Exploring Rhenium Arene Piano-Stool Chemistry with [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+: A Powerful Semi-Solvated Precursor.

Thermal treatment of the ReIII hydride complex [ReH(η5-C6H7)(η6-C6H6)]+ in CH3CN results in the formation of [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+. This semi-solvated complex is remarkably stable under an ambient atmosphere and exhibits a fast CH3CN self-exchange, which facilitates substitution reactions. The CH3CN ligands are replaced by σ-donating phosphines such as trimethyl phosphine (PMe3), triphenyl phosphine (PPh3), or the bidentate 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) to afford [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3-x(PR3)x]+ (if R = Me, then x = 2; if R = Ph, then x = 1 or 2) or [Re(η6-C6H6)(dppe)(NCCH3)]+, respectively. [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+ also reacts with π-acceptors such as 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), or CO (1 atm) to give [Re(η6-C6H6)(L)(NCCH3)]+ (L = bipy or phen) and [Re(η6-C6H6)(CO)(NCCH3)2]+, respectively. The latter does not show any signs of decomposition after being exposed to an ambient atmosphere for multiple days. Additionally, [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+ reacts with π-donors such as the dienes 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene (DMBD), norbornadiene (NBD), or 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) to give [Re(η6-C6H6)(η4-diene)(NCCH3)]+ (diene = DMBD, NBD, and COD). All three complexes are extremely stable and do not decompose during purification by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (aqueous acidic gradient). In the presence of 18-crown-6, [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+ reacts with lithium cyclopentadienyl to give the sandwich complex [Re(η5-C5H5)(η6-C6H6)]. Loss of the coordinated benzene was observed when treating [Re(η6-C6H6)(NCCH3)3]+ with diphenylacetylene (PhC≡CPh), yielding the tetra-coordinated [Re(NCCH3)(η2-PhC≡CPh)3]+.

Synthesis of Mesodiphenylhelianthrene from 1-Aminoanthraquinone and the Structural Elucidation of Its Endoperoxide Species after Irradiation.

A safe, five-step synthetic route to yield the reliable chemical actinometer, mesodiphenylhelianthrene (MDH), is reported from a commercially available compound. Full characterization of the intermediates of the synthetic route and the final product MDH are presented together with four crystal structures of intermediates and MDH. The usage of the actinometer is described, and finally, the structure of the endoperoxide species (MDHPO), which is formed after irradiation of MDH, has been elucidated experimentally and theoretically.

Fully Solvated, Monomeric ReII Complexes: Insights into the Chemistry of [Re(NCCH3)6]2.

The oxidation of [Re(η6-C10H8)2]+ with AgI in acetonitrile yields [Re(NCCH3)6]2+. This fully solvated ReII compound was characterized by spectroscopic methods and X-ray structure analyses. We show that [Re(NCCH3)6]2+ acts as a precursor complex for a variety of substitution reactions. Treatment with monodentate triphenylphosphine (PPh3) and bidentate 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) yields the complexes [trans-Re(PPh3)2(NCCH3)4]2+ and [trans-Re(dppe)2(NCCH3)2]+, respectively. [trans-Re(dppe)2(NCCH3)2]+ is oxidized under mild conditions by AgI to its ReII analogue [trans-Re(dppe)2(NCCH3)2]2+. Reactions of [Re(NCCH3)6]2+ with a halide mixture consisting of NaX and AgX (X = Cl, I) result in the formation of the corresponding ReIII complexes [trans-ReX2(NCCH3)4]+. [trans-ReBr2(NCCH3)4]+ can be obtained directly from [Re(η6-C10H8)2]+ by oxidation with FeBr3 in acetonitrile. The title compound is thus a convenient starting material for ReII and ReIII complexes by simple solvent exchange, which are otherwise difficult to access.

[Re(η6-arene)2]+ as a highly stable ferrocene-like scaffold for ligands and complexes.

Ferrocenes are versatile ligand scaffolds, complexes of which have found numerous applications in catalysis. Structurally similar but of higher redox stabilites are sandwich complexes of the [Re(η6-arene)2]+ type. We report herein routes for conjugating potential ligands to a single or to both arenes in this scaffold. Since the arene rings can freely rotate, the [Re(η6-arene)2]+ has a high degree of structural flexibility. Polypyridyl ligands were successfully introduced. The coordination of Co(ii) to such a model tetrapyridyl-Re(i)-bis-benzene complex produced a bimetallic Re(i)-Co(ii) complex. To show the stability of the resulting architecture, a selected complex was subjected to photocatalytic reactions. It showed good activity in proton reduction over a long time and did not decompose, corroborating its extraordinary stability even under light irradiation. Its activity compares well with the parent catalyst in turn over numbers and frequencies. The supply of electrons limits catalytic turnover frequency at concentrations below ∼10 µM. We also show that other ligands can be introduced along these strategies. The great diversity offered by [Re(η6-arene)2]+ sandwich complexes from a synthetic point allows this concept to be extended to other catalytic processes, comparable to ferrocenes.

To Sandwich Technetium: Highly Functionalized Bis-Arene Complexes [99m Tc(η6 -arene)2 ]+ Directly from Water and [99m TcO4 ].

The labeling of (bio)molecules with metallic radionuclides such as 99m Tc demands conjugated, multidentate chelators. However, this is not always necessary since phenyl rings can directly serve as integrated, organometallic ligands. Bis-arene sandwich complexes are generally prepared by the Fischer-Hafner reaction. In extension of this, we show that [99m Tc(η6 -C6 R6 )2 ]+ -type complexes are directly accessible from water and [99m TcO4 ]- , even using arenes incompatible with Fischer-Hafner conditions. To unambiguously confirm the nature of these unprecedented 99m Tc complexes, their rhenium homologous have been prepared by substituting naphthalene ligands in [Re(η6 -C10 H8 )2 ]+ with the corresponding phenyl groups. The ease with which highly stable [99m Tc(η6 -C6 R6 )2 ]+ complexes are formed under standard labeling conditions enables a multitude of new potential imaging agents based on commercial pharmaceuticals or lead structures.

Chemistry at High Dilution: Dinuclear 99 m Tc Complexes.

The formation of di- or polynuclear complexes at nanomolar concentrations is generally too slow to be observed with 99m Tc. It is reported in this communication that an appropriate choice of potentially bridging ligands, herein thiols HS-R, accelerates the dimerization reaction to an extent that dinuclear complexes are formed at very high dilution. The dinuclear nature of [99m Tc2 (µ2 -SR)3 (CO)6 ]- is shown by chromatographic comparison, not only with its rhenium homologue as commonly done, but also with the true 99 Tc analogue.

Structure and reactivities of rhenium and technetium bis-arene sandwich complexes [M(η6-arene)2].

Sandwich complexes are important building blocks in medicinal inorganic chemistry for group 6 and 8 elements but are almost unknown for the manganese triad. We present the syntheses and full characterization of the mixed-arene 99Tc sandwich complexes [99Tc(η6-hmbz)(η6-C6H5-NH3)](PF6)2 and [99Tc(η6-hmbz)(η6-C6H5-Br)](PF6). Both comprise functionalities for conjugation to targeting molecules or for being included as substructures in pharmaceutically active lead compounds. Since η6-benzene ligands are too stably bound to be replaced with incoming ligands, we prepared naphthalene complexes [Re(η6-C6H6)(η6-napht)]+ and [Re(η6-napht)2]+. Their reactivities towards substitution are increased and one or both naphthalene ligands can be replaced with mono- or multi-dentate ligands. Combining the features of 99Tc and Re may lead to a molecule-based theranostic approach.

A Mixed-Ring Sandwich Complex from Unexpected Ring Contraction in [Re(η6-C6H5Br)(η6-C6R6)](PF6).

The contraction of coordinated aromatic hydrocarbons is a rare reactivity pattern in organometallic chemistry. We describe the conversion of a bromobenzene coordinated to a ReI center into a cyclopentadienyl aldehyde. Under mildly alkaline conditions, the expected phenol complex is formed with Re and 99Tc but under strong basic conditions; ring contraction occurs in close to quantitative yields for Re only. A mechanism for this unprecedented reaction is proposed based on 1H and 2H NMR spectra and density functional theory calculations.

Insight into the structure and stability of Tc and Re DMSA complexes: A computational study.

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is used in nuclear medicine as ligand for preparation of diagnostic and therapy radiopharmaceuticals. DMSA has been the subject of numerous investigations during the past three decades and new and significant information of the chemistry and pharmacology of DMSA complexes have emerged. In comparison to other ligands, the structure of some DMSA complexes is unclear up today. The structures and applications of DMSA complexes are strictly dependent on the chemical conditions of their preparation, especially pH and components ratio. A computational study of M-DMSA (M=Tc, Re) complexes has been performed using density functional theory. Different isomers for M(V) and M(III) complexes were studied. The pH influence over ligand structures was taken into account and the solvent effect was evaluated using an implicit solvation model. The fully optimized complex syn-endo Re(V)-DMSA shows a geometry similar to the X-ray data and was used to validate the methodology. Moreover, new alternative structures for the renal agent 99mTc(III)-DMSA were proposed and computationally studied. For two complex structures, a larger stability respect to that proposed in the literature was obtained. Furthermore, Tc(V)-DMSA complexes are more stable than Tc(III)-DMSA proposed structures. In general, Re complexes are more stable than the corresponding Tc ones.

Bis-Arene Complexes [Re(η6-arene)2]+ as Highly Stable Bioorganometallic Scaffolds.

The synthesis of mono- and difunctionalized [Re(η6-C6H5R)(η6-C6H6-nRn)]+ (n = 0, 1; R = COOH, Br) complexes starting from [Re(η6-benzene)2]+ is described. The lithiation of [Re(η6-benzene)2]+ with n-BuLi leads preferentially to the neutral, alkylated product [Re(η6-C6H6)(η5-C6H6-Bu)] but not to the expected deprotonation of the arene ring. Deprotonation/lithiation with LDA gave the mono- and the dilithiated products in situ. Their reactions with 1,1,2,2-tetra-bromoethane (TBE) or with CO2, respectively, gave [Re(η6-C6H5Br)(η6-C6H6)]+, [Re(η6-C6H5Br)2]+, or [Re(η6-C6H5COOH)(η6-C6H6)]+, [Re(η6-C6H5COOH)2]+. These functionalized derivatives of [Re(η6-benzene)2]+ represent novel precursors for the synthesis of bioconjugates to bioactive structures, comparable to [Co(Cp)2]+ or [Fe(Cp)2]. Different model compounds [Re(η6-C6H5R)(η6-C6H6-nRn)]+ (n = 0, 1; R = -SCH2Ph, -NHPh, -CONHCH2Ph, -C6H5-COdpa) were synthesized via amide bond formation and nucleophilic aromatic substitution. These conjugates were fully characterized including X-ray structure analyses of most products. For all complexes, the 1H NMR arene proton signals are strongly upfield-shifted as compared to those of the noncoordinated arenes. The electrochemical analyses show an irreversible, probably substituent-centered oxidation, which contrasts the cyclic voltammetry of the underivatized complexes where oxidation is fully reversible. The stability of the core and the reactivity of the substituents make these bis-arene complexes useful precursors in medicinal inorganic chemistry, comparable to cobaltocenium or ferrocene.