Preparation and electrical resistivities of tetrathiafulvalen (TTF) and tetraselenafulvalen salts with the [SnR2Cln]2-n anions (n = 3 or 4: R = Et or Ph) and X-ray crystal structure of [TTF]3[SnEt2Cl4]

Tetrathiafulvalen (TTF) and tetraselenafulvalen (TSF) salts with diorganochloro-stannate anions, [TTF][SnEt₂Cl₃] (1), [TTF]₂[SnPh₂Cl₄] (2), [TTF]₃[SnEt₂Cl₄] (3), [TTF]_3.3[SnPh₂Cl₄] (4), [TSF]₂[SnPh₂Cl₄] (5) and [TSF]_3.3[SnPh₂Cl₄] (6), were prepared by the reactions of [TTF or TSF]₃[BF₄]₂ with SnR₂Cl₂ (R = Et or Ph) in the presence of [Ph₃PCH₂Ph]Cl and by electrocrystallization of TTF or TSF in acetonitrile containing SnR₂Cl₂ and [Ph₃PCH₂Ph]Cl. All the salts behave as semiconductors with electrical resistivities of the order of 10–10⁸ Ω cm as compacted samples at 25°C. Electronic reflectance spectra of the simple salts 1, 2 and 5, show a band due to the dimeric(TTF⁺)₂ or (TSF⁺)₂ unit in the 12,200–12,800-cm^?1 region. The complex salt 3 exhibits a TTF⁺/TTF° charge-transfer (CT) band at 8700 cm^?1, and the remaining complex salts, 4 and 6, both display CT bands between the radical cations and between the radical cation and the neutral donor molecule. The crystal structure of 3 was determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The tetragonal crystal, space group I4cm, has cell dimensions a = 11.710(3) Å, c = 25.242(7) Å, and Z = 4. The structure was solved by the heavy-atom method and refined to a final R value of 0.082 for 479 independent reflections with >F_° > 3σ(F). TTF molecules exist as trimers, in which a slight lateral shift from the eclipsed TTF overlap occurs, although TTF molecules are arranged with equal spacing between them. The trimer units are located perpendicularly to each other, forming a two-dimensional layer. The [SnEt₂Cl₄]^2? anion is disordered with respect to the two SnEt and two SnCl bonds.     

Ni(dmit)2 salts with chiral stilbazolium- and ferrocenyl-based chromophores as countercations

Four 1:1, two-component salts combining the [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ anion (dmit²⁻ = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolato) and chiral stilbazolium-based countercations (HPMS⁺ = 4′-[2-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidinyl]-1-methylstilbazolium and MPMS⁺ = 4′-[2-(methoxy-methyl)pyrrolidinyl]-1-methylstilbazolium), or chiral ferrocenyl-based countercations (2⁺ = (E)-1-((R)-2-methylferrocenyl)-2-(1-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)ethene; 3⁺ = (E)-1-((S)-2-trimethylsilylferrocenyl)-2-(1-methyl-4-pyridiniumyl)ethene) were prepared. Semiconducting behaviour (2·10⁻⁴ S·cm⁻¹ measured on compressed pellets for [Ni(dmit)₂] (MPMS), for example) is secured by the presence of the [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ anions. The chiral nature of the countercations ensures non-centrosymmetry of the structures (space group P1 for [Ni(dmit)₂](2) and [Ni(dmit)₂](3), for example). A ubiquitous antiparallel arrangement of the cations, which are thus packed in a pseudo-centrosymmetrical environment, results in almost vanishing second-order susceptibilities χ⁽²⁾, and therefore zero efficiencies in second harmonic generation.     

Synthesis and structure of a chiral areno-bridged [2.4]metacyclophane

The reductive coupling reaction of 1,4-bis(3-acetyl-5-tert-butyl-2-methoxyphenyl)butane 3 was carried out using TiCl₄-Zn in pyridine followed by a McMurry coupling reaction to afford the compounds anti and syn 1,2-dimethyl[2.4]MCP-1-ene 4. Bromination of 4 with BTMA-Br₃ in dry CH₂Cl₂ afforded the interesting compound 1,2-bis-(bromomethyl)-5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy[2.4]MCP-1-ene 6 and consecutive debromination with Zn and AcOH in CH₂Cl₂ solution afforded the stable solid 5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy-1,2-dimethylene[2.4]MCP 7 in 89% yield. Compound 7 was conveniently employed in a Diels–Alder reaction with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) to provide 2-(3′,6′-dihydrobenzo)-5,15-di-tert-butyl-8,18-dimethoxy[2.4]MCP-4′,5′-dimethylcarboxylate 8 in good yield. Diels–Alder adduct 8 was converted into a novel and inherently chiral areno-bridged compound [2.4]MCP 9 by aromatization. The chirality of the two conformers was characterized by circular dichroism (CD) spectra of the separated enantiomer which are perfect mirror images of each other.     

Reactions of dispiro[2.0.2.2]oct-7-ene. Electrophilic and free radical additions

Dispiro[2.0.2.2]oct-7-ene 1 was synthesized by debrominatioa of cis- and trans-7,8-dibromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 3a with LAH and by dechlorination of cis- and trans-7,8-dichlorodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 3b with magnesium. Stepwise electrophilic additions to 1 of HBr, HI, Br₂ and Cl₂ were studied. The major products (and yields) from these reactions were: 7-bromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a (43%), 4-iodo-4,5-ethanospiro[2,3]hexane 4b (ca. 50%); trans-3a (40%); and cis-3b (20%). Free-radical addition of hydrogen bromide to 1 gave an 80% yield of 7-bromodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a. At ?10°, hydroboration-oxidation of 1 was found to give mainly 7-hydroxydispiro[2.0.2.2]octane 2a in ca. 90% yield; at 25°, near equal amounts of 2c and 4-(2-hydroxyethyl) spiro[2.3]hex-4-ene 14 were obtained.     

[Mn18]2+ and [Mn21]4+ single-molecule magnets

The synthesis and structural characterization of the two new Mn complexes [Mn₁₈O₁₄(O₂CMe)₁₈(hep)₄(hepH)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Mn₂₁O₁₆(O₂CMe)₁₆(hmp)₆(hmpH)₂(pic)₂(py)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₄ (3) are presented, together with a detailed study of their magnetic properties. Complex 1 possesses a ground-state spin of S=13, and the ground-state spin for 3 is estimated to be S=17/2 or 19/2. Both complexes 1 and 3 are new examples of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), displaying frequency-dependent out-of-phase AC signals, as well as magnetization vs. DC field hysteresis at temperatures below 1 K. Complex 1 straddles the classical/quantum interface by also displaying quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM).     

Synthesis and properties of a monomeric and a μ-oxo-bridged dimeric iron(III) complex with a tetradentate pyridine amide in-plane ligand. X-ray structure of [Fe(bpc)Cl(DMF)] [H2bpc=4,5-dichloro-1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzene]

The controlled nucleophilic halide displacement reaction of [NEt₄][Fe(bpc)Cl₂] [H₂bpc=4,5-dichloro-1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido) benzene] with AgClO₄ in MeCN afforded a crystalline iron(III) complex Fe(bpc)Cl·H₂O 1. The mixed chloro-dimethylformamide (DMF) axially ligated complex [Fe(bpc)Cl(DMF)] (obtained during recrystallization of 1 from DMF; however, it loses DMF quite readily to revert back to 1) has been structurally characterized. It belongs to only a handful of mononuclear high-spin iron(III) complexes having deprotonated picolinamide ligand. The iron(III) centre is co-ordinated in the equatorial plane by two pyridine nitrogens and two deprotonated amide nitrogens of the ligand, and two axial sites are co-ordinated by a chloride ion and a DMF molecule. The metal atom has a distorted octahedral geometry. Reaction of 1 with [ⁿBu₄N][OH] in MeOH afforded a μ-oxo-bridged diiron(III) complex, [Fe(bpc)]₂O·DMF·2H₂O, 2. The spin state and the co-ordination environment of the iron(III) centres in 1 and 2 have been determined by temperature-dependent (25–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements in the solid state (Faraday method) and Mössbauer spectral studies at 300 K. Complex 1 behaves as a perfect S=5/2 system, in the solid-state as well as in DMF solution. The two iron(III) centres in 2 are antiferromagnetically coupled (J=−117.8 cm⁻¹) and the bridged dimeric structure is retained in DMF solution. Bridge-cleavage reactions of 2 have been demonstrated by its ready reaction with mineral acids such as HCl and MeCO₂H to generate authentic S=5/2 complexes, [Fe(bpc)Cl₂]⁻ and [Fe(bpc)(O₂CMe)₂]⁻, respectively.     

Synthesis and spectral investigations of vanadium(IV/V) complexes derived from an ONS donor thiosemicarbazone ligand

Four oxovanadium and one dioxovanadium complex with 2-hydroxyacetophenone N(4)-phenylthiosemicarbazone (H₂L) which are represented as [VOLphen]·2H₂O (1), [VOLbipy] (2), [VOLdmbipy] (3), [VOL]₂ (4) and [VO₂HL]·CH₃OH (5) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electronic, infrared and EPR spectral techniques. In all the complexes 1–4 the ligand coordinates through phenolic oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur. But in complex [VO₂HL]·CH₃OH, coordination takes place in thione form instead of thiolate sulfur. All the complexes except [VO₂HL]·CH₃OH are EPR active due to the presence of an unpaired electron. In frozen DMF at 77 K, all the oxovanadium(IV) complexes show axial anisotropy with two sets of eight line patterns.     

Trimer–dimer equilibrium studies of alkylaluminum alkoxides

The aluminum alkoxides [MeClAlOEt]₃ (1), [Et₂AlOMe]₃ (2), [Me₂AlOEt]₃ (3), and [EtClAlOEt]₃ (4) were investigated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy to study the o-dichlorobenzene solution equilibrium: 2 [R₂AlOR′]₃⇌3 [R₂AlOR′]₂. The complexes are shown to exist primarily as trimers at room temperature, but increasing concentrations of the dimeric form are observed at higher temperatures. Equilibrium constants, ΔH, and ΔS were determined for the trimer–dimer equilibrium. Values of ΔH for the conversion of 2 moles of trimer are 63(4), 78(1), 85.0(8), and 99(6) kJ for 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The corresponding values of ΔS are 142(7), 184(3), 218(2), and 265(17) J/K, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters are compared with those reported for [Me₂AlOPrⁿ]₃ and [Me₂AlOPh]₃. The characterization of [EtClAlOMe]₃ is also reported.     

Copper(II) complexes of N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde: Crystal structure of a binuclear complex

Ten copper(II) complexes {[CuL¹Cl] (1), [CuL¹NO₃]₂ (2), [CuL¹N₃]₂ · 2/3H₂O (3), [CuL¹]₂(ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (4), [CuL²Cl]₂ (5), [CuL²N₃] (6), [Cu(HL²)SO₄]₂ · 4H₂O (7), [Cu(HL²)₂] (ClO₄)₂ · 1/2EtOH (8), [CuL³Cl]₂ (9), [CuL³NCS] · 1/2H₂O (10)} of three NNS donor thiosemicarbazone ligands {pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-p-methoxyphenyl thiosemicarbazone [HL¹], pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-2-phenethyl thiosemicarbazone [HL²] and pyridine-2-carbaldehyde N(4)-(methyl), N(4)-(phenyl) thiosemicarbazone [HL³]} were synthesized and physico-chemically characterized. The crystal structure of compound 9 has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies and is found that the dimer consists of two square pyramidal Cu(II) centers linked by two chlorine atoms.     

Reactions of 1-halocycloheptenes with potassium t-Butoxide and with sodium pyrrolidide

Reactions of 1-halocycloheptenes with KO-t-Bu in DMSO and THF were studied. The principal products obtained could be accounted for on the basis of two competing dehydrohalogenation mechanisms. These are: dehydrohalogenation across the C₁-C₂ bond to give cycloheptyne; and dehydrohalogenation across the C₁-C₇ bond to give 1,2-cycloheptadiene. One or both of these intermediates react with KO-t-Bu to give 1-t-butoxycycloheptene in poor yield. The principal product from the three 1-halocycloheptenes in both solvents is tricyclo[7.5.0.0²8]tetradeca-2,14-diene (4), the dimer of 1,2-cycloheptadiene. Also formed are 5, the 2(8), 14-diene isomer of 4, presumably by cycloaddition of 1,2-cycloheptadiene and cycloheptyne, and 6, the 2,13-diene isomer of 4, by rearrangement of 4 effected by KO-t-Bu.Also studied were rections of 1 chloro- and 1-iodocycloheptene with sodium pyrrolidide (Na- NC₄H₈) in THF. These reactions give 1-(1-pyrrolidino)cycloheptene in fair yield together with smaller amounts of the 14-carbon hydrocarbons. Reactions of 1-chlorocycloheptene-1-¹⁴C and 4-chloro- and 4-iodobicyclo[5.1.0]oct-3-ene leading to (1-pyrrolidino)cycloheptenes were found to occur via both the corresponding cycloheptyne and 1,2-cycloheptadiene.     

Six-membered cyclometallated derivatives of platinum(II) derived from 2-benzylpyridines. Crystal and molecular structure of [Pt(L)(Ph3P)Cl] (HL = 2-(1-methylbenzyl)pyridine)

The reaction of K₂[PtCl₄] with 2-(1-methylbenzyl)pyridine, HL, and 2-benzylpyridine, HL', affords the cyclometallated species [{Pt(L)Cl}₂] (1) and [{Pt(L')Cl}₂] (2), respectively. The chloride bridge in complex 1 can be split by neutral or anionic species to give the monomeric, [Pt(L)(Ph₃P)Cl], as two isomers, trans-P-Pt-C (3) and trans-P-Pt-N, (4), [Pt(L)(py)Cl] (5), [Pt(L)(CO)Cl] (6), [Pt(L)(CNCH₂SO₂C₆H₄CH₃-4)Cl] (7), [Pt(L)(acac)] (Hacac = 2,4-pentanedione) (8), [Pt(L)(dppm)][BF₄] (dppm = bis(diphenyl-phosphino)methane) (9), [Pt(L)(dppe)][BF₄] (dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) (10) and [Pt(L)(dipy)][BF₄](dipy = 2,2'-dipyridine) (11). Similarly, compound 2, by reaction with Ph₃P, affords [Pt(L')(Ph₃P)Cl], as two isomers, trans-P-Pt-C (12) and trans-P-Pt-N (13). Reaction of compounds 1 or 4 with AgBF₄ in acetonitrile affords [Pt(L)(CH₃CN)₂IBF₄] (14) or [Pt(L)(Ph₃P)-(CH₃CN)][BF₄] (15). From these, [Pt(L)(Ph₃P)₂][BF₄] (16), [Pt(L)(Ph₃P)(CO)][BF₄] (17) and [Pt(L)(Ph₃P)(py)][BF₄] (18), can be obtained by displacement of the coordinated acetonitrile. The new complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H and ³¹P NMR and FAB-MS spectroscopic techniques. The NMR spectra at room temperature of most of the species derived from HL give evidence for the presence in solution of two diastereomers a and b. The structure of one diastereomer of complex 4 has been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction, 4b. The platinum atom is in an almost square planar geometry with a P-Pt-N trans arrangement: Pt-N = 2.095(3), Pt-C = 1.998(4), Pt-P = 2.226(1) and Pt-Cl = 2.400(1) Å. The six-membered cyclometallated ring is in a boat conformation, with the CH₃ group in an equatorial position, i.e pointing away from the metal. Attempts to obtain [{Pt(L″)Cl}₂] (HL″ = 2-(dimethylbenzyl)pyridine), afforded an insoluble product heavily contaminated by platinum metal; treatment of this crude material with Ph₃P gave [Pt(L″)(Ph₃P)Cl] (19).     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and chirality of divalent lanthanide reagents containing tri- and tetraglyme

Six new divalent lanthanide complexes using triglyme (trigly) and tetraglyme (tetgly) as achiral ligands have been prepared, using a facile synthetic method, in search for enantioselective solid-state reagents. The crystal structures of cis-[SmI₂(trigly)thf] (1), trans-[YbI₂(trigly)thf] (2), trans-[SmI₂(trigly)dme] (3), trans-[YbI₂(tetgly)] (4), trans-[EuI₂(tetgly)thf] (5), and [Sm(tetgly)₂][SmI₃(tetgly)]I (6) have been determined. All complexes, except 5, are chiral. The 10-coordinate cation in 6 displays a helical chirality since the two tetraglyme ligands are wrapped around the samarium ion. Since trans-[YbI₂(tetgly)] (4), which has a chiral arrangement of terminal methyl groups, crystallizes as a conglomerate, preferential crystallization and consequent enantioselective reduction of acetophenone was attempted, but resulted in racemic products, possibly on account of racemic twinning in 4.     

Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-formylpyridine-derived hydrazones

In the present work 2-formylpyridine-para-chloro-phenyl hydrazone (H2FopClPh) and 2-formylpyridine-para-nitro-phenyl hydrazone (H2FopNO₂Ph) were obtained, as well as their copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes [Cu(H2FopClPh)Cl₂] (1), [Cu(2FopNO₂Ph)Cl] (2), [Zn(H2FopClPh)Cl₂] (3) and [Zn(H2FopNO₂Ph)Cl₂] (4). Upon re-crystallization in DMSO:acetone conversion of 2 into [Cu(2FopNO₂Ph)Cl(DMSO)] (2a) and of 4 into [Zn(2FopNO₂Ph)Cl(DMSO)] (4a) occurred. The crystal structures of 1, 2a, 3 and 4a were determined.     

Synthesis of some acyclonucleosides with the alkylating chain of acyclovir

The synthesis of some acyclic 1-[1,2,3-triazol-(4 and 5)-ylmethyl]-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine nucleosides, via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction, from 4-substituted N₁-propargyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines 7a,b and azido derivative 8 is described. Compounds 7a,b and all deprotected acyclic nucleosides 11a,b, 12a,b and 13–22 were evaluated against: HIV-1, HIV-2 and a series of tumour cell-lines. No marked activity was found. Their anti-tuberculosis evaluation showed that compound 7b had marked activity.     

Cyclic tetrapeptides from marine bacteria associated with the seaweed Diginea sp. and the sponge Halisarca ectofibrosa

A Pseudomonas sp. was cultured which was associated with the Japanese seaweed Diginea sp. Crude extracts prepared from this bacterial culture were found to inhibit the growth of other marine bacterial strains. From this bacterial culture, two new peptides cyclo-[phenylalanyl-prolyl-leucyl-prolyl] (3) and cyclo-[isoleucyl-prolyl-leucyl-alanyl] (4) have been isolated together with two known peptides (1) and (2). The crude extract from a culture of Pseudoalteromonas sp. associated with the Thai sponge Halisarca ectofibrosa was found to inhibit the growth of Bacillus subtilis and Vibrio anguillarum. Isolation studies yielded a fraction containing two peptides that were identified as cyclo-[phenylalanyl-leucyl]₂ (5) and cyclo-[leucyl-isoleucyl]₂ (6) by means of LC-MS and 2D NMR data. Absolute stereochemistry was confirmed by the synthesis of cyclo-[l-phenylalanyl-l-leucyl]₂. Peptides (1)-(3) were also isolated from this bacterial strain. None of the individual peptides isolated in this study showed antibiotic activity.     

Extraction of palladium with thiacalix[4]arenes from nitric acid nitrate-nitrite solutions

Calix[4]arene 1, thiacalix[4]arenes 2(LH₄), and calix[4]arenethioether 3 were compared in palladium extraction from nitric acid solutions; D _Pd for 2 was shown to be 2?C3 orders of magnitude larger than for 1 at pH > 3 (comparable with 3) because of cation-exchange and coordination extraction of palladium. It was shown by extraction methods and IR spectroscopy that thiacalixarenes 2 extract complex species [Pd _n L _m H_{4 ? 2n} ] (m = 1, n = 1 and 2) and [(PdA₂) _n L _m H₄] (A = m = 1, n = 1?C4) from nitric acid solutions at pH 3. Extraction constants for these palladium species that satisfactorily describe experimental data were calculated. As distinct from 3, thiacalixarenes 2 are promising for the combined extraction of palladium and silver from alkaline solutions and the selective extraction of fission palladium from nitric acid solutions. Phosphorylated at the upper rim thiacalixarenes 2 can be considered as bifunctional extractants for the separation of fission radionuclides.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of pyrazolate-bridged dinuclear complexes [{M(NCS)(4-Phpy)}2(μ-bpypz)2] (M = Co2+ and Fe2+)

The synthesis and magnetic characterization of pyrazolato-bridged dinuclear complexes [{M(NCS)(4-Phpy)}₂(μ-bpypz)₂] (Hbpypz = 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-pyrazole; 4-Phpy = 4-phenylpyridine; M = Co²⁺ (1) and Fe²⁺ (2)) are described together with the X-ray crystal analysis of the cobalt complex. The structure of 1 shows that the desired coordination has been achieved with the cobalt atoms being coordinated to two bpypz to form the dimer. The X-ray diffraction patterns show 1 and 2 to be isomorphous at room temperature. 2 displays a single spin-crossover transition between the [HS–HS] and [LS–LS] states with T_c = 150 K.     

In situ synthesis of Ag nanoparticles in aminocalix[4]arene multilayers

The layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled thin films containing tetraamino-thiacalix[4]arenes (1) and tetraamino-calix[4]arenes (2) were used as nanoreactor to synthesize in situ Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs). UV–vis spectra and AFM images demonstrate that Ag NPs are included in the (1/Ag NPs)_n and (2/Ag NPs)_n multilayer films. The silver ions are absorbed through cation–π interaction and calix[4]arene-metal ion coordination interaction and are reduced into Ag NPs by calix[4]arenes. TEM images indicated that Ag NPs within aminocalix[4]arene multilayers were highly dispersed and uniform. Moreover, the mean size of Ag NPs is smaller than 10 nm.