Palladium(II) Acetylide Complexes with Pincer‐Type Ligands: Photophysical Properties,Intermolecular Interactions,and Photo‐cytotoxicity

Two classes of cationic palladium(II) acetylide complexes containing pincer‐type ligands, 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (terpy) and 2,6‐bis(1‐butylimidazol‐2‐ylidenyl)pyridine (C^N^C), were prepared and structurally characterized. Replacing terpy with the strongly σ‐donating C^N^C ligand with two N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) units results in the Pd^II acetylide complexes displaying phosphorescence at room temperature and stronger intermolecular interactions in the solid state. X‐ray crystal structures of [Pd(terpy)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 1 ) and [Pd(C^N^C)(C≡CPh)]PF₆ ( 7 ) reveal that the complex cations are arranged in a one‐dimensional stacking structure with pair‐like Pd^II⋅⋅⋅Pd^II contacts of 3.349 Å for 1 and 3.292 Å for 7 . Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) calculations were used to examine the electronic properties. Comparative studies of the [Pt(L)(C≡CPh)]⁺ analogs by ¹H NMR spectroscopy shed insight on the intermolecular interactions of these Pd^II acetylide complexes. The strong Pd−C_carbene bonds render 7 and its derivative sufficiently stable for investigation of photo‐cytotoxicity under cellular conditions.     

Enhanced π‐back‐donation resulting in the trans labilization of a pyridine ligand in an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) PdII precatalyst: a case study

The molecular structure of the benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene–PdCl₂–pyridine‐type PEPPSI (pyridine‐enhanced precatalyst, preparation, stabilization and initiation) complex {1,3‐bis[2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl]benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene‐κC²}dichlorido(pyridine‐κN)palladium(II), [PdCl₂(C₅H₅N)(C₂₃H₄₀N₄)], has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and natural bond orbital (NBO) and charge decomposition analysis (CDA). Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) searches were used to understand the structural characteristics of the PEPPSI complexes in comparison with the usual N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The presence of weak C—H…Cl‐type hydrogen‐bond and π–π stacking interactions between benzene rings were verified using NCI plots and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The preferred method in the CDA of PEPPSI complexes is to separate their geometries into only two fragments, i.e. the bulky NHC ligand and the remaining fragment. In this study, the geometry of the PEPPSI complex is separated into five fragments, namely benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene (Bimy), two chlorides, pyridine (Py) and the Pd^II ion. Thus, the individual roles of the Pd atom and the Py ligand in the donation and back‐donation mechanisms have been clearly revealed. The NHC ligand in the PEPPSI complex in this study acts as a strong σ‐donor with a considerable amount of π‐back‐donation from Pd to C_carbene. The electron‐poor character of Pd^II is supported by π‐back‐donation from the Pd centre and the weakness of the Pd—N(Py) bond. According to CSD searches, Bimy ligands in PEPPSI complexes have a stronger σ‐donating ability than imidazol‐2‐ylidene ligands in PEPPSI complexes.     

Palladium(II) complexes of readily functionalized bidentate 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" ligands: a synthetic, structural, spectroscopic, and computational study

The Cu(I)-catalyzed 1,3-cycloaddition of organic azides with terminal alkynes, the CuAAC "click" reaction is currently receiving considerable attention as a mild, modular method for the generation of functionalized ligand scaffolds. Herein we show that mild one-pot "click" methods can be used to readily and rapidly synthesize a family of functionalized bidentate 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole ligands, containing electrochemically, photochemically, and biologically active functional groups in good to excellent yields (47-94%). The new ligands have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, HR-ESI-MS, IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR and in three cases by X-ray crystallography. Furthermore we have demonstrated that this family of functionalized "click" ligands readily form bis-bidentate Pd(II) complexes. Solution studies, X-ray crystallography, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the Pd(II) complexes formed with the 2-(1-R-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine series of ligands are more stable than those formed with the [4-R-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)methyl]pyridine "click" ligands.     

Dichlorido{2‐[(3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN2)methyl]pyridine‐κN}palladium(II)

The title compound, [PdCl₂(C₂₁H₁₇N₃)], is a member of a sequence of Pd, Pt and Co dichloride complexes bearing polysubstituted (pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl)pyridine ligands. It is shown that there is a correlation between the steric bulkiness of the bidentate (pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl)pyridine ligands and the Pd—N_pyrazole distances, i.e. the larger the ligand, the longer the bond. In contrast, no trend is observed between the steric properties of the ligand and the Pd—N_pyridine bond lengths.     

Iron pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand complexes as catalyst precursors

The structure of a pincer ligand consists of a backbone and two `arms' which typically contain a P or N atom. They are tridentate ligands that coordinate to a metal center in a meridional configuration. A series of three iron complexes containing the pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand 2,5‐bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolide (PN^pyrP) has been synthesized. These complexes are possible precursors to new iron catalysts. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}carbonylchlorido(trimethylphosphane‐κP )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₃H₉P)(CO)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(PMe₃)(CO)], (I), has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, with the Cl and CO ligands occupying the apical positions. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}chlorido(pyridine‐κN )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₅H₅N)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(py)] (py is pyridine), (II), is a five‐coordinate square‐pyramidal complex, with the pyridine ligand in the apical position. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}dicarbonylchloridoiron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(CO)₂] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(CO)₂], (III), is structurally similar to (I), but with the PMe₃ ligand replaced by a second carbonyl ligand from the reaction of (II) with CO. The two carbonyl ligands are in a cis configuration, and there is positional disorder of the chloride and trans carbonyl ligands.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Complexes of a New Unsymmetrical Tridentate NNS Schiff Base Ligand: X‐ray Crystal Structure Determination of Nickel(II) Complex

A new unsymmetrical tridentate NNS Schiff base ligand, 2‐(2‐nitrophenylthio)‐N‐((pyridine‐2‐yl)methylene)benzenamine (L), and its Mn(II ), Ni(II ), Cu(II ), and Zn(II ) complexes were synthesized. These compounds were characterized by different physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The molecular structure of [NiL₂ ](ClO₄ )₂ was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In this complex, two ligands coordinate through azomethine‐N, pyridine‐N, and thioether‐S, forming a mononuclear 6‐coordinate distorted octahedral geometry about a nickel.     

Asymmetric structure of cis‐[N‐(9‐anthracenylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine]dipyridineplatinum(II) dinitrate

Platinum antitumour agents, containing aromatic rings, which are used for targeting DNA in effective therapies for the treatment of cancer. We have synthesized the title metallocomplex with an aromatic ligand and determined its crystal structure. In many cases, complexes of platinum and other metals have a symmetrical structure. In contrast, the platinum(II) complex with pyridine and N‐(9‐anthracenylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethanediamine as ligands (systematic name: cis‐{N‐[(anthracen‐9‐yl)methyl]ethane‐1,2‐diamine‐κ²N ,N ′}bis(pyridine‐κN )platinum(II) dinitrate), [Pt(C₅H₅N)₂(C₁₇H₁₈N₂)](NO₃)₂, is asymmetric. Of the two pyridine ligands, only one is π‐stacked with anthracene, resulting in an asymmetric structure. Moreover, the angle of orientation of each pyridine ligand is variable. Further examination of the packing motif confirms an intermolecular edge‐to‐face interaction.     

Different Coordination Modes of Saccharin in the Complexes of Lead(II) with 2‐Pyridylmethanol and Pyridine‐2, 6‐dimethanol — Synthesis,Spectral and Structural Characterization

New lead(II)‐saccharin complexes, [Pb(sac)₂(pym)] (1) and [Pb(sac)₂(pydm)] (2) (sac = saccharinate anion; pym = 2‐pyridylmethanol; pydm = pyridine‐2, 6‐dimethanol) were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy and single crystal X‐ray diffractometry. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with Z = 4, while the crystals of complex 2 are extremely X‐ray sensitive and decompose by the X‐ray beam within one day. Pym and pydm act as bi‐ and tridentate ligands, respectively. Most important feature of the complexes is non‐equivalent coordination of the sac ligands to the lead(II) atom. In the complex 1 , the sac ligands coordinate to the lead(II) ion in two distinct manners. One sac ligand behaves as a bridge between the lead(II) atoms through its N and carbonyl O atoms, whereas the other sac ligand acts as a bidentate chelating ligand through its N and carbonyl O atoms which is bicoordinating and also bridges the metal atoms to achieve the seven‐coordination. The structure is built up of three‐dimensional chains formed by the bridging of the PbN₃O₂ units and also held intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The IR spectra of the complexes were discussed in detail.     

Additive Effects in the Palladium‐Catalyzed Carboiodination of Chiral N‐Allyl Carboxamides

The use of Pd catalysis as a means to synthesize organic halides has recently received increased attention. Among the reported methods is the Pd‐catalyzed carboiodination, which uses extremely bulky ligands to facilitate carbon–halogen reductive elimination from Pd^II as the key catalytic step. When approaching substrates exhibiting low stereoselectivity, catalyst troubleshooting becomes difficult as there are few ligands known to promote the key reductive elimination. Herein, we present our finding that tertiary amines act as weakly coordinating ligands which significantly enhance diastereoselectivity in the Pd/QPhos‐catalyzed carboiodination of chiral N‐allyl carboxamides. This methodology allows efficient access to enantioenriched and densely functionalized dihydroisoquinolinones, and has been applied toward the asymmetric formal synthesis of (+)‐corynoline.     

Protic N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Versus Pyrazole: Rigorous Comparison of Proton‐ and Electron‐Donating Abilities in a Pincer‐Type Framework

Evaluation of the acidity of proton‐responsive ligands such as protic N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) bearing an NH‐wingtip provides a key to understanding the metal–ligand cooperation in enzymatic and artificial catalysis. Here, we design a CNN pincer‐type ruthenium complex 2 bearing protic NHC and isoelectronic pyrazole units in a symmetrical skeleton, to compare their acidities and electron‐donating abilities. The synthesis is achieved by direct C?H metalation of 2‐(imidazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine with [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃]. ¹⁵N‐Labeling experiments confirm that deprotonation of 2 occurs first at the pyrazole side, indicating clearly that the protic pyrazole is more acidic than the NHC group. The electrochemical measurements as well as derivatization to carbonyl complexes demonstrate that the protic NHC is more electron‐donating than pyrazole in both protonated and deprotonated forms.     

Structural and theoretical studies of the methoxycarbonylation of higher olefins catalysed by (Pyrazolyl‐ethyl)pyridine palladium (II) complexes

Reactions of 2‐[1‐(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)ethyl]pyridine (L1) and 2‐[1‐(3,5‐diphenylpyrazol‐1‐yl)ethyl]pyridine (L2) with the [Pd (COD)Cl₂] or [Pd (COD)MeCl] produced palladium (II) complexes [Pd( L1 )ClMe] ( 1 ), [Pd( L1 )Cl₂] ( C2 ), [Pd( L2 )ClMe] ( 3 ), and [Pd( L2 )Cl₂] ( 4 ) in quantitative yields. Solid state structures of complexes 1 , 3 and 4 established the formation of mononuclear compounds, containing one bidentate ligand unit per metal atom, to give square planar complexes. All the other spectroscopic characterization data and elemental analyses were consistent with the observed structures. All the palladium (II) complexes 1–4 gave active catalysts in the methoxycarbonylation of 1‐octenes. The catalysts demonstrated 100% chemoselectivities towards esters and favored the formation of linear isomers. Reaction conditions such as the type of phosphine derivative, acid promoter, solvent system, time, pressure and temperature have been investigated and shown to affect both the catalytic activity and regio‐selectivity of the catalysts. Solid‐angle modelling established the comparable steric contributions from the ligands, consistent with the similar regioselectivities of the resultant catalysts.     

A trinuclear palladium(II) complex containing N,S‐coordinating 2‐(benzylsulfanyl)anilinide and 1,3‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiolate ligands with a central square‐planar PdN4 motif

The reaction of dichlorido(cod)palladium(II) (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene) with 2‐(benzylsulfanyl)aniline followed by heating in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) produces the linear trinuclear Pd₃ complex bis(μ₂‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiolato)bis[μ₂‐2‐(benzylsulfanyl)anilinido]dichloridotripalladium(II) N,N‐dimethylformamide disolvate, [Pd₃(C₇H₄NS₂)₂(C₁₃H₁₂NS)₂Cl₂]·2C₃H₇NO. The molecule has symmetry and a Pd...Pd separation of 3.2012 (4) Å. The outer Pd^II atoms have a square‐planar geometry formed by an N,S‐chelating 2‐(benzylsulfanyl)anilinide ligand, a chloride ligand and the thiolate S atom of a bridging 1,3‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiolate ligand, while the central Pd^II core shows an all N‐coordinated square‐planar geometry. The geometry is perfectly planar within the PdN₄ core and the N—Pd—N bond angles differ significantly [84.72 (15)° for the N atoms of ligands coordinated to the same outer Pd atom and 95.28 (15)° for the N atoms of ligands coordinated to different outer Pd atoms]. This trinuclear Pd₃ complex is the first example of one in which 1,3‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiolate ligands are only N‐coordinated to one Pd centre. The 1,3‐benzothiazole‐2‐thiolate ligands were formed in situ from 2‐(benzylsulfanyl)aniline.     

Palladium(II) complexes of aminothiazole‐based phosphines: Synthesis,structural characterization,density functional theory calculations and catalytic application in heck reaction

Three Pd(II) complexes of some hemilabile ligands, aminothiazole‐based phosphines, were synthesized to investigate the catalytic activity of them in Heck cross‐coupling reactions. The crystal structures of complexes PdCl₂[(Ph₂P)HN(C₃H₂NS)] ( C ₁ ) and PdCl₂[(Ph₂P)HN(C₇H₄NS)] ( C ₃ ) were determined using X‐ray crystallography, which reveals that the ligand coordinates in a chelating mode through P and N (endocyclic) atoms in square planar geometry. Experimental and theoretical studies (atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital analyses) show that the Pd(II) interacts more strongly with the P atom than the N atom in the chelated ligand, N^P. This trait can promote catalytic activity of the complexes in comparison with our previous work in which chelated ligands with two phosphorus atoms, P^P, were used. The influence of non‐covalent intermolecular interactions on the assembly of the solid‐state structures is also discussed in terms of geometrical analysis. The prepared complexes turn out to be useful pre‐catalysts in Heck cross‐coupling reactions owing to the coordinative flexibility of the hemilabile ligands. The protocol affords the corresponding products in greater yield than the same reactions with bis(phosphino)amine Pd(II) complexes, as the catalysts in our previous work.     

Hydroxy- and mercaptopyridine pincer platinum and palladium complexes generated by silver-free halide abstraction

A silver-free route has been employed for the synthesis of a number of Pd and Pt complexes supported by an NCN "pincer" ligand (NCN = [2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3]-) via halide abstraction. This was achieved by the use of o-, m-, and p-hydroxypyridines or o- and p-mercaptopyridines in basic ethanol solutions. The acidic OH or SH protons are removed to generate the formally anionic ligands. X-ray crystal structure determination of these complexes shows that the bonding of the substituted pyridine ligands occurs exclusively through the pyridine N for hydroxypyridines and exclusively through the thiol S in mercaptopyridines. In the hydroxypyridine case, the ortho and para isomers tautomerize to generate pyridone structures with a covalent M-N bond, whereas the m-hydroxypyridine complex, which is unable to tautomerize, is found to still be bound through the pyridine N but in a zwitterionic structure. The mercaptopyridine complexes are the first reported examples of pincer-ligated Pd and Pt thiolate species. The pyridine ligands can be quantitatively exchanged for chloride by reaction with excess NH4Cl, a potentially useful chemical switch for ligation/decomplexation of this ligand type.     

CC Coupling of N‐Heterocycles at the fac‐Re(CO)3 Fragment: Synthesis of Pyridylimidazole and Bipyridine Ligands

A new family of cationic rhenium tricarbonyl complexes with either two N‐alkylimidazole (N‐RIm) and one pyridine (Py) ligand, or two pyridine and one N‐RIm ligand, [Re(CO)₃(N‐RIm)_(3?x)(Py)_x]⁺, has been prepared. The reaction of these complexes with a strong base, followed by an oxidant, selectively afforded 2,2’‐pyridylimidazole complexes as the result of intramolecular dehydrogenative C?C coupling reactions. For tris(pyridine) complexes [Re(CO)₃(Py)₃]⁺ the reaction pattern upon a deprotonation/oxidation sequence is maintained, which allows the generation of complexes with 2,2’‐bipyridine ligands. In the particular combination of two different types of pyridine ligand in the cationic fac‐Re(CO)₃ complexes only the cross‐coupling products with asymmetric 2,2’‐bipyridine ligands were obtained; the homocoupling products were not observed.     

Supramolecular architectures in CoII and CuII complexes with thiophene‐2‐carboxylate and 2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidine ligands

The coordination chemistry of mixed‐ligand complexes continues to be an active area of research since these compounds have a wide range of applications. Many coordination polymers and metal–organic framworks are emerging as novel functional materials. Aminopyrimidine and its derivatives are flexible ligands with versatile binding and coordination modes which have been proven to be useful in the construction of organic–inorganic hybrid materials and coordination polymers. Thiophenecarboxylic acid, its derivatives and their complexes exhibit pharmacological properties. Cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes of thiophenecarboxylate have many biological applications, for example, as antifungal and antitumor agents. Two new cobalt(II) and copper(II) complexes incorporating thiophene‐2‐carboxylate (2‐TPC) and 2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidine (OMP) ligands have been synthesized and characterized by X‐ray diffraction studies, namely (2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidine‐κN)aquachlorido(thiophene‐2‐carboxylato‐κO)cobalt(II) monohydrate, [Co(C₅H₃O₂S)Cl(C₆H₉N₃O₂)(H₂O)]·H₂O, (I), and catena‐poly[copper(II)‐tetrakis(μ‐thiophene‐2‐carboxylato‐κ²O:O′)‐copper(II)‐(μ‐2‐amino‐4,6‐dimethoxypyrimidine‐κ²N¹:N³)], [Cu₂(C₅H₃O₂S)₄(C₆H₉N₃O₂)]_n, (II). In (I), the Co^II ion has a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment involving one O atom from a monodentate 2‐TPC ligand, one N atom from an OMP ligand, one chloride ligand and one O atom of a water molecule. An additional water molecule is present in the asymmetric unit. The amino group of the coordinated OMP molecule and the coordinated carboxylate O atom of the 2‐TPC ligand form an interligand N—H…O hydrogen bond, generating an S(6) ring motif. The pyrimidine molecules also form a base pair [R₂²(8) motif] via a pair of N—H…N hydrogen bonds. These interactions, together with O—H…O and O—H…Cl hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions, generate a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The one‐dimensional coordination polymer (II) contains the classical paddle‐wheel [Cu₂(CH₃COO)₄(H₂O)₂] unit, where each carboxylate group of four 2‐TPC ligands bridges two square‐pyramidally coordinated Cu^II ions and the apically coordinated OMP ligands bridge the dinuclear copper units. Each dinuclear copper unit has a crystallographic inversion centre, whereas the bridging OMP ligand has crystallographic twofold symmetry. The one‐dimensional polymeric chains self‐assemble via N—H…O, π–π and C—H…π interactions, generating a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

[5‐Benzyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(2‐pyridyl‐κN)thiazolidin‐4‐one‐κS]dichloropalladium(II)

The palladium(II) centre in the title compound, [PdCl₂(C₂₁H₁₈N₂OS)], is coordinated to the pyridyl N atom and to the thia­zolidinone S atom of the 5‐benzyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)­thia­zolidin‐4‐one ligand, resulting in a five‐membered chelate ring. Two cis‐chloro ligands complete the square‐planar coordination environment of the metal. Although the geometry at the Pd centre is essentially planar, the N—Pd—S bite angle of 85.20 (8)° causes deviations in the cis angles from the ideal value of 90°. Opposite enantiomers form one‐dimensional chains in the cell via a short S?O intermolecular interaction.     

Synthese und Charakterisierung von Cobalt(II)‐ und Kupfer(I)‐Komplexen mit Guanidin‐Pyridin‐Hybridliganden

Syntheses and Structures of Cobalt(II) and Copper(I) Complexes with Guanidine‐Pyridine Hybridligands The guanidine‐pyridine hybridligands N‐(1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethanamine (DMEGepy, L1 ) and 1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐2‐(2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethyl)guanidine (TMGepy, L2 ) have been synthesized and characterized. The reaction of DMEGepy with CoCl₂ and TMGepy with CuI lead to the mononuclear complexes {N‐(1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethanamine}cobalt(II) dichloride ( 1 ) and {1,1,3,3‐tetramethyl‐2‐(2‐(pyridine‐2‐yl)ethyl)guanidine}copper(I) iodide ( 2 ). By the characterization of these complexes we are able to compare the complexation chemistry of the hybridguanidine and bisguanidine ligands with regard to the various N donor functions systematically.     

Di‐μ‐acetato‐bis­{[2,4‐dichloro‐6‐(2‐pyridylmethyl­imino­meth­yl)­phenol­ato]zinc(II)} and di‐μ‐thio­cyanato‐bis­{[2,4‐dichloro‐6‐(2‐pyridylmethyl­imino­meth­yl)phenolato]copper(II)}

The two title complexes, [Zn₂(C₁₃H₉Cl₂N₂O)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂], (I), and [Cu₂(C₁₃H₉Cl₂N₂O)₂(NCS)₂], (II), are dinuclear Schiff base compounds. Both mol­ecules are located on crystallographic centres of inversion. In (I), the Zn^II atom is five‐coordinated in a trigonal–bipyramidal coordination, with one imine N atom of one Schiff base and two acetate O atoms defining the basal plane, and one O atom and one pyridine N atom of the Schiff base occupying the axial positions, while in (II), the Cu^II atom is five‐coordinated in a square‐pyramidal coordination, with one O and two N atoms of one Schiff base and one terminal N atom of a bridging thio­cyanate ligand defining the basal plane, and one terminal S atom of another bridging thio­cyanate ligand occupying the apical position. The different bridging ligands lead to the different coordinations of the complexes.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.