Chelating or bridging Pd(II) and Pt(II) metalloligands from the functional phosphine ligand N-(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine. New heterometallic Pd(II)/Pt(II) and Pt(II)/Au(I) complexes

The reaction of two equivalents of the functional phosphine ligand N-(diphenylphosphino)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-amine Ph2PNHC=NNCHS (2) with [PdCl2(NCPh)2] in the presence of NEt3 gives the neutral, P,N-chelated complex cis-[Pd(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2] ([Pd(2-H)2], 3b), which is analogous to the Pt(II) analogue cis-[Pt (Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2] ([Pt(2-H)2], 3a) reported previously. These complexes function as chelating metalloligands when further coordinated to a metal through each of the CH-N atoms. In the resulting complexes, each endo-cyclic N donor of the thiadiazole rings is bonded to a different metal centre. Thus, the heterodinuclear palladium/platinum complexes cis-[Pt(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2PdCl2]([Pt(2-H)2·PdCl2], 4a) and cis-[Pd(Ph2PN=CNN=CHS)2PtCl2]([Pd(2-H)2·PtCl2], 4b) were obtained by reaction with [PdCl2(NCPh)2] and [PtCl2(NCPh)2], respectively. In contrast, reaction of 3a with [AuCl(tht)] occurred instead at the P-bound N atom, and afforded the platinum/digold complex cis-[Pt{Ph2PN(AuCl)=CNN=CHS}2] ([Pt(2-H)2(AuCl)2], 5). For comparison, reaction of 4a with HBF4 yielded cis-[Pt(Ph2PNH=CNN=CHS)2PdCl2](BF4)2([H24a](BF4)2, 6), in which the chelated PdCl2 moiety is retained. Complexes 3b, 4a·CH2Cl2, 4b·0.5C7H8, 5·4CHCl3 and 6 have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Shorter argentophilic interaction than aurophilic interaction in a pair of dimeric {(NHC)MCl}(2) (M = Ag, Au) complexes supported over a N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand

Synthesis, structure, bonding, and photoluminescence studies of a pair of neutral dimeric silver and gold complexes of a N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene ligand exhibiting closed-shell d10...d10 argentophilic and aurophilic interactions, are reported. In particular, dimeric complexes of the type {[1-(benzyl)-3-(N-tert-butylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene]MCl}2 [M = Ag (2); Au (3)] displayed attractive metallophilic interaction in the form of a close ligand-unsupported metal...metal contact [3.1970(12) A in 2; 3.2042(2) A in 3] as observed from X-ray diffraction study and also was further verified by low temperature photoluminescence study at 77 K that showed the characteristic emission [527 nm for 2; 529 nm for 3] owing to the metal...metal interaction. The nature of the metallophilic interaction in these complexes was further probed using computational studies that estimated the metal...metal interaction energy to be 12.8 (2) and 8.6 kcal/mol (3). Notably, the argentophilic interaction was found to be stronger than the aurophilic interaction in this series of neutral dimeric complexes. The complexes 2 and 3 were synthesized sequentially, with the silver 2 complex prepared by the reaction of the 1-(benzyl)-3-(N-tert-butylacetamido)imidazolium chloride with Ag2O in 66% yield, while the gold 3 complex was obtained by the transmetallation reaction of the silver 2 complex with (SMe2)AuCl in 86% yield.     

Gold(I) N-heterocyclic carbene based initiators for bulk ring-opening polymerization of l-lactide

Synthesis, structures, and catalysis studies of gold(I) complexes of N-heterocyclic carbenes namely, a di-O-functionalized [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazol-2-ylidene], a mono-O-functionalized [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazol-2-ylidene] and a non-functionalized [1,3-di-i-propyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene], are reported. Specifically, the gold complexes, [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (1c), [1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (2c), and [1,3-di-i-propyl-benzimidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl (3b), were prepared from the respective silver complexes 1b, 2b, and 3a by treatment with (SMe₂)AuCl in good yields following the commonly used silver carbene transfer route. The silver complexes 1b, 2b, and 3a were synthesized from the respective imidazolium halide salts by the reactions with Ag₂O. The N-heterocyclic carbene precursors, 1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(acetophenone)imidazolium chloride (1a) and 1-(2-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3-(benzyl)imidazolium chloride (2a), were synthesized by the direct reactions of cyclohexene oxide and imidazole with chloroacetophenone and benzyl chloride respectively. The gold (1c, 2c, and 3b) and the silver (3a) complexes along with a new O-functionalized imidazolium chloride salt (1a) have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction. The structural studies revealed that geometries around the metal centers were almost linear in these gold and silver complexes. The gold (1c, 2c, and 3b) complexes efficiently catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide under solvent-free melt conditions producing polylactide polymer of moderate to low molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distributions.     

From large 12-membered macrometallacycles to ionic (NHC)2M+Cl- type complexes of gold and silver by modulation of the N-substituent of amido-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands

A series of structurally diverse gold and silver complexes extending from ionic (NHC) 2M(+)Cl(-) (M=Au, Ag) type complexes to large 12-membered macrometallacycles have been prepared by the appropriate modification of the N-substituent of amido-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes. Specifically, the ionic, [1-(R)-3-{ N-(t-butylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene}]2M(+)Cl(-), (R=t-Bu, i-Pr; M=Au, Ag; 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c) complexes, were obtained in case of the N- t-butyl substituent of the amido-functionalized sidearm while 12-membered macrometallacycles, [1-(R)-3-{N-(2,6-di i-propylphenylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene}]2M2, (R=t-Bu, i-Pr; M=Au, Ag; 3b, 3c, 4b, 4c) were obtained in case of the 2,6-di i-propylphenyl N-substituent. These structurally diverse complexes of gold and silver were, however, prepared employing a common synthetic pathway involving the reactions of the imidazolium chloride salts (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a) with Ag2O to give the silver complexes (1b, 2b, 3b, 4b) and which, when treated with (SMe2)AuCl, gave the gold complexes (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c). Detailed density functional theory studies of 1b, 1c, 2b, 2c, 3b, 3c, 4b, and 4c were carried out to gain insight about the structure, bonding, and the electronic properties of these complexes. The NHC-metal interaction in the ionic 1b, 1c, 2b, and 2c complexes is primarily composed of the interaction of the carbene lone pair with the empty p orbital of the metal (5p for Ag and 6p for Au) while the same in the macrometallacyclic 3b, 3c, 4b, and 4c complexes consisted of the interaction of the carbene lone pair with the empty s orbital of the metal (5s for Ag and 6s for Au). The observation of a low energy emission in about the 580-650 nm region has been tentatively assigned to originate from the presence of weak metallophilic interaction in these macrometallacyclic 3b, 3c, 4b, and 4c complexes.     

Investigation of structural and biological properties of N-heterocyclic carbene silver(I) and palladium(II) complexes

abstract

Computational investigations were done on bis(1-allyl-3-benzyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)silver(I), bis(1-benzyl-3-butyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)silver(I), bis(1-allyl-3-benzyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)dibromidepalladium(II), and bis(1-benzyl-3-butyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)dibromidepalladium(II) complexes. Related complexes were optimized at different six calculation levels which are HF/6-31G(LANL2DZ), HF/6-31G(d,p)(LANL2DZ), B3LYP/6-31G(LANL2DZ), B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)(LANL2DZ), M062X/6-31G(LANL2DZ) and M062X/6-31G(d,p)(LANL2DZ) levels in vacuo. IR and NMR spectrum are calculated and examined in detail. Energy diagram of molecular orbitals, contour diagram of frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential maps and the harmonic surface of related molecules are examined in detail. Finally, interactions between mentioned complexes and related proteins (1BNA, 1JNX, and 2ING) are investigated in detail. As a result, it is found that biological and anti-cancer properties of silver N-heterocyclic carbene complexes are higher than those of palladium complexes.     

(Fluoren-9-ylidene)methanedithiolato complexes of gold: synthesis, luminescence, and charge-transfer adducts

Piperidinium 9H-fluorene-9-carbodithioate and its 2,7-di-tert-butyl-substituted analogue [(pipH)(S(2)CCH(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7)), R = H (1a), t-Bu (1b)] and 2,7-bis(octyloxy)-9H-fluorene-9-carbodithioic acid [HS(2)CCH(C(12)H(6)(OC(8)H(17))(2)-2,7), 2] and its tautomer [2,7-bis(octyloxy)fluoren-9-ylidene]methanedithiol [(HS)(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)(OC(8)H(17))(2)-2,7), 3] were employed for the preparation of gold complexes with the (fluoren-9-ylidene)methanedithiolato ligand and its substituted analogues. The gold(I) compounds Q(2)[Au(2)(mu-kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))(2)], where Q(+) = PPN(+) or Pr(4)N(+) for R = H (Q(2)4a) or Q(+) = Pr(4)N(+) for R = OC(8)H(17) [(Pr(4)N)(2)4c], were synthesized by reacting Q[AuCl(2)] with 1a or 2 (1:1) and excess piperidine or diethylamine. Complexes of the type [(Au(PR'3))(2)(mu-kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))(2)] with R = H and R' = Me (5a), Et (5b), Ph (5c), and Cy (5d) or R = t-Bu and R' = Me (5e), Et (5f), Ph (5g), and Cy (5h) were obtained by reacting [AuCl(PR'(3))] with 1a,b (1:2) and piperidine. The reactions of 1a,b or 2 with Q[AuCl(4)] (2:1) and piperidine or diethylamine gave Q[Au(kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))(2)] with Q(+) = PPN(+) for R = H [(PPN)6a], Q(+) = PPN(+) or Bu(4)N(+) for R = t-Bu (Q6b), and Q(+) = Bu(4)N(+) for R = OC(8)H(17) [(Bu(4)N)6c]. Complexes Q6a-c reacted with excess triflic acid to give [Au(kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))(kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)CCH(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))] [R = H (7a), t-Bu (7b), OC(8)H(17) (7c)]. By reaction of (Bu(4)N)6b with PhICl(2) (1:1) the complex Bu(4)N[AuCl(2)(kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)(t-Bu)(2)-2,7))] [(Bu(4)N)8b] was obtained. The dithioato complexes [Au(SC(S)CH(C(12)H(8)))(PCy(3))] (9) and [Au(n)(S(2)CCH(C(12)H(8)))(n)] (10) were obtained from the reactions of 1a with [AuCl(PCy(3))] or [AuCl(SMe(2))], respectively (1:1), in the absence of a base. Charge-transfer adducts of general composition Q[Au(kappa(2)-S,S-S(2)C=C(C(12)H(6)R(2)-2,7))(2)].1.5TCNQ.xCH(2)Cl(2) [Q(+) = PPN(+), R = H, x = 0 (11a); Q(+) = PPN(+), R = t-Bu, x = 2 (11b); Q(+) = Bu(4)N(+), R = OC(8)H(17), x = 0 (11c)] were obtained from Q6a-c and TCNQ (1:2). The crystal structures of 5c.THF, 5e.(2)/(3)CH(2)Cl(2), 5g.CH(2)Cl(2), (PPN)6a.2Me(2)CO, and 11b were solved by X-ray diffraction studies. All the gold(I) complexes here described are photoluminescent at 77 K, and their emissions can be generally ascribed to LMMCT (Q(2)4a,c, 5a-h, 10) or LMCT (9) excited states.     

Synthesis and biological activity of ester- and amide-functionalized imidazolium salts and related water-soluble coinage metal N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand precursors, namely, HIm(A)Cl [1,3-bis(2-ethoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride] and HIm(B)Cl {1,3-bis[2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1H-imidazol-3-ium chloride}, functionalized with hydrophilic groups on the imidazole rings have been synthesized and were used in the synthesis of corresponding carbene complexes of silver(I) and copper(I), {[Im(A)]AgCl}, {[Im(A)]CuCl}, and {[Im(B)](2)Ag}Cl. Related Au(I)NHC complexes {[Im(A)]AuCl} and {[Im(B)]AuCl} have been obtained by transmetalation using the silver carbene precursor. These compounds were characterized by several spectroscopic techniques including NMR and mass spectroscopy. HIm(B)Cl and the gold(I) complexes {[Im(A)]AuCl} and {[Im(B)]AuCl} were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxic properties of the NHC complexes have been assessed in various human cancer cell lines, including cisplatin-sensitive and -resistant cells. The silver(I) complex {[Im(B)](2)Ag}Cl was found to be the most active, with IC(50) values about 2-fold lower than those achieved with cisplatin in C13*-resistant cells. Growth-inhibitory effects evaluated in human nontransformed cells revealed a preferential cytotoxicity of {[Im(B)](2)Ag}Cl versus neoplastic cells. Gold(I) and silver(I) carbene complexes were also evaluated for their ability to in vitro inhibit the enzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR). The results of this investigation showing that TrxR appeared markedly inhibited by both gold(I) and silver(I) derivatives at nanomolar concentrations clearly point out this selenoenzyme as a protein target for silver(I) in addition to gold(I) complexes.     

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes and Imidazole-2-thiones as Ligands for the Gold(I)-Catalysed Hydroamination of Phenylacetylene

Gold(I) complexes of 1-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)alkyl]-3-(mesityl)imidazol-2-ylidene (C^Imine(R) ), 1,3-dimesitylimidazol-2-ylidene (IMes) and of the corresponding thione derivatives (S^Imine(R) and IMesS) were prepared and structurally characterised. The solid-state structure of the C^Imine(R) and S^Imine(R) gold(I) complexes showed monodentate coordination of the ligand and a dangling imine group that could bind reversibly to the metal centre to stabilise otherwise unstable catalytic intermediates. Interestingly, reaction of C^Imine(tBu) with [AuCl(SMe(2) )] led to the formation of [(C^Imine(tBu) )AuCl], which rearranges upon crystallisation into the unusual complex cation [(C^Imine(tBu) )(2) Au](+) , with AuCl(2) (-) as the counterion. The activity of the gold complexes in the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with substituted anilines was tested and compared to control catalyst systems. The best catalytic performance was obtained with [(C^Imine(tBu) )AuCl], with the exclusive formation of the Markovnikov addition product in excellent yield (>95?%) regardless of the substituents on aniline.     

Observing Initial Steps in Gold‐Catalyzed Alkyne Transformations by Utilizing Bodipy‐Tagged Phosphine–Gold Complexes

The Pd‐catalyzed reactions of 3‐chloro‐bodipy with R₂PH (R=Ph, Cy) provide nonfluorescent bodipy–phosphines 3‐PR₂–bodipy 3 a (R=Ph) and 3 b (R=Cy; quantum yield Φ<0.001). Metal complexes such as [AgCl( 3 b )] and [AuCl( 3 b )] were prepared and shown to display much higher fluorescence (Φ=0.073 and 0.096). In the gold complexes, the level of fluorescence was found to be qualitatively correlated with the electron density at gold. Consequently, the fluorescence brightness of [AuCl( 3 b )] increases when the chloro ligand is replaced by a weakly coordinating anion, whereas upon formation of the electron‐rich complex [Au(SR)( 3 b )] the fluorescence is almost quenched. Related reactions of [AuCl( 3 b )] with [Ag]ONf)] (Nf= nonaflate) and phenyl acetylenes enable the tracking of initial steps in gold‐catalyzed reactions by using fluorescence spectroscopy. Treatment of [AuCl( 3 b )] with [Ag(ONf)] gave the respective [Au(ONf)( 3 b )] only when employing more than 2.5 equivalents of silver salt. The reaction of the “cationic” gold complex with phenyl acetylenes leads to the formation of the respective dinuclear cationic [{( 3 b )Au}₂(CCPh)]⁺ and an increase in the level of fluorescence. The rate of the reaction of [Au(ONf)( 3 b )] with PhCCH depends on the amount of silver salt in the reaction mixture; a large excess of silver salt accelerates this transformation. In situ fluorescence spectroscopy thus provides valuable information on the association of gold complexes with acetylenes.     

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of palladium(II) complexes of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene-imine and -amine hybrid ligands

The synthesis and structures of chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-N-donor complexes of silver(I) and palladium(II) are reported. The X-ray structure of an NHC-imine silver(I) complex [((nPr)CN(CHPh))AgBr](2) exhibits an Ag(2)Br(2) dimer motif where the imine group is not coordinated to the silver atom. Reaction between 2 and [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] gives the palladium(II) complex [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](3) that contains a chelating NHC-imine ligand as shown by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Slow hydrolysis of related complexes [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](3) and [(kappa(2)-((Ph)(2)CH)CN(CHPh))PdCl(2)](4) using triethylammonium chloride and water lead to the precipitation of single crystals of insoluble NHC-amino palladium(II) complexes [(kappa(2)-(nPr)CN(H(2)))PdCl(2)](6) and [(kappa(2)-((Ph)(2)CH)CN(H(2)))PdCl(2)](7), respectively. In the solid state, complexes 6 and 7 both exhibit intermolecular hydrogen bonding between chlorine and an amino-hydrogen atom resulting in an infinite chain structure. Substitution of an amino hydrogen for an ethyl group gives the soluble complex [(kappa(2)-(iPr)CN((H)Et))PdCl(2)](12). Reaction between two equivalents of 2 and [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] gives the di-NHC complex [(kappa(1)-(nPr)CN(CHPh))(2)PdCl(2)](5) that does not contain a coordinated imine as shown by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Conproportionation between 5 and an equivalent of [PdCl(2)(MeCN)(2)] to does not occur at temperatures up to 100 degrees C in CD(3)CN.     

新型氮杂环卡宾银(I)配合物的合成及其晶体结构

以取代苄氯(1a~1c)为起始原料,与咪唑经氮烷基化反应制得苄基咪唑氯盐(2a~2c); 2a~2c与氧化银经原位去质子化反应合成了3种新型的氮杂环卡宾银配合物--(NHC)AgCl［NHC: 1,3-二(4-甲氧基苄基)咪唑-2-亚基(3a), 1,3-二(3-甲氧基苄基)咪唑-2-亚基(3b)］和［(NHC)AgCl]₂［NHC=1,3-二(4-氯苄基)咪唑-2-亚基(3c)］,其结构经¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR,元素分析和X-射线单晶衍射表征。3a~3c单晶结构均属单斜晶系,3a为P2₁/n空间群,3b和3c为P2₁/c空间群,3a和3b为单核银配合物,3c为双核银配合物。     

DPP dyes as ligands in transition-metal complexes

The DPP dyes (=diketopyrrolopyrrole) 1 are deprotonated to give the corresponding dianions 2. These are treated with two moles of the transition-metal complexes [L(n)MX]=[(Ph(3)P)(2)MX] (M=Cu, Ag; X=Cl, NO(3)), [(Ph(3)P)AuCl], [(Et(3)P)AuCl], [(tBuNC)AuCl], [(Ph(3)P)(2)PdCl(2)], and [(Ph(3)P)(2)PtCl(2)] to give the novel bismetalated DPP dyes [L(n)MN[C(3)R(1)(O)](2)NML(n)] (4-10). In comparison with the starting materials, these compounds show better solubilities, high fluorescence quantum yields (Phi > or = 80 %), and bathochromic absorptions. The compounds 4 c, 5 a, 6 b, 6 c, 6 e, 7 c, and 8 c were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The copper and silver atoms in 4 c and 5 a are trigonal planar and are surrounded by the P atoms of the phosphane ligands and the N atom of the DPP dianion 2. Both metals are somewhat forced out-of-plane, and the P(2)M plane and the phenyl planes of R1 are twisted by > or = 70 degrees and < or = 25 degrees, respectively, towards the chromophore plane. The gold atoms in 6-8 are linearly coordinated to one N and one P (6 b, c, e, 7 c) or one C atom (8 c), respectively. The gold atoms are only slightly pressed out-of-plane, and the P substituents are staggered so that there is enough space for the planarization of R(1) into the plane of the chromophore. Compound 8 c shows intermolecular d(10)-d(10) interactions between Au(I) centers of different molecules, and these interactions lead to infinite chains of parallel orientated molecules in a gauche conformation of neighbors (torsion angle=150 degrees) in the crystal.     

Gold complexes with potentially tri- and tetradentate phosphinothiolate ligands

Reactions of [Au(PPh3)Cl], (Bu4N)[AuCl4] and the organometallic gold complex [Au(damp-C1,N)Cl2] (damp- = 2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl) with the potentially tri- and tetradentate proligands PhP(C6H3-SH-2-R-3)2 (H2L1a, R = SiMe3; H2L1b, R = H) and P(C6H4-SH-2)3 (H3L2) result in the formation of mono- or dinuclear gold complexes depending on the precursor used. Monomeric complexes of the type [AuL1Cl] are formed upon the reaction with [Au(damp-C1,N)Cl2], but small amounts of dinuclear [AuL1]2 complexes with gold in two different oxidation states, +1 and +3, have been isolated as side-products. The dinuclear compounds are obtained in better yields from [AuCl4]-. A dinuclear complex having two Au(III) centers can be isolated from the reaction of [Au(PPh3)Cl] with H3L2, whereas from the reaction with H2L1b the mononuclear [Au(Ph3P)HL1b] is obtained, which contains a three-coordinate gold atom. Comparatively short gold-gold distances have been found in the dinuclear complexes (2.978(2) and 3.434(1) A). They are indicative of weak gold-gold interactions, which is unusual for gold(III).     

Highly convenient amine-free sonogashira coupling in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium by trans- and cis-[(NHC)2PdX2] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

Two new trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes of N/O-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes employed in a highly convenient amine-free Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in air in a polar mixed aqueous medium are reported. Specifically, the trans-[{1-benzyl-3-(3,3-dimethyl-2-oxobutyl)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdBr(2)] (3) and cis-[{1-benzyl-3-(N-tert-butylacetamido)imidazol-2-ylidene}(2)PdCl(2)] (4) complexes effectively catalyzed the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of aryl iodides with substituted acetylenes in air in a mixed solvent (DMF/H(2)O, 3:1 v/v) under amine-free conditions. Interestingly, these trans- and cis-[(NHC)(2)PdX(2)] (X=Cl, Br) complexes, with two N-heterocyclic carbene ligands, exhibited superior activity compared with the now popular PEPPSI (pyridine enhanced precatalyst preparation, stabilization and initiation)-themed analogues, trans-[(NHC)Pd(pyridine)X(2)] (X=Cl, Br), 3 a and 4 a, with one N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and a "throw away" pyridine ligand in a trans disposition to each other. The higher activities of 3 and 4 compared with PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a are attributed to more-electron-rich metal centers, as revealed by DFT studies, in the former complexes and is in concurrence with a more electron-rich metal center being effective in facilitating the oxidative addition of aryl halide, often a rate-determining step in palladium-mediated cross-coupling reactions. Complexes 3 and 4 were prepared from the corresponding silver analogues by transmetalation with [(cod)PdCl(2)], whereas the corresponding PEPPSI analogues 3 a and 4 a were obtained directly from the imidazolium halide salts by reaction with PdCl(2) in pyridine in the presence of K(2)CO(3) as base.     

Unprecedented long-range 1,7-bromination in gold complexes of N-(aryl)imino functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

An unique long-range 1,7-bromination reaction is observed in gold(iii) complexes of N-(aryl)imino functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene with the bromination occurring at two different carbon (sp(2) and sp(3)) centers spatially separated by ca. 6.4 A but existing in extended conjugation to each other. In particular, the unusual distant 1,7-brominated gold(iii) complexes [1-R-3-{N-(p-bromo-2,6-di-i-propylphenylimino)-2-phenyl-1-bromoethyl}imidazol-2-ylidene]AuBr(3) [R = Me (), i-Pr (), t-Bu (), -CH(2)Ph ()] were synthesized cleanly at room temperature under ambient conditions from the reactions of molecular bromine with the gold(i) complexes [1-R-3-{N-(2,6-di-i-propylphenylimino)-2-phenylethyl}imidazol-2-ylidene]AuCl [R = Me (), i-Pr (), t-Bu (), -CH(2)Ph ()]. All of the 1,7-bromination products (, , and ) have been structurally verified by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel Pd(II) complexes with chelating and non-chelating heterocyclic iminocarbene ligands

The imidazolium salts [3-R1-1-{2-Ar-imino)-2-R2-ethyl}imidazolium] chloride (C-N; Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3; R1/R2 = Me/Me (a), Me/Ph (b), Ph/Me (c), 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 (d), 2,6-iPr2C6H3 (e)) react with Ag(2)O to give Ag(I) iminocarbene complexes (C-N)AgCl (4a-e) in which the iminocarbene ligand is bonded to Ag via the imidazoline-2-ylidene carbon atom. The solid-state structures of 4b and 4d were determined by X-ray crystallography and revealed the presence of monomeric (carbene)AgCl units with Z and E configurations at the imine C=N bonds, respectively. Carbene transfer to Pd occurs when compounds 4b-e are treated with (COD)PdCl2 to yield bis(carbene) complexes (C-N)2PdCl2 (6b-e) containing two kappa1-C bonded iminocarbene moieties. NMR spectroscopic data indicated a trans coordination geometry at Pd. This conclusion was supported by an X-ray structure determination of 6b which clearly demonstrated the non-chelating nature of the iminocarbene ligand system. EXSY 1H NMR spectroscopy suggests that the non-chelating structures undergo E/Z isomerization at the imine C[double bond, length as m-dash]N double bonds in solution. The preparative results contrast our earlier report that the reaction between 4a and (COD)PdCl2 results in a chelating kappa2-C,N bonded iminocarbene complex (C-N)PdCl2. The coordination mode and dynamic behavior of the iminocarbene ligand systems have been found to be dramatically affected by changes in the substitution pattern of the ligand system. Sterically unencumbered systems (a) favor the formation of kappa2-C,N chelate structures containing one iminocarbene moiety per metal upon coordination at Pd(II); these complexes were demonstrated to engage in reversible, solvent-mediated chelate ring-opening reactions. Sterically encumbered systems (b-e) form non-chelating kappa1-C iminocarbene Pd(II) complexes containing two iminocarbene ligands per metal. Transannular repulsions across the chelate ring are believed to be the origin of these structural differences.     

Preparation and NMR studies of cobalt-containing diphosphine ligand chelated W, Ru, Au and Pd complexes: Suzuki cross-coupling reactions and carbonylation catalyzed by the Pd complex

Treatment of a cobalt-containing diphosphine ligand, [[mu-P,P-PPh2CH2PPh2]Co2(CO)4[mu-PPh2C[triple bond]CPPh2]] 1 with metal complexes W(CO)6, Ru3(CO)12, AuCl(tht)(tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and (COD)PdCl2(COD = 1,5-cycloctadiene) gave 1-chelated metal complexes [(1)W(CO)4], [(mu-1)Ru3(CO)10] 4, [(1)(AuCl)2] 5 and [(1)PdCl2] 6, respectively. All these compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means whereas 3, 4 and 6 were also studied by X-ray diffraction. These compounds display chelating and bridging modes of metal-phosphine complexation. Variable-temperature 1H and 31P NMR experiments were carried out for 3-6 and revealed that the fluxional behavior of each individual bridging dppm fragment was affected greatly by the bite angle of 1 in each metal complex. Suzuki cross-coupling reactions were satisfactorily catalyzed by under mild conditions. The reactions of aryl halides or iodothiophenes with chloroform and alkali in biphasic solution utilizing a catalytic amount of result into the formation of benzoic and thiophenic acids, respectively.     

Imidazolin-2-iminato titanium complexes: synthesis, structure and use in ethylene polymerization catalysis

The Staudinger reaction of the imidazolin-2-ylidenes, 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1a), 1,3-diisopropylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1b), 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1c), 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene (1d) and 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimidazolin-2-ylidene (1e), with trimethylsilyl azide furnishes the corresponding N-silylated 2-iminoimidazolines 2a-e, which react with [(eta-C5H5)TiCl3] to afford half-sandwich cyclopentadienyl titanium complexes of the type [CpTi(L)Cl2] (3) (L = imidazolin-2-iminato ligand). Similarly, the reactions of 1,3-di-tert-butyl-2-(trimethylsilylimino)imidazoline (2a) with [(eta-tBuC5H4)TiCl3] results in the formation of [(eta-tBuC5H4)Ti(L)Cl2] (4) (L = 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imide). Bis(1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-iminato)titanium dichloride (5) is obtained from the reaction of two eq. of 2a with TiCl4. Treatment of 5 with methyllithium results in the formation of the corresponding dimethyl complex [L2Ti(CH3)2] (6), whereas [CpTi(L)(CH3)2] (7) is similarly obtained from 3a. The molecular structures of 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e x C7H8, 4 and 7 are reported revealing linearly coordinated imidazolin-2-iminato ligands together with very short Ti-N bond distances. All dichloro complexes (3a-e, 4 and 5) can be activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) to give active catalysts for ethylene homopolymerization. In most cases, moderate to high activities are observed together with the formation of high (HMWPE) or even ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).     

Experimental and theoretical studies of the d8-d10 interaction between Pd(II) and Au(I): bis(chloro[(phenylthiomethyl)diphenylphosphine]gold(I))- dichloropalladium(II) and related systems

The reaction between thioether phosphine gold(I) precursors such as [AuCl(Ph2PCH2SPh)], 1, or [Au(Ph2PCH2SPh)2]CF3SO3 and PdCl2(NCPh)2 affords the new compounds [(AuCl(Ph2PCH2SPh)2PdCl2], 2, and [AuPdCl2(Ph2PCH2SPh)2]CF3SO3, 3. The crystal structure of complex 2 has the sterically unhindered Pd(II) and Au(I) at a distance of 314 pm. Quasirelativistic pseudopotential calculations on [AuPdCl3(PH2CH2SH)(SH2)] models give short Au-Pd distances at the second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) level and long Au-Pd distances at Hartree-Fock (HF) level. A detailed analysis of the Au-Pd interaction shows dominant dispersion, some ionic contributions, and no net charge transfer between the metals.     

Synthesis, structures and reactions of cyclometallated gold complexes containing (2-diphenylarsino-n-methyl)phenyl (n = 5, 6)

Reaction of (C6H3-2-AsPh2-n-Me)Li (n = 5 or 6) with [AuBr(AsPh3)] at -78 degrees C gives the corresponding cyclometallated gold(I) complexes [Au2[(mu-C6H3-n-Me)AsPh2]2] [n = 5, (1); n = 6, (9)]. 1 undergoes oxidative addition with halogens and with dibenzoyl peroxide to give digold(II) complexes [Au2X2[(mu-C6H3-5-Me)AsPh2]2] [X = Cl (2a), Br (2b), I (2c) and O2CPh (3)] containing a metal-metal bond between the 5d9 metal centres. Reaction of 2a with AgO2CMe or of 3 with C6F5Li gives the corresponding digold(II) complexes in which X = O2CMe (4) and C6F5 (6), respectively. The Au-Au distances increase in the order 4 < 2a < 2b < 2c < 6, following the covalent binding tendency of the axial ligand. Like the analogous phosphine complexes, 2a-2c and 6 in solution rearrange to form C-C coupled digold(I) complexes [Au2X2[mu-2,2-Ph2As(5,5-Me2C6H3C6H3)AsPh2]] [X = Cl (5a), X = Br (5b), X = I (5c) and C6F5 (7)] in which the gold atoms are linearly coordinated by As and X. In contrast, the products of oxidative additions to 9 depend markedly on the halogens. Reaction of 9 with chlorine gives the gold(I)-gold(III) complex, [ClAu[mu-2-Ph2As(C6H3-6-Me)]AuCl[(6-MeC6H3)-2-AsPh2]-kappa2As,C] (10), which contains a four-membered chelate ring, Ph2As(C6H3-6-Me), in the coordination sphere of the gold(III) atom. When 10 is heated, the ring is cleaved, the product being the digold(I) complex [ClAu[mu-2-Ph2As(C6H3-6-Me)]Au[AsPh2(2-Cl-3-Me-C6H3)]] (11). Reaction of 9 with bromine at 50 degrees C gives a monobromo digold(I) complex (12), which is similar to 11 except that the 2-position of the substituted aromatic ring bears hydrogen instead halogen. Reaction of 9 with iodine gives a mixture of a free tertiary arsine, (2-I-3-MeC6H3)AsPh2 (13), a digold diiodo compound (14) analogous to 11, and a gold(I)-gold(III) zwitterionic complex [I2Au(III)[(mu-C6H3-2-AsPh2-6-Me)]2Au(I)] (15) in which the bridging units are arranged head-to-head between the metal atoms. The structures of 2a-2c and 4-15 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The different behaviour of 1 and 9 toward halogens mirrors that of their phosphine analogues; the 6-methyl substituent blocks C-C coupling of the aryl residues in the initially formed oxidative addition product. In the case of 9, the greater lability of the Au-As bond in the initial oxidative addition product may account for the more complex behaviour of this system compared with that of its phosphine analogue.