Synthesis and structural characterisation of a ruthenium dinitrosyl complex with atrans-chelating bidentate diphosphine (1,10-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl) [a] benzophenanthrene) chlorodi(nitrosyl)ruthenium tetrafluoroborate, [RuCl(NO)2{(Ph2PCH2)2-C18H10}]BF4

Summary [RuCl(NO)₂(dppbp)]BF₄ (dppbp=(Ph₂PCH₂)_2–) has been synthesised from [RuCl(NO)₂(PPh₃)₂]BF₄ and dppbp and characterised in the solid state by a single crystal x-ray determination. The [RuCl(NO)₂(dppbp)]⁺ cation, has an approximately square-pyramidal co-ordination geometry with the dppbp ligand occupyingtrans-basal sites. The nitrosyl ligand in the apical site is partially bent [Ru–N–O=156.2(7)⁰] and the nitrosyl ligand in the basal side is essentially linear [Ru–N–O=172.5(6)⁰]. The¹Hn.m.r. spectrum of [RuCl(NO)₂(dppbp)]BF₄ in solution has provided some insight into the dynamics of the complex in solution.     

Selective,Cytotoxic Organoruthenium(II) Full‐Sandwich Complexes: A Structural,Computational and In Vitro Biological Study

A structurally diverse range of lipophilic, cationic η⁶‐arene η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl (η⁵‐Cp*) full‐sandwich complexes of ruthenium(II) have been prepared and structurally characterized by Fourier‐transform IR and NMR spectroscopy, electrospray mass spectrometry, and elemental microanalyses. Computational experiments incorporating the Hartree–Fock theory and the second‐order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory predict each complex to possess a uniform δ+ electrostatic potential, with the cationic charge of the [RuCp*]⁺ moiety completely delocalizing throughout the molecular structure of each metallocene. In vitro cytotoxicity studies demonstrate these delocalized lipophilic cations to be potent growth inhibitors of eleven unique tumorigenic cell lines, while exhibiting significantly lower levels of toxicity towards both a normal human fibroblast and a mouse macrophage cell line. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural determinations are additionally reported for five complexes, [Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅(CH₂)₂CH₃)(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)]BPh₄, [Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅CO₂CH₂CH₃)(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)]BF₄, [Ru(η⁶‐C₁₀H₈)(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)]BPh₄, [Ru(η⁶‐C₁₄H₁₀)(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)]BPh₄, and [Ru(η⁶‐C₁₆H₁₀)(η⁵‐C₅(CH₃)₅)]BPh₄.     

Heteroleptic half-sandwich Ru(II), Rh(III) and Ir(III) complexes based on 5-ferrocenyldipyrromethene

The synthesis and characterization of heteroleptic complexes with the formulations [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(fcdpm)] (η⁶-arene = C₆H₆, C₁₀H₁₄) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(fcdpm)] (M = Rh, Ir; fcdpm = 5-ferrocenyldipyrromethene) have been reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H NMR and electronic spectral studies. Structures of [(η⁶-C₆H₆)RuCl(fcdpm)] and [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl(fcdpm)] have been determined crystallographically. Chelating monoanionic linkage of fcdpm to the respective metal centres has been supported by spectral and structural studies. Further, reactivity of the representative complex [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl(fcdpm)] with ammonium thiocyanate (NH₄SCN) and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) have been examined.     

Reactions of [Cp*Ru(H2O)(NBD)]+ with alkynes

Formal [2 + 2 + 2] addition reactions of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ (NBD = norbornadiene) with PhC?CR (R = H, COOEt) give [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BF₄ (1a, R = H; 2a, R = COOEt). Treatment of [Cp*Ru(H₂O)(NBD)]BF₄ with PhC?C? C?CPh does not give [2 + 2 + 2] addition product, but [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BF₄(3a). Treatment of 1a, 2a, 3a with NaBPh₄ affords [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C₉H₈R)] BPh₄ (1b, R = H; 2b, R = COOEt) and [Cp*Ru(η⁶‐C₆H₅? C?C? C?CPh)] BPh₄(3b). The structures of 1b, 2b and 3b were determined by X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordination properties of N2S (1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane) or N2S2 (1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane or 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene) donor ligands toward Rh(I)

The 1,5-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3-thiapentane ligand (bdtp) reacts with [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give [Rh(COD)(bdtp)][BF₄] ([1][BF₄]), which is fluxional in solution on the NMR time scale. Its further treatment with carbon monoxide leads to a displacement of the 1,5-cyclooctadiene ligand, generating a mixture of two complexes, namely, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp)][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]) and [Rh(CO)(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)][BF₄] ([3][BF₄]). In solution, [2][BF₄] exists as a mixture of two isomers, [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ²N,N)]⁺ ([2a]⁺) and [Rh(CO)₂(bdtp-κ³N,N,S)]⁺ ([2b]⁺; major isomer) rapidly interconverting on the NMR time scale. At room temperature, [2][BF₄] easily loses one molecule of carbon monoxide to give [3][BF₄]. The latter is prone to react with carbon monoxide to partially regenerate [2][BF₄]. The ligands 1,2-bis[3-(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiapropyl]benzene (bddf) and 1,8-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)-3,6-dithiaoctane (bddo) are seen to react with two equivalents of [Rh(COD)(THF)₂][BF₄] to give the dinuclear complexes [Rh₂(bddf)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([4][BF₄]₂) and [Rh₂(bddo)(COD)₂][BF₄]₂ ([5][BF₄]₂), respectively. In such complexes, the ligand acts as a double pincer holding two rhodium atoms through a chelation involving S and N donor atoms. Bubbling carbon monoxide into a solution of [4][BF₄]₂ results in loss of the COD ligand and carbonylation to give [Rh₂(bddf)(CO)₄][BF₄]₂ ([6][BF₄]₂). The single-crystal X-ray structures of [3][CF₃SO₃], [5][BF₄]₂ and [6][BF₄]₂ are reported.     

A Cd(II) Luminescent Coordination Grid as a Multiresponsive Fluorescence Sensor for Cr(VI) Oxyanions and Cr(III), Fe(III), and Al(III) in Aqueous Medium

Hydro(solvo)thermal reactions of Cd(NO₃)₂, N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-4-(pyridin-4-yl)-1,8-naphthalimide (NI-mbpy-34), and 5-bromobenzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (Br-1,3-H₂bdc) afforded a luminescent coordination polymer, {[Cd(Br-1,3-bdc)(NI-mbpy-34)(H₂O)]∙2H₂O}_n (1). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis showed that 1 features a two-dimensional (2-D) gridlike sql layer with the point symbol of (4⁴·6²), where the Cd(II) center adopts a {CdO₅N₂} pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis confirmed the thermal stability of 1 up to about 340 °C, whereas XRPD patterns proved the maintenance of crystallinity and framework integrity of 1 in CH₂Cl₂, H₂O, CH₃OH, and toluene. Photoluminescence studies indicated that 1 displayed intense blue fluorescence emissions in both solid-state and H₂O suspension-phase. Owing to the good fluorescent properties, 1 could serve as an excellent turn-off fluorescence sensor for selective and sensitive Cr(VI) detection in water, with LOD = 15.15 μM for CrO₄²⁻ and 14.91 μM for Cr₂O₇²⁻, through energy competition absorption mechanism. In addition, 1 could also sensitively detect Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺, and Al³⁺ ions in aqueous medium via fluorescence-enhancement responses, with LOD = 2.81 μM for Cr³⁺, 3.82 μM for Fe³⁺, and 3.37 μM for Al³⁺, mainly through an absorbance-caused enhancement (ACE) mechanism.     

Monitoring of the Pre-Equilibrium Step in the Alkyne Hydration Reaction Catalyzed by Au(III) Complexes: A Computational Study Based on Experimental Evidences

The coordination ability of the [(ppy)Au(IPr)]²⁺ fragment [ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene] towards different anionic and neutral X ligands (X = Cl⁻, BF₄⁻, OTf⁻, H₂O, 2-butyne, 3-hexyne) commonly involved in the crucial pre-equilibrium step of the alkyne hydration reaction is computationally investigated to shed light on unexpected experimental observations on its catalytic activity. Experiment reveals that BF₄⁻ and OTf⁻ have very similar coordination ability towards [(ppy)Au(IPr)]²⁺ and slightly less than water, whereas the alkyne complex could not be observed in solution at least at the NMR sensitivity. Due to the steric hindrance/dispersion interaction balance between X and IPr, the [(ppy)Au(IPr)]²⁺ fragment is computationally found to be much less selective than a model [(ppy)Au(NHC)]²⁺ (NHC = 1,3-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) fragment towards the different ligands, in particular OTf⁻ and BF₄⁻, in agreement with experiment. Effect of the ancillary ligand substitution demonstrates that the coordination ability of Au(III) is quantitatively strongly affected by the nature of the ligands (even more than the net charge of the complex) and that all the investigated gold fragments coordinate to alkynes more strongly than H₂O. Remarkably, a stabilization of the water-coordinating species with respect to the alkyne-coordinating one can only be achieved within a microsolvation model, which reconciles theory with experiment. All the results reported here suggest that both the Au(III) fragment coordination ability and its proper computational modelling in the experimental conditions are fundamental issues for the design of efficient catalysts.     

Kinetics of oxidation of pyruvic acid by [ethylenebis(biguanide)]silver(III) in aqueous acidic media

The oxidation of pyruvic acid by the title silver(III) complex in aqueous acidic (pH, 1.1–4.5) media is described. The reaction products are MeCO₂H and CO₂, together with a colourless solution of the Ag⁺ ion. The free ligand, ethylenebis(biguanide) is released in near-quantitative yield upon completion of the reduction. The parent complex, [Ag(H₂L)]³⁺ and one of its conjugate bases, [Ag(HL)]²⁺, participate in the reaction with both pyruvic acid (HPy) and the pyruvate anion (Py^–) as the reactive reducing species. Ag⁺ was found to be catalytically inactive. At 25.0°C, I=1.0moldm^–3, rate constants for the reactions [Ag(H₂L)]³⁺+HPy (k ₁), [Ag(H₂L)]³⁺+Py^– (k ₂), [Ag(HL)]²⁺+HPy (k ₃) and [Ag(HL)]²⁺+Py^– (k ₄) arek ₁=(94±6)×10^–5dm³mol^–1s^–1, (k ₂ K _a+k ₃ K _a1)= (1.3±0.1)×10^–5s^–1 and k ₄=(58±4)×10^–5dm³mol^–1s^–1, respectively, where K _a1is the first acid dissociation constant of the [Ag(H₂L)]³⁺ and K _a is for pyruvic acid. A comparison between the k ₁ and k ₄ values is indicative of the judgement that k ₂k ₃. A one-electron inner-sphere redox mechanism seems more justified than an outer-sphere electron-transfer between the redox partners.     

[Cp*Ru(s-indacene)RuCp*] and [Cp*Ru(s-indacene)RuCp*]: Experimental and theoretical findings concerning the electronic structure of neutral and mixed valence organometallic systems

The reaction of 2,6-diethyl-4,8-dimethyl-s-indacenyl-dilithium (Li₂Ic′) with [Cp*RuCl]₄ gives the organometallic binuclear bis-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-ruthenium-s-indacene complex, [{Cp*Ru}₂Ic′] (1, Ic′ = 2,4-diethyl-4,8-dimethyl-s-indacene), in high yields. The subsequent oxidation of 1 with a ferricinium salt ([Fc]⁺[BF₄]⁻) gives the mixed valence compound [{Cp*Ru}₂Ic′]⁺[BF₄]⁻ (1⁺). Compound 1 was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography, finding that both {Cp*Ru} fragments are coordinated to opposite sites of the Ic′ ligand. The structural and electronic features of 1 and 1⁺ have been rationalized by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations, which suggest that both metallic centers get closer to the Ic′ and subtle electronic reorganizations occurs when chemical oxidation takes place. Cyclic voltammetry and ESR experiments suggest a high electronic interaction between the metallic centers mediated by the Ic′ bridging ligand. Time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations were carried out to understand and assign the intervalence band present in the mixed-valent specie (1⁺). The main achievement of this article is to feature the relationship of the experimental data with the computational results obtained with the Amsterdam Density Functional package (ADF). Both experimental and theoretical facts demonstrate that the mixed valence system (1⁺) is a delocalized one, and it can be classified as a Class III system according to the Robin & Day classification.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

Mono- and Binuclear Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with the 3,6-Bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-Tetrazine Ligand

Four new compounds of formulas [Cu(hfac)₂(L)] (1), [Ni(hfac)₂(L)] (2), [{Cu(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃OH (3) and [{Ni(hfac)₂}₂(µ-L)]·2CH₃CN (4) [Hhfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone and L = 3,6-bis(picolylamino)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine] have been prepared and their structures determined by X-ray diffraction on single crystals. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural mononuclear complexes where the metal ions [copper(II) (1) and nickel(II) (2)] are six-coordinated in distorted octahedral MN₂O₄ surroundings which are built by two bidentate hfac ligands plus another bidentate L molecule. This last ligand coordinates to the metal ions through the nitrogen atoms of the picolylamine fragment. Compounds 3 and 4 are centrosymmetric homodinuclear compounds where two bidentate hfac units are the bidentate capping ligands at each metal center and a bis-bidentate L molecule acts as a bridge. The values of the intramolecular metal···metal separation are 7.97 (3) and 7.82 Å (4). Static (dc) magnetic susceptibility measurements were carried out for polycrystalline samples 1–4 in the temperature range 1.9–300 K. Curie law behaviors were observed for 1 and 2, the downturn of χ_MT in the low temperature region for 2 being due to the zero-field splitting of the nickel(II) ion. Very weak [J = −0.247(2) cm⁻¹] and relatively weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions [J = −4.86(2) cm⁻¹] occurred in 3 and 4, respectively (the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = −JS₁·S₂). Simple symmetry considerations about the overlap between the magnetic orbitals across the extended bis-bidentate L bridge in 3 and 4 account for their magnetic properties.     

(P-Bis(pentafluorophenyl) substituted) PCP-pincer Ru(II) complexes: A theoretical study of the molecular structure and electronic properties

The differences between the molecular structures of the PCP-pincer complex [RuCl{C₆H₃(CH₂P(C₆H₅)₂)₂-2,6}(PPh₃)] ([RuCl(PCP^H)(PPh₃)], 1) and its tetrakis-pentafluorophenyl substituted analogue [RuCl{C₆H₃(CH₂P(C₆F₅)₂)₂-2,6}(PPh₃)] ([RuCl(PCP^F20)(PPh₃)], 2) have been rationalised by performing calculations on the cations [Ru(PCP^H)(PPh₃)]⁺ (1cat) and [Ru(PCP^F20)(PPh₃)]⁺ (2cat). The molecular interactions between the chloride ligand and the axial rings, as found in 1 and 2, respectively, have been studied computationally in the model systems [(C₆X₅PH₂)₂Cl⁻] (X = H, F). The calculations on 2cat show that in 2 it is most likely the attractive electrostatic interaction between the chloride ligand and the fluorinated phenyl rings that forces the C_ipso atom to occupy an axial position rather than an equatorial one in the observed (X-ray of 2) square pyramidal arrangement. In 1, however, repulsive steric hindrance forces the PPh₃ ligand to take the apical position. The applicability of the TD-DFT method for the calculation of the electronic spectra of the PCP-pincer compounds 1 and 2 has been tested. The results indicate that the excitation energies calculated for both complexes are in a reasonable agreement with the experimental absorption maxima. However, for 1, all the calculated transition energies are underestimated.     

Dioxygen Reactivity of Copper(I)/Manganese(II)-Porphyrin Assemblies: Mechanistic Studies and Cooperative Activation of O2

The oxidation of transition metals such as manganese and copper by dioxygen (O₂) is of great interest to chemists and biochemists for fundamental and practical reasons. In this report, the O₂ reactivities of 1:1 and 1:2 mixtures of [(TPP)Mn^II] (1; TPP: Tetraphenylporphyrin) and [(tmpa)Cu^I(MeCN)]⁺ (2; TMPA: Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) are described. Variable-temperature (−110 °C to room temperature) absorption spectroscopic measurements support that, at low temperature, oxygenation of the (TPP)Mn/Cu mixtures leads to rapid formation of a cupric superoxo intermediate, [(tmpa)Cu^II(O₂^•–)]⁺ (3), independent of the presence of the manganese porphyrin complex (1). Complex 3 subsequently reacts with 1 to form a heterobinuclear μ-peroxo species, [(tmpa)Cu^II–(O₂^2–)–Mn^III(TPP)]⁺ (4; λ_max = 443 nm), which thermally converts to a μ-oxo complex, [(tmpa)Cu^II–O–Mn^III(TPP)]⁺ (5; λ_max = 434 and 466 nm), confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the 1:2 (TPP)Mn/Cu mixture, 4 is subsequently attacked by a second equivalent of 3, giving a bis-μ-peroxo species, i.e., [(tmpa)Cu^II−(O₂²⁻)−Mn^IV(TPP)−(O₂²⁻)−Cu^II(tmpa)]²⁺ (7; λ_max = 420 nm and δ_pyrrolic = −44.90 ppm). The final decomposition product of the (TPP)Mn/Cu/O₂ chemistry in MeTHF is [(TPP)Mn^III(MeTHF)₂]⁺ (6), whose X-ray structure is also presented and compared to literature analogs.     

Coordination chemistry of the [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] metalloligand with π-hydrocarbon derivatives of d ruthenium(II), osmium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III)

The reactivity of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards [RuCl₂(η⁶-arene)]₂ (arene=C₆H₆, C₆Me₆, p-MeC₆H₄Prⁱ=p-cymene), [OsCl₂(η⁶-p-cymene)]₂ and [MCl₂(η⁵-C₅Me₅)]₂ (M=Rh, Ir) have been probed using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. In all cases, dicationic products of the type [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML]²⁺ (L=π-hydrocarbon ligand) are observed, and a number of complexes have been prepared on the synthetic scale, isolated as their BPh₄⁻ or PF₆⁻ salts, and fully characterised. A single-crystal X-ray structure determination on the Ru p-cymene derivative confirms the presence of a pseudo-five-coordinate Ru centre. This resists addition of small donor ligands such as CO and pyridine. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with RuClCp(PPh₃)₂ (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅) gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄RuCp]⁺. In addition, the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the related carbonyl complex [RuCl₂(CO)₃]₂, monitored by electrospray mass spectrometry, gives [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Ru(CO)₃Cl]⁺.     

Ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) based effective catalysts for hydrogenation under aerobic conditions

The new cationic mononuclear complexes [(η⁶-arene)Ru(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF₄ [η⁶-arene = benzene (1), p-cymene (2)], [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Ru(Ph-BIAN)PPh₃]BF₄ (3) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)M(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF₄ [M = Rh (4), Ir (5)] incorporating 1,2-bis(phenylimino)acenaphthene (Ph-BIAN) are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized by analytical and spectral (IR, NMR, FAB-MS, electronic and emission) studies. The molecular structure of the representative iridium complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ir(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF₄ has been determined crystallographically. Complexes 1–5 effectively catalyze the reduction of terephthaldehyde in the presence of HCOOH/CH₃COONa in water under aerobic conditions and, among these complexes the rhodium complex [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Rh(Ph-BIAN)Cl]BF₄ (4) displays the most effective catalytic activity.     

Half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes containing a tricyclic β-iminophosphine ligand: Catalytic activity in Diels–Alder reactions

The diastereoselective κ²-P,N-coordination of a chiral tricyclic β-iminophosphine ligand to the half-sandwich ruthenium(II) fragments [RuCl(η⁶-arene)]⁺ (arene = C₆H₆, p-cymene, 1,3,5-C₆H₃Me₃, C₆Me₆), [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(NCMe)]²⁺ and [Ru(η⁵-C₅H₅)(NCMe)]⁺ is described. The structures of the resulting mono- and dicationic cymene derivatives have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Studies on the catalytic activity of these Ru(II) compounds in Diels–Alder cycloaddition processes are also reported.     

Self-Assembly of Antiferromagnetically-Coupled Copper(II) Supramolecular Architectures with Diverse Structural Complexities

The self-assembly of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (DFMP) and 1-amino-2-propanol (AP)/2-amino-1,3-propanediol (APD) in the presence of copper(II) ions results in the formation of six new supramolecular architectures containing two versatile double Schiff base ligands (H₃L and H₅L1) with one-, two-, or three-dimensional structures involving diverse nuclearities: tetranuclear [Cu₄(HL²⁻)₂(N₃)₄]·4CH₃OH·56H₂O (1) and [Cu₄(L³⁻)₂(OH)₂(H₂O)₂] (2), dinuclear [Cu₂(H₃L1²⁻)(N₃)(H₂O)(NO₃)] (3), polynuclear {[Cu₂(H₃L1²⁻)(H₂O)(BF₄)(N₃)]·H₂O}_n (4), heptanuclear [Cu₇(H₃L1²⁻)₂(O)₂(C₆H₅CO₂)₆]·6CH₃OH·44H₂O (5), and decanuclear [Cu₁₀(H₃L1²⁻)₄(O)₂(OH)₂(C₆H₅CO₂)₄] (C₆H₅CO₂)₂·20H₂O (6). X-ray studies have revealed that the basic building block in 1, 3, and 4 is comprised of two copper centers bridged through one μ-phenolate oxygen atom from HL²⁻ or H₃L1²⁻, and one μ-1,1-azido (N₃⁻) ion and in 2, 5, and 6 by μ-phenoxide oxygen of L³⁻ or H₃L1²⁻ and μ-O²⁻ or μ₃-O²⁻ ions. H-bonding involving coordinated/uncoordinated hydroxy groups of the ligands generates fascinating supramolecular architectures with 1D-single chains (1 and 6), 2D-sheets (3), and 3D-structures (4). In 5, benzoate ions display four different coordination modes, which, in our opinion, is unprecedented and constitutes a new discovery. In 1, 3, and 5, Cu(II) ions in [Cu₂] units are antiferromagnetically coupled, with J ranging from −177 to −278 cm⁻¹.     

Synthetic and kinetic studies on copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclohexadecane ([16]aneN5)

Summary The pentadentate macrocycle 1,4,7,10,13-penta-azacyclo-hexadecane [16]aneN₅=(3)=L} has been prepared and a variety of copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of the ligand characterised. The copper complex [CuL](ClO₄)₂, on the basis of its d-d spectrum, appears to be square pyramidal, while [NiL(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ is octahedral. The copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes dissociate readily in acidic solution and these reactions have been studied kinetically. For the copper(II) complex, rate=k_H[complex][H⁺]² with k_H =4.8 dm⁶ mol^–2s^–1 at 25 °C and I=1.0 mol dm^–3 (NaClO₄) with H=43 kJ mol^–1 and S ₂₉₈ =–89 JK^–1 mol^–1. Dissociation rates of the copper(II) complexes increase with ring size in the order: [15]aneN₅ < [16]aneN₅ < [17]aneN₅. For the dissociation of the nickel(II) complex, rate=k_H[Complex][H⁺] with k_H=9.4×10^–3 dm³mol^–1 s^–1 at 25 °C and I =1.0 mol dm^–3 (NaClO₄) with H=71 kJ mol^–1 and S ₂₉₈ =–47 JK^–1mol^–1.The cobalt(III) complexes, [CoLCl](ClO₄)₂, [CoL(H₂O)]-(ClO₄)₃, [CoL(NO₂)](ClO₄)₂, [CoL(DMF)](ClO₄)₃ (DMF=dimethylformamide) and [CoL(O₂CH)](ClO₄)₂ have been characterised. The chloropentamine [CoCl([16]aneN₅)]²⁺ undergoes rapid base hydrolysis with k_OH=1.1× 10⁵dm³ mol^–1s^–1 at 25°C and I=0.1 mol dm^–3 (H=73 kJ mol^–1 and S ₂₉₈ =98 JK^–1 mol^–1). Rapid base hydrolysis of [CoL(NO₂)]²⁺ is also observed and the origins of these effects are considered in detail.     

Cationic (fluoromesityl)palladium(II) complexes

Halide abstraction from [Pd(μ-Cl)(Fmes)(NCMe)]₂ (Fmes = 2,4,6-tris(trifluoromethyl)phenyl or nonafluoromesityl) with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN gives [Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)₃]BF₄, which reacts with monodentate ligands to give the monosubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)L(NCMe)₂]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, P(o-Tol)₃, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut, 2,6-lut; lut = dimethylpyridine), the disubstituted products trans-[Pd(Fmes)(NCMe)(PPh₃)₂]BF₄, cis-[Pd(Fmes)(3,5-lut)₂(NCMe)]BF₄, or the trisubstituted products [Pd(Fmes)L₃]BF₄ (L = CN^tBu, PHPh₂, 3,5-lut, 2,4-lut). Similar reactions using bidentate chelating ligands give [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda, dppe, OPPhPy₂-N,N′, (OH)(CH₃)CPy₂-N,N′). The complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)L₂(NCMe)]BF₄ (L = PPh₃, tht) (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) and [Pd(Fmes)(L-L)(NCMe)]BF₄ (L-L = bipy, tmeda) were obtained by halide extraction with TlBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/MeCN from the corresponding neutral halogeno complexes trans-[Pd(Fmes)ClL₂] or [Pd(Fmes)Cl(L-L)]. The aqua complex trans-[Pd(Fmes)(OH₂)(tht)₂]BF₄ was isolated from the corresponding acetonitrile complex. Overall, the experimental results on these substitution reactions involving bulky ligands suggest that thermodynamic and kinetic steric effects can prevail affording products or intermediates different from those expected on purely electronic considerations. Thus,water, whether added on purpose or adventitious in the solvent, frequently replaces in part other better donor ligands, suggesting that the smaller congestion with water compensates for the smaller M-OH₂ bond energy.     

Preparation of High-Purity Ammonium Tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate for the Activation of Olefin Polymerization Catalysts

Homogeneous olefin polymerization catalysts are activated in situ with a co-catalyst ([PhN(Me)₂-H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ or [Ph₃C]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻) in bulk polymerization media. These co-catalysts are insoluble in hydrocarbon solvents, requiring excess co-catalyst (>3 eq.). Feeding the activated species as a solution in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent may be advantageous over the in situ activation method. In this study, highly pure and soluble ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borates ([Me(C₁₈H₃₇)₂N-H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ and [(C₁₈H₃₇)₂NH₂]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻) containing neither water nor Cl⁻ salt impurities were prepared easily via the acid–base reaction of [PhN(Me)₂-H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ and the corresponding amine. Using the prepared ammonium salts, the activation reactions of commercial-process-relevant metallocene (rac-[ethylenebis(tetrahydroindenyl)]Zr(Me)₂ (1-ZrMe₂), [Ph₂C(Cp)(3,6-^tBu₂Flu)]Hf(Me)₂ (3-HfMe₂), [Ph₂C(Cp)(2,7-^tBu₂Flu)]Hf(Me)₂ (4-HfMe₂)) and half-metallocene complexes ([(η⁵-Me₄C₅)Si(Me)₂(κ-N^tBu)]Ti(Me)₂ (5-TiMe₂), [(η⁵-Me₄C₅)(C₉H₉(κ-N))]Ti(Me)₂ (6-TiMe₂), and [(η⁵-Me₃C₇H₁S)(C₁₀H₁₁(κ-N))]Ti(Me)₂ (7-TiMe₂)) were monitored in C₆D₁₂ with ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Stable [L-M(Me)(NMe(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ species were cleanly generated from 1-ZrMe₂, 3-HfMe₂, and 4-HfMe₂, while the species types generated from 5-TiMe₂, 6-TiMe₂, and 7-TiMe₂ were unstable for subsequent transformation to other species (presumably, [L-Ti(CH₂N(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻-type species). [L-TiCl(N(H)(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻-type species were also prepared from 5-TiCl(Me) and 6-TiCl(Me), which were newly prepared in this study. The prepared [L-M(Me)(NMe(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻-, [L-Ti(CH₂N(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻-, and [L-TiCl(N(H)(C₁₈H₃₇)₂)]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻-type species, which are soluble and stable in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents, were highly active in ethylene/1-octene copolymerization performed in aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents.