Manipulation of Amorphous‐to‐Crystalline Transformation: Towards the Construction of Covalent Organic Framework Hybrid Microspheres with NIR Photothermal Conversion Ability

An approach to transforming amorphous organic networks into crystalline covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with retention of the colloidal nanosize and uniform morphology is presented. Specifically, Fe₃O₄ nanoclusters are encapsulated by a disordering polyimine network via the Schiff‐base reaction. The formed imine bonds could be reconstructed under thermodynamic control to reform the polyimine networks into imine‐linked COFs in situ. Such a core–shell microsphere exhibits the uniform size and spherical shape, controllable COF shell thickness, accessible surface modification, and improved solution dispersibility as well as maintenance of high surface area, periodic micropores, and superior magnetic responsiveness. Additionally, the photothermal conversion effect is demonstrated for the first time on the nanoCOF layers upon exposure to near infrared light, providing convincing evidence for potential use in phototherapy.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic properties of novel palladium(II) complexes containing aromatic sulfonamides: effective catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol

In this article, N‐(2‐aminophenyl)arylsulfonamides (1–5) were successfully synthesized by the reaction of o‐phenylenediamine and various benzenesulfonyl chlorides. The Schiff base derivatives (1a–f; 4e) of those compounds were obtained using different aldehydes. Then, a series of neutral‐four coordinate Pd(II) complexes (6–10) were prepared from the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ and 1–5. On the other hand, when we tried to synthesize Pd(II) complexes containing Schiff base/sulfonamide ligands, two different situations were observed. Generally, when an electron‐donating group was attached to the imine fragment (1a–d) except for 1f, the Schiff base hydrolyzed and 6 was isolated. When an electron‐withdrawing group was attached to the imine fragment (1e, 4e), neutral four‐coordinate Pd(II) complexes (11–13) bearing Schiff base/sulfonamide ligands were isolated. The synthesized compounds were characterized by FT‐IR, elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The complexes were used as a catalyst in the oxidation reaction of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde in the presence of H₅IO₆ in acetonitrile. All complexes showed satisfactory catalytic activity. The highest catalytic activity was obtained with 9. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the dinuclear copper(II) Schiff base complex μ‐hydroxido‐μ‐chlorido‐bis{[bis(trans‐2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine]chloridocopper(II)} dichloromethane sesquisolvate

Transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligands have been shown to have particular application in catalysis and magnetism. The chemistry of copper complexes is of interest owing to their importance in biological and industrial processes. The reaction of copper(I) chloride with the bidentate Schiff base N,N′‐bis(trans‐2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine {Nca₂en, systematic name: (1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]} in a 1:1 molar ratio in dichloromethane without exclusion of air or moisture resulted in the formation of the title complex μ‐chlorido‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis(chlorido{(1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]‐κ²N,N′}copper(II)) dichloromethane sesquisolvate, [Cu₂Cl₃(OH)(C₂₀H₁₈N₄O₄)₂]·1.5CH₂Cl₂. The dinuclear complex has a folded four‐membered ring in an unsymmetrical Cu₂OCl₃ core in which the approximate trigonal bipyramidal coordination displays different angular distortions in the equatorial planes of the two Cu^II atoms; the chloride bridge is asymmetric, but the hydroxide bridge is symmetric. The chelate rings of the two Nca₂en ligands have different conformations, leading to a more marked bowing of one of the ligands compared with the other. This is the first reported dinuclear complex, and the first five‐coordinate complex, of the Nca₂en Schiff base ligand. Molecules of the dimer are associated in pairs by ring‐stacking interactions supported by C—H…Cl interactions with solvent molecules; a further ring‐stacking interaction exists between the two Schiff base ligands of each molecule.     

Direct On‐Surface Patterning of a Crystalline Laminar Covalent Organic Framework Synthesized at Room Temperature

We report herein an efficient, fast, and simple synthesis of an imine‐based covalent organic framework (COF) at room temperature (hereafter, RT‐COF‐1 ). RT‐COF‐1 shows a layered hexagonal structure exhibiting channels, is robust, and is porous to N₂ and CO₂. The room‐temperature synthesis has enabled us to fabricate and position low‐cost micro‐ and submicropatterns of RT‐COF‐1 on several surfaces, including solid SiO₂ substrates and flexible acetate paper, by using lithographically controlled wetting and conventional ink‐jet printing.     

Metallkomplexe mit biologisch wichtigen Liganden. CXLVII [1] Struktur und Eigenschaften von Pfeiffers Nickel(II)‐Schiff‐Base‐Komplex aus Salicylaldehyd und Glycinester

Metal Complexes with Biological Important Ligands. CXLVII [1] Structure and Properties of Pfeiffer's Nickel(II) Schiff Base Complex from Salicylaldehyde and Glycine Ester. The structure of the planar nickel(II) complex reported by Paul Pfeiffer with two Schiff base ligands from salicylaldehyde and glycine ethylester and with trans‐NiO₂N₂ arrangement was determined by X‐ray diffraction. The finding by Pfeiffer that this complex reacts with oxygen to give the bis(O, N‐imine) complex Ni(OC₆H₄CH=NH)₂ under C‐N cleavage could be confirmed by spectroscopic data, and a reaction path is suggested.     

Synthesis,Electrochemical and Luminescence Studies of Nickel and Vanadium Complexes Containing Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligand with N2O2 Donor Atoms

A symmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligand was derived by the condensation of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea in 2:1 molar ratio and adjusted pH. Nickel and vanadyl complexes were obtained using the template method by the reaction of ortho‐vanillin and thiourea with Ni(OAc)₂. 4H₂O and VO(acac)₂ (2:1:1 molar ratio) in absolute ethanol and adjusted pH. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes have been characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, elemental analysis and conductometry measurements. In nickel and also vanadyl complexes the ligands were coordinated to the metals via the imine N and enolic O atoms. The complexes have been found to possess 1:1 metal to ligand stoichiometry and the molar conductance data revealed that the metal complexes were non‐electrolytes. The nickel and vanadyl complexes exhibited tetrahedral and square pyramidal coordination geometry, respectively. The emission spectra of the ligand and its complexes were studied in DMSO. Electrochemical properties of the ligand and its complexes were also investigated in the DMF solvent at the 150 mVs^‐1 scan rate. The ligand and its complexes showed irreversible processes at this scan rate.     

Cocrystallization of two tautomers: 4‐(1‐{[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]hydrazono}ethyl)benzene‐1,3‐diol and 6‐[(E)‐1‐{[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]hydrazino}ethylidene]‐3‐hydroxycyclohexa‐2,4‐dien‐1‐one (1/1)

Two different tautomeric forms of a new Schiff base, C₁₇H₁₉N₃O₂·C₁₇H₁₉N₃O₂, are present in the crystal in a 1:1 ratio, namely the enol–imine form 4‐(1‐{[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]hydrazono}ethyl)benzene‐1,3‐diol and the keto–amine form 6‐[(E)‐1‐{[4‐(dimethylamino)benzylidene]hydrazino}ethylidene]‐3‐hydroxycyclohexa‐2,4‐dien‐1‐one. The tautomers are formed by proton transfer between the hydroxy O atom and the imine N atom and are hydrogen bonded to each other to form a one‐dimensional zigzag chain along the crystallographic b axis via intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Photophysical Properties and OLED Applications of Phosphorescent Platinum(II) Schiff Base Complexes

The syntheses, crystal structures, and detailed investigations of the photophysical properties of phosphorescent platinum(II) Schiff base complexes are presented. All of these complexes exhibit intense absorption bands with λ_max in the range 417–546 nm, which are assigned to states of metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (¹MLCT) ¹[Pt(5d)→π*(Schiff base)] character mixed with ¹[lone pair(phenoxide)→π*(imine)] charge‐transfer character. The platinum(II) Schiff base complexes are thermally stable, with decomposition temperatures up to 495 °C, and show emission λ_max at 541–649 nm in acetonitrile, with emission quantum yields up to 0.27. Measurements of the emission decay times in the temperature range from 130 to 1.5 K give total zero‐field splitting parameters of the emitting triplet state of 14–28 cm^?1. High‐performance yellow to red organic light‐emitting devices (OLEDs) using these platinum(II) Schiff base complexes have been fabricated with the best efficiency up to 31 cd A^?1 and a device lifetime up to 77 000 h at 500 cd m^?2.     

Excellent Suzuki–Miyaura catalytic activity of a new Pd(II) complex with sulfonamide–Schiff base ligand

A new air‐stable Pd(II) complex containing a sulfonamide–Schiff base ligand has been synthesized, characterized and investigated as a catalyst for the Suzuki–Miyaura reactions of aryl halides with arylboronic acids. Theoretical calculations (B3LYP) and spectroscopic evidence suggest that the sulfonamide–Schiff base coordinates to the Pd centre through sulfonamide nitrogen (? SO₂NH₂) rather than imine (? CH?N). The complex shows excellent cross‐coupling activity with aryl bromides in water at room temperature and aryl chlorides in isopropanol at 60°C. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A MOF@COF Composite with Enhanced Uptake through Interfacial Pore Generation

Herein, we describe a new class of porous composites comprising metal–organic framework (MOF) crystals confined in single spherical matrices made of packed covalent‐organic framework (COF) nanocrystals. These MOF@COF composites are synthesized through a two‐step method of spray‐drying and subsequent amorphous (imine‐based polymer)‐to‐crystalline (imine‐based COF) transformation. This transformation around the MOF crystals generates micro‐ and mesopores at the MOF/COF interface that provide far superior porosity compared to that of the constituent MOF and COF components added together. We report that water sorption in these new pores occurs within the same pressure window as in the COF pores. Our new MOF@COF composites, with their additional pores at the MOF/COF interface, should have implications for the development of new composites.     

Some divalent metal(II) complexes of novel potentially tetradentate Schiff base N,N′‐bis(2‐carboxyphenylimine)‐2,5‐thiophenedicarboxaldhyde: Synthesis,spectroscopic characterization and bioactivities

A novel tetradentate dianionic Schiff base ligand, N ,N ′‐bis(2‐carboxyphenylimine)‐2,5‐thiophenedicarboxaldhyde (H₂L) and some first row d‐transition metal chelates (Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)) were synthesized and characterized using various physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The spectroscopic data suggested that the parent Schiff base ligand coordinates through both deprotonated carboxylic oxygen and imine nitrogen atoms. The free Schiff base and its metal chelates were screened for their antimicrobial activities for various pathogenic bacteria and fungi using the agar well diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of all the newly synthesized compounds are significant compared to the standard drugs ciprofloxacin and nystatin. The antioxidant activities of the compounds were determined by reduction of 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl and compared with that of vitamin C as a standard. DNA binding ability of the novel Schiff base and its complexes was investigated using absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, viscosity measurements and thermal denaturation. The obtained results clearly demonstrate that the binding affinity with calf thymus DNA follows the order: Cu(II) complex > Ni(II) complex > Zn(II) complex > Co(II) complex >H₂L. Furthermore, the DNA cleavage activity of the newly synthesized ligand and its metal complexes was investigated using supercoiled plasmid DNA (pUC18) gel electrophoresis.     

Investigation of DNA Binding Interaction of Newly Synthesized Nickel(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes Containing Ferrocenyl Schiff Base Ligand

New complexes of nickel(II) and palladium(II) were synthesized using the ferrocenyl imine ligand, which was formed by the condensation of 2‐aminothiophenol and acetylferrocene. This bidentate Schiff base ligand was coordinated to the metal ions through the NS donor atoms. Monomeric complexes of nickel(II) and palladium(II) were synthesized by the reactions of the Schiff base ligand with nickel(II) and palladium(II) chloride in a 2:1 M ratio. In these complexes, the thiol group was deprotonated and coordinated to the metals. The molar conductivity values of the complexes in DMSO showed the presence of non‐electrolyte species. The fluorescence characteristics of the Schiff base ligand and its complexes were studied in DMSO. The synthesized complexes were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and conductometry. Furthermore, the binding interactions of the complexes with DNA were investigated by electronic absorption spectroscopy, and the intrinsic binding constant (K _b) was calculated. Moreover, viscosity and melting temperature (T _m) were investigated in order to further explore the nature of interactions between the complexes and DNA.     

New azo‐azomethine‐based transition metal complexes: Synthesis,spectroscopy, solid‐state structure,density functional theory calculations and anticancer studies

A novel tetradentate azo‐Schiff base ligand (H₂L) was synthesized by 2:1 molar condensation of an azo‐aldehyde and ethylenediamine. Its mononuclear Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes were prepared and their structures were confirmed using elemental analysis, NMR, infrared and UV–visible spectroscopies and molar conductivity measurements. The results suggest that the metal ion is bonded to the tetradentate ligand through phenolic oxygens and imine nitrogens of the ligand. The solid‐state structures of the azo‐Schiff base ligand and its Cu(II) complex were determined using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The azo‐Schiff base ligand lies on a crystallographic inversion centre and thus the asymmetric unit contains half of the molecule. X‐ray data revealed that keto–amine tautomer is favoured in the solid‐state structure of the ligand. In the structure of the Cu(II) complex, the Cu(II) ion is coordinated to two phenolate oxygen atoms and two imine nitrogen atoms of the azo‐Schiff base ligand with approximate square planar geometry. The anticancer activity of the synthesized complexes was investigated for human cancer cell line (MCF‐7) and cytotoxicity of the synthesized compounds was determined against mouse fibroblast cells (L929). The ligand and its complexes were found to show antitumor activity. The synthesized metal complexes were optimized at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level and a new theoretical formula for MCF‐7 cells was also derived.     

Chloro[N,N′‐ethyl­enediimino­bis(acetyl­acetonato)]gallium(III)

In the title compound, [Ga(C₁₂H₁₈N₂O₂)Cl], the Ga atom is coordinated to a Cl atom and the two imine N and two enolate O atoms of the Schiff base ligand. The literature reveals few examples of a five‐coordinate GaO₂N₂Cl environment, and only two where both the N and the O atoms are contained within the same ligand. This configuration has the effect of constraining the complex into a square‐pyramidal geometry with less distortion than if formed by two or more ligands. The Ga—N and Ga—O distances are within the ranges expected for Ga–Schiff base derivatives. This compound is also the first group 13 complex containing the N,N′‐ethyl­ene­bis­(acetyl­acetoneimine) (acacen) ligand.     

{4‐Bromo‐2‐[2‐(5‐bromo‐2‐oxido­benzyl­idene­amino­methyl)­phenyl­imino­methyl]­phenolato‐κ4O,N,N′,O′}nickel(II)

In the title complex, [Ni(C₂₁H₁₄Br₂N₂O₂)], the Ni^II atom is coordinated by the two imine N and two phenolate O atoms of the Schiff base ligand in a tetrahedrally distorted square‐planar geometry. The Ni—N and Ni—O distances are within the ranges expected for Ni–Schiff base derivatives. Intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol­ecules into centrosymmetric dimers, forming (12) (A) and (10) (B) rings. These dimers combine to form a supramolecular ABAB… aggregate which propagates along the [100] direction.     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structures of the bidentate Schiff base N,N′‐bis(2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine and its complex with CuNCS and triphenylphosphane

Reaction of copper(I) thiocyanate and triphenylphosphane with the bidentate Schiff base N,N′‐bis(trans‐2‐nitrocinnamaldehyde)ethylenediamine {Nca₂en, (1); systematic name (1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]}, C₂₀H₁₈N₄O₄, in a 1:1:1 molar ratio in acetonitrile resulted in the formation of the complex {(1E,1′E,2E,2′E)‐N,N′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[3‐(2‐nitrophenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐imine]‐κ²N,N′}(thiocyanato‐κN)(triphenylphosphane‐κP)copper(I)], [Cu(NCS)(C₂₀H₁₈N₄O₄)(C₁₈H₁₅P)] or [Cu(NCS)(Nca₂en)(PPh₃)], (2). The Schiff base and copper(I) complex have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, electronic and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography [from synchrotron data for (1)]. The molecule of (1) lies on a crystallographic inversion centre, with a trans conformation for the ethylenediamine unit, and displays significant twists from coplanarity of its nitro group, aromatic ring, conjugated chain and especially ethylenediamine segments. It acts as a bidentate ligand coordinating via the imine N atoms to the Cu^I atom in complex (2), in which the ethylenediamine unit necessarily adopts a somewhat flattened gauche conformation, resulting in a rather bowed shape overall for the ligand. The NCS⁻ ligand is coordinated through its N atom. The geometry around the Cu^I atom is distorted tetrahedral, with a small N—Cu—N bite angle of 81.56 (12)° and an enlarged opposite angle of 117.29 (9)° for SCN—Cu—P. Comparisons are made with the analogous Schiff base having no nitro substituents and with metal complexes of both ligands.     

Structural and Morphological Transformations of Covalent Organic Nanotubes

Covalent organic nanotubes (CONTs) are porous one-dimensional frameworks connected through imine bonds via Schiff base condensation between aldehydes and amines. The presence of two amine groups at the ortho position in the structurally demanding tetraaminotriptycene (TAT) building block leads to multiple reaction pathways between the ditopic aldehyde and the tetratopic amine. We have synthesized five different monomers of CONT-1 by the Schiff base condensation reaction between TAT and o-anisaldehyde. The conversion of imine to imidazole bonding in a monomer is probed using NMR, mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Solid-state NMR provide insights into the CONTs’ structural connectivity. A theoretical investigation suggests that the π-π stacking could be the driving force for rapid imine to imidazole conversion within the CONT-1. Microscopic imaging sheds further light on the self-assembly process of the CONTs, indicating both head-to-head and side-by-side assembly.     

Thermal properties and flame retardancy of novel epoxy based on phosphorus‐modified Schiff‐base

Through addition reaction of Schiff‐base terephthalylidene‐bis‐(p‐aminophenol) ( DP‐1 ) and diethyl phosphite (DEP), a novel phosphorus‐modified epoxy, 4,4'‐diglycidyl‐(terephthalylidene‐bis‐(p‐aminophenol))diphosphonate ether ( EP‐2 ), was obtained. An modification reaction between EP‐2 and DP‐1 resulted in an epoxy compound, EP‐3 , possessing both phosphonate groups and C?N imine groups. The structure of EP‐2 was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), elemental analysis (EA), ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR analyses. The thermal properties of phosphorus‐modified epoxies cured with 4,4'‐diaminodiphenylmethane (MDA) and 4,4'‐diaminodiphenyl ether (DDE) were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The activation energies of dynamic thermal degradation (E_d) were calculated using Kissinger and Ozawa's methods. The thermal degradation mechanism was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG‐IR). In addition, the flame retardancy of phosphorus‐modified epoxy thermosets was evaluated using limiting oxygen index (LOI) and UL‐94 vertical test methods. Via an ingenious design, phosphonate groups were successfully introduced into the backbone of the epoxies; the flame retardancy of phosphorus‐modified epoxy thermosets was distinctly improved. Due to incorporation of C?N imine group, the phosphorus‐modified epoxy thermosets exhibited high thermal stabilities; the values of glass‐transition temperatures (T_gs) were about 201–210°C, the values of E_d were about 220–490 kJ/mol and char yields at 700°C were 49–53% in nitrogen and 45–50% in air. These results showed an improvement in the thermal properties of phosphorus‐modified epoxy by the incorporation of C?N imine groups. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer Anchored Cu(Ⅱ) Complexes: Heterogeneous Catalysts for Preparation of Diaryl Ethers

Polymer anchored Cu(II) Schiff base complexes have been prepared and characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), elemental analysis, atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), spectrometric methods like diffuse reflectance spectra of solid (DRS) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These catalysts show excellent catalytic activity in the O‐arylation reaction of aryl halides with phenol in acetonitrile using Cs₂CO₃ at 70°C under an open air condition to give diaryl ethers in high yields. The effects of various parameters such as solvent, catalyst from different copper salt and base on the reaction system have been studied. The reaction is applicable to a wide variety of substituted aryl halides and phenols with different steric and electronic properties. These catalysts are recovered by simple filtration and the reusability experiments show that these catalysts can be used five times without much loss in the catalytic activity.     

Bis­[4‐(2‐pyridyl­methyl­ene­amino)­phenyl] ether

The title compound, C₂₄H₁₈N₄O, is a bis‐bidentate Schiff base ligand exhibiting pseudo‐C₂ symmetry. The mol­ecule is twisted about the central ether linkage and exhibits an imine E configuration. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by weak intermolecular C—H?N hydrogen bonds.