique. The results reveal that polymers 1 and 2 exhibit strong NLO absorption effects (α₂=9.00×10⁻¹¹ m W⁻¹ for 1; 1.41 × 10⁻¹⁰ m W⁻¹ for 2) and self-focusing performance (n₂=3.24×10⁻¹⁶ esu for 1; 3.05 × 10⁻¹⁶ esu for 2) in DMF solutions. The corresponding effective NLO susceptibilities χ⁽³⁾ values are 3.08 × 10⁻¹² esu (1) and 4.70 × 10⁻¹² esu (2). All of the values are comparable to those of the reported good NLO materials. Additionally, the TG-DTA results of the two polymers are in agreement with the crystal structures.     

Synthesis and characterization of platinum(IV) complexes with N,S and S,S heterocyclic ligands

The reactions of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bpy)] (4) with the N,S and S,S containing heterocycles, pyrimidine-2-thione (pymtH), pyridine-2-thione (pytH), thiazoline-2-thione (tztH) and thiophene-2-thiol (tptH), resulted in the formation of the monomeric complexes [PtMe₃(-κS)(bpy)] ( = pymt, 5; pyt, 6; tzt, 7; tpt, 8), where the heterocyclic ligand is coordinated via the exocyclic sulfur atom. In contrast, in the reactions of [PtMe₃(OAc)(Me₂CO)_x] (3, x = 1 or 2) with pymtH, pytH, tztH and tptH dimeric complexes [{PtMe₃(μ-)}₂] (μ- = pymt, 9; pyt, 10; tzt, 11) and the tetrameric complex [{PtMe₃(μ₃-tpt-κS)}₄] (12), respectively, were formed. The complexes were characterized by microanalyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and negative ESI-MS (12) measurements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [PtMe₃(pymt-κS)(bpy)] (5) exhibited a conformation where the pymt ligand lies nearly perpendicular to the complex plane above the bpy ligand that was also confirmed by quantum chemical calculations on the DFT level of theory.     

β-Diiminatolanthanoid(III) halides revisited

The crystalline compounds [LnCl₂(L)(thf)₂] [Ln = Ce (1), Tb (2), Yb (3)], [NdI₂(L)(thf)₂] (4), [LnCl(L′)₂] [Ln = Tb (5), Yb (6) (a known compound)] and [YbCl(L′′)(μ-Cl)₂Li(OEt₂)₂] (7) have been prepared [L = {N(C₆H₃Prⁱ₂-2,6)C(H)}₂CPh, L′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(Ph)}₂CH, L′′ = {N(SiMe₃)C(C₆H₄Ph-4)}₂CH]. The X-ray molecular structures of 2-7 have been established; in each, the monoanionic ligand L, L′ or L′′ is N,N′-chelating and essentially π-delocalised. Each of 1-7 was prepared from the appropriate LnCl₃, or for 4 [NdI₃(thf)₂], and an equivalent portion of the appropriate alkali metal [Li for 7, Na for 2, 3 and 5, or K for 1, 4 and 6] β-diiminate in thf; the isolation of exclusively 5 and 6 (rather than the L′ analogues of 2 or 3) is noteworthy, as is the structure of 7 which has no precedent in Group 3 or 4f metal β-diiminato chemistry.     

Exploring the coordination chemistry and reactivity of hemilabile N-alkylaminopyrazole ligands towards Pd(II)

Reaction of the N-alkylaminopyrazole (NN′N) ligands bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methyl]ethylamine (bdmae) and bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methyl]isopropylamine (bdmai) with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] in a 1:1 M/L ratio in CH₂Cl₂ produces cis-[PdCl₂(NN′N)] (NN′N = bdmae (1), bdmai (2)). The solid state structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The bdmae ligand is coordinated through the two N_pz atoms to the metal atom, which completes its coordination with two chlorine atoms in a cis disposition.Treatment of the corresponding ligand with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] in 1:1 M/L ratio in the presence of AgBF₄ and metathesis with NaBPh₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (3:1) gave [PdCl(bdmae)](BPh₄) (3), and in the presence of NaBPh₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN (3:1) gave [PdCl(bdmai)](BPh₄) (4). Complexes 1 and 2 were again obtained when complexes 3 and 4 were heated under reflux in a solution of Et₄NCl in acetonitrile. These Pd(II) compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, HMQC and NOESY spectroscopies. The NMR studies of the complexes prove the rigid conformation of the ligands when they are complexed.     

Synthesis and transition metal complexes of 3,3-bis(1-vinylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid, a new N,N,O ligand suitable for copolymerisation

The new N,N,O heteroscorpionate ligand 3,3-bis(1-vinylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid (Hbvip) (5) was synthesised in five steps starting from 1-vinylimidazole. This ligand is closely related to 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionic acid (Hbmip), but contains two vinyl linker groups which can be used for radical-induced polymerisation reactions. The κ³-N,N,O coordination behaviour of 5 was proven by the synthesis of the tricarbonyl complexes [Re(bvip)(CO)₃] (6), [Mn(bvip)(CO)₃] (7) and [Cu(bvip)₂] (8). To obtain good yields of 6, it was synthesised in water instead of THF. The ligand as well as all three complexes were characterised by X-ray crystallography. Copolymerisation of 5 with pure methyl methacrylate (MMA) or a combination of MMA and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) led to the solid phases P1 and P2. Polymer-bound rhenium and manganese tricarbonyl complexes could be obtained by the reaction of deprotonated P1 with [MBr(CO)₅] (M = Re, Mn) and also by copolymerisation of 6 and 7 with MMA. In both cases, the facial tripodal binding behaviour was evidenced by IR spectra of the polymers. Furthermore, the content of metal incorporated in the polymers was determined by elemental analysis, AAS or ICP-OES measurements. Reaction of the deprotonated solid phase P1 with copper(II) chloride led to a blue solid-phase (P1-Cu). The UV-Vis absorption maximum of P1-Cu is found at 615 nm, which is almost identical to that found for 8. Thereby, it seems likely that P1 is flexible enough to form bisligand complexes with copper(II). This means that the copper centres act as a kind of crosslinking agents. In contrast, the heterogeneous reaction of P2 with copper(II) chloride yielded a lime green solid phase (P2-Cu). The bathochromic shift of the absorption maximum by 102 nm suggests one-sided bound copper centres.     

Syntheses and 1D structures of organic-inorganic hydrid polymers combining M(ClO4)2 (M = Cd, Zn) junctions and the semi-flexible bis-pyridyl ligand 3-pmpmd (N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)pyromellitic diimide)

Two 1D organic-inorganic coordination polymers, [Cd(3-pmpmd)(CH₃CN)₂(H₂O)₂]_n · 2n(ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Zn(3-pmpmd)_1.5(H₂O)₂]_n · 2n(ClO₄)₂ · nCH₃CN (2), were obtained from M(ClO₄)₂ (M = Cd, Zn) and the semi-flexible 3,3′-N-donor bis-pyridyl ligand 3-pmpmd: 1 has an 1D zigzag framework with 3-pmpmd in the Z_T-mode (anti, trans-) conformation, while 2 has an 1D rod and loop network with 3-pmpmd in both Z_T- and Z_C-mode (anti, cis-) conformations. Results showed that the metal ions could influence the coordination mode of a semi-flexible bis-pyridyl ligand.     

Bridged dinucleating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their double helical mercury(II) complexes

A series of six 3,6-bis(imidazolium-3-yl)pyridazine derivatives with different imidazole-N substituents have been synthesized and isolated as the salts [H₂L]Cl₂ (1a)-(6a) and [H₂L](PF₆)₂ (1b)-(6b). Solid state structures have been determined crystallographically for eleven out of the twelve compounds, revealing diverse hydrogen bonding patterns that involve the imidazolium-C²H units and the anions. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) mercury(II) complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ (7)-(9) are readily formed in good yields from ligand precursors [H₂L](PF₆)₂ and Hg(OAc)₂, as long as imidazole-N substituents are not too bulky. X-ray crystallography reveals double helical bimetallic arrangements for the stable [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ cations. Ligand scrambling in [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ occurs only in the presence of free carbene precursor, presumably via an associative mechanism.