Synthesis and Characterization of a Magnesium Boryl and a Beryllium‐Substituted Diazaborole

Reaction of a lithium boryl, [(THF)₂Li{B(DAB)}] (DAB=[(DipNCH)₂]^2?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), with a dinuclear magnesium(I) compound [{(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂] (^MesNacnac=[HC(MeCNMes)₂]^?, Mes=mesityl) unexpectedly afforded a rare example of a terminal magnesium boryl species, [(^MesNacnac)(THF)Mg{B(DAB)}]. Attempts to prepare the magnesium boryl via a salt metathesis reaction between the lithium boryl and a β‐diketiminato magnesium iodide compound, instead led to an intractable mixture of products. Similarly, reaction of the lithium boryl with a β‐diketiminato beryllium bromide precursor, [(^DepNacnac)BeBr] (Dep=2,6‐diethylphenyl) did not give a beryllium boryl, but instead afforded an unprecedented example of a beryllium substituted diazaborole heterocycle, [{(^DepNacnac)Be(4‐DAB^?H)}BBr]. For sake of comparison, the same group 2 halide precursor compounds were treated with a potassium gallyl analogue of the lithium boryl, viz. [(tmeda)K{:Ga(DAB)}] (tmeda=N,N,N’,N’‐tetramethylethylenediamine), but no reactions were observed.     

Diagonally Related s‐ and p‐Block Metals Join Forces: Synthesis and Characterization of Complexes with Covalent Beryllium–Aluminum Bonds

Additions of beryllium–halide bonds in the simple beryllium dihalide adducts, [BeX₂(tmeda)] (X=Br or I, tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine), across the metal center of a neutral aluminum(I) heterocycle, [:Al(^DipNacnac)] (^DipNacnac=[(DipNCMe)₂CH]^?, Dip=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), have yielded the first examples of compounds with beryllium–aluminum bonds, [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐Be(X)(tmeda)]. For sake of comparison, isostructural Mg–Al and Zn–Al analogues of these complexes, viz. [(^DipNacnac)(X)Al‐M(X)(tmeda)] (M=Mg or Zn, X=I or Br) have been prepared and structurally characterized. DFT calculations reveal all compounds to have high s‐character metal–metal bonds, the polarity of which is consistent with the electronegativities of the metals involved. Preliminary reactivity studies of [(^DipNacnac)(Br)Al‐Be(Br)(tmeda)] are reported.     

β‐Diketiminate‐Stabilized Magnesium(I) Dimers and Magnesium(II) Hydride Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization, Adduct Formation,and Reactivity Studies

The preparation and characterization of a series of magnesium(II) iodide complexes incorporating β‐diketiminate ligands of varying steric bulk and denticity, namely, [(ArNCMe)₂CH]^? (Ar=phenyl, (^PhNacnac), mesityl (^MesNacnac), or 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl (Dipp, ^DippNacnac)), [(DippNCtBu)₂CH]^? (^tBuNacnac), and [(DippNCMe)(Me₂NCH₂CH₂NCMe)CH]^? (^DmedaNacnac) are reported. The complexes [(^PhNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^DmedaNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)], [(^MesNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^DippNacnac)MgI(thf)], [(^tBuNacnac)MgI], and [(^tBuNacnac)MgI(DMAP)] (DMAP=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) were shown to be monomeric by X‐ray crystallography. In addition, the related β‐diketiminato beryllium and calcium iodide complexes, [(^MesNacnac)BeI] and [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂] were prepared and crystallographically characterized. The reductions of all metal(II) iodide complexes by using various reagents were attempted. In two cases these reactions led to the magnesium(I) dimers, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. The reduction of a 1:1 mixture of [(^DippNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] and [(^MesNacnac)MgI(OEt₂)] with potassium gave a low yield of the crystallographically characterized complex [(^DippNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)(μ‐I)Mg(^MesNacnac)]. All attempts to form beryllium(I) or calcium(I) dimers by reductions of [(^MesNacnac)BeI], [{(^DippNacnac)CaI(OEt₂)}₂], or [{(^tBuNacnac)CaI(thf)}₂] have so far been unsuccessful. The further reactivity of the magnesium(I) complexes [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] and [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)] towards a variety of Lewis bases and unsaturated organic substrates was explored. These studies led to the complexes [(^MesNacnac)Mg(L)Mg(L)(^MesNacnac)] (L=THF or DMAP), [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^MesNacnac)] (Ad=1‐adamantyl), [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐AdN₆Ad)Mg(^tBuNacnac)], and [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐tBu₂N₂C₂O₂)Mg(^MesNacnac)] and revealed that, in general, the reactivity of the magnesium(I) dimers is inversely proportional to their steric bulk. The preparation and characterization of [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^tBuNacnac)] has shown the compound to have different structural and physical properties to [(^tBuNacnac)MgMg(^tBuNacnac)]. Treatment of the former with DMAP has given [(^tBuNacnac)Mg(H)(DMAP)], the X‐ray crystal structure of which disclosed it to be the first structurally authenticated terminal magnesium hydride complex. Although attempts to prepare [(^MesNacnac)Mg(μ‐H)₂Mg(^MesNacnac)] were not successful, a neutron diffraction study of the corresponding magnesium(I) complex, [(^MesNacnac)MgMg(^MesNacnac)] confirmed that the compound is devoid of hydride ligands.     

Tris­[(R)‐lact­amide‐κ2O,O′]­zinc(II) tetra­bromo­zincate

The title compound, tris­[(R)‐2‐hydroxy­propan­amide‐κ²O,O′]­zinc(II) tetra­bromo­zincate, [Zn(C₃H₇NO₂)₃][ZnBr₄], contains one monomeric six‐coordinate zinc complex cation and one tetrahedral [ZnBr₄]²⁻ anion. Both Zn^II atoms lie on threefold axes. Coordination in the cation occurs via the amide and hydroxy O atoms [Zn—O = 2.074 (5) and 2.073 (6) Å] and has a distorted octahedral geometry, with cis‐O—Zn—O angles in the range 76.2 (2)–109.2 (2)°. In the crystal structure, the cations and anions are linked by N—H⋯Br and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, generating a three‐dimensional network.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Group 12 Metal(I) Complexes Bearing Extremely Bulky Boryl/Silyl Substituted Amide Ligands

Two extremely bulky boryl/silyl-substituted amide ligands, –N{B(DipNCH)₂}(SiR₃) (R = Me ^TBoL, R = Ph ^PhBoL; Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) were used in the preparation of the group 12 metal halide complexes, ^PhBoLZnBr, {^TBoLCd(μ-I)}₂, ^TBoLHgI, and ^PhBoLHgI. The reduction of these, and two previously reported compounds, ^PhBoLZnBr(THF) and {^PhBoLCd(μ-I)}₂, using a magnesium(I) compound, {(^MesNacnac)Mg}₂ (^MesNacnac = [(MesNCMe)₂CH]^–, Mes = mesityl), were carried out, leading to mixed results. In several cases these reactions led to decomposition, and deposition of the group 12 metal. However, in two instances the homobimetallic metal(I) complexes, ^TBoLM–M^TBoL (M = Zn or Hg), were isolated and crystallographically characterized. The reduction of {^PhBoLCd(μ-I)}₂ afforded the known cadmium(I) complex, ^PhBoLCd–Cd^PhBoL, but also gave a very low yield of the thermally unstable complex, ^PhBoLCd–Mg(THF)(^MesNacnac). The X-ray crystal structure of this compound reveals it to contain the first example of a Cd–Mg bond in a molecular compound.     

Atom‐Precise Organometallic Zinc Clusters

The bottom‐up synthesis of organometallic zinc clusters is described. The cation {[Zn₁₀](Cp*)₆Me}⁺ ( 1 ) is obtained by reacting [Zn₂Cp*₂] with [FeCp₂][BAr₄^F] in the presence of ZnMe₂. In the presence of suitable ligands, the high reactivity of 1 enables the controlled abstraction of single Zn units, providing access to the lower‐nuclearity clusters {[Zn₉](Cp*)₆} ( 2 ) and {[Zn₈](Cp*)₅(^tBuNC)₃}⁺ ( 3 ). According to DFT calculations, 1 and 2 can be described as closed‐shell species that are electron‐deficient in terms of the Wade–Mingos rules because the apical ZnCp* units that constitute the cluster cage do not have three, but only one, frontier orbitals available for cluster bonding. Zinc behaves flexibly in building the skeletal metal–metal bonds, sometimes providing one major frontier orbital (like Group 11 metals) and sometimes providing three frontier orbitals (like Group 13 elements).     

Multi‐Use NBD‐Based Tetra‐amino Macrocycle: Fluorescent Probe for Metals and Anions and Live Cell Marker

Ligand L (4‐(7‐nitrobenzo[1,2,5]oxadiazole‐4‐yl)‐1,7‐dimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetra‐azacyclododecane) is a versatile fluorescent sensor useful for Cu^II, Zn^II and Cd^II metal detection, as a building block of fluorescent metallo‐receptor for halide detection, and as an organelle marker inside live cells. Ligand L undergoes a chelation‐enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect upon metal coordination in acetonitrile solution. In all three complexes investigated the metal cation is coordinatively unsaturated; thus, it can bind secondary ligands as anionic species. The crystal structure of [Zn L Cl](ClO₄) is discussed. Cu^II and Zn^II complexes are quenched upon halide interaction, whereas the [Cd L ]²⁺ species behaves as an OFF–ON sensor for halide anions in acetonitrile solution. The mechanism of the fluorescence response in the presence of the anion depends on the nature of the metal ion employed and has been studied by spectroscopic methods, such as NMR spectroscopy, UV/Vis and fluorescence techniques and by computational methods. Subcellular localization experiments performed on HeLa cells show that L mainly localizes in spot‐like structures in a polarized portion of the cytosol that is occupied by the Golgi apparatus to give a green fluorescence signal.     

Amidinato Germylene‐Zinc Complexes: Synthesis,Bonding, and Reactivity

Despite the explosive growth of germylene compounds as ligands in transition metal complexes, there is a modicum of precedence for the germylene zinc complexes. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of new germylene zinc complexes [PhC(NtBu)₂Ge{N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnX₂]₂ (X= Br ( 2 ) and I ( 3 )) supported by (benz)‐amidinato germylene ligands are reported. The solid‐state structures of 2 and 3 have been validated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies, which revealed the dimeric nature of the complexes, with distorted tetrahedral geometries around the Ge and Zn center. DFT calculations reveal that the Ge–Zn bonds in 2 and 3 are dative in nature. The reaction of 2 with elemental sulfur resulted in the first structurally characterized germathione stabilized ZnBr₂ complexes PhC(NtBu)₂Ge(=S){N(SiMe₃)₂}→ZnBr₂ ( 5 ). Therefore, the Ge=S in 5 is in‐between Ge–S single and Ge=S double bond length, owing to the coordination of a sulfur lone pair of electrons to ZnBr₂.     

One‐dimensional zinc‐based coord­in­ation polymers incorporating cyanate anions

Two one‐dimensional zinc‐based coordination polymers containing cyanate anions are reported. catena‐Poly[sodium [[tricyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane‐κ²N:N′]], {Na[Zn(NCO)₃(C₆H₁₂N₂)]}_n, consists of linear [tricyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐1,4‐diaza­bicyclo­[2.2.2]octane strands in which the Zn²⁺ cations adopt trigonal–bipyramidal coordination on sites of m2 point symmetry. Na⁺ cations lie between the strands on sites of m point symmetry, coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry by six O atoms of the cyanate anions. catena‐Poly[[dicyanato­zinc(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Zn(NCO)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with Z′ = 5. The structure consists of zigzag strands formed by Zn²⁺ cations linked via 4,4′‐bipyridine. Each Zn²⁺ cation adopts a tetra­hedral coordination, with two sites occupied by 4,4′‐bipyridine and two cyanate anions completing the coordination sphere. The structure is closely comparable with the thio­cyanate and halide analogues [ZnX₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)] (X = NCS, Cl or Br).     

Homo‐ and Heteronuclear Compounds with a Symmetrical Bis‐hydrazone Ligand: Synthesis,Structural Studies,and Luminescent Properties

Nine new coordination compounds have been synthesized by the reaction of salts of bivalent metal ions (a=Zn^II, b=Cu^II, c=Ni^II, d=Co^II) with the bis(benzoylhydrazone) derivative of 4,6‐diacetylresorcinol (H₄L). Three kinds of complexes have been obtained: homodinuclear compounds [M₂(H₂L)₂]?nH₂O ( 1 a , 1 b , 1 c , and 1 d ), homotetranuclear compounds [M₄(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 a and 2 c ), and heterotetranuclear compounds [Zn₂M₂(L)₂]?n(solv) ( 2 ab , 2 ac , and 2 ad ). The structures of the free ligand H₄L?2 DMSO and its complexes [Zn₂(H₂L)₂(DMSO)₂] ( 1 a* ), [Zn₄(L)₂(DMSO)₆] ( 2 a* ), and [Zn_0.45Cu_3.55(L)₂(DMSO)₆]?2 DMSO ( 2 ab* ) were elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The ligand shows luminescence properties and its fluorimetric behavior towards M^II metals (M=Zn, Cu, Ni and Co) has been studied. Furthermore, the solid‐state luminescence properties of the ligand and compounds have been determined at room temperature. ¹H NMR spectroscopic monitoring of the reaction of H₄L with Zn^II showed the deprotonation sequence of the OH/NH groups upon metal coordination. Heteronuclear reactions have also been monitored by using ESI‐MS and spectrofluorimetric techniques.     

The Nature of the UC Double Bond: Pushing the Stability of High‐Oxidation‐State Uranium Carbenes to the Limit

Treatment of [K(BIPM^MesH)] (BIPM^Mes={C(PPh₂NMes)₂}^2?; Mes=C₆H₂‐2,4,6‐Me₃) with [UCl₄(thf)₃] (1 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^MesH)(Cl)₃(thf)] ( 1 ), which generated [U(BIPM^Mes)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 2 ), following treatment with benzyl potassium. Attempts to oxidise 2 resulted in intractable mixtures, ligand scrambling to give [U(BIPM^Mes)₂] or the formation of [U(BIPM^MesH)(O)₂(Cl)(thf)] ( 3 ). The complex [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(OEt₂)(tmeda)] ( 4 ) (BIPM^Dipp={C(PPh₂NDipp)₂}^2?; Dipp=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂; tmeda=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylenediamine) was prepared from [Li₂(BIPM^Dipp)(tmeda)] and [UCl₄(thf)₃] and, following reflux in toluene, could be isolated as [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(thf)₂] ( 5 ). Treatment of 4 with iodine (0.5 equiv) afforded [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)₂(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(thf)₂] ( 6 ). Complex 6 resists oxidation, and treating 4 or 5 with N‐oxides gives [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂‐ (μ‐Cl)₂Li(tmeda)] ( 7 ) and [{U(BIPM^DippH)(O)₂(μ‐Cl)}₂] ( 8 ). Treatment of 4 with tBuOLi (3 equiv) and I₂ (1 equiv) gives [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃(I)] ( 9 ), which represents an exceptionally rare example of a crystallographically authenticated uranium(VI)–carbon σ bond. Although 9 appears sterically saturated, it decomposes over time to give [U(BIPM^Dipp)(OtBu)₃]. Complex 4 reacts with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO to form [U(BIPM^Dipp)(μ‐Cl)₄(Li)₂(tmeda)(OCPhtBu)] ( 10 ) and [U(BIPM^Dipp)(Cl)(μ‐Cl)₂(Li)(tmeda)(OCPh₂)] ( 11 ). In contrast, complex 5 does not react with PhCOtBu and Ph₂CO, which we attribute to steric blocking. However, complexes 5 and 6 react with PhCHO to afford (DippNPPh₂)₂C?C(H)Ph ( 12 ). Complex 9 does not react with PhCOtBu, Ph₂CO or PhCHO; this is attributed to steric blocking. Theoretical calculations have enabled a qualitative bracketing of the extent of covalency in early‐metal carbenes as a function of metal, oxidation state and the number of phosphanyl substituents, revealing modest covalent contributions to U?C double bonds.     

Zinc (II), palladium (II) and cadmium (II) complexes containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline derivatives: Synthesis,characterization and methyl methacrylate polymerization

A series of Zn (II), Pd (II) and Cd (II) complexes, [(L) _n MX ₂ ] _m (L = L‐a–L‐c; M = Zn, Pd; X = Cl; M = Cd; X = Br; n, m = 1 or 2), containing 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethylene) aniline ( L‐a ), 4‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐b ) and 4‐methoxy‐N‐methyl‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl) aniline ( L‐c ) have been synthesized and characterized. The X‐ray crystal structures of Pd (II) complexes [L ₁ PdCl ₂ ] (L = L‐b and L‐c) revealed distorted square planar geometries obtained via coordinative interaction of the nitrogen atoms of pyridine and amine moieties and two chloro ligands. The geometry around Zn (II) center in [(L‐a)ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐c)ZnCl ₂ ] can be best described as distorted tetrahedral, whereas [(L‐b) ₂ ZnCl ₂ ] and [(L‐b) ₂ CdBr ₂ ] achieved 6‐coordinated octahedral geometries around Zn and Cd centers through 2‐equivalent ligands, respectively. In addition, a dimeric [(L‐c)Cd(μ ‐ Br)Br] ₂ complex exhibited typical 5‐coordinated trigonal bipyramidal geometry around Cd center. The polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane was evaluated by all the synthesized complexes at 60°C. Among these complexes, [(L‐b)PdCl ₂ ] showed the highest catalytic activity [3.80 × 10⁴ g poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/mol Pd hr^?1], yielding high molecular weight (9.12 × 10⁵ g mol^?1) PMMA. Syndio‐enriched PMMA (characterized using ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy) of about 0.68 was obtained with T_g in the range 120–128°C. Unlike imine and amine moieties, the introduction of N‐methyl moiety has an adverse effect on the catalytic activity, but the syndiotacticity remained unaffected.     

Synthesis and X‐ray Crystal Structures of Homotrimetallic Zinc Bisureate Complexes

Alkane elimination reactions of the tethered bis(urea) proligand 1,4‐(tBuNHCONH)₂‐C₄H₈ ( 1 ) with ZnR₂ (R = Me, Et, nPr) yielded trimetallic zinc complexes [RZn‐1,4‐(tBuNHCON)₂‐C₄H₈]₂Zn [R = Me ( 2 ), Et ( 3 ), and nPr ( 4 )]. 2 – 4 were characterized by heteronuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction.     

Synthesis Characterization,X‐ray Structures,and Solution Studies of Dinuclear Zinc(II) Complexes of Acyclic Schiff Base Ligands

Dizinc(II) complexes of two acyclic Schiff‐base ligands L1 ^– and L2 ^– were synthesized by Schiff base condensation of 2‐[3‐(2‐formylphenoxy)‐2‐hydroxypropoxy]benzaldehyde ( PL ) with 1,2‐diaminopropane and 1,2‐diaminoethane, respectively, in the presence of zinc(II) salts. The isolation of a selection of 2:1 (metal:ligand) complexes of zinc(II) was carried out and conductance measurements, IR, UV/Vis absorption, and fluorescence emission spectroscopy, as well as X‐ray diffraction were employed to probe the nature of the respective complexes in both solid and solution states. The molecular structure of [Zn₂ L1 (NO₃)₃] ( 1 ) complex consists of two six‐coordinate atoms, which are bridged by the deprotonated hydroxy group and one 1,3‐bridging nitrate anion. The structure of [Zn₂ L2 (NO₃)(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ · CH₃OH ( 3 ) consists of a dizinc cation and two nitrate anions as counterions. In compound 3 , each zinc atom is bound to water instead of a terminal nitrate anion in a distorted octahedral arrangement. The intermetallic separation distance of Zn ··· Zn in 3 (3.376 Å) is slightly smaller than 1 (3.403 Å) and is similar to that found in zinc phosphotriesterase (3.5 Å). The π–π interactions between the benzene rings of adjacent molecules in 3 are stronger than in 1 .     

Complexes of Group 12 Metal Dihalides with 2‐Acetylpyridine‐N‐oxide 4N‐methylthiosemicarbazone (H4MLO). The Crystal Structures and Organization of [Zn(H4MLO)X2] (X = Br,I)

Reaction of group 12 metal dihalides with 2‐acetylpyridine‐N‐oxide ⁴N‐methylthiosemicarbazone (H4MLO) in ethanol afforded compounds [M(H4MLO)X₂] (M = Zn^II, Cd^II, Hg^II; X = Cl, Br, I), the structures of which were characterized by elemental analysis and by IR and ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. In addition, the complexes of ZnBr₂ and ZnI₂ were analysed structurally by X‐ray diffractometry. In [Zn(H4MLO)Br₂] the ligand is O,N,S‐tridentate and the metal is pentacoordinated, while in [Zn(H4MLO)I₂] the thiosemicarbazone is S,O‐bis‐monodentate and the Zn^II cation has a distorted tetrahedral coordination polyhedron. In assays of antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger and Paecilomyces variotii, only the mercury compounds showed any activity, and only [Hg(H4MLO)Cl₂] and [Hg(H4MLO)I₂] were competitive with nystatin against A. niger.     

Die Struktur von [Li(tmeda)2][Zn(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)3]

X-Ray Structure of [Li(tmeda)₂][Zn(2,4,6- i Pr₃C₆H₂)₃] A side reaction of zinc halide containing VCl₂(tmeda)₂ and Li(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂) formed [Li(tmeda)₂][Zn(2,4,6-iPr₃C₆H₂)₃] · 0,5[(tmeda)Li(μ-Cl)]₂. The crystal structure (orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 26,226(2), b = 19,739(2), c = 27,223(5) Å, Z = 8, R = 0,062, wR² = 0,154) contains trigonal planar zinc anions with Zn–C distances of 2,039(7) Å (average) and a propeller like arrangement of the aryl rings.     

Five Coordinated Zinc(II) and Tris‐Chelate Cadmium(II) Complexes with 2,2′‐Diamino‐5,5′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bithiazole – Syntheses,Spectroscopic Characterization,and Crystal Structure

The new synthesized ligand (DADMBTZ = 2,2′‐diamino‐5,5′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bithiazole), which is mentioned in this text, is used for preparing the two new complexes [Zn(DADMBTZ)₃](ClO₄)₂. 0.8MeOH.0.2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Cd(DADMBTZ)₃](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ). The characterization was done by IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X‐ray determination. In reaction with DADMBTZ, zinc(II) and cadmium(II) show different characterization. In 2 , to form a tris‐chelate complex with nearly C₃ symmetry for coordination polyhedron, DADMBTZ acts as a bidentate ligand. In 1 , this difference maybe relevant to small radii of Zn²⁺ which make one of the DADMBTZ ligands act as a monodentate ligand to form the five coordinated Zn²⁺ complex. In both 1 and 2 complexes the anions are symmetrically different. 1 and 2 complexes form 2‐D and 3‐D networks via N‐H···O and N‐H···N hydrogen bonds, respectively.     

Zincocene and Dizincocene N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes and Catalytic Hydrogenation of Imines and Ketones

The N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) adducts Zn(Cp^R)₂(NHC)] (Cp^R=C₅HMe₄, C₅H₄SiMe₃; NHC=ItBu, IDipp (Dipp=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl), IMes (Mes=mesityl), SIMes) were prepared and shown to be active catalysts for the hydrogenation of imines, whereas decamethylzincocene [ZnCp*₂] is highly active for the hydrogenation of ketones in the presence of noncoordinating NHCs. The abnormal carbene complex [Zn(OCHPh₂)₂(aItBu)]₂ was formed from spontaneous rearrangement of the ItBu ligand during incomplete hydrogenation of benzophenone. Two isolated Zn^I adducts [Zn₂Cp*₂(NHC)] (NHC=ItBu, SIMes) are presented and characterized as weak adducts on the basis of ¹³C NMR spectroscopic and X‐ray diffraction experiments. A mechanistic proposal for the reduction of [ZnCp*₂] with H₂ to give [Zn₂Cp*₂] is discussed.     

Coordination of ZnII,CdII, and HgII by 2‐Pyridineformamide‐3‐piperidyl‐thiosemicarbazone

Sodium in dry methanol reduces 2‐cyanopyridine in the presence of 3‐piperidylthiosemicarbazide and produces 2‐pyridine‐formamide‐3‐piperidylthiosemicarbazone, HAmpip. Complexes with zinc(II), cadmium(II), and mercury(II) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, the crystal structures of [Zn(Ampip)₂], [Zn(Ampip)(Oac)]₂, [Cd(HAmpip)Cl₂]·(CH₃)₂SO, [Cd(HAm‐pip)Br₂] · (CH₃)₂SO, [Cd(HAmpip)I₂]·(CH₃)₂SO, [Cd(Ampip)₂] and [Hg(HAmpip)Br₂]·(CH₃)₂SO have been solved. Coordination of the anionic and neutral thiosemicarbazone ligand is via the pyridyl nitrogen, imine nitrogen and thiolato/thione sulfur atom, respectively. In [Zn(Ampip)(OAc)]₂ one of the bridging acetato ligands has monodentate coordination and the other bridges in a bidentate manner. ¹¹³Cd NMR studies were carried out on the [Cd(HAmpip)X₂](X = Cl, Br or I) and [Cd(Ampip)(OAc)]₂ complexes. The ¹¹³Cd chemical shifts are affected by the halogen and range from 411 to 301 ppm, and the spectrum of [Cd(Ampip)(OAc)]₂ shows two signals at 450 and 251 ppm. The ¹⁹⁹Hg NMR spectrum of [Hg(HAmpip)Cl₂] also is discussed.     

Template Syntheses of Two Open‐framework Zinc Phosphites

Two new open‐framework zincophosphites, Zn(H₆C₄N₂S)(HPO₃) (TJPU‐4) and [C₆N₂H₁₄]·[Zn₃(HPO₃)₄] (TJPU‐5) have been hydrothermally synthesized by using 2‐mercapto‐1‐methylimidazole [MMI] and 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane [DABCO] as templates. TJPU‐4 crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/c with the cell parameters a = 8.787(4) Å, b = 9.732(4) Å, c = 10.515(4) Å, β = 105.316(6)°, V = 867.3(6) ų. The structure of TJPU‐4 is constructed by ZnO₃S tetrahedron and HPO₃ pseudo‐pyramid to generate a layer of 4, 8‐network in bc plane. The organic template locates on the both sides of the 8‐membered rings and bonds to zinc atom through Zn–S bond. TJPU‐5 crystallizes in the triclinic space group with cell parameters a = 9.294 (5) Å, b = 9.976 (5) Å, c = 9.986 (5) Å, α = 85.692 (7)°, β = 82.010 (7)° and γ = 80.184 (7)°, V = 902.1 (8) ų. A novel 4⁴8⁸ cage is found in TJPU‐5. The connections of Zn(1)O₄, Zn(3)O₄ and HPO₃ groups give rise to an infinite corner‐shared four‐ring chain. Using Zn(2)O₄ as four connected bridges, linkages of these chains produce a 3‐D framework with intersecting 8‐ring channels running along [100], [010], [001], [011] and [111] directions.