Synthesis, characterization and properties of series coordination polymers constructed from a biphenyl dicarboxylate and nitrogen-containing mixed ligands

A series of coordination polymers have been prepared by the combination of flexible ligand 1,1′-biphenyl-2,2′-dicarboxylic acid (H₂dpa) and different types of nitrogen-containing ligands, with various metal ions such as Co(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II). The single-crystal structure analyses reveal that the above complexes possess different structure features with the introduction of different nitrogen-containing ligands. When auxiliary linear ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) is introduced, two-dimensional layered complex, [Co₂(dpa)₂(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)]_n (1) is formed. Whereas if chelating ligand, 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10′-phen) and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy) are introduced, one-dimensional complex [Zn(dpa)(1,10′-phen)]_n (2) and discrete complexes [Co₂(dpa)₂(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂] (3), [Co₃(dpa)₃(1,10′-phen)₆(H₂O)₂] (4), [Cd(dpa)(1,10′-phen)₂][(H₂dpa)₂(H₂O)₂] (5) are synthesized. To our interest, 1 and 2 crystallize in homochiral spacegroup. Furthermore, the magnetic property of complex 1 and the fluorescent properties of complexes 2 and 5 are studied.     

Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from flexible disulfide ligand: Solvothermal syntheses, structures and luminescent properties

Four novel coordination polymers, [Cd(Hdtbb)(dtbb)_0.5(DMF)]_n (1), {[Cd(dtbb)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]·2DMA}_n (2), {[Cd₂(dtbb)₂(1,4-bix)₂]·3DMF}_n (3) and [Cd(dtbb)(1,4-btx)]_n (4) [H₂dtbb = 2,2-dithiobisbenzoic acid, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,4-bix = 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, 1,4-btx = 1,4-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 possess one-dimensional (1D) infinite structures. The structures of complexes 3 and 4 exhibit two dimensional (2D) frameworks, which mainly due to the differences in the bridging modes of dtbb²⁻ ligand and the effect of the N-donor auxiliary ligands. The infrared spectra, thermogravimetric and luminescent properties were also investigated for these compounds.     

Temperature effect on the conversions of phthalato and maleato manganese(II) complexes with diamine ligands

1,10-Phenanthroline hydrogen phthalato manganese(II) dimer [Mn₂(Hphth)₂(phen)₄] · 2Hphth · 6H₂O (1), monomeric phenanthroline phthalato manganese(II) monomer [Mn(phth)(phen)₂(H₂O)] · 2.5H₂O (2), 2,2′-bipyridine phthalato manganese(II) polymer [Mn(phth)(bpy)(H₂O)₂]_n (3) and 1,10-phenanthroline maleato polymer [Mn(male)(phen)(H₂O)₂]_n · 2nH₂O (4) (H₂phth = o-phthalic acid, male = maleic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and structurally. Each Mn(II) atom in dimeric 1 is octahedrally coordinated by two oxygen atoms of phthalate anions and by two cis-phenanthroline ligands. The hydrogen phthalato anion bridges the Mn(II) ions through the deprotonated carboxyl groups, while the carboxylic acid group remains free. In the monomeric 2, the Mn(II) ion is octahedrally surrounded by four nitrogen atoms from two cis-phen ligands, one carboxyl oxygen from a monodentate phth ion, and one coordinated water molecule. The dimeric phthalato complex 1 can be cleaved into monomer 2 under heating with deprotonation, and the course of the reaction can be qualitatively traced by IR spectra. The phthalate group in the complex 3 binds to two manganese atoms through the vicinal carboxyl-oxygen atoms in syn-syn bridging mode. The Mn(II) atoms are linked by the phthalate group to yield a one-dimensional chain running along the a-axis. The coordination polymer 3 can be obtained from the reaction of dichloro dibipyridine manganese with phthalate under heating. In polymer 4, the manganese atom is six-coordinated by two nitrogen atoms from phen, two oxygen atoms from the coordinated water molecules and two oxygen atoms from two different maleate dianions. Each maleato unit links two neighboring manganese atoms to yield one-dimensional chain along b-axis in bis-monodentate mode. The single-chain polymer 4 prepared at low temperature can be converted to double-chain coordination polymer [Mn(male)(phen)]_n · nH₂O (5) with dehydration in warm solution.     

Self-assembly of three novel mixed-ligand coordination polymers: Formation of 2-D grids, 1-D chains and ladders and crystal band structure

Hydrothermal reaction of the carboxylate-based ligands with metal salts (or oxide) and 4,4′-bipyridine as a second linker, afforded three new coordination polymers, namely, [Co(PCPA)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (1) with 2-D rectangle grids, Cu(PCPA)₂(4,4′-bpy)]_n (2) with a linear chain, [Ag(PCPA)(PCPAH)(4,4′-bpy) · H₂O]_n (3) with 1-D molecular ladder (4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine; PCPA = p-chlorophenoxyacetate; PCPAH = p-chlorophenoxyacetic acid). It is noticeable that compound 3 is also a supramolecular framework built by coordination bonds, weak interactions between Ag ions, π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen-bonded interactions. The three compounds with different structure motifs have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection integral spectra, fluorescent spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the bonding properties of compound 3 were investigated in terms of the absorption spectrum, as well as the calculated band structures and density of states.     

Synthesis, characterization and 1D helical chain crystal structure of [Cu(DBA)2(1,10-phen)]n and [Cd(DBA)2(1,10-phen)2] (DBA = benzilic acid)

Two novel complexes [Cu(DBA)₂(1,10-phen)]_n (1) and [Cd(DBA)₂(1,10-phen)₂] (2) [HDBA = benzilic acid: (C₆H₅)₂C(OH)COOH] have been synthesized and characterized by element analysis and fluorescence spectroscopy. The crystal structures of compounds 1, 2 and HDBA (3) were also determined. Complex 1 is a one-dimensional (1D) helical infinite chain, in which [(1,10)-phen]Cu^(II) units were bridged by benzilic acid. Complex 2 is a mononuclear structure, and is self-assembled through π-π stacking interactions to form a 1D helical chain. Compound 3 is self-assembled to form a 1D helical chain through hydrogen bonds interactions. Thermal analyses indicate that complexes 1 and 2 are stable under 200 and 254 °C in solid state, respectively.     

A comparative study of ferrocenyl carboxylate cadmium(II) complexes prepared by two different synthetic methods

Reaction of ferrocenyl carboxylate H₂bfcs with Cd(Ac)₂ · 2H₂O (H₂bfcs = 1,1′-bis(3-carboxy-1-oxopropyl)ferrocene) gives the mononuclear tetrahydrate precursor Cd(Hbfcs)₂(H₂O)₄ (1). Investigation on the substitution reactions of 1 with imidazole or 2,2′-bpy afforded two one-dimensional (1D) complexes {[Cd₂(bfcs)₂(C₃H₄N₂)₆] · 4H₂O}_n (2) and {[Cd(bfcs)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O}_n (4) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), respectively. However, the one-step reactions of H₂bfcs, Cd(Ac)₂ · 2H₂O with imidazole or 2,2′-bpy result in the formation of two different 1D complexes {[Cd(bfcs)(C₃H₄N₂)₂] · CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (3) and [Cd(bfcs)(CH₃OH)]_n (5). It can be seen from the results that applying different synthetic routes produce dissimilar complexes from however the same materials and under the same reaction conditions. In addition, investigations of differential pulse voltammetry of these four 1D complexes indicate that their half-wave potentials are slightly higher than that of H₂bfcs.     

The effect of organic acid on self-assembly process: Syntheses and characterizations of six novel cadmium(II)/zinc(II) complexes derived from mixed ligands

Using the principle of crystal engineering, six metal-organic coordination polymers, [Cd(bdc)(3-pytpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (1), [Cd(bdc)_0.5(3-pytpy)]_n · n(ClO₄) (2), Cd(ndc)_0.5(3-pytpy)]_n · n(ClO₄) (3), [Zn(ndc)(3-pytpy)]_n (4), [Cd(bqdc)(3-pytpy)]_n (5), and [Zn(pam)(3-pytpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (6) (H₂bdc = benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid, H₂ndc = naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H₂bqdc = 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid, H₂pam = pamoic acid), were synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1-6 crystallize in the presence of organic-acid linkers as well as multi-functional N-donor ligand 4′-(3-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (3-pytpy). In complexes 1, 4, 5, and 6, the dicarboxylate as bridging ligand connects metal atoms to form the main body of 1D zigzag chains for 1 and 4, nearly linear chain for 5 and helical chain for 6, while 3-pytpy as tridentate chelating ligand is just like lateral arm grafting on both sides of these chains. In complexes 2 and 3, both the dicarboxylate and 3-pytpy as bridging ligands connect metal atoms into 2D polymeric structure for 2 and 1D chain of alternating loops and rods for 3. The weak interactions such as hydrogen bonding and π···π stacking were investigated on the formation of superamolecular structures and the influence of organic acid on the formation of the final structures was discussed. In addition, the photoluminescent properties of 1-6 were also determined.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and fluorescence properties of six complexes with thiophene derivative carboxylic acid ligand

The crystallization of 2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4] dioxine-5,7-dicarboxylic acid (H₂tddc) with divalent transitional metal (Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) or with tervalent lanthanide metal (Sm) and with mixed ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (1,10-phen) formed six new complexes: [Co(C₈H₄O₆S) · 3H₂O] (1), [Co(C₈H₄O₆)(1,10-phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O (2), [Ni(C₈H₄O₆S)(4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O (3) [Sm(C₈H₄O₆S)(NO₃)(H₂O)₄] · 2H₂O (4), [Zn(C₈H₄O₆S)(H₂O)₃] (5), and [Cd₂(C₈H₄O₆S)₂(4,4′-bipy)₂] (6). The structures of these six crystals have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, which revealed that complexes 1, 4, 5 are all one-dimensional chain structures and they self-assemble into three-dimensional super-molecules via the hydrogen bond interactions and π-π stacking interactions, 2 is also a one-dimensional chain structure but still self-assembles into one-dimensional double-chains, the complex 3 has two-dimensional undulating parallelogram grid structure extended along the bc-plane, the crystal of 6 is a 3D threefold interpenetration topology framework with 4⁶6³8 nodes. The photoluminescent properties of the H₂tddc ligand and the six compounds have been measured in the solid state at room temperature. Free ligand has no luminescence, while its complexes 1, 4, and 6 all exhibit intense photoluminescence which implies that these complexes may be excellent candidates for potential photoactive materials.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescent properties of four cadmium(II) coordination polymers derived from diphenic acid and auxiliary ligands

Four novel metal coordination polymers, [Cd(dpa)(H₂O)]_n (1), [Cd(dpa)(2,2′-bipy)]_n (2), {[Cd₂(dpa)₂(4,4′-bipy)₃](4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₂}_n (3) and [Cd(dpa)(bim)₂(H₂O)]}_n (4) (H₂dpa = 2,4′-biphenyl-dicarboxylic acid, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bim = benzimidazole), have been synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray analyses reveal that the 2,4′-diphenic acids acts as bridging ligands, exhibiting rich coordination modes to link metal ions: bis-monodentate, bidentate chelating, chelating/bridging, monoatomic bridging and monodentate modes. In addition, the luminescent properties for compound 1-4 are also investigated in this work.     

3D supramolecular network assembly and thermal decomposition of new copper(II) complexes with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Four new Cu(II) complexes [Cu(pzda)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)] · 2.5H₂O (1), [Cu(pzda)(phen)(H₂O)] · H₂O (2), [Cu(pzda)(4,4′-bpy)] · H₂O (3) and [Cu(pzda)(bpe)_0.5(H₂O)] (4) were synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of copper salt (acetate or sulphate) with pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H₂pzda), and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) or 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethane (bpe), respectively. For 1 and 2, they are both monomeric entities which are further assembled into 3D supramolecular networks by hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions. Complex 3 has a 2D metal-organic framework which is connected into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. However, for 4, the bpe ligand bridges two Cu(II) ions into binuclear unit, and then the binuclear molecules are assembled into 3D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds between the coordination water molecule and the carboxylate oxygen atoms. The thermal decomposition mechanism of complexes 1 and 2 cooperated with powder XRD at different temperatures is discussed. The results reveal that once liberation of water molecules takes place the supramolecular network of 1 and 2 collapses.     

2D Rhombus-grid networks constructed from vanadium-substituted Keggin-type polyoxomolybdophosphates and Cd/Zn complex fragments

Two 2D rhombic grid-like organic-inorganic hybrid compounds [{M(2,2′-bpy)₂}₂{PMo₁₁VO₄₀}] (M = Cd(1), Zn(2); bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG analysis, luminescence spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They are isomorphic and their structures can be considered that the Keggin-heteropolyanion [PMo₁₁VO₄₀]⁴⁻ are bridged by {M(2,2′-bpy)₂} groups through the O-M-O bridges into a 2D covalent network. It is noteworthy that the adjacent layers stack each other to form 3D supermolecular structure via extended C-H?O interaction between Keggin-anions and 2,2′-bpy ligands of different layers. Furthermore, the electrochemical behavior of 1-CPE (1-modified carbon paste electrode) and 2-CPE and their electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite were investigated.     

Mixed-ligand silver(I) complexes containing bis[2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether and pyridyl ligands

The reaction of [Ag₂(κ²-P,P′-DPEphos)₂(μ-OTf)₂] (1) (DPEphos = bis(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]ether) with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and 4,4′-bipyridine in equimolar ratios afford, respectively, the mononuclear complex [Ag(κ²-P,P′-DPEphos)(phen)][OTf] (2) and the coordination polymer [Ag(κ²-P,P′-DPEphos)(μ-4,4′-bpy)]_n[OTf]_n (3). In complex 3, the silver atoms are bridged by 4,4′-bipyridine units to form a zigzag metallopolymer.     

Syntheses and characterization of two metal-water clusters

Complexes 1 and 2, formulated {[Co₂(4,4′-bpy)₂ · 8H₂O] · (CCA)₂ · 4H₂O}_n (1) and {[Co(TMG)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)₂] · 3H₂O}_n (2) (H₂CCA = 2-carboxylatocinnamate, H₂TMG = 3,3-tetramethyleneglutate, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bpyridine) have been synthesized by the reaction of cobalt (II), 4,4′-bpy and carboxylate ligands, in which 2D metal-water layers and 1D metal-water chains have been observed, respectively. In the metal-water clusters, the water molecules are trapped by the cooperative association of coordination interactions as well as hydrogen bonds.     

Zinc maleate and fumarate coordination polymers containing hydrogen-bonding capable organodiimines featuring ligand dependent in situcis-trans isomerization

Solution phase reaction at ambient temperature of zinc nitrate, maleic acid and 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa) afforded {[Zn₂(maleate)₂(dpa)₂]·5H₂O}_n (1), which displayed parallel (4,4)-grid like coordination polymer layers interdigitated into double layer slab motifs via hydrogen bonding. A similar reaction employing bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp) caused in situcis-trans isomerization of maleic acid to fumarate, and generation of [Zn(fumarate)(bpmp)(H₂O)₂]_n (2). Compound 2 also manifested (4,4)-grid coordination polymer layers similar to those in 1; however, the larger apertures in 2 permit 2d + 2d → 3D mutually inclined interpenetration. Thermogravimetric and luminescence studies are also reported for 1 and 2.     

Structural diversity in two dimensional chiral coordination polymers involving 4,4′-bipyridine and l-cysteate as bridging ligands with Zn and Cd metal centres: Synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystallographic studies

Two chiral coordination polymers involving amino acid backbone l-cysteic acid (H₂l-cys) and N-donor ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) [{Cd(l-cys)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)}3.5H₂O]_n1, [{Zn₂(l-cys)₂(4,4′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₄}·(H₂O)·(4,4′-bpy)]_n2 with rectangular grids have been synthesized. Both compounds are insoluble in common polar/non-polar solvents and well characterized by various physico-chemical techniques such as CHN, IR, TGA, NMR, solid state CD and single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Complexes 1 and 2 comprise l-cysteate dianions self assembled into chiral coordination polymers by bridging the adjacent metal centres through the carboxylate oxygen generating one-dimensional helical chains. The helical chains are pillared by 4,4′-bpy generating two dimensional network. Complex 1 generates two dimensional (4,4) rectangular grid network with dimension 4.77 Å × 11.74 Å (based on d_Cd···Cd) involving with the edge sharing l-cys and 4,4′-bpy ligands, respectively. Complex 2 possesses a brick-wall type (6,3) network topology with edge lengths of the grids 11.42 Å × 10.11 Å based on d_Zn···Zn. Lattice water molecules are encapsulated between the adjacent rectangular grids via hydrogen bonding interactions. One 4,4′-bpy moiety is stacked between the adjacent layers of brick-wall network via weak π···π interaction with the edge sharing N-donor ligand. Even though both the complexes are rigid and stable, N₂ adsorption studies by these complexes revealed not much promising results. The terminal protruding sulphonate groups, angular orientation of the grids within the two-dimensional network and interpenetration of the adjacent offset sheets concomitantly prevent the formation of through tubular channels. Flexible coordination geometry around the metal centre and the versatile coordination mode of the amino carboxylate group from the l-cys moiety are accountable for the variation of the appealing network topology in these complexes. Chiral nature is established by solid state CD spectrum which shows a positive cotton effect for both complexes.     

The key role of hydrogen bonding in the nuclearity of three copper(II) complexes with hydrazone-derived ligands and nitrogen donor heterocycles

Three new Cu(II) complexes of formula [Cu(L¹)(pyz)(CH₃OH)]ClO₄ (1), [Cu(L¹)(4,4′-bpy)(ClO₄)]·0.5H₂O (2) and [{Cu(L²)(ClO₄)}₂(μ-4,4′-bpy)] (3) have been synthesised by using pyrazine (pyz) and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) and tridentate O,N,O-donor hydrazone ligands, L¹H and L²H, obtained by the condensation of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione with salicyloylhydrazide and benzhydrazide, respectively. The ligands and their complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, and UV-Vis spectroscopies. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis evidences the metal ion in a slightly deformed square pyramidal geometry in all the complexes. However complexes 1 and 2 are mononuclear with pyz and 4,4′-bpy, respectively, showing an unusual monodentate behavior, while complex 3 is dinuclear with 4,4′-bpy adopting the typical bridging coordination mode. Self assembly of the complex units by hydrogen bonding interactions produces one-dimensional arrangement in each crystal packing. The magnetic characterization of complex 3 indicates a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the Cu(II) ions (J = −0.96 cm⁻¹) mediated through the long 4,4′-bpy bridge. Electrochemical behavior of the complexes is also discussed.     

Coordination compounds of tetrazolate-5-carboxylate with cobalt(II): Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Four coordination compounds of tetrazolate-5-carboxylate (tzc) with cobalt(II), [Co₂(tzc)₂(H₂O)₆]·2H₂O (1), [Co₂(tzc)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (2), [Co₂(tzc)₂(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (3), and [Co(tzc)(4,4′-bpy)] (4), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl, and 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridyl, have been synthesized by the hydrothermal methods involving the in situ generation of the ligand from sodium ethyl tetrazolate-5-carboxylate. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 all contain dinuclear molecules in which metal ions are linked by the double N-N bridges from two tzc ligands in the μ₂-N₁,O₁:N₂ mode, and the dinuclear molecules are associated into 3D architecture through extensive hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions in various fashions. Compound 4 exhibits a two-dimensional layer structure in which Co(tzc) chains with μ₃-N₁,O₁:O₁:N₂ tzc are cross-linked by 4,4′-bpy. Magnetic investigations on 1-3 revealed intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling through the double N-N bridges with intermolecular ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic interactions. The interaction through the mixed N-N and μ₂-O_carboxylate bridges in 4 is antiferromagnetic.     

Assembly of two novel cadmium(II) supramolecular architectures constructed from pyridine-functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline ligand

Two novel cadmium(II) coordination polymers [Cd(pyip)(ox)]·H₂O (1) and [Cd₂(pyip)₂(ox)₂·(H₂O)][Cd(pyip)(ox)]·4(H₂O) (2) (pyip = 2-(pyridin-3-yl-1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline, H₂ox = oxalic acid), have been hydrothermal synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is 1D zigzag chain, in which oxalate anion as bridging ligand is responsible for the formation of the main framework and pyip as chelating ligand grafts on two sides of the zigzag chain. Compound 2 contains two kinds of independent polymers [Cd₂(pyip)₂(ox)₂(H₂O)] (A) and [Cd(pyip)(ox)] (B) to form an interdigitated 1D + 1D structure, in which polymers A and B are paratactically assembled in an ABCD sequence. The fundamental unit of polymer B in 2 is the same as that in 1. For compounds 1-2, weak interactions, primarily hydrogen bonding and π?π stacking interactions, have greatly influence on the supramolecular motifs recognized in the crystal packing. Especially, the oxalate anions as bridging ligand simultaneously adopt multiform coordination modes in two compounds. In addition, 1 and 2 displayed a strong fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Four new copper(II) complexes with 1,3-tpbd ligand: Synthesis, crystal structures, magnetism, oxidative and hydrolytic cleavage of pBR322 DNA

Four copper(II) complexes [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)Cl₄]·EtOH (1), {[Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(μ-Cl)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)_4.5 (NaClO₄)}_∞ (2), [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(1,10-phen)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ (3) and [Cu₂(1,3-tpbd)(2,2′-bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₄ (4) (1,3-tpbd = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzene-1,3-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies (2-300 K) indicate the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) ions in complexes 2 and 3. The interactions of the four complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescent spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, viscosity and cyclic voltammetry, and the modes of CT-DNA binding to the complexes have been proposed. Furthermore, DNA cleavage activities by the four complexes were performed in the presence and absence of external agents, the results indicate that their cleavage activities have been promoted in the presence of external agents. Mechanism investigation shows that the four complexes could cleave DNA through both oxidative and hydrolytic processes. In the four copper(II) complexes, complex 2 showed highest cleavage activity with the pseudo-Michaelis-Menten kinetic paraments k_cat = 5.16 h⁻¹ and K_m = 3.6 × 10⁻⁵ M.     

Zinc complexes with tricarballylic acid and Lewis bases with zero- and two-dimensional structures

Three ternary zinc complexes of the open chain polycarboxylic acid, tricarballylic (1,2,3-propane-tricarboxylic) acid (PTCH₃) have been isolated and characterized with crystallographic and physicochemical techniques. [Zn(PTCH)(phen)(H₂O)]₂ · 4H₂O (1) (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) has a unique dinuclear structure, while [Zn(PTCH)(bpy)]_n · 3nH₂O (2) and [Zn(PTCH)(epy)]_n · 4nH₂O (3) (where bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine and epy = 1,2-bis(4-pyridine)ethane) have 2D polymeric structures. The bis-deprotonated ligand, in all three complexes, uses for coordination only two oxygen atoms, which belong to the same carboxylate in 1, and to two different carboxylates in 2 and 3.