Capping the upper and lower rims of calix[4]arenes by aryl dinitrile oxide reactions

1,3-Dipolar cycloadditions of upper- and lower-rim diallylcalix[4]arenes (1 and 3) with aryl dinitrile oxides provide a unique and efficient way of capping the calix[4]arenes. When dinitrile oxides reacted with 5-allylcalix[4]arene 7, they underwent a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition on one side and an electrophilic substitution on the other side, which led to a novel type of asymmetric calix[4]arenes (9 and 12).     

Synthesis and molecular structures of two [1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diazo-1,3-butadiene]-dichloro-Zn(II) coordination polymers

Two novel coordination polymers with 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized by reacting 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diazo-1,3-butadiene (L) with zinc dichloride. Both compounds have the same repeating unit consisting of a distorted tetrahedral Zn(II) center coordinated by two chlorides and two pyridyl nitrogen atoms of two bridging bismonodentate L ligands, however, different structural conformations have been found, one forming a helical chain and the other producing a square-wave chain. The intermolecular C-H...Cl hydrogen bonds in 1 and 2 play important roles in the formation of three-dimensional coordination polymers. Compound 1 crystallized in an orthorhombic space group Pna21 with a = 7.9652(3), b = 21.4716(7), c = 8.2491(3)A, V = 1410.81(9) A 3 and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallized in a monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 9.1752(3), b = 14.5976(4), c = 10.3666(3) A , beta = 98.231(2) degrees , V = 1374.16(7) A 3 and Z = 4.     

Mononuclear Ni(III) complexes [NiIII(L)(P(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)3)]0/1- (L = thiolate, selenolate, CH2CN, Cl, PPh3): relevance to the nickel site of [NiFe] hydrogenases

The stable mononuclear Ni(III)-thiolate complexes [NiIII(L)(P(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)3)]- (L = SePh (2), Cl (3), SEt (4), 2-S-C4H3S (5), CH2CN (7)) were isolated and characterized by UV-vis, EPR, IR, SQUID, CV, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The increased basicity (electronic density) of the nickel center of complexes [NiIII(L)(P(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)3)]- modulated by the monodentate ligand L and the substituted groups of the phenylthiolate rings promotes the stability and reactivity. In contrast to the irreversible reduction at -1.17 V (vs Cp2Fe/Cp2Fe+) for complex 3, the cyclic voltammograms of complexes [NiIII(SePh)(P(o-C6H4S)3)]-, 2, 4, and 7 display reversible NiIII/II redox processes with E(1/2) = -1.20, -1.26, -1.32, and -1.34 V (vs Cp2Fe/Cp2Fe+), respectively. Compared to complex 2 containing a phenylselenolate-coordinated ligand, complex 4 with a stronger electron-donating ethylthiolate coordinated to the Ni(III) promotes dechlorination of CH2Cl2 to yield complex 3 (kobs = (6.01 +/- 0.03) x 10-4 s-1 for conversion of complex 4 into 3 vs kobs = (4.78 +/- 0.02) x 10-5 s-1 for conversion of complex 2 into 3). Interestingly, addition of CH3CN into complex 3 in the presence of sodium hydride yielded the stable Ni(III)-cyanomethanide complex 7 with a NiIII-CH2CN bond distance of 2.037(3) A. The NiIII-SEt bond length of 2.273(1) A in complex 4 is at the upper end of the 2.12-2.28 A range for the NiIII-S bond lengths of the oxidized-form [NiFe] hydrogenases. In contrast to the inertness of complexes 3 and 7 under CO atmosphere, carbon monoxide triggers the reductive elimination of the monodentate chalcogenolate ligand of complexes 2, 4, and 5 to produce the trigonal bipyramidal complex [NiII(CO)(P(C6H3-3-SiMe3-2-S)3]- (6).     

Supramolecular assembly of gold(I) complexes of diphosphines and N,N'-bis-4-methylpyridyl oxalamide

We report herein the supramolecular assembly and spectroscopic and luminescent properties of gold(I) complexes of diphosphines (dppm [bis(diphenylphosphino)methane], dppp [1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane], and dpppn [1,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane]) and N,N'-bis-4-methylpyridyl oxalamide (L). The dppm and dppp cases form the rectangular structures, [dppm(Au(2))L](2)(ClO(4))(4) and [dppp(Au(2))L](2)(ClO(4))(4), with four gold(I) ions at the corners, as well as two L and two dppm or dppp ligands as edges, featuring 38- and 42-membered rings for the former and the latter, respectively. Remarkably, the packing of the dppp complexes shows interesting one-dimensional rectangular channels in the solid state, most likely due to intermolecular pi...pi interactions. The dpppn complex has been structurally characterized as a one-dimensional coordination polymer, {[(dpppn)(3.5)(Au(7))L(3.5)](PF(6))(7)}. The absorptions and emissions of the compounds are in general due to intraligand transitions, but aurophilic or pi...pi interactions could also make partial contributions. The dipyridyl amide system with the amides incorporated into the bridging ligands as well as the one-dimensional rectangular channels in the solid state for the dppp-based rectangle make this a promising family of metal-containing cyclic peptides in crystal engineering and molecular-recognition studies.     

Gondola-shaped luminescent tetrarhenium metallacycles with crown-ether-like multiple recognition sites

The self-assembly of gondola-shaped tetrarhenium metallacyclophanes was achieved in near quantitative yield from Re(CO)3 corners, a ditopic heterocyclic clip, and a bischelating-bridging unit using an orthogonal-bonding approach. The highly luminescent metallacycles contain crown-ether-like recognition sites, which are capable of selectively recognizing metal ions and planar aromatic molecules.     

Novel linear hexanuclear cobalt string complexes (Co6(12+)) and one-electron reduction products (Co6(11+)) supported by four bpyany2- ligands

The new ligand, 2,7-bis(alpha-pyridylamino)-1,8-naphthyridine (H2bpyany), was synthesized by the reaction of 2,7-dichloro-1,8-naphthyridine with 2-aminopyridine in the presence of t-BuOK under palladium(0)-catalyzed conditions. The preparation and characterization of novel hexacobalt string complexes, [Co6(mu6-bpyany)4(NCS)2](PF6)n (n=1 (1); n=2 (2)) and [Co6(mu6-bpyany)4(OTf)2](OTf)n (n = 2 (3); n = 1 (4)) are presented. The crystal structures for compounds have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1 and 4 have the Co6 11+ configurations and are air-stable. Compounds 2 and 3 with Co6 12+ configurations are structurally similar to 1 and 4, respectively. The electrochemistry of 1 displays four redox couples at E1/2= -0.55, +0.38, +0.91, and +1.18 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). The magnetic data show that compounds 1 and 4 are in a spin state of S = 1/2, and 2 and 3 in a spin state of S = 1. The results of the EHMO calculations on compounds 1 and 2 are in agreement with their magnetic measurements.     

One-, two- and three-dimensional Cu(II) complexes built via new oligopyrazinediamine ligands: from antiferromagnetic to ferromagnetic coupling

Six new pyrazine-modulated N,N'-bis(alpha-pyridyl)-2,6-diaminopyridine ligands (PMN5) were synthesized and their complexes studied. Reaction of copper(II) with the ligand that contained one pyrazine ring in its terminal position led to formation of a one-dimensional zigzag complex whereas copper(II) reactions with ligands containing three pyrazine rings or one pyrazine ring in its middle position yielded straight one-dimensional complexes. A 2-D complex was produced from the ligand with two pyrazine rings at both terminals. When nickel(II) was introduced, a 3-D network was obtained from the three-pyrazine-modulated ligand. Researches on variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed excellent Heisenberg chains with weak antiferromagnetic interaction of J values from -2 to -3 cm(-1)viasigma and pi pathways in straight one-dimensional complexes between the Cu(II) centers separated by 6.8-6.9 A. The zigzag one-dimensional complex showed very poor magnetic coupling. The two-dimensional compound showed significant ferromagnetic interaction in spite of the Cu-Cu distance of 7.2 A. Ferromagnetic coupling was discussed and attributed to the unusual coordination mode of in-plane and out-of-plane linkage of bridging pyrazine rings. The three-dimensional heterometal Cu(II)-Ni(II) compound showed weak antiferromagnetic interaction, which was satisfactorily fitted with J=-2.4 cm(-1) following a one-dimensional theoretical model including MFA.     

Cluster assisted formation of carbon-carbon bonds: Synthesis and crystal structures of two trinuclear heterometallic complexes CpWRu2(CO)7(μ-H)[OC(NMe2)CCHCHEt] and CpWRu2(CO)6(μ-H)[OC(NMe2)CCH(μ-η2-C6H4)]

Treatment of the carbamoyl cluster Ru₃(CO)₁₀(-H)(-²-OC(NMe₂)] with a two molar excess of CpW(CO)₃CCⁿ Pr in refluxing toluene produced a heterometallic cluster complex CpWRu₂(CO)₇(-H)[OC(NMe₂) CCHCHEt] (II), whereas the heterometallic clusters CpWRu₂(CO)₆(-H)[OC(NMe₂)CCH(-²-C₆H₃X)] (IVb, X=H;IVc, X=Me;IVd, X=F) were isolated from the reactions with CpW(CO)₃CCC₆H₄X under similar conditions. Both complexesII andIV were generated via a complicated sequence involving hydride migration to the acetylide, fragmentation of the cluster via removal of a Ru(CO)_n unit, coupling with the carbamoyl ligand and C-H bond activation at the substituent. Crystal data forII: space group R ;a=26.605(3),c=17.934(2) Å,Z=18; finalR _F =0.032,R _w =0.034 for 2720 reflections withI>2(I). Crystal data forIVb: space group C 2/c;a=16.120(6),b=14.972(2),c=18.872(4) Å, =95.46(2)°,Z=8; finalR _F =0.0375,R _w =0.0375 for 2074 reflections withI>3(I).     

Unprecedented chemical transformation of semicarbazones mediated by Wilkinson's catalyst

para-Nitrobenzaldehyde semicarbazone undergoes an unusual chemical transformation upon reaction with [Rh(PPh(3))(3)Cl] in the presence of trialkyl and dialkylamines (NR(2)R'; R = Et,(i)Pr, (n)Bu; R' = H or R' = R) via dissociation of the C-NH(2) bond and formation of a new C-NR(2) bond (where the NR(2) fragment is provided by the amine). The transformed semicarbazone ligand binds to rhodium as a dianionic C,N,O-donor to afford complexes of type [Rh(PPh(3))(2)(CNO-NR(2))Cl] (CNO-NR(2) = the coordinated semicarbazone ligand). Another group of semicarbazones (viz. salicylaldehyde semicarbazone, 2-hydroxyacetophenone semicarbazone, and 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde semicarbazone) has also been observed to undergo a similar chemical transformation upon reaction with [Rh(PPh(3))(3)Cl] under similar experimental conditions as before, and these transformed semicarbazones bind to rhodium as dianionic O,N,O-donors affording complexes of the type [Rh(PPh(3))(2)(ONO(n)-NR(2))Cl] (ONO(n)-NR(2) = the coordinated semicarbazone ligand; n = 1-3). The structure of the [Rh(PPh(3))(2)(CNO-NEt(2))Cl] and [Rh(PPh(3))(2)(ONO(2)-NR(2))Cl] complexes has been determined. All the complexes show characteristic (1)H NMR signals. They also show intense absorptions in the visible and ultraviolet region. Cyclic voltammetry on the complexes shows an oxidative response within 0.52-0.97 V versus SCE and a reductive response within -1.00 to -1.27 V versus SCE, where both the responses are believed to be centered on the semicarbazone ligand.     

Suzuki coupling approach for the synthesis of phenylene-pyrimidine alternating oligomers for blue light-emitting material

[reaction: see text] Conjugated oligomers with an alternating phenylene-pyrimidine structure have been synthesized by the successive Suzuki coupling reaction starting from 2-bromo-5-iodopyrimidine. The photoluminescence properties and quasi-reversible redox behavior of these oligomers make them applicable as an active material for a light-emitting device. Blue light-emitting electroluminescent devices with an external quantum efficiency up to 1.8% have been fabricated.