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.     

Investigation of the MSO4 · xH2O (M = Zn, x = 7; M = Cd, x = 8/3)/methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime reaction system: A novel Cd(II) coordination polymer versus mononuclear and dinuclear Zn(II) complexes

The reactions of methyl 2-pyridyl ketone oxime, (py)C(Me)NOH, with MSO₄ · xH₂O (M = Zn, x = 7; M = Cd, x = 8/3), in the absence of an external base, have been investigated. The synthetic study has led to the two new complexes [Zn(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) and [Zn₂(SO₄)₂{(py)C(Me)NOH}₄] · (py)C(Me)NOH [2 · (py)C(Me)NOH], and the coordination polymer [Cd(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)]_n · [Cd(SO₄){(py)C(Me)NOH}(H₂O)₂]_n (3). In the three complexes the organic ligand chelates through its nitrogen atoms. The sulfate anion in 1 · H₂O is monodentate; the complex molecule is the mer isomer considering the positions of the aqua ligands. The Zn^II centers in 2 · (py)C(Me)NOH are bridged by two syn, anti η¹:η¹:μ₂ ligands; each metal ion has the cis-cis-trans disposition of the coordinated sulfate oxygen, pyridyl nitrogen and oxime nitrogens, respectively. The molecular structure of 3 is unique consisting of two different linear and ladder - type chains. π-π stacking interactions and/or hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of interesting supramolecular architectures in the three complexes. The thermal decomposition of complex 3 has been studied. Characteristic vibrational (IR, Raman) bands are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and the structures of the three complexes.     

Cobalt(II) and nickel(II) coordination polymers constructed from P,P′-diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H2pcp) and 4,4′-bipyridine (bipy): Structural isomerism in [Co(pcp)(bipy)0.5(H2O)2]

The P,P′diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid (H₂pcp) reacts with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O and 4,4′-bipyridine to give a mixture of two polymeric isomers of formula [Co(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂], {red (1) and pink (2)} and the new violet hybrid [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3). The pure red and violet species have been obtained by the reaction of H₂pcp with Co(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O and bipy or with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, respectively. The analogous reaction of Ni(CH₃COO)₂ · 4H₂O or Ni(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with H₂pcp and bipy affords only the [Ni(pcp)(bipy)_0.5(H₂O)₂] species (4). The two cobalt isomers present different structural arrangements. Whereas the red isomer (1) shows an undulated 2D layered structure, the pink one (2) forms an infinite monodimensional strand. Both the architectures extend to higher dimensions through hydrogen bonding interactions. The nickel derivative is isomorphous with the red cobalt isomer. The violet [Co(Hpcp)₂] (3), which is isomorphous with the complexes of the reported series [M(Hpcp)₂], M = Ca(II), Mg(II), presents a monodimensional polymeric structure. Compounds 1 and 4 show a very similar thermal behaviour, the two water molecules being lost in the temperature range 25-150 and 160-320 °C, respectively. Temperature dependent X-ray powder diffractometry (TDXD) has been performed on compound 1 in order to follow the structural transformations that occur during the heating process.     

New metal complexes with 5-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic acid: Syntheses, structures, electrochemistry and electrocatalysis

Three new coordination polymers {[Cu(HL)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Ag(H₂L)]_n (2), and {[Co(HL)(phen)(H₂O)]·8H₂O}_n (3) [H₃L = 5-(1H-imidazol-4-ylmethyl)aminoisophthalic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The results of X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that complex 1 displays (3, 3)-connected 2D network with (4, 8²) topology, while complexes 2 and 3 have infinite 1D chain structure, in which one of the two carboxylic groups of H₂L⁻/HL²⁻ is uncoordinated. The 2D layers of 1 or the 1D chains of 2 and 3 are further linked together by hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions to form 3D supramolecular frameworks. Moreover, the electrochemical properties of complexes 1 and 2 have been studied by modified glassy carbon electrodes of 1 (Cu-GCE) and 2 (Ag-GCE), and the results indicate that the Cu-GCE and Ag-GCE show one-electron redox peaks. In addition, both Cu-GCE and Ag-GCE have good electrocatalytic activities toward the reduction of H₂O₂ in phosphate buffer (pH 5.5) solution.     

Cd(II)-NCS/NCO complexes of 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole: Single crystal X-ray structure of [Cd(HaaiMe)2(SCN)2]

The reaction of Cd(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O and 1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole [RaaiR′ where R = H (a), Me (b); R′ = Me (1/3/5), Et (2/4/6)] and NH₄NCS/NaNCO in methanol in 1:2:2 mole ratio has afforded [Cd(RaaiR′)₂(NCS)₂] (3, 4) and [Cd(RaaiR′)₂(NCO)₂] (5, 6) complexes. The complexes are characterized by different physicochemical methods and in one case, the structure was confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study for title compounds.     

Synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes with a new bis(macrocycle), 7,7-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]- heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene}

A new bis(macrocycle) ligand, 7,7^′-(2-hydoxypropane-1,3-diyl)-bis{3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene} (HL), and its dicopper(II) ([Cu₂(HL)Cl₂](NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O (4a), [Cu₂(HL)I₂]I₂ · H₂O (4b)) and dinickel(II) ([Ni₂(L)(OH₂)](ClO₄)₃ (5a), [Ni₂(L)(OH₂)]I₃ · 2H₂O (5b), [Ni₂(L)N₃](N₃)₂ · 7H₂O (5c)) complexes have been synthesized. The alkoxide bridged face-to-face structure of the dinickel(II) complex 5c has been revealed by X-ray crystallography, as well as the “half-opened clamshell” form of the bis(macrocyclic) dicopper(II) complex 4b. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies have indicated that there exists intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling (J=−33.8 cm⁻¹ (5a), −32.5 cm⁻¹ (5b), and −29.7 cm⁻¹ (5c)) between the two nickel(II) ions in the nickel(II) complexes.     

Hydrogen-bonded copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes and coordination polymeric structures containing reduced Schiff base ligands

Complexes [Cu(HSas)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃Sas = N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspartic acid) (1), [Cu(HMeSglu)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (H₃MeSglu = (N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-l-glutamic acid) (2), [Cu₂(Smet)₂] (H₂Smet = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-methionine) (3), [Ni(HSas)(H₂O)] (4), [Ni₂(Smet)₂(H₂O)₂] (5), and [Ni(HSapg)₂] (H₂Sapg = (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-aspargine) (6) have been synthesized and characterized by chemical and spectroscopic methods. Structural determination by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed 1D coordination polymeric structures in 2 and 4, and hydrogen-bonded network structure in 5 and 6. In contrast to previously reported coordination compounds with similar ligands, the phenol remains protonated and bonded to the metal ions in 2 and 4, and also probably in 1. However, the phenolic group is non-bonded in 6.     

Conformational flexibility of 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (L) in [(L)Co(H2O)3]Cl2 and [(L)Ni(H2O)2Cl]Cl·H2O. Molecular structures and non-covalent interactions

Using a non-planar tridentate ligand 2,6-bis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (L⁵) two new coordination complexes [(L⁵)Co^II(H₂O)₃]Cl₂ (1) and [(L⁵)Ni^II(H₂O)₂Cl]Cl·H₂O (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 has N₃O₃ distorted octahedral environment around Co^II with coordination by L⁵ (two pyrazole and a pyridine nitrogen in a facial mode) and three water molecules. Complex 2 has N₃O₂Cl distorted octahedral geometry around Ni^II with meridional L⁵ coordination, two water molecules, and a Cl⁻ ion. Analysis of the crystal packing diagram reveals the involvement of solvent (water as metal-coordinated and as solvent of crystallization) and counteranion (Cl⁻) to play significant roles in generating 1D chains, involving O-H···Cl, and O-H···O interactions.     

Coordinative versatility of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L) to different metal ions: syntheses, crystal structures and properties of [Cu(I)L]2 and [ML] (M=Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II))

The complexes of Cu(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) with a new polypyridyl ligand, 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-5,8-dimethoxyquinoxaline (L), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of these complexes have been elucidated by X-ray diffraction analyses and three types of coordination modes for L were found to exist in them. In the dinuclear complex [Cu(I)L(CH₃CN)]₂·(ClO₄)₂ (1), L acts as a tridentate ligand with two Cu(I) centers bridged by two L ligands to form a box-like dimeric structure, in which each Cu(I) ion is penta-coordinated with three nitrogen atoms and a methoxyl oxygen atom of two L ligands, and an acetonitrile. In [Cu(II)L(NO₃)₂]·CH₃CN 2, the Cu(II) center is coordinated to the two nitrogen atoms of the two pyridine rings of L which acts as a bidentate ligand. The structures of [Ni(II)L(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]·2CH₃CN·NO₃ (3), [Zn(II)L(NO₃)₂ (H₂O)]·2CH₃CN (4) and [Co(II)LCl₂(H₂O)] (5) are similar to each other in which L acts as a tridentate ligand by using its half side, and the metal centers are coordinated to a methoxyl oxygen atom and two bipyridine nitrogen atoms of L in the same side. The formation of infinite quasi-one-dimensional chains (1, 4 and 5) or a quasi-two-dimensional sheet (2) assisted by the intra- or intermolecular face-to-face aryl stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds may have stabilized the crystals of these complexes. Luminescence studies showed that 1 exhibits broad, structureless emissions at 420 nm in the solid state and at 450 nm in frozen alcohol frozen glasses at 77 K. Cyclic voltammetric studies of 1 show the presence of an irreversible metal-centered reduction wave at approximately −0.973 V versus Fc^+/0 and a quasi-reversible ligand-centered reduction couple at approximately −1.996 V versus Fc^+/0. The solution behaviors of these complexes have been further studied by UV-Vis and ESR techniques.     

Versatile reaction of the potential host system [(Me3Sn) 4Ru(CN) 6]∞ with 4-thiopyridone/4-mercaptopyridine in water

Single crystals of three derivatives of the structurally still incompletely characterized coordination polymer [(Me₃Sn)₄Ru(CN)₆] 1b have been prepared and subjected to crystallographic studies: [1b · 4H₂O]=2b forms stacks of puckered _∞²[Ru{μ-CNSn(Me₃)NC}₂] sheets interlinked by hydrogen bonds in making use of two additional CNSn(Me₃)OH₂ ligands and quasi-zeolitic water. Mild drying of 2b leads to the “missing link” between 1b and 2b, [1b · 2H₂O], 3b. The structure of [1b · 2tp] (tp=4-thiopyridone) consists of a three-dimensional, negatively charged host framework comprising (via Sn-S bonds) one “aromatic” thione linkage and a [Me₃Sn · tp]⁺guest ion involving a more zwitterionic form of tp. Slow uptake of Me₃SnCl from the gas phase by an aqueous solution of K₄[Ru(CN)₆] and tp afforded the novel assembly [1b · 2H₂O · 0.8pms · 0.2pds] (pms/pds=4,4^′-dipyridylmono-/disulfide), the supramolecular architecture of which resembles that of 2b. Bridging pms or pds molecules occupy equivalent interlayer sites, and the pms/pds ratio is likely to vary. At least three further assemblies containing again 1b and either tp or pds/pms have likewise been isolated, however, not as single crystals.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 2,6-bis[{bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino}methyl]-4-methylphenol

Reaction of the symmetrical proligand H₂L with metal(II) acetate and a counteranion to promote crystallisation has given the homodinuclear complexes [Zn₂L(OAc)₂](BF₄)]·2MeOH and [Ni₂L(OAc)₂](BF₄)]·2MeOH the crystal structures of which are reported. These show the presence of a triply bridging (μ-cresolato)bis(μ-carboxylato) dimetal core.     

Spectral properties and bio-activity of copper(II) clofibriates, part III: crystal structure of Cu(clofibriate)2(2-pyridylmethanol)2, Cu(clofibriate)2(4-pyridylmethanol)2(H2O) dihydrate, and Cu2(clofibriate)4(N,N-diethylnicotinamide)2

New copper(II) clofibriates (clof, {2-(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic or 2-(4-chlorophenoxy)isobutyric acid}) of composition Cu(clof)₂L₂ (where L=2-pyridylmethanol (2-pymeth) (1), N-methylnicotinamide (Menia) (4), N,N-diethylnicotinamide (Et₂nia) (5), isonicotinamide (isonia) (7) or methyl-3-pyridylcarbamate (mpc) (8)), [Cu(clof)₂(4-pymeth)₂(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (4-pymeth=4-pyridylmethanol) (2 · 2H₂O) and Cu(clof)₂L (where L=4-pymeth (3) or Et₂nia (6)) have been prepared and spectroscopically characterized. All the Cu(clof)₂L₂ compounds seem to possess distorted octahedral copper(II) stereochemistry with differing tetragonal distortions. An X-ray analysis of 1 was carried out and it featured a tetragonal-bipyramidal geometry around the copper(II) atom. X-ray analysis of 2 · 2H₂O featured a square-pyramidal geometry around copper(II) atom. Both the Cu(clof)₂L compounds seem to consist of a binuclear unit of tetracarboxylate type bridging. An X-ray analysis of 6 revealed typical binuclear paddle-wheel type structure, consisting of two copper(II) atoms in square-pyramidal geometry bridged by four carboxylate anions in the xy-plane. All complexes under study were characterized by EPR and electronic spectroscopy. The antimicrobial effects have been tested on various strains of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi.     

Spectroscopic and structural studies of 6-(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyridin-2-one and of an unusual T4(2)7(2)6(2)7(2) water tape stabilized by the copper(II) coordination polymer

The solid-state structures of 6-(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)-1H-pyridin-2-one (HL) and the copper(II) complex [Cu(L⁻)₂(OH₂)]·2H₂O (1) are established by X-ray crystallography and also by means of physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The molecules of HL form a self-complementary head-to-tail hydrogen-bonded dimer through C-H?N and C-H?O contacts to give an infinite 1D chain. The copper(II) complex (1) is five-coordinate with distorted trigonal-bipyramidal (TBP) geometry of the N₄O donor atoms. The electronic and EPR data are in agreement with the X-ray structure of 1, showing that HL coordinates to copper(II) centre as a mono-anionic ligand through deprotonated pyridone N atom and the tertiary benzimidazole nitrogen atom to form a neutral complex in which the water molecule occupies the fifth position. The 1D water tape, T4(2)7(2)6(2)7(2) is anchored to the host through hydrogen bonds between coordinated water molecule [O(3w)] as acting double H-donor, pyridone carbonyl groups [O(2) and O(1)] as double H-acceptor and the lattice water molecules [O(4w) and O(5w)] as double H-donor and single H-acceptor).     

Two new supermolecular structures of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds: [Zn(phen)(SO4)(H2O)2]n and [Cu(phen)(H2O)2] · SO4 (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)

Two new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds [Zn(phen)(SO₄)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Cu(phen)(H₂O)₂] · SO₄ (2) have been prepared by conventional aqueous solution synthesis and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and fluorescent spectroscopy. In compound 1, the sulfate group adopts bidentate mode to coordinate with two Zn(II) ions to form one-dimensional polymer. The one-dimensional polymers are further linked together via the intermolecular hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions to form a 3D supramolecular framework. Compound 2 is build up of discrete [Cu(phen)(H₂O]²⁺ cations and SO₄²⁻ anions to form a three-dimensional framework via hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of both 1 and 2 were studied. The complexes 1 and 2 excited at 280 nm wavelength produced characteristic luminescence features, arising maybe due to the π-π transitions.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a tripodal ligand containing imidazoles

Two complexes of the formula [MH₃L](ClO₄)₂ [M = Cu(II) (1), Ni(II) (2)] have been prepared by the reaction of M(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with the ligand (H₃L) formed by the Schiff base condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) with three molar equivalents of 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde and structurally and magnetically characterized. The structures of 1 and 2 are isomorphous with each other and with the iron(II) complex of H₃L which has been reported previously. The ligand, while potentially heptadentate, forms six coordinate complexes with both metal centers forming three M-N_imine and three M-N_imidazole bonds. The tren central N atom is at a nonbonded distance from M of 3.261 Å for 1 and 3.329 Å for 2. The neutral complex CuHL 3 was prepared by reaction of H₃L with Cu(OCH₃)₂ and the ionic complex Na[NiL] 4 was prepared by deprotonation of 2 with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Magnetic measurements of 1-3 are consistent with the spin-only values expected for S = 1/2 (d⁹, Cu(II)) and S = 1 (d⁸, Ni (II)) systems.     

Molecular interactions of zinc(II) cyclams with polycarboxylato ligands

Four new zinc(II) cyclams of the composition {Zn(L)(tp²⁻) · H₂O}_n (1), {Zn(L)(H₂bta²⁻) · 2H₂O}_n (2), [Zn₂(L)₂(ox²⁻)] 2ClO₄ · 2DMF (3), and Zn(L)(H₂btc⁻)₂ · 2DMF (4), where L = cyclam, tp²⁻ = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate ion, H₂bta²⁻ = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate ion, ox²⁻ = oxalate ion, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide, and H₂btc⁻ = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate ion, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by a combination of analytical, spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. The carboxylato ligands in the complexes 1-4 show strong coordination tendencies toward zinc(II) cyclams with hydrogen bonding interactions between the pre-organized N-H groups of the macrocycle and oxygen atoms of the carboxylato ligands. The macrocycles in 1, 2, and 4 adopt trans-III configurations with the appropriate R,R,S,S arrangement of the four chiral nitrogen centers, respectively. However, the complex 3 shows an unusual cis V conformation with the R,R,R,R nitrogen configuration. The finding of strong interactions between the carboxylato ligands and the zinc(II) ions may provide additional knowledge for the improved design of receptor-targeted zinc(II) cyclams in anti-HIV agents.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a salicylatooxovanadium(V) complex of an aminebis(phenolate) ligand: Kinetic studies on its formation from corresponding alkoxo complexes

Synthesis and single crystal X-ray structures of H₂L¹ and VO(L¹)(HL) [H₂L¹ = N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-ditertiarybutyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylendiamine) or simply aminebis(phenol) and H₂L = salicylic acid) are reported here. The complex [VO(L¹)(HL)] is in distorted octahedral geometry under O₄N₂ donor environment where the basal core is defined by O(1), O(3), O(2) and N(5) atoms and two axial coordinates are occupied by O(4), an alkoxo-group and N(1), an imino-nitrogen atom. The electron spray mass spectrometric study on [VO(L¹)(HL)] in MeCN clearly points out the existence of single species in solution. Again, the ⁵¹V NMR of the bulk polycrystalline sample reveals that the complex [VO(L¹)(HL)] mainly exists in three out of four possible isomers. The formation of [VO(L¹)(HL)] from both [VO(L¹)(OMe)] and [VO(L¹)(OEt)] was followed kinetically by reacting with salicylic acid in MeCN. The presence of isosbestic point indicates a clean conversion of the reactants to product.     

Structural analysis and magnetic properties of the copper(II) dicyanamide complexes [Cu2(dmphen)2(dca)4], [Cu(dmphen)(dca)(NO3)]n and [Cu(4,4-dmbpy)(H2O)(dca)2] (dca=dicyanamide; dmphen=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; 4,4-dmbpy=4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine)

The preparation, crystal structures and magnetic properties of three copper(II) compounds of formulae [Cu₂(dmphen)₂(dca)₄] (1), [Cu(dmphen)(dca)(NO₃)]_n (2) and [Cu(4,4^′-dmbpy)(H₂O)(dca)₂] (3) (dmphen=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dca=dicyanamide and 4,4^′-dmbpy=4,4^′-dimethyl-2,2^′-bipyridine) are reported. The structure of 1 consists of discrete copper(II) dinuclear units with double end-to-end dca bridges whereas that of 2 is made up of neutral uniform copper(II) chains with a single symmetrical end-to-end dca bridge. Each copper atom in 1 and 2 is in a distorted square pyramidal environment: two (1) or one (2) nitrile-nitrogen atoms from bridging dca groups, one of the nitrogen atoms of the dmphen molecule (1 and 2) and either one nitrile-nitrogen from a terminal dca ligand (1) or a nitrate-oxygen atom (2) build the equatorial plane whereas the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic dmphen fills the axial position (1 and 2). The copper-copper separations through double (1) and single (2) end-to-end dca bridges are 7.1337(7) (1) and 7.6617(7) (2). Compound 3 is a mononuclear copper(II) complex whose structure contains two neutral and crystallographically independent [Cu(4,4^′-dmbpy)(H₂O)(dca)₂] molecules which are packed in two different layer arrangements running parallel to the bc-plane and alternating along the a-axis. The copper atoms in both molecules have slightly distorted square pyramidal surroundings with the two nitrogen atoms of the 4,4^′-dmbpy ligand and two dca nitrile-nitrogen atoms in the basal plane and a water oxygen in the apical position. A semi co-ordinated dca nitrile-nitrogen from a neighbour unit [2.952(6) Å for Cu(2)-N] is in trans position to the apical water molecule in one of the two molecules, this feature representing part of the difference in supramolecular connections in the alternating layers referred to above. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-290 K reveal the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions through double [J=−3.3 cm⁻¹ (1), ] and single [J=−0.57 cm⁻¹ (2), ] dca bridges and across intermolecular contacts [θ=−0.07 K (3)].     

Mono- and dinuclear manganese(II) complexes derived from the cis/trans isomers of 2,4,5-tris(2-pyridyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazole

Two new manganese(II) complexes, [Mn(L1)(L1H)(ClO₄)(H₂O)][ClO₄]₂·0.5CH₃CN·H₂O (1) [L1 = trans-(±)2-(2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine)] and [Mn₂(μ-L2)₂(H₂O)₃(CH₃CN)₃][ClO₄]₄·2CH₃CN (2) [L2 = cis-(±)2-(2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine)], have been prepared and examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, showing that complex 1 is a mononuclear compound, whereas complex 2 is a dinuclear species. The cis/trans isomers L1 and L2 have similar coordination properties, but behave as bidentate and tridentate chelating ligands, respectively, giving distorted octahedral metal coordination geometries. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the molecular and crystal structures are stabilized by a series of intra- and intermolecular interactions. In both cases extended supramolecular networks are generated, in compound 1 through O-H···O, O-H···N, N-H···O, N-H···N, C-H···O, C-H···N, C-H···π and π···π interactions, and in compound 2 through O-H···O, O-H···N, C-H···O and π···π interactions. The observed structural differences between the two metal complexes might be a consequence of these stabilizing effects.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of chiral Cu(II) and Ag(I) complexes with (S,S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-based N4-donor ligands

Condensation of (S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine with 2 equiv. of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (S,S-1) in 95% yield. Reduction of 1 with an excess of NaBH₄ in MeOH at 50 °C gives N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine (S,S-2) in 90% yield. Reaction of 1 or 2 with 1 equiv. of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O in methanol gives complexes [N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-(S,S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine]CuCl₂ (3) and [Cu(S,S-2)(H₂O)]Cl₂ · H₂O (4), respectively, in good yields. Complex 4 can further react with 1 equiv. of CuCl₂ · 2H₂O in methanol to give [Cu(S,S-2)][CuCl₄] (5) in 75% yield. The rigidity of the ligand coupled with the steric effect of the free anion plays an important role in the formation of the helicates. Treatment of ligand S,S-1 with AgNO₃ induces a polymer helicate {[Ag(S,S-1)][NO₃]}_n (6), while reaction of ligand 2 with AgPF₆ or AgNO₃ in methanol affords a mononuclear single helicate [Ag(S,S-2)][PF₆] (7) or a dinuclear double helicate [Ag₂(S,S-2)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2CH₃OH (8) in good yields, respectively. All compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic data and elemental analyses. Compounds 1, 3-5, 7 and 8 have been further subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The Cu(II) complexes do not show catalytic activity for allylation reaction, in contrast to Ag(I) complexes, but they do show catalytic activity for Henry reaction (nitroaldol reaction) that Ag(I) complexes do not.