Conformationally rigid chelate rings in metal complexes of pyridyloxy-substituted 2,2'-dioxybiphenyl-cyclotetra- and cyclotriphosphazene platforms

Divalent metal halides react with pyridyloxy-substituted 2,2'-dioxybiphenyl-cyclotri- and cyclotetraphosphazene ligands to form the complexes, [MLX2] [M=Co or Cu; L=(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L1) or (2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L2); X=Cl or Br], [ZnLCl2] [L=bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L3) or bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L4)], [MLCl2] [M=Cu or Hg; L=tris(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)bis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotetraphosphazene (L5)] and [Cu2LCl4] (L=trans-bis(2,2'-dioxybiphenyl)tetrakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotetraphosphazene (L6)]. Single-crystal X-ray structures show the L2 ligand complexes to have a N3Cl2 five-coordinate, trigonal-bipyramidal donor set with the phosphazene ring and pendant pyridyloxy nitrogens binding to the metal ions. The coordinated L2 ligand in the complex, [CoL2Cl2], slowly hydrolyses in acetonitrile with the loss of a pyridine pendant arm to form a dimetallic species, which has been characterized by crystallography as [{CoL2aCl}]2.4MeCN (L2a=[N3P3(biph)(OPy)3(O)]-, biph=2,2'-dioxybiphenyl, OPy=2-oxopyridine). The ligands, L3, L4, L5, and L6, bind to the metal halides via gem-substituted pyridyloxy nitrogens only. The resulting rigid eight-membered chelate rings all have distorted boat conformations, which force distorted-tetrahedral N2Cl2 coordination environments onto the metal ions. The spectroscopic (ESR and electronic) and magnetic properties of the complexes are reported.     

QTAIM study of transition metal complexes with cyclophosphazene-based multisite ligands II. Cobalt(II) complexes

[(CoLCl)CoCl₃], [(CoMeLCl)CoCl₃], [(CoLBr)CoBr₃], [CoLBr]⁺ and [CoMeLBr₂] complexes, L = hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene, MeL = hexakis(4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene, in the most stable high spin states are investigated at DFT level of theory using hybrid B3LYP functional. The exchange coupling parameter evaluated using a broken symmetry treatment increases with the ligands mass. Electron density is evaluated in terms of QTAIM (Quantum Theory of Atoms-in-Molecule) topological analysis of electron density. The bonds of central Co atoms with phosphazene nitrogens are shorter, stronger and more polar than with the aromatic pyridine nitrogens and their higher ellipticities may be explained by the π contribution from the phosphazene ring. The atomic charges of phosphazene nitrogens are ca. twice more negative than at the pyridine ones.     

Polymer building blocks: self-assembly of silver(I) cyclotriphosphazene cationic columns

The multimodal ligand hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L) and its 4-methyl-2-pyridyloxy analogue (MeL) react with Ag(I) to afford {[AgL]+}infinity supramolecular cationic columns via self-assembly, with the anions occupying the intercolumnar channels. In contrast, the reaction of MeL with Cu(I) yields a dimetallic Cu(II) complex containing mu-OH and mu-4-methyl-2-pyridyloxylato bridges.     

Di- and trinuclear complexes derived from hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene. Unusual P-O bond cleavage in the formation of [{(L'CuCl)2(Co(NO3)}Cl] (L' = N3P3(OC5H4N)5(O))

Hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene (L) is an efficient multisite coordination ligand which binds with transition metal ions to produce dinuclear (homo- and heterometallic) complexes [L(CuCl)(CoCl3)], [L(CuCl)(ZnCl3)], [L(CoCl)(ZnCl3)], and [L(ZnCl2)2]. In these dinuclear derivatives the cyclophosphazene ligand utilizes from five to six nitrogen coordination sites out of the maximum of nine available sites. Further, the spacer oxygen that separates the pyridyl moiety from the cyclophosphazene ring ensures minimum steric strain to the cyclophosphazene ring upon coordination. This is reflected in the near planarity of the cyclophosphazene ring in all the dinuclear derivatives. In the dinuclear heterobimetallic derivatives one of the metal ions [Cu(II) or Co(II)] is hexacoordinate and is bound by the cyclophosphazene in a eta5-gem-N5 mode. The other metal ion in these heterobimetallic derivatives [Co(II) or Zn(II)] is tetracoordinate and is bound in an eta(1)-N(1) fashion. In the homobimetallic derivative, [L(ZnCl2)2], one of the zinc ions is five-coordinate (eta3-nongem-N3), while the other zinc ion is tetracoordinate(eta2-gem-N2). The reaction of L with CuCl2 followed by Co(NO3)2.6H2O yields a trinuclear heterobimetallic complex [{(L'CuCl)2Co(NO3)}Cl] [L' = N3P3(OC5H4N)5(O)]. In the formation of this compound an unusual P-O bond cleavage involving one of the phosphorus-pyridyloxy bonds is observed. The molecular structure of [{(L'CuCl)2Co(NO3)}Cl] [L' = N3P3(OC5H4N)5(O)] reveals that each of the two the P-O-cleaved L' ligands is involved in binding to Cu(II) to generate the motif L'CuCl. Two such units are bridged by a Co(II) ion. The coordination environment around the bridging Co(II) ion contains four oxygen (two P-O units, one chelating nitrate) and two nitrogen atoms (pyridyloxy nitrogens).     

A spirocyclic system comprising both phosphazane and phosphazene rings

The reaction of hexakis(cyclohexylamino) cyclotriphosphazene [NP(CyNH)(2)](3), 1, with phosphorus trichloride yields [NP(CyN)(2)PCl](3), 2, which contains three four-membered phosphazane rings fused in spirocyclic fashion to a central six-membered phosphazene ring and constitutes the first structurally characterized compound that comprises both phosphazene and phosphazane rings. The peripheral P atoms feature stereoactive lone pairs, and, thus, 2 exists in isomeric C(3h) and C(s) forms. The spirocyclic phosphazene-phosphazane derivative 2 carries three reactive PCl functions in peripheral positions, promising an interesting precursor molecule for the synthesis of extended phosphorus nitrogen structures of high rigidity. Extension of the PN moiety can be achieved by reaction of 2 with a primary amine yielding [NP(CyN)(2)PN(H)(t)Bu](3), 3, which features a central scaffold of 6 phosphorus and 12 nitrogen centers and aggregates via N-H...P hydrogen bonds in the solid state. On the contrary, the reaction of 1 with SbCl(3) undergoes incomplete proton abstraction, resulting in the formation of the tricyclic compound N(3)P(3)(CyNH)(4)(CyNSbCl(2))(2), 4, which contains two four-coordinate Sb centers chelated by N(exo)-N(ring) sites of the phosphazene.     

QTAIM study of transition metal complexes with cyclophosphazene-based multisite ligands I: Zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes

The metal–ligand bonds in [(ZnCl₂)₂L], [NiLCl]⁺ and two isomers of [NiLCl₂] complexes with multimodal ligand L = hexakis(2-pyridyloxy)cyclotriphosphazene, cyclo-[NP(NC₅H₄O)₂]₃, are investigated at DFT level of theory using hybrid B3LYP functional. Electron density is evaluated in terms of QTAIM (quantum theory of atoms-in-molecule) topological analysis of electron density. The bonds of central transition metal atoms with phosphazene nitrogens are shorter, stronger and more polar than with the aromatic pyridine nitrogens. The atomic charges of phosphazene nitrogens are ca twice more negative than at the pyridine ones. The higher mechanical strain in the five-coordinate metal complexes than in the six-coordinate ones may be concluded.     

Unexpected direct iron-fluorine bonds in trifluorophosphane iron complexes: an alternative to bridging trifluorophosphane and difluorophosphido groups

The iron trifluorophosphane complexes [Fe(PF(3))(n)] (n=4, 5), [Fe(2)(PF(3))(n)] (n=8, 9), [H(2)Fe(PF(3))(4)], and [Fe(2)(PF(2))(2)(PF(3))(6)] have been studied by density functional theory. The lowest energy structures of [Fe(PF(3))(4)] and [Fe(PF(3))(5)] are a triplet tetrahedron and a singlet trigonal bipyramid, respectively. Both cis and trans octahedral structures were found for [H(2)Fe(PF(3))(4)] with the cis isomer lying lower in energy by approximately 10 kcal mol(-1). The lowest energy structure for [Fe(2)(PF(3))(8)] has two [Fe(PF(3))(4)] units linked only by an iron-iron bond of length 2.505 A consistent with the formal Fe=Fe double bond required to give both iron atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. In the lowest energy structure for [Fe(2)(PF(3))(9)] one of the iron atoms has inserted into a P-F bond of one of the PF(3) ligands to give a structure [(F(3)P)(4)Fe<--PF(2)Fe(F)(PF(3))(4)] with a bridging PF(2) group and a direct Fe-F bond. A bridging PF(3) group is found in a considerably higher energy [Fe(2)(PF(3))(9)] structure at approximately 30 kcal mol(-1) above the global minimum. However, this bridging PF(3) group keeps the two iron atoms too far apart (approximately 4 A) for the direct iron-iron bond required to give the iron atoms the favored 18-electron configuration. The preferred structure for [Fe(2)(PF(2))(2)(PF(3))(6)] has a bridging PF(2) group, as expected. However, this bridging PF(2) group bonds to one of the iron atoms through an P-Fe covalent bond and to the other iron through an F-->Fe dative bond, leaving an uncomplexed phosphorus lone pair.     

Rhenium(V) oxo complexes with N-heterocyclic carbenes

Air-stable rhenium(V) oxo complexes are formed when [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] is treated with N-heterocyclic carbenes of the 1,3-dialkyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene type, L(R) (R = Me, Et, i-Pr). Complexes of the compositions [ReO(2)(L(R))(4)](+), [ReOCl(L(R))(4)](2+), or [ReO(OMe)(L(R))(4)](2+) can be isolated depending on the alkyl substituents at the nitrogen atoms of the ligands and the reaction conditions applied. Despite the steric overcrowding of the equatorial coordination spheres of the metal atoms by each of the four carbene ligands, stable complexes with six-coordinate rhenium atoms are obtained. Steric demands of the alkyl groups allow control of the stability of the mono-oxo intermediates. Air-stable cationic complexes of the compositions [ReOCl(L(Me))(4)](2+), [ReOCl(L(Et))(4)](2+), and [ReO(OMe)(L(Me))(4)](2+) have been isolated, whereas reactions of [ReOCl(3)(PPh(3))(2)] or other rhenium(V) precursors with the more bulky 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene (L(i)(-)(Pr)) directly yield the dioxo complex [ReO(2)(L(i)(-)(Pr))(4)](+). X-ray structures of [ReO(2)(L(i)(-)(Pr))(4)][ReO(4)], [ReO(2)(L(i)(-)(Pr))(4)][PF(6)], [ReO(2)(L(Me))(4)][ReO(4)](0.45)[PF(6)](0.55), [ReO(MeOH)(L(Me))(4)][PF(6)](2), and [ReOCl(L(Et))(4)][PF(6)](2) show that the equatorial coordination spheres of the rhenium atoms are essentially planar irrespective of the steric demands of the individual carbene ligands.     

Synthesis and reactivity of copper(I) complexes containing a bis(imidazolin-2-imine) pincer ligand

The new pincer ligand 2,6-bis[(1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imino)methyl]pyridine (TL(tBu)) has been prepared in high yield from 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (1) and 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imine (3). Reaction of TL(tBu) with [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6 affords the highly reactive copper(I) complex [(TL(tBu))Cu]PF6, [5]PF6, which forms the stable copper(I) isocyanide complexes [6a]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2179 cm(-1)) and [6b]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2140 cm(-1)) upon addition of tert-butyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, respectively. For the cations 6a and 6b, DFT calculations reveal ground-state electronic structures of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))Cu(CNR)] with tricoordinate geometries around the copper atoms. Exposure of [5]PF6 to the air readily leads to trapping of atmospheric CO2 to form the square-planar complex [(TL(tBu))Cu(HCO3-kappaO)]PF6, [7]PF6, with the bicarbonate ligand adopting a rarely observed monodentate coordination mode. In chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane or chloroform, [5]PF(6) rapidly abstracts chloride by reductive dechlorination of the solvent to yield [(TL(tBu))CuCl]PF6, [8]PF6 quantitatively. Reaction of TL(tBu) with copper(I) bromide or chloride affords complexes 9a and 9b, respectively, for which X-ray diffraction analysis, low-temperature NMR experiments and DFT calculations reveal the presence of a kappa(2)-coordinated ligand of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))CuX]. In solution, complex 9b undergoes slow disproportionation forming the mixed-valence copper(II)/copper(I) system [(TL(tBu))CuCl][CuCl2], [8]CuCl2 with a linear dichlorocuprate(I) counterion.     

Facially coordinating triamine ligands with a cyclic backbone: some structure-stability correlations

Metal complex formation of the two cyclic triamines 6-methyl-1,4-diazepan-6-amine (MeL(a)) and all-cis-2,4,6-trimethylcyclohexane-1,3,5-triamine (Me(3)tach) was studied. The structure of the free ligands (H(x)MeL(a))(x+) and H(x)Me(3)tach(x+) (0 ≤ x ≤ 3) was investigated by pH-dependent NMR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction experiments. The crystal structure of (H(2)Me(3)tach)(p-O(3)S-C(6)H(4)-CH(3))(2) showed a chair conformation with axial nitrogen atoms for the doubly protonated species. In contrast to a previous report, Me(3)tach was found to be a stronger base than the parent cis-cyclohexane-1,3,5-triamine (tach); pK(a)-values of H(3)Me(3)tach(3+) (25 °C, 0.1 M KCl): 5.2, 7.4, 11.2. The crystal structures of (H(3)MeL(a))(BiCl(6))·2H(2)O and (H(3)MeL(a))(ClO(4))Cl(2) exhibited two distinct twisted chair conformations of the seven membered diazepane ring. [Co(MeL(a))(2)](3+) (cis: 1(3+), trans: 2(3+)), trans-[Fe(MeL(a))(2)](3+) (3(3+)), [(MeL(a))ClCd(μ(2)-Cl)](2) (4), trans-[Cu(MeL(a))(2)](2+) (5(2+)), and [Cu(HMeL(a))Br(3)] (6) were characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis of 1(ClO(4))(3)·H(2)O, 2Br(3)·H(2)O, 3(ClO(4))(3)·0.8MeCN·0.2MeOH, 4, 5Br(2)·0.5MeOH, and 6·H(2)O. Formation constants and redox potentials of MeL(a) complexes were determined by potentiometric, spectrophotometric, and cyclovoltammetric measurements. The stability of [M(II)(MeL(a))](2+)-complexes is low. In comparison to the parent 1,4-diazepan-6-amine (L(a)), it is only slightly enhanced. In analogy to L(a), MeL(a) exhibited a pronounced tendency for forming protonated species such as [M(II)(HMeL(a))](3+) or [M(II)(MeL(a))(HMeL(a))](3+) (see 6 as an example). In contrast to MeL(a), Me(3)tach forms [M(II)L](2+) complexes (M = Cu, Zn) of very high stability, and the coordination behavior corresponds mainly to an "all-or-nothing" process. Molecular mechanics calculations showed that the low stability of L(a) and MeL(a) complexes is mainly due to a large amount of torsional strain within the pure chair conformation of the diazepane ring, required for tridentate coordination. This behavior is quite contrary to Me(3)tach and tacn (tacn =1,4,7-triazacyclononane), where the main portion of strain is already preformed in the free ligand, and the amount, generated upon complex formation, is comparably low.     

Copper complexes of nitrogen-anchored tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene ligands

Incorporation of a nitrogen functionality into a tripodal N-heterocyclic carbene ligand system affords the first N-anchored tetradentate tris-carbene ligands TIMEN(R) (R = Me (5a), t-Bu (5b), Bz (5c)). Treatment of the methyl derivatized [H(3)TIMEN(Me)](PF(6))(3) imidazolium salt (H(3)5a) with silver oxide yields the silver complex [(TIMEN(Me))(2)Ag(3)](PF(6))(3) (9), which, in a ligand transfer reaction, reacts with copper(I) bromide to give the trinuclear copper(I) complex [(TIMEN(Me))(2)Cu(3)](PF(6))(3) (10). Deprotonation of the tert-butyl and benzyl derivatives [H(3)TIMEN(t-Bu)](PF(6))(3) and [H(3)TIMEN(Bz)](PF(6))(3) yields the free tris-carbenes TIMEN(t-Bu) (5b) and TIMEN(Bz) (5c), which react readily with copper(I) salts to give mononuclear complexes [(TIMEN(t-Bu))Cu](PF(6)) (11b) and [(TIMEN(Bz))Cu]Br (11c). The solid-state structures of 10, 11b, and 11c were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. While the TIMEN(Me) ligand yields trinuclear complex 10, with both T-shaped three-coordinate and linear two-coordinate copper(I) centers, the TIMEN(t-Bu) and TIMEN(Bz) ligands induce mononuclear complexes 11b and 11c, rendering the cuprous ion in a trigonal planar ligand environment of three carbenoid carbon centers and an additional, weak axial nitrogen interaction. Complexes 11b and 11c exhibit reversible one-electron redox events at half-wave potentials of 110 and -100 mV vs Fc/Fc(+), respectively, indicating sufficient electronic and structural flexibility of both TIMEN(R) ligands (R = t-Bu, Bz) to stabilize copper(I) and copper(II) oxidation states. Accordingly, a copper(II) NHC complex, [(TIMEN(Bz))Cu](OTf)(2) (12), was synthesized. Paramagnetic complex 12 was characterized by elemental analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetization measurements.     

Effect of terminal N-substitution in 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones on the mode of coordination, structure, interaction with protein, radical scavenging and cytotoxic activity of copper(II) complexes

Four 2-oxo-1,2-dihydroquinoline-3-carbaldehyde N-substituted thiosemicarbazone ligands (H(2)-OQtsc-R, where R = H, Me, Et or Ph) and their corresponding new copper(II) complexes [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-H)]·2H(2)O (1), [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Me)]·2H(2)O (2), [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Et)(CH(3)OH)]Cl (3) and [CuCl(H-OQtsc-Ph)]·CH(3)OH (4) have been synthesized in order to correlate the effect of terminal N-substitution on coordination behaviour, structure and biological activity. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the complexes 1, 2 and 3 have square pyramidal geometry around the central metal ion. In the complexes 1 and 2, the copper ion is coordinated by the ligand with ONS donor atoms, one chloride ion in apical position and the other chloride in the basal plane. Complex 3 consists of [CuCl(2)(H(2)-OQtsc-Et)(CH(3)OH)](+) cation and a chloride as counter ion. The copper ion is coordinated by the ligand with ONS donor atoms and by one chloride ion in the basal plane. One methanol molecule is bonded through its neutral oxygen in the apical position. Complex 4 is square planar with the ligand coordinating through uni-negative tridentate ONS(-) and by one chloride ion in the basal plane. The binding of complexes with lysozyme protein was carried out by fluorescence spectroscopy. Investigations of antioxidation properties showed that all the copper(II) complexes have strong radical scavenging properties. The cytotoxicity of the complexes 3 and 4 against NIH 3T3 and HeLa cell lines showed that synergy between the metal and ligands results in a significant enhancement in the cell death with IC(50) of ~10-40 μM. A size dependence of substitution at terminal N in the thiosemicarbazones on the biological activities of the complexes has been observed.     

Synthesis and characterization of benzyl and benzoyl substituted oxime-phosphazenes

Two oxime-cyclophosphazenes were prepared from hexakis(4-formylphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (2) and hexakis(4-acetylphenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (7). The reactions of these oximes with benzyl chloride, benzenesulfanoyl chloride, benzoyl chloride, 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride were studied. Hexa and pentasubstituted compounds were obtained from the reaction of hexakis(4-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (3) with benzyl chloride (4) and benzoyl chloride, respectively. However, the oxime groups on 3 rearranged to nitrile (5) in the reaction of 3 with benzenesulfanoyl chloride and 1-napthalenesulfanoyl chloride. Hexasubstituted compounds were also obtained from the reactions of hexakis(4-[(1)-N-hydroxyethaneimidoyl]phenoxy)cyclotriphosphazene (8) with benzoyl chloride (10), 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride (11) and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride (12). A trisubstituted compound was obtained from the reaction of 8 with benzyl chloride (9). All the products were generally obtained in high yields. Pure and defined products could not be obtained from the reaction of 3 with 4-methoxybenzoyl chloride and 2-chlorobenzoyl chloride. The structures of the compounds were defined by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

A series of dinuclear homo- and heterometallic complexes with two or three bridging sulfido ligands derived from the tungsten tris(sulfido) complex [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)WS(3)] (Me(2)Tp = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate)

The generation of heterobimetallic complexes with two or three bridging sulfido ligands from mononuclear tris(sulfido) complex of tungsten [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)WS(3)] (1; Me(2)Tp = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate) and organometallic precursors is reported. Treatment of 1 with stoichiometric amounts of metal complexes such as [M(PPh(3))(4)] (M = Pt, Pd), [(PtMe(3))(4)(micro(3)-I)(4)], [M(cod)(PPh(3))(2)][PF(6)] (M = Ir, Rh; cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene), [Rh(cod)(dppe)][PF(6)] (dppe = Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)), [CpIr(MeCN)(3)][PF(6)](2) (Cp = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5)), [CpRu(MeCN)(3)][PF(6)], and [M(CO)(3)(MeCN)(3)] (M = Mo, W) in MeCN or MeCN-THF at room temperature afforded either the doubly bridged complexes [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)M(PPh(3))] (M = Pt (3), Pd (4)), [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)M(cod)] (M = Ir, Rh (7)), [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)Rh(dppe)], [(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)RuCp] (10), and [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(=S)(micro-S)(2)W(CO)(3)] (12) or the triply bridged complexes including [(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)PtMe(3)] (5), [(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)IrCp][PF(6)] (9), and [Et(4)N][(Me(2)Tp)W(micro-S)(3)Mo(CO)(3)] (11), depending on the nature of the incorporated metal fragment. The X-ray analyses have been undertaken to clarify the detailed structures of 3-5, 7, and 9-12.     

C-H activation versus yttrium-methyl cation formation from [Y(AlMe4)3] induced by cyclic polynitrogen bases: solvent and substituent-size effects

The reaction of 1,3,5-triisopropyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TiPTAC) with [Y(AlMe(4))(3)] resulted in the formation of [(TiPTAC)Y(Me(3)AlCH(2)AlMe(3))(μ-MeAlMe(3))] by C-H activation and methane extrusion. In contrast, the presence of bulkier cyclohexyl groups on the nitrogen atoms in 1,3,5-tricyclohexyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TCyTAC) led to the formation of the cationic dimethyl complex [(TCyTAC)(2)YMe(2)][AlMe(4)]. The investigations reveal a dependency of the reaction mechanism on the steric bulk of the N-alkyl entity and the solvent employed. In toluene C-H activation was observed in reactions of [Y(AlMe(4))(3)] with 1,3,5-trimethyl-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (TMTAC) and TiPTAC. In THF molecular dimethyl cations, such as [(TCyTAC)(2)YMe(2)][AlMe(4)], [(TMTAC)(2)YMe(2)][AlMe(4)] and [(TiPTAC)(2)YMe(2)][AlMe(4)], could be synthesised by addition of the triazacyclohexane at a later stage. The THF-solvated complex [YMe(2)(thf)(5)][AlMe(4)] could be isolated and represents an intermediate in these reactions. It shows that cationic methyl complexes of the rare-earth metals can be formed by donor-induced cleavage of the rare-earth-metal tetramethylaluminates. The compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray diffraction or multinuclear and variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analyses. Variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy illustrates the methyl group exchange processes between the cations and anions in solution.     

Structural modulation of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands by the bridgehead alkyl groups

Structures of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of sterically hindered tripyridine ligands RL = tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methane (HL), 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)ethane (MeL), and 1,1,1-tris(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)propane (EtL), [Cu(RL)(MeCN)]PF(6) (1-3), [Cu(RL)(SO(4))] (4-6), and [Cu(RL)(NO(3))(2)] (7-9), have been explored in the solid state and in solution to gain some insights into modulation of the copper coordination structures by bridgehead alkyl groups (CH, CMe, and CEt). The crystal structures of 1-9 show that RL binds a copper ion in a tridentate facial-capping mode, except for 3, where EtL chelates in a bidentate mode with two pyridyl nitrogen atoms. To avoid the steric repulsion between the bridgehead alkyl group and the 3-H(py) atoms, the pyridine rings in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of MeL and EtL shift toward the Cu side as compared to those in Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes of HL, leading to the significant differences in the nonbonding interatomic distances, H.H (between the 3-H(py) atoms), N.N (between the N(py) atoms), and C.C (between the 6-Me carbon atoms), the Cu-N(py), Cu-N(MeCN), and Cu-O bond distances, and the tilt of the pyridine rings. The copper coordination geometries in 4-6, where a SO(4) ligand chelates in a bidentate mode, are varied from a square pyramid of 4 to distorted trigonal bipyramids of 5 and 6. Such structural differences are not observed for 7-9, where two NO(3) ligands coordinate in a monodentate mode. The structures of 1-9 in solution are investigated by means of the electronic, (1)H NMR, and ESR spectroscopy. The (1)H NMR spectra show that the structures of 1-3 in the solid state are kept in solution with rapid coordination exchange of the pyridine rings. The electronic and the ESR spectra reveal the structural changes of 5 and 6 in solution. The bridgehead alkyl groups and 6-Me groups in the sterically hindered tripyridine ligand play important roles in modulating the copper coordination structures.     

Quantitative measure for the "nakedness" of fluoride ion sources

A quantitative measure for the donor strength or "nakedness" of fluoride ion donors is presented. It is based on the free energy change associated with the transfer of a fluoride ion from the donor to a given acceptor molecule. Born-Haber cycle calculations were used to calculate both the free energy and the enthalpy change for this process. The enthalpy change is given by the sum of the fluoride ion affinity of the acceptor (as defined in strict thermodynamic convention) and the lattice energy difference (DeltaU(POT)) between the fluoride ion donor and the salt formed with the acceptor. Because, for a given acceptor, the fluoride affinity has a constant value, the relative enthalpy (and also the corresponding free energy) changes are governed exclusively by the lattice energy differences. In this study, BF(3), PF(5), AsF(5), and SbF(5) were used as the acceptors, and the following seven fluoride ion donors were evaluated: CsF, N(CH(3))(4)F (TMAF), N-methylurotropinium fluoride (MUF), hexamethylguanidinium fluoride (HMGF), hexamethylpiperidinium fluoride (HMPF), N,N,N-trimethyl-1-adamantylammonium fluoride (TMAAF), and hexakis(dimethylamino)phosphazenium fluoride (HDMAPF). Smooth relationships between the enthalpy changes and the molar volumes of the donor cations were found which asymptotically approach constant values for infinitely large cations. Whereas CsF is a relatively poor F(-) donor [(U(POT)(CsF) - U(POT)(CsSbF(6))) = 213 kJ mol(-)(1)], when compared to N(CH(3))(4)F [(U(POT)(TMAF) - U(POT)(TMASbF(6))) = 69 kJ mol(-)(1)], a 4 times larger cation (phosphazenium salt) and an infinitely large cation are required to decrease DeltaU(POT) to 17 and 0 kJ mol(-)(1), respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that very little is gained by increasing the cation size past a certain level and that secondary factors, such as chemical and physical properties, become overriding considerations.     

Transition metal complexes of the novel hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis(di(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)methyl)phthalazine

The novel polydentate ligand 1,4-bis(di(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)methyl)phthalazine, bimptz, has been synthesized and its coordination chemistry was investigated. Bimptz is neutral and contains a central phthalazine unit, to which two di-(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)methyl groups are attached in the 1,4-positions. This ligand therefore provides up to 6 donor sites for coordination to metal ions. A series of metal complexes of bimptz was prepared and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. Upon reaction of bimptz with two equivalents of MnCl(2)·4H(2)O, CoCl(2)·6H(2)O and [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl(2)], the dinuclear complexes [Mn(2)(bimptz)(μ-Cl)(2)Cl(2)] (1), [Co(2)(bimptz)(CH(3)OH)(2)(μ-Cl)(2)](PF(6))(2) (3) and [Ru(2)(bimptz)(dmso)(2)(μ-Cl)(2)](PF(6))(2) (4), respectively, were isolated. The latter were found to have similar solid state structures with octahedrally coordinated metal centers bridged by the phthalazine unit and two chloro ligands. The cobalt and ruthenium complexes 3 and 4 were isolated as PF(6)(-) salts and contain neutral methanol and dmso ligands, respectively, at the terminal coordination sites of the metal centres. The mononuclear ruthenium complex [Ru(Hbimptz)(2)](PF(6))(4) (6) was obtained from the reaction of two equivalents bimptz with [Ru(dmso)(4)Cl(2)]. In complex 6, three donor sites per ligand molecule are used for coordination of the Ru(ii) center. In each bimptz ligand, one of the remaining, dangling N-methylimidazole rings is protonated and forms a hydrogen bond with the unprotonated N-methylimidazole ring of the other bimptz ligand.     

A hydrogen bond motif giving a variety of supramolecular assembly structures and spin-crossover behaviors

A series of spin-crossover (SCO) iron(II) compounds, fac-[Fe(II)(HL(R))(3)]Cl·PF(6) [R = methyl (Me, 1), ethyl (Et, 2), n-propyl (n-Pr, 3), n-butyl (n-Bu, 4), and n-pentyl (n-Pen, 5)], were synthesized, where HL(R) denotes a series of [(2-methylimidazol-4-yl)methylidene]monoalkylamines. The cations fac-[Fe(II)(HL(R))(3)](2+) and chloride anions associate through 3:3 imidazole···chloride hydrogen bonding. This hydrogen-bonding motif gives rise to a variety of assembly structures consisting of a one-dimensional ladder for 3 and 4, two kinds of two-dimensional networks for 1 and 2, and a cubane-like structure for 5. The compounds exhibit various types of SCO transitions between high-spin (S = 2) and low-spin (S = 0) states as a result of their intermolecular interactions.     

Immobilization, trapping, and anion exchange of perrhenate ion using copper-based tripodal complexes

We describe a multidentate tripodal ligand in which three pendant arms carrying di(2-picolyl)amine units are linked to the ortho positions of a tris(o-xylyl) scaffold, providing N(CH(2)-o-C(6)H(4)CH(2)N(CH(2)py)(2))(3) (L). Reaction of L with CuCl(2) in the presence of hexafluorophosphate anion afforded blue cubes of [(CuCl)(3)L](PF(6))(3)·5H(2)O (1). Crystallographic studies of 1 revealed that the three symmetry-related arms each coordinate a {Cu(II)Cl} unit, and two molecules of 1 are connected to one another through a Cu(μ-Cl)(2)Cu bridge, extending the molecular structure to form a two-dimensional (2-D) layer. These 2-D layers pack in an ABCABC... fashion with PF(6)(-) anions located in between. Reaction of 1 with a stoichiometric amount of perrhenate ion afforded blue plates of [(CuCl)(3)L](PF(6))(ReO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (2). Compound 2 has the same lattice structure as 1, but the tricopper unit backbone now traps one ReO(4)(-) anion through Coulombic interactions. In addition, three molecules of 2 are bridged by a perrhenate ion, forming a Cu(3)(μ(3)-ReO(4)) cluster, to give a different 2-D structure displaying a rare tridentate bridging ReO(4)(-) mode. Thus, in addition to classic perrhenate trapping through weak Coulombic interactions, 2 represents an exceptional example in which the ReO(4)(-) anion is immobilized in an extended framework through tight covalent interactions. The interlamellar PF(6)(-) anions in 1 can be exchanged with other anions including perrhenate, perchlorate, or periodate. The structural similarity between perrhenate and pertechnetate makes these materials of potential interest for pertechnetate trapping.