Syntheses, characterization and redox properties of oxo-centred triruthenium cluster dimers and trimers linked by ortho-metallated polypyridyl ligands

A series of mono-, di- and trimeric oxo-centred triruthenium cluster compounds with ortho-metallated polypyridyl ligands were prepared by reaction of oxo-centred triruthenium precursor compound [Ru3O(OAc)6(py)2(CH3OH)]+ (1) with bis(2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)butadiyne (bpyC[triple bond, length as m-dash]C-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]Cbpy), bis(2,2'-bipridin-5-yl)ethyne (bpyC[triple bond, length as m-dash]Cbpy), 2,2'-bipyrazine (bpz), pyrazino[2,3-f]quinoxaline (pyq), or 4,7-phenanthroline (4,7-phen). As revealed by redox wave splitting, electronic interactions are operating between two Ru3O redox centres in most of the triruthenium cluster dimers and trimers. The cluster-cluster interactions are highly sensitive to the variations in bonding modes of the polypyridyl ligands. Ortho-metallation of the bridging ligand induces an enhanced electronic interaction between two triruthenium centres.     

Half-sandwich RuII-[9]aneS3 complexes with dicarboxylate ligands: synthesis, characterization and chemical behavior

With the aim of further developing the structure-activity relationship in biologically active half-sandwich Ru(ii)-[9]aneS(3) complexes ([9]aneS(3)=1,4,7-trithiacyclononane), a series of new mono- and dinuclear complexes bearing the chelating dicarboxylate ligands oxalate (ox), malonate (mal) and methylmalonate (mmal), have been synthesized and studied. Treatment of the precursor [Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso)(3)][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (7) with equivalent amounts of K(2)(dicarb) afforded the corresponding neutral complexes with the general formula [Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso-S)(eta(2)-dicarb)] (where dicarb=ox (1), mal (2) and mmal (3)), while using half an equivalent of K(2)(ox), the symmetric dimer [{Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso-S)}(2)(mu-eta(4)-ox)][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (4) was isolated. The reaction of with the oxalato complex fac-[Ru(dmso-S)(3)(dmso-O)(eta(2)-ox)] (9) yielded two asymmetric dimers, namely [{Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso-S)}(mu-eta(4)-ox){fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3)(CF(3)SO(3))}][CF(3)SO(3)] (5) and [{Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso-S)}(mu-eta(4)-ox){fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3)(dmso-O)}][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (6), depending on the reaction conditions. All new complexes were structurally characterized, both in solution (by NMR spectroscopy) and in the solid state (by X-ray crystallography). The chemical behavior of the complexes in aqueous solution was studied by UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy in view of their potential antitumor activity: the monomers partially release a dmso ligand to yield the monofunctional aqua adduct [Ru([9]aneS(3))(eta(2)-dicarb)(H(2)O)], while the dimers rapidly open up the oxalato bridge to give two mononuclear fragments. Splitting of the asymmetric dimers 5 and 6 occurs selectively and the ox moiety remains bonded to the fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3) fragment. A detailed comparison of the structural and chemical features of 1-6 with those of similar dicarboxylate complexes possessing the fac-Ru(dmso-S)(3) fragment in place of Ru([9]aneS(3)) allows us to draw a number of general conclusions on the binding preferences of dicarb ligands on the octahedral Ru(II) center.     

Synthesis of Linear Amphipathic Porphyrin Dimers and Trimers: An Approach to Bilayer Lipid Membrane Spanning Porphyrin Arrays

A modular building-block approach has been developed for the construction of linear amphipathic porphyrin arrays. The reaction of meso-(trifluoromethyl)dipyrromethane and an aldehyde under the conditions of the two-step room temperature porphyrin synthesis affords the trans-substituted porphyrin (13-56% yields). A similar reaction with two different aldehydes provides access to porphyrins bearing two different functional groups. An ethyne porphyrin and an iodo porphyrin (either free base or zinc) are selectively joined via Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reactions, affording a linear array with porphyrins in defined metalation states. Coupling of a zinc-porphyrin bearing iodo and ester groups with a free base porphyrin bearing ethyne and ester groups yielded the zinc-free base porphyrin dimer. Coupling of a bis-ethyne porphyrin with a porphyrin bearing iodo and ester groups afforded the porphyrin trimer. Cleavage of the esters yielded the amphipathic porphyrin dimer and trimer arrays. The arrays with adjacent zinc and free base porphyrins undergo efficient electronic energy transfer. Both amphipathic porphyrin arrays have been incorporated into L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine vesicles. This versatile synthetic strategy provides access to a family of porphyrin arrays for studies of photophysical processes in supramolecular assemblies.     

Spanning pairs of Rh2(acetate)4 units with Ru(II) complexes

A synthetic route to linear pairs of Rh2 "paddlewheel" dimers bridged by Ru(II) complexes is presented. A bis(4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-terpyridine)Ru(II) complex spans two Rh2 dimers and displays a 26 A separation between the dimers. Increased electronic interaction is found for the dimer of dimers without the phenyl groups using bis(4'-(4-carboxy)-terpyridine)Ru(II) as the bridging complex.     

Sulfide-capped wire-like metallaynes as connectors for Au nanoparticle assemblies

A new series of Ru2(DMBA)4(oligo(phenyleneethyne))2 compounds bearing sulfide termini was synthesized; structural characterization revealed both the rigid rod nature and extended pi-conjugation in these metallaynes; in the presence of these metallaynes, Au nanoparticles readily assembled into dimers and chains with well-defined inter-dimer distances.     

Symmetric bent-shaped liquid crystal dimers showing transitions between optically uniaxial and biaxial smectic phases

We report the synthesis of a new homologous series of symmetric bent-shaped liquid crystal dimers bearing oxybiphenylcarboxylate mesogens linked by a pentamethylene spacer. The dimers were characterised by optical, thermal, X-ray diffraction and computational techniques. Shorter dimers showed an I-N-SmA-SmC phase sequence with strong first-order phase transitions. For the longer dimers, the unconventional uniaxial SmA phase present in shorter members collapsed. A 9:1 binary mixture of a bent dimer with a non-mesogenic dimer exhibited upon the SmA-SmC phase transition a maximum layer contraction of 1%.     

Hierarchical assembly of helicate-type dinuclear titanium(IV) complexes

The ligands 4-7-H(2) were used in coordination studies with titanium(IV) and gallium(III) ions to obtain dimeric complexes Li(4)[(4-7)(6)Ti(2)] and Li(6)[(4/5a)(6)Ga(2)]. The X-ray crystal structures of Li(4)[(4)(6)Ti(2)], Li(4)[(5b)(6)Ti(2)], and Li(4)[(7a)(6)Ti(2)] could be obtained. While these complexes are triply lithium-bridged dimers in the solid state, a monomer/dimer equilibrium is observed in solution by NMR spectroscopy and ESI FT-ICR MS. The stability of the dimer is enhanced by high negative charges (Ti(IV) versus Ga(III)) of the monomers, when the carbonyl units are good donors (aldehydes versus ketones and esters), when the solvent does not efficiently solvate the bridging lithium ions (DMSO versus acetone), and when sterical hindrance is minimized (methyl versus primary and secondary carbon substituents). The dimer is thermodynamically favored by enthalpy as well as entropy. ESI FT-ICR mass spectrometry provides detailed insight into the mechanisms with which monomeric triscatecholate complexes as well as single catechol ligands exchange in the dimers. Tandem mass spectrometric experiments in the gas phase show the dimers to decompose either in a symmetric (Ti) or in an unsymmetric (Ga) fashion when collisionally activated. The differences between the Ti and Ga complexes can be attributed to different electronic properties and a charge-controlled reactivity of the ions in the gas phase. The complexes represent an excellent example for hierarchical self-assembly, in which two different noncovalent interactions of well balanced strengths bring together eleven individual components into one well-defined aggregate.     

Syntheses of Symmetric and Unsymmetric Bis‐imidazole Derivatives Using Phase‐Transfer Catalysis

A convenient method for the preparation of symmetric and unsymmetric bisimidazole derivatives was established. The symmetric bisimidazolylmethane derivatives 1a–9a was prepared with 2‐substituted imidazole derivatives 1–9 as reaction materials. However, the symmetric and unsymmetric bisimidazolylmethane derivatives 10a–12a and 10b–12b was obtained, respectively. With 4‐position with the azo‐groups imidazole derivatives 10–12 were used as reaction materials. All these compounds have been structurally characterized by the NMR, ESI‐MS, and EA. And 8a and 12a were also characterized by the X‐ray single crystal diffusion.     

Stable meso–meso-Linked 2NH-Corrole Radical Dimers as a Key Intermediate to Corrole Tape

While oxidation of 5,5′,15,15′-tetramesityl-10-10′-linked 3NH-corrole dimer with DDQ gave the corresponding triply linked 2NH-corrole tape, the use of an equimolar amount of p-chloranil as a milder oxidant resulted in the formation of a 10-10′-linked neutral 2NH-corrole radical dimer as a stable product. The stability of this peculiar product is ascribed largely to strong antiferromagnetic interaction of the two spins. Further oxidation of this diradical produced corrole tape, suggesting its involvement as a reaction intermediate to the corrole tape. Oxidation of 10-10′-linked bis-pyridine-coordinated Co^III corrole dimer with DDQ produced a cobalt corrole radical dimer and a doubly linked corrole dimer both as stable compounds bearing pyridine and cyanide axial ligands. This type of oxidative transformation involving neutral diradical intermediates is a unique reaction mechanism specific for corrole dimers.     

Synthesis of 1,3-diynes via palladium-catalyzed reaction of 1, 1-dibromo-1-alkenes

[reaction: see text] Both symmetric and unsymmetric 1,3-diynes were prepared from the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 1,1-dibromo-1-alkenes. The formation of symmetric 1,3-diynes 2 (homocoupling) was catalyzed by a weak ligand, tris(2-furyl)phosphine (TFP), and the addition of catalytic amount of CuI accelerated the reaction. The synthesis of unsymmetric 1,3-diynes 4 (the Sonogashira reaction) required a highly electron rich tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine as the ligand, and CuI promotes the formation of byproduct 1,1-diynyl-1-alkenes 5.     

Mannich products of kojic acid and N-heterocycles and their Ru(II)-arene complexes: Synthesis, characterization and stability

Ru(II)-η⁶-p-cymene compounds bearing pyrone-derived ligands, which were obtained by Mannich reaction with piperidine and related analogues, have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis and in the case of 2-(2,6-dimethyl-morpholin-4-ylmethyl)-3-hydroxy-6-hydroxymethyl-pyran-4-one by X-ray diffraction analysis. The chlorido complexes are prone to aquation in aqueous solution which results in the formation of dimers. Dimer formation can be inhibited by in situ replacement of the chlorido ligand by imidazole yielding compounds which are significantly more stable in water, as demonstrated by ¹H NMR spectroscopy.     

Stable meso–meso‐Linked 2NH‐Corrole Radical Dimers as a Key Intermediate to Corrole Tape

While oxidation of 5,5′,15,15′‐tetramesityl‐10‐10′‐linked 3NH‐corrole dimer with DDQ gave the corresponding triply linked 2NH‐corrole tape, the use of an equimolar amount of p‐chloranil as a milder oxidant resulted in the formation of a 10‐10′‐linked neutral 2NH‐corrole radical dimer as a stable product. The stability of this peculiar product is ascribed largely to strong antiferromagnetic interaction of the two spins. Further oxidation of this diradical produced corrole tape, suggesting its involvement as a reaction intermediate to the corrole tape. Oxidation of 10‐10′‐linked bis‐pyridine‐coordinated Co^III corrole dimer with DDQ produced a cobalt corrole radical dimer and a doubly linked corrole dimer both as stable compounds bearing pyridine and cyanide axial ligands. This type of oxidative transformation involving neutral diradical intermediates is a unique reaction mechanism specific for corrole dimers.     

基于Ru-bda双核钌催化剂的可见光驱动水氧化

开发高效水氧化催化剂对于太阳能分解水制氢和 CO2还原都具有重要意义. 我们之前的研究表明, 基于 Ru-bda(bda= 2,2'-联吡啶-6,6'-二羧酸) 单体的双核钌催化剂在以 (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6为氧化剂的化学法水氧化反应中表现出良好的催化性能, 比相同条件下单核钌催化剂的活性高出一个数量级. 然而, 该类双核钌催化剂的光催化水氧化性能尚未被系统研究.因此我们考察了以丙烷桥双核钌配合物为催化剂、[Ru(bpy)3]Cl2为光敏剂、Na2S2O8为电子牺牲体组成的三组分体系的光催化性能, 并和相应的单核钌催化剂进行了对比, 同时考察了溶液中乙腈的含量对单、双核钌分子催化剂光催化产氧性能和产氧机理的影响.实验结果表明, 无论是单核还是双核钌催化剂, 其催化活性与乙腈在磷酸缓冲溶液中的比例密切相关. 乙腈的含量不仅影响了水氧化的驱动力, 而且影响 O-O 的形成机理, 改变反应的动力学和反应速率. 单、双核钌催化剂的活性都随着乙腈比例的增加而增加, 然而双核钌催化剂在低乙腈含量的缓冲溶液中展现优于单核钌催化剂的光催化性能; 而在高乙腈含量的缓冲溶液中, 双核钌催化剂和单核钌催化剂的光催化性能趋于相当. 在最优化条件 (60% 乙腈) 下, 双核钌的光催化产氧 TON 值达到 638, 在 450 nm 的光量子效率达到 77%. 我们还发现, 当乙腈浓度较低时, 单核钌催化剂 Ru-bda 催化的水氧化反应为二级动力学; 当乙腈浓度较高时, 该催化剂在反应中表现为一级动力学. 从而推测 O-O 键的形成机制由双分子自由基耦合转变成单分子亲核进攻, 也解释了为什么高乙腈含量下单核和双核钌催化剂的活性差别不大. 本研究所展示的 Ru-bda 的溶剂效应可能同样适用于电化学和光电化学水氧化, 对深入理解和设计高效太阳能分解水器件具有重要意义.     

Design,Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Pentacyclic Triterpene Dimers as HCV Entry Inhibitors

A series of triterpene dimers bearing different scaffold were designed and synthesized via CuAAC reaction. Their anti‐HCV entry activities were evaluated by HCVpp and VSVpp entry assays. It was found that echinocystic acid (EA) and its dimer were still necessary for maintaining anti‐HCV entry activity, and replacement of EA by other triterpenes might significantly decrease its anti‐viral activities. Using a linker bearing a piperazine group, compound 14 dramatically increased its potency with IC₅₀ at 2.87 nmol/L. In addition, the undesired hemolytic effect of all these compounds was removed.     

Studies of curcumin and curcuminoids. XXXVI. The stoichiometry and complexation constants of cyclodextrin complexes as determined by the phase-solubility method and UV–Vis titration

Cyclodextrin (CD) complex stoichiometry and complexation constant with two symmetric curcuminoids and two unsymmetric curcuminoid-like compounds were investigated and compared by two independent methods, the phase-solubility method and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–Vis) titration. Two different methods were applied in an effort to increase the apparent intrinsic solubility of the compounds and make the investigation of stoichiometry and complexation constants possible. The intrinsic solubility could be determined for all four compounds in aqueous 10% (v/v) ethanolic solutions. Higher order complexation or solubilization through complex aggregation was observed for the symmetric molecules, while 1:1 complexation was observed for the unsymmetric molecules in the phase-solubility diagram. The UV–Vis investigation showed 1:1 complexation for all compounds, with some indication of higher order complexation for the symmetric molecules. Thus the stoichiometry found with the two methods correlated well for the unsymmetric, but not for the symmetric compounds where the phase-solubility investigations clearly indicated higher order complexation and possible aggregation of complexes. There was also a difference between the 1:1 complexation constants found with the two methods, especially for the compounds with low intrinsic solubility (i.e. the symmetric curcuminoids). However, they agree in the ranking of complexes according to the strength of the association. The 1:2 complexation constant observed with the phase-solubility method was more than 100 times the complexation constant found with the UV–Vis method, which explains why solubility is poorly predicted from the UV–Vis data. This discrepancy may be explained by solubilization by aggregation of complexes or some phenomena other than inclusion complexation.     

Insights into the cycloaddition reaction mechanism between ketenimine and unsaturated hydrocarbon: A theoretical study

The cycloaddition reaction mechanisms between interstellar molecule ketenimine and unsaturated hydrocarbon (ethyne and ethylene) have been systematically investigated employing the second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) method. Geometry optimizations and vibrational analyses have been performed for the stationary points on the potential energy surfaces of the system. The calculated results show that it can be produced the five-membered cyclic carbene intermediates through pericyclic reaction processes between ketenimine and ethyne (or ethylene). For the reaction between ketenimine and ethyne, through the following H-transferred processes, carbene intermediate can be isomerized to the pyrrole compounds. For the reaction between ketenimine and ethylene, carbene intermediate can be isomerized to the pyrroline compounds. The present study is helpful to understand the reactivity of nitrogenous cumulene ketenimine and the formation of prebiotic species in interstellar space.     

NiFe2O4 as a magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst for odourless C–S bond formation via the cleavage of C–O bond in the presence of S8 under mild and green conditions

We present green methodologies for one‐pot and odourless syntheses of unsymmetric and symmetric diaryl sulfides via C─O bond activation using NiFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles as a reusable heterogeneous nanocatalyst. The synthesis of unsymmetric sulfides is performed using the cross‐coupling reaction of phenolic esters such as acetates, triflates and tosylates with arylboronic acid/S₈ or triphenyltin chloride/S₈ as thiolating agents in the presence of base and NiFe₂O₄ magnetic nanoparticles as a catalyst in poly(ethylene glycol) as solvent at 60–85°C. Also, the synthesis of symmetric diaryl sulfides from phenolic compounds using S₈ as the sulfur source and NiFe₂O₄ as catalyst in dimethylformamide at 120°C is described. Using these protocols, the syntheses of various unsymmetric and symmetric sulfides become easier than using the available protocols due to the use of a magnetically reusable bimetallic nanocatalyst and avoiding the use of thiols and aryl halides.     

Dipyrrolyl precursors to bisalkoxide molybdenum olefin metathesis catalysts

Addition of 2 equiv of lithium pyrrolide to Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R')(OTf)2(DME) (OTf = OSO2CF3; R = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3, 1-adamantyl, or 2,6-Br2-4-MeC6H2; R' = Me or Ph) produces Mo(NR)(CHCMe2R')(NC4H4)2 complexes in good yield. All compounds can be recrystallized readily from toluene or mixtures of pentane and ether and are sensitive to air and moisture. An X-ray structure of a 2,6-diisopropylphenylimido species shows it to be an unsymmetric dimer, {Mo(NAr)(syn-CHCMe2Ph)(eta5-NC4H4)(eta1-NC4H4)}{Mo(NAr)(syn-CHCMe2Ph)(eta1-NC4H4)2}, in which the nitrogen in the eta5-pyrrolyl bound to one Mo behaves as a donor to the other Mo. All complexes are fluxional on the NMR time scale at room temperature, with one symmetric species being observed on the NMR time scale at 50 degrees C in toluene-d8. The dimers react with PMe3 (at Mo) or B(C6F5)3 (at a eta5-NC4H4 nitrogen) to give monomeric products in high yield. They also react rapidly with 2 equiv of monoalcohols (e.g., Me3COH or (CF3)2MeCOH) or 1 equiv of a biphenol or binaphthol to give 2 equiv of pyrrole and bisalkoxide or diolate complexes in approximately 100% yield.     

Function of vinyl copolymers with pendant porphyrin or metalloporphyrin dimers as photoredox catalyst

Photoredox catalytic functions of water-soluble vinyl copolymers with pendant porphyrin or metalloporphyrin dimers were investigated. With FRA-L-ascorbic acid in aqueous solution, a vinyl copolymer bearing Mg-porphyrin dimer linked with the shortest N,N′-methylenebisamide bridge was found to have a remarkable accelerating effect under illumination of visible light as compared with that bearing Mg-porphyrin monomer and other copolymers with longer dimer bridges as well as vinyl copolymers bearing porphyrin dimers and monomer. A copolymer bearing Zn-porphyrin dimer was much inferior to that bearing monomer. Copolymers with other metals such as Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) were almost inert.     

Do Photolyases Need To Provide Considerable Activation Energy for the Splitting of Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimer Radical Anions?

cis-syn Cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, major UV-induced DNA lesions, are efficiently repaired by DNA photolyases. The key step of the repair reaction is a light-driven electron transfer from the FADH(-) cofactor to the dimer; the resulting radical anion splits spontaneously. Whether the splitting reaction requires considerable activation energy is still under dispute. Recent reports show that the splitting reaction of a dimer radical anion has a significant activation barrier (0.45 eV), and so photolyases have to provide considerable energy. However, these results contradict observations that cis-syn dimer radical anions split into monomers at -196 degrees C, and that the full process of DNA photoreactivation was fast (1.5-2 ns). To investigate the activation energies of dimer radical anions, three model compounds 1-3 were prepared. These include a covalently linked cyclobutane thymine dimer and a tryptophan residue (1) or a flavin unit (3), and the covalently linked uracil dimer and tryptophan (2). Their properties of photosensitised splitting of the dimer units by tryptophan or flavin unit were investigated over a large temperature range, -196 to 70 degrees C. The activation energies were obtained from the temperature dependency of splitting reactions for 1 and 2, 1.9 kJ mol(-1) and 0.9 kJ mol(-1) for the thymine and uracil dimer radical anions, respectively. These values are much lower than that obtained for E. coli photolyase (0.45 eV), and are surmountable at -196 degrees C. The activation energies provide support for previous observations that repair efficiencies for uracil dimers are higher than thymine dimers, both in enzymatic and model systems. The mechanisms of highly efficient enzymatic DNA repair are discussed.