Transfer Hydrogenation of Acetophenone Catalyzed by Half-Sandwich Ruthenium(II) Complexes Containing Amino Amide Ligands. Detection of the Catalytic Intermediates by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

An Efficient Greener Approach for N-Acylation of Amines in Water Using Benzotriazole Chemistry

A straightforward, mild and cost-efficient synthesis of various arylamides in water was accomplished using versatile benzotriazole chemistry. Acylation of various amines was achieved in water at room temperature as well as under microwave irradiation. The developed protocol unfolds the synthesis of amino acid aryl amides, drug conjugates and benzimidazoles. The environmentally friendly synthesis, short reaction time, simple workup, high yields, mild conditions and free of racemization are the key advantages of this protocol.

Anticancer and antimicrobial properties of novel η6-p-cymene ruthenium(ii) complexes containing a N,S-type ligand, their structural and theoretical characterization

Ruthenium(ii) complexes are lately of great scientific interest due to their chemotherapeutic potential as anticancer and antimicrobial agents. Here we present the synthesis of new pyrazole carbothioamide derivatives and their four arene–ruthenium complexes. The title compounds were characterized with the application of IR, NMR, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction. Additionally, for new complexes DFT calculations were done. Their antimicrobial activity (MIC, MBC/MFC) was examined in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Candida albicans. Their cytotoxic effects, using the MTT assay, against three cancer cell lines: HL-60, NALM-6, WM-115 and normal human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-1) were also investigated. The influence of the new arene–ruthenium(ii) complexes on the DNA structure was also tested. From our results, compound 2d showed higher cytotoxicity against melanoma cell line WM-115 than cisplatin. Strong biostatic and biocidal activity of the tested complexes against Gram-positive bacteria, including S. aureus, S. epidermidis and E. faecalis was demonstrated. The new arene–ruthenium(ii) compounds could not only inhibit proliferation of cancer cells, but also protect patients against malignant wound infections.

New arene–ruthenium(ii) complexes with pyrazole derivatives as ligands were synthesized and characterized. This compounds exhibited good cytotoxic effects, and strong biostatic and biocidal activity.

Syntheses, characterisation, and catalytic role of (η5-C5Me5)Rh(iii) guanidinato complexes in transfer hydrogenation (TH) and TH–etherification

Complex 3 has been synthesised and its catalytic activity in base assisted and base free transfer hydrogenation (TH) of a variety of carbonyl compounds and TH–etherification of substrates such as 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde have been achieved.

Mechanistic implications of the enantioselective addition of alkylzinc reagents to aldehydes catalyzed by nickel complexes with α-amino amide ligands

The enantioselective alkylation of aldehydes catalysed by nickel(ii)-complexes derived from α-amino amides was studied by means of density functional theory (DFT) and ONIOM (B3LYP:UFF) calculations.

Ru(ii)-p-cymene complexes containing esters of chiral d/l-phenylalanine derived aroylthiourea ligands for enantioselective reduction of pro-chiral ketones

The chiral Ru(ii)-p-cymene complexes are efficient catalysts for the enantioselective reduction of ketones to chiral alcohols.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and catalytic properties of some new boron hybrid molecule derivatives by BF2 and BPh2 chelation

A new series of Schiff base ligands (L1-L3) and their corresponding fluorine/phenyl boron hybrid complexes [LnBF2] and [LnBPh2] (n=1, 2 or 3) have been synthesized and well characterized by both analytical and spectroscopic methods. The Schiff base ligands and their corresponding fluorine/phenyl boron hybrid complexes have been characterized by NMR ((1)H, (13)C and (19)F), FT-IR, UV-Vis, LC-MS, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as melting point and elemental analysis. The fluorescence efficiencies of phenyl chelate complexes are greatly red-shifted compared to those of the fluorine chelate analogs based on the same ligands, presumably due to the large steric hindrance and hard π→π(∗) transition of the diphenyl boron chelation, which can effectively prevent molecular aggregation. The boron hybrid complexes were applied to the transfer hydrogenation of acetophenone derivatives to 1-phenylethanol derivatives in the presence of 2-propanol as the hydrogen source. The catalytic studies showed that boron hybrid complexes are good catalytic precursors for transfer hydrogenation of aromatic ketones in 0.1M iso-PrOH solution. Also, we have found that both steric and electronic factors have a significant impact on the catalytic properties of this class of molecules.

Dual stereocontrolled alkylation of aldehydes with polystyrene-supported nickel complexes derived from α-amino amides

Nickel(ii) complexes derived from α-amino amide ligands anchored to gel-type and monolithic polymers act as efficient catalysts for the enantioselective addition of dialkylzinc reagents to aldehydes.

Ruthenium-catalyzed N-alkylation of amines with alcohols under mild conditions using the borrowing hydrogen methodology

Using a simple amino amide ligand, ruthenium-catalyzed one-pot alkylation of primary and secondary amines with simple alcohols was carried out under a wide range of conditions. Using the alcohol as solvent, alkylation was achieved under mild conditions, even as low as room temperature. Reactions occurred with high conversion and selectivity in many cases. Reactions can also be carried out at high temperatures in organic solvent with high selectivity using stoichiometric amounts of the alcohol.

The N-H functional group in organometallic catalysis

The organometallic approach is one of the most active topics in catalysis. The application of NH functionality in organometallic catalysis has become an important and attractive concept in catalyst design. NH moieties in the modifiers of organometallic catalysts have been shown to have various beneficial functions in catalysis by molecular recognition through hydrogen bonding to give catalyst-substrate, ligand-ligand, ligand-catalyst, and catalyst-catalyst interactions. This Review summarizes recent progress in the development of the organometallic catalysts based on the concept of cooperative catalysis by focusing on the NH moiety.