Bridged dinucleating N-heterocyclic carbene ligands and their double helical mercury(II) complexes

A series of six 3,6-bis(imidazolium-3-yl)pyridazine derivatives with different imidazole-N substituents have been synthesized and isolated as the salts [H₂L]Cl₂ (1a)-(6a) and [H₂L](PF₆)₂ (1b)-(6b). Solid state structures have been determined crystallographically for eleven out of the twelve compounds, revealing diverse hydrogen bonding patterns that involve the imidazolium-C²H units and the anions. N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) mercury(II) complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ (7)-(9) are readily formed in good yields from ligand precursors [H₂L](PF₆)₂ and Hg(OAc)₂, as long as imidazole-N substituents are not too bulky. X-ray crystallography reveals double helical bimetallic arrangements for the stable [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ cations. Ligand scrambling in [Hg₂L₂]⁴⁺ occurs only in the presence of free carbene precursor, presumably via an associative mechanism.     

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.     

Palladium(II) complexes of a bis-2-aminobiphenyl N-heterocyclic carbene: Synthesis, structural studies and catalytic activity

A new imidazolinium [(SIBiphen)H](BF₄) was synthesized in three steps from 2-aminobiphenyl. The reaction of the salt with Pd(OAc)₂, NaI and t-BuOK gave a dimeric Pd(II) complex [(SIBiphen)PdI₂]₂, which was analyzed by an X-ray diffraction study. The reaction of [Pd(allyl)Cl]₂, the imidazolinium salt and t-BuOK in THF at −78 °C gave the monomeric Pd complex, in which the N-heterocyclic carbene was bound to the metal centre, as confirmed by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. A preliminary catalytic study showed that these new systems were moderately active in the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling of aryl halides.     

A convenient synthesis of phosphine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors, structural characterization of their palladium complexes and catalytic application in Suzuki coupling reaction

A series of imidazolium chlorides as ligand precursors, L · HCl (L = (1-R)-(3-diphenylphosphanylethyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene; R = aryl, benzyl, naphthylmethyl), for the phosphine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC), L, were prepared by a convenient synthetic procedure of reacting 1,2-dichloroethane with appropriate N-substituted imidazoles to give (β-chloroethyl)imidazolium chlorides, which were subsequently reacted with HPPh₂ producing L · HCl in good yield. Palladium complexes of L, PdLCl₂ (4), were prepared by a one pot reaction of PdCl₂, sodium acetate, and L · HCl in DMSO. Complexes 4b (R = naphthylmethyl) and 4e (R = m-methoxybenzyl) were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Catalytic studies have shown that the palladium complexes are efficient in Suzuki coupling reactions of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial studies of silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes bearing a methyl benzoate substituent

Due to the properties of silver as an antimicrobial, our research group has synthesized many different silver carbene complexes. Two new silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes derived from 4,5-dichloroimidazole and theobromine bearing methyl benzoate substituents were synthesized by in situ carbene formation using silver acetate as the base in the reaction. The new compounds were fully characterized by several methods including NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Preliminary antimicrobial efficacy studies against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli were conducted. The results of this study demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy of the two complexes comparable to silver nitrate, showing their potential for use in the treatment of bacterial infections.     

Investigations into the preparation of groups 13-15 N-heterocyclic carbene analogues

Attempts have been made to prepare a variety of groups 13-15 N-heterocyclic carbenoid systems. The work in group 13 led to two structurally characterized, paramagnetic gallium(III) heterocycles, [I₂Ga{[N(R)C(Me)]₂}], or C₆H₃(C₆H₄Bu^t-4)₂-2,6. Reduction of the former gave the anionic gallium(I) heterocyclic complex, [K(tmeda)][:Ga{[N(Ar)C(Me)]₂}], which was oxidatively coupled, affording the structurally characterized digallane(4), [Ga{[N(Ar)C(Me)]₂}]₂. From group 14, the new germanium(IV) heterocycle, [Cl₂Ge{[N(Ar)C(H)]₂}], and the N-heterocyclic germylene, [:Ge{[N(Ar)C(H)]₂}], have been prepared and fully characterized. Attempts to prepare N-heterocyclic silylene, phosphenium and arsenium compounds were unsuccessful and led instead to the silyl, phosphino and arsino-substituted ene-amines, [(Cl_nE)₂{μ-[N(Ar)C(H)]₂}], E = Si, n = 3; E = P or As, n = 2.     

Macrocyclic dinuclear gold(I) and silver(I) NHCs complexes

The ligands bis-(imidazolium) hexafluorophosphate (Himy = -C₃N₂H₃-, imidazolium; R = 1-naphthylmethylene, 1a; 9-anthracenylmethylene, 1b) with an oxoether chain were easily prepared by the reaction of substituted imidazole with the diglycol diiodide, followed by exchange of anions with . 1a and 1b reacted with Ag₂O in DMSO or CH₃CN to yield [2 + 2] dinuclear Ag(I) NHCs macrocyclic complexes 2a and 2b, which showed much different conformation in solid corresponding to the R- substituent. Carbene transmetalation reactions of 2a-b with Au(SMe₂)Cl give dinuclear Au(I) analogs 3a and 3b. The new NHCs complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and the structures of 2a-b and 3a were confirmed by X-ray diffraction determination.     

Stereospecific ligands and their complexes. V. Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of palladium(II) complexes with some alkyl esters of (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-di-2-propanoic acid

Three new ligands and their palladium(II) complexes of general formula [PdCl₂(R₂-S,S-eddp)] (R = n-propyl, n-butyl and n-pentyl) have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, infrared and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Antimicrobial activity of these ligands and complexes was tested by microdilution method and both minimal inhibitory and microbicidal concentration were determined. These tested complexes demonstrated the significant antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus. On the other hand, these complexes demonstrated moderate antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial activity of a series of substituted coumarin-3-carboxylatosilver(I) complexes

A series of new coumarin-derived carboxylate ligands and their silver(I) complexes have been synthesized, characterized and screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as for their antifungal activity against a clinical isolate of Candida albicans. The ligands were synthesised by either acid or base hydrolysis of their corresponding esters, which in turn were synthesised via the Knoevenegal reaction. The reaction of silver(I) nitrate with the coumarin carboxylate ligands in either aqueous or aqueous/ethanol solutions allowed the isolation of a series of novel Ag(I) carboxylate complexes. Whilst none of the ligands showed any antimicrobial activity, a number of the Ag(I) complexes exhibited potent activity. In particular, Ag(I) complexes of hydroxy-substituted coumarin carboxylates demonstrated potent activity against the clinically important methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacterium (MIC₈₀ = 0.63 μM).     

Molecular design, crystal structure, antimicrobial activity and reactivity of light-stable and water-soluble Ag-O bonding silver(I) complexes, dinuclear silver(I) N-acetylglycinate

The reaction in water of silver oxide with N-acetylglycine (H₂acgly) possessing the partial structure, i.e. the OC-N-C-COOH moiety, afforded light-stable and water-soluble dinuclear silver(I) complex _∞{[Ag(Hacgly)]₂} (complex 1). X-ray crystallography revealed that complex 1 in the solid state formed a ladder polymeric structure based on bis(carboxylato-O,O′)-bridged centrosymmetric Ag₂O₄ core, which was different from the two previously reported structures of silver(I) glycinate. Complex 1 which only comprises labile Ag-O bonding showed a wide range of antimicrobial activities against selected bacteria, yeasts and molds. Complex 1 can also work as an useful silver(I) precursor for novel silver(I) cluster synthesis.     

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.     

Benzimidazolium-based novel silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: synthesis,characterisation and in vitro antimicrobial activity

This study reports the synthesis, characterisation and antimicrobial activity of five novel silver N-heterocyclic carbene (Ag–NHC) complexes obtained by N-propylphthalimide and N-methyldioxane substituted benzimidazolium salts with silver oxide. The reactions were performed at room temperature for 24?h in the absence of light. The obtained complexes were identified and characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FT-IR and elemental analysis techniques. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the complexes was determined for E. coli, P. aeruginosa, E. faecalis, S. aureus, C. tropicalis and C. albicans in vitro through agar and broth dilution. The results indicated that these complexes exhibit antimicrobial activity. In particular, complex 3 presented the significant broad spectrum antimicrobial activity.     

In vitro antimicrobial studies of new benzimidazolium salts and silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A series of new benzimidazolium salts (1a–g) were synthesized from the reaction of 1-(4-vinylbenzyl)benzimidazole with various alkyl halides. These salts were used to synthesize silver N-heterocyclic carbene (Ag-NHC) complexes (2a–f). The thirteen compounds were characterized by FT-IR, NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopic methods and an elemental analysis technique. These selected candidates were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activities. Antibacterial and antifungal results indicated that the new salts, and particularly their silver complexes, were found to be strongly effective against seven Gram (?) bacterial strains, three Gram (+) bacterial strains and one yeast (Candida albicans).     

Synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities of novel silver(I) complexes with coumarin substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Eight new coumarin substituted silver(I) N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were synthesized by the interaction of the corresponding imidazolium or benzimidazolium chlorides and Ag₂O in dichloromethane at room temperature. Structures of these complexes were established on the basis of elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectroscopic techniques. The antimicrobial activities of carbene precursors and silver NHC complexes were tested against standard strains: Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis. Results showed that all the compounds inhibited the growth of the all bacteria and fungi strains and some complexes performed good activities against different microorganisms. Among all the compounds, the most lipophilic complex bis[1-(4-methylene-6,8-dimethyl-2H-chromen-2-one)-3-(naphthalene-2-ylmethyl)benzimidazol-2-ylidene]silver(I) dichloro argentate (5e) was found out as the most active one.     

Zinc complexes of a tripodal ligand containing three different N-heterocyclic donor functions

The coordination chemistry of a chiral tripodal ligand L containing pyridyl, imidazolyl and pyrazolyl donor functions has been investigated in combination with zinc(II). While the reaction of a racemic mixture of L with ZnX₂ (X = Cl, Br) leads to complexes LZnX₂ with tetrahedrally coordinated zinc centres (the pyridyl donor function remains pending), the employment of Zn(ClO₄)₂ leads to the sandwich complex [L₂Zn](ClO₄)₂ which due to the two possible configurations for L (S and R) occurs in form of two diastereomers (the meso form and the enantiomeric pair SS/RR). The crystal structures of all three compounds are discussed.     

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.     

Synthesis and characterization of platinum(IV) complexes with N,S and S,S heterocyclic ligands

The reactions of [PtMe₃(OAc)(bpy)] (4) with the N,S and S,S containing heterocycles, pyrimidine-2-thione (pymtH), pyridine-2-thione (pytH), thiazoline-2-thione (tztH) and thiophene-2-thiol (tptH), resulted in the formation of the monomeric complexes [PtMe₃(-κS)(bpy)] ( = pymt, 5; pyt, 6; tzt, 7; tpt, 8), where the heterocyclic ligand is coordinated via the exocyclic sulfur atom. In contrast, in the reactions of [PtMe₃(OAc)(Me₂CO)_x] (3, x = 1 or 2) with pymtH, pytH, tztH and tptH dimeric complexes [{PtMe₃(μ-)}₂] (μ- = pymt, 9; pyt, 10; tzt, 11) and the tetrameric complex [{PtMe₃(μ₃-tpt-κS)}₄] (12), respectively, were formed. The complexes were characterized by microanalyses, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and negative ESI-MS (12) measurements. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of [PtMe₃(pymt-κS)(bpy)] (5) exhibited a conformation where the pymt ligand lies nearly perpendicular to the complex plane above the bpy ligand that was also confirmed by quantum chemical calculations on the DFT level of theory.     

Syntheses, thermal analyses, crystal structures and antimicrobial properties of silver(I)-saccharinate complexes with diverse diamine ligands

Five new silver(I)-saccharinate complexes [Ag₂(sac)₂(tmen)₂] (1), [Ag₂(sac)₂(deten)₂] (2), [Ag₂(sac)₂(dmen)₂] (3), [Ag(sac)(N,N-eten)] (4), and [Ag(sac)(dmpen)]_n (5); (sac = saccharinate, tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, deten = N,N′-diethylethylenediamine, dmen = N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine, N,N-eten = N,N-diethylethylenediamine and dmpen = 1,3-diamino-2,2-dimethylpropan) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, thermal analyses, single crystal X-ray diffraction and antimicrobial activities. The crystallographic analyses show that all the complexes crystallize in monoclinic space group P2₁/c. In 1, the sac ligand acts as a bridge to connect the silver centres through its imino N and carbonyl O atoms forming an eight-membered bimetallic ring in a chair conformation. Complex 2 has also a dimeric structure in which the monomeric [Ag(sac)(deten)] units are linked by Ag?Ag interactions. In 3, saccharinate ligand acts as a bridging bidentate ligand between two silver(I) centres through sulfonyl group and imino N atom, forming an alternating polymeric chain through the direction [0 1 0]. In 4, the inter-molecular N-H?O hydrogen bonds form one-dimensional polymeric chains through the a axis, and these linear chains are inter-connected to each other by N-H?O hydrogen bonds, which produce a chain of edge-fused and rings along [1 0 0]. Complex 5 is a coordination polymer in which the monomeric [Ag(dmpen)(sac)]_n units are linked by Ag?Ag interactions, and the dmpen ligand acts as a bridge between the silver(I) ions, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to the (1 0 0) plane.     

Supramolecular architectures based on di-, tri- and tetrameric complexes with N,N′-diacylhydrazide ligands

Five new complexes, [Co₃(HL₁)₂(Py)₈]·4CH₃OH (1), [Ni₃(HL₁)₂(Py)₄]₂·2DMF (2), [Co₃(H₂L₂)₂(Py)₈]·2NO₃ (3), [Ni₂(HL₂)(Py)₆] (4) and [Cu₄(HL₂)₂(Py)₄]·4DMF (5) (H₄L₁ = N-propionyl-4-hydroxysalicylhydrazide, H₄4-hopshz; H₅L₂ = N-(3-carboxy-cis-2-propenoyl)-4-hydroxysalicylhydrazide, H₅4-hocpshz) have been obtained from two N,N′-diacylhydrazide ligands and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, X-ray diffraction and antimicrobial activities. These di-, tri-, and tetrameric complexes are connected into three-dimensional supramolecular architectures with interesting topologies through O-H?O, C-H?O and C-H?π interactions. 1-3 are linear trimeric complexes with the ligands triply-deprotonated. Topological analysis indicates that they exhibit 2D (4,4), 3D (6,8)-connected (3³4⁹5²6)(3⁴4¹²5⁷6⁴7) and 8-connected (4²⁵6³) net, respectively. 4 and 5 possess dimeric and tetrameric structures, which are extended into 7-connected (3³4¹³5³6) and 4-connected (4,4) net, respectively.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of five-, six-, and seven-coordinate mononuclear manganese(II) complexes with N-tridentate ligands

A series of four mononuclear manganese (II) complexes with the N-tridentate neutral ligands 2,2^′:6,2^′′-terpyridine (terpy) and N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylamine (bpea) have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. The complexes have five- to seven-coordinate manganese(II) ions depending on the additional ligands used. The [Mn(bpea)(Br)₂] complex (1) has a five-coordinated manganese atom with a bipyramidal trigonal geometry, while [Mn(terpy)₂](I)₂ (2) is hexa-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry. Otherwise, the reactions of Mn(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O with terpy or bpea afforded novel seven-coordinate complexes [Mn(terpy)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)] (3) and [Mn(bpea)(NO₃)₂] (4), respectively. 3 has a coordination polyhedron best described as a distorted pentagonal bipyramid geometry with one nitrate acting as a bidentate chelating ligand and the other nitrate as a monodentate one. 4 possesses a highly distorted polyhedron geometry with two bidentate chelating nitrate ligands. These complexes represent unusual examples of structurally characterized complexes with a coordination number seven for the Mn(II) ion and join a small family of nitrate complexes.