Synthesis, X-ray structures, electrochemical properties and cytotoxic effects of Co(II) complexes

1-Benzothiazol-2-yl-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole (1a) and 1-benzothiazol-2-yl-5-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester (1b) were reacted with the hexahydrates of cobalt(II) chloride, cobalt(II) nitrate and cobalt(II) perchlorate to give the corresponding complexes 2a-4a and 2b-5b, respectively. Obtained compounds differ in coordination spheres of central atoms. The complex 2a includes a fivefold coordinated cobalt(II) ion, whereas 3a shows a distorted octahedral configuration around the cobalt(II) ion. All complexes were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy, MS and elemental analysis. The X-ray structures of 2a, 3a and 5b complexes were also solved. The cytotoxic properties of the ligand 1a and both series of Co(II) complexes were examined on human leukemia NALM-6 and HL-60 cells and melanoma WM-115 cells. The ligands, were found to have very low cytotoxicity. Complex 3b exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity with IC₅₀ values in the range of 6.9-17.1 μM for three examined cell lines.     

Dopamine release and molecular modeling study of some coumarin derivatives

4-aryl-2-amino-6-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-pyridin-3-carbonitrile (1), 4-aryl-2-oxo-6-(4-hydroxy-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)-pyridin-3-carbonitriles (2a-2c), 3-(6-aryl-1,2,5,6- tetrahydro-2-thioxopyrimidin-4-yl)-4-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-one (3a, 3b) and pyrazol-3-yl-4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives (4a-4c, 5, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, and 8a-8c) were prepared in order to measure their % change dopamine release in comparison to amphetamine as reference, using PC-12 cells in different concentrations. In addition, the molecular modeling study of the compounds into 3BHH receptor was also demonstrated. The calculated inhibition constant (k_i) implemented in the AutoDock program revealed identical correlation with the experimental results to that obtained binding free energy (ΔG_b) as both parameters revealed reasonable correlation coefficients (R²) being 0.51 involving 10 compounds; (1, 2b, 2c, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 6a, and 8c).     

Synthesis and structure of titanium alkoxides based on tetraphenyl substituted 2,6-dimethanolpyridine moiety

Novel titanocanes and spirobititanocanes based on 2,6-bis[hydroxy(diphenyl)methyl]pyridine (1a) and 2,6-di(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (1b) - [2,6-C₅H₃N(CPh₂O)₂]Ti(O-i-Pr)₂ (2a), [2,6-C₅H₃N(CPh₂O)₂]₂Ti (3a), [2,6-C₅H₃N(CH₂O)₂]₂Ti (3b), [2,6-C₅H₃N(CPh₂O)₂]TiCl₂ (4) - as well as the closely related N-phenyl derivative PhN(CH₂CH₂O)₂Ti(Cl)Cp (5) have been synthesized. Complexes 2-5 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis data. The molecular structure of 3a was determined by X-ray structure analysis.     

Synthesis of regioisomeric 17β-N-phenylpyrazolyl steroid derivatives and their inhibitory effect on 17α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase

The reaction of 3β-hydroxy-21-hydroxymethylidenepregn-5-en-3β-ol-20-one (1) with phenylhydrazine (2a) affords two regioisomers, 17β-(1-phenyl-3-pyrazolyl)androst-3-en-3β-ol (5a) and 17β-(1-phenyl-5-pyrazolyl)androst-5-en-3β-ol (6a). The direction of the ring-closure reactions of 1 with p-substituted phenylhydrazines (2b-e) depends strongly on the electronic features of the substituents. Oppenauer oxidation of 3β-hydroxy-17β-exo-heterocyclic steroids 5a-e and 6a-e yielded the corresponding Δ⁴-3-ketosteroids 9a-e and 10a-e. The inhibitory effects (IC₅₀) of these compounds on rat testicular C_17,20-lyase were investigated by means of an in vitro radioligand incubation technique.     

Half-sandwich ruthenium thiocarbonate complexes: Structures of CpRu(PPh3)2SCO2Bu, CpRu(dppe)SCO2Bu and CpRu(PPh3)(CO)SCO2Bu

Thiocarbonate ruthenium complexes of the form CpRu(L)(L′)SCO₂R (L = L′ = PPh₃ (1), 1/2 dppe (2), L = PPh₃, L′ = CO (3); R = Et (a), Buⁿ (b), C₆H₅ (c), 4-C₆H₄NO₂ (d)) have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding sulfhydryl complexes, CpRu(L)(L′)SH, with chloroformates, ROCOCl, at low temperature. The bis(triphenylphosphine) complexes 1 can be converted to 3 under CO atmosphere. The crystal structures of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCO₂Buⁿ (1b), CpRu(dppe)SCO₂Buⁿ (2b), and CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)SCO₂Buⁿ (3b) are reported.     

Mononuclear and tetranuclear palladacycles with terdentate [C,N,N] and [C,N,O] Schiff base ligands. C-H versus C-Br activation reactions

Reaction of the Schiff base ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (a) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (b) with Pd(OAc)₂ or K₂[PdCl₄] leads to the mononuclear cyclometallated compounds [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(OCOMe)] (1a) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (1b), derived from C-H activation at the C6 carbon. Treatment of a with Pd₂(dba)₃ gave [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(Br)] (2a), via C-Br activation.The metathesis reaction of 1a with aqueous sodium chloride gave [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(Cl)] (3a), with exchange of the acetate group by a chloride ligand. Treatment of the cyclometallated monomers 1a-3a with PPh₃ in a 1:1 molar ratio yielded the mononuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N}(L)(PPh₃)] (L: OAc, 4a; Cl, 5a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N}(Br)(PPh₃)] (6a), with Pd-NMe₂ bond cleavage. However, treatment of a solution of 3a or 2a with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate, followed by reaction with PPh₃ in acetone yielded the cyclometallated complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C6,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (7a) and [Pd{4-5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)NCH₂CH₂NMe₂-C2,N,N}(PPh₃)][CF₃SO₃] (8a), respectively, where the Pd-NMe₂ bond was retained.The reaction of the ligands 2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (c) and 4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₃C(H)N(2′-OH-5′-^tBuC₆H₃) (d) with Pd(OAc)₂ gave the tetranuclear complexes [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1c) and [Pd{4,5-(OCH₂CH₂)C₆H₂C(H)N(2′-O-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}]₄ (1d), respectively. Treatment of 1c with PPh₃ in 1:4 molar ratio, gave the mononuclear species [Pd{2-Br-4,5-(OCH₂O)C₆HC(H)N(2′-(O)-5′-^tBuC₆H₃)-C6,N,O}(PPh₃)] (2c) with opening of the polynuclear structure after P-O_bridging bond cleavage.The structure of compounds 2a, 1c and 1d has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Syntheses and structures of cobalt(III) alcoholate complexes formed by addition of a water molecule across 2-pyridyl substituted imine function

Schiff bases L1-L5 {N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L1), 3-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylmethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L2), 3-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L3), 4-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylmethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L4), 4-methyl-N-[1-pyridine-2-ylethylidene]pyridine-2-amine (L5)} were synthesized and on reaction with Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, complexes having the molecular formulae [Co(L1O)₂]NO₃ (1), [Co(L2O)₂]NO₃·xH₂O (2a, x = 2; 2b, x = 3), [Co(L3O)₂]NO₃ (3), [Co(L4O)₂]NO₃·4H₂O (4), [Co(L5O)₂]NO₃ (5) were isolated from the respective imines. The salt [Co(L2O)₂]PF₆ (2c) was obtained by treating 2 with KPF₆. Complexes 1-5 were formed as a result of addition of a water molecule across the imine function and the resultant alcohol binds in its deprotonated form. The alcoholate ion remained bound in a facial tridentate fashion to the low-spin cobalt(III). X-ray crystal structure determination confirmed the presence of trans-trans-trans-N_AN_PO (A = aminopyridyl and P = pyridyl) disposition in 2a and cis-cis-trans-N_AN_PO in 2b, 2c and 4. Water dimers in 2a, 2b, 4 and water-nitrate ion network in 2a were other notable features.     

Diheteroarylmethyl substituted titanocenes: A novel class of possible anti-cancer drugs

From the reaction of tert-butyl lithium or n-butyl lithium with N-methylpyrrole (1a), furan (1b) or 2-bromo-thiophen (1c), 2-N-methylpyrrolyl lithium (2a), 2-furyl lithium (2b) or 2-thiophenyl lithium (2c), respectively, was obtained. When reacted with 6-(2-N-methylpyrrolyl) fulvene (3a), 6-(2-furyl) fulvene (3b) or 6-(2-thiophenyl) fulvene (3c), the corresponding lithiated intermediates were formed (4a-c). Titanocenes (5a-c) were obtained through transmetallation with titanium tetrachloride. When these titanocenes were tested against pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK) cells, inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 32 μM, 140 μM, and 240 μM, respectively, were observed. These values represent improved cytotoxicity against LLC-PK, compared to their ansa-analogues.     

Hydrogen-halide versus alkyl-halide oxidative addition in dimethyl platinum(II) complexes: Crystal structure of [PtBr2(bpy)]

Dimethyl platinum(II) complexes [PtMe₂(NN)] {NN = bu₂bpy (4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) (1a), bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) (1b), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (1c)} reacted with commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol in the presence of 1,3-propylene oxide to afford cis, trans- [PtBrMe₂{(CH₂)₃OH}(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (2a), bpy (2b), phen (2c)). On the other hand, [PtMe₂(NN)] (1a)-(1b) reacted with the trace of HBr in commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol to give [PtBr₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (3a), bpy (3b)). The reaction pathways were monitored by ¹H NMR at various temperatures. Treatment of 1a-1b with a large excess of 3-bromo-1-propanol at −80 °C gave the corresponding methyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (4a), bpy (4b)) via the oxidative addition of dimethyl platinum(II) complexes with HBr. The complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] decomposed by reductive elimination of methane above −20 °C for bu₂bpy and from −20 to 0 °C for bpy analogue to give methane and platinum(II) complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) and then decomposed at about 0 °C to yield [PtBr₂(NN)] and methane. When the reactions were performed at a molar ratio of Pt:RX/1:10, the corresponding complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) were also obtained. The crystal structure of the complex 3b shows that platinum adopts square planar geometry with a twofold axis through the platinum atom. The Pt…Pt distance (5.164 Å) is considerably larger than the interplanar spacing (3.400 Å) and there is no platinum-platinum interaction.     

Studies in the sphingolipids series,XXXII : Synthesis and resolution into optical antipodes of C20-phytosphingosine

C₂₀-Phytosphingosine, D(+)-ribo-2-amino-1, 3, 4-trihydroxyeicosane (8a), is synthesized through the following intermediates: 2-Methoxyoctadecanoic acid chloride (1)→Ethyl 2-methoxyoctadecanoylacetoacetate (2)→Ethyl (2-p-nitrophenylhydrazono)-2,3-dioxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (3)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-oxo-4-methoxyeicosanoate (4)→Ethyl 2-acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoate (5)→2-Acetamido-3-hydroxy-4-methoxyeicosanoic acid (6), 2-Amino-3-hydroxyeicosanoic acid 1,4-lactone hydrobromide (7a, b)→DL-ribo (8a) and DL-xylo(?)-2-amino-1,3,4-trihydroxyeicosane (8b). The resolution of the racemic base (8a) has been effected through its salts with D-tartaric acid.     

Synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones

A new class of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones was synthesized in very good yields through polyphosphoric acid supported on silica (PPA-SiO₂) catalyzed one-pot three component condensation of 2-dibenzofuranol; aromatic aldehydes and acetamide or benzamide or urea under solvent free conditions. At 125 °C the reaction led to the formation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols 5a-k where as at 160 °C cyclization take place to give oxazin-3(2H)-one analogues 6a-e. Screening all the 16 compounds for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) resulted 1-((4-chlorophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5h; 1-((4-bromophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5i; 1-phenyl-1H-benzo[2,3]benzo furo[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6a (MIC 3.13 μg/mL) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6b; 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro [4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6c (MIC 1.56 μg/mL) as most active antitubercular agents.     

Synthesis and electrochemical aspects of group 14 iron complexes of the type (η-C5H5)Fe(L)2ER3, L2 = (CO)2, (Ph2P)2CH2; E = C, Si, Ge, Sn

The dicarbonyl and diphosphine complexes of the type (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(L)₂ER₃ (L₂ = (CO)₂ (a), (Ph₂P)₂CH₂ (b); ER₃ = CH₃ (1a/b); SiMe₃ (2a/b), GeMe₃ (3a/b), SnMe₃ (4a/b)) were synthesized and studied electrochemically. Cyclic voltammetric studies on the dicarbonyl complexes 1a-4a revealed one electron irreversible oxidation processes whereas the same processes for the chelating phosphine series 1b-4b were reversible. The E_ox values found for the series 1a-4a were in the narrow range 1.3-1.5 V and in the order Si > Sn ≈ Ge > C; those for 1b-4b (involving replacement of the excellent retrodative π-accepting CO ligands by the superior σ-donor and poorer π-accepting phosphines) have much lower oxidation potentials in the sequence Sn > Si ≈ Ge > C. This latter oxidation potential pattern relates directly to the solution ³¹P NMR chemical shift data illustrating that stronger donation lowers the E_ox for the complexes; however, simple understanding of the trend must await the results of a current DFT analysis of the systems.     

Synthesis and evaluation of chromenyl barbiturates and thiobarbiturates as potential antitubercular agents

A novel series of barbiturate and thiobarbiturate analogs of 2-benzoyl-3-methyl-5-oxo-5H-furo[3,2-g]chromene-6-carbaldehydes (3a-g and 4a-d, respectively) and 6-methyl-4,8-dioxo-4,8-dihydropyrano[3,2-g]chromenes (7a-c), were synthesized and evaluated for their antitubercular activities against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37RV, and cytotoxicity (CC₅₀) in the VERO cell MABA assay. The results indicate that the furanochromene series of compounds (3a-g and 4a-d) showed only weak to moderate antitubercular activity. However, the pyranochromene analog 7b showed good antitubercular activity (IC₉₀: 5.9 μg/mL) and cytotoxicity (CC₅₀: 14.27 μg/mL). The antitubercular activity of 7b was superior to the antituberculosis drug, pyrazinamide (PZA; IC₉₀: >20 μg/mL). Analog 7b was considered to be a lead compound for subsequent structural optimization.     

Biological evaluation of 3'-O-alkylated analogs of salacinol, the role of hydrophobic alkyl group at 3' position in the side chain on the α-glucosidase inhibitory activity

Four analogs with 3′-O-alkyl groups (9a: CH₃, 9b: C₂H₅, 9c: C₁₃H₂₇ or 9d: CH₂Ph) instead of the 3′-O-sulfate anion in salacinol (1), a naturally occurring potent α-glucosidase inhibitor, were synthesized by the coupling reaction of 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-epithio-d-arabinitols (18a and 18b) with appropriate epoxides (10a-10d). These analogs showed equal or considerably higher inhibitory activity against rat small intestinal α-glucosidases than the original sulfate (1), and one of them (9d) was found more potent than currently used α-glucosidase inhibitors as antidiabetics. Thus, introduction of a hydrophobic moiety at the C3′ position of this new class of inhibitor was found beneficial for onset of stronger inhibition against these enzymes.     

Synthesis of 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl analogues of 5-fluorouracil, N-benzoyl adenine, uracil, thymine, N-benzoyl cytosine and evaluation of their antitumor activities

The synthesis of the unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl nucleosides of 5-fluorouracil (6a), N⁶-benzoyl adenine (6b), uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N⁴-benzoyl cytosine (6e), is described. Monoiodination of compounds 1a,b, followed by acetylation, catalytic hydrogenation and finally regioselective 2′-O-deacylation afforded the partially acetylated dideoxynucleoside analogues of 5-fluorouracil (5a) and N⁶-benzoyl adenine (5b), respectively. Direct oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2′-position of 5a,b, with simultaneous elimination reaction of the β-acetoxyl group, afforded the desired unsaturated 4,6-dideoxy-3-fluoro-2-keto-β-d-glucopyranosyl derivatives 6a,b. Compounds 1c-e were used as starting materials for the synthesis of the dideoxy unsaturated carbonyl nucleosides of uracil (6c), thymine (6d) and N⁴-benzoyl cytosine (6e). Similarly a protection-selective deprotection sequence followed by oxidation of the free hydroxyl group at the 2′-position of the dideoxy benzoylated analogues 9c-e with simultaneous elimination reaction of the β-benzoyl group, gave the desired nucleosides 6c-e. None of the compounds was inhibitory to a broad spectrum of DNA and RNA viruses at subtoxic concentrations. The 5-fluorouracil derivative 6a was more cytostatic (50% inhibitory concentration ranging between 0.2 and 12 μM) than the other compounds.     

Synthesis and complexation of tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)calix[4]arene adopting the 1,3-alternate conformation

Novel upper-rim modified tetraphosphinocalix[4]arenes (5a-b) adopting 1,3-alternate conformation have been synthesized. Reaction of 5,11,17,23-tetrachloromethyl-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (1) with Ph₂POEt gave 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrahydroxycalix[4]arene (2). Tetra-O-substitution of 2 with n-propyl iodide or benzyl bromide in the presence of K₂CO₃ carried out to afford 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxy-(3a) or -benzyloxycalix[4]arene (3b), whereas di-O-substituted calix[4]arene, 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinoylmethyl)-25,27-dipropoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (4), was obtained exclusively when Na₂CO₃ was used as base. Reduction of 3a-b with PhSiHCl₂ afforded 5,11,17,23-tetrakis(diphosphinomethyl)-25,26,27,28-tetrapropoxy-(5a) and -tetrabenzyloxycalix[4]arene (5b). ¹H and ¹³C NMR analysis reveals that the phosphines (5a-b) and the tetra-O-substituted phosphine oxides (3a-b) adopt 1,3-alternate conformation, while the parent tetrahydroxy-(2) and the di-O-propylated phosphine oxide (4) adopt cone-conformation. The X-ray structure indicates that the calix[4]arene moieties in 4 a pinched-cone conformation in solid state. Complexation of the phosphine ligand (5a) with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ affords the tetranuclear complexes, [{RuCl₂(p-cymene)}₂ · 5a] (6), as 1,3-alternate conformer.     

[S2], [S3], and [N3] coordination modes of hydrotris(thioxotriazolyl)borato. Zinc, nickel, cobalt, and bismuth complexes

The ligand hydrotris(1,4-dihydro-3-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolyl)borato (Tr^Ph,Me) was synthetized as natrium salt and the complexes [Zn(Tr^Ph,Me)₂] · 7.5H₂O · 1.5CH₃CN (2a), [Zn(Tr^Ph,Me)₂] · 8DMF (2b), [Co(Tr^Ph,Me)₂] · 8DMF (3a), [Ni(Tr^Ph,Me)₂] · H₂O · 6DMSO (4a), [Bi(Tr^Ph,Me)₂]NO₃ (5), have been isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. In the zinc derivatives the ligand adopts different denticity and coordination modes, η² and [S₂] for 2a and η³ and [N₃] for 2b, depending on the crystallization solvent, giving rise to tetrahedral and octahedral geometry, respectively. In the octahedral cobalt and nickel complexes the ligand is η³ and [N₃] coordinated whereas in the bismuth complex the η³ and [S₃] coordination is exhibited.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a series of 1,2-phenylenedioxoborylcyclopentadienyl-metal complexes [Ti(IV), Zr(IV), Hf(IV), La(III), Ce(III), Yb(III), Sn(II) and Fe(II)]

The preparation of a series of 1,2-phenylenedioxoborylcyclopentadienyl-metal complexes is described. These are of formula [M{η⁵-C₅H₄(BX)}Cl₃] [M = Ti and X = CAT (2a), CAT^t (2b) or CAT^tt (2c); X = CAT^tt and M = Zr (4a) or Hf (4b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₄(BX)}₂Cl₂] [M = Zr, X = CAT (3a) or CAT^t (3c); or M = Hf, X = CAT (3b) or CAT^t (3d)], [M{(μ-η⁵-C₅H₃BCAT)₂ SiMe₂}Cl₂] [M = Zr (5a) or Hf (5b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₃(BCAT)₂}Cl₃] [M = Zr (6a) or Hf (6b)], [M{η⁵-C₅H₄BCAT}₃(THF)] [M = La (7a), Ce (7b) or Yb (7c)], [Sn{η⁵-C₅ H₄(BCAT^t)}Cl](8) and [Fe{η⁵-C₅H₄(BCAT^t)}₂] (9). The abbreviations refer to BO₂C₆H₄-1,2 (BCAT) and the 4-Bu^t (BCAT^t) and the (BCAT^tt) analogues. The compounds 2a-9 have been characterised by microanalysis, multinuclear NMR and mass spectra. The single crystal X-ray structure of the lanthanum compound 7a is presented.     

Ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes containing pyridine-functionalised bidentate N-heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis, structures, and impact of the carbene ligands on catalytic activities

A series of new ruthenium(II) carbonyl chloride complexes with pyridine-functionalised N-heterocyclic carbenes [Ru(Py-NHC)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Py-NHC = 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 1 (1a and 1b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, 2 (2a and 2b); 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 3 (3b); 3-methyl-1-(2-picoyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene, 4 (4a and 4b); 1-methyl-4-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazoline-5-ylidene, 5 (5a and 5b)] have been prepared by transmetallation from the corresponding silver carbene complexes and characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In these complexes with bidentate Py-NHC ligands, one CO ligand is trans to the Py ligand. In 1a, 2a, 4a, and 5a, the NHC ligand is trans to the other CO ligand, thus leaving the two Cl⁻ ligands trans to each other. In 1b, 2b, 3b, 4b, and 5b, the NHC ligands are trans to one Cl⁻ ligand, and the two Cl⁻ ligands are cis to each other. The structures for 1b, 2b, 3b and 4b have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These complexes are efficient catalysts in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone and their catalytic activities are found to be influenced by electronic effect of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligands.     

Phosphane effects on formation and reactivity of [Ru(L)(PR3)(`N2Me2S2')] complexes with L=N2, N2H4, NH3, and CO

Metal-sulfur complex fragments, to which small molecules like N₂, N₂H₂, N₂H₄, NH₃, or CO can bind, are desirable model compounds concerning enzymatic N₂ fixation.This paper reports on the effects of the phosphane co-ligand on formation and reactivity of [Ru(L)(PR₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] [`N₂Me₂S₂'²⁻=1,2-ethanediamine-N,N^′-dimethyl-N,N^′-bis(2-benzenethiolate)(2−)] complexes with nitrogenase relevant ligands, especially N₂, N₂H₄, NH₃, and CO.Treatment of [Ru(NCCH₃)₄Cl₂] with Li₂`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>', excessive LiOMe, bulky PPh<sub>3</sub> or PCy<sub>3</sub>, respectively, led to the formation of two series of [Ru(L)(PR<sub>3</sub>)(`N₂Me₂S₂')] complexes [for R=Ph: 1b, 1c (L=NCCH₃), 6b (L=N₂H₄), 7b (L=N₂), 8b_1-3 (L=CO), 9b (L=NH₃); for R=Cy: 1a (L=NCCH₃), 6a (L=N₂H₄), 7a (L=N₂), 8a (L=CO), 9a (L=NH₃)]. While the use of PPh₃ (θ=145°) yielded cis,trans and cis,cis isomers of [Ru(NCCH₃)(PPh₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] (1b, 1c), no isomer formation was observed with the bulkier phosphane PCy<sub>3</sub> (θ=170°). Sterically less demanding phosphanes (θ=118-132°) afforded bisphosphane complexes [Ru(PR<sub>3</sub>)<sub>2</sub>(`N₂Me₂S₂')] [2d (R=Me), 2e (R=Et), 2f (R=nPr), and 2g (R=nBu)], which were practically inert and could only be converted in two cases and under drastic reaction conditions into the CO complexes [Ru(CO)(PR₃)(`N<sub>2</sub>Me<sub>2</sub>S<sub>2</sub>')] [4e (R=Et), 4f (R=nPr)]. The chelating bidentate phosphane dppe (bisdiphenylphosphanoethane) yielded exclusively the mononuclear complex [Ru(dppe)(`N₂Me₂S₂')] (3).