Dinuclear copper complexes with cyanamide derivatives as bridging ligands

Three mixed-valence copper complexes [{Cu(phen)₂}₂(μ-L)](PF₆)₂ (where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, L = 1,4-dicyanamidobenzene (dicyd)), 1,4-dicyanamido-2,5-dimethylbenzene (Me₂dicyd) and 1,4-dicyanamido-2,5-dichlorobenzene (Cl₂dicyd), and one dinuclear Cu(II) complex [{Cu(phen)₂}₂(μ-apc)](PF₆)₃ (where apc = monoanion of 4-azo(phenylcyanamido)benzene) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and electronic absorption spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry. [{Cu(phen)₂}₂(μ-apc)](PF₆)₃ · 2CH₃COCH₃ crystallized in the triclinic system and both five-coordinate Cu(II) ions in the dinuclear unit are linked through a bridging 4-azo(phenylcyanamido)benzene (apc) ligand. The cyanamide group (NCN) of the bridging ligand is coordinated to Cu(II) ions through the cyano-nitrogen and amido-nitrogen. The bond length between Cu(1) and cyano-nitrogen is slightly larger than that formed by Cu(2) and amido-nitrogen. The angular structural index parameters, τ, for Cu(1) and Cu(2) are 0.9 and 0.5, respectively. The copper(II) atoms display a different geometry with a N₅ chromophore group. The intra Cu?Cu separation is 5.156(1) Å. All of the dicyd dinuclear copper complexes show radical anion absorption.     

Trinuclear ruthenium dendrons based on bridging PHEHAT and TPAC ligands

Novel polynuclear compounds, the trinuclear precursor complex cis-{[(phen)(2)Ru(PHEHAT)](2)Ru(CH(3)CN)(2)}(6+) 4 and the trinuclear TPAC (tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c:3',2'-h:2',3'-j]acridine) complex {[(phen)(2)Ru(PHEHAT)](2)Ru(TPAC)}(6+) 5 have been prepared. Their electrochemistry and photophysics indicate that the (3)MLCT (metal to ligand charge transfer) emissions involve the external {Ru(PHEHAT)} moieties for both complexes and there is no spectro-electrochemical correlation. The trinuclear dendron with the TPAC ligand represents a key compound for future constructions of much larger species thanks to the TPAC that could bridge another polynuclear precursor. For decreasing the length of preparation of these compounds, microwave assisted syntheses have been tested and used not only for the targeted complexes but also for the precursors ((phen)(2)RuCl(2), {(phen)(2)Ru(phendione)}(2+), {(phen)(2)Ru(PHEHAT)}(2+) (PHEHAT = 1,10-phenanthrolino[5,6-b]1,4,5,8,9,12-hexaazatriphenylene), (DMSO)(4)RuCl(2)), and for the bridging TPAC ligand itself. The microwave method allows a drastic decrease of the preparation times, especially in the case of the TPAC, from 8 days to 60 min.     

Synthesis of diimine ligands with cycloalkyl substituents based on 4,6-dibenzofuran-and 4,6-dibenzothiophenedicarboxaldehydes

A formic acid-catalyzed reaction of substituted cycloalkylanilines with 4,6-dibenzofuran-and 4,6-dibenzothiophenedicarboxaldehydes in methanol-dichloromethane mixture afforded a number of the corresponding diimines, which can be of interest as components of catalytic systems for polymerization of olefins. Dedicated to the memory of Academician N. N. Vorozhtsov on the 100th anniversary of his birth. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1131–1134, June, 2007.     

Electrochemical studies of bi- and polymetallic complexes featuring acetylide based bridging ligands

Acetylide-based bridging ligands have been widely used in the preparation of complexes that display a degree of electronic interaction between metal-based redox groups located at the ligand termini. The electrochemical response of these systems has been selectively reviewed, with a focus on the variation in properties that accompany changes in the structure of the bridging ligand and the nature of the metal groups.

Photochromic and redox properties of bisterpyridine ruthenium complexes based on dimethyldihydropyrene units as bridging ligands

We report herein the synthesis and characterization of four new bisterpyridine dinuclear ruthenium complexes containing the dimethyldihydropyrene (DHP) photochrome as bridging ligand. A synthetic strategy has been developed based on a Suzuki coupling reaction to synthesize these novel terpyridine-DHPs. The reactivity of these different ligands and dinuclear ruthenium complexes with light was examined by (1)H NMR and monitoring the changes in their absorption spectra upon irradiation at controlled wavelengths. The free ligands and their corresponding ruthenium complexes all displayed photochromic properties with highly efficient conversion between the closed stable isomers (DHP) and their open forms (CPD). The properties of the compounds in their closed and open forms were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, spectroscopy, and luminescence measurements.     

Pi* level tuning in a series of diimine ligands based on density functional theory: application to photonic devices

Energy- and electron-transfer processes are very important for artificial photosynthesis and a variety of other applications. [(bpy)2Ru(PAP)Os(bpy)2]4+ and its oxidized form [(bpy)2Ru(PAP)Os(bpy)2]5+ perform efficient photoinduced energy- and electron-transfer processes, respectively (k(en) = 5.2 x 10(7) s(-1), k(el) = 7.2 x 10(6) s(-1)). The introduction of appropriate donor and acceptor units on the Ru2+ center can improve the lifetime of the excited state, resulting in a much longer and efficient storage of energy. Nonempirical (density functional) calculations and experimental data are used to predict the best donor and acceptor ligands for improving electron- and energy-transfer processes. Such a result can be extended to all polynuclear complexes where electronic coupling between the metal centers is very weak.     

Studies on nucleophilic additions at bridging vinyl ligands in triosmium clusters

The bridging vinyl clusters [HOs₃(CHCHR)(CO)₁₀] (R = H, Ph, or n-Bu) react with PMe₂Ph to give the zwitterionic adducts [HOs₃(CHCHRPMe₂Ph)(CO)₁₀] which contain μ₂-alkylidene ligands. The adducts are not formed so readily when R = Ph or n-Bu but most readily when polar solvents are used. All three CHCHR complexes add cyanide ion irreversibly to give the anionic clusters which were isolated as [N(PPh₃)₂][HOs₃(CHCHRCN)(CO)₁₀]. There is infrared evidence for the addition of various other anions. Acid reverses the addition of methoxide but HCl reacts with the cyanide adduct [HOs₃(CHCH₂CN)(CO)₁₀]^? to give [HOs₃Cl(CO)₁₀] and EtCN. No evidence for nucleophilic addition at [HOs₃(PhCCHPh)(CO)₁₀] was obtained.     

Magnetic study on a two-dimensional coordination polymer with mixed bridging ligands

A two-dimensional coordination polymer, [Co(mu(1,3)-SCN)(2)(mu(1,6)-dmpzdo)](n)() (where dmpzdo = 2,5-dimethylpyrazine-1,4-dioxide), has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X-ray crystallography. In the complex, the adjacent Co(II) ions are coordinated by mu(1,3)-SCN(-) bridging ligands which forms a one-dimensional chain along the a axis; the one-dimensional chains are further connected by mu(1,6)-dmpzdo bridging ligands which leads to the formation of a two-dimensional layer on the ac plane. The theoretical calculations reveal that a ferromagnetic coupling exists between the mu(1,3)-SCN(-) bridging Co(II) ions and an anti-ferromagnetic interaction between the mu(1,6)-dmpzdo bridging Co(II) ions, and the anti-ferromagnetic interaction is stronger than the ferromagnetic interaction. The fitting of the variable-temperature (34-300 K) magnetic susceptibilities reveals that there is an anti-ferromagnetic coupling between the bridging Co(II) ions with the magnetic coupling constant J = -3.52 cm(-1).     

Quest for zeolite-like metal-organic frameworks: on pyrimidinecarboxylate bis-chelating bridging ligands

Two novel porous zeolitelike metal-organic frameworks (ZMOFs) were constructed via the single metal ion-based molecular building block approach from rigid and directional tetrahedral building units and pyrimidinecarboxylate bridging ligands; their ion exchange and hydrogen sorption properties were evaluated.     

Effects of organic salt additives on the behavior of dimeric ("gemini") surfactants in aqueous solution

The effects of a series of aromatic anions, so-called hydrotropes, on characteristic solution properties of a family of ammonium gemini surfactants with dodecyl chains were explored. The stoichiometric addition of the organic salts to the geminis can result in clear solutions or in phase separation/precipitation, depending on the detailed nature of the added counterions and on the spacer group of the gemini surfactant. Many organic anions induce synergistic effects, strongly reducing the critical micellization concentration (cmc) and the surface tension at the cmc. Furthermore, a number of combinations of organic anions and geminis exhibit thickening of their aqueous solutions. The effects of the added salts are strongly enhanced for the gemini surfactants compared to the monomeric analogue N-dodecyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium chloride. Even anions such as benzoate may be effective for thickening, and viscoelastic solutions can be obtained with salicylate despite the relatively short alkyl chains.     

Preparation and characterization of d tungsten compounds with amino acid derivatized diimine ligands and preparation of dipeptide derivatives using peptide coupling agents

Attempts to prepare dipeptide compounds from organometallic N-substituted amino acids are reported. Condensation of pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde, α-amino acids (H-l-Ala-OH or H-l-Asp-OH) and W(CO)₄(pip)₂ leads to formation of W(CO)₄(pyca-Et) (1) (pyca refers to the α-diimine fragment, C₅H₄NCHN) following decarboxylation of one or two equivalents of CO₂. This decarboxylation does not occur for β-alanine or GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid). Coupling of [Hpip][W(CO)₄(pyca-β-Ala-O)] (2) or [Hpip][W(CO)₄(pyca-GABA-O)] (3) to amino acid esters, H-l-Ala-OEt, or H-l-Val-OMe, using the standard 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) procedure produced four new dipeptide compounds, 4-7. The reactions proceed in good yield and compounds were characterized spectroscopically. The dipeptide complex, W(CO)₄(pyca-Ala-Ala-OMe) (8), was prepared by reaction of W(CO)₄(pip)₂ with H-l-Ala-l-Ala-OMe and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde. In addition the molecular structure of W(CO)₄(pyca-β-Ala-Val-OMe) (5) is reported.     

α-Diimines as monodentate or bridging ligands; synthesis and characterization of palladium(II) and rhodium(I) di(t-butyl)diimine complexes

Complexes of di(t-butyl)diimine with PdCl₂(PhCN)₂ and with (CO)₂RhCl dimer have been synthesized and characterized. The diimine ligand is monodentate bonded in PdCl₂(t-butyldiimine)₂, while in (t-butyldiimine)-[Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ it bridges two Cl(CO)₂Rh units.     

Novel nitrogen ligands based on imidazole derivatives and their application in asymmetric catalysis

Recently prepared chiral amines have been used in the preparation of novel tridentate ligands based on an imidazole ring with an additional (hetero)ring. The synthesis was carried out by the reaction of chiral amines with suitable aldehydes (2-phenylimidazole-4-carbaldehyde, 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde or pyridine-2-carbaldehyde) under reductive conditions (H₂/Pd or NaBH₄). All ligands prepared showed strong hydrogen bonds in d₆-DMSO solution, which resulted in hindered imidazole tautomerism. The observed hindered tautomerism was studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structures of the prepared ligands were also confirmed by APCI mass spectroscopy. Both chiral amines and tridentate compounds have been applied as ligands in copper (II)-catalyzed nitroaldol reactions (Henry reaction). Various reaction conditions for the Henry reaction have been studied (influence of temperature, molar ratio, solvent or copper (II) precursors). The compounds prepared with the two imidazole rings showed fast reaction times and a reversal in enantioselectivity compared to other chiral amines.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of dinuclear copper(II) compounds with NNO tridentate Schiff base ligands and bridging aliphatic diamine and aromatic diimine linkers

The synthesis and the characterization of new dinuclear copper(II) compounds of general formula [(L(a-d))(2)Cu(2)(μ-N-N)](ClO(4))(2) (1-6) with either neutral aliphatic diamine (N-N = piperazine, pip) or aromatic diimine (N-N = 4,4'-bipyridine, 4,4'-bipy) linker are reported. The copper ligands L(-) (L(a-) = (E)-2-((2-aminoethylimino)methyl)phenolate, L(b-) = (E)-2-((2-aminopropylimino)methyl)-phenolate, L(c-) = (E)-2-((2-aminoethylimino)methyl)4-nitrophenolate, L(d-) = (E)-2-((2-aminoethylimino)methyl)4-methoxyphenolate) are NNO tridentate Schiff bases derived from the monocondensation of a substituted salicylaldehyde 5-G-salH (G = NO(2), H, OMe) with ethylenediamine, en, or 1,3-propylenediamine, tn. The crystal structures of compounds [(L(a))(2)Cu(2)(MeOH)(2)(μ-4,4'-bipy)](ClO(4))(2) (1·2MeOH), [(L(b))(2)Cu(2)(MeOH)(2)(μ-4,4'-bipy)](ClO(4))(2) (2·2MeOH), [(L(d))(2)Cu(2)(μ-4,4'-bipy)](ClO(4))(2) (4), [(L(a))(2)Cu(2)(μ-pip)](ClO(4))(2) (5) and [(L(b))(2)Cu(2)(μ-pip)](ClO(4))(2) (6) have been determined, revealing the preferred (e-e)-chair conformation of the bridging piperazine in compounds 5 and 6. The presence of hydrogen-bond-mediated intermolecular interactions, that involve the methanol molecules, yields dimers of dinuclear units for 1·2MeOH, and infinite zig-zag chains for 2·2MeOH. The temperature dependences of the magnetic susceptibilities χ(M)(T) for all compounds were measured, indicating the presence of antiferromagnetic Cu-Cu exchange. For the compounds 2-4 with 4,4'-bipy, the coupling constants J are around -1 cm(-1), while in compound 1 no interaction could be detected. The compounds 5 and 6 with piperazine display higher Cu-Cu magnetic interactions through the σ-bonding backbone of the bridging molecule, with J around -8 cm(-1), and the coupling is favoured by the (e-e)-chair conformation of the diamine ring. The non-aromatic, but shorter, linker piperazine gives rise to stronger Cu-Cu antiferromagnetic couplings than the aromatic, but longer, 4,4'-bipyridine. In the latter case, the rotation along the C-C bond between the two pyridyl rings and the consequent non co-planarity of the two copper coordination planes play an important role in determining the magnetic communication. EPR studies reveal that the dinuclear species are not stable in solution, yielding the solvated [(L)Cu(MeOH)](+) and the mononuclear [(L)Cu(N-N)](+) species; it appears that the limited solubility of the dinuclear compounds is responsible for their isolation in the solid state.     

Novel dinuclear luminescent compounds based on iridium(III) cyclometalated chromophores and containing bridging ligands with ester-linked chelating sites

The syntheses and study of the spectroscopic, redox, and photophysical properties of a new set of species based on Ir(III) cyclometalated building blocks are reported. This set includes three dinuclear complexes, that is, the symmetric (with respect to the bridging ligand) diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (5; ppy = 2-phenylpyridine anion; L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L = bis[4-(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)phenyl]-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate), the asymmetric diiridium species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Ir(ppy)(2)][PF(6)](2) (3; L-OC(O)-L = 4-([(6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4'-yl)benzoyloxy]phenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), and the mixed-metal Ir-Re species [(ppy)(2)Ir(mu-L-OC(O)-L)Re(CO)(3)Br][PF(6)] (4). Syntheses, characterization, and spectroscopic, photophysical, and redox properties of the model mononuclear compounds [Ir(ppy)(2)(L-OC(O)-L)][PF(6)] (2) and [Re(CO)(3)(L-COOH)Br] (6; L-COOH = 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-6'-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine) are also reported, together with the syntheses of the new bridging ligands L-OC(O)-L and L-OC(O)-C(O)O-L. The absorption spectra of all the complexes are dominated by intense spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) bands and by moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. Spin-forbidden MLCT absorption bands are also visible as low-energy tails at around 470 nm for all the complexes. All the new species exhibit metal-based irreversible oxidation and bipyridine-based reversible reduction processes in the potential window investigated (between +1.80 and -1.70 V vs SCE). The redox behavior indicates that the metal-based orbitals are only weakly interacting in dinuclear systems, whereas the two chelating halves of the bridging ligands exhibit noticeable electronic interactions. All the complexes are luminescent both at 77 K and at room temperature, with emission originating from triplet MLCT states. The luminescence properties are temperature- and solvent-dependent, in accord with general theories: emission lifetimes and quantum yields increase on passing from acetonitrile to dichloromethane fluid solution and from room-temperature fluid solution to 77 K rigid matrix. In the dinuclear mixed-chromophore species 3 and 4, photoinduced energy transfer across the ester-linked bridging ligands seems to occur with low efficiency.     

Ruthenium (II) polypyridyl complexes based on bipyridine and two novel diimine ligands with carrier-transporting unit: synthesis, photoluminescence and redox properties

A series of ruthenium (II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)₂L]X₂ (L = L1, L2; X = Cl⁻, PF₆⁻, SCN⁻), were synthesized based on bipyridine and two novel diimine ligands L1 and L2 (L1 = 1-(4-5′-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazolylphenyl)-2-pyridinyl-benzoimidazole, L2 = 1-(4-carbazolylphenyl)-2-pyridinylbenzimidazole); and the crystal structure of [Ru(bpy)₂L1]Cl₂ was also described. [Ru(bpy)₂(Pybm)]X₂ (Pybm = 2-(2-pyridine)benzimidazole) complexes were also prepared as reference samples. In the UV-vis absorption spectra there are one strong π → π* transition and two dπ (Ru) → π* transitions. By comparisons of photoluminescence properties between [Ru(bpy)₂L]X (L = L1, L2) and the reference complexes we find that the complexes with carrier-transporting groups of carbazole and oxadizole have the higher emission intensity and quantum efficiency. One reversible oxidation process in the range 0.80-1.00 V exists in each of the complexes which is assigned to the metal oxidation, [Ru(III)(bpy)₂L]²⁺ + e⁻?[Ru(II)(bpy)₂L]⁺.     

Metal coordination architectures of triazole-based ligands: Effect of the backbone of bridging ligands on the construction of polymers

In our efforts to investigate the influence of the backbone of different triazole-based bridging ligands on the structure of their metal complexes, four new coordination polymers, {[Cu(L¹)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂}_n (1), [Cu(L²)₂Cl₂]_n (2), [Co(L²)₂(SCN)₂]_n (3), and [Cu(L³)₂(NO₃)₂]_n (4), (L¹ = 1,2-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L² = 1,3-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, L³ = 1,4-bis(triazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene), have been synthesized. All the complexes have been structurally characterized by IR, elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analyses show that 1 and 4 possess 2D coordination networks with (4,4) topology, and 1 shows a diagonal–diagonal inclined interpenetration. 2 and 3 are isostructural and feature 1D double chain, which further connected by C–H···Cl or π···π weak interactions to form 2D supramolecular frameworks. The results show that the structures of ligands (with different non-coordination backbone spacers) play important roles in the formation of such coordination architectures. Furthermore, EPR (Electron Paramagnetic Resonance) spectra of Cu^II complexes (1, 2, and 4) have been investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Redox-active biomolecular architectures and self-assembled monolayers based on a cyclodecapeptide regioselectively addressable functional template

A nanometer scale redox active biomolecular architecture has been successfully synthesized through an efficient chemoselective oxime based coupling between ferrocenyl groups and a regioselectively addressable cyclodecapeptide. This molecular tool exhibits electronic, structural, and chemical properties driven by the biomimetic recognition activity of the polypeptide skeleton associated to the well-defined electrochemical activity of metallocenyl probes. Biomolecular materials obtained by confinement of the redox cyclopeptide in self-assembled monolayers on gold surfaces shows efficient through-bond electron transfer from the ferrocenes to the electrode surface via the peptidic backbone, as well as markedly improved sensing properties toward anionic species in organic electrolyte, as compared to those observed in homogeneous solution.     

A triangle-square equilibrium of metallosupramolecular assemblies based on pd(II) and pt(II) corners and diazadibenzoperylene bridging ligands

Tetraaryloxy-substituted diazadibenzoperylene bridging ligands 1a,b were employed in transition metal-directed self-assembly with Pd(II) and Pt(II) phosphane triflates 2a,b which resulted in complex dynamic equilibria between molecular triangles 3a-d and molecular squares 4a-d in solution. Characterization of the equilibria and assignment of the metallacycles was accomplished by (1)H and (31)P[(1)H] NMR spectroscopy in combination with electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron mass spectrometry (ESI-FTICR-MS). It was found that the equilibria depend on several factors, such as the metal ion (Pd(2+) or Pt(2+)), the solvent, and the steric demand of the phenoxy substituents of the diazadibenzoperylene ligands 1a,b. Introduction of bulky tert-butyl groups in 1b shifts the equilibrium significantly in the direction of the molecular squares. Molecular dynamics simulations of the triangle and square structures revealed critical steric effects and restricted conformational flexibilities of the phosphane and diazadibenzoperylene ligands that help explain the distinct dynamic behavior observed in variable-temperature NMR studies. Concentration-dependent UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the limited stability of the assemblies and confirmed the reversible nature of the dynamic equilibria.