Porphyrin-based switchable molecular turnstiles

The design, synthesis and structural characterisation, in solution, of two new molecular turnstiles based on Sn-porphyrin derivatives are described. The system is composed of a stator (5-(4-pyridyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin), a hinge (Sn(IV)) and a rotor (handle equipped with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide as a tridentate coordinating site or its Pd(II) complex). The presence of interaction sites, both on the stator and the rotor, offers the possibility of switching between an open state (free rotation of the handle around the porphyrin) and a closed state (blockage of the rotation) by either establishment of hydrogen bonds between the stator and the rotor or by the simultaneous binding of Pd by both coordinating groups.     

An oscillating molecular turnstile

An oscillating molecular turnstile based on a stator composed of a porphyrin core bearing two trans coordinating pyridyl units at the meso positions and a rotor equipped with a pyridyl group was designed. Whereas, in solution, the rotor freely rotates around the stator, in the presence of a silver cation behaving as an effector, the system oscillates between two stations. The oscillatory movement may be frozen upon cooling at -70 °C generating thus the closed state of the turnstile. The switching of the system between the open and closed states may be achieved using an external stimulus such as addition of Et(4)NBr.     

Synthesis of novel interlocked systems utilizing a palladium complex with 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide-based tridentate macrocyclic ligand

A new protocol for the high yield synthesis of interlocked molecules is described. Palladium(II) complex including a 2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide-based tridentate macrocycle 2 was allowed to react with a 2,6-disubstituted pyridine derivative bearing two hydroxyl groups at both termini 3b to yield the corresponding Pd(II) complex 4b quantitatively. An acid catalyzed end-capping of 4b with a bulky isocyanate gave Pd(II) complex 5b in 96% yield, which was treated with carbon monoxide to afford [2]rotaxane 6b quantitatively.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Neutral Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complexes and their Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Evaluations

A series of neutral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes bearing 2,6-bis(2-naphthyl)pyridine as a C^N^C tridentate chelating ligand with monodentate pyridyl ligands with different substituents 1 – 3 have been synthesized via double cyclometalation and ligand displacement reaction. The structural, photophysical, electrochemical and aggregation induced emission (AIE) properties of these neutral platinum(II) complexes were systematically studied. Complexes 1 – 3 exhibited AIE effects with different emission intensities and colors, in which 1 showed the highest quantum efficiency of 8.6 % under aggregated state, and the aggregates were assembled to ordered spheres. Among the Pt(II) complexes, 1 showed a bactericidal activity against both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (MIC and MBC=3.13 μg/mL) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) (MIC and MBC=6.25 μg/mL). Complex 1 did not possess noticeable cytotoxicity to human skin HaCaT keratinocytes. The non-cytotoxic complex 1 would have a good potential to be used for the antibacterial therapy to combat with S. aureus and MRSA-infected skin diseases.     

Reversible Transformation between a [PdL2]2+ “Figure-of-Eight” Complex and a [Pd2L2]4+ Dimer: Switching On and Off Self-Recognition

Structural changes to metallosupramolecular assemblies resulting in the release or uptake of guests are currently well established, whereas transformations turning on and off specific self-recognition are far less developed. We report a novel ligand (2,6-bis(1-(3-pyridin-4-yl)phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine) possessing a tridentate central metal-binding site flanked by two pendant pyridyl arms. In a 2:1 ratio with Pd^II metal ions, a spiro-type [PdL₂]²⁺ “Figure-of-eight” complex forms with the central tridentate binding pocket unoccupied. The introduction of an additional one equivalent of Pd^II metal ion results in the conversion to a dimeric [Pd₂L₂]⁴⁺ molecule with the tridentate pocket occupied. There is site-specific self-recognition between dimers in solution with strong NOE peaks between adjacent molecules. The self-recognition between dimers can be turned off in two ways: firstly, adding another equivalent of Pd^II metal ion brings about binding to the previously uncoordinated pyridyl arms that are key to the self-recognition event, and; secondly, addition of sufficient ligand to return the stoichiometry to 2:1 regenerates the [PdL₂]²⁺ complex. Hence, the self-recognition event can be turned on or off through simple variation of L:Pd^II stoichiometry.     

Neutral pyridyl-functionalized C,N-ortho-chelated aminoaryl platinum(II) corner building blocks for application in coordination reactions

Two homoleptic pyridyl-functionalized C,N-ortho-chelating aminoaryl platinum(II) complexes, cis-[Pt(eta(2)-C,N)] (3a,b), were prepared via an unconventional method involving the initial synthesis of a bromide-functionalized C,N-chelating aminoaryl platinum(II) precursor complex 8, to which subsequently pyridyl groups were attached via a Suzuki-Miyaura C-C coupling reaction. The electron-donating properties of the pyridyl nitrogen atoms of the resulting complexes (3a,b) were used in complexation reactions with monocationic NCN-pincer (NCN = [C6H3(CH2NMe2)(2-)2,6]-) platinum(II) (11a) and palladium(II) (12a) nitrate complexes [M(NCN)(NO3)], thereby obtaining four trimetallic coordination complexes 16-19. The difference in the pyridine-metal coordination behavior between platinum and palladium was studied by varying the ratios of the reagents and by variable-temperature NMR experiments. IR and Raman analyses of 11a and 12a were performed to determine the coordination behavior of the nitrate counteranion, and it was found that both NO3- and H2O coordinate to the metal centers. The crystal structure determinations of free pyridyl complex 3a, [Pt(NCN)(NO3)] (11a), and [Pt(NCN)(NO3)].(H2O) (11b), as well as the crystal structure of trisplatinum coordination complex 16, are reported.     

Stereoselective preparation, structures, and reactivities of phosphine-bridged mixed-metal trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes with tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine

The phosphine-bridged linear trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes with Pd(II)-Pt(II)-Pd(II), Ni(II)-Pt(II)-Ni(II), and Rh(III)-Pd(II)-Pt(II)-Pd(II)-Rh(III) metal-ion sequences were almost quantitatively formed by the stepwise phosphine-bridging reaction of the terminal phosphino groups of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (pp3), which is the tetradentate bound ligand of the starting Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The solid-state structures of the trinuclear complexes were determined by X-ray structural analyses, and the structures of the polynuclear complexes in solution were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The trans and cis isomers of the trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes, which arise from the geometry around the Pt(II) center, were selectively obtained simply by changing the counteranion of the starting complexes: the tetrafluoroborate salts, [MX(pp3)](BF4) [M = Pd(II) or Ni(II), X = Cl- or 4-chlorothiophenolate (4-Cltp-)], gave only the trans isomers, and the chloride salt, [PdCl(pp3)]Cl, gave only the cis isomers. The formation of the trinuclear complex with the 4-Cltp- and chloro ligands, trans-[Pt(4-Cltp)2{PdCl(pp3)}2](BF4)2, proceeded with exchange between the thiolato ligand in the starting Pd(II) complex, [Pd(4-Cltp)(pp(3))](BF4), and the chloro ligands in the starting Pt(II) complex, trans-[PtCl2(NCC6H5)2], retaining the trans geometry around the Pt(II) center. In contrast, the formation reaction between [PdCl(pp3)]Cl and trans-[PtCl2(NCC6H5)2] was accompanied by the trans-to-cis geometrical change on the Pt(II) center to give the trinuclear complex, cis-[PtCl2{PdCl(pp3)}2]Cl2. The mechanisms of these structural conversions during the formation reactions were elucidated by the 31P NMR and absorption spectral changes. The differences in the catalytic activity for the Heck reaction were discussed in connection with the bridging structures of the polynuclear complexes in the catalytic cycle.     

Synthesis and electrochemical investigation of a series of iron(II) complexes with bidentate,tridentate and hexadentate ligands

Iron(II) complexes of a bidentate, a hexadentate and a series of tridentate ligands have been prepared and characterized. Electrochemical properties have shown that of the tridentate ligands, those capable of dπ-pπ bonding between the pyridyl rings and central ligand atom can stabilize formal low oxidation states (I,O, −I) of the metal. A bidentate ligand, 2-(2-pyridyl) imidazole although resembling 2,2′-bipyridine in structure, does not stabilize any low oxidation states and its iron(II) complex is reduced irreversibly to iron(O). The iron(II) complex of a hexadentate ligand, tetra(2-picolyl)ethylenediamine, is reduced in two, one electron steps to yield formal Fe(I) and Fe(O) oxidation states. However, both of these reductions are totally irreversible at a Pt and HMDE electrode.     

Photoinduced electron transfer in a hexaphenylbenzene-based self-assembled porphyrin-fullerene triad

A hexaphenylbenzene-based zinc porphyrin dyad forms a 1:1 complex with a fullerene bearing two pyridyl groups via coordination of the pyridyl nitrogens with the zinc atoms. The fullerene is symmetrically located between the two zinc porphyrins. The binding constant for the complex is 7.3 x 10(4) M(-1) in 1,2-difluorobenzene. Photoinduced electron transfer from a porphyrin first excited singlet state to the fullerene occurs with a time constant of 3 ps, and the resulting charge-separated state has a lifetime of 230 ps. This self-assembled construct should form a basis for the construction of more elaborate model photosynthetic antenna-reaction center systems.     

Theoretical investigation into the mechanism of reductive elimination from bimetallic palladium complexes

Reductive elimination of C-Cl and C-C bonds from binuclear organopalladium complexes containing Pd-Pd bonds with overall formal oxidation state +III are explored by density functional theory for dichloromethane and acetonitrile solvent environments. An X-ray crystallographically authenticated neutral complex, [(L-C,N)ClPd(μ-O(2)CMe)](2) (L = benzo[h]quinolinyl) (I), is examined for C-Cl coupling, and the proposed cation, [(L-C,N)PhPd(1)(μ-O(2)CMe)(2)Pd(2)(L-C,N)](+) (II), examined for C-C coupling together with (L-C,N)PhPd(1)(μ-O(2)CMe)(2)Pd(2)Cl(L-C,N) (III) as a neutral analogue of II. In both polar and nonpolar solvents, reaction from III via chloride dissociation from Pd(2) to form II is predicted to be favored. Cation II undergoes Ph-C coupling at Pd(1) with concomitant Pd(1)-Pd(2) lengthening and shortening of the Pd(1)-O bond trans to the carbon atom of L; natural bond orbital analysis indicates that reductive coupling from II involves depopulation of the d(x(2)-y(2)) orbital of Pd(1) and population of the d(z(2)) orbitals of Pd(1) and Pd(2) as the Pd-Pd bond lengthens. Calculations for the symmetrical dichloro complex I indicate that a similar dissociative pathway for C-Cl coupling is competitive with a direct (nondissociative) pathway in acetonitrile, but the direct pathway is favored in dichloromethane. In contrast to the dissociative mechanism, direct coupling for I involves population of the d(x(2)-y(2)) orbital of Pd(1) with Pd(1)-O(1) lengthening, significantly less population occurs for the d(z(2)) orbital of Pd(1) than for the dissociative pathway, and d(z(2)) at Pd(2) is only marginally populated resulting in an intermediate that is formally a Pd(1)(I)-Pd(2)(III) species, (L-Cl-N,Cl)Pd(1)(μ-O(2)CMe)Pd(2)Cl(O(2)CMe)(L-C,N) that releases chloride from Pd(2) with loss of Pd(I)-Pd(III) bonding to form a Pd(II) species. A similar process is formulated for the less competitive direct pathway for C-C coupling from III, in this case involving decreased population of the d(z(2)) orbital of Pd(2) and strengthening of the Pd(I)-Pd(III) interaction in the analogous intermediate with η(2)-coordination at Pd(1) by L-Ph-N, C(1)-C(2).     

1,2,3-Triazolylidene based complexes via post-modification of pincer click ligands

Preparation of 1,2,3-triazolylidene metal complexes by simple alkylation of triazolyl based parent species was demonstrated for the first time. Based on this post-modification approach, unprecedented tridentate Pd and Pt complexes bearing a 1,2,3-triazolylidene core were synthesized.     

Reaction of bis(o-phosphinophenyl)silane with M(PPh3)4 (M = Ni, Pd, Pt): synthesis and structural analysis of η2-(Si-H) metal(0) and pentacoordinate silyl metal(II) hydride complexes of the Ni triad bearing a PSiP-pincer ligand

Reactions of bis(o-(diphenylphosphino)phenyl)methylsilane with M(PPh(3))(4) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt) were investigated. When M = Ni or Pd, synthesis and isolation of η(2)-(Si-H) complexes of mononuclear Ni(0) and Pd(0) were achieved for the first time as frozen intermediates for oxidative addition of the Si-H bond. Structural analysis by X-ray and NMR spectroscopy disclosed that their η(2)-(Si-H) structures were maintained in both solid and solution states and coordination of the Si-H bond to the metal center was relatively weak. On the other hand, reaction with a platinum(0) complex afforded two kinds of pentacoordinate silyl platinum(II) hydride complexes having a PSiP-pincer ligand, which underwent unique thermal isomerization from a square-pyramidal cis-H-Pt-Si to a trigonal-bipyramidal trans-H-Pt-Si isomer. Mechanistic investigations revealed that this isomerization proceeded via an intramolecular rearrangement process probably through a turnstile rotation.     

Complexes with a Pincers. 2,6-Diphenylpyridine as Twofold-Deprotonated (C ∧ N ∧ C) terdentate ligand in C,C-trans-, and as mono-deprotonated (C ∧ N) chelate ligand in chiral C,C-cis-complexes of platinum(II) and palladium(II). Preliminary communication

2,6-Diphenylpyridine forms, as twofold-deprotonated, terdentate ligand, complexes with Pt(II) and Pd(II), having two adjacent five-membered metallocycles. As mono-deprotonated, bidentate ligand, it forms cis-bis-complexes having a chirality axis. Pt(II) complexes undergo thermal and photochemical oxidative addition reactions, yielding stable Pt(IV) compounds. Pd(II) complexes yield substitued 2,6-diphenylpyridine in photochemical reactions.     

Hydrogen chemical ionization mass spectrometry of metalloporphyrins

The hydrogen chemical ionization (H₂ CI) mass spectra of a range of metal(II) (Ni, Cu, Co, Pt), metal (III) (Al, Mn, Ga, Fe (bearing a single axial ligand)) and metal(IV) (Si, Ge, Sn (bearing two axial ligands) and V (as V?O²⁺)) porphyrins have been determined, The spectra are highly dependent on the coordinated metal, rather than the axial ligand(s) (where present). Ni(II), Cu(II), Mn(II or III), Ga(III), Ge(IV), Fe(III) and Sn(IV) porphyrins fragment via hydrogenation and demetallation, followed by cleavage of the resulting porphyrinogens at the meso(bridge) positions to give mono- and di-pyrrolic fragments. Tripyrrolic fragments are also observed in the case of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Sn(IV). Fragmentations of this type are similar to those observed for free-base porphyrins. In the case of Pt(II), Co(II), Al(III), Si(IV) and V(IV) (as vanadyl), the dipyrrolic fragment ions are either very weak or completely absent; hence their H₂CI spectra contain limited structural information. This variable CI behaviour may be related to the relative stabilities of the metalloporphyrins together with the multiple stable valency states exhibited by several metals.     

Iron(II)–ethylene polymerization catalysts bearing 2,6-bis(imino)pyrazine ligands: Part II. Catalytic behaviour, homogeneous and heterogeneous insights

A series of new iron(II) complexes bearing tridentate pyrazine-bis(2,6-arylimino) ligands where the aryl groups are 1-naphthyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, and 2,6-diisopropylphenyl have been used as ethylene polymerization catalysts after activation with alkylaluminiums. The new complexes display a lesser catalytic activity than those bearing the corresponding pyridine-bis(2,6-arylimino) ligands. Varying the steric bulkiness of the aromatic groups in the tridentate ligands and the polymerization conditions affects the catalytic productivity.     

A theoretical study of an unusual Y-shaped three-coordinate Pt complex: Pt(0) σ-disilane complex or Pt(II) disilyl complex?

The unusual Y-shaped structure of the recently reported three-coordinate Pt complex Pt[NHC(Dip)(2)](SiMe(2)Ph)(2) (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene; Dip = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was considered a snapshot of the reductive elimination of disilane. A density functional theory study indicates that this structure arises from the strong trans influence of the extremely σ-donating carbene and silyl ligands. Though this complex can be understood to be a Pt(II) disilyl complex bearing a distorted geometry due to the Jahn-Teller effect, its (195)Pt NMR chemical shift is considerably different from those of Pt(II) complexes but close to those of typical Pt(0) complexes. Its Si···Si bonding interaction is ~50% of the usual energy of a Si-Si single bond. The interaction between the Pt center and the (SiMe(2)Ph)(2) moiety can be understood in terms of donation and back-donation interactions of the Si-Si σ-bonding and σ*-antibonding molecular orbitals with the Pt center. Thus, we conclude that this is likely a Pt(0) σ-disilane complex and thus a snapshot after a considerable amount of the charge transfer from disilane to the Pt center has occurred. Phenyl anion (Ph(-)) and [R-Ar](-) [R-Ar = 2,6-(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3))(2)C(6)H(3)] as well as the divalent carbon(0) ligand C(NHC)(2) also provide similar unusual Y-shaped structures. Three-coordinate digermyl, diboryl, and silyl-boryl complexes of Pt and a disilyl complex of Pd are theoretically predicted to have similar unusual Y-shaped structures when a strongly donating ligand coordinates to the metal center. In a trigonal-bipyramidal Ir disilyl complex [Ir{NHC(Dip)(2)}(PH(3))(2)(SiMe(3))(2)](+), the equatorial plane has a similar unusual Y-shaped structure. These results suggest that various snapshots can be shown for the reductive eliminations of the Ge-Ge, B-B, and B-Si σ-bonds.     

Preparation and study of 1,8-di(pyrid-2'-yl)carbazoles

A series of three derivatives of 1,8-di(pyrid-2'-yl)carbazole were prepared by Stille-type coupling of 2-(tri-n-butylstannyl)pyridine with the appropriate 1,8-dibromocarbazole. The carbazoles were prepared by appropriate substitution methodologies on the parent carbazole or by palladium-catalyzed cyclization of di-(p-tolyl)amine to provide the carbazole ring system. An X-ray structure of the di-tert-butyl derivative confirmed that both pyridyl groups were oriented for favorable intramolecular H-bonding to the central N-H. Two orientations of the molecule were found in the unit cell and this observation was corroborated by two N-H stretching bands in the solid state IR. Substitution of N-H by N-D led to increased emission intensity through diminished intramolecular deactivation of the excited state. The di-tert-butyl derivative formed a tridentate complex with Pd(II), which showed a red-shifted band attributed to an intraligand charge transfer state.     

Steric control on the redox chemistry of (η5-C9H7)2Yb(II)(THF)2 by 6-aryl substituted iminopyridines

A steric control on the reductive capacity of ytterbocenes towards iminopyridine ligands is described. The reaction of (η(5)-C(9)H(7))(2)Yb(THF)(2) with a series of 6-organyl-2-(aldimino)pyridyl ligands (IPy) takes place with the replacement of two THF molecules by one IPy unit. In contrast to the rich reductive ytterbocene chemistry described in the presence of the unsubstituted (aldimino)pyridyl ligand, all 6-aryl substituted IPys scrutinized hereafter are involved into the metal coordination as neutral bidentate {N,N} or tridentate {N,N,S; N,N,O} ligands, with no changes of the metal oxidation state in the final complexes. A series of Yb(II) metallocene complexes of general formula (η(5)-C(9)H(7))(2)Yb(II)(η(2) or η(3))[2,6-(i)Pr(2)(C(6)H(3))N=CH(C(5)H(3)N)-6-R)] have been isolated and completely characterized. The stereo-electronic role of the aryl substituents in the IPy ligands on the ytterbocene redox chemistry has also been addressed.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Antimicrobial Activity of Complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II) with the Condensation Product of 2-(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and Semioxamazide

Summary. Complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II) with the condensation derivative of 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and semioxamazide were synthesized, characterized, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods with the particular accent on NMR spectral analysis. For the palladium(II) complex, the crystal structure was determined by X-ray analysis. In all the complexes the ligand is coordinated as a tridentate via a P, N, O donor set. The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes have a square planar geometry, whereas the geometry of the Ni(II) complex is tetrahedral. The ligand showed antibacterial and antifungal activity, which was enhanced upon complexation.     

Synthesis, Structure, and Antimicrobial Activity of Complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II) with the Condensation Product of 2-(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and Semioxamazide

Complexes of Pt(II), Pd(II), and Ni(II) with the condensation derivative of 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde and semioxamazide were synthesized, characterized, and their antimicrobial activity was evaluated. The ligand and the complexes were characterized by spectroscopic methods with the particular accent on NMR spectral analysis. For the palladium(II) complex, the crystal structure was determined by X-ray analysis. In all the complexes the ligand is coordinated as a tridentate via a P, N, O donor set. The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes have a square planar geometry, whereas the geometry of the Ni(II) complex is tetrahedral. The ligand showed antibacterial and antifungal activity, which was enhanced upon complexation.