Disproportionation Equilibrium of a μ‐Oxodiiron(III) Complex Giving Rise to C−H Activation Reactivity: Structural Snapshot of a Unique Oxoiron(IV) Adduct

μ‐Oxodiiron(III) species are air‐stable and unreactive products of autoxidation processes of monomeric heme and non‐heme iron(II) complexes. Now, the organometallic [(L^NHC)Fe^III‐(μ‐O)‐Fe^III(L^NHC)]⁴⁺ complex 1 (L^NHC is a macrocyclic tetracarbene) is shown to be reactive in C?H activation without addition of further oxidants. Studying the oxidation of dihydroanthracene, it was found that 1 thermally disproportionates in MeCN solution into its oxoiron(IV) ( 2 ) and iron(II) components; the former is the active species in the observed oxidation processes. Possible cleavage scenarios for 1 are shown by scrambling experiments and structural characterization of an unprecedented adduct of 1 and oxoiron(IV) complex 2 . Kinetic analysis gave an equilibrium constant for the disproportionation of 1 , which is very small (K_eq=7.5±2.5×10^?8 m ). Increasing K_eq might by a useful strategy for circumventing the formation of dead‐end μ‐oxodiiron(III) products during Fe‐based homogeneous oxidation catalysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new vic -dioxime 6,7- bis (hydroxyimino)-9,10-diethylidine-5,8,9,10,11,18-hexahydro-5,8,11,18-tetraazadibenzo[a,e]cyclotetradecane-6,7,12,17-tetraone and its nickel and cobalt complexes

A new vic-dioxime 6,7-bis(hydroxyimino)-9,10-diethylidine-5,8,9,10,11,18-hexahydro-5,8,11,18-tetraazadibenzo[a,e]cyclotetradecane-6,7,12,17-tetraone (H₂L) and its hydrogen-bridged tetra- and six-coordinate complexes with Ni(II), Co(II), and Co(III) have been synthesized. The six-coordinate complexes of H₂L have pyridine and chloride as axial ligands. Hydrogen-bridge complexes were converted to their BF₂-bridged analogues by reaction with boron trifluoride etherate. Structures of the H₂L and its complexes were proposed from elemental analysis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, IR and mass spectra.     

Reactions of 1,4,7-trithiacyclononane, [9]aneS3, with early transition metal halides: synthesis and X-ray structure of {Fe([9]aneS3)2}[Sb2Cl8]

Summary The reactions of titanium(III) and (IV) chlorides with the crown thioether [9]aneS₃ were investigated. [TiCl_3- (MeCN)₃] gives a purple 1:1 adduct with a proposed octahedral structure involving tridentate fac-attachment of the ligand. With [TiCl₄(MeCN)₂] the identity of the yellow 1∶1 adduct obtained is discussed in terms of a six-coordinate species with bidentate ligand chelation. The title compound was isolated from the reactions of [9]aneS₃ with [TiCl₃(MeCN)₃] [SbCl₆] (by accident) and iron filings/SbCl₅ in MeCN solution and characterised crystallographically. The cation has two macrocyclic ligands coordinated facially to a six-coordinate Fe²⁺ ion; the anion comprises dimeric [(SbCl₄)₂] units linked together into a polymeric chain by weak halogen bridging.     

Dioxygen activation with a cytochrome P450 model. Characterization and electrochemical study of new unsymmetrical tetradentate Schiff-base complexes with iron(III) and cobalt(II)

Salicylaldehyde or 5-bromosalicylaldehyde react with 2,3-diaminophenol to give two unsymmetrical Schiff-bases H₂L¹, H₂L², respectively. With Fe(III) and Co(II), these ligands lead to four complexes: Fe(III)ClL¹, Fe(III)ClL², Co(II)L¹, Co(II)L². The structures of these complexes were determined by mass spectroscopy, infrared and electronic spectra. Cyclic voltammetry in dimethylformamide (DMF) showed irreversible waves for both ligands. In the same experimental conditions, Fe(III)ClL¹ exhibited a reversible redox couple Fe(III)/Fe(II) while the three other complexes showed quasi-reversible systems. The behavior of some of these complexes in the presence of dioxygen and the comparison with cytochrome P450 are described.     

Unusual Stabilization of an Intermediate Spin State of Iron upon the Axial Phenoxide Coordination of a Diiron(III)–Bisporphyrin: Effect of Heme–Heme Interactions

The binding of a series of substituted phenols as axial ligands onto a diiron(III)? bisporphyrin framework have been investigated. Spectroscopic characterization revealed high‐spin states of the iron centers in all of the phenolate complexes, with one exception in the 2,4,6‐trinitrophenolate complex of diiron(III)? bisporphyrin, which only stabilized the pure intermediate‐spin (S=3/2) state of the iron centers. The average Fe? N (porphyrin) and Fe? O (phenol) distances that were observed with the 2,4,6‐trinitrophenolate complex were 1.972(3) Å and 2.000(2) Å, respectively, which are the shortest and longest distances reported so far for any Fe^III? porphyrin with phenoxide coordination. The alternating shift pattern, which shows opposite signs of the chemical shifts for the meta versus ortho/para protons, is attributed to negative and positive spin densities on the phenolate carbon atoms, respectively, and is indicative of π‐spin delocalization onto the bound phenolate. Electrochemical data reveals that the E_1/2 value for the Fe^III/Fe^II couple is positively shifted with increasing acidity of the phenol. However, a plot of the E_1/2 values for the Fe^III/Fe^II couple versus the pK_a values of the phenols shows a linear relationship for all of the complexes, except for the 2,4,6‐trinitrophenolate complex. The large deviation from linearity is probably due to the change of spin for the complex. Although 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol is the weakest axial ligand in the series, its similar binding with the corresponding Fe^III? monoporphyrin only results in stabilization of the high‐spin state. The porphyrin macrocycle in the 2,4,6‐trinitrophenolate complex of diiron(III)? bisporphyrin is the most distorted, whilst the “ruffling” deformation affects the energy levels of the iron d orbitals. The larger size and weaker binding of 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol, along with heme? heme interactions in the diiron(III)? bisporphyrin, are responsible for the larger ring deformations and eventual stabilization of the pure intermediate‐spin states of the iron centers in the complex.     

Synthesis of four novel pendant armed macrocyclic ligands and their interaction with lanthanide(III) cations

The ability of La³⁺ ions to form stable complexes with four novel pendant-armed N_xO_y-macrocycles derived from 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine, L¹, L², L³, and L⁴, has been studied. The corresponding (unsubstituted) parent ligands were prepared by the reaction between 2,6-bis(2-formylphenoxymethyl)pyridine and three different amines: 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)propane (L¹), diethylenetriamine (L²), and 3,6-dioxa-1,8-octanediamine (L³ and L⁴). This was followed for the parent ligands of L¹, L³, and L⁴ by in situ reduction with sodium borohydride. The pendant-armed ligands were then synthesized by the alkylation of the free-NH groups with p-(L¹ and L³) and o-nitrobenzyl bromide (L⁴), and 2-chloromethylpyridine chlorohydrate (L²). A series of Ln(III) complexes were prepared for the four ligands by the direct synthesis between the corresponding macrocycle and Ln(III) hydrated nitrates and perchlorates. The number of complexes obtained from the pendant-armed macrocycles is lower than that of the (unsubstituted) parent ones, suggesting that the introduction of pendant arms in the macrocyclic skeletons increases the selectivity of the ligands. More complexes were synthesized when using nitrate as the counterion, showing the important role of the counterion in the complexation reaction. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Role of Mononuclear Rare Earth Metal Complexes in Promoting the Hydrolysis of 2-Hydroxypropyl p-Nitrophenyl Phosphate

Two long-chain multidentate ligands： 2,9-di-（n-2＇,5＇,8＇-triazanonyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^1） and 2,9-di- （n-4＇,7＇,10＇-triazaundecyl）-1,10-phenanthroline （L^2） were synthesized. The hydrolytic kinetics of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate （HPNP） catalyzed by the complexes of L^1 or L^2 with La（Ⅲ） or Gd（Ⅲ） have been studied in aqueous solution at （298.2±0.1） K, I=0.10 mol·dm^-3 KNO3 in pH 7.5-9.1, respectively, finding that the catalytic effect of GdL^1 was the best among the four complexes for hydrolysis of HPNP. Its kLnLH-1, kLnLand pKa are 0.047 mol^-1·L·s^-1, 0.000074 mol^-1·L·s^-1 and 8.90, respectively. This paper expounded the studied result with the structure of the ligands and the properties of the metal ions, and deduced the catalysis mechanism.     

Synthesis,spectral studies,and antimicrobial activity of binary and ternary Cu(II), Ni(II), and Fe(III) complexes of new hexadentate Schiff bases derived from 4,6-diacetylresorcinol and amino acids

Two new hexadentate N₂O₄ donor Schiff bases, H₄L¹ and H₄L², were synthesized by condensation of 4,6-diacetylresorcinol with glycine and alanine, respectively. The structures of the ligands were elucidated by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR, electronic, and mass spectra. Reactions of the Schiff bases with copper(II), nickel(II), and iron(III) nitrates in 1 : 2 molar ratio gave binuclear metal complexes and, in the presence of 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) or 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) as secondary ligands (L′), mixed-ligand complexes in two molar ratios 1 : 2 : 2 and 1 : 2 : 1 (L¹/L² : M : L′). The complexes were characterized by elemental and thermal analyses, IR, electronic, mass, and ESR spectral studies, as well as conductivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The spectroscopic data reveal that the Schiff-base ligands were dibasic or tetrabasic hexadentate ligands. The coordination sites with the metal ions are two azomethine nitrogens, two oxygens of phenolic groups, and two oxygens of carboxylic groups. Copper(II) complexes were octahedral and square planar while nickel(II) and iron(III) complexes were octahedral. The Schiff bases, H₄L¹ and H₄L², and some of their metal complexes showed antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas fluorescens and Pseudomonas phaseolicola) bacteria and antifungal activity towards the fungi Fusarium oxysporium and Aspergillus fumigatus.     

Symmetry and bonding in metalloporphyrins. A modern implementation for the bonding analyses of five- and six-coordinate high-spin iron(III)-porphyrin complexes through density functional calculation and NMR spectroscopy

Bonding interactions between the iron and the porphyrin macrocycle of five- and six-coordinate high-spin iron(III)-porphyrin complexes are analyzed within the framework of approximate density functional theory with the use of the quantitative energy decomposition scheme in combination with removal of the vacant pi orbitals of the porphyrin from the valence space. Although the relative extent of the iron-porphyrin interactions can be evaluated qualitatively through the spin population and orbital contribution analyses, the bond strengths corresponding to different symmetry representations can be only approximated quantitatively by the orbital interaction energies. In contrast to previous suggestions, there are only limited Fe --> P pi back-bonding interactions in high-spin iron(III)-porphyrin complexes. It is the symmetry-allowed bonding interaction between d(z)2 and a(2u) orbitals that is responsible for the positive pi spin densities at the meso-carbons of five-coordinate iron(III)-porphyrin complexes. Both five- and six-coordinate complexes show significant P --> Fe pi donation, which is further enhanced by the movement of the metal toward the in-plane position for six-coordinate complexes. These bonding characteristics correlate very well with the NMR data reported experimentally. The extraordinary bonding interaction between d(z)2 and a(2u) orbitals in five-coordinate iron(III)-porphyrin complexes offers a novel symmetry-controlled mechanism for spin transfer between the axial ligand sigma system and the porphyrin pi system and may be critical to the electron transfer pathways mediated by hemoproteins.     

Modulation of metal displacements in a saddle distorted macrocycle: synthesis, structure, and properties of high-spin Fe(III) porphyrins and implications for the hemoproteins

A rare family of five and six-coordinated high-spin Fe(III) porphyrins incorporating weak axial ligands are synthesized and structurally characterized which demonstrate, for the first time, stepwise metal displacements in a single distorted macrocyclic environment that has generally been seen in many biological systems. The introduction of four nitro groups into the meso-positions of octaethyl porphyrin severely distorts the porphyrin geometry and provides an interesting modulation of the macrocycle properties which enables the facile isolation of "pure" high-spin Fe(III)(tn-OEP)Cl, Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(MeOH)Cl, and Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(H2O)2(+) in excellent yields in a saddle distorted macrocyclic environment that are known to stabilize intermediate spin states. The stepwise out-of-plane displacements of iron are as follows: 0.47 A for Fe(III)(tn-OEP)Cl; 0.09 A for Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(MeOH)Cl, and 0.01 A for Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(H2O)2(+) from the mean plane of the porphyrins. However, in both five and six-coordinated Fe(III) porphyrins, the Fe-Np distances are quite comparable while the porphyrin cores have expanded significantly, virtually to the same extent for the six-coordinate complexes reported here. The large size of the high-spin iron(III) atom in Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(H2O)2(+) is accommodated perfectly with no displacement of the metal. This expansion is accompanied by a significant decrease of the saddle distortion with a clear increase of the ruffling. Furthermore, the Fe atom in Fe(III)(tn-OEP)(MeOH)Cl is not out of plane because of the larger atom size; however, the displacement of the iron depends on both the relative strength of the axial ligands, as well as the nature and extent of the ring deformation. Our characterization demonstrates that increase in ruffling and/or decrease in macrocycle deformation brings the iron atom more into the plane in a distorted macrocyclic environment. Our observations thus suggest that the displacements of iron in proteins are the consequences of nonequivalent axial coordination, as well as protein induced deformations at the heme. The high-spin nature of the complexes reported here is believed to be due to the larger Fe-Np distances which then reduce substantially the interaction between iron d(x2)-y2 and porphyrin a(2u) orbital. The Fe(III)/Fe(II) reduction potential of Fe(III)(tn-OEP)Cl shows a reversible peak at large positive value (0.20 V), and no ring-centered oxidation was observed within the solvent limit (approximately 1.80 V). It is thus easier to reduce Fe(III)(tn-OEP)Cl by almost 700 mV compared to Fe(III)(OEP)Cl while oxidations are very difficult. Furthermore, the addition of 3-Cl-pyridine to Fe(III)(tn-OEP)Cl in air undergoes spontaneous auto reduction to produce the rare air-stable Fe(II)(tn-OEP)(3-Cl-py)2 that shows Fe(II)/Fe(III) oxidation peaks at high positive potential (0.79 V), which is approximately 600 mV more anodic compared to [Fe(II)(tn-OEP)Cl](-). This large anodic shift illustrates the effective removal of metal-centered electron density by the macrocycle when the metal is constrained to reside in the porphyrin plane.     

Syntheses,Structural, and Spectroscopic Properties of Copper(II) Complexes of Constrained Macrocyclic Ligands

The complexes [Cu(L¹)(H₂O)₂](BF₄)₂ · 2H₂O ( 1 ) [L¹ = 5, 16‐dimethyl‐2, 6, 13, 17‐tetraazatricyclo(14, 4, 0^1.18,0^7.12)docosane] and 0.5[Cu(L²)(NO₃)₂][Cu(L²)](NO₃)₂ ( 2 ) [L² = dibenzyl‐5, 16‐dimethyl‐2, 6, 13, 17‐tetraazatricyclo(14, 4, 0^1.18,0^7.12)docosane] were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray analyses. In these constrained macrocycles, the central copper(II) atoms are in a tetragonally distorted octahedral environment with four nitrogen atoms of the macrocyclic ligands in equatorial positions and oxygen atoms from either water molecules or nitrato groups in axial positions. The macrocyclic ligands in both complexes adopt the most stable trans‐III conformation. The Cu–N distances [1.999(7)–2.095(7) Å] are typical for such complexes, but the axial ligands are weakly coordinating Cu–OH₂ bonds [2.693(3) Å] and Cu–ONO₂ bonds [2.873(7) Å] due to the combination of the pseudo Jahn–Teller effect and strong in‐plane ligand field. The crystals are stabilized by a three‐dimensional network by hydrogen bonds that are formed among the secondary nitrogen hydrogen atoms, oxygen atoms of water molecules, fluorine atoms of BF₄^–, and oxygen atoms of NO₃^–. The electronic absorption and IR spectroscopic properties are also discussed.     

A Structural and Functional Model for the Tris-Histidine Motif in Cysteine Dioxygenase

The iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)(MeCN)₃](SO₃CF₃)₂ (L are two derivatives of tris(2-pyridyl)-based ligands) have been synthesized as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). The molecular structure of one of the complexes exhibits octahedral coordination geometry and the Fe−N_py bond lengths [1.953(4)–1.972(4) Å] are similar to those in the Cys-bound Fe^II-CDO; Fe−N_His: 1.893–2.199 Å. The iron(II) centers of the model complexes exhibit relatively high Fe^III/II redox potentials (E_1/2=0.988–1.380 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium electrode, Fc/Fc⁺), within the range for O₂ activation and typical for the corresponding nonheme iron enzymes. The reaction of in situ generated [Fe(L)(MeCN)(SPh)]⁺ with excess O₂ in acetonitrile (MeCN) yields selectively the doubly oxygenated phenylsulfinic acid product. Isotopic labeling studies using ¹⁸O₂ confirm the incorporation of both oxygen atoms of O₂ into the product. Kinetic and preliminary DFT studies reveal the involvement of an Fe^III peroxido intermediate with a rhombic S= Fe^III center (687–696 nm; g≈2.46–2.48, 2.13–2.15, 1.92–1.94), similar to the spectroscopic signature of the low-spin Cys-bound Fe^IIICDO (650 nm, g≈2.47, 2.29, 1.90). The proposed Fe^III peroxido intermediates have been trapped, and the O−O stretching frequencies are in the expected range (approximately 920 and 820 cm⁻¹ for the alkyl- and hydroperoxido species, respectively). The model complexes have a structure similar to that of the enzyme and structural aspects as well as the reactivity are discussed.     

Liquid-liquid extraction of iron(III) and gallium(III) with macrocyclic Schiff bases containing bisphenol A subunits

The quantitative extraction of iron(III) and gallium(III) was investigated with the recently synthesized macrocyclic Schiff base containing bisphenol A subunits. The phenol groups in the Schiff base moiety led to a large increase in the percent extraction of trivalent metal ions. The substitution of methoxy groups for phenolic OH ligands resulted in a marked decrease in the extractability of metal ions, and no iron(III) was extracted. The corresponding acyclic Schiff base was found to have a reasonable reactivity toward metal ions and a better solubility in organic solvents. The iron(III) and gallium(III) complexes with macrocyclic and acyclic Schiff bases were quantitatively extracted into nitrobenzene without the presence of bulky counter anions. A single extraction gave a good separation of iron(III) from iron(II) in the mole ratios 4:1 to 1:3. The red iron(III) complexes can be used for the extraction-spectrophotometric determination of iron(III). The apparent molar absorptivity at 518 nm is 5.43 × 10³lmol⁻¹ cm⁻¹.     

Spin‐State‐Controlled Photodissociation of Iron(III) Azide to an Iron(V) Nitride Complex

The generation of iron(V) nitride complexes, which are targets of biomimetic chemistry, is reported. Temperature‐dependent ion spectroscopy shows that this reaction is governed by the spin‐state population of their iron(III) azide precursors and can be tuned by temperature. The complex [(MePy₂TACN)Fe(N₃)]²⁺ (MePy₂TACN=N ‐methyl‐N ,N ‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) exists as a mixture of sextet and doublet spin states at 300 K, whereas only the doublet state is populated at 3 K. Photofragmentation of the sextet state complex leads to the reduction of the iron center. The doublet state complex photodissociates to the desired iron(V) nitride complex. To generalize these findings, we show results for complexes with cyclam‐based ligands.     

Singlet quenching of tetraphenylporphyrin and its metal derivatives by iron(III) coordination compounds

The quenching of fluorescence of the free-base tetraphenylporphyrin, H₂TPP, and its metal derivatives, MgTPP and ZnTPP by diverse iron(III) complexes, [Fe(CN)₆]³⁻, Fe(acac)₃, [Fe(mnt)₂]⁻, Fe(Salen)Cl, [Fe₄S₄(SPh)₄]²⁻·, FeTPPCl and [Fe(Cp)₂]⁺ has been studied both in homogeneous medium (CH₃CN) and micellar media, SDS., CTAB and Triton X-100. The quenching efficiencies are analysed in terms of diffusional encounters and it has been possible to separate static quenching components. The quenching constants are dependent on the nature of the ligating atoms around iron(III) and also on the extent of π-conjugation of the ligands. The quenching mechanism has been investigated using steady-state irradiation experiments. Evidence for oxidative quenching by iron(III) complexes was obtained, though the spin multiplicities of the excited electronic states of iron(III) complexes permit both energy and electron transfer mechanisms for quenching of the singlet excited state of the porphyrins.     

Mössbauer study of novel iron(II) complexes with oximes in low spin and high spin states

New iron(II) dioximato complexes [Fe(DioxH)₂L₂] (DioxH: methyl-ethyl-glyoxime, dimethyl-glyoxime, and benzyl-methyl-glyoxime) without and with axially coordinated ligands L (L: 4-dimethyl-amino-pyridine; 3-OH-aniline; 2-imidazolidone; 4-nitrobenzyl-pyridine; 2-amino-pyridine) have been synthesized by reaction of the components dissolved in ethanol at room temperature in inert atmosphere, and were studied by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Characteristic isomer shift and quadrupole splitting values of the individual new compounds were determined. It was suggested that iron is in the iron(II) low spin state in all compounds having axially coordinated ligands; however, the high spin iron(II) state is characteristic when no axial ligands are bound to the iron center. Low spin state complexes could be categorized into two groups on the basis of isomer shifts. The difference in the isomer shift was explained on the basis of the type of ligating nitrogens.     

Interaction between peroxide ion and phenol group which are coordinated to the same iron(III) ion

We have prepared several new iron(III) complexes with ligands which contain a phenol group; these are tetradentate [(X-phpy)H, X and H(phpy) represent the substituents on the phenol ring and N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)amine, respectively] and pentadentate ligands [(R-enph-X)H; R=ethyl(Et) or methyl(Me) derivative and H(Me-enph) denotes N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N″-methyl-N″-(2″-hydroxyl-benzylamine)ethylenediamine] and have determined the crystal structures of Fe(phpy)Cl₂, Fe(5-NO₂-phpy)Cl₂, and Fe(Me-enph)ClPF₆, which are of a mononuclear six-coordinate iron(III) complex with coordination of one or two chloride ion(s). These compounds are highly colored (dark violet) due to the coordination of phenol group to an iron(III) atom. When hydrogen peroxide was added to the solution of the iron(III) complex, a color change occurs with bleaching of the violet color, indicating that oxidative degradation of the phenol moiety occurred in the ligand system. The bleaching of the violet color was also observed by the addition of t-butylhydroperoxide. The rate of the disappearance of the violet color is highly dependent on the substituent on the phenol ring; introduction of an electron-withdrawing group in the phenol ring decreases the rate of bleaching, suggesting that disappearance of the violet band should be due to a chemical reaction between the phenol group and a peroxide adduct of the iron(III) species with an η¹-coordination mode and that in this reaction the peroxide adduct acts as an electrophile towards phenol ring. The intramolecular interaction between the phenol moiety and an iron(III)-peroxide adduct may induce activation of the peroxide ion, and this was supported by several facts that the solution containing an iron(III) complex and hydrogen peroxide exhibits high activities for degradation of nucleosides and albumin.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and theoretical studies of two novel tripodal imine-phenol ligands and their complexation with Fe(III)

Two novel tripodal imine-phenol ligands, cis,cis-1,3,5-tris{(2-hydroxybenzilidene)aminomethyl}cyclohexane (TMACHSAL, L¹) and of cis,cis-1,3,5-tris{[(2-hydroxyphenyl)ethylidene]aminomethyl}cyclohexane (Me₃-TMACHSAL, L²) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and various spectral (UV–vis, IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR) data. The complexation reactions of the ligands with H⁺ and Fe(III) were investigated by potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods at an ionic strength of 0.1 M KCl and 25 ± 1 °C in aqueous medium. Three protonation constants each for ligands L¹ and L² were determined and were used as input data to evaluate the formation constants of the metal complexes. Formations of metal complexes of the types FeLH₃, FeLH₂, FeLH, FeL and FeLH₋₁ were depicted in solution. Experimental evidences suggested for a formation of tris(iminophenolate) type metal complex by the ligands. The ligand L¹ showed higher affinity towards iron(III) than L². The pFe value related to L¹ (pFe = 20.14) is approximately four units higher than L² (pFe = 16.41) at pH = 7.4. The structures of the metal complexes were proposed through the molecular mechanics calculation using MM3 force field followed by semi-empirical PM3 method.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II) complexes with three potentially hexadentate Schiff-base ligands and polyamines: X-ray crystal structure determination of one nickel(II) complex

Three new potentially hexadentate N₄O₂ Schiff-base ligands (H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³) were prepared from the reaction of the polyamines N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (L¹), N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,3-propanediamine (L²) and N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,4-butanediamine (L³), respectively with salicylaldehyde. Reaction of the Schiff bases with Ni(II) salts in the presence of N(Et)₃ gave the neutral complexes [NiL⁴], [NiL⁵] and [NiL⁶]. Ni(II) complexes of the polyamines were also prepared. One of complexes [Ni(L¹)(MeCN)₂](ClO₄)₂·MeCN has been characterized through X-ray diffraction methods.