Spontaneous Symmetry Breaking during Self-Assembly of a Double Stranded Biphenolate-Based Ti(IV)-Helicate

Modified pyridine-triazole and 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligands generating robust titanium complexes constructed around a TiO4N2 core

The synthesis and characterisation of novel chelate nitrogen ligands with phasmidic tails (pyridine-triazole ligand 1b; 2,2'-bipyrimidine ligands 2b and 3b) as well as their titanium(IV) coordination complexes are reported. The analogous ligands 1a, 2a and 3a with methoxy substituents instead of the tails were also synthesized, together with titanium complexes that could be crystallographically characterised. A good agreement is noticed between analytical data of the complexes in solution (NMR) and in the solid state (X-ray diffraction). The complexes are overall robust on phases like alumina or silica, so that they could be characterised by TLC and sometimes chromatographied. Supramolecular architectures were generated from an equimolar solution of titanium(IV) isopropoxide, ligand 1a and a polyphenol ligand 5-H₄, leading to a double-stranded helicate characterised by MS, NMR and crystallography, which was then converted into a trinuclear complex as shown by MS and NMR DOSY data. The liquid-crystalline behaviour of the ligands 1b, 2b and 3b incorporating the long alkyl tails and that of the complexes derived from these ligands have been investigated.

Water-Mediated Reversible Control of Three-State Double-Stranded Titanium(IV) Helicates

A stimuli-responsible reversible structural transformation is of key importance in biological systems. We now report a unique water-mediated reversible transformation among three discrete double-stranded dinuclear titanium(IV) achiral meso- and chiral rac-helicates linked by a mono(μ-oxo) or a bis(μ-hydroxo) bridge between the titanium ions through hydration/dehydration or its combination with a water-mediated dynamic cleavage/re-formation of the titanium-phenoxide (Ti-OPh) bonds. The bis(μ-hydroxo) bridged titanium(IV) meso-helicate prepared from two tetraphenol strands with titanium(IV) oxide was readily dehydrated in CD₃CN containing a small amount of water upon heating, accompanied by Ti-OPh bond cleavage/re-formation catalyzed by water, resulting in the formation of the mono(μ-oxo)-bridged rac-helicate, which reverted back to the original bis(μ-hydroxo)-bridged meso-helicate upon hydration in aqueous CD₃CN. These reversible transformations between the meso- and rac-helicates were also promoted in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid, which remarkably accelerated the reactions at lower temperature. Interestingly, in anhydrous CD₃CN, the bis(μ-hydroxo)-bridged meso-helicate was further slowly converted to a different helicate, while its meso-helicate framework was maintained, namely the mono(μ-oxo)-bridged meso-helicate, through dehydration upon heating and its meso to meso transformation was significantly accelerated in the presence of cryptand[2.2.1], which contributes to removing Na⁺ ions coordinated to the helicate. Upon cooling, the backward meso to meso transformation took place via hydration. Hence, three different, discrete double-stranded chiral rac- and achiral meso-titanium(IV) helicates linked by a mono(μ-oxo) or a bis(μ-hydroxo) bridge were successfully generated in a controllable manner by a change in the water content of the reaction media.

Heterobimetallic rare earth metal-zinc catalysts for reactions of epoxides and CO2 under ambient conditions

Four homodinuclear rare earth metal (RE) complexes 1-4 bearing a multidentate diglycolamine-bridged bis(phenolate) ligand were synthesized. In addition, seven heterobimetallic RE-Zn complexes 5-11 were prepared through a one-pot strategy. In these heterobimetallic complexes, two RE centers are bridged by either Zn(OAc)₂ or Zn(OBn)₂ moieties. All complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (in the case of diamagnetic complexes 1, 4, 7 and 11). Moreover, the multi-nuclear structures of complexes 4 and 11 in solution were also studied by ¹H DOSY spectroscopy. These complexes were applied in catalyzing the coupling reaction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) with epoxides. Zn(OAc)₂- and Zn(OBn)₂-bridged heterobimetallic complexes showed comparable catalytic activities under ambient conditions and were more active than monometallic RE complexes. Significant synergistic effect in heterobimetallic complexes is observed. Mono-substituted epoxides were converted into cyclic carbonates under 1 atm CO₂ at 25 °C in 88-96% yields, whereas di-substituted epoxides reacted under 1 atm CO₂ at higher temperatures in 40-80% yields.

From monomeric complexes to double-stranded helicates constructed around trans-TiO4N2 motifs with intramolecular inter-ligand hydrogen-bonding interactions

Monomeric and double-stranded helicates are built from trans-TiO₄N₂ motifs. Intramolecular hydrogen bonds govern the framework of these species. The strength of these interactions has been investigated.

Titanium coordination compounds: from discrete metal complexes to metal–organic frameworks

Recent advances in titanium based MOFs and relevant titanium molecular compounds will be discussed in this review. Particular attention will be devoted to their promising photoredox properties.

Monomeric Ti(iv)-based complexes incorporating luminescent nitrogen ligands: synthesis, structural characterization, emission spectroscopy and cytotoxic activities

Novel photoluminescent 2,2′-bipyrimidine ligands and their titanium(iv) complexes are cytotoxic.