Nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen donor adducts with copper(II) complexes of antitumor 2-formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone analogs: Physicochemical and cytotoxic studies

The preparation of N-, S- and O-donor ligand adducts with CuX⁺(HX=6-methyl-2-formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone (6HL); 2-formylpyridine-2^′-methylthiosemicarbazone (2′L); 2-formylpyridine-4′-methylthiosemicarbazone (4′HL)) is described. The N-donors, 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (dmap) give the complexes [Cu(6L)(bipy)]PF₆, [Cu(6L)(bipy)]Cl·5H₂O, [Cu(4′L)(bipy)]PF₆, [Cu(6L)(dmap)₂]PF₆·2.5 H₂O and [Cu(4′L)(dmap)₂]PF₆·H₂O which have been characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques. Pentafluorothiophenolate (pftp) gives S-donor complexes [CuX(pftp)] (X=6L and 4′L) and thiolato co-ordination is proposed on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. Paratritylphenolate (ptp) and HPO²⁻₄ give O-donor complexes [Cu(6L)(ptp)], [Cu(4′L)(ptp)], [{Cu(6L)}₂HPO₄]·4H₂O, and [{Cu(4^′L)}₂HPO₄]·5H₂O which have been characterized by physical and spectroscopic techniques, as have the precursor complexes [Cu(6L)(CH₃COO)]·H₂O, [Cu(4′L)(CH₃COO)], Cu(6HL)(CF₃COO)](CF₃COO)·0.5H₂O, [Cu(4′HL)(CF₃COO)](CF₃COO), [Cu(2′L)Cl₂] and [Cu(2′L)(NO₃)₂]. Protonation constants for the ligands and some of their complexes have been determined. 2-Formylpyridinethiosemicarbazone (HL) complexes of silver, gold, zinc, mercury, cadmium and lead are also discussed. Cytotoxicity against the human tumor cell line HCT-8 and antiviral data for selected compounds are presented.     

Synthesis and characterization of polypyridineruthenium(II) complexes containing a linear ambidentate ligand, NCO or NCS, and reaction of isocyanato complexes under acidic conditions

Isocyanato and isothiocyanatopolypyridineruthenium complexes, [Ru(NCX)Y(bpy)(py)₂]ⁿ⁺ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine, PY=pyridine; X=O, Y=NO₂ for n=0, and Y=py for n=1; X=S, Y=NO₂ for n=0, Y=NO for n=2, and Y=py for n=1), were synthesized by the reaction of polypyridineruthenium complexes with potassium cyanate or sodium thiocyanate salt. Isocyanatoruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(NCO)(NO₂)(bpy)(py)₂] and [Ru(NCO)(bpy)(py)₃]⁺, react under acidic conditions to form the corresponding ammineruthenium complexes, [Ru(NO)(NH₃)(bpy)(py)₂]³⁺. The molecular structures of [Ru(NCO)(bpy)(py)₃]ClO₄, [Ru(NCS)(NO)(bpy)(py)₂](PF₆)₂ and [Ru(NO)(NH₃)(bpy)(py)₂](PF₆)₃ were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Polynuclear copper(II) complexes with μ2-1,1-azide bridges. Structural and magnetic properties

Two novel, weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, tetranuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu₄(PAP)₂(μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(μ₂-CH₃OH)₂(N₃)₄ (1) (PAP = 1,4-bis-(2′-pyridylamino)phthalazine) and [Cu₄(PAP3Me)₂ (μ₂-1,1-N₃)₂(μ₂-1,3-N₃)₂(H₂O)₂(NO₂)₂]- (NO₃)₂ (2) (PAP3Me = 1,4-bis-(3′-methyl-2′-pyridyl)aminophthalazine) contain a unique structural with two μ₂-1,1-azide intramolecular bridges, and two μ₂-1,3-azide intermolecular bridges linking pairs of copper(II) centers. Four terminal azide groups complete the five-coordinate structures in 1, while two terminal waters and two nitrates complete the coordination spheres in 2. The dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(CF₃SO₃)]CH₃OH) (3) and [Cu₂(PPD)(μ₂-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂(H₂O)(ClO₄)] (4) (PPD = 3,6-bis-(1′-pyrazolyl)pyridazine) contain pairs of copper centers with intramolecular μ₂-1,1-azid and pyridazine bridges, and exhibit strong antiferromagnetic coupling. A one-dimensional chain structure in 3 occurs through intermolecular μ₂-1,1-azide bridging interactions. Intramolecular Cu-N₃-Cu bridge angles in 1 and 2 are small (107.9 and 109.4°, respectively), but very large in 3 and 4 (122.5 and 123.2°, respectively), in keeping with the magnetic properties. 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c with a = 26.71(1), b = 13.51(3), c = 16.84(1) Å, β = 117.35(3)° and R = 0.070, R_w = 0.050. 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c with a = 8.42(1), b = 20.808(9), c = 12.615(4) Å, β = 102.95(5)° and R = 0.045, R_w = 0.039. 4crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P1, with a = 10.253(3), b = 12.338(5), c = 8.072(4) Å, = 100.65(4), β = 101.93(3), γ = 87.82(3)° and R = 0.038, R_w = 0.036 . The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 indicate the presence of weak net antiferromagnetic exchange, as indicated by the presence of a low temperature maximum in χ_m (80 K (1), 65 K (2)), but the data do not fit the Bleaney-Bowers equation unless the exchange integral is treated as a temperature dependent term. A similar situation has been observed for other related compounds, and various approaches to the problem will be discussed. Magnetically 3 and 4 are well described by the Bleaney-Bowers equation, exhibiting very strong antiferromagnetic exchange (− 2J = 768(24) cm⁻¹ (3); − 2J = 829(11) cm⁻¹ (4)).     

Syntheses and characterization of copper complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (apme)

Copper(I)/(II) complexes with the ligand 2-aminoethyl(2-pyridylmethyl)1,2-ethanediamine (apme, abbreviated as PDT in the literature as well) were prepared and characterized. Crystal structures of the copper(I) complexes, [Cu₂(apme)₂]X₂ (1, 2; X = ClO₄, CF₃SO₃), showed that they are dinuclear, in contrast to the trigonal bipyramidal copper(II) complexes [Cu(apme)Cl]BPh₄ (3) and [Cu(apme)(DMF)](BPh₄)₂ (4). 1 and 2 could be investigated in solution by NMR spectroscopy and 3 and 4 by cyclovoltammetry. From the results of these studies it is clear that in solution equilibria between the dinuclear complexes 1/2 and another species exist, most likely the monomeric [Cu(apme)CH₃CN]⁺. Time-resolved UV/vis spectra at low temperatures allowed the spectroscopic detection of dioxygen adduct complexes as reactive intermediates during the oxidation of 1/2 with dioxygen that seem to play an important role in copper enzymes such as peptidylglycine--hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM).     

N,N′-Ethylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine) mononuclear (4f) and heterodinuclear (3d–4f) metal complexes: Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent properties

The stepwise synthesis of mononuclear (4f) and heterodinuclear (3d–4f) Salen-like complexes has been investigated through structural determination of the intermediate and final products occurring in the process. In the first step, reactions of ligand H₂L and Ln(NO₃)₃ · 6H₂O give rise to three mononuclear lanthanide complexes Ln(H₂L)(NO₃)₃ [H₂L = N,N′-ethylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine), Ln = Nd (1), Eu (2) and Tb (3)], in which N,N′-ethylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylideneimine) acts as tetradentate ligands with the O₂O₂ set of donor atoms capable of effective coordination. These species are fairly stable and have been isolated. Then, addition of Cu(Ac)₂ · H₂O to the mononuclear lanthanide complex yields expected heterodinuclear (3d–4f) complexes Cu(L)Ln(NO₃)₃ · H₂O [Ln = Nd (4) and Eu (5)] where the Cu(II) ion is inserted to the inner N₂O₂ cavity. Luminescent analysis reveals that complex 3 exhibits characteristic metal-centered fluorescence of Tb(III) ion. However, the characteristic luminescence of both Sm(III) and Eu(III) ions is not observed both in solution and solid state of the complexes.     

A new family of lanthanide terpyridine nitrate complexes: Solvothermal syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of [Ln(pytpy)(NO3)2(μ-OCH3)]2

The complexes [Ln(pytpy)(NO₃)₂(μ-OCH₃)]₂ (Ln = Eu(III), Tb(III), Dy(III), pytpy=4′-(n-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, n = 2, 3) were synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analyses, UV–Vis and luminescent spectroscopy. Three complexes crystallized in monoclinic system, P2₁/n space group. Lanthanide ions are nine-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms from tridentate pytpy ligands, four oxygen atoms from two bidentate nitrate groups and two oxygen atoms from two methoxo groups, forming distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic geometries. The dimethoxo-bridges connect two metal ions in asymmetric fashion into dimeric structures with short LnLn distances of 3.767(1), 3.740(1) and 3.720(1) Å for Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) complexes, respectively. Photoluminescence measurement indicates that 1 and 3 emit the characteristic luminescence of Tb(III) and Eu(III) ions in the solid state, respectively. The luminescent spectrum of Eu(III) complex in solvents was also investigated.     

Dinuclear sulfide–thiolate complexes [Pt2(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh3)4] as cationic metalloligands

The cationic monoalkylated derivatives of the well-known metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], viz. [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺ (R = n-Bu, CH₂Ph) are themselves able to act as metalloligands towards the Ph₃PAu⁺ and R′Hg⁺ (R′ = Ph or ferrocenyl) fragments, by reaction with Ph₃PAuCl or R′HgCl, respectively. The resulting dicationic products [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SAuPPh₃)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgR′)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ are readily isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts, and have been fully characterised by spectroscopic techniques and an X-ray structure determination on [Pt₂(μ-SR)(μ-SHgFc)(PPh₃)₄](PF₆)₂.     

Triphenylbismuth seven-coordinate complexes of molybdenum(II) and tungsten(II)

The seven-coordinate complexes [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] (M = Mo and W) react with one equivalent of BiPh₃ in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature to give the monoacetonitrile complexes [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)]. The molybdenum complex [MoI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)] after stirring in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature for 5 h affords the iodide-bridged dimer [Mo(μ-I)I(CO)₃(BiPh₃)]₂, whereas the tungsten complex [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)] does not appear to dimerise even after stirring for 48 h in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature. Reaction of [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] with two equivalents of BiPh₃ gives the bistriphenylbismuth compounds [MI₂(CO)₃(BiPh₃)₂] in good yield. The new mixed ligand complexes [MI₂(CO)₃L(BiPh₃)] were prepared either by reaction of [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)]in situ with one equivalent of L(L = P(OPh)₃), or an in situ reaction of [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)L] (L = PPh₃ and SbPh₃; and L = AsPh₃ and PPh₂Cy (for M = Mo only) with an equimolar quantity of BiPh₃. Reaction of [MoI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)] with one equivalent of 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature afforded the cationic complexes [MoI(CO)₃(bipy)(BiPh₃)]I in good yield. The complex [WI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)(BiPh₃)] (prepared in situ) reacts with two equivalents of NaS₂CNMe₂·2H₂O to eventually give the non-triphenylbismuth containing product [W(CO)₃(S₂CNMe₂)₂] in high yield.     

Reactions of tungsten phosphonium carbyne complexes with aryloxide nucleophiles to form aryloxycarbyne and η-ketenyl complexes

Tungsten phosphoranylideneketene complexes of the type Tp′(CO)(p-OC₆H₄R)W(η²-(C,C)---O=CC---PR′₂Ph) (R=NO₂, R′=Me (6a); R=NO₂, R′=Ph (6b); R=CN, R′=Me (7a); R=CN, R′=Ph (7b); R=Cl, R′=Ph (8b)) have been synthesized from phosphonium carbyne precursors in a reaction that reflects coupling of carbonyl and carbyne ligands. In addition to these products, aryloxycarbyne complexes Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄NO₂) (9a), Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄CN) (9b), and Tp′(CO)₂WCO(p-C₆H₄Cl) (9c)) have been prepared via substitution of the phosphonium carbyne phosphine with an aryloxide nucleophile. The product ratio of substitution at the carbyne carbon to carbonyl–carbyne coupling can be tuned by variation of the aryloxide para-substituent. Aryloxy carbyne complexes are the favored products with stronger nucleophiles, while weaker nucleophiles result in a mixture of aryloxy carbyne complexes and η²-ketenyl coupled complexes. Formation of η²-ketenyl complexes is favored for the least nucleophilic aryloxides. Ketenyl complexes 6a and 6b were methylated at the ketenyl oxygen to form cationic alkyne complexes [Tp′(CO)(p-OC₆H₄NO₂)W(η²-(C,C)---CH₃OCCPR₂Ph)][OTf] (R=Me (10a), R=Ph (10b)). The structures of η²-ketenyl complexes 6a and 7b and the structure of cationic alkyne complex 10a were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Syntheses, spectra and crystal structures of ruthenium(II) complexes with polypyridyl: [Ru(bipy)2(phen)](ClO4)2 · H2O and [Ru(bipy)2(Me-phen)](ClO4)2

Two ruthenium(II) complexes with polypyridyl, Ru(bipy)₂(phen)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O (1) and [Ru(bipy)₂(Me-phen)](ClO₄)₂ (2), (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Me-phen = 5-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline), were synthesized and characterized by IR, MS and NMR spectra. Their structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The strong steric interaction between the polypyridyl ligands was relieved neither by the elongation of the Ru---N bonds nor increase of the N---Ru---N bite angles. The coordination sphere was distorted to relieve the ligand interaction by forming specific angles (δ) between the polypyridyl ligand planes and coordination planes (N---Ru---N), and forming larger twisted angles between the two pyridine rings for each bipy. The bond distances of Ru---N(bipy) and Ru---N(phen) were virtually identical with experimental error, as expected of π back-bonding interactions which statistically involve each of the ligands present in the coordination sphere.     

Alkene rotation in [Ru(η-C5H5) (L2) (η-alkene][CF3SO3] with L2 = iPr- or pTol-diazabutadiene. X-ray crystal structure of [Ru(η-C5H5(pTol-DAB) (η-ethene][CF3SO3]

Reaction of RuCl(η⁵-C₅H₅(pTol-DAB) with AgOTf (OTf = CF₃SO₃) in CH₂Cl₂ or THF and subsequent addition of L′ (L′ = ethene (a), dimethyl fumarate (b), fumaronitrile (c) or CO (d) led to the ionic complexes [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(pTol-DAB)(L′)][OTf] 2a, 2b and 2d and [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(pTol-DAB)(fumarontrile-N)][OTf] 5c. With the use of resonance Raman spectroscopy, the intense absorption bands of the complexes have been assigned to MLCT transitions to the iPr-DAB ligand. The X-ray structure determination of [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(pTol-DAB)(η²-ethene)][CF₃SO₃] (2a) has been carried out. Crystal data for 2a: monoclinic, space group P2₁/n with A = 10.840(1), b = 16.639(1), C = 14.463(2) Å, β = 109.6(1)°, V = 2465.6(5) ų, Z = 4. Complex 2a has a piano stool structure, with the Cp ring η⁵-bonded, the pTol-DAB ligand σN, σN′ bonded (Ru-N distances 2.052(4) and 2.055(4) Å), and the ethene η²-bonded to the ruthenium center (Ru-C distances 2.217(9) and 2.206(8) Å). The C = C bond of the ethene is almost coplanar with the plane of the Cp ring, and the angle between the plane of the Cp ring and the double of the ethene is 1.8(0.2)°. The reaction of [RuCl(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh)₃ with AgOTf and ligands L′ = a and d led to [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PPh₃)₂(L′)]OTf] (3a) and (3d), respectively. By variable temperature NMR spectroscopy the rottional barrier of ethene (a), dimethyl fumarate (b and fumaronitrile (c) in complexes [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(L₂)(η²-alkene][OTf] with L₂ = iPr-DAB (a, 1b, 1c), pTol-DAB (2a, 2b) and L = PPh₃ (3a) was determined. For 1a, 1b and 2b the barrier is 41.5±0.5, 62±1 and 59±1 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The intermediate exchange could not be reached for 1c, and the ΔG^# was estimated to be at least 61 kJ mol⁻. For 2a and 3a the slow exchange could not be reached. The rotational barrier for 2a was estimated to be 40 kJ mol⁻. The rotational barier for methyl propiolate (HC≡CC(O)OCH₃) (k) in complex [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(iPr-DAB) η²-HC≡CC(O)OCH₃)][OTf] (1k) is 45.3±0.2 kJ mol⁻¹. The collected data show that the barrier of rotational of the alkene in complexes 1a, 2a, 1b, 2b and 1c does not correlate with the strength of the metal-alkene interaction in the ground state.     

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes with quinolones and nitrogen-donor heterocyclic ligands: Synthesis, characterization, biological activity and interaction with DNA

The neutral mononuclear copper(II) complexes with the quinolone antibacterial drugs, pipemidic acid and N-propyl-norfloxacin, in the presence or absence of nitrogen-donor heterocyclic ligands, 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2′-dipyridylamine, have been prepared and characterized spectroscopically. The interaction of copper(II) with the deprotonated quinolone ligand leads to the formation of the neutral mononuclear complexes of the type [Cu(quinolone)₂(H₂O)] (1)–(2) while the presence of the N-donor ligand leads to the formation of the neutral mononuclear complexes of the type [Cu(quinolone)(N-donor)Cl] (3)–(8). In all the complexes, copper(II) is pentacoordinate having a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of 1 and 2 are typical of mononuclear Cu(II) complexes, while for the mixed-ligands complexes 3–8 a mixture of dimeric and monomeric species is indicated. The interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA has been investigated with diverse spectroscopic techniques and has shown that the complexes can be bound to calf-thymus DNA by the intercalative mode. The antimicrobial activity of the complexes has been tested on three different microorganisms. All the complexes show an increased biological activity in comparison to the corresponding free quinolone ligand.     

Synthesis and reactivity of coordinatively unsaturated osmium and ruthenium stannyl complexes

Treatment of MHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ (M=Ru, Os) with (CH₂=CH)SnR₃ is a good general route to the coordinatively unsaturated osmium and ruthenium stannyl complexes M(SnR₃)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1: M=Ru, R=Me; 2: M=Ru, R = n-butyl; 3: M=Ru, R = p-tolyl; 4: M=Os, R=Me). These coordinatively unsaturated complexes readily add CO and CN-p-tolyl to form the coordinatively saturated compounds M(SnR₃)Cl(CO)L(PPh₃)₂ (5: M=Ru, R=Me, L=CO; 6: M=;Ru, R = n-butyl, L=CO; 7: M=Ru, R = p-tolyl, L=CO; 8: M=Os, R=Me, L=CO; 9: M=Ru, R=Me, L=CN-p-tolyl; 10: M=Ru, R = n-butyl, L=CN-p-tolyl; 11: M=Os, R=Me, L=CN-p-tolyl). In addition, the chloride ligand in Ru(SnR₃)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ proves to be labile and treatment with the potentially bidentate anionic ligands, dimethyldithiocarbamate or diethyldithiocarbamate, affords the coordinatively saturated compounds Ru(SnR₃)(η²-S₂CNR′₂)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (12: R=Me, R′ = Me; 13: R=Me, R′ = Et; 14: R = n-butyl, R′ = Me; 15: R = p-tolyl, R′ = Me; 16: R = p-tolyl, R′ = Et). Chloride is also displaced by carboxylates forming the six-coordinate compounds Ru(SnR₃)(η²-O₂CR′)(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (17: R=Me, R′ = H; 18: R=Me, R′ = Me; 19: R=Me, R′ = Ph; 20: R = n-butyl, R′ = Me; 21: R = p-tolyl, R′ = Me). IR and ¹H NMR spectral data for all the new compounds and ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectral data for selected compounds are reported.     

Syntheses and molecular structures of ruthenium(II) complexes of the atropisomeric ligands 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diamine and 3,3′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine

The unique ligands of [Ru(bipy)₂(bpda)](PF₆)₂ (1, BPDA=1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-diamine) and [Ru(bipy)₂(dabipy)](PF₆)₂ (2, DABIPY=3,3′-diamino-2,2′-bipyridine) are atropisomeric (exhibit hindered rotation about the sigma bonds that connect the two aromatic groups), so the complexes are diasteromeric with conformation isomers possible for the atropisomeric ligands and configurational isomers possible at the metal centers. Only one diastereomer is observed in the solid-state in both cases. The seven- (1) and five-membered (2) chelate ring of dabipy and bpda (the ligand is bound through its pyridyl groups) ligands are δ when the configuration at the metal is Δ. No evidence for atropisomerization is found in solution. For 1, we conclude bpda binds stereospecifically; however, the atropisomerization barrier of dabipy may be sufficiently low for 2 to preclude the observation of diastereomers by low-temperature NMR spectroscopy.     

Intramolecular protonation and other mechanisms for substitution reactions of hydrido(thiolato) — and di(thiolato)-ruthenium(II) phosphine complexes

Reactions of cct-RuH(SR)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (1) (cct = cis, cis, trans) with R′SH provide cct-RuH(SR′)(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (R = alkyl, aryl): based on described kinetic data, the proposed mechanism involves PPh₃ loss, coordination of R′SH, intramolecular protonation of RS⁻ by R′SH, and RSH elimination. The intramolecular protonation step circumvents a potentially slow RSH reductive elimination step. A similar mechanism is proposed for the thiol exchange reactions of cct-Ru(SR)₂(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (2). A corresponding dissociative mechanism is also proposed for the reaction of 1 with P(p-tolyl)₃, which gives cct-RuH(SR)(CO)₂(PPh₃)(P(p-tolyl)₃) and cct-RuH(SR)(CO)_2⁻ (P(p-tolyl)₃)₂. Other reactions described include the reactions of 1 with H₂, CO, HCl and PPh₃, and the reactions of 2 with P(p-tolyl)₃ and H₂. Exposure to light causes 2 to dimerize in solution.     

Catalytic and electrochemical properties of new manganese(III) compounds of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline (Hphox or HClphox). Molecular structures of [Mn(Clphox)2(MeOH)2](ClO4) and [Mn(phox)2(MeOH)2][Mn(phox)2(ClO4)2](H2O)2

New manganese(III) complexes of Hphox (2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) and HClphox (2-(5′-chloro-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) have been synthesised. The X-ray structures of [Mn(phox)₂(MeOH)₂][Mn(phox)₂(ClO₄)₂](H₂O)₂ and [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) show the manganese(III) ions to be octahedrally coordinated with methanol or perchlorate at the axial coordination sites. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes, with the exception of [Mn(phox)₂(acac)] (Hacac=2,4-pentanedione), show an irreversible reduction wave of manganese(III) to manganese(II). After addition of an excess of 1-methylimidazole (1-Meim), the reduction process shifts towards lower potentials and becomes (quasi-) reversible, indicating that the presence of 1-Meim affects the catalytic efficiency of the complexes. The complexes catalyse the epoxidation of styrene by dihydrogen peroxide. The cumulative turnover numbers towards styrene oxide obtained after 15 min. vary from 16 for [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) to 26 for [Mn(phox)₂(acac)]. Ligand degradation appears to be the limiting factor for obtaining higher turnover numbers.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of mono- and di-manganese inclusion compounds

Mono- and di-manganese inclusion compounds 1 and 2 are reported. Two mono-manganese molecules Mn(bpy)₂(NO₃)₂ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) and [Mn(bpy)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)]·NO₃ coexist in the mole ratio of 1:1 in the structure of 1, while two di-manganese molecules [Mn₂O(bpy)₂(phtha)₂(H₂O)₂]·(NO₃)₂ (phtha=phthalate) and [Mn₂O(bpy)₂(phtha)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)]·NO₃ in the structure of 2. Refluxing Mn(NO₃)₂/bpy/phthalic acid reaction mixtures in CH₃CN leads to the isolation of 1, further concentration of the reaction solution in raising temperature results in 2. The Mn₁ and Mn₂ units in the inclusion compounds 1 and 2 are similar to other reported Mn₁ and Mn₂ analogs, respectively. The Jahn–Teller distortion was observed to give rise to the elongation along the O_terminal---Mn---O_carboxyl axes for all the four Mn(III) sites in 2, leading to unexpected longer Mn(III)---O_aqua than Mn(II)---O_aqua in 1. Extensive hydrogen bonding interactions among H₂O, NO₃ ⁻ and COOH were observed in the two inclusion compounds. Cyclic voltammetry of 2 in DMF displays two quasi-reversible redox couples at +0.10/+0.22 and −0.43/−0.36 V assigned to the Mn(III)Mn(IV)/2Mn(III) and 2Mn(III)/Mn(III)Mn(II), respectively. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2 were measured. The data were fit to a model including axial zero-field splitting term and a good fit was found with D=1.77 cm⁻¹, g=1.98 and F=1.48×10⁻⁵ for 1. For 2, the least-squares fitting of the experimental data led to J=2.37 cm⁻¹, g=2.02 and D=0.75 cm⁻¹ with R=1.45×10⁻³.     

Formation of dioxygen complexes of transition metal chelates in oxygen saturated aprotic solvents. Cyclic voltammetric evidence at a micro glassy carbon disk electrode

Cyclic voltammetry at a micro electrode of Co(II) salen, Fe(II) salen, electrode generated Fe(II)(acac)₂, Fe(II) (salicylaldehyde)₂, Fe(II) (salicylaldoxime)₂, Fe(II) (bipy)₃, Fe(II) (bipy)₂, Co(II) (bipy)₃, Co(II) (benzacac)₂, and electrode generated Co(acac)₂ in oxygen saturated aprotic solvents show positive shift of the O₂ sigmoidal wave, as well as enhancement of the limiting current in the case of the first five compounds. In the case of Co(II) (bipy)₃ the slope of the sigmoidal wave due to O₂ becomes more positive, while for the other two Co(II) complexes there is no change except a small decrease in the wave height. The data are used to correlate and predict the O₂ binding properties of the chelates in solution. The data for the diketone complexes of Co(II) indicate absence of any direct association, which is in line with the interpretation offered in the literature on the mechanism of their catalytic role in the O₂ oxidation of substrates. The mechanism of the autoxidation of dimethylformamide in the presence of Fe(III) (bipy)₃ and Cu(II) (bipy)₂ is elucidated by the observation that these higher valent compounds are reduced to their next lower oxidation state by DMF.     

Crystal structure and catalytic activity of a copper(II) complex based on a tetradentate bis-benzimidazole diamide ligand

A dimeric copper(II) complex bridged via a new tetra dentate bis benzimidazole diamide ligand [N,N′-bis(benzimidazolyl-2-yl)(methyl)pentane diamide](GBGA) with the composition [Cu₂(GBGA)₂(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ has been isolated and characterized. The X-ray structure of the above complex reveals that the unit cell consists of two centrosymmetric, crystallographically independent molecules, but differing in the coordination mode of ion. In one case ion is symmetric bidentate while in the other case it is monodentate. The coordination around Cu(II) is either a trigonally distorted octahedron (where the N2–O2 equatorial plane is formed by two benzimidazole N atoms and two carbonyl O atoms) or a distorted square pyramidal. The copper(II) complex carries out the selective oxidation of cinnamyl alcohol (allylic), geraniol (aliphatic-allylic) and 3-pyridyl carbinol (hetero aryl alcohol) to their respective aldehydes in the presence of tertiary butyl hydroperoxide as an alternative source of oxygen. The catalytic efficiency has been found to be much higher for the analogous copper(II) complex formed with the corresponding N-octylated ligand (O-GBGA). The percentage yield of the products viz geranial, cinnamyl aldehyde and 3-pyridyl carbinal varies between 34% and 57%. While the respective turnovers are 13-, 19- and 32-fold with respect to the copper(II) catalyst. A higher turnover in the case of 3-pyridyl carbinol is due to the transformation of the parent Cu(II) catalyst (having a N2–O2 type equatorial plane) to a more active Cu(II) species which have been shown to have a 4N donor equatorial plane as identified by low temperature EPR spectroscopy. Such a switch from a carbonyl O donor to an amine N donor of the peptidic link in the ligand may be important for the redox functioning of copper(II) bound to small peptides.     

Convenient preparation of [CuX(PCy3)2](X = Br, I, SCN, N3) complexes. X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(N3)(PCy3)2] (Cy = cyclo-C6H11)

The labile cations [Cu(F-BF₃)(PCy₃)₂] and [Cu(OTf)(PCy₃)₂] are versatile precursors for the formation of [Cu(X)(PCy₃)₂] (X = Br, I, SCN, N₃) complexes by metathesis with NaX. The azide [Cu(N₃)(PCy₃)₂] is triclinic, space group , a = 9.755(4), B = 22.78(1), C = 9.284(6) Å, = 96.76(3), β = 115.36(3), γ = 94.20(5)°, Z = 2.