Tuning haptotropic rearrangements of arene-chromium complexes: steric and electronic effects of phosphorus coligands

(Eta6-arene)tricarbonylchromium 2 was synthesised by [3+2+1] benzannulation of the Fischer carbene complex 1 and converted to the thermodynamically more favorable regioisomer 3 by haptotropic metal migration. Photo-induced ligand-exchange reactions in both regioisomers with triphenylphosphine, triphenylphosphite, trimethylphosphine, and trimethylphosphite afforded dicarbonyl(phosphine or phosphite)arene complexes 4-11. The regioisomers were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and kinetic analyses of the thermo-induced haptotropic metal shift were performed with regioisomers 4, 6, 8, and 10. The kinetic parameters were compared with those obtained for the parent tricarbonyl complex 2 and were discussed in terms of the steric and electronic properties of the phosphorus ligands by applying a quantitative analysis of ligand effects (QALE). The molecular structures of regioisomeric PPh3 and P(OPh)3 complexes 4/5 and 6/7 as well as of P(OMe)3 complex 10 have been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis.     

Direct Comparison of Subvalent,Polycationic Group 13 Cluster Compounds: Lessons learned on Isoelectronic DMPE Substituted Gallium and Indium Tetracation Salts

The tetracationic, univalent cluster compounds [{M(dmpe)}₄]⁴⁺ (M=Ga, In; dmpe=bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) were synthesized as their pf salts ([pf]⁻=[Al(OR^F)₄]⁻; R^F=C(CF₃)₃). The four-membered ring in [{M(dmpe)}₄]⁴⁺ is slightly puckered for M=Ga and almost square planar for M=In. Yet, although structurally similar, only the gallium cluster is prevalent in solution, while the indium cluster forms temperature dependent equilibria that include even the monomeric cation [In(dmpe)]⁺. This system is the first report of one and the same ligand inducing formation of isoelectronic and isostructural gallium/indium cluster cations. The system allows to study systematically analogies and differences with thermodynamic considerations and bonding analyses, but also to outline perspectives for bond activation using cationic, subvalent group 13 clusters.     

Chelating ionic versus bridged molecular structures of group 13 metal complexes with bidentate ligands

Complexes of aluminum and gallium trihalides with ethylenediamine (en) and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) of 2:1 composition have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In contrast to known molecular complexes of hydrido and methyl-substituted analogs, these solid complexes adopt ionic structures of the general type [M¹X₂LL]⁺[M²X₄]⁻ (X = Br, I; M¹, M² = Al or Ga; LL = en, tmen).     

Group 4 metal complexes bearing new tridentate (NNO) ligands: Benzyl migration and formation of unusual C-C coupled products

Group 4 metal complexes bearing new phenoxy(benzimidazolyl)-imine, -amine and -amide ligands have been synthesized. A series of metal chloride derivatives has been prepared via treatment of MCl₄(THF)₂ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) with the in situ generated sodium salt of the (benzimidazolyl)imine phenol 1. Reaction of the pro-ligand 2 with TiCl₄(THF)₂ afforded the corresponding complex 8 in which the amine proton remains bound to the nitrogen donor. Benzyl complexes of zirconium and hafnium were synthesized via treatment of pro-ligands 1 and 2 with M(CH₂Ph)₄ precursors. The complexes [NNO]M(CH₂Ph)₃ (6 M = Zr, 7 M = Hf) were found to undergo benzyl migration from the metal centre to the imine carbon of the ligand backbone giving complexes 11 and 12; the migration follows first order kinetics. The reaction of 1 with Ti(NMe₂)₄ led to the formation of an unusual C-C coupled product in which a new piperazine ring has formed. Complexes 11 and 12 undergo related transformations, leading to analogous C-C coupled products which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Deuterium labelling experiments were carried out to determine the mechanistic pathway of the reactions. Chloride and benzyl complexes 3-12 were screened as pre-catalysts for olefin polymerization.     

Ring and cage compounds from complexes of group 13 metal halides with ethylenediamine: Experiment and theory

Formation of gaseous ring and cage compounds by thermolysis of the complexes between group 13 metal halides MX₃ and ethylenediamine (en) has been observed experimentally by mass spectrometry method (M = Al, Ga; X = Cl, Br, I) and studied theoretically. Existence of gaseous associates with molecular weight of 600-900 amu was observed for all studied systems. The abundance of the high molecular weight species decreases in order AlBr₃ > AlI₃ > GaCl₃ > GaBr₃. For aluminum compounds, formation of carbon-free cubane-type clusters was evidenced. Theoretical ab initio studies at B3LYP/LANL2DZ(d,p) level of theory have been performed for the series of the ring and cage oligomer compounds in Al₂Br₆-en system. A mechanistic pathway of the formation of inorganic rings and cages by subsequent HBr elimination and oligomerization reactions has been proposed. It is concluded that elimination reactions take place in the condensed phase.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of Group 6 metal carbonyl complexes containing S-rich bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands

The reaction of 3(5)-methylthio-5(3)-phenylpyrazole with dibromomethane under phase-transfer catalytic conditions only affords a new ligand, bis(3-phenyl-5-methylthiopyrazol-1-yl)methane. However, the reaction of 3(5)-methylthio-5(3)-p-methoxyphenylpyrazole or 3(5)-methylthio-5(3)-tert-butylpyrazole with dibromomethane under the same conditions yields three isomers, respectively, indicating that the substituents significantly affect the steric and electronic properties of pyrazole ring during the formation of ligands. Treatment of these potential polydentate ligands with M(CO)₆ (M=Cr, Mo or W) under UV irradiation at room temperature affords (NN)M(CO)₄ derivatives, in which some complexes contain asymmetric substituted bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands. The X-ray crystal structure analyses indicate that the sulfur atoms in these complexes do not take part in the coordination to the metal centers, and S-rich bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methanes actually act as bidentate chelating ligands by two nitrogen atoms. It is also interesting that in order to reduce the repulsion of methyl groups with carbonyls, the methyl groups in these complexes are oriented away from the metal centers.     

Construction of metal-organic frameworks through coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions: Syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties of metal complexes with macrocyclic ligand

A macrocyclic ligand L with two diethylenetriamine units linked by two rigid biphenylene spacers was used as building block for construction of metal-organic frameworks. A silver(I) complex with macrocyclic and open-chain mix-type ligands [Ag₂(L)(L′)](ClO₄)₂ (1) [L′=1,6-bis(4-imidazol-1′-ylmethylphenyl)-2,5-diazahexane] was obtained by reaction of L and L′ together with AgClO₄·H₂O. It is interesting that the open-chain tetradentate ligand L′ only served as a bidentate ligand to bridge the Ag₂L units into an infinite one-dimensional (1D) cationic chain. Neutral 1D chain coordination polymer [Cu₂(L)(μ-SO₄)₂]·3H₂O·3MeOH (2) is formed by sulfate bridges between the neighboring Cu₂L units. When L reacted with nickel(II) sulfate instead of copper(II) sulfate, a monomacrocycle molecular complex [Ni₂(L)(H₂O)₄(SO₄)₂] (3) was obtained in which the sulfate anion acts as monodentate ligands rather than as bridges. When Cd(II) salts were used for the reactions with L, another two neutral 1D coordination polymers, [Cd₂(L)(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂]·2H₂O (4) and [Cd₂(L)(μ-Br)₂Br₂] (5), with the same structure were isolated. All the synthesized complexes exhibit three-dimensional framework structures linked by various hydrogen bonds. The photoluminescent properties of the synthesized complexes were studied in the solid state at room temperature, and the Ag(I) and Cd(II) complexes were found to show strong blue luminescence.     

A series of redox active, tetrathiafulvalene-based amidopyridines and bipyridines ligands: syntheses, crystal structures, a radical cation salt and group 10 transition-metal complexes

Amidopyridine and -2,2'-bipyridine derivatives of EDT-TTF and BTM-TTF (EDT=ethylenedithio, BTM=bis(thiomethyl), TTF=tetrathiafulvalene) have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. In the solid state, the different supramolecular organization of all these donors results from the competition between the intermolecular interactions, that is, van der Waals, hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi stacking, and donor-acceptor interactions. The electron-donating properties of the new donors have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry measurements. A radical cation salt, formulated [EDT-TTF-CONH-m-Py](.) (+)[PF(6)](-), has been prepared by electrocrystallization and its crystal structure determined by X-ray analysis. Square planar dicationic complexes with the same donor and M(II)L(2) fragments (M=Pd, Pt, L(2)=bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (dppp) or bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe)) have been synthesized and one of them, containing the Pd(dppp) unit, has been structurally characterized. The conformation of the complex in the crystalline state is anti, with the coexistence of the dl racemic pair of enantiomers.     

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of new types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes derived from picolyl-substituted dicarbollide ligand systems

The syntheses of group 4 metal complexes containing the picolyldicarbollyl ligand Dcab^PyH [nido-7-HNC₅H₄(CH₂)-8-R-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀] (2) are reported. New types of constrained geometry group 4 metal complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}MCl₂] (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b), were prepared by the reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₂Cl₂ (M = Ti, Zr). The reaction of 2 with M(NMe₂)₄ in toluene afforded (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂, [{(η⁵-RC₂B₉H₉)(CH₂)(η¹-NC₅H₄)}M(NMe₂)₂] (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6; R = H, a; Me, b), which readily reacted with Me₃SiCl to yield the corresponding chloride complexes (Dcab^Py)MCl₂ (M = Ti, 3; Zr, 4; R = H, a; Me, b). The structures of the diamido complexes (Dcab^Py)M(NMe₂)₂ (M = Ti, 5; Zr, 6) were established by X-ray diffraction studies of 5a, 5b, and 6a, which verified an η⁵:η¹-bonding mode derived from the dicarbollylamino ligand. Related constrained geometry catalyst CGC-type alkoxy titanium complexes, (Dcab^Py)Ti(OⁱPr)₂ (7), were synthesized by the reaction of 2 with Ti(OⁱPr)₄. Sterically less demanding phenols such as 2-Me-C₆H₄OH replaced the coordinated amido ligands on (Dcab^Py)Ti(NMe₂)₂ (5a) to yield aryloxy stabilized CGC complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂(Ph^Me  =  2- Me-C₆H₄, 8). NMR spectral data suggested that an intramolecular Ti-N coordination was intact in solution, resulting in a stable piano-stool structure with two aryloxy ligands residing in two of the leg positions. The aryloxy coordinations were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies on complexes (Dcab^Py)Ti(OPh^Me)₂ (8).     

Synthesis and characterization of bis(2,2′-bipyridine) ruthenium complexes containing thiosemicarbazide ligands: unique redox series

Two series of heterochelates of ruthenium(II) containing two bipyridyl molecules and a bidentate chelating sulfur---nitrogen donor ligand in the form of 4-aryl substituted thiosemicarbazides have been synthesized and characterized. The first series of complexes are dicationic in which the ring substituted 4-aryl thiosemicarbazides (N---S) are chelated in the keto form through the hydrazinic nitrogen and the thione sulfur atom. They are of the [Ru(bpy)₂NS]⁺² type. The second series have the general formula [Ru(bpy)₂NS]⁺¹ in which the thiosemicarbazide moiety remains chelated to the Ru^II centre through the hydrazinic nitrogen and the deprotonated thiolato S-atom. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV-vis, IR and EPR spectroscopy. The complexes were found to constitute a three membered redox series which were investigated by cyclic voltammetry.     

Metal coordination architectures of N-acyl-salicylhydrazides: The effect of metal ions and steric repulsion of ligands to their structures of polynuclear metal complexes

Three polynuclear transition metal complexes [Mn₈(DMF)₈(L1)₈] · 4DMF (1), [Mn₆(DMF)₆(L2)₆] · [Mn₆(DMF)₄(H₂O)₂(L2)₆] · 2DMF (2), [Cu₃(L3)₂(py)₂] (3) of the pentadentate ligands N-acyl-salicylhydrazides were synthesized and characterized, their crystal structures were investigated. The oxidation state and properties of the central metal ions are important in crystal structure formation, trivalent Mn(III) ion which easily form stable octahedral coordination metallamacrocycle complexes, metallacrowns 1 and 2 were obtained; while bivalent Cu(II) ion is easier to form square planar, trinuclear complexes 3 was obtained. The steric effect of the N-acyl side chains also plays an important role in the structures of these polynuclear complexes. The magnetic property of 1 was also investigated.     

The supramolecular chemistry of metal complexes with heavily substituted imidazoles as ligands: Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole

An investigation of the M^II/X⁻/L [M^II = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; X⁻ = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NCS⁻, NO₃⁻, N₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻; L = 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole] general reaction system towards the detailed study of the intermolecular interactions utilized for controlling the supramolecular organization and the structural consequences on the structures produced has been initiated. Three representative complexes with the formulae [Co(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (1), [Zn(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (2) and [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]·EtOH (3·EtOH) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous (tetragonal, I4₁cd) with their metal ions in a severely distorted octahedral Co/ZnN₂O₄ environment, while 3·EtOH crystallizes in P2₁/c with a tetrahedral CoN₄ coordination. The structural analysis of 1, 2 and 3·EtOH reveals a common mode of packing among neighbouring ligands (expressed through intramolecular π–π interactions between the 4,5-diphenylimidazole moieties), enhancing thus the rigidity and stability of the complexes. The bent coordination of the two isothiocyanates in 3 [Co–NCS angles of 173.8(2) and 160.8(2)°] seems to be caused by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystal packing effects.     

Ruthenium complexes of easily accessible tridentate ligands based on the 2-aryl-4,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif: absorption spectra, luminescence properties, and redox behavior

A family of tridendate ligands 1 a-e, based on the 2-aryl-4,6-di(2-pyridyl)-s-triazine motif, was prepared along with their hetero- and homoleptic Ru(II) complexes 2 a-e ([Ru(tpy)(1 a-e)](2+); tpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) and 3 a-e ([(Ru(1 a-e)(2)](2+)), respectively. The ligands and their complexes were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, ES-MS, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis of 2 a and 2 e demonstrated that the triazine core is nearly coplanar with the non-coordinating ring, with dihedral angles of 1.2 and 18.6 degrees, respectively. The redox behavior and electronic absorption and luminescence properties (both at room temperature in liquid acetonitrile and at 77 K in butyronitrile rigid matrix) were investigated. Each species undergoes one oxidation process centered on the metal ion, and several (three for 2 a-e and four for 3 a-e) reduction processes centered on the ligand orbitals. All compounds exhibit intense absorption bands in the UV region, assigned to spin-allowed ligand-centered (LC) transitions, and moderately intense spin-allowed metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible region. The compounds exhibit relatively intense emissions, originating from triplet MLCT levels, both at 77 K and at room temperature. The incorporation of triazine rings and the near planarity of the noncoordinating ring increase the luminescence lifetimes of the complexes by lowering the energy of the (3)MLCT state and creating a large energy gap to the dd state.     

Preparation,spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of metal(II) complexes with Schiff base ligands derived from chitosan: correlations of redox potentials with Hammett parameters

The chitosan–(Fe(II), Co(II), and Cu(II)) complexes were prepared by mixing chitosan (Chi) powder with a salicylaldehyde (Sal, 5-hydrogen (–H)) and their 5-bromo (–Br), 5-chloro (–Cl), 5-methoxy (–OCH₃), 5-fluoro (–F), 5-methyl (–CH₃), and 5-nitro (–NO₂) derivatives (groups R) and mixing these with FeCl₂ and CuCl₂ in ethanol and with Co(CH₃COO)₂ solutions in butanol at 80 °C over 8 h in heterogeneous phase, followed by extraction with ethanol and butanol, respectively. The complexes were characterized by FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and cyclic voltammetry. A linear correlation between the metal formal potential versus the Hammett parameters of the substituents was observed. The electron-withdrawing groups shift the redox potential to positive values, as a result of lowering the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital. The formal potential was used as a measurement for the driving force of chitosan complexes for redox reactions.     

Empirical scoring functions: I. The development of a fast empirical scoring function to estimate the binding affinity of ligands in receptor complexes

This paper describes the development of a simple empirical scoringfunction designed to estimate the free energy of binding for aprotein–ligand complex when the 3D structure of the complex is knownor can be approximated. The function uses simple contact terms to estimatelipophilic and metal–ligand binding contributions, a simple explicitform for hydrogen bonds and a term which penalises flexibility. Thecoefficients of each term are obtained using a regression based on 82ligand–receptor complexes for which the binding affinity is known. Thefunction reproduces the binding affinity of the complexes with across-validated error of 8.68 kJ/mol. Tests on internal consistency indicatethat the coefficients obtained are stable to changes in the composition ofthe training set. The function is also tested on two test sets containing afurther 20 and 10 complexes, respectively. The deficiencies of this type offunction are discussed and it is compared to approaches by other workers.