Copper(II) complexes derived from tripodal tris[(2-ethyl-(1-pyrazolyl)]amine

Three mono-nuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu(tepza)X]ClO₄ (X = Cl, 1; X = NCS, 2; X = dca, 3) and two dinuclear bridging complexes [Cu₂(tepza)₂(μ-C₄O₄)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O(4) and [Cu₂(tepza)₂(μ-C₅O₅)](ClO₄)₂(5) where tepza = tris[2-ethyl(1-pyrazolyl)]amine, dca = dicyanamide, C₄O₄²⁻ = 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dionate (squarate dianion) and C₅O₅²⁻ = 4,5-dihydroxycyclopent-4-ene-1,2,3-trionate (croconate dianion) were synthesized and structurally characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy as well as by single X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, the geometry of copper(II) centers in these complexes are as follows: close to SP in 2, distorted TBP in 3, predominant SP in 4, and distorted octahedral in 5, whereas in solution distorted SP geometry was generally found. The squarato and the croconato dianions in complexes 4 and 5 are bridging the two copper(II) centers in cis-bis-monodentate and bis-bidentate bonding modes, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility measurements at variable temperatures (2-300 K) reveal the weak antiferromagnetic coupling in the two bridging dinuclear complexes 4 (J = −24.9 cm⁻¹) and 5 (J = −3.1 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic characterization of a series of four phenoxo-bridged binuclear manganese(III) Schiff base complexes

A family of four new phenoxo-bridged binuclear manganese(III) complexes of the general formula, [Mn(L)(X)]₂ where L = [N,N′-bis(salicylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine and X = salicylaldehyde anion (sal⁻) (1); NCS⁻ (2); NCO⁻ (3) and [Mn(L′)(N₃)]₂·2C₂H₅OH (4) where L′ = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine has been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reacting manganese perchlorate with 1,2-diaminopropane and salicylaldehyde (or 2-hydroxyacetophenone for 4) or along with the respective pseudohalides so that the tetradentate Schiff base H₂L or H₂L′ is obtained in situ to bind the Mn(III) ion. The complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, crystal structure analysis and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The single crystal X-ray diffraction studies show that the compounds are isostructural containing dimeric Mn(III) units with bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. Low temperature magnetic studies indicate that the complexes 1-3 exhibit intradimer ferromagnetic exchange as well as single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior while complex 4 is found to undergo an intradimer antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Synthesis and characterisation of dinuclear oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with thienyl carboxylate ligands

The first structurally characterised oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with thienyl carboxylate ligands were prepared by the reaction of [Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄] or (NH₄)₂[MoOCl₅] with the corresponding acid (2-thiophenecarboxylic, 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic or 3-(3-thienyl)acrylic acid). Complexes [Mo₂O₃(μ-OC₂H₅)(μ-O₂CR)(C₅H₇O₂)₂](R = -C₄H₃S (1), -C₄H₂S(CH₃) (2) or -CHCHC₄H₃S (3)) were obtained upon substitution of two acetylacetonate ligands from [Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄] with RCOO⁻ in dry ethanol. Reactions of (NH₄)₂[MoOCl₅] with the corresponding thienyl carboxylic acid in the presence of γ-picoline (C₆H₇N) yielded complexes (C₆H₇NH)[Mo₂O₄(μ-O₂CR)Cl₂(C₆H₇N)₂] (R = -C₄H₃S (4), -C₄H₂S(CH₃) (5) or -CHCHC₄H₃S (6)). All of the six new complexes were characterised as dinuclear. The molecular structures of 1, 3, 4·0.5CH₃CN and 5 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In the complexes the two molybdenum atoms are doubly bridged either by one oxygen and one ethoxy-oxygen, or alternatively by two oxo-oxygens, and are additionally bridged by the thienyl carboxylate ion in a didentate bridging manner. All complexes were further characterised by means of chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG and in some cases by the one and two-dimensional NMR method.     

Functional model for catecholase-like activity: Synthesis, structure, spectra, and catalytic activity of iron(III) complexes with substituted-salicylaldimine ligands

Four new mononuclear iron(III) complexes with the substituted-salicylaldimine ligands, [Fe(L¹)(TCC)] (1), [Fe(L²)(TBC)] (2), [Fe(L³)(TBC)] (3) and [Fe(L⁴)(TCC)](CH₃CN) (4) (HL¹ = N′-(5-OH-salicylaldimine)-diethylenetriamine, HL² = (N′-(5-Cl-salicylaldimine)-diethylenetriamine, HL³ N′-(5-Br-salicyl-aldimine)-dipropylenetriamine, HL⁴ = (N′-3,5-Br-salicylaldimine)-dipropylenetriamine, H₂TCC = tetrachlorocatechol, and H₂TBC = tetrabromocatechol), were prepared and characterized by XRD, EPR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The coordination sphere of the Fe(III) in complexes 1-4 is a distorted octahedral with N₃O₃ donors set which constructed by the Schiff-base ligands and the catecholate substrates of TBC or TCC. The in situ prepared Fe(III) complexes [Fe(L¹)Cl₂], [Fe(L²)Cl₂], [Fe(L³)(Cl₂)], and [Fe(L⁴)Cl₂] in absence of TBC or TCC show a high catecholase-like activity for the oxidation of 3,5-DTBC to the corresponding quinone 3,5-DTBQ.     

A series of oxo-vanadium(IV) complexes containing mixed ligands of poly(pyrazolyl)borate and organic carboxylic acid: Synthesis, structural characterization and primary study of bromination reaction activities

A series of oxo-vanadium(IV) complexes: Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(CH₃COO) (1), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(CCl₃COO) (2), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(C₆H₅COO) (3), Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(m-NO₂-C₆H₄COO)·CH₃CN (4) and [Tp^∗VO(pzH^∗)(H₂O)]⁺[m-NO₂-C₆H₄-SO₃]⁻·CH₃OH (5) (Tp^∗ = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; pzH^∗ = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) are synthesized in methanol solution under physiological conditions. They are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis and X-ray crystallography. Structural analyses show that the vanadium atoms in complexes 1-5 are all in a distorted-octahedral environment with the N₄O₂ donor set, and intra- or inter-hydrogen bonding linkages have been also observed in each complex. Bromination reaction activity of the complexes has been evaluated by the method with phenol red as organic substrate in the presence of H₂O₂, Br⁻ and phosphate buffer, indicating that they can be considered as potential functional model vanadium-dependent haloperoxidases. In addition, thermal analysis and quantum chemistry calculations were also performed and discussed in detail.     

Secondary ligand-metal interactions in rhodium(III) and iridium(III) phosphoramidite complexes

The synthesis, characterization, and application in asymmetric catalytic cyclopropanation of Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes containing (S_a,R_C,R_C)-O,O′-[1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diyl]-N,N′-bis[1-phenyl-ethyl]phosphoramidite (1) are reported. The X-ray structures of the half-sandwich complexes [MCl₂(C₅Me₅)(1,κP)] (M = Rh, 2a; M = Ir, 2b) show that the metal-phosphoramidite bond is significantly shorter in the Ir(III) analog. Chloride abstraction from 2a (with CF₃SO₃SiMe₃ or with CF₃SO₃Me) and from 2b (with AgSbF₆) gives the cationic species [MCl(C₅Me₅)(1,2-η-1,κP)]⁺ (M = Rh, 3a; M = Ir, 3b), which display a secondary interaction between the metal and a dangling phenethyl group (NCH(CH₃)Ph) of the phosphoramidite ligand, as indicated by NMR spectroscopic studies. Complexes 3a and 3b slowly decompose in solution. In the case of 3b, the binuclear species [Ir₂Cl₃(C₅Me₅)₂]⁺ is slowly formed, as indicated by an X-ray study. Preliminary catalytic tests showed that 3a cyclopropanates styrene with moderate yield (35%) and diastereoselectivity (70:30 trans:cis ratio) and with 32% ee (for the trans isomer).     

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of cobalt(III) complexes of some aroyl hydrazones: X-ray crystal structures of one cobalt(III) complex and two aroyl hydrazone ligands

Cobalt(III) complexes of diacetyl monooxime benzoyl hydrazone (dmoBH₂) and diacetyl monooxime isonicotinoyl hydrazone (dmoInH₂) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structures of the two hydrazone ligands, as well as that of the cobalt(III) complex [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O, are also reported. It is found that in the cobalt(III) complexes the Co(III) ion is hexa-coordinated, the hydrazone ligands behaving as mono-anionic tridentate O,N,N donors. In the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O complex, the amide and the oxime hydrogens are deprotonated for both the ligands, while the isonicotine nitrogens are protonated. In the [Co^III(dmoBH)₂]Cl complex, only the amide nitrogens are deprotonated. It is shown that the additional hydrogen bonding capability of the isonicotine nitrogen results in different conformation and supramolecular structure for dmoInH₂, compared to dmoBH₂, in the solid state. Comparing the structure of the [Co^III(dmoInH)₂]Cl·2H₂O with that of the Zn(II) complex of the same ligand, reported earlier, it is seen that the metal ion has a profound influence on the supramolecular structure, due to change in geometrical dispositions of the chelate rings.     

Rhodium(I) and palladium(II) complexes with the Schiff base 2,2-bis((4S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazoline)

The Schiff base 2,2^′-bis((4S)-4-benzyl-2-oxazoline) (I) and its coordination complexes with rhodium(I) and palladium(II) (and with 1,5-cyclo-octadiene and allyl ligands) have been characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mass spectrometry, ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectroscopy: [Rh(C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂)(C₈H₁₂)][Rh₂(C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂)₂](CF₃SO₃)₃ · (CH₃CH₂O) (II) and [Pd(C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂)(C₃H₅)]CF₃SO₃ (III). We discuss the reasons for the formation of two complex cations for Rh(I), [Rh(C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂)(C₈H₁₂)]⁺ (IIa) and [Rh₂(C₂₀H₂₀N₂O₂)₂]²⁺ (IIb), and only one for Pd(II).     

Electrochemical behavior of polymeric complexes of monosubstituted squarate ligands. Part 2. Determination of redox species of manganese(II) complexes in the donor solvents, dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide

Cyclic and square wave voltammetry (−1500 to 1500 mV) of {Mn[μ-(C₆H₅)₂NC₄O₃]₂[H₂O]₄}_n [manganese(II) diphenylaminosquarate] (1) and [Mn(μ-C₆H₅C₄O₃)(C₆H₅C₄O₃)(H₂O)₃]_n [manganese(II) phenylsquarate] (2) at a gold disk electrode in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and dimethylformamide (DMF), reveal several couples attributable to both ligand and metal-based redox processes. For the manganese(II) phenylsquarate in DMF, the metal-based peaks are more numerous and readily discernible than in DMSO. In either of the solvents, the ligand-based peaks always occur at more positive or more negative potentials than the metal-based ones. In 1 and 2, Mn(II)/Mn(0), Mn(III)/Mn(II), Mn(IV)/Mn(III) and Mn(V)/Mn(IV) couples are observed. However, the manganese redox peaks appear at more negative potentials in 1.     

Syntheses and structures of heterobimetallic complexes derived from [Ga(edt)2] as a metalloligand (edt = SC2H4S): Potential precursors for ternary materials MGaS2 (M = Cu or Ag)

Metathesis reaction between equimolar amount of [Et₄N][GaCl₄] and Na₂edt in methanol resulted in the formation of the dichloro complex [Et₄N][Ga(edt)Cl₂] (1), whereas reaction of [Et₄N][GaCl₄] with two equivalents of Na₂edt in methanol gave the complex [Et₄N][Ga(edt)₂] (2) which can act as a metalloligand. Treatment of 2 with M(PPh₃)₂NO₃ in DMF/CH₂Cl₂ afforded the heterobimetallic complexes [Ga(edt)₂M-(PPh₃)₂] (M = Cu 3, Ag 4) in moderate yields. The structures of 1-4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Both [Ga(edt)Cl₂]⁻ and [Ga(edt)₂]⁻ anions have a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The former consists of one five-membered ring formed by chelating dithiolate and two terminal chloride atoms while the latter consists of two five-membered rings formed by two the chelating dithiolates. Complexes 3 and 4 consist of metalloligand [Ga(edt)₂]⁻ anion chelated to [M(PPh₃)₂]⁺via the sulfur atoms. Both tetrahedrally coordinated Ga and Cu(Ag) atoms are bridged by two sulfur atoms, forming a planar “GaS₂M” (M = Cu, Ag) core. Thermogravimetry analysis revealed that heterobimetallic complexes 3 and 4 decomposed to give the corresponding ternary metal sulfide materials.     

Reaction of [MCl2(CH3CN)2] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) compounds with N1-alkylpyridylpyrazole-derived ligands

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with N-alkylpyridylpyrazole-derived ligands, 2-(1-ethyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (L¹) and 2-(1-octyl-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (L²), cis-[MCl₂(L)] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)), have been synthesised. Treatment of [PdCl₂(L)] (L = L¹, L²) with excess of ligand (L¹, L²), pyridine (py) or triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) in the presence of AgBF₄ and NaBPh₄ produced the following complexes: [Pd(L)₂](BPh₄)₂, [Pd(L)(py)₂](BPh₄)₂ and [Pd(L)(PPh₃)₂](BPh₄)₂. All complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity, IR and NMR spectroscopies. The crystal structures of cis-[PdCl₂(L²)] (2) and cis-[PtCl₂(L¹)] (3) were determined by a single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In both complexes, the metal atom is coordinated by one pyrazole nitrogen, one pyridine nitrogen and two chlorine atoms in a distorted square-planar geometry. In complex 3, π-π stacking between pairs of molecules is observed.     

Heterobimetallic Fe-Pd and Fe-Pt NCN pincer complexes (NCN = [C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6])

The meta-diaminoaryl ferrocenes Fc-NCN-H (3) and Fc-CC-NCN-H (5) (Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)(η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe, NCN-H = C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)₂-3,5) can be used as precursors in the preparation of heterobimetallic transition metal complexes of structural type Fc-NCN-MX (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻; MX = PdCl (7), PtCl (8), PtI (9)) and Fc-CC-NCN-MX (MX = PdCl (11), PdI (12), PtCl (13)), respectively. They are accessible by applying different synthesis procedures, including oxidative addition and metallation-transmetallation processes.Cyclovoltammetric studies show that the ferrocene moieties in 3, 5, 7-9 and 11-13 can reversibly be oxidised. The potential of the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple decreases with increasing electron density at the NCN pincer unit. The use of 8 as a possible (electro)chemical sensor in the detection of SO₂ is discussed as well.The solid-state structures of 8 and 13 are reported. The crystals of 8 contain two molecules of 8 in the asymmetric unit. The plane of the C₆H₂ moiety is with 27.2(3)° and 38.2(3)° tilted towards the C₅H₄ entity, while in 13 an angle of 45.9(3)° can be found. The d⁸-electron configured platinum atoms possess a somewhat distorted square-planar surrounding, setup by two Me₂NCH₂ortho-substituents, the NCN C_ipso carbon atom and the chloride ligand.     

A series of thiolato-bridged di- and trinuclear complexes derived from [Tp∗Rh(SPh)2(MeCN)] (Tp∗ = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)

Treatment of the Rh(III) complex [Tp∗Rh(SPh)₂(MeCN)] (1) with a series of late transition metal complexes resulted in the formations of thiolate-bridged di- and trinuclear complexes, which include the Rh(III)-Rh(I) complexes, [Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂Rh(cod)] (2) and [Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂Rh(PPh₃)₂], the Rh(III)-Pd(II) complexes, [Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂Pd(η³-C₃H₅)] (4), [{Tp∗Rh(MeCN)}(μ-SPh)₂PdCl₂] (5), and [{Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂}₂Pd] (6), and the Rh(III)-Pt(II) complex [{Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂}₂Pt] (7). Early-late transition metal complexes containing the Rh(III)-Re(I) and Rh(III)-Mo(0) metal centers, [Tp∗RhCl(μ-SPh)₂Re(CO)₄] and [{Tp∗Rh(CO)}(μ-SPh)₂Mo(CO)₄] were also prepared from 1. The X-ray analysis has been carried out to confirm the structures for 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7.     

Mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes of Mo(IV) and W(IV): A comparative study

Two hitherto unknown mixed-ligand tris chelated complexes containing 2-aminothiophenolate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(NH-(C₆H₄)-S)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1a; W, 2a) and two mixed-ligand tris chelate complex containing N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate, [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(Et₂NS₂)(mnt)₂] (M = Mo, 1b; W, 2b) have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Although these complexes are supposed to be quite similar to the well-known symmetric tris chelate complexes of maleonitriledithiolate (mnt), [Et₄N]₂[M^IV(mnt)₃] (M = Mo, 1c; W, 2c), but display both trigonal prismatic and distorted trigonal prismatic geometry in their crystal structure indicating the possibility of an equilibrium between these two structural possibilities in solution. Unlike extreme stability of 1b, 2b, 1c and 2c, both 1a and 2a are highly unstable in solution. In contrast to one reversible reduction in case of 1b and 2b, 1a and 2a exhibited no possible reduction up to −1.2 V and two sequential oxidation steps which have been further investigated with EPR study. Differences in stability and electrochemical behavior of 1a, 1b, 2a and 2b have been correlated with theoretical calculations at DFT level in comparison with long known 1c and 2c.     

Organometallic nickel(II) complexes with dithiophosphate, dithiophosphonate and monothiophosphonate ligands

The hydroxo complex [NBu₄]₂[Ni₂(C₆F₅)₄(μ-OH)₂] reacts with ammonium O,O^′-dialkyldithiophosphates, O-alkyl-p-methoxyphenyldithiophosphonate acids and ammonium O-alkylferrocenyldithiophosphonates in dichloromethane under mild conditions to give, respectively, [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)₂}] (R=Me (1), Et (2), ⁱPr (3)) and [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)Ar}] (Ar=p-MeOC₆H₄, R=Me (4), Et (5), ⁱPr (6); Ar=ferrocenyl; R=Me (7), Et (8), ⁱPr (9)). The monothiophosphonate nickel complexes [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OR)(ferrocenyl)}] (R=Et (10), ⁱPr (11)) are obtained by reaction of the hydroxo complex with O-alkylferrocenyldithiophosphonate acids. Analytical (C, H, N, S), conductivity, and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H, ¹⁹F and ³¹P NMR, and FAB-MS) data were used for structural assignments. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(S)P(OMe)(p-MeOC₆H₄)}] (4) and [NBu₄][Ni(C₆F₅)₂{S(O)P(OEt)(ferrocenyl)}] (10) shows that in both cases the coordination around the nickel atom es essentially square planar with NiC₂S₂ and NiC₂SO central cores, respectively.     

Delving into the complex picture of Ti(IV)-citrate speciation in aqueous media: Synthetic, structural, and electrochemical considerations in mononuclear Ti(IV) complexes containing variably deprotonated citrate ligands

The aqueous reaction of TiCl₄ with citric acid at pH ∼ 4 (KOH), led to the surprising isolation of a species assembly K₃[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₂(C₆H₅O₇)] · K₄[Ti(C₆H₅O₇)₂(C₆H₆O₇)] · 10H₂O (1). The same system at pH ∼ 3 (neocuproine), led to the crystalline material (C₁₄H₁₃N₂)₂[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₃] · 5H₂O (2), while at pH 5.0 (NaOH), afforded Na₃[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₂(C₆H₅O₇)] · 9H₂O (3). Analytical, spectroscopic and structural characterization of 1, 2 and 3 revealed their distinct nature exemplified by mononuclear complexes bearing variably deprotonated citrates bound to Ti(IV). Solid-state ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy in concert with solution ¹³C and ¹H NMR on 3 provided ample evidence for the existence of bound citrates of distinct coordination mode to the metal ion. Cyclic voltammetry defined the electrochemical signature of complex 2, thereby projecting the physicochemical profile of the species formulated by the aforementioned properties. Comparison of cyclic voltammetric data on available discrete Ti(IV)-citrate species depicts the electrochemical profile and an E_1/2 value trend of the species in that binary system’s aqueous speciation, further substantiating the redox behavior of mononuclear Ti(IV)-citrate species in a pH-sensitive fashion. Collectively, the well-defined discrete species in 1-3 reflect and corroborate a synthetically challenging yet complex pH-specific picture of the aqueous Ti(IV) chemistry with the physiological citric acid, and shed light on the pH-dependent speciation in the binary Ti(IV)-citrate system.     

Synthesis of [SnPh2(SR)2] SR = SC6F4-4-H, SC6F5: Reactivity towards group 10 transition metal complexes

The organometallic tin(IV) complexes [SnPh₂(SR^F)₂] SR^F = ⁻SC₆F₄-4-H (1), ⁻SC₆F₅ (2), were synthesized and their reactivity with [MCl₂(PPh₃)₂] M = Ni, Pd and Pt explored. Thus, transmetallation products were obtained affording polymeric [Ni(SR^F)(μ-SR^F)]_n, monomeric cis-[Pt(PPh₃)₂(SC₆F₄-4-H)₂] (3) and cis-[Pt(PPh₃)₂(SC₆F₅)₂] (4) and dimeric species [Pd(PPh₃)(SC₆F₄-4-H)(μ-SC₆F₄-4-H)]₂ (5) and [Pd(PPh₃)(SC₆F₅)(μ-SC₆F₅)]₂ (6) for Ni, Pt and Pd, respectively. The crystal structures of complexes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 were determined.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of di- and tetra-nuclear dicarboxylate-bridged copper(II) complexes

Three new Cu(II) complexes, [Cu₂(C₃H₂O₄)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃](NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂ (1) (C₃H₂O₄ = malonate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [Cu₂(C₄H₄O₄)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (2) (C₄H₄O₄ = succinate), and {[Cu₂(phen)₂(H₂O)(NO₃)]₂(C₅H₆O₄)₂}(NO₃)₂ (3) (C₅H₆O₄ = glutarate) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The X-ray analysis reveals that the structures of 1 and 2 are of dinuclear copper(II) complexes bridged by malonate and succinate dianions, respectively, and 3 is a tetranuclear species formed by two {[Cu₂(phen)₂(H₂O)(NO₃)](C₅H₆O₄)} fragments. The copper ions in 1 and 3 show square-pyramidal coordination geometry, while the copper ions in 2 exhibit a square planar geometry. In each complex, the dicarboxylate ligand is coordinated to copper ions as a chelate and monodentate (1), bis-monodentate (2), and bis-bridging ligand toward the copper ions with syn-syn coordination mode (3).     

Functional model for intradiol-cleaving catechol 1,2-dioxygenase: Synthesis, structure, spectra, and catalytic activity of iron(III) complexes with substituted salicylaldimine ligands

A series of mononuclear iron(III) complexes with containing phenolate donor of substituted-salicylaldimine based ligands [Fe(L¹)(TCC)] · CH₃OH (1), [Fe(L²)(TCC)] · CH₃OH (2), [Fe(L³)(TCC)] (3), and [Fe(L⁴)(TCC)] (4) have been prepared and studied as functional models for catechol dioxygenases (H₂TCC = tetrachlorocatechol, or HL¹ = N′-(salicylaldimine)-N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine, HL² = N′-(5-Br-salicylaldimine)-N,N-diethyldiethylenetriamine, HL³ = N′-(4,6-dimethoxy-salycyl-aldimine)-N,N-diethyl-diethylenetriamine, HL⁴ = N′-(4-methoxy-salicylaldimine)-N,N-diethyl-diethylenetriamine). They are structural models for inhibitors of enzyme-substrate adducts from the reactions of catechol 1,2-dioxygenases. Complexes 1-4 were characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystal structural analysis. The coordination sphere of Fe(III) atom of 1-4 is distorted octahedral with N₃O₃ donor set from the ligand and the substrate TCC occupying cis position, and Fe(III) is in high-spin (S = 5/2) electronic ground state. The in situ prepared iron(III) complexes without TCC, [Fe(L¹)Cl₂], [Fe(L²)Cl₂], [Fe(L³)Cl₂], and [Fe(L⁴)Cl₂] are reactive towards intradiol cleavage of the 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol (H₂DBC) in the presence of O₂ or air. The reaction rate of catechol 1,2-dioxygenase depends on the redox potential and acidity of iron(III) ions in complexes as well as the substituent effect of the ligands. We have identified the reaction products and proposed the mechanism of the reactions of these iron(III) complexes with H₂DBC with O₂.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of silver(I) bridged tetra-phenyl-pyrylium complexes from tetraphenyl-cyclopentadiene

Reactions of silver(I) perchlorate with tetraphenyl-cyclopentadiene (Ph₄H₂C₅) have isolated two novel silver(I) bridged tetraphenyl-pyrylium complexes: [Ag(ClO₄)(Ph₄HC₅O⁺)](ClO₄)⁻ (1) and (2), depending on moisture-content of the reactants. Structure studies using single-crystal X-ray diffraction have showed that complex 1 contains a distorted tetrahedral metal center bridging two neighboring peripheral phenyl rings of one pyrylium cation and two perchlorate anions, whereas 2 involves a three-coordinate metal ion interacting with a pair of phenyl rings and one water molecule, leaving two perchlorate anions free from coordination. For both complexes, the precursor ligand Ph₄H₂C₅ undergoes a ring-enlargement reaction, forming a six-membered pyrylium cation. The fundamentals of the synthesis, structure characterization and some properties are discussed.