Zn(II) and Co(III) metallosupramolecular assemblies derived from a rigid bis-Schiff base ligand

Deaggregation properties and transmetalation studies of a zinc(II) salen-type Schiff-base complex

This paper reports the synthesis and the deaggregation properties of a Lewis acidic Zn(II) salen-type Schiff-base complex derivative from diaminomaleonitrile and a systematic detailed study of its transmetalation with other metal ions in solution. In a solution of non-coordinating solvents, the complex is in a dimeric form, while in coordinating solvents or upon addition of a Lewis base it is stabilized as monomeric adducts. Experiments done in two solvents with different Lewis basicities indicate a major role of the stability of the starting adduct in transmetalation. Thus, using nitrate or perchlorate salts, acetonitrile solutions of the complex give an immediate and complete transmetalation with Cu²⁺, while with Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ a much slower transmetalation rate is observed. Instead, using chloride salts a fast and complete transmetalation is observed for divalent ions of the first transition series (Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺), indicating the role of the chloride in stabilizing the transition state of the transmetalation. On the other hand, DMF solutions of the complex are less prone to transmetalation, according with the greater basicity of the solvent and, hence, the greater stability of the related adducts with the complex. Therefore, the nature of the solvent and the counteranion allow controlling the transmetalation process of this Zn(II) Schiff-base complex.

Crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study of bis-(2-{[(2,6-di-chloro-benzyl-idene)hydrazinyl-idene]meth-yl}phenolato)cobalt(II) and of the copper(II) analogue

The title homoleptic Schiff base complexes, [M(C14H9Cl2N2O)2], for M = CoII, (I), and CuII, (II), present distinct coordination geometries despite the Schiff base dianion coordinating via the phenolato-O and imine-N atoms in each case. For (I), the coordination geometry is based on a trigonal bipyramid whereas for (II), a square-planar geometry is found (Cu site symmetry ). In the crystal of (I), discernible supra-molecular layers in the ac plane are sustained by chloro-benzene-C-H⋯O(coordinated), chloro-benzene-C-H⋯π(fused-benzene ring) as well as π(fused-benzene, chloro-benzene)-π(chloro-benzene) inter-actions [inter-centroid separations = 3.6460 (17) and 3.6580 (16) Å, respectively]. The layers inter-digitate along the b-axis direction and are linked by di-chloro-benzene-C-H⋯π(fused-benzene ring) and π-π inter-actions between fused-benzene rings and between chloro-benzene rings [inter-centroid separations = 3.6916 (16) and 3.7968 (19) Å, respectively] . Flat, supra-molecular layers are also found in the crystal of (II), being stabilized by π-π inter-actions formed between fused-benzene rings and between chloro-benzene rings [inter-centroid separations = 3.8889 (15) and 3.8889 (15) Å, respectively]; these stack parallel to [10] without directional inter-actions between them. The analysis of the respective calculated Hirshfeld surfaces indicate diminished roles for H⋯H contacts [26.2% (I) and 30.5% (II)] owing to significant contributions by Cl⋯H/H⋯Cl contacts [25.8% (I) and 24.9% (II)]. Minor contributions by Cl⋯Cl [2.2%] and Cu⋯Cl [1.9%] contacts are indicated in the crystals of (I) and (II), respectively. The inter-action energies largely arise from dispersion terms; the aforementioned Cu⋯Cl contact in (II) gives rise to the most stabilizing inter-action in the crystal of (II).

Crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of four 1,4-bis(methoxyphenyl)-2,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes: comparisons of the intermolecular interactions in related compounds

The crystal structures of four azines, namely 1-3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-diaza-1,4-butadiene, 1, 1,3-bis(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3-diaza-1,4-butadiene, 2, 1,3-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-diaza-1,4-butadiene, 3, and 1,3-bis(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3-diaza-1,4-butadiene, 4, are reported. Molecules of 3 and 4, and both independent molecules of 2, Mol A and Mol B, possess inversion centers. The central C=N–N=C units in each molecule is planar with an (E,E) conformation. The intermolecular interactions found in the four compounds are C–H···O, C–H–N, C–H---π and π---π interactions. However, there is no consistent set of intermolecular interactions for the four compounds. Compound, 1, has a two-dimensional undulating sheet structure, generated from C–H···O and C–H···N intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The only recognized intermolecular interaction in 2 is a C–H···O hydrogen bond, which results in a zig-zag chain of alternating molecules, Mol A and Mol B. While 3 forms a puckered sheet of molecules, solely via C–H···π interactions, its isomeric compound, 4, has a more elaborate three-dimensional structure generated from a combination of C–H···O hydrogen bonds, C–H···π and π···π interactions.

The findings in this study, based on both PLATON and Hirshfeld approaches, for the four representative compounds match well the reported structural findings in the literature of related compounds, which are based solely on geometric parameters.

Syntheses, crystal structures, DNA binding, DNA cleavage and DFT study of Co(iii) complexes involving azo-appended Schiff base ligands

Herein, we have reported three new Co(iii) complexes involving azo-appended Schiff base ligands.

Crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses of halogen substituted azine derivatives, 1,4-bis(halophenyl)-2,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes

The crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analyses are reported, from data collected at 100 K, of six 1,4-bis(X,Y-phenyl)-2,3-diazabuta-1,3-dienes (1–6), namely (1: X, Y=H, 4-Cl; 2: X, Y=3,4-Cl2; 3: X, Y=2,4-Cl2; 4: X, Y=H, 2-Br, H; 5: X, Y=H, 3-Br; 6: X, Y=H, 4-Br. The six halogen derivatives crystallise in the monoclinic group P21/c. In each case, the asymmetric unit is one half of the molecule, with the molecules lying across inversion centres, midway between the N–N bonds, with the central C–C=N–N=C–C fragments having all transoid conformations. Each of the six molecules deviates a little from overall planarity. The π···π stacking interactions are the most important intermolecular interactions in each of the six compounds. In the cases of 3 and 4, the π···π stacks are augmented by additional C–X···π (X=Cl or Br) interactions, while in 4, the π···π stacks are linked by weak Br···Br interactions, and in 3, weak Cl···Cl contacts are considered to be also involved in cementing the supra molecular arrangements. The short separations of the layers within the stacks and the extent of the overlaps of the π systems point to significant strengths of the π···π interactions. Comparisons with published structures of related chloro and fluoro compounds indicated similar results: related iodo derivatives, IC6H4CH=N–N=CHC6H4I do not possess as strong π···π interactions. The Hirshfeld analysis indicated further intermolecular contacts which fell outside the normal PLATON cutoff values.