Synthesis and an X-ray structure of soluble phenylacetylene macrocycles with two opposing bipyridine donor sites

The synthesis of the shape-persistent macrocycles 10a and 10b with two bipyridine units in opposing sides by Hagihara/Sonogashira cross-coupling chemistry of suitably functionalized building blocks is reported. X-ray analysis of single crystals of 10b shows a layered structure with channels filled with solvent molecules and parts of the flexible chains. with which the cycle is decorated for solubility reasons.     

Structurally isomeric two pyridino macrocycles: complexation and structures

Pyridine-based, structurally isomeric two macrocyclic compounds displayed a remarkably different complexation nature. The cage-type compound has an ideal structure for spherical cations, especially for the NH₄⁺ ion, but the reaction with some transition metals and Ln³⁺ produced its protonated species. On the other hand, its isomer formed complexes with alkali metals and lanthanides (1:1) and also with transition metals. Some structures of the complexes were clarified by crystallographic analyses.     

A novel bis tridentate bipyridine carboxamide ligand and its complexation to copper(II): synthesis, structure, and magnetism

A new bis tridentate ligand 2,2'-bipyridine-3,3'-[2-pyridinecarboxamide] H(2)L(1) which can bind transition metal ions has been synthesized via the condensation of 3,3'-diamino-2,2'-bipyridine together with 2-pyridine carbonyl chloride. Two copper(II) coordination compounds have been prepared and characterized: [Cu(2)(L(1))(hfac)(2)].3CH(3)CN.H(2)O (1) and [Cu(2)(L(1))Cl(2)].CH(3)CN (2). The single-crystal X-ray structures reveal that complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1, with the unit cell parameters a = 12.7185(6) A, b = 17.3792(9) A, c = 19.4696(8) A, alpha = 110.827(2) degrees, beta = 99.890(3) degrees, gamma = 97.966(3) degrees, V = 3868.3(3) A3, Z = 4, R = 0.0321 and R(w) = 0.0826. Complex 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the unit cell parameters a = 12.8622(12) A, b = 9.6100(10) A, c = 19.897(2) A, beta = 102.027(3) degrees, V = 2405.3(4) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0409 and R(w) = 0.1005. In both complexes the ligand is in the dianionic form and coordinates the divalent Cu(II) ions via one amido and two pyridine nitrogen donor atoms. In 1, the coordination geometry around both Cu(II) ions is best described as distorted trigonal bipyramidal where the remaining two coordination sites are satisfied by hexafluoroacetylacetonate counterions. In 2 both Cu(II )ions adopt a (4 + 1) distorted square pyramidal geometry. One copper forms a longer apical bond to an adjacent carbonyl oxygen atom, whereas the second copper is chelated to a neighboring Cu-Cl chloride ion to afford a mu-Cl-bridged dimerized [Cu(2)(L(1))Cl(2)](2) complex. The magnetic susceptibility data for 1 (2 -270 K), reveal the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Cu(II) ions. In contrast, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements for 2 reveal more complex magnetic properties, with the presence of a weak antiferromagnetic exchange (J = -10.1 K) between the copper ions in each dinuclear copper complex and a stronger ferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = 32.9 K) between the Cu(II) ions of the Cu(mu-Cl)(2)Cu dimeric bridging units.     

per-Hydroxylated pillar[6]arene: synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, and host-guest complexation

A per-hydroxylated pillar[6]arene was prepared. Single-crystal X-ray analysis demonstrated that its molecules are arranged in an up-to-down manner to form infinite channels in the solid state. Its host-guest complexation with a series of bispyridinium salts in solution was further investigated. It was found that the per-hydroxylated pillar[6]arene could form a 1:1 complex with paraquat in acetone with an association constant of 2.2 × 10(2) M(-1). This complex is a [2]pseudorotaxane as shown by its crystal structure, which is the first pillar[6]arene-based host-guest complex crystal structure.     

Synthesis, structure, and complexation of a large 28-mer macrocycle containing two binding sites for either anions or metal ions

The "one-pot" synthesis and characterization of a large 28-mer macrocycle (H(4)L(2)) with oxamido units capable of complexing guest ions through oxygen or nitrogen donor atoms is reported. Single-crystal structure determination of H(8)L(2)(NO(3))(4) and (Cu(2)[H(2)L(2)](H(2)O)(2))(NO(3))(2) demonstrated that the macrocycle contains two sites capable of complexing two nitrate anions or two copper(II) ions, involving a large structural reorganization in the conformation of the macrocyclic framework on coordination of the copper(II) ions when compared to the nitrate. Electrochemical and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the dinuclear Cu(II) complex and the related mononuclear and trinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from the related 14-mer macrocycle were carried out and illustrate the role of the oxamido groups in mediating metal-metal interaction and delocalization.     

Shape-persistant macrocycles with terpyridine units: synthesis,characterization, and structure in the crystal

The synthesis of a variety of shape-persistent macrocycles with either one (1a-d, 2) or two (opposing) terpyridine units (3, 4, 5a-c) and inner diameters of up to 2 nm is described. The sequences are mainly based on transition metal cross-coupling reactions and, whenever appropriate, compared with one another regarding their respective efficiency. Typical overall yields and amounts prepared range from 8% (4) to 27% (3) and 25 mg (1a) to 290 mg (1b), respectively. For solubility and processing of the targeted cycles, all precursors have already been decorated with flexible side chains (hexyloxy or hexyloxymethyl). The cycles' characterization is based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, 2D NMR spectroscopy, and/or low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their packing in the crystal is discussed in terms of both number and length of side chains. Cycle 1d was physisorbed into an ordered structure at the solution-HOPG interface and investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).     

Honeycomb nets with interpenetrating frameworks involving iminodiacetato-copper(II) blocks and bipyridine spacers: syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies

Three coordination polymers of copper(II), viz. ([Cu(ida)(4,4'-bipyH)]ClO(4))( proportional, variant ) (1), ([Cu(2)(ida)(2)(micro-4,4'-bipy)].2H(2)O)( proportional, variant ) (2), and [Cu(2)(ida)(2)(bpa)]( proportional, variant ) (3) have been synthesized by the process of self-assembly using Cu(ida) [ida = iminodiacetate(2-)] as the building block and 4,4'-bipyridyl and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpa) as linkers. Crystals of 1 are orthorhombic, of space group Pna2(1), with a = 13.8956(12) A, b = 16.3362(16) A, c = 7.3340(12), and Z = 4. Both compounds 2 and 3 crystallize in monoclinic space group P2(1)/a with a = 10.1887(8) A (9.6779(10) A for 3), b = 8.0008(11) A (9.1718(10) A), c = 11.6684(9) A (12.9144(12) A), beta = 98.307(11) degrees (102.796(18) degrees ), and Z = 2 (2). Compound 1 has a zigzag chain structure with an extensive hydrogen-bonded network while compounds 2 and 3 are honeycomb (6,3) nets with interpenetrating structures. Variable temperature (2-300 K) magnetic study indicates the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions (J = 0.82 +/- 0.01 cm(-)(1)) in 1 and ferromagnetic in 2 (J = -0.45 +/- 0.05 cm(-)(1)) and 3 (J = -0.21 +/- 0.02 cm(-)(1)). The extent of planarity of the bridging "Cu-O-C-O-Cu" moiety, acting as the super-exchange pathway between the neighboring copper centers, probably controls the sign of the magnetic exchange coupling in these compounds.     

Dendritic polyallyl and polyferrocenyl bipyridine ligands: Synthesis, MALDI-TOF characterization and ruthenium(II) complexation studies

A series of 6- and 18-armed dendritic polyallyl- and polyferrocenyl-containing bipyridine ligands were synthesized through the coupling reaction of 4,4′-bis(bromomethyl)-2,2′-bipyridine with AB₃ and AB₉ dendrons. All these bipyridine ligands were successfully characterized using standard physico-chemical techniques as well as MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis. The complexation studies of these ligands toward RuCl₂(bpy)₂ indicated that, in contrast to the bulky 18-ferrocenyl bipyridine ligand 7, the 6-allyl 4 and the 18-allyl 5 bipyridine ligands react with Ru(bpy)₂Cl₂ to give the corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes 9 and 10. In the case of ligand 7, the steric bulk of the two nonaferrocenyl wedges at the 4,4′-position of the bipyridine moiety prevents the conversion of the transoid structure of the ligand to the cisiod structure needed for chelation to the metal. Thus, the 18-ferrocenyl ruthenium(II) dendrimer was not obtained. Metallodendrimers 9 and 10 have been characterized by a combination of analytical methods, especially MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric techniques. The hydrogenation of the 6-allyl ruthenium(II) dendrimer 9 in the presence of Pd/C catalyst gave the expected n-propyl complex 11. This reaction constitutes a new way for the direct synthesis of alkyl bipyridine metallodendrimers. The coordination of the alkene dendritic bipyridine ligand to the metal before the catalytic hydrogenation is absolutely necessary, because of their poisoning effect for the catalyst.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of two copper complexes with one-dimensional chain structures bridged by bipyridine ligands

Two copper complexes {[Cu(phen)(azpy)(H₂O)(ClO₄)](ClO₄)}_n1 (phen=1,10-phenthroline, azpy=4,4′-azobispyridine) and {[Cu(phen)(bpe)(H₂O)(ClO₄)](ClO₄)}_n2 (bpe=trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene), have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray analysis reveals that copper ion has distorted square pyramidal coordination environments in the complexes 1 and 2. The copper is coordinated by two N atoms of phen, two N atoms from two bridging ligand azpy in 1 and from two bridging ligand bpe in 2, one O atom of coordinated water. Due to Jahn Teller distortion the sixth site in 1 and 2 is occupied by one O atom from one perchlorate anion. Copper ions are linked to each other through bridging ligand azpy in 1 and bridging ligand bpe in 2 to form one-dimensional chain. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies show that there is a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the Copper ions in 1 and 2.     

Orthogonal, convergent syntheses of dendrimers based on melamine with one or two unique surface sites for manipulation

An orthogonal, convergent route for the introduction of substoichiometric numbers of latent surface sites into dendrimers based on melamine is used to prepare targets that display one or two Boc-protected amines on the periphery. Asymmetry is the result of the stepwise incorporation of functionalized and unfunctionalized dendrons onto the triazine cores, a highly selective process due to the different reactivities of the substituted triazines. The routes to the dendrons rely on iterative reactions of the growing dendrons with triazine cores and diamine linkers. p-Aminobenzylamine is used as a linking group to avoid functional group interconversions or protecting group manipulations. Addition of the benzylamine group to the monochlorotriazine of the dendron proceeds cleanly leaving a less reactive aniline for subsequent reaction with trichlorotriazine. The routes to these targets proceed in 5 or 6 linear steps (11 or 12 total steps) in 40% overall yield. The unique surface sites can be deprotected and subjected to additional chemistries. Reaction of the monofunctionalized dendrimer with trichlorotriazine yields the desired dimer, a molecule whose increased size is evident from light scattering and tapping mode atomic force microscopy, and corroborated with computation.     

X-ray structure characterization of palladium(II) ternary complexes of pyridinedicarboxylic and phthalic acid with phenanthroline and bipyridine

The crystal structures of the series of four ternary complexes, [Pd(phen)(2,6-PDCA)].4H(2)O (1) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline; 2,6-PDCA=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid), [Pd(bpy)(2,3-PDCA)].3H(2)O (2) (bpy=2,2'-bipyridineand; 2,3-PDCA=2,3-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) and [Pd(phen)(PHT)].2.5H(2)O (3) (PHT=o-phthalic acid ) and [Pd(bpy)(PHT)].1.5H(2)O (4), are determined and the coordination modes of palladium(II) ternary complexes are characterized. All complexes take the mononuclear Pd(II) complexes, in which central Pd(II) atom of each complex has a similar distorted square-planar four coordination geometry. In all complexes, the aromatic heterocyclic compounds, phen and bpy, behave as a bidentate N, N' ligand. In the complex 1 and 2, 2,6-PDCA and 2,3-PDCA behave as a bidentate N, O ligand, and in complex 3 and 4, PHT behaves as a bidentate O, O' ligand.     

Bis(bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes with an aliphatic sulfinato donor: synthesis, characterization, and properties

Treatment of a thiolato-bridged Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, [Ag{Ru(aet)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (aet = 2-aminoethanthiolate; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), with NaI in aqueous ethanol under an aerobic condition afforded a mononuclear ruthenium(II) complex having an S-bonded sulfinato group, [1](+) ([Ru(aesi-N, S)(bpy)(2)](+) (aesi = 2-aminoethanesulfinate)). Similar treatment of optically active isomers of an analogous Ru(II)Ag(I)Ru(II) trinuclear complex, Δ(D)Δ(D)- and Λ(D)Λ(D)-[Ag{Ru(d-Hpen-O,S)(bpy)(2)}(2)](3+) (d-pen = d-penicillaminate), with NaI also produced mononuclear ruthenium(II) isomers with an S-bonded sulfinato group, Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-O,S)(bpy)(2)](+) (d-psi = d-penicillaminesulfinate)), respectively, retaining the bidentate-O,S coordination mode of a d-Hpen ligand and the absolute configuration (Δ or Λ) about a Ru(II) center. On refluxing in water, the Δ(D) isomer of [2](+) underwent a linkage isomerization to form Δ(D)-[3] (+) ([Ru(d-Hpsi-N,S)(bpy)(2)](+)), in which a d-Hpsi ligand coordinates to a Ru(II) center in a bidentate-N,S mode. Complexes [1](+), Δ(D)- and Λ(D)-[2](+), and Δ(D)-[3](+) were fully characterized by electronic absorption, CD, NMR, and IR spectroscopies, together with single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The electrochemical properties of these complexes, which are highly dependent on the coordination mode of sulfinate ligands, are also described.     

Photophysical, electrochemical and anion sensing properties of Ru(II) bipyridine complexes with 2,2'-biimidazole-like ligand

A new anion sensor [Ru(bpy)(2)(DMBbimH(2))](PF(6))(2) (3) (bpy is 2, 2'-bipyridine and DMBbimH(2) is 7,7'-dimethyl-2,2'-bibenzimidazole) has been developed. Its photophysical, electrochemical and anion sensing properties are compared with two previously investigated systems, [Ru(bpy)(2)(BiimH(2))](PF(6))(2) (1) and [Ru(bpy)(2)(BbimH(2))](PF(6))(2) (2) (BiimH(2) is 2,2'-biimidazole and BbimH(2) is 2,2'-bibenzimidazole). The high acidity of the N-H fragments in these complexes make them easy to be deprotonated by strong basic anions such as F(-) and OAc(-), and they form N-H···X hydrogen bonds with weak basic anions like Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), NO(3)(-), and HSO(4)(-). Complex 3 displays strong hydrogen bonding with these 5 weak basic anions, with binding constants between 17,000 and 21,000, which are larger than those observed in complex 1, with binding constants between 3300 and 5700, and in complex 2, which shows no hydrogen bonding toward Cl(-), Br(-), I(-), and NO(3)(-), and forms considerable hydrogen bonds with HSO(4)(-) with a binding constant of 11,209. These hydrogen bonding behaviours give different NMR, emission and electrochemical responses. The different anion binding affinity of these complexes may be mainly attributed to their different pK(a1) values, 7.2 for 1, 5.7 for 2, and 6.2 for 3. The additional methyl groups at the 7 and 7' positions of complex 3 may also play an important role in the enhancement of anion binding strength.     

Synthesis, photophysical, photochemical, and redox properties of nitrospiropyrans substituted with Ru or Os tris(bipyridine) complexes

Photochromic nitrospiropyrans substituted with 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), [Ru(bpy)3]2+, and [Os(bpy)3]2+ groups were synthesized, and their photophysical, photochemical, and redox properties investigated. Substitution of the spiropyran with the metal complex moiety results in strongly decreased efficiency of the ring-opening process as a result of energy transfer from the excited spiropyran to the metal center. The lowest excited triplet state of the spiropyran in its open merocyanine form is lower in energy than the excited triplet MLCT level of the [Ru(bpy)3]2+ moiety but higher in energy than for [Os(bpy)3]2+, resulting in energy transfer from the excited ruthenium center to the spiropyran but inversely in the osmium case. The open merocyanine form reduces and oxidizes electrochemically more easily than the closed nitrospiropyran. Like photoexcitation, electrochemical activation also causes opening of the spiropyran ring by first reducing the closed form and subsequently reoxidizing the corresponding radical anion in two well-resolved anodic steps. Interestingly, the substitution of the spiropyran with a Ru or Os metal center does not affect the efficiency of this electrochemically induced ring-opening process, different from the photochemical path.     

Dinuclear nickel complexes of phenolbased dinucleating macrocycles: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Abstract

Dinuclear Ni₂(II,II) complexes with the formula [Ni₂(R^m,n)](ClO₄)₂ ((m,n)= (2,2) (1), (2,3) (2), (2,4) (3)) have been obtained where (R^m,n)^2- denotes the macrocycles containing two 2,6-bis(iminomethyl)-4-methylphenolate entities combined through two lateral chains, -(CH₂)_m- and -(CH₂)_n-, at the imino nitrogens. [Ni₂(R^2,2)](ClO₄)₂ (1) crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system, space group P 1, with Z=1, a=8.396(2) Å, b= 10.021(2) Å, c=8.104(2) Å, α=109.56(2)°, β=99.40(2)°, γ=79.89(2)°, V=628.5(3) ų and Z=1. The refinement converges with R=0.0384 and R_w=0.0415 for 2075 reflections with | Fo | > 3[sgrave](| Fo |). In the centrosymmetric [Ni₂(R^2,2)]²⁺, a pair of Ni(II) ions are bridged by two phenolic oxygens with the Ni···Ni separation of 2.801(1) Å. Each Ni assumes a planar configuration with Ni-O bond distances of 1.842(3) and 1.838(3) Å and Ni-N bond distances of 1.814(3) and 1.823(3) Å. In the solid state, 1 is diamagnetic (S₁=S₂=0) whereas [Ni₂(R^2,3)]-(ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Ni₂(R^2,4)](ClO₄)₂ (3) are of a mixed-spin (S₁=0, S₂=1). In DMSO and pyridine all the complexes assume high-spin (S₁=S₂=1). The Ni₂(II,II) complexes are electrochemically reduced in DMSO or pyridine to Ni₂(I,II) and Ni₂(I,I) complexes. The conproportionation constants of the Ni₂(I,II) complexes are determined to be 3.4X10⁴-1.2X10⁵ in DMSO and 1.6X10³-2.6X10⁵ in pyridine. The Ni₂(I,II) and Ni₂(I,I) complexes of 1–3 have been prepared by electrolysis in DMSO. The mixed-valent complexes of 1 and 2 are characterized by an intervalence (IV) transition band at 790 and ～ 700 nm, respectively, and belong to Class II using the classification of Robin and Day. The Ni₂(I,II) complex of 3 shows no IT band (Class I). The Ni₂(I,II) complexes of 1-3 show well-resolved ESR spectra due to the spin-coupled S_T = 1/2 ground-state. The Ni₂(I,I) complexes of 1-3 are all ESR- innocent probably due to the strong antiferromagnetic interaction.     

Crown ethers with converging neutral binding sites: Synthesis and complexation with t-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate

The influence of substituents in close proximity to crown ether cavities, on the stability of complexes of the crown ethers with t-butylammonium salts, has been investigated. Crown ethers with intra-annular donor substituents (2–4) were prepared by the reaction of 2-acetylresorcinol (1) with polyethylene glycol ditosylates and subsequent modification of the acetyl group. Crown ethers with substituents above and below the plane of the crown ether 0 atoms were synthesized by the reaction of 2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biphenyls with polyethylene glycol ditosylates. Chloromethylation of 5,5'-dimethyl-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (6) yielded 4,4'-bis(chloromethyl)-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (10). 3,3'-Disubstituted-1,1'-biphenyl crown ethers (13–24) were synthesized by the reaction of 3,3'-diallyl-2,2'-dihydroxy-1,1'-biphenyl (12) with polyethylene glycol ditosylates. The allyl groups of 13 were isomerized with sodium hydride to propen- 1-yl groups. Ozonolysis of 13 and 14 gave the corresponding dialdehydes (15 and 18) which were converted into other 3,3'-disubstituted biphenyl-20-crown-6 derivatives (RCH₂COOMe, CH₂COOH, CH₂OH, CH₂Cl, CH₂OMe, OH and Me) by standard operations. The thermodynamic stability of the complexes of these functionalized crown ethers with t-butylammonium hexafluorophosphate has been studied in deuterochloroform in competition experiments with m-xyleno-18-crown-5 and benzo-15-crown-5 as the reference compounds. The nature of the 2-substituents in the crown ethers 2 and 3 has little effect on the stability of the complexes. The stability of the complexes of 3,3'-disubstituted biphenyl crown ethers depends of ringsize and the size and nature of the substituents. The most stable complexes are those of 24 (R = Me) and 14 (R=CH=CHMe).The Me groups in 24 represent the optimum between relief of O-O repulsion in the polyether ring and steric hindrance of complexation. The propen-1-yl substituents of 14 stabilize the complex because they provide extended π-electron donor stabilization. Substitution at the 4- and 4'-positions of the aryl groups has little effect on the stability of the complexes.     

Modified expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates: syntheses, structure and properties

Syntheses, characterization and properties of expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates are reported. Ferrocenyl group are covalently linked to the corrole macrocycle through three different spacers groups. The synthetic strategy involved prior insertion of ferrocene with spacers to the dipyrromethane unit followed by a "3+2" acid-catalyzed oxidative coupling methodology. The optical and emission data of the expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates depend on the nature and length of the spacer groups and the maximum effects are seen where ferrocene is directly linked to the meso carbon of macrocycle. The single crystal X-ray structure of two expanded corrole-ferrocene conjugates; [22]pentaphyrin (1.1.0.1.0) with different meso substituents, clearly reveal shortening of the C-C bond length linking the meso carbon and the aryl substituent containing the ferrocene moiety relative to meso aryl substituents without ferrocene. The results suggest that an electronic interaction between the two pi systems. Electrochemical data reveal harder oxidation for the ferrocene unit in the conjugates relative to free ferrocene; this suggests the electron donating nature of the ferrocene. The first corrole ring oxidation shows easier oxidation relative to 1 and the magnitude of shifts in potential is inversely proportional to the length of spacer. The molecular first hyperpolarizabilities (beta) measured at 1064 nm by HRS method vary in the range 20-32x10(-30) esu and imply that the beta values can be increased by enhancing the number of mobile electrons in the conjugation. The conjugates form 1:1 metal complex with the Rh(I) where rhodium is coordinated to one amino and one imino nitrogen of the dipyrromethane unit.     

Supramolecular assemblies of germanium(II) halides with O-, S- and Se-donor macrocycles - the effects of donor atom type upon structure

Reaction of [GeCl(2)(dioxane)] with [18]aneS(6) (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexathiacyclooctadecane) gives the neutral [GeCl(2)([18]aneS(6))] which forms a supramolecular sheet network involving exocyclic coordination, with the macrocycles bridging Ge atoms which are in a pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal environment from two Cl and two S atoms (saw-horse), with one lone pair assumed to occupy the remaining equatorial void. Conversely, using the mixed S/O macrocycles [18]aneS(3)O(3) (1,4,7-trithia-10,13,16-trioxacyclooctadecane) and [15]aneS(2)O(3) (1,4-dithia-7,10,13-trioxacyclopentadecane) (L) leads to the monocationic pentagonal pyramidal [GeCl(L)](+) whose structures show endocyclic Ge coordination, and displacement of one Cl. The Ge-S and Ge-O bond lengths are surprisingly disparate in these two complexes, and in the former the coordinated Cl is axial, while in the latter it occupies the pentagonal plane (with an S atom axial). Cyclic selenoethers form one-dimensional or two-dimensional supramolecular assemblies with Ge(ii) halides, including [GeCl(2)([8]aneSe(2))] ([8]aneSe(2) = 1,5-diselenacyclooctane), [(GeCl(2))(2)([16]aneSe(4))] ([16]aneSe(4) = 1,5,9,13-tetraselenacyclohexadecane), [GeBr(2)([16]aneSe(4))] and [(GeI(2))(2)([16]aneSe(4))]·GeI(4)- these represent the first germanium species with selenoether ligation. Structural studies on each of these show exocyclic GeX(2) coordination, giving networks based upon Se(2)X(2) coordination at Ge(ii) with a distorted pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal environment in which the Ge-based lone pair is assumed to occupy the vacant equatorial vertex. Further weak GeX contacts are also evident in some cases. The weak, secondary GeS/Se and GeX interactions that pervade these systems may be regarded as a further type of supramolecular interaction allowing assembly of new network structures, and the long II contacts evident between the GeI(2) and GeI(4) units in [(GeI(2))(2)([16]aneSe(4))]·GeI(4) probably provide a small thermodynamic contribution leading to co-crystallisation of ordered GeI(4) molecules within the network.     

Heptametallic bowl-shaped complexes derived from conjugated Schiff-base macrocycles: synthesis, characterization, and X-ray crystal structures

The reaction of chelating conjugated macrocycles 1a-c with Zn(OAc)2 gives bowl-shaped heptanuclear Zn complexes featuring Zn in tetrahedral, octahedral, and square-pyramidal geometries. Crystallographic and NMR results indicate that vacant Zn coordination sites within the bowl may be accessed, suggesting that these coordination complexes may be used as mimics for Zn fingers and carbonic anhydrase.     

Novel podands and macrocycles with diacetal (tetraoxadecalin) cores: synthesis, structure, stereochemistry and cation inclusion

A series of functionalized 2,6-dialkyl-cis-1,3,5,7-tetraoxadecalin podands (3-10, alkyl = hydroxy-, mesyloxy-, halo-, azido- and aminomethyl and -ethyl) were prepared, characterized, and used as precursors for a new and interesting class of macrocycles and cryptands (12-21), with the aim to use these as host-guest inclusion systems. Extensive spectroscopic work was performed, structural endorsement was obtained from X-ray diffraction analyses and further insight into the structures was obtained from theoretical/computational studies. A number of macrocycles in the series exhibited good complexation with alkaline-earth metal ions.