Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of organolanthanides with chiral biphenyl-based tridentate amidate ligands

Four new chiral organolanthanide amidate complexes have been readily prepared in good yields via silylamine elimination reaction between Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Sm, Y, Yb) and chiral amidate ligands, (R)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2′-methoxy-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (1H) and (R)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2′-dimethylamino-6,6′-dimethyl-1,1′-biphenyl (2H). The steric effect of the ligand coupled with the size effect of the lanthanide ion plays an important role in complex formation. For example, treatment of 1H with half equiv of Sm[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ gives the C₂-symmetric bis-ligated amidate complex (σOMe:κO:κN-1)₂SmN(SiMe₃)₂ (3) in 75% yield, while reaction of 1H or 2H with half equiv of Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Y, Yb) affords the C₁-symmetric bis-ligated amidate complexes [(κO:κN-1)(σOMe:κO:κN-1)]LnN(SiMe₃)₂ (Ln = Y (4), Yb (5) and the C₁-symmetric mono-ligated amidate complex (σNMe₂:κO:κN-2)Y[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ (6), respectively, in good yields. These organolanthanide amidate complexes have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. They are active catalysts for asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide, affording cyclic amines in excellent conversions with good ee values and isotactic-rich polylactides, respectively.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of new chiral Ag(I) complexes with biaryl-based N4-donor ligands

Condensation of (R)-2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl or (R)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diamine with 2 equiv of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diimine (1), and (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diimine (3), respectively, in good yields. Reduction of 1 with an excess of NaBH₄ in a solvent mixture of MeOH and toluene (1:1) at 50 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (2) in 95% yield. Rigidity plays an important role in the formation of helicate silver(I) complexes. Treatment of 1, or 3 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ in mixed solvents of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (1:4) gives the chiral, dinuclear double helicate Ag(I) complexes [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) and [Ag₂(3)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2H₂O (6), respectively, in good yields. While under the similar reaction conditions, reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ affords the chiral, mononuclear single helicate Ag(I) complex [Ag(2)][NO₃] (5) in 90% yield. [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) can further react with excess AgNO₃ to give [Ag₂(1)₂]₃[NO₃]₂[Ag(CH₃OH)(NO₃)₃]₂ · 2CH₃OH (7) in 75% yield. All compounds have been fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Compounds 1 and 5-7 have been further subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

1,1-(1-Propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene: modified synthesis, crystal structure, and polymerisation behaviour

The dehydro[3](1,1^′)ferrocenophanes, 1,1^′-(1-propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene (3a), and 1,1^′-(3-phenyl-1-propene-1,3-diyl)-ferrocene (3b) were synthesised under Shapiro conditions from the tosylhydrazones of the corresponding α-oxo-[3](1,1^′)ferrocenophanes. Electrochemistry shows 3a is oxidised at smilar potential to ferrocene; according 3a can be chemically oxidised using silver trifluoromethanesulfonate. The structure of 3a shows a ring tilt of 11.3°. Attempts to polymerise 3a using the ROMP initiator Mo(CHCMe₂Ph)[N(2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)][OCMe(CF₃)₂]₂ led to a mixture of insoluble material and a soluble mixture of apparently cyclic oligomers ([3a]_n).     

Synthesis, reactivity and crystal structures of platinum (II) and platinum (IV) cyclometallated compounds derived from 2- and 4-biphenylimines

The reaction of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with ligands 4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1a) and 2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (1b) carried out in acetone at room temperature produced compounds [PtMe₂{4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2a) and [PtMe₂{2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (2b), respectively, in which the imines act as bidentate [N,N′] ligands. Cyclometallated [C,N,N′] compounds [PtMe{4-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (3a) and [PtMe{2-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂CH₂NMe₂}] (3b), were obtained by refluxing toluene solutions of compounds 2a or 2b. Reaction of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with ligands 4-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂Ph (1c) and 2-C₆H₅C₆H₄CHNCH₂Ph (1d) produced compounds [PtMe{4-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂Ph}SMe₂] (5c) and [PtMe{2-C₆H₅C₆H₃CHNCH₂Ph}SMe₂] (5d) containing a [C,N] ligand, from which triphenylphosphine derivatives 6c and 6d were also prepared. In all cases, metallation took place to yield five-membered endo-metallacycles and formation of seven-membered or of exo-metallacycles was not observed. The reactions of 3a, 3b, 6c and 6d with methyl iodide were studied in acetone and gave the corresponding cyclometallated platinum (IV) compounds. All compounds were characterised by NMR spectroscopy and compounds 3b, 4a, 6c and 6d were also characterised crystallographically.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of binuclear lanthanide complexes with chiral NOBIN-based NNO ligands

Two new amido binuclear complexes {(1)YN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₇H₈ (3 · C₇H₈) and {(2)SmN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · C₆H₁₄ (4 · C₆H₁₄) have been readily prepared in good yields by amine elimination reaction between Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ (Ln = Sm, Y) and chiral NNO ligands, (S)-2-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (1H₂) and (S)-5,5′,6,6′,7,7′,8,8′-octahydro-2-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (2H₂), respectively. They both have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses, and X-ray diffraction analyses. They are active catalysts for asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide, affording cyclic amines in excellent conversions with moderate ee values and isotactic-rich polylactides, respectively.     

Synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity of titanium complexes with new chiral 11,12-diamino-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene-based ligands

A new series of organo-titanium complexes have been prepared from the reaction between Ti(NMe₂)₄ and C₂-symmetric ligands, (R,R)-11,12-bis(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene (1H₂), and (R,R)-bis(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene (2H₂), (R,R)-11,12-bis(mesitylenesulphonylamino)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene (3H₂) and (R,R)-bis(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-1,2-cyclohexane (4H₂). Treatment of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv of 1H₂ gives, after recrystallization from a benzene solution, the binuclear double helicate titanium amide (1)₂[Ti(NMe₂)₂]₂⋅(5) in 71% yield. While under similar reaction conditions, reaction of Ti(NMe₂)₄ with 1 equiv of 2H₂, 3H₂ or 4H₂ gives, after recrystallization from a toluene or benzene solution, the mononuclear single helicate titanium amides (2)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (6), (3)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (7) and (4)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (8), respectively, in good yields. All new compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of complexes 5-8 have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The titanium amides are active catalysts for the polymerization of rac-lactide, leading to the isotactic-rich polylactides.     

Synthesis, characterization and bromination of bis(phosphinoferrocenyl) gold(I) compounds

Reaction of [(dppf)Au₂Br₂] (3) {dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene} and [(dippf)Au₂Br₂] (4) {dippf = 1,1′-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene} with excess bromine yields two new complexes [(C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂)AuBr] (R = Ph, 5; R = i-Pr, 6). Bromination of the free diphosphinoferrocene ligands produces the expected brominated cyclopentenes (C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂) (R = Ph, 7; R = i-Pr, 8) in good yields; however, these compounds could not be complexed to gold due to reduced basicity of 7 and 8. When the bromination is performed under wet aerobic conditions the oxidized pseudo-centrosymmetric product, [doppf][FeBr₄] (9) {doppf = 1,1′-bis(oxodiphenylphosphino)ferrocene, is formed as the major product. Solid-state structures of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 have been established by means of single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Dinuclear double-helical cobalt complexes with two-armed terdentate ligands: Synthesis,structure and physical properties

Three ligands with flexible bis-terdentate coordination sites, di(2-pyridylcarbaldehyde)-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2′-bipyridine (H₂L¹), di(2-acetylpyridyl)-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2′-bipyridine (H₂L²) and di(2-pyridylketone)-6,6′-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2′-bipyridine (H₂L³) have been easily prepared. Dinuclear double-stranded helicates Co₂(L¹)₂(ClO₄)₂(C₂H₅OH)₂(H₂O)₂ (1), Co₂(HL²)(L²)(ClO₄)₃(C₂H₅OH)₂(H₂O)₂ (2) and Co₂(HL³)(L³)(ClO₄)₃(H₂O)₄ (3) based on the ligands, H₂L^1–3, respectively, have been obtained via self-assembly, their structures were determined by FT-IR, Elemental Analysis, ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction method.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes derived from picolyl-substituted dicarbollide ligand systems

The syntheses of group 4 metal complexes containing the picolyldicarbollyl ligand Dcab^PyH [nido-7-HNC₅H₄(CH₂)-8-R-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (2) are reported. New types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}MCl₂] (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b), were prepared by the reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ (M = Ti, Zr). The reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₄ in toluene afforded (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}M(NMe₂)₂] (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6; R = H, a; Me, b), which readily reacted with Me₃SiCl to yield the corresponding chloride complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂ (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b). The structures of the diamido complexes (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂ (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6) were established by X-ray diffraction studies of 5a, 5b, and 6a, which verified an η⁵:η¹-bonding mode derived from the dicarbollylamino ligand. Related constrained geometry catalyst CGC-type alkoxy titanium complexes, (Dcab^Py)Ti(OⁱPr)₂ (7), were synthesized by the reaction of 2 with Ti(OⁱPr)₄. Sterically less demanding phenols such as 2-Me-C₆H₄OH replaced the coordinated amido ligands on (Dcab^Py)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (5a) to yield aryloxy stabilized CGC complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂(Ph^Me  =  2- Me-C₆H₄, 8). NMR spectral data suggested that an intramolecular Ti-N coordination was intact in solution, resulting in a stable piano-stool structure with two aryloxy ligands residing in two of the leg positions. The aryloxy coordinations were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂ (8).     

Non-C2-symmetrical antimony-phosphorus ligand, (R/S)-2-diphenylphosphano-2′-di(p-tolyl)stibano-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINAPSb): preparation and its use for asymmetric reactions as a chiral auxiliary

A new non-C₂-symmetrical antimony-phosphorous ligand, (±)-2-diphenyl-phosphano-2′-di(p-tolyl)stibano-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINAPSb) 3, has been prepared from 2-bromo-2′-diphenylphosphano-1,1′-naphthyl 4 via its borane complex 6, and could be resolved by the separation of a mixture of the diastereomeric palladium complexes 8A and 8B derived from the reaction of (±)-3 with optically active palladium reagent (S)-7. The enantiomerically pure BINAPSb 3 has proved to be highly effective in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric hydrosilylation of styrene as a chiral auxiliary.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide, its corresponding hydrazide, some heterocycles derived from the hydrazide and palladium(II) complexes with these functional phosphinoferrocene ligands

Two polar phosphinoferrocene ligands, 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide (1) and 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbohydrazide (2), were synthesized in good yields from 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) via the reactive benzotriazole derivative, 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbonyl]-1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole (3). Alternatively, the hydrazide was prepared by the conventional reaction of methyl 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylate with hydrazine hydrate, and was further converted via standard condensation reactions to three phosphinoferrocene heterocycles, viz 2-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-yl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole (4), 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-carbonyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1,2-pyrazole (5), and 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamido]-3,5-dimethylpyrrole (6). Compounds 1 and 2 react with [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod = η²:η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene) to afford the respective bis-phosphine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(L-κP)₂] (7, L = 1; 8, L = 2). The dimeric precursor [(L^NC)PdCl]₂ (L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹) is cleaved with 1 to give the neutral phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κP)] (9), which is readily transformed into a ionic bis-chelate complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (10) upon removal of the chloride ligand with Ag[SbF₆]. Pyrazole 5 behaves similarly affording the related complexes [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κP)] (12) and [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (13), in which the ferrocene ligand coordinates as a simple phosphine and an O,P-chelate respectively, while oxadiazole 4 affords the phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κP)] (11) and a P,N-chelate [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κ²N³,P)][SbF₆] (14) under similar conditions. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (multinuclear NMR, IR and MS). The solid-state structures of 1⋅½AcOEt, 2, 7⋅3CH₃CN, 8⋅2CHCl₃, 9⋅½CH₂Cl₂⋅0.375C₆H₁₄, 10, and 14 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

1D coordination polymers of silver(I) and copper(II) based on bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) ligands: Synthesis and structural studies

The alkyl chain-linked diimidazolium (or dibenzimidazolium) salts, 1,1′-diethyl-4,4′-tetramethylene-diimidazolium-diiodide (L¹H₂·I₂) and 1,1′-diethyl-3,3′-trimethylene-dibenzimidazolium-diiodide (L²H₂·I₂), and their silver(I) and copper(II) coordination polymers, [L¹AgI]_n (1) and [L²Cu₂I₄]_n (2), have been prepared and characterized. Complex 1 is a 1D helical polymer generated by bidentated carbene ligands (L¹) and Ag(I) atoms. The 1D polymer of 2 is formed by bidentated carbene ligands (L²) and coplanar quadrilateral Cu₂I₂ units. 3D supramolecular frameworks in the crystal packings of 1 and 2 are formed via intermolecular weak interactions, including C–H···π contacts, π–π interactions and C–H···I hydrogen bonds.     

Synthesis,structural analysis,and thermal and spectroscopic studies of methylmalonate-containing zinc(II) complexes

The synthesis, crystal structure, thermal analysis and spectroscopic studies of five zinc(II) complexes of formulae [Zn(Memal)(H₂O)]_n (1) and [Zn₂(L)(Memal)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (2-5) [H₂Memal = methylmalonic acid, and L = 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy) (2), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) (3), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) (4) and 4,4′-azobispyridine (azpy) (5)] are presented here. The crystal structure of 1 is a three-dimensional arrangement of zinc(II) cations interconnected by methylmalonate groups adopting the μ₃-κ²O:κO’:κO”:κO”’ coordination mode to afford a rare (10,3)-d utp-network. The structures of the compounds 2-5 are also three-dimensional and they consist of corrugated square layers of methylmalonate-bridged zinc(II) ions which are pillared by bis-monodentate 4,4′-bpy (2), bpe (3), bpa (4) and azpy (5) ligands. The Memal ligand in 2-5 adopts the μ₃-κO:κO′:κO′′:κO′′′ coordination mode. Each zinc(II) ion in 1-5 is six-coordinated with five (1)/four (2-5) methylmalonate-oxygen atoms, a water molecule (1-5) and a nitrogen atom from a L ligand (2-5) building distorted octahedral environments. The rod-like L co-ligands in 2-5 appear as useful tools to control the interlayer metal-metal separation, which covers the range 8.4311(5) Å (2) – 9.644(3) Å (5). The influence of the co-ligand on the fluorescence properties of this series of compounds has been analyzed and discussed by steady-state and time resolved spectroscopy on all five compounds in the solid state.     

Enantioselective alkynylation to aldimines catalyzed by chiral 2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl-copper(I) complexes

The enantioselective alkynylation of aldimines with terminal acetylenes catalyzed by chiral Cu(I) complexes with (R)-2,2′-di(2-aminoaryloxy)-1,1′-binaphthyl ligands (7) was examined. Chiral C₂-symmetric N,N-ligands 7, which have primary aniline moieties, were readily prepared from inexpensive (R)-1,1′-binaphthol (BINOL) as a chiral source. In particular, the reaction of N-benzylidenebenzeneamine 1a with phenylacetylene 2a proceeded smoothly in the presence of 5 mol % of (CuOTf)₂·C₆H₅CH₃ and 10 mol % of (R)-7d at room temperature for 24 h, and the corresponding propargylamine 3a was obtained with up to 82% ee.     

Different recognitions of (E)- and (Z)-1,1′-binaphthyl ketoximes using lipase-catalyzed reactions

Lipase-catalyzed hydrolysis of (E)-2-[α-(acetoxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(±)-1a] and (Z)-2-[α-(acetoxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(±)-1b] yielded optically active (E)-2-[α-(hydroxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(S)-2a] and (Z)-2-[α-(hydroxyimino)benzyl]-1,1′-binaphthyl [(R)-2b], respectively, with high enantiomeric excess. Selectivity for the opposite enantiomer of the axial binaphthyl skeleton was shown by (Z)-isomer 1b against (E)-isomer 1a.     

Solvothermal syntheses and structures of indium(III)-binaphthalenyl dicarboxylate complexes with yellow/blue luminescence

Two novel In(III) complexes, [In(bna)(Hbna)]_n (1) and [In₂(bna)₂(μ₂-OH)₂]_n·4nH₂O (2) (H₂bna=2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-dicarboxylate acid), have been reported. Complex 1 adopts a 2D layer structure, where each layer composed from homochiral ligands is chiral while the ligands in two neighboring layers are enantiomer. Complex 2 is constructed by individual -In-O-In- chains, which are further connected by bna²⁻ into a 3D honeycomb framework. As a derivative of H₂bna ligand, dmbna (3) was recrystallized for structurally comparison with 1-2 (dmbna=dimethyl 2,2′-dihydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl-3,3′-dicarboxylate). X-ray powder diffractions (XRD) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) for 1-2 show that they are highly thermally stable in the solid state. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit the intense yellow luminescence at 573 nm and blue luminescence at 459 nm at room temperature, respectively. And an astonishing blue shift of 105 nm is observed for complex 1 when it is measured at 10 K.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and reactivity of organolanthanides derived from a new chiral ligand (S)-2-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl

Condensation of (S)-2-amino-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl with 1 equiv. of pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives (S)-2-(pyrrol-2-ylmethyleneamino)-2′-hydroxy-1,1′-binaphthyl (1H₂) in 90% yield. Deprotonation of 1H₂ with NaH in THF, followed by reaction with LnCl₃ in THF gives, after recrystallization from a toluene or benzene solution, dinuclear complexes (1)₃Y₂(thf)₂ · 3C₇H₈ (3 · 3C₇H₈) and (1)₃Yb₂(thf)₂ · 3C₆H₆ (4 · 3C₆H₆), respectively, in good yields. Treatment of 1H₂ with Ln[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ in toluene under reflux, followed by recrystallization from a benzene solution gives the dimeric amido complexes {1-LnN(SiMe₃)₂}₂ · 2C₆H₆ (Ln = Y (5 · 2C₆H₆), Yb (6 · 2C₆H₆)) in good yields. All compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, elemental analyses and X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 5 and 6 are active catalysts for the polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in toluene, affording syn-rich poly-(MMA)s.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel bridged platinum(II) biscarbene complexes

Novel bridged platinum(II) biscarbene complexes are reported: 1,1′-dimethyl-3,3′-methylene-4-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene platinum(II) (3) and 1,1′-dimethyl-3,3′-ethylene-4-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene platinum(II) complexes 4 are directly accessible in high yields starting from platinum halides. The one-pot synthesis obviates the need for multi-step reactions via metal precursors or free carbenes. An X-ray crystal structure of 1,1′-dimethyl-3,3′-methylene-4-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidene platinum(II) dibromide (3b) confirmed the structural similarity to the known corresponding palladium complexes. Since free 1,1′-di-R-3,3′-methylene-4-diimidazolin-2,2′-diylidenes are only available in low yields this synthetic route provides an easy access to the corresponding carbene complexes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of palladium(II)

Mixed carbene-carboxylate complexes of Palladium(II) have been prepared by reacting {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) diiodide (1) [Angew. Chem. 107 (1995) 2602; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 34 (1995) 2371; J. Organomet. Chem. 557 (1998) 93] with AgO₂CR, where R=CF₃, CF₂CF₃ and CF₂CF₂CF₃. In this manner, {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(trifluo-roacetate) (2), {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(pentafluoropropionate) (3) and {1,1^′-dimethyl-3,3^′-methylenediimidazoline-2,2^′-diylidene} palladium(II) bis(heptafluorobutyrate) (4) were obtained. All three complexes were fully characterized by ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy as well as ESI mass spectrometry. X-ray crystal structure analyses of complexes 3 and 4 reveal mononuclear species with a square planar metal center coordinated by a cis-chelating dicarbene and two monodentate carboxylate ligands. The results show that the introduction of a cis-chelating N,N-heterocyclic carbene ligand stabilizes the palladium-carboxylate moiety effectively.     

Rational design and syntheses of 0-D, 1-D, and 2-D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) from ferrocenedicarboxylate tetrametallic macrocyclic building units and subsidiary ligands

We have designed and synthesized three new metal-1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylate complexes containing tetrametallic macrocyclic building units, namely, [Cd₂(η²-O₂CFcCO₂-η²)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4CH₃OH (1) (Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₄)Fe(C₅H₄-η⁵), phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), {[Cd(η²-O₂CFcCO₂)(pebbm)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O}_n (2) (pebbm = 1,1′-(1,5-pentanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole) and {[Cd(η²-O₂CFcCO₂-η²)(prbbm)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O}_n (3) (prbbm = 1,1′-(1,3-propanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole). Compound 1 is a 0-D discrete tetrametallic macrocyclic framework. Compound 2 features an infinite 1-D ribbon of rings structure constructed by the subsidiary ligands pebbm connecting tetrametallic macrocyclic building units. For 3, its tetrametallic macrocyclic building units are linked by the subsidiary ligands prbbm to form a 2-D network structure. The structural features of these complexes indicate that the ferrocenedicarboxylate tetrametallic macrocycle can be used as a successful molecular building unit and the shapes and conformational flexibility of subsidiary ligands play a crucial role in the manipulation of the configuration of the resultant MOFs. Their fluorescence spectra in solid state at room temperature suggest that the fluorescence emissions of 1-3 are ruled by 1,1′-ferrocenedicarboxylate ligand.