Metal complexes of pyrimidine derived ligands – Syntheses,characterization and X-ray crystal structures of Ni(II), Co(III) and Fe(III) complexes of Schiff base ligands derived from S-methyl/S-benzyl dithiocarbazate and 2-S-methylmercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-4-carbaldehyde

Two new pyrimidine based NNS tridentate Schiff base ligands S-methyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₁] and S-benzyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₂] have been synthesised by the 1:1 condensation of 2-S-methylmercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-4-carbaldehyde and S-methyl/S-benzyl dithiocarbazate. A Ni(II) complex of HL₁ and Co(III) and Fe(III) complexes of HL₂ have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and spectroscopic studies. All the bis-chelate complexes have a distorted octahedral arrangement with an N₄S₂ chromophore around the central metal ion. Each ligand molecule binds the metal ion using the pyrimidyl and azomethine nitrogen and thiolato sulfur atoms (except in the nickel complex, one ligand molecule uses the thione sulfur in lieu of thiolato sulfur atom). In the Ni(II) complex, one of the ligand molecules behaves as a neutral tridentate and the other molecule functions as a uninegative tridentate, whereas in the Co(III) and Fe(III) complexes, the ligand molecules behave as monoanionic tridentate. All the complexes were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and significant differences concerning the distortion from an octahedral geometry of the coordination environment were observed.     

Highly regio- and stereo-selective copolymerization of CO2 with racemic propylene oxide catalyzed by unsymmetrical (S,S,S)-salenCo(III) complexes

A novel unsymmetrical (S,S,S)-salen ligand bearing a derived chiral-BINOL was synthesized by the reaction of the condensation product of (1S,2S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane mono(hydrogen chloride) with 3-adamanyl-5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 3-formoyl-2-hydroxy-2′-alkyloxy-1,1′-binaphthyl, which originated from (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol via a four-step reaction. The cobalt complexes of this ligand, in conjunction with a nucleophilic cocatalyst, exhibited excellent activity in catalyzing asymmetric, regio- and stereo-selective copolymerization of CO₂ and racemic propylene oxide. The highest record of kinetic resolution coefficient (K _rel) was obtained with the use of binary catalyst system consisting of (S,S,S)-salenCo(III) complex 1c and bulky bis(triphenylphosphine)-iminium chloride (PPNCl). The resulting poly(propylene carbonate)s have more than 99% carbonate linkages and more than 98% head-to-tail content.     

Syntheses,characterization and X-ray crystal structures of Co(III) and Mn(II) complexes of pyrimidine derived Schiff base ligands

Two pyrimidine based NNS tridentate Schiff base ligands S-methyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₁] and S-benzyl-3-((2-S-methyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidyl)methyl)dithiocarbazate [HL₂] have been synthesised by 1:1 condensation of 2-S-methylmercapto-6-methylpyrimidine-4-carbaldehyde and S-methyl/S-benzyl dithiocarbazate. One Co(III) and one Mn(II) complex of HL₁ and one Mn(II) complex of HL₂ have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivities, magnetic susceptibilities and spectroscopic studies. All the bis-chelate complexes have a distorted octahedral arrangement with an N₄S₂ chromophore around the central metal ion. Each ligand molecule binds the metal ion using pyrimidyl nitrogen, azomethine nitrogen and the thiolato sulfur atoms. In the free ligand moieties, the pyrimidine nitrogen atoms, azomethine nitrogen atoms and thione sulfur atoms are in EEE orientation to each other. During chelation, all the donor sites of the ligands are reoriented to ZEZ configuration in order to facilitate the chelation process. In all the complexes, the respective ligand molecule functions as the monoanionic tridentate one. All complexes were analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction and significant differences concerning the distortion from octahedral geometry of the coordination environment were observed.     

Asymmetric addition of phenylboronic acid to cycloalkanones mediated by a Rh/phosphoramidite complex: a comparison between tropos versus nontropos behavior

Herein we report the asymmetric addition of phenylboronic acid to different cycloalkenones, mediated by a Rh(I) complex with the tropos phosphoramidite (S)-L₁ or the nontropos phosphoramidite (S)-L₂ ligand. Different values of enantiomeric purity of the 3-phenylcycloalkanone products have been obtained, mainly depending on the ring size of the substrates, with (S)-L₁ affording higher ee values than (S)-L₂. These results could be explained by reasoning that for the tropos phosphoramidite, a ‘chiral pocket’ is formed when the ligand links to the metal atom. By fitting in this pocket, the substrate can stereoselectively coordinate to the Rh(I) atom, undergoing attack of the phenyl ring from the phenylboronic acid to a preferred enantioface. This causes the high (up to 96%) values of enantioselectivity observed with some of the substrates. A ‘chiral pocket’ cannot be formed with the nontropos ligand (S)-L₂ and, as a consequence, the stereoselectivity is greatly reduced.     

Asymmetric synthesis of allylic sulfides via palladium-mediated allylation of thiols

Cyclic and acyclic allylic S-p-chlorophenyl, S-2-pyridyl and S-2-pyrimidyl sulfides of 50–96% ee have been obtained in 24–87% yield through reaction of the corresponding racemic carbonates with p-chlorothiophenol, 2-mercaptopyridine and 2-mercaptopyrimidine, respectively, mediated by a complex generated in situ from Pd₂(dba)₃·CHCl₃ and the Trost ligand.     

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric alternating co-polymerization of propene with carbon monoxide using ionic liquids

A protocol for Pd-catalyzed stereoselective co-polymerization of propene and carbon monoxide using chiral ligands, such as (2S,3S)-DIOP and (R)-P-Phos in [C₄mim][PF₆]/[C₆mim][PF₆] as an ionic liquid medium was developed. With (2S,3S)-DIOP as chiral ligand and [C₄mim][PF₆] as medium, the Pd-catalyzed co-polymerization of propene and CO gave almost completely regioregular polyketones, and the product polymer showed moderate stereoregularity (61% of ℓ-diads). The highest molar optical rotation = +15.9 and polydispersity = 1.2 were attained when (R)-P-Phos was used as the ligand and [C₆mim]PF₆ as the solvent. The co-polymer exhibited regioregularity of H–H/H–T/T–T (%) = 17:66:17.     

Synthesis and characterization of monomeric palladium(II) pyridine-2-chalcogenolate complexes

Mononuclear palladium(II) complexes of the type [Pd(Epy)(S^∩S)(PPh₃)] [E=S or Se; S^∩S=S₂CNEt₂, S₂P(OR)₂ (R=Et, Prⁿ, Prⁱ)] have been prepared. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and NMR (¹H, ³¹P{¹H}, ⁷⁷Se{¹H}) spectral data. The NMR data indicate that there are two species in solution, i.e. one with chelating S^∩S ligand predominates (∼95%) while the other with chelating Epy and monodentate S^∩S existing in ∼5% concentration. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pd(Spy){S₂P(OPrⁱ)₂}(PPh₃)] has been determined. The square planar palladium atom is coordinated to asymmetrically chelated (PrⁱO)₂PS₂⁻ ligand, PPh₃ and pyS⁻ groups.     

Structure and properties of a model of deoxyheme,an ab initio SCF calculation

Ab initio SCF calculations have been used to study the structure and the electronic properties of four- and five-coordinate Fe(II) porphyrins. The following systems have been considered: FeP (P = porphine dianion) (S = 1 and S = 2) and Fe(NH₂)₄ (S = 1) as four-coordinate systems. FePNH₃, Fe(NH₂)₄NH₃ and Fe(NH₂)₄1m as models of the deoxyheme (S = 2). Fe(NH₂)₄SH (S = 2) as a model of the reduced cytochrome P450. The basis sets used are either of the split-valence type or of double-zeta quality. The ground-state electronic configurations have been assigned. The potential energy curve of FePNH₃, as a function of the out-of-plane displacement of the iron atom, has a minimum for a displacement of 0.32 Å. a value significantly smaller than the accepted value of 0.6 Å in human deoxyhemoglobin. The out-of-plane displacement is larger, by ≈ 0.2 Å, when a mercaptide ligand replaces the ammonia or imidazole ligand. The electric field gradient tensor, the quadrupole splitting and the asymmetry parameter have been calculated and compared with the experimental values derived from the ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra.     

Synthesis of modified H4-BINOL ligands and their applications in the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes

Two new ligands (S,S)-3-(1,1′-bi-2-naphthol-3-yl)-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol [(S,S)-1] and (S)-3-(morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-H₄-BINOL [(S)-2] have been synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling reaction and a Mannich-type reaction, respectively. In the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide, 0.8 mol % of ligand (S,S)-1 catalyzed the asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to aromatic aldehydes in good yield and with high enantioselectivity.     

Enantioselective synthesis of α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones using chiral Pd(II)-SPRIX catalyst

Combination of Pd(OCOCF₃)₂ and (M,S,S)-iPr-SPRIX ligand promoted the intramolecular cyclization of 2-alkynoates very effectively to form α-methylene-γ-butyrolactones in good yields with up to 92% ee.     

Synthesis of chiral-at-metal half-sandwich ruthenium(II) complexes with the CpH(PNMent) tripod ligand

Treatment of the chiral tripod ligand (L_Ment,S_C)-CpH(PN_Ment) with (Ph₃P)₃RuCl₂ in ethanol afforded the two chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] (70% de) in which the cyclopentadienyl group and the P atom of the ligand coordinated at the metal center. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer was isolated by crystallization from ethanol-pentane and its structure was established by X-ray crystallography. The (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)-diastereomer epimerized in CDCl₃ solution at 60 °C in a first-order reaction with a half-life of 5.66 h. In alcoholic solution epimerization occurred at room temperature. Substitution of the chloride ligand in (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] by nitriles NCR (R = Me, Ph, CH₂Ph) in the presence of NH₄PF₆ gave mixtures of the diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NCR]PF₆. Treatment of (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)Cl] with piperidine or morpholine in the presence of NH₄PF₆ led to the chiral-at-metal diastereomers (L_Ment,S_C,R_Ru)- and (L_Ment,S_C,S_Ru)-[Cp(PN_Ment)Ru(PPh₃)NH₃]PF₆ (6% de).     

Dissociation of Multisubunit Protein–Ligand Complexes in the Gas Phase. Evidence for Ligand Migration

The results of collision-induced dissociation (CID) experiments performed on gaseous protonated and deprotonated ions of complexes of cholera toxin B subunit homopentamer (CTB₅) with the pentasaccharide (β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→4)[α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp (GM1)) and corresponding glycosphingolipid (β-D-Galp-(1→3)-β-D-GalpNAc-(1→4)[α-D-Neu5Ac-(2→3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp-Cer (GM1-Cer)) ligands, and the homotetramer streptavidin (S₄) with biotin (B) and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-(biotinyl) (Btl), are reported. The protonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)ⁿ⁺ ions dissociated predominantly by the loss of a single subunit, with the concomitant migration of ligand to another subunit. The simultaneous loss of ligand and subunit was observed as a minor pathway. In contrast, the deprotonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)^n- ions dissociated preferentially by the loss of deprotonated ligand; the loss of ligand-bound and ligand-free subunit were minor pathways. The presence of ceramide (Cer) promoted ligand migration and the loss of subunit. The main dissociation pathway for the protonated and deprotonated (S₄ + 4B)^n+/– ions, as well as for deprotonated (S₄ + 4Btl)^n– ions, was loss of the ligand. However, subunit loss from the (S₄ + 4B)ⁿ⁺ ions was observed as a minor pathway. The (S₄ + 4Btl)ⁿ⁺ ions dissociated predominantly by the loss of free and ligand-bound subunit. The charge state of the complex and the collision energy were found to have little effect on the relative contribution of the different dissociation channels. Thermally-driven ligand migration between subunits was captured in the results of molecular dynamics simulations performed on protonated (CTB₅ + 5GM1)¹⁵⁺ ions (with a range of charge configurations) at 800 K. Notably, the migration pathway was found to be highly dependent on the charge configuration of the ion. The main conclusion of this study is that the dissociation pathways of multisubunit protein–ligand complexes in the gas phase depend, not only on the native topology of the complex, but also on structural changes that occur upon collisional activation.

Substituted salen–Ru(II) complexes as catalysts in the asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene by ethyl diazoacetate: the influence of substituents and achiral additives on activity and enantioselectivity

A series of alkyl-, halogen- and nitro-substituted salen ligands, 1, have been employed in the asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene with ethyl diazoacetate by its ruthenium(II) complex with [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ or RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ as precursors. The introduction of appropriate electron withdrawing groups in the salen ligands benefited the enantioselectivity of the reaction. Some additives, including O-donor, N-donor and P-donor ligands, were added to the reaction to improve the enantioselectivity and activity, and e.e.s of up to 80% were achieved. In the salen/[RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂ system, the (1R,2S)-isomer was obtained in 80.2% e.e. by using the salen ligand 1f derived from 3,5-dibrominated salicylaldehyde with Et₃N as additive. E.e.s of up to 81.3% for (1S,2R)-isomers were achieved by using the complex 2 synthesized from the nitro-substituted ligand 1m and RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃. A possible mechanism was also discussed.     

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of dibenzyl malonate to α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles using a La(O-iPr)3/Ph-linked-BINOL complex

Catalytic asymmetric Michael reactions of a malonate to acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles as ester equivalent acceptors are described. A La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-linked-BINOL complex, which is suitable for Michael addition to cyclic enones, is not suitable for acyclic α,β-unsaturated N-acylpyrroles. A new (S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL chiral ligand was developed to improve enantioselectivity, and a La(O-iPr)₃/(S,S)-Ph-linked-BINOL complex with the addition of HFIP afforded Michael adducts in good yield and enantioselectivity (up to 96% ee).     

Synthesis of novel ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands with central and planar chirality and their diastereomeric effect in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation

Some novel ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands with central and planar chirality were prepared from (R,S_p)-PPFNH₂-R 3 and its diastereomer (S,S_p)-PPFNH₂ 3a. The efficiency and diastereomeric impact of these ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands in the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution was examined, and up to 96% e.e. with 98% yield was achieved by the use of ligand (R,S_p)-4a with a methyl group in the amidino moiety. The results also indicated that (R)-central chirality and (S_p)-planar chirality in these ferrocenylphosphine-amidine ligands were matched for the palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic alkylation.     

Synthesis of platinum-iodo-alkyl/aryl complexes in ligand-exchange reactions: Determination of the structure of Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(X)I complexes (X = Me, I) by X-ray crystallography

Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(R)I (bdpp = 2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane; R = Me, Ph, Bz, 2-Tioph) complexes were formed in alkyl/aryl ligand - iodide ligand-exchange reactions by reacting the corresponding Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}R₂ complexes with methyl iodide. The Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(Me)I complex was isolated and fully characterised. The influence of the X ligand on the platinum-bdpp chelate conformation was investigated in Pt{(S,S)-bdpp}(X)I (X = I, SnCl₃, Me) complex series by means of X-ray crystallography.     

Coordination chemistry of an asymmetric P,N,O tridentate ligand containing primary phosphine, amine and alcohol donors

The asymmetric, heterodonor tridentate ligand 2(S)-amino-4-phosphinobutan-1-ol, S-PNO, has been prepared from (S)-aspartic acid and some aspects of its coordination chemistry with a number of metal complexes investigated. Reaction of S-PNO with appropriate metal precursors led to the isolation of the complexes fac-Cr(CO)₃(κ³-S-PNO), 1, fac-[Mn(CO)₃(κ³-S-PNO)]PF₆, 2, and fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ³-S-PNO)]BF₄, 3. The alcohol and amine donors in fac-Cr(CO)₃(κ³-S-PNO) were substituted upon addition of trivinylphosphine to 1 to give the complex fac-Cr(CO)₃(κ¹-P-S-PNO){P(C₂H₃)₃}₂, 4. Addition of base to 4 gave a coordinated linear tridentate P₃ ligand through the formation of two new chelate rings via hydrophosphination of one vinyl group on each coordinated P(C₂H₃)₃ with the P-H bonds of the complexed S-PNO. The alcohol donor in fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ³-S-PNO)]BF₄ is labile and can be substituted with tris(2-fluorophenyl)phosphine, PAr₃^F, to give fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ²-P,N-S-PNO)(PAr₃^F)]BF₄, 5. Attempts to form a macrocyclic ligand through addition of base to fac-[Re(CO)₃(κ²-P,N-S-PNO)(PAr₃^F)]BF₄ were unsuccessful due to loss of PAr₃^F prior to any ring-closure. All the complexes have been fully characterised by spectroscopic and analytical techniques including a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis of 2.     

A planar chiral non-metallocenic analogue of the most popular N,N-dimethylbenzylaminate palladacycle

A racemic planar chiral tertiary amine pCp-CH₂NMe₂ (HL¹, pCp = [2.2]paracyclophane-4-yl) was prepared by aminomethylation of the bromide pCp-Br with Eschenmoser’s salt. Direct cyclopalladation of this new ligand with palladium(II) acetate results in the formation of the racemic CN-dimer rac-3 in a moderate yield of 64%. The enantiomerically pure dimer (S_pl, S_pl)-3 was obtained by the standard procedure of racemic palladacycle resolution using (S_C)-prolinate as a chiral derivatising agent. The ortho-palladated structure, absolute configuration of the chiral plane and stereochemical peculiarities of the new CN-palladacycle were established by means of NMR spectroscopy and an X-ray diffraction study of its (S_C)-prolinate derivative.     

Electronic tuning of the PNNP ligand for the asymmetric cyclopropanation of olefins catalysed by [RuCl(PNNP)]+

Cationic ruthenium complexes of the type [RuCl(L)(PNNP)]⁺ (L=OEt₂, OH₂), where PNNP is the CF₃-subsituted PNNP ligand N,N′-bis[o-(bis(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)phosphino)benzylidene]-(1S,2S)-diaminocyclohexane 1b, catalyse the asymmetric cyclopropanation of styrene, α-Me-styrene, and 1-octene with ethyl diazoacetate. These complexes are more active and give higher cis- and enantioselectivities than their analogues containing the unsubstituted ligand 1a. Thus, [RuCl(OEt₂)(1b)]PF₆ cyclopropanates α-Me-styrene with 85% cis selectivity and 86% ee in 94% isolated yield.     

One-step synthesis of paclitaxel side-chain precursor: benzamide-based asymmetric aminohydroxylation of isopropyl trans-cinnamate

A highly enantioselective (up to 97% ee) one-step synthesis of paclitaxel side chain precursor, (2R,3S)-isopropyl 3-benzamido-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate, has been achieved by osmium-catalyzed asymmetric aminohydroxylation of isopropyl trans-cinnamate with N-bromobenzamide as an oxidant/nitrogen source in the presence of (DHQ)₂PHAL as a chiral ligand. Simple recrystallization of crude product (containing regioisomer and diol) from ethyl acetate gave the enantiomerically pure product.