Separation,interconversion, and insecticidal activity of the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of novel hydrazone derivatives

A series of cis‐ and trans‐isomers of hydrazone derivatives were separated and analyzed through HPLC with diode‐array detection and HPLC‐MS/MS using ESI and ion trap MS. Two single crystals (A‐5‐1 and C‐2‐1) of the trans‐isomers were obtained and determined using X‐ray crystallography data, and the cis‐ to trans‐isomerization under different conditions was discussed. Both of the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of A‐4 and A‐5 exhibited good insecticidal activities against Plutella xylostella.     

1,3‐Thiazolidine‐dicarboxylates from Thioketones and Thermally Generated Azomethine Ylides

The reaction of 9H‐fluorene‐9‐thione ( 1 ) with the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of dimethyl 1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)aziridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (cis‐ and trans‐ 2 , resp.) in xylene at 110° yielded exclusively the spirocyclic cycloadduct with trans‐ and cis‐configurations, respectively (trans‐ and cis‐ 3 , resp.; Scheme 1). Analogously, less‐reactive thioketones, e.g., thiobenzophenone ( 5 ), and cis‐ 2 reacted stereoselectively to give the corresponding trans‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylate (e.g., trans‐ 8 ; Scheme 2). On the other hand, the reaction of 5 and trans‐ 2 proceeded in a nonstereoselective course to provide a mixture of trans‐ and cis‐substituted cycloadducts. This result can be explained by an isomerization of the intermediate azomethine ylide. Dimethyl 1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylates 14 and 15 were formed in the thermal reaction of dimethyl aziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate 11 with aromatic thioketones (Scheme 3). On treatment of 14 and 15 with Raney‐Ni in refluxing EtOH, a desulfurization and ring‐contraction led to the formation of azetidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylates 17 and 18 , respectively (Scheme 4).     

Structural Properties and Stereochemically Distinct Folding Preferences of 4,5‐cis and trans‐Methano‐L‐Proline Oligomers: The Shortest Crystalline PPII‐Type Helical Proline‐Derived Tetramer

The synthesis, structural properties, and folding patterns of a series of L ‐proline methanologues represented by cis‐ and trans‐4,5‐methano‐L ‐proline amides and their oligomers are reported as revealed by X‐ray crystallography, circular dichroism measurements, and DFT calculations. We disclose the first example of a crystalline tetrameric proline congener to exhibit a polyproline II helical conformation. Experimental evidence of PPII‐type helical arrangement (both in solution and in the solid state) of cis‐4,5‐methano‐L ‐proline oligomers is supported by theoretical calculations reflecting the extent of n→π* stabilization of the trans‐amide conformation.     

Thermal [2+3]‐Cycloadditions of trans‐1‐Methyl‐2,3‐diphenylaziridine with CS and CC Dipolarophiles: An Unexpected Course with Dimethyl Dicyanofumarate

The thermal reaction of trans‐1‐methyl‐2,3‐diphenylaziridine (trans‐ 1a ) with aromatic and cycloaliphatic thioketones 2 in boiling toluene yielded the corresponding cis‐2,4‐diphenyl‐1,3‐thiazolidines cis‐ 4 via conrotatory ring opening of trans‐ 1a and a concerted [2+3]‐cycloaddition of the intermediate (E,E)‐configured azomethine ylide 3a (Scheme 1). The analogous reaction of cis‐ 1a with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate ( 5 ) gave dimethyl trans‐2,5‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐2,5‐diphenylpyrrole‐3,4‐dicarboxylate (trans‐ 6 ) in accord with orbital‐symmetry‐controlled reactions (Scheme 2). On the other hand, the reactions of cis‐ 1a and trans‐ 1a with dimethyl dicyanofumarate ( 7a ), as well as that of cis‐ 1a and dimethyl dicyanomaleate ( 7b ), led to mixtures of the same two stereoisomeric dimethyl 3,4‐dicyano‐1‐methyl‐2,5‐diphenylpyrrolidine‐3,4‐dicarboxylates 8a and 8b (Scheme 3). This result has to be explained via a stepwise reaction mechanism, in which the intermediate zwitterions 11a and 11b equilibrate (Scheme 6). In contrast, cis‐1,2,3‐triphenylaziridine (cis‐ 1b ) and 7a gave only one stereoisomeric pyrrolidine‐3,4‐dicarboxylate 10 , with the configuration expected on the basis of orbital‐symmetry control, i.e., via concerted reaction steps (Scheme 10). The configuration of 8a and 10 , as well as that of a derivative of 8b , were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Coordination‐Driven Macrocyclization for Locking of Photo‐ and Thermal cis→trans Isomerization of Azobenzene

Both trans and cis isomers of azobenzene‐linked bis‐terpyridine ligand L1 were incorporated in rigid macrocycles linked by Fe^II(tpy)₂ (tpy: terpyridine) units. The complex of the longer trans‐ L1 is dinuclear [(trans‐ L1 )₂ ? Fe^II₂], whereas the complex of the shorter cis‐ L1 is mononuclear [cis‐ L1? Fe^II]. The complex cis‐ L1? Fe^II was not only thermally stable but also photochemically inactive. These results indicate a perfectly locked state of cis‐azobenzene. The stable macrocyclic structure of cis‐ L1? Fe^II causes locking of the isomerization. To the best of our knowledge, this is first example of dual locking of photo‐ and thermal isomerization of cis‐azobenzene.     

1,5‐Dipolar Electrocyclizations of Thiocarbonyl Ylides Bearing CN Groups: Reactions of N‐[(Dimethylamino)methylene]thiobenzamide and 2‐(Dimethylhydrazono)‐1‐phenylethane‐1‐thione with Diazo Compounds

The reactions of thiobenzamide 8 with diazo compounds proceeded via reactive thiocarbonyl ylides as intermediates, which underwent either a 1,5‐dipolar electrocyclization to give the corresponding five membered heterocycles, i.e., 4‐amino‐4,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazole derivatives (i.e., 10a, 10b, 10c , cis‐ 10d , and trans‐ 10d ) or a 1,3‐dipolar electrocyclization to give the corresponding thiiranes as intermediates, which underwent a S_Ni′‐like ring opening and subsequent 5‐exo‐trig cyclization to yield the isomeric 2‐amino‐2,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazole derivatives (i.e., 11a, 11b, 11c , cis‐ 11d , and trans‐ 11d ). In general, isomer 10 was formed in higher yield than isomer 11 . In the case of the reaction of 8 with diazo(phenyl)methane ( 3d ), a mixture of two pairs of diastereoisomers was formed, of which two, namely cis‐ 10d and trans‐ 10d , could be isolated as pure compounds. The isomers cis‐ 11d and trans‐ 11d remained as a mixture. In the reactions of the thioxohydrazone 9 with diazo compounds 3b and 3d , the main products were the alkenes 18 and 23 , respectively. Their formation was rationalized by a 1,3‐dipolar electrocyclization of the corresponding thiocarbonyl ylide and subsequent desulfurization of the intermediate thiiran. As minor products, 2,5‐dihydro‐1,3‐thiazol‐5‐amines 21 and 24 were obtained, which have been formed by 1,5‐dipolar electrocyclization of the thiocarbonyl ylide, followed by a 1,3‐shift of the dimethylamino group.     

Diastereoselective Alkylation of a Proline‐Derived Bicyclic Lactim Ether

N‐Boc‐protected L ‐proline ( 6 ) was converted into the bicyclic lactim ether (8aS)‐6,7,8,8a‐tetrahydro‐1‐methoxypyrrolo[1,2‐a]pyrazin‐4(3H)‐one ( 5 ) in four steps (Scheme 1). Deprotonation with LDA or LHMDS and subsequent alkylation resulted in the diastereoisomeric products cis‐ and trans‐ 9 . The diastereoselectivity was mainly dependent on the electrophile. Whereas small alkyl halides gave preferably cis‐ 9 , sterically more‐demanding alkyl halides resulted in cis/trans mixtures. Electrophiles bearing a π‐system favored the trans‐products 9 . Some isolated cis‐ and trans‐lactim ethers 9 were converted to the corresponding diketopiperazines cis‐ and trans‐ 10 by acid hydrolysis. The structures and configurations of several compounds were confirmed by NMR and NOE experiments, as well as by X‐ray crystallography (Figs. 1–4).     

Fused‐ring nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles by a tandem SN2‐michael addition reaction

A tandem S_N2‐Michael addition reaction has been developed for the synthesis of cis‐ and trans‐fused nitrogen and sulfur heterocycles from the cis and trans isomers of ethyl (±)‐(2E)‐3‐[2‐(iodomethyl)cyclo‐hexyl]‐2‐propenoate. Octahydro‐1H‐isoindole‐1‐acetic acid and octahydrobenzo[c]thiophene‐1‐acetic acid derivatives have been prepared and their stereochemistries elucidated using NMR and X‐ray crystallo‐graphic methods. Cyclization substrates for both the cis‐ and the trans‐fused rings are readily available in four steps from known compounds. Yields for the cyclization range from 80‐85% and stereochemical selec‐tivities with respect to the side chain vary from 12.5‐16:1 for the cis‐fused structures to 6‐7.5:1 for the trans‐fused structures. Steric interactions in the transition states for ring closure are proposed to rationalize the observed preferences.     

Interactions of Molecules with cis and trans Double Bonds: A Theoretical Study of cis‐ and trans‐2‐Butene

Noncovalent interactions of cis‐ and trans‐2‐butene, as the smallest model systems of molecules with cis and trans double bonds, were studied to find potential differences in interactions of these molecules. The study was performed using quantum chemical methods including very accurate CCSD(T)/CBS method. We studied parallel and displaced parallel interactions in 2‐butene dimers, in butane dimers, and between 2‐butene and saturated butane. The results show the trend that interactions of 2‐butene with butane are the strongest, followed by interactions in butane dimers, whereas the interaction in 2‐butene dimers are the weakest. The strongest calculated interaction energy is between trans‐2‐butene and butane, with a CCSD(T)/CBS energy of ?2.80 kcal mol^?1. Interactions in cis‐2‐butene dimers are stronger than interactions in trans‐2‐butene dimers. Interestingly, some of the interactions involving 2‐butene are as strong as interactions in a benzene dimer. These insights into interactions of cis‐ and trans‐2‐butene can improve understanding of the properties and processes that involve molecules with cis and trans double bonds, such as fatty acids and polymers.     

New Studies on [2+3] Cycloadditions of Thermally Generated N‐Isopropyl‐ and N‐(4‐Methoxyphenyl)‐Substituted Azomethine Ylides

The thermal reaction of 1‐substituted 2,3‐diphenylaziridines 2 with thiobenzophenone ( 6a ) and 9H‐fluorene‐9‐thione ( 6b ) led to the corresponding 1,3‐thiazolidines (Scheme 2). Whereas the cis‐disubstituted aziridines and 6a yielded only trans‐2,4,5,5‐tetraphenyl‐1,3‐thiazolidines of type 7 , the analogous reaction with 6b gave a mixture of trans‐ and cis‐2,4‐diphenyl‐1,3‐thiazolidines 7 and 8 . During chromatography on SiO₂, the trans‐configured spiro[9H‐fluorene‐9,5′‐[1,3]thiazolidines] 7c and 7d isomerized to the cis‐isomers. The substituent at N(1) of the aziridine influences the reaction rate significantly, i.e., the more sterically demanding the substituent the slower the reaction. The reaction of cis‐2,3‐diphenylaziridines 2 with dimethyl azodicarboxylate ( 9 ) and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate ( 11 ) gave the trans‐cycloadducts 10 and 12 , respectively (Schemes 3 and 4). In the latter case, a partial dehydrogenation led to the corresponding pyrroles. Two stereoisomeric cycloadducts, 15 and 16 , with a trans‐relationship of the Ph groups were obtained from the reaction with dimethyl fumarate ( 14 ; Scheme 5); with dimethyl maleate ( 17 ), the expected cycloadduct 18 together with the 2,3‐dihydropyrrole 19 was obtained (Scheme 6). The structures of the cycloadducts 7b, 8a, 15b , and 16b were established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Unexpected Formation of Dimethylthioketene Cycloadducts in the Reaction of 1,3‐Diphenylaziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate with Cyclobutanethione Derivatives

The reaction of 2,2,4,4‐tetramethyl‐3‐thioxocyclobutanone ( 1 ) with cis‐1‐alkyl‐2,3‐diphenylaziridines 5 in boiling toluene yielded the expected trans‐configured spirocyclic 1,3‐thiazolidines 6 (Scheme 1). Analogously, dimethyl trans‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)aziridine‐2,3‐dicarboxylate (trans‐ 7 ) reacted with 1 and the corresponding dithione 2 , respectively, to give spirocyclic 1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐dicarboxylates 8 (Scheme 2). However, mixtures of cis‐ and trans‐derivatives were obtained in these cases. Unexpectedly, the reaction of 1 with dimethyl 1,3‐diphenylaziridine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate ( 11 ) led to a mixture of the cycloadduct 13 and 5‐(isopropylidene)‐4‐phenyl‐1,3‐thiazolidine‐2,2‐dicarboxylate ( 14 ), a formal cycloadduct of azomethine ylide 12 with dimethylthioketene (Scheme 3). The regioisomeric adduct 16 was obtained from the reaction between 2 and 11 . The structures of 6b , cis‐ 8a , cis‐ 8b, 10 , and 16 have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Structure‐Dependent cis/trans Isomerization of Tetraphenylethene Derivatives: Consequences for Aggregation‐Induced Emission

The isomerization and optical properties of the cis and trans isomers of tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivatives with aggregation‐induced emission (AIEgens) have been sparsely explored. We have now observed the tautomerization‐induced isomerization of a hydroxy‐substituted derivative, TPETH‐OH, under acidic but not under basic conditions. Replacing the proton of the hydroxy group in TPETH‐OH with an alkyl group leads to the formation of TPETH‐MAL, for which the pure cis and trans isomers were obtained and characterized by HPLC analysis and NMR spectroscopy. Importantly, cis‐TPETH‐MAL emits yellow fluorescence in DMSO at ?20 °C whereas trans‐TPETH‐MAL shows red fluorescence under the same conditions. Moreover, the geometry of cis‐ and trans‐TPETH‐MAL remains unchanged when they undergo thiol–ene reactions to form cis‐ and trans‐TPETH‐cRGD, respectively. Collectively, our findings improve our fundamental understanding of the cis/trans isomerization and photophysical properties of TPE derivatives, which will guide further AIEgen design for various applications.     

Structural Isomers of Bis(diphenylarsino)methane‐dichloroplatinum(II)

From a range of preparative methods, three geometric isomers of bis(diphenylarsino)methane‐dichloroplatinum(II) have been isolated, viz. cis‐PtCl₂(dpam), trans, trans‐Pt₂Cl₄(dpam)₂ and cis, trans‐Pt₂Cl₄(dpam)₂. Their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

trans–cis Photoisomerization of Azobenzene‐Conjugated Dithiolato‐Bipyridine Platinum(II) Complexes: Extension of Photoresponse to Longer Wavelengths and Photocontrollable Tristability

Azobenzene derivatives modified with dithiolato‐bipyridine platinum(II) complexes were synthesized, revealing their highly extended photoresponses to the long wavelength region as well as unique photocontrollable tristability. The absorptions of trans‐ 1 and trans‐ 2 with one azobenzene group on the dithiolene and bipyridine ligands, respectively, cover the range from 300 to 700 nm. These absorptions are ascribed, by means of time‐dependent (TD)DFT calculations, to transitions from dithiolene(π) to bipyridine(π*), namely, interligand charge transfer (CT), π–π*, and n–π* transitions of the azobenzene unit, and π–π* transitions of the bipyridine ligand. In addition, only trans‐ 1 shows distinctive electronic bands, assignable to transitions from the dithiolene(π) to azobenzene(π*), defined as intraligand CT. Complex 1 shows photoisomerization behavior opposite to that of azobenzene: trans‐to‐cis and cis‐to‐trans conversions proceed with 405 and 312 nm irradiation, which correspond to excitation with the intraligand CT, and π–π* bands of the azobenzene and bipyridine units, respectively. In contrast, complex 2 shows photoisomerization similar to that of azobenzene: trans‐to‐cis and cis‐to‐trans transformations occur with 365 and 405 nm irradiation, respectively. Irradiation at 578 nm, corresponding to excitation of the interligand CT transitions, results in cis‐to‐trans conversion of both 1 and 2 , which is the longest wavelength ever reported to effect the photoisomerization of the azobenzene group. The absorption and photochromism of 4 , which has azobenzene groups on both the dithiolato and bipyridine ligands, have characteristics quite similar to those of 1 and 2 , which furnishes 4 with photocontrollable tristability in a single molecule using light at 365, 405, and 578 nm. We also clarified that 1 and 2 have high photoisomerization efficiencies, and good thermal stability of the cis forms. Complexes 3 and 5 have almost the identical photoresponse to those of their positional isomers, complexes 2 and 4 .     

Efficient Separation of cis‐ and trans‐1,2‐Dichloroethene Isomers by Adaptive Biphen[3]arene Crystals

Reported here is the highly efficient separation of industrially important cis‐ and trans‐1,2‐dichloroethene (cis‐DCE and trans‐DCE) isomers by activated crystalline 2,2′,4,4′‐tetramethoxyl biphen[3]arene (MeBP3) materials, MeBP3α. MeBP3 can be synthesized in excellent yield (99 %), and a cyclic pentamer is also obtained when using 1,2‐dichloroethane as the solvent. The structure of MeBP3 in the CH₃CN@MeBP3 crystal displays a triangle‐shape topology, forming 1D channels through window‐to‐window packing. Desolvated crystalline MeBP3 materials, MeBP3α, preferentially adsorb cis‐DCE vapors over its trans isomer. MeBP3α is able to separate cis‐DCE from a 50:50 (v/v) cis/trans‐isomer mixture, yielding cis‐DCE with a purity of 96.4 % in a single adsorption cycle. Single‐crystal structures and powder X‐ray diffraction patterns indicate that the uptake of cis‐DCE triggers a solid‐state structural transformation of MeBP3, suggesting the adaptivity of MeBP3α materials during the sorption process. Moreover, the separation can be performed over multiple cycles without loss of separation selectivity and capacity.     

Analogues of α‐Campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐Trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde) as Building Blocks for (+)‐β‐Necrodol (= (1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐Trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol) and Sandalwood‐like Alcohols

To complete our panorama in structure–activity relationships (SARs) of sandalwood‐like alcohols derived from analogues of α‐campholenal (= (1R)‐2,2,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐3‐ene‐1‐acetaldehyde), we isomerized the epoxy‐isopropyl‐apopinene (?)‐ 2d to the corresponding unreported α‐campholenal analogue (+)‐ 4d (Scheme 1). Derived from the known 3‐demethyl‐α‐campholenal (+)‐ 4a , we prepared the saturated analogue (+)‐ 5a by hydrogenation, while the heterocyclic aldehyde (+)‐ 5b was obtained via a Bayer‐Villiger reaction from the known methyl ketone (+)‐ 6 . Oxidative hydroboration of the known α‐campholenal acetal (?)‐ 8b allowed, after subsequent oxidation of alcohol (+)‐ 9b to ketone (+)‐ 10 , and appropriate alkyl Grignard reaction, access to the 3,4‐disubstituted analogues (+)‐ 4f,g following dehydration and deprotection. (Scheme 2). Epoxidation of either (+)‐ 4b or its methyl ketone (+)‐ 4h , afforded stereoselectively the trans‐epoxy derivatives 11a,b , while the minor cis‐stereoisomer (+)‐ 12a was isolated by chromatography (trans/cis of the epoxy moiety relative to the C₂ or C₃ side chain). Alternatively, the corresponding trans‐epoxy alcohol or acetate 13a,b was obtained either by reduction/esterification from trans‐epoxy aldehyde (+)‐ 11a or by stereoselective epoxidation of the α‐campholenol (+)‐ 15a or of its acetate (?)‐ 15b , respectively. Their cis‐analogues were prepared starting from (+)‐ 12a . Either (+)‐ 4h or (?)‐ 11b , was submitted to a Bayer‐Villiger oxidation to afford acetate (?)‐ 16a . Since isomerizations of (?)‐ 16 lead preferentially to β‐campholene isomers, we followed a known procedure for the isomerization of (?)‐epoxyverbenone (?)‐ 2e to the norcampholenal analogue (+)‐ 19a . Reduction and subsequent protection afforded the silyl ether (?)‐ 19c , which was stereoselectively hydroborated under oxidative condition to afford the secondary alcohol (+)‐ 20c . Further oxidation and epimerization furnished the trans‐ketone (?)‐ 17a , a known intermediate of either (+)‐β‐necrodol (= (+)‐(1S,3S)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐methylenecyclopentanemethanol; 17c ) or (+)‐(Z)‐lancifolol (= (1S,3R,4Z)‐2,2,3‐trimethyl‐4‐(4‐methylpent‐3‐enylidene)cyclopentanemethanol). Finally, hydrogenation of (+)‐ 4b gave the saturated cis‐aldehyde (+)‐ 21 , readily reduced to its corresponding alcohol (+)‐ 22a . Similarly, hydrogenation of β‐campholenol (= 2,3,3‐trimethylcyclopent‐1‐ene‐1‐ethanol) gave access via the cis‐alcohol rac‐ 23a , to the cis‐aldehyde rac‐ 24 .     

Isomerizations of CH3SO2: Quantum Chemistry and Topological Study

The structures, stabilities and the isomerization reactions of CH₃SO₂ isomers in a doublet electronic state have been studied at B3LYP/6‐311+ +G (d,p), MP2/6‐311++G (d,p) and CCSD(T)/6‐311++G (d,p) levels. The three different levels of calculation give the similar results: thirteen minimum isomers were located and they were connected by eleven transition states. Among the thirteen isomers, cis‐CH₃OSO, trans‐CH₃OSO and CH₃SO₂ are the most stable species, and they should be detected easily in experiment. This is well consistent with the experimental result. These isomers could isomerize to each other by chemical bond vibration, chemical bond rotation and atom migration. The non‐planar ring structure transition state (STS), which was found in this paper, extended the concept of ring STS to the non‐planar systems.     

Quantum topology phase diagrams for the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of the cyclic contryphan‐Sm peptide

Within the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) framework we present a quantum topology phase diagram (QTPD) using the Poincaré–Hopf relation of a total of 17 all new QTAIM topologies of the cis‐ and trans‐isomers of the cyclic contryphan‐Sm peptide. The resultant QTPD consists of separate regions for the cis‐ and trans‐isomers that only overlap for topologies associated with the lowest energy minima of the cis‐ and trans‐isomers. We determine the QTAIM topologies of 29 “missing” isomers. A new, contracted formulation of the QTPD is presented, this contracted formulation includes the interamino acid bond critical points (BCPs) that link together the amino acid units, the disulphide bridge “pivot” BCP and side chain bonding interactions. The seven interamino acid BCPs linking the amino acid units coincide with the so‐called peptide backbone, the conventional qualitative approach to reduce the complexity of the peptide. We expand the interpretation of ellipticity to include the associated eigenvectors and find that higher values of the ellipticity ? are associated with a greater preference to conserve folding states. We quantify previous qualitative findings that suggested the disulfide bond is central to the folding behavior of the cyclic contryphan‐Sm peptide and why the cis‐isomer is the major form of the cyclic contryphan‐Sm peptide. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis,Structures, Ligand Substitution Reactions,and Electrochemistry of the Nitrile Complexes cis‐[Ru(dppm)2Cl(NCR)]+ PF6– (dppm = Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane,R = CH3, C2H5, tBu,Ph)

Isomerically pure nitrile complexes cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl(NCR)]⁺ ( 2 a – d ) are formed upon chloride displacement from cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl₂] ( 1 ) or, alternatively, by ligand substitution from the acetonitrile complex 2 a . This latter approach does also allow for the introduction of pyridine ( 3 a , b ), heptamethyldisilazane ( 4 ) or isonitrile ligands ( 5 ). All complexes are obtained as the configurationally stable cis‐isomers. Only cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl(CN^tBu)]⁺ slowly isomerizes to the trans from. The solid state structures of the CH₃CN, C₂H₅CN and the trans‐^tBuNC complexes were established by X‐ray crystallography. Electrochemical investigations of the nitrile complexes 2 a – d show in addition to a chemically reversible one‐electron oxidation an irrversible reduction step. In CH₂Cl₂ solution, cis‐ and trans‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl₂] have been identified as the final products of the electrochemically induced reaction sequence.     

Cis‐trans Isomerism in Copper(II) Complexes with N‐acyl Thiourea Ligands

The N‐acyl thiourea complexes bis[N,N‐diethyl‐N′‐(p‐nitrobenzoyl)‐thioureato]copper(II) ( 1a,1b ) and bis(N,N‐diphenyl‐N′‐benzoylthioureato)copper(II) ( 2a,2b ) crystallize in each case in two modifications. X‐ray structural analysis shows that 1a and 1b are cis‐trans isomers. This is very unusual for N‐acyl thioureato complexes because with exception of one platinum(II) complex up to now only cis complexes have been found. In contrast X‐ray structural analysis of both forms 2a and 2b of the other complex shows no cis‐trans pair. Both modifications are cis complexes. In solution both isomers of the copper(II) complexes are observable by EPR spectroscopy.