Lanthanide complexes of the chiral hexaaza macrocycle and its meso-type isomer: solvent-controlled helicity inversion

Lanthanide(III) complexes of the enantiopure chiral hexaaza tetraamine macrocycle L, 2(R),7(R),18(R),23(R)-1,8,15,17,24,31-hexaazatricyclo[25.3.1.1.0.0]-dotriaconta-10,12,14,26,28,30-hexaene, as well as of its meso-type 2(R),7(R),18(S),23(S)-isomeric macrocycle L1, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods. The 2D NMR spectra confirm the identity of these complexes and indicate C2 symmetry of the [LnL]3+ and Cs symmetry of the [LnL1]3+ complexes. The crystal structures of the [PrL(NO3)(H2O)2](NO3)2, [EuL(NO3)(H2O)2](NO3)2, [DyL(NO3)2]2[Dy(NO3)5] x 5CH3CN, [YbL(NO3)2]2[Yb(NO3)5] x 5CH3CN, [YbL(H2O)2](NO3)3 x H2O, and [EuL1(NO3)(H2O)2]0.52[EuL1(NO3)2]0.48(NO3)1.52 x 0.48H2O complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all complexes, the lanthanide(III) ions are coordinated by six nitrogen atoms of the macrocycle L or L1, but for each type of complex, the conformation of the macrocycle and the axial ligation are different. The crystallographic, NMR, and CD data show that the [YbL]3+ complex exists in two stable forms. Both forms of the Yb(III) complex have been isolated, and their interconversion was studied in various solvents. The two forms of [YbL]3+ complex correspond to two diastereomers of ligand L, which differ in the sense of the helical twist and the configuration at the stereogenic amine nitrogen atoms. In one of the stereoisomers, the macrocycle L of (RRRR) configuration at the stereogenic cyclohexane carbon atoms adopts the (RSRS) configuration at the amine nitrogen atoms, while in the other stereoisomer, the macrocycle L of (RRRR) configuration at the stereogenic cyclohexane carbon atoms adopts the (SSSS) configuration at the amine nitrogen atoms. The (RRRR)(RSRS) isomer is quantitatively converting to the (RRRR)(SSSS) isomer in water solution, while the reverse process is observed for an acetonitrile solution, thus representing the rare case of helicity inversion controlled by the solvent.     

Stereochemistry in functionalized macrocycle complexes: control of hydroxyl substituent orientation

Use of a hydroxyl-functionalized open chain tetramine in a template reaction based on its Cu(II) complex leads, after reduction, to a new tetraaza macrocycle with both amino and hydroxyl substituents. The macrocycle is formed predominantly as its trans (anti) isomer, though the cis form is detectable and both have been structurally characterized in the form of their metal complexes. Although both the Cu(II) and the Co(III) complexes of the tetramine precursor ligand have the hydroxyl group in an axial position of a chair six-membered chelate ring, the trans macrocycle forms Co(III) complexes with this substituent in both equatorial and axial positions.     

Current-induced switching of a single magnetic molecule with an arbitrary orientation of the magnetic easy axis

Magnetic switching of a single-molecule magnet (SMM) due to spin-polarized current is considered theoretically. The system under investigation consists of a single magnetic molecule attached to two ferromagnetic leads. Magnetic moments of the leads are assumed to be collinear, whereas the magnetic anisotropy axis of the molecule forms an arbitrary angle with the moments. The current flowing through the system as well as the average z-component of the molecule's spin is calculated within the perturbative approach (Fermi golden rule). The mechanism of molecule's spin reversal due to current flowing directly through the molecule is discussed.     

Lanthanide complexes of ethylenediaminotetramethylene-phosphonic acid

Ethylenediaminotetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP, H₈L) was prepared and its complexes with some lanthanide ions (La, Eu, Gd and Sm) were isolated under various conditions. IR spectra and thermal stabilities of EDTMP and its complexes were studied. The experimental conditions of the preparation influence to the composition of the complexes were shown. In alkaline solution (pH=8) deprotonated (P(O)(O^–)₂), and in acidic solution (pH=3–4) deprotonated and partly protonated (P(O)(O^–)(OH)) and non-protonated (P(O)(OH)₂) phosphonic groups are present in the complexes. All the complexes contain coordinated water molecules. The complexes containing a protonated phosphonic group contain coordinated and hydrogen-bonded water molecules.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Lanthanide complexes of alkylsulfamoyl-substituted phthalocyanines

The extra-ligand complexes obtained in the reaction of tetra-4-[6′,8′-di(N,N-diethylsulfamoyl)-2′-naphtyloxy]phthalocyanine with erbium or ytterbium acetylacetonates were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic spectroscopy.     

Lanthanide complexes of 3-methoxy-salicylaldehyde

The reaction of a lanthanide(III) nitrate (Ln = Pr, Nd, Gd, Dy, Er) with 3-methoxy-salicylaldehyde(3-OCH₃-saloH), afforded neutral complexes of the general formula [Ln(3-OCH₃-salo)₃], which were characterized by means of elemental analysis, FT-IR spectra, TG-DTA curves, and magnetic measurements. The released products, due to the thermal decomposition were analyzed by on-line coupling MS spectrometer to the thermobalance in argon, allowed to prove the proposed decomposition stages. In order to confirm the stability scale provided on the basis of the onset decomposition temperature, a kinetic analysis of the three decomposition stages was made using the Kissinger equation, while the complex nature of the decomposition kinetics was revealed by the isoconvertional Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method.     

Theoretical study of peptide model dimers. Homo versus heterochiral complexes

The study of possible chiral recognition of a series of peptide models (For-Gly-NH₂, For-Ala-NH₂ and four of their fluoro substituted derivatives) has been carried out by means of DFT calculations. Homo (L,L) and heterochiral (L,D) dimers formed by hydrogen bond (HB) complexation have been considered. Initially, the conformational preferences of the monomers have been calculated and used to generate all the possible homo and heterochiral dimers. The energetic results show that in most cases, the β monomers are the most stable while in the dimers, the γ–γ complexes show the strongest interaction energies. In three of the four chiral cases studied, a heterochiral dimer is the most stable one. In addition, the electron density and nuclear shielding of the complexes have been studied.     

Induction of a heterochiral helix through the covalent chiral domino effect originating in the "Schellman motif"

We report unique phenomena where the transition from a homochiral helix to a heterochiral helix occurs by increasing the chain length of the l-sequence. Peptides composed of the l-Leu sequences with different lengths and the achiral nona-sequence at the C-terminal side were used here. Conformation of their peptides in solution was investigated mainly by using CD analysis in various solvents, or additionally by IR and NMR. When the l-sequence has a sufficient length, a left-handed helicity was induced in the achiral sequence. Notably, the polymeric l-sequence produced a heterochiral helix that switches the helix sense around the boundary of the chiral/achiral sequence. Energy calculation demonstrated that a stable heterochiral helix favors a bending form, while a homochiral helix takes a relatively straight form. Such a bending form was suggested to be advantageous to solvent effects. The "Schellman motif" has been recognized as a local heterochiral structure in protein helices. We propose a nucleation model of a heterochiral helix through the covalent chiral domino effect derived from the Schellman motif. The present findings not only offer us novel design of a heterochiral helix but also support an elementary model for the origins of homochiral-heterochiral structures from primitive chiral/achiral sequences.     

Lanthanide complexes of new polyaminocarboxylates with the bis-pyrazolylpyrimidine chromophore

We describe the straightforward synthesis of a new polyacid ligand derived from the bis-pyrazolylpyrimidine motif that displayed excellent properties concerning its ability to sensitize the emission of lanthanides. Emission lifetimes were in the range of ms and quantum yields were 0.15 and 0.85 for Eu and Tb, respectively, among the largest measured by us in related compounds, thus making this ligand an excellent candidate for its application in multitagging time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays.     

Lanthanide perchlorate complexes of 2-acetamidopyridine-1-oxide

2-acetamidopyridine-1-oxide (AcAmPyO) complexes of six lanthanide perchlorates, with the general composition Ln(AcAmPyO)₅ (ClO₄)₃, have been synthesized and characterized by analysis, molar conductance, infrared, proton NMR and electronic spectral data. Infrared and conductance studies indicate the ionic nature of the anion. The coordination of the ligand through the N-O and C=O moieties is shown by the infrared and proton NMR spectral analysis.     

Dinuclear complexes of a pseudocalixarene macrocycle: structural consequences of intramolecular hydrogen bonding

A series of dinuclear complexes of a pseudocalixarene macrocycle H6L containing two 2,2'-methylenediphenol groups have been synthesised and structurally characterised. Using divalent metal ions, complexes containing a common hyperbolic paraboloid (saddle) M2(H4L)2+ core are formed. The structure is controlled by two strong O-H-O interactions resulting from metal ion-promoted monodeprotonation of the methylenediphenol units. The metal ions are located in a cleft within which neutral or anionic guests can bind. Use of trivalent metal ions leads to complete deprotonation of the phenol groups and loss of the saddle conformation.     

Lanthanide modulation of the orientation of macromolecules induced by purple membrane.

Addition of Tb3+ to purple membrane (PM) suspensions changes the orientation of the menbrane normal from parallel to perpendicular with respect to the magnetic field. Residual dipolar couplings measured in protein L in the presence of PM are scaled by a factor of -1/2. NMR line broadening and cross-correlation effects induced by the addition of PM are partially reversed by Tb3+ but not by Tm3+ that has no effect on the orientation of PM. This is interpreted as the result of anisotropically restricted motion of protein L in the transiently PM-bound form.     

Theoretical prediction of the spin-spin coupling constants between an axis and macrocycle of a rotaxane

The indirect nuclear spin-spin coupling constants between nuclei belonging to the axis and to the macrocycle of three structurally related rotaxanes have been calculated by means of density functional theory. It has been shown that the through-space axis-macrocycle proton-proton coupling constants can be as large as 0.4-0.5 Hz and therefore of measurable values. The largest through-space axis-macrocycle carbon-proton and nitrogen-proton coupling constants are 0.2-0.3 Hz. Visualization of coupling pathways by means of the coupling energy density method indicates that the larger proton-proton couplings are indeed transmitted through the space between the coupled nuclei. Thus, it seems that measurement of such couplings should be possible and that indirect spin-spin couplings can be actually transmitted through-space, with no covalent or hydrogen bonds between the coupled nuclei.     

Lanthanide double-decker complexes functioning as magnets at the single-molecular level

Double-decker phthalocyanine complexes with Tb3+ or Dy3+ showed slow magnetization relaxation as a single-molecular property. The temperature ranges in which the behavior was observed were far higher than that of the transition-metal-cluster single-molecule magnets (SMMs). The significant temperature rise results from a mechanism in the relaxation process different from that in the transition-metal-cluster SMMs. The effective energy barrier for reversal of the magnetic moment is determined by the ligand field around a lanthanide ion, which gives the lowest degenerate substate a large |Jz| value and large energy separations from the rest of the substates in the ground-state multiplets.     

Lanthanide luminescence efficiency in eight- and nine-coordinate complexes: Role of the radiative lifetime

The photophysical parameters for the sensitization of metal-centred luminescence are analyzed in two series of complexes with tridentate and hexadentate ligands having N_xO_y chelating units. In particular, the radiative lifetime τ_rad is experimentally estimated for 29 nine-coordinate Eu^III complexes and 10 eight- and nine-coordinate Yb^III complexes. The known dependence of τ_rad on refractive index is substantiated by comparing data for solid-state samples and solutions. Moreover, a clear dependence of τ_rad with the coordination environment is evidenced and in the case of Eu^III, a comparison between τ_rad and the nephelauxetic effect generated by the ligands is attempted. Altogether, this extensive analysis points to the importance of having a handle on τ_rad when designing ligands for highly luminescent lanthanide-containing molecular edifices. This, in turn, should stimulate initiating theoretical considerations to unravel a reliable relationship between τ_rad and the electronic structure of the ligands.     

Lanthanide complexes of D-penicillamine: formation constants,spectral and thermal properties

The complex-formation of lanthanide(III) elements with D-penicillamine have been investigated in acidic and neutral media. The macroscopic protonation constants of the ligand and the formation constants of [Ln.Pen]⁺, [Ln.Pen₂]^?, [Ln.Pen.OH] and [Ln.Pen.(OH)₂]^? complexes were determined from pH-metric data using the BEST computer program. Elemental analyses of the solid complexes indicate formation of 1?:?1 metal?:?ligand species. The binding sites in the complexes with the possible role of –COO^?, –NH₂ and –SH groups in the coordination have been discussed using infrared data. The complexes decompose in four steps as shown by their t.g. and d.t.a. analyses. A mechanism of decomposition is proposed which is supported by mass spectral data.     

Mono and trinuclear lanthanide complexes of 13-membered tetraaza macrocycle: Synthesis and characterization

The reaction of 1,8-diamino-3,6-diazaoctane and diethyl malonate in dry methanol yielded a 13-membered macrocycle. Complexes of the type [Ln(tatd)Cl₂ (H₂O)₃]Cl [Ln^III=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; tatd=1, 5, 8, 11-tetra-azacyclotridecane-2,4-dione] have been synthesized by template condensation. The complex [La(tatd)Cl₂ (H₂O)₃]Cl in methanol was reacted with lanthanide chlorides to yield the trinuclear complexes of type [2{La(tatd)Cl₂(H₂O)₃}LnCl₃]Cl₂ [Ln^III=La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy]. The chemical compositions of mono and trinuclear complexes have been established on the basis of analytical, molar conductance, electrospray (ES) and fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass data. In mononuclear complexes the Ln³⁺ ion is encapsulated by four ring nitrogens and in trimetallic complexes the exo-carbonyl oxygens of two mononuclear units coordinate to the Ln³⁺ ions resulting in a polyhedron around the lanthanide ions. Thus the macrocycle is bonded in a tetradentate fashion in the former complexes and hexadentate in the latter. The coordination number nine around the encapsulated Ln³⁺ and seven around the exo-oxygen bonded Ln³⁺ ions are established. The symmetry of the ligand field around the metal ions is indicated from the emission spectra.     

Ultrastable complexes for in vivo use: a bifunctional chelator incorporating a cross-bridged macrocycle

The synthesis, copper(II) complexation and biotin conjugation of a bifunctional chelator incorporating a cross-bridged macrocycle are described.     

Synthesis and polarographic studies of some phenylazo substituted tetra-aza macrocycle complexes

The preparation of some phenylazo substituted tetra-aza macrocycle complexes is reported. The electrochemical properties of these compounds have been examined using polarographic and voltammetric techniques. These studies revealed that both the ligand and metal are electrochemically active. The reduction of the azo function has been shown to occur through a single four-electron process. When a nitro group was also present the nitro function was reduced in a six-electron wave, cathodic of the azo moiety.