Formation of multinuclear complexes: new developments from cyclam derivatives

Unprecedented synthesis of a 14-membered hexaazamacrocycle

The transformation of 3-[(ethoxymethylene)amino]-1-methyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile into the 14-membered macrocycle, 2,10-dimethyl-2,8,10,16-tetrahydrodipyrazolo[3,4-e:3',4'-l][1,2,4,8,9,11]hexaazacyclotetradecine-4,12-diamine, by the reaction with excess hydrazine under various conditions was studied in detail. The reaction proceeded through the initial formation of 4-imino-2-methyl-2,4-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-5-amine followed by dimerization to give the final macrocycle. A convenient synthesis of the latter starting from 4-imino-2-methyl-2,4-dihydro-5H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-5-amine was developed. A plausible pathway for the macrocycle self-assembly is discussed. Some features of the structure and reactivity of the obtained macrocycle are outlined.

Different Modes of Acid-Promoted Cyclooligomerization of 4-(4-Thiosemicarbazido)butan-2-one Hydrazone: 14-Membered versus 28-Membered Polyazamacrocycle Formation

Unprecedented self-assembly of a novel 14-membered cyclic bis-thiosemicarbazone or/and a 28-membered cyclic tetrakis-thiosemicarbazone upon acid-promoted cyclooligomerization of 4-(4-thiosemicarbazido)butan-2-one hydrazone has been discovered. A thorough study of the influence of various factors on the direction of macrocyclization provided the optimal conditions for the highly selective formation of each of the macrocycles in excellent yields. Plausible pathways for macrocyclizations have been discussed. The macrocycle precursor was prepared by the reaction of readily available 4-isothiocyanatobutan-2-one with an excess of hydrazine.

A general and stereoselective approach to 14-membered cyclic bis-semicarbazones involving BF3-catalyzed amidoalkylation of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)propene

A general and stereoselective five-step approach to 14-membered cyclic bis-semicarbazones, 5,12-diaryl-7,14-dimethyl-1,2,4,8,9,11-hexaazacyclotetradeca-7,14-diene-3,10-diones, starting from aldehyde semicarbazones has been developed. The key intermediates, 4-(3-oxobut-1-yl)semicarbazones, were prepared by BF₃-catalyzed amidoalkylation of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)propene with 4-[(aryl)(methoxy)methyl]- or 4-[(aryl)(tosyl)methyl]semicarbazones. Treatment of these intermediates with excess of hydrazine gave hydrazones of 4-(3-oxobut-1-yl)semicarbazones or 4-(3-oxobut-1-yl)semicarbazides, which in the presence of TsOH were converted into the target macrocycles. All steps of this approach could be scaled up easily to the multi-gram level.

A new family of anionic organic-inorganic hybrid doughnut-like nanostructures

A family of soluble organic-inorganic hybrid doughnut-like anions, hydoughnuts, has been prepared by the self-assembly of polyoxovanadate anions and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate (bdc) linkers. Derivatives of the parent hydoughnut, [(V4O8Cl)4(bdc)8](4-), can be obtained by changing the counter-ion or by using a variant of bdc.

New Copper and Oxomolybdate Robson-Type Polynuclear Macrocyclic Complexes: Structure, Spectroscopy, and Electrochemical Properties

The polynuclear complexes [Mo3O8(tidf)]·dmso·2H2O (1) and [{Cu2(tidf)}2(μ-Mo8O24)] (2) (tidf2−is a symmetrical tetraiminodiphenolate Robson-type macrocyclic ligand) were prepared from equimolar combinations of [Mg2(tidf)](NO3)2·4H2O, [MoO2Cl2(dmso)2] (for1) and complex1and Cu(ClO4)2·4H2O (for2) in acetonitrile. Molecular structures of both complexes were determined and showed atypical modes of coordination. A significant observation was the remarkable flexibility of the macrocycle ligand that effectively accommodated the steric demands of metal cations and the packing forces and showed a unique mode of coordination. Spectroscopic (UV-vis and FTIR) and redox properties are discussed.

Spacer-armed copper(II) complexes with benzenecarboxylic acids and trifluoroacetylacetone aroylhydrazones

New bi- and trinuclear copper(ii) complexes of aroylhydrazones of TFA and benzenecarboxylic acids were synthesized and characterized. Despite long range intramolecular CuCu distances of about 10 Å, exchange couplings between paramagnetic centres are observed with J values of 0.33 and 0.37 cm(-1) in binuclear complexes, and -0.33 cm(-1) in trinuclear complexes. Seven hyperfine peaks with a value of aCu = 37.0 × 10(-4) cm(-1) are observed in EPR spectra of binuclear complexes. The possible mechanisms responsible for the observed weak long range coupling via aromatic spacers are discussed.

Dual templated synthesis of silver acetylide cluster-encapsulated supramolecular boxes

A dual-templated approach for the controllable synthesis of metal cluster complexes is described. By using an acetylide-containing anion with specific geometry as a central template and a macrocyclic coordinative compound as a peripheral one, two multinuclear silver-acetylide cluster-encapsulated supramolecular boxes were synthesized.

A multifaceted approach to hydrogen storage

The widespread adoption of hydrogen as an energy carrier could bring significant benefits, but only if a number of currently intractable problems can be overcome. Not the least of these is the problem of storage, particularly when aimed at use onboard light-vehicles. The aim of this overview is to look in depth at a number of areas linked by the recently concluded HYDROGEN research network, representing an intentionally multi-faceted selection with the goal of advancing the field on a number of fronts simultaneously. For the general reader we provide a concise outline of the main approaches to storing hydrogen before moving on to detailed reviews of recent research in the solid chemical storage of hydrogen, and so provide an entry point for the interested reader on these diverse topics. The subjects covered include: the mechanisms of Ti catalysis in alanates; the kinetics of the borohydrides and the resulting limitations; novel transition metal catalysts for use with complex hydrides; less common borohydrides; protic-hydridic stores; metal ammines and novel approaches to nano-confined metal hydrides.

Cyano-Bridged Structures Based on [MnII(N3O2-Macrocycle)]2+: A Synthetic, Structural, and Magnetic Study

Reactions between the complex [MnII(L)]2+, where L is a N3O2 macrocyclic ligand, and different cyanometalate precursors such as [M(CN)n]m- (M(III) = Cr, Fe; M(II) = Fe, Ni, Pd, Pt) lead to cyano-bridged molecular assemblies exhibiting a variety of structural topologies. The reaction between [MnII(L)]2+ and [FeII(CN)6]4- forms a trinuclear complex with formula [(MnII(L)(H2O))2(FeII(micro-CN)2(CN)4)] x 2MeOH x 10H2O (1) which crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. The reaction between [MnII(L)]2+ and [M(II)(CN)4]2-, where M(II) = Ni (2), Pd (3), Pt (4), gives rise to three isostructural linear chain compounds with stoichiometry [(MnII(L))(M(II)(micro-CN)2(CN)2)]n and which crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c. The self-assembly between [MnII(L)]2+ with [M(III)(CN)6]3-, where M(III) = Cr (5), Fe (6, 7, 8), forms three types of compounds. Compounds 5 and 6 are isostructural (monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n), and the structures comprise anionic linear chains [(MnII(L))(M(III)(micro-CN)2(CN)4)]n(n-) with cationic trinuclear complexes [(MnII(L)(H2O))2(M(III)(micro-CN)2(CN)4)]+ as counterions. Using an excess of K3[FeIII(CN)6], an analogous compound to 6 but with K+ as counterion is obtained (7), which crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1. Compound 8 consists of 2-D layers with formula [(MnII(L))3(FeIII(micro-CN)4(CN)2)(FeIII(micro-CN)2(CN)4)]n x 2nMeOH; it crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. The magnetic properties were investigated for all samples. In particular, compound 5, which shows antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between Mn(II) and Cr(III) ions through cyanide bridging ligands, has been studied in detail; the magnetic exchange parameter amounts to J = -7.5(7) cm(-1). Compound 8 shows a magnetically ordered phase below 6.4 K which is confirmed by Mössbauer spectroscopy; two hyperfine split spectra were observed below Tc from which IJI values of 2.1 and 1.6 cm(-1) could be deduced.

Synthesis, Structure, and Complexation of a Large 28-mer Macrocycle Containing Two Binding Sites for Either Anions or Metal Ions

The "one-pot" synthesis and characterization of a large 28-mer macrocycle (H(4)L(2)) with oxamido units capable of complexing guest ions through oxygen or nitrogen donor atoms is reported. Single-crystal structure determination of H(8)L(2)(NO(3))(4) and (Cu(2)[H(2)L(2)](H(2)O)(2))(NO(3))(2) demonstrated that the macrocycle contains two sites capable of complexing two nitrate anions or two copper(II) ions, involving a large structural reorganization in the conformation of the macrocyclic framework on coordination of the copper(II) ions when compared to the nitrate. Electrochemical and magnetic susceptibility measurements on the dinuclear Cu(II) complex and the related mononuclear and trinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from the related 14-mer macrocycle were carried out and illustrate the role of the oxamido groups in mediating metal-metal interaction and delocalization.

Three-ring, branched cyclam derivatives and their interaction with nickel(ii), copper(ii), zinc(ii) and cadmium(ii)

The interaction of two symmetrically branched tris-cyclam derivatives based on 1,3,5-trimethylenebenzene and phloroglucinol cores with nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) is reported. All four metal ions yield solid complexes in which the metal : ligand ratio is 3 : 1. For both ligand types, spectrophotometric titrations confirm the formation of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of similar 3 : 1 stoichiometry in dimethyl sulfoxide. Visible spectral, electrochemical, magnetic moment, ESR and NMR studies have been performed to probe the nature of the respective complexes. Where appropriate, the results from the above metal-ion studies are compared with those from parallel investigations in which the corresponding (substituted) mono-cyclam analogues were employed as the ligands. A structural determination employing a poorly diffracting crystal of the trinuclear nickel(II) complex of the tris-cyclam ligand incorporating a 1,3,5-trimethylenebenzene core was successfully carried out with the aid of a synchrotron radiation source. A nickel ion occupies each cyclam ring in a square-planar coordination arrangement, with each cyclam ring adopting the stable trans-III configuration.

Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structure of Meso-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-di-(1-methylnaphthalene)

The pendant-arm macrocycle, meso-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,8-di-(1-methylnaphthalene) has been synthesized and its single crystal structure determined. The molecule crystallizes in a primitive monoclinic cell, with the space group P2₁/a (#14). The cell dimensions are a = 10.778(3)Å, b = 13.809(3) Å, c = 11.420(2) Å, ∃ = 102.49(2)°, volume = 1659.5(6) ų.

Synthesis and characterization of the pentadentate macrobicyclic ligand, 14-thia-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[9.5.3]nonadecane (L1) and its nickel(II) complexes. X-ray crystal structure of [Ni(L1)(ClO4)](ClO4)·2[Ni(L1)(OH2)](ClO4)2·6H2O

The pentadentate macrobicycle,14-thia-1,4,8,11-tetraazabicyclo[9.5.3]nonadecane (L1), has been synthesized by high dilution cyclization of 1-thia-4,8-diazacyclododecane ([10]aneN2S) (2) with N,N'-bis(α-chloro acetamido) propane (3) and subsequent reduction of the di-oxo intermediate. The structure of the [Ni(L1)(ClO4)](ClO4)·2[Ni(L1)(OH2)](ClO4)2·6H2O complex (monoclinic, P21/c, a = 13.9261(4) Å, b = 30.279(2) Å, c = 17.1248(3) Å, β = 94.5065(3)°) at R = 0.039 (Rw = 0.034) for 911 parameters using 18 266 reflections with I > 3σI has been determined. The ligand adopts a trans-III configuration. The Ni(II) ion is pseudooctahedral with Ni-S = 2.3896(10) Å in [Ni(L1)(ClO4)]+ and 2.4193(10) Å, 2.4225(10) Å, in the two [Ni(L1)(H2O)]2+ cations. Both nickel(II) and nickel(III) complexes are six-coordinate in solution. Oxidation of the [Ni(L1)(OH2)]2+ complex with K2S2O8 in aqueous solution yielded an ESR active Ni(III) species and the frozen solution spectrum displayed axial symmetry with g[Formula: see text] = 2.159 and g|| = 2.024. In CH3CN, the [Ni(L1)(solv)]2+ complex showed two reversible redox waves corresponding to the Ni2+/+ couple at E1/2 = -1.807 V vs. Fc+/0 and Ni3+/2+ couple at E1/2 = 0.715 V vs. Fc+/0.Key words: synthesis, structure, polydentate macrobicycle, nickel(II).