Dinuclear complexes of a pseudocalixarene macrocycle: structural consequences of intramolecular hydrogen bonding

Selective anion binding by a cofacial binuclear zinc complex of a Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycle

The synthesis of the new cofacial binuclear zinc complex [Zn(2)(L)] of a Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycle is reported. It was discovered that the binuclear microenvironment between the two metals of [Zn(2)(L)] is suited for the encapsulation of anions, leading to the formation of [K(THF)(6)][Zn(2)(μ-Cl)(L)]·2THF and [Bu(n)(4)N][Zn(2)(μ-OH)(L)] which were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Unusually obtuse Zn-X-Zn angles (X = Cl: 150.54(9)° and OH: 157.4(3)°) illustrate the weak character of these interactions and the importance of the cleft preorganization to stabilize the host. In the absence of added anion, aggregation of [Zn(2)(L)] was inferred and investigated by successive dilutions and by the addition of coordinating solvents to [Zn(2)(L)] solutions using NMR spectroscopy as well as isothermal microcalorimetry (ITC). On anion addition, evidence for deaggregation of [Zn(2)(L)], combined with the formation of the 1:1 host-guest complex, was observed by NMR spectroscopy and ITC titrations. Furthermore, [Zn(2)(L)] binds to Cl(-) selectively in THF as deduced from the ITC analyses, while other halides induce only deaggregation. These conclusions were reinforced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which indicated that the binding energies of OH(-) and Cl(-) were significantly greater than for the other halides.

Molecular recognition of redox-switchable bis-crown moieties assembled on a dicobalt complex

A new dinuclear complex of cobalt(III) having double bis-crown moieties (1) was synthesized in a one-pot multistep reaction between the dinucleating ligand (H(2)L(1)), Co(OAc)(2) x 4 H(2)O, and 4'-aminomethylbenzo-15-crown 5-ether under aerobic conditions. The complex was characterized by UV-vis, IR, NMR, and CSI-mass spectroscopies, and the axial coordination of the 4'-aminomethylbenzo-15-crown 5-ether on both cobalt centers was confirmed. The bis-crown moieties of 1 acted as a potassium ion binding site with a large association constant (K) of 1.97 x 10(5) M(-1) (1:1) caused by the preorganized bis-crown structure. Solvent extraction of K(+) (potassium picrate) with 1 was investigated by UV-vis and NMR, and the extracted K(+) was quantified by an atomic absorption/flame emission spectrophotometer. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 showed irreversible redox waves at -0.57 V and +0.16 V versus Ag/AgCl in DMF, which are ascribed to the Co(III) and Co(II) redox couple. The large peak separation (Delta0.73 V) of this redox couple indicates the association and dissociation of the axial amine on the cobalt centers. The irreversible reduction peak of 1 at -0.57 V was shifted in the positive direction by 80 mV in the presence of the potassium ion, showing the complexation of 1 with the potassium ion. The reversible formation and decomposition of the double bis-crown moieties in 1 caused by the electrical stimulus were also investigated by thin-layer UV-vis spectroelectrochemistry. The switching of the double bis-crown structure of 1 was established over four trials with response to electrical energy.

Dinuclear nickel complexes with a Ni2O2core: a structural and magnetic study

The acetylacetonate complexes [Ni(2)L(1)(acac)(MeOH)] x H(2)O, 1 x H(2)O and [Ni(2)L(3)(acac)(MeOH)] x 1.5H(2)O, 2 x 1.5H(2)O (H(3)L(1) = (2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine and H(3)L(3) = (2-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(5-bromo-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine) were prepared and fully characterised. Their crystal structures show that they are dinuclear complexes, extended into chains by hydrogen bond interactions. These compounds were used as starting materials for the isolation of the corresponding [Ni(2)HL(x)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x n MeOH and [Ni(2)HL(x)(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2))(H(2)O)]x nH(2)O dicarboxylate complexes (x = 1, 3; n = 1-3). The crystal structures of [Ni(2)HL(1)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x MeOH, 3 x MeOH, [Ni(2)HL(3)(o-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x 3 MeOH, 4 x 3 MeOH and [Ni(2)HL(1)(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2))(H(2)O)] x 2.5H(2)O x 0.25 MeOH x MeCN, 5 x 2.5H(2)O x 0.25 MeOH x MeCN, were solved. Complexes 3-5 show dinuclear [Ni(2)HL(x)(dicarboxylate)(H(2)O)] units, expanded through hydrogen bonds that involve carboxylate and water ligands, as well as solvate molecules. The variable temperature magnetic susceptibilities of all the complexes show an intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions, which is attempted to be rationalized by comparison with previous results and in the light of molecular orbital treatment. Magnetisation measurements are in accord with a S = 2 ground state in all cases.