Molecular photochromic systems: a theoretical and experimental investigation on zinc(II) dithizonate

Zinc(II)‐dithizone based molecular systems [Zn(HDz)₂] are intriguing candidates for the development of optical devices thanks to their interesting photochromic and nonlinear optical properties. In the present work, the behavior of Zn(HDz)₂ in different solvents was investigated by a combined theoretical and experimental approach. In particular, solutions of both dithizone (H₂Dz) and Zn(HDz)₂ were analyzed by optical absorption spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques, with particular attention to structure–properties relationships. Density functional and time‐dependent density functional calculations were performed on the stable and the activated forms of the complex, obtaining information on the energetics of their interconversion, as well as on the nature of their electronic excitations. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coordination behaviour of 2-guanidinobenzimidazole towards cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II). An experimental and theoretical study

Summary The following coordination compounds derived from 2-guanidinobenzimidazole (2GB) (1); [Ni(2GB)₂]Cl₂· H₂O, (2); [Ni(2GB)₂]Br₂·3H₂O, (3); [Ni(2GB)₂-(NO₃)₂, (4); [Ni(2GB)₂](OAc)₂, (5); [Cu(2GB)Cl₂], (6); [Cu(2GB)Br₂], (7); [Cu(2GB)₂]Br₂·2H₂O, (8); [Cu(2GB)₂](NO₃)₂·H₂O, (9); [Cu(2GB)₂](OAc)₂· H₂O, (10); [Zn(2GB)Cl₂]·H₂O, (11); [Zn(2GB)Br₂]·H₂O, (12); [Co(2GB)Cl₂(H₂O)₂]·5H₂O, (13); [Co-(2GB)₂Cl₂]·3H₂O, (14); [Co(2GB)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂· 4H₂O, (15); and [Co(2GB)₂(H₂O)₂](OAc)₂, (16) have been synthesized and characterized by i.r. and electronic spectroscopy. In addition (6)–(10) were analysed by e.p.r. The X-ray diffraction structure of compound (4) was obtained. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, C2/c (a = 22.511(7), b = 6.735(6) and c= 15.345(5)Å, =115.31(3)°, Z = 4, final R = 0.0360 and R _w = 0.0388 for 1167 observed independent reflections). The nickel(II) atom coordinates two ligands in a square-planar geometry through the imidazolic N(3) and the guanidino N(12).The probable ligand isomers involved in the coordination were determined by theoretical calculations, and the possible structures of the coordination compounds were investigated in order to verify that the experimentally proposed structures were stable. Two different types of coordination compounds were found. One, where the ligand is chelating through the imidazolic N(3) and the guanidino N(12), which is the case for most of the complexes [(2)–(13)]. With only one ligand in the coordination sphere, the structure was either tetrahedral (copper and zinc chloride and bromide complexes) or octahedral (cobalt). With two chelating 2GB units a square-planar geometry was stabilized [(2)–(5) and (8)–(10)]. The second type of coordination behaviour was observed in the cobalt compounds [(14)–(16)]. Here the ligand coordinates monodentate through the imidazolic N(3); the structure is tetrahedral.     

Electronic structure and X-ray spectra of nickel(II) dithiolate chelate complexes

Nickel(II) dithiocarbamate and dithiophosphinate complexes were studied by X-ray and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The X-ray emission and absorption spectra of Ni(II) compounds were interpreted in terms of quantum-chemical model calculations of the electronic spectrum of the complexes. The electronic structure of nickel(II) dithiolates was analyzed on the basis of the experimental and theoretical data.     

Synthesis,structures and antimicrobial activities of nickel(II) and zinc(II) diaminomaleonitrile-based complexes

Three Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes [Ni(L1)], [Ni(L2)], and [Zn(L3)(DMSO)] (L1 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxybenzylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile, L2 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile, L3 = 2,3-bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylideneimino)-2,3-butenedinitrile) were obtained in DMSO by one-pot syntheses. The complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Also, their solid-state structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The geometries of the Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were square planar and square pyramidal, respectively. The complexes were screened in vitro against a fungal species and eight species of bacteria, revealing their antimicrobial activity.     

Synthesis,characterization and DNA-binding properties of zinc(II) and nickel(II) Schiff base complexes

A new ligand, 2-carboxybenzaldehyde-(4’-hydroxy)benzoylhydrazone(H₂L) and its Zn^II and Ni^II complexes have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductivities, ¹H-NMR, IR spectra and thermal analyses. In addition, DNA-binding properties of these two metal complexes were investigated using spectrometric titrations, ethidium bromide displacement experiments, and viscosity measurements. The results show that the two complexes, especially the Ni^II complex, strongly bind with calf-thymus DNA, presumably via an intercalation mechanism. The intrinsic binding constants of the Zn^II and Ni^II complexes with DNA are 2.46 × 10⁵ and 7.94 × 10⁵ M ⁻¹, respectively.     

N-acetyl-DL-leucinate cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Summary Complexes of the type M(AcLeu)₂ · B₂ (M = Co^II, Ni^II or Zn^II; B = H₂O, py, 3-pic, 4-pic; AcLeu =N-acetyl-DL-leucinate ion) and M(AcLeu)₂ B (M = Co^II or Zn^II and B = o-phen) were prepared and investigated by means of magnetic and spectroscopic measurements. The i.r. spectra of all the complexes are consistent with bidentate coordination of the amino acid to the metal ion. The room temperature solid state electronic spectra indicate that the symmetry of this species is closer toD _4h and that MO₆ and MO₄N₂ chromophores are present in the M(AcLeu)₂ · 2 H₂O and M(AcLeu)₂B_n · x H₂O (B = py, 3-pic, 4-pic, n=2 and x=0 for M = Ni^II; B = o-phen, n=1 and x=0 for M = Co^II; B = py, 3-pic, 4-pic, n=1 and x=1 for M = Co^II) complexes, respectively. By comparing the Dq values of the amino acid and those of other N-substituted amino acids previously studied, a spectrochemical series of the the cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes is proposed. The¹ H n.m.r. spectra of the zinc(II) complexes confirm the proposed stereochemistry.     

Electrochemical behaviour of zinc(II) and nickel(II) p-diethylaminodithiobenzoate complexes a new nickel(IV) species

The electrochemical behaviour at a platinum electrode in methylene chloride of zinc(II) and nickel(II) p-diethylaminodithiobenzoate complexes has been studied. For the zinc(II) complex the electroactive site of oxidation is the ligand and the tetrathian dication is produced. In contrast, for the nickel(II) complex the electroactive site is the metal and a stable nickel(IV) species is obtained.     

2-(2-Pyridyl)indandione-1,3 and its zinc(II) and nickel(II) complexes: Synthesis and physicochemical characterization

Inner complex compounds (ICCs) and molecular adducts based on 2-(2-pyridyl)indandione-1,3 have been synthesized for the first time. The structure of the ligand (the preferred tautomer) and the complexes has been studied using X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and IR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis and characterization of some new nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of quadridentate SNNS ligands

Two new quadridentate Schiff base ligands formed from 2,5-hexanedione and S-alkyldithiocarbazic acids and their nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes having the general formula [M(SNNS)] (SNNS²⁻ is the dinegatively charged ligands) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and magnetic and spectroscopic methods. The Ni(SNNS) complexes are diamagnetic and square-planar. The Zn(SNNS) complexes are assigned with polymeric structures with mercapto sulphur-bridging. The Cd(SNNS) complexes presumably have polymeric structures.     

Synthesis and photophysics of an octathioglycosylated zinc(II) phthalocyanine

A water soluble zinc(II) phthalocyanine symmetrically appended with eight thioglucose units was synthesized from commercially available hexadecafluorophthalocyaninatozinc(II) by controlled nucleophilic substitution of the peripheral fluoro groups. The photophysical properties and cancer cell uptake studies of this nonhydrolysable thioglycosylated phthalocyanine are reported. The new compound has amphiphilic character, is chemically stable, and can potentially be used as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy.     

Synthesis of an octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine

4,5-Bis(1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-galactopyranos-6-yl)phthalonitrile (3) was prepared by S_NAr reaction of diacetone galactose 1 and 4,5-difluorophthalonitrile (2) in 96% yield. Cyclotetramerization of 3 was achieved via its isoindoline derivative 4, affording the peripherally octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 5 in 29% yield. Deprotection of 5 gave the highly water soluble octasubstituted galactose zinc(II) phthalocyanine 6 in 81% yield which will be applied as a photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy.     

Deprotonation of zinc(II)-water and zinc(II)-alcohol and nucleophilicity of the resultant zinc(II) hydroxide and zinc(II) alkoxide in double-functionalized complexes: theoretical studies on models for hydrolytic zinc enzymes

The factors governing the deprotonation ability of zinc(II)-water and zinc(II)-alcohol and nucleophilicity of the resultant zinc(II) hydroxide and zinc(II) alkoxide as complex models for zinc enzymes have been investigated through Hartree-Fock and density-functional theory methods with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. Our calculations showed that in these double-functionalized complexes (i.e., zinc complexes having both a zinc(II)-alcohol motif and a zinc(II)-water motif) zinc(II)-alcohol is preferred in deprotonation over zinc(II)-water (i.e., zinc(II)-alcohol has a much lower pK(a) than zinc-coordinated water in the same molecule). Natural bond orbital analysis revealed that zinc(II) alkoxides are more nucleophilic than their respective counterparts zinc(II) hydroxides. The analysis of the transition state in the transformation reaction from zinc(II) hydroxide species to zinc(II) alkoxide species indicates that zinc(II) alkoxides are the preferred deprotonated species not only thermodynamically but also kinetically. Further examination of the proposed mechanisms of the zinc(II) alkoxide-promoted transesterification path and the zinc(II) hydroxide-promoted hydrolysis path revealed the structures of the intermediates and energy diagrams in the reactions. These results, entitled double-functionalized complexes, for the first time, put a firm theoretical foundation of why the zinc(II)-alcoholic OH is a better model for hydrolytic zinc enzymes (having both stronger acidity and better nucleophilicity).     

Synthesis and characterization of azo-linked Schiff bases and their nickel(II), copper(II), and zinc(II) complexes

Azo compounds were prepared by coupling of benzenediazonium chloride ions with 1-amino-2-hydroxy-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid under alkaline conditions, and Schiff bases, L_1–3 were then obtained by the condensation of 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(phenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid, 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(4-ethylphenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid, and 1-amino-2-hydroxy-3-(4-nitrophenylazo)-4-naphthalene sulfonic acid with salicylaldehyde. New copper(II), nickel(II), and zinc(II) complexes of the Schiff base ligands were also prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods, magnetic measurements, elemental, and thermogravimetric analysis.     

Synthesis of nanoscale nickel(II) and cobalt(II) sulfides

Ranges of stability and regions of the stoichiometric stability of sulfide phases of nickel(II) and cobalt(II) are determined in water–salt solutions. Regions of the homogeneity of NiS and CoS monosulfides are considered. The composition of a microemulsion used as a nanoreactor for synthesizing sulfides is determined, and its phase diagram is plotted. The results from estimating the size of the obtained nanocrystals are presented.     

Synthesis and characterization of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone

Summary Acetylacetone bis-benzoylhydrazone (PhCONHN=CMe)₂ CH₂(LH₂) and acetylacetone bis-isonicotinoylhydrazone (NC₅H₄CONHN=CMe)₂CH₂(LH₂) complexes of the types [ML] and [ML] (M = Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II or Zn^II) have been prepared and characterized. All the complexes are non-electrolytes and the cobalt(II) complexes are lowspin, the nickel(II) complexes are diamagnetic and the copper(II) complexes are paramagnetic. The ligands chelate via two C=N groups and two deprotonated enolate groups. The e.s.r. spectra of the copper(II) complexes indicate a tetragonally distorted dimeric structure. The X-ray diffraction parameters for [CoL] and [NiL] correspond to a tetragonal crystal lattice.     

Synthesis of copper(II) and nickel(II) triazacycloalkane complexes

Summary Copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes of triazacycloalkanes (pqr-cy), with p, q, r = 2–6, have been prepared and characterized by means of electronic and i.r. spectroscopy, and by magnetic measurements. With nickel(II) mononuclear octahedral complexes [Ni(pgr-cy)₂](CI0₄)₂ are formed, but for copper(II) mononuclear octahedral complexes were obtained only for 222-cy and 223-cy. The other ligands gave copper(II) complexes of the type [Cu(pgr-cy)CI]CIO₄, [Cu(pgr-cy)OH]ClO₄, Or [Cu(pgr-cy)CI_1/2OH_1/2]ClO₄. The hydroxy complexes have low magnetic moments and binuclear hydroxy bridged structures are proposed.Ligand names: e.g. p = q = r = 2 is 1,4,7-triazacvclononane     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of novel tripod ligands and their cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Three novel compounds, based on the 1,3,5-benzene core with C₃-symmetry, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. and ¹H-n.m.r. Thermodynamic properties of the ligands and their Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Zn^II metal complexes have been investigated and the corresponding stability constants obtained at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and with I = 0.1 mol dm^–3 in KNO₃ by potentiometric titration. A linear free energy relationship exists between the stability constants of complexes and the protonation constants of ligands in the ternary system of the Cu^II-5-substituted phenanthroline-tripod ligand complexes.     

Combined experimental and theoretical approach to understand the reactivity of a mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo complex in oxygenation reactions

A copper(II) complex bearing a pentadentate ligand, [Cu(II)(N4Py)(CF(3)SO(3))(2)] (1) (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine), was synthesized and characterized with various spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. A mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo complex, [Cu(II)(N4Py)(OOH)](+) (2), was then generated in the reaction of 1 and H(2)O(2) in the presence of base, and the reactivity of the intermediate was investigated in the oxidation of various substrates at -40 degrees C. In the reactivity studies, 2 showed a low oxidizing power such that 2 reacted only with triethylphosphine but not with other substrates such as thioanisole, benzyl alcohol, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, cyclohexene, and cyclohexane. In theoretical work, we have conducted density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the epoxidation of ethylene by 2 and a [Cu(III)(N4Py)(O)](+) intermediate (3) at the B3LYP level. The activation barrier is calculated to be 39.7 and 26.3 kcal/mol for distal and proximal oxygen attacks by 2, respectively. This result indicates that the direct ethylene epoxidation by 2 is not a plausible pathway, as we have observed in the experimental work. In contrast, the ethylene epoxidation by 3 is a downhill and low-barrier process. We also found that 2 cannot be a precursor to 3, since the homolytic cleavage of the O-O bond of 2 is very endothermic (i.e., 42 kcal/mol). On the basis of the experimental and theoretical results, we conclude that a mononuclear Cu(II)-hydroperoxo species bearing a pentadentate N5 ligand is a sluggish oxidant in oxygenation reactions.