Chiral pyridinyloxazolidine ligands and copper chloride complexes

Two chiral bidentate C1-symmetric 1,3-oxazolidine ligands (1 and 2) and coordination complexes with copper(II) chloride (Cu₂Cl₄(C₁₅H₁₄N₂O)₂ (3) and [Cu₂Cl₄(C₁₆H₁₆N₂O)₂]·CH₃OH (4)) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallographic techniques. The ligands maintain the same stereochemistry within all structures, resulting in an anti-relationship between the 2,4-substituents. Structures 3 and 4 dimerized through bridging chlorides and 3 has an extended hydrogen bonding network resulting in an infinite 1D chain.     

Acid-functionalized dissymmetric salen ligands and their manganese(III) complexes

Acid-functionalized symmetric and dissymmetric salen-type ligands were synthesized via a novel self-protection step in a quantitative yield. This synthetic method allows one to quickly prepare salen-based dissymmetric chiral compounds with tailorable coordinating properties. Therefore, this approach provides a blueprint for synthesizing and evaluating a new class of acid-functionalized salen ligands that can be used as chiral building blocks for a wide range of catalysts and coordination polymers with chemically tailorable properties.     

Trans titanium(IV) complexes of salen ligands exhibit high antitumor activity

Salen-titanium(IV) complexes are introduced as a new family of highly efficient antitumor complexes, being the first cytotoxic titanium(IV) complexes of trans labile ligands, as characterized crystallographically. Four complexes with different aromatic substitutions were analyzed, reveling a meaningful effect of the ligand structure on the complex performance. All complexes exhibit high hydrolytic stability, where the labile OAr ligands hydrolyze in a 10% D(2)O solution with t(1/2) ranging from 2 to 11 h. The IC(50) values obtained for three of the salen complexes studied on HT-29 colon and OVCAR-1 ovarian cells demonstrate activity that exceeds those of the known tianium(IV) complexes Cp(2)TiCl(2) and (bzac)(2)Ti(OiPr)(2) and that of cisplatin, where the most active para-chlorinated complex exhibits activity enhancement relative to cisplatin by 10-fold.     

Unique asymmetric catalysis of cis-beta metal complexes of salen and its related Schiff-base ligands

Complexes of chiral salen and its related tetradentate Schiff-base ligands adopt three different configurations, trans, cis-alpha and cis-beta. Of these complexes, trans-complexes have been widely used as catalysts for various asymmetric reactions. However, recent studies have disclosed that cis-beta metallosalen and its related complexes show unique asymmetric catalyses that cannot be achieved by trans-metallosalen complexes. The present article summarizes generation of cis-beta metallosalen and its related complexes, their structural features, and their application to asymmetric syntheses.     

Electrochemical studies of bi- and polymetallic complexes featuring acetylide based bridging ligands

Acetylide-based bridging ligands have been widely used in the preparation of complexes that display a degree of electronic interaction between metal-based redox groups located at the ligand termini. The electrochemical response of these systems has been selectively reviewed, with a focus on the variation in properties that accompany changes in the structure of the bridging ligand and the nature of the metal groups.

Structural variations in Ni(II) complexes of salen type di-Schiff base ligands

Three di-Schiff-base ligands, N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂Salpn), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-pentanediamine (H₂Salpen) and N,N′-bis(salicylidine)-ethylenediamine (H₂Salen) react with Ni(SCN)₂ · 4H₂O in 2:3 molar ratios to form the complexes; mononuclear [Ni(HSalpn)(NCS)(H₂O)] · H₂O (1a), trinuclear [{Ni(Salpen)}₂Ni(NCS)₂] (2b) and trinuclear [{Ni(Salen)}₂Ni(NCS)₂] (3) respectively. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV–VIS spectra, and room temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. The structures of 1a and 2b have been confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis. In complex 1a, the Ni(II) atom is coordinated equatorially by the tetradentate, mononegative Schiff-base, HSalpn. Axial coordination of isothiocyanate group and a water molecule completes its octahedral geometry. The hydrogen atom attached to one of the oxygen atoms of the Schiff base is involved in a very strong hydrogen bond with a neighboring unit to form a centrosymmetric dimer. In 2b, two square planar [Ni(Salpen)] units act as bidentate oxygen donor ligands to a central Ni(II) which is also coordinated by two mutually cis N-bonded thiocyanate ligands to complete its distorted octahedral geometry. Complex 3 possesses a similar structure to that of 2b. A dehydrated form of 1a and a hydrated form of 2b have been obtained and characterized. The importance of electronic and steric factors in the variation of the structures is discussed.     

Access to multinuclear salen complexes using olefin metathesis

The use of olefin metathesis as a construction tool for multimetallic salen-based structures is described. The approach involves mono- and diallyl-functionalized metallosalen complexes that can be directly coupled by metathesis leading to dimetallic species or mixtures of linear and cyclic oligomers. The metathesis of bis-allyl Ni(salen) complexes has been studied in detail. At high concentration it is possible to selectively obtain di-Ni species rather than heavier oligomers while under dilute conditions cyclic rather than linear oligomers are preferentially obtained. A mono-allyl Zn(salphen) complex was efficiently coupled using metathesis to give the di-Zn(salphen) product, which was subsequently transmetalated with a variety of metals to yield dimetallic salens of potential catalytic interest. Finally, a tetranuclear Zn(4) macrocycle was also prepared using buildings blocks obtained by metathesis from commercially available precursors. The methods described herein allow for the facile construction of multi-centered Schiff base complexes of catalytic or supramolecular interest.     

Asymmetric catalysis of metal complexes with non-planar ONNO ligands: salen, salalen and salan

Chiral metal (M)-salen complexes are one of the most versatile asymmetric catalysts and the catalysis of trans-M(salen) complexes has been well cultivated. On the other hand, non-planar cis-beta M(salen) complexes were recently found to show unique asymmetric catalysis that cannot be attained by trans-M(salen) complexes. Moreover, related non-planar M(salalen) and M(salan) complexes were also found to exert unprecedented asymmetric catalysis. This Feature Article summarizes the seminal studies on asymmetric catalysis of non-planar M(ONNO) complexes, full utilization of which will provide marked improvement in asymmetric synthesis.     

Aluminum phosphinate and phosphates of salen ligands

A new dealkylation reaction between organophosphate esters and Salen aluminum bromide compounds has been used to prepare three new aluminum salen compounds salen((t)Bu)AlOP(O)Ph2 (1) (salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)), [(MeOH)Alsalen((t)Bu)[OMePO2(O)]Alsalen((t)Bu)[OMePO2(O)]Alsalen((t)Bu)]Br (2), and [salpen((t)Bu)AlO]2[(BuO)2PO]2 (3) (salpen = N,N'-propylenebis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneimine)). Compounds 1.MeOH, 2, and 3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is the first example of a monomeric aluminum Schiff base phosphinate. Compound 2 is a cationic Salen aluminum phosphate, and compound 3 contains an aluminophosphate ring. This work is the first example of the intentional use of an aluminum-based dealkylation reaction to form new compounds.     

Cytotoxicity and hydrolysis of trans-Ti(IV) complexes of salen ligands: structure-activity relationship studies

Eleven bis(dimethylphenolato) Ti(IV) complexes of salen ligands with different steric and electronic properties due to different aromatic substituents at the ortho and para positions are reported, and their cytotoxicity toward HT-29 and OVCAR-1 cells and its dependence on hydrolytic behavior are discussed. Eight complexes of this series were analyzed by X-ray crystallography, confirming the trans geometry of the labile ligands with otherwise relatively similar coordination features to those of cis-salan analogues. Relatively high and similar hydrolytic stability is observed for all complexes, with t(1/2) values for labile ligand hydrolysis of 2-11 h in 10% D(2)O solutions. In contrast, varying cytotoxicities were achieved, identifying selected members as the first trans-Ti(IV) complexes reported as anticancer agents. Steric bulk all around the complex diminished the activity, where a complex with no aromatic substitutions is especially active and complexes substituted particularly at the ortho positions are mostly inactive, including ortho-halogenated and ortho-tert-butylated, with one exception of the ortho-methoxylated complex demonstrating appreciable activity. In contrast, para-halogenation provided the complexes of highest cytotoxic activity in this series (IC(50) as low as 1.0 ± 0.3 μM), with activity exceeding that of cisplatin by up to 15-fold. Reaction of a representative complex with ortho-catechol yielded a "cis"-Ti(IV) complex following rearrangement of the salen ligand on the metal center, with highly similar coordination features and geometry to those of the catecholato salan analogues, suggesting that the complexes operate by similar mechanisms and rearrangement of the salen ligand may occur upon introduction of a suitable chelating target. In additional cytotoxicity measurements, a salen complex was preincubated in the biological medium for varying periods prior to cell addition, revealing that marked cytotoxicity of the salen complex is retained for longer preincubation periods relative to known Ti(IV) complexes, suggesting that the hydrolysis products may also induce cytotoxic effects, thus reducing stability concerns.     

Chiral manganese complexes with pinene appended tetradentate ligands as stereoselective epoxidation catalysts

A novel family of chiral manganese complexes Lambda-1(CF(3)SO(3)) and Delta-2(CF(3)SO(3)), have been stereoselectively prepared, characterized and studied as epoxidation catalysts. The complexes are structurally related to [Mn(II)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)(alpha-MCP)] (MCP=N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)cyclohexane-trans-1,2-diamine), recently reported as a very efficient epoxidation catalyst in combination with peracetic acid. Pinene rings have been fused to the 4 and 5 positions of the two pyridine groups of the ligand, giving rise to complexes where the two labile binding sites of the manganese ion are confined in a better-defined chiral pocket than in the parent [Mn(II)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)(alpha-MCP)]. Chirality in these complexes arises from the stereochemistry of the trans-diaminocyclohexane ring, from the pinene ring and also from the topological chirality adopted by the ligand upon binding to the manganese ion. While previous studies have demonstrated that small modifications in the structure of the MCP ligand result in a dramatic loss of efficiency, Lambda-1(CF(3)SO(3)) and Delta-2(CF(3)SO(3)) exhibit comparable catalytic activity to [Mn(II)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)(alpha-MCP)]. In addition, the complexes exhibit a remarkable stereoselectivity (up to 46% ee) in the epoxidation of selected substrates. The results reported in this work point towards modification of the 4 and 5 positions of the pyridine groups as a new strategy towards the design of stereoselective versions of this family of highly active and environmentally benign epoxidation catalysts.     

Expedient, high-yielding synthesis of silyl-substituted salen ligands

Described is an efficient synthesis of silyl-substituted salen ligands, used for the preparation of enantioselective catalysts. The salicylaldehyde precursors are synthesized from the silyl ethers of 2,6-dibromophenols via a one-pot double lithium halogen exchanges, to induce an intramolecular retro-Brook rearrangement and allow introduction of the aldehyde group. Condensation of the salicylaldehyde products with a chiral diamine affords the silyl-substituted salen ligands in high yields. The use of other electrophiles allows easy access to silyl-substituted phenolic esters, ketones, and boronic acids.     

Chiral poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and complexes: III. Chiral poly(pyrazolyl)borate isonitrile complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

The syntheses of enantiomeric and diastereoisomeric Bpz₄M★(CO)(NO)(CNR) complexes (M = Mo, W; R = CH₂CH₃, CH₂Ph, C★H(CH₃)(C₆H₅)) are reported. When R = CH₂CH₃ or CH₂C₆H₅ the presence of the diastereotopic methylene hydrogens does not allow the detection of the neighbouring chiral center, because they are magnetically equivalent. The diastereoisomeric complexes show different ¹H NMR signals, but cannot be resolved by liquid chromatography or by crystallization.     

Chemical synthesis of biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates catalyzed by novel versatile aluminum metal complexes bearing salen ligands

Two novel aluminum metal complexes ( 2 and 3 ) bearing salen ligands were in situ prepared from trimethyl aluminum (AlMe₃), methanol, and (R,R)‐N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane with original synthetic strategies, and a preliminarily resoluted (R,R)‐1,2‐diaminocyclohexane was applied as a synthetic precursor. By means of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, NMR spectrometry, mass spectrometry, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry, 2 and 3 were revealed to be distinct molecular structures with corresponding yields of 85 and 10%, respectively. Further studies via ²⁷Al NMR techniques and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicated that dimeric metal complex 3 appeared in the six‐coordinated state, whereas there was a dynamic equilibrium transition between the five‐ and six‐coordinated states for metal complex 2 in a CDCl₃ solution. The more stable dimeric metal complex ( 3 ) exhibited two inequivalent aluminum metal centers coordinated to nitrogen atoms attributed to two different salen ligands, and this was different from the reported salen aluminum complex structures. Furthermore, 2 and 3 were employed as candidate catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of some important biodegradable aliphatic polyesters and polycarbonates, including poly(?‐caprolactone) (PCL), poly(δ‐valerolactone), poly(trimethylene carbonate), and poly(2,2‐dimethyl trimethylene carbonate). The synthetic results indicated that both metal complexes efficiently catalyzed ROP at 100 °C in an anisole solution, and 3 showed much better controlled characteristics of ROP than 2 . Very narrow molecular weight distributions close to 1.21 for PCL were detected with 3 as the ROP catalyst. In addition, a catalytic mechanism study confirmed that ROP catalyzed by these metal complexes was in good agreement with the commonly accepted coordination polymerization reported for aluminum triiso [Al(OⁱPr)₃] and stannous octanoate [Sn(Oct)₂]. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 373–384, 2005     

Structure and conformational motion of seven-coordinate diorganotin(IV) complexes derived from salen and salan type ligands

Reaction of R₂SnCl₂ (R = Me, nBu, Ph) and the potassium salts of salenN₃H₃ (N,N′-bis(salicylidene)diethylenetriamine) and saleanN₃H₅ (N,N′-bis(o-hydroxybenzyl)diethylenetriamine) provided diorganotin(IV) complexes of the composition [Me₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·solvate (solvate = 2.5H₂O, MeOH or DMSO), [nBu₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·H₂O, [Ph₂Sn(salenN₃H)]·2EtOH and [Me₂Sn(saleanN₃H₃)]·2.5H₂O. In all compounds the tin atoms are seven-coordinate and have pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination environments, in which the organic substituents attached to the tin atoms occupy the axial positions. This occurs both in solution and the solid state; however, in solution the molecules are involved in conformational equilibria that require the presence of intermediates, in which the N → Sn bonds are dissociated. Although the [saleanN₃H₃]²⁻ ligand is more flexible and basic, a very similar complexing behavior to that of [salenN₃H]²⁻ has been found, and there is evidence that it is even a weaker ligand. Both ligands show the tendency to adopt a curved conformation within the complex, thus indicating that the dynamic process resembles the flapping of butterfly wings. However, the folding is reduced with increasing steric bulk of the organic substitutents attached to the tin atoms. The six-membered heterocyclic rings in the [R₂Sn(salenN₃H)] derivatives have envelope conformation, while those in [Me₂Sn(saleanN₃H₃)] have distorted boat-conformation. Thus, small changes in the hybridization and basicity of the nitrogen atoms cause significant differences of the stability and the dynamic behavior of the resulting molecules.     

Chiral Mn(III) salen catalyzed oxidation of hydrocarbons

Four chiral manganese(III)-salen complexes (1–4) were employed as catalysts in the oxidation of hydrocarbons at room temperature using pentafluoroiodosylbenzene as terminal oxidant. The reactions were carried out in acetonitrile and dichloromethane. Norbornene has been selectively oxidized to exo-epoxynorborane in 85% yield. At room temperature, oxygenation of cyclohexane up to 14% in acetonitrile medium has also been achieved.     

Asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis using heterobimetallic catalysts obtained from titanium and vanadium complexes of chiral and achiral salen ligands

Titanium(IV)(salen) and vanadium(V)(salen) complexes are both known to form catalysts for asymmetric cyanohydrin synthesis. When a mixture of titanium and vanadium complexes derived from the same or different salen ligands is used for the asymmetric addition of trimethylsilyl cyanide to benzaldehyde, the absolute configuration of the product and level of asymmetric induction can only be explained by in situ formation of a catalytically active heterobimetallic complex, and is not consistent with two monometallic species acting cooperatively. Combined use of complexes containing chiral and achiral salen ligands demonstrates that during the asymmetry inducing step of the mechanism, the aldehyde is coordinated to the vanadium rather than the titanium ion. The titanium complexes also catalyse the asymmetric addition of ethyl cyanoformate to aldehydes, a reaction in which vanadium(V)(salen) complexes are not active. For this reaction, use of a mixture of titanium and vanadium(salen) complexes results in a complete loss of catalytic activity, a result which again can only be explained by in situ formation of a heterometallic complex. Both the titanium and vanadium based catalysts also induce the asymmetric addition of potassium cyanide/acetic anhydride to aldehydes. For this reaction, combined use of chiral and achiral complexes indicates that during the asymmetry inducing step of the mechanism, the aldehyde is coordinated to titanium rather than vanadium, a result which contrasts with the observed results when trimethylsilyl cyanide is used as the cyanide source.     

Diorgano-gallium and -indium complexes with salen ligands: Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and C-C coupling reactions

The reactions of triorgano-gallium and -indium etherate with salen ligands in benzene afforded complexes of the type [R₂MOC₆H₄CR′NCH₂-]₂, (R/M/R′ = Me/Ga/H (1), Et/Ga/H (2), Me/In/H (3), Et/Ga/Me (4)) in nearly quantitative yields. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-Vis, NMR (¹H and ¹³C{¹H}) and mass spectral data. The organogallium complexes showed photoluminescence in blue-green region. The complex, [(Me₂Ga)₂(O-(C₆H₄)CHN-CH₂-)₂] on recrystallization from benzene-hexane and dichloromethane gave orthorhombic and monoclinic forms, respectively. Both the forms are dimeric with gallium atoms acquiring a distorted tetrahedral configuration defined by two methyl groups, phenolate oxygen and azomethene nitrogen. The complexes [(Me₂Ga)₂(O-(C₆H₄)CHN-CH₂-)₂] and [(Me₂In)₂(O-(C₆H₄)CHN-CH₂-)₂] have been employed as alkylating agent for C-C coupling reaction of 1-bromonaphthalene in presence of PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂.     

A practical one-pot synthesis of enantiopure unsymmetrical salen ligands

A practical, one-pot synthesis of enantiopure unsymmetrical salen ligands is described, using a 1:1:1 molar ratio of a chiral diamine and two different salicylaldehydes. The new synthetic protocol can be readily performed in good yields (60-85%) on a multigram scale with good tolerance toward various functional groups.     

Regioselective synthesis of asymmetrically substituted 2-quinoxalinol salen ligands

Diamino-2-quinoxalinols are reacted with salicylaldehyde derivatives to produce 2-quinoxalinol imines regioselectively as one isomer in good yield. Regioselectivity has been determined through the use of isotopic 15N labeling experiments. The 2-quinoxalinol imines may then be reacted without further purification with additional salicylaldehyde derivatives to yield asymmetrically substituted 2-quinoxalinol salens.