Photoirradiation reactions and crystal structures of two geometrical isomers of [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)2NO] (H2cqn=2-chloro-8-quinolinol)

The photoirradiation reactions of two geometrical isomers (cis-1 and cis-2) of [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (H2cqn=2-chloro-8-quinolinol) were studied. Cis-2 [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (2) photochemically isomerized to cis-1 [Ru(OAc)(2cqn)₂NO] (1) in CH₂Cl₂ or DMSO using an Xe lamp as a light source and the reaction was irreversible. The 2 to 1 isomerization coexisting with ¹⁵NO gas and its evolution of the ¹H NMR spectra showed that the dissociation and recombination of both the NO and the acetate ion involve in the isomerization. On the other hand, 1 did not isomerize but the NO ligand exchanged with ¹⁵NO. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Substituent effect of 8-quinolinolato ligands on photo-induced isomerization for linear nitrosylruthenium(II) complexes - Experimental study

cis-1 [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO] (HQN or HQN′ = 8-quinolinol, 5-chloro-, 5,7-dichloro-, 2-isopropyl-, 2-ethyl-, 2,4-dimethyl- or 2-methyl-8-quinolinol) complexes and the corresponding trans complexes were prepared. The cis-1 to trans and the trans to cis-1 photo-induced isomerizations were carried out to investigate the substituent effect of the 8-quinolinolato ligands on the isomerization and to elucidate the mechanism. The molar ratio of trans to cis-1 isomer for the isomerization was compared among [RuCl(QN)(QN′)NO], [RuCl(QN′)₂NO] and [RuCl(QN)₂NO]. The results clearly indicate that the chloro group and bulkiness of the alkyl group in the 8-quinolinolato ligands influence on the isomerization.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing the bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand

The reaction of [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bpma) in refluxing ethanol followed by anion exchange yields two products: cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1a, 71%) and trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]PF₆ (1b, 29%). Reaction of 1a with AgBF₄ in acetone, followed by acetonitrile and then anion exchange gave cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2a). In the same way, 1b afforded trans,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)](PF₆)₂ (2b). Reaction of depolymerized [Ru(CO)₂Cl₂]_n with bpma in ethanol at room temperature afforded cis,cis-[Ru(η²-bpma)(CO)₂Cl₂] (3). In refluxing ethanol, 3 was converted to cis,fac-[Ru(bpma)(CO)₂Cl]Cl (1a-Cl). Heating 3 in chlorobenzene afforded 1b-Cl, exclusively; heating 3 in ethylene glycol gave mainly 1a-Cl. Heating 1a-Cl in ethanol resulted in no isomerization, but heating in chlorobenzene gave a mixture of 3 and 1b-Cl. Anion exchange for PF₆ with 1a-Cl and 1b-Cl afforded 1a and 1b, respectively, whereas anion exchange for BPh₄ afforded 1a-BPh₄. Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a and 3 have been structurally characterized.     

Activity of homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes on intermolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation reactions of terminal alkynes

The activity of homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes, [(p-cymene)Ru(Cl)(μ-Cl)₂Ru(Cl)(CHPh)(PCy₃)] [Ru-I] and [(p-cymene)Ru(Cl)(μ-Cl)₂Ru(Cl)(CHPh)(IPr)] [Ru-II], on intermolecular [2+2+2] cyclotrimerisation reactions of monoynes has been investigated for the first time. It was found that these complexes can catalyse the chemo and regioselective cyclotrimerisation reactions of alkynes at both 25 and 50 °C in polar, aprotic solvents. The catalytic activity of [Ru-I] and [Ru-II] was compared to other well-known ruthenium catalysts such as Grubbs first generation catalyst [RuCl₂(CHPh)(PCy₃)₂] [Ru-III], [RuCl(μ-Cl)(p-cymene)]₂ [Ru-IV] and [RuCl₂(p-cymene)PCy₃] [Ru-V] complexes. To examine the effect of the steric hinderance of substrates on the regioselectivity of the reaction, a series of sterically hindered silicon containing alkynes (1a, 1b, 1c) were used. It was shown that the isomeric product distribution of the reaction shifts from 1,2,4-trisubstituted arenes to 1,3,5-trisubstituted arenes as the steric hinderance on the substrates increases. These homobimetallic ruthenium alkylidene complexes also catalysed regio- and chemo-selective cross-cyclotrimerisation reactions between silicon-containing alkynes (1a, 1b, 1c) and aliphatic alkynes (1d-g).     

Synthesis and antitubercular evaluation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones

A new class of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols and 1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-ones was synthesized in very good yields through polyphosphoric acid supported on silica (PPA-SiO₂) catalyzed one-pot three component condensation of 2-dibenzofuranol; aromatic aldehydes and acetamide or benzamide or urea under solvent free conditions. At 125 °C the reaction led to the formation of amidoalkyl dibenzofuranols 5a-k where as at 160 °C cyclization take place to give oxazin-3(2H)-one analogues 6a-e. Screening all the 16 compounds for in vitro antimycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) resulted 1-((4-chlorophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5h; 1-((4-bromophenyl)(2-hydroxydibenzo[b,d]furanyl)methyl)urea 5i; 1-phenyl-1H-benzo[2,3]benzo furo[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6a (MIC 3.13 μg/mL) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro[4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6b; 1-(4-bromophenyl)-1H-benzo[2,3]benzofuro [4,5-e][1,3]oxazin-3(2H)-one 6c (MIC 1.56 μg/mL) as most active antitubercular agents.     

Structural analysis and magnetic properties of the copper(II) dicyanamide complexes [Cu2(dmphen)2(dca)4], [Cu(dmphen)(dca)(NO3)]n and [Cu(4,4-dmbpy)(H2O)(dca)2] (dca=dicyanamide; dmphen=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline; 4,4-dmbpy=4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bipyridine)

The preparation, crystal structures and magnetic properties of three copper(II) compounds of formulae [Cu₂(dmphen)₂(dca)₄] (1), [Cu(dmphen)(dca)(NO₃)]_n (2) and [Cu(4,4^′-dmbpy)(H₂O)(dca)₂] (3) (dmphen=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, dca=dicyanamide and 4,4^′-dmbpy=4,4^′-dimethyl-2,2^′-bipyridine) are reported. The structure of 1 consists of discrete copper(II) dinuclear units with double end-to-end dca bridges whereas that of 2 is made up of neutral uniform copper(II) chains with a single symmetrical end-to-end dca bridge. Each copper atom in 1 and 2 is in a distorted square pyramidal environment: two (1) or one (2) nitrile-nitrogen atoms from bridging dca groups, one of the nitrogen atoms of the dmphen molecule (1 and 2) and either one nitrile-nitrogen from a terminal dca ligand (1) or a nitrate-oxygen atom (2) build the equatorial plane whereas the second nitrogen atom of the heterocyclic dmphen fills the axial position (1 and 2). The copper-copper separations through double (1) and single (2) end-to-end dca bridges are 7.1337(7) (1) and 7.6617(7) (2). Compound 3 is a mononuclear copper(II) complex whose structure contains two neutral and crystallographically independent [Cu(4,4^′-dmbpy)(H₂O)(dca)₂] molecules which are packed in two different layer arrangements running parallel to the bc-plane and alternating along the a-axis. The copper atoms in both molecules have slightly distorted square pyramidal surroundings with the two nitrogen atoms of the 4,4^′-dmbpy ligand and two dca nitrile-nitrogen atoms in the basal plane and a water oxygen in the apical position. A semi co-ordinated dca nitrile-nitrogen from a neighbour unit [2.952(6) Å for Cu(2)-N] is in trans position to the apical water molecule in one of the two molecules, this feature representing part of the difference in supramolecular connections in the alternating layers referred to above. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-290 K reveal the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions through double [J=−3.3 cm⁻¹ (1), ] and single [J=−0.57 cm⁻¹ (2), ] dca bridges and across intermolecular contacts [θ=−0.07 K (3)].     

Synthesis, structure and properties of TTF-carboxylate bridged paddlewheel dirhodium complexes, Rh2(BuCO2)3(TTFCO2) and Rh2(BuCO2)2(TTFCO2)2

Reaction of tetrathiafulvalene carboxylic acid (TTFCO₂H) with paddlewheel dirhodium complex Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₄ yielded TTFCO₂-bridged complexes Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₃(TTFCO₂) (1) and cis- and trans-Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₂(TTFCO₂)₂ (cis- and trans-2). Their triethylamine adducts [1(NEt₃)₂] and cis-[2(NEt₃)₂] were purified and isolated with chromatographic separation, and characterized with single crystal X-ray analysis. Trans-[2(NEt₃)₂] is not completely separated from a mixture of cis- and trans-[2(NEt₃)₂], but its single crystals were obtained from a solution of the mixture. A three-step quasi-reversible oxidation process was observed for 1 in MeCN. The first two steps correspond to the oxidation of the TTFCO₂ moiety and the last one is the oxidation of the Rh₂ core. The oxidation of cis-2 is observed as a two-step process with very similar E_1/2 values to those of the first two processes for 1. Both 1⁺ and cis-2²⁺ in MeCN at room temperature show isotropic ESR spectra with a g value of 2.008 and a_H = 0.135 mT for two equivalent H atoms and a_H = 0.068 mT for one H atom. The redox and ESR data of cis-2 suggest that the intramolecular interaction between the TTF moieties is very small.     

Alteration of molecular conformations and spectral properties for nickel(II), zinc(II) and copper(II) complexes having 3,8-di(thiophen-2′,2′′-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline ligands

Four transition metal complexes of 3,8-di(thiophen-2′,2″-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (dtphen), formulated as [Ni(dtphen)₂(H₂O)₂]·(ClO₄)₂ (1), [Zn(dtphen)₂(H₂O)]·(ClO₄)₂ (2) [Cu(dtphen)₂(H₂O)]·(ClO₄)₂ (3), [Cu(dtphen)(phen)₂]·(ClO₄)₂ (4) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) with different metal-to-ligand ratios, were synthesized and characterized herein. The X-ray single-crystal diffraction studies of 1-4 exhibit that different molecular configurations for the dtphen ligand can be observed where the side thiophene rings adopt the trans/trans, trans/cis, trans/disorder and cis/cis conformations relative to the central 1,10-phenanthroline unit in different compounds. Fluorescence emission spectra of 1-4 in methanol show that the fluorescence emission of 2 is much stronger than the other three metal complexes, which is mainly due to its full d¹⁰ electronic configuration of Zn(II) ion.     

2-N-(Quinoline-8-yl)iminomethylphenolate - A (ONN)-tridentate ligand system in silicon complex chemistry

Condensation of salicylic aldehyde with 8-aminoquinoline afforded (ONN)-tridentate ligand 2-N-(quinoline-8-yl)iminomethylphenol (1), which was obtained as a crystalline solid for the first time and characterized by X-ray diffraction. Reaction between 1 and phenyltrichlorosilane in the presence of triethylamine results in the formation of the 1:1 chelate complex dichloro-[2-N-(quinoline-8-yl)imino-methylphenolato]-phenylsilane (2a) bearing a hexacoordinate silicon atom. The crystal structure of 2a^∗CHCl₃ reveals a rare coordination pattern: Although carrying two chlorine atoms, the hexacoordinate Si atom coordinates the tridentate ligand’s imine N atom in the trans position to the phenyl group. Silylation of 1 with hexamethyldisilazane and synthesis of dichloro-[2-N-(quinoline-8-yl)iminomethylphenolato]-methylsilane (2b) yielded few crystals of [2-N-(quinoline-8-yl)iminomethylphenolato]-salicylaldiminato-methylsiliconium chloride (2b′) as byproduct. 2b′ is the first structurally characterized main group element complex of salicylaldimine. This bidentate ligand exhibits an unusually strong N → Si coordination.     

Cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH)[Ru(bzq)(NCMe)4], [Ru(bzq)(LL)(NCMe)2], and [Ru(bzq)(LL)2] (LL = bpy, phen)

Cyclometalation of benzo[h]quinoline (bzqH) by [RuCl(μ-Cl)(η⁶-C₆H₆)]₂ in acetonitrile occurs in a similar way to that of 2-phenylpyridine (phpyH) to afford [Ru(bzq)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (3) in 52% yield. The properties of 3 containing ‘non-flexible’ benzo[h]quinoline were compared with the corresponding [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ (1) complex with ‘flexible’ 2-phenylpyridine. The [Ru(phpy)(MeCN)₄]PF₆ complex is known to react in MeCN solvent with ‘non-flexible’ diimine 1,10-phenanthroline to form [Ru(phpy)(phen)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, being unreactive toward ‘flexible’ 2,2′-bipyridine under the same conditions. In contrast, complex 3 reacts both with phen and bpy in MeCN to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (4) and phen (5)}. Similar reaction of 3 in methanol results in the substitution of all four MeCN ligands to form [Ru(bzq)(LL)₂]PF₆ {LL = bpy (6) and phen (7)}. Photosolvolysis of 4 and 5 in MeOH occurs similarly to afford [Ru(bzq)(LL)(MeCN)(MeOH)]PF₆ as a major product. This contrasts with the behavior of [Ru(phpy)(LL)(MeCN)₂]PF₆, which lose one and two MeCN ligands for LL = bpy and phen, respectively. The results reported demonstrate a profound sensitivity of properties of octahedral compounds to the flexibility of cyclometalated ligand. Analogous to the 2-phenylpyridine counterparts, compounds 4-7 are involved in the electron exchange with reduced active site of glucose oxidase from Aspergillus niger. Structure of complexes 4 and 6 was confirmed by X-ray crystallography.     

Reactivity of the ligand bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)ethyl]ether (L1) with Pd(II) and Pt(II): crystal structure of cis-[PtCl2(L1)]

The coordination chemistry of the ligand bis[2-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)ethyl]ether (L₁) was tested in front of Pd(II) and Pt(II). Complexes cis-[MCl₂(L₁)] (M=Pd(II) and Pt(II)) were obtained, due to the chelate condition of the ligand and the formation of a stable 10-membered ring. The crystal structure of cis-[PtCl₂(L₁)] was resolved by X-ray diffraction. Treatment of [PdCl₂(L₁)] or [Pd(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₂ with AgBF₄ in the presence of L₁ gave the complex [Pd(L₁)₂](BF₄)₂. The initial cis-[PdCl₂(L₁)] was recovered by reacting [Pd(L₁)₂](BF₄)₂ with an excess of NEt₄Cl. Reaction of [Pt(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₂ (generated in situ from [PtCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] and AgBF₄ in acetonitrile) with ligand L₁ yields complex [Pt(L₁)₂](BF₄)₂.     

Synthetic and mechanistic studies on ruthenium dicarbonyl complexes containing PhP(CH2CH2CH2PCy2)2 (Cyttp) ligand

A synthetic and mechanistic study is reported on ligand substitution and other reactions of six-coordinate ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes containing tridentate PhP(CH₂CH₂CH₂PCy₂)₂ (Cyttp). Carbonylation of cis-mer-Ru(OSO₂CF₃)₂(CO)(Cyttp) (1) affords [cis-mer-Ru(OSO₂CF₃)(CO)₂(Cyttp)]O₃SCF₃ (2(O₃SCF₃)) and, on longer reaction times, [cis-mer-Ru(solvent)(CO)₂(Cyttp)](O₃SCF₃)₂ (solvent = acetone, THF, methanol). 2(O₃SCF₃) reacts with each of NaF, LiCl, LiBr, NaI, and LiHBEt₃ to yield [cis-mer-RuX(CO)₂(Cyttp)]⁺ (X = F (3), Cl (4), Br (5), I (6), H (7)), isolated as 3-7(BPh₄). These conversions proceed with high stereospecificity to afford only a single isomer of the product that is assigned a structure in which the Ph group of Cyttp points toward the CO trans to X (anti when X = F, Cl, Br, or I; syn when X = H). Treatment of 2(O₃SCF₃) with NaOMe and CO generates the methoxycarbonyl complex [cis-mer-Ru(CO₂Me)(CO)₂(Cyttp)]⁺ (8), whereas addition of excess n-BuLi to 2(O₃SCF₃) in THF under CO affords mer-Ru(CO)₂(Cyttp) (9). The two ¹³C isotopomers [cis-mer-Ru(OSO₂CF₃)(CO)(¹³CO)(Cyttp)]O₃SCF₃ (2′(O₃SCF₃): ¹³CO trans to P_C; 2″(O₃SCF₃): ¹³CO cis to all P donors) were synthesized by appropriate adaptations of known transformations and used in mechanistic studies of reactions with each of LiHBEt₃, NaOMe/CO, and n-BuLi. Whereas LiHBEt₃ reacts with 2′(O₃SCF₃) and 2″(O₃SCF₃) to replace triflate by hydride without any scrambling of the carbonyl ligands, the corresponding reactions of NaOMe-CO are more complex. The methoxide combines with the CO cis to triflate in 2, and the resultant methoxycarbonyl ligand ends up positioned trans to the incoming CO in 8. A mechanism is proposed for this transformation. Finally, treatment of either 2′(O₃SCF₃) or 2″(O₃SCF₃) with an excess of n-BuLi leads to the formation of the same two ruthenium(0) isomers of mer-Ru(CO)(¹³CO)(Cyttp). These products represent, to our knowledge, the first example of a syn-anti pair of isomers of a five-coordinate metal complex.     

8-Quinolinolato complexes of ruthenium(II) and (III)

Reduction of RuQ₃ (1a, Q = 8-quinolinolato) with Zn/Hg in the presence of various π-acceptor ligands in ethanol affords RuQ₂L₂ (L₂ = (dimethylsulfoxide)₂ (2); (4-picoline)₂ (3); N,N′-dimethyl-1,4-diazabuta-1,3-diene, dab (4); cyclooctadiene, COD (5); norborna-2,5-diene, nbd (6)). Compound 6 is isolated as an equimolar mixture of cis,trans (6a) and trans,cis (6b) isomers, which can be separated by column chromatography. DFT calculations have been performed on 6a and 6b. Oxidation of 3 and 6b affords the corresponding ruthenium(III) species 7 and 8, respectively. The structures of 2, 3, 4 and 6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Benzylamidine complexes of platinum(II) derived by nucleophilic addition of primary and secondary amines. X-ray crystal structure of trans-[PtCl2{Z-N(H)C(NHMe)CH2Ph}2]

The reaction of cis- and trans-[PtCl₂(NCCH₂Ph)₂] with a 5-fold excess of MeNH₂ and Me₂NH in CH₂Cl₂ at −10 °C affords in high yield the bis-amidine derivatives cis- and trans-[PtCl₂{Z-N(H)C(NHMe)CH₂Ph}₂] (1a, 2a) and cis- and trans-[PtCl₂{E-N(H)C(NMe₂)CH₂Ph}₂] (3a, 4a), respectively. The complexes were characterized by means of elemental analysis, multinuclear NMR and FT-IR techniques. The X-ray diffraction analysis was carried out for trans-[PtCl₂{Z-N(H)C(NHMe)CH₂Ph}₂] (2a).Moreover, the in vitro cytotoxicity for the new derivatives was evaluated in a wide panel of human tumor cell lines.     

Diiron and diruthenium aminocarbyne complexes containing pseudohalides: stereochemistry and reactivity

Acetonitrile is easily displaced from [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃ (Xyl) (1a); Me (1b)) upon stirring in THF at room temperature in the presence of [NBu₄][SCN]. The resulting complexes trans-[Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCS)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl (trans-2a); Me (trans-2b)) are completely isomerised to cis-[Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCS)(Cp)₂] (R = Xyl (cis-2a); Me (cis-2b)) when heated at reflux temperature. Similarly, the complexes cis-[M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCO)(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Me (4a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (4b); M = Ru, R = Me (4c)) and cis-[M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(N₃)(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (5a); M = Fe, R = Me (5b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (5c)) can be obtained by heating at reflux temperature a THF solution of [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(MeCN)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (1a); M = Fe, Me (1b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (1c); M = Ru, R = Me (1d)) in the presence of NaNCO and NaN₃, respectively. The reactions of 5 with MeO₂CCCCO₂Me, HCCCO₂Me and (NC)(H)CC(H)(CN) afford the triazolato complexes [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Xyl (6a); M = Fe, R = Me (6b); M = Ru, R = Xyl (6c)), [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ- CO)(CO){N₃C₂(H)(CO₂Me)}(Cp)₂] (M = Fe, R = Me (7a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (7b)) and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃C₂(H)(CN)}(Cp)₂] (8), respectively. The asymmetrically substituted triazolato complexes 7-8 are obtained as mixtures of N(1) and N(2) bonded isomers, whereas 6 exists only in the N(2) form. Methylation of 6-8 results in the formation of the triazole complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃] (9), [M₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(H)(CO₂Me)}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃] (M = Fe, R = Me (10a); M = Ru, R = Xyl (10b)) and [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(Xyl)}(μ-CO)(CO){N₃(Me)C₂(H)(CN)}(Cp)₂][CF₃SO₃], 11. The crystal structures of trans-2b, 4b · CH₂Cl₂, 5a, 6b · 0.5CH₂Cl₂ and 8 · CH₂Cl₂ have been determined.     

Calix[4]arene supported group 5 imido complexes

The reaction of imidoyl chlorides [V(NR)Cl₃] (R = Ph 1, Tol 2, tBu 3) and calix[4]arene methyl ether H₃Mecalix unexpectedly leads to the formation of the structurally characterized vanadium (IV) complex [VCl(Mecalix)] (4). Calix[4]arene methyl ether stabilized imido complexes of the type [V(NR)(Mecalix)] (R = Ph 7, Tol 8, tBu 9) were afforded from the reaction of [V(NR)Cl₃] (R = Ph 1, Tol 2, tBu 3) and the tris(lithium) or tris(sodium) salt of the calix[4]arene ether. The lithium salt [{Li₃(Mecalix)}₂] (5) is a dimer in the solid state, in which two monomeric trianions are bridged by lithium cations. Imido complexes [M(NR)(Mecalix)] (M = Nb: R = tBu, 12, R = Tol 13, R = Mes 14, R = Dipp 15; M = Ta: R = tBu 16, R = Tol 17) (Tol = 4-C₆H₄Me, Mes = 2,6-C₆H₃Me₂; Dipp = 2,6-C₆H₃iPr₂) have been prepared from structurally characterized [NbCl₂(Mecalix)] (10) and previously known [TaCl₂(Mecalix)] (11) via reaction with two equivalents of the appropriately metallated (Li, K) primary amine. The molecular structures of 13 and 15 confirm the mononuclear nature of these complexes.     

New ruthenium(II) precursors with the tetradentate sulfur macrocycles tetrathiacyclododecane ([12]aneS4) and tetrathiacyclohexadecane ([16]aneS4) for the construction of metal-mediated supramolecular assemblies

The preparation and structural characterization of several new Ru(II) complexes in which four coordination positions are occupied by the sulfur atoms of a macrocycle, either 1,4,7,10-tetrathiacyclododecane ([12]aneS4) or 1,5,9,13-tetrathiacyclohexadecane ([16]aneS4), and the two others by relatively labile ligands (Cl⁻, , H₂O, dmso-S), are described:cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)(dmso-S)(H₂O)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (2a), cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)(dmso-S)(ONO₂)](NO₃) (2b), cis-[Ru([16]aneS4)Cl₂] (4), and trans-[Ru([16]aneS4)(dmso-S)(H₂O)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (5).The complexes of the larger [16]aneS4 macrocycle have a flexible coordination geometry, either cis or trans, that makes them unsuited for being used as precursors in metal-driven self-assembly processes.On the contrary, the [12]aneS4 complexes cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)(dmso-S)Cl]Cl (1) and, above all, its chlorido free derivatives cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)(dmso-S)(H₂O)](CF₃SO₃)₂ (2a) and cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)(dmso-S)(ONO₂)](NO₃) (2b) are potential precursors of the geometrically stable 90° bis-acceptor fragment cis-[Ru([12]aneS4)]²⁺.Preliminary results of their reactivity towards the linear linker pyrazine (pyz) showed that the nature of the isolated product depends on that of the counter-anion.When treated with pyz 2b afforded the dinuclear complex [{Ru([12]aneS4)(ONO₂)}₂(μ-pyz)](NO₃)₂ (8), while 2a gave the molecular triangle [{cis-Ru([12]aneS4)(μ-pyz)}₃](CF₃SO₃)₆ (9), both in low yields.The X-ray structures of compounds 2a, 2b, 4, 5, [{Ru([12]aneS4)Cl}₂(μ-pyz)]Cl₂ (7), 9, and of the sandwich complex[Ru([12]aneS3-S)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ (3), in which only three sulfur atoms of each macrocycle are bound to ruthenium, are also described.     

Resonance Raman and crystallographic studies on the complex [Fe2(bbpnol)2]·2DMF (bbpnol=N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-ol-1,3-propanediamine)

The ligand N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-2-ol-1,3-propanediamine (H₃bbpnol) reacts with iron(III) perchlorate forming two dinuclear bis-μ-alkoxo complexes, a ‘cis-trans’ isomer (complex 1) previously reported and a ‘cis-cis’ isomer (complex 2) characterized in this work. The main differences found in complex 2 structure are, (a) the four phenolic oxygens are trans to the alkoxo bridges; (b) each ligand is shared by the two Fe(III) ions occupying two coordination positions at each center. The Fe(III) centers in the resulting centrosymmetric structure in complex 2 have a distorted-octahedral geometry with the equatorial plane occupied by the phenolic and alcoholic oxygen atoms and the apical positions are filled by the aminic nitrogen atoms. The resonance Raman (RR) spectra of these two isomeric complexes are somewhat different with the intensity of some low-frequency modes increasing in the less symmetric core. The electronic spectra of both complexes are similar, but the molar absorptivities are substantially increased in complex 2, indicating the presence of an electronic coupling between the phenolate moieties trans in relation to the alkoxo bridge, and that phenolates coordinated cis to the alkoxo bridge do not seem to contribute to LMCT oscillator strength. This is directly reflected in the Raman excitation profiles (REP) of the chromophore modes, with the vibrational modes of the ‘cis-cis’ isomer showing a greater intensification compared with the ‘cis-trans’ isomer.     

Main group derivatives of a cyclometallated iron carbonyl anion. Crystal structures of Fe(CO)2{P(OPh)3}{(PhO)2POC6H4}(SnPh3) and two isomers of Fe(CO)2{P(OPh)3}{(PhO)2POC6H4}(I)

The iron hydrido complex HFe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄} (1), was rapidly deprotonated by DBU or [BzMe₃N][OH] in THF to afford the new carbonyl iron anion [Fe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄}]⁻ ([2]⁻), containing an ortho-metallated triphenyl phosphite ligand. Complex [2]⁻ reacted with triorganostannyl and plumbyl salts and with halogens to give the octahedral Fe^II compounds Fe(CO)₂{P(OPh)₃}{(PhO)₂POC₆H₄}(X) (X=SnPh₃, 3; SnMe₃, 4; PbPh₃, 5; PbMe₃, 6; Cl, 7; Br, 8; I, 9). The Group 14 complexes 3-6 were obtained in one isomeric form in which the P^III-donor atoms are mutually cis, the carbonyl ligands are cis and the P(OPh)₃ and MR₃ (M=Sn, Pb; R=Ph, Me) groups are trans as determined by solution-state IR, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR spectroscopic data. This geometry was confirmed for 3 by a single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The halide complexes, however, were obtained as a mixture of isomers. The major isomer (7, X=Cl; 8a, X=Br; 9a, X=I) has cis P atoms, trans CO groups and the halide located trans to the phosphorus atom of the ortho-metallated phosphite ligand. The structure of 9a was confirmed by an X-ray diffraction study. Two other isomers, designated 8b (X=Br) and 9b (X=I), with cis P atoms and cis CO groups were isolated from the reactions of [2]⁻ with Br₂ and I₂, respectively. The structure of the latter was established by X-ray crystallography and is related to 9a by exchange of the P(OPh)₃ ligand and a carbonyl group such that the metal-bound C atom of the five-membered metallacycle is trans to CO. The stereo-geometry of 8b could not be unambiguously assigned from the spectroscopic data; however, two of the seven possible geometric isomers were suggested as plausible structures.     

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.