Oxamidate-Bridged Dinuclear Five-Coordinate Nickel(II) Complexes: A Magneto−Structural Study

Mapping the Assembly of Neutral Tetrahedral Cages Tethered by Oximido Linkers and Their Guest Encapsulation Studies

A primary criterion for the design of polyhedral metal-organic cages is the requirement of geometrically matched pairs of metal ions and ligand moieties. However, understanding the pathway it takes to reach the final polyhedral structure can provide more insights into the self-assembly process and improved design strategies. In this regard, we report two neutral tetrahedral cages with the formulas {[Pd₃(NⁱPr)₃PO]₄(L¹)₆} (1-TD) and {[Pd₃(NⁱPr)₃PO]₄(L²)₆} (2-TD) starting from the acetate-bridged cluster {[Pd₃(NⁱPr)₃PO]₂(OAc)₂(OH)}₂·2(CH₃)₂SO (HEXA-Pd) and the respective oxamide precursors (L¹H₂: [C₂(NH₂)₂O₂]) and (L²H₂: (C₂(NHMe)₂O₂]). When subtle variations in the reaction conditions were made, two new tetrameric Pd₁₂ assemblies, {[Pd₃(NⁱPr)₃PO]₄(L¹)₂(OAc)₄(OMe)₄} (1-TM) and {[Pd₃(NⁱPr)₃PO]₄(L²)₂(OAc)₄(OMe)₄} (2-TM), were obtained from the same precursors. Detailed investigations using NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography, and computational studies indicate that the macrocyclic complexes 1-TM and 2-TM are the reaction intermediates involved in the formation of the tetrahedral cages 1-TD and 2-TD, respectively. Moreover, the tetrahedral cages 1-TD and 2-TD exhibited intrinsic cavities of volume ∼85 ų. Guest encapsulation studies revealed that the cage 1-TD can encapsulate a wide range of guest molecules such as CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, CCl₄, C₆H₆, and C₆H₅F. Interestingly, 1-TD was shown to exhibit a preferential binding of C₆H₅F and C₆H₆ over other halogenated guest molecules, as determined from NMR titrations and computational studies.

Synthesis, oligomerization and catalytic studies of a redox-active Ni4-cubane: a detailed mechanistic investigation

A robust tetrameric nickel complex [Ni₄((O_al⁻)₂L-Me)₄(s)₄] (3) (s = solvent) with cubane-like Ni₄O₄ core topology was isolated as a light greenish-orange crystalline solid in excellent yield. The mechanism of formation of 3 involving the two chloride-containing precursors [Ni₄((O_al⁻)₂L-Me)₄(s)₄]·2MeOH (1) and [Ni₄((O⁻)₂L-Me)₃((O_al⁻)(OH)L-Me)Cl] (2) was studied by ESI mass spectrometry and confirmed by the solid state isolation and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The challenging ligand fields containing mono/di-anionic O₂N donating atoms and/or chloride ions stabilized the pentacoordinate Ni(ii) ions in 1–2 upon controlling the experimental conditions. Complexes 1–3 have been characterized by NMR, UV-Vis and mass spectrometric analysis. Complex 3 was found to be redox active by cyclic voltammetry (CV) studies. Theoretical calculations were carried out to shed light on the effects of ligand fields on the stability of complexes 1–3. Complex 3 was found to be a potential catalyst for the diastereoselective cyclopropanation of heteroarenes with good to excellent yields. The ESI mass spectrometric analysis revealed the existence of solution dynamics and oligomerization of 3 in solution. Mechanistic investigation of the catalytic cycle revealed that complex 3 and its various oligomers bind to the diazoester employed, followed by dissociative insertion of the respective carbene moieties to the C2–C3 double bond of the involved aromatic heterocycle, leading to the diastereoselective cyclopropanation.

A robust tetrameric nickel complex [Ni₄((O_al⁻)₂L-Me)₄(s)₄] (s = solvent) with cubane-like Ni₄O₄ core topology identified as the efficient catalyst for the diastereoselective cyclopropanation of aromatic heterocycles.

A novel triple aqua-, phenoxo- and carboxylato-bridged dinickel(ii) complex, its magnetic properties, and comparative biomimetic catalytic studies with analogous dinickel(ii) complexes

A unique triply bridged dinickel(ii) complex and two doubly bridged dinickel(ii) complexes are reported, and their magnetic properties and comparative biomimetic catalytic performances are studied.

Heterobimetallic One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers MICuII (M = Li and K) Based on Ferromagnetically Coupled Di- and Tetracopper(II) Metallacyclophanes

The synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties of the coordination polymers of formula [EDAP{Li6(H2O)8[(Cu2(μ-mpba)2)2(H2O)2]}]n (1) and [(EDAP)2{K(H2O)4[Cu2(μ-mpba)2(H2O)2]}Cl·2H2O]n (2), in which mpba = N,N′-1,3-phenylenebis(oxamate) and EDAP2+ = 1,1′-ethylenebis(4-aminopyridinium) are described. Both compounds have in common the presence of the [Cu2(mpba)2]4− tetraanionic unit which is a [3,3] metallacyclophane motif in which the copper(II) ions are five-coordinate in a distorted square pyramidal surrounding. The complex anion in 1 is dimerized through double out-of-plane copper to outer carboxylate-oxygen atoms resulting in the centrosymmetric tetracopper(II) fragment [Cu4(μ-mpba)4(H2O)2]8− which act as a ligand toward six hydrated lithium(I) cations leading to anionic ladder-like double chains whose charge is neutralized by the EDAP2+ cations. In the case of 2, each dicopper(II) entity acts as a ligand towards tetraquapotassium(I) units to afford anionic zig zag single chains of formula {K(H2O)4[Cu2(μ-mpba)2(H2O)2]}n3n− plus EDAP2+ cations and non-coordinate chloride anions. Cryomagnetic measurements on polycrystalline samples 1 and 2 show the occurrence of ferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions across the –Namidate–(C–C–C)phenyl–Namidate– exchange pathway [J = +10.6 (1) and +8.22 cm−1 (2)] and antiferromagnetic ones through the double out-of-plane carboxylate-oxygen atoms [j = −0.68 cm−1 (1), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as H = − J ( S C u 1 · S C u 2 + S C u 2 i · S C u 1 i ) − j ( S C u 2 · S C u 2 i ) ].

Blocking and bridging ligands direct the structure and magnetic properties of dimers of pentacoordinate nickel(II)

Dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(ii) complexes of the formula [(NiTp*)2(μ-L)] (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; L = oxalate (); oxamate (); oxamidate (); OC(4-Cl-C6H4N)C(4-Cl-C6H4N)O ()) and {[Ni(N3-mc)]2(μ-L)}(PF6)2 (N3-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene; L = oxalate (); oxamate ()) have been synthesized and spectroscopically characterized (IR, (1)H NMR). X-ray structures of show nickel(ii) in a square pyramidal geometry and different supramolecular interactions. Magnetic measurements for show strong antiferromagnetic interactions across the bridging ligand [: J = -36.8 cm(-1), g = 2.16; : J = -43.6 cm(-1), g = 2.12; : J = -51.1 cm(-1), g = 2.12; : J = -39.7 cm(-1), g = 2.18; : J = -35.4 cm(-1), g = 2.20; : J = -44.3 cm(-1), g = 2.18]. Magneto-structural correlations between the magnitude of the magnetic coupling and the different blocking ligands, the different bridging ligands, the distortion of the coordination environment of Ni(ii) and the planarity between the bridging ligand and the basal plane of the Ni(ii) environment have been established for all complexes.

Self-assembly of oxamidato bridged ester functionalised dirhenium metallastirrups: synthesis, characterisation and cytotoxicity studies

Hetero-topic self-assembly of Re₂(CO)₁₀ with oxamide ligands and ester-functionalised flexible ditopic-tectons afforded dinuclear metallacycles resembling a stirrup. The metallastirrups showed promising cytotoxic activity against few cancer cell lines in vitro.

Requirements for mammalian carboxylesterase inhibition by substituted ethane-1,2-diones

Carboxylesterases (CE) are ubiquitous enzymes found in both human and animal tissues and are responsible for the metabolism of xenobiotics. This includes numerous natural products, as well as a many clinically used drugs. Hence, the activity of these agents is likely dependent upon the levels and location of CE expression. We have recently identified benzil is a potent inhibitor of mammalian CEs, and in this study, we have assessed the ability of analogues of this compound to inhibit these enzymes. Three different classes of molecules were assayed: one containing different atoms vicinal to the carbonyl carbon atom and the benzene ring [PhXC(O)C(O)XPh, where X=CH₂, CHBr, N, S, or O]; a second containing a panel of alkyl 1,2-diones demonstrating increasing alkyl chain length; and a third consisting of a series of 1-phenyl-2-alkyl-1,2-diones. In general, with the former series of molecules, heteroatoms resulted in either loss of inhibitory potency (when X=N), or conversion of the compounds into substrates for the enzymes (when X=S or O). However, the inclusion of a brominated methylene atom resulted in potent CE inhibition. Subsequent analysis with the alkyl diones [RC(O)C(O)R, where R ranged from CH₃ to C₈H₁₇] and 1-phenyl-2-alkyl-1,2-diones [PhC(O)C(O)R where R ranged from CH₃ to C₆H₁₃], demonstrated that the potency of enzyme inhibition directly correlated with the hydrophobicity (clogP) of the molecules. We conclude from these studies that that the inhibitory power of these 1,2-dione derivatives depends primarily upon the hydrophobicity of the R group, but also on the electrophilicity of the carbonyl group.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of tetra((1-hydroxyimino-methylnaphthalen-2-yloxy)methyl)ethene and its homo-dinuclear metal complexes: a combined experimental and theoretical investigation

Tetra((1-hydroxyiminomethylnaphthalen-2-yloxy)methyl)ethene (THIMNYOME), H(4)L, was synthesized by the agents of 2-hydroxy-1-naphtaldehyde, tetra(bromomethyl)ethene and hydroxylamine hydrochloride in two steps. Characterization of THIMNYOME and its dinuclear complexes was made by elemental analyses, IR, (1)H- and (13)C NMR, UV-vis, electrospray ionisation mass spectra, molar conductivities and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In the light of these results, it was suggested that the ligand coordinate to each metal atom by the two ether oxygen, two nitrogen atoms of oxime imine (CN) and an axial oxygen of perchlorate to form pseudo square-pyramidal complexes with Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). Molar conductivity measurements reveal that all the complexes are non-electrolytes. In addition, the full geometric optimization of the tetraoxime ligand (4) has been made by the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level in order to establish a stable conformation. Additionally, all the complex structures have been studied in the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level. NBO charge distribution and the characteristics of frontier molecular orbitals of these complexes have also been investigated in order to see the electrons movement between ligand and metal atom in the same level.

Synthesis of new oxamide-based ligand and its coordination behavior towards copper(II) ion: spectral and electrochemical studies

A new ligand N,N'-bis{3-(2-formyl-4-methyl-phenol)-6-iminopropyl}oxamide (L) and its mono- and binuclear copper(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The ligand shows absorption maxima at 249 and 360 with a weak transition at 455 nm. The ligand was found to be fluorescent and shows an emission maximum at 516 nm on excitation at 360 nm. The electronic spectra of the mono- and binuclear Cu(II) complexes exhibited a d-d transition in the region 520-560 nm characteristic of square planar geometry around Cu(II) ion. The ESR spectrum of the mononuclear complex showed four lines with nuclear hyperfine splitting. The binuclear complex showed a broad ESR spectrum with g=2.10 due to antiferromagnetic interaction between the two Cu(II) ions. The room-temperature magnetic moment values (micro(eff)) for the mono- and binuclear Cu(II) complexes are found to be 1.70 micro(B) and 1.45 micro(B), respectively. The electrochemical studies of the mononuclear Cu(II) complex showed a single irreversible one-electron wave at -0.70 V (E(pc)) and the binuclear Cu(II) complex showed two irreversible one-electron reduction waves at -0.75 V (E(pc)(1)) and -1.27 V (E(pc)(2)) in the cathodic region.

Rational design of 1-D metal–organic frameworks based on the novel pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate ligand. New insights into pyrimidine through magnetic interaction

Single crystal X-ray analysis of compounds H2pmdc.2H2O (1), KHpmdc (2), and K2pmdc (3) shows that the pyrimidine-4,6-dicarboxylate (pmdc) dianion presents an almost planar geometry which confers a potential capability to act as a bis-bidentate bridging ligand, and therefore, to construct 1-D metal complexes. Based on this assumption, we have designed the first six transition metal complexes based on this ligand of formula {[M(micro-pmdc)(H2O)2].H2O}n [M(II) = Fe (4), Co (5), Ni (6), Zn (7), Cu (8)] and {[Cu(micro-pmdc)(dpa)].4H2O}n (9) (dpa = 2,2'-dipyridylamine). The crystal structure of all of these complexes has been determined by single crystal X-ray measurements, except for compound whose X-ray powder diffraction pattern reveals that it is isostructural to compounds 4-7. The bis-chelating pmdc ligand bridges sequentially octahedrally coordinated M(II) centres leading to polymeric chains. The hexacoordination of the metal centres is completed by two water molecules in compounds 4-8 and by the two endocyclic-N atoms of a terminal dpa ligand in compound . Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements show the occurrence of antiferromagnetic intrachain interactions for compounds and (J = -2.5 (4), -5.2 (6), -32.7 (8), and -0.9 (9) cm(-1)). Model calculations and analyses of the available experimental data have been used to examine the influence of several factors on the nature and magnitude of the magnetic coupling constants in pyrimidine bridged complexes, showing that metal deviation from the pyrimidine mean plane could lead to ferromagnetic behaviour.

Structure and magnetic properties of carbonate-bridged five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes controlled by solvent effect

CO2 and HCO3- react with the dinuclear hydroxo-complex [Ni(mcN3)(mu-OH)]2(PF6)2 (mcN3 = 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene) to form micro-CO3 bridged nickel(II) complexes, [{Ni(mcN3)}2(mu-CO3)](PF6)2 (1a) with a symmetric core in which both nickel atoms are five-coordinate and [Ni(mcN3)(mu-CO3)Ni(mcN3)(MeCN)](PF6)2 (1b) with an asymmetric dinuclear core containing five- and six-coordinate nickel atoms. The magnetic behaviour indicates the existence of antiferromagnetic coupling between the metallic centres. A substantial increase in the value of J occurs when the symmetric five-coordinate nickel species transforms to an asymmetric five- and six-coordinate species by axial coordination of acetonitrile.

Structure, Bonding, and Reactivity of Ti and Zr Amidate Complexes: DFT and X-Ray Crystallographic Studies

Easily prepared and highly modular organic amide proligands have been used to synthesize a series of new bis(amidate)-bis(amido) Ti and Zr complexes via protonolysis. These complexes have been structurally characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The solid-state molecular structures of these complexes indicate that the amidate ligands bind to the metal centers in an exclusively bidentate fashion, resulting in discrete monomeric species. Geometric isomerism in these species is highly dependent upon the steric characteristics of the proligands utilized in the synthesis. In solution, these complexes are observed to isomerize on the NMR time scale, with one isomer being predominant. Bonding in the bis(amidate)-bis(amido) complexes was investigated by DFT calculations. The geometric isomers predicted by theory matched the experimentally observed results, within experimental error. The orbitals associated with amidate-metal bonding are energetically well below the frontier orbitals. The HOMO in these complexes is a pi orbital associated with amido ligand-to-metal bonding character, while the LUMO in all cases is a vacant d orbital on the metal center.

Five-coordinate nickel(ii) complexes with carboxylate anions and derivatives of 1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene: structural and1H NMR spectroscopic studies

The hydroxo complexes [Ni2(mcN3)2(mu-OH)2]2(PF6)2[mcN3 = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me3-mcN3) or 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me4-mcN3)] react with the corresponding carboxylic acid [HA = benzoic (Hbz), salicylic (Hsal) or acetylsalicylic (Hacsal) acid] to give five-coordinate nickel(II) complexes of the type [Ni(mcN3)(A)](PF6). The complexes have been studied by spectroscopic methods (IR, UV-Vis and 1H NMR). In acetone solution they exhibit isotropically shifted 1H NMR resonances. The full assignment of these resonances has been made using one- and two-dimensional 1H NMR techniques. The single-crystal structures of [Ni(Me4-mcN3)(bz)](PF6), [Ni(Me4-mcN3)(sal)](PF6) and[Ni(Me4-mcN3)(acsal)](PF6) have been established by X-ray diffraction.