Metal-induced Enhancement of Tetrel Bonding. The Case of C···X-IrIII (X = Cl, Br) Tetrel Bond Involving a Methyl Group.

In X-ray structures of the isomorphic mer-[IrX3(THT)(CNXyl)2] (X = Cl 1, Br 2; THT = tetrahydrothiophene; Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3-) complexes, we revealed short intermolecular contacts between the C-atom of an isocyanide methyl group and halide ligands of another molecule. Geometrical consideration of the X-ray data and analysis of appropriate DFT studies allowed the attribution of these contacts to CMe···X-IrIII (X = Cl, Br) tetrel bond. Specifically, through the application of DFT calculations and various theoretical models, the presence of tetrel bonding interactions was validated, and the contribution of the CMe···X-IrIII interaction was assessed. The reinforcement of the tetrel bond upon the isocyanide coordination to iridium(III) is substantiated by molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface calculations. To distinguish the tetrel bonding characteristics of CMe···X-IrIII (X = Cl, Br) interactions from conventional hydrogen bonding, we employed multiple computational methodologies, including Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis and Electron Localization Function (ELF) analysis. Additionally, Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) was applied to selected model systems to explore the underlying physical nature of these interactions.

Metal-(Acyclic Diaminocarbene) Complexes Demonstrate Nanomolar Antiproliferative Activity against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Invited for the cover of this issue are Tatiyana Serebryanskaya, Mikhail Kinzhalov and co-workers at St. Petersburg State University, the Research Institute for Physical Chemical Problems, Belarusian State University, Togliatti State University and Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology. The image depicts the shield of Pallas Athena with the structure of a palladium carbene complex that protects against triple-negative breast cancer. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202400101.

Phosphorescent Cyclometalated Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes Derived from Diaminocarbene Precursors.

Metal-mediated self-assembly of isocyanides and methyl 4-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxylate leads to luminescent PdII and PtII complexes featuring C,N-cyclometalated acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) ligands. The solid-state luminescent properties of these diaminocarbene derivatives are attributed to their triplet-state metal/metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (3MMLCT) nature, which is driven by attractive intermolecular M···M interactions further reinforced by the intramolecular π-π interactions even in the structure of the Pd compound, which is the first Pd-ADC phosphor reported.

Metal-(Acyclic Diaminocarbene) Complexes Demonstrate Nanomolar Antiproliferative Activity against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Hydrolytically stable PdII and PtII complexes supported by acyclic diaminocarbene ligands represent a novel class of structural organometallic anticancer agents exhibiting nanomolar antiproliferative activity in a panel of cancer cell lines (IC50 0.07-0.81 µM) and up to 300-fold selectivity for cancer cells over normal primary fibroblasts. The lead drug candidate was 300 times more potent than cisplatin in vitro and showed higher efficacy in reducing the growth of aggressive MDA-MB-231 xenograft tumors in mice.

Triiodide-Based Chair-Like Copper Complex Assembled by Halogen Bonding.

Cocrystallization of the dimeric [Cu2(µ-I)2(CNXyl)4] (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3, 1) and polymeric catena-[Cu(µ-I)(CNC6H3-2-Cl-6-Me)2] (2) complexes with I2 at different molar ratios between the reactants resulted in a series of (RNC)2CuI-based crystal polyiodides formed along with gradual accumulation of iodine, namely the cocrystals [1·I2]·[Cu(µ1,1-I3)(CNXyl)2]2 followed by the generation of [Cu(µ1,3-I3)(CNXyl)2]2·2I2 (5·2I2) or [Cu(µ1,1-I3)(CNC6H3-2-Cl-6-Me)2]2 and then [Cu(µ1,3-I3)(CNC6H3-2-Cl-6-Me)2]n·n/2I2. The polyiodide 5·2I2 exhibits a novel supramolecular motif─a purely inorganic halogen-bonded Cu2(µ1,3-I3)2 core in the chair conformation. The X-ray structure of 5·2I2 featuring I···I contacts was analyzed by a set of theoretical methods and attributed to moderately strong halogen bonding (from -3.2 to -3.9 kcal/mol); these interactions determine the supramolecular architecture of 5·2I2.

Mutual Placement of Isocyanide and Phosphine Ligands in Platinum(II) Complexes [PtHal2L1L2] (Hal = Cl, Br, I; L1,L2 = CNCy, PPh3) Leads to Highly-Efficient Photocatalysts for Hydrosilylation of Alkynes.

A series of platinum complexes featuring phosphine and isocyanide ligands [PtX2(PPh3)(CNCy)] (X = Cl, Br, and I) as well as their parent phosphine [PtX2(PPh3)2] and isocyanide [PtX2(CNCy)2] analogues have been prepared and evaluated as catalysts for the photocatalytic hydrosilylation of alkynes. Under violet light irradiation (λmax = 400 nm), phosphine-isocyanides complexes [PtX2(PPh3)(CNCy)] gave high yields of silylated products (product yield up to 99%, TONs up to 1.98 × 103). The blue light irradiation (λmax = 450 nm) was more suitable for the parent phosphine complexes [PtX2(PPh3)2], which showed comparable efficiency (product yield up to 99%, TON up to 1.98 × 103), while isocyanide complexes [PtX2(CNCy)2] were not active.

Cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes with acyclic diaminocarbene ligands for OLED application.

A novel series of cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes bearing acyclic diaminocarbene (ADC) ancillary ligands were designed and prepared. Their photophysical properties were systematically studied through experimental and theoretical investigations. All complexes exhibit green phosphorescence with a quantum efficiency of up to 45% in 2 wt% doped PMMA film at room temperature. The complexes are used as light-emitting dopants for organic light-emitting diode (OLED) fabrication. The devices displayed a green emission with a maximum current efficiency of 2.9 cd A-1 and a luminance of 2700 cd m-2. These results show that these cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes can be used as efficient green emitting components of OLED devices.

Polymorph-Dependent Phosphorescence of Cyclometalated Platinum(II) Complexes and Its Relation to Non-covalent Interactions.

Cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [Pt(ppy)Cl(CNAr)] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridinato-C2,N; Ar = C6H4-2-I 1, C6H4-4-I 2, C6H3-2-F-4-I 3, and C6H3-2,4-I2 4) bearing ancillary isocyanide ligands were obtained by the bridge-splitting reaction between the dimer [Pt(ppy)(µ-Cl)]2 and 2 equiv any one of the corresponding CNAr. Complex 2 was crystallized in two polymorphic forms, namely, 2 I and 2 II, exhibiting green (emission quantum yield of 0.5%) and orange (emission quantum yield of 12%) phosphorescence, respectively. Structure-directing non-covalent contacts in these polymorphs were verified by a combination of experimental (X-ray diffraction) and theoretical methods (NCIplot analysis, combined electron localization function (ELF), and Bader quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM analysis)). A noticeable difference in the spectrum of non-covalent interactions of 2 I and 2 II is seen in the Pt···Pt interactions in 2 II and absence of these metallophilic contacts in 2 I. The other solid luminophores, namely, 1, 3 I-II, 4, and 4·CHCl3, exhibit green luminescence; their structures include intermolecular C-I···Cl-Pt halogen bonds as the structure-directing interactions. Crystals of 1, 2 I, 3 I, 3 II, 4, and 4·CHCl3 demonstrated a reversible mechanochromic color change achieved by mechanical grinding (green to orange) and solvent adsorption (orange to green).

Experimental and computational tuning of metalla-N-heterocyclic carbenes at palladium(II) and platinum(II) centers.

Palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes featuring metalla-N-heterocyclic carbenes (7-12) were synthesised via metal-mediated coupling between equimolar cis-[MCl2(CNR)2] (R = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (Xyl), 2,4,6-Me3C6H3 (Mes)) and 2-aminopyridine or 2-aminopyrazine. Thiocyanate complexes 13-18 with two thiocyanate ligands were obtained through the ligand exchange in the parent compounds 7-12 with NH4CNS in acetone/CH2Cl2. Complexes 7-18 were isolated and characterised by HRESI+-MS, IR, 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (in the case of 11, 16, and 18). The UV-vis properties of 7-18 and the electrochemical properties of 7-12 were also evaluated. To study the electronic structure and bonding nature in the new compounds, the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) and Mayer bond order analysis together with the extended transition state with the natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) method, were used. X-ray diffraction studies and theoretical considerations indicate that the thiocyanate derivatives 16 and 18 form supramolecular dimers by two symmetrical pairs M1⋯C5 and S1⋯C2 with short intermolecular contacts between an electron-rich MII-center and thiocyanate ligand on the one side and the electron-poor π-system of an azaheterocyclic ring on the other side. Representative carbenes 8, 11 and 12 were evaluated as photocatalysts for the hydrosilylation of diphenylacetylene with triethylsilane giving 1,2-(diphenylvinyl)triethylsilane in 98% yield under visible light irradiation (blue light, 445 nm).

Blue Light-Promoted Cross-Coupling of α-Diazo Esters with Isocyanides: Synthesis of Ester-Functionalized Ketenimines.

A metal-free scalable synthesis of functionalized ketenimines from alkyl α-(aryl/heteroaryl)-α-diazoacetates and alkyl isocyanides induced by blue light irradiation has been developed. The reaction proceeds at room temperature without any photocatalyst and provides ketenimines in moderate to good yields. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and the experimental study showed that aryl(alkoxycarbonyl)carbenes in both singlet and triplet states can react with isocyanides but only the reaction of the former leads to the smooth formation of ketenimines. The obtained ketenimines were used for the synthesis of functionalized amidines under mild metal-free conditions.

Studies of Nature of Uncommon Bifurcated I-I···(I-M) Metal-Involving Noncovalent Interaction in Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Isocyanide Cocrystals.

Two isostructural trans-[MI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 (M = Pd or Pt; CNXyl = 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide) metallopolymeric cocrystals containing uncommon bifurcated iodine···(metal-iodide) contact were obtained. In addition to classical halogen bonding, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a rare type of metal-involved stabilizing contact in both cocrystals. The nature of the noncovalent contact was studied computationally (via DFT, electrostatic surface potential, electron localization function, quantum theory of atoms in molecules, and noncovalent interactions plot methods). Studies confirmed that the I···I halogen bond is the strongest noncovalent interaction in the systems, followed by weaker I···M interaction. The electrophilic and nucleophilic nature of atoms participating in I···M interaction was studied with ED/ESP minima analysis. In trans-[PtI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 cocrystal, Pt atoms act as weak nucleophiles in I···Pt interaction. In the case of trans-[PdI2(CNXyl)2]·I2 cocrystal, electrophilic/nucleophilic roles of Pd and I are not clear, and thus the quasimetallophilic nature of the I···Pd interaction was suggested.

Light-induced one-pot synthesis of pyrimidine derivatives from vinyl azides.

A one-pot procedure for the synthesis of tetrasubstituted dihydropyrimidine and pyrimidine derivatives from α-azidocinnamates was developed. The synthesis is based on the finding that the outcome of LED photolysis of α-azidocinnamates depends on the light wavelength employed. Blue light (455 nm) leads to the formation of 2H-azirines only, but violet light (395 nm), UV-A light (365 nm), or sunlight result in the transformation of the in situ formed 2H-azirines to 1,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-enes. Under basic catalysis (DBU), the latter were isomerized to 1,6-dihydropyrimidines which were oxidized to pyrimidines using DDQ. A successful use of Cs2CO3 as a base and air as an oxidant was also demonstrated.

Phosphorescent Iridium(III) Complexes with Acyclic Diaminocarbene Ligands as Chemosensors for Mercury.

A new application for bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species containing ancillary acyclic diaminocarbene ligands, viz. for sensing of mercury(II) ions, is disclosed. A family of bis(cyclometalated) iridium(III) species supported by both parent isocyanide and acyclic diaminocarbene ligands was prepared, and their electrochemical and photophysical properties were evaluated, revealing efficient blue-green phosphorescence in solution with quantum yields of up to 55%. We uncovered that the photophysical properties of these complexes are dramatically altered by the presence of metal ions and that the complex [Ir(ppy)2(CN){C(NH2)(NHC6H4-4-X)}] with an ADC ligand reacts selectively with Hg2+ ions, enabling its use for sensing of mercury(II) ions in solution. The limit of detection was as low as 2.63 × 10-7 M, and additional mechanistic studies indicated the formation of an unusual dinuclear iridium(III) cyclometalated intermediate, bridged by a mercury dicyano fragment as a driving force of mercury sensing.

Dihalomethanes as Bent Bifunctional XB/XB-Donating Building Blocks for Construction of Metal-involving Halogen Bonded Hexagons.

The dihalomethanes CH2 X2 (X=Cl, Br, I) were co-crystallized with the isocyanide complexes trans-[MXM 2 (CNC6 H4 -4-XC )2 ] (M=Pd, Pt; XM =Br, I; XC =F, Cl, Br) to give an extended series comprising 15 X-ray structures of isostructural adducts featuring 1D metal-involving hexagon-like arrays. In these structures, CH2 X2 behave as bent bifunctional XB/XB-donating building blocks, whereas trans-[MXM 2 (CNC6 H4 -4-XC )2 ] act as a linear XB/XB acceptors. Results of DFT calculations indicate that all XCH2 -X⋅⋅⋅XM -M contacts are typical noncovalent interactions with estimated strengths in the range of 1.3-3.2 kcal mol-1 . A CCDC search reveals that hexagon-like arrays are rather common but previously overlooked structural motives for adducts of trans-bis(halide) complexes and halomethanes.

Four-Center Nodes: Supramolecular Synthons Based on Cyclic Halogen Bonding.

The isocyanide trans-[PdBr2 (CNC6 H4 -4-X')2 ] (X'=Br, I) and nitrile trans-[PtX2 (NCC6 H4 -4-X')2 ] (X/X'=Cl/Cl, Cl/Br, Br/Cl, Br/Br) complexes exhibit similar structural motif in the solid state, which is determined by hitherto unreported four-center nodes formed by cyclic halogen bonding. Each node is built up by four Type II C-X'⋅⋅⋅X-M halogen-bonding contacts and include one Type I M-X⋅⋅⋅X-M interaction, thus giving the rhombic-like structure. These nodes serve as supramolecular synthons to form 2D layers or double chains of molecules linked by a halogen bond. Results of DFT calculations indicate that all contacts within the nodes are typical noncovalent interactions with the estimated strengths in the range 0.6-2.9 kcal mol-1 .

Cleavage of acyclic diaminocarbene ligands at an iridium(iii) center. Recognition of a new reactivity mode for carbene ligands.

Reaction of [Ir(µ-Cl)(ppy)2]2 (1) with 4 equivs of CNC6H4X (X = F 2a, Cl 2b, Br 2c, I 2d) in the presence of 2 equivs of AgOTf in dichloromethane at 20-25 °C furnished the bisisocyanide complexes [Ir(ppy)2(CNC6H4X)2](OTf) ([3a-d](OTf); 72-87%). Reaction of [3a-d](OTf) with an excess of gaseous ammonia at room temperature gave the bisdiaminocarbene species [Ir(ppy)2{C(NH2)NHC6H4X}2](OTf) [5a-d](OTf) (73-83%); the two-step addition proceeds through an intermediate formation of appropriate monocarbene complexes [4a-d](OTf). Further reaction of [5a-d](OTf) with an excess of gaseous ammonia at 50 °C led to the cleavage of one diaminocarbene ligand to the cyanide ligand in [Ir(ppy)2(CN){C(NH2)NHC6H4X}] (6a-d) and this transformation is accompanied with the elimination of a substituted aniline. Treatment of [5a-d](OTf) with N(CH2CH2OH)3 at 50 °C resulted in the cleavage of the diaminocarbene ligand to the isocyanide and uncomplexed NH3; isocyanide remains bound to the iridium(iii) center in [Ir(ppy)2{C(NH2)NHC6H4X}(CNC6H4X)](OTf) (4a-d). All isolated compounds were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), molar conductivity measurements, TG/DTA, HRESI+/--MS, FTIR, 1D (1H, 13C{1H}, 19F{1H}) and 2D (1H,1H-COSY, 1H,13C-HMQC/1H,13C-HSQC, 1H,13C-HMBC) NMR, and also by X-ray diffraction (for the bisisocyanide 3, the diaminocarbene/isocyanide 4, the bisdiaminocarbene 5, and the diaminocarbene/cyanide 6 type complexes).

Dramatically Enhanced Solubility of Halide-Containing Organometallic Species in Diiodomethane: The Role of Solvent⋠⋠⋠Complex Halogen Bonding.

In the current study, we evaluated the solubility of a number of organometallic species and showed that it is noticeably improved in diiodomethane when compared to other haloalkane solvents. The better solvation properties of CH2 I2 were associated with the substantially better σ-hole-donating ability of this solvent, which results in the formation of uniquely strong solvent-(metal complex) halogen bonding. The strength of the halogen bonding is attenuated by the introduction of additional halogen atoms in the organometallic species owing to the competitive formation of more favourable intermolecular complex-complex halogen bonding. The exceptional solvation properties of diiodomethane and its inertness towards organometallic species make this solvent a good candidate for NMR studies, in particular, for the acquisition of spectra of insensitive spins.

Ligation-Enhanced π-Hole···π Interactions Involving Isocyanides: Effect of π-Hole···π Noncovalent Bonding on Conformational Stabilization of Acyclic Diaminocarbene Ligands.

The reaction of cis-[PdCl2(CNXyl)2] (Xyl = 2,6-Me2C6H3) with the aminoazoles [1 H-imidazol-2-amine (1), 4 H-1,2,4-triazol-3-amine (2), 1 H-tetrazol-5-amine (3), 1 H-benzimidazol-2-amine (4), 1-alkyl-1 H-benzimidazol-2-amines, where alkyl = Me (5), Et (6)] in a 2:1 ratio in the presence of a base in CHCl3 at RT proceeds regioselectively and leads to the binuclear diaminocarbene complexes [(ClPdCNXyl)2{µ-C(N-azolyl)N(Xyl)C═NXyl}] (7-12; 73-91%). Compounds 7-12 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, high-resolution ESI+-MS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D (1H, 13C) and 2D (1H,1H-COSY, 1H,1H-NOESY, 1H,13C-HSQC, 1H,13C-HMBC) NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction (XRDn). Inspection of the XRDn data and results of the Hirshfeld surface analysis suggest the presence in all six structures of intramolecular π-holeisocyanide···πarene interactions between the electrophilic C atom of the isocyanide moiety and the neighboring arene ring. These interactions also result in distortion of the Pd-C≡N-Xyl fragment from the linearity. Results of density functional theory calculations [M06/MWB28 (Pd) and 6-31G* (other atoms) level of theory] for model structures of 7-9 followed by the topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the framework of Bader's theory (QTAIM method) reveal the presence of these weak interactions also in a CHCl3 solution, and their calculated strength is 1.9-2.2 kcal/mol. The natural bond orbital analysis of 7-9 revealed that π(C-C)Xyl → π*(C-N)isocyanide charge transfer (CT) takes place along with the intramolecular π-holeisocyanide···πarene interactions. The observed π(C-C)Xyl → π*(C-N)isocyanide CT is due to ligation of the isocyanide to the metal center, whereas in the cases of the uncomplexed p-CNC6H4NC and CNXyl species, the effects of CT are negligible. Available CCDC data were processed from the perspective of isocyanide-involving π-hole···π interactions, disclosed the role of metal coordination in the π-hole donor ability of isocyanides, and verified the π-holeisocyanide···πarene interaction effect on the stabilization of the in-conformation in metal-bound acyclic diaminocarbenes.

Halides Held by Bifurcated Chalcogen-Hydrogen Bonds. Effect of µ(S,N-H)Cl Contacts on Dimerization of Cl(carbene)PdII Species.

The reaction of cis-[PdCl2(CNCy)2] (1) with thiazol-2-amines (2-10) leads to the C,N-chelated diaminocarbene-like complexes [PdCl{ C(N(H)4,5-R2-thiazol-2-yl)NHCy}(CNCy)] (11-14; 82-91%) in the case of 4,5-R2-thiazol-2-amines (R, R = H, H (2), Me, Me (3), -(CH2)4- (4)) and benzothiazol-2-amine (5) or gives the diaminocarbene species cis-[PdCl2{C(N(H)Cy)N(H)4-R-thiazol-2-yl}(CNCy)] (15-19; 73-93%) for the reaction with 4-aryl-substituted thiazol-2-amines (R = Ph (6), 4-MeC6H4 (7), 4-FC6H4 (8), 4-ClC6H4 (9), 3,4-F2C6H3 (10)). Inspection of the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data for 15-17 and 19 suggests that the structures of all these species exhibit previously unrecognized bifurcated chalcogen-hydrogen bonding µ(S,N-H)Cl and also PdII···PdII metallophilic interactions. These noncovalent interactions collectively connect two symmetrically located molecules of 15-17 and 19, resulting in their solid-state dimerization. The existence of the µ(S,N-H)Cl system and its strength (6-9 kcal/mol) were additionally verified/estimated by a Hirshfeld surface analysis and DFT calculations combined with a topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the formalism of Bader's theory (AIM method) and NBO analysis. The observed noncovalent interactions are jointly responsible for the dimerization of 15-19 not only in the solid phase but also in CHCl3 solutions, as predicted theoretically by DFT calculations and confirmed experimentally by FTIR, HRESI-MS, 1H NMR, and diffusion coefficient NMR measurements. Available CCDC data were processed under the new moiety angle, and the observed µ(S,E-H)Cl systems were classified accordingly to E (E = N, O, C) type atoms.

Gold(I) Alkynyls Supported by Mono- and Bidentate NHC Ligands: Luminescence and Isolation of Unprecedented Ionic Complexes.

Reactions of NHC·HX (NHC = 1-benzyl-3-methylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene, X = Br-, PF6-) and (AuC≡CR)n (R = Ph, C3H6OH) in the presence of Cs2CO3 initially afford compounds of the general formula [(NHC)2Au]2[(RC2)2Au]X, which can be isolated by crystallization. With increased reaction time, only the expected mononuclear complexes of the type [NHCAuC≡CR] are produced. The crystal structure of [(NHC)2Au]2[(PhC2)2Au]PF6 reveals an unprecedented triple-decker array upheld by a remarkably short (2.9375(7) Å) unsupported Au···Au···Au contact. The mononuclear complex [NHCAuC≡CPh] was found to crystallize as three distinct polymorphs and a pseudopolymorph, which depending on the intermolecular Au···Au distances emit blue, green, or yellow light. Two synthetic approaches were employed for the preparation of a series of dinuclear NHC-ligated Au(I) alkynyl complexes of the general formula [NHC-(CH2)n-NHC(AuC≡CR)2], where NHC = N-benzylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene, R = Ph, C3H6OH, C6H10OH, and n = 1-3. In solution, the complexes with aliphatic substituents on the alkynyl fragment are nonemissive, whereas their phenyl-bearing congeners demonstrate characteristic metal-perturbed 3[IL(C≡CPh)] emission. In the solid state, a clear correlation between intermolecular aurophilic interactions and luminescence was established, including their role in the luminescent thermochromism of the phenylalkynyl complexes. The relationship between the Au···Au distance and emission energy was found to be inverse: i.e., the shorter the aurophilic contact, the higher the emission energy. We tentatively attribute this behavior to a smaller extent of excited-state distortion for a structure with a shorter Au···Au separation.