Formation and Dynamic Behavior of Mono‐ and Bimetallic Cadmium(II) Porphyrin Complexes: Allosteric Control of Coupled Intraligand Metal Migrations

The complexation behavior of a bis‐strapped porphyrin ligand ( 1 ) towards Cd^II has been investigated by ¹H and ¹¹³Cd NMR spectroscopy with the help of X‐ray diffraction structures. The presence of an overhanging carboxylic acid group on each side of the macrocycle is responsible for the instantaneous insertion of the metal ion(s) at room temperature, and allows the formation of bimetallic species with unusual coordination modes at the origin of unique dynamic behaviors. In the absence of base, a C₂‐symmetric bimetallic complex ( 1Cd₂ ) is readily formed, in which the porphyrin acts as a bridging ligand. Both Cd^II ions are bound to the N core and to a COO^? group of a strap. In contrast, the presence of a base induces a two‐step binding process with the successive formation of mono and bimetallic species ( 1^Cd and 1_Cd?CdOAc ). Formally, a Cd^II ion is first inserted into the N core and experiences a strong out‐of‐plane (OOP) displacement due to the binding of an overhanging carbonyl group in an apical position. A second Cd^II ion then binds exclusively to the strap on the opposite side, in a so‐called hanging‐atop (HAT) coordination mode. These two complexes display a fluxional behavior that relies on intraligand migration processes of the metal ion(s). In 1^Cd , the Cd^II ion exchanges between the two equivalent overhanging apical ligands by funneling through the porphyrin ring. In 1_Cd?CdOAc , the two Cd^II ions exchange their coordination mode (HAT?OOP) in a concerted way while staying on their respective side of the macrocycle, in a so‐called Newton’s cradle‐like motion. The intramolecular pathway was notably evidenced by variable temperature ¹¹³Cd heteronuclear NMR experiments. This coupled motion of the Cd^II cations is under allosteric control; the addition of an acetate anion (the allosteric effector) to the “resting” C₂‐symmetric complex 1Cd₂ affords the dissymmetric complex 1_Cd?CdOAc and triggers equilibrium between its two degenerate states. The rate of the swinging motion further depends on the concentration of AcO^?, with a higher concentration leading to a slower motion. As compared with the related Pb^II and Bi^III bimetallic complexes, the Newton’s cradle‐like motion proceeds faster with the smaller Cd^II ion. These results open the way to novel multistable devices and switches.     

HgII-Mediated TlI-to-TlIII Oxidation in Dynamic PbII/Tl Porphyrin Complexes

Compared with their purely organic counterparts, molecular switches that are based on metal ion translocations have been underexplored, and more particularly, it remains challenging to control the translocation of several particles in multisite receptors. Recently, bimetallic complexes that undergo double translocation processes have been developed with bis-strapped porphyrin ligands. To implement a redox control for these systems, we have investigated the formation of heterobimetallic lead/thallium complexes, with thallium in the +I and +III oxidation states. Two different complexes were characterized: 1) a Pb^II/Tl^I complex, in which both metal ions interact with the N-core on its different sides, and 2) a Pb^II/Tl^III complex with Tl^III selectively bound to the N-core and Pb^II selectively bound to the strap opposite to Tl^III. These two complexes undergo interconversion between their two degenerate forms (same coordination of the metal ions but on opposite sides) by different intra or intermolecular translocation pathways. In addition, conversion of the Pb^II/Tl^I complex into its Pb^II/Tl^III counterpart was achieved by addition of a stoichiometric amount of Hg^II salt as a sacrificial electron acceptor. These results further contribute to the elaboration of devices that feature redox-controlled compartmentalized double translocations.     

Cover Picture: Monitoring the Formation of Coordination Complexes Using Electrospray Mass Spectrometry (Chem. Asian J. 5/2009)

The rigid Schiff‐base ligand cis,trans‐1,3,5‐tris(pyridine‐2‐carboxaldimino) cyclohexane is synthesized, and its complexation to copper(II) salts at a range of stoichiometries is investigated. L. Cronin et al. show that the complexation reaction leads to the crystallization of transition‐metal complexes with nuclearities of 1, 2, and 4, and the formation of the complexes can be followed stepwise, in real time, using electrospray mass spectrometry. For more information, see their Full Paper on page 681 ff.

     

Acid–Base‐Controlled Stereoselective Metalation of Overhanging Carboxylic Acid Porphyrins: Consequences for the Formation of Heterobimetallic Complexes

Overhanging carboxylic acid porphyrins have revealed promising ditopic ligands offering a new entry in the field of supramolecular coordination chemistry of porphyrinoids. Notably, the adjunction of a so‐called hanging‐atop (HAT) Pb^II cation to regular Pb^II porphyrin complexes allowed a stereoselective incorporation of the N‐core bound cation, and an allosterically controlled Newton’s cradle‐like motion of the two Pb^II ions also emerged from such bimetallic complexes. In this contribution, we have extended this work to other ligands and metal ions, aiming at understanding the parameters that control the HAT Pb^II coordination. The nature of the N‐core bound metal ion (Zn^II, Cd^II), the influence of the deprotonation state of the overhanging COOH group and the presence of a neutral ligand on the opposite side (exogenous or intramolecular), have been examined through ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments with the help of radiocrystallographic structures and DFT calculations. Single and bis‐strap ligands have been considered. They all incorporate a COOH group hung over the N‐core on one side. For the bis‐strap ligands, either an ester or an amide group has been introduced on the other side. In the presence of a base, the mononuclear Zn^II or Cd^II complexes incorporate the carbonyl of the overhanging carboxylate as apical ligand, decreasing its availability for the binding of a HAT Pb^II. An allosteric effector (e.g., 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), in the case of a single‐strap ligand) or an intramolecular ligand (e.g., an amide group), strong enough to compete with the carbonyl of the hung COO^?, is required to switch the N‐core bound cation to the opposite side with concomitant release of the COO^?, thereby allowing HAT Pb^II complexation. In the absence of a base, Zn^II or Cd^II binds preferentially the carbonyl of the intramolecular ester or amide groups in apical position rather than that of the COOH. This better preorganization, with the overhanging COOH fully available, is responsible for a stronger binding of the HAT Pb^II. Thus, either allosteric or acid–base control is achieved through stereoselective metalation of Zn^II or Cd^II. In the latter case, according to the deprotonation state of the COOH group, the best electron‐donating ligand is located on one or the other side of the porphyrin (COO^?>CONHR>COOR>COOH): the lower affinity of COOH for Zn^II and Cd^II, the higher for a HAT Pb^II. These insights provide new opportunities for the elaboration of innovative bimetallic molecular switches.