Electrochemical study of a nonheme Fe(ii) complex in the presence of dioxygen. Insights into the reductive activation of O2 at Fe(ii) centers

Recent efforts to model the reactivity of iron oxygenases have led to the generation of nonheme Fe^III(OOH) and Fe^IV(O) intermediates from Fe^II complexes and O₂ but using different cofactors. This diversity emphasizes the rich chemistry of nonheme Fe(ii) complexes with dioxygen. We report an original mechanistic study of the reaction of [(TPEN)Fe^II]²⁺ with O₂ carried out by cyclic voltammetry. From this Fe^II precursor, reaction intermediates such as [(TPEN)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺, [(TPEN)Fe^III(OOH)]²⁺ and [(TPEN)Fe^III(OO)]⁺ have been chemically generated in high yield, and characterized electrochemically. These electrochemical data have been used to analyse and perform simulation of the cyclic voltammograms of [(TPEN)Fe^II]²⁺ in the presence of O₂. Thus, several important mechanistic informations on this reaction have been obtained. An unfavourable chemical equilibrium between O₂ and the Fe^II complex occurs that leads to the Fe^III-peroxo complex upon reduction, similarly to heme enzymes such as P450. However, unlike in heme systems, further reduction of this latter intermediate does not result in O–O bond cleavage.     

Magnetic and Luminescence Properties of 8-Coordinate Holmium(III) Complexes Containing 4,4,4-Trifluoro-1-Phenyl- and 1-(Naphthalen-2-yl)-1,3-Butanedionates

A new series of mononuclear Ho³⁺ complexes derived from the β-diketonate anions: 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-phenyl-1,3-butanedioneate (btfa⁻) and 4,4,4-trifuoro-1-(naphthalen-2-yl)-1,3-butanedionate (ntfa⁻) have been synthesized, [Ho(btfa)₃(H₂O)₂] (1a), [Ho(ntfa)₃(MeOH)₂] (1b), (1), [Ho(btfa)₃(phen)] (2), [Ho(btfa)₃(bipy)] (3), [Ho(btfa)₃(di-^tbubipy)] (4), [Ho(ntfa)₃(Me₂bipy)] (5), and [Ho(ntfa)₃(bipy)] (6), where phen is 1,10-phenantroline, bipy is 2,2′-bipyridyl, di-^tbubipy is 4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridyl, and Me₂bipy is 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridyl. These compounds have been characterized by elemental microanalysis and infrared spectroscopy as well as single-crystal X-ray difraction for 2–6. The central Ho³⁺ ions in these compounds display coordination number 8. The luminescence-emission properties of the pyridyl adducts 2–6 display a strong characteristic band in the visible region at 661 nm and a series of bands in the NIR region (excitation wavelengths (λ_ex) of 367 nm for 2–4 and 380 nm for 5 and 6). The magnetic properties of the complexes revealed magnetically uncoupled Ho³⁺ compounds with no field-induced, single-molecule magnet (SMMs).     

Tuning the reactivity of mononuclear nonheme manganese(iv)-oxo complexes by triflic acid

Triflic acid (HOTf)-bound nonheme Mn(iv)-oxo complexes, [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ (L = N4Py and Bn-TPEN; N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine and Bn-TPEN = N-benzyl-N,N′,N′-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine), were synthesized by adding HOTf to the solutions of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺ complexes and were characterized by various spectroscopies. The one-electron reduction potentials of the Mn^IV(O) complexes exhibited a significant positive shift upon binding of HOTf. The driving force dependences of electron transfer (ET) from electron donors to the Mn^IV(O) and Mn^IV(O)–(HOTf)₂ complexes were examined and evaluated in light of the Marcus theory of ET to determine the reorganization energies of ET. The smaller reorganization energies and much more positive reduction potentials of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ complexes resulted in greatly enhanced oxidation capacity towards one-electron reductants and para-X-substituted-thioanisoles. The reactivities of the Mn(iv)-oxo complexes were markedly enhanced by binding of HOTf, such as a 6.4 × 10⁵-fold increase in the oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction (i.e., sulfoxidation). Such a remarkable acceleration in the OAT reaction results from the enhancement of ET from para-X-substituted-thioanisoles to the Mn^IV(O) complexes as revealed by the unified ET driving force dependence of the rate constants of OAT and ET reactions of [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂. In contrast, deceleration was observed in the rate of H-atom transfer (HAT) reaction of [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺–(HOTf)₂ complexes with 1,4-cyclohexadiene as compared with those of the [(L)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺ complexes. Thus, the binding of two HOTf molecules to the Mn^IV(O) moiety resulted in remarkable acceleration of the ET rate when the ET is thermodynamically feasible. When the ET reaction is highly endergonic, the rate of the HAT reaction is decelerated due to the steric effect of the counter anion of HOTf.     

Characterization and reactivity study of non-heme high-valent iron–hydroxo complexes

A terminal Fe^IIIOH complex, [Fe^III(L)(OH)]²⁻ (1), has been synthesized and structurally characterized (H₄L = 1,2-bis(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanamido)benzene). The oxidation reaction of 1 with one equiv. of tris(4-bromophenyl)ammoniumyl hexachloroantimonate (TBAH) or ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in acetonitrile at −45 °C results in the formation of a Fe^IIIOH ligand radical complex, [Fe^III(L˙)(OH)]⁻ (2), which is hereby characterized by UV-visible, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques. The reaction of 2 with a triphenylcarbon radical further gives triphenylmethanol and mimics the so-called oxygen rebound step of Cpd II of cytochrome P450. Furthermore, the reaction of 2 was explored with different 4-substituted-2,6-di-tert-butylphenols. Based on kinetic analysis, a hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism has been established. A pK_a value of 19.3 and a BDFE value of 78.2 kcal/mol have been estimated for complex 2.

One-electron oxidation of an Fe^III–OH complex (1) results in the formation of a Fe^III–OH ligand radical complex (2). Its reaction with (C₆H₅)₃C˙ results in the formation of (C₆H₅)₃COH, which is a functional mimic of compound II of cytochrome P450.     

Cyanide-bridged complexes based on dinuclear Cu(II)-M(II) [M = Pb and Cu] building blocks: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Four cyanide-bridged heterometallic complexes {[CuPb(L 1 )][Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ]} 2 ·(ClO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O·2CH 3 CN (1), {[CuPb(L 1 )] 2 [Fe II (CN) 6 ](H 2 O) 2 }·10H 2 O (2), {[Cu 2 (L 2 )][Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ] 2 }·2H 2 O·2CH 3 OH (3) and {[Cu 2 (L 2 )] 3 [Fe III (CN) 6 ] 2 (H 2 O) 2 }·10H 2 O (4) have been synthesized by treating K[Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ] [bpb 2-=1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzenate] and K 3 [Fe III (CN)] 6 with dinuclear compartmental macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes [CuPb(L 1 )] (ClO 4 ) 2 or [Cu 2 (L 2 )]·(ClO 4 ) 2 , in which H 2 L 1 was derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol, ethylenediamine, and diethylenetriamine in the molar ratio of 2:1:1 and H 2 L 2 from 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol and propylenediamine in the molar ratio of 1:1. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 displays a cyclic hexanuclear heterotrimetallic molecular structure with alternating [FeⅢ (bpb)(CN) 2 ]- and [CuPb(L 1 )] 2+ units. Complex 2 is of a neutral dumb-bell-type pentanuclear molecular configuration consisting of one [Fe(CN)6] 4- anion sandwiched in two [CuPu(L 1 )] 2+ cations, and the pentanuclear moieties are further connected by the hydrogen bonding to give a 2D supramolecular framework. Heterobimetallic complex 3 is a tetranuclear molecule composed of a centrosymmetric [Cu 2 (L2)] 2+ segment and two terminal cyanide-containing blocks [FeⅢ (bpb)(CN)2 ]- . Octanuclear compound 4 is built from two [Fe(CN)6]3- anions sandwiched in the three [Cu 2 L 2 ] 2+ cations. Investigation of their magnetic properties reveals the overall antiferromagnetic behavior in the series of complexes except 2.     

Oxidation of the thiosulfate ion by some iron(III) complexes with phenolate - amide-amine coordination: A comparative kinetic study

The redox reactions of thiosulfate with four iron(III) complexes having phenolate-amide-amine coordination, Fe^III(L){L = 1,2-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)ethane, L¹; 1,3-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)propane, L²; 1,5-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)3-azapentane, L³; and 1,8-bis(2-hydroxybenzamido)3,6-diazaoctane, L⁴} have been investigated in 10% v/v MeOH + H₂O and I = 0.3 mol dm⁻³. At constant pH (~ 4.8) and under pseudo-first order conditions of [S₂O ₃ ²⁻ ] the reaction obeyed the rate law : − d[Fe^III(L)]/dt = k _obs [Fe^III(L)] + k _obs ^′ where k _obs ^′ denotes the observed rate constant of thiosulfate decomposition; k _obs = a[S₂O ₃ ²⁻ ] + b[S₂O ₃ ²⁻ ] _T ² is valid for all the complexes, particularly at pH < 6, while k _obs ^′ = [H⁺][S₂O ₃ ²⁻ ] _T ² is consistent with the rate law for thiosulfate decomposition proposed earlier. The rate data (k _obs) were analysed on the basis of the reactivities of various species of Fe^III(L) generated by the equilibrium protonation of the sec-NH of dien and trien spacer units resulting in the ring opening (for [Fe^III(L³/L⁴)]), and acid base equilibrium of the aqua ligand bound to the iron(III) centre ([Fe^III(L)(OH₂) _n ]). The redox activities, both for second and third order paths, show the ligand dependencies : L⁴<L³<L¹<L² conforming to the fact that the complexes tend to be less susceptible to electron transfer from S₂O ₃ ²⁻ with (i) the increase of the number of chelate rings, (ii) the decrease of overall charge, and (iii) the decrease of ring size offered by the amine moiety (from six membered to five membered one as for [Fe^III(L¹/L²)(OH₂)₂]⁺. There was no evidence for the formation of inner sphere thiosulfato complex, the possibility of the formation of the outer sphere ion-pairs, [Fe(L/HL)(OH₂)n ^+/2+, S₂O ₃ ²⁻ ] with low equilibrium constant value may not be excluded. In view of this, the outer sphere electron transfer (ET) mechanism is the most likely possibility.     

The synthesis, structural characterization, magnetochemistry and Mössbauer spectroscopy of [Fe3LnO2(CCl3COO)8H2O(THF)3] (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Lu and Y)

The new tetranuclear complexes [Fe₃Ln(μ₃-O)₂(CCl₃COO)₈(H₂O)(THF)₃]·THF (Ln = Ce^III (1), Pr^III (2), Nd^III (3)) and [Fe₃Ln(μ₃-O)₂(CCl₃COO)₈(H₂O)(THF)₃]·THF·C₇H₁₆ (Ln = Sm^III (4), Eu^III (5), Gd^III (6), Tb^III (7), Dy^III (8), Ho^III (9), Lu^III (10) and Y^III (11)) have been prepared. All compounds were prepared by the reaction between [Fe₂BaO(CCl₃COO)₆(THF)₆] and the corresponding Ln^III nitrate salt. The crystal structures of 1–4, 8 and 9 have been determined; these isostructural molecules have a non-planar {Fe₃Ln(μ₃-O)₂} “butterfly” core. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show dominant intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interactions for all the complexes. ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy shows three different environments for the Fe^III metal ions, all in their high-spin state S = 5/2 (confirming that no electron transfer from Ce^III to Fe^III occurs in 1). At the time scale of the Mössbauer spectroscopy (about 10⁻⁷ s), evidence of magnetization blocking, i.e. slow relaxation of the magnetization, is observed below 3 K for 7, which was confirmed by ac susceptibility measurements.     

Versatile Reactivity of MnII Complexes in Reactions with N-Donor Heterocycles: Metamorphosis of Labile Homometallic Pivalates vs. Assembling of Endurable Heterometallic Acetates

Reaction of 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) or 1,10-phenantroline (phen) with [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n led to the formation of binuclear complexes [Mn₂(Piv)₄L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (1), phen (2); Piv⁻ is the anion of pivalic acid). Oxidation of 1 or 2 by air oxygen resulted in the formation of tetranuclear Mn^II/III complexes [Mn₄O₂(Piv)₆L₂] (L = 2,2′-bipy (3), phen (4)). The hexanuclear complex [Mn₆(OH)₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₄] (5) was formed in the reaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with pyrimidine (pym), while oxidation of 5 produced the coordination polymer [Mn₆O₂(Piv)₁₀(pym)₂]_n (6). Use of pyrazine (pz) instead of pyrimidine led to the 2D-coordination polymer [Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇(µ₂-pz)₂]_n (7). Interaction of [Mn(Piv)₂(EtOH)]_n with FeCl₃ resulted in the formation of the hexanuclear complex [Mn^II₄Fe^III₂O₂(Piv)₁₀(MeCN)₂(HPiv)₂] (8). The reactions of [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(H₂O)₃] with 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) or trans-1,2-(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) led to the formation of 1D-polymers [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆L₂]_n·2nDMF, where L = 4,4′-bipy (9·2DMF), bpe (10·2DMF) and [MnFe₂O(OAc)₆(bpe)(DMF)]_n·3.5nDMF (11·3.5DMF). All complexes were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Desolvation of 11·3.5DMF led to a collapse of the porous crystal lattice that was confirmed by PXRD and N₂ sorption measurements, while alcohol adsorption led to porous structure restoration. Weak antiferromagnetic exchange was found in the case of binuclear Mn^II complexes (J_Mn-Mn = −1.03 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2). According to magnetic data analysis (J_Mn-Mn = −(2.69 ÷ 0.42) cm⁻¹) and DFT calculations (J_Mn-Mn = −(6.9 ÷ 0.9) cm⁻¹) weak antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn^II ions also occurred in the tetranuclear {Mn₄(OH)(Piv)₇} unit of the 2D polymer 7. In contrast, strong antiferromagnetic coupling was found in oxo-bridged trinuclear fragment {MnFe₂O(OAc)₆} in 11·3.5DMF (J_Fe-Fe = −57.8 cm⁻¹, J_Fe-Mn = −20.12 cm⁻¹).     

Co(III) complexes of Me-salpn and Me-salbn and the ring size effect on the coordination modes and electrochemical properties: The crystal structures of trans-[Co(Me-salpn)(py)2]PF6 and cis-α-[Co(Me-salbn)(4-Mepy)2]BPh4 · 4-Mepy

The synthesis and characterization of a series of cobalt(III) complexes of the general type [Co(N₂O₂)(L₂)]⁺ are described. The N₂O₂ Schiff base ligands used are Me-salpn (H₂Me-salpn = N,N′-bis(methylsalicylidene)-1,3-propylenediamine) (1–3) and Me-salbn (H₂Me-salbn = N,N′-bis(methylsalicylidene)-1,4-butylenediamine) (4–5). The two ancillary ligands L include: pyridine (py) 1, 3-metheylpyridine (3-Mepy) 2, 1-methylimidazole (1-MeIm) 3, 4-methylpyridine (4-Mepy) 4 and pyridine (py) 5. These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of trans-[Co^III(Me-salpn)(py)₂]PF₆, 1, and cis-α-[Co^III(Me-salbn)(4-Mepy)₂]BPh₄ · 4-Mepy, 4, have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Examination of the solution and crystalline structures revealed that the outer coordination sphere of the complexes exerts a noticeable influence on the inner coordination sphere of the Co(III) ion. The electrochemical reduction of these complexes at a glassy carbon electrode in acetonitrile solution indicates that the first reduction process corresponding to Co^III–Co^II is electrochemically irreversible, which is accompanied by the dissociation of the axial (R-py)–cobalt bonds. It has also been observed that the Co(III) state is stabilized with increasing the flexibility of the ligand environment.     

Characterization and chemical reactivity of room-temperature-stable MnIII–alkylperoxo complexes

While alkylperoxomanganese(iii) (Mn^III–OOR) intermediates are proposed in the catalytic cycles of several manganese-dependent enzymes, their characterization has proven to be a challenge due to their inherent thermal instability. Fundamental understanding of the structural and electronic properties of these important intermediates is limited to a series of complexes with thiolate-containing N₄S⁻ ligands. These well-characterized complexes are metastable yet unreactive in the direct oxidation of organic substrates. Because the stability and reactivity of Mn^III–OOR complexes are likely to be highly dependent on their local coordination environment, we have generated two new Mn^III–OOR complexes using a new amide-containing N₅⁻ ligand. Using the 2-(bis((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)amino)-N-(quinolin-8-yl)acetamide (H^6Medpaq) ligand, we generated the [Mn^III(OO^tBu)(^6Medpaq)]OTf and [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]OTf complexes through reaction of their Mn^II or Mn^III precursors with ^tBuOOH and CmOOH, respectively. Both of the new Mn^III–OOR complexes are stable at room-temperature (t_1/2 = 5 and 8 days, respectively, at 298 K in CH₃CN) and capable of reacting directly with phosphine substrates. The stability of these Mn^III–OOR adducts render them amenable for detailed characterization, including by X-ray crystallography for [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]OTf. Thermal decomposition studies support a decay pathway of the Mn^III–OOR complexes by O–O bond homolysis. In contrast, direct reaction of [Mn^III(OOCm)(^6Medpaq)]⁺ with PPh₃ provided evidence of heterolytic cleavage of the O–O bond. These studies reveal that both the stability and chemical reactivity of Mn^III–OOR complexes can be tuned by the local coordination sphere.

A pair of room-temperature-stable Mn^III–alkylperoxo complexes were characterized and shown to oxidize PPh₃. Thermal decomposition studies provide evidence of both homolysis and heterolysis of the Mn^III–alkylperoxo O–O bond.     

A 2-D bimetallic assembly with bridging cyanide ions

A novel cyanide-bridged bimetallic assembly, [Cu(1,3-Pn)₂]₂[Fe^III(CN)₆]ClO₄ · 2H₂O (1,3-Pn = 1,3-diaminopropane), derived from [Fe(CN)₆]^3– building blocks and four-coordinated bisdiamine metal(II) ions [Cu(1,3-Pn)₂]²⁺ is described and characterized by X-ray crystal analysis. The compound contains a two-dimensional network structure extended through Fe^III—CN—Cu linkages. Mössbauer experimental results indicate that the iron is ferric (Fe³⁺) in the complex. Cryomagnetic measurements reveal an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the nearest paramagnetic metal ions in the compound. The exchange mechanism was also discussed.     

Synthesis and catalase-like activity of dimanganese complexes with phthalazine-based ligands

Dimanganese complexes Mn₂ ^III(L¹)(OAc)₄ and Mn₂ ^III(L²)(OAc)₄ with the phthalazine-based ligands 1,4-di(2′-benzimidazolyl)aminophthalazine (H₂L¹) and 1,4-di(N-methyl-2′-benzimidazolyl)aminophthalazine (H₂L²) have been prepared and characterized. The complexes accelerate the disproportionation of H₂O₂ into water and dioxygen in buffered aqueous solutions in a near-neutral pH range thus can be regarded as catalase models. Results of kinetic measurements indicate a similar mechanism for the two catalysts, but formation of the proposed peroxo-adduct intermediate is less favored for Mn₂ ^III(L¹)(OAc)₄. It is presumed to be the reason for the lower rates for this catalyst even at higher pH.     

Cyclooctenyl complexes of palladium(II) with multidentate N-heterocycles

[Pd(cod)(cotl)]ClO₄ (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, cotl = cyclooctenyl, C₈H₁₃ ^–) undergoes substitutions with multidentate N-heterocycles: 1,3-bis(benzimidazolyl)benzene (L¹), 1,3-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)benzene (L²), 2,6-bis(benzimidazolyl)pyridine (L³) and 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L⁴) to yield mono/binuclear complexes: [Pd(cotl)(L¹)(OClO₃)], [Pd(cotl)(L)]ClO₄ (L = L² or L³) and [Pd(cotl)₂(L⁴)](ClO₄)₂. Dihalobridged binuclear complexes [PdX(cotl)]₂ (X = Cl or Br) undergo halogen bridge cleavages with the multidentate N-heterocycles to form binuclear complexes of the type [PdX(cotl)₂L] (X = Cl or Br; L = L¹, L², L³ or L⁴). The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, ¹H-, ¹³C-n.m.r., i.r., far-i.r. and FAB-mass spectral studies.     

Synthesis and crystal structure characterization of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)propane

Three new mononuclear complexes of nitrogen–sulfur donor sets, formulated as [Fe^II(L)Cl₂] (1), [Co^II(L)Cl₂] (2) and [Ni^II(L)Cl₂] (3) where L = 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethylthio)propane, were synthesized and isolated in their pure form. All the complexes were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The solid state structures of complexes 1 and 3 have been established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structural analysis evidences isomorphous crystals with the metal ion in a distorted octahedral geometry that comprises NSSN ligand donors with trans located pyridine rings and chlorides in cis positions. In dimethylformamide solution, the complexes were found to exhibit Fe^II/Fe^III, Co^II/Co^III and Ni^II/Ni^III quasi-reversible redox couples in cyclic voltammograms with E_1/2 values (versus Ag/AgCl at 298 K) of +0.295, +0.795 and +0.745 V for 1, 2 and 3, respectively.     

Boron Cluster Anions [BnHn]2– (n = 10, 12) in Reactions of Iron(II) and Iron(III) Complexation with 2, 2′‐Bipyridyl and 1, 10‐Phenanthroline

Complexation of Fe^II and Fe^III with azaheterocyclic ligands L (L = phen or bipy) were studied in the presence and in the absence of boron cluster anions [B_nH_n]^2– (n = 10, 12). The reactions were carried out in air at room temperature in organic solvents and/or water. In all the solvents used, well known [FeL₃]An (An = 2Cl^– or SO₄^2–) ferrous complexes were formed from Fe^II salts. Composition of ferric complexes with L ligands depends on the nature of solvent: either dinuclear oxo‐iron(III) chlorides [L₂ClFe^III–O–Fe^IIIL₂Cl]Cl₂ or ferric ferrates(III) [Fe^IIIL₂Cl₂][Fe^IIICl₄], or [Fe^IIIL₂Cl₂][Fe^IIICl₄L] were isolated from Fe^III salts. Introduction of the closo‐borate anions to a Fe³⁺(or Fe²⁺)/L/solv. mixture stabilizes ferrous cationic complexes [FeL₃]²⁺ in all the solvents used: only ferrous [FeL₃][B_nH_n] (n = 10, 12) complexes were isolated from all the reaction mixtures in the presence of boron cluster anions.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel(II) complexes with three potentially hexadentate Schiff-base ligands and polyamines: X-ray crystal structure determination of one nickel(II) complex

Three new potentially hexadentate N₄O₂ Schiff-base ligands (H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³) were prepared from the reaction of the polyamines N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (L¹), N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,3-propanediamine (L²) and N,N′-bis(2-aminophenyl)-1,4-butanediamine (L³), respectively with salicylaldehyde. Reaction of the Schiff bases with Ni(II) salts in the presence of N(Et)₃ gave the neutral complexes [NiL⁴], [NiL⁵] and [NiL⁶]. Ni(II) complexes of the polyamines were also prepared. One of complexes [Ni(L¹)(MeCN)₂](ClO₄)₂·MeCN has been characterized through X-ray diffraction methods.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,DNA binding and oxidative cleavage studies of copper(II) complexes of N2S2 tetradentate ligands

Two new copper(II) complexes with aminothioether ligands, [Cu(L¹)(ClO₄)](ClO₄) · 0.5H₂O (1) and [Cu(L²)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (2) (L¹ = 2-benzyl-1,3-bis(aminoethylthio)propane and L² = 2-(4-butylbenzyl)-1,3-bis(aminoethylthio)propane), have been synthesized and characterized. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that both 1 and 2 adopt distorted square pyramidal geometries. The binding modes of both complexes with calf thymus DNA were investigated by UV–Vis and CD spectroscopies. The results show that both complexes mainly adopt an electrostatic attraction binding mode with DNA and the binding constants are (1.62 ± 0.02) × 10³ and (2.02 ± 0.02) × 10³ M⁻¹, respectively. Both complexes are able to cleave pBR322 plasmid DNA efficiently in the presence of ascorbic acid and the activity of 2 is higher than that of 1. The DNA cleavage by 1 and 2 were inhibited strongly in the presence of DMSO and tert-butyl alcohol, which suggests that hydroxyl radicals are the reactive oxygen species for the cleavage.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties of two cyano-bridged two-dimensional assemblies [Fe(salpn)]2 [Fe(CN)5NO] and [Fe(salpn)]2[Ni(CN)4]

Two cyano-bridged assemblies, [Fe^III(salpn)]₂[Fe^II(CN)₅NO] (1) and [Fe^III (salpn)]₂[Ni^II(CN)₄] (2) [salpn = N, N-1,2-propylenebis(salicylideneiminato)dianion], have been prepared and structurally and magnetically characterized. In each complex, [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– or [Ni(CN)₄]^2– coordinates with four [Fe(salpn)]⁺ cations using four co-planar CN^– ligands, whereas each [Fe(salpn)]⁺ links two [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– or [Ni(CN)₄]^2– ions in the trans form, which results in a two-dimensional (2D) network consisting of pillow-like octanuclear [—M^II—CN—Fe^III—NC—]₄ units (M = Fe or Ni). In complex (1), the NO group of [Fe(CN)₅NO]^2– remains monodentate and the bond angle of Fe^II—N—O is 180.0°. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities, measured in the 5–300 K range, show weak intralayer antiferromagnetic interactions in both complexes with the intramolecular iron(III)iron(III) exchange integrals of –0.017 cm^–1 for (1) and –0.020 cm^–1 for (2), respectively.     

Ligational behaviour of two biologically active N−S donors towards cobalt(III), iron(III), iron(II) and rhodium(III)

Summary The chelating behaviour of two biologically active ligands, pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde(4-phenyl) thiosemicarbazone(L₁H) and pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde thiosemicarbazone(LH), towards Fe^III, Co^III, Fe^II and Rh^III has been investigated. The ligands act as tridentate N–N–S donors, resulting in the formation of bis-chelate complexes of the type M^III(A)₂X·nH₂O (A=L₁ or L; X=Cl, ClO₄; M=Co^III, Rh^III, Fe^III), Fe^II(L₁H)₂SO₄·2H₂O and Fe^II(L₁)₂·H₂O. Biological activity of the ligands and the metal complexes in the form ofin vitro antibacterial activities towardsE. coli has been evaluated and the possible reasons for enhancement of the activity of ligands on coordination to metal ion is discussed.     

A {Tb2Fe3} Pyramid Single‐Molecule Magnet with Ferromagnetic Tb‐Fe Interaction

The influence of magnetic interactions to the magnetization dynamics was well experimentally studied in a 3d‐4f single‐molecule magnet (SMM) [Tb^III₂Fe^III₃(μ₅‐O)L₂(NO₃)₄Cl] ( 1 , H₄L = N,N,N’,N’‐tetrakis(2‐hydroxyethyl)ethylene diamine) and its diamagnetic‐ ion‐diluted samples. Significant ferromagnetic coupling between Tb^III and Fe^III ions and SMM behavior of 1 were observable, which proved clearly that the magnetic interaction between 3d‐4f spin carriers has also an excessive impact on fine‐tuning the magnetization dynamic behaviors of 3d‐4f complexes.