Chromium(III) complexes with terdentate 2,6-bis(azolylmethyl)pyridine ligands: Synthesis, structures and ethylene polymerization behavior

Reactions of 2,6-bis(bromomethyl)pyridine with 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and 1H-indazole yield the terdentate ligands 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine (5) and 2,6-bis(indazol-2-ylmethyl)pyridine (6). The molecular structure of the new compound 6 was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These ligands react with the CrCl₃(THF)₃ complex in THF to form neutral complexes of general formula [CrCl₃{2,6-bis(azolylmethyl)pyridine-N,N,N}] (7, 8) which are isolated in high yields as stable green solids and characterized by means of elemental analysis, magnetic moments, IR, and mass spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations predict that the thermodynamically preferred structure of the complexes is the fac configuration. After reaction with methylaluminoxane (MAO) the chromium(III) complexes are active in the polymerization of ethylene.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron and cobalt dichloride bearing 2-quinoxalinyl-6-iminopyridines and their catalytic behavior toward ethylene reactivity

The 1-(6-(quinoxalin-2-yl)pyridin-2-yl)ethanone was synthesized in order to prepare a series of N-(1-(6-(quinoxalin-2-yl)pyridine-2-yl)ethylidene)benzenamines (L1-L7), which provided new alternative N^∧N^∧N tridentate ligands coordinating with iron(II) and cobalt(II) dichloride to form complexes of general formula LFeCl₂ (1-7) and LCoCl₂ (8-14). All organic compounds were fully characterized by NMR, IR spectroscopic and elemental analysis along with and magnetic susceptibilities and metal complexes were examined by IR spectroscopic and elemental analysis, while their molecular structures (L1, L4, 1, 4, 10, 13) were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Upon activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), all iron complexes gave good catalytic activities for ethylene reactivity (oligomerization and polymerization), while their cobalt analogues showed moderate activities toward ethylene oligomerization with modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). Various reaction parameters were investigated for better catalytic activities, the higher activities were observed at elevated ethylene pressure. The iron and cobalt complexes with para-methyl substituents of aryl group linked on imino group showed highest activity.     

Two pseudo-N3 ligands and the catalytic activity of their ruthenium(II) complexes in transfer hydrogenation and hydrogenation of ketones

Complex RuCl₂(PPh₃)(iBu-BTP) (5) was synthesized by the reaction of 2,6-bis(5,6-bis(iso-butyl)-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)pyridine (iBu-BTP) and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ in refluxing toluene, and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic determination. Complex 5 was applied as a catalyst for transfer hydrogenation of ketones and exhibited catalytic activity comparable to RuCl₂(PPh₃)(Me₄BPPy) (1) (Me₄BPPy = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine) in some cases. The difference between the catalytic activity of 5 and 1 is attributed to the significantly different arrangement and positions of the PPh₃ and chlorides and also to the different electron density on the N-heterocycles. Complex 1 exhibited good to excellent catalytic activity in hydrogenation of ketones under mild conditions. These results have suggested new applications of iBu-BTP and Me₄BPPy as promising planar tridentate pseudo-N₃ ligands to construct highly active transition-metal catalysts.     

3,3-Bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid: A tripodal N,N,O ligand for manganese and rhenium complexes - Syntheses and structures

The tripodal N,N,O ligands 3,3-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbdmpzp) (1) and 3,3-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)propionic acid (Hbpzp) (2) form the “missing link” between the well-known bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acids and related ligands with a longer “carboxylate arm”. To illustrate the reactivity of this ligand, manganese and rhenium complexes bearing the ligand bdmpzp are reported. The complexes are compared to related compounds bearing other tripod ligands such as bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate (bdmpza) and 3,3-bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)propionate (bmip). Spectroscopic and structural data are used as a basis for comparison, as well as DFT calculations. Both ligands 1 and 2 and the complexes fac-[Mn(bdmpzp)(CO)₃] (3) and fac-[Re(bdmpzp)(CO)₃] (4) were characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

New multidentate heteroscorpionate ligands: N-Phenyl-2,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide and ethyl 2,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate as well as their derivatives

New multidentate heteroscorpionate ligands, N-phenyl-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide PhHNCSCH(3,5-Me₂Pz)₂ (1), N-phenyl-2,2-bis(3,4,5-trimethylpyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide PhHNCSCH(3,4,5-Me₃Pz)₂ (2), and ethyl 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate EtSCSCH(3,5-Me₂Pz)₂ (8), have been synthesized and their coordination chemistry studied. These heteroscorpionate ligands can act as monodentate, bidentate, or tridentate ligands, depending on the coordinate properties of different metals. Reaction of W(CO)₆ with 1 or 2 under UV irradiation yields monosubstituted carbonyl tungsten complexes W(CO)₅L (L = 1 or 2), in which N-phenyl-2,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide acts as a monodentate ligand by the s-coordination to the tungsten atom. In addition, these monosubstituted tungsten complexes have also been obtained by heating ligand 1 or 2 with W(CO)₅THF in THF. While similar reaction of Fe(CO)₅ with 1, 2, or 8 under UV irradiation results in tricarbonyl iron complexes PhHNCSCH(3,5-Me₂Pz)₂Fe(CO)₃ (5), PhHNCSCH(3,4,5-Me₃Pz)₂Fe(CO)₃ (6), and EtSCSCH(3,5-Me₂Pz)₂Fe(CO)₃ (9), respectively, in which N-phenyl-2,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide or ethyl 2,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate acts as a bidentate ligand through one pyrazolyl nitrogen atom and the CS π-bond in an η²-C,S fashion side-on bonded to the iron atom to adopt a neutral bidentate κ²-(π,N) coordination mode. Treatment of the lithium salt of 1 with Co(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O gives complex [PhNCSCH(3,5-Me₂Pz)₂]₂Co(ClO₄) with the oxidation of cobalt(II) to cobalt(III), in which N-phenyl-2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)thioacetamide acts as a tridentate monoanionic κ³-(N,N,S) chelating ligand by two pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms and the sulfur atom of the enolized thiolate anion.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and reactivity of a new pentacoordinated chiral dioxomolybdenum(VI) complex

The novel tridentate chiral ligand 2,6-bis{[(1R,2S,4R)-2-hydroxy-1,3,3-trimethyl-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-yl]}pyridine (1) was readily prepared by reaction of 2,6-dilithiopyridine with (R)-(−)-fenchone. Reaction of 1 with [MoO₂(acac)₂] resulted in the formation of the new metal-oxo five-coordinated complex [MoO₂(ONO)] (2) [ONO = (1 – 2H)]. The reactivity of 2 has been studied and the derivatives [MoS₂(ONO)] (3) and [MoO(O₂)(ONO)] (4) were prepared. The compounds 1–4 have been characterised by ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR, microanalysis and IR spectroscopy. Furthermore, the molecular structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The behaviour of 2 as catalyst in oxotransfer and in nucleophilic substitution of propargylic alcohols reactions has been tested.     

Efficient stepwise and one pot three-component synthesis of 2-amino-4-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)thiophene-3-carbonitriles

Environmentally benign conditions have been developed for the synthesis of 2-amino-4-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)thiophene-3-carbonitriles (3) starting from 3-acetyl-2H-chromen-2-one (1) through the intermediacy of 2-(1-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)ethylidene)malononitrile (2) using the Knoevenagel condensation followed by the Gewald reaction. Alternatively, 3 could also be prepared in a one pot method by treating equimolar amounts of 1, malononitrile, and elemental sulfur. The merits of this preparation are mild reaction conditions, easy work-up procedure, and good yields.     

Acetamidine complexes as catalysts for ethylene polymerization

The reaction of (2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-acetimidoyl chloride or (2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-acetimidoyl chloride with 2,6-dimethylaniline in the presence of triethylamine yields a mixture of isomers N′-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine (1a) and N-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N′-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine (1b), and N,N′-bis-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-dimethyl-phenylimino)ethyl)]-acetamidine (2), respectively. The addition of isomers (1a + 1b) to nickel (II) dibromide 2-methoxyethyl ether, (NiBr₂[O(C₂H₄OMe)₂]) gives a mixture of new nickel complexes, [NiBr₂{N′-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine}] (3a) and [NiBr₂{N-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-diisopropyl-phenylimino)-ethyl]-N′-(2,6-dimethyl)-acetamidine}] (3b). Similarly, ligand 2 reacts with nickel (II) dibromide 2-methoxyethyl ether to afford the complex [NiBr₂{N,N´-bis-(2,6-dimethyl-phenyl)-N-[1-(2,6-dimethyl-phenylimino)ethyl)]-acetamidine}] (4). The structures of the ligands and nickel complexes have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.The addition of MAO to these complexes generates catalytically active species for the homopolymerization of ethylene. The polymer products are high molecular weight (80-169 K). At temperatures of up to 60 °C both catalysts are a single site giving a monomodal molecular weight distribution. However, at 70 °C the mixture (3a + 3b) shows a bimodal molecular weight distribution.     

Dimolybdenum complexes containing anions of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide

The reactions of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₄ with different equivalents of N,N′-bis(pyrimidine-2-yl)formamidine (HL1) and N-(2-pyrimidinyl)formamide (HL2) afforded dimolybdenum complexes of the types Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)(L1)₂(L2) (1) trans-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (2) cis-Mo₂(L1)₂(L2)₂ (3) and Mo₂(L2)₄ (4). Their UV–Vis and NMR spectra have been recorded and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 2 and 3 establish the first pair of trans and cis forms of dimolybdenum complexes containing formamidinate ligands. The L1 ligands in 1–3 are bridged to the metal centers through two central amine nitrogen atoms, while the L2 ligands in 1–4 are bridged to the metal centers via one pyrimidyl nitrogen atom and the amine nitrogen atom. The Mo–Mo distances of complexes 1 [2.0951(17) Å], 2 [2.103(1) Å] and 3 [2.1017(3) Å], which contain both Mo?N and Mo?O axial interactions, are slightly longer than those of complex 4 [2.0826(12)–2.0866(10) Å] which has only Mo?O interactions.     

Cyanide bridged tetranuclear complex with a novel terthiophene based ligand

A new terthiophene based ligand (L = 3-(2-pryridyl)-5-(2,2′:5′,2″-terthien-3′-yl) pyrazole was synthesized. The reaction of Ni(BF₄)₂·6H₂O, L and nBu₄N[Fe(CN)₃tp^∗] (tp^∗ = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borohyrdide) with NaBPh₄ in MeOH/acetone yielded a cyanide bridged tetranuclear complex [Fe₂Ni₂(CN)₆(tp^∗)₂(L)₄](BPh₄)₂ (1). The electrochemical properties of both 1 and L were investigated, and magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 were conducted, revealing that ferromagnetic interactions were operative within the tetranuclear core.     

Attempts of synthesis of Hg(SCN)4-based coordination polymers in conjunction with [Cu(L–L)2] building blocks

Five novel heterobimetallic compounds [Cu(bpzm)₂Hg(SCN)₄]_n (1), [Cu(bdmpzm)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃] (2), [Cu(pybzim)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃]·H₂O (3), [Cu(bipy)₂(μ-SCN)Hg(SCN)₃][Cu(bipy)₂(μ-SCN)₂Hg(SCN)₂] (4) and [Cu(bipy)(NCS)]₂[Hg(SCN)₄] (5) have been synthesized and structurally characterized (bpzm-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane, bdmpzm-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, pybzim-2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole, phen-1,10-phenantroline and bipy-2,2′-bipyridine). The compounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 are molecular complexes, whereas 1 is an alternating 1-D zigzag chain of [Cu(bpzm)₂]²⁺ and Hg(SCN)₄]²⁻ moieties in which the metal atoms are bridged via thiocyanate ions. The polymer 1 has been studied by magnetic measurement.     

Iron pentacarbonyl assisted photochemical route to 2,5- and 2,6-divinyl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones from 1-ene-3-ynes

Photochemical reaction between the enynes, (Z)-1-methoxybut-1-ene-3-yne, 1 or isopropenyl acetylene, 2 with CO in presence of Fe(CO)₅ yields the 2,6- and 2,5-divinyl-substituted 1,4-benzoquinones: 2,6-bis{(Z)-2-methoxyvinyl}-1,4-benzoquinone (3, 42%), 2,5-bis{(Z)-2-methoxyvinyl}-1,4-benzoquinone (4, 31.5%), [{η²,η²:2,6-di(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,4-benzoquinone}tricarbonyliron] (5, 45%), and {η²,η²:2,5-di(prop-1-en-2-yl)-1,4-benzoquinone}tricarbonyliron] (6, 65%).     

Tricyclic ligands on cyclam core and X-ray crystallographic structure of hexachloro-(1,11:4,8-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,8-diazonia-4,11-diazacyclotetradecane) - dimanganese(II) dimethanol dihydrate solvate

The synthesis of tricyclic compounds on functionalized cyclam core is described. The addition of four methyl acrylate molecules and consecutive condensation of this derivative with ethylenediamine resulted in formation of 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-(N-(2-aminoethyl)carbamoyl)ethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (3). Compound 3 was the substrate for further condensation with dialdehydes: iso-phthaldialdehyde and 2,6-pyridinedicarbaldehyde, resulting in spontaneous macrocycle ring closure to give tricyclic derivatives: 1,11:4,8-bis(benzene-1,3-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (4) in the reaction of 3 with iso-phthaldialdehyde and three isomers: 1,4:8,11-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5A), 1,11:4,8-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5B), and 1,8:4,11-bis(pyridine-2,6-diyl-bis(2-(N-(2-formidoylethylene)carbamoyl)ethylene))-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (5C) when 2,6-pyridinedicarbaldehyde was used. The compounds 4, 5B, and 5C were identified crystallographically. The isolated 5A converted in solution into the mixture of 5B and 5C as monitored by the ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The tricycle 5 is able to accept two manganese(II) metal ions by reacting with manganese(II) dichloride with simultaneous diprotonation of 5. Structure of the resulting Mn₂(5BH₂)Cl₆·(CH₃OH)₂(H₂O)₂ was determined crystallographically.     

Synthesis and characterization of aluminum and zinc complexes supported by pyrrole-based ligands and catalysis of the aluminum complexes toward the ring-opening polymerization of ?-caprolactone

Reaction of quinolin-8-amine with 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde or 5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde catalyzed by HCO₂H forms N-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)quinolin-8-amine (≡ HL, 3a) or N-((5-tert-butyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)quinolin-8-amine (≡ HL′, 3b). Treatment of 3a and 3b respectively with AlMe₃ or AlEt₃ in toluene affords corresponding aluminum complexes LAlMe₂ (4a), L′AlMe₂ (4b) and LAlEt₂ (4c). Reaction of 3a and 3b with an equivalent of ZnEt₂ in toluene generates L₂Zn and L′₂Zn, respectively. A related compound N-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenamine (≡ HL″, 7) was prepared by reaction of 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenamine with 1H-pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde in the presence of HCO₂H. Reaction of 7 with AlMe₃ gives L″₂AlMe (8), and with ZnEt₂ yields L″₂Zn (9). All new compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of complexes 4b, 5b and 8 were additionally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Complexes 4a-4c, and 8 were proved to be active catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ?-caprolactone (?-CL) in the presence of BnOH. The kinetic study of the polymerization reactions catalyzed by 4a and 8 was performed.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of novel ruthenium(II) complexes featuring an N,N,O-scorpionate ligand: A versatile synthetic precursor for open-face scorpionatoruthenium(II) complexes

The syntheses and characterization of novel ruthenium(II) complexes containing bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetato (bdmpza), a new class of scorpionate ligands, are reported herein. [RuCl(bdmpza)(η⁴-1,5-cyclooctadiene)] (1) was found to be a versatile precursor to synthesize a wide range of new ruthenium(II) complexes with the bdmpza ligand. The treatment of 1 with pyridine (py), diphenylphosphinoethane (dppe), 2,2′-bipyridyl (bpy), 1,10-phenanethroline (phen), or bispicolylamine (Hbpica) in refluxing N,N-dimethylformamide resulted in displacement of the 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand to afford [RuCl(bdmpza)(py)₂] (2), [RuCl(bdmpza)(dppe)] (3), [RuCl(bdmpza)(bpy)] (4), [RuCl(bdmpza)(phen)] (5), and [Ru(bdmpza)(Hbpica)]Cl (6Cl) in good yields, respectively. The structures of 1–4, and 6 were determined by X-ray structure analyses.     

Complexes derived from the copper(II)/succinamic acid/N,N′,N″-chelate tertiary reaction systems: Synthesis,structural and spectroscopic studies

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm) in Cu^II/N,N′,N″-donor [2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy), 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (dmbppy)] reaction mixtures yielded compounds [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)]_n(ClO₄)_n (1), [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)(MeOH)](ClO₄) (2), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(terpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(terpy)(MeOH)] (4), [Cu(Hsucm)(dmbppy)]_n(NO₃)_n·3nH₂O (5^.3nH₂O), and [CuCl₂(dmbppy)]·H₂O (6·H₂O). The succinamate(−1) ligand exists in four different coordination modes in the structures of 1–3 and 5, i.e., the μ₂-κO:κO′:κO″ in 1 and 5 which involves asymmetric chelating coordination of the carboxylato group and ligation of the amide O-atom leading to 1D coordination polymers, the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 3 which involves asymmetric chelating and bridging coordination of the carboxylato group, and the asymmetric chelating mode in 2. The primary amide group, either coordinated in 1 and 5, or uncoordinated in 2 and 3, participate in hydrogen bonding interactions, leading to interesting crystal structures. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands. The thermal decomposition of complex 5·3nH₂O was monitored by TG/DTG and DTA measurements.     

Synthesis of 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-bromomethylpyridine, and its conversion to other 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines substituted at the pyridine ring

Two routes to 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-hydroxymethylpyridine (1) from 2,6-dihydroxy-isonicotinic acid, in four and six steps, are reported. Reaction of 1 with 48% HBr yields 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)-4-bromomethylpyridine (2), which is a powerful precursor to a range of new tridentate ligands for transition metals functionalised at the pyridine ring. As a proof of principle, we describe the further elaboration of 2 to give two 2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyridines bearing nucleobase substituents, and the back-to-back ligand 1,2-bis[2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl)pyrid-4-yl]ethane. Crystal structures of two of these new derivatives are presented.     

Influence of heterocycles arrangement in structural isomeric ligands on coordination sphere of copper(II) complexes: Crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization

New copper complexes with two structural isomeric ligands, 2-(indazol-1-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInA) and 2-(indazol-2-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInL), have been synthesized and characterized by magnetic measurements, IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopies. Moreover, the molecular structures of [Cu(NO₃)(TnInA)₂(H₂O)](NO₃) · (H₂O) (1) and [Cu(NO₃)₂(TnInL)(H₂O)] (2) have been resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. In compound 1 the copper ion is in a distorted octahedral geometry, with the equatorial plane formed by four nitrogen donor atoms from two organic ligands and the axial positions occupied by two oxygen atoms from a water molecule and a mono-coordinated nitrate anion. The coordination geometry around the copper atom in compound 2 can be described basically as a square pyramid with two nitrogen atoms from TnInL ligand, one oxygen atom from a water molecule and one oxygen atom from a nitrate group in the equatorial plane. The axial position is occupied by one oxygen atom from a nitrate group. Likewise, a second oxygen atom from the last nitrate group in equatorial position might involve in a weak sixth coordination position to give a (4 + 1 + 1^∗) coordination mode.     

Electronically variable imino-phenanthrolinyl-cobalt complexes; synthesis, structures and ethylene oligomerisation studies

The 2-imino-1,10-phenanthroline ligands, 1,10-C₁₂H₇N₂-2-CRN(2,6-i-Pr₂-4-R¹-C₆H₂) [R = R¹ = H (L1); R = H, R¹ = Br (L2); R = H, R¹ = CN (L3); R = H, R¹ = i-Pr (L4); R = Me, R¹ = H (L5); R = Me, R¹ = i-Pr (L6)], have been prepared in high yield from the condensation reaction of 1,10-C₁₂H₇N₂-2-CRO (R = H, Me) with one equivalent of the corresponding 4-substituted 2,6-diisopropylaniline. The molecular structures of L2, L5 and L6 reveal the imino nitrogen atoms to adopt a transoid configuration with respect to the phenanthrolinyl nitrogen atoms. Treatment of Lx with one equivalent of CoCl₂ in n-BuOH at 90 °C gives the high spin complexes, (Lx)CoCl₂ [Lx = L1 (1a), L2 (1b), L3 (1c), L4 (1d), L5 (1e), L6 (1f)], in which the metal centres exhibit distorted square pyramidal geometries. Activation of 1a-1f with excess methylaluminoxane (MAO) gives catalysts that are modestly active for the oligomerisation of ethylene affording mainly linear α-olefins along with some degree of internal olefins. While the donor capability of the 4-position of the N-aryl group does not appear to affect the activity of the catalyst, it does have an influence on the ratio of α-olefins to internal olefins. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies have been performed on L2, L5, L6, 1a, 1c and 1f.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and antibacterial activity of a group of mononuclear manganese(II) Schiff base complexes

Five mononuclear complexes of manganese(II) of a group of the general formula, [MnL(NCS)₂] where the Schiff base L = N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L¹), (1); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine (L²), (2); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L³), (3); N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁴), (4) and N,N′-bis[(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]propane-1,2-diamine (L⁵), (5) have been prepared. The syntheses have been achieved by reacting manganese chloride with the corresponding tetradentate Schiff bases in presence of thiocyanate in the molar ratio of 1:1:2. The complexes have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and other physicochemical studies, including crystal structure determination of 1, 2 and 4. Structural studies reveal that the complexes 1, 2 and 4 adopt highly distorted octahedral geometry. The antibacterial activity of all the complexes and their respective Schiff bases has been tested against Gram(+) and Gram(−) bacteria.