Synthesis, Characterization, and Photocatalytic H2-Evolving Activity of a Family of [Co(N4Py)(X)](n+) Complexes in Aqueous Solution.

A series of [Co(III)(N4Py)(X)](ClO4)n (X = Cl(-), Br(-), OH(-), N3(-), NCS(-)-κN, n = 2: X = OH2, NCMe, DMSO-κO, n = 3) complexes containing the tetrapyridyl N5 ligand N4Py (N4Py = 1,1-di(pyridin-2-yl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine) has been prepared and fully characterized by infrared (IR), UV-visible, and NMR spectroscopies, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS), elemental analysis, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemistry. The reduced Co(II) and Co(I) species of these complexes have been also generated by bulk electrolyses in MeCN and characterized by UV-visible and EPR spectroscopies. All tested complexes are catalysts for the photocatalytic production of H2 from water at pH 4.0 in the presence of ascorbic acid/ascorbate, using [Ru(bpy)3](2+) as a photosensitizer, and all display similar H2-evolving activities. Detailed mechanistic studies show that while the complexes retain the monodentate X ligand upon electrochemical reduction to Co(II) species in MeCN solution, in aqueous solution, upon reduction by ascorbate (photocatalytic conditions), [Co(II)(N4Py)(HA)](+) is formed in all cases and is the precursor to the Co(I) species which presumably reacts with a proton. These results are in accordance with the fact that the H2-evolving activity does not depend on the chemical nature of the monodentate ligand and differ from those previously reported for similar complexes. The catalytic activity of this series of complexes in terms of turnover number versus catalyst (TONCat) was also found to be dependent on the catalyst concentration, with the highest value of 230 TONCat at 5 × 10(-6) M. As revealed by nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements, the first electron-transfer steps of the photocatalytic mechanism involve a reductive quenching of the excited state of [Ru(bpy)3](2+) by ascorbate followed by an electron transfer from [Ru(II)(bpy)2(bpy(•-))](+) to the [Co(II)(N4Py)(HA)](+) catalyst. The reduced catalyst then enters into the H2-evolution cycle.

A Dinuclear Platinum(II) N4Py Complex: An Unexpected Coordination Mode For N4Py.

The polypyridyl compound N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine (N4Py) acts as a bridging ligand and coordinates to two Pt(II) ions giving an unexpected diplatinum(II) complex, whose photophysical and anticancer properties were investigated.

Comparison of inverse and regular 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" complexes: structures, stability, electrochemical, and photophysical properties.

Two inverse 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole "click" ligands, 2-(4-phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridine and 2-(4-benzyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridine, and their palladium(II), platinum(II), rhenium(I), and ruthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized in good to excellent yields. The properties of these inverse "click" complexes have been compared to the isomeric regular compounds using a variety of techniques. X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the regular and inverse complexes are structurally very similar. However, the chemical and physical properties of the isomers are quite different. Ligand exchange studies and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that metal complexes of the regular 2-(1-R-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)pyridine (R = phenyl, benzyl) ligands are more stable than those formed with the inverse 2-(4-R-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)pyridine (R = phenyl, benzyl) "click" chelators. Additionally, the bis-2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) ruthenium(II) complexes of the "click" chelators have been shown to have short excited state lifetimes, which in the inverse triazole case, resulted in ejection of the 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole ligand from the complex. Under identical conditions, the isomeric regular 2-pyridyl-1,2,3-triazole ruthenium(II) bpy complexes are photochemically inert. The absorption spectra of the inverse rhenium(I) and platinum(II) complexes are red-shifted compared to the regular compounds. It is shown that conjugation between the substituent group R and triazolyl unit has a negligible effect on the photophysical properties of the complexes. The inverse rhenium(I) complexes have large Stokes shifts, long metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) excited state lifetimes, and respectable quantum yields which are relatively solvent insensitive.

Selective Anion Recognition by a Dynamic Quadruple Helicate.

An M2 L4 quadruple helicate, formed by wrapping four molecules of 1,4-bis(3-pyridyloxy)benzene (L1 ) about two palladium(II) centers, is shown to bind anions within its internal cavity. 1 H NMR exchange experiments provide a quantitative measure of anion selectivity and reveal a preference for ClO4 - over the other tetrahedral anions BF4 - and ReO4 - and the octahedral anion PF6 - . X-ray crystal structures of [Pd2 (L1 )4 ]4+ helicates containing ClO4 , BF4 - and I- reveal that the cavity size can dynamically change in response to the size of the guest.

RuII and IrIII Complexes Containing ADA and DAD Triple Hydrogen Bonding Motifs: Potential Tectons for the Assembly of Functional Materials.

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of [RuII (bpy)2 L] and [Ir(ppy)2 L] complexes containing ligands L with the potential to engage in triple hydrogen bonding interactions is described. L1 and L2 comprise pyridyl triazole chelating units with pendant diaminotriazine units, capable of donor-acceptor-donor (DAD) hydrogen bonding, while L3 and L4 contain ADA hydrogen bonding units proximal to N^N and N^O cleating sites, respectively. X-ray crystallography shows the L1 and L2 containing RuII complexes to assemble via R 2 2 8 hydrogen bonding dimers, while [RuII (bpy)2 L4] assembles via extended hydrogen bonding motifs to form one dimensional chains. By contrast, the expected hydrogen bonding patterns are not observed for the RuII and IrIII complexes of L3. Spectroscopic studies show that the absorption spectra of the complexes result from combinations of MLCT and LLCT transitions. The L1 and L2 complexes of IrIII and RuII complexes are emissive in the solid state and it seems likely that hydrogen bonding to complementary species may facilitate tuning of their 3 ILCT emission. Low frequency Raman spectra provide further evidence for ordered interactions in the solid state for the L4 complexes, consistent with the results from X-ray crystallography.

4-[(E)-2-Ferrocenylethen-yl]-1,8-naphthalic anhydride.

In the structure of the title compound, [Fe(C(5)H(5))(C(19)H(11)O(3))], the plane of the substituted ferrocene ring is tilted by 14.17 (6)° with respect to the mean plane through the naphthalene ring system. In the crystal structure, centrosymmetric dimers are formed through π-π inter-actions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.624 (2) Å] between the substituted ferrocene ring and the three fused rings of the naphthalic anhydride unit. Pairs of dimers are held together by further naphthalene-naphthalene π-π interactions [distance between parallel mean planes 3.45 (3) Å]. Each dimer inter-acts with four neighbouring dimers in a herringbone fashion through C-H⋯π inter-actions, so forming a two-dimensional sheet-like structure.

A self-complementary molecular cleft.

Reaction of silver(I) salts with a new octadentate ligand generates a novel self-complementary molecular cleft which forms dimers in the solid state, stabilised by pi-stacking interactions and intermolecular C-H...M interactions.

The First Coordinatively Saturated, Quadruply Stranded Helicate and Its Encapsulation of a Hexafluorophosphate Anion.

Incarcerated in a helical prison: The encapsulation of a PF6- ion within a quadruply stranded helicate (shown schematically) results from the self-assembly of four molecules of 1,4-bis(3-pyridyloxy)benzene and two PdII ions. This represents not only the first example of a coordinatively saturated quadruple helicate, but also the first example of the encapsulation of a complex anion by a helicate.

1,5-Diarylbiguanides and their nickel(II) complexes.

1,5-Diarylbiguanides, where the aryl groups are phenyl (HL1), 3,5-dimethylphenyl (HL2), 3,5-dimethoxyphenyl (HL3), 4-t-butylphenyl (HL4) or 4-bromophenyl (HL5), have been prepared and characterised. HL3 and HL5 have been structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography, which shows them to adopt the expected tautomeric form for biguanides. They have extensive hydrogen-bonding interactions in the solid state, involving the biguanide NH groups supported by, in the case of HL3, the OCH3 aryl substituents or, in the case of HL5, Br···Br interactions. Reactions of HL1­HL4 with Ni(BF4)2 gives complexes of the type [Ni(HL)2](BF4)2, while reactions of HL1­HL4 with Ni(BF4)2 and triethylamine give neutral complexes of the type [Ni(L)2], where the biguanide ligand has been deprotonated at the N(ring) nitrogen. Both series of complexes were characterised in solution and the solid state. Cyclic voltammetry shows a largely irreversible Ni(II)/Ni(III) oxidation which becomes easier by ca. 70 mV upon ligand deprotonation, with more subtle variations resulting from the changes in aryl ring substituents. Infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopies both provide evidence for ligand deprotonation leading to the chelate ring becoming increasingly aromatised. X-ray crystallographic analyses of five of the complexes also show changes in bond lengths and angles within the chelate ring, consistent with increased electron delocalisation. A variety of hydrogen bonding motifs involving the complex ions, counterions and solvent molecules are found. The results of DFT calculations on both cationic and neutral complexes provide calculated structures consistent with the experimental ones and these, along with the results of vibrational spectroscopic studies, provide further evidence for increased aromatisation upon deprotonation. The potential for the complexes to act as tectons for the rational assembly of hydrogen bonded metallosupramolecules is discussed and the X-ray structure of such an assembly, between [Ni(L3)2] and 1,8-naphthalimide, is presented.

Ag(I)-based tectons for the construction of helical and meso-helical hydrogen-bonded coordination networks.

The new ligand 4-(3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)benzoic acid (L) has been prepared and characterized. This bifunctional ligand incorporates both a chelating region, with two nitrogen donors, suitable for chelating to soft transition metal ions, and a self-complementary hydrogen-bonding region which can facilitate intermolecular association of ligands or ligand-based complexes. X-ray structural analysis of the ligand shows it to adopt a one-dimensional helical polymeric structure, with adjacent ligands hydrogen bonded to each other. Reaction of L with silver(I) salts (AgOTf (1, 1.1.5H(2)O), AgNO(3) (2), AgPF6 (3.CH(3)OH), and AgClO(4) (4.CH(3)OH)) results in the formation of complexes with 2:1 stoichiometries. X-ray structural analysis of these complexes shows that, in each case, one-dimensional chain structures are obtained where chiral AgL(2) tectons are hydrogen bonded together, either directly or mediated by anions or solvent. Structures with either helical or meso-helical structures are observed.

Octasubstituted biphenylenes: is there a favoured conformation?

Octakis(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenylene ethanol solvate, C(44)H(40)N(16) x C(2)H(6)O, has two independent centrosymmetric molecules, one of which is hydrogen bonded to the solvent molecule. One molecule adopts an arrangement with three arms up and one down in each benzene ring, whilst the other molecule has a conformation with two adjacent arms on the same side of the ring. In neither case is the expected fully alternating form observed.