Redox‐Switchable 20π‐, 19π‐, and 18π‐Electron 5,10,15,20‐Tetraaryl‐5,15‐diazaporphyrinoid Nickel(II) Complexes

The first examples of air‐stable 20π‐electron 5,10,15,20‐tetraaryl‐5,15‐diaza‐5,15‐dihydroporphyrins, their 18π‐electron dications, and the 19π‐electron radical cation were prepared through metal‐templated annulation of nickel(II) bis(5‐arylamino‐3‐chloro‐8‐mesityldipyrrin) complexes followed by oxidation. The neutral 20π‐electron derivatives are antiaromatic and the cationic 18π‐electron derivatives are aromatic in terms of the magnetic criterion of aromaticity. The meso N atoms in these diazaporphyrinoids give rise to characteristic redox and optical properties for the compounds that are not typical of isoelectronic 5,10,15,20‐tetraarylporphyrins.     

Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions of o‐Carboranyl with Aryl Iodides: Facile Synthesis of 1‐Aryl‐o‐Carboranes and 1,2‐Diaryl‐o‐Carboranes

A nickel‐catalyzed arylation at the carbon center of o‐carborane cages has been developed, thus leading to the preparation of a series of 1‐aryl‐o‐carboranes and 1,2‐diaryl‐o‐carboranes in high yields upon isolation. This method represents the first example of transition metal catalyzed C,C′‐diarylation by cross‐coupling reactions of o‐carboranyl with aryl iodides.     

α‐Diamine Nickel Catalysts with Nonplanar Chelate Rings for Ethylene Polymerization

A series of novel α‐diamine nickel complexes, (ArNH‐C(Me)‐(Me)C‐NHAr)NiBr₂, 1 : Ar=2,6‐diisopropylphenyl, 2 : Ar=2,6‐dimethylphenyl, 3 : Ar=phenyl), have been synthesized and characterized. X‐ray crystallographic analysis showed that the coordination geometry of the α‐diamine nickel complexes is markedly different from conventional α‐diimine nickel complexes, and that the chelate ring (N‐C‐C‐N‐Ni) of the α‐diamine nickel complex is significantly distorted. The α‐diamine nickel catalysts also display different steric effects on ethylene polymerization in comparison to the α‐diimine nickel catalyst. Increasing the steric hindrance of the α‐diamine ligand by substitution of the o‐methyl groups with o‐isopropyl groups leads to decreased polymerization activity and molecular weight; however, catalyst thermal stability is significantly enhanced. Living polymerizations of ethylene can be successfully achieved using 1 /Et₂AlCl at 35 °C or 2 /Et₂AlCl at 0 °C. The bulky α‐diamine nickel catalyst 1 with isopropyl substituents can additionally be used to control the branching topology of the obtained polyethylene at the same level of branching density by tuning the reaction temperature and ethylene pressure.     

Nitro‐substituted iron(II) tridentate bis(imino)pyridine complexes as high‐temperature catalysts for the production of α‐olefins

A new series of nitro‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligands {2,6‐bis[1‐(2‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, 2,6‐bis[1‐(4‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine, (1‐{6‐[1‐(4‐nitro‐phenylimino)‐ethyl]‐pyridin‐2‐yl}‐ethylidene)‐(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐phenyl)‐amine, and 2,6‐bis[1‐(2‐methyl‐3‐nitrophenylimino)ethyl]pyridine} and their corresponding Fe(II) complexes [{p‐NO₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐ Me? p‐NO₂}FeCl₂ ( 10 ), L₂FeCl₂ ( 11 ), {m‐NO₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? m‐NO₂}FeCl₂ ( 12 ), and {p‐NO₂? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Mes}FeCl₂ ( 14 )] were synthesized. According to X‐ray analysis, there were shortenings of the axial Fe? N bond lengths (up to 0.014 Å) in para‐nitro‐substituted complex 10 and (up to 0.015 Å) in meta‐nitro‐substituted complex 12 versus the Fe(II) complex without nitro groups [{o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me}FeCl₂ ( 1 )]. Complexes 10 , 12 , and 14 afforded very active catalysts for the production of α‐olefins and were more temperature‐stable and had longer lifetimes than parent non‐nitro‐substituted Fe(II) complex 1 . The reaction between FeCl₂ and a sterically less hindered ligand [p‐NO₂? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? p‐NO₂] resulted in the formation of octahedral complex 11 . A para‐dialkylamino‐substituted bis(imino)pyridine ligand [p‐NEt₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? p‐NEt₂] and the corresponding Fe(II) complex [{p‐NEt₂? o‐Me? Ph? N?C(Me)? Py? C(Me)?N? Ph? o‐Me? p‐NEt₂}FeCl₂ ( 16 )] were synthesized to evaluate the effect of enhanced electron donation of the ligand on the catalytic performance. According to X‐ray analysis, there was a shortening (up to 0.043 Å) of the axial Fe? N bond lengths in para‐diethylamino‐substituted complex 16 in comparison with parent Fe(II) complex 1 . © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2615–2635, 2006     

Four NiII complexes with the new cyclam–methylimidazole ligand 1‐[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane

Although it has not proved possible to crystallize the newly prepared cyclam–methylimidazole ligand 1‐[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (L^Im1), the trans and cis isomers of an Ni^II complex, namely trans‐aqua{1‐[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane}nickel(II) bis(perchlorate) monohydrate, [Ni(C₁₅H₃₀N₆)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O, (1), and cis‐aqua{1‐[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane}nickel(II) bis(perchlorate), [Ni(C₁₅H₃₀N₆)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂, (2), have been prepared and structurally characterized. At different stages of the crystallization and thermal treatment from which (1) and (2) were obtained, a further two compounds were isolated in crystalline form and their structures also analysed, namely trans‐{1‐[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane}(perchlorato)nickel(II) perchlorate, [Ni(ClO₄)(C₁₅H₃₀N₆)]ClO₄, (3), and cis‐{1,8‐bis[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane}nickel(II) bis(perchlorate) 0.24‐hydrate, [Ni(C₂₀H₃₆N₆)](ClO₄)₂·0.24H₂O, (4); the 1,8‐bis[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane ligand is a minor side product, probably formed in trace amounts in the synthesis of L^Im1. The configurations of the cyclam macrocycles in the complexes have been analysed and the structures are compared with analogues from the literature.     

Synthesis,Spectral, and Electrochemical Properties of meso‐5,10,15,20‐Tetrakis (2′‐chlorobenzoquinolin‐3′‐yl)porphyrins

The synthesis, characterization, and redox and spectral properties of the meso‐5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(2′‐chlorobenzoquinolin‐3′‐yl)porphyrin are reported. The synthesis of the porphyrin was performed by following the modified Lindsey procedure, and its zinc(II) derivative was prepared by using the conventional method. The electronic properties of the compound were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and spectroscopy. This compound shows unusual redox behavior with difficulty in oxidation and ease of reduction compared to tetraphenylporphyrin.     

Synthesis and spectral properties of 2‐[(o‐ and p‐substituted)aminophenyl] ‐3H‐5‐[(o‐ and p‐substituted)phenyl]‐7‐chloro‐1,4‐benzodiazepines

A series of twelve new 2‐[(o‐ and p‐substituted)aminophenyl]‐3H‐5‐[(o‐ and p‐substituted)phenyl]‐7‐chloro‐1,4‐benzodiazepines, which have possible pharmacological properties has been obtained. The synthesis was carried out following six steps. The structure of all products was corroborated by ir, ¹H nmr, ¹³C nmr and ms. In addition for the compound 2‐(o‐chloroaminophenyl)‐3H‐5‐(o‐fluorophenyl)‐7‐chloro‐1,4‐benzodiazepine 7, its structure was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction.     

Furan‐Based o‐Quinodimethanes by Gold‐Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Heterocyclization of 2‐(1‐Alkynyl)‐2‐alken‐1‐ones: A Modular Entry to 2,3‐Furan‐Fused Carbocycles

A strategy for in situ generation of furan‐based ortho‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) by the gold(I)‐mediated dehydrogenative heterocyclization of 2‐(1‐alkynyl)‐2‐alken‐1‐ones in the presence of pyridine N‐oxide under mild reaction conditions was developed. These in situ furan‐based o‐QDMs were trapped by electron‐deficient olefins and alkynes, thus furnishing various 2,3‐furan‐fused carbocycles in good yields with high diastereo‐ and regioselectivities.     

2‐[(E)‐(4‐Chloro­phenyl)­methyl­ene­amino]‐N‐(X‐methyl­phenyl)‐4,5,6,7‐tetra­hydro‐1‐benzo­thio­phene‐3‐carbox­amide,where X = 2 and 3

The title compounds, both C₂₃H₂₁ClN₂OS, are isomeric, with (I) and (II) being the N‐3‐methyl­phenyl and N‐2‐methyl­phenyl derivatives, respectively. The dihedral angle between the 4‐chloro­phenyl group and the thio­phene ring in (II) [38.1 (1)°] is larger than that in (I) [7.1 (1)°], indicating steric repulsion between the chloro­phenyl and o‐toluidine groups in (II). In both compounds, an intramolecular N—H⋯N hydrogen bond forms a pseudo‐six‐membered ring, thus locking the molecular conformation. In the crystal structures, mol­ecules are connected via N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis in (I) and along the c axis in (II). Intermolecular C—H⋯O/S and π–π interactions are also observed in (II), but not in (I).     

Synthesis of 2‐Mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐Mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐Mercaptoacrylaldehydes

A novel one‐pot approach for the preparation of 2‐mercaptobenzaldehyde, 2‐mercaptocyclohex‐1‐enecarboxaldehydes and 3‐mercaptoacrylaldehydes [(Z)‐3‐mercapto‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde, 3‐mercapto‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde)] starting from ortho‐bromobenzaldehyde, 2‐chlorocyclohex‐1‐enecarbaldehydes, (Z)‐3‐chloro‐2‐methyl‐3‐phenylacrylaldehyde and 3‐chloro‐3‐(o‐tolyl)acrylaldehyde is reported. The reaction of sulfur with the Grignard reagent of the acetal for the protection of the aldehyde group affords the title compounds through hydrolysis with dilute hydrochloric acid in high yields.     

One‐Handed Single Helicates of Dinickel(II) Benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐diimine with an Amine Chiral Source

Benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐dialdehyde, composed of a pair of formyltripyrrole units with a 1,3‐phenylene linker, was metallated to give dinuclear single‐stranded helicates. X‐ray studies of the bis‐nickel(II) complex showed a helical C₂ form with a pair of helical–metal coordination planes of a 3N+O donor set. The terminal aldehyde was readily converted into the imine by optically active amines, whereby helix‐sense bias was induced. Bis‐nickel(II) and bis‐palladium(II) complexes of the benzenehexapyrrole‐α,ω‐diimines were studied to show that an enantiomer pair of the helical C₂ form are interchanged by slow flipping of each coordination plane and fast rotation around the C(benzene)?C(pyrrole) bond. The helical screw in the bis‐nickel(II) complexes was biased to one side in more than 95 % diastereoselectivity, which was achieved by using a variety of optically active amines, such as (R)‐1‐cyclohexylethylamine, (S)‐1‐ phenylethylamine, L ‐Phe(OEt) (Phe=phenylalanine), and (R)‐valinol. The nickel complexes showed much better diastereoselectivity than the corresponding palladium complexes.     

2‐Arylimino(diferrocenyl)‐ and (di‐p‐anisyl)dihydropyrimidines: Novel Synthesis,Structures, and Electrochemistry

2,3‐Differocenyl‐ and 2,3‐dianisyl‐1‐methylsulfanylcyclopropenilium iodides react with 1,3‐diphenyl‐ and 1,3‐di‐o‐tolylguanidine to give 1‐aryl‐2‐arylimino‐5,6‐ ( 5a , 5b ) and ‐4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 6a , 6b ) (～ 2:1) and, respectively, 5,6‐ and 4,5‐dianisyl‐3‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines (～ 2:1). Their structures were established based on the spectroscopic data and X‐ray diffraction analysis of 5,6‐diferrocenyl‐1‐(o‐tolyl)‐2‐(o‐tolyl)imino‐ and 4,5‐diferrocenyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐phenylimino‐1,2‐dihydropyrimidines ( 5b and 6a , respectively). Electrochemical behavior of compounds 5b, 6b, and 5a+6a were investigated using experiments of cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. For all the compounds, two electrochemical processes ( I , II ), attributed to the oxidations of the ferrocenes moieties were observed. The values of ΔE^0′ ( II‐I ) and comproportionation constant K_com are also reported. Additionally, an electrochemical oxidation with a fast coupled chemical reaction related to the pyrimide ring was also detected.     

Synthesis and Evaluation of Bioactivity of Thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles and Isomeric Thiazolo[2,3‐c]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles

Synthesis of 2‐(o‐nitrophenyl)‐6‐arylthiazolo[3,2‐b]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles 4 and its isomer 3‐(o‐nitrophenyl)‐5‐arylthiazolo[2,3‐c]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles 6 has been achieved starting from the appropriate 1‐(o‐nitrobenzoyl)‐3‐thiosemicarbazide 1 . Compound 1 on condensation with α‐haloketones gives 2‐(o‐nitrobenzoyl)hydrazino‐4‐arylthiazole hydrobromide 5 , which, on cyclization with POCl₃, affords thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles 6 and not the isomeric thiazolo[3,2‐b]‐[1,2,4]‐triazoles 4 . This has been established by an unequivocal synthesis of 4 through polyphosphoric acid cyclization of 5‐aroylmethylmercapto‐3‐o‐nitrophenyl‐[1,2,4]‐triazole 3 . Compound 3 was synthesized by condensation of α‐haloketones with 5‐mercapto‐3‐(o‐nitrophenyl)‐[1,2,4]‐triazole 2 , obtained cyclization of 2‐(o‐nitrobenzoyl)hydrazinecarbothioamide 1 with NaOH. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of some of the compounds have also been evaluated.     

DPPH (= 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl = 2,2‐Diphenyl‐1‐(2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl)hydrazyl) Radical‐Scavenging Reaction of Protocatechuic Acid Esters (= 3,4‐Dihydroxybenzoates) in Alcohols: Formation of Bis‐alcohol Adduct

Protocatechuic acid esters (= 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoates) scavenge ca. 5 equiv. of radical in alcoholic solvents, whereas they consume only 2 equiv. of radical in nonalcoholic solvents. While the high radical‐scavenging activity of protocatechuic acid esters in alcoholic solvents as compared to that in nonalcoholic solvents is due to a nucleophilic addition of an alcohol molecule at C(2) of an intermediate o‐quinone structure, thus regenerating a catechol (= benzene‐1,2‐diol) structure, it is still unclear why protocatechuic acid esters scavenge more than 4 equiv. of radical (C(2) refers to the protocatechuic acid numbering). Therefore, to elucidate the oxidation mechanism beyond the formation of the C(2) alcohol adduct, 3,4‐dihydroxy‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid methyl ester ( 4 ), the C(2) MeOH adduct, which is an oxidation product of methyl protocatechuate ( 1 ) in MeOH, was oxidized by the DPPH radical (= 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl) or o‐chloranil (= 3,4,5,6‐tetrachlorocyclohexa‐3,5‐diene‐1,2‐dione) in CD₃OD/(D₆)acetone 3 : 1). The oxidation mixtures were directly analyzed by NMR. Oxidation with both the DPPH radical and o‐chloranil produced a C(2),C(6) bis‐methanol adduct ( 7 ), which could scavenge additional 2 equiv. of radical. Calculations of LUMO electron densities of o‐quinones corroborated the regioselective nucleophilic addition of alcohol molecules with o‐quinones. Our results strongly suggest that the regeneration of a catechol structure via a nucleophilic addition of an alcohol molecule with a o‐quinone is a key reaction for the high radical‐scavenging activity of protocatechuic acid esters in alcoholic solvents.     

Palladium‐Catalyzed Chemoselective Intramolecular Cyclization of 2‐Bromoaryl Alkenenitriles

The chemoselectivity in the palladium‐catalyzed intramolecular cyclization of 2‐(o‐bromoaryl)‐alkenenitriles depends on the nature of α‐substitutents. 2‐(o‐Bromoanilino)alkenenitriles attacked the cyano group, followed by the cyano group transposition and hydrolysis, to give o‐(methylamino)benzonitrile. 2‐(o‐Bromobenzyl)alkenenitriles, 2‐(o‐bromophenylthio)alkenenitriles and 2‐(o‐bromophenoxy)‐alkenenitriles attacked the olefinic double bonds and led to l‐vinyl‐2‐indancecarbonitrile, 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydronaphthalene‐2‐carbonitriles, 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b]thiine‐2‐carbonitriles, and 3,4‐dihydro‐2H‐benzo[b]oxine‐2‐carbonitriles. A general mechanism for the palladium‐catalyzed arylations is proposed.     

3,3′‐[o‐Phenyl­enebis­(methyl­eneoxy)]­bis(6‐chloro­flavone) and 3,3′‐propyl­ene­dioxy­bis­[6‐chloro‐2‐(2‐furyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one]

The title compound 3,3′‐[o‐phenyl­enebis­(methyl­eneoxy)]­bis(6‐chloro­flavone), C₃₈H₂₄Cl₂O₆, (I), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with the molecules lying across twofold rotation axes so that there is half a mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit, while the other title compound, 3,3′‐propyl­ene­dioxy­bis­[6‐chloro‐2‐(2‐furyl)‐4H‐1‐benzopyran‐4‐one], C₂₉H₁₈Cl₂O₈, (II), crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n with one mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. In both compounds, the benzopyran moiety is nearly planar, with dihedral angles between the two fused rings of 1.43 (8)° in (I), and 2.54 (7) and 3.00 (6)° with respect to the benzopyran moieties in the two halves of (II). The furan rings are twisted by 8.3 (1) and 8.4 (1)° in the two halves of (II). In both compounds, the molecular structure is stabilized by intramolecular C—H⃛O hydrogen bonds, while the crystal packing is stabilized by C—H⃛Cl and C—H⃛O intermolecular hydrogen bonds in (I) and (II), respectively.     

Retroracemization using new forms of Belokon's original ligand: ­intermediate NiII complexes of N‐({2‐[N‐(S)‐alkylprolylamino]phenyl}phenylmethylene)‐(S)‐phenylalanine (alkyl is 2‐picolyl, 3‐picolyl or ethyl)

In the title compounds, [N‐(phenyl{2‐[N‐(S)‐(2‐picolyl)­prolyl­amino]­phenyl}methyl­ene)‐(S)‐phenyl­alaninato]­nickel(II), [Ni(C₃₃H₃₀N₄O₃)], (I), [N‐(phenyl{2‐[N‐(S)‐(3‐picolyl)­prolyl­amino]­phenyl}methyl­ene)‐(S)‐phenyl­alaninato]­nickel(II) hemihydrate, [Ni(C₃₃H₃₀N₄O₃)]·0.5H₂O, (II), and [N‐({2‐[N‐(S)‐ethyl­prolyl­amino]­phenyl}phenyl­methyl­ene)‐(S)‐phenyl­ala­nin­ato]­nickel(II), [Ni(C₂₉H₂₉N₃O₃)], (III), the Ni^II centres have approximate square‐planar coordination geometries from N₃O donor sets. The picolyl N atoms in (I) and (II) are too remote from the metal centres to interact significantly, but the metal coordination geometries experience tetrahedral distortion and/or displacement of the metal centre from the N₃O plane. These are linked to conformational differences between the ligands of the symmetry‐independent complexes (Z′ = 2), which in turn are related to molecular packing. In (III), where a less sterically demanding ethyl group replaces the picolyl substituents, there are none of the distortions or displacements seen in (I) and (II).     

A moderate distortion of the `picket‐fence' porphyrin (cryptand‐222)potassium chlorido[meso‐α,α,α,α‐tetrakis(o‐pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinato]ferrate(II) n‐hexane monosolvate

As representative porphyrin model compounds, the structures of `picket‐fence' porphyrins have been studied intensively. The title solvated complex salt {systematic name: (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane)potassium(I) [5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(2‐tert‐butanamidophenyl)porphyrinato]iron(II) n‐hexane monosolvate}, [K(C₁₈H₃₆N₂O₆)][Fe(C₆₄H₆₄N₈O₄)Cl]·C₆H₁₄ or [K(222)][Fe(TpivPP)Cl]·C₆H₁₄ [222 is cryptand‐222 or 4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane, and TpivPP is meso‐α,α,α,α‐tetrakis(o‐pivalamidophenyl)porphyrinate(2−)], [K(222)][Fe(TpivPP)Cl]·C₆H₁₄, is a five‐coordinate high‐spin iron(II) picket‐fence porphyrin complex. It crystallizes with a potassium cation chelated inside a cryptand‐222 molecule; the average K—O and K—N distances are 2.81 (2) and 3.05 (2) Å, respectively. One of the protecting tert‐butyl pickets is disordered. The porphyrin plane presents a moderately ruffled distortion, as suggested by the atomic displacements. The axial chloride ligand is located inside the molecular cavity on the hindered porphyrin side and the Fe—Cl bond is tilted slightly off the normal to the porphyrin plane by 4.1°. The out‐of‐plane displacement of the metal centre relative to the 24‐atom mean plane (Δ₂₄) is 0.62 Å, indicating a noticeable doming of the porphyrin core.     

Mononuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes with deprotonated forms of the tripodal hexadentate ligand 1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diamine

In the crystal structures of both title compounds, [1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐methyl‐2‐(2‐oxidobenzylideneaminomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diamine]nickel(II) [2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylidene)propane‐1,3‐diamine]nickel(II) chloride methanol disolvate, [Ni(C₂₆H_25.5N₃O₃)]₂Cl·2CH₄O, and [1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐methyl‐2‐(2‐oxidobenzylideneaminomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diamine]zinc(II) perchlorate [2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methyl‐1,3‐bis(2‐oxidobenzylidene)propane‐1,3‐diamine]zinc(II) methanol trisolvate, [Zn(C₂₆H₂₅N₃O₃)]ClO₄·[Zn(C₂₆H₂₆N₃O₃)]·3CH₄O, the 3d metal ion is in an approximately octahedral environment composed of three facially coordinated imine N atoms and three phenol O atoms. The two mononuclear units are linked by three phenol–phenolate O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form a dimeric structure. In the Ni compound, the asymmetric unit consists of one mononuclear unit, one‐half of a chloride anion and a methanol solvent molecule. In the O—H...O hydrogen bonds, two H atoms are located near the centre of O...O and one H atom is disordered over two positions. The Ni^II compound is thus formulated as [Ni(H_1.5L)]₂Cl·2CH₃OH [H₃L is 1,3‐bis(2‐hydroxybenzylidene)‐2‐(2‐hydroxybenzylideneaminomethyl)‐2‐methylpropane‐1,3‐diamine]. In the analogous Zn^II compound, the asymmetric unit consists of two crystallographically independent mononuclear units, one perchlorate anion and three methanol solvent molecules. The mode of hydrogen bonding connecting the two mononuclear units is slightly different, and the formula can be written as [Zn(H₂L)]ClO₄·[Zn(HL)]·3CH₃OH. In both compounds, each mononuclear unit is chiral with either a Δ or a Λ configuration because of the screw coordination arrangement of the achiral tripodal ligand around the 3d metal ion. In the dimeric structure, molecules with Δ–Δ and Λ–Λ pairs co‐exist in the crystal structure to form a racemic crystal. A notable difference is observed between the M—O(phenol) and M—O(phenolate) bond lengths, the former being longer than the latter. In addition, as the ionic radius of the metal ion decreases, the M—O and M—N bond distances decrease.     

Efficient Synthesis of β‐Hydroxy‐α‐Amino Acid Derivatives via Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Aldol Reaction of α‐Isothiocyanato Imide with Aldehydes

An easily available and efficient chiral N,N′‐dioxide–nickel(II) complex catalyst has been developed for the direct catalytic asymmetric aldol reaction of α‐isothiocyanato imide with aldehydes which produces the products in morderate to high yields (up to 98 %) with excellent diastereo‐ (up to >99:1 d.r.) and enantioselectivities (up to >99 % ee). A variety of aromatic, heteroaromatic, α,β‐unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes were found to be suitable substrates in the presence of 2.5 mol % L ‐proline‐derived N,N′‐dioxide L5 –nickel(II) complex. This process was air‐tolerant and easily manipulated with available reagents. Based on experimental investigations, a possible transition state has been proposed to explain the origin of reactivity and asymmetric inductivity.