Synthesis,structural characterization and solvent effect of copper(II) complexes with a variational multidentate Salen-type ligand with bisoxime groups

Four new solvent-induced Cu(II) complexes with the chemical formulae [{Cu(HL)(CH₃OH)}₂Cu] · CH₃OH (1), [{(Cu(HL))₂(CH₃CH₂OH)₂}Cu] (2), [{CuL(H₂O)}₂Cu₂] · 2CH₃CH₂CH₂OH (3) and [{(Cu(HL))₂(CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₂}Cu] (4), where H₄L = 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-[ethylenediyldioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, FT-IR, UV–Vis spectra, TG-DTA, molar conductances and X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 have an elongated square-pyramidal geometry with an unusually long bond from the penta-coordinated Cu(II) centres to the oxygen atoms of the apically coordinated solvent (methanol, ethanol or n-butanol) molecules for the terminal Cu(II) ions, and a square planar geometry distorted tetrahedrally for the central Cu(II) ion. In complex 3, the terminal Cu(II) ions have trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometries constituted by equatorial O₂N donor sites, with one oxygen atom from one of the coordinated water molecules and one nitrogen atom from a completely deprotonated L⁴⁻ ligand unit in the axial positions, and the central Cu(II) ions are in slightly tetrahedrally distorted square planar geometries constituted by four phenoxo oxygen donors from two completely deprotonated L⁴⁻ ligand units, and these form a tetrametal Cu–O–Cu–O–Cu–O–Cu–O eight-membered ring. These four complexes exhibit strong hydrogen bonding interactions in the solid state. Moreover, co-crystallizing n-propanol molecules link two other adjacent complex molecules into a self-assembled infinite 2D supramolecular structure via the intermolecular hydrogen bonds in complex 3.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activities in syndiospecific polymerization of styrene for half-sandwich titanium complexes with non-Cp tridentate dianionic ligands MeN(CH2CR2O)2

New half-titanocenes, Cp^∗TiCl[(OCR₂CH₂)NMe(CH₂CR^′₂O)] [R,R′ = H (1), R,R′ = Me, H, (2), R,R′ = Me (3)], were prepared from Cp^∗TiCl₃ (4) with the corresponding alcohols in the presence of triethylamine. X-ray analysis shows that 1 has slightly distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Ti. These complexes exhibited moderate catalytic activities for syndiospecific styrene polymerization in the presence of MAO and the activity increased in the order: 2 > 1 > 4 > 3 (at 50 °C), 1 > 2 > 4 > 3 (at 70 °C and 90 °C).     

Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble palladium(II)-functionalized diphosphine complexes

Water-soluble functionalized bis(phosphine) ligands L (a–h) of the general formula CH₂(CH₂PR₂)₂, where for a: R = (CH₂)₆OH; b–g: R = (CH₂)_nP(O)(OEt)₂, n = 2–6 and n = 8; h: R = (CH₂)₃NH₂ ( Scheme 1), have been prepared photochemically by hydrophosphination of the corresponding 1-alkenes with H₂P(CH₂)₃PH₂. Water-soluble palladium complexes cis-[Pd(L)(OAc)₂] (1–8) were obtained by the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with the ligands a–h in a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane:acetonitrile. The water-soluble phosphine ligands and their palladium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR. A crystallographic study of complex 1 shows that the Pd(II) ion has a square planar coordination sphere in which the acetate ligands and the diphosphine ligand deviate by less than 0.12 Å from ideal planar.     

Synthesis and characterization of new oxazoline-based palladacycles with bridging or terminal imidate ligands. Crystal structures of [{Pd(μ-dibromomaleimidate)(Phox)}2], [Pd(dibromomaleimidate)(Phox)(PPh3)] and [Pd(glutarimidate)(Phox)(PPh3)] (Phox = 2-(2-oxazolinyl)phenyl))

The dinuclear hydroxo complex [{Pd(μ-OH)(Phox)}₂] (I) (Phox = 2-(2-oxazolinyl)phenyl) reacts in a 1:2 molar ratio with several imidate ligands to yield new cyclometallated palladium complexes [{Pd(μ-NCO)(Phox)}₂] containing asymmetric imidate –NCO– bridging units. [–NCO– = succinimidate (succ) (1), phtalimidate (phtal) (2), maleimidate (mal) (3), 2,3-dibromomaleimidate (2,3-diBrmal) (4) and glutarimidate (glut) (5)]. The reaction of these complexes with tertiary phosphines provides novel mononuclear N-bonded imidate derivatives of the general formula [Pd(imidate)(Phox)(PR₃)] [R = Ph (a), 4-F–C₆H₄ (b) or CH₂CH₂CN (c)]. The new complexes were characterized by partial elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods (IR, FAB, ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P). The single-crystal structures of compounds 4, 4a and 5a have been established.     

Mononuclear Cu and dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes of benzimidazole based ligands including N and O donors: Syntheses,characterization, X-ray molecular structures and magnetic properties

The synthesis of two mononuclear precursor copper complexes, [(HL²)₂Cu], 1, and [(HL³)₂Cu]·H₂O, 2, and three dinuclear Cu–Ln complexes, [(HL¹)₂Cu(CH₃CN)₂Gd(NO₃)₃], 3, [(HL³)₂CuGd(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 4, and [(HL³)₂CuTb(NO₃)₃]·2(H₂O), 5, based on the ligands H₂L¹ (4-bromo-2-[1-(5-bromo-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl]-6-methoxyphenol), H₂L² (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-4-bromo-6-methoxyphenol) and H₂L³ (2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-6-methoxyphenol) are described in this contribution. The X-ray crystal structures of H₂L², 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been solved. The novel ligand H₂L² crystallizes with two independent molecules in the asymmetric unit; several intermolecular hydrogen contacts connect alternate independent H₂L² molecules into chains developing along c. In complex 1, two (HL²)⁻ ligands chelate the copper ion through their imidazolyl nitrogen and phenoxo oxygen atoms, in a relative head to tail arrangement. The molecular structure of 3 is similar to those of the previously reported Cu–Ln complexes of H₂L¹. In the isostructural complexes 4 and 5, two HL³ ligands sandwich one Cu²⁺ ion through their N,O sites and one Ln³⁺ ion through their O₂ site, implying a relative head to head arrangement, at variance with the relative head to tail arrangement of HL² in the mononuclear copper precursor 1. The magnetic properties of 1, 3, 4, and 5 have been investigated. Extended intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions operate in complex 1 ((J_Chain = −0.8(1) cm⁻¹). Ferromagnetic interactions between Gd (S = 7/2) and Cu (S = 1/2) centers operate in complexes 3 and 4, leading to an S = 4 ground state (J_CuGd = 7.2(2) cm⁻¹ for 3 and J_CuGd = 6.5(2) cm⁻¹ for 4). Depopulation of the Tb Stark levels, preclude obtaining reliable information on the presence and sign of the Cu–Tb interaction in 5. These new complexes are complementary to those previously reported: the Cu–O₂–Gd core is planar while deformations are borne by the ligands at variance with previous examples where the constraints were located at the Cu–O₂–Gd core. The presence of two independent ligands in the Cu,Gd coordination spheres confers a degree of freedom greater than that allowed by a unique tetradentate ligand. As a result, the strength of the magnetic interaction is not solely related to the dihedral angle between the CuOO and GdOO planes in the central core.     

Palladium(II)/allylpalladium(II) complexes with xanthate ligands: Single-source precursors for the generation of palladium sulfide nanocrystals

In an effort to find simple and common single-source precursors for palladium sulfide nanostructures, palladium(II) complexes, [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), COⁱPr (2)) and η³-allylpalladium complexes with xanthate ligands, [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CR₂)Pd(S₂X)] (R = H, X = COMe (3); R = H, X = COEt (4); R = H, X = COⁱPr (5); R = CH₃, X = COMe (6)), have been investigated. The crystal structures of [Pd(S₂X)₂] (X = COMe (1), CoⁱPr (2)) and [(η³-CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂)Pd(S₂COMe)] (3) have been established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexes, 1, 2 and 3 all contain a square planar palladium(II) centre. In the allyl complex 3, this is defined by the two sulfurs of the xanthate and the outer carbons of the 2-methylallyl ligand, while in the complexes, 1 and 2 it is defined by the four sulfur atoms of the xanthate ligand. Thermogravimetric studies have been carried out to evaluate the thermal stability of η³-allylpalladium(II) analogues. The complexes are useful precursors for the growth of nanocrystals of PdS either by furnace decomposition or solvothermolysis in dioctyl ether. The solvothermal decomposition of complexes in dioctyl ether gives a new metastable phase of PdS which can be transformed to the more stable tetragonal phase at 320 °C. The nanocrystals obtained have been characterized by PXRD, SEM, TEM and EDX.     

Single stranded helical supramolecular architecture with a left handed helical water chain in ternary copper(II) tryptophan/diamine complexes

The ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(l-trp)(bpy)](ClO₄) (1) and [Cu(l-trp)(phen)] (ClO₄) · 3H₂O (2) (where l-trp = l-tryptophan, bpy = bipridyl, phen = phenanthroline) have been synthesized. The single crystal X-ray structures for these complexes revealed that the monocationic Cu^II-units are interlinked through Cu–OCO–Cu connectivity and exist as helical coordination polymers. The two different helical strands composed with Cu1 and Cu2 independently, possess a similar pitch distance of 7.713 Å in complex 1. For complex 2, existing in the hydrated form, the Cu(II) polymeric strand and the hydrated water molecules have gained a supramolecular helical architecture with a similar pitch distance of 8.133 Å. The two helical strands in complex 1 are associated with right handed (PP) supramolecular chirality, while the helical water chain and the Cu^II-strand in 2 are self assembled into left handed (MM) helicity in the solid state. The solid state CD recorded for 1 and the dehydrated form of 2 exhibit a positive optical sign at their respective d–d band [λ_max = 667 nm, 1; λ_max = 630 nm, 2], the solution state CD for both these complexes are found to be inverted into a negative optical sign, which could be attributed to inversion of their associated supramolecular helicity. The TGA curve illustrates two distinct weight losses at 60 °C and 87 °C, equivalent to one and two water molecules, respectively. The PXRD pattern for the hydrated and dehydrated forms of 2 indicated a change, on comparison with the simulated diffractograph. The fluorescence properties of both these complexes, possessing tryptophan and bipy/phen, were investigated.     

New 3d–4f supramolecular systems constructed by [Fe(bipy)(CN)4] and partially blocked lanthanide cations

The reaction of acetonitrile (1–5) and mixed acetonitrile/water 1:1 (6–9) solutions containing the cyanide-bearing [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ building block (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and the partially blocked [Ln(bpym)]³⁺ cation (Ln = lanthanide trivalent cation and bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine) has afforded two new families of 3d–4f supramolecular assemblies of formula [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₃][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] · H₂O · CH₃CN [Ln = Sm (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4) and Ho (5)] and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₄][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] [Ln = Pr (6), Nd (7), Sm (8), Gd (9)]. They crystallize in the P2₁/c (1–5) and P2/c (6–9) space groups and their structures are made up of [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ anions (1–9) and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)_n]⁺ cations [n = 3 (1–5) and 4 (6–9)] with uncoordinated water and acetonitrile molecules (1–5) which are interlinked through an extensive network of hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking into three-dimensional motifs. Both families have in common the occurrence of the low-spin iron(III) unit [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ where two bipy–nitrogen and four cyanide–carbon atoms build a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding around the iron atom [Fe–N = 1.980(3)–1.988(3) Å (1–5) and 1.988(2)–1.992(2) Å (6–9); Fe–C = 1.904(5)–1.952(4) Å (1–5) and 1.911(2)–1.948(3) Å (6–9)]. The main structural difference between both families concerns the environment of the lanthanide atom which is nine- (1–5)/10-coordinated (6–9) with a chelating bpym, two bidentate nitrate and three (1–5)/four (6–9) water molecules building distorted monocapped (1–5)/bicapped (6–9) square antiprisms. This different lanthanide environment is at the origin of the different hydrogen bonding pattern of the two families of compounds.     

Synthesis and decarboxylation of N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids: a new synthesis of α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts

4-Phosphoranylidene-5(4H)-oxazolones 1 undergo hydrolysis in THF in the presence of HBF₄ at room temperature to give N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonioglycines 3 (R² = H) in very good yields. 4-Alkyl-4-triphenylphosphonio-5(4H)-oxazolones 2 react with water in CH₂Cl₂/THF solution without any acidic catalyst at 0-5 °C in a few days yielding N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids 3 (R² = Me) or α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salt 4 (R² = CH₂OMe). α-Triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids 3, on heating up to 105-115 °C under reduced pressure (5 mmHg) or on treatment with diisopropylethylamine in CH₂Cl₂ at 20 °C undergo decarboxylation to give the corresponding α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts 4, usually in very good yields.     

Thermal and MS studies of silver(I) 2,2-dimethylbutyrate complexes with tertiary phosphines and their application for CVD of silver films

[Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂] (1), [Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂(PMe₃)₂] (2) and [Ag₂(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)₂(PEt₃)₂] (3) were prepared and characterized by MS-EI; ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, variable temperature IR (VT-IR) spectroscopy and thermal analysis. MS and VT-IR data analysis suggests bidentate bridging carboxylates and monodentately bonded phosphines in the solid phase. The same methods used for gas phase analysis of 1–2 proved [(CH₃CH₂C(CH₃)₂COO)Ag₂]⁺ as the main ion, which could be transported in the gas phase during the CVD process. In the case of 3, similar intensity to the latter ion revealed [Ag{P(C₂H₅)}]⁺ and it is responsible for the CVD performance of 3. Thermal analysis results revealed that decomposition of 1–3 proceed in one endothermic process, with metallic silver formation between 197 and 220 °C. In the case of 1, VT-IR studies of the gaseous decomposition products demonstrate the presence of ester molecules and CO₂, whereas for 2 the main gaseous product appeared to be acid anhydride. Therefore, 2 was not used as a silver CVD precursor. Metallic layers were produced from 3 in hot-wall CVD experiments, (between 200 and 280 °C), under a total reactor pressure of 2.0 mbar, using argon as a carrier gas. Thin films deposited on Si(1 1 1) substrate were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Silver films obtained at moderate temperature (220–250 °C) revealed a thickness below 50 nm, and were whitish colored and slightly matt.     

Ethynylferrocene insertion into Fe-C bond in bridging aminocarbyne diiron complexes: New triiron vinyliminium complexes

The μ-aminocarbyne complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCMe)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 1a; Xyl, 1b; Xyl = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) react with ethynylferrocene to give the corresponding bridging vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-CN(Me)(R)CHC(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R = Me, 2a; R = Xyl, 2b). Insertion of the ethynylferrocene in the metal-carbyne bond is regiospecific, and leads to the formation of only one isomer.Complexes 2a and 2b undergo hydride addition (by NaBH₄) affording the enaminoalkylidene complex [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η³-C(H)(N(Me)₂)CHC(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3a) and the bis-alkylidene [Fe₂{μ-η¹:η²-C(N(Me)(Xyl))CH₂C(Fc)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂] (3b), respectively. Upon treatment with NaH, compounds 2a and 2b undergo fragmentation, affording the 1-metalla-2-aminocyclopenta-1,3-dien-5-one complexes [Fe(CO)(Cp){C(N(Me)(R))}CHC(Fc)C(O)}] (R = Me, 4a; R = Xyl, 4b).The molecular structures of 2b, 3b and 4b have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

New alkenyl-substituted group 4 C-ansa-metallocene complexes. Reactivity of the substituent at the carbon ansa bridge

The allyl-substituted group 4 metal complexes [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti, R = CH₂CHCH₂, (2); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (3); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂ (4), R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (5)] have been synthesized by the reaction of allyl ansa-magnesocene derivatives and the tetrachloride salts of the corresponding transition metal. The dialkyl complexes ] [M = Ti, R = CH₂=CHCH₂, R′ = Me (6), R′ = CH₂Ph (7); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (8), R′ = CH₂Ph (9); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂, R′ = Me (10), R′ = CH₂Ph (11); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (12), R′ = CH₂Ph (13)] have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding ansa-metallocene dichloride complexes 2-5 and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Grignard reagent. Compounds 2-5 reacted with H₂ under catalytic conditions (Wilkinson’s catalyst or Pd/C) to give the hydrogenation products [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (14) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (15); M = Zr and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (16) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (17)]. The reactivity of 2-5 has also been tested in hydroboration and hydrosilylation reactions. The hydroboration reactions of 3, 4 and 5 with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) yielded the complexes [M{(9-BBN)CH₂CH(R)CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (18); M = Zr and R = H (19) or R = CH₃ (20)]. The reaction with the silane reagents HSiMe₂Cl gave the corresponding [M{ClMe₂SiCH₂CHRCH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (21); M = Zr and R = H (22) or R = CH₃ (23)]. The reaction of 22 with t-BuMe₂SiOH produced a new complex [Zr{t-BuMe₂SiOSi(Me₂)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (24) through the formation of Si-O-Si bonds. On the other hand, reactivity studies of some zirconocene complexes were carried out, with the insertion reaction of phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO) into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of [Zr{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}₂Me₂] (25) giving [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr{Me{κ²-O,N-OC(Me)NPh}] as a mixture of two isomers 26a-b. The reaction of [Zr{(n-Bu)(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CH₂Ph)₂] (27) with CO also provided a mixture of two isomers [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr(CH₂Ph){κ²-O,C-COCH₂Ph}] 28a-b. The molecular structures of 4, 11, 16 and 17 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis,structure and spectroelectrochemical property of (2,2′-bipyridine)–metal (M = Pt,Pd) dichloride with 4,4′-bis(fluorous-ponytail) on bipyridine

The 4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy ligands [R_f = n-C₃F₇ (1a), HCF₂(CF₂)₃ (1b)] were prepared and then treated with [MCl₂(CH₃CN)₂] (M = Pt or Pd) to result in the corresponding metal complexes, [MCl₂(4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy)] (M = Pt 2a–b; Pd 3a–b). Both ligands and metal complexes were fully characterized by multi-nuclei NMR (¹H, ¹⁹F and ¹³C), FTIR, and mass (GC/MS or HR-FAB) methods. The X-ray structures of 2a–b and 3a–b were studied. With terminal CF₃, the structures of 2a and 3a exhibit disordered polyfluorinated regions in solid state. With terminal HCF₂, the structures of 2b and 3b show a π–π stacking of the bpy planes, five-membered C–H···O hydrogen bond and an unusual intramolecular blue-shifting C–H···F–C hydrogen bond system, whereas without terminal HCF₂, the structures of 2a and 3a show the similar π–π stacking, five-membered C–H···O hydrogen bond and typical orientation of polyfluorinated ponytails, but not the C–H···F–C hydrogen bond system. The CV and UV/Vis studies were also carried out.     

Bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)tin(IV) compounds: Synthesis, single-crystal X-ray characterization and reactivity toward ionizing species and polar monomers

The synthesis of new organotin compounds of general formula Tip₂SnRR′ (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzene; R = R′ = CH₃ (1); R = R′ = CHCH₂ (2); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = Br (3); R = R′ = CH₂CHCH₂ (4)) is described herein. The compounds have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has been obtained for compounds 2, 3 and 4. The reactivity with ionizing agents has been studied by NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 2 and 4 underwent alkyl abstraction by [(CH₃CH₂)₃Si]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ affording stable cationic species (2a, 4a). For the cationic specie 4a a π-interaction of the benzyl group to the metal centre was recognized by solution NMR studies. A cationic species (3a) was generated from compound 3 using AgSbF₆ as ionizing agent. The cationic species (2a, 3a) exhibited moderate activity as initiator in the cationic polymerization of 1,4-butadiene and good activity in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of propylene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

Orthopalladation of phosphorus ylides in endo position with bidentate ligands

The ortho-metallated complexes [Pd₂{κ²(C,C)-C₆H₄(PPh₂CHC(O)C₆H₅R}₂(μ-Cl)₂] (R = Ph (1a), NO₂ (1b), Br (1c)) were prepared by refluxing equimolar mixtures of Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₅R, (R = Ph, NO₂, Br) and Pd(OAc)₂ in MeOH, followed by an excess of NaCl. The dinuclear complexes (1a-1c) react with silver trifluoromethylsulfonate and bidentate ligands [L = bipy (2,2′-bipyridine), phen (phenanthroline), dppe (bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), dppp (bis(diphenylphosphino)propane)] giving the mononuclear stabilized orthopalladated complexes in endo position [Pd{κ²(C,C)-C₆H₄(PPh₂CHC(O)R}L](OTf) [R = Ph, L = phen (2a), bipy (3a), dppe (4a), dppp (5a); R = NO₂, L = phen (2b), bipy (3b), dppe (4b), dppp (5b); R = Br, L = phen (2c), bipy (3c), dppe (4c), dppp (5c); OTf = trifluoromethylsulfonate anion]. Orthometalation and ylidic C-coordination are demonstrated by an X-ray diffraction study of 2c and 3c. In the structures, the palladium atom shows a slightly distorted square-planar coordination geometry.     

Selective synthesis of monomeric or dimeric titanatranes via fine tuning in triethanolateamine ligand

Monomeric titanatrane i-PrOTi(OCMe₂CH₂)₃N (1) and dimeric titanatranes [i-PrOTi(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n]₂ (n = 1, 2; n = 2, 3) were synthesized by the reaction of Ti(O-i-Pr)₄ with a series of triethanolateamines such as (OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n³⁻ (n = 0, Lig¹; n = 1, Lig²; n = 2, Lig³), which vary by the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to a OH functionality from 3 (Lig¹H₃) to 2 (Lig²H₃) to 1 (Lig³H₃). The resultant titanatranes 1–3 have been characterized by solution ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR and their solid state structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Whereas compound 1 is monomeric in the solid state, compounds 2 and 3 are dimeric, due to the reduction of the steric congestion in the vicinity of the Ti.     

Four- and five-coordinate magnesium compounds containing ketiminate ligands. Synthesis and characterization of L2Mg, L2Mg(LH), and L2Mg(Py), where L = MeC(O)CHC(NAr)Me

Magnesium complexes containing ketiminate ligands were synthesized and characterized. MgBu₂ reacted readily in toluene with two equiv. of [MeC(O)CHC(NHAr)Me], where Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, to generate [MeC(O)CHC(NAr)Me]₂Mg (1) in 43% yield. The four-coordinate magnesium compound 1 is very moisture sensitive and acts as a Lewis acid, accepting one equiv. of Lewis base to form five-coordinate magnesium compounds. Compound [MeC(O)CHC(NAr)Me]₂Mg[MeC(O)CHC(NHAr)Me] (2) was obtained in 57% yield from the reaction in toluene of MgBu₂ with three equiv. of [MeC(O)CHC(NHAr)Me]. Treatment of 1 with one equiv. of free ketimine ligands [MeC(O)CHC(NHAr)Me] also led to the formation of 2. The bulky η¹-ketimine of 2 can be replaced with a less bulky Lewis base such as pyridine. Treatment of 1 with excess pyridine in toluene at ambient temperature led to the formation of compound [MeC(O)CHC(NAr)Me]₂Mg[NC₅H₅] (3) as colorless crystalline solids in 51% yield. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were characterized by NMR and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 2 and 3 showed no activity toward the polymerization of ε-caprolactone at 25 °C after 3 h. However, when the temperature was increased to 70 °C, compounds 2 and 3 efficiently catalyzed polymerization of ε-caprolactone to generate high molecular weight poly-ε-caprolactones. The polydispersity index (PDI) of these poly-ε-caprolactones is in the range 1.57-3.18.     

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes of a novel 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone Mannich base: Synthesis,structural, magnetic and electrochemical studies

A novel versatile tridentate 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone proligand, 3-[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminobenzyl]-2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HL), was obtained from the Mannich reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone) with 2-aminomethylpyridine (amp) and benzaldehyde. The reactions of HL with CuCl₂·2H₂O yielded two novel dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)(H₂O)(μ-Cl)Cu(L)Cl] (1b), [CuCl(L)(μ-Cl)Cu(amp)Cl] (2) and a polymeric compound, [Cu(L)Cl)]_n (1a), whose relative yields were sensitive to temperature, reagents concentration and presence of base. The crystalline structures of 1b and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The two copper atoms in complex 1b are connected by a single chloro bridge with a Cu?Cu separation of 4.1342(8) Å and Cu(1)–Cl(1)–Cu(2) angle of 109.31(4)°. In complex 2 the two copper atoms are held together by a chloro and a naphthalen-2-olate bridges [Cu(1)–Cl(2)–Cu(2) and Cu(1)–O(1)–Cu(2) angles being 83.31(3) and 109.70(9)°, respectively, and the Cu?Cu separation, 3.3476(9) Å]. As expected, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of complex 1b showed weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling between the copper(II) centers, with J = −5.7 cm⁻¹, and evidenced for complex 2 strong antiferromagnetic coupling, with J ∼ −120 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the magnetic behaviour of compound 1a suggested an infinite 1D coordination polymeric structure in which the copper(II) centers are connected by Cl–Cu–Cl bridges. Solution data (UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) indicated structural changes of 2 and 1a in CH₃CN, and evidenced conversion of polymer 1a into dimer 1b.