Figure‐eight Octaphyrin Bis‐Ge(IV) Complexes: Synthesis,Structures, Aromaticity,and Chiroptical Properties

Highly twisted structures of expanded porphyrin provide a prominent basis to unravel the relationship between aromaticity and chirality. Here we report the synthesis of bis‐Ge(IV) complexes of [38]octaphyrin that display rigid figure‐eight structures. Two bis‐Ge(IV) [38]octaphyrin isomers with respect to the stereochemistry of the axial hydroxy groups on the germanium ions were obtained and found to be aromatic. Upon oxidation with MnO₂, these [38]octaphyrin complexes were converted to a single syn‐type isomer of [36]octaphyrin with retained figure‐eight conformation. The enantiomers have been successfully separated by HPLC equipped with a chiral stationary phase. While aromatic [38]octaphyrin Ge(IV) complexes showed quite large molar circular dichroism of up to Δ?=1500 M^?1cm^?1 with a dissymmetry factor g_abs of 0.035, weakly antiaromatic [36]octaphyrin Ge(IV) complexes underscored moderate values; Δ?=540 M^?1cm^?1 with g_abs of 0.023. Thus, the figure‐eight octaphyrin scaffold has been proved to be an attractive platform for novel chiroptical materials with tunable aromaticity.     

Synthesis of A2B6‐Type [36]Octaphyrins: Copper(II)‐Metalation‐Induced Fragmentation Reactions to Porphyrins and N‐Fusion Reactions of meso‐(3‐Thienyl) Substituents

5,10,15‐Tris(pentafluorophenyl)tetrapyrromethane was efficiently prepared through a route involving stepwise diaroylation of 5‐pentafluorophenyldipyrromethane. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins were prepared by the cross condensation of the tetrapyrromethane with aryl aldehydes in moderate yields. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrins bearing 2,4,6‐trifluorophenyl, 2,6‐dichlorophenyl, and phenyl substituents underwent Cu^II‐metalation‐induced fragmentation to give two molecules of AB₃‐type Cu^II porphyrins. A₂B₆‐type [36]octaphyrin bearing 3‐thienyl substituents underwent thermal N‐thienyl fusion reactions to provide a modestly aromatic [38]octaphyrin, which, upon treatment with MnO₂, underwent further N‐thienyl fusion and subsequent oxidation to give a nonaromatic doubly N‐thienyl fused [36]octaphyrin.     

Structural characterization of the derivatives of bis{[2,6‐(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl} selenide with palladium(II) and mercury(II)

The intramolecularly coordinated homoleptic diorgano selenide bis{2,6‐bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]phenyl} selenide, C₂₄H₃₈N₄Se or R₂Se, where R is 2,6‐(Me₂NCH₂)₂C₆H₃, 14 , was synthesized and its ligation reactions with Pd^II and Hg^II precursors were explored. The reaction of 14 with SO₂Cl₂ and K₂PdCl₄ resulted in the formation of the meta C—H‐activated dipalladated complex {μ‐2,2′‐bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]‐4,4′‐bis[(dimethylazaniumyl)methyl]‐3,3′‐selanediyldiphenyl‐κ⁴C¹,N²:C^1′,N^2′}bis[dichloridopalladium(II)], [Pd₂Cl₄(C₂₄H₃₈N₄Se)] or [{R(H)PdCl₂}₂Se], 15 . On the other hand, when ligand 14 was reacted with HgCl₂, the reaction afforded a dimercurated selenolate complex, {μ‐bis{2,6‐bis[(dimethylamino)methyl]benzeneselanolato‐κ⁴N²,Se:Se,N⁶}‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[chloridomercury(II)], [Hg₂(C₁₂H₁₉N₂Se)Cl₃] or RSeHg₂Cl₃, 16 , where two Hg^II ions are bridged by selenolate and chloride ligands. In palladium complex 15 , there are two molecules located on crystallographic twofold axes and within each molecule the Pd moieties are related by symmetry, but there are still two independent Pd centers. Mercury complex 16 results from the cleavage of one of the Se—C bonds to form a bifurcated SeHg₂ moiety with the formal charge on the Se atom being ?1. In addition, one of the Cl ligands bridges the two Hg atoms and there are two terminal Hg—Cl bonds. Each Hg atom is in a distorted environment which can be best described as a T‐shaped base with the bridging Cl atom in an apical position, with several angles close to 90° and with one angle much larger and closer to 180°.     

Tuning the energy level of TAPC: crystal structure and photophysical and electrochemical properties of 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)bis[N,N‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)aniline]

The energy level of a hole‐transporting material (HTM) in organic electronics, such as organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs), is important for device efficiency. In this regard, we prepared 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)bis[N,N‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)aniline] ( TAPC‐OMe ), C₄₆H₄₆N₂O₄, to tune the energy level of 4,4′‐(cyclohexane‐1,1‐diyl)bis[N,N‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)aniline] ( TAPC ), which is a well‐known HTM commonly used in OLED applications. A systematic characterization of TAPC‐OMe , including ¹H and ¹³C NMR, elemental analysis, UV–Vis absorption, fluorescence emission, density functional theory (DFT) calculations and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, was performed. TAPC‐OMe crystallized in the triclinic space group P, with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The dihedral angles between the central amine triangular planes and those of the phenyl groups varied from 26.56 (9) to 60.34 (8)° due to the steric hindrance of the central cyclohexyl ring. This arrangement might be induced by weak hydrogen bonds and C—H…π(Ph) interactions in the extended structure. The emission maxima of TAPC‐OMe showed a significant bathochomic shift compared to that of TAPC . A strong dependency of the oxidation potentials on the nature of the electron‐donating ability of substituents was confirmed by comparing oxidation potentials with known Hammett parameters (σ).     

Syntheses,Crystal Structure and Reactivity of Tin(II) Bis[N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide]

Metallation of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with n‐butyllithium in toluene yields lithium N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 1 ), which crystallizes as a tetramer. Transamination of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine with an equimolar amount of Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ leads to the formation of monomeric bis(trimethylsilyl)amido tin(II) N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 2 ). The addition of another equivalent of N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine gives homoleptic tin(II) bis[N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide] ( 3 ). In these complexes the N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amido groups act as bidentate bases through the nitrogen bases. At elevated temperatures HN(SiMe₃)₂ is liberated from bis(trimethylsilyl)amido tin(II) N‐(diphenylphosphanyl)(2‐pyridylmethyl)amide ( 2 ) yielding mononuclear tin(II) 1,2‐dipyridyl‐1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphanylamido)ethane ( 4 ) through a C–C coupling reaction. The three‐coordinate tin(II) atoms of 2 and 4 adopt trigonal pyramidal coordination spheres.     

Synthesis,characterization, and crystal structures of organonickel(II) complexes coordinated to novel 1‐bromo‐2,6‐bis{[(λ5‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}benzene NCN‐pincer ligands

A novel family of four 1‐bromo‐2,6‐bis{[(λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}benzene ligands has been synthesized and characterized. The phosphiniminomethyl substituents are decorated with either three phenyl groups, two phenyl and one cyclohexyl group, one phenyl and two cyclohexyl groups, or three cyclohexyl groups. Each ligand was metallated using zero‐valent nickel through an oxidative addition to form a family of organonickel(II) complexes, namely (2,6‐bis{[(triphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II) dichloromethane hemisolvate, [NiBr(C₄₄H₃₇N₂P₂)]·0.5CH₂Cl₂, (2,6‐bis{[(cyclohexyldiphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II) diethyl ether hemisolvate, [NiBr(C₄₄H₄₉N₂P₂)]·0.5C₄H₁₀O, (2,6‐bis{[(dicyclohexylphenyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II), [NiBr(C₄₄H₆₁N₂P₂)], and (2,6‐bis{[(tricyclohexyl‐λ⁵‐phosphanylidene)imino]methyl}phenyl‐κ³N,C¹,N′)bromidonickel(II), [NiBr(C₄₄H₇₃N₂P₂)]. This family of complexes represents a useful opportunity to investigate the impact of incrementally changing the steric characteristics of a complex on its structure and reactivity.     

Structural studies of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine hetero‐scorpionate copper complexes

The structures of five compounds consisting of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine complexed with copper in both the Cu^I and Cu^II oxidation states are presented, namely chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(I) 0.18‐hydrate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·0.18H₂O, (1), catena‐poly[[copper(I)‐μ₂‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ⁵N,N′,N′′:C²,C³] perchlorate acetonitrile monosolvate], {[Cu(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄·CH₃CN}_n, (2), dichlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) dichloromethane monosolvate, [CuCl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·CH₂Cl₂, (3), chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) perchlorate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄, (4), and di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis({(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II)) bis(tetraphenylborate), [Cu₂Cl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)₂][(C₆H₅)₄B]₂, (5). Systematic variation of the anion from a coordinating chloride to a noncoordinating perchlorate for two Cu^I complexes results in either a discrete molecular species, as in (1), or a one‐dimensional chain structure, as in (2). In complex (1), there are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Complex (2) consists of the Cu^I atom coordinated by the amine and pyridyl N atoms of one ligand and by the vinyl moiety of another unit related by the crystallographic screw axis, yielding a one‐dimensional chain parallel to the crystallographic b axis. Three complexes with Cu^II show that varying the anion composition from two chlorides, to a chloride and a perchlorate to a chloride and a tetraphenylborate results in discrete molecular species, as in (3) and (4), or a bridged bis‐μ‐chlorido complex, as in (5). Complex (3) shows two strongly bound Cl atoms, while complex (4) has one strongly bound Cl atom and a weaker coordination by one perchlorate O atom. The large noncoordinating tetraphenylborate anion in complex (5) results in the core‐bridged Cu₂Cl₂ moiety.     

Iron-mediated and -catalyzed metalative cyclization of electron-withdrawing-group-substituted alkynes and alkenes with Grignard reagents

Treatment of ethyl (E)‐5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐8‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)‐2‐octen‐7‐ynoate with an iron reagent generated from FeCl₂ and tBuMgCl in a ratio of 1:4 (abbreviated as FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl) afforded ethyl [4,4‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)methylene]cyclopent‐1‐yl]acetate in good yield. Deuteriolysis of an identical reaction mixture afforded the bis‐deuterated product ethyl [4,4‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐2‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)deuteriomethylene]cyclopent‐1‐yl]deuterioacetate, thus confirming the existence of the corresponding dimetalated intermediate. The latter intermediate can react with halogens or aldehydes to facilitate further synthetic transformations. The amount of FeCl₂ was reduced to catalytic levels (10 mol % relative to enyne), and catalytic cyclizations of this sort proceeded with yields comparable to those of the aforementioned stoichiometric reactions. The cyclization of diethyl (E,E)‐2,7‐nonadienedioate with a stoichiometric amount of FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl, followed by the addition of sBuOH as a proton source, afforded a mixture of 2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octanone and its enol form in good yield. The use of aldehyde or ketone in place of sBuOH afforded 2‐(ethoxycarbonyl)‐3‐bicyclo[3.3.0]octanone, which has an additional hydroxyalkyl side chain. Additionally, the metalation of a carbon–carbon unsaturated bond in N,N‐diethyl‐5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐7,8‐epoxy‐2‐octynamide or (E)‐3,3‐dimethyl‐6‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)‐5‐hexenyl p‐toluenesulfonate with FeCl₂/4 tBuMgCl or FeCl₂/4 PhMgBr was followed by an intramolecular alkylation with an epoxide or alkyl p‐toluenesulfonate to afford 5,5‐bis[(benzyloxy)methyl]‐3‐[(E)‐(N,N‐diethylcarbamoyl)methylene]‐1‐cyclohexanol or N,N‐diethyl(3,3‐dimethylcyclopentyl)acetamide after hydrolysis. In both cases, the remaining metalated portion α to the amide group was confirmed by deuteriolysis and could be utilized for an alkylation with methyl iodide.     

Cerium(III/IV) Formamidinate Chemistry,and a Stable Cerium(IV) Diolate

Four new cerium(III) formamidinate complexes comprising [Ce(p‐TolForm)₃], [Ce(DFForm)₃(thf)₂], [Ce(DFForm)₃], and [Ce(EtForm)₃] were synthesized by protonolysis reactions using [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] and formamidines of varying functionality, namely N,N′‐bis(4‐methylphenyl)formamidine (p‐TolFormH), N,N′‐bis(2,6‐difluorophenyl)formamidine (DFFormH), and the sterically more demanding N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diethylphenyl)formamidine (EtFormH). The bimetallic cerium lithium complex [LiCe(DFForm)₄] was synthesized by treating a mixture of [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₃(thf)₂] and [Li{N(SiHMe₂)₂}] with four equivalents of DFFormH in toluene. Oxidation of the trivalent cerium(III) formamidinate complexes by trityl chloride (Ph₃CCl) caused dramatic color changes, although the cerium(IV) species appeared transient and reformed cerium(III) complexes and N′‐trityl‐N,N′‐diarylformamidines shortly after oxidation. The first structurally characterized homoleptic cerium(IV) formamidinate complex [Ce(p‐TolForm)₄] was obtained through a protonolysis reaction between [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₄] and four equivalents of p‐TolFormH. [Ce{N(SiHMe₂)₂}₄] was also treated with DFFormH and EtFormH, but the resulting cerium(IV) complexes decomposed before isolation was possible. The new cerium(IV) silylamide complex [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃(bda)_0.5]₂ (bda=1,4‐benzenediolato) was synthesized by treatment of [Ce{N(SiMe₃)₂}₃] with half an equivalent of 1,4‐benzoquinone, and showed remarkable resistance towards protonolysis or reduction.     

Chiral Dicopper Complexes with a Doubly Asymmetric Ligand as Models for the Tyrosinase Active Site: Synthesis,Structure, O2‐Reactivity and Comparison with Their Symmetric Analogs

In order to model the asymmetric active site of the type‐3 copper enzyme tyrosinase the “doubly asymmetric” binucleating ligand 1‐[bis‐N,N‐(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)aminomethyl]‐3‐[N‐(pyrid‐2‐ylmethyl)‐N‐(2‐pyrid‐2‐ylethyl)aminomethyl]benzene (“unsDMPA”) is synthesized and coordinated to copper(I). The O₂‐reactivity of the Cu^I(unsDMPA) complex and its analog derived from the symmetric counterpiece of unsDMPA, DMPA, is investigated. Oxygenation in methanol leads to dicopper(II) bis(μ‐hydroxo) and bis(μ‐methanolato) complexes; the dicopper(II) bis(μ‐hydroxo) complex of the unsDMPA ligand is chiral. Oxygenation in dichloromethane leads to oxidative N‐dealkylation. This is attributed to a tendency of DMPA and unsDMPA complexes to form dicopper bis(μ‐oxo) intermediates, as evidenced by DFT. The implications of these results with respect to the design of tyrosinase model systems are discussed.     

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐Substituted Antiaromatic [28]Hexaphyrin and Its Bis‐NiII and Bis‐CuII Complexes

5,20‐Bis(ethoxycarbonyl)‐[28]hexaphyrin was synthesized by acid catalyzed cross‐condensation of meso‐diaryl‐substituted tripyrrane and ethyl 2‐oxoacetate followed by subsequent oxidation. This hexaphyrin was found to be a stable 28π‐antiaromatic compound with a dumbbell‐like conformation. Upon oxidization with PbO₂, this [28]hexaphyrin was converted into an aromatic [26]hexaphyrin with a rectangular shape bearing two ester groups at the edge side. The [28]hexaphyrin can incorporate two Ni^II or Cu^II metals by using the ester carbonyl groups and three pyrrolic nitrogen atoms to give bis‐Ni^II and bis‐Cu^II complexes with essentially the same dumbbell‐like structure. The antiaromatic properties of the [28]hexaphyrin and its metal complexes have been well characterized.     

A one‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer incorporating [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands

In the title compound, catena‐poly[[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylato‐[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)Cl₂(C₂₆H₂₂N₄O₂)₃]_n, the Zn^II centre is four‐coordinate and approximately tetrahedral, bonding to one carboxylate O atom from a bidentate bridging dianionic [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand, to two pyridine N atoms from two N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands and to one chloride ligand. The pyridyl ligands exhibit bidentate bridging and monodentate terminal coordination modes. The bidentate bridging pyridyl ligand and the bridging [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand both lie on special positions, with inversion centres at the mid‐points of their central C—C bonds. These bridging groups link the Zn^II centres into a one‐dimensional tape structure that propagates along the crystallographic b direction. The tapes are interlinked into a two‐dimensional layer in the ab plane through N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the monodentate ligands. In addition, the thermal stability and solid‐state photoluminescence properties of the title compound are reported.     

Polymorphism of the dinuclear CoIII–Schiff base complex [Co2(o‐van‐en)3]·4CH3CN (o‐van‐en is a salen‐type ligand)

Reactions of Co(OH)₂ with the Schiff base bis(2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine, denoted H₂(o‐van‐en), under different conditions yielded the previously reported complex aqua[bis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄)(H₂O)], 1 , under anaerobic conditions and two polymorphs of [μ‐bis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]bis{[bis(3‐methoxy‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(III)} acetonitrile tetrasolvate, [Co₂(C₁₈H₁₈N₂O₄)₃]·4CH₃CN, i.e. monoclinic 2 and triclinic 3 , in the presence of air. Both novel polymorphs were chemically and spectroscopically characterized. Their crystal structures are built up of centrosymmetric dinuclear [Co₂(o‐van‐en)₃] complex molecules, in which each Co^III atom is coordinated by one tetradentate dianionic o‐van‐en ligand in an uncommon bent fashion. The pseudo‐octahedral coordination of the Co^III atom is completed by one phenolate O and one amidic N atom of the same arm of the bridging o‐van‐en ligand. In addition, the asymmetric units of both polymorphs contain two acetonitrile solvent molecules. The polymorphs differ in the packing orders of the dinuclear [Co₂(o‐van‐en)₃] complex molecules, i.e. alternating ABABAB in 2 and AAA in 3 . In addition, differences in the conformations, the positions of the acetonitrile solvent molecules and the pattern of intermolecular interactions were observed. Hirshfeld surface analysis permits a qualitative inspection of the differences in the intermolecular space in the two polymorphs. A knowledge‐based study employing Full Interaction Maps was used to elucidate possible reasons for the polymorphism.     

Syntheses and Structural Characterization of 1D Chain and 1D Ladder Coordination Polymers Assembled from Exo‐bidentate Imidazolyl Ligands

Five novel coordination polymers, [(Cu(L¹)₂OH) · Cl · 3H₂O] ( 1 ) [L¹ = bis(N‐imidazolyl)methane], [Cd(L¹)₂(NCS)₂] ( 2 ), [Zn(L¹)₂(NCS)₂] ( 3 ), [Cu(L¹)₂(NO₃)₂] ( 4 ), and [Cu(L²)_1.5(NCS)₂] ( 5 ) [L² = 1,4‐bis(N‐imidazolyl)butane] were obtained from self‐assembly of the corresponding metal salts with flexible ligands and their structures were fully characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric (TGA) measurements. X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complexes 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 exhibit 1D double‐stranded chain structures, which result from doubly bridged [CuOH], [M(NCS)₂] (M = Cd, Zn), and [Cu(NO₃)₂] units, respectively. The polymeric copper complex 5 displays 1D ladder structure., These complexes, with the exception of complex 1 , are stable up to 300 °C.     

Oxidative degradation of the organometallic iron(II) complex [Fe{bis[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl]methane}(MeCN)(PMe3)](PF6)2: structure of the ligand decomposition product trapped via coordination to iron(II)

Iron is of interest as a catalyst because of its established use in the Haber–Bosch process and because of its high abundance and low toxicity. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are important ligands in homogeneous catalysis and iron–NHC complexes have attracted increasing attention in recent years but still face problems in terms of stability under oxidative conditions. The structure of the iron(II) complex [1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2‐bi(1H‐imidazole)‐κN³][3,3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1,1′‐methanediylbi(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐κC²)](trimethylphosphane‐κP)iron(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄N₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)(C₃H₉P)](PF₆)₂, features coordination by an organic decomposition product of a tetradentate NHC ligand in an axial position. The decomposition product, a C—C‐coupled biimidazole, is trapped by coordination to still‐intact iron(II) complexes. Insights into the structural features of the organic decomposition products might help to improve the stability of oxidation catalysts under harsh conditions.     

Structure and spectroscopic properties of the dimeric copper(I) N‐heterocyclic carbene complex [Cu2(CNCt‐Bu)2](PF6)2

In recent years, the use of copper N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes has expanded to fields besides catalysis, namely medicinal chemistry and luminescence applications. In the latter case, multinuclear copper NHC compounds have attracted interest, however, the number of these complexes in the literature is still quite limited. Bis[μ‐1,3‐bis(3‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐yliden‐1‐yl)pyridine]‐1κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′;2κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′‐dicopper(I) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu₂(C₁₉H₂₅N₅)₂](PF₆)₂, is a dimeric copper(I) complex bridged by two CNC, i.e. bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene)pyridine, ligands. Each Cu^I atom is almost linearly coordinated by two NHC ligands and interactions are observed between the pyridine N atoms and the metal centres, while no cuprophilic interactions were observed. Very strong absorption bands are evident in the UV–Vis spectrum at 236 and 274 nm, and an emission band is observed at 450 nm. The reported complex is a new example of a multinuclear copper NHC complex and a member of a compound class which has only rarely been reported.     

A Fully Conjugated Porphyrin-[36]Octaphyrin-Porphyrin Hybrid Tape Exhibiting Möbius Aromaticity

Directly meso-meso linked porphyrin-tetrabromo[36]octaphyrin-porphyrin hybrid trimer 10 was successfully synthesized via acid-catalyzed condensation reaction and subsequent oxidation. Zn^II-metalation of 10 induced transannular meso-meso bond formation to give Möbius aromatic bis-Zn^II octaphyrin 11 , which was oxidized by DDQ/Sc(OTf)₃ to provide fully conjugated porphyrin-[36]octaphyrin-porphyrin hybrid tape 12 as the first example of porphyrin tape exhibiting Möbius aromaticity. Hybrid tape 12 displays significantly red-shifted absorption and small electrochemical HOMO-LUMO gap, indicating the effective conjugation through the whole chromophores.     

The Extension of Baird's Rule to Twisted Heteroannulenes: Aromaticity Reversal of Singly and Doubly Twisted Molecular Systems in the Lowest Triplet State

We have investigated the aromaticity of singly twisted Möbius aromatic and doubly twisted Hückel antiaromatic bis(palladium(II)) [36]octaphyrins in the lowest triplet state (T₁) by spectroscopic measurements and quantum calculations. The T₁ state of the singly twisted Möbius [36]octaphyrin shows broad and weak absorption spectral features that are analogous to those of antiaromatic expanded porphyrins while the T₁ state of the doubly twisted Hückel [36]octaphyrin exhibits intense and distinct spectral features, indicating the aromatic nature. These results along with theoretical calculations support the hypothesis that the aromaticity is reversed in the T₁ state. Furthermore, we show that the degree of structural smoothness affects the aromaticity reversal in the T₁ state.     

Electrochemical properties of a cobalt(II) complex with sulfadiazine and 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane

catena‐Poly[[bis{4‐[(pyrimidin‐2‐ylazanidyl)sulfonyl]aniline}cobalt(II)]‐bis[μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane]], [Co(C₁₀H₈N₄O₄S₂)₂(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)]_n or [Co(L)₂(bpp)]_n, crystallizes as a one‐dimensional polymeric structure which is further stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. The refined Flack parameter, −0.001 (10), indicates that the model represents the correct absolute structure. Investigation of the thermal stability shows that the complex is stable up to 543 K. The structure is of interest with respect to its electrochemical properties in the reduction reaction of H₂O₂ to H₂O.     

Diphosphapodanden, [12]‐, [15]‐ und [18]Diphosphacoronanden,Diphosphacryptand‐8 und Alkalimetall‐Komplexe

Diphosphapodands, [12]‐, [15]‐, and [18]Diphosphacoronands, Diphosphacryptand‐8, and Alkali‐Metal Complexes The cyclizing bis‐phosphonium‐salt formation of the open‐chain bis‐phosphine 17a (1,1,7,7‐tetrabenzyl〈P.O.P‐podand‐7〉) with diethylene glycol derived dibromide 13a yields the 12‐membered cyclic bis‐phosphonium salt 20 (4,4,10,10‐tetrabenzyl‐12〈O.P.O.P‐coronand‐4〉‐4,10‐diium dibromide) in yields as high as 50–60%. The 1,1,10,10‐tetrabenzyl〈P.O₂.P‐podand‐10〉 17b forms with 13a the 15‐membered cyclic bis‐phosphonium salt 21 (7,7,13,13‐tetrabenzyl‐15〈O₂.P.O.P‐coronand‐5〉‐7,13‐diium dibromide) with the same high yield. By quaternization of the bis‐phosphine 17b with triethylene glycol derived dibromide 13b , the 18‐membered 7,7,16,16‐tetrabenzyl‐18〈O₂.P.O₂.P‐coronand‐6〉‐7,16‐diium dibromide 24 is obtained in 50% yield, too. The Wittig reaction of the cyclic phosphonium salts with benzaldehyde yields the 12‐, 15‐, and 18‐membered cyclic bis‐benzylphosphine dioxides 9, 10 , and 11 as cis‐ and trans‐isomers beside trans‐stilbene. The 7,13‐dioxido‐7,13‐dibenzyl‐15〈O₂.P.O₂.P‐coronand‐5〉 10 forms a crystalline 1 : 1 Na‐complex 23 , which exists as a dimer. The structure of 23 was established by an X‐ray analysis and spectroscopic data. The 7,16‐dibenzyl‐18〈O₂.P.O₂.P‐coronand‐6〉 28 that is available by reduction of 11 with CeCl₃/LiAlH₄ reacts with triethylene glycol derived dibromide 13b under Ruggly Ziegler‐dilution conditions to give the bicyclic bis‐phosphonium salt 29 (1,10‐dibenzyl〈P[O₂]₃.P‐cryptand‐8〉‐1,10‐diium dibromide) in 18% yield. Again, by the Wittig procedure with benzaldehyde, the 7,16‐dioxido〈P[O₂]₃P‐cryptand‐8〉 12 is obtained as the first diphosphacryptand. The FD‐MS (CH₂Cl₂) of the cyclic bis‐phosphine dioxides 10 – 12 show that they exist as [2M+Na]⁺ complexes. The complex formation constants K_a of 9 – 11 with alkali‐metal cations are studied and compared with the complex formation of corresponding crown ethers.