Tantalum isocyanide complexes: TaI(CNDipp)6 (Dipp is 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) and ionic [Ta(CNDipp)7][Ta(CNDipp)6], a formal disproportionation product of the 17‐electron Ta0 metalloradical Ta(CNDipp)6

Treatment of tetraethylammonium hexacarbonyltantalate, [Et₄N][Ta(CO)₆], with 1.1 equivalents of molecular iodine (I₂) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 200 K, followed by the addition of 6.0 equivalents of 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl isocyanide (CNDipp) and slow warming to 293 K over a 24 h period gave the tantalum(I) iodide derivative hexakis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl isocyanide‐κC)iodidotantalum(I), [TaI(C₁₃H₁₇N)₆] or TaI(CNDipp)₆, 1 . Recrystallization of this substance from pentane provided deep‐red nearly black parallelepipeds of the product, which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Addition of 1 in THF at 200 K to a suspension of an excess (5.8 equivalents) of caesium graphite (CsC₈), followed by warming, filtration, and solvent removal, afforded a dark‐green oily solid of unknown composition, from which several red–brown rhombohedral plates of the ditantalum salt heptakis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl isocyanide‐κC)tantalum hexakis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl isocyanide‐κC)tantalate, [Ta(C₁₃H₁₇N)₇][Ta(C₁₃H₁₇N)₆] or [Ta(CNDipp)₇][Ta(CNDipp)₆], 2 , were harvested. Salt 2 is a unique substance, as it is the only known example of a salt containing a homoleptic cation, [ML_x]⁺, and a homoleptic anion, [ML_y]^?, with the same transition metal and π‐acceptor ligand L. In solution, 2 undergoes full comproportionation to afford the recently reported 17‐electron paramagnetic zerovalent tantalum complex Ta(CNDipp)₆, the only known isolable TaL₆ complex of Ta⁰.     

The trans influence of the pyridine ligand on ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes

In the two ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes ­(di­benzoyl­carbenyl‐κC)(pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₁₀O₂)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (I), and (pyridine‐κN)(5,10,15,20‐tetra‐p‐tolyl­porphyrinato‐κ⁴N)[bis(3‐tri­fluoro­methyl­phenyl)­carbenyl‐κC]­ruthenium(II), [Ru(C₁₅H₈F₆)(C₅H₅N)(C₄₈H₃₆N₄)], (II), the pyridine ligand coordinates to the octahedral Ru atom trans with respect to the carbene ligand. The C(carbene)—Ru—N(pyridine) bonds in (I) coincide with a crystallographic twofold axis. The Ru—C bond lengths of 1.877 (8) and 1.868 (3) Å in (I) and (II), respectively, are slightly longer than those of other ruthenium(II)–porphyrin–carbene complexes, owing to the trans influence of the pyridine ligands.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and characterizations of three new copper(II) complexes including anti‐inflammatory diclofenac

Three new diclofenac‐based copper(II) complexes, namely tetrakis{μ‐2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O:O′}bis(methanol‐κO)copper(II), [Cu₂(μ‐dicl)₄(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ), bis{2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O,O′}bis(1‐vinyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³)copper(II), [Cu(dicl)₂(vim)₂] ( 2 ), and bis{2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O,O′}bis(1H‐imidazole‐κN³)copper(II), [Cu(dicl)₂(im)₂] ( 3 ) [dicl is diclofenac (C₁₄H₁₀Cl₂NO₂), vim is 1‐vinylimidazole (C₅H₆N₂) and im is imidazole (C₃H₄N₂)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT–IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that complex 1 consists of dimeric units in which the dicl ligand exhibits a bidentate syn,syn‐μ₂ coordination mode linking two copper(II) centres. Complexes 2 and 3 have mononuclear units with the general formula [Cu(dicl)₂L₂] (L is vim or im) in which the Cu^II ions are octahedrally coordinated by two L and two dicl chelating ligands. The L and dicl ligands both occupy the trans positions of the coordination octahedron. The different coordination modes of dicl in the title complexes were revealed by Fourier transform IR (FT–IR) spectroscopy. The spin matching between the copper(II) centres in the dimeric [Cu₂(μ‐dicl)₄(CH₃OH)₂] units was also confirmed by magnetic data to be lower than the spin‐only value and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The thermal properties of the complexes were investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structures of organonickel(II) complexes coordinated to novel 1‐bromo‐2,6‐bis{[(λ5‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}benzene NCN‐pincer ligands

A novel family of four 1‐bromo‐2,6‐bis{[(λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}benzene ligands has been synthesized and characterized. The phosphiniminomethyl substituents are decorated with either three phenyl groups, two phenyl and one cyclohexyl group, one phenyl and two cyclohexyl groups, or three cyclohexyl groups. Each ligand was metallated using zero‐valent nickel through an oxidative addition to form a family of organonickel(II) complexes, namely (2,6‐bis{[(triphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II) dichloromethane hemisolvate, [NiBr(C₄₄H₃₇N₂P₂)]·0.5CH₂Cl₂, (2,6‐bis{[(cyclohexyldiphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II) diethyl ether hemisolvate, [NiBr(C₄₄H₄₉N₂P₂)]·0.5C₄H₁₀O, (2,6‐bis{[(dicyclohexylphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II), [NiBr(C₄₄H₆₁N₂P₂)], and (2,6‐bis{[(tricyclohexyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II), [NiBr(C₄₄H₇₃N₂P₂)]. This family of complexes represents a useful opportunity to investigate the impact of incrementally changing the steric characteristics of a complex on its structure and reactivity.     

2,6‐Bis(azaindole)pyridine: reactivity with iron(III) and copper(II) salts

1‐[6‐(1H‐Pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐1‐yl)pyridin‐2‐yl]‐1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐7‐ium tetrachloridoferrate(III), (C₁₉H₁₄N₅)[FeCl₄], (II), and [2,6‐bis(1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐1‐yl‐κN⁷)pyridine‐κN]bis(nitrato‐κO)copper(II), [Cu(NO₃)₂(C₁₉H₁₃N₅)], (III), were prepared by self‐assembly from FeCl₃·6H₂O or Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and 2,6‐bis(1H‐pyrrolo[2,3‐b]pyridin‐1‐yl)pyridine [commonly called 2,6‐bis(azaindole)pyridine, bap], C₁₉H₁₃N₅, (I). Compound (I) crystallizes with Z′ = 2 in the P space group, with both independent molecules adopting a trans–trans conformation. Compound (II) is a salt complex with weak C—H...Cl interactions giving rise to a zigzag network with π‐stacking down the a axis. Complex (III) lies across a twofold rotation axis in the C2/c space group. The Cu^II center in (III) has an N₃O₂ trigonal–bipyramidal environment. The nitrate ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion, while the bap ligand adopts a twisted tridentate binding mode. C—H...O interactions give rise to a ribbon motif.     

Two ZnII mononuclear coordination compounds with pyridinedicarboxylate and auxiliary N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine ligands

Two new mononuclear coordination compounds, bis{4‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium} diaquabis(pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,O²)zincate(II), (C₆H₇N₂O)₂[Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (1), and (pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)bis[N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene‐κN)hydroxylamine]zinc(II), [Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₆H₆N₂O)₂], (2), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The centrosymmetric Zn^II cation in (1) is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate ligands and by two water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. In (2), the Zn^II cation is coordinated by a tridentate pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion and by two N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine molecules in a distorted C₂‐symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.     

New palladium complexes with phosphino‐ and phosphinitopyridine ligands

Three new palladium complexes containing a difunctional P,N‐chelate, namely tris­(chloro­{[1‐methyl‐1‐(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridyl)ethoxy]diphenylphospine‐κ²N,P}methyl­palladium(II)chloro­form solvate, 3[Pd(CH₃)Cl(C₂₁H₂₂NOP)]·CHCl₃, (III), dichloro­[2‐(2,6‐dimethyl­phen­yl)‐6‐(diphenyl­phosphinometh­yl)­pyridine‐κ²N,P]palladium(II), [PdCl₂(C₂₆H₂₄NP)], (IV), and chloro­[2‐(2,6‐dimethyl­phen­yl)‐6‐(diphenyl­phos­phino­meth­yl)pyridine‐κ²N,P]methyl­palladium(II), [Pd(CH₃)Cl(C₂₆H₂₄NP)], (V), are reported. Geometric data and the conformations of the ligands around the metal centers, as well as slight distortions of the Pd coordination environments from idealized square‐planar geometry, are discussed and compared with the situations in related compounds. Non‐conventional hydrogen‐bond inter­actions (C—H⋯Cl) have been found in all three complexes. Compound (III) is the first six‐membered chloro–meth­yl–phosphinite P,N‐type Pd^II complex to be structurally characterized.     

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of two new blue luminescent pyridylbenzimidazole zinc(II) complexes

Luminescent metal complexes are used in photooptical devices. Zinc(II) complexes are of interest because of the ability to tune their color, their high thermal stability and their favorable carrier transport character. In particular, some zinc(II) complexes with aryl diimine and/or heterocyclic ligands have been shown to emit brightly in the blue region of the spectrum. Zinc(II) complexes bearing derivatized imidazoles have been explored for possible optoelectronic applications. The structures of two zinc(II) complexes of 5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (L), namely dichlorido(dimethylformamide‐κO){5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN³}zinc(II) dimethylformamide monosolvate, [ZnCl₂(C₂₀H₁₈N₄)(C₃H₇NO)]·C₃H₇NO, (I), and bis(acetato‐κ²O,O′){5,6‐dimethyl‐2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN³}zinc(II) ethanol monosolvate, [Zn(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₂₀H₁₈N₄)]·C₂H₅OH, (II), are reported. Complex (I) crystallized as a dimethylformamide solvate and exhibits a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. The coordination sphere consists of a bidentate L ligand spanning axial to equatorial sites, two chloride ligands in equatorial sites, and an O‐bound dimethylformamide ligand in the remaining axial site. The other complex, (II), crystallized as an ethanol solvate. The Zn^II atom has a distorted trigonal prismatic coordination geometry, with two bidentate acetate ligands occupying two edges and a bidentate L ligand occupying the third edge of the prism. Complexes (I) and (II) emit in the blue region of the spectrum. The results of density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the luminescence of L results from π*←π transitions and that the luminescence of the complexes results from interligand charge‐transfer transitions. The orientation of the 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl) substituent with respect to the benzimidazole system was found to have an impact on the calculated HOMO–LUMO gap (HOMO is highest occupied molecular orbital and LUMO is lowest unoccupied molecular orbital).     

Asymmetric structure of cis‐[N‐(9‐anthracenylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine]dipyridineplatinum(II) dinitrate

Platinum antitumour agents, containing aromatic rings, which are used for targeting DNA in effective therapies for the treatment of cancer. We have synthesized the title metallocomplex with an aromatic ligand and determined its crystal structure. In many cases, complexes of platinum and other metals have a symmetrical structure. In contrast, the platinum(II) complex with pyridine and N‐(9‐anthracenylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine as ligands (systematic name: cis‐{N‐[(anthracen‐9‐yl)methyl]ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N ,N ′}bis(pyridine‐κN )platinum(II) dinitrate), [Pt(C₅H₅N)₂(C₁₇H₁₈N₂)](NO₃)₂, is asymmetric. Of the two pyridine ligands, only one is π‐stacked with anthracene, resulting in an asymmetric structure. Moreover, the angle of orientation of each pyridine ligand is variable. Further examination of the packing motif confirms an intermolecular edge‐to‐face interaction.     

Mononuclear and three‐dimensional metal complexes based on a multidentate hydrazone ligand

A potentially pentadentate hydrazone ligand, N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide (HL), was prepared from the condensation reaction of nicotinohydrazide and acetylpyrazine. Reactions of HL with MnCl₂, Mn(CH₃COO)₂ and Cd(CH₃COO)₂ afforded three metal complexes, namely dichlorido{N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide‐κ²N′,O}manganese(II), [MnCl₂(C₁₂H₁₁N₅O)], (I), bis{N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ²N′,O]manganese(II), [Mn(C₁₂H₁₀N₅O)₂], (II), and poly[[(acetato‐κ²O,O′){μ₃‐N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κ²N¹:N⁴)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ³N′,O:N¹}cadmium(II)] chloroform disolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₅O)(CH₃COO)]·2CHCl₃}_n, (III), respectively. Complex (I) has a mononuclear structure, the Mn^II centre adopting a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination. Complex (II) also has a mononuclear structure, with the Mn^II centre occupying a special position (C₂ symmetry) and adopting a distorted octahedral coordination environment, which is defined by two O atoms and four N atoms from two N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidate (L⁻) ligands related via a crystallographic twofold axis. Complex (III) features a unique three‐dimensional network with rectangular channels, and the L⁻ ligand also serves as a counter‐anion. The coordination geometry of the Cd^II centre is pentagonal bipyramidal. This study demonstrates that HL, which can act as either a neutral or a mono‐anionic ligand, is useful in the construction of interesting metal–organic compounds.     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Cationic Triruthenium Clusters Derived from 2‐Methyl‐ and 4‐Methylpyrimidines: From Conventional Cyclometalated Ligands to Novel Types of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

The methylation of the uncoordinated nitrogen atom of the cyclometalated triruthenium cluster complexes [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 1 ; 2‐MepyrH=2‐methylpyrimidine) and [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐4‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 9 ; 4‐MepyrH=4‐methylpyrimidine) gives two similar cationic complexes, [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2,3‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₁₀]⁺( 2 ⁺) and [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐3,4‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₁₀]⁺ ( 9 ⁺), respectively, whose heterocyclic ligands belong to a novel type of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) that have the C_carbene atom in 6‐position of a pyrimidine framework. The position of the C‐methyl group in the ligands of complexes 2 ⁺ (on C²) and 9 ⁺ (on C⁴) is of key importance for the outcome of their reactions with K[N(SiMe₃)₂], K‐selectride, and cobaltocene. Although these reagents react with 2 ⁺ to give [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐CH₂‐3‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 3 ; deprotonation of the C²‐Me group), [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ³N¹,C⁵,C⁶‐4‐H‐2,3‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₉] ( 4 ; hydride addition at C⁴), and [Ru₆(μ‐H)₂{μ₆‐κ⁶N¹,N^1′,C⁵,C^5′,C⁶,C^6′‐4,4′‐bis(2,3‐Me₂pyr)}(CO)₁₈] ( 5 ; reductive dimerization at C⁴), respectively, similar reactions with 9 ⁺ have only allowed the isolation of [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐H‐3,4‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₉] ( 11 ; hydride addition at C²). Compounds 3 and 11 also contain novel six‐membered ring NHC ligands. Theoretical studies have established that the deprotonation of 2 ⁺ and 9 ⁺ (that have ligand‐based LUMOs) are charge‐controlled processes and that both the composition of the LUMOs of these cationic complexes and the steric protection of their ligand ring atoms govern the regioselectivity of their nucleophilic addition and reduction reactions.     

Enhanced π‐back‐donation resulting in the trans labilization of a pyridine ligand in an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) PdII precatalyst: a case study

The molecular structure of the benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene–PdCl₂–pyridine‐type PEPPSI (pyridine‐enhanced precatalyst, preparation, stabilization and initiation) complex {1,3‐bis[2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl]benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene‐κC²}dichlorido(pyridine‐κN)palladium(II), [PdCl₂(C₅H₅N)(C₂₃H₄₀N₄)], has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and natural bond orbital (NBO) and charge decomposition analysis (CDA). Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) searches were used to understand the structural characteristics of the PEPPSI complexes in comparison with the usual N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The presence of weak C—H…Cl‐type hydrogen‐bond and π–π stacking interactions between benzene rings were verified using NCI plots and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The preferred method in the CDA of PEPPSI complexes is to separate their geometries into only two fragments, i.e. the bulky NHC ligand and the remaining fragment. In this study, the geometry of the PEPPSI complex is separated into five fragments, namely benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene (Bimy), two chlorides, pyridine (Py) and the Pd^II ion. Thus, the individual roles of the Pd atom and the Py ligand in the donation and back‐donation mechanisms have been clearly revealed. The NHC ligand in the PEPPSI complex in this study acts as a strong σ‐donor with a considerable amount of π‐back‐donation from Pd to C_carbene. The electron‐poor character of Pd^II is supported by π‐back‐donation from the Pd centre and the weakness of the Pd—N(Py) bond. According to CSD searches, Bimy ligands in PEPPSI complexes have a stronger σ‐donating ability than imidazol‐2‐ylidene ligands in PEPPSI complexes.     

Spontaneous Double Hydrometallation Induced by N→M Coordination in Organometallic Hydrides of Group 14 Elements

Our attempts to synthesise N→M intramolecularly coordinated diorganometallic hydrides L₂MH₂ [M=Si ( 4 ), Ge ( 5 ), Sn ( 6 )] containing the CH=N imine group (in which L is C,N‐chelating ligand {2‐[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)N=CH]C₆H₄}^?) yielded 1,1′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,2′‐spriobi[benzo[c][1,2]azasilole] ( 7 ), 1,1′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐2,2′‐spriobi[benzo[c][1,2]azagermole] ( 8 ) and C,N‐chelated homoleptic stannylene L₂Sn ( 10 ), respectively. Compounds 7 and 8 are an outcome of a spontaneous double hydrometallation of the two CH=N imine moieties induced by N→M intramolecular coordination (M=Si, Ge) in the absence of any catalyst. In contrast, the diorganotin hydride L₂SnH₂ ( 6 ) is redox‐unstable and the reduction of the tin centre with the elimination of H₂ provided the C,N‐chelated homoleptic stannylene L₂Sn ( 10 ). Compounds 7 and 8 were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Because the proposed N→M intramolecularly coordinated diorganometallic hydrides L₂MH₂ [M=Si ( 4 ), Ge ( 5 ), Sn ( 6 )] revealed two different types of reduction reactions, DFT calculations were performed to gain an insight into the structures and bonding of the non‐isolable diorganometallic hydrides as well as the products of their subsequent reactions. Furthermore, the thermodynamic profiles of the different reaction pathways with respect to the central metal atom were also investigated.     

Synthesis,structure and bioactivity of Ni2+ and Cu2+ acylhydrazone complexes

Two acylhydrazone complexes, bis{6‐methyl‐N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ²N′,O}nickel(II), [Ni(C₁₃H₁₂N₅O)₂], (I), and di‐μ‐azido‐κ⁴N¹:N¹‐bis({6‐methyl‐N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl‐κN¹)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazidato‐κ²N′,O}nickel(II)), [Cu₂(C₁₃H₁₂N₅O)₂(N₃)₂], (II), derived from 6‐methyl‐N′‐[1‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)ethylidene]nicotinohydrazide (HL) and azide salts, have been synthesized. HL acts as an N,N′,O‐tridentate ligand in both complexes. Complex (I) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn and has a mononuclear structure, the azide co‐ligand is not involved in crystallization and the Ni²⁺ centre lies in a distorted {N₄O₂} octahedral coordination environment. Complex (II) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P and is a centrosymmetric binuclear complex with a crystallographically independent Cu²⁺ centre coordinating to three donor atoms from the deprotonated L^? ligand and to two N atoms belonging to two bridging azide anions. The two‐ and one‐dimensional supramolecular structures are constructed by hydrogen‐bonding interactions in (I) and (II), respectively. The in vitro urease inhibitory evaluation revealed that complex (II) showed a better inhibitory activity, with the IC₅₀ value being 1.32±0.4 µM. Both complexes can effectively bind to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by 1:1 binding, which was assessed via tryptophan emission–quenching measurements. The bioactivities of the two complexes towards jack bean urease were also studied by molecular docking. The effects of the metal ions and the coordination environments in the two complexes on in vitro urease inhibitory activity are preliminarily discussed.     

A linear heterometallic bismuth–copper coordination polymer containing two types of organic ligands

In the linear coordination polymer catena‐poly[[[aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)]‐μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O²:O^2′,N,O⁶‐[(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)bismuth(III)]‐μ‐pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O²,N,O⁶:O^6′] dihydrate], {[Bi^IIICu^II(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(NO₃)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, the Bi^III cation is O,N,O′‐chelated by the two pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate ligands and O,O′‐chelated by the nitrate anion, the nine coordinating atoms conferring a tricapped trigonal prismatic environment on the metal centre. Each pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate ligand uses one of its carboxylate O atoms to bind to an aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II) unit, the Cu—O dative bonds giving rise to the formation of a ribbon motif. The Cu^II cation exhibits a square‐pyramidal geometry. The ribbon motif propagates along the shortest axis of the triclinic unit cell and the solvent water molecules are hydrogen bonded to the same ribbon.     

First‐row transition metal–pyridine (py)–sulfate [(py)xM](SO4) complexes (M = Ni,Cu and Zn): crystal field theory in action

The crystal structures of three first‐row transition metal–pyridine–sulfate complexes, namely catena‐poly[[tetrakis(pyridine‐κN)nickel(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Ni(SO₄)(C₅H₅N)₄]_n, (1), di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[tris(pyridine‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(SO₄)₂(C₅H₅N)₆], (2), and catena‐poly[[tetrakis(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′‐[bis(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn₂(SO₄)₂(C₅H₅N)₆]_n, (3), are reported. Ni compound (1) displays a polymeric crystal structure, with infinite chains of Ni^II atoms adopting an octahedral N₄O₂ coordination environment that involves four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. Cu compound (2) features a dimeric molecular structure, with the Cu^II atoms possessing square‐pyramidal N₃O₂ coordination environments that contain three pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. Zn compound (3) exhibits a polymeric crystal structure of infinite chains, with two alternating zinc coordination environments, i.e. octahedral N₄O₂ coordination involving four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands, and tetrahedral N₂O₂ coordination containing two pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. The observed coordination environments are consistent with those predicted by crystal field theory.     

catena‐Poly­[[(di‐2‐pyridyl­amine)­silver(I)]‐μ‐nicotinato] and catena‐poly­[[(di‐2‐pyridyl­amine)silver(I)]‐μ‐2,6‐di­hydroxy­benzoato]

In catena‐poly­[[(di‐2‐pyridyl­amine‐κ²N,N′)silver(I)]‐μ‐nico­tinato‐κ²N:O], [Ag(C₆H₄NO₂)(C₁₀H₉N₃)]_n, the Ag^I atom is tetracoordinated by two N atoms from the di‐2‐pyridyl­amine (BPA) ligand [Ag—N = 2.3785 (18) and 2.3298 (18) Å] and by one N atom and one carboxyl­ate O atom from nicotinate ligands [Ag—N = 2.2827 (15) Å and Ag—O = 2.3636 (14) Å]. Bridging by nicotinate N and O atoms generates a polymeric chain structure, which extends along [100]. The carboxyl O atom not bonded to the Ag atom takes part in an intrachain C—H⋯O hydrogen bond, further stabilizing the chain. Pairs of chains are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to generate ribbons. There are no π–π interactions in this complex. In catena‐poly­[[(di‐2‐pyridyl­amine‐κ²N,N′)silver(I)]‐μ‐2,6‐di­hydroxy­benzoato‐κ²O¹:O²], [Ag(C₇H₅O₄)(C₁₀H₉N₃)]_n, the Ag^I atom has a distorted tetrahedral coordination, with three strong bonds to two pyridine N atoms from the BPA ligand [Ag—N = 2.286 (5) and 2.320 (5) Å] and to one carboxyl­ate O atom from the 2,6‐di­hydroxy­benzoate ligand [Ag—O = 2.222 (4) Å]; the fourth, weaker, Ag‐atom coordination is to one of the phenol O atoms [Ag⋯O = 2.703 (4) Å] of an adjacent moiety, and this interaction generates a polymeric chain along [100]. Pairs of chains are linked about inversion centers by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form ribbons, within which there are π–π interactions. The ribbons are linked about inversion centers by pairs of C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and additional π–π interactions between inversion‐related pairs of 2,6‐di­hydroxy­benzoate ligands to generate a three‐dimensional network.     

The crystal structure,luminescence and nitrobenzene‐sensing properties of a two‐dimensional MnII coordination polymer based on 2,6‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)pyridine

A two‐dimensional Mn^II coordination polymer (CP), poly[bis[μ₂‐2,6‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)pyridine‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis(thiocyanato‐κN)manganese] [Mn(NCS)₂(C₁₁H₉N₅)₂]_n, (I), has been obtained by the self‐assembly reaction of Mn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, NH₄SCN and bent 2,6‐bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)pyridine (2,6‐bip). CP (I) was characterized by FT–IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The crystal structure features a unique two‐dimensional (4,4) network with one‐dimensional channels. The luminescence and nitrobenzene‐sensing properties were explored in a DMF suspension, revealing that CP (I) shows a strong luminescence emission and is highly sensitive for nitrobenzene detection.     

Aqua(dipicolinato‐κ3O2,N,O6)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ2N,N′)manganese(II) monohydrate

In the title compound [systematic name: aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)(pyridine‐2,6‐di­carboxyl­ato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)manganese(II) monohydrate, [Mn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)]·H₂O, the manganese(II) centre is surrounded by one bidentate phenanthroline ligand [Mn—N = 2.248 (3) and 2.278 (3) Å], one tridentate dipicolinate ligand [Mn—N = 2.179 (3) Å, and Mn—O = 2.237 (2) and 2.266 (2) Å] and one water mol­ecule [Mn—O = 2.117 (3) Å], and it exhibits a strongly distorted octahedral geometry, with trans angles ranging from 144.12 (9) to 158.88 (11)°. Extensive intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving coordinated and uncoordinated water mol­ecules and the carboxyl O atoms of the dipicolinate ligand, as well as a stacking interaction involving the phenanthroline rings, are observed in the crystal structure.