Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Bitopic Ferrocenyl-Linked Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligand and Its Silver(I) Coordination Polymers

Development of tethered dual catalysts: synergy between photo- and transition metal catalysts for enhanced catalysis

While dual photocatalysis-transition metal catalysis strategies are extensively reported, the majority of systems feature two separate catalysts, limiting the potential for synergistic interactions between the catalytic centres. In this work we synthesised a series of tethered dual catalysts allowing us to investigate this underexplored area of dual catalysis. In particular, Ir(i) or Ir(iii) complexes were tethered to a BODIPY photocatalyst through different tethering modes. Extensive characterisation, including transient absorption spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, suggest that there are synergistic interactions between the catalysts. The tethered dual catalysts were more effective at promoting photocatalytic oxidation and Ir-catalysed dihydroalkoxylation, relative to the un-tethered species, highlighting that increases in both photocatalysis and Ir catalysis can be achieved. The potential of these catalysts was further demonstrated through novel sequential reactivity, and through switchable reactivity that is controlled by external stimuli (heat or light).

Supramolecular Assemblies in Silver Complexes: Phase Transitions and the Role of the Halogen Bond

Weak interactions (hydrogen bonds, halogen bonds, CH···π and π-π stacking) can play a significant role in the formation of supramolecular assemblies with desired structural features. In this contribution, we report a systematic investigation on how a halogen bond (XB) can modulate the structural arrangement of silver supramolecular complexes. The complexes are composed of X-phenyl(bispyrazolyl)methane (X = Br, I) and I-alkynophenyl(bispyrazolyl)methane ligands functionalized in meta (L^3Br, L^3I) and para (L^4Br, L^4I, L^4CCI) positions on a phenyl ring with the purpose of providing different directionalities of the X function with respect to the N,N coordination system. The obtained [Ag(L)₂]⁺ moieties show remarkable geometric similarities, and the L^4Br, L^4I, and L^4CCI ligands exhibit the most conserved types of supramolecular arrangement that are sustained by XB. The increased σ-hole in L^4CCI with respect to L^4I leads to an occurrence of short (and strong) XB interactions with the anions. [Ag(L^4I)₂]PF₆ and [Ag(L^4I)₂]CF₃SO₃ are characterized by the presence of three different phases, and the single-crystal evolution from phase-1 (a honeycomb structure with large 1D cavities) to phase-3 (solventless) occurs by a stepwise decrease in the crystallization solvent content, which promotes an increase in XB interactions in the lattice. The present paper aims to provide useful tools for the selection of appropriate components for the use of coordination compounds to build supramolecular systems based on the halogen bond.

Reactions of acids with naphthyridine-functionalized ferrocenes: protonation and metal extrusion

Reaction of 1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl-ferrocene (FcNP) with a variety of acids affords protonated salts at first, whereas longer reaction time leads to partial demetalation of FcNP resulting in a series of Fe complexes. The corresponding salts [FcNP·H][X] (X = BF(4) or CF(3)SO(3) (1)) are isolated for HBF(4) and CF(3)SO(3)H. Reaction of FcNP with equimolar amount of CF(3)CO(2)H for 12 h affords a neutral complex [Fe(FcNP)(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(2)(OH(2))(2)] (2). Use of excess acid gave a trinuclear Fe(II) complex [Fe(3)(H(2)O)(2)(O(2)CCF(3))(8)(FcNP·H)(2)] (3). Three linear iron atoms are held together by four bridging trifluoroacetates and two aqua ligands in a symmetric fashion. Reaction with ethereal solution of HCl afforded [(FcNP·H)(3)(Cl)][FeCl(4)](2) (4) irrespective of the amount of the acid used. Even the picric acid (HPic) led to metal extrusion giving rise to [Fe(2)(Cl)(2)(FcNP)(2)(Pic)(2)] (5) when crystallized from dichloromethane. Metal extrusion was also observed for CF(3)SO(3)H, but an analytically pure compound could not be isolated. The demetalation reaction proceeds with an initial proton attack to the distal nitrogen of the NP unit. Subsequently, coordination of the conjugate base to the electrophilic Fe facilitates the release of Cp rings from metal. The conjugate base plays an important role in the demetalation process and favors the isolation of the Fe complex as well. The 1,1'-bis(1,8-naphthyrid-2-yl)ferrocene (FcNP(2)) does not undergo demetalation under identical conditions. Two NP units share one positive charge causing the Fe-Cp bonds weakened to an extent that is not sufficient for demetalation. X-ray structure of the monoprotonated FcNP(2) reveals a discrete dimer [(FcNP(2)·H)](2)[OTf](2) (6) supported by two N-H···N hydrogen bonds. Crystal packing and dispersive forces associated with intra- and intermolecular π-π stacking interactions (NP···NP and Cp···NP) allow the formation of the dimer in the solid-state. The protonation and demetalation reactions of FcNP and FcNP(2) with a variety of acids are reported.

Janus Scorpionates: Supramolecular Tectons for the Directed Assembly of Hard−Soft Alkali Metallopolymer Chains

A new scorpionate ligand [HB(mtda)3-] containing mercaptothiadiazolyl (mtda) heterocyclic rings with both hard nitrogen donors and soft sulfur donors has been prepared. This new ligand, the Janus scorpionate, is a hybrid of a tris(pyrazolyl)borate and a tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate. The differential hard/soft character of the dissimilar donor groups in this bridging ligand was exploited for the controlled solid-state organization of homometallic and heterometallic alkali metal coordination polymers. Remarkably, in the case of sodium, coordination polymers with both acentric (with NaS3N3H kernels) and centric (with alternating NaN6 and NaS6H2 kernels) chains are found in the same crystal (where the centricity is defined by the relative orientations of the B-H bonds of the ligands along the lattice). For the homometallic potassium congener, the larger cation size, compared to sodium, induced significant distortions and favored a polar arrangement of ligands in the resulting coordination polymer chain. An examination of the solid-state structure of the mixed alkali metal salt system revealed that synergistic binding of smaller sodium cations to the nitrogen portion and of the larger potassium cations to the sulfur portion of the ligand minimizes the ligand distortions relative to the homometallic coordination polymer counterparts, a design feature of the ligand that likely assists in thermodynamically driving the self-assembly of the heterometallic chains. The effect of alkali metal complexation on the solution properties of the ligand was studied by comparing NMR chemical shifts, B-H stretching frequencies, and electrochemical properties with those of the noncoordinating tetrabutylammonium salt of the scorpionate. The similarity of these data regardless of cation indicates that the salts are likely dissociated in solution rather than maintaining their solid-state polymeric structures. This data is augmented by the ESI(+/-) mass spectral data for a series of mixed alkali metal tris(mercaptothiadiazolyl)borates that also indicate that dissociation occurs in solution.

Metallacycles of Iron, Zinc, and Cadmium Assembled by Polytopic Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands and Fluoride Abstraction from BF4-

Reactions of the arene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands m-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (m-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lm) and 1,3,5-tris[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (1,3,5-[CH(pz)2]3C6H3, L3) with BF4- salts of divalent iron, zinc, and cadmium result in fluoride abstraction from BF4- and formation of fluoride-bridged metallacyclic complexes. Treatment of Fe(BF4)2.6H2O and Zn(BF4)2.5H2O with Lm leads to the complexes [Fe2(mu-F)(mu-Lm)2](BF4)3 (1) and [Zn2(mu-F)(mu-Lm)2](BF4)3 (2), in which a single fluoride ligand and two Lm molecules bridge the two metal centers. The reaction of [Cd2(thf)5](BF4)4 with Lm results in the complex [Cd2(mu-F)2(mu-Lm)2](BF4)2 (3), which contains dimeric cations in which two fluoride and two Lm ligands bridge the cadmium centers. Equimolar amounts of the tritopic ligand L3 and Zn(BF4)2.5H2O react to give the related monofluoride-bridged complex [Zn2(mu-F)(mu-L3)2](BF4)3 (4), in which one bis(pyrazolyl)methane unit on each ligand remains unbound. NMR spectroscopic studies show that in acetonitrile the zinc metallacycles observed in the solid-state remain intact in solution.

Silver(I) Complexes of Fixed, Polytopic Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands: Influence of Ligand Geometry on the Formation of Discrete Metallacycles and Coordination Polymers

Reactions of the arene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands m-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene, (m-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lm), p-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene, (p-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lp), and 1,3,5-tris[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (1,3,5-[CH(pz)2]3C6H3, L3) with AgX salts (pz = 1-pyrazolyl; X = BF4- or PF6-) yield two types of molecular motifs depending on the arrangement of the ligating sites about the central arene ring. Reactions of the m-phenylene-linked Lm with AgBF4 and AgPF6 afford complexes consisting of discrete, metallacyclic dications: [Ag2(mu-Lm)2](BF4)2 (1) and [Ag2(mu-Lm)2](PF6)2 (2). When the p-phenylene-linked Lp is treated with AgBF4 and AgPF6, acyclic, cationic coordination polymers are obtained: {[Ag(mu-Lp)]BF4}infinity (3) and {[Ag(mu-Lp)]PF6}infinity (4). Reaction of the ligand L3, containing three bis(pyrazolyl)methane units in a meta arrangement, with an equimolar amount of AgBF4 again yields discrete metallacyclic dications in which one bis(pyrazolyl)methane unit on each ligand remains unbound: [Ag2(mu-L3)2](BF4)2 (5). Treatment of L3 with an excess of AgBF4 affords a polymer of metallacycles, {[Ag3(mu-L3)2](BF4)3}infinity (6), with one of the bis(pyrazolyl)methane units on each ligand bound to a silver cation bridging two metallacycles. The supramolecular structures of the silver(I) complexes 1-6 are organized by noncovalent interactions, including weak hydrogen bonding, pi-pi, and anion-pi interactions.

Group 11 complexes with the bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane ligand. How secondary bonds can influence the coordination environment of Ag(i): the role of coordinated water in [Ag2(µ-L)2(OH2)2](OTf)2

The complexation properties of the ligand bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane (L) towards group 11 metals have been studied. The reaction in a 1 : 1 molar ratio with [Cu(NCMe)4]PF6 or Ag(OTf) complexes gives the mononuclear [CuL(NCMe)]PF6 (1), with crystallographic mirror symmetry, or dinuclear [Ag2(mu-L)2](OTf)2 (2) (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) in which the ligand bridges both silver centres, an unprecedented mode of coordination for this type of ligands. Compound 2 crystallizes with two water molecules and forms a supramolecular structure through classical hydrogen bonding. The reaction in a 2 : 1 ratio affords in both cases the four-coordinated derivatives [ML2]X (M = Cu, X = PF6 (3); Ag, X = OTf 4). The treatment of [Ag(OTf)(PPh3)] with the ligand L gives [AgL(PPh3)]OTf (5). The gold(I) derivative [Au2(C6F5)2(mu-L)] (6) has also been obtained by reaction of L with two equivalents of [Au(C6F5)(tht)]. These complexes present a luminescent behaviour at low temperature; the emissions being mainly intraligand but enhanced after coordination of the metal. Compounds 1-4 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. DFT studies showed that, in the silver complex 2, coordination of H2O to Ag in the binuclear complex is favoured by formation of a hydrogen-bonding network, involving the triflato anion, and releasing enough energy to allow distortion of the Ag2 framework.

A Chloro-Bridged Dimanganese Complex and an Oxo-Bridged Dititanium Complex of a Ditopic Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate Ligand

The synthesis and crystal structure analysis of the ditopic p-phenylene-bridged bis(pyrazol-1-yl)borate [[p-C6H4(Bpz2tBu)2]Li2] (LLi2; pz=pyrazol-1-yl) is described. A salt metathesis reaction between LLi2 and MnCl2 in THF leads to the dinuclear complex [L[Mn(THF)]2(mu-Cl)2] featuring a central diamond MnII-(mu-Cl)2-MnII core (X-ray crystal structure analysis). Treatment of LLi2 with 2 equiv of [Ti(NMe2)3Cl] gives the dinuclear titanium compound [L[Ti(NMe2)3]2]. Upon reaction of LLi2 with [Ti(NMe2)2Cl2] and water, the mu-oxo-bridged dititanium species [L[Ti(NMe2)Cl]2(mu-O)] is obtained in excellent yield (X-ray crystal structure analysis).

Formation of Third Generation Poly(pyrazolyl)borate Ligands from Alkyne Coupling Reactions of Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Rpz)3]2 (R = H, Me; pz = Pyrazolyl): Pathways toward Controlling an Iron(II) Electronic Spin-State Crossover

Sonogashira coupling reactions of terminal alkynes with Fe[(p-IC6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 (pz = pyrazolyl ring) yield Fe[(p-PhC2C6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 (2), Fe[(p-Me3SiC2C6H4)B(3-Rpz)3]2 (R = H, 3a, R = Me, 3b), and Fe[(p-HC2C6H4)B(3-Mepz)3]2 (R = H, 4a, R = Me, 4b), a series of new complexes containing "third generation" poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands. Complex 2 undergoes a fairly gradual iron(II) electronic spin-state crossover with a 30 K hysteresis, whereas complex 3b is an unusual example of a complex with equivalent iron(II) sites in the high-spin form that shows an abrupt 50% spin crossover. For complex 4b, 50% of the iron(II) sites undergo a gradual spin-state transition between 185 and 350 K with an activation energy of 1590 +/- 30 cm(-1) and a T(1/2) = 280 K and, for the remaining iron(II) sites, an abrupt cooperative spin-state crossover between 106 and 114 K. The crystal structures of 4b obtained for each of the three distinct electronic spin states reveal two crystallographically different iron(II) sites, and analysis of the molecular/supramolecular structures indicates that the difference in the degree of pyrazolyl ring tilting in the ligands between the two sites, rather than the strength of the intermolecular forces, play a prominent role in determining the temperature of the spin-state crossover.

Impact of Variations in Design of Flexible Bitopic Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands and Counterions on the Structures of Silver(I) Complexes: Dominance of Cyclic Dimeric Architecture

The new ligands 1,1,4,4-tetra(1-pyrazolyl)butane [CH(pz)(2)(CH(2))(2)CH(pz)(2), L2] and 1,1,5,5-tetra(1-pyrazolyl)pentane [CH(pz)(2)(CH(2))(3)CH(pz)(2), L3] have been prepared to determine the structural changes in silver(I) complexes, if any, that accompany the lengthening of the spacer group between two linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane units. Silver(I) complexes of both ligands with BF(4)(-) and SO(3)CF(3)(-) as the counterion have the formula [Ag(2)(micro-L)(2)](counterion)(2). These complexes have a cyclic dimeric structure in the solid state previously observed with the shorter linked ligand CH(pz)(2)CH(2)CH(pz)(2). Similar chemistry starting with AgNO(3) for L2 yields a complex of the empirical formula [Ag(2)[micro-CH(pz)(2)(CH(2))(2)CH(pz)(2)](3)](NO(3))(2) that retains the cyclic dimeric structure, but bonding of an additional ligand creates a coordination polymer of the cyclic dimers. In contrast, coordination of the nitrate counterion to silver in the complex of L3 leads to the formation of the coordination polymer of the empirical formula [Ag(micro-CH(pz)(2)(CH(2))(3)CH(pz)(2))]NO(3). All six new complexes have extended supramolecular structures based on noncovalent interactions supported by the counterions and the functional groups designed into the ligands.

Tuning the Coordination Geometry of Silver in Bis(pyrazolyl)alkane Complexes

Silver(I) complexes of the bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands Ph(2)C(pz)(2), PhCH(pz)(2), and PhCH(2)CH(pz)(2) (pz = pyrazolyl ring) have been prepared in an attempt to explore how sterically hindered poly(pyrazolyl)methane ligands influence the variable coordination geometries exhibited by silver(I) complexes, especially its ability to participate in cation...pi interactions. The complex (Ag[(pz)(2)CPh(2)](2))(PF(6)).C(3)H(6)O adopts an unusual square planar coordination environment as indicated by the sum of the four N-Ag-N angles being 360 degrees. The proximity of phenyl groups above and below the AgN(4) core enforces the unusual coordination geometry about the metal center. This arrangement is not a result of silver(I)...pi arene interactions but rather of the constraints imposed by the steric crowding caused by (aryl)(2)C(pz)(2) ligands. In contrast, the complexes of the other two ligands, (Ag[(pz)(2)CHPh](2))(PF(6)).0.5CH(2)Cl(2) and (Ag[(pz)(2)CH(CH(2)Ph)](2))(PF(6)).CH(2)Cl(2), show normal tetrahedral geometry about the silver(I), also with no indication of silver(I)...pi arene interactions. All three new complexes have extended supramolecular structures supported by a combination of CH...pi and CH...F interactions.