Oxazolone copper(I) complexes inspired by the methanobactin active site

Two oxazolone-derived potential ligands with enethioether substituents have been synthesized that differ by the terminal thioether moiety (S-Et in L¹, S-C₆H₄(OMe)-2 in L²). Both L¹ and L² behave as bidentate {NS} chelate ligands to form stable complexes with copper(I) triflate that crystallize as dimeric complexes [L₂Cu₂(OTf)₂] (4 and 5) featuring a central {Cu₂S₂} diamond core with distinctly different Cu-S bonds. L¹ as well as 4 and 5 have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. NMR spectroscopy including ¹H and ¹⁹F DOSY experiments reveals that 4 and 5 dissociate into monomeric species [LCu(OTf)] (4′ and 5′) in CDCl₃ solutions. 4′ and 5′ retain the {NS} binding motif of the oxazolone-derived ligands, but are in slow equilibrium with their {OS} isomers 4″ and 5″ that result from E/Z isomerization of the exocyclic enethioether double bond.     

Synthesis and single crystal structures of first examples of tridentate ligands of (Te, N, S) type and their complexes with palladium(II), platinum(II) and ruthenium(II)

The First examples of (Te, N, S) type ligands, 2-CH₃SC₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂TeC₆H₄-4-OCH₃ (L¹) and 2- CH₃SC₆H₄CHNHCH₂CH₂TeC₆H₄-4-OCH₃ (L²), and their metal complexes, [PdCl(L¹)]PF₆ · CHCl₃ · 0.5H₂O (4), [PtCl(L¹)]PF₆ (5), [PdCl(L²)]ClO₄.CHCl₃ (6), [PtCl(L²)]ClO₄ (7), and [Ru(p-cymene)(L²)](PF₆)₂ · CHCl₃ (8), have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal structures of 4, 6 and 8 have revealed that both the ligands coordinate in them in a tridentate (Te, N, S) mode. The geometry around Pd in both the complexes has been found to be square planar, whereas for Ru in a half sandwich complex 8, it is found to be octahedral. Between two molecules of 4 there are intra and inter molecular weak Te?Cl [3.334(3) and 3.500(3) Å, respectively] interactions along with weak intermolecular Pd?Te [3.621(2) Å] interactions. The Pd-Te bond lengths are between 2.517(6) and 2.541(25) Å and the Ru-Te bond length is 2.630(6) Å. The crystal structure of [PdCl₂(4-MeO-C₆H₄- TeCH₂CH₂NH₂)] (9) is also determined. It is formed when KPF₆ is not added in the synthesis of 4 and Pd-complex of L¹ is recrystallized. Apart from Te?Cl secondary interactions, C-H?π interactions also exist in the crystal of 9.     

Template synthesis of N2S and N3S chelates via alkylation of bis(2-aminoethanethiolato)Ni: sulfur- and nitrogen-centered alkylations

Alkylation of bis(2-aminoethanethiolato)nickel(II) (1) with alkylating agents containing pendant donor groups has been investigated. Reaction with 2-bromoethylamine is strictly sulfur-centered yielding (2-[(2-aminoethyl)thio]ethaneamine)nickel(II)bromide, [(DAES)₂Ni]Br₂ (2), which was isolated as a lilac solid. Addition of chloroacetamide yields the sulfur- and nitrogen-alkylated product (2-[(2-aminoethyl)thio]acetamide)nickel(II)chloride, (AETA)NiCl₂ (3a), as a green solid. Recrystallization from water/acetone yields 3a as single crystals along with single crystals of [(AETA)NiCl(OH₂)]Cl (3b). The strictly S-alkylated product (2-[(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)thio]acetamide)nickel(II)iodide, [(AOTA)₂Ni]I₂ (4), is obtained upon reaction of 1 with iodoacetamide. A pathway is proposed consistent with the observed leaving group effect on the site of alkylation. The X-ray structures of 3a, 3b, and 4 are reported and the hydrogen-bonding network is described.     

Mo- and W-N2 and -CO complexes with novel mixed P/N ligands: Structural properties and implications to synthetic nitrogen fixation

Four new ligands containing a pyridine or thiazole group and one or more N-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)amine functions have been prepared and employed for the synthesis of Mo(0) and W(0) carbonyl and dinitrogen complexes. For comparison coordination of the literature-known ligand N,N-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-methylamine (PNP, 1) to such systems has been investigated as well. Two new ligands are N,N-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2-aminopyridine (pyNP₂, 2) and N,N′-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2,6-diaminopyridine (PpyP, 3). In a third new ligand, N-diphenylphosphinomethyl-2-aminothiazole (thiazNP, 4), the pyridine group is replaced by thiazol. Finally, the pentadentate ligand N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)-2,6-diaminopyridine (pyN₂P₄, 5) has been synthesized. Coordination of ligands 2, 3 and 4 to low-valent metal centers is investigated on the basis of the three molybdenum carbonyl complexes [Mo(CO)₃(NCCH₃)(pyNP₂)] (6), [Mo(CO)₄(PpyP)] (7) and [Mo(CO)₄(thiazNP)] (8), respectively, all of which are structurally characterized. Moreover, employing ligands 1 and 2 the two dinitrogen complexes [W(N₂)₂(dppe)(PNP)] (9) and [Mo(N₂)₂(dppe)(pyNP₂) (10), respectively, are prepared. Both systems are investigated by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy; in addition, complex 10 is structurally characterized.     

Novel carbon-centered heteroscorpionate ligands: Cu(I) complexes and luminescence properties

Herein, we describe the synthesis of N,N′,S donor ligands 2-(1-(3,5-diisopropyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-(methythio)propyl)-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridine (L1) and 2-(1-(3,5-diisopropyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(methythio)ethyl)-4-methoxy-3,5-dimethylpyridine (L2). Cu(I) complexes were prepared by reacting L1 or L2 with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]BF₄ or CuCl. The coordination behavior of the thioether arm of the ligands was found to determine the nuclearity of the resulting complexes, in which [Cu(L1)PPh₃]BF₄ (1) is polynuclear, [Cu(L2)PPh₃]BF₄ (2) is mononuclear, while [Cu(L1)]₂(BF₄)₂ (3), [Cu(L2)CH₃CN]₂(BF₄)₂ (4), and [Cu(L1)Cl]₂ (5) are dinuclear. In the dimeric complex [Cu(L2)Cl]₂ (6), the sulfur atoms are not metal-bound. Rather, the two bridging chloride ions link the two copper centers. Compounds 4-6 are luminescent in the solid state, and exhibit emission bands centered at 490 nm (4), 544 nm (5), and 562 nm (6), respectively. Their excitation spectra display bands at 280 nm and 380 nm. According to DFT calculations, the HOMO is distributed partially over the metal centers and partially over the chloride anions (5 and 6) or the sulfur atoms (4) of the ligands, while the LUMO is a π∗ antibonding pyridine orbital. This suggests that the emission properties are derived from metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT), halide-to-ligand charge-transfer (XLCT), and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (LLCT) excited states.     

New palladacyclic complexes with pyridylphosphine ligands: crystal structures of [Pd(Azb)(Ph2POCH2Py-P,N)][PF6] and [Pd(Phpy)(Ph2PNHPy-P,N)][PF6]

The synthesis of palladacyclic derivatives with the hybrid pyridylphosphine ligands Py(CH₂)OPPh₂ (a) and PyNHPPh₂ (b) in a neutral P,N-chelating coordination mode has been achieved. Treatment of selected chloride-bridged cyclometallated precursors [Pd(C^∧N)(μ-Cl)]₂ [C^∧N = 2-pyridinin-phenyl Phpy, I-compounds; 7,8-benzoquinolyl Bzq, II-compounds; phenylazophenyl Azb, III-compounds or 2-(2-oxazolinyl)phenyl Phox, IV-compounds] with a or b in the presence of stoichiometric KPF₆ gave the mononuclear derivatives Ia-IVa and Ib-IVb. The crystal structures of compounds [Pd(Azb)(Ph₂POCH₂Py-P,N)][PF₆] (IIIa) and [Pd(Phpy)(Ph₂PNHPy-P,N)][PF₆] (Ib) have been determined. The new palladacyclopentadiene precursor [Pd{C₄COOMe₄}(CH₃CN)₂] (V) has been prepared starting from the polymeric complex [Pd{C₄COOMe₄}]_n. Its usefulness in the preparation of new derivatives has been tested by means of the straightforward reaction with ligands (a) or (b) to give mononuclear compounds [Pd{C₄(COOMe)₄}(Ph₂POCH₂Py-P,N)] (Va) and [Pd{C₄(COOMe)₄}(Ph₂PNHPy-P,N)] (Vb). The reactions of hydroxo-bridged precursors [Pd(C^∧N)(μ-OH)]₂ or [Pd₂{C₄(COOMe)₄}₂ (μ-OH)₂][NBu₄]₂ with PyNHPPh₂ afforded mononuclear complexes Ic-Vc in which a less common anionic P,N-binding mode is forced as a result of ligand deprotonation. The new complexes were characterised by partial elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods (IR, FAB, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR).     

Oxo-bridged bis oxo-vanadium(V) complexes with tridentate Schiff base ligands (VOL)2O (L = SAE, SAMP, SAP): Synthesis, structure and epoxidation catalysis under solvent-free conditions

The dinuclear V(V) complexes (VOL)₂O (L = SAE (1), SAMP (2), SAP (3)) have been synthesized from VO(acac)₂ and the corresponding tridentate ligands LH₂ in methanol under reflux conditions and subsequent air oxidation in organic solvent. They have been characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, by thermogravimetric analysis, and by single crystal X-ray diffraction for 1 and 2. DFT calculations were carried out for a better understanding of the vibrational pattern, principally the V-O related vibrations. Complex [VO(SAP)]₂O (3) catalyzes the epoxidation of cyclooctene by TBHP in water in the absence of any added solvent with good selectivity.     

Mn(II) coordination architectures with mixed ligands of 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole and carboxylic acids bearing different secondary coordination donors and pendant skeletons

In our efforts to investigate the factors that affect the formation of coordination architectures, such as secondary coordination donors and pendant skeletons of the carboxylic acid ligands, as well as H-bonding and other weak interactions, two kinds of ligands: (a) 3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (L¹) with a non-coordinated N atom as a H-bonding donor, a 2,2′-bipyridyl-like chelating ligand, and (b) four carboxylic ligands with different secondary coordination donors and/or pendant skeletons, 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂L²), 4-sulfobenzoic acid (H₂L³), quinoline-4-carboxylic acid (HL⁴) and fumaric acid (H₂L⁵), have been selected to react with Mn(II) salts, and five new complexes, [Mn(L¹)₂(SO₄)]₂ (1), [Mn(L¹)₂(L²)]_∞ (2), [Mn(L¹)(HL³)₂]_∞ (3), Mn(L¹)₂(L⁴)₂ (4), and [Mn(L¹)₂(L⁵)]_∞ (5), have been obtained and structurally characterized. The structural differences of 1-5 can be attributed to the introduction of the different carboxylic acid ligands (H₂L², H₂L³, HL⁴, and H₂L⁵) with different secondary coordination donors and pendant skeletons, respectively. This result also reveals that the typical H-bonding (i.e. N-H?O and O-H?O) and some other intra- or inter-molecular weak interactions, such as C-H?O weak H-bonding and π?π interactions, often play important roles in the formation of supramolecular aggregates, especially in the aspect of linking the multi-nuclear discrete subunits or low-dimensional entities into high-dimensional supramolecular networks.     

Synthesis of monodeoxy analogues of the trisaccharide alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->3)-alpha-D-Manp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-ManpOMe recognised by Calreticulin/Calnexin

Six (3,4,4′,6′,3″ or 6″)-monodeoxy analogues of the title trisaccharide (1-6) have been prepared utilising monodeoxy monosaccharide precursors. The reducing end deoxy derivatives were synthesised by N-iodosuccinimide/silver trifluoromethanesulfonate (NIS/AgOTf)-promoted couplings of a common disaccharide thioglycoside donor 10 to suitably protected monodeoxy acceptors 9 and 12, affording trisaccharides, which after deprotection yielded target structures 1 and 2. The non-reducing end deoxy derivatives could similarly be produced by halide-assisted glycosylations of a common disaccharide acceptor 17 with monodeoxy glycosyl bromide donors (obtained from thioglycosides 18 and 20) to yield, after removal of protecting groups, target trisaccharides 3 and 4. The analogues with the deoxy function in the middle mannose residue, were obtained through orthogonal halide-assisted coupling of tetrabenzyl-glucopyranosyl bromide to monodeoxy thioglycoside acceptors to give thioglycoside disaccharides, which subsequently were used as donors in NIS/AgOTf-promoted couplings to a common 2-hydroxy-mannose acceptor 15 to afford trisaccharides; deprotection yielded the final target compounds 5 and 6.     

Synthesis of new platinum(II) complexes containing hybrid thioether-pyrazole ligands: Structural analysis by H and C{H} NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structures

Treatment of the ligands 1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (bddo), 1,9-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,7-dithianonane (bddn), and 1,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2,5-dithiahexane (bddh) with several platinum starting materials as K₂PtCl₄, PtCl₂, [PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] and [PtCl₂(PhCN)₂] was developed under different conditions. The reactions did not yield pure products. The ratio of the NSSN, NS, SS, NN, and 2NS isomers has been calculated through NMR experiments. Treatment of the mixtures of complexes with NaBPh₄ affords [Pt(NSSN)](BPh₄)₂ (NSSN = bddo, bddn). These Pt(II) complexes have been characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray structures of the complexes [Pt(NSSN)](BPh₄)₂ (NSSN = bddo, bddn) have also been determined. In these complexes, the metal atom is tetracoordinated by the two azine nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole rings and two thioether sulfur atoms. When the [Pt(NSSN)](BPh₄)₂ (NSSN = bddo, bddn) complexes were heated under reflux in a solution of Et₄NBr in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH (1:1), a mixture of isomers was obtained.     

Synthesis and characterisation of new N1-alkyl-3,5-dipyridylpyrazole derived ligands. Study of their reactivity with Pd(II) and Pt(II)

Two new pyrazole-derived ligands, 1-ethyl-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (L¹) and 1-octyl-3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazole (L²), both containing alkyl groups at position 1 were prepared by reaction between 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl) pyrazole and the appropriate bromoalkane in toluene using sodium ethoxide as base.The reaction between L¹, L² and [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pd(II), Pt(II)) resulted in the formation complexes of formula [MCl₂(L)] (M = Pd(II), L = L¹ (1); M = Pd(II), L = L² (2); M = Pt(II), L = L¹ (3); M = Pt(II), L = L² (4)). These complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, infrared, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and HMQC spectroscopies. The X-ray structure of the complex [PtCl₂(L²)] (4) was determined. In this complex, Npyridine and Npyrazole donor atoms coordinate the ligand to the metal, which complete its coordination with two chloro ligands in a cis disposition.     

Palladium complexes based on tridentate pyrazolyl-ligands: Synthesis, structures and use in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

The reaction of [PdCl(Me)(cod)] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with tridentate bis(pyrazolyl) ligands affords the alkyl-palladium(II) complexes [Pd(CH₃)(NZN)][BF₄] (1, NZN = 1,1′-(2,2′-oxybis(ethane-2,1-diyl)bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole); 2, NZN = bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]sulfane) in good yield. Compounds 1-2 were characterized by elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray structural analysis. Single crystal X-ray structural analyses indicate that the complexes are monomeric and the palladium center resides in a slightly distorted square planar environment. Furthermore, despite their intrinsic similarity, the NON and NSN ligands adopt different coordination modes around the palladium metal center. Additionally, the [PdCl₂(NON)] (3) was shown to be an efficient catalyst precursor for the coupling of aryl bromides and iodides with arylboronic acids, esters and borate salts.     

Coordination geometry isomerism induced by N-H?Cl, C-H?Cl, C-H?N, C-H?π and π?π supramolecular interactions in mercury(II) complexes with tripyridylimidazole chelating ligands

Reaction of HgCl₂ with trans-(±)2-(2,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-4-yl)pyridine (L1) and cis-(±)-(phenyl(2,4,5-tri(pyridin-2-yl)-4,5-dihydroimidazol-1- yl)methanone (L2) gives mononuclear complexes, 1 and 2. In these complexes L1 and L2 behave as tridentate and bidentate chelating ligands, giving distorted trigonal bipyramidal and tetrahedral coordination geometries, respectively. X-ray diffraction studies revealed a series of N-H?Cl, C-H?Cl, C-H?N and C-H?π interactions in 1 giving a 3D network, and N-H?Cl, C-H?Cl, C-H?π and π?π interactions in 2 giving a 2D network in the crystal lattice. Since both ligands should have a similar binding capacity to the mercury ions, the variations observed for coordination number and geometry should be a consequence of supramolecular stabilizing effects.     

Silver coordination complexes of 2-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine and their bipyridine derivatives

Reaction of 2-(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine (PMP-21) with the silver(I) salts of tetrafluoroborate , triflate (Otf⁻), and trifluoroacetate (tfa⁻) affords dinuclear complexes (2-4), where the ligand bridges the two silver centers, and the anions interact with the metal centers to varying degrees. Further reaction of AgBF₄ and AgOtf with reaction solutions containing PMP-21 and either the bidentate 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-bipyridine ligands produce dimeric and bridged structural motifs. The ability of 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine to chelate and the 4,4′-bipyridine to serve as a connector between metal centers, allows the construction of coordinative structures where the effect of ligand ratio and either interacting or non interacting anions influence the silver coordination environment, allowing it to take on several geometries including trigonal bipyramidal, 5, both T-shaped and tetrahedral in a single structure, 6 and 8, trigonal pyramidal, 7, and trigonal planar, 9. Structures 2, 3, and 4 display comparable Ag-Ag contacts ranging from 2.7979(10) to 3.0538(4) Å, with a corresponding weakening of the metallophilic interaction when a bipyridine ligand is coordinated. Low-temperature luminescence spectra were collected for all compounds and are compared.     

Axial versus equatorial coordination of thioether sulfur: Mixed ligand copper(II) complexes of 2-pyridyl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)-methyleneimine with bidentate diimine ligands

The synthesis, structure and spectral and redox properties of the copper(II) complexes [Cu(pmtpm)Cl₂] (1) and [Cu(pmtpm)₂](ClO₄)₂ (6), where pmtpm is the linear tridentate ligand 2-pyridyl-N-(2′-methylthiophenyl)methyleneimine containing a thioether and two pyridine donors, are described. Also, the mixed ligand complexes [Cu(pmtpm)(diimine)](ClO₄)₂ (2-5), where the diimine is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) (2), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) (3), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmp) (4) or dipyrido-[3,2-d:2′,3′-f]-quinoxaline (dpq) (5), have been isolated and studied. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes 1, [Cu(pmtpm)(2,9-dmp)](ClO₄)₂4 and 6 have been successfully determined. The complex 1 possesses a trigonal bipyramidal distorted square based pyramidal (TBDSBP) coordination geometry in which three corners of the square plane are occupied by two nitrogens and thioether s of pmtpm ligand and the remaining equatorial and the axial positions by two chloride ions. The complex 4 contains a CuN₄S chromophore also with a TBDSBP coordination geometry in which two nitrogens and the thioether sulfur of pmtpm ligand occupy three corners of the square plane. One of the two nitrogens of 2,9-dmp ligand is equatorially coordinated and the other axially to copper. On the other hand, the complex 6 is found to possess a square based pyramidal distorted trigonal bipyramidal (SPDTBP) coordination geometry. The CuN₂S trigonal plane in it is comprised of the pyridine and imine nitrogens and the thioether sulfur of the pmtpm ligand. The pyridine nitrogens of the ligand occupy the axial positions and the second thioether sulfur remains uncoordinated. On long standing in acetonitrile solution the mixed ligand complexes 2 and 3 undergo ligand disproportionation to provide the corresponding bis-complexes of bpy and phen, respectively, and 6. The electronic and EPR spectral parameters and the positive redox potential of complex 4 are consistent with the equatorial location of the thioether sulfur in the square-based coordination geometry around copper(II). On the other hand, the higher g_∥ and lower A_∥ values and lower E_1/2 values for the complexes 2, 3 and 5 are consistent with the axial coordination of the thioether sulfur. Also, the Cu(II)/Cu(I) redox potentials increase with increase in number of aromatic rings of the diimine ligand. The steric and electronic effects of the bidentate diimine ligands in orienting the thioether coordination to axial or equatorial position are discussed.     

Syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties of silver(I) complexes with in situ generated hexahydropyrimidine derivatives

Two new linear and V-shaped tetradentate ligands, namely 1,4-bis(2-hexahydropyrimidyl)benzene (L) and 1,3-bis(2-hexahydropyrimidyl)benzene (L^′), and their silver(I) complexes, [Ag₂L(μ-ONO₂)](NO₃) · 2H₂O (1), [Ag₂L(μ-pn)](NO₃)₂ (2), [Ag₂L(μ-pn)](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Ag₄L^′₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₄ · 5H₂O (4) (pn=1,3-diaminopropane) have been synthesized in situ and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 and 2 were obtained from the same reaction solution but different crystallization conditions. 1 is an one-dimensional chain featuring cuboid tetranuclear silver(I) units interconnected through monoatomic nitrate bridges. Both 2 and 3 are ribbon-like helical compounds in which each L ligand acts in a tetradentate bridging mode to interconnect four metal atoms, and each pn ligand functions in a bidentate bridging mode to link a pair of metal atoms. 4 shows a truncated square-pyramidal tetranuclear motif arose by the V-shaped L^′ ligand. Close Ag?Ag separations (2.901-2.939 Å) assisted by bis(hexahydropyrimidine) bridges were observed in 1 and 4, indicating metal-metal interactions. Photoluminescence of 1-4 has also been observed in the solid state and solution at room temperature and low temperature, respectively.     

Synthesis of {15-benzyloxy-3,7,11,17-tetraazabicyclo[11.3.1]heptadeca-1(17),13,15-triene}nickel(II) perchlorate and its analogs, and their catalytic behavior in reductive debromination of 1-bromo-4-tert-butylbenzene

New nickel(II) complexes with macrocyclic ligands bearing benzyloxy [(5), (9)], 2-methylbenzyloxy (7), 3-methylbenzyloxy (8), and hydroxy (6) groups on the pyridine ring have been synthesized. Structures of the hydroxy substituted macrocyclic ligand (L-OH·3HCl·H₂O), and the benzyloxy substituted ligand (L-OBn·3HCl) and its nickel(II) complex (5), as well as an analogous Ni(II) complex (8), have been revealed by X-ray crystallography. Their catalytic capabilities in the reductive debromination of 1-bromo-4-tert-butylbenzene have been elucidated, which has revealed that the pyridine ring can be a suitable position for the introduction of functional groups while maintaining the catalytic capabilities of the nickel(II) complexes.     

New bis(azolylcarbonyl)pyridine chromium(III) complexes as initiators for ethylene polymerization

Reaction of 2,6-pyridinedicarbonyl dichloride with 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and 1H-indazole, respectively, yield the tridentate ligands 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylcarbonyl)pyridine (1) and 2,6-bis(indazol-1-ylcarbonyl)pyridine (2). The molecular structure of the new compound (2) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These ligands react with CrCl₃(THF)₃ in THF to form neutral complexes of general formula [CrCl₃{2,6-bis(azolylcarbonyl)pyridine-N,N,N}] (3, 4) which were isolated in high yield as air stable green solids and characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment, IR, and mass spectroscopies. Theoretical calculations predict that the thermodynamically preferred structure of the complexes is the fac configuration. After reaction with methylaluminoxane (MAO) the chromium(III) complexes are active for the polymerization of ethylene.     

Mercury complexes with the ligand benzaldehyde-N(4),N(4)-dimethylthiosemicarbazone

The Schiff base benzaldehyde-N(4),N(4)-dimethylthiosemicarbazone (LH) and its complexes [Hg(NO₃)(LH)₂]NO₃ (1), [Hg(L)₂] (2), [Hg(LH)₂(μ-X)₂HgX₂] [X = Cl (3), Br (4)], [HgI(LH)(μ-I)₂HgI(LH)] (5) and [HgI₂(LH)] (6) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, mass spectrometry, ¹H and ¹³C NMR and by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All the complexes were obtained in ethanol and complex 2, in which the ligand is deprotonated, in addition needs the presence of basic medium. From mercury(II) iodide two complexes with the same molar ratio but with different structures were isolated. In all the complexes the ligand acts as a NS chelate, except in complex 5 in which is only S-donor. The coordination number of the mercury ion and the structures of the complexes depend on the counterion. Complexes 1, 2 and 6 are monomeric species but with different coordination spheres: N₂S₂O₂ with a distorted octahedral arrangement in complex 1, and N₂S₂ or NSI₂ in a pseudo-tetrahedral geometry in complexes 2 and 6, respectively. However, 3, 4 and 5 are binuclear complexes with two halido bridges, but they show two different structures. In 3 and 4, each mercury ion has a different environment giving an asymmetric structure, one is bonded to two NS-ligands and two halido bridges in a distorted octahedral geometry, and the other one has a tetrahedral environment formed by four halido ligands. In complex 5 both mercury ions are equivalent with a SI₃ distorted tetrahedral coordination sphere, formed by one S-bonded ligand, one terminal iodido and two iodido bridges.     

Studies on the reactions of ruthenium(II) substrates with tridentate (N,N,O) azo ligands

Reactions of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL_sal, 1, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_sal are phenyl for HL¹_sal, p-methylphenyl for HL²_sal, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_sal], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded complexes of composition [(L_sal)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)] and (L_sal)₂Ru where the N,N,O donor tridentate (L_sal)⁻ ligands coordinated the metal centre facially and meridionally, respectively. Stepwise formation of [(L_sal)₂Ru] has been ascertained. Reaction of 1-{[2-(arylazo)phenyl]iminomethyl}-2-napthol, HL_nap, 2, [where H represents the dissociable protons upon complexation and aryl groups of HL_nap are phenyl for HL¹_nap, p-methylphenyl for HL²_nap, and p-chlorophenyl for HL³_nap], ligands with Ru(H)(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)₃ afforded exclusively the complexes of composition [(L_nap)Ru(CO)(Cl)(PPh₃)], where N,N,O donor tridentate (L_nap)⁻ was facially coordinated. The ligand 1-{[2-(phenylazo)phenyl]aminomethyl}-2-phenol, HL, 3, was prepared by reducing the aldimine function of HL¹_sal. Reaction of HL with Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂ afforded new azosalen complex of Ru(III) in concert with regiospecific oxygenation of phenyl ring of HL. All the new ligands were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The complexes were characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques and subsequently confirmed by the determination of X-ray structures of selected complexes.