Enantioselective addition of diethylzinc to N-diphenylphosphinoylimines employing cinchonidine and cinchonine as chiral ligands

The use of the `pseudoenantiomeric pair' of cinchonine and cinchonidine as ligands for the addition of diethylzinc to N-diphenylphosphinoylimines has been investigated. With 1 equiv of cinchonidine as ligand, a series of chiral amines was prepared in good yield and enantiomeric excesses of up to 94%. The use of 2.0 equiv of methanol as an achiral additive was found significantly to improve the selectivity of the addition when using 0.2 equiv of ligand, yielding ee's close to those obtained with a stoichiometric amount of ligand.     

Synthesis and screening of bifunctional radiolabelled carborane-carbohydrate derivatives

A new bifunctional carborane ligand was prepared as a platform for the development of targeted molecular radioimaging and therapy agents. The carborane derivative was synthesized bearing a glucose substituent to increase the water solubility of the ligand and a benzoic acid group as a site for linking to amine containing targeting vectors. A convenient method to conjugate the ligand and the non-glycosylated analogue to amino groups was developed using simple active esters which were combined with a model amine generating two new N,N-diethyl(aminoethyl) benzamide derivatives. These were labelled with ¹²⁵I in good yield and the log P values measured for [¹²⁵I]-15 (log P = 0.82 ± 0.04) and [¹²⁵I]-16 (log P = 1.53 ± 0.01). The benzamides were also evaluated for their capacity to bind to B16F10 melanoma cells where the hydrophilic compound showed low binding while [¹²⁵I]-16 showed modest uptake (30.7 ± 2.2%) after 24 h.     

N, O-ligand accelerated zinc-catalyzed transesterification of alcohols with vinyl esters

N-Phenyldiethanolamine (1f) is an efficient ligand for zinc-catalyzed transesterification of alcohols with vinyl acetate (R³ = Me) at room temperature. In the case of using other vinyl esters (R³ = Et, n-Pr, Ph), the corresponding products were easily obtained in the presence of pyridine-type ligand 2 instead of aminoalcohol 1f.     

A method for rapid screening of interactions of pharmacologically active compounds with albumin

We determine the association constants for ligand–protein complex formation using the flow injection method. We carry out the measurements at high flow rates (F = 1 mL min⁻¹) of a carrier phase. Therefore, determination of the association constant takes only a few minutes. Injection of 1 nM of the ligand (10 μL of 1 μM concentration of the ligand solution) is sufficient for a single measurement. This method is tested and verified for a number of complexes of selected drugs (cefaclor, etodolac, sulindac) with albumin (BSA). We obtain K = 4.45 × 10³ M⁻¹ for cefaclor, K = 1.00 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for etodolac and K = 1.03 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ for sulindac in agreement with the literature data. We also determine the association constants of 20 newly synthesized 3β- and 3α-aminotropane derivatives with potential antipsychotic activity – ligands of 5-HT_1A, 5-HT_2A and D₂ receptors with the albumin. Results of the studies reported here indicate that potential antipsychotic drugs bind weakly to the transporter protein (BSA) with K ≈ 10²–10³ M⁻¹. Our method allows measuring K in a wide range of values (10²–10⁹ M⁻¹). This range depends only on the solubility of the ligand and sensitivity of the detector.     

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling of sulfonamides with aryl iodides and bromides facilitated by amino acid ligands

A highly general, convenient, and inexpensive catalyst system was developed for the N-arylation of sulfonamides with aryl iodides or bromides by using 5-20 mol % of CuI as catalyst, 20 mol % of N-methylglycine (for aryl iodides) or N,N-dimethylglycine (for aryl bromides) as ligand, and K₃PO₄ as base.     

Synthesis and characterisation of two novel Rh(I) carbene complexes: Crystal structure of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L1)]

The [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] (acac = acetylacetonato; L₁ = 1,3-bis-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolinylidene and L₂ = 1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinylidene) complexes were prepared by the action of the parent carbene on [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] in THF. The crystal structure characterisation of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L₁)] revealed a slightly distorted square planar geometry with the carbene ligand orientated almost perpendicular to the equatorial plane; an elongated trans Rh-O bond of 2.0806(18) Å reflecting the considerable trans-influence of the carbene ligand. By measuring the CO stretching frequencies in a range of [Rh(acac)(CO)(L)] complexes (L = CO, L₁, L₂, PPh₃, PⁿBu₃, P(O-2,4-^tBu₂-Ph)₃) the following electron donating ability series was established: L₁ ∼ L₂ ∼ PⁿBu₃ > PPh₃ > P(O-2,4-^tBu₂-Ph)₃ > CO; indicating the carbenes investigated in this study to have a similar electronic cis-influence as trialkyl phosphines. Both complexes do not display hydroformylation activity towards 1-hexene in the absence of added phosphine or phosphite ligands under the conditions investigated (P = 60; T = 85 °C). In the presence of a phosphine or phosphite ligand the resulting hydroformylation catalysis was identical to that observed for [Rh(acac)(CO)₂] and the corresponding ligand and subsequent high-pressure ³¹P NMR studies confirmed substitution of the carbene ligand under these conditions.     

Preparative separation of di- and trisulfonated components of Quinoline Yellow using affinity-ligand pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography

Four positionally isomeric 2-(2-quinolinyl)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dionedisulfonic acids (SA) and one triSA, components of the color additive Quinoline Yellow (QY, Color Index No. 47005), were isolated from the dye mixture by affinity-ligand pH-zone-refining counter-current chromatography (CCC) through complementary use of ion-exchange and ion-pair reagents as the ligand. The added ligands facilitated the partitioning of the very polar polysulfonated components into the organic stationary phase of the two-phase solvent systems that consisted of isoamyl alcohol–methyl tert-butyl ether–acetonitrile–water (3:5:1:7), (3:4:1:7) or (3:1:1:5). Thus, separation of a 5-g portion of QY using sulfuric acid as the retainer and dodecylamine as the ligand (an ion-exchange reagent, 20% in the stationary phase), resulted in 1.21 g of 6′,5-diSA and 1.69 g of 6′,8′,5-triSA, both of over 99% purity. A minor component, 8′,4-diSA, not previously reported was also obtained (4.8 mg of over 94% purity) through a similar separation of a different batch of QY using hydrochloric acid as the retainer and 10% dodecylamine as the ligand in the stationary phase. Two components that co-eluted (0.55 g) in the 5 g separation were separated when trifluoroacetic acid was used as the retainer and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (an ion-pair reagent) as the ligand. The separation resulted in 20.7 mg of 6′,4-diSA, not previously reported, and 111.8 mg of 8′,5-diSA, both of over 98% purity. The isolated compounds were characterized by high-resolution mass spectrometry and proton nuclear magnetic resonance with correlated spectroscopy assignments.     

Uranyl ion complexes with long chain aminoalcoholbis(phenolate) [O,N,O,O′] donor ligands

The reaction between uranyl nitrate hexahydrate and phenolic ligand precursor [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-4-amino-1-butanol) · HCl], H₃L1 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex [UO₂(H₂L1)₂] (1a) and [UO₂(H₂L1)₂] · 2CH₃CN (1b). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-4-amino-1-butanol)H₃L2 · HCl], H₃L2 · HCl, yields a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L2)₂] · CH₃CN (2). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)-5-amino-1-pentanol) · HCl], H₃L3 · HCl, produces a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L3)₂] · 2CH₃CN (3) and the ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-5-amino-1-pentanol) · HCl], H₃L4 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L4)₂] · 2CH₃CN (4). The ligand [(N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-3-methylbenzyl)-6-amino-1-hexanol) · HCl], H₃L5 · HCl, leads to a uranyl complex with a formula [UO₂(H₂L5)₂] · 4toluene (5). The complexes 1–5 are obtained using a molar ratio of 1:2 (U to L) in the presence of a base (triethylamine). The molecular structures of 1a, 1b, 3, 4 and 5 were verified by X-ray crystallography. All complexes are neutral zwitterions and have similar centrosymmetric, mononuclear, distorted octahedral uranyl structures with the four coordinating phenoxo ligands in an equatorial plane. In uranyl ion extraction studies from water to dichloromethane with ligands H₃L1 · HCl–H₃L5 · HCl, ligands H₃L1 · HCl, H₃L4 · HCl and H₃L5 · HCl are the most effective ones.     

Me-AnilaPhos: a new chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand for a highly efficient Rh-catalyzed asymmetric olefin hydrogenation

A cationic rhodium(I) complex with a novel chiral phosphine-phosphoramidite ligand based on 2-diphenylphosphino-N-methylaniline and R-BINOL moieties has been synthesized. The complex provided remarkably high activity and enantioselectivity in the asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl (Z)-α-acetamidocinnamate (100% conversion after 10 min, 98% ee) and dimethyl itaconate (100% conversion after 26 min, 96% ee) under ambient conditions (1 bar hydrogen pressure, room temperature) using 1 mol % of the catalyst in dichloromethane as solvent. On the other hand, when hydrogenation was performed in methanol, both conversion and enantioselectivity were significantly diminished, due to the partial decomposition of the rhodium/phosphine-phosphoramidite complex.     

Towards the rational design of palladium-N-heterocyclic carbene catalysts by a combined experimental and computational approach

A combined experimental and computational approach towards the development of Pd-NHC catalysts is described. A range of benzimidazolylidinium ligands incorporating electron-rich and electron-poor substituents were prepared and evaluated in the Suzuki reaction. The most electron-rich ligand showed the highest catalytic activity. Based on this information, the first alkyl-alkyl Negishi cross-coupling reaction protocol was developed. Evaluation of N,N′-diaryl-(4,5-dihydro)imidazolylilidinium ligands showed a strong dependence on the steric topography around the metal centre. A computational study of the most active ligand in the Negishi reaction, its Pd(0) and PdCl₂-complexes and related structures were modelled at the B3LYP/DZVP and HF/3-21G levels of theory. The potential energy hypersurfaces flattened with increase in ligand size. Binding energies were computed for carbene/Pd(0) adducts (in the range ∼31-40 kcal mol⁻¹), roughly double that for PH₃ (∼16 kcal mol⁻¹). Weak intramolecular interactions were found using AIM analyses.     

Fluorescence detection of total count of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on water-soluble CdSe quantum dots coupled with bacteria

The aim of this paper was to demonstrate a fluorescence measurement method for rapid detection of two bacterial count by using water-soluble quantum dots (QDs) as a fluorescence marker, and spectrofluorometer acted as detection apparatus, while Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were as detection target bacteria. Highly luminescent water-soluble CdSe QDs were first prepared by using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a ligand, and were then covalently coupled with target bacteria. The bacterial cell images were obtained using fluorescence microscopy. Our results showed that CdSe QDs prepared in water phase were highly luminescent, stable, and successfully conjugated with E. coli and S. aureus. The fluorescence method could detect 10²-10⁷ CFU/mL total count of E. coli and S. aureus in 1-2 h and the low detection limit is 10² CFU/mL. A linear relationship of the fluorescence peak intensity and log total count of E. coli and S. aureus have been established using the equation Y = 118.68X − 141.75 (r = 0.9907).     

Structure and magnetism of Co(II) complexes with bidentate heterocyclic ligand Hsalbim derived from benzimidazole

Two mononuclear Co(II) complexes based upon 2-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)phenol, abbreviation Hsalbim ligand, have been prepared and studied. The structure of Hsalbim and [Co(salbim)₂] have been confirmed by X-ray structure analysis. The second cobalt(II) complex matches the formula [Co(salbim)₂]·(Hsalbim)·MeOH assuming a co-crystallization of one neutral ligand. The electronic spectra are consistent with the tetrahedral pattern. Magnetic susceptibility measurements down to T = 2 K along with the magnetization data until B = 7 T show that the Co(II) complexes are high-spin with a considerable zero-field splitting of the ⁴B₁(D_2d) term: D/hc = 67 and 55 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Unprecedented stable aqueous semiquinone methide radical formation interferes with adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry of cobalt methyl thymol blue

A putatively highly sensitive and selective method for the determination of cobalt in aqueous samples by catalytic adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry using methyl thymol blue (MTB) as the ligand has been documented [A. Safavi, E. Shams, Talanta 51 (2000) 1117] and its underlying mechanism has been briefly explored [A. Safavi, E. Shams, Electroanalysis 14 (2002) 708]. In an attempt to adapt the method for application in metalloprotein analysis we obtained erratic results, which were traced down to the redox non-innocence of the free ligand in the potential range prescribed for the metal analysis. On the hanging mercury drop electrode free methyl thymol blue is reversibly one-electron reduced to the semiquinone form with E_m,7.0 = −482 mV versus NHE at 22 °C, and the radical is subsequently quasi-reversibly one-electron reduced to the quinol form with E_m,7 ≈ −0.9 V. This observation invalidates the use of MTB in electrochemical analysis of metal ions. This is also the first observation ever of a stable quinone methide radical in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and bioactivity of a novel 18-metallacrown-6 [Mn6(H2O)6 (anshz)6] · 10DMF

A novel macrocyclic hexanuclear manganese(III) 18-metallacrown-6 compound, [Mn₆(H₂O)₆ (anshz)₆] · 10DMF, has been prepared using a trianionic pentadentate ligand N-acetyl-5-nitrosalicylhydrazide (anshz³⁻) and characterized by X-ray diffraction (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide). The crystal structure contains a neutral 18-membered metallacrown ring consisting of six Mn(III) and six anshz³⁻ ligands. The 18-membered metallacrown ring is formed by the succession of six structural moieties of the type [Mn(III)NN]. Due to the meridional coordination of the ligand to the Mn³⁺ ion, the ligand enforces the stereochemistry of the Mn³⁺ ions as a propeller configuration with alternating Δ/Λ forms. The disc-shaped hexanuclear ring shows at its largest diameter about 7.14 Å at entrance, about 9.76 Å at the center of the cavity, respectively. Antibacterial screening data showed that the manganese metallacrown has strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis.     

Synthesis of platinum-iodo-alkyl/aryl complexes in ligand-exchange reactions: Determination of the structure of Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(X)I complexes (X = Me, I) by X-ray crystallography

Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(R)I (bdpp = 2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane; R = Me, Ph, Bz, 2-Tioph) complexes were formed in alkyl/aryl ligand - iodide ligand-exchange reactions by reacting the corresponding Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}R₂ complexes with methyl iodide. The Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(Me)I complex was isolated and fully characterised. The influence of the X ligand on the platinum-bdpp chelate conformation was investigated in Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(X)I (X = I, SnCl₃, Me) complex series by means of X-ray crystallography.     

Palladium(II) complexes of N-[(2-pyridyl)methyliden]-α(or β)-aminonaphthalene: Single crystal X-ray structure of di-chloro-N-[{(2-pyridyl)methyliden}-β-aminonaphthalene]palladium(II), Pd(β-NaiPy)Cl2, spectra and DFT,TD-DFT study

Palladium(II) complexes of N-[(2-pyridyl)methyliden]-α(or β)-aminonaphthalene (α or β-NaiPy) are reported in this work. They are spectroscopically characterized along with some mixed ligand complexes, using diimine and azoimine functions. The single crystal X-ray structure of [Pd(N-(2-pyridyl)methyliden-β-aminonaphthalene)Cl₂] has been determined. Luminescence properties of the complexes exhibit a ligand centered π–π^∗ emission. Quantum yields (?) have been calculated and it has been observed that the complexes of α-NaiPy show higher ? values than the complexes of β-NaiPy. Lifetime measurements suggest bi-exponential decay and the average fluorescence lifetime varies from 1.4 to 6.8 ns. The spectroscopic properties are correlated with DFT and TD-DFT calculations in two complexes, Pd(β-NaiPy)X₂ (X = Cl, I) and they are compared with the free ligand results.     

Synthesis and characterization of rhenium(I) complexes with the polypyridinic quinone functionalized electron acceptor ligand [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-benzo[3,4]-phenazine-11,16-quinone, Nqphen

In this work, the synthesis and characterization of fac-[Re(CO)₃(Nqphen)(L)]PF₆ complexes is reported. Nqphen is the quinone substituted acceptor ligand [3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-benzo[3,4]-phenazine-11,16-quinone, and L represents the donor monodentate pyridine substituted ligands 4-tert-butylpyridine (t-Bupy), 4-methoxypyridine (MeO-py) or 10-(4-picolyl)phenothiazine (py-PTZ). The complexes were synthesized by refluxing in methanol the metal precursor fac-Re(CO)₃(Nqphen)TfO (TfO = trifluoromethanesulphonate anion) with the corresponding L ligand. The UV-Vis spectra of the complexes are dominated by intense intraligand (IL) bands, and less intense metal ligand charge transfer (MLCT) bands with maxima in the 380-400 nm region. The IR shows the typical pattern for tricarbonyl Re complexes with facial (fac) geometry. An additional v(CO) stretching band, attributed to the quinone fragment of Nqphen, is observed.Electrochemical data indicate that the acceptor capacity of Nqphen is increased in the complexes with regard to the free ligand. This effect is sensitive to the nature of the L ligand, following the order: MeO-py < t-Bupy < py-PTZ, indicating therefore that the donor capacity of L affects the rest of the molecule. The results obtained for the fac-[Re (CO)₃(Nqphen)(pyPTZ)]PF₆ complex here reported were compared with those observed for the homologous complex fac-[Re(CO)₃(Aqphen)(L)]^0/+, with Aqphen = 12,17-dihydronaphtho[2,3-h]dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]-phenazine-12,17-dione, and L = Cl⁻, TfO⁻, py-PTZ.     

Design of single chain magnets through cyanide-bearing six-coordinate complexes

The design and preparation of stable cyanide-bearing six-coordinate complexes of formula [M^III(L)(CN)_x]^{(x + l − m)−} (M = trivalent transition metal ion and L = polydentate blocking ligand) are summarized here. Their use as ligands towards either fully hydrated metal ions or coordinatively unsaturated preformed species, to afford a wide variety of low-dimensional metal assemblies whose nuclearity, dimensionality and magnetic properties can be tuned, is also reviewed. Special emphasis is put on the appropriate choice of the end-cap ligand L whose denticity determines the number of coordinated cyanide groups in the mononuclear precursors. Among the different new spin topologies obtained through this rational synthetic strategy, ferromagnetically coupled 4,2-ribbon like bimetallic chains which exhibit slow magnetic relaxation and hysteresis effects (chain as magnets) are one of the most appealing and constitute the heart of the present contribution.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of copper(I) complexes with functionalized pyrazino[2,3-f]-1,10-phenanthroline

The present work reports the synthesis and spectroscopic and electrochemical characterization of homoleptic copper(I) complexes with substituted pirazino [2,3-f]-1,10-phenanthroline, RpplR′, (R = H, Me, COOH or COOMe, and R′ = H, Me) as ligand. The ligand ppl works as an acceptor of electronic density, which is delocalized mainly in the quinoxaline part of its structure. The UV–Vis spectra show that all the complexes display bands in the range 400–650 nm, which are MLCT in character. The λ_max and extinction coefficients of the MLCT band at 450 nm and the LC band do not change significatively when varying the R substituent. Nevertheless, the intensity of the shoulder around 500 nm does change; this absorption has been related to either a static or dynamic flattening distortion of the complex D_2d → D₂ symmetry. The cyclic voltammetry of the complexes shows irreversible redox processes with E_p values that do not follow the tendency expected from the donor/acceptor character of the substituents on the ligand. All the complexes studied showed no emission both in acetonitrile and dichloromethane as solvent at room temperature and under argon atmosphere.     

An efficient and simple ligand from phthalandione for palladium-catalyzed Suzuki reaction in aqueous media

An efficient and simple ligand derived from phthalandione was used for palladium catalyzed Suzuki coupling reaction in water/ethanol (V/V = 2/1) under aerobic conditions. The reaction exhibited a high catalytic efficiency even with lower Pd loading (0.002 mol %). In this work, the catalyst could be successfully used in coupling reaction between various aryl halides with phenylboronic acid in excellent yields with high turnover number (TON) (the maximal TON was up to 49,000 for the reaction of bromobenzene with phenylboronic acid). Moreover, this new ligand had been elucidated by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and X-ray crystal diffraction.