Regioselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Unsymmetrical Münchnones (1,3-Oxazolium-5-olates) with 2- and 3-Nitroindoles. A New Synthesis of Pyrrolo[3,4-b]indoles

The unsymmetrical mesoionic münchnones 13 (3-benzyl-2-methyl-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olate) and 14 (3-benzyl-4-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-oxazolium-5-olate) react with the N-protected 2- and 3-nitroindoles 1 (ethyl 2-nitroindole-1-carboxylate), 6 (3-nitro-1-(phenylsulfonyl)indole), and 17 (ethyl 3-nitroindole-1-carboxylate) in refluxing THF to afford in good to excellent yields the pyrrolo[3,4-b]indoles 15 (2-benzyl-1-methyl-3-phenyl-4-carboethoxy-2,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole), 16 (2-benzyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-carboethoxy-2,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole), 18 (2-benzyl-1-methyl-3-phenyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)-2,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole), and 19 (2-benzyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(phenylsulfonyl)-2,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,4-b]indole). In several cases the regiochemistry, which is opposite to that predicted by FMO theory, is very high and leads essentially to a single pyrrolo[3,4-b]indole; e.g., 6+13→19 in 74% yield.     

Enantioselective Addition of Allyltrichlorosilane to Bulky-substituted Aldehydes Catalyzed by Axial N,N'-Dioxide Pivalate

Allylation of bulky-substituted aromatic aldehydes with allyltrichlorosilanes were catalyzed by axial biscarboline N.N-dioxide esters with high enaiitioselectivities up to 92% e.e. for l-(4-chlorophenyl)-9-methyl-9Hpyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carbaldehyde and 90% e.e.for 1-(3-methoxyphenyl)-9-methyl-9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole-3-carbaldehyde, respectively.Total 22 aldehydes were tested with good yields and enantioselectivities.Catalyst 4f exhibited good catalytic enantioselectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of new thermally stable copoly(ester–amide)s from diester–dicarboxylic acids

Three new aromatic diester–dicarboxylic acids containing furan rings, namely, benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,9-dicarboxyl-bis-phenyl ester-4,4^′-dicarboxylic acid, benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,9-dicarboxyl-bis-phenyl ester-3,3^′-dicarboxylic acid and benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,9-dicarboxyl-bis-naphthyl ester-2,2^′-dicarboxylic acid were synthesized by the reaction of benzofuro[2,3-b]benzofuran-2,9-dicarbonyl chloride with 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and 3-hydroxy-naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid, respectively. Diester–dicarboxylic acids were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. Then, these monomers were converted to aromatic copoly(ester–amide)s by their reaction with various aromatic diamines via the direct polycondensation. These polymers were characterized by viscosity measurements, solubility tests, FT-IR, Ultraviolet and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The polymers with inherent viscosities in the range of 0.16–0.37 dl/g in dimethyl sulfoxide at 30 °C were obtained in high yield. Most of them dissolved readily at room temperature in polar solvents. The synthesized copoly(ester–amide)s possessed glass-transition temperatures from 210–255 °C. The copoly(ester–amide)s exhibited excellent thermal stabilities and had 10% weight loss at temperature above 295 °C under nitrogen atmosphere.     

Synthesis and characterization of three homoleptic alkoxides of uranium: [Li(THF)]2[UIV(OtBu)6], [Li(Et2O)][UV(OtBu)6], and UVI(OtBu)6

Addition of 6 equiv of LiOtBu to a THF/Et2O solution of UCl4 at -25 degrees C generates [Li(THF)]2[U(OtBu)6] (1) in 61% yield. 1 is soluble in polar organic solvents and is stable for several days in THF. However, 1 slowly decomposes in benzene or hexanes, forming the dinuclear uranium(IV) species [Li(THF)][U2(OtBu)9] (2) as one of the decomposition products. Alternatively, 2 can be directly prepared in moderate yield by the addition of 4.5 equiv LiOtBu to UCl4 in hexanes/THF at room temperature. The decomposition of 1 has been studied by 1H and 7Li{1H} NMR spectroscopies to elucidate the nature of this transformation. Oxidation of 1 occurs readily in the presence of 0.5 or 1 equiv of I2 to give [Li(Et2O)][U(OtBu)6] (3) and U(OtBu)6 (4), respectively, in good yields. Alternately, 3 can be generated by comproportionation of 1 and 4. 1-4 have been fully characterized, including analysis by X-ray crystallography. In the solid-state these complexes possess large U-O-Cq bond angles, suggestive of a significant U-O pi interaction. In addition, we have studied the redox properties of 4 by cyclic voltammetry.     

Emission energies and photophysical properties of ladder oligo(p-aniline)s

Emission properties and the photophysics of three ladder oligo(p-aniline)s; namely 5,11-diethyl-6,12-dimethylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (DIMER 2P), 14-ethyl-5,8-dihydro-diindolo[3,2-b:2′,3′-h]carbazole (TRIMER 2P), and 5,8,14-triethyl-diindolo[3,2-b:2′,3′-h]carbazole (TRIMER 3P) are presented. The optimization (relaxation) of the first singlet excited electronic state (S₁) has been done using the restricted configuration interaction (singles) (RCIS/6-31G*) approach. The excitation to the S₁ state does not cause important changes in the geometrical parameters of the compounds, as is experimentally corroborated by the small Stokes shifts. Emission energies from the relaxed excited states have been obtained from TDDFT calculations performed on the S₁ optimized geometries and have been correlated with the corresponding fluorescence spectra of the derivatives dissolved in dichloromethane. A good agreement has been found between TDDFT emission energies and the (0,0) fluorescence bands. As predicted from theoretical calculations, all compounds exhibit small Stokes shift, which testify the rigidity of these ladder compounds. Moreover, this theoretical approach provides a good evaluation of the bathochromic shifts caused by the increase in the conjugation length or by the presence of alkyl chains on the nitrogen atoms. Finally, the fluorescence quantum yield and lifetime of the compounds in dichloromethane have been obtained. From these data, the radiative and nonradiative rate constants of the deactivation of the S₁ state have been determined.     

通过非共价构象锁定和端基工程策略设计高效率的A-D-A型稠环电子受体

近年来,非富勒烯太阳能电池的发展迅猛。目前报道的高效率的非富勒烯稠环电子受体主要采用受体-给体-受体(A-D-A)型结构。本工作中,我们在给受体间引入3,4-二己氧基噻吩作桥,用5,6-二氯-3-(二氰基亚甲基)靛酮作端基设计合成了一种新的稠环电子受体(ITOIC-2Cl)。一方面,可以通过S···O和O···H等作用在分子内形成非共价键构象锁促进分子的平面性;另一方面,通过增加端基的缺电子性可以增强分子内的电荷迁移。在两者的协同作用下,ITOIC-2Cl的光谱吸收拓宽到近红外区,这有利于获得宽的光谱响应。将ITOIC-2Cl与一种吸收互补的给体聚合物(PBDB-T)共混制备活性层,我们用原子力显微镜(AFM)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)表征其形貌,发现共混薄膜可以形成纤维状的互传网络结构和合适纳米尺寸的相分离,这有利于电荷的分离和传输,从而获得高的短路电流(J_(sc))和填充因子(FF)。最终,基于PBDB-T:ITOIC的电池,我们获得了9.37%的光电转换效率,其开路电压(V_(oc))为0.886 V,J_(sc)为17.09 mA·cm~(-2),FF为61.8%。这些研究结果为我们提供了一种设计高效率的非富勒烯稠环电子受体的有效的策略。     

Convenient one-step synthesis of a medicinally relevant benzopyranopyridine system

Benzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine is an important privileged medicinal scaffold. A three-component reaction of salicylaldehydes, thiols and 2 equiv of malononitrile that leads to the formation of a series of compounds incorporating 2,4-diamino-3-cyano-5-sulfanylbenzopyrano[2,3-b]pyridine framework is described. A proposed mechanism with the supporting experimental data is presented.     

An unexpected [2+2]-cycloaddition reaction of 4-methyldithieno-[3,4-b:3′,2′-d]pyridinium iodide with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

An unexpected [2+2]-cycloaddition occured in the reaction of 4-methyldithieno-[3,4-6:3′,2′-d]pyridinium iodide (3)with two equivalents of DMAD, giving 4-(trans-1,2-dicarbomethoxy-2- iodovinyl)-5-methyl-6,7-dicarbomethoxy-4,5-dihydrothieno [23-c]quinoline (4) in 54% yield. 4 is formed via 4-methyl-5-(trans-1,2-dicarbomethoxy-2-iodo-4,5-dihydrothieno [3,4-b:3′,2′-d]pyridine (16), followed by [2+2]-cycloaddition. The primary adduct rearranges via a thiepin to an episulfide which eliminates sulfur to give 4.     

A new method for the preparation of 2,3-cycloalkeno-5,6-cycloalkeno-4H-pyran-4-ones

Several 2,3-cycloalkeno-5,6-cycloalkeno-4H-pyran-4-ones, such as 2,3,5,6-bicyclopenteno-4H-pyran-4-one and 1,2-dihydronaphtho[3,4-b]cyclopenteno[1,2-e]-4H-pyran-4-one, were synthesized conveniently by the reaction of a cyclic ketone enamine and diacylchloride. This reaction allows a new method for preparation of these compounds, which may be the precursors for the synthesis of some useful heterocycles.     

Palladium-Catalyzed Cascade Reaction in Water to Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridazines as Switchable DSEgens,AIEgens, and ACQgens**

Dual-state emission (DSE) luminophores exhibit strong emissions in both solution and solid states, filling the gaps between aggregation-induced emissions (AIE) and aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). However, limited design concepts and complicated synthetic strategies restrict the discovery of novel DSE molecules. Developing efficient and green methodologies to access novel DSE scaffolds via rational design remains highly desirable. In this work, we report a water-promoted Pd-catalyzed cascade reaction for the synthesis of multi-substituted imidazo[1,2-a]pyridazine derivatives with DSE properties. The intramolecular interactions of the neighboring benzene rings restrict molecular motion, leading to emissions in the solid state (quantum yield: 11 %), and the newly constructed core structure of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridazine ensures considerable planarity, allowing for emissions in solution. Further removal of the neighboring phenyl groups resulted in ACQgens, while additional methyl groups led to AIEgens. Subsequent live cell imaging investigations suggested that the novel DSEgens could serve as specific lipid droplet (LD) probes in a wide concentration range.     

新型咪唑[2,1-b][1,3,4]噻二唑衍生物的合成及生物活性

合成了18个新型含苯并噁/噻唑啉酮结构的2,6-二取代咪唑[2,1-b][1,3,4]噻二唑衍生物5a~5i', 即2-[(2-苯并噁/噻唑啉酮-3-基)甲基]-6-芳基-咪唑[2,1-b][1,3,4]噻二唑. 利用红外光谱、 核磁共振和元素分析对化合物的结构进行了表征. β2-肾上腺素受体(β2-AR)拮抗剂钙流筛选结果表明, 部分目标化合物对β2-AR具有明显的拮抗作用, 其中化合物5c'的拮抗效果最高, 为70%. 这些化合物可作为潜在的β2-AR拮抗剂.     

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butenes. Synthesis of (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol in >97% ee

Asymmetric hydroboration of [E]- and [Z]-2-methoxy-2-butene, using (−)-diisopinocampheylborane at −25°C in THF solvent, followed by oxidation using H₂O₂/NaOH, gave (−)-[2R,3R]- and (+)-[2R,3S]-3-methoxy-2-butanols in >97 and 90% ee, respectively. (−)-[2R,3R]-3-Methoxy-2-butanol was converted to (−)-[2R,3R]-butane-2,3-diol (>97% ee, in an overall yield of 65%).     

Novel ferroelectric liquid crystals based on fused thieno[3,2-b]furan and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene cores

Several series of new benzofused thieno[3,2-b]furan- and thieno[3,2-b]thiophene-based derivatives have been synthesized and their mesomorphic properties investigated. All the studied compounds exhibit a SmC* phase with very wide temperature interval. Additionally, some types of the compounds show the cholesteric, SmA or blue phase. In the ferroelectric SmC* phase we evaluated physical properties of relevance for possible applications.     

Constitution of Grignard reagent RMgCl in tetrahydrofuran

The constitution of Grignard reagent, RMgCl (R = Me, tBu, Ph or benzyl), was investigated in the solid state by means of X-ray crystallography and in THF by coldspray ionization mass spectrometry (CSI-MS). Three types of crystal structures, (a) [Mg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)6](+)*[RMgCl2(THF)](-), (b) R2Mg4Cl6(THF)6, and (c) [2Mg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)6](+)*[R4Mg2Cl2]2-, were identified, and MeMg2(mu-Cl3)(THF)4-6 were detected as major species of MeMgCl in solution.     

Group 4 metallacarboranes of constrained geometries derived from B(cage)- and C(cage)-silylamido-substituted carborane ligands: a synthetic and structural investigation

The reactions of RNHSi(Me)₂Cl (1, R=t-Bu; 2, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃) with the carborane ligands, nido-1-Na(C₄H₈O)-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅ (3) and Li[closo-1-R′-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀] (4), produced two kinds of neutral ligand precursors, nido-5-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-2,3-(SiMe₃)₂-2,3-C₂B₄H₅, (5, R=t-Bu) and closo-1-R′-2-[Si(Me)₂N(H)R]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ (6, R=t-Bu, R′=Ph; 7, R=2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃, R′=H), in 85, 92, and 95% yields, respectively. Treatment of closo-2-[Si(Me)₂NH(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)]-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (7) with three equivalents of freshly cut sodium metal in the presence of naphthalene produced the corresponding cage-opened sodium salt of the “carbons apart” carborane trianion, [nido-3-{Si(Me)₂N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)}-1,3-C₂B₁₀H₁₁]³⁻ (8) in almost quantitative yield. The reaction of the trianion, 8, with anhydrous MCl₄ (M=Ti and Zr) in 1:1 molar ratio in dry tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C, resulted in the formation of the corresponding half-sandwich neutral d⁰-metallacarborane, closo-1-M[(Cl)(THF)_n]-2-[1′-η¹σ-N(2,6-(Me₂CH)₂C₆H₃)(Me)₂Si]-2,4-η⁶-C₂B₁₀H₁₁ (M=Ti (9), n=0; M=Zr (10), n=1) in 47 and 36% yields, respectively. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H-, ¹¹B-, and ¹³C-NMR spectra and IR spectra. The carborane ligand, 7, was also characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 7 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=8.2357(19) Å, b=28.686(7) Å, c=9.921(2) Å; β=93.482(4)°; V=2339.5(9) ų, and Z=4. The final refinements of 7 converged at R=0.0736; wR=0.1494; GOF=1.372 for observed reflections.     

1-Alkyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazoline-3,6-diones as glycine templates. Synthesis of Fiscalin B

An excess of base allows the regio- and diastereoselective alkylation at C(4) of the glycine templates 1-methyl(isopropyl)-2,4-dihydro-1H-pyrazino[2,1-b]quinazoline-3,6-diones 9a and 9b without the need for N(2)-protecting groups. While the alkylation of 9a gave exclusively the 1,4-anti-isomers, the isopropyl derivative 9b required much longer reaction times and occurred with lower diastereoselectivity. Fiscalin B 3 was obtained by alkylation of 9b with N-Boc-3-indolylmethyl bromide followed by indole deprotection.     

Tris(eta4-naphthalene)- and tris(1-4-eta4-anthracene)tantalate(1-): first homoleptic arene complexes of anionic tantalum

Reduction of tantalum pentachloride by 6 equiv of sodium naphthalene in 1,2-dimethoxyethane provided, after recrystallization from tetrahydrofuran, 50-55% yields of yellow, pyrophoric [Na(THF)][Ta(C10H8)3]. The product was shown by 1H and 13C NMR spectra and an X-ray study (on the corresponding [Na(crypt 2.2.2)]salt) to be tris(eta4-naphthalene)tantalate(1-), 1, the first homoleptic naphthalene complex of a third row (5d) transition metal. Salts of 1 react under mild conditions with excess CO (1 atm pressure, -60 degrees to +20 degrees C) and 3 equiv of anthracene, C14H10 (20 degrees C), to give 99 and 52% yields of yellow [Ta(CO)6]- and orange [Ta(C14H10)3]-, (2), respectively. The latter is the first homoleptic anthracene complex of a group 5 element and only the third one known, the others being Cr(eta6-C14H10)2 and [Co(eta4-C14H10)2]-. NMR spectra and X-ray structural characterization, as the [Na(crypt 2.2.2)] salt, established 2 to be [Ta(1-4-eta4-C14H10)3]- and is very similar to 1 in solution and in the solid state. Salts of 2 also undergo facile ligand substitution reactions. For example, it reacts with 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene, COT, at 20 degrees in THF to give high yields of the previously known [Ta(COT)3]-, which was structurally characterized as the Na(crypt 2.2.2)salt. One particularly important feature concerning 1 and 2 is that they are the first available synthons for "naked" atomic Ta- and promise to be useful reagents for the general exploration of low-valent tantalum chemistry. Also, 1 and 2 represent the first homoleptic arene tantalum complexes to have been prepared by conventional syntheses. The only previously known substance of this class is the neutral bis(benzene)tantalum(0), which was accessed by the co-condensation of atomic tantalum and benzene vapor in a sophisticated (electron-gun furnace equipped) metal atom reactor.     

Influence of solvent and weak C-H...O contacts in the self-assembled [Pt2M4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8] (M = Cu, Ag) clusters and their role in the luminescence behavior

New alkynyl complexes [Pt2M4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8] (M = Ag 1, Cu 2) have been synthesized and their structures and properties compared to those of related [Pt2M4(CCPh)8] compounds. For the Pt-Ag derivatives, the X-ray structures of the discrete yellow solvate monomer, [Pt2Ag4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8].2THF ([1.2THF]), and the dark garnet unsolvated polymeric form, [Pt2Ag4{CC(3-OMe)C6H4}8](infinity) ([1](infinity)), are presented. The yellow form ([1.2THF]) exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry of the metal centers with the platinum atoms mutually trans and the four silver atoms in the equatorial plane. Pairs of Ag atoms are weakly bridged by THF molecules [mu-Ag2...O(THF)]. The garnet form ([1](infinity)) has an unprecedented infinite stacked chain of octahedral clusters linked by short Pt...Pt bonds (3.1458(8) A). In both forms, different types of weak C-H...O (OMe) hydrogen bonds are observed. For comparative purposes, we have also provided the crystal structures of the yellow monomer form, [Pt2Ag4-(CCPh)8].CHCl3, and the red dimer form, [Pt2Ag4(CCPh)8]2 (Pt-Pt 3.221(2) A). These clusters display intense photoluminescence in both solution and the solid state, at room temperature and 77 K. The emission observed for the yellow form [1.2THF] in the solid state is assigned to a 3MLM'CT [Pt(d)/pi(CCR) --> Pt(p(z))/Ag(sp)/pi(CCR)] state modified by Pt...Ag, Ag...Ag, and Ag...(THF) contacts. However, in the garnet form [1](infinity) and in 2, the emissions are related to the axial Pt-Pt bonds and are assigned as phosphorescence from a metal-metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MMLCT) excited state ([1](infinity)), or an admixture of a metal-metal (Pt-Pt) centered 3(dsigmap(z)sigma) and 3MMLCT excited state (2). For 1, a remarkable quenching and a shift to higher energies in the emission is observed on changing from CH2Cl2 to THF, and for both 1 and 2, the emission spectra at 77 K varies with the concentration, showing their tendency to stack even in glass.     

基于一种新型聚噻吩衍生物为给体的非富勒烯聚合物太阳能电池

With the development of non-fullerene small-molecule acceptors, non-fullerene polymer solar cells (PSCs) have garnered increased attention due to their high performance. While photons are absorbed and converted to free charge carriers in the active layer, the donor and acceptor materials both play a critical role in determining the performance of PSCs. Among the various conjugated-polymer donor materials, polythiophene (PT) derivatives such as poly(3-hexylthiophene), have attracted considerable interest due to their high hole mobility and simple synthesis. However, there are limited studies on the applications of PT derivatives in non-fullerene PSCs. Fabrication of highly efficient non-fullerene PSCs utilizing PT derivatives as the donor is a challenging topic. In this study, a new PT derivative, poly[5, 5′-4, 4′-bis(2-butyloctylsulphanyl)-2, 2′-bithiophene-alt-5, 5′-4, 4′-difluoro-2, 2′-bithiophene] (PBSBT-2F), with alkylthio groups and fluorination was synthesized for use as the donor in non-fullerene PSC applications. The absorption spectra, electrochemical properties, molecular packing, and photovoltaic properties of PBSBT-2F were investigated and compared with those of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The polymer exhibited a wide bandgap of 1.82 eV, a deep highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of -5.02 eV, and an ordered molecular packing structure. Following this observation, PSCs based on a blend of PBSBT-2F as the donor and 3, 9-bis(2-methylene-(3-(1, 1-dicyanomethylene)-indanone)-5, 5, 11, 11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno-[2, 3-d:2′, 3′-d′]-s-indaceno[1, 2-b:5, 6-b′]dithiophene (ITIC) as the acceptor were fabricated. The absorption spectra were collected and the energy levels were found to be well matched. These devices exhibited a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 6.7% with an open-circuit voltage (V_OC) of 0.75 V, a short-circuit current density (J_SC) of 13.5 mA·cm^-2, and a fill factor (FF) of 66.6%. These properties were superior to those of P3HT (1.2%) under the optimal conditions. This result indicates that PBSBT-2F is a promising donor material for non-fullerene PSCs.     

Synthesis, structure and magnetic behavior of five-coordinate bis(iminopyrrolyl) complexes of cobalt(II) containing PMe3 and THF ligands

The new bis-iminopyrrolyl five-coordinate Co(II) complexes [Co(kappa (2) N, N'-NC 4H 3C(R)N-2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3) 2(PMe 3)] (R = H 3a; Me 3b) were synthesized in high yields (ca. 80-90%), using THF and diethyl ether as solvents, respectively, by (a) treatment of CoCl 2(PMe 3) 2 with the corresponding iminopyrrolyl Na salts ( Ie or If) or (b) reaction of anhydrous CoCl 2 and PMe 3 with Ie or If. A third route was tested, involving the addition of excesses of PMe 3 to the complexes [Co(kappa (2) N, N'-NC 4H 3C(R)N-2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3) 2] (R = H 1e; Me 1f), which was only successful for the synthesis of 3a, in lower yields (ca. 30%). The synthesis of 3b in THF was unfruitful because of the kinetic competition of the solvent, giving rise to mixtures of 1f and its coordinated THF adduct 4b. The synthesis of the new bis-iminopyrrolyl five-coordinate Co(II) complexes [Co(kappa (2) N, N'-NC 4H 3C(R)N-2,6- (i)Pr 2C 6H 3) 2(THF)] (R = H 4a; Me 4b) were carried out in high yields (ca. 80-90%) by the reaction of CoCl 2(THF) 1.5 with the corresponding iminopyrrolyl Na salt. All the compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, with 3a and 3b showing axially compressed trigonal bipyramidal geometry (with the PMe 3 ligand lying on the equatorial plane), whereas complexes 4a and 4b exhibit distorted square pyramidal geometries with the THF molecule occupying the axial position. Complex 4a shows clearly a compressed geometry, but for complex 4b, two polymorphs were characterized, exhibiting molecules with different Co-O (THF) bond lengths, one of them being compatible with an elongated form. Magnetic measurements either in the solid or in the liquid phases indicate that complexes 3a and 3b have low-spin ground states ( S = 1/2). In toluene solution, the geometry is fully confirmed by EPR data, which further indicates a d x (2) - y (2) /d xy ground state. However, compounds 4a and 4b behave unusually because they show magnetic moments that are compatible with high-spin ground states ( S = 3/2) in the solid state, but conform to low-spin ground states ( S = 1/2) when both complexes are dissolved in toluene solutions. The low-spin ground states in toluene solution are confirmed by EPR spectroscopy, which further supports, for complexes 4a and 4b, an axially elongated square pyramidal geometry and a d z (2) ground state. Thus the change in the ground-state and, consequently, in the geometry of complexes 4a and 4b from solid state to toluene solution might be a consequence of the elongation of the Co-O(THF) bond length. DFT studies performed on complexes 3 and 4 corroborate their different structure and magnetic behaviors and verify, for the latter complexes, the structural differences observed in the solid state and in toluene solution.