Studies on bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzenes and bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyls

Reactions between the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of ortho-carborane and ortho-, meta- and para-diiodobenzene are reported. The reaction with 1,2-C₆H₄I₂ unexpectedly afforded 2,2′-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl, [HCB₁₀H₁₀CC₆H₄]₂2, whereas reactions with 1,3- or 1,4-C₆H₄I₂ provided alternative routes to 1,3-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 3 and 1,4-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 4, respectively. The crystal structure of the biphenyl derivative 2 revealed significant distortions in the biphenylene framework attributable to the proximity of the two bulky carborane cages. UV absorption spectra and electrochemical data on 2 and 3 showed little electronic communication between the two carborane cages in either, and negligible π-conjugation between the two ortho-phenylene rings in 2. However, substantial evidence was found of electronic communication between the carborane cages via the para-phenylene bridge in 4. B3LYP/6-31G^∗ computations have been carried out on compounds 2 and 4, on 4,4′-bis(ortho-carboranyl)biphenyl 6 and on 1,2-bis(1′-ortho-carboranyl)benzene 7. Those on 2, 4 and 6 show the computed geometries to be in very good agreement with the experimental geometries: those on 7 allowed the reported molecular geometry of this compound to be revised and revealed a long cage C–C bond of 1.725(3) Å.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone

A stereoselective synthesis of (1′S,3R,4R)-4-acetoxy-3-(2′-fluoro-1′-trimethylsilyloxyethyl)-2-azetidinone as a new fluorine-containing intermediate towards β-lactams, is described. The synthetic key step relies upon the dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) of ethyl 2-benzamidomethyl-4-fluoro-3-oxo-butanoate via asymmetric transfer hydrogenation catalyzed by [Ru(η⁶-arene)(S,S)-R₂NSO₂DPEN].     

New active ruthenium(II) complexes based N3,N3′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-diamine and P,P′-diphenylphosphinous acid-P,P′-[2,2′-bipyridine]-3,3′-diyl ester ligands for transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones by propan-2-ol

The dimeric starting material [Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts with N3,N3′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-diamine, 1 and P,P′-diphenylphosphinous acid-P,P′-[2,2′-bipyridine]-3,3′-diyl ester, 2 ligands to afford bridged dinuclear complexes [C₁₀H₆N₂{NHPPh₂-Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂}₂], 3 and [C₁₀H₆N₂{OPPh₂-Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂}₂], 4 in quantitative yields. These bis(aminophosphine) and bis(phosphinite) based Ru(II) complexes serve as active catalyst precursors for the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives in 2-propanol and especially 4 acts as a good catalyst, giving the corresponding alcohols in 99% yield in 20 min (TOF ? 280 h⁻¹).     

Preparation,crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of oxalate copper(II) complexes containing the nitrogen ligands 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine and di(2-pyridyl)sulfide

The preparation, crystal structures and spectroscopic characterization of four oxalate copper(II) complexes containing the 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Mebpy) or di(2-pyridyl)sulfide (DPS) nitrogen ligands namely [μ-(ox){Cu(Mebpy)(NO₃)(H₂O)}₂] (1), [μ-(ox){Cu(Mebpy)(ClO₄)(H₂O)}₂] (2), [μ-(ox){Cu(DPS)(H₂O)}₂](ClO₄)₂ (3) and [Cu(DPS)(ox)(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (4) are described. X-ray diffraction measurements have shown that complexes 1–3 are binuclear, in which the oxalate anion bridges two Cu(II) centers, while the complex (4) is mononuclear and the oxalate anion adopts the terminal bidentate chelating coordination mode. In 1 and 2 the Cu(II) sites display a distorted octahedral geometry (4+2 environment) and in compounds 3 and 4 the Cu(II) centers exhibit a slightly distorted square pyramidal geometry. In addition, complexes 1 and 2 present a 2D supramolecular arrangement through hydrogen bonds between coordination water molecules and nitrate or perchlorate anions and π-stacking interaction between the pyridyl rings of Mebpy nitrogen ligands.     

Complete investigation on the synthesis of [Ru(bpydip)Cl2]: the nonformation of cis isomer

Complexation between the Schiff base N₄-tetradentate N,N′-bis(7-methyl-2-pyridylmethylene)-1,3-diiminopropane (bpydip) and ion Ru(II) occurs only in trans geometry. However, it is known that the most complex of these ligands with ruthenium present predominantly cis geometry. In order to clarify the effects that drive the formation of the complex [Ru(bpydip)Cl₂], we performed a new experimental study of the reaction and a complete theoretical investigation of their transition states. The results showed that nonformation of the cis isomer could be explained by the difference in relative stability of the reaction products and the transition states proposed.     

Synthesis of mono meso-pyridyl 21,23-dithiaporphyrins and unsymmetrical non-covalent porphyrin dimers

A new method has been developed to synthesize 21,23-dithiaporphyrins having one pyridyl group at the meso position. The method required easily available unknown precursors and the condensation resulted in mono meso-pyridyl 21,23-dithiaporphyrins as single products in 8-11% yield. Two of the three mono meso-pyridyl N₂S₂ porphyrins were used to synthesize non-covalent unsymmetrical porphyrin dimers containing one N₂S₂ and one N₄ porphyrin cores.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

Structural characterization of a copper(II) complex containing oxidative cyclization of N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea,new ligands of 4-picolylthiourea derivatives and the precursor molecular structure of oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea

Three new compounds of aryl thiourea derivatives, namely N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L1), N-2-(6-picolyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L2) and N-2-(4-picolyl)-N′-(4-nitrophenyl)thiourea (L3), and the new copper(II) complex [Cu(4PicTz4OMePh)(OAC)(EtOH)] (C1), as a result of oxidative cyclization of the ligand (L1), were synthesized. In addition, pure precursor (P1), as the product of the oxidative cyclization of N-(2-pyridyl)-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiourea (L4), was isolated and characterized. Ligands (L1) and (L2) were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and single crystal X-ray analysis. ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed strong hydrogen bonding interactions between N′H-functionalities and the pyridine nitrogen atoms as well as weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the thione sulfur and the NH hydrogen. Structural studies of complex (C1) showed that the copper ion is five-coordinated with a square-pyramidal environment. The oxidative cyclization of ligand (L1) results in an anionic bidentate ligand in complex (C1). Both ligand (L1) and precursor (P1) crystallize as centrosymmetric dimers.     

1-(2′-Pyridylazo)-2-naphtholate complexes of ruthenium: Synthesis,characterization, and DNA binding properties

Reaction of 1-(2′-pyridylazo)-2-naphthol (Hpan) with [Ru(dmso)₄Cl₂] (dmso = dimethylsulfoxide), [Ru(trpy)Cl₃] (trpy = 2,2′,2″-terpyridine), [Ru(bpy)Cl₃] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] in refluxing ethanol in the presence of a base (NEt₃) affords, respectively, the [Ru(pan)₂], [Ru(trpy)(pan)]⁺ (isolated as perchlorate salt), [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] and [Ru(PPh₃)₂(pan)Cl] complexes. Structures of these four complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. In each of these complexes, the pan ligand is coordinated to the metal center as a monoanionic tridentate N,N,O-donor. Reaction of the [Ru(bpy)(pan)Cl] complex with pyridine (py) and 4-picoline (pic) in the presence of silver ion has yielded the [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]⁺ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]⁺ complexes (isolated as perchlorate salts), respectively. All the complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d⁶, S = 0) and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on all the complexes shows a Ru(II)–Ru(III) oxidation on the positive side of SCE. Except in the [Ru(pan)₂] complex, a second oxidative response has been observed in the other five complexes. Reductions of the coordinated ligands have also been observed on the negative side of SCE. The [Ru(trpy)(pan)]ClO₄, [Ru(bpy)(pan)(py)]ClO₄ and [Ru(bpy)(pan)(pic)]ClO₄ complexes have been observed to bind to DNA, but they have not been able to cleave super-coiled DNA on UV irradiation.     

Ruthenium(III) complexes with N-(acetyl)-N′-(5-R-salicylidene)hydrazines: Syntheses,structures and properties

The reactions of 1 mol equiv. each of [Ru(PPh₃)₃Cl₂] and N-(acetyl)-N′-(5-R-salicylidene)hydrazines (H₂ahsR, R = H, OCH₃, Cl, Br and NO₂) in alcoholic media afford simultaneously two types of complexes having the general formulae [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl]. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic, spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements. Molecular structures of [Ru(HahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl] have been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. In both species, the PPh₃ ligands are trans to each other. The bidentate HahsH⁻ coordinates to the metal ion via the O atom of the deprotonated amide and the imine–N atom in [Ru(HahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂]. In HahsH⁻, the phenolic OH is involved in a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond with the uncoordinated amide N atom forming a seven-membered ring. In [Ru(ahsH)(PPh₃)₂Cl], the tridentate ahsH²⁻ binds to the metal ion via the deprotonated amide O, the imine N and the phenolate O atoms. In the electronic spectra, the green [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and brown [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl] complexes display several absorptions in the ranges 385–283 and 457–269 nm, respectively. Both complexes are low-spin and display rhombic EPR spectra in frozen solutions. Both types of complexes are redox active and display a quasi-reversible ruthenium(III) to ruthenium(II) reduction which is sensitive to the polar effect of the substituent on the chelating ligand. The reduction potentials are in the ranges −0.21 to −0.12 and −0.42 to −0.21 V (versus Ag/AgCl) for [Ru(HahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl₂] and [Ru(ahsR)(PPh₃)₂Cl], respectively.     

Spectroscopic, thermal and structural studies of cocrystal of 2,2′-diamino-4,4′-bis(1,3-thiazole) with 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane

Three new cocrystals based upon 2,2′-diamino-4,4′-bis(1,3-thiazole) (DABTZ) with 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp): [(DABTZ) (4,4′-bipy)], [(DABTZ) (bpe)] and [(DABTZ) (bpp)] have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR-, ¹H NMR-, ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and studied by thermal and X-ray crystallography. Self-assembly of these compounds in the solid state is likely caused by both hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking.     

Rational enhancement of the energy barrier of bis(tetrapyrrole) dysprosium SMMs via replacing atom of porphyrin core

With the coordination geometry of Dy^III being relatively fixed, oxygen and sulfur atoms were used to replace one porphyrin pyrrole nitrogen atom of sandwich complex [(Bu)₄N][Dy^III(Pc)(TBPP)] [Pc = dianion of phthalocyanine, TBPP = 5,10,15,20-tetrakis[(4-tert-butyl)phenyl]porphyrin]. The energy barrier of the compounds was enhanced three times, with the order of Dy^III(Pc)(STBPP) > Dy^III(Pc)(OTBPP) > [(Bu)₄N][Dy^III(Pc)(TBPP)] [STBPP = monoanion of 5,10,15,20-(4-tert-butyl)phenyl-21-thiaporphyrin, OTBPP = monoanion of 5,10,15,20-(4-tert-butyl)phenyl-21-oxaporphyrin]. Theoretical calculations offer reasonable explanations of such a significant enhancement. The energy barrier of 194 K for Dy^III(Pc)(STBPP) represents the highest one among all the bis(tetrapyrrole) dysprosium SMMs, providing a strategy to rationally enhance the anisotropy and energy barrier via atom replacement.     

Cyclization versus oligomerization of SP- and RP-5′-OH-N-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane)s

The S_P-isomer of 5′-OH-N⁴-benzoyl-2′-deoxycytidine-3′-O-(2-thio-4,4-pentamethylene-1,3,2-oxathiaphospholane) undergoes DBU-promoted intramolecular cyclization providing as a sole product S_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate. Unexpectedly, the R_P-counterpart yields a mixture of products consisting of R_P-deoxycytidine cyclic 3′,5′-O,O-phosphorothioate and macrocyclic oligo(deoxycytidine phosphorothioate)s. The results of molecular modeling indicate that the dychotomy observed for the R_P substrate may result from remarkably higher energy of the corresponding transition states, caused by the presence of bulky ‘spiro’ pentamethylene substituent at the position C4 in the oxathiaphospholane ring.     

Development of a novel nucleoside analogue with S-type sugar conformation: 2′-deoxy-trans-3′,4′-bridged nucleic acids

Two novel trans-3′,4′-bridged nucleic acid (trans-3′,4′-BNA) monomers, one with a 3,5,8-trioxabicyclo[5.3.0]decane structure and the other with a 4,7-dioxabicyclo[4.3.0]nonane structure, were successfully synthesized from thymidine. The locked trans-fused ring structures of the nucleoside analogues were confirmed by X-ray crystallography, which also indicated that their furanose rings had a typical S-type conformation involving C_2′-endo or C_3′-exo sugar puckering, respectively, and the same ring conformation as that observed in the B-type helical structure of the DNA duplex.     

Stereoselective synthesis of all stereoisomers of vicinal and distal bis(O-2-aminoethyl)-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene

O,O″- and O,O′-bis(2-aminoethyl)-p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arenes of anti conformation have been prepared by the reduction of the corresponding O,O″- and O,O′-bis(cyanomethyl) ethers. Their syn-O,O″- and O,O′-counterparts have been prepared by alternative routes via the Mitsunobu reaction of thiacalix[4]arene with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)phthalimide and the reduction of a O,O′-disiloxanediyl-bridged O″,O?-bis(cyanomethyl) ether of 1,2-alternate conformation, respectively. These products are expected to serve as useful precursors of highly elaborated synthetic receptors, including biscalixarenes.     

Synthesis of a new bidentate ferrocenyl N-heterocyclic carbene ligand precursor and the palladium (II) complex trans-[PdCl2(CfcC)], where (CfcC) = 1,1′-di-tert-butyl-3,3′-(1,1′-dimethyleneferrocenyl)-diimidazol-2-ylidene

A new ferrocenyl-N-heterocyclic carbene ligand precursor 1,1′-bis[(1-tert-butylimidazolium)-3-methyl]ferrocene dichloride has been synthesised and structurally characterised. The imidazolium salt was readily deprotonated in situ with KN(SiMe₃)₂ and reacted with [PdCl₂ (cod)] to afford the structurally characterised palladium (II) complex trans-[PdCl₂(C^∧fc^∧C)], where (cod) = 1,5-cyclooctadiene and (C^∧fc^∧C) = 1,1′-di-tert-butyl-3,3′-(1,1′-dimethyleneferrocenyl)-diimidazol-2-ylidene.     

Electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide by a polymeric film of rhenium tricarbonyl dipyridylamine

A dipyridylamine ligand with a pendant pyrrole (N-(3-N,N′-bis(2-pyridyl)propylamino)pyrrole, PPP) and its corresponding rhenium(I) complex, Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl, were synthesized. The structure of Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl was determined by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical polymerization of the pyrrole moiety resulted in the immobilization of poly[Re(CO)₃(κ²-N,N-PPP)Cl] film onto a glassy carbon electrode, which exhibited electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of CO₂ to CO.     

Stereospecific synthesis and redox properties of ruthenium(II) carbonyl complexes bearing a redox-active 1,8-naphthyridine unit

Two stereoisomers of cis-[Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, pynp = 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine) were selectively prepared. The pyridyl rings of the pynp ligand in [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]⁺ are situated trans and cis, respectively, to the CO ligand. The corresponding CH₃CN complex ([Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)(CH₃CN)]²⁺) was also prepared by replacement reactions of the chlorido ligand in CH₃CN. Using these complexes, ligand-centered redox behavior was studied by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical techniques. The molecular structures of pynp-containing complexes (two stereoisomers of [Ru(bpy)(pynp)(CO)Cl]PF₆ and [Ru(pynp)₂(CO)Cl]PF₆) were determined by X-ray structure analyses.     

Reactivity studies of cyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II), osmium(II) and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl iridium(III) complexes towards 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole derivatives

The reaction of [CpRu(PPh₃)₂Cl] and [CpOs(PPh₃)₂Br] with chelating 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole (N ∩ N) ligands and NH₄PF₆ yields cationic complexes of the type [CpM(N ∩ N)(PPh₃)]⁺ (1: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 2: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole; 3: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-dimethylimidazole; 4: M = Ru, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazole; 5: M = Os, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 6: M = Os, N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole). They have been isolated and characterized as their hexafluorophosphate salts. Similarly, in the presence of NH₄PF₆, [Cp∗Ir(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ reacts in dry methanol with N ∩ N chelating ligands to afford in excellent yield [Cp∗Ir(N ∩ N)Cl]PF₆ (7: N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)imidazole; 8: N ∩ N = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzimidazole). All the compounds have been characterized by infrared and NMR spectroscopy and the molecular structure of [1]PF₆, [2]PF₆ and [7]PF₆ by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis.     

Synthesis,crystal, molecular and electronic structures of thiocyanate hydrido-carbonyl ruthenium(II) complexes with imidazole derivatives ligands

[RuH(CO)(SCN)(PPh₃)₃] and [RuH(CO){SCN}(PPh₃)₂(L)]{SCN} complexes (where L = benzimidazole, 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole and 2,2′-bis(4,5-dimethylimidazolyl)) have been prepared and studied by IR, NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Electronic structures and bonding of the obtained complexes were defined on the basis of DFT method. Values of the ligand field parameter 10Dq and Racah’s parameters were estimated for the studied compounds, and the luminescence properties were determined.