fac-[Re(CO)3(dmso-O)3](CF3SO3): a new versatile and efficient Re(I) precursor for the preparation of mono and polynuclear compounds containing fac-[Re(CO)3]+ fragments

We show here that the new complex fac-[Re(CO)3(dmso-O)3](CF3SO3) (1), efficiently prepared in one step from [ReBr(CO)5] and featuring a broad range of solubility, is, in general, a better precursor for the one-step synthesis of mono- and polynuclear inorganic compounds containing fac-[Re(CO)3]+ fragments compared to the commonly used (NEt4)2fac-[ReBr3(CO)3] and fac-[Re(CO)3(CH3CN)3](Y) (Y = PF6, BF4, ClO4) species. Compound 1 is the first example of a Re(I)-dmso complex structurally characterized and confirms the rule that dmso is always O-bonded when trans to CO. The reactivity of 1 was tested in the one-step preparation of several new and known complexes. The O-bonded sulfoxides of 1 are replaced under mild conditions by tri- (L3) and bidentate ligands (L2) to produce fac-[Re(CO)3(L3)]+ and fac-[Re(CO)3(L2)(dmso-O)]+ compounds, respectively. An excess of monodentate ligands (L) and more forcing conditions are needed to prepare fac-[Re(CO)3(L)3]+ compounds. The new compounds include fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy)(dmso-O)](CF3SO3) (4), that turned out to be an excellent precursor for binding the luminescent fac-[Re(CO)3(bipy)]+ fragment to polytopic ligands for the construction of more elaborate assemblies. One example reported here is the two-step preparation of fac-[{Re(CO)3(bipy)}(mu-4,4'-bipy){Ru(TPP)(CO)}](CF3SO3) (8) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrin). The X-ray structures of the new compounds 1, 4, of the bis-porphyrin complex fac-[Re(CO)3Cl(4'MPyP)2] (13) (4'MPyP = 5-(4'pyridyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin), and of the rhenium-cyclophane [{(CO)3Re(mu-OH)2Re(CO)3}2(micro-4,4'-bipy)2] (15), among others, are described. Compound 1 might find useful applications in supramolecular chemistry (metal-mediated assembly of large architectures), in the in situ preparation of stable Re compounds to be used in nuclear medicine, and for the labeling of biomolecules.     

Condensed 2-pyrrolidinone-1,2-oxazines from lithium enolate of 1-benzyl-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid and β-aryl, β-nitroenamines

The reaction of the lithium enolate of 1-benzyl-5-oxo-3-pyrrolidinecarboxylic acid 3 with a series of β-aryl, β-nitroenamines unexpectedly afforded 6-aryl-2-benzyl-4-oxa-1-oxo-3a-methoxycarbonyl-2,5-diazaindenes 9a-d, whose structure was determined by analytical and NMR spectroscopical analysis. The structure of 9b was further confirmed by X-ray analysis. A reasonable mechanism for their formation is given.     

Metallacycles of porphyrins as building blocks in the construction of higher order assemblies through axial coordination of bridging ligands: solution- and solid-state characterization of molecular sandwiches and molecular wires

Treatment of the octahedral Ru(II)-dimethyl sulfoxide complexes trans-RuCl(2)(dmso-S)(4) (1), trans-RuCl(2)(dmso-O)(2)(CO)(2) (2), and trans-RuCl(2)(dmso)(3)(CO) (3) with a stoichiometric amount of 5,10-bis(4'-pyridyl)-15,20-diphenylporphyrin (4'-cis-DPyP) yields, after chromatographic purification, the novel 2+2 molecular squares of formula [trans,cis,cis-RuCl(2)(dmso-S)(2)(4'-cis-DPyP)](2) (4), [trans,cis,cis-RuCl(2)(CO)(2)(4'-cis-DPyP)](2) (5), and [trans,cis,cis-RuCl(2)(dmso-S)(CO)(4'-cis-DPyP)](2) (6), respectively. Compound 6 exists as an equimolar mixture of the isomeric metallacycles 6a and 6b, depending on whether the 4'-N(py) rings of 4'-cis-DPyP's are trans to CO or to dmso-S. Compounds 4-6 were fully characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and by FAB mass spectrometry. Treatment of 5 with excess zinc acetate in chloroform/methanol mixtures led to the isolation of the corresponding zinc adduct [trans,cis,cis-RuCl(2)(CO)(2)(Zn x 4'-cis-DPyP)](2) (5Zn). Treatment of 5Zn with 1 equiv of a trans ditopic N-donor ligand L (L = 4,4'-bipy, 5,15-bis(4'-pyridyl)-2,8,12,18-tetra-n-propyl-3,7,13,17-tetramethylporphyrin (4'-trans-DPyP-npm), or 5,15-bis(4'-pyridyl)-10,20-diphenylporphyrin (4'-trans-DPyP)) leads readily and selectively, according to (1)H NMR spectroscopy, to the quantitative assembling of 2:2 supramolecular adducts of stacked metallacycles of formula [(5Zn)(2)(mu-L)(2)] (7-9), which were thoroughly characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy. NMR features indicate that, at ambient temperature, the equilibrium between 5Zn and L to yield [(5Zn)(2)(mu-L)(2)] has an intermediate to slow rate on the NMR time scale (relatively broad signals for L) and is totally shifted toward the 2:2 product (all or nothing process). Single-crystal X-ray investigations showed that, depending on the nature of the bridging ligand, in the solid state these sandwich structures can either be maintained or originate polymeric chains formulated as [(5Zn)(mu-L)](infinity). When L = 4'-trans-DPyP, both solution- and solid-state data indicate that [(5Zn)(2)(mu-4'-trans-DPyP)(2)] (9) is a discrete supramolecular assembly of two molecular squares of metalloporphyrins axially connected through other porphyrins. In this molecular box, the two bridging porphyrins are coplanar at a distance of about 11.4 A. When L = 4,4'-bipy, the corresponding adduct 7 has the anticipated sandwich-like discrete architecture [(5Zn)(2)(mu-4,4'-bipy)(2)] in solution, but it assumes a stair-like polymeric wire structure in the solid state. The polymer [(5Zn)(mu-4,4'-bipy)](infinity) is made by 5Zn squares bridged by 4,4'-bipy ligands which are axially coordinated alternatively on the two opposite sides of each square. Our work clearly established that relatively simple supramolecular adducts of porphyrins, such as molecular squares, are suitable building blocks for the construction of more elaborate assemblies of higher order by axial coordination of bridging ligands.     

1-(2-Picolyl)-substituted 1,2,3-triazole as novel chelating ligand for the preparation of ruthenium complexes with potential anticancer activity

The 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole ligand prepared by click chemistry 1-(2-picolyl)-4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazole (ppt) was investigated as novel chelating ligand for Ru(II) complexes with potential antitumor activity. The preparation and structural characterization, mainly by NMR spectroscopy in solution and by X-ray crystallography in the solid state, of four new Ru(II) complexes is reported: two isomeric Ru-dmso compounds, trans,cis-[RuCl(2)(dmso-S)(2)(ppt)] (1) and cis,cis-[RuCl(2)(dmso-S)(2)(ppt)] (2), and two half-sandwich Ru-[9]aneS(3) coordination compounds, [Ru([9]aneS(3))(dmso-S)(ppt)][CF(3)SO(3)](2) (3) and [Ru([9]aneS(3))Cl(ppt)][CF(3)SO(3)] (4). In all compounds ppt firmly binds to ruthenium in a bidentate fashion through the pyridyl nitrogen atom and the triazole N2, thus forming a puckered six-membered ring. The chemical behavior in aqueous solution of the water-soluble complexes 3 and 4 was studied by UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy and compared to that of the previously described organometallic analogue [Ru(η(6)-p-cymene)Cl(ppt)][Cl] (5) in view of their potential antitumor activity. Compounds 3-5 were tested also in vitro for cytotoxic activity against two human cancer cell lines, one sensitive and one resistant to cisplatin, in comparison with cisplatin. Compound 4, the one that aquates faster, was found to be more cytotoxic than cisplatin against human lung squamose carcinoma cell line (A-549).     

Coordination chemistry of [methyl-3-(4-benzyloxyphenyl)methylene]dithiocarbazate with divalent metal ions: crystal structures of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis> Schiff base and of its bis-chelated nickel(II) complex

The condensation of 4-benzyloxybenzaldehyde with S-methyldithiocarbazate (SMDTC) yielded the Schiff base methyl-3-[(4-benzyloxyphenyl)methylene] dithiocarbazate (HL) that, upon reaction with different metal ions, afforded bis-chelated complexes, ML₂ [where M=Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) or Pd(II)]. The ligand and all the metal complexes were characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The Schiff base and its bis-chelated Ni(II) complex were characterized also by single crystal X-ray analyses. The crystallographic results show that the Schiff base exists in thione tautomeric form with the dithiocarbazate fragment adopting an EE configuration with respect to the C=N bond of the group. In the NiL₂ complex, the metal is chelated by two mononegatively charged Schiff bases coordinating via the β-nitrogen and thiolate sulfur anion, generated in situ during the complexation process, and adopts a distorted square planar geometry.     

Cadmium–halide and mixed cadmium–halide–dicyanamide polymers mediated by ancillary 2-aminoalkyl-pyridine ligands: Synthesis,X-ray single crystal structures and luminescence property

A series of mixed halide–dicyanamide and halide complexes of cadmium(II) mediated by 2-aminoalkyl-pyridine ligands [2-aminomethylpyridine (ampy) and 2-aminoethylpyridine (aepy)] have been synthesized. Five of them, [CdCl(dca)(aepy)]_n (1), [CdBr(dca)(ampy)]_n (2), [CdCl(dca)(ampy)]_n (3) (dca = dicyanamide); [CdI₂(aepy)]_n (4), and [CdI₂(ampy)]_n (5), (dca = dicyanamide) have been characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. The structural determination shows that the compounds are 1D coordination polymers, with the exception of 3 that gives origin to a 2D sheet-like network. The ampy and aepy ligands (also with the occurrence of dca anions in 1–3) reveal to be useful ancillary fragments for the construction of unprecedented Cd–halide polymeric species. The crystal packing shows that the dimensionality of all compounds is enlarged to 2D, and 3D in the case of complex 3, through π–π interactions occurring between the pyridine rings. All the species exhibit interesting luminescence property in solution as well in solid state which is originated from ligand-centered π–π^∗ transitions. The fluorescence band maxima and fluorescence efficiency (in methanol) are found to be dependent not only on the pyridine ligand but also on the type of halide, and the co-ligand. Solid state luminescent study implies that π–π interactions occurring between pyridine rings are also important in controlling the fluorescence intensity. Amongst the synthesized complexes reported, complex 5 exhibits the highest fluorescence efficiency in methanol.     

Domoic acid at trace levels in lagoon waters: assessment of a method using internal standard quantification

Domoic acid (DA) is a neurotoxin produced by different algae, including pennate diatoms, principally from the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, and it is the main cause of amnesic shellfish poisoning. Determination of this toxin in seawater samples is fundamental to define the real contamination risks for aquatic species. We have developed two very sensitive instrumental methods using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled using tandem mass spectrometry in positive and negative polarity modes. Instrumental detection limits were 9 pg mL^?1 for positive and 19 pg mL^?1 for negative ionisation. A procedural method based on solid-phase extraction for the determination of dissolved DA present in seawater has been developed, and an extraction procedure was employed for the determination of the toxin in the particulate fraction. DA quantification was performed using the internal standard method to account for signals fluctuations and random errors during sample treatment. To our knowledge, this is the first study to use this quantification method for DA determination. Trueness, extraction yield, matrix effects, repeatability and procedural detection limits were evaluated during method validation. Procedural detection limits of 0.3 pg mL^?1 (positive mode) and 0.6 pg mL^?1 (negative mode) were found for the dissolved fraction, and absolute limits of 0.4 pg (positive mode) and 6.0 pg (negative mode) for particulate samples were obtained. The most sensitive method in positive mode was applied to define DA occurrence in the Venice Lagoon. Trace concentrations of domoic acid ranging from 1.5 to 16.2 pg mL^?1 were found for the first time in the Venetian environment.

Synthesis, structural analysis, and magnetic behaviour of three fumarate bridged coordination polymers: five-fold interpenetrated diamond-like net of NiII, sheets of NiII and CoII

The hydrothermal reactions of Ni(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O, disodium fumarate (fum) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe)/1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp) in aqueous-methanol medium yield one 3-D and one 2-D metal-organic hybrid material, [Ni(fum)(bpe)] (1) and [Ni(fum)(bpp)(H(2)O)] (2), respectively. Complex possesses a novel unprecedented structure, the first example of an "unusual mode" of a five-fold distorted interpenetrated network with metal-ligand linkages where the four six-membered windows in each adamantane-type cage are different. The structural characterization of complex 2 evidences a buckled sheet where nickel ions are in a distorted octahedral geometry, with two carboxylic groups, one acting as a bis-chelate, the other as a bis-monodentate ligand. The metal ion completes the coordination sphere through one water molecule and two bpp nitrogens in cis position. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements of complexes 1 and 2 reveal the existence of very weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular interactions and/or the presence of single-ion zero field splitting (D) of isolated Ni(II) ions in both the compounds. Experimentally, both the J parameters are close, comparable and very small. Considering zero-field splitting of Ni(II), the calculated D values are in agreement with values reported in the literature for Ni(II) ions. Complex 3, [[Co(phen)]](2)(fum)(2)](phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) is obtained by diffusing methanolic solution of 1,10-phenanthroline on an aqueous layer of disodium fumarate and Co(NO(3))(2).6H(2)O. It consists of dimeric Co(II)(phen) units, doubly bridged by carboxylate groups in a distorted syn-syn fashion. These fumarate anions act as bis-chelates to form corrugated sheets. The 2D layer has a (4,4) topology, with the nodes represented by the centres of the dimers. The magnetic data were fitted ignoring the very weak coupling through the fumarate pathway and using a dimer model.     

The first unequivocally ferromagnetically coupled squarato complex: origin of the ferromagnetism in an interlocked 3D Fe(II) system

An unprecedented interlocked 3D Fe(II) system, [Fe(squarate)(bpy)(2H2O)] x 3H2O, 1 (bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine), the first unequivocally ferromagnetically coupled squarato complex to be reported, has been synthesised and magnetically characterized.