Calix[4]Arene Cavitands: A Solid State Study on the Interactions of their Aromatic Cavity with Neutral Organic Guests Characterised by Acid CH3 or CH2 Groups

Abstract

To gain information on CH-π aromatic interactions involved in the formation of host-guest adducts, the geometrical parameters which define the solid state structures of the complexes of calix[4]arenes in the cone conformation with guests having acid CH₃ or CH₂ groups have been studied. Most of the data have been obtained from the CH₃CN and CH₂Cl₂ calix[4]arene complexes retrieved from the literature. To understand the effect of the acidity on these parameters, p-cyclohexylcalix[4]arene-biscrown-3 ? CH₃CN, p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene ? CH₃CN, p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene ? CH₃NO₂, 1,3-dipropoxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene ? ClCH₂CN and 1,3-dipropoxy-p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene ? CH₂(CN)₂ complexes were prepared, crystallised and investigated in the solid state. CH₃X guests are bound preferentially by hosts having a C₄ symmetry. The interaction is directional, but it is independent from the basicity of the host and acidity of the guest, indicating that classic hydrogen bond do not play a major role. On the contrary CH₂XY guests find the best matching with hosts having a C_2v symmetry, interacting specifically with two diametrical aromatic rings. These interactions are directional and show a correlation between the acidity of the guest and the CH-π aromatic distance, thus supporting a stronger contribution of “classic” hydrogen bond in these latter complexes. These results are in agreement with the hypothesis that CH-π aromatic interactions derive from the superimposition of different types of intermolecular forces, whose contribution depends on several factors as the nature of the interacting partners.     

Thermodynamics of sublimation of calix[4]arene complexes with solvent molecules

The inclusion of small neutral organic guests (C₆H₁₄, CH₂Cl₂, CH₃OH) by calix[4]arene receptors was found by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis. The studied calix[4]arenes can form stable intramolecular complexes with solvent molecules which keep the stoichiometric composition without changing under conditions of the sublimation experiment. The saturated vapour pressures of calix[4]arenes and complexes of calix[4]arenes with solvent molecules were determinated for the first time by the Knudsen’s effusion method in the wide temperature range. The changing of standard thermodynamic parameters of complexation by transfer process from condensed state to vapour phase was estimated. It was shown that the large flexibility of the calixarene ligand structure corresponds to a strongly negative entropic contribution as well as negative enthalpy term to the Gibbs energy of formation of host–guest complexes in the gas phase.     

Synthesis of Heteroleptic Cerium(IV) Complexes Using a Heptadentate (N4O3) Tripodale Schiff‐base Ligand

The Cerium(IV) complexes [{N[CH₂CH₂N=CH(2‐O‐3,5‐^tBu₂C₆H₂)]₃}CeCl] ( 1 ) and [{N[CH₂CH₂N=CH(2‐O‐3,5‐^tBu₂C₆H₂)]₃}Ce(NO₃)] ( 2 ) were derived from the condensation of tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine and 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylsalicylaldehyde and the appropriate Ce starting material CeCl₃(H₂O)₆ and (NH₄)₂[Ce(NO₃)₆], respectively. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies reveal monomeric complexes.     

Dinuclear tetrapyridyl pendant-armed azamacrocyclic complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II)

The coordination capability of the new tetrapyridyl pendant-armed azamacrocyclic ligand L, towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions was studied. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by microanalysis, LSI mass spectrometry, IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy, magnetic studies and conductivity measurements. Crystal structures of [Co₂L(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₄·2CH₃CN and [Cd₂L(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂·2H₂O complexes have been determined. The X-ray studies show the presence of dinuclear endomacrocyclic complexes with the metal ion in a similar distorted octahedral environment, coordinated by one pyridyl bridgehead group, two amine nitrogen atoms and two pyridyl pendant-arms. The sixth coordination position around the metal ion is completed by one acetonitrile molecule in [Co₂L(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₄·2CH₃CN and by one monodentate nitrate anion in [Cd₂L(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂·2H₂O. Different sort of intramolecular non-classical hydrogen bonds were found in the crystal lattice of both structures.     

The influence of the nature of the ligand,L, on the electrochemical behaviour of dinitrosyl molybdenum complexes,Mo(NO)2L2Cl2, in aprotic media

Electrochemical investigations of the reduction of dicationic, monocationic and neutral dinitrosyl molybdenum complexes in nitromethane and acetonitrile are reported. All the compounds with the general formulae: [Mo(NO)₂L₂L′₂]²⁺, [Mo(NO)₂L₂L′Cl]⁺ and Mo(NO)₂L₂Cl₂ (L = CH₃CN, CH₂CHCN, C₆H₅CN, C₅H₅N, P(C₆H₅)₃, L₂ = 2,2′-bipyridine, L′ = CH₃CN and L′₂ = 2,2′-bipyridine) are reducible by one electron to yield 19-electron complexes. The dicationic complexes undergo a reversible one-electron transfer. For the mono- and dichlorocomplexes, the one-electron transfer induces the facile exchange of the chloroligand in the 19-electron complexes except for L₂ = 2,2′-bipyridine. However, the exchange of the chloroligand is followed by the fast anation by Cl^? of the remaining 18-electron chlorocomplexes to afford [Mo(NO)₂Cl₃L]^? and [Mo(NO)₂Cl₄]^2? which are reducible at higher negative potentials than dichloro- and monochlorocomplexes. The multiple electrochemical step system is not catalytic, but of the electroactivation type.     

The synthesis of some bidentate ligands containing both phosphine and nitrile groups

Both (C₆H₅)₂P(CH₂)₃CN and (C₆H₅)₂P(CH₂)₄CN have been obtained from the reaction of Br(CH₂)_nCN (n = 3, 4) with (C₆H₅)₂POCH₃ followed by reduction with (C₆H₅)₂SiH₂. These phosphine-nitrile ligands form L₂PdCl₂ complexes which are shown by IR measurements to have trans geometries with the phosphine portions of the ligands coordinated. Reactions of o-BrC₆H₄CN with CH₃(CH₂)₃Li followed by R₂PCl (R = C₆H₅ or (CH₃)₂N) have been used to provide good yields of the corresponding R₂P-o-C₆H₄CN products.     

Preparation of complexes containing PtC bonds by use of (crown ether)potassium hydroxide

The complexes [PtR₂L₂] and [PtR(Cl)L₂] containing phosphines (L) and the σ-carbyl ligands R (R  CH₂NO₂, CCPh, CH₂CN, CH₂COPh, CH₂COC₆H₄NO₂-4, CH₂COC₆H₄OMe-2, CH₂COMe) have been prepared from [PtCl₂L₂], RH and KOH in the presence of 18-crown-6. Some complexes containing hydroxo-ligands were also formed. Structures have been determined from the ³¹P-{¹H} and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Metal Complexes of two Novel Pyridine‐Derived Macrocyclic Ligands Bearing o‐ and p‐Nitrobenzyl Pendant Groups

The pendant‐armed ligands L¹ and L² were synthesized by N‐alkylation of the two secondary aminic groups of the oxaazamacrocyclic precursor L with o‐nitrobenzylbromide (L¹) or p‐nitrobenzylbromide (L²). Metal complexes of L¹ and L² have been synthesized and characterized by microanalysis, MS‐FAB, conductivity measurements, IR, UV‐Vis, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and magnetic studies. Crystal structures of ligands L¹ and L², as well as complexes [CdL¹(NO₃)₂]·2CH₃CN and [Ag₂Br(L²)₂](ClO₄)·2CH₃CN have been determined by single crystal X‐ray crystallography.     

Synthesis,Structure and Characterization of Dinuclear Pentacoordinate Molybdenum(V) Complexes with Thiosemicarbazone Ligands

New dinuclear pentacoordinate molybdenum(V) complexes, [Mo₂^VO₃L₂] [L = thiosemicarbazonato ligand: C₆H₄(O)CH:NN:C(S)NHR′ and C₁₀H₆(O)CH:NN:C(S)NHR′; R′ = H, CH₃, C₆H₅) were obtained either by oxygen atom abstraction from Mo^VIO₂L with triphenylphosphine or by using [Mo₂O₃(acac)₄] in the reaction with the corresponding ligands H₂L. Crystal and molecular structure of [Mo₂O₃{C₆H₄(O)CH:NN:C(S)NHC₆H₅}₂] · CH₃CN has been determined by the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction method.     

Copolymerization of carbon dioxide and cyclohexene oxide with zinc/β‐ketoiminato complexes: Investigating the influence of the electron structure of zinc/β‐ketoiminato complexes on the catalytic activity and resultant copolymer properties

A series of LZnX zinc/β‐ketoiminato complexes [L = CH₃C(OH)?C(CH₂CH?CH₂)C(CH₃)?NAr ( L₁ ), CH₃C(OH)?C(CH₂CH₂CN)C(CH₃)?NAr ( L₂ ), CH₃C(OH)?C(CH₂C₆H₅)C(CH₃)?NAr ( L₃ ), or CH₃C(OH)?CHC(CH₃)?NAr ( L₄ ); Ar = 2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃; and initiation group X = alcoholate or acetate (for L₁ ) or alcoholate (for L₂ – L₄ )] were synthesized, and their activities toward the copolymerization of carbon dioxide with cyclohexene oxide were determined. The 3‐position substituents on the β‐ketoiminato ligand backbone of the zinc/β‐ketoiminato complexes played an important role not only in the catalytic activity but also in the intrinsic viscosity, chemical composition, and refined microstructure of the resultant copolymers. The order of the catalytic activity of L₁ ZnX with different initiation groups (X = OMe, OⁱPr, or OAc) was L₁ Zn (OⁱPr) > L₁ Zn (OMe) > L₁ Zn (OAc), being the opposite of the order of the leaving ability of the initiation groups. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 6243–6251, 2006     

Metal Complexes of New Mixed Oxaaza‐Macrocyclic Ligands. X‐Ray Crystal Structure of L1, L2, [SrL2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 and [BaL2(NCS)2(CH3CN)]·CH3CN

A new mixed oxaaza‐macrocyclic ligand, L¹, has been obtained by direct synthesis between 1,4‐bis‐(2′‐formylphenyl)‐1,4‐dioxabutane and the diamine 2,2′‐ethylenedioxydiethylamine. The dialkylated ligand L², bearing two nitrobenzyl pendant groups, has been prepared and transitional, post‐transitional and Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺ metal complexes have been synthesized in order to elucidate the coordination preferences. The crystal structures of the ligands L¹ and L² and the complexes [SrL²(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ and [BaL²(NCS)₂(CH₃CN)]·CH₃CN have been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structures reveal the presence of mononuclear endomacrocyclic complexes where the pendant arms radiate away from the ligand.     

Alternating copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide and carbon dioxide catalyzed by noncyclopentadienyl rare‐earth metal bis(alkyl) complexes

The syntheses of several dialkyl complexes based on rare‐earth metal were described. Three β‐diimine compounds with varying N‐aryl substituents (HL¹=(2‐CH₃O(C₆H₄))N?C(CH₃)CH?C(CH₃)NH(2‐CH₃O(C₆H₄)), HL² = (2,4,6‐(CH₃)₃ (C₆H₂))N?C(CH₃)CH?C(CH₃)NH(2,4,6‐(CH₃)₃(C₆H₂)), HL³ = PhN?C(CH₃)CH(CH₃) NHPh) were treated with Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₃(THF)₂ to give dialkyl complexes L¹Ln (CH₂SiMe₃)₂ (Ln = Y ( 1a ), Lu ( 1b ), Sc ( 1c )), L²Ln(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (Ln = Y ( 2a ), Lu ( 2b )), and L³Lu(CH₂SiMe₃)₂(THF) (3). All these complexes were applied to the copolymerization of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and carbon dioxide as single‐component catalysts. Systematic investigation revealed that the central metal with larger radii and less steric bulkiness were beneficial for the copolymerization of CHO and CO₂. Thus, methoxy‐modified β‐diiminato yttrium bis(alkyl) complex 1a , L¹Y(CH₂SiMe₃)₂, was identified as the optimal catalyst, which converted CHO and CO₂ to polycarbonate with a TOF of 47.4 h^?1 in 1,4‐dioxane under a 15 bar of CO₂ atmosphere (T_p=130 °C), representing the highest catalytic activity achieved by rare‐earth metal catalyst. The resultant copolymer contained high carbonate linkages (>99%) with molar mass up to 1.9 × 10⁴ as well as narrow molar mass distribution (M_w/M_n = 1.7). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6810–6818, 2008     

Neutral bis(pentafluorophenyl)triphenylarsinegold(III) complexes

The complexes XAu(C₆F₅)₂AsPh₃ have been prepared by substitution of chloro- or perchlorato-bis(pentafluorophenyl)triphenylarsinegold(III) with alkali or with silver salts MX (X = NO₃, CH₃COO, NO₂, CF₃COO, CN, SCN, N₃ and C₆H₅COO). Decomposition of the nitrato or acetato complex leads to C₆F₅AuAsPh₃.     

Formation of unsymmetrical cis-dialkyls of platinum(II) from platinum(II) hydroxo-complexes

The (hydroxo) methyl complex Pt(OH)(CH₃)(Diphos) [Diphos = Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂] reacts with compounds containing acidic CH bonds (HX) to give unsymmetrical cis-dialkyls of general formula Pt(CH₃)X(Diphos) [X = CH₂COCH₃, CH(COCH₃)₂, CH₂CN or CH₂NO₂]; both the methyl and the cyclohexenyl complexes Pt(OH)R(Diphos) (R = CH₃ or C₆H₉) insert carbon monoxide to give hydroxycarbonyl complexes PtR(CO₂H)(Diphos) which are remarkably stable to decomposition by β-elimination.     

Luminescent coordination polymers with extended Au(I)–Ag(I) interactions supported by a pyridyl-substituted NHC ligand

Reaction of [Ag(CH₃impy)₂]PF₆, 1, with Au(tht)Cl produces the monometallic Au(I)-species [Au(CH₃impy)₂]PF₆, 2. Treatment of 2 with excess AgBF₄ in acetonitrile, benzonitrile or benzylnitrile produces the polymeric species {[AuAg(CH₃impy)₂(L)](BF₄)₂}_n, (L = CH₃CN,3; L = C₆H₅CN, 4; L = C₆H₅CH₂CN, 5) where the Au(I) centers remain bound to two carbene moieties while the Ag(I) centers are coordinated to two alternating pyridyl groups and a solvent molecule (L). Reaction of 2 with AgNO₃ in acetonitrile produces the zig-zag mixed-metal polymer {[AuAg(CH₃impy)₂(NO₃)]NO₃}_n, 6, that contains a coordinated nitrate ion in place of the coordinated solvent species. All of these polymeric materials are dynamic in solution and dissociate into their respective monometallic components. Compounds 2–6 are intensely luminescent in the solid-state and in frozen solution. All of these complexes were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, electronic absorption and emission spectroscopy and elemental analysis.     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Diketiminate Aluminum Compounds and Their Use in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of ε‐Caprolactone

Four aluminum alkyl compounds, [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}₂AlMe₂] ( 1 ), [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}₂AlEt₂] ( 2 ), [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2‐iPrC₆H₄}₂AlMe₂] ( 3 ), and [CH{(CH₃)CN‐2‐iPrC₆H₄}₂AlEt₂] ( 4 ), bearing β‐diketiminate ligands [CH{(Me)CN‐2,4,6‐MeC₆H₂}]₂ (L¹H) and [CH{(Me)CN‐2‐ⁱPrC₆H₄}]₂ (L²H) were obtained from the reactions of trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum with the corresponding β‐diketiminate, respectively. All compounds were characterized by ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, and elemental analysis. Compounds 1 – 4 were found to catalyze the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of ε‐caprolactone (ε‐CL) with good activity.     

Bond energies and thermal decomposition of [Pt(X)(CH3)(P(C2H5)3)2] complexes

The thermal decomposition of the complexes trans-[Pt(X)(CH₃)L₂] (L  P(C₂H₅)₃; X  Cl, Br, I, CN) in decalin at 170 and 200°C affords methane platinum metal and [Pt(X)₂L₂]. The kinetics of the decomposition of the complexes were determined by monitoring the appearance of methane by GLC. The observed first-order rate constant was found to be independent on the nature of the ligand X. The thermal decomposition of the trideuteriomethyl complexes [Pt(X)(CD₃)L₂] (X  I, CN) in decalin-d₁₈ at 170 and 200°C was studied by GLC/MS. The thermolysis affords CD₃H and CD₄ in ratios which are independent of the nature of X and of the temperature used. The mass spectra of the complexes were also examined. A relative scale of platinum-to-methyl bond dissociation energies has been established by measuring the appearance potential of the fragment ion [Pt(X)L₂]⁺ and the ionization energies in the series [Pt(X)(CH₃)L₂]. Ionization potentials and PtCH₃ bond energies show a clear dependence on the nature of X which is not reflected in corresponding changes in the decomposition rates.     

Syntheses,characterization and crystal structures of two square-planar Ni(II) complexes with unsymmetrical tridentate Schiff base ligands and monodentate pseudohalides

Two new square-planar Ni(II) complexes, [NiL¹(NCS)] (1) and [NiL²(N₃)] (2) have been synthesized with the unsymmetrical tridentate Schiff base ligands [(CH₃)₂NCH₂CH₂N=C(CH₃)CH=C(OH)(C₆H₅)], L ¹ H, derived from benzoylacetone and 2-dimethylaminoethylamine and [(CH₃CH₂)₂NCH₂CH₂N=C(CH₃)CH=C(OH)(C₆H₅)], L ² H, derived from benzoylacetone and 2-diethylaminoethylamine, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrochemical and thermal methods (where applicable). Structures have been established by the single-crystal X-ray diffraction technique which reveals the discrete nature of the complexes in which the metal centers adopt a distorted square planar geometry. Coordination environments of the metal ions in the complexes are satisfied with two different unsymmetrical Schiff base ligands having similar N₂O donor sets and a terminal pseudohalide anion (thiocyanate for 1 and azide for 2).     

Phenol as a guest molecule in clathrate compounds

Phenol, having favourable physical and chemical properties, can be enclosed as the guest component in the clathrates of tetracyano complexes. Six compounds of Hofmann and similar type clathrates M(NH₃)₂M' (CN)₄.nG and M(en)_m M'(CN)₄.nG were prepared and identified: Ni(NH₃)₂Pt.2C₆H₅OH; Ni(en)₂Pt(CN)₄.O.14C₆H₅OH; Ni(NH₃)₂Pt(CN)₄.C₆H₅OH.H₂O; Zn(NH₃)₂Ni(CN)₄.O.1C₆H₅OH.H₂O; Cu(NH₃)₂Ni(CN)₄. 2C₆H₅OH and Fe(NH₃)₂Ni(CN)₄.2C₆H₅OH. The phenol containing clathrates are more stable than clathrates containing other guest molecules. In the case of Ni(en)₂ Pt(CN)₄.O.14C₆H₅OH thermal loss of the guest molecule leaves the host lattice intact, but further heating results in the rupture of the host lattice. The compounds were capable in the solid state of sorbing other organic molecules once they had been heated to the temperature required for almost complete loss of guest molecule i.e. n→o.     

Reactions of transition metal acetylides: VI. Some addition reactions of substituted styrenes with Ru(C2R)(L)2(η-C5H5) (R = Me OR Ph; L2 = (CO,PPh3), (PPh3)2 OR (dppe)). X-ray crystal structure of Ru{C[C(CN)2]CPhCH(C6H4NO2-4)}(dppe)(η-C5H5) · 0.5CH2Cl2

Further studies of the reactions between ruthenium σ-acetylide complexes and electrophilic olefins CHArC(CN)(X) (Ar = C₆H₄NO₂-4, Ph; X = CN; Ar = C₆H₄NO₂-4, X = CO₂Et) have shown the formation of allylic, butadienyl, and in one case, cyclobutenyl complexes. The direction of addition is such that the =C(CN)(X) group becomes attached to the α-carbon of the acetylide. This is confirmed by the X-ray structure of Ru{C[C(CN)₂]CPhCH(C₆H₄NO₂-4)}(dppe)(η-C₅H₅) · 0.5CH₂Cl₂, cr with cell dimensions a 28.81(1), b 9.661(2), c 30.782(8) Å, β 95.02 (3)°, and Z = 8. The structure was refined by a least-squares procedure with the use of 4291 statistically significant reflections [I > 2.5σ(I)] to R 0.075 and R_w 0.076.