Stability constants of metal complexes of macrocyclic ligands with pendant donor groups

Abstract

In our studies of the stability constants of metal complexes, we have investigated a number of macrocyclic ligands with pendant donor groups. The ligands are characterized by the fact that they have nitrogen donors in the macrocyclic ring and oxygen or sulfur donors in the pendant arms. These ligands represent seven different macrocycles, and by varying the pendant donor groups, ten different ligands are indicated. The affinities of these ligands for fifteen metal ions will be described. The Fe(III) complex of triazanonane with o-hydroxypyridyl or o-hydroxybenzyl pendant donor groups are the most stable ferric complexes ever reported. The In(III) complex of triazacyclononane with pendant mercaptoethyl donor groups, is exceptionally stable. Also, the Ca(II) complex of DOTA probably has the highest stability of any calcium(II) complex. These, and other comparisons will be made on the basis of the thermodynamic stability constant data for the ligands described.     

The complexation of alkali metal ions by crown ethers,aza crown ethers,and cryptands in propylene carbonate

The reactions between alkali metal ions and crown ethers, aza crown ethers, and cryptands in propylene carbonate were studied by potentiometric and calorimetric titrations. The most stable complexes formed by macrocyclic and macrobicyclic ligands are when the ligand and cation dimensions are comparable. On comparing the complex stabilities of crown ethers and aza crown ethers of the same size, crown ethers were, on the whole, found to form the most stable complexes, with the exception of the lithium cation. Enthalpic factors are responsible. Substitution of the amino group protons of the aza crown ethers by benzyl groups leads to a high increase in values of the reaction enthalpy. This effect is partly compensated by entropic contributions. The bulky benzyl groups reduce the ligand solvent interactions and induce a ligand conformation with the lone pair of electrons from the nitrogen donor atoms which are more or less directed inside the cavity. The thermodynamic data for the transfer from methanol to propylene carbonate indicate that the ligands containing nitrogen show specific interactions with methanol.This paper is dedicated to Professor H. Strehlow on the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Major impact of N-methylation on cytotoxicity and hydrolysis of salan Ti(IV) complexes: sterics and electronics are intertwined

A series of Ti(IV) complexes containing diamino bis(phenolato) "salan" type ligands with NH coordination were prepared, and their hydrolysis and cytotoxicity were analyzed and compared to the N-methylated analogues. Substituting methyl groups on the coordinative nitrogen donor of highly active and stable Ti(IV) salan complexes with H atoms has two main consequences: the hydrolysis rate increases and the cytotoxic activity diminishes. In addition, the small modification of a single replacement of Me with H leads to a different major hydrolysis product, where a dinuclear Ti(IV) complex with two bridging oxo ligands is obtained, as characterized by X-ray crystallography, rather than a trinuclear cluster. A partial hydrolysis product containing a single oxo bridge was also crystallographically analyzed. Investigation of a series of complexes with NH donors of different steric and electronic effects revealed that cytotoxicity may be restored by fine tuning these parameters even for complexes of low stability.     

Three new dinuclear silver(I) complexes derived from pyrazolyl type ligands

Three NNN type ligands derived from 2,6-dichlorpyroidine, pyrazol and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and their silver complexes were prepared in methanol media. The complex structures were characterized using IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. X-ray studies showed the complexes to be dimeric in structure. The two nitrogen atoms of the ligand coordinated the first Ag(I) ion whereas the second Ag(I) ion was coordinated by the third nitrogen donor. The nitrate structure was not ionic in a done of its oxygen atoms coordinated an Ag(I) ion. The Ag(I) ion was seen to be situated in a deformed tetrahedral coordination sphere. Thermogravimetric studies showed the complexes to decompose similar to explosive material. The decomposition temperature was observed to increase with increasing hydrogen atoms in the structure.     

Complex formation of N-donor ligands with group 11 monovalent ions

Thermodynamic data on complex formation between nitrogen donor ligands (amines, pyridines) and group 11 monovalent ions in water and non-aqueous media are reviewed here. Particular emphasis is paid to Ag(I) complex formation in water and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), due to the amount and quality of data available. The influence of different basicities and steric properties of ligands, together with the solvation of the species involved, on the stability and nature of the resulting complexes is discussed. It emerges generally that the coordination properties of amines towards 1+ ions are all modulated through the number and basicity of nitrogen atoms present in the ligand, chelate ring sizes, degree of N-functionalisation, and the nature of the solvent. When possible, the thermodynamic properties of the complexes are related to the structural features of the ligands.     

Chelate ring geometry,and the metal ion selectivity of macrocyclic ligands. Some recent developments

Abstract

The idea (Hancock, 1992) that the dominant architectural feature in controlling metal ion selectivity in both open-chain and macro-cyclic ligands is the size of the chelate ring is pursued further. It is shown that when more than one or two six-membered chelate rings are present in the complex of a nitrogen donor macrocycle, the steric requirements of the six-membered chelate ring of a M-N bond length of 1.6 Å and N-M-N angle of 109.5° become particularly severe, and can only be met by a small tetrahedral metal ion. Thus, the ligand 16-aneN₄ (1,5,9,13-tetraazacyclohexadecane) forms complexes of low stability with all metal ions studied to date, but a conformer of 16-aneN₄ is identified by MM calculation which is predicted to form complexes of high stability with very small tetrahedral metal ions. The question of the M-O bond length and O-M-O angles that will produce minimum strain in chelate rings containing neutral oxygen donor is addressed. The observation (Hay, 1993) that the geometry around an ethereal oxygen coordinated to a metal ion approximates to trigonal planar rather than tetrahedral leads to ideal M-O-C angles of about 126°, which leads to minimum strain energy with much longer M-L lengths in chelate rings containing neutral oxygen donors than neutral nitrogen donors. It is suggested that this fact accounts for the general tendency of crown ethers to form their most stable complexes with potassium out of the alkali metal ions, and also accounts for the very small macrocyclic effect observed in complexes of macrocycles containing mixed nitrogen and oxygen donor groups. The preferred geometry of four-membered chelate rings is discussed, and it is shown that higher coordination numbers of metal ions are associated with four membered chelate rings, and that four membered chelate rings may be used to engineer preference for larger metal ions. Very rigid reinforced chelate rings are discussed, and it is shown that open-chain ligands with reinforced bridges between the donor atoms can display all the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects associated with macrocyclic ligands.     

Syntheses,characterization and X-ray crystal structures of Co(III) and Mn(II) complexes of pyrimidine derived Schiff base ligands

Two pyrimidine based NNS tridentate Schiff base ligands S-methyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₁] and S-benzyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₂] have been synthesised by 1:1 condensation of 2-S-methylmercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-4-carbaldehyde and S-methyl/S-benzyl dithiocarbazate. One Co(III) and one Mn(II) complex of HL₁ and one Mn(II) complex of HL₂ have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and spectroscopic studies. All the bis-chelate complexes have a distorted octahedral arrangement with an N₄S₂ chromophore around the central metal ion. Each ligand molecule binds the metal ion using pyrimidyl nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and the thiolato sulfur atoms. In the free ligand moieties, the pyrimidine nitrogen atoms, azomethine nitrogen atoms and thione sulfur atoms are in EEE orientation to each other. During chelation, all the donor sites of the ligands are reoriented to ZEZ configuration in order to facilitate the chelation process. In all the complexes, the respective ligand molecule functions as the monoanionic tridentate one. All complexes were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and significant differences concerning the distortion from octahedral geometry of the coordination environment were observed.     

Thermodynamic and electron-transfer properties of copper(II/I) polyaminothiaether complexes

In electron-transfer reactions, the change in the oxidation states of the reactants is generally accompanied by structural changes, which influence the electron-transfer kinetics. Previous studies on the systems of Cu(II)/(I) complexes involving cyclic tetrathiaether ligands indicated that inversion of coordinated donor atoms is a major geometric change during the overall electron-transfer process. Complex formation and isomerization studies on complexes with the 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane ligand have demonstrated that a necessary condition for conformational change is deprotonation followed by inversion of coordinated N atoms. When one or more nitrogen donor atoms in a ligand are replaced with sulfur, there is a choice of N or S inversion. It has been hypothesized that donor atom inversion (N or S donors) is a major factor that can lead to conformationally limited electron-transfer kinetics of copper systems. In the current study, the thermodynamic properties, electron-transfer kinetics and conformational changes in copper(II)[1,4,8-trithia-11-azacyclotetradecane], copper(II)[1,8-dithia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane] and copper(II)[1,11,-dithia-4,8-diazacyclotetradecane] were determined in order to determine the effect of inversion of coordinated N atoms on electron-transfer rates as a function of low concentrations of water in an aprotic solvent (acetonitrile). By using controlled amounts of water as a hydrogen ion acceptor, deprotonation of amine nitrogen and nitrogen donor inversion was followed by comparing self-exchange rate constants for reduction and oxidation of the copper complexes. Data on thermodynamic properties and electron-transfer kinetics are presented. Possible conformational changes and kinetic pathways for complexes with ligands having mixed N and S donor sets are presented.     

A re-investigation of copper coordination in the octa-repeats region of the prion protein

An aqueous solution spectroscopic (Vis and EPR) study of the copper(II) complexes with the Ac-HGGG-NH2 and Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH2 polypeptides (generically designated as L) suggests square base pyramids ascribable to [Cu(L)H(-2)] complex species, which contain three nitrogen donor atoms, arising from imidazole and peptide groups, in the equatorial plane and for a pseudo-octahedral geometry in the case of [CuLH-3]- and [Cu(L)H-4]2- which have four nitrogen donor atoms in their equatorial plane. The coordination sphere of the copper complex in the [Cu(L)H(-2)] species, which is present at neutral pH values, is completed by two oxygen donor atoms. ESI-MS spectra ascertained that water molecules are not present in the coordination equatorial plane of this latter species, in comparison with other copper(II) complexes with ligands bearing nitrogen and oxygen donor atoms and surely having equatorial water molecules. This indicates the coordination of a carbonyl oxygen atom in the equatorial plane has to be invoked. However, no direct proof about the involvement of a carbonyl group oxygen donor atom apically linked to copper was obtained, due to the flexibility of these structures at room temperature. Additionally, the low A(ll) value leads one to consider another oxygen atom of a carbonyl group being involved in the apical bond to copper in a fast exchange fashion. This apical interaction, which may also involve a water molecule, is more pronounced in the Cu-Ac-HGGG-NH2 than in the analogous Cu-Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH2 system, probably because of the presence of tryptophan and proline in the polypeptide sequence.     

Coordination Chemistry of Organoruthenium Compounds with Benzoylthiourea Ligands and their Biological Properties

Benzoylthiourea derivatives feature several donor atoms capable of coordinating to metal centers. We report here a series of Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene) complexes employing benzoylthiourea derivatives as ligands. Such ligands often coordinate to metal centers through their S and O donor atoms. We isolated complexes where the ligands were mono‐ or bidentately coordinated to Ru involving the S donor atom and surprisingly in bidentate coordination mode a deprotonated thiourea nitrogen resulting in a 4‐membered ring structure around the metal center. DFT calculations were used to explain the differences in coordination behavior. These were complemented by stability studies and biological investigations of the compounds as anticancer agents. Several of the synthesized derivatives exhibited significant cell growth inhibitory activity, with the complexes featuring bidentate ligands being more potent than their monodentate counterparts. This can be explained by the higher stability of the former under the conditions employed in cell culture assays.     

Technetium tetrachloride as a precursor for small technetium(IV) complexes

Polymeric technetium tetrachloride reacts with monodentate donor ligands such as THF, acetonitrile, DMSO, thioxane (1-oxa-4-thiacyclohexane), PMe2Ph, PPh3, OPPh3, or OH2 via cleavage of the polymeric network and the formation of [TcCl4(L)2] complexes. The configuration of the products is dependent on the donor atoms such that trans coordination is established with "soft" donor atoms such as sulfur or phosphorus, while cis-[TcCl4(L)2] complexes are formed with the "harder" donors oxygen or nitrogen. The ambivalent thioxane binds to technetium via the sulfur atom. The trans products are air stable and resistant to hydrolysis. The cis complexes, however, undergo stepwise hydrolysis, during which complexes of the composition [Cl3(L)2TcOTc(L)2Cl3] (L = CH3CN, DMSO, or OH2) are formed. They are the first representatives of a new class of technetium(IV) complexes with a bridging oxo ligand. The Tc-O bond lengths in these bridges are between 1.803(1) and 1.823(2) A.     

Cationic Gold(II) Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Study**

Gold(II) complexes are rare, and their application to the catalysis of chemical transformations is underexplored. The reason is their easy oxidation or reduction to more stable gold(III) or gold(I) complexes, respectively. We explored the thermodynamics of the formation of [Au^II(L)(X)]⁺ complexes (L=ligand, X=halogen) from the corresponding gold(III) precursors and investigated their stability and spectral properties in the IR and visible range in the gas phase. The results show that the best ancillary ligands L for stabilizing gaseous [Au^II(L)(X)]⁺ complexes are bidentate and tridentate ligands with nitrogen donor atoms. The electronic structure and spectral properties of the investigated gold(II) complexes were correlated with quantum chemical calculations. The results show that the molecular and electronic structure of the gold(II) complexes as well as their spectroscopic properties are very similar to those of analogous stable copper(II) complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of two tris-chelate complexes of cobalt(III) with 3,5-dimethyl-1-(N-methyl/ethyl)thiocarbamylpyrazole (HL1, HL2) — biologically important bidentate ligands with one ambidentate donor site

Cobalt(III) complexes, of two potentially pyrazole-derived bidentate ligands (with one ambidentate donor site), 3,5-dimethyl-1-(N-methyl/ethyl)thiocarbamylpyrazole (HL₁ for N-methyl, HL₂ for N-ethyl) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectral studies. The structure of Co(L₂)₃ has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complex (triclinic, space group P ) has a distorted octahedral structure with the ambidentate ligands coordinated to the Co(III) ion as uninegative bidentate chelating agents via the pyrazole ring nitrogen (tertiary) and the thiocarbamyl iminyl nitrogen atoms. The distortion from the regular octahedral geometry is ascribed to the stereochemical limitations imposed by the planar bidentate ligands.     

Crystal structure of the first SH-containing tetrahedral cobalt(II) complex, [Co(quinoline)2(SH)2]. Superoxide dismutase activity

The preparation, spectroscopic properties and crystal structure of the bis-quinoline–bis-mercaptocobalt(II) complex [Co(quinoline)₂(SH)₂] are reported. The complex is tetrahedral with nitrogen donor atoms from two quinoline ligands and sulphur donor atoms from two mercapto groups. The superoxide dismutase mimetic activity of the complex was investigated using the indirect xanthine–xanthine oxidase–nitroblue tetrazolium method and compared to that of the native enzyme.     

Copper(II) complexes of quinoline polyazamacrocyclic scorpiand-type ligands: X-ray, equilibrium and kinetic studies

The formation of Cu(II) complexes with two isomeric quinoline-containing scorpiand-type ligands has been studied. The ligands have a tetraazapyridinophane core appended with an ethylamino tail including 2-quinoline (L1) or 4-quinoline (L2) functionalities. Potentiometric studies indicate the formation of stable CuL(2+) species with both ligands, the L1 complex being 3-4 log units more stable than the L2 complex. The crystal structure of [Cu(L1)](ClO(4))(2)·H(2)O shows that the coordination geometry around the Cu(2+) ions is distorted octahedral with significant axial elongation; the four Cu-N distances in the equatorial plane vary from 1.976 to 2.183 ?, while the axial distances are of 2.276 and 2.309 ?. The lower stability of the CuL2(2+) complex and its capability of forming protonated and hydroxo complexes suggest a penta-dentate coordination of the ligand, in agreement with the type of substitution at the quinoline ring. Kinetic studies on complex formation can be interpreted by considering that initial coordination of L1 and L2 takes place through the nitrogen atom in the quinoline ring. This is followed by coordination of the remaining nitrogen atoms, in a process that is faster in the L1 complex probably because substitution at the quinoline ring facilitates the reorganization. Kinetic studies on complex decomposition provide clear evidence on the occurrence of the molecular motion typical of scorpiands in the case of the L2 complex, for which decomposition starts with a very fast process (sub-millisecond timescale) that involves a shift in the absorption band from 643 to 690 nm.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization and X-ray crystallographic studies of trans-[PtCl2(PEt3)(PySOR)] complexes,where PySOR = (2-methylsulphinyl)-pyridine and (2-n-propylsulphinyl)pyridine

Alkylsulphinylpyridine ligands containing three potential donor centres: N, S and O atoms and two complexes of general formula trans-[PtCl₂(PEt₃)PySOR)] (R = Me and ⁿ Pr) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. spectroscopy, ¹H- and ³¹P-n.m.r. and X-ray crystallography. The ambidentate ligands act in both situations as monodentate ligands, bonded to the metal exclusively through the nitrogen atom. The crystal structures revealed the occurrence of discrete molecules and, in both complexes, the Pt atoms are coordinated in square planar arrangements by two chloride ions, in a trans configuration, by the pyridine nitrogen atom, and by the phosphine P atom. The oxygen atoms do not take part in the complexation scheme.     

The autoreduction of pertechnetate in aqueous,alkaline solutions

Summary The autoreduction of pertechnetate (⁹⁹TcO₄^-) to Tc(IV/V) alkoxide complexes in aqueous, alkaline, solutions is described. Solutions of sodium pertechnetate (0.01M) reacted with nitrogen and oxygen donor ligands (1.0M) in 2M sodium hydroxide. Solutions containing nitrogen donor ligands (e.g., EDTA) showed the initial formation of lightly colored complexes followed by rapid decomposition in air. In contrast, stable, reduced complexes were formed within minutes of mixing pertechnetate with mono- and disaccharides in strong base, as indicated by a persistent color change. Chemical yields of these reactions were determined by thin layer chromatography or paper chromatography and radiochemically assayed with a Bioscan imaging scanner. Analysis by UV-vis spectroscopy suggested that Tc(IV) or Tc(V) complexes were produced, with the oxidation state dependent on the reducing ligand. These experiments may help explain the reduction of pertechnetate to the soluble complexes that have been found in the Hanford nuclear waste tanks.     

Gas-phase reactions of divalent Ni complex ions with acetonitrile: Chelate ring size,inductive, and steric effects

Ni(II) complexes of a series of pentadentate polyamine ligands have been reacted with CH₃CN in the gas phase using a modified quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The ligands have structural features such that upon complexation, chelate ring size, sterics, and inductive effects can be evaluated in the gas phase. Rate and equilibrium constants for CH₃CN addition to the metal complexes show that there is a general decrease in the gas-phase reactivity as the chelate ring size is increased. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory have been used to obtain minimum energy structures and Mulliken charges for the complexes. The decreased reactivity observed as the chelate ring size is increased correlates with a decrease in the atomic charge on the metal. A larger chelate ring size enhances ligand flexibility and improves the overlap of the ligand’s donor atoms with the metal center. Adding methyl groups adjacent to or on the nitrogen donor groups of a ligand also decreases the rate and equilibrium constants for the reactions of a given complex with CH₃CN. Analysis of Mulliken charges for these complexes indicates that both inductive and steric effects are responsible for lower complex reactivity. These results suggest that while the gas-phase reactivity of a metal complex with CH₃CN is very dependent on the functional groups directly bound to the metal, in some cases steric effects can conceal the correlation between reactivity and coordination structure.     

Redox-induced ligand reorganization and helicity inversion in copper complexes of N,N-dialkylmethionine derivatives

N,N'-Dipicolyl, bis(stilbylvinylpyridylmethyl), and diquinaldyl methionine derivatives form stable Cu(II) complexes with metal ligation by three nitrogen atoms and the carboxylate. One-electron reduction results in the exchange of carboxylate for sulfide in the complexes. This ligand reorganization is accompanied by inversion of the helical orientation of the two arms containing nitrogen heterocycles, resulting in nearly mirror image circular dichroism spectra. This paper provides details for the synthesis of these complexes and the evidence for the remarkable stereochemical interconversion that accompanies the reduction reaction. Detailed analysis of the electronic spectra of the ligands and metal complexes is provided along with X-ray crystallographic structures of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of the N,N'-dipicolylmethionine complexes.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures and Ligand Field Properties of Iron(II) Complexes with PNP Ligands: Origin of Large Ligand Field by a Phosphorous Donor Atom

New iron(II) complexes were synthesized with two tridentate hybrid ligands having phosphorous and nitrogen donor sites, in order to quantitatively estimate the difference of the ligand-field strengths of phosphorous and nitrogen donor sites in cationic metal complexes. Iron(II) complexes with bis(dimethylphosphinoethyl)amine (PNP) and 2,6-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)pyridine (PpyP) ligands crystallized as un-symmetric facial-[Fe(PNP)₂](PF₆)₂·CH₃NO₂ and mer-[Fe(PpyP)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, respectively, as expected from the steric congestion and from the tendency to avoid the mutual trans influence between two phosphorous donor sites. Both complexes are in the low-spin electronic state up to 400 K. The pseudo-D _4h coordination geometry of the PpyP complex made it possible to separate axial (2 × N) and equatorial (4 × P) contributions to the overall ligand-field by means of a spectrometric method: the difference in the ligand-field strengths by the equatorial Ph₂P-donor sites and by the axial 2,6-disubstituted pyridine donor sites is ca. 13,200 cm^?1. A significantly reduced inter-electronic repulsion parameter (425 cm^?1 for both PNP and PpyP complexes) from the value of the free ion (1,060 cm^?1) indicates covalent interaction between the Fe(II) and P atoms even in these cationic metal complexes. It is shown that the degree of covalency as well as the coordination bond strengths between various metal ions and phosphorous/nitrogen donor atoms is successfully explained by the relative energy levels of interacting atomic orbitals calculated on the basis of the Thomas–Fermi–Dirac potential.