Dithiocarbazate complexes with the [M(PPh3)] (M═Pd or Pt) moiety: Synthesis, characterization and anti-Tripanosoma cruzi activity

New neutral Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of the type [M(L)(PPh₃)] (M═Pd or Pt) were prepared in crystalline form in high-yield synthesis with the S-benzyldithiocarbazates and S-4-nitrobenzyldithiocarbazates derivatives from 2-hydroxyacetophenone, H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b, and benzoylacetone, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b. The new complexes [Pt(L^1a)(PPh₃)] (1), [Pd(L^1a)(PPh₃)] (2), [Pt(L^1b)(PPh₃)] (3), [Pd(L^1b)(PPh₃)] (4), [Pt(L^2a)(PPh₃)] (5), [Pd(L^2a)(PPh₃)] (6), [Pt(L^2b)(PPh₃)] (7) and [Pd(L^2b)(PPh₃)] (8) were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, UV-visible, IR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), NMR (¹H and ³¹P) and by X-ray diffraction studies. The studies showed that differently from what was observed for the H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b ligands, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b assume cyclic forms as 5-hydroxypyrazolinic. Upon coordination, H₂L^2a and H₂L^2b suffer ring-opening reaction, coordinating in the same manner as H₂L^1a and H₂L^1b, deprotonated and in O,N,S-tridentate mode to the (MPPh₃)²⁺ moiety. All complexes show a quite similar planar fourfold environment around the M(II) center. Furthermore, these complexes exhibited biological activity on extra and intracellular forms of Trypanosoma cruzi in a time- and concentration-dependent manner with IC₅₀ values ranging from 7.8 to 18.7 μM, while the ligand H₂L^2a presented a trypanocidal activity on trypomastigote form better than the standard drug benznidazole.     

Palladium and platinum 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(thiosemicarbazones): chemistry, cytotoxic activity and structure-activity relationships

The preparation of platinum(II) complexes derived from 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4-phenylthiosemicarbazone) (H(5)L(1)), 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(thiosemicarbazone) (H(7)L(2)), 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4-methylthiosemicarbazone) (H(5)L(3)) and 3,5-diacetyl-1,2,4-triazol bis(4-ethylthiosemicarbazone) (H(5)L(3)) is described. The new complexes [Pt(mu-H(3)L(1))](2), [Pt(mu-H(5)L(2))](2), [Pt(mu-H(3)L(3))](2) and [Pt(mu-H(3)L(4))](2) have been characterized by elemental analyses, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB(+)) and spectroscopic studies. The crystal and molecular structure of compounds [Pt(mu-H(3)L(1))](2), parent ligand H(5)L(1) and [Pt(mu-H(3)L(3))](2) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The ligands coordinate, in a dideprotonate form to the platinum ions in a new tridentate fashion (NNS) and S-brigding bonding modes. Thus the molecular units of the platinum complexes are stacked as dimers. The testing of the cytotoxic activity of the synthesized compounds together with their palladium analogues against human A2780 and A2780cisR epithelial ovarian carcinoma cells lines suggests that the compounds may be endowed with important antitumor properties since they show IC(50) values in a micromolar range similar to those of cisplatin. The structure and antitumor activity relationships of platinum and palladium complexes are also discussed.     

Complexes of hybrid ligands. Synthesis of mixed-ligand,phosphino-alkoxide complexes of Pd2+: the crystal and molecular structure of the complex Ph2 PCH2C(CF3 )2OPdCl(PPh2Me)

The hybrid, bidentate, diarylphosphino-alkoxide ligand PPh₂CH₂C(CF₃)₂O⁻, L¹, gives the Pd²⁺ bis- complex Pd(L¹)₂, from which the chloride-bridged dinuclear complex [(L¹)Pd(μ-Cl)₂Pd(L¹)] is made by reaction with PdCl₂(PhCN)₂. Cleavage of the dinuclear complex with monodentate ligands L² then gives Pd(L¹)Cl(L²) (L² =PPh₃, PPh₂Me, PPhMe₂, PMe₃, SMe₂, or pyridine); NMR data show that PR₃ is cis to the phosphine site in L¹ in these complexes, but SMe₂ or pyridine are probably trans.A complete crystal and molecular structural determination has been made for cis-Pd(L¹)Cl(PPh₂Me). Crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, a = 10.821(1), b = 14.600(1), c = 18.674(2) Å, β = 101.25(1)°, V = 2893 ų, Z = 4. Least-squares refinement on F of 361 variables using 3977 observations converged at a conventional agreement factor R = 0.025. The complex is square-planar, with the two phosphines cis; the 5-membered chelate ring is in a dissymmetric envelope conformation. The PdP bonds differ in length, with that to the unidentate phosphine, 2.259(1) Å, being significantly longer than that to the phosphine on the chelating ligand, 2.231(1) Å.     

Topoisomerase II inhibition activity of new square planar Ni(II) complexes containing N-substituted thiosemicarbazones: Synthesis, spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography and electrochemical characterization

New Ni(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes containing triphenylphosphine namely [Ni(Sal-mtsc)(PPh₃)](2) and [Ni(Nap-mtsc)(PPh₃)] (3) (where Sal-mtsc = salicylaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone and Nap-mtsc = 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) have been synthesised and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. In all the complexes the thiosemicarbazone ligand coordinated to nickel through ONS mode. The electrochemical behavior of the complexes has been investigated by using cyclic voltammetry in acetonitrile. The new complexes were subjected to test their DNA topoisomerase II inhibition efficiency. The complex [Ni(Nap-mtsc)(PPh₃)] (3) showed 95% inhibition. The observed inhibition activity was found to be more potent than the activity of conventional standard Nalidixic acid.     

Novel dioxomolybdenum(VI) and oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone ligands: Synthesis and structural characterisation

New molybdenum complexes were prepared by the reaction of [Mo^VIO₂(acac)₂] or (NH₄)₂[Mo^VOCl₅] with different N-substituted pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone ligands (H₂L¹ = pyridoxal 4-phenylthiosemicarbazone; H₂L² = pyridoxal 4-methylthiosemicarbazone, H₂L³ = pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone). The investigation of monomeric [MoO₂L¹(CH₃OH)] or polymeric [MoO₂L^1-3] molybdenum(VI) complexes revealed that molybdenum is coordinated with a tridentate doubly-deprotonated ligand. In the oxomolybdenum(V) complexes [MoOCl₂(HL^1-3)] the pyridoxal thiosemicarbazonato ligands are tridentate mono-deprotonated. Crystal and molecular structures of molybdenum(VI) [MoO₂L¹(CH₃OH)]·CH₃OH, and molybdenum(V) complexes [MoOCl₂(HL¹)]·C₂H₅OH, as well as of the pyridoxal thiosemicarbazone ligand methanol solvate H₂L³·MeOH, were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

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.     

Pd(II) complexes containing N-alkyl-3-pyridine-5-trifluoromethyl pyrazole ligands: Synthesis, NMR studies and X-ray crystal structures

Palladium [PdCl₂(L)] complexes with N-alkylpyridylpyrazole derived ligands [2-(5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (L¹), 2-(1-ethyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (L²), 2-(1-octyl-5-trifluoromethyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (L³), and 2-(3-pyridin-2-yl-5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanol (L⁴) were synthesised. The crystal and molecular structures of [PdCl₂(L)] (L = L², L³, L⁴) were resolved by X-ray diffraction, and consist of monomeric cis-[PdCl₂(L)] molecules. The palladium centre has a typical square-planar geometry, with a slight tetrahedral distortion. The tetra-coordinate metal atom is bonded to one pyridinic nitrogen, one pyrazolic nitrogen and two chlorine ligands in cis disposition. Reaction of L (L², L⁴) with [Pd(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₂, in the ratio 1M:2L, gave complexes [Pd(L)]₂(BF₄)₂. Treatment of [PdCl₂(L)] (L = L², L⁴) with NaBF₄ and pyridine (py) and treatment of the same complexes with AgBF₄ and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) yielded [Pd(L)(py)₂](BF₄)₂ and [Pd(L)(PPh₃)₂](BF₄)₂ complexes, respectively. Finally, reaction of [PdCl₂(L⁴)] with 1 equiv of AgBF₄ yields [PdCl(L⁴)](BF₄).     

Synthesis, structure and properties of di- and mononuclear ruthenium(III) complexes with N-(benzoyl)-N′-(salicylidene)hydrazine and its derivatives

The reactions of [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂], N-(benzoyl)-N′-(5-R-salicylidene)hydrazines (H₂bhsR, R = H, OCH₃, Cl, Br and NO₂) and triethylamine (1:1:2 mole ratio) in methanol afford mononuclear ruthenium(III) complexes having the general formula trans-[Ru(bhsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl]. In the case of R = H, a dinuclear ruthenium(III) complex of formula [Ru₂(μ-OCH₃)₂(bhsH)₂(PPh₃)₂] has been isolated as a minor product. The complexes are characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic, spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements. The crystal structures of the dinuclear complex and two mononuclear complexes have been determined. In the dinuclear complex, each metal centre is in distorted octahedral NO₄P coordination sphere constituted by the two bridging methoxide groups, one PPh₃ molecule and the meridionally spanning phenolate-O, imine-N and amide-O donor bhsH²⁻. The terminal PPh₃ ligands are trans to each other. In the mononuclear complexes, bhsR²⁻ and the chlorine atom form an NO₂Cl square-plane around the metal centre and the P-atoms of the two PPh₃ molecules occupy the remaining two axial sites to complete a distorted octahedral NO₂ClP₂ coordination sphere. All the complexes display ligand-to-metal charge transfer bands in the visible region of the electronic spectra. The cryomagnetic measurements reveal the antiferromagnetic character of the diruthenium(III) complex. The low-spin mononuclear ruthenium(III) complexes as well as the diruthenium(III) complex display rhombic EPR spectra in frozen solutions. All the complexes are redox active in CH₂Cl₂ solutions. Two successive metal centred oxidations at 0.69 and 1.20 V (versus Ag/AgCl) are observed for the dinuclear complex. The mononuclear complexes display a metal centred reduction in the potential range −0.53 to −0.27 V. The trend in these potential values reflects the polar effect of the substituents on the salicylidene moiety of the tridentate ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of new imidorhenium(V) and imidorhenium(VI) complexes of pyridyltriazines and pyrazinyltriazine with halide coligands including rare iodide

The blue colored imido complexes [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)X₃(L)] have been synthesized by three methods: (i) reaction of [Re^VOX₃(L)] with p-ClC₆H₄NH₂, (ii) reaction of [Re^III(OPPh₃)X₃(L)] with p-ClC₆H₄NH₂ and (iii) reaction of [Re^VOX₃(PPh₃)₂] with L followed by the addition of p-ClC₆H₄NH₂ in boiling toluene. Here, X = Cl, Br, I and L are 5,6-diphenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazine (L²) and its dimethyl (L¹) and pyrazinyl (L³) analogues. The [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Cl₃(L¹)] (1a), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Cl₃(L²)] (1b), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Br₃(L²)] (1c), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)I₃(L²)] (1d), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Cl₃(L³)] (1e), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Br₃(L³)] (1f), [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)I₃(L³)] (1g), complexes have been characterized electrochemically and spectroscopically. The X-ray structures of [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)Cl₃(L²)] and [Re(NC₆H₄Cl)I₃(L³)] reveal that the ReCl₃ fragment is meridionally disposed and that the L ligand is N,N-coordinated such that the pyridine/pyrazine nitrogen lies trans to the imide nitrogen. The feasibility of generating the rhenium(VI) congener of the imidorhenium(V) complex is also examined with the help of six-line EPR spectra at room temperature.     

Facile synthesis and reactivity study of mixed phosphane-isocyanide Pd(II) and Pd(0) complexes

The reaction between an equimolecular mixture of isocyanide CNR (CNR = di-methylphenyl isocyanide (DIC), tert-butyl isocyanide (TIC), triphenyl phosphane (PPh₃) and a dechlorinated solution of the palladium allyl dimers [Pd(η³-allyl)Cl]₂ (allyl = 2-Meallyl, 1,1-Me₂allyl) in stoichiometric ratio yields the mixed derivative [Pd(η³-allyl)(CNR)(PPh₃)] only. Apparently, the mixed derivative represents the most stable species among all the possible ones that might be formed under those experimental conditions. Theoretical calculations are in agreement with the experimental observation and the energy stabilization of the mixed species with respect to the homoleptic derivatives is traced back to an overall push-pull effect exerted by the isocyanide and the phosphane acting synergically. Similar behavior is observed in the case of the synthesis of the palladacyclopentadienyl complexes [Pd(C₄(COOMe)₄)(CNR)(PPh₃)] and of the palladium(0) olefin complexes whose synthesis invariably yields the mixed [Pd(η²-olefin)(CNR)(PPh₃)] derivatives. The paper includes studies on the reactivity toward allylamination in the case of the palladium(II) allyl complexes. A diffractometric investigation on the solid state structures of four different palladium isocyanide-phosphane complexes is also included.     

Reactivity of [MO] (M = Tc, Re) core towards 2-mercapto-1,3-azole ligands. Formation of a new organometallic complex of Re(IV) and X-ray crystal structures

Imidazole-2-thiol derivatives H₂L^1-3 (H₂L¹ = 1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol, H₂L² = 5-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol, and H₂L³ = 1H-imidazole-2-thiol) act as neutral monodentate ligands in a number of technetium and rhenium complexes. Disubstituted M(V) (M = Tc, Re) complexes of the type [AsPh₄]{[MOCl₂(H₂Lⁿ)₂(H₂O)]Cl₂} are formed when [MOCl₄]⁻ react with H₂L^1-3 in 1:2 stoichiometric ratio. Single crystal X-ray structure determinations were carried out on [AsPh₄]{[TcOCl₂(H₂L¹)₂(H₂O)]Cl₂}. The coordination sphere is pseudo-octahedral in which the sulfur atoms of two ligands sit in the equatorial plane and a water molecule is in trans to the TcO multiple bond. All the complexes react with an excess of the corresponding ligand to form tetrasubstituted cationic species {[MO(H₂Lⁿ)₄]Cl₃}. These complexes can be also isolated by reaction of [MOCl₄]⁻ with an excess of ligand. No complex is obtained with benzothiazole-2-thiol (HL⁴) and benzoxazole-2-thiol (HL⁵). Ligand exchange reactions of [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] with HL^4,5 have also been investigated. Treating the oxo-precursor with HL⁴ no product is isolated, while with HL⁵ the chelate oxo-compound [ReOCl₂(L⁵)(PPh₃)] is formed as two isomers. An interesting organometallic complex of Re(IV) [ReCl₃(L^5∗)(PPh₃)₂] is obtained when a slight excess of HL⁵ reacts with [ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] in refluxing benzene solution and in air. Geometry about the Re atom is approximately octahedral in which the equatorial plane contains three Cl atoms and the carbon atom of the benzoxazole ligand anion, the apical positions are occupied by two PPh₃. The reaction with O-ethyl S-hydrogen p-tolyl carbonothioimidate HL⁶ which contains the same heteroatoms of HL⁵ does not form an organometallic species, but forms the chelate oxo-Re(V) complex [ReOCl₂(L⁶)(PPh₃)]. The solid-state structure has been authenticated by X-ray crystallography.     

Dinuclear platinum complexes with designer thiolate ligands from the monoalkylation of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]

Alkylation reactions of the nucleophilic platinum(II) sulfide complex [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with functionalised alkylating agents have been investigated as a versatile synthetic route to dinuclear, cationic sulfide-thiolate complexes of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SR)(PPh₃)₄]⁺, extending the range of thiolate complexes that can be prepared using this methodology. A wide range of functional groups can be incorporated, using appropriate alkylating agents, and include ketone, ester, amide, hydrazone, semicarbazone, thiosemicarbazone, oxime, guanidine, urea and thiourea groups.     

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.     

Rhenium(III) and technetium(III) complexes with 2-mercapto-1,3-azole ligands and X-ray crystal structures

Reactions of labile [MCl₃(PPh₃)₂(NCMe)] (M = Tc, Re) precursors with 1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol (H₂L¹), 5-methyl-1H-benzoimidazole-2-thiol (H₂L²) and 1H-imidazole-2-thiol (H₂L³), in the presence of PPh₃ and [AsPh₄]Cl gave a new series of trigonal bipyramidal M(III) complexes [AsPh₄]{[M(PPh₃)Cl(H₂L^1-3)₃]Cl₃} (M = Re, 1-3; M = Tc, 4-6). The molecular structures of 1 and 3 were determined by X-ray diffraction. When the reactions were carried out with benzothiazole-2-thiol (HL⁴) and benzoxazole-2-thiol (HL⁵), neutral paramagnetic monosubstituted M(III) complexes [M(PPh₃)₂Cl₂(L^4,5)] (M = Re, 8, 9; M = Tc, 10, 11) were obtained. In these compounds, the central metal ions adopt an octahedral coordination geometry as authenticated by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 8 and 11. Rhenium and technetium complexes 1, 4 and rhenium chelate compounds 8, 9 have been also synthesized by reduction of [MO₄]⁻ with PPh₃ and HCl in the presence of the appropriate ligand. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy.     

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, spectroscopy, structure and photophysical properties of dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II)

Dinaphthylmethylarsine complexes of palladium(II) and platinum(II) with the formulae [MX₂L₂] (M = Pd, Pt; L = di(1-naphthyl)methylarsine = Nap₂AsMe and X = Cl, Br, I), [M₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂L₂], [PdCl(S₂CNEt₂)L], [Pd₂Cl₂(μ-OAc)₂L₂] and [MCl₂(PR₃)L] (PR₃ = PEt₃, PPr₃, PBu₃, PMePh₂) have been prepared. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, Raman, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The stereochemistry of the complexes has been deduced from the spectroscopic data. The crystal structures of trans-[PdCl₂(PEt₃)(Nap₂AsMe)] and of [Pd(S₂CNEt₂)₂], a follow-up product, were determined. The UV-vis spectra of [MX₂L₂] complexes show a red shift on going from X = Cl to X = I. The complexes [PdX₂L₂] and [PtX₂L₂] are strongly luminescent in fluid solution and in the solid at ambient temperature.     

New arene ruthenium complexes with planar chirality

1,2,4-Trimethyl-cyclohexadiene reacts with RuCl₃ · nH₂O in refluxing ethanol to afford quantitatively [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)]₂ (1), the coordination of 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene to the ruthenium atom introducing planar chirality at the η⁶-arene ligand. The dinuclear complex 1 reacts with two equivalents of triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) to give quantitatively, as a racemic mixture of enantiomers, [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)(PPh₃)] (2), the structure of which has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of (rac)-2. Similarly, 1 reacts with two equivalents of the enantiopure phosphine (1S,2S,5R)-(+)-neomenthyldiphenylphosphine (nmdpp) to afford in good yield [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)(nmdpp)] (3) as a mixture of diastereoisomers, from which the isomer 3a was isolated by crystallisation. A single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of 3a allowed the determination of the absolute configuration at the planar chiral η⁶-arene moiety. Finally, complex 1 reacts with one equivalent of the diphosphine ligand 1,1^′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppfc) to give the heteronuclear complex [RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃) (dppfc)RuCl₂(1,2,4-C₆H₃Me₃)] (4). All complexes were fully characterised by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopies.     

Complexes of N-thiophosphorylthioureas RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)2 (HL) (R = pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl) with copper(I): Crystal structures of Cu(PPh3)nL (n = 1, 2)

Reaction of the potassium salts of N-thiophosphorylated thioureas of common formula RNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ [R = pyridin-2-yl (HL^a), pyridin-3-yl (HL^b), 6-amino-pyridin-2-yl (HL^c)] with Cu(PPh₃)₃I in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to mononuclear [Cu(PPh₃)₂L^a,b-S,S′] (1, 2) and [Cu(PPh₃)L^c-S,S′] (3) complexes. Using copper(I) iodide instead of Cu(PPh₃)₃I, polynuclear complexes [Cu_n(L-S,S′)_n] (4-6) were obtained. The structures of these compounds were investigated by IR, ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS and elemental analyses. The crystal structures of Cu(PPh₃)₂L^b (2) and Cu(PPh₃)L^c (3) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

An electrospray mass spectrometry-directed survey of the coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride substrates: influence of metal-ligand lability on product type

The reactivity of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a wide range of platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride complex substrates [L₂MCl₂] has been explored, using the technique of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to directly analyse reaction solutions. In the majority of cases, products are formed by addition of the ML₂²⁺ fragment to the {Pt₂S₂} core, giving trinuclear species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML₂]²⁺. The adducts with Pt(diene) [diene=cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (cod), norbornadiene], Pd(cod), Pd(bipy) (bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine), Pt(PMe₃)₂ and Pt(PTA)₂ (PTA=phosphatriaza-adamantane) moieties were synthesised and characterised on the macroscopic scale, with [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pt(cod)] (BF₄)₂ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(bipy)] (PF₆)₂ also characterised by X-ray diffraction studies. No metal scrambling was found to occur, as has been observed in some previous cases involving the related complexes [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(dppe)₂] (dppe=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂). With cis-[PtCl₂(SOMe₂)₂] the species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PtCl(SOMe₂)]⁺ was formed, as a result of the lability of the SOMe₂ ligand. With palladium(II)-phosphine systems, the observed product species is dependent on the phosphine; the bulky PPh₃ ligand in [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] leads primarily to the analogous known species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PdCl(PPh₃)]⁺, and a small amount of the metal-scrambled species [PtPd₂S₂(PPh₃)₅Cl]⁺. In contrast, [PdCl₂(PTA)₂], containing the small PTA ligand gave [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(PTA)₂]²⁺.     

Synthesis of copper(II) complexes with 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (L). Molecular and crystal structures of L and [Cu2L2Cl4]·2MeCN

A series of copper(II) complexes, i.e. Cu₂LCl₄, CuLCl₂·H₂O and [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN (8), based on a new potentially polytopic ligand, 3,5-bis(4,6-dimethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (3b, L), have been synthesized. The crystal structures of L and [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN were studied by X-ray single crystal analysis. The dinuclear compound [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN represents the first example of structurally characterized metal complexes with 3,5-di(pyrimidin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amines. Both copper atoms have distorted tetragonal-pyramidal 3N + 2Cl environment. Surprisingly, in contrast to the complexes based on 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine (pyridinyl analog of L), the compound [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN adopts a dinuclear trans-(N′,N¹,N²)₂ double bridging binding mode which is due to tridentate coordination of two L molecules linking two copper atoms through N¹,N²-triazole and N′-pyrimidine atoms. It seems to be reasonable that it is methyl groups in pyrimidinyl moiety that obstruct the expected dinuclear (N′,N¹,N²,N″)₂ double bridging coordination being one of the most common for 4-substituted 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles and 3,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazolates. Due to π-π stacking interactions, molecules of Cu₂L₂Cl₄ in the structure of [Cu₂L₂Cl₄]·2MeCN form 1D chains.