Self-assembly of neutral and cationic PdII organometallic molecular rectangles: synthesis, characterization and nitroaromatic sensing

Design and synthesis of three novel [2 + 2] self-assembled molecular rectangles 1-3via coordination driven self-assembly of predesigned Pd(ii) ligands is reported. 1,8-Diethynylanthracene was assembled with trans-Pd(PEt(3))(2)Cl(2) in the presence of CuCl catalyst to yield a neutral rectangle 1via Pd-C bond formation. Complex 1 represents the first example of a neutral molecular rectangle obtained via C-Pd coordination driven self-assembly. A new Pd(2)(II) organometallic building block with 180° bite-angle 1,4-bis[trans-(ethynyl)Pd(PEt(3))(2)(NO(3))]benzene (M(2)) containing ethynyl functionality was synthesized in reasonable yield by employing Sonagashira coupling reaction. Self-assembly of M(2) with two organic clip-type donors (L(2)-L(3)) afforded [2 + 2] self-assembled molecular rectangles 2 and 3, respectively [L(2) = 1,8-bis(4-pyridylethynyl)anthracene; L(3) = 1,3-bis(3-pyridyl)isophthalamide]. The macrocycles 1-3 were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR and ESI-MS spectroscopic techniques, and in case of 1 the structure was unambiguously determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Incorporation of Pd-ethynyl bonds helped to make the assemblies π-electron rich and fluorescent in nature. Complexes 1-2 showed quenching of fluorescence intensity in solution in presence of nitroaromatics, which are the chemical signatures of many commercially available explosives.     

Self-assembly of molecular nanoball: design, synthesis, and characterization

The design and self-assembly of two new flexible supramolecular nanoballs are described. These assemblies incorporate two flexible tritopic amide and ester building blocks and were prepared in excellent yields (96-97%) via coordination driven self-assembly. The first resulted from the reaction of 4 equiv of a new tritopic ester ligand N,N',N' '-tris(4-pyridylmethyl) trimesic ester and 3 equiv of C4 symmetric Pd(NO3)2. The second analogous structure was obtained by the self-assembly of a flexible N,N',N' '-tris(3-pyridylmethyl) trimesic amide and Pd(NO3)2. The assemblies were characterized with multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and TGA. Mass spectrometry along with NMR data and TEM view confirms the existence of the two assemblies. MM2 force field simulations of the cages showed a ball shape with the diameter of the inner cavity of about 2.1 and 1.8 nm for 2a and 2b, respectively, which were also corroborated by TEM analysis.     

Two dinuclear Schiff-base complexes: synthesis,characterization, and biological activity

Two complexes, [Zn₂L(µ-OAc)](ClO₄) (1) and [Mn₂L(OAc)₂]?·?4H₂O (2), were synthesized by [2?+?2] cyclo-condensation between 2,6-diformyl-4-fluorophenol and 1,3-propyldiamine in the presence of metal ions M(II) (M?=?Zn and Mn), and were characterized by chemical analyses, IR spectra, electrospray mass spectra, and X-ray determinations. The results show that 1 forms dimers through hydrogen bonding. In 2, lattice waters, forming a 1-D water chain, function as glue to form a 3-D supramolecular network through extended hydrogen bonding. pBR322 plasmid DNA can be transformed to nicked form in air by 1 or nicked and linear forms in air by 2. Moreover, their antibacterial activities against S. aureus were investigated using penicillin as reference system.     

Self-assembly of 1D mixed-metal tubular network with coordination bonds through the interconnection of organometallic metallamacrocycles by Ag(I) centers

The combination of a ditopic ligand containing a functional "third site" as a bridge and organometallic half-sandwich iridium unit Cp*Ir as the corner leads to the formation of the tetranuclear metallamacrocycle 1, which is reacted with silver compound, resulting in the formation of mixed-metal infinitely tubular coordination network 2.     

Discrete half-sandwich Ir, Rh-based organometallic molecular boxes: synthesis, characterization, and their properties

The treatment of binuclear complexes [Cp*(2)M(2)(μ-QA)Cl(2)] (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b) (H(2)QA = 1,4-dihydroxyanthraquinone) with pyrazine or bifuncational pyridyl-based ligands (4,4'-dipyridine (bpy), E-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene (bpe), 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (bpo), and 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol (bpt)) in the presence of AgOTf (OTf = CF(3)SO(3)) in CH(3)OH, gave the corresponding tetra-nuclear complexes, with a general formula of [Cp*(4)M(4)(μ-QA)(2)(μ-L)(2)](OTf)(4) (M = Ir, 3a-7a; M = Rh, 3b-7b), respectively. The molecular structure of [Cp*(4)Ir(4)(μ-QA)(2)(μ-pyrazine)(2)](OTf)(4) (3a) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis, revealing that the metal centers were connected by pyrazine and bis-bidentate QA(2-) ligands to construct a rectangular cavity with the dimension of 7.30 × 8.41 × 6.92 ?. Complexes 3a and 3b were found to exhibit selective trapping of halocarbons properties.     

Metallacrown ethers: synthesis and structural investigation of silver metallamacrocycles

The bis-monodentate ligands 1 and 2 based on the interconnection of two pyrazolyl units by CH₂(CH₂OCH₂)_nCH₂ (n=3 or 4) spacers, respectively, lead to the formation of either mono nuclear silver metallamacrocycle 10 in the case of 1 or binuclear silver metallamacrocycle 11 in the case of 2. Both complexes have been characterised in the solid state by X-ray diffraction on single crystals.     

Pt-tetraethynylethene molecular scaffolding: synthesis and characterization of a novel class of organometallic molecular rods

The series of monodisperse Pt-bridged TEE oligomers 3a-f was prepared by oxidative Glaser-Hay oligomerization of monomer 7 under end-capping conditions. These novel molecular rods extend in length from 3.3 nm (monomeric 3a) to 12.1 nm (hexameric 3 f). Their isolation was achieved by high performance gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and their purification was best monitored by analytical GPC in combination with matrix-assisted laser-desorption-ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The mass spectra of each oligomer revealed the molecular ion or its sodium complex as parent ion together with a clean, highly characteristic fragmentation pattern. Delayed addition of the end-capping reagent PhC(triple bond)CH to the oligomerization mixture afforded polymer 10 with an average of approximately 32 repeat units and a remarkably narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn=1.06), which is indicative of a living polymerization process. UV/Vis spectral data as well as measurements of the second hyperpolarizability gamma by third harmonic generation (THG) revealed a nearly complete lack of pi-electron delocalization along the oligomeric backbone. The Pt atoms act as true insulating centers, and the Pt-C(sp) bonds hardly possess any pi character. The synthesis of the molecular rods 3a-f provides another demonstration of the power of oxidative acetylenic homocouplings for the preparation of unusual nanoarchitecture.     

Self-assembly in dinuclear, cyclic homotetranuclear and cyclic heterotetranuclear complexes with a picolylhydrazone ligand

Reactions among Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O, Cu(acac)₂/VO(acac)₂ and 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde Picoloylhydrazone in different solvents give three complexes, [Cu₂L(acac)(H₂O)₂]ClO₄ (1), [Cu₄L₂(acac)₂(py)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2) and (VO₂)₂L₂Cu₂(acac)₂ (3) (acac = acetyl acetonate and py = pyridine). There is an extended 2D structure in complex 1 constructed by hydrogen bonds between the binuclear complex cation and the ClO₄⁻ anion, and an extended 1D structure in complex 2 constructed by weak ππ stacking interactions between neighboring cyclic tetranuclear complex molecules. Complex 3 is the first oxovanadium–copper complex with a bridging oxo oxygen atom between the V atom and the Cu atom. The solid-state photoluminescent properties of the three title complexes have been studied. There is an antiferromagnetic interaction in 1.     

A well-defined silica-supported dinuclear tungsten(III) amido species: synthesis, characterization and reactivity

Grafting of [W(2)(NMe(2))(6)] onto dehydroxylated silica affords the well-defined surface species [([triple bond, length as m-dash]Si-O)W(2)(NMe(2))(5)], characterized by elemental analysis, and infrared, Raman and NMR spectroscopies, and the catalytic reactivity of this supported tungsten(III) d(3)-d(3) dimer and of its alkoxide derivatives towards alkynes has been probed.     

Hydrogen storage using polymer-supported organometallic dihydrogen complexes: a mechanistic study

The dihydrogen complex W(CO)(5)(H(2)) can be both generated and dissociated in polymer matrices by UV photolysis at 220 K and 90 K, respectively, suggesting a potential "UV-activated" mechanism for hydrogen storage and release.     

Asymmetric synthesis of organometallic reagents using enzymatic methods

The use of enzymatic catalysis in the synthesis and resolution of organometallic complexes is reviewed and discussed. Examples show the potential of biological catalysts for oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis, and esterification of both transition metal and main group organometallic substrates. Chirality in organometallic complexes caused by the presence of chiral carbon centers in substituent groups, tetrahedral or pseudotetrahedral metal centers, and planes of asymmetry can all be recognized by whole cell or isolated enzyme catalysts. Biocatalysts that achieve high levels of kinetic resolution are described. Other catalysts that produce high levels of asymmetric induction in reactions of a prochiral substrate are also described.     

Synthesis and NMR characterization of dinuclear Fe(II) organometallic complexes containing a non-equivalently bridging 5-aryl tetrazolate ligand

The synthetic routes to the formation of a wide range of dinuclear Fe(II) organometallic complexes of the general formula [Cp(CO)(L)Fe-N₄C-C₆H₄-CN-Fe(L)(CO)Cp][SO₃CF₃], in which the 4-cyanophenyl-tetrazolate anion N₄C-C₆H₄-CN acts as bridging ligand, are described. ¹H and ¹³C NMR characterization of the product complexes indicate the presence of a significant interannular conjugation effect involving the aromatic rings of the organic spacer, the extent of which can be chemically modified by addition of electrophiles such as and H⁺. Furthermore, the reversibility of protonation reaction entails the opportunity of modulating the conjugative properties of the title compounds by a proton addition-elimination mechanism.     

New homoleptic organometallic derivatives of vanadium(III) and vanadium(IV): synthesis, characterization, and study of their electrochemical behaviour

The arylation of [VCl3(thf)3] with LiR(Cl), where R(Cl) is a polychlorinated phenyl group [C6Cl5, 2,4,6-trichlorophenyl(tcp), or 2,6-dichlorophenyl (dcp)] gives four-coordinate, homoleptic organovanadium(III) derivatives with the formula [Li(thf)(4)][V(III)(R(Cl))(4)] (R(Cl) = C(6)Cl(5) (1), tcp (2), dcp (3)). The anion [V(III)(C6Cl5)4]- has an almost tetrahedral geometry, as observed in the solid-state structure of [NBu4][V(C6Cl5)4] (1') (X-ray diffraction). Compounds 1-3 are electrochemically related to the neutral organovanadium(IV) species [V(IV)(R(Cl))4] (R(Cl) = C6Cl5 (4), tcp (5), dcp (6)). The redox potentials of the V(IV)/V(III) semisystems in CH2Cl2 decrease with decreasing chlorination of the phenyl ring (E(1/2) = 0.84 (4/1), 0.42 (5/2), 0.25 V (6/3)). All the [V(IV)(R(Cl))4] derivatives involved in these redox couples could also be prepared and isolated by chemical methods. The arylation of [VCl(3)(thf)(3)] with LiC6F5 also gives a homoleptic organovanadium(III) compound, but with a different stoichiometry: [NBu4]2[V(III)(C6F5)5] (7). In this five-coordinate species, the C6F5 groups define a trigonal bipyramidal environment for the vanadium atom (X-ray diffraction). EPR spectra for the new organovanadium compounds 1-6 are also given and analysed in terms of an elongated tetrahedral structure with C(2v) local symmetry. It is suggested that the R(Cl) groups exert a protective effect towards the vanadium centre.     

A novel donor–acceptor molecule containing a cyclic triphenylamine dimer: synthesis,characterization, and application in memory device

A novel highly soluble push–pull molecule containing electron-rich cyclic triphenylamine dimer (TPAD) and electron-poor N-phenyl-N′-octyl-naphthalene-1,4,5,8-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide [NI-(8,PBr)] was synthesized under Suzuki-coupling conditions. The resulting compound exhibited excellent thermal stability (T_d=354.3 °C) and good solubility in common organic solvents. Cyclic voltammogram and optical absorption spectroscopy showed that both the electroactive units preserve their nature, respectively, in the ground state, whereas photophysical investigations showed a strong fluorescence quenching. Interestingly, excellent switching behavior with extremely high ON/OFF current ratio (1.6E8 at +1 V) was observed through memory devices based on thin films of this material.     

Self-assembly and characterization of a giant metallocycle

A giant, 100-membered metallocycle 3 was prepared via coordination bond-based self-assembly from W-shaped ligand 9 and a palladium complex. Metallocycle 3 may create three topologically discrete subcavities, thus capable of binding up to three molecules of a diamide guest by hydrogen-bonding interactions. Elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, and the ESI-mass spectra, and vapor pressure osmometry (VPO) data were all consistent with the structure of 3. N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylterephthalamide G was used as a guest for the binding study, and ESI-mass spectrum clearly displayed a characteristic, intense peak at m/z 1542 (41%), attributed to the fragment [3·G₃-3CF₃SO₃]³⁺ of 1:3 (host/guest) complex. The ¹H NMR titration experiments gave association constants of 2300 ± 300 and 1200 ± 200 M⁻¹ in CDCl₃ at 25 °C for two identical outer cavities, with weak positive cooperativity (Hill coefficient h = 1.3).     

Alternative preparation and characterization of platinum(II) organometallic dinuclear complexes and oligomers with 3,8-diethynylphenanthroline derivatives

Novel platinum(II) organometallic dinuclear complexes and oligomers with two types of phenanthroline ligands, namely 3,8-diethynylphenanthroline (L1) and 3,8-bis-(4-ethynyl-phenylethynyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (L2), were synthesized from trans-Pt(PBu₃)₂(1-ethynyl-4-methyl-benzene)Cl and trans-Pt(PBu₃)₂Cl₂ by transmetalation of copper ion. The alternative procedure targeted platinum oligomer termination selection of either chloride or respective phenanthrolines and was successfully performed with different purifications by extraction and column chromatography. The structural formulae of these platinum complexes and oligomers were revealed with by analysis of both ³¹P{¹H}-NMR and ¹H-NMR spectral data. Alternative preparations of platinum oligomers with two types between chloride and respective phenanthroline termination are very useful for the selective synthesis for hybrid polymers with the coupling reaction with two different platinum oligomers with different diethynylaryl ligands. The platinum organometallic compounds showed similar absorption bands in the UV–Vis region. Those prepared with L1 had a strong absorption band at around 400 nm, assignable to the lowest energy metal-perturbed ¹[π–π*] transitions, while in compounds prepared with L2, the strong band appeared around 410 nm, because L2 has an extended π conjugation relative to L1. No distinct differences were observed in the absorption spectra of these platinum oligomers between the different terminal structures, chloride or various phenanthrolines. The luminescence spectra of the platinum compounds prepared with either L1 or L2, however, showed a distinct difference. Those with L1 showed only a phosphorescence assignable to a typical metal-perturbed ³[π–π*] transition with vibronic progressions centered at around 530 nm in deoxygenated CH₂Cl₂ at room temperature, while those with L2 showed weak dual emissions assignable to a mixture of typical metal-perturbed ¹[π–π*] and ³[π–π*] transitions in the visible region.     

Mono- and dinuclear zinc complexes derived from unsymmetric binucleating ligands: synthesis, characterization, and formation of tetranuclear arrays

Zinc complexes of the unsymmetric, binucleating Schiff base ligands 3-(N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]iminomethyl)-salicylic acid (H2L1) and 3-[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)iminomethyl]-salicylic acid (H2L2) have been studied in the solid state as well as in solution. Reaction of ZnX2 (X = NO3-, CH3CO2-) with 3-formylsalicylic acid and N,N-dimethylethylenediamine at neutral or slightly acidic pH afforded the dinuclear complexes [Zn2(HL1)2(H2O)2](NO3)2.2H2O (1a) and [Zn2(HL1)2(CH3CO2)2].6H2O (1b). The Zn ions, which are 3.126(1) A (1a) and 3.2665(7) A (1b) apart, are bridged by two phenolate oxygens. Further coordination sites of the ligand are the imine nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen, while the amino nitrogen is protonated. On dissolution in DMSO or DMF, 1a and 1b are converted into the mononuclear species [Zn(HL1)]+. Cleavage of the dinuclear complexes is accompanied by migration of the ammonium proton to the carboxylate group and coordination of the amino nitrogen to Zn. Reaction of 1b with base yielded the novel tetranuclear Zn complex [Zn4(L1)4].6.5H2O (2) that exhibits coordination number asymmetry. The four Zn ions having N2O3 and N2O4 coordination environments are located at the corners of a nearly square-planar rectangle. H2L2 binds Zn via the phenolate oxygen and, imine and pyridine nitrogens in acidic solution. Deprotonation of the carboxyl group in alkaline solution gave the tetranuclear compound [Zn4(L2)4].4.5H2O (4) with a cubane-like Zn4O4 core.     

Cadmium oxide nanoplatelets: synthesis, characterization and their electrochemical sensing property of catechol

Cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoplatelets were synthesized by thermal decomposition of cadmium malonate. The synthesized CdO nanoplatelets were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD); from the XRD analysis, it is clear that the phase structure of CdO nanoplatelets was found to be face-centered cubic with the average crystalline size of 40–50 nm. FT-IR analysis shows the presence of surface carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on to the CdO nanoplatelets. From DRS-UV–Vis analysis, both the direct and indirect band gaps of the CdO nanoplatelets were found to be 2.0 and 1.67 eV, respectively. From the FE-SEM analysis, the morphology of the synthesized CdO was found to be nanoplatelets, which were randomly agglomerated. Further, HR-TEM was used to confirm the formation of nanoplatelets. The electrochemical sensing property of CdO nanoplatelets was carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV) by coating CdO nanoplatelets on Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and using it as working electrode for sensing of catechol. The enhanced electrochemical behaviour is mainly attributed to the nanometer dimensions and surface hydroxyl groups on the CdO nanoplatelets. Chronoamperometry (CA) was used to determine the sensitivity and repeatability of the modified electrode. The modified electrode shows linear range of catechol concentration between 7.5 × 10^?6 and 1.5 × 10^?4 M with sensitivity of 9.8 nA μM^?1.     

Novel dinuclear uranyl complexes with asymmetric schiff base ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and extraction studies

The reaction of uranyl nitrate with asymmetric [3O, N] Schiff base ligands in the presence of base yields dinuclear uranyl complexes, [UO2(HL1)]2.DMF (1), [UO2(HL2)]2.2DMF.H2O (2), and [UO2(HL3)]2.2DMF (3) with 3-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane-1,2-diol (H3L1), 4-((2,3-dihydroxypropylimino)methyl)benzene-1,3-diol (H3L2), and 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)propane-1,2-diol (H3L3), respectively. All complexes exhibit a symmetric U2O2 core featuring a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal geometry around each uranyl center. The hydroxyl groups on the ligands are attached to the uranyl ion in chelating, bridging, and coordinate covalent bonds. Distortion in the backbone is more pronounced in 1, where the phenyl groups are on the same side of the planar U2O2 core. The phenyl groups are present on the opposite side of U2O2 core in 2 and 3 due to electronic and steric effects. A similar hydrogen-bonding pattern is observed in the solid-state structures of 1 and 3 with terminal hydroxyl groups and DMF molecules, resulting in discrete molecules. Free aryl hydroxyl groups and water molecules in 2 give rise to a two-dimensional network with water molecules in the channels of an extended corrugated sheet structure. Compound 1 in the presence of excess Ag(NO3) yields {[(UO2)(NO3)(C6H4OCOO)](NH(CH2CH3)3)}2 (4), where the geometry around the uranyl center is hexagonal bipyrimidal. Two-phase extraction studies of uranium from aqueous media employing H3L3 indicate 99% reduction of uranyl ion at higher pH.     

New antitumor-active azole-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complexes: synthesis, characterization, crystal structures, and cytotoxic studies

Three new derivatives of the cytotoxic azole-bridged dinuclear platinum(II) complex [(cis-Pt(NH3)2)2(mu-OH)(mu-pz)][NO3]2 (1) have been prepared and structurally characterized. Their formulas are [(cis-Pt(NH3)2)2(mu-OH)(mu-1,2,3-ta)][NO3]2 (2) (1,2,3-ta = 1,2,3-triazolate), [(Pt(R,R-dach))(mu-OH)(mu-pz)(Pt(S,S- dach))][NO3]2 (3) (dach = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane, pz = pyrazolate), and [(Pt(R,R-dach))(mu-1,2,3- ta)2(Pt(S,S-dach))][NO3]2 (4). The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, and their crystal structures were determined. Relevant data for 2: triclinic, space group P1, a = 8.5225(15) A, b = 9.1977(18) A, c = 9.9771(7) A, alpha = 66.988(10) degrees, beta = 75.423(9) degrees, gamma = 67.321(13) degrees, Z = 2. 3: orthorhombic, space group Pca2(1), a = 17.7653(3) A, b = 12.4076(3) A, c = 10.7091(3) A, Z = 4. 4: orthorhombic, space group Pbca, a = 13.8944(1) A, b = 17.8668(1) A, c = 20.7647(2) A, Z = 8. In the crystal structures of 2, and 3, the intramolecular distances between the two Pt atoms are 3.4411(6) and 3.4873(5) A, and the dihedral angles between the platinum coordination planes are 14.1(3) and 9.3(4) degrees, respectively. In 2, an intramolecular hydrogen bond is observed between N9 of the ammine ligand and the noncoordinated nitrogen atom (N3) of the triazole ring (N9...N3: 2.962(10) A). 4 has a boat-form structure, and the two coordination planes cross at 83.64(10) degrees. A cytotoxicity assay of these dinuclear platinum(II) compounds on human tumor cell lines was performed. In most of the cell lines, 1 and 2 showed much higher cytotoxicity than those of cisplatin. On the other hand, 3 was found to be moderately active, and 4 was found only marginally cytotoxic. Implications of these findings are discussed in the context of a structure-activity relationship.