Preparation of a chiral synthon for an HBV inhibitor: enzymatic asymmetric hydrolysis of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol diacetate and enzymatic asymmetric acetylation of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol

Enantioselective asymmetric hydrolysis of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol diacetate 1 to the corresponding (+)-monoacetate 2 was carried out using lipase PS-30 from Pseudomonas cepacia or pancreatin. A reaction yield of 85 M % with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 98% was obtained. Using pancreatin, a reaction yield of 75 M % with an ee of 98.5% was obtained. Asymmetric acetylation of (1α,2β,3α)-2-(benzyloxymethyl)-cyclopent-4-ene-1,3-diol 3 to the corresponding (−)-monoacetate 4 was carried out using lipase PS-30 with isopropenyl acetate as the acylating agent. A reaction yield of 80 M % with an ee of 98% was obtained for (−)-monoacetate 4.     

Synthesis and properties of [Pt(4-CO2CH3-py)2(dmit)] and [Pt(4-NO2-py)2(mnt)]: Exploring tunable Pt dyes

Two [Pt(II)(substituted-pyridyl)₂(dithiolate)] dyes with the formulas [Pt(4-CO₂CH₃-py)₂(dmit)] and [Pt(4-NO₂-py)₂(mnt)] (where py = pyridyl, dmit = 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate and mnt = maleonitriledithiolate) and their dichloride precursors [PtCl₂(4-R-py)₂] have been synthesized and compared to a previously-reported dye [Pt(4-CO₂CH₃-py)₂(mnt)]. Variation of either the pyridyl ligands or the ditholate ligand showed tuning of the electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics of the dyes as evidenced by cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry, hybrid DFT calculations, UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry and in situ EPR spectroelectrochemistry. The HOMO was shown to be mostly dithiolate based and the LUMO pyridyl based allowing absorption characteristics to be predictably tuned to longer wavelengths, which is important for optimization of such dyes in applications such as solar energy conversion.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of pravastatin in drug formulations via derivatization with 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl)

A simple and sensitive kinetic spectrophotometric method for the quantitative analysis of pravastatin sodium (PVS) in pure and pharmaceutical formulations has been described. The method is based on the formation of colored product between PVS and 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole (NBD-Cl) in acetone medium at 55 ± 2 °C. The reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the increase in absorbance at 462 nm as a function of time. The initial rate and fixed time methods were adopted for constructing the calibration curves. The linearity ranges were found to be 15.0–50.0 and 10.0–70.0 μg mL^?1 for initial rate and fixed time methods, respectively. The limits of detection for initial rate and fixed time methods are 0.029 and 0.086 μg mL^?1, respectively. Both methods have been applied successfully for the estimation of PVS in commercial dosage forms with no interference from the excipients. The results are compared with the HPLC pharmacopoeial method.     

Amberlite XAD-7 resin impregnated with 2-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2yl)-4-nitrophenol for enrichment of metal ions

The Amberlite XAD-7 resin modification was carried out by loading 2-(1-(4-chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2yl)-4-nitrophenol (CPDPINP). Subsequently, this new sorbent was applied for the enrichment of metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions. The effect of various parameters on their sorption and following recoveries was studied in column procedure. The preconcentrated ions were eluted by appropriate eluent and their contents were quantified by FAAS. This method has preconcentration factor of 150 and enrichment factor in the range of 20.8–29.1. At optimum values of all variables, the proposed method has linear calibration graphs in the range of 0.01 up to 0.29 μg mL⁻¹ with detection limit (3SDb/m, n = 15) between 1.6 and 2.6 ng mL⁻¹. This protocol is usable for successful analysis of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ Zn²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions in different matrices with reasonable recoveries (>93%) and acceptable relative standard deviation (<4.7%).     

An efficient one-pot organocatalytic synthesis of 9-(1H-indol-3-yl)-xanthen-4-(9H)-ones under mild aqueous micellar conditions

An efficient and facile l-proline-catalyzed three-component coupling of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-cyclohexanedione (dimedone), and indole has been accomplished under mild aqueous micellar conditions to deliver a small library of 9-(1H-indol-3-yl)-xanthen-4-(9H)-ones of potential biological relevance. Under optimized conditions [10 mol % of l-proline, water (2 mL), SDS (23 mg, 0.08 mmol), rt], the reaction was highly selective toward the target compound and essentially free from competitive two-component byproduct formation.     

Synthesis,anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid derivatives

The title compounds 3a–l have been synthesized by the reaction of thiocarbohydrazide with substituted phenoxy acetic acid to obtained substituted 1,2,4-triazoles (1). Compound 1 was treated with various substituted aromatic aldehydes which results in 4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-2H-1,2,4-triazol-3(4H)-thiones (2a–g), further 2a–g is converted to 2-[4-(substituted benzylideneamino)-5-(substituted phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3a–l) derivatives by the reaction with chloroacetic acid. All the newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Among the series 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3d), 2-[4-(4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-(phenoxymethyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3e), 2-[4-(2,4-dichlorobenzylideneamino)-5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl]-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3j) and 2-[5-[(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)methyl)]-4-(4-chlorobenzylideneamino)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl thio] acetic acid (3k) showed significant anti-inflammatory activity with P < 0.001 (63.4%, 62.0%, 64.1% and 62.5% edema inhibition, respectively), as compared to the standard drug diclofenac (67.0%) after third hour respectively and also compounds 3j, 3k exhibited significant analgesic activity with P < 0.001 (55.9% and 54.9% protection, respectively) and less ulcerogenic activity as compared with standard drug aspirin (57.8%).     

The (Calix[4]arene)chloromolybdate(IV) anion [MoCl(Calix)](-): a convenient entry into molybdenum Calix[4]arene chemistry

The complex (HNEt(3))[MoCl(NCMe)(Calix)] (1), prepared from the reaction of [MoCl(4)(NCMe)(2)] with p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene, H(4)Calix, in the presence of triethylamine, has been used as a source of the d(2)-[Mo(NCMe)(Calix)] fragment. Complex 1 is readily oxidized with PhICl(2) to afford the molybdenum(VI) dichloro complex [MoCl(2)(Calix)] (2). Both complexes are a convenient entry point into molybdenum(VI) and molybdenum(IV) calixarene chemistry. The reaction of 1 with trimethylphosphine and pyridine in the presence of catalytic amounts [Ag(OTf)] led to the formation of neutral d(2) complexes [Mo(PMe(3))(NCMe)(Calix)] (3) and [Mo(NC(5)H(5))(NCMe)(Calix)] (4). The role of the silver salt in the reaction mixture is presumably the oxidation of the chloromolybdate anion of 1 to give a reactive molybdenum(V) species. The same reactions can also be initiated with ferrocenium cations such as [Cp(2)Fe](BF(4)). Without the presence of coordinating ligands, the dimeric complex [[Mo(NCMe)(Calix)](2)] (5) was isolated. The reaction of 1 with Ph(2)CN(2) led to the formation of a metallahydrazone complex [Mo(N(2)CPh(2))(NCMe)(Calix)] (6), in which the diphenyldiazomethane has been formally reduced by two electrons. Molybdenum(VI) complexes were also obtained from reaction of 1 with azobenzene and sodium azide in the presence of catalytic amounts of silver salt. The reaction with azobenzene led under cleavage of the nitrogen nitrogen bond to an imido complex [Mo(NPh)(NCMe)(Calix)] (7), whereas the reaction with sodium azide afforded the mononuclear molybdenum(VI) nitrido complex (HNEt(3))[MoN(Calix)] (8).     

Novel metallophthalocyanines bearing 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-5-p-tolyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole bulky substituents by microwave irradiation

The synthesis of metallophthalocyanines [6–9; M = Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II)] with four 1,2,4-triazole units obtained from 4-{(4-chloro-2-fluorobenzyl)[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-methylphenyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl]amino}phthalonitrile (5) in the presence of dimethylaminoethanol and the corresponding anhydrous metal salts is described. The thermal stabilities of the Pc compounds were determined by thermogravimetric analysis. The new compounds were characterized by a combination of IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, UV–Vis, elemental analysis.     

Trinuclear copper(I) complex of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)imidazolylidene as a carbene-transfer reagent for the preparation of catalytically active nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes

Reactions of 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, ([HL1](PF₆), L1 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene) and 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate ([HL2](PF₆), L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzoimidazolylidene) with cuprous oxide in acetonitrile readily yielded trinuclear complexes [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] (1) and [Cu₃(L2)₃(PF₆)₃] (2). Treatment of 1 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and Pd(cod)Cl₂ gave [Ni(L1)Cl](PF₆) (3) and [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) (4), respectively, due to transmetalation. [Ni(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (5) was obtained from the reaction of [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] and Raney nickel in acetonitrile. All these complexes have been fully characterized. Both 1 and 2 consist of a triangular Cu₃ core with each Cu–Cu bond capped by an imidazolylidene group. Each imidazolylidene acts as a bridging ligand in a μ₂ mode and is bonded equally to two Cu(I) ions. The pincer nickel and palladium complexes are square-planar and contain a tridentate NCN ligand. Complexes 3 and 4 are efficient catalyst precursors for Kumada–Corriu and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl halides with organometallic reagents.     

The experimental and DFT studies of 1,3-dimethyl-2-[4-chloro-styryl]-benzimidazolium iodide

1,3-Dimethyl-2-[4-chloro-styryl]-benzimidazolium iodide (1) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, ¹H NMR, MS, IR, UV–vis spectra and elemental analysis. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁/c, with a = 12.507(3) Å, b = 7.3259(19) Å, c = 36.705(9) Å, V = 3358.9(15) Å³, and Z = 4 (at 296(2) K). Crystal stacking scheme indicates the face-to-face π?π aromatic stacking interactions. Molecular geometries, frequencies, IR, ¹H NMR and UV–vis were calculated at DFT/TD-DFT level using two hybrid exchange–correlation functionals, B3LYP and PBE1PBE. The stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interaction and charge delocalization had been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. These calculations on (1) provide deep insight into its electronic structure and properties.     

Trinuclear copper(I) complex of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)imidazolylidene as a carbene-transfer reagent for the preparation of catalytically active nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes

Reactions of 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, ([HL1](PF₆), L1 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene) and 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate ([HL2](PF₆), L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzoimidazolylidene) with cuprous oxide in acetonitrile readily yielded trinuclear complexes [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] (1) and [Cu₃(L2)₃(PF₆)₃] (2). Treatment of 1 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and Pd(cod)Cl₂ gave [Ni(L1)Cl](PF₆) (3) and [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) (4), respectively, due to transmetalation. [Ni(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (5) was obtained from the reaction of [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] and Raney nickel in acetonitrile. All these complexes have been fully characterized. Both 1 and 2 consist of a triangular Cu₃ core with each Cu–Cu bond capped by an imidazolylidene group. Each imidazolylidene acts as a bridging ligand in a μ₂ mode and is bonded equally to two Cu(I) ions. The pincer nickel and palladium complexes are square-planar and contain a tridentate NCN ligand. Complexes 3 and 4 are efficient catalyst precursors for Kumada–Corriu and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl halides with organometallic reagents.     

Synthesis of homobimetallic molybdenum(VI) complex of bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)malonoyldihydrazone and its reaction with electron and proton bases

The diamagnetic dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex [(MoO₂)₂(CH₂L)(H₂O)₂]H₂O (1) has been isolated in solid state from reaction of MoO₂(acac)₂ with bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde)malonoyldihydrazone (CH₂LH₄) in 3:1 molar ratio in ethanol at higher temperature. The reaction of the complex (1) with electron donor bases gives diamagnetic molybdenum(VI) complexes having composition [Mo₂O₅(CH₂LH₂)]·2A·2H₂O (where A = pyridine (py, 2), 2-picoline (2-pic, 3), 3-picoline (3-pic, 4), 4-picoline (4-pic, 5)). Further, when the complex (1) is allowed to react with protonic bases such as isonicotinoylhydrazine (inhH₃) and salicyloylhydrazine (slhH₃), reduction of molybdenum(VI) centre occurs leading to isolation of homobimetallic molybdenum(V) complexes [Mo₂(CH₂L)(inh)₂(H₂O)₂] (6) and [Mo₂(CH₂L)(slh)₂] (7), respectively. The composition of the complexes has been established by analytical, thermo-analytical and molecular weight data. The structure of the molybdenum(VI) complexes (1)–(5) has been established by electronic, IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectral studies while those of the complexes (6) and (7) by magnetic moment, electronic, IR and EPR spectral studies. The dihydrazone is coordinated to the metal centres in staggered configuration in complex (1) while in anti-cis configuration in complexes (2)–(7). The complexes (6) and (7) possess magnetic moment of 2.95 and 3.06 BM, respectively, indicating presence of two magnetic centre in the complexes per molecule each with one unpaired electron on each metal centre without any metal–metal interaction. The electronic spectra of the complexes are dominated by strong charge transfer bands. All of the complexes involve six coordinated molybdenum centre with octahedral arrangement of donor atoms except in the complex (6), in which the molybdenum centre has rhombic arrangement of ligand donor atoms. The probable mechanism for generation of oxo-group in the complexes (2)–(5) involving coordinated water molecule has been proposed.     

Solvothermal synthesis and crystal structure of the Mo(VI)-bridged helical chain containing Mo2(V) dimers: (C4H12N2)2[(MoV2O4)(MoVIO4)(C2O4)2]·2H2O

A new molybdenum complex (C₄H₁₂N₂)₂[(Mo^V₂O₄)(Mo^VIO₄)(C₂O₄)₂]·2H₂O, was solvothermally synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of the compound consists of oxalate acid-coordinated mixed-valent [Mo^V₂O₄][Mo^VIO₄] helical chains and protonated piperazine cations. The helical chains are built up from the [Mo^V₂O₄] units and [Mo^VIO₄] tetrahedral. The central axis about helical chain is a 2-fold screw axis. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n of monoclinic system with a = 11.396(2) Å, b = 14.107(3) Å, c = 15.805(3) Å, β = 102.09(3)°, V = 2484.6(9) Å³, Z = 4. Other characterizations by elemental analysis, IR, and thermal analysis for this compound are also given.     

Group 6 metal carbonyl complexes of 3′H-spiro[indole-3,2′-[1,3]benzothiazole-2(1H)]-one

The spiro-compound 3′H-spiro[indole-3,2′-[1,3]benzothiazole-2(1H)-one (IBTH₂) was synthesized and its structure was determined using spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, ¹H NMR and mass) and X-ray crystallography. This ligand possesses different centers for coordination. Reactions of [M(CO)₆], M = Cr, Mo or W with IBTH₂ in THF under reduced pressure were studied. For chromium a complex with molecular formula [Cr(ITP)₂] was isolated; where ITP is the opened form of the ligand which occurred through C_spiro–S bond, while [Mo(CO)₅(IBTH₂)] and [W(CO)₅(IBTH₂)] were isolated from the reaction of IBTH₂ with molybdenum and tungsten carbonyls, respectively. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, mass and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The biological activity of the ligand and its complexes were studied and compared with the parent compound isatin.     

High extraction ability of 1,3-dialkynyl calixarene towards mercury（Ⅱ） ion

The reaction of 1,3-dipropyn-2-yloxycalix[4]arene with mercury(II)acetate could give mercury-containing alkynyl calixarenepolymer.The extraction behavior of 1,3-dipropyn-2-yl-oxycalix[4]arene towards mercury(II)ion was examined.When the moleratio of Hg~(2 )/calixarene was 1:1,the extractive percent can reach to 99.1%,and the extraction capacity was up to 431 mg/g.It couldalso decrease the Hg~(2 )concentration from 5 to 0.85 mg/L,which was only 17%of the national standard of effluent and satisfied thenational standard of drinking water.The extraction process included chemical reaction.     

Experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies on the DNA-binding trend and spectral properties of two new Ru(II) complexes: [Ru(L)2(mip)](ClO4)2 (L = 2,9-dmp and 4,7-dmp)

The new ligand 2′-(3″,4″-methylene-dioxyphenyl)imidazo[4′,5′-f] [1,10]phenanthroline (mip) and its Ru(II) complexes [Ru(2,9-dmp)₂(mip)]²⁺ (1) (2,9-dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolline) and [Ru(4,7-dmp)₂(mip)]²⁺ (2) (4,7-dmp = 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolline) were synthesized and characterized. The binding properties of the two complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements. Both 1 and 2 bind to CT-DNA in an intercalative mode, but with different binding strengths. Complex 2 can emit luminescence in the Tris buffer at ambient temperature, however, complex 1 showed no fluorescence emission, neither alone nor in the presence of CT-DNA. The circular-dichroism signal of the dialysate of the racemic complex against CT-DNA suggests that complexes 1 and 2 interact enantioselectively with CT-DNA. Furthermore, complexes 1 and 2 have been found to be an efficient photosensitiser for cracking DNA plasmid. Theoretical calculations for 1 and 2 were also carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method and applied to explain some obtained experimental observations.     

Spin-crossover in dimeric hydrogen-bonded iron(II) 2-(pyrazolyl)-pyridine and 2-(imidazolyl)-pyridine complexes

Five new hydrogen-bonded solvated iron(II) complexes of pyrazolyl- and imidazolyl-based N,N-chelating ligands have been synthesised. Water to ligand-NH hydrogen-bonded bridges occur in the pseudo-dimeric complexes {cis-[Fe(pypzH)₂(NCX)₂]₂(μ-OH₂)(H₂O)₂} · H₂O · MeOH (where X = S or Se), and in the chain complex {cis-[Fe(pypzH)₂(NCS)₂](μ-OH₂)}_n. A “half” spin-crossover (T_c = 125 K) was observed in the dimeric X = Se complex by means of magnetic measurements and no thermal hysteresis occurred between 4 and 300 K. The crystal structure at 123 K showed Fe–N distances consistent with the magnetism. Each Fe in the dimeric unit was structurally equivalent in the HS–LS state. Removal of the solvate molecules led to HS–HS behaviour over the temperature range 4–300 K. The pseudo-dimer with X = S also showed HS–HS behaviour as did the monomeric analogue cis-[Fe(pypzH)₂(NCS)₂]H₂O and a structurally different methanol-bridged dimer {cis-[Fe(pyimH)₂(NCS)₂]₂(μ-MeOH)₂} · 2MeOH (pypzH = 2-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-pyridine; pyimH = 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)-pyridine).     

Crystallography and magnetism of 1-(4-[N-tert-butylaminoxyl]-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)pyrrole

1-(4-[N-tert-Butylaminoxyl]-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)pyrrole (BNPPF4) was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron spin resonance (ESR), and magnetism. It is unusually stable by comparison to related systems. Its crystallography shows strong twisting of the nitroxide group, and dyad π-stacking that is probably assisted by fluoroarene/pyrrole interactions. There are crystallographic nitroxide chains of >5.5 Å distance between nitroxides, and chains of nitroxide to tert-butyl contacts. BNPPF4 magnetic behavior is consistent with a spin-pairing model having 2J/k = (−)8.7 ± 0.2 K, but not with a simple 1D AFM chain model.     

Molybdenum(VI) and molybdenum(V) mononuclear and dinuclear complexes with 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione

Summary The synthesis and the dinuclear or mononuclear nature of several molybdenum(VI) and molybdenum(V) oxocomplexes derived from 1,3-diphenyl-1,3-propanedione (HLL) are described. These complexes were identified by i.r. and electronic spectra, magnetic susceptibility and analytical data, and are assigned the following formulae: [MoO₂(LL)₂], [Mo₂O₅(LL)₂], [Mo₂O₄(LL)₂], [MoOCl(LL)₂], [MoCl₂(LL)] and [MoO(OH)(LL)₂)]. The low magnetic moments of the dinuclear complexes are due, in part, to intramolecular interactions. The i.r. data show that the dionate is bound by two oxygen atoms forming a chelate six-membered ring.     

Polymerization of phenylacetylene by novel Rh (I)-, Ir (I)- and Ru (IV) 1,3-R2-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidenes (R = mesityl, 2-propyl): Influence of structure on activity and polymer structure

The preparation of novel Rh (I) and Ir (I) complexes, i.e. [Rh(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD)]⁺[PF₆]⁻ (1), Rh(CF₃SO₃)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (2) and Ir(CF₃CO₂)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (3) (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), is described. Compounds 1 and 3 were structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. In 1, the N-heterocyclic carbene acts as a bidentate ligand with the carbene coordinating to the Rh(I) center and an arene group acting as a homoazallyl ligand. The catalytic activity of complexes 1–3 in the polymerization of phenylacetylene was studied and compared to that of RhCl(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (4), Rh(CF₃COO)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (5), [Rh(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD)]⁺[BF₄]⁻ (6), IrCl(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (7), IrCl(1,3-diisopropyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(COD) (8), IrBr(1,3-di-2-propylimidazolin-2-ylidene)(COD) (9), RuCl₂(PCy₃)(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH–C₆H₅) (10), RuCl₂(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO₂-C₆H₃) (11), Ru(CO₂CF₃)₂(1,3-dimesityl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidin-2-ylidene)(CH-2-(2-PrO)-5-NO₂-C₆H₃) (12). Compounds 1–6 were active in the polymerization of phenylacetylene. cis-Poly(phenylacetylene) (PPA) was obtained with the rhodium-based catalysts 1, 2, 4–6, trans-PPA was obtained with the Ir-based catalysts 3 and 8. In addition, compounds 1 and 6 were found to produce highly stereoregular PPA with a cis-content of 100% in the presence of water. Finally, the Ru-based metathesis initiator 12 allowed for the synthesis of trans-PPA, representing the first example of a ruthenium complex being active in the polymerization of a terminal alkyne.