Heptacoordinate dithiophosphate W(II) and Mo(II) complexes of diphosphines and iodide

New complexes [MI(CO)₂(dppe){S₂P(OEt)₂}] (M=W, 1a; M=Mo, 1b), [MI(CO)₂(dppm){S₂P(OEt)₂}] (M=W, 2a; M=Mo, 2b) and [W(CO)(dppe){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂][O₂dppe] (3a), were synthesised from [MI₂(CO)₃(NCMe)₂] (M=Mo, W), after treatment with ammonium diethyldithiophosphate and phosphine under different conditions. The structure of the tungsten complexes was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. During the synthesis of 3a, oxidation of the phosphine took place and a molecule of oxidised phosphine occupies channels in the crystal. DFT/B3LYP calculations on models of 1a and 2a showed the capped octahedron structure, observed in most dicarbonyl complexes of this family, to be preferred by 1.4 and 2.6 kcal mol⁻¹ for the dppm and the dppe complexes, respectively. Strong steric repulsions can reverse this trend, as happens with the rigid dppm ligand. Complex 1a adopts a pentagonal bipyramidal geometry, which is often found in related monocarbonyl complexes.     

Carboxyester hydrolysis promoted by Cu(II) complexes of pyridyl-amine carboxylate-pendant ligands

Multidentate ligands containing tripodal pyridyl-amine moieties tethered to a carboxylate group by alkyl linkers of varying lengths were synthesized to obtain a series of water-soluble ligands to elucidate the effects of the differing coordination environments on the properties of the resulting metal complexes. These new, water-soluble ligands, [bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-acetic acid (L¹), 3-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-propionic acid (L²), 4-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-butyric acid (L³), and 6-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-hexanoic acid (L⁴), were treated with copper(II) perchlorate hexahydrate to yield the corresponding Cu(II) complexes, which have all been characterized by X-ray crystallography. L¹ binds Cu(II) to form the tetrameric complex {[Cu(μ-¹)][ClO₄] · 4H₂O}₄ (1) in the solid state, whereas the Cu(II) complexes of ligands L²-L⁴ form long-chain one-dimensional polymeric complexes {[Cu(μ-L²)][ClO₄] · H₂O}_n (2), {[Cu(μ-L³)][ClO₄] · H₂O}_n (3), and {[Cu(μ-L²)][ClO₄]  · H₂O}_n (4), respectively, in the solid state. Complexes 1-4 dissolved in 10% (v/v) CH₃CN aqueous solution were tested for their ability to promote the hydrolysis of the activated ester compound 4-nitrophenylacetate (NA), with 3 being the most active complex and 1 being the least active, possibly due to differences in the ability of the carboxylate moiety to act as either a general base or a nucleophile in the hydrolysis of NA as dictated by the tether length. The pK_a values of the copper-bound aquo ligands in solution were measured by spectrophotometric titration.     

Diffusion NMR studies on neutral and cationic square planar palladium(II) complexes

Diffusion NMR investigations were carried out in CD₂Cl₂ for a series of neutral (1-7) and cationic (8-10) square planar palladium complexes. Diffusion data were elaborated through a modified Stokes-Einstein equation that takes into account the size and shape of molecules. The hydrodynamic volume at infinite dilution of all complexes was found to be similar to the crystallographic volume and always much larger than the van der Waals volume. The self-aggregation tendency of [Pd(N,C⁻)(N,N)][PF₆] ionic complexes [(N,C⁻) = (C₆H₄-(Ph)C(O)-CN-Et); 8, (N,N) = 2,2′-bipirydine; 9, (N,N) = (2,6-(iPr)₂-C₆H₃)NC(Me)-C(Me)N(2,6-(iPr)₂-C₆H₃); 10, (N,N) = (2,6-(iPr)₂-C₆H₃)NC(R′)-C(R′)N(2,6-(iPr)₂-C₆H₃), R′₂ = naphthalene-1,8-diyl] was investigated by performing ¹H and ¹⁹F diffusion experiments as a function of the concentration. Clear evidence for the formation of ion triples containing two cationic units was obtained for 8, most likely due to the establishment of a weak Pd?O interaction. The tendency to form ion triples was much reduced in 9 and 10, having an increased steric hindrance in the apical positions. While 9 showed the usual tendency to afford a mixture of free ions and ion pairs, solvated ions were the predominant species in the case of 10 even at high concentration values (approaching 100 mM).     

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

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

Structure and spectroscopic studies of cis-bis(bipyridine) ruthenium(II) complexes of phenylcyanamide ligands

New ruthenium(II) complexes with cyanamide ligands, cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(Ipcyd)₂] (1) and [Ru(bpy)₂(OHpcyd)₂] (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, Ipcyd = 4-iodophenylcyanamide anion, OHpcyd = 4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbut-1-ynil)phenylcyanamide), have been prepared and characterized by UV-Vis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies as well as electrochemical technique (CV). The complex cis-[Ru(bpy)₂(Ipcyd)₂] (1) crystallized with empirical formula of C₃₄H₂₄I₂N₈Ru in a monoclinic crystal system and space group of P2₁/c with a = 11.769(7) Å, b = 24.188(12) Å, c = 11.623(2) Å, β = 91.63(3)°, V = 3308(3) ų and Z = 4.     

Hydrothermal syntheses, structural characterizations and magnetic properties of cobalt(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymeric complexes containing pyrazinecarboxylate ligand

Two novel coordination polymeric complexes [Co(pzca)₂(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Mn(pzca)₂]_n (2) (pzca=2-pyrazinecarboxylate) have been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of M(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O (M=Co, Mn) and 2-pyrazinecarboxylic acid. The complex 1 displays an infinite zigzag chain structure in which each cobalt(II) center was coordinated by three nitrogen and three oxygen atoms to generate a CoN₃O₃ octahedral geometry. The existence of hydrogen bond leads to the formation of the interpenetrating stacking structure. Complex 2 indicates a two-dimensional layer structure through the linkage of bridging oxygen atom of pzca ligand. Each Mn(II) center exhibits a distorted octahedral coordination environment with four oxygen atoms and two nitrogen atoms. The distances of adjacent Mn(II) atoms are 3.503 and 5.654 Å, respectively. The magnetic property analyses reveal that both complexes show weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centers.     

Cyanoscorpionates: Co(II), Mn(II), and Ni(II) complexes coordinated only through the cyano group

New complexes have been synthesized of scorpionate ligands with cyano substituents in the 4-positions of the pyrazoles and tert-butyl substituents in the 3-positions of the pyrazoles. Reaction of Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Ni(cyclam)²⁺ (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) with Tp^t-Bu,4CN in a 1:2 ratio produced new octahedral metal complexes of the form (Tp^t-Bu,4CN)₂ML₄ (L₄ = (H₂O)₄, (H₂O)₂(MeOH)₂, or cyclam). Unlike the sandwich complexes previously isolated with Tp^Ph,4CN, the crystal structures showed none of the pyrazole nitrogen atoms coordinated to the metal. Rather, the metal is coordinated to one CN nitrogen atom from each ligand, with two Tp anions coordinated trans to each other around the metal center. This leaves the Tp pyrazole nitrogen atoms open for another metal to coordinate, which could to lead to heterometallic complexes, new coordination polymers, as well as the framework for supramolecular complexes.     

Electrochemical synthesis and crystal structures of nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with N,N′-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]ethylenediamine

The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metal (nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium) in acetonitrile solutions containing N,N′-bis[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonyl]ethylenediamine H₂L and an additional nitrogen coligand, such as 1,10-phenanthroline, yielded mixed complexes of general formula [ML(phen)₂] (M=Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd). The compounds have been characterized by microanalysis, IR and UV-Vis (Ni, Cu complexes) spectroscopy, FAB mass spectrometry, ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies (Zn, Cd complexes) and EPR spectroscopy (Cu and Ni complexes). All compounds have also been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The molecular structures of these compounds consist of individual monomeric molecules in which the metal atom is in an [MN₆] distorted octahedral environment.     

Monomeric, oligomeric, and polymeric copper(II) complexes of calix[4]arene-derived ligands

Deprotonation of the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene disubstituted at alternate phenolic positions with picolyl groups 2 was achieved with alkali metal hydrides LiH, NaH, and KH. The dianionic calixarene derivatives were subjected to complete substitution at the phenolic rim with allyl bromide, providing the tetraalkylated derivatives in cone 3a and partial-cone conformations 3b; both compounds were crystallographically characterized. Compound 2, as well as 3a and 3b were tested as ligands towards CuCl₂, affording Cu²⁺ complexes in the first two cases. Polymeric [2·CuCl₂] was obtained from 2 and CuCl₂ in MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ solutions, and consists of chains of the ditopic calixarene acting as an N-donor towards Cu²⁺ ions outside the macrocyclic cavity. Employment of EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ mixtures results in the tricopper complex [(2)₂Cu₃Cl₆(EtOH)₂]. In contrast, reactions of ligand 3a with CuCl₂ afforded monomeric [3a·CuCl₂], while no Cu²⁺ complexes could be obtained when 3b was employed. The presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in 2 appears to control the formation of oligomeric or polymeric copper complexes, while the lack of such hydrogen bonds allows the proper alignment of N-donors to coordinate Cu²⁺ directly above the macrocyclic cavity.     

Hydrogen bonding in diruthenium(II,III) tetraacetate complexes with biologically relevant axial ligands

Three diadduct complexes of the mixed-valent form of diruthenium tetraacetate, [Ru₂(μ-O₂CCH₃)₄L₂](PF₆), where L are the biologically relevant ligands imidazole, 1, 7-azaindole, 2, and caffeine, 3, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In order to further elucidate the potential interactions of these dimers with DNA, the nature of the ligand coordination and the secondary inter- and intramolecular hydrogen-bonding interactions in all three complexes were assessed. Complex 1 · CH₂Cl₂ shows, exclusively, intermolecular interactions with the counterion whereas complexes 2 · ClCH₂CH₂Cl and 3 · OC(CH₃)₂ · H₂O, in addition to extensive intermolecular interactions, show intramolecular hydrogen bonding from the axial ligand to the bridging acetate oxygens, locking the ligand mean planes in place between the bridging acetate mean planes. In addition, all three complexes display π-π stacking of axial ligand rings on adjacent diadduct units.     

Synthesis of a series of ruthenium and rhodium complexes with tridentate pyridine-based ligands containing hydrogen bonding groups

A series of ruthenium and rhodium complexes with a urea-disubstituted pyridine ligand are reported. The X-ray crystal structures of three of these species, RuCl₂(L¹)(PPh₃) (1), [Ru(MeCN)₂(L¹)(PPh₃)][BF₄]₂ (3) and Rh(CH₂Cl)Cl₂(L¹) (9) (where L¹ = N,N′-(2,2′-(1E,1′E)-(1,1′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(ethan-1-yl-1-ylidene))bis(azan-1-yl-1-ylidene)bis(ethane-2,1-diyl))diacetamide) have shown that the disubstituted pyridine acts as a tridentate ligand and its urea substituents engage in hydrogen bonding interactions with species coordinated to the metal centres. The reactivity of the ruthenium complexes towards coordination of other anions such as NCS⁻ has been investigated, as well as the oxidative-addition of alkyl chlorides to rhodium(I) centres (to yield species such as 9).     

Nickel(II) complexes bearing a pincer ligand containing thioamide units: Comparison between SNS- and SCS-pincer ligands

Nickel(II) complexes bearing a κ³SNS pincer ligand, 2,5-bis(benzylaminothiocarbonyl)pyrrolyl (L1) and a κ³SCS-pincer ligand, 2,6-bis(benzylaminothiocarbonyl)phenyl (L2), were synthesized, and their structures and electrochemical properties were elucidated. The crystal structures of [Ni(SNS)Br] (2) and [Ni(SCS)Br] (5) were determined by X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical and crystallographic data obtained from the complexes revealed that the κ³SCS ligand has a stronger electron-donating ability than the κ³SNS ligand.     

Examining the impact of steric and electronic variation in N2S scorpionate ligands on the properties of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes

A series of LZn(II)Br (1-4) and LCd(II)Cl complexes (9-11) has been prepared by the reaction of metal halide precursors with the lithium salts of the N₂S⁻ ligands bis(3,5-diisopropylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate (L¹), bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate (L²), N-phenyl-2,2-bis(3,5-diisopropylpyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide (L³) and N-phenyl-2,2-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide (L⁴). Characterization by X-ray crystallography and DOSY NMR studies indicate that LZnBr complexes 1-4 are mononuclear both in the solid state and in solution. Steric differences between ligands L¹-L⁴ result in distortion from an ideal tetrahedral geometry for each complex, with the degree of distortion depending on the bulk of the ligand substituents. In contrast, the related complex L³CdCl was shown by X-ray crystallography to dimerize in the solid state to form the chloride-bridged five-coordinate complex [L³CdCl]₂ (10). Despite 10 having a dinuclear structure in the solid state, DOSY NMR studies indicate 9-11 exist as mononuclear LCdCl species in solution. In addition, Zn(II) cyanide complexes of the form LZnCN [L = L¹ (5), L³ (7), L⁴ (8)] have been characterized and the X-ray structure of 8 determined. Moreover, density functional theory calculations have been conducted which yield important insight into the bonding in 1-4 and 5-8 and the electronic impact of ligands L¹-L⁴ on the zinc(II) ion and its ability to function as a Lewis acid catalyst.     

Synthesis and reactivity of gold(III) complexes containing cycloaurated iminophosphorane ligands

Transmetallation reactions of ortho-mercurated iminophosphoranes (2-ClHgC₆H₄)Ph₂PNR with [AuCl₄]⁻ gives new cycloaurated iminophosphorane complexes of gold(III) (2-Cl₂AuC₆H₄)Ph₂PNR [R = (R,S)- or (S)-CHMePh, p-C₆H₄F, ^tBu], characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopies, ESI mass spectrometry and an X-ray structure determination on the chiral derivative R = (S)-CHMePh. The chloride ligands of these complexes can be readily replaced by the chelating ligands thiosalicylate and catecholate; the resulting derivatives show markedly higher anti-tumour activity versus P388 murine leukaemia cells compared to the parent chloride complexes. Reaction of (2-Cl₂AuC₆H₄)Ph₂PNPh with PPh₃ results in displacement of a chloride ligand giving the cationic complex [(2-Cl(PPh₃)AuC₆H₄)Ph₂PNPh]⁺, indicating that the PN donor is strongly bonded to the gold centre.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of a new family of chiral metal(II) citramalates

A new series of chiral carboxylate-bridged complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) has been synthesized by reaction of M(II) salts with (S)-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-butanedioic acid ((S)-citramalic acid) under solvothermal conditions. The Mn(II) compound 1 is obtained as a crystalline powder, whereas the Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds (2 and 3 respectively) are obtained as single crystals. All the compounds crystallize in orthorhombic chiral space group P2₁2₁2₁. Compounds 2 and 3 are isostructural, and their structure consists in helicoïdal chains of M(II) centres linked by carboxylate bridges. The magnetic data indicate a rather weak coupling interaction between paramagnetic centres. The Mn(II) compound 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic ordering at T_N = 2.64 K. The Co(II) and Ni(II) compounds show ferromagnetic interactions within the chains. For 3, the chains couple antiferromagnetically, which leads to a metamagnetic behaviour with T_N = 1.69 K.     

Two Cd(II) and Ni(II) complexes constructed with dicyanamide and picolinate ligands

Two new dianion metal-organic complexes {[Cd(pcl)(H₂O)₂]₂[Cd(pcl)₂(dca)₂]} (1) and [Ni(pcl)(dca)(H₂O)]₂ (2) (dca = dicyanamide, Hpcl = picolinic acid) have been synthesized and characterized by IR spectra and X-ray diffraction. In complex 1, the pcl⁻ ligand both acts as chelate and bridging coordination ligands, while in complex 2, which only acts as a chelate ligand. In both cases, μ-1, 5-dca ligands bridge the metal ions to form square-grid like [M(dca)₂]₂ dimers. In complex 1, four of the trinuclear second building units {[Cd(pcl)(H₂O)₂]₂[Cd(pcl)₂(dca)₂]} formed a honeycomb-like cavity, which further bridged by pcl⁻ and dca to give a 2D network. While in complex 2, a channel-like supramolecular structure is formed by the connection of numerous hydrogen-bond interactions and weak interactions among the dinuclear motifs. Thermally gravimetric analyses and differential thermal analyses indicate that the two complexes are thermal stable.     

Alternative syntheses and reactivity of platinum(II) terpyridyl acetonitrile complexes

New direct syntheses of [Pt(trpy)(NCCH₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂2 (where trpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) and [Pt(tBu₃-trpy)(NCCH₃)](CF₃SO₃)₂3 (where tBu₃-trpy = 4,4′,4″-tri-tert-butyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine) via the displacement of acetonitrile from [Pt(NCCH₃)₄](CF₃SO₃)₂ have been developed. The synthetic utility of 2 was investigated in reactions with triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (CN-Xyl), 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-diisocyanohexane (TM4), and tert-butyl isocyanide (CN-tBu). Whereas the expected substitution products were observed for reactions with PPh₃, CN-Xyl, and CN-tBu, dealkylation of TM4 occurred to afford [Pt(trpy)(CN)](CF₃SO₃) 6. The structures of [Pt(trpy)L]²⁺ dications show little intermolecular interactions in the solid state, with the exception of the tBu₃-trpy complex 3 which exists as head-to-tail dimers with a Pt-Pt distance of 3.29 Å. The cyano product 6 was found to stack in infinite chains of cations with a Pt-Pt distance of 3.45 Å.     

Ru(II) complexes of crowded delocalized diimine ligands

The ligands 3,3′-dimethylene-2,2′-bibenzo[g]quinoline and bisbenzo[2,3:9,8]-1,10-phenanthroline have been coordinated with Ru(II) to form both tris- and mixed ligand complexes. These species are highly congested about the metal center but can be formed through the use of microwave irradiation. Shielding and deshielding effects on the chemical shifts of the aryl as well as the bridge protons reveal important conformational effects. Bathochromic shifts are observed in the electronic absorption spectra, associated with increased delocalization of the ligand and lowering of the π*-energy level. Similar effects are observed for the reduction potentials while the oxidation potentials are much less sensitive to ligand structure.     

Synthesis and spectral investigation of manganese(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-aminobenzoylhydrazone): Crystal structure of manganese(II) and cadmium(II) complexes

The chelating behavior of 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-aminobenzoylhydrazone) (H₂dapa) towards manganese(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) ions has been studied by elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic properties and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and EPR) studies. The IR spectral studies suggest the pentadentate nature of the ligand with pyridine nitrogen, two azomethine nitrogens and two carbonyl oxygen atoms as the ligating sites. Six coordinate structure for [VO(H₂dapa)]SO₄ · H₂O and seven coordinate structures for [Mn(H₂dapa)(Cl)(H₂O)]Cl · 2H₂O and [Cd(H₂dapa)Cl₂] · H₂O complexes have been proposed. Pentagonal bipyramidal geometry for [Mn(H₂dapa)(Cl)(H₂O)]Cl · 2H₂O and [Cd(H₂dapa)(Cl₂)] · H₂O complexes was confirmed by single crystal analysis. The X-band EPR spectra of the oxovanadium(IV) and manganese(II) complexes in the polycrystalline state at room (300 K) and also at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) were recorded and their salient features are reported.     

Preparation of ruthenium(II) chloride complexes of polybasic amines

The reactions of RuCl₂[P(C₆H₅)₃]₃, RuCl₂(tmeda)₂, and RuCl₂(1,5-COD)(tmeda) with polybasic amines such as pyrazole have been studied. From the phosphine complex, a binuclear complex has been isolated in which one pyrazole has been incorporated, while reactions of the latter two with excess pyrazole lead to the replacement of a tmeda ligand by two pyrazoles.