Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Bimetallic Gold(I) Complexes with Ethynyl‐Helicene and Bis‐Phosphole Ligands: Understanding the Role of Aurophilic Interactions in their Chiroptical Properties

Monometallic gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene complexes ( 1 a , b ) and bimetallic gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene architectures featuring the presence ( 2 a , b ) or absence ( 3 a , b ) of aurophilic intramolecular interactions were prepared by using different types of phosphole ligands (mono‐phosphole L1 or bis‐phospholes L2 , 3 ). The influence of the Au^I d¹⁰ metal center(s) on the electronic, photophysical, and chiroptical properties of these unprecedented phosphole‐gold(I)‐alkynyl‐helicene complexes was examined. Experimental and theoretical results highlight the importance of ligand‐to‐ligand‐type charge transfers and the strong effect of the presence or absence of Au^I–Au^I interactions in 2 a , b .     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

An NHC–Silyl–NHC Pincer Ligand for the Oxidative Addition of C−H,N−H,and O−H Bonds to Cobalt(I) Complexes

N‐Heterocyclic carbene based pincer ligands bearing a central silyl donor, [CSiC]⁻, have been envisioned as a class of strongly σ‐donating ligands that can be used for synthesizing electron‐rich transition‐metal complexes for the activation of inert bonds. However, this type of pincer ligand and complexes thereof have remained elusive owing to their challenging synthesis. We herein describe the first synthesis of a CSiC pincer ligand scaffold through the coupling of a silyl–NHC chelate with a benzyl–NHC chelate induced by one‐electron oxidation in the coordination sphere of a cobalt complex. The monoanionic CSiC ligand stabilizes the Co^I dinitrogen complex [(CSiC)Co(N₂)] with an unusual coordination geometry and enables the challenging oxidative addition of E−H bonds (E=C, N, O) to Co^I to form Co^III complexes. The structure and reactivity of the cobalt(I) complex are ascribed to the unique electronic properties of the CSiC pincer ligand, which provides a strong trans effect and pronounced σ‐donation.     

Transition‐Metal π‐Ligation of a Tetrahalodiborane

The reaction of tetraiododiborane (B₂I₄) with trans‐[Pt(BI₂)I(PCy₃)₂] gives rise to the diplatinum(II) complex [{(Cy₃P)(I₂B)Pt}₂(μ₂:η³:η³‐B₂I₄)], which is supported by a bridging diboranyl dianion ligand [B₂I₄]^2?. This complex is the first transition‐metal complex of a diboranyl dianion, as well as the first example of intact coordination of a B₂X₄ (X=halide) unit of any type to a metal center.     

Coordination Chemistry of N‐Heterocyclic Nitrenium‐Based Ligands

Comprehensive studies on the coordination properties of tridentate nitrenium‐based ligands are presented. N‐heterocyclic nitrenium ions demonstrate general and versatile binding abilities to various transition metals, as exemplified by the synthesis and characterization of Rh^I, Rh^III, Mo⁰, Ru⁰, Ru^II, Pd^II, Pt^II, Pt^IV, and Ag^I complexes based on these unusual ligands. Formation of nitrenium–metal bonds is unambiguously confirmed both in solution by selective ¹⁵N‐labeling experiments and in the solid state by X‐ray crystallography. The generality of N‐heterocyclic nitrenium as a ligand is also validated by a systematic DFT study of its affinity towards all second‐row transition and post‐transition metals (Y–Cd) in terms of the corresponding bond‐dissociation energies.     

[μ‐4,5‐Bis(diphenylphosphino)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene]bis[(trifluoroacetato)gold(I)] and its dichloromethane 0.58‐solvate

The dinuclear Au^I complex containing the 4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (xantphos) ligand and trifluoroacetate anions exists in a solvent‐free form, [μ‐4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphino)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene]bis[(trifluoroacetato)gold(I)], [Au₂(C₂F₃O₂)₂(C₃₉H₃₂OP₂)], (I), and as a dichloromethane solvate, [Au₂(C₂F₃O₂)₂(C₃₉H₃₂OP₂)]·0.58CH₂Cl₂, (II). The trifluoroacetate anions are coordinated to the Au^I centres bridged by the xantphos ligand in both compounds. The Au^I atoms are in distorted linear coordination environments in both compounds. The phosphine substituents are in a syn arrangement in the xantphos ligand, which facilitates the formation of short aurophilic Au...Au interactions of 2.8966 (8) Å in (I) and 2.9439 (6) Å in (II).     

Synthesis,characterization and cytotoxicity of new 2‐isonicotinoyl‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide and its metal complexes

The reaction of the newly synthesized ligand, 2‐isonicotinoyl‐N‐phenylhydrazine‐1‐carbothioamide (H₃L), with acetate salt of Co (II), Cu (II),Ni (II) and Zn (II) led to isolation of four solid complexes. The ligand and complexes structure elucidation were based on elemental analyses, spectral analyses (IR, UV–Visible, ¹H and¹³C‐NMR, MS and ESR), TGA, molar conductivity and magnetic moments measurements. The results indicated that the ligand exists in the thioketo form, while on coordination to the metal ions; it behaves as mono‐negative bidentate chelate and exists in enol form. The optical band gap measurements of the ligand and its metal complexes are in the range 3.83–4.48 eV indicating their semi‐conducting character. The cytotoxicity examination of H₃L and its Zn (II) complex showed that the ligand have very strong cytotoxicity against both HCT‐116 and HEPG‐2 cell lines while, Zn (II) complex has moderate activity.     

Systematische Studie zu den Koordinationseigenschaften des Guanidin‐Liganden Bis(tetramethylguanidino)propan mit den Metallen Mangan,Cobalt, Nickel,Zink, Cadmium,Quecksilber und Silber

The transition metal complexes with the ligand 1,3‐bis(N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylguanidino)propane (btmgp), [Mn(btmgp)Br₂] ( 1 ), [Co(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 2 ), [Ni(btmgp)I₂] ( 3 ), [Zn(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 4 ), [Zn(btmgp)(O₂CCH₃)₂] ( 5 ), [Cd(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 6 ), [Hg(btmgp)Cl₂] ( 7 ) and [Ag₂(btmgp)₂][ClO₄]₂·2MeCN ( 8 ), were prepared and characterised for the first time. The stoichiometric reaction of the corresponding water‐free metal salts with the ligand btmgp in dry MeCN or THF resulted in the straightforward formation of the mononuclear complexes 1 – 7 and the binuclear complex 8 . In complexes with M^II the metal ion shows a distorted tetrahedral coordination whereas in 8 , the coordination of the M^I ion is almost linear. The coordination behavior of btmgp and resulting structural parameters of the corresponding complexes were discussed in an comparative approach together with already described complexes of btmgp and the bisguanidine ligand N¹,N²‐bis(1,3‐dimethylimidazolidin‐2‐ylidene)‐ethane‐1,2‐diamine (DMEG₂e), respectively.     

A Remarkable cis‐ and trans‐Spanning Dibenzylidene Acetone Diphosphine Chelating Ligand (dbaphos)

A multidentate and flexible diolefin–diphosphine ligand, based on the dibenzylidene acetone core, namely dbaphos ( 1 ), is reported herein. The ligand adopts an array of different geometries at Pt, Pd and Rh. At Pt^II the dbaphos ligand forms cis‐ and trans‐diphosphine complexes and can be defined as a wide‐angle spanning ligand. ¹H NMR spectroscopic analysis shows that the β‐hydrogen of one olefin moiety interacts with the Pt^II centre (an anagostic interaction), which is supported by DFT calculations. At Pd⁰ and Rh^I, the dbaphos ligand exhibits both olefin and phosphine interactions with the metal centres. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos is dinuclear, with bridging diphosphines. The complex exhibits the coordination of one olefin moiety, which is in dynamic exchange (intramolecular) with the other “free” olefin. The Pd⁰ complex of dbaphos reacts with iodobenzene to afford trans‐[Pd^II(dbaphos)I(Ph)]. In the case of Rh^I, dbaphos coordinates to form a structure in which the phosphine and olefin moieties occupy both axial and equatorial sites, which stands in contrast to a related bidentate olefin, phosphine ligand (“Lei” ligand), in which the olefins occupy the equatorial sites and phosphines the axial sites, exclusively.     

Bonding in Diborane–Metal Complexes: A Quantum‐Chemical and Experimental Study of Complexes Featuring Early and Late Transition Metals

The coordination chemistry of the doubly base‐stabilised diborane(4), [HB(hpp)]₂ (hpp=1,3,4,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐2H‐pyrimido‐[1,2‐a]pyrimidinate), was extended by the synthesis of new late transition‐metal complexes containing Cu^I and Rh^I fragments. A detailed experimental study was conducted and quantum‐chemical calculations on the metal–ligand bonding interactions for [HB(hpp)]₂ complexes of Group 6, 9, 11 and 12 metals revealed the dominant B? H? M interactions in the case of early transition‐metal fragments, whereas the B? B? M bonding prevails in the case of the late d‐block compounds. These findings support the experimental results as reflected by the IR and NMR spectroscopic parameters of the investigated compounds. DFT calculations on [MeB(hpp)]₂ and model reactions between [B₂H₄ ? 2NMe₃] and [Rh(μ‐Cl)(C₂H₄)₂] showed that the bicyclic guanidinate allows in principle for an oxidative addition of the B? B bond. However, the formation of σ‐complexes is thermodynamically favoured. The results point to the selective B? H or B? B bond‐activation of diborane compounds by complexation, depending on the chosen transition‐metal fragment.     

DNA interaction,antimicrobial and molecular docking studies of biologically interesting Schiff base complexes incorporating 4‐formyl‐N,N‐dimethylaniline and propylenediamine

Four new transition metal complexes incorporating a Schiff base ligand derived from propylenediamine and 4‐formyl‐N ,N ‐dimethylaniline have been synthesized using transition metal salts. The characterization of the newly formed complexes was done from physicochemical parameters and using various techniques like ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV, electron paramagnetic resonance and mass spectroscopies, powder X‐ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility. All the complexes were found to be monomeric in nature with square planar geometry. X‐ray powder diffraction illustrates that the complexes have a crystalline nature. The interaction of metal complexes with calf thymus DNA was investigated using UV–visible absorption, viscosity measurements, cyclic voltammetry, emission spectroscopy and docking analysis. The results indicate that the Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes interact with DNA by intercalative binding mode with optimum intrinsic binding constants of 4.3 × 10⁴, 3.9 × 10⁴, 4.7 × 10⁴ and 3.7 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, respectively. These DNA binding results were rationalized using molecular docking in which the docked structures indicate that the metal complexes fit well into the A‐T rich region of target DNA through intercalation. The metal complexes exhibit an effective cleavage with pUC19 DNA by an oxidative cleavage mechanism. The synthesized ligand and the complexes were tested for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The complexes show enhanced antifungal and antibacterial activities compared to the free ligand.     

Interaction of pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid with heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions

Interactions between pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid and Zn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) were characterized in aqueous solutions (20°C; I = 0.4 (KNO₃)) by means of d.c.‐polarography, spectrophotometry, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Polarography was used to determine the concentration of free metal ions in the presence of 10‐fold excess ligand in weakly alkaline solutions, and to determine stability constants for the Zn(II), Cd(II), and Cu(II) complexes with pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid. ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to further characterize complex formation. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 16:285–291, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/hc.20123     

A 3‐Pyridyl‐5,15‐Diazaporphyrin Nickel(II) Complex as a Bidentate Metalloligand for Transition Metals

3‐Pyridyl‐5,15‐diazaporphyrin nickel(II) serves as a bidentate metalloligand for platinum(II), ruthenium(II), and rhenium(I) metal centers. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis of these metal complexes unambiguously reveals the presence of a dative bond between the outer metal center and the meso‐nitrogen atom. The UV/Vis absorption spectra of the complexes show substantially red‐shifted bands which are perturbed by outer‐metal coordination. This is due to the contribution of metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer interactions.     

Syntheses and structures of three macrocyclic supramolecular complexes and one ZnII‐containing coordination polymer generated from a semi‐rigid multidentate N‐containing ligand

Semirigid organic ligands can adopt different conformations to construct coordination polymers with more diverse structures when compared to those constructed from rigid ligands. A new asymmetric semirigid organic ligand, 4‐{2‐[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl}pyridine ( L ), has been prepared and used to synthesize three bimetallic macrocyclic complexes and one coordination polymer, namely, bis(μ‐4‐{2‐[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl}pyridine)bis[dichloridozinc(II)] dichloromethane disolvate, [Zn₂Cl₄(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂]·2CH₂Cl₂, ( I ), the analogous chloroform monosolvate, [Zn₂Cl₄(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂]·CHCl₃, ( II ), bis(μ‐4‐{2‐[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl}pyridine)bis[diiodidozinc(II)] dichloromethane disolvate, [Zn₂I₄(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂]·2CH₂Cl₂, ( III ), and catena‐poly[[[diiodidozinc(II)]‐μ‐4‐{2‐[(pyridin‐3‐yl)methyl]‐2H‐tetrazol‐5‐yl}pyridine] chloroform monosolvate], {[ZnI₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)]·CHCl₃}_n, ( IV ), by solution reaction with ZnX₂ (X = Cl and I) in a CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH or CHCl₃/CH₃OH mixed solvent system at room temperature. Complex ( I ) is isomorphic with complex ( III ) and has a bimetallic ring possessing similar coordination environments for both of the Zn^II cations. Although complex ( II ) also contains a bimetallic ring, the two Zn^II cations have different coordination environments. Under the influence of the I^? anion and guest CHCl₃ molecule, complex ( IV ) displays a significantly different structure with respect to complexes ( I )–( III ). C—H…Cl and C—H…N hydrogen bonds, and π–π stacking or C—Cl…π interactions exist in complexes ( I )–( IV ), and these weak interactions play an important role in the three‐dimensional structures of ( I )–( IV ) in the solid state. In addition, the fluorescence properties of L and complexes ( I )–( IV ) were investigated.     

Copper(II)‐ and gold(III)‐mediated cyclization of a thiourea to a substituted 2‐aminobenzothiazole

Benzothiazole derivatives are a class of privileged molecules due to their biological activity and pharmaceutical applications. One route to these molecules is via intramolecular cyclization of thioureas to form substituted 2‐aminobenzothiazoles, but this often requires harsh conditions or employs expensive metal catalysts. Herein, the copper(II)‐ and gold(III)‐mediated cyclizations of thioureas to substituted 2‐aminobenzothiazoles are reported. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of the thiourea N‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)‐N ′‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)thiourea, C₁₃H₁₃N₃OS, and the intermediate metal complexes aquabis[5‐methoxy‐N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐amine‐κN ³]copper(II) dinitrate, [Cu(C₁₃H₁₁N₃OS)₂(H₂O)](NO₃)₂, and bis{2‐[(5‐methoxy‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐yl)amino]pyridin‐1‐ium} dichloridogold(I) chloride monohydrate, (C₁₃H₁₂N₃OS)₂[AuCl₂]Cl·H₂O, are reported. The copper complex exhibits a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry, with direct metal‐to‐benzothiazole‐ligand coordination, while the gold complex is a salt containing the protonated uncoordinated benzothiazole, and offers evidence that metal reduction (in this case, Au^III to Au^I) is required for the cyclization to proceed. As such, this study provides further mechanistic insight into the role of the metal cations in these transformations.     

Dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate and bis(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylato‐κ2N,N′)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate

The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylate, C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄, and the copper(I) coordination complex bis(dimethyl 2,2′‐bipyridine‐6,6′‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,N′)copper(I) tetrafluoroborate, [Cu(C₁₄H₁₂N₂O₄)₂]BF₄, are reported. The uncoordinated ligand crystallizes across an inversion centre and adopts the anticipated anti pyridyl arrangement with coplanar pyridyl rings. In contrast, upon coordination of copper(I), the ligand adopts an arrangement of pyridyl donors facilitating chelating metal coordination and an increased inter‐pyridyl twisting within each ligand. The distortion of each ligand contrasts with comparable copper(I) complexes of unfunctionalized 2,2′‐bipyridine.     

A monomeric gold(I) carbanion complex with an uncoordinated thioether: [2‐(methylsulfanyl)phenyl](triphenylphosphine)gold(I)

The title compound, [Au(C₇H₇S)(C₁₈H₁₅P)], is conformationally chiral and crystallizes from benzene–hexane as individually enantiopure crystals. This mononuclear compound has the Au^I atom linearly bound to a triphenylphosphine P atom and to a phenyl C atom of a 2‐(methylsulfanyl)phenyl group. The angle at the Au^I atom is 175.9 (2)°. The linear ligand coordination about the Au^I atom has geometric parameters inside the remarkably narrow range found for gold complexes bound by a phosphine ligand and by the ortho‐C atom of a substituted phenyl group. This is the first example of gold(I) attached to a methylsulfanyl aromatic carbanion.     

Sulfonamide‐derived compounds and their transition metal complexes: synthesis,biological evaluation and X‐ray structure of 4‐bromo‐2‐[(E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5 yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl] phenolate

Sulfonamide‐derived new ligands, 4‐({[(E)‐(5‐bromo‐2‐hydroxyphenyl)methylidene]‐amino}methyl)benzenesulfonamide and 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl}iminiomethyl)phenolate and their transition metal [cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II)] complexes were synthesized and characterized. The nature of bonding and structure of all the synthesized compounds were deduced from physical (magnetic susceptibility and conductivity measurements), spectral (IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR, electronic, mass spectrometry) and analytical (CHN analysis) data. The structure of the ligand, 4‐bromo‐2‐((E)‐{4‐[(3,4‐dimethylisoxazol‐5‐yl)sulfamoyl]phenyl} iminiomethyl)phenolate was also determined by X‐ray diffraction method. An octahedral geometry was suggested for all the complexes. In order to evaluate the biological activity of the ligands and the effect of metals, the ligands and their metal complexes were screened for in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activity. The results of these studies revealed that all compounds showed moderate to significant antibacterial activity against one or more bacterial strains and good antifungal activity against various fungal strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.