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.     

Reactions of hybrid organotellurium ligands 1-(4-methoxyphenyl telluro)-2-[3-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propoxy]ethane (L) and 1-ethylthio-2-[2-thienyltelluro]ethane (L) with mercury (II) bromide: formation of complexes and their decomposition

Two tellurium ligands 1-(4-methoxyphenyltelluro)-2-[3-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propoxy]ethane (L¹) and 1-ethylthio-2-[2-thienyltelluro]ethane (L²) have been synthesized by reacting nucleophiles [4-MeO-C₆H₄Te⁻] and [C₄H₃S-2-Te⁻] with 2-[3-(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propoxy]ethylchloride and chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, respectively. Both the ligands react with HgBr₂ resulting in complexes of stoichiometry [HgBr₂ · L¹/L²] (1/4), which show characteristic NMR (¹H and ¹³C{¹H}). On crystallization of 1 from acetone-hexane (2:1) mixture, the cleavage of L¹ occurs resulting in 4-MeOC₆H₄HgBr (2) and [RTe⁺→HgBr₂]Br⁻ (3) (where R = -CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂CH₂-(2-(6-CH₃-C₅H₃N))). The 2 is characterized by X-ray diffraction on its single crystal. It is a linear molecule and is the first such system which is fully characterized structurally. The Hg-C and Hg-Br bond lengths are 2.085(6) and2.4700(7) Å. The distance of four bromine atoms (3.4041(7)-3.546(7) Å) around Hg (cis to C) is greater than the sum of van der Waal’s radii 3.30 Å. This mercury promoted cleavage is observed for an acyclic ligand of RArTe type for the first time and is unique, as there appears to be no strong intramolecular interaction to stabilize the cleavage products. The 4 on crystallization shows the cleavage of organotellurium ligand L² and formation of a unique complex [(EtS(CH₂)₂SEt)HgBr(μ-Br)Hg(Br)(μ-Br)₂Hg(Br)(μ-Br)BrHg(EtS(CH₂)₂SEt)] · 2HgBr₂ (5), which has been characterized by single crystal structure determination and ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectra. The elemental tellurium and [C₄H₃SCH₂]₂ are the other products of dissociation as identified by NMR (proton and carbon-13). The cleavage appears to be without any transmetalation and probably first of its kind. The centrosymmetric structure of 5 is unique as it has [HgBr₃]⁻ unit, one Hg in distorted tetrahedral geometry and one in pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal one. The molecule of 5 may also be described as having [(EtSCH₂CH₂SEt)HgBr]⁺ [HgBr₃]⁻ units, which dimerize and co-crystallize with two HgBr₂ moieties. There are very weak Hg?Br interactions between co-crystallized HgBr₂ units and rest of the molecule. [Hg(3)-Br(1)/Hg(3)-Br(4) = 3.148(1)/3.216(1) Å]. The bridging Hg?Br distances, Hg(2)-Br(4)′, Hg(2)′-Br(4) and Hg(1)-Br(2), are from 2.914(1) to 3.008(1) Å.     

Synthesis and structures of mono- and tetra-nuclear silver complexes of styrene-containing N-heterocyclic carbene

Two tetra-nuclear Ag(I) complexes with styrene-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene [AgL₂]₂[Ag₂X₄] (L = 1-methyl-3-(4-vinylbenzyl)imidazol-2-ylidene, X = Cl, 2a; X = I, 2b) were prepared by the reactions between the corresponding imidazolium salts with Ag₂O. The reaction mixture was further treated with AgBF₄ to give a mononuclear ion-pair complex [AgL₂][BF₄] (3). The molecular structures of these new Ag(I) complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. 2a and 2b consist of two [Ag(L)₂]⁺ fragments with the central [Ag₂X₄]²⁻ anion held together by the close Ag(I)-Ag(I) interactions. Complex 3 is a mononuclear ion-pair complex with a linear bi-coordinate Ag fragment.     

Syntheses, structures and bioactivities of silver(I) complexes with dithioether ligands that contain a di- or triethylene glycol chain and different terminal groups

A series of flexible dithioethyl ligands that contain ethyleneoxy segments were designed and synthesized, including bis(2-(pyridin-2-ylthio)ethyl)ether (L¹), 1,2-bis(2-(pyridin-2-ylthio)ethoxy)ethane (L²), bis(2-(benzothiazol-2-ylthio)ethyl)ether (L³) and 1,2-bis(2-(benzothiazol-2-ylthio)ethoxy)ethane (L⁴). Reactions of these ligands with AgNO₃ led to the formation of four new supramolecular coordination complexes, [Ag₂L¹(NO₃)₂]₂ (1), [Ag₂L²(NO₃)₂] (2), [AgL³(NO₃)]_∞ (3) and [AgL⁴(NO₃)] (4) in which the length of the (CH₂CH₂O)_n spacers and the terminal groups of ligands cause subtle geometrical differences. Studies of the inhibitory effect to the growth of Phaeodactylum tricornutum show that all four complexes are active and the compound 4 has the highest inhibitory activity.     

Tunable polymerization of silver complexes with organosulfur ligand: counterions effect, solvent- and temperature-dependence in the formation of silver(I)-thiolate(and/or thione) complexes

The reaction of pyridine-2-thiol with AgBF₄ and AgClO₄ in MeCN gave rise to polymeric compounds [{Ag(HPyS)₂}₂(BF₄)₂]_n (1) and [{Ag(HPyS)₂}₂(ClO₄)₂]_n (2) (HPyS=pyridine-2-thione), respectively, while the similar reaction of pyridine-2-thiol with AgNO₃ resulted in a polymeric compound [{Ag₄(HPyS)₆}(NO₃)₄]_n (3). X-ray single-crystal diffraction analyses showed that the cations of both 1 and 2 possess a single-metal-atom chain structure but that of 3 is a double-metal-atom chain structure. The difference between 1 (or 2) and 3 showed counterion effect in polymerization of silver-thione compounds. In the presence of water, the treatment of pyridine-2-thiol with AgBF₄ in DMF at 0 °C generated a polymeric compound [Ag(SPy)]_n (4) (Spy=pyridine-2-thiolate) with graphite-like layered array of silver ions. Compound 4 can convert into its isomer [Ag₆(SPy)₆]_n (5) through soaking in DMF for 1 month. However, the similar reaction of pyridine-2-thiol with AgBF₄ in MeCN-H₂O (v:v=40:1) at room temperature gave another layered polymeric compound [{Ag₅(Spy)₄(HPyS)}BF₄]_n (6). The preparation of 4, 5, and 6 showed that temperature and solvent exert influence on formation of silver-thiolate polymers. The reaction of AgNO₃ with K₂i-mnt (i-mnt=2,2-dicyanoethene-1,1,-dithiolate) and pyridine-2-thiol gave a polymer [Ag₄(μ₄-i-mnt)₂(μ-HPyS)₂(μ-HPyS)_4/2]_n (7) with one-dimensional (1-D) chain structure consisting of Ag₄ square planar cluster units linked by 1H-pyridine-2-thione ligand. The treatment of AgNO₃ with NaS₂CNEt₂ and pyridine-2-thiol in DMF resulted in another polymeric compound [Ag₄(μ₃-S₂CNEt₂)₂(μ₂-SPy)_4/2]_n (8). The preparation and characterization of these polymeric compounds demonstrated that polymerization of silver(I)-thione and silver(I)-thiolate complexes is tunable through controlling reaction conditions. Semiconducting property studies of 1-8 demonstrated that the electrical conductivity of 4 is 2.04×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C and increases as temperature rises, and those of 1-3 and 5-8 are in the range of 1×10⁻¹²-1×10⁻¹⁵ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature and independent on the temperature, indicating that 1 is a semiconductor and the others are insulators.     

Synthesis and cyclization reactions of platinum(II)-coordinated arsonium-substituted phenyl isocyanides, o-(IR3As-CH2)C6H4NC

The arsonium-substituted isocyanides, o-(I⁻⁺R₃AsCH₂)C₆H₄NC (AsR₃=AsPh₃, L₁; AsMePh₂, L₂; AsMe₂Ph, L₃), were prepared by reaction of o-(chloromethyl)phenyl isocyanide, o-(CH₂Cl)C₆H₄NC, with a slight molar stoichiometric amount of the arsine in the presence of a 3-fold excess of NaI in acetone at room temperature. The isocyanides L₁-L₃ coordinate to some Pt(II) complexes such as trans-[PtX{o-(I⁻⁺R₃AsCH₂)C₆H₄NC}(PPh₃)₂] [BF₄] (AsR₃=AsPh₃, 1; AsMePh₂, 2; AsMe₂Ph, 3; X=Cl, I) and [PtX{o-(I⁻⁺R₃AsCH₂)C₆H₄NC}(Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)] [BF₄] (AsR₃=AsMePh₂, 4; X=Cl, I). Complexes 2-4 are converted in CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature in the presence of NEt₃ to the corresponding indolidin-2-ylidene derivatives trans-[PtX{(AsR₃)}(PPh₃)₂]BF₄] (AsR₃=AsPh₃, 5; AsMePh₂, 6; AsMe₂Ph, 7) and [PtX{(AsMePh₂)}(Ph₂PCHCHPPh₂)][BF₄] (8).     

Synthesis and reactivity with amines of new diiron alkynyl methoxy carbene complexes

The new diiron alkynyl methoxy carbene complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(OMe)CCR′}(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (Xyl), R′ = Tol, 3a; R = Xyl, R′ = Ph, 3b; R = Xyl, R′=Buⁿ, 3c; R = Xyl, R′=SiMe₃, 3d; R = Me, R′ = Tol, 3e; R = Me, R′ = Ph, 3f) are obtained in two steps by addition of R′CCLi (R′ = Tol, Ph, Buⁿ, SiMe₃) to the carbonyl aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)₂(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Xyl, 1a; Me, 1b), followed by methylation of the resulting alkynyl acyl compounds [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(O)CCR′}(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 2a; R = Xyl, R′ = Ph, 2b; R = Xyl, R′ = Buⁿ, 2c; R = Xyl, R′ = SiMe₃, 2d; R = Me, R′ = Tol, 2e; R = Me, R′ = Ph, 2f). Complexes 3 react with secondary amines (i.e., Me₂NH, C₅H₁₀NH) to give the 4-amino-1-metalla-1,3-dienes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(OMe)CHC(R′)(NMe₂)}(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Xyl, R′ = Tol, 4a; R = Xyl, R′ = Ph, 4b; R = Me, R′ = Ph, 4c) and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(OMe)CHC(Tol)(NC₅H₁₀)}(Cp)₂]⁺, 5. The addition occurs stereo-selectively affording only the E-configured products. Analogously, addition of primary amines R′NH₂ (R′ = Ph, Et, Prⁱ) affords the 4-(NH-amino)-1-metalla-1,3-diene complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(OMe)CHC(R)(NHR′)}(Cp)₂]⁺ (R = Ph, 6a; Et, 6b; Prⁱ, 6c). In the case of 6a, only the E isomer is formed, whereas a mixture of the E and Z isomers is present in the case of 6b,c, with prevalence of the latter. Moreover, the two isomeric forms exist under dynamic equilibrium conditions, as shown by VT NMR studies. Complexes 6 are deprotonated by strong bases (e.g., NaH) resulting in the formation of the neutral vinyl imine complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){C(OMe)CHC(NR)(Tol)}(Cp)₂] (R = Ph, 7a; Et, 7b; Prⁱ, 7c); the reaction can be reverted by addition of strong acids. X-ray crystal structures have been determined for 3a[CF₃SO₃] · Et₂O, 4c[CF₃SO₃], 6a[BF₄] · CH₂Cl₂, 6c[CF₃SO₃] · 0.5Et₂O and 7a · CH₂Cl₂.     

One-dimensional silver(I) and mercury(II) complexes with 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH)

The crystal structures of four Ag(I) and Hg(II) complexes of the ligand 1,4-bis(1-benzyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)cyclohexane (N-BBzBimCH) have been described, that is, [Hg₂(N-BBzBimCH)Cl₄] (1), [Hg(N-BBzBimCH)Br₂] (2), [Ag(N-BBzBimCH)](NO₃)(H₂O) (3) and [Ag₂(N-BBzBimCH)(CF₃OCO)₂] (4). All these compounds show 1D polymeric structures in the solid state. In complexes 1 and 4, the chloride ions and the trifluoroacetate groups bridge the [Hg₂(N-BBzBimCH)Cl₂] and [Ag₂(N-BBzBimCH)] fragments, respectively, to generate 1D polymers. While the bromide ions in complex 2 and nitrate groups in complex 3 are only serving as terminal ligands to suffice the coordination geometry of the metal centers. In all cases, weak intermolecular interactions such as C-H?X (X = Cl, Br) contacts, hydrogen bonds, π-π interactions and C-H?π stacking play important roles to extend the 1D chain structures to 2D network. Solid state fluorescence of these compounds was also studied.     

Palladium(II) complexes of imidazolin-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene ligands with redox-active dimethoxyphenyl or (hydro)quinonyl substituents

Four novel imidazolium salts, precursors to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, with 2,5-dimethoxybenzyl or 2,5-dihydroxybenzyl (i.e., p-hydroquinone) substituents have been prepared. The crystal structure of the hydroquinone-substituted imidazolium salt H₃L³Br reveals Br⁻?H-O bridged chiral chains of alternating [H₃L³]⁺ cations and Br⁻ counter-ions parallel to the x-axis. Palladium(II) complexes were accessible from reactions of the dimethoxyphenyl-substituted imidazolium precursors with palladium(II) acetate, but not from reactions of imidazolium cations with hydroquinonyl substituents. The crystal structure of the bis(dimethoxybenzyl)-substituted bis(NHC)Pd complex, cis-[PdBr₂(L²)] (2), is described. Puckering of the bis(NHC) ligand leads to a cleft in which an included molecule of dimethylformamide is situated. The cleft is closed by one of the dimethoxybenzyl groups which π-stacks with the dimethylformamide; the other dimethoxybenzyl group points away from the cleft and Pd(II) centre. Reaction of complex 2 with BBr₃ afforded the targeted bis(hydroquinone)-substituted bis(NHC)Pd(II) complex 3 (97% yield) which, in turn, was oxidised by 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-benzoquinone to the corresponding p-benzoquinone-substituted bis(NHC)Pd(II) complex 4 (98% yield). The cyclic voltammograms of the Pd(II) complexes 2-4 reveal waves that are attributed to an admix of the anticipated ligand-centred and [Pd(C-NHC)₂Br₂]-centred processes.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties of two silver complexes of N,N,N′,N′-tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethylene diamine

Treatment of a suspension of AgNO₃ and AgCl in MeOH with a solution of N,N,N′,N′-tetra(diphenylphosphanylmethyl)ethylene diamine (dppeda) in CHCl₃ afforded a binuclear complex [Ag₂(dppeda)Cl](NO₃)·2MeOH (1). The analogous reactions using AgSCN and dppeda in EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ gave rise to a polymeric complex [Ag₂(dppeda)(SCN)₂]_n (2). Both compounds were fully characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, ¹H(³¹P) NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The cation of 1 shows an interesting molecular basket framework in which dppeda adopts a side-by-side coordination mode. Compound 2 possesses an unique 2D (6,3) layer network with 34-membered metallomacrocycles in which dppeda takes a end-to-end coordination mode. The 2D topological framework of 2 is rare in the chemistry of tetraphosphines. The photoluminescent properties of 1 and 2 in solid state at ambient temperature were investigated.     

The synthesis, structure, and luminescence of two silver(I)-dppm complexes based on sulfate anion and nitrogen heterocyclic ligands

At ambient temperature, two silver(I) complexes [Ag₄(SO₄)₂(dppm)₄]·5CH₃CH₂OH·1/2H₂O (1) and [Ag₂(SO₄)(dppm)₂(2-ampz)]·CH₃OH·H₂O (2) (dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, 2-ampz = 2-aminopyrazine) were obtained by the reaction of Ag₂SO₄ with dppm in the presence of pyrazine or 2-aminopyrazine. They are characterized by IR, X-ray crystallography, luminescence and ¹H, ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Complex 1 is a tetranuclear cluster. In complex 2, the units [Ag₂(SO₄)(dppm)₂] are connected by 2-aminopyrazine to form a 1D linear polymer. Due to the subtle interactions of different nitrogen heterocyclic ligands with silver ions, two SO₄²⁻ anions in 1 adopt μ₃-O, O′, O′ and unique μ₄-O, O, O′, O′ bonding modes respectively, while SO₄²⁻ anion in 2 adopts μ-O, O′ bonding mode.     

Speciation, stability constants and structures of complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), silver(I) and mercury(II) with PAMAM dendrimer and related tetraamide ligands

The acid-base properties and Cu(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Hg(II) binding abilities of PAMAM dendrimer, L, and of the simple model compounds, the tetraamides of EDTA and PDTA, L¹, were studied in solution by pH-metric methods and by ¹H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. PAMAM is hexabasic and six pK_a values have been determined and assigned. PAMAM forms five identifiable complexes with copper(II), [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, [CuLH₂]⁴⁺, [CuLH]³⁺, [CuL]²⁺ and [CuLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 2-11 and three with nickel(II), [NiLH]³⁺, [NiL]²⁺ and [NiLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 7-11. The complex [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, which contains two tertiary nitrogen and three amide oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal ion, is less stable than the analogous EDTA and PDTA tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, which contain two tertiary nitrogen and four amide oxygen atoms, due to ring size and charge effects. With increasing pH, [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ undergoes deprotonation of two coordinated amide groups to give [CuLH₂]⁴⁺ with a concomitant change from O-amide to N-amidate coordination. Surprisingly and in contrast to the tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, these two deprotonation steps could not be separated. As expected the nickel(II) complexes are less stable than their copper(II) analogues. The tetra-N-methylamides of EDTA, L¹(b), and PDTA form mononuclear and binuclear complexes with Hg(II). In the case of L¹(b) these have stoichiometries HgL¹(b)Cl₂, [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂ and [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻. Based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data the proposed structure for HgL¹(b)Cl₂, the main tetraamide ligand containing species in the pH range <3-6.5, contains L¹(b) coordinated to the metal ion through the two tertiary nitrogens and two amide oxygens while the structure of [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, the main tetraamide ligand species at pH 7.5-9.0, contains the ligand similarly coordinated but through two amidate nitrogen atoms instead of amide oxygens. The proposed structure of [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, a minor species at pH 3-6.5, also based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amide oxygens and a chloride ligand while that of [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amidate nitrogens, a chloride and a hydroxo ligand in the case of one of the Hg(II) ions. The parent EDTA and PDTA amides only form mononuclear complexes. PAMAM also forms dinuclear as well as mononuclear complexes with mercury(II) and silver(I). In the pH range 3-11 six complexes with Hg(II) i.e. [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺, [HgLH₃Cl₂]³⁺, [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺, [Hg₂LH₋₁Cl₂]⁺, [HgLH₋₁Cl₂]⁻ and [HgLH₋₂Cl₂]²⁻ were identified and only two with Ag(I), [AgLH₃]⁴⁺ and [Ag₂L]²⁺. Based on stoichiometries, stability constant comparisons and ¹H NMR data, structures are proposed for these species. Hence [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺ is proposed to have a similar structure to [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ while [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺has a similar structure to [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻.     

6-Halogenopyridin-2-olato complexes with the diruthenium(2+) core: Equilibria between head-to-head and head-to-tail structures

The dinuclear bis(6-X-pyridin-2-olato) ruthenium complexes [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(PPh₃)₂] (X = Cl (4B) and Br (5B)), [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₂] (X = Cl (6B), Br (7B) and F (8B)) and [Ru₂(μ-ClpyO)₂(CO)₄(PhCN)₂] (9B) were prepared from the corresponding tetranuclear coordination dimers [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄]₂ (1: X = Cl; 2: X = Br) and [Ru₂(μ-FpyO)₂(CO)₆]₂ (3) by treatment with an excess of triphenylphosphane, acetonitrile and benzonitrile, respectively. In the solid state, complexes 4B-9B all have a head-to-tail arrangement of the two pyridonate ligands, as evidenced by X-ray crystal structure analyses of 4B, 6B and 9B, in contrast to the head-to-head arrangement in the precursors 1-3. A temperature- and solvent-dependent equilibrium between the yellow head-to-tail complexes and the red head-to-head complexes 4A-7A and 9A, bearing an axial ligand only at the O,O-substituted ruthenium atom, exists in solution and was studied by NMR spectroscopy. Full ¹H and ¹³C NMR assignments were made in each case. Treatment of 1 and 2 with the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene provided the complexes [Ru₂(μ-XpyO)₂(CO)₄(NHC)], X = Cl (11A) or Br (12A). An XRD analysis revealed the head-to-head arrangement of the pyridonate ligands and axial coordination of the carbene ligand at the O,O-substituted ruthenium atom. The conversion of 11A and 12A into the corresponding head-to-tail complexes was not possible.     

A new gold(III)-aminoethyl imidazolium aurate salt: Synthesis, characterization and reactivity

Tetrachloroauric acid HAuCl₄ reacts with the ionic liquid 1-(2-aminoethyl)-3-methylimidazolium nitrate [NH₂(CH₂)₂ImMe]NO₃, (2b) or its dicationic ammonium salt [NH₃(CH₂)₂ImMe][NO₃]₂, (3) in methanolic solutions to give the novel gold(III)-aminoethyl imidazolium aurate salt [Cl₃AuNH₂(CH₂)₂ImMe][AuCl₄] (4). The reaction of 4 with [ⁿBu₄]Cl gives [NH₂(CH₂)₂ImMe][AuCl₄] (2c) whereas with acetone the dicationic, iminium-functionalized, imidazolium aurate salt [Me₂C=N(H)(CH₂)₂ImMe][AuCl₄]₂ (5) has been isolated. The structures in the solid state of 2c, 3, 4, and 5 have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behaviour of 4 has been examined by Cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile and compared with 2c and KAuCl₄.     

Anion effects on construction of Zn compounds with a chelating ligand bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and their catalytic activities

Three Zn^II complexes containing bispicam ligands (bispicam = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), [Zn(bispicam)₂](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH 4A, [Zn(bispicam)(NO₃)₂] 4B, and [Zn(bispicam)₂](OTf)₂6, were obtained, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes of the general formulation [Zn(bispicam)₂]X₂ (X = Cl⁻ (1), Br⁻ (2), I⁻ (3), NO₃⁻ (4A), ClO₄⁻ (5), and OTf⁻ (6)) show fac geometric isomers (a) or enantiomers (c) and (d) according to anions. Moreover, complexes 4-6 could carry out the catalytic transesterification of a range of esters with methanol under the mild conditions. Importantly, the catalyst 4B with an unsaturated structure has shown better efficiency than the catalysts, 4A, 5, and 6, having saturated structures. To explain this reactivity difference, two different reaction mechanisms have been proposed (metal-based vs. amide N-H-based).     

Synthesis, characterization, and structural studies of mercury(II) complexes of new bidentate phosphorus ylide

The reaction of Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂ (dppe) with BrCH₂C(O)C₆H₄NO₂ (1:1.05 molar ratio) in acetone produces a mixture of the new monophosphonium salt [Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂CH₂C(O)C₆H₄NO₂]Br (1) and the diphosphonium salt [NO₂C₆H₄C(O)CH₂PPh₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂CH₂C(O)C₆H₄NO₂]Br₂ (2). Compound 2 was insoluble in acetone and thus easily separated from the solution of 1. Further, by reacting both the mono- and diphosphonium salts with the appropriate bases the bidentate phosphorus ylides, [Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂CHC(O)C₆H₄NO₂] (3) and [NO₂C₆H₄C(O)CHPPh₂CH₂CH₂PPh₂CHC(O)C₆H₄NO₂] (4) were obtained. The reaction of ligand 3 with mercury(II) halides in dry methanol leads to the formation of the P,P-coordinated monomeric complexes {HgX₂(Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂CHC(O)C₆H₄NO₂)₂} [X = Cl (5), Br (6), I (7)]. The structure of complex 7 being unequivocally determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Characterization of these species was also performed by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR techniques. These analyses being consistent with a 2:1 stoichiometry ylide/Hg(II) for compounds 5 through 7. Results obtained from theoretical studies are also consistent with a product in which two ylides are coordinated to the Hg(II) center through their phosphine groups, being this product the most stable among all the possible products.     

Copper(I) and silver(I) tertiary phosphines complexes: Synthesis, X-ray structures and spectroscopic characterization

Six new complexes, [Cu₄I₄(PPh₂Cy)₄]·2H₂O (1), [CuI(PPhCy₂)₂] (2), [CuCl(PPhCy₂)₂] (3), and [CuBr(PPh₃)₃]·CH₃CN (4), [Ag(PPhCy₂)₂(NO₃)] (5), [Ag(PCy₃)(NO₃)]₂ (6) [where Ph = phenyl, Cy = cyclohexyl], have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR absorption spectra and NMR spectroscopic studies (except complex 4). The X-ray diffraction analysis of complex (1), pseudo polymorph of complex [Cu₄I₄(PPh₂Cy)₄], reveals a stella quadrangula structure. The four corners of the cube are occupied by copper(I) atoms and four I atoms are present at the alternative corners of the cube, further more the copper(I) atoms are coordinated to a monodentate tertiary phosphine. Complexes (2) and (3) are isostructural with trigonal planar geometry around the copper(I) atom. The crystal structure of complex (4) is a pseudo polymorph of complex [CuBr(PPh₃)₃] and the geometrical environment around the copper(I) centre is distorted tetrahedral. In the Ag^I complexes (5) and (6), the central metal atoms have pseudo tetrahedral and trigonal planar geometry, respectively. Spectroscopic and microanalysis results are consistent with the single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Reactions of N-cyanomethyl groups attached to a tetraaza macrocyclic copper(II) complex leading to the formation of various hetero-functionalized macrocyclic complexes

New hetero-functionalized macrocyclic complexes [CuL²](ClO₄)₂ (I) and [CuL³](ClO₄)₂ (II) bearing one N-CH₂CONH₂ or one N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ pendant arm as well as one N-CH₂CN group have been prepared by the selective reaction of water or n-propylamine with one of the two N-CH₂CN groups in [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂ (L¹ = 2,13-bis(cyanomethyl)-5,16-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[16.4.0.^1.180^7.12]docosane). The complex [CuL⁴](ClO₄)₂ (III) bearing both N-CH₂CONH₂ and N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ pendant arms can be prepared by either the reaction of I with n-propylamine or the hydrolysis of II. The N-CH₂CONH₂ and/or N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ groups of I, II, and III are coordinated to the metal ion. The crystal structure of II shows that the complex has distorted square-pyramidal coordination polyhedron with a considerably strong apical Cu-N (N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃) bond (2.101(6) Å). The addition of HClO₄ (?0.01 M) to an acetonitrile (or DMSO) solution of II or III produces [Cu(HL³)](ClO₄)₃ (IIa) or [Cu(HL⁴)](ClO₄)₃ (IIIa), showing that the N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ pendant arm of each complex is readily protonated in the non-aqueous solvent; the resulting N-CH₂C()NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ group of IIa or IIIa is not involved in coordination. However, the N-CH₂C(NH)NH(CH₂)₂CH₃ group of II is not protonated even in ?1.0 M HClO₄ aqueous solution. In the case of III, most of the complex exists as the protonated form [Cu(HL⁴)]³⁺ in ?0.1 M HClO₄ aqueous solutions.     

Heteroligand copper(I) complexes of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas and phosphanes: Versatile structures and luminescence

Reaction of the potassium salts of (EtO)₂P(O)CH₂C₆H₄-4-(NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂) (HL^I), (CH₂NHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₂ (H₂L^II) or cyclam(C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂)₄ (H₄L^III) with [Cu(PPh₃)₃I] or a mixture of CuI and Ph₂P(CH₂)_1-3PPh₂ or Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂ in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to [Cu(PPh₃)L^I] (1), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₂L^II] (2), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}L^I] (3), [Cu{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}L^I] (4), [Cu{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}L^I] (5), [Cu₂(PPh₃)₂L^II] (6), [Cu₂(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)L^II] (7), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₂L^II] (8), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₂L^II] (9), [Cu₂{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₂L^II] (10), [Cu₈(Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂)₈L^IIII₄] (11), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₂PPh₂}₄L^III] (12), [Cu₄{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃PPh₂}₄L^III] (13) or [Cu₄{Ph₂P(C₅H₄FeC₅H₄)PPh₂}₄L^III] (14) complexes. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; their compositions were examined by microanalysis. The luminescent properties of the complexes 1-14 in the solid state are reported.     

Complexes of Ag with mixed donor phenanthroline-containing macrocycles: spectrofluorimetric, spectrophotometric, conductometric and potentiometric studies

The reactions of Ag⁺ with five mixed donor phenanthroline-containing macrocycles (L¹-L⁵) having N₂S₃-, N₂S₂O-, N₂S₂-, N₃S₂-, and N₄S₂-donor sets, respectively, have been studied in MeCN by spectrofluorimetric, spectrophotometric, conductometric and potentiometric methods. All ligands form 1:1 [Ag(L)]⁺ complexes, and in the case of L⁴ and L⁵, formation of 1:2 [Ag(L)₂]⁺ species is also observed. The corresponding formation constants have been evaluated and their values allow a deeper insight into the role played by complexation process in the potentiometric selectivity for Ag⁺ of membrane electrodes (ISE), and in the selective transport of Ag⁺ through supported liquid membrane (SLM) systems based on these ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex [Ag(L⁴)]BF₄ is also reported.