Dinuclear and Octanuclear Mn(II) Complexes with μ2-C, μ2-N(Pyrrolide), and μ-η1:η5-(Pyrrolide) Bridges: A Structural and Magnetic Study

Cis-Divacant Octahedral Fe(II) in a Dimensionally Reduced Family of 2-(Pyridin-2-yl)pyrrolide Complexes

Four-coordinate transition-metal complexes can adopt a diverse array of coordination geometries, with square planar and tetrahedral coordination being the most prevalent. Previously, we reported the synthesis of a trinuclear Fe(II) complex, Fe₃TPM₂, supported by a 3-fold-symmetric 2-pyridylpyrrolide ligand [i.e., tris(5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methane] that featured a rare cis-divacant octahedral (CDO) geometry at each Fe(II) center. Here, a series of truncated 2-pyridylpyrrolide ligands are described that support mono- and binuclear Fe(II) complexes that also exhibit CDO geometries. Metalation of the tetradentate ligand bis[5-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methane (H₂BPM) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) results in the binuclear complex Fe₂(BPM)₂(THF)₂ in which both Fe(II) ions are octahedrally coordinated. The coordinated THF solvent ligands are labile: THF dissociation leads to Fe₂(BPM)₂, which features five-coordinate Fe(II) ions. The Fe-Fe distance in these binuclear complexes can be elongated by ligand methylation. Metalation of bis[5-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrrol-2-yl]methane (H₂BPM^Me) in THF leads to the formation of four-coordinate, CDO Fe(II) centers in Fe(BPM^Me)₂. Further ligand truncation affords bidentate ligands 2-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine (PyrPyrrH) and 2-methyl-6-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine (Pyr^MePyrrH). Metalation of these ligands in THF affords six-coordinate complexes Fe(PyrPyrr)₂(THF)₂ and Fe(Pyr^MePyrr)₂(THF)₂. Dissociation of labile solvent ligands provides access to four-coordinate Fe(II) complexes. Ligand disproportionation at Fe(PyrPyrr)₂ results in the formation of Fe(PyrPyrr)₃ and Fe(0). Ligand methylation suppresses this disproportionation and enables isolation of Fe(Pyr^MePyrr)₂, which is rigorously CDO. Complete ligand truncation, by separating the 2-pyridylpyrrolide ligands into the constituent monodentate pyridyl and pyrrolide donors, affords Fe(Pyr)₂(Pyrr)₂ in which Fe(II) is tetrahedrally coordinated. Computational analysis indicates that the potential energy surface that dictates the coordination geometry in this family of four-coordinate complexes is fairly flat in the vicinity of CDO coordination. These synthetic studies provide the structural basis to explore the implications of CDO geometry on Fe-catalyzed reactions.

Tandem Mn-I Exchange and Homocoupling Processes Mediated by a Synergistically Operative Lithium Manganate

Pairing lithium and manganese(II) to form lithium manganate [Li₂ Mn(CH₂ SiMe₃ )₄ ] enables the efficient direct Mn-I exchange of aryliodides, affording transient (aryl)lithium manganate intermediates which in turn undergo spontaneous C-C homocoupling at room temperature to furnish symmetrical (bis)aryls in good yields under mild reaction conditions. The combination of EPR with X-ray crystallographic studies has revealed the mixed Li/Mn constitution of the organometallic intermediates involved in these reactions, including the homocoupling step which had previously been thought to occur via a single-metal Mn aryl species. These studies show Li and Mn working together in a synergistic manner to facilitate both the Mn-I exchange and the C-C bond-forming steps. Both steps are carefully synchronized, with the concomitant generation of the alkyliodide ICH₂ SiMe₃ during the Mn-I exchange being essential to the aryl homocoupling process, wherein it serves as an in situ generated oxidant.

A Photomagnetic Sponge: High-Temperature Light-Induced Ferrimagnet Controlled by Water Sorption

"Converting" light energy to magnetization is the attribute of molecule-based compounds called photomagnets and is inaccessible for conventional magnetic solids. The design and synthesis of such compounds, however, is a formidable challenge, and only a few examples are known, all with rather low magnetic ordering temperatures well below the boiling point of liquid nitrogen. Herein, a cyanide-bridged coordination polymer, {[Mn^II(imidazole)]₂[W^IV(CN)₈]} _n, exhibiting the highest light-induced magnetic ordering temperature ever observed and a magnetic hysteresis loop up to 90 K is reported. The photomagnetic effect results from the blue light excitation (450 nm) of the constituent octacyanotungstate(IV) moiety, which then couples magnetically with manganese(II), resulting in light-induced ferrimagnetic ordering. The reported coordination framework shows also outstanding water sorption properties that are strongly correlated with the photomagnetic functionality. The photoswitching observed in the anhydrous state is completely quenched by the reversible capture of water, with the fully hydrated phase becoming practically non-photomagnetic.

Synthesis and Photobiological Activity of Ru(II) Dyads Derived from Pyrrole-2-carboxylate Thionoesters

The synthesis and characterization of a series of heteroleptic ruthenium(II) dyads derived from pyrrole-2-carboxylate thionoesters are reported. Ligands bearing a conjugated thiocarbonyl group were found to be more reactive toward Ru(II) complexation compared to analogous all-oxygen pyrrole-2-carboxylate esters, and salient features of the resulting complexes were determined using X-ray crystallography, electronic absorption, and NMR spectroscopy. Selected complexes were evaluated for their potential in photobiological applications, whereupon all compounds demonstrated in vitro photodynamic therapy effects in HL-60 and SK-MEL-28 cells, with low nanomolar activities observed, and exhibited some of the largest photocytotoxicity indices to date (>2000). Importantly, the Ru(II) dyads could be activated by relatively soft doses of visible (100 J cm^-2, 29 mW cm^-2) or red light (100 J cm^-2, 34 mW cm^-2), which is compatible with therapeutic applications. Some compounds even demonstrated up to five-fold selectivity for malignant cells over noncancerous cells. These complexes were also shown to photocleave, and in some cases unwind, DNA in cell-free experiments. Thus, this new class of Ru(II) dyads has the capacity to interact with and damage biological macromolecules in the cell, making them attractive agents for photodynamic therapy.

Structural and Magnetic Diversity in Alkali-Metal Manganate Chemistry: Evaluating Donor and Alkali-Metal Effects in Co-complexation Processes

By exploring co-complexation reactions between the manganese alkyl Mn(CH2SiMe3)2 and the heavier alkali-metal alkyls M(CH2SiMe3) (M=Na, K) in a benzene/hexane solvent mixture and in some cases adding Lewis donors (bidentate TMEDA, 1,4-dioxane, and 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2] octane (DABCO)) has produced a new family of alkali-metal tris(alkyl) manganates. The influences that the alkali metal and the donor solvent impose on the structures and magnetic properties of these ates have been assessed by a combination of X-ray, SQUID magnetization measurements, and EPR spectroscopy. These studies uncover a diverse structural chemistry ranging from discrete monomers [(TMEDA)2 MMn(CH2SiMe3)3] (M=Na, 3; M=K, 4) to dimers [{KMn(CH2SiMe3)3 ⋅C6 H6}2] (2) and [{NaMn(CH2SiMe3)3}2 (dioxane)7] (5); and to more complex supramolecular networks [{NaMn(CH2SiMe3)3}∞] (1) and [{Na2Mn2 (CH2SiMe3)6 (DABCO)2}∞] (7)). Interestingly, the identity of the alkali metal exerts a significant effect in the reactions of 1 and 2 with 1,4-dioxane, as 1 produces coordination adduct 5, while 2 forms heteroleptic [{(dioxane)6K2Mn2 (CH2SiMe3)4(O(CH2)2OCH=CH2)2}∞] (6) containing two alkoxide-vinyl anions resulting from α-metalation and ring opening of dioxane. Compounds 6 and 7, containing two spin carriers, exhibit antiferromagnetic coupling of their S=5/2 moments with varying intensity depending on the nature of the exchange pathways.

Dinitrogen Coordination and Cleavage Promoted by a Vanadium Complex of a σ,π,σ-Donor Ligand

The deprotonation of the tripyrrole MeTPH(2) [MeTPH(2) = 2,5-[(2-pyrrolyl)(C(6)H(5))2C](2)(MeNC(4)H(2))], containing one N-methylated pyrrolyl ring, was carried out with 2 equiv of KH. The corresponding dipotassium salt reacted with VCl(3)(THF)(3) to afford the complex [(MeTP)VCl(THF)].THF (1). While the two lateral pyrrolide rings are sigma-bonded, the central one is perpendicularly oriented in a sort of pi-fashion. However, the bond distances clearly indicated that only the quaternized N atom is forming a bonding contact. Subsequent reduction of 1 with Na yielded the corresponding divalent complex [(MeTP)V(THF)].(C(7)H(8))(0.5) (2) where the central N-methylated ring adopted a more regular pi-orientation. When treated with a strong Lewis acid (AlMe(3)), THF was extracted from the vanadium coordination sphere, forming the dinuclear dinitrogen complex [(MeTP)V(mu-N(2))](2).(C(7)H(8))(2.9) (3). Reduction of 3 with potassium graphite gave cleavage of dinitrogen, affording the mixed-valent nitride-bridged complex [(MeTP)V(mu-N)](2).(THF) (4).

Assembly of Triangular Trimetallic Complexes by Triamidophosphine Ligands: Spin-Frustrated Mn2+ Plaquettes and Diamagnetic Mg2+ Analogues with a Combined Through-Space, Through-Bond Pathway for 31P-31P Spin−Spin Coupling

The reactions of 2 equiv of the ligand precursor P(CH2NHPh)3 or P[CH2NH-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]3 with 3 equiv of Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2 provide high-yielding routes to the triangular trinuclear Mn(II) complexes [P(CH2NPh)3]2Mn3(THF)3.1.5THF and [P(CH2N-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3]2Mn3(THF)3. The solid-state structures of these paramagnetic complexes have approximate C3 symmetry. The magnetic moments from 300 to 1.8 K could be fit as a magnetic Jahn-Teller distorted isosceles triangle. These complexes exhibit spin frustration and possess an S = 1/2 ground state, as revealed by a plot of magnetization versus field at 1.8 K; at fields above 3.8 T, the occupation of an excited state with S = 3/2 becomes significant. The diamagnetic magnesium analogues were prepared by the reaction of the ligand precursor P(CH2NHPh)3, P[CH2NH-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3]3, or P(CH2NH-3,5-Me2C6H3)3 with nBu2Mg. The solid-state structures of [P(CH2NPh)3]2Mg3(THF)3.1.5THF and [P(CH2N-3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)3]2Mg3(THF)3 were determined. Solution 1H NMR spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the solid-state structures are maintained in solution. The aryl group of the terminal amido donor exhibits slow rotation on the NMR time scale, and this was found to be an electronic effect. Solution 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy revealed an unexpected 15 Hz coupling between phosphorus nuclei in these complexes. Calculations on a model complex using density functional theory demonstrates that this coupling occurs via a combined through-space, through-bond pathway.