Synthesis and characterisation of new molybdenum - oxo complexes containing diphenylphosphinylacetic acid and 2-(tert-butylsulphoxide)phenyldiphenylphosphine oxide as bidentate ligands

Reaction of the ligands diphenylphosphinylacetic acid Ph₂P(O)CH₂COOH (1) and 2-(tert-butylthio)phenyldiphenylphosphine oxide Ph₂P(O)C₆H₄^tBuS (2) with “MoO₂Cl₂”, resulted in two complexes MoO₂Cl₂Ph₂P(O)CH₂COOH (3) and MoO₂Cl₂Ph₂P(O)C₆H₄^tBuS(O) (4). Complexes 3 and 4 were isolated and analysed by ¹H NMR, ³¹P NMR and X-ray crystallography. Complex 3 crystallised with a molecule of the free ligand in a 1:1 ratio (3·1) and complex 4 crystallised with molecules of the solvent CH₂Cl₂ within the unit cell in a 2:1 ratio (4·0.5CH₂Cl₂). Tetrameric arrangements comprised of hydrogen bonds were observed in complexes 1 and 3. Complex 4 exhibited a seven-membered ring structure owing to the oxidation of the sulphide in 2 to sulphoxide and coordination of this ligand via the oxygen atoms to the molybdenum atom.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic and X-ray structural characterisation of some para-substituted triaryltin(pentacarbonyl)manganese(I) complexes

A series of para-substituted triaryltin(pentacarbonyl)manganese(I) compounds [(p-XC₆H₄)₃SnMn(CO)₅: II, X=CH₃; III, X=CH₃O; IV, X=CH₃S; V, X=F; VI, X=Cl; VII, X=CH₃S(O₂)] is reported for comparison with the known phenyl analogue I. IR data [ν(CO)] as well as complete ¹¹⁹Sn/⁵⁵Mn/¹³C solution NMR results are given for I-VII. Chemical shifts, ¹¹⁹Sn versus ⁵⁵Mn, except I, correlate well, but have differing single parameter (SP) correlations, ¹¹⁹Sn versus σ_I and ⁵⁵Mn versus σ°_p. These results are compared with previous SP studies of the ¹¹⁹Sn solution NMR spectra of the series, (p-XC₆H₄)₄Sn and (p-XC₆H₄)₃SnY (Y=Cl, Br, I). Full crystal structures are reported for compounds II-VI. All are similar to that of I, with the Mn(CO)₅ moiety being a distorted tetragonal pyramid, and having a quasi-mirror plane through the central C₄MnSnC₃ skeleton. The Ar₃Sn are distorted trigonal propellers with ring torsion angles in the range 30-80°, the exception being IV with one torsion angle of 22°.     

Influence of the phosphine arrangement on the reactivity of palladium(II) and platinum(II) polyphosphine complexes with copper(I) chloride

The distorted square-planar complexes [Pd(PNHP)Cl]Cl (1) (PNHP = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), [M(P₃)Cl]Cl [P₃ = bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phenylphosphine; M = Pd (2), Pt (3)] and [Pt(NP₃)Cl]Cl (5) (NP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]amine), coexisting in the later case with a square-pyramidal arrangement, react with one equivalent of CuCl to give the mononuclear heteroionic systems [M(L)Cl](CuCl₂) [L = PNHP, M = Pd (1a); L = P₃, M = Pd (2a), Pt (3a); L = NP₃, M = Pt (5a)]. The crystal structure of 3a confirms that Pt(II) retains the distorted square-planar geometry of 3 in the cation with P₃ acting as tridentate chelating ligand, the central P atom being trans to one chloride. The counter anion is a nearly linear dichlorocuprate(I) ion. However, the five-coordinate complexes [Pd(NP₃)Cl]Cl (4), [M(PP₃)Cl]Cl (M = Pd (6), Pt (7); PP₃ = tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl] phosphine) containing three fused five-membered chelate rings undergo a ring-opening by interaction with one (4, 6, 7) and two (6, 7) equivalents of CuCl with formation of neutral MCu(L)Cl₃ [L = NP₃, M = Pd (4a); L = PP₃, M = Pd (6a), Pt (7a)] and ionic [MCu(PP₃)Cl₂](CuCl₂) [M = Pd (6b), Pt (7b)] compounds, respectively. The heteronuclear systems were shown by ³¹P NMR to have structures where the phosphines are acting as tridentate chelating ligands to M(II) and monodentate bridging to Cu(I). Further additions of CuCl to the neutral species 6a and 7a in a 1:1 ratio resulted in the achievement of the ionic complexes 6b and 7b with ions as counter anions. It was demonstrated that the formation of heterobimetallic or just mononuclear mixed salt complexes was clearly influenced by the polyphosphine arrangement with the tripodal ligands giving the former compounds. However, complexes [M(NP₃)Cl]Cl constitute one exception and the type of reaction undergone versus CuCl is a function of the d⁸ metal centre.     

Heterometal cubane-type WFe3S4 and related clusters trigonally symmetrized with hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate

The scope of formation and structures of tungsten-iron-sulfur clusters has been explored using reactions based on [(Tp*)WS₃]¹⁻ (1) as the ultimate precursor. The reaction system 1/FeCl₂/NaSEt/S affords the cubane cluster [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄Cl₃]¹⁻ (2), which with NaSEt is converted to [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄(SEt)₃]¹⁻ (3).Clusters 2 and 3 contain the cubane [WFe₃(μ₃-S)₄]³⁺ core.Complex 1 with FeCl₂/NaSEt forms [(Tp*)WFe₂S₃Cl₂(SEt)]¹⁻ (4) with the cuboidal [WFe₂(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)(μ₂-SR)]²⁺ core.Treatment of 2 with excess Et₃P yields the edge-bridged double [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₆S₈(PEt₃)₄] (5) with the [W₂Fe₆(μ₃-S)₆(μ₄-S)₂] core. Reaction of 2 with excess leads a mixture of products, from which [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₅S₉Na(SH)(MeCN)]³⁻(6) was identified.This cluster, as closely related [(Tp)₂Mo₂Fe₆S₉(SH)₂]³⁻, exhibits a core topology [W₂Fe₅Na(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)₆(μ₆-S)] very similar to the P^N cluster of nitrogenase. All reactions were carried out in acetonitrile. The structures of 2-6 were established crystallographically as Et₄N⁺ salts. In the cubane series, substitution of tungsten for molybdenum decreases the [MFe₃S₄]^3+/2+ redox potential by ca. 0.20 V but has a negligible effect on electron distribution. This work expands the small set of previously known weak-field W-Fe-S clusters, demonstrates the existence of tungsten-containing edge-bridged double cubanes and clusters with the P^N core topology, and introduces a new cuboidal core structure as found in 4 (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate).     

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.     

Four new copper(II) complexes with di-substituted s-triazine-based ligands

In this paper, two di-substituted triazine-based ligands, 6-chloro-N,N,N′N′-tetrakis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-[1,3,5]triazine-2,4-diamine (L1), and 6-chloro-N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-N,N′-bis-thiophen-2-ylmethyl-[1,3,5]triazine-2,4-diamine (L2), have been prepared. Reaction of CuCl₂·2H₂O and Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O with L1 and L2 results in the formation of [Cu₂Cl₄(L1)]·3MeOH (compound 1), [Cu₄(NO₃)₈(L1)₂]·2.07CH₂Cl₂·0.93MeOH (compound 2), [Cu₂Cl₄(L2)₂] (compound 3) and [Cu(NO₃)₂(L2)]·CH₂Cl₂ (compound 4), respectively, which have been fully characterized and determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric measurement and magnetic susceptibility. The dinuclear compound 1 shows strong π-π interactions between the neighboring pyridine rings. The nitrate-π (1,3,5-triazine ring) interaction with the distance of 2.755 Å in compound 2, is the closest contact reported so far. Compounds 3 and 4 are mononuclear copper(II) compounds, in which none of thiophene rings coordinates with copper(II) ion. In addition, the different orientations of two thiophene rings in compounds 3 and 4 lead to the π-π and CH₂Cl₂-π (thiophene ring) interactions in compound 4, but not in compound 3.     

Neighbouring metal induced oxidative addition at the iron centre amongst the iron-arylpyridylphosphine complexes

Complexes of the type (η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(P) (P = PPh₂Py 3, PPhPy₂4, PPy₃5; Py = 2-pyridyl) were satisfactorily prepared. Upon treatment of 3 with M(CO)₃(EtCN)₃ (M = Mo, 6a; W, 6b), the pyridyl N-atom could be coordinated to the metal M, which then eliminates a CO ligand from the Fe-centre and induced an oxidative addition of the endo-C-H of (η⁴-BuC₅H₅). This results in a bridged hydrido heterodimetallic complex [(η⁵-BuC₅H₄)Fe(CO)(μ-P,N-PPh₂Py)(μ-H)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 7a, 81%; W, 7b, 76%). The reaction of 4 or 5 with 6a,b did not give the induced oxidative addition, although these complexes contain more than one pyridyl N-atom. The reaction of 4 with M(CO)₄(EtCN)₂ (M = Mo, 9a; W, 9b) produced heterodimetallic complexes [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′-PPhPy₂)M(CO)₄] (M = Mo, 10a, 81%; W, 10b, 83%). Treatment of 5 with 6a,b gave [(η⁴-BuC₅H₅)Fe(CO)₂(μ-P:N,N′,N″-PPy₃)M(CO)₃] (M = Mo, 12a, 96%; W, 12b, 78%).     

Speciation, stability constants and structures of complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), silver(I) and mercury(II) with PAMAM dendrimer and related tetraamide ligands

The acid-base properties and Cu(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Hg(II) binding abilities of PAMAM dendrimer, L, and of the simple model compounds, the tetraamides of EDTA and PDTA, L¹, were studied in solution by pH-metric methods and by ¹H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. PAMAM is hexabasic and six pK_a values have been determined and assigned. PAMAM forms five identifiable complexes with copper(II), [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, [CuLH₂]⁴⁺, [CuLH]³⁺, [CuL]²⁺ and [CuLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 2-11 and three with nickel(II), [NiLH]³⁺, [NiL]²⁺ and [NiLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 7-11. The complex [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, which contains two tertiary nitrogen and three amide oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal ion, is less stable than the analogous EDTA and PDTA tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, which contain two tertiary nitrogen and four amide oxygen atoms, due to ring size and charge effects. With increasing pH, [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ undergoes deprotonation of two coordinated amide groups to give [CuLH₂]⁴⁺ with a concomitant change from O-amide to N-amidate coordination. Surprisingly and in contrast to the tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, these two deprotonation steps could not be separated. As expected the nickel(II) complexes are less stable than their copper(II) analogues. The tetra-N-methylamides of EDTA, L¹(b), and PDTA form mononuclear and binuclear complexes with Hg(II). In the case of L¹(b) these have stoichiometries HgL¹(b)Cl₂, [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂ and [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻. Based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data the proposed structure for HgL¹(b)Cl₂, the main tetraamide ligand containing species in the pH range <3-6.5, contains L¹(b) coordinated to the metal ion through the two tertiary nitrogens and two amide oxygens while the structure of [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, the main tetraamide ligand species at pH 7.5-9.0, contains the ligand similarly coordinated but through two amidate nitrogen atoms instead of amide oxygens. The proposed structure of [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, a minor species at pH 3-6.5, also based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amide oxygens and a chloride ligand while that of [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amidate nitrogens, a chloride and a hydroxo ligand in the case of one of the Hg(II) ions. The parent EDTA and PDTA amides only form mononuclear complexes. PAMAM also forms dinuclear as well as mononuclear complexes with mercury(II) and silver(I). In the pH range 3-11 six complexes with Hg(II) i.e. [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺, [HgLH₃Cl₂]³⁺, [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺, [Hg₂LH₋₁Cl₂]⁺, [HgLH₋₁Cl₂]⁻ and [HgLH₋₂Cl₂]²⁻ were identified and only two with Ag(I), [AgLH₃]⁴⁺ and [Ag₂L]²⁺. Based on stoichiometries, stability constant comparisons and ¹H NMR data, structures are proposed for these species. Hence [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺ is proposed to have a similar structure to [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ while [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺has a similar structure to [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻.     

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.     

Copper(II) complexes with monocarboxylate ligands bearing different substituent groups: Synthesis and spectroscopic studies

In our continuing efforts to explore the effects of substituent groups of ligands in the formation of supramolecular coordination structures, seven new Cu^II complexes formulated as [Cu₂(L¹)₄(DMF)₂] (1), {[Cu₂(L¹)₄(Hmta)](H₂O)_0.75}_∞ (2), [Cu₂(L²)₄(2,2′-bipy)₂] (3), [Cu₂(L³)₄(H₂O)₂] (4), [Cu₂(L³)₄(Hmta)]_∞ (5), [Cu₂(L³)₄(Dabco)]_∞ (6) and [Cu₂(L³)₄(Pz)]_∞ (7) with three monocarboxylate ligands bearing different substituent groups HL¹-HL³ (HL¹ = phenanthrene-9-carboxylic acid, HL² = 2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxylic acid, HL³ = adamantane-1-carboxylic acid, Hmta = hexamethylenetetramine, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2] octane and Pz = pyrazine), have been prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction. In 1, 2 and 4-7, each Cu^II ion is octahedrally coordinated, and carboxylate acid acts as a syn-syn bridging bidentate ligand. While each Cu^II ion in 3 is penta-coordinated in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. 1 and 4 both show a dinuclear paddle-wheel block, while 2, 5, 6 and 7 all exhibit an alternated 1D chain structure between dinuclear paddle-wheel units of the tetracarboxylate type Cu₂-(RCO₂)₄ and the bridging auxiliary ligands Hmta, Dabco and Pz. Furthermore, 3 has a carboxylic unidentate and μ_1,1-oxo bridging dinuclear structure with the chelating auxiliary ligand 2,2′-bipy. Moreover, complexes 1-6 were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy.     

Main group derivatives of a cyclometallated iron carbonyl anion. Crystal structures of Fe(CO)2{P(OPh)3}{(PhO)2POC6H4}(SnPh3) and two isomers of Fe(CO)2{P(OPh)3}{(PhO)2POC6H4}(I)

The iron hydrido complex HFe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄} (1), was rapidly deprotonated by DBU or [BzMe₃N][OH] in THF to afford the new carbonyl iron anion [Fe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄}]⁻ ([2]⁻), containing an ortho-metallated triphenyl phosphite ligand. Complex [2]⁻ reacted with triorganostannyl and plumbyl salts and with halogens to give the octahedral Fe^II compounds Fe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄}(X) (X=SnPh₃, 3; SnMe₃, 4; PbPh₃, 5; PbMe₃, 6; Cl, 7; Br, 8; I, 9). The Group 14 complexes 3-6 were obtained in one isomeric form in which the P^III-donor atoms are mutually cis, the carbonyl ligands are cis and the P(OPh)₃ and MR₃ (M=Sn, Pb; R=Ph, Me) groups are trans as determined by solution-state IR, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data. This geometry was confirmed for 3 by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The halide complexes, however, were obtained as a mixture of isomers. The major isomer (7, X=Cl; 8a, X=Br; 9a, X=I) has cis P atoms, trans CO groups and the halide located trans to the phosphorus atom of the ortho-metallated phosphite ligand. The structure of 9a was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study. Two other isomers, designated 8b (X=Br) and 9b (X=I), with cis P atoms and cis CO groups were isolated from the reactions of [2]⁻ with Br₂ and I₂, respectively. The structure of the latter was established by X-ray crystallography and is related to 9a by exchange of the P(OPh)₃ ligand and a carbonyl group such that the metal-bound C atom of the five-membered metallacycle is trans to CO. The stereo-geometry of 8b could not be unambiguously assigned from the spectroscopic data; however, two of the seven possible geometric isomers were suggested as plausible structures.     

Synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of fluoroalkyl phosphoryl complexes of tin tetrachloride

The synthesis, characterisation and solution behaviour of a series of octahedral complexes SnCl₄·2L (L = R₂NP(O)(OCH₂CF₃)₂; R = Me (1); Et (2) or L = P(O)(OCH₂R_f)₃; R_f = CF₃ (3); C₂F₅ (4)) are described. Complexes 1-4 were prepared from SnCl₄ and 2 equiv. of the ligand, L, in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ solution. The adducts have been characterised by multinuclear (¹H, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) NMR, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. In dichloromethane solution, the NMR data showed the presence of a mixture of cis and trans isomers for 1 and 2 and only the cis isomer for 3 and 4. The difference could be interpreted in terms of the electronic effects of the substituents on the phosphorus atom of the ligand. In addition, the solution structure of the complexes studied by variable temperature ³¹P-{¹H} and ¹H NMR in the presence of excess ligand indicated that the ligand exchange on the cis isomer dominates the chemistry. The metal-ligand exchange barriers were estimated to be 13.38 and 11.39 kcal/mol for 1 and 3, respectively. The results are discussed and compared with those previously reported for the related hexamethylphosphoramide adduct, SnCl₄·2HMPA.     

Structural variety and stereochemical features of bis(diphenylphosphinyl)[3]ferrocenophane gold(I) complexes

The P,N-[3]ferrocenophane ligand 3 forms a (κP-ligand)AuCl complex (5) upon treatment with (Me₂S)AuCl. The corresponding P,P-[3]ferrocenophane system 4 yields a binuclear (κP,κP-chelate ligand)(AuCl)₂ complex (6) when reacted with 2 equivalents of the (Me₂S)AuCl reagent. Complex 6 features an intramolecular aurophilic Au?Au interaction. Treatment of the P,P-[3]ferrocenophane 4 with 1.0 equiv. of (PPh₃)AuCl gives the tetra-coordinated mono-gold(I) complex (P,P-ligand)(PPh₃)AuCl (7), whereas the cationic [(P,P-ligand)₂Au]⁺[Cl⁻] system is obtained from 4 and 0.5 equivalents of (Me₂S)AuCl. The [(P,P-ligand)₂Au]⁺ system is obtained in different diastereoisomeric forms (8 and 9) depending on the stereochemistry of the pair of P,P-[3]ferrocenophane chelate ligand used. Examples of the complexes 5, 6, 7 and 8 were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Coordination chemistry of heterocycle-functionalized diazamesocycles: tuning the productive Ni complexes through altering the pendants of ligands

In order to further understand the coordination chemistry of diazamesocyclic systems, a series of mononuclear Ni^II complexes with 1,4-diazacycloheptane (DACH) functionalized by additional imidazole or pyridine donor pendants, including [NiL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (1), [NiL¹Cl](ClO₄) (2), [NiL²Cl](ClO₄) · CH₃OH (3), [NiL²Cl][NiL²](ClO₄)₃ (4) and [NiL³](ClO₄)₂ (5), where L¹ = 1,4-bis(N-1-methylimidazol-2-yl-methyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane, L² = 1,4-bis(pyridyl-2-yl-methyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane, and L³ = 1,4-bis-(imidazol-4-yl-methyl)-1,4-diazacycloheptane, have been prepared and characterized. A detailed study on the solid structures and solution spectra of these complexes indicates that tetradentate ligands L¹, L² and L³ would lead to new Ni^II complexes with different coordination environments in the solid states and solution. The N-methyl substituted imidazole functionalized ligand L¹ forms green compound 2 and yellow product 1; while the pyridine functionalized ligand L² affords red product 4 and green complex 3; the ligand L³ results in only one stable mononuclear Ni^II product 5. The solution behaviors of these interesting compounds were also investigated by UV-Vis technique.     

β-Diketiminato 3d-metal compounds: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic behavior towards ethylene

The lithium β-diketiminate (1c, [Li{N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)C(Ph)CHC(^tBu)NH}]₂ represented as (LiL)₂) reacted with 3d-metal (II) chlorides to afford the corresponding compounds (2-7). All metal compounds were fully characterized by elemental, spectroscopic analyses and the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometries around the metals are shown to be tetrahedral within the trinuclear Co₂Li compound (2), planar in ML₂ (M = Co, 3), pseudo-tetrahedral conformation in the ML₂ with M as Mn (4), Fe (5) or Zn (6), and square planar in the dinickel compound (7). Indicated by the trimetallic Co₂Li compound 2, a six-membered ring is constructed of three metal atoms and three bridged chlorides as a twisted conformation. An inversion center is present in the centroid of the Ni₂Cl₂ four-membered ring within compound 7. The plausible mechanism of forming ML₂ was proposed through the chloro-bridged multinuclear compounds on the basis of isolated intermediates of trinuclear (2) and dinuclearic (7) compounds. Upon treatment with methylaluminoxane (MAO), the nickel compound 7 possessed good activity towards ethylene oligomerization, whereas the other metal compounds showed moderate activities towards ethylene polymerization.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a salicylatooxovanadium(V) complex of an aminebis(phenolate) ligand: Kinetic studies on its formation from corresponding alkoxo complexes

Synthesis and single crystal X-ray structures of H₂L¹ and VO(L¹)(HL) [H₂L¹ = N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-ditertiarybutyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylendiamine) or simply aminebis(phenol) and H₂L = salicylic acid) are reported here. The complex [VO(L¹)(HL)] is in distorted octahedral geometry under O₄N₂ donor environment where the basal core is defined by O(1), O(3), O(2) and N(5) atoms and two axial coordinates are occupied by O(4), an alkoxo-group and N(1), an imino-nitrogen atom. The electron spray mass spectrometric study on [VO(L¹)(HL)] in MeCN clearly points out the existence of single species in solution. Again, the ⁵¹V NMR of the bulk polycrystalline sample reveals that the complex [VO(L¹)(HL)] mainly exists in three out of four possible isomers. The formation of [VO(L¹)(HL)] from both [VO(L¹)(OMe)] and [VO(L¹)(OEt)] was followed kinetically by reacting with salicylic acid in MeCN. The presence of isosbestic point indicates a clean conversion of the reactants to product.     

Syntheses and characterization of titanium malonato and amino acid complexes: [Ti(cp)2(OOCCH2NMe2)] - The first structurally characterized α-amino acid titanium(III) complex

The reaction of [Ti(cp^∗)₂(BTMSA)] (1) (cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, BTMSA = bis(trimethylsilyl)acetylene) with malonic acids ((HOOC)₂CR₂, R = H, Me) and N,N-dimethylglycine resulted in the formation of titanium(IV) dicarboxylato complexes [Ti(cp^∗)₂{(OOC)₂CR₂}] (R = H, 2; R = Me, 3) and an α-amino acid titanium(III) complex [Ti(cp^∗)₂(OOCCH₂NMe₂)] (4). The identities of complexes 2-4 were confirmed by microanalysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy (2, 3), ESI-MS and CID experiments (2, 3) as well as by ESR and magnetic measurements (μ_eff = 1.81, 298 K) for 4. Single X-ray diffraction analyses of 2 and 4 exhibited monomolecular complexes in which the titanium atom is distorted tetrahedrally coordinated by two η⁵-C₅Me₅ rings and by the chelating bound malonato-κ²O,O′ (2) and N,N-dimethylglycinato-κ²O,O′ ligand (4).     

Conformational isomerism and hydrogen-bonded motifs of anion assisted supramolecular self-assemblies using Cu/Co salts and pyridine-4-acetamide

Six novel metal-organic complex assemblies constructed from a conformation-flexible ligand - pyridine-4-acetamide (PAT) and inorganic Cu^II and Co^II salts have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Crystal structure analysis reveals five types of architectures by variation of metal salts. In {[Cu(PAT)₂Cl₂]}_n (1) and {[Co(PAT)₂Cl₂]}_n (3), PAT ligands bridge metal centers to form one-dimensional chains. The chains are extended to three dimensions with the aid of two types of hydrogen bonded motifs () and (12)). {[Cu(PAT)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)(THF)}_n (5) which exhibits two-dimensional coordinating layers forms open channels filled with solvent molecules. In [Cu(PAT)₂Cl₂] (2), [Co(PAT)₂Cl₂] (4) and [Co(PAT)₄(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂(THF)₂ (6), PAT is observed as a monofunctional ligand. Complex 2 forms one-dimensional hydrogen bonded chains. Crystal structure of complex 4 has a two-dimensional infinite hydrogen-bonded network with and motifs formed by complementary amide-amide hydrogen bonds. [Co(PAT)₄(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂(THF)₂ (6) crystallizes in centrosymmetric I4₁/a space group. Complex 6 forms chiral channels which are filled with twisted solvent helices and anion helices. Within each channel the solvent helix and the anion helix have the same handedness; and adjacent channels have opposite handedness. Complexes 1, 2 and complexes 3, 4 illustrate examples of conformational supramolecular isomerism in {[Cu(PAT)₂Cl₂]}_∞ and {[Co(PAT)₂Cl₂]}_∞, respectively. In these complexes, changes of PAT conformations and coordination geometry of metal center induced the structural versatility.     

Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of Fe, Co, Cu and Zn complexes probed by transmission electron microscopy

We synthesized iron(III), cobalt(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes [Fe^III(HBPClNOL)Cl₂]·H₂O (1), [Co^II(H₂BPClNOL)Cl₂] (2), [Cu^II(H₂BPClNOL)Cl]Cl·H₂O (3), and [Zn^II(HBPClNOL)Cl] (4), where H₂BPClNOL is the ligand (N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)[(3-chloro)(2-hydroxy)]propylamine). The complexes obtained were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-visible spectroscopies, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS), and cyclic voltammetry. X-ray diffraction studies were performed for complexes (3) and (4) revealing the presence of mononuclear and dinuclear structures in solid state for (3). However, the zinc complex is mononuclear in solid state. Biological studies of complexes (1)-(4) were carried out in vitro for antimicrobial activity against nine Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus strains RN 6390B, COL, ATCC 25923, Smith Diffuse, Wood 46, enterotoxigenic S. aureus FRI-100 (SEA+), FRI S-6 (SEB+) and SEC FRI-361) and animal strain S. aureus LSA 88 (SEC/SED/TSST-1+). The following sequence of inhibition promoted by the complexes was observed: (4) > (2) > (3) > (1), showing the effect of the metal on the biological activity. To directly observe the morphological changes of the internal structure of bacterial cells after the treatment, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed. For the most active complex [Zn^II(HBPClNOL)Cl] (4), granulation deposits around the genetic material and internal material leaking were clearly detected.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of several dirhenium(III) compounds

Reaction between Re₂(OAc)₄Cl₂ and N,N′-dicyclohexylbenzamidine (HDCyBA) under molten conditions yielded Re₂(DCyBA)₂Cl₄ (1); reaction of [Bu₄N]₂[Re₂Cl₈] with N,N′-di(3-methoxyphenyl)formamidine (HDmAniF) resulted in Re₂(DmAniF)₂Cl₄ (2); reaction of cis-Re₂(OAc)₂Cl₄ with HDmAniF under reflux conditions resulted in cis-Re₂(OAc)₂(DmAniF)₂Cl₂ (3). Reaction between Re₂(OAc)₄Cl₂ and α,α,α′,α′-tetramethyl-1,3-benzenedipropionic acid (H₂esp) under reflux conditions led to Re₂(esp)₂Cl₂ (4). Crystallographic studies of compounds 1-4 revealed Re-Re bond lengths of 2.1679(6), 2.1804(5), 2.2468(7), and 2.2304(6) Å, respectively, which are consistent with the presence of Re-Re quadruple bond. Also reported are electrochemical properties of compounds 1-4.