Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes bearing N,O-chelate ligands

Copper complexes [Cu(Lⁿ)₂] 1-4 bearing N,O-chelating β-ketoamine ligands Lⁿ based on condensation products of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-benzoyl-5-pyrazolone with aniline (L¹), α-naphthylamine (L²), o-methylaniline (L³), and p-nitroaniline (L⁴), respectively, were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography (except 2). They were shown to catalyze the vinyl polymerization of norbornene when activated by methylaluminoxane (MAO). Both steric and electronic effects are important and influential factors contributing to the catalytic activity of the complexes with the order of 2 > 4 > 3 > 1.     

Novel nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes with phenoxy-imidazole ligands: Syntheses, crystal structures and norbornene addition polymerization

The novel nickel(II) (1) and copper(II) (2) complexes bearing 2′-(4′,6′-di-tert-butylhydroxy-phenyl)-1,4,5-triphenyl imidazole ligand have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structure analyses of complexes 1 and 2 indicated that Ni(II) centre in 1 adopts a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry with a dihedral angle of 85.2° between Ni(1)O(1)N(1) plane and Ni(1)O(1A)N(1A) plane, while the Cu(II) centre in 2 represents a distorted square planar coordination geometry with a cis-N₂O₂ arrangement of the donor atoms, the dihedral angle being 32° between Cu(1)O(1)N(1) plane and Cu(1)O(1A)N(1A) plane. After activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), both Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes can be used as catalysts for the addition polymerization of norbornene (NB). The polynorbornenes (PNBs) are produced with very high polymerization activity (10⁸ g PNB mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹) for Ni(II) complex and moderate catalytic activity (10⁵ g PNB mol⁻¹ Cu h⁻¹) for Cu(II) complex, respectively. The high molecular weight polynorbornenes (10⁶) are obtained for complexes 1 and 2. Moreover, the distinct effects of polymerization temperature and Al/M ratio on catalytic activities and molecular weights of polymers are discussed.     

Crystal structures of two Ca(II) complexes with imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate and water ligands

The structure of compound I: poly-diaqua(μ-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylato-N,O; -O′; -O′′, -O′′′) calcium(II) monohydrate [Ca(C₅H₂N₂O₄)(H₂O)₂·H₂O] is built of molecular sheets in which imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate ligands bridge the metal ions using both carboxylate groups, each bidentate. Ca(II) is coordinated by six oxygen atoms and one hetero-ring nitrogen atom distributed at the apices of a capped tetragonal bipyramid. The basal plane of the pyramid is formed by two carboxylate oxygen atoms [d(Ca–O2?=?2.374(1)?Å, d(Ca–O4)?=?2.412(1)?Å] and two water oxygen atoms [d(Ca–O5)?=?2.384(1)?Å, d(Ca–O6)?=?2.455(1)?Å], the capped position is occupied by the carboxylate oxygen atom O3 [d(Ca–O3)?=?2.325(1)?Å], the hetero-ring nitrogen atom [d(Ca–N2)?=?2.523(1)?Å] and the carboxylate oxygen atom O4 [d(Ca–O2)?= 2.412(1)?Å] form the apices of the prism. The solvation water molecule plays a significant role in a framework of hydrogen bonds responsible for the stability of the crystal. The structure of compound II: trans-tetraquadi(H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylato-N,O) calcium(II) monohydrate, [Ca(C₅H₃N₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₄·H₂O] consists of monomers in which the Ca(II) ion is located on a centre of symmetry. The coordination around the Ca(II) is a strongly deformed pentagonal bipyramidal with the imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate (4,5-IDA) ligands in the trans arrangement forming a dihedral angle of 68.3°. An imidazole-ring nitrogen atom [d(Ca–N)?=?2.632(2)?Å] and one carboxylate O atom [d(Ca–O)?=?2.531(2)?Å] from each ligand coordinate to the metal ion. The coordination is completed by four water oxygen atoms [d(Ca–O)?=?2.393(2)?Å] and [d(Ca–O)?=?2.367(2)?Å]. The coordinated water molecules act as hydrogen bond donors and acceptors to the unbonded carboxylate oxygen atoms in adjacent monomers giving rise to a three-dimensional molecular network.     

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).     

Polynuclear copper (II) complexes with aminoalcohol ligands

Copper complexes with aminoalcoholato ligands have attracted much attention recently because of their potential applications in ceramic materials. This review deals with polynuclear copper (II) complexes containing bidentate and triden-tate aminoalcoholato ligands. The focus of this article is on the synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of polynuclear copper (II) complexes obtained recently by our group. Some relevant work reported previously by other researchers is also included.Dedicated to Professor Jiaxi Lu on the occasion of his 80th birthday.     

Neutral pyridylmethylamide ligands and their mononuclear copper(II) complexes

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes of a family of pyridylmethylamide ligands HL, HL^Me, HL^Ph, HL^Me3 and HL^Ph3, [HL = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide; HL^Me = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide; HL^Ph = 2-phenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide; HL^Me3 = 2,2-dimethyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide; HL^Ph3 = 2,2,2-triphenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide], were synthesized and characterized. The reaction of copper(II) salts with the pyridylmethylamide ligands yields complexes [Cu(HL)₂(OTf)₂] (1), [Cu(HL^Me)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu(HL)₂Cl]₂[CuCl₄] (3), [Cu(HL^Me3)₂(THF)](OTf)₂ (4), [Cu(HL^Me3)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (5a and 5b), [Cu(HL^Ph3)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (6), [Cu(HL)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (7), and [Cu(HL^Ph)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (8). All complexes were fully characterized, and the X-ray structures vary from four-coordinate square-planar, to five-coordinate square-pyramidal or trigonal-bipyramidal. The neutral ligands coordinate via the pyridyl N atom and carbonyl O atom in a bidentate fashion. The spectroscopic properties are typical of mononuclear copper(II) species with similar ligand sets, and are consistent their X-ray structures.     

N-tripodal ligands to generate copper catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of methyl-methacrylate: Crystal structures of copper complexes

A library of N-tripodal ligands, based on a central nitrogen atom connected to three different functionalized arms, was investigated via a parallel approach for the polymerization of methyl-methacrylate (MMA) in presence of late transition metal salts. Copper salts CuCl₂ and Cu(OAc)₂ in combination with N-(2-furanylmethyl)-N-(1-3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolylmethyl)-N- (phenylmethyl)amine were detected as efficient catalysts for the syndiotactic polymerization of MMA ([rr] up to 78%). Kinetic studies and X-ray structures of the best catalysts were reported.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of 3-tert-butyl-4-cyano pyrazole and its complexes with cobalt(II), manganese(II), and copper(II)

A new pyrazole ligand, 3-tert-butyl-4-cyano pyrazole (Hpz^t-Bu,4CN), has been synthesized. The crystal structure of this pyrazole, along with the syntheses and crystal structures of Co, Cu, and Mn complexes of this ligand, are reported. The uncoordinated pyrazole shows the formation of a cyclic hydrogen-bound dimer. The Co complex is octahedral, with four coordinated pyrazoles and two coordinated waters. The Mn complex is octahedral, with two coordinated pyrazoles, two coordinated triflates and two coordinated waters. A hydrogen bonding network involving the triflates and waters results in a linear double chain of Mn complexes. The Cu complex has two coordinated pyrazoles and two coordinated chlorides in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry, with a long bond to the cyano N atom of a neighboring Cu complex, forming a pseudodimer.     

Syntheses,structures, and spectroscopic properties of copper(II) and cobalt(III) complexes containing 1,4,7-tribenzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligand

Three new complexes [CuL(N₃)₂] (1), [CuL(SCN)₂] (2), and [CoL(SCN)₃] (3) (L?=?1,4,7-tribenzyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with unit cell parameters a?=?14.105(7), b?=?8.999(5), c?=?21.603(11)?Å, β?=?100.470(7)°. While 2 crystallizes in triclinic space group P-1 with unit cell parameters a?=?9.6380(16), b?=?10.6993(18), c?=?15.798(3)?Å, α?=?106.636(3), γ?=?116.478(3)°. Complex 3 crystallizes in trigonal space group P–3c1 with unit cell parameters a?=?14.744(3), b?=?14.744(3), c?=?16.098(4)?Å, γ?=?120°. Elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis spectra of complexes 1–3 and ESR spectra of complexes 1–2 were also determined.     

Syntheses,structures and catalytic properties of new mononuclear terpyridine-manganese(II) complexes with tetraphenylimido-diphosphinate and diphenylphosphinate ligands

Treatment of manganese(II) acetate tetrahydrate [Mn(CH3COO)₂·4H₂O] with one equivalent of 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (terpy) and two equivalents of potassium tetraphenylimido-diphosphinate K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] in methanol afforded a mononuclear manganese(II) complex, [(terpy)Mn{η¹-O-N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂(H₂O)] (1), with two terminal [N(Ph₂PO)₂]– ligands. Interaction of [Mn(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O] with one equivalent of terpy in the presence of both K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] and Ph₂PO₂K in methanol gave a mononuclear manganese(II) complex [(terpy)Mn(η¹-O-O₂PPh₂){N(Ph₂PO)₂}] (2) with a chelated [N(Ph₂PO)₂]– ligand. Treatment of manganese(II) dichloride tetrahydrate [MnCl₂·4H₂O] with three equivalents of K[N(Ph₂PO)₂] in methanol resulted in isolation of a mononuclear manganese(III) complex [Mn{η¹-O-N(Ph₂PO)₂}-{N(Ph₂PO)₂}₂] (3) with one terminal and two chelated [N(Ph₂PO)₂]– ligands. Reaction of [Mn(CH₃COO)₂·4H₂O] with one equivalent of 4′-phenyl-[2,2′:6′,2′′]-terpyridine (4-Ph-terpy) and two equivalents of Ph₂PO₂K in methanol gave [(4-Ph-terpy)Mn(η¹-O-O₂PPh₂)₂(H₂O)] (4) with a labile water molecule. Complexes 1–4 have been spectroscopically characterized and their structures have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Catalytic behavior of 1 and 4 for sulfide oxidation was also investigated.     

Synthesis,spectral properties,crystal structures and biological activity of copper(II) pyridinecarboxylates with N -heterocyclic ligands

Synthesis and characterization of four new 2,6-dimethoxynicotinate (2,6-(MeO)₂nic) copper(II) monomeric complexes [Cu(2,6-(MeO)₂nic)₂(py)₂] (py is pyridine), [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(Etnic)₂(H₂O)] (Etnic is ethylnicotinate), [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(Et₂nia)₂(H₂O)₂] (Et₂nia is N,N-diethylnicotinamide) as well as of the polymeric complex [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(ron)₂] _n (ron is ronicol) are reported. The characterizations were based on elemental analysis, infrared, electronic and EPR spectra. Crystal structures of two of the complexes have been determined. The copper(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(py)₂] has a distorted tetragonal-bipyramidal (4 + 2) coordination environment. Both 2,6-(MeO)₂nic anions are asymmetrically chelating. The Cu(II) of [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(Etnic)₂(H₂O)] is pentacoordinate in a slightly distorted tetragonal-pyramidal arrangement by two trans nitrogens, each of one Etnic, by two oxygens, each of the carboxyl group of one unidentate 2,6-(MeO)₂nic and the axial position occupied by water at a longer distance. Antimicrobial effects of the complexes have been tested on various strains of bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi. While the 2,6-(MeO)₂nicH alone did not influence the model bacteria growth, dimeric [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(H₂O)]₂ and polymeric [Cu{2,6-(MeO)₂nic}₂(ron)₂] _n have pronounced influence on the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida parapsilosis.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and catalytic properties of dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes with hydrazone ligands

Two new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes, [MoO₂L¹(CH₃OH)] (1) and [MoO₂L²(H₂O)] (2), where L¹ and L² are dianionic form of N′-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-4methoxybenzohydrazide and N′-(2-hydroxy-3methoxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide, respectively, have been synthesized and structurally characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray determination. The complexes are mononuclear molybdenum(VI) compounds. Mo in each complex is octahedral. The difference in the substituent groups in the benzohydrazides leads to coordination of different solvent molecules. Crystals of the complexes are stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The complexes are effective catalysts for sulfoxidation.     

Homolysis of the Ln-N bond: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of organolanthanide(II) complexes with furfuryl- and tetrahydrofurfuryl-functionalized indenyl ligands

A series of new organolanthanide(II) complexes with furfuryl- and tetrahydrofurfuryl-functionalized indenyl ligands were synthesized via one-electron reductive elimination reaction. Treatments of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Yb, Eu) with 2 equiv. of C₄H₇OCH₂C₉H₇ (1) or C₄H₃OCH₂C₉H₇ (2), respectively in toluene at moderate high temperatures produced, after workup, the corresponding organolanthanide(II) complexes with formula [η⁵:η¹-(C₄H₇OCH₂C₉H₆)]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (5), Ln = Eu (6)) and [η⁵:η¹-(C₄H₃OCH₂C₉H₆)]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (7), Ln = Eu (8)) in reasonable to good yields. Treatments of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ (Ln = Yb, Eu) with 2 equiv. of C₄H₇OCH₂C₉H₆SiMe₃ (3) or C₄H₃OCH₂C₉H₆SiMe₃ (4), respectively, in toluene at moderate high temperatures afforded, after workup, the corresponding organolanthanide(II) complexes with formula [η⁵:η¹-(C₄H₇OCH₂C₉H₅SiMe₃)]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (9), Ln = Eu (10)) and[η⁵:η¹-(C₄H₃OCH₂C₉H₅SiMe₃)]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (11), Ln = Eu (12)) in good to high yields. All the compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The structure of complex 9 was additionally determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Studies on the catalytic activities of complexes showed that the complexes having silyl group functionalized indenyl ligands have high catalytic activities on ε-caprolactone polymerization. The temperatures, substituted groups on the indenyl ligands of the complexes, and solvents effects on the catalytic activities of the complexes were examined.     

Syntheses,structures, and properties of copper and cadmium complexes with quinoline-based benzimidazole

A new tridentate ligand 2-((quinolin-8-yloxy)methyl)benzimidazole (L) and three coordination compounds, [CuLCl₂] (1), [CuL(H₂O)(SO₄)?· 2H₂O] _n (2), and {[Cd₂L₂Cl₄][CdLCl₂(H₂O)]₂}?·?H₂O (3), have been synthesized and characterized. Single crystal structure analyses reveal extensive intermolecular hydrogen bonding, resulting in generation of 1-D–3-D supramolecular networks. Compounds 1 and 2 constitute the first examples of Cu complexes containing both 8-hydroxyquinoline and benzimidazole, while 3 represents the first Cd complex bearing this ligand. Complexes 1–3 show similar quasi-reversible electrochemical behaviors. Complex 2 exhibits a predominantly ferromagnetic interaction between copper centers, and 3 has good fluorescence and can be used as an optical material.     

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of organolanthanide(II) complexes with heterocyclic-functionalized fluorenyl ligands

Two series of new organolanthanide(II) complexes with tetrahydro-2H-pyranyl- or N-piperidineethyl-functionalized fluorenyl ligands were synthesized via one-electron reductive elimination reaction. Treatments of [(Me₃Si)₂N]₃Ln^III(μ-Cl)Li(THF)₃ with 2 equiv. of C₅H₉OCH₂C₁₃H₉ (1) or C₅H₁₀NCH₂CH₂C₁₃H₉ (2), respectively, in toluene at about 80 °C produced, after workup, the corresponding organolanthanide(II) complexes with formula [η⁵:η¹-C₅H₉OCH₂C₁₃H₈]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (3), Ln = Eu (4)) and [η⁵:η¹-C₅H₁₀NCH₂CH₂C₁₃H₈]₂Ln^II (Ln = Yb (5), Ln = Eu (6)) in good yields. All the compounds were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods and elemental analyses. The structures of complexes 3, 4, and 6 were additionally determined by single-crystal X-ray analyses. It represents the first example of solvent-free organolanthanide(II) complexes with fluorenyl ligands. The catalytic properties of the organolanthanide(II) complexes on the polymerization of ε-caprolactone and methyl methacrylate have been studied. The temperatures, solvents and coordination effects on the catalytic activities of the complexes were examined.     

Syntheses and crystal structures of three copper(II) complexes with bulky Schiff bases derived from rimantadine

The reactions of copper(II) chloride dihydrate and three bulky Schiff base ligands derived from rimantadine and salicylaldehyde (or methoxy-substituted salicylaldehydes), generated C₃₈H₄₈CuN₂O₂ (1), C₄₀H₅₂CuN₂O₄ (2), and C₄₀H₅₂CuN₂O₄ (3), respectively. These complexes were characterized by infrared spectra, UV–vis, elemental analysis and molar conductance. X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis reveals that 1 has two different spatial configurations, 1a and 1b. For 1a, each asymmetric unit consists of one mononuclear copper(II) molecule. For 1b, each asymmetric unit consists of two copper(II) mononuclear molecules. All the complexes crystallize in the monoclinic system, P2₁/c space group for 1a and 2; P2₁/n space group for 1b; C2/c space group for 3. Each complex for 1–3 consists of one copper(II) and two corresponding deprotonated ligands. The central copper(II) in all complexes is four-coordinate via two nitrogens and two oxygens from the corresponding Schiff base ligands. The geometry around copper in 1a, 1b, and 2 is distorted square planar, but square planar in 3.