Synthesis and first characterization of N-alkyldiaminoresorcinols

We report the synthesis and first characterization of N-alkyldiaminoresorcinols (or 4,6-bis-dialkylaminobenzene-1,3-diols C₆H₂(NHR)₂(OH)₂) (10a, R = CH₂-2-Py; 10b, R = CH₂-3-Py; 10c, R = CH₂-4-Py) which result from one-pot stepwise reactions: (i) air-oxidation of diaminoresorcinol 3, (ii) transamination reaction leading to the corresponding functional 6π+6π quinonemonoimine zwitterions C₆H₂(NHR)₂(O)₂ (9a, R = CH₂-2-Py; 9b, R = CH₂-3-Py; 9c, R = CH₂-4-Py), (iii) reduction and re-aromatization in the presence of the corresponding primary amine bearing a pyridine moiety.     

Bis(2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl)tin(IV) compounds: Synthesis, single-crystal X-ray characterization and reactivity toward ionizing species and polar monomers

The synthesis of new organotin compounds of general formula Tip₂SnRR′ (Tip = 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzene; R = R′ = CH₃ (1); R = R′ = CHCH₂ (2); R = CH₂Ph, R′ = Br (3); R = R′ = CH₂CHCH₂ (4)) is described herein. The compounds have been characterized by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis has been obtained for compounds 2, 3 and 4. The reactivity with ionizing agents has been studied by NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 2 and 4 underwent alkyl abstraction by [(CH₃CH₂)₃Si]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ affording stable cationic species (2a, 4a). For the cationic specie 4a a π-interaction of the benzyl group to the metal centre was recognized by solution NMR studies. A cationic species (3a) was generated from compound 3 using AgSbF₆ as ionizing agent. The cationic species (2a, 3a) exhibited moderate activity as initiator in the cationic polymerization of 1,4-butadiene and good activity in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of propylene oxide and ε-caprolactone.     

Liquid crystal behaviour of ionic allylpalladium complexes containing 2-pyrazolylpyridine as bidentate N,N′-ligand

Two types of Pd-complexes containing the new N,N′-ligands 2-[3-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)pyrazol-1-yl]pyridine (pz^Rpy; R = C₆H₄OC_nH_2n+1, n = 6 (hp), 10 (dp), 12 (ddp), 14 (tdp), 16 (hdp), 18 (odp)) (1-6), namely c-[Pd(Cl)₂(pz^Rpy)] (7-10) and c-[Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(pz^Rpy)]BF₄ (11-16), have been synthesised and characterised by different spectroscopic techniques. Those members of the second type containing the largest chains (R = ddp 13, tdp 14, hdp 15, odp 16) have been found to have liquid crystal properties showing smectic A mesophases. By contrast, neither the free ligands pz^Rpy nor their related c-[Pd(Cl)₂(pz^Rpy)] complexes exhibited mesomorphism. The new synthesised metallomesogens are mononuclear complexes with an unsymmetrical molecular shape as deduced from the X-ray structures of c-[Pd(η³-C₃H₅)(pz^Rpy)]BF₄ (R = hp, 11; dp, 12). Both compounds, which are isostructural, show a distorted square-planar environment on the palladium centres defined by the allyl and the bidentate pz^Rpy ligands. The crystal structure reveals that both the counteranion and the pz^Rpy ligand function as a source of hydrogen-bonding and intermolecular π?π contacts resulting in a ²D supramolecular assembly.     

Synthetic and X-ray diffraction studies of borosiloxane cages [R′Si(ORBO)3SiR′] and the adducts of [BuSi{O(PhB)O}3SiBu] with pyridine or N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine

Eleven borosiloxane [R′Si(ORBO)₃SiR′] compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = Ph (1), 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), 4-CH(O)C₆H₄ (5), CpFeC₅H₄ (6), 4-C(O)CH₃C₆H₄ (7), 4-ClC₆H₄ (8), 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), and R′ = cyclo-C₆H₁₁ and R = Ph (10), and 4-BrC₆H₄ (11) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic (IR, NMR), mass spectrometric and, for compounds where R′ = Bu^t and R = 4-PhC₆H₄ (2), 4-Bu^tC₆H₄ (3), 3-NO₂C₆H₄ (4), CpFeC₅H₄ (6) and 2,4-F₂C₆H₃ (9), X-ray diffraction studies. These compounds contain trigonal planar RBO₂ and tetrahedral R′SiO₃ units located around 11-atom “spherical” Si₂O₆B₃ cores. The dimensions of the Si₂O₆B₃ cores in compounds 2, 3, 4, 6 and 9 are remarkably similar. The reaction between [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t] (1), and excess pyridine yields the 1:1 adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}SiBu^t]. NC₅H₅ (12) while the reaction between 1 and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine in equimolar amounts affords a 2:1 borosiloxane:amine adduct [Bu^tSi{O(PhB)O}₃SiBu^t]₂ · Me₂NCH₂CH₂NMe₂ (13). Compounds 12 and 13 were characterised with IR and (¹H, ¹³C and¹¹B) NMR spectroscopies and the structure of the pyridine complex 12 was determined with X-ray techniques.     

Dihalogen-halogenomethyl complexes of indium(III) X2InCH2X (X = Br, I): Simultaneous coordination of soft and hard ligands

Halogenomethyl-dihalogen-indium(III) compounds X₂InCH₂X (X = Br, I) obtained from indium monohalides and methylene dihalides were reacted with the soft donor ligands dialkylsulfides, R₂S (R = CH₃, CH₂Ph) to afford the corresponding dialkylsulfonium methylide complexes of InX₃, X₃InCH₂SR₂ (X = Br, R = CH₃, 1; X = I, R = CH₃, 2; X= I, R = CH₂Ph, 3). Compound 1 was reacted with the hard donor ligands dimethylsulfoxide or triphenylphosphine oxide to give the corresponding 1:1 adduct, Br₃(L)InCH₂S(CH₃)₂ (L = (CH₃)₂SO, 4; L = (C₆H₅)₃PO, 5). Compounds 1-5 were fully characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray methods.     

Syntheses, structural and spectroscopic characterization of novel zinc(II)-bis(trithiocarbimato) complexes and bis(N-methylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)-sulfide

Four zinc(II)-bis(trithiocarbimato) complexes with the general formula A₂[Zn(RSO₂NCS₃)₂] [A = Ph₄P⁺: R = CH₃ (1), 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (2); A = Bu₄N⁺: R = CH₃ (3), 4-CH₃C₆H₄ (4)] were obtained by the reaction of sulfur with the correspondent zinc(II)-bis(dithiocarbimato) complexes. Additionally, the compound (Ph₄P)₂[(CH₃SO₂NCS₂)₂S)] (5) was prepared from the potassium methylsulfonildithiocarbimate by oxidation with iodine. The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies. The compounds 4 and 5 were also characterized by X-ray diffraction techniques. The compound 4 crystallizes in the centrosymmetric space group C2/c of the monoclinic system. The Zn(II) is in a distorted tetrahedral environment (ZnS₄) in compound 4, and differ from the coordination mode observed in compound 1, which involves one sulfur and one nitrogen atom of each trithiocarbimate ligand. Compound 5 is the first example of a compound containing a bis(N-alkylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)-sulfide dianion and crystallises in the non-centrosymmetric space group P4₁2₁2 of the tetragonal system.     

The preparation, properties and X-ray structures of gold(I) trithiophosphite complexes

The first gold(I) trithiophosphite complexes were synthesised and fully characterised. Reaction of (tht)AuX (X = Cl, C₆F₅; tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with trithiophosphites (RS)₃P (R = Me, Ph) and the bicyclic [(SCH₂CH₂S)PSCH₂]₂ (²L) afforded the corresponding molecular complexes (RS)₃PAuX [R = Me, X = Cl (1); R = Me, X = C₆F₅ (2); R = Ph, X = Cl (3); R = Ph, X = C₆F₅ (4)], and ²L(AuX)₂ [X = Cl (5), X = C₆F₅ (6)]. Reacting (tht)AuCl consecutively with two mole equivalents of (MeS)₃P and then AgOTf, gave the ionic compound {[(MeS)₃P]₂Au}OTf (7). The compounds were characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR measurements and mass spectrometry, and the crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3, 6, two polymorphs of 2 as well as the known (MeO)₃PAuCl (8) were determined by X-ray diffraction. The halide complexes 1 and 8 are isostructural and exhibit infinite chains of “crossed-sword”-type aurophilic interactions with Au?Au contact distances of 3.2942(3) and 3.1635(4) Å, respectively. Complex 6 exhibits a long Au?Au contact of 3.4671(9) Å. Au?S interactions between 3.3455(7) and 3.520(2) Å are present in the structures of 1 and one polymorph of 2.     

Substituted lithiumtrimethylsiloxysilanides LiSiRR′(OSiMe3) - Investigations of their synthesis, stability and reactivity

The reactions of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-h: R′ = Ph, 1a: R = H, 1b: R = Me, 1c: R = Et, 1d: R = ⁱPr, 1e: R = ^tBu, 1f: R = Ph, 1g: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), 1h: R = 2,4,6-(Me₂CH)₃C₆H₂ (Tip); 1i: R = R′ = Mes) with lithium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C and in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane in a volume ratio 4:1:1 at −110 °C lead to mixtures of numerous compounds. Dependent on the substituents silyllithium derivatives (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2b-i), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g), Me₃SiRR′SiLi (4a-h), (LiO)RR′SiLi (12e, 12g-i), trisiloxanes (Me₃SiO)₂SiRR′ (5a-i) and trimethylsiloxydisilanes (6f^∗, 6h^∗, 6i^∗) are formed. All silyllithium compounds were trapped with Me₃SiCl or HMe₂SiCl resulting in the following products: (Me₃SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂R″ (6b-i: R″ = Me, 7c-i: R″ = H), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂SiMe₂R″ (8a-g: R″ = Me, 9a-g: R″ = H), Me₃SiRR′SiSiMe₂R″ (10a-h: R″ = Me, 11a-h: R″ = H) and (HMe₂SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂H (13e, 13g-i). The stability of trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2 depends on the substituents and on the temperature. (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2i) is the most stable compound due to the high steric shielding of the silicon centre. The trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2a-g undergo partially self-condensation to afford the corresponding trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g). (Me₃)Si-O bond cleavage was observed for 2e and 2g-i. The relatively stable trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2f, 2g and 2i react with n-butyllithium under nucleophilic butylation to give the n-butyl-substituted silyllithiums ⁿBuRR′SiLi (15g, 15f, 15i), which were trapped with Me₃SiCl. By reaction of 2g and 2i with 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene the corresponding 1,1-diarylsilacyclopentenes 17g and 17i are obtained.X-ray studies of 17g revealed a folded silacyclopentene ring with the silicon atom located 0.5 Å above the mean plane formed by the four carbon ring atoms.     

New alkenyl-substituted group 4 C-ansa-metallocene complexes. Reactivity of the substituent at the carbon ansa bridge

The allyl-substituted group 4 metal complexes [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti, R = CH₂CHCH₂, (2); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (3); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂ (4), R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂ (5)] have been synthesized by the reaction of allyl ansa-magnesocene derivatives and the tetrachloride salts of the corresponding transition metal. The dialkyl complexes ] [M = Ti, R = CH₂=CHCH₂, R′ = Me (6), R′ = CH₂Ph (7); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (8), R′ = CH₂Ph (9); M = Zr, R = CH₂CHCH₂, R′ = Me (10), R′ = CH₂Ph (11); R = CH₂C(CH₃)CH₂, R′ = Me (12), R′ = CH₂Ph (13)] have been synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding ansa-metallocene dichloride complexes 2-5 and two molar equivalents of the alkyl Grignard reagent. Compounds 2-5 reacted with H₂ under catalytic conditions (Wilkinson’s catalyst or Pd/C) to give the hydrogenation products [M{(R)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (14) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (15); M = Zr and R = CH₂CH₂CH₃ (16) or R = CH₂CH(CH₃)₂ (17)]. The reactivity of 2-5 has also been tested in hydroboration and hydrosilylation reactions. The hydroboration reactions of 3, 4 and 5 with 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane (9-BBN) yielded the complexes [M{(9-BBN)CH₂CH(R)CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (18); M = Zr and R = H (19) or R = CH₃ (20)]. The reaction with the silane reagents HSiMe₂Cl gave the corresponding [M{ClMe₂SiCH₂CHRCH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] [M = Ti and R = H (21); M = Zr and R = H (22) or R = CH₃ (23)]. The reaction of 22 with t-BuMe₂SiOH produced a new complex [Zr{t-BuMe₂SiOSi(Me₂)CH₂CH₂CH₂CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}Cl₂] (24) through the formation of Si-O-Si bonds. On the other hand, reactivity studies of some zirconocene complexes were carried out, with the insertion reaction of phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO) into the zirconium-carbon σ-bond of [Zr{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}₂Me₂] (25) giving [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr{Me{κ²-O,N-OC(Me)NPh}] as a mixture of two isomers 26a-b. The reaction of [Zr{(n-Bu)(H)C(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)}(CH₂Ph)₂] (27) with CO also provided a mixture of two isomers [{(n-Bu)CH(η⁵-C₅Me₄)(η⁵-C₅H₄)]}Zr(CH₂Ph){κ²-O,C-COCH₂Ph}] 28a-b. The molecular structures of 4, 11, 16 and 17 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

o-Phenylene-bridged Cp/amido titanium and zirconium complexes and their polymerization reactivity

o-Phenylene-bridged trimethylcyclopentadienyl/amido titanium complexes [(η⁵-2,3,5-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NR-κN]TiCl₂ (18, R = CH₃; 19, R = CH₂CH₃; 20, R = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; 21, R = CH₂(C₆H₁₁)) and zirconium complexes {[(η⁵-2,3,5-Me₃C₅H)C₆H₄NR-κN]ZrCl-μCl}₂ (22, R = CH₃; 23, R = CH₂CH₃; 24, R = CH₂C(CH₃)₃; 25, R = CH₂(C₆H₁₁); 26, R = C₆H₁₁; 27, R = CH(CH₂CH₃)₂) are prepared via a key step of the Suzuki-coupling reaction between 2-dihydroxyboryl-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one (2) and the corresponding bromoaniline compounds. The molecular structures of titanium complexes 18 and 19 and dinuclear zirconium complexes 24 and 26 were confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The Cp(centroid)-Ti-N and Cp(centroid)-Zr-N angles are smaller, respectively, than those observed for the Me₂Si-bridged complex [Me₂Si(η⁵-Me₄C₅)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂ and its Zr-analogue, indicating that the o-phenylene-bridged complexes are more constrained than the Me₂Si-bridged complex. Titanium complex 19 exhibits comparable activity and comonomer incorporation to the CGC ([Me₂Si(η⁵-Me₄C₅)(N^tBu)]TiCl₂) in ethylene/1-octene copolymerization. Complex 19 produces a higher molecular-weight polymer than CGC.     

New synthetic route to polyphosphine ligands bearing 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)benzene framework: structural characterizations of 1,4-(PPh2)2-2,5-(PR2)2-C6F2 (R = Ph, Pr, Et)

Reactions of 1,4-dibromo-2,5-difluorobenzene with two equivalents of lithium diisopropylamide at low temperature (T < −90 °C) followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPPh₂ afford 1,4-dibromo-2,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzene (1) in good yields. Reacting 1 with two equivalents of BuLi followed by a quench with a slight excess of ClPR₂ yield novel 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(phosphino)-3,6-difluorobenzenes 1,4-(PPh₂)₂-2,5-(PR₂)₂-C₆F₂ (R = Ph (2a); R = ⁱPr (2b); R = Et (2c)) in moderate yields. Compounds 1 and 2a-c were characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. In addition, molecular structures of 2a-c have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Phosphorus atoms of PPh₂/PR₂ substituents in 2a-c are displaced from the plane of the central phenyl ring due to steric interactions with neighboring groups.     

Steric and electronic effects in stabilizing allyl-palladium complexes of “P-N-P” ligands, X2PN(Me)PX2 (X = OC6H5 or OC6H3Me2-2,6)

The chemistry of η³-allyl palladium complexes of the diphosphazane ligands, X₂PN(Me)PX₂ [X = OC₆H₅ (1) or OC₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (2)] has been investigated.The reactions of the phenoxy derivative, (PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂ with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = H or Me; R′ = H, R″ = Me) give exclusively the palladium dimer, [Pd₂{μ-(PhO)₂PN(Me)P(OPh)₂}₂Cl₂] (3); however, the analogous reaction with [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ (R′ = R″ = Ph) gives the palladium dimer and the allyl palladium complex [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(1)](PF₆) (R′ = R″ = Ph) (4). On the other hand, the 2,6-dimethylphenoxy substituted derivative 2 reacts with (allyl) palladium chloro dimers to give stable allyl palladium complexes, [Pd(η³-1,3-R′,R″-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) [R′ = R″ = H (5), Me (7) or Ph (8); R′ = H, R″ = Me (6)].Detailed NMR studies reveal that the complexes 6 and 7 exist as a mixture of isomers in solution; the relatively less favourable isomer, anti-[Pd(η³-1-Me-C₃H₄)(2)](PF₆) (6b) and syn/anti-[Pd(η³-1,3-Me₂-C₃H₃)(2)](PF₆) (7b) are present to the extent of 25% and 40%, respectively. This result can be explained on the basis of the steric congestion around the donor phosphorus atoms in 2. The structures of four complexes (4, 5, 7a and 8) have been determined by X-ray crystallography; only one isomer is observed in the solid state in each case.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and characterization of water-soluble palladium(II)-functionalized diphosphine complexes

Water-soluble functionalized bis(phosphine) ligands L (a–h) of the general formula CH₂(CH₂PR₂)₂, where for a: R = (CH₂)₆OH; b–g: R = (CH₂)_nP(O)(OEt)₂, n = 2–6 and n = 8; h: R = (CH₂)₃NH₂ ( Scheme 1), have been prepared photochemically by hydrophosphination of the corresponding 1-alkenes with H₂P(CH₂)₃PH₂. Water-soluble palladium complexes cis-[Pd(L)(OAc)₂] (1–8) were obtained by the reaction of Pd(OAc)₂ with the ligands a–h in a 1:1 mixture of dichloromethane:acetonitrile. The water-soluble phosphine ligands and their palladium complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR. A crystallographic study of complex 1 shows that the Pd(II) ion has a square planar coordination sphere in which the acetate ligands and the diphosphine ligand deviate by less than 0.12 Å from ideal planar.     

Photophysical properties and computational investigations of tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]L and tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]L derivatives (X = N-CH3, O, or S; L = Cl, pyridine)

We report a combined experimental and computational study of new rhenium tricarbonyl complexes based on the bidentate heterocyclic N-N ligands 2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole (X = N-CH₃, O, or S) and 2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline (X = N-CH₃, O, or S). Two sets of complexes are reported. Chloro complexes, described by the general formula Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 1; X = O, 2; X = S, 3) and Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 4; X = O, 5; X = S, 6) were synthesized heating at reflux Re(CO)₅Cl with the appropriate N-N ligand in toluene. The corresponding pyridine set {Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo-X-azole]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 7; X = O, 8; X = S, 9) and {Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 10; X = O, 11; X = S, 12) was synthesized by halide abstraction with silver nitrate of 1-6 followed by heating in pyridine and isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. All complexes have been fully characterized by IR, NMR, electrochemical techniques and luminescence. The crystal structures of 1 and 7 were obtained by X-ray diffraction. DFT and time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations were carried out for investigating the effect of the organic ligand on the optical properties and electronic structure of the reported complexes.     

Group 12 metal aryl selenolates. Crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Et2NCH2)C6H4]2Se2 and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4Se]2M (M = Zn, Cd)

Diorganodiselenide [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was obtained by hydrolysis/oxidation of the corresponding [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeLi derivative. The treatment of [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ with elemental sodium in THF resulted in [2-(Et₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeNa (2). Reactions between alkali metal selenolates [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeM′ (R = Me, Et; M′ = Li, Na) and MCl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) in a 2:1 molar ratio resulted in the [2-(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄Se]₂M species [R = Me, M = Zn (3), Cd (4); R = Et, M = Zn (5), Cd (6)]. The new compounds were characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ⁷⁷Se, ¹¹³Cd) and mass spectrometry. The crystal and molecular structures of 1, 3 and 4 revealed monomeric species stabilized by N → Se (for 1) and N → M (for 3 and 4) intramolecular interactions.     

Synthesis, structures and preliminary biological screening of bis(diphenyl)chlorotin complexes and adducts: Ph2ClSn-CH2-R-CH2-SnClPh2, R = p-C6H4, CH2CH2

The reaction between ClCH₂-R-CH₂Cl, R = p-C₆H₄, and [Ph₃Sn]⁻Li⁺ yields Ph₃Sn-CH₂-R-CH₂-SnPh₃ (1) in high yield. The related known compound R = CH₂CH₂ (1a) is synthesized by the reaction of the di-Grignard reagent BrMg(CH₂)₄MgBr with two equivalents of Ph₃SnCl. Cleavage of a single Sn-Ph group at each tin centre of both compounds using HCl/Et₂O yields the corresponding bis-chlorostannanes Ph₂ClSn-CH₂-R-CH₂-SnClPh₂, R = (CH₂)₄ (2) and R = C₆H₄ (3), respectively. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 are crystalline solid materials and their single crystal X-ray structures are reported. In the solid state both 2 and 3 form self-assembled ladder structures involving alternating intermolecular Cl-Sn?Cl and Cl?Sn-Cl bonded chains at both ends of the distannanes with 5-coordinate tin atoms. Recrystallization of 3 from CH₂Cl₂ in the presence of DMF yields the bis-DMF adduct (4) in which no self-assembled structures were noted. Evaluation of the chlorostannanes 2 and 3 against a suite of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Photobacterium phosphoreum is reported and compared to the related mono-chlorostannanes Ph₂(CH₃)SnCl and Ph₂(PhCH₂)SnCl.     

Coordination compounds of N,N′-olefin functionalized imidazolin-2-ylidenes

N-Heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC) were metalated with Pd(OAc)₂ or [Ni(CH₃CN)₆](BF₄)₂ by in situ deprotonation of imidazolium salts to give the N-olefin functionalized biscarbene complexes [MX₂(NHC)₂] 3-7 (3: M = Pd, X = Br, NHC = 1,3-di(3-butenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene; 4: M = Pd, X = Br, NHC = 1,3-di(4-pentenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene; 5: M = Pd, X = I, NHC = 1,3-diallylimidazolin-2-ylidene; 6: M = Ni, X = I, NHC = 1,3-diallylimidazolin-2-ylidene; 7: M = Ni, X = I, NHC = 1-methyl-3-allylimidazolin-2-ylidene). Molecular structure determinations for 4-7 revealed that square-planar complexes with cis (5) or trans (4, 6, 7) coordination geometry at the metal center had been obtained. Reaction of nickelocene with imidazolium bromides afforded the η⁵-cyclopentadienyl (η⁵-Cp) monocarbene nickel complexes [NiBr(η⁵-Cp)(NHC)] 8 and 9 (8: NHC = 1-methyl-3-allylimidazolin-2-ylidene; 9: NHC = 1,3-diallylimidazolin-2-ylidene). The bromine abstraction in complexes 8 and 9 with silver tetrafluoroborate gave complexes [NiBr(η⁵-Cp)(η³-NHC)] 10 and 11. The X-ray structure analysis of 10 and 11 showed a trigonal-pyramidal coordination geometry at the nickel(II) center and coordination of one N-allyl substituent.     

Organoselenium(II) and selenium(IV) compounds containing 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4 moieties: solution behavior and solid state structure

The cleavage of the Se-Se bond in [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ (1) was achieved by treatment with SO₂Cl₂ (1:1 molar ratio) or elemental halogens to yield [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeX [X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4)]. Oxidation of 1 with SO₂Cl₂ (1:3 molar ratio) gave [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeCl₃ (5). [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeS(S)CNR₂ [R = Me (6), Et (7)] were prepared by reacting [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeBr with Na[S₂CNR₂] · nH₂O (R = Me, n = 2; R = Et, n = 3). The reaction of 3 with K[(SPMe₂)(SPPh₂)N] resulted in isolation of [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Se-S-PMe₂N-PPh₂S (8). The compounds were characterized by solution NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se, 2D experiments). The solid-state molecular structures of 2, 4-8 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds are monomeric, with the N atom of the pendant CH₂NMe₂ arm involved in a three-center-four-electron N?Se-X (X = halogen, S) bond. This results in a T-shaped coordination geometry for the Se(II) atom in 2, 4, 6-8. In 5, the Se(IV) atom achieves a square pyramidal coordination in the mononuclear unit. Loosely connected dimers are formed through intermolecular Se?Cl interactions (3.40 Å); the overall coordination geometry being distorted octahedral. In all compounds hydrogen bonds involving halide or sulfur atoms generate supramolecular associations in crystals.     

Structure and spectroscopy of diorganotin(IV) complexes derived from N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide

Three new diorganotin(IV) complexes of the general formula R₂Sn[3-(OMe)-2-OC₆H₃CHN-NC(O)Ph] (R = Ph, Ia; R = Me, Ib; R = n-Bu, Ic) have been synthesised from the corresponding diorganotin(IV) dichlorides and the ligand, N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide in methanol at room temperature in the presence of trimethylamine. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra, and their structures have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of one representative compound Ia. Complex Ia crystallises in the orthorhombic system, space group Pna2₁ with a = 12.424(5), b = 9.911(5), c = 18.872(5) Å; Z = 4. The ligand N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)benzohydrazide (H₂L) coordinates to the metal centre in the enolate form via the phenolic O, imino N and enolic O atoms. In Ia, the central tin atom adopts a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry with the oxygen atoms in axial positions, while the imino nitrogen atom of the Schiff base and the two phenyl groups occupy the equatorial sites. The δ(¹¹⁹Sn) values for the complexes Ia, Ib and Ic are −327.3, −151.7 and −187.2 ppm, respectively, thus indicating penta-coordinated Sn centres in solution.