Synthesis,Molecular Structure and Coordination Chemistry of the First 1‐Aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes

The first representatives of a novel type of cyclic bis‐phosphines, namely, 1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes ( 4 , 5 ), were synthesized by condensation of 1,3‐bis(arylphosphino)propanes ( 2 , 3 ; aryl = phenyl or mesityl), formaldehyde and 5‐aminoisophthalic acid. Only the meso isomers were obtained, in good to satisfactory yield. The cyclic bis‐phosphines readily form P,P chelate complexes ( 6 , 7 ) with [PtCl₂(cod)] (cod = 1,5‐cyclooctadiene). The bisphosphine 4 and the corresponding complex 6 are soluble in water in the presence of two equivalents of alkali metal hydroxide. The molecular structures of 1‐(meta‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐3,7‐dimesityl‐1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes ( 5 ) and cis‐{P,P‐1‐(meta‐dicarboxyphenyl)‐3,7‐diphenyl‐1‐aza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctane}dichloroplatinum(II) ( 6 ) are reported.     

2,3‐Di(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazine: A NN‐CNN‐Type Bridging Ligand for Dinuclear Transition‐Metal Complexes

A new bridging ligand, 2,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazine (dpppzH), has been synthesized. This ligand was designed so that it could bind two metals through a NN‐CNN‐type coordination mode. The reaction of dpppzH with cis‐[(bpy)₂RuCl₂] (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) affords monoruthenium complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppzH)]²⁺ ( 12+ ) in 64 % yield, in which dpppzH behaves as a NN bidentate ligand. The asymmetric biruthenium complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppz)Ru(Mebip)]³⁺ ( 23+ ) was prepared from complex 12+ and [(Mebip)RuCl₃] (Mebip=bis(N‐methylbenzimidazolyl)pyridine), in which one hydrogen atom on the phenyl ring of dpppzH is lost and the bridging ligand binds to the second ruthenium atom in a CNN tridentate fashion. In addition, the RuPt heterobimetallic complex [(bpy)₂Ru(dpppz)Pt(C?CPh)]²⁺ ( 42+ ) has been prepared from complex 12+ , in which the bridging ligand binds to the platinum atom through a CNN binding mode. The electronic properties of these complexes have been probed by using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and studied by theoretical calculations. Complex 12+ is emissive at room temperature, with an emission λ_max=695 nm. No emission was detected for complex 23+ at room temperature in MeCN, whereas complex 42+ displayed an emission at about 750 nm. The emission properties of these complexes are compared to those of previously reported Ru and RuPt bimetallic complexes with a related ligand, 2,3‐di(2‐pyridyl)‐5,6‐diphenylpyrazine.     

Effect of Chelate Ring Size in Iron(II) Isothiocyanato Complexes with Tetradentate Tripyridyl‐alkylamine Ligands on Spin Crossover Properties

Iron(II) complexes of the type [Fe(L)(NCS)₂] with tetradentate ligands L are well known to show spin crossover properties. However, this behavior is quite sensitive in regard to small changes of the ligand system. Starting from the thoroughly investigated complex [Fe(tmpa)(NCS)₂] [tmpa = tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine, also abbreviated as tpa in the literature] we modified the ligand by increasing systematically the chelate ring sizes from 5 to 6 thus obtaining complexes [Fe(pmea)(NCS)₂], [Fe(pmap)(NCS)₂], and [Fe(tepa)(NCS)₂] [pmea = N,N‐bis[(2‐pyridyl)methyl]‐2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethylamine, pmap = N,N‐bis[2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethyl]‐(2‐pyridyl)methylamine, and tepa = tris[2‐(2‐pyridyl)ethyl]amine]. All complexes were structurally characterized and spin crossover properties were investigated using Mößbauer spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, and IR/Raman analyses. The results demonstrated that only the iron complexes with tmpa and pmea showed spin crossover properties, whereas the complexes with the ligands pmap and tepa only formed high spin complexes. Furthermore, DFT calculations supported these findings demonstrating again the strong influence of ligand environment. Herein the effect of increasing the chelate ring sizes in iron(II) isothiocyanato complexes with tetradentate tripyridyl‐alkylamine ligands is clearly demonstrated.     

Copper(II) and Sodium(I) Complexes based on 3,7‐Diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide: Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Activity

The reaction of 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (DAPTA) with metal salts of Cu^II or Na^I/Ni^II under mild conditions led to the oxidized phosphane derivative 3,7‐diacetyl‐1,3,7‐triaza‐5‐phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane‐5‐oxide (DAPTA=O) and to the first examples of metal complexes based on the DAPTA=O ligand, that is, [Cu^II(μ‐CH₃COO)₂(κO‐DAPTA=O)]₂ ( 1 ) and [Na(1κOO′;2κO‐DAPTA=O)(MeOH)]₂(BPh₄)₂ ( 2 ). The catalytic activity of 1 was tested in the Henry reaction and for the aerobic 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidin‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)‐mediated oxidation of benzyl alcohol. Compound 1 was also evaluated as a model system for the catechol oxidase enzyme by using 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol as the substrate. The kinetic data fitted the Michaelis–Menten equation and enabled the obtainment of a rate constant for the catalytic reaction; this rate constant is among the highest obtained for this substrate with the use of dinuclear Cu^II complexes. DFT calculations discarded a bridging mode binding type of the substrate and suggested a mixed‐valence Cu^II/Cu^I complex intermediate, in which the spin electron density is mostly concentrated at one of the Cu atoms and at the organic ligand.     

An Examination of the Palladium/Mor‐DalPhos Catalyst System in the Context of Selective Ammonia Monoarylation at Room Temperature

An examination of the [{Pd(cinnamyl)Cl}₂]/Mor‐DalPhos (Mor‐DalPhos=di(1‐adamantyl)‐2‐morpholinophenylphosphine) catalyst system in Buchwald–Hartwig aminations employing ammonia was conducted to better understand the catalyst formation process and to guide the development of precatalysts for otherwise challenging room‐temperature ammonia monoarylations. The combination of [{Pd(cinnamyl)Cl}₂] and Mor‐DalPhos afforded [(κ²‐P,N‐Mor‐DalPhos)Pd(η¹‐cinnamyl)Cl] ( 2 ), which, in the presence of a base and chlorobenzene, generated [(κ²‐P,N‐Mor‐DalPhos)Pd(Ph)Cl] ( 1 a ). Halide abstraction from 1 a afforded [(κ³‐P,N,O‐Mor‐DalPhos)Pd(Ph)]OTf ( 5 ), bringing to light a potential stabilizing interaction that is offered by Mor‐DalPhos. An examination of [(κ²‐P,N‐Mor‐DalPhos)Pd(aryl)Cl] ( 1 b – f ) and related precatalysts for the coupling of ammonia and chlorobenzene at room temperature established the suitability of 1 a in such challenging applications. The scope of reactivity for the use of 1 a (5 mol %) encompassed a range of (hetero)aryl (pseudo)halides (X=Cl, Br, I, OTs) with diverse substituents (alkyl, aryl, ether, thioether, ketone, amine, fluoro, trifluoromethyl, and nitrile), including chemoselective arylations.     

Pyridyl Containing 1,5‐Diaza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes as Bridging Ligands for Dinuclear Copper(I) Complexes

1,5‐bis(R)‐3,7‐bis[2‐(pyridine‐2′‐yl)ethyl)‐1,5‐diaza‐3,7‐diphosphacyclooctanes 1 and 2 and their copper(I) complexes 3 and 4 were developed. The butterfly‐shaped copper‐iodide core and unusual P,N‐chelate and P,P‐bridged coordination mode of the heterocyclic ligand in the dinuclear complexes 3 and 4 were revealed. Complexes 3 and 4 display emission in green range of spectra, with lifetimes in a microsecond domain and quantum yields of luminescence in solid‐state up to 38 %. Thermochromic effects found for the phosphorescence of 4 in solutions are ascribed to rigidochromism.     

Formation of 18e− and 16e− Acyl(η3‐cyclooctenyl)rhodium(III) Complexes in the Reaction of Cationic (Cycloocta‐1,5‐diene)rhodium(I) Compounds with 2‐(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde

The reaction of cationic diolefinic rhodium(I) complexes with 2‐(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde (pCHO) was studied. [Rh(cod)₂]ClO₄ (cod=cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) reacted with pCHO to undergo the oxidative addition of one pCHO with (1,2,3‐η)cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl (η³‐C₈H₁₃) formation, and the coordination of a second pCHO molecule as (phosphino‐κP)aldehyde‐κO(σ‐coordination) chelate to give the 18e⁻ acyl(allyl)rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(pCHO)]ClO₄ (see 1 ). Complex 1 reacted with [Rh(cod)(PR₃)₂]ClO₄ (R=aryl) derivatives 3 – 6 to give stable pentacoordinated 16e⁻ acyl[(1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl]rhodium(III) species [Rh(η³‐C₈H₁₃)(pCO)(PR₃)]ClO₄ 7 – 10 . The (1,2,3‐η)‐cyclooct‐2‐en‐1‐yl complexes contain cis‐positioned P‐atoms and were fully characterized by NMR, and the molecular structure of 1 was determined by X‐ray crystal diffraction. The rhodium(III) complex 1 catalyzed the hydroformylation of hex‐1‐ene and produced 98% of aldehydes (n/iso=2.6).     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Dyad Ruthenium‐Based Molecules for Light‐Driven Oxidation Catalysis

Dyad molecules containing the 2,3,5,6‐tetrakis(2‐pyridyl)pyrazine (tppz) ligand with general formula [(tpy)Ru(μ‐tppz)Ru(X)(L‐L)]ⁿ⁺ (X=Cl, CF₃COO, or H₂O; L‐L=2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) or 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)pyrazole (Hbpp); tpy=2,2′:6′,2“‐terpyridine) have been prepared, purified, and isolated. The complexes have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques and by X‐ray diffraction analysis for two of them. Additionally, full electrochemical characterization based on cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and square wave voltammetry has been also performed. The pH dependence of the redox couples for the aqua complexes have also been studied and their corresponding Pourbaix diagrams drawn. Furthermore, their capacity to catalytically oxidize organic substrates, such as alcohols, alkenes, and sulfides, has been carried out chemically, electrochemically, and photochemically. Finally, their capacity to behave as water oxidation catalysts has also been tested.     

A dinuclear phosphite rhodium(I) complex obtained by syngas treatment of a Rh/hydroxy phosphonite olefin hydroformylation precatalyst

A hydroxy phosphonite was found to be unstable during the catalyst preformation routine applied towards a rhodium olefin hydroformylation catalyst. C—P bond cleavage occurred when the phosphonite was reacted with [(acac)Rh(1,5‐COD)] (acac is acetyl acetate and 1,5‐COD is cycloocta‐1,5‐diene) at 80 °C and 20 bar of CO/H₂. As a result, a nearly planar six‐membered ring structure consisting of two rhodium(I) cations and two bridging phosphorous acid diester anions was formed, namely bis[μ‐(4,8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,10‐dimethoxydibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepin‐6‐yl)oxy]‐1:2κ²P:O;1:2κ²O:P‐bis{[6‐([1,1′‐biphenyl]‐2‐yloxy)‐4,8‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2,10‐dimethoxydibenzo[d,f][1,3,2]dioxaphosphepine‐κP]carbonylrhodium(I)} toluene tetrasolvate, [Rh₂(C₂₂H₂₈O₅P)₂(C₃₄H₃₇O₅P)₂(CO)₂]·4C₇H₈. Further coordination of phosphite and of carbonyl groups resulted in 16‐electron rhodium centres.     

Enhanced Anion Binding from Unusual Coordination Modes of Bis(thiourea) Ligands in Platinum Group Metal Complexes

Treatment of a range of bis(thiourea) ligands with inert organometallic transition‐metal ions gives a number of novel complexes that exhibit unusual ligand binding modes and significantly enhanced anion binding ability. The ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymene)(κS,S′,N‐ L³ ?H)]⁺ ( 2 b ) possesses juxtaposed four‐ and seven‐membered chelate rings and binds anions as both 1:1 and 2:1 host guest complexes. The pyridyl bis(thiourea) complex [Ru(η⁶‐p‐cymeme)(κS,S′,N_py‐ L⁴ )]²⁺ ( 4 ) binds anions in both 1:1 and 1:2 species, whereas the free ligand is ineffective because of intramolecular NH???N hydrogen bonding. Novel palladium(II) complexes with nine‐ and ten‐membered chelate rings are also reported.     

Bioinspired Copper(I) Complexes that Exhibit Monooxygenase and Catechol Dioxygenase Activity

New tripodal ligand L2 featuring three different pyridyl/imidazolyl‐based N‐donor units at a bridgehead C atom, from which one of the imidazolyl units is separated by a phenylene linker, was synthesized and investigated with regards to copper(I) complexation. The resulting complex [( L2 )Cu]OTf ( 2^OTf ), the known complex [( L1 )Cu]OTf ( 1^OTf ; L1 differs from L2 in that it lacks the phenylene spacer) and [( L3 )Cu]OTf ( 3^OTf ), prepared from a known chiral, tripodal, N‐donor ligand featuring pyridyl, pyrazolyl, and imidazolyl donors, were tested as catalysts for the oxidation of sodium 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate ( NaDTBP ) with O₂. Indeed, they mediated NaDTBP oxidation to give mainly the corresponding catecholate and quinone ( Q ). None of the complexes 1^OTf , 2^OTf , and 3^OTf is superior to the others, as yields were comparable and, if the presence of protons is guaranteed by concomitant addition of the phenol DTBP , the oxidation can also be performed catalytically. For all complexes stoichiometric oxidations under certain conditions (concentrated solutions, high NaDTBP content) were found to also generate products typical for metal‐mediated intradiol cleavage of the catecholate with O₂. As shown representatively for 1^OTf this dioxygenation sets in at a later stage of the reaction. Initially a copper species responsible for the monooxygenation must form from 1^OTf / NaDTBP /O₂, and only thereafter is the copper species responsible for dioxygenation formed and consumes Q as substrate. Hence, under these circumstances complexes 1^OTf – 3^OTf show both monooxygenase and catechol dioxygenase activity.     

Structural variation from linear,layer to 3D framework: Syntheses,structures and luminescence

Self‐assembly of Zn (II) or Cd (II) nitrates, flexible bis (pyridyl)‐diamine, as well as arenesulfonic acids, leads to the formation of ten coordination polymers, namely, [Zn(L1)(H₂O)₃]·2(p‐TS)·2H₂O ( 1 ), [Zn(L1)(H₂O)₂]·2(p‐TS)·2H₂O ( 2 ), [Zn(L1)₂(p‐TS)₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(H₂L1)(H₂O)₄]·2(1,5‐NDS)·2H₂O ( 4 ), [Zn(H₂L2)(H₂O)₄]·2(1,5‐NDS)·4MeOH ( 5 ), [Cd(L1)(p‐TS)(NO₃)]·H₂O ( 6 ), [Cd(L1)(1,5 ‐NDS)_0.5(H₂O)]·0.5(1,5‐NDS)·H₂O ( 7 ), [Cd(L2)(H₂O)₂]·(p‐TS)·(NO₃)·3H₂O ( 8 ), [Cd(L2)(1,5‐NDS)] ( 9 ) and [Cd(L2)(1,5‐NDS)]·MeOH ( 10 ) (L1 = N,N′‐bis (pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl) ethane‐1,2‐diamine, L2 = N,N′‐bis (pyridin‐3‐ylmethy l)ethane‐1,2‐diamine, p‐HTS = p‐toluenesulfonic acid, 1,5‐H₂NDS = 1,5‐naphthalene disulfonic acid), which have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG, PL, powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 , 4 , 5 and 6 present linear or zigzag chain structures accomplished by the interconnection of adjacent M (II) cations through L1 ligands or protonated H₂L1²⁺/H₂L2²⁺ cations, while complexes 2 , 3 and 8 show similar (4,4) layer motifs constructed from the connection of M (II) cations through L1 and L2. The same coordination modes of L1 and L2 in complexes 7 and 9 join adjacent Cd (II) cations to form double chain structures, which are further connected by bis‐monodentate 1,5‐NDS^2? dianions into different (6,3) and (4,4) layer motifs. The L2 molecules in complex 10 join adjacent Cd (II) cations together with 1,5‐NDS^2? dianions to form 3D network with hxl topology. Therefore, the diverse coordination modes of the bis (pyridyl) ligand with chelating spacer and the feature of different arenesulfonate anions can effectively influence the architectures of these complexes. Luminescent investigation reveals that the emission maximum of these complexes varies from 374 to 448 nm in the solid state at room temperature, in which complexes 4 , 5 , 7 , 9 and 10 show average luminescence lifetimes from 7.20 to 14.82 ns. Moreover, photocatalytic properties of complexes 7–10 towards Methylene blue under Xe lamp irradiation are also discussed.     

Aryl Phosphine Nickel(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes with N,O‐Amino‐carboxylate Chelate Ligands [(Aryl)(R3P)M(N,O‐α‐aminocarboxylate)](M = Ni,Pd). Catalysts for the Polymerization of Olefins

The title complexes [(Aryl)(R₃P)M(N,O‐α‐aminocarboxylate)] (M = Ni, Pd) were synthesized by reaction of [(o‐tolyl)(Ph₃P)₂NiBr] or of [(p‐Me₃CC₆H₄)(o‐tolyl₃P)Pd(μ‐Br)]₂ with the anions of α‐amino acids. The spectroscopic data indicate that the nickel complexes are formed as mixtures of isomers, whereas for the palladium complexes only one isomer is observed. The complex [(o‐tolyl)(Ph₃P)Ni(glycinate)] is – in the presence of AlEt₃ – a highly active catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene [up to 1800 kg PE / (mol Ni·h)] and gives polymers with remarkably high molecular weights (up to 900.000 g/mol) and with few branchings.     

Synthesis,structure and biological activity of diorganotin derivatives with pyridyl functionalized bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methanes

Three pyridyl functionalized bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methanes, namely 2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxyphenyl] bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane (L¹), 2‐[(4‐pyridyl)methoxyphenyl]bis(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)methane (L²) and 2‐[(3‐pyridyl)methoxyphenyl]bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane (L³) have been synthesized by the reactions of (2‐hydroxyphenyl)bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methanes with chloromethylpyridine. Treatment of these three ligands with R₂SnCl₂ (R = Et, n‐Bu or Ph) yields a series of symmetric 2:1 adducts of (L)₂SnR₂Cl₂ (L = L¹, L² or L³), which have been confirmed by elemental analysis and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of (L²)₂Sn(n‐Bu)₂Cl₂·0.5C₆H₁₄ and (L³)₂SnEt₂Cl₂ determined by X‐ray crystallography show that the functionalized bis(pyrazol‐1‐yl)methane acts as a monodentate ligand through the pyridyl nitrogen atom, and the pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms do not coordinate to the tin atom. The cytotoxic activity of these complexes for Hela cells in vitro was tested. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis,characterization and theoretical and fluorescence emission microscopy studies of new Pd/Pt–cyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes: Application of Taguchi method for optimization of parameters in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction

The reactions of unsymmetric phosphorus ylides of the type [Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂?C(H)C(O)C₆H₄‐p‐CN] (n = 1 (Y¹); n = 2 (Y²)) with C₆₀ and M(dba)₂ (M = Pd or Pt; dba = dibenzylideneacetone) are reported. Based on the various coordination modes of these ylides in complexation, the following new Pd/Pt–cyclopropa[60]fullerene complexes were obtained: P,C‐coordinated [(η²‐C₆₀)Pd(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 1 ) and [(η²‐C₆₀)Pt(κ²‐Y¹)] ( 2 ) complexes and P‐coordinated [(η²‐C₆₀)Pd(Y²)₂] ( 3 ) and [(η²‐C₆₀)Pt(Y²)₂] ( 4 ) complexes. These compounds were characterized using Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible and NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopies and scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, cytotoxicity studies showed that nanoparticles of these complexes can be used as non‐toxic labels for cellular imaging application. Also energy decomposition analysis results revealed that the percentage contribution of ΔE_elec in total interaction energy is considerably larger than that of ΔE_orb. Thus, in all complexes the (η²‐C₆₀)M? (Y¹) bond is considerably more electrostatic in nature than the (η²‐C₆₀)? M(Y¹) bond. Finally, by application of the Taguchi method for optimization of parameters in Suzuki–Miyaura reaction, the catalytic activity of Pd complexes 1 and 3 was investigated in the cross‐coupling reaction of various aryl chlorides with phenylboronic acid. According to analysis of variance results, solvent has the highest F value and it has high contribution percentage (36.75%) to the yield of Suzuki–Miyaura reaction.     

2‐Arylimino(diferrocenyl)‐ and (di‐p‐anisyl)dihydropyrimidines: Novel Synthesis,Structures, and Electrochemistry

2,3‐Differocenyl‐ and 2,3‐dianisyl‐1‐methylsulfanylcyclopropenilium iodides react with 1,3‐diphenyl‐ and 1,3‐di‐o‐tolylguanidine to give 1‐aryl‐2‐arylimino‐5,6‐ ( 5a , 5b ) and ‐4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 6a , 6b ) (～ 2:1) and, respectively, 5,6‐ and 4,5‐dianisyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines (～ 2:1). Their structures were established based on the spectroscopic data and X‐ray diffraction analysis of 5,6‐diferrocenyl‐1‐(o‐tolyl)‐2‐(o‐tolyl)imino‐ and 4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 5b and 6a , respectively). Electrochemical behavior of compounds 5b, 6b, and 5a+6a were investigated using experiments of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. For all the compounds, two electrochemical processes ( I , II ), attributed to the oxidations of the ferrocenes moieties were observed. The values of ΔE^0′ ( II‐I ) and comproportionation constant K_com are also reported. Additionally, an electrochemical oxidation with a fast coupled chemical reaction related to the pyrimide ring was also detected.     

Synthesis,structural and chemosensitivity studies of arene d6 metal complexes having N‐phenyl‐N´‐(pyridyl/pyrimidyl)thiourea derivatives

The d⁶ metal complexes of thiourea derivatives were synthesized to investigate its cytotoxicity. Treatment of various N‐phenyl‐N´ pyridyl/pyrimidyl thiourea ligands with half‐sandwich d⁶ metal precursors yielded a series of cationic complexes. Reactions of ligand (L1‐L3) with [(p‐cymene)RuCl₂]₂ and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh/Ir) led to the formation of a series of cationic complexes bearing general formula [(arene)M(L1)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺, [(arene)M(L2)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ and [(arene)M(L3)к²_(N,S)Cl]⁺ [arene = p‐cymene, M = Ru ( 1 , 4 , 7 ); Cp*, M = Rh ( 2 , 5 , 8 ); Cp*, Ir ( 3 , 6 , 9 )]. These compounds were isolated as their chloride salts. X‐ray crystallographic studies of the complexes revealed the coordination of the ligands to the metal in a bidentate chelating N,S‐ manner. Further the cytotoxicity studies of the thiourea derivatives and its complexes evaluated against HCT‐116 (human colorectal cancer), MIA‐PaCa‐2 (human pancreatic cancer) and ARPE‐19 (non‐cancer retinal epithelium) cancer cell lines showed that the thiourea ligands displayed no activity. Upon complexation however, the metal compounds possesses cytotoxicity and whilst potency is less than cisplatin, several complexes exhibited greater selectivity for HCT‐116 or MIA‐PaCa‐2 cells compared to ARPE‐19 cells than cisplatin in vitro. Rhodium complexes of thiourea derivatives were found to be more potent as compared to ruthenium and iridium complexes.     

Hydrophilic Quaternary Ammonium‐Group‐Containing [FeFe]‐Hydrogenase Models: Synthesis,Structures, and Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Production

The first quaternary ammonium‐group‐containing [FeFe]‐hydrogenase models [(μ‐PDT)Fe₂(CO)₄{κ²‐(Ph₂P)₂N(CH₂)₂NMe₂BzBr}] ( 2 ; PDT=propanedithiolate) and [(μ‐PDT)Fe₂(CO)₄{μ‐(Ph₂P)₂N(CH₂)₂NMe₂BzBr}] ( 4 ) have been prepared by the quaternization of their precursors [(μ‐PDT)Fe₂(CO)₄{κ²‐(Ph₂P)₂N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] ( 1 ) and [(μ‐PDT)Fe₂(CO)₄{μ‐(Ph₂P)₂N(CH₂)₂NMe₂}] ( 3 ) with benzyl bromide in high yields. Although new complexes 1 – 4 have been fully characterized by spectroscopic and X‐ray crystallographic studies, the chelated complexes 1 and 2 converted into their bridged isomers 3 and 4 at higher temperatures, thus demonstrating that these bridged isomers are thermodynamically favorable. An electrochemical study on hydrophilic models 2 and 4 in MeCN and MeCN/H₂O as solvents indicates that the reduction potentials are shifted to less‐negative potentials as the water content increases. This outcome implies that both 2 and 4 are more easily reduced in the mixed MeCN/H₂O solvent than in MeCN. In addition, hydrophilic models 2 and 4 act as electrocatalysts and achieve higher i_cat/i_p values and turnover numbers (TONs) in MeCN/H₂O as a solvent than in MeCN for the production of hydrogen from the weak acid HOAc.     

Unsaturated Ruthenium Hydrides as Reactive Intermediates: An Experimental Investigation and Theoretical Model Study of (dtbpm‐κ2P)Ru(H)Cl, (dtbpe‐κ2P)Ru(H)Cl and Their Dinuclear Dynamic Precursor Complexes

A detailed spectroscopic and quantum‐chemical structure investigation of the dinuclear, 16‐valence‐electron complexes [(^tBu₂P(CH₂)_nP^tBu₂‐κ²P)RuH]₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂ (n=1, 2), stabilized by the bulky, electron‐rich chelating ligands bis[di(t‐butyl)phosphano]methane (^tBu₂PCH₂P^tBu₂, dtbpm) and 1,2‐bis[di(t‐butyl)phosphano]ethane (^tBu₂PCH₂CH₂P^tBu₂, dtbpe) is reported. VT‐NMR Spectroscopy of [(dtbpm‐κ²P)RuH]₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂, an important precursor of olefin metathesis catalysts, and of its homologue [(dtbpe‐κ²P)RuH]₂(μ₂‐Cl)₂ reveals facile interconversion of dinuclear cis‐ and trans‐dihydride isomers for both systems. Crossover experiments provide evidence for the existence of short‐lived, mononuclear intermediates (dtbpm‐κ²P)Ru(H)Cl and (dtbpe‐κ²P)Ru(H)Cl in solution. Mechanistic features of the cis‐trans isomerization process as well as structural and electronic properties of model systems for the dinuclear complexes and mononuclear intermediates were treated theoretically by DFT calculations.     

Synthesis,characterization and biological application of cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes

A series of square planar cyclometalated heteroleptic platinum(II) complexes of the type [(C^N)Pt(O^O)] [where, O^O is a β‐diketonato ligand of acetylacetone (acac), C^N = cyclometalating 7‐(4‐fluorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L¹), 7‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L²), 7‐(4‐bromophenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L³), 7‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐5‐phenylpyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L⁴), 5‐phenyl‐7‐(p‐tolyl)pyrazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine (L⁵)] have been design, synthesized and characterized. All compounds have been screened for biological studies like in vitro antibacterial, in vitro cytotoxicity, cellular level cytotoxicity, absorption titration, viscosity measurements, fluorescence quenching analysis, molecular docking and DNA nuclease. The intrinsic binding constants (K_b) of compounds with HS‐DNA has been obtained in range of 2.892–0.242 × 10⁵ M^?1. All the compounds bound with HS DNA by partial intercalative mode of binding. MIC study has been carried out against Gram^(+ve) and Gram^(?ve) bacterial species. In vitro cytotoxicity against brine shrimp lethality bioassay has been also carried out. The LC₅₀ values of the ligands and complexes have been found in range of 56.49–120.22 μg/mL and 6.71–11.96 μg/mL, respectively.