Synthetic access to optically active isoflavans by using allylic substitution

A general approach to the (S)- and (R)-isoflavans was invented, and efficiency of the method was demonstrated by the synthesis of (S)-equol ((S)-3), (R)-sativan ((R)-4), and (R)-vestitol ((R)-5). The key step is the allylic substitution of (S)-6a (Ar¹=2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃) and (R)-6b (Ar¹=2,4-(BnO)₂C₆H₃) with copper reagents derived from CuBr·Me₂S and Ar²-MgBr (7a, Ar²=4-MeOC₆H₄; 7b, 2,4-(MeO)₂C₆H₃; 7c, 2-MOMO-4-MeOC₆H₃), furnishing anti S_N2′ products (R)-8a and (S)-8b,c with 93-97% chirality transfer in 60-75% yields. The olefinic part of the products was oxidatively cleaved and the Me and Bn groups on the Ar¹ moieties was then removed. Finally, phenol bromide 9a and phenol alcohols 9b,c underwent cyclization with K₂CO₃ and the Mitsunobu reagent to afford (S)-3 and (R)-4 and -5, respectively.     

Synthesis and structure of mono- and di-nuclear complexes of ortho-palladated derived from phosphorus ylides

The phosphorus ylides Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄R (R = 4-Me 1a, 4-Br 1b) react with PdCl₂ in equimolar ratios to give the C,C-orthopalladated [Pd{CHP(C₆H₄)Ph₂CO-C₆H₄-R)}(μ-Cl)]₂ (R = 4-Me 2a, 4-Br 2b) which react with NaClO₄/dppe, NaClO₄/dppm, py and PPh₃ to give the mononuclear derivatives [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}(dppe-P,P′)[(ClO₄) (R = 4-Me 3a, 4-Br 3b), [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}(dppm-P,P′)[(ClO₄ ( (R = 4-Me 4a, 4-Br 4b), [Pd{CH{P(C₆H₄)Ph₂}COC₆H₄-R}Cl(L)] (L = py, R = 4-Me 5a, 4-Br 5b, L = PPh₃, R = 4-Me 6a, 4-Br 6b). The C, C-metalated chelate are demonstrated by an X-ray diffraction study of 3a and 4a. Characterization of the obtained compounds was also performed by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H, ³¹P, and ¹³C NMR.     

Influence of multidentate N-donor ligands on highly electrophilic zinc initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides

A set of multidentate ligands have been synthesized and used to stabilize the putative highly electrophilic zinc species initiating ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and propylene oxide (PO). Reaction of the bidentate C₂-chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand (^R2,R3BOX: R₂ = (4S)-tBu, R₃ = H (a); R₂ = (4S)-Ph, R₃ = H (b); R₂ = (4R)-Ph, R₃ = (5S)-Ph (c)) with Zn(R₁)₂ (R₁ = Et (1), Me (2)) led to the heteroleptic three-coordinate complexes (^R2,R3BOX)ZnR₁, 1a-c and 2a, which were isolated in 92-96% yield. Next, two pyridinyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been designed and synthesized: the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolinium salt (d) and the protected NHC adduct 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolidine (e). The reaction of ligands d and e with ZnEt₂ led directly to the formation of (NHC)ZnEt(Cl) 3d complex with ethane elimination and the adduct (NHC-C₆F₅(H))ZnEt₂4e, respectively, in high yield. In situ combinations of selected complexes 1a-c, 3d and 4e with B(C₆F₅)₃ (1 or 2 equivalents) give active systems for ROP, with high productivity (3.3-5.9 10⁶ g_polym. mol_Zn⁻¹ h⁻¹) and high molecular weight (M_n up to 132 10³ g mol⁻¹) for CHO polymerization. Although the in situ B(C₆F₅)₃-activated zinc species were not isolated, the sterically demanding BOX ligands (1c > 1b > 1a) and functionalized NHC ligands seem to enhance the stability of highly electrophilic zinc complexes over ligand redistribution, allowing a better control of the cationic ROP as reflected particularly for 3d and 4e complexes by their respective efficiency (42-88%).     

Recoverable cationic Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction under thermomorphic mode

The reaction of allylpalladium chloride dimer and 4,4′-bis(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy, 1a-c, in the presence of AgOT_f resulted in the synthesis of cationic complex, [Pd(η³-allyl)(4,4′-bis-(R_fCH₂OCH₂)-2,2′-bpy)](OT_f), 2a-c where R_f = C₉F₁₉ (a), C₁₀F₂₁ (b), C₁₁F₂₃ (c), respectively. The solubility curves of 2a-c which began from virtually zero below −40 °C and increased dramatically at slightly higher temperature were quantitatively measured. Upon changing from −40-90 °C there was several orders of magnitude increase of solubility for 2a-c. The cationic Pd-catalyzed Heck arylation of methyl acrylate was selected to demonstrate the feasibility of recycling usage with 2b,c as the catalyst using DMF as the solvent at 140 °C for 3 h in each run. At the end of each cycle, the product mixtures were cooled to −30 °C, and then catalysts were recovered by decantation. The products were quantified by GC analysis or by the isolated yield. The Heck reaction of C₆H₅I with methyl acrylate could be catalyzed by 2b with good recycling results for a total of 15 times and also with a 100% selectivity favoring the trans product. To our knowledge, this is the first example of cationic Pd-catalyzed Heck reaction under the thermomorphic mode.     

Use of Suzuki cross-coupling as a route to 2-phenoxy-6-iminopyridines and chiral 2-phenoxy-6-(methanamino)pyridines

The anisyl boronic acids, 2-OMe-3-R²-5-R¹-C₆H₂B(OH)₂ (R¹=R²=H (a); R¹=H, R²=Ph (b); R¹=Me, R²=H (c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (e)), have been employed in Suzuki cross-coupling reactions with either 2-bromo-6-formylpyridine (I) or 2-bromo-6-acetylpyridine (II) generating, following a facile deprotection step, the 2-phenoxy-6-carbonylpyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-(CHO)C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (1a); R¹=Me, R²=H (1c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (1d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (1e)) and 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-(CMeO)C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (2a); R¹=H, R²=Ph (2b)). Condensation reactions of 1 and 2 with 2,6-diisopropylaniline proceed smoothly to give the 2-phenoxy-6-iminopyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-{CHN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (3a); R¹=Me, R²=H (3c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (3d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (3e)) and 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R²-C₆H₂)-6-{CMeN(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=H, R²=Ph (4a), R¹=H, R²=Ph (4b)). Reduction of the imino unit (and concomitant C-C bond formation) in 3 can be achieved by treatment with trimethylaluminium or methyllithium which, following hydrolysis, furnishes the racemic chiral 2-phenoxy-6-(methanamino)pyridines, 2-(2′-OH-3′-R²-5′-R¹-C₆H₂)-6-{CHMe-NH(2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃)}C₅H₃N (R¹=R²=H (5a); R¹=Me, R²=H (5c); R¹=Cl, R²=H (5d); R¹=t-Bu, R²=H (5e)). This work represents a straightforward and rapid synthetic route to libraries of sterically and electronically variable phenoxy-substituted imino- and methanamino-pyridines, which are expected to act as useful ligands or proligands for late and early transition metal-mediated alkene polymerisation catalysis.     

Reactions of bis(alkynyl)silanes with HB(C6F5)2: Formation of boryl-substituted silacyclobutene derivatives

Treatment of R₂Si(CC-SiMe₃)₂ [1a (Me), 1b (Ph)] with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at low temperature (253 K (a), 273 K (b)) gives the -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene products (4a,b) under kinetic control. Upon warming to room temperature they disappear to form the thermodynamically favoured isomeric silole derivatives (2a,b). Similar treatment of Me₂Si(CC-R¹)₂ [5a (R¹ = Ph), 5b (R¹ = tert-butyl) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at room temperature gave the stable -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene derivatives 6 and 7, respectively. Subsequent photolysis resulted in a Z- to E-isomerization of the substituted exocyclic CC double bonds in these products. The silacyclobutene derivative E-6 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterometallic Rh/Ru complexes supported by 1,2-dichalcogenolato-o-carborane ligands

The 16-electron half-sandwich complexes Cp^∗Rh[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 1a; Se, 1b) react with [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x under different conditions to give different types of heterometallic complexes. When the reactions were carried out in THF for 24 h, the binuclear Rh/Ru complexes [Cp^∗Rh(μ-Cl)₂(COD)Ru][E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 2a; Se, 2b) bridged by two Cl atoms and the binuclear Rh/Rh complexes (Cp^∗Rh)₂[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S, 3a; Se, 3b) with direct Rh-Rh bond can be isolated in moderate yields. [Ru(COD)Cl₂] fragments in 2a and 2b have inserted into the Rh-E bond. If the [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was reacted with 1a in the presence of K₂CO₃ in methanol solution, the product [Cp^∗Rh(COD)]Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀]] (4a), K[(μ-Cl)(μ-OCH₃)Ru(COD)]₄ (5a) and 3a were obtained. The B(3)-H activation in complex 4a was found. However, when the reaction between 1b and [Ru(COD)Cl₂]_x was carried out in excessive NaHCO₃, the carborane cage opened products {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₁₀)]}Ru(COD) (6b), {Cp^∗Rh[S₂C₂(B₉H₉)]}Ru(COD)(OCH₃) (7b) and 3b were obtained. All complexes were fully characterized by their IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analyses. The molecular structures of 2a, 2b, 3b, 4a, 5a, and 7b have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Palladium(II)-allyl complexes containing chiral N-donor ferrocenyl ligands

A study of the reactivity of enantiopure ferrocenylimine (S_C)-[FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)] {Fc =  (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe{(η⁵-C₅H₄)-} (1a) with palladium(II)-allyl complexes [Pd(η³-1R¹,3R²-C₃H₃)(μ-Cl)]₂ {R¹ = H and R² = H (2), Ph (3) or R¹ = R² = Ph (4)} is reported. Treatment of 1a with 2 or 3 {in a molar ratio Pd(II):1a = 1} in CH₂Cl₂ at 298 K produced [Pd(η³-3R²-C₃H₄){FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)}Cl] {R² = H (5a) or Ph (6a)}. When the reaction was carried out under identical experimental conditions using complex 4 as starting material no evidence for the formation of [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){FcCHN-CH(Me)(Ph)}Cl] (7a) was found. Additional studies on the reactivity of (S_C)-[FcCHN-CH(R³)(CH₂OH)] {R³ = Me (1b) or CHMe₂ (1c)} with complex 4 showed the importance of the bulk of the substituents on the palladium(II) allyl-complex (2-4) or on the ferrocenylimines (1) in this type of reaction. The crystal structure of 5a showed that: (a) the ferrocenylimine adopts an anti-(E) conformation and behaves as an N-donor ligand, (b) the chloride is in acis-arrangement to the nitrogen and (c) the allyl group binds to the palladium(II) in a η³-fashion. Solution NMR studies of 5a and 6a and [Pd(η³-1,3-Ph₂-C₃H₃){FcCHN-CH(Me)(CH₂OH)}Cl] (7b) revealed the coexistence of several isomers in solution. The stoichiometric reaction between 6a and sodium diethyl 2-methylmalonate reveals that the formation of the achiral linear trans-(E) isomer of Ph-CHCH-CH₂Nu (8) was preferred over the branched derivative (9). A comparative study of the potential utility of ligand 1a, complex 5a and the amine (S_C)-H₂N-CH(Me)(Ph) (11) as catalysts in the allylic alkylation of (E)-3-phenyl-2-propenyl (cinnamyl) acetate with the nucleophile diethyl 2-methylmalonate (Nu⁻) is reported.     

Titanium (IV) complexes based on substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols

Novel substituted 2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)]aminophenols, MeN(CHR¹CR²R³OH)(C₆H₄-o-OH) (2-5), were synthesized by the reaction of 2-methylaminophenol with corresponding oxiranes. Titano-spiro-bis(ocanes) [MeN(CHR¹CR²R³O)(C₆H₄-o-O)]₂Ti 6-9 (2, 6, R¹ = H, R² = R³ = Me; 3, 7, R¹ = R² = Ph (treo-), R³ = H; 4, 8, R¹ = Ph, R² = R³ = H; 5, 9, R¹ = R² = H, R³ = Ph) based on [ONO]-ligands have been synthesized. The obtained compounds were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis data. The complex [Ti(μ²-O){O-o-C₆H₄}{μ²-CMe₂CH₂}NMe]₆ (10) was obtained by controlled hydrolysis of 6. Molecular structure of 10 was determined by X-ray structure analysis.     

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes containing mono- or bidentate pyrrolidinylalkylphosphines and their reactions with small molecules

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes incorporating the new bidentate aminoalkylphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(dipyrrolidin-1-ylphosphino)ethane (dpyrpe, I) or its monodentate counterpart bis(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methylphosphine (pyr₂PMe, II) have been prepared, [(C₅R₅)RuCl(PP)] (R = Me and PP = dpyrpe, 1; R = Me and PP = (pyr₂PMe)₂, 2; R = H and PP = dpyrpe, 3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 react with NaBAr₄^f in the presence of ligand L to yield [Cp^∗Ru(L)(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr^f₄] (L = MeCN, 4a; CO, 4b; N₂, 4c) and [Cp^∗Ru(L)(pyr₂PMe)₂][BAr₄^f] (L = MeCN, 5a; CO, 5b; N₂, 5c). Complex 4a was crystallographically characterized. The CO complexes 4b and 5b were examined using IR spectroscopy in an attempt to establish the electron-donating capabilities of I and II. Complex 1 oxidatively adds H₂ in the presence of NaBAr₄^f to yield the Ru(IV) dihydride [Cp^∗RuH₂(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr₄^f], 7.     

Reactivity and electrochemical behavior of ruthenium dithiolene complexes with coordinatively unsaturated metal centers: cycloaddition and dimerization reactions

The novel ruthenium dithiolene complexes [(arene)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}] (arene = C₆H₆ (1a), C₆H₄(Me)(iPr) (1b), C₆Me₆ (1c)) were synthesized. The equilibrium between complex 1a and the corresponding dimer [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}]₂ (1a′) was confirmed in solution. The reaction of complex 1a with dimethyl- or diethylacetylene dicaboxylate gave the alkene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}{C₂(COOR)₂}] (R = Me (2a), Et (3a)) as [2 + 2] cycloaddition products formally. The reactions of complex 1a with diazo compounds also gave the alkylidene-bridged adducts [(C₆H₆)Ru{S₂C₂(COOMe)₂}(CHR)] (R = H (4a), SiMe₃ (5a), COOEt (6a)) as [2 + 1] cycloaddition products. The electrochemical behavior of complex 1a was investigated. The reductant of complex 1a was a stable species for several minutes. The oxidant of complex 1a was very unstable; the cation 1a⁺ formed was immediately converted to the corresponding cationic dimer 1a′⁺. The cationic dimer 1a′⁺ was stable for several minutes, and it was rapidly and quantitatively converted to the neutral complex 1a when it was reduced.     

Structural diversity of organotin(IV) complexes self-assembled from hydroxamic acid and mono- or dialkyltin salts

Three hydroxamic acid ligands (HL₁ = acetohydroxamic acid; HL₂ = benzohydroxamic acid; HL₃ = N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid), have been used to synthesize series of mono- or dialkyltin(IV) complexes, which include (i) the carboxyl acid hybrid five-coordinated dialkyltin complexes (C₄H₉)₂SnL₁L₄ (1), [(CH₃)₂SnL₂L₅]·0.5C₆H₆ (2), (HL₄ = acetic acid; HL₅ = benzoic acid); (ii) the six-coordinated mono-n-butyltin complexes (C₄H₉)SnL₁·Cl₂·H₂O (3), (C₄H₉)SnL₂·Cl₂·H₂O (4), [(C₄H₉)SnL₃·Cl₂·H₂O]·H₂O (5), [(C₄H₉Sn)₂(L₃)₂·Cl₂·(OCH₃)₂] (6); and (iii) the alkali metal-mingled seven-coordinated mono-n-butyltin complexes [(C₄H₉Sn)₃L₂Na]⁺·Cl⁻·(CH₃CH₂)₂O (7), [(C₄H₉Sn)₃L₂K]⁺·Cl⁻·CH₂Cl₂ (8). All complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. In these complexes, hydroxamic acids present bidentate coordination modes with the carbonyl O atom and the hydroxyl O atom binding to tin center. In complexes 1-6, each tin atom is coordinated by one hydroxamic acid ligand. However, in complexes 7 and 8, tin atom is surrounded by three hydroxamic acid ligands, and all hydroxyl O atoms of the ligands also bind to the alkali metal center (Na or K). This kind of organotin(IV) framework containing one alkali metal is found for the first time. Furthermore, the supramolecular structures of 1, 3, 4 and 6 have been found to consist of 1D linear molecular chains formed by intermolecular N-H···X or C-H···X (X = O, N or Cl) hydrogen bonds. For complex 2, an interesting macrocyclic tetramer has been built by the intermolecular N-H···O hydrogen bonds. Fascinatingly, two unique symmetric dimeric structures are recognized in complexes 7 and 8, which is individually bridged by intermolecular N-H···Cl and N-H···O hydrogen bonds. In addition, for 8, the dimeric cycles have been further connected into a 1D supramolecular chain.     

Synthesis and evaluation of new chiral diols based on the dicyclopentadiene skeleton

The resolution by Lipase PS of rac-5 (from reduction of ketone 6, obtained from dicyclopentadiene with a new environment-friendly synthesis) gives (2S)-5, which was further reduced to the endo(2R)-1a alcohol. The endo(2S)-1b alcohol was obtained from camphor with a multistep synthesis. Pinacol couplings of 3a,b, carried out with Mg/Hg or Corey's general procedure respectively, afforded with high diastereoselectivity the C₂ symmetry diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b, with endo oriented OH functions. The enantiogenic power of the endo alcohol (2R)-1a and (2S)-1b and of the diols (2R,2′R)-2a and (2S,2′S)-2b was tested towards the LiAlH₄ reduction of acetophenone. The C₂ symmetry appears to play a fundamental role.     

Chiral self-assembly of triorganotin complexes: Syntheses, characterization, crystal structures and antitumor activity of organotin(IV) complexes containing (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid ligands

Six new chiral triorganotin(IV) complexes, {(R₃Sn)₂[C₃H₆(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 1; Bu: 2), {(R₃Sn)₂[C₄H₈(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 3; Bu: 4), and {(R₃Sn)₂[C₂H₄O(COO)₂]}_n (R = Me: 5; Bu: 6) have been prepared by treatment of (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid, (S)-(+)-methylglutaric acid and l-(−)-malic acid, with the corresponding R₃SnCl (R = Me, Bu) and sodium ethoxide in methanol. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy and TGA. Except for 3, all of the complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analyses reveal that complexes 1 and 5 have 2D network structures in which (R)-(+)-methylsuccinic acid and l-(−)-malic acid act as tetradentate ligands coordinated to trimethyltin(IV) ions. Complexes 2 and 4 have 3D metal-organic framework structures in which the deprotoned acids serve as tetradentate ligands. Complex 6 adopts a 1D zigzag chain structure and forms a 2D supramolecular framework through intermolecular C-H?O interactions. In addition, the antitumor activities of complexes 1-6 have been studied. We also have measured the specific rotation of the chiral dicarboxylic acids and the organotin derivatives.     

Zirconium and hafnium amide, alkoxide, and pyrrolyl complexes manifesting with pyrrolyl-linked N-donor ligands: Syntheses, characterization, and ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone

A series of zirconium and hafnium alkoxide and amide complexes containing symmetrical tridentate pyrrolyl ligand, [C₄H₂NH(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂] have been synthesized conveniently by treatment of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, tert-butanol or pyrrole in pentane and their reactivity over ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone have been carried out. Reactions of [C₄H₂NH(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂] with M(NEt₂)₄ (M = Zr or Hf) originate [C₄H₂N(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂]M(NEt₂)₃ (1, M = Zr; 2, M = Hf). Furthermore, reactions of [C₄H₂N(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂]M(NEt₂)₃ with 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, tert-butanol or pyrrole afford [C₄H₂N(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂]M(OC₆H₃-2,6-^tBu₂)(NEt₂)₂ (3, M = Zr; 4, M = Hf), [C₄H₂N(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂]M(O^tBu)₃ (5, M = Zr; 6, M = Hf) and [C₄H₂N(2,5-CH₂NMe₂)₂]M(C₄H₄N)₃ (7, M = Zr; 8, M = Hf), respectively, in satisfactory yield. All the complexes have been characterized by NMR spectra as well 3, 4 and 6 subjected to the X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3-8 have been used as initiators for the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and observed broad PDI values (1.84-2.75) representing multiple reactivity centers of these complexes.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of organotin(IV) carboxylates based on different heterocyclic substituents

Six novel organotin(IV) carboxylates have been successfully synthesized, namely, the polymer (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L1)_∞ (1) [HL1 = 4-imidazolyl benzoic acid], the mononuclear (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L2) (2) [HL2 = 4-pyrazolylbenzoic acid], (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L3)·CH₃OH (3) [HL3 = 4-triazolylbenzoic acid] and (C₆H₅)₃Sn(L4) (4) [HL4 = 4-tetrazolyl benzoic acid] and the tetranuclear [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(L2)₂O₂(OCH₃)₂] (5) and [(n-Bu₂Sn)₄(L3)₂O₂(OCH₃)₂] (6). X-ray diffraction analyses show 1D infinite chain of polymer 1, single molecular structures of isomorphous complexes 2 and 4, single molecule structures of complex 3 containing solvent CH₃OH molecule and similar ladder-type structures of complexes 5 and 6. The photoluminescence of ligands and 1-6 were also measured in the solid state at room temperature.     

Electrochemical, EPR and computational results on [Fe2Cp2(CO)2]-based complexes with a bridging hydrocarbyl ligand

The dimetallacyclopentenone complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η³−C_αHC_β(R)C(O)}] (R = CH₂OH, 1a; R = CMe₂OH, 1b; R = Ph, 1c) were prepared by photolytic reaction of [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₄] with alkyne according to the literature procedure. The X-ray and the electrochemical characterization of 1c are presented. The μ-allenyl compound [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β−C_αHC_βCMe₂][BF₄] ([2][BF₄]), obtained by reaction of 1b with HBF₄, underwent monoelectron reduction to give a radical species which was detected by EPR at room temperature. The EPR signal has been assigned to [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βCMe₂}], [2]^•. The molecular structures of [2]⁺ and [2]^• were optimized by DFT calculations. The unpaired electron in [2]^• is localized mainly at the metal centers and, coherently, [2]^• does not undergo carbon-carbon dimerization, by contrast with what previously observed for the μ-vinyl radical complex [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ−CO){μ−η¹:η²-CHCH(Ph)}]^•, [3]^•. Electron spin density distributions similar to the one of [2]^• were found for the μ-allenyl radical complexes [Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₂(μ-CO){μ-η¹:η²_α,β-C_αHC_βC(R¹)(R²)}]^• (R¹ = R² = H, [4]^•; R¹ = H, R² = Ph, [5]^•; R¹ = R² = Ph, [6]^•).     

Osmium assisted C-H activation and CN cleavage of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl) benzaldimines. Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of some organoosmium complexes

Reaction of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-4-R-benzaldimines (L-R, R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) with [Os(PPh₃)₃Br₂] in refluxing 2-methoxyethanol in the presence of triethylamine affords two families of organoosmium complexes (1-R and 2-R). In both 1-R and 2-R complexes a benzaldimine ligand is coordinated to the metal center as tridentate C,N,O-donor. In the 1-R complexes, a bidentate N,O-donor imionsemiquinonate ligand, derived from the hydrolysis of another benzaldimine, and a PPh₃ ligand are also coordinated to osmium. In the 2-R complexes, a carbonyl, derived from decarbonylation of 4-R-benzaldehyde (derived from the same hydrolysis stated above), and two PPh₃ ligands take up the remaining coordination sites on osmium. Structures of the 1-Cl and 2-OCH₃ complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the 1-R and 2-R complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the 1-R complexes shows a reversible Os(III)-Os(IV) oxidation within 0.47-0.67 V (vs SCE), followed by an irreversible oxidation of the imionsemiquinonate ligand within 1.10-1.36 V. An irreversible Os(III)-Os(II) reduction is also displayed by the 1-R complexes within −1.02 to −1.14 V. Cyclic voltammetry on the 2-R complexes shows a reversible Os(II)-Os(III) oxidation within 0.29-0.51 V, followed by a quasi-reversible oxidation within 1.04-1.29 V, and an irreversible reduction of the coordinated benzaldimine ligand within −1.16 to −1.31 V.