Structural and magnetic characterization of one-dimensional oxalato-bridged metal(II) complexes with 4-amino-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole ligand: A supramolecular open-framework

A new family of one-dimensional oxalato-bridged metal(II) complexes with formula {[M(ox)(abpt)]·4H₂O}_n [M^II = Mn (1), Fe (2), Co (3), Zn (4); ox = oxalate dianion; abpt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole] has been synthesized and chemically, structurally and magnetically characterized. The crystal structures of compounds 2-4 have been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction, whereas complex 1 has been studied by means of X-ray powder diffraction methods. All of them are isomorphous and crystallize in the triclinic space group P. The metal atoms are bridged by bis-bidentate oxalate anions forming zig-zag chains in which bidentate chelating abpt ligands complete the octahedral O₄N₂ donor set. The crystal structures show an open-framework that contains rectangular channels in which easily removable hydrogen bonded ribbons of water molecules are located. The occurrence of antiferromagnetic intrachain interactions for compounds 1-3 was determined by cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Crystal structure, thermal stability and theoretical investigation on four 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane-based copper(II) complexes

Self-assembly of flexible 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane (btp), inorganic Cu(II) salt and rigid benzene-based carboxylate coligand generates four complexes, {[Cu(btp)₂(CH₃OH)(H₂O)]·H₂O·2ClO₄}_n (1), {[Cu(btp)(Hbtc)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n (2), [Cu(btp)₂(H₃btea)₂]_n (3), and [Cu(btp)(nb)₂] (4) (H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, H₄btea = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, Hnb = p-nitrobenzoic acid), which are fully structural characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, IR, and TG-DTA techniques. Structural determinations reveal that the polymeric two-dimensional (2D) Cu-btp grid-like layer for 1, 1D linear single- and double-stranded chains for 2 and 3, as well as the discrete binuclear structure for 4, are jointly directed by the coordination polyhedrons of the Cu(II) ion and the exo-bidentate bridging btp core ligand with various conformations. The theoretical calculations suggest that the trans-trans btp is the most stable conformation, and the metal binding site is collectively determined by the electron density of N donors and the spatial orientation of the btp ligand. Unexpectedly, the polycarboxylate anions in 1-4 can only act as terminal coligands not popular bridging connectors. The thermal stability of the resulting complexes is also compared.     

In-Vitro Cytotoxicity and Cell Cycle Analysis of Two Novel bis-1,2, 4-triazole derivatives: 1,4-bis[5-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl-methyl)-thio-4-(p-tolyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-14) and 1,4-bis[5-(carbethoxy-methyl)-thio-4-(p-ethoxy phenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-16)

In the present study, we have tested the cytotoxic and DNA damage activity of two novel bis-1,2,4 triazole derivatives, namely 1,4-bis[5-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl-methyl)-thio-4-(p-tolyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-14) and 1,4-bis[5-(carbethoxy-methyl)-thio-4-(p-ethoxy phenyl) -1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-16). The effect of these molecules on cellular apoptosis was also determined. The in-vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as well as Trypan blue dye exclusion methods against human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (MOLT4) and lung cancer cells (A549). Our results showed that MNP-16 induced significant cytotoxicity (IC₅₀ of 3–5 μM) compared with MNP-14. The cytotoxicity induced by MNP-16 was time and concentration dependent. The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS]) revealed that though there was a significant increase in the apoptotic population (sub-G₁ phase) with an increased concentration of MNP-14 and 16, there was no cell cycle arrest. Further, the comet assay results indicated considerable DNA strand breaks upon exposure to these compounds, thereby suggesting the possible mechanism of cytotoxicity induced by MNP-16. Hence, we have identified a novel molecule (MNP-16) which could be of great clinical relevance in cancer therapeutics.     

In-vitro cytotoxicity and cell cycle analysis of two novel bis-1,2, 4-triazole derivatives: 1,4-bis[5-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl-methyl)-thio-4-(p-tolyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-14) and 1,4-bis[5-(carbethoxy-methyl)-thio-4-(p-ethoxy phenyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-16)

In the present study, we have tested the cytotoxic and DNA damage activity of two novel bis-1,2,4 triazole derivatives, namely 1,4-bis[5-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl-methyl)-thio-4-(p-tolyl)-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-14) and 1,4-bis[5-(carbethoxy-methyl)-thio-4-(p-ethoxy phenyl) -1,2,4-triazol-3-yl]-butane (MNP-16). The effect of these molecules on cellular apoptosis was also determined. The in-vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated by a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay as well as Trypan blue dye exclusion methods against human acute lymphoblastic leukemia (MOLT4) and lung cancer cells (A549). Our results showed that MNP-16 induced significant cytotoxicity (IC(50) of 3-5 μM) compared with MNP-14. The cytotoxicity induced by MNP-16 was time and concentration dependent. The cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (fluorescence-activated cell sorting [FACS]) revealed that though there was a significant increase in the apoptotic population (sub-G(1) phase) with an increased concentration of MNP-14 and 16, there was no cell cycle arrest. Further, the comet assay results indicated considerable DNA strand breaks upon exposure to these compounds, thereby suggesting the possible mechanism of cytotoxicity induced by MNP-16. Hence, we have identified a novel molecule (MNP-16) which could be of great clinical relevance in cancer therapeutics.     

Mononuclear arene ruthenium complexes containing 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine as chelating ligand: Synthesis and molecular structure

The mononuclear cations of the general formula [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(pdpt)]⁺ (pdpt = 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine; arene = C₆H₆ (1); C₆H₅Me (2); p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me (3); C₆Me₆ (4)) have been synthesised from 5,6-diphenyl-3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazine (pdpt) and the corresponding chloro complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [(η⁶p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ and [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)Ru(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, respectively. The X-ray crystal structure analyses of [1][PF₆] · (C₆H₆)_2.5 and [2][PF₆] · (CH₃CN)₂ reveal a typical piano-stool geometry around the metal centre and in the crystal packing a complexed networks of intermolecular interactions.     

Discovery and optimization of 5-(2-((1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl)oxy)pyridin-4-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as novel gpr119 agonists

We describe the discovery and optimization of 5-(2-((1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolin-7-yl)oxy)pyridin-4-yl)-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as novel agonists of GPR119. Previously described aniline 2 had suboptimal efficacy in signaling assays using cynomolgus monkey (cyno) GPR119 making evaluation of the target in preclinical models difficult. Replacement of the aniline ring with a tetrahydroquinoline ring constrained the rotation of the aniline C–N bond and gave compounds with increased efficacy on human and cyno receptors. Additional optimization led to the discovery of 10, which possesses higher free fraction in plasma and improved pharmacokinetic properties in rat and cyno compared to 2.     

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid in seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid have been isolated from seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus. The concentration of each compound was ca 0.5 % of the fresh seed weight.     

Design and synthesis of novel 3-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-5-(1-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine derivatives as selective G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-2 and -5 inhibitors

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK)-2 and -5 are emerging therapeutic targets for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. In our efforts to discover novel small molecules to inhibit GRK-2 and -5, a class of compound based on 3-(benzo[d]oxazol-2-yl)-5-(1-(piperidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pyridin-2-amine was identified as a novel hit by high throughput screening campaign. Structural modification of parent benzoxazole scaffolds by introducing substituents on phenyl displayed potent inhibitory activities toward GRK-2 and -5.     

3-[2-(Aminomethyl)-5-[(pyridin-4-yl)carbamoyl]phenyl] benzoates as soft ROCK inhibitors

Clinical development of ROCK inhibitors has so far been limited by systemic or local ROCK-associated side effects. A soft drug approach, which involves predictable metabolic inactivation of an active compound to a nontoxic metabolite, could represent an attractive way to obtain ROCK inhibitors with improved tolerability. We herein report the design and synthesis of a new series of soft ROCK inhibitors structurally related to the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632. These inhibitors contain carboxylic ester moieties which allow inactivation by esterases. While the parent esters display strong activity in enzymatic (ROCK2) and cellular (MLC phosphorylation) assays, their corresponding carboxylic acid metabolites have negligible functional activity. Compound 32 combined strong efficacy (ROCK2 IC₅₀ = 2.5 nM) with rapid inactivation in plasma (t_1/2 <5′). Compound 32 also demonstrated in vivo efficacy when evaluated as an IOP-lowering agent in ocular normotensive New-Zealand White rabbits, without ocular side effects.     

Synthesis and anomalous magnetic properties of heterometal dinuclear Fe(II)-Cr(III) complex bridged by 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-pyrazolate

A Cr(III)-Fe(II) dinuclear complex [(nta)Cr(μ-bpypz)Fe(dpea)]BF₄, where bpypz=3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-pyazolate, nta=nitrilotriacetate and dpea=(2-aminoethyl)-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, has been synthesized and structurally characterized by ESI-MS and ²H NMR spectra. The proposed structure is mostly more planar in the bridging moiety as compared to that of the previously reported [(nta)Cr(μ-bpypz)Fe(picen)]BF₄(N,N^′-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine(picen)). The dpea complex is found to be a high spin state, but to exhibit no spin-crossover by magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer spectra measurements; showing a large antiferromagnetic interaction, which could make the spin transition temperature lower and/or destroy spin-crossover, suggesting complementarity between spin-crossover and magnetic interaction.     

Dual neurokinin NK(1)/NK(2) antagonists: N-[(R,R)-(E)-1-arylmethyl-3-(2-oxo-azepan-3-yl)carbamoyl]allyl-N-methyl-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzamides and 3-[N'-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl-N-arylmethyl-N'-methylhydrazino]-N-[(R)-2-oxo-azepan-3-yl]propionamides.

Based on the structure of N-[(R,R)-(E)-1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-(2-oxoazepan-3-yl)carbamoyl]allyl-N-methyl-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (1), attempts to improve the NK(2) affinity have resulted in the discovery of N-[(R,R)-(E)-1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3-(2-oxoazepan-3-yl)carbamoyl]allyl-N-methyl-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (9, DNK333) exhibiting a 5-fold improved affinity to the NK(2) receptor in comparison to 1. Simplification of the structure via elimination of a chiral centre led to 3-[N'-3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzoyl-N-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-N'-methylhydrazino]-N-[(R)-2-oxo-azepan-3-yl]propionamide (22), a potent and fairly balanced NK(1)/NK(2) antagonist.     

Synthesis and chemical characterization of Cu, Ni and Zn complexes of 3,5-bis(2′-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole and 3-(2′-pyridyl)5-(phenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole ligands

The synthesis and structural characterization of Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II complexes of two chelating 1,2,4-oxadiazole ligands, namely 3,5-bis(2′-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (bipyOXA) and 3-(2′-pyridyl)5-(phenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole (pyOXA), is here reported. The formed hexacoordinated metal complexes are [M(bipyOXA)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ and [M(pyOXA)₂(ClO₄)₂], respectively (M = Ni, Cu, Zn). X-ray crystallography, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and C, N, H elemental analysis data concord in attributing them an octahedral coordination geometry. The two coordinated pyOXA ligands assume a trans coplanar disposition, while the two bipyOXA ligands are not. The latter result is a possible consequence of the formation of H-bonds between the coordinated water molecules and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine in position 5 of the oxadiazole ring. The expected splitting of the d metal orbitals in an octahedral ligand field explains the observed paramagnetism of the d⁸ and d⁹ electron configuration of the nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes, respectively, as determined by the broadening of their NMR spectra.     

Iron(III) complexes of N-donor ligands. Part II. The reaction of [Fe(L)2Cl2][FeCl4] with 1,2,4-triazole, 4-Allyl-1,2,4-triazole and 4,4′-bipyridyl; Rearrangement of the chelating ligands

[Fe(bpy)₂Cl₂][FeCl₄] and [Fe(dmbpy)₂Cl₂][FeCl₄] were reacted with 1,2,4-triazole (Htrz), 4-allyl-1,2,4,-triazole (Altrz) and 4,4′-bipyridyl (44bpy). The products obtained have been characterised by elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy and Mössbauer spectroscopy. A rearrangement of the bipyridyl ligands was found and the products obtained are probably mononuclear for Htrz, dimeric for 44bpy and dimeric or polymeric for Altrz.     

Preparation, spectroscopic properties, crystal and molecular structure of pentacarbonyl(3-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-N)tungsten(0)

The synthesis and molecular structure of pentacarbonyl(3-methyl-l-(pyridin-2-yl)-l,2,4-triazole-N⁴)tungsten(0) are described. Surprisingly the ligand is bound to the W(CO)₅ moiety via the triazole N⁴ (N24) atom, and the pyridine to triazole link is between the pyridine C² (Cl) atom and the N¹ (N21) atom of the triazole ring. The compound crystallises in the space group C2/c with a=24.559(18), b=9.693(16), c=13.817(12) Å, β=108.48(12)° and Z=8. A full matrix least-squares refinement resulted in a final R=0.052 (R_w=0.065) for 3688 unique reflections.     

Synthesis of copper(II) complexes with 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (L). Molecular and crystal structures of L and [Cu2L2Cl4]·2MeCN

A series of copper(II) complexes, i.e. Cu₂LCl₄, CuLCl₂·H₂O and [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN (8), based on a new potentially polytopic ligand, 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (3b, L), have been synthesized. The crystal structures of L and [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN were studied by X-ray single crystal analysis. The dinuclear compound [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN represents the first example of structurally characterized metal complexes with 3,5-di(pyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amines. Both copper atoms have distorted tetragonal-pyramidal 3N + 2Cl environment. Surprisingly, in contrast to the complexes based on 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (pyridinyl analog of L), the compound [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN adopts a dinuclear trans-(N′,N¹,N²)₂ double bridging binding mode which is due to tridentate coordination of two L molecules linking two copper atoms through N¹,N²-triazole and N′-pyrimidine atoms. It seems to be reasonable that it is methyl groups in pyrimidinyl moiety that obstruct the expected dinuclear (N′,N¹,N²,N″)₂ double bridging coordination being one of the most common for 4-substituted 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles and 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolates. Due to π-π stacking interactions, molecules of Cu₂L₂Cl₄ in the structure of [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN form 1D chains.     

5-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-1H-pyrrole and 2-(2-amino-pyrimidin-4-yl)-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-4-one derivatives as new classes of selective and orally available Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitors

The discovery and characterization of two new chemical classes of potent and selective Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors is reported. For the most interesting compounds, we discuss the biological activities, crystal structures and preliminary pharmacokinetic parameters. The more advanced compounds inhibit PLK1 in the enzymatic assay at the nM level and exhibit good activity in cell proliferation on A2780 cells. Furthermore, these compounds showed high levels of selectivity on a panel of unrelated kinases, as well as against PLK2 and PLK3 isoforms. Additionally, the compounds show acceptable oral bioavailability in mice making these inhibitors suitable candidates for further in vivo activity studies.     

Three zinc(II) complexes constructed from aromatic dicarboxylate and 1,4-bis((2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene: Syntheses, crystal structures and luminescent properties

To investigate the effect of organic anions on the coordination frameworks, we synthesized three new complexes, namely, Zn(DPA)(bpimb)_0.5(H₂O) (1), Zn(BDC)(bpimb)_0.5 (2) and Zn₂(SDBA)₂(bpimb)·H₂O (3) (H₂DPA = diphenic acid; H₂BDC = isophthalic acid; H₂SDBA = 4,4′-dicarboxybiphenylsulfone), which were obtained by the reactions of 1,4-bis((2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzene (bpimb) as main ligand, and several aromatic polycarboxylate as organic anions with Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Single-crystal structure analysis shows that complex 1 is a one-dimensional chain structure, which is further interlinked into a higher-dimensional supramolecular framework by hydrogen-bonding interactions. In 2, BDC bridge Zn(II) atoms to give dimeric units, which are further linked by bpimb ligands to form sql nets. In 3, SDBA ligands and bpimb ligands connect Zn(II) ions into catenane-like two-dimensional layers. These catenane-like two-dimensional layers stack in an ABAB fashion to form a 3D supramolecular network. The distinct structures indicate three kinds of carboxylic ligands with different lengths and angles play fundamental roles in the formation of the final products. In addition, the luminescence measurements reveal that three complexes exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature.     

Optically active antifungal azoles: synthesis and antifungal activity of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazol-2-yl/1-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol

A series of (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazol-2-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol (11a-n) and (2R,3S)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(5-[2-[4-aryl-piperazin-1-yl]-ethyl]-tetrazole-1-yl)-1-[1,2,4]-triazol-1-yl-butan-2-ol (12a-n) has been synthesized. The antifungal activity of compounds was evaluated by in vitro agar diffusion and broth dilution assay. Compounds 11d and its positional isomer 12d having 3-trifluoromethyl substitution on the phenyl ring of piperazine demonstrated significant antifungal activity against variety of fungal cultures (Candida spp. C. neoformans and Aspergillus spp.). The compound 12d showed MIC value of 0.12 microg/mL for C. albicans, C. albicans V-01-191A-261 (resistant strain); 0.25 microg/mL for C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019 and C. krusei and MIC value of 0.5 microg/mL for C. glabrata, C. krusei ATCC 6258, which is comparable to itraconazole and better than fluconazole. Further, compound 11d showed significant activity (MIC; 0.25-0.5 microg/mL) against Candida spp. and strong anticryptococcal activity (MIC; 0.25 microg/mL) against C. neoformans.     

Ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic spin coupling in Ni4O4 cubane-type clusters with 4-amino-3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-triazole as a ligand. The x-ray structure of a new dumbbell-like double cubane cluster

The synthesis, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of two nickel clusters are described, Ni₈(NCS)₈(Hahmt)₆(H₂ahmt)₄(ahmt)(H₂O)₁₂ (A) and Ni₄(Hahmt)₄(H₂ahmt)₂(NCS)₄(H₂O)₄ (B) (H₂ahmt = 4-amino-3,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,2,4-triazole). The X-ray structure of A has been determined. The compound crystallizes in the space group C2/c, a = 25.458(2), b = 15.466(2), c = 26.959(3) Å, β = 90.648(5)°. The structure was refined to R = 0.108 for 4169 observed reflections. The structure consists of two Ni₄O₄ cubane-type clusters, each consisting of four nickel atoms, three singly deprotonated and one doubly deprotonated ligands. Hahmt coordinates as a bidentate chelating ligand through its triazole-N₁ and its 3-oxymethyl-part. The doubly deprotonated ligand chelates in a bis-bidentate manner to two Ni₄ clusters. In this way dumbbell-like pairs of ligand bridged cubanes are formed. Along two opposite diagonals of the Ni₄O₄ cubanes a neutral ligands, coordinating through its triazole-N₁,N₂ atoms, forms a bridge between two nickel ions. The NiN₃O₃ chromophore is completed by a monodentate N-coordinating thiocyanate anion. Compound B, for which only partial structure determination was possible, has the same Ni₄O₄ cubane-type cluster, however, without the bridging ligand between the cubanes. The two types of NiNi bridges result in two unequivalent superexchange pathways. In the compounds both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interaction pathways are present, resulting in an overall antiferromagnetic behaviour. The nature of the interaction for the different pathways is related to the observed NiONi angles. The intercluster exchange is much larger through the triazole bridge in A than it is in B, where only hydrogen bridges keep the clusters together.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II) complexes bearing 2-(imidazol-2-yl)pyridines or 2-(pyridin-2-yl)phenanthroimidazoles/oxazoles and their polymerization of norbornene

Series of 2-R₁-6-(1-R₂-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine (R₁ = R₂ = H, L1; R₁ = Me, R₂ = H, L2; R₁ = H, R₂ = Me, L3; R₁ = R₂ = Me, L4), 2-(6-R₁-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole (R₁ = H, L5; R₁ = Me, L6) and 2-(pyridin-2-yl)phenanthro[9,10-d]oxazole (L7) were synthesized and used to prepare their corresponding dihalonickel complexes (C1-C9). All organic compounds and nickel complexes were characterized by elemental and spectroscopic analyses. Molecular structures of C1, C4, C5 and C8 were confirmed by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The single-crystal X-ray analysis revealed complex C1 as a distorted octahedral geometry, complex C4 as a distorted square pyramidal geometry, complex C5 as a distorted trigonal bipyramidal configuration, and complex C8 as a tetrahedral geometry. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the nickel complexes showed good activity towards norbornene polymerization through main additional and minor ring-opening metathesis. The reaction parameters such as norbornene concentration, reaction temperature and different coordinate environments caused by the ligands affected their catalytic performances.