Dioxygen Activation of a Trinuclear CuICuICuI Cluster Capable of Mediating Facile Oxidation of Organic Substrates: Competition between O‐Atom Transfer and Abortive Intercomplex Reduction

The dioxygen activation of a series of Cu^ICu^ICu^I complexes based on the ligands ( L ) 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐ 1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl](methyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Me ) or 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(diethylamino)ethyl](ethyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Et ) forms an intermediate capable of mediating facile O‐atom transfer to simple organic substrates at room temperature. To elucidate the dioxygen chemistry, we have examined the reactions of 7‐Me , 7‐Et , and 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis[1‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol] ( 7‐N‐Meppz ) with dioxygen at ?80, ?55, and ?35 °C in propionitrile (EtCN) by UV‐visible, 77 K EPR, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and 7‐N‐Meppz and 7‐Me with dioxygen at room temperature in acetonitrile (MeCN) by diode array spectrophotometry. At both ?80 and ?55 °C, the mixing of the starting [Cu^ICu^ICu^I( L )]¹⁺ complex ( 1 ) with O₂‐saturated propionitrile (EtCN) led to a bright green solution consisting of two paramagnetic species: the green dioxygen adduct [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ ( 2 ) and the blue [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ species ( 3 ). These observations are consistent with the initial formation of [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)₂Cu^III( L )]¹⁺ ( 4 ), followed by rapid abortion of this highly reactive species by intercluster electron transfer from a second molecule of complex 1 to give the blue species 3 and subsequent oxygenation of the partially oxidized [Cu^IICu^ICu^I( L )]²⁺ ( 5 ) to form the green dioxygen adduct 2 . Assignment of 2 to [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ is consistent with its reactivity with water to give H₂O₂ and the blue species 3 , as well as its propensity to be photoreduced in the X‐ray beam during X‐ray absorption experiments at room temperature. In light of these observations, the development of an oxidation catalyst based on the tricopper system requires consideration of the following design criteria: 1) rapid dioxygen chemistry; 2) facile O‐atom transfer from the activated cluster to substrate; and 3) a suitable reductant to rapidly regenerate complex 1 to accomplish efficient catalytic turnover.     

Direct Evidence for a [4+2] Cycloaddition Mechanism of Alkynes to Tantallacyclopentadiene on Dinuclear Tantalum Complexes as a Model of Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

A dinuclear tantalum complex, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)] ( 2 ), bearing a tantallacyclopentadiene moiety, was synthesized by treating [(η²‐EtC?CEt)TaCl₃(DME)] ( 1 ) with AlCl₃. Complex 2 and its Lewis base adducts, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)L] (L=THF ( 3 a ), pyridine ( 3 b ), THT ( 3 c )), served as more active catalysts for cyclotrimerization of internal alkynes than 1 . During the reaction of 3 a with 3‐hexyne, we isolated [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₆)(μ‐η²:η²‐EtC?CEt)] ( 4 ), sandwiched by a two‐electron reduced μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐hexaethylbenzene and a μ‐η²:η²‐3‐hexyne ligand, as a product of an intermolecular cyclization between the metallacyclopentadiene moiety and 3‐hexyne. The formation of arene complexes [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄Me₂)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 7 b ) and [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄RH)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] (R=nBu ( 8 a ), p‐tolyl ( 8 b )) by treating [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐C₄Et₄)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 6 ) with 2‐butyne, 1‐hexyne, and p‐tolylacetylene without any isomers, at room temperature or low temperature were key for clarifying the [4+2] cycloaddition mechanism because of the restricted rotation behavior of the two‐electron reduced arene ligands without dissociation from the dinuclear tantalum center.     

Valence‐to‐Core X‐ray Emission Spectroscopy as a Probe of O−O Bond Activation in Cu2O2 Complexes

Valence‐to‐Core (VtC) X‐ray emission spectroscopy (XES) was used to directly detect the presence of an O?O bond in a complex comprising the [Cu^II₂(μ‐η²:η²‐O₂)]²⁺ core relative to its isomer with a cleaved O?O bond having a [Cu^III₂(μ‐O)₂]²⁺ unit. The experimental studies are complemented by DFT calculations, which show that the unique VtC XES feature of the [Cu^II₂(μ‐η²:η²‐O₂)]²⁺ core corresponds to the copper stabilized in‐plane 2p π peroxo molecular orbital. These calculations illustrate the sensitivity of VtC XES for probing the extent of O?O bond activation in μ‐η²:η²‐O₂ species and highlight the potential of this method for time‐resolved studies of reaction mechanisms.     

Electrophilic Arene Hydroxylation and Phenol O?H Oxidations Performed by an Unsymmetric μ‐η1:η1‐O2‐Peroxo Dicopper(II) Complex

Reactions of the unsymmetric dicopper(II) peroxide complex [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]²⁺ ( 1 O₂ , where m‐XYL is a heptadentate N‐based ligand), with phenolates and phenols are described. Complex 1 O₂ reacts with p‐X‐PhONa (X=MeO, Cl, H, or Me) at ?90 °C performing tyrosinase‐like ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to afford the corresponding catechol products. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that reactions occur through initial reversible formation of metastable association complexes [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(p‐X‐PhO)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]⁺ ( 1 O₂ ?X‐PhO) that then undergo ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring by the peroxide moiety. Complex 1 O₂ also reacts with 4‐X‐substituted phenols p‐X‐PhOH (X=MeO, Me, F, H, or Cl) and with 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenol at ?90 °C causing rapid decay of 1 O₂ and affording biphenol coupling products, which is indicative that reactions occur through formation of phenoxyl radicals that then undergo radical C? C coupling. Spectroscopic UV/Vis monitoring and kinetic analysis show that reactions take place through reversible formation of ground‐state association complexes [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(X‐PhOH)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]²⁺ ( 1 O₂ ?X‐PhOH) that then evolve through an irreversible rate‐determining step. Mechanistic studies indicate that 1 O₂ reacts with phenols through initial phenol binding to the Cu₂O₂ core, followed by a proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the rate‐determining step. Results disclosed in this work provide experimental evidence that the unsymmetric 1 O₂ complex can mediate electrophilic arene hydroxylation and PCET reactions commonly associated with electrophilic Cu₂O₂ cores, and strongly suggest that the ability to form substrate?Cu₂O₂ association complexes may provide paths to overcome the inherent reactivity of the O₂‐binding mode. This work provides experimental evidence that the presence of a H⁺ completely determines the fate of the association complex [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(X‐PhO(H))(m‐XYL^N3N4)]ⁿ⁺ between a PCET and an arene hydroxylation reaction, and may provide clues to help understand enzymatic reactions at dicopper sites.     

Mono‐ and Dinuclear Heteroleptic Cobalt Complexes with α‐Diimine and Polyarene Ligands

Reactions of the dimeric cobalt complex [(L^?Co)₂] ( 1 , L=[(2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(Me)]₂) with polyarenes afforded a series of mononuclear and dinuclear complexes: [LCo(η⁴‐anthracene)] ( 2 ), [LCo(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐naphthalene)CoL] ( 3 ), and [LCo(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐phenanthrene)CoL] ( 4 ). The pyrene complexes [{Na₂(Et₂O)₂}{LCo(μ‐η³:η³‐pyrene)CoL}] ( 5 ) and [{Na₂(Et₂O)₃}{LCo(η³‐pyrene)}] ( 6 ) were obtained by treating precursor 1 with pyrene followed by reduction with Na metal. These complexes contain three potential redox active centers: the cobalt metal and both α‐diimine and polyarene ligands. Through a combination of X‐ray crystallography, EPR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurement, and DFT computations, the electronic configurations of these complexes were studied. It was determined that complexes 2 – 4 have a high‐spin Co^I center coupled with a radical α‐diimine ligand and a neutral polyarene ligand. Whereas, the ligand L in complexes 5 and 6 has been further reduced to the dianion, the cobalt remains in a formal (I) oxidation state, and the pyrene molecule is either neutral or monoanionic.     

A three‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer constructed from 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylate and 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands

The title coordination polymer, poly[[aqua(μ₅‐1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato)bis[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene]dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, was crystallized from a mixture of 1,1′‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid (H₄bpta), 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,4‐bib) and cadmium nitrate in water–dimethylformamide. The crystal structure consists of two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, with one of the Cd^II cations possessing a slightly distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. The second Cd^II centre is coordinated by carboxylate O atoms and imidazole N atoms from two separate 1,4‐bib ligands, displaying a distorted octahedral CdN₂O₄ geometry. The completely deprotonated bpta⁴⁻ ligand, exhibiting a new coordination mode, bridges five Cd^II cations to form one‐dimensional chains viaμ₃‐η¹:η²:η¹:η² and μ₂‐η¹:η¹:η⁰:η⁰ modes, and these are further linked by 1,4‐bib ligands to form a three‐dimensional framework with a (4².6⁴)(4.6²)(4³.6⁵.7²) topology. The structure of the coordination polymer is reinforced by intermolecular hydrogen bonding between carboxylate O atoms, aqua ligands and crystallization water molecules. The solid‐state photoluminescence properties were investigated and the complex might be a candidate for a thermally stable and solvent‐resistant blue fluorescent material.     

Rare‐Earth Metal Alkyl Complexes with 3‐Arylamido‐Functionalized Indolyl Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization and Reactivity†

A series of dinuclear rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes {[μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L NCH)(CH₂SiMe₃)Ind]RE(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ ( L ¹ = 2‐^tBuC₆H₄, RE = Y, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb; L ² = 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂, RE = Dy, Er; Ind = indolyl) and {[μ‐η²:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L NCH₂)Ind]RE(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ ( L ¹, RE = Y, Dy, Er, Yb; L ², RE = Er, Yb) bearing 3‐arylamido functionalized indolyl ligands having diverse bonding modes with metal ions were synthesized either by the insertion reaction of the imino group to the RE—C bond or by the alkane elimination reaction. In the preparation of above complexes, rare‐earth metal alkyl complexes [μ‐η⁵:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²NCH)(CH₂SiMe₃)Ind]Gd(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ with a μ‐η⁵:η¹:η¹ coordination mode to the gadolinium ion and {[μ‐η³:η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²NCH₂)Ind]Dy(CH₂SiMe₃)(THF)}₂ with a μ‐η³:η¹:η¹ coordination mode to the dysprosium ion were unexpectedly isolated. The reactions of 3‐( L ²N=CH)Ind with Er(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ at room temperature, generated a tetranuclear imino‐indolyl erbium intermediate {[μ‐η¹:η¹‐3‐( L ²N=CH)Ind]Er(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF)}₄, which can transform into the amido functionalized indolyl erbium complex in hot toluene. Moreover, the reactivities of the newly synthesized ytterbium complex with N‐heterocyclic compounds were investigated, affording the corresponding products of the mixed pyridyl‐indolyl, imidazolyl‐indolyl, and ortho‐metalated complexes. The yttrium complexes showed a high regioselectivity and steroselectivity for the isoprene polymerization with 1,4‐trans selectivity up to 91.7% and 1,4‐cis selectivity up to 96.1% in the presence of cocatalysts, respectively.     

Structural Diversity of Calcium Organocuprates(I): Synthesis of Mesityl Cuprates via Addition and Transmetalation Reactions of Mesityl Copper(I)

The addition of [(L)₄Ca(I)Mes] (Lewis base L=thf, Et₂O) to mesityl copper(I) and the transmetalation reaction of mesityl copper(I) with activated calcium are suitable pathways for the synthesis of dimesityl cuprates(I) of calcium. However, the structures of the calcium cuprates(I) depend on the preparative procedure. The transmetalation reaction leads to the formation of [Mes‐Cu‐Mes]^? anions whereas the addition yields dinuclear [(Mes‐Cu)₂(μ‐Mes)]^? anions. The solvent‐separated counterions are [Ca(thf)₆]²⁺ and [(thf)₅CaI]⁺, respectively. In contrast to these findings, the addition of [(L)₄Ca(I)Mes] to mesityl copper(I) in an Et₂O/toluene mixture led to formation of tetrameric solvent‐free iodocalcium dimesityl cuprate(I) [ICa(μ‐η¹,η⁶‐Mes₂Cu)]₄, representing a rare example of a heavy Normant‐type organocuprate.     

Flat vs. Folded Chelate Rings in cis‐PtIIa2 (a = NH3, a2 = en,a2 = 2, 2′‐bpy) Complexes of Twofold Substituted Diazine Ligands

Acid‐base and ligating properties of three bis(substituted)pyrazine (pz) and pyrimidine (pym) ligands (pyrazine‐2, 5‐dicarboxylic acid, 2, 5‐pzdcH2, 2, 3‐bis(pyridine‐2‐yl)pyrazine, 2, 3‐bppz, pyrimidine‐4, 6‐dicarboxylic acid, 4, 6‐pmdcH₂) toward cis‐Pt^IIa₂ (a = NH₃, a₂ = en, a₂ = 2, 2′‐bpy) have been studied. Combinations of pz‐N/pym‐N with donor atoms of the substituents lead to 5‐membered platinum chelates, but exclusive N, N‐coordination through the pyridyl substituents of 2, 3‐bppz can lead to a 7‐membered platinum chelate with a characteristic L‐shape of the resulting cation. It is observed for Pt^II(2, 2′‐bpy), yet not for Pt^II(en), and is a consequence of differences in sterical interactions between the 2, 3‐bppz ligand and the coligands of Pt^II.     

Synthese,Strukturen, NMR‐ und EPR‐spektroskopische Untersuchungen an Übergangsmetallkomplexen monofluorsubstituierter Acylselenoharnstoffliganden

Synthesis, Structures, NMR and EPR Investigations on Transition Metal Complexes of monofluorosubstituted Acylselenourea Ligands The syntheses and the structures of the ligand N, N‐diethyl‐N′‐(2‐fluoro)benzoylselenourea HEt₂mfbsu and the complexes [Ni(Et₂mfbsu)₂] and [Zn(Et₂mfbsu)₂] as well as of the ligand N, N‐diisobutyl‐N′‐(2‐fluoro)benzoylselenourea HBuⁱ₂mfbsu and the complexes [Ni^II(Buⁱ₂mfbsu)₂] and [Pd^II(Buⁱ₂mfbsu)₂] are reported. The ligands coordinate bidendately forming bischelates. The Pd^II and Ni^II complexes are cis coordinated; in [Zn^II(Et₂mfbsu)₂] the ligands are tetrahedrally arranged. The structure of the also obtained bis[diisobutylamino‐(2‐fluorobenzoylimino)methyl]diselenide is reported. The Cu^II complexes of both selenourea ligands could not be isolated. They were obtained as oils. Their EPR spectra, however, confirm the presence of Cu^II bischelates unambiguously. Detailed NMR investigations ‐ ¹H‐, ¹³C‐ and ¹⁹F‐COSY, HMBC and HMQC ‐ on [M^II(Et₂mfbsu)₂] (M = Ni^II, Zn^II) allow an exact assignment of all signals to the magnetically active nuclei of the complexes.     

A three‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer: poly[[[μ‐4,4′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)dipyridine‐κ2N:N](μ‐3,3′‐thiodipropionato‐κ3O,O′:O)cadmium(II)] monohydrate]

In the title coordination polymer, {[Cd(C₆H₈O₄S)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)]·H₂O}_n, the Cd^II atom displays a distorted octahedral coordination, formed by three carboxylate O atoms and one S atom from three different 3,3′‐thiodipropionate ligands, and two N atoms from two different 4,4′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)dipyridine ligands. The Cd^II centres are bridged through carboxylate O atoms of 3,3′‐thiodipropionate ligands and through N atoms of 4,4′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)dipyridine ligands to form two different one‐dimensional chains, which intersect to form a two‐dimensional layer. These two‐dimensional layers are linked by S atoms of 3,3′‐thiodipropionate ligands from adjacent layers to form a three‐dimensional network.     

Enantiopure Calcium Iminophosphonamide Complexes: Synthesis,Photoluminescence, and Catalysis

The synthesis of calcium complexes ligated by three different chiral iminophosphonamide ligands, L- H ( L =[Ph₂P{N(R)CH(CH₃)Ph}₂]), L′ -H ( L′ =[Ph₂P{NDipp}{N(R)CH(CH₃)Ph}]), (Dipp=2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃), and L′′ -H ( L′′ =[Ph₂P{N(R)CH(CH₃)naph}₂]), (naph=naphthyl) is presented. The resulting structures [ L ₂Ca], [ L′ ₂Ca], and [ L′′ ₂Ca] represent the first examples of enantiopure homoleptic calcium complexes based on this type of ligands. The calcium complexes show blue–green photoluminescence (PL) in the solid state, which is especially bright at low temperatures. Whereas the emission of [ L′′ ₂Ca] is assigned to the fluorescence of naphthyl groups, the PL of [ L ₂Ca] and [ L′ ₂Ca] is contributed by long-lived phosphorescence and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF), with a strong variation of the PL lifetimes over the temperature range of 5–295 K. Furthermore, an excellent catalytic activity was found for these complexes in hydroboration of ketones at room temperature, although no enantioselectivity was achieved.     

The first three‐dimensional FeIII–SrII heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[[diaquatetrakis(μ3‐pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylato)diiron(III)strontium(II)] dihydrate]

The title compound, poly[[diaqua‐1κ²O‐tetrakis(μ₃‐pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylato)‐2:1:2′κ¹⁰N,O²:O^2′,O³:O^3′;2:1:2′κ⁸O³:O^3′:N,O²‐diiron(III)strontium(II)] dihydrate], {[Fe₂Sr(C₇H₃O₄)₄(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, which has triclinic (P) symmetry, was prepared by the reaction of pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid, SrCl₂·6H₂O and Fe(OAc)₂(OH) (OAc is acetate) in the presence of imidazole in water at 363 K. In the crystal structure, the pyridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (pydc²⁻) ligand exhibits μ₃‐η¹,η¹:η¹:η¹ and μ₃‐η¹,η¹:η¹,η¹:η¹ coordination modes, bridging two Fe^III cations and one Sr^II cation. The Sr^II cation, which is located on an inversion centre, is eight‐coordinated by six O atoms of four pydc²⁻ ligands and two water molecules. The coordination geometry of the Sr^II cation can be best described as distorted dodecahedral. The Fe^III cation is six‐coordinated by O and N atoms of four pydc²⁻ ligands in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Each Fe^III cation bridges two neighbouring Fe^III cations to form a one‐dimensional [Fe₂(pydc)₄]_n chain. The chains are connected by Sr^II cations to form a three‐dimensional framework. The topology type of this framework is tfj . The structure displays O—H...O and C—H...O hydrogen bonding.     

Three Novel Mixed‐ligand Cadmium(II) Sulfonates with Aza‐aromatic Skeltons as Co‐ligands

To survey the influence of aza‐aromatic co‐ligands on the structure of Cadmium(II) sulfonates, three Cd(II) complexes with mixed‐ligand, [Cd^II(ANS)₂(phen)₂] ( 1 ), [Cd^II(ANS)₂(2,2′‐bipy)₂] ( 2 ) and [Cd^II(ANS)₂(4,4′‐bipy)₂]_n ( 3 ) (ANS = 2‐aminonaphthalene‐1‐sulfonate; phen = 1,10‐phenanthroline; 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 4,4′‐bipy = 4,4′‐bipyridine) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and structurally characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Of the three complexes, ANS consistently coordinates to Cd²⁺ ion as a monodentate ligand. While phen in 1 and 2,2′‐bipy in 2 act as N,N‐bidentate chelating ligands, leading to the formation of a discrete mononuclear unit; 4,4′‐bipy in 3 bridges two Cd^II atoms in bis‐monodentate fashion to produce a 2‐D layered network, suggesting that the conjugate skeleton and the binding site of the co‐ligands have a moderate effect on molecular structure, crystal stacking pattern, and intramolecular weak interactions. In addition, the three complexes exhibit similar luminescent emissions originate from the transitions between the energy levels of sulfonate anions.     

Porphyrins Fused to N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes (NHCs): Modulation of the Electronic and Catalytic Properties of NHCs by the Central Metal of the Porphyrin

We report herein a detailed study of the use of porphyrins fused to imidazolium salts as precursors of N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands 1 M . Rhodium(I) complexes 6 M – 9 M were prepared by using 1 M ligands with different metal cations in the inner core of the porphyrin (M=Ni^II, Zn^II, Mn^III, Al^III, 2H). The electronic properties of the corresponding N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands were investigated by monitoring the spectroscopic changes occurring in the cod and CO ancillary ligands of [( 1 M )Rh(cod)Cl] and [( 1 M )Rh(CO)₂Cl] complexes (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Porphyrin–NHC ligands 1 M with a trivalent metal cation such as Mn^III and Al^III are overall poorer electron donors than porphyrin–NHC ligands with no metal cation or incorporating a divalent metal cation such as Ni^II and Zn^II. Imidazolium salts 3 M (M=Ni, Zn, Mn, 2H) have also been used as NHC precursors to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization of L ‐lactide. The results clearly show that the inner metal of the porphyrin has an important effect on the reactivity of the outer carbene.     

Reactions of stable [PtCl2(η2-C2H4)(t-BuNCHCHNt-Bu)]. retention of the pentacoordinate structure upon halogen exchange and ligand substitution with olefins, α-diimines and N,N′-disubstituted 1,2-diaminoethanes

The axial halogen atoms as well as the equatorial η²-C₂H₄ and σ,σ′-N,N′ chelate bonded t-BuNCHCHNt-Bu ligands in pentacoordinate [PtCl₂(η²-C₂H₄)(t-BuNCHCHNt-Bu)] can be displaced with retention of the trigonal bipyramidal structure. Halogen—halogen exchange is initiated by formation of an ionic intermediate [PtCl(η²-C₂H₄)(t-BuNCHCHNT-Bu)]Cl. The reversible exchange of the equation ligands with olefins or bidentate diimine or diamine ligands (NN) is proposed to proceed via pentacoordinate intermediates [PtCl₂(η²-C₂H₄)(η²-olefin)(t-BuNCHCHNt-Bu)] and [PtCl₂(η²-C₂H₄)(t-BuNCHCHNt-Bu)(N-N)], respectively in which the α-diimine is σ-N monodentate bonded. Selective coodination of cis-olefins (maleic anhydride, dimethylmalonate, methylacrylate or acrolein) has been observed. Some relevant ¹H and ¹³C NMR data for the novel pentacoordinate Pt^II-olefin complexes are given.     

Versatile Reactivity of Scorpionate‐Anchored Yttrium?Dialkyl Complexes towards Unsaturated Substrates

A series of unusual chemical‐bond transformations were observed in the reactions of high active yttrium? dialkyl complexes with unsaturated small molecules. The reaction of scorpionate‐anchored yttrium? dibenzyl complex [Tp^Me2Y(CH₂Ph)₂(thf)] ( 1 , Tp^Me2=tri(3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) with phenyl isothiocyanate led to C?S bond cleavage to give a cubane‐type yttrium–sulfur cluster, {Tp^Me2Y(μ₃‐S)}₄ ( 2 ), accompanied by the elimination of PhN?C(CH₂Ph)₂. However, compound 1 reacted with phenyl isocyanate to afford a C(sp³)? H activation product, [Tp^Me2Y(thf){μ‐η¹:η³‐OC(CHPh)NPh}{μ‐η³:η²‐OC(CHPh)NPh}YTp^Me2] ( 3 ). Moreover, compound 1 reacted with phenylacetonitrile at room temperature to produce γ‐deprotonation product [(Tp^Me2)₂Y]⁺[Tp^Me2Y(N=C?CHPh)₃]^? ( 6 ), in which the newly formed N?C?CHPh ligands bound to the metal through the terminal nitrogen atoms. When this reaction was carried out in toluene at 120 °C, it gave a tandem γ‐deprotonation/insertion/partial‐Tp^Me2‐degradation product, [(Tp^Me2Y)₂(μ‐Pz)₂{μ‐η¹:η³‐NC(CH₂Ph)CHPh}] ( 7 , Pz=3,5‐dimethylpyrazolyl).     

Influence of nitrogen‐containing chelating ligands on the structures of zinc(II) 4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoates

The Zn^II compounds, μ‐4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoato‐bis[acetatoaqua(dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine)zinc(II)] dihydrate, [Zn₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂(C₁₆H₁₀O₄)(C₁₈H₁₀N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, (I), and catena‐poly[[[aqua(pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline)zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoato] N,N‐dimethylformamide hemisolvate], {[Zn(C₁₆H₁₀O₄)(C₁₄H₈N₄)(H₂O)]·0.5C₃H₇NO}_n, (II), display very different structures because of the influence of the N‐donor chelating ligands. In (I), the coordination geometry of each Zn^II centre is distorted octahedral, involving two N atoms from one dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine (L1) ligand, and four O atoms from one bis‐chelating acetate anion, one bridging 4,4′‐ethylenedibenzoate (bpea) ligand and one water molecule. Adjacent Zn^II atoms are bridged by one bpea ligand to form a dinuclear complex, and the dinuclear species is centrosymmetric. Two types of π–π interactions between neighbouring dinuclear species have been found: one is between the L1 ligands, and the second is between the L1 and bpea ligands. In this way, an interesting two‐dimensional supramolecular layer is formed. The layers are further linked by O—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds, generating a three‐dimensional supramolecular network. In (II), each Zn^II atom is square‐pyramidally coordinated by two N atoms from one pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]phenanthroline ligand, three O atoms from two different bpea ligands and one water molecule. The two bpea dianions are situated across inversion centres. The bpea dianions bridge neighbouring Zn^II centres, giving a one‐dimensional chain structure in the ab plane. As in (I), two types of π–π interactions between neighbouring chains complete a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. The results indicate that the structures of the N‐donor chelating ligands are the dominant factors determining the final supramolecular structures of the two compounds.     

Synthesen und Strukturen von N‐Acylthioharnstoffkomplexen des Zinks und des Cadmiums

Synthesis and Structures of the Zinc‐ and Cadmium‐N‐Acylthiourea Complexes The synthesis and crystal structures of the N,N‐Diisobutyl‐N′‐benzoylthiourea complexes [Zn(Buⁱ₂btu)₂] and [Cd(Buⁱ₂btu)₂(HBuⁱ₂btu)] are reported. The complexes of Zn^II and Cd^II have different molecular structures. Whereas Zn^II forms a bischelate with tetrahedral coordination, three ligands coordinate in a trigonal‐bipyramidal manner in the Cd^II complex.     

A three‐dimensional mixed‐valence CuII/CuI coordination polymer constructed from biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylate and 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene ligands

Coordination polymers (CPs) built by coordination bonds between metal ions/clusters and multidentate organic ligands exhibit fascinating structural topologies and potential applications as functional solid materials. The title coordination polymer, poly[diaquabis(μ₄‐biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ⁴O³:O^3′:O^4′:O⁵)tris[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]dicopper(II)dicopper(I)], [Cu^II₂Cu^I₂(C₁₅H₇O₆)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₃(H₂O)₂]_n, was crystallized from a mixture of biphenyl‐3,4′,5‐tricarboxylic acid (H₃bpt), 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,4‐bib) and copper(II) chloride in a water–CH₃CN mixture under solvothermal reaction conditions. The asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent Cu atoms, one of which is Cu^II, while the other has been reduced to the Cu^I ion. The Cu^II centre is pentacoordinated by three O atoms from three bpt³⁻ ligands, one N atom from a 1,4‐bib ligand and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule, and the coordination geometry can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal. The Cu^I atom exhibits a T‐shaped geometry (CuN₂O) coordinated by one O atom from a bpt³⁻ ligand and two N atoms from two 1,4‐bib ligands. The Cu^II atoms are extended by bpt³⁻ and 1,4‐bib linkers to generate a two‐dimensional network, while the Cu^I atoms are linked by 1,4‐bib ligands, forming one‐dimensional chains along the [20] direction. In addition, the completely deprotonated μ₄‐η¹:η¹:η¹:η¹ bpt³⁻ ligands bridge one Cu^I and three Cu^II cations along the a (or [100]) direction to form a three‐dimensional framework with a (10³)₂(10)₂(4².6.10².12)₂(4².6.8².10)₂(8) topology via a 2,2,3,4,4‐connected net. An investigation of the magnetic properties indicated a very weak ferromagnetic behaviour.