Mechanistic insights from reactions between copper(II)-phenoxyl complexes and substrates with activated C-H bonds

The reactivities of two copper(II)-phenoxyl analogues of the oxidized, active form of the metalloenzyme galactose oxidase, [1tBu2]+ and [2tBu2]+, have been studied using the substrates benzyl alcohol and 9,10-dihydroanthracene, for a total of four reactions. The reaction stoichiometries in all cases show a 2:1 ratio of oxidant to benzaldehyde or anthracene product, indicating that [1tBu2]+ and [2tBu2]+ behave ultimately as only one-electron oxidants, but the reaction kinetics each indicate that only a single copper(II)-phenoxyl complex is involved in the rate-determining step. For each substrate, rate laws indicate that [1tBu2]+ and [2tBu2]+ react by different mechanisms: one proceeds by a simple bimolecular reaction, while the other first enters into a substrate-binding equilibrium before subsequently reacting by an intramolecular reaction. The reactions proceeding by the latter mechanism have faster overall rates, which correlates to a lower entropic barrier for the substrate-binding mechanism. Correlation of the reaction rates with the C-H bond dissociation energies of substrates as well as significant deuterium kinetic isotope effects indicates that the rate-determining steps involve hydrogen atom abstraction from the activated C-H bonds. A variable-temperature study (268-308 K) of the nonclassical KIE of the [1tBu2]+/benzyl alcohol reaction (kH/kD = 15 at 298 K) failed to show evidence for quantum tunneling. The rapid sequence by which a second 1 equiv of copper(II)-phenoxyl oxidant completes the reaction after the rate- and product-determining hydrogen atom abstraction step cannot be probed kinetically. Comparisons are made to the reactivities of other copper(II)-phenoxyl complexes reported in the literature and to galactose oxidase itself.     

Molybdenum amido complexes with single Mo-N bonds: synthesis,structure, and reactivity

Reactions of the complex [MoCl(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)] (1) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline) with potassium arylamides were used to synthesize the amido complexes [Mo(N(R)Ar)(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)] (R=H, Ar=Ph, 2 a; R=H, Ar=p-tolyl, 2 b; R=Me, Ar=Ph; 2 c). For 2 b the Mo-N(amido) bond length (2.105(4) A) is consistent with it being a single bond, with which the metal attains an 18-electron configuration. The reaction of 2 b with HOTf affords the amino complex [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(NH(2)(p-tol))(CO)(2)(phen)]OTf (3-OTf). Treatment of 3-OTf with nBuLi or KN(SiMe(3))(2) regenerates 2 b. The new amido complexes react with CS(2), arylisothiocyanates and maleic anhydride. A single product corresponding to the formal insertion of the electrophile into the Mo-N(amido) bond is obtained in each case. For maleic anhydride, ring opening accompanied the formation of the insertion product. The reaction of 2 b with maleimide affords [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)[NC(O)CH=CHC(O)](CO)(2)(phen)] (7), which results from simple acid-base metathesis. The reaction of 2 b with (p-tol)NCO affords [[Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)(CO)(2)(phen)](2)(eta(2)-MoO(4))] (8), which corresponds to oxidation of one third of the metal atoms to Mo(VI). Complex 8 was also obtained in the reactions of 2 b with CO(2) or the lactide 3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione. The structures of the compounds 2 b, 3-OTf, [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)[SC(S)(N(H)Ph)](CO)(2)(phen)] (4), [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)[SC(N(p-tol))(NH(p-tol))](CO)(2)(phen)] (5 a), and [Mo(eta(3)-C(3)H(4)-Me-2)[OC(O)CH=CHC(O)(NH(p-tol))](CO)(2)(phen)] (6), 7, and 8 (both the free complex and its N,N'-di(p-tolyl)urea adduct) were determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Pt(IV)-catalyzed cyclization of arene-alkyne substrates via C-H bond functionalization

We herein report that PtCl₄ has proven to be a hydroarylation catalyst with an efficiency and substrate scope superior to previously known methods. This catalyst demonstrated consistent performance with arene-yne substrates of diverse structural features, including propargyl ethers, propargylamines, and alkynoate esters, providing good to excellent yields of the 6-endo products (chromenes, dihydroquinolines, and coumarins). In contrast, Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ga(III) salts were shown to be sensitive to the substitution on the alkyne moiety. PtCl₄ is compatible with both terminal and disubstituted alkynes, as well as with various functionalities on the arene ring, including methyl, methoxyl, hydroxyl, protected amine, and halide.     

Pt(II) complexes with bidentate and tridentate pyrazolyl-containing chelators: synthesis, structural characterization and biological studies

A series of four Pt(II) complexes anchored by bidentate or tridentate pyrazolyl-alkylamine chelators bearing different substituents at the azolyl rings has been prepared with the aim to assess their interest in the design of novel anticancer drugs. All complexes have been fully characterized by classical analytical methods and three of them were characterized also by X-ray diffraction analysis. Their solution behavior, together with lipophilicity measurements, cell uptake, antiproliferative properties, DNA interaction have been evaluated. Albeit all the complexes were less active than cisplatin on ovarian carcinoma A2780 cell line, greatly retained their activity in the cisplatin-resistant A2780cisR cell line and presented a lower resistance factor compared to cisplatin. Moreover, the Pt(II) complexes under investigation were less prone to undergo deactivation by glutathione, believed to be the major cellular target of cisplatin that inactivates the drug by binding to it irreversibly.     

Low-coordinate iron(II) amido complexes of beta-diketiminates: synthesis, structure, and reactivity

The synthesis, structure, and reactivity of a series of low-coordinate Fe(II) diketiminate amido complexes are presented. Complexes L(R)FeNHAr (R = methyl, tert-butyl; Ar = para-tolyl, 2,6-xylyl, and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) bind Lewis bases to give trigonal pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal adducts. In the adducts, crystallographic and (1)H NMR evidence supports the existence of agostic interactions in solid and solution states. Complexes L(R)FeNHAr may be oxidized using AgOTf, and the products L(R)Fe(NHAr)(OTf) are characterized with (19)F NMR spectroscopy, UV/vis spectrophotometry, solution magnetic measurements, elemental analysis, and, in one case, X-ray crystallography. In the structures of the iron(III) complexes L(R)Fe(NHAr)(OTf) and L(R)Fe(OtBu)(OTf), the angles at nitrogen and oxygen result from steric effects and not pi-bonding. The reactions of the amido group of L(R)FeNHAr with weak acids (HCCPh and HOtBu) are consistent with a basic nitrogen atom, because the amido group is protonated by terminal alkynes and alcohols to give free H(2)NAr and three-coordinate acetylide and alkoxide complexes. The trends in complex stability give insight into the relative strength of bonds from three-coordinate iron to anionic C-, N-, and O-donor ligands.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with N-alkylphenothiazines: synthesis,characterization, and antibacterial activity

Two new platinum(IV) complexes (1, trifluoperazinehydrochloride-aquapentachloridoplatinate(IV) and 2, chlorpromazine-chlorpromazinehydrochloridepentachloridoplatinate(IV)) were synthesized in the reaction of K₂[PtCl₆] with trifluoperazine dihydrochloride (TF·2HCl) or chlorpromazine hydrochloride (CP·HCl). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity measurement, and spectral (IR, ¹H, ¹³C, 2D ¹H–¹³C heteronuclear correlation spectra, ¹⁹⁵Pt NMR, and MS) methods. Outer-coordination sphere was proposed for 1; while in 2, the ligand was coordinated to the metal. The complexes exhibit antibacterial effect on strains of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococci as Gram-positive bacteria and an Escherichia coli as Gram-negative bacteria, as well as the reference strains.     

Cyclometallated platinum(II) complexes: oxidation to, and C-H activation by, platinum(IV)

A series of cyclometallated phenylpyridine platinum(II) complexes have been synthesised with a systematic variation in both the phenylpyridine and the ancillary ligand. Oxidation of one of the cyclometallated species leads to a number of isomeric platinum(IV) complexes, all of which eventually isomerize to a single compound. The route to these new compounds has been demonstrated to involve an initial slow oxidation followed by a rapid C-H activation to give doubly cyclometallated complexes. The solid state structures of a number of both the platinum(II) and the platinum(IV) species have been solved; many of the structures exhibited extended interactions that result in complex three dimensional packing.     

Low-valent chemistry of cobalt amide. Synthesis and structural characterization of cobalt(II) amido, aryloxide, and thiolate compounds

The binuclear cobalt(II) amide complex [(CoL2)2-(TMEDA)] (1) [L = N(Si(t)BuMe2)(2-C5H3N-6-Me); TMEDA = Me2NCH2CH2NMe2] has been synthesized by the reaction of anhydrous CoCl2 with 2 equiv of [Li(L)(TMEDA)]. X-ray crystallography revealed that complex 1 consists of two [CoL2] units linked by one TMEDA ligand molecule, which binds in an unusual N,N'-bridging mode. Protolysis of 1 with the bulky phenol Ar(Me)OH (Ar(Me) = 2,6-(t)Bu2-4-MeC6H2) and thiophenol ArSH (Ar = 2,4,6-(t)Bu3C6H2) gives the neutral monomeric cobalt(II) bis(aryloxide) [Co(OAr(Me))2(TMEDA)] (2) and dithiolate [Co(SAr)2(TMEDA)] (3), respectively. Complexes 1-3 have been characterized by mass spectrometry, microanalysis, magnetic moment, and melting-point measurements, in addition to X-ray crystallography.     

Actinide metals with multiple bonds to carbon: synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of U(IV) and Th(IV) bis(iminophosphorano)methandiide pincer carbene complexes

Treatment of ThCl(4)(DME)(2) or UCl(4) with 1 equiv of dilithiumbis(iminophosphorano) methandiide, [Li(2)C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2)] (1), afforded the chloro actinide carbene complexes [Cl(2)M(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (2 (M = Th) and 3 (M = U)) in situ. Stable PCP metal-carbene complexes [Cp(2)Th(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (4), [Cp(2)U(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))] (5), [TpTh(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))Cl] (6), and [TpU(C(Ph(2)P═NSiMe(3))(2))Cl] (7) were generated from 2 or 3 by further reaction with 2 equiv of thallium(I) cyclopentadienide (CpTl) in THF to yield 4 or 5 or with 1 equiv of potassium hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl) borate (TpK) also in THF to give 6 or 7, respectively. The derivative complexes were isolated, and their crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. All of these U (or Th)-carbene complexes (4-7) possess a very short M (Th or U)═carbene bond with evidence for multiple bond character. Gaussian 03 DFT calculations indicate that the M═C double bond is constructed by interaction of the 5f and 6d orbitals of the actinide metal with carbene 2p orbitals of both π and σ character. Complex 3 reacted with acetonitrile or benzonitrile to cyclo-add C≡N to the U═carbon double bond, thereby forming a new C-C bond in a new chelated quadridentate ligand in the bridged dimetallic complexes (9 and 10). A single carbon-U bond is retained. The newly coordinated uranium complex dimerizes with one equivalent of unconverted 3 using two chlorides and the newly formed imine derived from the nitrile as three connecting bridges. In addition, a new crystal structure of [CpUCl(3)(THF)(2)] (8) was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with pyrazole based aryloxide ligands: synthesis, characterization and application in epoxidation of olefins

Synthesis, characterization, and epoxidation chemistry of four new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO(2)(L)(2)] (1-4) with aryloxide-pyrazole ligands L = L1-L4 is described. Catalysts 1-4 are air and moisture stable and easy to synthesize in only three steps in good yields. All four complexes are coordinated by the two bidentate ligands in an asymmetric fashion with one phenoxide and one pyrazole being trans to oxo atoms, respectively. This is in contrast to the structure found for the related aryloxide-oxazoline coordinated Mo(VI) dioxo complex 5. This was confirmed by the determination of the molecular structures of complexes 1-3 by X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1-4 show high catalytic activities in the epoxidation of various olefins. Cyclooctene (S1) is converted to its epoxide with high activity, whereas the epoxidation of styrene (S2) is unselective. Internal olefins (S3 and S4) are also acceptable substrates, as well as the very challenging olefin 1-octene (S5). Catalyst loading can be reduced to 0.02 mol % and the catalyst can be recycled up to ten times without significant loss of activity. Supportive DFT calculations have been carried out in order to obtain deeper insights into the electronic situation around the Mo atom.     

Nickel(II) complexes containing bidentate amido phosphine ligands derived from alpha-iminophosphorus ylides: synthesis and structural characterization

The reactions of prop-2-ynyltriphenylphosphonium bromide with a series of primary aromatic or aliphatic amines in refluxing acetonitrile generated the corresponding 2-hydrocarbylaminoprop-1-enyltriphenylphosphonium bromide [RNHC(Me)=CHPPh(3)]+Br- (R = 2,6-C(6)H(3)iPr(2) (1a), 2,6-C(6)H(3)Me(2) (1b), Ph (1c), t-Bu (1d)) as crystalline solids. Deprotonation of 1a-d with NaH in THF at -35 degrees C afforded the alpha-iminophosphorus ylides RN=C(Me)CH=PPh(3) (2a-d) in high yield. Spectroscopic and crystallographic data of 2 suggest a strong intramolecular interaction between the imino nitrogen and the phosphorus atom. In contrast to N-arylated 2a-c, the N-tert-butyl-derived 2d is extremely moisture-sensitive. Hydrolysis of 2d led to elimination of benzene and generated concomitantly the phosphine oxide 3d that contains an ene-amine functionality. The reactions of 2a-c with Ni(COD)(2) in the presence of an excess amount of pyridine in toluene produced the divalent nickel complexes of the type [kappa(2)-RNC(Me)=CHPPh(2)]Ni(Ph)(Py) (4a-c). The solution and solid-state structures of these new compounds are presented.     

Synthesis and characterisation of mixed ligand Pt(II) and Pt(IV) oxadiazoline complexes

The nitrile ligands in trans-[PtX2(PhCN)2] (X = Cl, Br, I) undergo sequential 1,3 dipolar cycloadditions with nitrones R1R2C=N+(Me)-O(-) (R1 = H, R2 = Ph; R1 = CO2Et, R2 = CH2CO2Et) to selectively form the Delta4-1,2,4-oxadiazoline complexes trans-[PtX2(PhCN) (N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CR1R2)] or trans-[PtX2(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CR1R2)2] in high yields. The reactivity of the mixed ligand complexes trans-[PtX2(PhCN)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CR1R2)] towards oxidation and ligand substitution was studied in more detail. Oxidation with Cl2 or Br2 provides the Pt(IV) species trans-[PtX2Y2(PhCN)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CH(Ph))] (X, Y = Cl, Br). The mixed halide complex (X = Cl, Y = Br) undergoes halide scrambling in solution to form trans-[PtX(4-n)Yn(PhCN)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CH(Ph))] as a statistical mixture. Ligand substitution in trans-[PtCl2(PhCN)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CR1R2)] allows for selective replacement of the coordinated nitrile by nitrogen heterocycles such as pyridine, DMAP or 1-benzyl-2-methylimidazole to produce mixed ligand Pt(II) complexes of the type trans- [PtX2(heterocycle)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CR1R2)]. All compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, IR and 1H, 13C and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis of (R,S)-trans-[PtBr2(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CH(Ph))2] and trans-[PtCl2(C5H5N)(N=C(Ph)-O-N(Me)-CH(Ph))] confirms the molecular structure and the trans configuration of the heterocycles relative to each other.     

Synthesis of acetimino complexes of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) and the first heteronuclear mu-acetimido complexes

The reactions of [Ag(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 with cis-[PtCl2L2] in a 1:1 molar ratio give cis-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)2]ClO4 (1cis) or cis-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)2(dmso)]ClO4 (2), and in 2:1 molar ratio, they produce [Pt(NH=CMe2)2L2](ClO4)2 [L = PPh3 (3), L2= tbbpy = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-dipyridyl (4)]. Complex 2 reacts with PPh3 (1:2) to give trans-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)2]ClO(4) (1trans). The two-step reaction of cis-[PtCl2(dmso)2], [Au(NH=CMe2)(PPh3)]ClO4, and PPh3 (1:1:1) gives [SP-4-3]-[PtCl(NH=CMe2)(dmso)(PPh3)]ClO4 (5). The reactions of complexes 2 and 4 with PhICl2 give the Pt(IV) derivatives [OC-6-13]-[PtCl3(NH=CMe2)(2)(dmso)]ClO4 (6) and [OC-6-13]-[PtCl2(NH=CMe2)2(dtbbpy)](ClO4)2 (7), respectively. Complexes 1cis and 1trans react with NaH and [AuCl(PPh3)] (1:10:1.2) to give cis- and trans-[PtCl{mu-N(AuPPh3)=CMe2}(PPh3)2]ClO4 (8cis and 8trans), respectively. The crystal structures of 4.0.5Et2O.0.5Me2CO and 6 have been determined; both exhibit pseudosymmetry.     

Silanol-based pincer Pt(II) complexes: synthesis, structure, and unusual reactivity

Aiming at the generation of a silanone intramolecularly bound to platinum, we prepared pincer-type PSiP silanol Pt(II) complexes. While a stable silanone complex was not isolated, unusual reactivity modes, involving its possible intermediacy, were observed. Treatment of the new PSiH 2P-type ligand ( o-IPr 2PC 6H 4) 2SiH 2 ( 7) with (Me 2S) 2Pt(Me)Cl yields the pincer-type hydrosilane complex [{( o- iPr 2PC 6H 4) 2SiH}PtCl] ( 8), which upon Ir(I)-catalyzed hydrolytic oxidation gives the structurally characterized silanol complex [{( o- iPr 2PC 6H 4) 2SiOH}PtCl] ( 3). Complex 3, comprising in its structure the nucleophilic silanol fragment and electrophilic Pt(II)-Cl moiety, exhibits dual reactivity. Its reaction with the non-nucleophilic KB(C 6F 5) 4 in fluorobenzene leads to the ionic complex [{( o- iPr 2PC 6H 4) 2SiOH}Pt] (+) [(C 6F 5) 4B] (-) ( 9), which reacts with CO to yield the structurally characterized [{( o- iPr 2PC 6H 4) 2SiOH}PtCO] (+) [(C 6F 5) 4B] (-) ( 10). Treatment of 3 with non-nucleophilic bases leads to unprecedented rearrangement and coupling, resulting in the structurally characterized, unusual binuclear complex 11. The structure of 11 comprises two different fragments: the original O-Si-Pt(II)-Cl pattern, and the newly formed silanolate Pt(II)-H pattern, which are connected via a disiloxane bridge. Complex 9 undergoes a similar hydrolytic rearrangement in the presence of iPr 2NEt to give the mononuclear silanolate Pt(II)-H complex 17. Both these rearrangement-coupling reactions probably involve the inner-sphere generation of an intermediate silanone 14, which undergoes nucleophilic attack by the starting silanol 3 to yield complex 11, or adds a water molecule to yield complex 17. X-ray diffraction studies of 3, 10, and 11 exhibit a very short Si-Pt bond length (2.27-2.28 A) in the neutral complexes 3 and 11 that elongates to 2.365 A in the carbonyl complex 10. A significantly compressed geometry of the silanolate platinum(II)-hydride fragment B of the binuclear complex 11 features a Pt(2)-O(2)-Si(2) angle of 100.4 (3) degrees and a remarkably short Pt(2)...Si(2) [2.884 (3) A] distance.     

Stereoisomeric Pt(IV) complexes with threonine

Stereoisomeric Pt(IV) complexes with threonine (ThrH = HOCH(CH₃)CH(NH₂)COOH, ??-amino-??-hydroxybutyric acid) were obtained. In the complexes trans-[Pt(S-ThrH)₂Cl₄] and trans-[Pt(R-ThrH)(S-ThrH)Cl₄], the ThrH molecules act as monodentate ligands coordinated through the NH₂ group. In the complexes cis- and trans-[Pt(S-Thr)₂Cl₂] and trans-[Pt(R-Thr)(S-Thr)Cl₂], the deprotonated ligands are coordinated in a bidentate fashion through the NH₂ and COO^?-groups (R,S is the absolute configuration of the asymmetric carbon atom). All the complexes were identified using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and ¹⁹⁵Pt, ¹³C, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The complexes trans-[Pt(S-ThrH)₂Cl₄] · 3H₂O and cis-[Pt(S-Thr)₂Cl₂] · 2H₂O were additionally characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

C-H Activation and C-C coupling of arenes by cationic Pt(II) complexes

The synthesis and characterization of cationic platinum complexes of the type [(R(2)PC(2)H(4)PR(2))PtMe(OEt(2))]BAr(F) (R = Cy, Et) are reported. These electrophilic platinum cations are found to react quantitatively with arenes (benzene, toluene) at room temperature by undergoing intermolecular C-H activation with concomitant C-C coupling to generate complexes of the type [[Pt(R(2)PC(2)H(4)PR(2))](2)(mu-eta(3):eta(3)-biaryl)][BAr(F)](2). The dianionic biaryl ligands in these compounds exhibit a rare mu-eta(3):eta(3)-bis-allyl bonding mode and can be removed from the complex with stoichiometric oxidants to generate the free biaryl and [(R(2)PC(2)H(4)PR(2))Pt(mu-X)](2)[BAr(F)](2) (R = Cy, Et; X = Cl, I). The cationic platinum complexes [(R(2)PC(2)H(4)PR(2))PtMe(OEt(2))]BAr(F) (R = Cy, Et) are also quite reactive with water, forming the bridging hydroxide complexes [(R(2)PC(2)H(4)PR(2))Pt(mu-OH)](2)[BAr(F)](2) (R = Cy, Et). A possible mechanism is proposed for the C-C coupling reaction based upon the structures of these bridging biphenyl complexes, which provides a new perspective for the related palladium-catalyzed oxidative coupling of arenes to form biaryls.     

Binuclear Cu(II) chiral complexes: synthesis,characterization and application in enantioselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction

Enantiopure macrocyclic ligands were synthesized from (1R,2R)‐(+)‐ and (1S,2S)‐(?)‐diphenylethylenediamine with 3,3'‐methylenebis(5‐(tert‐butyl)‐2‐hydroxybenzaldehyde) and characterized. The chirality transfer and chiral inversion from ligand to copper(II) metal centre were studied using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The enantiopure binuclear copper(II) complexes (ΔΔ and ΛΛ) were used as catalysts for asymmetric nitroaldol reaction to generate β‐nitroalcohol with 88% yield and 67% enantioselectivity. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordinatively saturated cyclometallated Pt(IV) azobenzene complexes: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The mesomorphic 4,4-bis[4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy]azobenzene dinuclear chloro-bridged cycloplatinated complex [(Azo)Pt(mu;-Cl)]2 (smectic C between 263 and 342 C) has been reacted with different chelating ligands, giving rise to a family of square-planar ortho-platinated derivatives, [(Azo)Pt(L)] (L = tropolonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro2,4-pentanedionate). Thermotropic mesomorphism is preserved for these mononuclear complexes which exhibit at least a nematic mesophase and transition temperatures lower by over 100° C than that of the corresponding dimeric precursor. Oxidative addition to the Pt(II) [(Azo)Pt(L)] species of electrophilic substrates such as I₂ or CH₃I eventually led to the corresponding octahedral [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(X)] products. The introduction of two further ligands leads to Pt(IV) derivatives showing smectic and nematic mesophases for all L ligands. For the hexacoordinated [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(CH₃)] complexes it has been verified that the oxidative addition of methyl iodide is a thermally reversible process, indicating that these species have potential applications as switchable systems.     

Coordinatively saturated cyclometallated Pt(IV) azobenzene complexes: synthesis and mesomorphic behaviour

The mesomorphic 4,4-bis[4-n-octyloxybenzoyloxy]azobenzene dinuclear chloro-bridged cycloplatinated complex [(Azo)Pt(mu;-Cl)]2 (smectic C between 263 and 342 C) has been reacted with different chelating ligands, giving rise to a family of square-planar ortho-platinated derivatives, [(Azo)Pt(L)] (L = tropolonate, 8-hydroxyquinolinate and 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro2,4-pentanedionate). Thermotropic mesomorphism is preserved for these mononuclear complexes which exhibit at least a nematic mesophase and transition temperatures lower by over 100° C than that of the corresponding dimeric precursor. Oxidative addition to the Pt(II) [(Azo)Pt(L)] species of electrophilic substrates such as I₂ or CH₃I eventually led to the corresponding octahedral [(Azo)Pt(L)(I )(X)] products. The introduction of two further ligands leads to Pt(IV) derivatives showing smectic and nematic mesophases for all L ligands. For the hexacoordinated [(Azo)Pt(L)(I)(CH₃)] complexes it has been verified that the oxidative addition of methyl iodide is a thermally reversible process, indicating that these species have potential applications as switchable systems.     

Mononuclear, five-coordinate lanthanide amido and aryloxide complexes bearing tetradentate (N2O2) Schiff bases

Two monomeric, five-coordinate lanthanide complexes, [bis-5,5'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato]samarium[2,6-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenoxide] and [bis-5,5'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato]erbium[2,6-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenoxide], were isolated from the reactions of 2,6-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenol with [bis-5,5'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato]lanthanide[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido] (lanthanide = Er(3+) and Sm(3+)). The purified phenoxides were recovered in excellent yields and analytical purity, and the reactions proceeded cleanly without Schiff-base degradation or cluster formation. Analogously, [bis-3,3'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-1-phenyl-2-butene-1-onato]erbium[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido] was also directly converted to [bis-3,3'-(1,3-propanediyldiimino)-1-phenyl-2-butene-1-onato]erbium[2,6-bis(tert-butyl)-4-methylphenoxide]; however, a less sterically demanding alcohol (i.e., ethanol) yielded a neutral trinuclear oxo alkoxide species with each dianionic Schiff base asymmetrically bridging through micro-oxo interactions. In this polynuclear cluster, each symmetry-related, seven-coordinate erbium(III) ion exhibits monocapped trigonal prismatic geometry, which assembles by sharing triangular capped faces. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed square-pyramidal metal coordination in each five-coordinate lanthanide ion with varied S(4) ruffling of the "square base" donor atoms and the six-membered propylene diamine chelate ring adopting the boat conformation. To contrast the effect of subtle ligand changes, we also report the synthesis and characterization of [bis-5,5'-(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediyldiimino)-2,2-dimethyl-4-hexene-3-onato]samarium[bis(trimethylsilyl)amido], having gem-dimethyl substituents appended to the propylene bridge central carbon. The six-membered diamine chelate ring in this compound adopts the chair conformation without metal-hydrocarbon interaction. Also presented are qualitative activity observations and polymerization data for the polymerization of rac-lactide and epsilon-caprolactone using the five-coordinate lanthanide amidos and phenoxides.