Unsymmetrical platinum(II) phosphido derivatives: oxidation and reductive coupling processes involving platinum(III) complexes as intermediates

Reaction of the trinuclear [NBu 4] 2[(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(R F) 2] ( 1, R F = C 6F 5) with HCl results in the formation of the unusual anionic hexanuclear derivative [NBu 4] 2[{(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-Cl)} 2] ( 4, 96 e (-) skeleton) through the cleavage of two Pt-C 6F 5 bonds. The reaction of 4 with Tl(acac) yields the trinuclear [NBu 4][(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)] ( 5, 48 e (-) skeleton), which is oxidized by Ag (+) to form the trinuclear compound [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)][ClO 4] ( 6, 46 e (-) skeleton) in mixed oxidation state Pt(III)-Pt(III)-Pt(II), which displays a Pt-Pt bond. The reduction of 6 by [NBu 4][BH 4] gives back 5. The treatment of 6 with Br (-) (1:1 molar ratio) at room temperature gives a mixture of the isomers [(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-Br)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(acac)], having Br trans to R F ( 7a) or Br cis to R F ( 7b), which are the result of PPh 2/C 6F 5 reductive coupling. The treatment of 5 with I 2 (1:1 molar ratio) yields the hexanuclear [{(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-I)} 2] ( 8, 96 e (-) skeleton), which is easily transformed into the trinuclear compound [(PPh 2R F)(R F)Pt(mu-PPh 2)(mu-I)Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(I)(PPh 3)] ( 9, 48 e (-) skeleton). Reaction of [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(NCMe) 2] ( 10) with I 2 at 213 K for short reaction times gives the trinuclear platinum derivative [(R F) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(mu-PPh 2) 2Pt(I) 2] ( 11, 46e skeleton) in mixed oxidation state Pt(III)-Pt(III)-Pt(II) and with a Pt-Pt bond, while the reaction at room temperature and longer reactions times gives 8. The structures of the complexes have been established by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. In particular, the (195)Pt NMR analysis, carried out also by (19)F- (195)Pt heteronuclear multiple-quantum coherence, revealed an unprecedented shielding of the (195)Pt nuclei upon passing from Pt(II) to Pt(III). The X-ray diffraction structures of complexes 4, 5, 6, 9, and 11 have been studied. A detailed study of the relationship between the complexes has been carried out.     

Studies on structures of some platinum complexes with 1,1-cyclopropanedicarboxylate

The crystal structures of [Pt(NH3)2CPrDCA].H2O (I), [Pt(CH3NH2)2CPrDCA] (II), and [Pt(dmbn) CPrDCA].2.5H2O (III) (where CPrDCA is 1,1-cyclopropanedicarboxylate; dmbn is 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-butyldiamine) are determined. Compound I crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with the cell dimensions: a = 6.517(2), b = 9.709(3), c = 14.205(5) A, Z = 4, R = 0.058. Compound II is monoclinic with space group P2(1)/n, a = 9.648(3), b = 8.720(2), c = 12.770(4) A, beta = 107.12(2), Z = 4, R = 0.059. Compound III belongs to the monoclinic system space group P2(1)/m with the cell dimensions: a = 6.494(1), b = 19.638(3), c = 6.606(1)A, beta = 94.44(1), Z = 2, R = 0.038. Electronic structures of the complexes are studied and the correlation between structure of the amine ligands and biological activity of the complexes is explored.     

Monomeric phosphido and phosphinidene complexes of nickel

An unusual family of three-coordinate, d(8) and d(9) nickel phosphido and phosphinidene complexes containing the chelating 1,2-bis(di-tert-butylphosphino)ethane (dtbpe) ligand and a terminal PR(2)(-) or PR(2-) ligand have been prepared. The complexes (dtbpe)Ni[P(t-Bu)(2)] (2), [(dtbpe)Ni[=P(t-Bu)(2)](+)][PF(6)(-)] (3), [(dtbpe)Ni[=P(H)(dmp)](+)][PF(6)(-)] (5), and (dtbpe)Ni[=P(dmp)] (6) have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The three-coordinate d(8) complexes exhibit Ni-P bond lengths and ligand geometries that indicate they participate in symmetry-allowed ligand-to-metal pi bonding involving phosphorus p-electrons and a metal-orbital of pi symmetry that lies in the Ni coordination plane. Compound 6 is a rare example of a late-transition-metal terminal phosphinidene complex.     

Tetranuclear manganese complexes with dimer-of-dimer and ladder structures from the use of a bis-bipyridyl ligand

The reaction of the bis-chelating ligand 1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridine-6-yl)ethane (L) with the trinuclear species of formula [Mn(3)O(O(2)CR)(6)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) (R = Me (1); R = Et (2); R = Ph (3)) has afforded the new tetranuclear mixed-valent complexes [Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CR)(4)L(2)](ClO(4))(2) (R = Me (4); R = Et (5); R = Ph (6)) and [Mn(4)O(2)(OMe)(3)(O(2)CR)(2)L(2)(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (R = Me (7); R = Et (8); R = Ph (9)). Complexes 4-6 were obtained in yields of 20%, 44%, and 37%, respectively. They are mixed-valent, with an average Mn oxidation state of +2.5. Complexes 7-9 were obtained in yields of 57%, 65%, and 70%, respectively. They are also mixed-valent, but with an average Mn oxidation state of +2.75. Complexes 4 x 2THF and 9 x 3MeOH x H(2)O crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 macro and contain [Mn(4)(mu(3)-O)(2)](6+) and [Mn(4)(mu(3)-O)(2)(mu-OMe)(2)](5+) cores, respectively, the latter being a new structural type in the family of Mn(4) complexes. Reactivity studies of 4-9 have shown that 4-6 can be converted into 7-9, respectively, and vice versa. The magnetic properties of 5 and 9 have been studied by dc and ac magnetic susceptibility techniques. Complex 5 displays antiferromagnetic coupling between its Mn ions resulting in a spin ground state of S = 0. Complex 9 also displays antiferromagnetic coupling, but the resulting ground state is S = (7)/(2), as confirmed by fitting magnetization versus field data collected for 9 at low temperatures, which gave S = (7)/(2), D = -0.77 cm(-1), and g = 1.79. Complex 9 exhibits a frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac susceptibility peak, indicative of the slow magnetization relaxation that is diagnostic of single-molecule magnetism behavior.     

Tetranuclear rhenium chalcogenide cluster complexes with a cubane core. Synthesis,structures, and properties

The results of studies of rhenium chalcogenide cluster complexes with the [Re₄Q₄] cubane core, where Q = S, Se, or Te, are reviewed. Different approaches to the synthesis of these compounds are surveyed and their properties and structures are considered. Substitution reactions in the cluster core and replacements of terminal ligands are discussed. The formation of polymers consisting of the tetranuclear rhenium chalcogenide cyanide clusters as structural building blocks is considered.     

Reactions of platinum complexes with 4,7-phenanthroline: crystal structures of mono- and binuclear platinum(II) complexes containing 4,7-phenanthroline

The reaction of a mixture of cis and trans-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)₂] with 4,7-phen (4,7-phen = 4,7-phenanthroline) in a molar ratio of 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 resulted in the formation of mono and binuclear complexes trans-[PtCl₂(SMe₂)(4,7-phen)] (1) and trans-[Pt₂Cl₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)] (2), respectively. The products have been fully characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, HHCOSY, HSQC, HMBC, and DEPT-135 NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 reveals that platinum has a slightly distorted square planar geometry. Both chlorides are trans with a deviation from linearity 177.66(3)°, while the N–Pt–S angle is 175.53(6)°. Similarly, the reaction of a mixture of cis and trans-[PtBr₂(SMe₂)₂] with 4,7-phen in a 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 mole ratio afforded the mono or binuclear complexes trans-[PtBr₂(SMe₂)(4,7-phen)] (3) and trans-[Pt₂Br₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)] (4), respectively. The crystal structure of trans-[Pt₂Br₄(SMe₂)₂(μ-4,7-phen)].C₆H₆ reveals that 4,7-phen bridges between two platinum centers in a slightly distorted square planar arrangement of the platinum. In this structure, both bromides are trans, while the PtBr₂(SMe₂) moieties are syn to each other. NMR data of mono and binuclear complexes of platinum 1–4 show that the binuclear complexes exist in solution as a minor product, while the mononuclear complexes are major products.     

Behavior of neutral phosphido derivatives of platinum and palladium toward silver centers

The reaction of the neutral binuclear complexes [(R(F))(2)Pt(μ-PPh(2))(2)M(phen)] (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, R(F) = C(6)F(5); M = Pt, 1; M = Pd, 2) with AgClO(4) or [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))] affords the trinuclear complexes [AgPt(2)(μ-PPh(2))(2)(R(F))(2)(phen)(OClO(3))] (7a) or [AgPtM(μ-PPh(2))(2)(R(F))(2)(phen)(PPh(3))][ClO(4)] (M = Pt, 8; M = Pd, 9), which display an "open-book" type structure and two (7a) or one (8, 9) Pt-Ag bonds. The neutral diphosphine complexes [(R(F))(2)Pt(μ-PPh(2))(2)M(P-P)] (P-P = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, dppm, M = Pt, 3; M = Pd, 4; P-P = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppe, M = Pt, 5; M = Pd, 6) react with AgClO(4) or [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))], and the nature of the resulting complexes is dependent on both M and the diphosphine. The dppm Pt-Pt complex 3 reacts with [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))], affording a silver adduct 10 in which the Ag atom interacts with the Pt atoms, while the dppm Pt-Pd complex 4 reacts with [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))], forming a 1:1 mixture of [AgPdPt(μ-PPh(2))(2)(R(F))(2)(OClO(3))(dppm)] (11), in which the silver atom is connected to the Pt-Pd moiety through Pd-(μ-PPh(2))-Ag and Ag-P(k(1)-dppm) interactions, and [AgPdPt(μ-PPh(2))(2)(R(F))(2)(OClO(3))(PPh(3))(2)][ClO(4)] (12). The reaction of complex 4 with AgClO(4) gives the trinuclear derivative 11 as the only product. Complex 11 shows a dynamic process in solution in which the silver atom interacts alternatively with both Pd-μPPh(2) bonds. When P-P is dppe, both complexes 5 and 6 react with AgClO(4) or [Ag(OClO(3))(PPh(3))], forming the saturated complexes [(PPh(2)C(6)F(5))(R(F))Pt(μ-PPh(2))(μ-OH)M(dppe)][ClO(4)] (M = Pt, 13; Pd, 14), which are the result of an oxidation followed by a PPh(2)/C(6)F(5) reductive coupling. Finally, the oxidation of trinuclear derivatives [(R(F))(2)Pt(II)(μ-PPh(2))(2)Pt(II)(μ-PPh(2))(2)Pt(II)L(2)] (L(2) = phen, 15; L = PPh(3), 16) by AgClO(4) results in the formation of the unsaturated 46 VEC complexes [(R(F))(2)Pt(III)(μ-PPh(2))(2)Pt(III)(μ-PPh(2))(2)Pt(II)L(2)][ClO(4)](2) (17 and 18, respectively) which display Pt(III)-Pt(III) bonds.     

Ethylene polymerization on titanium phenoxyimine complexes with different structures

The kinetics of ethylene polymerization in the presence of catalytic systems based on methylaluminoxane-activated titanium bis(phenoxyimine) complexes with different structures has been investigated in the temperature range 30–70°C. The structures of the complexes have different substituents at the imine nitrogen atom and in the phenoxy group in the ligand, which affect the activity of the system and the molecular weight of polyethylene resulting from polymerization over at least 1 h. The polymerization kinetics is most sensitive to the structure of the substituent at the imine nitrogen atom and to bulky substituents in the ortho position of the phenoxy group. The results obtained are explained. An attempt is made to classify the influence of the substituents in the ligands. Process conditions ensuring living polymerization have been found. The physicochemical properties and structural features of the polyethylenes obtained have been determined.     

Cyclometallated platinum complexes with heterocyclic ligands

The reactions of [Pt₂Me₄(μ-SMe₂)₂] with imine ligands derived from 3-furaldehyde, 3- or 4-pyridinealdehyde and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine, and 3-furaldehyde and chlorobenzylamine are reported. The furane ligands coordinated to platinum through the nitrogen donor and could be forced to orthometallate under severe conditions. The ligands with pyridine rings gave only substitution of the ligand for the dimethylsulphide. The oxidative addition reactions of the orthometallated complexes with methyl iodide as well as the complexes' reactions with triphenylphosphine are also reported. Correlation between aromaticity of the orthometallated ring and reactivity of the complexes is observed.     

Tuning the electronic structures of platinum(II) complexes with a cyclometalating aryldiamine ligand

Triflate salts of four platinum(II) pyridyl complexes with a mer-coordinating tridentate pincer ligand, pip(2)NCN(-) (pip(2)NCNH = 1,3-bis(piperidylmethyl)benzene), are reported: Pt(pip(2)NCN)(L)(+) (2, L = pyridine; 3, L = 4-phenylpyridine; 5, L = 2,6-pyridinedimethanol) and [(Pt(pip(2)NCN))(2)(micro-4,4'-bipyridine)](2+) (4). The complexes have been fully characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Compound 2(CF(3)SO(3)(-)): triclinic, P1, a = 9.7518(6) A, b = 12.0132(8) A, c = 12.6718(9) A, alpha = 114.190(2) degrees, beta = 100.745(3) degrees, gamma = 103.545(2) degrees, V = 1247.95(14) A(3), Z = 2. Compound 3(CF(3)SO(3)(-)): monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 15.550(2) A, b = 9.7386(11) A, c = 18.965(3) A, beta = 92.559(7) degrees, V = 2869.1(6) A(3), Z = 4. Compound 4(CF(3)SO(3)(-))(2).1/2(CH(3))(2)CO: monoclinic, I2/a, a = 21.3316(5) A, b = 9.6526(2) A, c = 26.1800(6) A, beta = 96.4930(10) degrees, V = 5356.0(2) A(3), Z = 4. Compound 5(CF(3)SO(3)(-)).3/2CHCl(3): monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 17.1236(10) A, b = 9.3591(5) A, c = 21.3189(11) A, beta = 96.11(3) degrees, V = 3397.2(3) A(3), Z = 4. The accumulated data indicate that the phenyl group of pip(2)NCN(-) labilizes the trans pyridyl ligand. The electronic structures were investigated using cyclic voltammetry, as well as UV-visible absorption and emission spectroscopies. Red emission from 2 in rigid media originates from a lowest triplet ligand field excited state, whereas yellow-green emissions from 3 and 4 originate from a lowest pyridyl ligand-centered triplet pi-pi state, indicating that substitution of the pyridyl ligand results in a dramatic change in the orbital character of the emissive state.     

Selective homo- and heterodehydrocouplings of phosphines catalyzed by rhodium phosphido complexes

Reactions of the rhodium complex (dippe)Rh(eta3-CH2Ph) (1, dippe = iPr2PCH2CH2PiPr2) with ArPH2 (Ar = Ph, Mes) proceed via P-H oxidative additions to the phosphido complexes (dippe)Rh(mu-PHAr)2Rh(dippe) (3a, Ar = Ph; 3b, Ar = Mes). The corresponding reaction of Ph2PH occurs similarly, via the intermediate (dippe)Rh(PPh2)PHPh2 (4), to (dippe)Rh(mu-PPh2)2Rh(dippe) (3c). Complexes 3a-c and 4 are catalysts for the catalytic dehydrodimerizations of the corresponding phosphines to diphosphanes. Complex 1 is a more active dehydrocoupling catalyst, and substituent effects suggest that the active catalyst is mononuclear. Efficient dehydrocouplings of 2-EtC6H4PH2, 2-iPrC6H4PH2, and 2,4,6-iPr3C6H2PH2 were also observed. Complex 1 also catalyzes the heterocoupling of Ph2PH with PhSH (to Ph2P-SPh), and stoichiometric reactions in this system allowed isolation of (dippe)Rh(mu-SPh)2Rh(dippe) (6) and (dippe)Rh(SPh)PHR2 (7a, R2PH = MesPH2; 7b, R2PH = Ph2PH).     

Modern aspects on tri- and tetranuclear cluster complexes supported by phosphido bridges

This report on small cluster complexes with metal-metal bonds in the field of coordination chemistry documents results in the following scientific areas. (1) Systematic synthetic routes via ditransition metal carbonyl derivative of manganese and rhenium (group 7) to functionalizedtriangulo- andtetrahedro-clusters including structural characterization, (2) Dynamic properties of mono- and diauration isomers like M₂(μ-AuPR₃)(μ-PCyH)(CO)₈/M₂(μ-H)(μ₃-PCy(AuPR₃))(CO)₈ (isomerization) and M₂(μ-AuPR₃)₂(μ₄-PCy)(CO)₈/M₂(μ-AuPR₃)(μ₃-PCy(AuPR₃))(CO)₈ (M = Mn, Re; R = organic residue) (rearrangement and valence isomerization) and MM’(μ-H)(μ-PCy₂)(μ₄-PCy(AuPR₃))(CO)₆ (M = M’, M ≠ M’) (topomerization) going from one to the other homologue and the kinetic study of isomerization in the framework Re₂(AuPCy₃)₂(μ-PMeN₂(μ-C(Bu)O)(CO)₆, (3) Correlations of chirality transfer in diastereomerictetrahedro-clusters Re₂(M¹PR₃)₂(μ-PCy₂)(CO)₇(η¹-L*) (M¹ = coin metals, L* = chiral ligand as (+) or (-) prolinate, for example) from CD data. These selected contributions will be discussed to answer the question “Do small cluster complexes remain as a future challenge in cluster chemistry?”     

Liquid chromatography with and of platinum complexes

Summary Reversed-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on chemically bonded C₁₈-phases with acetonitrile-water mobile phases, contianing platinum complexes like Zeise's salt C₂H₄PtCl₃, the amine derivative C₂H₄–PtCl₂–NH₂–CH(CH₃)–C₆H₅ or the amino acid compound C₂H₄–PtCl–OOC–CH(N(CH₃)₂)–C₆H₅ by analogy with argentation chromatography, was used to increase selectivity for the separation of various types of olefins, amines and heterocyclic compounds. On the other hand, normal-phase adsorption chromatography on silica with n-heptane, dichloromethane and n-propanol mobile phases proves to be an ideal tool for the analytical and preparative separation of diastereomeric platinum complexes of olefins, introduced by Gil-Av, that can be easily preparedin vitro, by the reaction of C₂H₄–PtCl–OOC–CH(N(CH₃)₂)–C₆H₅ with optically active olefins in CH₂Cl₂. The preparation of the intitial complex as well as its application to the separation of several interesting types of enantiomeric olefins is described and discussed. The number and amount of separable diastereomers formed by the above reaction is strongly influenced by sterical effects. By comparison of the chromatographic pattern of either racemic or partly racemic mixtures, it is possible to decide, which peaks belong to one or the other enantiomeric form of the olefin.     

Palladium and platinum dihalide complexes with dl-selenomethionine

Palladium and platinum dihalides react with dl-selenomethionine (sem), yielding the complexes [M(sem)X2](M=Pd,X=Cl or Br;M=Pt,X=Cl) and, in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide (dmf), the species [M(sem)X2]·dmf (M=Pd, X=I; M=Pt, X=Cl, Br or I). The complexes were characterized by i.r. and proton n.m.r. spectroscopy and by thermogravimetric analysis, and their properties were compared with those of the dl-methionine analogues [M(Met)Cl2] and [Pt(Met)Cl2]·dmf. On the basis of n.m.r. data in deuteriated dimethyl sulfoxide, the platinum complexes undergo ligand rearrangement to form [Pt(sem)2]2+ moieties whereas the solvent does not seem to interact with the palladium coordination sphere, which contains the chelated N, Se ligand.     

Synthesis, structures and spectroscopic properties of platinum complexes containing orthometalated 2-phenylpyridine

The synthesis, structure and spectroscopy of a series of luminescent orthometalated square planar platinum(II) complexes are reported. Reaction of K₂PtCl₄ with one mole equivalent of 2-phenylpyridine (ppyH) in 2-ethoxyethanol and water (1:1 ratio) resulted in the formation of chloro-bridged dimeric precursor [Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(ppy)₂], which on further reactions with various anionic one-, two- and three-atom ancillary ligands, having O/N/S donors, yielded mono- and bi-nuclear platinum(II) complexes. Platinum(III) complexes of composition [Pt₂Cl₂(μ-Epy)₂(ppy)₂] have been isolated with pyE⁻ (E = O or S) ligands. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR (¹H, ³¹P, ¹⁹⁵Pt) and absorption spectroscopy. The complexes [Pt₂(μ-N^∩N)₂(ppy)₂] (N^∩N = pyrazole and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole); [Pt(S^∩S)(ppy)] (S^∩S = ethylxanthate and diisopropyldithiophosphate); [Pt₂Cl₂(μ-Epy)₂(ppy)₂] (Epy = 2-pyridinol {Opy} and 2-mercaptopyridine {Spy}) and [PtCl(ppy)(PhNC(Me)NHPh)] have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Alkene isomerization catalysed with platinum hydride complexes

The mechanism of but-1-ene, pent-1-ene and 3-methylbut-1-ene isomerization catalysed with trans-[PtH(SnX₃)L₂] (I, L = PPh₃, PMePh₂, PEt₃, PPr₃; X = Cl, Br) have been studied. Stoichiometric reactions of I with the alkenes proceed even at ?90°C giving cis-[Pt(alkyI-1) (SnX₃) L₂] (II). The equilibrium amounts of II are dependent on the nature of the phosphines, halogens and alkenes. The isomerization rates, determined at +20°C, change in parallel with the relative stabilities of II as a function of phosphine (PMePh₂ > PPh₃ > PAlk₃) and halogen (Br > Cl), and decrease with methyl substitution at γ- and δ- carbons of the alkenes. 2-Substituted alk-1-enes undergo no isomerization in the reactions under investigation. When L is PPh₃ or PMePh₂, the main platinum-containing species in the course of the isomerization are trans-[Pt(alkyl-1) (SnX₃)L₂], appearing as a result of cis-trans isomerization of II. The conversion of I, L = PAlk₃ into related trans-alkyl complexes, and oxidation of I, proceed more slowly than the isomerization of alkenes. The ratio of cis- to trans-alk-2-enes is dependent on the size of L and is a maximum for L = PPh₃.     

Coordination chemistry and reactivity of zinc complexes supported by a phosphido pincer ligand

The preparation and characterization of new Zn(II) complexes of the type [(PPP)ZnR] in which R = Et (1) or N(SiMe(3))(2) (2) and PPP is a tridentate monoanionic phosphido ligand (PPP-H = bis(2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)phosphine) are reported. Reaction of ZnEt(2) and Zn[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2) with one equivalent of proligand PPP-H produced the corresponding tetrahedral zinc ethyl (1) and zinc amido (2) complexes in high yield. Homoleptic (PPP)(2) Zn complex 3 was obtained by reaction of the precursors with two equivalents of the proligand. Structural characterization of 1-3 was achieved by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, and (31)P) and X-ray crystallography (3). Variable-temperature (1)H and (31)P?NMR studies highlighted marked flexibility of the phosphido pincer ligand in coordination at the metal center. A DFT calculation on the compounds provided theoretical support for this behavior. The activities of 1 and 2 toward the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and of L- and rac-lactide were investigated, also in combination with an alcohol as external chain-transfer agent. Polyesters with controlled molecular parameters (M(n), end groups) and low polydispersities were obtained. A DFT study on ring-opening polymerization promoted by these complexes highlighted the importance of the coordinative flexibility of the ancillary ligand to promote monomer coordination at the reactive zinc center. Preliminary investigations showed the ability of these complexes to promote copolymerization of L-lactide and ε-caprolactone to achieve random copolymers whose microstructure reproduces the composition of the monomer feed.     

Tetranuclear palladium complexes with benzoquinonediimine ligands: synthesis, molecular structure and electrochemistry

Rare examples of tetrapalladated derivatives in which two flat tetradentate bridging ligands are perfectly face-to-face as a result of a remarkable ancillary ligand effect are reported.