Divergent Coordination Chemistry: Parallel Synthesis of [2×2] Iron(II) Grid‐Complex Tauto‐Conformers

The coordination of iron(II) ions by a homoditopic ligand L with two tridentate chelates leads to the tautomerism‐driven emergence of complexity, with isomeric tetramers and trimers as the coordination products. The structures of the two dominant [Fe^II₄ L ₄]⁸⁺ complexes were determined by X‐ray diffraction, and the distinctness of the products was confirmed by ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. Moreover, these two isomers display contrasting magnetic properties (Fe^II spin crossover vs. a blocked Fe^II high‐spin state). These results demonstrate how the coordination of a metal ion to a ligand that can undergo tautomerization can increase, at a higher hierarchical level, complexity, here expressed by the formation of isomeric molecular assemblies with distinct physical properties. Such results are of importance for improving our understanding of the emergence of complexity in chemistry and biology.     

Synthesis and Characterization of [Zn2(4,4′‐bipy)n(AcO)4] – One‐dimensional Chain (n = 1) and One‐dimensional Double‐Chain (n = 2) Coordination Polymers

Two new Zn^II(μ‐4,4′‐bipy) coordination polymers with acetate anions, [Zn(4,4′‐bipy)(AcO)₂] ( 1 ) and [Zn₂(4,4′‐bipy)(AcO)₄] ( 2 ), have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized with elemental analysis, IR‐, ¹H NMR‐, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and studied by thermal analysis, fluorescence measurements and x‐ray crystallography. The structural studies of compound 1 suggest the structure is a coordination polymer of zinc(II) consisting of linear double chains formed by bridging 4,4′‐bipy ligand and connection of the acetate‐bridged centrosymmetric [Zn₂(OAc)₂]²⁺ nodes.     

Synthesis,structure and selective luminescence sensing for iron(III) ions of a three‐dimensional zinc(II) (4,6)‐connected coordination network

Coordination polymers constructed from conjugated organic ligands and metal ions with a d¹⁰ electronic configuration exhibit intriguing properties for chemical sensing and photochemistry. A Zn^II‐based coordination polymer, namely poly[aqua(μ₆‐biphenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato)(μ₂‐4,4′‐bipyridine)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n or [Zn₂(m,m‐bpta)(4,4′‐bipy)(H₂O)₂]_n, was synthesized from a mixture of biphenyl‐3,3′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid [H₄(m,m‐bpta)], 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) and Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O under solvothermal conditions. The title complex has been structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis, and features a μ₆‐coordination mode. The Zn^II ions adopt square‐pyramidal geometries and are bridged by two syn–syn carboxylate groups to form [Zn₂(COO)₂] secondary buildding units (SBUs). The SBUs are crosslinked by (m,m‐bpta)^4? ligands to produce a two‐dimensional grid‐like layer that exhibits a stair‐like structure along the a axis. Adjacent layers are linked by 4,4′‐bipy ligands to form a three‐dimensional network with a {4⁴.6¹⁰.8}{4⁴.6²} topology. In the solid state, the complex displays a strong photoluminescence and an excellent solvent stability. In addition, the luminescence sensing results indicate a highly selective and sensitive sensing for Fe³⁺ ions.     

Self‐Assembled Cyclic Structures from Copper(II) Peptoids

Metal–ligand coordination is a key interaction in the self‐assembly of both biopolymers and synthetic oligomers. Although the binding of metal ions to synthetic proteins and peptides is known to yield high‐order structures, the self‐assembly of peptidomimetic molecules upon metal binding is still challenging. Herein we explore the self‐assembly of three peptoid trimers bearing a bipyridine ligand at their C‐terminus, a benzyl group at their N‐terminus, and a polar group (N‐ethyl‐R) in the middle position (R=OH, OCH₃, or NH₂) upon Cu²⁺ coordination. X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed unique, highly symmetric, dinuclear cyclic structure or aqua‐bridged dinuclear double‐stranded peptoid helicates, formed by the self‐assembly of two peptoid molecules with two Cu²⁺ ions. Only the macrocycle with the highest number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds is stable in solution, while the other two disassemble to their corresponding monometallic complexes.     

N-Phthaloylglycinate ternary complexes with cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) metal ions and aromatic mono,bi and tridentate amines

Complexes of N-phthaloylglycinate (N-phthgly) and Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Zn^II and Cd^II containing imidazole (imi), N-methylimidazole (mimi), 2,2-bipyridyl (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and tridentate amines such as 2,2,2-terpyridine (terpy) and 2,4,6-(2-pyridyl)s-triazine (tptz), were prepared and characterized by conventional methods, i.r. spectra and by thermogravimetric analysis. For imi and mimi ternary complexes, the general formula [M(imi/mimi)₂(N-phthgly)₂]·nH₂O, where M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II applies. For Cd^II ternary complexes with imi, [Cd(imi)₃(N-phthgly)₂]·2H₂O applies. For the bi and tridentate ligands, ternary complexes of the formula [M(L)(N-phthgly)₂]·nH₂O were obtained, where M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II; L = bipy, phen, tptz and terpy. In all complexes, N-phthgly acts as a monodentate ligand, coordinating metal ions through the carboxylate oxygen, except for the ternary complexes of Co^II, Ni^II and Cu^II with mimi and Cu^II and Zn^II with imi, where the N-phthgly acts as a bidentate ligand, coordinating the metal ions through both carboxylate oxygen atoms.     

Synthesis,Spectral, Thermal Studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)‐arginato Complexes. Crystal Structure of Monoaquabis(arginato‐κO,κN)copper(II). [Cu(arg)2(H2O)].NaNO3

Transition metal complexes of arginine (using Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) cations separately) were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, TG/DTA‐DrTG, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis methods. Cu(II)‐Arg complex crystals was found suitable for x‐ray diffraction studies. It was contained, one mole Cu^II and Na⁺ ions, two arginate ligands, one coordinated aqua ligand and one solvent NO₃^? group in the asymmetric unit. The principle coordination sites of metal atom have been occupied by two N atoms of arginate ligands, two carboxylate O atoms, while the apical site was occupied by one O atom for Cu^II cation and two O atoms for Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II atoms of aqua ligands. Although Cu^II ion adopts a square pyramidal geometry of the structure. Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II cations have octahedral due to coordination number of these metals. Neighbouring chains were linked together to form a three‐dimensional network via hydrogen‐bonding between coordinated water molecule, amino atoms and O atoms of the bridging carboxylate groups. Cu^II complex was crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁, a = 8.4407(5) Å, b = 12.0976(5) Å, c = 10.2448(6) Å, V = 1041.03(10) ų, Z = 2. Structures of the other metal complexes were similar to CuII complex, because of their spectroscopic studies have in agreement with each other. Copper complex has shown DNA like helix chain structure. Lastly, anti‐bacterial, anti‐microbial and anti‐fungal biological activities of complexes were investigated.     

An unusual chain cadmium(II) coordination polymer: catena‐poly[[(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐chlorido‐[(2,2′‐bipyridyl‐κ2N,N′)cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐thiocyanato‐κ2N:S;κ2S:N]

The title complex, [CdCl(NCS)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, represents an unusual Cd^II coordination polymer constructed by two types of anionic bridges and 2,2′‐bipyridyl (bipy) terminal ligands. These two types of bridges are arranged around inversion centers. The distorted octahedral coordination of the Cd^II center is provided by two chloride ions, one N‐ and one S‐donor atom from two thiocyanate ions, and a pair of N atoms from the chelating bipy ligand. Interestingly, adjacent Cd^II ions are interconnected alternately by paired chloride [Cd...Cd = 3.916 (1) Å] and thiocyanate bridges [Cd...Cd = 5.936 (1) Å] to generate an infinite one‐dimensional coordination chain. Furthermore, weak interchain C—H...S interactions between the bipy components and thiocyanate ions lead to the formation of a layered supramolecular structure.     

Selective Coordination of Gallium(III), Zinc(II), and Copper(II) by an Asymmetric Dinucleating Ligand: A Model for Metallophosphatases

Complexation studies of the dinucleating ligand H₃L (H₃L=2‐{[bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]methyl}‐6‐{[bis(6‐pivaloylamidopyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino]methyl}‐4‐methylphenol), with metal‐binding sites A and B, which both provide four donors to a metal ion; a tertiary amine; two pyridines (substituted with amide hydrogen‐bond donors in site B), and a bridging phenolate, with Zn^II, Cu^II, and Ga^III are reported. The titration of H₃L with the three metal ions in solution was monitored by NMR spectroscopy or EPR and UV/Vis/near‐IR spectroscopy, as well as by ESI‐MS to analyze the selectivity of the two metal‐ion sites A and B of this model ligand for metallophosphatases; the spectroscopic assignments are supported by X‐ray crystallography results. The first Zn^II ion coordinates to site A with unsubstituted pyridine donors and, upon addition of a second equivalent of Zn^II, this coordinates to the sterically less accessible site B. From a similar titration with Ga^III, it emerges that only a mononuclear complex is obtained, with the Ga^III center coordinated to site A. When one equivalent of Ga^III is reacted with the mononuclear Zn^II complex, Zn^II is forced by Ga^III to exchange the site; this results in a dinuclear complex with Ga^III in site A and Zn^II in site B. With Cu^II, two isomers are observed: one with and the other without a bridging phenolate; these differ significantly in their spectroscopic and magnetic properties.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Properties of Copper(II), Zinc(II), and Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 5‐Nitro‐isophthalate and 1,2‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole

Three coordination polymers, namely {[Cu(5‐nipa)(L²²)](H₂O)₂}_n ( 1 ), [Zn(5‐nipa)(L²²)(H₂O)]_n ( 2 ), and {[Cd₂(5‐nipa)₂(L²²)(H₂O)₃](H₂O)_3.6}_n ( 3 ), were prepared under similar synthetic method based on 1,2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (L²²) and ancillary ligand 5‐nitro‐isophthalic acid (5‐H₂nipa) with Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II perchlorate, respectively. All the complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that complexes 1 and 2 show similar 1D chain structures, whereas complex 3 exhibits the 2D coordination network with hcb topology. The central metal atoms show distinct coordination arrangements ranging from distorted square‐pyramid for Cu^II in 1 , octahedron for Zn^II in 2 , to pentagonal‐bipyramid for Cd^II in 3 . The L²² ligand adopts the same (η³,μ₂) coordination fashion in complexes 1 – 3 , while the carboxyl groups of co‐ligand 5‐nipa^2– adopt monodentate fashion in 1 and 2 and bidentate chelating mode in 3 . These results indicate that the choice of metal ions exerts a significant influence on governing the target complexes. Furthermore, thermal stabilities of complexes 1 – 3 and photoluminescent properties of 2 and 3 were also studied in the solid state.     

Iron(II)-8-mercaptoquinoline,iron(II)-5-chloro-8-mercaptoquino-line and iron(II)-5-bromo-8-mercaptoquinoline complexing in the iron(III) hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix systems

Novel complexing processes in the Fe^II-8-mercaptoquinoline, Fe^II-5-chloro-8-mercaptoquinoline and Fe^II-5-bromo-8-mercaptoquinoline systems, not used previously in coordination chemistry, namely complexing as an iron(III)hexacyanoferrate(II) gelatin-immobilized matrix (GIM) in contact with an aqueous solution of the corresponding ligand, have been observed and analysed. Incorporation of these ligands into the inner coordination sphere is preceded by the decomposition of the immobilized compound KFe[Fe(CN)₆] to form hydroxides or oxohydroxides of Fe^II and Fe^III under the action of OH^- ions. It has been shown that Fe^IIFeIII redox process and the formation of FeB₃ chelates (B^- is a singly deprotonated form of the corresponding ligand) take place during complexing under such conditions.     

Responsive Four-Coordinate Iron(II) Nodes in FePd(CN)4

Metal node design is crucial for obtaining structurally diverse coordination polymers (CPs) and metal–organic frameworks with desirable properties; however, Fe^II ions are exclusively six-coordinated. Herein, we present a cyanide-bridged three-dimensional (3D) CP, FePd(CN)₄, bearing four-coordinate Fe^II ions, which is synthesized by thermal treatment of a two-dimensional (2D) six-coordinate Fe^II CP, Fe(H₂O)₂Pd(CN)₄⋅4 H₂O, to remove water molecules. Atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy and powder X-ray and neutron diffraction measurements revealed that the FePd(CN)₄ structure is composed of a two-fold interpenetrated PtS topology network, where the Fe^II center demonstrates an intermediate geometry between tetrahedral and square-planar coordination. This four-coordinate Fe^II center with the distorted geometry can act as a thermo-responsive flexible node in the PtS network.     

New Mechanistic Insight into Stepwise Metal‐Center Exchange in a Metal–Organic Framework Based on Asymmetric Zn4 Clusters

Herein, a mechanism of stepwise metal‐center exchange for a specific metal–organic framework, namely, [Zn₄(dcpp)₂(DMF)₃(H₂O)₂]_n (H₄dcpp=4,5‐bis(4′‐carboxylphenyl)phthalic acid), is disclosed for the first time. The coordination stabilities between the central metal atoms and the ligands as well as the coordination geometry are considered to be dominant factors in this stepwise exchange mechanism. A new magnetic analytical method and a theoretical model confirmed that the exchange mechanism is reasonable. When the metathesis reaction occurs between Cu^II ions and framework Zn^II ions, the magnetic exchange interaction of each pair of Cu^II centers gradually strengthens with increasing amount of framework Cu^II ions. By analyzing the changes of coupling constants in the Cu‐exchanged products, it was deduced that Zn4 and Zn3 are initially replaced, and then Zn1 and Zn2 are replaced later. The theoretical calculation further verified that Zn4 is replaced first, Zn3 next, then Zn1 and Zn2 last, and the coordination stability dominates the Cu/Zn exchange process. For the Ni/Zn and Co/Zn exchange processes, besides the coordination stability, the preferred coordination geometry was also considered in the stepwise‐exchange behavior. As Ni^II and Co^II ions especially favor octahedral coordination geometry in oxygen‐ligand fields, Ni^II ions and Co^II ions could only selectively exchange with the octahedral Zn^II ions, as was also confirmed by the experimental results. The stepwise metal‐exchange process occurs in a single crystal‐to‐single crystal fashion.     

Bispidines for Dual Imaging

The efficient transformation of the hexadentate bispidinol 1 into carbamate derivatives yields functional bispidines enabling convenient functionalization for targeted imaging. The BODIPY‐substituted bispidine 3 combines a coordination site for metal ions, such as radioactive ⁶⁴Cu^II, with a fluorescent unit. Product 3 was thoroughly characterized by standard analytical methods, single crystal X‐ray diffraction, radiolabeling, and photophysical analysis. The luminescence of ligand 3 was found to be strongly dependent on metal ion coordination: Cu^II quenches the BODIPY fluorescence, whereas Ni^II and Zn^II ions do not affect it. It follows that, in imaging applications with the positron emitter ⁶⁴Cu^II, residues of its origin from enriched ⁶⁴Ni and the decay products ⁶⁴Ni^II and ⁶⁴Zn^II, efficiently restore the fluorescence of the ligand. This allows for monitoring of the emitted radiation as well as the fluorescence signal. The stability of the ⁶⁴Cu^II? 3 complex is investigated by transmetalation experiments with Zn^II and Ni^II, using fluorescence and radioactivity detection, and the results confirm the high stability of ⁶⁴Cu^II? 3 . In addition, metal complexes of ligand 3 with the lanthanide ions Tb^III, Eu^III, and Nd^III are shown to exhibit emission of the BODIPY ligand and the lanthanide ion, thus enabling dual emission detection.     

Metal(II) complexes and metal(II) salts ofN-carbamoylpyrazole: N,O and N,N coordination

Summary Several new coordination compounds are reported withN-carbamoylpyrazole (Hcpz) as the ligand;viz. M(cpz)₂ where M = Cu^II and Ni^II; M(Hcpz)Cl₂ where M = Mn^II, Co^II, Cu^II, Zn^II and Cd^II; M(Hcpz)₂Cl₂ Where M = Fe^II, Co^II and Ni^II: M(Hcpz)₃(BF₄)₂ where M = Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Zn^II and Cd^II; and Cu(Hcpz)₂(BF₄)₂. In the salts, Hcpz is coordinated through the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole ring and the nitrogen atom of the carbamoyl group. In the Hcpz complexes, coordination takes place through the nitrogen atom of the pyrazole ring and the oxygen atom of the carbamoyl group.     

Ethers as ligands. Part V(1). Metal(II)-diglyme and -pentaglyme solvates

Summary Eighteen new coordination compounds are reported with diglyme (dgm) and pentaglyme (pgm) as ligands:viz. [M(dgm)₂](SbCl₆)₂ with M=Mg^II, Ca^II, Sr^II, Mn^II, Fe^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Zn^II; [M(pgm)](SbCl₆)₂ with M=Mn^II, Fe^II,Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Zn^II; and [M(pgm)](SbCl₆)₂ · H₂O with M=Mg^II, Ca^II, and Sr^II. The metal(II) ions are hexacoordinated by the ether-oxygens of two diglyme molecules or of one pentaglyme molecule. The coordinated diglyme molecules are in the TGTT¯GT conformation.     

Coordination chemistry of a new tetranucleating 26-membered polyaza macropolycyclic ligand and a novel phenolate/phthalazine-bridged copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

The novel phenol and phthalazine-based symmetric compartmental 26-membered polyaza macropolycyclic ligand LH₂, was synthesised, incorporating 2,6-diformyl-p-cresol and 1,4-dihydrazinophthalazine via 1:1 condensation. Its coordination behaviour with Cu^II and Zn^II ions was investigated. The tetranuclear complexes [M₄μ(Cl₂)(L)Cl₄]·2H₂O exhibited aremarkably high stability, suggesting that, along with the large number of nitrogen donors available for metal binding, deprotonated phenolic functions were also involved in binding the metal ion. Incorporation of the bridging units into the macrocyclic cavity influenced electronic communications between the metal ions.     

Selective Endo and Exo Binding of Mono‐ and Ditopic Ligands to a Rhomboidal Diporphyrin Prism

Copper(I) can preferentially form heteroleptic complexes containing two phosphine and two nitrogen donors due to steric factors. This preference was employed to direct the self‐assembly of a porphyrin‐faced rhomboidal prism having two parallel tetrakis(4‐iminopyridyl)porphyrinatozinc(II) faces linked by eight 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)benzene pillars. The coordination preferences of the Cu^I ions and geometries of the ligands come together to generate a slipped‐cofacial orientation of the porphyrinatozinc(II) faces. This orientation enables selective encapsulation of 3,3′‐bipyridine (bipy), which bridges the Zn^II ions of the parallel porphyrins, whereas 4,4′‐bipy exhibits weaker external coordination to the porphyrin faces. Reaction with 2,2′‐bipy, by contrast, results in the displacement of the tetratopic porphyrin ligand and formation of [{(2,2′‐bipy)Cu^I}₂(diphosphine)₂]. The differing strengths of interactions of bipyridine isomers with the system allows for a hierarchy to be deciphered, whereby 4,4′‐bipy may be displaced by 3,3′‐bipy, which in turn is displaced by 2,2′‐bipy.     

(Acetato‐κO)[tris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN2)hydroborato]zinc(II)

The title complex, [Zn(C₁₅H₂₂BN₆)(C₂H₃O₂)] or (Tp^Me,Me)Zn(OAc), contains a tripodal tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborate ligand, a monodentate acetate ligand and a Zn^II centre in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment capped on one triangular face by a secondary Zn...O interaction with the second O atom of the acetate ligand. The four‐coordination of Zn^II and the essentially monodentate character of the acetate ligand are due to the high steric demands of the ligand set, which prevent chelate formation and five‐coordination and lead to relatively long Zn—O and Zn—N bonds compared with related complexes of Zn^II and other metals.     

A novel two‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer with 6‐mercaptonicotinic acid

The novel title Zn^II coordination polymer, poly[bis(μ‐6‐thioxo‐1,6‐dihydropyridine‐3‐carboxylato‐κ²S:O)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₆H₄NO₂S)₂]_n, consists of two crystallographically independent zinc centers and two 6‐mercaptonicotinate (Hmna⁻) ligands. Each Zn^II atom is four‐coordinated and lies at the center of a distorted tetrahedral ZnS₂O₂ coordination polyhedron, bridged by four Hmna⁻ ligands to form a two‐dimensional (4,4)‐network. Each Hmna⁻ ion acts as a bridging bidentate ligand, coordinating to two Zn^II atoms through the S atom and a carboxyl O atom. The metal centers reside on twofold rotation axes. The coordination mode of the S atoms and N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the protonated N atoms and the uncoordinated carboxyl O atoms give the extended structure a wavelike form.     

Complexes of iron(II), iron(III) and zinc(II) with condensation derivatives of 2-acetylpyridine and oxalic or malonic dihydrazide. Crystal structure of tris[(1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene)hydrazine]iron(II) perchlorate

Complexes of zinc and iron with N, N²-bis[(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]ethanedihydrazide (H₂L1) and N ,N²-bis[(1E)-1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidene]propanedihydrazide (H₂L2) were prepared. Zn^II complexes with both ligands have an octahedral geometry. In the complex of Zn^II with H₂L1, the ligand is coordinated as a tridentate species in the monoanionic form, building two five-membered rings around Zn^II. Three remaining coordination sites are occupied by water molecules, and in the outer sphere there is a ClO ₄^– ion. In the other Zn^II complex, the H₂L2 ligand is coordinated in the enol form as a tetradenate species, forming a five-memebered, a six-membered and a seven-membered ring, the remaining coordination sites being occupied by water molecules, while in the outer sphere there are two ClO ₄^– ions. The Fe^III complex with H₂L2 is a high-spin octahedral complex. The ligand is coordinated in the enol form, in a tetradentate fashion via pyridine and hydrazone nitrogens. The remaining two coordination sites in the complex are occupied by water molecules and a Cl^– ion, and in the outer sphere there are two Cl^– anions. The octahedral Fe^III complex obtained from the reaction of FeCl₃·6H₂O and H₂L1 in absolute ethanol has the formula [Fe(HL1)Cl₂(H₂O)]·1.5H₂O. However, during coordination of the H₂L1 ligand to Fe^III in water, oxidative degradation of the side chain (–CO–CO–) and reduction of Fe^III to Fe^II occurs, affording octahedral tris(1-(2-pyridyl)ethylidenehydrazine] iron^II perchlorate, as confirmed by X-ray structure analysis.