Polyazamacrocycles based on a tetraaminoacetate moiety and a (poly)pyridine intracyclic unit: direct synthesis and application to the photosensitization of Eu(III) and Tb(III) ions in aqueous solutions

A series of five new 15-, 18- or 21-membered polyazamacrocycles (L₁-L₅) based on a pyridine, bipyridine or terpyridine unit and a triethylenetetraminetetraacetic acid (TTTA) skeleton is described. In ligands L₄ and L₅ the azaheterocycle contains an additional extracyclic functionality (ester group) suitable for covalently attachment to bioactive molecules. The synthetic procedure is based on the use of a linear tetra-N-alkylated tetramine synthon incorporating masked acetate arms and an efficient metal template ion effect, which controls the crucial macrocyclization step. In the case of L₁-L₃, the formation of lanthanide complexes with europium(III) and terbium(III) was investigated and the fluorescence characteristics of the complexes were established. In this series, the terbium(III) complex derived from the bipyridine ligand exhibits the highest lifetime and quantum yield values (τ=2.18 ms, Φ=26%).     

Synthesis of mono- and binuclear dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes derived from N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones: X-ray crystal structures of [(MoO2L)2], [MoO2Lpy] and [MoO2Lpy]

Four molybdenum(VI) thiosemicarbazonato complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The dinuclear complexes [(MoO₂L¹)₂] (1) and [(MoO₂L²)₂] (3) have been prepared by the reaction of [MoO₂(acac)₂] with 2-hydroxyacetophenone N(4)-cyclohexyl (H₂L¹) and N(4)-phenyl (H₂L²) thiosemicarbazones in alcoholic medium. Mononuclear dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of the type [MoO₂L¹py] (2) and [MoO₂L²py] (4) have been prepared by the reaction of 1 or 3 with pyridine (py) in alcoholic medium. In all the complexes, molybdenum is coordinated by two terminal oxo-oxygen atoms, (O_t), oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur atoms from the principal ligand and by an oxygen atom from the second unit in 1, and by a nitrogen atom from pyridine in complexes 2 and 4. All complexes have been spectroscopically characterized. The molecular structures of complexes 1, 2 and 4 have been determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method.     

Palladium and half sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes of selenated and tellurated benzotriazoles: Synthesis, structural aspects and catalytic applications

1-(Phenylselenomethyl)-1H-benzotriazole (L¹) and 1-(4-methoxyphenyltelluromethyl)-1H-benzotriazole (L²) have been synthesized by reacting 1-(chloromethyl)-1H-benzotriazole with in situ generated nucleophiles PhSe⁻ and ArTe⁻, respectively. The complexes of L¹ and L² with Pd(II) and Ru(II)(η⁶-p-cymene) have been synthesized. Proton, carbon-13, Se-77 and/or Te-125 NMR spectra authenticate both the ligands and their complexes. The single crystal structures of L¹, L² and [RuCl(η⁶-p-cymene)(L)][PF₆] (L = L¹: 3, L = L²: 4) have been solved. The Ru-Se and Ru-Te bond lengths have been found 2.4801(11) and 2.6183(10) Å, respectively. The palladium complexes, [PdCl₂(L)] (L = L¹: 1, L = L²: 2) have been explored for Heck and Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reactions. The TON values are upto 95,000. The Ru-complexes have been found promising for catalytic oxidation of alcohols (TON ∼ 7.8-9.4 × 10⁴). The complexes of telluroether ligands are as efficient catalysts as those of selenoether ones and in fact better for catalytic oxidation.     

New N-pyrazole, P-phosphinite hybrid ligands and corresponding Rh(I) complexes: X-ray crystal structures of complexes with [Rh, N, P-phosphinite, Cl, (CO)] core

Two new N-pyrazole, P-phosphinite hybrid ligands 3-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)propyldiphenylphosphinite (L³) and 2-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyldiphenylphosphinite (L⁴) are presented. The reactivity of these ligands and two other ligands reported in the literature (3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyldiphenylphosphinite (L¹) and 2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyldiphenylphosphinite (L²) towards [RhCl(CO)₂]₂ (1) have been studied and complexes [RhCl(CO)L] (L = L² (2), L³ (3) and L⁴ (4)) have been obtained. For L¹ only decomposition products have been achieved. All complexes were fully characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods and the resolution of the crystalline structure of complexes 2 and 3 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction are also presented. In these complexes, the ligands are coordinated via κ²(N,P) to Rh(I), forming metallocycles of seven (2 and 4) or eight (3) members and finish its coordination with a carbonyl monoxide and a trans-chlorine to phosphorus atom. In both complexes, weak intermolecular interactions are present. NMR studies of complexes 2-4 show the chain N-(CH₂)_x-O becomes rigid and the protons diastereotopic.     

Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopic studies of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes containing meta-bis(2-pyridoxy)benzene

A series of mononuclear and binuclear cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes containing new terdentate meta-bis(2-pyridoxy)benzene ligands: 3,5-bis(2-pyridoxy)toluene (L₁H) and 3,5-bis(2-pyridoxy)-2-dodecylbenzene (L₂H): [Pt(L₁)Cl] (1), [Pt(L₂)Cl] (2), [Pt(L₁)(CH₃CN)](ClO₄) (3), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-dppm)}(ClO₄)₂ (4), {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-dppm)}(ClO₄)₂ (5), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-pyrazole)}(ClO₄) (6), {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-pyrazole)}(ClO₄) (7), {[Pt(L₁)]₂(μ-imidazole)}(ClO₄) (8) and {[Pt(L₂)]₂(μ-imidazole)}(ClO₄) (9), have been synthesized and characterized. These ligands are coordinated to platinum(II) in a “pincer”-like manner and the presence of pyridyl donors enhances the availability of the ligand π^∗ orbitals for electronic transition. Spectroscopic properties of these cyclometalated complexes were studied. While the non-coplanar nature of the ligands hinders ligand-ligand and metal-metal interactions in these cyclometalated complexes, the presence of long hydrocarbon side chain on ligand L₂H seems to alleviate such hindrance. Intermolecular π-π, and possibly Pt-Pt interactions were observed in complex 2 at high concentration.     

Mono- and dinuclear Pd(II) complexes of different salicylaldimine ligands as catalysts of transfer hydrogenation of nitrobenzene with cyclohexene and Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions

In this study, the synthesis, spectroscopic, catalytic, and electrochemical properties of salicylaldimine Schiff-base ligands (L_n) and their dinuclear Pd(II) complexes for L₁ and L₂ ligands with mononuclear Pd(II) complexes for L₃ and L₄ ligands were investigated. The ligands and their mono- or dinuclear Pd(II) complexes were characterized by FT-IR, UV-Vis, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis, as well as through magnetic susceptibility and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The catalytic studies showed that the introduction of tert butyl groups on the salicyl ring of the molecules increased the catalytic activity towards hydrogenation of nitrobenzene and cyclohexene in DMF at 25 and 45 °C. It was also observed that the steric hindered mono- and dinuclear Pd(II) complexes were thermally stable complexes and were not sensitive to air or the moisture. The complexes were easily prepared from cheap materials that could be used as versatile and efficient catalysts for different C-C coupling reactions (Suzuki-Miyaura reactions).     

Synthesis and characterisation of new pyrazole-phosphinite ligands and their ruthenium(II) arene complexes

The new potentially bidentate pyrazole-phosphinite ligands [(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl diphenylphosphinite] (L¹) and [2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl diphenylphosphinite] (L²) were synthesised and characterised. The reaction of L¹ and L² with the dimeric complexes [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂]₂ (arene = p-cymene, benzene) led to the formation of neutral complexes [Ru(η⁶-arene)Cl₂(L)] (L = L¹, L²) where the pyrazole-phosphinite ligand is κ¹-P coordinated to the metal. The subsequent reaction of these complexes with NaBPh₄ or NaBF₄ produced the [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl(L²)][BPh₄] and [Ru(η⁶-benzene)Cl(L²)][BF₄] compounds which contain the pyrazole-phosphinite ligand κ²-P,N bonded to ruthenium. All the complexes were fully characterised by analytical and spectroscopic methods. The structure of the complex [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl(L²)][BPh₄] was also determined by a X-ray single crystal diffraction study.     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Copper(II) complexes of tetradentate N2S2 donor sets: Synthesis,crystal structure characterization and reactivity

Two mononuclear and one dinuclear copper(II) complexes, containing neutral tetradentate NSSN type ligands, of formulation [Cu^II(L¹)Cl]ClO₄ (1), [Cu^II(L²)Cl]ClO₄ (2) and [Cu^II₂(L³)₂Cl₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) were synthesized and isolated in pure form [where L¹ = 1,2-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)ethane, L² = 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)propane and L³ = 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)butane]. All these green colored copper(II) complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The dinuclear copper(II) complex 3 changed to a colorless dinuclear copper(I) species of formula [Cu^I₂(L³)₂](ClO₄)₂,0.5H₂O (4) in dimethylformamide even in the presence of air at ambient temperature, while complexes 1 and 2 showed no change under similar conditions. The solid-state structures of complexes 1, 2 and 4 were established by X-ray crystallography. The geometry about the copper in complexes 1 and 2 is trigonal bipyramidal whereas the coordination environment about the copper(I) in dinuclear complex 4 is distorted tetrahedral.     

Metal-organic coordination architectures of azole heterocycle ligands bearing acetic acid groups: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Four new coordination complexes with azole heterocycle ligands bearing acetic acid groups, [Co(L¹)₂]_n (1), [CuL¹N₃]_n (2), [Cu(L²)₂·0.5C₂H₅OH·H₂O]_n (3) and [Co(L²)₂]_n (4) (here, HL¹=1H-imidazole-1-yl-acetic acid, HL²=1H-benzimidazole-1-yl-acetic acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal structure analysis shows that 3 and 4 are 2D complexes with 4⁴-sql topologies, while another 2D complex 1 has a (4³)₂(4⁶)-kgd topology. And 2 is a 3D complex composed dinuclear μ_1,1-bridging azido Cu^II entities with distorted rutile topology. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 have been studied.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage studies of two Ru(II) complexes containing two main ligands and one ancillary ligand

DNA-binding and DNA-photocleavage properties of two Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(L¹)(dppz)₂](PF₆)₄ (1) and [Ru(L²)(dppz)₂](PF₆)₄ (2) (L¹ = 5,5′-di(1-(triethylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation; L² = 5,5′-di(1-(tributylammonio)methyl)-2,2′-dipyridyl cation; dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine, have been investigated. Experimental results show that the DNA-binding affinity of complex 1 is greater than that of 2, both complexes emit luminescence in aqueous solution, either alone or in the presence of DNA, complex 1 can bind to DNA in an intercalative mode while 2 most likely interacts with DNA in a partial intercalation fashion, and complex 2 serves as a better candidate for enantioselective binding to CT-DNA compared with 1. Moreover, complex 1 reveals higher efficient DNA cleavage activity than 2, during which supercoiled DNA is converted to nicked DNA with both complexes. Theoretical calculations for the two complexes have been carried out applying the density functional theory (DFT) method at the level of the B3LYP/LanL2DZ basis set. The calculated results can reasonably explain the obtained experimental trends in the DNA-binding affinities and binding constants (K_b) of these complexes.     

Six-membered ring chelate complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) derived from di-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidin-2-ylsulfanylmethane

Cis-[MLCl₂] complexes of di-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidin-2-ylsulfanylmethane ligand (L), where M = Pd (1), and M = Pt (2) have been synthesized. Reaction of 1 with L in presence of Na[BF₄] and hot acetonitrile produced the complex [PdL₂](BF₄)₂ (3). Complexes 1-3 and ligand L have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structures of 1, 3 and L were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, showing nonplanar structures with the pyridinic rings twisted around the bridging carbon and the ipso carbon bonds. 1 and 3 displayed a bidentate coordination of L to the palladium atom with the formation of six-membered chelate rings, where the local geometry at palladium atom was distorted square planar. In 3 the palladium atom was coordinated to two dipyridyl ligands through two of the pyridinic nitrogen atoms to form a cationic complex stabilized by two tetrafluoroborate counter-ions.     

New triorganotin(IV) complexes of polyfunctional S,N,O-ligands: Supramolecular structures based on π?π and/or C-H?π interactions

A series of new triorganotin(IV) complexes with 4-hydroxy-2-mercapto-6-methylpyrimidine (L¹H₂), 4-hydroxy-2-mercapto-pyrimidine (L²H₂), 2,4(1H,3H)-pyrimidinedithione (L³H₂) (Scheme 1) of the type R₃SnLSnR₃ (R = Me 1, 4, 7; R = Ph 2, 5, 8; R = PhCH₂3, 6, 9) have been synthesized by reactions of triorganotin(IV) chloride and corresponding ligands. All complexes are characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectra and NMR spectra analyses. Among them, complexes 2, 5 and 8 are also characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses. Significant π?π stacking, C-H?π interactions and intramolecular hydrogen bonds stabilize these structures.     

Structural diversity in the self-assembly of Ag(I) complexes containing 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine

A series of Ag(I) complexes containing the 2-amino-5-halopyrimidine ligands have been synthesized and their structures characterized by X-ray crystallography. The isomorphous complexes Ag(L-Cl)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Cl = 2-amino-5-chloropyrimidine), 1, and Ag(L-Br)₂(CF₃SO₃) (L-Br = 2-amino-5-bromopyrimidine), 2, are mononuclear, while [Ag(L-Br)(CF₃SO₃)]₆·6C₄H₁₀O, 3, and [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]₆ (L-I = 2-amino-5-iodopyrimidine), 4, show cyclic self-assembly of six Ag(Ι) atoms and six L-X ligands, resulting in 24-membered metallocycles. The complex [Ag(L-I)(CF₃SO₃)]_∞, 5, forms 1D zigzag chains which are linked through C-I?Ag and Ag?O interactions to form a 3D structure. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag(L-X)(NO₃)]₄ [X = Cl, 6; Br, 7] form 16-membered metallocycles, while [Ag(L-X)(ClO₄)]_∞ [X = Cl, 8; Br, 9] exhibit helical chains. The different structure of 5 from 1 and 2 appears to be due to the stronger nucleophilic character of the iodine atom. In these complexes, the relatively smaller NO₃⁻ anions lead to the formation of tetranuclear metallocycles and the larger CF₃SO₃⁻ anions support the hexanuclear metallocycles, whereas the ClO₄⁻ anions induce the helical chains.     

Anion dependent formation of Ag(I) complexes of multidentate azine ligands: Synthesis and structural study

The extended structures of Ag-complexes of the azine based ligands phenyl-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₁) and di-2-pyridyl ketone azine (L₂) are reported, and focus is made on the investigation of the influence of the anion and supramolecular interactions on the self-assembly. Using AgNO₃, AgClO₄ and CF₃COOAg salts as starting materials for both ligands in acetonitrile, we observed the formation of the dinuclear complexes [Ag₂(L₁)₂](NO₃)₂ (1a), [Ag₂(L₁)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1b), from L₁, the tetranuclear complexes [Ag₄(L₂)₂ (NO₃)(CH₃CN)₂](NO₃)₃ (2a), [Ag₄(L₂)₂(CF₃COO)₃CH₃CN](CF₃COO) (2b) and the linear chain polynuclear complex {[Ag₃(L₂)₂] (ClO₄)₃}_n (3) from L₂. The X-ray structures show that the molecular geometry depends on the choice of anion. The silver centers have distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry in all the complexes. Weak hydrogen bonding and other interactions result in 2-D and 3-D networks in these complexes.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and triboluminescence of a pair of Eu(III)-based enantiomers

Using the chiral ligands L_SS (+)-4,5-pinene bipyridine and L_RR (−)-4,5-pinene bipyridine (Scheme 1), two novel Eu(III)-based complexes with the formula [Eu(DBM)₃L] (L_SS in 1, L_RR in 2, DBM = dibenzoylmethanate) have been successfully synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal determination and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structure analysis of 1 and 2 reveal that they crystallize in the chiral space group P2₁ of the monoclinic system. The central Eu(III) ion is eight-coordinated in a geometrical environment intermediate between a square antiprism and a dodecahedron. The CD spectra reflect that complexes 1 and 2 are enantiomers. When ground in daylight, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit brilliant triboluminescence at room temperature.     

Schiff bases of 1′-hydroxy-2′-acetonaphthone containing chalcogen functionalities and their complexes with and (p-cymene)Ru(II), Pd(II), Pt(II) and Hg(II): Synthesis, structures and applications in C-C coupling reactions

Schiff bases of 1′-hydroxy-2′-acetonaphthone (HAN) containing chalcogen functionalities, 1-HO-C₁₀H₆-2-CH₃)CN-(CH₂)_nEC₆H₄-4-R (R = H or OMe; n = 2 or 3; E = S (L¹-L²), Se (L³-L⁴) or Te (L⁵-L⁶)) have been synthesized in yield 90-95%. They show characteristic ¹H, ¹³C{¹H} ⁷⁷Se{¹H} and ¹²⁵Te{¹H} (in case of selenated and tellurated species, respectively) NMR spectra. Their complexation with Pd(II), Pt(II), Hg(II) and (p-cymene)Ru(II) has been explored. The single-crystal structures of ligands L¹, L³ and L⁶ and complexes of Pd(II) with L¹, L², L³ and L⁵ have been determined. The geometry of Pd is close to square planar in all the complexes and the ligands coordinate in a uni-negative tridentate mode. The Pd-N bond lengths are in the range 1.996(7)-2.019(5) ?. The Pd-Se bond distance is 2.3600(5) ? whereas Pd-Te is 2.5025(7) ?. The Pd(II) complexes of L¹-L⁵ have been found promising as homogeneous catalyst for Heck and Suzuki reactions. The yields obtained were up to 85%.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of silver(I) complexes with flexible 1,3,5-tris(pyridylmethoxyl)benzene ligands

Five new silver(I) complexes [Ag₂(L₂)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₃CN·CH₃OH (1), [Ag(L₂)(CF₃SO₃)] (2), [Ag(L₃)]ClO₄·CH₃OH (3), [Ag₂(L₃)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂·CH₃CN·CH₃OH·H₂O (4) and [Ag(L₃)]PF₆·2CH₃CN (5) [L₂=1,3,5-tris(2-pyridylmethoxyl)benzene, L₃=1,3,5-tris(3-pyridylmethoxyl)benzene] were synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. In complexes 1-5, ligands L₂ and L₃ show different conformations and act as three-connectors, while the Ag(I) atom serves as three-connecting node to result in the formation of 2D and 3D frameworks. Complexes 1 and 2 with different counteranions have similar 2D network structure with the same (4,8²) topology. Complex 3 has a 3D structure with (10,3)-a topology while complexes 4 and 5 have the same 2D (6,3) topological structure. The results showed that the structure of organic ligands and counteranions play subtle but important role in determining the structure of the complexes. In addition, the photoluminescence and anion-exchange properties of the complexes were investigated in the solid state at room temperature.     

Synthesis, photophysical and electrophosphorescent properties of mononuclear Pt(II) complexes with arylamine functionalized cyclometalating ligands

Four cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes, i.e., [(L²)PtCl] (1b), [(L³)PtCl] (1c), [(L²)PtCCC₆H₅] (2b) and [(L³)PtCCC₆H₅] (2c) (HL² = 4-[p-(N-butyl-N-phenyl)anilino]-6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine and HL³ = 4-[p-(N,N′-dibutyl-N′-phenyl)phenylene-diamino]-phenyl-6-phenyl-2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and verified by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and X-ray crystallography. Unlike previously reported complexes [(L¹)PtCl] (1a) and [(L¹)PtCCC₆H₅] (2a) (HL¹ = 4,6-diphenyl-2,2′-bipyridine), intense and continuous absorption bands in the region of 300-500 nm with strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer (¹MLCT) (dπ(Pt) → π^∗(L)) transitions (ε ∼ 2 × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹) at 449-467 nm were observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of complexes 1b, 1c, 2b and 2c. Meanwhile, with the introduction of electron-donating arylamino groups in the ligands of 1a and 2a, complexes 1b and 2b display stronger phosphorescence in CH₂Cl₂ solutions at room temperature with bathochromically shifted emission maxima at 595 and 600 nm, relatively higher quantum yields of 0.11 and 0.26, and much longer lifetimes of 8.4 and 4.5 μs, respectively. An electrochromic film of 1b-based polymer was obtained on Pt or ITO electrode surface, which suggests an efficient oxidative polymerization behavior. An orange multilayer organic light-emitting diode with 1b as phosphorescent dopant was fabricated, achieving a maximum current efficiency of 11.3 cd A⁻¹ and a maximum external efficiency of 5.7%. The luminescent properties of complexes 1c and 2c are dependent on pH value and solvent polarity, which is attributed to the protonation of arylamino units in the C^N^N cyclometalating ligands.     

Enolic Schiff-base aluminum complexes and their application in lactide polymerization

A series of NNOO-tetradentate enolic Schiff-base ligands were prepared where ligand L₁ = bis(benzoylacetone)propane-1,2-diimine, L₂ = bis(acetylacetone)-propane-1,2-diimine, L₃ = bis-(acetylacetone)cyclohexane-1,2-diimine. Their further reaction with aluminum tris(ethyl) formed complexes LAlEt (1a, 2a and 3a). The solid structure of complexes 1a, 2a and 3a confirmed by X-ray single crystal analysis manifested that these complexes were all monomeric and five-coordinated with an aluminum atom in the center. The configurations of these complexes varied from trigonal bipyramidal geometry (tbp) to square pyramidal geometry (sqp) due to their different auxiliary ligand architectures. ¹H NMR spectra indicated that all these complexes retained their configuration in solution states. Their catalytic properties to polymerize racemic-lactide (rac-LA) in the presence of 2-propanol were also studied. The diimine bridging parts as well as the diketone segment substituents had very close relationship with their performance upon the polymerization process. All these complexes gave moderately isotactic polylactides with controlled molecular weight and very narrow molecular weight distributions.