Insights into the absorption of carbon dioxide by zinc substrates: isolation and reactivity of di- and tetranuclear zinc complexes

The heptadentate Schiff base H(3)L can react with zinc acetate to form the discrete dinuclear complex Zn(2)L(OAc)(H(2)O), 1.H(2)O. The reaction of 1.H(2)O with NMe(4)OH.5H(2)O both in air and under an argon stream has been investigated. On one hand, this reaction in air yields the tetranuclear complex (Zn(2)L)(2)(CO(3))(H(2)O)(6), 2.5H(2)O, by spontaneous absorption of adventitious carbon dioxide. This process can be reverted in an acetic acid medium, whereas the treatment of 2.5H(2)O with methanoic acid yields crystals of [Zn(2)L(HCOO)].0.5MeCN.1.25MeOH.2H(2)O, 3.0.5MeCN.1.25MeOH.2H(2)O. On the other hand, the interaction under an argon atmosphere of 1.H(2)O with NMe(4)OH.5H(2)O in methanol allows the isolation of the dinuclear complex Zn(2)L(OMe)(H(2)O)(4), 4.4H(2)O. Recrystallisations of 1.H(2)O, 2.5H(2)O and 4.4H(2)O, in different solvents, yielded single crystals of 1.MeCN.2.5H(2)O, 2.4MeOH and 4.3MeOH.H(2)O, respectively. The crystal structure of 2.4MeOH can be understood as resulting from an unusual asymmetric tetranuclear self-assembly from two dinuclear units, and shows three different geometries around the four zinc atoms.     

Insertion reactions of carbon dioxide into Zn-N bonds: syntheses and structures of tetrameric and dimeric alkylzinc carbamato complexes

The formal insertions of carbon dioxide into a series of methylzinc dialkylamide complexes (MeZnNR(2)) initially form solvent-free, tetrameric zinc carbamato complexes [Me(4)Zn(4)(O(2)CNR(2))(4)] (NR(2) = N(i-Pr)(2) (1), N(i-Bu)(2) (2), and piperidinyl (3)). These compounds have been characterized by traditional techniques as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetrameric backbones seen in the solid state for 1-3 were structurally similar to each other. Addition of excess pyridine (py) to 1-3 breaks apart the tetramers and converts them into solvated dimeric species [Me(2)Zn(2)(O(2)CNR(2))(2)(py)(2)] (NR(2) = N(i-Pr)(2) (4), N(i-Bu)(2) (5), and piperidinyl (6)). X-ray crystallographic analyses of 4 and 5 confirmed the dimeric structure in the solid state. This study significantly increases the number of well-characterized zinc carbamates prepared via CO(2) insertion into zinc amides.     

Synthesis of heterobimetallic Ru-Mn complexes and the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide catalyzed by these complexes

The heterobimetallic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(CO)(mu-dppm)Mn(CO)4] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(mu-dppm)(mu-CO)2Mn(CO)3] (dppm = bis-diphenylphosphinomethane) have been prepared by reacting the hydridic complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Ru(dppm)H] and [(eta5-C5Me5)Ru(dppm)H], respectively, with the protonic [HMn(CO)5] complex. The bimetallic complexes can also be synthesized through metathetical reactions between [(eta5-C5R5)Ru(dppm)Cl] (R = H or Me) and Li+[Mn(CO)5]-. Although the complexes fail to catalyze the hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid, they catalyze the coupling reactions of epoxides with carbon dioxide to yield cyclic carbonates. Two possible reaction pathways for the coupling reactions have been proposed. Both routes begin with heterolytic cleavage of the RuMn bond and coordination of an epoxide molecule to the Lewis acidic ruthenium center. In Route I, the Lewis basic manganese center activates the CO2 by forming the metallocarboxylate anion which then ring-opens the epoxide; subsequent ring-closure gives the cyclic carbonate. In Route II, the nucleophilic manganese center ring-opens the ruthenium-attached epoxide to afford an alkoxide intermediate; CO2 insertion into the RuO bond followed by ring-closure yields the product. Density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory were carried out to understand the structural and energetic aspects of the two possible reaction pathways. The results of the calculations indicate that Route II is favored over Route I.     

Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by tetranuclear rare earth metal polyhydrido complexes. Selective formation of ethylene and isolation of well-defined polyoxo rare earth metal clusters

The reaction of the tetranuclear rare earth metal polyhydrido complexes {Cp'Ln(mu-H)2}4(THF) (Cp' = C5Me4SiMe3, Ln = Y (1a), Lu (1b)) with carbon monoxide (1 atm) yielded ethylene and the corresponding tetraoxo cubane complexes (Cp'Ln)4(mu3-O)4 (Ln = Y (5a), Lu (5b)). Stepwise formation of some key reaction intermediates, such as oxymethylene complexes (Cp'Ln)4(mu-OCH2)(mu-H)6(THF) (Ln = Y (2a), Lu (2b)), enolate species (Cp'Y)4(OCH=CH2)(mu-O)(mu-H)5(THF) (3), and dioxo complex (Cp'Y)4(mu3-O)2(mu-H)4(THF) (4), was confirmed. The molecular structures of 2a, 4, and 5b were determined by X-ray diffraction studies.     

Pictet-Spengler reactions in multiphasic supercritical carbon dioxide/CO2-expanded liquid media. In situ generation of carbamates as a strategy for reactions of amines in supercritical carbon dioxide

Acyl-Pictet-Spengler cyclizations can be achieved in scCO2/CO2-expanded liquid media via the in situ formation of carbamate derivatives of beta-arylethylamines.     

Hydrogenation of carbon dioxide catalyzed by ruthenium trimethylphosphine complexes: the accelerating effect of certain alcohols and amines

A trace amount of alcohol cocatalyst and a stoichiometric amount of base are required during the hydrogenation of CO(2) to formic acid catalyzed by ruthenium trimethylphosphine complexes. Variation of the choice of alcohol and base causes wide variation in the rate of reaction. Acidic, nonbulky alcohols and triflic acid increase the rate of hydrogenation an order of magnitude above that which can be obtained with traditionally used methanol or water. Similarly, use of DBU rather than NEt(3) increases the rate of reaction by an order of magnitude. Turnover frequencies up to 95,000 h(-1) have now been obtained, and even higher rates should be possible using the cocatalyst and amine combinations identified herein. Preliminary in situ NMR spectroscopic observations are described, and the possible roles of the alcohol and base are discussed.     

Hydrothermal syntheses,structures and properties of three cyclic tetranuclear complexes and one 1D chain complex with 3,5-dinitrosalicylate

The hydrothermal reactions of Co(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O, 3,5-dinitrosalicylate (3,5-(NO₂)₂sal) and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) with different reaction periods give metallamacrocycles 1 and 2 with the same chemical formula Co₄(2,2′-bipy)₄{3,5-(NO₂)₂sal}₄. Replacing Co(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O with Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O, using the same synthetic procedures, results in the formation of compound [Zn(2,2′-bipy){3,5-(NO₂)₂sal}]_n (3) with a 1D chain structure and the metallamacrocycle compound Zn₄(2,2′-bipy)₄{3,5-(NO₂)₂sal}₄ (4). Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize as two different polymorphs of cyclic tetranuclear compounds. Compounds 3 and 4 are polymorphic too. The compounds 1 and 4 are isomorphous. The weak coordination interactions have significant influence on the spacial orientations of the 3,5-(NO₂)₂sal ligand, and may affect the crystallization processes. There are antiferromagnetic interactions in the cyclic tetranuclear cobalt(II) compounds 1 and 2. Compound 3 exhibits weak fluorescent emission in the solid state at room temperature.     

Insertion reaction of carbon dioxide into Sn-OR bond. Synthesis, structure and DFT calculations of di- and tetranuclear isopropylcarbonato tin(IV) complexes

The reaction of carbon dioxide with the stannane nBu2Sn(OiPr)2 and distannoxane [nBu2(iPrO)Sn]2O leads to the selective insertion into one Sn-OiPr bond generating the corresponding nBu2Sn(OiPr)(OCO2(i)Pr) and nBu2(iPrO)SnOSn(OCO2(i)Pr)nBu2 species. Both compounds are characterised by multinuclear NMR, FT-IR and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In the solid state, they adopt a dimeric arrangement with bridging isopropoxy and terminal isopropylcarbonato ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of the dinuclear stannane shows that the Sn2O2 ring and the two Sn-OCO2C fragments are nearby coplanar. The same holds for the ladder-type tetranuclear distannoxane. The dimeric structures are also evidenced by solution NMR in non-coordinating solvents. Interestingly, the assignment of the exo and endo tin resonances of the dimeric distannoxane is unambiguous using a labeled 13CO2 experiment. The stability of the dimeric association has been probed in the stannane series on the basis of DFT calculations.     

Nickel-manganese sulfido carbonyl cluster complexes. synthesis, structure, and properties of the unusual paramagnetic complexes Cp2Ni2Mn(CO)3(mu 3-E)2, E = S, Se

The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) yielded the paramagnetic new compound Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(CO)(3)(mu(3)-S)(2) (1) and a new hexanuclear metal product Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(4)(CO)(14)(mu(6)-S(2))(mu(3)-S)(2) (2). Structurally, compound 1 contains two triply bridging sulfido ligands on opposite sides of an open Ni(2)Mn triangular cluster. EPR and temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show that it contains one unpaired electron. The electronic structure of 1 was determined by Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations which show that the unpaired electron occupies a low lying antibonding orbital delocalized unequally across the three metal atoms. The selenium homologue Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(CO)(3)(mu(3)-Se)(2) (3) was obtained from the reaction of a mixture of Mn(2)(CO)(10) and [CpNi(CO)](2) with elemental selenium and Me(3)NO.2H(2)O. It also has one unpaired electron. Compound 1 reacted with elemental sulfur to yield the dinickeldimanganese compound, Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(2)(CO)(6)(mu(4)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(5)), 4, which can also be made from the reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) and sulfur. Compound 4 was converted back to 1 by sulfur abstraction using PPh(3). The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(10) with [CpNi(CO)](2) in the presence of thiirane yielded the ethanedithiolato compound CpNiMn(CO)(3)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)S) (5), which was also obtained from the reaction of Mn(4)(CO)(15)(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) in the presence of thiirane. Compound 5 reacted with additional quantities of thiirane to yield the new compound CpNiMn(CO)(3)[mu-S(CH(2)CH(2)S)(2)], 6, which contains a 3-thiapentanedithiolato ligand that bridges the two metal atoms. Compound 6 was also obtained from the reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(10) with [CpNi(CO)](2) and thiirane. The molecular structures of the new compounds 1-6 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.     

Interaction of aryl azides with tungsten complexes. Three new types of reactions yielding coordinated RN3PR3, RN3H,and RN.

The first phosphazide and monosubstituted triazenide complexes have been prepared by allowing either phenyl or p-tolylazide to react with WBr₂ (CO)₃(PPh₃)₂ and WH(CO)₂(NO) (PPh₃)₂ under mild conditions to yield WBr₂ (CO)₃(RN₃PPh₃) and W(RN₃H) (CO) (NO) (PPh₃)₂, respectively. The same arly azides react with W(CO)₂ (S₂CNEt₂)₂)(PPh₃) to yield dinitrogen and the aryl nitrene complex, W(CO) (RN) (S₂CNEt₂)₂. The coordinated RN₃PR₃ and RN₃H₃ are of special interest because they may aid understanding the mechanism of nitrene and amide formation from azides.     

The preparation,structure and spectra properties of dual μ3-oxo bridged tetranuclear complexes containing the (CrFe4-nO2]8+ core (n =0, 2, 4)

The preparation and characterization of [Cr_nFe_4-nO₂(O₂CMe)₇(bipy)₂]Cl (1, n=0; 2, n=2; 3, n=4, bipy=2,2'-bipyridine) are described. The three complexes (1, 2 and 3) are obtained by bipyridine-mediated conversion of trinuclear [Cr_nFe_3-nO(O₂CMe)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺(1, n=0; 2, n=1; 3, n=3), and crystallized as three of approximate isomorphs. Crystal 2 is monoclinic with space group C2/c, a=27.454(5)Å, b=11.789(1)Å, c=16.570(3)Å, β=118.78(1)°, V=4700.8ų, z=4, μ(MoK)=11.64cm^?1, F(000)=2056, final R=0.058 and R_w=0.066 for 3479 reflections with I ? 3σ(I). The Fe and Cr atoms in the cation are all +3 oxide state and disordered in the lattice, which is also supported by its Mossbauer studies. The [Cr₂Fe₂O₂]⁸⁺ core can be thought of as being derived from two edge-sharing M₃O units (M=Fe or Cr), and as a butterfly-like structure. The cations' structure of all three crystals are similar to each other and have C₂ symmetry. The species are characterized by IR spectra and magnetic techniques, with particular emphasis on differentiation of coordination bond strengths and electronic environment of metal atoms in these complexes.     

Formation of trinuclear palladium orthometalated complexes with unprecedented asymmetrical (mu 3-S)(mu 3-X) bridges (X = OH, SR, O2CR) from mu 2-hydroxo dimeric complexes and CS2

Complexes [Pd(3)(mu(3)-S)(mu(3)-X)(L)(3)] (L = orthometalated imine), obtained by an unusual reaction of mu(2)-OH dimeric complexes and CS(2), are an unprecedented type of asymmetrical bridges between metallatriangles, which force an all-cis arrangement of the three orthometalated ligands relative to the metallatriangle.     

CO2 Fixation by Cu2+ and Zn2+ complexes of a terpyridinophane aza receptor. Crystal structures of Cu2+ complexes, pH-metric, spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies

The synthesis of the terpyridinophane-type polyamine 2,6,9,12,16-pentaaza[17]-(5,5' ')-cyclo-(2,2':6',2' ')-terpyridinophane heptahydrobromide tetrahydrate (L.7HBr.4H2O) is described. L presents six protonation constants with values in the range 9.21-3.27 logarithmic units. L interacts with Cu2+ and Zn2+ forming in both cases, neutral, protonated, and hydroxylated mono- and binuclear complexes whose constants have been calculated by potentiometry in 0.15 M NaClO4 at 298.1 K. The crystal structures of the compounds [Cu(HL-carb)(H2O)](ClO4)3.2H2O (1) and [Cu2(H2L)(CO3)]2(ClO4)8.9H2O (2) have been solved by X-ray diffraction. In 1, the metal center presents square pyramidal geometry. The base of the pyramid is formed by the three nitrogen atoms of pyridine and one oxygen atom of a CO2 group which is forming a carbamate bond with the central nitrogen atom of the polyamine chain. The axial position is occupied by a water molecule. In 2, one Cu2+ is bound by the three pyridine nitrogens and the other one by the three central nitrogen atoms of the polyamine chain. The square planar coordination geometry is completed by a carbonate group taken up from the atmosphere that behaves as a bridging mu,mu'-ligand between the two centers. The pH-metric titrations on the ternary Cu2+-L-carbonate and Zn2+-L-carbonate systems show the extensive formation of adduct species which above pH 6 are formed quantitatively in solution. The stoichiometries of the main species formed in solution at pH = 6.8 agree with those found in the crystalline compounds. CO2 uptake by the Zn2+ and Cu2+ 1:1 complexes in aqueous solution has also been followed by recording the variations in the band at ca. 300 nm. The formation of the Zn2+ carbamate moiety has been evidenced by 13C NMR and ESI spectroscopy.     

A novel tetranuclear copper(II) complex with alternating mu 1,1-azido and phenoxo bridges: synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties of [Cu4(mu-salen)2(mu 1,1-N3)2(N3)2

A novel tetranuclear copper(II) complex containing alternating mu(1,1)-azido and monophenoxo bridges has been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods, X-ray single-crystal analysis, and variable-temperature magnetic measurements. The magnetic behavior, investigated in the temperature range 2-300 K, indicates that the interactions between copper ions are antiferromagnetic in nature for both azido and phenoxo bridges. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was fitted with J(1) = -12.8 cm(-1), J(2) = -10 cm(-1), g = 2.171, 2.1% paramagnetic component, and negligible temperature-independent paramagnetism (5 x 10(-8)). At variance with the earlier reports of these types of complexes containing a mu(1,1)-azido group, the end-on double-azido-bridged copper(II) center in this complex shows an antiferromagnetic interaction.     

Room temperature ring-opening cyclization reactions of 2-vinylaziridines with isocyanates, carbodiimides, and isothiocyanates catalyzed by

2-Vinylaziridines undergo cycloaddition reactions with various heterocumulenes, in the presence of [Pd(OAc)(2)] and PPh(3), at room temperature and 1 atm pressure, regioselectively affording five-membered ring products in moderate to high yields. The mixture of stereoisomers obtained by reactions employing cis-1-butyl-2-vinyl-3-methylaziridine as the reactant provides evidence for a mechanism involving a eta(3)-eta(1)-eta(3) interconversion of a (pi-allyl)palladium intermediate.     

Synthesis, structures, and reactivity of yttrium alkyl and alkynyl complexes with mixed Tp(Me2)/Cp ligands

The structurally characterized Tp(Me2)-supported rare earth metal monoalkyl complex (Tp(Me2))CpYCH(2)Ph(THF) (1) was synthesized via the salt-metathesis reaction of (Tp(Me2))CpYCl(THF) with KCH(2)Ph in THF at room temperature. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of PhC≡CH under the same conditions afforded the corresponding alkynyl complex (Tp(Me2))CpYC≡CPh(THF) (2). Complex 1 exhibits high activity toward carbodiimides, isocyanate, isothiocyanate, and CS(2); treatment of 1 with such substrates led to the formation of a series of the corresponding Y-C(benzyl) σ-bond insertion products (Tp(Me2))CpY[(RN)(2)CCH(2)Ph] (R = (i)Pr(3a), Cy(3b), 2,6-(i)Pr-C(6)H(3)(3c)), (Tp(Me2))CpY[SC(CH(2)Ph)NPh] (4), (Tp(Me2))CpY[OC(CH(2)Ph)NPh] (5), and (Tp(Me2))CpY(S(2)CCH(2)Ph) (6) in 40-70% isolated yields. Carbodiimides and isothiocyanate can also insert into the Y-C(alkynyl) σ bond of 2 to yield complexes (Tp(Me2))CpY[(RN)(2)CC≡CPh] (R = (i)Pr(7a), Cy(7b)) and (Tp(Me2))CpY[SC(C≡CPh)NPh] (9). Further investigation results indicated that 1 can effectively catalyze the cross-coupling reactions of phenylacetylene with carbodiimides. However, treatment of o-allylaniline with a catalytic amount of 1 gave only the benzyl abstraction product (Tp(Me2))CpY(NHC(6)H(4)CH(2)CH═CH(2)-o)(THF) (10), without observation of the expected organic hydroamination/cyclization product. All of these new complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic properties, and their solid-state structures were also confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.     

A novel methodology for the synthesis of complexes containing long carbon chains linking metal centres: molecular structures of [Ru(dppe)Cp*]2(mu-C14) and [Co3(mu-dppm)(CO)7]2(mu3:mu3-C16)

Elimination of AuX(PR3)(X = halogen, R = Ph, tol) occurs readily in reactions between compounds containing C(sp)- or C(sp2)-X bonds and alkynyl or polyynyl gold(I) complexes; this reaction has been applied to the syntheses of complexes containing a variety of metal centres linked by C(n) chains (n up to 16).