Design and Synthesis of Binucleating Macrocyclic Clefts Derived from Schiff-Base Calixpyrroles

Does Larger Cavity-Size Really Help Bigger Anions to Bind? A Scrutiny on Core-Expanded Calix[4]pyrroles and Their Properties

Calix[4]pyrroles are an important class of oligopyrrolic macrocycles and have found applications in many diverse fields including anion recognition. To modulate the properties of the calix[4]pyrrole, several structural modifications are realized. The core-expansion has attracted extra attention as it provides larger cavity-size compared to parent calix[4]pyrrole(s). This review highlights the synthetic development of various core-expanded calix[4]pyrroles and their applications in anion-binding properties. Emphasis is given to the changes in the binding properties observed with expanded versions of calix[4]pyrrole(s) in both solution and the solid states. The expanded versions of calix[4]pyrrole do not always show higher binding affinities for larger anions as anticipated. Rather, they display reduced affinities with the anions. The truncated form or asymmetric nature of the expanded versions of calix[4]pyrrole does not probably allow to access all the available binding sites for the anions and hence reduced binding affinities are observed. The receptors which contain a greater number of binding sites and are somehow rigid or preorganized apparently show enhanced binding affinities for anions. The relative binding constants for halide series indicate that the enlarged molecules are more beneficial for largest iodide among others. However, most of the receptors show selectivity towards smallest fluoride over other anions studied.

Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution using a Nickel-based Calixpyrrole Complex: Controlling the Secondary Coordination Sphere on an Electrode Surface

Incorporating design elements from homogeneous catalysts to construct well defined active sites on electrode surfaces is a promising approach for developing next generation electrocatalysts for energy conversion reactions. Furthermore, if functionalities that control the electrode microenvironment could be integrated into these active sites it would be particularly appealing. In this context, a square planar nickel calixpyrrole complex, Ni(DPMDA) (DPMDA=2,2'-((diphenylmethylene)bis(1H-pyrrole-5,2-diyl))bis(methaneylylidene))bis(azaneylylidene))dianiline) with pendant amine groups is reported that forms a heterogeneous hydrogen evolution catalyst using anilinium tetrafluoroborate as the proton source. The supported Ni(DPMDA) catalyst was surprisingly stable and displayed fast reaction kinetics with turnover frequencies (TOF) up to 25,900 s-1 or 366,000 s-1  cm-2 . Kinetic isotope effect (KIE) studies revealed a KIE of 5.7, and this data, combined with Tafel slope analysis, suggested that a proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process involving the pendant amine groups was rate-limiting. While evidence of an outer-sphere reduction of the Ni(DPMDA) catalyst was observed, it is hypothesized that the control over the secondary coordination sphere provided by the pendant amines facilitated such high TOFs and enabled the PCET mechanism. The results reported herein provide insight into heterogeneous catalyst design and approaches for controlling the secondary coordination sphere on electrode surfaces.

A Phosphorus-Based Pacman Dication Generated by Cooperative Self-Activation of a Pacman Phosphane

Formal coordination of phosphorus(III) by a calix[4]pyrrole Schiff base ligand was achieved through the reaction of this ligand with PCl₃ under basic conditions. The reaction product adopts a Pacman conformation with two P-Cl moieties, one in exo and one in endo position. It represents the first non-metal compound of calix[4]pyrrole Schiff base ligands and of Pacman ligands in general. The spatial neighborhood of the two phosphorus atoms enables cooperative reactions. As a first example, the chloride abstraction with AgOTf is presented, yielding a macrocyclic dication with two embedded phosphorus(III) monocations, which both undergo a cooperative, internal activation reaction with an adjacent C=N double bond. This intramolecular redox process affords two pentacoordinated phosphorus(V) centers within the Pacman dication. All reaction products were fully characterized and all results are supported by computations.

Contemporary macrocycles for discrete polymetallic complexes: precise control over structure and function

The growth of multimetallic clusters and complexes can proceed in the presence of suitable ligands, but often leads to polydisperse structures with poor solubility. As an alternative approach, macrocyclic molecules can anchor the multimetallic complex, directing its formation and stabilizing the resulting product. This approach can provide excellent control over the growth of clusters, and offers a handle to control solubility and other properties of the resulting complexes. In this Tutorial Review, we discuss recent activity (primarily the last two decades) directed at the controlled and reproducible synthesis of multimetallic complexes using macrocyclic ligands. Throughout the review, we focus on the unusual structures that are only accessible by using macrocycles as ligands, and their unique properties.

Encapsulation of Aromatic Guests in the Bisporphyrin Cavity of a Double-Stranded Spiroborate Helicate: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies and the Encapsulation Mechanism

A double-stranded spiroborate helicate bearing a bisporphyrin unit in the middle forms an inclusion complex with electron-deficient aromatic guests that are sandwiched between the porphyrins. In the present study, we systematically investigated the effects of size, electron density, and substituents of a series of aromatic guests on inclusion complex formations within the bisporphyrin. The thermodynamic and kinetic behaviors during the guest-encapsulation process were also investigated in detail. The guest-encapsulation abilities in the helicate increased with the increasing core sizes of the electron-deficient aromatic guests and decreased with the increasing bulkiness and number of substituents of the guests. Among the naphthalenediimide derivatives, those with bulky N-substituents at both ends hardly formed an inclusion complex. Instead, they formed a [2]rotaxane-like inclusion complex through the water-mediated dynamic B-O bond cleavage/reformation of the spiroborate groups of the helicate, which enhanced the conformational flexibility of the helicate to enlarge the bisporphyrin cavity and form an inclusion complex. Based on the X-ray crystal structure of a unique pacman-like 1:1 inclusion complex between the helicate and an ammonium cation as well as the molecular dynamics simulation results, a plausible mechanism for the inclusion of a planar aromatic guest within the helicate is also proposed.

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Linear Trinuclear CuII and NiII Complexes of Porphyrin Analogues Embedded with Binaphthol Units

A porphyrin analogue embedded with (S)-1,1′-bi-2-naphthol units was synthesized without reducing optical purity of the original binaphthol unit. This new macrocyclic ligand provides the hexaanionic N4O4 coordination environment that enables a linear array of three metal ions. That is, it provides the square planar O4 donor set for the central metal site and the distorted square planar N2O2 donor set for the terminal metal sites. In fact, a CuII3 complex with a Cu(1)–Cu(2) distance of 2.910 Å, a Cu(1)–Cu(2)–Cu(1′) angle of 174.7°, and a very planar Cu2O2 diamond core was obtained. The variable-temperature 1H-NMR study of the CuII3 complex showed increasing paramagnetic shifts for the naphthyl protons as temperature increased, which suggests strong antiferromagnetic coupling of CuII ions. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility indicated antiferromagnetic coupling both for the CuII3 complex (J = −434 cm−1) and for the NiII3 complex (J = −49 cm−1). The linear (L)M(µ-OR)2M(µ-OR)2M(L) core in a rigid macrocycle cavity made of aromatic components provides robust metal complexes that undergo reversible ligation at the apical sites of the central metal.

Ligands with Two Monoanionic N,N-Binding Sites: Synthesis and Coordination Chemistry

Polytopic ligands have become ubiquitous in coordination chemistry because they grant access to a variety of mono- and polynuclear complexes of transition metals as well as rare-earth and main-group elements. Nitrogen-based ditopic ligands, in which two monoanionic N,N-binding sites are framed within one molecule, are of particular importance and are therefore the primary focus of this review. In detail, bis(amidine)s, bis(guanidine)s, bis(β-diimine)s, bis(aminotroponimine)s, bis(pyrrolimine)s, and miscellaneous bis(N,N-chelating) ligands are reviewed. In addition to the general synthetic protocols, the application of these ligands is discussed along with their coordination chemistry, the multifarious binding modes, and the ability of these ligands to bridge two (or more) metal(loids).

Pressure-induced inclusion of neon in the crystal structure of a molecular Cu2(pacman) complex at 4.67 GPa

Crystals of Cu₂(pacman) inflate on taking up neon at 46 000 atm through a switch in the ligand conformation.

Controlling uranyl oxo group interactions to group 14 elements using polypyrrolic Schiff-base macrocyclic ligands

Heterodinuclear uranyl/group 14 complexes of the aryl- and anthracenyl-linked Schiff-base macrocyclic ligands L^Me and L^A were synthesised by reaction of UO₂(H₂L) with M{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂ (M = Ge, Sn, Pb). For complexes of the anthracenyl-linked ligand (L^A) the group 14 metal sits out of the N₄-donor plane by up to 0.7 Å resulting in relatively short MOUO distances which decrease down the group; however, the solid state structures and IR spectroscopic analyses suggest little interaction occurs between the oxo and group 14 metal. In contrast, the smaller aryl-linked ligand (L^Me) enforces greater interaction between the metals; only the Pb^II complex was cleanly accessible although this complex was relatively unstable in the presence of HN(SiMe₃)₂ and some organic oxidants. In this case, the equatorial coordination of pyridine-N-oxide causes a 0.08 Å elongation of the endo UO bond and a clear interaction of the uranyl ion with the Pb(ii) cation in the second donor compartment.

Mono- and Dinuclear Macrocyclic Calcium Complexes as Platforms for Mixed-Metal Complexes and Clusters

Mono- and dinuclear calcium complexes of the Schiff-base macrocycles H4L have been prepared and characterized spectroscopically and crystallographically. In the formation of Ca(THF)2(H2L(1)), Ca2(THF)2(μ-THF)(L(1)), and Ca2(THF)4(L(2)), the ligand framework adopts a bowl-shaped conformation instead of the conventional wedge, Pacman-shaped structure as seen with the anthracenyl-hinged complex Ca2(py)5(L(3)). The mononuclear calcium complex Ca(THF)2(H2L(1)) reacts with various equivalents of LiN(SiMe3)2 to form calcium/alkali metal clusters and dinuclear transition metal complexes when reacted subsequently with transition metal salts. The dinuclear calcium complex Ca2(THF)2(μ-THF)(L(1)), when reacted with various equivalents of NaOH, is shown to act as a platform for the formation of calcium/alkali metal hydroxide clusters, displaying alternate wedged and bowl-shaped conformations.

Inter- versus Intramolecular Structural Manipulation of a Dichromium(II) Pacman Complex through Pressure Variation

The effect of pressure on the intranuclear M···M separation and intermolecular secondary interactions in the dinuclear chromium Pacman complex [Cr2(L)](C6H6) was evaluated because this compound contains both a short Cr···Cr separation and an exogenously bound molecule of benzene in the solid state. The electronic structure of [Cr2(L)] was determined by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry, and density functional theory calculations and shows a diamagnetic ground state through antiferromagnetic exchange, with no evidence for a Cr-Cr bond. Analysis of the solid-state structures of [Cr2(L)](C6H6) at pressures varying from ambient to 3.0 GPa shows little deformation in the Cr···Cr separation, i.e., no Cr-Cr bond formation, but instead a significantly increased interaction between the exogenous arene and the chromium iminopyrrolide environment. It is therefore apparent from this analysis that [Cr2(L)] would be best exploited as a rigid chemical synthon, with pressure regulation being used to mediate the approach and secondary interactions of possible substrates.

Capsoplexes: encapsulating complexes via guest recognition

A new dinuclear Ni–NHC complex is able to selectively recognise and self-assemble with guests via tennis-ball like encapsulation, exemplarily demonstrated employing halides.

Towards dipyrrins: oxidation and metalation of acyclic and macrocyclic Schiff-base dipyrromethanes

Oxidation of acyclic Schiff-base dipyrromethanes cleanly results in dipyrrins, whereas the macrocyclic 'Pacman' analogues either decompose or form new dinuclear copper(ii) complexes that are inert to ligand oxidation; the unhindered hydrogen substituent at the meso-carbon allows new structural motifs to form.

Catalytic one-electron reduction of uranyl(VI) to Group 1 uranyl(V) complexes via Al(III) coordination

Reactions between the uranyl(VI) Pacman complex [(UO2)(py)(H2L)] of the Schiff-base polypyrrolic macrocycle L and Tebbe's reagent or DIBAL result in the first selective reductive functionalisation of the uranyl oxo by Al to form [(py)(R2AlOUO)(py)(H2L)] (R = Me or (i)Bu). The clean displacement of the oxo-coordinated Al(III) by Group 1 cations has enabled the development of a one-pot, DIBAL-catalysed reduction of the U(VI) uranyl complexes to a series of new, mono-oxo alkali-metal-functionalised uranyl(V) complexes [(py)3(MOUO)(py)(H2L)] (M = Li, Na, K).

Exhibition of the Brønsted acid–base character of a Schiff base in palladium(ii) complex formation: lithium complexation, fluxional properties and catalysis of Suzuki reactions in water

The Brønsted acid–base character of bis(iminopyrrolylmethyl)amine was shown through the X-ray structures of palladium complexes. The bischelated palladium complex is fluxional as studied by the VT ¹H NMR method and effectively catalyzes Suzuki reactions in water.

Isocyanide and Phosphine Oxide Coordination in Binuclear Chromium Pacman Complexes

The new binuclear chromium Pacman complex [Cr2(L)] of the Schiff base pyrrole macrocycle H4L has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Addition of isocyanide, C≡NR (R = xylyl, tBu), or triphenylphosphine oxide donors to [Cr2(L)] gives contrasting chemistry with the formation of the new coordination compounds [Cr2(μ-CNR)(L)], in which the isocyanides bridge the two Cr(II) centers, and [Cr2(OPPh3)2(L)], a Cr(II) phosphine oxide adduct with the ligands exogenous to the cleft.

Oxo-functionalization and reduction of the uranyl ion through lanthanide-element bond homolysis: synthetic, structural, and bonding analysis of a series of singly reduced uranyl-rare earth 5f1-4f(n) complexes

The heterobimetallic complexes [{UO2Ln(py)2(L)}2], combining a singly reduced uranyl cation and a rare-earth trication in a binucleating polypyrrole Schiff-base macrocycle (Pacman) and bridged through a uranyl oxo-group, have been prepared for Ln = Sc, Y, Ce, Sm, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, and Lu. These compounds are formed by the single-electron reduction of the Pacman uranyl complex [UO2(py)(H2L)] by the rare-earth complexes Ln(III)(A)3 (A = N(SiMe3)2, OC6H3Bu(t)2-2,6) via homolysis of a Ln-A bond. The complexes are dimeric through mutual uranyl exo-oxo coordination but can be cleaved to form the trimetallic, monouranyl "ate" complexes [(py)3LiOUO(μ-X)Ln(py)(L)] by the addition of lithium halides. X-ray crystallographic structural characterization of many examples reveals very similar features for monomeric and dimeric series, the dimers containing an asymmetric U2O2 diamond core with shorter uranyl U═O distances than in the monomeric complexes. The synthesis by Ln(III)-A homolysis allows [5f(1)-4f(n)]2 and Li[5f(1)-4f(n)] complexes with oxo-bridged metal cations to be made for all possible 4f(n) configurations. Variable-temperature SQUID magnetometry and IR, NIR, and EPR spectroscopies on the complexes are utilized to provide a basis for the better understanding of the electronic structure of f-block complexes and their f-electron exchange interactions. Furthermore, the structures, calculated by restricted-core or all-electron methods, are compared along with the proposed mechanism of formation of the complexes. A strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal centers, mediated by the oxo groups, exists in the U(V)Sm(III) monomer, whereas the dimeric U(V)Dy(III) complex was found to show magnetic bistability at 3 K, a property required for the development of single-molecule magnets.

Oligopyrrole macrocycles: receptors and chemosensors for potentially hazardous materials

Oligopyrroles represent a diverse class of molecular receptors that have been utilized in a growing number of applications. Recently, these systems have attracted interest as receptors and chemosensors for hazardous materials, including harmful anionic species, high-valent actinide cations, and nitroaromatic explosives. These versatile molecular receptors have been used to develop rudimentary colorimetric and fluorimetric assays for hazardous materials.

Cooperative self-assembly of a macrocyclic Schiff base complex

A metal template approach affords in high yield a tetra-Zn(salphen) macrocycle (3) which shows strong and cooperative self-assembly mediated by the formation of Zn(salphen) dimer units held together via μ(2)-phenoxo interactions. A cooperative binding mode for the tetranuclear Zn(4) macrocycle 3 is supported by comparison of UV-vis and fluorescence titration data recorded for 3 when compared with respective mononuclear and dinuclear Zn(salphen) model compounds. UV-vis dilution experiments carried out for Zn(4) macrocycle 3 and its Pd(4) analogue 4, as well as comparative TEM studies involving the same tetranuclear macrocycles further support the strong assembly behavior of 3. This self-assembly seems to be primarily dictated by its ability to form multiple, self-assembled dimeric [Zn(salphen)](2) units.

Synthesis of bimetallic uranium and neptunium complexes of a binucleating macrocycle and determination of the solid-state structure by magnetic analysis

Syntheses of the bimetallic uranium(III) and neptunium(III) complexes [(UI)(2)(L)], [(NpI)(2)(L)], and [{U(BH(4))}(2)(L)] of the Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycles L are described. In the absence of single-crystal structural data, fitting of the variable-temperature solid-state magnetic data allows the prediction of polymeric structures for these compounds in the solid state.