Self assembly of asymmetric tetranuclear Cu(II) [2 × 2] grid-like complexes and of a dinuclear Ni(II) complex from pyridyl-phenol Schiff base ligands

Self assembly of N-salicylidene 2-aminopyridine (L1H) with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O affords [Cu₄(L1)₄(NO₃)₃(CH₃OH)][Cu(L1)(NO₃)₂](2-aminopyridinium)(NO₃)·5CH₃OH (1) which is composed of an asymmetric [2 × 2] grid-like cationic complex that co-crystallizes with a Cu(II) mononuclear anion. This remarkable tetranuclear unit presents three penta-coordinated and one hexa-coordinated Cu(II) sites. This quadruple helicate structure reveals strong anti-ferromagnetic coupling (J = −340(2) cm⁻¹) between Cu(II) ions through a double alkoxo bridge. Reacting L1H with Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O in slightly different conditions affords however a more symmetric tetranuclear grid-like complex: [Cu₄(L1)₄(NO₃)₂(OH)₂](2-aminopyridinium)(OH)·CH₃OH) (2). A dinuclear Ni(II) complex, [Ni₂(L2)₂(L2H)₂(NCS)₂(CH₃OH)₂]·2CH₃OH (3), obtained with another related donor ligand (L2H = N-salicylidene 3-aminomethylpyridine) was also prepared.     

Solvothermal syntheses and crystal structures of new Cu(II) complexes with phenylsuccinic acid

Five new Cu(II) complexes [Cu(psa)(phen)] · 3H₂O (1), [Cu(psa)(2bpy)] · 0.5H₂O (2), [Cu(psa)(2bpy)(H₂O)] · 3H₂O (3), [Cu(psa)(4bpy)] · H₂O (4), and [Cu(psa)_0.5(N₃)(2bpy)] (5) (H₂psa = phenylsuccinic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 2bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, and 4bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) were obtained under solvothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 2 and 3 were formed by one-pot reaction. In complex 2, Cu(II) ion is four-coordinated and locates at a slightly distorted square center. In complex 3, the coordinated water molecule occupies the axial site of Cu(II) ion forming a tetragonal pyramid geometry. Complexes 1 and 3 are of 1D chain structures, and extended into 2D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds. Complex 2 is of zipper structure, and further assembled into 2D supramolecular network by hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. Complex 4 is a 3D CdSO₄-like structure with twofold interpenetration, while complex 5 is a dinuclear compound. The different structures of complexes 1–5 can be attributed to using the auxiliary ligands, indicating an important role of the auxiliary ligands in assembly and structure of the title complexes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of copper(II), cadmium(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 4,5-diazaspirobifluorene and bis-9-biphenyl-4,5-diazafluorenyl peroxide

The synthesis and structural chemistry of four new divalent transition metal complexes of the fluorene ligands 4,5-diazaspirobifluorene (L1) and bis-9-biphenyl-4,5-diazafluorenyl peroxide (L2), [Cu₃(L1)₄(NO₃)₆(H₂O)₂] · 2CH₃CN (1), [Cu(L1)(CH₃CO₂)₂(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (2), [Cd(L1)₂(NO₃)₂] · DMF (3) (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) and [Zn₂(L2)(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂]_∞ (4) are described. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveal that the four complexes exhibit various frameworks due to diverse coordination modes and different conformations of ligands L1 or L2, as well as nitrate, acetate or chloro counterions. L1 in complexes 1, 2 and 3 present an asymmetric rigid bidentate ligand with two nitrogen atoms as the donor sites. Novel complex 4 was formed through complexation between conformationally bent shaped peroxide ligands and zinc(II) dichlorides that adopt a linear coordination geometry, which can also give rise to extended polymeric chains with a zigzag secondary structure.     

Assembly and structures of five new Cu(II) complexes based on the V-shaped building block [Cu(dbsf)]

Five new copper(II) complexes [Cu(dbsf)(H₂O)]_n · 0.5n(i-C₃H₇OH) (1), [Cu(dbsf)(4,4′-bpy)_0.5]_n · nH₂O (2), [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]₂ · (n-C₃H₇OH) · 0.5H₂O (3), [Cu(dbsf)(phen)(H₂O)]₂ · 1.5H₂O (4) and [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]_n · n(i-C₃H₇OH) (5) (H₂dbsf = 4,4′-dicarboxybiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, i-C₃H₇OH = isopropanol, n-C₃H₇OH = n-propanol) have been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions. All of the complexes are assembled from V-shaped building blocks, [Cu(dbsf)]. Complex 1 is composed of 1D double-chains. In complex 2, dbsf²⁻ ligands and 4,4′-bpy ligands connect Cu(II) ions into catenane-like 2D layers. These catenane-like 2D layers stack in an ABAB fashion to form a 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 3 and 4 are 0D dimers, in which two [Cu(dbsf)] units encircle to form dimetal macrocyclic molecules. However, in complex 5, the V-shaped building blocks [Cu(dbsf)] are joined head-to-tail, resulting in the formation of infinite tooth-like chains. The different structures of complexes 3 and 5 may be attributed to the different solvent molecules included.     

Synthesis,structural characterization and solvent effect of copper(II) complexes with a variational multidentate Salen-type ligand with bisoxime groups

Four new solvent-induced Cu(II) complexes with the chemical formulae [{Cu(HL)(CH₃OH)}₂Cu] · CH₃OH (1), [{(Cu(HL))₂(CH₃CH₂OH)₂}Cu] (2), [{CuL(H₂O)}₂Cu₂] · 2CH₃CH₂CH₂OH (3) and [{(Cu(HL))₂(CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂OH)₂}Cu] (4), where H₄L = 6,6′-dihydroxy-2,2′-[ethylenediyldioxybis(nitrilomethylidyne)]diphenol, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, FT-IR, UV–Vis spectra, TG-DTA, molar conductances and X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1, 2 and 4 have an elongated square-pyramidal geometry with an unusually long bond from the penta-coordinated Cu(II) centres to the oxygen atoms of the apically coordinated solvent (methanol, ethanol or n-butanol) molecules for the terminal Cu(II) ions, and a square planar geometry distorted tetrahedrally for the central Cu(II) ion. In complex 3, the terminal Cu(II) ions have trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometries constituted by equatorial O₂N donor sites, with one oxygen atom from one of the coordinated water molecules and one nitrogen atom from a completely deprotonated L⁴⁻ ligand unit in the axial positions, and the central Cu(II) ions are in slightly tetrahedrally distorted square planar geometries constituted by four phenoxo oxygen donors from two completely deprotonated L⁴⁻ ligand units, and these form a tetrametal Cu–O–Cu–O–Cu–O–Cu–O eight-membered ring. These four complexes exhibit strong hydrogen bonding interactions in the solid state. Moreover, co-crystallizing n-propanol molecules link two other adjacent complex molecules into a self-assembled infinite 2D supramolecular structure via the intermolecular hydrogen bonds in complex 3.     

Interaction of copper(II) and palladium(II) with linked 2,2′-dipyridylamine derivatives: Synthetic and structural studies

Interaction of copper(II) salts with 2,2′-dipyridylamine (1), N-cyclohexylmethyl-2,2′-dipyridylamine (2), di-2-pyridylaminomethylbenzene (3), 1,2-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)-benzene (4), 1,3-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (5), 1,4-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (6), 1,3,5-tris(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (7) and 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene (8) has yielded the following complexes: [Cu(2)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Cu(3)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ · H₂O, [Cu₂(4)(NO₃)₄], [Cu₂(5)(NO₃)₄] · 2CH₃OH, [Cu₂(6)(CH₃OH)₂(NO₃)₄], [Cu₄(8)](NO₃)₄] · 4H₂O while complexation of palladium(II) with 1, 4, 5 and 6 gave [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ · 2CH₃OH, [Pd₂(4)Cl₄], [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄], [Pd₂(5)Cl₄], [Pd₂(6)Cl₄] and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · CH₂Cl₂, respectively. X-ray structures of [Cu(2)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂, [Cu(3)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ · 2C₂H₅OH, [Cu₂(6)(CH₃OH)₂(NO₃)₄], [Pd(1)₂](PF₆)₂ · 2CH₃OH, [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄] · 4H₂O and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · 2CH₂Cl₂ are reported. In part, the inherent flexibility of the respective ligands has resulted in the adoption of a diverse range of coordination geometries and lattice arrangements, with the structures of [Pd₂(4)(OAc)₄] · 4H₂O and [Pd₂(6)(OAc)₄] · 2CH₂Cl₂, incorporating the isomeric ligands 4 and 6, showing some common features. Liquid–liquid (H₂O/CHCl₃) extraction experiments involving copper(II) and 1–3, 5, 7and 8 show that the degree of extraction depends markedly on the number of dpa-subunits (and concomitant lipophilicity) of the ligand employed with the tetrakis-dpa derivative 8 acting as the most efficient extractant of the six ligand systems investigated.     

Heterocyclic thioamides of copper(I): Synthesis and crystal structures of copper complexes with 1,3-imidazoline-2-thiones in the presence of triphenyl phosphine

Reaction of copper(I) chloride with 1,3-imidazoline-2-thione (imzSH) in the presence of Ph₃P in 1:2:2 or 1:1:2 (M:L:PPh₃) molar ratios yielded a compound of unusual composition, [Cu₂(imzSH)(PPh₃)₄Cl₂] · CH₃OH (1), whose X-ray crystallography has shown that its crystals consist of four coordinated [CuCl(1κS-imzSH)(PPh₃)₂] (1a), and three coordinated [Cu(PPh₃)₂Cl] (1b) independent molecules in the same unit cell. In contrast, crystals of complexes of copper(I) bromide/iodide are formed by single molecules of [CuBr(1κS-imzSH)(PPh₃)₂] · H₂O (2) and [CuI(1κS-imzSH)(PPh₃)₂] (3), respectively, similar to molecule 1a. The related ligand, 1,3-benzimidazoline-2-thione (bzimSH) formed a complex [CuBr(1κS-bzimSH)(PPh₃)₂] · CH₃COCH₃ (4), similar to 2. The formation of 1a and 1b has been also revealed by NMR spectroscopy. The NMR spectra of 2–4 also showed weak signals indicating formation of compounds similar to 1b. It reveals that the lability of the Cu–S bond varies in the order: Cl ? Br ∼ I. Weak interactions {e.g. C–H?π electrons of ring, –NH?halogens/oxygen, C–H?halogens/oxygen, π?π (between rings)} have played an important role in building 2D chains of complexes 1–4.     

Assembly molecular architectures based on structural variation of metalloligand [Cu(PySal)2] (PySal = 3-pyridylmethylsalicylideneimino)

A versatile neutral metalloligand [Cu(PySal)₂] (1) (PySal = 3-pyridylmethylsalicylidene-imino) was exploited as a building unit to construct five complexes {Cu[Cu(PySal)₂]₂}(ClO₄)₂ (2), {Cd[Cu(PySal)₂]₂(H₂O)₂]} (NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O · 4CH₃OH (3), {Zn[μ₂-Cu(PySal)₂]Cl₂}_n · nCH₃OH (4), {Hg[μ₂-Cu(PySal)₂]I₂}_n (5) and {Cd[μ₂-Cu(PySal)₂]Cl₂}_n · nCH₂Cl₂ (6). [Cu(PySal)₂] acts as a chelating ligand in discrete complexes 2 and 3 with unbound anions, but as a bis-monodentate bridging ligand in polymers 4, 5 and 6 when halogen anions coordinated cooperatively to metal cations. The coordination geometry of Cu²⁺ is well-defined square planar in bridging [Cu(PySal)₂], analogous to that in free metalloligand (1), but it is distorted square planar in chelating [Cu(PySal)₂].     

Synthesis and spectral studies of cadmium(II) complexes derived from di-2-pyridyl ketone and N-phenylsemicarbazide: First structural report of a cadmium(II) complex of semicarbazone

A new semicarbazone (HL) based on di-2-pyridyl ketone and its three cadmium(II) complexes [CdL(CH₃COO)]₂ · 2CH₃OH (1), Cd(HL)Br₂ (2) and [Cd₂L₂N₃]₂ · H₂O (3) were synthesized and characterized by different physicochemical techniques. The complex, [CdL(CH₃COO)]₂ · 2CH₃OH (1) is having a dimeric structure. In complexes 1 and 3, the ligand moieties are coordinated as monoanionic (L⁻) forms and in complex 2, the ligand is coordinated as neutral (HL) one. The coordination geometry around cadmium(II) in 1 is distorted octahedral, as obtained by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Syntheses, crystal structures of a series of copper(II) complexes and their catalytic activities in the green oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol

Three mixed-ligand Cu^II complexes bearing iminodiacetato (ida) and N-heterocyclic ligands, namely, [Cu₂(ida)₂(bbbm)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O (1), [Cu₂(ida)₂(btx)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O (2) and [Cu₂(ida)₂(pbbm)(H₂O)₂] · H₂O · 3CH₃OH (3) (bbbm = 1,1^′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole, btx = 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, pbbm = 1,1^′-(1,3-propanediyl)bis-1H-benzimidazole), in addition to three fcz-based Cu^II complexes, namely, {[Cu(fcz)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2NO₃}_n (4), {[Cu(fcz)₂(H₂O)] · SO₄ · DMF · 2CH₃OH · 2H₂O}_n (5) and {[Cu(fcz)₂Cl₂] · 2CH₃OH}_n (6) (fcz = 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1,1-bis[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-l-yl) methyl]ethanol) have been prepared according to appropriate synthetic strategies with the aim of exploiting new and potent catalysts. Single crystal X-ray diffraction shows that 1 and 2 possess similar binuclear structures, 3 features a 2D pleated network, and 4 exhibits a 1D polymeric double-chain structure. Complexes 1-6 are tested as catalysts in the green catalysis process of the oxidative coupling of 2,6-dimethylphenol (DMP). Under the optimized reaction conditions, these complexes are catalytically active by showing high conversion of DMP and high selectivity of PPE. The preliminary study of the catalytic-structural correlations suggests that the coordination environment of the copper center have important influences on their catalytic activities.     

Three new pseudohalide bridged dinuclear Zn(II) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis,crystal structures and fluorescence studies

Three new dinuclear Zn(II) complexes [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-N₃)Zn(L)(N₃)] · 1.5H₂O (1), [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-NCO)Zn(L)(NCO)] · 1.5H₂O (2) and [Zn(L)(μ_1,1-NCS)Zn(L)(NCS)(OH₂)] (3) have been synthesized from a potentially tetradentate N₂O₂-donor Schiff base ligand LH, [LH = (OCH₃)(OH)C₆H₃CHN(CH₂)₂N(CH₃)₂], which is the condensation product of o-vanillin and 2-dimethylaminoethylamine. All the three complexes 1, 2 and 3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy, TGA and fluorescence studies. Finally, their structures have been established by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structural studies reveal that in complexes 1, 2 and 3 the two Zn(II) centers are held together by a μ₂-phenolato oxygen atom and also by an end-on pseudohalide nitrogen (azide for 1; cyanate for 2; thiocyanate for 3) atom. Among the two deprotonated Schiff base ligands present in each complex, one acts as a tetradentate ligand (N₂O₂ donor set) while the other acts as a tridentate ligand (N₂O donor set), having a non-coordinated methoxy group. All the synthesized complexes display intraligand ¹(π–π^∗) fluorescence and can potentially serve as photoactive materials.     

Synthesis,crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization and magnetic properties of dimer and monomer ternary copper(II) complexes with sulfonamide derivatives and 1,10-phenanthroline. Nuclease activity by the oxidative mechanism

Three dinuclear and one mononuclear copper(II)-1,10-phenanthroline ternary complexes, [Cu(L1)(phen)(OH)]₂ (1), [Cu(L2)(phen)(OH)]₂·3H₂O (2), [Cu(L3)(phen)(OH)]₂ (3) and [Cu(L4)₂(phen)(H₂O)] (4), with thiadiazole sulfonamide derivative ligands: HL1 (N-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)naphthalene-1-sulfonamide), HL2 (N-(5-ethylthio)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide), HL3 (N-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide) and HL4 (N-(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-4-methylbenzenesulfonamide) have been synthesized and characterized. In the four complexes each copper atom is five-coordinated. The structure of complexes 1, 2 and 3 consists of a dimeric unit with a C2 symmetry axis, where both coppers are bridged by two hydroxo anions. Magnetic measurements show that the dimer complexes are ferromagnetic according to the Cu–O–Cu angles. Cleavage experiments using pUC18 plasmid DNA in the presence of H₂O₂/ascorbic acid as an activating agent show that the title complexes are potent artificial chemical nucleases, the order of efficiency being 3 > 2 ∼ 1 > 4. Control cleavage experiments indicated that the dimer complexes are stronger artificial nucleases than the [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ complex under the same experimental conditions, while the monomer 4 has a lower nuclease activity than the [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ complex. The inhibition of the cleavage process in the presence of reactive oxygen intermediate scavengers suggests that the hydroxyl radical and the superoxide anion are reactive species for the breakage of the DNA strands.     

A series of silver coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(benzimidazole) ligands and different carboxylates

In this article, eight new silver coordination polymers constructed from two structurally related ligands, 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) (bbmb) and 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(2-ethylbenzimedazole) (bbeb), have been synthesized: [Ag(L1)(bbmb)]·C₂H₅OH·H₂O (1), [Ag(L2)(bbmb)]·C₂H₅OH (2), [Ag(L3)(bbmb)] (3), [Ag₂(L4)(bbmb)₂]·C₂H₅OH (4), [Ag(L2)(bbeb)]·C₂H₅OH (5), [Ag(L5)(bbeb)]·CH₃OH (6), [Ag₂(L6)₂(bbeb)]·H₂O (7), and [Ag₂(L7)(bbeb)₂]·4(H₂O) (8), where L1 = benzoate anion, L2 = p-methoxybenzoate anion, L3 = 2-amino-benzoate anion, L4 = oxalate anion, L5 = cinnamate ainon, L6 = 3-amino-benzoate anion, and L7 = fumaric anion. In 1-3, 5 and 6, the bidentate N-donor ligands (bbmb and bbeb) in trans conformations bridge neighboring silver centers to form 1D single chain structures. The carboxylate anions are attached on both sides of the chains. Moreover, 1 and 3 are extended into 2D layers, while 2 and 6 are extended into 3D frameworks through π-π interactions. In 4, the bbmb ligands bridge adjacent Ag(I) centers to form -Ag-bbmb-Ag- chains, which are further connected by L4 anions to form a 2D layer. The resulting layers are extended into 3D frameworks through strong π-π interactions. In 7, the N-donor ligands (bbeb) in trans conformations bridge two silver centers to generate a [Ag₂(bbeb)]²⁺ unit. The adjacent [Ag₂(bbeb)]²⁺ units are further connected via the L6 anions to form a 1D ladder chain. Moreover, the structure of compound 7 is extended into a 3D framework through hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. In 8, two Ag(I) cations are bridged by two bbeb ligands in cis conformations to form a [Ag₂(bbeb)₂]²⁺ ring, which are further linked by L7 anions to generate a 1D string chain. Furthermore, the hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions link L7 anions to form a 2D supramolecular sheet. Additionally, the luminescent properties of these compounds were also studied.     

Four mono-/bi-nuclear palladium(II) complexes of triphenylphosphine and heterocyclic-N/NS ligands: Synthesis, structural characterization and luminescence properties

The reactions of palladium(II) chloride, PPh₃ and heterocyclic-N/NS ligand in a mixture of CH₃CN (5 ml) and CH₃OH (5 ml) produced [PdCl₂(PPh₃)(L1)]·(CH₃CN) (1) (L1 = ADMT = 3-amino-5,6-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazine), [PdCl₂(PPh₃)(L2)] (2) (L2 = 3-CNpy = 3-cyanopyridine), [PdCl(PPh₃)(L3)]₂·(CH₃CN) (3), [PdCl(PPh₃)₂(HL3)]Cl (4) (HL3 = Hmbt = 2-mercaptobenzothiazole). The coordination geometry around the Pd atoms in these complexes is a distorted square plane. In 3, L3 acts as a bidentate ligand, bridging two metal centers, while in 4, HL3 appears as monodentate ligand with one nitrogen donor atom uncoordinated. Complexes 1-4 are characterized by IR, luminescence, NMR and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All complexes exhibit luminescence in solid state at room temperature.     

Copper(II) complexes of a biphenyl-based ligand: Tuning the needs of the metal with those of the ligand

The novel pyrazole-containing tetradentate ligand 2,2′-bis[[(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methyl]amino]-1,1′-biphenyl (N₄-mpz), 1, was synthesized and three Cu(II) complexes, 2–4, were prepared from this compound. These complexes were characterized by a combination of elemental analysis, FAB-MS and electrochemistry and were shown to have the structure of [Cu(N₄-mpz)(Pz)]X₂ where X = BF₄ or ClO₄ or [Cu(N₄-mpz)(Cl)]Cl. The X-ray structure of [Cu(N₄-mpz)(Pz)] (ClO₄)₂ · CH₃OH, 2, was determined and it showed the Cu(II) coordinated by the four nitrogen donors from the ligand along with an exogenous pyrazole donor that had been extracted from another molecule of the ligand. Cyclic voltammetry studies indicated that the complexes undergo quasi-reversible one-electron reductions in acetonitrile at potentials between 396 and 422 mV versus Ag/AgCl.     

Syntheses,structures and luminescent properties of four d-metal coordination polymers based on the 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole ligand

Four d¹⁰-metal coordination polymers based on the 2,4,5-tri(4-pyridyl)-imidazole ligand (Htpim), {[Zn₂(Htpim)₄Cl₄] · 8H₂O}_n (1), {[Cd(tpim)₂(H₂O)₂] · 4CH₃OH}_n (2), {[Cu₂(Htpim)(PPh₃)₂I₂] · CH₃CN}_n (3) and {[Ag(Htpim)](NO₃) · CH₂Cl₂}_n (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, thermogravimetric and X-ray structural analyses. Both complexes 1 and 2 show one dimensional ribbon-like structures. Via intermolecular hydrogen bonds, a 2D supramolecular network and 3D framework are formed for 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 3 shows a 1D zigzag chain with a CuI₂Cu rhomboid dimer. Complex 4 shows a 1D ladder-like polymer with two different metallacycles. The luminescent properties of all the complexes have been studied in the solid state.     

Syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of Cu(II), Co(II) and Ag(I) complexes containing the phosphinic amide ligands

The syntheses, structures and ligand conformations of the complexes trans-Cu(L1)₂(ClO₄)₂, (L1 = N-(2-pyrimidinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 1, [trans-Co(L1)₂(CH₃OH)₂](ClO₄)₂·O(C₂H₅)₂, 2, [trans-Co(L2)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂·2CH₃OH, (L2 = N-(2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 3, [cis-Co(L2)₂(NO₃)](NO₃), 4, and [Ag(L3)(NO₃)(CH₃CN)]_∞, (L3 = N-(6-methyl-2-pyridinyl)-P,P-diphenyl-phosphinic amide), 5, are reported. The L1 and L2 ligands in the monomeric complexes 1-4 chelate the metal centers through the pyrimidyl/pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the phosphinic amide oxygen atoms, whereas the L3 ligands in complex 5 bridge the metal centers, forming a 1-D zigzag chain. The chelating L2 ligands in complexes 3 and 4 adopt cis conformations and the bridging L3 ligand in complex 5 adopts a trans conformation, respectively.     

1D coordination polymers of Cu(II) and Cu(II) dimers with a dicyanomethanide ligand

Several new 1D coordination polymers have been synthesised using the anionic ligand carbamoyldicyanomethanide, C(CN)₂(CONH₂)⁻ (cdm). The polymeric complexes [Cu(cdm)₂(py)₂]·2MeOH (1), [Cu(cdm)₂(4-Etpy)₂]·2MeOH (2), [Cu(cdm)₂(3,5-Me₂pzH)₂]·2MeOH (3) and [Cu(cdm)₂(3-HOCH₂py)₂]·2MeOH (4) (py = pyridine; 3,5-Me₂pzH = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) contain Cu(II) atoms bridged by μ₂-(N,N′) cdm ligands between equatorial and axial coordination sites. The use of monodentate co-ligands brings about polymeric products, in contrast to the use previously of chelating co-ligands which facilitate the formation of discrete products. These 1D polymeric complexes are connected by hydrogen bonding between the amide functionalities and the lattice solvent. In the structures of 3 and 4 the neutral ligands also contain hydrogen bond donor groups that supplement the amide ring motif. Two other complexes have been obtained that are polymeric chains of alkoxide-bridged Cu(II) dimers. The complexes [Cu(cdm)(MeO)(2-amp)] (5) and [Cu(cdm)(dmap)] (6) (2-amp = 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine and dmap = dimethylaminopropoxide) are remarkably similar despite the different ligands that they contain. Bridging between dimers is via μ₂-(N,O) cdm ligands, consequently altering the nature of the hydrogen bonding between adjacent chains compared to the simple polymeric species 1–3.     

Syntheses,structures and hydrolytic properties of copper(II) complexes of asymmetrically N-functionalised 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands

A series of new asymmetrically N-substituted derivatives of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) macrocycle have been prepared from the common precursor 1,4,7-triazatricyclo[5.2.1.0^4,10]decane: 1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L1), 1-isopropyl-4-propyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L2), 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-benzyl-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L3), 1-benzyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L4) and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L5). The corresponding monomeric copper(II) complexes were synthesised and were found to be of composition: [Cu(L1)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C1), [Cu(L4)Cl₂] · 4H₂O (C2), [Cu(L3)(MeCN)](ClO₄)₂ (C3), [Cu(L5)](ClO₄)₂ · MeCN · NaClO₄ (C4) and [Cu(L2)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C5). The X-ray crystal structures of each complex revealed a distorted square-pyramidal copper(II) geometry, with the nitrogen donors on the ligands occupying 3 (C1 and C2), 4 (C3) or 5 (C4) coordination sites on the Cu(II) centre. The metal complexes were tested for the ability to hydrolytically cleave phosphate esters at near physiological conditions, using the model phosphodiester, bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP). The observed rate constants for BNPP cleavage followed the order k_C1 ≈ k_C2 > k_C5 ? k_C3 > k_C4, confirming that tacn-type Cu(II) complexes efficiently accelerate phosphate ester hydrolysis by being able to bind phosphate esters and also form the nucleophile necessary to carry out intramolecular cleavage. Complexes C1 and C2, featuring asymmetrically disubstituted ligands, exhibited rate constants of the same order of magnitude as those reported for the Cu(II) complexes of symmetrically tri-N-alkylated tacn ligands (k ∼ 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹).     

Anion effect on the construction of copper(II) coordination polymers with the twisted ligand bis(4-pyridylthio)methane

The reaction of CuSO₄ · H₂O with 4-bpytm [4-bpytm = bis(4-pyridylthio)methane] in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(SO₄)(4-bpytm)(H₂O)₃] · H₂O (1 · H₂O) while the reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH afforded the complex [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · H₂O (2 · H₂O). The reaction of 4-bpytm with Cu(NO₃)₂ · 3H₂O in EtOH/dmf under microwave irradiation afforded the pseudo-polymorph [Cu(NO₃)₂(4-bpytm)₂] · Solv (2 · Solv). Compound 1 · H₂O forms helical chains while compounds 2 · H₂O and 2 · Solv are 2D coordination polymers with a (4,4) topology based on rhombic grids in 2 · H₂O and on a parquet motif in 2 · Solv. The 3D supramolecular organization through hydrogen bonding is analyzed for the three compounds and their thermal behaviour was also investigated.