Cyclometalated rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes containing amino acids as N,O-chelates

The synthesis of bis-cyclometalated aminocarboxylato complexes [M(α-aminocarboxylato)(ptpy)₂] (M = Rh, 3, 4, 5; M = Ir, 6, 7, 8), ptpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridinato; aminocarboxylato = glycinato, l-alaninato, l-prolinato) from [{M(μ-Cl)(ptpy)₂}₂] (M = Rh, 1; M = Ir, 2) is described. The molecular structure of [Ir(l-alaninato)(ptpy)₂] (7) was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Compound 7 crystallized from methanol-iso-hexane in the space group P2₁. For 7 the two diastereoisomers Δ_Ir, S_C and Λ_Ir, S_C were found crystallizing twice per unit. Absorption and emission spectra were recorded. The rhodium compounds are weak yellow-green and the iridium species strong green emitters.     

One-pot syntheses of alkenyl-phosphonio complexes of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) bearing p-cymene or pentamethylcyclopentadienyl groups

Reaction of [(p-cymene)RuCl₂(PPh₃)] (1) or [Cp^∗MCl₂(PPh₃)] (Cp^∗ = C₅Me₅) (3a: M = Rh; 4a: M = Ir) with 1-alkynes and PPh₃ were carried out in the presence of KPF₆, generating the corresponding alkenyl-phosphonio complexes, [(p-cymene)RuCl(PPh₃){CHCR(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (2a: R = Ph; 2b: R = p-tolyl) or [Cp^∗MCl(PPh₃){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (5: M = Rh; 6: M = Ir). Similar reactions of complexes [Cp^∗RhCl₂(L¹)] (3a: L¹ = PPh₃; 3c: L¹ = P(OMe)₃) with L² (L² = PPh₃, PMePh₂, P(OMe)₃) gave [Cp^∗RhCl(L¹)(L²)](PF₆) (7bb: L¹ = L² = PMePh₂; 7ca: L¹ = P(OMe)₃, L² = PPh₃; 7cc: L¹ = L² = P(OMe)₃). Alkenyl-phosphonio complex 5 was treated with P(OMe)₃ or 2,6-xylyl isocyanide, affording [Cp^∗RhCl(L){CHCPh(PPh₃)}](PF₆) (8a: L = P(OMe)₃; 8b: L = 2,6-xylNC). X-ray structural analyses of 2a, 6 and 8a revealed that the phosphonium moiety bonded to the C_β atom of the alkenyl group are E configuration.     

Mononuclear single helices of lanthanum(III) and europium(III). Metal dependent diastereomeric excess

Using the 1:2 condensate of benzildihydrazone and 2-acetylpyridine as a tetradentate N donor ligand L, LaL(NO₃)₃ (1) and EuL(NO₃)₃ (2), which are pale yellow in colour, are synthesized. While single crystals of 1 could not be obtained, 2 crystallises as a monodichloromethane solvate, 2·CH₂Cl₂ in the space group Cc with a = 11.7099(5) Å, b = 16.4872(5) Å, c = 17.9224(6) Å and β = 104.048(4)°. From the X-ray crystal structure, 2 is found to be a rare example of monohelical complex of Eu(III). Complex 1 is diamagnetic. The magnetic moment of 2 at room temperature is 3.32 BM. Comparing the FT-IR spectra of 1 and 2, it is concluded that 1 also is a mononuclear single helix. ¹H NMR reveals that both 1 and 2 are mixtures of two diastereomers. In the case of the La(III) complex (1), the diastereomeric excess is only 10% but in the Eu(III) complex 2 it is 80%. The occurrence of diastereomerism is explained by the chiralities of the helical motif and the type of pentakis chelates present in 1 and 2.     

Reactions of rhodium(II) and iridium(III) complexes bearing a P,O-coordination with tetracyanoethylene in the presence of KPF6

Reactions of Cp*M(MDMPP-P,O)Cl (1a: M=Rh, 1b: M=Ir; MDMPP-P,O=PPh₂(2-O-6-MeOC₆H₃)) with tetracyanoethylene (tcne) in the presence of KPF₆ gave Cp*MCl[PPh₂{2-O-3-(C(CN)₂CH(CN)₂)-6-MeOC₆H₂}] (2), [{Cp*MPPh₂{2-O-3-(C(CN)C(CN)₂)-6-MeOC₆H₂}}₂(CN)](PF₆) (3), [{Cp*IrPPh₂{2-O-3-(C(CN)C(CN)₂)-6-MeOC₆H₂}}(CN){Cp*Ir(MDMPP-P,O)}](PF₆) (4b) and [{Cp*Ir(MDMPP-P,O)}₂(CN)](PF₆) (5b), depending on the reaction conditions. Reaction of 2 with KPF₆ or AgOTf in the absence and presence of xylyl isocyanide (XylNC) gave 3 or [Cp*MCl{PPh₂(2-O-3-(C(CN)₂-CH(CN)₂)-6-MeOC₆H₂)}(XylNC)](OTf) (6). The structure of 3a (M=Rh) was confirmed by X-ray crystal analysis.     

Homo- and heteronuclear complexes based on arene ruthenium complexes bearing bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphine (dpmp)

Reactions of [(p-cymene)RuCl₂]₂ (1a) with dpmp ((Ph₂PCH₂)₂PPh) in the absence or presence of KPF₆ afforded the ionic complexes [{(p-cymene)RuCl₂}(dpmp-P¹,P³;P²){RuCl(p-cymene)}](X) (2a₁: X=Cl; 2a₂: X=PF₆). A (p-cymene)RuCl moiety constructs a 6-membered ring coordinated by two terminal P atoms of the dpmp ligand and another one binds to a central P atom of the ligand. Reactions of [(C₆Me₆)RuCl₂]₂ (1b) with an excess of dpmp in the presence of KPF₆ gave a 4-membered complex [(C₆Me₆)RuCl(dpmp-P¹,P²)](PF₆) (3b), chelated by a terminal and a central P atom and another terminal atom is free. Use of Ag(OTf) instead of KPF₆ gave [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl₂(dpmp)Ag} ₂](OTf)₂ (5b) that the Ag atoms were coordinated by a terminal and a central P atom of each dpmp ligand. Reaction with an equivalent of dpmp in the presence of KPF₆ gave [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl}(dpmp-P¹,P²;P³){(C₆Me₆)RuCl₂}](PF₆) 4b. Complex has a structure that the (C₆Me₆)RuCl₂ moiety coordinated to the free P atom of 3b. Complex 3b was treated with MCl₂(cod) (M=Pd, Pt), [Pd(MesNC)₄](PF₆)₂ (MesNC=2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂NC) or [Pt₂(XylNC)₆](PF₆)₂ (XylNC=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NC), generating [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl(dpmp)}₂MCl₂](PF₆)₂ (8b: M=Pd; 9b: M=Pt), [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl(dpmp)}₂{Pt(MesNC)₂}](PF₆)₄ (10b) and [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl(dpmp)}₂{Pt₂(XylNC)₄}](PF₆)₄ (11b), respectively. Complex 3b reacted readily with [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) or AuCl(SC₄H₈), affording the corresponding hetero-binuclear complexes [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl}(dpmp-P¹,P²;P³)(MCl₂Cp^*](PF₆) (6b: M=Rh; 7b: M=Ir) and [{(C₆Me₆)RuCl}(dpmp-P¹,P²;P³)(AuCl)](PF₆) (12b). These complexes have two chiral centers. Some complexes were separated as two diastereomers by successive recrystallization. The structures of 3b, 5b, 6b, 8b and 12b were confirmed by X-ray analyses.     

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.     

Synthesis, structures, and characterization of benzildiimine complexes of rhodium(III) and iridium(I)

The reactions of trans-[(PPh₃)₂M(CO)Cl] (M = Rh and Ir) with benzildiimine (H₂BDI = 2) derived from benzil-bis(trimethylsilyl)diimine (Si₂BDI) (1) in a 1:2 and 1:1 molar ratio afforded the cationic bis-benzildiiminato complexes [Rh(PPh₃)₂(HBDI)₂]Cl (3) and the mono-benzildiimine complex [Ir(PPh₃)₂(CO)(H₂BDI)]Cl (4), respectively. Both complexes are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral coordination geometry for the Rh(III) in 3 and a highly distorted square pyramidal geometry for Ir(I) in 4. In addition, the solid-state structure of Si₂BDI is reported here for the first time showing the substituents highly twisted because of steric reasons.     

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.     

Influence of the phosphine arrangement on the reactivity of palladium(II) and platinum(II) polyphosphine complexes with copper(I) chloride

The distorted square-planar complexes [Pd(PNHP)Cl]Cl (1) (PNHP = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), [M(P₃)Cl]Cl [P₃ = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phenylphosphine; M = Pd (2), Pt (3)] and [Pt(NP₃)Cl]Cl (5) (NP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), coexisting in the later case with a square-pyramidal arrangement, react with one equivalent of CuCl to give the mononuclear heteroionic systems [M(L)Cl](CuCl₂) [L = PNHP, M = Pd (1a); L = P₃, M = Pd (2a), Pt (3a); L = NP₃, M = Pt (5a)]. The crystal structure of 3a confirms that Pt(II) retains the distorted square-planar geometry of 3 in the cation with P₃ acting as tridentate chelating ligand, the central P atom being trans to one chloride. The counter anion is a nearly linear dichlorocuprate(I) ion. However, the five-coordinate complexes [Pd(NP₃)Cl]Cl (4), [M(PP₃)Cl]Cl (M = Pd (6), Pt (7); PP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl] phosphine) containing three fused five-membered chelate rings undergo a ring-opening by interaction with one (4, 6, 7) and two (6, 7) equivalents of CuCl with formation of neutral MCu(L)Cl₃ [L = NP₃, M = Pd (4a); L = PP₃, M = Pd (6a), Pt (7a)] and ionic [MCu(PP₃)Cl₂](CuCl₂) [M = Pd (6b), Pt (7b)] compounds, respectively. The heteronuclear systems were shown by ³¹P NMR to have structures where the phosphines are acting as tridentate chelating ligands to M(II) and monodentate bridging to Cu(I). Further additions of CuCl to the neutral species 6a and 7a in a 1:1 ratio resulted in the achievement of the ionic complexes 6b and 7b with ions as counter anions. It was demonstrated that the formation of heterobimetallic or just mononuclear mixed salt complexes was clearly influenced by the polyphosphine arrangement with the tripodal ligands giving the former compounds. However, complexes [M(NP₃)Cl]Cl constitute one exception and the type of reaction undergone versus CuCl is a function of the d⁸ metal centre.     

Dicarbonyliridium(I) complexes of pyridine ester ligands and their reactivity towards various electrophiles

The reaction of dimeric precursor [Ir(CO)₂Cl]₂ with two molar equivalent of the pyridine-ester ligands (L) like methyl picolinate (a), ethyl picolinate (b), methyl nicotinate (c), ethyl nicotinate (d), methyl isonicotinate (e) and ethyl isonicotinate (f) affords the tetra coordinated neutral complexes of the type [Ir(CO)₂ClL] (1a-f). The single crystal X-ray structure of 1d reveals that the Ir atom occupies the centre of an approximately square planar geometry with two CO groups cis- to each other. Intermolecular C-H?O and Ir?C interactions greatly stabilize the supramolecular structure of 1d in the solid state. The oxidative addition (OA) reactions of 1a-f with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I and I₂ undergo decarbonylation of one CO group to generate the oxidized products of the type [Ir(CO)RClIL] where R = -CH₃ (2a-f); -C₂H₅ (3a-f) and [Ir(CO)ClI₂L] (4a-f). Kinetic study of the reaction of 1c-f with CH₃I indicates a first order reaction which follow the order 1d > 1c > 1f > 1e. All the synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

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.     

Rhodium and iridium olefin complexes with bulky cyclopentadienyl and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands

The synthesis of a series of rhodium and iridium complexes bearing bulky cyclopentadienyl or hydro(trispyrazolyl)borate ligands is described. The rhodium cyclopentadienyl and hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate diene compounds, [(η⁵-C₅Me₄Bu^t)Rh(η⁴-2,3-MeRC₄H₄] (R = H, 1; Me, 2) and Tp^MsRh(η⁴-2,3-MeRC₄H₄) (R = H, 3; Me, 4; Tp^Ms is hydrotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)borate), respectively, have been prepared from the corresponding Rh(I) diene precursors and Zn(C₅Me₄Bu^t)₂ (for 1 and 2), or TlTp^Ms (for 3 and 4), as effective C₅Me₄Bu^t or Tp^Ms transfer reagents. In contrast with these results, attempts to obtain a bis(ethylene) derivative of the Tp^tolIr(I) unit (Tp^tol stands for hydrotris(3-p-tolylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) have provided instead the Ir(III) complex [(κ⁴-N,N′,N″,C-Tp^tol)-Ir(C₂H₅)(C₂H₄)] (5), whose formation requires C-H bond activation of a molecule of ethylene and of one of the Tp^tolp-tolyl substituents. In refluxing toluene 5 experiences metalation of a second p-tolyl substituent to give [(κ⁵-N,N′,N″,C,C′-Tp^tol)-Ir(C₂H₄)] (6), which features unusual κ⁵-Tp^tol coordination. The latter compound reacts with carbon monoxide to yield the corresponding carbonyl, 7.     

Dinuclear organoiridium(III) mono- and bis-intercalators with rigid bridging ligands: Synthesis, cytotoxicity and DNA binding

The DNA binding and in vitro cytotoxicity of the dinuclear Ir(III) polypyridyl complexes [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(dppz)}₂(μ-pyz)](CF₃SO₃)₄1 and [{(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(pp)}₂(μ-4,4′-bpy)](CF₃SO₃)₄2-4 (pp = dipyrido[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]quinoxaline (dpq), dipyrido[2,3-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppz), benzo[i]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine (dppn)) with the rigid bridging ligands pyrazine (pyz) or 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) have been studied. Stable intercalative binding into CT DNA (calf thymus DNA) is indicated for the dppz complexes 1 and 3 by induced negative CD bands at about 300 nm and large viscosity increases, with the individual measurements being in accordance with intrastrand bis-intercalation for 3 and mono-intercalation for 1. The observed interruption of specific interresidue NOE cross peaks from the relevant nucleobase H6/H8 protons to the sugar H2′/H2″ protons of the preceding nucleotide is in accordance with bis-intercalation of complex 3 between the C3G18 and G4C17 base pairs and the T5A16 and A6T15 base pairs of the decanucleotide d(5′-CGCGTAGGCC-3′). Complexes 1 and 3 exhibit a greatly improved uptake by HT-29 (colon carcinoma) cells and significantly improved in vitro IC₅₀ values of 1.8 ± 0.1 and 3.8 ± 0.1 μM towards this cell line in comparison to the mononuclear complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)IrCl(dppz)](CF₃SO₃) (IC₅₀ = 7.4 ± 0.9 μM).     

Iron(III), chromium(III) and cobalt(II) complexes with squarate: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The preparation and variable temperature-magnetic investigation of three squarate-containing complexes of formula [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (1) [Cr₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (2) and [Co(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₄]_n (3) [H₂C₄O₄ = 3.4-dihydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione (squaric acid)] together with the crystal structures of 1 and 3 are reported. Complex 1 contains discrete centrosymmetric [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] diiron(II) units where the iron pairs are joined by a di-μ-hydroxo bridge and two squarate ligands acting as bridging groups through adjacent oxygen atoms. Two coordinated water molecules in cis position complete the octahedral environment at each iron atom in 1. The iron-iron distance with the dinuclear unit is 3.0722(6) Å and the angle at the hydroxo bridge is 99.99(7)°, values which compare well with the corresponding ones in the isostructural compound 2 (2.998 Å and 99.47°) whose structure was reported previously. The crystal structure of 3 contains neutral chains of squarato-O¹,O³-bridged cobalt(II) ions where four coordinated water molecules complete the six-coordination at each cobalt atom. The cobalt-cobalt separation across the squarate bridge is 8.0595(4) Å. A relatively important intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling occurs in 1 whereas it is very weak in 2, the exchange pathway being the same [J = −14.4 (1) and −0.07 cm⁻¹ (2), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as ]. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction between the high-spin cobalt(II) ions occurs in 3 (J = −0.30 cm⁻¹). The magnitude and nature of these magnetic interactions are discussed in the light of their respective structures and they are compared with those reported for related systems.     

8-Quinolinolato complexes of ruthenium(II) and (III)

Reduction of RuQ₃ (1a, Q = 8-quinolinolato) with Zn/Hg in the presence of various π-acceptor ligands in ethanol affords RuQ₂L₂ (L₂ = (dimethylsulfoxide)₂ (2); (4-picoline)₂ (3); N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene, dab (4); cyclooctadiene, COD (5); norborna-2,5-diene, nbd (6)). Compound 6 is isolated as an equimolar mixture of cis,trans (6a) and trans,cis (6b) isomers, which can be separated by column chromatography. DFT calculations have been performed on 6a and 6b. Oxidation of 3 and 6b affords the corresponding ruthenium(III) species 7 and 8, respectively. The structures of 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Stereosensitive formation and interconversion of sulfur-bridged cobalt(III)-mercury(II) polynuclear complexes with d- and/or l-penicillaminates

The reaction of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻ (pen = penicillaminate) with HgCl₂ or HgBr₂ in the molar ratios of 1:1 gave the sulfur-bridged heterodinuclear complex, [HgX(OH₂){Co(d-pen)₂}] (X = Cl (1a) or Br (1b)). A similar reaction in the ratio of 2:1 produced the trinuclear complex, [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}₂] (1c). The enantiomers of 1a and 1c, [HgCl(OH₂){Co(l-pen)₂}] (1a′) and [Hg{Co(l-pen)₂}₂] (1c′), were also obtained by using trans(N)-[Co(l-pen)₂]⁻ instead of trans(N)-[Co(d-pen)₂]⁻. Further, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 1:1 resulted in the formation of [HgCl(OH₂){Co(d-pen)(l-pen)}] (2a). During the formations of the above six complexes, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1a′, 1c′, and 2a, the octahedral Co(III) units retain their configurations. On the other hand, the reaction of cis · cis · cis-[Co(d-pen)(l-pen)]⁻ with HgCl₂ in the molar ratio of 2:1 gave not [Hg{Co(d-pen)(l-pen}₂] but [Hg{Co(d-pen)₂}{Co(l-pen)₂}] (2c), accompanied by the ligand-exchange on the terminal Co(III) units. The X-ray crystal structural analyses show that the central Hg(II) atom in 1c takes a considerably distorted tetrahedral geometry, whereas that in 2c is of an ideal tetrahedron. The interconversion between the complexes is also examined. The electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectral behavior of the complexes is discussed in relation to the crystal structures of 1c and 2c.     

Synthesis and exploratory coordination chemistry of the new ditertiary carbinamine ligand 2,6-bis(α-aminoisopropyl)pyridine

The new pyridine-based N∩N∩N tridentate ligand 2,6-C₅H₃N(CMe₂NH₂)₂ (1) was synthesized by the treatment of 2,6-pyridinedicarbonitrile with an excess of the organocerium reagent in situ generated from CeCl₃ and methyllithium in THF. The reaction of 1 with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] in THF at ambient conditions afforded (OC-6-23)-[RuCl{2,6-C₅H₃N(CMe₂NH₂)₂}(PPh₃)₂]Cl (2). The corresponding dimethyl sulfoxide complex [RuCl{2,6-C₅H₃N(CMe₂NH₂)₂}{S(O)Me₂}₂]Cl (3) was isolated as a mixture of the (OC-6-23) and (OC-6-32) stereoisomers 3a and 3b from the reaction between 1 and (OC-6-22)-[RuCl₂{S(O)Me₂}₃(OSMe₂)] in toluene at 80 °C. A prolonged interaction in toluene at reflux temperature gave isomerically pure 3a. The metal trichloride hydrates MCl₃ · xH₂O (M = Ru, Rh, Ir; x ≅ 2-4) produced mer-[RuCl₃{2,6-C₅H₃N(CMe₂NH₂)₂}] (M = Ru: 4; Rh: 5; Ir: 6), when combined with 1 in refluxing ethanol. The crystal structures of the following compounds were determined: ligand 1 and complexes 2-5 as addition compounds 2 · CH₂Cl₂, 3a · C₇H₈, 4 · EtOH and .     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterization of a series of four phenoxo-bridged binuclear manganese(III) Schiff base complexes

A family of four new phenoxo-bridged binuclear manganese(III) complexes of the general formula, [Mn(L)(X)]₂ where L = [N,N′-bis(salicylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine and X = salicylaldehyde anion (sal⁻) (1); NCS⁻ (2); NCO⁻ (3) and [Mn(L′)(N₃)]₂·2C₂H₅OH (4) where L′ = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine has been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reacting manganese perchlorate with 1,2-diaminopropane and salicylaldehyde (or 2-hydroxyacetophenone for 4) or along with the respective pseudohalides so that the tetradentate Schiff base H₂L or H₂L′ is obtained in situ to bind the Mn(III) ion. The complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, crystal structure analysis and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the compounds are isostructural containing dimeric Mn(III) units with bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. Low temperature magnetic studies indicate that the complexes 1-3 exhibit intradimer ferromagnetic exchange as well as single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior while complex 4 is found to undergo an intradimer antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Synthesis, reactivities and catalytic carbonylation of rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes containing isomeric acetylpyridine ligands

[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with two mole equivalent of 2-acetylpyridine (a), 3-acetylpyridine (b) and 4-acetylpyridine (c) to afford chelate [Rh(CO)Cl(η²-N∩O)] (1a) and non-chelate [Rh(CO)₂Cl(η¹-N∼O)] (1b, 1c) complexes, where, N∩O = a, N∼O = b, c. Oxidative addition (OA) of 1a-1c with CH₃I and C₂H₅I yields penta coordinate rhodium(III) complexes, [Rh(COR)ClI(η²-N∩O)] {R = -CH₃ (2a); -C₂H₅ (3a)} and [Rh(COR)(CO)ClI(η¹-N∼O)] {R = -CH₃ (2b, 2c); -C₂H₅ (3b, 3c)}. Kinetic study for the reaction of 1a-1c with CH₃I indicates a pseudo-first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a-1c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester was evaluated at different initial CO pressures 5, 10 and 20 bar at ∼25 °C and higher turn over numbers (TON = 1581-1654) were obtained compared to commercial Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TON = 1000) under the reaction conditions: temperature = 130 ± 1 °C, pressure = 15-32 bar, rpm = 450, time = 1 h and catalyst: substrate = 1: 1900.     

Octahedral Co(III) complexes of 2-(phenylimino)pyrrolyl ligands: Synthesis and structural characterisation

The reactions of CoCl₂ with three equivalents of 2-(phenylimino)pyrrolyl sodium salts, performed under a nitrogen atmosphere, lead to the formation of the Co(III) complexes [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(H)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2a), [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(CH₃)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2b) and [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₁₆H₉C(H)N-C₆H₅)₃] (2c), accommodating three chelating iminopyrrolyl ligands. Complexes 2a-c were obtained in moderate yields, and their characterisation by ¹H, ¹³C NMR and X-ray diffraction show they are diamagnetic and have an octahedral geometry about the cobalt centre, respectively. Uncharacterised products were obtained in the same reaction involving ligand precursors such as 2-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)pyrrolyl sodium salts, which is attributed to a greater steric hindrance in the coordination of three of these bulkier ligands. The redox behaviour of complexes 2a-c shows an irreversible reduction wave with a peak potential in the range −3.2 to −3.7 V. Upon reduction, the complexes decompose giving rise, in the case of 2a, to a redox pattern compatible with the formation of [Co(κ²N,N′-NC₄H₃C(H)N-C₆H₅)₂].