Synthesis and x-ray structure of a Hg(II) complex with adenine N(1)-oxide. A model for mercury binding to DNA

The synthesis and crystal structure of the adenine N(1)-oxide complex with mercury(II) chloride, (C₅H₅N₅O)HgCl₂ are reported. Crystals of the coordination compound belong to the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n with the following primary crystallographic data: a = 6.685(1) Å, b = 11.798(2) Å, c = 10.155(1) Å, β = 100.22(1)°, V = 906.04 ų, Z = 4. The structure was elucidated by conventional Patterson and Fourier methods and refined by the full matrix least-squares technique on the basis of 1977 observed reflections to an R value of 0.074. The basic unit of the structure is a dimer, with a centre of symmetry, consisting of two HgCl₂ moieties and two adenine N(1)-oxide ligands. A polymeric structure results from the bridging interactions of chloride ions. Adenine N(1)-oxide acts as a bidentate bridging ligand, coordinating through N(7) and O(1). The coordination geometry around the mercury ion is a distorted square pyramid with N(7) and three chlorines (two of which are centro-symmetrically related) forming the square plane and O(1) occupying the axial position. Hg also interacts indirectly with N(6) through a Cl

HN hydrogen bond. Principal intracomplex geometrical parameters are as follows: HgN(7) = 2.61(1) Å, HgO(1) = 2.55(1) Å, HgCl(1) = 2.330(3) Å, HgCl(2) = 2.318(3) Å, HgCl(2′) = 3.347(3) Å. The cis angles range from 77.5° to 107.9° and the two trans angles are 155.5° and 163.1°. The centro-symmetrically related bases overlap partially and pack at a distance of 3.2 Å. The glide-related bases are linked by a hydrogen bond, N(9)H

O(1) and are inclined to one another by 109.7°. The results are compared with those derived from spectroscopic and other physicochemical studies on metal interaction with adenine N(1)-oxide. Based on the present structural observations and earlier experimental results a possible mechanism is proposed for mercury interaction with DNA.     

Characterization of a mononuclear copper carboxylate complex: Bis(acetylsalicylato)bis(pyridine)copper(II)

The preparation, spectral properties, and crystal structure of a mononuclear copper(II) complex of acetylsalicylate and pyridine are reported. The complex exists as bis(acetylsalicylato)bis(pyridine)copper(II) both in the solid state and in chloroform solution. The crystal is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, with a = 17.823(5), b = 10.903(4), c = 6.598(2) Å, β = 95.74(2)°. The final refinement used 1472 observed reflections and gave an R of 0.046. The copper atom is surrounded by four atoms in a trans square planar arrangement with two short CuO distances of 1.949(3) Å and two CuN distances of 2.003(4) Å. Two longer CuO distances of 2.623(3) Å are made with the remaining oxygen atoms of the aspirin carboxylate groups.     

Synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of a methyl N,N-diethylcarbamylmethylenephosphonato dysprosium thiocyanate complex

Bis-Methyl N,N-diethylcarbamylmethylenephosphonato dysprosium thiocyanate, Dy[O₂P(OCH₃)CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂]₂(NCS) was prepared from the combination of ethanolic solutions of Dy(NCS)₃·xH₂O and (CH₃O)₂P(O)CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂. The complex was characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal structure was determined at 25 °C from 3727 independent reflections by using a standard automated diffractometer. The complex was found to crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 13.282(4) Å, b = 19.168(5) Å, c = 9.648(2) Å, β = 90.09(2)°, Z = 4, V = 2456.4 ų and ?_cald = 1.72 g cm^?3. The structure was solved by standard heavy atom techniques, and blocked least-squares refinement converged with R_f = 4.7% and R_wF = 4.9%. The Dy atom is seven coordinate and bonded in a bidentate fashion to two anionic phosphonate ligands [O₂P(OCH₃)CH₂C(O)N(C₂H₅)₂^?] through the carbonyl oxygen atoms and one of two phosphonate oxygen atoms. In addition, each Dy atom is coordinated to two phosphonate oxygen atoms from two neighboring complexes and to the nitrogen atom of a thiocyanate ion. This coordination scheme gives rise to a two-dimensional polymeric structure. Some important bond distances include DyNCS 2.433(8) Å, DyO(carbonyl)_avg 2.39(2) Å, DyO(equat. phosphoryl)_avg 2.303(8) Å, DyO(axial phosphoryl)_avg 2.25(2), PO(phosphoryl)_avg 1.493(3) Å and CO(carbonyl)_avg 1.25(1) Å.     

How a protein generates a catalytic radical from coenzyme B(12): X-ray structure of a diol-dehydratase-adeninylpentylcobalamin complex

BACKGROUND: Adenosylcobalamin (coenzyme B(12)) serves as a cofactor for enzymatic radical reactions. The adenosyl radical, a catalytic radical in these reactions, is formed by homolysis of the cobalt-carbon bond of the coenzyme, although the mechanism of cleavage of its organometallic bond remains unsolved. RESULTS: We determined the three-dimensional structures of diol dehydratase complexed with adeninylpentylcobalamin and with cyanocobalamin at 1.7 A and 1.9 A resolution, respectively, at cryogenic temperatures. In the adeninylpentylcobalamin complex, the adenine ring is bound parallel to the corrin ring as in the free form and methylmalonyl-CoA-mutase-bound coenzyme, but with the other side facing pyrrole ring C. All of its nitrogen atoms except for N(9) are hydrogen-bonded to mainchain amide oxygen and amide nitrogen atoms, a sidechain hydroxyl group, and a water molecule. As compared with the cyanocobalamin complex, the sidechain of Seralpha224 rotates by 120 degrees to hydrogen bond with N(3) of the adenine ring. CONCLUSIONS: The structure of the adenine-ring-binding site provides a molecular basis for the strict specificity of diol dehydratase for the coenzyme adenosyl group. The superimposition of the structure of the free coenzyme on that of enzyme-bound adeninylpentylcobalamin demonstrated that the tight enzyme-coenzyme interactions at both the cobalamin moiety and adenine ring of the adenosyl group would inevitably lead to cleavage of the cobalt-carbon bond. Rotation of the ribose moiety around the glycosidic linkage makes the 5'-carbon radical accessible to the hydrogen atom of the substrate to be abstracted.     

A unique expansion on substituting neptunium for uranium in an actinyl complex

Crystal structure, determinations on the four complexes MO₂ (4,4-bipyridyl)X₂ with M = U, Np; X = nitrate, acetate, show the normal contraction in M-ligand distances on replacing U by Np, when X = nitrate. When X = acetate, the Np complex has a larger unit cell volume and longer MpN distances (UN, 2.636(7)); NpN, 2.838(10) Å). This is explained by overcrowding caused by the large bite bipyridyl ligand.     

C-A base pairs in transfer ribonucleic acids and codon-anticodon complexes

Two hundred and thirty three nucleotide sequences of tRNAs were investigated to elucidate the frequency of appearance of C-A (cytosine-adenine) pairs in their main two-stranded regions, in the positions 26–44 and 15–48². It was supposed that in the formation of C-A pairs on antiparallel polynucleotide chains the atomic groups -N₄H and -N₃ of cytosine make up Hbonds with the groups N₇- and HN₆- of adenine. On parallel chains, Hbonds, probably, form -N₆H and -N₁ groups of adenine with N₃- and HN₄- of cytosine. The calculation results predicted a significant energy of interaction between cytosine and adenine. By the investigation of the molecular models it was shown that the formation of Hbonded C-A pairs requires considerable changes of conformation in ribose-phosphate chains. In addition, a theoretical analysis revealed the possibility of formation of C-A pairs at the wobble-position of the codon-anticodon complex. The significance of this nucleotide pair in the processes of genetic coding proved to depend on the stability of the codon-anticodon complex, the modification of cytosine 34 and structural features of the distant regions of the tRNA.     

The crystal and molecular structures of dioxo mo(VI) complexes of tripodal,tetradentate N,S-donor ligands

The crystal and molecular structures of the complexes MoO₂((SCH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂SCH₃), I and MoO₂((SCH₂CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂), II, have been determined from X-ray intensity data collected by counter methods. Compound I crystallizes in two forms, Ia and Ib. In form Ia the space group is P2₁/n with cell parameters a = 7.235(2), b = 7.717(2), c = 24.527(6) Å, β = 119.86(2)°, V = 1188(1) ų, Z = 4. In form Ib the space group is P2₁/c with cell parameters a = 14.945(5), b = 11.925(5), c = 14.878(4) Å, β = 114.51(2)°, V = 2413(3) ų, Z = 8. The molecules of I in Ia and Ib are very similar having an octahedral structure with cis oxo groups, trans thiolates (cis to both oxo groups) and N and thioether sulfur atoms trans to oxo groups. Average ditances are MoO = 1.70, MoS (thiolate) = 2.40, MoN = 2.40 and MoS (thioether) = 2.79 Å. Molecule II crystallizes in space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 7.188(1), b = 22.708(8), c = 7.746(2) Å, V = 1246(1) ų and Z = 4. The coordination about Mo is octahedral with cis oxo groups, trans thiolates and N atoms trans to oxo. Distances in the first coordination sphere are MoO = 1.705(2), 1.699(2), MoS = 2.420(1), 2.409(1) and MoN = 2.372(2), 2.510(2) Å. The conformational features of the complexes are discussed. Complex I displays MoO and MoS distances which are very similar to those found by EXAFS in sulfite oxidase. This similarity is discussed.     

A study of the conformational state of the ATP gamma-p-azidoanilide-Mn2+ complex by NMR and atom-atomic potential methods

By means of H1 and P31 spin-lattice relaxation and atom-atomic potentials method it is shown that in aquous solution the ATP gamma-p-azidoanilide--Mn2+ complex occurs mainly as a mixture of two conformers in the ratio of 60:40. They both possess folded conformations with distances between aromatic rings 5-6 A, and adenine residue anti-oriented, the ribose and triphosphate chain conformations are 3E and gg, g'g', g'g', respectively, in the major conformer, and 2E and g'g', g'g', g'g' in the second conformer. Mn2+ ion forms 2-3 complexes with each conformer (the cation being differently coordinated) by substituting phosphoryl oxygens or N7 atoms of adenine for two water molecules in the hydration shell of the cation. Magnesium ion forms inner-sphere complexes with two out of four ion-coordination centres (P alpha, P beta, P gamma, N7(A] and outer-sphere complexes with two other centres.     

Refinement of human lysozyme at 1.5 Å resolution analysis of non-bonded and hydrogen-bond interactions

The structure of human lysozyme has been crystallographically refined at 1.5 Å resolution by difference map and restrained least-squares procedures to an R factor of 0.187. A comprehensive analysis of the non-bonded and hydrogen-bonded contacts in the lysozyme molecule, which were not restrained, revealed by the refinement has been carried out. The non-bonded CC contacts begin at ~3.45 Å, and the shorter contacts are dominated, as expected, by interactions between trigonal and tetrahedral carbon atoms. The CO contact distances have a “foot” at 3.05 Å. The CN distance plot shows a significant peak at 3.25 Å, which results from close contact between peptide NHs and carbonyl carbons involved in N_iC′_{i ? 2} interactions in α-helices and reverse turns. The distances involving sulphur atoms discriminate SC trigonal interactions at 3.4 to 3.6 Å from SC tetrahedral interactions at 3.7 Å. All these types of non-bonded interactions show minimum distances close to standard van der Waals' separations.Analysis of hydrogen-bond distances has been carried out by using standard geometry to place hydrogen atoms and measuring the XHO distances. On this basis, there are 130 intramolecular hydrogens: 111 NHO bonds, of which 69 are between main-chain atoms, 13 between side-chain atoms and 29 between mainchain and side-chain atoms. If a cluster of four well-defined internal water molecules is included in the protein structure, there is a total of 19 OHO hydrogen bonds. The mean NO, NHO distances and HN?O angles are 2.96 ± 0.17 Å, 2.05 ± 0.18 Å and 18.5 ± 9.6 °, and the mean OO, OHO distances and HÔO angles are 2.83 ± 0.19 Å, 1.98 ± 0.26 Å and 23.8 ± 13.4 °. The distances agree well with standard values, although the hydrogen bonds are consistently more non-linear than in equivalent small molecules. An analysis of the hydrogen-bond angles at the receptor atom indicates that the α-helix, β-sheet and reverse turn have characteristic angular values. A detailed analysis of the regularity of the α-helices and reverse turns shows small but consistent differences between the α-helices in lysozyme and the current standard model, which may now need revision. Of the 21 reverse turns that include a hydrogen bond, the conformations of 19 agree very closely with four of the five standard types. We conclude that the restrained least-squares method of refinement has been validated by these analyses.     

Preparation,properties, crystal and molecular structure of uranyl(VI) complexes with a new cyclic schiff base compartmental ligand

Some uranyl(VI) complexes with new acyclic and cyclic Schiff base compartmental ligands have been prepared and characterized. The ligands have been obtained by reaction of 4-chloro-2,6-diformylphenol and polyamines of the type NH₂(CH₂)₂X (CH₂)₂NH₂ (X= NH, S). The structure of the uranyl(VI) complex with the ligand 1,7,15,21-tetra- aza-4,18-dithia-11,25-dichloro 8,22-bis-metadiphenyl cyclophane-gb-7,14,21,28 has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca with eight formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 26.654(3), b = 22.871(3), c = 8.875(5) Å. The structure was solved by standard methods and refined by full- matrix least squares to the conventional R index of 4.6% for 2678 independent observed reflexions. Five donor atoms (including sulphur) of the ligand are equatorially bonded to the uranyl group to form discrete monomeric molecules with the seven-coordinated metal in the usual distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. Selected bond distances are: UO (equatorial), 2.22(1) and 2.25(1) Å; UN, 2.60(1) and 2.59(1) Å; US, 3.018(4) Å.     

Synthesis,equilibrium studies and structural characterisation of the Zn(II) complexes with trimethylene-N6,N6'-bisadenine

The new compound trimethylene-N(6),N(6')-bisadenine (L), in which two adenine molecules are linked together by a trimethylene bridge that connects the N(6) atoms, has been prepared. Reaction of L with HgCl(2) and ZnCl(2) in concentrated HCl solution leads to crystalline solids. The X-ray characterisation of the Hg(II) complex (H(2)L)[HgCl(4)].3H(2)O reveals that it is an outer-sphere complex in which the ligand is protonated at N(1) and N(1'). In contrast, the structure of the complex [H(2)L(ZnCl(3))(2)].2H(2)O shows the ligand co-ordinated to two different Zn(II) ions through the N(7) of both adenine fragments, the protons being located on the N(1) atoms. The latter compound constitutes the first crystallographic evidence of an inner sphere complex with bis-adenines and, for this reason, an equilibrium study was carried out on the Zn(II)-L-H(+) system. Potentiometric studies indicate that L is protonated in aqueous solution to form HL(+) and H(2)L(2+) with logK(H) values of 4.42 and 3.35 (25 degrees C, 0.10 M KNO(3)). The data from potentiometric titrations in the presence of Zn(2+) can be analysed considering the formation of the species LZn(2+), HLZn(3+), LZn(2)(4+) and HLZn(2)(5+), whose stability constants exceed the value expected for a monodentate interaction of the metal ion with adenine and suggest the possibility of a polydentate behaviour of L in the pH range 2.5-5.0. In contrast, spectrophotometric titrations carried out under conditions similar to those used in the synthetic work (1 M HCl) can be fitted with a model involving exclusively the H(2)LZn(4+) and H(2)LZn(2)(6+) species with logK(M) values reasonable for the interaction of Zn(II) with the N(7) of the protonated adenine fragments. Despite the H(2)LZn(2)(6+) species has a low stability, the spectrophotometric results are in agreement with its formation under the conditions in which the solid complex was prepared.     

Preparation and crystal structure of bis(acetato)(trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane)platinum(II)

The structure of the complex [Pt(trans-1,2-di- aminocyclohexane) (acetate)₂]·H₂O has been determined by X-ray diffraction. This racemic compound is orthorhombic, space group Aba2, a = 20.813(9), b = 7.926(5), c = 17.296(8) Å, Z = 8. The structure was refined on 1214 nonzero Cu Kα reflections to R = 0.028. The square planar environment of Pt includes the amino groups of the diamine in cis positions and oxygens from two monodentate acetates. The PtN and PtO distances average 2.00(3) and 2.02(3) Å, respectively. The bite of the diamine ligand imposes a NPtN angle of 85(1)°, whereas the small OPtO angle of 85(1)° probably results from packing effects. The average plane through the puckered cyclohexyl ring makes an angle of 19° with the PtN₂O₂ plane. The molecules are stacked by pairs along the b axis. The two molecules of each pair are 180° apart about the stacking axis, and form altogether four NH···O hydrogen bonds.     

The interaction of H+, Zn(II) and Cu(II) with adenine and 9-methyladenine

The interaction of H⁺, Zn(II) and Cu(II) with adenine (A), and 9-methyladenine (9-MeA) is examined by means of potentiometry, spectrophotometry, ¹H NMR and ESR spectroscopy. Quantitative evaluation of the protonation and of the stability constants of the 1:1 complexes with Cu(II) and Zn(II) is given for both adenine and 9-methyladenine ligands. Analysis of possible bonding sites are discussed based on ¹H NMR titration curves and on the stabilities of the considered species. Additionally, Cu(II) forms strong dimeric complexes with adenate (N9 deprotonated adenine), which acts as a bridging ligand via N9 and N3 atoms. The species formed and the values of their formation constants are given.     

Crystal structure of a pentamidine-oligonucleotide complex: implications for DNA-binding properties.

The crystal structure of the complex formed between the dodecanucleotide d(CGCGAATTCGCG)2 and the drug pentamidine, which is active against the Pneumocystis carinii pathogen in AIDS patients, has been determined to a resolution of 2.1 A and an R-factor of 19.4%. Analysis of the structure has shown the drug to be bound in the 5'-AATT minor groove region of the duplex, with the amidinium groups H-bonded to adenine N3 atoms in an interstrand manner. The drug molecule adopts an extended conformation, and the immediate binding site spans four base pairs. Structural details of the drug-DNA interactions are discussed, and comparison is made with the dodecamer complex of the structurally similar berenil ligand.     

Electronic structure of platinum(II) antitumor complexes and their interactions with nucleic acid bases. I

Using the semi-empirical all-valence method (GRINDOL) (recently modified and extended to transition series elements), electronic structure and intermolecular interactions of the model antitumor Pt(II) compounds with guanine and thioguanine have been calculated. Several possible models of antitumor action of platinum compounds are discussed. It is concluded that cis-Pt(II) complexes with guanine form stable intrastrand N7N7 cross-links (but chelation to the O6 atom is also possible). The trans-isomers of platinum(II) exclusively form interstrand cross-links, but the cis-Pt(II) complexes with thioguanine form almost entirely the N7S five-membered chelates.     

The influence of Cu+ binding to hypoxanthine on stabilization of mismatches involving hypoxanthine and DNA bases: a DFT study

In the present work, the influence of Cu⁺ binding to N3- and N7-positions of hypoxanthine on energetic, geometrical and topological properties of hypoxanthine–guanine, hypoxanthine–adenine, hypoxanthine–cytosine, hypoxanthine–thymine and hypoxanthine–hypoxanthine mismatches is theoretically investigated. The calculations, in gas phase, are performed at B3LYP/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory. Unlike the other mispairs, Cu⁺ binding to N3-position of hypoxanthine causes the proton transfer process from enol form of hypoxanthine to imino forms of adenine and cytosine. This process also occurs in all mismatches having enol form of hypoxanthine when Cu⁺ binds to N7-position of hypoxanthine. The mismatches are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The influence of Cu⁺ on hydrogen bonds is also examined by atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Conformational preferences of modified nucleic acid bases N6-methyl-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) adenine and 2-methylthio-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) adenine by the quantum chemical PCILO calculations

Conformational preferences of the hypermodified nucleic acid bases N6-methyl-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, m6tc6 Ade, and 2-methylthio-N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, mS2 tc6 Ade, have been studied theoretically using the quantum chemical PCILO (Perturbative Configuration Interaction using Localized Orbitals) method. The multidimensional conformational space has been searched using selected grid points formed by combining the various torsion angles which take the favoured values obtained from energy variation with respect to each torsion angle individually. In m6 tc6 Ade and mS 2tc6 Ade alike the threonylcarbonyl substituent preferably orients away (distal) from the imidazole moiety of the adenine ring. And as in the simpler N6-(N-threonylcarbonyl) Adenine, tc6 Ade, the atoms in the ureido group as well as the amino acid carbon atoms C(12) and C(13) remain coplanar with the purine base. As in tc6 Ade, this conformation is stabilized by the intramolecular hydrogen bond between N(11)H of the amino acid and N(1) of the adenine base. The N6-methyl protons, in m6 tc6 Ade, take trans-staggered orientation with respect to the C(6)-N(6) bond. The preferred orientation of the 2-methylthio group is cis to the C(2)-N(3) bond in mS 2tc6 Ade. This is in marked contrast to the modified nucleic acid base 2-methylthio-N6-(delta 2-isopentenyl) Adenine, mS 2i6 Ade, where the 2-methylthio group orients trans to the C(2)-N(3) bond, causing a change in the preferred orientation of the isopentenyl component on methylthiolation. The present results thus indicate that unlike in the isopentenyl adenine the role of further chemical substitutions in threonylcarbonyl adenine may be indirect and less pronounced.     

Crystal structure of methyl 2,6-dichloro-2,6-dideoxy-3,4-O-isopropylidene-α-D-altropyranoside. A pyranoside system close to a skew-boat conformation

The crystal structure of methyl 2,6-dichloro-2,6-dideoxy-3,4-O-isopropylidene-α-D-altropyranoside (1) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P2₁2₁2₁, with unit-cell dimensions a  7.932, b  8.133, and c  20.447 Å. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined by the least-squares technique to an R value of 0.047 by using 736 intensities measured on a diffractometer. The pyranoside ring is close to a skew-boat conformation, with C-2 and C-5 being maximally displaced from the least-squares plane through the remaining four atoms. The H-1H-2 dihedral angle of  158° is in agreement with the J_1,2 value of 4.5 Hz. Thus the solid-state conformation appears to correspond with the conformation in solution. The dioxolane ring is in a twist form, with O-4 and, C-8 puckered on opposite sides of the plane of the other ring atoms. The pyranose-ring substituents are in equatorial and pseudoequatorial orientations. The hydrogen atoms at C-3 and C-4 are in a cis arrangement. The orientations of both the methoxyl group and the chloromethyl group with respect to the ring are gauche—trans. The exocyclic anomeric C-1O-1 bond-distance (1.39 Å) is the shortest CO bond in the structure. The intracyclic CO bonds are significantly different, C-1O-5 being less than C-5O-5.     

Nickel—nitrosyl Complexes: structure of nitrosyltris(trimethylphosphine)nickel hexafluorophosphate, {Ni(NO)(PMe3)3} PF6

The crystal and molecular structure of nitrosyltris-(trimethylphosphine)nickel(O) hexafluorophosphate, {Ni(NO)(PMe₃)₃}PF₆, has been determined from three dimensional single crystal X-ray analysis. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with Z = 4 and a unit cell of dimensions: a = 16.253(3), b = 10.536(1) and c = 12.228(2) Å. The structure was solved by conventional heavy atom techniques and refined by least-squares methods to R₁ = 0.036 and R₂ = 0.048 respectively for 1085. independent reflections. The coordination geometry around the nickel is a slightly distorted tetrahedron with an average PNiP angle of 105.63° and PNiN angle 113.03°. The nickel nitrosyl group is slightly bent with an NiNO angle of 175.4(5)°. The bending occurs in the ClPlNiNO plane toward Pl. The structure is compared with other tetrahedral {MNO}¹⁰ phosphine complexes and the MNO bonding is discussed.     

The molecular structure of a complex of a 2,6-diimino-pyridine as a bidentate ligand with molybdenum carbonyl

Reaction of the pyridyl-diimine ligand, 2,6-[1- (2,2-dimethylpropanimino)ethyl]pyridine (1) with Mo(CO)₆ has unexpectedly yielded [Mo(CO)₄1], in which the normally tridentate ligand, even under forcing conditions, is bidentate. A single crystal X-ray structure determination reveals the distorted octahedral molecule with the MoC distances trans to the nitrogen donor atoms 0.1 Å shorter than the other two MoC distances. Other bond lengths suggest delocalization of charge in the chelate ring and this is reinforced by proton NMR data which suggests electron flow from the metal into the pyridine ring.