Ruthenium(II) complexes bearing pyridine‐based tridentate and bidentate ligands: catalytic activity for transfer hydrogenation of aryl ketones

Ru(II) complexes of the general formula [RuCl₂(′′)(L)] (1: ′N = N_b, L = MeOH; 2: ′N = N_b, L = CH₃CN; 3: ′N = N_d, L = CH₃CN; 4: ′N = N_p, L = CH₃CN), [Ru(p‐cymene)(_a–b)Cl]Cl (5a: N N_a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 5b: N N_b = 4,4′‐dimethyl–2,2′‐bipyridine), [Ru(′′)(_a–b)Cl]Cl (6a: ′N = N_b, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 6b: ′N = N_b, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine; 7a: ′N = N_d, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 7b: ′N = N_d, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine; 8a: ′N = N_p, _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine; 8b: ′N = N_p, _b = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) and [Ru(′′)(_a)Cl]BF₄ (9a: ′N = N_b; _a = 2,2′‐bipyridine) were synthesized from the corresponding [RuCl₂(p‐cymene)]₂ dimer, ′′ and _a–b ligands. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR. Complex 9a was studied by X‐ray diffraction, confirming its cationic‐mononuclear [RuCl(_bb)(_a)]⁺ nature. The synthesized Ru(II) complexes (1–8) were employed as catalysts for the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to secondary alcohols in the presence of KOH using 2‐propanol as a hydrogen source at 82°C. The rates of the transfer hydrogenation reactions strongly depended on the type of and ancillary ligands. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

How does the pH influences the Ru-NO coordination compounds?

The pH influence has important role in the bioavailability of coordination compounds. fac-[Ru(NO)Cl₂(κ³N⁴,N⁸,N¹¹[1-carboxypropyl]cyclam)]⁺, 1 , and the species found at different pHs, 2 - 4 , were investigated. One series of computational methodologies has been used to investigate these compounds. One special highlight is to interacting quantum atoms method, where the total interaction energy, , between two atoms has been used as base to estimate the chemical bonds strength. The deprotonation of -CO₂H, 1 ➔ 2 (pK_a = 3.3), creates a hydrogen bond in the complex 2 , N( 3 )-H⋯ ·OCO⁻, with a more favorable than the presents in 1 , N( 3 )-H⋯ ·OCOH. There are no changes in in Ru-NO bond. The second deprotonation occurs in the N(2) atom of the cyclam group, 2 ➔ 3 (pK_a = 8.0). It promotes an increase in the covalent character of Ru-N( 2 ). In contrast, there is no changes in Ru-N( 5 )O bond. For higher pHs, there is a 3 ➔ 4 equilibrium (pK_a = 11.5) and the conversion of Ru-N( 5 )O for Ru-N( 5 )O₂. The Ru-N( 5 ) of 4 shows a larger ionic character than 3 . Thus, Ru-NO in 1 - 4 has worthy stability about a large pH range, showing potential application as NO scavengers.     

Transition metal complexes of a hydrazone–oxime ligand containing the isonicotinoyl moiety: Synthesis,characterization and microbicide activities

Complexes of VO²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ru³⁺ and UO₂²⁺ with (3‐(hydroxyimino)butan‐2‐ylidene)isonicotinohydrazide were synthesized and characterized using physical and spectral methods. Analytical data revealed that the complexes formed in 1:1 or 1:2 metal–ligand ratios. Spectral studies showed that the ligand bonded to the metal ion in neutral tridentate, monobasic tridentate or monobasic bidentate fashion through azomethine nitrogen atom, protonated/deprotonated imine oxime group and/or ketonic/enolic carbonyl group. From the electronic spectral data together with magnetic susceptibility values a square planar, tetrahedral or distorted octahedral structure can be proposed for all complexes. Electron spin resonance spectra for Cu²⁺ complexes ( 2 – 4 ) revealed axial symmetry with g_|| > g_⊥ > g_e, indicating distorted octahedral or square planar structures and the unpaired electron exists in a orbital with marked covalent bond feature. The prepared complexes showed good to excellent biological activity, and the most active complexes against Aspergillus niger were 4 and 9 with zone of inhibition of 25 and 23 mm, respectively. Complexes 10 and 11 showed interesting activity against Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition of 44 and 32 mm, respectively.     

Syntheses,characterization, antibacterial activity and molecular modelling of phenylantimony(III) heteroleptic derivatives containing substituted oximes and piperidine dithiocarbamate

Six new heteroleptic phenylantimony(III) derivatives containing substituted oximes and dithiocarbamate moieties of the type (where R = ─C₆H₅, X = ─CH₃ ( 2a ); R = ─C₆H₄CH₃, X = ─CH₃ ( 2b ); R = ─C₆H₄Cl, X = ─CH₃ ( 2c ); R = ─C₆H₄Br, X = ─CH₃ ( 2d ); R = ─C₆H₄OH, X = ─H ( 2e ); R(X)C = ( 2f )) have been synthesized by the reactions of phenylantimony(III) dichloride with the sodium salt of substituted oximes and dithiocarbamate moiety in unimolar ratio with stirring in dichloromethane. All these newly synthesized derivatives have been characterized using physicochemical and elemental analyses. Structures have been proposed on the basis of infrared, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and LC–MS spectral studies and molecular modelling. In these derivatives the oxime behaves in an unidentate manner whereas dithiocarbamate behaves in a monofunctional anisobidentate manner. Pseudo‐trigonal bipyramidal (ψ‐TBP) geometry around the antimony metal centre is proposed for these phenylantimony(III) heteroleptic derivatives. The geometry of a representative complex has been optimized through molecular modelling. These newly synthesized derivatives were screened against Bacillus subtilis (Gram‐positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram‐negative) bacteria to evaluate their antibacterial potential. The structure–activity relationship for antibacterial activity among the four derivatives 2a , 2c , 2e and 2f is discussed.     

A Low‐Spin Three‐Coordinate Cobalt(I) Complex and Its Reactivity toward H2 and Silane

A three‐coordinate low‐spin cobalt(I) complex generated using a pincer ligand is presented. Since an empty orbital is sterically exposed at the site trans to the N donor of an acridane moiety, the cobalt(I) center accepts the coordination of various donors such as H₂ and PhSiH₃ revealing σ‐complex formation. At this low‐spin cobalt(I) site, homolysis of H–H and Si?H bonds preferentially occurs via bimolecular hydrogen atom transfer instead of two‐electron oxidative addition. When the resulting Co^II–H species was exposed to N₂, H₂ evolution readily occurs at ambient conditions. These results suggest single‐electron processes are favored at the structurally rigidified cobalt center.     

Tolterodinium (+)‐(2R,3R)‐hydrogen tartrate

In the crystal structure of (R)‐N,N‐diisopropyl‐3‐(2‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl­phenyl)‐3‐phenyl­propyl­aminium (2R,3R)‐hydrogen tartrate, C₂₂H₃₂NO⁺·C₄H₅O₆⁻, the hydrogen tartrate anions are linked by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form helical chains built from (9) rings. These chains are linked by the tolterodine molecules via N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds to form separate sheets parallel to the (101) plane.     

A three‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer with unequal homochiral double‐stranded concentric helical chains

A homochiral helical three‐dimensional coordination polymer, poly[[(μ₂‐acetato‐κ³O,O′:O)(hydroxido‐κO)(μ₄‐5‐nicotinamido‐1H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazol‐1‐ido‐κ⁵N¹,O:N²:N⁴:N⁵)(μ₃‐5‐nicotinamido‐1H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazol‐1‐ido‐κ⁴N¹,O:N²:N⁴:N⁵)dicadmium(II)] 0.75‐hydrate], {[Cd₂(C₇H₅N₆O)₂(CH₃COO)(OH)]·0.75H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the reaction of cadmium acetate, N‐(1H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl)isonicotinamide (H‐NTIA), ethanol and H₂O under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, two deprotonated 5‐nicotinamido‐1H‐1,2,3,4‐tetrazol‐1‐ide (NTIA⁻) ligands, one acetate anion, one hydroxide anion and three independent partially occupied water sites. The two Cd^II cations, with six‐coordinated octahedral and seven‐coordinated pentagonal bipyramidal geometries are located on general sites. The tetrazole group of one symmetry‐independent NTIA⁻ ligand links one of the independent Cd^II cations into 6₁ helical chains, while the other NTIA⁻ ligand links the other independent Cd^II cations into similar but unequal 6₁ helical chains. These chains, with a pitch of 24.937 (5) Å, intertwine into a double‐stranded helix. Each of the double‐stranded 6₁ helices is further connected to six adjacent helical chains through an acetate μ₂‐O atom and the tetrazole group of the NTIA⁻ ligand into a three‐dimensional framework. The helical channel is occupied by the isonicotinamide groups of NTIA⁻ ligands and two helices are connected to each other through the pyridine N and carbonyl O atoms of isonicotinamide groups. In addition, N—H...O and O—H...N hydrogen bonds exist in the complex.     

Supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded networks in cytosinium succinate and cytosinium 4‐nitrobenzoate cytosine monohydrate

In cytosinium succinate (systematic name: 4‐amino‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium 3‐carboxypropanoate), C₄H₆N₃O⁺·C₄H₅O₄⁻, (I), the cytosinium cation forms one‐dimensional self‐assembling patterns by intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonding, while in cytosinium 4‐nitrobenzoate cytosine monohydrate [systematic name: 4‐amino‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium 4‐nitrobenzoate 4‐aminopyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one solvate monohydrate], C₄H₆N₃O⁺·C₇H₄NO₄⁻·C₄H₅N₃O·H₂O, (II), the cytosinium–cytosine base pair, held together by triple hydrogen bonds, leads to one‐dimensional polymeric ribbons via double N—H...O hydrogen bonds. This study illustrates clearly the different alignment of cytosine molecules in the crystal packing and their ability to form supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded networks with the anions.     

CoP‐Doped MOF‐Based Electrocatalyst for pH‐Universal Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Although electrocatalysts based on transition metal phosphides (TMPs) with cationic/anionic doping have been widely studied for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the origin of performance enhancement still remains elusive mainly due to the random dispersion of dopants. Herein, we report a controllable partial phosphorization strategy to generate CoP species within the Co‐based metal‐organic framework (Co‐MOF). Density functional theory calculations and experimental results reveal that the electron transfer from CoP to Co‐MOF through N‐P/N‐Co bonds could lead to the optimized adsorption energy of H₂O (ΔG ) and hydrogen (ΔG_H*), which, together with the unique porous structure of Co‐MOF, contributes to the remarkable HER performance with an overpotential of 49 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2 in 1 m phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.0). The excellent catalytic performance exceeds almost all the documented TMP‐based and non‐noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts. In addition, the CoP/Co‐MOF hybrid also displays Pt‐like performance in 0.5 m H₂SO₄ and 1 m KOH, with the overpotentials of 27 and 34 mV, respectively, at a current density of 10 mA cm^?2.     

The first C(O)NHP(O)-based phosphoric triamide structure with an N‒H···π hydrogen bonding: A combination of X-ray crystallography and theoretical study to evaluate the strength of hydrogen bonds

The hydrogen bond pattern of N-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N′,N″-bis(4-methylbenzyl)-phosphoric triamide, C₂₄H₂₈N₃O₃P, (I), was investigated. In the crystal structure, the molecules are aggregated through N_CP―H···O═P and N_P―H···O═C hydrogen bonds in a one-dimensional arrangement parallel to the c axis (N_CP is the nitrogen atom in the C(O)NHP(O) segment and N_P stands for the two other nitrogen atoms bonded to the P atom). There is also a novel N_P?H···π hydrogen bond in the crystal which extends the aggregation of the molecules to a two-dimensional array parallel to the bc plane. A Cambridge Structural Database (CSD, version 5.37, Feb 2016) analysis shows that the N―H···π hydrogen bond was not observed in any of 156 [RC(O)NH]P(O)[NR¹R² Allen, F. H.; Taylor, R. Chem. Soc. Rev. 2004, 33, 463-475.[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]]₂ (R¹ ≠ H, R² = H or ≠ H) phosphoric triamide structures reported so far. The theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G^** level of theory (DFT, AIM, and NBO) were performed to evaluate the strengths of N_CP―H···O═P, N_P―H···O═C and N_P―H···π hydrogen bonds, considering two-aggregate molecular assemblies containing these hydrogen bonds. The calculations on the title compound suggest that the intermolecular N_CP―H···O═P hydrogen bond is stronger than N_P―H···O═C and N_P―H···π interactions. The hydrogen bond strength was investigated by NBO, topological analysis, geometry calculation, Hirshfeld surface analysis and experimental spectroscopic results, which are in agreement with each other.     

The Chiral Twist-Bend Nematic Phase (N*TB)

The twist-bend nematic, N_TB, phase has been observed for chiral materials in which chirality is introduced through a branched 2-methylbutyl terminal tail. The chiral twist-bend nematic phase, N*_TB, is completely miscible with the N_TB phase of the standard achiral material, CB6OCB. The N*_TB phase exhibits optical textures with lower birefringence than those observed for the achiral N_TB phase, suggesting an additional mechanism of averaging molecular orientations. The N*−N*_TB transition temperatures for the chiral materials are higher than the N_TB−N transition temperatures seen for the corresponding racemic materials. This suggests the double degeneracy of helical twist sense in the phase is removed by the intrinsic molecular chirality. A square lattice pattern is observed in the N* phase over a temperature range of several degrees above the N*_TB–N phase transition, which may be attributed to a non-monotonic dependence of the bend elastic constant.     

Modular and Selective Arylation of Aryl Germanes (C−GeEt3) over C−Bpin,C−SiR3 and Halogens Enabled by Light‐Activated Gold Catalysis

Selective C –C couplings are powerful strategies for the rapid and programmable construction of bi‐ or multiaryls. To this end, the next frontier of synthetic modularity will likely arise from harnessing the coupling space that is orthogonal to the powerful Pd‐catalyzed coupling regime. This report details the realization of this concept and presents the fully selective arylation of aryl germanes (which are inert under Pd⁰/Pd^II catalysis) in the presence of the valuable functionalities C?BPin, C?SiMe₃, C?I, C?Br, C?Cl, which in turn offer versatile opportunities for diversification. The protocol makes use of visible light activation combined with gold catalysis, which facilitates the selective coupling of C?Ge with aryl diazonium salts. Contrary to previous light‐/gold‐catalyzed couplings of Ar–N₂⁺, which were specialized in Ar–N₂⁺ scope, we present conditions to efficiently couple electron‐rich, electron‐poor, heterocyclic and sterically hindered aryl diazonium salts. Our computational data suggest that while electron‐poor Ar–N₂⁺ salts are readily activated by gold under blue‐light irradiation, there is a competing dissociative deactivation pathway for excited electron‐rich Ar–N₂⁺, which requires an alternative photo‐redox approach to enable productive couplings.     

Almotriptan,an antimigraine agent,and its malate salt

The crystal structures of almotriptan {systematic name: N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐[5‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐ylsulfonylmethyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]ethanamine}, C₁₇H₂₅N₃O₂S, and almotriptan malate {systematic name: N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐[5‐(pyrrolidin‐1‐ylsulfonylmethyl)‐1H‐indol‐3‐yl]ethanaminium malate, C₁₇H₂₆N₃O₂S⁺·C₄H₅O₅⁻, a novel selective serotonin 1B/D agonist, have been determined in order to gain further insight into the structure–activity relationships of triptans. The two structures differ in the orientation of their sulfonylpyrrolidine side chains. A comparison with other triptans reveals that molecules of almotriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan and rizatriptan can adopt two principal conformations. N—H...N, N—H...O and O—H...O hydrogen bonds are responsible for the molecular packing.     

ZnSe Nanorods as Visible‐Light Absorbers for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical H2 Evolution in Water

A precious‐metal‐ and Cd‐free photocatalyst system for efficient H₂ evolution from aqueous protons with a performance comparable to Cd‐based quantum dots is presented. Rod‐shaped ZnSe nanocrystals (nanorods, NRs) with a Ni(BF₄)₂ co‐catalyst suspended in aqueous ascorbic acid evolve H₂ with an activity up to 54±2 mmol g_ZnSe^?1 h^?1 and a quantum yield of 50±4 % (λ=400 nm) under visible light illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2, λ>400 nm). Under simulated full‐spectrum solar irradiation (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2), up to 149±22 mmol g_ZnSe^?1 h^?1 is generated. Significant photocorrosion was not noticeable within 40 h and activity was even observed without an added co‐catalyst. The ZnSe NRs can also be used to construct an inexpensive delafossite CuCrO₂ photocathode, which does not rely on a sacrificial electron donor. Immobilized ZnSe NRs on CuCrO₂ generate photocurrents of around ?10 μA cm^?2 in an aqueous electrolyte solution (pH 5.5) with a photocurrent onset potential of approximately +0.75 V vs. RHE. This work establishes ZnSe as a state‐of‐the‐art light absorber for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical H₂ generation.     

Supramolecular hydrogen‐bonded networks in cytosinium nicotinate monohydrate and cytosinium isonicotinate cytosine dihydrate

The title compounds are proton‐transfer compounds of cytosine with nicotinic acid [systematic name: 4‐amino‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium nicotinate monohydrate (cytosinium nicotinate hydrate), C₄H₆N₃O⁺·C₆H₄NO₂⁻·H₂O, (I)] and isonicotinic acid [systematic name: 4‐amino‐2‐oxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1‐ium isonicotinate–4‐aminopyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one–water (1/1/2) (cytosinium isonicotinate cytosine dihydrate), C₄H₆N₃O⁺·C₆H₄NO₂⁻·C₄H₅N₃O·2H₂O, (II)]. In (I), the cation and anion are interlinked by N—H...O hydrogen bonding to form a one‐dimensional tape. These tapes are linked through water molecules to form discrete double sheets. In (II), the cytosinium–cytosine base pairs are connected by triple hydrogen bonds, leading to one‐dimensional polymeric ribbons. These ribbons are further interconnected via nicotinate–water and water–water hydrogen bonding, resulting in an overall three‐dimensional network.     

Reaction of Pertechnetate in Highly Alkaline Solution: Synthesis and Characterization of the Nitridotrioxotechnetate Ba[TcO3N]

The preparation of novel technetium oxides, their characterization and the general investigation of technetium chemistry are of significant importance, since fundamental research has so far mainly focused on the group homologues. Whereas the structure chemistry of technetium in strongly oxidizing media is dominated by the anion, our recent investigation yielded the new anion. Brown single crystals of Ba[TcO₃N] were obtained under hydrothermal conditions starting from Ba(OH)₂ ⋅ 8H₂O and NH₄[TcO₄] at 200 °C. crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group P2₁/n (a=7.2159(4) Å, b=7.8536(5) Å, c=7.4931(4) Å and β=104.279(2)°). The crystal structure of consists of isolated tetrahedra, which are surrounded by Ba²⁺ cations. XANES measurements complement the oxidation state +VII for technetium and Raman spectroscopic experiments on Ba[TcO₃N] single crystals exhibit characteristic Tc−O and Tc−N vibrational modes.     

The mutual effect of a carbonyl polar bond and an endocyclic oxygen on the 1JC‐F coupling constant of fluorinated six‐membered rings

The ¹J_C‐F coupling constant can be useful to probe the conformational landscape of organofluorine compounds and the intramolecular interactions governing the stereochemistry of these compounds. Neighboring oxygen electron lone pairs and a carbonyl group relative to a C─F bond affect this coupling constant in an opposite way, and therefore, analysis of the interactions involving these entities simultaneously indicates which effect dominates ¹J_C‐F. Spin–spin coupling constant calculations for a series of fluorinated tetrahydropyrans, cyclohexanones, and dihydropyran‐3‐ones indicated that an electrostatic/dipolar interaction between the C─F and C═O bonds is more important than the steric interaction between the C─F bond and the oxygen electron lone pairs. An intuitive consequence of such outcome is that this interaction not only drives the coupling constant but can also be taken into account when aiming at the stereochemical control of functionalized organofluorine compounds.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,vibrational, optical properties,and a theoretical study of a new Pb(II) complex with bis(1-methylpiperazine-1,4-diium): [C5H14N2]2PbCl6·3H2O

An investigation of the solid-state X-ray structure of the new organic–inorganic compound [C₅H₁₄N₂]₂PbCl₆·3H₂O shows a layered organization of the (PbCl₆)^4– anions, with (R₂NH₂)⁺ groups and water molecules developed in the [001 A. Hu, H.L. Ngo, W. Lin. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 125, 11490 (2003).[Crossref], [PubMed], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]] plane at x = (2n?+?1)/4. The crystal structure is stabilized by N???H···Cl, N???H···O, O???H···Cl, O???H···O, and C???H···Cl hydrogen bonds. The powder X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) analyses confirm the phase purity of the crystal sample. The intermolecular contacts are quantified using the Hirshfeld surfaces computational method. The major inter-contacts contributing to the Hirshfeld surfaces are H…Cl, H…H, and O…H. The vibrational modes were identified and assigned by IR and Raman spectroscopies. The optical properties were investigated by UV–visible and photoluminescence spectroscopic studies. The compound was characterized by thermal analysis to determine its thermal behavior with respect to the temperature. Finally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis is reported for analyzing the surface chemistry of [C₅H₁₄N₂]₂PbCl₆·3H₂O.     

Mirror Symmetry Breaking and Network Formation in Achiral Polycatenars with Thioether Tail

Mirror symmetry breaking in systems composed of achiral molecules is of importance for the design of functional materials for technological applications as well as for the understanding of the mechanisms of spontaneous emergence of chirality. Herein, we report the design and molecular self-assembly of two series of rod-like achiral polycatenar molecules derived from a π-conjugated 5,5’-diphenyl-2,2’-bithiophene core with a fork-like triple alkoxylated end and a variable single alkylthio chain at the other end. In both series of liquid crystalline materials, differing in the chain length at the trialkoxylated end, helical self-assembly of the π-conjugated rods in networks occurs, leading to wide temperature ranges (>200 K) of bicontinuous cubic network phases, in some cases being stable even around ambient temperatures. The achiral bicontinuous cubic Ia d phase (gyroid) is replaced upon alkylthio chain elongation by a spontaneous mirror symmetry broken bicontinuous cubic phase (I23) and a chiral isotropic liquid phase (Iso₁^[*^]). Further chain elongation results in removing the I23 phase and the re-appearance of the Ia d phase with different pitch lengths. In the second series an additional tetragonal phase separates the two cubic phase types.