Pd‐Iminocarboxylate Complexes and Their Behavior in Ethylene Polymerization

Designing co‐catalyst‐free late transition metal complexes for ethylene polymerization is a challenging task at the interface of organometallic and polymer chemistry. Herein, a set of new, co‐catalyst‐free, single‐component catalytic systems for ethylene polymerization have been unraveled. Treatment of anthranilic acid with various aldehydes produced four iminocarboxylate ligands ( L1 – L4 ) in very good to excellent yield (75–92 %). The existence of 2‐((2‐methoxybenzylidene)amino) benzoic acid ( L1 ) has been unambiguously demonstrated using NMR spectroscopy, MS and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. A neutral Pd‐iminocarboxylate complex [{N O}PdMe(L1)] (N O=κ²‐N,O‐ArCHNC₆H₄CO₂ with Ar=2‐MeOC₆H₄) C1 was prepared by treating stoichiometric amount of L1.Na with palladium precursor. The identity of C1 was confirmed by 1–2D NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Along the same lines, palladium complexes C2 – C4 were prepared from ligands L2 – L4 respectively. In‐situ high‐pressure NMR investigations revealed that these Pd complexes are amenable to ethylene insertion and undergo facile β‐H elimination to produce propylene. These palladium complexes were then evaluated in ethylene polymerization reaction and various reaction parameters were screened. When C1 – C4 were exposed to ethylene pressures of 10–50 bar, formation of low‐molecular‐weight polyethylene was observed.     

Alkyl‐Tethered Bis‐Phosphoryl Compounds with two 1,3,2‐Benzodiazaphosphorinone Units; Oxidation,Complexation, and X‐Ray Structure Analysis of Selected Compounds

The reaction of the bis‐chlorophosphines 1 a – 1 d with bis(2‐chloroethyl)amine hydrochloride in the presence of triethylamine and with various trimethylsilylamines led to a new class of bis‐phosphorus ligands 2 a – 2 c and 3 a – 3 g . ³¹P‐NMR studies suggested that the bis‐phosphorus ligands undergo rotation reactions about the alkyl bridge in polar solvents. Compounds 2 a – 2 c showed initially only one sharp singlet each in their ³¹P‐NMR spectra. After a few days at room temperature, two signals were observed. Similar results were observed for 3 a – 3 g . In the solid state, the two phosphorus atoms in 2 c are not equivalent, as was confirmed by the observation of two signals in the solid state ³¹P‐NMR spectrum. Oxidation reactions of 2 a – 2 c by the hydrogen peroxide‐urea 1 : 1 adduct (NH₂)₂C(:O) · H₂O₂ led to the formation of the corresponding phosphoryl compounds 4 a – 4 c . Reaction of 2 a and 3 a with Pt[COD]Cl₂ (COD = 1.5‐Cyclooctadiene) furnished the complexes 5 and 6 . The NMR spectra suggested that the two chlorine atoms are in cis position. X‐ray structure analyses were conducted for 2 a , which exhibits twofold symmetry; 2 c , which is linked into dimers by hydrogen bonds C–H…O; and 6 , confirming the cis configuration.     

Proton‐Conducting Magnetic Coordination Polymers

Three isostructural lanthanide‐based two‐ dimensional coordination polymers (CPs) {[Ln₂(L)₃(H₂O)₂]_n ? 2n CH₃OH) ? 2n H₂O} (Ln=Gd³⁺ ( 1 ), Tb³⁺ ( 2 ), Dy³⁺ ( 3 ); H₂L=cyclobutane‐1,1‐dicarboxylic acid) were synthesized by using a low molecular weight dicarboxylate ligand and characterized. Single‐crystal structure analysis showed that in complexes 1 – 3 lanthanide centers are connected by μ₃‐bridging cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands along the c axis to form a rod‐shaped infinite 1D coordination chain, which is further linked with nearby chains by μ₄‐connected cyclobutanedicarboxylate ligands to form 2D CPs in the bc plane. Viewing the packing of the complexes down the b axis reveals that the lattice methanol molecules are located in the interlayer space between the adjacent 2D layers and form H‐bonds with lattice and coordinated water molecules to form 1D chains. Magnetic properties of complexes 1 – 3 were thoroughly investigated. Complex 1 exhibits dominant ferromagnetic interaction between two nearby gadolinium centers and also acts as a cryogenic magnetic refrigerant having a significant magnetic entropy change of ?ΔS_m=32.8 J kg^?1 K^?1 for ΔH=7 T at 4 K (calculated from isothermal magnetization data). Complex 3 shows slow relaxation of magnetization below 10 K. Impedance analysis revealed that the complexes show humidity‐dependent proton conductivity (σ=1.5×10^?5 S cm^?1 for 1 , σ=2.07×10^?4 S cm^?1 for 2 , and σ=1.1×10^?3 S cm^?1 for 3 ) at elevated temperature (>75 °C). They retain the conductivity for up to 10 h at high temperature and high humidity. Furthermore, the proton conductivity results were correlated with the number of water molecules from the water‐vapor adsorption measurements. Water‐vapor adsorption studies showed hysteretic and two‐step water vapor adsorption (182000 μL g^?1 for 1 , 184000 μL g^?1 for 2 , and 1874000 μL g^?1 for 3 ) in the experimental pressure range. Simulation of water‐vapor adsorption by the Monte Carlo method (for 1 ) confirmed the high density of adsorbed water molecules, preferentially in the interlayer space between the 2D layers.     

Pincer‐Type Platinum(II) Complexes Containing N‐Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Ligand: Structures,Photophysical and Anion‐Binding Properties,and Anticancer Activities

Two classes of pincer‐type Pt^II complexes containing tridentate N‐donor ligands ( 1 – 8 ) or C‐deprotonated N^C^N ligands derived from 1,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)benzene ( 10 – 13 ) and auxiliary N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand were synthesized. [Pt(trpy)(NHC)]²⁺ complexes 1 – 5 display green phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ (Φ: 1.1–5.3 %; τ: 0.3–1.0 μs) at room temperature. Moderate‐to‐intense emissions are observed for 1 – 7 in glassy solutions at 77 K and for 1 – 6 in the solid state. The [Pt(N^C^N)(NHC)]⁺ complexes 10 – 13 display strong green phosphorescence with quantum yields up to 65 % in CHCl₃. The reactions of 1 with a wide variety of anions were examined in various solvents. The tridentate N‐donor ligand of 1 undergoes displacement reaction with CN^? in protic solvents. Similar displacement of the N^C^N ligand by CN^? has been observed for 10 , leading to a luminescence “switch‐off” response. The water‐soluble 7 containing anthracenyl‐functionalized NHC ligand acts as a light “switch‐on” sensor for the detection of CN^? ion with high selectivity. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Pt^II complexes towards HeLa cells has been evaluated. Complex 12 showed high cytotoxicity with IC₅₀ value of 0.46 μM , whereas 1 – 4 and 6 – 8 are less cytotoxic. The cellular localization of the strongly luminescent complex 12 traced by using emission microscopy revealed that it mainly localizes in the cytoplasmic structures rather than in the nucleus. This complex can induce mitochondria dysfunction and subsequent cell death.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

Diverse Ligand‐Functionalized Mixed‐Valent Hexamanganese Sandwiched Silicotungstates with Single‐Molecule Magnet Behavior

Under hydrothermal conditions, replacement of the water molecules in the [Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(H₂O)₄]⁸⁺ cluster of mixed‐valent Mn₆ sandwiched silicotungstate [(B‐α‐SiW₉O₃₄)₂Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(H₂O)₄]^12? ( 1 a ) with organic N ligands led to the isolation of five organic–inorganic hybrid, Mn₆‐substituted polyoxometalates (POMs) 2 – 6 . They were all structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, diffuse‐reflectance spectroscopy, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 2 – 6 represent the first series of mixed‐valent {Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(H₂O)_4?n(L)_n} sandwiched POMs covalently functionalized by organic ligands. The preparation of 1 – 6 not only indicates that the double‐cubane {Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(H₂O)_4?n(L)_n} clusters are very stable fragments in both conventional aqueous solution and hydrothermal systems and that organic functionalization of the [Mn^III₄Mn^II₂O₄(H₂O)₄]⁸⁺ cluster by substitution reactions is feasible, but also demonstrates that hydrothermal environments can promote and facilitate the occurrence of this substitution reaction. This work confirms that hydrothermal synthesis is effective for making novel mixed‐valent POMs substituted with transition‐metal (TM) clusters by combining lacunary Keggin precursors with TM cations and tunable organic ligands. Furthermore, magnetic measurements reveal that 3 and 6 exhibit single‐molecule magnet behavior.     

Synthesis,X‐ray characterization and density functional theory studies of N6‐benzyl‐N6‐methyladenine–M(II) complexes (M = Zn,Cd): The prominent role of π–π, C–H···π and anion–π interactions

We report the synthesis and X‐ray characterization of the N⁶‐benzyl‐N⁶‐methyladenine ligand (L) and three metal complexes, namely [Zn(HL)Cl₃]·H₂O ( 1 ), [Cd(HL)₂Cl₄] ( 2 ) and [H₂L]₂[Cd₃(μ‐L)₂(μ‐Cl)₄Cl₆]·3H₂O ( 3 ). Complex 1 consists of the 7H‐adenine tautomer protonated at N3 and coordinated to a tetrahedral Zn(II) metal centre through N9. The octahedral Cd(II) in complex 2 is N⁹‐coordinated to two N⁶‐benzyl‐N⁶‐methyladeninium ligands (7H‐tautomer protonated at N3) that occupy apical positions and four chlorido ligands form the basal plane. Compound 3 corresponds to a trinuclear Cd(II) complex, where the central Cd atom is six‐coordinated to two bridging μ‐L and four bridging μ‐Cl ligands. The other two Cd atoms are six‐coordinated to three terminal chlorido ligands, to two bridging μ‐Cl ligands and to the bridging μ‐L through N3. Essentially, the coordination patterns, degree of protonation and tautomeric forms of the nucleobase dominate the solid‐state architectures of 1 – 3 . Additionally, the hydrogen‐bonding interactions produced by the endocyclic N atoms and NH groups stabilize high‐dimensional‐order supramolecular assemblies. Moreover, energetically strong anion–π and lone pair (lp)–π interactions are important in constructing the final solid‐state architectures in 1 – 3 . We have studied the non‐covalent interactions energetically using density functional theory calculations and rationalized the interactions using molecular electrostatic potential surfaces and Bader's theory of atoms in molecules. We have particularly analysed cooperative lp–π and anion–π interactions in 1 and π⁺–π⁺ interactions in 3 .     

Effect of Organic Dicarboxylates with Different Rigidity on the Construction of Cobalt(II) Complexes with a Semi‐rigid Tripyridyl‐bis‐amide Ligand

Three coordination compounds with dimensions from 0D to 2D, namely, [Co(bppdca)₂(HL1)₂] ( 1 ) [Co(bppdca)(L2)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ) and [Co(bppdca)(L3)] · 3H₂O ( 3 ) [bppdca = N,N′‐bis(pyridine‐3‐yl)pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide, H₂L1 = 2,5‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid, H₂L2 = 4,4′‐oxybisbenzoic acid, H₂L3 = 2‐carboxymethylsulfanyl nicotinic acid] were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that complex 1 is a discrete 0D complex, in which the bppdca ligand and the H₂L1 act as the terminal groups to coordinate with the Co^II ions. In coordination polymer 2 , two bppdca ligands coordinate in anti configuration with two Co^II ions to generate a 28‐membered Co₂(bppdca)₂ loop, which is further extended into 1D ladder‐like double chain by pairs of L2 ligands. In 3 , the Co^II ions are linked by bppdca ligands to generate 1D wave‐like chain, which is further connected by the L3 to form a 2D network. Finally, the coordination compounds 1 – 3 are extended into 3D supramolecular frameworks through the hydrogen bonding interactions. The Co^II ions and the bppdca ligands in the title coordination compounds exhibit different coordination characters and conformations. The effect of organic dicarboxylates with different rigidity and length on the structures of Co^II coordination compounds was investigated. In addition, the fluorescence and electrochemical behaviors of coordination compounds 1 – 3 were reported.     

Half‐sandwich ruthenium,rhodium and iridium complexes featuring oxime ligands: Structural studies and preliminary investigation of in vitro and in vivo anti‐tumour activities

Half‐sandwich ruthenium, rhodium and iridium complexes ( 1 – 12 ) were synthesized with aldoxime ( L1 ), ketoxime ( L2 ) and amidoxime ( L3 ) ligands. Ligands have the general formula [PyC(R)NOH], where R = H ( L1 ), R = CH₃ ( L2 ) and R = NH₂ ( L3 ). Reaction of [{(arene)MCl₂}₂] (arene = p ‐cymene, benzene, Cp*; M = Ru, Rh, Ir) with ligands L1 – L3 in 1:2 metal precursor‐to‐ligand ratio yielded complexes such as [{(arene)MLκ²_(N∩N)Cl}]PF₆. All the ligands act as bidentate chelating nitrogen donors in κ²_(N∩N) fashion while forming complexes. In vitro anti‐tumour activity of complexes 2 and 10 against HT‐29 (human colorectal cancer), BE (human colorectal cancer) and MIA PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) cell lines and non‐cancer cell line ARPE‐19 (human retinal epithelial cells) revealed a comparable activity although complex 2 demonstrated greater selectivity for MIA PaCa‐2 cells than cisplatin. Further studies demonstrated that complexes 3 , 6 , 9 and 12 induced significant apoptosis in Dalton's ascites lymphoma (DL) cells. In vivo anti‐tumour activity of complex 2 on DL‐bearing mice revealed a statistically significant anti‐tumour activity (P  = 0.0052). Complexes 1 – 12 exhibit HOMO–LUMO energy gaps from 3.31 to 3.68 eV. Time‐dependent density functional theory calculations explain the nature of electronic transitions and were in good agreement with experiments.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Ruthenium Complexes with Substituted Pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]‐phenanthroline (=Rppl; R=Me,COOH, COOMe)

A series of substituted pyrazino[2,3‐f][1,10]‐phenanthroline (Rppl) ligands (with R=Me, COOH, COOMe) were synthetized (see 1 – 4 in Scheme 1). The ligands can be visualized as formed by a bipyridine and a quinoxaline fragment (see A and B ). Homoleptic [Ru(R¹ppl)₃](PF₆)₂ and heteropleptic [Ru(R¹ppl){(R²)₂bpy}₂](PF₆)₂ (R¹=H, Me, COOMe and R²=H, Me) metal complexes 5 – 7 and 8 – 13 , respectively, based on these ligands were also synthesized and characterized by conventional techniques (Schemes 2 and 3, resp.). In the heteroleptic complexes, the R¹‐ppl ligand reduces at a less‐negative potential than the bpy ligand, reflecting the acceptor property conferred by the quinoxaline moiety. The potentiality of some of these complexes as solar‐cell dyes is discussed.     

Syntheses and Characterization of Cyanide‐Bridged Bimetallic Compounds Zn(terpy)(H2O)M(CN)4 (terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine; M = Ni,Pd, Pt) with Linear Chains

The self‐assembly reaction of zinc ions with tetracyanometalates in the presence of the tridentate chelated ligand 2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (terpy) yielded three cyanide‐bridged bimetallic compounds of general formula Zn(terpy)(H₂O)M(CN)₄ [M = Ni ( 1 ), Pd ( 2 ), Pt ( 3 )]. Compounds 1 – 3 were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. Single‐crystal XRD analysis revealed that compounds 1 – 3 are isostructural and the structure consists of [Zn(terpy)(H₂O)]²⁺ moieties and [M(CN)₄]^2– units linked alternatively to generate a one‐dimensional (1D) linear chain. The chains are further connected together through hydrogen bonding and π–π stacking interactions, forming a 3D supramolecular network. IR spectroscopic analysis indicated the presence of cyanide groups and terpy ligands in the structure. TG and powder XRD results showed that compounds 1 – 3 have higher thermal stabilities and exhibited irreversible for desorption/resorption of one coordinated water molecule.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The metal-controlled self-assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based tris-NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts H₃- L (PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag₂O to yield the trinuclear Ag^I hexacarbene cages [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ), in which three Ag^I are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear Au^I cylinder-like cages [Au₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder-like cage derived exclusively from poly-NHC ligands.     

Cyano‐Bridged ‘Oximato’ Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalase‐Like Activities

The reaction of the ‘oximato’‐ligand precursor A (Fig. 1) and metal salts with KCN gave two mononuclear complexes [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n](ClO₄) ( 1 and 2 ; L={N‐(hydroxy‐κO)‐α‐oxo‐N′‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)methyl[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐ethanimidamidato‐κN′}; M=Co^II ( 1 ), Cu^II ( 2 ); n=2 for Co^II, n=0 for Cu^II; Figs. 2 and 3). The new cyano‐bridged pentanuclear ‘oximato’ complexes [{ML(H₂O)_n(NC)}₄M¹(H₂O)_x](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 – 6 ) and trinuclear complexes [{ML(H₂O)_n(NC)}₂M¹L](ClO₄) ( 7 – 10 ) ([M¹=Mn^II, Cu^II; x=2 for Mn^II, x=0 for Cu^II] were synthesized from mononuclear complexes and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, and IR and thermal analysis. The four [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n]⁺ moieties are connected by a metal(II) ion in the pentanuclear complexe 3 – 6 , each one involving four cyano bridging ligands (Fig. 4). The central metal ion displays a square‐planar or octahedral geometry, with the cyano bridging ligands forming the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by two aqua ligands in the case of the central Mn‐atom. The two [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n]⁺ moieties and an ‘oximato’ ligand are connected by a metal(II) ion in the trinuclear complexes 7 – 10 , each one involving two cyano bridging ligands (Fig. 5). The central metal ions display a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry, with two cyano bridging ligands and the donor atoms of the tridentate ‘oximato’ ligand. Moreover catalytic activities of the complexes for the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were also investigated in the presence of 1H‐imidazole. The synthesized homopolynuclear Cu^II complexes 6 and 10 displayed eficiency in disproportion reactions of H₂O₂ producing H₂O and dioxygen thus showing catalase‐like activity.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescent Properties of Three Organic‐Lanthanide Complexes with 3‐Hydroxycinnamic Acid

Three new homodinuclear lanthanide(III) complexes [Ln₂(L)₆(2,2′‐bipy)₂] [Ln = Tb^III ( 1 ), Sm^III ( 2 ), Eu^III ( 3 ); HL = 3‐hydroxycinnamic acid (3‐HCA); 2,2′‐bipy = 2,2′‐bipyridine] were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. Complexes 1 – 3 crystallize in triclinic system, space group P$\bar{1}$ . In all complexes the lanthanide ions are nine‐coordinate by two nitrogen atoms from the 2,2′‐bipy ligand and seven oxygen atoms from one chelating L ligands and four bridging L ligands, forming distorted tricapped trigonal prismatic arrangements. The lanthanide(III) ions are intramolecularly bridged by eight carboxylate oxygen atoms forming dimeric complexes with Ln ··· Ln distances of 3.92747(15), 3.9664(6), and 3.9415(4) Å for complexes 1 – 3 , respectively. The luminescent properties in the solid state of HL ligand and Eu^III complex are also discussed.     

Six Coordination Polymers based on 4‐(1H‐Imidazol‐1‐yl)phthalic Acid: Structural Diversities,Magnetism and Luminescence Properties

The coordination polymers (CPs), [Ni(L)(H₂O)₄]_n ( 1 ), [Co(HL)₂(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ), {[Cu(L)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O}_n ( 3 ), [Mn(L)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 4 ), [Cd(L)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 5 ), and {[Zn₂(L)₂] · H₂O}_n ( 6 ), were solvothermally synthesized by employing the imidazol‐carboxyl bifunctional ligand 4‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl) phthalic acid (H₂L). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicated that the L^2–/HL^– ligands display various coordination modes with different metal ions in 1 – 6 . Complexes 1 and 2 show one‐dimensional (1D) chain structures, whereas complexes 3 – 6 show 2D layered structures. The magnetic properties of these complexes were investigated. Complexes 1 and 3 indicate weak ferromagnetic interactions, whereas complexes 2 and 4 demonstrate antiferromagnetic interactions. In addition, luminescence properties of 5 and 6 were measured and studied in detail.     

Exceptionally high molecular weight linear polyethylene by using N,N,N′‐Co catalysts appended with a N′‐2,6‐bis{di(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl}‐4‐nitrophenyl group

The bis(arylimino)pyridines, 2‐[CMeN{2,6‐{(4‐FC₆H₄)₂CH}₂–4‐NO₂}]‐6‐(CMeNAr)C₅H₃N (Ar = 2,6‐Me₂C₆H₃ L1 , 2,6‐Et₂C₆H₃ L2 , 2,6‐i‐Pr₂C₆H₃ L3 , 2,4,6‐Me₃C₆H₂ L4 , 2,6‐Et₂–4‐MeC₆H₂ L5 ), each containing one N′‐2,6‐bis{di(4‐fluorophenyl)methyl}‐4‐nitrophenyl group, have been synthesized by two successive condensation reactions from 2,6‐diacetylpyridine. Their subsequent treatment with anhydrous cobalt (II) chloride gave the corresponding N,N,N′‐CoCl₂ chelates, Co1 – Co5 , in excellent yield. All five complexes have been characterized by ¹H/¹⁹F NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by elemental analysis. In addition, the molecular structures of Co1 and Co3 have been determined and help to emphasize the differences in steric properties imposed by the inequivalent N‐aryl groups; distorted square pyramidal geometries are adopted by each complex. Upon activation with either methylaluminoxane (MAO) or modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO), precatalyts Co1 – Co5 collectively exhibited very high activities for ethylene polymerization with 2,6‐dimethyl‐substituted Co1 the most active (up to 1.1 × 10⁷ g (PE) mol^?1 (Co) h^?1); the MAO systems were generally more productive. Linear polyethylenes of exceptionally high molecular weight (M_w up to 1.3 × 10⁶ g mol^?1) were obtained in all cases with the range in dispersities exhibited using MAO as co‐catalyst noticeably narrower than with MMAO [M_w/M_n: 3.55–4.77 ( Co1 – Co5 /MAO) vs. 2.85–12.85 ( Co1 – Co5 /MMAO)]. Significantly, the molecular weights of the polymers generated using this class of cobalt catalyst are higher than any literature values reported to date using related N,N,N‐bis (arylimino)pyridine‐cobalt catalysts.     

Four‐, five‐ and six‐coordinated transition metal complexes based on naphthalimide Schiff base ligands: Synthesis,crystal structure and properties

Two bidentate Schiff base ligands (HL¹ = N‐n‐butyl‐4‐[(E)‐2‐(((2‐aminoethyl)imino)methyl)phenol]‐1,8‐naphthalimide; and HL² = N‐n‐butyl‐4‐[(E)‐2‐(((2‐aminoethyl)imino)methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol]‐1,8‐naphthalimide) with their metal complexes [Cu(L¹)₂] ( 1 ), [Zn(L¹)₂(Py)]₂?H₂O ( 2 ) and [Ni(L²)₂(DMF)₂] ( 3 ) have been synthesized and characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis reveals that complex 1 has a four‐coordinated square geometry, while complex 2 is a five‐coordinated square pyramidal structure and complex 3 is a distorted six‐coordinated octahedral structure. Cyclic voltammograms of 1 indicate an irreversible Cu²⁺/Cu⁺ couple. In vitro antioxidant activity assay demonstrates that the ligands and the two complexes 1 and 3 display high scavenging activity against hydroxyl (HO^?) and superoxide (O₂^??) radicals. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of the ligands and complexes 1 – 3 were studied in the solid state. Metal‐mediated enhancement is observed in 2 , whereas metal‐mediated fluorescence quenching occurs with 1 and 3 .     

Catalytic Water Oxidation by Ruthenium(II) Quaterpyridine (qpy) Complexes: Evidence for Ruthenium(III) qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide as the Real Catalysts

Polypyridyl and related ligands have been widely used for the development of water oxidation catalysts. Supposedly these ligands are oxidation‐resistant and can stabilize high‐oxidation‐state intermediates. In this work a series of ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(qpy)(L)₂]²⁺ (qpy=2,2′:6′,2′′:6′′,2′′′‐quaterpyridine; L=substituted pyridine) have been synthesized and found to catalyze Ce^IV‐driven water oxidation, with turnover numbers of up to 2100. However, these ruthenium complexes are found to function only as precatalysts; first, they have to be oxidized to the qpy‐N,N′′′‐dioxide (ONNO) complexes [Ru(ONNO)(L)₂]³⁺ which are the real catalysts for water oxidation.     

Anion‐directed Silver(I) Coordination Assemblies Based on 1‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐2‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolewith Diverse Supramolecular Networks and Dichromate Removal Capabilities

A series of silver(I) supramolecular complexes, namely, {[Ag(L²⁴)](NO₃)}_n ( 1 ), [Ag₂(L²⁴)(NO₂)₂]_n ( 2 ), and {[Ag_1.25(L²⁴)(DMF)](PF₆)_1.25}_n ( 3 ) were prepared by the reactions of 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐2‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (L²⁴) and silver(I) salts with different anions (AgNO₃, AgNO₂, AgPF₆). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that 1 – 3 display diverse supramolecular networks. The structure of dinuclear complex 1 is composed of a six‐membered Ag₂N₄ ring with the Ag ··· Ag distance of 4.4137(3) Å. In complex 2 , the adjacent Ag^I centers are interlinked by L²⁴ ligands into a 1D chain, the adjacent of which are further extended by the bridged nitrites to construct a 2D coordination architecture. Complex 3 shows a 3D (3,4)‐connected framework, which is generated by the linkage of L²⁴ ligands. All complexes were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, and powder X‐ray diffraction. Notably, a structural comparison of the complexes demonstrates that their structures are predominated by the nature of anions. Additionally, 1 and 2 show efficient dichromate (Cr₂O₇^2–) capture in water system, which can be ascribed to the anion‐exchange.     

2D l‐Di‐toluoyl‐tartaric acid Lanthanide Coordination Polymers: Toward Single‐component White‐Light and NIR Luminescent Materials

A series of five l ‐di‐p‐toluoyl‐tartaric acid (l ‐DTTA) lanthanide coordination polymers, namely {[Ln₄K⁴ L₆(H₂O)_x]?yH₂O}_n, [Ln=Dy ( 1 ), x=24, y=12; Ln=Ho ( 2 ), x=23, y=12; Ln=Er ( 3 ), x=24, y=12; Ln=Yb ( 4 ), x=24, y=11; Ln=Lu ( 5 ), x=24, y=12] have been isolated by simple reactions of H₂L (H₂L= L ‐DTTA) with LnCl₃?6 H₂O at ambient temperature. X‐ray crystallographic analysis reveals that complexes 1 – 5 feature two‐dimensional (2D) network structures in which the Ln³⁺ ions are bridged by carboxylate groups of ligands in two unique coordinated modes. Luminescent spectra demonstrate that complex 1 realizes single‐component white‐light emission, while complexes 2 – 4 exhibit a characteristic near‐infrared (NIR) luminescence in the solid state at room temperature.