Coordination cages of rhodium and iridium as exoreceptors for alkali metal ions

Hexanuclear coordination cages of the formula [(C5Me4R)M(C7H3NO4)]6 (M = Rh, Ir; R = Me, H) were obtained by stepwise reaction of [(C5Me4R)MCl2]2 with, first, AgOAc and, then, pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylic acid. Crystallographic analyses show that the cages adopt a distorted octahedral geometry with the pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylates functioning as dianionic, bridging ligands, each of which connects three different (C5Me4R)M fragments. The cages act as exoreceptors for the large alkali metal ions K(+) and Cs(+) but show low affinity for Na(+). Crystallographic and NMR spectroscopic analyses indicate that two metal ions can be coordinated to the surface of the cages. The respective binding sites comprise three carbonyl O-atoms from the bridging pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate ligand.     

Control of the Electronic Structure of Manganese Nitrido Complexes by Para Ring Substituents:a Theoretical Study

The relationship between the electronic structures of manganese nitrido complexes and the substituted ligands is investigated by using density functional theory.By designing a series of manganese nitrido complexes [Mn(SalenR)N]+ with different para ring substituents(R = H,CH_3,NH_2,OCH_3,NMeF,etc) of the ancillary ligand,the properties of manganese-nitrogen bonds were compared for two kinds of electronic structures,of which the radical resides on metal center or the coordinated ring ligand.Our calculation shows that for R = H,CH_3 and NH_2,the [Mn(SalenR)N]+ complexes have a high-valent Mn(VI) center,and for R = OCH_3 and NMeF,the complexes represent a configuration where the radical delocalizes on the ligand.It is found that the relative energies of these two species depend on electronic properties of the substituent,originating from the intrinsic property of HOMO-LUMO gaps.     

Cyclometallated compounds of manganese(I) with 1-methylphenylimidazoles

Cyclometallated complexes of magnanese(I) with 1-methylphenylimidazoles have been prepared. IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic studies show they are octahedral complexes in which the imidazole ligand is bound to the metal through the nitrogen and phenyl C(6) atoms. When the imidazole ligand with two phenyl groups at the C(2′) and C(4′) atoms is used, both possible cyclometallated compounds are obtained.     

Supramolecular architectures assembled by the interaction of purine nucleobases with metal-oxalato frameworks. Non-covalent stabilization of the 7H-adenine tautomer in the solid-state

The synthesis, crystal structure and variable-temperature magnetic measurements of the compounds [Mn(mu-ox)(H2O)(7H-pur-kappaN9)]n (1), {[Mn(mu-ox)(H2O)2].(7H-ade).(H2O)}n (2) and {[Cu(mu-ox)(H2O)(7H-ade-kappaN9)][Cu(mu-ox)(mu-H2O)(7H-ade-kappaN9)]. approximately 10/3H2O}n (3), (where ox: oxalato dianion, pur: purine, and ade: adenine) are reported. Compounds 1and 2 contain one-dimensional chains in which manganese(II) atoms are bridged by bis-bidentate oxalato ligands. The distorted octahedral geometry around each metal centre is completed in compound 1 by one water molecule and the imidazole N9 donor site of the purine ligand, which is a rare example of direct binding between the Mn(II) ion and the N donor site of an isolated nucleobase. Unlike 1, the adenine moiety in compound 2 is not bonded to manganese atoms and the metal coordination polyhedron is filled by two water molecules in a cis-arrangement. Its crystal building is constructed from pi-stacked layers of Watson-Crick hydrogen-bonded adenine...(H2O2)...adenine aggregates and zig-zag Mn(II)-oxalato chains held together by means of a strong network of hydrogen bonding interactions. The nucleobase exists in the lattice as the 7H-adenine tautomer which represents an unprecedented solid-state characterization of this minor tautomer as free molecule (without metal coordination) stabilized through non-covalent interactions. Compound consists of two slightly different [Cu(ox)(H2O)(7H-ade-kappaN9)] units in which the nucleobase coordinates through the imidazole N9 atom. The planar complex entities are parallel stacked and joined by means of long Cu-O bonds involving oxygen atoms from the oxalato and the aqua ligands, giving one-dimensional chains with a [4 + 1] square-planar pyramidal and a [4 + 2] octahedral coordination around the metal centre, respectively. Self-assembled process of compound 3 is further driven by an in-plane network of hydrogen bonding interactions to generate a porous 3D structure containing parallel channels filled by guest water molecules. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of all the complexes show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic interactions between the paramagnetic centres. DFT calculations have been performed to check the influence of packing in the stability of the 7H-amino tautomer of 2 and in the complex geometry of 3.     

Synthesis and characterization of manganese(II) and iron(III) d5 tripodal imidazole complexes. Effect of oxidation state, protonation state and ligand conformation on coordination number and spin state

The 1 : 3 Schiff base condensates of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) or tris(3-aminopropyl)amine (trpn) with 4-methyl-5-imidazolecarboxaldehyde, H3L1 and H3L2, respectively, were generated in situ and used to prepare complexes with manganese(II) and iron(III). The resultant complexes, [MnH3L1](ClO4)2, [MnH3L1](ClO4)2.EtOH.H2O, [MnH3L2](ClO4)2, [FeH3L1](ClO4)3.1.5(EtOH) and [FeHL1](I3) (0.525)(I)(0.475).2.625H2O, have been characterized by EA, IR, ES MS, variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, X-ray crystallography, and M?ssbauer spectroscopy for the iron complexes. The three manganese(II) complexes are high spin with [MnH3L2](ClO4)2 exhibiting coordination number seven while the others are six coordinate. [FeH3L1](ClO4)3.1.5(EtOH) has two iron sites, a seven coordinate and a pseudo seven coordinate site. The complex is high spin at room temperature but exhibits a magnetic moment that decreases with temperature corresponding to conversion of one of the sites to low spin. [FeHL1](I3) (0.525)(I)(0.475).2.625H2O is low spin even at room temperature. In the present complexes the apical nitrogen atom, N(ap), of the tripodal ligand is pyramidal and directed toward the metal atom. The data show that the M-N(ap) distance decreases as the oxidation state of the metal increases, as the number of bound imidazole protons on the ligand increases, and as the number of carbon atoms in the backbone of the ligand (tren vs. trpn) increases. In a limiting sense, short M-N(ap) distances result in high spin seven coordinate mono capped octahedral complexes and long M-N(ap) distances result in low spin six coordinate octahedral complexes.     

Manganese(II) complexes of substituted thio-and selenosemicarbazones of 2-acetylpyridine: E.s.r., magnetic and electronic spectral studies

Summary Manganese(II) bis(ligand) complexes of substituted thiosemicarbazones and selenosemicarbazones derived from 2-acetylpyridine of general formula [MnL₂] (where L=deprotonated ligand) have been synthesized and characterised by elemental analyses, electronic spectra in solution, i.r. spectra, magnetic measurements and e.s.r. spectra recorded in polycrystalline state and in solution at room temperature and 77K. The terdentate character of the ligands in all the complexes is inferred from i.r. spectra. The electronic spectra along with e.s.r. spectra suggest an octahedral environment around the manganese(II). The metal-ligand bonds are moderately covalent. Thus all the complexes reported here are six-coordinated and high-spin octahedral.     

Vibrational studies of the solid imidazole and pyridine adducts of metal(II) saccharinates. III. Zn(II) and Hg(II) imidazole saccharinates

Adducts of bis(o-sulfobenzimidato)zinc(II) and mercury(II) with imidazole are synthesized for the first time and their mid-infrared vibrational spectra at ambient conditions and at 77 K are coupled with the earlier spectra-structural inferences to predict aspects of the respective solid-state structures. The spectrum of the H2O-matrix isolated OD fundamentals in the hydrated zinc compound is also investigated. The structure of the latter adduct contrasts the octahedral isostructural tetrad of mixed imidazole-saccharinates [M(H2O)2(C3H4N2)4](C7H4NO3S)2 [M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II)] in that it bears only a single crystallographic type of hydrogen bonded C2v water molecules and at least two structurally different o-sulfobenzimidate ligands, some of them likely utilized in a bridging fashion. The rotation and the partial ionic character of a pair of N-monodentate o-sulfobenzimidato ligands placed about 212-214 pm from the metal accommodates another pair of imidazole molecules in the tetrahedral arrangement around the metal in the neutral unhydrous mercury complex.     

Luminescent lanthanide complexes with stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands: chirality effects on lanthanide complexation and luminescence properties

A series of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines including one and two asymmetric centers were synthesized in a stereo-controlled fashion as potential ligands of lanthanide cations. The reaction of chiral pyridylethyl methanesulfonates and bis(pyridylmethyl)amines occurred via an S(N)2 mechanism with complete inversion of asymmetric centers and gave the stereocontrolled tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amines, the stereochemical purity of which was ascertained by GPC, NMR, X-ray, and polarimetry experiments. They formed stable Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes having 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 stoichiometry (metal:ligand) in CH(3)CN solutions. NMR and UV titration experiments revealed that their complexation behaviors were rarely influenced by ligand chirality but significantly affected by the nature of the counteranion and the concentration ratio of metal to ligand. The Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes with these tripodal ligands exhibited characteristic luminescence spectra upon excitation for pyridine chromophores (260 nm), the intensities of which were largely dependent on the ligand chirality. The meso isomer of the disubstituted tripods particularly exhibited the enhanced terbium luminescence ca. three times more than its diastereomer and un- and monosubstituted tripods. Direct excitation at the lanthanide center had similar chirality effects on the luminescence profiles, indicating that the stereochemistry of the employed ligand largely influenced the lanthanide emitting processes. Since the ligand chirality finely modified the local coordination environments around the lanthanide center, the use of stereocontrolled ligands is applicable in design of the luminescent lanthanide complexes.     

Noncovalent ligand-to-ligand interactions alter sense of optical chirality in luminescent tris(β-diketonate) lanthanide(III) complexes containing a chiral bis(oxazolinyl) pyridine ligand

Highly luminescent tris[β-diketonate (HFA, 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoropentane-2,4-dione)] europium(III) complexes containing a chiral bis(oxazolinyl) pyridine (pybox) ligand--[(Eu(III)(R)-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)], [(Eu(III)(R)-i-Pr-pybox)(HFA)(3)], and [(Eu(III)(R)-Me-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)])--exhibit strong circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) at the magnetic-dipole ((5)D(0) → (7)F(1)) transition, where the [(Eu(III)(R)-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)] complexes show virtually opposite CPL spectra as compared to those with the same chirality of [(Eu(III)(R)-i-Pr-pybox)(HFA)(3)] and [(Eu(III)(R)-Me-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)]. Similarly, the [(Tb(III)(R)-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)] complexes were found to exhibit CPL signals almost opposite to those of [(Tb(III)(R)-i-Pr-pybox)(HFA)(3)] and [(Tb(III)(R)-Me-Ph-pybox)(HFA)(3)] complexes with the same pybox chirality. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed ligand-ligand interactions between the pybox ligand and the HFA ligand in each lanthanide(III) complex: π-π stacking interactions in the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with the Ph-pybox ligand, CH/F interactions in those with the i-Pr-pybox ligand, and CH/π interactions in those with the Me-Ph-pybox ligand. The ligand-ligand interactions between the achiral HFA ligands and the chiral pybox results in an asymmetric arrangement of three HFA ligands around the metal center. The metal center geometry varies depending on the types of ligand-ligand interaction.     

Tris[3,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐1‐(isoquinolin‐1‐yl)naphthalen‐2‐olato‐κ2N,O]aluminium(III) toluene sesquisolvate

The central Al^III atom of the title compound, [Al(C₂₇H₂₈NO)₃]·1.5C₇H₈, has octahedral geometry in which the three N atoms are arranged in a meridional fashion. One of the toluene solvent molecules is located on a general position, while the second is disordered around a centre of inversion. The ligand molecule has axial chirality, and two of the three ligands in the complex exhibit the same stereochemistry. The three independent chelate rings exhibit significantly different bite angles at the metal atom, with one [83.72 (8)°] notably smaller than the other two [87.22 (8) and 87.13 (8)°]. Calculation of the solid angle covered by the ligands at the metal atom reveals that coverage is greatest for the ligand group with the shortest Al—O bond distance.     

Spectroscopic studies of bimetallic complexes derived from tridentate or tetradentate Schiff bases of some di- and tri-valent transition metals

Two series of new binuclear complexes with Schiff base ligands, H(4)L(a) or H(2)L(b), derived from the reaction of 4,6-diacetylresorcinol and ethylenediamine, in the molar ratio 1:1 and 1:2 have been prepared, respectively. The two ligands react with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Cr(III) and Fe(III)-nitrates to get binuclear complexes. The ligands were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, (1)H NMR and mass spectra. The complexes were synthesized by direct and template methods. Different types of products were obtained for the same ligand and metal salts according to the method of preparation. The H(4)L(a) ligand behaves as a macrocyclic tetrabasic with two N(2)O(2) sits, while the H(2)L(b) ligand behaves as a dibasic with two N(2)O sites. The H(4)L(a) ligand is a compartmental ligand which hosts the two metal ions at the centers of two cis-N(2)O(2) sites, while the metal complexes of H(2)L(b) ligand are binuclear, where the ligand hosts two metal ions at the centers of two N(2)O sites. In both cases, deprotonation of the hydrogen atoms of the phenolic OH groups occur except in the case of the Ni(II), Fe(III) and Cr(III) complexes. Electronic spectra and magnetic moments of the complexes indicate that the geometries of the metal centers are either octahedral or tetrahedral. The structures are consistent with the IR, UV-vis, ESR, (1)H NMR, mass spectra, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) as well as conductivity and magnetic moment measurements.     

Synthesis and metal complexes of chiral c(2)-symmetric diamino-bisoxazoline ligands

A synthetic route to tetradentate chiral N(4) ligands has been developed with the aim to study the potential of corresponding iron and manganese complexes as catalysts for enantioselective epoxidation. These ligands, which contain two oxazoline rings and two trialkylamino groups as coordinating units, are readily prepared in enantiomerically pure form by the reaction of chiral 2-chloromethyloxazolines with achiral N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine or chiral (R,R)-N,N'-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine. The ligands derived from N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine reacted with anhydrous metal halides MnCl(2) and FeCl(2) in a stereoselective manner to give octahedral mononuclear complexes that have the general formula Delta-[(L)MCl(2)]. In contrast, the ligands derived from N,N'-dimethylcyclohexane-1,2-diamine formed complexes with different coordination modes depending on the diastereomer employed: in one case the metal ion was found to be pentacoordinate, in the other case a hexacoordinated complex was observed. The structure of a series of Fe and Mn complexes was determined by X-ray analysis. The coordination chemistry of these ligands was further studied by X-ray and NMR analyses of the diamagnetic isostructural complexes [(L)ZnCl(2)]. Analogous ionic complexes, which were prepared by removing chloride with silver trifluoromethanesulfonate or hexafluoroantimonate, were tested as catalysts for the epoxidation of olefins.     

Synthesis and characterization of novel Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone. Crystal structure of bis(2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazonato)nickel(II)

New complexes of Cd(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) with 2-quinolinecarboxaldehyde selenosemicarbazone (Hqasesc) were synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of the ligand, Cd(II) and Zn(II) complexes was determined by NMR and IR spectroscopy, elemental microanalysis and molar conductivity measurements. Both complexes occur in solution in two forms, the major tetrahedral and minor octahedral. In the major Cd(II) complex one qasesc⁻ ligand is coordinated as a tridentate, the fourth coordination site being occupied by acetate, while in the major Zn(II) complex two qasesc⁻ ligands are coordinated as bidentates. In both minor complexes two qasesc⁻ ligands are coordinated as tridentates forming the octahedral geometry around the central metal ion. The only paramagnetic complex in the series is Ni(II) complex for which X-ray structure analysis was performed. The complex has the angularly distorted octahedral geometry with two qasesc⁻ ligands coordinated as tridentates, in a similar way as in the minor complexes of Cd(II) and Zn(II).     

Synthesis and spectroscopic studies of CoII, NiII, FeIII and ThIV complexes derived from 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di(carboxymethyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl

The synthesis of 2,2'-dihydroxy-3,3'-di(carboxymethyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl (H2L) and its novel metal complexes with Co(II), Ni(II), Fe(III) and Th(IV) salts are reported. The ligand and its metal complexes have been characterized on the basis of analytical, conductance, spectral (IR, UV-vis, 1H NMR, mass) and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The M?ssbauer spectrum of the Fe(III) complex indicates a low-spin octahedral geometry around the Fe(III) ion. The IR and 1H NMR spectral data show that the ligand behaves in a dibasic bidentate fashion coordinating to two metal atoms through the two deprotonated naphthyl OH groups and acts in a dibasic tetradentate manner using both carbonyl oxygen's and the deprotonated naphthyl OH groups coordinating to two metal ions. Thermal studies (TGA, DTA) confirm the presence of solvents either inside or outside the coordination sphere and support the mechanism of the decomposition process. The value of [alpha]D20 for the ligand has been determined in DMSO.     

Group 11 metal complexes of SPS-based pincer ligands: syntheses, X-ray structures and reactivity

New group 11 d10 (Cu, Au) metal complexes with SPS pincer ligand were synthesized. Insoluble dimeric or oligomeric complexes [(SP(R)S)Cu](n) (R = Bu:4, Me:5) were readily cleaved by several two-electron donor ligands (phosphines, isocyanides, pyridine) to yield a range of new complexes (6-13). X-Ray crystal studies were performed on complexes 7, 8, 9, 11, which revealed distorted tetrahedral geometries and proved once again the flexibility of the SPS ligand, which can accommodate square planar, tetrahedral, octahedral and trigonal bipyramidal geometries. A dimeric gold species with an Au-Au interaction 16 was also synthesized. This dimer could be cleaved with two electron donor ligand (PPh(3):17, RNC: 18). Reactivity of complex 11 with ethyl diazoacetate yielded new lambda5-phosphinine 14.     

The effect of ligand charge on the coordination geometry of an Fe(III)ion: five- and six-coordinate Fe(III) complexes of tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine

By using the tripodal tetradentate ligand tris(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (H(3)ntb), which can have several charge states depending on the number of secondary amine protons, mononuclear octahedral and dinuclear trigonal bipyramidal Fe(III) complexes were prepared. The reaction of mononuclear octahedral [Fe(III)(H(3)ntb)Cl(2)]ClO(4), 1, with 3 equiv of sec-butylamine in methanol led to the formation of mononuclear cis-dimethoxo octahedral Fe(III)(H(2)ntb)(OMe)(2), 2. One equivalent of the sec-butylamine was used to generate the monoanionic H(2)ntb(-) ligand where one of the three amines in the benzimidazolyl groups was deprotonated. The remaining 2 equiv were used to generate two methoxides that were coordinated to the octahedral Fe(III) ion in a cis fashion as demonstrated by the chlorides in 1. Reaction of 1 with excess (7 equiv) sec-butylamine generated the doubly deprotonated dianionic Hntb(2-) that stabilized the dinuclear mu-oxo Fe(III)(2)O(Hntb)(2), 3, adopting a five-coordinate trigonal bipyramidal geometry. The magnetic data for 3 are consistent with the antiferromagnetically coupled Fe(III) (S = 5/2) sites with the coupling constant J = -127 cm(-1).     

Enantiomerically pure pentagonal-bipyramidal metal complexes with predetermined helicity in the solid and solution states

New metal complexes with pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry have been synthesized with the chiral, pentadentate bis(oxazoline) ligand (R,R)-1, including the metal ions magnesium(II), iron(II), and cadmium(II). In the solid state, a complete transfer of chirality from the ligand is observed to exclusively yield enantiomerically pure P-helical, isostructural pentagonal bipyramidal complexes, as determined by X-ray analysis of four compounds. This uncommon coordination geometry is likely to be driven by pi-pi-stacking of the terminal phenyl groups of the linear ligands. The complex cations in [Fe((R,R)-1)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (3), [Cd((R,R)-1)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (4), and [Mg((R,R)-1)(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (5) are mononuclear with the two apical positions of the pentagonal bipyramide occupied by two water molecules. In contrast, the structure in dinuclear [Cd((R,R)-1)(MeOH)(mu-I)(CdI3)] (2c) can be described as pentagonal-bipyramidal around cadmium with MeOH and distorted-tetrahedral CdI4 (via one bridging iodo ligand) completing the coordination sphere in axial positions. The crystal packing of 3-5 shows a highly ordered orientation of the mononuclear helical cations into one-dimensional chains along the crystallographic axis a, stabilized by intermolecular pi-pi-stacking. In contrast, the dinuclear helices in 2c are tilted relative to one another, and consequently, directed, one-dimensional helicity in the solid state is not observed. Studies using a combination of mass spectrometry and NMR and CD spectroscopy indicate the presence of only one C2-symmetrical, mononuclear species in acetonitrile for each case, suggesting the formation of diastereo- and enantiomerically pure complexes also in the solution state. All compounds exhibit a very characteristic and almost identical CD pattern between 200 nm and 300 nm. This signal can be attributed to the P-helical, pentagonal arrangement of the ligand.     

Carbon radical generation by d0 tantalum complexes with α-diimine ligands through ligand-centered redox processes

High-valent tantalum complexes having redox-active α-diimine ligands, (α-diimine)TaCl(n) (n = 3, 4), are prepared by the reaction of TaCl(5), α-diimine ligands, and an organosilicon-based reductant, 1-methyl-3,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-cyclohexadiene. Reductive cleavage of the C-Cl bond of polyhaloalkanes is accomplished by trichlorotantalum complexes having dianionic α-diimine ligands via electron transfer from the dianionic ligands, whereas oxidative decomposition of tetraphenylborate is observed using tetrachlorotantalum complexes with monoanionic α-diimine ligands through electron transfer to the monoanionic ligands. Chemically oxidized or reduced complexes of (α-diimine)TaCl(4) are isolated as ligand-centered redox products, [Cp(2)Co][(α-diimine)TaCl(4)] and [(α-diimine)TaCl(4)][WCl(6)], where the α-diimine ligand coordinates to the metal center as a dianionic or neutral ligand, respectively. On the basis of EPR measurements of (α-diimine)TaCl(4) complexes (which are key intermediates for reductive cleavage of C-Cl bond and oxidative decomposition of tetraphenylborate), two redox isomers--a tantalum-centered radical and ligand-localized radical--are present in solution.     

A high-throughput approach to lanthanide complexes and their rapid screening in the ring opening polymerisation of caprolactone

Libraries of lanthanide complexes supported by nitrogen and oxygen containing ligands have been synthesised using a high-throughput approach. The complexes were employed in the ring-opening polymerisation of epsilon-caprolactone, in some cases giving polycaprolactone of controlled molecular weight and narrow polydispersity. The libraries, based on twenty-one ligands and eight lanthanide reagents, were developed in order to determine the best combination of lanthanide metal and ligand. They were prepared via transamination reactions of [Ln[N(SiMe(3))(2)](3)] complexes with tetradentate dianionic ligands containing oxygen and nitrogen donors. 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to screen polymerisation activity. The steric demand of the ligand has a significant effect on the polymerisation process, as do the type of nitrogen donor and the size of the central Ln(3+) ion. Ligands containing aryl rings with bulky substituents such as tert-pentyl groups afforded species capable of performing controlled polymerisation of caprolactone, whereas less bulky groups such as methyl were not effective. Yttrium and mid-sized lanthanides such as samarium showed increased activity compared with the larger lanthanides, lanthanum and praseodymium, and the smaller lanthanides like ytterbium. X-ray crystal structures of a sterically demanding chelating amine-bis((2-hydroxyaryl)methyl) ligand and a chloride bridged dinuclear gadolinium complex are reported. The centrosymmetric molecule contains gadolinium in distorted capped trigonal prismatic environments bonded to two amine, two phenolate, one THF and two chloride donors.     

A magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent capable of detecting hydrogen peroxide

The redox-active ligand N-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (Hptp1) was prepared and complexed to manganese(II). The isolated [Mn(Hptp1)(MeCN)](2+) serves as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, with an r(1) value comparable to those of other mononuclear gadolinium(III) and manganese(II) complexes. The metal and ligand are stable in aerated aqueous solutions, but the addition of H(2)O(2) causes the complex to oxidatively couple to itself through a bimolecular reaction involving the phenol groups of two Hptp1 ligands. The binuclear product is less paramagnetic per manganese(II) than its mononuclear precursor, lowering the measured r(1) per manganese(II). The manganese(II) complex with Hptp1 can thereby serve as a sensor for oxidative stress.