Metal(II) Complexes Based on Imidazo[4, 5‐f]‐1, 10‐phenanthroline and Bridging Dicarboxylato Ligands: Synthesis,Characterization and Photoluminescence

Eight metal(II) complexes based on imidazo[4, 5‐f]‐1, 10‐phenanthroline (HIMP) and bridging dicarboxylato ligands such as 4, 4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic acid (H₂BPDC), 1, 4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC), thiophene‐2, 5‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂TDC), and 2, 6‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H₂NDC) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 , 3 , 6 , and 7 are molecular dinuclear metal complexes. Complexes 2 , 4 , and 5 exhibit chain‐like structures. Compound 8 shows a novel 3D architecture, in which Zn^II dimers are connected by four NDC^2– anions. In the metal(II) complexes, HIMP exhibits a similar chelating coordination mode. Different π ··· π stacking interactions are observed in the complexes. The emission of HIMP is completely quenched in complexes 1 – 4 due to the strong π ··· π stacking interactions in the structures. Complexes 5 – 8 exhibit different photoluminescence properties. Firstly, we quantitatively investigated the effect of the strong HIMP–HIMP stacking interactions on the emission quenching of HIMP in the metal complexes. It was found that a higher extent of π ··· π stacking interactions in the complexes resulted in a higher extent of the emission quenching of HIMP. The introduction of aromatic conjugated carboxylate groups into metal(II)‐HIMP complexes changed the extent of the strong π ··· π stacking interactions in the structures and thus the photoluminescence properties of the complexes.     

Bottleable Neutral Analogues of [B2H5]− as Versatile and Strongly Binding η2 Donor Ligands

Herein we report the discovery that two bottleable, neutral, base‐stabilized diborane(5) compounds are able to bind strongly to a number of copper(I) complexes exclusively through their B?B bond. The resulting complexes represent the first known complexes containing unsupported, neutral σ_B?B diborane ligands. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses of these complexes show that the X?Cu moiety (X=Cl, OTf, C₆F₅) lies opposite the bridging hydrogen atom of the diborane and is near perpendicular to the B?B bond, interacting almost equally with both boron atoms and causing a B?B bond elongation. DFT studies show that σ donation from and π backdonation to the pseudo‐π‐like B?B bond account for their formation. Astoundingly, these copper σ_B?B complexes are inert to ligand exchange with pyridine under either heating or photoirradiation.     

Concurrent Stabilization of π‐Donor and π‐Acceptor Ligands in Aromatized and Dearomatized Pincer [(PNN)Re(CO)(O)2] Complexes

Aromatized cationic [(PNN)Re(π acid)(O)₂]⁺ ( 1 ) and dearomatized neutral [(PNN*)Re(π acid)(O)₂] ( 2 ) complexes (where π acid=CO ( a ), tBuNC ( b ), or (2,6‐Me₂)PhNC ( c )), possessing both π‐donor and π‐acceptor ligands, have been synthesized and fully characterized. Reaction of [(PNN)Re(O)₂]⁺ ( 4 ) with lithiumhexamethyldisilazide (LiHMDS) yield the dearomatized [(PNN*)Re(O)₂] ( 3 ). Complexes 1 and 2 are prepared from the reaction of 4 and 3 , respectively, with CO or isocyanides. Single‐crystal X‐ray structures of 1 a and 1 b show the expected trans‐dioxo structure, in which the oxo ligands occupy the axial positions and the π‐acidic ligand occupies the equatorial plane in an overall octahedral geometry about the rhenium(V) center. DFT studies revealed the stability of complexes 1 and 2 arises from a π‐backbonding interaction between the d_xy orbital of rhenium, the π orbital of the oxo ligands, and the π* orbital of CO/isocyanide.     

Synthesis and Structure of New Trimethylplatinum(IV) Iodide Complexes of 2,2′‐Bipyridine Ligands

The synthesis and structural characterization of four new trimethylplatinum(IV) iodide complexes of 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands {[PtMe₃(4,4′‐Clbipy)I] ( 1 ), [PtMe₃(4,4′‐Brbipy)I] ( 2 ), [PtMe₃(4,4′‐CNbipy)I] ( 3 ) and [PtMe₃(4,4′‐NO₂bipy)I] ( 4 )} are reported. The ¹H NMR spectra of the complexes reveal the presence of two chemically distinct methyl groups in the complexes. X‐ray crystal structures of complexes 1 – 4 show that the platinum metal center in each of the complexes form distorted octahedral structure being surrounded by methyl groups, bipyridine ligand, and iodine atom. Furthermore, the crystal packing study shows that self‐assembly of the complexes are governed by weak hydrogen bonding and other non‐covalent interactions such as π ··· π, halogen ··· π and C–H ··· π interactions. Complex 1 exhibits infinite one‐dimensional zigzag chain structure and other three complexes form infinite ladder type structures.     

1,2,4‐Triazol‐3‐ylidenes with an N‐2,4‐Dinitrophenyl Substituent as Strongly π‐Accepting N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new Rh and Au complexes bearing 1,2,4‐triazol‐3‐ylidenes with a N‐2,4‐dinitrophenyl (N‐DNP) substituent are described. IR, NMR, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and computational analyses of the Rh complexes revealed that the N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) behaved as strong π acceptors and weak σ donors. In particular, a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis revealed that the contributions of the Rh→C_carbene π backbonding interaction energies (ΔE_bb) to the bond dissociation energies (BDE) of the Rh? C_carbene bond for [RhCl(NHC)(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) reached up to 63 %. The Au complex exhibited superior catalytic activity in the intermolecular hydroalkoxylation of cyclohexene with 2‐methoxyethanol. The NBO analysis suggested that the high catalytic activity of the Au^I complex resulted from the enhanced π acidity of the Au atom.     

Structural and Solution Studies of two Mercury(II) Complexes with [1,3‐Bis(2‐ethoxy)benzene]triazene

The reaction of [1,3‐bis(2‐ethoxy)benzene]triazene, [ HL ], with Hg(SCN)₂ and Hg(CH₃COO)₂, resulted in the formation of the complexes [Hg L (SCN)] ( 1 ) and [Hg L ₂] · CH₃OH ( 2 ). They were characterized by means of X‐ray crystallography, CHN analysis, FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The structure of compound 1 consists of two independent complexes in which the Hg^II atoms are stacked along the crystallographic a axis to form infinite chains. Each Hg^II atom is chelated by one L ligand and one SCN ligand, whereas in compound 2 , the Hg^II atom is surrounded by two L ligands. In addition, 1D chains formed by metal–π interactions are connected to each other by C–H ··· π stacking interactions in the structure of 1 , which results in a 2D architecture. An interesting feature of compound 2 is the presence of C–H ··· π edge‐to‐face interactions.     

Coordination modes of multidentate azodye ligand derived from 4,4′‐methylenedianiline towards some transition metal ions: Synthesis,spectral characterization,thermal investigation and biological activity

Nine new azodye metal complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), Ru(III), Hf(IV) and Zr(IV) ions have been prepared via the reaction of 5,5′‐((1E,1′E)‐(methylenebis(1,4‐phenylene))bis(diazene‐2,1‐diyl))bis(6‐hydroxy‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐4(5H)‐one) (H₄L) with the corresponding metal salts affording sandwich (1 L:1 M), mononuclear (2 L:1 M), binuclear (1 L,2 M) and tetranuclear (1 L,4 M) complexes. Elemental analyses, spectral methods, magnetic moment measurements and thermal studies were utilized to confirm the mode of bonding and geometrical structure for the ligand and its metal complexes. Infrared spectral data show that the H₄L ligand chelates with some metal ions in keto–enol–thione or keto–thione manner. It behaves in a neutral/dibasic tetradentate fashion in sandwich and binuclear complexes. Also, it acts as a neutral bidentate moiety in the Cr(III) complex. The spectra reveal that azo group participates in chelation in all complexes. Octahedral geometry was suggested for all chelates but the Cu(II) complex with square planar geometry. The thermal stability and decomposition of the compounds were studied, the data showing that the thermal decomposition ended with metal or metal oxide mixed with carbon as final product. The electron spin resonance spectrum of the Cu(II) complex demonstrates that the free electron is located in the ( ) orbital. Measurements of biological activity against human cell lines Hep‐G₂ and MCF‐7 reveal that the Cu(II) complex has a higher cytotoxicity in comparison to the free ligand and other metal complexes, with IC₅₀ values of 6.10 and 5.2 μg ml^?1, respectively, while the ligand has anti‐tumour activity relative to some of the investigated metal complexes.     

Transition‐Metal Chemistry of Alkaline‐Earth Elements: The Trisbenzene Complexes M(Bz)3 (M=Sr,Ba)

We report the synthesis and spectroscopic identification of the trisbenzene complexes of strontium and barium M(Bz)₃ (M=Sr, Ba) in low‐temperature Ne matrix. Both complexes are characterized by a D₃ symmetric structure involving three equivalent η⁶‐bound benzene ligands and a closed‐shell singlet electronic ground state. The analysis of the electronic structure shows that the complexes exhibit metal–ligand bonds that are typical for transition metal compounds. The chemical bonds can be explained in terms of weak donation from the π MOs of benzene ligands into the vacant (n?1)d AOs of M and strong backdonation from the occupied (n?1)d AO of M into vacant π* MOs of benzene ligands. The metals in these 20‐electron complexes have 18 effective valence electrons, and, thus, fulfill the 18‐electron rule if only the metal–ligand bonding electrons are counted. The results suggest that the heavier alkaline earth atoms exhibit the full bonding scenario of transition metals.     

Transition‐Metal Chemistry of Alkaline‐Earth Elements: The Trisbenzene Complexes M(Bz)3 (M=Sr,Ba)

We report the synthesis and spectroscopic identification of the trisbenzene complexes of strontium and barium M(Bz)₃ (M=Sr, Ba) in low‐temperature Ne matrix. Both complexes are characterized by a D₃ symmetric structure involving three equivalent η⁶‐bound benzene ligands and a closed‐shell singlet electronic ground state. The analysis of the electronic structure shows that the complexes exhibit metal–ligand bonds that are typical for transition metal compounds. The chemical bonds can be explained in terms of weak donation from the π MOs of benzene ligands into the vacant (n?1)d AOs of M and strong backdonation from the occupied (n?1)d AO of M into vacant π* MOs of benzene ligands. The metals in these 20‐electron complexes have 18 effective valence electrons, and, thus, fulfill the 18‐electron rule if only the metal–ligand bonding electrons are counted. The results suggest that the heavier alkaline earth atoms exhibit the full bonding scenario of transition metals.     

Structural Diversity in the Self‐assembly of Cd(II) Complexes Containing 2,6‐Dimethyl‐3,5‐dicyano‐4‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyridine

The syntheses, structures and properties of the complexes [CdBr₂( L )₂·4H₂O]_n [ L = 2,6‐dimethyl‐3,5‐dicyano‐4‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,4‐dihydropyridine], 1 and [Cd(SCN)₂( L )₂(H₂O)]_n, 2 , are reported. In polymeric complexes 1 — 2 , the L ligands bridge the metal centers through the pyrimidyl and cyano nitrogen atoms forming 1‐D double‐stranded chain and zigzag chain, respectively. The L ligands in complex 1 act as κ1, κ1‐bidentate bridging ligand, whereas the L ligands in complex 2 act as κ1‐monodentae and κ1, κ1‐bidentate bridging ligand. The molecules of these complexes are interlinked through various weak interactions that form the packed structure. All the complexes exhibit emissions which may be tentatively assigned as intraligand (IL) π→π* transitions.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of novel amphiphilic ruthenium (II) complexes containing 4,4′‐dialkylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridyl ligands

The synthesis of a number of new 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands functionalized with bulky amino side groups is reported. Three homoleptic polypyridyl ruthenium (II) complexes, [Ru(L)₃]²⁺ 2(PF₆^?), where L is 4,4′‐dioctylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4a), 4,4′‐didodecylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4b) and 4,4′‐dioctadodecylaminomethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine (Ru4c), have been synthesized. These compounds were characterized and their photophysical properties examined. The electronic spectra of three complexes show pyridyl π → π* transitions in the UV region and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer bands in the visible region. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Exceptionally Strong Electron‐Donating Ability of Bora‐Ylide Substituent vis‐à‐vis Silylene and Silylium Ion

Electropositive boron‐based substituent (phosphonium bora‐ylide) with an exceptionally strong π‐ and σ‐electron donating character dramatically increases the stability of a new type of N ‐heterocyclic silylene 2 featuring amino‐ and bora‐ylide‐substituents. Moreover, the related silylium ion 4 and transition‐metal–silylene complexes, with trigonal‐planar geometries around the silicon center, are also well stabilized. Therefore, the N,B‐heterocyclic silylene 2 can be used as a strongly electron‐donating innocent ligand in coordination chemistry similarly to N ‐heterocyclic carbenes.     

Osmium Complexes with Tridentate 6‐Pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,2′‐Bipyridine Ligands: Coarse Tuning of Phosphorescence from the Red to the Near‐Infrared Region

We have prepared and characterized a series of osmium complexes [Os₂(CO)₄(fpbpy)₂] ( 1 ), [Os(CO)(fpbpy)₂] ( 2 ), and [Os(fpbpy)₂] ( 3 ) with tridentate 6‐pyrazol‐3‐yl 2,2′‐bipyridine chelating ligands. Upon the transformation of complex 2 into 3 through the elimination of the CO ligand, an extremely large change in the phosphorescence wavelength from 655 to 935 nm was observed. The results are rationalized qualitatively by the strong π‐accepting character of CO, which lowers the energy of the osmium d_π orbital, in combination with the lower degree of π conjugation in 2 owing to the absence of one possible pyridine‐binding site. As a result, the energy gap for both intraligand π–π* charge transfer (ILCT) and metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) is significantly greater in 2 . Firm support for this explanation was also provided by the time‐dependent DFT approach, the results of which led to the conclusion that the S₀→T₁ transition mainly involves MLCT between the osmium center and bipyridine in combination with pyrazolate‐to‐bipyridine ³π–π* ILCT. The relatively weak near‐infrared emission can be rationalized tentatively by the energy‐gap law, according to which the radiationless deactivation may be governed by certain low‐frequency motions with a high density of states. The information provided should allow the successful design of other emissive tridentate metal complexes, the physical properties of which could be significantly different from those of complexes with only a bidentate chromophore.     

Metal‐4,4′‐azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) Complexes with Seven‐ and Nine‐membered Hydrogen‐bonded Rings Originating from the Pyrrolic NH Function

The metal complexes [Cu(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂(H₂azbpz)₂] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ni(H₂O)₄(H₂azbpz)₂](NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O ( 2 ) of 4,4′‐azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) (H₂azbpz) incorporate the bipyrazole as a monodentate ligand and are associated into supramolecular architectures by hydrogen bonds and azo‐pz π interactions in the solid state. In 1 a cis configuration is integrated and the NH function adjacent to the metal‐coordinating nitrogen atom gives rise to a seven‐membered anion‐assisted hydrogen‐bonded ring around the central metal atom bringing the NH function in endo‐position to the azo‐bridge. The interplay of hydrogen‐bonds and dimeric azo‐pz π interactions in 1 forms one‐dimensional supramolecular chains, which are further interconnected by a heterodromic D_2h symmetric tetrameric water ring. In 2 a trans form of H₂azbpz is mono‐coordinated and the synergy of hydrogen‐bonded rings around the central metal atom and continuous azo‐pz π interactions form a two‐dimensional supramolecular network structure. The supramolecular packings of 1 and 2 is further underpinned by the analysis of their Hirshfeld surface areas.     

Cationic,Two‐Coordinate Gold π Complexes

Cationic, two‐coordinate gold π complexes that contain a phosphine or N‐heterocyclic supporting ligand have attracted considerable attention recently owing to the potential relevance of these species as intermediates in the gold‐catalyzed functionalization of C? C multiple bonds. Although neutral two‐coordinate gold π complexes have been known for over 40 years, examples of the cationic two‐coordinate gold(I) π complexes germane to catalysis remained undocumented prior to 2006. This situation has changed dramatically in recent years and well‐defined examples of two‐coordinate, cationic gold π complexes containing alkene, alkyne, diene, allene, and enol ether ligands have been documented. This Minireview highlights this recent work with a focus on the structure, bonding, and ligand exchange behavior of these complexes.     

New Transition and Actinide Metal Complexes of 2‐Carboxy‐phenylhydrazo‐Benzoylacetone Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization and Biological Study

A new series of binary mononuclear complexes were prepared from the reaction of the hydrazone ligand, 2-carboxyphenylhydrazo-benzoylacetone (H2L), with the metal ions, Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Th(IV) and UO2(VI). The binary Cu(II) complex of H2L was reacted with the ligands 1,10-phenanthroline or 2-aminopyridine to form mixed-ligand complexes. The binary complexes of Cu(II) and Ni(II) are suggested to have octahedral configurations. The Cd(II) and Co(II) complexes are suggested to have tetrahedral and/or square-planar geometries, respectively. The Th(IV) and UO2(VI) complexes are suggested to have octahedral and dodecahedral geometries, respectively. The mixed-ligand complexes have octahedral configurations. The structures of all complexes and the corresponding thermal products were elucidated by elemental analyses, conductance, IR and electronic absorption spectra, magnetic moments, 1H NMR and TG-DSC measurements as well as by mass spectroscopy. The ligand and some of the metal complexes were found to activate the enzyme pectinlyase.     

Contrasting electronic requirements for CH binding and CH activation in d6 half‐sandwich complexes of rhenium and tungsten

A computational study of the interaction half‐sandwich metal fragments (metal = Re/W, electron count = d⁶), containing linear nitrosyl (NO⁺), carbon monoxide (CO), trifluorophosphine (PF₃), N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands with alkanes are conducted using density functional theory employing the hybrid meta‐GGA functional (M06). Electron deficiency on the metal increases with the ligand in the order NHC < CO < PF₃ < NO⁺. Electron‐withdrawing ligands like NO⁺ lead to more stable alkane complexes than NHC, a strong electron donor. Energy decomposition analysis shows that stabilization is due to orbital interaction involving charge transfer from the alkane to the metal. Reactivity and dynamics of the alkane fragment are facilitated by electron donors on the metal. These results match most of the experimental results known for CO and PF₃ complexes. The study suggests activation of alkane in metal complexes to be facile with strong donor ligands like NHC. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Two complexes of PtIV and AuIII with 2,2′‐dipyridylamine and 2,2′‐dipyridylaminide ligands

Two noble metal complexes involving ancillary chloride ligands and chelating 2,2′‐bipyridylamine (Hdpa) or its deprotonated derivative (dpa), namely [bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)amine]tetrachloridoplatinum(IV), [PtCl₄(C₁₀H₉N₃)], and [bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)aminido]dichloridogold(III), [AuCl₂(C₁₀H₈N₃)], are presented and structurally characterized. The metal atom in the former has a slightly distorted octahedral coordination environment, formed by four chloride ligands and two pyridyl N atoms of Hdpa, while the metal atom in the latter has a slightly distorted square‐planar coordination environment, formed by two chloride ligands and two pyridyl N atoms of dpa. The difference in conjugation between the pyridine rings in normal and deprotonated 2,2′‐dipyridylamine is discussed on the basis of the structural features of these complexes. The influence of weak interactions on the supramolecular structures of the complexes, providing one‐dimensional chains of [PtCl₄(C₁₀H₉N₃)] and dimers of [AuCl₂(C₁₀H₈N₃)], are discussed.     

Exceeding Metal Capacity in Sandwich Complexes: Ligand‐Unsupported Docking of Extra Metal Moieties at Edges of a Metal Sheet Sandwich Complex

The ligand‐unsupported accommodation of extra metal moieties in a sandwich complex is reported. Although it has been considered that the metal‐capacity of a metal sheet sandwich complex is strictly limited by the size of cyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon ligands, the M?M edge bonds in a metal sheet sandwich complex provide a ligand‐unsupported docking site for extra metal moieties, allowing expansion of metal‐capacity in sandwich complexes. The metal sheet sandwich complex [Pd₄(μ₄‐C₈H₈)(μ₄‐C₉H₉)]⁺, in which the ligand‐based metal capacity is full in terms of the usage of all C=C moieties of the smaller carbocyclic ligand C₈H₈ in coordination, can accommodate extra M⁰{P(OPh)₃}₂ (M=Pd, Pt) moieties without coordinative assistance by either the C₉H₉ or the C₈H₈ ligand.     

Activation of Sulfur Dioxide by Bis[N,N′‐diisopropylbenzamidinato(−)]silicon(II): Synthesis of Neutral Six‐Coordinate Silicon(IV) Complexes with Chelating O,O′‐Sulfito or O,O′‐Dithionito Ligands

The neutral six‐coordinate silicon(IV) complexes 2 and 3 (mixture of cis‐ 3 and trans‐ 3 ) were synthesized by reaction of the donor‐stabilized silylene bis[N,N′‐diisopropylbenzamidinato(?)]silicon(II) ( 1 ) with SO₂. Compounds 2 and 3 are the first silicon(IV) complexes with chelating sulfito or dithionito ligands, and 3 is even the first molecular compound with a chelating dithionito ligand. Compounds 2 and 3 were structurally characterized by crystal structure analyses and multinuclear NMR spectroscopic studies in the solid state and in solution.