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.     

Mixed S/N and S/P/N ligands from carbohydrates: Synthesis and application in palladium-catalyzed allylic alkylation

A modular synthetic approach to bidentate and tridentate imino-thioglycoside ligands is reported. In only 5 steps from the known glucosamine derivative 1, a conveniently functionalized thioglycoside 5 is obtained, which after imination afforded the desired ligands in excellent yields. The tridentate phosphine imine thioglycoside ligand 10 was found to be a highly efficient catalyst precursor for palladium-(0)-catalysed asymmetric alkylation of 1,3-diphenylpropenylacetate (8) with dimethyl malonate. The study of a Pd(II) complex shows that there is an efficient stereochemical control of the sulfur configuration upon coordination to the palladium.     

Chiral tetradentate amine and tridentate aminocarbene ligands: Synthesis, reactivity and X-ray structural characterizations

(1R,2R)-diaminocyclohexane (1) and (1R,2R)-diaminodiphenylethylenediamine (2) were used as building blocks for the synthesis of chiral tetradentate diquinolyl-diamine and related diquinolyl-dihydroimidazolium salts. A neutral chiral palladium(II) complex was synthesized by reaction of palladium acetate with the tetradentate diquinolyl diamine derived from 2 and used as a homogeneous catalyst for the Heck reaction between styrene and haloarenes. A chiral tridentate aminocarbene was generated in situ by deprotonation of the dihydroimidazolium salt derived from 1 and allowed to react with CuI to give a new chiral quinolyl-carbene copper(I) complex.     

Template synthesis of N2S and N3S chelates via alkylation of bis(2-aminoethanethiolato)Ni: sulfur- and nitrogen-centered alkylations

Alkylation of bis(2-aminoethanethiolato)nickel(II) (1) with alkylating agents containing pendant donor groups has been investigated. Reaction with 2-bromoethylamine is strictly sulfur-centered yielding (2-[(2-aminoethyl)thio]ethaneamine)nickel(II)bromide, [(DAES)₂Ni]Br₂ (2), which was isolated as a lilac solid. Addition of chloroacetamide yields the sulfur- and nitrogen-alkylated product (2-[(2-aminoethyl)thio]acetamide)nickel(II)chloride, (AETA)NiCl₂ (3a), as a green solid. Recrystallization from water/acetone yields 3a as single crystals along with single crystals of [(AETA)NiCl(OH₂)]Cl (3b). The strictly S-alkylated product (2-[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)thio]acetamide)nickel(II)iodide, [(AOTA)₂Ni]I₂ (4), is obtained upon reaction of 1 with iodoacetamide. A pathway is proposed consistent with the observed leaving group effect on the site of alkylation. The X-ray structures of 3a, 3b, and 4 are reported and the hydrogen-bonding network is described.     

Palladium complexes of sterically hindered meridonal tridentate NNN ligands

Acetatopalladium(II) complexes of two new 1,3-bis(arylimino)isoindoline ligands H(bai), 1,3-bis(3,6-dimethylpyridylimino)-α,α′-dimethoxyisoindoline H(3,6-MepMeOi) (5) and 1,3-bis(4-methyl-5-isopropylthiazolylimino)isoindoline H(iPrbti) (6) have been prepared from commercial precursors and palladium(II)acetate in 4 and 3 steps, respectively. The new complexes 7 and 8 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and could be further investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The molecular structures of 7 × 2 CHCl₃ and of 8 show differences in the conformational fine-tuning and unravel a higher degree of similarity with related tripyrrinates for the bti derivative 8 than for the bpi species 7.     

Activity of homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes on intermolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation reactions of terminal alkynes

The activity of homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes, [(p-cymene)Ru(Cl)(μ-Cl)₂Ru(Cl)(CHPh)(PCy₃)] [Ru-I] and [(p-cymene)Ru(Cl)(μ-Cl)₂Ru(Cl)(CHPh)(IPr)] [Ru-II], on intermolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation reactions of monoynes has been investigated for the first time. It was found that these complexes can catalyse the chemo and regioselective cyclotrimerisation reactions of alkynes at both 25 and 50 °C in polar, aprotic solvents. The catalytic activity of [Ru-I] and [Ru-II] was compared to other well-known ruthenium catalysts such as Grubbs first generation catalyst [RuCl₂(CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] [Ru-III], [RuCl(μ-Cl)(p-cymene)]₂ [Ru-IV] and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)PCy₃] [Ru-V] complexes. To examine the effect of the steric hinderance of substrates on the regioselectivity of the reaction, a series of sterically hindered silicon containing alkynes (1a, 1b, 1c) were used. It was shown that the isomeric product distribution of the reaction shifts from 1,2,4-trisubstituted arenes to 1,3,5-trisubstituted arenes as the steric hinderance on the substrates increases. These homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes also catalysed regio- and chemo-selective cross-cyclotrimerisation reactions between silicon-containing alkynes (1a, 1b, 1c) and aliphatic alkynes (1d-g).     

Unexpected reactivity resulting from modifications of the ligand periphery: Synthesis, structure, and spectroscopic properties of iron complexes of new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands

The chelating ligand tris-[2-(3-aryl-imidazol-2-ylidene)ethyl]amine (TIMEN^R, R = aryl = 2,6-xylyl (xyl), mesityl (mes)) has provided access to reactive transition metal complexes. Here, two new tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene ligands of the TIMEN^R system (R = aryl = tolyl (tol), 3,5-xylyl (3,5xyl)), featuring sterically less demanding aryl substituents were synthesized. With these ligands, Fe(II) precursor complexes could be obtained, namely [(TIMEN^tol)Fe](BF₄)₂ (3) and [(TIMEN^3,5xyl)Fe(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (7), which showed unexpected reactivity upon reduction. Treatment of the compounds with sodium amalgam yield the tris- and bis-metallated products, [(TIMEN^tol∗∗∗)Fe] (4) and [(TIMEN^3,5xyl∗∗)Fe] (8), respectively. While the Fe(III) complex 4 is relatively inert towards oxygen, the Fe(II) complex 8 is prone to oxidation. This oxidation of 8 can readily be observed in chlorinated solvents, producing the Fe(III) complex [(TIMEN^3,5xyl∗∗)Fe](PF₆) (9). All new ligand imidazolium precursors and metal complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray structure determination.     

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(II)-salicylate complexes derived from N4-donor ligands: Stabilization of a hexameric water cluster in the lattice host of a cobalt(III)-salicylate complex

The syntheses and structural characterization of four cobalt(II)-salicylate complexes, [(TPA)Co^II(HSA)](ClO₄) (1), [(isoBPMEN)Co^II(HSA)](BPh₄) (2), [(TPzA)Co^II(HSA)](ClO₄) (3) and [(6Me₃TPA)Co^II(HSA)](BPh₄) (4) [TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, isoBPMEN = N¹,N¹-dimethyl-N²,N²-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine, TPzA = tris((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-1-yl)methyl)amine and 6Me₃TPA = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridylmethyl)amine] are described. While 2, 3 and 4 are unreactive towards dioxygen, 1 reacts slowly with molecular oxygen to a cobalt(III)-salicylate complex, [(TPA)Co^III(SA)](ClO₄) (1a). Two different crystalline forms, 1a and 1a·4H₂O were isolated depending upon the condition of oxidation and crystallization. The solid-state structures of cobalt(III)-salicylate unit in both 1a and 1a·4H₂O show a six-coordinate distorted octahedral coordination geometry at the cobalt(III) center ligated by the tetradentate ligand (TPA) where the dianionic salicylate (SA) binds in a bidentate fashion through one carboxylate and one phenolate oxygen. The hydrated form 1a·4H₂O reveals a hexameric water cluster formation in the inorganic lattice host. The complex cation and the perchlorate counterion are involved in stabilizing the (H₂O)₆ cluster in a rare ‘pentamer planar+1’ conformation. A one-dimensional water tape consisting of edge-shared water hexamers is observed. The water tape represents a subunit of ice structure.     

Studies of rheniumtricarbonyl complexes of tripodal pyridyl-based ligands

The reaction of N-benzoyl and N-acetyl tris(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 1b and 1c (LH = tpmbaH and tpmaaH) with [Re(CO)₅Br] has been investigated and shown to proceed via the initial formation of a cationic rheniumtricarbonyl complex [(LH)Re(CO)₃]Br in which coordination of the ligand occurs via the three pyridine rings. For tpmbaH 1b, but not tpmaaH 1c, this initial complex 2b readily undergoes the loss of HBr to give a neutral octahedral complex 4b [(L)Re(CO)₃] where coordination occurs via two of the pyridine rings and the deprotonated amide nitrogen. The ¹H NMR spectrum of the latter complex 4b is very unusual in that at room temperature the signals for the 3-H protons on the coordinated pyridine rings are not visible due to extreme broadening of these resonances. Comparison with the analogous complex 7 from N-benzoyl bis(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 6b (bpmbaH) confirms that this is due to rotation of the uncoordinated pyridine ring. The structure of the cationic complex 3d [(LH)Re(CO)₃]Br formed from N-benzyl tris(pyridin-2-yl)methylamine 1d (bz-tpmaH) is also discussed. The crystal structures of complexes [(tpmba)Re(CO)₃] 4b, [(bz-tpmaH)Re(CO)₃]Br 3d and [(bpmba)Re(CO)₃] 7 have been determined. In all complexes the coordination geometry around Re is distorted octahedral with a fac-{Re(CO)₃}⁺ core.     

Synthesis of Fe(II) and Cu(II) building blocks for metal-organic frameworks

In situ reaction of the aminobenzoic acids 2-aminobenzoic acid and 3,5-diaminobenzoic acid with salicylaldehyde provide easy access to the ligands 2-[{(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene}amino]benzoic acid (L1) and 3,5-bis[{(2-hydroxyphenyl)methylene}amino]benzoic acid (L2). Addition of a Fe(II) or Cu(II) salt to the solution of the ligand yields the corresponding Fe and Cu complexes. The species synthesized have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The Fe(II) complex [Fe(L1)(MeOH)₃] (1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group . The Cu(II) complex [Cu(L1)] (2) is a one-dimensional chain and crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁. The Cu(II) complex [Et₃NH]₂[Cu₂(L2)₂] (3) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The magnetic properties of 1, 2 and 3 have been studied, showing that the Cu(II) ions of 2 and 3 are ferromagnetically coupled. Complexes 1 and 3 have strong potential as metal-bearing building blocks for the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks.     

Structural studies on 1:1 and 2:1 adducts of silver(I) cyanide with alkanediamine ligands

The crystal structures of two 1:1 ligand-silver(I) cyanide complexes, [Ag(CN)(en)] (en = ethane-1,2-diamine) (1) and [Ag(CN)(pn)] (pn = propane-1,2-diamine) (2), and of two 2:1 ligand-silver(I) cyanide compounds, [(AgCN)₂ · tn] (tn = propane-1,3-diamine) (3) and [(AgCN)₂ · bn] (bn = butane-1,4-diamine) (4), were determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, collected at 173 K. In 1 and 2, mononuclear AgCN complexes are formed, in which silver(I) is coordinated by one cyanide and one chelating alkanediamine donor ligand. However, in the dinuclear adducts of 3 and 4, two AgCN units are connected by one alkane-1,n-diamine bridging ligand (n = 3, 4). The resulting molecules of 1-4 are cross-linked via N-H?N hydrogen bonds. Apart from these intermolecular contacts, comparatively short Ag(I)-Ag(I) distances of 3.182(1) Å (in 1), 3.267(1) Å (in 2), 3.023(2) Å (in 3) and 3.050(2) Å (in 4) occur.     

Coordination compounds of Cd(II) with several bidentate-NN′ and tridentate-NN′N nitrogen donor ligands. Cd NMR studies of monomeric compounds containing nitrogen donor atoms

Reaction of CdCl₂ with N-alkylaminopyrazole ligands 1-[(2-ethylamino)ethyl]-3,5-dimethylpyrazole (deae), 1-[(2-(tert-butylamino)ethyl)]-3,5-dimethylpyrazole (deat), bis-[(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methyl]ethylamine (bdmae), and bis-[(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)ethyl]ethylamine (ddae) in absolute ethanol yields [CdCl₂(NN′)] (NN′ = deae (1), deat (2)), [CdCl₂(bdmae)] (3), and [CdCl(ddae)]₂[CdCl₄] (4). The Cd(II) complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction methods. ¹H and ¹¹³Cd NMR experiments at variable temperature for 3 and 4 show that dynamic processes are taking place in solution. We report the measurements of ¹¹³Cd NMR chemical shift data for complexes 1-4 in solution. X-ray crystal structures for complexes 2 and 3 have been determined. The Cd(II) is coordinated to the deat ligand, in 2, by one nitrogen atom of the pyrazolyl group and one nitrogen atom of the amine. It finishes a tetrahedral geometry with two chlorine atoms. The bdmae ligand is linked to Cd(II), in 3, by two nitrogens atoms of the pyrazolyl groups and one amine nitrogen, along with two chlorine atoms, in a distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry.     

Silver(I), mercury(II) and palladium(II) complexes of functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes: Synthesis, structural studies and catalytic activity

A series of NHC silver(I), mercury(II) and palladium(II) complexes, [(1,3-diethylbimy)₆Ag₄I₃]I (2), [(1-benzyl-3-picolylbimy)Ag₂Br₂]_n (3), [(1-benzyl-3-picolylbimy)HgI(CH₂CN)]₂ (4), {[(1-picolyl-3-npropylbimy)₂Hg][Hg₂I₆]}_n (5) and [(1,3-dipicolylbimy)PdCl]Cl (6), as well as one anionic complex [1,3-diethylbimidazolium]₂[HgI₄] (1) (bimy = benzimidazol-2-ylidene), have been prepared and characterized. Interestingly, a wind wheel-like Ag₄I₃ arrangement in 2 is formed, 1D polymeric chain containing 12-membered macrometallocycles and quadrangle Ag₂Br₂ units in 3 is generated, and the α-carbon atom of deprotonated acetonitrile ([CH₂CN]⁻) in 4 participates in coordination with mercury(II) atom. In the crystal packings of complexes 1-6, 2D supramolecular layers or 3D supramolecular architectures are formed via intermolecular weak interactions, including π-π interactions, hydrogen bonds, C-H···π contacts, weak Hg···I bonds and I···I bonds. Additionally, the catalytic activity of the NHC palladium(II) complex 6 in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction was studied.     

Synthesis of {15-benzyloxy-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene}nickel(II) perchlorate and its analogs, and their catalytic behavior in reductive debromination of 1-bromo-4-tert-butylbenzene

New nickel(II) complexes with macrocyclic ligands bearing benzyloxy [(5), (9)], 2-methylbenzyloxy (7), 3-methylbenzyloxy (8), and hydroxy (6) groups on the pyridine ring have been synthesized. Structures of the hydroxy substituted macrocyclic ligand (L-OH·3HCl·H₂O), and the benzyloxy substituted ligand (L-OBn·3HCl) and its nickel(II) complex (5), as well as an analogous Ni(II) complex (8), have been revealed by X-ray crystallography. Their catalytic capabilities in the reductive debromination of 1-bromo-4-tert-butylbenzene have been elucidated, which has revealed that the pyridine ring can be a suitable position for the introduction of functional groups while maintaining the catalytic capabilities of the nickel(II) complexes.     

Palladium(II) complexes of quinolinylaminophosphonates: synthesis, structural characterization, antitumor and antimicrobial activity

Three types of palladium(II) halide complexes of quinolinylaminophosphonates have been synthesized and studied. Diethyl and dibutyl [α-anilino-(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)]phosphonates (L1, L2) act as N,N-chelate ligands through the quinoline and aniline nitrogens giving complexes cis-[Pd(L1/L2)X₂] (X═Cl, Br) (1-4). Their 3-substituted analogues [α-anilino-(quinolin-3-ylmethyl)]phosphonates (L3, L4) form dihalidopalladium complexes trans-[Pd(L3/L4)₂X₂] (5-8), with trans N-bonded ligand molecules only through the quinoline nitrogen. Dialkyl [α-(quinolin-3-ylamino)-N-benzyl]phosphonates (L5, L6) give tetrahalidodipalladium complexes [Pd₂(L5/L6)₃X₄] (9-12), containing one bridging and two terminal ligand molecules. The bridging molecule is bonded to the both palladium atoms, one through the quinoline and the other through the aminoquinoline nitrogen, whereas terminal ligand molecules are coordinated each only to one palladium via the quinoline nitrogen. Each palladium ion is also bonded to two halide ions in a trans square-planar fashion. The new complexes were identified and characterized by elemental analyses and by IR, UV-visible, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance and ESI-mass spectroscopic studies. The crystal structures of complexes 1-4 and 6 were determined by X-ray structure analysis. The antitumor activity of complexes in vitro was investigated on several human tumor cell lines and the highest activity with cell growth inhibitory effects in the low micromolar range was observed for dipalladium complexes 11 and 12 derived from dibutyl ester L6. The antimicrobial properties in vitro of ligands and their complexes were studied using a wide spectrum of bacterial and fungal strains. No specific activity was noted. Only ligands L3 and L4 and tetrahalidodipalladium complexes 9 and 11 show poor activities against some Gram positive bacteria.     

Antiproliferative effect and genotoxicity of novel synthesized palladium complexes with organoarsenic ligands

Three new palladium complexes with general formula [PdCl₂L₂], where L = heterofunctional organoarsenic ligand: (2-isopropoxyphenyl)diphenylarsine (1), (2-methoxyphenyl)-diphenylarsine (2) and (2-hydroxyphenyl)diphenylarsine (3) have been synthesized and fully characterized, including X-ray crystallographic data. Their potential antitumor effect and genotoxicity have been studied as well. The viability test performed on human tumor (MLS) and normal (Hfl-1) cell lines indicates significant cytotoxicity of complexes, which is higher in tumor cells than in normal cells. The lethal doses are comparable with those of standard metal-based chemotherapeutical drugs (carboplatin and oxaliplatin). These palladium complexes exhibit a higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells as against normal cells in vitro. A new static cytometric method was developed and simultaneously the classic AnnexinV test was performed. Complex 2 has an important capacity to induce apoptosis in tumor cells. The apoptotic process is triggered due to the interaction of these complexes with secondary structure of DNA in treated cells. The alkaline single-cell gel assay shows that the level of DNA damages induced by compounds 2 and 3 are significantly higher in tumor cells as in normal cells. These studies shown that complexes 1, 2 and 3 have biologic activity, the effect of complex 2 being superior to its platinum analogues, attributable to its structure.     

C-H activation of benzene by platinum(II) complexes with cyclometalated phosphine ligands

The bulky phosphine ligands di-tert-butyl(1-naphthyl)phosphine (1) or di-tert-butyl(N-indolyl)phosphine (2) react at room temperature with [(μ-SMe₂)PtMe₂]₂. Coordination of the phosphine and C-H bond activation at an sp² carbon of the ligand with the release of methane takes place to form the PC cyclometalated products [(PC)PtMe(SMe₂)] (3 or 4, respectively). The cyclometalated complexes 3 and 4 have both been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 3 and 4 were each observed to undergo intermolecular activation of arene C-H bonds. Upon thermolysis in benzene, complexes 3 and 4 react to eliminate methane and yield isolable platinum(II)-phenyl complexes.     

Axial versus equatorial coordination of thioether sulfur: Mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of 2-pyridyl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)-methyleneimine with bidentate diimine ligands

The synthesis, structure and spectral and redox properties of the copper(II) complexes [Cu(pmtpm)Cl₂] (1) and [Cu(pmtpm)₂](ClO₄)₂ (6), where pmtpm is the linear tridentate ligand 2-pyridyl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)methyleneimine containing a thioether and two pyridine donors, are described. Also, the mixed ligand complexes [Cu(pmtpm)(diimine)](ClO₄)₂ (2-5), where the diimine is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmp) (4) or dipyrido-[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]-quinoxaline (dpq) (5), have been isolated and studied. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes 1, [Cu(pmtpm)(2,9-dmp)](ClO₄)₂4 and 6 have been successfully determined. The complex 1 possesses a trigonal bipyramidal distorted square based pyramidal (TBDSBP) coordination geometry in which three corners of the square plane are occupied by two nitrogens and thioether s of pmtpm ligand and the remaining equatorial and the axial positions by two chloride ions. The complex 4 contains a CuN₄S chromophore also with a TBDSBP coordination geometry in which two nitrogens and the thioether sulfur of pmtpm ligand occupy three corners of the square plane. One of the two nitrogens of 2,9-dmp ligand is equatorially coordinated and the other axially to copper. On the other hand, the complex 6 is found to possess a square based pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (SPDTBP) coordination geometry. The CuN₂S trigonal plane in it is comprised of the pyridine and imine nitrogens and the thioether sulfur of the pmtpm ligand. The pyridine nitrogens of the ligand occupy the axial positions and the second thioether sulfur remains uncoordinated. On long standing in acetonitrile solution the mixed ligand complexes 2 and 3 undergo ligand disproportionation to provide the corresponding bis-complexes of bpy and phen, respectively, and 6. The electronic and EPR spectral parameters and the positive redox potential of complex 4 are consistent with the equatorial location of the thioether sulfur in the square-based coordination geometry around copper(II). On the other hand, the higher g_∥ and lower A_∥ values and lower E_1/2 values for the complexes 2, 3 and 5 are consistent with the axial coordination of the thioether sulfur. Also, the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials increase with increase in number of aromatic rings of the diimine ligand. The steric and electronic effects of the bidentate diimine ligands in orienting the thioether coordination to axial or equatorial position are discussed.     

Mimicking the reduced, oxidized and azide inhibited form of manganese superoxide dismutase by mononuclear Mn compounds utilizing tridentate ligands

The manganese complexes [Mn^II(Hbmimpm)₂(NO₃)](NO₃) · Et₂O (1), [Mn^III(bmimpm)₂(OAc)] · 2CH₂Cl₂(2), and [Mn^III(bmiapm)₂(OAc)] · MeOH · H₂O · CH₂Cl₂(3) containing the new ligands Bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)-(4-methoxyphen-1-yl)methanol (Hbmimpm) and Bis[(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)](2-aminophenyl)methanol (Hbmiapm) were synthesized. They are good structural models for the reduced (1) and oxidized (2, 3) form of manganese superoxide dismutase. All complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray structure analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c whereas complex 3 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The coordination sphere around the manganese cores is distorted octahedral with two corresponding tridentate ligands representing the protein ligands and one nitrate (1) or acetate (2, 3) ion occupying two cis positions. Similar to the enzyme the Mn(III) complex 2 reacts with sodium azide. The obtained microcrystalline azide adduct was characterized by UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a new family of chiral metal(II) citramalates

A new series of chiral carboxylate-bridged complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) has been synthesized by reaction of M(II) salts with (S)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanedioic acid ((S)-citramalic acid) under solvothermal conditions. The Mn(II) compound 1 is obtained as a crystalline powder, whereas the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds (2 and 3 respectively) are obtained as single crystals. All the compounds crystallize in orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural, and their structure consists in helicoïdal chains of M(II) centres linked by carboxylate bridges. The magnetic data indicate a rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres. The Mn(II) compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N = 2.64 K. The Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds show ferromagnetic interactions within the chains. For 3, the chains couple antiferromagnetically, which leads to a metamagnetic behaviour with T_N = 1.69 K.