Substituent-Guided Cluster Nuclearity for Tetranuclear Iron(III) Compounds with Flat {Fe4(μ3-O)2} Butterfly Core

The tetranuclear iron(III) compounds [Fe4(μ3-O)2(μ-LZ)4] (1–3) were obtained by reaction of FeCl3 with the shortened salen-type N2O2 tetradentate Schiff bases N,N’-bis(salicylidene)-o-Z-phenylmethanediamine H2LZ (Z = NO2, Cl and OMe, respectively), where the one-carbon bridge between the two iminic nitrogen donor atoms guide preferentially to the formation of oligonuclear species, and the ortho position of the substituent Z on the central phenyl ring selectively drives towards Fe4 bis-oxido clusters. All compounds show a flat almost-symmetric butterfly-like conformation of the {Fe4(μ3-O)2} core, surrounded by the four Schiff base ligands, as depicted by both the X-ray molecular structures of 1 and 2 and the optimized geometries of all derivatives as obtained by UM06/6-311G(d) DFT calculations. The strength of the antiferromagnetic exchange coupling constants between the iron(III) ions varies among the three derivatives, despite their magnetic cores remain structurally almost unvaried, as well as the coordination of the metal ions, with a distorted octahedral environment for the two-body iron ions, Feb, and a pentacoordination with trigonal bipyramidal geometry for the two-wing iron ions, Few. The different magnetic behavior within the series of examined compounds may be ascribed to the influence of the electronic features of Z on the electron density distribution (EDD) of the central {Fe4(μ3-O)2} core, substantiated by a Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules (QTAIM) topological analysis of the EDD, as obtained by UM06 calculations 1–3.

Nickel(II)-Based Building Blocks with Schiff Base Derivatives: Experimental Insights and DFT Calculations

We have recently reported a series of neutral square planar tridentate Schiff base (L) complexes of the general formula [(L)M(py)], showing relatively high first-order hyperpolarizabilities and NLO redox switching behavior. In the present study, new members of this family of compounds have been prepared with the objective to investigate their potential as building blocks in the on-demand construction of D-π-A push–pull systems. Namely, ternary nickel(II) building blocks of general formula [(L^A/D)Ni(4-pyX)] (4–7), where L^A/D stands for an electron accepting or donating dianionic O,N,O-tridentate Schiff base ligand resulting from the monocondensation of 2-aminophenol or its 4-substituted nitro derivative and β-diketones R-C(=O)CH₂C(=O)CH₃ (R = methyl, anisyl, ferrocenyl), and 4-pyX is 4-iodopyridine or 4-ethynylpyridine, were synthesized and isolated in 60–78% yields. Unexpectedly, the Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction between the 4-iodopyridine derivative 6 and 4-ethynylpyridine led to the formation of the bis(4-pyridyl) acetylene bridged centrosymmetric dimer [{(L^D)Ni}₂(µ²-py-C≡C-py)] (8). Complexes 4–8 were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction and computational methods. In each compound, the four-coordinate Ni(II) metal ion adopts a square planar geometry with two nitrogen and two oxygen atoms as donors occupying trans positions. In 8, the Ni…Ni separation is of 13.62(14) Å. Experimental results were proved and explained theoretically exploiting Density Functional Theory calculations.

From solid state to in vitro anticancer activity of copper(II) compounds with electronically-modulated NNO Schiff base ligands

The copper(ii) complexes of general formula [Cu(GL)(Cl)] (1-3, G = OMe, H and NO2, respectively), bearing tridentate Schiff base ligands (GL-) and a chloride as a fourth labile one, are here reported. The Schiff bases derive from the monocondensation of ethylenediamine and substituted salicylaldehyde, where the electronic properties are modulated by the releasing or withdrawing power of the G group. The compounds were structurally characterized through single crystal Synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments in the solid state, revealing that 1 (OMe) and 2 (H) adopt a dimeric assembly [Cu(μ-Cl)(GL)]2 through apical interaction of the chloride ions of two monomeric units, while 3 embraces a 1D polymeric chain structure [Cu(μ-Cl)(NO2L)]n with a similar bridging fashion, all supported by extended intramolecular or intrachain hydrogen bonds. The redox properties of the complexes were also studied by cyclic voltammetry with no marked effect of the substituent on the potential of the CuII/CuI redox system. UV/Vis spectroscopic studies in mimicked physiological conditions highlighted the intactness and stability of the coordinated NNO tridentate ligand in 1-3 and the lability of the coordinated chloride ion with the formation of the aquo-complexes [Cu(GL)(H2O)]+ in aqueous solution, as confirmed by conductance measurements with a 1 : 1 electrolyte molar conductivity. In vitro tests on cell viability were conducted on malignant cell lines typical for their poor prognosis and curability, revealing time-dependent and differential cytotoxicity given by the substituent G. All compounds were capable of formation of intracellular reactive oxygen species and DNA intercalation, acting as nuclease and producing double-strand DNA breaks. This is especially effective for 3 (NO2), which revealed the highest anticancer activity against malignant triple-negative breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells, with a two-to-four-fold cytotoxicity enhancement with respect to 1 (OMe) and 2 (H), and, most important, substantial differentiation of cytotoxicity with respect to healthy endothelial HUVEC cell line.

When the Metal Makes the Difference: Template Syntheses of Tridentate and Tetradentate Salen-Type Schiff Base Ligands and Related Complexes

The reaction of organic molecules mediated by a metal center (template synthesis) can result in a final connectivity that may differ from the one obtained in the absence of the metal. The condensation of carbonyl fragments with primary amines form C=N iminic bonds, the so-called Schiff bases, which can act as ligands for the templating metal center by means of the lone pair on the nitrogen atom. This review focuses on the template methods for the reaction between a carbonyl compound (mainly salicylaldehyde) and a primary aliphatic diamine able to prevent the double condensation on both amine groups and obtain tridentate N2O ligands. These adducts, still having one free amino group, can further react, yielding tetradentate salen-type Schiff base ligands. A screening over the transition metals able to show such a template effect will be presented, with particular attention to copper(II), together with their peculiar reactivity and the available crystal structure of the metal complexes and related coordination geometries.

Solid-State Nonlinear Optical Properties of Mononuclear Copper(II) Complexes with Chiral Tridentate and Tetradentate Schiff Base Ligands

Salen-type metal complexes have been actively studied for their nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and push-pull compounds with charge asymmetry generated by electron releasing and withdrawing groups have shown promising results. As a continuation of our research in this field and aiming at solid-state features, herein we report on the synthesis of mononuclear copper(II) derivatives bearing either tridentate N₂O Schiff bases L^(a−c)− and pyridine as the forth ancillary ligand, [Cu(L^a−c)(py)](ClO₄) (1a–c), or unsymmetrically-substituted push-pull tetradentate N₂O₂ Schiff base ligands, [Cu(5-A-5′-D-saldpen/chxn)] (2a–c), both derived from 5-substituted salicylaldehydes (sal) and the diamines (1R,2R)-1,2-diphenylethanediamine (dpen) and (1S,2S)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane (chxn). All compounds were characterized through elemental analysis, infrared and UV/visible spectroscopies, and mass spectrometry in order to guarantee their purity and assess their charge transfer properties. The structures of 1a–c were determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The geometries of cations of 1a–c and of molecules 2a–c were optimized through DFT calculations. The solid-state NLO behavior was measured by the Kurtz–Perry powder technique @1.907 µm. All chiral derivatives possess non-zero quadratic electric susceptibility (χ⁽²⁾) and an efficiency of about 0.15–0.45 times that of standard urea.

Synthesis, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of six transition metal phosphonates

Six new complexes have been quantificationally investigated for magnetic properties. There are abundant water molecules existing in the complexes with different aggregation modes.

Efficient preparation of multimetallic ONO-based Schiff base complexes of nickel(ii) and copper(ii)

Spectroscopy, structures, electrochemical behavior and magnetic properties of a series of readily prepared [(R-ONO)M(μ-4,4′-bipy)M(R-ONO)] complexes (R = anisyl or ferrocenyl; M = Ni, Cu) have been explored.

Four-coordinate nickel(ii) and copper(ii) complex based ONO tridentate Schiff base ligands: synthesis, molecular structure, electrochemical, linear and nonlinear properties, and computational study

The properties of NLO active ternary Ni(ii)- and Cu(ii)-unsymmetrical Schiff base complexes were explored in concert with DFT calculations.

The unprecedented preparation of dinuclear zinc(II) complexes from 4-halido-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol

Three new centrosymmetric trinuclear nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes, Ni[Ni(CH(3)COO)(CPA)](2) (1), Ni[Ni(CH(3)COO)(BPA)](2) (2), Mn[Mn(CH(3)COO)(BPA)](2) (3), where H(2)CPA = N,N'-bis(5-chlorosalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine, H(2)BPA = N,N'-bis(5-bromosalicylidene)-1,3-propanediamine, and two new centrosymmetric dinuclear zinc(II) complexes, [Zn(2)(CMP)(2)] (4) and [Zn(2)(BMP)(2)] (5), where H(2)CMP = 4-chloro-2-{[3-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopropylimino]methyl}phenol, and H(2)BMP = 4-bromo-2-{[3-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzyl)aminopropylimino]methyl}phenol, have been prepared from the Schiff bases derived from 5-halido-substituted salicylaldehydes with N-hexylpropane-1,3-diamine under solvothermal conditions. The complexes have been characterised by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The complexes 1, 2, and 3 crystallise in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with cell dimensions a = 9.347(1), b = 11.507(2), c = 18.539(2) Å, β = 93.774(2)°, Z = 2 (for 1), a = 9.111(4), b = 12.089(6), c = 18.724(8) Å, β = 92.117(7)°, Z = 2 (for 2), and a = 11.328(2), b = 22.468(5), c = 8.270(2) Å, β = 93.74(3)°, Z = 2 (for 3), while complexes 4 and 5 crystallise in the triclinic space group P1, with cell dimensions a = 7.483(1), b = 9.990(2), c = 12.155(2) Å, α = 75.27(3), β = 85.00(3), γ = 73.82(3)°, Z = 1 (for 4), and a = 7.008(1), b = 10.081(2), c = 13.095(3) Å, α = 100.62(3), β = 95.51(3), γ = 104.03(3)°, Z = 1 (for 5). It is interesting that the mono-Schiff bases 4-chloro-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol (HCCP) and 4-bromo-2-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol (HBCP) used to prepare the nickel(II) and manganese(II) complexes were transferred to bis-Schiff bases H(2)CPA and H(2)BPA in the complexes 1, 2, and 3, while the mono-Schiff bases HCCP and HBCP used to prepare the zinc(II) complexes were transferred to novel ligands H(2)CMP and H(2)BMP, bearing the unexpected, newly formed carbon-nitrogen single bond.