Heteropolymetallic complexes containing 1,1′-diphenylphosphino-ferrocene

The paper explores the capability of [(dppf)Pt(H-nbu₂-DTO)]Cl (2) (dppf = 1,1′-diphenylphosphinoferrocene; H-nbu₂-DTO = di-nbutyl-dithioxamidate) to act as a starting module for heterometallic linear chains. Actually, the reaction of 2 with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ affords the heterotrimetallic complex [Cl(p-cymene) Ru(μ-nbu₂-DTO κ-N,N Ru κ-S,S Pt)Pt(dppf κ-P,P Pt) ]₂ (4). However 2, allowed to stand, provides a blue compound of formula [(dppf)Pt(H-nbu₂-DTO)]_nCl_n (3), the most reliable value of n being 6. The oxidation behavior of the new species 2-4 has also been investigated. In particular, the oxidation behavior of cyclic compound 3 is quite unusual, and suggests a large delocalization of the HOMO over the whole multicomponent molecule.     

Lewis acidity of platinum(II)-based Baeyer-Villiger catalysts: An electrochemical approach

The electrochemical behavior of the Pt(II)-based Baeyer-Villiger catalysts of the general formulae [Pt(μ-OH)(P^∩P)]₂(BF₄)₂ (P^∩P = dppe (1a), 2Fdppe (1 b), 4Fdppe (1c), dfppe (1d), dmpe (1e), depe (1f), dippe (1g), dtbpe (1h)) and [Pt(OH₂)₂(P^∩P)](OTf)₂ (P^∩P = dppe (2a), 2Fdppe (2b), 4Fdppe (2c), dfppe (2d)) is reported. They exhibit irreversible reduction processes whose potentials reflect the Lewis acidity of the metal centres, showing (for the aromatic diphosphine complexes) overall relations with the number of fluorine atoms, with J_Pt-P, with the ν(CN) coordination shift of a ligand isocyanide probe and with the catalytic activity. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses were carried out for [Pt(μ-OH)(4Fdppe)]₂(BF₄)₂ (1c) and [Pt(μ-OH) (dippe)]₂(BF₄)₂ (1g).     

A series of metal-organic frameworks constructed with 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate: Syntheses, structures, and physical properties

To determine the influence of metal ion and the auxiliary ligand on the formation of metal-organic frameworks, six new coordination polymers, {[Mn₂(bpdc)(bpy)₃(H₂O)₂] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O}_n (1), {[Mn(bpdc)(dpe)] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (3), {[Zn(bpdc)(H₂O)₂]}_n (4), {[Cd(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 2H₂O}_n (5), and {[Co(bpdc)(H₂O)₃] · 0.5dpe · H₂O}_n (6) (H₂bpdc = 2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl) ethylene), have been synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 forms 1D helical chain structure containing two unique Mn^II ions. In 2, the bridging ligand dpe links Mn-bpdc double zigzag chains to generate a layer possesses rectangular cavities. In 3, bpdc²⁻ ligand connects to three metal centers forming a 2D network. Different from the above compounds, 4 displays a 1D double-wavelike chain. Compound 5 features a helical chain. Compound 6 also displays a helical chain with guest molecule dpe existing in the structure. These diverse structures illustrate rational adjustment of metal ions and the second ligand is a good method for the further design of helical compounds with novel structures and properties. In addition, the magnetic properties of 2, 3 and 6, the thermal stabilities and photoluminescence properties of 4 and 5 were also studied.     

Synthesis, reactivities and catalytic carbonylation of rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes containing isomeric acetylpyridine ligands

[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with two mole equivalent of 2-acetylpyridine (a), 3-acetylpyridine (b) and 4-acetylpyridine (c) to afford chelate [Rh(CO)Cl(η²-N∩O)] (1a) and non-chelate [Rh(CO)₂Cl(η¹-N∼O)] (1b, 1c) complexes, where, N∩O = a, N∼O = b, c. Oxidative addition (OA) of 1a-1c with CH₃I and C₂H₅I yields penta coordinate rhodium(III) complexes, [Rh(COR)ClI(η²-N∩O)] {R = -CH₃ (2a); -C₂H₅ (3a)} and [Rh(COR)(CO)ClI(η¹-N∼O)] {R = -CH₃ (2b, 2c); -C₂H₅ (3b, 3c)}. Kinetic study for the reaction of 1a-1c with CH₃I indicates a pseudo-first order reaction. The catalytic activity of 1a-1c for the carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and its ester was evaluated at different initial CO pressures 5, 10 and 20 bar at ∼25 °C and higher turn over numbers (TON = 1581-1654) were obtained compared to commercial Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TON = 1000) under the reaction conditions: temperature = 130 ± 1 °C, pressure = 15-32 bar, rpm = 450, time = 1 h and catalyst: substrate = 1: 1900.     

Platinum(II) and palladium(II) saccharinato complexes with 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, photoluminescence and thermal studies

[Pd(sac)(terpy)](sac)·4H₂O (1), [Pt(sac)(terpy)](sac)·5H₂O (2), [PdCl(terpy)](sac)·2H₂O (3) and [PtCl(terpy)](sac)·2H₂O (4) (sac = saccharinate, and terpy = 2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. In 1 and 2, a tridentate terpy ligand together with an N-coordinated sac ligand form the square-planar geometry around the palladium(II) or platinum(II) ions, while one sac anion remains outside the coordination sphere as a counter-ion. X-ray single crystal studies show that the [M(sac)(terpy)]⁺ ions in 1 and 2 reside in the centers of a hydrogen bonded honeycomb network formed by the uncoordinated sac ions and the lattice water molecules. Complexes 3 and 4 are isostructural and consist of a [M(Cl)(terpy)]⁺ cation, a sac anion and two lattice water molecules. The [M(Cl)(terpy)]⁺ ions interact with each other via M-M and π-π stacking interactions and these π interacted units are assembled to a 2D network by water bridges involving the sac ions and lattice water molecules. Convenient synthetic paths for 1-4 are also presented, and spectral, luminescence and thermal properties were discussed.     

Hydrogen-halide versus alkyl-halide oxidative addition in dimethyl platinum(II) complexes: Crystal structure of [PtBr2(bpy)]

Dimethyl platinum(II) complexes [PtMe₂(NN)] {NN = bu₂bpy (4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) (1a), bpy (2,2′-bipyridine) (1b), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) (1c)} reacted with commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol in the presence of 1,3-propylene oxide to afford cis, trans- [PtBrMe₂{(CH₂)₃OH}(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (2a), bpy (2b), phen (2c)). On the other hand, [PtMe₂(NN)] (1a)-(1b) reacted with the trace of HBr in commercial 3-bromo-1-propanol to give [PtBr₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (3a), bpy (3b)). The reaction pathways were monitored by ¹H NMR at various temperatures. Treatment of 1a-1b with a large excess of 3-bromo-1-propanol at −80 °C gave the corresponding methyl(hydrido)platinum(IV) complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] (NN = bu₂bpy (4a), bpy (4b)) via the oxidative addition of dimethyl platinum(II) complexes with HBr. The complexes [PtBr(H)Me₂(NN)] decomposed by reductive elimination of methane above −20 °C for bu₂bpy and from −20 to 0 °C for bpy analogue to give methane and platinum(II) complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) and then decomposed at about 0 °C to yield [PtBr₂(NN)] and methane. When the reactions were performed at a molar ratio of Pt:RX/1:10, the corresponding complexes [PtBrMe(NN)] (5a)-(5b) were also obtained. The crystal structure of the complex 3b shows that platinum adopts square planar geometry with a twofold axis through the platinum atom. The Pt…Pt distance (5.164 Å) is considerably larger than the interplanar spacing (3.400 Å) and there is no platinum-platinum interaction.     

Synthesis, characterisation and natural abundance Os NMR spectroscopy of hydride bridged triosmium clusters with chiral diphosphine ligands

Treatment of [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] with the chiral diphosphines BINAP, tolBINAP [(R)-2,2′-bis(di-4-tolylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl], DIOP [(4R,5R)-(−)-O-isopropenylidene-2,3-dihydroxy-1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane] affords [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₈(μ-L)] (L = BINAP (1), tolBINAP (2), DIOP (4)) in high yield. The X-ray structures for 1, 2 and 4 are reported, and structural and spectroscopic comparisons are made between these clusters and [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₈(μ-L)] (L = dppm (5), dppe (6), dppp (7)) which were synthesised similarly. Compounds 5 to 7 were previously synthesised by hydrogenation of 1,2-[Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-L)] but the route from [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀] is preferable. The H-bridged Os?Os distances are similar in 1, 2 and 4 indicating that these species are formally unsaturated 46-electron clusters. The P?P distances vary from 4.24 to 4.30 Å in 1 and 2, respectively, to 4.53 Å in 4 and there are related changes in the angles associated with the ligand set around the H-bridged osmium atoms. Introduction of the diphosphine ligands completely suppresses the ability to add CO, to insert acetylene to form a μ-η¹,η²-vinyl compound, and to exchange hydride ligands with styrene-d₈, which are reactions characteristic of [Os₃(μ-H)₂(CO)₁₀]. Clusters 2 and 5-7 were also used to examine the potential of natural abundance ¹⁸⁷Os NMR spectroscopy through techniques based on inverse detection by HMQC, HSQC and HMBC spectroscopy.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of trinuclear and [3 × 1 + 1 × 2] pentanuclear complexes derived from a compartmental ligand: Role of solvent on nuclearity and number of components

Reaction of [Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)] (H₂L = N,N′-ethylenebis(3-ethoxysalicylaldimine)) with nickel(II) perchlorate in 1:1 ratio in acetone produces the trinuclear compound [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1). On the other hand, on changing the solvent from acetone to methanol, reaction of the same reactants in same ratio produces the pentametallic compound [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2[Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)]·2MeOH (2A), which loses solvated methanol molecules immediately after its isolation to form [(Cu^IIL)₂Ni^II(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2[Cu^IIL⊂(H₂O)] (2B). Clearly, formation of 1 versus 2A and 2B is solvent dependent. Crystal structures of 1 and 2A have been determined. Interestingly, compound 2A is a [3 × 1 + 1 × 2] cocrystal. The cryomagnetic profiles of 1 and 2B indicate that the two pairs of copper(II)···nickel(II) ions in the trinuclear cores in both the complexes are coupled by almost identical moderate antiferromagnetic interaction (J = −22.8 cm⁻¹ for 1 and −26.0 cm⁻¹ for 2B).     

Synthesis and structural diversity of 2-pyridylmethylideneamine complexes of zinc(II) chloride

The addition reactions of zinc(II) chloride to N-substituted pyridine-2-carbaldimines [Py-CHNR, R = Me (1a), Ph (1b), Bz (1c), allyl (1d)] lead to different complexes dependent on the N-bound substituent R. The 1:1 complexes show molecular structures of the type [(Py-CHNR)ZnCl₂] for R = methyl (2a), phenyl (2b), and allyl (2d) with a distorted tetrahedral environment for the zinc atom. The zinc complex with the N-methylated pyridine-2-carbaldimine also forms a dimer of the type [(Py-CHNR)ZnCl₂]₂ (2a)₂ with a square pyramidal coordination sphere of zinc. A 3:2 stoichiometry is observed for R = benzyl and an ion pair of the type [Zn(Py-CHNR)₃]²⁺ [ZnCl₄]²⁻ (2c) is found in the solid state.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structures and photophysical properties of copper(I) complexes containing 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (B-dppf) in doubly-bridged mode

Five copper(I) complexes having general formula [Cu₂(μ-X)₂(κ²-P,P-B-dppf)₂] (X = Cl(1), Br(2), I(3), CN(4), and SCN(5)) were prepared starting with CuX and B-dppf in 1:1 molar ratio in DCM-MeOH (50:50 V/V) at room temperature. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and electronic spectral studies. Molecular structures for 1, 2 and 4 were determined crystallographically. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 exist as centrosymmetric dimers in which the two copper atoms are bonded to two bridging B-dppf ligands and two bridging (pseudo-)halide groups in a μ-η¹ bonding mode to generate nearly planar Cu₂(μ-η¹-X)₂ framework. Both bridging B-dppf ligands are arranged in antiperiplanar staggered conformation in 1 and 2 (mean value 56.40-56.76°), and twisted from the eclipsed conformation (mean value 78.19°) in 4. The Φ angle value in 4 is relatively larger as compared to 1 and 2. This seems to indicate that the molecular core [Cu₂(μ-η¹-X)₂] in 4 is a sterically demanding system that forces the B-dppf ligand to adopt a relatively strained conformation in comparison to less strained system in 1 and 2. All the complexes exhibit moderately strong luminescence properties in the solution state at ambient temperature.     

One-dimensional helical coordination polymers of cobalt(II) and iron(II) ions with 2,2′-bipyridyl-3,3′-dicarboxylate (BPDC)

One-dimensional (1-D) helical coordination polymers, [M^II(H₂O)₃(BPDC)]_n · nH₂O (M = Co (1), Fe (2)), have been prepared by the self-assembly of cobalt(II) and iron(II) ions, respectively, with 2,2′-bipyridyl-3,3′-dicarboxylic acid (H₂BPDC) in an aqueous solution. X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 show that each metal ion displays a distorted octahedral coordination geometry including three water oxygen atoms, one oxygen atom of the carboxylate of a BPDC²⁻ belonging to the adjacent metal ion and two nitrogen atoms from the BPDC²⁻ acting as a chelating ligand. In 1 and 2, one carboxylate oxygen atom of coordinated BPDC²⁻ binds to the neighboring metal ion, which give rise to 1-D helical coordination polymers. The helical chains of 1 and 2 are linked by the hydrogen bonding interactions between the carboxylate oxygen atom of the BPDC²⁻ ion belonging to a chain and the water molecule of the adjacent helical chain, which lead to 2-D networks extending along the ab plane. The supramolecules 1 and 2 show isomorphous structures regardless of the metal ions.     

Diverse reactivity of stereoisomers containing quadruply bonded dimolybdenum with oxygen: formation of [{Mo(η-N,N′-diisopropylbenzamidinato)oxo}2(μ-acetato)2(μ-oxo)]

The reaction of quadruply bonded dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc)₄] (1), with lithiated amidinato, Li[(NⁱPr)₂CR] (R = ^tBu; 2a, Me; 2b, Ph; 2c), was investigated. The reaction of 1 with 2a afforded the dark-red solid, whereas the product was so highly unstable that the product was not able to be characterized. In the case of acetamidinato 2b, lantern-type mixed-ligand quadruply bonded dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc){μ-(NⁱPr)₂CMe}₃] (3), was obtained as a yellow solid. In the reaction with benzamidinato 2c, symmetrical lantern-type dimolybdenum complex, [Mo₂(μ-OAc)₂ {μ-(NⁱPr)₂CPh}₂] (4), was isolated as a yellow solid. In the latter reaction, intermediary red compound (5), which is considered to be stereoisomer of 4 possessing non-lantern-type skeleton, was formed. However, isolation of 5 as a single component was not successful due to isomerization to 4. Complex 5 readily reacted with dry oxygen to give dimolybdenum(V) complex, [{Mo(η-(NⁱPr)₂CPh)oxo}₂ (μ-OAc)₂(μ-oxo)] (6), as a red solid. These complexes were characterized spectroscopically as well as, in some cases, by X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and characterisation of bis(2,2′-bipyridine)(4-carboxy-4′-(pyrid-2-ylmethylamido)-2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) di(hexafluorophosphate): Comparison of spectroelectrochemical properties with related complexes

The new complex, [Ru^II(bpy)₂(4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂ NHCO-bpy)](PF₆)₂ · 3H₂O (1), where 4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂NHCO-bpy is 4-(carboxylic acid)-4′-pyrid-2-ylmethylamido-2,2′-bipyridine, has been synthesised from [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)](PF₆)₂ (H₂dcbpy is 4,4′-(dicarboxylic acid)-2,2′-bipyridine) and characterised by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. An X-ray crystal structure determination of the trihydrate of the [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)](PF₆)₂ precursor is reported, since it represented a different solvate to an existing structure. The structure shows a distorted octahedral arrangement of the ligands around the ruthenium(II) centre and is consistent with the carboxyl groups being protonated. A comparative study of the electrochemical and photophysical properties of [Ru^II(bpy)₂(4-HCOO-4′-pyCH₂NHCO-bpy)]²⁺ (1), [Ru(bpy)₂(H₂dcbpy)]²⁺ (2), [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (3), [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂] (4) and [Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ (5) was then undertaken to determine their variation upon changing the ligands occupying two of the six ruthenium(II) coordination sites. The ruthenium(II) complexes exhibit intense ligand centred (LC) transition bands in the UV region, and broad MLCT bands in the visible region. The ruthenium(III) complex, 5, displayed overlapping LC bands in the UV region and a LMCT band in the visible. 1, 2 and 3 were found, via cyclic voltammetry at a glassy carbon electrode, to exhibit very positive reversible formal potentials of 996, 992 and 893 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺) respectively for the Ru(III)/Ru(II) half-cell reaction. As expected the reversible potential derived from oxidation of 4 (−77 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺)) was in excellent agreement with that found via reduction of 5 (−84 mV (versus Fc/Fc⁺)). Spectroelectrochemical experiments in an optically transparent thin-layer electrochemical cell configuration allowed UV-Vis spectra of the Ru(III) redox state to be obtained for 1, 2, 3 and 4 and also confirmed that 5 was the product of oxidative bulk electrolysis of 4. These spectrochemical measurements also confirmed that the oxidation of all Ru(II) complexes and reduction of the corresponding Ru(III) complex are fully reversible in both the chemical and electrochemical senses.     

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

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

Ligand induced PH bond formation and a comparison of the reactivity of two isomers of the carbonyl hydride [Pt2(μ-PBu2)2(H)(CO)(PBu2H)]CF3SO3

The Pt₂ ^(II) isomeric terminal hydrides [(CO)(H)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)]CF₃SO₃ (1a), and [(CO)Pt(μ-PBu^t ₂)₂Pt(PBu^t ₂H)(H)]CF₃SO₃ (1b), react rapidly with 1 atm of carbon monoxide to give the same mixture of two isomers of the Pt₂ ^(I) dicarbonyl [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(CO)₂(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (3-Pt); the solid state structure of the isomer bearing the carbonyl ligands pseudo-trans to the bridging phosphide was solved by X-ray diffraction. A remarkable difference was instead found between the reactivity of 1a and 1b towards carbon disulfide or isoprene. In both cases 1b reacts slowly to afford [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-CS₂)(PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (4-Pt), and [Pt₂(μ-PBu^t ₂)(μ,η²,η²-isoprene) (PBu^t ₂H)₂]CF₃SO₃ (6-Pt), respectively. In the same experimental conditions, 1a is totally inert. A common mechanism, proceeding through the preassociation of the incoming ligand followed by the PH bond formation between one of the bridging P atoms and the hydride ligand, has been suggested for these reactions.     

Diheteroarylmethyl substituted titanocenes: A novel class of possible anti-cancer drugs

From the reaction of tert-butyl lithium or n-butyl lithium with N-methylpyrrole (1a), furan (1b) or 2-bromo-thiophen (1c), 2-N-methylpyrrolyl lithium (2a), 2-furyl lithium (2b) or 2-thiophenyl lithium (2c), respectively, was obtained. When reacted with 6-(2-N-methylpyrrolyl) fulvene (3a), 6-(2-furyl) fulvene (3b) or 6-(2-thiophenyl) fulvene (3c), the corresponding lithiated intermediates were formed (4a-c). Titanocenes (5a-c) were obtained through transmetallation with titanium tetrachloride. When these titanocenes were tested against pig kidney epithelial (LLC-PK) cells, inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 32 μM, 140 μM, and 240 μM, respectively, were observed. These values represent improved cytotoxicity against LLC-PK, compared to their ansa-analogues.     

Synthesis and structural determination of new octaethylporphyrin iron(III) complexes containing cyanamide derivatives as axial ligand

The reactions of heme, [OEPFeCl] where OEP is the dianion of octaethylporphyrin, with phenylcyanamide (pcyd) ligands have been studied. Four new porphyrin complexes, [OEPFe(L)] (L = pcyd (2), 2-Clpcyd (3), 2-Mepcyd (4), 2,4-Me₂pcyd (5)), have been isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods. ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals that the species [OEPFe(L)] are paramagnetic and iron is five-coordinate. The structure of [OEPFe(pcyd)] (2) has been determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The four Fe-N, bond distances have average values of 2.062 Å. The average displacement of the iron(III) atom from the mean porphinato core is 0.45 Å. Electrochemical of [OEPFe(L)] (L = pcyd (2), 2-Clpcyd (3), 2-Mepcyd (4), 2,4-Me₂pcyd (5)) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.     

Synthesis, structure, and formation mechanism of the halogen-bridged tricobalt clusters, [Co3Cp3(μ3-CPh)2(μ-X)] (X=Cl, Br, and I)

Reactions of a benzylidyne-capped tricobalt cluster, [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂] (1), with halogens (X₂ = Cl₂, Br₂, and I₂) in CH₂Cl₂ afforded halogen-adducts of 1. The structure of four isolated salts [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂(μ-Cl)]PF₆ · MeCN (2PF₆ · MeCN), [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂(μ-Br)]SbF₆ (3SbF₆), [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂(μ-I)]SbF₆ · CH₂Cl₂ (4SbF₆ · CH₂Cl₂), and [Co₃Cp₃(μ₃-CPh)₂(μ-I)]I₃ (4I₃) determined by X-ray diffraction can be regarded formally as halide-adducts of 1²⁺. The halogen atom in each structure lies in the Co₃ plane. The halogen-bridged Co-Co edge was elongated (in 2PF₆ · MeCN = 2.6072(4), in 3SbF₆ = 2.6106(7), in 4SbF₆ · CH₂Cl₂ = 2.622(2), and in 4I₃=2.6718(9) Å), and the Co-Co distances that had no halogen-bridge remained unchanged from the Co-Co distance of 1 (2.382(8) Å), (in 2PF₆=2.4037(8) and 2.3948(7), in 3SbF₆=2.3888(6) and 2.4017(7), in 4SbF₆ · CH₂Cl₂ = 2.393(2) and 2.388(1), and in 4I₃ = 2.397(1) and 2.3868(9) Å). The UV-Vis absorption spectra of 2⁺, 3⁺, and 4⁺ had characteristic absorption peaks at 796, 819, and 844 nm, respectively. Cyclic voltammograms of 2PF₆ in CH₂Cl₂ with 0.1 M ⁿBu₄NPF₆ as the supporting electrolyte showed a chemically reversible oxidation (at a potential of 0.75 V versus Fc/Fc⁺), and an irreversible reduction wave at −0.57 V. The irreversible reduction resulted in the recovery of 1. The redox properties of 3⁺ and 4⁺ are very similar to that of 2⁺. Cyclic voltammetry of 1 in 0.1 M ⁿBu₄NCl/MeCN indicates that the formation of 2⁺ is a multi-step reaction. Initially, 1 is oxidized to 1⁺, and then, 1⁺ is coordinated by Cl⁻ followed by immediate oxidation to 2⁺.     

Novel benzyl-substituted molybdocene anticancer drugs

From the reaction of 6-(p-methoxyphenyl) fulvene (1a), 6-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) fulvene (1b) and 6-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl) fulvene (1c) with LiBEt₃H, lithiated cyclopentadienide intermediates (2a-c) were synthesised. These intermediates were then transmetallated to molybdocene using MoCl₄ (synthesized in situ) to yield the benzyl-substituted molybdocenes bis-[(p-methoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3a), bis-[(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3b), and bis-[(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzyl)cyclopentadienyl] molybdenum (IV) dichloride (3c). The molybdocene 3a was characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All three molybdocenes had their cytotoxicity investigated through MTT based preliminary in vitro testing on the human renal cell line Caki-1 in order to determine their IC50 values and compare them with the corresponding titanocene and vanadocene dichloride derivatives. Molybdocenes 3b-c were found to have the same IC50 values of 290 μM, while 3a yielded a value of 84 μM, respectively     

The syntheses, structures and redox properties of phosphine-gold(I) and triruthenium-carbonyl cluster derivatives of tolans

The syntheses of several ethynyl-gold(I)phosphine substituted tolans (1,2-diaryl acetylenes) of general form [Au(CCC₆H₄CCC₆H₄X)(PPh₃)] are described [X = Me (2a), OMe (2b), CO₂Me (2c), NO₂ (2d), CN (2e)]. These complexes react readily with [Ru₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] to give the heterometallic clusters [Ru₃(μ-AuPPh₃)(μ-η¹,η²-C₂C₆H₄CCC₆H₄X)(CO)₇(μ-dppm)] (3a-e). The crystallographically determined molecular structures of 2b, 2d, 2e and 3a-e are reported here, that of 2a having been described on a previous occasion. Structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical studies were conducted and have revealed little electronic interaction between the remote substituent and the organometallic end-caps.