Titanium (IV) complexes based on substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols

Novel substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols, MeN(CHR¹CR²R³OH)(C₆H₄-o-OH) (2-5), were synthesized by the reaction of 2-methylaminophenol with corresponding oxiranes. Titano-spiro-bis(ocanes) [MeN(CHR¹CR²R³O)(C₆H₄-o-O)]₂Ti 6-9 (2, 6, R¹ = H, R² = R³ = Me; 3, 7, R¹ = R² = Ph (treo-), R³ = H; 4, 8, R¹ = Ph, R² = R³ = H; 5, 9, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Ph) based on [ONO]-ligands have been synthesized. The obtained compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis data. The complex [Ti(μ²-O){O-o-C₆H₄}{μ²-CMe₂CH₂}NMe]₆ (10) was obtained by controlled hydrolysis of 6. Molecular structure of 10 was determined by X-ray structure analysis.     

Syntheses and reactivities of azido coordinated CpCo(dithiolene) complexes

Azido coordinated dithiolene complexes [CpCo(N₃){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)], where R¹, R² = H (4a); R¹ = H, R² = SiMe₃ (4b); R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et (4c), were synthesized by the reactions of the corresponding Cl⁻ coordinated precursors [CpCo(Cl){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)] (3a-3c) with sodium azide. The Cl⁻ coordinated complex 3d (R¹, R² = CO₂Me) did not produce any N₃⁻ coordinated complexes but formed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(CR¹R²)] (2d; R¹, R² = CO₂Me). The structure of 4a was determined by X-ray diffraction study. In the molecular structure of 4a, the coordinated N₃⁻ ligand and CHR¹R² group were located at the same side with respect to the dithiolene ring (syn form), although the corresponding Cl⁻ precursor (3a; R¹, R² = H) was anti form. A structural conversion of syn/anti was conceivable during the Cl⁻/N₃⁻ ligand exchange. Thermal (80 °C) and photochemical reactions (Hg lamp) of 4a-4c were performed. Among them, 4c was relatively well reacted compared with the others to form the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct (2c; R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et), followed by a formal HN₃ elimination, and the reaction also produced non-adduct of the cobalt dithiolene complex [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}] (1). The electrochemical 1e⁻ reduction of 4c underwent a formal N₃⁻ ligand elimination, and successive second reduction caused the CHR¹R² group elimination or reformed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct 2c.     

Study of ferrocenyl-substituted Co2(CO)6-bispropargylic alcohol complexes as substrates for the formation of chains and macrocycles

Treatment of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = H, R² = CMe(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)) with LiCCCH₂OLi (prepared in situ from HCCCH₂OH and n-BuLi) affords the ferrocenyl-substituted but-2-yne-1,4-diol compounds of general formula [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (1a); R¹ = H, R = Me (1b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (1c)) in low to high yields, respectively (where Fc = Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)₂). In the case of the reactions of [Fc-1-R¹-1′-R²] (R¹ = H, R² = CH(O); R¹ = R² = CMe(O)), the by-products [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{CR(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}] (R¹ = R = H (2a); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (2c)) along with minor quantities of [Fc-1,1′-{CMe(OH)(CH₂)₃CH₃}₂] (3) are also isolated; a hydrazide derivative of dehydrated 2c, [1-(CMeCHCH₂CH₂CH₃)-1′-(CMeNNH-2,4-(NO₂)₂C₆H₃)] (2c′), has been crystallographically characterised. Interaction of 1 with Co₂(CO)₈ smoothly generates the alkyne-bridged complexes [Fc-1-R¹-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CR(OH)CCCH₂OH}] (R¹ = R = H (4a); R¹ = H, R = Me(4b); R¹ = CMe(O), R = Me (4c)) in good yield. Reaction of 4a with PhSH, in the presence of catalytic quantities of HBF₄ · OEt₂, gives the mono- [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂OH}] (5) and bis-substituted [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(SPh)CCCH₂SPh}] (6) straight chain species, while with HS(CH₂)_nSH (n = 2,3) the eight- and nine-membered dithiomacrocylic complexes [Fc-1-H-1′-{cyclo-Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-CH(S(CH₂)_n-)CCCH₂S-}] [n = 2 (7a), n = 3 (7b)] are afforded. By contrast, during attempted macrocyclic formation using 4b and HSCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂SH dehydration occurs to give [Fc-1-H-1′-{Co₂(CO)₆-μ-η²-C(CH₂)CCCH₂OH}] (8). Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been reported on 2c′, 4b, 4c, 7b and 8.     

Synthesis and structures of new 1,3,6,2-dioxazaborocanes containing substituents in the ocane fragment

New 1,3,6,2-dioxazaborocanes R¹N(CHR³CR⁴R²O)(CHR⁶CHR⁵O)BX (1–11, X = Ph, 4-MeC₆H₄, Me; R¹ = Me, PhCH₂; R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶ = H, Ph) were synthesized by the reactions of aryl- or methylboronic acids with dialkanolamines. The treatment of (Me₂NCH₂CH₂O)₃B (15) with MeN(CH₂CH₂OH)(CH₂CPh₂OH) afforded 2-[2-(dime-thylamino)ethoxy]-1,3,6,2-dioxazaborocane (12). 2-Fluoro-1,3,6,2-dioxazaborocanes R¹N(CHR³CHR²O)(CH₂CH₂O)BF (13: R¹ = PhCH₂, R² = R³ = H; 14: R¹ = Me, R² = R³ = Ph, threo) were synthesized by the reaction of bis(trimethylsilyl) ethers of the corresponding dialkanolamines with BF₃·Et₂O. The new borocanes can be used for the synthesis of the corre-sponding germanium derivatives PhCH₂N(CH₂CH₂O)₂GeX₂ (16, X = OEt; 17, X = Cl), as exemplified by the reaction of compound 6. The structures of erythro-MeN(CH₂CH₂O)(CHPhCHPhO)BPh (3), threo-MeN(CH₂CH₂O)(CHPhCHPhO)BPh (4), erythro-MeN(CH₂CH₂O)(CHPhCHPhO)B(4-MeC₆H₄) (8), and PhCH₂N(CH₂CH₂O)₂BF (13) were established by X-ray diffraction. The coordination polyhedra of the boron atoms in these complexes can be described as distorted tetrahedra. The boron-nitrogen distances (1.705(7)–1.723(3) Å) provide unambiguous evidence for the presence of the B←N transannular interaction in these compounds. The structures of the resulting borocanes containing phenyl substituents at the carbon atoms of the ocane skeleton were studied by NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical density functional theory calculations.     

Rhodium complexes of 1,3-diaryltriazenes: Usual coordination, N-H bond activation and, N-N and C-N bond cleavage

Reaction of 1,3-diaryltriazenes (R-C₆H₄-NN-(NH)-C₆H₄-R, R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl, NO₂ at the para position) with [Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl] in ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords a family of yellow complexes (1-R) containing a PPh₃, two de-protonated triazenes coordinated as bidentate N,N-donors, and an aryl (C₆H₄-R) fragment coordinated in the η¹-fashion. A similar reaction in toluene yields a group of reddish-orange complexes (2-R) containing a PPh₃, two N,N-coordinated triazenes, and a chloride. Structures of the 1-CH₃ and 2-CH₃ complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the 1-R and 2-R complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. The 1-R and 2-R complexes also fluoresce in the visible region under ambient condition while excited at around 400 nm. Cyclic voltammetry on these complexes shows a Rh(III)-Rh(IV) oxidation (within 0.76-1.68 vs. SCE), followed by an oxidation of the coordinated triazene ligand (except the R = NO₂ complexes). An irreversible reduction of the coordinated triazene is also observed for all the complexes below −0.96 V vs. SCE. In the 1-R and 2-R complexes potential of the Rh(III)-Rh(IV) oxidation correlates linearly with the electron-withdrawing nature of the para-substituent (R).     

The variability of hydrogen-bonded supramolecular assemblies in crystalline picrates prepared from ferrocenyl-substituted β-aminoalcohols

Ferrocene-based β-aminoalcohols FcCH₂NHCR₂CH₂OH (R = H, 1a; R = Me, 1b) and (S)-FcCH₂NHCH(CHMe₂)CH₂OH (1c; Fc = ferrocenyl) react with 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (Hpic) under proton transfer to afford the corresponding ammonium picrates 2a-c. In the crystal, these picrates associate predominantly via N-H?O and O-H?O bifurcated hydrogen bonds between the NH₂⁺ and OH groups in the aminoalcohol chain as the donors and the phenoxide and NO₂ oxygen atoms of the picrate anion as the acceptors. Compounds 2a and 2b form closed dimeric assemblies [1nH]₂[pic]₂ (n = a, b) around the crystallographic inversion centres. By contrast, their chiral analogue 2c gives rise to monomeric units [1cH][pic] (albeit through similar interactions), that further aggregate into infinite linear chains via N-H?O hydrogen bonds. The formed assemblies are interconnected by the soft C-H?O hydrogen bonds and via π?π stacking interactions of the picrate ions.     

Influence of the transannular interaction in spiro-heterocycles containing Ge(IV) and Sn(IV). A comparative study

[D(CH₂CH₂S)₂]M(XCH₂CH₂Y) 1-8 (M = Ge, Sn; D = O, S; X = Y = S, O and X = S, Y = O) spirocycles were synthesized to analyze the influence of the metal center replacement and the donor atom hardness on the strength of the transannular bond and the hypercoordination phenomena. The compounds were characterized by IR, Raman and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy, E.I. mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. The molecular and crystal structures of compounds 3, 4, 6-8 and Ge(SCH₂CH₂S)₂ (9) were obtained by X-ray diffraction analyses. They all exhibit five-coordinate central atoms due to transannular metal coordination (M?D) except 4, which displays a dimeric structure formed by the fusion of two five-membered rings resulting in a cyclic-distannoxane unit, {[O(CH₂CH₂S)₂]Sn(SCH₂CH₂O)}₂. The relationship between the nature of the metal center and the differences found between the two germanium and tin series are discussed.     

Synthesis, spectral and structural characterisation of ditelluroxanes: μ-oxo-bis[nitrato-; 2,4,6-trinitrophenolato-dialkyl tellurium (IV)]

The synthesis of ditelluroxanes: μ-oxo-bis[nitrato dimethyl tellurium (IV)] [(CH₃)₂TeNO₃]₂O (1), μ-oxo-bis[(2,4,6-trinitro)phenolato dimethyl tellurium (IV)] [(CH₃)₂TeOC₆H₂(NO₂)₃]₂O (2) and μ-oxo-bis[1-(2,4,6-trinitro)phenolato-1,1,2,3,4,5-hexahydrotellurophene] [C₄H₈TeOC₆H₂(NO₂)₃]₂O (3) was achieved. 1 was synthesised by the reaction of (CH₃)₂TeI₂ with fuming HNO₃ while 2 and 3 were synthesised by the reactions of R₂Te(OH)₂ [R₂ = (CH₃)₂, (C₄H₈)] (in situ) with 2,4,6-trinitrophenol [ 2,4,6-(NO₂)₃C₆H₂OH] (picric acid). 1-3 have been investigated through UV/Vis; FT-IR, (¹H, ¹³C) NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In 1-3 the immediate coordination geometry about the central tellurium atom can be described as pseudo trigonal bipyramidal and the stereochemically active electron lone pair occupying equatorial position. The supramolecular self-organisations of these tetraorgano ditelluroxanes (1-3) are explained through cooperative participation of Te?O secondary bonds, C-H?O hydrogen bonds and π-stacking of the organic substituents.     

Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of triorganotin(IV) derivatives with 2-mercapto-4-quinazolinone

The triorganotin(IV) derivatives of 2-mercapto-4-quinazolinone (HSqualone) of the type, R₃SnL (R = Ph 1, CH₃2, PhCH₂3, p-F-PhCH₂4, o-F-PhCH₂5, n-Bu 6), were obtained by the reaction of the R₃SnCl and HSqualone with 1:1 molar ratio in benzene. All complexes 1-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and the crystal structures of complexes 1-3 were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure analyses reveal that the tin atoms of complexes 1-3 are all distorted tetrahedral geometries. Furthermore, the dimeric structures in complexes 1-3 have also been found linked by intermolecular O-H?N or N-H?O hydrogen bonding interaction. Interestingly, the dimers of complexes 2 and 3 are further linked into one-dimensional chain through intermolecular C-H?S and C-H?O weak hydrogen bonding interactions, respectively.     

Stereochemistry of the insertion of disubstituted alkynes into the metal aminocarbyne bond in diiron complexes

Terminal alkynes (HCCR^′) (R^′=COOMe, CH₂OH) insert into the metal-carbyne bond of the diiron complexes [Fe₂{μ-CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(NCMe)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 1a; CH₂Ph, 1b; Me, 1c; Xyl=2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), affording the corresponding μ-vinyliminium complexes [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)CHCN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, R^′=COOMe, 2; R=CH₂Ph, R^′=COOMe, 3; R=Me, R^′=COOMe, 4; R=Xyl, R^′=CH₂OH, 5; R=Me, R^′=CH₂OH, 6). The insertion is regiospecific and C-C bond formation selectively occurs between the carbyne carbon and the CH moiety of the alkyne. Disubstituted alkynes (R^′CCR^′) also insert into the metal-carbyne bond leading to the formation of [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(R^′)C(R^′)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R^′=Me, R=Xyl, 8; R^′=Et, R=Xyl, 9; R^′=COOMe, R=Xyl, 10; R^′=COOMe, R=CH₂Ph, 11; R^′=COOMe, R=Me, 12). Complexes 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11, in which the iminium nitrogen is unsymmetrically substituted, give rise to E and/or Z isomers. When iminium substituents are Me and Xyl, the NMR and structural investigations (X-ray structure analysis of 2 and 8) indicate that complexes obtained from terminal alkynes preferentially adopt the E configuration, whereas those derived from internal alkynes are exclusively Z. In complexes 8 and 9, trans and cis isomers have been observed, by NMR spectroscopy, and the structures of trans-8 and cis-8 have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Trans to cis isomerization occurs upon heating in THF at reflux temperature. In contrast to the case of HCCR^′, the insertion of 2-hexyne is not regiospecific: both [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)C(Me)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 13; R=Me, 15) and [Fe₂{μ-σ:η³-C(Me)C(CH₂CH₂CH₃)CN(Me)(R)}(μ-CO)(CO)(Cp)₂][SO₃CF₃] (R=Xyl, 14, R=Me, 16) are obtained and these compounds are present in solution as a mixture of cis and trans isomers, with predominance of the former.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of boratranes with methyl substituents on the atrane cage

Three monomeric boratranes B[(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n] (n = 0, 1; n = 1, 2; n = 2, 3) have been synthesized by the reaction of B(OMe)₃ with a series of triethanolateamines such as [(OCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂O)_3−n]³⁻ (n = 0, L1; n = 1, L2; n = 2, L3), where the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to the OH functionality varied from 3 (L1H₃) to 2 (L2H₃) to 1 (L3H₃). These boratranes 1-3 have been characterized by solution ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and ¹¹B NMR, and the crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and coordination modes of tri- and di-organotin derivatives with 2-mercapto-4-methylpyrimidine

The organotin (IV) derivatives of 2-mercapto-4-methylpyrimidine (Hmpymt) R₃SnL (R = Ph 1, PhCH₂2, n-Bu 3), R₂SnCl_mL_n (m = 1, n = 1, R = CH₃4, Ph 5, n-Bu 6, PhCH₂7; m = 0, n = 2, R = CH₃8, n-Bu 9, Ph 10, PhCH₂11) were obtained by the reaction of the organotin(IV) chlorides R₃SnCl or R₂SnCl₂ with 2-mercapto-4-methylpyrimidine hydrochloride (HCl · Hmpymt) in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio. All complexes 1-11 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and temperature-dependent ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra. Except for complexes 3 and 6, the structures of complexes 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8-11 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Including tin-nitrogen intramolecular interaction, the tin atoms of complexes 1-7 are all five-coordinated and their geometries are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. While the tin atoms of complexes 8-11 are six-coordinated and their geometries are distorted octahedral. Besides, the ligand adopts the different coordination modes to bond to tin atom between the complexes 1, 6, 7 and 2, 3, 4, 5, 8-11. Furthermore, intermolecular Sn?N or Sn?S interactions were recognized in crystal structures of complexes 4, 7 and 11, respectively.     

Reductive opening of 2,7-dihydrodinaphthoxepine and thiepine: easy regioselective preparation of 2,2′-difunctionalised binaphthyls

The lithiation of 2,7-dihydrodinaphthoheteroepines (5) with 2.2 equiv of lithium naphthalenide in THF at −78 °C gives dianionic intermediates 8, which by reaction with different electrophiles [H₂O, D₂O, ^tBuCHO, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO] at the same temperature, followed by hydrolysis, leads to unsymmetrically 2,2′-disubstituted binaphthyls 6. When the lithiation is performed with an excess of lithium in the presence of a catalytic amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB, 10 mol %), a double reductive cleavage takes place to give dianionic intermediate 9, which by reaction with different electrophiles [H₂O, Me₂CO, Et₂CO, (CH₂)₄CO, (CH₂)₅CO], followed by hydrolysis with water, yields symmetrically 2,2′-disubstituted binaphthyls 7. In the case of starting from (R)-5a, the reductive opening by treatment with 2.2 equiv of lithium naphthalenide followed by reaction with H₂O or (CH₂)₅CO as electrophiles and final hydrolysis, leads to enantiomerically pure compounds (R)-6aa and (R)-6af, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum complexes of 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands

The synthesis and the characterization of some new aluminum complexes with bidentate 2-pyrazol-1-yl-ethenolate ligands are described. 2-(3,5-Disubstituted pyrazol-1-yl)-1-phenylethanones, 1-PhC(O)CH₂-3,5-R₂C₃HN₂ (1a, R = Me; 1b, R = Bu^t), were prepared by solventless reaction of 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole or 3,5-di-tert-butyl pyrazole with PhC(O)CH₂Br. Reaction of 1a or 1b with (R¹ = Me, Et) yielded N,O-chelate alkylaluminum complexes (2a, R = R¹ = Me; 2b, R = Bu^t, R¹ = Me; 2c, R = Me, R¹ = Et). Compound 1a was readily lithiated with LiBuⁿ in thf or toluene to give lithiated species 3. Treatment of 3 with 0.5 equiv of MeAlCl₂ or AlCl₃ yielded five-coordinated aluminum complexes [XAl(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₂] (4, X = Me; 5, X = Cl). Reaction of 5 with an equiv of LiHBEt₃ generated [Al(OC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1})₃] (6). Complex 6 was also obtained by reaction of 3 with 1/3 equiv of AlCl₃. Treatment of 5 with 2 equiv of AlMe₃ yielded complex 2a, whereas with an equiv of AlMe₃ afforded a mixture of 2a and [Me(Cl)AlOC(Ph)CH{(3,5-Me₂C₃HN₂)-1}] (7). Compounds 1a, 1b, 2a-2c and 4-6 were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR and IR (for 1a and 1b) spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 2a and 5 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Both 2a and 5 are monomeric in the solid state. The coordination geometries of the aluminum atoms are a distorted tetrahedron for 2a or a distorted trigonal bipyramid for 5.     

Intramolecularly coordinated organoantimony(III) carboxylates

The reactions of organoantimony chlorides L^1,2SbCl₂1 and 2 ([2,6-(ROCH₂)₂C₆H₃]⁻, R = Me; L¹ and R = t-Bu; L²) with silver salts of selected carboxylic acids resulted to corresponding organoantimony carboxylates L^1,2Sb(OOCR′)₂, 1a-c (for L¹) and 2a-c (for L²), where R′ = CH₃ for 1a, 2a; R′ = CHCH₂ for 1b, 2b and R′ = CF₃ for 1c, 2c. All compounds were characterized by the help of elemental analysis, ESI-MS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The solid state structure investigation using single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques (2a, c) and IR spectroscopy revealed significant differences in coordination mode of both O,C,O chelating ligand and carboxylic groups in this set of compounds. The structure of all compounds in solution of non-coordinating solvent (CDCl₃) was determined by means of variable temperature ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy and IR spectroscopy.     

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

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

Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes with hydroxyindanimine ligands

A series of new hydroxyindanimine ligands [ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (HL¹), R = Cl (HL²), and R = Me (HL³)) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of hydroxyindanimine with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O results in the formation of the mononuclear bis(hydroxyindaniminato)copper(II) complexes Cu[ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (1), R = Cl (2), and R = Me (3)). The complex 2′ was obtained from the chlorobenzene solution of the complex 2, which has the same molecule formula with the complex 2 but it is a polymorph. All copper(II) complexes were characterized by their IR and elemental analyses. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 1, 2, and 2′. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1-3 can be used as catalysts for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene with moderate catalytic activities. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene have been investigated for various reaction conditions.     

Synthesis of mono and doubly alkynyl substituted ferrocene and its crystal engineering using -C-H···O supramolecular synthon

Mono and doubly alkynyl substituted ferrocene complexes, [Fc(CH₂OCH₂CCH)_n], 2-3 (2: n = 1; 3: n = 2; Fc = ferrocene) have been synthesized from the room temperature reaction of mono and 1,1′-dihydroxymethyl ferrocene, Fc(CH₂OH)_n , 1a-b (1a: n = 1; 1b: n = 2) and propargyl bromide, in modest to good yields. These new ferrocene derivatives have been characterized by mass, IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and molecular structures of compound 2 and 3 were unequivocally established by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The crystal structure analysis revealed that 2 and 3 consist of infinite 1D zig-zag hydrogen bonded chains and 2D microporous hydrogen bonded network of molecules, linked by intermolecular C-H···O hydrogen bonding. The molecular structures of both 2 and 3 are further stabilized by C-H···π interactions.     

Palladium(II)-allyl complexes containing chiral N-donor ferrocenyl ligands

A study of the reactivity of enantiopure ferrocenylimine (S_C)-[FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)] {Fc =  (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-} (1a) with palladium(II)-allyl complexes [Pd(η³-1R¹,3R²-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ {R¹ = H and R² = H (2), Ph (3) or R¹ = R² = Ph (4)} is reported. Treatment of 1a with 2 or 3 {in a molar ratio Pd(II):1a = 1} in CH₂Cl₂ at 298 K produced [Pd(η³-3R²-C₃H₄){FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)}Cl] {R² = H (5a) or Ph (6a)}. When the reaction was carried out under identical experimental conditions using complex 4 as starting material no evidence for the formation of [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)}Cl] (7a) was found. Additional studies on the reactivity of (S_C)-[FcCHN-CH(R³)(CH₂OH)] {R³ = Me (1b) or CHMe₂ (1c)} with complex 4 showed the importance of the bulk of the substituents on the palladium(II) allyl-complex (2-4) or on the ferrocenylimines (1) in this type of reaction. The crystal structure of 5a showed that: (a) the ferrocenylimine adopts an anti-(E) conformation and behaves as an N-donor ligand, (b) the chloride is in acis-arrangement to the nitrogen and (c) the allyl group binds to the palladium(II) in a η³-fashion. Solution NMR studies of 5a and 6a and [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){FcCHN-CH(Me)(CH₂OH)}Cl] (7b) revealed the coexistence of several isomers in solution. The stoichiometric reaction between 6a and sodium diethyl 2-methylmalonate reveals that the formation of the achiral linear trans-(E) isomer of Ph-CHCH-CH₂Nu (8) was preferred over the branched derivative (9). A comparative study of the potential utility of ligand 1a, complex 5a and the amine (S_C)-H₂N-CH(Me)(Ph) (11) as catalysts in the allylic alkylation of (E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl (cinnamyl) acetate with the nucleophile diethyl 2-methylmalonate (Nu⁻) is reported.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of ruthenium(II) complexes bearing phosphine-pyrazolyl based tripod ligands

Phosphine-pyrazolyl based tripod ligands ROCH₂C(CH₂Pz)₂(CH₂PPh₂) (R = H, Me, allyl; Pz = pyrazol-1-yl) were efficiently synthesized and characterized. Reactions of these ligands with [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂]₂ afforded complexes of the type [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂](L) (6-8) in which the ligands exhibit κ¹-P-coordination to the metal center. Complex [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂{Ph₂PCH₂C(CH₂OH)(CH₂Pz)₂}] (6) underwent chloride-dissociation in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN to give complex [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene){κ²(P,N)-Ph₂PCH₂C(CH₂OH)(CH₂Pz)₂}][Cl] (9). Complexes 6-9 demonstrated poor to moderate catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone. All these complexes were fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and their molecular structures were determined by X-ray crystallographic study.