Columnar catenar bisoxazoles and bisthiazoles

Three new series of catenar liquid crystals 1a–c derived from heterocyclic bisoxazoles and bisthiazoles exhibiting columnar phases were reported. All compounds 1a–c exhibited hexagonal columnar phases, which were confirmed by powder XRD diffractometer. Compounds 1a have a slightly wider temperature range of columnar phases than that of compounds 1b, which might be attributed to higher dipole polarized in 1a. A N_cell and R_ar value equal to 2.54–2.76 and 19.99–20.45 Å² within a slice of 9.0 Å thick were obtained for three derivatives 1a–c (all ns=12), indicating that a single molecule was packed within columns in Col_h phases. All derivatives showed good stabilities at temperature below T=408 °C on TGA. The PL spectra of all compounds 1a–c showed one intense peak at λ_max=505–510 nm, and these photoluminescent emissions originated from quinoxaline moiety.     

Linkage position influences of anthracene and tricyanovinyl groups on the opto-electrical and photovoltaic properties of anthracene-based organic small molecules

Anthracene-based small molecules incorporating an electron accepting tricyanovinyl (TCV) group was prepared to investigate the linkage position influences of the anthracene and TCV groups on the opto-electrical and photovoltaic properties of the molecules. The maximum absorptions of the anthracene-based molecules incorporating the TCV group at the phenyl group of the triphenylamine unit (TCV-TpaA_9,10T, TCV-TpaTA_9,10T, and TCV-TpaA_2,6T) or at the thiophene unit (TpaA_9,10T-TCV, TpaTA_9,10T-TCV, and TpaA_2,6T-TCV) were found to be dependent on the linkage position of the anthracene unit. The HOMO energy levels of the molecules containing TCV group at the phenyl group of the triphenylamine unit were deeper than those of the molecules containing TCV group at the thiophene unit. The solution processed small molecule organic solar cells (SMOSCs) prepared with the structure of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/TCV-TpaA_9,10T or TCV-TpaA_2,6T or TpaA_2,6T-TCV:PC₇₁BM (2:1 wt %)/LiF/Al exhibited a maximum energy conversion efficiency of 1.04%, 1.67%, and 1.95%, respectively, under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm⁻²).     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes containing mono-thiolate-ortho-carborane ligand

Two binuclear complexes [Cp^∗M(Cl)Carb^S]₂ (Cp^∗ = η⁵-C₅Me₅, M = Rh (1a), Carb^S = SC₂(H)B₁₀H₁₀, Ir (1b)) were synthesized by the reaction of LiCarb^S with the dimeric metal complexes [Cp^∗MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Rh, Ir). Four mononuclear complexes Cp^∗M(Cl)(L)Carb^S (L = BuⁿPPh₂, M = Rh (2a), Ir (2b); L = PPh₃, M = Rh (4a), Ir (4b)) were synthesized by reactions of 1a or 1b with L (L = BuⁿPPh₂ (2); PPh₃ (4)) in moderate yields, respectively. Complexes 3a, 3b, 5a, 5b were obtained by treatment of 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b with AgPF₆ in high yields, respectively. All of these compounds were fully characterized by IR, NMR, and elemental analysis, and the crystal structures of 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 4a, 4b were also confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Their structures showed 3a, 3b and 5a, 5b could be expected as good candidates for heterolytic dihydrogen activation. Preliminary experiments on the dihydrogen activation driven by these half-sandwich Rh, Ir complexes were done under mild conditions.     

Cellular uptake, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, antioxidant activity and DNA binding of polypyridyl ruthenium(II) complexes

Ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complexes [Ru(phen)₂(APIP)](ClO₄)₂1 and [Ru(phen)₂(HAPIP)](ClO₄)₂2 have been synthesized and characterized. The DNA-binding behaviors were investigated by electronic absorption titration, luminescence spectra, viscosity measurements, thermal denaturation and photoactivated cleavage. The DNA-binding constants K_b for complexes 1 and 2 were determined to be 3.38 (±0.42) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (s = 1.48) and 3.93 (±0.60) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ (s = 3.14), respectively. The studies on the photocleavage demonstrated that the effects of cleavage are concentration-dependent. The results showed that complexes 1 and 2 interact with CT-DNA by intercalative mode. The cytotoxicity of complexes 1 and 2 has been evaluated by MTT method. The apoptosis assay was carried out with acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining methods. The cellular uptake showed that complexes can enter into the cytoplasm and accumulate in the nuclei. The antioxidant activity studies suggested that the ligands and complexes may be potential drugs to eliminate the radical.     

Effect of ortho-substituents on the stereochemistry of 2-(o-substituted phenyl)-1H-imidazoline-palladium complexes

Palladium complexes composed of [Pd(Ln)₂Cl₂] (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6), [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] and [Pd(L5b)₂], where L1 = 4,5-dihydro-2-phenyl-1H-imidazole (=2-phenyl-1H-imidazoline), L2 = 2-(o-fluorophenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L3 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L4 = 2-(o-tert-butylphenyl)-1H-imidazoline, L5a = 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolinium, L5b = 2-(1H-imidazolin-2-yl)phenolate, and L6 = 2-(o-methylphenyl)-1H-imidazole, were synthesized. Molecular structures of the isolated palladium complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The effect of ortho-substituents on the phenyl ring on trans-chlorine geometry was noted for complexes [Pd(L1)₂Cl₂] 1a and 1b, [Pd(L2)₂Cl₂] 2 and [Pd(L6)₂Cl₂] 6, whereas cis-chlorine geometry was observed for [Pd(L3)₂Cl₂] 3 and [Pd(L4)₂Cl₂] 4. PdCl₂ reacts with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazoline in DMF to give [L5a]⁺ and [L5b]^- so that [L5a]₂[PdCl₄] 5a and [Pd(L5b)₂] 5b were obtained. In complex 5b, as an N,O-bidentate ligand, two ligands L5b coordinated with the central Pd(II) ion in the trans-form. The coordination of PdCl₂ with 2-(o-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazolines in solution was investigated by NMR spectroscopy.     

Hemisphere-shaped calixarenes and their analogs: synthesis, structure, and chiral recognition ability

The hemisphere-shaped calixarene 1a and its split-hemisphere-shaped isomer 1b were synthesized from [2.1.2.1]metacyclophane (MCP) 3 by pinacol rearrangement and subsequent intramolecular acetalization. Their structures were revealed by X-ray crystallography and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The temperature-dependence of the intramolecular acetalization to provide 1a and 1b was examined. The results indicated that 1a is the dominant product at high temperatures, and the values of ΔH° and ΔS° were estimated to be −18.3±0.37 kJ mol⁻¹, −59.1±1.12 kJ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The dinitro derivative 7 and tetranitro derivatives8 were obtained by ipso-nitration at the upper rims of 1a. The optical resolution and chiral recognition ability of racemic mixture 7 were investigated by HPLC systems.     

Reactions of group 13 metal trialkyls with oxamides

Alkyl aluminum-, gallium-, and indium oxamidates Me₄Al₂(dpoa) (1), Me₄Al₂(dboa) (2), Me₄Ga₂(dpoa) (3), Me₄Ga₂(dboa) (4), ^tBu₄Ga₂(dpoa) (5) and Me₄In₂(dboa) (6) (dpoa-H₂ = N,N′-diphenyloxamide, dboa-H₂ = N,N′-di-tert-butyloxamide) have been prepared and characterized. Compounds 1-3, 5 and 6 exist in the form of isomers a only, with a skeleton framework of the molecules consisting of two almost flat, coplanar and fused MNOC₂ (M = Al, Ga, In) heterocyclic rings. Depending on the reaction conditions, the compound 4 was obtained as the isomer 4a or as the mixture of two isomers 4a and 4b. Molecular structures of the compounds 1a-6a have been determined by X-ray crystallography. A structure of the isomer 4b was proposed on the basis of NMR spectroscopy. A skeleton framework of the 4b molecule consists of two fused different cycles, GaO₂C₂ and GaN₂C₂.     

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of N-cycloalkyl-7-oxanorbornene dicarboximides by well-defined ruthenium initiators

Ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of exo-N-(1-adamantyl)-7-oxanorbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (AdONDI) (3a), exo-N-cyclohexyl-7-oxanorbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (ChONDI) (3b) and exo-N-phenyl-7-oxanorbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (PhONDI) (3c) using well-defined alkylidene ruthenium catalysts (PCy₃)₂(CI)₂RuCHPh (I) and (1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene) (PCy₃)CI₂RuCHPh (II) was studied. The catalysts I and II gave polymers with around 70% and 50% trans vinylene content, respectively. The homopolymer of 3a had a T_g of 198 °C, while poly-3b showed a T_g of 122 °C. Copolymers of 3a, 3b and 3c with norbornene (NB) showed significant T_g increases over poly-NB.     

Targeting nitric oxide synthase with Tc/Re-tricarbonyl complexes containing pendant guanidino or isothiourea moieties

The visualization of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in vivo with specific radioactive probes could provide a valuable insight into the diseases associated with upregulation of this enzyme. Aiming at that goal, we have synthesized a novel family of conjugates bearing a pyrazolyl-diamine chelating unit for stabilization of the fac-[M(CO)₃]⁺ core (M = ^99mTc, Re) and pendant guanidino (L¹ = guanidine, L² = N-hydroxyguanidine, L³ = N-methylguanidine, L⁴ = N-nitroguanidine) or S-methylisothiourea (L⁵) moieties for iNOS recognition. L¹-L⁵ reacted with fac-[M(CO)₃(H₂O)]⁺, yielding complexes of the type fac-[M(CO)₃(k³-L)]⁺ (M = Re/^99mTc; 1/1a, L = L¹; 2/2a, L = L²; 3/3a, L = L³; 4/4a, L = L⁴; 5/5a, L = L⁵), which were fully characterized by the usual analytical methods in chemistry and radiochemistry, including X-ray diffraction analysis in the case of 1. The rhenium complexes 1-5 were prepared as “cold” surrogates of the ^99mTc(I) complexes. Enzymatic assays with murine purified iNOS demonstrated that L¹, L², 1 and 2 are poor NO-producing substrates. These assays have also shown that metallation of L⁴ and L⁵ (K_i > 1000 μM) gave complexes with increased inhibitory potency (4, K_i = 257 μM; 5, K_i = 183 μM). The organometallic rhenium complexes permeate through LPS-treated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell membranes, interacting specifically with the target enzyme, as confirmed by the partial suppression of NO biosynthesis (ca. 20% in the case of 4 and 5) in this cell model. The analog ^99mTc(I)-complexes 1a-5a are stable in vitro, being also able to cross cell membranes, as demonstrated by internalization studies in the same cell model with compound 4a (4h, 37 °C; 33.8% internalization). Despite not being as effective as the α-amino-acid-containing metal-complexes previously described by our group, the results reported herein have shown that similar ^99mTc(I)/Re(I) organometallic complexes with pendant amidinic moieties may hold potential for targeting iNOS expression in vivo.     

Influence of multidentate N-donor ligands on highly electrophilic zinc initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of epoxides

A set of multidentate ligands have been synthesized and used to stabilize the putative highly electrophilic zinc species initiating ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclohexene oxide (CHO) and propylene oxide (PO). Reaction of the bidentate C₂-chiral bis(oxazoline) ligand (^R2,R3BOX: R₂ = (4S)-tBu, R₃ = H (a); R₂ = (4S)-Ph, R₃ = H (b); R₂ = (4R)-Ph, R₃ = (5S)-Ph (c)) with Zn(R₁)₂ (R₁ = Et (1), Me (2)) led to the heteroleptic three-coordinate complexes (^R2,R3BOX)ZnR₁, 1a-c and 2a, which were isolated in 92-96% yield. Next, two pyridinyl-functionalized N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands have been designed and synthesized: the 1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolinium salt (d) and the protected NHC adduct 2-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorophenyl)-1,3-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)imidazolidine (e). The reaction of ligands d and e with ZnEt₂ led directly to the formation of (NHC)ZnEt(Cl) 3d complex with ethane elimination and the adduct (NHC-C₆F₅(H))ZnEt₂4e, respectively, in high yield. In situ combinations of selected complexes 1a-c, 3d and 4e with B(C₆F₅)₃ (1 or 2 equivalents) give active systems for ROP, with high productivity (3.3-5.9 10⁶ g_polym. mol_Zn⁻¹ h⁻¹) and high molecular weight (M_n up to 132 10³ g mol⁻¹) for CHO polymerization. Although the in situ B(C₆F₅)₃-activated zinc species were not isolated, the sterically demanding BOX ligands (1c > 1b > 1a) and functionalized NHC ligands seem to enhance the stability of highly electrophilic zinc complexes over ligand redistribution, allowing a better control of the cationic ROP as reflected particularly for 3d and 4e complexes by their respective efficiency (42-88%).     

Phase transitions in K3AlF6

Phase transitions in the elpasolite-type K₃AlF₆ complex fluoride were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. Three phase transitions were identified with critical temperatures , and . The α-K₃AlF₆ phase is stable below T₁ and crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a=18.8588(2)Å, b=34.0278(2)Å, c=18.9231(1)Å, β=90.453(1)° (a=2a_c−c_c, b=4b_c, c=a_c+2c_c; a_c, b_c, c_c—the basic lattice vectors of the face-centered cubic elpasolite structure) and space group I2/a or Ia. The intermediate β phase exists only in very narrow temperature interval between T₁ and T₂. The γ polymorph is stable in the T₂<T<T₃ temperature range and has an orthorhombic unit cell with a=36.1229(6)Å, b=17.1114(3)Å, c=12.0502(3)Å (a=3a_c−3c_c, b=2b_c, c=a_c+c_c) at 250 °C and space group Fddd. Above T₃ the cubic δ polymorph forms with a_c=8.5786(4)Å at 400 °C and space group . The similarity between the K₃AlF₆ and K₃MoO₃F₃ compounds is discussed.     

Synthesis and thermal properties of a new styryl-functionalized pentafulvene glassy carbon precursor

The first preparation of a styryl-functionalized aryl pentafulvene 4 was carried out. In the crystal structure of 4, the packing of fulvene molecules results in the shortest intermolecular contacts between aligned vinyl groups. Thermal reactivity studies of 4 (DSC and TGA, under N₂) revealed a small difference between the melting point (120 °C) and the T_onset for cross-linking (125 °C), and provided strong evidence for the production of a network material (net4) due to reactivity of the attached styryl group. Pyrolysis of net4 under N₂ gave a glassy carbon product in low yield as revealed by powder X-ray and TGA analyses (carbon yield (TGA) of 38% (900 °C)).     

Synthesis and structural chemistry of bis(pyridylimino)isoindolato-ruthenium complexes and their activity as mediators in the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene

The reaction of the Bispyridyl Isoindole (BPI) type ligands L1 and L2 (L1 = 1,3-Bis(2-(4-tert-butylpyridyl)imino) isoindole, L2 = 1,3-Bis(2-(5-bromo)imino)-5,6-dimethylisoindole) with [Ru(μ-Cl)₂(cod)]_x in presence of triethylamine using coordinating solvents like acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide or pyridine cleanly gave the complexes [{BPI(L1,L2)}Ru^II(Cl)(S)₂] (L1: S = acetonitrile (1), dimethyl sulfoxide (2), pyridine (3); L2: S = acetonitrile (4), dimethyl sulfoxide (5), pyridine (6)). In these complexes the BPI ligands meridionally coordinated to the ruthenium center as established by X-ray diffraction for complexes 3 and 6. The catalytic activity in the direct ATRP (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization) of styrene was tested for complexes 1-6.     

Synthesis, X-ray structures, and syndiospecific polymerization behavior of styrene of new (pentamethylcyclopentadientyl) titanatranes containing modified tetradentate triethanolamine ligands

A series of monomeric pentamethylcyclopentadienyltitanatranes, [n = 0, 1; n = 1, 2; n = 2, 3], were synthesized by the reaction of Cp∗TiCl₃ with corresponding triethanolamines such as (HOCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂OH)_{3 − n} (n = 0, L1H₃; n = 1, L2H₃; n = 2, L3H₃), which varied by the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to an OH functionality from 3 (L1H₃) to 2 (L2H₃) to 1 (L3H₃), in the presence of NEt₃. All complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and solution ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR spectroscopy. Moreover, their solid state structures, which are slightly distorted three-legged piano stool geometry, have been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. On activation with methylaluminoxane (MAO), these complexes showed good catalytic activity for the polymerization of styrene producing syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) with high molecular weights. Compounds 1 and 2 bearing more than two pairs of methyl substituents on the side arms of triethanolamines showed the enhanced catalytic activities as the polymerization temperature went up from 50 °C to 110 °C, whereas less bulky complexes 3 and Cp∗Ti(OCH₂CH₂)₃N (4) gave the decreased activities as polymerization temperature rose. Unlike 3 and 4, complexes 1 and 2 in the presence of MAO as a cocatalyst gave SPS with controlled bimodal molecular weight distribution. Bimodal properties were much distinct at low polymerization temperature.     

Chiral organotin (IV) carboxylates complexes: Syntheses, characterization, and crystal structures with chiral (S)-(+)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneaceto acid ligand

Eight new organotin (IV) carboxylates, (R₃Sn)₄(nap)₄ (R = Me 1, n-Bu 2), [(R₃Sn) (nap)]_n (R = Ph 3, PhCH₂4), (R₂Sn) (nap)₂ (R = n-Bu 5, Ph 6, PhCH₂7) and {[R₂Sn(nap)]₂O}₂ (R = Me 8) (nap = (S)-(+)-6-methoxy-α-methyl-2-naphthaleneaceto anion) have been synthesized. All of the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn) spectra. Among these complexes, complexes 1, 3, 5 and 8 were also characterized by X-ray crystallography diffraction analysis, and the data of X-ray crystallography diffraction indicated that complexes 1, 3 and 5 are new chiral organotin (IV) carboxylates complexes. The structural analyses show that complex 1 has a tetranuclear Sn₄O₈ macrocycle structure, complex 3 has a 1D spring-like chiral helical chain with a columnar channel, complex 5 possesses a dimer structure, and complex 8 has a supramolecular chainlike ladder structure through weak intermolecular non-covalent O^…O interactions.     

Rhodium(I) carbonyl complexes of quinoline carboxaldehyde ligands and their catalytic carbonylation reaction

The dimeric rhodium precursor [Rh(CO)₂Cl]₂ reacts with quinoline (a) and its three isomeric carboxaldehyde ligands [quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (b), quinoline-3-carboxaldehyde (c), and quinoline-4-carboxaldehyde (d)] in 1:2 mole ratio to afford complexes of the type cis-[Rh(CO)₂Cl(L)] (1a-1d), where L = a-d. The complexes 1a-1d have been characterised by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy together with a single crystal X-ray structure determination of 1c. The X-ray crystal structure of 1c reveals square planar geometry with a weak intermolecular pseudo dimeric structure (Rh?Rh = 3.573 Å). 1a-1d undergo oxidative addition (OA) with different electrophiles such as CH₃I, C₂H₅I and I₂ to give Rh(III) complexes of the type [Rh(CO)(COR)Cl(L)I] {R = -CH₃ (2a-2d), R = -C₂H₅ (3a-3d)} and [Rh(CO)Cl(L)I₂] (4a-4d) respectively. 1b exhibits facile reactivity with different electrophiles at room temperature (25 °C), while 1a, 1c and 1d show very slow reactivity under similar condition, however, significant reactivity was observed at a temperature ∼40 °C. The complexes 1a-1d show higher catalytic activity for carbonylation of methanol to acetic acid and methyl acetate [Turn Over Frequency (TOF) = 1551-1735 h⁻¹] compared to that of the well known Monsanto’s species [Rh(CO)₂I₂]⁻ (TOF = 1000 h⁻¹) under the reaction conditions: temperature 130 ± 2 °C, pressure 33 ± 2 bar, 450 rpm and time 1 h. The organometallic residue of 1a-1d was also isolated after the catalytic reaction and found to be active for further run without significant loss of activity.     

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes containing mono- or bidentate pyrrolidinylalkylphosphines and their reactions with small molecules

Ruthenium piano-stool complexes incorporating the new bidentate aminoalkylphosphine ligand 1,2-bis(dipyrrolidin-1-ylphosphino)ethane (dpyrpe, I) or its monodentate counterpart bis(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methylphosphine (pyr₂PMe, II) have been prepared, [(C₅R₅)RuCl(PP)] (R = Me and PP = dpyrpe, 1; R = Me and PP = (pyr₂PMe)₂, 2; R = H and PP = dpyrpe, 3). Complexes 2 and 3 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 react with NaBAr₄^f in the presence of ligand L to yield [Cp^∗Ru(L)(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr^f₄] (L = MeCN, 4a; CO, 4b; N₂, 4c) and [Cp^∗Ru(L)(pyr₂PMe)₂][BAr₄^f] (L = MeCN, 5a; CO, 5b; N₂, 5c). Complex 4a was crystallographically characterized. The CO complexes 4b and 5b were examined using IR spectroscopy in an attempt to establish the electron-donating capabilities of I and II. Complex 1 oxidatively adds H₂ in the presence of NaBAr₄^f to yield the Ru(IV) dihydride [Cp^∗RuH₂(dpyrpe-κ²P)][BAr₄^f], 7.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide, its corresponding hydrazide, some heterocycles derived from the hydrazide and palladium(II) complexes with these functional phosphinoferrocene ligands

Two polar phosphinoferrocene ligands, 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamide (1) and 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbohydrazide (2), were synthesized in good yields from 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylic acid (Hdpf) via the reactive benzotriazole derivative, 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carbonyl]-1H-1,2,3-benzotriazole (3). Alternatively, the hydrazide was prepared by the conventional reaction of methyl 1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxylate with hydrazine hydrate, and was further converted via standard condensation reactions to three phosphinoferrocene heterocycles, viz 2-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-yl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole (4), 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocen-1-carbonyl]-3,5-dimethyl-1,2-pyrazole (5), and 1-[1′-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene-1-carboxamido]-3,5-dimethylpyrrole (6). Compounds 1 and 2 react with [PdCl₂(cod)] (cod = η²:η²-cycloocta-1,5-diene) to afford the respective bis-phosphine complexes trans-[PdCl₂(L-κP)₂] (7, L = 1; 8, L = 2). The dimeric precursor [(L^NC)PdCl]₂ (L^NC = 2-[(dimethylamino-κN)methyl]phenyl-κC¹) is cleaved with 1 to give the neutral phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κP)] (9), which is readily transformed into a ionic bis-chelate complex [(L^NC)PdCl(1-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (10) upon removal of the chloride ligand with Ag[SbF₆]. Pyrazole 5 behaves similarly affording the related complexes [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κP)] (12) and [(L^NC)PdCl(5-κ²O,P)][SbF₆] (13), in which the ferrocene ligand coordinates as a simple phosphine and an O,P-chelate respectively, while oxadiazole 4 affords the phosphine complex [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κP)] (11) and a P,N-chelate [(L^NC)PdCl(4-κ²N³,P)][SbF₆] (14) under similar conditions. All compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods (multinuclear NMR, IR and MS). The solid-state structures of 1⋅½AcOEt, 2, 7⋅3CH₃CN, 8⋅2CHCl₃, 9⋅½CH₂Cl₂⋅0.375C₆H₁₄, 10, and 14 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.     

Orthidines A-E, tubastrine, 3,4-dimethoxyphenethyl-β-guanidine, and 1,14-sperminedihomovanillamide: potential anti-inflammatory alkaloids isolated from the New Zealand ascidian Aplidium orthium that act as inhibitors of neutrophil respiratory burst

In addition to the known dihydroxystyrylguanidine alkaloid tubastrine (1), five new dimers, orthidines A-E (2-6) and the biosynthetically unrelated 1,14-sperminedihomovanillamide (orthidine F, 7) were isolated from the New Zealand ascidian Aplidium orthium. The structures of the new compounds, elucidated by interpretation of spectroscopic data, encompass benzodioxane neolignan-type scaffolds (2-5) and a 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted cyclobutane (6), the latter likely having arisen via [_π2_s+_π2_s] dimerization of tubastrine. The subunit head-to-tail orientation of dimer 6 was established unambiguously by interpretation of data from a ²J,³J-HMBC NMR experiment. The structure of 7 was also confirmed by facile synthesis. Compounds 1-4, 6, and 7 inhibited the in vitro production of superoxide by PMA-stimulated human neutrophils in a dose-dependent manner with IC₅₀s of 10-36 μM and this was associated with inhibition of superoxide production by neutrophils in vivo in a murine model of gouty inflammation.     

Rhodium(I) complexes with κP coordinated ω-phosphinofunctionalized alkyl phenyl sulfide, sulfoxide and sulfone ligands and their reactions with sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide and Ag[BF4]

Reactions of ω-diphenylphosphinofunctionalized alkyl phenyl sulfides Ph₂P(CH₂)_nSPh (n = 1, 1a; 2, 2a; 3, 3a), sulfoxides Ph₂P(CH₂)_nS(O)Ph (n = 1, 1b; 2, 2b; 3, 3b) and sulfones Ph₂P(CH₂)_nS(O)₂Ph (n = 1, 1c; 2, 2c; 3, 3c) with dinuclear chlorido bridged rhodium(I) complexes [(RhL₂)₂(μ-Cl)₂] (L₂ = cycloocta-1.5-diene, cod, 4; bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppe, 5) afforded mononuclear Rh(I) complexes of the type [RhCl{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nS(O)_xPh-κP}(cod)]¹ (n/x = 1/0, 6a; 1/1, 6b; 1/2, 6c; 2/0, 8a; 2/1, 8b; 2/2, 8c; 3/0, 10a; 3/1, 10b; 3/2, 10c) and [RhCl{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nS(O)_xPh-κP}(dppe)] (n/x = 1/0, 7a; 1/1, 7b; 1/2, 7c; 2/0, 9a; 2/1, 9b; 2/2, 9c; 3/0, 11a; 3/1, 11b; 3/2, 11c) having the P^S(O)_x ligands κP coordinated. Addition of Ag[BF₄] to complexes 6-11 in CH₂Cl₂ led with precipitation of AgCl to cationic rhodium complexes of the type [Rh{Ph₂P(CH₂)_nS(O)_xPh-κP,κS/O}L₂][BF₄] having bound the P^S(O)_x ligands bidentately in a κP,κS (13a-18a, 15b-18b) or a κP,κO (13b, 14b, 13c-18c) coordination mode. Unexpectedly, the addition of Ag[BF₄] to 6a in THF afforded the trinuclear cationic rhodium(I) complex [Rh₃(μ-Cl)(μ-Ph₂PCH₂SPh-κP:κS)₄][BF₄]₂·4THF (12·4THF) with a four-membered Rh₃Cl ring as basic framework. Addition of sodium bis(trimethylsilyl)amide to complexes 6-11 led to a selective deprotonation of the carbon atom neighbored to the S(O)_x group (α-C) yielding three different types of organorhodium complexes: a) Organorhodium intramolecular coordination compounds of the type [Rh{CH{S(O)_xPh}CH₂CH₂PPh₂-κC,κP}L₂] (22a-c, 23a-c), b) zwitterionic complexes [Rh{Ph₂PCHS(O)_xPh-κP,κS/O}L₂] having κP,κS (21a, 21b) and κP,κO (20b/c, 21c) coordinated anionic [Ph₂PCHS(O)_xPh] ligands, and c) the dinuclear rhodium(I) complex [{Rh{μ-CH(SPh)PPh₂-κC:κP}(cod)}₂] (19). All complexes were fully characterized spectroscopically and complexes 15b, 15c, 12·4THF and 19·THF additionally by X-ray diffraction analysis. DFT calculations of zwitterionic complexes gave insight into the coordination mode of the [Ph₂PCHS(O)Ph] ligand (κP,κS versus κP,κO).