New developments in the studies of the reactivity of cyclometallated palladium(II) compounds with homo- ([P,P],[As,As]) and heterobidentate ([P,N],[P,O]) ligands

Treatment of the chloro-bridged dinuclear compounds [{Pd[RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N]}(μ-Cl)]₂ (R = 4-(COH), 1; R = 5-(COH), 2) with bidentate phosphorus or arsenic diphosphines or diarsine ligands in 1:1 molar ratio gave the dinuclear complexes [{Pd[RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}₂{μ-(o-Tol)₂P(CH₂)₂P(o-Tol)₂}] (R = 4-(COH), 3; R = 5-(COH), 4), [{Pd[RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}₂{μ-Ph₂PC₄H₂(NH)CH₂PPh₂}] (R = 4-(COH), 5; R = 5-(COH), 6) and [{Pd[RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}₂{μ-Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂}] (R = 4-(COH), 7; R = 5-(COH), 8) with the homobidentate [P,P] and [As,As] ligands in a bridging mode. Treatment of 1 and 2 with the aminophosphine Ph₂P(CH₂)₂NH₂ yields the dinuclear complexes [{Pd[RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N](Cl)}₂{μ-Ph₂P(CH₂)₂NH₂}] (R = 4-(COH), 9; R = 5-(COH), 10). The analogous reactions carried out in a 1:2 molar ratio, in the presence of NH₄PF₆ or NaClO₄, gave the mononuclear compounds [Pd{RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{(o-Tol)₂P(CH₂)₂P(o-Tol)₂-P,P}][PF₆] (R = 4-(COH), 11; R = 5-(COH), 12), [Pd{RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{Ph₂PC₄H₂(NH)CH₂PPh₂-P,P}][ClO₄] (R = 4-(COH), 13; R = 5-(COH), 14) and [Pd{RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{Ph₂As(CH₂)₂AsPh₂-As,As}][ClO₄](R = 4-(COH), 15; R = 5-(COH), 16), with the [P,P] and [As,As] ligands chelated to the palladium atom.Treatment of 2 with Ph₂P(CH₂)₃NH₂ in a 1:2 molar ratio in acetone in the presence of NH₄PF₆ afforded the mononuclear compound [Pd{5-(COH)C₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)₃N(Me₂)-P,N}][PF₆], 17, via intermolecular condensation between the aminophosphine and the solvent. Condensation was precluded using toluene as solvent to give [Pd{RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nNH₂-P,N}][PF₆], (n = 3, R = 5-(COH), 18; n = 2, R = 4-(COH), 19; n = 2, R = 5-(COH), 20). Treatment of 1 and 2 with Ph₂P(C₆H₄)CHO in a 1:2 molar ratio in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gave the mononuclear complexes [Pd{RC₆H₃C(H)NCy-C2,N}{2-(Ph₂P)C₆H₄CHO-P,O}][PF₆] (R = 4-(COH), 21; R = 5-(COH), 22) with the palladium atom bonded to four different atoms (C, N, P, O) and a chelating [P,O] ligand. The crystal structures of compounds 7, 11, 15 and 21 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

New N,N-amino-diphosphonate-containing methacrylic derivatives, their syntheses and radical copolymerizations with MMA

Hydroxy-amino-diphosphonates HO-C_n-NH₂, with 2 ? n ? 11, have been successfully synthesized via the Kabachnick-Field reaction at 70 °C with high yields. These hydroxy compounds are then reacted with methacryloyl chloride to lead to novel amino-diphosphonate methacrylates MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11). These highly pure methacrylate monomers were obtained with yields higher than 75%. Radical copolymerizations of MAC_nNP₂ (with 2 ? n ? 11) with MMA have been conducted and the r₁ values (related to MAC_nNP₂) are in the range of 1.1-1.3, and r₂ values (related to MMA) about 0.8; this shows that the diphosphonate groups are statistically bonded to the methacrylic backbone.     

N,N-polymethylene-bisadenine complexes with d metal ions

The reaction of N⁹,N^9′-(tri or tetramethylene)-bisadenines (Ade₂C_x; x = 3 or 4) in HCl 2 M at 50 °C with MCl₂ · 2H₂O [M = Zn(II), Cd(II)] yields outer sphere compounds like the previously described [(H-Ade)₂C₃][ZnCl₄] · H₂O (3) and [(H-Ade)₂C₃]₂[Cd₂Cl₈(H₂O)₂] · 4H₂O (4) for Ade₂C₃ and the new {[(H-Ade)₂C₄][Cd₂Cl₆(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O}_n (5) for Ade₂C₄. On the other hand, only in case of Zn(II) complexes by changing [HCl] to 0.1 M, the inner sphere compounds [H-(Ade)₂C₃(ZnCl₃)] (6) and [H-(Ade)₂C₄(ZnCl₃)] · 1.5H₂O (7) are obtained. X-ray diffraction study of compound 6, which represents the first inner sphere complex with a N⁹,N^9′-bisadenine, shows a zwitterionic form with one adenine ring protonated at N(1) while the other ring is coordinated via N(7) to a ZnCl₃ moiety as in other alkyl-adenine derivatives. In addition, with Ade₂C₄, is also possible to obtain another inner sphere complex: [(H-Ade)₂C₄(ZnCl₃)₂] · 3H₂O (8).     

Geometry and chemical bonding in polyhedral boranes, metallaboranes, and dimetallaboranes: From closo to isocloso to oblatocloso polyhedra

The geometry and chemical bonding in the closo metal-free boranes and the isoelectronic carboranes and C₂B_n−2H_n with 2n + 2 skeletal electrons are based on the most spherical deltahedra with a preference for degree 5 vertices, particularly for the boron atoms. Such deltahedral boranes can be considered to be three-dimensional aromatic systems, as indicated by strongly diatropic nucleus independent chemical shift values for (n = 6, 8, 9, 12). Metallaborane structures, particularly those with 9-11 vertices and only 2n rather than 2n + 2 apparent skeletal electrons, are often based on isocloso deltahedra with the metal atom at a degree 6 vertex. Dimetallaborane structures, particularly the rhenium derivatives Cp₂Re₂B_n−2H_n−2 (8 ? n ? 12), are based on highly non-spherical and very oblate deltahedra with the metal atoms typically at degree 6 or 7 vertices, which are the lowest curvature sites of the deltahedra. A viable model for the skeletal bonding in such dimetallaboranes can be developed if each of the two metal vertices is assumed to contribute five internal orbitals to the skeletal bonding. This leads to 2n + 4 skeletal electrons, which are partitioned into n surface bonds and a formal metal-metal double bond inside the oblate deltahedron.     

Synthesis, structure, and bridge-terminal alkyl exchange kinetics of pyrazolate-bridged dialuminum complexes containing bridging n-alkyl groups

Treatment of triethylaluminum with 3,5-diphenylpyrazole in a 2:1 stoichiometry afforded the ethyl-bridged complex Et₂Al(μ-Ph₂pz)(μ-Et)AlEt₂ (79%) as a colorless crystalline solid. Treatment of tri-n-propylaluminum with 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole in a 2:1 stoichiometry afforded the n-propyl-bridged complex (nPr)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)(μ-nPr)Al(nPr)₂ (63%) and the dimeric complex [(nPr)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)]₂ (3%), respectively, as colorless crystalline solids. Treatment of tri-n-propylaluminum (1 equiv.) or triisobutylaluminum (1 or 2 equiv.) with 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazole afforded exclusively the dimeric complexes [(nPr)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)]₂ (68%) or [(iBu)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)]₂ (96%), respectively, as colorless crystalline solids. The solid state structures of Et₂Al(μ-Ph₂pz)(μ-Et)AlEt₂ and (nPr)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)(μ-nPr)Al(nPr)₂ consist of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazolato ligands with a di-n-alkylalumino group bonded to each nitrogen atom. An ethyl or n-propyl group acts as a bridge between the two aluminum atoms. The kinetics of the bridge-terminal exchange was determined for the bridging n-alkyl complexes by ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and afforded ΔH^‡ = 1.5 ± 0.1 kcal/mol, ΔS^‡ = −46.8 ± 39.0 cal/K mol, and for Et₂Al(μ-Ph₂pz)(μ-Et)AlEt₂ and ΔH^‡ = 1.7 ± 0.1 kcal/mol, ΔS^‡ = −46.6 ± 43.4 cal/K mol, and for (nPr)₂Al(μ-tBu₂pz)(μ-nPr)Al(nPr)₂. The negative values of ΔS^‡ imply ordered transition states relative to the ground states, and rotation along the N-AlR₃ vector without aluminum-nitrogen bond cleavage is proposed.     

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic properties of a new Schiff base ligand N,N′-bis(trifluoromethylbenzylidene)ethylenediamine

The Schiff base compound, N,N′-bis(trifluoromethylbenzylidene)ethylenediamine (C₁₈H₁₄F₆N₂) (1), CF₃C₆H₄CHNCH₂CH₂NCHC₆H₄CF₃ has been synthesized by adding a solution of ethylenediammine (en), 0.1 mmol in chloroform to 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzaldehyde, CF₃C₆H₄CHO (0.2 mmol) and the product was crystallized in ethanol with the mp, 109.2 °C and 75% yield. The crystal structure was investigated by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study at 150 K. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group, P2₁/c with a = 9.295(3), b = 5.976(5), c = 15.204(9) Å and α = 90°, β = 96.56(5)° and γ = 90°. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular CH · · · F hydrogen bonds. The asymmetric unit contains only one-half of the molecule related to the center of symmetry coinciding with C(1)-C(1′) and as a whole, the title molecule is in the staggered conformation. The phenyl rings and the CN imine bonds are co-planar. The infrared spectrum showed a sharp peak at 1640 cm⁻¹ which is typical of the conjugated CN stretching and strong peaks at 800-1400 cm⁻¹ regions are due to the C-C and C-H stretching modes. Electronic absorption spectra exhibits strong absorption in the UV region (240 nm wavelength) which have been ascribed to , and electronic transitions. The ¹H NMR spectra showed three distinct peaks at 2.5, 7.8 and 8.5 ppm which are assigned based on the splitting of resonance signals and are clearly confirmed by the X-ray molecular structure. The aromatic protons appear at about 7.8 ppm and the imine protons at 8.5 ppm. The sharp singlet at about 3.95 ppm is assigned to the CH₂-CH₂ protons. Mass spectra of the titled compound showed the molecular ion peak at m/e 372 (M⁺), and fragments at m/e 353 (M-F), 342 (M-2F), 200 (M-CF₃C₆H₄CHN), 186 (M-CF₃C₆H₄CHNCH₂).     

Synthesis of a new donor, BEDT-HBDST and crystal structures, electrical and magnetic properties of (BEDT-HBDST)2MX4 (M=Fe, Ga, X=Cl, Br), where BEDT-HBDST=2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene

A novel conjugation-elongated bis(ethylenedithio)tetraselenafulvalene (BETS) type donor, 2,5-bis(4,5-ethylenedithio-1,3-diselenol-2-ylidene)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydrothiophene (BEDT-HBDST) and its magnetic and non-magnetic anion salts, (BEDT-HBDST)₂MX₄ (MX₄⁻=FeCl₄⁻, GaCl₄⁻, FeBr₄⁻ and GaBr₄⁻), were prepared. These four salts are isostructural and belong to the space group of P2/c. They showed semiconducting behavior with small activation energies (59-64 meV). The band structures of these salts are quasi one-dimensional and there is a midgap between the upper band and the lower band, since the degree of dimerization is significant in the stacking direction. The MX₄⁻ ions are located between the donor columns and near to the ethylenedithio moieties of the donor molecules. The magnetic susceptibilities of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ salts follow the Curie-Weiss law with Curie constants of 4.6 and 4.8 emu K mol⁻¹ (sum of the spins of S=5/2 and S=1/2) and negative Weiss temperatures of θ=−1.2 and −4.9 K, respectively, revealing a weak antiferromagnetic interaction of 3d spins of the FeCl₄⁻ and FeBr₄⁻ anions. The Fe?Fe (6.66-7.60 Å), Cl?Cl (4.81-4.82 Å) and Br?Br (4.74-4.77 Å) distances in the crystal structures of these salts are significantly long. Therefore, the direct magnetic interaction between the 3d spins of the nearest neighboring Fe³⁺ ions appears to be not readily accessible.     

Triphenylpyrylium salt-sensitized photoreactions of 1,4-diaryl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes through competitive single electron-transfer pathway and proton-catalyzed pathway

2,4,6-Triphenylpyrylium tetrafluoroborate (TPPBF₄)-sensitized photoinduced electron-transfer (PET) reactions of 1,4-diaryl-2,3-dioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octanes 5 (a: Ar¹ = Ar² = p-MeOC₆H₄, b: Ar¹ = Ar² = p-MeC₆H₄, c: Ar¹ = Ar² = Ph) underwent novel fragmentation through their radical cations to give 1,4-diarylbutan-1,4-diones 6 accompanied by elimination of ethylene. On the other hand, 4-aryl-cyclohex-3-en-1-ones 7, p-substituted phenols 8, and 4-aryl-4-aryloxycyclohexanones 9 were produced through proton-catalyzed pathways when the PET reactions of 5 were performed in the absence of a certain base such as 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (DTBP). Particularly, the formation of 9 is consistent with the novel cationic rearrangement involving nucleophilic O-1,2-aryl shifts and C-1,4-aryl shifts.     

Two-stage formation of chloro (N-o-chlorobenzamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrinato) zinc(II) methylene chloride solvate: Zn(N-NHCO(o-Cl)C6H4-tpp)Cl · CH2Cl2

The coordinating properties of N-o-chlorobenzamido-meso-tetraphenylporphyrin (N-NHCO(o-Cl)C₆H₄-Htpp; 11) have been investigated for the Zn²⁺ ion. Insertion of Zn results in the formation of the zinc complex Zn(N-NCO(o-Cl)C₆H₄-tpp)(MeOH) · MeOH (12 · MeOH). The diamagnetic 12 · MeOH can be transformed into the diamagnetic Zn(N-NHCO(o-Cl)C₆H₄-tpp)Cl · CH₂Cl₂ (13 · CH₂Cl₂) in a reaction with aqueous hydrogen chloride (2%). X-ray structures for 12 · MeOH and 13 · CH₂Cl₂ have been determined. The coordination sphere around the Zn²⁺ ion in 12 · MeOH is a distorted trigonal bipyramid with N(2), N(4) and O(2) lying in the equatorial plane, whereas for the Zn²⁺ ion in 13 · CH₂Cl₂, it is a square-based pyramid in which the apical site is occupied by the Cl(1) atom.     

An experimental and a DFT study on the synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and reactivity of the adducts of dimethyl- and diphenyltin(IV) dichlorides with γ-pyrones [4H-pyran-4-one (PYR) and 2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DMP)]: Crystal structure of Ph2SnCl2(PYR)

The Sn(IV) R₂SnCl₂(γ-pyrone)_n [R = Me or Ph; γ-pyrone = 4H-pyran-4-one (PYR) or 2,6-dimethyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DMP); n = 1 or 2] adducts have been synthesized and investigated. The adducts Ph₂SnCl₂(PYR) (1), Me₂SnCl₂(PYR)₂ (2), Ph₂SnCl₂(DMP) (3) and Me₂SnCl₂(PYR)(PNO) (4), (PNO = 4-methylpyridine N-oxide) have been prepared by the addition of the corresponding γ-pyrone to chloroform solution of R₂SnCl₂. The new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic (IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR and Mössbauer) means. The single-crystal diffraction study of 1 shows the Sn(IV) to be five-coordinate, [Sn-O and Sn-Cl(1), Sn-Cl(2) distances of 2.3190(13) and 2.4312(6), 2.3653(7), respectively], and the Cl-Sn-Cl bond angle to be 91.17°. The reactivity of 2 towards bipy, Ph₃PO, QNO (Q = quinoline) resulted in complete displacement of PYR and formation of already known compounds whereas, the PNO displaced only one equivalent of PYR, causing the preparation of the new mixed complex 4, possibly through a S_N¹ formation mechanism. DFT/B3LYP molecular orbital calculations were carried out for the 1-4 complexes, their precursors, Ph₂SnCl₂, (5) and Me₂SnCl₂, (6) and the ligands, PYR, DMP and PNO in an attempt to explain the structures and reactivity of the complexes. Optimized resulting geometries, vibrational frequencies, and the electron-accepting ability of the complexes and the precursors towards nucleophiles are discussed.     

Synthesis and decarboxylation of N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids: a new synthesis of α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts

4-Phosphoranylidene-5(4H)-oxazolones 1 undergo hydrolysis in THF in the presence of HBF₄ at room temperature to give N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonioglycines 3 (R² = H) in very good yields. 4-Alkyl-4-triphenylphosphonio-5(4H)-oxazolones 2 react with water in CH₂Cl₂/THF solution without any acidic catalyst at 0-5 °C in a few days yielding N-acyl-α-triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids 3 (R² = Me) or α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salt 4 (R² = CH₂OMe). α-Triphenylphosphonio-α-amino acids 3, on heating up to 105-115 °C under reduced pressure (5 mmHg) or on treatment with diisopropylethylamine in CH₂Cl₂ at 20 °C undergo decarboxylation to give the corresponding α-(N-acylamino)alkyltriphenylphosphonium salts 4, usually in very good yields.     

Modeling of the three-phase equilibrium in systems of the type water + nonionic surfactant + alkane

Liquid–liquid equilibria of systems water (A) + C_iE_j surfactant (B) + n-alkane (C) have been modeled by a mass-action law model previously developed and so far successfully applied to a series of binary water + C_iE_j systems and to the ternary system water + C₄E₁ + n-dodecane. These calculations provide the basis for the presented modeling. The aqueous systems give information about the association constants and the χ_AB-parameter of the Flory–Huggins theory and the ternary C₄E₁-system provides universal temperature functions for the χ_AC- and the χ_BC-parameter. The three-phase equilibrium for seven ternary C_iE_j systems (i = 6–12, j = 3–6) has been calculated by fitting one additional parameter for each of both temperature functions to the characteristic “fish-tail” point. The agreement with the experimental data is reasonably well. For systems with very small three-phase areas the results can considerably be improved by individual temperature functions that incorporate the experimental temperature maximum of the “fish” into the parameter fit. Based on the parameters of the system water + C₈E₄ + n-C₈H₁₈ the “fish-shaped” phase diagram of the system water + C₈E₄ + n-C₁₄H₃₀ was predicted reasonably well.     

Structure and redox behavior of Ru(II)-diene complexes

A series of Ru(acac)₂(η⁴-diene) complexes containing cis- and trans-diene coordination have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry to correlate structural bonding and conformation patterns of diene ligands with redox behaviors. The solid-state structure of Ru(acac)₂(2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Ru(acac)₂(2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 12.368(2) Å, b = 17.0600(2) Å, c = 16.0110(2) Å, β = 98.4405(10)° and V = 3341.38(10) ų for Z = 8. A structural comparison between several Ru-trans-η⁴-diene complexes and Ru-η⁴-1,3-cyclohexadiene revealed no difference in the Ru-C(diene) bond distances. However, through cyclic voltammetry experiments these species demonstrated different redox behavior, as function of the coordinated diene ligand.     

Diverse coordination of two ligands in ferromagnetic [Cu(μ-HCO2)2(3-pyOH)]n and [Cu2(μ-HCO2)2(μ-3-pyOH)2(3-pyOH)2(HCO2)2]n

Two novel polynuclear complexes with methanoate anions and 3-hydroxypyridine ligands [Cu(μ-HCO₂)₂(3-pyOH)]_n (1) and [Cu₂(μ-HCO₂)₂(μ-3-pyOH)₂(3-pyOH)₂(HCO₂)₂]_n (2), respectively, were synthesized and characterized. The central copper atom in 1 is surrounded by four methanoates and a 3-pyOH molecule, forming a square-pyramidal CuO₃NO chromophore. All the methanoates are bidentate and serve as bridges between the adjacent copper ions via syn-anti and anti–anti coordination. The basal square coordination axes are formed by O(syn), N(3-pyOH) (1.974(2), 2.016(2) Å) and O(anti), O(anti) (1.945(2), 1.960(2) Å), while the third O(anti) (2.247(2) Å) is on the top of the pyramid. A ferromagnetic transition with an exchange constant 2J/k_B = 9.2 cm⁻¹ is found for 1 below 20 K. This interaction probably takes place through two syn-anti methanoates extended in a chain through the 2D structure. On the other hand, two monoatomic Cu–O–Cu intra-dinuclear asymmetric (1.986(2), 2.415(2) Å) bridges of two methanoates in [Cu₂(HCO₂)₄(3-pyOH)₄] (2) are present. An elongated distorted octahedral coordination sphere around each copper(II) atom is completed by an additional monodentate terminal methanoate (1.975(2) Å), two N-coordinated 3-pyOH (2.005(2), 2.002(2) Å) and the third weakly O-coordinated 3-pyOH (2.732(2) Å). Although a shorter Cu?Cu distance is noticed in 2 than in 1 (4.690(1) Å 1, 3.442(1) Å 2), much weaker ferromagnetism is found in 2.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a zinc(II) complex of the mycobactericidal drug isoniazid - Toxicity against Artemia salina

A new zinc(II) complex of the mycobactericidal drug isoniazid (complex 1) was synthesized and characterized by XRD, vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman) and thermogravimetric analysis. The complex is constituted by two isoniazid (INH) molecules, six hydration water molecules and two perchlorate counter-ions for each metal center (C₁₂H₂₆N₆Cl₂O₁₆Zn). Zinc(II) adopts a distorted octahedral geometry, where two INH molecules coordinate in a bidentate manner through the hydrazide group (N, O) and the other two isoniazid residues complete the coordination sphere of zinc(II) through their aromatic nitrogen atoms. This coordination pattern gives rise to a 2-D coordination polymer. Complex 1 belongs to the monoclinic system [a = 8.1190(2) Å, b = 17.977(4) Å, c = 9.1051(2) Å and β = 100.87(3)°], space group P2₁. A biological assay with Artemia salina was also performed. Complex 1 is almost 8.5 times more active than the free ligand. Its toxicity against A. salina correlates well with the cytotoxic activity for some human solid tumors. Therefore, antitumoral properties could be expected from complex 1.     

Novel Ag(I), Pd(II), Ni(II) complexes of N,N′-bis-(2,2-diethoxyethyl)imidazole-2-ylidene: Synthesis, structures, and their catalytic activity towards Heck reaction

Tetra-ether substituted imidazolium salts, LHX (where LH = N,N′-bis(2,2-diethoxyethyl)imidazolium cation and X = Br, BF₄, PF₆, BPh₄, NO₃ and NTf₂ anions) were derived from imidazole. Attempts to produce aldehyde functionalized imidazolium salt through acid hydrolysis of LHBr resulted an unexpected tetra-hydroxy compound L_AHBr and the dialdehyde compound L_BHBr. Reaction of LHBr with Ag₂O afforded [L₂Ag][AgBr₂] (1). Mononuclear Pd-complex trans-[L₂PdCl₂] (2) and dinuclear Pd-complex [(LPdCl₂)₂] (3) were obtained by 1:1 and 1:2 reaction of in situ generated Ag-carbene with Pd(CH₃CN)₂Cl₂. cis-[LPdPPh₃Cl₂] (4) was synthesized from reaction of PPh₃ with dinuclear complex 3. Hydrolysis of 3 under acidic conditions also generates a hydroxy derivative 3A and the aldehyde derivative 3B. Direct heating of LHBr with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O at 120 °C under vacuum generated trans-[L₂NiBr₂] (5). These complexes were characterized by NMR, mass, elemental analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis. Pd--Pd interaction was observed in 3. All the Pd complexes exhibited excellent catalytic activity in Heck reaction.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization,electrochemical properties and antimicrobial screening of sulfur containing acylferrocenes

Several known and eight new sulfur containing acylferrocenes of the general formula FcCO(CH₂)_nSR (where Fc = ferrocenyl, n = 1 or 2 and R = alkyl, 4-bromobenzyl or 2,6-dichlorobenzyl group) were synthesized in order to test their in vitro antimicrobial activity against 11 bacterial and three fungal/yeast strains. It has been shown that only four of the 14 ketones are completely inactive at the tested dose, while the activities of the other ones were noteworthy. All new compounds were well characterized by IR and NMR spectral data, and their electrochemical properties were investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The X-ray crystal structures of two representative ketones are also presented.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and DFT calculations on 2,6-diisopropylphenylcopper; its use in the preparation of dichloro-2,6-diisopropylphenylphosphine

The homoleptic aryl copper reagent [Cu₄Dipp₄] (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) has been prepared and structurally characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study. Its tetrameric structure differs in significant details from that of the previously reported [Cu₄Tripp₄] (Tripp = 2,4,6-triisopropylphenyl). The electronic structure of the cluster has been probed through B3LYP/6311G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G calculations on [Cu₄Ph₄] constrained to D_2d symmetry. The utility of the new copper reagent is demonstrated by the preparation of pure DippPCl₂, for which the crystal structure is also reported.     

Synthesis, characterization and intercalation property of layered zirconium benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonate phosphate materials

Layered zirconium benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonate phosphate (ZBMPA) was prepared by the reaction of zirconyl chloride with benzylamino-N,N-dimethylphosphonic acid (H₂BMPA) and phosphoric acid in the presence of hydrofluoric acid. The intercalation of n-alkylamines (n-butylamine, n-heptylamine and n-decylamine) into ZBMPA was primarily investigated at room temperature. These materials were characterized by elemental analysis, ICP, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, Raman spectra, TG and DSC. The composition of ZBMPA is Zr(HPO₄)(C₆H₅CH₂N(CH₂PO₃)₂)_0.5 · 2.0H₂O. The interlayer distance of ZBMPA, n-butylamine, n-heptylamine and n-decylamine intercalation compounds is 2.03, 2.58, 2.52 and 3.17 nm, respectively. ZBMPA and the n-alkylamine intercalation compounds are different in the morphology and vibration spectra. Thermogravimetries of all materials obtained reveal three step mass losses at temperatures of up to 1000 °C. These results indicate that n-alkylamines are intercalated into the galleries of host ZBMPA.     

Are closed clusters expected from the (n + 1) skeletal electron pairs rule in alanes and gallanes? A DFT structural study of AnHn + 2 (A = Al, Ga, and n = 4-6)

It has been suggested recently that the alanes Al_nH_n + 2 can be treated by the polyhedral skeletal electron pair theory (PSEPT) of Wade and Mingos (W-M) as it was successful for their borane congeners such as B_nH_n + 2, well known as the deprotonated B_nH_n²⁻. To do so, the neutral Al_nH_n + 2 have been considered as Al_nH_n²⁻ + 2H⁺. The additional hydrogens donate their electrons to the Al_nH_n polyhedral framework and according to the n + 1 electron pairs rule; these clusters should have closo-polyhedral structures. In this work the homologous gallanes, the structures and stabilities of Ga_nH_n + 2 are studied at high levels of calculational theory and we investigated the applicability of the W-M rule to the alanes and gallanes A_nH_n + 2 (n = 4-6; A = Al, Ga). It will be shown that the presence of bridging hydrogen atoms reduces the compactness of the corresponding polyhedron and so these species do not have the closed structures. The computations were performed at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p), BPW91/6-311G(d,p) and B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. Our interest in these compounds includes their potential use as hydrogen storage species and future clean sources of energy.