SMART RHESINs-Superparamagnetic Magnetite Architecture Made of Phenolic Resin Hollow Spheres Coated with Eu(III) Containing Silica Nanoparticles for Future Quantitative Magnetic Particle Imaging Applications.

Magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a powerful and rapidly growing tomographic imaging technique that allows for the non-invasive visualization of superparamagnetic nanoparticles (NPs) in living matter. Despite its potential for a wide range of applications, the intrinsic quantitative nature of MPI has not been fully exploited in biological environments. In this study, a novel NP architecture that overcomes this limitation by maintaining a virtually unchanged effective relaxation (Brownian plus Néel) even when immobilized is presented. This superparamagnetic magnetite architecture made of phenolic resin hollow spheres coated with Eu(III) containing silica nanoparticles (SMART RHESINs) was synthesized and studied. Magnetic particle spectroscopy (MPS) measurements confirm their suitability for potential MPI applications. Photobleaching studies show an unexpected photodynamic due to the fluorescence emission peak of the europium ion in combination with the phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR). Cell metabolic activity and proliferation behavior are not affected. Colocalization experiments reveal the distinct accumulation of SMART RHESINs near the Golgi apparatus. Overall, SMART RHESINs show superparamagnetic behavior and special luminescent properties without acute cytotoxicity, making them suitable for bimodal imaging probes for medical use like cancer diagnosis and treatment. SMART RHESINs have the potential to enable quantitative MPS and MPI measurements both in mobile and immobilized environments.

Snapshots of sequential polyphosphide rearrangement upon metallatetrylene addition.

Insertion and functionalization of gallasilylenes [LPhSi-Ga(Cl)LBDI] (LPh = PhC(NtBu)2; LBDI = [{2,6-iPr2C6H3NCMe}2CH]) into the cyclo-E5 rings of [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5; E = P, As) are reported. Reactions of [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] with gallasilylene result in E-E/Si-Ga bond cleavage and the insertion of the silylene in the cyclo-E5 rings. [(LPhSi-Ga(Cl)LBDI){(η4-P5)FeCp*}], in which the Si atom binds to the bent cyclo-P5 ring, was identified as a reaction intermediate. The ring-expansion products are stable at room temperature, while isomerization occurred at higher temperature, and the silylene moiety further migrates to the Fe atom, forming the corresponding ring-construction isomers. Furthermore, reaction of [Cp*Fe(η5-As5)] with the heavier gallagermylene [LPhGe-Ga(Cl)LBDI] was also investigated. All the isolated complexes represent rare examples of mixed group 13/14 iron polypnictogenides, which could only be synthesized by taking advantage of the cooperativity of the gallatetrylenes featuring low-valent Si(ii) or Ge(ii) and Lewis acidic Ga(iii) units/entities.

Molecular cyclo-P3 complexes of the rare-earth elements via a one-pot reaction and selective reduction.

Synthesis of new organo-lanthanide polyphosphides with an aromatic cyclo-[P4]2- moiety and a cyclo-[P3]3- moiety is presented. For this purpose, the divalent LnII-complexes [(NON)LnII(thf)2] (Ln = Sm, Yb) ((NON)2- = 4,5-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl-amino)-2,7-di-tert-butyl-9,9-dimethylxanthene) and trivalent LnIII-complexes [(NON)LnIIIBH4(thf)2] (Ln = Y, Sm, Dy) were used as precursors in the reduction process of white phosphorus. While using [(NON)LnII(thf)2] as a one-electron reducing agent the formation of organo-lanthanide polyphosphides with a cyclo-[P4]2- Zintl anion was observed. For comparison, we investigated a multi-electron reduction of P4 by a one-pot reaction of [(NON)LnIIIBH4(thf)2] with elemental potassium. As products molecular polyphosphides with a cyclo-[P3]3- moiety were isolated. The same compound could also be obtained by reducing the cyclo-[P4]2- Zintl anion within the coordination sphere of SmIII in [{(NON)SmIII(thf)2}2(µ-η4:η4-P4)]. Reduction of a polyphosphide within the coordination sphere of a lanthanide complex is unprecedented. Additionally, the magnetic properties of the dinuclear DyIII-compound bearing a bridging cyclo-[P3]3- moiety were investigated.

Reactivity of E4 (E4 =P4 , As4 , AsP3 ) towards Low-Valent Al(I) and Ga(I) Compounds.

The reactivity of yellow arsenic and the interpnictogen compound AsP3 towards low-valent group 13 compounds was investigated. The reactions of [LAl] (1, L=[{N(C6 H3 i Pr2 -2,6)C(Me)}2 CH]- ) with As4 and AsP3 lead to [(LAl)2 (µ,η1:1:1:1 -E4 )] (E4 =As4 (3 b), AsP3 (3 c)) by insertion of two fragments [LAl] into two of the six E-E edges of the E4 tetrahedra. Furthermore, the reaction of [LGa] (2) with E4 afforded [LGa(η1:1 -E4 )] (E4 =As4 (4 b), AsP3 (4 c)). In these compounds, only one E-E bond of the E4 tetrahedra was cleaved. These compounds represent the first examples of the conversion of yellow arsenic and AsP3 , respectively, with group 13 compounds. Furthermore, the reactivity of the gallium complexes towards unsaturated transition metal units or polypnictogen (En ) ligand complexes was investigated. This leads to the heterobimetallic compounds [(LGa)(µ,η2:1:1 -P4 )(LNi)] (5 a), [(Cp'''Co)(µ,η4:1:1 -E4 )(LGa)] (E=P (6 a), As (6 b), Cp'''=η5 -C5 H2 t Bu3 ) and [(Cp'''Ni)(η3:1:1 -E3 )(LGa)] (E=P (7 a), As (7 b)), which combine two different ligand systems in one complex (nacnac and Cp) as well as two different types of metals (main group and transition metals). The products were characterized by crystallographic and spectroscopic methods.

A Phosphine-ß-diketiminate Nickel(I)-Complex for Small Molecule Activation.

A bis(diphenyl)-phosphine functionalized ß-diketimine ligand (PNac-H) was applied for the synthesis of a subvalent Ni(I) complex [PNac-Ni]. Here, the Ni(I) center is stabilized by a tetradentate PNNP-type pocket, forming a square planar coordination sphere. Subsequently, the Ni(I) complex was investigated with regard to its reactivity and the activation of small molecules. The reductive potential of Ni(I) enabled an activation of different substrate classes, such as CH2 X2 (X=Br, I), I2 or Ph2 E2 (E=S, Se). The ligand's design allows a stabilization of the reactive Ni(I) species while at the same time enabling activation processes due to a hemilabile coordination behavior and accessible axial coordination sites. The activation products have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis.

Triple-decker complexes incorporating three distinct deck architectures.

The reactivity of the dilithioplumbole ([Li2(thf)2(µ,η5-LPb)], LPb = 1,4-bis-tert-butyl-dimethylsilyl-2,3-bis-phenyl-plumbolyl) towards the reactive pnictogen precursors P4, pentaphosphaferrocene, and pentaarsaferrocene ([Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5, E = P, As)) is reported. The reaction with P4 afforded a phospholyl lithium complex, via lead-phosphorus exchange, while the reactions with [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] yielded the first examples of Pb-Fe-Li heterotrimetallic triple-decker polypnictogenides with three different deck motifs.

A square planar silylene nickel four-membered ring.

Herein the new nickel silylene [PhC(NtBu)2SiNi(C5Me5)]2, which features a square planar central ring motif consisting of two silicon and two nickel atoms is presented. The title compound was obtained by an insertion of the Ni(0) precursor [Ni(cod)2] (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) in the Si-C bond of the silylene [PhC(NtBu)2Si(C5Me5)]. Analytic characterisation including mass spectrometry as well as IR and Raman spectroscopies was combined with quantum chemical calculations to get an insight on the bonding situation within the four-membered Si-Ni-ring.

A Structural Diversity of Molecular Alkaline-Earth-Metal Polyphosphides: From Supramolecular Wheel to Zintl Ion.

A series of molecular group 2 polyphosphides has been synthesized by using air-stable [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] (Cp*=C5 Me5 ) or white phosphorus as polyphosphorus precursors. Different types of group 2 reagents such as organo-magnesium, mono-valent magnesium, and molecular calcium hydride complexes have been investigated to activate these polyphosphorus sources. The organo-magnesium complex [(Dipp BDI-Mg(CH3 ))2 ] (Dipp BDI={[2,6-i Pr2 C6 H3 NCMe]2 CH}- ) reacts with [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] to give an unprecedented Mg/Fe-supramolecular wheel. Kinetically controlled activation of [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] by different mono-valent magnesium complexes allowed the isolation of Mg-coordinated formally mono- and di-reduced products of [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )]. To obtain the first examples of molecular calcium-polyphosphides, a molecular calcium hydride complex was used to reduce the aromatic cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )]. The Ca-Fe-polyphosphide is also characterized by quantum chemical calculations and compared with the corresponding Mg complex. Moreover, a calcium coordinated Zintl ion (P7 )3- was obtained by molecular calcium hydride mediated P4 reduction.

d/f-Polypnictides Derived by Non-Classical Ln2+ Compounds: Synthesis, Small Molecule Activation and Optical Properties.

Reduction chemistry induced by divalent lanthanides has been primarily focused on samarium so far. In light of the rich physical properties of the lanthanides, this limitation to one element is a drawback. Since molecular divalent compounds of almost all lanthanides have been available for some time, we used one known and two new non-classical reducing agents of the early lanthanides to establish a sophisticated reduction chemistry. As a result, six new d/f-polyphosphides or d/f-polyarsenides, [K(18-crown-6)] [Cp''2 Ln(E5 )FeCp*] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd; E=P, As) were obtained. Their reactivity was studied by activation of P4 , resulting in a selective expansion of the P5 rings. The obtained compounds [K(18-crown-6)] [Cp''2 Ln(P7 )FeCp*] (Ln=La, Nd) are the first examples of an activation of P4 by a f-element-polypnictide complex. Additionally, the first systematic femtosecond (fs)-spectroscopy investigations of d/f-polypnictides are presented to showcase the advantages of having access to a broader series of lanthanide compounds.

Zinc and Cadmium Complexes of Chelating N-Heterocyclic Silylene and Their Reactivity toward Elemental Chalcogens.

The reactions of the pyridine-functionalized silylene LNSi [L = PhC(NtBu)2; N = 2-(methylamido)pyridine] with zinc and cadmium halides are described. These resulted in the formation of a series of zinc and cadmium silylene complexes: [LNSi-ZnX2] (X = Cl, Br, I) and [{LNSi-CdI2}2], which is the first cadmium silylene compound. Subsequent reaction of these silylene complexes with elemental sulfur and selenium under mild conditions at room temperature afforded under activation of these elements the corresponding silanethione-stabilized zinc [(LNSi═S)-ZnX2] (X = Cl, I) and cadmium [(LNSi═S)-CdI2] complexes and the silaneselenone-stabilized zinc species [(LNSi═Se)-ZnCl2]. A selective insertion of the group 16 elements into the M-Si bond of the silylenes was observed. Because of metal coordination, the Si-chalcogen bond lengths in the silanethiones and silaneselenones are enlarged and thus range between a single and a double bond. All new compounds were fully characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and IR spectroscopy.

Synthesis of Unprecedented 4d/4f-Polypnictogens.

A series of 4d/4f-polyarsenides, -polyarsines and -polystibines was obtained by reduction of the Mo-pnictide precursor complexes [{Cpt Mo(CO)2 }2 (µ,η2:2 -E2 )] (E=As, Sb; Cpt =tBu substituted cyclopentadienyl) with two different divalent samarocenes [Cp*2 Sm] and [(CpMe4nPr )2 Sm]. For the reductive conversion of the Mo-stibide only one product was isolated, featuring a planar tetrastibacyclobutadiene moiety as an unprecedented ligand for organometallic compounds. For the corresponding Mo-arsenide a tetraarsacyclobutadiene and a second species with a side-on coordinated As2 2- anion was isolated. The latter can be considered as reaction intermediate for the formation of the tetraarsacyclobutadiene.

A bis(germylene) functionalized metal-coordinated polyphosphide and its isomerization.

Pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] (Cp* = η5-C5Me5), was used as a polyphosphorus source to obtain germylene-polyphosphide complexes. A stepwise reactivity was observed between the di-germylene, [LGe-GeL] (L = {PhC(NtBu)2}), and [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)]. Firstly, reductive homolytic cleavage of the Ge-Ge single bond in [LGe-GeL] led to [(LGe)2{(µ,η4-P5)FeCp*}]. This complex showed an unprecedented isomerization.

Regioselective Insertion of Aluminum(I) in the cyclo-P5 Ring of Pentaphosphaferrocene.

A route to directly access mixed Al-Fe polyphosphide complexes was developed. The reactivity of pentaphosphaferrocene, [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] (Cp*=C5 Me5 ), with two different low-valent aluminum compounds was investigated. The steric and electronic environment around the [AlI ] centre are found to be crucial for the formation of the resulting Al-Fe polyphosphides. Reaction with the sterically demanding [Dipp-BDIAlI ] (Dipp-BDI={[2,6-i Pr2 C6 H3 NCMe]2 CH}- ) resulted in the first Al-based neutral triple-decker type polyphosphide complex. For [(Cp*AlI )4 ], an unprecedented regioselective insertion of three [Cp*AlIII ]2+ moieties into two adjacent P-P bonds of the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5 -P5 )] was observed. The regioselectivity of the insertion reaction could be rationalized by isolating an analogue of the reaction intermediate stabilized by a strong σ-donor carbene.

Highly Selective Substitution and Insertion Reactions of Silylenes in a Metal-Coordinated Polyphosphide.

Selective substitution and insertion reactions of silylenes into the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] are reported. The selective substitution of one P atom by an isoelectronic [LSi] fragment (L = PhC(NtBu)2) leads to [(η4-P4SiL)FeCp*] and [LSi(Cl)═P-SiL(Cl)2]. To elucidate the reaction mechanism, [{LSi(N(SiMe3)2)}{(η4-P5)FeCp*}], in which the silicon atom binds to the cyclo-P5 ring, was synthesized as a model compound for the reaction intermediate. The insertion of [LSi-SiL] into the cyclo-P5 ring of [Cp*Fe(η5-P5)] resulted in [{η4-P5(SiL)2}FeCp*] featuring a cyclo-P5(SiL)2 ring, which corresponds to the largest silicon-polyphosphorus ring known in a complex.

Synthesis and ε-Caprolactone Polymerization Activity of Electron-Deficient Gallium and Aluminum Species Containing a Charged Redox-Active dpp-Bian Ligand.

The synthesis of electron-deficient gallium- and aluminum-centered species containing a redox-active dpp-Bian ligand (dpp-Bian = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) is described. The reaction of digallane [(dpp-Bian)Ga-Ga(dpp-Bian)] with [Ph3C][PF6] or AgPF6 resulted in polyoxidized species [(dpp-Bian)GaF2]2 (1), [(dpp-Bian)H2][PF6] (2), and [(dpp-Bian)GaF(O2PF2)]2 (3). The reaction of digallane with B(C6F5)3 led to electron-deficient gallylene [(dpp-Bian)GaB(C6F5)3] 4 of a dpp-Bian radical anion. The soft oxidation of digallane with tosyl cyanide gave the trinuclear cationic species [(dpp-Bian)Ga(Tos)3Ga(Tos)3Ga(dpp-Bian)][Ga(CN)4] (5) containing dpp-Bian radical anions. The reaction of [(dpp-Bian)AlEt2] with 1 equiv of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] resulted in the cationic complex [(dpp-Bian)AlEt2][B(C6F5)4] (6) of neutral dpp-Bian, while the treatment of [(dpp-Bian)AlEt(Et2O)] with 1 equiv of [Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] resulted in the compound [(dpp-Bian)AlEt(Et2O)][B(C6F5)4] (7) of a dpp-Bian radical anion. The reaction of diethylaluminum derivative [(dpp-Bian)AlEt2] with 1 equiv of B(C6F5)3 gave the cationic complex [{(dpp-Bian)AlEt}2F][EtB(C6F5)3] (8) containing radical-anion dpp-Bian ligands. The paramagnetic compounds 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 were characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the diamagnetic complex 6 was characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 1-6 and 8 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compounds 4 and 6-8 were found to be active initiators for immortal ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone.

Photodynamics and Luminescence of Mono- and Tri-Nuclear Lanthanide Complexes in the Gas Phase and in Solution.

Lanthanide ions (DyIII , EuIII ) are stabilized by coordination with two Schiff base ligands in compounds [Dy{H3 L}2 ](NO3 )(EtOH)(H2 O)8 (1) and [Eu{H3 L}2 ](NO3 )(H2 O)8 (3) (H4 L, 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid). The latter is reported here for the first time. Both luminescence and ultrafast photodynamics after photoexcitation via a ligand absorption band (∼400 nm) have been studied. In solution, only the [Eu{H3 L}2 ]+ ([3]+ ) complex displays the typical lanthanide emission lines, whereas in gas phase both, [Dy{H3 L}2 ]+ ([1]+ ) and [3]+ , show their corresponding transitions depending on excitation energy. The ultrafast excited state dynamics, obtained in gas phase and in solution, are assigned to excited state intramolecular proton transfer processes in the ligands. The antenna ligand moiety of these complexes provides pockets for stabilization of two MnII ions so that we additionally investigated the photophysical behavior of the corresponding tri-nuclear (NHEt3 )2 [Ln{MnL}2 ](ClO4 )(H2 O)2 (Ln=DyIII , EuIII ) compounds (2, 4). Interestingly, the related complexes do not show lanthanide emission, neither in solution nor in gas phase. Transient data in solution and gas phase suggests an efficient quenching of the ligand's electronically excited state by strong interaction with the MnII ions. This effect could possibly be developed further into a design principle for luminescence-based sensing devices for metal cations.

Intensely Photoluminescent Diamidophosphines of the Alkaline-Earth Metals, Aluminum, and Zinc.

The positively charged and weakly polarizable s-block metals commonly do not usually have phosphine ligands in molecular complexes. Herein, we report mono- and dinuclear small diamidophosphine complexes of the alkaline-earth metals Mg, Ca, and Sr, which were prepared from simple precursors and a phosphine-functionalized diamine ligand N,N-bis(2-(diphenyl-phosphino)phenyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (PNHNHP). The alkaline-earth metal based complexes [(PNNP)Mg]2 and [(PNNP)M(thf)3 ] (M=Ca, Sr), exhibit unusual coordination spheres and show bright fluorescence, both in the solid state and in solution. For comparison, the even stronger luminescent Al and Zn complexes [(PNNP)Zn]2 and [(PNNP)AlCl] were prepared. Emission lifetimes in the nanosecond range and high photoluminescence quantum yields up to 93 % are observed at room temperature.

Double-Strand DNA Breaks Induced by Paracyclophane Gold(I) Complexes.

Gold(I) complexes of ClickPhos [2.2]paracyclophane ligands were synthesized in excellent yields and fully characterized by spectroscopic methods as well as X-ray crystallography. The complexes exhibit a rigid ligand backbone and a triazolyl moiety and were systematically studied with respect to their cytotoxic properties. In combination with the ionic complex [(GemPhos)Au(tht)][ClO4 ] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene), in which the gold(I) atom exhibits a distorted trigonal coordination sphere of two phosphines and a labile tht ligand, their efficiency in cytotoxicity was investigated in HeLa, MCF7, and HCT116 cells as well as in a zebrafish model. Their cytotoxicity and their mechanisms of action are different and involve apoptosis, necrosis, and DNA damage. The compounds presented herein are potent metal-based cytostatics displaying LD50 values from 3.5-38 µm in different tumor cell lines and induce double-strand DNA breaks (DSB) as shown by H2AX phosphorylation (γH2AX) at foci of DSBs.

Sterically induced reductive linkage of iron polypnictides with bulky lanthanide complexes by ring-opening of THF.

Reduction of [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] (E = P, As) with divalent lanthanide reagents usually leads to reduction of [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] followed by a Ln-E bond formation. In contrast, by using the sterically encumbered reagent [(DippForm)2Sm(thf)2] (DippForm = {(2,6-iPr2C6H3)NC(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]N(2,6-iPr2C6H3)}-), ring-opening of thf and reduction of the polypnictide is observed. This leads to two new 3d/4f polyphosphide or polyarsenide complexes [(DippForm)2Sm(Cp*Fe)E5{(CH2)4O}{(DippForm)2Sm(thf)}], in which [(DippForm)2Sm(thf)2] and [Cp*Fe(η5-E5)] are linked by a ring-opened thf molecule and no Ln-E bond formation is observed.

P,C-bond cleavage in the ligand sphere of a nickel(II) complex.

Reacting nickel(ii)perchlorate with a bidentate P,N-ligand in methanol leads to P,C-bond cleavage and gives a five-coordinate nickel complex wherein the nickel(ii) site is coordinated by a tridentate P,N,P-ligand and a bidentate N,C-ligand. The carbanion of the latter is the result of the P,C-bond cleaving process. The diamagnetic nickel(ii) complex was characterized by means of elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray structure analysis.