The versatile coordination chemistry of tricyanoethenolate, [(NC)2C=C(CN)O]

The reaction of meso-tetrakis (4-dimethoxyphenyl) porphinatomanganese(II), MnTP_OMeP, with TCNE (TCNE = tetracyanoethylene) leads to the formation of [MnTP_OMeP]⁺ [TCNE]⁻ and [MnTP_OMeP]⁺[OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻. The single-crystal X-ray structures of the latter as well as [Cu(bipy)₂Cl]⁺ [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ were determined. The former has a disordered [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ bridging via C and O between a pair of Mn^III sites, whereas the latter has an isolated [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ unbound to Cu^II. The IR characterization for μ₂-C,O bound [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ is at 2219m and 2196s (νCN) cm⁻¹ and at 1558s (νCO) cm⁻¹ while for unbound [OC(CN)C(CN)₂]⁻ it is at 2210m, 2203m, 2181m (νCN) cm⁻¹ and at 1583s (νCO) cm⁻¹.     

Characterization of a dinuclear Mn(II) tri(μ-carboxylato) complex with the hindered hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (=TpPr2) ligand: intramolecular hydrogen bonding interaction between the protonated TpPr2 and Mn-coordinating carboxylate ligands

A dinuclear Mn(II) di(μ-hydroxo) complex having hydrotris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate (=Tp^iPr₂) reacted with benzoic acid to yield a dinuclear Mn(II) tri(μ-carboxylato) complex, Tp^iPr₂Mn-(μ-OBz)₃-Mn(Tp^iPr₂H). X-ray crystallography reveals the unsymmetrical coordination environments for the manganese centers. One of the two Tp^iPr₂ ligands, which bound to the five-coordinated Mn center, is protonated by the action of the third carboxylic acid and the resulting non-Mn-binding N–H moiety forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with the oxygen donor of a carboxylate ligand. Steric congestion in the bimetallic core results in the large separation of the manganese centers bridged by the syn-anti carboxylate ligand.     

Catalytic and electrochemical properties of new manganese(III) compounds of 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline (Hphox or HClphox). Molecular structures of [Mn(Clphox)2(MeOH)2](ClO4) and [Mn(phox)2(MeOH)2][Mn(phox)2(ClO4)2](H2O)2

New manganese(III) complexes of Hphox (2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) and HClphox (2-(5′-chloro-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-oxazoline) have been synthesised. The X-ray structures of [Mn(phox)₂(MeOH)₂][Mn(phox)₂(ClO₄)₂](H₂O)₂ and [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) show the manganese(III) ions to be octahedrally coordinated with methanol or perchlorate at the axial coordination sites. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes, with the exception of [Mn(phox)₂(acac)] (Hacac=2,4-pentanedione), show an irreversible reduction wave of manganese(III) to manganese(II). After addition of an excess of 1-methylimidazole (1-Meim), the reduction process shifts towards lower potentials and becomes (quasi-) reversible, indicating that the presence of 1-Meim affects the catalytic efficiency of the complexes. The complexes catalyse the epoxidation of styrene by dihydrogen peroxide. The cumulative turnover numbers towards styrene oxide obtained after 15 min. vary from 16 for [Mn(Clphox)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄) to 26 for [Mn(phox)₂(acac)]. Ligand degradation appears to be the limiting factor for obtaining higher turnover numbers.     

Carbonylmolybdenum complexes with di(imino)pyridine and related ligands: Reduction of a di(imino)pyridine to an aminoiminopyridine system under mild conditions

The reactions of [Mo(CO)₆] towards a 2,6-di(imino)pyridine L¹ and related ligands were studied. The reaction with L¹ afforded two new complexes, [Mo(CO)₄L¹] (1) and [Mo(CO)₄L²] (2), where L² is the 2-amino-6-iminopyridine ligand arising from the hydrogenation of one imine function of L¹; similar reaction with a 2-acetyl-6-iminopyridine ligand L³ afforded [Mo(CO)₄L³] (3). Compounds 1, 2 and 3 have been fully characterised by IR, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography; they present a metal ion in a pseudo-octahedral environment, the three organic ligands acting with bidentate N₂ coordination modes. One of the imine functions in 1, the amine function in 2, and the ketone function in 3 are uncoordinated.     

Crystal and molecular structure of polymeric [MnCl2(bpy)]n

A crystal and molecular structure determination of MnCl₂(bpy) showed that it exists as polymeric octahedral [MnCl₂(bpy)]_n. [MnCl₂(bpy)_n crystallizes in the monoclinic space group I2/a with A = 7.007(1), B = 9.200(1), C = 16.495(1) Å, β = 91.313(5)° and Z = 4. On the basis of 979 unique observed reflections with I 2.5σ(I) the structure was refined to R = 0.032.     

Photochemical reactions of transition metal organyl complexes with olefins Part 10. Light-induced formal [5+2] cycloadditions at manganese

Tricarbonyl-η⁵-2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl-manganese (1) forms upon UV irradiation in THF at 208 K solvent stabilized dicarbonyl-η⁵-2,4-dimethyl-2,4-pentadien-1-yl-tetrahydrofurane-manganese (2). With butynedioic acid dimethyl ester (3) and diphenylacetylene (5) complex 2 yields tricarbonyl-η⁵-1,2-dimethoxycarbonyl-4,6-dimethyl- cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl-manganese (4) and tricarbonyl-η-4,6-dimethyl-1,2-diphenyl-cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl- manganese (6) in a formal [5+2] cycloaddition. Addition of carbon monoxide and a 1,4-H shift completes the reaction. Propynoic acid methyl ester (7) forms the 2:1 adduct dicarbonyl-η^5:2-1,3-dimethyl-6-methoxycarbonyl-6- (E-2′-methoxycarbonylvinyl)-cyclohepta-2,4-dien-1-yl-manganese (8). The crystal and molecular structure of 8 was determined by X-ray structure analysis. The molecular structures of the complexes 4 and 6 were established by IR and NMR spectroscopy. Formation mechanisms of 4, 6 and 8 are discussed. Crystal data for 8: monoclinic space group P2₁/c, a=802.6(3), b=1136.6(1), c=8872.3(3) pm, β=93.14(2)°, V=1.705 nm³, Z=4.     

A series of heteroleptic complexes of the type fac-[MnL2] [H2L=derivatives of N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycine or N-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzyl)sarcosine] possessing unusual Mn(III) co-ordination spheres

The mononuclear manganese(III) complexes [C₅H₁₀NH₂][MnL₂] [L²⁻=a substituted N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)glycinate (hbg²⁻) viz. 3,5-dibromo- (3,5-Br-hbg²⁻), 3,5-dichloro- (3,5-Cl-hbg²⁻), 3-methyl-5-chloro- (3,5-Me,Cl-hbg²⁻), 5-bromo- (5-Br-hbg²⁻), 5-chloro- (5-Cl-hbg²⁻), 5-nitro- (5-NO₂-hbg²⁻) or N-(5-nitro-2-hydroxybenzyl)sarcosine (5-NO₂-hbs²⁻)] have been synthesised by reaction of the appropriate ligand with manganese(II) perchlorate under ambient conditions in a 2:1 molar ratio using piperidine as base. The structures of three of these complexes, [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(3,5-Cl-hbg)₂] (2), [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(5-NO₂-hbg)₂] (6) and [C₅H₁₀NH₂][Mn(5-NO₂-hbs)₂] (7) have been elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and each displays two similar, independent [MnL₂]⁻ ions in the asymmetric unit linked via piperidinium cations through hydrogen bonding. The ligands co-ordinate in a facial tridentate fashion with the three donor atoms being the phenolate and carboxylate oxygens and the amine nitrogen. The geometry at the Mn centres is compressed rhombic octahedral consistent with a pseudo-Jahn–Teller compression along the Mn–O(phenolate) axis. Mean bond lengths are in the ranges 1.886–1.889 Å for the Mn–O(phenolate), 2.062–2.125 Å for the Mn–O(carboxylate) and 2.091–2.184 Å for the Mn–N(amine) distances. The magnetic susceptibility and electronic and IR spectroscopic data are discussed with reference to the crystal structures.     

The synthesis and reactions of A-ring aromatic steroid complexes of manganese tricarbonyl

Treatment of the A-ring aromatic steroids estrone 3-methyl ether and β-estradiol 3, 17-dimethyl ether with Mn(CO)₅⁺BF₄⁻ in CH₂Cl₂ yields the corresponding [(steroid)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ salts 1 and 2 as mixtures of and β isomers. The X-ray structure of [(estrone 3-methyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ · CH₂Cl₂ (1) having the Mn(CO)₃ moiety on the side of the steroid is reported: space group P2₁ with a=10.3958(9), b=10.9020(6), c=12.6848(9) Å, β=111.857(6)°, Z=2, V=1334.3(2) ų, _calc=.481 cm⁻³, R=0.0508, and wR=0.0635. The molecule has the traditional ‘piano stool’ structure with a planar arene ring and linear Mn---C---O linkages. The nucleophiles NaBH₄ and LiCH₂C(O)CMe₃ add to [(β-estradiol 3,17-dimethyl ether)Mn(CO)₃]BF₄ (2) in high yield to give the corresponding - and β-cyclohexadienyl manganese tricarbonyl complexes (3). The nucleophiles add meta to the arene -OMe substituent and exo to the metal. The and β isomers of 3 were separated by fractional crystallization and the X-ray structure of the β isomer with an exo-CH₂C(O)CMe₃ substituent is reported (complex 4): space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a=7.5154(8), b=15.160(2), c=25.230(3) Å, Z=4, V=2874.4(5) ų, _calc=1.244 g cm⁻³, R=0.0529 and wR2=0.1176. The molecule 4 has a planar set of dienyl carbon atoms with the saturated C(1) carbon being 0.592 Å out of the plane away from the metal. The results suggest that the manganese-mediated functionalization of aromatic steroids is a viable synthetic procedure with a range of nucleophiles of varying strengths.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of mono- and di-manganese inclusion compounds

Mono- and di-manganese inclusion compounds 1 and 2 are reported. Two mono-manganese molecules Mn(bpy)₂(NO₃)₂ (bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) and [Mn(bpy)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)]·NO₃ coexist in the mole ratio of 1:1 in the structure of 1, while two di-manganese molecules [Mn₂O(bpy)₂(phtha)₂(H₂O)₂]·(NO₃)₂ (phtha=phthalate) and [Mn₂O(bpy)₂(phtha)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)]·NO₃ in the structure of 2. Refluxing Mn(NO₃)₂/bpy/phthalic acid reaction mixtures in CH₃CN leads to the isolation of 1, further concentration of the reaction solution in raising temperature results in 2. The Mn₁ and Mn₂ units in the inclusion compounds 1 and 2 are similar to other reported Mn₁ and Mn₂ analogs, respectively. The Jahn–Teller distortion was observed to give rise to the elongation along the O_terminal---Mn---O_carboxyl axes for all the four Mn(III) sites in 2, leading to unexpected longer Mn(III)---O_aqua than Mn(II)---O_aqua in 1. Extensive hydrogen bonding interactions among H₂O, NO₃ ⁻ and COOH were observed in the two inclusion compounds. Cyclic voltammetry of 2 in DMF displays two quasi-reversible redox couples at +0.10/+0.22 and −0.43/−0.36 V assigned to the Mn(III)Mn(IV)/2Mn(III) and 2Mn(III)/Mn(III)Mn(II), respectively. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities of 1 and 2 were measured. The data were fit to a model including axial zero-field splitting term and a good fit was found with D=1.77 cm⁻¹, g=1.98 and F=1.48×10⁻⁵ for 1. For 2, the least-squares fitting of the experimental data led to J=2.37 cm⁻¹, g=2.02 and D=0.75 cm⁻¹ with R=1.45×10⁻³.     

Crystal structure of the mononuclear complex [Mn(mesalim)2Cl] and electrochemical studies of manganese complexes of the ligand Hmesalim

The complex [Mn(mesalim)₂Cl] (1), (Hmesalim = methyl salicylimidate) has been synthesized and fully characterized. The manganese(III) complex is formed by the reaction of the ligand Hmesalim with manganese(II) chloride. Complex 1 is mononuclear and crystallizes in the space group . Electrochemical studies were performed for complex 1, as well as for the related complexes [Mn(mesalim)₂(OAc)(MeOH] · MeOH (2) and [Mn₂(etsalim)₄(Hetsalim)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), (Hetsalim = ethyl salicylimidate). The complexes display intricate oxidation-reduction behaviour, and coulometric analyses in combination with electrochemical analyses have been used to understand the electron transfer mechanisms occurring at the electrodes.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of transition metal–azide complexes coordinated with pyridyl nitronyl nitroxides

Two novel complexes Co(N₃)₂(PNN)₄ (I) and Mn(N₃)₂(PNN)₂(CH₃OH)(C₂H₅OH) (II) (PNN=2-(p-pyridyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3–oxide) were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectra, elemental analyses and UV–Vis techniques. The crystal structures of both complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex I is a neutral five-spin system and adopts a centrosymmetric tetragonally compressed octahedral coordination geometry in which Co(II) ion is coordinated to four radicals through the nitrogen atoms of the pyridine rings and two azide anions occupying the axial positions. Complex II is a neutral three-spin system in which Mn(II) ion is bound to two azide anions, two alcohol molecules and two radicals through the nitrogen atom of pyridine rings, and shows one-dimensional chain structure via hydrogen bonds (d_ON=2.78 Å). The magnetic properties for complexes I and II have been investigated in the temperature range 2–300 K. A theoretical model has been developed for complex I and the magnetic behaviors for both complexes have been discussed in detail.     

Synthesis, characterization and molecular structures of the trichloro-η-benzoyldiazenido [ReCl3{η-NNC(O)Ph}(PPh3)2] and oxorhenium [ReOCl2(OMe)(PPh3)2] complexes derived from reactions of [ReCl2{η-NNC(O)Ph}(PPh3)2] with a peroxide or dioxygen

The reactions of [ReCl₂{η²-NNC(O)Ph}(PPh₃)₂] (1) with t-BuOOH, in C₆H₆ or chlorinated solvents, at room temperature or with MeOH upon reflux in air lead to the trichloro-η¹-benzoyldiazenido [ReCl₃{η¹-NNC(O)Ph}(PPh₃)₂] (2) or the methoxy-oxo [ReOCl₂(OMe)(PPh₃)₂] (3) compound, respectively, which have been characterized by spectroscopic and FAB⁺-MS methods, elemental and single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. They show distorted octahedral coordinaiton geometries with trans triphenylphosphine ligands, an essentially linear η¹-diazenido moiety in 2 and the methoxy group in 3 in trans position to the oxo ligand.     

The first pincer-aryl [M-(NCN)] complexes {M = Pd(II); Pt(II)} with chiral pyridine donors: Synthesis and catalytic activity in C-C bond formation

The first chiral bis(pyridine) N-C(H)-N pincer ligand, (5S,7S)-1,3-bis(6,6-dimethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,7-methanquinolin-2-yl)benzene (HL) has been synthesized and characterized by a thorough ¹H NMR analysis. Reaction of HL with K₂[PtCl₄] in acetic acid gives [Pt(L)Cl] (1), where L acts as a tridentate N-C-N pincer ligand. The analogous palladium(II) derivatives [Pd(L)Cl] (2), and [Pd(L)(OAc)] (3), were first prepared through a transmetalation reaction between Pd(OAc)₂ and the organomercury compound [Hg(L)Cl] (4). The structures of compounds 1 (Pt) and 2 (Pd), as determined by X-ray diffraction, are reported and compared. Compound 2 can also be obtained from Na₂[PdCl₄] and HL in refluxing acetic acid, i.e., under the same conditions used for compound 1. Apparently, this is the first palladium pincer derivative of a 1,3-bis(pyridyl)benzene ligand synthesized by direct C-H activation.The neutral complexes 1-3 are catalysts of modest activity, but devoid of enantioselectivity in the Heck reaction between iodobenzene and methyl acrylate and in the aldol condensation of benzaldehyde with methyl isocyanoacetate.     

Synthesis and characterization of 6-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-benzo[b]-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo[14]tetradecinato(2-)nickel(II)

A nickel(II) complex with 6-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-5,7,12,14-tetramethyl-benzo[b]-1,4,8,11- tetraazacyclo[14]tetradecine was synthesized and characterized by measurements of NMR, IR and an electronic spectra. The X-ray crystal structure shows that the coordination geometry around the Ni atom is a square planar with the unsymmetrical tetraaza[14]annulene.     

A merged experimental and theoretical conformational study on alkaline-earth complexes with lariat ethers derived from 4,13-diaza-18-crown-6

Herein, we report the synthesis and structural characterization of alkaline-earth complexes with the bibracchial lariat ethers N,N′-bis(2-aminobenzyl)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (L²) and N,N′-bis(benzimidazol-2ylmethyl)-4,13-diaza-18-crown-6 (L⁴). The X-ray crystal structures of the Ca(II) and Sr(II) complexes of L² show the pendant arms of the ligand disposed on opposite sides of the macrocyclic mean plane, which results in an anti conformation in the solid state. A similar anti conformation is also observed for the Mg(II) complex of L⁴, whereas the Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) complexes of L⁴ adopt a syn conformation in the solid state, with the two pendant arms pointing at the same side of the crown moiety. However, a different behavior is observed in solution. Indeed, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed at the B3LYP level, suggests that the [M(L²)]²⁺ and [M(L⁴)]²⁺ (M = Ca, Sr or Ba) complexes exist in solution as a mixture of syn and anti isomers involved in a dynamic equilibrium. Our results also show that the relative abundance of the syn conformation increases as the ionic radius of the metal ion increases and, furthermore, for a given metal ion the proportion of syn isomer is always higher for L⁴ complexes than for L² ones.     

Ligand chirality-controlled selective formation of mono- and dinuclear copper complexes

Reaction of copper(II) acetate with the (S)-enantiomer of a tridentate binaphthyl Schiff base ligand, 2-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (H₂L), in methanol afforded mononuclear copper(II) complex [Cu^II(HL)₂] ((S,S)-1) in 52% isolated yield. The same reaction gave dinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu^II₂(L)₂] ((R,S)-2) in 73% isolated yield when racemic-H₂L was used instead of (S)-H₂L. Both complexes (S,S)-1 and (R,S)-2 were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and X-ray crystallography. The present work highlights the functioning of ligand chirality as a ‘switch’ for selective formation of mono- and dinuclear metal complexes.     

An unusual 2D → 3D parallel interpenetration: synthesis and X-ray structure of compound [Ag2(titmb)2][Hsal]2 · 3H2O (titmb=1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene and H2sal=salicylic acid)

The reaction between 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titmb) and [Ag(NH₃)₂][Hsal] (H₂sal=salicylic acid) produces novel complex [Ag₂(titmb)₂][Hsal]₂ · 3H₂O (1). There are two unique silver centers in complex 1 with one serving as a trigonal node and the other one as a linear node. Interestingly, there are two sorts of titmb ligands in complex 1, one acting as a three-connecting ligand and the other one as a two-connecting (bridging) ligand. The silver centers are linked by titmb ligand to form 2D puckered layers containing M₅(titmb)₅ macrocyclic motifs, which is large enough to allow the bridging titmb ligands from the neighboring layers to be completely enclosed in. Namely, two neighboring independent layers interpenetrated each other in a parallel fashion without the occurrence of catenation to give a 3D structure.     

Dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of unsymmetric compartmental ligands bearing a terdentate linear arm and a terdentate dipodal arm

The synthesis and crystal structures of two dinuclear nickel(II) complexes of unsymmetric compartmental ligands derived from phenol and bearing a terdentate linear arm and a terdentate dipodal arm are reported. The binding of the terminal donor atom of the terdentate linear arm appears to be dependent on the nature of the accompanying counter-anion. In the presence of the non-coordinating tetrafluoroborate anion a terminal alcohol is coordinated, whereas in the presence of added isothiocyanate ion a terminal amine is not coordinated but the anion is.