An effective strategy of P,N-containing macrocycle design

Dynamics and Coordination of a P2N2 Ligand - from Twisted Conformation to Chelation

Based on their general spacial flexibility, their Lewis and Brønsted basicity, and ability to mimic second sphere effects the 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane ligand family and their complexes have regained substantial scientific interest. It was now possible to structurally analyze a recently reported member of this family with p-tolyl and t-butyl substituents on P and N, respectively, (P2 p-tolN2 tBu). Notably, the ligand crystallizes with a 'twisted' backbone. This compound is the very first of its kind to have been unambiguously characterized with regard to its chemical and molecular structure as being in this conformation. A temperature-dependent NMR study provides insight into the molecular dynamics of two isomers in solution, which are most likely also both twisted, as judged by the observed limited reactivity. Despite the in principle unfavorable conformation of the free ligand, it was successfully chelated to tungsten and molybdenum centers in mononuclear carbonyl complexes. The ligand, a derivative thereof and four new complexes were comprehensively characterized and analyzed in comparison. This includes single crystal XRD molecular structures of P2 p-tolN2 tBu and all four complexes. P2 p-tolN2 tBu, regardless of its twisted conformation, is able to coordinate to metal centers given that enough energy (heat) for a conformational change is provided.

First Example of Cage P4N4-Macrocycle Copper Complexes with Intracavity Location of Unusual Cu2I Fragments

In this study, 28-membered macrocyclic 1,5(1,5)-di(1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctana)-2,4,6,8(1,4)-tetrabenzenacyclooctaphane were synthesized by condensation of pyridinephosphine, paraformaldehyde, and primary diamines (bis(4-aminophenyl)methane or -sulfide. The first representatives of binuclear copper(I) complexes of P,N-containing cyclophanes with two 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane rings incorporated into a macrocyclic core and intracavity location of unusual, developed angle Cu₂I moiety were obtained. The structure of one complex was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. The complexation led to a slight distortion of the cyclophane conformations.

Synthetic models of hydrogenases based on framework structures containing coordinating P, N-atoms as hydrogen energy electrocatalysts – from molecules to materials

Nowadays, hydrogen has become not only an extremely important chemical product but also a promising clean energy carrier for replacing fossil fuels. Production of molecular H2 through electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions is crucial for the development of clean-energy technologies. The development of economically viable and efficient H2 production/oxidation catalysts is a key step in the creation of H2-based renewable energy infrastructure. Intrinsic limitations of both natural enzymes and synthetic materials have led researchers to explore enzyme-induced catalysts to realize a high current density at a low overpotential. In recent times, highly active widespread numerous electrocatalysts, both homogeneous or heterogeneous (immobilized on the electrode), such as transition metal complexes, heteroatom- or metal-doped nanocarbons, metal-organic frameworks, and other metal derivatives (calix [4] resorcinols, pectates, etc.), which are, to one extent or another, structural or functional analogs of hydrogenases, have been extensively studied as alternatives for Pt-based catalysts, demonstrating prospects for the development of a “hydrogen economy”. This mini-review generalizes some achievements in the field of development of new electrocatalysts for H2 production/oxidation and their application for fuel cells, mainly focuses on the consideration of the catalytic activity of M[P2N2]2 2+ (M = Ni, Fe) complexes and other nickel structures which have been recently obtained.

The first representatives of tetranuclear gold(i) complexes of P,N-containing cyclophanes

The first representatives of the tetranuclear gold(i) complexes of P,N-containing cyclophanes with two 1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane rings incorporated into the macrocyclic core have been obtained. The complexation leads to a change in ligand conformations so that the diazadiphosphacyclooctane fragments of the complexes adopt twist-chair conformations, and two of the four gold(i) ions are located over and under the partially collapsed macrocyclic cavity. The complexes demonstrate moderate solid-state green emission.

Covalent self-assembly of the specific RSSR isomer of 14-membered tetrakisphosphine

The first representative of the specific RSSR isomer of 14-membered tetrakisphosphine has been obtained instead of the RRRR/SSSS isomer predicted according to the empirical rule formulated recently. The geometry of the obtained 14-P₄N₂ is preorganized for the dicopper complex formation with the unique coordination mode in the row of P₄N₂ corands.

Cyclic aminomethylphosphines as ligands. Rational design and unpredicted findings

Rational design of title ligands and their transition metal complexes gave the high effective catalysts for hydrogen economy and perspective “stimuli-responsive” luminescent materials. Together with the above novel cyclic aminomehtylphospine ligands have showed a row of unpredicted properties like spontaneous formation of macrocyclic molecules, unique reversible slitting of macrocycles on to the smaller cycles, rapid interconversion of the isomers catalyzed by both acids and transitional metals, bridging behavior of usually chelating ligands and unexpected high influence of handling substituents on N-atoms on to the catalytic and luminescent properties of P-complexes.

Macrocyclic tetrakis-phosphines and their copper(I) complexes

A series of mono-, di- and tetranuclear copper(I) complexes with macrocyclic 14-, 16-, 18- and 20-membered tetrakis-phosphine ligands (P4N2) was obtained and fully characterized including single crystal X-ray diffraction. The 14-membered P4N2 macrocycles form very stable cationic mononuclear tetraphospha-coordinated copper(I) complexes, whereas their higher 16-, 18- and 20-membered homologues give neutral dinuclear [Cu2I2L] complexes under the same conditions. An unusual tetranuclear complex with two three- and two four-coordinated copper(I) atoms was obtained from 16-PMes4NCH2CH2Py-22 and copper(I) iodide. This is the first example of N-coordination of cyclic aminomethylphosphines towards “soft” copper(I).

Synthesis and unique reversible splitting of 14-membered cyclic aminomethylphosphines on to 7-membered heterocycles

A novel type of 14-membered cyclic polyphosphine, namely 1,8-diaza-3,6,10,13-tetraphosphacyclotetradecanes 2a–4ahas been synthesized by the condensation of 1,2-bis(phenylphosphino)ethane, formaldehyde and alkylamines (isopropylamine, ethylamine and cyclohexylamine) as a RRRR/SSSS-stereoisomer. The structure of macrocycle 2a was investigated by NMR-spectroscopy and X-ray crystal structure analysis. The unique reversible processes of macrocycles 2a–4a splitting onto the corresponding rac- (2b–4b) and meso- (2c–4c) stereoisomers of 1-aza-3,6-diphosphacycloheptanes were discovered.

Alternating stereoselective self-assembly of SSSS/RRRR or RSSR isomers of tetrakisphosphines in the row of 14-, 16-, 18- and 20-membered macrocycles

Covalent self-assembly of novel 18- and 20-membered P,N-corands as single stereoisomer is described.