Mono- and dinuclear manganese(II) complexes derived from the cis/trans isomers of 2,4,5-tris(2-pyridyl)-4,5-dihydroimidazole

Two new manganese(II) complexes, [Mn(L1)(L1H)(ClO₄)(H₂O)][ClO₄]₂·0.5CH₃CN·H₂O (1) [L1 = trans-(±)2-(2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine)] and [Mn₂(μ-L2)₂(H₂O)₃(CH₃CN)₃][ClO₄]₄·2CH₃CN (2) [L2 = cis-(±)2-(2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine)], have been prepared and examined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, showing that complex 1 is a mononuclear compound, whereas complex 2 is a dinuclear species. The cis/trans isomers L1 and L2 have similar coordination properties, but behave as bidentate and tridentate chelating ligands, respectively, giving distorted octahedral metal coordination geometries. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the molecular and crystal structures are stabilized by a series of intra- and intermolecular interactions. In both cases extended supramolecular networks are generated, in compound 1 through O-H···O, O-H···N, N-H···O, N-H···N, C-H···O, C-H···N, C-H···π and π···π interactions, and in compound 2 through O-H···O, O-H···N, C-H···O and π···π interactions. The observed structural differences between the two metal complexes might be a consequence of these stabilizing effects.     

Synthesis, characterization, and magnetic properties of new homotrinuclear bis(oxamato) copper(II) complexes with an asymmetric central N,N′-bridge

The new mononuclear bis(oxamato) complex [n-Bu₄N]₂[Cu(obbo)] (1) (obbo=o-benzyl-bis(oxamato)) has been synthesized as a precursor for trinuclear oxamato-bridged transition metal complexes. Starting from 1 the homotrinuclear complexes [Cu₃(obbo)(pmdta)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)·CH₂Cl₂·H₂O (2) and [Cu₃(obbo)(tmeda)₂(NO₃)₂(dmf)] (3) have been prepared, where pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, tmeda = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine and dmf = dimethylformamide. The crystal structures of 1-3 were solved. The magnetic properties of 2 and 3 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. For the intramolecular J parameter values of −111 cm⁻¹ (2) and −363 cm⁻¹ (3) were obtained.     

Supramolecular assembly driven by hydrogen-bonding and π-π stacking interactions based on copper(II)-terpyridyl complexes

Six 2D and 3D supramolecular complexes [Cu(L1)(O₂CCH₃)₂] · H₂O (1), [Cu₂(L2)₂(μ₂-O₂CCH₃)₂](BF₄)₂ (2), [Cu₂(L1)₂(BDC)(NO₃)₂] · 0.5H₂O (3) [Cu₂(L2)₂(BDC)(NO₃)₂] (4), [Cu₂(L3)₂(BDC)(NO₃)₂] · 0.5H₂O (5) and [Cu₂(L2)₂(BDC)(H₂O)₂](BDC) · 8H₂O (6) (L1 = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, L2 = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, L3 = 4′-phenyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction crystallography. In complexes 1, 3, and 4, 1D channels are formed through C-H?O and C-H?N hydrogen-bonding interactions, and further linked into 3D structure via C-H?O and O-H?O interactions. Complex 2 is a 2D layer constructed from intermolecular C-H?F and π-π stacking interactions. In the structure of 6, the BDC²⁻ ions and solvent water molecules form a novel 2D layer containing left- and right-handed helical chains via hydrogen-bonds, and an unusual discrete water octamer is formed within the layer. In 2, 4, 6 and [Ag₂(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ (7) the bonding types of pendent pyridines of L2 depending on the twist about central pyridines are involved in intramolecular (2 and 4), intermolecular (6) or coordination bonds (7) in-twist-order of 5.8°, 3.7°, 28.2° and 38.0°, respectively. Differently, the pendent pyridines of L1 in 1 and 3 form intermolecular hydrogen bonds despite of distinct corresponding twist angles of 25.1° (1) and 42.6°(3). Meanwhile, π-π stacking interactions are present in 1-6 and responsible for the stabilization of these complexes.     

Acid dissociation of 2,2′-dipyridylamine in non-aqueous medium when chelated to some Ru(II)N4 cores

[Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)₂(Hdpa)](BF₄)₂ · 2H₂O (1), [Ru(1,10-phenanthroline)₂(Hdpa)] (PF₆)₂ · CH₂Cl₂ (2) and [Ru(4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′- bisoxazoline)₂(Hdpa)] (PF₆)₂ (3) are synthesized where Hdpa is 2,2′-dipyridylamine. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined. Hdpa in 1 and 2 is found to bind the metal via the two pyridyl N ends. Comparing the NMR spectra in DMSO-d₆, it is concluded that 3 has a similar structure. The pK_a values (for the dissociation of the NH proton in Hdpa) of free Hdpa and its complexes are determined in acetonitrile by exploiting molar conductance. These correlate linearly with the chemical shift of the NH proton in the respective entities.     

N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane dimeric 4f and 3d-4f heterodinuclear complexes: Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Three novel N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane dimeric lanthanide complexes, namely, [{H₂L}Sm(NO₃)₃]₂·H₂O (1), [{H₂L}Gd(NO₃)₃]₄·CH₃OH (2), [{H₂L}Lu(NO₃)₃]₄·H₂O (3) (H₂L = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane) and three new N,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-1,3-diaminopropane 3d-Gd heterodinuclear complexes, namely, [{LCo}(CH₃COO)(CH₃COOH)Gd(NO₃)₂] (4), [{LNi(MeOH)₂}Gd(NO₃)₃]·2MeOH (5) and [{(L)Zn(HNO₃)}Gd(NO₃)₃]·NO₃·H₃O·MeOH (6) have been synthesized and isolated. X-ray crystallographical analysis reveals that complexes 1-3 are isomorphic with unique dimeric topology. Complexes 4-6 are of discrete 3d-4f dinuclear cores. Magnetic properties of complexes 2 and 4-6 are systematically investigated. Complexes 4 and 5 are ferromagnetic, while 2 and 6 are antiferromagnetic.     

Vanadium complexes with 2-pyridineformamide thiosemicarbazones: In vitro studies of insulin-like activity

Reaction of VOCl₂ with 2-pyridineformamide thiosemicarbazone (H2Am4DH) and its N(4)-methyl (H2Am4Me), N(4)-ethyl (H2Am4Et) and N(4)-phenyl (H2Am4Ph) derivatives in ethanol gave as products [VO(H2Am4DH)Cl₂] (1), [VO(H2Am4Me)Cl₂] · 1/2HCl (2), [VO(H2Am4Et)Cl₂] · HCl (3) and [VO(2Am4Ph)Cl] (4). Upon the dissolution of 1-4 in water, oxidation immediately occurs with the formation of [VO₂(2Am4DH)] (5), [VO₂(2Am4Me)] (6), [VO₂(2Am4Et)] (7) and [VO₂(2Am4Ph)] (8). The crystal and molecular structures of 5 and 6 were determined. Complexes 5-8 inhibited glycerol release in a similar way to that observed with insulin but showed a low enhancing effect on glucose uptake by rat adipocytes.     

Structural variations and spectroscopic properties of copper(I) complexes with bis(schiff base) ligands

Six copper(I) complexes {[Cu₂(L1)(PPh₃)₂I₂] · 2CH₂Cl₂}_n (1), {[Cu₂(L2)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄}_n (2), [Cu₂(L3)(PPh₃)₄I₂] · 2CH₂Cl₂ (3), [Cu₂(L4)(PPh₃)₄I₂] (4), [Cu₂(L5)(PPh₃)₂I₂] (5) and [Cu₂(L6)(PPh₃)₂I₂] (6) have been prepared by reactions of bis(schiff base) ligands: pyridine-4-carbaldehyde azine (L1), 1,2-bis(4′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L2), pyridine-3-carbaldehyde azine (L3), 1,2-bis(3′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L4), pyridine-2-carbaldehyde azine (L5), 1,2-bis(2′-pyridylmethyleneamino)ethane (L6) with PPh₃ and copper(I) salt, respectively. Ligand L1 or L2 links (PPh₃)₂Cu₂(μ-I)₂ units to form an infinite coordination polymer chain. Ligand 3 or 4 acts as a monodentate ligand to coordinate two copper(I) atoms yielding a dimer. Ligand 5 or 6 chelates two copper(I) atoms using pyridyl nitrogen and imine nitrogen to form a dimer. Complexes 1-4 exhibit photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature. The emission has been attributed to be intraligand π-π* transition mixed with MLCT characters.     

Olefin aziridination by copper(II) complexes: Effect of redox potential on catalytic activity

A series of new copper(II) complexes of four sterically hindering linear tridentate 3N ligands N′-ethyl-N′-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (L1), N′-benzyl-N′-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (L2), N′-benzyl-N′-(6-methylpyrid-2-yl-methyl)-N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (L3) and N′-benzyl-N′-(quinol-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (L4) have been isolated and examined as catalysts for olefin aziridination. The complexes [Cu(L1)Cl₂]·CH₃OH 1, [Cu(L2)Cl₂]·CH₃OH 2, [Cu(L3)Cl₂]·0.5 H₂O 3 and [Cu(L4)Cl₂] 4 have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In all of them copper(II) adopts a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry as inferred from the values of trigonality index (τ) for them (τ: 1, 0.02; 2, 0.01; 3, 0.07; 4, 0.01). Electronic and EPR spectral studies reveal that the complexes retain square-based geometry in solution also. The complexes undergo quasireversible Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox behavior (E_1/2, −0.272 − −0.454 V) in acetonitrile solution. The ability of the complexes to mediate nitrene transfer from PhINTs and chloramine-T trihydrate to olefins to form N-tosylaziridines has been studied. The complexes 3 and 4 catalyze the aziridination of styrene very slowly yielding above 80% of the desired product. They also catalyze the aziridination of the less reactive olefins like cyclooctene and n-hexene but with lower yields (30-50%). In contrast to these two complexes, 1 and 2 fail to catalyze the aziridination of olefins in the presence of both the nitrene sources. All these observations have been rationalized based on the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials of the catalysts.     

Versatile coordination behaviour of Ph2AsCH2AsPh2 with Ru(II)

Treatment of ‘RuCl₃ · 3H₂O’ with Ph₂AsCH₂AsPh₂ (dpam) in hot EtOH gives either trans-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)(dpam-As)₂] (1), or cis-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)₂] (2), depending on the mole ratio. On exposure to light, solutions of 2 isomerise to trans-[RuCl₂(dpam-As,As′)₂] (3). Treatment of [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] with two equivalents of dpam in CH₂Cl₂ gave a mixture of two products, from which trans-[RuCl₂(PPh₃) (dpam-As,As′)(dpam-As)] (4) was isolated by recrystallisation. The crystal structures of 1-4 are reported. Complexes 1-3 in CH₂Cl₂ undergo electrochemical oxidation to Ru(III), and the Ru(III) form of 2 undergoes isomerisation on the voltammetric timescale to the Ru(III) form of 3.     

Synthesis, structures and conductivity properties of silver 3-sulfobenzoate coordination polymers

Four coordination polymers based on Ag^I/3-sulfobenzoate/N-donor ligands, [Ag₂Na₂(3-sb)₂(H₂O)₇]_n (1), {[Ag₂(3-sb)(apy)]·(H₂O)}_n (2), {[Ag₂(4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₃]·[Ag₂(4,4′-bipy)₂(H₂O)₂]·2(3-sb)·4(H₂O)}_n (3) and {[Ag(3-sb)(bpe)(H₂O)][Ag(bpe)(H₂O)]·3(H₂O)}_n (4) where 3-sb is 3-sulfobenzoate, apy is 2-aminopyridine, bipy is 4,4′-bipyridine and bpe is 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, were prepared and characterized, and their fluorescence and electric conductivity properties were studied. Complex 1 is a 3D architecture in which 3-sb ligands exhibit μ₄-κ¹(O1,O2-Ag): κ¹(O3,O5-Na) trans-trans coordination mode. The molecular structure of 2 is a 2D layer. Complexes 3 and 4 are cation-anion species and 1D polymers. In these complexes hydrogen bonds provide additional assembly forces, giving 3D hydrogen bonding networks for 1 and 3, and 2D layers for 2 and 4. Abundant weak interactions, such as Ag-Ag interactions in 1-3, Ag-π interactions in 1-4, π-π interactions in 1, 3-4, and C-H···π interactions in 3-4, also can be found. The weak interactions are strongly related to the fluorescence and electric conductivity properties, providing the way for understanding the relationship between structures and properties.     

Synthetic, structural and spectroscopic studies of complexes derived from the copper(II) perchlorate/succinamic acid/N,N′-donor tertiary reaction systems

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm) in Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O/N,N′-donor [2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy)] reaction mixtures yielded compounds [Cu₂(Hsucm)₃(bpy)₂](ClO₄)·0.5MeOH (1·0.5MeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)(OH)(H₂O)(bpy)](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu₄(Hsucm)₅(dmbpy)₄]_n(ClO₄)_3n·nH₂O ·0.53nMeOH (3·nH₂O·0.53nMeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(dmbpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O (4·2H₂O), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.8MeOH (5·1.8MeOH), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(phen)₂(MeOH)₂](ClO₄)₂·MeOH (6·MeOH) and [Cu(Hsucm)₂(H₂O)(4,4′-bpy)]_n (7). The succinamate(−1) ligand exists in five different coordination modes in the structures of 1-7, i.e. the common syn, syn μ₂-κO:κO′ in 1-6, the μ₂-κ²O in 1, the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 1, the μ₃-κ²O:κ²O′ in 3, and the monodentate κO in 7. The primary amide group of Hsucm⁻ remains uncoordinated and participates in intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions leading to interesting crystal structures. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands. The thermal decomposition of representative complexes was monitored by TG/DTG and DTA measurements.     

Exploring the coordination chemistry and reactivity of hemilabile N-alkylaminopyrazole ligands towards Pd(II)

Reaction of the N-alkylaminopyrazole (NN′N) ligands bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methyl]ethylamine (bdmae) and bis[(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methyl]isopropylamine (bdmai) with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] in a 1:1 M/L ratio in CH₂Cl₂ produces cis-[PdCl₂(NN′N)] (NN′N = bdmae (1), bdmai (2)). The solid state structure of complex 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The bdmae ligand is coordinated through the two N_pz atoms to the metal atom, which completes its coordination with two chlorine atoms in a cis disposition.Treatment of the corresponding ligand with [PdCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] in 1:1 M/L ratio in the presence of AgBF₄ and metathesis with NaBPh₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (3:1) gave [PdCl(bdmae)](BPh₄) (3), and in the presence of NaBPh₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN (3:1) gave [PdCl(bdmai)](BPh₄) (4). Complexes 1 and 2 were again obtained when complexes 3 and 4 were heated under reflux in a solution of Et₄NCl in acetonitrile. These Pd(II) compounds were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR, ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, HMQC and NOESY spectroscopies. The NMR studies of the complexes prove the rigid conformation of the ligands when they are complexed.     

New pyridyl modified phosphines: Synthesis and late transition-metal coordination studies

Using a phosphorus based Mannich condensation reaction the new pyridylphosphines {5-Ph₂PCH₂N(H)}C₅H₃(2-Cl)N (1-Cl) and {2-Ph₂PCH₂N(H)}C₅H₃(5-Br)N (1-Br) have been synthesised in good yields (60% and 88%, respectively) from Ph₂PCH₂OH and the appropriate aminopyridine. The ligands 1-Cl and 1-Br display variable coordination modes depending on the choice of late transition-metal complex used. Hence P-monodentate coordination has been observed for the mononuclear complexes AuCl(1-Cl) (2), AuCl(1-Br) (3), RuCl₂(p-cymene)(1-Cl) (4), RuCl₂(p-cymene)(1-Br) (5), RhCl₂(Cp^∗)(1-Cl) (6), RhCl₂(Cp^∗)(1-Br) (7), IrCl₂(Cp^∗)(1-Cl) (8), IrCl₂(Cp^∗)(1′-Cl) (8′), IrCl₂(Cp^∗)(1-Br) (9), cis-/trans-PdCl₂(1-Cl)₂ (10), cis-/trans-PdCl₂(1-Br)₂ (11), cis-PtCl₂(1-Cl)₂ (12) and cis-PtCl₂(1-Br)₂ (13). Reaction of Pd(Me)Cl(cod) (cod = cycloocta-1,5-diene) with either 1 equiv. of 1-Br or the known pyridylphosphines 1′-Cl, 1-OH or 1-H gave the P/N-chelate complexes Pd(Me)Cl(1-Br-1-H) (14)-(17). All new compounds have been fully characterised by spectroscopic and analytical methods. Furthermore the structures of 4, 5, 10 and 16 · (CH₃)₂SO have been elucidated by single crystal X-ray crystallography. A crystal structure of the dinuclear metallocycle trans,trans-[PdCl₂{μ-P/N-{Ph₂PCH₂N(H)}C₅H₄N}]₂ · CHCl₃, 18 · CHCl₃, has also been determined. Here 1-H bridges, using both P and pyridyl N donors, two dichloropalladium centres affording a 12-membered ring with the PdCl₂ units adopting a head-to-tail arrangement.     

Unprecedented formation of binuclear copper(II) complex with a perylene derived ligand by the oxidative reaction

A new perylene-pendent tridentate ligand, N-(3-perylenylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (perbpa) 1 and its Cu(II) complex, [Cu(perbpa)Cl₂] (2) were prepared and structurally characterized by the X-ray diffraction method. In the packing structure of ligand 1, perylene groups were aggregated to form a π-π stacked layer of dimerized pelylene moieties similar to the packing of pristine perylene. This result suggests both that the π-π interactions among the perylene moieties predominate for the arrangement of perbpa molecules in the crystal and that this ligand is a good candidate for constructing electron conducting path. A complex 2 was prepared from the ligand 1 and a copper(II) chloride dehydrate. Complex 2 had a mononuclear and 5-coordinate distorted square pyramidal structure with a perbpa and two coordinated chloride ions. The chemical oxidation of 2 by iodine resulted in the unprecedented binuclear Cu(II) species, [Cu₂(μ-Cl)₂(perbpa)₂](I₃)₂, 3·(I₃)₂. An X-ray crystal structure analysis of 3·(I₃)₂ revealed the binuclear structure bridged by the chloride ions. A temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurement of 3 showed a weak ferromagnetic exchange interaction with S = 1 ground state, g = 2.12 and J = +1.17 cm⁻¹, based on H = −2JS₁ · S₂. The UV-Vis absorption and the EPR spectra of 3 showed that the perylene groups are not oxidized. These results indicate a couple of Cu(II) constructed S = 1 ground state with intermolecular ferromagnetic interaction. The electrochemical study suggested that the crystallization of 3·(I₃)₂ was initiated by the oxidation of the N,N-bis-(2-pyridylmethyl)amino (bpa) groups of 2 by I₂.     

Ligand effects in cis-Ru(N-N)2L2 species where N-N is a substituted 2,2′-bisoxazoline and L is monodentate

Starting from previously reported cis-Ru(MeL)₂Cl₂, where MeL is 4,4,4′,4′-tetramethyl-2,2′-bisoxazoline, cis-Ru(MeL)₂Br₂ (1), cis-Ru(MeL)₂I₂ (2), cis-Ru(MeL)₂(NCS)₂ · H₂O (3), cis-Ru(MeL)₂(N₃)₂ (4) and cis-[Ru(MeL)₂(MeCN)₂](PF₆)₂ · (CH₃)₂CO (5) are synthesised. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, 2, 3 and 5 have been determined. All the five new complexes have been characterized by FTIR, ESIMS and ¹H NMR. In cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile at a glassy carbon electrode, the complexes display a quasireversible Ru(II/III) couple in the range 0.32-1.71 V versus NHE. The Ru(II/III) potentials yield a satisfactorily linear correlation with Chatt’s ligand constants P_L for the monodantate ligands. From the intercept and by comparing the known situation in Ru(2,2′-bipyridine)₂L₂, it is concluded that MeL, a non-aromatic diimine, is significantly more π-acidic than 2,2′-bipyridine.     

Structures and magnetic properties of one-dimensional polymers constructed with copper(II) salts and pyridinecarboxamide-type ligands

Three complexes of the composition {[Cu(μ_1,5-dca)₂(mppca)₂] · H₂O}_n (1), [Cu(μ_1,5-dca)₂(nppca)₂]_n (2) and [Cu(μ-Cl)₂(mppca)₂]_n (3) (dca = dicyanamide, ; mppca = N-(4′-methylphenyl)-4-pyridinecarboxamide; nppca = N-(4′-nitrophenyl)-4-pyridinecarboxamide) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography and magnetic susceptibility studies. Different supramolecular structures of the complexes have been constructed by different non-covalent motifs in the crystalline solids. In complex 1, adjacent copper(II) atoms are connected by double μ_1,5-dca(end-to-end) bridges to form a chain-like structure. The chains are linked by π-π interactions and hydrogen bonds between the ligands and water molecules to form a 3D network. In complex 2, copper(II) atom has a coordination environment similar to 1, but water molecules have not been found. Weak C-H?N hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction yield a 3D supramolecular network which is different from that of complex 1. Complex 3 is a 1D polymeric chain in which Cu(II) ions are bridged by Cl⁻, and only CH/π interactions had been found. Magnetic measurements revealed antiferromagnetic properties of 1, 3 and ferromagnetic behavior of 2.     

Zinc(II) complexes with 1,8-naphthyridine-based ligand: Crystal structures and luminescent properties

The reactions of 2,4-dimethyl-7-(2-pyridylamino)-1,8-naphthyridine (L1) with Zn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, and bis(5,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl)amine ligand (L2) with Zn(OAc)₂ · 2H₂O, ZnCl₂ or Zn(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O afforded four blue luminescent zinc(II) complexes, [Zn(L1)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2CH₂Cl₂ (1), [Zn(L2)(OAc)₂] · CH₂Cl₂ (2), [Zn(L2)₂][ZnCl₄] · 3.5CH₂Cl₂ (3) and [Zn(L2)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4), respectively. Crystal structures of complexes 1-3 have been determined by X-ray structural analyses as mononuclear complexes with pseudo-tetrahedral geometry. The crystal packing of 1 reveals the coordination cation which is self-assembled to stair chains through aromatic π-π interactions. The intermolecular N-H?O hydrogen bond in 2 generates a centrosymmetric H-bonded dimer. However, the crystal lattice of 3 shows that the molecules are linked by extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the amino groups and the anions, resulting in a one-dimensional zigzag chain. Furthermore, these molecular pairs or chains were self-assembled to two-dimensional sheets or three-dimensional networks through aromatic π-π interactions. All the zinc(II) complexes display intense intraligand ¹(π-π^∗) fluorescence with λ_max at 380 and 393 nm for 1, 385 and 404 nm for 2-4 in methanol at room temperature, respectively. Emission quantum yields of these complexes are in the range from 0.41 to 0.57. The broad emission bands in their solid-state emission spectra are attributed to intraligand ¹(π-π^∗) transition and aromatic π-π interactions as well.     

Synthesis, structure, cytotoxic activities and DNA-binding properties of tetracopper(II) complexes with dissymmetrical N,N′-bis(substituted)oxamides as ligands

To compare the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties in tetranuclear complexes with different bridging ligands, two tetracopper(II) complexes with formulae of [Cu₄(oxbe)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·4H₂O (1) and [Cu₄(oxbm)₂Cl₂(bpy)₂]·2H₂O (2) were synthesized, where H₃oxbe and H₃oxbm stand for N-benzoato-N′-(2-aminoethyl)oxamide and N-benzoato-N′-(1,2-propanediamine)oxamide, respectively, and bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine. Complex 1 was characterized by elemental analyses, IR and electronic spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure reveals the presence of the circular tetranuclear copper(II) cations which are assembled by a pair of cis-oxamido-bridged dinuclear copper(II) units through carboxyl bridges. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been reported in our previous paper. However, the bioactivities were not studied. Cytotoxicities experiments reveal that both the two complexes exhibit cytotoxic effects against human hepatocellular carcinoma cell SMMC-7721 and human lung adenocarcinoma cell A549, and complex 1 has the better activities than those of complex 2. The results of the interactions between the two complexes and herring sperm DNA (HS-DNA) suggest that the two complexes interact with HS-DNA in the mode of intercalation with the intrinsic binding constants of 3.93 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (1) and 2.48 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ (2). These results indicated that the bridging ligands may play an important role in the cytotoxicities and the DNA-binding properties of tetranuclear complexes.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of new homotrinuclear copper(II) complexes

Two new mononuclear bis(oxamato) complexes with the formula [nBu₄N]₂[M(nabo)] M = Ni (4), Cu (5), with nabo = 2,3-naphthalene-bis(oxamato) have been synthesized as precursors for trinuclear oxamato-bridged transition metal complexes. Starting from 5 the homo-trinuclear complex [Cu₃(nabo)(pmdta)₂(BF₄)](BF₄) · MeCN · Et₂O (7), with pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine, has been prepared. The central N,N′-2,3-naphthalene bridge of 7 is so far the most extended π-conjugated bridge of trinuclear bis(oxamato) type transition metal complexes. The goal of this work was to verify the N,N′-2,3-naphthalene bridge of 7 on its magnetic properties in comparison to the N,N′-o-phenylene bridge of the related homo-trinuclear complex [Cu₃(opba)(pmdta)₂(NO₃)](NO₃) · 2MeCN (6) (opba = o-phenylene-bis(oxamato)). The crystal structures of 4-7 were solved. The magnetic properties of 6 and 7 were studied by susceptibility measurements versus temperature. For the intramolecular J parameter, values of −89 cm⁻¹ (6) and −113 cm⁻¹ (7) were obtained. The different J values are discussed based on the crystal structures of 6 and 7.     

Anion binding studies of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine based amide receptors with nitro functionalized aryl substitutions: A positional isomeric effect

Syntheses and crystal structures of tren-based amide, L¹, N,N′,N″-tris[(2-amino-ethyl)-4-nitro-benzamide] and L², N,N′,N″-tris[(2-amino-ethyl)-2-nitro-benzamide] are reported and compared with previously published tripodal amide receptor L³, N,N′,N″-tris[(2-amino-ethyl)-3-nitro-benzamide]. The crystallographic results show intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions between two arms of the tripodal receptor and two other adjacent molecules in cases of L¹ and L² whereas in addition to the above interactions an aromatic π···π stacking among tripodal arms is also observed in L³. Receptors L¹, L² and L³ having electron withdrawing -NO₂ substituted (para, ortho and meta, respectively) phenyl moieties are explored toward their solution state anion binding properties and selectivity studies. The substantial changes in chemical shifts are observed for the amide protons (-NH) and aromatic protons (-CH) with F⁻ and Cl⁻ in cases of L¹ and L³, and only with F⁻ for L², indicating the participation of -NH and -CH protons in the solution state binding events. Binding constants for the above cases are calculated by ¹H NMR titration upon monitoring the -NH signal. Receptor L² shows exclusive selectivity toward F⁻ in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The structural aspects of binding I⁻, ClO₄⁻ and SiF₆²⁻ with the monoprotonated L¹, L¹H⁺·I⁻·DMF (1), L¹H⁺·ClO₄⁻·DMF (2) and L¹H⁺·0.5SiF₆²⁻·H₂O (3), respectively are examined crystallographically. Anion binding with multiple receptor units is observed via amide N-H···anion as well as aryl C-H···anion hydrogen-bonding interactions in all the complexes as observed in cases of previously reported crystal structures of anionic complexes of protonated L³. The aryl group having nitro functionality that contributes to solution state anion binding with the neutral receptor and solid state coordination in complexes 1-3 through CH···anion interactions is noteworthy.