Synthesis and characterization of phosphorescent iridium complexes containing trifluoromethyl-substituted phenyl pyridine based ligands

Several iridium complexes containing trifluoromethyl-substituted phenyl pyridine based ligands have been synthesized and characterized to try to investigate the effect of trifluoromethyl group and its position on physical properties. The complexes have the general structure of (C-N)₂Ir(LX), where the C-N are 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)pyridine (fmppy), 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)-4-methylpyridine (fmpmpy), 2-(3,5-bis-trifluoromethylphenyl)-5-trifluoromethylpyridine (tfmppy) and the LX are 2-picolinic acid (pic) and acetylacetonate (acac). The (tfmppy)₂Ir(pic) was characterized using X-ray crystallography. The absorption, emission, and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. Introduction of CF₃ substituents into 2-phenylpyridine in (ppy)₂Ir(pic) lead to some decrease in the sublimation temperature, which is more suitable to devices fabrication. The experimental results revealed that the emissive colors of these complexes could be finely tuned by suitable incorporation of trifluoromethyl substituents on the 2-phenylpyridine ligand, obtaining bright green-blue emission λ_max values from 471 to 489 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution at room temperature, with high solution quantum efficiencies ranging from 0.37 to 1.89 relative to Ir(ppy)₃.     

Bioorganometallics: First examples of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes containing di- and tripeptide ester ligands

The synthesis of bis-cyclometalated [Ir(ptpy)₂(gly-gly-OEt)] (2, ptpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridinato; gly-gly-OEt = glycylglycine ethyl ester) and [Ir(ptpy)₂(gly-gly-gly-OEt)] (3, gly-gly-gly-OEt = glycylglycylglycine ethyl ester) from the reaction of [{Ir(μ-Cl)(ptpy)₂}₂] (1) with the corresponding peptide ester hydrochlorides in the presence of NaOMe is described. The molecular structure of 2 was confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. The compound crystallized from dichloromethane/iso-hexane in the space group P2₁/a. In the crystal packing the molecules of 2 exhibit N–H?O hydrogen bonds to the neighbor molecules to form dimeric units. The absorption and emission spectra of 2 and 3 were recorded and exhibit these compounds as strong green-emitting complexes.     

Blue phosphorescent iridium complexes based on 2-(fluoro substituted phenyl)-4-methylpyridines: Synthesis, crystal structure, and photophysics

A series blue phosphorescent emitting materials based on 2-(fluoro substituted phenyl)-4-methylpyridine as the cyclometalated ligands have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes have the general structure (C^{^}N)₂Ir(pic), where C^{^}N is a monoanionic cyclometalating ligand (e.g., 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (24f₂pmpyH), 2-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (34f₂pmpyH), 2-(3,5-difluorophenyl)-4-methylpyridine (35f₂pmpyH), and 2-(3,4,5-trifluorophenyl)-4-methyl-pyridine (345f₃pmpyH)), pic is 2-picolinic acid. The absorption, emission, cyclic voltammetry and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. The (46f₂pmpy)₂Ir(pic) has been characterized using X-ray crystallography and the electronic ground state calculated using B3LYP density functional theory. HOMO levels are a mixture of Ir and 2-(fluoro phenyl)-4-methylpyridine ligand orbitals, while the LUMO is predominantly pic ligand based. Introduction of fluorine atoms and methyl group into ppy ligand and changing in position of F substituents in phenyl ring can finely tune emission of the complexes, showing bright blue-to-green luminescence at a wavelength of 463-501 nm at room temperature in CH₂Cl₂.     

Carbazole and arylamine functionalized iridium complexes for efficient electro-phosphorescent light-emitting diodes

We report the synthesis and characterization of four cyclometalated iridium complexes based on carbazole and arylamine modified 2-phenylpyridine. The carbazole and arylamine groups are linked to 2-phenyl pyridine backbone to enhance the energy harvesting and transfer from host to guest materials. The electrochemical and photophysical properties of the complexes are studied and electroluminescent devices are fabricated. The results show that the complexes with ligands containing carbazole moieties have desirable phosphorescent properties. The device with complex 3 doped PVK (poly (vinylcarbazole)) as emission layer achieves maximum luminous efficiency of 6.56 cd A⁻¹ and maximum brightness of 14448 cd m⁻².     

Tuning iridium(III) complexes containing 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine based ligands in the red region

Synthesis and characterization of four iridium(III) complexes containing 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine based ligands are reported. The absorption, emission, electrochemistry, and thermostability of the complexes were systematically investigated. The (btmp)₂Ir(acac) (btmp = 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-4-methyl-pyridyl, acac = acetyl acetone) was characterized using X-ray crystallography. Calculation on the electronic ground state for (btmp)₂Ir(acac) was carried out using B3LYP density functional theory, HOMO levels are a mixture of Ir and btmp ligand orbitals, while the LUMO is predominantly btmp ligand based. Introduction of substituents (CH₃, CF₃) into pyridyl ring in a typical red emitter (btp)₂Ir(acac) leads to a marked decrease in the sublimation temperature, which is more suitable for OLEDs process. Electrochemical studies showed that (btmp)₂Ir(acac) has a slightly lower oxidation potential, but (btfmp)₂Ir(acac), (btfmp)₂Ir(dbm), and (btfmp)₂Ir(pic) (btfmp = 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-5-trifluoromethyl-pyridine, dbm = dibenzoylmethane, pic = 2-picolinic acid) containing CF₃ group are much difficult to oxidate than (btp)₂Ir(acac). The emission characteristics of these complexes can be tuned by either changing the substituents and their position on 2-benzo[b]thiophen-2-yl-pyridine or using different monoanionic ligands, showing emission λ_max values from 604 to 638 nm in CH₂Cl₂ solution at room temperature.     

Color tuning of iridium complexes - Part I: Substituted phenylisoquinoline-based iridium complexes as the triplet emitter

A series of new iridium complexes with isoquinoline derivative ligands were synthesized for application in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). It is demonstrated that varying the substituents at the 2′- or 4′-positions of the isoquinoline ligand makes the color tuning possible. Because of the steric effect, the 6′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(6′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b1), bis[1-(6′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b2), and bis[1-(6′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6b3) show red-shift effect with respect to the 4′-substituted complexes: bis[1-(4′-methyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a1), bis[1-(4′-trifluoromethyl)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a2), and bis[1-(4′-methoxy)phenylisoquinolinato-N,C^2′] iridium(III) (acetylacetonate) (6a3). All of these complexes are suitable for the red phosphorescent materials in OLEDs.     

Novel solid state emitting iridium complexes with reduced phosphorescence-self-quenching triggered by steric blocking phosphine ligands

In this paper, we report two easily-synthesized Ir(III) complexes equipped with steric blocking phosphine ligands of bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl) (POP) and triphenylphosphane (PPh₃), Ir-POP and Ir-PPh₃. Their crystal structures, electronic nature, photophysical properties, and phosphorescence self-quenching mechanism are discussed in detail. It is found that the thermally activated intermolecular interaction is responsible for the phosphorescence self-quenching. The introduction of steric blocking ligands into Ir(III) complexes can efficiently suppress the phosphorescence self-quenching in solid state. We successfully realize a solid state emission peaking at 494 nm, with a long excited state lifetime of 15 μs and a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 0.17.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear bromo bridged iridium(I) complexes with N-allyl substituted imidazolin-2-ylidene ligands

The reaction of 1-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)imidazolium bromide (1) or 1,3-bis(2-propenyl)-imidazolium bromide (2) with [Ir(μ-OMe)(cod)]₂ afforded the five coordinated iridium(I) carbene complexes [IrBr(L)(cod)] (3) (L=1-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) and (4) (L=1,3-bis(2-propenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). The reaction proceeds via an in situ deprotonation of the imidazolium salt. Molecular structure determinations on 3 and 4 confirmed the coordination of the carbene ligands via the carbene carbon atom and one allyl group in both complexes. Treatment of complex 3 with an excess of AgBF₄ gave the dinuclear bromo bridged complex [(Ir(μ-Br)(L)(cod)]₂BF₄ (5) (L=1-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene). The reaction of complex 4 with an excess of AgBF₄ led to the mononuclear complex [Ir(L)(cod)]BF₄ (6) (L=1,3-bis(2-propenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) where both N-allyl substituents are coordinated to the iridium(I) center.     

Optically active iridium complexes with cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands: synthesis and oxidative addition of methyl iodide

The dimer [Ir(μ-Cl)(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ reacts with the ligands (S)-(C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂)Li and (R)-(C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂)Li to give (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(C₈H₁₄)], which upon treatment with CH₃I at room temperature afford the cationic iridium(III) compounds (S,S_Ir)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a single diastereomer, and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(C₈H₁₄)][I] as a 9:1 mixture of two diastereomers. If the oxidative addition reaction is performed at reflux in methylene chloride, the starting complexes convert to the neutral compounds (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(I)] as 1.6:1 and 3.3:1 mixtures of diastereoisomers, respectively. Carbonyl iridium complexes are synthesized by reacting [IrCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂] with the ligands to afford (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CO)] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CO)]. They give upon treatment with CH₃I the cationic species (S)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH₂CH(Ph)PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] and (R)-[Ir(η⁵-C₅H₄CH(Cy)CH₂PPh₂-κP)(CH₃)(CO)][I] as 1.6:1 and 3:1 mixture of diastereomers, respectively. No migratory-insertion of the methyl group into the carbonyl-metal bond has been observed even after prolonged heating.     

Synthesis, structures and properties of new cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-(naphthalen-2-yl)pyridine

The reaction between 3-methoxy-6-methyl-2-(naphthalen-2-yl)pyridine 1 and IrCl₃ was performed in an attempt to synthesize a cyclometalated Ir(III) Cl-bridged dimer 2. An unexpected Ir(III) complex 3 was isolated, which was a five-coordinate bis-cyclometalated Ir(III) complex. The complexes 2 and 3 were converted to the same mononuclear complex 4 upon reacting with acetylacetonate (acac), respectively. All of the new compounds have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and ESI-MS. Additionally, the crystal structures and properties of these Ir(III) complexes are investigated. The most striking common features of the structures of 2 and 3 is intramolecular C-H···Cl hydrogen bonds. The complex 4 shows yellow phosphorescence with structureless emission peaks at about 556 nm.     

Yellow organic light-emitting diodes based on phosphorescent iridium(III) pyrazine complexes: Fine tuning of emission color

The synthesis and luminescence of a series of new iridium pyrazine complexes were investigated. The phosphorescent peak wavelength can be fine-tuned in yellow color range of 553-588 nm. Complexes 4 and 6 were used as representative examples for fabrication of multilayered OLEDs. The two OLEDs all exhibited high efficiency. The devices based on complex 4 exhibited an external quantum efficiency of 4.6% (power efficiency 9.7l m/W) and a maximum brightness of 32 700 cd/m². The device also showed high color purity with an emission maximum at 561 nm and Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage (CIE) coordinates of (x = 0.45, y = 0.54).     

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.     

Synthesis and in vitro antitumor activity of novel iridium(III) complexes with enantiopure C2-symmetrical vicinal diamine ligands

Four novel iridium(III) complexes with enantiopure C₂-symmetrical vicinal diamine ligands were designed, synthesized, and characterized by FT-IR, NMR, and MS. The cytotoxicities of all of the complexes against the human solid tumor cell lines A2780, A549, KB, and MDA-MB-231 were evaluated. Both R,R-configured complexes (R,R)-5a and (R,R)-5b exhibited more potent or similar activity compared with oxaliplatin, whereas their corresponding (S,S)-isomers (S,S)-5a and (S,S)-5b were found to be mostly inactive. As indicated by the activation of caspase-3, the cleavage of PARP, and the upregulation of p53, the preliminary mechanism studies revealed that the mode of cell death initiated by (R,R)-5a in A2780 cells was predominantly p53-mediated apoptosis. In addition, the structure of (R,R)-5a was unambiguously confirmed through single crystal X-ray structure determination.     

A series of iridium complexes equipped with inert shields: Highly efficient bluish green emitters with reduced self-quenching effect in solid state

In this paper, we synthesize a series of cyclometalated ligands and their corresponding Ir(III) complexes using pentane-2,4-dione as the auxiliary ligand. We discuss the photophysical properties of these Ir(III) complexes in detail, including their UV-Vis absorption spectra, photoluminescence spectra in solid and liquid states, luminescence decay lifetimes, and luminescence quantum yields. The correlation between self-quenching effect and molecular structure is also investigated. It is found that these Ir(III) complexes are solid-emitting ones due to their reduced self-quenching in solid state. Theoretical calculation and experimental data reveal that the following two reasons should be responsible for the reduced self-quenching in solid state: (1) pentane-2,4-dione, phenyl, and triphenylamine moieties serve as inert shields for the excited state Ir(III) complexes; (2) the radiative decay process in these Ir(III) complexes is accelerated by the introduction of electron-donors, and thus partly immune from self-quenching caused by intermolecular action.     

Syntheses and structural characterizations of novel mono- and dinuclear iridium hydrido complexes with polydentate nitrogen donor ligands

New five mono- and dinuclear Ir hydrido complexes with polydentate nitrogen ligands, [Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(tptz)]PF₆ (1), [Ir₂(H)₄(PPh₃)₄(tptz)](PF₆)₂ · 2H₂O (2 · 2H₂O), [Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(tppz)]BF₄ (3), [Ir₂(H)₄(PPh₃)₄(tppz)](BF₄)₂ (4) and [Ir₂(H)₄(PPh₃)₄(bted)](BF₄)₂ · 6CHCl₃ (5 · 6CHCl₃), were systematically prepared by the reactions of the precursor Ir hydrido complex [Ir(H)₂(PPh₃)₂(Me₂CO)₂]X (X=PF₆ and BF₄) with 2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (tptz), 2,3,5,6-tetrakis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) and 1,4-bis(2,2^′:6^′,2″-terpyridine-4^′-yl)benzene (bted), and their structures and properties were characterized in the solid state and in solution. Each of the Ir hydrido complexes with polydentate nitrogen ligands crystallographically described a unique coordination mode. Their ¹H NMR spectra demonstrated unusual ¹H NMR chemical shifts of pyridyl rings that are likely induced by the ring current effect of neighboring ligands.     

Trinuclear iridium and rhodium complexes: the solution to a puzzle involving the multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one ligands

The multiple coordination possibilities of 1,8-naphthyridine-2-one (HOnapy) and 5,7-dimethyl-1,8-napthyridine-2-one (HOMe₂napy) ligands allow the synthesis of a variety of tri- di- and mononuclear complexes, showing fluxional behaviour and frequent exchange of the coordinated ML₂ fragments. Thus, reactions of [M₂(μ-OMe)₂(cod)₂] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with HOnapy and HOMe₂napy yield the compounds of the general formula [M(μ-OR₂napy) (cod)]_n (M = Ir, R = Me (1a, 1b, H (2); M = Rh, R = Me (3a, 3b). They crystallise as inconvertible yellow (a) and purple/orange (b) forms and also show a puzzling behaviour in solution. X-ray diffraction studies on both forms (3a, 3b) and spectroscopic data reveal that the yellow forms are mononuclear complexes whilst the dark-coloured crystals contain dinuclear complexes. In solution, the nuclearity of the complexes depends on the solvent. In addition both types of complexes are fluxional. The mixed-ligand complexes [M₂(μ-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)] M = Ir (5), Rh (6) have been isolated and characterised; they are found to be intermediates in the synthesis of the trinuclear complexes [M₃(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]⁺ M = Rh (8), Ir (9). Reactions of [IrCl(CO)₂(NH₂-p-tolyl] with the complexes [Rh(μ-OR₂napy)(diolefin)]_n followed by addition of a poor donor anion is a general one-pot synthesis for the hetertrinuclear complexes [Rh₂Ir(μ₃-OR₂napy)₂(CO)₂(diolefin)₂]⁺ (R=Me, DIOLEFIN = cod (10), tetrafluorobenzo-barrelene (tfbb) (11), 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) (12); R=H, DIOLEFIN=cod (13)). This synthesis follows a stepwise mechanism from the mononuclear to the trinuclear complexes in which mixed-ligand heterodinuclear complexes are involved as intermediates of the type [(diolefin)Rh(μ-OMe₂napy)₂Ir(CO)₂]. Heteronuclear complexes which possess the core [RhIr₂]³⁺, such as [RhIr₂(μ₃-OR₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]BF₄ (R=Me (14), H (15)), result from the reaction of 1 or 2 with [Rh(CO)₂S_x]⁺ (S = solvent). The trinuclear complexes undergo two chemically reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The chemical oxidation of 10, 14 and 9 with silver salts gives the mixed-valence trinuclear radicals [Rh₂Ir(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (16), [RhIr₂(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (17) and [Ir₃(μ₃-OMe₂napy)₂(CO)₂(cod)₂]²⁺ (18), which have been isolated as the perchlorate and tetrafluoroborate salts. The EPR spectrum of 16 indicates that the unpaired electron is essentially in an orbital delocalised on the metals. The molecular structures of the complexes 3a, 3b, 6, 10b and 16a are described. Crystals of 3a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 9.7393(2), b = 14.0148(4), c = 16.0607(4) Å, α = 88.122(3), β = 83.924(3), γ = 87.038(3)°, Z = 4; 3b crystallises in the Pna2_i orthorhhombic space group, with a = 16.7541(3), B = 11.7500(8), c = 17.7508(7) Å, Z = 4; complex 6 is packed in the monoclinic space group P2_i/c, a = 9.6371(1), b = 11.8054(4), c = 27.2010(9) Å, β = 90.556(4)°, Z = 4; crystals of 10b are monoclinic, P2₁/n, with a = 17.546(7), b = 13.232(6), c = 17.437(8) Å, β = 106.18(1)°, Z = 4; crystals of 16a are triclinic, P-1, with a = 10.318(4), b = 12.562(6), C = 19.308(8) Å, α = 92.12(8), β = 97.65(9), γ = 90.68(5)°, Z = 2. The five different structures show the coordination versatility of the OMe₂napy molecule as ligand, which behaves as a N,N′-chelating (3a), bidentate N,O-donor (3b, 6), or as a tridentate N,N′,O-donor bridging ligand (10b, 16a).     

New iridium(I) complexes with labile ligands: reactivity and structural characterization by atmospheric pressure mass and tandem mass spectrometry

Reaction of diphosphine complexes [IrCl{(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂}]₂ (I) and [IrCl(dppe)]₂ (II) with coordinating solvents (acetonitrile, acetone, DMSO) leads to several square-planar complexes of the type [IrCl(diphosphine)(solvent)] which are stable only in solution ([IrCl{(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂}(NCCH₃)] (III) and [IrCl{(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂}(acetone)], IV) and/or can be detected only under APCI-MS/MS conditions ([IrCl(dppe)(solvent)]). When III is allowed to react with CO for at least 30 min, the unusual five coordinated trans-dicarbonyl complex [IrCl{(C₆F₅)₂P(CH₂)₂P(C₆F₅)₂}(CO)₂] (Vb) is formed, as characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR, FT-IR, TGA and APCI-MS/MS.A new and stable square-planar complex [Ir(OCH₃)(cod)(PClPh₂)] (IX) was also synthesized. Its APCI-MS/MS spectrum is simple and unique as it shows exclusively the loss of a neutral C₃H₂ species. Along with the APCI-MS and APCI-MS/MS analyses, whenever it was possible all complexes were also characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline with iridium trichloride: Synthesis, characterization and structure of new cyclometallated complexes of iridium(III)

Reactions of 2-(arylazo)aniline, HL (H represents the dissociable protons upon orthometallation and HL is p-RC₆H₄NNC₆H₄-NH₂; RH for HL¹; CH₃ for HL² and Cl for HL³) with IrCl₃ in methanol afforded orthometallated complexes of composition (L)(HL)IrCl₂ (2) and (L)(MeOH)IrCl₂ (3), respectively. Complex (L)(MeOH)IrCl₂ (3) converted into (L)(CH₃CN)IrCl₂ (4) upon refluxing in acetonitrile. The X-ray structure of the complexes (L¹)(HL¹)IrCl₂ (2a) and (L³)(CH₃CN)IrCl₂ (4c) have been determined and characterized unequivocally. The anionic L⁻ binds the metal in tridentate (C, N, N) manner for all the complexes.     

DNA interaction of new copper(II) complexes with sulfonamides as ligands

New copper(II) complexes with sulfonamide ligands have been prepared and characterized. Sulfonamide ligands were prepared through a reaction between 8-aminoquinoline and either 2-mesitylene (Hqmesa), 4-tert-butylbenzene (Hqtbsa), or alpha-toluene (Halphaqtsa) sulfonyl chlorides. The structural analysis carried out for complex [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] indicated that the local environment of the Cu(II) cation is between a square planar and a tetrahedral geometry, with stacking of the benzene rings of the sulfonyl ligands between neighbor molecules. Powder EPR spectra at room temperature gave rhombic spectra for the [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] and [Cu(qmesa)(2)] complexes and an axial spectrum for the [Cu(qtbsa)(2)] complex, probably due to the steric hindrance of the methyl groups. Complexes [Cu(alphaqtsa)(2)] and [Cu(qmesa)(2)] are artificial chemical nucleases that degrade DNA in the presence of sodium ascorbate. A study of the radical scavengers revealed that the ROS (reactive oxygen species) involved in the DNA damage were hydroxyl, singlet oxygen-like species, and superoxide anion.     

3(5)-Pyrazolyl substituted triphenylphosphines as ligands for the palladium catalyzed Heck reaction

3(5)-Pyrazolyl substituted triphenylphosphines have been investigated as ligands for the palladium catalyzed Heck reaction of aryl halides with styrene. Catalysts formed in situ from those phosphines and Pd^II(OAc)₂ are comparable in activity and selectivity with the corresponding pre-synthesized Pd(II) complexes, while Pd₂(dba)₃ has turned out to be a less suitable palladium source. Among the ligands investigated, the bidentate P,N-ligand 2-[3(5)-pyrazolylphenyl]diphenylphosphine has shown the highest activities for the coupling of bromobenzene with styrene in the presence of Pd^II(OAc)₂. In the presence of 1 equiv. of nBu₄NI as the additive, unreactive 4-chloroacetophenone also undergoes Heck coupling with styrene.