Shape-persistent octanuclear zinc salen clusters: synthesis, characterization, and catalysis.

We describe a selective and template-controlled synthesis of a series of Zn(8) metal complexes based on a bis-nucleating salen ligand scaffold. Our results, a combination of X-ray analysis and solution studies, show that discrete, shape-persistent metal clusters can be prepared in high yield. Their activity in organic carbonate catalysis is a function of the metal-connecting fragment present in the exterior of the cluster complex. The high stability of the clusters has been confirmed by (1)H, (13)C (DEPTQ) and DOSY NMR, gel permeation chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry.

Salen-complex-mediated formation of cyclic carbonates by cycloaddition of CO2 to epoxides.

Metal complexes of salen ligands are an important class of compounds, and they have been widely studied in the past. Among their successful catalytic applications, the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the coupling reaction of epoxides with CO(2) has received increased attention; this is mostly due to the importance of using a greenhouse gas as a feedstock for the synthesis of useful molecules. Herein the most relevant past and present research surrounding this topic is presented.

Efficient carbonate synthesis under mild conditions through cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to oxiranes using a Zn(salphen) catalyst.

Zn(salphen) complexes are reported as effective, cheap, robust and relatively green catalysts for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to terminal epoxides to afford cyclic carbonates in good yields.

Coordination chemistry of N-aminopropyl pendant arm derivatives of mixed N/S-, and N/S/O-donor macrocycles, and construction of selective fluorimetric chemosensors for heavy metal ions.

The coordination chemistry of the N-aminopropyl pendant arm derivatives (L1c-4c) of the mixed donor macrocyclic ligands [12]aneNS2O, [12]aneNS3, [12]aneN2SO, and [15]aneNS2O2(L1a-4a) towards Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) in aqueous solution has been investigated. The protonation and stability constants with the aforementioned metal ions were determined potentiometrically and compared, where possible, with those of the unfunctionalised macrocycles. The measured values show that Hg(II) and Cu(II) in water have the highest affinity for all ligands considered, with the N-aminopropyl pendant arm weakly coordinating the metal centres. Crystals suitable for X-ray diffraction analysis were grown for the perchlorate salt (H2L1c)(ClO4)2.dmf, and for the 1 : 1 complexes [Cd(L3a)(NO3)2](1), [Cu(L4a)dmf](ClO4)2(2), [Zn(L1c)(ClO4)]ClO4(3), [Cd(L1c)(NO3)]NO3(4), and [Hg(L2c)](ClO4)2(5). Their structures show the macrocyclic ligands adopting a folded conformation, which for the 12-membered systems can be either [2424] or [3333] depending on the nature of the metal ion. L1c-4c were also functionalised at the primary amino pendant group with different fluorogenic subunits. In particular the N-dansylamidopropyl (Lnd, n= 1-4), and the N-(9-anthracenylmethyl)aminopropyl (Lne, n= 1, 2, 4, ) pendant arm derivatives of L1a-4a were synthesised and their optical responses to the above mentioned metal ions were investigated in MeCN/H2O (4 : 1 v/v) solutions.