Reversible Thermochromism of Nickel(II) Complexes and Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Transformation.

A molecular Ni(II)-NNN pincer complex (1) exhibited unprecedented reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation and color change upon heating and cooling due to a subtle change in the N-Ni(II) bond length and ligand conformation. UV-vis, thermogravimetric, differential scanning calorimetry, single-crystal structural data, temperature-dependent powder X-ray diffraction, and Raman and computational studies supported the structural change of the Ni(II) complex with temperature.

Ni-Catalyzed α-Alkylation of Unactivated Amides and Esters with Alcohols by Hydrogen Auto-Transfer Strategy.

A transition-metal-catalyzed borrowing hydrogen/hydrogen auto-transfer strategy allows the utilization of feedstock alcohols as an alkylating partner, which avoids the formation of stoichiometric salt waste and enables a direct and benign approach for the construction of C-N and C-C bonds. In this study, a nickel-catalyzed α-alkylation of unactivated amides and ester (tert-butyl acetate) is carried out by using primary alcohols under mild conditions. This C-C bond-forming reaction is catalyzed by a new, molecularly defined nickel(II) NNN-pincer complex (0.1-1 mol %) and proceeds through hydrogen auto-transfer, thereby releasing water as the sole byproduct. In addition, N-alkylation of cyclic amides under Ni-catalytic conditions is demonstrated.

An Organic Receptor Isolated in an Unusual Intermediate Conformation: Computation, Crystallography, and Hirshfeld Surface Analysis.

1,1″-1,4-Phenylene-bis(methylene)bis-4,4'-bipyridinium cation [C28H24N4]2+ (c), an organic receptor that generally crystallizes in its anti conformation, has recently been shown to be isolated in its syn conformation in an ion-paired compound [C28H24N4][Zn(dmit)2]·2DMF (dmit2- = 1,3-dithiole-2-thione-4,5-dithiolate; DMF = dimethylformamide). In this article, we demonstrated that the same receptor [C28H24N4]2+ (c) can also be stabilized in an unusual intermediate conformation (neither syn nor anti) with PF6- anion in compound [C28H24N4](PF6)2·(1,4-dioxane) (1·(1,4-dioxane)). The energetically favored anti conformation has been described in its nitrate salt [C28H24N4](NO3)2·2H2O (2·2H2O). Compounds 1·(1,4-dioxane) and 2·2H2O, crystallizing in triclinic and monoclinic systems with space groups P1̅ and P21/n, respectively, were additionally characterized by Hirshfeld surface analysis. The density functional theory calculations are performed to understand the internal mechanism of the stability of various conformers of cationic receptor c, compound 1, and compound 2. In conjunction with the electronic stability of the conformers, the natural bond orbital analysis and conformational equilibrium constants at different temperatures are also calculated to find out the sources of the different stability of the various conformers of experimentally synthesized compounds.

Bay Functionalized Perylenediimide with Pyridine Positional Isomers: NIR Absorption and Selective Colorimetric/Fluorescent Sensing of Fe3+ and Al3+ Ions.

Bay functionalized perylene diimide substituted with pyridine isomers, (2-pyridine (2HMP-PDI), 3-pyridine (3-HMP-PDI) and 4-pyridine (4-HMP-PDI)) have been synthesized and explored for selective coloro/fluorimetric sensing of heavy transition metal ions. HMP-PDIs showed strong NIR absorption (760-765 nm) in DMF. The absorption and fluorescence of HMP-PDIs have been tuned by make use of pyridine isomers. Reddish-orange color was observed for 2-HMP-PDI (λmax = 437, 551, 765 nm) whereas 4-HMP-PDI exhibited light green (λmax = 432, 522, 765 nm). 3-HMP-PDI showed orange-yellow (λmax = 431, 524, 762 nm). The fluorescence spectra of 2-, 3- and 4-HMP-PDI showed λmax at 585, 538, 546 nm, respectively. Interestingly, HMP-PDI dyes showed selective color change (intense pink color) and fluorescence quenching for Fe3+ and Al3+ metal ions in DMF. Absorbance spectra revealed complete disappearance of NIR absorption and intensification/appearance of new peak at lower wavelength. The concentration dependent studies suggest that 4-HMP-PDI can detect up to 36.52 ppb of Fe3+ and 43.12 ppb of Al3+ colorimetrically. The interference studies in presence of other metal ions confirmed the good selectivity for Fe3+ and Al3+. The mechanistic studies indicate that Lewis acidic character of Fe3+ and Al3+ ions were responsible for selective color change and fluorescence quenching.

Perylene Diimide Based Fluorescent Dyes for Selective Sensing of Nitroaromatic Compounds: Selective Sensing in Aqueous Medium Across Wide pH Range.

Water soluble perylenediimide based fluorophore salt, N,N'-bis(ethelenetrimethyl ammoniumiodide)-perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylicbisimide (PDI-1), has been used for selective fluorescence sensing of picric acid (PA) and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) in organic as well as aqueous medium across wide pH range (1.0 to 10.0). PDI-1 showed strong fluorescence in dimethylformamide (DMF) (Φf = 0.26 (DMF) and moderate fluorescence in water. Addition of picric acid (PA) and 4-nitroaniline (4-NA) into PDI-1 in DMF/aqueous solution selectively quenches the fluorescence. The concentration dependent studies showed decrease of fluorescence linearly with increase of PA and 4-NA concentration. The interference studies demonstrate high selectivity for PA and 4-NA. Interestingly, PDI-1 showed selective fluorescence sensing of PA and 4-NA across wide pH range (1.0 to 10.0). Selective fluorescence sensing of PA and 4-NA has also been observed with trifluoroacetate (PDI-2), sulfate (PDI-3) salt of PDI-1 as well as octyl chain substituted PDI (PDI-4) without amine functionality. These studies suggest that PA and 4-NA might be having preferential interaction with PDI aromatic core and quenches the fluorescence. Thus PDI based dyes have been used for selective fluorescent sensing of explosive NACs for the first time to the best our knowledge.

Neutral coordination polymers based on a metal-mono(dithiolene) complex: synthesis, crystal structure and supramolecular chemistry of [Zn(dmit)(4,4'-bpy)]n, [Zn(dmit)(4,4'-bpe)]n and [Zn(dmit)(bix)]n (4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine, 4,4'-bpe = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene, bix = 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)-benzene.

This article describes a unique synthetic route that enables a neutral mono(dithiolene)metal unit, {Zn(dmit)}, to link with three different organic molecules, resulting in the isolation of a new class of neutral coordination polymers. The species {Zn(dmit)} coordinates with 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bpy), trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene (4,4'-bpe) and 1,4-bis(imidazole-1-ylmethyl)-benzene (bix) as linkers giving rise to the formation of coordination polymers [Zn(dmit)(4,4'-bpy)](n) (1), [Zn(dmit)(4,4'-bpe)](n) (2) and [Zn(dmit)(bix)](n) (3) respectively. Compounds 1-3 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, diffuse reflectance and single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Compounds 1 and 3 crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, whereby compound 2 crystallizes in triclinic space group P1[combining macron]. In the present study, we chose three linkers 4,4'-bpy, 4,4'-bpe and bix (see , respectively, for their structural drawings), that differ in terms of their molecular dimensions. The crystal structures of compounds 1-3 are described here in terms of their supramolecular diversities that include π-π interactions, not only among aromatic stacking (compounds 1 and 3), but also between an aromatic ring and an ethylenic double bond (compound 2). The electronic absorption spectroscopy of compounds 1-3 support these intermolecular π-π interactions.

Photocatalytic splitting of CS2 to S8 and a carbon-sulfur polymer catalyzed by a bimetallic ruthenium(II) compound with a tertiary amine binding site: toward photocatalytic splitting of CO2?

The catalytic photocleavage of CS(2) to S(8) and a (C(x)S(y))(n) polymer with visible light using a dinuclear ruthenium(II) compound with a bipyridine units for photoactivity and a vicinal tertiary amine binding site for CS(2) activation was studied. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR, ESI-MS and elemental analysis. CS(2) photocleavage was significant (240 turnovers, 20 h) to yield isolable S(8) and a (C(x)S(y))(n) polymer. A mononuclear catalyst or one without an amine binding site showed significantly less activity. XPS of the (C(x)S(y))(n) polymer showed a carbon/sulfur ratio ∼1.5-1.6 indicating that in part both C-S bonds of CS(2) had been cleaved. Catalyst was also included within the polymer. The absence of peaks in the (1)H NMR verified the (C(x)S(y))(n) nature of the polymer, while (13)C NMR and IR indicated that the polymer had multiple types of C-S and C-C bonds.

Structural diversity in manganese, iron and cobalt complexes of the ditopic 1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-6-yl)ethyne ligand and observation of epoxidation and catalase activity of manganese compounds.

A ditopic 1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-6-yl)ethyne ligand, L, has been synthesized for the first time by consecutive Suzuki and Sonogashira coupling reactions either in a one- or two-step synthesis. Coordination of L with some first-row transition metals, Fe, Mn and Co showed a very rich structural diversity that can be obtained with this ligand. Reaction of L with Mn(II)(OAc)(2) yielded a dimanganese(II) complex, [Mn(2)L(mu-OAc)(3)]PF(6), (1) where the two somewhat inequivalent trigonal-bipyramidal Mn atoms separated by 3.381 A are bridged by L and three acetate moieties. A similar reaction of L with Mn(III)(OAc)(3) yielded a very different dimanganese complex [Mn(2)L'(OH)(OAc)(2)(DMF)(2)]PF(6) x DMF (2) where L' is a E-1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridyl-6-yl)ethene fragment that was formed in situ. The L' ligand bridges between the two Mn centers, despite its trans configuration, which leads to a very strained ethene bridging moiety. The Mn atoms are also bridged by two acetate ligands and a hydroxy group that bridges between the Mn atoms and the ethene fragment; DMF completes the octahedral coordination around each Mn atom which are separated by 3.351 A. A comproportionation reaction of L with Mn(II)(OAc)(2) and n-Bu(4)NMnO(4) yielded a tetramanganese compound, [Mn(4)(mu(3)-O)(2)(OAc)(4)(H(2)O)(2)L(2)](PF(6))(2) x 2 CH(3)CN (3). Compound 3 has a dimer of dimers structure of the tetranuclear Mn core that consists of binuclear [Mn(2)O(OAc)(2)L](+) fragment and a PF(6) anion. BVS calculations indicate that 3 is a mixed-valent 2Mn(II) plus 2Mn(III) compound where two [Mn(II)(2)O(OAc)(2)L](+) fragments are held together by Mn(III)-O inter-fragment linkers which have a distorted octahedral geometry. The Mn atoms in the [Mn(2)O(OAc)(2)L](+) fragments have a capped square-pyramid configuration where an aqua ligand is capped on one of the faces. Although the aqua ligand is well within a bonding distance to a carbon atom of the proximal ethyne bridge, there does not appear to be an oxygen-carbon bond formation, rather the ligand is constrained in this position, as deduced by the observation that the bond lengths and angles of the ligand are essentially the same as those for the free ligand, L. Reaction of L with perchlorate or triflate salts of Fe(II), Mn(II) and Co(II) in dry acetonitrile yielded binuclear triple helicate structures (2:3 metal to L ratios) [Fe(2)L(3)](CF(3)SO(3))(4) x CH(3)CN (4), [Mn(2)L(3)](ClO(4))(4) x 1.7 CH(3)CN x 1.65 EtOEt (5) and [Co(2)L(3)](ClO(4))(4) x 2 CH(3)CN x 2 EtOEt (6) where each M(II) center with a slightly distorted octahedral geometry is bridged by three of the ditopic ligands. The M-M distances varied; 5.961 A (Mn), 6.233 A (Co) 6.331 A (Fe). Reaction of L with Co(ClO(4))(2) x 6 H(2)O in wet acetonitrile yielded a dicobalto(III) compound, [Co(2)L'(3)(O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) x H(2)O (7), with two types of L' fragments; one bridging between the two Co centers and two non-bridging ligands, each bonded to a Co atom via one bipyridyl group where the other is non-bonding. The octahedral coordination sphere around each Co atom is completed by the formation of a cobalt-carbon bond from the two carbon atoms of the ethene moiety of the bridging ligand and by a hydroxy moiety that is also bonded to the ethene group of the non-bridging ligand. Reaction of L with Co(ClO(4))(2) x 6 H(2)O in dry acetonitrile in the presence of Et(3)N yielded the tetracobalto(II) complex {[Co(2)L(4)(OH)(4)](ClO(4))(4)}(2) (8) with a unique twisted square configuration of cobalt ions with Co-Co distances of 3.938 to 4.131 A. In addition to the L bridging ligand the Co atoms are linked by hydroxy moieties. Some preliminary catalytic studies showed that the Mn compounds 1 and 2 were active (high yield within 3 min) for alkene epoxidation with peracetic acid and hydrogen peroxide dismutation (catalase activity).

New series of asymmetrically substituted Bis(1,2-dithiolato)-nickel(III) complexes exhibiting near IR absorption and structural diversity.

The synthesis, structural characterization, and properties of a new series of asymmetrically substituted bis(dithiolene) nickel(III) compounds [Bu4N][Ni(Phdt)2] (1) (Phdt = 2-Phenyl-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(NO2Phdt)2] (2) (NO2Phdt = 2-( p-nitrophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(FPhdt)2] (3) (FPhdt = 2-( p-fluorophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), [Bu4N][Ni(ClPhdt)2] (4) (ClPhdt = 2-( p-chlorophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate), and [Bu4N][Ni(BrPhdt)2] (5) (BrPhdt = 2-( p-bromophenyl)-1,2-dithiolate) have been described. All complexes 1- 5 exhibit absorptions in the near-infrared region; the shift of these absorption bands can be tuned by the choice of the substituents on the relevant dithiolene moieties. The substituents on the dithiolene moiety are also responsible for their structural diversities. The nature of the substituents on the dithiolene moiety play an important role in tuning the redox potentials along this series. The nitro derivative (compound 2) exhibits several redox couples in its cyclic voltammogram in contrast to the other compounds in this series. The synthesis and characterization of two asymmetrically halogen substituted tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) derivatives 4,4'-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-tetrathiafulvalene ClPhTTF (6) and 4,4'-bis(4-bromophenyl)-tetrathiafulvalene (BrPhTTF) (7) have been described. One of these compounds has been structurally characterized. Iodine treatment of the monoanionic Ni(III) compound [Bu4N][Ni(ClPhdt)2] (4) results in the formation of a neutral Ni(IV) complex [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8). All monoanionic compounds 1- 5 are Ni(III) complexes, as evidenced by electron spin resonance spectroscopy. Interestingly, strong Cl...Cl interactions are observed in the solid state structures of the chlorinated compounds 6 and 8. Finally, the structural features of compound [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8) and the TTF derivative ClPhTTF (6) are compared based on their enormous structural similarities, and the neutral compound [Ni(ClPhdt)2] (8) is classed as the "an inorganic counterpart of TTF".

A new approach to functionalize an organic compound through the influence of metal bis(dithiolene) complexes leading to ion-pair compounds exhibiting strong emission at room temperature in the visible region.

The facile oxidation of 6,12-dihydrodipyrido [1,2-alpha1',2'-d] pyrazidinium (DDP2+ = [C12H12N2]2+) chloride to cyclic quaternary ammonium monocation, 12-oxo-9H-dipyrido[1,2-alpha;1',2'-d]pyrazin-5-ium (ODP1+ = [C12H9N2O]1+) is achieved when it reacts with [M(mnt)2]2- (M=Ni2+ and Cu2+) resulting in the formation of the ion pair compounds [ODP]2[Ni(mnt)2] (1) and [ODP]2[Cu(mnt)2] (2), respectively (see Scheme 1 for the structures of [ODP]1+ and [DDP]2+). The nickel complex 1 exhibits intense emission at room temperature in the visible region, whereas, in the case of copper analogue 2, the emission gets quenched. The oxo cation ODP (known to be an unstable species and never characterized unequivocally before) is stabilized in 1 and 2 by cation-anion interactions.