Alkene and alkyne insertion into the Ir-H bond: Synthesis of new mono- and dinuclear alkyl and alkenyl iridium-pybox complexes

The treatment of the complex [Ir(η²-C₂H₄)₂(L)][PF₆] (L = κ³-N,N,N-(S,S)-ⁱPr-pybox) with acetic acid (1:1 molar ratio) at −10 °C affords the complex [Ir(C₂H₅)(κ²-O,O-O₂CCH₃)(L)][PF₆] (1). The dinuclear iridium(III) complex [Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂(C₂H₅)₂(L)₂][PF₆]₂ (2) is stereoselectively obtained by spontaneous intramolecular insertion of ethylene into the iridium-hydride bond of the mononuclear complex [IrClH(η²-C₂H₄)(L)][PF₆]. The single bridging chloride dinuclear derivative [Ir₂(μ-Cl)(C₂H₅)₂Cl₂(L)₂][PF₆] (3) is prepared by reaction of 2 with one equivalent of NaCl. The intramolecular insertion reaction of methyl and ethyl propiolate into the Ir-H bond of the complex [IrClH(MeCN)(L)][PF₆] gives stereoselectively the dinuclear complexes [Ir₂(μ-Cl)₂(HCCHCO₂R)₂(L)₂][PF₆]₂ (R = Me (4), Et (5)). The reaction of the complexes 4, 5 with one equivalent of NaCl or with an excess of sodium acetate yields the dinuclear [Ir₂(μ-Cl)(HCCHCO₂R)₂Cl₂(L)₂][PF₆] (R = Me (6), Et (7)) or the mononuclear [IrCl(HCCHCO₂Et)(κ¹-O-O₂CMe)(L)] (8) complexes, respectively. The structure of the dinuclear complex 3 · CH₂Cl₂ has been determined by an X-ray monocrystal study.     

Aminotroponiminate alkyl and alkoxide complexes of zinc

Reaction of {(iPr)₂ATI} H((iPr)₂ATI = N-isopropyl-2-(isopropylamino)troponiminate) with dimethyl zinc in toluene afforded the methyl complex [{(iPr)₂ATI}Zn-Me]. Subsequent reaction of [{(iPr)₂ATI}Zn-Me] with different alcohols gave the alkoxide complexes [{(iPr)₂ATI}Zn-OR]₂ (R = iPr, tBu, Ph). These compounds, which were investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction, are dimeric in the solid-state. In the solid-state the metal centers are bridged symmetrically by two μ-oxygen atoms, thus a flat Zn-O-Zn′-O′ plane is observed. [{(iPr)₂ATI}Zn-OR]₂ were used as catalysts for the copolymerization experiments of epoxides and CO₂.     

Fischer type carbene ligands in dinuclear complexes

A large number of iron and ruthenium dinuclear complexes containing heteroatom substituted carbene ligands have been obtained by two different synthetic routes. The first method consists in reacting heteroatom substituted -carbyne cationic complexes with CN^– ion. The second involves the displacement of the SMe₂ molecule in the sulfonium [Fe₂{-C(CN)(SMe₂)}(-CO)(CO)₂CP₂]SO₃CF₃ by appropriate nucleophilesX ^– (X=OR, SR, NR₂, PR₂). Spectroscopic (IR, NMR) and structural investigations together with reactivity studies on these complexes have greatly contributed to better understanding the factors which favor bridging vs. terminal coordination of heteroatom substituted carbene ligands.     

Acyl complexes of molybdenum: structural and reactivity studies

The following structural peculiarities of the agostic acyl structure ₂R) (R = H, SiMe₃) and some characteristic chemical reactivity of the M-η²-acyl and iminoacyl linkage are described. (i) A structural comparison of the bonding parameters within three agostic acetyl Mo complexes containing the dithioacid ligand, indicates that the agostic interaction strengthens upon increasing the electron-releasing properties of the S-chelating ligand. (ii) The acyl-xanthate complex Mo(C(O)Me)(S₂COR)(CO)(PMe₃)₂ undergoes loss of a sulfur atom from the coordinated xanthate and coupling with the acyl ligand to form complexes containing coordinated alkoxythiocarbonyl and monothioacetate ligands. The latter can be metathetically replaced by KS₂COR. (iii) Upon heating at 70°C η²-acyl-dicarbonyl bispirazolilborate complexes of molybdenum of the type Mo(H₂B(pz^*)₂)(η²-C(O)Me)(CO)₂(PMe₃) (pz^* = 3,5-dimethyl-pyrazol-1-yl) yield functionalized acyl ligands derived from the stereo- and regioselective intramolecular addition of one of the B---H bonds of the H₂B(pz^*)₂ group across the C=O moiety of the η²-acyl group. (iv) The η²-acyl-isocyanide complexes {Mo}(η²-C(O)R)(CNR′) ({Mo} = Mo(H₂B(pz^*)₂)(CO)(PMe₃)) undergo irreversible thermal isomerization to the corresponding η²-iminoacyl-carbonyl derivatives {MO}(η²-C(NR′)R)(CO). This isomerization reaction follows first-order kinetics.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of dinuclear zinc complexes with the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamidinato ligand

The reaction of an equimolar mixture of N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamidine (1) and di(tert-butyl)phosphane with dimethylzinc yields dinuclear bis(methylzinc) bis(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamidinate di(tert-butyl)phosphanide (2). A similar protocol allows the preparation of bis(alkylzinc) bis(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamidinate tert-butylamide [zinc-bound methyl (3) or trimethylsilylmethyl group (4)]. The reactions of 3 and 4 with diphenylsilane lead to the formation of insoluble dimeric bis(alkylzinc) N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamidinate hydrides [zinc-bound methyl (5) or trimethylsilylmethyl group (6)]. These zinc hydrides decompose once dissolved under formation of elemental zinc thus hampering catalytic applications. Molecular structures of [(1)ZnCl₂] as well as of the zinc complexes 2 to 6 are discussed.     

New heterometallic coordination polymers based on zinc(II) complexes with Schiff-base ligands and dicyanometallates: synthesis,crystal structures,and luminescent properties

Four new d¹⁰ heterometallic coordination polymers have been obtained using three Schiff-base ligands, zinc(II) nitrate, and dicyanometallates: ₁^∞[{Zn₃(Salen)₂}{μ-Au(CN)₂}₂] (1); ₁^∞[Zn(Saldmen){μ-Ag(CN)₂}]·2H₂O (2); ₁^∞[Zn(Salampy){μ-Ag(CN)₂}] (3); ₁^∞[Zn(Salampy){μ-Au(CN)₂}] (4). The Schiff bases are obtained from condensation of salicylaldehyde with ethylenediamine (H₂Salen); N,N-dimethyl-ethylenediamine (HSaldmen) and, respectively, 2-aminomethyl-pyridine (HSalampy). The dicyanometallates are K[Ag(CN)₂] and K[Au(CN)₂]. The compounds were characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV–vis spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. In compound 1, the homotrimetallic units, {Zn₃(salen)₂}²⁺, are connected by two [Au(CN)₂]^? bridges, forming a 1-D double chain. In compounds 2–4, the crystal structures show polymeric zigzag chains generated by the mononuclear zinc(II) nodes and [M(CN)₂]^? spacers. The luminescence properties of the new heterometallic polymers have also been investigated.     

Antibiotic resistance: mono- and dinuclear zinc complexes as metallo-beta-lactamase mimics

Biomimetic systems containing one or two zinc(II) ions supported by phenolate ligands were developed as functional mimics of metallo-beta-lactamase. These complexes were shown to catalytically hydrolyze beta-lactam substrates, such as oxacillin and penicillin G. The dinuclear zinc complex 1, which has a coordinated water molecule, exhibits high beta-lactamase activity, whereas the dinuclear zinc complex 2, which has no water molecules, but labile chloride ligands, shows a much lower activity. The high beta-lactamase activity of complex 1 can be ascribed to the presence of a zinc-bound water molecule that is activated by being hydrogen bonded to acetate substituents. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of oxacillin by complex 1 and the effect of pH on the reaction rates are reported in detail. In addition, the kinetic parameters obtained for the synthetic analogues are compared with those of the natural metallo-beta-lactamase from Bacillus cereus (BcII). To understand the role of the second metal ion in hydrolysis, the syntheses and catalytic activities of two mononuclear complexes (3 and 4) that include coordinated water molecules are described. Interestingly, the mononuclear zinc complexes 3 and 4 also exhibit high activity, supporting the assumption that the second zinc ion is not crucial for the beta-lactamase activity.     

Synthesis and characterization of dinuclear pyrazolato bridged platinum(IV) complexes

Reactions of [PtMe₃(OCMe₂)₃](BF₄) and [(PtMe₃I)₄] with pyrazole (pzH) afforded mononuclear pyrazole platinum(IV) complexes [PtMe₃(pzH)₃](BF₄) (1) and [PtMe₃I(pzH)₂] (2), respectively. The formation of dinuclear pyrazolato bridged platinum(IV) complexes (PPN)[(PtMe₃)₂(μ-pz)₃] (3), (PPN)[(PtMe₃)₂(μ-I)(μ-pz)₂] · 1/2Et₂O (4) and [K(18C6)][(PtMe₃)₂(μ-I)(μ-pz)₂] (5) was achieved by the reaction of each 1 and 2 with [PtMe₃(OCMe₂)₃](BF₄) in the presence of KOAc followed by reaction with (PPN)Cl (PPN⁺ = bis(triphenylphosphine)iminium cation) and 18C6, respectively. The reaction of complex 4 with AgO₂CCF₃ followed by addition of RSR′ (R/R′ = Me/Me, Me/Ph) resulted in the formation of complexes [(PtMe₃)₂(μ-pz)₂(μ-RSR′)] (R/R′ = Me/Me, 6; Me/Ph, 7). All complexes were characterized unambiguously by microanalysis and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopic investigations. Additionally, crystal structures of complexes 3 and 4 as well as DFT calculation are presented. Furthermore, in vitro studies on the anti-proliferative activity of complexes 2 and 5 were carried out.     

Interactions of nitrogen-donor bio-molecules with dinuclear platinum(II) complexes

Substitution reactions of the dinuclear Pt(II) complexes, [{Pt(en)Cl}₂(μ-pz)]²⁺ (1), [{Pt(dach)Cl}₂(μ-pz)]²⁺ (2) and [{Pt(dach)Cl}₂(μ-4,4?-bipy)]²⁺ (3), and corresponding aqua analogs with selected biologically important ligands, viz. 1,2,4-triazole, L-histidine (L-His) and guanosine-5?-monophosphate (5?-GMP) were studied under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of concentration and temperature using UV–vis spectrophotometry. The reactions of the chloride complexes were followed in aqueous 25 mmol L^?1 Hepes buffer in the presence of 40 mmol L^?1 NaCl at pH 7.2, whereas the reactions of the aqua complexes were studied at pH 2.5. Two consecutive reaction steps, which both depend on the nucleophile concentration, were observed in all cases. The second-order rate constants for both reaction steps indicate a decrease in the order 1 > 2 > 3 for all complexes. Also, the pK_a values of all three aqua complexes were determined. The order of the reactivity of the studied ligands is 1,2,4-triazole > L-His > 5?-GMP. ¹H NMR spectroscopy and HPLC were used to follow the substitution of chloride in the dichloride 1, 2, and 3 complexes by guanosine-5?-monophosphate (5?-GMP). This study shows that the inert and bridging ligands have an important influence on the reactivity of the studied complexes.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and properties of novel zinc(II) complexes obtained by reactions of zinc(II) malonate with flexible multidentate ligands

Complex [Zn₂(bimb)₂(mal)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (1) (mal=⁻OCOCH₂COO⁻) was obtained by reaction of bidentate ligand 4,4′-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl (bimb) with zinc(II) salt of malonate, while the reaction of the same metal salt with 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (titmb) gives another novel complex [Zn₂(titmb)₂(mal)][mal]·12H₂O (2). The structures of these complexes were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results revealed that 1 is a cyclic dinuclear complex in which the malonate groups act as terminators and prevent further aggregation, while 2 is a 2D honeycomb network in which each independent 2D sheet contains two sub-layers bridged by the malonate groups and complex 2 also contains free malonate as a counteranion connected to the 2D layer by C-H?O hydrogen bonds. The entirely different structure and topology of complexes 1 and 2, on the one hand, indicates that the nature of organic ligands affected the structures of assemblies greatly, and on the other, reveals the versatility of the malonate which can act as a bridging and/or blocking ligand.     

Mono- and dinuclear Zn(II) complexes of Schiff-base ligands: syntheses,characterization and studies of photoluminescence

Six Schiff-bases HL¹-HL⁴, L⁵ and L⁶ [HL¹ = 2,6-bis[1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrolidine-iminomethyl]-4-methyl-phenol, HL² = 2,6-bis[1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine-iminomethyl]-4-methyl-phenol, HL³ = N-{1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrolidine}salicylideneimine, HL⁴ = N-{1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine}salicylideneimine, L⁵ = 2-benzoyl pyridine-N-{1-(2-aminoethyl)pyrolidine}, L⁶ = 2-benzoylpyridine-N-{1-(2-aminoethyl)piperidine}] have been synthesized and characterized. Zn(II) complexes of those ligands have been prepared by conventional sequential route as well as by template synthesis. The same complexes are obtained from the two routes as evident from routine physicochemical characterizations. All the Schiff-bases exhibit photoluminescence originating from intraligand (π–π*) transitions. Metal mediated fluorescence enhancement is observed on complexation of HL¹-HL⁴ with Zn(II), whereas metal mediated fluorescence quenching occurs in Zn(II) complexes of L⁵ and L⁶.     

Syntheses and crystal structure studies of two zinc complexes of enoxacin

Two zinc complexes of enoxacin were synthesized and their crystal structures were determined. Compound 1, [Zn(H-Eno) · Cl₂] · 3H₂O (H-Eno = Enoxacin), crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P 1, with lattice parameters a = 8.7731(12), b = 9.4976(14), and c = 13.2033(19) Å, α = 86.319(7)°, β = 71.912(7)°, and γ = 80.604(7)°, V = 1031.6(3) ų, Z = 2, D _Calcd = 1.631 Mg m^?3; compound 2, [Zn(H-Eno) · (H₂O)₂] · 2NO₃, also crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P 1, with lattice parameters a = 8.751(2), b = 9.014(2), and c = 12.594(3) Å, α = 92.277(14)°, β = 109.867(12)°, and γ = 111.469(12)°, V = 854.1(3) ų, Z = 1, D _Calcd = 1.684 Mg m^?3.     

Agostic interactions in d0 metal alkyl complexes

The phenomenon of agostic interactions is reviewed and the nature of the interaction is revisited. A historical perspective is followed by an overview of experimental techniques used to diagnose agostic behavior, and previous interpretations of agostic bonding are presented. A series of simple metal alkyl complexes is considered and a new model for the phenomenon in d(0) systems is developed which sets them apart from agostic late-transition-metal complexes. Factors such as the valence electron count and coordination number of the metal center are revealed to be unimportant in facilitating the interaction in most d(0) systems. The charge density distribution in several transition-metal alkyl complexes is explored by experimental and theoretical techniques, including the powerful "Atoms in Molecules" approach. Local charge concentrations are shown to play an important role in the agostic interaction. Finally, we demonstrate for the first time a way to manipulate and control the magnitude and disposition of such local charge concentrations, and hence the strength of agostic interactions in d(0) metal alkyl complexes.     

Synthesis and reactivity of substituted cyclopentadienyl rhodium(I) and (III) complexes

New cyclopentadienyl derivatives of rhodium COD complexes [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂ (1); C₅H₄CH₂CH₂CHCH₂ (2); C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (3)] and carbonyl complex [Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ (4)] were synthesized from [RhCl(COD)]₂ and [RhCl(CO)₂]₂. 1, 2 and 3 oxidized by iodine gave iodine bridged dimers 5, 6 and 7, respectively. Triphenyl phosphine, carbon monoxide and carbon disulfide molecules broke down the iodine bridged structure easily and produced monomer products Cp*RhI₂L [Cp*=C₅H₄COOCH₂CHCH₂, L=CS₂ (8); L=PPh₃ (9). Cp*=C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄, L=CO (10)]. All of these new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, IR, UV-Vis and mass spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1 was solved in the triclinic space group with one molecule in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=7.082(9) Å, b=8.392(3) Å, c=13.889(5) Å, α=101.19(3)°, β=99.06(6)°, γ=105.11(5)°, and V=763(1) ų. The crystal structure of 3 was solved in the orthorhombic space group Pn21a with four molecules in the unit cell, the dimensions of which are a=9.748(3) Å, b=16.054(5) Å, and V=2319(1) ų. Least squares refinement leads to values for the conventional R₁ of 0.0251 for 1 and 0.0558 for 3, respectively. Compared to that in 1, a shorter metal-ligand bond length in 3 was observed and this is attributed to the rich electron density on Rh(I) metal center piled up by the C₅H(i-C₃H₇)₄ ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of zinc benzoate complexes through combined solid and solution phase reactions

A combined solid and solution phase methodology for the synthesis of a series of mononuclear and polynuclear zinc benzoate complexes is described. The substituent on the aromatic ring and the effect of solvent on deciding the composition of the complexes is presented. From the 4-substituted benzoic acids 4-methylbenzoic acid (ptolH), 4-nitrobenzoic acid (pnitrobenH) and 4-chlorobenzoic acid (pchlorbenH), the mononuclear complexes [Zn(ptol)₂(H₂O)₂], [Zn(pnitroben)₂(H₂O)(DMSO)₂] and [Zn(pchlorben)₂py)₂] (where DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide, py = pyridine) have been synthesized and structurally characterised. Zinc complexes from the reaction of zinc sulfate heptahydrate with 3-methylbenzoic acid (mtolH) and 2-methylbenzoic acid (otolH), the dinuclear complexes [Zn₂(μ²-mtol)₄(py)₂], [Zn₂(μ²-otol)₄(py)₂], pentanuclear complex [Zn₅(μ²-mtol)₆(mtol)₂(μ³-OH)₂ (py)₂] and tetranuclear complex [Zn₄(μ²-otol)₆(μ⁴-O) (DMSO)₂], have been prepared by varying the reaction conditions and the complexes have been structurally characterized.