Synthesis of ruthenium(II) complexes of tetradentate bis(N-pyridylimidazolylidenyl)methane and their reactivities towards N- donors

A family of hexa-coordinated ruthenium(II) complexes of bis(N-pyridylimidazolylidenyl)methane (L) were prepared and structurally characterized. Carbene transfer reactions of [Ru(p-cymene)Cl(2)](2), [Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)](n) and RuHCl(CO)(PPh(3))(3) with silver-NHC complexes in situ generated from [H(2)L](PF(6))(2) and Ag(2)O afforded [RuL(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6))(2) (1), [Ru(2)L(p-cymene)(2)Cl(2)](PF(6))(2) (2), [RuL(CO)(2)](PF(6))(2) (3) and [RuL(PPh(3))(2)](PF(6))(2) (4), respectively. The reactions of 1 towards several N- and P-donors were studied. The treatment of 1 with 1,10-phenanthroline resulted in the substitution of one pyridine and one acetonitrile molecule affording [RuL(phen)(CH(3)CN)](PF(6))(2) (5) as a mixture of two isomers. Reaction of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) and 1 gave [RuL(dppe)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6))(2) (7), in which two pyridines were substituted by a dppe ligand trans to two NHC groups. In contrast, reactions of 1 with ethane-1,2-diamine, propane-1,3-diamine and 3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole led to the substitution of acetonitrile and subsequent N-H addition of the C≡N bond of the coordinated acetonitrile yielding [RuL(ethane-1,2-diamine)(N-(2-aminoethyl)acetimidamide)](PF(6))(2) (8), [RuL(propane-1,3-diamine)(N-(3-aminopropyl)acetimidamide)](PF(6))(2) (9) and RuL(1-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethanimine)(CH(3)CN)](PF(6))(2) (10), respectively.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of ruthenium(II) complexes of N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidenes

Mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2a), [RuCl(L2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2b), [Ru(L1)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4a), [Ru(L2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4b), [Ru(L2)(2)](PF(6))(2) (5), [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (6), [RuCl(L1)(CO)(2)](PF(6)) (7), and [RuCl(L1)(CO)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (8), and a tetranuclear complex [Ru(2)Ag(2)Cl(2)(L1)(2)(CH(3)CN)(6)](PF(6))(4) (3) containing 3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene (L1) and 3-butyl-1-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidene (L2) have been prepared and fully characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Both L1 and L2 act as pincer NNC donors coordinated to ruthenium (II) ion. In 3, the Ru(II) and Ag(I) ions are linked by two bridging Cl(-) through a rhomboid Ag(2)Cl(2) ring with two Ru(II) extending to above and down the plane. Complexes 2-8 show absorption maximum over the 354-428 nm blueshifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) due to strong σ-donating and weak π-acceptor properties of NHC ligands. Electrochemical studies show Ru(II)/Ru(III) couples over 0.578-1.274 V.     

Octahedral Fe(II) and Ru(II) complexes based on a new bis 1,10-phenanthroline ligand that imposes a well defined axis.

A bis-chelating ligand (L1), made of two 7-(p-anisyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (phen) subunits connected with a p-(CH(2))(2)C(6)H(4)(CH(2))(2) spacer through their 4 positions, has been prepared, using Skraup syntheses and reaction of the anion of 4-methyl-7-anisyl-1,10-phenanthroline with alpha,alpha'-dibromo-p-xylene. Its Fe(II) complex, [FeL1(dmbp)](PF(6))(2), was prepared in one step by reaction of L1 with [Fe(dmbp)(3)](PF(6))(2) (dmbp = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine). On the other hand, its Ru(II) complex, [RuL1(dmbp)](PF(6))(2), was prepared in two steps from Ru(CH(3)CN)(4)Cl(2) and L1, followed by reaction with dmbp. X-ray crystal structure analyses show that in the two octahedral complexes, ligand L1 coils around the metal by coordination of the axial and two equatorial positions. It defines a 21 A long axis (O.O distance) running through the central metal and the terminal anisyl substituents. The complexes were also characterized by (1)H NMR, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, electronic absorption, and, in the case of Ru(II), fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel inverse 9-metallacrown-3, palladium-silver, and dinuclear platinum complexes containing pyrazole-functionalized NHC ligands

Three metallacrown nickel complexes [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L1)(3)](PF(6))(2) (1, L1 = 3-((N-methylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate), [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L2)(3)](PF(6))(2) (2, L2 = 3-((N-mesitylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate), and [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L3)(3)](PF(6))(2) (3, L3 = 3-((N-pyrimidin-2-ylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate) were obtained by the reactions of corresponding silver-NHC complexes with Raney nickel powder at 45 °C. The same reaction at 80 °C afforded [Ni(3)(L2)(4)](PF(6))(2) (4). The carbene-transfer reaction of the silver-carbene complex with [(η(3)-C(3)H(5))PdCl](2) yielded the heterotrimetallic complex [AgPd(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)(L2)(2)](PF(6)) (5), whereas the carbene-transfer reaction with Pt(cod)Cl(2) gave [Pt(2)(L3)(2)](PF(6))(2) (6). All of these complexes have been fully characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1-6 were also studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. In 1-3, three nickel centers are bridged together by three pyrazole-NHC ligands and a hydroxide group, forming a 9-metallacrown-3 topology. Complex 4 is paramagnetic, consisting of two square-planar nickel(II) ions and one tetrahedral nickel ion in which three Ni ions are bridged by four pyrazolate units. In the mixed Pd-Ag complex 5, two palladium and one silver centers are bridged by two pyrazole-NHC ligands. Complex 5 showed good catalytic activity in the Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl bromides and phenylacetylene under mild conditions typically catalyzed by Pd-Cu systems.     

Scrutinizing low-spin Cr(II) complexes

The oxidation state of the chromium center in the following compounds has been probed using a combination of chromium K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory: [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](2) (1), [Cr(phen)(3)][PF(6)](3) (2), [CrCl(2)((t)bpy)(2)] (3), [CrCl(2)(bpy)(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62) (4), [Cr(TPP)(py)(2)] (5), [Cr((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2) (6), [CrCl(2)(dmpe)(2)] (7), and [Cr(Cp)(2)] (8), where phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, (t)bpy is 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine, and TPP(2-) is doubly deprotonated 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1, [Cr(phen)(3)][OTf](2) (1'), and 3 are reported. The X-ray absorption and computational data reveal that complexes 1-5 all contain a central Cr(III) ion (S(Cr) = (3)/(2)), whereas complexes 6-8 contain a central low-spin (S = 1) Cr(II) ion. Therefore, the electronic structures of 1-8 are best described as [Cr(III)(phen(?))(phen(0))(2)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(III)(phen(0))(3)][PF(6)](3), [Cr(III)Cl(2)((t)bpy(?))((t)bpy(0))], [Cr(III)Cl(2)(bpy(0))(2)]Cl(0.38)[PF(6)](0.62), [Cr(III)(TPP(3?-))(py)(2)], [Cr(II)((t)BuNC)(6)][PF(6)](2), [Cr(II)Cl(2)(dmpe)(2)], and [Cr(II)(Cp)(2)], respectively, where (L(0)) and (L(?))(-) (L = phen, (t)bpy, or bpy) are the diamagnetic neutral and one-electron-reduced radical monoanionic forms of L, and TPP(3?-) is the one-electron-reduced doublet form of diamagnetic TPP(2-). Following our previous results that have shown [Cr((t)bpy)(3)](2+) and [Cr(tpy)(2)](2+) (tpy = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) to contain a central Cr(III) ion, the current results further refine the scope of compounds that may be described as low-spin Cr(II) and reveal that this is a very rare oxidation state accessible only with ligands in the strong-field extreme of the spectrochemical series.     

Self-assembly of [M8L4] and [M4L2] fluorescent metallomacrocycles with carbazole-based dipyrazole ligands

Fluorescent carbazole-based dipyrazole ligands (H(2)L(1-4)) were employed to coordinate with dipalladium corners ([(phen)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), [(dmbpy)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), or [(15-crown-5-phen)(2)Pd(2)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2), where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and dmbpy = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, in aqueous solution to afford a series of positively charged [M(8)L(4)](8+) or [M(4)L(2)](4+) multimetallomacrocycles with remarkable water solubility. Their structures were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis and in the cases of 1·8BF(4)(-) ([(phen)(8)Pd(8)L(1)(4)](BF(4))(8)), and 3·4BF(4)(-) ([(phen)(4)Pd(4)L(2)(2)](BF(4))(4)) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes 3-8 are square-type hybrid metallomacrocycles, while complexes 1 and 2 exhibit folding cyclic structures. Interestingly, in single-crystal structures of 1·8BF(4)(-) and 3·4BF(4)(-), BF(4)(-) anions are trapped in the dipalladium clips through anion-π interaction. The luminescence properties and interaction toward anions of these metallomacrocycles were discussed.     

Tetradentate selenium ligand as a building block for homodinuclear complexes of Pd(II) and Ru(II) having seven membered rings or bis-pincer coordination mode: high catalytic activity of Pd-complexes for Heck reaction

1,2,4,5-Tetrakis(phenyselenomethyl)benzene (L) has been synthesized by reaction of in situ generated PhSe(-) with 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(bromomethyl)benzene in N(2) atmosphere. Its first bimetallic complexes and a bis-pincer complex having compositions [(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)Pd(2)(L)][ClO(4)](2) (1) [Pd(2)(C(5)H(5)N)(2)(L)][BF(4)](2) (2) and [(η(6)-C(6)H(6))(2)Ru(2)(L)Cl(2)][PF(6)](2) (3) have been synthesized by reacting L with [Pd(η(3)-C(3)H(5))Cl](2), [Pd(CH(3)CN)(4)][BF(4)](2) and [(η(6)-C(6)H(6))(2)RuCl(2)](2) respectively. The structures of ligand L and its all three complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In 1 and 3, ligand L forms with two organometallic species seven membered chelate rings whereas in 2 it ligates in a bis-pincer coordination mode. The geometry around Pd in 1 or 2 is close to square planar whereas in 3, Ru has pseudo-octahedral half sandwich "Piano-Stool" geometry. The Pd-Se bond distances are in the ranges 2.4004(9)-2.4627(14) ? and follow the order 1 > 2, whereas Ru-Se bond lengths are between 2.4945(16) and 2.5157(17) ?. The 1 and 2 have been found efficient catalysts for Heck reaction of aryl halides with styrene and methyl acrylate. The 2 is superior to 1. The TON and TOF values (per Pd) are up to ~47500 and ~2639 h(-1) respectively.     

The synthesis and structure of heteroleptic tris(diimine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The reactions of bidentate diimine ligands (L2) with cationic bis(diimine)[Ru(L)(L1)(CO)Cl]+ complexes (L, L1, L2 are dissimilar diimine ligands), in the presence of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me3NO) as a decarbonylation reagent, lead to the formation of heteroleptic tris(diimine) ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(L)(L1)(L2)]2+. Typically isolated as hexafluorophosphate or perchlorate salts, these complexes were characterised by UV-visible, infrared and mass spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, microanalyses and NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray studies have elucidated the structures of K[Ru(bpy)(phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(3).1/2H(2)O, [Ru(bpy)(5,6-Me(2)phen)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(phen)(5,6-Me(2)phen)](ClO(4))(2), [Ru(bpy)(5,6'-Me(2)phen)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)](PF(6))(2).EtOH, [Ru(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(phen)(Hdpa)](PF(6))(2).MeOH and [Ru(bpy)(4,4'-Me(2)bpy)(Hdpa)](ClO(4))(2).1/2Hdpa (where Hdpa is di(2-pyridyl)amine). A novel feature of the first complex is the presence of a dinuclear anionic adduct, [K(2)(PF(6))(6)](4-), in which the two potassium centres are bridged by two fluorides from different hexafluorophosphate ions forming a K(2)F(2) bridging unit and by two KFPFK bridging moieties.     

Aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols catalyzed by copper complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline-derived ligands

Five copper complexes [(L(1))(2)Cu(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (1), [(L(1))Cu(H(2)O)(3)](ClO(4))(2) (1a), [(L(3))(2)Cu(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (2), [(L(5))(2)Cu(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2) (3) and [(L(6))(2)Cu](ClO(4)) (4) (where L(1) = 1,10-phenanthroline, L(3) = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione, L(5) = 1,10-phenanthrolinefuroxan and L(6) = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolinefuroxan), and in situ prepared copper complexes of 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (L(2)) or 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedione (L(4)) were used for aerial oxidation of primary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes under ambient conditions. The copper catalysts have been found to catalyze a series of primary alcohols including one secondary alcohol with moderate turnover numbers and selectivity towards primary alcohols. Copper(ii) complexes 1 (or 1a) and 2 were found to be the better catalysts among all other systems explored in this study. A copper(ii)-superoxo species is implicated to initiate the oxidation reaction. Structural and electronic factors of 1,10-phenanthroline-based ligands affecting the catalytic results for aerial oxidation of alcohols are discussed.     

Diphosphines possessing electronically different donor groups: synthesis and coordination chemistry of the unsymmetrical Di(N-pyrrolyl)phosphino-functionalized dppm analogue Ph2PCH2P(NC4H4)2

The unsymmetrical diphosphinomethane ligand Ph(2)PCH(2)P(NC(4)H(4))(2) L has been prepared from the reaction of Ph(2)PCH(2)Li with PCl(NC(4)H(4))(2). The diphenylphosphino group can be selectively oxidized with sulfur to give Ph(2)P(S)CH(2)P(NC(4)H(4))(2) 1. The reaction of L with [MCl(2)(cod)] (M = Pd, Pt) gives the chelate complexes [MCl(2)(L-kappa(2)P,P')] (2, M = Pd; 3, M = Pt) in which the M-P bond to the di(N-pyrrolyl)phosphino group is shorter than that to the corresponding diphenylphosphino group. However, the shorter Pd-P bond is cleaved on reaction of 2 with an additional 1 equiv of L to give [PdCl(2)(L-kappa(1)P)(2)] 4. Complex 4 reacts with [PdCl(2)(cod)] to regenerate 2, and with [Pd(2)(dba)(3)].CHCl(3) to give the palladium(I) dimer [Pd(2)Cl(2)(mu-L)(2)] 5, which exists in solution and the solid state as a 1:1 mixture of head-to-head (HH) and head-to-tail (HT) isomers. The palladium(II) dimer [Pd(2)Cl(2)(CH(3))(2)(mu-L)(2)] 6, formed by the reaction of [PdCl(CH(3))(cod)] with L, also exists in solution as a mixture of HH and HT isomers, although in this case the HT isomer prevails at low temperature and crystallizes preferentially. Complex 6 reacts with TlPF(6) to give the A-frame complex [Pd(2)(CH(3))(2)(mu-Cl)(mu-L)(2)]PF(6) 7. The reaction of L with [RuCp*(mu(3)-Cl)](4) leads to the dimer [Ru(2)Cp*(2)(mu-Cl)(2)(mu-L)] 8, for which the enthalpy of reaction has been measured. The reaction of L with [Rh(mu-Cl)(cod)](2) gives a mixture of compounds from which the dimer [Rh(2)(mu-Cl)(cod)(2)(mu-L)]PF(6) 9 can be isolated. The crystal structures of 2.CHCl(3), 3.CH(2)Cl(2), 4, 5.(1)/(4)CH(2)Cl(2), 6, 7.2CH(2)Cl(2), 8, and 9.CH(2)Cl(2) are reported.     

Condensation reactions of monomeric hydroxo palladium complexes with active methyl and methylene compounds

Heating a suspension of the monomeric hydroxo palladium complex of the type [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, Me(2)bipy, phen or tmeda) in methylketone (acetone or methylisobutylketone) under reflux affords the corresponding ketonyl palladium complex [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COR)]. On the other hand, the reaction of the hydroxo palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy, phen or tmeda) with diethylmalonate or malononitrile yields the C-bound enolate palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CHX(2))(C(6)F(5))](X = CO(2)Et or CN), and the reaction of [Pd(N-N)(C(6)F(5))(OH)](N-N = bipy or phen) with nitromethane gives the nitromethyl palladium complexes [Pd(N-N)(CH(2)NO(2))(C(6)F(5))]. [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(OH)] catalyses the cyclotrimerization of malononitrile. The crystal structures of [Pd(bipy)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)COMe)].1/2Me(2)CO, [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CO(2)Et)(2)]], [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))[CH(CN)(2)]] and [Pd(tmeda)(C(6)F(5))(CH(2)NO(2))].1/2CH(2)Cl(2) have been established by X-ray diffraction.     

Long-lived palladium catalysts for CO/vinyl arene polyketones synthesis: a solution to deactivation problems

A series of cationic palladium complexes of general formula [Pd(Me)(MeCN)(N-N)][PF(6)] (N-N = (phen) 1 a, 4,7-dichloro-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Cl(2)-phen) 2 a, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Ph(2)-phen) 3 a, 4-methyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4-Me-phen) 4 a, 4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (4,7-Me(2)-phen) 5 a, 5,5,6,6-tetrafluoro-5,6-dihydro-1,10-phenanthroline (F(4)-phen) 6 a, containing different substituted phenanthroline ligands, have been prepared from the corresponding neutral chloro derivatives [Pd(Me)(Cl)(N-N)], (1 b-6 b). The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(Cl)(2)(4,7-Cl(2)-phen)] (2 b') was determined. DFT calculations show that the electron density on the metal is tuned by the substituents on the ligands. The catalytic behavior of complexes 1 a-6 a in the CO/styrene and CO/p-Me-styrene copolymerizations was studied in detail, showing that the generated catalysts are active for at least 90 h, yielding copolymers of high molecular weight. A firm correlation between the electron density on palladium on the one hand and the catalytic activity of the complexes and the molecular weight and the stereochemistry of the polyketones synthesized on the other hand has been established: the catalyst containing the F(4)-phen is thus far the most active among those tested, yielding the syndiotactic CO/styrene copolymer with a stereoregularity of 96 % (uu triad) and with an M(w) value of 1 000 000.     

Ruthenium(II)-polyazine light absorbers bridged to reactive cis-dichlororhodium(III) centers in a bimetallic molecular architecture

Bimetallic complexes of the form [(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3), where bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and BL = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine (dpp) or 2,2'-bipyrimidine (bpm), were synthesized, characterized, and compared to the [{(bpy)(2)Ru(BL)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) trimetallic analogues. The new complexes were synthesized via the building block method, exploiting the known coordination chemistry of Rh(III) polyazine complexes. In contrast to [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5), [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) have a single visible light absorber subunit coupled to the cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety, an unexplored molecular architecture. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) showed a reversible oxidation at 1.61 V (vs Ag/AgCl) (Ru(III/II)), quasi-reversible reductions at -0.39 V, -0.74, and -0.98 V. The first two reductive couples corresponded to two electrons, consistent with Rh reduction. The electrochemistry of [(bpy)(2)Ru(bpm)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) exhibited a reversible oxidation at 1.76 V (Ru(III/II)). A reversible reduction at -0.14 V (bpm(0/-)), and quasi-reversible reductions at -0.77 and -0.91 V each corresponded to a one electron process, bpm(0/-), Rh(III/II), and Rh(II/I). The dpp bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions at 509 nm (14,700 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 518 nm (26,100 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The bpm bridged bimetallic and trimetallic display Ru(dpi)-->bpm(pi*) charge transfer (CT) transitions at 581 nm (4,000 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 594 nm (9,900 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively. The heteronuclear complexes [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) and [{(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)}(2)RhCl(2)](PF(6))(5) had (3)MLCT emissions that are Ru(dpi)-->dpp(pi*) CT in nature but were red-shifted and lower intensity than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4). The lifetimes of the (3)MLCT state of [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)RhCl(2)(phen)](PF(6))(3) at room temperature (30 ns) was shorter than [(bpy)(2)Ru(dpp)Ru(bpy)(2)](PF(6))(4), consistent with favorable electron transfer to Rh(III) to generate a metal-to-metal charge-transfer ((3)MMCT) state. The reported synthetic methods provide means to a new molecular architecture coupling a single Ru light absorber to the Rh(III) center while retaining the interesting cis-Rh(III)Cl(2) moiety.     

N,N,N ',N '-Tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine and its analogues as hypodentate ligands. Synthesis and characterization of the rhodium(III), ruthenium(II), and palladium(II) complexes

New complexes of Rh(III), Ru(II), and Pd(II) with N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine (tpen) and its analogues have been prepared. The reaction of RhCl(3).nH(2)O with tpen is slow and allows one to isolate the products of three consecutive substitution steps: Rh(2)Cl(6)(tpen) (1), cis-[RhCl(2)(eta(4)-tpen)](+) (2), and [RhCl(eta(5)-tpen)](2+) (3). In acetonitrile the reaction stops at the step of the formation of cis-[RhCl(2)(eta(4)-tpen)](+), whereas [RhCl(eta(5)-tpen)](2+) is the final product of the further reaction in ethanol. Fully chelated [Rh(tpen)](3+) could not be obtained. Bis(acetylacetonato)palladium(II), Pd(acac)(2), reacts with tpen and its analogues, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-propanediamine (tptn) and N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-(R)-1,2-propylenediamine (R-tppn), to give [Pd(eta(4)-tpen)](2+) (4), [Pd(eta(4)-tppn)](2+) (5), and [Pd(eta(4)-tptn)](2+) (6), respectively. Two pyridyl arms remain uncoordinated in these cases. The formation of unstable Pd(III) complexes from these Pd(II) complexes in solution was suggested on the basis of electrochemical measurements. Ruthenium(III) trichloride, RuCl(3).nH(2)O, is reduced to give a Ru(II) complex with fully coordinated tpen, [Ru(tpen)](2+) (7). The same product was obtained in a more straightforward reaction of Ru(II)Cl(2)(dimethyl sulfoxide)(4) with tpen. Electrochemical studies showed a quasi-reversible [Ru(tpen)](2+/3+) couple for [7](ClO(4))(2) (E(1/2) = 1.05 V vs Ag/AgCl). Crystal structures of [2](PF(6)).2CH(3)CN, [3](PF(6))(2).CH(3)CN, [6](ClO(4))(2), and [7](ClO(4))(2).0.5H(2)O were determined. Crystal data: [2](PF(6)).2CH(3)CN, monoclinic, C2, a = 16.974(4) A, b = 8.064(3) A, c = 13.247(3) A, beta = 106.37(2) degrees, V = 1739.9(8) A(3), Z = 2; [3](PF(6))(2).CH(3)CN, triclinic, P1, a = 11.430(1) A, b = 19.234(3) A, c = 8.101(1) A, alpha = 99.43(1) degrees, beta = 93.89(1) degrees, gamma = 80.10(1) degrees, V = 1729.3(4) A(3), Z = 2; [6](ClO(4))(2), orthorhombic, Pnna, a = 8.147(1) A, b = 25.57(1) A, c = 14.770(4) A, V = 3076(3) A(3), Z = 4; [7](ClO(4))(2).0.5H(2)O, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 10.046(7) A, b = 19.049(2) A, c = 15.696(3) A, beta = 101.46(3) degrees, V = 2943(2) A(3), Z = 4.     

Reactions of cadmium(II) nitrate with 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate in the presence of N-donor ligands

Reactions of Cd(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O with TabHPF(6) (TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol) and Et(3)N in the presence of NH(4)SCN and five other N-donor ligands such as 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (2,9-dmphen), 2,6-bis(pyrazd-3-yl)pyridine (bppy) and 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (bdmppy) gave rise to a family of Cd(II)/thiolate complexes of N-donor ligands, {[Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(4)(NCS)(2)](NO(3))(2)·MeOH}(n) (1), [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(L)(4)](PF(6))(4) (2: L = 2,2'-bipy; 3: L = phen), [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](PF(6))(2) (4: L = 2,9-dmphen; 5: L = bppy), and [Cd(2)(μ-Tab)(2)(Tab)(2)(bdmppy)](2)(PF(6))(8)·H(2)O (6·H(2)O). These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra, (1)H NMR, electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For 1, each [Cd(NCS)](+) fragment is connected to its equivalents via a pair of Tab bridges to a one-dimensional chain. For 2 and 3, two [Cd(2,2'-bipy)(2)](2+) or [Cd(phen)(2)](2+) units are linked by a pair of Tab bridges to form a cationic dimeric structure. The Cd atom in [Cd(Tab)(2)(L)](2+) dication of 4 or 5 is coordinated by two Tab ligands and chelated by two N atoms from 2,9-dmphen (4) or three N atoms from bppy (5), forming a distorted tetrahedral (4) or trigonal bipyramidal (5) coordination geometry. For 6, each of two [Cd(Tab)(bdmppy)] fragments is linked to one [(Tab)Cd(μ-Tab)(2)Cd(Tab)] fragment via two Tab bridges to generate a unique cationic zigzag tetrameric structure where the Cd centers take a tetrahedral or a trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry. The results may provide an interesting insight into mimicking the coordination spheres of the Cd(II) sites of metallothioneins and their interactions with various N-donor ligands encountered in nature.     

Synthesis, structure, spectroscopic properties, and electrochemical oxidation of ruthenium(II) complexes Incorporating monocarboxylate bipyridine ligands

[Ru(bpy)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).3H(2)O (1), [Ru(phen)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)](ClO(4))(2).5H(2)O (2), [Ru(dppz)(2)(Mebpy-COOH)]Cl(2).9H(2)O (3), and [Ru(bpy)(dppz)(Mebpy-COOH)](PF(6))(2).5H(2)O (4) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, Mebpy-COOH = 4'-methyl-2,2'-bipyridine-4-carboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, dppz = dipyrido[3,2,-a;2',3-c]phenazine) have been synthesized and characterized spectroscopically and by microanalysis. The [Ru(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)(2)Cl(2)].H(2)O intermediate was prepared by reaction of the monocarboxylic acid ligand, Mebpy-COOH, with [Ru(CO)(2)Cl(2)](n), and the product was then reacted with either bpy, phen, or dppz in the presence of an excess of trimethylamine-N-oxide (Me(3)NO), as the decarbonylation agent, to generate 1, 2, and 3, respectively. For compound 4, [Ru(bpy)(CO)Cl(2)](2) was reacted with Mebpy-COOH to yield [Ru(bpy)(Mebpy-COOH)(CO)Cl](PF(6)).H(2)O as a mixture of two main geometric isomers. Chemical decarbonylation in the presence of dppz gave 4 also as a mixture of two isomers. Electrochemical and spectrophotometric studies indicated that complexes 1 and 2 were present as a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms in acetonitrile solution because of water of solvation in the isolated solid products. The X-ray crystal structure determination on crystals of [Ru(bpy)2(MebpyCOO)][Ru(bpy)(2)(MebpyCOOH)](3)(PF(6))(7), 1a, and [Ru(phen)(2)(MebpyCOO)](ClO(4)).6H(2)O, 2a, obtained from solutions of 1 and 2, respectively, revealed that 1a consisted of a mixture of protonated and deprotonated forms of the complex in a 1:3 ratio and that 2a consisted of the deprotonated derivative of 2. A distorted octahedral geometry for the Ru(II) centers was found for both complexes. Upon excitation at 450 nm, MeCN solutions of the protonated complexes 1-4 were found to exhibit emission bands in the 635-655 nm range, whereas the corresponding emission maxima of their deprotonated forms were observed at lower wavelengths. Protonation/deprotonation effects were also observed in the luminescence and electrochemical behavior of complexes 1-4. Comprehensive electrochemical studies in acetonitrile show that the ruthenium centers on 1, 2, 3, and 4 are oxidized from Ru(II) to Ru(III) with reversible potentials at 917, 929, 1052, and 1005 mV vs Fc(0/+) (Fc = ferrocene), respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 also exhibit an irreversible oxidation process in acetonitrile, and all compounds undergo ligand-based reduction processes.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and catalytic behaviour in Heck coupling of palladium(II) complexes containing pyrimidine-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbenes

[Pd(L1)2(CH3CN)](PF6)2 (L1 = 1-n-butyl-3-(2-pyrimidyl)imidazolylidene, 3) and [Pd(L2)2](PF6)2 (L2 = 1-(2-picolyl)-3-(2-pyrimidyl)imidazolylidene 4), prepared via carbene transfer reactions of [Ag(L1)2]PF6 (1) and [Ag2(L2)2](PF6)2 (2) with palladium salts, respectively, have been fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The X-ray crystal structures of complexes 1-4 are reported. Complex 3 is an unusual pentacoordinated palladium complex, in which the palladium is coordinated by two imidazolylidene, two pyridine, and one acetonitrile molecule in a square-pyramidal geometry. The apical position is occupied by a pyrimidine nitrogen atom with a relatively long Pd-N distance (2.762(6) angstroms). Complex is a typical square-planar palladium complex with palladium surrounded by two pairs of cis-arranged pyridine and imidazolylidene ligands. The complexes exhibit good catalytic activities in the Heck coupling reaction of aryl bromides and activated aryl chlorides under mild conditions.     

Self-assembly of electroactive thiacrown ruthenium(II) complexes into hydrogen-bonded chain and tape networks

A family of coordination complexes has been synthesized, each comprising a ruthenium(II) center ligated by a thiacrown macrocycle, [9]aneS(3), [12]aneS(4), or [14]aneS(4), and a pair of cis-coordinated ligands, niotinamide (nic), isonicotinamide (isonic), or p-cyanobenzamide (cbza), that provide the complexes with peripherally situated amide groups capable of hydrogen bond formation. The complexes [Ru([9]aneS(3))(nic)(2)Cl]PF(6), 1(PF(6)); [Ru([9]aneS(3)) (isonic)(2)Cl]PF(6), 2(PF(6)); [Ru([12]aneS(4))(nic)(2)](PF(6))(2), 3(PF(6))(2); [Ru([12]aneS(4))(isonic)(2)](PF(6))(2), 4(PF(6))(2); [Ru([12]aneS(4)) (cbza)(2)](PF(6))(2), 5(PF(6))(2); [Ru([14]aneS(4))(nic)(2)](PF(6))(2), 6(PF(6))(2); [Ru([14]aneS(4))(isonic)(2)](PF(6))(2), 7(PF(6))(2); and [Ru([14]aneS(4))(cbza)(2)](PF(6))(2), 8(PF(6))(2) have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. UV/visible spectroscopy shows that each complex exhibits an intense high-energy band (230-255 nm) assigned to a pi-pi* transition and a lower energy band (297-355 nm) assigned to metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transitions. Electrochemical studies indicate good reversibility for the oxidations of complexes with nic and isonic ligands (|I(a)/I(c)| = 1; DeltaEp < 100 mV), In contrast, complexes 5 and 8, which incorporate cbza ligands, display oxidations that are not fully electrochemically reversible (|I(a)/I(c)| = 1, DeltaEp > or = 100 mV). Metal-based oxidation couples between 1.32 and 1.93 V versus Ag/AgCl can be rationalized in term of the acceptor capabilities of the thiacrown ligands and the amide-bearing ligands, as well as the pi-donor capacity of the chloride ligands in compounds 1 and 2. The potential to use these electroactive metal complexes as building blocks for hydrogen-bonded crystalline materials has been explored. Crystal structures of compounds 1(PF(6)).H(2)O, 1(BF(4)).2H(2)O, 2(PF(6)), 3(PF(6))(2), 6(PF(6))(2)CH(3)NO(2), and 8(PF(6))(2) are reported. Four of the six form amide-amide N-H...O hydrogen bonds leading to networks constructed from amide C(4) chains or tapes containing R(2)(2) (8) hydrogen-bonded rings. The other two, 2(PF(6)) and 8(PF(6)), form networks linked through amide-anion N-H...F hydrogen bonds. The role of counterions and solvent in interrupting or augmenting direct amide-amide network propagation is explored, and the systematic relationship between the hydrogen-bonded networks formed across the series of structures is presented, showing the relationship between chain and tape arrangements and the progression from 1D to 2D networks. The scope for future systematic development of electroactive tectons into network materials is discussed.     

Stable, chloride-induced monohapto-bonding mode for an allyl ligand in a Pd(II) complex bearing a new bidentate phosphonite-oxazoline ligand

Bidentate ligands can lead to stable eta(1)-allyl complexes of Pd(II). A novel chelating phosphonite-oxazoline P,N ligand, abbreviated NOPO(Me2), has been prepared by reaction of 6-chloro-6H-dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxaphosphorin with the lithium alcoholate derived from 4,4-dimethyl-2-(1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-4,5-dihydrooxazole. Its reaction with [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(micro-Cl)](2) afforded the new eta(1)-allyl Pd complex [PdCl(eta(1)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))] 2 in 91% yield. This constitutes a still rare example of structurally characterized eta(1)-allyl Pd(II) complex. Chloride abstraction led to the corresponding cationic eta(3)-allyl complex [Pd(eta(3)-C(3)H(5))(NOPO(Me2))]PF(6) 3, which has also been characterized by X-ray diffraction. CO insertion into the Pd-C sigma-bond of the eta(1)-allyl ligand of 2 afforded the corresponding 3-butenoyl palladium complex [PdCl[C(O)C(3)H(5)](NOPO(Me2))] 4 under mild conditions, which supports the view that CO insertion into eta(3)-allyl palladium cationic complexes occurs via first coordination of the counterion to form a more reactive eta(1)-allyl intermediate.     

Synthesis, structures, and reactivity of weakly coordinating anions with delocalized borate structure: the assessment of anion effects in metallocene polymerization catalysts.

The formation of adducts of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane with strongly coordinating anions such as CN(-) and [M(CN)(4)](2)(-) (M = Ni, Pd) is a synthetically facile route to the bulky, very weakly coordinating anions [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) and [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) which are isolated as stable NHMe(2)Ph(+) and CPh(3)(+) salts. The crystal structures of [CPh(3)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] (1), [CPh(3)][ClB(C(6)F(5))(3)] (2), [NHMe(2)Ph](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2Me(2)CO (4b.2Me(2)CO), [CPh(3)](2)[Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (4c.2CH(2)Cl(2)), and [CPh(3)](2)[Pd[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)].2CH(2)Cl(2) (5c.2CH(2)Cl(2)) are reported. The CN stretching frequencies in 4 and 5 are shifted by approximately 110 cm(-1) to higher wavenumbers compared to the parent tetracyano complexes in aqueous solution, although the M-C and C-N distances show no significant change on B(C(6)F(5))(3) coordination. Zirconocene dimethyl complexes L(2)ZrMe(2) [L(2) = Cp(2), SBI = rac-Me(2)Si(Ind)(2)] react with 1, 4c or 5c in benzene solution at 20 degrees C to give the salts of binuclear methyl-bridged cations, [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](2)[M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)]. The reactivity of these species in solution was studied in comparison with the known [[(SBI)ZrMe](2)(mu-Me)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)]. While the latter reacts with excess [CPh(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] in benzene to give the mononuclear ion pair [(SBI)ZrMe(+).B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)] in a pseudo-first-order reaction, k = 3 x 10(-4) s(-1), [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] reacts to give a mixture of L(2)ZrMe(mu-Me)B(C(6)F(5))(3) and L(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3). Recrystallization of [Cp' '(2)Zr(mu-Me)(2)AlMe(2)][CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] affords Cp' '(2)ZrMe(mu-NC)B(C(6)F(5))(3) 6, the X-ray structure of which is reported. The stability of [(L(2)ZrMe)(2)(mu-Me)](+)X(-) decreases in the order X = [B(C(6)F(5))(4)] > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)] > [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)] and increases strongly with the steric bulk of L(2) = Cp(2) < SBI. Activation of (SBI)ZrMe(2) by 1 in the presence of AlBu(i)(3) gives extremely active ethene polymerization catalysts. Polymerization studies at 1-7 bar monomer pressure suggest that these, and by implication most other highly active ethene polymerization catalysts, are strongly mass-transport limited. By contrast, monitoring propene polymerization activities with the systems (SBI)ZrMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) and CGCTiMe(2)/1/AlBu(i)(3) at 20 degrees C as a function of catalyst concentration demonstrates that in these cases mass-transport limitation is absent up to [metal] approximately 2 x 10(-5) mol L(-1). Propene polymerization activities decrease in the order [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) > [B(C(6)F(5))(4)](-) > [M[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)](2-) > [MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)](-), with differences in activation barriers relative to [CN[B(C(6)F(5))(3)](2)](-) of DeltaDeltaG = 1.1 (B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-)), 4.1 (Ni[CNB(C(6)F(5))(3)](4)(2-)) and 10.7-12.8 kJ mol(-)(1) (MeB(C(6)F(5))(3)(-)). The data suggest that even in the case of very bulky anions with delocalized negative charge the displacement of the anion by the monomer must be involved in the rate-limiting step.