The effect of steric hindrance on the Fe(II) complexes of triazine-containing ligands

Fe(II) complexes based on ligands containing a 1,3,5-triazine core have been synthesised and characterised and their electrochemical, spectroscopic and magnetic properties have also been investigated. The incorporation of various substituted metal-binding heterocycles into the 2,4-positions of the triazine allows the properties of the complexes to be modified considerably. Whereas the magnetic moments of the pyridyl (1b: 2.4 B.M.) and pyrazyl (1c: 4.2 B.M.) substituents lead to spin transitions, the 6-picolyl (1d: 5.4 B.M.) substituent is a pure Curie paramagnet at 300 K. Interestingly, the Fe(II) complex of bromo-phenyl-2,2′:6″,2?-terpyridine (1a) displays significant anion effects in the solid state, with the ClO₄ salt exhibiting major diamagnetic contributions (2.1 B.M. at 300 K) and the PF₆ salt has more significant paramagnetic contributions (3.5 B.M. at 300 K). The Fe–N bond distances observed in the 6-picolyl complex [Fe(1d)₂](ClO₄)₂ for both the central rings 2.084 (5) Å and the distal rings 2.254 (4) and 2.369 (4) Å are significantly longer than those of the pyridyl complex [Fe(1b)₂](ClO₄)₂ (centre: 1.869 (4) Å; distal: 1.992 (4) Å; distal: 2.005 (4) Å) due to steric strain, thus generating high-spin [Fe(1d)₂](ClO₄)₂.     

Crystal structures of lanthanide(III) complexes with cyclen derivative bearing three acetate and one methylphosphonate pendants

A series of lanthanide(III) complexes formulated as M[Ln(Hdo3ap)].xH(2)O (M = Li or H and Ln = Tb, Dy, Er, Lu, and Y) with the monophosphonate analogue of H(4)dota, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic-10-methylphosphonic acid (H(5)do3ap), was prepared in the solid state and studied using X-ray crystallography. All of the structures show that the (Hdo3ap)(4-) anion is octadentate coordinated to a lanthanide(III) ion similarly to the other H(4)dota-like ligands, i.e., forming O(4) and N(4) planes that are parallel and have mutual angle smaller than 3 degrees . The lanthanide(III) ions lie between these planes, closer to the O(4) base than to the N(4) plane. All of the structures present the lanthanide(III) complexes in their twisted-square-antiprismatic (TSA) configuration. Twist angles of the pendants vary in the range between -24 and -30 degrees, and for each complex, they lie in a very narrow region of 1 degree. The coordinated phosphonate oxygen is located slightly above (0.02-0.19 Angstroms) the O(3) plane formed with the coordinated acetates. A water molecule was found to be coordinated only in the terbium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes. The bond distance Tb-O(w) is unusually long (2.678 Angstroms). The O-Ln-O angles decrease from 140 degrees [Nd(III)] to 121 degrees [Lu(III)], thus confirming the increasing steric crowding around the water binding site. A comparison of a number of structures of Ln(III) complexes with DOTA-like ligands shows that the TSA arrangement is flexible. On the other hand, the SA arrangement is rigid, and the derived structural parameters are almost identical for different ligands and lanthanide(III) ions.     

Syntheses of 8-quinolinolatocobalt(III) complexes containing cyclen based auxiliary ligands as models for hypoxia-activated prodrugs

New ligands H(2)L2-H(2)L6 comprise the cyclen macrocycle which is N,N'-dialkylated at the 1,7-nitrogen atoms by three- and four-carbon alkyl chains bearing terminal sulfonic (C(3) H(2)L2), phosphonic (C(3) H(2)L3, C(4) H(2)L4) or carboxylic acid (C(3) H(2)L5, C(4) H(2)L6) groups, and HL7 is N-monoalkylated by a four-carbon sulfonic acid group. The ligands were prepared by alkylation of a bridged bisaminal intermediate. The syntheses of cobalt(III) complexes containing a tetradentate cyclen, N,N'-1,7-Me(2)cyclen, cyclam or L2-L7 ligand together with the bidentate 8-quinolinato (8QO(-)) ligand, of interest as it is a model for a more potent cytotoxic analogue, were investigated. Coordination of ligands (L) cyclen, N,N'-1,7-Me(2)cyclen or cyclam to cobalt(III) was achieved using Na(3)[Co(NO(6))] to form [Co(L)(NO(2))(2)](+). HOTf (trifluoromethansulfonic acid) was used to prepare the triflato complexes [Co(L)(OTf)(2)](+), followed by substitution of the labile triflato ligands to yield [Co(L)(8QO)](ClO(4))(2) isolated as the perchlorate salts. One further example containing cyclam and the 5-hydroxymethyl-8-quinolinato ligand was also prepared by this method. Complexes containing the pendant arm ligands L2-L6 were prepared from the cobalt precursor trans-[Co(py)(4)Cl(2)](+). Reaction of this complex with H(2)L2·4HCl and 8QOH produced [Co(L2)(8QO)] in one step and contains two deprotonated sulfonato pendant arms. The reaction of H(2)L3·4HBr with [Co(py)(4)Cl(2)](+) gave [Co(L3)]Cl in which L3 acts as a hexadenate ligand with the three-carbon phosphonato side chains coordinated to cobalt. H(2)L5·4HCl bearing three-carbon carboxylic acid pendant arms gave a similar result. The four-carbon ligands were coordinated to cobalt by reaction of [Co(py)(4)Cl(2)](+) with H(2)L4·4HBr or H(2)L6·4HCl to give [Co(HL4)Cl(2)] or [Co(H(2)L6)Cl(2)]Cl, which in turn with 8QOH gave the 8QO(-) complexes [Co(L4)(8QO)] bearing anionic phosphate pendant arms or [Co(H(2)L6)(8QO)]Cl(2) containing neutral carboxylic acid side chains. The reaction of Na(3)[Co(CO(3))(3)] with the mono-N-alkylated ligand HL7·4HCl and then HOTf gave [Co(L7)(CO(3))] and then in turn [Co(L7)(OTf)(2)]. The carbonato complex [Co(L7)(CO(3))] with [8QO](2)[SO(4)] produced [Co(L7)(CO(3))]. All complexes containing L7 bear an anionic sulfonato group on the side chain. The synthesis and characterisation of the six new ligands based on N-alkylated cylen ligand and the cobalt complexes outlined above are described, along with cyclic voltammograms of the 8QO(-) complexes and the molecular structures determined by X-ray crystallography of [Co(cyclen)(H(2)O)(2)](OTf)(3) (formed by aquation of the triflato complex), [Co(cyclen)(8QO)](ClO(4))(2), Co(L2)(8QO)·2H(2)O, Co(L4)(8QO)·6H(2)O and [Co(H(2)L6)Cl(2)]Cl·H(2)O. These demonstrate the coordination of the cyclen ligand in the folded anti-O,syn-N configuration with the N-alkylated nitrogens occupying apical positions.     

Copper(II) complexes with neutral bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands: The influence of steric hindrance on their structures and properties

By using the neutral bidentate nitrogen-containing ligands; bis(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L0″), bis(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L1″), bis(3-tertiary-butyl-5-isopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L3″), and bis(3,5-ditertiary-butyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane (L4″), the copper(II) nitrato complexes [Cu(L0″)₂(NO₃)]NO₃ (1NO₃), [Cu(L0″)(NO₃)₂] (2), [Cu(L1″)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cu(L3″)(NO₃)₂] (4), and [Cu(L4″)(NO₃)₂] (5), chloro complexes [Cu(L0″)₂Cl]₂(CuCl₄) (6CuCl₄), [Cu(L0″)₂Cl]₂(Cu₂Cl₆) (6Cu₂Cl₆), [Cu(L1″)Cl₂] (7), and [Cu(L3″)Cl₂] (8), nitrito complexes [Cu(L0″)(ONO)₂] (9) and [Cu(L1″)(ONO)₂] (10), and the complexes with perchlorate ions [Cu(L0″)₂(CH₃OH)](ClO₄)₂ (11ClO₄) and [Cu(L1″)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (12ClO₄) were systematically synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray crystallography and by IR, far-IR, UV–Vis absorption, and ESR spectroscopy. In comparison with the obtained complexes with four bis(pyrazolyl)methanes having different bulkiness at pyrazolyl rings, the second coordination sphere effects on the ligands are discussed in detail. Moreover, the structures and physicochemical properties of these obtained complexes are compared with those of the related complexes with the neutral tridentate tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand.     

The effect of ring size variation on the structure and stability of lanthanide(III) complexes with crown ethers containing picolinate pendants

The coordination properties of the macrocyclic receptor N,N'-bis[(6-carboxy-2-pyridyl)methylene]-1,10-diaza-15-crown-5 (H(2)bp15c5) towards the lanthanide ions are reported. Thermodynamic stability constants were determined by pH-potentiometric titration at 25 °C in 0.1 M KCl. A smooth decrease in complex stability is observed upon decreasing the ionic radius of the Ln(III) ion from La [log K(LaL) = 12.52(2)] to Lu [log K(LuL) = 10.03(6)]. Luminescence lifetime measurements recorded on solutions of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes confirm the absence of inner-sphere water molecules in these complexes. (1)H and (13)C NMR spectra of the complexes formed with the diamagnetic La(III) metal ion were obtained in D(2)O solution and assigned with the aid of HSQC and HMBC 2D heteronuclear experiments, as well as standard 2D homonuclear COSY and NOESY spectra. The (1)H NMR spectra of the paramagnetic Ce(III), Eu(III) and Yb(III) complex suggest nonadentate binding of the ligand to the metal ion. The syn conformation of the ligand in [Ln(bp15c5)](+) complexes implies the occurrence of two helicities, one associated with the layout of the picolinate pendant arms (absolute configuration Δ or Λ), and the other to the five five-membered chelate rings formed by the binding of the crown moiety (absolute configuration δ or λ). A detailed conformational analysis performed with the aid of DFT calculations (B3LYP model) indicates that the complexes adopt a Λ(λδ)(δδλ) [or Δ(δλ)(λλδ)] conformation in aqueous solution. Our calculations show that the interaction between the Ln(III) ion and several donor atoms of the crown moiety is weakened as the ionic radius of the metal ion decreases, in line with the decrease of complex stability observed on proceeding to the right across the lanthanide series.     

Synthesis of new polymetallic iron(III) clusters containing polycarboxylate ligands based on cavity-blocked cyclen

The synthesis and magnetic properties of enneametallic and octametallic Fe(III) cage complexes from tetraazamacrocycle ligands (1,7-H2DO2A) and (H3DO3A) respectively, are reported.     

Strong steric hindrance effect on excited state structural dynamics of Cu(I) diimine complexes

The metal-to-ligand-charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state of Cu(I) diimine complexes is known to undergo structural reorganization, transforming from a pseudotetrahedral D(2d) symmetry in the ground state to a flattened D(2) symmetry in the MLCT state, which allows ligation with a solvent molecule, forming an exciplex intermediate. Therefore, the structural factors that influence the coordination geometry change and the solvent accessibility to the copper center in the MLCT state could be used to control the excited state properties. In this study, we investigated an extreme case of the steric hindrance caused by attaching bulky tert-butyl groups in bis(2,9-di-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I), [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+). The two bulky tert-butyl groups on the dtbp ligand lock the MLCT state into the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry and completely block the solvent access to the copper center in the MLCT state of [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+). Using ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and time-resolved emission spectroscopy, we investigated the MLCT state property changes due to the steric hindrance and demonstrated that [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+) exhibited a long-lived emission but no subpicosecond component that was previously assigned as the flattening of the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry. This suggests the retention of its pseudotetrahedral D(2d) symmetry and the blockage of the solvent accessibility. We made a comparison between the excited state dynamics of [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+) with its mono-tert-butyl counterpart, bis(2-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) [Cu(I)(tbp)(2)](+). The subpicosecond component assigned to the flattening of the D(2d) coordination geometry in the MLCT excited state was again present in the latter because the absence of a tert-butyl on the phenanthroline allows flattening to the pseudotetrahedral coordination geometry. Unlike the [Cu(I)(dtbp)(2)](+), [Cu(I)(tbp)(2)](+) exhibited no detectable emission at room temperature in solution. These results provide new insights into the manipulation of various excited state properties in Cu diimine complexes by certain key structural factors, enabling optimization of these systems for solar energy conversion applications.     

Lanthanide directed self-assembly formations of Tb(III) and Eu(III) luminescent complexes from tryptophan based pyridyl amide ligands

The formation of self-assembly complexes between the ligands 1 (SS) and 2 (RR) and terbium or europium was undertaken and shown (using various spectroscopic titrations) to give rise to the exclusive formation of 2:1 (L:Ln) stoichiometry and not the anticipated 3:1 stoichiometry.     

Interaction of cobalt(III) polypyridyl complexes containing asymmetric ligands with DNA

Four asymmetric cobalt(III) complexes, [Co(bpy)₂(aip)]³⁺, [Co(bpy)₂(pyip)]³⁺, [Co(phen)₂(aip)]³⁺, and [Co(phen)₂(pyip)]³⁺ (bpy = 2,2,bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenathroline), (pyip = 2-(1-pyrenyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][phen], (aip = 2-(9-anthryl)-1H-imidazo[4,5,-f][phen], have been synthesized and characterized. Their interaction with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by physico-chemical methods and photocleavage. The size and shape of the ligands have a marked effect on the DNA-binding affinity of the complexes. Irradiation of pBR322 DNA with these novel cobalt(III) complexes results in nicking of the plasmid DNA. Toxicity and induced cell death investigations revealed that the complexes of pyip had higher toxicity than those of aip. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Europium(III) complexes containing organosilyldipyridine ligands grafted on silica nanoparticles

This work focuses on the grafting of transition metal complexes on silica surface nanoparticles. Nanoscale silica particles in aqueous sols are used as starting silicated materials. We have undertaken the synthesis of europium(III) complexes containing organosilyldipyridine ligands, (EtO)3Si(CH2)3NHCH2-bipy (1) and (EtO)(CH3)2Si(CH2) 3NHCH 2-bipy (2), in view of a direct grafting reaction on silica nanoparticles. Reaction of one molar equivalent of 1 and 2 with Eu(tmhd)3 (tmhd= 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionato), as precursor, leads to octacoordinated silylated europium(III) complexes [Eu(tmhd)3(1)] (3) and [Eu(tmhd)3(2)] (4) as white solids in 34-54% yields. Europium complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, FT-IR, UV, and luminescence spectroscopies. These new complexes are reacting in a 1:10 (v/v) water and ethanol mixture with silica nanoparticles colloidal sol. Elemental analysis and thermogravimetric data indicated grafting ratios of 0.41 and 0.26 mmol of europium(III) complexes per gram of silica. Functionalized silica nanoparticles were characterized by DRIFT spectroscopy and TEM microscopy. The first analysis shows that the chemical integrity of the complexes is retained on the silica surface together with the size and the monodispersity of the nanoscale particles. As expected for europium(III) complexes, luminescence is observed under UV irradiation. Emission and excitation spectra indicate that the metal coordination environment is not modified on the silica surface. Moreover, the sharpness of the luminescence bands and the strong antenna effect are maintained when complexes are covalently bonded to silica. New luminescent europium(III) complexes grafted on silica nanoparticles are therefore obtained from our approach.     

Ruthenium(II) and ruthenium(III) complexes derived from O,O-donor ligands

The new [Ru¹¹(PPh₃)₂L₂] complexes [L=monoanion of tropolone, benzoylacetone, or 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (hypy)], [RuH(PPh₃)₃L′][HL′=maltol, dibenzoylmethane or 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone (Hdmhypy)] and [Ru^IIIX₂(EPh₃)₂L″] complexes (X=Cl, Br; E=As or P; L″=hypy, dmhypy) have been prepared, and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Their redox behaviour was studied by cyclic voltammetry. Most of the complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation ofp-methoxybenzyl alcohol to the corresponding aldehyde in the presence ofN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide as co-oxidant.     

Two heptadentate Co(III) and Mn(III) complexes with partially deprotonated cyclen derivative bearing four hydroxypropyl pendants: structure,DNA binding and DNA cleavage

Two new complexes, (Co^III)₂(H₃L^?)₂(0.5H₂O)₂(ClO₄)₄ (I) and (Mn^III)₂(H₃L^?)₂(0.5H₂O)₂ (ClO₄)₄ (II), were synthesized and crystallographically characterized [H₄L = 1,4,7,10‐tetra‐(2‐hydroxypropyl)‐l,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane] using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometery. The characterizations confirmed that the valences of the metal ions increased from divalent to trivalent due to deprotonation of one OH group (H₄L was in the form of H₃L^?). Owing to the instability of Co(III) and Mn(III) in both air and in solution, they preferred to exist in divalent form. The two heptadentate complexes are extraordinary in that the chiral pendants of the complexes are different in configuration. Spectroscopic studies, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation experiments and circular dichroism spectra demonstrated that the complexes were prone to interact with DNA by groove binding. At micromolar concentrations and under physiological conditions, the two complexes were able to oxidatively cleave the supercoiled pUC19 plasmid DNA into its nicked and linear forms. Mechanistic studies using various additives suggest the complexes had structures different from those of other inorganic complexes. These are the first reported inorganic complexes not containing planar aromatic ligands and yet binding at the major groove. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Lanthanide(III) and group 13 metal ion complexes of tripodal amino phosphinate ligands

The tripodal amino-phosphinate ligands, tris(4-(phenylphosphinato)-3-benzyl-3-azabutyl)amine (H(3)ppba.2HCl.H(2)O) and tris(4-(phenylphosphinato)-3-azabutyl)amine (H(3)ppa.HCl.H(2)O) were synthesized and reacted with Al(3+), Ga(3+), In(3+) and the lanthanides (Ln(3+)). At 2 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppba)(2)](3+)(M = Al(3+), Ga(3+), In(3+), Ho(3+)-Lu(3+)) were isolated. The bicapped [Ga(H(3)ppba)(2)](NO(3))(2)Cl.3CH(3)OH was structurally characterized and was shown indirectly by various techniques to be isostructural with the other [M(H(3)ppba)(2)](3+) complexes. Also, at 2 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(4)ppba)(2)](5+)(M = La(3+)-Tb(3+)) were characterized, and the X-ray structure of [Gd(H(4)ppba)(2)](NO(3))(4)Cl.3CH(3)OH was determined. At 1 : 1 H(3)ppba to metal ratios, complexes of the type [M(H(4)ppba)](4+)(M = La(3+)-Er(3+)) were isolated and characterized. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence supported the formation of a 1 : 1 monocapped complex. Reaction of 1 : 1 ratios of H(3)ppa with Ln(3+) and In(3+) yielded complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppa)](3+)(M = La(3+)-Yb(3+)) but with Ga(3+), complex of the type [Ga(ppa)].3H(2)O was obtained. Reaction of 1 : 1 ratios of H(3)ppa with Ln(3+) and In(3+) yielded complexes of the type [M(H(3)ppa)](3+)(M = La(3+)-Yb(3+)) but with Ga(3+) a neutral complex [Ga(ppa)].3H(2)O was obtained. The formation of an encapsulated 1 : 1 complex is supported by elemental analysis and spectroscopic evidence.     

Mononuclear and binuclear lanthanum(III) complexes of macrocyclic ligands derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine

Two novel series of complexes of types [La(DAPCH)X₂]X and [La(DAPTC)X₂]X (DAPCH = a potentially pentadentate ligand derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine and carbohydrazide; DAPTC = a potentially tridentate ligand derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine and thiocarbohydrazide; X = Cl, Br or NO₃) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductance measurements and IR spectral data. All these complexes contain terminal hydrazinic nitrogen atoms with an unshared electron pair and may take part in nucleophilic condensations. Therefore, the reactions of these complexes with 2,6-diacetylpyridine have also been studied which cause ring closure and formation of macrocyclic ligand complexes. Two types of cyclic products, viz. mononuclear [La(mac)X₂]X, [La(mac′)X₂]X and binuclear [La₂(mac)X₄]X₂, [La₂(mac′)X₄]X₂ (mac- = macrocyclic ligand derived from DAPCH and 2,6-diacetylpyridine; mac′ = macrocyclic ligand derived from DAPTC and 2,6-diacetylpyridine; X = Cl, Br or NO₃) have been isolated by carrying out the reactions by different methods. The IR spectra of these cyclic products are reported.     

Cycloaurated gold(III) complexes derived from the functionalised catecholate ligands alizarin and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde

Reactions of the cycloaurated gold(III) dichloride complexes [AuCl₂(anp)] (anp = 2-anilinopyridyl), [AuCl₂(bp)] (bp = 2-benzylpyridyl) and [AuCl₂(tolpy)] (tolpy = 2-(p-tolyl)pyridyl) with alizarin (H₂az) and Me₃N base in refluxing methanol gave the complexes [Au(az)L] (L = anp, bp or tolpy). Additionally, the reaction of [AuCl₂(tolpy)] with 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (H₂dhb) and Me₃N gave the complex [Au(dhb)(tolpy)]. These complexes contain the ligands coordinated as functionalised catecholate groups, allowing introduction of new functionalities into this class of complex. The complexes are poorly soluble in most organic solvents but were successfully characterised by ESI MS, IR and NMR spectroscopies. A detailed ¹H and ¹³C NMR study on [Au(dhb)(tolpy)] shows that it exists as two isomers with regard to the position of the aldehyde group compared to the cycloaurated ring system; DFT calculations were carried out in order to provide some insight on the spectroscopic assignment of the two isomers.     

Luminescence of ytterium(III) β-diketonate complexes containing different ligands

The spectral and luminescent characteristics of ytterbium(III) β-diketonate complexes containing different nitrogen- and phosphorus-containing ligands are determined. The most intensive luminescence in the IR region is observed for the neutral phosphorus-containing ligands.     

Cobalt(III) carbonate and bicarbonate chelate complexes of tripodal tetraamine ligands containing pyridyl donors: the steric basis for the stability of chelated bicarbonate complexes

The synthesis and characterization (X-ray crystallography, UV/vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, ESI-MS, and (1)H, (13)C, and (59)Co NMR) of the complexes [Co(L)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4)xH(2)O (L = tpa (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) (x = 1), pmea (pmea = bis((2-pyridyl)methyl)-2-((2-pyridyl)ethyl)amine) (x = 0), pmap (pmap = bis(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) (x = 0), tepa (tepa = tris(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)amine) (x = 0)) which contain tripodal tetradentate pyridyl ligands and chelated carbonate ligands are reported. The complexes display different colors in both the solid state and solution, which can be rationalized in terms of the different ligand fields exerted by the tripodal ligands. Electrochemical data show that [Co(tepa)(O(2)CO)](+) is the easiest of the four complexes to reduce, and the variation in E(red.) values across the series of complexes can also be explained in terms of the different ligand fields exerted by the tripodal ligands, as can the (59)Co NMR data which show a chemical shift range of over 2000 ppm for the four complexes. [Co(pmea)(O(2)CO)](+) is fluxional in aqueous solution, and VT NMR spectroscopy ((1)H and (13)C) in DMF-d(7) (DMF = dimethylformamide) over the temperature range -25.0 to 75.0 degrees C are consistent with inversion of the unique six-membered chelate ring. This process shows a substantial activation barrier (DeltaG(#) = 58 kJ mol(-1)). The crystal structures of [Co(tpa)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4)xH(2)O, [Co(pmea)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4).3H(2)O, [Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4), and [Co(tepa)(O(2)CO)]ClO(4) are reported, and the complexes containing the asymmetric tripodal ligands pmea and pmap both crystallize as the 6-isomer. The carbonate complexes all show remarkable stability in 6 M HCl solution, with [Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)](+) showing essentially no change in its UV/vis spectrum over 4 h in this medium. The chelated bicarbonate complexes [Co(pmea)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4), [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)][Co(pmap)(O(2)CO)](ClO(4))(3), [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4)xH(2)O, and [Co(pmap(O(2)COH)]ZnBr(4)x2H(2)O can be isolated from acidic aqueous solution, and the crystal structure of [Co(pmap)(O(2)COH)]ZnCl(4)x3H(2)O is reported. The stability of the carbonate complexes in acid is explained by analysis of the crystallographic data for these, and other slow to hydrolyze chelated carbonate complexes, which show that the endo (coordinated) oxygen atoms are significantly hindered by atoms on the ancillary ligands, in contrast to complexes such as [Co(L)(O(2)CO)](+) (L = (NH(3))(4), (en)(2), tren, and nta), which undergo rapid acid hydrolysis and which show no such steric hindrance.     

Insights into the luminescent properties of anionic cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes with ligands derived from natural products

In the search of remarkable anionic electroluminescent semiconductors to be applied in energy conversion devices such as Light Emitting Electrochemical Cells, we report the electronic, photophysical, and charge injection/transfer properties of a series of cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes through a DFT/TD‐DFT procedure. The proposed semiconductors involve bidentated ligands based on natural products (salicylic acid and boldine), and phenylpyridine and phenylpyrazole as the cyclometalating units. The proposed compounds emit in the range of 446 to 571 nm, where the boldine based compounds have red‐shifted emissions compared to their analogs with salicylic acid. Blue phosphors were obtained by the use of phenylpyrazole units; however, the ligand field is weak in these cases compared to the ligand field exerted by the phenylpyridine ligands. The latter allows the accessibility to the radiationless states for emitters below 495 nm as a result of the increased stability of the metal centered excited states; consequently, the luminescent quantum yield could be decreased. Conversely, the semiconductors with phenylpyridine units show a restricted accessibility to radiationless processes, which could result in emitters with a high luminescent quantum yield and low non‐radiative constants. Finally, the proposed anionic semiconductors show a better balance between hole/electron transfer rate compared to related cationic Ir(III) complexes; while, the easier hole‐electron injection is favored for semiconductors with salicylic acid and phenylpyridine units.     

Copper(II) complexes of ligands derived from tryptamine

Three new ligands with an indole substituent tethered to a pyridylalkylamine or imidazolylalkylamine metal-binding domain have been prepared from tryptamine. Copper(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized, three by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemistry has been used to ascertain the mutual effects of the copper and indole redox centres upon each other.     

Binuclear complexes of Co(III) containing extended conjugated bis(catecholate) ligands

Binuclear complexes of cobalt(III) have been prepared with 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-benzaldazine (H4thB), 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-5,5'-dimethoxybenzaldazine (H4thM), and 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxydimethylbenzaldazine (H4thA) as bis(catecholate) ligands that link metal ions separated by 16 A through a conjugated bridge. In one case, [Co2(bpy)4(thM)]2+, stereodynamic properties observed in solution by 1H NMR are associated with valence tautomerism, with formation of a labile hs-Co(II) species by electron transfer from the catecholate regions of the bridge. Electrochemical oxidation of the complexes occurs at the bridges as two closely spaced one-electron couples. Chemical oxidation of [Co2(bpy) 4(thB)]2+ with Ag+ is observed to occur as a two-electron process forming [Co2(bpy) 4(thB(SQ,SQ))]4+. Attempted crystallization in the presence of air was observed to result in formation of the [Co(bpy)2(BACat)]+ (H2BACat, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde) cation by aerobic oxidation. Structural characterization is provided for the H4thM ligand and [Co(bpy)2(BACat)](BF4).