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

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

NHC–Copper(I) Halide‐Catalyzed Direct Alkynylation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones on Water

An efficient and easily scalable NHC–copper(I) halide‐catalyzed addition of terminal alkynes to 1,1,1‐trifluoromethyl ketones, carried out on water for the first time, is reported. A series of addition reactions were performed with as little as 0.1–2.0 mol % of [(NHC)CuX] (X=Cl, Br, I, OAc, OTf) complexes, providing tertiary propargylic trifluoromethyl alcohols in high yields and with excellent chemoselectivity from a broad range of aryl‐ and more challenging alkyl‐substituted trifluoromethyl ketones (TFMKs). DFT calculations were performed to rationalize the correlation between the yield of catalytic alkynylation and the sterics of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), expressed as buried volume (%VBur), indicating that steric effects dominate the yield of the reaction. Additional DFT calculations shed some light on the differential reactivity of [(NHC)CuX] complexes in the alkynylation of TFMKs. The first enantioselective version of a direct alkynylation in the presence of C₁‐symmetric NHC–copper(I) complexes is also presented.     

Control of Silver(I)–Dialkyl Chalcogenide Coordination by a Synthetic Cavity

The discrete cavity of a self‐assembled palladium–tris(4‐pyridyl)triazine cage dictates the ratio of metal, ligand, and a non‐coordinative molecule in the formation of silver(I)–dialkyl chalcogenide (Et, nBu; S, Se) complexes and defines their coordination arrangement.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper(I) Complexes Containing Tri(2‐Pyridylmethyl)Amine Ligand

Reaction of copper halides CuX (X=Cl, Br, I) with tri(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine) (TPMA) in THF under N₂ affords a series of monomeric copper(I) complexes CuX(TPMA) (X=Cl ( 1 ), Br ( 2 ) and I ( 3 )). Treatment of [CuCl(TPMA)] ( 1 ) with 0.5 equivalent of 1,4‐diisocyanobenzene following by equimolar amount of NaBF₄ affords a novel binuclear complex [(TPMA)Cu(μ‐1,4‐CNC₆H₄NC)Cu(TPMA)](BF₄)₂ ( 4 ). The copper(I) halide TPMA complexes show interesting fluxional behaviors in temperature dependence in the ¹H NMR spectrum that can be explained by the dissociation and reassociation of the pyridyl group and alkylamine nitrogen of TPMA ligand. The crystal structures of 1 , 3 and 4 are determined by an X‐ray diffractometer. Complexes 1 and 3 are distorted tetrahedral coordinates with strong bonding between three pyridyl N atoms and the corresponding halide donor. Crystallographic results of 4 clearly indicates two Cu(I) ions are bridged by 1,4‐diisocyanobenzene, forming a centro‐symmetrical homobinuclear complex with a “dangling” uncoordinated pyridyl group.     

Impact of Substituents Attached to N-Heterocyclic Carbenes on the Catalytic Activity of Copper Complexes in the Reduction of Carbonyl Compounds with Triethoxysilane

By using functionalized imidazolium salts such as 1‐allyl‐3‐alkylimidazolium or 1‐alkyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium salts as carbene ligand precursors, the reduction of aryl ketones with triethoxysilane may be catalyzed by copper salt/imidazolium salt/KO^tBu systems. The functional substituents attached to the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) serve to enhance the catalytic activity. Different copper salts also have an effect on the catalytic activity, with copper(II) acetate monohydrate being superior to copper(I) chloride.     

Imidazol(in)ium‐2‐Carboxylates as Efficient Precursors to N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Copper and Silver

Copper and silver N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes were prepared through a simple, base‐free protocol involving the decomposition of corresponding imidazol(in)ium‐2‐carboxylates under thermolytic conditions and a subsequent reaction of the in situ generated carbenes with copper(I) or silver(I) chloride, respectively. The desired NHC metal complexes were isolated with good yields after simple crystallization.     

Dinuclear Gold(I) Complexes Bearing N,N′‐Allyl‐Bridged Bisimidazolylidene Ligands

A novel N,N’‐allyl‐bridged bisimidazolium salt and a novel dinuclear Ag(I) and a Au(I) NHC complex are reported. Both metallacyclic complexes have a twisted structural shape due to the rigid allylic system and form two different isomers relating to the position of the double bonds. The allyl‐group shows photoisomerisation, but no reactivity towards bases for the additional coordination of Pd(II).     

Self‐Assembly of 3,6‐Bis(4‐triazolyl)pyridazine Ligands with Copper(I) and Silver(I) Ions: Time‐Dependant 2D‐NOESY and Ultracentrifuge Measurements

Two 3,6‐bis(R‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazines (R=mesityl, monodisperse (CH₂ CH₂O)₁₂CH₃) were synthesized by the copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and self‐assembled with tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate and silver(I) hexafluoroantimonate in dichloromethane. The obtained copper(I) complexes were characterized in detail by time‐dependent 1D [¹H, ¹³C] and 2D [¹H‐NOESY] NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, high‐resolution ESI‐TOF mass spectrometry, and analytical ultracentrifugation. The latter characterization methods, as well as the comparison to analog 3,6‐di(2‐pyridyl)pyridazine (dppn) systems and their corresponding copper(I) and silver(I) complexes indicated that the herein described 3,6‐bis(1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligands form [2×2] supramolecular grids. However, in the case of the 3,6‐bis(1‐mesityl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridazine ligand, the resultant red‐colored copper(I) complex turned out to be metastable in an acetone solution. This behavior in solution was studied by NMR spectroscopy, and it led to the conclusion that the copper(I) complex transforms irreversibly into at least one different metal complex species.     

Elevated Catalytic Activity of Ruthenium(II)–Porphyrin‐Catalyzed Carbene/Nitrene Transfer and Insertion Reactions with N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

Bis(NHC)ruthenium(II)–porphyrin complexes were designed, synthesized, and characterized. Owing to the strong donor strength of axial NHC ligands in stabilizing the trans M?CRR′/M?NR moiety, these complexes showed unprecedently high catalytic activity towards alkene cyclopropanation, carbene C? H, N? H, S? H, and O? H insertion, alkene aziridination, and nitrene C? H insertion with turnover frequencies up to 1950 min^?1. The use of chiral [Ru(D₄‐Por)(BIMe)₂] ( 1 g ) as a catalyst led to highly enantioselective carbene/nitrene transfer and insertion reactions with up to 98 % ee. Carbene modification of the N terminus of peptides at 37 °C was possible. DFT calculations revealed that the trans axial NHC ligand facilitates the decomposition of diazo compounds by stabilizing the metal–carbene reaction intermediate.     

Different Coordinative (N,N) and (N,O) Bidentate Behaviour of N‐2‐Pyridyl‐Sulfonamides. Electrochemical Synthesis and Characterization of Cadmium(II) Complexes

Electrochemical oxidation of cadmium in an acetonitrile solution of N‐2‐pyridyl‐sulfonamides (HL) afforded cadmium coordination compounds of composition [CdL₂]. Heteroleptic complexes of composition [CdL₂L′] (L′ = 2, 2′‐bipyridine or 1, 10‐phenanthroline) were obtained when the coligand L′ was added to the electrolytic phase. The crystal structures of several compounds have been determined by X‐ray diffraction. In all cases the cadmium atom is hexacoordinated, but the coordinative behaviour of the N‐2‐pyridyl‐sulfonamide ligand depends on the location of the substituents in the pyridyl ring. When the substituent is in position 3, the ligands act as N, O‐donors. In all other cases, the ligands act as N, N′‐bidentate systems.     

Synthesis,structure, characterization and biological evaluation of 3‐substituted 1‐pyridin‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based copper(I)–phosphine complexes for anticancer drug screening

Copper(I) complexes of the types [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)₂]NO₃ (LC41–LC44) and [Cu(N–N)(PPh₃)(NO₃)] (LC45) carrying 3‐substituted 1‐pyridine‐2‐ylimidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine (N–N) derivatives and triphenylphosphine (PPh₃) ligands have been prepared. The synthesized copper(I)–phosphine complexes were fully characterized by NMR, IR, ESI‐MS and UV–visible spectroscopy as well as by cyclic voltammetry. Selected structures such as LC42, LC43 and LC45 were additionally analysed by single‐crystal X‐ray method, which show that copper(I) centre adopts a highly distorted tetrahedral geometry. The ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectral data of the complexes throw light on the nature of metal–ligand bonding. They display dπ–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition and show quasireversible Cu^I/Cu^II metal oxidation. Among the copper(I)–phosphine complexes, LC41–LC44 exhibit moderate cytotoxicity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 67–74 μM; 48 h, 58–70 μM) against human lung epithelial adenocarcinoma A549 cells, whereas LC45 displays the best activity (IC₅₀: 24 h, 42 μM; 48 h, 34 μM) for A549 cancer cell line, which is better than that of the commercial antitumor drug cisplatin. All the complexes also displayed excellent selectivity by being relatively inactive against the human lung epithelial L132 normal cell line with selectivity index (SI) values ranging from 3.4 to 7.4. The complexes block cell cycle progression of A549 cells in G₀/G₁ phase. FACSVerse analyses are suggestive of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptotic cell death induced by the LC41, LC43 and LC45. The induction of apoptosis in A549 cells was shown by Annexin V with propidium iodide (PI) and 4′,6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole (DAPI) staining methods and established the ability of LC41, LC43 and LC45 to accumulate in the cell nuclei.     

Supramolecular Wiring of Benzo‐1,3‐chalcogenazoles through Programmed Chalcogen Bonding Interactions

The high‐yielding synthesis of 2‐substituted benzo‐1,3‐tellurazoles and benzo‐1,3‐selenazoles through a dehydrative cyclization reaction has been reported, giving access to a large variety of benzo‐1,3‐chalcogenazoles. Exceptionally, these aromatic heterocycles proved to be very stable and thus very handy to form controlled solid‐state organizations in which wire‐like polymeric structures are formed through secondary N???Y bonding interactions (SBIs) engaging the chalcogen (Y=Se or Te) and nitrogen atoms. In particular, it has been shown that the recognition properties of the chalcogen centre at the solid state could be programmed by selectively barring one of its σ‐holes through a combination of electronic and steric effects exerted by the substituent at the 2‐position. As predicted by the electrostatic potential surfaces calculated by quantum chemical modelling, the pyridyl groups revealed to be the stronger chalcogen bonding acceptors, and thus the best ligand candidate for programming the molecular organization at the solid state. In contrast, the thiophenyl group is an unsuitable substituent for establishing SBIs in this molecular system as it gives rise to chalcogen–chalcogen repulsion. The weaker chalcogen donor properties of the Se analogues trigger the formation of feeble N???Se contacts, which are manifested in similar solid‐state polymers featuring longer nitrogen–chalcogen distances.     

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

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

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

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

Two‐dimensional square‐grid frameworks formed by self‐associating copper(II) complexes with 1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐ and 1‐(4‐pyridyl)‐substituted butane‐1,3‐diones

In bis­[1‐(3‐pyridyl)butane‐1,3‐dionato]copper(II) (the Cu atom occupies a centre of inversion), [Cu(C₉H₈NO₂)₂], (I), and bis­[1‐(4‐pyridyl)butane‐1,3‐dionato]copper(II) methanol solvate, [Cu(C₉H₈NO₂)₂]·CH₃OH, (II), the O,O′‐chelating diketonate ligands support square‐planar coordination of the metal ions [Cu—O = 1.948 (1)–1.965 (1) Å]. Weaker Cu⋯N inter­actions [2.405 (2)–2.499 (2) Å], at both axial sides, occur between symmetry‐related bis­(1‐pyridylbutane‐1,3‐dion­ato)copper(II) mol­ecules. This causes their self‐organization into two‐dimensional square‐grid frameworks, with uniform [6.48 Å for (I)] or alternating [4.72 and 6.66 Å for (II)] inter­layer separations. Guest methanol mol­ecules in (II) reside between the distal layers and form weak hydrogen bonds to coordinated O atoms [O⋯O = 3.018 (4) Å].     

Recognition Properties and Self‐assembly of Planar [M(2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole)2]2+ Metallo‐ligands

Molecular recognition continues to be an area of keen interest for supramolecular chemists. The investigated [M( L )₂]²⁺ metallo‐ligands (M=Pd^II, Pt^II, L =2‐(1‐(pyridine‐4‐methyl)‐1 H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine) form a planar cationic panel with vacant pyridyl binding sites. They interact with planar neutral aromatic guests through π–π and/or metallophilic interactions. In some cases, the metallo‐ligands also interacted in the solid state with Ag^I either through coordination to the pendant pyridyl arms, or through metal–metal interactions, forming coordination polymers. We have therefore developed a system that reliably recognises a planar electron‐rich guest in solution and in the solid state, and shows the potential to link the resultant host–guest adducts into extended solid‐state structures. The facile synthesis and ready functionalisation of 2‐pyridyl‐1,2,3‐triazole ligands through copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) “click” chemistry should allow for ready tuning of the electronic properties of adducts formed from these systems.     

Synthesis,Coordination Chemistry and Bonding of Strong N‐Donor Ligands Incorporating the 1H‐Pyridin‐(2E)‐Ylidene (PYE) Motif

A range of N‐donor ligands based on the 1H‐pyridin‐(2E)‐ylidene (PYE) motif have been prepared, including achiral and chiral examples. The ligands incorporate one to three PYE groups that coordinate to a metal through the exocyclic nitrogen atom of each PYE moiety, and the resulting metal complexes have been characterised by methods including single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and NMR spectroscopy to examine metal–ligand bonding and ligand dynamics. Upon coordination of a PYE ligand to a proton or metal‐complex fragment, the solid‐state structures, NMR spectroscopy and DFT studies indicate that charge redistribution occurs within the PYE heterocyclic ring to give a contribution from a pyridinium–amido‐type resonance structure. Additional IR spectroscopy and computational studies suggest that PYE ligands are strong donor ligands. NMR spectroscopy shows that for metal complexes there is restricted motion about the exocyclic C? N bond, which projects the heterocyclic N‐substituent in the vicinity of the metal atom causing restricted motion in chelating‐ligand derivatives. Solid‐state structures and DFT calculations also show significant steric congestion and secondary metal–ligand interactions between the metal and ligand C? H bonds.     

Arylative Intramolecular Allylation of Ketones with 1,3‐Enynes Enabled by Catalytic Alkenyl‐to‐Allyl 1,4‐Rhodium(I) Migration

Alkenyl‐to‐allyl 1,4‐rhodium(I) migration enables the generation of nucleophilic allylrhodium(I) species by remote C−H activation. This new mode of reactivity was employed in the diastereoselective reaction of arylboron reagents with substrates containing a 1,3‐enyne tethered to a ketone, to give products containing three contiguous stereocenters. The products can be obtained in high enantioselectivities using a chiral sulfur‐alkene ligand.     

Copper(II) bromide,nitrate and perchlorate complexes with sterically demanding N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide ligands

Functionalized acid amides are widely used in biology, medicine, environmental chemistry and many other areas. Among them, pyridine‐substituted amides, in particular N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide and its derivatives, play an important role due to their excellent chelating properties. The donor properties of these ligands can be effectively modified by introducing electron‐donating substituents (e.g. alkyl groups) into the heterocycle. On the other hand, substituents in the α‐position of the pyridine ring can create steric hindrance, which significantly influences the coordination number and geometry. To achieve a better understanding of these effects, copper(II) complexes with sterically demanding N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide ligands (L ) and monoanions of different size, shape and coordination ability have been chosen as model compounds. The crystal structures of three new compounds, bromidobis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) bromide, [CuBr(C₈H₁₀N₂O)]Br, (I), aquabis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) dinitrate, [Cu(C₈H₁₀N₂O)(H₂O)](NO₃)₂, (II), and aquabis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) bis(perchlorate), [Cu(C₈H₁₀N₂O)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂, (III), have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. It has been shown that the presence of the 6‐methyl group results in either a distorted square‐pyramidal or a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry around the Cu^II centres instead of the typical octahedral geometry observed when the methyl substituent is absent or occupies any other position on the pyridine ring. Moreover, due to the steric hindrance provided by the L ligands, only the bromide ligand, the smallest of the series, enters into the first coordination sphere of the Cu^II ion in (I). In (II) and (III), the vacant coordination site of the Cu^II ion is occupied by a water molecule, while the nitrate and perchlorate anions are not involved in coordination to the metal centre. The structures of (I)–(III) are characterized by the presence of one‐dimensional infinite chains formed by hydrogen bonds of the types N—H…Br [in (I)], N—H…O and O—H…O [in (II) and (III)] between the amide groups of the L ligands, the coordinated water molecules and the uncoordinated anions. The hydrogen‐bonded chains are further interconnected through π–π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings of the L ligands, with approximate interplanar separations of 3.5–3.6 Å.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Luminescence Properties of Dinuclear Metal (Ag+ and Cu+) Complexes with the Ligand 2‐MTPP [2‐MTPP = 2‐(Methylthio)‐4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)pyrimidine]

Reactions of the ligand 2 ‐ MTPP [2‐MTPP = 2‐(methylthio)‐4‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)pyrimidine] with AgNO₃ and CuI produced dinuclear silver(I) ( 1 ) and copper(I) ( 2 ) complexes, respectively. Both complexes adopt a chair‐like structure in which two 2 ‐ MTPP ligands and two metal ions are joined together through M–N and M–S coordination bonds. The luminescence properties of both complexes were investigated in solid state at room temperature.