Alumina‐supported nickel catalyst for liquid‐phase reactions: an expedient and efficient heterogeneous catalyst for hydrogenation reactions

The preparation of a new nickel(0)/Al₂O₃ catalyst for hydrogenation reactions is described. The nickel(0)/Al₂O₃ catalysts were prepared by impregnation of alumina with a solution of a nickel(II) salt. After drying, the nickel(II) salt was reduced under mild conditions into nickel(0) using t‐BuONa‐activated sodium hydride in tetrahydrofuran at 65 °C. The nickel(0)/Al₂O₃ catalysts obtained were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The supported catalysts were successfully used in solution‐phase hydrogenation of double and triple bonds. Although the activity of the nickel(0)/Al₂O₃ is comparable to non‐supported nickel(0) reagents, it has the advantage of being reusable more than ten times with only a slight decrease of reactivity. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nickel(II) Complexes with a Hydroxyl Pendant‐Armed Macrocyclic Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structures

The reactions of different nickel(II) salts with a mixed‐donor macrocyclic ligand L (6,7,8,9,10,11,18,19‐octahydro‐5H, 17H‐dibenzo[f,o][1,5,9,13] dioxadiazacyclohexadecin‐18‐ol), potentially pentadentate N₂O₃ donor sets containing one pendant alcohol function have been investigated. The physical properties and the chemical structures of 1:1 (metal:ligand) NiLX₂ (X = Cl^?, Br^?, NO₃^?, ClO₄^?) complexes have been characterized by using IR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and conductance measurements. The X‐ray determination have been employed to probe the nature of the respective complexes in solid state. The nickel atom in [NiL(NO₃)]NO₃·0.5H₂O complex is six‐coordinate with a distorted octahedral coordination in which the all N₂O₃ donor atoms are coordinated to the nickel atom. The coordination sphere is completed by a nitrate anion. In contrast to the above nickel complex, in [NiLCl₂] complex the pendant hydroxyl arm of macrocycle remains uncoordinated and ligand acts as tetradentate N₂O₂ donor atoms. The coordination sphere is completed by two chloride anions and the nickel atom is six‐coordinate with a distorted octahedral coordination.     

The role of macrocyclic ligands in the peroxo/superoxo nature of Ni–O2 biomimetic complexes

The impact of the macrocyclic ligand on the electronic structure of two LNi? O₂ biomimetic adducts, [Ni(12‐TMC)O₂]⁺ (12‐TMC = 1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane) and [Ni(14‐TMC)O₂]⁺ (14‐TMC = 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane), has been inspected by means of difference‐dedicated configuration interaction calculations and a valence bond reading of the wavefunction. The system containing the 12‐membered macrocyclic ligand has been experimentally described as a side‐on nickel(III)‐peroxo complex, whereas the 14‐membered one has been characterized as an end‐on nickel(II)‐superoxide. Our results put in evidence the relationship between the steric effect of the macrocyclic ligand, the O₂ coordination mode and the charge transfer extent between the Ni center and the O₂ molecule. The 12‐membered macrocyclic ligand favors a side‐on coordination, a most efficient overlap between Ni 3d and O₂ π* orbitals and, consequently, a larger charge transfer from LNi fragment to O₂ molecule. The analysis of the ground‐state electronic structure shows an enhancement of the peroxide nature of the Ni? O₂ interaction for [Ni(12‐TMC)O₂]⁺, although a dominant superoxide character is found for both systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Coordination Structure of the Extracted Nickel(II) Complex with a Synergistic Mixture Containing Lix63 and Versatic10

In the present work, the nickel(II ) synergist complex with isobutyric acid (HL^I ) and 5‐hydroxy‐4‐octanone oxime (HB^I ), which were the corresponding short‐chain analogs of the active synergistic mixture of Versatic10 (HL ) and Lix63 (5,8‐diethyl‐7‐hydroxy‐6‐dodecanoneoxime, HB ), was prepared and studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD ). The crystal structure of the nickel(II ) synergist complex showed that the composition of the complex was Ni(L^I )₂(HB^I )₂ with a cis ‐form octahedron geometry structure. Both intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding were observed in the crystal lattice. Compared with the free ligands, similar band shifts of Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR ) spectra assigned to the stretching vibration of carbon–oxygen single bond (C O), the stretching vibration of carbon–nitrogen double bond (CN), and the disappearance of the scissoring vibration of α‐hydroxy (OH ) were correspondingly found in both the nickel(II ) synergist complex and the extracted nickel(II ) complex in the nonpolar organic phase. Combined with the results from ESI‐MS , XRD , and slope analysis, it was concluded that the major species of the extracted nickel(II ) complex in the nonpolar organic phase might possess a similar coordination structure [Ni(HB )₂(L)₂] as the nickel(II ) synergist complex, along with the neutral complex [Ni(HB )(B)₂].     

立方烷型2-羟甲基-N-邻羟基苯亚甲基苯胺四核镍配合物的合成与晶体结构

The tetranuclear cubane-like complex, [NiL（EtOH）]4·0.5EtOH （1） with tridentate Schiff base ligand （H2L= 2-Hydroxymethyl-N-salicylideneaniline） has been synthesized and its crystal structure and spectroscopic properties have been studied. The complex consists of a tetranuclear （NiO）4 cubane core, of which four nickel（Ⅱ） ions are bridged by μ3-alkoxide group and each nickel（Ⅱ） ion is coordinated to three μ3-alkoxide oxygen atoms, one imino nitrogen atom and one phenoxide oxygen atom from Schiff base ligand, and further ligated by one EtOH molecule, completing a distorted octahedral geometry.     

Acetate and acetamide complexes of [Ni(Me4[12]aneN4)]PF6: a tale of two ligands

Although there are many examples of acetate complexes, acetamide complexes are virtually unknown. A side‐by‐side comparison in (acetato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₃O₂)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (1), and (acetamidato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₄NO)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (2), shows the steric equivalence between these two ligands, suggesting that acetamide could be considered as a viable acetate replacement for electronic tuning.     

Bioconjugation of Serum Albumin to a Maleimide‐appended Porphyrin/Cyclodextrin Supramolecular Complex as an Artificial Oxygen Carrier in the Bloodstream

HemoCD is an inclusion complex of per‐O‐methylated β‐cyclodextrin dimer and an iron(II) porphyrin, which forms a stable O₂ complex in water. Therefore, hemoCD has the potential for use as a synthetic O₂ carrier in mammalian blood. In this study, a hemoCD derivative having a maleimide group (Mal‐hemoCD) was conjugated to a Cys residue of serum albumin via a Michael addition reaction in order to increase the circulation time of the O₂ carrier. The O₂‐binding affinities (P_1/2 [Torr]) and half‐lives (t_1/2 [h]) of the O₂ adducts at pH 7.4 and 25 °C were determined to be 9 Torr and 23 h for Mal‐hemoCD, and 10 Torr and 14 h for albumin‐conjugated hemoCD (Alb‐hemoCD). Our pharmacokinetic study revealed that renal excretion of Alb‐hemoCD was effectively suppressed and that half of injected Alb‐hemoCD remained in blood at 3 h after injection. It is noteworthy that Mal‐hemoCD also had a long circulation time because of the bioconjugation reaction that occurred during circulation in the bloodstream.     

Crystal Structure and Photoluminescence of a Tetranuclear Cadmium Complex

A novel tetranuclear cadmium complex ([{Cd(C₁₅H₈O₇S)(H₂O)(DMSO)}₃{Cd(C₁₅H₈O₇S)(H₂O)₂}]·3DMSO·H₂O) was obtained by the self‐assembly of Cd(II) with 5,7‐dihydroxyflavone‐6‐sulfonate. The complex was characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, elemental analysis and X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction studies. It crystallizes in triclinic, space group $ P {\bar 1} $ . In the complex, the chelate atoms of Cd(II) are all from oxygen. Four Cd(II) are connected via the carbonyl and 5‐hydroxyanion of four ligands and form an approximate square. Four ligands locate at two sides of the square, and two of them at the same side are almost parallel and exist aromatic π‐π stacking. Ligands on the opposite side of the square are nearly perpendicular. The result of the luminescent studies indicated that the solid of the complex shwed photoluminescent properties because of a combination of coordination, hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking interaction in the molecule structure. The complex emits green fluorescence (λ_em=496 nm) when it is excited at the wavelength of 440 nm.     

Adducts of nickel(II) acetylacetonate chelating with heterocyclic bases: 3‐­cyanopyridine and 4‐cyanopyridine

In both title compounds, (acetyl­acetonato‐O,O′)­bis(3‐cyano­pyridine‐N)­nickel(II), (I), and (acetyl­acetonato‐O,O′)­bis(4‐cyanopyridine‐N)­nickel(II), (II), both [Ni(C₅­H₇O₂)₂(C₆H₄N₂)₂], the Ni^II atom, which is situated on a centre of symmetry, is octahedrally coordinated. Distances and angles for (I) and (II), respectively, are: Ni—O 2.009 (2)/2.016 (2) and 2.0110 (16)/2.0238 (18) Å, Ni—N 2.116 (3) and 2.179 (2) Å, O—Ni—O 91.86 (10) and 90.19 (7)°, and O—Ni—N 91.27 (11)/90.19 (11) and 89.65 (8)/90.79 (7)°.     

Synthesis,Structure, and SOD‐like Activity of a Copper(II) Complex Containing a Bistriazole Group

The dinuclear complex [Cu₂(HL)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) [H₂L = 5′‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1‐H,2′‐H‐3, 3′‐bis(1, 2,4‐triazole)] was obtained and fully characterized. It exhibits a centrosymmetry configuration, in which each copper(II) ion is pentacoordinate with four nitrogen atoms of two triazole ligands and one oxygen atom from a water molecule. The net atomic charges distribution and atomic orbital contribution to frontier molecular orbitals were obtained using the Gaussian 98 program with Hartree‐Fock method at LANL2DZ level, indicating that the copper(II) ion has the potential to accept the electron of O₂ ^{· –}. The complex showed quasi‐reversible one‐electron Cu^II/Cu^I redox waves with redox potentials of –0.034 V. The SOD‐like activity (IC₅₀) of 1 was measured to be 0.18 ± 0.01 μM by xanthine/xanthine oxidase‐NBT assay at pH 7.8. The relatively high SOD activity suggests that the positive charge of protonated triazole can effectively steer O₂ ^{· –} to and from the active copper ion.     

A Ferromagnetically Coupled (S=1) Peroxodicopper(II) Complex

Copper enzymes play important roles in the binding and activation of dioxygen in biological systems. Key copper/dioxygen intermediates have been identified and studied in synthetic analogues of the metalloprotein active sites, including the μ‐η²:η²‐peroxodicopper(II) motif relevant to type III dicopper proteins. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a bioinspired dicopper system that forms a stable μ‐η¹:η¹‐peroxo complex whose Cu‐O‐O‐Cu torsion is constrained to around 90° by ligand design. This results in sizeable ferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) ions, which is detected by magnetic measurements and HF‐EPR spectroscopy. The new dicopper peroxo system is the first with a triplet ground state, and it represents a snapshot of the initial stages of O₂ binding at type III dicopper sites.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties of an Oxalato-Bridged Dinickel(II) Complex Containing A MacrocyClic Ligand

A new binuclear nickel(II) complex [Ni(µ-C₂O₄)(rac-cth)₂](ClO₄)₂[rac-cth = rac -5,7,7,12,14,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane] has been prepared and its structure determined. It consists of centrosymmetric [Ni( µ -C₂O₄)(rac-cth)₂]²⁺ cations separated by perchlorate anions, with a centre of symmetry lying in the middle of the C-C bond of the bis-bidentate oxalate bridge. The tetraazamacrocycle adopts a folded conformation around the nickel atom, which is six coordinated in a distorted octahedral arrangement. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (4-300 K) suggest a moderate intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction between the metal ions ( J = -34.0 cm^-1, g = 2.07)     

Quercetin 2,4‐Dioxygenase Activates Dioxygen in a Side‐On O2–Ni Complex

Quercetin 2,4‐dioxygenase (quercetinase) from Streptomyces uses nickel as the active‐site cofactor to catalyze oxidative cleavage of the flavonol quercetin. How this unusual active‐site metal supports catalysis and O₂ activation is under debate. We present crystal structures of Ni‐quercetinase in three different states, thus providing direct insight into how quercetin and O₂ are activated at the Ni²⁺ ion. The Ni²⁺ ion is coordinated by three histidine residues and a glutamate residue (E⁷⁶) in all three states. Upon binding, quercetin replaces one water ligand at Ni and is stabilized by a short hydrogen bond through E⁷⁶, the carboxylate group of which rotates by 90°. This conformational change weakens the interaction between Ni and the remaining water ligand, thereby preparing a coordination site at Ni to bind O₂. O₂ binds side‐on to the Ni²⁺ ion and is perpendicular to the C2?C3 and C3?C4 bonds of quercetin, which are cleaved in the following reaction steps.     

A nickel(II) coordination polymer derived from a tridentate Schiff base ligand with N,O-donor groups: synthesis,crystal structure,spectroscopy, electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activity for H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> electroreduction in alkaline medium

A Ni(II) coordination polymer [C₄₂H₄₂K₂N₄Ni₄O₂₇] has been synthesized under open-air mild reaction conditions and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. The X-ray crystal structure of the complex has been obtained. The crystallographic data revealed that each metal center is in a distorted octahedral geometry where the ligand coordinates to the metal centers by a nitrogen from the imine group, an oxygen from the carboxylic acid and a phenoxide group as an endogenous bridge to the metal centers. The coordination sphere is completed by an acetate, coordinated as an exogenous bridging ligand to both nickel centers, plus one terminal water ligand on each nickel. The polymeric structure is an infinite chain involving the binuclear nickel structure and K⁺ ions. Carbon paste electrodes modified with the Ni(II) coordination polymer were prepared, and the electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activity toward H₂O₂ reduction were investigated. The electrochemical results suggest that this Ni(II) coordination polymer has good catalytic activity with respect to H₂O₂ reduction.     

Concomitant Carboxylate and Oxalate Formation From the Activation of CO2 by a Thorium(III) Complex

Improving our comprehension of diverse CO₂ activation pathways is of vital importance for the widespread future utilization of this abundant greenhouse gas. CO₂ activation by uranium(III) complexes is now relatively well understood, with oxo/carbonate formation predominating as CO₂ is readily reduced to CO, but isolated thorium(III) CO₂ activation is unprecedented. We show that the thorium(III) complex, [Th(Cp′′)₃] ( 1 , Cp′′={C₅H₃(SiMe₃)₂‐1,3}), reacts with CO₂ to give the mixed oxalate‐carboxylate thorium(IV) complex [{Th(Cp′′)₂[κ²‐O₂C{C₅H₃‐3,3′‐(SiMe₃)₂}]}₂(μ‐κ²:κ²‐C₂O₄)] ( 3 ). The concomitant formation of oxalate and carboxylate is unique for CO₂ activation, as in previous examples either reduction or insertion is favored to yield a single product. Therefore, thorium(III) CO₂ activation can differ from better understood uranium(III) chemistry.     

Nickel and zinc complexes with a monodentate heterocycle and tridentate Schiff base ligands: self‐assembly to one‐ and two‐dimensional supramolecular networks via hydrogen bonding

In the complex (morpholine)[2‐hydroxy‐N′‐(5‐nitro‐2‐oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidato]nickel(II), [Ni(C₁₄H₉N₃O₅)(C₄H₉NO)], (I), the Ni^II center is in a square‐planar N₂O₂ coordination geometry. The complex bis[μ‐2‐hydroxy‐N′‐(2‐oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidato]bis[(morpholine)zinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₁₀N₂O₃)₂(C₄H₉NO)₂], (II), consists of a neutral centrosymmetric dimer with a coplanar Zn₂(μ₂‐O)₂ core. The two Zn^II centers are bridged by phenolate O atoms. Each Zn^II center exhibits a distorted square‐pyramidal stereochemistry, in which the four in‐plane donors come from the O,N,O′‐tridentate 2‐hydroxy‐N′‐(2‐oxidobenzylidene)benzohydrazidate(2−) ligand and a symmetry‐related phenolate O atom, and the axial position is coordinated to the N atom from the morpholine molecule. There are intramolecular phenol–hydrazide O—H...N hydrogen bonds present in both (I) and (II). In (I), square‐planar nickel complexes are linked by intermolecular morpholine–morpholine N—H...O hydrogen bonds, leading to a one‐dimensional chain, while in (II) an infinite two‐dimensional network is formed via intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the coordinated morpholine NH groups and the uncoordinated phenolate O atoms.     

Nickel(II) Complex of N4 Schiff Base Ligand as a Building Block for a Conducting Metallopolymer with Multiple Redox States

Metal–ligand interactions in monomeric and polymeric transition metal complexes of Schiff base ligands largely define their functional properties and perspective applications. In this study, redox behavior of a nickel(II) N₄-anilinosalen complex, [NiAmben] (where H₂Amben = N,N′-bis(o-aminobenzylidene)ethylenediamine) was studied by cyclic voltammetry in solvents of different Lewis basicity. A poly-[NiAmben] film electrochemically synthesized from a 1,2-dichloroethane-based electrolyte was investigated by a combination of cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, in situ UV-Vis spectroelectrochemistry, and in situ conductance measurements between −0.9 and 1.3 V vs. Ag/Ag⁺. The polymer displayed multistep redox processes involving reversible transfer of the total of ca. 1.6 electrons per repeat unit, electrical conductivity over a wide potential range, and multiple color changes in correlation with electrochemical processes. Performance advantages of poly-[NiAmben] over its nickel(II) N₂O₂ Schiff base analogue were identified and related to the increased number of accessible redox states in the polymer due to the higher extent of electronic communication between metal ions and ligand segments in the nickel(II) N₄-anilinosalen system. The obtained results suggest that electrosynthesized poly-[NiAmben] films may be viable candidates for energy storage and saving applications.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and DNA Binding Studies of a Nickel(II) Complex Containing the 1,3‐Bis(1‐propylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxapropane

A complex of formula [Ni(pobb)₂](pic)₂, (pobb = 1,3‐bis(1‐propylbenzimidazol‐2‐yl)‐2‐oxapropane, pic = 2,4,6‐trinitrophenol), has been synthesized and structurally characterized by physico‐chemical and spectroscopic methods. The crystals crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 25.766(11) Å, b = 14.943(7) Å, c = 19.543(14) Å, α = 90°, β = 129.722(4)°, γ = 90°, Z = 4. The coordination environment around nickel(II) atom can be described as a distorted octahedral geometry. The interactions of the ligand pobb and the nickel (II) complex with calf thymus DNA (CT‐DNA) are investigated by using electronic absorption titration, ethidium bromide‐DNA displacement experiments and viscosity measurements. The experimental evidence indicated the compounds interact with calf thymus DNA through intercalation.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of a Binuclear Copper(II) Complex Containing an Oxalate Bridge

The complex [Cu₂(L)₂(μ₂‐C₂O₄)]·CH₃OH ( 1 ) has been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV, ESR and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement, where L = 1‐(ethylamino)‐2‐(salicylideneamino)ethane. The crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that complex 1 has a μ₂‐C₂O₄^2— bridge. The complex exhibits ferromagnetic couplings between the copper atoms bridged by oxalate dianion, which is rare in oxalato‐bridged copper complexes.     

Heterogeneous Green Catalyst for Oxidation of Cyclohexene and Cyclooctene with Hydrogen Peroxide in the Presence of Host (Nanocavity of Y‐zeolite)/Guest (N4‐Cu(II) Schiff Base Complex) Nanocomposite Material

Copper(II) complex of a Schiff base ligand derived from pyrrolcarbaldehyde and o‐phenylenediamine (H₂L) has been synthesized and encapsulated in Y‐zeolite matrix. The hybrid material has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV‐Vis spectroscopic studies as well as X‐ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The encapsulated copper(II) catalyst is an active catalyst for the oxidation of cyclooctene and cyclohexene using H₂O₂ as oxidant. Under the optimized reaction conditions 81% conversion of cyclohexene with 65% selectivity for 2‐cyclohexenone formation and 87% conversion of cyclooctene with 46% selectivity for epoxide formation were obtained.