Ruthenium‐Containing Linear Helicates and Mesocates with Tuneable p53‐Selective Cytotoxicity in Colorectal Cancer Cells

The ligands L¹ and L² both form separable dinuclear double‐stranded helicate and mesocate complexes with Ru^II. In contrast to clinically approved platinates, the helicate isomer of [Ru₂( L¹ )₂]⁴⁺ was preferentially cytotoxic to isogenic cells (HCT116 p53^?/?), which lack the critical tumour suppressor gene. The mesocate isomer shows the reverse selectivity, with the achiral isomer being preferentially cytotoxic towards HCT116 p53^+/+. Other structurally similar Ru^II‐containing dinuclear complexes showed very little cytotoxic activity. This study demonstrates that alterations in ligand or isomer can have profound effects on cytotoxicity towards cancer cells of different p53 status and suggests that selectivity can be “tuned” to either genotype. In the search for compounds that can target difficult‐to‐treat tumours that lack the p53 tumour suppressor gene, [Ru₂( L¹ )₂]⁴⁺ is a promising compound for further development.     

Formation of Novel Dinuclear Lanthanide Luminescent Samarium(III), Europium(III), and Terbium(III) Triple‐Stranded Helicates from a C2‐Symmetrical Pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide‐Based 1,3‐Xylenediyl‐Linked Ligand in MeCN

The synthesis of the C₂‐symmetrical ligand 1 consisting of two naphthalene units connected to two pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxamide moieties linked by a xylene spacer and the formation of Ln^III‐based (Ln=Sm, Eu, Tb, and Lu) dimetallic helicates [Ln₂? 1 ₃] in MeCN by means of a metal‐directed synthesis is described. By analyzing the metal‐induced changes in the absorption and the fluorescence of 1 , the formation of the helicates, and the presence of a second species [Ln₂? 1 ₂] was confirmed by nonlinear‐regression analysis. While significant changes were observed in the photophysical properties of 1 , the most dramatic changes were observed in the metal‐centred lanthanide emissions, upon excitation of the naphthalene antennae. From the changes in the lanthanide emission, we were able to demonstrate that these helicates were formed in high yields (ca. 90% after the addition of 0.6 equiv. of Ln^III), with high binding constants, which matched well with that determined from the changes in the absorption spectra. The formation of the Lu^III helicate, [Lu₂? 1 ₃], was also investigated for comparison purposes, as we were unable to obtain accurate binding constants from the changes in the fluorescence emission upon formation of [Sm₂? 1 ₃], [Eu₂? 1 ₃], and [Tb₂? 1 ₃].     

Synthesis,Characterization, Catalytic and Antibacterial Activity of Two Series of Dinuclear Ruthenium Sulphoxide Complexes Using 5,5¢‐Methylenebis(pyridine) as Bis‐chelating Bridging Ligand

The reaction of a new heterocyclic bidentate N containing spacer, (ligand) 5,5′‐methylenebis(pyridine) with ruthenium sulphoxide precursors resulted, dinuclear complexes. We herein report three formulations; [{cis,fac‐RuCl₂(so)₃}₂(μ‐mbp)].3so; [{trans,mer‐RuCl₂(so)₃₂}₂(μ‐mbp)].3so and [{trans‐RuCl₄(so)}₂(μ‐mbp)]^2?[X]₂⁺; where so = dimethyl‐sulfoxide/tetramethylenesulfoxide; mbp = 5,5′‐methylenebis(pyridine) and [X]⁺ = [(dmso)₂H]⁺, Na⁺ or [(tmso)H]⁺. These complexes were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molar conductance measurement, magnetic susceptibility, FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C{¹H}‐NMR, electronic spectroscopy and FAB‐Mass spectrometry. Catalytic activity of these complexes has been investigated in hydrolysis of benzonitrile. All the complexes exhibit good antibacterial activity against gram‐negative bacteria Escherichia coli in comparison to Chloramphenicol.     

Exploring Excited‐State Tunability in Luminescent Tris‐cyclometalated Platinum(IV) Complexes: Synthesis of Heteroleptic Derivatives and Computational Calculations

The synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of heteroleptic tris‐ cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes are reported. The complexes mer‐[Pt(C^N)₂(C′^N′)]OTf, with C^N=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) or 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), and C′^N′=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2‐thienyl)pyridine (thpy) or 1‐phenylisoquinoline (piq), were obtained by reacting bis‐ cyclometalated precursors [Pt(C^N)₂Cl₂] with AgOTf (2 equiv) and an excess of the N′^C′H pro‐ligand. The complex mer‐[Pt(dfppy)₂(ppy)]OTf was obtained analogously and photoisomerized to its fac counterpart. The new complexes display long‐lived luminescence at room temperature in the blue to orange color range. The emitting states involve electronic transitions almost exclusively localized on the ligand with the lowest π–π* energy gap and have very little metal character. DFT and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations on mer‐[Pt(ppy)₂(C′^N′)]⁺ (C′^N′=thpy, piq) and mer/fac‐[Pt(ppy)₃]⁺ support this assignment and provide a basis for the understanding of the luminescence of tris‐cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes. Excited states of LMCT character may become thermally accessible from the emitting state in the mer isomers containing dfppy or ppy as chromophoric ligands, leading to strong nonradiative deactivation. This effect does not operate in the fac isomers or the mer complexes containing thpy or piq, for which nonradiative deactivation originates mainly from vibrational coupling to the ground state.     

Solvent-dependent fac/mer-isomerization and self-assembly of triply helical complexes bearing a pivot part

Tris–chelate metal complexes of unsymmetrical bidentate ligands can form two geometric stereoisomers, facial (fac) and meridional (mer) isomers. Due to the small difference in their properties, the highly-selective synthesis of one of the isomers is challenging. We now designed a series of tripodal ligands with a tris(3-(2-(methyleneoxy)ethoxy)phenyl)methane pivot. Surprisingly, the ratio of the fac/mer isomers of the triply helical Fe^II complexes significantly changed depending on the solvents. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of fac/mer isomerism of a labile tris(2,2′-bipyridine) Fe^II complex governed by the solvent. Furthermore, well-defined self-assemblies were quantitatively produced by imine bond formation with a suitable diamine. The supramolecular assemblies contained only the fac isomer even though a mixture of the two isomers existed in solution before the condensation reaction. Namely, the self-assembly formation effectively adjusted the geometries of the building unit that results in the suitable supramolecular structure.

The novel tripodal complexes isomerize in response to environmental change, and well-defined self-assemblies were quantitatively produced by imine bond formation.     

Two lanthanum(III) complexes containing η2‐pyrazolate and η2‐1,2,4‐triazolate ligands: intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions and coordination geometries

The lanthanum(III) complexes tris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazolato‐κ²N,N′)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [La(C₁₅H₁₁N₂)₃(C₄H₈O)₃]·C₄H₈O, (I), and tris(3,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N¹,N²)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III), [La(C₁₄H₁₀N₃)₃(C₄H₈O)₃], (II), both contain La^III atoms coordinated by three heterocyclic ligands and three tetrahydrofuran ligands, but their coordination geometries differ. Complex (I) has a mer‐distorted octahedral geometry, while complex (II) has a fac‐distorted configuration. The difference in the coordination geometries and the existence of asymmetric La—N bonding in the two complexes is associated with intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions between the ligands.     

A Remarkable Solvent Effect on the Nuclearity of Neutral Titanium(IV)‐Based Helicate Assemblies

The spontaneous self‐assembly of a neutral circular trinuclear Ti^IV‐based helicate is described through the reaction of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with a rationally designed tetraphenolic ligand. The trimeric ring helicate was obtained after diffusion of n‐pentane into a solution with dichloromethane. The circular helicate has been characterized by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study, ¹³C CP‐MAS NMR and ¹H NMR DOSY solution spectroscopic, and positive electrospray ionization mass‐spectrometric analysis. These analytical data were compared with those obtained from a previously reported double‐stranded helicate that crystallizes in toluene. The trimeric ring was unstable in a pure solution with dichloromethane and transformed into the double‐stranded helicate. Thermodynamic analysis by means of the PACHA software revealed that formation of the double‐stranded helicates was characterized by ΔH(toluene)=?30 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS(toluene)=+357 J K^?1 mol^?1, whereas these values were ΔH(CH₂Cl₂)=?75 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS(CH₂Cl₂)=?37 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the ring helicate. The transformation of the ring helicate into the double‐stranded helicate was a strongly endothermic process characterized by ΔH(CH₂Cl₂)=+127 kJ mol^?1 and ΔH(n‐pentane)=+644 kJ mol^?1 associated with a large positive entropy change ΔS=+1115 J K^?1?mol^?1. Consequently, the instability of the ring helicate in pure dichloromethane was attributed to the rather high dielectric constant and dipole moment of dichloromethane relative to n‐pentane. Suggestions for increasing the stability of the ring helicate are given.     

Self‐Assembled Triple‐Stranded Lanthanide Dimetallic Helicates with a Ditopic Ligand Derived from Bis(benzimidazole)pyridine and Featuring an (4‐Isothiocyanatophenyl)ethynyl Substituent

Bis(2‐{6‐(diethylcarbamoyl)‐4‐[(4‐isothiocyanatophenyl)ethynyl]pyridin‐2′‐yl}‐1‐ethylbenzimidazol‐5‐yl)methane ( L ^G ) reacts with trivalent lanthanide ions in acetonitrile to yield triple‐stranded dimetallic helicates [Ln₂( L ^G )₃]⁶⁺. ¹H‐NMR Data point to the helicates being the only species formed under stoichiometric conditions and having a time‐averaged D₃ symmetry on the NMR time scale. The photophysical properties of L ^G and its helicates are discussed with respect to the closely related ligands L ^B , L ^E , and their complexes, two ligands devoid of the isothiocyanatophenylethynyl substituent. The quantum yield of the ligand fluorescence is three times smaller compared to L ^E , while that of the Eu^III‐centered luminescence (1.1%) is three times larger. On the other hand, the luminescence of Tb^III is not sensitized by L ^G . This is explained in terms of energy differences between the singlet and triplet states on one hand, and between the 0‐phonon transition of the triplet state and the excited metal ion states on the other. This work demonstrates that bulky substituents in the 4‐position of the pyridine ring do not prevent the formation of triple‐stranded helicates, opening the way for luminescent probes that can easily be coupled to biological materials.     

The Versatile,Efficient, and Stereoselective Self‐Assembly of Transition‐Metal Helicates by Using Hydrogen‐Bonds

A diverse range of dinuclear double‐stranded helicates in which the ligand strand is built up by using hydrogen‐bonding has been synthesized. The helicates, formulated as [Co₂(L)₂(L‐H)₂X₂], readily self‐assemble from a mixture of a suitable pyridine–alcohol compound (L; for example, 6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol, 1 ), and a CoX₂ salt in the presence of base. Nine such helicates have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography. For helicates derived from the same pyridine–alcohol precursor, a remarkable regularity was found for both the molecular structure and the crystal packing arrangements, regardless of the nature of the ancillary ligand (X). A notable exception was observed in the solid‐state structure of [Co₂( 1 )₂( 1 ‐H)₂(NCS)₂] for which intermolecular nonbonded contacts between the sulfur atoms (S???S=3.21 Å) lead to the formation of 1D chains. Helicates derived from (R)‐6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol ( 2 ) are soluble in solvents such as CH₃CN and CH₂Cl₂, and their self‐assembly could be monitored in solution by ¹H NMR, UV/Vis, and CD titrations. No intermediate complexes were observed to form in a significant concentration at any point throughout these titrations. The global thermodynamic stability constant of [Co₂( 2 )₂( 2 ‐H)₂(NO₃)₂] was calculated from spectrophotometric data to be logβ=8.9(8). The stereoisomerism of these helicates was studied in some detail and the self‐assembly process was found to be highly stereoselective. The chirality of the ligand precursors can control the absolute configuration of the metal centers and thus the overall helicity of the dinuclear assemblies. Furthermore, the enantiomers of rac‐6‐methylpyridine‐2‐methanol ( 3 ) undergo a self‐recognition process to form exclusively homochiral helicates in which the four pyridine–alcohol units possess the same chirality.     

mer‐Tri­chloro­tris(1,3‐thia­zole‐N)­ruthenium(III)

The potentially cytostatic title compound, mer‐[RuCl₃(C₃H₃NS)₃], is the first Ru^III–thz (thz is 1,3‐thia­zole) complex characterized via X‐ray diffraction and consists of discrete complex mol­ecules with an octahedral coordination sphere in which the metal centre is linked to three chloride ions and to three thz ligands through the N atoms. The Ru—Cl and Ru—N bond distances average 2.3462 (6) and 2.0851 (19) Å, respectively.     

Tailored synthesis,spectroscopic, catalytic,and antibacterial studies of dinuclear ruthenium (II/III) chloro sulfoxide complexes with 5-nitro-o-phenanthroline as a spacer

A dinucleating spacer incorporating o-phenanthroline has been synthesized and characterized. The reaction of this spacer with ruthenium precursors resulted in formation of dinuclear complexes, [cis,fac-RuCl₂(SO)₃ (μ-nphen)cis,cis-RuCl₂(SO)₂], [trans,mer-RuCl₂(SO)₃ (μ-nphen)trans, cis-RuCl₂(SO)₂], and [X]⁺[trans-RuCl₄(SO)(μ-nphen)mer-RuCl₃(SO)]^?, where SO = dimethylsulfoxide/tetramethylenesulfoxide, nphen = 5-nitro-o-phenanthroline, and X⁺ = [(dmso)₂H]⁺, Na⁺, and [(tmso)H]⁺. These complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurements, magnetic susceptibility, FT-IR, FAB-Mass, ¹H-NMR, ¹³C{¹H}-NMR, and electronic spectroscopy. [trans,mer-RuCl₂(dmso)3(μ-nphen)trans,cis-RuCl₂(dmso)₂] was also characterized on the basis of ¹H–¹H COSY NMR. The coordination of one ruthenium is through heterocyclic nitrogen of the o-phenanthroline and the second is through the oxygen of the nitrito group. Catalytic activity of these complexes has been investigated in hydrolysis of benzonitrile. All the complexes possess antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and are compared to Chloramphenicol.     

Synthesis and structures of ruthenium di‐ and tricarbonyl complexes derived from 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one

Carbon monoxide (CO) has recently been shown to impart beneficial effects in mammalian physiology and considerable research attention is now being directed toward metal–carbonyl complexes as a means of delivering CO to biological targets. Two ruthenium carbonyl complexes, namely trans‐dicarbonyldichlorido(4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one‐κ²N,N′)ruthenium(II), [RuCl₂(C₁₁H₆N₂O)(CO)₂], (1), and fac‐tricarbonyldichlorido(4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one‐κN)ruthenium(II), [RuCl₂(C₁₁H₆N₂O)(CO)₃], (2), have been isolated and structurally characterized. In the case of complex (1), the trans‐directing effect of the CO ligands allows bidentate coordination of the 4,5‐diazafluoren‐9‐one (dafo) ligand despite a larger bite distance between the N‐donor atoms. In complex (2), the cis disposition of two chloride ligands restricts the ability of the dafo molecule to bind ruthenium in a bidentate fashion. Both complexes exhibit well defined ¹H NMR spectra confirming the diamagnetic ground state of Ru^II and display a strong absorption band around 300 nm in the UV.     

Luminescent Bimetallic Lanthanide Bioprobes for Cellular Imaging with Excitation in the Visible‐Light Range

A series of homoditopic ligands H₂L^CX (X=4–6) has been designed to self‐assemble with lanthanide ions (Ln^III), resulting in neutral bimetallic helicates of overall composition [Ln₂(L^CX)₃] with the aim of testing the influence of substituents on the photophysical properties, particularly the excitation wavelength. The complex species are thermodynamically stable in water (log β₂₃ in the range 26–28 at pH 7.4) and display a metal‐ion environment with pseudo‐D₃ symmetry and devoid of coordinated water molecules. The emission of Eu^III, Tb^III, and Yb^III is sensitised to various extents, depending on the properties of the ligand donor levels. The best helicate is [Eu₂(L^C5)₃] with excitation maxima at 350 and 365 nm and a quantum yield of 9 %. The viability of cervix cancer HeLa cells is unaffected when incubated with up to 500 μm of the chelate during 24 h. The helicate permeates into the cells by endocytosis and locates into lysosomes, which co‐localise with the endoplasmatic reticulum, as demonstrated by counterstaining experiments. The relatively long excitation wavelength allows easy recording of bright luminescent images on a confocal microscope (λ_exc=405 nm). The new lanthanide bioprobe remains undissociated in the cell medium, and is amenable to facile derivatisation. Examination of data for seven Eu^III and Tb^III bimetallic helicates point to shortcomings in the phenomenological rules of thumb between the energy gap ΔE(³ππ*–⁵D_J) and the sensitisation efficiency of the ligands.     

Tetraaqua‐1κO,2κ3O‐(μ‐2,4‐dinitrophenolato‐1κ2O1,O2:2κO1)(2,4‐dinitrophenolato‐1κ2O1,O2)dilithium(I): a dinuclear lithium(I) complex

The title complex, [Li₂(C₆H₃N₂O₅)₂(H₂O)₄], contains two kinds of Li atoms, viz. five‐coordinated and four‐coordinated. The five‐coordinated Li ion has a tetragonal–pyramidal geometry, with a water molecule in the apical position and four O atoms from two 2,4‐dinitrophenolate (2,4‐DNP) ligands in the basal plane. The four‐coordinated Li ion has a tetrahedral geometry, with three water molecules and one phenolate O atom of a 2,4‐DNP ligand. The Li ions are bridged by a phenolate O atom, giving the complex a dinuclear structure. The crystal packing is stabilized by O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving the water molecules and nitro O atoms.     

Metallosupramolecular Complexes Derived from Bis(benzene‐o‐dithiol) Ligands

Meso complex versus helicate : A naphthalene‐bridged bis(benzene‐o‐dithiol) ligand reacts with Ti⁴⁺ to give both dinuclear triple‐stranded meso complexes and helicates, depending on the counterion employed during synthesis. DFT calculations performed with a simplified complex revealed that the interconversion of Λ to its Δ enantiomer proceeds via a C_3h‐symmetric transition state (see figure).

     

Synthesis and structures of photoactive manganese–carbonyl complexes derived from 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole and 2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole

PhotoCORMs (photo‐active CO‐releasing molecules) have emerged as a class of CO donors where the CO release process can be triggered upon illumination with light of appropriate wavelength. We have recently reported an Mn‐based photoCORM, namely [MnBr(pbt)(CO)₃] [pbt is 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole], where the CO release event can be tracked within cellular milieu by virtue of the emergence of strong blue fluorescence. In pursuit of developing more such trackable photoCORMs, we report herein the syntheses and structural characterization of two Mn^I–carbonyl complexes, namely fac‐tricarbonylchlorido[2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐κ²N ,N ′]manganese(I), [MnCl(C₁₂H₈N₂S)(CO)₃], (1), and fac‐tricarbonylchlorido[2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole‐κ²N ,N ′]manganese(I), [MnCl(C₁₆H₁₀N₂S)(CO)₃], (2). In both complexes, the Mn^I center resides in a distorted octahedral coordination environment. Weak intermolecular C—H…Cl contacts in complex (1) and Cl…S contacts in complex (2) consolidate their extended structures. These complexes also exhibit CO release upon exposure to low‐power broadband visible light. The apparent CO release rates for the two complexes have been measured to compare their CO donating capacity. The fluorogenic 2‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole and 2‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐benzothiazole ligands provide a convenient way to track the CO release event through the `turn‐ON' fluorescence which results upon de‐ligation of the ligands from their respective metal centers following CO photorelease.     

Polymorphism of mer‐μ‐oxalato‐bis[chloridotripyridinecobalt(II)] pyridine disolvate

Single crystals of a triclinic polymorphic form of mer‐μ‐oxalato‐bis[chloridotripyridinecobalt(II)] pyridine disolvate, [Co₂(C₂O₄)Cl₂(C₅H₅N)₆]·2C₅H₅N, have been prepared by solvothermal methods. The structure and geometric parameters strongly resemble those of the previously reported monoclinic polymorph [Bolte (2006). Acta Cryst. E 62 , m597–m598]. In both polymorphic forms, the dinuclear complex molecules are located on a crystallographic centre of inversion, with the Co^II cations in a distorted octahedral environment consisting of a chloride ligand, three pyridine ligands and a chelating bis‐bidentate oxalate ligand. This last serves as a bridging ligand between two Co^II cations. The polymorphs differ in the mutual orientation of their pyridine ligands in the dinuclear molecules and in their intermolecular connectivity. In the triclinic polymorph, C—H...O, C—H...Cl, C—H...π and π–π interactions link the dinuclear molecules into a three‐dimensional structure. Pyridine solvent molecules are attached to this structure via weak interactions.     

Mitochondrial‐DNA‐Targeted IrIII‐Containing Metallohelices with Tunable Photodynamic Therapy Efficacy in Cancer Cells

The development of DNA‐targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents for cancer treatment has drawn substantial attention. Herein, the design and synthesis of dinuclear Ir^III‐containing luminescent metallohelices with tunable PDT efficacy that target mitochondrial DNA in cancer cells are reported. The metallohelices are fabricated using dynamic imine‐coupling chemistry between aldehyde end‐capped fac‐Ir(ppy)₃ handles and linear alkanediamine spacers, followed by reduction of the imine linkages. The length and odd–even character of the diamine alkyl linker determined the stereochemistry (helicates vs. mesocates). Compared to the helicates, the mesocates exhibit improved apoptosis‐induction upon white‐light irradiation. Molecular docking studies indicate that the mesocate with a proper length of diamine spacers shows stronger affinity for the minor groove of DNA. This study highlights the potential of DNA‐targeting Ir^III‐containing metallohelices as PDT agents.     

A one‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer based on mixed multidentate N‐ and O‐donor ligands

In the title coordination polymer, catena‐poly[[bis[{1‐[(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl‐κN³)methyl]‐1H‐tetrazole}zinc(II)]‐bis(μ₄‐pentane‐1,5‐dioato‐1:2:1′:2′κ⁴O¹:O^1′:O⁵:O^5′)] methanol disolvate], {[Zn(C₅H₆O₄)(C₉H₈N₆)]·CH₃OH}_n, each Zn^II ion is five‐coordinated by four O atoms from four glutarate ligands and by one N atom from a 1‐[(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐tetrazole (bimt) ligand, leading to a slightly distorted square‐pyramidal coordination environment. Two Zn^II ions are linked by four bridging glutarate carboxylate groups to generate a dinuclear [Zn₂(CO₂)₄] paddle‐wheel unit. The dinuclear units are further connected into a one‐dimensional chain via the glutarate ligands. The bimt ligands coordinate to the Zn^II ions in a monodentate mode and are pendant on both sides of the main chain. In the crystal, the chains are linked by O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds into a two‐dimensional layered structure. Adjacent layers are further packed into a three‐dimensional network through van der Waals forces. A thermogravimetric analysis was carried out and the photoluminescent behaviour of the polymer was investigated.     

Aminopyridinate–FI Hybrids,Their Hafnium and Titanium Complexes,and Their Application in the Living Polymerization of 1‐Hexene

Based on two well‐established ligand systems, the aminopyridinato (Ap) and the phenoxyimine (FI) ligand systems, new Ap‐FI hybrid ligands were developed. Four different Ap‐FI hybrid ligands were synthesized through a simple condensation reaction and fully characterized. The reaction of hafnium tetrabenzyl with all four Ap‐FI hybrid ligands exclusively led to mono(Ap‐FI) complexes of the type [(Ap‐FI)HfBn₂]. The ligands acted as tetradentate dianionic chelates. Upon activation with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane, the hafnium‐dibenzyl complexes led to highly active catalysts for the polymerization of 1‐hexene. Ultrahigh molecular weights and extremely narrow polydispersities support the living nature of this polymerization process. A possible deactivation product of the hafnium catalysts was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis and is discussed. The coordination modes of these new ligands were studied with the help of model titanium complexes. The reaction of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with ligand 1 led to a mono(Ap‐FI) complex, which showed the desired fac‐mer coordination mode. Titanium (IV) isopropoxide reacted with ligand 4 to give a complex of the type [(ApH‐FI)₂Ti(OiPr)₂], which featured the ligand in its monoanionic form. The two titanium complexes were characterized by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis.