Bis‐benzimidazolium‐palladium system catalyzed Suzuki‐Miyaura coupling reaction of aryl bromides under mild conditions

Bis‐benzimidazolium salts were prepared successfully from commercially available and inexpensive o‐phenylenediamine through a series of simple reactions. The bis‐NHC‐Pd complexes prepared in situ can catalyze Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction under very mild conditions in aqueous media with excellent yields. The efficiency of this reaction is demonstrated by its compatibility with a range of functional groups. Di‐ortho‐substituted biaryls could be accomplished in 89–99% yields. Moreover, the rigorous exclusion of air or moisture is not required in these transformations.     

Distinguishing the Strength of Electronic Coupling for Mo2‐Containing Mixed‐Valence Compounds within the Class III Regime

Two, symmetrical, mixed‐valence (MV), complex cations—{[Mo₂(DAniF)₃]₂(μ‐oxamidate)}⁺ ( 1 ⁺) and {Mo₂(DAniF)₃]₂(μ‐dithiooxamidate)}⁺ ( 2 ⁺; DAniF=N,N′‐di(p‐anisyl)formamidinate)—are significantly differentiated in terms of electronic coupling between the two [Mo₂] units. For 1 ⁺ the intervalence (IV) charge‐transfer band in the near‐IR spectrum is truncated in half on the low‐energy side as predicted for MV compounds at the Class II–III limit (2H_ab/λ=1; for which H_ab=electronic coupling matrix element and λ=reorganization energy). In contrast, the very strongly coupled analogue 2 ⁺, as indicated by 2H_ab/λ=3.5 (> >1), exhibits a higher energy and more symmetrical IV band. As rare examples, this pair of MV species shows distinct optical behaviors for MV systems crossing the Class III region. Optical analysis and DFT calculations are carried out to elucidate the transformation from vibronic to electronic vertical transition.     

Preparation and Intramolecular CC Coupling Reaction for Bis‐benzimidazolium Salt

Bis‐benzimidazolium salt 1 was prepared via a series of reactions using 2,2′‐diphenol as starting material. Compound 2 was afforded through the intramolecular C? C coupling reaction of 1 under the catalysis of Pd(OAc)₂. The structure of 2 is characterized through X‐ray diffraction analyses, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR. In 2 , two boat‐like seven‐membered rings are contained, where the C? C bond distance newly formed is 1.461(5) Å, and it is between regular C? C single bond (1.54 Å) and C?C double bond (1.34 Å). This shows that new C? C bond has partial double‐bond character. In the crystal packing of 2 , the 2D supramolecular layers are formed via C? H···F hydrogen bond.     

The Electronic Structure and Photochemistry of Group 6 Bimetallic (Fischer) Carbene Complexes: Beyond the Photocarbonylation Reaction

The UV spectra of Group 6 metal carbene complexes bearing a CpM(CO)₃ (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) moiety bonded to the carbene carbon atom exhibit a redshift of the absorption maxima at higher wavelengths with respect to the parent monometallic complexes. This redshift is partly due to a higher occupation on the p_z atomic orbital of the carbene carbon atom. Time‐dependent DFT calculations accurately assign this band to a metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer transition, thus showing that the presence of a second metal center does not affect the nature of the transition. However, the photochemical reactivity of Group 6 metal carbene complexes bearing a CpM(CO)₃ moiety strongly depends on the nature of this metal fragment. A new photoslippage reaction leading to fulvenes occurs when Mn‐derived products 11 a , 11 b , and 12 a are irradiated (both Cr and W derivatives), whereas Re‐derived product 11 c behaves like standard Fischer complexes and yields the usual photocarbonylation products. A new photoreduction process occurring in the metallacyclopropanone intermediate is also observed for these complexes. Both computational and deuteration experiments support this unprecedented photoslippage process. The key to this differential photoreactivity seems to be the M–Cp back‐donation, which hampers the slippage process for Re derivatives and favors the carbonylation reaction.     

Silver‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling of Isocyanides and Active Methylene Compounds by a Radical Process

Isocyanides are versatile building blocks, and have been extensively exploited in C? H functionalization reactions. However, transition‐metal‐catalyzed direct C? H functionalization reactions with isocyanides suffer from over‐insertion of isocyanides. Reported herein is a radical coupling/isomerization strategy for the cross‐coupling of isocyanides with active methylene compounds through silver‐catalysis. The method solves the over‐insertion issue and affords a variety of otherwise difficult to synthesize β‐aminoenones and tricarbonylmethanes under base‐ and ligand‐free conditions. This report presents a new fundamental C? C bond‐forming reaction of two basic chemicals.     

Dihedral‐Angle‐Controlled Crossover from Static Hole Delocalization to Dynamic Hopping in Biaryl Cation Radicals

In cases of coherent charge‐transfer mechanism in biaryl compounds the rates follow a squared cosine trend with varying dihedral angle. Herein we demonstrate using a series of biaryl cation radicals with varying dihedral angles that the hole stabilization shows two different regimes where the mechanism of the hole stabilization switches over from (static) delocalization over both aryl rings to (dynamic) hopping. The experimental data and DFT calculations of biaryls with different dihedral angles unequivocally support that a crossover from delocalization to hopping occurs at a unique dihedral angle where the electronic coupling (H _ab) is one half of reorganization (λ ), that is, H _ab=λ /2. The implication of this finding in non‐coherent charge‐transfer rates is being investigated.     

A New Dinuclear Copper (II) Complex of a Bis‐macrocyclic Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties

A new dinuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu₂L(N₃)₂](ClO₄)₁.₅ (OH)_4.5 · 2H₂O 0.5C₂H₅OH (1), of a bis‐macrocyclic ligand, 2,6‐bis(l,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecan‐10‐ylmethyl)‐methoxybenzene (L), has been synthesized, characterized and structurally determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in orthorhombic crystal system, Pca2(l) space group with a = 1.5371(3), b = 1.6641(3), c = 3.0950(6) nm, V = 7.917(3) nm³, F_w = 904.62, Z=8, D_c= 1.529 g/cm³ and final R = 0.0568, wR = 0.1406 for 10410 observed reflections with I≥2σ (I). Both Cu(II) centers in the structure are coordinated by four nitrogen atoms of 1,4,7, 10‐tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) and a nitrogen donor of the axial azide anion. Each Cu(II) center is in a square‐pyramidal coordination environment, and the intra‐and nearest inter‐molecular Cu? Cu nonbonding distances are 0.9855 and 0.7298 nm, respectively. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements in the range of 4.2–300 K indicate mat there exists weak intra‐ and inter‐molecular antiferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) centers with 27= ?4.2 cm^?1 and Θ = ?0.47 K.     

Mn(III) mixed‐ligand complexes with bis‐pyrazolones and ciprofloxacin drug: synthesis,characterization and antibacterial activities

The fluoroquinolone family member ciprofloxacin is well known for its drug design and coordinating ability towards metal ions. The coordination chemistry of this drug with metal ions of biological and pharmaceutical importance is of considerable interest. Novel Mn(III) mixed‐ligand complexes of ciprofloxacin with various bis‐pyrazolone‐based dinegative bidentate ligands were synthesized and characterized on the basis of their physical properties, magnetic susceptibility measurements, (FT‐IR and electronic) spectral studies. The FAB‐mass spectrum of [Mn(A⁹)(L)(H₂O)₂]·H₂O [where H₂A⁹ = 4,4′‐(p‐tolylmethylene)bis(3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ol) and HL = 1‐cyclopropyl‐6‐fluoro‐4‐oxo‐7‐(piperazin‐1‐yl)‐1,4‐dihydroquinoline‐3‐carboxylic acid] was determined. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their bioactivity. The mixed‐ligand complexes exhibited comparable activities against two Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens) and two Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) microorganisms. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrafast Exciton Self‐Trapping and Delocalization in Cycloparaphenylenes: The Role of Excited‐State Symmetry in Electron‐Vibrational Coupling

Upon photon absorption, π‐conjugated organics are apt to undergo ultrafast structural reorganization via electron‐vibrational coupling during non‐adiabatic transitions. Ultrafast nuclear motions modulate local planarity and quinoid/benzenoid characters within conjugated backbones, which control primary events in the excited states, such as localization, energy transfer, and so on. Femtosecond broadband fluorescence upconversion measurements were conducted to investigate exciton self‐trapping and delocalization in cycloparaphenylenes as ultrafast structural reorganizations are achieved via excited‐state symmetry‐dependent electron‐vibrational coupling. By accessing two high‐lying excited states, one‐photon and two‐photon allowed states, a clear discrepancy in the initial time‐resolved fluorescence spectra and the temporal dynamics/spectral evolution of fluorescence spectra were monitored. Combined with quantum chemical calculations, a novel insight into the effect of the excited‐state symmetry on ultrafast structural reorganization and exciton self‐trapping in the emerging class of π‐conjugated materials is provided.     

Quinobis(imidazolylidene): Synthesis and Study of an Electron‐Configurable Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) and Its Bimetallic Complexes

Reaction of bromanil with N,N′‐dimesitylformamidine followed by deprotonation with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ afforded 1,1′,3,3′‐tetramesitylquinobis(imidazolylidene) ( 1 ), a bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) with two NHC moieties connected by a redox active p‐quinone residue, in 72 % yield of isolated compound. Bimetallic complexes of 1 were prepared by coupling to FcN₃ ( 2 ) or FcNCS ( 3 ; Fc=ferrocenyl) or coordination to [M(cod)Cl] ( 4 a or 4 b , where M=Rh or Ir, respectively; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Treatment of 4 a and 4 b with excess CO(g) afforded the corresponding [M(CO)₂Cl] complexes 5 a and 5 b , respectively. Analysis of 2 – 5 by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicated that the electron‐deficient quinone did not significantly affect the inherent spectral properties or coordination chemistry of the flanking imidazolylidene units, as compared to analogous NHCs. Infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry revealed that decreasing the electron density at ML_n afforded an increase in the stretching energy and a decrease in the reduction potential of the quinone, indicative of metal–quinone electronic interaction. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the metal‐centered oxidations in 2 – 4 revealed two single, one‐electron peaks. Thus, the metal atoms bound to 1 are oxidized at indistinguishable potentials and do not appear electronically coupled. However, the metal–quinone interaction was used to increase the electron density at coordinated metal atoms. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry revealed that the average ν_CO values for 5 a and 5 b decreased by 14 and 15 cm^?1, respectively, upon reduction of the quinone embedded within 1 . These shifts correspond to 10 and 12 cm^?1 decreases in the Tolman electronic parameter of this ditopic ligand.     

Class III Delocalization in a Cyanide‐Bridged Trimetallic Mixed‐Valence Complex

The NIR and IR spectroscopic properties of the cyanide‐bridged complex, trans‐[Ru(dmap)₄{(μ‐CN)Ru(py)₄Cl}₂]³⁺ (py=pyridine, dmap=4‐dimethylaminopyridine) provide strong evidence that this trimetallic ion behaves as a Class III mixed‐valence species, the first example reported of a cyanide‐bridged system. This has been accomplished by tuning the energy of the fragments in the trimetallic complex to compensate for the intrinsic asymmetry of the cyanide bridge. Moreover, (TD)DFT calculations accurately predict the spectra of the trans‐[Ru(dmap)₄{(μ‐CN)Ru(py)₄Cl}₂]³⁺ ion and confirms its delocalized nature.     

Unique Electronic Structure in a Porous Ga‐In Bimetallic Oxide Nano‐Photocatalyst with Atomically Thin Pore Walls

A facile synthetic route is presented that produces a porous Ga‐In bimetallic oxide nanophotocatalyst with atomically thin pore walls. The material has an unprecedented electronic structure arising from its ultrathin walls. The bottom of the conduction band and the top of the valence band of the material are distributed on two opposite surfaces separated with a small electrostatic potential difference. This not only shortens the distance by which the photogenerated charges travel from the sites where they are generated to the sites where they catalyze the reactions, but also facilitates charge separations in the material. The porous structure within the walls results in a large density of exposed surface reactive/catalytic sites. Because of these optimized electronic and surface structures, the material exhibits superior photocatalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).     

A Highly Efficient and Selective Aerobic Cross‐Dehydrogenative‐Coupling Reaction Photocatalyzed by a Platinum(II) Terpyridyl Complex

Thanks to the superior redox potential of platinum(II) complex compared with that of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ in the excited state, an efficient and selective visible‐light‐induced CDC reaction has been developed by using a catalytic amount (0.25 %) of 1 . With the aid of FeSO₄ (2 equiv), the corresponding amide could not be detected under visible‐light irradiation (λ=450 nm), but the desired cross‐coupling product was exclusively obtained under ambient air conditions. A spectroscopic study and product analysis revealed that the CDC reaction is initiated by photoinduced electron‐transfer from N‐phenyltetrahydroisoquinoline to the complex. An EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) experiment provides direct evidence on the generation of superoxide radical anion (O₂^{? .} ) rather than singlet oxygen (¹O₂) under irradiation of the reaction system, in contrast to that reported in the literature. Combined, the photoinduced electron‐transfer and subsequent formation of superoxide radical anion (O₂^{? .} ) results in a clean and facile transformation.     

An Efficient Palladium and Bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine‐based System for Suzuki‐Miyaura Cross‐Coupling under Aqueous and Aerobic Condition

A novel PdCl₂/bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine‐based ligand ( 1 ) catalytic system, which is water‐soluble and air‐stable, has been successfully synthesized and applied for Suzuki‐Miyaura cross‐coupling reaction. In the presence of catalytic amount of PdCl₂/ 1 system, arylboronic acids can couple with a wide range of aryl halides, including aryl bromides and aryl chlorides. The reactions proceed under mild conditions to give excellent yields, and a wide range of functionalities is tolerated.     

Three Transition Metal(II) Coordination Polymers Constructed by a Semi‐rigid Bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide and Dicarboxylates Mixed Ligands: Assembly,Structures and Properties

Three coordination polymers, namely [Co(BDC)( L )] · H₂O ( 1 ), [Co(NPH)( L )] · H₂O ( 2 ), and [Ni(NPH)( L )(H₂O)₃] · H₂O ( 3 ) [H₂BDC = 1, 3‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₂NPH = 3‐nitrophthalic acid, L = N,N′‐bis(3‐pyridyl)‐terephthalamide] were hydrothermally synthesized by self‐assembly of cobalt/nickel chloride with a semi‐rigid bis‐pyridyl‐bis‐amide ligand and two aromatic dicarboxylic acids. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that complexes 1 and 2 are two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymers containing a one‐dimensional (1D) ribbon‐like Co‐dicarboxylate chain and a 1D zigzag Co‐ L chain. Although the coordination numbers of Co^II ions and the coordination modes of two dicarboxylates are different in complexes 1 and 2 , they have a similar 3, 5‐connected {4².6⁷.8}{4².6} topology. In complex 3 , the adjacent Ni^II ions are linked by L ligands to form a 1D polymeric chain, whereas the 1D chains does not extend into a higher‐dimensional structure due to the ligand NPH with monodentate coordination mode. The adjacent layers of complexes 1 and 2 and the adjacent chains of 3 are further linked by hydrogen bonding interactions to form 3D supramolecular networks. Moreover, the thermal stabilities, fluorescent properties, and photocatalytic activities of complexes 1 – 3 were studied.