Novel coordination frameworks incorporating the 4,4'-bipyrazolyl ditopic ligand

The reaction of the rigid spacer 4,4'-bipyrazole (H(2)BPZ) with late transition metals, either following conventional routes or under solvothermal conditions, afforded the coordination polymers [M(BPZ)]·Solv (M = Zn, 1; Co, 2; Cd, 3; Hg, 4; Cu, 5; Ni, 6; Pd, 7; Solv = DMF, 3; MeCN, 5 and 6; H(2)O, 7), [Cu(H(2)BPZ)(2)(NO(3))(2)] (8), and [Cd(H(2)BPZ)(CH(3)COO)(2)] (9). State-of-the-art laboratory powder diffraction methods allowed to disclose the isomorphous character of 1 and 2, as well as of 5 and 6, which feature 3D porous networks containing 1D channels of square and rhombic shape, respectively. 3, crystallizing in the relatively rare P6(1)22 space group, consists of homochiral helices of octahedral Cd(II) ions, packing in bundles mutually linked by "radial", nonplanar BPZ ligands. Finally, the dense species 8 and 9 contain parallel 2D layers of square and rectangular meshes, respectively. Thermogravimetric analyses witnessed the relevant thermal robustness of all the [M(BPZ)] materials [except the mercury(II) derivative], which are stable in air at least up to 300 °C, with the zinc(II) derivative decomposing only around 450 °C. Variable-temperature powder diffraction experiments highlighted the permanent porosity of 1-3, 5, and 6, retained along consecutive temperature cycles in all cases but 3. When probed with N(2) at 77 K, 1-3 and 5-7 showed Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Langmuir specific surface areas in the ranges 314(2)-993(11) and 509(16)-1105(1) m(2)/g, respectively.     

Coordination chemistry of a terpyridine-tris(pyrazolyl) ditopic ligand

A new ditopic ligand, 4'-(4-(2,2,2-tris(1H-pyrazol-1-ido)ethoxymethyl)phenyl)-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine (pzt), has been prepared and its coordination chemistry studied. Metal ions with a preference for octahedral geometry form ML(2) complexes that are readily isolated and characterised, with the metal ion being bound to the terpyridine sites of both ligands. Other metal ions bind to the terpyridine site of just one ligand. In the case of silver(i), a dinuclear M(2)L(2) complex has been isolated in which each silver ion is coordinated to the terpyridine site of one ligand and to a single pyrazolyl donor group from the second ligand. Evidence for binding of metal ions to the tris(pyrazolyl) binding site was obtained by electrospray mass spectrometry and NMR techniques. The free ligand and three metal complexes, including the disilver complex, have been characterised by X-ray crystallographic techniques.     

Relationship between ligand conformations and complexation properties in ditopic biphenyl thioureas

Four new homoditopic biphenyl thiourea derivatives have been prepared to be used in carboxylate sensing. Experiments carried out with these ligands have demonstrated that the conformation of the free ligand has a strong influence on both complex stoichiometry and geometry. High equilibrium constants were obtained in DMSO.     

Efficient synthesis of a new ditopic bipyridine–terpyridine bridging ligand

Abstract

The novel bipyridine–terpyridine–phenazine ligand 6-pyrid-(tetrapyrido[2,3-a:2′,3′-c:3′′,2′′-h:2′′′,3′′′-j]phenazine (I) was prepared by condensation reaction of 5,6-diamino-l,10-phenanthroline (4) and 2-(pyrid-2′-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione (6) and characterized using conventional methods. Poor solubility of the ligand led us to the preparation of its Ru(II) complexes to investigate the change in its solubility for further characterizing the ligand on the metal ion. [Ru(ttp)(I)](PF₆)₂ complex was prepared using the reaction of the ligand (I) and [Ru(ttp)Cl₃] complex, where ttp is 4′-(4-Methylphenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine. A different route for the preparation of [Ru(ttp)(I)](PF₆)₂ was introduced. Synthesis of the ligand (I) on the complex by a condensation reaction of [Ru(ttp)(6)](PF₆)₂, where ligand (6) is 2-(pyrid-2′-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, with 5,6-diamino-l,10-phenanthroline (4) was conducted. The spectroscopic measurements of both products which have been obtained through the two different routes were compared. We observed that the NMR, LC-MS, and UV spectra of the both products were identical.     

Allosteric effects in a ditopic ligand containing bipyridine and tetra-aza-crown donor units

Artificial allosterism: A ditopic ligand, which contains both bipyridine and tetra-aza-crown binding sites, coordinates one Cu(II) through all four N-donors of the tetradentate aza-crown unit. Reaction at the bipyridine site with another Cu(II) allosterically changes the aza-crown from being a tetradentate to a tridentate N-donor unit, a change in coordination mode that causes the successive binding of two Cu(II) ions to proceed with severe negative cooperativity (see scheme).     

New metal organic frameworks incorporating the ditopic macrocyclic ligand dipyridyldibenzotetraaza[14]annulene

The synthesis and crystal structures of three new metal organic frameworks of type [Zn(L-2H)] _n (1), {[ZnLCl₂](CH₃CN)_0.5(DMF)_0.5(H₂O)_0.5} _n (2) and {[CdL(DMF)(NO₃)₂]·DMF} _n (3), all based on the dipyridyl-derivatised macrocycle, dipyridyldibenzotetraaza[14]annulene (L), are reported along with the X-ray structure of the protonated metal-free ligand as its perchlorate salt, [(HL)(ClO₄)] _n (4). In [Zn(L-2H)] _n , the zinc ion occupies the macrocyclic cavity, being bound to the N₄-donor set of the macrocyclic ring in its doubly deprotonated form. Each zinc atom is also axially bound by a pyridyl moiety from an adjacent complex, resulting in formation of an infinite one-dimensional chain of the ??herringbone?? type in which pairs of macrocyclic complexes interact via face-to-face ?ШC?? stacking interactions. In contrast, the zinc ion in {[ZnLCl₂](CH₃CN)_0.5(DMF)_0.5(H₂O)_0.5} _n does not occupy the macrocyclic cavity but is bound to a pyridyl nitrogen from two ligands such that it acts as a bridge between macrocyclic units and results in the generation of a one-dimensional chain. Two chloro ligands also bind to each zinc centre to yield a distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry. Offset ?ШC?? stacking occurs between adjacent chains involving alternate macrocycles in each chain, giving rise to a zig-zag arrangement. Pairs of interacting chains pass through the above-mentioned chains to generate further ?ШC?? stacking to yield an overall three-dimensional structure that contains large ellipsoidal-shaped channels. In {[CdL(DMF)(NO₃)₂]·DMF} _n the cadmium ion again does not occupy the macrocyclic cavity but acts as a bridge between macrocycles to once again afford a linear chain structure. Each cadmium is bound to two pyridyl groups (arising from different molecules of L), two nitrato ligands and one oxygen-bound dimethylformamide molecule to yield a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. The protonated ligand, [(HL)(ClO₄)] _n , adopts a linear chain structure in which one pyridyl group is protonated and interacts intermolecularly via a hydrogen bond with the non-protonated pyridyl group of an adjacent macrocyclic unit to yield a hydrogen-bonded linear chain structure.     

Hydrogen-ion driven molecular motions in Cu2+-complexes of a ditopic phenanthrolinophane ligand

One of the first kinetic evaluations of a metal ion interchange between the two coordination sites of a ditopic macrocycle is presented.     

A versatile ditopic ligand system for sensitizing the luminescence of bimetallic lanthanide bio-imaging probes

The homoditopic ligand 6,6'-[methylenebis(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-5,2-diyl)]bis(4-{2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethoxy}pyridine-2-carboxylic acid) (H(2)L(C2)) has been tailored to self-assemble with lanthanide ions (Ln(III)), which results in the formation of neutral bimetallic helicates with the overall composition [Ln(2)(L(C2))(3)] and also provides a versatile platform for further derivatization. The grafting of poly(oxyethylene) groups onto the pyridine units ensures water solubility, while maintaining sizeable thermodynamic stability and adequate antenna effects for the excitation of both visible- and NIR-emitting Ln(III) ions. The conditional stability constants (log beta(23)) are close to 25 at physiological pH and under stoichiometric conditions. The ligand triplet state features adequate energy (0-phonon transition at approximately 21 900 cm(-1)) to sensitize the luminescence of Eu(III) (Q=21 %) and Tb(III) (11 %) in aerated water at pH 7.4. The emission of several other VIS- and NIR-emitting ions, such as Sm(III) (Q=0.38 %) or Yb(III) (0.15 %), for which in cellulo luminescence is evidenced for the first time, is also sensitized. The Eu(III) emission spectrum arises from a main species with pseudo-D(3) symmetry and without coordinated water. The cell viability of several cancerous cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, Jurkat and 5D10) is unaffected if incubated with up to 500 microM [Eu(2)(L(C2))(3)] during 24 h. Bright Eu(III) emission is seen for incubation concentrations above 10 microM and after a 15-minute loading time; similar images are obtained with Tb(III) and Sm(III). The helicates probably permeate into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells by endocytosis. The described luminescent helical stains are robust chemical species which remain undissociated in the cell medium and in presence of other complexing agents, such as edta, dtpa, citrate or L-ascorbate. Their derivatization, which would open the way to the sensing of targeted in cellulo phenomena, is currently under investigation.     

New cobalt(II) and zinc(II) coordination frameworks incorporating a pyridyl-pyrazole ditopic ligand

The metal-directed assembly of new molecular frameworks incorporating 4-(4-pyridyl)pyrazole (L), containing non-linear coordination vectors, is presented. Three metallo-arrays of types [Co(LH)2(NO3)4], [Co(LH)2(H2O)4][NO3]4.H2O and [Zn2(L-H)2Cl2].2EtOH are reported. The cobalt(II) in [Co(LH)2(NO3)4] displays distorted octahedral geometry, with the two protonated pyridyl-pyrazole ligands coordinated through their pyrazole nitrogen atoms in a trans-orientation; the remaining four coordination sites are occupied by nitrate anions. Two internal hydrogen bonds occur between each pyrazole NH and the oxygens of adjacent coordinated nitrato ligands. Short intermolecular hydrogen bonds also occur between the two pyridinium hydrogens and bound nitrate ligands on different molecules to yield a two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded array. Two of these arrays interpenetrate to form an extended two dimensional layer; such layers stack throughout the crystal structure. A second product of type [Co(LH)2(H2O)4][NO3]4.H2O exists as two crystallographically independent, but chemically similar, forms. In each form, the two protonated pyridyl-pyrazole ligands occupy trans positions about the cobalt, with the remaining four coordination sites being filled by water molecules to yield a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Intramolecular hydrogen-bonding is observed between the two non-coordinated pyrazoyl nitrogen atoms and bound water oxygen atoms. The third complex, [Zn2(L-H)2Cl2].2EtOH, contains dimer units consisting of two zinc(II) ions bridged by two pyrazoylate groups in which the coordination geometry of each zinc approximates a tetrahedron. Each zinc is bound to two deprotonated pyridine-pyrazole ligands (L-H), one pyridyl group (from a different dimeric unit) and one chloro ligand. Each pyridyl nitrogen thus connects each of these zinc dimers to an adjacent dimer unit, forming a three-dimensional network containing small voids. The latter are occupied by ethanol molecules which form hydrogen bonds to the chloro ligands.     

A ditopic azacryptate proton cage

A tosylated azacryptand readily protonates at the bridgehead amines, becoming a potential ditopic anion receptor. The in-in conformation of the amines facilitates encapsulation of two bromide guests and represents the first structural evidence that a proton cage cryptate can bind two anions internally.     

2:2 Fe(III):ligand and "adamantane core" 4:2 Fe(III):ligand (hydr)oxo complexes of an acyclic ditopic ligand

A bis-hydroxo-bridged diiron(III) complex and a bis-mu-oxo-bis-mu-hydroxo-bridged tetrairon(III) complex are isolated from the reaction of 2,6-bis((N,N'-bis-(2-picolyl)amino)methyl)-4-tert-butylphenol (Hbpbp) with iron perchlorate in acidic and neutral solutions respectively. The X-ray structure of the dinuclear complex [{(Hbpbp)Fe([mu-OH)}(2)](ClO(4))(4).2C(3)H(6)O (1.2C3H6O) shows that only one of the metal-binding cavities of each ligand is occupied by an iron(III) atom and two [Fe(Hbpbp)]3+ units are linked together by two hydroxo bridging groups to form a [Fe(III)-(mu-OH)](2) rhomb structure with Fe...Fe = 3.109(1)A. The non-coordinated tertiary amine of Hbpbp is protonated. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show a well-behaved weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the two Fe(III) atoms, J= -8 cm(-1). The tetranuclear complex [(bpbp)(2)Fe(4)(mu-O)(2)(mu-OH)(2)](ClO(4))(4)(2) was isolated as two different solvates .4CH(3)OH and .6H(2)O with markedly different crystal morphologies at pH ca. 6. Complex .4CH(3)OH forms red cubic crystals and .6H(2)O forms green crystalline platelets. The Fe(4)O(6) core of shows an adamantane-like structure: The six bridging oxygen atoms are provided by the two phenolato groups of the two bpbp(-) ligands, two bridging oxo groups and two bridging hydroxo groups. The hydroxo and oxo ligands could be distinguished on the basis of Fe-O bond lengths of the two different octahedral iron sites: Fe-mu-OH, 1.953(5), 2.013(5)A and Fe-mu-O, 1.803(5), 1.802(5)A. The difference in ligand environment is too small for allowing Mossbauer spectroscopy to distinguish between the two crystallographically independent Fe sites. The best fit to the magnetic susceptibility of .4CH(3)OH was achieved by using three coupling constants J(Fe-OPh-Fe)= 2.6 cm(-1), J(Fe-OH-Fe)=-0.9 cm(-1), J(Fe-O-Fe)=-101 cm(-1) and iron(III) single ion ZFS (|D|= 0.15 cm(-1)).     

Metallomacrocycles from ditopic chiral scorpionate ligands

Rare examples of heteroditopic scorpionate ligands [m-(pz(HO)BtBu)(pz2BtBu)C6H4]2- ([m]2-) and [p-(pz(HO)BtBu)(pz2BtBu)C6H4]2- ([p]2-) are reported. As a unique feature, both ligands possess a chiral boron centre. Treatment of [m]2- and [p]2- with FeII and CoII ions, respectively, gives the dinuclear metallomacrocycles [FeII2(micro-m)2] and [CoII2(micro-p)2]. The molecular structures of the colourless complex [FeII2(micro-m)2] and the red-purple complex [CoII2(micro-p)2] have been determined by X-ray crystallography. To meet the geometric requirements of macrocycle formation, the two asymmetric boron centres have opposite absolute configurations in the case of [FeII2(micro-m)2] and the same configuration in [CoII2(micro-p)2].     

A chloro-bridged dimanganese complex and an oxo-bridged dititanium complex of a ditopic bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate ligand

The synthesis and crystal structure analysis of the ditopic p-phenylene-bridged bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate [[p-C6H4(Bpz2tBu)2]Li2] (LLi2; pz=pyrazol-1-yl) is described. A salt metathesis reaction between LLi2 and MnCl2 in THF leads to the dinuclear complex [L[Mn(THF)]2(mu-Cl)2] featuring a central diamond MnII-(mu-Cl)2-MnII core (X-ray crystal structure analysis). Treatment of LLi2 with 2 equiv of [Ti(NMe2)3Cl] gives the dinuclear titanium compound [L[Ti(NMe2)3]2]. Upon reaction of LLi2 with [Ti(NMe2)2Cl2] and water, the mu-oxo-bridged dititanium species [L[Ti(NMe2)Cl]2(mu-O)] is obtained in excellent yield (X-ray crystal structure analysis).     

Probing the potential of N-heterocyclic carbenes in molecular electronics: redox-active metal centers interlinked by a rigid ditopic carbene ligand

Bimetallic homonuclear iron(II) and ruthenium(II) N-heterocyclic carbene complexes have been synthesized and crystallographically analyzed. As a spacer ligand for interconnecting the two redox-active metal centers, a ditopic carbene ligand has been used that comprises two carbene sites annelated to benzene. Detailed electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical analyses of the bimetallic systems revealed that despite the potentially pi-delocalized nature of the ditopic ligand, the iron centers are only moderately coupled. In the ruthenium complexes, the intermetallic interactions are very weak and the centers are electrochemically nearly independent. A model is proposed for rationalizing these observations which is based on (I) relatively weak charge delocalization in the spacer ligand and (II) on electrostatic factors governing the metal-carbene bond.     

Polyaza metacyclophanes as ditopic anion receptors

Five macrocyclic polyaza metacyclophanes L1-L5 prepared by dipode coupling of the tosylated precursors have been studied. The basicity of the ligands has been measured potentiometrically and their ability to complex halides and perchlorate has been studied in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. The results reveal that the ligands generally act as ditopic halide receptors with even the largest, L5, being too small to envelop the anion. The ligand's basicity behaviour parallels that observed for related para-analogues. Despite the ready crystallisation of fluoride, HF2-, chloride, bromide, iodide and triiodide salts in the solid state, there appears to be little affinity for halides in aqueous solution in the pH range accessible via potentiometry. The results do give a detailed insight into the role of the aryl ring in restricting the conformational flexibility of the ligands and, hence, the ability to chelate perching anions.     

Ca(2+)-induced folding of a chiral ditopic receptor based on a Pybox ligand and enhancement of anion recognition

A chiral Pybox ligand bearing two urea units was developed for a Ca(2+)-induced folding ligand. 1:1 Ca(2+) complexation of the Pybox ligand afforded chiral foldamer formation with coordination of the urea carbonyls to Ca(2+). The halide-ion affinity of the foldamer was enhanced compared to Ca(2+)-free Pybox ligands.     

New Ni(II) and Co(II) coordination compounds construction from the ditopic 1,2,3-triazol-based aromatic heterocyclic polycarboxylic ligand

Mononuclear compound I ([Co(Ptia)₂(H₂O)₄] ? H₂O) and 1D chain compound II ([Ni₄(Cptia)₄(H₂O)₁₂]_∞) have been constructed from the new ditopic 1,2,3-trazol-based aromatic heterocyclic carboxylic ligand, 4-(4-carboxy-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) benzoic acid) (H₂Cptia), under different pH conditions by using the hydrothermal method. Their structure was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction (СIF files CCDC nos. 1409531 (I) and 1409531 (II)), IR spectra, and elemental analysis. Compound I is a mononuclear compound. In II, two sets of parallel arrangement 1D chains orient in different directions. The results of their magnetic measurements display the antiferromagnetic interaction exists among the paramagnetic ions.