Optimization of catalyst enantioselectivity and activity using achiral and meso ligands

The optimization of asymmetric catalysts for enantioselective synthesis has conventionally revolved around the synthesis and screening of enantiopure ligands. In contrast, we have optimized an asymmetric reaction by modification of a series of achiral ligands. Thus, employing (S)-3,3'-diphenyl BINOL [(S)-Ph(2)-BINOL] and a series of achiral diimine and diamine activators in the asymmetric addition of alkyl groups to benzaldehyde, we have observed enantiomeric excesses between 96% (R) and 75% (S) of 1-phenyl-1-propanol. Some of the ligands examined have low-energy chiral conformations that can contribute to the chiral environment of the catalyst. These include achiral diimine ligands with meso backbones that adopt chiral conformations, achiral diimine ligands with backbones that become axially chiral on coordination to metal centers, achiral diamine ligands that form stereocenters on coordination to metal centers, and achiral diamine ligands with pendant groups that have axially chiral conformations. Additionally, we have structurally characterized (Ph(2)-BINOLate)Zn(diimine) and (Ph(2)-BINOLate)Zn(diamine) complexes and studied their solution behavior.     

Structural variation from 1D to 3D: effects of ligands and solvents on the construction of lead(II)-organic coordination polymers

A series of Pb(II) coordination polymers [Pb(ndc)(dpp)] (1), [Pb(ndc)(ptcp)].0.5 H2O (2), [Pb(ndc)(dppz)] (3), [Pb(ndc)(tcpn)(2)] (4), [Pb2(ndc)2(tcpp)] (5), [Pb(Hndc)2].H2O (6), [Pb(ndc)(dma)] (7), [Pb(bdc)(dma)] (8), [Pb(trans-chdc)(H2O)] (9), and [Pb2(cis-chdc)2].NH(CH3)2 (10), where ndc=1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate, dpp=4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, ptcp=2-phenyl-1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthrene, dppz=dipyrido[3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine, tcpn=2-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthren-2-yl)naphthol, tcpp=4-(1H-1,3,7,8-tetraazacyclopenta[l]phenanthren-2-yl)phenol, dma=N,N-dimethylacetamide, bdc=1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, and chdc=1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, have been synthesized from a hydrothermal or solvothermal reaction system by varying the ligands or the solvents. Compounds 1-5 crystallize with an N-donor chelating ligand and an aromatic dicarboxylate linker. Compounds 1-4 are 1D polymers with different pi-pi stacking interactions, whereas compound 5 consists of 2D layers. The structures of compounds 7, 8, and 10 are 3D frameworks formed by connection of the Pb(II) centers by organic acid ligands. Compound 7 is chiral although the ndc ligand is achiral, while the framework of 8 is a typical 3D (3,4)-connected net. Compound 10 is the first example of Pb(II) wheel cluster [Pb(8)O(8)] units bridged by carboxylate groups. Compound 6 contains 1D chains which are further extended to a 3D structure by pi-pi interactions. Compound 9 consists of a 2D network constructed by Pb(II) centers and trans-chdc ligands. The structural differences between 7 and 8 and between 9 and 10 indicate the importance of solvents for framework formation of the coordination polymers. By varying the solvent the cis and trans conformations of H(2)chdc in 9 and 10 were separated completely. The photoluminescence and nonlinear optical properties of the coordination polymers have also been investigated.     

Spontaneous resolution of chiral polyoxometalate-based compounds consisting of 3D chiral inorganic skeletons assembled from different helical units

Four enantiomerically pure 3D chiral POM-based compounds, [Ni(2)(bbi)(2)(H(2)O)(4)V(4)O(12)]2 H(2)O (1 a and 1 b) and [Co(bbi)(H(2)O)V(2)O(6)] (2 a and 2 b) (bbi=1,1'-(1,4-butanediyl)bisimidazole) based on the achiral ligand, different vanadate chains, and different metal centers have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that 1 a and 1 b, and 2 a and 2 b, respectively, are enantiomers. In 1 a and 1 b two kinds of vanadate chains with different screw axes link Ni cations to generate 3D chiral inorganic skeletons, which are connected by the achiral bbi ligands to form complicated 3D 3,4-connected chiral self-penetrating frameworks with (7(2)8)(7(2)8(2)9(2))(7(3)8(2)10) topology. They represent the first examples of chiral self-penetrating frameworks known for polyoxometalate (POM) systems. Contrary to 1 a and 1 b, in 2 a and 2 b the vanadate chains link Co(II) cations to generate 3D chiral inorganic skeletons, which are assembled from two kinds of heterometallic helical units of opposite chirality along the c axes. The chiral inorganic skeletons are connected by bbi to form 3D 3,4-connected chiral POM-based frameworks with (6(2)8)(2)(6(2)8(2)10(2)) topology. It is believed that the asymmetrical coordination modes of the metal cations in 1 a-2 b generate the initial chiral centers, and that the formation of the various helical units and the hydrogen bond interactions are responsible for preservation of the chirality and spontaneous resolution when the chirality is extended into the homochiral 3D-networks. This is the first known report of chiral POM-based compounds consisting of 3D chiral inorganic skeletons being obtained by spontaneous resolution upon crystallization in the absence of any chiral source, which may provide a rational strategy for synthesis of chiral POM-based compounds by using achiral ligands and POM helical units.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of group 5 metal amides with chiral biaryldiamine-based ligands

A new series of group 5 metal amides have been prepared from the reaction between V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) and chiral ligands, (R)-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (1H(2)), (R)-5,5',6,6',7,7',8,8'-octahydro-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (2H(2)), (R)-6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bis(mesitoylamino)-1,1'-biphenyl (3H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis(mesitylenesulfonylamino)-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (4H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis(diphenylthiophosphoramino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (5H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (6H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (7H(2)), (R)-2,2'-bis[(3-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino]-1,1'-binaphthyl (8H(2)), (S)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2'-(dimethylamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (9H), and (R)-2-(mesitoylamino)-2'-(dimethylamino)-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl (10H), which are derived from (R) or (S)-2,2'-diamino-1,1'-binaphthyl, and (R)-2,2'-diamino-6,6'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl, respectively. Treatment of V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) with 1 equiv of C(2)-symmetric amidate ligands 1H(2), 2H(2), 3H(2), 4H(2), and 5H(2), or Schiff base ligands 6H(2), 7H(2) and 8H(2) at room temperature gives, after recrystallization from a benzene, toluene or n-hexane solution, the vanadium amides (1)V(NMe(2))(2) (11), (2)V(NMe(2))(2) (14), (3)V(NMe(2))(2) (17), (5)V(NMe(2))(2) (22), (6)V(NMe(2))(2) (23) and (7)V(NMe(2))(2) (24), and niobium amides (1)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (12), (2)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (15), (3)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (18), (4)Nb(NMe(2))(3) (20) and [2-(3-Me(3)C-2-O-C(6)H(3)CHN)-2'-(N)-C(20)H(12)][2-(Me(2)N)(2)CH-6-CMe(3)-C(6)H(3)O]NbNMe(2)·C(7)H(8) (25·C(7)H(8)), and tantalum amides (1)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (13), (2)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (16), (3)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (19) and (4)Ta(NMe(2))(3) (21) respectively, in good yields. Reaction of V(NMe(2))(4) or M(NMe(2))(5) (M = Nb, Ta) with 2 equiv of C(1)-symmetric amidate ligands 9H or 10H at room temperature gives, after recrystallization from a toluene or n-hexane solution, the chiral bis-ligated vanadium amides (9)(2)V(NMe(2))(2)·3C(7)H(8) (27·3C(7)H(8)) and (10)V(NMe(2))(2) (28), and chiral bis-ligated metallaaziridine complexes (10)(2)M(NMe(2))(η(2)-CH(2)NMe) (M = Nb (29), Ta (30)) respectively, in good yields. The niobium and tantalum amidate complexes are stable in a toluene solution at or below 160 °C, while the vanadium amidate complexes degrade via diemthylamino group elimination at this temperature. For example, heating the complex (2)V(NMe(2))(2) (14) in toluene at 160 °C for four days leads to the isolation of the complex [(2)V](2)(μ-NMe(2))(2) (26) in 58% yield. These new complexes have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, and elemental analyses. The solid-state structures of complexes 12, 13, and 15-30 have further been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analyses. The vanadium amides are active chiral catalysts for the asymmetric hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes, affording cyclic amines in moderate to good yields with good ee values (up to 80%), and the tantalum amides are outstanding chiral catalysts for the hydroaminoalkylation, giving chiral secondary amines in good yields with excellent ee values (up to 93%).     

Synthesis and characterization of some new C2 symmetric chiral bisamide ligands derived from chiral Feist's acid

The hemilabile chiral C2 symmetrical bidentate substituted amide ligands (1R,2R)-5(a-d) and (1S,2S)-6(a-d) were synthesized in quantitative yield from (1R,2R)-(+)-3-methylenecyclo-propane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (1R,2R)-3 and (1S,2S)-(-)-3-methylene-cyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid (1S,2S)-3, in two steps, respectively. The chiral Feist's acids (1R,2R)-3 and (1S,2S)-3 were obtained in good isomeric purity by resolution of trans-(±)-3-methylene-cyclopropane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid from an 8:2 mixture of tert-butanol and water, using (R)-(+)-α-methylbenzyl amine as a chiral reagent. This process is reproducible on a large scale. All these new synthesized chiral ligands were characterized by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry, as well as elemental analysis and their specific rotations were measured. These new classes of C2 symmetric chiral bisamide ligands could be of special interest in asymmetric transformations.     

Chiral bicyclic phosphoramidites--a new class of ligands for asymmetric catalysis

The development of new ligands for catalytic asymmetric C-C bond formation is of great interest to organic synthesis. We describe here a new class of chiral phosphoramidites that embody one or two binaphthol units attached to an achiral azabicyclic [3.3.1] or [3.3.0] framework. These ligands were easily accessible from (R)1,1'-binaphthyl-2,2'-dioxaphosphorchloridite (4) and the corresponding heterobicyclic core 1, 2, or 3. They were employed in enantioselective Cu-catalyzed additions of different dialkylzinc reagents to cyclic and acyclic enones. The chiral ketones were obtained with an enantiomeric ratio up to 91:9. The choice of the best ligand proved to be strongly dependent on each substrate. In addition, ligand 6 was found to be the most suitable for Rh-catalyzed hydrogenations of a,beta-unsaturated esters, giving rise to dimethyl 2-methylsuccinate and methyl N-acetylalaninate with enantiomer ratios up to 95:5.     

Chelating versus bridging bonding modes of N-substituted bis(diphenylphosphanyl)amine ligands in Pt complexes and Co2Pt clusters

N-substituted dppa ligands Ph2P-NR-PPh2 [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (1), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (2), -(CH2)9CH3 (3), -C6H5 (4)] were used for the synthesis of cis-[PtCl2{Ph2PN(R)PPh2}] complexes [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (5), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (6), -(CH2)9CH3 (7), -C6H5 (8)] and heterotrinuclear clusters of formula [PtCo2(CO)7{Ph2PN(R)PPh2}] [R = -CH2CH2SCH2C6H5 (9), -CH2CH2S(CH2)5CH3 (10), -(CH2)9CH3 (11), -C6H5 (12)]. The presence of relatively bulky substituents on N resulted in a higher chelating power of the ligands. The thermodynamic study of the equilibrium between the chelate and the bridged forms of clusters 9-11 showed that the bridged form is favoured by enthalpic factors whereas entropic factors favour chelation. The structures of 5 and 9 were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

New pyrimidino-crown ether ligands

Eight new macrocyclic ligands containing the pyrimidine subcyclic unit ( 3-10 , Figure 1) have been prepared. Two of these new crown ethers are chiral. Pyrimidino-crowns 3-8 were prepared by treating the di-tosylate derivative of the appropriate oligoethylene glycol with 4-methoxy-5-raethyl-2,6-pyrimidinedimeth-anol in basic conditions. The yields were in the 30-50% range giving the crowns as viscous oils. Chiral dimethyl-substituted pyrimidino-crown 9 was prepared from 4-methoxy-5-methyl-2,6-pyrimidinedimethyl di-tosylate and chiral dimethyl-substituted tetraethylene glycol. Treatment of dimethyl 4-methoxy-5-methyl-2,6-pyrimidinedicarboxylate with the diamine derivative of chiral dibenzyl-substituted tetraethylene glycol gave the chiral dibenzyl-substituted pyrimidino-crown diamide 10. Starting 4-methoxy-5-methyl-2,6-pyrimidinedi-methanol was prepared by a six step process from acetamidine hydrochloride and diethyl oxalpropionate.     

Synthesis of new chiral 2,2'-bipyridine ligands and their application in copper-catalyzed asymmetric allylic oxidation and cyclopropanation

A series of modular bipyridine-type ligands 1 and 3-9 has been synthesized via a de novo construction of the pyridine nucleus. The chiral moieties of these ligands originate from the isoprenoid chiral pool, namely, beta-pinene (10 --> 1), 3-carene (14 --> 3 and 5), 2-carene (28 --> 4), alpha-pinene (43 --> 6-8), and dehydropregnenolone acetate (48 --> 9), respectively. Copper(I) complexes, derived from these ligands and (TfO)(2)Cu (1 mol %) upon an in situ reduction with phenylhydrazine, exhibit good enantioselectivity (up to 82% ee) and unusually high reaction rate (typicaly 30 min at room temperature) in allylic oxidation of cyclic olefins (52 --> 53). Copper-catalyzed cyclopropanation proceeded with < or =76% enantioselectivity and approximately 3:1 to 99:1 trans/cis-diastereoselectivity (54 --> 55 + 56). The level of the asymmetric induction is discussed in terms of the ligand architecture that controls the stereochemical environment of the coordinated metal.     

Planar-chiral metal complexes comprised of square-planar metal and achiral tetradentate ligands: design, optical resolution, and thermodynamics

Planar-chiral palladium complexes {[[N,N'-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)]bis(2-pyridinecarboxamidato)](2-)-κN(1),κN(1)',κN(2),κN(2)']palladium (PdL(4)) and [[2,2'-[1,4-butanediylbis[[(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)imino]methyl]]dipyrrolato](2-)-κN(1),κN(1)',κN(2),κN(2)']palladium (PdL(5))} were synthesized from achiral tetradentate ligands N,N'-[1,4-butanediylbis(oxy-7,1-naphthalenediyl)]bis(2-pyridinecarboxamide) (H(2)L(4)) and N,N'-bis[(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylidene]-7,7'-(1,4-butanediyldioxy)bis(1-naphthalenamine) (H(2)L(5)) bearing two dissymmetric bidentate units at both ends and a Pd(II) ion, respectively. The palladium complexes were crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the unit cell parameters a = 16.5464(6) ?, b = 11.3534(4) ?, c = 17.6697(7) ?, β = 115.5300(10)°, and Z = 4 for PdL(4) and a = 17.2271(8) ?, b = 10.1016(5) ?, c = 17.9361(9) ?, β = 105.6310(10)°, and Z = 4 for PdL(5). The planar-chiral structures of PdL(4) and PdL(5) were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses, resulting in the fact that the crystals were racemic mixtures. The racemic mixtures were successfully resolved by using chiral high-performance liquid-chromatography techniques. Racemizations of the complexes were found to be drastically dependent on the arrangement of the charged or uncharged metal-binding N atoms of the ligands.     

Pentamethylcyclopentadienyl-iridium(III) complexes with pyridylamino ligands: synthesis and applications as asymmetric catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions

Reaction of the dimer [(Cp*IrCl)2(P-Cl)2] with chiral pyridylamino ligands (pyam, L1-L5) in the presence of NaSbF6 gave complexes [Cp*IrCl(pyam)][SbF6] 1-5 as diastereomeric mixtures, which have been fully characterised, including the X-ray molecular structure determination of the complexes (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrClL1][SbF6] 1a and (R(Ir),S(N),S(C))-[Cp*IrClL5][SbF6] 5a. Treatment of these cations with AgSbF6 affords the corresponding aqua species [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 6-10 which have been also fully characterised. The molecular structure of the complex (S(Ir),R(N),R(C))-[Cp*IrL,(H2O)][SbF6]2 6 has been determined by X-ray diffractometric methods. The aqua complexes [Cp*Ir(pyam)(H2O)][SbF6]2 (6, pyam = L2 (7), L3 (8)) evolve to the cyclometallated species [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C6H4)CH(CH3)NHCH2C5NH4}][SbF6] (11), [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)-NHCH2C5NH4)}][SbF6] (12), and [Cp*Ir{kappa3(N,N',C)-(R)-(C10H6)CH(CH3)NHCH2C9NH6)}][SbF6] (13) respectively, via intramolecular activation of an ortho C-H aryl bond. Complexes 6-10 are enantioselective catalysts for the Diels-Alder reaction between methacrolein and cyclopentadiene. Reaction occurs rapidly at room temperature with good exo : endo selectivity (from 81 : 19 to 98 : 2) and moderate enantioselectivity (up to 72%). The involved intermediate Lewis acid-dienophile compounds [Cp*Ir(pyam)(methacrolein)][SbF]2 (pyam = L4 (14), L5 (15)) have been isolated and characterised.     

Ruthenium complexes with tridentate PNX (X = O, S) donor ligands

The ligands, PhPNXMe (1), PhPNXPh (2), and PhPNSMe (3), (PhPNX = 2-Ph2P-C6H4CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC6H4X-2; X = O, S) have been prepared. A range of new ruthenium complexes were synthesised using these and related ligands, namely: [{RuCl(PhPNO)}2Cl] (4), [Ru(PhPNO)2] (5), [RuCl(PhPNXR)(PPh3)]BPh4 [X = O, R = Me (6); X = O, R = Ph (7); X = S, R = Me (8)], [{RuCl(PhPNX'R)}2Cl]X [X' = O, R = Me, X = Cl(-) (9); X' = S, R = Me, X = BPh4(-) or PF6(-) (10)], and [RuCl(PhPNO-eta 6C6H5)]BPh4 (11). The catalytic activity of these complexes with respect to the hydrosilyation of acetophenone and the hydrogenation of styrene has been investigated, giving an insight into the requirements for an active complex in these reactions.     

C3-chiral tripodal amido complexes

A comprehensive study into the coordination chemistry of two C3-chiral tripodal amido ligands has been carried out. The amido ligands contain a trisilylmethane backbone and chiral peripheral substituents. The amine precursors. HC(SiMe2NH[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3 (1) and HC[SiMe2NH[(R)-1-indanyl]]3 (2) were found to be in equilibrium in solution with the cyclic diamines HC[SiMe2N[(S)-1-phenylethyl]2](SiMe2NH-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]] (3) and HC[SiMe2NH[(R)-1-indanyl]][SiMe2NH[(R)-1-indanyl]) (4), which are generated upon ejection of one molecule of the chiral primary amine. Reaction of these equilibrium mixtures with three molar equivalents of butyllithium instantaneously gave the trilithium triamides HC[SiMe2N(Li)[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3 (5) and HC[SiMe2N(Li)[(R)-1-indanyl]]3 (6), both of which were characterised by an X-ray diffraction study. Both lithium compounds possess a central heteroadamantane core, in which the two-coordinate Li atoms are additionally weakly solvated by the three aryl groups of the chiral peripheral substituents, the Li-C contacts being in the range of 2.65-2.73 A. Reaction of 5 and 6 with [TiCl4(thf)2] and ZrCl4 gave the corresponding amido complexes [TiCl-[HC[SiMe2N[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3]] (7), [TiCl(HC[SiMe2N[(R)-1-indanyl]]3]] (8), [ZrCl[HC[SiMe2N[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3]] (9) and [ZrCl[HC[SiMe2N[(R)-1-indanyl]]3]] (10), respectively. Of these, compound 7 was structurally characterised by X-ray structure analysis and was shown to possess a C3-symmetrical arrangement of the tripod ligand. The chiral anionic dinuclear complex [Li-(OEt2)4][Zr2Cl3[HC[SiMe2N[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3]2] (11) was isolated from reaction mixtures leading to 9. An X-ray diffraction study established its dimeric structure, in which the chiral amido ligands cap the two metal centres, which are linked through three symmetrically arranged, bridging chloro ligands. Reaction of 9 and 10 with a series of alkyl Grignard and alkyllithium reagents yielded the corresponding alkylzirconium complexes. X-ray structure analyses of [Zr(CH3)[HC[SiMe2N[(S)-1-phenylethyl]]3]] (12) and [Zr(CH3)-[HC[SiMe2N)[(R)-1-indanyl]]3]] (20) established their detailed molecular arrangements. While the reaction of 12 with the aryl ketones PhC(O)R (R = CH = CHPh, iPr, Et) gave the corresponding C-O insertion products, which contain an additional chiral centre in the alkoxy group, with low stereoselectivity (0-40% de). The corresponding conversions with several aryl aldehydes yielded the alkoxo complexes with high stereoselectivity. Upon hydrolysis, the chiral alcohols were isolated and shown to have enantiomeric excesses between 68 and 82%. High stereodiscrimination was also observed in the insertion reactions of several chiral ketones and aldehydes. However, this was shown to originate primarily from the chirality of the substrate. In analogous experiments with carbonyl compounds, the ethyl- and butyl-zirconium analogues of 12 did not undergo CO insertion into the metal-alkyl bond. Instead, beta-elimination and formal insertion into the metal-hydride bond occurred. It was found that the elimination of the alkene was induced by     

Preparation and characterization of mononuclear Co, Ni, and Zn complexes of dinucleating macrocyclic hexaaza-dithiophenolate ligands and their open-chain derivatives

The preparation and characterization of mononuclear complexes of the dinucleating 24-membered hexazadithiophenolate macrocycles H2L2 and H2L3 and their open-chain N3S2 analogues H2L4 and H2L5 are reported. The highly crystalline compounds [Ni(L4)] (4), [Ni(L5)] (5), [Co(L5)] (6), [NiH2(L2)]2+ (7), [ZnH2(L2)]2+ (8), and [NiH2(L3)]2+ (9) could be readily prepared by stoichiometric complexation reactions of the hydrochlorides of the free ligands with the corresponding metal(II) dichlorides and NEt3 in methanolic solution. All complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Monometallic complexes 4-6 of the pentadentate ligands H2L4 and H2L5 feature distorted square pyramidal MN3S2 structures (tau = 0.01 to 0.44). Similar coordination geometries are observed for the macrocyclic complexes 7-9 of the octadentate ligands H2L2 and H2L3. The two hydrogen atoms in 7-9 are attached to the noncoordinating benzylic amine functions and are hydrogen bonded to the metal-bound thiophenolate functions. A comparison of the structures of 4-9 reveals that the macrocycles L2 and L3 have a rather flexible ligand backbone that do not confer unusual coordination geometries on the metal ions. We also report on the ability of the monometallic complexes 7 and 8 to serve as starting materials for the preparation of dinuclear complexes.     

Chiral ligands derived from Abrine 8. An experimental and theoretical study of free ligand conformational preferences and the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

Three structurally similar series of 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline ligands, 4a-d, 6a-d and 7a-d, and two series of chiral oxazolidines, 8a-d and 9a-g, were synthesized and used as chiral catalysts in the addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde. The enantioselectivities of the resulting 1-phenyl-1-propanol were obtained in each case, and these ee values were, in most cases, related to the conformational populations of the free ligand as expressed by the calculated differences in the energies of the ligand conformations formed by inversion at nitrogen. This suggested the possible existence of a linear free energy relationship. The effect on enantioselectivity of the carbon chain length of the R group located (1) on the C-3 substituent of 4a-d, 6a-d, and 7a-d or (2) at C-5 in 8a-d and 9a-g was studied in detail. On the basis of the correlations observed and the ligands' structural characterization, a structure was proposed for the transition state during ethyl group transfer when using ligands 8a-d. Furthermore, the change in enantioselectivity was successfully predicted when diastereomeric ligands 11 and 12 were compared in this chiral addition.     

Neutral hexa- and pentacoordinate silicon(IV) complexes with SiO(6) and SiO(4)N skeletons

The neutral heteroleptic hexacoordinate silicon(IV) complexes 4 and 5 (SiO(6) skeletons) and the neutral pentacoordinate silicon(IV) complexes 7-9 (SiO(4)N skeletons) were synthesized, starting from the hexacoordinate precursor 2 and the pentacoordinate precursor 6, respectively. In these reactions, two monoanionic cyanato-N ligands are replaced by one dianionic bidentate O,O-chelate ligand. Compounds 4, 5, and 7-9 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and solid-state and solution NMR spectroscopy. The chiral silicon(IV) complexes 4, 5, 7, and 8 were obtained as racemic mixtures, whereas 9 was isolated as a cocrystallizate consisting of the two diastereomers, (C,S)-9 and (A,S)-9 (ratio 1:1). The stereodynamics of 5 and 8 were studied by variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments.     

Syntheses, structures, and electrochemical properties of platinum(II) complexes containing di-tert-butylbipyridine and crown ether annelated dithiolate ligands

A series of new platinum(II) complexes containing both 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (dbbpy) and the extended tetrathiafulvalenedithiolate ligands have been prepared and characterized. These complexes include [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H4S8)] (1; C8H4S82- = 2-{(4,5-ethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(ptdt)] (2; ptdt = 2-{(4,5-cyclopentodithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(mtdt)] (3; mtdt = 2-{(4,5-methylethylenedithio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(btdt)] (4; btdt = benzotetrathiafulvalenedithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(C8H6S8)] (5; C8H6S82- = 2-{4,5-bis(methylthio)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), [Pt(dbbpy)(3O-C6S8)] (6; 3O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9'-trioxaundecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate), and [Pt(dbbpy)(4O-C6S8)] (7; 4O-C6S82- = 2-{4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene}-1,3-dithiol-4,5-dithiolate). The crystal structures of a new ligand precursor (2-[4,5-dithia-(3',6',9',12'-tetraoxatetradecyl)-1,3-dithiol-2-ylidene]-4,5-bis(2-cyanoethylsulfanyl)-1,3-dithiole, IIIc) and complexes 5-7 have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1-7 show intense electronic absorption bands in the UV-vis region due to the intramolecular mixed metal/ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer transition, and they display significant solvatochromic behavior. Redox properties of these compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and complex 7 shows a significant response for Na+ ions with a large positive shift of ca. 45 mV.     

Chiral Amplification during Asymmetric‐Induced Copolymerization of Phenylacetylenes with Tight Cis‐Cisoidal Main Chains

A novel phenylacetylene ( 1 ) having two hydroxyl groups and a chiral pinanyl group together with the other three related phenylacetylenes has been synthesized and (co)polymerized by using an achiral catalytic system. Among the four monomers, only 1 is suitable to the asymmetric‐induced polymerization ( AIP ). Chiral amplification phenomenon is only observed in the copolymerization of 1 with an achiral phenylacetylene having two hydroxyl groups ( 3 ). The tight helical cis‐cisoidal main chain formed by making intramolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydroxyl groups in the copoly( 1 / 3 ) enhances the efficiency of chiral induction and as a result chiral amplification phenomenon is observed during the copolymerization.

     

Tuning facial-meridional isomerisation in monometallic nine-co-ordinate lanthanide complexes with unsymmetrical tridentate ligands

The unsymmetrical tridentate benzimidazole-pyridine-carboxamide units in ligands L1-L4 react with trivalent lanthanides, Ln(III), to give the nine-co-ordinate triple-helical complexes [Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 1-4) existing as mixtures of C3-symmetrical facial and C1-symmetrical meridional isomers. Although the beta13 formation constants are 3-4 orders of magnitude smaller for these complexes than those found for the D3-symmetrical analogues [Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 5-6) with symmetrical ligands, their formation at the millimolar scale is quantitative and the emission quantum yield of [Eu(L2)3]3+ is significantly larger. The fac-[Ln(Li)3]3+ <--> mer-[Ln(Li)3]3+ (i = 1-4) isomerisation process in acetonitrile is slow enough for Ln = Lu(III) to be quantified by 1H NMR below room temperature. The separation of enthalpic and entropic contributions shows that the distribution of the facial and meridional isomers can be tuned by the judicious peripheral substitution of the ligands affecting the interstrand interactions. Molecular mechanics (MM) calculations suggest that one supplementary interstrand pi-stacking interaction stabilises the meridional isomers, while the facial isomers benefit from more favourable electrostatic contributions. As a result of the mixture of facial and meridional isomers in solution, we were unable to obtain single crystals of 1:3 complexes, but the X-ray crystal structures of their nine-co-ordinate precursors [Eu(L1)2(CF3SO3)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)(C3H5N)2(H2O) (6, C45H54EuF9N10O13S3, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, Z = 4) and [Eu(L4)2(CF3SO3)2(H2O)](CF3SO3)(C4H4O)(1.5) (7, C51H66EuF9N8O(15.5)S3, triclinic, P1, Z = 2) provide crucial structural information on the binding mode of the unsymmetrical tridentate ligands.     

Coordination polymers from the self-assembly of silver(I) salts and two nonlinear aliphatic dinitrile ligands, cis-1,3-cyclopentanedicarbonitrile and cis-1,3-bis(cyanomethyl)cyclopentane: synthesis, structures, and photoluminescent properties

Six coordination polymers with aliphatic dinitrile ligands, {[Ag(cpdcn)2]ClO4}n (6a), {[Ag(cpdcn)2]PF6}n (6b), {[Ag(cpdcn)2]SbF6}n (6c, cpdcn = cis-1,3-cyclopentanedicarbonitrile), {[Ag(bcmcp)2] ClO4}n (7a), {[Ag(bcmcp)2]PF6}n (7b), {[Ag(bcmcp)2]SbF6}n, (7c, bcmcp = cis-1,3-bis(cyanomethyl)cyclopentane) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray crystallography. Both ligands used in this study are meso-compounds; while the ligand cpdcn is structurally rigid, the ligand bcmcp has greater conformational flexibility. X-ray crystallography has revealed that structures 6a-c consist of chiral 1D-polymers. The structure of complexes 7a and 7b are best described as a 2D chiral (4,4) square mesh with 3-fold parallel interpenetration. Surprisingly, complex 7c was characterized to be an achiral 1D coordination polymer. The synthesis of the ligands, IR spectra of the free and coordinated CN groups, DSC and TGA, and the photoluminescent properties of complexes 6a-c and 7a-c are also discussed.