Reaction of tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-vinylidene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron derivatives with carbene: (2+1) cycloaddition for the rapid synthesis of spiro[2,5]octane

Tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-methylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron (1a) and tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-isopropylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron (1b) complexes are unstable 4-vinylidene cyclohexanone equivalents and these react regio- and stereoselectively with carbenes and metallocarbenes to give spiro[2,5]octane ring system. The (2+1) cycloaddition reaction provides a rapid entry into spiro[2,5]octane ring system. In cases where the carbene and metallocarbene contain a good bulky leaving group or an electron-withdrawing group, the cyclopropane ring-opening products are obtained.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters associated with the fluxional behavior of 2-methyl- and 2,6-dimethyltroponeiron tricarbonyl complexes

The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for regioisomerisation of 2-methyl- and 2,6-dimethyl-derivatives of tricarbonyl[η⁴-tropone]iron complexes have been studied by ¹H NMR spectrometry over a range of 40 °C. Regioisomerisation of these complexes proceeds by an intramolecular first-order process and results in the almost complete conversion of the less stable complexes (4, 8) to more stable regioisomers (1, 5). The activation energies and half lifes for the conversion (4 → 1) and (8 → 5) were found to be ΔG^#=92 kJ mol⁻¹; τ_1/2=12.8 h, and ΔG^#=107 kJ mol⁻¹; τ_1/2=26.8 h, respectively, at 23 °C. Complex 1 reacts with (1R,2S,5R)-menthol in sulphuric acid solution, followed by neutralisation with sodium carbonate to give a separable mixture of diastereomeric tricarbonyl[(2,3,4,5-η)-(1R^′,2S^′,5R^′)-6-menthyloxy-2-methyltropone]iron complexes, 9 and 10. The corresponding dimethylated complex 5 fails to react under these conditions.     

Synthesis and reaction chemistry of 4-nitrile-substituted NCN-pincer palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes (NCN = [NC-4-C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6])

Nitrile-functionalized NCN-pincer complexes of type [MBr(NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6)] (6a, M = Pd; 6b, M = Pt) (NCN = [C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6]⁻) are accessible by the reaction of Br-1-NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6 (2b) with [Pd₂(dba)₃ · CHCl₃] (5a) (dba = dibenzylidene acetone) and [Pt(tol-4)₂(SEt₂)]₂ (5b) (tol = tolyl), respectively. Complex 6b could successfully be converted to the linear coordination polymer {[Pt(NC-4-C₆H₂(CH₂NMe₂)₂-2,6)](ClO₄)}_n (8) upon its reaction with the organometallic heterobimetallic π-tweezer compound {[Ti](μ-σ,π-CCSiMe₃)₂}AgOClO₃ (7) ([Ti] = (η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti).The structures of 6a (M = Pd) and 6b (M = Pt) in the solid state are reported. In both complexes the d⁸-configurated transition metal ions palladium(II) and platinum(II) possess a somewhat distorted square-planar coordination sphere. Coordination number 4 at the group-10 metal atoms M is reached by the coordination of two ortho-substituents Me₂NCH₂, the NCN ipso-carbon atom and the bromide ligand. The NC group is para-positioned with respect to M.     

A novel route to bicyclic iron tricarbonyl complexes involving π-allyl and σ-components

Nucleophilic attack of CN⁻ on bicyclo[3.2.1]octadienyl-, bicyclo[3.2.2]- nonadienyl-, and 6,7-benzobicyclo[3.2.2]nonadienyliron tricarbonyl tetrafluoroborates, results in mixed-type complexes containing both σ and π-allyl bonds. The cyano group in the products is located exo to the bicyclic ring.In contrast, the three cations react smoothly with I⁻; carbon monoxide is displaced to give iron complexes containing covalently-bound halogen.     

Sterically hindered cyclopentadienyl and phospholyl ligands in dysprosium chemistry

Three new unsolvated organometallic complexes of dysprosium(III) with very sterically hindered π-ligands have been synthesized and structurally characterised: the monomeric bis[η⁵-(1,2,4-tris-trimethylsilylcyclopentadienyl)]iododysprosium (1b), bis[η⁵-(1,4-bis-t-butyl-2,3-dimethylphospholyl)]iododysprosium, (1c) and the dimeric tetrakis[η⁵-(1,4-bis-t-butyl-2,3-dimethylphospholyl)]bis(μ-iodo)di-dysprosium (1d). The relative steric bulk of the π-ligands have been assessed by comparison of the structural data of 1b–d with that of the previously described bis[η⁵-(1,2,4-tris-t-butylcyclopentadienyl)]iododysprosium (1a). Contrary to 1a, reduction attempts on 1b–d were unsuccessful. The reaction of the dysprosium(II) complex bis[η⁵-(1,2,4-tris-t-butylcyclopentadienyl)]dysprosium(μ-bromo)-potassium[18]crown-6 (3) with fluorenone resulted in its monoelectronic reduction and coordination of the resulting ketyl to dysprosium(III): isolation of potassium[18]crown-6 bis[η⁵-(1,2,4-tris-t-butylcyclo-pentadienyl)](fluorenone ketyl)bromodysprosate (4) that was structurally characterised.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes bearing organochalcogen ligands

Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with bi- or tri-dentate organochalcogen ligands Mbit (L1), Mbpit (L2), Mbbit (L3) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (L4) (Mbit = 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione); Mbpit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-iso-propyl-imidazole-2-thione), Mbbit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-tert-butyl-imidazole-2-thione)) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (Tm^Me = tris (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) result in the formation of the 18-electron half-sandwich complexes [Cp*M(Mbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 1a; M = Rh, 1b), [Cp*M(Mbpit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b), [Cp*M(Mbbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 3a; M = Rh, 3b) and [Cp*M(Tm^Me)]Cl (M = Ir, 4a; M = Rh, 4b), respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 1a, 2b and 4a have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

(4+2) Cycloaddition to tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-methylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron for the rapid construction of a spiro[5.5]undecane system

Diels-Alder reactions of tricarbonyl[(1-4-η)-2-methoxy-5-methylene-cyclohexa-1,3-diene]iron 1 with 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-disubstituted derivatives 2a,b,d and 2,3,4,5-tetrabromothiophene-1,1-dioxide 5 are reported. The (4+2) cycloaddition reactions took place exclusively with highly electron deficient dienes to form spiro[5.5]undecane system in good yield. The more electron rich nature of the 1,2,4,5-tetrazine-3,6-disubstituted derivatives 2b did not react. The reaction also took place stereospecifically exo to the Fe(CO)₃ moiety.     

Stabilization of highly reactive cyclic polyolefins by coordination to iron carbonyls: cis-cyclononatetraene-iron tricarbonyl

Reaction of cis-bicyclo[6.1.0]nona-2,4,6-triene (C₉H₁₀) (I) with Fe₂(CO)₉, at room temperature, yields a number of complexes (IV)–(IX). One of the e, (IX), is the Fe₂(CO)₆ derivative of the starting polyolefin (I), whereas the others are Fe(CO)₃ or Fe(CO)₄ complexes of isomeric C₉H₁₀ polyolefins.(IV) is (h⁴-l,2,3,4-cis-8,9-dihydroindene)iron tricarbonyl, (V) is tentatively formulated as (h²-or h²-5,6-cis-bicyclo[5.2.0]nona-2,5,8-triene)iron tetracarbonyl, (VI) has been characterized only as C₉H₁₀Fe(CO)₃, and (VII) and (VIII) are the asymmetric and symmetric isomers (h⁴-cis-cyclononatetraene)iron tricarbonyl. Characterization of the complexes has been obtained through PMR, IR, and mass spectra.Peculiar features of this reaction are the promotion of the polyolefin (I) rearrangement by iron carbonyls and the stabilization of highly reactive intermediates through coordination to the metal carbonyl groups. fa]Work presented in part at the 3rd International Symposium on Reactivity and Bonding in Transition Organometallic Compounds, Venice, September 9–10, 1970.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Mn(II) complexes with novel macrocyclic Schiff-base ligands containing piperazine moiety

A series of Mn(II) macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes [MnLⁿCl]⁺ (n = 1–4) have been prepared via the Mn(II) templated [1+1] cyclocondensation of 2,6-diacetylpyridine or 2,6-pyridinedicarbaldehyde with the symmetrical 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine or the novel asymmetrical N,N′(2-aminoethyl)(3-aminopropyl)piperazine linear amines containing piperazine moiety. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, FAB-MS, magnetic studies and conductivity measurements. The crystal structure of [MnL²(CH₃OH)Cl](ClO₄) and [MnL⁴Cl](PF₆) complexes have also been determined showing the metal ion in a N₄OCl pentagonal bipyramidal or N₄Cl highly distorted octahedral geometry, respectively.     

Synthesis of new piperazine derived Cu(II)/Zn(II) metal complexes, their DNA binding studies, electrochemistry and anti-microbial activity: Validation for specific recognition of Zn(II) complex to DNA helix by interaction with thymine base

New 3,4:9,10-dibenzo-2,11-dihydroxy-1,12-bispiperazine-5,8-dioxododecane complexes [C₂₄H₃₆N₄O₆Cu] (1), [C₂₄H₃₂N₄O₄Zn] (2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, NMR, Mass, EPR, UV–vis spectroscopy and molar conductance measurements. The complexes are non-ionic in nature and possess octahedral geometry around Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ central metal ions. The binding studies of 1 and 2 with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by UV–vis, fluorescence, cyclic voltammetery and viscosity measurements. The calculated binding constant K_b for 1 and 2 obtained from UV–vis absorption studies was 7.6 × 10³ M⁻¹, 80.8 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. The intrinsic binding constants were also estimated to be 7.0 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 7.53 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively by using emission titrations. These experimental results suggest that complexes are groove binders and interact to CT-DNA with different affinities. Both the complexes in presence and absence of CT-DNA show quasireversible wave corresponding to Cu^II/Cu^I and Zn^II/Zn^I redox couple. The changes in E_1/2, ΔE, I_pa/I_pc ascertain the interaction of 1 and 2 with CT-DNA. Further, decrease in viscosity of CT-DNA with increasing concentration of complexes was observed. In vitro, antimicrobial activity against fungi A. brassicicola, A. niger and bacteria E. coli, P. aeruginosa of complexes were carried out, which indicate that complex 2 is more active against both fungal and bacterial strains as shown by % inhibition data.     

Synthesis of unsymmetrical compartmental oxime nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes: spectral, electrochemical and magnetic studies

A new series of binuclear unsymmetrical compartmental oxime complexes (1–5) [M₂L] [M=Cu(II), Ni(II)] have been synthesized using mononuclear complex [ML] (L=1,4-bis[2-hydroxy-3-(formyl)-5-methylbenzyl]piperazine), hydroxylamine hydrochloride and triethylamine. In this system there are two different compartments, one has piperazinyl nitrogens and phenolic oxygens and the other compartment has two oxime nitrogens and phenolic oxygens as coordinating sites. The complexes were characterized by elemental and spectral analysis. Electrochemical studies of the complexes show two step single electron quasi-reversible redox processes at cathodic potential region. For copper complexes E¹ _pc=−0.18 to −0.62 and E² _pc=−1.18 to −1.25 V, for nickel complexes E¹ _pc=−0.40 to −0.63 and E² _pc=−1.08 to −1.10 V and reduction potentials are sensitive towards the chemical environment around the copper and nickel atoms. The nickel(II) complexes undergo two electrons oxidation. The first one electron oxidation is observed around +0.75 V and the second around +1.13 V. ESR Spectra of the binuclear copper(II) complexes [Cu₂L](ClO₄), [Cu₂L(Cl)], [Cu₂L(NO₃)] shows a broad signal at g=2.1 indicating the presence of coupling between the two copper centers. Copper(II) complexes show a magnetic moment value of μ_eff around 1.59 B.M at 298 K and variable temperature magnetic measurements show a −2J value of 172 cm⁻¹ indicating presence of antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between copper(II) centres.     

Preparation of new dinuclear half-titanocene complexes with ortho- and meta-xylene linkages and investigation of styrene polymerization

Half-titanocene is well-known as an excellent catalyst for the preparation of SPS (syndiotactic polystyrene) when activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO). Dinuclear half-sandwich complexes of titanium bearing a xylene bridge, (TiCl₂L)₂{(μ-η⁵, η⁵-C₅H₄-ortho-(CH₂–C₆H₄–CH₂)C₅H₄}, (4 (L = Cl), 7 (L = O-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)) and (TiCl₂L)₂{(μ-η⁵, η⁵-C₅H₄-meta-(CH₂–C₆H₄–CH₂)C₅H₄} (5 (L = Cl), 8(L = O-2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)), have been successfully synthesized and introduced for styrene polymerization. The catalysts were characterized by ¹H- and ¹³C NMR, and elemental analysis. These catalysts were found to be effective in forming SPS in combination with MAO. The activities of the catalysts with rigid ortho- and meta-xylene bridges were higher than those of catalysts with flexible pentamethylene bridges. The catalytic activity of four dinuclear half-titanocenes increased in the order of 4 < 5 < 7 < 8. This result displays that the meta-xylene bridged catalyst is more active than the ortho-xylene bridged and that the aryloxo group at the titanium center is more effective at promoting catalyst activity compared to the chloride group at the titanium center. Temperature and ratio of [Al]:[Ti] had significant effects on catalytic activity. Polymerizations were conducted at three different temperatures (25, 40, and 70 °C) with variation in the [Al]:[Ti] ratio from 2000 to 4000. It was observed that activity of the catalysts increased with increasing temperature, as well as higher [Al]:[Ti]. Different xylene linkage patterns (ortho and meta) were recognized to be a principal factor leading to the characteristics of the dinuclear catalyst due to its different spatial arrangement, causing dissimilar intramolecular interactions between the two active sites.     

Synthesis, DNA-binding and photocleavage studies of [Ru(phen)2(pbtp)] and [Ru(bpy)2(pbtp)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; pbtp = 4,5,9,11,14-pentaaza-benzo[b]triphenylene)

Based on the ligand dppz (dppz = dipyrido-[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine), a new ligand pbtp (pbtp = 4,5,9,11,14-pentaaza-benzo[b]triphenylene) and its polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(pbtp)]²⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and [Ru(bpy)₂(pbtp)]²⁺ (2) (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding of these complexes were investigated by spectroscopic methods and viscosity measurements. The experimental results indicate that both complexes 1 and 2 bind to CT-DNA in classical intercalation mode, and can enantioselectively interact with CT-DNA. It is interesting to note that the pbtp ruthenium(II) complexes, in contrast to the analogous dppz complexes, do not show fluorescent behavior when intercalated into DNA. When irradiated at 365 nm, both complexes promote the photocleavage of pBR 322 DNA.     

Acetamidine complexes as catalysts for ethylene polymerization

The reaction of (2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-acetimidoyl chloride or (2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-acetimidoyl chloride with 2,6-dimethylaniline in the presence of triethylamine yields a mixture of isomers N′-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine (1a) and N-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N′-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine (1b), and N,N′-bis-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-dimethyl-phenylimino)ethyl)]-acetamidine (2), respectively. The addition of isomers (1a + 1b) to nickel (II) dibromide 2-methoxyethyl ether, (NiBr₂[O(C₂H₄OMe)₂]) gives a mixture of new nickel complexes, [NiBr₂{N′-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine}] (3a) and [NiBr₂{N-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N′-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine}] (3b). Similarly, ligand 2 reacts with nickel (II) dibromide 2-methoxyethyl ether to afford the complex [NiBr₂{N,N´-bis-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-dimethyl-phenylimino)ethyl)]-acetamidine}] (4). The structures of the ligands and nickel complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.The addition of MAO to these complexes generates catalytically active species for the homopolymerization of ethylene. The polymer products are high molecular weight (80-169 K). At temperatures of up to 60 °C both catalysts are a single site giving a monomodal molecular weight distribution. However, at 70 °C the mixture (3a + 3b) shows a bimodal molecular weight distribution.     

Diamine incorporated compounds derived from polymeric nickel(II) fumarates and oxalates: Crystal structure, spectral and thermal properties of [Ni(en)3](O2CCHCHCO2)·3H2O and [Ni(en)3](O2CCO2)

Lewis-base mediated fragmentation of polymeric nickel(II) fumarate and oxalate are attempted using chelating σ-donor diamines like ethylenediamine (en) and 1,3-diaminopropane (dap) in various conditions which yielded [Ni(en)₃](fum)·3H₂O (1), [Ni(en)₃](ox) (2), [Ni(dap)₂(fum)] (3) and [Ni(dap)(ox)]·2H₂O (4). While 1 and 2 are molecular products each containing octahedral [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ moieties and the anionic dicarboxylate species, 3 and 4 are dap-incorporated polymeric products. The fumarate derivative 1 containing [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ moieties crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 17.899(4) Å, b = 11.747(2) Å, c = 10.748(2) Å, β = 125.59(3)°, V = 1837.7(6) ų, Z = 4, while the oxalate analogue 2 is seen to be in the trigonal space group P−31c with a = 8.8770(13) Å, b = 8.8770(13) Å, c = 10.482(2) Å, γ = 120°, V = 715.3(2) ų, Z = 2. The octahedral [Ni(en)₃] units in both 1 and 2 are seen to be strongly H-bonded to the dicarboxylate moieties through the coordinated en units leading to a three-dimensional network. However, in 1 the water molecules also take part in the H-bonding and contribute to the overall 3D structure. In both 1 and 2 the crystal packing is done with the [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ units with absolute configuration Λ(δδδ) and its mirror conformer with Δ configuration in exactly equal numbers. Spectral (IR and UV–Visible) and magnetic measurements were carried out and some of the ligand-field parameters like D_q, B and β were evaluated for all the four compounds. These values suggest the presence of octahedrally coordinated nickel(II) in all the four complexes. Spectral data suggest that 3 has the two chelating dap moieties and the fumarate coordinated in η¹ form through both its carboxylate moieties while 4 has one chelating dap and the oxalate moiety coordinated in η⁴-bis-chelating form. Though both 1 and 2 are made of the same type of [Ni(en)₃]²⁺ units their thermograms give entirely different thermal features; 1 showing three clearly successive and step-wise dissociation of each en unit while 2 having a combined loss of two en units in the first thermal step. The relevant thermodynamic and kinetic parameters like E_a and ΔS also could be evaluated for various thermal steps for the compounds 1–4 using Coats–Redfern equation.     

Synthesis, structure and DNA binding studies of mononuclear copper(II) complexes with mixed donor macroacyclic ligands, 2,6-bis({N-[2&3-(phenylselenato)alkyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol

Two new phenol based macroacyclic Schiff base ligands, 2,6-bis({N-[2-(phenylselenato)ethyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol (bpebmpH, 1) and 2,6-bis({N-[3-(phenylselenato)propyl]}benzimidoyl)-4-methylphenol (bppbmpH, 2) of the Se₂N₂O type have been prepared by the condensation of 4-methyl-2,6-dibenzoylphenol (mdbpH) with the appropriate (for specific reactions) phenylselenato(alkyl)amine. These ligands with Cu(II) acetate monohydrate in a 2:1 molar ratio in methanol form complexes of the composition [(C₆H₂(O)(CH₃){(C₆H₅)CN(CH₂)_nSe(C₆H₅)}{(C₆H₅)CO}₂Cu] (3 (n = 2), 4 (n = 3)) with the loss of phenylselenato(alkyl)amine and acetic acid. In both these complexes, one arm of the ligand molecule undergoes hydrolysis, and links with Cu(II) in a bidentate (NO) fashion, as confirmed by single crystal X-ray crystallography of complex 3. The selenium atoms do not form part of the copper(II) distorted square planar coordination sphere which has a trans-CuN₂O₂ core. The average Cu–N and Cu–O distances are, respectively, 1.973(3) and 1.898(2) Å. The N–Cu–N and O–Cu–O angles are, respectively, 167.4(11)° and 164.5(12)°. The compounds 1–4 have been characterized by elemental analysis, conductivity measurements, mass spectrometry, IR, electronic, ¹H and ⁷⁷Se{¹H} NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The interaction of complex 3 with calf thymus DNA has been investigated by a spectrophotometric method and cyclic voltammetry.     

Syntheses, structures, spectroscopic, electrochemical properties and DFT calculation of Ru(II)–thioarylazoimidazole complexes

The reaction of 1-alkyl-2-{(o-thioalkyl)phenylazo}imidazoles (SRaaiNR) (2a/2b) with Ru(II) has synthesized [Ru(SRaaiNR)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3a/3b) in 2-methoxyethanol. The reaction in methanol, however, has synthesized [Ru(SRaaiNR)(SRaaiNR)Cl](ClO₄) (4a/4b). The solid phase reaction of SRaaiNR and RuCl₃ on silica gel surface upon microwave irradiation has synthesized [Ru(SRaaiNR)(SaaiNR)](PF₆) (5a/5b) [SRaaiNR represents tridentate N,N′,S-chelator; SRaaiNR is N,N′-bidentate chelator where S does not coordinate and SaaiNR refers N,N′,S-chelator where S refers to thiolato binding]. The structural characterization of [Ru(SEtaaiNEt)(SEtaaiNEt)Cl](ClO₄) (4b) and [Ru(SEtaaiNEt)(SaaiNEt)](PF₆) (5b) has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectral data also support the stereochemistry of the complexes. The complexes show metal oxidation, Ru(III)/Ru(II), and ligand reductions (azo/azo⁻, azo⁻/azo). The molecular orbital diagram has been drawn by density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Normal mode of analysis has been performed to correlate calculated and experimental frequencies of representative complexes. The electronic movement and assignment of electronic spectra have been carried out by TDDFT calculation both in gas and acetonitrile phase.     

Cobalt(II) porphyrazine catalysed reduction of nitrite

Studies on the catalytic reduction of nitrite on carbon electrodes modified with Co(II) tetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazine (CoTppa, 1), N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetramethyltetra-2,3-pyridinoporphyrazine ([CoTm-2,3-tppa]⁴⁺, 2) and Co(II) N,N′,N′′,N′′′-tetramethyltetra-3,4-pyridinoporphyrazine ([CoTm-3,4-tppa]⁴⁺, 3) are reported. There is a close correspondence between the proximity of the methyl groups to the porphyrazine ring and the catalytic activity of the porphyrazine complexes. Bulk electrolysis gave ammonia and hydroxylamine as some of the products. The catalytic activity of the cationic complex, 3, towards the detection of low concentrations of nitrite (<10⁻⁹ M) in water containing sodium sulfate, was compared with the activities of the anionic cobalt(II) tetrasulfophthalocyanine ([CoTSPc]⁴⁻, 4) and the mixed [Co^IITm-3,4-tppa]⁴⁺·[CoTSPc]⁴⁻ (5) complexes. Complex 5 showed the best catalytic activity of the three in that large currents were obtained for very low concentrations of nitrite.     

Facile strategies for the synthesis and crystallization of linear trinuclear nickel(II)-Schiff base complexes with carboxylate bridges: Tuning of coordination geometry and magnetic properties

Three new linear trinuclear nickel(II) complexes, [Ni₃(salpen)₂(OAc)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (1) (OAc = acetate, CH₃COO⁻), [Ni₃(salpen)₂(OBz)₂] (2) (OBz = benzoate, PhCOO⁻) and [Ni₃(salpen)₂(OCn)₂(CH₃CN)₂] (4) (OCn = cinnamate, PhCHCHCOO⁻), H₂salpen = tetradentate ligand, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-pentanediamine have been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The choice of solvent for growing single crystal was made by inspecting the morphology of the initially obtained solids with the help of SEM study. The magnetic properties of a closely related complex, [Ni₃(salpen)₂(OPh)₂(EtOH)] (3) (OPh = phenyl acetate, PhCH₂COO⁻) whose structure and solution properties have been reported recently, has also been studied here. The structural analyses reveal that both phenoxo and carboxylate bridging are present in all the complexes and the three Ni(II) atoms remain in linear disposition. Although the Schiff base ligand and the syn–syn bridging bidentate mode of the carboxylate group remain the same in complexes 1–4, the change of alkyl/aryl group of the carboxylates brings about systematic variations between six- and five-coordination in the geometry of the terminal Ni(II) centres of the trinuclear units. The steric demand as well as hydrophobic nature of the alkyl/aryl group of the carboxylate is found to play a crucial role in the tuning of the geometry. Variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements show that complexes 1–4 are antiferromagnetically coupled (J = −3.2(1), −4.6(1), −3.2(1) and −2.8(1) cm⁻¹ in 1–4, respectively). Calculations of the zero-field splitting parameter indicate that the values of D for complexes 1–4 are in the high range (D = +9.1(2), +14.2(2), +9.8(2) and +8.6(1) cm⁻¹ for 1–4, respectively). The highest D value of +14.2(2) and +9.8(2) cm⁻¹ for complexes 2 and 3, respectively, are consistent with the pentacoordinated geometry of the two terminal nickel(II) ions in 2 and one terminal nickel(II) ion in 3.     

Organotin(IV) 4-nitrophenylethanoates: Synthesis, structural characteristics and intercalative mode of interaction with DNA

Four new organotin(IV) carboxylates, [Bu₂SnL₂] (1), [Et₂SnL₂] (2), [Bu₃SnL]_n (3), [Me₃SnL]_n (4), where L = 4-nitrophenylethanoates, were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C). Spectroscopic results authenticated the coordination of ligand to the organotin moiety via COO group while X-ray single crystal analysis revealed bidentate chelating mode of coordination of ligand in complex 2 and a bridging behavior in complexes 3 and 4. Cyclic voltammetric (CV) technique was used to evaluate the electrochemical, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of complexes 1-4, interacting with DNA. The linearity of the plots between the peak current (I) and the square root of the scan rate (ν^1/2) indicated the electrochemical processes to be diffusion controlled. The diffusion coefficients of the free (D_f) and DNA bound forms (D_b), standard rate constants (ks) and charge transfer coefficients (α) were determined by the application of Randle–Sevcik, Nicholson and Kochi equations. Furthermore, the binding constants evaluated from voltammetric data revealed the following increasing order of binding strength: 2 < 1 < 4 < 3. For 1 and 2, the activity against prostate cancer cell lines (PC-3) was found consistent with the order obtained from voltammetric behavior.