First examples of dipyrido[1,2-c:2′,1′-e]imidazolin-7-ylidenes serving as NHC-ligands: Synthesis,properties and structural features of their chromium and tungsten pentacarbonyl complexes

The first use of dipyridocarbenes as Arduengo–Wanzlick type carbene ligands for transition metal complexes is reported. The complexes M(CO)₅L (L = dipyridoimidazolinylidene, di-tert-butyldipyridoimidazolinylidene, M = Cr, W) were synthesized and their spectroscopic and structural properties compared with the literature known N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) group 6 metal pentacarbonyl complexes. This reveals that the ¹³C NMR carbene signals of theses complexes with dipyrido carbene ligands show the strongest high-field shift ever observed for M(CO)₅(NHC) (M = Cr, W) complexes. The structural characterization shows alternating single and double bonds in the conjugated dipyrido moiety of the ligand.     

Bis(oxalato)chromium(III) complexes: Versatile tectons in designing heterometallic coordination compounds

The mononuclear oxalato-containing chromium(III) complexes of general formula [Cr(AA)(C₂O₄)₂]^? (AA = α-diimine type ligand) are able to produce a large variety of heterometallic complexes by acting as ligands towards either fully solvated metal ions or preformed cationic complexes with available coordination sites. This review focuses on the structural diversity of the polynuclear complexes (oligonuclear and coordination polymers) which are generated by the bis(oxalato)chromate(III) species, with a special emphasis to their magnetic properties.     

Studies on ruthenium(II) Schiff base complexes as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation reactions

The reactions of [RuHCl(CO)(B)(EPh₃)₂] (B = EPh₃ or Py; E = P or As) and Schiff bases in 1:1 molar ratio led to the formation of [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = Schiff base ligand). The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, electronic and ¹H NMR) data. They have been assigned an octahedral structure. The new complexes were found to catalyse the transfer hydrogenation of ketones.     

Synthesis,characterization, and biological and anticancer studies of mixed ligand complexes with Schiff base and 2,2′‐bipyridine

New mixed ligand complexes of transition metals were synthesized from a Schiff base (L¹) obtained by the condensation reaction of oxamide and furfural as primary ligand and 2,2′‐bipyridine (L²) as secondary ligand. The ligands and their metal complexes were studied using various spectroscopic methods. Also thermal analyses were conducted. The mixed ligand complexes were found to have formulae [M(L¹)(L²)]Cl_m ⋅n H₂O (M = Cr(III) and Fe(III): m  = 3, n  = 0; M = Cu(II) and Cd(II): m  = 2, n  = 1; M = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II): m  = 2, n  = 0). The resultant data revealed that the metal complexes have octahedral structure. Also, the mixed ligand complexes are electrolytic. The biological and anticancer activities of the new compounds were tested against breast cancer (MCF‐7) and colon cancer (HCT‐116) cell lines. The results showed high activity for the synthesized compounds.     

Functionalization of white phosphorus in the coordination sphere of transition metal complexes

This review highlights the stoichiometric functionalization of both white phosphorus and naked P_n fragments derived from the metal-mediated demolition of the P₄ tetrahedron. In a first section, the alkylation of P_n ligands is discussed giving specific examples such as: (i) the electrophilic alkylation of η³-P₃ or, μ,η³-P₃ ligands: (ii) the transfer of a methyl group from molybdenum to η⁵-P₅ ligands to yield a norbornadiene-like μ₃,η⁴:η¹:η¹-MeP₇ ligand; (iii) the formation of P-C or P-H bonds mediated by rhodium and iron complexes; (iv) the use of ammonium salts to transfer an alkyl to polyphosphido clusters. Different methods to functionalise white phosphorus or other P_n ligands, including the cyclization of acrolein with diphosphenes and the insertion of CO or carbenes across P-P, P-M bonds, and P-E bonds (E = S, Se), are illustrated in appropriate sections. Finally, the last part of the article, reports on the astounding coupling of alkynes and phosphalkynes with P_n ligands which is a versatile, not yet completely explored, method to form an unprecedented variety of carbon-phosphorus heterocycles.     

Dithiadiazolyls as heterocyclic chelators: a radical approach to coordination chemistry?

The ability of heterocyclic compounds to act as chelating ligands via the cleavage of a heterocyclic E–E (or E–E′) bond with concomitant formation of M–E (and M–E′) bonds is described with particular reference to the 7π heterocyclic dithiadiazolyl radicals, R

. These electron-rich ring systems form a diversity of structural bonding types in which the heterocyclic ring can formally act as a 2e⁻, 3e⁻, 5e⁻ or 6e⁻ donor ligand. These structural bonding modes are described through examples in which the heterocyclic ring interacts with halide anions, N atoms and particularly metal centres, forming monometallic, dimetallic and trimetallic complexes. The structural features which determine which compounds are likely to act as cyclic chelators are discussed and examples of thiadiazole, diselenadiazolyl and dithiole rings acting as cyclic chelators are given.     

Ruthenium(II) chalconate complexes: Synthesis, characterization, catalytic, and biological studies

A series of new hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes of the type [RuCl(CO)(EPh₃)(B)(L)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py; L = 2′-hydroxychalcones) have been prepared by reacting [RuHCl(CO)(EPh₃)₂(B)] (E = P or As; B = PPh₃, AsPh₃ or Py) with 2′-hydroxychalcones in benzene under reflux. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, electronic, ¹H, ³¹P and ¹³C NMR) data. Based on the above data, an octahedral structure has been assigned for all the complexes. The new complexes exhibit catalytic activity for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols into their corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMO) as co-oxidant and also found efficient catalyst in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones. The antifungal properties of the complexes have also been examined and compared with standard Bavistin.     

Syntheses and structures of overcrowded silanedichalcogenols and their applications to the syntheses of silanedichalcogenolato complexes

Overcrowded silanedichalcogenols Tbt(Mes)Si(EH)(E′H), such as silanedithiol (E = E′ = S), hydroxysilanethiol (E = O, E′ = S) and hydroxysilaneselenol (E = O, E′ = Se), bearing an efficient combination of steric protection groups, Tbt and Mes (Tbt = 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl, Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), were synthesized and isolated as air- and moisture-stable crystals, and their structures were fully characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses together with X-ray crystallographic analyses. The results of IR spectroscopy and the X-ray structural analyses suggested that these compounds exist as monomers without any intra- and intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonds even in the solid state and in solution. Novel four-membered-ring compounds, such as Tbt(Mes)Si(μ-S)₂PnBbt and [Tbt(Mes)Si(μ-E)(μ-E′)ML_n] [E, E′ = O, S, Se; Pn = Sb, Bi; Bbt = 2,6-bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]-4-[tris(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl; ML_n = Pd(PPh₃)₂, Pt(PPh₃)₂, Ru(η⁶-benzene)] were synthesized by utilizing the silanedichalcogenols as key building blocks. The molecular structures of these newly isolated compounds were determined by NMR spectroscopic data together with X-ray crystallographic analyses.     

Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes of chalcogenide derivatives of the organometallic ligand dppf and the dppa analogue

New Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes were prepared by reaction of [M(NCCH₃)₄][X] (M = Cu or Ag; X = BF₄ or PF₆) with the bidentate chalcogenide ligands Ph₂P(E)NHP(E)Ph₂ (E = S, S₂dppa; E = Se, Se₂dppa), and dpspf (1,1′-bis(diphenylselenophosphoryl)ferrocene). Copper and silver behaved differently. While three molecules of either S₂dppa and Se₂dppa bind to a distorted tetrahedral Cu₄ cluster, with deprotonation of the ligand, 1:2 complexes of the neutral ligands are formed with Ag(I), with a tetrahedral coordination of the metal. The [Cu₄{Ph₂P(Se)NP(Se)Ph₂}₃]⁺ clusters assemble as dimers, held together by weak Se?Se distances interactions. Another dimer was observed for the [Ag(dpspf)]⁺ cation, with two short Ag?Se distances. DFT and MP2 calculations indicated the presence of attracting interactions, reflected in positive Mayer indices (MI). The electrochemistry study of this species showed that both oxidation and reduction took place at silver.     

Structure–property relationship of dipyridyl−Cu polymers containing inorganic clusters Te/SeFe3(CO)9

This mini-review covers a novel series of 1D and 2D Te/SeFe₃(CO)₉-incorporated (Te, 1a ; Se, 1b ) Cu-based coordination polymers synthesized by the liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) method using predesigned compound [TeFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(MeCN)₂] ( 1a-Cu ₂ (MeCN) ₂ ) with rigid or flexible dipyridyl ligands, or three components of [SeFe₃(CO)₉]²⁻ ( 1b ), [Cu(MeCN)₄]⁺, and dipyridyls. These polymers displayed various cluster coordination modes, including cluster-blocked [EFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(L)]_n (E = Te, 1a-L-1D , Se, 1b-L-1D ; L = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpee), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpea)), cluster-pendant [SeFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(dpy)₃]_n ( 1b-dpy-1D , dpy = 4,4′-dipyridyl) and [EFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(L)_2.5]_n (E = Te, 1a-L-2D , Se, 1b-L-2D ; L = bpee, bpea), cluster-linked [SeFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(MeCN)(dpy)_1.5]_n ( 1b-dpy-2D ) and [SeFe₃(CO)₉Cu₂(bpp)₂]_n ( 1b-bpp-2D , bpp = 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), as well as the unique cation-anion polymer [{Cu₂(bpp)₄}{(TeFe₃(CO)₉Cu)₂(bpp)}]_n ( 1a-bpp-CA ). Their dimensionality expansions and reversible transformations accompanied with bonding pattern changes were achieved upon the addition of stoichiometric amounts of appropriate agents. These polymers exhibited pronounced semiconducting properties with tunable energy gaps and optical (dc) or electrical conductivities. The trend of their semiconductivities can be related to bonding patterns, where efficient electron communications were proved to stem from the existence of carbonyl ligands and electron-rich clusters 1a and 1b . In particular, water−/light-stable 1b -based polymers exhibited excellent photodegradation activities toward nitroaromatics and organic dyes, where the efficiency was further rationalized by their structural features and narrow energy gaps.     

Synthesis, spectral characterization, catalytic and antibacterial studies of new Ru(III) Schiff base complexes containing chloride/bromide and triphenylphosphine/arsine as co-ligands

A new Ru(III) Schiff base complexes of the type [RuX(EPh₃)L] (X = Cl/Br; E = P/As; L = dianion of the Schiff bases were derived by the condensation of 1,4-diformylbenzene with o-aminobenzoic acid/o-aminophenol/o-aminothiophenol in the 1:2 stoichiometric ratio) have been synthesized from the reactions of [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] with appropriate Schiff base ligands in benzene in the 2:1 stoichiometric ratio. The new complexes have been characterized by analytical, spectral (IR, electronic, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and ESR), magnetic moment and electrochemical studies. An octahedral structure has been tentatively proposed for all these new complexes. All the new complexes have been found to be better catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols using molecular oxygen as co-oxidant at ambient temperature and aryl–aryl coupling reactions. These complexes were also subjected to antibacterial activity studies against Escherichia coli, Aeromonas hydrophilla and Salmonella typhi.     

Synthesis,characterization and catalytic properties of heterogeneous iron(III) tetradentate Schiff base complexes for the aerobic epoxidation of styrene

A series of hybrid mesoporous SBA-15 materials containing four iron(III) Schiff base complexes of the type [FeL ^x (NO₃)] (x = 4–7, L = N,N′-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)diethylenetriamine, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)o-phenylenediamine, N,N′-bis(3-nitro-salicylidene)ethylenediamine) was synthesized by a post-grafting route. The XRD, N₂ adsorption/desorption and TEM measurements confirmed the structural integrity of the mesoporous hosts, and the spectroscopic characterization techniques (FT-IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR) confirmed the ligands and the successful anchoring of iron(III) Schiff base complexes over the modified mesoporous support. Quantification of the supported ligand and metal was carried out by TG/DSC and ICP-AES techniques. The catalyst FeL⁷-SBA resulting from N,N′-bis(3-nitro-salicylidene)ethylenediamine) ligand was considerably active for the aerobic epoxidation of styrene, in which the highest conversion of styrene reached 83.6%, and the selectivity to styrene oxide was 83.0%. Moreover, it was also found that the catalytic activity increases with the decrease in the electron-donating ability of the Schiff bases, and the selectivity varies according to the types of substituents in the ligands.     

Potential biochromium sources; kinetic studies on acid- and base-catalyzed aquation of [Cr(ox)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(2-(aminomethyl)pyridine]<Superscript>−</Superscript>

Acid- and base-catalyzed hydrolysis of [Cr(ampy)(ox)₂]⁻, where ampy = 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine, leads to successive dissociation of the ligands via concurrent reaction paths, whereas at pH 1–9 only ampy is liberated as a result of spontaneous processes. The first ligand dissociation proceeds via aqua intermediates with one-end bonded ampy (1) or ox ligands (2), respectively, which in alkaline media undergo rapid deprotonation to give the appropriate hydroxo-forms. The kinetics of two reaction stages, namely the chelate ring opening and the ligand liberation, were studied spectrophotometrically. In acidic media, the first stage is much faster than the second, whereas in alkaline solutions, both the stages are characterized by similar rate constants. The dependences of k _obs on [H⁺] are as follows: k _obs1,H = a ₁ + b ₁/[H⁺], k _obs2,H = a ₂ + b ₂[H⁺]. At pH > 13, rate constants k _obs1,_OH and k _obs2,_OH are [OH⁻] independent. The effect of pH on the complex reactivity was rationalized based on proposed mechanisms.     

Studies on Cu(II) ternary complexes involving an aminopenicillin drug and imidazole containing ligands

Equilibrium studies on the ternary complex systems involving ampicillin (amp) as ligand (A) and imidazole containing ligands viz., imidazole (Him), benzimidazole (Hbim), histamine (Hist) and histidine (His) as ligands (B) at 37 °C and I = 0.15 mol dm^?3 (NaClO₄) show the presence of CuABH, CuAB and CuAB₂. The proton in the CuABH species is attached to ligand A. In the ternary complexes the ligand, amp(A) binds the metal ion via amino nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen atom. The CuAB (B = Hist/His)/CuAB₂ (B = Him/Hbim) species have also been isolated and the analytical data confirmed its formation. Non-electrolytic behavior and monomeric type of chelates have been assessed from their low conductance and magnetic susceptibility values. The electronic and vibrational spectral results were interpreted to find the mode of binding of ligands to metal and geometry of the complexes. This is also supported by the g tensor values calculated from ESR spectra. The thermal behaviour of complexes were studied by TGA/DTA. The redox behavior of the complexes has been studied by cyclic voltammetry. The antimicrobial activity and CT DNA cleavage study of the complexes show higher activity for ternary complexes.     

Driving forces in substitution reactions of octahedral complexes: The influence of the competitive effect

The reaction of cis-[RuCl₂(P–P)(N–N)] type complexes (P–P = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane or (1,1′-diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; N–N = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenantroline) with monodentate ligands (L), such as 4-methylpyridine, 4-phenylpyridine and benzonitrile forms [RuCl(L)(P–P)(N–N)]⁺ species. Upon characterization of the isolated compounds by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H} NMR and X-ray crystallography it was found out that the type of the L ligand determines its position in relation to the phosphorus atom. While pyridine derivatives like 4-methylpyridine and 4-phenylpyridine coordinate trans to the phosphorus atom, the benzonitrile ligand (bzCN), a good π acceptor, coordinates trans to the nitrogen atom. A ³¹P{¹H} NMR experiment following the reaction of the precursor cis-[RuCl₂(dppb)(phen)] with the benzonitrile ligand shows that the final position of the entering ligand in the complex is better defined as a consequence of the competitive effect between the phosphorus atom and the cyano-group from the benzonitrile moiety and not by the trans effect. In this case, the benzonitrile group is stabilized trans to one of the nitrogen atoms of the N–N ligand. A differential pulse voltammetry experiment confirms this statement. In both experiments the [RuCl(bzCN)(dppb)(phen)]PF₆ species with the bzCN ligand positioned trans to a phosphorus atom of the dppb ligand was detected as an intermediate complex.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial activity and molecular docking of di‐ and triorganotin (IV) complexes with thiosemicarbazide derivatives

Six organotin (IV) complexes with two ligands derived from 2,3‐butanedione and thiosemicarbazide have been synthesized and fully characterized by several spectroscopic techniques, including ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Reactions of the ligand diacetyl‐2‐(thiosemicarbazone)‐3‐(3‐hydroxy‐2‐naphthohydrazone), L¹H₂, with SnR₂Cl₂ (R = Me, Bu, Ph) lead to the obtaining of complexes 1 – 3 with general formula [SnR₂L¹] (R = Me 1 , R = Bu 2 , R = Ph 3 ), in which the ligand is doubly deprotonated and behaves as a N₂SO donor, whereas from the reactions of diacetyl‐2‐thiosemicarbazone, HATs, with the same organotin precursors any complex could be isolated. By contrast, reaction of HATs with SnR₃Cl induces the ligand cyclization to form a 1,2,4‐triazine‐3‐thione that binds to the metal as a monoanionic donor in a mono or bidentate manner to form compounds 4 – 6 with formula [SnR₃L²] (R = Me 4 , R = Bu 5 , R = Ph 6 ). The antimicrobial activity of the ligands and the six complexes was tested towards bacteria and fungi, including clinical isolated strains. The results show that the ligands are devoid of activity, except HATs that displays activity against Bacillus subtilis. Conversely, the complexes exhibit good antimicrobial properties against Gram positive and negative bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The best results are obtained for complexes [SnBu₃L²] 5 and [SnPh₃L²] 6 , indicating that their more lipophilic nature could play an important role in the ease of microbial cell penetration. In some cases, these complexes display similar or higher activity than that of ampicillin and miconazole, used as antibacterial and antifungal positive controls, respectively. Docking study with DHPS protein (S. aureus) has shown that out of six drugs, the compound 6 has the best binding affinity (?8.5 Kcal/mol).     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and biological activities of silver(I) and cobalt(II) complexes with an azole derivative ligand

Abstract  Two new complexes, [Ag(L)₂](NO₃) · (H₂O) (1) and [Co(L)₂Cl₂] (2) [L = 1-(imidazol-1-yl-methyl)-benzotriazole], have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. In complex (1), the Ag(I) atom adopts a linear coordination geometry involving the imidazole nitrogens of two ligands. The [Ag(L)₂] units are developed into a three-dimensional structure by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, π–π interactions, and Ag···O interactions. In complex (2), the Co(II) atom is in a distorted tetrahedral environment with two imidazole nitrogens and two chloride ligands. The [Co(L)₂Cl₂] units are assembled into a three-dimensional structure by intermolecular hydrogen bonds and π–π interactions. The bioactivities of both complexes have been studied, and the results indicate that complex (1) exhibits excellent radical-scavenging (RS) and fungicidal (FG) activities while complex (2) only has weak fungicidal activity. Graphical abstracts   Synthesis, crystal structures and biological activities of silver(I) and cobalt(II) complexes with an azole derivative ligand. Chang-Xue An, Xin-Li Han, Peng-Bang Wang, Zhi-Hui Zhang*, Hai-Ke Zhang and Zhi-Jin Fan Two novel complexes, [Ag(L)₂](NO₃) · (H₂O) (1) and [Co(L)₂Cl₂] (2) [L = 1-(imidazol-1-yl-methyl)-benzotriazole] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecules of complexes (1) and (2) are extended to 2-D and 3-D structures by the non-coordinated bonds. The ligand and complex (1) exhibit excellent radical-scavenging and fungicidal activities. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Catalytic oxidation and C–C coupling reactions of new ruthenium(III) Schiff base complexes containing PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript> or AsPh<Subscript>3</Subscript> co-ligands

New mononuclear ruthenium(III) Schiff base complexes of the type [RuX₂(EPh₃)(L)] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As; L = monobasic tridentate Schiff base derived from o-aminophenol or o-aminothiophenol with ethylacetoacetate or ethylbenzoylacetate) have been synthesized. The Schiff base ligands chelate to ruthenium through O, N, and O/S by dissociation of the phenolic proton/thiophenolic proton forming chelate rings. These complexes have been characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammetric data of all the complexes showed Ru(III)/Ru(IV) oxidation and Ru(III)/Ru(II) reduction within the range of 0–1.5 V and 0 to −1.5 V with respect to Ag/AgCl, respectively. The complexes were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols using molecular oxygen at ambient temperature, and also in C–C coupling reactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Dismantlement of ammonia upon interaction with Ben (n ≤ 10) clusters

The interaction of ammonia with Be_n (n < 1–10) clusters has been investigated by density functional theory and ab initio calculations. The main conclusion is that, regardless of the size of the Be cluster, neither the structure of ammonia nor that of the Be clusters are preserved due to a systematic dissociation of its N H bonds and a spontaneous H-shift toward the available Be atoms. This H migration not only leads to rather stable Be H bonds, but dramatically enhances the strength of the Be N bonds as well. Accordingly, the maximum stability is found for the interaction with the beryllium trimer, leading to a complex with three N Be and three Be H bonds. Another maximum in stability, although lower than that reached for n = 3, is found for the Be heptamer, since from n = 6, a new N Be bond is formed, so that complexes from n = 6 to n = 10 are characterized by the formation of a NBe₄ moiety, whose stability reaches a maximum at n = 7. The bonding characteristics of the different species formed are analyzed by means of AIM, NBO, ELF and AdNDP approaches.     

Self-Assembly of Isopolyanion Clusters and Lanthanide-Organic Units into 2D Layers: (NH4)2{[Ln2(C7H4NO4)2(H2O)9][(H2W12O40)]}·nH2O (Ln?=?Gd, Tb, Ho)

Three novel 1:2 composite compounds prepared with the isopolyanions and lanthanide-organic units, (NH₄)₂{[Ln₂(HL)₂(H₂O)₉][(H₂W₁₂O₄₀)]}·nH₂O (Ln = Gd³⁺ (1), Tb³⁺ (2), n = 15; Ho³⁺ (3), n = 10; L = pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate) were synthesized at room temperature and characterized by routine methods. X-ray structural analysis reveals that these structures are isomorphic: two crystallographically independent Ln³⁺ ions (Ln1 and Ln2) locate in different coordination environments; two ligands plays dissimilar coordination mode; the isopolyanion cluster acts as a tridentate ligand and connects three Ln³⁺ ions (Ln1, Ln1′ and Ln2) forming an unusual 2D undee-layer. The room temperature luminescent of 2 has been studied and exhibits a Tb³⁺ characteristic emission in the range of 450–650 nm.