Mono- and dinuclear cyanodithioformate complexes of bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II)

Summary A series of mono- and dinuclear cyanodithioformate complexes containing (bipy)₂Ru^II and CpRu^II moieties were prepared. The complexes were characterized using various physico-chemical techniques; spectral and electro-chemical studies of selected complexes were also made.     

Double-helical dinuclear bis(dipyrromethene) complexes formed by self-assembly

Bis(dipyrromethene) ligands linked by an alkyl spacer between beta and beta' positions are shown to give helical dimers or monomers, dependent upon the length of the alkyl linker, upon complexation. Ligands consisting of methylene, ethylene, and propylene linkers -(CH(2))(n)()- (n = 1, 2, and 3) give helical dimers, while longer linking chains (n = 4, 5, or 6) give monomers or mixtures of dimers and monomers. X-ray crystal structures of the dimeric zinc complexes (n = 1, 2, and 3) reveal that the angles between dipyrromethene planes and the extent of helicity in the complexes differ as the length of the linker varies. The extent of helicity was assessed and found to be dependent upon the length and, specifically, the conformational preferences of the alkyl spacer unit. The presence of an ethylene linker gave complexes of greatest helicity. The use of a methylene spacer gave less helical structures upon complexation, while propylene spacers gave only slightly helical complexes. Our studies identify the crucial importance that the conformational preferences of the beta-beta' alkyl spacer group plays in the coordination algorithm of self-assembly to form dipyrromethene based complexes.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of dinuclear complexes containing ruthenium(II) bipyridyl units linked by a bis(pyridylimine) ligand

Enantiopure dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of the form [Ru(2)(LL)(4)L(1)](PF(6))(4) (LL = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); L(1)= C(25)H(20)N(4) a bis(pyridylimine) ligand containing a diphenylmethane spacer) have been synthesized using the chiral building blocks cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(py)(2)](2+). These dinuclear ruthenium complexes have been characterised using NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible absorbance, circular dichroism and linear dichroism. The compounds exhibit good photo and thermal stability. The extinction coefficient for the bpy complex at 478 nm is epsilon(478) = 15,700 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3) and for the phen complex is epsilon(478) = 24,900 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3). Both complexes have their longest wavelength (metal to ligand charge transfer) transition predominantly x/y (short axis)-polarised while the transitions at shorter wavelength are a mixture of x/y and z-polarisations, similar to both the copper helicate and iron triple helicate studied previously. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the compounds are dramatically less active against cancer cell lines than the recently reported supramolecular cylinders prepared from the same bis(pyridylimine) ligand.     

Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene complexes

We report the synthesis of free 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene (tape). Tape was obtained from 1,1'-bis-2,7-naphthyridine by potassium promoted cyclization followed by oxidation with air. Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) 1,6,7,12-tetraazaperylene complexes of the general formulas [Ru(L-L)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2), [1](PF(6))(2)-[5](PF(6))(2), and [{Ru(L-L)(2)}(2)(μ-tape)](PF(6))(4), [6](PF(6))(4)-[10](PF(6))(4), with{L-L = phen, bpy, dmbpy (4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine), dtbbpy (4,4'-ditertbutyl-2,2'-bipyridine) and tmbpy (4,4'5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)}, respectively, were synthesized. The X-ray structures of tape·2CHCl(3) and the mononuclear complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·0.5CH(3)CN·0.5toluene, [Ru(dmbpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·2toluene and [Ru(dtbbpy)(2)(tape)](PF(6))(2)·3acetone·0.5H(2)O were solved. The UV-vis absorption spectra and the electrochemical behavior of the ruthenium(ii) tape complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous dibenzoeilatin (dbneil), 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpym) and tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3',2'-h:2',3'-j]phenazin (tpphz) species.     

Synthesis of mononuclear and dinuclear ruthenium(II) tris(heteroleptic) complexes via photosubstitution in bis(carbonyl) precursors

A novel, and quite general, approach for the preparation of tris(heteroleptic) ruthenium(II) complexes is reported. Using this method, which is based on photosubstitution of carbonyl ligands in precursors such as [Ru(bpy)(CO)(2)Cl(2)] and [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(CO)(2)](PF(6))(2), mononuclear and dinuclear Ru(II) tris(heteroleptic) polypyridyl complexes containing the bridging ligands 3,5-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpt) and 3,5-bis(pyrazin-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole (Hbpzt) have been prepared. The complexes obtained were purified by column chromatography and characterized by HPLC, mass spectrometry, 1H NMR, absorption and emission spectroscopy and by electrochemical methods. The X-ray structures of the compounds [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(bpt)](PF(6))x0.5C(4)H(10)O [1x0.5C(4)H(10)O], [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(bpzt)](PF(6))xH(2)O (2xH(2)O) and [Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6))(2)xC(4)H(10)O (6xC(4)H(10)O) are reported. The synthesis and characterisation of the dinuclear analogues of 1 and 2, [{Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)}(2)bpt](PF(6))(3)x2H(2)O (3) and [{Ru(bpy)(Me(2)bpy)}(2)bpzt](PF(6))(3) (4), are also described.     

Synthesis of ruthenium tris(2,2′-dipyridyl) complexes containing ethynyl substituents

A method was developed for the synthesis of Ru2+ tris(2,2′-dipyridyl) complexes where one of the ligands contains substituents with triple bonds conjugated with the dipyridyl system.     

Asymmetric synthesis of mono- and dinuclear bis(dipyrrinato) complexes

The diastereoselective syntheses of Zn(II) bis(dipyrrinato) helicates is reported, involving ligands templated by the incorporation of homochiral binol within the linker joining the two dipyrrinato units. The most diastereoselective formation of dinuclear bis(dipyrrinato) helicates to date is reported. The formation of either mononuclear or dinuclear helicates can be tuned by varying the length of the linker between the dipyrrinato units and by varying the complexation procedure. The neutral dipyrrinato helicates were readily analyzed by HPLC to ascertain diastereoselectivity, and circular dichroism studies revealed the helical nature of the complexes. The molar ellipticities of the helicates produced by diastereoselective complexation are very large in the visible region and typically correspond to binol moieties in the UV region. Extensive X-ray crystallographic investigations further confirmed the helicity of the mononuclear Zn(II) helicates and identified significant interlayer displacement and bending within crystals.     

Probing intermetallic coupling in dinuclear N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium(II) complexes

A series of bimetallic N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesized, which comprise two [RuCl(2)(cymene)(NHC)] units that are interlinked via the NHC nitrogens by alkyl chains of different length. Electrochemical characterization revealed two mutually dependent oxidation processes for the complex with a methylene linker, indicating moderate intramolecular electronic coupling of the two metal centers (class II system). The degree of coupling decreases rapidly upon increasing the number of CH(2) units in the linker and provides essentially decoupled class I species when propylene or butylene linkers are used. Electrochemical analyses combined with structural investigations suggest a through-bond electronic coupling. Replacement of the alkyl linker with a p-phenylene group afforded cyclometalated complexes, which were considerably less stable. The electronic coupling in the methylene-linked complex and the relatively robust NHC-ruthenium bond may provide access to species that are switchable on the molecular scale.     

Proton controlled intramolecular communication in dinuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridine complexes

The synthesis and characterization of two dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes based on the bridging ligands 5,5'-bis(pyridin-2' '-yl)-3,3'-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) and 5,5'-bis(pyrazin-2' '-yl)-3,3'-bis(1H-1,2,4-triazole) and of their mononuclear precursors are reported. The dinuclear compounds have been prepared by a Ni(0) catalyzed coupling of a mononuclear ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex containing a brominated triazole moiety. Electrochemical and photophysical studies indicate that, in these dinuclear complexes, the protonation state of the bridge may be used to tune the intercomponent interaction between the two metal centers and that these species act as proton driven three-way molecular switches that can be read by electrochemical or luminescence techniques.     

Organic-inorganic hybrids assembled by bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates and dinuclear copper(II)-oxalate complexes

A series of organic-inorganic hybrid compounds, K2H7[{Ln(PW11O39)2}{Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)}].xH2O (Ln = La, x approximately = 18 (1); Ln = Pr, x approximately = 18(2); Ln = Eu, x approximately = 16(3); Ln = Gd, x approximately 22(4); Ln = Yb, x approximately = 19 (5); bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and ox = oxalate), have been isolated by the conventional solution method. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that compounds 1-5 are isomorphic and consist of one-dimensional chains, which are constructed by alternating bis(undecatungstophosphate) lanthanates [Ln(PW11O39)2](11-) and dinuclear copper(II)-oxalate complexes [Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)]2+.pi-pi interactions of the bpy ligands from adjacent chains lead to their three-dimensional structures. An analogue of potassium K2H9[{K(PW11O39)2}{Cu2(bpy)2(mu-ox)}1].approximately 20.5H2O(6) has also been obtained. The syntheses and structures of these compounds are reported here. Magnetic properties of 1, 2 and 3 are discussed as well. Attempts to crystallize similar compounds containing Co(II) and Ni(II) were unsuccessful.     

New dibenzofuran-bridged bis(amidoamine) and bis(ethylenediamine) ligands and their dinuclear zinc and aluminium complexes

A new class of dibenzofuran-bridged bis(amidoamine) and bis(ethylenediamine) ligands are used to prepare structurally-characterized dinuclear zinc and aluminium complexes.     

Diastereoselective preparation and characterization of ruthenium bis(bipyridine) sulfoxide complexes

A new concept in the synthesis of optically active octahedral ruthenium complexes was realized for the first time when cis- or trans-Ru(bpy)2Cl, (cis- or trans-1) was reacted with either (R)-(+)- or (S)-(-)-methyl p-tolyl sulfoxide (2 or 3); this novel asymmetric synthesis leads to the diastereoselective formation of the ruthenium bis(bipyridine) complex cis-delta-[Ru(bpy)2(2)Cl]Cl (4) (49.6% de) or cis-lambda-[Ru(bpy)2(3)Cl]Cl (5) (48.4% de), respectively. cis- or trans-Ru(dmbpy)2Cl2 (cis- or trans-6) (dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) also reacts with 2 or 3, leading to the diastereoselective formation of cis-delta-[Ru(dmbpy)2(2)Cl]Cl (7) (59.5% de) or cis-lambda-[Ru(dmbpy)2(3)Cl]Cl (8) (57.2% de), respectively. The diastereoselectivity of these reactions is governed solely by the chirality of the sulfoxide nucleophile. This represents the first process by which a sigma-bonded ligand occupying only a single coordination site has had such an important influence on the stereochemical outcome of a ruthenium bis(bipyridine) complex formation. These novel complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR, UV/vis, and 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR spectroscopy. An investigation into the chiroptical properties of these novel ruthenium bis(bipyridine) sulfoxide complexes has been carried out, and circular dichroism spectra are used to assign absolute stereochemistry.     

Redox properties of bis(1,10-phenanthroline)-(pyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The redox properties of a series of [Ru(phen)₂(py)X]ⁿ⁺ cations (X = pyridine, NH₃, Cl, Br, I, CN, SCN, N₃ and NO₂) have been investigated in acctonitrile. Two reversible reduction steps are seen at ? 1.35 and ? 1.6 V vs Ag/AgCl; the invariance of these processes with X-group is indicative of electron addition to molecular orbitals mainly of phenanthroline ligand π^* origin. Irreversible multi-electron reductions follow below ? 2.20 V. The Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple is seen as a reversible wave near + 0.8 V vs the normal hydrogen electrode, from calibration with ferrocene, except in the cases of the NO₂ and SCN complexes, where rapid reactions involving these ligands occur.     

Mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(II) and osmium(II) polypyridine complexes built around spiro-bridged bis(phenanthroline) ligands: synthesis, electrochemistry, and photophysics

Two new dyads have been synthesized in which terminal Ru(II) and Os(II) polypyridine complexes are separated by sterically constrained spiro bridges. The photophysical properties of the corresponding mononuclear complexes indicate the importance of the decay of the lowest-energy triplet states localized on the metallo fragments through the higher-energy metal-centered excited states. This effect is minimized at 77 K, where triplet lifetimes are relatively long, and for the Os(II)-based systems relative to their Ru(II)-based counterparts. Intramolecular triplet energy transfer takes place from the Ru(II)-based fragment to the appended Os(II)-based unit, the rate constant being dependent on the molecular structure and on temperature. In all cases, the experimental rate constant matches surprisingly well with the rate constant calculated for F?rster-type dipole-dipole energy transfer. As such, the disparate rates shown by the two compounds can be attributed to stereochemical factors. It is further concluded that the spiro bridging unit does not favor through-bond electron exchange interactions, a situation confirmed by cyclic voltammetry.     

Promising anticancer mono- and dinuclear ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes: systematic solution studies

During the last decade, our research group has prepared a number of metal dithiocarbamato derivatives of Pt, Pd and Au that were expected to resemble the main features of cisplatin together with higher activity, improved selectivity and bioavailability, and lower side-effects. Furthermore, we have already published the synthesis, characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity studies of novel ruthenium(III) dithiocarbamato complexes such as [RuL(3)] monomers (11) and α-[Ru(2)L(5)]Cl dimers (12) with five different dithiocarbamate ligands. As both the monomer and the dinuclear complexes have shown significant antitumor activity in different human tumor cell lines, we decided to widen the characterization studies and to analyse thoroughly their behavior in physiological-like medium by UV-visible and CD spectroscopy. In the present paper we report on the crystal structure of [Ru(DMDT)(3)], [Ru(PDT)(3)] and [Ru(ESDT)(3)] complexes and we determine the spin state of the paramagnetic Ru(III) by means of Evans' method. Then, we discuss in detail the UV-visible spectral data of the complexes in different medium. All the studied complexes are stable in dimethyl sulfoxide, and show low solubility in phosphate buffered saline solution, particularly the monomer species, even at low concentration, while increased solubility for both types of complexes have been found in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Moreover, no changes on the coordination sphere of the metal, as well as no direct interaction between the BSA protein and the complex have been identified by UV-visible spectroscopy. However, some conformational changes on the BSA structure, induced by the ruthenium(III) complexes have been confirmed by CD spectroscopy, indicating a probable secondary electrostatic interaction between the metal complex and the peptide. In addition, no significant interaction has been demonstrated with the components of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, used for the in vitro assays.     

Redox-associated eta(1) to eta(2) conversion of disulfide ligands in dinuclear ruthenium complexes

Disulfide-bridged dinuclear ruthenium complexes [[Ru(MeCN)(P(OMe)(3))(2)](2)(mu-X)(mu,eta(2)-S(2))][ZnX(3)(MeCN)] (X = Cl (2), Br (4)), [[Ru(MeCN)(P(OMe)(3))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)(2)(mu,eta(1)-S(2))](CF(3)SO(3)) (5), [[Ru(MeCN)(P(OMe)(3))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)(mu,eta(2)-S(2))](BF(4)) (6), and [[Ru(MeCN)(2)(P(OMe)(3))(2)](2)(mu-Cl)(mu,eta(1)-S(2))](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (7) were synthesized, and the crystal structures of 2 and 4 were determined. Crystal data: 2, triclinic, P1, a = 15.921(4) A, b = 17.484(4) A, c = 8.774(2) A, alpha = 103.14(2) degrees, beta = 102.30(2) degrees, gamma = 109.68(2) degrees, V = 2124(1) A(3), Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 0.055 (0.074); 4, triclinic, P1 a = 15.943(4) A, b = 17.703(4) A, c = 8.883(1) A, alpha = 102.96(2) degrees, beta = 102.02(2) degrees, gamma = 109.10(2) degrees, V = 2198.4(9) A(3), Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 0.048 (0.067). Complexes 2 and 4 were obtained by reduction of the disulfide-bridged ruthenium complexes [[RuX(P(OMe)(3))(2)](2)(mu-X)(2)(mu,eta(1)-S(2))] (X = Cl (1), Br (3)) with zinc, respectively. Complex 5 was synthesized by oxidation of 2 with AgCF(3)SO(3). Through these redox steps, the coordination mode of the disulfide ligand was converted from mu,eta(1) in 1 and 3 to mu,eta(2) in 2 and 4 and further reverted to mu,eta(1) in 5. Electrochemical studies of 6 indicated that similar conversion of the coordination mode occurs also in electrochemical redox reactions.     

Synthesis and structure of dinuclear dimethylene- or 1,4-phenylene-linked bis(decamethyltitanoceneoxide) (Ti) complexes

The singly tucked-in titanocene [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄CH₂)] (1) reacts smoothly with ethylene glycol or hydroquinone to give bis(titanoceneoxide) (Ti^III) complexes [CH₂OTi(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂]₂ (2) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂TiOC₆H₄OTi(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂] (3) containing dimethylene and 1,4-phenylene link, respectively. EPR spectra of 2 in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran glass and 3 in toluene glass revealed that the unpaired d¹ electrons are in interaction to form triplet state molecules. The Ti-Ti distance derived from the zero-field splittings D for the two conformations of 2 (7.42 Å and 7.66 Å) are in good agreement with the Ti-Ti distance of 7.2430(7) Å from the X-ray diffraction single-crystal analysis. For 3, however, the Ti-Ti distance derived from D (7.65 Å) is by 1.47 Å shorter than the crystallographic distance of 9.1230(8) Å that indicates an enhancement of the through-space dipole-dipole interaction due to the presence of a conjugated quinonide link.     

Insertions of phenylacetylene with chelated bis(triphenylphosphine) - ruthenium(II)hydridocarbonyl complexes

Summary Phenylacetylene reacts stoichiometrically or in excess with the Ru—H bond of RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L) (LH = 2-hydroxypyridine, 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine, acetylacetone, benzoylacetone, 2-hydroxyacetophenone, 2-hydroxypropiophenone, 2-hydroxybenzophenone and 4-methoxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone) in boiling benzene to give -vinylic or -vinylalkynyl complexes of the type Ru(CO)-(PPh₃)₂(L)(CH CHPh) and Ru(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L){C-(C CPh) CHPh} in good yield. The vinylic complex can also be obtained by reacting the sodio derivative of the chelating ligand with the 16e^– unsaturated complex, [Ru(CO)Cl(CH CHPh)(PPh₃)₂], in CH₂Cl₂/MeOH mixture at ambient temperature. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, and i.r., ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P n.m.r. spectroscopy.N.C.L Communication No. 5404.     

Hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of furfural and furfuryl alcohol catalyzed by ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes

The catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 1 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 2 , Z = (3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄B, i.e. BArF) and cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 3 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 4 , Z = BArF) for the hydrogenation and/or the hydrogenolysis of furfural (FFR) and furfuryl alcohol (FFA) was investigated. The molecular structures of cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 3 ′) and dimeric cis‐[(Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂Cl)₂](BArF)₂ ( 5 ) were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structures are consistent with the anticipated reduction in steric hindrance about the ruthenium centers in comparison with corresponding complexes containing 6,6′‐Cl₂bpy ligands. While compounds 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 are all active and highly selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of FFR to FFA under modest reaction conditions, 3 and 4 showed decreased activity. This is best explained in terms of reduced Lewis acidity of the Ru²⁺ centers and reduced steric hindrance about the metal centers of catalysts 3 and 4 . cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](BArF)₂ ( 2 ) also displayed high catalytic efficiency for the hydrogenation of FFA to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Presumably, this is because coordination of C═C bonds of FFA to the ruthenium center is poorly inhibited by non‐coordinating BArF counterions. Interestingly, cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 1 ) showed some catalytic activity in ethanol for the hydrogenolysis of FFA to 2‐methylfuran, albeit with fairly modest selectivity. Nonetheless, these results indicate that ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes need to be further explored as catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of C―O bonds of FFR, FFA, and related compounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The formation of dinuclear trichloro-bridged and mononuclear ruthenium complexes from the reactions of dichlorotris(p-tolylphosphine)ruthenium(II) with diazabutadiene ligands

Transition Metal Chemistry - Ru(II) complexes with diazabutadiene (R-DAB) ligands have been prepared. The reaction of RuCl3·nH2O with P(p-tolyl)3 gave a [RuCl2{P(p-tolyl)3}] precursor, whose...