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We report a series of structurally relevant copper phenanthroline complexes as pre-catalysts for highly selective electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to C2 products using inexpensive carbon paper electrodes. The Cu complexes with non-substituted phenanthroline promote the production of ethylene with a high faradaic efficiency of 71.2%, while the one with pyridinium-functionalized ligands is more selective for ethanol. The C2 selectivity can be effectively tuned by increasing the number of coordinated phenanthrolines and remains high at a wide range of potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of electron-deficient viologen ligands with electron-rich POMs is a typical acceptor–donor system that has recently received much attention. Under solvothermal and hydrothermal conditions, by introducing three symmetric viologen ligands into POM-based hybrid materials, we successfully constructed four POMs–viologen inorganic–organic hybrid compounds, namely (1,3-bcbpy)2·(δ-Mo8O26) (1) (1,3-bcbpy·2Cl = 1,1′-bis(3-carboxybenzyl)-4,4′-bipyridine dichloride), {CoII(1,4-bcbpy)2(H2O)2[H2(β-Mo8O26)]}·2H2O·2CH2O (2), (1,4-bcbpy)2·(δ-Mo8O26)·2H2O (3) (1,4-bcbpy·2Cl = 1,1′-bis(4-carboxybenzyl)-4,4′-bipyridine dichloride, CH2O = formaldehyde), and {CuII(1,1-pmbby)2(H2O)[H2(β-Mo8O26)2]}·5H2O·C2H7N (4) (1,1-pmbby·2Cl = 1,1′-[1,4-phenylbis(methylene)]bis-(4,4′-bipyridine)dichloride, C2H7N = dimethylamine). These four compounds exhibit different fascinating structures, especially compound 4 is a typical metal–organic framework. Compounds 1–4 exhibit good discoloration behaviors under various external stimuli. For example, compounds 1–4 showed a positive response to the irradiation from a 300 W Xe lamp. When a positive voltage was applied to the ECD based on compounds 1–4, 1/2/3/4-ECD underwent a significant color conversion. What's more, compound 4 also showed obvious discoloration results after heating. In a word, 1–4 are multifunctional discoloration materials under different external stimuli. In addition, the coated filter paper prepared based on compound 3 can be used as a new printing material medium and can be successfully applied in erasable inkless printing and dual anti-counterfeiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligating properties of a tripodal, potentially tetradentate aminetris(phenol) ligand, tris(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H3L, containing [N,O,O,O] donor atoms toward the vanadium ions in +iiiand ivoxidation states have been studied. The structures of complexes 1[LVIII(CH3OH)]0, 2[LVIV(OCH3)]0and 3[LVIV(acac)]0were determined by X-ray diffraction methods as having five-coordinate V(iii), 1, five-coordinate non-oxo-vanadium(iv), 2, and six-coordinate non-oxo-vanadium(iv) 3, respectively. Compounds 1–3were also studied with electrochemical methods, variable-temperature (2–295 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements and X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The electrochemical results of 2and 3suggest metal-centered oxidation, i.e.the generation of a VV-phenolate species. EPR investigations indicate a (dxy)1ground state showing a considerable increase in the in-plane π-bonding, as is expected for a phenolate ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By introduction of 2,2′-bipy or 1,10-phen as a second organic ligand, four new zinc(ii) diphosphonate hybrids with mixed ligands, namely, [Zn(2,2′-bipy)(hedpH2)]·0.5H2O (1), [Zn(1,10-phen)(hedpH2)]·H2O (2), [Zn2(1,10-phen)(hedpH2)2]·H2O (3) and [Zn(1,10-phen)(hedpH2)] (4) (hedpH4= 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonate, 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Compounds 1and 2adopt a two-dimensional supramolecular network structure containing {[Zn(2,2′-bipy)(hedpH2)]2} or {[Zn(1,10-phen)(hedpH2)]2} units. The neighboring units interdigitate through hydrogen bonding interactions to give a 2D supramolecular network. Compounds 3and 4also have a two-dimensional supramolecular network structure. In compounds 3and 4, 1D Zn–diphosphonate chains were formed. These 1D chains are further connected to adjacent chains through hydrogen bonds to form a 2D supramolecular network. A notable feature for compound 4is the presence of the alternate left- and right-handed helical chains in the structure. The luminescence properties of compounds 1–4have also been studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DFT calculations with full geometry optimization have been performed on the series (CpM)2(as-indacene) and (CpM)2(s-indacene) (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), as well as on the cations of the Fe, Co and Ni complexes. The compounds where M = Fe and Ni (as-indacene series) and M = Mn, Fe and Co (s-indacene series) were found to possess closed-shell ground states. In the mixed-valent cations as well as in the other open-shell species, the degree of metal–metal communication and the participation of the ligand into the spin density were evaluated. In general, the larger the total electron number, the larger the metal–metal communication and ligand participation to the frontier orbitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the design of cyclometalated platinum(ii) complexes incorporating pyridyl-appended acetylide ligands of the form Pt–CC–py, acting either as sites for protonation or methylation reactions or as a host receptor for binding metal cations. The complexes studied are Pt(t-Bu2phbpy)(–CC–py), 2, which can undergo protonation at the pyridyl N; its cationic N-methylated derivative [Pt(t-Bu2phbpy)(–CC–pyMe)]+, 4, which serves as a model of the N-protonated species; and a derivative in which the pyridyl ring is incorporated into a macrocyclic diamide-crown ether ligand (3). The co-ligand t-Bu2phbpy is a cyclometalated, NNC-coordinated phenylbipyridine ligand carrying tert-butyl groups at the 4-positions of the pyridyl rings. The photophysical properties of the neutral compounds 2and 3have been compared to those of the pyridinium, methyl-pyridinium or metal-complexed species (namely 2-H+, 4and 3-Pb2+). Detailed TD-DFT calculations provide a theoretical basis to account for the experimentally-observed changes upon protonation/methylation/complexation. The joint TD-DFT and experimental studies provide evidence for an unprecedented molecular switch in the nature of the excited state (from mixed L′LCT/MLCT to ML′CT) in which the acceptor ligand in the CT process switches from being the NNC ligand to the pyridyl acetylide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reaction of the Ir(iii) dimer [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl2]2with PMeXyl2(Xyl = 2,6-C6H3Me2), in the presence of the poorly coordinating base 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine, gives a chloride complex 1-Cl, resulting from hydrogen chloride elimination involving one of the phosphine benzylic hydrogen atoms and concomitant cyclometallation. Related compounds containing other halide or pseudohalide ligands, 1-Br, 1-Cl, 1-SCN, can be made, the latter featuring S-coordination of the ambidentate thiocyanate to the soft Ir(iii) Lewis acid centre, as suggested by IR data and demonstrated by X-ray crystallography. Hydride 2-H, and alkyl derivatives 3(Me) and 4(CH2SiMe3) can also be prepared from 1-Cland appropriate hydride and alkylating reagents. An interesting H/D exchange chemistry that occurs in the presence of CD3OD has been disclosed for 1-Cl, 1-Brand 2-H. For the halide derivatives, deuterium incorporation takes place into the methylene and methyl sites of their cyclometallated ligand, whereas for 2-Honly the hydride and methylene (Ir–CH2) protons participate in the exchange, which is strikingly accelerated by catalytic amounts of acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and full characterization using various spectroscopic techniques and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a family of three robust copper(ii)-centered complexes with organometallic donor–acceptor substituted unsymmetrical Schiff base ligands, namely, the binuclear derivatives Cu[Fc–C(O)CHC(CH3)N–X–NCH-(2-O,5-Br–C6H3)] (3: X = o-C6H4, 4: X = CH2CH2), and the corresponding ionic trinuclear counterpart of 4, [Cu{Fc–C(O)CHC(CH3)N–CH2CH2–NCH-(η6-2-O,5-Br–C6H3)RuCp*}][PF6] (5) (Fc = (η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4), Cp* = η5-C5Me5), have been explored. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 3indicates a bowed structure of the unsymmetrical Schiff base scaffold. The Cu2+ion is tetracoordinated in a square planar environment, with two nitrogen atoms and two oxygen atoms as donors. The EPR spectra of solid trinuclear complexes 5and 7(unsubstituted salicylidene ring and X = o-C6H4) at low temperature (68 K) consisted of fine-structure transitions (ΔMs = ±1) with zero-field splitting (ZFS) values of 0.0458 and 0.0415 cm−1, respectively, and a half-field signal (ΔMs = ±2) at ca.1600 G, suggesting the formation of dimeric species (S= 1). In those dimers, Cu–Cu distances of 3.97 and 4.14 Å, respectively, are computed from ZFS terms. The variable-temperature (2–300 K) magnetic susceptibilities of powdered samples of 5and 7have been measured, and an intermolecular antiferromagnetic interaction with exchange couplings of J= −1.05 and −0.65 cm−1, respectively, were found. The electrochemical behavior of both the neutral binuclear and ionic trinuclear compounds was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Notably, the ability of the copper Schiff base core to transmit electronic effects between the two organometallic termini has been demonstrated by the observed anodic shift of the reversible voltammetric signal ascribed to the FeII/FeIIIcouple of the ferrocenyl donor fragment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Aminomethylaniline was converted into the N,N′-bis(pivaloyl) (1) or -bis(trimethylsilyl) (2) derivative, using 2 ButC(O)Cl or 2 Me3SiCl ( RCl), respectively, with 2 NEt3, or for 2from successively using 2 LiBunand 2 RCl. N,N′-Bis(neopentyl)-2-(aminomethyl)aniline (3) was prepared by LiAlH4reduction of 1. From 2or 3and 2 LiBun, the appropriate dilitiodiamide {2-[{N(Li)R}C6H4{CH2N(Li)R}(L)]2(L absent, 4a; or L = THF, 4b) or the N,N′-bis(neopentyl) analogue (5) of 4awas prepared. Treatment of 4awith 2 ButNC, 2 (2,6-Me2C6H3NC) or 2 ButCN ( L′) furnished the corresponding adduct [2-N{Li(L′)R}C6H4{CH2N(Li)R}] (4c, 4dor 4e, respectively), whereas 4bwith 2 PhCN afforded [2-{N(Li)R}C6H4{CH2C(Ph) = NLi(NCPh)}] (6). The dimeric bis(amido)stannylene [Sn{N(R)C6H4(CH2NR)-1,2}]2(7) was obtained from 4aand [Sn(μ-Cl)NR2]2, while the N,N′-bis(neopentyl) analogue 8of 7was similarly derived from [Sn(μ-Cl)NR2]2and 5. Reaction of two equivalents of the diamine 2with Pb(NR2)2yielded 9, the lead homologue of 7. Oxidative addition of sulfur to 7led to the dimeric bis(diamido)tin sulfide 10. Treatment of 2successively with ‘MgBu2’ in C5H12and THF gave [Mg{N(R)C6H4(CH2NR)}(THF)]2(11a), which by displacement of its THF by an equivalent portion of ButCN or PhCN produced [Mg{N(R)C6H4(CH2NR)}(CNR')n] [R′ = But, n= 1 (11b); R′ = Ph, n= 2 (11c)]. The Ca (12), Sr (13) or Ba (14) analogues of the Mg compound 11awere isolated from 2and either the appropriate compound M(NR2)2(M = Ca, Sr, Ba), or successively 2 LiBunand 2 M(OTos)2. The new compounds 1–14were characterized by microanalysis (C, H, N; not for 1, 2, 3, 5), solution NMR spectra, νmax(CN) (IR for 4c, 4d, 4e, 6, 11b, 11c), selected EI-MS peaks (for 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10), and single crystal X-ray diffraction (for 4a, 4b, 11a). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ligand–metal cooperation in iridium and platinum complexes bearing tricyclic dibenzobarrelene-based PC(sp3)P pincer ligands is discussed. We demonstrated that the carbon–metal bond in these complexes may be efficiently cleaved and regenerated via1,2-addition/elimination reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous-flow rhodium-catalysed hydroformylation of long chain alkenes has been achieved with selectivities to the desired linear aldehyde of 92% and minimum rhodium loss, using a xantphos-derived ligand attached to an imidazolium salt in a supercritical fluid–ionic liquid system. The effect of oxygen in the system can be ameliorated to some extent by adding a simple sulfonated triphenylphosphine to the catalytic solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four novel coordination polymers, {Na2[Co3(H2TTHA)2(H2O)12](H2O)2}·4(H2O) (1), {Na[Cu4(H2TTHA)(HTTHA)(H2O)8](H2O)3}·5(H2O) (2), [Cd3(TTHA)(H2O)4] (3) and [Ca5(HTTHA)2(H2O)8] (4), (H6TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid) have been synthesized by self-assembly of the flexible hexapodal acid H6TTHA and corresponding metal salts. The four complexes exhibit novel frameworks with different topologies due to diverse coordination modes and different conformations of the flexible H6TTHA. Complex 1shows a 3D network with (4,4,6)-connected topology constructed from parallel one-dimensional hybrid ribbons with nearly planar 24-membered rings, in which all Co(ii) atoms are located in one plane. Complex 2features a 3D (3,4,4,4,7)-connected network bridged by sodium ions from 2D layer structures which are formed through the interconnection of the tetranucleate units and the flexible ligands. Complex 3possesses hybrid layers constructed from zigzag Cd–O chains. These layers are further linked by the TTHA6−ligands with two configurations, leading to another 3D (3,3,8)-connected framework. The metal ions in complex 4are connected into wall-like infinite metal chains which are bridged by the carboxylate groups of ligands into a 3D (3,3)-connected hybrid framework. The framework is further furnished with the ligands forming hydrophobic channels with approximate sizes 3.5 Å × 9 Å based on the distances of the opposite atoms. The enantiometric pairs of ligands are formed in spite of no asymmetric carbon atom in complexes 1–3. Variable temperature magnetic studies down to 2 K reveal antiferromagnetic interactions in complexes 1and 2. Complexes 3and 4are both highly emissive at room temperature. And the luminescent intensities are largely enhanced once they are frozen to 10 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudooctahedral complexes [MCl3(NtBu)L2] (M = Nb, L = py 1, ½ tmeda 3; M = Ta, L = py 2, ½ tmeda 4) have been studied by spectroscopic methods. By a VT 1H NMR experiment a mutual exchange process between the pyaxand pyfreein the complexes 1–2was observed, whereas 13C and 15N NMR studies showed in the complexes 3–4a tmeda ligand with an axial/equatorial coordination mode. The reaction of 2with 3 equiv of Grignard reagent produces the methathesis products [TaR3(NtBu)] (R = CH2CMeCH25, CH2CHCHCH36) in which 2-methylallyl and 2-butenyl groups appear with a η3- and σ-coordination mode, respectively. When, toluene solutions of the compounds 5–6were treated with 2 equiv of 2,6-dimethylphenylisocyanide the imido bisiminoacyl compounds [TaR(NtBu){C(R)NAr-κ1C}2] (Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; R = CH2CMeCH27, CH2CHCHCH38) can be isolated, viaan imido iminoacyl intermediate [TaR2(NtBu){C(R)NAr-κ1C}] (Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3; R = CH2CMeCH29) as we have observed in the treatment of 5with 1 equiv of isocyanide; however, the analogous reaction between 5and COPh2leads to the formation of the trisalkoxo imido compound [Ta(OCPh2R)3(NtBu)] (R = CH2CMeCH210). All new complexes were studied by IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of flexible metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been successfully synthesized under hydrothermal condition using 1,3-adamantanediacetic acid (C14H20O4, H2ADA) as a flexible dicarboxylate building block, 4,4′-bipyridine and transition metal ions [Cd(ii), Zn(ii), and Mn(ii)] as metal centers in DMF and aqueous media. These MOFs formulated as [Cd(ADA)(4,4′-bipy)0.5]·(DMF) (Cd-ADA-1), [Mn(ADA)(4,4′-bipy)0.5]·(DMF) (Mn-ADA-1), Zn(ADA)(4,4′-bipy)0.5(Zn-ADA-1), and [Mn(HADA)2(4,4′-bipy)(H2O)2] (Mn-ADA-2) (ADA = 1,3-adamantanediacetate, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine and DMF = N,N′-dimethyl formamide) display interesting 1D, 2D and 3D structural features depending on the solvent of synthesis. All these MOFs were structurally determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The coordination modes of this ligand are discussed and in addition, thermal stability and hydrogen (H2) and carbon-dioxide (CO2) adsorption properties of Cd-ADA-1, Mn-ADA-1and Zn-ADA-1are also presented. Hydrogen sorption at 77 K and up to 1 atm is found to be 0.42, 0.72 and 1.36 wt% without saturation for Zn-ADA-1, Mn-ADA-1and Cd-ADA-1samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of platinum complexes of the type [Pt(D)(A)] having two kinds of π-conjugated ligand systems with donor and acceptor properties are prepared, using p-substituted diphenylacetylenes (tolan-X; X = OMe, H, CF3), 1,2-benzenedithiolato (bdt) and 1,3-dithia-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato (dmit) as π-donor ligands (D), and 1,2-diaryl-3,4-bis[(2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl)phosphinidene]cyclobutenes (DPCB-Y; diaryl = 2C6H4-p-Y (Y = OMe, H, CF3), biphenyl-2,2′-diyl) as π-acceptor ligands (A). The electronic structures of the resulting complexes are examined in detail to investigate π-orbital interaction occurring in DPCB-Y complexes with a low-coordinate phosphorus ligand. The 31P NMR chemical shifts are highly sensitive to the Pt–P distances of the complexes, and linearly correlated with the bond lengths. The UV-vis absorption spectra of [Pt(tolan-X)(DPCB-Y)] display π–π* transitions in the visible region, which are shifted to longer wavelengths as the electron-donating ability of X and electron-withdrawing ability of Y increase, respectively. The complex [Pt(tolan-OMe)(DPCB-CF3)] with a donor–acceptor combination of substituents exhibits particularly low-energy absorption. The absorption is further red-shifted for [Pt(bdt)(DPCB-phen)] and [Pt(dmit)(DPCB-phen)] having dithiolates as strong π-donor ligands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homoleptic cationic benzimidazole-imidazolin-2-ylidene N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC = L) complexes of NiIIand PdIIhave been prepared directly from the ligand precursor in salt form [H.L]Cl and from the transmetallation route viaAgI. The N-tether of the imidazolinylidene ring imposes a significant influence on the nuclearity of the intermediate Ag(i)-NHC complexes and the geometric isomer outcome of the d8products. Use of a benzyl-substituted NHC gives [Ag4(LBn)2Cl4], 2a(from [HLBn]Cl, 1a, and Ag2O) (Bn = benzyl), which shows an alignment of four silver atoms bridged by the difunctional C–N ligands and chlorides. Its transmetallation with NiCl2(PPh3)4and PdCl2(MeCN)2results in double-metal salts 2[M(LBn)2]2+[Ag4Cl8]4−(M = Ni (3a) and Pd (4a)). The nuclearity of the Ag4aggregate is maintained in the transmetallation process. Their Ag-free forms [M(LBn)2]Cl2(M = Ni (5) and Pd (6)) were prepared by direct deprotonation of 1awith M(OAc)2. The two carbenic carbon donor are cis- to each other in both 3aand 4a, thus imposing the weaker σ-benzimidazole nitrogen donor to be transto them. A sterically demanding mesityl pendant however gives the dinuclear dissymmetic [Ag2(LMes)2Cl2], 2b(Mes = mesityl) that shows a 12-membered metallomacrocyclic ring with a 2-coordinated [AgI(NHC)2] and 4-coordinated [AgI(Imd)2Cl2] (Imd = imidazole). Transmetallation of the latter, or direct metallation from [HLMes]Cl, 1b, gives [M(LMes)2]Cl2(M = Ni (3b) and Pd (4b)) with the two carbonic carbon transto each other. The catalytic potential of 3band 4b, which are more effective than 5and 6, has been demonstrated by their high activities in Ni-catalyzed Kumada at room temperature and Pd-catalyzed Heck couplings of aryl and/or heteroaryl halides, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An electrospray ionization mass spectrometer equipped with a quadrupole ion trap as the mass analyzer provided a powerful tool for the investigation of metal ligand affinities of catalysts for atom transfer radical polymerization. It allowed, in particular, (i) the identification, in a library of ligands, of the most stable, and thus active, copper catalysts; (ii) the assessment of the effects of the reaction medium on the relative stabilities of the catalyst complexes; and (iii) the evaluation of the influence of the nature of the ligand on both the complex halogenophilicity and the metal–ligand stabilities in the gas-phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ligand [(1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)]bis(1-ethyl-imidazol-2-ylidene) (2) (abbreviated as EtCNHCCHCNHCwith CH = central aromatic ring, = CH2spacer) has been synthesised, and isolated, by deprotonation of [(1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)]bis(1-ethyl-imidazolium) dichloride, Et(CHimid.CHCHimid.)Cl2(1) with LiN(SiMe3)2. This new, remarkably stable NHC dicarbene ligand is quantitatively protonated with HBr to form [(1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)]bis(1-ethyl-imidazolium) dibromide Et(CHimid.CHCHimid.)Br2(3) and reprotonated slowly enough in MeOH to allow observation of the monoprotonated intermediate 4. Dicarbene 2reacts with S8to give the dithione compound [(1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene)]bis(1-ethyl-imidazol-2-thione) Et[(SC)CH(CS)] (6). Reaction of 2with [IrCl(CO)(PPh3)2] and [Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)]2yielded the mononuclear [Ir(CO)(PPh3)2Et(CHimid.CHCNHC)(PF6)](PF6) (8) and [IrCl(cod)Et(CHimid.CHCNHC)](PF6) (10) complexes, respectively, and the dinuclear complexes [{Ir(CO)(PPh3)2}2Et(μ-CNHCCHCNHC)](PF6)2(7) and [{IrCl(cod)}2Et(μ-CNHCCHCNHC)] (9), respectively, in which 2acts as a bridging, non-pincer type ligand. Only one other Ir(i) complex has been reported before containing a CNHCCHCNHCligand. The structures of 6and 9were determined by X-ray diffraction and depict different conformations of the (1,3-phenylene)bis(methylene) (or xylylene) moiety. The mononuclear Ir complex 9reacted smoothly with [Rh(μ-Cl)(cod)]2and Cs2CO3to generate a rare example of a heteronuclear NHC complex, [IrRhCl2(cod)2Et(μ-CNHCCHCNHC)] (11). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CoCl2was treated with 1, 2, and 6 eq. of 2,6-bis(5-phenylpyrazol-3-yl)pyridine (H2L) yielding respectively the monosubstituted [Co(H2L)Cl2], the disubstituted [Co(H2L)2][PF6]2, and a supramolecular assembly formed by a central disubstituted octahedral complex and four more hydrogen bonded peripheral ligands, [{Co(H2L)2}(H2L)4][PF6]2, as illustrated by X-ray crystal structure analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(S,R)-Indan–ambox ligand and its ruthenium(ii) complex have been prepared and successfully applied to asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral simple ketones. A wide range of unfunctionalized ketones are reduced by Ru(ii)-indan–ambox catalyst with excellent enantioselectivities (up to 97% ee). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isostructural CoII2CoIII4LnIII4(Ln = Y (1), Gd (2) and Dy (3)) coordination clusters formed using the ligand Tris are the first examples of 3d-4f complexes involving this ligand and show weak ferromagnetic coupling between the CoIIions and slow relaxation (SMM) behaviour for 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enantioselective hydrogenation of a series of challenging substrates, α-aryl-β-substituted acrylic acids, was realized with high efficiency and enantioselectivity (up to 96%) under the catalysis of Ir(i) complex of Spiro-based P,Nligand, SpinPHOX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New C2-symmetric tetrafluorobenzobarrelene ligands were prepared and applied successfully to the rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric addition of arylboronic acids to aromatic aldehydes giving chiral diarylmethanols in high yield with high enantioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly useful halogenated benzofurans and benzothiophenes are prepared from readily available gem-dibromoolefins using a mild, ligand-free copper catalyzed cross-coupling procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heteroleptic complexes, formed selectively by using a 1 : 1 combination of a σ-donor and a π-acceptor ligand, are involved in Rh- and Pd-catalysed reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of ligands based on two quinoline units acting as primary coordinating sites connected by tetra- or penta-ethyleneoxy fragments behaving as secondary interaction sites leads spontaneously in a one-pot reaction to the formation of tri- and terta-nuclear metalla-organic knots in the presence of silver cation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy offers significant benefits over standard antibiotic therapy in terms of rapid sterilization and resistance reduction. In this paper, a series of ruthenium complexes were designed and synthesized for antibacterial studies. [Ru(tpy)(dppz-R)Cl][PF6] (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; dppz = dipyrido [3,2-a:2′,3′-c] phenazine; R = H, CH3, C(CH3)3, F, CF3, NO2, NH2 or CN), Ru1–Ru8 all showed superior in vitro antimicrobial effects under blue light irradiation. Ru2 has the best antimicrobial activity, with its inherent dark toxicity and photodynamic inactivation rapidly killing S. aureus without developing drug tolerance. Binding and damaging DNA as well as generating ROS may be its potential antimicrobial targets. Ru2 lacks a hemolytic effect on rabbit erythrocytes and has low phototoxicity against G. mellonella Larvae. In addition, Ru2 has been successfully used to treat skin wounds in mice infected with S. aureus. Therefore, Ru2 has shown great potential as a photodynamic antimicrobial agent against the threat of S. aureus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of a mononuclear zinc complex (1) containing a redox-active bis(4-antipyrinyl) derivative of the 3-cyanoformazanate ligand. Complex 1 was readily obtained by refluxing zinc acetate with 3-cyano-1,5-(4-antipyrinyl)formazan (LH) in a methanolic solution. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complex 1 shows that the formazanate ligands bind to the zinc center in a five-member chelate "open" form via the 1- and 4-positions of the 1,2,4,5-tetraazapentadienyl formazanate backbone leading to the formation of the mononuclear bis(formazanate) zinc complex exhibiting a distorted octahedral geometry. We also report the study of resistive-switching random access memory application of this solution-processable bis(formazanate) Zn(II) complex to facilitate the practical implementation of transition metal complex-based molecular memory devices. The complex demonstrated high conductance switching with a large ON–OFF ratio, good stability, and a long retention time. A trap-controlled space charge limited current mechanism is proposed for the observed resistive switching behavior of the device, wherein the role played by the [ZnIIL2] complex that comprises the extended redox-active conjugated ligand backbone is revealed by corroborating electrochemical studies, spectrochemical experiments, and DFT calculations. In addition to providing significant insights into the molecular design of transition metal complexes for memory applications, this study also presents the utilization of ZnIIL2 towards the realization of non-volatile resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices with inorganic/organic hybrid active layers that are highly cost-effective and sustainable. These devices exhibited multilevel switching and low current operation, both of which are desirable for advanced memory applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversity of catalytic activities and antioxidant properties of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) makes them promising materials for the theranostics of various diseases, especially those caused by disturbances in free radical homeostasis in living systems. Despite the fact that the functionalisation of nanoparticles' surface plays a critical role in nanomedicine applications, the effect of different coatings on their enzyme-like behaviour and antioxidant properties is still poorly understood, which limits the biomedical application of CeO2 NPs. This paper reports on the effect of low and high molecular weight biocompatible ligands on the SOD-like activity and radical scavenging properties of CeO2 NPs, which was analysed using a phosphate-rich medium resembling a natural environment. The results obtained show that these ligands modulate the SOD-like properties of CeO2 NPs as follows. Citrate and polysaccharide (maltodextrin and dextran) surface coatings increase the SOD-like activity of CeO2 NPs by an average of 2.2 times, and the protein corona (γ-globulin, γ-IgG) increases this activity by an average of 1.8 times. Citrate-coated CeO2 NPs and CeO2 nanoparticles modified with polysaccharide molecules are more effective SOD mimetics than CeO2@γ-IgG NPs. The SOD-like activity of phosphatidylcholine-coated CeO2 and CeO2@γ-IgG NPs is due to the combined action of nanoscale CeO2 and ligands. The antioxidant activity of CeO2 NPs after their modification with different ligands with respect to alkyl peroxyl radicals is multidirectional. Unexpectedly, citrate-, maltodextrin- and dextran-coated CeO2 NPs are more effective antioxidants than bare CeO2 NPs. CeO2 NPs modified with phosphatidylcholine or γ-IgG exhibited less radical-scavenging ability than bare CeO2 nanoparticles. Thus, common biocompatible ligands are able to regulate the biochemical activity of CeO2 NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The π⋯π interactions in spin crossover (SCO) complexes can be used as an important means to fine-tune the spin transition behaviors. In this paper, three novel isostructural 2D Hofmann-type frameworks, [Fe(ppo)2M(CN)4] (1, M = Pt2+; 2, M = Pd2+; 3, M = Ni2+) have been successfully synthesized by judiciously choosing a large conjugated molecule, 2-(2-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (ppo) as the axial ligand. Single crystal X-ray crystallography analysis showed that there are different π⋯π interactions between the axial ppo ligands in 1–3. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility studies revealed that 1 and 3 displayed incomplete and gradual SCO behaviors with T1/2 = 94 and 78 K, respectively, while 2 stayed in a high-spin state in the measured temperature range. The stronger π⋯π interactions between the conjugated ppo ligands observed in 1 and 3 than those in 2 may result in their different magnetic behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we synthesized two unsymmetrical and dipodal Schiff–Mannich combo ligands, namely benzoic acid (3-benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzylidene)-hydrazide (H2BBH) and the hydroxyl analogue 2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (3-benzoimidazol-1-ylmethyl-2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzylidene)-hydrazide (H3BSH), for the selective detection of Zn2+ in semi-aqueous media. Both the probes selectively depict a turn-on response to Zn2+ as a result of the combined effect of chelation-induced enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET). Detailed experimental studies reveal that H2BBH and H3BSH can detect Zn2+ in solutions with limit of detections of 27 nM and 46 nM, respectively. The structures of probe-Zn2+ ensembles were proposed as [(HBBH)2Zn] and [(H2BSH)2Zn] by ESI-MS, FT-IR spectroscopy, 1H NMR titration and DFT/TD-DFT methods. Moreover, both the probes were successfully employed in the detection of Zn2+ in HuH-7 cells, seedlings of chickpea and mung beans, and paper strips. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[MoV2 O2S2]2+-based thiosemicarbazone complexes appear as very promising molecules for biological applications due to the intrinsic properties of their components. This paper deals with the synthesis and characterization of six coordination complexes obtained by the reaction of [MoV2 O2S2]2+ clusters with bisthiosemicarbazone ligands that contain flexible or rigid spacers between the two thiosemicarbazone units. Interestingly, structural characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, MALDI-TOF MS technique and NMR spectroscopy revealed that the nuclearity of the complex is controlled by the nature of the spacer between the thiosemicarbazone units. Binuclear complexes, namely [MoV2 O2S2(L1-3)], are isolated with flexible spacers while tetranuclear complexes [(MoV² O2S2)2(L4-6)2] are formed when the bisthiosemicarbazone ligands are built on rigid spacers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the synthesis and structural characterization of a series of new ruthenium(II) complexes 1–7, with the general formula mer-[RuL3(N–N)Cl]Cl, where L is 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (tpy) or 4′-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (Cl-Ph-tpy) and N–N is o-benzoquinonediimine (o-bqdi), 2,3-naphthoquinonediimine (nqdi), 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (dmbpy) or 2,2′-bipyridine-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid (dcbpy). The kinetic results showed that the ligand substitution reactions of new Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes with biomolecules were affected by different substituents and the aromaticity of meridional tridentate and bidentate spectator ligands as well as by the nature of the entering nucleophile. The reactivity of the complexes increases in the order: dmbpy < dcbipy < nqdi < o-bqdi. In addition, quantum chemical calculations were performed to support the interpretation and discussion of the experimental data. Furthermore, combining ethidium bromide (EB) and Hoechst 33258 (2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-[5-(4-methylpiperazine-1-yl)benzimidazo-2-yl]-benzimidazole) fluorescence assay results implied that 1–7 might interact with calf thymus DNA through partial intercalation and/or minor groove binding. The human serum albumin (HAS)-fluorescence binding studies involving the site markers, eosin Y, as a marker for site I of subdomain IIA, and ibuprofen, as a marker for site II of subdomain IIIA, showed that Ru(II) compounds bind to both sites with moderately strong affinity (Kb = 104–106 M−1). Moreover, these DNA/HSA experimental results were confirmed by molecular docking. Complexes 2, 5 and 6 exerted good to strong and highly selective cytotoxic activity against breast adenocarcinoma (MDA-MB 231), colorectal carcinoma (HCT116) and cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa). Depending on their structure and cell line, the complexes acted differently in terms of their influence on autophagy, the cell cycle and the engaged apoptotic pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Earth-abundant, cheap and non-toxic zinc-based coordination compounds are drawing research attention as promising candidates for various applications, such as photoluminescent materials and anticancer agents. In this paper we report six zinc complexes (1–3-NO3 and 1–3-Cl) with pyridyl-based thiazolyl–hydrazone ligands, which differ in the nature of substituents at the ligands' periphery, anion type, and geometry around the metal ion. The complexes were characterized by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis, as well as IR and NMR spectroscopy. The symmetrical complexes 2-Cl and 3-Cl, where zinc atoms are located at a two-fold axis, do not exhibit photophysical properties, unlike their asymmetrical analogs 2-NO3 and 3-NO3 with the same complex cation. Asymmetrical pentacoordinated 1-Cl and hexacoordinated 1-NO3 complexes exhibit photophysical properties. An admixture of allowed intra-ligand (1IL) and chloro (X)-to-ligand charge-transfer (1XLCT) electronic transitions is responsible for the fluorescence of the 1-Cl complex. The origin of the emission of the 1-NO3 complex is ascribed to an admixture of 3IL and ligand-to-ligand charge-transfer (3LLCT) forbidden electronic transitions, while for 3-NO3 most electronic excitations are of LLCT character. The thermal stability of the complexes is in accord with the strength of respective intermolecular interactions. The antiproliferative activity of the complexes was in the nanomolar range on some of the investigated cancer cell lines. Contrary to the increase of antiproliferative activity of the complexes in comparison to the free ligands in cancer cell lines, an acute toxicity determined in the brine shrimp assay follows the opposite trend. The overall results suggest that Zn(II) thiazoyl–hydrazone complexes have considerable potential as multifunctional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The palladium-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling reactions of aryl boronic acids using a solvent-free and ligand-free ball-milling method have been reported. These reactions allow simple, fast, and efficient synthesis of a series of biphenyl-derived organic fluorescent materials in modest and good yields without the use of ligands in air. The new organic fluorescent material N-[4-(4-{phenyl[4-(triphenylvinyl)phenyl]amino}phenyl)-phenyl]-N-[4-(triphenylvinyl)phenyl]aniline (B6) shows typical aggregation-induced emission features and reversible mechanical force responsive fluorescent properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three silyl [PSiP] pincer cobalt(II) chlorides 1–3 [(2-Ph2PC6H4)2MeSiCo(Cl)(PMe3)] (1), [(2-iPr2PC6H4)2MeSiCo(Cl)(PMe3)] (2) and [(2-Ph2PC6H4)2MeSiCo(Cl)(LSi:)] (LSi: = {PhC(NtBu)2}SiCl) (3) were synthesized and used as catalysts and their catalytic activity for dinitrogen silylation was studied. Among the three complexes complex 3 was new and was synthesized via the reaction of [PSiP] pincer preligand L1 with CoCl2 in the presence of chlorosilylene via Si–H bond cleavage. The molecular structure of 3 was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Compared to complex 1, complex 2 is the more effective catalyst for dinitrogen silylation and 363 equiv. of N(SiMe3)3 could be reached per Co atom. Further study indicates that using the silylene ligand in complex 3 instead of the PMe3 ligand in complex 1, the catalytic activity of 3 is lower than that of 1. The catalytic mechanism for this catalytic system is proposed with the support of experimental evidence. The [PSiP] pincer cobalt(I) dinitrogen complex was proposed as the active catalyst for dinitrogen silylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As phenanthroline (phen) possesses great coordination ability with various ions, the development of new chiral phen ligands is in great demand in asymmetric catalysis. Herein, we rationally designed and developed an entirely new class of C2-symmetric rigid-featured chiral phen ligands that provide the N,N,O,O-tetradentate coordination of the phen moiety and two additional N,N-dioxides. The chiral ligands, termed Phen-2NO ligands, incorporate the advantages of both the phen skeleton and the pyrroloimidazolone-based N-oxide moiety, and their electronic and steric properties can be readily tuned through the incorporation of substituents in the aromatic rings of the amide group. These ligands presented a superior performance in the Ni(II)-catalyzed asymmetric Michael-type Friedel–Crafts alkylation reaction of indoles with β,γ-unsaturated α-ketoesters. Excellent yields (up to 93%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 99% ee) are obtained for a wide range of substrates under mild conditions. These results demonstrated the promising potential of the Phen-2NO ligand as an efficient chiral phen ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of metallophthalocyanine (PcM) complexes with axial N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHC; 1,3-diisopropylimidazol-2-ylidene (DIP) and 1,3-dimethylbenzimidazol-2-ylidene (DMB)) were prepared and structurally characterized. PcCoII(DIP), PcZnII(DIP), and PcZnII(DMB) are five-coordinate complexes with mild dome-type Pc-ring distortions, while PcFeII(DIP)2 is six-coordinate and has a very large ruffle-type ring-distortion with respect to typical PcM(L)2 systems. The distortion is induced by the highly steric axial DIP ligands. The distortions were quantified and classified by their bond lengths and torsion angles, and according to the normal-coordinate structural decomposition (NSD) analysis. Upon ligation of the NHC, the insoluble PcM materials were solublized in common organic solvents, with typical UV-visible Q-band maxima observable between 658 and 677 nm; the increased solubility is rationalized in terms of the reduced solid-state aggregation of the complexes, attributable to the axial ligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruthenium arene-based complexes have attracted growing interest in overcoming the lack of efficiency of platinum-based chemotherapeutic drugs. Herein, we prepared two pyrazolyl-pyridine type bidentate ligands using 2-acetyl pyridine with biphenyl-4-carbaldehyde and 1-pyrene carbaldehyde. The isolated ligands were utilized to prepare two new Ru(p-cymene) complexes, [Ru(η6-p-cymene)(bpy)Cl]PF6 (Ru-bpy(1)) and [Ru(η6 -p-cymene)(pyn)Cl]PF6 (Ru-pyn(2)) and characterized well. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of Ru-bpy(1) revealed that the complex adopts pseudo-octahedral geometry. The MTT assay was performed on human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), cervical carcinoma (HeLa-S3) and lung adenocarcinoma (A549) cells to determine the in vitro cytotoxicity of the complexes. Although the complexes were found to be insensitive to cervical and lung cancer cells at concentrations of up to 100 μM, both the complexes showed efficient cytotoxicity in breast cancer cells. Moreover, these complexes exhibited apoptosis-inducing activity and cell-free antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An asymmetric bi-nuclear copper(II) complex with both cytotoxic and immunogenic activity towards breast cancer stem cells (CSCs) is reported. The bi-nuclear copper(II) complex comprises of two copper(II) centres bound to flufenamic acid and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline. The bi-nuclear copper(II) complex exhibits sub-micromolar potency towards breast CSCs grown in monolayers and three-dimensional cultures. Remarkably, the bi-nuclear copper(II) complex is up to 25-fold more potent toward breast CSC mammospheres than salinomycin (a gold standard anti-breast CSC agent) and cisplatin (a clinically administered metallodrug). Mechanistic studies showed that the bi-nuclear copper(II) complex readily enters breast CSCs, elevates intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, induces apoptosis, and promotes damage-associated molecular pattern release. The latter triggers phagocytosis of breast CSCs by macrophages. As far as we are aware, this is the first report of a bi-nuclear copper(II) complex to induce engulfment of breast CSCs by immune cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dye-sensitized photoelectrodes may be used as heterogeneous components for fuel-forming reactions in photoelectrochemical cells. There has been increasing interest in developing Earth-abundant cheaper photosensitizers based on first-row transition metals. We describe here the synthesis, characterization, and study of the ground and excited state properties of three Cu(I) complexes bearing ligands with varying electron-accepting capacities and conjugation that may act as photosensitizers for wide bandgap semiconductors. Femtosecond transient absorption studies indicate that the nature of the final excited state is dictated by the extent of conjugation in the electron-accepting ligand, where shorter conjugation leads to the formation of a singly reduced ligand and longer conjugation leads to the formation of a ligandcentered final excited state. These complexes were surface anchored onto nanostructured NiO on conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide glass to fabricate photocathodes. It was found that even though the ligands with increasing conjugation have an effect on the formation of the final excited state in solution, all complexes exhibit similar photocurrents upon white light illumination, suggesting that charge transfer to NiO happens in advance of the formation of the final excited state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis, structures, and magnetic and luminescence properties of a series of new monoand dinuclear Er3+ complexes derived from sterically demanding aryloxide and fluorinated alkoxide ligands: [4-tBu-2,6-(Ph2CH)2C6H2O]3Er(THF) (1), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(Me3SiOH) (2), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er[(Me3Si)2NH] (3), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(C6H5CH3) (4), [(C6F5)3CO]3Er(o-Me2NC6H4CH3) (5) and {[Ph(CF3)2CO]2Er(μ²-OC (CF3)2Ph)}2 (6). In compounds 1, 2, and 4, the Er3+ ion is four-coordinated and adopts a distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry, while in 3, 5, and 6, the coordination geometry of Er3+ is impacted by the presence of several relatively short Er...F distances, making them rather 6-coordinated. All compounds behave as field-induced Single Molecule Magnets (SMMs) and exhibit an Er3+ characteristic near infrared (NIR) emission associated with the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition with a remarkably long lifetime going up to 73 µs, which makes them multifunctional luminescent SMMs. The deconvolution of the NIR emission spectra allowed us to provide a direct probe of the crystal field splitting in these compounds, which was correlated with magnetic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a novel triangular trinuclear copper(II) complex with a central μ3-OH bridge, [(CuL)3(μ3-OH)(ClO4)2]·CH3OH·H2O (1), stabilised by the oxime-based Schiff base ligand, 3-(((5-bromothiophen-2-yl)methylene)hydrazineylidene)butan-2-one oxime (HL). Comprehensive characterization of 1 has been realised through different analytical and physical methods coupled with spectroscopic techniques. 1 has been structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The antiproliferative capacity of HL and 1 has been evaluated against human lung cancer cell line A549. Compound 1 shows promising efficacy in contrast to HL, which shows a limited cytotoxicity. Contrary to HL, 1 has distinctly impeded the proliferation of lung adenocarcinoma A549 cell lines in a dose-dependent way. Compound 1 has been employed as a potential therapeutic agent for promising cellular transformation of malevolent A549 cell lines. The programmed cell death mechanism of 1 reveals characteristic apoptotic changes in cellular morphology like chromatin condensation, fragmented nuclei, nuclear shrinkage along with blebbing, elevated number of nuclear body fragments and distorted nucleus, while round, clear edged, intact nucleus and uniformly stained round nuclei have been observed in the negative control. Variable-temperature magnetic studies show an antiferromagnetic Cu⋯Cu coupling of −44.6(2) cm−1. The g value as determined by EPR measurement of 1 in frozen N,N-dimethylformamide solution corroborates the experimental magnetic susceptibility values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, achieving selective cancer therapy with trifling side effects has been a great challenge in the eradication of cancer. Thus, to amplify the cytoselective approach of complexes, herein, we developed a series of Re(I)[2-aryl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline] tricarbonyl chloride complexes and screened their potency against HeLa and MCF-7 cell lines together with the evaluation of their toxicity towards a normal kidney cell line (HEK-293). On meticulous investigation, complex [ReI(CO)3Cl(K2-N,N-(2c))] (3c) was found to be the most potent anticancer entity among other complexes. Complex 3c also showed competency to induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through G2/M phase cell-cycle arrest in association with the generation of ample reactive oxygen species (ROS), eventually leading to DNA intercalation and internucleosomal cleavage. The order of the cytotoxicity of these complexes depended on their lipophilic character and the electron-withdrawing halogen substitution at the para-position of the phenyl ring in the imidazophenanthroline ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new magnesium-based metal–organic framework with unprecedented short-chain secondary building units and ultra-micropore channels approaching the kinetic diameters of Xe is fabricated by decorating methyl groups on ligands. Due to the contracted pores, this MOF exhibits very high selectivity values for Xe/Kr, which ranks it among the top porous absorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separation of Am3+ and Cm3+ is one of the most challenging yet unavoidable steps in the back end of the nuclear cycle. Various ligands evaluated for Am/Cm separation have their own merits and demerits, and not a single ligand has been uniquely proposed for this purpose. In the present work, we evaluated N,N,N′,N′-tetra-n-octyldiglycolamide (TODGA) vis-à-vis N,N,N′,N′-tetra-2-ethylhexyldiglycolamide (T2EHDGA) in combination with a hydrophilic 2,6-bis(1,2,4-triazinyl)pyridine (SO3PhBTP) derivative in the aqueous phase for the separation of Am3+ and Cm3+ from nitric acid medium. The results showed that marginal selectivity for Am3+ over Cm3+ was observed with T2EHDGA in the presence of SO3PhBTP, which was attributed to the difference in the entropy change for their extraction from both the temperature-dependent liquid–liquid extraction and computational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of Mg[Ph4Pn] and Li·K[Ph4Pn] in transmetalation reactions to a range of Rh(I) precursors led to the formation of "half-baguette" anti-[Rh I(L) n ]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] (L = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, norbornadiene, ethylene; n = 1, 2) and syn-[Rh I(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] complexes as well as the related iridium complex anti-[Ir I(COD)]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn]. With CO exclusive syn metalation was obtained even when using mono-nuclear Rh(I) precursors, indicating an electronic preference for syn metalation. DFT analysis showed this to be the result of π overlap between the adjacent M(CO)2 units which overcompensates for dz2 repulsion of the metals, an effect which can be overridden by steric clash of the auxiliary ligands to yield anti-configuration as seen in the larger olefin complexes. syn-[Rh I(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] is a rare example of a twinned organometallic where the two metals are held flexibly in close proximity, but the two d8 Rh(I) centres did not show signs of M–M bonding interactions or exhibit Lewis basic behaviour as in some related mono-nuclear Cp complexes due to the acceptor properties of the ligands. The ligand substitution chemistry of syn-[Rh I(CO)2]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] was investigated with a series of electronically and sterically diverse donor ligands (P(OPh)3, P(OMe)3, PPh3, PMe3, dppe) yielding new mono- and bis-substituted complexes, with E-syn-[Rh I(CO)(P{OR})3]2[μ:η5:η5Ph4Pn] (R = Me, Ph) characterised by XRD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A set of mononuclear cobalt(III) octahedral complexes {[Co(LH)(acac)] (Co-1H), [Co(LBr)(acac)] (Co-1Br), and [Co(LNO2)(acac)] (Co-1NO2)} were synthesized using new-generation N/O donors, maleonitrile-tethered, tetradentate heteroscorpionate half-reduced Schiff base ligands, 2-((E)-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-3-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)maleonitrile (H2LH), 2-((E)-(5-bromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-3-((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)maleonitrile (H2LBr), and 2-((E)-2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylideneamino)-3-(pyridin-2-ylmethylamino)maleonitrile (H2LNO2). All the compounds were well characterized spectroscopically and structurally. The non-covalent interactions present in the lattice of Co-complexes were studied in detail to explain the molecular architecture using the Hirshfeld surface (HS) analysis. The catalytic activity of CO2 fixation towards epoxides under mild and solvent-free conditions was demonstrated. The synthesized complexes are catalysts that are well-active towards the CO2 activation under ambient conditions, whereas most of the reported catalysts require harsh conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus-bridged rigid, bent bis(N-heterocyclic) carbenes have not been reported, so far, despite having structural features that could make them interesting ligands in coordination and main group element chemistry. In previous reports, we had demonstrated that tuning of σ3- and σ4-phosphorus environments in planarised bis(NHCs) affects electronic properties and can provide additional coordination sites. Herein, we report on first examples of synthesis and conversion of 1,4-diphosphabarrelene-related compounds into rigid bent, doubly P-bridged bis(NHCs). The formation of main group element adducts with substrates from group 13, 14 and 15 illustrates opportunities to access novel scaffolds and to create nonplanar branching points. DFT calculations reveal the new bis(NHCs) to be good candidates as novel soft/hard ligands with up to four coordination sites. The synthesis of a dinuclear Fe(CO)4 complex is demonstrated. The thermal retro-[4 + 2] cycloaddition was theoretically and experimentally explored for a variety of ionic and zwitterionic 1,4-diphosphabarrelenes, and the generation and trapping of a dinuclear Fe(0) bis(NHC) complex with a tricyclic 1σ2,4 σ2-diphosphinine scaffold is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Pd(II) complexes of the general formula [PdX(NNS)] (X = Cl, Br, I, NCS and phenyl-tetrazole-thiolato; NNS = 2-quinolinecarboxyaldehyde-N4-phenylthiosemicarbazone) was tested against four malignant cell lines for their antiproliferative properties and the outcomes were compared to those seen in normal mouse splenocytes. Various auxiliary ligands were substituted in order to investigate the impact of the character of the ligand on the cytotoxicity of this class of Pd(II) complexes. The iodo complex was the most cytotoxic compound towards the Caco-2 cell line in this study. The improved apoptosis and necrosis cell modes were in accordance with the fragmentation results of DNA, which revealed increased fragmentation terminals, especially in isothiocyanate and tetrazole-thiolato complexes. After 24 hours, at half the IC50 of each complex, the complex-treated cells exhibited considerable genotoxicity when compared to the corresponding non-treated control especially in the case of isothiocyanate and tetrazole-thiolato complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]