Tuning the electronic structure of octahedral iron complexes [FeL(X)] (L = 1-alkyl-4,7-bis(4-tert-butyl-2-mercaptobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane,X = Cl,CH(3)O,CN, NO). The S = 1/2 <==>3/2 Spin equilibrium of [FeL(Pr)(NO)

Two new pentadentate, pendent arm macrocyclic ligands of the type 1-alkyl-4,7-bis(4-tert-butyl-2-mercaptobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane where alkyl represents an isopropyl, (L(Pr))(2-), or an ethyl group, (L(Et))(2-), have been synthesized. It is shown that they bind strongly to ferric ions generating six-coordinate species of the type [Fe(L(alk))X]. The ground state of these complexes is governed by the nature of the sixth ligand, X: [Fe(III)(L(Et))Cl] (2) possesses an S = 5/2 ground state as do [Fe(III)(L(Et))(OCH(3))] (3) and [Fe(III)(L(Pr))(OCH(3))] (4). In contrast, the cyano complexes [Fe(III)(L(Et))(CN)] (5) and [Fe(III)(L(Pr))(CN)] (6) are low spin ferric species (S = 1/2). The octahedral [FeNO](7) nitrosyl complex [Fe(L(Pr))(NO)] (7) displays spin equilibrium behavior S = 1/2<==>S = (3)/(2) in the solid state. Complexes [Zn(L(Pr))] (1), 4.CH(3)OH, 5.0.5toluene.CH(2)Cl(2), and 7.2.5CH(2)Cl(2) have been structurally characterized by low-temperature (100 K) X-ray crystallography. All iron complexes have been carefully studied by zero- and applied-field M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In addition, Sellmann's complexes [Fe(pyS(4))(NO)](0/1+) and [Fe(pyS(4))X] (X = PR(3), CO, SR(2)) have been studied by EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopies and DFT calculations (pyS(4) = 2,6-bis(2-mercaptophenylthiomethyl)pyridine(2-)). It is concluded that the electronic structure of 7 with an S = 1/2 ground state is low spin ferrous (S(Fe) = 0) with a coordinated neutral NO radical (Fe(II)-NO) whereas the S = 3/2 state corresponds to a high spin ferric (S(Fe) = 5/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to an NO(-) anion (S = 1). The S = 1/2<==>S = 3/2 equilibrium is then that of valence tautomers rather than that of a simple high spin<==>low spin crossover.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and magnetic studies of polynuclear iron complexes with a new disubstituted pyridine ligand

A series of novel polyiron species have been prepared from the reaction of iron chloride with the 2,5-disubstituted pyridines H2L(n) (H2L1) = N,N'-bis(n-butylcarbamoyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide; H2L2 = N,N'-bis(n-ethylcarbamoyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide). By small modifications of the experimental conditions under which the reactions are carried out, it has been possible to prepare the quadruply stranded diiron(II) complex [Fe2(mu-H2L1)4(mu-Cl)2][FeCl4]2 (1), the metallamacrocycle [Fe2(mu-H2L1)2(THF)4Cl2][FeCl4]2 (2), the hexairon(III) compound [Fe6(L1)2(mu-OMe)6(mu4-O)2Cl4] (3), and the mixed-valence trinuclear iron complexes [Fe3(L(n))3(mu3-O)] (n = 1, 4; n = 2, 5). The X-ray crystal structures of 3 and 5 and magnetic studies for all the compounds are herein presented. Interestingly, the structural analysis of 5 at room temperature indicates that one of the iron centers is Fe(III) while the other two have an average valence state between Fe(II) and Fe(III). The five complexes herein presented demonstrate the great versatility that the new ligand has as a building block for the formation of supramolecular coordination assemblies.     

Bivalent and trivalent iron complexes of acyclic hexadentate ligands providing pyridyl/pyrazine-amide-thioether coordination

Acyclic pyridine-2-carboxamide- and thioether-containing hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis[o-(pyridine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpctb), in its deprotonated form, has afforded purple low-spin (S = 0) iron(II) complex [Fe(bpctb)] (1). A new ligand, the pyrazine derivative of H(2)bpctb, 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H(2)bpzctb), has been synthesized which has furnished the isolation of purple iron(II) complex [Fe(bpzctb)].CH(2)Cl(2) (4) (S = 0). Chemical oxidation of 1 by [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Fe][PF(6)] or [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) led to the isolation of low-spin (S = 1/2) green Fe(III) complexes [Fe(bpctb)][PF(6)] (2) or [Fe(bpctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (3), and oxidation of 4 by [Ce(NO(3))(6)][NH(4)](2) afforded [Fe(bpzctb)][NO(3)].H(2)O (5) (S = 1/2). X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 4 revealed that (i) in each case the ligand coordinates in a hexadentate mode and (ii) bpzctb(2-) binds more strongly than bpctb(2-), affording distorted octahedral M(II)N(2)(pyridine/pyrazine)N'(2)(amide)S(2)(thioether) coordination. To the best of our knowledge, 1 and 4 are the first examples of six-coordinate low-spin Fe(II) complexes of deprotonated pyridine/pyrazine amide ligands having appended thioether functionality. The Fe(III) complexes display rhombic EPR spectra. Each complex exhibits in CH(2)Cl(2)/MeCN a reversible to quasireversible cyclic voltammetric response, corresponding to the Fe(III)-Fe(II) redox process. The E(1/2) value of 4 is more anodic by approximately 0.2 V than that of 1, attesting that compared to pyridine, pyrazine is a better stabilizer of iron(II). Moreover, the E(1/2) value of 1 is significantly higher (approximately 1.5 V) than that reported for six-coordinate Fe(II)/Fe(III) complexes of the tridentate pyridine-2-carboxamide ligand incorporating thiolate donor site.     

Metal Complexes of Mesitylphosphine: Synthesis, Structure, and Spectroscopy

A series of primary phosphine homoleptic complexes [ML(4)](n)()(+)X(n)() (1, M = Ni, n = 0; 2, M = Pd, n = 2, X = BF(4); 3, M = Cu, n = 1, X = PF(6); 4, M = Ag, n = 1, X = BF(4); L = PH(2)Mes, Mes = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2)] was prepared from mesitylphosphine and Ni(COD)(2), [Pd(NCMe)(4)][BF(4)](2), [Cu(NCMe)(4)]PF(6), and AgBF(4), respectively. Reactions of 1-4 with MeC(CH(2)PPh(2))(3) (triphos) or [P(CH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(3)] (tetraphos) afforded the derivatives [M(L')L](n)()(+)X(n)() (L' = triphos; 6, M = Ni, n = 0; 7, M = Cu, n = 1, X = PF(6); 8, M = Ag, n = 1, X = BF(4); L' = tetraphos; 9, M = Pd, n = 2, X = BF(4)). Addition of NOBF(4) to 1 yielded the nitrosyl compound [NiL(3)(NO)]BF(4), 5. The solution structure and dynamics of 1-9 were studied by (31)P NMR spectroscopy (including the first reported analyses of a 12-spin system for 1-2). Complexes 1, 3, 6, and 7.solvent were characterized crystallographically. The structural and spectroscopic studies suggest that the coordination properties of L are dominated by its relatively small cone angle and that the basicity of L is comparable to that of more commonly used tertiary phosphines.     

Electronic structure of mononuclear bis(1,2-diaryl-1,2-ethylenedithiolato)iron complexes containing a fifth cyanide or phosphite ligand: a combined experimental and computational study

A series of mononuclear square-based pyramidal complexes of iron containing two 1,2-diaryl-ethylene-1,2-dithiolate ligands in various oxidation levels has been synthesized. The reaction of the dinuclear species [Fe(III)2(1L*)2(1L)2]0, where (1L)2- is the closed shell di-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,2-ethylenedithiolate dianion and (1L*)1- is its one-electron-oxidized pi-radical monoanion, with [N(n-Bu)4]CN in toluene yields dark green crystals of mononuclear [N(n-Bu)4][Fe(II)(1L*)2(CN)] (1). The oxidation of 1 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate yields blue [Fe(III)(1L*)2(CN)] (1ox), and analogously, a reduction with [Cp2Co] yields [Cp2Co][N(n-Bu)4][Fe(II)(1L*)(1L)(CN)] (1red); oxidation of the neutral dimer with iodine gives [Fe(III)(1L*)2I] (2). The dimer reacts with the phosphite P(OCH3)3 to yield [Fe(II)(1L*)2{P(OCH3)3}] (3), and [Fe(III)2(3L*)2(3L)2] reacts with P(OC6H5)3 to give [Fe(II)(3L*)2{P(OC6H5)3}] (4), where (3L)2- represents 1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenedithiolate(2-). Both 3 and 4 were electrochemically one-electron oxidized to the monocations 3ox and 4ox and reduced to the monoanions 3red and 4red. The structures of 1 and 4 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All compounds have been studied by magnetic susceptibility measurements, X-band EPR, UV-vis, IR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies. The following five-coordinate chromophores have been identified: (a) [Fe(III)(L*)2X]n, X = CN-, I- (n = 0) (1ox, 2); X = P(OR)3 (n = 1+) )3ox, 4ox) with St = 1/2, SFe = 3/2; (b) [Fe(II)(L*)2X]n, X = CN-, (n = 1-) (1); X = P(OR)3 (n = 0) (3, 4) with St = SFe = 0; (c) [Fe(II)(L*)(L)X]n <--> [Fe(II)(L)(L*)X]n, X = CN- (n = 2-) (1red); X = P(OR)3 (n = 1-) (3red, 4red) with St = 1/2, SFe = 0 (or 1). Complex 1ox displays spin crossover behavior: St = 1/2 <--> St = 3/2 with intrinsic spin-state change SFe = 3/2 <--> SFe = 5/2. The electronic structures of 1 and 1(ox) have been established by density functional theoretical calculations: [Fe(II)(1L*)2(CN)]1- (SFe = 0, St = 0) and [Fe(III)(1L*)2(CN)]0 (SFe = 3/2, St = 1/2).     

Synthesis and characterization of diiron dithiolate complexes containing a quinoxaline bridge

A potential model complex for the hydrogenase active site, [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(6)] (1) (R = quinoxaline), was synthesized by condensation of [(μ-LiS)(2)Fe(2)(CO)(6)] with 2,3-bis(bromomethyl)quinoxaline. Reactions of 1 with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) under a range of conditions yielded substituted complexes [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(5)(dppm)] (2), [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(4)(k(2)-dppm)] (3) and [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(4)(μ-dppm)] (4). X-ray crystallography confirms that in 2, the dppm is terminally bonded to an iron atom via one phosphorus atom, whereas in 3, it acts as a chelating ligand to coordinate to an iron center in a dibasal-substituted manner. In 4, the dppm bridges the two iron atoms in a cis basal/basal fashion with one phosphorus bonded to each iron atom. Treatment of 1 with various tertiary phosphines at room temperature in acetonitrile (MeCN) generates a range of mono-substituted products [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(5)L] (5, L = PEt(3); 6, PMe(3); 7, PPh(3); 8, Me(2)PPh). With Bu(t)NC, mono- and di-substituted [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(5)(Bu(t)NC)] (9) and [Fe(2){(μ-CH(2)S)(2)R}(CO)(4)(Bu(t)NC)(2)] (10) complexes are generated. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. IR and NMR spectroscopic studies suggest that addition of excess HBF(4)·OEt(2) acid to 1-4 led to the protonation of quinoxaline nitrogen atoms. In contrast, 5-10 were not stable in acidic media. Electrochemistry of 1-4 was investigated in the acetonitrile medium (0.1 M Bu(4)NPF(6)). The electrochemical instability of the reduced ligand, quinoxaline, and the reduced forms of these complexes revealed from the electrochemical studies suggests that they do not provide ideal models of the hydrogenase active site.     

Synthesis, characterization, and DNA-binding studies of nitro(oligopyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The complexes of general formulas [RuII(terpy)(4-CO2H-4'-Mebpy)(X)]n+ (X = NO (n = 3) and NO2 (n = 1); 1, 2) and [RuII(terpy)(4-COGHK-4'-Mebpy)(X)] (X = NO (n = 3) and NO2 (n = 1); 3, 4) were synthesized and characterized. The complex [RuII(terpy)(4-CO2-4'-Mebpy)(NO2)]_7.5H2O has also been characterized by X-ray crystallographic studies. It crystallizes in the triclinic system: a = 9.4982(1) A, b = 13.1330(1) A, c = 14.2498(2) A; alpha = 110.5870(6) x bc, beta = 98.4048(5) x bc, gamma = 106.4353(5), P1, Z = 2. The crystal structure reveals an extended hydrogen-bonding network. Two water molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with the nitro and the carboxylic oxygen atoms of two separate units of the complex, resulting in a dimeric unit. The dimers are bridged by a (H2O)15 cluster, consisting of two cyclo-(H2O)6 species, while an exo-H2O(8) connects them. Two more exo-H2O molecules are joined together and connect the cyclo-(H2O)6 units with the H2O(1) of the dimeric unit. It was found that complexes 1 and 3 can be transformed into their nitro derivatives in aqueous media at neutral pH. Photorelease of NO in dry MeCN solutions was observed for complexes 1 and 3. Also, complex 2 partially releases (NO2)- in MeCN upon visible light irradiation. Complex 2 interacts with short fragments (70-300 bp) of calf thymus DNA shortening slightly the apparent polynucleotide length, while the conjugation of the peptide GHK to it (2) affects its DNA-binding mode. The peptide moiety of complex 4 was found to interact with the DNA helix in a synergistic way with the whole complex. Preliminary results of photocleavage of DNA by complex 2 are also reported.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes containing the pentadentate SNNNS chelating ligand 2,6–diacetylpyridine bis(4–(p-tolyl)thiosemicarbazone). Synthesis,reactivity and electrochemistry

Ruthenium(II) heptacoordinate complexes containing the pentadentate SNNNS chelating ligand 2,6–diacetylpyridine bis(4–(p-tolyl)thiosemicarbazone) (L1H2) have been prepared. The compounds were of the type Ru(L1H2)X2 [X=Cl (1);Br (2); SCN (3)],[Ru(L1H2)- (Y)Cl]Cl [Y=imidazole (4); pyridine-N-oxide (5)] and [Ru(L1H2)(PPh3)X]Y, [X=Cl (6), (7);Br (8); Y=ClO4/ PF6]. The complexes were characterised by i.r., u.v.–vis. and n.m.r. spectroscopy and their electrochemical behaviour was examined by cyclic voltammetry. They exhibit a reversible to quasi-reversible RuII/RuIII couple in MeCN solution at a glassy carbon working electrode using an Ag/AgCl electrode as the reference. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Nitrosylated iron-thiolate-sulfinate complexes with {Fe(NO)}6/7 electronic cores: relevance to the transformation between the active and inactive NO-bound forms of iron-containing nitrile hydratases

The five-coordinated iron-thiolate nitrosyl complexes [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]- (R = H (1), m-CH3 (2)), [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)2]- (3), [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H3R)2]2- (R = H (10), m-CH3 (11)), and [(NO)Fe(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)2]2- (12) have been isolated and structurally characterized. Sulfur oxygenation of iron-thiolate nitrosyl complexes 1-3 containing the {Fe(NO)}6 core was triggered by O2 to yield the S-bonded monosulfinate iron species [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H3R)(S,S-C6H3R)]- (R = H (4), m-CH3 (5)) and [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)]2(2-) (6), respectively. In contrast, attack of O2 on the {Fe(NO)}7 complex 10 led to the formation of complex 1 accompanied by the minor products, [Fe(S,S-C6H4)2]2(2-) and [NO3]- (yield 9%). Reduction of complexes 4-6 by [EtS]- in CH3CN-THF yielded [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H3R)(S,S-C6H3R)]2- (R = H (7), m-CH3 (8)) and [(NO)Fe(S,SO2-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)(S,S-C6H2-3,6-Cl2)]2- (9) along with (EtS)2 identified by 1H NMR. Compared to complex 10, complexes 7-9 with the less electron-donating sulfinate ligand coordinated to the {Fe(NO)}7 core were oxidized by O2 to yield complexes 4-6. Obviously, the electronic perturbation of the {Fe(NO)}7 core caused by the coordinated sulfinate in complexes 7-9 may serve to regulate the reactivity of complexes 7-9 toward O2. The iron-sulfinate nitrosyl species with the {Fe(NO)}6/7 core exhibit the photolabilization of sulfur-bound [O] moiety. Complexes 1-4-7-10 (or 2-5-8-11 and 3-6-9-12) are interconvertible under sulfur oxygenation, redox processes, and photolysis, respectively.     

Syntheses and reactions of hexavalent organotellurium compounds bearing five or six tellurium-carbon bonds

A variety of hexaorganotellurium compounds, Ar(6-n)(CH3)nTe [Ar=4-CF3C6H4, n=0 (1a), n=1 (3a), n=2 (trans-4a and cis-4a), n=3 (mer-5a), n=4 (trans-6a); Ph, n=0 (1b), n=1 (3b), n=2 (trans-4b); 4-CH3C6H4, n=0 (1c), n=1 (3c), n=2 (trans-4c), n=4 (trans-6c); 4-BrC6H4, n=0 (1d)] and Ar5(R)Te [Ar=4-CF3C6H4, R=4-CH3OC6H4 (8); Ar=4-CF3C6H4, R=vinyl (9), Ar=Ph, R=vinyl (10), Ar=4-CF3C6H4, R=PhSCH2 (11), Ar=Ph, R=PhSCH2 (12), Ar=4-CF3C6H4, R=nBu (13)] and pentaorganotellurium halides, Ar5TeX [Ar=4-CF3C6H4, X=Cl (2a-Cl), X=Br (2a-Br); Ar=Ph, X=Cl (2b-Cl), X=Br (2b-Br); Ar=4-CH3C6H4, X=Cl (2c-Cl), X=Br (2c-Br); Ar=4-BrC6H4, X=Br (2d-Br)] and (4-CF3C6H4)4(CH3)TeX [X=Cl (trans-7a-Cl) and X=Br (trans-7a-Br)] were synthesized by the following methods: 1) one-pot synthesis of 1 a, 2) the reaction of SO2Cl2 or Br2 with Ar5Te(-)Li+ generated from TeCl4 or TeBr4 with five equivalents of ArLi, 3) reductive cleavage of Ar(6-m)(CH3)(m)Te (m=0 or 2) with KC8 followed by treatment with CH3I, 4) valence expansion reaction from low-valent tellurium compounds by treatment with KC8 followed by reaction with CH3I, 5) nucleophilic substitution of Ar(6-y-z)(CH3)zTeX(y-z) (X=Cl, Br, OTf; z=0, 1; y=1, 2) with organolithium reagents. The scope and limitations and some details for each method are discussed and electrophilic halogenation of the hexaorganotellurium compounds is also described.     

Syntheses and structures of copper(I) complexes based on Cu(n)X(n) (X = Br and I; n = 1, 2 and 4) units and bis(pyridyl) ligands with longer flexible spacer

Self-assembly of four bis(pyridyl) ligands with longer flexible spacer: 1,4-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (L1), 1,4-bis(2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (L2), 1,3-bis(3-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (L3) and 1,3-bis(2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (L4), and CuX (X = Br and I) leads to the formation of eight [Cu(n)X(n)]-based (X = Br and I; n = 1, 2, and 4) complexes, [Cu(2)I(2)L1(PPh(3))(4)] (1), [Cu(4)Cl(2)Br(2)(L4)(2)(PPh(3))(6)]·(CH(3)CN)(2) (2), [Cu(2)I(2)(L3)(2)] (3), {[Cu(2)Br(2)L2(PPh(3))(2)]·(CH(2)Cl(2))(2)}(n) (4), [CuIL1](n)·nCH(2)Cl(2) (5), [CuIL1](n) (6), [CuIL4](n) (7) and [Cu(2)I(2)L4](n) (8), which have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses show that the eight complexes possess an increasing dimensionality from 0D (1-3) to 1D (4) to 2D (5-8), in which 1 and 2 contain a CuX unit, 2-7 contain a Cu(2)X(2) unit and 8 contains a Cu(4)X(4) unit. Such evolvement indicates that the conformation of flexible bis(pyridyl) ligands and the participation of triphenylphosphine (PPh(3)) as a second ligand take an essential role in the framework formation of the Cu(i) complexes. Moreover, a pair of symmetry-related L3 ligands in complex 3 coordinate to the rhomboid Cu(2)I(2) dimer to form "handcuff-shaped" dinuclear structures, which are further joined together through intermolecular N-HI hydrogen bonds to furnish a 2D (4,4) layer. Although complexes 5 and 6 exhibit a similar 2D (4,4) layer constructed from L1 ligand bridging [Cu(2)I(2)](n) units, the different packing fashion of the layers leads to the formation of 3D porous frameworks of 5 and dense 3D frameworks of 6. The "twisted-boat" conformation of the Cu(4)I(4) tetramer unit in complex 8 has not been reported so far.     

Unusual iron(III) ate complexes stabilized by Li-pi interactions

Several iron(III) complexes incorporating diamidoether ligands are described. The reaction between [Li(2)[RN(SiMe(2))](2)O] and FeX(3) (X=Cl or Br; R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph or 2,6-iPr(2)Ph) form unusual ate complexes, [FeX(2)Li[RN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (2, X=Cl, R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph; 3, X=Br, R=2,4,6-Me(3)Ph; 4, X=Cl, R=2,6-iPr(2)Ph) which are stabilized by Li-pi interactions. These dimeric iron(III)-diamido complexes exhibit magnetic behaviour characteristic of uncoupled high spin (S= 5/2 ) iron(III) centres. They also undergo halide metathesis resulting in reduced iron(II) species. Thus, reaction of 2 with alkyllithium reagents leads to the formation of iron(II) dimer [Fe[Me(3)PhN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (6). Similarly, the previously reported iron(III)-diamido complex [FeCl[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) (1) reacts with LiPPh(2) to yield the iron(II) dimer [Fe[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O](2) but reaction with LiNPh(2) gives the iron(II) product [Fe(2)(NPh(2))(2)[tBuN(SiMe(2))](2)O] (5). Some redox chemistry is also observed as side reactions in the syntheses of 2-4, yielding THF adducts of FeX(2): the one-dimensional chain [FeBr(2)(THF)(2)](n) (7) and the cluster [Fe(4)Cl(8)(THF)(6)]. The X-ray crystal structures of 3, 5 and 7 are described.     

Preparative and structural studies on iron(II)-thiolate cyanocarbonyls: relevance to the [NiFe]/[Fe]-hydrogenases

A number of thermally stable iron(II)-thiolate cyanocarbonyl complexes, cis,cis-[Fe(CN)2(CO)2(CS3-S,S)]2-(1), mer-[Fe(CO)2(CN)3(NCCH3)]-(2)mer-[Fe(CO)3(CN)(CS3-S,S)]-(3), cis-[Fe(CO)2(CN)(S(CH2)2S(CH2)2S-S,S,S)]-(4), [Fe(CO)2(CN)3Br]2-(5), mer-[Fe(CO)2(CN)3(m-SC6H4Br)]2-(6) and mer-[Fe(CO)2(CN)3(SPh)]2-(7) were isolated and characterized by IR and X-ray diffraction analysis. The extrusion of one strong sigma-donor CN- ligand instead of CO from the iron(II) center of the thermally stable complexes [FeII(CO)2(CN)3Br]2-(5) containing less electron-donating bromide reflects the electron-rich character of the mononuclear [FeII(CN)2(CO)2(CS3-S,S)]2-(1) when ligated by by the bidentate thiolate, and the combination of one cyanide, two carbonyls and a tridentate thiolate provides the stable complex 4 as a result of the reaction of complex 5 and chelating ligand [S(CH2)2S(CH2)2S]2-. The preference of the sixth ligand coordinated to the unsaturated [FeII(CO)(CN)2(CS3-S,S)]2- Fe(II) center, the iron-site architecture of the bimetallic Ni-Fe active-site of [NiFe] hydrogenases, is a strong pi-acceptor CO group. Scrutiny of the coordination chemistry of iron(II)-thiolate cyanocarbonyl species [FeII(CO)x(CN)y(SR)z]n- reveals that certain combinations of thiolate, cyanide and carbonyl ligands (3 < or = y+z > or = 4) bound to Fe(II) are stable and this could point the way to understand the reasons for Nature's choice of combinations of these ligands in hydrogenases.     

Anion-dependent formation of helicates versus mesocates of triple-stranded M2L3 (M = Fe2+, Cu2+) complexes

A series of dinuclear triple-stranded complexes, [Fe(2)L(3)?X]X(6) [X = BF(4)(-) (1), ClO(4)(-) (2)], [Fe(2)L(3)?SO(4)](2)(SO(4))(5) (3), [Fe(2)L(3)?Br](BPh(4))(6) (4), Fe(2)L(3)(NO(3))Br(6) (5), and [Cu(2)L(3)?NO(3)](NO(3))(6) (6), which incorporate a central cavity to encapsulate different anions, have been synthesized via the self-assembly of iron(II) or copper(II) salts with the N,N'-bis[5-(2,2'-bipyridyl)methyl]imidazolium bromide (LBr) ligand. X-ray crystallographic studies (for 1-4 and 6) and elemental analyses confirmed the cagelike triple-stranded structure. The anionic guest is bound in the cage and shows remarkable influence on the outcome of the self-assembly process with regard to the configuration at the metal centers. The mesocates (with different configurations at the two metal centers) have formed in the presence of large tetrahedral anions, while helicates (with the same configuration at both metal centers) were obtained when using the relatively smaller spherical or trigonal-planar anions Br(-) or NO(3)(-).     

Stoichiometric and catalytic secondary O-atom transfer by Fe(III)-NO2 complexes derived from a planar tetradentate non-heme ligand: reminiscence of heme chemistry

An Fe(III) nitro complex [(bpb)Fe(NO2)(py)] (2) of the tetradentate ligand 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzene (H2bpb, H is the dissociable amide proton) has been synthesized via addition of NaNO2 to [(bpb)Fe(py)2](ClO4) (1) in MeCN or DMF. This structurally characterized Fe(III) nitro complex exhibits its nuNO2 at 1384 cm(-1). The reaction of 1 with 2 equiv of Et4NX (X = Cl-, Br-) affords the high-spin complexes (Et4N)[(bpb)Fe(Cl2)] (3) and (Et4N)[(bpb)Fe(Br)2] (4), respectively. The structure of 4 has been determined. The addition of an equimolar amount of Et4NCl, Et4NBr, or Et4NCN to a solution of 2 affords the mixed-ligand complexes (Et4N)[(bpb)Fe(NO2)(Cl)] (5), (Et4N)[(bpb)Fe(NO2)(Br)] (6), and (Et4N)[(bpb)Fe(NO2)(CN)] (7), respectively. These complexes are all low spin with isotropic g values of 2.15. Under anaerobic conditions, the reactions of 5-7 with Ph3P in MeCN afford the five-coordinate {Fe-NO}7 nitrosyl [(bpb)Fe(NO)] (and Ph3PO) via secondary oxygen-atom (O-atom) transfer. The O-atom transfer to Ph3P by 5-7 becomes catalytic in the presence of dioxygen with transfer rates in the range of 1.70-13.59 x 10-3 min(-1). The O-atom transfer rates and turnover numbers (5 > 6 > 7) are reflective of the strength of the axial donors (Cl- > Br- > CN-). The catalytic efficiencies of complexes 5-7 are limited due to formation of the thermodynamic end products [(bpb)Fe(X)2]- (where X = Cl- for 5, Br- for 6, and CN- for 7).     

Ruthenium complexes of thiocinnamaldehydes: synthesis, structure, and [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions

Ruthenium hydrogensulfido complexes [CpRu(P-P)(SH)] ((P-P)=Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2) (dppm), Ph(2)PC(2)H(4)PPh(2) (dppe)) were obtained from the corresponding chloro complexes by Cl/SH exchange. Condensation with a range of cinnamaldehydes gave thiocinnamaldehyde complexes [CpRu(P-P)(S=CH-CR(2)=CHR(1))]PF(6) (R(1)=C(6)H(4)X, R(2)=H, Me, X=H, OMe, NMe(2), Cl, NO(2)) as highly-colored crystalline compounds. The thiocinnamaldehyde complexes undergo [4+2]-cycloaddition reactions with vinyl ethers CH(2)=CHOR(3) (R(3)=Et, Bu) and styrenes H(2)C=CHC(6)H(4)Y (Y=H, Me, OMe, Cl, Br, NO(2)) to give complexes of 2,4,5-trisubstituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans as mixtures of two diastereoisomers. The rate of addition of para-substituted styrenes H(2)C=CHC(6)H(4)Y to [CpRu(dppm)(S=CH-CH=CHPh)]PF(6) increases in the series Y=NO(2), Br, Cl, H, Me, OMe, indicating that the cycloaddition is dominated by the HOMO(dienophile)-LUMO(diene) interaction. The strained dienophiles norbornadiene and norbornene also add, giving ruthenium complexes of 3-thia-tricyclo[6.2.1.0(2,7)]undeca-4,9-dienes and 3-thia-tricyclo[6.2.1.0(2,7)]undec-4-enes, respectively. Addition reactions with acrolein, methacrolein, methyl vinyl ketone, acrylic ester, or ethyl propiolate finally yielded ruthenium complexes of 3,4-disubstituted 3,4-dihydro-2H-thiopyrans and 4H-thiopyrans, respectively.     

Synthesis of the pivalamidate-bridged pentanuclear platinum(II,III) linear complexes with Pt...Pt interactions

Pentanuclear linear chain Pt(II,III) complexes [[Pt2(NH3)2X2((CH3)3CCONH)2(CH2COCH3)]2[PtX'4]].nCH3COCH3 (X = X' = Cl, n = 2 (1a), X = Cl, X' = Br, n = 1 (1b), X = Br, X' = Cl, n = 2 (1c), X = X' = Br, n = 1 (1d)) composed of a monomeric Pt(II) complex sandwiched by two amidate-bridged Pt dimers were synthesized from the reaction of the acetonyl dinuclear Pt(III) complexes having equatorial halide ligands [Pt2(NH3)2X2((CH3)3CCONH)2(CH2COCH3)]X' ' (X = Cl (2a), Br (2b), X' ' = NO3-, CH3C6H4SO3-, BF4-, PF6-, ClO4-), with K2[PtX'4] (X' = Cl, Br). The X-ray structures of 1a-1d show that the complexes have metal-metal bonded linear Pt5 structures, and the oxidation state of the metals is approximately Pt(III)-Pt(III)...Pt(II)...Pt(III)-Pt(III). The Pt...Pt interactions between the dimer units and the monomer are due to the induced Pt(II)-Pt(IV) polarization of the Pt(III) dimeric unit caused by the electron withdrawal of the equatorial halide ligands. The density functional theory calculation clearly shows that the Pt...Pt interactions between the dimers and the monomer are made by the electron transfer from the monomer to the dimers. The pentanuclear complexes have flexible Pt backbones with the Pt chain adopting either arch or sigmoid structures depending on the crystal packing.     

Unusual iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes derived from monodentate arylamido ligands

The coordination chemistry of the N-substituted arylamido ligands [N(R)(C6H3R'2-2,6)] [R = SiMe3, R' = Me (L1); R = CH2But, R' = Pri (L2)] toward FeII and CoII ions was studied. The monoamido complexes [M(L1)(Cl)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (1), Co (2)] react readily with MeLi, affording the mononuclear, paramagnetic iron(II) and cobalt(II) methyl-arylamido complexes [M(L1)(Me)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (3), Co (4)]. Treatment of 2:1 [Li(L2)(THF)2]/FeCl2 affords the unusual two-coordinate iron(II) bis(arylamide) [Fe(L2)2] (5).