Neutral pyridylmethylamide ligands and their mononuclear copper(II) complexes

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes of a family of pyridylmethylamide ligands HL, HL^Me, HL^Ph, HL^Me3 and HL^Ph3, [HL = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide; HL^Me = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide; HL^Ph = 2-phenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide; HL^Me3 = 2,2-dimethyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide; HL^Ph3 = 2,2,2-triphenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide], were synthesized and characterized. The reaction of copper(II) salts with the pyridylmethylamide ligands yields complexes [Cu(HL)₂(OTf)₂] (1), [Cu(HL^Me)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2), [Cu(HL)₂Cl]₂[CuCl₄] (3), [Cu(HL^Me3)₂(THF)](OTf)₂ (4), [Cu(HL^Me3)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (5a and 5b), [Cu(HL^Ph3)₂(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (6), [Cu(HL)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (7), and [Cu(HL^Ph)(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (8). All complexes were fully characterized, and the X-ray structures vary from four-coordinate square-planar, to five-coordinate square-pyramidal or trigonal-bipyramidal. The neutral ligands coordinate via the pyridyl N atom and carbonyl O atom in a bidentate fashion. The spectroscopic properties are typical of mononuclear copper(II) species with similar ligand sets, and are consistent their X-ray structures.     

Asymmetric hydrogenations of ketones catalyzed by Ru–achiral phosphine-enantiopure diamine complexes

Five novel ruthenium complexes, RuCl₂(MOTPP)₂[(S,S)-DPEN] [MOTPP = tris(4-methoxyphenyl)phosphine] (1), RuCl₂(TFTPP)₂[(S,S)-DPEN] [TFTPP = tris(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)phosphine] (2), RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂[(S,S)-DPEN] (3), RuCl₂(BDPX)[(S,S)-DPEN] [BDPX = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)benzene] (4), RuCl₂(BISBI)[(S,S)-DPEN][BISBI = 2,2′-bis((diphenylphosphino)methyl)-1,1′-biphenyl]] (5) were synthesized and used for the hydrogenation of aromatic ketones. The complexes showed high catalytic activities, especially that the catalytic activity of complex 5 containing the diphosphine with large bite angle and complex 1 containing triarylphosphine with electron-donating group were higher than the other three complexes. The enantioselectivities of products were almost not influenced by the electron factors of phosphine.     

Ruthenium(II) complexes with mono and ditertiary arsines and phosphines and their reaction with small molecules

Dichlorotetrakis(dimethylsulphoxide)ruthenium(II) reacts with AsPh₃ AsMePh₂, AsMe₂Ph and SbPh₃ in ethanolic hydrochloric acid solution to yield the complexes RuCl₂(DMSO)₂(AsPh₃)₂, RuCl₂(DMSO) L₂ (L = AsMePh₂, AsMe₂Ph, SbPh₃) respectively. The treatment of ruthenium(II) blue solution with AsMePh₂, AsMe₂Ph and SbPh₃ in alcohol resulted in the formation of the complexes; RuCl₂L₃ (L = AsMePh₂, AsMe₂Ph and SbPh₂), respectively. The reaction of RuCl₂(DMSO)₄ with the bidentate ligands 1,2 bis (diphenylarsino)methane (DPAM), 1,2 bis(diphenylarsino)ethane (DPAE) and 1,2 bis (diphenylphosphino)methane (DPPM). 1,2 bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (DPPE), in ethanol gave the complexes RuCl₂(DPAM)₂, RuCl₂(DPAE)₂, RuCl₂ (DPPM)₂ RuCl₂(DPPE)₂, respectively. The complexes thus obtained undergo reaction with carbon monoxide, hydrogen, molecular nitrogen and nitric oxide to yield a variety of mixed ligand complexes.     

Electrochemical properties of a ruthenium complex immobilized as thin films and in carbon paste electrodes

The electrochemical properties of mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(4-pic)] (dppb = Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂, 4-pic = CH₃C₅H₄N), Rupic, in CHCl₃ are governed by the formation of species such as [Ru₂Cl₅(dppb)₂], [Ru₂(dppb)₂Cl₄(4-pic)] and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(4-pic)₂] upon the reduction of “[RuCl₂(dppb)]”. The overall behavior depends on whether Rupic is immobilized in cast or Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, or incorporated into a carbon paste electrode (CPE). In cyclic voltammograms, one redox process appears for LB/Rupic films and CPE/Rupic, at E_pa = 0.35 V, E_pc = 0.25 V vs SCE, and E_pa = 0.32 V, E_pc = 0.24 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. This redox process was ascribed to the Ru^III/Ru^II charge transfer. For cast films the redox pair was poorly defined, with E_pa = 0.27 V and E_pc = 0.20 V. The reason for the difference lies in the phase separation and formation of aggregates onto ITO for the cast film, in contrast to the LB film. With aggregation, the formation of species occurring in solution is impaired for Rupic in cast films. The electrochemical properties for Rupic in LB films and incorporated into CPE allowed the electrocatalytic activity of Rupic to be exploited in sensors for dopamine and ascorbic acid.     

Synthesis of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)], reactivity and electrochemistry of mer-[RuCl3(DMSO)(bpy)] and mer-[RuCl3(TMSO)(bpy)] complexes

[H(DMSO)₂][trans-RuCl₄(DMSO)₂] (1) reacts with 2,2′-bipyridine in ethanol at room temperature resulting in the formation of a major compound, mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)(bpy)] (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) 3 and a known minor compound, cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)₄] (4). The compounds 3 and 4 are formed via an anticipated intermediate mer-[RuCl₃(DMSO)₃] (2). The reaction of 3 and mer-[RuCl₃(TMSO)(bpy)] (5) with small molecules like imidazole, carbon monoxide and KSCN yield, mer-[RuCl₃(bpy)(im)] · 2DMSO (im = imidazole) (6) and cis-[RuCl₂(TMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (7), cis-[RuCl₂(DMSO)(CO)(bpy)] (8) and K[RuCl₃(bpy)(SCN)] (9), respectively. The formations of 3, 6 and 7 have been authenticated by single crystal structure determinations. Compound 6 is formed by the substitution of DMSO or TMSO from 3 and 5, respectively, whereas 7 and 8 are formed by unprecedented one-electron reductions of 5 and 3. The reactions of 3 and 5 with KSCN resulted in the same compound, K[RuCl₃(NCS)(bpy)] (9). DFT calculations were performed to distinguish whether the thiocyanate ligand is bound to ruthenium through S or N. In the ruthenium bipyridine systems, the HOMO contains ruthenium d-orbitals and the LUMO is typically π^*-orbitals of the bipyridine ring. Complexes 3, 6 and 7 are redox active in acetone and DMSO solvent showing prominent a reduction peak and corresponding oxidation peak.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures and Catalysis of Dinuclear Cd(Ⅱ) Complexes Bridged by Unusual (N,O,O′)-Coordinated α-Amino Acids

Four dinuclear amino acid cadmium(Ⅱ) complexes [Cd₂(tren)₂(dl-alaninato)](ClO₄)₃·H₂O(Ⅰ), [Cd₂(tren)₂·(l-alaninato)](ClO₄)₃·H₂O(Ⅱ), [Cd₂(tren)₂(dl-phenylalaninato)](ClO₄)₃(Ⅲ) and [Cd₂(tren)₂(l-phenylalaninato)]· (ClO₄)₃(Ⅳ), constructed from mixed ligands of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine(tren) and racemic or natural amino acids( amino acids=dl- or l-alanine, and dl- or l-phenylalanine), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis of complexes Ⅰ and Ⅲ reveals that the cadmium centers are coordinated by one tren ligand and one amino acid molecule with the unusual (N,O,O′)-bridged mode, resulting in asymmetric chromophores of CdN₄O and CdN₅O in complex Ⅰ, CdN₄O₂ and CdN₅O in complex Ⅲ, respectively. The utility of the four complexes as efficient water-compatible Lewis acid catalysts for the direct aldol reaction in water was examined. The reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding β-hydroxy ketones in up to 99% yield. Moreover, the diastereoselectivity of the reaction favors the formation of the syn-isomers.     

Constructions of a set of novel hydrogen-bonded supramolecules from reactions of cobalt(II) salt with bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane and different carboxylic acids

Reactions of CoX₂·6H₂O (X = Cl⁻, ClO₄⁻) with bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane (dmpzm) and formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, maleic acid, or fumaric acid under the presence of KOH solution produced a new family of Co(II)/dmpzm complexes, [Co(dmpzm)₂L]X·nH₂O (1: L = O₂CH, X = Cl, n = 2; 2: L = OAc, X = Cl, n = 3; 3: L = benzoate, X = ClO₄, n = 1/3; 4: L = salicylate, X = ClO₄, n = 1/3) and [Co₂(dmpzm)₄L](ClO₄)₂·nSolv (5: L = maleate, n = 3, Solv = H₂O; 6: L = fumarate, n = 2, Solv = MeOH). These compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1–4 are mononuclear while 5–6 are binuclear. Each cobalt atom of 1–6 is hexacoordinate, with a distorted octahedral CoN₄O₂ coordination geometry incorporating two N,N′-bidentate dmpzm ligands and one O,O′-bidentate carboxylate ligand. There are rich intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystals of 1–6, thereby forming either 2D hydrogen-bonded networks (1 and 2) or 3D hydrogen-bonded networks (3–6). In addition, the thermal behaviors of 1–6 were also investigated.     

Synthesis and reactions of 4-vinyl pyridine derivatives of ruthenium(II)

4-Vinyl pyridine (4-Vp) reacts with RuHClCO(PPh₃)₃ (I) in THF to give RuHClCO(PPh₃)₂(4-Vp) (II, which reacts with sodium derivatives of bidentate chelating ligands to afford substitution products, [RuH(CO)(PPh₃)₂(L)]. The bindentate ligands used are 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, trifluorothenoylacetone and 8-hydroxyquinoline. Insertion reactions of the Ru---H bond of II with activated olefins such as acrylonitrile [giving RuCl(CO)(CH₃CHCN)(PPh₃)₂(4-Vp)], 2-vinyl pyridine, dimethyl fumarate and monobromodiethyl fumarate have been carried out to obtain chelated Ru---C bonded complexes. RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃ reacts with an excess of 4-Vp to give an octahedral ruthenium addition complex containing two vinyl pyridine ligands. The dimer [RuClCO(CH₃CHCN)(PPh₃)(4-Vp)]₂ is obtained by the reaction of [RuClCO(CH₃CHCN)(PPh₃)₂]₂ with an excess of 4-Vp. Stereochemical assignments have been made for these new complexes on the basis of IR and ¹H NMR data.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-(indazol-1-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInA). X-ray characterization of [CoCl2(TnInA)2] · C2H6O and [(M)(TnInA)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 (M = Co, Zn)

Several complexes of 2-(indazol-1-yl)-2-thiazoline (TnInA) with the divalent ions Co and Zn have been synthesized by the direct combination of the ligand and the metal chloride or nitrate hydrated salts in ethanol. These complexes have been characterized by a variety of physical–chemical techniques. Moreover, the structures of [CoCl₂(TnInA)₂] · C₂H₆O (1) and [(M)(TnInA)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ (M = Co, 3; Zn, 4) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In all the complexes, the ligand TnInA bonds to the metal ion through the indazole and thiazoline nitrogen atoms. In complex 1 the environment around the cobalt ion may be described as a distorted octahedron with two TnInA ligands and two chlorine ligands. Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural with a distorted octahedral geometry around the metal center, being linked to two water molecules and two TnInA ligands. However, in complex [ZnCl₂(TnInA)] (2) the zinc atom is four-coordinated with a probable tetrahedral environment with two chloro ligands and one TnInA ligand bonded to the metal ion.     

Synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterisation of three di-μ-fluoro-bis[dioxouranyl] complexes

Three novel uranyl complexes with organic phosphine oxide ligands and bridging fluorides have been synthesised and structurally characterised. In [ UO₂(μ-F)(TPPO)_{3 2}][BF₄]₂ · ⁿC₆H₁₄, 1, and [ UO₂(-μF)(TBPO)_{3 2}][BF₄]₂ 2, (where TPPO and TBPO are triphenylphosphine oxide and tri-n-butylphosphine oxide, respectively) two UO₂ ²⁺ moieties are bridged by two fluorides with three additional terminal PO donor ligands coordinated to each uranium centre. The dicationic complexes are both charge balanced by two uncoordinated tetrafluoroborate anions. In the related structure, [UO₂(μ-F)(F)(DPPMO₂)]₂ · 2MeOH (3), terminal fluoride is also coordinated to both uranyl centres (where DPPMO₂ = bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)methane). All three complexes were prepared during attempted syntheses of complexes with tetrafluoroborate directly coordinated to uranium. It is clear from these results that the fluorophilicity of UO₂ ²⁺ causes the abstraction of fluoride from [BF₄]⁻, with the weakly coordinating anion only present as a counter cation in 1 and 2, and absent completely in 3.     

Structural diversity of lanthanide–amino acid complexes under near physiological pH conditions and their recognition of single-stranded DNA

We reported here four structures of lanthanide–amino acid complexes obtained under near physiological pH conditions and their individual formula can be described as [Tb₂(dl-Cys)₄(H₂O)₈]Cl₂ (1), [Eu₄(μ₃-OH)₄(l-Asp)₂(l-HAsp)₃(H₂O)₇] Cl · 11.5H₂O (2), [Eu₈(l-HVal)₁₆(H₂O)₃₂]Cl₂₄ · 12.5H₂O (3), and [Tb₂(dl-HVal)₄(H₂O)₈]Cl₆ · 2H₂O (4). These complexes showed diverse structures and have shown potential application in DNA detection. We studied the interactions of the complexes with five single-stranded DNA and found different fluorescence enhancement, binding affinity and binding stoichiometry when the complexes are bound to DNA.     

Benefits of donor solvents as additive on ROMP of norbornene catalyzed by amine Ru complexes

With the aim of understanding the influence of donor solvents on the reactivity of the amine complexes [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂(piperidine)] (1) and [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₂(imidazole)₂] (2) in the presence of ethyldiazoacetate, and on the properties of the resulting polymer, a ring opening metathesis polymerization of norbornene was carried out in the presence of small amounts of common solvents such as additives (isopropanol, THF, N,N-dimethylformamide, 2,6-lutidine, isopropanethiol, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, NEt₃, NH₂Me and pyridine). From observations, typical coordinating solvents like DMSO, NEt₃, NH₂Me and pyridine, hardly affected the yields when either complex was employed. With other additives, the major advantage was the decrease in the polydispersity indices. On using complex 1 with 2,6-lutidine, observed values of M_w/M_n were as low as 1.3, while the yield decreased from 99% to about 20–30% at RT for 1 min in pure solution. In the case of complex 2, which is almost inactive to ROMP (19% at 50 °C for 5 min with M_w/M_n = 6.30), the yield was three-fold (60% at 50 °C for 5 min with M_w/M_n = 1.95) compared to that of without THF. Further, the M_w/M_n was observed to decrease to 1.34 with 200 eq. of THF.     

Reaction of [(C6H6)RuCl2]2 with 7,8-benzoquinoline and 8-hydroxyquinoline

The reaction of [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂ with 7,8-benzoquinoline and 8-hydroxyquinoline in methanol were performed. The obtained complexes have been studied by IR, UV–VIS, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In the reaction with 8-hydroxyquinoline the arene ruthenium(II) complex oxidized to Ru(III). The electronic spectra of the obtained compounds have been calculated using the TDDFT method. Magnetic properties of [Ru(C₉H₆NO)₃] · CH₃OH complex suggest the antiferromagnetic coupling of the ruthenium centers in the crystal lattice. EPR spectrum of [Ru(C₉H₆NO)₃] · CH₃OH compound indicates single isotropic line only characteristic for Ru³⁺ with spin equal to 1/2.     

Synthesis and structure of two lanthanide complexes with isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL): [Ln(L)2(H2O)4]n·(NO3)n·n(H2O) (Ln = Sm or Tb)

Two new lanthanide complexes of isonicotinic acid N-oxide (HL), namely [Ln(L)₂(H₂O)₄]_n·(NO₃)_n·n(H₂O) for Ln = Sm or Tb, have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. IR spectra suggest that isonicotinic acid N-oxide acts as a O,O′-bidentate ligand, the N-oxide group as well as the nitrate group are not involved in coordination. Single crystal analyses have shown that both complexes are isomorphous, where the Ln(III) centers are eight coordinated by four O atoms of four water ligands and other four O atoms of two isonicotinic acid N-oxide ligands. The carboxylate groups are only involved in the bidentate syn–syn bridging mode into infinite chains. Hydrogen bonds between aqua ligands, lattice molecules, nitrate and N-oxide groups are formed giving a three-dimensional network.     

Molecular, supramolecular structure and catalytic activity of transition metal complexes of phenoxy acetic acid derivatives

Six mononuclear complexes [M(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄] (M = Co(II), 1a and M = Mn(II), 1b), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] (1c), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)(Py)₂] (1d), [Cu(L₃)(H₂O)Cl] · H₂O (3a) and [Co(Sal)(H₂O)(Py)₃] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O (3b) of phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and Schiff base were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co(II) (1a) and Mn(II) (1b) complexes are isomorphous. X-ray crystal structural analyses reveal that these coordination complexes form polymeric structure via formation of different types of hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions in solid. Thermal analysis along with the powder X-ray diffraction data of these complexes shows the importance of the coordinated and/or crystal water molecules in stabilizing the MOF structure. Complexes 1a, 1c, 3a show marginal catalytic activity in the oxidation of olefins to epoxides in the presence of i-butyraldehyde and molecular oxygen.     

Preparation and characterization of ruthenium(II), rhodium(III) and iridium(III) complexes of isocyanide bearing the azo group

Reactions of [(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂]₂ (1) (η⁶-arene=p-cymene (1a), 1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃ (1b), 1,2,3-Me₃C₆H₃ (1c) 1,2,3,4-Me₄C₆H₂(1d), 1,2,3,5-Me₄C₆H₂ (1e) and C₆Me₆ (1f)) or [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M=Rh (2), Ir (3); Cp*=C₅Me₅) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene (RNC) and 4,4′-diisocyanoazobenzene (CN–R–NC) gave mononuclear and dinuclear complexes, [(η⁶-arene)Ru(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (4a–f), [Cp*M(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)Cl₂] (5: M=Rh; 6: M=Ir)_, [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl₂}₂{μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC}] (8a–f) and [(Cp*MCl₂)₂(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)}] (9: M=Rh; 10: M=Ir)_, respectively. It was confirmed by X-ray analyses of 4a and 5 that these complexes have trans-forms for the ---N=N--- moieties. Reaction of [Cp*Rh(dppf)(MeCN)](PF₆)₂ (dppf=1,1′-bis (diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) with 4-isocyanoazobenzene gave [Cp*Rh(dppf)(CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₅)](PF₆)₂ (7), confirmed by X-ray analysis. Complex 8b reacted with Ag(CF₃SO₃), giving a rectangular tetranuclear complex 11b, [{(η⁶-1,3,5-Me₃C₆H₃)Ru(μ-Cl}₄(μ-CNC₆H₄N=NC₆H₄NC)₂](CF₃SO₃)₄ bridged by four Cl atoms and two μ-diisocyanoazobenzene ligands. Photochemical reactions of the ruthenium complexes (4 and 8) led to the decomposition of the complexes, whereas those of 5, 7, 9 and 10 underwent a trans-to-cis isomerization. In the electrochemical reactions the reductive waves about −1.50 V for 4 and −1.44 V for 8 are due to the reduction of azo group, [---N=N---]→[---N=N---]²⁻. The irreversible oxidative waves at ca. 0.87 V for the 4 and at ca. 0.85 V for 8 came from the oxidation of Ru(II)→Ru(III).     

Easily accessible and robust olefin-metathesis catalysts based on ruthenium vinylidene complexes

Nine mixed ligand ruthenium(II) vinylidene complexes with the general formula: [RuCl₂{=C=CHR′}(PCy₃)(L)] and [RuCl{=C=CHR′}(PCy₃)(sal-R)] (L=N-heterocyclic carbene, sal-R=salicylaldiminate anion, R′=Ph, SiMe₃, ^tBut) has been synthesized and characterized. These complexes are easily accessible from [RuCl₂(p-cymene)]₂, terminal alkynes, imidazolium salts or salicylaldimine salts and they have been found to serve as good catalyst precursors for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene, substituted norbornenes, polycyclic alkenes and cyclooctene and ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of ,ω-dienes. Furthermore, these precursors possess extremely high stability toward air, heat and moisture in comparison with other metathesis-active alkylidene ruthenium systems. No significant catalyst decomposition was found for several days at elevated temperatures.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of Ni(II)–2,4-pyridine-dicarboxylates

Two new complexes [Ni(pydc)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Ni₂(pydc)₂(H₂O)₅]_n (2) (H₂pydc = 2,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid) have been obtained by hydrothermal synthetic method and characterized by single crystal X-ray analysis. In 1 six-coordinate Ni(II) ions are coordinated by pydc ligands to form 2-D layer structures; while in 2 six-coordinate Ni(II) ions are only connected into 1-D zigzag chains constructed by dinuclear nickel units. Although the coordination geometries around Ni(II) centers in both complexes are similar, their structure topologies are greatly tuned by coordination modes of pydc. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies have shown that both compounds 1 and 2 may display antiferromagnetic coupling between paramagnetic metal centers mediated by bridging carboxylate groups.     

Effects of the ancillary ligands of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes on the DNA-binding and photocleavage behaviors

The new polypyridyl ligand MIP {MIP = 2-(2,3-methylenedioxyphenyl)imidazo[4,5-f]1,10-phenanthroline} and its ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(phen)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Ru(dmp)₂(MIP)]²⁺ (2) (dmp = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, MS and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The DNA-binding properties of the two complexes to calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) were investigated by different spectrophotometric methods and viscosity measurements, as well as equilibrium dialysis and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The results suggest that complex 1 binds to CT-DNA through intercalation, and complex 2 binds to CT-DNA via a partial intercalative mode. This difference in binding mode probably is caused by the different ancillary ligands. Also, when irradiated at 400 nm, complex 1 was found to be a more-effective DNA-cleaving agent than complex 2.     

Synthesis, structures and reactivity of triosmium clusters containing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands

Four triosmium carbonyl clusters bearing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands of general formula [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] (1, L = pyrazine; 2, L = 2-methylpyrazine; 3, L = 2,3-dimethylpyrazine; 4, L = 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine) were synthesized by the reactions of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with the corresponding pyrazine derivatives and water in the presence of a methanolic solution of Me₃NO in moderate yields. Compounds [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] react with a series of two electron donor ligands, L′ at ambient temperature to give [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L′] (5, L′ = PPh₃; 6, L′ = P(OMe)₃; 7, L′ = ^tBuNC; 8, L′ = C₅H₅N) in good yields by the displacement of the pyrazine ligands. This implies that the pyrazine ligands in 1–4 are relatively labile. Compounds 2, 3, 4, and 8 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All the four compounds possess two metal–metal bonds and a non-bonded separation of two osmium atoms defined by Os(1)Os(3), which are simultaneously bridged by OH and MeOCO ligands and a heterocyclic ligand is terminally coordinated to one of the two non-bonded osmium atoms.