Four Complexes with the Rigid Ligand 1,4‐Bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene and Varied Carboxylate Ligands

Four metal‐organic coordination polymers [Co₂(L)₃(nipa)₂]·6H₂O ( 1 ), [Cd(L)(nipa)]·3H₂O ( 2 ), [Co(L) (Hoxba)₂] ( 3 ) and [Ni₂(L)₂(oxba)₂(H₂O)]·1.5L·3H₂O ( 4 ) were synthesized by reactions of the corresponding metal(II) salts with the rigid ligand 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)benzene (L) and different derivatives of 5‐nitroisophthalic acid (H₂nipa) and 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoic acid) (H₂oxba), respectively. The structures of the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 3 have the same one‐dimensional (1D) chain while 2 is a 6‐connected twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) network with α ‐Po 4¹²·6³ topology based on the binuclear Cd^II subunits. Compound 4 features a puckered two‐dimensional (2D) (4,4) network, and the large voids of the packing 2D nets have accommodated the uncoordinated L guest molecules. An abundant of N–H···O, O–H···O and C–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions exist in complexes 1–4 , which contributes to stabilize the crystal structure and extend the low‐dimensional entities into high‐dimensional frameworks. Lastly, the photoluminiscent properties of compounds 2 were also investigated.     

A Bis(μ‐oxido)dinickel(III) Complex with a Triplet Ground State

A bis(μ‐oxido)dinickel(III) complex was synthesized and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, resonance Raman, and ESI‐mass measurements. Magnetic susceptibility measurements by SQUID and EPR spectroscopy reveal that the complex has a triplet ground state, which is unprecedented for high‐valent metal (M) complexes with [M₂(μ‐O)₂] diamond core. DFT studies indicate ferromagnetic coupling of the nickel(III) centers. The complex exhibits hydrogen abstraction reactivity and oxygenation reactivity toward external substrates.     

Highly Selective and Catalytic Oxygenations of C−H and C=C Bonds by a Mononuclear Nonheme High‐Spin Iron(III)‐Alkylperoxo Species

The reactivity of a mononuclear high‐spin iron(III)‐alkylperoxo intermediate [Fe^III(t‐BuL^Urea)(OOCm)(OH₂)]²⁺( 2 ), generated from [Fe^II(t‐BuL^Urea)(H₂O)(OTf)](OTf) ( 1 ) [t‐BuL^Urea=1,1′‐(((pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)azanediyl)bis(ethane‐2,1‐diyl))bis(3‐(tert‐butyl)urea), OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate] with cumyl hydroperoxide (CmOOH), toward the C?H and C=C bonds of hydrocarbons is reported. 2 oxygenates the strong C?H bonds of aliphatic substrates with high chemo‐ and stereoselectivity in the presence of 2,6‐lutidine. While 2 itself is a sluggish oxidant, 2,6‐lutidine assists the heterolytic O?O bond cleavage of the metal‐bound alkylperoxo, giving rise to a reactive metal‐based oxidant. The roles of the urea groups on the supporting ligand, and of the base, in directing the selective and catalytic oxygenation of hydrocarbon substrates by 2 are discussed.     

Carbon–Carbon Cross‐Coupling Reactions Catalyzed by a Two‐Coordinate Nickel(II)–Bis(amido) Complex via Observable NiI,NiII, and NiIII Intermediates

Recently, the development of more sustainable catalytic systems based on abundant first‐row metals, especially nickel, for cross‐coupling reactions has attracted significant interest. One of the key intermediates invoked in these reactions is a Ni^III–alkyl species, but no such species that is part of a competent catalytic cycle has yet been isolated. Herein, we report a carbon–carbon cross‐coupling system based on a two‐coordinate Ni^II–bis(amido) complex in which a Ni^III–alkyl species can be isolated and fully characterized. This study details compelling experimental evidence of the role played by this Ni^III–alkyl species as well as those of other key Ni^I and Ni^II intermediates. The catalytic cycle described herein is also one of the first examples of a two‐coordinate complex that competently catalyzes an organic transformation, potentially leading to a new class of catalysts based on the unique ability of first‐row transition metals to accommodate two‐coordinate complexes.     

Structural Studies of a Copper(II) Complex with Inequivalent 2‐Acetylpyridine 3‐Piperidylthiosemicarbazonato Ligands and a Nickel(II) Complex with Different Modes of Coordination by the Two Thiosemicarbazonato Moieties of 1‐Phenylglyoxal Bis{N(4)‐diethylthiosemicarbazone}

The crystal structure of a copper(II) complex of 2‐acetylpyridine 3‐piperidylthiosemicarbazone, [Cu(Acpip)₂], indicates a tridentate, monoanionic ligand (i. e., pyridine nitrogen, imine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms) and a bidentate, monanionic ligand (i. e., imine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms). The stereochemistry approaches square pyramidal with the bidentate ligand occupying an apical (imine nitrogen atom) and basal (thiolato sulfur atom) position. The structure of a nickel(II) complex of 1‐phenylglyoxal N(4)‐diethylthiosemicarbazone, [Ni(Pg4DE)], has a 4‐6‐5 trichelate system rather than the 5‐5‐5 system common to bis(thiosemicarbazones). Coordination of the hydrazinic nitrogen atom of the “phenyl arm” along with the thiolato sulfur atom provides the 4‐membered chelate ring.     

Oxidation Reactivity of Bis(μ‐oxo) Dinickel(III) Complexes: Arene Hydroxylation of the Supporting Ligand

In the nick(el) of time : Bis(μ‐oxo) dinickel(III) complexes 2 (see scheme), generated in the reaction of 1 with H₂O₂, are capable of hydroxylating the xylyl linker of the supporting ligand to give 3 . Kinetic studies reveal that hydroxylation proceeds by electrophilic aromatic substitution. The lower reactivity than the corresponding μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo dicopper(II) complexes can be attributed to unfavorable entropy effects.

     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Catalytic Performance in Oxidation of Styrene and α‐Methyl Styrene of a Nickel(II) Complex Derived from a Schiff Base Ligand

A tetrahedrally‐distorted square‐planar nickel(II) complex of tetradentate Schiff base ligand derived from 2‐hydroxypropiophenone and 2,2′‐dimethylpropandiamine [bis(2‐hydroxypropiophenone)2,2′‐dimethylpropylenediimine] ( H₂L ) was prepared and used as catalyst for oxidation of styrene and α‐methyl styrene with tert‐butylhydroperoxide (TBHP). Oxidation of styrene with TBHP gave benzaldehyde and styrene oxide, but in the case of α‐methylstyrene a mixture of α‐methylstyrene oxide and acetophenone was obtained. The structure of nickel(II) complex ( NiL ) was determined by X‐ray crystallography. Crystal data for NiL at –173 °C: orthorhombic, space group P2₁2₁2₁, a = 907.7(1), b = 1289.4(1), c = 1752.4(1) pm, Z = 4, R₁ = 0.0454.     

Cleavage of C(aryl)−CH3 Bonds in the Absence of Directing Groups under Transition Metal Free Conditions

Organic chemists now can construct carbon–carbon σ‐bonds selectively and sequentially, whereas methods for the selective cleavage of carbon–carbon σ‐bonds, especially for unreactive hydrocarbons, remain limited. Activation by ring strain, directing groups, or in the presence of a carbonyl or a cyano group is usually required. In this work, by using a sequential strategy site‐selective cleavage and borylation of C(aryl)?CH₃ bonds has been developed under directing group free and transition metal free conditions. Methyl groups of various arenes are selectively cleaved and replaced by boryl groups. Mechanistic analysis suggests that it proceeds by a sequential intermolecular oxidation and coupling of a transient aryl radical, generated by radical decarboxylation, involving a pyridine‐stabilized persistent boryl radical.     

Polyol‐Metall‐Komplexe. 491) μ‐Dulcitolato‐O2, 3;4, 5‐Komplexe mit Amin‐Kupfer(II)‐ und ‐Nickel(II)‐Metallfragmenten

Polyol Metal Complexes. 49¹⁾ μ‐Dulcitolato‐O^{2, 3;4, 5} Complexes with Cu^II(en) and Ni^II(tren) Metal Fragments The dinuclear ethylenediamine‐copper(II) complex of the tetra‐anion of the achiral alditol dulcitol (galactitol) is remarkable, since it was the first crystalline carbohydrate—metal complex ever reported (W. Traube, G. Glaubitt, V. Schenck, Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1930 , 63, 2083—2093). Although its existence is recognized for many decades, its structure remained unknown due to a kind of crystal packing that promotes twinning. Crystal growth at low temperatures now yielded crystalline specimens of [(en)₂Cu₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 7 H₂O ( 1 ) that have allowed us to unravel both the crystal structure and the twinning law. Closely related molecular structures are adopted by [(tren)₂Ni₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 20 H₂O ( 2 ) and [(Me₃tren)₂Ni₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 16 H₂O ( 3 ), the latter showing the shortest hydrogen bond towards a polyolate acceptor ever found (O···O distance: 2.422Å).