Novel octahedral nickel(II) dithiocarbamates with bi- or tetradentate N-donor ligands: X-ray structures of [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)2]ClO4 · CHCl3 and [Ni(Bz2dtc)2(cyclam)]

A series of novel octahedral nickel(II) dithiocarbamate complexes involving bidentate nitrogen-donor ligands (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) or a tetradentate ligand (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacycloteradecane) of the composition [Ni(BzMetdtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ (1), [Ni(Pe₂dtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ (2), [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)₂]ClO₄ · CHCl₃ (3), [Ni(Bzppzdtc)(phen)₂](SCN) (4), [Ni(BzMetdtc)(bpy)₂]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (5), [Ni(Pe₂dtc)(cyclam)]ClO₄ (6), [Ni(BzMetdtc)₂(cyclam)] (7), [Ni(Bz₂dtc)₂(cyclam)] (8) and [Ni(Bz₂dtc)₂(phen)] (9) (BzMetdtc = N,N-benzyl-methyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Pe₂dtc = N,N-dipentyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Bz₂dtc = N,N-dibenzyldithiocarbamate(1-) anion, Bzppzdtc = 4-benzylpiperazinedithiocarbamate(1-) anion), have been synthesized. Spectroscopic (electronic and infrared), magnetic moment and molar conductivity data, and thermal behaviour of the complexes are discussed. Single crystal X-ray analysis of 3 and 8 confirmed a distorted octahedral arrangement in the vicinity of the nickel atom with a N₄S₂ donor set. They represent the first X-ray structures of such type complexes. The catalytic influence of complexes 2, 3, 6, and 7 on graphite oxidation was studied and discussed.     

Syntheses,structures and hydrolytic properties of copper(II) complexes of asymmetrically N-functionalised 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands

A series of new asymmetrically N-substituted derivatives of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) macrocycle have been prepared from the common precursor 1,4,7-triazatricyclo[5.2.1.0^4,10]decane: 1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L1), 1-isopropyl-4-propyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L2), 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-benzyl-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L3), 1-benzyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L4) and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L5). The corresponding monomeric copper(II) complexes were synthesised and were found to be of composition: [Cu(L1)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C1), [Cu(L4)Cl₂] · 4H₂O (C2), [Cu(L3)(MeCN)](ClO₄)₂ (C3), [Cu(L5)](ClO₄)₂ · MeCN · NaClO₄ (C4) and [Cu(L2)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C5). The X-ray crystal structures of each complex revealed a distorted square-pyramidal copper(II) geometry, with the nitrogen donors on the ligands occupying 3 (C1 and C2), 4 (C3) or 5 (C4) coordination sites on the Cu(II) centre. The metal complexes were tested for the ability to hydrolytically cleave phosphate esters at near physiological conditions, using the model phosphodiester, bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP). The observed rate constants for BNPP cleavage followed the order k_C1 ≈ k_C2 > k_C5 ? k_C3 > k_C4, confirming that tacn-type Cu(II) complexes efficiently accelerate phosphate ester hydrolysis by being able to bind phosphate esters and also form the nucleophile necessary to carry out intramolecular cleavage. Complexes C1 and C2, featuring asymmetrically disubstituted ligands, exhibited rate constants of the same order of magnitude as those reported for the Cu(II) complexes of symmetrically tri-N-alkylated tacn ligands (k ∼ 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹).     

Structural and spectral studies of nickel(II) complexes with N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazones

Nickel(II) complexes of quinoline-2-carbaldehyde N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazone (HL¹) and 2-benzoylpyridine N(4),N(4)-(butane-1,4-diyl) thiosemicarbazone (HL²) have been synthesized and physico-chemically characterized by means of partial elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, magnetic measurements, electronic and infrared spectral studies. Three complexes were given the formulae [Ni(HL¹)₂]Cl₂ (1), [Ni(HL²)L²]ClO₄ · 7H₂O (2) and [NiL²Cl] · 0.5H₂O (3). The structure of compound 1 has been solved by single crystal X-ray crystallography and is found to be distorted octahedral. Compound 2, when crystallized in DMSO solution, got deprotonated to form a new compound [Ni(L²)₂] (2a), with a distorted octahedral Ni(II) center. In compound 1, HL¹ coordinates to the metal in the thione form, while in compounds 2a and 3, HL² coordinates in its deprotonated thiolate form.     

Copper(II) complexes of N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde: Crystal structure of a binuclear complex

Ten copper(II) complexes {[CuL¹Cl] (1), [CuL¹NO₃]₂ (2), [CuL¹N₃]₂ · 2/3H₂O (3), [CuL¹]₂(ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (4), [CuL²Cl]₂ (5), [CuL²N₃] (6), [Cu(HL²)SO₄]₂ · 4H₂O (7), [Cu(HL²)₂] (ClO₄)₂ · 1/2EtOH (8), [CuL³Cl]₂ (9), [CuL³NCS] · 1/2H₂O (10)} of three NNS donor thiosemicarbazone ligands {pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-p-methoxyphenyl thiosemicarbazone [HL¹], pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-2-phenethyl thiosemicarbazone [HL²] and pyridine-2-carbaldehyde N(4)-(methyl), N(4)-(phenyl) thiosemicarbazone [HL³]} were synthesized and physico-chemically characterized. The crystal structure of compound 9 has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies and is found that the dimer consists of two square pyramidal Cu(II) centers linked by two chlorine atoms.     

Structural and spectral investigations on some new Ni(II) complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone

Ni(II) complexes (1–5) of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone (HL) have been synthesized and spectrochemically characterized. Elemental analyses revealed a NiL₂ · 2H₂O stoichiometry for compound 1. However, the single crystals isolated revealed a composition NiL₂ · 0.5(H₂O)0.5(DMF). The compound crystallizes into a monoclinic lattice with the space group P2₁/n. Complexes 2, 3 and 4 are observed to show a 1:1:1 ratio of metal:thiosemicarbazone:gegenion, with the general formula NiLX · yH₂O [X = NCS, y = 2 for 2; X = Cl, y = 3 for 3 and X = N₃, y = 4.5 for 4]. Compound 5 is a dimer with a metal:thiosemicarbazone:gegenion ratio of 2:2:1, with the formula [Ni₂L₂(SO₄)] · 4H₂O.     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Metal coordination architectures of N-acyl-salicylhydrazides: The effect of metal ions and steric repulsion of ligands to their structures of polynuclear metal complexes

Three polynuclear transition metal complexes [Mn₈(DMF)₈(L1)₈] · 4DMF (1), [Mn₆(DMF)₆(L2)₆] · [Mn₆(DMF)₄(H₂O)₂(L2)₆] · 2DMF (2), [Cu₃(L3)₂(py)₂] (3) of the pentadentate ligands N-acyl-salicylhydrazides were synthesized and characterized, their crystal structures were investigated. The oxidation state and properties of the central metal ions are important in crystal structure formation, trivalent Mn(III) ion which easily form stable octahedral coordination metallamacrocycle complexes, metallacrowns 1 and 2 were obtained; while bivalent Cu(II) ion is easier to form square planar, trinuclear complexes 3 was obtained. The steric effect of the N-acyl side chains also plays an important role in the structures of these polynuclear complexes. The magnetic property of 1 was also investigated.     

Synthesis and properties of novel 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-triones: methodology for synthesizing cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates

Novel condensation reaction of tropone with N-substituted and N,N′-disubstitued barbituric acids in Ac₂O afforded 5-(cyclohepta-2′,4′,6′-trienylidene)pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (8a-f) in moderate to good yields. The ¹³C NMR spectral study of 8a-f revealed that the contribution of zwitterionic resonance structures is less important as compared with that of 8,8-dicyanoheptafulvene. The rotational barriers (ΔG^‡) around the exocyclic double bond of mono-substituted derivatives 8a-c were obtained to be 14.51-15.03 kcal mol⁻¹ by the variable temperature ¹H NMR measurements. The electrochemical properties of 8a-f were also studied by CV measurement. Upon treatment with DDQ, 8a-c underwent oxidative cyclization to give two products, 7 and 9-substituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborates (11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻) in various ratios, while that of disubstituted derivatives 8d-f afforded 7,9-disubstituted cyclohepta[b]pyrimido[5,4-d]furan-8(7H),10(9H)-dionylium tetrafluoroborate (11d-f·BF₄⁻) in good yields. Similarly, preparation of known 5-(1′-oxocycloheptatrien-2′-yl)-pyrimidine-2(1H),4(3H),6(5H)-trione derivatives (14a-d) and novel derivatives 14e,f was carried out. Treatment of 14a-c with aq. HBF₄/Ac₂O afforded two kinds of novel products 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a,c·BF₄⁻ in various ratios, respectively, while that of 14d-f afforded 11d-f. The product ratios of 11a-c·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ observed in two kinds of cyclization reactions were rationalized on the basis of MO calculations of model compounds 20a and 21a. The spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of 11a-f·BF₄⁻ and 12a-c·BF₄⁻ were studied, and structural characterization of 11c·BF₄⁻ based on the X-ray crystal analysis and MO calculation was also performed.     

Manganese(II) complexes with N-methyl-4-nitrobenzaldehyde, N-methyl-4-nitroacetofenone,and N-methyl-4-nitrobenzophenone thiosemicarbazone: Investigation of in vitro activity against Trypanosoma cruzi

Thiosemicarbazones are known to be active against different pathogenic microorganisms including Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. In the search for new therapeutic drugs against this illness, the complexes [Mn(H4NO₂Fo4M)₂Cl₂] (1), [Mn(H4NO₂Ac4M)₂Cl₂] (2) and [Mn(H4NO₂Bz4M)₂Cl₂] (3) of N⁴-methyl-4-nitrobenzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (H4NO₂Fo4M), N⁴-methyl-4-nitroacetophenone thiosemicarbazone (H4NO₂Ac4M) and N⁴-methyl-4-nitrobenzophenone thiosemicarbazone (H4NO₂Bz4M) were obtained and screened in vitro against bloodstream and intracellular forms of T. cruzi. H4NO₂Fo4M, H4NO₂Ac4M and their Mn(II) complexes displayed poor effect on bloodstream trypomastigotes, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 68 to >200 μM. However, although H4NO₂Bz4M was also not active, its corresponding Mn(II) complex presented high effect on this T. cruzi form, with an IC₅₀ value of 19 μM. The effect of complex (3), against trypomastigotes of T. cruzi supports further in vitro as well as in vivo studies.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic investigations of Rh(III) and Pd(II) complex compounds with N-(pyridine-2-yl)morpholine-4-carbothioamide

The present paper describes the synthesis and spectral properties of Rh(III) and Pd(II) coordination compounds with N-(pyridine-2-yl)morpholine-4-carbothioamide (PMCTA). The compounds have the general composition [RhL₂Cl₂]Cl · C₂H₅OH (1), [PdL₂]Cl₂ (2), [PdL₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2C₃H₆O (2a), [PdLCl₂] · 2H₂O (3). All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, XPS and UV–Vis spectra. It has been shown that PMCTA behaves as a bidentate (N,S)-ligand, forming six membered metallocycles and coordinating to the metal ion through the carbothioamide sulfur atom and the pyridine nitrogen atom. The UV–Vis spectra suggest that the Pd(II) complexes are square planar, while the Rh(III) complex has an octahedral geometry. The molecular structure of the Pd(II) complex with PMCTA (M:L = 1:2) was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization and crystal structure of copper(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine-N(4)-phenylsemicarbazone

An interesting series of nine new copper(II) complexes [Cu₂L₂(OAc)₂]·H₂O (1), [CuLNCS]·½H₂O (2), [CuLNO₃]·½H₂O (3), [Cu(HL)Cl₂]·H₂O (4), [Cu₂(HL)₂(SO₄)₂]·4H₂O (5), [CuLClO₄]·½H₂O (6), [CuLBr]·2H₂O (7), [CuL₂]·H₂O (8) and [CuLN₃]·CH₃OH (9) of 2-benzoylpyridine-N(4)-phenyl semicarbazone (HL) have been synthesized and physico-chemically characterized. The tridentate character of the semicarbazone is inferred from IR spectra. Based on the EPR studies, spin Hamiltonian and bonding parameters have been calculated. The g values, calculated for all the complexes in frozen DMF, indicate the presence of the unpaired electron in the d_x²-y² orbital. The structure of the compound, [Cu₂L₂(OAc)₂] (1a) has been resolved using single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure revealed monoclinic space group P2₁/n. The coordination geometry about the copper(II) in 1a is distorted square pyramidal with one pyridine nitrogen atom, the imino nitrogen, enolate oxygen and acetate oxygen in the basal plane, an acetate oxygen form adjacent moiety occupies the apical position, serving as a bridge to form a centrosymmetric dimeric structure.     

Reactivity of M(en)Cl2 (M = Pd/Pt,en = 1,2-diaminoethane) with N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine: Binding with hexafluorobenzene

Schiff base N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-p-phenylenediamine (LH₂) complexed with Pt(en)Cl₂ and Pd(en)Cl₂ provided [Pt(en)L]₂ · 4PF₆ (1) and Pd(Salen) (2) (Salen = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-ethylenediamine), respectively, which were characterized by their elemental analysis, spectroscopic data and X-ray data. A solid complex obtained by the reaction of hexafluorobenzene (hfb) with the representative complex 1 has been isolated and characterized as 3 (1 · hfb) using UV–Vis, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁹F) data. A solid complex of hfb with a reported Zn-cyclophane 4 has also been prepared and characterized 5 (4 · hfb) for comparison with complex 3. The association of hfb with 1 and 4 has also been monitored using UV–Vis and luminescence data.     

Synthesis,spectral and magnetic properties of two different 2-nitrobenzoatocopper(II) complexes containing N,N-diethylnicotinamide

Two structurally different complexes, [Cu₂(2-NO₂Bz)₄(denia)₁]_n (1) and [Cu(2-NO₂Bz)₂(denia)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), were prepared from the same reaction (where 2-NO₂Bz = 2-nitrobenzoate, denia = N,N-diethylnicotinamide) and they are reported together with [Cu₂(2-NO₂Bz)₄(DMF)₂] (3) (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). The compounds under study were characterized by elemental analysis, electronic, IR and EPR spectra, magnetic measurements over the temperature range of 1.8–300 K and X-ray analysis. The molecular structure of (1) is polymeric, (2) is monomeric and (3) is dimeric. In the polymeric chain of (1), the denia molecules serve as bridges between dimeric Cu₂(2-NO₂bz)₄ units. Each Cu(II) atom has a square-pyramidal arrangement with different chromophores, Cu¹O₄O′ and Cu²O₄N. The Cu–Cu distances are 2.699(1) Å in the dimeric unit and 7.980(3) Å between the dimeric units. In (2) the Cu(II) atom has a tetragonal-bipyramidal environment CuO₂N₂O′₂. In (3) two Cu(II) atoms are bridged by four carboxylate groups of four 2-NO₂bz anions in a syn–syn arrangement which create a square base about each Cu(II) atom and an apical position is occupied by the O atom of a DMF molecule (CuO₄O′). The Cu–Cu distance of 2.633(1) Å is somewhat shorter than in (1). Spectral and magnetic data of the complexes are discussed with their structures.     

Spectroscopic and structural characterization of cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes of the d-metals Rh(III) and Ir(III)

The syntheses of the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5) (M = Rh(III), Ir(III); aeaz = C₂H₄NC₂H₄NH₂, az = C₂H₄NH (3)) containing cationic N-(2-aminoethyl)aziridine-N,N′ chelate complexes are described. The bis-aziridine complexes [MCl(Cp^∗)(az)₂]Cl (M = Rh (1), M = Ir (2)) react with an excess of the aziridine (az) in the presence of AgO₃SCF₃ (=AgOTf) via AgCl precipitation and az addition followed by a metal-mediated coupling reaction, to give the compounds [M(Cp^∗)(aeaz)(az)](OTf)₂ (4, 5). The new aeaz ligand is formally the dimerisation product of az. Using the same reaction conditions with the analogous, but weaker Lewis acidic ruthenium(II) complex [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]Cl (6) an anion exchange reaction yielding [RuCl(C₆Me₆)(az)₂]OTf (8) is observed. After purification, all compounds are fully characterized using IR, FAB-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The single crystal X-ray structure analysis reveals a distorted octahedral geometry for all complexes.     

Dimolybdenum complexes containing anions of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide

The reactions of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ with different equivalents of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine (HL1) and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide (HL2) afforded dimolybdenum complexes of the types Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)(L1)₂(L2) (1) trans-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (2) cis-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (3) and Mo₂(L2)₄ (4). Their UV–Vis and NMR spectra have been recorded and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2 and 3 establish the first pair of trans and cis forms of dimolybdenum complexes containing formamidinate ligands. The L1 ligands in 1–3 are bridged to the metal centers through two central amine nitrogen atoms, while the L2 ligands in 1–4 are bridged to the metal centers via one pyrimidyl nitrogen atom and the amine nitrogen atom. The Mo–Mo distances of complexes 1 [2.0951(17) Å], 2 [2.103(1) Å] and 3 [2.1017(3) Å], which contain both Mo?N and Mo?O axial interactions, are slightly longer than those of complex 4 [2.0826(12)–2.0866(10) Å] which has only Mo?O interactions.     

Synthesis, characterization and Schlenk equilibrium studies of methylmagnesium compounds with O- and N-donor ligands - the unexpected behavior of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (pmdta = N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine)

MgMe₂ (1) was found to react with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (dabco) in tetrahydrofuran (thf) yielding a binuclear complex [{MgMe₂(thf)}₂(μ-dabco)] (2). Furthermore, from reactions of MgMeBr with diglyme (diethylene glycol dimethyl ether), NEt₃, and tmeda (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) in etheral solvents compounds MgMeBr(L), (L = diglyme (5); NEt₃ (6); tmeda (7)) were obtained as highly air- and moisture-sensitive white powders. From a thf solution of 7 crystals of [MgMeBr(thf)(tmeda)] (8) were obtained. Reactions of MgMeBr with pmdta (N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) in thf resulted in formation of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9) in nearly quantitative yield. On the other hand, the same reaction in diethyl ether gave MgMeBr(pmdta) · MgBr₂(pmdta) (10) and [{MgMe₂(pmdta)}₇{MgMeBr(pmdta)}] (11) in 24% and 2% yield, respectively, as well as [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) as colorless needle-like crystals in about 26% yield. The synthesized methylmagnesium compounds were characterized by microanalysis and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The coordination-induced shifts of the ¹H and ¹³C nuclei of the ligands are small; the largest ones were found in the tmeda and pmdta complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed in 2 a tetrahedral environment of the Mg atoms with a bridging dabco ligand and in 8 a trigonal-bipyramidal coordination of the Mg atom. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses of [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13) showed them to be monomeric with five-coordinate Mg atoms. The square-pyramidal coordination polyhedra are built up of three N and two C atoms in 12 and three N and two Br atoms in 13. The apical positions are occupied by methyl and bromo ligands, respectively. Temperature-dependent ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements (from 27 to −80 °C) of methylmagnesium bromide complexes MgMeBr(L) (L = thf (4); diglyme (5); NEt₃ (6); tmeda (7)) in thf-d₈ solutions indicated that the deeper the temperature the more the Schlenk equilibria are shifted to the dimethylmagnesium/dibromomagnesium species. Furthermore, at −80 °C the dimethylmagnesium compounds are predominant in the solutions of Grignard compounds 4-6 whereas in the case of the tmeda complex7 the equilibrium constant was roughly estimated to be 0.25. In contrast, [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9) in thf-d₈ revealed no dismutation into [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12) and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13) even up to −100 °C. In accordance with this unexpected behavior, 1:1 mixtures of 12 and 13 were found to react in thf at room temperature yielding quantitatively the corresponding Grignard compound 9. Moreover, the structures of [MgMeBr(pmdta)] (9c), [MgMe₂(pmdta)] (12c), and [MgBr₂(pmdta)] (13c) were calculated on the DFT level of theory. The calculated structures 12c and 13c are in a good agreement with the experimentally observed structures 12 and 13. The equilibrium constant of the Schlenk equilibrium (2 9c ? 12c + 13c) was calculated to be K_gas = 2.0 × 10⁻³ (298 K) in the gas phase. Considering the solvent effects of both thf and diethyl ether using a polarized continuum model (PCM) the corresponding equilibrium constants were calculated to be K_thf = 1.2 × 10⁻³ and K_ether = 3.2 × 10⁻³ (298 K), respectively.     

Preparation of phosphinoferrocene carboxamides from isocyanates. Synthesis and structural characterisation of palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes with 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-(N-phenylcarbamoyl)ferrocene

The reaction of in situ generated 1′-(diphenylphosphino)-1-lithioferrocene with isocyanates RNCO affords the respective phosphino-carboxamides Ph₂PfcCONHR (fc = ferrocene-1,1′-diyl, R = cyclohexyl (2), and Ph (3)) in moderate yields. The coordination behaviour of 3 chosen as a representative was studied in palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes. Depending on the metal precursor and the reaction conditions, the following compounds featuring this ligand as a P-monodentate or an O,P-chelating donor were isolated and characterised by spectroscopic methods (IR, multinuclear NMR and electrospray ionisation MS): trans-[PdCl₂(3-κP)₂] (5), trans-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (6), cis-[PtCl₂(3-κP)₂] (7), [SP-4-4]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κP)] (8; L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹), and [SP-4-3]-[(L^NC)PdCl(3-κ²O,P)]SbF₆ (9). Besides, the crystal structures of a phosphine oxide resulting by oxidation of 2, viz Ph₂P(O)fcCONHCy (4), and of complexes 5·2Et₂O and 9 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of Co(II) complexes with N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethyleneimine (bpb), and Cd(II), Hg(II) complexes with reduced bpb

Five novel coordination polymers, [Co(bpb)₂Cl₂] (1), [Co(bpb)₂(SCN)₂] (2), [Cd(H₄bpb)_0.5(dmf)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cd₂(H₄bpb)Br₄] (4), and [Hg₂(H₄bpb)I₄] (5) [bpb=N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethyleneimine, H₄bpb=N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethylamine], were synthesized and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, complex 1 is a 1D hinged chain, while 2 has 2D network structure with the ligand bpb serving as a bridging ligand using its two pyridyl N atoms. The imine N atoms keep free of coordination and bpb acts as a bidentate ligand in both 1 and 2. Complexes 3, 4, and 5 with reduced bpb ligand, i.e. H₄bpb, show similar 2D network structure, in which ligand H₄bpb serves as a tetradentate ligand. Thermogravimetric analyses for complexes 1-5 were carried out and found that they have high thermal stability. The magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1, 2 were measured over a temperature range of 75-300 K.     

Novel Ag(I), Pd(II), Ni(II) complexes of N,N′-bis-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene: Synthesis, structures, and their catalytic activity towards Heck reaction

Tetra-ether substituted imidazolium salts, LHX (where LH = N,N′-bis(2,2-diethoxyethyl)imidazolium cation and X = Br, BF₄, PF₆, BPh₄, NO₃ and NTf₂ anions) were derived from imidazole. Attempts to produce aldehyde functionalized imidazolium salt through acid hydrolysis of LHBr resulted an unexpected tetra-hydroxy compound L_AHBr and the dialdehyde compound L_BHBr. Reaction of LHBr with Ag₂O afforded [L₂Ag][AgBr₂] (1). Mononuclear Pd-complex trans-[L₂PdCl₂] (2) and dinuclear Pd-complex [(LPdCl₂)₂] (3) were obtained by 1:1 and 1:2 reaction of in situ generated Ag-carbene with Pd(CH₃CN)₂Cl₂. cis-[LPdPPh₃Cl₂] (4) was synthesized from reaction of PPh₃ with dinuclear complex 3. Hydrolysis of 3 under acidic conditions also generates a hydroxy derivative 3A and the aldehyde derivative 3B. Direct heating of LHBr with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O at 120 °C under vacuum generated trans-[L₂NiBr₂] (5). These complexes were characterized by NMR, mass, elemental analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Pd--Pd interaction was observed in 3. All the Pd complexes exhibited excellent catalytic activity in Heck reaction.     

Uranyl(VI) complexes of [O,N,O,N′]-type diaminobis(phenolate) ligands: Syntheses,structures and extraction studies

The syntheses and crystal structures of four new uranyl complexes with [O,N,O,N′]-type ligands are described. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the phenolic ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L1 in a 1:2 molar ratio (M to L), yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL1)(NO₃)] · CH₃CN (1). In the presence of a base (triethylamine, one mole per ligand mole) with the same molar ratio, the uranyl complex [UO₂(HL1)₂] (2) is formed. The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-t-butylbenzyl)-N′,N′-dimethylethylenediamine)], H₂L2, yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL2)(NO₃)] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)amine], H₂L3, in the presence of a base yields a uranyl complex with the formula [UO₂(HL3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (4). The molecular structures of 1–4 were verified by X-ray crystallography. The complexes 1–4 are zwitter ions with a neutral net charge. Compounds 1 and 3 are rare neutral mononuclear [UO₂(HLn)(NO₃)] complexes with the nitrate bonded in η²-fashion to the uranyl ion. Furthermore, the ability of the ligands H₂L1–H₂L4 to extract the uranyl ion from water to dichloromethane, and the selectivity of extraction with ligands H₂L1, H₃L5 (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-3-amino-1-propanol), H₂L6 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-1-aminobutane · HCl) and H₃L7 · HCl (N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol · HCl) under varied chemical conditions were studied. As a result, the most efficient and selective ligand for uranyl ion extraction proved to be H₃L7 · HCl.