Binucleating Jäger-type {(N2O2)2}4- ligands: magnetic and electronic interactions of Fe(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) across an in-plane TTF-bridge

The simultaneous presence of different electrophores provides an interesting playground for responsive materials. Herein, we present the incorporation of a twice-reversibly oxidizable tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) unit into a binucleating ligand, bridging two metal centers in a fully conjugated plane. A two-step synthesis scheme gave the D2h symmetric Schiff base-like ligand H4L in moderate yields from which the corresponding copper(II) [Cu2L], nickel(II) [Ni2L], [Ni2L(py)4] and iron(II) complexes [Fe2L(py)4], [Fe2L(dmap)4] and [Fe2L(bpee)2]·1 Tol could be obtained. Characterization was performed through 1H-NMR, IR, UV-vis and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy, SQUID magnetometry and cyclic voltammetry, supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Single crystal X-ray analysis of [Ni2L(py)4] revealed six-coordinate paramagnetic centers, whereas [Ni2L] underwent gradual coordination induced spin state switching (CISSS) in solution. The magnetic independence of both metal centers is echoed by close-to-ideal Curie-plots of the [Cu2L] system and the gradual spin crossover of all iron(II) compounds. By contrast, cyclic voltammetry measurements in solution indicated oxidation-dependent TTF-metal interactions, as well as metal-metal interactions. The reversible TTF-borne events in H4L and [Ni2L] are overlaid with metal-borne events in the case of [Fe2L(py)4], as is corroborated by an analysis of the frontier orbital landscapes and through diagnostic spectral features upon chemical oxidation.

Cryogels Based on Poly(2-oxazoline)s through Development of Bi- and Trifunctional Cross-Linkers Incorporating End Groups with Adjustable Stability

1,4-Bis(iodomethyl)benzene and 1,3,5-tris(iodomethyl)benzene were used as initiators for the cationic ring-opening polymerization (CROP) of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline (EtOx) and its copolymerization with tert-butyl (3-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)propyl)carbamate (BocOx) or methyl 3-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)propanoate (MestOx). Kinetic studies confirmed the applicability of these initiators. Termination with suitable nucleophiles resulted in two- and three-armed cross-linkers featuring acrylate, methacrylate, piperazine-acrylamide, and piperazine-methacrylamide as polymerizable ω-end groups. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy confirmed the successful attachment of the respective ω-end groups at all initiation sites for every prepared cross-linkers. Except for acrylate, each ω-end group remained stable during deprotection of BocOx containing cross-linkers. The cryogels were prepared using EtOx-based cross-linkers, as confirmed by solid-state NMR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Stability tests revealed a complete dissolution of the acrylate-containing gels at pH = 14, whereas the piperazine-acrylamide-based cryogels featured excellent hydrolytic stability.

Coordination chemistry of alkali metal dimesityl-thio- and dimesityl-selenophosphinites [(L)2A-EPMes2]2 (A = Li, Na, K; E = S, Se; L = THF, THP) and [(18C6)K-SPMes2]

The reactions of dimesitylphosphane oxide Mes2P(O)H with Lawessons reagent and dimesitylphoshane with selenium yield Mes2P(E)H with E = S (1a) and E = Se (1b), respectively, with moderate yields. Metalation of dimesitylphosphane sulfide 1a with n-butyllithium, sodium hydride or potassium hydride in THF allows the isolation of dinuclear dimesityl-thiophosphinites of the type [(thf)2A-S-PMes2]2 [A = Li (4), Na (5), K (2a)] with central four-membered A2S2 rings. The weaker base THP leads to the very similar aggregate [(thp)2K-S-PMes2]2 (3a) as has also been observed for the homologous potassium dimesityl-selenophosphinites of the type [(L)2K-Se-PMes2]2 [L = thf (2b), thp (3b)]. Addition of 18-crown-6 ether leads to deaggregation and expectedly to formation of mononuclear [(18C6)K-S-PMes2] (6). Moderate yields have been obtained due to dismutation reactions that yield the corresponding phosphinates AE2PMes2 and phosphanides APMes2, a degradation process which has been observed earlier also for Li-O-PMes2. This side reaction hampers the application of these thio- and selenophosphinites as catalysts in the addition of phosphane sulfides and selenides across alkynes.

Metal-metal cooperativity boosts Lewis basicity and reduction properties of the bis(gallanediyl) CyL2Ga2

The interplay of two proximate gallium centres equips the bimetallic complex CyL2Ga2 (1, CyL2 = 1,2-trans-Cy[NC(Me)C(H)C(Me)N(Dip)]2, Dip = 2,6-i-Pr2C6H3) with increased Lewis basicity and higher reducing power compared to the monometallic gallanediyl LGa (2, L = HC[MeCN(Dip)]2) as evidenced by cross-over experiments. Quantum chemical calculations were employed to support the experimental findings.

Synthesis of β-Amino Acid Derivatives via Enantioselective Lewis Base Catalyzed N-Allylation of Halogenated Amides with Morita-Baylis-Hillman Carbonates

Trifluoro- and trichloroacetamides serving as pronucleophiles undergo enantioselective Lewis base catalyzed N-allylation with Morita-Baylis-Hillman carbonates to produce enantioenriched β-amino acid derivatives. The reactions proceed as a kinetic resolution to give the allylation products and the remaining carbonates in good yields and high enantioselectivity. The obtained products are amenable to diastereoselective derivatization to produce a library of spiro-isoxazoline lactams.

Templated Total Synthesis of Cu(I)-Methanobactin OB3b

Methanobactin OB3b (Mbn-OB3b) is a unique natural product with stunning affinity for copper ions (Ka ≈Cu(I) 1034 ). Here, we report the first total synthesis of Cu(I)-bound methanobactin OB3b featuring as key transformations a cyclodehydration-thioacylation sequence, to generate the conjugated heterocyclic systems, and a copper-templated cyclization, to complete the caged structure of the very sensitive target compound.

Group IV Complexes with Sterically Congested N-Aryl-adamantylcarbamidate Ligands

Metalation of N-(2,6-dibenzhydryl-4-tolyl)adamantane-1-carboxamide (1, Ar*N(H)-C(O)-Ad) with M(NMe2)4 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) yields amidate complexes Ar*N=C(Ad)-O-Ti(NMe2)3 (2) as well as bis(amidate) compounds (Ar*N=C(Ad)-O)2M(NMe2)2 (M = Zr (3), Hf (4)). In 2, the amidate ligand acts as a monodentate base via the oxygen atom with the Ti center in a slightly distorted tetrahedral environment. The steric requirement of the amidate ligand stabilizes the small coordination number of four of the Ti atom. In congeners 3 and 4, two bidentate amidate ligands exist in the coordination spheres, leading to hexacoordinate group IV metal atoms. The small bite angles of the Zr- and Hf-bound amidate ligands lead to severe distortion of the octahedral environments of the Zr and Hf centers. Titanium compound 2 is an unsuitable choice to catalyze hydrofunctionalization of alkynes with amines and phosphane oxides and despite the significantly smaller pKa value of the carboxylic amide, formation of carboxamide 1 is the dominant reaction upon addition of amines or phosphane oxides to release intramolecular steric strain introduced by the very bulky adamantylamidato ligand.

Multi-action platinum(IV) prodrugs conjugated with COX-inhibiting NSAIDs

In the last decades, inflammation has been recognized as being closely connected to cancer, and joint strategies encompassing chemotherapeutic and anti-inflammatory agents have been extensively studied. In this work, a series of novel cisplatin and oxaliplatin-based Pt(IV) complexes comprising non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and their carboxyl ester analogues as axial moieties were synthesized. Several of the cisplatin-based Pt(IV) complexes 22-30 showed increased cytotoxicity in the human cancer cell lines CH1/PA-1, SW480 and A549 compared to the Pt(II) drug. For the most potent complex 26, comprising two aceclofenac (AFC) moieties, the formation of Pt(II)-9-methylguanine (9-MeG) adducts after activation with ascorbic acid (AsA) was proven. Additionally, a significant inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production was observed, as well as increased cellular accumulation, depolarization of mitochondrial membranes, and strong proapoptotic potencies in SW480 cells. Overall, these systematic effects shown in vitro confer 26 as a potential anticancer agent combined with anti-inflammatory properties.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of p-Carboranylamidine Derivatives

In this contribution, the first amidinate and amidine derivatives of p-carborane are described. Double lithiation of p-carborane (1) with n-butyllithium followed by treatment with 1,3-diorganocarbodiimides, R-N=C=N-R (R = ⁱPr, Cy (= cyclohexyl)), in DME or THF afforded the new p-carboranylamidinate salts p-C₂H₁₀B₁₀[C(NⁱPr)₂Li(DME)]₂ (2) and p-C₂H₁₀B₁₀[C(NCy)₂Li(THF)₂]₂ (3). Subsequent treatment of 2 and 3 with 2 equiv. of chlorotrimethylsilane (Me₃SiCl) provided the silylated neutral bis(amidine) derivatives p-C₂H₁₀B₁₀[C{ⁱPrN(SiMe₃)}(=NⁱPr)]₂ (4) and p-C₂H₁₀B₁₀[C{CyN(SiMe₃)}(=NCy)]₂ (5). The new compounds 3 and 4 have been structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The lithium carboranylamidinate 3 comprises a rare trigonal planar coordination geometry around the lithium ions.

Neutral, Heteroleptic [Cu(I)(PPh3)2(4H-imidazolato)] Complexes: Ligand Exchange Reactivity, Redox Properties, Excited-State Dynamics

Cu(I) 4H-imidazolate complexes are rare examples of Cu(I) complexes with chelating anionic ligands and are potent photosensitizers with unique absorption and photoredox properties. In this contribution, five novel heteroleptic Cu(I) complexes with monodentate triphenylphosphine co-ligands are investigated. As a consequence of the anionic 4H-imidazolate ligand and in contrast to comparable complexes with neutral ligands, these complexes are more stable than their homoleptic bis(4H-imidazolato)Cu(I) congeners. Here, the ligand exchange reactivity was studied by 31P-,19F-, and variable temperature NMR and the ground state structural and electronic properties by X-ray diffraction, absorption spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The excited-state dynamics were investigated by femto- and nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The observed differences, with respect to chelating bisphosphine bearing congeners, are often due to the increased geometric flexibility of the triphenylphosphines. These observations render the investigated complexes interesting candidates for photo(redox)reactions not accessible with chelating bisphosphine ligands.

Synthesis of Sterically Encumbered Alkaline-Earth Metal Amides Applying the In Situ Grignard Reagent Formation

Magnesium and calcium are too inert to deprotonate amines directly. For the synthesis of bulky amides alternative strategies are required and in the past, N-bound trialkylsilyl groups have been used to ease metalation reactions. The in situ Grignard reagent formation in stirred suspensions of magnesium or calcium with hydryl halide and imine in THF allows the synthesis of a plethora of amides with bulky silyl-free substituents. Ball milling protocols partially favor competitive side reactions such as aza-pinacol coupling reactions. Calcium is the advantageous choice for the in situ Grignard reagent formation and subsequent addition onto the imines yielding bulky calcium bis(amides) whereas the stronger reducing heavier alkaline-earth metals strontium and barium are less selective and hence, the aza-pinacol coupling reaction becomes competitive. Exemplary, the solid-state molecular structures of [(Et₂ O)Mg(N(Ph)(CHPh₂ )₂ ] and [(Et₂ O)₂ Ca(N(Ph)(CHPh₂ )₂ ] have been determined.

Organocatalyzed Ring-Opening Polymerization of (S)-3-Benzylmorpholine-2,5-Dione

A 3-benzylmorpholine-2,5-dione monomer is synthesized from the natural amino acid l-phenylalanine and characterized by means of nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Subsequent to preliminary polymerization studies, a well-defined poly(ester amide) homopolymer is synthesized via ring-opening polymerization using a binary catalyst system comprising 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) and a 1-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-3-cyclohexylthiourea (TU) cocatalyst with a feed ratio of M/I/DBU/TU = 100/1/1/10. Kinetic studies reveal high controllability of the dispersities and molar masses up to conversions of almost 80%. Analysis by mass spectrometry hints toward excellent end-group fidelity at these conditions. In consequence, utilization of hydroxyl-functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) as macroinitiators results in amphiphilic block copolymers. Bulk miscibility of the building blocks is indicated by differential scanning calorimetry investigations. As more and more promising new drugs are based on hydrophobic molecules featuring aromatic moieties, the novel polyesteramides seem highly promising materials to be used as potential drug delivery vehicles.

In Situ Grignard Metalation Method for the Synthesis of Hauser Bases

The in situ Grignard Metalation Method (iGMM) is a straightforward one‐pot procedure to quickly produce multigram amounts of Hauser bases R₂N‐MgBr which are valuable and vastly used metalation reagents and novel electrolytes for magnesium batteries. During addition of bromoethane to a suspension of Mg metal and secondary amine at room temperature in an ethereal solvent, a smooth reaction yields R₂N‐MgBr under evolution of ethane within a few hours. A Schlenk equilibrium is operative, interconverting the Hauser bases into their solvated homoleptic congeners Mg(NR₂)₂ and MgBr₂ depending on the solvent. Scope and preconditions are studied, and side reactions limiting the yield have been investigated. DOSY NMR experiments and X‐ray crystal structures of characteristic examples clarify aggregation in solution and the solid state.

A Planar Five‐Membered Aromatic Ring Stabilized by Only Two π‐Electrons

Many chemicals known today are partially or fully aromatic, since a ring framework experiences additional stabilization through the delocalization of π‐electrons. While aromatic rings with equal numbers of π‐electrons and ring atoms such as benzene are particularly stable, those with the minimally required two π‐electrons are very rare and yet remain limited to three‐ and four‐membered rings if not stabilized in the coordination sphere of heavy metals. Here we report the facile synthesis of a dipotassium cyclopentagallene, a unique example of a five‐membered aromatic ring stabilized by only two π‐electrons. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed a planar Ga₅ ring with almost equal gallium–gallium bond lengths, which together with computational and spectroscopic data confirm its aromatic character. Our results prove that aromatic stabilization goes far beyond what has previously been assumed as minimum π‐electron count in a five‐atom ring fragment.

Noble Metal Complexes of a Bis-Caffeine Containing NHC Ligand

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have seen more and more use over the years. The go-to systems that are usually considered are derivatives of benzimidazole or imidazole. Caffeine possesses an imidazole unit and was already utilized as a carbene-type ligand; however, its use within a tridentate bis-NHC system has—to the best of our knowledge—not been reported so far. The synthesis of the ligand is straightforward and metal complexes are readily available via silver-salt metathesis. A platinum(II) and a palladium(II) complex were isolated and a crystal structure of the former was examined. For the Pt(II) complex, luminescence is observed in solid state as well as in solution.

Sterically shielded primary anilides of the alkaline-earth metals of the type (thf)nAe(NH-Ar*)2 (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba; Ar* = bulky aryl)

Metalation of 2,4,6-triphenylphenylamine (H₂N-C₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃, 1a) and 4-methyl-2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)aniline (2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-p-toluidine, H₂N-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂, 2a) with dibutylmagnesium and Ae[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ with a stoichiometric 1 : 2 ratio in THF at room temperature yields the corresponding primary anilides [(thf)_nAe{N(H)-C₆H₂-2,4,6-Ph₃}₂] (Ae/n = Mg/2 (1b), Ca/2 (1c), Sr/3 (1d), and Ba/3 (1e)) and [(thf)_nAe{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂}₂] (Ae/n = Mg/2 (2b), Ca/3 (2c) and Sr/2 (2d)), respectively. The 1 : 1 reaction of Mg(n/sBu)₂ and MgPh₂ with 2a leads to the formation of heteroleptic [(thf)₂Mg(R){N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2,6-(CHPh₂)₂}] (R = n/sBu (2bBu), Ph (2bPh)). At 50 °C, the strontium complex 2d liberates one equivalent of 2avia intramolecular deprotonation of the triarylmethyl functionality yielding dinuclear [(thf)₂Sr{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2-(CPh₂)-6-(CHPh₂)₂}]₂ (2d'). The barium compound is significantly more reactive and regardless of applied stoichiometry the isotypic barium congener [(thf)₂Ba{N(H)-C₆H₂-4-Me-2-(CPh₂)-6-(CHPh₂)₂}]₂ (2e') forms. The molecular structures of 1c, 2d, 2d', and 2e' are stabilized by metal-phenyl π-interactions.

Small compound - big colors: synthesis and structural investigation of brightly colored alkaline earth metal 1,3-dimethylviolurates

A series of brightly colored alkaline earth metal 1,3-dimethylviolurates M(Me₂Vio)₂ have been prepared and fully characterized. The title compounds AE(Me₂Vio)₂·nH₂O (AE = Mg, n = 6 (3); AE = Ca, n = 8 (4), AE = Sr, n = 6 (5); AE = Ba, n = 4 (6)) were obtained by neutralizing 1,3-dimethylvioluric acid monohydrate (=H(Me₂Vio)·H₂O; 2) with 0.5 equiv. of the corresponding metal dihydroxides AE(OH)₂. The hair-like appearance of the Sr derivative 5 prevented the growth of single-crystals. This problem could be solved by crystallizing the crown ether derivative Sr(Me₂Vio)₂(18-crown-6) (5a). The isolated salts exhibit intense colors ranging from red to purple. Various attempts to prepare the beryllium derivative Be(Me₂Vio)₂ failed. Instead, work-up of the reaction mixtures provided pink crystals of a new modification of 2 formulated as [H₃O][Me₂Vio] (2b) as shown by an X-ray diffraction study. An unexpected oxidation reaction of the barium salt Ba(Me₂Vio)₂ led to formation of the novel mixed-anion salt Ba(Me₂Vio)(Me₂NO₂Barb)·2H₂O (8, Me₂NO₂Barb^- = 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrobarbiturate anion). Compound 8 could also be synthesized deliberately by treatment of Ba(OH)₂ with a 1 : 1 mixture of 2 and 1,3-dimethyl-5-nitrobarbituric acid (7, =H(Me₂NO₂Barb)·H₂O). All new compounds were fully characterized by their IR, Raman, NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) and UV-vis spectra as well as elemental analyses. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the solid-state structures of compounds 3, 4, 5a and 6 are governed by the typical coordination behavior of the alkaline-earth metals, i.e. increasing coordination numbers and a decreasing degree of hydration when going from Mg to Ba. The dimensions of the structures range from hydrogen-bonded ions (3) over monomeric, neutral complex molecules (4, 5a), to polymeric networks (6). The successful isolation of the mixed-anion barium salt 8 adds a new facet to the coordination chemistry of violurate and related ligands.

cyclo-Tetrakis(μ-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl-κC 1:κC 1)bis(trimethylphosphane)-1κP,3κP-tetracopper(I)

The title compound, [Cu4(C9H11)4(C3H9P)2] or [Cu4(Mes)4(PMe3)2] (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl), was synthesized from copper(I) mesityl and trimethylphosphane in THF as solvent. The molecular structure of the complex has C 2 symmetry and consists of four copper(I) atoms bridged by four μ-mesityl groups, giving an eight-membered puckered {Cu4C4} ring. Additionally, two copper(I) atoms at opposite corners of the Cu4 rhomb are each linked to a terminal PMe3 ligand. The PMe3-bearing copper(I) atoms exhibit a distorted trigonal–planar coordination mode whereas the remaining Cu atoms linked to two mesityl groups are nearly linearly coordinated.

The Supramolecular Structural Chemistry of Pentafluorosulfanyl and Tetrafluorosulfanylene Compounds

The analysis of crystal structures of SF5 - or SF4 -containing molecules revealed that these groups are often surrounded by hydrogen or other fluorine atoms. Even though fluorine prefers F⋅⋅⋅H over F⋅⋅⋅F contacts, the latter appeared to be important in many compounds. In a significant number of datasets, the closest F⋅⋅⋅F contacts are below 95 % of the van der Waals distance of two F atoms. Moreover, a number of repeating structural motifs formed by contacts between SF5 groups was identified, including different supramolecular dimers and infinite chains. Among SF4 -containing molecules, the study focused on SF4 Cl compounds, including the first solid-state structure analyses of these reactive species. Additionally, electrostatic potential surfaces of a series of Ph-SF5 derivatives were calculated, pointing out the substituent influence on the ability of F⋅⋅⋅X contact formation (X=F or other electronegative atom). Interaction energies were calculated for different dimeric arrangements of Ph-SF5 , which were extracted from experimental crystal structure determinations.

Synthesis and Structure of Alkaline Earth Bis{hydrido-tris(3,5-diisopropyl-pyrazol-1-yl)borate} Complexes: Ae(TpiPr2)2 (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba)

The synthesis and structural characterization of Ae(Tp^iPr2)₂ (Ae = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba; Tp^iPr2 = hydrido-tris(3,5-diisopropyl-pyrazol-1-yl)borate) are reported. In the crystalline state, the alkaline earth metal centers are six-coordinate, even the small Mg²⁺ ion, with two κ³-N,N',N''-Tp^iPr2 ligands, disposed in a bent arrangement (B···Ae···B < 180°). However, contrary to the analogous Ln(Tp^iPr2)₂ (Ln = Sm, Eu, Tm, Yb) compounds, which all exhibit a bent-metallocene structure close to C_s symmetry, the Ae(Tp^iPr2)₂ compounds exhibit a greater structural variation. The smallest Mg(Tp^iPr2)₂ has crystallographically imposed C₂ symmetry, requiring both bending and twisting of the two Tp^iPr2 ligands, while with the similarly sized Ca²⁺ and Sr²⁺, the structures are back toward the bent-metallocene C_s symmetry. Despite the structural variations, the B···M···B bending angle follows a linear size-dependence for all divalent metal ions going from Mg²⁺ to Sm²⁺, decreasing with increasing metal ion size. The complex of the largest metal ion, Ba²⁺, forms an almost linear structure, B···Ba···B 167.5°. However, the "linearity" is not due to the compound approaching the linear metallocene-like geometry, but is the result of the pyrazolyl groups significantly tipping toward the metal center, approaching "side-on" coordination. An attempt to rationalize the observed structural variations is made.

Forty Years after the Discovery of Its Nucleolytic Activity: [Cu(phen)2 ]2+ Shows Unattended DNA Cleavage Activity upon Fluorination

[Cu(phen)₂]²⁺ (phen=1,10‐phenanthroline) is the first and still one of the most efficient artificial nucleases. In general, when the phen ligand is modified, the nucleolytic activity of its Cu^II complex is significantly reduced. This is most likely due to higher steric bulk of such ligands and thus lower affinity to DNA. Cu^II complexes with phen ligands having fluorinated substituents (F, CF₃, SF₅, SCF₃) surprisingly showed excellent DNA cleavage activity—in contrast to the unsubstituted [Cu(phen)₂]²⁺—in the absence of the otherwise required classical, bioabundant external reducing agents like thiols or ascorbate. This nucleolytic activity correlates well with the half‐wave potentials E_1/2 of the complexes. Cancer cell studies show cytotoxic effects of all complexes with fluorinated ligands in the low μm range, whereas they were less toxic towards healthy cells (fibroblasts).

Rubidium and Cesium Enediamide Complexes Derived from Bulky 1,4-Diazadienes

The first rubidium and cesium enediamide complexes based on bulky 1,4-diaza-1,3-diene ligands (DADs) have been prepared by metalation of either 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene (1, = H2DADDipp) or 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene (2, = Me2DADDipp) with an excess of Rb or Cs metals in coordinating solvents such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) or 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME). All new complexes were fully characterized by spectroscopic and analytical methods as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

In the Mists of a Fungal Metabolite: An Unexpected Reaction of 2,4,5-Trimethoxyphenylglyoxylic Acid

The reactions of phenylglyoxylic acids during the synthesis and biological evaluation of fungal metabolites led to the discovery of hitherto unknown compounds with a p-quinone methide (p-QM) structure. The formation of these p-QMs using ¹³C-labelled starting materials revealed a key-step of this reaction being a retro-Friedel–Crafts alkylation.

Dithiocarbamatocarboxylate (DTCC) Ligands-Building Blocks for Hard/Soft-Heterobimetallic Coordination Polymers

Four zinc/platinum(II) heterobimetallic coordination polymers with dithiocarboxylate-functionalized carboxylate (DTCC) ligands were prepared by different synthetic approaches and characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy, thermal analyses coupled with mass spectrometry (TG/DTA/MS), and single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction studies. Sequential syntheses via the carboxylic acid substituted platinum dithiocarbamates and zinc acetate revealed crystalline products in good to excellent yields. One-pot preparations from potassium DTCC salts, K₂PtCl₄, and ZnCl₂ led to comparable products, thus demonstrating the high selectivity of the two donor groups toward platinum(II) and zinc. [SSC-N(Me)CH₂COO]^2- and [SSC-N(CH₂COO)(CH₂COOH)]^2-, DTCC ligands derived from sarcosine and iminodiacetic acid, respectively, were found to form planar zigzag chains with zinc and platinum(II) ions, while the use of the l-proline-derived ligand [SSC-NC₄H₇COO]^2- results in a helical structure. In the case of [SSC-N(CH₂COO)₂]^3-, two-dimensional arrays are formed. All compounds are thermally stable up to 240-400 °C under nitrogen.

From zero- to three-dimensional heterobimetallic coordination polymers with the [Pt{SSC-N(CH2COO)2}2]4− metalloligand

A series of novel, structurally manifold heterobimetallic dithiocabamato-carboxylates (DTCCs) were efficiently prepared by a metalloligand approach.

Catenated and spirocyclic polychalcogenides from potassium carbonate and elemental chalcogens

The reaction of potassium carbonate with elemental sulfur or selenium in acetone in the presence of [PPN]Cl (PPN = (Ph₃P)₂N) produces catena-[S₁₂]^2-, the longest structurally characterised polysulfide dianion, or spiro-[Se₁₁]^2- as ion-separated [PPN]⁺ salts.

Beam Energy and Centrality Dependence of Direct-Photon Emission from Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

The PHENIX collaboration presents first measurements of low-momentum (0.4<p_{T}<3  GeV/c) direct-photon yields from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=39 and 62.4 GeV. For both beam energies the direct-photon yields are substantially enhanced with respect to expectations from prompt processes, similar to the yields observed in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200. Analyzing the photon yield as a function of the experimental observable dN_{ch}/dη reveals that the low-momentum (>1  GeV/c) direct-photon yield dN_{γ}^{dir}/dη is a smooth function of dN_{ch}/dη and can be well described as proportional to (dN_{ch}/dη)^{α} with α≈1.25. This scaling behavior holds for a wide range of beam energies at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider and the Large Hadron Collider, for centrality selected samples, as well as for different A+A collision systems. At a given beam energy, the scaling also holds for high p_{T} (>5  GeV/c), but when results from different collision energies are compared, an additional sqrt[s_{NN}]-dependent multiplicative factor is needed to describe the integrated-direct-photon yield.

A Tunable Trifluoromethyliodonium Reagent

Four complexes of MCl₄ (M=Ti, Zr, Hf) with the hypervalent trifluoromethyl iodine reagent trifluoromethyl-1,3-dihydro-3,3-dimethyl-1,2-benziodoxole (1,=L) are described. With TiCl₄ , an I-O bond cleavage occurs, leading to the formation of the trifluoromethyliodonium alcoholate complexes [Ti₂ Cl₆ (L)₄ ]Cl₂ (2 a) and Ti₂ Cl₈ (L) (2 b). Reactions with ZrCl₄ and HfCl₄ form the complexes ZrCl₄ (L)₂ (3) and HfCl₄ (L)₂ (4), respectively, wherein the original I-O bond is retained and elongated compared to that in free 1. Therefore, the reactivity of 1 can be easily and practically fine-tuned by addition of different metal chlorides, following the order ZrCl₄ /HfCl₄ <TiCl₄ <2 TiCl₄ . Complexes 2 a, 3, and 4 are remarkably bench-stable forms of activated reagent 1, while 2 b is readily accessible in situ. 2 a and 2 b represent the first "real" trifluoromethyliodonium reagents derived from iodanes, that is, with the I-O bond being completely cleaved. The new complexes were shown to be useful for the trifluoromethylation of para-toluenesulfonate under aprotic conditions.

An unsymmetrical dinuclear scandium complex comprising salophen ligands [H2salophen = N,N'-bis-(salicyl-idene)-1,2-phenyl-enedi-amine]

Scandium nitrate tetra­hydrate reacts with H₂salophen [N,N′-bis­(salicyl­idene)-1,2-phenyl­enedi­amine] in ethanol to give the unsymmetrical dinuclear complex Sc(NO₃)₂(μ-salophen)Sc(salophen)(EtOH).

Treatment of scandium nitrate tetra­hydrate with the tetra­dentate ligand H₂salophen [N,N′-bis­(salicyl­idene)-1,2-phenyl­enedi­amine] afforded the yellow dinuclear complex Sc(NO₃)₂(μ-salophen)Sc(salophen)(EtOH) or [Sc₂(C₂₀H₁₄N₂O₂)₂(NO₃)₂(C₂H₆O)] (systematic name: (ethanol-κO)bis­(nitrato-κ²O,O′){μ-2,2′-[1,2-phenyl­enebis(nitrilo­methanylyl­idene)]diphenolato-κ⁴N,N′,O,O′:κ²O,O′}{2,2′-[1,2-phenyl­enebis(nitrilo­methanylyl­idene)]diphenolato-κ⁴O,N,N′,O′}discandium). In this compound, one salophen ligand displays a bridging coordination via the two oxygen atoms, while the other salophen ligand is attached to only one Sc center. This arrangement is stabilized by a hydrogen-bonded EtOH co-ligand, and by π–π stacking inter­actions between the two salophen ligands.

Ni(II) complexes with thioether-functionalized silylamide ligands. Synthesis and crystal structures of [Ni{Me2Si(N-C6H4-2-S-t-Bu)2}], [Ni{Ph2Si(N-C6H4-2-SMe)2}] and [Ni{Ph2Si(N-C6H4-2-SPh)2}]

Thioether-functionalized aminosilanes R2Si(NH-C6H4-2-SR′)2 with R=Me, Ph and R′=t-Bu, Me, Ph were synthesized from the corresponding dichlorosilanes R2SiCl2 and lithiated aniline derivatives LiNH-C6H4-2-SR′. Treatment of the functionalized aminosilanes R2Si(NH-C6H4-2-SR′)2 with two eq. of n-BuLi and subsequent reaction with nickel(II) halides NiX2 (X=Cl, Br) or [Ni(acac)2(TMEDA)] led to the formation of the Ni(II) complexes [Ni{R2Si(N-C6H4-2-SR′)2}]. The X-ray single-crystal structure determinations of the nickel complexes revealed that the thioether-functionalized silylamides R2Si(NC6H4-2-SR′)2 2− act as tetradentate ligands. The nickel atoms exhibit a distorted square-planar coordination with Ni–N and Ni–S bond lengths in the range of 186.4(3)–186.9(2) pm and 217.5(1)–221.5(1) pm, respectively.

Formation and structural characterization of a potassium amidino-guanidinate

The first potassium amidino-guanidinate complex, catena-poly[[bis-(μ-1-amidinato-N,N',N'',N'''-tetra-iso-propyl-guanidinato-κ5 N 1:N 1,N 2:N 2,N 4)dipotassium]-μ-1,2-di-meth-oxy-ethane-κ2 O:O'], [K2(C14H32N4)2(C4H10O2)] n or [{ i PrN= CHN( i Pr)N(N i Pr)2K}2(μ-DME)] n where DME is 1,2-di-meth-oxy-ethane, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The title compound was isolated in 76% yield from a reaction of N,N'-diiso-propyl-carbodi-imide with potassium hydride in DME. The single-crystal X-ray structure determination of the title compound revealed a polymeric chain structure comprising cage-like dimeric units, with the amidino-guanidinate ligand displaying a mixed σ-/π-coordination mode.