Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Tetraphenylethylene-Based Tetrakis-NHC Ligands and Their Metal Complexes

The development of highly emissive dinuclear Ag^I or Au^I complexes [M₂L](PF₆)₂ (L= 2 a , 2 b ; M=Ag, Au) derived from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based tetrabenzimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands is reported. The new complexes exhibit a remarkable fluorescence enhancement compared to their parent benzimidazolium salts. The quantum yield (Φ_F) value for salt H₄- 2 a (PF₆)₄ in dilute solution (c=10⁻⁵ m ) was found to be less than 1 %, whereas its metal complexes show Φ_F values up to 55 % at similar solution concentration. This observation can be attributed to the rigidification of the TPE skeleton upon metalation resulting in a restriction of the intramolecular rotation of the phenyl groups. Functionalization of the complexes [M₂ 2 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) with terminal coumarin groups and subsequent photoirradiation yielded the complexes [M₂ 3 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) bearing a new type of ligand with an unaffected TPE moiety.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly‐NHC‐Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4‐triazolium) salts H₄‐L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N‐wingtip substituents of H₄‐L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4‐wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X‐ray diffraction analyses. While H₄‐ L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra‐NHC (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light‐induced, supramolecule‐to‐supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

Metal‐Carbene‐Templated Photochemistry in Solution: A Universal Route towards Cyclobutane Derivatives

A series of dicarbene‐bridged metallacycles [Ag₂( 1 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 2 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 3 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 7 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 8 )₂](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 11 )₂](PF₆)₂ were obtained in high yields via the reactions of 1,2,4‐triazole‐, 1,2,3‐triazole‐ and imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based ligands with Ag₂O in CH₃CN. The C=C double bonds in all of the newly synthesized metallacycles went through [2 + 2] photodimerization under UV irradiation condition (λ = 365 nm, T = 298 K) yielding the dinuclear rctt‐cyclobutane‐silver(I) complexes [Ag₂( 4 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 5 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 6 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 9 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 10 )](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 12 )](PF₆)₂, respectively with quantitative yields. Treatment of the these cyclobutane‐bridged silver(I) complexes with NH₄Cl resulted in the exclusive formation of cyclobutane derivatives after removal of the silver(I) metal ions.     

Strategy for the Construction of Diverse Poly-NHC-Derived Assemblies and Their Photoinduced Transformations

A series of supramolecular assemblies of types [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄, obtained from the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetrakis(1,2,4-triazolium) salts H₄-L(PF₆)₄ and Ag^I ions, is described. The assembly type obtained dependends on the N-wingtip substituents of H₄-L(PF₆)₄. Changes in the lengths of the N4-wingtip substituents enables controlled formation of assemblies with either [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ or [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ stoichiometry. The molecular structures of selected [Ag₈( L )₄](PF₆)₈ and [Ag₄( L )₂](PF₆)₄ assemblies were determined by X-ray diffraction analyses. While H₄- L (PF₆)₄ does not exhibit fluorescence in solution, their tetra-NHC (NHC=N-heterocyclic carbene) assemblies do upon NHC–metal coordination. Upon irradiation, all assemblies undergo a light-induced, supramolecule-to-supramolecule structural transformation by an oxidative photocyclization involving phenyl groups of the TPE core, resulting in a significant change of the luminescence properties.     

Triazole‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Palladium and Platinum and Efficient Aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Imidazolium salts bearing triazole groups are synthesized via a copper catalyzed click reaction, and the silver, palladium, and platinum complexes of their N‐heterocyclic carbenes are studied. [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄, [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆), [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆) (L1=3‐((1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazolylidene), [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂, and [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ (L2=1‐butyl‐3‐((1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)imidazolylidene) have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. The silver complex [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄ consists of a Ag₄ zigzag chain. The complexes [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) and [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆), containing a nonsymmetrical NCN ′ pincer ligand, are square planar with a chloride trans to the carbene donor. [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ consists of two palladium centers with CN₂Cl coordination mode, whereas the palladium in [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ is surrounded by two carbene and two triazole groups with two uncoordinated pyridines. The palladium compounds are highly active for Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reactions of aryl bromides and 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes in neat water under an air atmosphere.     

C3‐Symmetric Assemblies from Trigonal Polycarbene Ligands and MI Ions for the Synthesis of Three‐Dimensional Polyimidazolium Cations

Metallosupramolecular poly‐NHC‐metal assemblies were prepared from trigonal hexakis (H₆‐ 1 a (PF₆)₆ and H₆‐ 1 b (PF₆)₆) or nonakis (H₉‐ 3 (BF₄)₉) imidazolium salts and Ag₂O. Complexes [Ag₆( 1 a )₂](PF₆)₆ and [Ag₆( 1 b )₂](PF₆)₆ are built from six Ag⁺ ions sandwiched between two trigonal hexacarbene ligands with an inner and an outer NHC donor in each of the three ligand arms. The metal atoms are arranged in two triangles. The hexakis‐NHC ligands bear cinnamic ester groups at the outlying NHC donors, used in postsynthetic [2+2] cycloaddition reactions linking two hexakis‐NHC ligands by three cyclobutane units to give complexes [Ag₆( 2 a )](PF₆)₆ and [Ag₆( 2 b )](PF₆)₆ bearing a dodecacarbene ligand. From the related nonakisimidazolium salt H₉‐ 3 (BF₄)₉, complex [Ag₉( 4 )](BF₄)₉ bearing an octadecacarbene ligand was obtained. Removal of the template metals yielded very large, stable, polyimidazolium cations with 12 or 18 internal imidazolium groups.     

Assembling Quasi‐enantiomeric Octahedral Complexes of Different Metals via Quasi‐racemate Crystallization

Aiming at a general methodology for binary co‐assembly of complexes of different metals through quasiracemate crystallization, the hexadentate ligand 1 comprised of the chiral bipyrrolidine core and two bipyridine peripheral arms is introduced. Ligand 1 was found to bind in a fully diastereoselective and uniform mode around Zn^II, Fe^II and Cd^II giving coordinatively inert octahedral “chiral‐at‐metal” complexes with the Δ₄Λ₂/Λ₄Δ₂ wrapping mode. Equimolar mixtures of quasienantiomeric pairs of these complexes exhibited a clear tendency to pack as quasiracemates as was revealed from the crystallographic structures of [(R,R)‐ 1 ‐Zn](PF₆)₂/[(S,S)‐ 1 ‐Fe](PF₆)₂ and [(R,R)‐ 1 ‐Zn](PF₆)₂/[(S,S)‐ 1 ‐Cd](PF₆)₂, in an isomorphous fashion to that of the racemic compound [rac‐ 1 ‐Zn](PF₆)₂ in space group C2/c.     

Self-Assembly of Benzimidazole-Derived Tris-NHC Ligands and AgI-Ions to Hexanuclear Organometallic Cages and Their Unusual Transmetalation Chemistry

Multi-ligand self-assembly to attain the Ag^I-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-built hexanuclear organometallic cages of composition [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆ from the reaction of benzimidazole-derived tris(azolium) salts [H₃- 3 a , b ](PF₆)₃ with Ag₂O was achieved. The molecular structures of the cages were established by X-ray diffraction studies along with NMR and MS analyses. The existence of a single assembly in solution was supported by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) ¹H NMR spectra. Further, transmetalation reactions of these self-assembled complexes, [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆, with Cu^I/Au^I-ions provided various coinage metal-NHC complexes having diverse molecular compositions, which included the first example of a hexanuclear Cu^I-dodecacarbene complex, [Cu₆( 3 b )₄](PF₆)₆.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The metal-controlled self-assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based tris-NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts H₃- L (PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag₂O to yield the trinuclear Ag^I hexacarbene cages [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ), in which three Ag^I are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear Au^I cylinder-like cages [Au₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder-like cage derived exclusively from poly-NHC ligands.     

Linear Pyrazole‐bridged Tetra(N‐heterocyclic carbene) Ligands and Their Hexanuclear Silver(I) Complexes

New hybrid ligands are reported that combine two types of popular donor groups within a single linear scaffold, viz., a central pyrazolate bridge and two appended bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) units; the ligand strands thus provide two potentially tridentate {NCC} compartments. The pyrazole/tetraimidazolium proligands, [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ and [H₅L²](PF₆)₄ , were synthesized via multi‐step protocols, and the NH prototropy of [H₅L¹](PF₆)₄ was examined by variable temperature (VT) NMR spectroscopy, giving solvent dependent activation parameters (ΔH^? = 27.6 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –125 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₃]MeCN; ΔH^? = 40.4 kJ · mol^–1, ΔS^? = –86.9 J · mol^–1 · K^–1 in [D₆]DMSO) that are in the range typical for pyrazoles. Reaction of the proligands with Ag₂O gave hexametallic complexes [Ag₆(L¹)₂](PF₆)₄ and [Ag₆(L²)₂](PF₆)₄ that involve all six potential donor atoms of the ligands, viz. the four C^NHC and two N^pz donors, in metal coordination. X‐ray crystallography revealed a chair‐like central {Ag₆} deck in both complexes but different arrangements of the ligand strands, which goes along with significantly different Ag^I ··· Ag^I distances that indicate more pronounced argentophilic interactions in case of [Ag₆(L¹)₂]^{4 +}.     

Reversible Mechanical Interlocking of D‐Shaped Molecular Karabiners bearing Coordination‐Bond Loaded Gates: Route to Self‐Assembled [2]Catenanes

Complexation of 1,4‐phenylenebis(methylene) diisonicotinate, L1 , with cis‐protected Pd^II components, [Pd( L′ )(NO₃)₂], in an equimolar ratio yielded binuclear complexes, 1 a – d of [Pd₂( L′ )₂( L1 )₂](NO₃)₄ formulation where L′ stands for ethylenediamine (en), tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), and phenanthroline (phen). The combination of 4,4′‐bipyridine, L2 , with the cis‐protected Pd^II units is known to yield molecular squares, 2 a – d . However, 2 b – d coexist with the corresponding molecular triangles, 3 b – d . Combination of an equivalent each of the ligands L1 and L2 with two equivalents of cis‐protected Pd^II components in DMSO resulted in the D ‐shaped heteroligated complexes [Pd₂( L′ )₂( L1 )( L2 )](NO₃)₄, 4 a – d . Two units of the D ‐shaped complexes interlock, in a concentration dependent fashion, to form the corresponding [2]catenanes [Pd₂( L′ )₂( L1 )( L2 )]₂(NO₃)₈, 5 a – d under aqueous conditions. Crystal structures of the macrocycle [Pd₂(tmeda)₂( L1 )( L2 )](PF₆)₄, 4 b′′ , and the catenane [Pd₂(bpy)₂( L1 )( L2 )]₂(NO₃)₈, 5 c , provide unequivocal support for the proposed molecular architectures.     

Impact of Group 10 Metals on the Solvent-Induced Disproportionation of o-Semiquinonato Complexes

The oxidation of [M^II(3,5-DTBCat)(DTBbpy)] (M=Ni ( [Ni] ), Pd ( [Pd] ), and Pt ( [Pt] ); 3,5-DTBCat=3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholato; DTBbpy=4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) afforded the dimeric {[Ni^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆)}₂ ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ; 3,5-DTBSQ=3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato) and monomeric semiquinonato (SQ) complexes [M^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆) (M=Pd ( [Pd](PF₆) ) and Pt ( [Pt](PF₆) )). The negative solvatochromic properties of the SQ complexes allowed us to estimate the relative order of their dipole moments: [Pd](PF₆) > [Pt](PF₆) > {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ . The complexes [Pd](PF₆) and [Pt](PF₆) adopt monomeric structures and are stable in CH₂Cl₂ and toluene, whereas they gradually disproportionate at room temperature to [M] and 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (3,5-DTBBQ) in polar solvents such as THF, MeOH, EtOH, DMF, or DMSO. The results of spectroscopic studies suggested that the oxidized nickel complex adopts a monomeric structure ( [Ni](PF₆) ) in CH₂Cl₂, but a dimeric structure ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ) in the other investigated solvents. In polar solvents, {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ may disproportionate to [Ni] and 3,5-DTBBQ at 323 K, thereby demonstrating a significant solvent- and metal-dependence in temperature. The relative activities of {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ and [M](PF₆) toward disproportionation are related to the electrochemically estimated K_dis values in CH₂Cl₂ and DMF. The present work demonstrates that solvent polarity and the dipole moments of the SQ complexes promote disproportionation, which can be controlled by a judicious choice of the metal ion, solvent, and temperature.     

pH‐Controlled Multiple Chiral Inversion That Induces Molecular Dimerization in a Gold(I)–Cobalt(III) Coordination System with L‐Cysteinate

Herein, a unique coordination system that exhibits multiple chiral inversions and molecular dimerization in response to a subtle pH change is reported. Treatment of (Δ)₂‐H₃[Au₃Co₂(L ‐cys)₆] (H₃[ 1 a ]) with [Co₃(aet)₆](NO₃)₃ (aet=2‐aminoethanethiolate) in water at pH 7 gave a 1:1 complex salt of [Co₃(aet)₆]³⁺ and [ 1 a ]^3?, retaining the Au^I₃Co^III₂ structure and chiral configurations of [ 1 a ]^3?. Similar treatment at pH 9 led to not only the inversion of all of the chiral Co^III and S centers but also the dimerization of [ 1 a ]^3?, giving a 2:1 complex salt of [Co₃(aet)₆]³⁺ and (Λ)₄(R)₁₂‐[Au₆Co₄(L ‐cys)₁₂]^6? ([ 2 ]^6?). When dissociated from [Co₃(aet)₆]³⁺ in solution, [ 2 ]^6? was converted to (Λ)₂(R)₆‐[Au₃Co₂(L ‐cys)₆]^3? ([ 1 b ]^3?) with retention of the chiral configurations.     

An Extremely Porous Hydrogen‐Bonded Framework Composed of d‐Penicillaminato CoIII2AuI3 Complex Anions and Aqua Cobalt(II) Cations: Formation and Stepwise Structural Transformation

A unique example of a hydrogen‐bonded ionic solid with a porosity of 80 %, [Co(H₂O)₆]₃[Co₂Au₃(d ‐pen‐N,S)₆]₂ ( 1 ; d ‐H₂pen=d ‐penicillamine), composed of [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations and [Co₂Au₃(d ‐pen‐N,S)₆]^3? anions, is reported. Solid 1 was kinetically produced and was then transformed stepwise into two more thermodynamically stable solids with lower porosities, [Co(H₂O)₄][Co(H₂O)₆]₂[Co₂Au₃(d ‐pen‐N,S)₆]₂ ( 2 ) and [Co(H₂O)₄]₃[Co₂Au₃(d ‐pen‐N,S)₆]₂ ( 3 ), through the coordination of the free carboxylate groups in [Co₂Au₃(d ‐pen‐N,S)₆]^3? to Co^II centers. Solids 1 – 3 were structurally characterized, and the selective adsorption of small molecules into their pores was investigated.     

Heterodinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes of the Bridging Ligand 1,6,7,12‐Tetraazaperylene with Iron(II), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), as well as Palladium(II) and Platinum(II)

The first heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the 1,6,7,12‐tetraazaperylene (tape) bridging ligand with iron(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) were synthesized and characterized. The metal coordination sphere in this complexes is filled by the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3](2,6)‐pyridinophane (L‐N₄Me₂) ligand, yielding complexes of the general formula [(L‐N₄Me₂)Ru(µ‐tape)M(L‐N₄Me₂)](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂ with M = Fe {[ 2 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, Co {[ 3 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, and Ni {[ 4 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}. Furthermore, the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes with palladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐dichloride [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PdCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 5 ](PF₆)₂} and [(dmbpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PtCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 6 ](PF₆)₂}, respectively were also prepared. The molecular structures of the complex cations [ 2 ]⁴⁺ and [ 4 ]⁴⁺ were discussed on the basis of the X‐ray structures of [ 2 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN and [ 4 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN. The electrochemical behavior and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous mono‐ and homodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the tape bridging ligand.     

A trefoil-shaped macrocycle with [12]-imidazolium cations

A trefoil-like two-dimensional (2D) C_3v symmetric organic [12]-imidazolium cation H₁₂–2(PF₆)₁₂ featuring three [4]-imidazolium macrocycles was synthesized in three steps. The reaction of a dodecakis H₁₂–1(PF₆)₁₂ imidazolium salt with Ag₂O resulted in the formation of a hexanuclear Ag^I dodecacarbene assembly [Ag₆(1)](PF₆)₆. Upon UV irradiation, the photodimerization of the cinnamic ester pendants of [Ag₆(1)](PF₆)₆ led to the generation of a trefoil-like complex [Ag₆(2)](PF₆)₆ containing three closed metallacycles. Removal of metal ions allowed for the synthesis of the target molecule. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and 2D NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).     

Unravelling the Roles of Solvophobic Effects and π⋅⋅⋅π Stacking Interactions in the Formation of [2]Catenanes Featuring Di-(N-Heterocyclic Carbene) Building Blocks

A series of [2]catenanes has been prepared from di-NHC building blocks by utilizing solvophobic effects and/or π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. The dinickel naphthobiscarbene complex syn-[ 1 ] and the kinked biphenyl-bridged bipyridyl ligand L² yield the [2]catenane [ 2-IL ](OTf)₄ by self-assembly. Solvophobic effects are pivotal for the formation of the interlocked species. Substitution of the biphenyl-linker in L² for a pyromellitic diimide group gave ligand L³ , which yielded in combination with syn-[ 1 ] the [2]catenane [ 3-IL ](OTf)₄. This assembly exhibits enhanced stability in diluted solution, aided by additional π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions. The π⋅⋅⋅π stacking was augmented by the introduction of a pyrene bridge between two NHC donors in ligand L⁴ . Di-NHC precursor H₂- L⁴ (PF₆)₂ reacts with Ag₂O to give the [Ag₂ L⁴ ₂]₂ [2]catenane [ 4-IL ](PF₆)₄, which shows strong π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions between the pyrene groups. This assembly was readily converted into the [Au₂ L⁴ ₂]₂ gold species [ 5-IL ](PF₆)₄, which exhibits exceptional stability based on the strong π⋅⋅⋅π stacking interactions and the enhanced stability of the Au-C_NHC bonds.     

Water–gas shift reaction catalyzed by mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing bipyridine and phenanthroline derivatives

Ruthenium complexes of the type [RuL(CO)₂Cl₂], [RuL₂Cl₂], [RuL₂(CO)(H₂O)](PF₆)₂, [RuL₂Cl]₂(PF₆)₂, [RuL₂(CO)Cl](PF₆), and [RuL₂(CO₃)]·3H₂O (where L is a bipyridine or phenanthroline derivative) dissolved in aqueous 2‐ethoxyethanol, and in a basic medium of KOH, triethylamine, or trimethylamine, catalyze the water‐gas shift reaction under mild conditions (P_CO = 0.9 atm at 100 °C). Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ring‐to‐Cage Structural Conversion via Template Effect in a Gold(I) Metallosupramolecular System

A unique example of a ring‐to‐cage structural conversion in a multinuclear gold(I) coordination system with d ‐penicillamine (d ‐H₂pen) is reported. The reaction of [Au₂Cl₂(dppe)] (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with d ‐H₂pen in a 1:1 ratio gave [Au₄(dppe)₂(d ‐pen)₂] ([ 1 ]), in which two [Au₂(dppe)]²⁺ units are linked by two d ‐pen S atoms in a cyclic form so as to have two bidentate‐N,O coordination arms. The subsequent reaction of [ 1 ] with Cu(OTf)₂ afforded [Au₄Cu(dppe)₂(d ‐pen)₂]²⁺ ([ 2 ]²⁺), in which a Cu^II ion is chelated by the two coordination arms in [ 1 ] to form an Au^I₄Cu^II bicyclic metallocage. A similar reaction using Cu(NO₃)₂ was accompanied by the ring expansion of [ 1 ] to [Au₈(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄], leading to the production of [Au₈Cu₂(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄]⁴⁺ ([ 3 ]⁴⁺). In [ 3 ]⁴⁺, two Cu^II ions are each chelated by the two coordination arms to form an Au^I₈Cu^II₂ tricyclic metallocage, accommodating a nitrate ion. The use of Ni(NO₃)₂ or Ni(OAc)₂ instead of Cu(NO₃)₂ commonly gave a tricyclic metallocage of [Au₈Ni₂(dppe)₄(d ‐pen)₄]⁴⁺ ([ 4 ]⁴⁺), but a water molecule was accommodated inside the Au^I₈Ni^II₂ metallocage.     

Formation,Dynamic Behavior,and Chemical Transformation of Pt Complexes with a Rotaxane‐like Structure

The reaction of [Pt(CH₂COMe)(Ph)(cod)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene) with (ArCH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOH)⁺(PF₆)^? (Ar=4‐tBuC₆H₄ or 9‐anthryl) in the presence of cyclic oligoethers such as dibenzo[24]crown‐8 (DB24C8) and dicyclohexano[24]crown‐8 (DC24C8) produces {(ce)[ArCH₂NH₂CH₂C₆H₄COOPt(Ph)(cod)]}⁺(PF₆)^? (ce=DB24C8 or DC24C8, Ar=4‐tBuC₆H₄ or 9‐anthryl) with interlocked structures. FABMS and NMR spectra of a solution of these compounds indicate that the Pt complexes with a secondary ammonium group and DB24C8 (or DC24C8) make up the axis and cyclic components, respectively. Temperature‐dependent ¹H NMR spectra of a solution of {(DB24C8)[4‐tBuC₆H₄CH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOPt(Ph)(cod)]}⁺(PF₆)^? ({(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?) show equilibration with free DB24C8 and the axis component. The addition of DB24C8 to a solution of {(DC24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? causes partial exchange of the macrocyclic component of the interlocked molecules, giving a mixture of {(DC24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?, {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^?, and free macrocyclic compounds. The reaction of 3,5‐Me₂C₆H₃COCl with {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? affords the organic rotaxane {(DB24C8)(4‐tBuC₆H₄CH₂NH₂CH₂‐C₆H₄COOCOC₆H₃Me₂‐3,5)}⁺(PF₆)^? through C? O bond formation between the aroyl group and the carboxylate ligand of the axis component. The addition of 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) to a solution of {(DB24C8)[ 4 ‐H]}⁺(PF₆)^? induces the degradation of the interlocked structure to form a complex with trigonal bipyramidal coordination, [Pt(Ph)(bpy)(cod)]⁺(PF₆)^?, whereas the reaction of bpy with [Pt(OCOC₆H₄Me‐4)(Ph)(cod)] produces the square‐planar complex [Pt(OCOC₆H₄Me‐4)(Ph)(bpy)].