Uranyl(VI), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes derived from a new compartmental ligand

A new heptadentate compartmental ligand has been synthesized by condensation of 3-formylsalicylic acid and 1,5-diamino-3-thiapentane in methanol (H₄L_a). This Schiff base contains an inner N₂SO₂ and an outer O₂O₂ site and gives, by reaction with copper(II), nickel(II) and uranyl(VI) diacetate, mononuclear, homo- and heterobinuclear complexes. In the mononuclear copper and nickel complexes, the metal ion is in the inner N₂SO₂ site, while it is in the outer O₂O₂ for uranyl; a solvent molecule fills the fifth equatorial coordination position in this last complex. The physico-chemical properties of the compounds are discusscd on the basis of infrared, electronic and magnetic data and by comparison with the analogous complexes with the ligand obtained by reaction of 3- formylsalicylic acid and diethylenetriamine (H₄L_b). The mononuclear copper and the heterodinuclear copper-uranyl complexes show anomalously low magnetic moments.     

Preparation and properties of mono, homo- and heterobinuclear complexes with a new heptadentate Schiff base ligand

A new heptadentate Schiff base, containing an inner N₃O₂ and an outer O₂O₂ site, has been obtained by the reaction of 3-formylsalicylic acid and diethylenetriamine. By reaction of this ligand with copper(II), nickel(II) or uranyl(VI) salts, mononuclear and dinuclear complexes have been synthesized. The mononuclear complexes can act as ligands towards a second metal ion giving rise to homodinuclear or heterodinuclear complexes. The enlargement of the inner coordination chamber allows the synthesis of dinuclear uranyl(VI) species, impossible to obtain with the inner N₂O₂ site of the ligands previously employed. The equatorial pentacoordination of the UO₂²⁺ group in the outer O₂O₂ chamber is reached with the coordination of a solvent molecule to the central metal ion. The electrochemical behaviour of some complexes prepared is also reported.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear complexes derived from new potentially heptadentate acyclic Schiff bases

New potentially heptadentate compartmental ligands have been prepared by reaction of o-acetoacetylphenol or 3-formylsalycilic acid with diethylenetriamine or bis-3-aminopropyl-phenylphosphine.These Schiff bases contain an inner O₂N₂X (X = N, P) and an outer O₂O₂ coordination site which can bond, in close proximity, two similar or dissimilar metal ions.With some metal salts (nickel(II), copper(II) and uranyl(VI) acetates) mononuclear, homo- and heterodinuclear complexes have been synthesized. The spectroscopic, magnetic and electrochemical properties of these complexes have been studied. The catalytic activity of a binuclear copper(II) complex towards the oxidation of 3,5-di-t-butylcatechol to the corresponding quinone was also investigated.     

Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structures of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes with potentially hexadentate Schiff base ligands

Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of potentially N₂O₄ Schiff base ligands 2-({[2-(2-{2-[(1-{2-hydroxy-5-[2-phenyl-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino] phenoxy}ethoxy) phenyl]imino}methyl)4-[2-phenyl-1-diazenyl]phenol (H₂L¹) and 2-({[2-(4-{2-[(1-{2-hydroxy-5-[2-phenyl-1-diazenyl]phenyl}methylidene)amino] phenoxy}butoxy) phenyl]imino}methyl)4-[2-phenyl-1-diazenyl]phenol (H₂L²) prepared of 5-phenylazo salicylaldehyde (1) and two various diamines 2-[2-(2-aminophenoxy)ethoxy]aniline (2) and 2-[4-(2-aminophenoxy)butoxy]aniline (3) were synthesized and characterized by a variety of physico-chemical techniques. The single-crystal X-ray diffractions are reported for CuL¹ and NiL². The CuL¹ complex contains copper(II) in a near square-planar environment of N₂O₂ donors. The NiL² complex contains nickel(II) in a distorted octahedral geometry coordination of N₂O₄ donors. In all complexes, H₂L¹ behaves as a tetradentate and H₂L² acts as a hexadentate ligand. Cyclic voltammetry of copper(II) complexes indicate a quasi-reversible redox wave in the negative potential range.     

Sterically-controlled nuclearity in new copper(II) complexes with di-compartmental ligands: Formation of antiferromagnetically coupled angular trimer and mononuclear inclusion complex

Two new copper(II) complexes, [Cu₃(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [CuL²⊂ (H₂O)] (2) have been derived from two di-compartmental Schiff base ligands H₂L¹ and H₂L², respectively. Depending on slight modification of the substituent group of the potentially N₂O₄ donor ligands, tri- and mononuclear structures are obtained, which have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Both complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis and EPR spectroscopy. Complex 1 consists of an angular trinuclear array of copper ions, while complex 2 consists of a mononuclear copper center. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements have been performed to investigate the magnetic behaviour of complex 1 and the result indicates a strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = −120.1(2) cm⁻¹) between the adjacent copper(II) centers through two double μ₂-phenoxo bridges. Complex 2 is a mononuclear inclusion compound encapsulating one water molecule in the vacant external compartment of the ligand through hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy and magnetism of novel metal complexes of 3-aminoflavone (3-af). X-ray crystal structure of 3-af and [Cu(3-af)2(NO3)2]

The synthesis and characterization of four new complexes with the bioactive ligand 3-aminoflavone (3-af) are reported. The complexes of general formula [M(3-af)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ · nH₂O], where M = Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II), and n = 0, 2, 0, respectively, and [Cu(3-af)₂(NO₃)₂] compound were prepared and studied. In particular, to investigate the binding in detail, the crystal structures of the free ligand (3-af) and [Cu(3-af)₂(NO₃)₂] (1) were determined. The new coordination compounds were identified and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic measurements, and infrared and ligand-field spectra. The crystal structure of the Cu(II) complex reveals that the ligand acts as a N,O-bidentate chelate ligand forming a five-membered ring with the copper(II) ion. The copper(II) ion is octahedrally surrounded by the two amino nitrogens and two carbonyl oxygens from two chelating organic ligands in trans arrangement. Two molecules of coordinated nitrate anions occupy axial positions. The spectral and magnetic properties are in accordance with the structural data of the copper(II) compound. From X-ray powder-diffraction patterns and IR spectra, the complexes of nickel(II) (2) and cobalt(II) (3) were found to be mutually isomorphous. The results of the spectroscopic studies suggest a mononuclear structure of 2 and 3 complexes. The variable-temperature (1.8-300 K) magnetic susceptibility data of 2 indicate a weak ferromagnetic interaction. The magnetic behavior of complex 3 is characteristic of cobalt(II) systems with an important orbital contribution via spin-orbit-coupling and also suggests a weak ferromagnetic interaction.     

Structure, solution equilibria and magnetic properties of copper(II) complexes with new sulfurated triazoline derivatives of α-amino acids

Two new sulfurated triazoline ligands have been synthesized by functionalization of glycine and l-alanine (HL¹ and HL², respectively) at the carboxylate site with retention of chirality in the latter case. The ligands and their copper(II) complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound [Cu(H₂L²)₂](H₅O₂)(SO₄)₂(HSO₄) presents a very disordered structure with regard to the anionic counterion and a very unusual elongated crystal cell. In all the complexes the ligands are (N,S) coordinated to copper(II), while the amino groups remain protonated and uncoordinated. The ligands have also been studied in solution and their dissociation constants were determined both by potentiometry and ¹H NMR titrations. Potentiometric studies on the complex [Cu(H₂L²)₂](H₅O₂)(SO₄)₂(HSO₄) were performed to determine the dissociation constants of the ligand once coordinated to the metal. The complex [CuCl₂(H₂L¹)]Cl was studied also by magnetic susceptibility measurements, showing an interesting antiferromagnetic behavior at low temperature which has been interpreted on the basis of its crystal packing.     

Mononuclear Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes of some potentially binucleating Schiff base ligands

Mononuclear Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes have been prepared from two new Schiff base ligands in which two alternative co-ordination sites (N₂O₂ or O₂O₂) occur. The first ligands is the Schiff base derived from 1,2-diaminobenzene and 2-hydroxy-3-carboxyl-1-napthaldehyde (bopaH₄). The complexes of this ligand contain the metal ions in the N₂O₂ coordination site as a result of the steric requirements of the co-ordinated ligand. The second ligand series are derivatives of X-substituted 1,2-diaminobenzenes, 2-hydroxy-3-carboxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 2-hydroxy-5-methyl isophthaldehyde (X-bolaH₃). In this case Ni(II) occupies the N₂O₂ site in its complexes with the X-bolaH₃ ligands, whereas the Zn(II) complexes are co-ordinate through the O₂O₂ site since the steric restrictions are less severe.     

Interaction of copper(II) and nickel(II) with a bis-amide ligand functionalized with pyridine moieties: Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies in aqueous solution

We synthesized a new bis-amide ligand derived from the l(+)-tartaric acid. We then determined its protonation constants and the stability constants of the copper(II) and nickel(II) chelates by potentiometry as well as ESI-MS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. We found that both metal ions are able to induce the deprotonation and the coordination of an amide nitrogen donor atom. In the case of copper complexes, the data show the formation of two major species: Cu₂(L₂H₋₃)⁺ and Cu₂(LH₋₄). EPR and XAS experiments led us to precise the relative structure of these compounds. In Cu₂(L₂H₋₃)⁺, each metal center is coordinated by pyridinic and amidic nitrogen atoms of one ligand and by nitrogen and oxygen atoms from pyridine and hydroxyl moieties from the other one. In Cu₂(LH₋₄), the copper centers are coordinated by pyridinic and amidic nitrogen atoms, as well as a deprotonated hydroxyl group of the ligand. In this latter complex, the lower value of the Cu-Cu distance determined from EXAFS experiments and compared to the one of the solid species likely involve the formation of an exogeneous hydroxyl bridge between the two copper centers. With Ni(II) ions, the only one major species is the mononuclear Ni(LH₋₂) complex, in which Ni(II) is held in an octahedral environment with the metal center chelated by the two pyridinic and the two amidic nitrogen atoms, and two oxygen atoms from water molecules.     

Dinuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with indolecarboxamide ligand: Synthesis, structure and properties

A potential tetradentate indolecarboxamide ligand, H₄L³ is synthesized and investigated for its coordination abilities towards Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions. Two H₄L³ ligands in their tetra-deprotonated form [L³]⁴⁻, were found to coordinate two metal centers resulting in the formation of [Ni₂(L³)₂]⁴⁻ (5) and [Cu₂(L³)₂]⁴⁻ (6) complexes. The crystal structure of 6 displays the formation of a dinuclear structure where two fully deprotonated ligands, [L³]⁴⁻ hold two copper(II) ions together. Even more interesting is the fact that both deprotonated ligands, [L³]⁴⁻ coordinate the copper ions in an identical and symmetrical fashion. The Na⁺ cations present in the complex 6 stitch together the dinuclear units resulting in the formation of a coordination chain polymer. Four sodium ions connect two dinuclear units via interacting with the O_amide groups. Further, Na⁺ cations were found to coordinate several DMF molecules; some of them are terminal and a few are bridging in nature. The solution state structure (determined by the NMR spectral analysis) of the diamagnetic complex 5 also supported the fact that two deprotonated ligands, coordinate two nickel ions in an identical and symmetrical fashion. Absorption spectral studies reveal that the solid-state square-planar geometry is retained in solution and both complexes do not show any tendency to coordinate potential axial ligands. The variable-temperature magnetic measurements and EPR spectra indicate spin-spin exchange between two copper centers in complex 6. The electrochemical results for both complexes show three irreversible oxidative responses that correspond to the oxidation of first and second metal ion followed by the ligand oxidation, respectively.     

Mononuclear nickel and copper complexes with indolecarboxamide ligands: Synthesis, properties and electrochemistry

Few nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes have been prepared with three new indolecarboxamide ligands (H₄L³, H₄L⁴ and H₄L⁵) offering two N_amide and two N_indole donor sites to the metal center. The ligands carry electron-donating (-CH₃); -H; and electron-withdrawing (-Cl) substituents on the phenylene backbone to evaluate their effect on the structure and redox properties of the metal complexes. One of the representative nickel complexes has been structurally characterized and reveals that the ligand create a distorted square-planar geometry around the metal center. The electrochemical results suggest that the Ni^3+/2+ and Cu^3+/2+ redox couple primarily depends on the tetra-anionic N₄ donors; however, the electronic substituents shift the redox potentials by 285 mV. The observed M^3+/2+ redox potentials (0.007-0.30 V versus SCE) for these complexes are considerably on lower side due to strong σ-donation from the tetra-deprotonated form of the indolecarboxamide ligands. Based on the redox investigations, the transient M³⁺ species were generated electrochemically and characterized by the absorption spectroscopy.     

Theoretical,in Vitro Antiproliferative,and in Silico Molecular Docking and Pharmacokinetics Studies of Heteroleptic Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Complexes of Thiosemicarbazone-Based Ligands and Pefloxacin

Twelve new heteroleptic nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of the type [M(L^1–6)(Pfx)₂] ( 1 – 12 ), where L^1–6=2-benzylidenehydrazinecarbothioamide (L¹), 2-benzylidene-N-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L²), 2-benzylidene-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L³), 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)hydrazinecarbothioamide (L⁴), 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)-N-methylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L⁵) and 2-(4-methylbenzylidene)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L⁶), Pfx=pefloxacin and M=Ni(II) or Cu(II) have been synthesised, and their structures were confirmed by different spectral techniques. The spectral data and density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported the bonding of pefloxacin drug molecule via one of the carboxylate oxygen atoms and the pyridone oxygen atom, and the thiosemicarbazone ligand via the imine nitrogen and the thione sulfur atoms with the metal(II) ion, forming distorted octahedral geometry. In vitro antiproliferative activity of the synthesized complexes was evaluated against three human breast cancer (T47D, estrogen negative (MDA-MB-231) and estrogen positive (MCF-7)) as well as non-tumorigenic human breast epithelial (MCF-10a) cell lines, which showed the higher activity for the copper(II) complexes. The interaction of the synthesized complexes with an oncogenic protein H-ras (121 p) was explored by in silico molecular docking studies. Further, in silico pharmacokinetics and ADMET parameters were also analysed to predict the drug-likeness as well as non-toxic and non-carcinogenic behavior, and safe oral administration of the complexes.     

Studies of copper(II) and nickel(II) complexation by bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands containing alkene and alkyne bridging groups

The copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of three new 1,2-bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands containing unsaturated four carbon bridging groups is studied by continuous variation UV-Vis spectroscopic and pH potentiometric equilibrium experiments. The cis-butene-2 (L_C) linked ligand may form monomeric MN₆-type complexes while the trans-butene-2 (L_T) and butyne-2 (L_Y) ligands are prevented by their stereochemistry from forming monomeric complexes and form oligomeric complexes. It is determined that the stability of the CuL_C²⁺ complex is not appreciably different from the oligomeric complexes of L_T and L_Y. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations are made on three square pyramidal Cu₂L⁴⁺ complexes: [Cu₂L_CCl₄] (1), [Cu₂L_YCl₄] (2), and [Cu₂L_T(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (3). The structure of [Ni₂(L_C)₂](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (4) is a binuclear dimer that contains two nickel(II) ions sandwiched between two ligands, indicating that bis([9]aneN₃) ligands with four linker atom chains may form either monomeric or oligomeric structures.     

Synthesis, characterization, thermal behavior, and DNA-cleaving studies of cyano-bridged nickel(II)-copper(II) complexes of 4-(pyridin-2-ylazenyl)resorcinol

We present here the syntheses of a mononuclear Cu^II complex and two polynuclear Cu^II Ni^II complexes of the azenyl ligand, 4‐(pyridin‐2‐ylazenyl)resorcinol (HL; 1). The reaction of HL ( 1 ) and copper(II) perchlorate with KCN gave a mononuclear complex [CuL(CN)] ( 4 ). Using 4 , one pentanuclear complex, [{CuL(NC)}₄Ni](ClO₄)₂ ( 5 ) and one trinuclear complex, [{CuL(CN)}₂NiL]ClO₄ ( 6 ), were prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, IR, and thermal analysis. Stoichiometric and spectral results of the mononuclear Cu^II complex indicated that the metal/ligand/CN ratio was 1 : 1 : 1, and the ligand behaved as a tridentate ligand forming neutral metal chelates through the pyridinyl and azenyl N‐, and resorcinol O‐atom. The interaction between the compounds (the ligand 1 , its Ni^II and Cu^II complexes without CN, i.e., 2 and 3 , and its complexes with CN, 4 – 6 ) and DNA has also been investigated by agarose gel electrophoresis. The pentanuclear Cu₄Ni complex ( 5 ) with H₂O₂ as a co‐oxidant exhibited the strongest DNA‐cleaving activity.     

N-(2-Pyridyl)acetamide complexes of palladium(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II)

N-(2-Pyridyl)acetamide (aapH) complexes of palladium(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) have been studied by means of magnetic susceptibilities, and infrared, electronic, and PMR spectra. In the octahedral complexes M(aapH)₂X₂(M = Co, Ni, Cu; X = Cl, Br, NCS, NO₃), bidentate aapH is chelated through the pyridine-N and amid-O atomes, whereas in the square-planar Pd(aapH)₂X₂ (X = Cl, Br) unidentate aapH is coordinated through the pyridine-N atom alone. Under alkaline conditions aapH is deprotonated in the presence of palladium(II) to form Pd(aap)₂·4H₂O, aap being an anionic bidentate ligand and chelating through the pyridine-N and amide-O atoms.     

Synthesis,DNA/BSA binding studies and in vitro biological assay of nickel(II) complexes incorporating tridentate aroylhydrazone and triphenylphosphine ligands

Abstract

Two new nickel (II) triphenylphosphine complexes derived from tridentate aroylhydrazone ligands [H₂L¹ = 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazone and H₂L² = N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone] and triphenylphosphine were prepared and their molecular structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Both nickel(II) complexes showed slightly distorted square planar geometry with one tridentate aroylhydrazone ligand coordinated through ONO donor atoms and one triphenylphosphine ligand coordinated to the nickel center through the phosphorus atom. DNA interaction studies indicated that both complexes possessed higher affinity to herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) than the corresponding free aroylhydrazone ligand. Molecular docking investigations showed that both complexes could bind to DNA through intercalation of the phenyl rings between adjacent base pairs in the double helix. Meanwhile, bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding studies revealed the complexes could effectively interact with BSA and change the secondary structure of BSA. Further pharmacological evaluations of the synthesized complexes by in vitro antioxidant assays demonstrated high antioxidant activity against NO· and O₂˙^? radicals. The anticancer activity of each complex was assessed through in vitro cytotoxicity assays (CCK-8 kit) toward A549 and MCF-7 cancer cell and normal L-02 cell lines. Significantly, the Ni(II) complex derived from H₂L¹ ligand was found to be more effective cytotoxic toward MCF-7cancerous cell with the IC₅₀ value equaled 9.7?μM, which showed potent cytotoxic activity over standard drug cisplatin.

Abbreviations A549 human lung carcinoma cell

BSA bovine serum albumin

CCK-8 Cell Counting Kit-8

DFT density functional theory

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid

DPPH˙ 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

H₂L¹ 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazone N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone

H₂L² N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzoylhydrazone

HOMO highest occupied molecular orbital

IC₅₀ the 50% activity

L-02 human normal liver cell

LOMO lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)

MCF-7 human breast carcinoma cell

NO˙ nitric oxide

O₂˙^? superoxide anion

SOD superoxide dismutase

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Synthesis and structures of morpholine substituted new vic-dioxime ligand and its Ni(II) complexes

N,N^′-bis[4-(2-aminoethyl)morpholino]glyoxime (H₂L) (Fig. 1), has been prepared in various yields using three different methods. The most efficient of these methods is the technique of microwave irradiation. The crystal structures of H₂L, and of two nickel(II) complexes 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Both nickel(II) complexes have a metal-ligand ratio of 1:2 in which the ligand coordinates through the two nitrogen atoms as do most vic-dioximes. The nickel(II) complexes are either hydrogen (1) or boron diphenyl bridged (2). Complex 1 was synthesized by reacting H₂L with nickel(II) chloride in refluxing ethanol. Complex 2 was prepared at room temperature in an ethanol solution containing excess NaBPh₄. Elemental analyses, NMR(¹H, ¹³C), IR and mass data are also presented.     

Structural and equilibrium studies on mixed ligand complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid and typical N, N donor ligands

Mixed ligand complexes: [Co(L)(bipy)] · 3H₂O (1), [Ni(L)(phen)] · H₂O (2), [Cu(L)(phen)] · 3H₂O (3) and [Zn(L)(bipy)] · 3H₂O (4), where L²⁻ = two -COOH deprotonated dianion of N-(2-benzimidazolyl)methyliminodiacetic acid (H₂bzimida, hereafter, H₂L), bipy = 2,2′ bipyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, spectral and magnetic measurements and thermal studies. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show octahedral geometry for 1, 2 and 4 and square pyramidal geometry for 3. Equilibrium studies in aqueous solution (ionic strength I = 10⁻¹ mol dm⁻³ (NaNO₃), at 25 ± 1 °C) using different molar proportions of M(II):H₂L:B, where M = Co, Ni, Cu and Zn and B = phen, bipy and en (ethylene diamine), however, provides evidence of formation of mononuclear and binuclear binary and mixed ligand complexes: M(L), M(H₋₁L)⁻, M(B)²⁺, M(L)(B), M(H₋₁L)(B)⁻, M₂(H₋₁L)(OH), (B)M(H₋₁L)M(B)⁺, where H₋₁L³⁻ represents two -COOH and the benzimidazole N₁-H deprotonated quadridentate (O⁻, N, O⁻, N), or, quinquedentate (O⁻, N, O⁻, N, N⁻) function of the coordinated ligand H₂L. Binuclear mixed ligand complex formation equilibria: M(L)(B) + M(B)²⁺ ? (B)M(H₋₁L)M(B)⁺ + H⁺ is favoured with higher π-acidity of the B ligands. For Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II), these equilibria are accompanied by blue shift of the electronic absorption maxima of M(II) ions, as a negatively charged bridging benzimidazolate moiety provides stronger ligand field than a neutral one. Solution stability of the mixed ligand complexes are in the expected order: Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II). The Δ log K_M values are less negetive than their statistical values, indicating favoured formation of the mixed ligand complexes over the binary ones.     

Phloroglucinol-bridged trinuclear complexes with three paramagnetic octahedral nickel(II) ions: Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Three new C₃-symmetric tritopic ligands with a central phloroglucinol bridging unit have been synthesized and characterized. The ligands are accessible through Schiff-base condensation of 2,4,6-triformylphloroglucinol with 2-aminomethylpyridine (H₃tfpg-ampy), N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-ethylenediamine (H₃tfpg-unspenp), and benzhydrazide (H₆tfpg-bhy). These ligands differ in nature and number of the donor atoms within the resulting binding pockets. Based on these ligands the synthesis of the first trinuclear phloroglucinol-bridged nickel(II) complexes with three octahedrally coordinated nickel centers is reported. The ligands H₃tfpg-ampy and H₆tfpg-bhy, which provide tridentate binding pockets, react with nickel(II) perchlorate in the presence of bis(pyridin-2-ylethyl)-amine (bpea) as an additional tridentate capping ligand leading to the formation of the trinuclear complexes [Ni₃(tfpg-ampy)(bpea)₃](ClO₄)₃ and [Ni₃(tfpg-bhy)(bpea)₃](ClO₄)₃, respectively. Due to the pentadentate binding pocket in ligand H₃tfpg-unspenp, no additional coligand is needed and a water molecule occupies the sixth coordination site at the nickel(II) ion resulting in the complex [Ni₃(tfpg-unspenp)(H₂O)₃](ClO₄)₃. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements reveal overall weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear complex together with a rather strong zero-field splitting (ZFS) for the nickel(II) ions. The observed isotropic coupling constants for the three complexes are in the range of 0.14 < − J < 0.37 cm⁻¹, whereas for the zero-field splitting parameter ∣D∣ values between 1.8 and 5.5 cm⁻¹ are found. This is indicative for competitive spin-polarization and superexchange mechanisms, with the latter prevailing the interaction between the nickel(II) ions through the meta-phenylene-linkage for the complexes reported.     

Molecular movements inside [1+1] asymmetric compartmental macrocycles: Formation of positional mononuclear and hetero-dinuclear lanthanide(III) isomers and related homo-dinuclear complexes

The mononuclear macrocyclic lanthanide(III) complexes, [Ln(H₂L)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ (Ln = Y, La, Ce, Cu, Tb, Yb, Lu; H₂L = H₂L_A, H₂L_B, H₂L_C) were prepared by condensation 3,3′-(3,6-dioxaoctane-1,8-diyldioxy)bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) or 3,3′-(3-oxapentane-1,5-diyldioxy)bis(2-hydroxybenzaldehyde) with 1,5-diamino-3-azamethylpentane or 1,7-diamino-3-azamethylheptane in the presence of LnCl₃ · nH₂O as templating agent. The asymmetric [1+1] ligands H₂L_A, H₂L_B and H₂L_C contain one smaller or larger N₃O₂ Schiff base site and one crown-ether like O₂O₄ or O₂O₃ site. The preference of the lanthanide ion to reside into the Schiff base or the crown-ether like chamber was investigated in the solid state and in methanol or dimethylsulfoxide solution. It was found that in the solid state or in methanol the lanthanide(III) ion coordinates into the O₂O_n site while in dimethylsulfoxide demetalation and partial metal ion migration from the O₂O_n into the N₃O₂ chamber occur. The mononuclear lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln(H₂L)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ with the Ln³⁺ ion in the O₂O_n site have been used as ligands in the synthesis of the heterodinuclear complexes LnLn′(L)(Cl)₄ · 4H₂O by reaction with the appropriate Ln′(III) chloride in methanol and in the presence of base. The related homodinuclear complexes Ln₂(L)(Cl)₄ · 4H₂O have been prepared by the one-pot condensation of the appropriate precursors in the presence of base and of the lanthanide(III) ion as templating agent.The single-crystal X-ray structure of [Eu(H₂L_A)(H₂O)₄]Cl₃ · 5H₂O has been determined. The europium ion is nine-coordinated in the O₂O₃ ligand site and bonded to four water molecules and the coordination polyhedron can be described as a square monocapped antiprism.The site occupancy of the different lanthanide(III) ions and the physico-chemical properties arising from the different dinuclear aggregation and/or from the variation of the crown-ether shape have been investigated by IR and NMR spectroscopy, MS spectrometry and SEM-EDS microscopy. In particular, site migration and/or transmetalation reactions, together with demetalation reactions, have been monitored by NMR studies in methanol and dimethylsulfoxide. It was found that these processes strongly depend on the shape of the two coordination chambers, the solvent used and the radius of the lanthanide(III) ions. Thus, these molecular movements can be tuned by changing appropriately these parameters.