Trinuclear copper(I) complex of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)imidazolylidene as a carbene-transfer reagent for the preparation of catalytically active nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes

Reactions of 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, ([HL1](PF₆), L1 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene) and 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate ([HL2](PF₆), L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzoimidazolylidene) with cuprous oxide in acetonitrile readily yielded trinuclear complexes [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] (1) and [Cu₃(L2)₃(PF₆)₃] (2). Treatment of 1 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and Pd(cod)Cl₂ gave [Ni(L1)Cl](PF₆) (3) and [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) (4), respectively, due to transmetalation. [Ni(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (5) was obtained from the reaction of [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] and Raney nickel in acetonitrile. All these complexes have been fully characterized. Both 1 and 2 consist of a triangular Cu₃ core with each Cu–Cu bond capped by an imidazolylidene group. Each imidazolylidene acts as a bridging ligand in a μ₂ mode and is bonded equally to two Cu(I) ions. The pincer nickel and palladium complexes are square-planar and contain a tridentate NCN ligand. Complexes 3 and 4 are efficient catalyst precursors for Kumada–Corriu and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl halides with organometallic reagents.     

Mono- and di-nuclear complexes of thiosemicarbazones with copper(I): Synthesis,spectroscopy and structures

Reactions of copper(I) halides with a series of thiosemicarbazones, namely, benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (R¹R²CN–NH–C(S)–NH₂, R¹ = Ph, R² = H; Hbtsc), 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (R¹ = Ph, R² = py; Hbpytsc), and acetone thiosemicarbazone (R¹ = R² = Me; Hactsc), in the presence of PPh₃ has formed dimeric complexes, viz. sulfur bridged [Cu₂(μ-S-Hbtsc)₂Br₂(PPh₃)₂]·2H₂O (1), iodo-bridged [Cu₂(μ-I)₂(η¹-S-Hbtsc)₂(PPh₃)₂] (2), and heterobridged [Cu₂(μ₃-S,N³-Hactsc)(η¹-Br)(μ-Br)(PPh₃)₂] (3), as well as mononuclear complexes [CuX(η¹-S-Hbpytsc)(PPh₃)₂]·CH₃CN (X = Br, 4; Cl, 5). Complexes 1, 2, 4 and 5 involve thiosemicarbazone ligands in η¹-S bonding mode while in compound 3, ligand acts in N³, S-chelation-cum-S-bridging mode (μ₃-S,N³ mode). The intermolecular interactions such as, N²H?X, HN¹H?X (X = S, Br, Cl), CH?π interactions lead to 2D networks. All the complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The role of a solvent in alteration of nuclearity and bonding modes of complexes has been highlighted.     

Trinuclear copper(I) complex of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)imidazolylidene as a carbene-transfer reagent for the preparation of catalytically active nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes

Reactions of 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate, ([HL1](PF₆), L1 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene) and 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1H-benzimidazol-3-ium hexafluorophosphate ([HL2](PF₆), L2 = 1,3-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)benzoimidazolylidene) with cuprous oxide in acetonitrile readily yielded trinuclear complexes [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] (1) and [Cu₃(L2)₃(PF₆)₃] (2). Treatment of 1 with Ni(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ and Pd(cod)Cl₂ gave [Ni(L1)Cl](PF₆) (3) and [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) (4), respectively, due to transmetalation. [Ni(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (5) was obtained from the reaction of [Cu₃(L1)₃(PF₆)₃] and Raney nickel in acetonitrile. All these complexes have been fully characterized. Both 1 and 2 consist of a triangular Cu₃ core with each Cu–Cu bond capped by an imidazolylidene group. Each imidazolylidene acts as a bridging ligand in a μ₂ mode and is bonded equally to two Cu(I) ions. The pincer nickel and palladium complexes are square-planar and contain a tridentate NCN ligand. Complexes 3 and 4 are efficient catalyst precursors for Kumada–Corriu and Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of aryl halides with organometallic reagents.     

A voltammetric study of the binding of copper(II) to peptide fragments of prion

Binding of copper to three peptide fragments of prion (Cu²⁺ binding sites: 60–91, 92–96 and 180–193 amino acid residues) was investigated by anodic stripping voltammetry to determine the stoichiometries of Cu²⁺-prion peptide interactions. The method relies on the synthesis of N-terminally acetylated/C-terminally amidated peptide fragments of prion by solid-phase synthesis and direct monitoring of the oxidation current of copper in the absence and presence of each prion fragment. Titration curves of Cu²⁺ with Ac-PHGGGWGQ-NH₂, Ac-GGGTH-NH₂ and Ac-VNITKQHTVTTTT-NH₂ were obtained in concentrations ranging from 8.52 × 10^?7 to 5.08 × 10^?6, 3.95 × 10^?7 to 1.94 × 10^?6 and 7.82 × 10^?8 to 4.51 × 10^?7 M, respectively. The acquired data were used to calculate the stoichiometries (one peptide per Cu²⁺ ion for all the three studied systems) and apparent dissociation constants (K_d = 4.37 × 10^?8–3.50 × 10^?10 M) for the three complexes.     

Mass-transfer in hollow-fiber modules for extraction and back-extraction of copper(II) with LIX64N carriers

The extraction of Cu²⁺ ions from sulfate solutions across a hollow-fiber membrane containing LIX64N carriers dissolved in kerosene has been studied, in which Cu(II) was then back-extracted to a stripping-phase containing HCl. Experiments were conducted as a function of the initial feed concentration of Cu²⁺ (1–10 mol/m³), feed pH (2–6), the carrier concentration (0.1–0.4 mol/dm³), and stripping acidity (0.4–4 mol/dm³). A mass-transfer model was developed to predict the extent of Cu²⁺ extraction from aqueous feed in hollow-fiber contactors. The calculated time profiles of Cu²⁺ concentrations were in reasonable agreement with the experimental data (average standard deviation 9% in both extraction and back-extraction modules). The rate-controlling step(s) of such dispersion-free extraction processes were identified. It was shown that the extraction was governed by combined interfacial reaction and aqueous diffusion under the ranges studied, whereas the back-extraction was limited by combined membrane diffusion and aqueous diffusion.     

Synthesis,physico-chemical and spectral investigations of novel homo-bimetallic mixed-ligand complexes: 57Fe Mössbauer parameters of [Fe2(imda)2(H2O)3Cl]

The newly prepared homo-bimetallic complexes [M₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₄], [M₂(imda)₂(Bipy)₂] (M = Co, Ni or Cu) and [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] (H₂imda = iminodiacetic acid and Bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been studied employing IR, FAB-mass, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, EPR and ligand field spectra, which indicated a high-spin state of metal ion with hexa-coordinate environment. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer data of the homo-bimetallic complex [Fe₂(imda)₂(H₂O)₃Cl] confirm a high-spin configuration with Fe (±3/2 → 1/2) nuclear transitions and the presence of Kramer's double degeneracy. At RT, the spin–spin interactions of the neighbouring nuclei (Fe³⁺–Fe³⁺ = S_5/2–S_5/2) are anti-ferromagnetically coupled. However, at LNT, the complex acquires a mixed-valent [Fe^III–Fe^II] composition corroborated from the X-band EPR data. CV studies indicated the presence of quasi-reversible redox Cu^II/I, Cu^II/III, Fe^III/II, Fe^III/I and Fe^II/I couples.     

Magnetic properties of hybrid organo-inorganic copper(II) oxovanadate(V) phosphate and phosphonate bridged systems

The hybrid organo-inorganic compounds [Cu₄(bipy)₄V₄O₁₁(PO₄)₂]nH₂O (n ∼ 5) (1), [Cu₂(phen)₂(PO₄)(H₂PO₄)₂(VO₂) · 2H₂O] (2) and [Cu₂(phen)₂(O₃PCH₂PO₃)(V₂O₅) (H₂O)]H₂O (3) which present different bridging forms of the phosphate/phosphonate group, show different bulk magnetic properties. We herein analyze the magnetic behaviour of these compounds in terms of their structural parameters. We also report a theoretical study for compound (1) assuming four different magnetic exchange pathways between the copper centres present in the tetranuclear unit. For compound (1) the following J values were obtained J₁ = +3.29; J₂ = −0.63; J₃ = −2.23; J₄ = −46.14 cm⁻¹. Compound (2) presents a Curie–Weiss behaviour in the whole range of temperature (3–300 K), and compound (3) shows a maximum for the magnetic susceptibility at 64 K, typical for antiferromagnetic interactions. These data where fitted using a model previously reported in the literature, assuming two different magnetic exchange pathways between the four copper(II) centres, with J₁ = −30.0 and J₂ = −8.5 cm⁻¹.     

Complexes derived from the copper(II) perchlorate/maleamic acid/2,2′-bipyridine and copper(II) perchlorate/maleic acid/2,2′-bipyridine reaction systems: Synthetic,reactivity, structural and spectroscopic studies

A systematic investigation of the reactions of Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O with maleamic acid (H₂L) in the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) has been carried out. The chemical and structural identity of the products depends on the solvent, the absence or presence of external hydroxides in the reaction mixture and the molar ratio of the reactants. Various reaction schemes have led to the isolation of the complexes [Cu₂(HL)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu₂(HL)₂(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (1 · 2H₂O), [Cu(L′′)(bpy)]_n · 2nH₂O (2 · 2nH₂O), [Cu₂(L′′)(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]_n(ClO₄)_2n · 0.5nH₂O (3 · 0.5nH₂O), [Cu₂(L′′)₂(bpy)₂] · 2MeOH (5 · 2MeOH), [Cu₂(L′)₂(bpy)₂(ClO₄)₂] (6) and [Cu(ClO₄)₂(bpy)(MeCN)₂] (7b), where L′′^2? and L′^? are the maleate(?2) and monomethyl maleate(?1) ligands, respectively. The HL^? ion has been transformed to L′′^2? and L′^? in the known compounds 2 · 2nH₂O and 6, respectively, via metal ion-assisted processes involving hydrolysis (2 · 2nH₂O) and methanolysis (6) of the primary amide group. The reaction that leads to 6 takes place through the formation of the mononuclear complex [Cu(ClO₄)₂(bpy)(MeOH)₂] (7a), whose structure was assigned on the basis of its spectral similarity with the structurally characterized complex 7b. The structures of the cations in 1 and 1 · 2H₂O consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by the carboxylate groups of the two HL^? ligands, each exhibiting the less common η² coordination mode; a chelating bpy molecule and a H₂O ligand complete square pyramidal coordination at each metal centre. The structure of the dinuclear repeating unit in the 1D coordination polymer 3 · 0.5nH₂O consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by two syn,syn η¹:η¹:μ₂ carboxylate groups belonging to two L′′^2? ions; each ligand bridged two neighboring [Cu^II,II₂] units thus promoting the formation of a helical chain. The structure of the dinuclear molecule of complex 5 · 2MeOH consists of two Cu^II atoms bridged by two η² carboxylate groups from two L′′^2? ligands; the second carboxylate group of each maleate(?2) ligand is monodentately coordinated to Cu^II, creating a remarkable seven-membered chelating ring. The L′^? ion behaves as a carboxylate-type ligand in 6, with the carboxylate group being in the familiar syn,syn η¹:η¹:μ₂ coordination mode; a chelating bpy molecule and a coordinated ClO₄^? complete five-coordination at each Cu^II centre. The crystal structures of the complexes are stabilized by various H-bonding patterns. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the ligands.     

Electrochemical and spectral characterization of blue copper protein models

Blue copper proteins play a central role in various enzymatic anabolic/catabolic pathways in living cells by virtue of the integrated metal ions. These ions may exist in variable oxidation states, with suitable reduction potentials and fast electron-transfer rates which in turn is a manifestation of their unusual geometry and co-ordination. We report the electrochemical and spectral characterization of three novel complexes of copper (II) with N₂S type tridentate chelating agent 2,2′-dithiodianiline (dta), having structural similarities to the active site of Type I copper proteins. High positive redox potentials in the range of 0.5–0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl electrode of the complexes and the absorption maxima at ～550 nm, with high extinction coefficients, correspond well with typical blue copper proteins. The IR and EPR studies support the assigned pseudo tetrahedral structures to the complexes. The diffusion coefficient and rate constant for heterogeneous charge transfer for Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ coordinated in a potentially bio-mimetic Type I site is reported.     

A fast,highly selective and sensitive dansyl-based fluorescent sensor for copper (II) ions and its imaging application in living cells

Since the copper ions (Cu²⁺) play a fatal role in many foundational physiological processes, it is important to develop a simple, highly sensitive and selective sensor for Cu²⁺ detection in living systems. Herein, an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and dansyl-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 was designed, synthesized and characterized for the sensitive and selective quantification of Cu²⁺. It exhibited remarkable fluorescence quenching upon addition of Cu²⁺ over other selected metal ions, attributed to the complex formation between 1 and Cu²⁺ with the association constant 6.7 × 10⁵ M^?1. The sensor 1 showed a fast and linear response towards Cu²⁺ in the concentration range from 0 to 12.5 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 with the detection limit of 2.5 × 10^?7 mol L^?1. This detection could be carried out in a wide pH range of 5.0–14. Furthermore, sensor 1 can be used for detecting Cu²⁺ in living cells.     

Magnetic interactions of (μ-pyrazolato)-bridged copper(II) complexes determined by solid-state MAS NMR

We investigated electron spin densities of pyrazolato-bridged complexes [Cu(pz)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₂(pz)₂(NO₃)(H₂O)(phen)₂]NO₃ (2) (Hpz = pyrazole, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) using solid-state high-resolution NMR to elucidate the magnetic interaction paths with the help of molecular orbital theory. We prepared deuterated analogue of these complexes, 1-d₆ and 2-d₆, to measure temperature dependence of ²H and ¹³C NMR shifts between 190 and 350 K. The hyperfine coupling constants (HFCCs) and electron spin densities were determined from the slopes of the shifts as a function of the magnetic susceptibilities. The derived spin densities were all positive, which indicates the dominant magnetic interaction paths of these complexes are not π but σ orbitals of the pyrazolate ligand. The NMR results reasonably agreed with those of density functional theory (DFT) calculations for molecular models of 1 and 2.     

A new luminescent sulfate bridged dimeric copper(II) complex with DNA binding and SO2 fixation ability: Synthesis and structure

New luminescent mononuclear and dinuclear copper(II) (S = 1/2) complexes [Cu(HL)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1a) and [Cu₂(HL)₂(μ-SO₄)₂]·2H₂O (1b) were synthesized with the acyclic tridentate pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-2-pyridylhydrazone ligand, HL (1). Interestingly, the mononuclear complex 1a can be converted into the disulfate bridged dimeric copper(II) complex 1b by passing freshly prepared SO₂ through the basic medium. On excitation at 290 nm, the ligand fluoresces at 364 nm due to an intraligand ¹(π–π1) transition. Upon complexation with copper(II), the emission peak is slightly blue shifted (356 nm, F/F₀ 0.76 for 1a and 354 nm, F/F₀ 0.89 for 1b) with a little quenching in the emission intensity. The association constants (K_ass (5.06 ± 0.004) × 10⁴ for 1a and K_ass (5.46 ± 0.006) × 10⁴ for 1b at 298 K) and the thermodynamic parameters have been determined by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The molecular structure of the complex 1b (Cu?Cu 4.456 Å) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complex 1b exhibits a strong interaction towards DNA as revealed from the K_b (intrinsic binding constant) 6.3 × 10⁴ M^?1 and K_sv (Stern–Volmer quenching constant) 2.93 values.     

Study on β-cyclodextrin inclusion of Zn(II) aromatic complex and its analytical application

A new β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion compound Zn(2H1NA)₂·2β-CD (2H1NA = 2-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid) was prepared. The structure was characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, the fluorescence spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TG–DTA) and elementary analysis. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the formation of the supramolecular system (2H1NA:Zn(II):β-CD) was studied and discussed by spectrofluorimetry. The results showed that the naphthalene rings of the Zn(II) aromatic complex Zn(2H1NA)₂ were encapsulated within the β-CD's cavity to form a 2:1 stoichiometry host–guest compound. The inclusion constant calculated was 1.27 × 10⁴ (L/mol)². A spectrofluorimetric method for the determination of 2H1NA in bulk aqueous solution in the presence of β-CD was developed based on the great enhancement of the fluorescence intensity of 2H1NA. The linear relationship was obtained in the range of 9.00 × 10^?7 to 2.50 × 10^?5 mol/L and the detection limit was 8.00 × 10^?7 mol/L. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine 2H1NA in waste water with recoveries of 97–104%.     

Improved preparation of β-hydroxy-α-amino acids: direct formation of sulfates by sulfuryl chloride

Two β-(alkyl)-β-hydroxy-α-amino acids [alkyl = Bu^t, BnO–(CH₂)₃–] have been synthesized by a sequence based on Sharpless asymmetric dihydroxylation. The key sulfate intermediates were prepared from enantiomerically enriched diols by direct treatment with sulfuryl chloride. The scope and the appropriate conditions for sulfate formation have also been studied.     

Mass spectrometric study of the dissociation of Group XI metal complexes with fatty acids and glycerolipids: Ag2H+ and Cu2H+ ion formation in the presence of a double bond

Results of mass spectrometric studies are reported for the collisional dissociation of Group XI (Cu, Ag, Au) metal ion complexes with fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic) and glycerolipids. Remarkably, the formation of M₂H⁺ ions (M = Cu, Ag) is observed as a dissociation product of the ion complexes containing more than one metal cation and only if the lipid in the complex contains a double bond. Ag₂H⁺ is formed as the main dissociation channel for all three of the fatty acids containing double bonds that were investigated while Cu₂H⁺ is formed with one of the fatty acids and, although abundant, is not the dominant dissociation channel. Also, Cu(I) and Ag(I) ion complexes were observed with glycerolipids (including triacylglycerols and glycerophospholipids) containing either saturated or unsaturated fatty acid substituents. Interestingly, Ag₂H⁺ ion is formed in a major fragmentation channel with the lipids that are able to form the complex with two metal cations (triacylglycerols and glycerophosphoglycerols), while lipids containing a fixed positive charge (glycerophospocholines) complex only with a single metal cation. The formation of Ag₂H⁺ ion is a significant dissociation channel from the complex ion [Ag₂(L–H)]⁺ where L = Glycerophospholipid (GP) (18:1/18:1). Cu(I) also forms complexes of two metal cations with glycerophospholipids but these do not produce Cu₂H⁺ upon dissociation. Rather organic fragments, not containing Cu(I), are formed, perhaps due to different interactions of these metal cations with lipids resulting from the much smaller ionic radius of Cu(I) compared to Ag(I).     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and magnetic properties of a copper(II) octacyanotungstate(V)-based magnet containing two types of organic ligands

Cu₃[W(CN)₈]₂(pyrimidine)₂(3-cyanopyridine)₂ · 4H₂O, a cyanide-bridged copper(II) octacyanotungstate(V) with two types of organic ligands (pyrimidine and 3-cyanopyridine), is prepared. In this compound, the coordination geometry of W is an 8-coordinated bicapped trigonal prism where five CN groups of [W(CN)₈] are bridged to five Cu ions, and the remaining three CN groups are free. The coordination geometries of the three types of Cu ions (Cu1, Cu2, and Cu3) are 6-coordinated pseudo-octahedron. The cyano-bridged-Cu2–W–Cu3-layer is linked by a Cu1 pillar unit, and a cavity along the a axis, which is occupied by 3-cyanopyridine molecules and zeolitic water molecules, exists. The present compound shows ferrimagnetism with a Currie temperature of 7 K, a saturation magnetization of 2.9 μ_B, and a coercive field of 7 Oe at 2 K.     

Effects of N-heteroaromatic ligands on highly luminescent mononuclear copper(I)–halide complexes

A series of mononuclear Cu(I)–halide complexes, [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] (X = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine; L = pyridine (py), isoquinoline (iq), 1,6-naphthyridine (nap)), were synthesized. The emission color of [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] varies from blue to red by changing the L ligands and the halide ions, and all the complexes exhibit high emission quantum yields (0.16–0.99) in the crystals. The emission studies revealed that the emissive states of [CuX(PPh₃)₂(L)] differ depending on the L ligand. Complexes [CuX(PPh₃)₂(py)] and [CuX(PPh₃)₂(nap)] mainly emit from the singlet metal-to-ligand charge transfer mixed with the halide-to-ligand charge transfer (¹(M + X)LCT) state at room temperature. In contrast, emissions from [CuX(PPh₃)₂(iq)] at room temperature originate from both ³(M + X)LCT and ³ππ* states. These results indicate that N-heteroaromatic ligands play an important role in the emission properties of mononuclear Cu(I)–halide complexes.     

Adsorptive property of Cu2+–ZnO/cetylpyridinium–montmorillonite complexes for pathogenic bacterium in vitro

Cu²⁺–ZnO/cetylpyridinium–montmorillonite (Cu²⁺–ZnO/CP–MMT) complexes were prepared using montmorillonite (MMT), Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and cetylpyridinium (CP). The goal was to assess comparatively the adsorption properties of Cu²⁺–ZnO/CP–MMT in vitro using pathogenic Escherichia coli. The results showed that Cu²⁺–ZnO/CP–MMT adsorbed significantly (P < 0.05) more E. coli compared with the parent clay. The adsorption process of bacterial cells occurring on the modified MMT surface reached equilibrium after 90 min. The percentages of E. coli adsorbed onto the surfaces of Cu²⁺–ZnO/CP–MMT and MMT in adsorption equilibrium were 84.66% and 47.01%, respectively. Adsorption data from the bacteria-clay systems followed the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, but not the BET isotherm. Adsorption of E. coli in acidic medium was higher than in alkaline medium. The extent of bacteria adsorption onto the modified MMT increased with decreasing ionic strength, and with increasing temperature. The processes of E. coli adsorption onto the tested adsorbents were endothermic and spontaneous at the experimental temperature. The mechanism of adsorption of bacteria on Cu²⁺–ZnO/CP–MMT may involve enhanced hydrophobicity and the reversal of surface charge from negative to positive.     

Synthesis,characterization and crystal structure of triphenylphosphine copper(I) methylpyruvate thiosemicarbazones

This paper reports the synthesis of a series of methylpyruvate thiosemicarbazone derivatives containing, on the terminal nitrogen, substituents of different nature and size and namely, ethyl, phenyl and methylphenyl. These ligands were reacted with bis(triphenylphosphine)copper(I) nitrate and acetate to produce the respective complexes: [Cu(PPh₃)₂(Et-Hmpt)]₂(NO₃)₂ (1), [Cu(PPh₃)₂(Ph-Hmpt)]NO₃ (2), [Cu(PPh₃)₂(MePh-Hmpt)]NO₃ (3), [Cu₂(O₂CCH₃)(Et-pt)(PPh₃)₂] · H₂O (4), [Cu(Ph-mpt)(PPh₃)] (5) and [Cu₂(MePh-mpt)₂(PPh₃)₂] (6). All of them were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, EPR spectroscopy and, for compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6, by X-ray crystallography. The characterization revealed that the coordinating behaviour of the ligands is influenced by a series of factors, predominant among which is the hard soft nature of the atoms involved in the interactions with the metal centre. The complexes obtained from the nitrate copper(I) salt are formed by cationic molecules with a nitrate as a counterion, while those derived from the acetate salt present deprotonated ligands and a few unexpected features. In particular, one of the compounds (4) is a mixed valence dinuclear complex with an acetate oxygen and the thiosemicarbazone sulfur acting as bridging between the two Cu(I) and Cu(II) ions. Another one (6) presents instead a Cu(I)–Cu(I) sulfur bridged binuclear cluster.     

Synthesis and catalytic properties of cationic palladium(II) and rhodium(I) complexes bearing diphosphinidinecyclobutene ligands

Cationic palladium(II) and rhodium(I) complexes bearing 1,2-diaryl-3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-t-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]cyclobutene ligands (DPCB–Y) were prepared and their structures and catalytic activity were examined (aryl = phenyl (DPCB), 4-methoxyphenyl (DPCB–OMe), 4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl (DPCB–CF₃)). The palladium complexes [Pd(MeCN)₂(DPCB–Y)]X₂ (X = OTf, BF₄, BAr₄ (Ar = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)) were prepared by the reactions of DPCB–Y with [Pd(MeCN)₄]X₂, which were generated from Pd(OAc)₂ and HX in MeCN. On the other hand, the rhodium complexes [Rh(MeCN)₂(DPCB–Y)]OTf were prepared by the treatment of [Rh(μ-Cl)(cyclooctene)₂]₂ with DPCB–Y in CH₂Cl₂, followed by treatment with AgOTf in the presence of MeCN. The cationic complexes catalyzed conjugate addition of benzyl carbamate to α,β-unsaturated ketones.