Resilient Poly(α-hydroxy acids) with Improved Strength and Ductility via Scalable Stereosequence-Controlled Polymerization

Despite the degradability and biocompatibility of poly(α-hydroxy acids), their utility remains limited because their thermal and mechanical properties are inferior to those of commodity polyolefins, which can be attributed to the lack of side-chain functionality on the polyester backbone. Attempts to synthesize high-molecular-weight functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) from O-carboxyanhydrides have been hampered by scalability problems arising from the need for an external energy source such as light or electricity. Herein, we report an operationally simple, scalable method for the synthesis of stereoregular, high-molecular-weight (>200 kDa) functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) by means of controlled ring-opening polymerization of O-carboxyanhydrides mediated by a highly redox reactive manganese complex and a zinc-alkoxide. Mechanistic studies indicated that the ring-opening process likely proceeded via the Mn-mediated decarboxylation with alkoxy radical formation. Gradient copolymers produced directly by this method from mixtures of two O-carboxyanhydrides exhibited better ductility and toughness than their corresponding homopolymers and block copolymers, therefore highlighting the potential feasibility of functionalized poly(α-hydroxy acids) as ductile and resilient polymeric materials.

Self-Assembled Heterometallic Complexes by Incorporation of Calcium or Strontium Ion into a Manganese(II) 12-Metallacrown-3 Framework Supported by a Tripodal Ligand with Pyridine-Carboxylate Motifs: Stability in Their Manganese(III) Oxidized Form

We report on the isolation of a new family of μ-carboxylato-bridged metallocrown (MC) compounds by self-assembly of the recently isolated hexadentate tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligand tpada^2- incorporating two carboxylate units with metal cations. Twelve-membered MCs of manganese of the type 12-MC-3, namely, [{Mn^II(tpada)}₃(M)(H₂O)_n]²⁺ (Mn₃M) (M = Mn²⁺ (n = 0), Ca²⁺ (n = 1), or Sr²⁺ (n = 2)), were structurally characterized. The metallamacrocycles connectivity consisting in three -[Mn-O-C-O]- repeating units is provided by one carboxylate unit of the three tpada^2- ligands, while the second carboxylate coordinated a fourth cation in the central cavity of the MC, Mn²⁺ or an alkaline earth metal, Ca²⁺ or Sr²⁺. Mn₃Ca and {Mn₃Sr}₂ join the small family of heterometallic manganese-calcium complexes and even rarer manganese-strontium complexes as models of the OEC of photosystem II (PSII). A 8-MC-4 of strontium of the molecular wheel type with four -[Sr-O]- repeating unit was also isolated by self-assembly of the tpada^2- ligand with Sr²⁺. This complex, namely, [Sr(tpada)(OH₂)]₄ (Sr₄), does not incorporate any cation in the central cavity but instead four water molecules coordinated to each Sr²⁺. Electrochemical investigations coupled to UV-visible absorption and EPR spectroscopies as well as electrospray mass spectrometry reveal the stability of the 12-MC-3 tetranuclear structures in solution, both in the initial oxidation state, Mn^II₃M, as well as in the three-electrons oxidized state, Mn^III₃M. Indeed, the cyclic voltammogram of all these complexes exhibits three-successive reversible oxidation waves between +0.5 and +0.9 V corresponding to the successive one-electron oxidation of the Mn(II) ion into Mn(III) of the three {Mn(tpada)} units constituting the ring, which are fully maintained after bulk electrolysis.

The catalytic activities and magnetic behaviours of rare μ3-chlorido and μ1,1,1-azido bridged defective dicubane tetranuclear Mn(ii) complexes

A μ₃-chlorido and a μ_1,1,1-azido bridged defective dicubane tetranuclear Mn(ii) complexes of polynucleating Mannich base ligand show significant catalytic oxidase activities and are antiferromagnetically coupled which is rationalized by DFT calculations.

Tetramer Compound of Manganese Ions with Mixed Valence [MnII MnIII MnIV] and Its Spatial, Electronic, Magnetic, and Theoretical Studies

Using different spectroscopic techniques and computational calculations, we describe the structural and electromagnetic relationship that causes many interesting phenomena within a novel coordination compound with mixed valence manganese (II, III and IV) in its crystal and powder state. The novel compound [MnII MnIII MnIV(HL)2(H2L)2(H2O)4](NO3)2(H2O) 1 was obtained with the Schiff base (E)-2-((2-hydroxybenzylidene)amine)-2-(hydroximethyl)propane-1,3-diol, (H4L), and Mn(NO3)2.4H2O. The coordination reaction was promoted by the deprotonation of the ligand by the soft base triethylamine. The paper’s main contribution is the integration of the experimental and computational studies to explain the interesting magnetic behavior that the mixed valence manganese multimetallic core shows. The results presented herein, which are rarely found for Mn(II), (III) and (IV) complexes, will contribute to the understanding of the magnetic communication generated by the valence electrons and its repercussion in the local geometry and in the overall crystalline structure.

A bioinspired heterogeneous catalyst based on the model of the manganese-dependent dioxygenase for selective oxidation using dioxygen

A hybrid bioinspired material with manganese(ii) complexes grafted on the surface of a mesostructured porous silica is investigated.

New structural motifs in Mn cluster chemistry from the ketone/gem-diol and bis(gem-diol) forms of 2,6-di-(2-pyridylcarbonyl)pyridine: {MnII4MnIII2} and {MnII4MnIII6} complexes

The ketone/gem-diol (L1H₂) and bis(gem-diol) (L2H₄) forms of the ligand 2,6-di-(2-pyridylcarbonyl)pyridine in Mn cluster chemistry have afforded the new complexes [MnII4MnIII2(N₃)₆Cl₄(L1)₂(DMF)₄] and [MnII4MnIII6O₂(N₃)₁₂(L1)₂(L2H)₂(DMF)₆].

Structural, photophysical and magnetic properties of transition metal complexes based on the dipicolylamino-chloro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine ligand

The ligand 3-chloro-6-dipicolylamino-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (Cl-TTZ-dipica) , prepared by the direct reaction between 3,6-dichloro-1,2,4,5-tetrazine and di(2-picolyl)-amine, afforded a series of four neutral transition metal complexes formulated as [Cl-TTZ-dipica-MCl2]2, with M = Zn(II), Cd(II), Mn(II) and Co(II), when reacted with the corresponding metal chlorides. The dinuclear structure of the isostructural complexes was disclosed by single crystal X-ray analysis, clearly indicating the formation of [M(II)-(μ-Cl)2M(II)] motifs and the involvement of the amino nitrogen atom in semi-coordination with the metal centers, thus leading to distorted octahedral coordination geometries. Moreover, the chlorine atoms, either coordinated to the metal or as a substituent on the tetrazine ring, engage respectively in specific anion-π intramolecular and intermolecular interactions with the electron-poor tetrazine units in the solid state, thus controlling the supramolecular architecture. Modulation of the emission properties is observed in the case of the Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes when compared to the free ligand. A striking difference is observed in the magnetic properties of the Mn(II) and Co(II) complexes. An antiferromagnetic coupling takes place in the dimanganese(II) compound (J = -1.25 cm(-1)) while the Co(II) centers are ferromagnetically coupled in the corresponding complex (J = +0.55 cm(-1)), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = -JSA·SB.

Effective catalytic disproportionation of aqueous H2O2 with di- and mono-nuclear manganese(II) complexes containing pyridine alcohol ligands

The two novel manganese(II) complexes with 2-hydroxymethylpyridine (2-CH2OHpy) {[Mn2(μ-Cl)2(2-CH2OHpy)4]Cl2·2H2O (1)} and 2-hydroxyethylpyridine (2-(CH2)2OHpy) {[Mn(2-(CH2)2OHpy)2(NCS)2] (2)} were synthesized and characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, IR, EPR, HF EPR spectroscopy, magnetic and TG/DTG data. The complexes show catalase-like activity in neutral aqueous solution since they were able to disproportionate H2O2 to harmless H2O and O2. Both complexes act as true catalysts since they reverted to their original form after depleting all the H2O2, as suggested by the operando resonant inelastic X-ray spectroscopy (RIXS) measurements.

Reusable manganese compounds containing pyrazole-based ligands for olefin epoxidation reactions

New robust and effective Mn-pyrazolyl catalysts for olefin epoxidation in [bmim]PF₆ : CH₃CN, with good activity even after several reuses, are described. The cis → trans isomerization in the epoxidation of cis-β-methylstyrene is confirmed through computational calculations.

Calcium and heterometallic manganese–calcium complexes supported by tripodal pyridine-carboxylate ligands: structural, EPR and theoretical investigations

Rare examples of heteronuclear μ-carboxylato bridged Mn–Ca complexes are reported.

Synthesis and Structural Characterisation of Palladium(II) Complexes with N,N′,N-Tridentate N′-Substituted N,N-Di(2-picolyl)amines and their Application to Methyl Methacrylate Polymerisation

The reaction of [Pd(CH3CN)2Cl2] with N′-substituted N,N-di(2-picolyl)amine-based ancillary ligands, for example N,N-di(2-picolyl)cyclohexylmethylamine (L1), N,N-di(2-picolyl)benzylamine (L2), N,N-di(2-picolyl)aniline (L3), and 1,4-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]benzene (L4), in the presence of NaClO4 in ethanol yields a new series of [(NN′N)PdCl]X (X = ClO4, Cl) complexes, i.e. mononuclear [LnPdCl]ClO4 (Ln = L1, L2, L3) and binuclear [L4Pd2Cl2]Cl2. X-Ray crystallographic analysis determined that the Pd atom in complexes [(NN′N)PdCl]X showed a slightly distorted square-planar geometry involving three nitrogen atoms and a chlorido ligand. Moreover, the unit cell included a ClO4– or Cl– anion as the counterion. The complex [L1PdCl]ClO4 showed the highest catalytic activity for the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane at 60°C among the mononuclear PdII complexes. Specifically, the activity of binuclear [L4Pd2Cl2]Cl2 was 2-fold higher than the corresponding mononuclear [L2PdCl]ClO4 per active palladium metal centre.

Bioinspired manganese(ii) complexes with a clickable ligand for immobilisation on a solid support

Structural and magnetic characterization of dinuclear manganese(ii) complexes mimicking the active sites of MnD were prepared with an alkyne side function for click chemistry grafting that was tested on MCM-41 silicas.

The formation of a luminescent Mn(III,IV) intermediate of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and acetone assistant its intramolecular C-H oxidation

The dinuclear Mn(II) complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (dpa) reacted with H(2)O(2) producing a fluorescent dioxodimanganese(III,IV) intermediate [(dpa)Mn(2)Cl(2)(μ-O(2))(OHdpa)](3+), which was characterized by IR, UV, ESR, ES-MS and fluorescence spectra. ES-MS data show that this intermediate could bind an acetone molecule forming dioxodimanganese(III,IV)-acetone adduct [(dpa)Mn(2)Cl(2)(μ-O)(CH(3)COCH(3))(OHdpa)](3+). The emission of dioxodimanganese(III,IV)-acetone at 378 nm was stronger than that of dioxodimanganese(III,IV) complex. Excess acetone molecules promoted the intramolecular C-H oxidation and the formation of one dimensional chain Mn(II) complex [(2-picolinic-acid)Mn(H(2)O)(2)Cl(O)](n) through possible intramolecular oxygen transfer reaction.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and hydroxylation of Mn(II) complexes with bis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzylamine

Two new Mn(II) complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzylamine (bpa) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and UV-visible spectroscopies, thermal analyses and ES-MS. These complexes are stable in air with the formula of [(pba)2Mn2Cl2(micro-Cl)2] (1) and [(pba)2Mn2(H2O)2(micro-Ac)2] (Ac)2 (2). The spectroscopic titration results show that the complexes could react with H2O2 resulting active oxidants, which could cause the intramolecular aromatic hydroxylation. The hydroxylated ligand (pba-OH) was confirmed by ES-MS and HPLC.

Ionic and Neutral C60 Complexes with Coordination Assemblies of Metal Tetraphenylporphyrins, MIITPP2·DMP (M = Mn, Zn). Coexistence of (C60-)2 Dimers Bonded by One and Two Single Bonds in the Same Compound

Coordination assemblies of metal tetraphenylporphyrins, MIITPP2.DMP (M=Mn, Zn) were shown to form ionic multicomponent and neutral complexes with fullerene, {(MnIITPP)2.DMP}.(C60-)2.(DMETEP+)2.(C6H4Cl2)5 (1) and {(ZnTPP)2.DMP}.(C60)2.(C6H5Cl)4 (2), where DMP=N,N'-dimethylpiperazine and DMETEP+=the cation of N,N'-dimethyl-N'-ethylthioethylpiperazine. The crystal structure of 1 contains zigzag chains of the (C60-)2 dimers alternating with the DMETEP+ cations in the channels formed by the (MnIITPP)2.DMP units, whereas in 2 zigzag chains of the C60 molecules are separated by the (ZnTPP)2.DMP units and C6H5Cl molecules. The (MIITPP)2.DMP assemblies (M=Mn, Zn) have axial M-N(DMP) bonds of 2.315(2) and 2.250(2) A length, average equatorial M-N(DMP) bonds elongated to 2.141(3) and 2.077(2) A, and MII atoms displaced from the porphyrin plane toward the ligand by 0.677 and 0.485 A, respectively. The single-bonded sigma-(C60-)2 dimer coexists in 1 with the (C60-)2 dimer bonded by two single bonds with 86/14 occupancy factors. The sigma-(C60-)2 dimers are unusually stable and begin to dissociate only above a temperature of 320-330 K that results in the increase of the magnetic moment of 1 from 8.33 microB (320 K) to 8.66 microB (360 K). The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal of the dimeric phase (T<320 K) with the features spread over the range of 0-0.7 T was attributed to the interacting Mn2+ centers in the (MnIITPP)2.DMP units. The dissociation of the sigma-(C60-)2 dimers to the EPR-active C60*- radical anions manifests a new broad Lorenz signal above 320 K with g=2.0179 and DeltaH=65.5 mT. This signal can appear due to the exchange coupling between paramagnetic (MnIITPP)2.DMP and C60*- species. The vis-NIR spectrum of the sigma-(C60-)2 dimers is discussed.

Studies of a Dinuclear Manganese Complex with Phenoxo and Bis-acetato Bridging in the Mn2(II,II) and Mn2(II,III) States: Coordination Structural Shifts and Oxidation State Control in Bridged Dinuclear Complexes

The dinucleating ligand, 2,6-bis{[(2-(2-pyridyl)ethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)-amino]-methyl}-4-methylphenol) (L1OH) reacts with Mn(ClO4)2.6H2O to form the dinuclear complex [Mn2(II,II)(L1O)(mu-OOCCH3)2]ClO4 (1). The electrolytic oxidation of 1 at 0.7 V (vs Ag/AgCl) produces the mixed valent complex [Mn2(II,III)(L1O)(mu-OOCCH3)2](ClO4)2 (1ox) quantitatively, while electrolysis at 0.20 V converts 1ox back to 1. X-ray crystallographic structures show that both 1 and 1ox are dinuclear complexes in which the two manganese ions are each in distorted octahedral coordination environments bridged by the phenoxo oxygen and two acetate ions. The structural changes that occur upon the oxidation 1 to 1ox suggest an extended pi-bonding system involving the phenoxo ring C-O(phenoxo)-Mn(II)-N(pyridyl) chain. In addition, as 1 is oxidized to 1ox, the rearrangements in the coordination sphere resulting from the oxidation of one Mn(II) ion to Mn(III) are transmitted via the bridging Mn-O(phenoxo) bonds and cause structural changes that render the site of the second manganese ion unfit for the +3 state and hence unstable to reduction. Thus the electrolytic oxidation of 1ox in acetonitrile at 1.20 V takes up slightly greater than 1 F of charge/mol of 1ox, but the starting complex, 1ox, is recovered, showing the instability of the Mn2(III,III) state that is formed with respect to reduction to 1ox. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 1ox over the temperature range from 1.8 to 300 K can be modeled with magnetic coupling constants J = -4.3 and -4.1 cm(-1), respectively showing the weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the two manganese ions in each dinuclear complex, which is commonly observed among similar phenoxo- and bis-1,3-carboxylato-bridged dinuclear Mn2(II,II) and Mn2(II,III) complexes.

Substituted N-picolylethylenediamines of the type (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}NR [R = Me, 4-CH2CH(C6H4)CH2, (2-C5H4N)CH2] and their transition metal(ii) halide complexes

Alkylation of (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}NH with RX [RX = MeI, 4-CH2=CH(C6H4)CH2Cl) and (2-C5H5N)CH2Cl] in the presence of base has allowed access to the sterically demanding multidentate nitrogen donor ligands, {(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)NHCH2CH2}{(2-C5H4N)CH2}NMe (L1), {(2,6-Me3C6H3)NHCH2CH2}{(2-C5H4N)CH2}NCH2(C6H4)-4-CH=CH2 (L2) and (ArNHCH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}2N (Ar = 2,4-Me2C6H3 L3a, 2,6-Me2C6H3 L3b) in moderate yield. L3 can also be prepared in higher yield by the reaction of (NH2CH2CH2){(2-C5H4N)CH2}2N with the corresponding aryl bromide in the presence of base and a palladium(0) catalyst. Treatment of L1 or L2 with MCl2 [MCl2 = CoCl2.6H2O or FeCl2(THF)1.5] in THF affords the high spin complexes [(L1)MCl2](M = Co 1a, Fe 1b) and [(L2)MCl2](M = Co 2a, Fe 2b) in good yield, respectively; the molecular structure of reveals a five-coordinate metal centre with bound in a facial fashion. The six-coordinate complexes, [(L3a)MCl2](M = Co 3a, Fe 3b, Mn 3c) are accessible on treatment of tripodal L3a with MCl2. In contrast, the reaction with the more sterically encumbered leads to the pseudo-five-coordinate species [(L3b)MCl2](M = Co 4a, Fe 4b) and, in the case of manganese, dimeric [(L3b)MnCl(mu-Cl)]2 (4c); in 4a and 4b the aryl-substituted amine arm forms a partial interaction with the metal centre while in 4c the arm is pendant. The single crystal X-ray structures of , 1a, 3b.MeCN, 3c.MeCN, 4b.MeCN and 4c are described as are the solution state properties of 3b and 4b.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in a Mixed-Valence Mn(II/III) Complex: [MnII2(bispicen)2(μ3-Cl)2MnIII(Cl4Cat)2MnIII(Cl4Cat)2(H2O)2]∞

A layered mixed-valence manganese complex, [Mn(II)(2)(bispicen)(2)(mu(3)-Cl)(2)Mn(III)(Cl(4)Cat)(2)Mn(III)(Cl(4)Cat)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](infinity), is synthesized and characterized structurally. It displays a slow magnetic relaxation and hysteresis effect.