Synthesis, structures, and catalytic efficiency in ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide with tridentate vs. bidentate cobalt(ii), zinc(ii), and cadmium(ii) complexes containing N-substituted N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amine ligands

A series of Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by 1-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (L_A) and N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-isopropylaniline (L_B) were synthesized. The direct chelation of CoCl₂·6H₂O, ZnCl₂, and CdBr₂·4H₂O by the ligands produced [L_nMX₂] (L_n = L_A or L_B; M = Zn or Co, with X = Cl; M = Cd, with X = Br) complexes in high yields. Structural studies revealed that [L_BCoCl₂] and [L_BZnCl₂] adopted distorted tetrahedral geometries, as L_B coordinated the metal centers in a bidentate fashion, while L_A coordinated the metal centers in a tridentate fashion through the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole and amine moieties, so that [L_ACoCl₂] and [L_AZnCl₂] exhibited trigonal bipyramidal geometries and [L_ACdBr₂] a square pyramidal geometry. [L_BCdBr₂] has two Cd-containing structures per unit cell, whereby one Cd center adopted a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the other exhibited square bipyramidal geometry. The in situ-generated alkyl derivatives of the synthesized complexes were assessed in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide. Heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) were furnished with all complexes. The [L_BZnCl₂]/MeLi system produced PLA with a superior heterotactic bias (P_r up to 0.94) at −25 °C. PLAs with wide-ranging polydispersity indices (1.16–2.23) and low molecular weights were produced in all cases, irrespective of the specific M(II) center and ancillary ligand utilized.

Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by bis-pyrazolyl ligands were applied to the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide to produce heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) with superior heterotactic bias i.e. P_r up to 0.94 at −25 °C.

Dimerization of Terminal Aryl Alkynes Catalyzed by Iron(II) Amine-Pyrazolyl Tripodal Complexes with E/Z Selectivity Controlled by tert-Butoxide

The catalytic activity of iron(II) complexes with functionalized amine-pyrazolyl tripodal ligands toward dimerization of terminal alkynes in the presence a base (KO ^t Bu or NaO ^t Bu) has been studied. An unusual E/Z selectivity of the reaction determined by tert-butoxide was observed.

A supramolecular recyclable catalyst for aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura coupling

A Pd(ii) pyrazolyl complex is solubilized by host–guest inclusion to give an efficient, recyclable catalyst for Suzuki–Miyaura couplings in aqueous–organic solvents.

Cross-coupling of alkyl halides with aryl or alkyl Grignards catalyzed by dinuclear Ni(II) complexes containing functionalized tripodal amine-pyrazolyl ligands

Structurally distinctive dinuclear Ni(II) complexes with furan or thiophene tethered amine-pyrazolyl tripodal hybrid ligands have been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. All complexes are catalytically active towards cross-coupling of aryl/alkyl Grignard reagents with β-H containing alkyl halides at room temperature in the presence of N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA). The catalytic efficacy of the complexes is dependent on the tether substituent at the central amine. Two species, Ni(II) TMEDA and Mg(II) TMEDA complexes, have been isolated from the catalytic reaction mixtures under different conditions. Some ligand-stabilized Ni(II) and Mg(II) bimetallic species have also been identified in the ESI-MS spectra.