Nickel(II) complexes of tripodal 4N ligands as catalysts for alkane oxidation using m-CPBA as oxidant: ligand stereoelectronic effects on catalysis

Several mononuclear Ni(II) complexes of the type [Ni(L)(CH(3)CN)(2)](BPh(4))(2) 1-7, where L is a tetradentate tripodal 4N ligand such as N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L1), N,N-diethyl-N',N'-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L2), N,N-dimethyl-N'-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)-N'-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L3), N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L4), N,N-dimethyl-N',N'-bis(quinolin-2-ylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (L5), tris(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (L6) and tris(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (L7), have been isolated and characterized using CHN analysis, UV-Visible spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The single-crystal X-ray structures of the complexes [Ni(L1)(CH(3)CN)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) 1a, [Ni(L2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](BPh(4))(2) 2, [Ni(L3)(CH(3)CN)(2)](BPh(4))(2) 3 and [Ni(L4)(CH(3)CN)(2)](BPh(4))(2) 4 have been determined. All these complexes possess a distorted octahedral coordination geometry in which Ni(II) is coordinated to four nitrogen atoms of the tetradentate ligands and two CH(3)CN (2, 3, 4) or one H(2)O and one CH(3)CN (1a) are located in cis positions. The Ni-N(py) bond distances (2.054(2)-2.078(3) ?) in 1a, 2 and 3 are shorter than the Ni-N(amine) bonds (2.127(2)-2.196(3) ?) because of sp(2) and sp(3) hybridizations of the pyridyl and tertiary amine nitrogens respectively. In 3 the Ni-N(im) bond (2.040(5) ?) is shorter than the Ni-N(py) bond (2.074(4) ?) due to the stronger coordination of imidazole compared with the pyridine donor. In dichloromethane/acetonitrile solvent mixture, all the Ni(ii) complexes possess an octahedral coordination geometry, as revealed by the characteristic ligand field bands in the visible region. They efficiently catalyze the hydroxylation of alkanes when m-CPBA is used as oxidant with turnover number (TON) in the range of 340-620 and good alcohol selectivity for cyclohexane (A/K, 5-9). By replacing one of the pyridyl donors in TPA by a weakly coordinating -NMe(2) or -NEt(2) donor nitrogen atom the catalytic activity decreases slightly with no change in the selectivity. In contrast, upon replacing the pyridyl nitrogen donor by the strongly σ-bonding imidazolyl or sterically demanding quinolyl/benzimidazolyl nitrogen donor, both the catalytic activity and selectivity decrease, possibly due to destabilization of the intermediate [(4N)(CH(3)CN)Ni-O˙](+) radical species. Adamantane is selectively (3°/2°, 12-17) oxidized to 1-adamantanol, 2-adamantanol and 2-adamantanone while cumene is selectively oxidized to 2-phenyl-2-propanol. In contrast to cyclohexane oxidation, the incorporation of sterically hindering quinolyl/benzimidazolyl donors around Ni(ii) leads to a high 3°/2° bond selectivity for adamantane oxidation. A linear correlation between the metal-ligand covalency parameter (β) and the turnover number has been observed.     

Synthesis, spectral and electrochemical studies of Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes with new N2O2 ligands: a new precursor capable of depositing copper nanoparticles using thermal reduction

Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes of the general type [M(N2O2)] are described. The N2O2 ligands used are [N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzylidene)propane-1,3-diamine] (HOMeSalpn) and [N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzylidene)propane-1,2-diamine (HOMeSalpr). These complexes have been characterized by IR, UV-vis, CV, TG-DTA and 1H NMR spectroscopy. The electrochemical behavior of these complexes at a glassy carbon electrode in acetonitrile solution indicates that the first reduction process corresponding to Cu(II)-Cu(I) and Ni(II)-Ni(I) is electrochemically irreversible. The new copper complexes have been applied for the preparation of copper nanoparticles using non-ionic surfactant (Triton X-100) by thermal reduction. The copper nanoparticles with average size of 48nm were formed by thermal reduction of [N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzylidene)propane-1,3-diamine]copper(II) in the presence of triphenylphosphine thus releasing the reduced copper and affording the high-purity copper nanoparticles.     

Metal-ion selectivity produced by C-alkyl substituents on the bridges of chelating ligands: the importance of short H-H nonbonded van der Waals contacts in controlling metal-ion selectivity. A thermodynamic, molecular mechanics, and crystallographic study

The effect on metal-ion selectivity of the use of cyclohexenyl bridges in ligands in place of ethylene bridges is examined (selectivity is defined as the difference in log K1 for one metal ion relative to that of another with the same ligand). The syntheses of N,N'-bis(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (Cy2-en), N,N'-bis(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane-1,3-diamine (Cy2-tn), and 1,7-bis(2-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1,4,7-triazaheptane (Cy2-dien) are reported. The crystal structures of [Cu(Cy2-tn)(H2O)](ClO4)2 (1) and [Cu(Cy2-dien)](ClO4)2 (2) are reported. Characteristics of 1: monoclinic, Pn space group, a=11.627(2) A, b=7.8950(10) A, c=12.737(8) A, beta=98.15(3) degrees, Z=2, R=0.0524. Characteristics of 2: orthorhombic, Pbca space group, a=21.815(16) A, b=8.525(7) A, c=25.404(14) A, Z=8, R=0.0821. Structure 1 has the Cu(II) atom coordinated in the plane of the ligand to the two N donors and two O donors, with a long bond to an axially coordinated water molecule. 2 has three N donors, and one hydroxyl O donor from the ligand is coordinated in the plane around the Cu(II) atom, with the second hydroxyl O donor of the ligand occupying an axial site with a long Cu-O bond. The salient feature of both structures is the short H-H nonbonded distance between H atoms on the cyclohexenyl bridges and H atoms on the ethylene bridges of the ligand. These short contacts are important in explaining the metal-ion selectivities of these ligands. Formation constants, determined by glass-electrode potentiometry, for the Cy2-en (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II)), Cy2-dien (Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Pb(II)), and Cy2-tn (Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II)) complexes are reported. These all show a strong shift in selectivity toward smaller metal ions compared with the analogous ligands, where ethylene bridges are present in place of the cyclohexenyl bridges of the ligands studied here. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations are used to analyze these changes in selectivity. These calculations show that the short H-H contacts become shorter with increasing metal-ion size, which is suggested as the cause of the shift in the selectivity of ligands in favor of smaller metal ions when ethylene bridges are replaced with cyclohexenyl bridges. MM calculations are also used to rationalize, in terms of short H-H contacts, the fact that when the chelate ring contains two neutral O donors, more stable complexes result with cis placement of the donor atoms on the cyclohexenyl bridge, but with two N donors, trans placement of the donor atoms results in more stable complexes.     

A versatile series of nickel(II) complexes derived from tetradentate imine/pyridyl ligands and various pseudohalides: azide and cyanate compared

The chemical reactions of a family of tetradentate pyridyl/imine ligands, L1, L2, and L3 (L1=[ N, N'-bis(2-pyridinylmethylene)]ethane-1,2-diamine; L2=[ N, N'-bis(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene]ethane-1,2-diamine; L3=[ N, N'-bis(2-pyridinylmethylene)]propane-1,3-diamine), with Ni (II) in the presence of various pseudohalides (N3(-), SCN(-), and NCO(-)) have served to prepare six different complexes, [Ni 2(L1)2(N3)2](ClO4)2.H2O (1), [Ni 2(L2)2(N3)2](ClO4)2 (2), [Ni2(L2)2(NCS)4] (3), [Ni2(L2)2(NCO) 2](ClO4)2 (4), [Ni2(L3)2(NCO)2](ClO4)2 (5), and [Ni(L3)(N 3)2] (6), which have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Interestingly, four of these complexes are dinuclear and exhibit end-on (EO) pseudohalide bridges (1, 2, 4, and 5), one is dinuclear and bridged exclusively by the tetradentate ligand (3), and one is mononuclear (6). The bulk magnetization of the complexes bridged by EO pseudohalides has been studied, revealing these ligands to mediate ferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions, with modeled coupling constants, J, of +31.62 (1), +28.42 (2), +2.81 (4), and +1.72 (5) cm(-1) (where the convention H=-2JS1S2 was used). The striking difference in the coupling intensity between N3(-) and NCO(-) has prompted an investigation by means of density functional theory calculations, which has confirmed the experimental results and provided insight into the reasons for this observation.     

Influence of the chelate effect on the electronic structure of one-electron oxidized group 10 metal(II)-(disalicylidene)diamine complexes

The neutral and one-electron oxidized group 10 metal, Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II), six-membered chelate Salpn (Salpn = N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine) complexes have been investigated and compared to the five-membered chelate Salen (N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-ethanediamine) and Salcn (N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine) complexes. Reaction of the Salpn complexes with 1 equivalent of AgSbF(6) affords the oxidized complexes which exist as ligand radical species in solution and in the solid state. The solid state structures of the oxidized complexes have been determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis. While the Ni and Pt analogues exhibit an essentially symmetric coordination sphere contraction upon oxidation, the oxidized Pd derivative exhibits an asymmetric metal binding environment demonstrating at least partial ligand radical localization. In comparison to the oxidized Salen and Salcn complexes, the propyl backbone of the Salpn complexes leads to a larger deviation from a planar geometry in the solid state. The electronic structure of the oxidized Salpn complexes was further probed by UV-vis-NIR measurements, electrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. The intense NIR band for the one-electron oxidized Salpn complexes shifts to lower energy in comparison to the 5-membered chelate analogues, which is attributed to lower metal d(xz) character in the β-LUMO for the Salpn series. The reactivity of the one-electron oxidized Salpn complexes with exogenous ligands was also studied. In the presence of pyridine, the oxidized Ni analogue exhibits a shift in the locus of oxidation to a Ni(III) species. The oxidized PtSalpn complex rapidly decomposes in the presence of pyridine, even at low temperature. Interestingly, electronic and EPR spectroscopy suggests that the addition of pyridine to the oxidized Pd analogue results in initial dissociation of the phenoxyl radical ligand, likely due to the increased flexibility of the propyl backbone.     

Synthesis of metal-(pentadentate-salen) complexes: asymmetric epoxidation with aqueous hydrogen peroxide and asymmetric cyclopropanation (salenH2: N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylene-1,2-diamine)

It is known that the rates and stereochemical outcomes of epoxidations and cyclopropanations using a metallosalen (salenH(2): N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylene-1,2-diamine) complex as catalyst are affected by a trans effect of the apical ligand of the complex. By taking into consideration this trans effect, we have synthesized optically active pentadentate salen ligands bearing an imidazole or pyridine derivative as the fifth coordinating group, and have prepared the corresponding manganese(III) and cobalt(II) complexes, in which the fifth ligand is expected to intramolecularly coordinate to the metal center and exert a trans effect. Indeed, high enantioselectivity has been achieved in epoxidations using aqueous hydrogen peroxide as the terminal oxidant and in cyclopropanations with these complexes as catalysts. In general, metallosalen-catalyzed reactions have been carried out in the presence of an excess of a donor ligand; however, the present reactions do not need the addition of any extra donor ligand.     

Synthesis, characterization, and metal coordinating ability of multifunctional carbohydrate-containing compounds for Alzheimer's therapy

Dysfunctional interactions of metal ions, especially Cu, Zn, and Fe, with the amyloid-beta (A beta) peptide are hypothesized to play an important role in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to direct effects on A beta aggregation, both Cu and Fe catalyze the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the brain further contributing to neurodegeneration. Disruption of these aberrant metal-peptide interactions via chelation therapy holds considerable promise as a therapeutic strategy to combat this presently incurable disease. To this end, we developed two multifunctional carbohydrate-containing compounds N,N'-bis[(5-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-2-hydroxy)benzyl]-N,N'-dimethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine (H2GL1) and N,N'-bis[(5-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy)benzyl]-N,N'-dimethyl-ethane-1,2-diamine (H2GL2) for brain-directed metal chelation and redistribution. Acidity constants were determined by potentiometry aided by UV-vis and 1H NMR measurements to identify the protonation sites of H2GL1,2. Intramolecular H bonding between the amine nitrogen atoms and the H atoms of the hydroxyl groups was determined to have an important stabilizing effect in solution for the H2GL1 and H2GL2 species. Both H2GL1 and H2GL2 were found to have significant antioxidant capacity on the basis of an in vitro antioxidant assay. The neutral metal complexes CuGL1, NiGL1, CuGL2, and NiGL2 were synthesized and fully characterized. A square-planar arrangement of the tetradentate ligand around CuGL2 and NiGL2 was determined by X-ray crystallography with the sugar moieties remaining pendant. The coordination properties of H2GL1,2 were also investigated by potentiometry, and as expected, both ligands displayed a higher affinity for Cu2+ over Zn2+ with H2GL1 displaying better coordinating ability at physiological pH. Both H2GL1 and H2GL2 were found to reduce Zn2+- and Cu2+- induced Abeta1-40 aggregation in vitro, further demonstrating the potential of these multifunctional agents as AD therapeutics.     

Synthesis,spectral, crystallography and thermal investigations of novel Schiff base complexes of manganese (III) derived from heterocyclic β-diketone with aromatic and aliphatic diamine

The Schiff base tetradentate ligands N,N-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene)-ethane-1,2-diamine (H₂L¹), N,N-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-1-p-sulfonyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene)-ethane-1,2-diamine (H₂L²), N,N-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene)-benzene-1,2-diamine (H₂L³) and N,N-bis-(3,5-dimethyl-1-p-sulfonyl-1H-pyrazol-4-ylmethylene)-benzene-1,2-diamine (H₂L⁴) were prepared from the reaction between 5-oxo-3-methyl-1-p-tolyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde or 4-(4-formyl-5-oxo-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-benzenesulfonic acid and o-phenylenediamine or ethylenediamine. And these are characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H NMR and GC–MS. The corresponding Schiff base complexes of Mn(III) were prepared by condensation of [Mn₃(μ₃-O)(OAc)₆(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O with ligands H₂L¹, H₂L², H₂L³ and H₂L⁴. All these complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, X-ray crystallography, conductometry measurement, FT-IR, electronic spectra and mass (FAB) spectrometry. Thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied by TGA, DTA and DSC. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate octahedral stereochemistry of manganese (III) complexes, while non-electrolytic behaviour complexes indicate the absence of counter ion.     

Stereoselective ring-opening polymerization of a racemic lactide by using achiral salen- and homosalen-aluminum complexes

Highly isotactic polylactide or poly(lactic acid) is synthesized in a ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of racemic lactide with achiral salen- and homosalen-aluminum complexes (salenH(2)=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylene-1,2-diamine; homosalenH(2)=N,N'-bis(salicylidene)trimethylene-1,3-diamine). A systematic exploration of ligands demonstrates the importance of the steric influence of the Schiff base moiety on the degree of isotacticity and the backbone for high activity. The complexes prepared in situ are pure enough to apply to the polymerizations without purification. The crystal structures of the key complexes are elucidated by X-ray diffraction, which confirms that they are chiral. However, analysis of the (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra unambiguously demonstrates that their conformations are so flexible that the chiral environment of the complexes cannot be maintained in solution at 25 degrees C and that the complexes are achiral under the polymerization conditions. The flexibility of the backbone in the propagation steps is also documented. Hence, the isotacticity of the polymer occurs due to a chain-end control mechanism. The highest reactivity in the present system is obtained with the homosalen ligand with 2,2-dimethyl substituents in the backbone (ArCH==NCH(2)CMe(2)CH(2)N==CHAr), whereas tBuMe(2)Si substituents at the 3-positions of the salicylidene moieties lead to the highest selectivity (P(meso)=0.9(8); T(m)=210 degrees C). The ratio of the rate constants in the ROPs of racemic lactide and L-lactide is found to correlate with the stereoselectivity in the present system. The complex can be utilized in bulk polymerization, which is the most attractive in industry, although with some loss of stereoselectivity at high temperature, and the afforded polymer shows a higher melting temperature (P(meso)=0.9(2), T(m) up to 189 degrees C) than that of homochiral poly(L-lactide) (T(m)=162-180 degrees C). The "livingness" of the bulk polymerization at 130 degrees C is maintained even at a high conversion (97-98 %) and for an extended polymerization time (1-2 h).     

DFT-UX3LYP studies on the coordination chemistry of Ni2+. Part 1: Six coordinate [Ni(NH3)n(H2O)(6-n)]2+ complexes

DFT calculations with the UX3LYP hybrid functional and a medium-sized 6-311++G(d,p) basis set were performed to examine the gas-phase structure of paramagnetic (S = 1) six-coordinate complexes [Ni(NH3)n(H2O)(6-n)](2+), 0 < or = n < or = 6. Significant interligand hydrogen bonding was found in [Ni(H2O)6](2+), but this becomes much less significant as NH3 replaces H2O in the coordination sphere of the metal. Bond angles and bond lengths obtained from these calculations compare reasonably well with available crystallographic data. The mean calculated Ni-O bond length in [Ni(H2O)6](2+) is 2.093 A, which is 0.038 A longer than the mean of the crystallographically observed values (2.056(22) A, 108 structures) but within 2sigma of the experimental values. The mean calculated Ni-N bond length in [Ni(NH3)6](2+) is 2.205(3) A, also longer (by 0.070 A) than the crystallographically observed mean (2.135(18) A, 7 structures). Valence bond angles are reproduced within 1 degree. The successive replacement of H2O by NH3 as ligands results in an increase in the stabilization energy by 7 +/- 2 kcal mol(-1) per additional NH3 ligand. The experimentally observed increase in the lability of H2O in Ni(II) as NH3 replaces H2O in the coordination sphere is explained by an increase in the Ni-OH2 bond length. It was found from a natural population analysis that complexes with the highest stabilization energies are associated with the greatest extent of ligand-to-metal charge transfer, and the transferred electron density is largely accommodated in the metal 4s and 3d orbitals. An examination of the charge density rho bcp and the Laplacian of the charge density nabla(2)rho(bcp) at the metal-ligand bond critical points (bcp) in the series show a linear correlation with the charge transferred to the metal. Values of nabla(2)rho(bcp) are positive, indicative of a predominantly closed-shell interaction. The charge transferred to the metal increases as n, the number of NH3 ligands in the complex, increases. This lowers the polarizing ability of the metal on the ligand donors and the average metal-ligand bond length increases, resulting in a direct correlation between the dissociation energy of the complexes and the reciprocal of the average metal-ligand bond length. There is a strong correlation between the charge transferred to the metal and experimental DeltaH values for successive replacement of H2O by NH3, but a correlation with stability constants (log beta values) breaks when n = 5 and 6, probably because of entropic effects in solution. Nevertheless, DFT calculations may be a useful way of estimating the stability constants of metal-ligand systems.     

Two Cobalt(Ⅱ) Complexes Derived from the Hydrolysis Product of Di-Schiff Base Ligand N,N'-Bis-(1-benzimidazo-2-ylethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine: Preparation,Characterization and Crystal Structure of the 6-Coordinate Species [CoL2]X·H2O (X = ClO4-,NO3-)

The reactions of Co(CIO4)2.6H2O and Co(NO3)2·6H2O with the di-Schiff base ligand N,N'-bis-(1-benzimidazo-2-yl-ethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine (LA) in ethanol have been investigated.The reactions of LA with excess amount of cobalt salts yield the six-coordinate complexes [CoL2](CIO4)2·H2O 1 and [CoL2](NO3)2·H2O 2 as isolatable products (L = N-(1-benzimidazo-2-yl-ethylidene)-ethane-1,2-diamine), where L is a tri-dentate mono-Schiff base ligand, resulting from the hydrolysis of the precursor di-Schiff base LA.Both complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography.Crystal data for complex 1: monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 11.9214(10), b = 23.5828(17), c = 14.0387(12)(A), β= 135.219[4]°,C22H30CI2CoN9O9,Mr = 680.37, V = 2780.1(4)(A)3, Z = 4, Dc = 1.625 g/cm3,μ(MoKa) = 0.876 mm-1, F(000) = 1404,the final R = 0.0725 and wR = 0.1530 for 5726 observed reflections (I＞2σ(I)).Crystal data for complex 2: monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 18.2162(16), b = 10.0610(6), c = 18.593(2)(A),β=130.099(3)°, C22H30CoN10O7, Mr = 605.49, V = 2606.5(4)(A)3, Z = 4, Dc = 1.543 g/cm3,μ(MoKα)= 0.722 mm-1, F(000) = 1260, the final R = 0.0619 and wR = 0.1429 for 5194 observed reflections (I ＞ 2σ(I)).X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that each cobalt atom in the two complexes is chelated by six nitrogen atoms from two tridentate iigands L, exhibiting a slightly distorted octahedral coordination sphere.In both complexes, the strong hydrogen-bonding interactions between the lattice waters and N-H groups of the ligands result in 1D chains which are further connected by ClO4- (or NO3-) groups to form a 3D framework.In complex 2, the strong π-π interactions increase the stability of the structure.     

Heterobimetallic Zn(II)-Ln(III) phenylene-bridged schiff base complexes, computational studies, and evidence for singlet energy transfer as the main pathway in the sensitization of near-infrared Nd3+ luminescence

A series of 3d-4f heterobimetallic phenylene-bridged Schiff base complexes of the general formula [Zn(mu-L1)Ln(NO3)3(S)n] [Ln = La (1), Nd (2), Gd (3), Er (4), Yb (5); S = H(2)O, EtOH; n = 1, 2; H2L1 = N,N'-bis(3-methoxysalicylidene)phenylene-1,2-diamine] and [Zn(mu-L2)Ln(NO3)3(H2O)n] [Ln = La (6), Nd (7), Gd (8), Er (9), Yb (10); n = 1, 2; H(2)L(2) = N,N'-bis(3-methoxy-5-p-tolylsalicylidene)phenylene-1,2-diamine] were synthesized and characterized. Complexes 1, 2, 4, and 7 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. At room temperature in CH(3)CN, both neodymium(III) (2 and 7) and ytterbium(III) (5 and 10) complexes also exhibited, in addition to the ligand-centered emission in the UV-vis region, their lanthanide(III) ion emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region. The photophysical properties of the zinc(II) phenylene-bridged complexes (ZnL1 and ZnL2) were measured and compared with those of the corresponding zinc(II) ethylene-bridged complexes (ZnL3 and ZnL4). Our results revealed that, at 77 K, both ligand-centered triplet (3LC) and singlet (1LC) states existed for the ethylene-bridged complexes (ZnL3 and ZnL4), whereas only the (1)LC state was detected for the phenylene-bridged complexes (ZnL1 and ZnL2). NIR sensitization studies of [Zn(mu-L')Nd(NO3)3(H2O)n] (L' = L1-L4) complexes further showed that Nd3+ sensitization took place via the 3LC and 1LC states when the spacer between the imine groups of the Schiff base ligand was an ethylene and a phenylene unit, respectively. Ab initio calculations show that the observed differences can be attributed to the difference in the molecular vibrational properties and electron densities of the electronic states between the ethylene- and phenylene-bridged complexes.     

Influence of electron-attractor substituents on the magnetic properties of Ni(II) string complexes

Density functional theory calculations carried out on the anionic Ni(II) chain complexes {trinickeltetrakis[2,6-bis(amido)pyridine]}2- and {trinickeltetrakis[N,N'-bis(sulfonyl)pyridyldiamido]}2- show that the electron-attractor character of the sulfonyl substituent modifies the basicity of the amido ligand ends so as to raise the electronic state of the underlying metal atom from low spin (S = 0) to high spin (S = 1). The computed elongation of the outermost Ni-N bonds with the grafting of SO2H substituents is in agreement with this interpretation.     

Fluorescent Type II Materials from Naphthylmethyl Polyamine Precursors

Speciation studies in aqueous solution on the interaction of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ with a series of polyaminic ligands N-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-N′-{2-[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethyl}-ethane-1,2-diamine (Ll), N-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-N′-(2-{2-[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethylamino}-ethyl)-ethane-1,2-diamine (L2) and N-naphthalen-1-ylmethyl-N′-[2-(2-{2-[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethylamino}-ethylamino)-ethyl]-ethane-1,2-diamine (L3) containing two naphthylmethyl groups at their termini and N ¹-(2-{2-[(naphthalen-1-ylmethyl)-amino]-ethylamino}-ethyl)-ethane-1,2-diamine (L4) containing just one naphthylmethyl group have been carried out at 298.1 K in 0.15 mol dm^?3 NaCl. In the case of the tetraamines L2 and L4, their coordination capabilities towards Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Pb²⁺ have also been considered. The stability constants follow the general Irving-Williams sequence. The steady-state fluorescence emission studies on the interaction with metal ions show that while Cu²⁺ produces a chelation enhancement of the quenching (CHEQ), the interaction with Zn²⁺ leads to a chelation enhancement of the fluorescence (CHEF). Finally, ligands L1, L2 and L3 have been successfully covalently attached to silica surfaces and some preliminary results of their emissive properties are given.     

Synthesis and metal complexes of chiral c(2)-symmetric diamino-bisoxazoline ligands

A synthetic route to tetradentate chiral N(4) ligands has been developed with the aim to study the potential of corresponding iron and manganese complexes as catalysts for enantioselective epoxidation. These ligands, which contain two oxazoline rings and two trialkylamino groups as coordinating units, are readily prepared in enantiomerically pure form by the reaction of chiral 2-chloromethyloxazolines with achiral N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine or chiral (R,R)-N,N'-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine. The ligands derived from N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine reacted with anhydrous metal halides MnCl(2) and FeCl(2) in a stereoselective manner to give octahedral mononuclear complexes that have the general formula Delta-[(L)MCl(2)]. In contrast, the ligands derived from N,N'-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine formed complexes with different coordination modes depending on the diastereomer employed: in one case the metal ion was found to be pentacoordinate, in the other case a hexacoordinated complex was observed. The structure of a series of Fe and Mn complexes was determined by X-ray analysis. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was further studied by X-ray and NMR analyses of the diamagnetic isostructural complexes [(L)ZnCl(2)]. Analogous ionic complexes, which were prepared by removing chloride with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate or hexafluoroantimonate, were tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of olefins.     

Defining the electronic and geometric structure of one-electron oxidized copper-bis-phenoxide complexes

The geometric and electronic structure of an oxidized Cu complex ([CuSal](+); Sal = N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine) with a non-innocent salen ligand has been investigated both in the solid state and in solution. Integration of information from UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, electrochemistry, resonance Raman spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations provides critical insights into the nature of the localization/delocalization of the oxidation locus. In contrast to the analogous Ni derivative [NiSal](+) (Storr, T.; et al. Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 5198), which exists solely in the Ni(II) ligand-radical form, the locus of oxidation is metal-based for [CuSal](+), affording exclusively a Cu(III) species in the solid state (4-300 K). Variable-temperature solution studies suggest that [CuSal](+) exists in a reversible spin-equilibrium between a ligand-radical species [Cu(II)Sal(*)](+) (S = 1) and the high-valent metal form [Cu(III)Sal](+) (S = 0), indicative of nearly isoenergetic species. It is surprising that a bis-imine-bis-phenolate ligation stabilizes the Cu(III) oxidation state, and even more surprising that in solution a spin equilibrium occurs without a change in coordination number. The oxidized tetrahydrosalen analogue [CuSal(red)](+) (Sal(red) = N,N'-bis(3,5-di- tert-butylhydroxybenzyl)-1,2-cyclohexane-(1R,2R)-diamine) exists as a temperature-invariant Cu(II)-ligand-radical complex in solution, demonstrating that ostensibly simple variations of the ligand structure affect the locus of oxidation in Cu-bis-phenoxide complexes.     

Synthesis, structure, and characterization of new mononuclear Mn(II) complexes. Electrochemical conversion into new oxo-bridged Mn(2)(III,IV) complexes. Role of chloride ions

Two Mn(II) complexes are isolated and X-ray characterized, namely, cis-[(L(2))Mn(II)(Cl)(2)] (1) and [(L(3))Mn(II)Cl(OH(2))](ClO(4)) (2(ClO(4))), where L(2) and L(3) are the well-known tetradentate N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine and N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine ligands, respectively. The crystal structure reveals that whereas the ligand L(2) is in the cis-alpha conformation in complex 1, the ligand L(3) is in the more unusual cis-beta conformation in 2. EPR spectra are recorded on frozen solutions for both complexes and are characteristic of Mn(II) species. Electrochemical behaviors are investigated on acetonitrile solution for both complexes and show that cation 2 exists as closely related Mn(II) species in equilibrium. For both complexes exhaustive bulk electrolyses of acetonitrile solution are performed at oxidative potential in various experimental conditions. In the presence of 2,6-lutidine and after elimination of chloride ligands, the formation of the di-mu-oxo mixed-valent complexes [(L(2))Mn(III)(mu-O)(2)Mn(IV)(L(2))](3+) (3a) and [(L(3))Mn(III)(mu-O)(2)Mn(IV)(L(3))](3+) (4) is confirmed by UV-vis and EPR spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry. In addition crystals of 4(ClO(4))(3) were isolated, and the X-ray structure reveals the cis-alphaconformation of L(3). In the absence of 2,6-lutidine and without elimination of the exogenous chloride ions, the electrochemical oxidation of 1 leads to the formation of the mononuclear Mn(III) complex, namely, [(L(2))Mn(III)(Cl)(2)](+) (5), as confirmed by UV-vis as well as parallel mode EPR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. In the same conditions, the electrochemical oxidation of complex 2 is more intricate, and a thorough analysis of EPR spectra establishes the formation of the binuclear mono-mu-oxo mixed-valent [(L(3))ClMn(III)(mu-O)Mn(IV)Cl(L(3))](3+) (6) complexes. Electrochemical conversion of Mn(II) complexes into mixed-valent Mn(2)(III,IV) oxo-bridged complexes in the presence of 2,6-lutidine is discussed. The role of the chloride ligands as well as that of L(3) in the building of oxo bridges is discussed. Differences in behavior between L(2) and L(3) are commented on.     

Solution structures and behavior of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4)) (binap)(1,2-diamine) complexes

The solution structures of a number of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4))[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) precatalysts [TolBINAP = 2,2'-bis(di-4-tolylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl; 1,2-diamine==(S,S)- or (R,R)-1,2-diphenylethylenediamine (DPEN), ethylenediamine (EN), and (S)-1,1-di(4-anisyl)-2-isopropylethylenediamine (DAIPEN)] have been determined using 2D NMR ((1)H--(1)H DQF-COSY, (1)H--(13)C HMQC, (1)H--(31)P HSQC, and (1)H--(15)N HSQC), and a double-pulsed field-gradient spin-echo (DPFGSE) NOE technique. All the octahedral Ru complexes adopt a trans configuration with respect to the BH(4) and hydride ligands. Amine protons of trans-RuH(eta(1)-BH(4))[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) complexes undergo H/D exchange in (CD(3))(2)CDOD. This inherent high acidity, coupled with the lability and chemical properties of the BH(4) ligand, allows for precatalyst activation without the need for an added base, in contrast to trans-RuCl(2)[(S)-tolbinap](1,2-diamine) precatalysts, which require a strong base for generation of a catalytic species. The H/BH(4) complex in a 2-propanol solution is converted to catalytically active [trans-RuH{(S)-tolbinap}{(S,S)-dpen}(ROH)](+) [(RO)(ROH)(n)](-) (R = (CH(3))(2)CH), a loosely associated ion pair of the discrete (solvated) cationic fragment and anionic species.     

Factors influencing mononuclear versus multinuclear coordination in a series of potentially hexadentate acyclic N6 ligands: the roles of flexibility and chelate ring size

The synthesis of the new potentially hexadentate ligands N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)butane-1,4-diamine (bmbu), N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)pentane-1,5-diamine (bmpt) and N,N'-bis(2,2'-bipyridin-6-ylmethyl)octane-1,8-diamine (bmot) from the condensation of 2,2'-bipyridine-6-carbaldehyde with the appropriate diamine (butane-1,4-diamine, pentane-1,5-diamine and octane-1,8-diamine, respectively) and subsequent reduction, is reported. Bmet, bmpp and bmbu all form mononuclear complexes with first-row transition metal ions (Co(3+), Fe(2+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+)), and X-ray structures of [Mn(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Ni(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Fe(bmet)](ClO(4))(2), [Mn(bmpp)](ClO(4))(2)·2MeCN and [Co(bmpp)](ClO(4))(3)·H(2)O are reported. As the aliphatic methylene chain increases in length, formation of dinuclear, and in some cases trinuclear, complexes becomes more pronounced, as evidenced by mass spectral analysis of solutions containing Ni(2+) and bmpt, and Ni(2+), Fe(2+) and Mn(2+) with bmot. The increasing preference for multinuclear complexes with increasing chain length is ascribed to the difficulty of incorporating a medium-sized (8 to 13-membered) chelate ring in a mononuclear complex.     

Syntheses, X-ray structures, solid state high-field electron paramagnetic resonance, and density-functional theory investigations on chloro and aqua Mn(II) mononuclear complexes with amino-pyridine pentadentate ligands

The two pentadentate amino-pyridine ligands L5(2) and L5(3) (L5(2) and L5(3) stand for the N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine and the N-methyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)propane-1,3-diamine, respectively) were used to synthesize four mononuclear Mn(II) complexes, namely [(L5(2))MnCl](PF6) (1(PF6)), [(L5(3))MnCl](PF6) (2(PF6)), [(L5(2))Mn(OH2)](BPh4)2 (3(BPh4)2), and [(L5(3))Mn(OH2)](BPh4)2 (4(BPh4)2). The X-ray diffraction studies revealed different configurations for the ligand L5(n) (n = 2, 3) depending on the sixth exogenous ligand and/or the counterion. Solid state high-field electron paramagnetic resonance spectra were recorded on complexes 1-4 as on previously described mononuclear Mn(II) systems with tetra- or hexadentate amino-pyridine ligands. Positive and negative axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters D were determined whose absolute values ranged from 0.090 to 0.180 cm(-1). Density-functional theory calculations were performed unraveling that, in contrast with chloro systems, the spin-spin and spin-orbit coupling contributions to the D-parameter are comparable for mixed N,O-coordination sphere complexes.