Fe(II) and Co(II) pyridinebisimine complexes bearing different substituents on ortho- and para-position of imines: synthesis, characterization and behavior of ethylene polymerization

A series of 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes [2,6-(ArNCMe)₂C₅H₃N]MCl₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, M = Fe: 3a, M = Co: 4a; Ar = 2,4,6-i-Pr₃C₆H₂, M = Fe: 3b, M = Co: 4b; Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂-4-BrC₆H₂, M = Fe: 3c, M = Co: 4c; Ar = 2,4-i-Pr₂-6-BrC₆H₂, M = Fe: 3d, M = Co: 4d) has been synthesized, characterized, and investigated as precatalysts for the polymerization of ethylene in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO). The substituents of pyridinebisimine ligands and their positions located significantly influence catalyst activity and polymer property. It is found that the catalytic activities of the iron complexes/MMAO systems are mainly dominated by electronical effect, while those of the cobalt complexes/MMAO systems are primarily controlled by hindering effect.     

Nickel (II) complexes with β-enaminoketonato chelate ligands: Synthesis, solid-structure characterization and reactivity toward the addition polymerization of norbornene

Based on two β-enaminoketonato ligands [ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)OH] (L₁, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; L₂, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃), their mono(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)Ni(Ph)(PPh₃)] (1, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 3, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) and bis(β-enaminoketonato)nickel (II) complexes [(ArNC(CH₃)C(H)C(CF₃)O)₂Ni] (2, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃; 4, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃) have been synthesized and characterized. The molecular structures of complex 1, 2 and 4 have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO) these catalytic precursors 1-4 could polymerize norbornene to afford addition-type polynorbornene (PNB). Interestingly, catalytic activities and PNB productivity were greatly enhanced due to the introduction of strong electron-withdrawing group - trifluoro methyl into the ligands. Catalytic activities, polymer yield, M_w and M_w/M_n of PNB have been investigated under various reaction conditions.     

Syntheses, structures and catalytic activity of copper(II) complexes with hydroxyindanimine ligands

A series of new hydroxyindanimine ligands [ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)OH] (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (HL¹), R = Cl (HL²), and R = Me (HL³)) were synthesized and characterized. Reaction of hydroxyindanimine with Cu(OAc)₂ · H₂O results in the formation of the mononuclear bis(hydroxyindaniminato)copper(II) complexes Cu[ArNCC₂H₃(CH₃)C₆H₂(R)O]₂ (Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃, R = H (1), R = Cl (2), and R = Me (3)). The complex 2′ was obtained from the chlorobenzene solution of the complex 2, which has the same molecule formula with the complex 2 but it is a polymorph. All copper(II) complexes were characterized by their IR and elemental analyses. In addition, X-ray structure analyses were performed for complexes 1, 2, and 2′. After being activated with methylaluminoxane (MAO), complexes 1-3 can be used as catalysts for the vinyl polymerization of norbornene with moderate catalytic activities. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene have been investigated for various reaction conditions.     

Synthesis, characterization and butadiene polymerization studies of cobalt(II) complexes bearing bisiminopyridine ligand

A series of 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl Co(II) complexes of the general formulas [2,6-(ArNCMe)₂C₅H₃N]CoCl₂ (Ar = -C₆H₅, 3a; 2-MeC₆H₄, 3b; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3c; 2-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3d; 2,6-ⁱPr₂C₆H₃, 3e; 4-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3f; 4-FC₆H₄, 3g; 4-CF₃C₆H₄, 3h; 2-FC₆H₄, 3i; 2,6-F₂C₆H₃, 3j; 2-Me-4-FC₆H₃, 3k and 2,6-Me₂-4-FC₆H₂, 3l) and [2,6-(ArNCH)₂C₅H₃N]CoCl₂ (Ar = -C₆H₅, 3m; 2-EtC₆H₄, 3n and 4-ⁱPrC₆H₄, 3o) have been synthesized and characterized. The structures of new complexes 3a, 3f-3h and 3m-3o are further confirmed by X-ray crystallography. All complexes adopt distorted trigonal bipyramidal configuration with the equatorial plane formed by the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the two chlorine atoms. In the complexes 3m and 3o, three aromatic rings are essentially coplanar, which is in sharp contrast to the other complexes, where three rings are almost orthogonal to each other. With methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst in toluene at room temperature, the complexes show moderate to high conversion (42-99%) in butadiene polymerization, producing polybutadiene with tunable cis-1,4 structure (77.5-97%) and controllable molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The catalytic activity, selectivity as well as the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the resultant polymer are found to be dependent on the size and nature of substituents on iminoaryl rings and their positions located. By deliberately tuning the ligand structure, more efficient catalyst in terms of high activity and high selectivity can be obtained.     

Syntheses, characterization and crystal structures of di- and triorganotin (IV) derivatives with 6-amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol

A series of organotin (IV) complexes with 6-amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithiol of the type [(R_nSnCl_4−n)₂ (C₃H₂N₄S₂)] (n = 3: R = Me 1, n-Bu 2, PhCH₂3, Ph 4; n = 2: R = Me 5, n-Bu 6, PhCH₂7, Ph 8) have been synthesized. All the complexes 1-8 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra. Among them complexes 1, 4, 5 and 8 have also been characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analyses, which revealed that the tin atoms of complexes 1, 4, 5 and 8 are all five-coordinated with distorted trigonal bipyramid geometries.     

Self-assembly syntheses and crystal structures of triorganotin(IV) pyridinecarboxylate: 1D polymers and a 42-membered macrocycle

A series of new triorganotin(IV) pyridinecarboxylates with 6-hydroxynicotinic acid (6-OH-3-nicH), 5-hydroxynicotinic acid (5-OH-3-nicH) and 2-hydroxyisonicotinic acid (2-OH-4-isonicH) of the types: [R₃Sn (6-OH-3-nic)·L]_n (I) (R = Ph, L = Ph·EtOH, 1; R = Bn, L = H₂O·EtOH, 2; R = Me, L = 0, 3; R = n-Bu, L = 0, 4), [R₃Sn (5-OH-3-nic)]_n (II) (R = Ph, 5; R = Bn, 6; R = Me, 7; R = n-Bu, 8), [R₃Sn (2-OH-4-isonic·L)]_n (III) (R = Bn, 9, L = MeOH; R = Me, L = 0, 10; R = Ph, 11, L = 0.5EtOH) have been synthesized. All the complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy analyses. Among them, except for complexes 5 and 6, all complexes were also characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analysis. Crystal structures show that complexes 1-10 adopt 1D infinite chain structures which are generated by the bidentate O, O or N, O and the five-coordinated tin centers. Significant O-H?O, and N-H?O intermolecular hydrogen bonds stabilize these structures. Complex 11 is a 42-membered macrocycle containing six tin atoms, and forms a 2D network by intermolecular N-H?O hydrogen.     

Titanium complexes bearing aromatic-substituted β-enaminoketonato ligands: Syntheses, structure and olefin polymerization behavior

A series of titanium complexes [(Ar)NC(CF₃)CHC(R)O]₂TiCl₂ (4b: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p), R = Ph; 4c: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p), R = Ph; 4d: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o), R = Ph; 4e: Ar = α-Naphthyl, R = Ph; 4f: Ar = -C₆H₅, R = t-Bu; 4g: Ar = -C₆H₄OMe(p); R = t-Bu; 4h: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(p); R = t-Bu; 4i: Ar = -C₆H₄Me(o); R = t-Bu) has been synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 4b, 4c and 4h adopt distorted octahedral geometry around the titanium center. With modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, complexes 4b-c and 4f-i are active catalysts for ethylene polymerization and ethylene/norbornene copolymerization, and produce high molecular weight polyethylenes and ethylene/norbornene alternating copolymers. In addition, the complex 4c/MMAO catalyst system exhibits the characteristics of a quasi-living copolymerization of ethylene and norbornene with narrow molecular weight distribution.     

Organometallic SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators): Cobaltifens, the (cyclobutadiene)cobalt analogues of hydroxytamoxifen

The McMurry coupling of (tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cobalt(cyclopentadienyl) ketones, (C₄Ph₄)Co[C₅H₄C(O)R], where R = Me, 3a, or Et, 3b, with a range of substituted benzophenones furnished a series of cobaltifens, organometallic analogues of tamoxifen whereby a phenyl ring has been replaced by an organo-cobalt sandwich moiety. These systems of the general formula (η⁴-C₄Ph₄)Co[η⁵-C₅H₄C(R)C(Ar)Ar′], where R = Me or Et, and Ar = Ar′ = p-C₆H₄X where X is OH, 2a and 2b, OMe, 2c and 2d, OBn, 2e and 2f, or O(CH₂)₂NMe₂, 12a and 12b, and where Ar = C₆H₄OH and Ar′ = C₆H₄O(CH₂)₂NMe₂, 2g and 2h, have been characterised by NMR spectroscopy and/or X-ray crystallography. The effect of 2a and 2b, 2g and 2h, and 12a and 12b on the growth of MCF-7 (hormone-dependent) and MDA-MB-231 (hormone-independent breast cancer cells) was studied. The dihydroxycobaltifens 2a and 2b exhibit a strong estrogenic effect on MCF-7 cells while the aminoalkyl-hydroxycobaltifens, 2g and 2h, were found to be only slightly cytotoxic on MDA-MB-231 cells (IC₅₀ = 27.5 and 17 μM); surprisingly, however, the bis-(dimethylaminoethoxy)cobaltifens, 12a and 12b were shown to be highly cytotoxic towards both cell lines (IC₅₀ = 3.8 and 2.5 μM).     

Syntheses, characterizations and crystal structures of new organoantimony(V) complexes with heterocyclic (S, N) ligand

Eight new organoantimony(V) complexes with 1-phenyl-1H-tetrazole-5-thiol [L¹H] and 2,5-dimercapto-4-phenyl-1,3,4-thiodiazole [L²H] of the type R_nSbL_5 − n (L = L¹: n = 4, R = n-Bu 1, Ph 2, n = 3, R = Me 3, Ph 4; L = L²: n = 4, R = n-Bu 5, Ph 6, n = 3, R = Me 7, Ph 8) have been synthesized. All the complexes 1-8 have been characterized by elemental, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR analyses. Among them complexes 2, 6 and 8 have also been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure analyses show that the antimony atoms in complexes 2 and 6 display a trigonal bipyramid geometry, while it displays a distorted capped trigonal prism in complex 8 with two intramolecular Sb?N weak interactions. Furthermore, the supramolecular structure of 2 has been found to consist of one-dimensional linear molecular chain built up by intermolecular C-H?N weak hydrogen bonds, while a macrocyclic dimer has been found in complex 6 linked by intermolecular C-H?S weak hydrogen bonds with head-to-tail arrangement. Interestingly, one-dimensional helical chain is recognized in complex 8, which is connected by intermolecular C-H?S weak hydrogen bonds.     

Assembly and structures of five new Cu(II) complexes based on the V-shaped building block [Cu(dbsf)]

Five new copper(II) complexes [Cu(dbsf)(H₂O)]_n · 0.5n(i-C₃H₇OH) (1), [Cu(dbsf)(4,4′-bpy)_0.5]_n · nH₂O (2), [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]₂ · (n-C₃H₇OH) · 0.5H₂O (3), [Cu(dbsf)(phen)(H₂O)]₂ · 1.5H₂O (4) and [Cu(dbsf)(2,2′-bpy)(H₂O)]_n · n(i-C₃H₇OH) (5) (H₂dbsf = 4,4′-dicarboxybiphenyl sulfone, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, i-C₃H₇OH = isopropanol, n-C₃H₇OH = n-propanol) have been synthesized under hydro/solvothermal conditions. All of the complexes are assembled from V-shaped building blocks, [Cu(dbsf)]. Complex 1 is composed of 1D double-chains. In complex 2, dbsf²⁻ ligands and 4,4′-bpy ligands connect Cu(II) ions into catenane-like 2D layers. These catenane-like 2D layers stack in an ABAB fashion to form a 3D supramolecular network. Complexes 3 and 4 are 0D dimers, in which two [Cu(dbsf)] units encircle to form dimetal macrocyclic molecules. However, in complex 5, the V-shaped building blocks [Cu(dbsf)] are joined head-to-tail, resulting in the formation of infinite tooth-like chains. The different structures of complexes 3 and 5 may be attributed to the different solvent molecules included.     

Synthesis and characterization of organophosphine/phosphite stabilized silver(I) complexes bearing 2-acetyl-1,3-indandione ligand,crystal structure of [Ph3P·AgC11H7O3]

Six organophosphine/phosphite stabilized silver(I) complexes of 2-acetyl-1,3-indandione (2-AID) of type L_n·AgC₁₁H₇O₃ (L = PPh₃; n = 1, 2a; n = 2, 2b; L = P(OMe)₃; n = 1, 2c; n = 2, 2d; L = P(OEt)₃; n = 1, 2e; n = 2, 2f) have been prepared by reacting of [AgC₁₁H₇O₃], which could be obtained by reacting of 2-AID with AgNO₃, with triphenylphosphine, trimethylphosphite, or triethylphosphite in 1:1–2 M ratio. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C{H} NMR, IR spectroscopy, and thermal analysis (TG and DSC), respectively. The molecular structure of 2a has been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis in which the silver atom is in a distorted trigonal geometry.     

Investigation on coordination modes of organotin(IV) complexes with 6-thiopurine and related ligands

The organotin(IV) complexes R₂Sn(tpu)₂ · L [L = 2MeOH, R = Me (1); L = 0: R = n-Bu (2), Ph (3), PhCH₂ (4)], R₃Sn(Hthpu) [R = Me (5), n-Bu (6), Ph (7), PhCH₂ (8)] and (R₂SnCl)₂ (dtpu) · L [L = H₂O, R = Me (9); L = 0: R = n-Bu (10), Ph (11), PhCH₂ (12)] have been synthesized, where tpu, Hthpu and dtpu are the anions of 6-thiopurine (Htpu), 2-thio-6-hydroxypurine (H₂thpu) and 2,6-dithiopurine (H₂dtpu), respectively. All the complexes 1-12 have been characterized by elemental, IR, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra analyses. And complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 have also been determined by X-ray crystallography, complexes 1 and 2 are both six-coordinated with R₂Sn coordinated to the thiol/thione S and heterocyclic N atoms but the coordination modes differed. As for complex 7 and 9, the geometries of Sn atoms are distorted trigonal bipyramidal. Moreover, the packing of complexes 1, 2, 7 and 9 are stabilized by the hydrogen bonding and weak interactions.     

Cation-anion interactions involving hydrogen bonds: Syntheses and crystal structures study of hexafluorotitanate(IV) salts with pyridine and methyl substituted pyridines

Fluorotitanates (LH)₂[TiF₆]·nH₂O (1: R = pyridine, n = 1, 2: R = 2-picoline, n = 2, 3: R = 2,6-lutidine, n = 0, 4: R = 2,4,6-collidine, n = 0) and (LH)[TiF₅(H₂O)] (3a: L = 2,6-lutidine) have been synthesized by the reaction of pyridine or corresponding methyl substituted pyridines and titanium dioxide dissolved in hydrofluoric acid. The crystal structures of ionic compounds 1, 2, 3, 3a and 4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The hydrogen bonding led to the formation of discrete (LH)₂[TiF₆] units (4), chains (1-3), and layers (3a). The additional π-π interactions present in 1, 2, and 4 results in chain structures of 1 and 4 and in a layer structure of 2. The [TiF₆]²⁻ and [TiF₅(H₂O)]⁻ anions were observed by ¹⁹F NMR spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of 1, 2, 3, 3a and 4.     

Iron(0) and ruthenium(0) complexes with tridentate phosphonite ligands and their potential for ketene formation from methyl iodide, CO and a base

An efficient route to the novel tridentate phosphine ligands RP[CH₂CH₂CH₂P(OR′)₂]₂ (I: R = Ph; R′ = i-Pr; II: R = Cy; R′ = i-Pr; III: R = Ph; R′ = Me and IV: R = Cy; R′ = Me) has been developed. The corresponding ruthenium and iron dicarbonyl complexes M(triphos)(CO)₂ (1: M = Ru; triphos = I; 2: M = Ru; triphos = II; 3: M = Ru; triphos = III; 4: M = Ru; triphos = IV; 5: M = Fe; triphos = I; 6: M = Fe; triphos = II; 7: M = Fe; triphos = III and 8: M = Fe; triphos = IV) have been prepared and fully characterized. The structures of 1, 3 and 5 have been established by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of MeI to 1-8 produces a mixture of the corresponding isomeric octahedral cationic complexes mer,trans-(13a-20a) and mer,cis-[M(Me)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (13b-20b) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The structures of 13a and 20a (as the tetraphenylborate salt (21)) have been verified by X-ray diffraction studies. The oxidative addition of other alkyl iodides (EtI, i-PrI and n-PrI) to 1-8 did not afford the corresponding alkyl metal complexes and rather the cationic octahedral iodo complexes mer,cis-[M(I)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (22-29) (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV) were produced. Complexes 22-29 could also be obtained by the addition of a stoichiometric amount of I₂ to 1-8. The structure of 22 has been verified by an X-ray diffraction study. Reaction of 13a/b-20a/b with CO afforded the acetyl complexes mer,trans-[M(COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I, 30-37, respectively (M = Ru, Fe; triphos = I-IV). The ruthenium acetyl complexes 30-33 reacted slowly with 2-tert-butylimino-2-diethylamino-1,3-dimethylperhydro-1,3,2-diazaphosphorine (BEMP) even in boiling acetonitrile. Under the same conditions, the deprotonation reactions of the iron acetyl complexes 34-37 were completed within 24-40 h to afford the corresponding zero valent complexes 5-8. It was not possible to observe the intermediate ketene complexes. Tracing of the released ketene was attempted by deprotonation studies on the labelled species mer,trans-[Fe(COCD₃)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (38) and mer,trans-[Fe(¹³COMe)(triphos)(CO)₂]I (39).     

Synthesis of anilinonaphthoquinone-based nickel complexes and their application for olefin polymerization

A series of anilinonaphthoquinone-based nickel complexes, Ni(C₁₀H₅O₂NAr)(Ph)(PPh₃) (Ar = C₆H₃-2,6-Me (1c); Ar = C₆H₂-2,4,6-Me (2c); Ar = C₆H₃-2,6-Et (3c)), were synthesized and the structures of 1c-3c were confirmed by single crystal X-ray analyses. The anilinonaphthoquinone-ligated nickel complexes activated with B(C₆F₅)₃ showed high activities for ethylene polymerization at 40 °C under atmospheric pressure of ethylene and gave polyethylene with long chain branches and short chain branches. The activity of these systems was decreased by lowering polymerization temperature accompanied by increase in molecular weight. The number of the chain branches was also decreased with lowering polymerization temperature and increasing the bulkiness of the ligand.     

Vinyl addition polymerization of norbornene catalyzed by β-iminoamine Ni(II) complexes/methylaluminoxane systems

Two nickel(II) complexes (A and B) bearing β-iminoamine ligands, [2-(ArNCH)-C₆H₄-NMe₂] (La, Ar = 2,6-i-Pr₂C₆H₃; Lb, Ar = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and ¹H NMR. X-ray crystal structure of complex B reveals that the six-membered chelate ring adopts a envelope conformation, with nickel(II) atom deviating from the plane of backbone aromatic ring by 1.164 Å. In the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO), both complexes showed moderate activities of 10⁵ g mol_Ni⁻¹ h⁻¹ for norbornene polymerization. β-iminoamine Ni(II)/MAO catalysts gave unimodal polymers (M_w, 3.16-8.02 × 10⁵ g/mol) with a relatively narrow MWD (M_w/M_n, 1.59-2.14), indicative of single-site catalyst behavior. The obtained polymers are vinyl-type polynorbornenes (PNBs), which are soluble in common solvents such as toluene, cyclohexane and dichlorobenzene.     

Synthesis and thermal behavior of dimethyl scandium complexes featuring anilido-phosphinimine ancillary ligands

A family of N,N donor ligands [1-(NHAr)-2-(PR₂NAr′)C₆H₄] (1a-d; Ar = 2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃, R = Me, Ph, Ar′ = 2,4,6-Me₃-C₆H₂, 2-ⁱPr-C₆H₄, 2,6-ⁱPr₂-C₆H₃) has been prepared and fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Lithiation of the N-H unit and subsequent salt metathesis protocols with ScCl₃THF₃ provides an avenue to organometallic scandium complexes. The resultant base-free monomeric dichlorides LScCl₂, 3a-d, have been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy as well as X-ray crystallography (3a,c,d). Alkylation of the dichlorides using LiMe results in clean formation of dialkyl complexes LScMe₂4a-c. Thermolysis of these materials under argon and hydrogen leads to decomposition products as a result of C-H activation of the ligand. Analysis of these results provides a qualitative assessment of the metalative resistance of each ligand framework.     

Self-assembly of di- and triorganotin(IV) complexes: Syntheses, characterization and crystal structures of 1D polymeric chain containing O,O-diethyl or O,O-diisopropyl phosphoric acid ligands

A series of organotin(IV) complexes with O,O-diethyl phosphoric acid (L¹H) and O,O-diisopropyl phosphoric acid (L²H) of the types: [R₃Sn · L]_n (L = L¹, R = Ph 1, R = PhCH₂2, R = Me 3, R = Bu 4; L = L², R = Ph 9, R = PhCH₂10, R = Me 11, R = Bu 12), [R₂Cl Sn · L]_n (L = L¹, R = Me 5, R = Ph 6, R = PhCH₂7, R = Bu 8; L = L², R = Me 13, R = Ph 14, R = PhCH₂15, R = Bu 16), have been synthesized. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, TGA, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopy analysis. Among them, complexes 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analysis. In the crystalline state, the complexes adopt infinite 1D infinite chain structures which are generated by the bidentate bridging phosphonate ligands and the five-coordinated tin centers.     

Photophysical properties and computational investigations of tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]L and tricarbonylrhenium(I)[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]L derivatives (X = N-CH3, O, or S; L = Cl, pyridine)

We report a combined experimental and computational study of new rhenium tricarbonyl complexes based on the bidentate heterocyclic N-N ligands 2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole (X = N-CH₃, O, or S) and 2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline (X = N-CH₃, O, or S). Two sets of complexes are reported. Chloro complexes, described by the general formula Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo[d]-X-azole]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 1; X = O, 2; X = S, 3) and Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]Cl (X = N-CH₃, 4; X = O, 5; X = S, 6) were synthesized heating at reflux Re(CO)₅Cl with the appropriate N-N ligand in toluene. The corresponding pyridine set {Re(CO)₃[2-(4-methylpyridin-2-yl)benzo-X-azole]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 7; X = O, 8; X = S, 9) and {Re(CO)₃[2-(benzo[d]-X-azol-2-yl)-4-methylquinoline]py}PF₆ (X = N-CH₃, 10; X = O, 11; X = S, 12) was synthesized by halide abstraction with silver nitrate of 1-6 followed by heating in pyridine and isolated as their hexafluorophosphate salts. All complexes have been fully characterized by IR, NMR, electrochemical techniques and luminescence. The crystal structures of 1 and 7 were obtained by X-ray diffraction. DFT and time-dependent (TD) DFT calculations were carried out for investigating the effect of the organic ligand on the optical properties and electronic structure of the reported complexes.