Coinage Metal Complexes of a Sterically Encumbered Anionic Pyridylborate.

Sterically loaded, anionic pyridine has been synthesized and utilized successfully in the stabilization of a isoleptic series of coinage metal complexes. The treatment of [4-(Ph3B)-2,6-Trip2Py]K (Trip=2,4,6-iPr3C6H2) with CuBr(PPh3), AgCl(PPh3) or AuCl(PPh3) (Py=pyridine) afforded the corresponding [4-(Ph3B)-2,6-Trip2Py]M(PPh3) (M=Au, Ag, Cu) complexes, via salt metathesis, as isolable, crystalline solids. Notably, these reactions avoid the facile single electron transfer chemistry reported with the less bulky ligand systems. The X-ray structures revealed that they are two-coordinate metal adducts. The M-N and M-P bond distances are longest in the silver and shortest in the copper adduct among the three group 11 family members. Computational analysis revealed an interesting stability dependence on steric bulk of the anionic pyridine (i. e., pyridyl borate) ligand. A comparison of structures and bonding of [4-(Ph3B)-2,6-Trip2Py]Au(PPh3) to pyridine and m-terphenyl complexes, {[2,6-Trip2Py]Au(PPh3)}[SbF6] and [2,6-Trip2Ph]Au(PPh3) are also provided. The Au(I) isocyanide complex, [4-(Ph3B)-2,6-Trip2Py]Au(CNBut) has been stabilized using the same anionic pyridylborate illustrating that it can support other gold-ligand moieties as well.

Unusual S = 1 Four-Coordinate Fe(IV) Complexes Supported by Bisamide Ligands: Syntheses, Characterization, and Electronic Structures.

The catalytic relevance of Fe(IV) species in non-heme iron catalysis has motivated synthetic advances in well-defined five- and six-coordinate Fe(IV) complexes for a better understanding of their fundamental electronic structures and reactivities. Herein, we report the syntheses of FeDipp2 and FeMes2, a pair of unusual four-coordinate non-heme formally Fe(IV) complexes with S = 1 ground states supported by strongly donating bisamide ligands. By combining spectroscopic characterization and computational modeling, we found that small variations in ligand aryl substituents resulted in substantial changes in both structures and bonding. This work highlights the strong donor capabilities and modularity of the bisamide ligand set. More broadly, it is a critical contribution to the utilization of ligand design to modulate molecular geometries and electronic structures of low-coordinate, high-valent iron complexes.

Enantioselective synthesis of ß-aryl-γ-lactam derivatives via Heck-Matsuda desymmetrization of N-protected 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles.

We report herein an enantioselective palladium-catalyzed Heck-Matsuda reaction for the desymmetrization of N-protected 2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrroles with aryldiazonium salts, using the chiral N,N-ligand (S)-PyraBox. This strategy has allowed straightforward access to a diversity of 4-aryl-γ-lactams via Heck arylation followed by a sequential Jones oxidation. The overall method displays a broad scope and good enantioselectivity, favoring the (R) enantiomer. The applicability of the protocol is highlighted by the efficient enantioselective syntheses of the selective phosphodiesterase-4-inhibitor rolipram and the commercial drug baclofen as hydrochloride.

Structure and bonding of proximity-enforced main-group dimers stabilized by a rigid naphthyridine diimine ligand.

The development of ligands capable of effectively stabilizing highly reactive main-group species has led to the experimental realization of a variety of systems with fascinating properties. In this work, we computationally investigate the electronic, structural, energetic, and bonding features of proximity-enforced group 13-15 homodimers stabilized by a rigid expanded pincer ligand based on the 1,8-naphthyridine (napy) core. We show that the redox-active naphthyridine diimine (NDI) ligand enables a wide variety of structural motifs and element-element interaction modes, the latter ranging from isolated, element-centered lone pairs (e.g., E = Si, Ge) to cases where through-space π bonds (E = Pb), element-element multiple bonds (E = P, As) and biradical ground states (E = N) are observed. Our results hint at the feasibility of NDI-E2 species as viable synthetic targets, highlighting the versatility and potential applications of napy-based ligands in main-group chemistry.

Di-Iron(II) [2+2] Helicates of Bis-(Dipyrazolylpyridine) Ligands: The Influence of the Ligand Linker Group on Spin State Properties.

Four bis[2-{pyrazol-1-yl}-6-{pyrazol-3-yl}pyridine] ligands have been synthesized, with butane-1,4-diyl (L1 ), pyrid-2,6-diyl (L2 ), benzene-1,2-dimethylenyl (L3 ) and propane-1,3-diyl (L4 ) linkers between the tridentate metal-binding domains. L1 and L2 form [Fe2 (µ-L)2 ]X4 (X- =BF4 - or ClO4 - ) helicate complexes when treated with the appropriate iron(II) precursor. Solvate crystals of [Fe2 (µ-L1 )2 ][BF4 ]4 exhibit three different helicate conformations, which differ in the torsions of their butanediyl linker groups. The solvates exhibit gradual thermal spin-crossover, with examples of stepwise switching and partial spin-crossover to a low-temperature mixed-spin form. Salts of [Fe2 (µ-L2 )2 ]4+ are high-spin, which reflects their highly twisted iron coordination geometry. The composition and dynamics of assembly structures formed by iron(II) with L1 -L3 vary with the ligand linker group, by mass spectrometry and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. Gas-phase DFT calculations imply the butanediyl linker conformation in [Fe2 (µ-L1 )2 ]4+ influences its spin state properties, but show anomalies attributed to intramolecular electrostatic repulsion between the iron atoms.

A Convenient One-Pot Synthesis of a Sterically Demanding Aniline from Aryllithium Using Trimethylsilyl Azide, Conversion to ß-Diketimines and Synthesis of a ß-Diketiminate Magnesium Hydride Complex.

This work reports the one-pot synthesis of sterically demanding aniline derivatives from aryllithium species utilising trimethylsilyl azide to introduce amine functionalities and conversions to new examples of a common N,N'-chelating ligand system. The reaction of TripLi (Trip = 2,4,6-iPr3-C6H2) with trimethylsilyl azide afforded the silyltriazene TripN2N(SiMe3)2 in situ, which readily reacts with methanol under dinitrogen elimination to the aniline TripNH2 in good yield. The reaction pathways and by-products of the system have been studied. The extension of this reaction to a much more sterically demanding terphenyl system suggested that TerLi (Ter = 2,6-Trip2-C6H3) slowly reacted with trimethylsilyl azide to form a silyl(terphenyl)triazenide lithium complex in situ, predominantly underwent nitrogen loss to TerN(SiMe3)Li in parallel, which afforded TerN(SiMe3)H after workup, and can be deprotected under acidic conditions to form the aniline TerNH2. TripNH2 was furthermore converted to the sterically demanding ß-diketimines RTripnacnacH (=HC{RCN(Trip)}2H), with R = Me, Et and iPr, in one-pot procedures from the corresponding 1,3-diketones. The bulkiest proligand was employed to synthesise the magnesium hydride complex [{(iPrTripnacnac)MgH}2], which shows a distorted dimeric structure caused by the substituents of the sterically demanding ligand moieties.

Green Emissive Copper(I) Coordination Polymer Supported by the Diethylpyridylphosphine Ligand as a Luminescent Sensor for Overheating Processes.

Tertiary diethylpyridylphosphine was synthesized by the reaction of pyridylphosphine with bromoethane in a suberbasic medium. The reaction of phosphine with the copper(I) iodide led to the formation of a copper(I) coordination polymer, which, according to the X-ray diffraction data, has an intermediate structure with a copper-halide core between the octahedral and stairstep geometries of the Cu4I4 clusters. The obtained coordination polymer exhibits a green emission in the solid state, which is caused by the 3(M+X)LCT transitions. The heating up of the copper(I) coordination polymer to 138.5 °C results in its monomerization and the formation of a new solid-state phase. The new phase exhibits a red emission, with the emission band maximum at 725 nm. According to the experimental data and quantum chemical computations, it was concluded that depolymerization probably leads to a complex that is formed with the octahedral structure of the copper-halide core. The resulting solid-state phase can be backward-converted to the polymer phase via recrystallization from the acetone or DMF. Therefore, the obtained coordination polymer can be considered a sensor or detector for the overheating of processes that should be maintained at temperatures below 138 °C (e.g., engines, boiling liquids, solar heat systems, etc.).

An Anionic Amido-Substituted Seven-Vertex Siliconoid Cluster.

The silanide [Si4 {N(SiMe3 )Dipp}3 ]- (1) transforms into the anionic siliconoid cluster [Si7 {N(SiMe3 )Dipp}3 ]- (2) with four unsubstituted silicon atoms as a contact ion pair with [K([18]crown-6)] in C6 D6 at room temperature within five weeks. Anion 2 was investigated by natural population analysis and visualization of intrinsic atomic orbitals. Magnetically induced current-density calculations of 2 revealed two distinct strong diatropic vortices that sum up in one direction and create a strongly shielded apical silicon atom in 2.

Ligand-Induced Donor State Destabilisation - A New Route to Panchromatically Absorbing Cu(I) Complexes.

The intense absorption of light to covering a large part of the visible spectrum is highly desirable for solar energy conversion schemes. To this end, we have developed novel anionic bis(4H-imidazolato)Cu(I) complexes (cuprates), which feature intense, panchromatic light absorption properties throughout the visible spectrum and into the NIR region with extinction coefficients up to 28,000 M-1 cm-1 . Steady-state absorption, (spectro)electrochemical and theoretical investigations reveal low energy (Vis to NIR) metal-to-ligand charge-transfer absorption bands, which are a consequence of destabilized copper-based donor states. These high-lying copper-based states are induced by the σ-donation of the chelating anionic ligands, which also feature low energy acceptor states. The optical properties are reflected in very low, copper-based oxidation potentials and three ligand-based reduction events. These electronic features reveal a new route to panchromatically absorbing Cu(I) complexes.

Enantioselective Cytotoxicity of Chiral Diphosphine Ruthenium(II) Complexes Against Cancer Cells.

The chiral cationic complex [Ru(η1 -OAc)(CO)((R,R)-Skewphos)(phen)]OAc (2R ), isolated from reaction of [Ru(η1 -OAc)(η2 -OAc)(R,R)-Skewphos)(CO)] (1R ) with phen, reacts with NaOPiv and KSAc affording [RuX(CO)((R,R)-Skewphos)(phen)]Y (X=Y=OPiv 3R ; X=SAc, Y=OAc 4R ). The corresponding enantiomers 2S -4S have been obtained from 1S containing (S,S)-Skewphos. Reaction of 2R and 2S with (S)-cysteine and NaPF6 at pH=9 gives the diastereoisomers [Ru((S)-Cys)(CO)(PP)(phen)]PF6 (PP=(R,R)-Skewphos 2R -Cys; (S,S)-Skewphos 2S -Cys). The DFT energetic profile for 2R with (S)-cysteine in H2 O indicates that aquo and hydroxo species are involved in formation of 2R -Cys. The stability of the ruthenium complexes in 0.9 % w/v NaCl solution, PBS and complete DMEM medium, as well as their n-octanol/water partition coefficient (logP), have been evaluated. The chiral complexes show high cytotoxic activity against SW1736, 8505 C, HCT-116 and A549 cell lines with EC50 values of 2.8-0.04 µM. The (R,R)-Skewphos derivatives show higher cytotoxicity compared to their enantiomers, 4R (EC50 =0.04 µM) being 14 times more cytotoxic than 4S against the anaplastic thyroid cancer 8505 C cell line.

Polyanionic Imido-P(V) Ligands: From Transition Metal Complexes to Coordination Driven Self-Assemblies.

The chemistry of the imido-anions of the main group elements has been studied for more than three decades. The imido (NR)- group is isoelectronic to the oxo (=O) group and can coordinate with metal ions through its lone pairs of electrons. The polyimido-P(V) anions are well explored as they resemble the phosphorus oxo moieties such as H3 PO4 , H2 PO4 - , HPO4 2- and PO4 3- species. These imido anions are typically generated using strong main group organometallic reagents such as n BuLi, Et2 Zn, Me3 Al and n Bu2 Mg, etc. As a result, their coordination chemistry has been restricted to reactions in anhydrous aprotic solvents for a few main group metal ions. This account presents our findings on using certain soft transition metal such Ag(I) and Pd (II) for isolating these imido-P(V) anions as their corresponding self-assembled clusters and cages. Using the various salts of Ag(I) ions in reaction with 2-pyridyl (2 Py) functionalized phosphonium salts and phosphoric triamides, we obtained the mono- and dianionic form of these imido ligands {[P(N2 Py)2 (NH2 Py)2 ]- , [P(N2 Py)2 (NH2 Py)]- , [PO(N2 Py)(NH2 Py)2 ]2- } and derived interesting examples of tri, penta, hepta and octanuclear Ag(I) clusters. Interestingly, by using the salts of Pd (II) ions, the elusive imido-phosphate trianions of the type [(RN)3 PO]3- (R=t Bu, c Hex, i Pr) were generated in a facile one pot reaction as their corresponding tri- and hexanuclear clusters of the type {Pd3 [(NR)3 PO](OAc)3 }n (n=1 or 2). These trianions acts as a cis-coordinated hexadentate ligand for a trinuclear Pd (II) cluster and serve as the polyhedral building units for constructing hitherto unknown family of neutral cages in tetrahedral {Pd3 [(Ni Pr)3 PO]4 (L)6 } and cubic {Pd3 [(Ni Pr)3 PO]8 (L)12 } structures in the presence of suitable linker ligands (L2- ). These cages show interesting host-guest chemistry and post-assembly reactions. Remarkably, by employing chiral tris(imido)phosphate trianions, enantiopure chiral cages of the type [(Pd3 X*)4 (L)6 ], ([X*]3- =RRR- or SSS-[PO(N(*CH(CH3 )Ph)3 ]3- ), were synthesized and used for the chiral-recognition and enantio-separation of small racemic guest molecules. Some of these chiral cages were also shown to exhibit polyradical framework structures. In future, these and other similar types of cages are envisioned as potential molecular vessels for performing the reactions in their confined environment. The enantiomeric cages can be probed for asymmetric catalysis and the separation of a range of small chiral molecules.

Phosphorogenic Iridium(III) bis-Tetrazine Complexes for Bioorthogonal Peptide Stapling, Bioimaging, Photocytotoxic Applications, and the Construction of Nanosized Hydrogels.

The dual functionality of 1,2,4,5-tetrazine as a bioorthogonal reactive unit and a luminescence quencher has shaped tetrazine-based probes as attractive candidates for luminogenic labeling of biomolecules in living systems. In this work, three cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes featuring two tetrazine units were synthesized and characterized. Upon photoexcitation, the complexes were non-emissive but displayed up to 3900-fold emission enhancement upon the inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) [4+2] cycloaddition with (1R,8S,9s)-bicyclo[6.1.0]non-4-yne (BCN) substrates. The rapid reaction kinetics (k2 up to 1.47×104  M-1 s-1 ) of the complexes toward BCN substrates allowed effective peptide labeling. The complexes were also applied as live cell bioimaging reagents and photocytotoxic agents. One of the complexes was utilized in the preparation of luminescent nanosized hydrogels that exhibited interesting cargo delivery properties.

Synthesis and Reactivity of a Neutral Homocyclic Silylene.

Isolation of the neutral homocyclic silylene 2 is possible via amine ligand abstraction with potassium graphite (KC8 ) and subsequent reaction with SiMe3 Cl from a bicyclic silicon(I) amide J. This reaction proceeds via an anionic homoaromatic silicon ring compound 1 as an intermediate. The twofold-coordinated silicon atom in the homocyclic silylene 2 is stabilized by an allyl-type π-electron delocalization. 2 reacts in an oxidative addition with two equivalents of MeOH and in cycloadditions with ethene, phenylacetylene, diphenylacetylene and with 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene to afford novel functionalized ring compounds.

Gold-Catalyzed Desymmetric Lactonization of Alkynylmalonic Acids Enabled by Chiral Bifunctional P,N ligands.

Due to the linear coordination nature of gold(I) catalysts, achieving high enantiocontrol in asymmetric gold catalysis is a great challenge. To improve the enantiocontrol of gold catalysis, an ion-pairing strategy was therefore proposed. A series of bifunctional P,N ligands based on chiral spirocyclic and biaryl scaffolds were synthesized and applied in the gold(I)-catalyzed desymmetric lactonization of alkynylmalonic acids. A wide range of chiral lactones containing an α-position quaternary stereocenter were synthesized with high yields, excellent regioselectivity and enantioselectivity under mild reaction conditions. The synthetic utilities of the current reaction were demonstrated by gram-scale synthesis and transformations of chiral lactones. The origin of enantioselectivity and the role of the alcohol additive were elucidated via control experiments and DFT calculations.

Mixed Organometallic-Organic Hybrid Assemblies Based on the Diarsene Complex [Cp2 Mo2 (CO)4 (µ,η2 -As2 )], AgI Salts and N-Donor Organic Molecules.

The reaction of the organometallic diarsene complex [Cp2 Mo2 (CO)4 (η2 -As2 )] (1) with Ag[Al{OC(CF3 )3 }4 ] (Ag[TEF]) yielded the AgI monomer [Ag(η2 -1)3 ][TEF] (2). This compound exhibits dynamic behavior in solution, which allows directed selective synthesis of unprecedented organometallic-organic hybrid assemblies upon its reaction with N-donor organic molecules by a stepwise pathway, which is supported by DFT calculations. Accordingly, the reaction of 2 with 2,2'-bipyrimidine (L1) yielded the dicationic molecular compound [{(η2 -1)2 Ag}2 (µ-L1)][TEF]2 (3) or the 1D polymer [{(η2 -1)Ag}(µ-L1)]n [TEF]n (4) depending on the ratio of the reactants. However, its reactions with the pyridine-based linkers 4,4'-bipyridine (L2), 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (L3) and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethyne (L4) allowed the formation of the 2D polymers [{(η2 -1)Ag}2 (µ-Lx)3 ]n [TEF]2n [Lx=L2 (5), L3 (6), L4 (7), respectively]. Additionally, this concept was extended to step-by-step one-pot reactions of 1, [Ag(CH3 CN)3 ][Al{OC(CF3 )2 (CCl3 )}4 ] ([Ag(CH3 CN)3 ][TEFCl ]) and linkers L2-L4 to produce the 2D polymers [{(η2 -1)Ag}2 (µ,Lx)3 ]n [TEFCl ]2n [Lx=L2 (8), L3 (9), L4 (10), respectively].

Variable Luminescence and Chromaticity of Homoleptic Frameworks of the Lanthanides together with Pyridylpyrazolates.

Homoleptic, 3D coordination polymers of the formula 33 ∞ [Ln(3-PyPz)3 ] and 3 ∞ [Ln(4-PyPz)3 ], (3-PyPz)- =3-(3-pyridyl)pyrazolate anion, (4-PyPz)- =3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolate anion, both C8 H6 N3 - , Ln=Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, were obtained as highly luminescent frameworks by reaction of the lanthanide metals (Ln) with the aromatic heterocyclic amine ligands 3-PyPzH and 4-PyPzH. The compounds form two isotypic series of 3D coordination polymers and exhibit fair thermal stability up to 360 °C. The luminescence properties of all ten compounds were determined in the solid state, with an antenna effect through ligand-metal energy transfer leading to high efficiency of the luminescence displayed by good quantum yields of up to 74 %. The emission is mainly based on ion-specific lanthanide-dependent intra 4 f-4 f transitions for Tb3+ : green, Dy3+ : yellow, Sm3+ : orange-red, Eu3+ : red. For the Gd3+ -containing compounds, the yellow emission of ligand triplet-based phosphorescence is observed at room temperature and 77 K. Co doping of the Gd-containing frameworks with Eu3+ and Tb3+ allow further shifting of the chromaticity towards white light emission.

Enantiopure Polyradical Tetrahedral Pd12 L6 Cages.

The synthesis of cages with a polyradical framework remains a challenging task. Herein is reported an enantiomeric pair of quinoid-bridged polyradical tetrahedral palladium(II) cages that are stabilized by an unusual dianionic diradical form (dhbq..2- ). These cages have been characterized by electron paramagnetic resonance and UV-visible spectroscopy, squid magnetometry and mass spectrometry. Single-crystal-derived X-ray investigations of the iso-structural cages built on fluoranilate linkers confirm the tetrahedral structure of the obtained radical cages. Theoretical calculations showed that the diradical state of the dhbq anions is more stable than the usual monoradical state. A weak ferromagnetic exchange between adjacent radical centers was observed in DFT studies.

Stable and Storable N(CF3 )2 Transfer Reagents.

Fluorinated groups are essential for drug design, agrochemicals, and materials science. The bis(trifluoromethyl)amino group is an example of a stable group that has a high potential. While the number of molecules containing perfluoroalkyl, perfluoroalkoxy, and other fluorinated groups is steadily increasing, examples with the N(CF3 )2 group are rare. One reason is that transfer reagents are scarce and metal-based storable reagents are unknown. Herein, a set of CuI and AgI bis(trifluoromethyl)amido complexes stabilized by N- and P-donor ligands with unprecedented stability are presented. The complexes are stable solids that can even be manipulated in air for a short time. They are bis(trifluoromethyl)amination reagents as shown by nucleophilic substitution and Sandmeyer reactions. In addition to a series of benzylbis(trifluoromethyl)amines, 2-bis(trifluoromethyl)amino acetate was obtained, which, upon hydrolysis, gives the fluorinated amino acid N,N-bis(trifluoromethyl)glycine.

Construction of Hybrid Bimetallic Uranyl Compounds Based on a Preassembled Terpyridine Metalloligand.

Six hybrid uranyl-transition metal compounds [UO2 Ni(cptpy)2 (HCOO)2 (DMF)(H2 O)] (1), [UO2 Ni(cptpy)2 (BTPA)2 ] (2), [UO2 Fe(cptpy)2 (HCOO)2 (DMF)(H2 O)] (3), [UO2 Fe(cptpy)2 (BTPA)2 ] (4), [UO2 Co(cptpy)2 (HCOO)2 (DMF)(H2 O)] (5), and [UO2 Co(cptpy)2 (BTPA)2 ] (6), based on bifunctional ligand 4'-(4-carboxyphenyl)-2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (Hcptpy) are reported (H2 BTPA = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid). Single-crystal XRD revealed that all six compounds feature similar metalloligands, which consist of two cptpy- anions and one transition metal cation. The metalloligand M(cptpy)2 can be considered to be an extended linear dicarboxylic ligand with length of 22.12 Å. Compounds 1, 3, and 5 are isomers, and all of them feature 1D chain structures. The adjacent 1D chains are connected together by hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions to form a 3D porous structure, which is filled with solvent molecules and can be exchanged with I2 . Compounds 2, 4, and 6 are also isomers, and all of them feature 2D honeycomb (6,3) networks with hexagonal units of dimensions 41.91×26.89 Å, which are the largest among uranyl compounds with honeycomb networks. The large aperture allows two sets of equivalent networks to be entangled together to result in a 2D+2D→3D polycatenated framework. Remarkably, these uranyl compounds exhibit high catalytic activity for cycloaddition of carbon dioxide. Moreover, the geometric and electronic structures of compounds 1 and 2 are systematically discussed on the basis of DFT calculations.

Structural and Electronic Control of the Bidentate 1-(2-pyridyl)benzotriazole Ligand in Copper Chemistry with Application to Catalysis in the A3 Coupling Reaction.

The hybrid bidentate 1-(2-pyridyl)benzotriazole (pyb) ligand was introduced into 3d transition metal catalysis. Specifically, [CuII (OTf)2 (pyb)2 ]⋅2 CH3 CN (1) enables the synthesis of a wide range of propargylamines by the A3 coupling reaction at room temperature in the absence of additives. Experimental and high-level theoretical calculations suggest that the bridging N atom of the ligand imposes exclusive trans coordination at Cu and allows ligand rotation, while the N atom of the pyridine group modulates charge distribution and flux, and thus orchestrates structural and electronic precatalyst control permitting alkyne binding with simultaneous activation of the C-H bond via a transient CuI species.