Linear Pyrazole‐bridged Tetra(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ligands and Their Hexanuclear Silver(I) Complexes

New hybrid ligands are reported that combine two types of popular donor groups within a single linear scaffold, viz., a central pyrazolate bridge and two appended bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) units; the ligand strands thus provide two potentially tridentate {NCC} compartments. The pyrazole/tetraimidazolium proligands, [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ and [H₅L²](PF₆)₄ , were synthesized via multi‐step protocols, and the NH prototropy of [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ was examined by variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy, giving solvent dependent activation parameters (ΔH^? = 27.6 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –125 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₃]MeCN; ΔH^? = 40.4 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –86.9 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₆]DMSO) that are in the range typical for pyrazoles. Reaction of the proligands with Ag₂O gave hexametallic complexes [Ag₆(L¹)₂](PF₆)₄ and [Ag₆(L²)₂](PF₆)₄ that involve all six potential donor atoms of the ligands, viz. the four C^NHC and two N^pz donors, in metal coordination. X‐ray crystallography revealed a chair‐like central {Ag₆} deck in both complexes but different arrangements of the ligand strands, which goes along with significantly different Ag^I ··· Ag^I distances that indicate more pronounced argentophilic interactions in case of [Ag₆(L¹)₂]^{4 +}.     

C3‐Symmetric Assemblies from Trigonal Polycarbene Ligands and MI Ions for the Synthesis of Three‐Dimensional Polyimidazolium Cations

Metallosupramolecular poly‐NHC‐metal assemblies were prepared from trigonal hexakis (H₆‐ 1 a (PF₆)₆ and H₆‐ 1 b (PF₆)₆) or nonakis (H₉‐ 3 (BF₄)₉) imidazolium salts and Ag₂O. Complexes [Ag₆( 1 a )₂](PF₆)₆ and [Ag₆( 1 b )₂](PF₆)₆ are built from six Ag⁺ ions sandwiched between two trigonal hexacarbene ligands with an inner and an outer NHC donor in each of the three ligand arms. The metal atoms are arranged in two triangles. The hexakis‐NHC ligands bear cinnamic ester groups at the outlying NHC donors, used in postsynthetic [2+2] cycloaddition reactions linking two hexakis‐NHC ligands by three cyclobutane units to give complexes [Ag₆( 2 a )](PF₆)₆ and [Ag₆( 2 b )](PF₆)₆ bearing a dodecacarbene ligand. From the related nonakisimidazolium salt H₉‐ 3 (BF₄)₉, complex [Ag₉( 4 )](BF₄)₉ bearing an octadecacarbene ligand was obtained. Removal of the template metals yielded very large, stable, polyimidazolium cations with 12 or 18 internal imidazolium groups.     

Self-Assembly of Benzimidazole-Derived Tris-NHC Ligands and AgI-Ions to Hexanuclear Organometallic Cages and Their Unusual Transmetalation Chemistry

Multi-ligand self-assembly to attain the Ag^I-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-built hexanuclear organometallic cages of composition [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆ from the reaction of benzimidazole-derived tris(azolium) salts [H₃- 3 a , b ](PF₆)₃ with Ag₂O was achieved. The molecular structures of the cages were established by X-ray diffraction studies along with NMR and MS analyses. The existence of a single assembly in solution was supported by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) ¹H NMR spectra. Further, transmetalation reactions of these self-assembled complexes, [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆, with Cu^I/Au^I-ions provided various coinage metal-NHC complexes having diverse molecular compositions, which included the first example of a hexanuclear Cu^I-dodecacarbene complex, [Cu₆( 3 b )₄](PF₆)₆.     

Triazole‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Palladium and Platinum and Efficient Aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Imidazolium salts bearing triazole groups are synthesized via a copper catalyzed click reaction, and the silver, palladium, and platinum complexes of their N‐heterocyclic carbenes are studied. [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄, [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆), [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆) (L1=3‐((1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazolylidene), [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂, and [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ (L2=1‐butyl‐3‐((1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)imidazolylidene) have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. The silver complex [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄ consists of a Ag₄ zigzag chain. The complexes [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) and [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆), containing a nonsymmetrical NCN ′ pincer ligand, are square planar with a chloride trans to the carbene donor. [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ consists of two palladium centers with CN₂Cl coordination mode, whereas the palladium in [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ is surrounded by two carbene and two triazole groups with two uncoordinated pyridines. The palladium compounds are highly active for Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reactions of aryl bromides and 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes in neat water under an air atmosphere.     

A hybrid imidazolylidene/imidazolium nickel NHC complex: an isolated intermediate

Macrocyclic ligand systems with a variety of (different) donor sites oftentimes give rise to very exciting and unexpected multinuclear metal complexes. We report herein the structure of a trinuclear mixed imidazolylidene/imidazolium nickel N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex, namely di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis{μ‐calix[2]imidazolium[2]imidazolylidene[2]pyrazolate}trinickel(II) tetrakis(hexafluoridophosphate) acetonitrile tetrasolvate, [Ni₃(C₂₄H₂₄N₁₂)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₄·4CH₃CN or [Ni₃(L ^Me)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₄·4CH₃CN, that can be understood as a trapped reaction intermediate during the synthesis of the respective [Ni₂L ^Me](PF₆)₂ product. The structure not only contains protonated next to deprotonated imidazole heterocycles, but also Ni²⁺ ions with fundamentally different coordination modes within one molecule. Two of the three metal atoms are coordinated in a square‐pyramidal fashion by half a ligand molecule and one chloride ligand, whereas the third Ni²⁺ ion is bound octahedrally by four pyrazolate moieties and two chloride anions.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and luminescence properties of multinuclear silver complexes of pyrazole-functionalized NHC ligands containing Ag-Ag and Ag-π interactions

A few pyrazole-functionalized imidazolium salts have been prepared via the reactions of N-alkylimidazole and 3,5-bis(chloromethyl)pyrazole or 2-(1-(2-chloroethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(5-methyl-1-vinyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine. Reactions of these imidazolium salts with Ag₂O led to the successful isolation of tetranuclear [Ag₄(L)₂](X)₂ (X = PF₆⁻ or BF₄⁻; H₃L1 = 3,5-bis(N-benzylimidazoliumyl)pyrazole, H₃L2 = 3,5-bis(N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazoliumyl)pyrazole, H₃L3 = imidazolium cyclophane from the condensation of 3,5-bis(chloromethyl)pyrazole and 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane) and trinuclear silver clusters supported by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in high yields. The molecular structures of these silver complexes have been confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag₄(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (1) and [Ag₄(L2)₂](BF₄)₂ (2) consist of a pair of Ag-Ag contacts (ca. 3.11 Å) showing weak silver-silver interaction. [Ag₄(L3)₂](PF₆)₂ (3) has a square planar Ag₄ core sandwiched by two NHC cyclophanes with Ag-Ag distances of 3.22 Å. All the silver atoms in 1-3 are located in the same linear C-Ag-N coordination environment. [Ag₃(L4)₂] (PF₆)₃ (HL4 = 2-(1-(2-methylimidazoliumylethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(5-methyl-1-vinyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine) (4) is a trinuclear complex in which the three silver are bridged by two L4 molecules, and the Ag₃ units form one-dimensional chain via Ag-π interaction. The luminescence properties of the imidazolium salts and their silver complexes were also studied.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly‐NHC‐Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4‐triazolium) salts H₄‐L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N‐wingtip substituents of H₄‐L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4‐wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. While H₄‐ L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra‐NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light‐induced, supramolecule‐to‐supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ruthenium Complexes with Substituted Pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]‐phenanthroline (=Rppl; R=Me,COOH, COOMe)

A series of substituted pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]‐phenanthroline (Rppl) ligands (with R=Me, COOH, COOMe) were synthetized (see 1 – 4 in Scheme 1). The ligands can be visualized as formed by a bipyridine and a quinoxaline fragment (see A and B ). Homoleptic [Ru(R¹ppl)₃](PF₆)₂ and heteropleptic [Ru(R¹ppl){(R²)₂bpy}₂](PF₆)₂ (R¹=H, Me, COOMe and R²=H, Me) metal complexes 5 – 7 and 8 – 13 , respectively, based on these ligands were also synthesized and characterized by conventional techniques (Schemes 2 and 3, resp.). In the heteroleptic complexes, the R¹‐ppl ligand reduces at a less‐negative potential than the bpy ligand, reflecting the acceptor property conferred by the quinoxaline moiety. The potentiality of some of these complexes as solar‐cell dyes is discussed.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Photophysics of Polynuclear Silver(I) Thiolate and Silver(I) Thiocarboxylate Complexes with Dppm Ligands

Trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes [Ag₃(μ‐dppm)₃(μ_n‐SR)₂](ClO₄) [n = 2, R = C₆H₄Cl‐4 ( 1 ) and C{O}Ph ( 2 ); n = 3, R = tBu ( 3 )], pentanuclear silver(I) thiolate complex [Ag₅(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SC₆H₄NO₂‐4)₄](PF₆) ( 4 ), and hexanuclear silver(I) thiolate complexes [Ag₆(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SR)₄]Y₂ [Y = ClO₄, R =C₆H₄CH₃‐4 ( 5 ) and C₁₀H₇ (2‐naphthyl) ( 7 ); Y = PF₆, R = C₆H₄OCH₃‐4( 6 )], were synthesized [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane] and their crystal structures as well as photophysical properties were studied. In the solid state at 77 K, trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes 1 and 2 exhibit luminescence at 470–523 nm, tentatively attributed to originate from the ³IL (intraligand) of thiolate or thiocarboxylate ligands, whereas hexanuclaer silver(I) thiolate complexes 5 and 7 produce dual emission, in which high‐energy emission is tentatively attributed to come from the ³IL of thiolate ligands and low‐energy emission is tentatively assigned to come from the admixture of metal ··· metal bond‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MMLCT) and metal‐centered (MC) excited states.     

Acyclic Palladium(II)‐N‐heterocyclic Carbene Metallacrown Ether Complexes: Synthesis,Structure and Catalytic Activity

Novel acyclic Pd(II)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) metallacrown ethers 5a , 5b have been synthesized. Reaction of the imidazolium salts bearing a long polyether chain with Ag₂O afforded Ag‐NHC complexes, which then reacted as carbene transfer agent with PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ to give the desired acyclic Pd(II)‐NHC metallacrown ether complexes 5a and 5b . The ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra show 5a and 5b exist as mixtures of cis and trans isomers in solution. The trans isomer of 5a was characterized by X‐ray diffraction, which clearly demonstrated two pseudo‐crown ether cavities in trans‐ 5a . Pd(II)‐NHC complexes 5a and 5b have been shown to be highly effective in the Suzuki‐Miyaura reactions of a variety of aryl bromides in neat water without the need of inert gas protection.     

Metal‐Carbene‐Templated Photochemistry in Solution: A Universal Route towards Cyclobutane Derivatives

A series of dicarbene‐bridged metallacycles [Ag₂( 1 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 2 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 3 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 7 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 8 )₂](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 11 )₂](PF₆)₂ were obtained in high yields via the reactions of 1,2,4‐triazole‐, 1,2,3‐triazole‐ and imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based ligands with Ag₂O in CH₃CN. The C=C double bonds in all of the newly synthesized metallacycles went through [2 + 2] photodimerization under UV irradiation condition (λ = 365 nm, T = 298 K) yielding the dinuclear rctt‐cyclobutane‐silver(I) complexes [Ag₂( 4 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 5 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 6 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 9 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 10 )](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 12 )](PF₆)₂, respectively with quantitative yields. Treatment of the these cyclobutane‐bridged silver(I) complexes with NH₄Cl resulted in the exclusive formation of cyclobutane derivatives after removal of the silver(I) metal ions.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The metal-controlled self-assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based tris-NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts H₃- L (PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag₂O to yield the trinuclear Ag^I hexacarbene cages [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ), in which three Ag^I are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear Au^I cylinder-like cages [Au₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder-like cage derived exclusively from poly-NHC ligands.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly-NHC-Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4-triazolium) salts H₄-L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N-wingtip substituents of H₄-L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4-wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. While H₄- L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra-NHC (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light-induced, supramolecule-to-supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

N‐Methyl‐2, 2'‐Dipicolylamine Complexes as Potential Models for Metal‐Mediated Base Pairs

Metal‐mediated base pairs can be used to insert metal ions into nucleic acids at precisely defined positions. As structural data on the resulting metal‐modified DNA are scarce, appropriate model complexes need to be synthesized and structurally characterized. Accordingly, the molecular structures of nine transition metal complexes of N‐methyl‐2, 2'‐dipicolylamine (dipic) are reported. In combination with an azole‐containing artificial nucleoside, this tridentate ligand had recently been used to generate metal‐mediated base pairs (Chem. Commun. 2011 , 47, 11041–11043). The Pd^II and Pt^II complexes reported here confirm that the formation of planar complexes (as required for a metal‐mediated base pair) comprising N‐methyl‐2, 2'‐dipicolylamine is possible. Two Hg^II complexes with differing stoichiometry indicate that a planar structure might also be formed with this metal ion, even though it is not favored. In the complex [Ag₂(dipic)₂](ClO₄)₂, the two Ag^I ions are located close to one another with an Ag ··· Ag distance of 2.9152(3) Å, suggesting the presence of a strong argentophilic interaction.     

Cobaltocenium Carboxylate Transition Metal Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, Reactivity,and Cytotoxicity

Cobaltocenium carboxylate is an unusual betaine that functions as a formally neutral carboxylate ligand with late transition metal centers comprising Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, and Rh⁺. Structurally, a rich coordination chemistry is observed – from simple monomeric homoleptic complexes to heteroleptic dimeric, trimeric, and polymeric compounds, as shown by X‐ray diffraction of 11 compounds. Chemically, thermal decarboxylation was investigated aiming at the formation of cobaltocenium‐carbene transition metal complexes, in analogy to such chemistry of imidazolium carboxylate betaines. Cytotoxicity studies of cobaltocenium carboxylate transition metal complexes were performed to evaluate the medicinal bioorganometallic potential of these compounds. While cobaltocenium carboxylate was inactive, its complexes with Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺ triggered significant cytotoxic effects.     

Silver(I)‐N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes of bis‐imidazol‐2‐ylidenes having different aromatic‐spacers: synthesis,crystal structure,and in vitro antimicrobial and anticancer studies

A series of Ag(I) complexes ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) derived from imidazol‐2‐ylidenes was synthesized by reacting Ag₂O with an o‐, m‐, p‐xylyl or 1,3,5‐triazine‐linked imidazolium salts ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ) and then characterizing these using various spectro‐analytical techniques. Additionally, triazine‐linked bis‐imidazolium salt 5 was characterized using the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method. Complexes 6–9 were formed from the N‐heterocyclic carbene ligand precursors 1–3 as PF₆^‐ salts in good yields. Conversely, salt 5 does not form Ag(I) complex even under various reaction conditions. Using ampicillin as a standard, complexes 6–9 were tested against bacteria strains Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus as Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, respectively, showing potent antimicrobial activities against the tested bacteria even at minimum inhibition concentration and bacterial concentration levels. Furthermore, the potential anticancer activities of the reported complexes were evaluated against the human colorectal cancer (HCT 116) cell lines, using 5‐fluorouracil as a standard drug. The highest anticancer activities were observed for complex 8 with an IC₅₀ value of 3.4 μm , whereas the lowest was observed for complex 9 with an IC₅₀ value of 18.1 μm . Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-carbene ligands: Synthesis,silver(I) complexes,and catalysis

New furan- and thiophene-functionalised nucleophilic heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes of Ag(I) were prepared via the reaction of novel furan- and thiophene-functionalised bis-imidazolium salts with Ag₂O. Samples of both the N-methyl substituted furan- and thiophene-functionalised Ag(I) complexes suitable for single crystal X-ray studies were obtained following anion metathesis to the tetrafluoroborate salts. The structural characterisations revealed dinuclear [Ag₂(_MeCEC)₂](BF₄)₂ (E = O, S) formulations with discrete twenty-membered dimetallacycles present in both instances; however, the overall molecular conformation varies considerably, notably in the orientations of the two bridging furan or thiophene heterocycles to the silver coordination plane. The functionalised bis-imidazolium salts were tested as in situ additives in a Pd(0)-catalysed aryl amination coupling reaction, with the best observed activities around 20% of those seen with 1,3-bis(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)imidazolium chloride under identical conditions. The bulkier N-^tBu and N-mesityl substituted salts were found to be more active than the N-methyl substituted analogues.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Properties of Two Macrocyclic Dinuclear Complexes

Two macrocyclic dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂L¹](PF₆)₂ and [Cu₂L²](ClO₄)₂, were synthesized by cyclo-condensation between N,N′-bis(3-formyl-5-methylsalicylidene)ethylenediimine or N,N′- bis(3-formyl-5-n-butylsalicylidene)ethylenediimine and ethylenediamine in the presence of Cu²⁺ ions. The crystal structures of the complexes were studied. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibilities and cyclic voltammograms of the complexes were measured. The magnetic and electrochemical properties of the complexes were discussed. The results show that the complexes display very strong antiferromagnetic exchanges and that all copper(II) complexes undergo a one-electron transfer process.     

C(sp3)H Activation without a Directing Group: Regioselective Synthesis of N‐Ylide or N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes Controlled by the Choice of Metal and Ligand

N‐Ylide complexes of Ir have been generated by C(sp³)?H activation of α‐pyridinium or α‐imidazolium esters in reactions with [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ and NaOAc. These reactions are rare examples of C(sp³)?H activation without a covalent directing group, which—even more unusually—occur α to a carbonyl group. For the reaction of the α‐imidazolium ester [ 3 H]Cl, the site selectivity of C?H activation could be controlled by the choice of metal and ligand: with [Cp*IrCl₂]₂ and NaOAc, C(sp³)?H activation gave the N‐ylide complex 4 ; in contrast, with Ag₂O followed by [Cp*IrCl₂]₂, C(sp²)?H activation gave the N‐heterocyclic carbene complex 5 . DFT calculations revealed that the N‐ylide complex 4 was the kinetic product of an ambiphilic C?H activation. Examination of the computed transition state for the reaction to give 4 indicated that unlike in related reactions, the acetate ligand appears to play the dominant role in C?H bond cleavage.     

Structure and spectroscopic properties of the dimeric copper(I) N‐heterocyclic carbene complex [Cu2(CNCt‐Bu)2](PF6)2

In recent years, the use of copper N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes has expanded to fields besides catalysis, namely medicinal chemistry and luminescence applications. In the latter case, multinuclear copper NHC compounds have attracted interest, however, the number of these complexes in the literature is still quite limited. Bis[μ‐1,3‐bis(3‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐yliden‐1‐yl)pyridine]‐1κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′;2κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′‐dicopper(I) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu₂(C₁₉H₂₅N₅)₂](PF₆)₂, is a dimeric copper(I) complex bridged by two CNC, i.e. bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene)pyridine, ligands. Each Cu^I atom is almost linearly coordinated by two NHC ligands and interactions are observed between the pyridine N atoms and the metal centres, while no cuprophilic interactions were observed. Very strong absorption bands are evident in the UV–Vis spectrum at 236 and 274 nm, and an emission band is observed at 450 nm. The reported complex is a new example of a multinuclear copper NHC complex and a member of a compound class which has only rarely been reported.