New bis-cresol-bridged bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligand as receptor for metal cations and phosphate anions

The synthesis and characterization of a new bis([9]aneN3) ligand (H2L) containing two [9]aneN3 macrocyclic moieties separated by a 2,2'-methylene-bis-cresol (cresol = 4-methyl-phenol) unit is reported. A potentiometric and (1)H NMR study in aqueous solution reveals that H2L is in a zwitterionic form, and protonation of the cresolate oxygens occurs only with the formation of the highly charged (H5L)(3+) and (H6L)(4+) species at acidic pH values. The coordination properties of H2L toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were studied by means of potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The ligand gives both mono- and binuclear complexes in aqueous solution. At acidic pH values the ligand forms stable binuclear [M2H2L](4+) complexes, where each metal is coordinated by two amine groups of [9]aneN3 and the deprotonated oxygen of the adjacent cresol unit; the remaining amine group is protonated. Deprotonation of the [M2H2L](4+) species at alkaline pH values affords [M2L](2+) complexes, where all amine groups of the [9]aneN3 moieties are involved in metal coordination. Binding of mono-, di- and triphosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) was studied by means of potentiometric, (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements and by molecular dynamics simulations. The receptor forms stable 1:1 adducts with di-, triphosphate, and ATP, while the interaction with monophosphate is too low to be detected. In the complexes both the [9]aneN3 moieties act cooperatively in the substrate binding process. The stability of the adducts increases in the order diphosphate < triphosphate < ATP. This trend is explained in terms of increasing number of charge-charge interactions between the phosphate chains and the protonated [9]aneN3 subunits and, in the case of ATP, of stacking interactions between the adenine and cresol units.     

Polyfunctional recognition of pyridinedicarboxylate anions with macrocyclic polyamine receptors containing heteroaromatic groups

The interaction of the biologically relevant anions deriving from the six pyridinedicarboxylic acids (H2PDC) with two macrocyclic receptors containing a pentamine chain and a bipyridine (1) or a phenanthroline (2) moiety, as well as with the aliphatic analogue [21]aneN7 (3), was studied by means of spectroscopic methods (UV-vis, NMR) and potentiometric titrations affording the stability constants of the adducts formed. All three receptors form stable complexes with the substrates thanks to the formation of several salt bridges and hydrogen bond contacts, as observed in the crystal structure of the H8[3(2,6-PDC)4] x H2O x 0.5 EtOH solid compound. Additional pi-stacking interactions between the aromatic moieties of substrates and receptors enhance the stability of complexes with 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 show a marked selectivity toward 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate anions. In particular, 1 is able to perform a very efficient recognition of these species in the presence of 2 and 3. Molecular modeling calculations suggested that such recognition ability of 1 can be ascribed to a superior structural and electrostatic complementarity with the substrate compared to 2 and 3.     

Encapsulation of metal cations and anions within the cavity of bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) receptors

The synthesis and characterisation of a new bis([9]aneN3) ligand (L4) containing two [9]aneN3 macrocyclic moieties separated by a 2,6-dimethylenepyridine unit is reported. A potentiometric and 1H NMR study in aqueous solution reveals that ligand protonation occurs on the secondary amine groups and does not involve the pyridine nitrogen. The coordination properties toward Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) were studied by means of potentiometric and UV spectrophotometric measurements. The ligand can form mono- and binuclear complexes in aqueous solution. In the 1 : 1 complexes, the metal is sandwiched between the two [9]aneN3 moieties and the pyridine N-donor is coordinated to the metal, as actually shown by the crystal structure of the compound [ZnL4](NO3)2.CH3NO2. L4 shows a higher binding ability for Cd(II) with respect to Zn(II), probably due to a better fitting of Cd(II) ion inside the cavity generated by the two facing [9]aneN3 units. The formation of binuclear complexes is accompanied by the assembly of OH-bridged M2(OH)x (x = 1-3) clusters inside the cavity defined by the two facing [9]aneN3 units, and pyridine is not involved in metal coordination. A potentiometric and (1)H NMR study on the coordination of halogenide anions by L4 and its structural analogous L3 in which the two [9]aneN3 units are separated by a shorter quinoxaline linkage, shows that bromide is selectively recognised by L4, while chloride is selectively bound by L3. Such a behaviour is discussed in terms of dimensional matching between the spherical anions and the cavities generated by the two [9]aneN3 units of the receptors.     

Synthesis of new tren-based tris-macrocycles. Anion cluster assembling inside the cavity generated by a bowl-shaped receptor

The synthesis of three new tris-macrocycles, containing three [12]aneN(4) (L1), [12]aneN(3)O (L2), or [14]aneN(4) (L3) moieties appended to a tren unit, is reported. The crystal structure of the [(Na(ClO(4))(6)) subset L1(2)H(13)]Na(6)Cl(2)(ClO(4))(12) compound shows the anionic cluster [Na(ClO(4))(6)](5)(-) assembled inside the cavity defined by two bowl-shaped polyammonium receptors, held by multiple charge-charge and hydrogen bond interactions.     

Coordination properties of new bis(1,4,7-triazacyclononane) ligands: a highly active dizinc complex in phosphate diester hydrolysis

The synthesis and characterization of three new bis([9]aneN(3)) ligands, containing respectively 2,2'-bipyridine (L(1)), 1,10-phenanthroline (L(2)), and quinoxaline (L(3)) moieties linking the two macrocyclic units, are reported. Proton binding and Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) coordination with L(1)-L(3) have been studied by potentiometric titrations and, for L(1) and L(2), by spectrophotometric UV-vis measurements in aqueous solutions. All ligands can give stable mono- and dinuclear complexes. In the case of L(1), trinuclear Cu(II) complexes are also formed. The stability constants and structural features of the formed complexes are strongly affected by the different architecture and binding properties of the spacers bridging the two [9]aneN(3) units. In the case of the L(1) and L(2) mononuclear complexes, the metal is coordinated by the three donors of one [9]aneN(3) moiety; in the [ML(2)](2+) complexes, however, the phenanthroline nitrogens are also involved in metal binding. Finally, in the [ML(3)](2+) complexes both macrocyclic units, at a short distance from each other, can be involved in metal coordination, giving rise to sandwich complexes. In the binuclear complexes each metal ion is generally coordinated by one [9]aneN(3) unit. In L(1), however, the dipyridine nitrogens can also act as a potential binding site for metals. The dinuclear complexes show a marked tendency to form mono-, di-, and, in some cases, trihydroxo species in aqueous solutions. The resulting M-OH functions may behave as nucleophiles in hydrolytic reactions. The hydrolysis rate of bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) was measured in aqueous solution at 308.1 K in the presence of the L(2) and L(3) dinuclear Zn(II) complexes. Both the L(2) complexes [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(2)](2+) and [Zn(2)L(2)(OH)(3)](+) and the L(3) complex [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) promote BNPP hydrolysis. The [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+) complex is ca. 2 orders of magnitude more active than the L(2) complexes, due both to the short distance between the metal centers in [Zn(2)L(3)(OH)(3)](+), which could allow a bridging interaction of the phosphate ester, and to the simultaneous presence of single-metal bound nucleophilic Zn-OH functions. These structural features are substantially corroborated by semiempirical PM3 calculations carried out on the mono-, di-, and trihydroxo species of the L(3) dizinc complex.     

Aqueous rhodium(III) hydrides and mononuclear rhodium(II) complexes

In aqueous solutions, as in organic solvents, rhodium hydrides display the chemistry of one of the three limiting forms, i.e. {Rh(I)+ H+}, {Rh(II)+ H.}, and {Rh(III)+ H-}. A number of intermediates and oxidation states have been generated and explored in kinetic and mechanistic studies. Monomeric macrocyclic rhodium(II) complexes, such as L(H2O)Rh2+ (L = L1 = [14]aneN4, or L2 = meso-Me6[14]aneN4) can be generated from the hydride precursors by photochemical means or in reactions with hydrogen atom abstracting agents. These rhodium(II) complexes are oxidized rapidly with alkyl hydroperoxides to give alkylrhodium(III) complexes. Reactions of Rh(II) with organic and inorganic radicals and with molecular oxygen are fast and produce long-lived intermediates, such as alkyl, superoxo and hydroperoxo complexes, all of which display rich and complex chemistry of their own. In alkaline solutions of rhodium hydrides, the existence of Rh(I) complexes is implied by rapid hydrogen exchange between the hydride and solvent water. The acidity of the hydrides is too low, however, to allow the build-up of observable quantities of Rh(I). Deuterium kinetic isotope effects for hydride transfer to a macrocyclic Cr(v) complex are comparable to those for hydrogen atom transfer to various substrates.     

Co-ordination chemistry of amino pendant arm derivatives of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane

The binding properties of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3) to metal cations can be adapted through sequential functionalisation of the secondary amines with aminoethyl or aminopropyl pendant arms to generate ligands with increasing numbers of donor atoms. The new amino functionalised pendant arm derivative of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ([9]aneN3), L1, has been synthesised and its salt [H2L1]Cl2 characterised by X-ray diffraction. The protonation constants of the ligands L1-L4 having one, two or three aminoethyl or three aminopropyl pendant arms, respectively, on the [9]aneN3 framework, and the thermodynamic stabilities of their mononuclear complexes with CuII and ZnII have been investigated by potentiometric measurements in aqueous solutions. In order to discern the protonation sites of ligands L1-L4, 1H NMR spectroscopic studies were performed in D2O as a function of pH. While the stability constants of the CuII complexes increase on going from L1 to L2 and then decrease on going from L2 to L3 and L4, those for ZnII complexes increase from L1 to L3 and then decrease for L4. The X-ray crystal structures of the complexes [Cu(L1)(Br)]Br, [Zn(L1)(NO3)]NO3, [Cu(L2)](ClO4)2, [Ni(L2)(MeCN)](BF4)2, [Zn(L4)](BF4)2.MeCN and [Mn(L4)](NO3)2.1/2H2O have been determined. In both [Cu(L1)(Br)]Br and [Zn(L1)(NO3)]NO3 the metal ion is five co-ordinate and bound by four N-donors of the macrocyclic ligand and by one of the two counter-anions. The crystal structures of [Cu(L2)](ClO4)2 and [Ni(L2)(MeCN)](BF4)2 show the metal centre in slightly distorted square-based pyramidal and octahedral geometry, respectively, with a MeCN molecule completing the co-ordination sphere around NiII in the latter. In both [Zn(L4)](BF4)2.MeCN and [Mn(L4)](NO3)2.1/2H2O the metal ion is bound by all six N-donors of the macrocyclic ligand in a distorted octahedral geometry. Interestingly, and in agreement with the solution studies and with the marked preference of CuII to assume a square-based pyramidal geometry with these types of ligands, the reaction of L4 with one equivalent of Cu(BF4)2.4H2O in MeOH at room temperature yields a square-based pyramidal five co-ordinate CuII complex [Cu(L6)](BF4)2 where one of the three propylamino pendant arms of the starting ligand has been cleaved to give L6.     

Exploring the binding ability of polyammonium hosts for anionic substrates: selective size-dependent recognition of different phosphate anions by bis-macrocyclic receptors

Binding of mono-, di-, and triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine triphosphatase (ATP) with receptors L1-L3, composed of two [9]aneN(3) units separated by a 2,9-dimethylene-1,10-phenanthroline (L1), a 2,6-dimethylenepyridine (L2), or a 2,3-dimethylenequinoxaline (L3) spacer, has been studied by means of potentiometric titrations, (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements in aqueous solutions, and molecular modeling calculations. In the case of inorganic phosphates, the binding properties of the receptors appear to be determined by their geometrical features, in particular the distance between the two [9]aneN(3) units imposed by the spacer separating the two macrocyclic units. While L1 is able to selectively bind triphosphate over di- and monophosphate, L3 selectively coordinates the smaller monophosphate anion. Finally, L2 shows preferential binding of diphosphate. (1)H and (31)P NMR measurements show that the complexes are essentially stabilized by charge-charge and hydrogen-bonding interactions between the anion and the protonated amine groups of the macrocyclic subunits of the receptors. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the larger distance between the two macrocyclic units of L1 allows this receptor to form a larger number of hydrogen-bonding contacts with triphosphate, justifying its selectivity toward this anion. Conversely, in the case of L3, the two facing [9]aneN3 units give rise to a cleft of appropriate dimensions where the small monophosphate anion can be conveniently hosted. Considering nucleotide coordination, L1 is a better receptor for ATP and ADP than L2, thanks to the higher ability of phenanthroline to establish stabilizing π stacking and hydrophobic interactions with the adenine units of the guests.     

Mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-carboxylato)2FeIII]3+ core

The symmetrically ligated complexes 1, 2, and 3 with a (mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)diferric core can be one-electron oxidized electrochemically or chemically with aminyl radical cations [*NR3][SbCl6] in acetonitrile yielding complexes which contain the mixed-valent [(mu-oxo)bis(mu-acetato)iron(IV)iron(III)]3+ core: [([9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](ClO4)2 (1(ClO4)2), [(Me3[9]aneN3)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2](PF6)2 (2(PF6)(2)), and [(tpb)(2FeIII2)(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2] (3) where ([9]aneN3) is the neutral triamine 1,4,7-triazacyclononane and (Me3[9]aneN3) is its tris-N-methylated derivative, and (tpb)(-) is the monoanion trispyrazolylborate. The asymmetrically ligated complex [(Me3[9]aneN3)FeIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII(tpb)](PF6) (4(PF6)) and its one-electron oxidized form [4ox]2+ have also been prepared. Finally, the known heterodinuclear species [(Me3[9]aneN3)CrIII(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2Fe([9]aneN3)](PF6)2 (5(PF6)(2)) can also be one-electron oxidized yielding [5ox]3+ containing an iron(IV) ion. The structure of 4(PF6).0.5CH3CN.0.25(C2H5)2O has been determined by X-ray crystallography and that of [5ox]2+ by Fe K-edge EXAFS-spectroscopy (Fe(IV)-O(oxo): 1.69(1) A; Fe(IV)-O(carboxylato) 1.93(3) A, Fe(IV)-N 2.00(2) A) contrasting the data for 5 (Fe(III)-O(oxo) 1.80 A; Fe(III)-O(carboxylato) 2.05 A, Fe-N 2.20 A). [5ox]2+ has an St = 1/2 ground state whereas all complexes containing the mixed-valent [FeIV(mu-O)(mu-CH3CO2)2FeIII]3+ core have an St = 3/2 ground state. M?ssbauer spectra of the oxidized forms of complexes clearly show the presence of low spin FeIV ions (isomer shift approximately 0.02 mm s(-1), quadrupole splitting approximately 1.4 mm s(-1) at 80 K), whereas the high spin FeIII ion exhibits delta approximately 0.46 mm s(-1) and DeltaE(Q) approximately 0.5 mm s(-1). M?ssbauer, EPR spectral and structural parameters have been calculated by density functional theoretical methods at the BP86 and B3LYP levels. The exchange coupling constant, J, for diiron complexes with the mixed-valent FeIV-FeIII core (H = -2J S1.S2; S(1) = 5/2; S2 = 1) has been calculated to be -88 cm(-1) (intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling) and for the reduced diferric form of -75 cm(-1) in reasonable agreement with experiment (J = -120 cm(-1)).     

Influence of the "innocent" ligands on the MLCT excited-state behavior of mono(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes: a comparison of X-ray structures and 77 K luminescence properties

The variations in the nonchromophoric ligands of [Ru(L)4bpy]2+ complexes are shown to result in large changes in emission band shapes, even when the emission energies are similar. These changes in band shape are systematically examined by means of the generation of empirical reorganizational energy profiles (emreps) from the observed emission spectra (Xie, P.; et al. J. Phys. Chem. A 2005, 109, 4671), where these profiles provide convenient probes of the differences in distortions from the ground-state structures of the 2,2-bipyridine (bpy) ligands (for distortion modes near 1500 cm(-1)) in the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited states for a series of complexes with the same ruthenium(II) bipyridine chromophore. The bpy ligand is nearly planar in the X-ray structures of the complexes with (L)4 = (NH3)4, triethylenetetraamine (trien), and 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane ([12]aneN4). However, for (L)4 = 5,12-rac-5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, the X-ray crystal structure shows that the bpy ligand is twisted in the ground state (a result of methyl/bpy stereochemical repulsion) and the emrep amplitude at about 1500 cm(-1) is significantly larger for this structure than for the complex with (L)4 = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane, consistent with larger reorganizational energies of the bpy distortion modes in order to form a planar (bpy(-)) moiety in the excited state of the former. The trien and [12]aneN4 complexes have very nearly the same emission energies, yet the 40% smaller vibronic sideband intensity of the latter indicates that the MLCT excited state is significantly less distorted; this smaller distortion and the related shift in the distribution of distortion mode reorganizational energy amplitudes is apparently related to the 36-fold longer lifetime for (L)4 = [12]aneN4 than for (L)4 = trien. For the majority (77%) of the [Ru(L)4bpy]2+ complexes examined, there is a systematic decrease in emrep amplitudes near 1500 cm(-1), consistent with decreasing excited-state distortion, with the excited-state energy as is expected for ground state-excited state configurational mixing in a simple two-state model. However, the complexes with L = [12]aneN4, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododeca-1-ene, and (py)4 all have smaller emrep amplitudes and thus less distorted excited states than related complexes with the same emission energy. The observations are not consistent with simple two-state models and seem to require an additional distortion induced by excited state-excited state configurational mixing in most complexes. Because the stereochemical constraints of the coordinated [12]aneN4 ligand restrict tetragonal distortions around the metal, configurational mixing of the 3MLCT excited state with a triplet ligand-field excited state of Ru(II) could account for some of the variations in excited-state distortion. The large number of vibrational distortion modes and their small vibrational reorganizational energies in these complexes indicate that a very large number of relaxation channels contribute to the variations in 3MLCT lifetimes and that the metal-ligand skeletal modes are likely to contribute to some of these channels.     

Probing the effects of ligand structure on activity and selectivity of Cr(III) complexes for ethylene oligomerisation and polymerisation

A series of distorted octahedral Cr(III) complexes containing tridentate S-, S/O- or N-donor ligands comprised of three distinct architectures: facultative {S(CH(2)CH(2)SC(10)H(21))(2) (L(1)) and O(CH(2)CH(2)SC(10)H(21))(2) (L(2))}, tripodal {MeC(CH(2)S(n)C(4)H(9))(3) (L(3)), MeC(CH(2)SC(10)H(21))(3) (L(4))} and macrocyclic {(C(10)H(21))[9]aneN(3) (L(5)), (C(10)H(21))(3)[9]aneN(3) (L(6)), with [9]aneN(3)=1,4,7-triazacyclononane} are reported and characterised spectroscopically. Activation of [CrCl(3)(L)] with MMAO produces very active ethylene trimerisation, oligomerisation and polymerisation catalysts, with significant dependence of the product distribution upon the ligand type present. The properties of the parent [CrCl(3)(L)] complexes are probed by cyclic voltammetry, UV-visible, EPR, EXAFS and XANES measurements, and the effects upon activation with Me(3)Al investigated similarly. Treatment with excess Me(3)Al leads to substitution of Cl ligands by Me groups, generation of an EPR silent Cr species (consistent with a change in the oxidation state of the Cr to either Cr(II) or Cr(IV)) and substantial dissociation of the neutral S and S/O-donor ligands.     

Syntheses and characterization of six coordination polymers of zinc(II) and cobalt(II) with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate anion and bis(imidazole) ligands

Six new coordination polymers, namely [Zn1.5(BTC)(L1)(H2O)2].1.5H2O (1), [Zn3(BTC)2(L2)3] (2), [Zn3(BTC)2(L3)1.5(H2O)].H2O (3), [Co6(BTC)4(L1)6(H2O)3].9H2O (4), [Co1.5(BTC)(L2)1.5].0.25H2O (5), and [Co4(BTC)2(L3)2(OH)2(H2O)].4.5H2O (6), where L1 = 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L2 = 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L3 = 1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole), and BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate anion, were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In 1-6, each of L1-L3 serves as a bidentate bridging ligand. In 1, BTC anions act as tridentate ligands, and compound 1 shows a 2D polymeric structure which consists of 2-fold interpenetrating (6, 3) networks. In compound 2, BTC anions coordinate to zinc cations as tridentate ligands to form a net with (64.82)2(86)(62.8)2 topology. In compound 3, BTC anions act as tetradentate ligands and coordinate to zinc cations to form a net with (4.62.83)2(8.102)(4.6.83.10)2 topology. In compound 5, each BTC anion coordinates to three Co cations, and the framework of 5 can be simplified as (64.82)2(62.82.102)(63)2 topology. For 4 and 6, the 2D cobalt-BTC layers are linked by bis(imidazole) ligands to form 3D frameworks. In 6, the Co centers are connected by micro3-OH and carboxylate O atoms to form two kinds of cobalt-oxygen clusters. Thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) for these compounds are discussed. The luminescent properties for 1-3 and magnetic properties for 4-6 are also discussed in detail.     

1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane metal complexes as potent promoters of carboxyester hydrolysis under physiological conditions

New 1,4,7,10-tetrazacyclododecane ([12]aneN4 or cyclen) ligands with different heterocyclic spacers (triazine and pyridine) of various lengths (bi- and tripyridine) or an azacrown pendant and their mono- and dinuclear Zn(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The pKa values of water molecules coordinated to the complexed metal ions were determined by potentiometric pH titrations and vary from 7.7 to 11.2, depending on the metal-ion and ligand properties. The X-ray structure of [Zn2L2]mu-OH(ClO4)3.CH3CN.H2O shows each Zn(II) ion in a tetrahedral geometry, binding to three N atoms of cyclen (the average distance of Zn-N = 2.1 A) and having a mu-OH bridge at the apical site linking the two metal ions (the average distance of Zn-O- = 1.9 A). The distance between the Zn(II) ion and the fourth N atom is 2.6 A. All Zn(II) complexes promote the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate (NA) under physiological conditions, while those of Cu(II) and Ni(II) do not have a significant effect on the hydrolysis reaction. The kinetic studies in buffered solutions (0.05 M Tris, HEPES, or CHES, I = 0.1 M, NaCl) at 25 degrees C in the pH range of 6-11 under pseudo-first-order reaction conditions (excess of the metal complex) were analyzed by applying the method of initial rates. Comparison of the second-order pH-independent rate constants (kNA, M-1 s-1) for the mononuclear complexes ZnL1, ZnL3, and ZnL8, which are 0.39, 0.27, and 0.38, respectively, indicates that the heterocyclic moiety improves the rate of hydrolysis up to 4 times over the parent Zn([12]aneN4) complex (kNA = 0.09 M-1 s-1). The reactive species is the Zn(II)-OH- complex, in which the Zn(II)-bound OH- acts as a nucleophile, which attacks intermolecularly the carbonyl group of the acetate ester. For dinuclear complexes Zn2L2, Zn2L4, Zn2L5, Zn2L6, and Zn2L7, the mechanism of the reaction is defined by the degree of cooperation between the metal centers, determined by the spacer length. For Zn2L7, having the longest triaryl spacer, the two metal centers act independently in the hydrolysis; therefore, the reaction rate is twice as high as the rate of the mononuclear analogue (kNA = 0.78 M-1 s-1). The complexes with a monoaryl spacer show saturation kinetics with the formation of a Michaelis-Menten adduct. Their hydrolysis rates are 40 times higher than that of the Zn[12]aneN4 system (kNA approximately 4 M-1 s-1). Zn2L6 is a hybrid between these two mechanisms; a clear saturation curve is not visible nor are the metal cores completely independent from one another. Some of the Zn(II) complexes show a higher hydrolytic activity under physiological conditions compared to other previously reported complexes of this type.     

Synthesis of mono- and di-[12]aneN3 ligands and study on the catalytic cleavage of RNA model 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate with their metal complexes

A series of mono- and di-[12]aneN(3) ligands 1-6, which contain different substituents on the coordinating backbone, different linkers between two [12]aneN(3) units and different N-methylation on the [12]aneN(3) units, have been synthesized and fully characterized. The catalytic activities of their metal complexes on the cleavage of RNA model phosphate 2-hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP) varied with the structures of the ligands and metal ions. Click reactions afforded an efficient method to prepare a series of [12]aneN(3) ligands, however, the incorporation of triazole moieties reduced the catalytic activities due to their coordination with metal ions and the strong inhibition from the triflate counter ion. Dinuclear zinc(II) complexes containing an m-xylyl bridge showed higher catalytic activities with synergistic effects up to 700-fold. Copper(II) complexes with the ligands without triazole moieties proved to be highly reactive and showed strong cooperativity between the two copper(II) ions. In terms of k(2), dinuclear complexes Zn(2)-3b, Zn(2)-3d, Zn(2)-4b, and Cu(2)-4b afforded activities of 7.9 × 10(5), 3.9 × 10(4), 9.0 × 10(4), and 8.1 × 10(4)-fold higher than that of methoxide. The ortho arrangement of the two [12]aneN(3) units and the presence of 5- or 2-positioned substituents in the benzene ring as well as N-methylation of [12]aneN(3) units greatly reduced the catalytic activities due to the steric effects. These results clearly indicate that the structures of the linker between two [12]aneN(3) units play very important role in their catalytic synergistic effects.     

Metal-mediated reaction modeled on nature: the activation of isothiocyanates initiated by zinc thiolate complexes

On the basis of detailed theoretical studies of the mode of action of carbonic anhydrase (CA) and models resembling only its reactive core, a complete computational pathway analysis of the reaction between several isothiocyanates and methyl mercaptan activated by a thiolate-bearing model complex [Zn(NH(3))(3)SMe](+) was performed at a high level of density functional theory (DFT). Furthermore, model reactions have been studied in the experiment using relatively stable zinc complexes and have been investigated by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and Raman spectroscopy. The model complexes used in the experiment are based upon the well-known azamacrocyclic ligand family ([12]aneN(4), [14]aneN(4), i-[14]aneN(4), and [15]aneN(4)) and are commonly formulated as ([Zn([X]aneN(4))(SBn)]ClO(4). As predicted by our DFT calculations, all of these complexes are capable of insertion into the heterocumulene system. Raman spectroscopic investigations indicate that aryl-substituted isothiocyanates predominantly add to the C═N bond and that the size of the ring-shaped ligands of the zinc complex also has a very significant influence on the selectivity and on the reactivity as well. Unfortunately, the activated isothiocyanate is not able to add to the thiolate-corresponding mercaptan to invoke a CA analogous catalytic cycle. However, more reactive compounds such as methyl iodide can be incorporated. This work gives new insight into the mode of action and reaction path variants derived from the CA principles. Further, aspects of the reliability of DFT calculations concerning the prediction of the selectivity and reactivity are discussed. In addition, the presented synthetic pathways can offer a completely new access to a variety of dithiocarbamates.     

Synthesis and properties of one-dimensional Ni(Ⅱ) and Ni(Ⅱ)Cu(Ⅱ) complexes linked by hydrogen bond

Four dithiooxalato (Dto) bridged one-dimensional Ni(ll) and Ni(ll)Cu(ll) complexes (Me6[14]dieneN4)Ni2(Dto)2) (1), (Me6[14]dieneN4)CuNi(Dto)2 (2), (Me6[14]aneN4)Ni2(Dto)2 (3), and (Me6[14]aneN4)CuNi(Dto)2(4), were synthesized. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV and ESR spectra. The crystal structure of complex 3 was determined. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c with a = 2.2425(4) nm, b = 1.0088(2) nm, c=1.4665(3) nm, β= 125.32(3)° ;Z=4; R = 0.076, Rw = 0.079. In the complex, Ni(1) coordinates four sulphur atoms of two Dto ligands in plane square environment. Ni(2) lies in the center of mac-rocyclic ligand. For Dto ligand, two sulphur atoms coordinate Ni(1), and O(1) coordinates Ni(2) and forms weak coordination bond. O(2) is linked to N(2) of macrocyclic ligand through hydrogen bond.     

Pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes double bridged by phosphate ester or phosphinate ligands: spectroscopic, structural, kinetic, and magnetic studies

The bis(phosphatediester)-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)P(OR)(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (1), Bu (2), Ph (3), Ph-4-NO(2) (4); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; R=Me (5), Bu (6), Ph (7), Ph-4-NO(2) (8)] were prepared by hydrolysis of the phosphate triester with the hydroxo complex [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) or by acid-base reaction of the dialkyl or diaryl phosphoric acid and the above hydroxo complex. The acid-base reaction was also used to synthesise the phosphinate-bridged complexes [[Ni([12]aneN(3))(mu-O(2)PR(2))](2)](PF(6))(2) [[12]aneN(3)=Me(3)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (9), Ph (10); [12]aneN(3)=Me(4)[12]aneN(3), R=Me (11), Ph (12)]. The molecular structures of complexes 2, 3 and 12 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The eight-membered rings defined by the nickel atoms and the bridging ligands show distorted twist-boat, chair and boat-boat conformations in 2, 3 and 12, respectively. The experimental susceptibility data for compounds 2, 3 and 12 were fitted by least-squares methods to the analytical expression given by Ginsberg. The best fit was obtained with values of J=-0.11 cm(-1), D=-9.5 cm(-1) and g=2.20 for 2; J=-0.97 cm(-1), D=-9.3 cm(-1) and g=2.21 for 3; and J=-0.14 cm(-1), D=-11.9 cm(-1) and g=2.195 for 12. The magnetic-exchange pathways must involve the phosphate/phosphinate bridges, because these favour antiferromagnetic interactions. The observation of a higher exchange parameter for compound 3 is a consequence of a favourable disposition of the O-P-O bridges. The kinetics for the hydrolysis of TNP (tris(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate) with the dinuclear nickel(II) hydroxo complex [[Ni(Me(3)[12]aneN(3))(mu-OH)](2)](PF(6))(2) was studied by UV-visible spectroscopy. The proposed mechanism for TNP-promoted hydrolysis can be described as one-substrate/two-product, and can be fitted to a Michaelis-Menten equation.     

Conformational and stereochemical flexibility in cadmium(II) complexes of aza-thioether macrocycles

The synthesis and crystal structures of four CdII macrocyclic complexes containing mixed N-, O- and S-donors, [Cd(NO3)2([12]aneN2S2)] (1), [Cd(NO3)2([12]aneNS3)] (2), [Cd(NO3)2([15]aneNO2S2)] (3) and [Cd(NO3)([15]aneN2O2S)]NO3 (4), are presented. The metal ion is coordinated outside of the macrocyclic cavity in the complexes of the smaller macrocycles ([12]aneN2S2 and [12]aneNS3) while the flexibility of the larger macrocycles in and allows very different conformations to be adopted with a 'butterfly' geometry in and a flattened geometry in. No correlation between the number of sulfur donors and Cd-S bond distance in these types of complexes is observed, although the number and binding mode of the nitrato ligands is determined by the conformation and binding mode of the macrocycle. The position of the nitrato ligand also influences, through steric conflicts with the macrocyclic donor atoms, the bond distances in both ligand systems.     

Synergic effect of two metal centers in catalytic hydrolysis of methionine-containing peptides promoted by dinuclear palladium(II) hexaazacyclooctadecane complex

The species obtained by the reaction of [Pd2([18]aneN6)Cl2](ClO4)2(where [18]aneN6 is 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaazacyclooctadecane) with AgBF4 have been determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to be an equilibrium mixture of three major types of dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations, [Pd2(mu-O)([18]aneN6)]2+, [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ and [Pd2(H2O)(OH)([18]aneN6)](3+), in aqueous solution. The hydroxo-group-bridged one, [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+, is a dominant species, whose crystal structure has been obtained. The crystal structure of [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)](ClO4)3 shows that each Pd(II) ion in the dinuclear complex is tetra-coordinated by three nitrogen atoms and one hydroxo group bridge in a distorted square configuration. The two Pd(II) ions are 3.09 A apart from each other. The dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations [Pd2(mu-OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ and [Pd2(H2O)(OH)([18]aneN6)]3+ can efficiently catalyze hydrolysis of the amide bond involving the carbonyl group of methionine in methionine-containing peptides with turnover number of larger than 20. In these hydrolytic reactions, the two Pd(II) ions are synergic; one Pd(II) ion anchors to the side chain of methionine and the other one delivers hydroxo group or aqua ligand to carbonyl carbon of methionine, or acts as a Lewis acid to activate the carbonyl group of methionine, resulting in cleavage of Met-X bond. The binding constant of dinuclear Pd(II) complex cations with AcMet-Gly and AcMet were determined by 1H NMR titration to be 282 +/- 2 M(-1) and 366 +/- 4 M(-1), respectively. The relatively low binding constants enable the catalytic cycle and the possible catalytic mechanism is proposed. This is the first artificial mimic of metallopeptidases with two metal active centers.     

Oxamidate-bridged dinuclear five-coordinate nickel(II) complexes: a magneto-structural study

The preparation, spectroscopic characterization, and magnetic study of three new oxamidate-bridged nickel(II) dinuclear complexes of formulas ([Ni(Me3[12]aneN3)]2(mu-oa))(PF6)2 (1), ([Ni(Me3[12]aneN3)]2(mu-dmoa))(PF6)2 (2), and ([Ni(Me3[12]aneN3)]2(mu-dpoa))(PF6)2 (3) (Me3[12]aneN3 = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene, oa = oxamidate, dmoa = N,N'-dimethyloxamidate, and dpoa = N,N'-diphenyloxamidate) are reported. The crystal structures of two of them (1 and 3) have been determined. 1 and 3 crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with Z = 2 and a = 7.901(4) A, b = 13.597(6) A, c = 17.565(10) A, and beta = 96.46(4) degrees for 1 and a = 13.854(3) A, b = 17.469(4) A, c = 12.543(3) A, and beta = 116.22(3) degrees for 3. The structures of 1 and 3 consist of dinuclear ([Ni(Me3[12]aneN3)]2(mu-oa))2+ and ([Ni(Me3[12]aneN3)]2(mu-dpoa))2+ cations and hexafluorophosphate anions. Each nickel in 1-3 is five-coordinate, and the substitution of the hydrogen atom of the amidate nitrogen of 1 by a methyl (2) or a phenyl (3) group causes a significant modification of the stereochemistry of the nickel(II) ions from square pyramidal toward trigonal bipyramidal (tau values of 0.12 and 0.48 for 1 and 3, respectively). The NOESY spectrum of 3 has allowed us to achieve the assignment of the phenyl protons of the N,N'-diphenyloxamidate. The value of magnetic coupling between the two nickel(II) ions across the oxamidate bridge [J = -57.0 (oa, 1), -38.0 (dmoa, 2) and -30.5 cm(-1) (dpoa, 3)] is very sensitive to this stereochemical change, and its variation is explained on the basis of orbital considerations. DFT type calculations have been performed to analyze and substantiate the trend of the magnetic coupling in 1-3.