Selective Formation of Small and Large Coordination Cages and Their Catalytic Differences

Self-assembly of CuX2 (X- = BF4-, ClO4-, and CF3SO3-) with a new tridentate 5,5',5″-(((2,4,6-trimethylbenzene-1,3,5-triyl)tris(methylene))tris(oxy))triisoquinoline (L) gives rise to single-crystal pairs consisting of small and large cages, [X@Cu2X2L4]X and [Cu6X12L8], respectively, via selection of solvents. In particular, the large cage is transformed into a small cage in acetonitrile above 50 °C. A significant difference in heterogeneous catechol oxidation catalysis between the small and large cages is observed. Such notable catechol-oxidation-catalytic effects can be explained by maintenance of the Cu···Cu distance at the catalytic center. This research is a direct systematic example of both cage-size control via solvent selection and the significance of the Cu···Cu distance in catechol oxidation catalysis with copper (Cu).

A Family of Hexacopper Phenylsilsesquioxane/Acetate Complexes: Synthesis, Solvent-Controlled Cage Structures, and Catalytic Activity

Convenient self-assembly synthesis of copper(II) complexes via double (phenylsilsesquioxane and acetate) ligation allows to isolate a family of impressive sandwich-like cage compounds. An intriguing feature of these complexes is the difference in the structure of a pair of silsesquioxane ligands despite identical (Cu6) nuclearity and number (four) of acetate fragments. Formation of particular combination of silsesquioxane ligands (cyclic/cyclic vs condensed/condensed vs cyclic/condensed) was found to be dependent on the synthesis/crystallization media. A combination of Si4-cyclic and Si6-condensed silsesquioxane ligands is a brand new feature of cage metallasilsesquioxanes. A representative Cu6-complex (4) (with cyclic silsesquioxanes) exhibited high catalytic activity in the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides. Maximum yield of the products of cyclohexane oxidation attained 30 %. The compound 4 was also tested as catalyst in the Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone by m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid: maximum yields of 88 % and 100 % of ϵ-caprolactone were achieved upon conventional heating at 50 °C for 4 h and MW irradiation at 70 or 80 °C during 30 min, respectively. It was also possible to obtain the lactone (up to 16 % yield) directly from the cyclohexane via a tandem oxidation/Baeyer-Villiger oxidation reaction using the same oxidant.

Cage-like Cu5Cs4-Phenylsilsesquioxanes: Synthesis, Supramolecular Structures, and Catalytic Activity

A small family of nonanuclear Cu5Cs4-based phenylsilsesquioxanes 1-2 were prepared by a convenient self-assembly approach and characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. The compounds 1 and 2 show some unprecedented structural features such as the presence of a [Ph14Si14O28]14- silsesquioxane ligand and a CuII5CsI4 nuclearity in which the metal cations occupy unusual positions within the cluster. Copper ions are "wrapped" into a silsesquioxane matrix, while cesium ions are located in external positions. This resulted in cesium-involved aggregation of coordination polymer structures. Both compounds 1 and 2 realize specific metallocene (cesium-phenyl) linkage between neighboring cages. Compound 2 is evaluated as a catalyst in the Baeyer-Villiger (B-V) oxidation of cyclohexanone and tandem cyclohexane oxidation/B-V oxidation of cyclohexanone with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) as an oxidant, in an aqueous acetonitrile medium, and HNO3 as the promoter. A quantitative yield of ε-caprolactone was achieved under conventional heating at 50 °C for 4 h or MW irradiation for 30 min (for cyclohexanone as substrate); 17 and 19% yields of lactone upon MW irradiation at 80 °C for 30 min and heating at 50 °C for 4 h, respectively (for cyclohexane as a substrate), were achieved. Complex 2 was evaluated as a catalyst for the oxidation of alkanes to alkyl hydroperoxides and alcohols to ketones with peroxides at 60 °C in acetonitrile. The maximum yield of cyclohexane oxidation products was 30%. Complex 2 exhibits high activity in the oxidation of alcohols.

A Novel Family of Cage-like (CuLi, CuNa, CuK)-phenylsilsesquioxane Complexes with 8-hydroxyquinoline Ligands: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity

The first examples of metallasilsesquioxane complexes, including ligands of the 8-hydroxyquinoline family 1–9, were synthesized, and their structures were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction using synchrotron radiation. Compounds 1–9 tend to form a type of sandwich-like cage of Cu₄M₂ nuclearity (M = Li, Na, K). Each complex includes two cisoid pentameric silsesquioxane ligands and two 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands. The latter coordinates the copper ions and corresponding alkaline metal ions (via the deprotonated oxygen site). A characteristic (size) of the alkaline metal ion and a variation of characteristics of nitrogen ligands (8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5-chloro-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-dibromo-8-hydroxyquinoline vs. 5,7-diiodo-8-hydroxyquinoline) are highly influential for the formation of the supramolecular structure of the complexes 3a, 5, and 7–9. The Cu₆Na₂-based compound 2 exhibits high catalytic activity towards the oxidation of (i) hydrocarbons by H₂O₂ activated with HNO₃, and (ii) alcohols by tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Studies of kinetics and their selectivity has led us to conclude that it is the hydroxyl radicals that play a crucial role in this process.

Oxidation of Organic Compounds with Peroxides Catalyzed by Polynuclear Metal Compounds

The review describes articles that provide data on the synthesis and study of the properties of catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes, olefins, and alcohols. These catalysts are polynuclear complexes of iron, copper, osmium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, vanadium. Such complexes for example are: [Fe2(HPTB)(m-OH)(NO3)2](NO3)2·CH3OH·2H2O, where HPTB-¼N,N,N0,N0-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane; complex [(PhSiO1,5)6]2[CuO]4[NaO0.5]4[dppmO2]2, where dppm-1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane; (2,3-η-1,4-diphenylbut-2-en-1,4-dione)undecacarbonyl triangulotriosmium; phenylsilsesquioxane [(PhSiO1.5)10(CoO)5(NaOH)]; bi- and tri-nuclear oxidovanadium(V) complexes [{VO(OEt)(EtOH)}2(L2)] and [{VO(OMe)(H2O)}3(L3)]·2H2O (L2 = bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)terephthalohydrazide and L3 = tris(2-hydroxybenzylidene)benzene-1,3,5-tricarbohydrazide); [Mn2L2O3][PF6]2 (L = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane). For comparison, articles are introduced describing catalysts for the oxidation of alkanes and alcohols with peroxides, which are simple metal salts or mononuclear metal complexes. In many cases, polynuclear complexes exhibit higher activity compared to mononuclear complexes and exhibit increased regioselectivity, for example, in the oxidation of linear alkanes. The review contains a description of some of the mechanisms of catalytic reactions. Additionally presented are articles comparing the rates of oxidation of solvents and substrates under oxidizing conditions for various catalyst structures, which allows researchers to conclude about the nature of the oxidizing species. This review is focused on recent works, as well as review articles and own original studies of the authors.

1D Copper(II)-Aroylhydrazone Coordination Polymers: Magnetic Properties and Microwave Assisted Oxidation of a Secondary Alcohol

The 1D Cu(II) coordination polymers [Cu₃(L¹)(NO₃)₄(H₂O)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₂(H₂L²)(NO₃)(H₂O)₂]_n(NO₃)_n (2) have been synthesized using the aroylhyrazone Schiff bases N'¹,N'²-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)oxalohydrazide (H₂L¹) and N'¹,N'³-bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)malonohydrazide (H₄L²), respectively. They have been characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), single crystal X-ray diffraction and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements (for 2). The ligand (L¹)²⁻ coordinates in the iminol form in 1, whereas the amide coordination is observed for (H₂L²)²⁻ in 2. Either the ligand bridge or the nitrate bridge in 2 mediates weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The catalytic performance of 1 and 2 has been investigated toward the solvent-free microwave-assisted oxidation of a secondary alcohol (1-phenylethanol used as model substrate). At 120°C and in the presence of the nitroxyl radical 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperydil-1-oxyl (TEMPO), the complete conversion of 1-phenylethanol into acetophenone occurs with TOFs up to 1,200 h⁻¹.

Cd(ii) coordination compounds as heterogeneous catalysts for microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation of toluene and 1-phenylethanol

Cd(ii) compounds as catalysts towards microwave assisted peroxidative oxidation (with tert-butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) of toluene and 1-phenylethanol under heterogeneous conditions are explored.

Metal Complexes Containing Redox-Active Ligands in Oxidation of Hydrocarbons and Alcohols: A Review

Ligands are innocent when they allow oxidation states of the central atoms to be defined. A noninnocent (or redox) ligand is a ligand in a metal complex where the oxidation state is not clear. Dioxygen can be a noninnocent species, since it exists in two oxidation states, i.e., superoxide (O2−) and peroxide (O22−). This review is devoted to oxidations of C–H compounds (saturated and aromatic hydrocarbons) and alcohols with peroxides (hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide) catalyzed by complexes of transition and nontransition metals containing innocent and noninnocent ligands. In many cases, the oxidation is induced by hydroxyl radicals. The mechanisms of the formation of hydroxyl radicals from H2O2 under the action of transition (iron, copper, vanadium, rhenium, etc.) and nontransition (aluminum, gallium, bismuth, etc.) metal ions are discussed. It has been demonstrated that the participation of the second hydrogen peroxide molecule leads to the rapture of O–O bond, and, as a result, to the facilitation of hydroxyl radical generation. The oxidation of alkanes induced by hydroxyl radicals leads to the formation of relatively unstable alkyl hydroperoxides. The data on regioselectivity in alkane oxidation allowed us to identify an oxidizing species generated in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide: (hydroxyl radical or another species). The values of the ratio-of-rate constants of the interaction between an oxidizing species and solvent acetonitrile or alkane gives either the kinetic support for the nature of the oxidizing species or establishes the mechanism of the induction of oxidation catalyzed by a concrete compound. In the case of a bulky catalyst molecule, the ratio of hydroxyl radical attack rates upon the acetonitrile molecule and alkane becomes higher. This can be expanded if we assume that the reactions of hydroxyl radicals occur in a cavity inside a voluminous catalyst molecule, where the ratio of the local concentrations of acetonitrile and alkane is higher than in the whole reaction volume. The works of the authors of this review in this field are described in more detail herein.

New Cu4Na4- and Cu5-Based Phenylsilsesquioxanes. Synthesis via Complexation with 1,10-Phenanthroline, Structures and High Catalytic Activity in Alkane Oxidations with Peroxides in Acetonitrile

Self-assembly of copper(II)phenylsilsesquioxane assisted by the use of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) results in isolation of two unusual cage-like compounds: (PhSiO1,5)12(CuO)4(NaO0.5)4(phen)4 1 and (PhSiO1,5)6(PhSiO1,5)7(HO0.5)2(CuO)5(O0.25)2(phen)3 2. X-Ray diffraction study revealed extraordinaire molecular architectures of both products. Namely, complex 1 includes single cyclic (PhSiO1,5)12 silsesquioxane ligand. Four sodium ions of 1 are additionally ligated by 1,10-phenanthrolines. In turn, “sodium-less” complex 2 represents coordination of 1,10-phenanthrolines to copper ions. Two silsesquioxane ligands of 2 are: (i) noncondensed cubane of a rare Si6-type and (ii) unprecedented Si7-based ligand including two HOSiO1.5 fragments. These silanol units were formed due to removal of phenyl groups from silicon atoms, observed in mild conditions. The presence of phenanthroline ligands in products 1 and 2 favored the π–π stacking interactions between neighboring cages. Noticeable that in the case of 1 all four phenanthrolines participated in such supramolecular organization, unlike to complex 2 where one of the three phenanthrolines is not “supramolecularly active”. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to be very efficient precatalysts in oxidations with hydroperoxides. A new method for the determination of the participation of hydroxyl radicals has been developed.

Synthesis and Structure of Copper Complexes of a N6O4 Macrocyclic Ligand and Catalytic Application in Alcohol Oxidation

Reactions between N6O4 macrocyclic 1,4,19,22,25,40-hexaaza-10,13,31,34-tetraoxa-6,14,27,35(1,4)-tetrabenzenacyclopentacontane (L) and several copper salts (viz. trifuoromethane and toluene sulfonates, nitrate, perchlorate, benzoate, and acetate) led to the formation of dinuclear compounds [Cu2(OSO2CF3)2(DMF)2L](SO3CF3)2 (1), [Cu2(p-OSO2C6H4Me)2L(DMF)2](SO3C6H4Me)2 (2), [Cu2(ONO2)2L(DMF)2](NO3)2 (3), [Cu2(OClO3)2(DMF)2L](ClO4)2 (4), [Cu2(OOCPh)2L(H2O)2](O2CPh)2 (5), and [Cu2(OOCMe)4L] (6), which were characterized by IR, elemental analysis and TG-DTA (thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis), as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques (cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis). The molecular structures of compounds 1–6 reveal a considerable conformational flexibility of the ligand L, which allowed its readjustment for the formation of the metal compounds and confirmed the presence of dinuclear endo macrocyclic species. In every case, the L ligand coordinates to each copper cation via three nitrogen atoms, with the remaining coordination positions of the metal square pyramid environment being accomplished by neutral or anionic ligands. The macrocyclic cavities appear to be adequate for the enclosure of a neutral species as proved by compound 6 with 1,4-dioxane. The compounds, in combination with the TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxyl) radical and in alkaline aqueous solution, act as efficient catalysts in the aerobic oxidation of different alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes (yields up to 99% and TON up 232) after 20 h at 70 °C. In addition, the microwave-assisted solvent-free peroxidative oxidation (by tert-butylhydroperoxide, TBHP) of 1-phenylethanol led to acetophenone yields up to 99% and TOF of 1.1 × 103 after 0.5 h, without any additive.

Space Craft-like Octanuclear Co(II)-Silsesquioxane Nanocages: Synthesis, Structure, Magnetic Properties, Solution Behavior, and Catalytic Activity for Hydroboration of Ketones

Two novel space craft-like octanuclear Co(II)-silsesquioxane nanocages, {Co₈[(MeSiO₂)₄]₂(dmpz)₈} (SD/Co8a) and {Co₈[(PhSiO₂)₄]₂(dmpz)₈} (SD/Co8b) (SD = SunDi; Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole), have been constructed from two similar multidentate silsesquioxane ligands assisted with a pyrazole ligand. The Co₈ skeleton consists of eight tetrahedral Co(II) ions arranged in a ring and is further capped by two (MeSiO₂)₄ ligands up and down. The auxiliary dmpz^- ligands seal the ring finally. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry revealed SD/Co8a and SD/Co8b are highly stable in CH₂Cl₂. Magnetic analysis implies that SD/Co8a announces antiferromagnetic interactions between Co(II) ions. Moreover, both of them display good homogeneous catalytic activity for hydroboration of ketones in the presence of pinacolborane under mild conditions.

Syntheses, Structures, and Catalytic Hydrocarbon Oxidation Properties of N-Heterocycle-Sulfonated Schiff Base Copper(II) Complexes

Reaction of the o-[(o-hydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]benzenesulfonic acid (H2L) (1) with CuCl2·2H2O in the presence of pyridine (py) leads to [Cu(L)(py)(EtOH)] (2) which, upon further reaction with 2,2’-bipyridine (bipy), pyrazine (pyr), or piperazine (pip), forms [Cu(L)(bipy)]·MeOH (3), [Cu2(L)2(μ-pyr)(MeOH)2] (4), or [Cu2(L)2(μ-pip)(MeOH)2] (5), respectively. The Schiff base (1) and the metal complexes (2–5) are stabilized by a number of non-covalent interactions to form interesting H-bonded multidimensional polymeric networks (except 3), such as zigzag 1D chain (in 1), linear 1D chain (in 2), hacksaw double chain 1D (in 4) and 2D motifs (in 5). These copper(II) complexes (2–5) catalyze the peroxidative oxidation of cyclic hydrocarbons (cyclooctane, cyclohexane, and cyclohexene) to the corresponding products (alcohol and ketone from alkane; alcohols, ketone, and epoxide from alkene), under mild conditions. For the oxidation of cyclooctane with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant, used as a model reaction, the best yields were generally achieved for complex 3 in the absence of any promoter (20%) or in the presence of py or HNO3 (26% or 30%, respectively), whereas 2 displayed the highest catalytic activity in the presence of HNO3 (35%). While the catalytic reactions were significantly faster with py, the best product yields were achieved with the acidic additive.

A new “bicycle helmet”-like copper(ii),sodiumphenylsilsesquioxane. Synthesis, structure and catalytic activity

Use of silsesquioxane and 2,2′-bipyridine leads to isolation of catalytically active “Bicycle Helmet” cage.

Family of Polynuclear Nickel Cagelike Phenylsilsesquioxanes; Features of Periodic Networks and Magnetic Properties

A new family of bi-, tetra-, penta-, and hexanickel cagelike phenylsilsesquioxanes 1-6 was obtained by self-assembly and transmetalation procedures. Their crystal structures were established by single-crystal X-ray analysis, and features of crystal packing relevant to the network formation were studied by a topological analysis. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 are isolated architectures, while 3, 5, and 6 present extended 1D and 3D networks. The investigation of magnetic properties revealed the presence of ferro- (1 and 3-5) or antiferromagnetic (2 and 6) interactions between Ni(II) ions, giving rise in the most cases (1, 2, and 4-6) to the presence of a slow relaxation of the magnetization, which can originate from the spin frustration.

Self-assembly generation, structural features, and oxidation catalytic properties of new aqua-soluble copper(ii)-aminoalcohol derivatives

Multidentate aminoalcohols were applied as unexplored building blocks to generate two novel Cu(ii) coordination compounds that act as efficient catalysts for the mild and acid-promoter-free oxidation of C₅–C₈ cycloalkanes.

Synthesis of penta- and tetra-cyclic cage-like compounds and dispiro heterocycles through microwave-assisted solvent-free multi-component domino reactions

Novel penta- and tetra-cyclic cage-like compounds and dispiro heterocycles were obtained as a result of a microwave-assisted three-component domino reaction.

Tuning linkage isomerism and magnetic properties of bi- and tri-metallic cage silsesquioxanes by cation and solvent effects

The ability of the polynuclear cage metallasilsesquioxane [(PhSiO_1.5)₁₂(CuO)₄(NaO_0.5)₄(n-BuOH)₈] with a globular structure to act as a stable building block of hybrid materials with respect to the substitution of sodium cations and terminal butanol molecules was confirmed.

Mono-, tri- and polynuclear copper(ii) complexes of Schiff-base ligands: synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity towards alcohol oxidation

A mononuclear copper(ii) complex acts as a superior catalyst compared to a tri- or polynuclear complex towards oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes.

Highly efficient and reusable CNT supported iron(ii) catalyst for microwave assisted alcohol oxidation

The highly efficient eco-friendly synthesis of ketones (yields over 99%) from secondary alcohols is achieved by combination of [FeCl2{η(3)-HC(pz)3}] (pz = pyrazol-1-yl) supported on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes and microwave irradiation, in a solvent-free medium. The carbon homoscorpionate iron(ii) complex is the first one of this class to be used as catalyst for the oxidation of alcohols.

Novel Cage-Like Hexanuclear Nickel(II) Silsesquioxane. Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity in Oxidations with Peroxides

New hexanuclear nickel(II) silsesquioxane [(PhSiO_1.5)₁₂(NiO)₆(NaCl)] (1) was synthesized as its dioxane-benzonitrile-water complex (PhSiO_1,5)₁₂(NiO)₆(NaCl)(C₄H₈O₂)₁₃(PhCN)₂(H₂O)₂ and studied by X-ray and topological analysis. The compound exhibits cylinder-like type of molecular architecture and represents very rare case of polyhedral complexation of metallasilsesquioxane with benzonitrile. Complex 1 exhibited catalytic activity in activation of such small molecules as light alkanes and alcohols. Namely, oxidation of alcohols with tert-butylhydroperoxide and alkanes with meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid. The oxidation of methylcyclohexane gave rise to the isomeric ketones and unusual distribution of alcohol isomers.

A heterometallic (Fe6Na8) cage-like silsesquioxane: synthesis, structure, spin glass behavior and high catalytic activity

The exotic “Asian Lantern” heterometallic cage silsesquioxane [(PhSiO_1.5)₂₀(FeO_1.5)₆(NaO_0.5)₈(n-BuOH)_9.6(C₇H₈)] (I) was obtained and characterized by X-ray diffraction, EXAFS, topological analyses and DFT calculation.

Iron(iii) and cobalt(iii) complexes with both tautomeric (keto and enol) forms of aroylhydrazone ligands: catalysts for the microwave assisted oxidation of alcohols

Aroylhydrazone Fe(iii) and Co(iii) complexes of both keto and enol tautomeric forms of the ligand are reported and shown to catalyze the microwave-assisted solvent-free peroxidative oxidation (by TBHP) of primary and secondary alcohols.

Cage-like copper(II) silsesquioxanes: transmetalation reactions and structural, quantum chemical, and catalytic studies

The transmetalation of bimetallic copper-sodium silsesquioxane cages, namely, [(PhSiO1.5 )10 (CuO)2 (NaO0.5 )2 ] ("Cooling Tower"; 1), [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)4 (NaO0.5 )4 ] ("Globule"; 2), and [(PhSiO1.5 )6 (CuO)4 (NaO0.5 )4 (PhSiO1.5 )6 ] ("Sandwich"; 3), resulted in the generation of three types of hexanuclear cylinder-like copper silsesqui- oxanes, [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (C4 H9 OH)2 (C2 H5 OH)6 ] (4), [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (C4 H8 O2 )4 (PhCN)2 (MeOH)4 ] (5), and [(PhSiO1.5 )12 (CuO)6 (NaCl)(C4 H8 O2 )12 (H2 O)2 ] (6). The products show a prominent "solvating system-structure" dependency, as determined by X-ray diffraction. Topological analysis of cages 1-6 was also performed. In addition, DFT theory was used to examine the structures of the Cooling Tower and Cylinder compounds, as well as the spin density distributions. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 were applied as catalysts for the direct oxidation of alcohols and amines into the corresponding amides. Compound 6 is an excellent catalyst in the oxidation reactions of benzene and alcohols.

Sulfonated Schiff base copper(ii) complexes as efficient and selective catalysts in alcohol oxidation: syntheses and crystal structures

Alcohol oxidation properties of four copper complexes (2–5) derived from the sulfonated Schiff base H₂L·3H₂O (1) are described. A quantitative conversion of 1-phenylethanol was obtained with 4 within 20 min of low power MW irradiation.

MnII and CuII complexes with arylhydrazones of active methylene compounds as effective heterogeneous catalysts for solvent- and additive-free microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation of alcohols

Highly water-soluble Mn^II and Cu^II complexes are heterogeneous catalysts for solvent- and additive-free microwave-assisted peroxidative oxidation of less polar bulky substituted or long chain alcohols.