Five-coordinate cobalt(II) complexes of tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA): Synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of a terephthalato-bridged dinuclear cobalt(II) complex

Cleaner and stronger: how 8-quinolinolate facilitates formation of Co(III)-thiolate from Co(II)-disulfide complexes

The formation of Co(III)-thiolate complexes from Co(II)-disulfide complexes using the anionic ligand 8-quinolinolate (quin^-) has been studied experimentally and quantum chemically. Two Co(II)-disulfide complexes [Co₂(L^xSSL^x)(Cl)₄] (x = 1 or 2; L¹SSL¹ = 2,2'-disulfanediylbis(N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethan-1-amine; L²SSL² = 2,2'-disulfanedylbis (N-((6-methylpyridin-2-yl)methyl)-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) ethan-1-amine) have been successfully converted with high yield to their corresponding Co(III)-thiolate complexes upon addition of the ligand 8-quinolinolate. Using density functional theory (DFT) computations the d-orbital splitting energies of the cobalt-thiolate compounds [Co(L¹S)(quin)]⁺ and [Co(L²S)(quin)]⁺ were estimated to be 3.10 eV and 3.07 eV, indicating a slightly smaller ligand-field strength of ligand L²SSL² than of L¹SSL¹. Furthermore, the orientation of the quin^- ligand in the thiolate compounds determines the stability of the thiolate complex. DFT computations show that the thiolate structure benefits from more electrostatic attraction when the oxygen atom of the quin^- ligand is positioned trans to the sulfur atom of the [Co(L¹S)]²⁺ fragment. Quin^- is the first auxiliary ligand with which it appeared possible to induce the redox-conversion reaction in cobalt(II) compounds of the relatively weak-field ligand L²SSL².

Dioxygen Activation and Mandelate Decarboxylation by Iron(II) Complexes of N4 Ligands: Evidence for Dioxygen-Derived Intermediates from Cobalt Analogues

The isolation, characterization, and dioxygen reactivity of monomeric [(TPA)M^II(mandelate)]⁺ (M = Fe, 1; Co, 3) and dimeric [(BPMEN)₂M^II₂(μ-mandelate)₂]²⁺ (M = Fe, 2; Co, 4) (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and BPMEN = N¹,N²-dimethyl-N¹,N²-bis(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) complexes are reported. The iron(II)- and cobalt(II)-mandelate complexes react with dioxygen to afford benzaldehyde and benzoic acid in a 1:1 ratio. In the reactions, one oxygen atom from dioxygen is incorporated into benzoic acid, but benzaldehyde does not derive any oxygen atom from dioxygen. While no O₂-derived intermediate is observed with the iron(II)-mandelate complexes, the analogous cobalt(II) complexes react with dioxygen at a low temperature (-80 °C) to generate the corresponding cobalt(III)-superoxo species (S), a key intermediate implicated in the initiation of mandelate decarboxylation. At -20 °C, the cobalt(II)-mandelate complexes bind dioxygen reversibly leading to the formation of μ-1,2-peroxo-dicobalt(III)-mandelate species (P). The geometric and electronic structures of the O₂-derived intermediates (S and P) have been established by computational studies. The intermediates S and P upon treatment with a protic acid undergo decarboxylation to afford benzaldehyde (50%) with a concomitant formation of the corresponding μ-1,2-peroxo-μ-mandelate-dicobalt(III) (P1) species. The crystal structure of a peroxide species isolated from the cobalt(II)-carboxylate complex [(TPA)Co^II(MPA)]⁺ (5) (MPA = 2-methoxyphenylacetate) supports the composition of P1. The observations of the dioxygen-derived intermediates from cobalt complexes and their electronic structure analyses not only provide information about the nature of active species involved in the decarboxylation of mandelate but also shed light on the mechanistic pathway of two-electron versus four-electron reduction of dioxygen.

Observation of Protonation-Induced Spin State Switching in a Cyanido-Bridged {Fe2Co2} Molecular Square

The self-assembly of [Co(MeTPyA)(CH₃COO)]PF₆ (1) and [Fe(bbp)(CN)₃]^2- affords a cyanido-bridged square-shaped {Fe₂Co₂} tetranuclear complex, [{Co(MeTPyA)(μ₂-NC)₂Fe(bbp)(CN)}₂]·3H₂O (2; MeTPyA = tris((3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amine and H₂bbp = bis(2-benzimidazolyl)pyridine). The possibility of inducing an intramolecular electron transfer coupled spin transition in 2 by employing protonation as an external stimulant is explored. UV-visible spectrophotometric measurements, electrochemical and ¹H NMR studies establish that a reversible intramolecular electron transfer coupled spin transition can be triggered in 2 upon addition of either acid or base.

Five-Coordinated Geometries from Molecular Structures to Solutions in Copper(II) Complexes Generated from Polydentate-N-Donor Ligands and Pseudohalides

A novel series of mononuclear five-coordinated pseudohalido-Cu(II) complexes displaying distorted square bipyramidal: [Cu(L¹)(NCS)₂] (1), [Cu(L²)(NCS)₂] (2) and [Cu(L³)(NCS)]ClO₄ (5) as well as distorted trigonal bipyramidal: [Cu(isp₃tren)(N₃)]ClO₄ (3), [Cu(isp₃tren)(dca)]ClO₄ (4) and [Cu(tedmpza)(dca)]ClO₄·0.67H₂O (6) geometries had been synthesized and structurally characterized using X-ray single crystal crystallography, elemental microanalysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and molar conductivity measurements. Different N-donor amine skeletons including tridentate: L¹ = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl)-(3,4-dimethoxy)-2-methylpyridyl]methylamine and L² = [(2-pyridyl)-2-ethyl)-(3,5-dimethyl-4-methoxy)-2-methyl-pyridyl]methylamine, and tetradentate: L³ = bis(2-ethyl-di(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-[2-(3,4-dimethoxy-pyridylmethyl)]amine, tedmpza = tris[(2-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]amine and isp₃tren = tris[(2-isopropylamino)ethyl)]amine ligands were employed. Molecular structural parameters such as nature of coligand, its chelate ring size and steric environment incorporated into its skeleton, which lead to adopting one of the two limiting geometries in these complexes and other reported compounds are analyzed and correlated to their assigned geometries in solutions. Similar analysis were extended to other five-coordinated halido-Cu(II) complexes.

Oxidative C-N bond cleavage of (2-pyridylmethyl)amine-based tetradentate supporting ligands in ternary cobalt(ii)-carboxylate complexes

Three mononuclear cobalt(ii)-carboxylate complexes, [(TPA)Co^II(benzilate)]⁺ (1), [(TPA)Co^II(benzoate)]⁺ (2) and [(iso-BPMEN)Co^II(benzoate)]⁺ (3), of N4 ligands (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and iso-BPMEN = N¹,N¹-dimethyl-N²,N²-bis((pyridin-2-yl)methyl)ethane-1,2-diamine) were isolated to investigate their reactivity toward dioxygen. Monodentate (η¹) binding of the carboxylates to the metal centre favours the five-coordinate cobalt(ii) complexes (1-3) for dioxygen activation. Complex 1 slowly reacts with dioxygen to enable the oxidative decarboxylation of the coordinated α-hydroxy acid (benzilate). Prolonged exposure of the reaction solution of 2 to dioxygen results in the formation of [(DPA)Co^III(picolinate)(benzoate)]⁺ (4) and [Co^III(BPCA)₂]⁺ (5) (DPA = di(2-picolyl)amine and HBPCA = bis(2-pyridylcarbonyl)amide), whereas only [(DPEA)Co^III(picolinate)(benzoate)]⁺ (6) (DPEA = N¹,N¹-dimethyl-N²-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-ethane-1,2-diamine) is isolated from the final oxidised solution of 3. The modified ligand DPA (or DPEA) is formed via the oxidative C-N bond cleavage of the supporting ligands. Further oxidation of the -CH₂- moiety to -C([double bond, length as m-dash]O)- takes place in the transformation of DPA to HBPCA on the cobalt(ii) centre. Labelling experiments with ¹⁸O₂ confirm the incorporation of oxygen atoms from molecular oxygen into the oxidised products. Mixed labelling studies with ¹⁶O₂ and H₂O¹⁸ strongly support the involvement of water in the C-N bond cleavage pathway. A comparison of the dioxygen reactivity of the cobalt complexes (1-3) with those of several other five-coordinate mononuclear complexes [(TPA)Co^II(X)]^+/2+ (X = Cl, CH₃CN, acetate, benzoylformate, salicylate and phenylpyruvate) establishes the role of the carboxylate co-ligands in the activation of dioxygen and subsequent oxidative cleavage of the supporting ligands by a metal-oxygen oxidant.

Coligand modulated oxidative O-demethylation of a methyl ether appended tetradentate N-ligand in Co(ii) complexes

Two Co(ii) complexes of the formula CoL^OMeX₂ (X = Cl^- (1a); X = I^- (1b)), where L^OMe is 2-methoxy-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl) aniline, were synthesized and their structure, spectra and reactivity were studied. Upon oxidation of 1a and 1b, the ligand L^OMe undergoes demethylation at the metal centre resulting in the formation of Co(iii) complexes with modified phenoxide ligands. This is the very first example of oxidative O-demethylation reported at a Co(ii) centre. The oxidative behaviour exhibits a striking dependence on the nature of coligands coordinated to the metal centre. The Co(ii) complex 1a with stronger chloro coligands requires a strong oxidising agent like t-BuOOH for oxidative demethylation and the subsequent formation of a mononuclear Co(iii) complex with a demethylated ligand, CoL^O-Cl₂ (2). On the other hand, complex 1b with weaker iodo coligands undergoes oxidation in the presence of the weak oxidant O₂ to form a dihydroxo bridged binuclear Co(iii) complex [Co₂(L^O-)₂(OH)₂]²⁺ (3) with modified phenoxide ligands. The oxidation of 1b to 3 is monitored and the intermediate Co(ii) iodo aqua complex [CoL^OMeI(H₂O)]⁺ and Co(ii) diaqua complex [CoL^OMe(H₂O)₂]²⁺ are isolated and characterised.

Oxalato bridged coordination polymer of manganese(iii) involving unconventional O⋯π-hole(nitrile) and antiparallel nitrile⋯nitrile contacts: antiproliferative evaluation and theoretical studies

Unconventional O⋯π-hole(nitrile) and antiparallel nitrile⋯nitrile contacts have been theoretically investigated for a Mn(iii) coordination polymer considering cytotoxicity, apoptosis, ROS generation, molecular docking and pharmacophore features.

Unconventional DNA-relevant π-stacked hydrogen bonded arrays involving supramolecular guest benzoate dimers and cooperative anion–π/π–π/π–anion contacts in coordination compounds of Co(ii) and Zn(ii) phenanthroline: experimental and theoretical studies

Antiproliferative evaluation and supramolecular assemblies of Co(ii) and Zn(ii) coordination compounds involving cooperative anion–π and unconventional DNA-relevant π-stacked hydrogen bonded arrays.

Adipato bridged novel hexanuclear Cu(ii) and polymeric Co(ii) coordination compounds involving cooperative supramolecular assemblies and encapsulated guest water clusters in a square grid host: antiproliferative evaluation and theoretical studies

Novel adipato bridged Cu(ii) and Co(ii) complexes synthesized by considering cytotoxicity, apoptosis, ROS generation, molecular docking and pharmacophore features.

Slow magnetic relaxation in penta-coordinate cobalt(ii) field-induced single-ion magnets (SIMs) with easy-axis magnetic anisotropy

Two penta-coordinate [Co(Lⁿ)(NCS)]ClO₄ with substituted pyridyl based bispyrazolyl ligands have been structurally characterized. The complexes show an easy-axis magnetic anisotropy, large rhombicity and slow relaxation of magnetization.

Solvent-driven structural topology involving energetically significant intra- and intermolecular chelate ring contacts and anticancer activities of Cu(ii) phenanthroline complexes involving benzoates: experimental and theoretical studies

Two new coordination solids [Cu₂(μ²-Bz)₄(CH₃OH)₂][Cu₂(η²-Bz)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]·(NO₃)₂ (1) and [Cu(phen)(H₂O)(Bz)(η²-Bz)] (2) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; Bz = benzoate) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, TGA, spectroscopic (IR, UV-vis-NIR and ESR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. Change of the solvent from methanol to DMF results in changes in the architectures that are triggered by a change from square pyramidal to octahedral coordination at the divalent metal centers for complexes 1 and 2 respectively. The structural topology of the complexes is established by the interplay of strong O-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O, C-H⋯C, π-π stacking interactions. Unconventional parallel intramolecular and anti-parallel intermolecular contacts involving the chelate rings (CR) also stabilize the structures. The energetic analyses of the structures evidence that the parallel arrangement is energetically favoured which is likely due to the presence of the Cu⋯Cu cuprophilic interaction in 1 that is not established in 2. Compound 1 exhibits the highest antibacterial activity against Rhizobium leguminosarum among the tested cultures. In vitro cytotoxicity and apoptosis studies were carried out for compounds 1 and 2 on malignant Dalton's lymphoma cell line (DL). Both compounds showed a significant effect on the decrease in cell viability as compared to a control, while compound 2 induced remarkable cytotoxicity towards DL cells. Treatment also showed the appearance of membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation and fragmented nuclei which are typical characteristic features of apoptotic cell death. Furthermore, a docking study revealed that both compounds docked in the active sites of all the cancer target proteins under study. Moreover, SAR analysis revealed that oxygen and nitrogen atoms of compound 1 and the oxygen atoms of compound 2 are crucial for biological activities.

Synthesis, Magnetic Properties, and Catalytic Properties of a Nickel(II)-Dependent Biomimetic of Metallohydrolases

A dinickel(II) complex of the ligand 1,3-bis(bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)propan-2-ol (HL1) has been prepared and characterized to generate a functional model for nickel(II) phosphoesterase enzymes. The complex, [Ni2(L1)(μ-OAc)(H2O)2](ClO4)2·H2O, was characterized by microanalysis, X-ray crystallography, UV-visible, and IR absorption spectroscopy and solid state magnetic susceptibility measurements. Susceptibility studies show that the complex is antiferromagnetically coupled with the best fit parameters J = -27.4 cm-1, g = 2.29, D = 28.4 cm-1, comparable to corresponding values measured for the analogous dicobalt(II) complex [Co2(L1)(μ-OAc)](ClO4)2·0.5 H2O (J = -14.9 cm-1 and g = 2.16). Catalytic measurements with the diNi(II) complex using the substrate bis(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate (BDNPP) demonstrated activity toward hydrolysis of the phosphoester substrate with K m ~10 mM, and k cat ~0.025 s-1. The combination of structural and catalytic studies suggests that the likely mechanism involves a nucleophilic attack on the substrate by a terminal nucleophilic hydroxido moiety.

Electrocatalytic and Photocatalytic Reduction of CO2 to CO by Cobalt(II) Tripodal Complexes: Low Overpotentials, High Efficiency and Selectivity

The reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) has been considered as an approach to mitigate global warming and to provide renewable carbon-based fuels. Rational design of efficient, selective, and inexpensive catalysts with low overpotentials is urgently desired. In this study, four cobalt(II) tripodal complexes are tested as catalysts for CO₂ reduction to CO in a MeCN/H₂ O (4:1 v/v) solution. The replacement of pyridyl groups in the ligands with less basic quinolinyl groups greatly reduces the required overpotential for CO₂ -to-CO conversion down to 200-380 mV. Benefitting from the low overpotentials, a photocatalyst system for CO₂ -to-CO conversion is successfully constructed, with an maximum turnover number (TON) of 10 650±750, a turnover frequency (TOF) of 1150±80 h^-1 , and almost 100 % selectivity to CO. These outstanding catalytic performances are further elucidated by DFT calculations.

The influence of the ancillary ligand on the potential of cobalt(iii) complexes to act as chaperones for hydroxamic acid-based drugs

Cobalt(iii) chaperone complexes can modulate the cytotoxicity and subcellular distribution of biologically active hydroxamic acids.

Effect of ligand denticity on the nitric oxide reactivity of cobalt(ii) complexes

NO reactivity of three Co(ii) complexes, 1, 2 and 3 have been studied in degassed methanol solution. The complexes differ from each other in terms of denticity and flexibility of the ligand fameworks. Complex 1 undergoes reductive nitrosylation of the metal ion; 2 results in corresponding [Co^III(NO⁻)] complex; whereas 3 does not react with NO.

A polypyridyl Co(ii) complex-based water reduction catalyst with double H2 evolution sites

The unique coordination mode of Cl-TMPA and the double H₂ evolution sites of [Co(Cl-TMPA)Cl₂] provide a new strategy to design more effective WRCs.

Versatile Coordination Mode of a New Pyridine-Based Ditopic Ligand with Transition Metals: From Regular Pyridine to Alkyne and Alkenyl Bindings and Indolizinium Formation

The new BPMPB ligand, namely, bis[1-bis(2-pyridylmethyl),1 (pyridyl)]butyne, can be very easily obtained as a side product in the known reaction of picolyl chloride and sodium acetylide (which major product is the known terminal alkyne-substituted tripod). This symmetrical ligand contains two identical coordination sites with two methylenepyridines and one pyridyl group on each side, linked by an alkyne function providing a semirigid segment. Together with the molecular structure of the ligand which is reported, we describe the preparation of complexes with Fe(II)Cl2, Co(II)Cl2, Ni(II)Cl2, Cu(I)Cl, and Zn(II)Cl2 salts. All complexes have been characterized by X-ray diffraction studies as well as by standard spectroscopic techniques. The striking point in this work is the diversity of the structures that are obtained. Co(II) and Zn(II) provide isostructural dinuclear complexes in which both coordination sites are occupied within a tetrahedral symmetry. The Cu(I) complex is also a dinuclear compound, but in that case, the copper atom is coordinated to the alkyne moiety, two pyridines, and a bridging chloride. The (13)C NMR spectrum of the copper complex confirms that the metal center is coordinated to the alkyne in solution. The coordination of Ni(II) results in the formation of a mononuclear complex in which a pyridine has fused with the alkyne moiety to generate an indolizinium group; the structure of the corresponding alkenyl complex is reported. Finally, the addition of FeCl2 to the ligand results in the formation of a mononuclear complex with a free, noncoordinated indolizinium. The sequence developed in the present work illustrates the possibility for the metal centers to adopt various coordination modes which may be relevant to the conversion of an alkyne and a pyridyl unit into indolizinium.

Crystal structure of a dinuclear Co(II) complex with bridging fluoride ligands: di-μ-fluorido-bis-{tris-[(6-methyl-pyridin-2-yl)meth-yl]amine}-dicobalt(II) bis-(tetra-fluorido-borate)

Reaction of Co(BF₄)₂·6H₂O with tris­[(6-methyl­pyridin-2-yl)meth­yl]amiine in methanol results in a fluoride abstraction from BF₄⁻, yielding the unexpected title compound, [Co₂F₂(C₂₁H₂₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₂. The complex cation consists of two inversion-related [Co(C₂₁H₂₄N₄)]²⁺ moieties bridged by a pair of fluoride ligands. The Co^II cation is six-coordinated in a distorted octa­hedral geometry and forms a +II high-spin state. In the crystal, the complex cation and the BF₄⁻ anion are connected by C—H⋯F hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. An intra­molecular C—H⋯F hydrogen bond is also observed.

Efficient hydrolytic cleavage of plasmid DNA by chloro-cobalt(II) complexes based on sterically hindered pyridyl tripod tetraamine ligands: synthesis, crystal structure and DNA cleavage

Four new cobalt(ii) complexes [Co(6-MeTPA)Cl]ClO4/PF6 (2/2a), [Co(6-Me2TPA)Cl]ClO4/PF6 (3/3a), [Co(BPQA)Cl]ClO4/PF6 (4/4a) and [Co(BQPA)Cl]ClO4/PF6 (5/5a) as well as [Co(TPA)Cl]ClO4 (1) where TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, 6-MeTPA = ((6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, 6-Me2TPA = bis(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)methyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, BPQA = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-(2-quinolylmethyl)-amine and BQPA = bis(2-quinolylmethyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine were synthesized and structurally characterized. Single crystal X-ray crystallography confirmed the distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometries of complexes 2a-5a. Spectrophotometric titrations and conductivity measurements of the complexes in the CH3CN-H2O mixture showed that the chloro complexes exist in equilibrium with the corresponding hydrolyzed aqua species, [Co(L)(H2O)](2+). The pKa values of the coordinated H2O in aqua complexes vary from 8.4 to 8.7 (37 °C). The interactions of the complexes (1-5) with DNA have been investigated at pH = 7.0 and 9.0 (10 mM Tris-HCl buffer) and 37 °C where very high catalytic cleavage was observed. Under pseudo Michaelis-Menten kinetic conditions, the catalytic rate constants, kcat, decrease in the order 4>2>5>1>3. At pH 7.0 (10 mM Tris-HCl buffer) and 37 °C, the kcat value for complex 4 (6.02 h(-1)), where [Co(BPQA)(H2O)](2+) is the major species, corresponds to 170 million rate enhancement over the non-catalyzed DNA. Electrophoretic experiments conducted in the presence and absence of radical scavengers (DMSO, KI, NaN3) ruled out the oxidative mechanistic pathway of the reaction and suggested that the hydrolytic mechanism is the preferred one. This finding was in agreement with the observed increase in the kcat values at pH 9.0 compared to the corresponding values at pH 7.0 as a result of the increased concentration of the reactive hydroxo species, [Co(L)(OH)](+). The reactivity of the synthesized complexes in catalyzing the DNA cleavage is discussed in relation to the steric effect imposed by the coordinated pyridyl ligand around the central cobalt(ii) center.

Structure and spectroscopic studies of homo-and heterometallic complexes of adipic acid dihydrazide

A single crystal of adipic acid dihydrazide, ADH, has been analyzed. Its reaction with Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Ag(+), Pd(2+) and/or Pt(2+) gave homometallic and heterometallic complexes which are characterized by partial elemental analysis, spectra (MS, ESR, (1)H NMR, electronic; IR), thermal analysis and magnetic measurements. Some complexes: Zn(0.73)Cu(ADH)Cl4·H2O; Zn(0.71)Hg(0.36)(ADH)Cl4·H2O; Zn(0.65)Cd(0.46)(ADH)Cl4·½H2O; Zn(0.75)Co(0.41)(ADH-2H)Cl2·3H2O; Cd0.85Co0.43(ADH)Cl4·½EtOH were isolated having nonstiochiometric metal ratios. The ligand behaves as a neutral (bidentate or tetradentate) and/or binegative tetradentate. A square-pyramid, square-planar and tetrahedral structures were proposed for the homo Co(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes, respectively. A similar and different stereochemistry around each metal ion (tetrahedral+tetrahedral; tetrahedral+square-planar; tetrahedral+tetrahedral and/or tetrahedral+octahedral) was suggested for the heterometallic complexes. Some complexes were found highly stable with stability point >240 °C; the most stable is [HgNi(ADH-2H)Cl2]. The presence of diamagnetic atom (Zn, Cd or Hg) reduces the magnetic moments and gave anomalous moments. The degradation steps and the hydrated complexes are confirmed through the TGA study. The order of covalency of [Zn(0.73)Cu(ADH)Cl4]·H2O, [CdCu(ADH)Cl4]·H2O and [HgCu(ADH-2H)Cl2] matches with the size of the second metal (Zn complex>Cd complex>Hg complex). Some heterometallic complexes were found nonstoichiometric through the analysis of their metal content and supported by TGA.

Nonprecious metal catalysts for fuel cell applications: electrochemical dioxygen activation by a series of first row transition metal tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine complexes

A series of divalent first row triflate complexes supported by the ligand tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) have been investigated as oxygen reduction catalysts for fuel cell applications. [(TPA)M(2+)](n+) (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu) derivatives were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, cyclic voltammetry, NMR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, IR spectroscopy, and conductance measurements. The stoichiometric and electrochemical O(2) reactivities of the series were examined. Rotating-ring disk electrode (RRDE) voltammetry was used to examine the catalytic activity of the complexes on a carbon support in acidic media, emulating fuel cell performance. The iron complex displayed a selectivity of 89% for four-electron conversion and demonstrated the fastest reaction kinetics, as determined by a kinetic current of 7.6 mA. Additionally, the Mn, Co, and Cu complexes all showed selective four-electron oxygen reduction (<28% H(2)O(2)) at onset potentials (~0.44 V vs RHE) comparable to state of the art molecular catalysts, while being straightforward to access synthetically and derived from nonprecious metals.

Co-ordination behaviour of a novel bisthiourea tripodal ligand: structural, spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of a series of transition metal complexes

The synthesis of a thiourea substituted derivative of tris(pyridyl-2-methyl)amine (TPA) is reported. Two of the three pyridine rings are substituted in the 6-position with benzoylthiourea groups. These thiourea groups undergo intramolecular hydrogen bonding to form six-membered rings which leaves one N-H group available to form hydrogen bonds with other molecules. This reports details how the complexation of this new ligand with transition metal ions yields complexes with differing geometries. Seven co-ordinate Mn(II) and Cd(II), six co-ordinate Ni(II) and five co-ordinate Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been isolated.