Synthesis, characterization and bromination of bis(phosphinoferrocenyl) gold(I) compounds

Reaction of [(dppf)Au₂Br₂] (3) {dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene} and [(dippf)Au₂Br₂] (4) {dippf = 1,1′-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ferrocene} with excess bromine yields two new complexes [(C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂)AuBr] (R = Ph, 5; R = i-Pr, 6). Bromination of the free diphosphinoferrocene ligands produces the expected brominated cyclopentenes (C₅H₄Br₃)(PR₂) (R = Ph, 7; R = i-Pr, 8) in good yields; however, these compounds could not be complexed to gold due to reduced basicity of 7 and 8. When the bromination is performed under wet aerobic conditions the oxidized pseudo-centrosymmetric product, [doppf][FeBr₄] (9) {doppf = 1,1′-bis(oxodiphenylphosphino)ferrocene, is formed as the major product. Solid-state structures of 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 have been established by means of single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Complications in metathesis reactions involving Grignard reagents: Effect of solvent on products obtained from the interaction of PhMgBr with GaCl3 or InBr3

The important role of supporting solvent in transmetallation reactions involving Grignard reagents is highlighted in the formation and crystallisation of the Group 13 ‘ate’ species, [Mg₃Br₃Cl₂(Et₂O)₆][GaPh₂Br₂] (1), [Mg₃Br₅(Et₂O)₆][InPh₂Br₂] (2), [MgBr(THF)₅][GaPh₃Br] (3), [MgBr(THF)₅][InPh₃Br] (4), [Mg(THF)₆][GaPh₂Br₂]₂ (5) obtained by reaction of PhMgBr with gallium and indium halides. The compounds have been characterised by ¹H NMR, elemental analyses, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Efficient and selective synthesis of quinoline derivatives

The bromination reaction of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (7) was investigated by NBS and molecular bromine. One-pot synthesis is described for synthetically valuable 4,6,8-tribromoquinoline (3) and 6,8-dibromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (6) on bromination of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoline (7) in efficient yields (75 and 90%, respectively). 6-Bromo- (4) and 6,8-dibromo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinolines (6) were converted to 6-bromo- (1) and 6,8-dibromo quinolines (2), respectively, by aromatization with DDQ in 83 and 77% yields, respectively. Several novel trisubstituted quinoline derivatives were efficiently prepared via lithium-halogen exchange reactions of tribromide 3. Treatment of 4,6,8-tribromoquinoline with BuLi followed by quenching with electrophiles [Si(CH₃)₃Cl, S₂(CH₃)₂, I₂] regioselectively proceeded at C-4 and C-8 sites and afforded corresponding 4,8-disubstituted-6-bromoquinolines. Similarly, lithiation of tribromide 3 followed by addition of water to the intermediate produced 6-bromoquinoline in 65% yield. Copper-induced nucleophilic substitution of tribromide 3 with NaOMe afforded 4,6,8-trimethoxyquinoline (17) in 60% yield.     

p-Sulfonatocalix[7]arene: synthesis, protolysis, and binding ability

Water-soluble p-sulfonatocalix[7]arene 1 has been synthesized in good yield through standard procedures and its conformational preferences have been investigated by Monte Carlo conformational searches. The acid-base properties of 1 were investigated by means of potentiometric titration, obtaining pK_a values in agreement with those reported for other p-sulfonatocalix[n]arene homologs. The binding ability of 1 toward organic quaternary ammonium cations such as Diquat (2), Paraquat (3), and Chlormequat (4) was investigated by means of ¹H NMR titrations in D₂O at pD=7.3, DOSY NMR measurements, and 2D ROESY NMR spectroscopy. Spectrofluorimetry proved to be a useful method for the determination of trace amounts of 2 and 3 in aqueous solution by using Acridine Orange bound to 1 as a chemical indicator.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of Co(II) complexes with N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethyleneimine (bpb), and Cd(II), Hg(II) complexes with reduced bpb

Five novel coordination polymers, [Co(bpb)₂Cl₂] (1), [Co(bpb)₂(SCN)₂] (2), [Cd(H₄bpb)_0.5(dmf)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cd₂(H₄bpb)Br₄] (4), and [Hg₂(H₄bpb)I₄] (5) [bpb=N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethyleneimine, H₄bpb=N,N′-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-benzenedimethylamine], were synthesized and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, complex 1 is a 1D hinged chain, while 2 has 2D network structure with the ligand bpb serving as a bridging ligand using its two pyridyl N atoms. The imine N atoms keep free of coordination and bpb acts as a bidentate ligand in both 1 and 2. Complexes 3, 4, and 5 with reduced bpb ligand, i.e. H₄bpb, show similar 2D network structure, in which ligand H₄bpb serves as a tetradentate ligand. Thermogravimetric analyses for complexes 1-5 were carried out and found that they have high thermal stability. The magnetic susceptibilities of compounds 1, 2 were measured over a temperature range of 75-300 K.     

Cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) coordination compounds derived from aromatic amines

The structural and spectroscopic characterization of coordination compounds of four aromatic amines derived from benzimidazole, 2-aminobenzimidazole (L1), 1-(S-methylcarbodithioate)-2-aminobenzimidazole (L2), 2-(2-aminophenyl)-1H-benzimidazole (L3) and 6,6-dimethyl-5H-benzimidazolyl[1,2-c]quinazoline (L4) are reported. Cobalt(II) [Co(L1)₂(CH₃COO)₂] (1) and nickel(II) [Ni(L1)₂(CH₃COO)₂] (2) acetate coordination compounds of L1 are discussed. The synthesis and the X-ray crystal structure of the new 1-(S-methylcarbodithioate)-2-aminobenzimidazole (L2) is informed, together with its cobalt(II) [Co(L2)₂Cl₂] (3), [Co(L2)₂Br₂] (4) and zinc(II) [Co(L2)₂Cl₂] (5), [Zn(L2)₂Br₂] (6) coordination compounds. In these compounds the imidazolic nitrogen is coordinated to the metal center, while the ArNH₂ and the S-methylcarbodithioate groups do not participate as coordination sites. A co-crystal of L1 and L2 is analyzed. Structural analyses of the coordination compounds of L3 showed that this ligand behaves as a bidentate ligand through the aniline and the imidazole groups forming six membered rings in the cobalt(II) [Co(L3)Cl₂] (7) and zinc(II) [Zn(L3)Cl₂] (8) compounds, as well as the nickel(II) nitrate [Ni(L3)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (9). The quinazoline L4 was produced by insertion of one acetone molecule and water elimination in L3, its X-ray crystal diffraction analysis, as well as that of its zinc(II) coordination compound [Zn(L4)₂Cl₂] (10), are discussed.     

Structural diversity in the self-assembly of Ag(I) complexes containing 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine

A series of Ag(I) complexes containing the 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine ligands have been synthesized and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The isomorphous complexes Ag(L-Cl)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Cl = 2-amino-5-chloropyrimidine), 1, and Ag(L-Br)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Br = 2-amino-5-bromopyrimidine), 2, are mononuclear, while [Ag(L-Br)(CF₃SO₃)]₆·6C₄H₁₀O, 3, and [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]₆ (L-I = 2-amino-5-iodopyrimidine), 4, show cyclic self-assembly of six Ag(Ι) atoms and six L-X ligands, resulting in 24-membered metallocycles. The complex [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]_∞, 5, forms 1D zigzag chains which are linked through C-I?Ag and Ag?O interactions to form a 3D structure. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag(L-X)(NO₃)]₄ [X = Cl, 6; Br, 7] form 16-membered metallocycles, while [Ag(L-X)(ClO₄)]_∞ [X = Cl, 8; Br, 9] exhibit helical chains. The different structure of 5 from 1 and 2 appears to be due to the stronger nucleophilic character of the iodine atom. In these complexes, the relatively smaller NO₃⁻ anions lead to the formation of tetranuclear metallocycles and the larger CF₃SO₃⁻ anions support the hexanuclear metallocycles, whereas the ClO₄⁻ anions induce the helical chains.     

Experimental and theoretical approaches into the C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis. Hydride shift versus C-C bond migration due to cation conformational changes controlled by the counteranion

The C- and D-ring problems of sterol biosynthesis, how an enzyme overcomes the Markovnikov wall, were investigated by using a model compound from an experimental as well as theoretical standpoint. When model diol 20 was treated with BF₃·Et₂O, SnCl₄, TiF₄, Sc(OTf)₃, FeCl₃, or TfOH, spirocyclic ether 21 was formed as the sole product via a tert-cationic intermediate 16 through 1,2-hydride shift. However, the treatment with TiCl₄ afforded six-membered ring products 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27 via the ring expansion into the unstable six-membered ring secondary cation 17. Occurrence of both α and β chloride 23 and 24 is distinctive evidence of the existence of secondary cation 17, ruling out the idea of the concerted mechanism. Molecular mechanics calculations of the naked cation 15 elucidated two possible conformers, parallel 15-I (five membered ring and cationic plane) that is favorable for the hydride shift generating 16 and perpendicular 15-II leading to C-C bond migration to 17. The first ab initio calculation of the cation conformation in the presence of counteranions such as [TiCl₄OH]⁻, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ entirely supported our experimental results. Although the counteranion [TiCl₄OH]⁻ stabilizes perpendicular cation 15-II, it destabilizes the parallel conformer 15-I significantly, and thus, the C-C bond migration to 17 becomes the only possible pass. On the other hand, [TiF₄OH]⁻, [BF₃OH]⁻, and [OTf]⁻ stabilize parallel conformer 15-I and the hydride shift to 16 becomes the only possible pass. The relative location or distance of the counteranion from the cation should be the biggest factor to control the stability and, thus, the conformation of the cation. Our results indicate that the carboxylate anions in the enzyme cavity enable to control the conformation of pre-C-ring cationic intermediate 3 to be perpendicular leading to six-membered C-ring secondary cation 4. The parallel conformation of the cation 5 could lead to hydride shift to give tirucallanoids or lanostanoids. Therefore, this result is the first example that overcame the big Markovnikov wall experimentally and theoretically at least to our knowledge.     

Synthesis of naturally occurring bioactive butyrolactones: maculalactones A-C and nostoclide I

Starting from citraconic anhydride (13), a simple multistep (9-10 steps) synthesis of naturally occurring butyrolactones maculalactone A (3), maculalactone B (1), maculalactone C (2) and nostoclide I (4) have been described with good overall yields via dibenzylmaleic anhydride (20) and benzylisopropylmaleic anhydride (27). The two anhydrides 20 and 27 were prepared by S_N2′ coupling reactions of appropriate Grignard reagents with dimethyl bromomethylfumarate (14), LiOH-induced hydrolysis of esters to acids, bromination of carbon-carbon double bond, in situ dehydration followed by dehydrobromination and chemoselective allylic substitution of bromoatom in disubstituted anhydrides 19 and 26 with appropriate Grignard reagents. The NaBH₄ reduction of these anhydrides 20 and 27 furnished the desired lactones 21 and 29, respectively. The lactone 21 on Knoevenagel condensation with benzaldehyde, furnished maculalactone B (1), which on isomerization gave maculalactone C (2). Selective catalytic hydrogenation of 1 gave maculalactone A (3). The conversion of lactone 29 to nostoclide I (4) is known.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of manganese,nickel and zinc chloride complexes with dimethoxyethane and di(2-methoxyethyl) ether

Reactions of manganese and zinc chloride with dimethoxyethane (DME) in the presence of (CH₃)₃SiCl and water resulted in [MnCl₂(DME)]_n (1) with a polymeric chain structure and in the molecular [ZnCl₂(DME)]₂ (2), respectively. The complexes 1 and 2 reacted with di(2-methoxyethyl) ether (abbreviated diglyme) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent achieving binuclear [MnCl₂(diglyme)]₂ (3) and mononuclear [ZnCl₂(diglyme)] (4), respectively. The complex [NiCl₂(diglyme)]₂ (5) was prepared by the reaction of nickel chloride hexahydrate, diglyme and (CH₃)₃SiCl in THF solvent. A distorted octahedral geometry was found for manganese and nickel ions in the complexes 1, 3 and 5. Linear chains of manganese ions linked by double chloride bridges are present in 1. Two bridging chlorides connect two manganese or nickel atoms into isostructural binuclear molecules 3 and 5, respectively. Two zinc ions in the complex 2 are in different environments, in a tetrahedral and in an octahedral one, while five-coordinate zinc ions are present in the mononuclear complexes 4.     

Structure,biological and electrochemical studies of transition metal complexes from N,S,N′ donor ligand 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline

The semirigid tridentate 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline ligand (Q1) is shown to form the structurally characterized transition metal complexes [Cu(Q1)Cl₂] (1), [Co(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (2), [Cd(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cd(Q1)I₂] (4). [Cu(Q1)₂](BF₄)₂·(H₂O)₂ (5), [Cu(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂·(CH₃COCH₃)₂ (6), [Zn(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂ (7), [Cd₂(Q1)₂Br₄] (8), [Ag₂(Q1)₂(ClO₄)₂] (9), and [Ag₂(Q1)₂(NO₃)₂] (10). Four types of structures have been observed: ML-type in complexes 1–4, in which the anions Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ or I⁻ also participate in the coordination; ML₂⁻ type in complexes 5–7 without direct coordination of the anions BF₄⁻ or ClO₄⁻ and with more (Cu²⁺) or less (Zn²⁺) distorted bis-fac coordinated Q1; M₂L₂-type in complex 8, in which two Br⁻ ions act as bridges between two metal ions; and M₂(μ-L)₂-type in complexes 9 and 10, in which the ligand bridges two anion binding and Ag–Ag bonded ions. Depending on electron configuration and size, different coordination patterns are observed with the bonds from the metal ions to N_pyridyl longer or shorter than those to N_quinoline. Typically Q1 acts as a facially coordinating tridentate chelate ligand except for the compounds 9 and 10 with low-coordinate silver(I). Except for 6 and 8, the complexes exhibit distinct constraining effects against both G(+) and G(-) bacteria. Complexes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 have considerable antifungal activities and complexes 1, 5, 7, and 10 show selective effects to restrain certain botanic bacteria. Electrochemical studies show quasi-reversible reduction behavior for the copper(II) complexes 1, 5 and 6.     

Poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide), N,N,N′,N′-tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide and novel poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-phenylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) as powerful reagents for benzylic bromination

N,N,N′,N′-Tetrabromobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide [TBBDA], poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-ethyl-benzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBBS], and novel poly(N,N′-dibromo-N-phenylbenzene-1,3-disulfonamide) [PBPS] can be used for bromination of benzylic positions in solvent.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of phenoxy-ketimine ligands: Synthesis,structures and their utility in bulk ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide

Synthetic, structural and catalysis studies of Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of a series of phenoxy-ketimine ligands with controlled variations of sterics, namely 2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1a), 2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1b) and 2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenol (1c), are reported. Specifically, the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c were synthesized by the TiCl₄ mediated condensation reactions of the respective anilines with o-hydroxyacetophenone in 21–23% yield. The nickel complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2a) and {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Ni(II) (2b), were synthesized by the reaction of the respective ligands 1a and 1b with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O in the presence of NEt₃ as a base in 71–75% yield. The copper complexes, {2-[1-(2,6-diethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3a), {2-[1-(2,6-dimethylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3b) and {2-[1-(2-methylphenylimino)ethyl]phenoxy}₂Cu(II) (3c) were synthesized analogously by the reactions of the ligands 1a, 1b and 1c with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O in 70–87% yield. The molecular structures of the nickel and copper complexes 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b and 3c have been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. Structural comparisons revealed that the nickel centers in 2a and 2b are in square planar geometries while the geometry around the copper varied from being square planar in 3a and 3c to distorted square planar in 3b. The catalysis studies revealed that while the copper complexes 3a, 3b and 3c efficiently catalyze ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l-lactide at elevated temperatures under solvent-free melt conditions, producing polylactide polymers of moderate molecular weights with narrow molecular weight distributions, the nickel counterparts 2a and 2b failed to yield the polylactide polymer.     

Three new nickel(III) compounds based on 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate: Syntheses,structures, magnetic properties and theoretical analyses

Three new molecular solids, (ADP)₂[Ni(dmit)₂]₂ (1), (BDP)[Ni(dmit)₂]·CH₃COCH₃ (2) and (CP)₂[Ni(dmit)₂]₃ (3) (dmit = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithiole-4,5-dithiolate, ADP = 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3,5-dimethylpyridinium, BDP = 1-(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3,5-dimethylpyridinium and CP = 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-3-methylpyridinium) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All the compounds formed stacking columns containing cations and anions. In the crystal structure of 1, both ADP cations and [Ni(dmit)₂] anions were found to form stacked dimers, and these dimers piled up alternately in columns. In 2, the anions of [Ni(dmit)₂] anions stack into dimers, which further construct into a 1D zig-zag chain through lateral S?S interactions. Compound 3 shows stacks built from trimers of Ni(dmit)₂ units, which further construct into 3D network structure through short S···S interactions, S···Cl interactions and C–H?S hydrogen bonds. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 1–3 in the temperature range 2–300 K show that the overall magnetic behavior indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction, while 3 exhibits an activated magnetic behavior in the high-temperature region (HT) together with a Curie tail in the low-temperature region (LT).     

Rhodium-carbonyl complexes with a quinolyl functionalized Cp-ligand: synthesis and photochemical activation

Dicarbonyl[η⁵-2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1-(8-quinolyl)cyclopentadienyl]rhodium(I) (1) was prepared by the reaction of [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ with 2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1-(8-quinolyl)cyclopentadienyl-potassium. Irradiation of 1 in chloroform or dichloromethane as solvent leads to the formation of dichloro[η⁵-2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1-(8-quinolyl)cyclopentadienyl]rhodium(III) (2). When Rh₆(CO)₁₆ is present, the cluster adds to the 8-quinolyl-cp-rhodium fragment and the compound [η⁵-2,3,4,5-tetramethyl-1-(8-quinolyl)cyclopentadienyl]rhodium-di-μ-carbonyl-hexarhodiumtetradecacarbonyl (3) is formed in 65% yield. The coordination sphere of the rhodium(III) atom in compound 2 and of the rhodium(I) atom in 3 is completed by a coordination of the quinolyl moiety. This was revealed by NMR spectroscopy as well as by X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of different topological coordination polymers based on tunable Cu4Br4−mIm secondary building units and macrocyclic azacalixaromatics

The coordination self-assembly between the macrocyclic ligand tetraazacalix[4]pyrimidine (TAPM) with cubane-like copper halides (Cu₄X₄) produced five coordination polymers 1-5 {Cu₄Br_4−mI_m(TAPM)}_n (m=0 (1), 1 (2), 2 (3), 3 (4) and 4 (5)). X-ray single crystal analysis revealed that the Br:I ratio in the Cu₄X₄ cores serves as a controlling factor to fine-tune the geometries of Cu₄X₄ and therefore induce the conformation variation of tetraazacalix[4]pyrimidine. Consequently, two different topological nets, dia and lcs, were successfully constructed based on tetrahedrally coordinated Cu₄X₄ secondary building units and the flexible macrocyclic quadridentate ligand TAPM. The structure details of 1-5 as porous materials are analyzed, which shows a solvent accessible volume within the range of 27−35%. Compounds 1-5 exhibit luminescence properties with the peak maximum at around 476−488 nm.     

Supramolecular nanostructured assemblies of different types of porphyrins with fullerene using TiO2 nanoparticles for light energy conversion

TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified with porphyrin derivatives, 5-[4-benzoic acid]-10,15,20-tris[3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl]-21H,23H-porphyrin (Ar-H₂P-COOH), 5-[4-benzoic acid]-10,20-tris[3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl]-21H,23H-porphyrin (H-H₂P-COOH), and 5,10,15,20-tetra[4-benzoic acid]-21H,23H-porphyrin (H₂P-4COOH). The porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles were deposited on nanostructured OTE/SnO₂ electrode together with nanoclusters of fullerene (C₆₀) in acetonitrile-toluene (3/1, v/v) using an electrophoretic deposition technique to afford the porphyrin-modified TiO₂ composite electrode denoted as OTE/SnO₂/(porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticle+C₆₀)_n. The porphyrin-modified TiO₂ composite electrodes have efficient light absorbing properties in the visible region, exhibiting the photoactive response under visible light excitation using redox couple. The incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) values of supramolecular nanostructured electrodes of porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles with fullerene [OTE/SnO₂/(Ar-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n, OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n, and OTE/SnO₂/(H₂P-4COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n] are much larger than those of the reference systems of porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles without C₆₀ [OTE/SnO₂/(Ar-H₂P-COO-TiO₂)_n, OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂)_n, and OTE/SnO₂/(H₂P-4COO-TiO₂)_n]. In particular, the maximum IPCE value (41%) is obtained for OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n under the bias potential of 0.2 V versus SCE. This indicates that the formation of supramolecular complexes between porphyrins and fullerene on TiO₂ nanoparticles plays an important role in improvement of the light energy conversion properties.     

Monomer,dimer, tetramer and salt: Structural variations in Zn(II) complexes of 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide

Complexes of Zn^II salts with 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (bpdo) have been prepared by solvathermal and solvent layering methods. Three complexes were obtained from ZnBr₂: 1 is a 2D coordination polymer [Zn₂Br₄(bpdo)₂]_n, (2) a discrete trimetallic molecule [Zn₃Br₆(H₂O)₂(bpdo)₄] and 3 a salt [ZnBr₄][Zn(H₂O)₅(bpdo)]. Complexes 2 and 3 contain Zn^II ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral coordination geometry. While in 2, these are covalently linked by bridging bpdo ligands forming zwitterionic trimetallic molecules, in 3 there is complete charge separation into [ZnBr₄]²⁻ anions and [Zn(H₂O)₅(bpdo)]²⁺ cations. When Zn(NCS)₂ is used as starting material, a 1D coordination polymer [Zn(H₂O)₂ (bpdo)(NCS)₂]_n is obtained.     

Palladium and nickel complexes of (P,N)-ligands based on quinolines: Catalytic activity for polymerization and oligomerization

Four (P,N)-ligands (1-4) with different steric and electronic properties were synthesized. They were used to prepare the monocationic palladium complexes [Pd(P,N)(CH₃)(NCCH₃)](PF₆) (9-12). The structures of the newly prepared ligand 3 and the neutral palladium complex [Pd(P,N)(CH₃)Cl] (10) were analysed by X-ray. The catalytic activity of the palladium complexes toward the copolymerization of styrene and ethylene with CO was low or non-existent. The nickel complexes [Ni(P,N)(1-naphthyl)Cl] (13-16), modified with the ligands 1-4, were prepared and their catalytic activity toward ethylene oligomerization was studied. They showed high activity at ambient temperature and low ethylene pressure (1-12 bar) in the presence of MAO.