Peroxidative Oxidation of Cyclohexane Using 3d Metal Complexes with Hydrazone-Derived Ligands as Catalysts: Exploring (Un)Conventional Conditions

Two tetranuclear and two mononuclear Cu(II) complexes with arylhydrazones of malononitrile derived ligands (compounds 1–2 and 3–4, respectively), one trinuclear Co(II/III) complex with an arylhydrazone of acetoacetanilide (5) and one tetranuclear Zn(II) complex of 3-(2-carboxyphenyl-hydrazone)pentane-2,4-dione (6) were screened as potential catalysts in the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane by aqueous H2O2 in acetonitrile. The best results were attained in the presence of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (PCA) with 1 (26% yield, TON = 52.0) and with 2 (24%, TON = 48.0) after 4 h at 40 °C. In the presence of complexes 5 and 6, no oxygenated products were detected in the studied conditions. The employment of non-conventional conditions like supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) as reaction medium or microwave (MW) irradiation was assessed for complexes 1 and 2. After 6 h in acetonitrile–scCO2, at 50 °C and with HNO3 as promoter, only 17% yield was achieved using 1 as catalyst, and 21% using 2. Total yields of oxygenates up to 14 (with 1) and 13% (2) and TOFs of 56.0 and 52.0 h−1, respectively, were obtained working under MW irradiation at 70 °C and for the much shorter time of 0.5 h.

Recent advances in structures and applications of coordination polymers based on cyclohexanepolycarboxylate ligands

Coordination polymers (CPs) are emerging crystalline materials constructed by metal entities and organic ligands through coordination bonds, containing infinite coordination units in one, two, or three dimensions. Here an overview...

Anion influences on the structures of pyridyl-iminosulfonate copper(II) complexes and their reactivity in Chan–Lam couplings

Reaction of pyridylcarbaldehyde with taurine or orthanilic acid in the presence of copper salts provided copper complexes (PyC(H)N-CxHy-SO3)CuX with X = chloride, nitrate, acetate, or triflate and CxHy = o-C6H4 or C2H4. All complexes were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and formed either mononuclear water adducts, dimeric complexes, or one-dimensional coordination polymers. Activities in the Chan–Lam coupling of aniline with phenylboronic acid varied by less than a factor of two between catalysts with various anions, supporting previous mechanistic claims that the anion does not participate in the formation of copper–boron intermediates. There is no difference in the performance of a catalyst with an alkyl backbone, indicating that sulfonate dissociation is not part of the catalytic cycle.

Copper complexes for the promotion of iminopyridine ligands derived from β-alanine and self-aldol additions: relaxivity and cytotoxic properties

In the study presented herein, we explore the ability of copper complexes with coordinated pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (pyca) or 2-acetylpyridine (acepy) ligands to promote the addition of amines (Schiff condensation) and other nucleophiles such as alcohols (hemiacetal formation). Distinct reactivity patterns are observed: unlike pyca complexes, acepy copper complexes can promote self-aldol addition. The introduction of a flexible chain via Schiff condensation with β-alanine allows the possibility of chelate ring ring-opening processes mediated by pH. Further derivatization of the complex [CuCl(py-2-C(H)[double bond, length as m-dash]NCH2CH2COO)] is possible by replacing its chloride ligand with different pseudohalogens (N3-, NCO- and NCS-). In addition to the change in their magnetism, which correlates with their solid-state structures, more unexpected effects in their cytotoxicity and relaxitivities are observed, which determines their possibility to be used as MRI contrast agents. The replacement of a chloride by another pseudohalogen, although a simple strategy, can be used to critically change the cytotoxicity of the Schiff base copper(ii) complex and its selectivity towards specific cell lines.

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 copper-amidocarboxylate based metal organic macrocycle and framework: synthesis, structure and catalytic activities towards microwave assisted alcohol oxidation and Knoevenagel reactions

Two new Cu(ii) based macrocycle and MOF act as catalysts for the microwave-assisted oxidation and Knoevenagel reactions.

Copper(II) Complexes of Arylhydrazone of 1H-Indene-1,3(2H)-dione as Catalysts for the Oxidation of Cyclohexane in Ionic Liquids

The copper(II) complexes [CuL(H2O)2]∙H2O (1) and [CuL(dea)] (2) [L = 2-(2-(1,3-dioxo-1H-inden-2(3H)-ylidene)hydrazinyl)benzenesulfonate, dea = diethanolamine] were applied as catalysts in the peroxidative (with tert-butyl-hydroperoxide or hydrogen peroxide) conversion of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, either in acetonitrile or in any of the ionic liquids [bmim][NTf2] and [hmim][NTf2] [bmim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, hmim = 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, NTf2 = bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) imide]. Tert-butyl-hydroperoxide led to better product yields, as compared to H2O2, with a selectivity directed towards cyclohexanone. The ILs showed a better performance than the conventional solvent for the copper complex 1. No catalytic activity was observed for 2 in the presence of an IL.

Synthesis and properties of a POM-based trinuclear copper(ii) triazole framework

A novel POM-based trinuclear copper(ii) triazole framework, namely, [H₂{Cu₆(trz)₆(μ₃-OH)₂}Mo₅O₁₈]·3H₂O (1) was isolated using a hydrothermal method, which displays a 3D network constructed from trinuclear copper(ii) units and triazole ligands with [Mo₅O₁₈]⁶⁻ anions as templates. 1 has been identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR. Magnetic studies indicate that antiferromagnetic interactions exist in 1. In addition, 1 exhibits good Lewis acid catalytic activity for the synthesis of cyclohexanone ethylene ketal with 95% conversion. The HOMO–LUMO gap (E_g) of 1 is 2.34 eV calculated using the Kubelka–Munk equation (Fhν)^0.5, indicating that its forbidden bandwidth belongs to the semiconductor category. Visible-light photodegradation of RhB catalyzed by 1 was investigated, which shows high activity with an above 98% degradation rate.

A novel POMs-based trinuclear copper(ii) triazole framework, namely, {[H₂Cu₆(trz)₆(μ₃-OH)₂]} [Mo₅O₁₈]·3H₂O (1) was isolated by hydrothermal method, which displays remarkable Lewis acid catalytic activity and photocatalytic activity.

Unfolding biological properties of a versatile dicopper(II) precursor and its two mononuclear copper(II) derivatives

Synthesis, inter-conversions and biological study of the dichloro bridged dicopper(II) compound [CuLCl]₂ (1) and its two mononuclear derivatives [CuLCl(H₂O)]·H₂O (2) and [CuLCl(py)] (3) (HL=2-(2-pyridylmethyleneamino)benzenesulfonic acid) are described. The dimeric compound 1 collapses into monomers 2 and 3 in the presence of coordinating solvents, water and pyridine, respectively, and 1 is regenerated upon simple stirring of 2 or 3 in methanol. The reactions of 1 with neutral (present study) and charged (earlier studies) ligands result in monomeric and multimeric compounds, respectively, attesting that it is a versatile dicopper(II) precursor. The anticancer activity of these copper complexes (1-3) was screened against lung (A-549) and breast (MDA-MB-231) human cancer cell lines. The IC₅₀ (half maximal inhibitory concentration) value for one (3) of the compounds suggests preferential cytotoxicity against breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cell line. Furthermore, the IC₅₀ value obtained for complex 3 is found to be almost two-fold times cytotoxic than the standard drug cisplatin. In addition, the underlying possible mechanism of its apoptosis-inducing efficacy in MDA-MB-231 cells has been rationalized by using flow cytometry (FACS) and Hoechst 33342/propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence staining. The stimulation of apoptotic induction for complex 3 has further been affirmed by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and mitochondrial aggregations studies.

Sulfonato-imino copper(ii) complexes: fast and general Chan–Evans–Lam coupling of amines and anilines

A simple coordination complex allows Chans–Evans–Lam arylations of a wide variety of amines and anilines without optimization of reaction conditions.

Sulfonated Schiff base Sn(IV) complexes as potential anticancer agents

Syntheses, crystal structures and biological activities of the diphenoxo-bridged diorgano dinuclear Sn(IV) compounds [Sn(Et)₂(HL)(H₂O)]₂ (1) and [Sn(n-Bu)₂(HL)(H₂O)]₂ (2) derived from the Schiff base 2-[(2,3-dihydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]benzenesulfonic acid trihydrate (H₃L·3H₂O) are described. The monoprotonated form (HL^2-) of the Schiff base behaves as O,O'-bidentate ligand, chelating the metal by the two phenoxo oxygen atoms. The hexacoordinated metal centres in 1 and 2 are bridged by a phenoxo oxygen and the remaining coordination positions are fulfilled by the other phenoxo oxygen, two organic groups (ethyl for 1 and n-butyl for 2) and a water molecule. A two dimensional zigzag sheet in 1 and three dimensional polymeric networks in H₃L·3H₂O and 2 are stabilized by a number of non-covalent, H-bonding and π⋯π stacking interactions. The DNA binding activities of these complexes have been studied by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. Their antiproliferative efficacies have been evaluated on A-549, HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cancer cell lines by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. IC₅₀ values (1.35±0.23, 2.43±0.54 and 1.74±0.04μM for 2) are indicative of a substantial cytotoxicity of 2, mainly towards the A-549 lung cancer cell line. The greater antiproliferative efficacy of 2has further been studied by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and nuclear morphology by Hoechst/propidium iodide (PI) double staining method. The possible mode of the apoptotic pathway for 2has been substantiated by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation studies.

Aroylhydrazone Cu(II) Complexes in keto Form: Structural Characterization and Catalytic Activity towards Cyclohexane Oxidation

The reaction of the Schiff base (3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-2-hydroxybenzohydrazide (H3L) with a copper(II) salt of a base of a strong acid, i.e., nitrate, chloride or sulphate, yielded the mononuclear complexes [Cu(H2L)(NO3)(H2O)] (1), [Cu(H2L)Cl]·2MeOH (2) and the binuclear complex [{Cu(H2L)}2(µ-SO4)]·2MeOH (3), respectively, with H2L(-) in the keto form. Compounds 1-3 were characterized by elemental analysis, Infrared (IR) spectroscopy, Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single crystal X-ray crystallography. All compounds act as efficient catalysts towards the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, under mild conditions. In the presence of an acid promoter, overall yields (based on the alkane) up to 25% and a turnover number (TON) of 250 (TOF of 42 h(-1)) after 6 h, were achieved.

A Cu(ii) MOF with a flexible bifunctionalised terpyridine as an efficient catalyst for the single-pot hydrocarboxylation of cyclohexane to carboxylic acid in water/ionic liquid medium

A bifunctionalised terpyridine based Cu(ii) MOF for efficient hydrocarboxylation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanecarboxylic acid in an ionic liquid medium.

Syntheses and crystal structures of benzene-sulfonate and -carboxylate copper polymers and their application in the oxidation of cyclohexane in ionic liquid under mild conditions

Enhanced catalytic activities of copper polymers for the peroxidative oxidation of cyclohexane are observed in an ionic liquid medium.

A sulfonated Schiff base dimethyltin(iv) coordination polymer: synthesis, characterization and application as a catalyst for ultrasound- or microwave-assisted Baeyer–Villiger oxidation under solvent-free conditions

The sulfonated Schiff base dimethyltin(iv) coordination polymer is an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the peroxidative Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of ketones, under ultrasound or microwave irradiation and solvent- and additive-free conditions.

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.

1D hacksaw chain bipyridine–sulfonate Schiff base-dicopper(ii) as a host for variable solvent guests

The current study related to five solvatomorphs containing the 1D hacksaw chain of bipyridine–sulfonate Schiff base-dicopper(ii) as a host provides the first example of a polymeric copper(ii) system with five interconvertible solvatomorphic forms.

Sulfonated Schiff base dinuclear and polymeric copper(ii) complexes: crystal structures, magnetic properties and catalytic application in Henry reaction

Aqueous medium syntheses and nitroaldol catalytic studies of three pseudohalide bridged copper(ii) complexes characterized by single crystal X-ray structure analysis and variable temperature magnetic studies are reported.