Reactions of bis(tetrazole)phenylenes. Surprising formation of vinyl compounds from alkyl halides

The reactions of 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)benzene (1), 1,3-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)benzene (2), 1,4-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)benzene (3), 1,2-(Bu₃SnN₄C)₂C₆H₄ (4), 1,3-(Bu₃SnN₄C)₂C₆H₄ (5) and 1,4-(Bu₃SnN₄C)₂C₆H₄ (6) with 1,2-dibromoethane were carried out by two different methods in order to synthesise pendant alkyl halide derivatives of the parent bis-tetrazoles. This lead to the formation of several alkyl halide derivatives, substituted at either N1 or N2 on the tetrazole ring, as well as the surprising formation of several vinyl derivatives. The crystal structures of both 1,2-[(2-vinyl)tetrazol-5-yl)]benzene (1-N,2-N′) (1b) and 1,3-bis[(2-bromoethyl)tetrazol-5-yl]benzene (2-N,2-N′) (5d) are discussed.     

Anion directed templated synthesis of mono- and di-Schiff base complexes of Ni(II)

Two sets of Schiff base ligands, set-1 and set-2 have been prepared by mixing the respective diamine (1,2-propanediamine or 1,3-propanediamine) and carbonyl compounds (2-acetylpyridine or pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde) in 1:1 and 1:2 ratios, respectively and employed for the synthesis of complexes with Ni(II) perchlorate and Ni(II) thiocyanate. Ni(II) perchlorate yields the complexes having general formula [NiL₂](ClO₄)₂ (L = L¹ [N¹-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 1, L² [N¹-pyridine-2-ylmethylene-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 2 or L³ [N¹-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 3) in which the Schiff bases are mono-condensed terdentate whereas Ni(II) thiocyanate results in the formation of tetradentate Schiff base complexes, [NiL](SCN)₂ (L = L⁴ [N,N′-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 4, L⁵ [N,N′-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyline)-propane-1,3-diamine] for complex 5 or L⁶ [N,N′-bis-(1-pyridine-2-yl-ethylidine)-propane-1,2-diamine] for complex 6) irrespective of the sets of ligands used. Formation of the complexes has been explained by anion modulation of cation templating effect. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, spectral and electrochemical results. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies confirm the structures of four representative members, 1, 3, 4 and 5; all of them have distorted octahedral geometry around Ni(II). The bis-complexes of terdentate ligands, 1 and 3 are the mer isomers and the complexes of tetradentate ligands, 4 and 5 possess trans geometry.     

Half-sandwich η-benzene Ru(II) complexes of phenolate-based pyridylalkylamine/alkylamine ligands: Synthesis, structure, and stabilization of one-electron oxidized species

Four half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L¹-O)][PF₆] (1), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L²-O)][PF₆] (2), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L³-O)][PF₆] (3), [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L⁴-O)][PF₆] (4a), and [(η⁶-C₆H₆)Ru(L⁴-O)][BPh₄] (4b) [L¹-OH, 4-nitro-6-{[(2′-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)methylamino]methyl}-phenol; L²-OH, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{[(2′-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)methylamino]methyl}-phenol; L³-OH, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{[2′-((pyridin-2-yl)benzylamino)methyl}-phenol; L⁴-OH, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-{[(2′-imethylaminoethyl)methylamino]methyl}-phenol (L⁴-OH)], supported by a systematically varied series of tridentate phenolate-based pyridylalkylamine and alkylamine ligands are reported. The molecular structures of 1-3, 4a, and 4b have been elucidated in solution using ¹H NMR spectroscopy and of 1, 3, and 4b in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Notably, due to coordination by the ligands the Ru center assumes a chiral center and in turn the central amine nitrogen also becomes chiral. The ¹H NMR spectra exhibit only one set of signals, suggesting that the reaction is completely diastereoselective [1: S_Ru,S_N/R_Ru,R_N; 2: R_Ru,R_N/S_Ru,S_N; 3: S_Ru,R_N/R_Ru,S_N; 4b: S_Ru,R_N/R_Ru,S_N]. The crystal packing in 1 and 3 is stabilized by C-H^…O interactions, in 4b no meaningful secondary interactions are observed. From the standpoint of generating phenoxyl radical, as investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), complex 1 is redox-inactive in MeCN solution. However, 2, 3, and 4a generate a one-electron oxidized phenoxyl radical coordinated species [2]²⁺, [3]²⁺, and [4a]²⁺, respectively. The radical species are characterized by CV, UV-Vis, and EPR spectroscopy. The stability of the radical species has been determined by measuring the decay constant (UV-Vis spectroscopy).     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of Ni(II) and Co(III) complexes derived from tripod polypyridine ligands containing N7 or N6 donor set atoms

New complexes [Ni^II(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Co^III(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (2) (pbpaen = N′-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-N,N-bis {2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine) have been synthesized and characterized by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies. An X-ray structure of the nickel(II) complex shows that [Ni(pbpaen)](ClO₄)₂ (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2_1/c. The cation [Ni(pbpaen)]²⁺ is pseudo-octahedral with one of the three pyridyl nitrogen atom uncoordinated. The crystal lattice of this complex is stabilized by intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding systems, giving one-dimensional sheets like arrays. All attempts to obtain nickel or cobalt complexes with protonated forms of the ligand resulted in isolation of only [Co^III(bpaen)](ClO₄)₃ (3) compound in which the tripod pbpaen ligand has lost one of the three pyridylmethyl groups, procuring then bpaen ligand {bpaen = N,N-bis{2-[(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino]ethyl}ethane-1,2-diamine}. The X-ray crystal structure reveals that the compound 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2 with the Co³⁺ ion having a distorted-octahedral environment. These two ligands with strong-field N donor stabilise the +3 oxidation state of the Co center.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two new heteropolynuclear [NiCdCdNi] and [NiCdNi] Schiff base complexes involving bridging chlorine and oxygen functions

Two new heteropolynuclear Schiff base complexes, [Ni₂Cd₂L₂Cl₂(μ-Cl)₂] (1) and [Ni₂CdL′₂Cl(H₂O)]ClO₄·H₂O (2) where L = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine and L′ = [N,N′-bis(2-hydroxypropiophenylidene)]propane-1,2-diamine, have been synthesized by refluxing equimolar amounts of nickel perchlorate, cadmium chloride and the respective tetradentate Schiff base ligand, H₂L or H₂L′ in methanol medium. The complexes have been characterized by microanalytical, spectroscopic, single crystal X-ray diffraction and other physicochemical studies. Structural studies on 1 reveal the presence of a bis(heterodinuclear) [Ni^IICd^II]₂ unit in which the two central cadmium ions are doubly chloro-bridged with each other and each of them is connected to a nickel(II) center through two phenolate oxygen bridges. In contrast, complex 2 contains a heterotrinuclear [Ni^IICd^IINi^II] unit in which the central cadmium ion is connected to two nickel(II) centers through two doubly bridging phenolate oxygen atoms. The Cd(II) ions in 1 and 2 adopt distorted, square pyramidal (CdO₂Cl₃) and octahedral (CdO₅Cl) geometries respectively. On the other hand, the Ni(II) ions in both 1 and 2 assume the same coordination geometry, i.e. a distorted square planar (NiO₂N₂) arrangement. Intermolecular C-H?Cl or O-H?Cl and O-H?O hydrogen bonding interactions are operative in the complexes to build up 2D supramolecular structures in their solid states.     

Fe Spin crossover materials based on dissymmetrical N4 Schiff bases including 2-pyridyl and 2R-imidazol-4-yl rings: Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic and Mössbauer properties

The synthesis and characterization of new symmetrical Fe^II complexes, [FeL^A(NCS)₂] (1), and [FeL^Bx(NCS)₂] (2–4), are reported (L^A is the tetradentate Schiff base N,N′-bis(1-pyridin-2-ylethylidene)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine, and L^Bx stands for the family of tetradentate Schiff bases N,N′-bis[(2-R-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene]-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine, with: R = H for L^B1 in 2, R = Me for L^B2 in 3, and R = Ph for L^B3 in 4). Single-crystal X-ray structures have been determined for 1 (low-spin state at 293 K), 2 (high-spin (HS) state at 200 K), and 3 (HS state at 180 K). These complexes remain in the same spin-state over the whole temperature range [80–400 K]. The dissymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands L^Cx, N-[(2-R₂-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene]-N′-(1-pyridin-2-ylethylidene)-2,2-R₁-propane-1,3-diamine (R₁ = H, Me; R₂ = H, Me, Ph), containing both pyridine and imidazole rings were obtained as their [FeL^Cx(NCS)₂] complexes, 5–10, through reaction of the isolated aminal type ligands 2-methyl-2-pyridin-2-ylhexahydropyrimidine (R₁ = H, 5–7) or 2,5,5-trimethyl-2-pyridin-2-ylhexahydropyrimidine (R₁ = Me, 8–10) with imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = H: 5, 8), 2-methylimidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = Me: 6, 9), and 2-phenyl-imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = Ph: 7, 10) in the presence of iron(II) thiocyanate. Together with the single-crystal X-ray structures of 7 and 9, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies of 5–10 showed that it is possible to tune the spin crossover properties in the [FeL^Cx(NCS)₂] series by changing the 2-imidazole and/or C2-propylene susbtituent of L^Cx.     

Molecular recognition of biotin, barbital and tolbutamide with new synthetic receptors

We have measured, by means of NMR titrations, the binding constants for the complexes between hosts N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1,3-benzenedicarboxamide (7) and 4-chloro-N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (8, hydrated) with biotin methyl ester (1), N,N′-dimethylurea (2), 2-imidazolidone (3), N,N′-trimethylenurea (4), barbital (5) and tolbutamide (6) as guests. Molecular Mechanics calculations (Monte Carlo Conformational Search, AMBER and OPLS force fields, MacroModel v.8.1) on the complexes formed between the foregoing guests and hosts 7 and 8, comparatively with 4-oxo-N,N′-bis(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1,4-dihydro-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide (9a) have been carried out in order to determine the correlation between experimental and theoretical results and to understand the behaviour of the designed new hosts. Finally we have performed single point DFT [B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)] calculations on the optimised Molecular Mechanics geometries for the complexes between hosts 7-9 and water.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopic properties of some cadmium(II) complexes with three polyamine and corresponding macroacyclic Schiff base ligands

Three Cd(II) macroacyclic Schiff base complexes [CdL⁴(NO₃)₂] (4), [CdL⁵(NO₃)₂] (5), [CdL⁶(NO₃)₂] (6) were prepared by template condensation of 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde with N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L¹), N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(2-aminoethyl)propane-1,3-diamine (L²) or N1-(2-nitrobenzyl)-N1-(3-aminopropyl)propane-1,3-diamine (L³), in the presence of cadmium metal ion, respectively. Three Cd(II) complexes with L¹, L² and L³ were also synthesized. All complexes have been studied with IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HMQC and microanalysis. Two of these complexes, [CdL⁴(NO₃)₂] (4) and [CdL¹(NO₃)₂] (1) have been characterized through X-ray crystallography. In complex 4, the Cd is in a six-coordinate environment comprised of the ligand N₄-donor set and two oxygen atoms of two nitrate groups. In the polyamine complexes (1, 2 and 3) Cd and ligand are in a ratio of 1:1. Supporting ab initio HF-MO calculations have been undertaken using the standard 3-21G^∗ and 6-31G^∗ basis sets.     

Synthesis and structure of diamine bis(phenolate) complexes containing the Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt) function

Reaction of diamine-bis(phenol) ligands containing a mixture of N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L¹ and H₂L³, with [Ti(OCHMe₂)₄ in absolute ethanol under reflux without exclusion of air and moisture gives [(L¹)Ti (OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹)] (1). [(L³)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L³)] (2) forms when the remaining solution containing [(L³)Ti(OEt)₂] (3) (characterised by X-ray crystallography) is hydrolysed with H₂O. For the N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl ligand mixture H₂L² and H₂L⁴, which contain tert-butyl groups on the ortho-positions of the aryl rings, [(L²)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L²)] (4) forms much more slowly and [(L⁴)Ti(OEt)₂] (5) does not hydrolyse when H₂O is added. When the N-protonated ligand N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁵, is used, rapid hydrolysis to two isomers of [(L⁵)Ti(OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁵)] (6) occurs without addition of water. For N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁶, hydrolysis to [(L⁶)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁶)] (7) occurs slowly when H₂O is added. For pendant NMe₂ ligand N,N-dimethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁷, the hydrolysis reaction readily gives [(L⁷)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁷)] (8) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained. The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L⁸ formed a complex analysing as [(L⁸)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁸)] (9) which could not be studied further due to insolubility. Pendant pyridine ligand N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2′-hydroxy-3′-methyl-5′-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H₂L⁹, apparently forms isomers of [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁹)] and possibly [{(L⁹)Ti(O)}₂] from [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)₂] (10). The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L¹⁰ formed [(L¹⁰)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹⁰)] (11) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained.     

Preparation and structural characterization of hetero-dinuclear Schiff base copper(II)-zinc(II) complexes and their inhibition studies on Helicobacter pylori urease

A series of hetero-dinuclear Cu^II-Zn^II complexes, [CuZnCl₂L¹] (1), [CuZnCl₂L²] (2), [CuZnBr₂L³] (3), [CuZnBr₂L⁴(DMF)] (4), [CuZnCl₂L⁴] (5), [CuZnCl₂L⁵] (6), [CuZnCl₂L³] (7) and [CuZnBr₂L¹] (8), where L¹, L², L³, L⁴ and L⁵ are the deprotonated forms of N,N′-bis(3-ethoxysalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂L¹), N,N′-bis(2-hydroxynaphthylmethylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂L²), N,N′-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂L³), N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine (H₂L⁴) and N,N′-bis(salicylidene)-1,4-butanediamine (H₂L⁵), respectively, have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical methods and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes were tested for their urease inhibitory activity. Complexes 1 and 8 show effective urease inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values of 2.2 and 10.7 μM. The molecular docking study of the complexes with the Helicobacter pylori urease was performed.     

New mercury(II) and silver(I) complexes containing NHC metallacrown ethers with the π-π stacking interactions

The oligoether-linked bis-benzimidazolium salt 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-^secbutyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]iodide (H₂L¹ · I₂), 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-ethyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]iodide (H₂L² · I₂) and 1,1′-[1,2-ethanediylbis(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)]bis[(3-^secbutyl)benzimidazolium-1-yl]hexafluorophosphate (H₂L¹ · (PF₆)₂) and their three new mercury(II) and silver(I) complexes containing NHC metallacrown ethers, HgL¹ · (Hg₂ · I₆) (1), HgL² · I₂ (2) and AgL¹ · PF₆ (3) were prepared and characterized. In the packing diagrams of H₂L² · I₂, 1, 2 and 3 benzimidazole ring head-to-tail π-π stacking interactions are observed.     

Improved synthesis of a C3-symmetrical pyridinophane

The formation of the C₃-symmetrical 2,11,20-triaza[3.3.3](2,6)pyridinophane 1 was undertaken with the aim of improving the synthesis of this highly desirable macrocycle, with the future aim of functionalizing 1 with amide pendent arms for the recognition of lanthanide ions. The synthesis of 1 involves the stepwise transformation of pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid into two key intermediates; N,N-bis[(6-hydroxymethyl)pyridin-2-yl]-p-tosylamide 7 and 6-bis[(amino-p-tosyl)methyl]pyridine 5. The macrocyclization of these two intermediates gave 8, from which 1 was formed upon deprotection of the three tosyl groups.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide, its corresponding hydrazide, some heterocycles derived from the hydrazide and palladium(II) complexes with these functional phosphinoferrocene ligands

Two polar phosphinoferrocene ligands, 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide (1) and 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbohydrazide (2), were synthesized in good yields from 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) via the reactive benzotriazole derivative, 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbonyl]-1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole (3). Alternatively, the hydrazide was prepared by the conventional reaction of methyl 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylate with hydrazine hydrate, and was further converted via standard condensation reactions to three phosphinoferrocene heterocycles, viz 2-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-yl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole (4), 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-carbonyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1,2-pyrazole (5), and 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamido]-3,5-dimethylpyrrole (6). Compounds 1 and 2 react with [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod = η²:η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene) to afford the respective bis-phosphine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(L-κP)₂] (7, L = 1; 8, L = 2). The dimeric precursor [(L^NC)PdCl]₂ (L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹) is cleaved with 1 to give the neutral phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κP)] (9), which is readily transformed into a ionic bis-chelate complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (10) upon removal of the chloride ligand with Ag[SbF₆]. Pyrazole 5 behaves similarly affording the related complexes [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κP)] (12) and [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (13), in which the ferrocene ligand coordinates as a simple phosphine and an O,P-chelate respectively, while oxadiazole 4 affords the phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κP)] (11) and a P,N-chelate [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κ²N³,P)][SbF₆] (14) under similar conditions. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (multinuclear NMR, IR and MS). The solid-state structures of 1⋅½AcOEt, 2, 7⋅3CH₃CN, 8⋅2CHCl₃, 9⋅½CH₂Cl₂⋅0.375C₆H₁₄, 10, and 14 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis and properties of N,N,N′,N′-tetrasubstituted 1,3-bis(5-aminothien-2-yl)azulenes and their application as a hole-injecting material in organic light-emitting devices

Two title compounds, N,N,N′,N′-tetraphenyl-1,3-bis(5-aminothien-2-yl)azulene (3a) and 1,3-bis{5-(9-carbazolyl)thien-2-yl}azulene (3b), were synthesized from 1,3-di(2-thienyl)azulene (4) by a two-step sequence involving bromination and subsequent Pd-catalyzed amination. These compounds were characterized by spectroscopic analyses and the structure of 3a was determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Their HOMO energy levels were estimated using their electrochemical oxidation potentials, and these compounds were used as a hole-injecting material in organic light-emitting devices. The device with 3a showed greater durability than that with copper phthalocyanine.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of mono- and di-nuclear nickel(II) thiocyanate complexes with tridentate N3 donor Schiff bases

The 1:1 condensation of N-methyl-1,3-diaminopropane and N,N-diethyl-1,2-diminoethane with 2-acetylpyridine, respectively at high dilution gives the tridentate mono-condensed Schiff bases N-methyl-N′-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-propane-1,3-diamine (L¹) and N,N-diethyl-N′-(1-pyridin-2-yl-ethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine (L²). The tridentate ligands were allowed to react with methanol solutions of nickel(II) thiocyanate to prepare the complexes [Ni(L¹)(SCN)₂(OH₂) (1) and [{Ni(L²)(SCN)}₂] (2). Single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to confirm the structures of the complexes. The nickel(II) in complex 1 is bonded to three nitrogen donor atoms of the ligand L¹ in a mer orientation, together with two thiocyanates bonded through nitrogen and a water molecule, and it is the first Schiff base complex of nickel(II) containing both thiocyanate and coordinated water. The coordinated water initiates a hydrogen bonded 2D network. In complex 2, the nickel ion occupies a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere, being bonded to three nitrogen atoms from the ligand L², also in a mer orientation, and two thiocyanate anions through nitrogen. In contrast to 1, the sixth coordination site is occupied by a sulfur atom from a thiocyanate anion in an adjacent molecule, thus creating a centrosymmetric dimer. A variable temperature magnetic study of complex 2 indicates the simultaneous presence of zero-field splitting, weak intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling and intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions between the nickel(II) centers.     

Synthesis and X-ray structures of new chiral Ag(I) complexes with biaryl-based N4-donor ligands

Condensation of (R)-2,2′-diamino-1,1′-binaphthyl or (R)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diamine with 2 equiv of 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde in toluene in the presence of molecular sieves at 70 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diimine (1), and (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)-6,6′-dimethylbiphenyl-2,2′-diimine (3), respectively, in good yields. Reduction of 1 with an excess of NaBH₄ in a solvent mixture of MeOH and toluene (1:1) at 50 °C gives (R)-N,N′-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-1,1′-binaphthyl-2,2′-diamine (2) in 95% yield. Rigidity plays an important role in the formation of helicate silver(I) complexes. Treatment of 1, or 3 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ in mixed solvents of MeOH and CH₂Cl₂ (1:4) gives the chiral, dinuclear double helicate Ag(I) complexes [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) and [Ag₂(3)₂][NO₃]₂ · 2H₂O (6), respectively, in good yields. While under the similar reaction conditions, reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of AgNO₃ affords the chiral, mononuclear single helicate Ag(I) complex [Ag(2)][NO₃] (5) in 90% yield. [Ag₂(1)₂][NO₃]₂ (4) can further react with excess AgNO₃ to give [Ag₂(1)₂]₃[NO₃]₂[Ag(CH₃OH)(NO₃)₃]₂ · 2CH₃OH (7) in 75% yield. All compounds have been fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Compounds 1 and 5-7 have been further subjected to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Synthesis, characterisation and X-ray structures of diorganotin(IV) and iron(III) complexes of dianionic terdentate Schiff base ligands

Diorganotin(IV) complexes, [SnR₂L] (1)-(4), (R = Me, Ph), of the terdentate Schiff bases N-[(2-pyrroyl)methylidene]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine (H₂L¹) and N-[(2-hydroxyphenyl)metylidene]-N′-tosylbenzene-1,2-diamine (H₂L²) have been synthesised. The complexes were obtained by addition of the appropriate ligand to a methanol suspension of the corresponding diorganotin(IV) dichloride in the presence of triethylamine. However, the reaction between the precursor [η⁵-C₅H₅Fe(CO)₂]₂SnCl₂ and the Schiff bases in the presence of triethylamine gave (5) and (6), respectively. The crystal structures of the ligands and complexes have been studied by X-ray diffraction. The structure of [SnR₂L] complexes shows the tin to be five-coordinate in a distorted square pyramidal environment with the dianionic ligand acting in a terdentate manner. In 5 and 6, the iron atom is in a slightly distorted octahedral environment and is meridionally coordinated by two ligands. Spectroscopic data for the ligands and complexes (IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and mass spectra) are discussed and related to the structural information.     

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of iron(II) complex with tetradentate nitrogen ligands under conditions of atom transfer radical polymerization

Four tetradentate nitrogen ligands, viz. dichloro{[N,N^′-diphenyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (1), {[N,N^′-dioctyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (2), {[N,N^′-dibenzyl-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl)]-1,2-ethylene diamine} (3), and (1R,2R)-(−)-N,N^′-di(quinoline-2-methyl) di-iminocyclohexane (4), were investigated as novel complexing ligands in iron-mediated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate where ethyl-2-bromoisobutyrate was the initiator in o-xylene at 90 °C. With ligands 1 and 2 the experimental molecular weights increased gradually with monomer conversion. High to moderate conversions (87%, 43%) were obtained in relatively short times (90 min for 1 and 30 min for 2), which indicates an efficient catalyst system, but after these times a dramatic increase in viscosity of the polymerization medium led to loss of control. It is noteworthy that polymerization proceeded in a controlled manner with ligand 1, which has two rather bulky substituents on the N-atom. Such bulky ligands did not work for a copper-based system, where they led to excessive terminations or other side reactions. When the bulkiness of the substituents was significantly increased, as in ligand 3, a decrease in polymerization rate and loss of control occurred. Ligand 4 was less efficient than the other ligands, probably because the ethylene bridge was replaced by cyclohexane bridge.     

trans-Spanning ferrocene amidodiphosphine ligand: Synthesis, palladium complexes and catalytic use in Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling

Amide coupling between [2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl]methylamine and 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) afforded a novel diphosphine-amide, 1-{N-[(2-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)methyl]carbamoyl}-1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (1), which was subsequently studied as a ligand for palladium(II) complexes. Depending on the metal precursor, the following complexes were isolated: [PdCl₂(1-κ²P,P′)] (2), [PdCl(Me)(1-κ²P,P′)] (3), [(μ-1){PdCl₂(PBu₃)}₂] (4) and [(μ-1){PdCl(L^NC)}₂] (L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹), featuring this ligand either as a trans-chelating or as a P,P′-bridging donor. The crystal structure of 2·1.25CH₂Cl₂ was established by X-ray crystallography, corroborating that 1 coordinates as a trans-spanning diphosphine without any significant distortion to the coordination sphere. Complex 2 together with a catalyst prepared in situ from 1 and palladium(II) acetate were tested in Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of aryl bromides with phenylboronic acid in dioxane.     

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and cytotoxicity of a new tetranuclear ruthenium arene complex

The tetranuclear ruthenium arene compound [(cym)₄Ru₄(2)Cl₆]Cl₂ (3) (cym = η⁶-p-cymene, 2 = 1,2-bis(di-N-methylimidazol-2-ylphosphino)ethane) was prepared and characterised by one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques. Its cytotoxicity against four different cell lines was determined and, with an approximate IC₅₀ of >100 μM 3 can be regarded as non-toxic. Its partition coefficient in n-octanol/water (log D_7.4) was also determined. The structures of complex 3 as well as of the related compound [(cym)₂Ru₂(4)Cl₂]Cl₂ (5) (4 = 1,2-bis(di-N-methylimidazol-2-ylphosphino)ethane dioxide) were determined by single crystal structure analysis. Upon oxidation in protic solvents, ligand 2 shows P-C bond cleavage reactions to yield P,P′-bis(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)ethylene diphosphinic acid (6).