Coordination chemistry of pyrazolylbis((alkylthio)methyl)borates: Hybrid nitrogen and sulfur donor ligands

The synthesis of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes supported by chelating borate ligands containing one pyrazole and two thioethers, phenyl(pyrazolyl)bis((alkylthio)methyl)borates, [Ph(pz)Bt^R], is described. The six-coordinate complexes [Ph(pz)Bt]₂M, M = Fe (1Fe), Co (1Co) and Ni (1Ni), form exclusively the cis isomers as confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. Whereas 1Co and 1Ni are high spin, 1Fe exhibits a room temperature magnetic moment, μ_eff = 4.1 μ_B, consistent with spin-crossover behavior. Quantitative analysis of the electronic spectrum of 2Ni leads to a value of D_q = 1086 cm⁻¹, reflective of a ligand field strength somewhat weaker than those imposed by the related tridentate borate ligands Tp or PhTt. Replacement of the methylthioether substituent with the sterically more demanding tert-butylthioether leads to the isolation of [Ph(pz)Bt^tBu]MX, M = Co, X = Cl (2Co); M = Ni, X = Cl (2Ni) or acac (3). The solid state structures of 2Co and 2Ni are chloride-bridged dimers. Additional high-spin cobalt(II) complexes, accessible under distinct preparative conditions, [κ²-Ph(pzH)Bt^tBu] CoCl₂·THF (4) and [κ²-Ph(pz)Bt^tBu]₂Co (5), have been fully characterized.     

Heteroleptic lanthanide terphenyl/tris(pyrazolyl)borate compounds of ytterbium

The synthesis and structural characterization of the two novel unsolvated heteroleptic ytterbium compounds DanipYb(Tp^Me,Me)Cl (1) and DanipYb(Tp^Me,Me)CH₂SiMe₃ (2) by simple salt metathesis reaction is reported [Danip = 2,6-di(o-anisol)phenyl); Tp^Me,Me = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)borate]. In the molecular structure of 2 a flexible bonding mode of the donor-functionalized terphenylic ligand is observed.     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and characterization of heteronuclear complexes based on a versatile ligand with both acetylacetonate and bis(2-pyridyl) units

A new type of multidentate ligand with both acetylacetonate and bis(2-pyridyl) units on the 1,3-dithiole moiety, 3-[2-(dipyridin-2-yl-methylene)-5-methylsulfanyl-[1,3]dithiol-4-ylsulfanyl]-pentane-2, 4-dione (L), has been prepared. Through reactions of the ligand with Re(CO)₅X (X = Cl, Br), new rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes ClRe(CO)₃(L) (2) and BrRe(CO)₃(L) (3), have been obtained. With the use of 2 or 3 as the precursors, the further reactions with (Tp^Ph2)Co(OAc)(Hpz^Ph2) (Tp^Ph2 = hydrotris(3,5-diphenylpyrazol-1-yl)borate); Hpz^Ph2 = 3,5-diphenyl-pyrazole) or M(OAc)₂(M = Mn, Zn), afford four new heteronuclear complexes: ClRe(CO)₃(L)Co(Tp^Ph2) (4), BrRe(CO)₃(L)Co(Tp^Ph2) (5), [ClRe(CO)₃(L)]₂Mn(CH₃OH)₂ (6) and [ClRe(CO)₃(L)]₂Zn(CH₃OH)₂ (7), respectively. Crystal structures of complexes 2 and 4-7 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Their absorption spectra, photoluminescence and magnetic properties have been studied.     

Cobalt complexes bridge with a (μ-X)(μ-carboxylato) unit (X = OH, N3): synthesis and structural studies

By using the hindered tris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand Tp^iPr2 (hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl))borate, both mono- and binuclear complexes of cobalt [Tp^iPr2Co](X) (X = NO₃ and OBz) and [Tp^iPr2Co]₂(μ-X)(μ-OBz) (X = OH, N₃) were synthesized. The nitrato complex, [Tp^iPr2Co](NO₃) (1), which could be converted to (2), was prepared by reaction of KTp^iPr2 with hydrated Co(NO₃)₂ and its molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The dinuclear di(μ-hydroxo) complex, [Tp^iPr2Co]₂(μ-OH)₂ (2), which was obtained by treatment of 1 with aqueous NaOH, reacted with one equivalent of benzoic acid to give the (μ-benzoato)(μ-hydroxo) complex, [Tp^iPr2Co]₂(μ-OH)(μ-OBz) (3). X-ray crystallography shows the presence of both hydroxy and carboxylate group as bridging ligands and both cobalt metals are in five coordination environment in 3. The μ-azido complex, [Tp^iPr2Co]₂(μ-N₃)(μ-OBz) (5), was prepared by reaction of 3 with one equivalent of aqueous sodium azide. The spectroscopic studies suggested μ-1,1-bridging nature of group in this complex. The reaction of 2 with excess amount of benzoic acid resulted in the destruction of the bimetallic core to give the mononuclear carboxylato complex, [Tp^iPr2 Co](OBz) (4), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Zinc(II) complexes based on sterically hindered hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands: Synthesis, reactivity and solid-state structures

The coordination chemistry and reactivity of zinc(II) complexes supported by monoanionic hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands substituted by 3,3,3-mesityl groups (Tp^Ms) and 3,3,5-mesityl groups (Tp^Ms∗) have been investigated. Salt metathesis of ZnCl₂, ZnEt₂, and Zn(OAc)₂ with Tl[Tp^Ms] or Tl[Tp^Ms∗] cleanly afforded the corresponding compounds Tp^MsZnCl (1), Tp^MsZnEt (2), Tp^Ms∗ZnEt (3), and Tp^MsZnOAc (5). Compound 3 slowly disproportionates in benzene solution to afford the bis(ligand) complex (κ²-Tp^Ms∗)₂Zn (4). Acetate complex 5 as well as Tp^MsZnOCOPh (6) and [Tp^Ms∗ZnOAc]₂ (7) were alternatively prepared by acidolysis of the parent ethyl complexes (2, 3) with the corresponding carboxylic acid. No reaction was observed between 2 and 3 and alcohols (ROH; R = Et, iPr, Bn), while salt metathesis reactions of ZnEt(OR) with Tl[Tp^Ms] led to 2 instead of the desired zinc-alkoxide complex. Compounds 1-7 were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, as well as by X-ray diffraction studies for 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7. The former compounds adopt a monomeric structure in the solid state while [Tp^Ms∗ZnOAc]₂ (7) exists as an anti-syn bridged acetate dimer. Complex 4 is four-coordinated, featuring a rare bidentate coordination mode of the Tp^Ms∗ ligands. The results are rationalized in terms of the variable steric constraint around the zinc atom provided by the Tp^Ms and Tp^Ms∗ ligands.     

Synthesis and characterization of sterically hindered tris(pyrazolyl)borate Ni complexes

Addition of KTp^Ph2 to a solution of NiX₂ (X = Cl, Br, NO₃, OAc and acac) or NiBr(NO)(PPh₃)₂ in THF yields the structurally characterized series [NiCl(Hpz^Ph2)Tp^Ph2] (1) and [NiXTp^Ph2] (X = Br 2, NO 3, NO₃4, OAc 5 and acac 6) including the first example of a tris(pyrazolyl)borate nickel nitrosyl complex. IR spectroscopy confirms that all the Tp^Ph2 ligands are κ³ coordinated and that the NO ligand in 3 is linearly bound. Electronic spectra are consistent with four- or five-coordinate species in solution. NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that the complexes are paramagnetic, with the exception of 3. This is confirmed by magnetic susceptibility studies, which suggest that complexes 1, 2 and 4-6 are paramagnetic with two unpaired electrons. X-ray crystallographic studies of 5 reveal a distorted trigonal bipyramidal nickel centre with a symmetrically coordinated acetate ligand.     

Design, Syntheses, and Characterization of a Sterically Encumbered Dioxo Molybdenum (VI) Core

Dioxo-Mo^VI complexes of general formula Tp^∗MoO₂(p-SC₆H₄Dn) (6a-6c) (where Tp^∗ = hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)borate and Dn = dendritic unit) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. ¹H NMR spectra of the metal complexes indicate that the C_s local symmetry about the metal core does not change by the incorporation of dendritic functionality at the thiophenolato ring. Electrochemical data show a ∼20 mV change in the redox potential in the complexes with dendritic ligands suggesting a very small perturbation in the redox orbital, which is also supported by small changes in the electronic spectra. The peak-to peak separation (ΔE_p) increases from 125 mV in 6(a) to 240 mV in 6(c), suggesting sluggish electron transfer in molecules with larger dendritic ligands.     

Bis(O2S2 macrocycle) complexes of palladium(II)

Two isomeric dibenzo-O₂S₂ macrocycles L¹ and L² have been synthesised and their coordination chemistry towards palladium(II) has been investigated. Two-step approaches via reactions of 1:1-type complexes, [cis-Cl₂LPd] (1a: L = L¹, 1b: L = L²), with different O₂S₂ macrocycle systems (L¹ and L²) have led to the isolation of the following bis(O₂S₂ macrocycle) palladium(II) complexes in the solid state: [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) and a mixture of [Pd(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2a) + [Pd(L²)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2b).     

A high-spin Fe(II)/low-spin Fe(III) redox couple featuring the hydro[tris(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)]borate ligand: Synthesis, spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic characterization

The white homoleptic high-spin iron(II) complexes Fe[Tp^Me2,4Cl]₂ (1) was isolated in quantitative yield from reaction mixtures containing 1 equiv of FeCl₂(THF)_1.5 and 2 equiv of K[Tp^Me2,4Cl] (Tp^Me2,4Cl = hydrotris[(4-chloro-3,5-dimethyl-pyrazolyl)]borate). Its purple low-spin iron(III) counterparts 1[O₃SCF₃] and 1[PF₆] were synthesized and isolated in 85% yields upon treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of silver triflate and silver hexafluorophosphate, respectively. The three paramagnetic compounds are air and thermally stable as solids and in solution; they were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ¹H NMR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. In addition, 1[PF₆] was authenticated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The two scorpionate ligands are κ³-N,N′,N′′ ligated to the central Fe^III ion, forming an almost perfect FeN₆ octahedron with an average Fe-N bond distance of 1.9551(18) Å. In addition, complex 1 which oxidizes reversibly at E_1/2 = 0.483 V/SCE (ΔE_p = 94 mV), remains high-spin (S = 2) when the temperature is lowered to 2 K.     

A series of oxo-vanadium(IV) complexes containing mixed ligands of poly(pyrazolyl)borate and organic carboxylic acid: Synthesis, structural characterization and primary study of bromination reaction activities

A series of oxo-vanadium(IV) complexes: Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(CH₃COO) (1), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(CCl₃COO) (2), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(C₆H₅COO) (3), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(m-NO₂-C₆H₄COO)·CH₃CN (4) and [Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(H₂O)]⁺[m-NO₂-C₆H₄-SO₃]⁻·CH₃OH (5) (Tp^∗ = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; pzH^∗ = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) are synthesized in methanol solution under physiological conditions. They are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and X-ray crystallography. Structural analyses show that the vanadium atoms in complexes 1-5 are all in a distorted-octahedral environment with the N₄O₂ donor set, and intra- or inter-hydrogen bonding linkages have been also observed in each complex. Bromination reaction activity of the complexes has been evaluated by the method with phenol red as organic substrate in the presence of H₂O₂, Br⁻ and phosphate buffer, indicating that they can be considered as potential functional model vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases. In addition, thermal analysis and quantum chemistry calculations were also performed and discussed in detail.     

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH)[Ru(bzq)(NCMe)4], [Ru(bzq)(LL)(NCMe)2], and [Ru(bzq)(LL)2] (LL = bpy, phen)

Cyclometalation of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH) by [RuCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-C₆H₆)]₂ in acetonitrile occurs in a similar way to that of 2-phenylpyridine (phpyH) to afford [Ru(bzq)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (3) in 52% yield. The properties of 3 containing ‘non-flexible’ benzo[h]quinoline were compared with the corresponding [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (1) complex with ‘flexible’ 2-phenylpyridine. The [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ complex is known to react in MeCN solvent with ‘non-flexible’ diimine 1,10-phenanthroline to form [Ru(phpy)(phen)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, being unreactive toward ‘flexible’ 2,2′-bipyridine under the same conditions. In contrast, complex 3 reacts both with phen and bpy in MeCN to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (4) and phen (5)}. Similar reaction of 3 in methanol results in the substitution of all four MeCN ligands to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (6) and phen (7)}. Photosolvolysis of 4 and 5 in MeOH occurs similarly to afford [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)(MeOH)]PF₆ as a major product. This contrasts with the behavior of [Ru(phpy)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, which lose one and two MeCN ligands for LL = bpy and phen, respectively. The results reported demonstrate a profound sensitivity of properties of octahedral compounds to the flexibility of cyclometalated ligand. Analogous to the 2-phenylpyridine counterparts, compounds 4-7 are involved in the electron exchange with reduced active site of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger. Structure of complexes 4 and 6 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and characterization of CpMCl(PR3)(S or W-η-butadienesulfonyl) compounds of rhodium and iridium

A metathesis reaction of [Cp^∗MCl₂(PR₃)] [M = Rh, R = Ph (1), Me (3); M = Ir, R = Ph (2), Me (4)] takes place in the presence of potassium butadienesulfinate (SO₂CHCHCHCH₂)K (9) to afford the mononuclear compounds [Cp^∗M(Cl)(PR₃)(η¹-SO₂CHCHCHCH₂)] [M = Rh, R = Ph (11S), (11W); M = Rh, R = Me (13S), (13W)] and [M = Ir, R = Ph (12S); M = Ir, R = Me (14S), (14W)] under different reaction conditions. The addition of PR₃ (R = Ph, Me) to Cp^∗Ir(Cl)[(1,2,5-η)-SO₂CHCHCHCH₂] (7) affords the corresponding iridium isomers 12S, 12W and 14S, in a non-selective reaction, along with the corresponding dichloride compounds 2 or 4. The ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR data are consistent with the butadienesulfonyl ligands coordinated exclusively through the sulfur atom, and they show the presence of two isomers, described as the S and W conformers, which can be isolated separately. There is clear evidence that these isomers correspond to the kinetic and thermodynamic derivatives, respectively.     

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.     

Relating catalytic activity and electrochemical properties: The case of arene-ruthenium phenanthroline complexes catalytically active in transfer hydrogenation

The electrochemical properties of cationic complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(N ∩ N)Cl]Cl (arene/N ∩ N = C₆H₆/1,10-phenanthroline (1), p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ/1,10-phenanthroline (2), C₆Me₆/1,10-phenanthroline (3), C₆Me₆/5-NO₂-1,10-phenanthroline (4), and C₆Me₆/5-NH₂-1,10-phenanthroline (5)) were studied by cyclic voltammetry in order to rationalize catalytic activity in transfer hydrogenation of the respective aqua complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(N ∩ N)(OH₂)](BF₄)₂ (6-10). Complexes 1-5 were chosen because the ‘true’ catalysts 6-10 are unstable under the conditions of the measurement. The electrochemical behaviour of 1-5 in acetonitrile solution is rather complicated due to consecutive and parallel chemical reactions that accompany electron transfer processes. Nonetheless, interpretation of the electrochemical data allowed to assess the influence of the structure and substitution on the redox and catalytic properties: the catalytic ability correlates with the reduction potentials, indicating the decisive role of the η⁶-arene ring directly bonded to the catalytic centre (Ru).     

From infinite tubular arrays to discrete molecules and back: An example of reversible ring-opening polymerization in silver(I)-diphosphazane chemistry

The reaction of AgX with the diphosphazane ligand, PrⁱN(PPh₂)₂ (L) gives the polymeric complexes, [Ag₂(μ-X)₂(μ-L)]_n (X = NO₃1a or OSO₂CF₃1b). Single crystal X-ray analysis of 1a reveals a novel structural motif formed by interlinking of giant 40-membered rings; the diphosphazane ligand L adopts a unique ‘C_s’ geometry. These polymeric complexes exhibit a completely reversible ring-opening polymerization-depolymerization relationship with the dinuclear and mononuclear complexes, [{Ag(μ-L)(X)}₂] (X = NO₃2a, X = OSO₂CF₃2b) and [Ag(κ²-L)₂]X (X = NO₃3a, X = OSO₂CF₃3b).     

Antisymbiosis. Preferential coordination of anionic oxygen versus neutral sulfur donor atoms of methylsulfanyl- or methylsulfinyl-acetato, 2-benzoato and 2-phenolato to the cis-Pt(PPh3)2 and Pt(dppe) residues

The interaction of an excess of the title ligands L⁻ with the cis-Pt(phos)₂ moieties gives compounds a-bcis-[Pt(L-O)₂(phos)₂] (a, phos = P(Ph)₃; b, phos = 1/2 dppe), in which O- is preferred to S-coordination. Such preference is confirmed by the fact that the same products are obtained by reaction of excess of L⁻ with the previously reported a-d complexes [Pt(L-O,S)(phos)₂]⁺, (c, phos = PPh₃, d, phos = 1/2 dppe), for which chelate ring opening occurs with rupture of Pt-S rather than Pt-O bonds. Compound a can be obtained also by oxidative addition of HL to [Pt(PPh₃)₃]. The Pt-O bonds in compounds a-d are stable towards substitution by Me₂SO, pyridine and tetramethylthiourea. Substitution of L’s occurs with N,N′-diethyldithiocarbamate, which forms a very stable chelate with Pt(II). Thiourea and N,N′-dimethylthiourea also react, because they give rise to cyclometallated products [Pt(phos)₂(NRC(S)NHR)]⁺ (R = H, CH₃), with one ionised thioamido group, as revealed by an X-ray investigation of [Pt(PPh₃)₂(NHC(S)NH₂)]⁺. The preference of O versus S coordination, as well as the stability of the Pt-O bonds, are discussed in terms of antisymbiosis.     

Topological control of the spin coupling in dinuclear copper(II) complexes with meta- and para-phenylenediamine bridging ligands

A novel series of copper(II) complexes of formula [Cu(tren)(mpda)](ClO₄)₂ · 1/2H₂O (1), [Cu₂(tren)₂(mpda)](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (2), and [Cu₂(tren)₂(ppda)](ClO₄)₄ · 2H₂O (3) containing the tetradentate tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) terminal ligand and the potentially bridging 1,n-phenylenediamine [n = 3 (mpda) and 4 (ppda)] ligand have been prepared and spectroscopically characterized. X-ray diffraction on single crystals of 1 and 3 show the presence of mono- (1) and dinuclear (3) copper(II) units where the mpda (1) and ppda (3) ligands adopt terminal monodentate (1) and bridging bis(monodentate) (3) coordination modes toward [Cu(tren)]²⁺ cations with an overall non-planar, orthogonal disposition of the phenylene group and the N-Cu-N threefold axis of the trigonal bipyramid of each copper(II) ion [values of the Cu-N-C-C torsion angle (?) in the range of 50.8(3)-79.2(2) (1) and 80.9(2)-86.5(2)° (3)]. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements on the dinuclear complexes 2 and 3 show the occurrence of moderate ferromagnetic (J = +8.3 cm⁻¹, 2) and strong antiferromagnetic (J = −51.4 cm⁻¹, 3) couplings between the two copper(II) ions across the meta- and para-phenylenediamine bridges, leading to S = 1 (2) and S = 0 (3) ground spin states [H = −JS₁ · S₂ with S₁ = S₂ = S_Cu = 1/2]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the triplet (2) and broken-symmetry (BS) singlet (3) ground spin states, support the occurrence of a spin polarization mechanism for the propagation of the exchange interaction through the predominantly π-type orbital pathway of the 1,n-phenylenediamine bridge. Finally, a new magneto-structural correlation between the magnitude of the magnetic coupling (J) and the Cu-N-C-C torsion angle (?) has been found which reveals the role of σ- versus π-type orbital pathways in the modulation of the magnetic coupling for m- and p-phenylenediamine-bridged dicopper(II) complexes.     

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.     

Structural characterization of the coordination behavior of 4,4′-di-methoxy,2,2′-di-ol-benzophenone modified metal alkoxides

For the first time, the coordination behavior of the 4,4′-di-methoxy,2,2′-di-ol-benzophenone (H₂-OBzP) ligand with a series of early transition metal alkoxides (Group 4, 5, and 6) was determined to adopt either the ‘bridging, chelating bridging’ (μ,μ_c-OBzP) or the ‘bichelating bridging’ (μ_c2-OBzP) arrangement. The main products were found to be dimeric with pseudo-octahedral (O_h) bound metal centers. The μ,μ_c-OBzP mode was noted for the larger cations (Hf, Nb, and Ta) and the solvated smallest (Ti/py) whereas the μ_c2-OBzP coordination was observed for the larger Group 4 metal congeners: [(py)(OPrⁱ)₂Ti(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (1), ‘{[(OBu^t)₂Ti(μ-OBu^t)]₂(μ_c2-OBzP)}_n’ (2), [(ONep)₂Ti(μ-ONep)]₂(μ_c2-OBzP) (3), [(OBu^t)₂Zr(μ-OBu^t)]₂(μ_c2-OBzP) (4), [(MeIm)₂(ONep)₂Zr(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (5), [(ONep)₂Zr(μ_c2-OBzP)(μ-ONep)(μ₃-O)Zr(ONep)]₂ (5a), [(OBu^t)₂Hf(μ_c2-OBzP)]₂(6), ‘{[(ONep)₂Hf(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂·py}_n’ (7), ‘{[(OEt)₃Nb(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂}_n’ (8), [(ONep)₃Nb(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (9), [(OEt)₃Ta(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (10), [(ONep)₃Ta(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (11), and [(OEt)₂(O)W(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (12), [(ONep)₂W(O)(μ,μ_c-OBzp)]₂ (13), [(py)(O)₂W(μ,μ_c-OBzP)]₂ (13a), and [(Me₂Al(μ,²μ_c-OBzP)Al(py)₂] (14) where Me = CH₃, OEt = OCH₂CH₃, OPrⁱ = OCHMe₂, OBu^t = OCMe₃, ONep = OCH₂CMe₃, py = pyridine, MeIm = 1-methyl imidazole, and ²μ_c-refers to the chelation occurs on the same metal. Compounds 2, 7, and 8 are represented by quotation marks since they could not be crystallographically characterized, however, their structural arrangements were deduced from the FTIR spectroscopic data. The coordination mode of the OBzP ligand for 1-13 appears to be driven by the need to fill the O_h geometry, which is achieved by either binding solvent molecules or additional bridging ligands, dictated by the charge and size of the cations employed. The metal alkyl alkoxide compound 14 employs a unique μ,²μ_c-OBzP mode, yielding a +2/+4 charge separated molecular Al complex.     

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of trimethylplatinum(IV) complexes with 2-thiocytosine and 1-methyl-2-thiocytosine ligands

The reaction of [PtMe₃(MeOH)(bpy)][BF₄] (1) with the thionucleobases 2-thiocytosine (SCy, 2) and 1-methyl-2-thiocytosine (1-MeSCy, 3) resulted in the formation of the complexes [PtMe₃(bpy)(SCy-κS)][BF₄] (4) and [PtMe₃(bpy)(1-MeSCy-κS)] [BF₄] (5), respectively. The complexes were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray analyses of 4 · MeOH and 5. In 4 · MeOH two strong hydrogen bonds (N4-H?N3′: N4?N3′ 2.976(7) Å) between the thiocytosine ligands give rise to base pairing thus forming dinuclear cations [{PtMe₃(bpy)(SCy-κS)}₂]²⁺. In both complexes the platinum atom is octahedrally coordinated [PtC₃N₂S] by three methyl ligands, the 2,2′-bipyridine ligand and the κS coordinated nucleobase (configuration index: OC-6-33). The structural investigations gave evidence that the sulfur atoms of the nucleobase ligands in 4 · MeOH and 5 have to be regarded as sp³ and sp² hybridized, respectively. Thus, the ligand in 4 · MeOH has to be considered as the deprotonated thiol-amino form of thiocytosine being reprotonated at N1. In complex 5 the 1-MeSCy is coordinated in its thione-amino form. DFT-calculations of the base-paired dinuclear cation in 4 as well as of 4 itself gave proof of the strength of the hydrogen bond (8.5 kcal/mol) and exhibited that cation-anion interactions influence the conformation of the complex. In vitro cytotoxicity studies of 4 and 5 using nine different human tumor cell lines revealed moderate cytotoxic activity.