The synthesis and structural characterization of novel N-meta-ferrocenyl benzoyl dipeptide esters: The X-ray crystal structure and in vitro anti-cancer activity of N-{meta-ferrocenyl)benzoyl}-l-alanine-glycine ethyl ester

A series of N-meta-ferrocenyl benzoyl dipeptide esters 2-5 have been prepared by coupling meta-ferrocenyl benzoic acid 1b to the dipeptide ethyl esters using the conventional 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. The dipeptides employed in the synthesis were AlaGly(OEt) (2), AlaAla(OEt) (3), AlaLeu(OEt) (4) and AlaPhe(OEt) (5). The compounds were fully characterized by a range of NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS, ESI-MS), and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In addition, the X-ray crystal structure and cytotoxicity of N-{meta-(ferrocenyl)-benzoyl}-l-alanine-glycine ethyl ester (2) towards lung cancer cells has been determined.     

The synthesis, structural characterization and in vitro anti-cancer activity of novel N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters and novel N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide ethyl esters

N-(3-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (5-7) and N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl) dipeptide esters (8-10) were prepared by coupling either 3-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 2 or 6-ferrocenylnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid 4 to the dipeptide ethyl esters GlyAla(OEt) (5, 8), AlaGly(OEt) (6, 9), and AlaAla(OEt) (7, 10) using the standard N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. All the compounds were fully characterized using a combination of ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT-135 and ¹H-¹³C COSY (HMQC) spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). In vitro, the cytotoxic effects of compounds 5-10 show improvements over the corresponding N-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl derivatives, with IC₅₀ values against the H1299 lung cancer cells ranging from 1.2 μM to 8.0 μM. N-(6-ferrocenyl-2-naphthoyl)-glycine-l-alanine ethyl ester 8 was found to be the most active derivative of the naphthoyl series so far, displaying an IC₅₀ value of 1.3 ± 0.1 μM. This value is slightly lower than that found for the clinically employed anti-cancer drug cisplatin (IC₅₀ = 1.5 ± 0.1 μM against H1299).     

The replacement of a phenol group by an aniline or acetanilide group enhances the cytotoxicity of 2-ferrocenyl-1,1-diphenyl-but-l-ene compounds against breast cancer cells

We have previously shown that conjugated ferrocenyl p-phenols show strong cytotoxic effects against both the hormone-dependent MCF-7 and hormone-independent MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, possibly via oxidative quinone methide formation. We now present a series of analogous amine and acetamide compounds: 2-ferrocenyl-1-(4-aminophenyl)-1-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-2), 2-ferrocenyl-1-(4-N-acetylaminophenyl)-1-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z-3), and their corresponding organic molecules 1-(4-aminophenyl)-1,2-bis-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-4) and 1-(4-N-acetamidophenyl)-1,2-bis-phenyl-but-1-ene (Z+E-5). All of the compounds have adequate relative binding affinity values for the estrogen receptor; between 2.8% and 5.7% for ERα, and between 0.18% and 15.5% for ERβ, as well as exothermic ligand binding in in silico ER docking experiments. Compounds 2 and 3 show dual estrogenic/cytotoxic activity on the MCF-7 cell line; they are proliferative at low concentrations (0.1 μM) and antiproliferative at high concentrations (10 μM). On the MDA-MB-231 cell line, the ferrocenyl complexes 2 and 3 are antiproliferative with IC₅₀ values of 0.8 μM for 2 and 0.65 μM for 3, while the purely organic molecules 4 and 5 show no effect. Electrochemical experiments suggest that both 2 and 3 can be transformed to oxidized quinoid-type species, analogous to what had previously been observed for the ferrocene phenols.     

The synthesis and structural characterization of N-para-ferrocenyl benzoyl dipeptide esters: The X-ray crystal structure of N-{para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl}-l-alanine-glycine ethyl ester

A series ofN-para-ferrocenyl benzoyl dipeptide esters 2-5 were prepared by coupling para-ferrocenyl benzoic acid (1) to the dipeptide ethyl esters using the conventional 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. The dipeptides employed in the synthesis were Ala-Gly(OEt) (2), Ala-Ala(OEt) (3), Ala-Leu(OEt) (4) and Ala-Phe(OEt) (5). The compounds were fully characterized by a range of NMR spectroscopic techniques, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). In addition the X-ray crystal structure of the l-alanine-glycine derivative 2 has been determined.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of redox-responsive N-ferrocenoyl amino acid esters; the X-ray crystal structure of N-ferrocenoyl alanine methyl ester; electrochemical anion recognition and H NMR complexation studies

The N-ferrocenoyl amino acid ester derivatives FcCOR {Fc=(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄)} where R=Gly(OMe) 1, Gly(OEt) 2, Gly(OBn) 3, l-Ala(OMe) 4, l-Ala(OEt) 5, l-Leu(OMe) 6, l-Leu(OEt) 7, l-Leu(OBn) 8, l-Phe(OMe) 9 and l-Phe(OEt) 10, were prepared by coupling ferrocene carboxylic acid with the appropriate amino acid ester starting materials using the 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol and these have been characterised by spectroscopic techniques. The electrochemical anion sensing behaviour of compounds 1-10 with several anions using a platinum microdisk working electrode is described, together with ¹H NMR anion complexation studies. The X-ray single crystal structure of N-ferrocenoyl-l-alanine methyl ester 4 has been determined and contains two molecules which differ slightly in conformation in the asymmetric unit of space group P2₁ (No. 4); principal dimensions are amide N(H)CO 1.224(6) and 1.231(6) Å, ester CO 1.220(10) and 1.190(7) Å, with N-H?OC(amide) as the primary intermolecular hydrogen bond, N?O 2.992(6) and 2.971(6) Å and with graph set C(4).     

A novel and easy two-step,microwave-assisted method for the synthesis of halophenyl pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines via their pyrrolo precursors. Evaluation of their bioactivity

A novel, two-step, facile route for the synthesis of pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxalines via 2,3-dioxopyrroles, enhanced by microwave irradiation, is presented. The newly synthesized 2,3-dioxo-5-halophenyl pyrrolo precursors 4a–c as well as the non-aromatized ethyl 2-(4-halophenyl)-1-methyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-3-carboxylates 6a–c and the aromatized ethyl 2-(4-halophenyl)-1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]quinoxaline-3-carboxylates 7a–c were evaluated for their antioxidant, cytostatic, and antiviral properties. Most of them proved to be potent hydroxyl radical scavengers and inhibited in vitro lipid peroxidation. The compounds showed moderate antiproliferative activity, while 6a inhibited vaccinia virus at an EC₅₀ value of 2 μM, and 4c and 6c inhibited Sindbis virus at EC₅₀ values of 4 μM.     

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.     

Cyclophosphazenes tethered together via N-ring centres with ortho-, meta- and para-xylylene linkers

Hexakis (organoamino) cyclotriphosphazenes (RNH)₆P₃N₃ {R = i-Bu (1), R = i-Pr (2)} react with ortho-, meta- and para-derivatives of α,α′-dibromo xylene in 2:1 ratio to form salts of compositions [{(RNH)₆P₃N₃}₂xyl]Br₂, {R = i-Bu, o-xyl (3); R = i-Pr, m-xyl (4); R = i-Pr, p-xyl (5)}. These contain dications consisting of two phosphazene rings, which are tethered together via ring N centres by a xylylene unit. X-ray structure analyses show that the substitution pattern at the xylylene bridge controls the orientation and distance between the two tethered phosphazene rings. The solid state structures exhibit dense networks of hydrogen bonds linking dications and anions. Direct N-H?N bonds between dications are observed in the crystal structure of 3.     

Synthesis, characterization and luminescence study of dimethyl[2-(arylmethyleneimino)phenolato]gallium complexes: Crystal structure of dimethyl[N-(4-N,N′-dimethylamino) phenylmethyleneiminophenolato]gallium

Three dimethylgallium complexes of type Me₂GaL [L = 2-methoxylphenylmethyleneiminophenolato (1), N-(4-N,N′-dimethylamino)phenylmethyleneiminophenolato (2), N-(2-naphthyl)methyleneiminophenolato (3)] have been synthesized by the reaction of trimethylgallium with appropriate N-arylmethyleneiminophenol. The complexes obtained have been characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} NMR, IR and mass spectroscopy, respectively. The solid structure of 2 has been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis. The gallium atom was bonded by an oxygen atom and coordinated by an imine nitrogen atom forming one five-membered ring. The stable dimmer was formed by the coordination of bridging oxygen atom of phenolate to another gallium atom. The photoluminescence of complexes 1-3 were studied. The maximum emission wavelengths of 1-3 are between 305 and 320 nm upon radiation by UV light. The electroluminescent properties of diodes using 1-3 as emitting material were measured. The blue/green electroluminescence has been observed.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of three new binuclear Ni(II) complexes derived from tripodal tetradentate (N4) ligands

Three new binuclear Ni(II) complexes [{Ni(L_22py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [{Ni(L_23py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), and [{Ni(L_33py)Cl}₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), {L_22py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane, L_23py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-aminoethyl)-1,3-diaminopropane, L_33py = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(3-aminopropyl)-1,3-diaminopropane} have been synthesized. Single crystal X-ray structure analysis showed that in each complex two distorted octahedral Ni(II) ions are bridged asymmetrically by a pair of chloride anions. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 3 revealed dominant ferromagnetic exchange interactions.     

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}-Zr{RN(CH2)3NR}, structural analyses of rac-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}Zr{RN(CH2)3NR} (where R is SiMe3 or Ph), and meso to rac isomerization

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{Me₃SiN(CH₂)₃NSiMe₃} (rac-3/meso-3) and rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{PhN(CH₂)₃NPh} (rac-4/meso-4) were achieved by metallation of K₂[PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂] · 1.3 THF (2) with Zr{RN(CH₂)₃NR}Cl₂(THF)₂ (where R = SiMe₃ or Ph, respectively) using ethereal solvent. These isomeric pairs were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; rac-3 and rac-4 were also examined via single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of rac-3 and rac-4 are notable in the tendency of the cyclopentadienyl rings towards η³ coordination. While isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 slowly isomerize in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ to equilibrium ratios, the isomerization rate for 3 is more than 15-fold greater than that for 4. In addition, equilibrium ratios are rapidly reached when isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 are exposed to tetrabutylammonium chloride in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ solvent. We propose that a nucleophile (either chloride or the phosphine interannular linker) brings about dissociation of one cyclopentadienyl ring, thus promoting the rac/meso isomerization mechanism.     

Five-membered ring chelate complexes of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) derived of di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine

Cis-diaquobis{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}nickel(II) chloride (2) was obtained from the reaction of di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine (1) and [NiCl₂dppe] [dppe = cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene] in a 2:1 ratio in hot acetonitrile. Cis-dichloro{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}palladium(II) (3) and cis-dichloro{di-(2-pyridyl)-N-ethylimine}platinum(II) (4) complexes were obtained from the reaction of MCl₂ (M = Pd, Pt) and (1) in equimolar ratio in hot acetonitrile. Compounds 1–4 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry; the complexes 3 and 4 were characterized in solution by NMR. In addition, solid state structures of compounds 1–4 were determined using single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. X-ray diffraction data of the complexes 3 and 4 showed a distorted square planar local geometry at palladium and platinum atoms with the chlorine atoms in a cis-coordination; in 2 a local octahedral geometry at nickel atom was observed. Complexes 3 and 4 are arranged as dimers with a M?M distance of 3.4567(4) Å (M = Pd) and 3.4221(4) Å (M = Pt), respectively; 2 consists of units linked by intermolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions at the Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand in five- and six-coordinate complexes of ruthenium(II) and osmium(II)

Treatment of either RuHCl(CO)(PPh₃)₃ or MPhCl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ with HSiMeCl₂ produces the five-coordinate dichloro(methyl)silyl complexes, M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (1a, M = Ru; 1b, M = Os). 1a and 1b react readily with hydroxide ions and with ethanol to give M(SiMe[OH]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (2a, M = Ru; 2b, M = Os) and M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)₂ (3a, M = Ru; 3b, M = Os), respectively. 3b adds CO to form the six-coordinate complex, Os(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)₂(PPh₃)₂ (4b) and crystal structure determinations of 3b and 4b reveal very different Os-Si distances in the five-coordinate complex (2.3196(11) Å) and in the six-coordinate complex (2.4901(8) Å). Reaction between 1a and 1b and 8-aminoquinoline results in displacement of a triphenylphosphine ligand and formation of the six-coordinate chelate complexes M(SiMeCl₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N)-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (5a, M = Ru; 5b, M = Os), respectively. Crystal structure determination of 5a reveals that the amino function of the chelating 8-aminoquinoline ligand is located adjacent to the reactive Si-Cl bonds of the dichloro(methyl)silyl ligand but no reaction between these functions is observed. However, 5a and 5b react readily with ethanol to give ultimately M(SiMe[OEt]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6a, M = Ru; 6b, M = Os). In the case of ruthenium only, the intermediate ethanolysis product Ru(SiMeCl[OEt])Cl(CO)(PPh₃)(κ²(N,N-NC₉H₆NH₂-8) (6c) was also isolated. The crystal structure of 6c was determined. Reaction between 1b and excess 2-aminopyridine results in condensation between the Si-Cl bonds and the N-H bonds with formation of a novel tridentate “NSiN” ligand in the complex Os(κ³(Si,N,N)-SiMe[NH(2-C₅H₄N)]₂)Cl(CO)(PPh₃) (7b). Crystal structure determination of 7b shows that the “NSiN” ligand coordinates to osmium with a “facial” arrangement and with chloride trans to the silyl ligand.     

Lissoclibadins 1-3, three new polysulfur alkaloids, from the ascidian Lissoclinum cf. badium

Three new polysulfur alkaloids, lissoclibadins 1 (1)-3 (3), were isolated from the ascidian Lissoclinum sp. (cf. L. badium Monniot, F. and Monniot, C., 1996). The structures of 1-3 were assigned on the basis of their spectral data, and the computational modeling study was utilized for 1. Compound 1 had a trimeric structure of three identical aromatic anime moieties connected through two sulfide and a disulfide bonds. Compounds 2 and 3 were dimeric structures of the same unit as that of 1 connected through a sulfide and disulfide bonds (2) and two sulfide bonds (3). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the growth of the marine bacterium Ruegeria atlantica (15.2 mm at 20 μg/disk and 12.2 mm at 5 μg/disk, respectively) and 2 showed antifungal activity to Mucor hiemalis (13.8 mm at 50 μg/disk). Compounds 1-3 were cytotoxic against HL-60 (IC₅₀=0.37, 0.21, and 5.5 μM, respectively).     

Synthesis and structural characterization of rac-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]ferrocenecarboxylic acid, its selected derivatives and some rhodium complexes

rac-2-[(Diphenylphosphino)methyl]ferrocenecarboxylic acid (1) was prepared in a good yield from rac-2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)bromoferrocene (2) via rac-2-(hydroxymethyl)bromoferrocene (4) and rac-2-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]bromoferrocene (5), and further converted to the respective phosphine oxide (6), phosphine sulfide (7) and methyl ester (8). The phosphines 1 and 8 were studied as ligands in rhodium complexes. The reaction of di-μ-chloro-bis[chloro-(η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III)] with the stoichiometric amounts of 1 and 8 yielded the corresponding mononuclear complexes with P-monodentate ligands: [RhC₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(L-κP)], 9 and 10, respectively. Attempted deprotonation of 9 with LiBu or KOt-Bu gave intractable mixtures, in which the parent complex 9 as the major component was accompanied by two new compounds, likely the diastereoizomeric phosphinocarboxylate complexes. A defined O,P-chelating phosphinocarboxylate complex, [SP-4-2]-carbonyl-[rac-2-{(diphenylphosphino)methyl}ferrocenecarboxylato-κ²O,P]-tricyclohexylphosphinerhodium(I) (12), was obtained from the displacement of acetylacetonate(1−) (acac) ligand in [Rh(acac)(CO)(PCy₃)] (Cy = cyclohexyl) with acid 1. The structures of 1, 6 · CHCl₃, and 7 · 1/2 CH₂Cl₂, 10, and hydrated complexes 9 and 12 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis,spectral, and structural investigation of [ML(NO3)2]: M = Co,Ni, Cu; L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine

Synthesis and structural characterization of distorted pentagonal bipyramidal Co(II), pseudo-octahedral Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the type [ML(NO₃)₂], {L = N-(2-pyridylethyl)pyridine-2-methylketimine} are reported. Characterization includes elemental analysis, spectral, magnetism, and X-ray crystallographic studies. In case of cobalt (1) both the nitrates coordinate in bidentate fashion resulting overall distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In nickel (2) and copper (3) complexes, bivalent metal ion is coordinated by the three nitrogen atoms of the tridentate L with two pyridine-N occupying trans positions and amongst the two nitrates one coordinates in a bidentate fashion while other adopts a monodentate fashion. All the complexes exhibit d–d transitions in the visible region. Complex 1 is high-spin in nature and the X-band EPR spectra of 1, and 3 at room temperature and 77 K are reported.     

Fascioquinols A-F: bioactive meroterpenes from a deep-water southern Australian marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp.

Chemical investigation of a southern Australian deep-water marine sponge, Fasciospongia sp., returned the new meroterpene sulfate fascioquinol A (1) together with a series of acid mediated hydrolysis/cyclization products, fascioquinols B (2), C (3) and D (4), and strongylophorine-22 (5). Additional co-metabolites include the new meroterpenes fascioquinol E (6) and fascioquinol F (8), together with the known sponge metabolite geranylgeranyl 1,4-hydroquinone (7). Structures were assigned to 1-8 on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis, chemical interconversion, mechanistic and biosynthetic considerations, and literature comparisons. The known 1,4-hydroquinone 7 was identified as the dominant cytotoxic principle in the Fasciospongia sp. extract, with selective inhibitory activity against gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS, IC₅₀ 8 μM) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y, IC₅₀ 4 μM) cell lines. By contrast, while the fascioquinols displayed little or no inhibitory activity towards human cell lines, 1 and 2 displayed promising Gram-positive selective antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus (IC₅₀ 0.9-2.5 μM) and Bacillus subtilis (IC₅₀ 0.3-7.0 μM).     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of phenoxy-ketimine ligands: Synthesis,structures and their utility in bulk ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide

Synthetic, structural and catalysis studies of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of a series of phenoxy-ketimine ligands with controlled variations of sterics, namely 2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1a), 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1b) and 2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1c), are reported. Specifically, the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c were synthesized by the TiCl₄ mediated condensation reactions of the respective anilines with o-hydroxyacetophenone in 21–23% yield. The nickel complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2a) and {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2b), were synthesized by the reaction of the respective ligands 1a and 1b with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O in the presence of NEt₃ as a base in 71–75% yield. The copper complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3a), {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3b) and {2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3c) were synthesized analogously by the reactions of the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O in 70–87% yield. The molecular structures of the nickel and copper complexes 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 3c have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Structural comparisons revealed that the nickel centers in 2a and 2b are in square planar geometries while the geometry around the copper varied from being square planar in 3a and 3c to distorted square planar in 3b. The catalysis studies revealed that while the copper complexes 3a, 3b and 3c efficiently catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide at elevated temperatures under solvent-free melt conditions, producing polylactide polymers of moderate molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distributions, the nickel counterparts 2a and 2b failed to yield the polylactide polymer.     

1-Methyl-4-ferrocenylmethyl-3,5-diphenylpyrazole: A versatile ligand for palladium(II) and platinum(II)

The syntheses and characterization of two novel ferrocene derivatives containing 3,5-diphenylpyrazole units of general formula [1-R-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc] {Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄) and R = H (2) or Me (3)} together with a study of their reactivity with palladium(II) and platinum(II) salts or complexes under different experimental conditions is described. These studies have allowed us to isolate and characterize trans-[Pd{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}₂Cl₂] (4a) and three different types of heterodimetallic complexes: cis-[M{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}Cl₂(dmso)] {M = Pd (5a) or Pt (5b)}, the cyclometallated products [M{κ²-C,N-[3-(C₆H₄)-1-Me-5-Ph-(C₃N₂)]-CH₂-Fc}Cl(L)] with L = PPh₃ and M = Pd (6a) or Pt (6b) or L = dmso and M = Pt (8b) and the trans-isomer of [Pt{1-Me-3,5-Ph₂-(C₃N₂)-CH₂-Fc]}Cl₂(dmso)] (7b). In compounds 4a, 5a, 5b and 7b, the ligand behaves as a neutral N-donor group; while in 6a, 6b and 8b it acts as a bidentate [C(sp²,phenyl),N(pyrazole)]⁻ group. A comparative study of the spectroscopic properties of the compounds, based on NMR, IR and UV-Visible experiments, is also reported.