Orthopalladated imidazolones and thiazolones: synthesis, photophysical properties and photochemical reactivity.

The reaction of Pd(OAc)2 with (Z)-5-arylidene-4-(4H)-imidazolones (2a-e) and (Z)-4-arylidene-5(4H)-thiazolones (3a-e) in trifluoroacetic acid results in the corresponding orthopalladated dinuclear complexes (4a-e, imidazolones; 11a-d, thiazolones) with trifluoroacetate bridges through regioselective C-H activation at the ortho position of the 4-arylidene group. Compound 4e, which contains an imidazolone substituted at 2- and 4-positions of the arylidene ring with methoxide groups and exhibits strong push-pull charge transfer, is an excellent precursor for the synthesis of fluorescent complexes with green yellowish emission and remarkable quantum yields. Breaking the bridging system with pyridine yields the mononuclear complex 5e (ΦF = 5%), while metathesis of trifluoroacetate ligands with chloride leads to the dinuclear complex 6e, also a precursor of fluorescent complexes by breaking the chloride bridging system with pyridine (7e, ΦF = 7%), or by substitution of chloride ligands with pyridine (8e, ΦF = 15%) or acetylacetonate (9e, ΦF = 2%). In addition to notable photophysical properties, dinuclear complexes 4 and 11 also exhibit significant photochemical reactivity. Thus, irradiation of orthopalladates 4a-c and 11a-c in CH2Cl2 with blue light (465 nm) proceeds via [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of the CC double bonds of imidazolone and thiazolone ligands, yielding the corresponding cyclobutane-bridging diaminotruxillic derivatives 10a-c and 12a-c, respectively.

Bismuthπ arene versus bismuthhalide coordination in heterocyclic diorganobismuth(iii) compounds with transannular N→Bi interaction.

New diorganobismuth(iii) bromides of type [RN(CH2C6H4)2]BiBr [R = C6H5CH2 (1), C6H5CH2CH2 (2), and CH3OCH2CH2 (3)], based on the heterocyclic butterfly-like tetrahydro-dibenzo[c,f][1,5]azabismocine framework, were prepared starting from the corresponding RN(CH2C6H4Br-2)2 in a succession of reactions including ortho-lithiation and treatment of the dilithio derivative with BiBr3 in a 1 : 1 molar ratio. Further exchange reactions between bromides and appropriate metal halides or ammonium fluoride resulted in the formation of [RN(CH2C6H4)2]BiX [X = Cl and I for R = C6H5CH2 (4 and 5) and C6H5CH2CH2 (6 and 7) and X = F (8), Cl (9), and I (10) for R = CH3OCH2CH2]. All ten compounds were structurally characterized in solution by NMR and in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Strong transannular N→Bi interactions were observed in all the investigated diorganobismuth(iii) halides, thus giving rise to hypervalent 10-Bi-4 species in 1, 2, 4-7 and 12-Bi-5 species in 3, 8-10, where the oxygen atom in the pendant arm is intramolecularly coordinated to bismuth. The molecules are associated in dimeric units by strong Biπ arene interactions in 3, 4, and 10 (approx. 3.50 Å) and by BiX interactions in 1, 5, and 7. Bromide 1, chloride 4, and iodide 5 are isostructural, but stronger polarization of the Bi-Cl bond favors Biπ arene interaction in 4 over Bihalide interactions, as observed in 1 and 5. In the isostructural series [RN(CH2C6H4)2]BiX (R = CH3OCH2CH2), Bioxygen interactions compensate the electron deficiency at bismuth in fluoride 8 and chloride 9, whereas the coordination sphere of bismuth is completed by a combination of Biπ arene and Bihalide interactions in bromide 3 and only by Biπ arene interactions in iodide 10. Moreover, weak Hπ arene and HX intermolecular interactions, mainly of dispersion type, contribute to supramolecular networks in all three series of compounds.

Cadmium complexes bearing Me2N

Heteroleptic zinc and cadmium complexes of the type [{Me2N^E^OR2}M-Nu]n (M = Zn, Cd; E = S, Se; R = CH3, CF3; Nu = N(SiMe3)2, I, Cl; n = 1-2) were prepared by reacting the alcohol proteo-ligands {Me2N^E^OR2}H with [M(N(SiMe3)2)2] (M = Zn, Cd) or [XMN(SiMe3)2] (M = Zn, X = Cl; M = Cd, X = I) in an equimolar ratio. These group 12 metal complexes were characterised in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and their solid-state structures were determined by X-ray diffractometry. The ligands {Me2N^E^O(CH3)2}- bearing CH3 groups in α position to the alkoxide behave as κ2-O,E-bidentate moieties (E = S, Se) and form centro-symmetric dinuclear O-bridged heteroleptic alkoxo-amido complexes both with zinc and cadmium, with four-coordinate metal centres resting in tetrahedral environments. By contrast, complexes supported by the CF3-substituted {Me2N^E^O(CF3)2}- crystallise as tetrahedral mononuclear species, with tridentate κ3-N,O,E-coordinated ligands. These structural differences resulting from changes in the ligand skeleton and in the electron-donating properties of the alkoxide were also observed in solution. Attempts to prepare congeneric heteroleptic mercury complexes from [Hg(N(SiMe3)2)2] unexpectedly only afforded homoleptic bis(alkoxide)s such as [{Me2N^S^O(CF3)2}2Hg]. Owing to the strong Hg-C bond, treatment of [PhHgN(SiMe3)2] with {Me2N^S^O(CF3)2}H afforded the heteroleptic, T-shaped [{Me2N^S^O(CF3)2}HgPh] mercuric alkoxide upon elimination of hexamethyldisilazane. [{Me2N^S^O(CF3)2}2Hg] and [{Me2N^S^O(CF3)2}HgPh] constitute very rare examples of structurally characterised mercuric alkoxides.

On the coordination chemistry of organochalcogenolates R(NMe2)

Several families of heteroleptic tetrelenes of general formulae M(E^R(NMe2))[N(SiMe3)2] and M(O^E^R(NMe2))[N(SiMe3)2] (where E = S, Se; M = Ge, Sn, Pb; R(NMe2) = 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4] supported by organochalcogenolato ligands have been prepared and fully characterised. The coordination chemistry of these ligands containing both hard (N, O) and soft (S, Se) atoms onto metals of varying size, polarisability, electropositivity and electrostatic surface potential has been explored. In the molecular solid-state, the complexes M(E^R(NMe2))[N(SiMe3)2] are monomeric, although an occurrence of weak PbSe intermolecular interactions yielding a bimolecular species has been identified in the case of the plumbylene Pb[SeC6H4(CH2NMe2)-2][N(SiMe3)2]. On the other hand, all complexes M(O^E^R(NMe2))[N(SiMe3)2] form centro-symmetric bimetallic dimers with O-bridging atoms. Multinuclear ((29)Si, (77)Se, (119)Sn, (207)Pb) NMR spectroscopy and crystallographic studies reveal that the metal preferably remains 3-coordinated in all these heteroleptic complexes with absence of coordination of N and S/Se atoms, unless severe depletion of electronic density onto the metal is enforced. Coordination of these heteroelements can thus be achieved either through replacement of α-CH3 substituents (as in the ligand 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4SeCH2C(Me)2O(-)) by electron-withdrawing α-CF3 moieties (as in the ligand 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4SeCH2C(CF3)2O(-)), or else with recourse to the use of a cationizing agent leading to the formation of the ion pair [{2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4SeCH2C(Me)2O}Pb](+)·[H2N{B(C6F5)3}2](-) where the cationic metal complex is associated to a weakly-coordinating anion. The data collated herein provide compelling evidence that the coordination chemistry of divalent tetrel elements with ligands featuring both hard and soft donors cannot be reliably anticipated by sole use of general concepts such as the HSAB theory. The related metal complexes containing the rigid 8-(NMe2)naphthalen-1-yl group are also discussed.

Organoselenium(II) halides containing the pincer 2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3 ligand--an experimental and theoretical investigation.

New organoselenium(II) halides of the type [RSe](+)X(-) [R = 2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3; X = Cl (2), Br (3), I (4)] were prepared by cleavage of the Se-Se bond in R2Se2 (1) with SO2Cl2 followed by halogen exchange when organoselenium chloride was treated with NaBr or KI. The reaction between 2 and R'2MCln resulted in new ionic [RSe](+)[R'2MCl(n+1)](-) [R' = 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4, n = 1, M = Sb (5), Bi (6); R' = Ph, M = Sb, n = 1 (7) or n = 3 (8)] species. All new compounds were investigated in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se, 2D experiments) and mass spectrometry. The ionic nature of 2 and the antimonates species was confirmed by conductivity studies. The molecular structures of [{2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3}Se](+)Cl(-)·nH2O (2·H2O and 2·2H2O) and [{2,6-(Me2NCH2)2C6H3}Se](+)[Ph2SbCl4](-) (8), respectively, were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, pointing out that the ionic nature of these compounds is also preserved in the solid state, with both nitrogen atoms strongly trans coordinated to the selenium atom of the cation. Theoretical calculations carried out at the DFT level were exploited to investigate the nature of the bonding in compounds 2-4 and the free cation [RSe](+) (2a). A topological analysis based on the theory of Atoms-In-Molecules (AIM) and Electron Localization Function (ELF) jointly to a Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) approach was used to shed light on the effect of the nature of the halogen species X on the bonding within the 3c-4e N-Se-N moiety.

Diorganodiselenides and zinc(II) organoselenolates containing (imino)aryl groups of type 2-(RN=CH)C6H4.

Several new diorganodiselenides containing (imino)aryl groups, [2-(RN[double bond, length as m-dash]CH)C(6)H(4)](2)Se(2) [R = Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2) (4), O(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)CH(2) (5), PhCH(2) (6), 2',6'-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3) (7)] were obtained by reacting [2-{(O)CH}C(6)H(4)](2)Se(2) (3) with RNH(2). Treatment of the diselenides 6 and 7 with stoichiometric amounts of K-selectride or Na resulted in isolation of the selenolates K[SeC(6)H(4)(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NCH(2)Ph)-2] (9) and Na[SeC(6)H(4)(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2',6')-2] (10), respectively. The reaction of potassium selenolates with anhydrous ZnCl(2) (2:1 molar ratio) gave Zn[SeC(6)H(4)(CH=NCH(2)Ph)-2](2) (11) and Zn[SeC(6)H(4)(CH[double bond, length as m-dash]NC(6)H(3)(i)Pr(2)-2',6')-2](2) (12). When the dark green solution obtained from diselenide 7 and an excess of Na (after removal of the unreacted metal) was reacted with anhydrous ZnCl(2) a carbon-carbon coupling reaction occurred and the 9,10-(2',6'-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)NH)(2)C(14)H(10) (8) species was obtained. The compounds were investigated in solution by multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (13)C, (77)Se, including 2D and variable temperature experiments) and by mass spectrometry. The molecular structures of 6, 8, 11 and 12 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds are monomeric in the solid state. In the diselenide 6 the (imino)aryl group acts as a (C,N)-ligand resulting in a distorted T-shaped coordination geometry of type (C,N)SeX (X = Se). For the zinc complexes 11 and 12 the (Se,N) chelate pattern of the selenolato ligands results in tetrahedral Zn(Se,N)(2) cores.

The ring-chain tautomeric equilibria of selenium macrocyclic compounds: the isolation of the ring tautomer.

A broadening of the investigation of the ring-chain tautomeric process of N-substituted 1,3-X,N-heterocycles (X = O, S, NR) to Se containing macrocyclic compounds allowed the isolation and structurally solid state characterization of the cyclic tautomer 7, which due to the length of the aliphatic chain, is able to form a stable six-membered ring (6-endo-trig). The theoretical calculations based on the DFT method (Gaussian 03 software package) also support the fact that tautomer 7 is more stable than the chain tautomer 6. Thus, based on the ring-chain tautomerism of the macrocycles that contain alkyl chains with amino-imino, imino-alcohol or sulphur-imino groups, combined with a strategy that allows the formation of a stable six-membered ring, the main reaction products will be the cyclic tautomers. The ring-chain equilibria of these macrocycles could be exploited advantageously in different areas of macrocyclic, physical and medicinal chemistry in order to obtain compounds with practical applications.

New group 11 complexes with metal-selenium bonds of methyldiphenylphosphane selenide: a solid state, solution and theoretical investigation.

Reactions between methyldiphenylphosphane selenide, SePPh(2)Me, and different group 11 metal starting materials {CuCl, [CuNO(3)(PPh(3))(2)], AgOTf, [AgOTf(PPh(3))] (OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)), [AuCl(tht)], [Au(C(6)F(5))(tht)] and [Au(C(6)F(5))(3)(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene)} were performed in order to obtain several new species with metal-selenium bonds. The new complexes [CuCl(SePPh(2)Me)] (1), [AgOTf(SePPh(2)Me)] (2), [AuCl(SePPh(2)Me)] (5), [Au(C(6)F(5))(SePPh(2)Me)] (6) and [Au(C(6)F(5))(3)(SePPh(2)Me)] (7) were isolated and structurally characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (31)P, (77)Se and (19)F where appropriate). Solid products were isolated also from the reactions between SePPh(2)Me and [CuNO(3)(PPh(3))(2)] or [AgOTf(PPh(3))], respectively. NMR experiments, including low temperature (1)H and (31)P NMR, revealed for them a dynamic behaviour in solution, involving the transfer of selenium from PPh(2)Me to PPh(3). In case of the isolated silver(i) containing solid an equilibrium between, respectively, monomeric [AgOTf(PPh(3))(SePPh(2)Me)] (3) and [AgOTf(PPh(2)Me)(SePPh(3))] (4), and dimeric [Ag(PPh(3))(µ-SePPh(2)Me)](2)(OTf)(2) (3a) and [Ag(PPh(2)Me)(µ-SePPh(3))](2)(OTf)(2) (4a) species was observed in solution. In case of the isolated copper(i) containing solid the NMR studies brought no clear evidence for a similar behaviour, but it can not be excluded in a first stage of the reaction. However the transfer of selenium between the two triorganophosphanes takes place also in this case, but the NMR spectra suggest that the final reaction mixture contains the free triorganophospane selenides SePPh(2)Me and SePPh(3) as well as the complex species [CuNO(3)(PPh(3))(2)], [CuNO(3)(PPh(2)Me)(2)] and [CuNO(3)(PPh(3))(PPh(2)Me)] in equilibrium. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed monomeric structures for the gold(I) 6 and gold(III) 7 complexes. In case of compound 6 weak aurophilic gold(I)···gold(I) contacts were also observed in the crystal. DFT calculations were performed in order to understand the solution behaviour of the silver(I) and copper(I) species containing both P(III) and P(V) ligands, to verify the stability of possible dimeric species and to account for the aurophilic interactions found for 6. In addition, the nature of the electronic transitions involved in the absorption/emission processes observed for 6 and 7 in the solid state were also investigated by means of TD-DFT calculations.

A new ortho-rhom-bic polymorph of 1,1'-seleno-bis-(N,N-diethyl-sulfanecarbothio-amide).

THE TITLE COMPOUND [SYSTEMATIC NAME: N,N-dieth-yl({[(diethyl-carbamothio-yl)sulfan-yl]selan-yl}sulfan-yl)carbothio-amide], C(10)H(20)N(2)S(4)Se, crystallizes in a new form in the space group Pca2(1): the previously reported polymorph crystallizes in the space group P2(1)2(1)2(1). The new phase contains two independent mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The Se atoms are tetra-coordinated, with a distorted square-planar geometry. The ligands coordinate asymmetrically to the Se atoms, with one strong Se-S bond [range 2.2833 (13)-2.3041 (15) Å] and one weaker bond [range 2.7318 (14)-2.7873 (12) Å].

New chiral organoantimony(III) compounds containing intramolecular N --> Sb interactions--solution behaviour and solid state structures.

Hypervalent organoantimony(III) compounds of the type [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]PhSbCl (1), [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]MesSbBr (7) and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]nAr(3-n)Sb [n = 1, Ar = Ph (4), Mes (9); n = 2, Ar = Ph (5), Mes (10)] were prepared via salt elimination reactions between [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]Li and MesMgBr and PhnSbCl(3-n), [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]SbBr2 or [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]nSbCl(3-n) (n = 1, 2), in appropriate molar ratios. Halogen exchange reactions with aqueous KBr or KI gave [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]ArSbX [Ar = Ph, X = Br (2), I (3); Ar = Mes, X = I (8)]. Metathesis reaction between 1 and MesMgBr affords [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]PhMesSb (6). Compounds 1-10 were investigated by means of NMR (1H, 13C) in solution and by mass spectrometry. The investigation of the molecular structures of 2-8 by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that the nitrogen atoms of the pendant CH2NMe2 arms are strongly coordinated to the antimony atoms. All compounds exhibit chirality and crystallize as racemic mixtures.

[2,6-Bis(dimethyl-amino-meth-yl)phen-yl]selenium bromide monohydrate.

In the title hydrated molecular salt, C(12)H(19)N(2)Se(+)·Br(-)·H(2)O, the two independent bromide anions lie on a twofold rotation axis. Strong intra-molecular N→Se inter-actions [2.185 (3) and 2.181 (3) Å] are established by both N atoms of the organic group in the cation, in trans positions to each other, with an N-Se-N angle of 161.6 (1)°, resulting in a T-shaped (C,N,N')Se core. In the crystal, dimeric associations are formed by Br⋯Se [3.662 (2) Å] and Br⋯H inter-actions [2.56 (6) and 2.63 (7) Å] involving two bromide anions, two cations and two water mol-ecules.

Bis(diphenyl-phospho-rothio-yl) tris-ulfide.

In the title compound, C(24)H(20)P(2)S(5), the P atoms are arranged trans with respect to the S(3) group and the S=P-S-S systems have cisoid geometry, with an average S-P-S-S torsion angle of -56.7°. The dihedral angles between the two phenyl rings attached to the P atoms are 87.33 (12) and 75.67 (10)°. In the crystal structure, the mol-ecules are linked into chains running parallel to the a axis by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯S hydrogen bonds. Centrosymmetrically related chains are further connected by π-π stacking inter-actions, with a centroid-to-centroid distance of 3.795 (5) Å.

1,3-Bis[2-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenyl]triselenide.

The title compound, C18H24N2Se3, consists of discrete molecules; owing to the presence of strong intramolecular N...Se interactions [N...Se = 2.671 (4) and 2.873 (4) A], the chalcogen Se atoms of the angular Se3 chain exhibit different coordination geometries, i.e. the terminal Se atoms are tricoordinated and exhibit a T-shaped environment of the CNSe2 core [N...Se-Se = 173.73 (9) and 172.29 (9) degrees], while the central Se atom is dicoordinated to the other two Se atoms, with an Se-Se-Se angle of 108.32 (2) degrees.

Solid state structure and solution behaviour of organoselenium(II) compounds containing 2-{E(CH2CH2)2NCH2}C6H4 groups (E = O, NMe).

Cleavage of the Se-Se bond in [2-{O(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)}C(6)H(4)](2)Se(2) (1) and [2-{MeN(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)}C(6)H(4)](2)Se(2) (2) by treatment with SO(2)Cl(2), bromine or iodine (1 : 1 molar ratio) yielded [2-{O(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)}C(6)H(4)]SeX [X = Cl (3), Br (4), I (5)] and [2-{MeN(CH(2)CH(2))(2)NCH(2)}C(6)H(4)]SeI (6). The compounds were characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 15N, 77Se, 2D experiments). The solid-state molecular structures of 1-3, 4.HBr, 5 and 6 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In all cases T-shaped coordination geometries, i.e. (C,N)SeSe (1, 2), (C,N)SeX (3, 5, 6; X = halogen) or CSeBr(2) (4.HBr), were found. Supramolecular associations in crystals based on hydrogen contacts are discussed.

Syntheses and chemistry of hypervalent cyclo-R4Sb4, cyclo-(RSbE)n[R = 2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4, E = O, S] and precursors.

The cyclostibane R(4)Sb(4)(1)(R = 2-(Me(2)NCH(2))C(6)H(4)) was synthesized by reduction of RSbCl(2) with Mg in THF or with Na in liquid NH(3). The reaction of 1 with [W(CO)(5)(THF)] gives the stibinidene complex RSb[W(CO)(5)](2)(2). RSbCl(2) and (RSbCl)(2)E [E = O (6), E = S (8)] react with KOH or Na(2)S in toluene/water to give the heterocycles (RSbE)(n)[E = O, n= 3 (3); E = S, n= 2 (4)]. The chalcogeno-bridged compounds of the type (RSbCl)(2)E [E = O (6), E = S (8)] were synthesized by reaction of RSbCl(2) with KOH or Na(2)S in toluene/water, but also by reaction of RSbCl(2) with the heterocycles (RSbE)(n). The compounds (RSbI)(2)O (7) and (RSbBr)(2)S (9) were prepared via halogen-exchange reactions between (RSbCl)(2)E and NaI (E = O) or KBr (E = S) or by reactions between RSbI(2) and KOH or RSbBr(2) and Na(2)S. The reaction of cyclo-(RSbS)(2) with W(CO)(5)(THF) in THF results in trapping of the cis isomer in cyclo-(RSbS)(2)[W(CO)(5)](5). The solution behaviour of the compounds was investigated by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of compounds 1-7 and 9 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.