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The asymmetric hydrocyanation of vinylarenes was investigated using hydrogen cyanide (HCN) in the presence of 5 mol% of a catalyst prepared from a phenol-derived chiral phosphine-phosphite ligand and bis(cyclooctadiene)nickel [Ni(cod)2]. The reactions were performed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at room temperature to give exclusively the branched nitriles with superior enantioselectivities of 88–99% ee for vinylarenes and 74–94% ee for vinylheteroarenes, respectively. Using styrene as a model substrate it was shown that the catalyst loading could be decreased to 0.42 mol% without any loss of selectivity (88% ee). The structure of the pre-catalyst, i.e., a tetrahedral Ni(0)(P,P-chelate)(cod) complex, was proven by X-ray and NMR analysis. Additional insight into the reaction course was gained by monitoring the hydrocyanation of styrene-d8 by means of 2D NMR spectroscopy.

High anion selectivity for PtCl6(2-) over Cl(-) is shown by a series of amidoamines, R(1)R(2)NCOCH2CH2NR(3)R(4) (L1 with R(1) = R(4) = benzyl and R(2) = R(3) = phenyl and L3 with R(1) = H, R(2) = 2-ethylhexyl, R(3) = phenyl and R(4) = methyl), and amidoethers, R(1)R(2)NCOCH2CH2OR(3) (L5 with R(1) = H, R(2) = 2-ethylhexyl and R(3) = phenyl), which provide receptor sites which extract PtCl6(2-) preferentially over Cl(-) in extractions from 6 M HCl solutions. The amidoether receptor L5 was found to be a much weaker extractant for PtCl6(2-) than its amidoamine analogues. Density functional theory calculations indicate that this is due to the difficulty in protonating the amidoether to generate a cationic receptor, LH(+), rather than the latter showing weaker binding to PtCl6(2-). The most stable forms of the receptors, LH(+), contain a tautomer in which the added proton forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond to the amide oxygen atom to give a six-membered proton chelate. Dispersion-corrected DFT calculations appear to suggest a switch in ligand conformation for the amidoamine ligands to an open tautomer state in the complex, such that the cationic N-H or O-H groups are also readily available to form hydrogen bonds to the PtCl6(2-) ion, in addition to the array of polarized C-H bonds. The predicted difference in energies between the proton chelate and nonchelated tautomer states for L1 is small, however, and the former is found in the X-ray crystal structure of the assembly [(L1H)2PtCl6]. The DFT calculations and the X-ray structure indicate that all LH(+) receptors present an array of polarized C-H groups to the large, charge diffuse PtCl6(2-) anion resulting in high selectivity of extraction of PtCl6(2-) over the large excess of chloride.

Three new complexes of the type Mn(NN)(CO)3Br have been synthesized, where NN = 5-substituted-1,10-phenanthroline. The novel compounds have been characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR, CV, HRMS, and UV/Vis, as well as X-ray crystallography in one case. The known NN = phenanthroline compound, and four analogous Re(I) compounds are also presented; their photophysical and electrochemical properties are discussed. A correlation is apparent between the MLCT absorbance bands and the electrochemical reduction of both the Re and Mn series of compounds.

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.-- et al., The reaction of the pro-ligand H4L, which combines the complementary phenolic oxime and diethanolamine moieties within the same organic framework, with Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and Ln(NO3)3·6H2O in a basic methanolic solution generates a family of isostructural heterometallic coordination compounds of general formula [Ln6Zn2(CO3)5(OH)(H2L)4(H3L)2(H4L)]NO3·xMeOH [Ln = Gd, x = 30 (1), Ln = Dy, x = 32 (2), Ln = Sm, x = 31 (3), Ln = Eu, x = 29 (4), Ln = Tb, x = 30 (5)]. The octametallic skeleton of the cage describes a heavily distorted [GdIII6] octahedron capped on two faces by ZnII ions. The metal core is stabilised by a series of μ3- and μ4-CO32− ions, originating from the serendipitous fixation of atmospheric CO2. The magnetic properties of all family members were examined via SQUID magnetometry, with the χMT product and VTVB data of the Gd analogue (1) being independently fitted by numerical diagonalisation to afford the same best-fit parameter JGd–Gd = −0.004 cm−1. The MCE of complex 1 was elucidated from specific heat data, with the magnetic entropy change reaching a value of 22.6 J kg−1 K−1 at T = 1.7 K, close to the maximum entropy value per mole expected from six GdIII spins (SGd = 7/2), 23.7 J kg−1 K−1., S.P. thanks the Danish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Higher Education for a Sapere Aude Fellowship (10-081659), M.E. acknowledges financial support from MINECO through grant MAT2012-38318-C03-01. EKB thanks the EPSRC.

Formal exchange of C=C units with isoelectronic B=N or B=P units can provide access to molecules with unique electronic or chemical properties. Herein, we report the simple solution-phase generation of highly reactive phosphaborenes, RP=BR, and demonstrate their use for the introduction of P=B units into organic systems. Ring opening of a P-B-containing cyclobutene isostere provided access to unique 1,4-boraphosphabutadiene systems with conjugated main-group multiple bonds.

A series of di-alkoxo bridged Cr(III) dimers have been synthesised using pyridine alcohol ligands. The structures fall into four general categories and are of formula: [Cr-2(OMe)(2)(pic)(4)]center dot 1/2 MeOH center dot 1/2 Et2O (1), [Cr-2(hmp)(2)(pic)(2)X-2] (where X = Cl (2), Br (3)), [Cr-2(L)(2)Cl-4(A)(2)]center dot 2S (where L = hmp, A = H2O and S = Et2O (4); L = hmp, A = pyridine and S = pyridine (5); L = hmp, A = 4-picoline and no S (6); L = hep, A = H2O and S = MeCN (7)), and [Cr(hmp)(hmpH) Cl-2] center dot MeCN (8). Direct current (DC) magnetic susceptibility measurements show relatively weak antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the Cr(III) centres with J values

An enantioselective total synthesis of (−)-angiopterlactone B has been accomplished in four steps. The synthesis features a proposed biomimetic domino ring-contraction/oxa-Michael/Michael dimerization sequence, forming three new bonds, two new rings, and three new contiguous stereogenic centers in a single step. It has been determined that the originally proposed absolute configuration of natural (+)-angiopterlactone B needs revision. This reveals that angiopteroside, a known glycoside natural product, is the likely biosynthetic precursor to (+)-angiopterlactone B.

Eight coordination compounds of formulae [Fe

The first use of a dinuclear UIII/UIII complex in the activation of small molecules is reported., The first use of a dinuclear UIII/UIII complex in the activation of small molecules is reported. The octadentate Schiff-base pyrrole, anthracene-hinged ‘Pacman’ ligand LA combines two strongly reducing UIII centres and three borohydride ligands in [M(THF)4][{U(BH4)}2(μ-BH4)(LA)(THF)2] 1-M, (M = Li, Na, K). The two borohydride ligands bound to uranium outside the macrocyclic cleft are readily substituted by aryloxide ligands, resulting in a single, weakly-bound, encapsulated endo group 1 metal borohydride bridging the two UIII centres in [{U(OAr)}2(μ-MBH4)(LA)(THF)2] 2-M (OAr = OC6H2tBu3-2,4,6, M = Na, K). X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that, for 2-K, in addition to the endo-BH4 ligand the potassium counter-cation is also incorporated into the cleft through η5-interactions with the pyrrolides instead of extraneous donor solvent. As such, 2-K has a significantly higher solubility in non-polar solvents and a wider U–U separation compared to the ‘ate’ complex 1. The cooperative reducing capability of the two UIII centres now enforced by the large and relatively flexible macrocycle is compared for the two complexes, recognising that the borohydrides can provide additional reducing capability, and that the aryloxide-capped 2-K is constrained to reactions within the cleft. The reaction between 1-Na and S8 affords an insoluble, presumably polymeric paramagnetic complex with bridging uranium sulfides, while that with CS2 results in oxidation of each UIII to the notably high UV oxidation state, forming the unusual trithiocarbonate (CS3)2– as a ligand in [{U(CS3)}2(μ-κ2:κ2-CS3)(LA)] (4). The reaction between 2-K and S8 results in quantitative substitution of the endo-KBH4 by a bridging persulfido (S2)2– group and oxidation of each UIII to UIV, yielding [{U(OAr)}2(μ-κ2:κ2-S2)(LA)] (5). The reaction of 2-K with CS2 affords a thermally unstable adduct which is tentatively assigned as containing a carbon disulfido (CS2)2– ligand bridging the two U centres (6a), but only the mono-bridged sulfido (S)2– complex [{U(OAr)}2(μ-S)(LA)] (6) is isolated. The persulfido complex (5) can also be synthesised from the mono-bridged sulfido complex (6) by the addition of another equivalent of sulfur.

Three new complexes of the [Re6(μ3-Se)8]2+ core-containing cluster with isonicotinic acid (INA) were synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H and 31P) and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Their molecular and crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Unusual degrees of deprotonation of the INA ligand(s) are observed in the crystal structure, possibly due to the activation by the Lewis acidic cluster core. Extensive hydrogen bonding interactions occurring between carboxylate groups of neighboring cluster units as revealed by crystallographic studies lead to the assembly of both linear and zigzag multi-cluster chains in the solid state.

Tetradentate amine–bis(phenolate)iron(III) halide complexes containing chloro substituents on the aromatic ring are extremely efficient catalysts for controlled radical polymerization. Molecular weights are in good agreement with theoretical values, and dispersities are as low as 1.07 for substituted styrenes and methyl methacrylate polymerizations. Kinetic data reveal activity for styrene polymerization among the fastest reported to date, with the excellent control shown to be electronic rather than steric in origin. Mechanistic studies implicate a multimechanism system with cooperation between atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and organometallic mediated radical polymerization (OMRP). The in situ reduction of the Fe(III) complex with ascorbic acid or tin octanoate allows polymerizations to be initiated by both 1-phenylethyl chloride (1-PECl, ATRP regime) and azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN, OMRP regime) to isolate the mechanism of control and offer unique initiation pathways.

Tricyanofuran (TCF) derivatives attached to both anthracene and pyrene moieties were synthesised and characterised by optical, electrochemical and computational techniques. Both compounds exhibited similar absorption profile as well as electrochemical behaviour, however the pyrene derivative showed 20-fold higher non-linear optical activity measured by the EFISH technique. This huge difference has been assigned to (i) a lower molar absorption and (ii) a higher torsion angle for the anthracene derivative, confirmed by both experimental X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations. Furthermore, we note that the μβ1.907 value of −1700 × 10−48 esu recorded for the pyrene derivative in CHCl3/pyridine is remarkable for a NLO chromophore lacking a classical push–pull structure.

Bulky terphenolate ligands allow the synthesis of rare heteroleptic thorium chloride, and borohydride complexes; in the absence of donor solvents, the terphenolate ligands protect the metal ions through neutral Th–η6-arene interactions in a thorium bis(arene) sandwich motif.

An operationally simple hydrosilylation of alkenes is developed using a stable Fe(II)-precatalyst with in situ activation by iPr2NEt.

Guest encapsulation underpins the functional properties of self-assembled capsules yet identifying systems capable of strongly binding small organic molecules in solution remains a challenge. Most coordination capsules rely on the hydrophobic effect to ensure effective solution-phase association. In contrast, we show that using non-interacting anions in apolar solvents can maximize favorable interactions between a cationic Pd2L4 host and charge-neutral guests resulting in a dramatic increase in binding strength. With quinone-type guests, association constants in excess of 108 m−1 were observed, comparable to the highest previously recorded constant for a metallosupramolecular capsule. Modulation of optoelectronic properties of the guests was also observed, with encapsulation either changing or switching-on luminescence not present in the bulk phase.

Noninnocent ligands that are electronically coupled to active catalytic sites can influence the redox behavior of the catalysts. A series of (μ-dithiolato)Fe2(CO)6 complexes, in which the sulfur atoms of the μ-dithiolato ligand are bridged by 5-substituted (Me, OMe, Cl, t-Bu)-1,4-benzoquinones, 1,4-naphthoquinone, or 1,4-anthraquinone, have been synthesized and characterized. In addition, the bis-phosphine complex derived from the 1,4-naphthoquinone-bridged complex has also been prepared and characterized. Cyclic voltammetry of these complexes shows two reversible one-electron reductions at potentials 0.2 to 0.5 V less negative than their corresponding parent quinones. In the presence of acetic acid two-electron reductions of the complexes result in conversion of the quinones to hydroquinone moieties. EPR spectroscopic and computational studies of the one-electron-reduced complexes show electron delocalization from the semiquinones to the 2Fe2S moieties, thereby revealing the “noninnocent” behavior of the...

Two new complexes in which 2-phenylazopyridine (pap) chelates iron in hydrogenase mimics, 1,2-(μ-benzenedithiolato)-2′-phenylazopyridinediirontetracarbonyl and 1,3-(μ-propanedithiolato)-2′-phenylazo- pyridinediirontetracarbonyl have been synthesized and fully characterized, including X-ray crystal structure determinations. The electronic structures of the two complexes are compared with the analogous 1,2-(μ-benzenedithiolato)diironhexacarbonyl and 1,3-(μ-propanedithiolato)diironhexacarbonyl complexes. Based on comparison of the crystal structures, the overall bonding in the 2Fe2S core of the molecules is little perturbed by replacing two carbonyl ligands with the pap ligand. Also, the coordinated pap ligand retains a similar structure and N˭N bond distance to that of the uncoordinated ligand. However, the charge asymmetry in the 2Fe2S core that results from chelating the pap ligand on one of the iron atoms induces substantial localization of the individual orbital characters in the 2Fe2S core. Most intere...

Chlorine-substituted benzenedithiols have been coordinated to iron carbonyl to yield a series of hydrogen-producing electrocatalysts: [Fe2(μ-S2C6H4–xClx)(CO)6], where x = 0, 2–4, and [Fe2(μ-S2C6H3Me)(CO)6]. Among this series the novel compounds [Fe2(μ-S2C6Cl3H)(CO)6] (4) and [Fe2(μ-S2C6Cl4)(CO)6] (5) have been characterized by X-ray crystallography. IR spectroscopy and electrochemical analysis were used to evaluate the electronic structure of these proton-reducing molecular electrocatalysts. The increase in the number of electron-withdrawing groups upon the electrocatalyst leads to an anodic shift in reduction potential and a concomitant lowering of the overpotential of hydrogen evolution. An overpotential of just 0.39 V is observed for 5 with acetic acid (pKa = 22.3 in acetonitrile).

Two series of structurally related alkoxy-tethered NHC iron(II) complexes have been developed as catalysts for the regioselective hydroboration of alkenes. Significantly, Markonikov-selective alkene hydroboration with HBpin has been controllably achieved using an iron catalyst (11 examples, 35–90% isolated yield) with up to 37:1 branched:linear selectivity. anti-Markovnikov-selective alkene hydroboration was also achieved using HBcat and modification of the ligand backbone (6 examples, 44–71% yields). In both cases, ligand design has enabled activator-free low-oxidation-state iron catalysis.

Acetonitrile bound to and activated by the Lewis acidic [Re

Oxidative addition of inert bonds at low-valent main-group centres is becoming a major class of reactivity for these species. The reverse reaction, reductive elimination, is possible in some cases but far rarer. Here, we present a mechanistic study of reductive elimination from Al(III) centres and unravel ligand effects in this process. Experimentally determined activation and thermodynamic parameters for the reductive elimination of Cp*H from Cp*2AlH are reported, and this reaction is found to be inhibited by the addition of Lewis bases. We find that C–H oxidative addition at Al(I) centres proceeds by initial protonation at the low-valent centre.

A simple alkylamine [(iPr)2NEt] has been used to activate an air- and moisture-stable iron(II) pre-catalyst for alkene and alkyne hydrofunctionalization reactions. This amine activation has enabled the highly operationally simple hydrosilylation and hydroboration of alkenes and alkynes using just 0.25–2 mol% iron catalyst and 1–25 mol% amine. Significantly, these reactions proceed in equal yield under both air and inert reaction conditions.

Supramolecular construction strategies have overwhelmingly relied on the principles of thermodynamic control. While this approach has yielded an incredibly diverse and striking collection of ensembles, there are downsides, most obviously the necessity to trade-off reversibility against structural integrity. Herein we describe an alternative "assembly-followed-by-fixing" approach that possesses the high-yielding, atom-efficient advantages of reversible self-assembly reactions, yet gives structures that possess a covalent-like level of kinetic robustness. We have chosen to exemplify these principles in the preparation of a series of M2L3 helicates and M4L6 tetrahedra. While the rigidity of various bis(bidentate) ligands causes the larger species to be energetically preferred, we are able to freeze the self-assembly process under "non-ambient" conditions, to selectivity give the disfavored M2L3 helicates. We also demonstrate "kinetic-stimuli" (redox and light)-induced switching between architectures, notably reconstituting the lower energy tetrahedra into highly distorted helicates.

This method allows Markovnikov-like addition of HCN to vinylarenes in good to high yields and with excellent enantioselectivities.

A series of 22 tridentate unsaturated mono-anionic ligands having the atom-sequence Y-C[double bond, length as m-dash]C-N=CH-C=C-Z(-1), with Y = N, O, or S and Z = O or S, has been studied to establish whether this backbone could be used to develop strong solvent extractants for nickel(II) which will preferably also show a high selectivity over iron(III) in the pH-dependent process: 2LH(org) + NiSO4 ⇌ [(L)2Ni]org + H2SO4. All are capable of forming octahedral [(L)2Ni] complexes with a mer-arrangement of the YNZ(-1) donor set. X-ray crystal structures of three salicylaldimine proligands derived from 3-bromo-5-t-butyl-2-hydroxybenzaldehyde show these to have pre-organised donor sets in which the three donors are held in an approximately orthogonal arrangement by intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The tautomers observed are dependent on the nature of the Y atom and the extent to which it is favourable for this to form a bonding interaction with the acidic hydrogen atom on the salicylaldimine unit. X-ray crystal structure determinations of seven of the [(L)2Ni] complexes show these to have significantly distorted octahedral coordination geometries which partly account for the proligands proving to be fairly weak Ni-extractants. DFT calculations show that extractant strength is dependent on a combination of the binding strength of the YNZ(-1) donor set to the nickel ion and on the ease of deprotonation of the extractant. On this basis 3-nitro-4-t-octyl-6-(quinolin-8-imino)phenol is predicted, and is found, to be the strongest Ni-extractant. The extractants have low hydrolytic stability, reverting to their aldehyde precursors when solutions in water-immiscible solvents are contacted with aqueous acid, making them poor candidates for development as reagents for nickel recovery based on pH-swing processes of the type shown above.

1,4-Piperazine-2,5-diones possessing C2hmolecular symmetry and bearing four methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, hexyloxy, octyloxy, nonyloxy, dodecyloxy, or octadecyloxy groups weresynthesized from 2-amino-4,7-dialkoxyindan-2-carboxylic acids. Where possible, the piperazinediones were crystallized from appropriate solvents and the supramolecular organizations were determined by X-ray crystallography. In each case so studied, crystal assembly via three mutually orthogonal interactions, namely, R22(8) hydrogen bonding, arene perpendicular edge-to-center interactions, and alkyl chain interdigitation, was observed. The thermochemical properties of these compounds were studied by modulated differential scanning calorimetry. In most cases, one or more reversible thermal events were observed between room temperature and melting to an isotropic liquid. In the cooling cycle, freezing point temperatures were observed to decrease with increasing hydrocarbon chain length. This may be due to greater entropic penalties for hydrog...

The synthesis and characterization of a series of complexes based upon a central triplatinum ditropylium (Tr) unit [Pt 3 Tr 2 ] 2+ containing different halide ligands is reported. The complexes were synthesized in moderate yield and characterized by multi-nuclei NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, microanalysis and X-ray crystallography. In addition it was demonstrated that mixed-metal, palladium–platinum sandwich complexes could also be formed [Pd n Pt 3-n Tr 2 X 3 ][ Y ] ( X = Cl, Br and I, Y = NBu 4 + or PBu 4 + ).

Multifunctionalized amino acids, especially amino acids with unsaturation, are important, demanding building blocks in peptide chemistry. Here we present a summary of our most recent study using the thio-Claisen rearrangement for the synthesis of anti-β-functionalized γ,δ-unsaturated amino acids. Investigations on scope, limitations, chemoselectivities and stereoselectivities regarding an FeBr(3)-catalyzed allylation strategy and a thio-enolate dianion formation strategy for asymmetric thio-Claisen rearrangement are documented. An explanation of the chirality crossover observed between the Eschenmoser-Claisen rearrangement and the thio-Claisen rearrangement is proposed. Novel optically active N(α)-protected amino acids with biologically interesting functional groups were prepared for the first time.

Three scaffolds of benzimidazoles, bis-benzimidazoles, and bis-benzimidazole-dihydroquinoxalines were synthesized via Ugi/de-protection/cyclization methodology. Benzimidazole forming ring closure was enabled under microwave irradiation in the presence of 10% TFA/DCE. The methodology demonstrates the utility of 2-(N-Boc-amino)-phenyl-isocyanide for the generation of new molecular diversity.

We report the preparation and electrochemical studies of a systematic series of mono- and di-nitro-substituted 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) compounds [x-NO(2)-bipy (x = 3,4) and x,x'-(NO(2))(2)-bipy (x,x' = 3, 4, 5)] and their complexes with platinum(II), [Pt(x-NO(2)-bipy)Cl(2)] and [Pt(x,x'-(NO(2))(2)-bipy)Cl(2)]. The effect of the number and substitution pattern of the nitro groups on the low-lying acceptor molecular orbitals (involved in charge transfer transitions) is probed by in situ UV/Vis/NIR and EPR spectroelectrochemical methods, supported by DFT calculations. The LUMOs of x-NO(2)-bipy (x = 3-5) are largely localised on the NO(2)-pyridyl moiety; this is also true of their {PtCl(2)} complexes but with a small but significant shift of electron density from the nitro groups. The LUMOs of x,x'-(NO(2))(2)-bipy with x = 3 and 5 are delocalised over both NO(2)-pyridyl rings, but for 4,4'-(NO(2))(2)-bipy is localised on a single NO(2)-pyridyl ring. In all cases the LUMO of the [Pt(x,x'-(NO(2))(2)-bipy)Cl(2)] complexes is delocalised over both nitro-pyridyl rings. For all complexes, the 4(4') derivatives allows greatest overlap with metal valence orbitals in the LUMO.

A series of polydentate dual-compartment, Schiff-base pyrrole macrocycles has been prepared through the straightforward Lewis acid catalysed [1 + 1] condensation reactions between ONO or O(5)-linked aryldiamines and dipyrromethane dialdehydes. These macrocycles display hydrogen-bond acceptor and donor properties and provide distinct N(4) and O(5)/ONO donor sets for metallation reactions, so forming alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metal complexes that were characterised spectroscopically and crystallographically. While the conformationally flexible O(5) donor set allows the formation of helical potassium salt structures, the transition metal complexes of all variants of these macrocycles invariably adopt wedged, Pacman-shaped structures in which the metal is bound in the pyrrole-imine N(4) donor set, so leaving the ONO/O(5) donor set pendant and apical. In some cases (V, Cr, and Co), this proximate combination of Lewis acid binding site and hydrogen bond acceptor facilitates the coordination of water within the molecular cleft; alternatively, direct interaction between the pendant arm and the metal is seen (e.g. Ti). Higher order [2 + 2] macrocycles were also prepared as minor, inseparable by-products of cyclisation, and Fe(2), Mn(2), and Co(2) complexes of these larger macrocycles were found to adopt binuclear helical structures by X-ray crystallography.

The title compounds, C66H46, (I), and C66H42F4, (II), are polyphenylated arylenes synthesized by one-step Diels–Alder cycloaddition reactions. In both structures, all molecules lie on crystallographic inversion centers. In the case of (I), there are two half-molecules present in the asymmetric unit, (IA) and (IB); the geometry of each half-molecule differs principally in the magnitudes of the dihedral angles between mean planes fitted through the central aryl ring and the pendant phenyl rings. The crystal used was a non-merohedral twin, with a refined twin scale factor of 0.460 (8). The dihedral angle between the plane of the central tetrafluorinated ring and the adjacent tetraphenylated ring in (II) is 83.87 (4)°, significantly greater than the dihedral angles of 49.89 (12) and 54.38 (10)° found in the two half-molecules in (IA) and (IB), respectively, and attributed to intermolecular C—H...F hydrogen bonding in (II). Intermolecular C—H...π bonding is found in (I). Two interactions have the C—H bond oriented towards the centroid (Cg) of a butadiene fragment of a phenyl ring; both H...Cgdistances are approximately 2.68 Å and the interactions connect adjacent molecules into stacks in thec-axis direction. The composition of the stacks alternates,i.e.(IA)–(IB)–(IA)–(IB)etc. A third, weaker, C—H...π interaction and a phenyl–phenyl close contact connect each end of the long molecular axes of (IB) with an adjacent molecule of (IA) into chains which run perpendicular to the (140) and (\overline{1}40) planes. C—H...F interactions in (II) have the most profound influence on the molecular and crystal structure, the main effect of which is the above-mentioned increase in the dihedral angle between the plane of the central tetrafluorinated ring and the adjacent tetraphenylated ring. C—H...F interactions have refined H...F distances of 2.572 (15) and 2.642 (16) Å, with approximate C—H...F angles of 123 and 157°, respectively. These form a hydrogen-bonded ribbon structure which propagates in theb-axis direction.

An understanding of the interaction of weakly coordinating ligands with zero-valent palladium complexes is of importance to understanding the potential catalytic mechanisms and properties of these complexes. We have used a combination of multi-nuclei NMR, microanalysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction to characterize a series of tripalladium ditropylium sandwich complexes that possess one or more triflate [CF3SO3]− ligands. The influence of the strong electronic effects on the triflate ligand cause a significant change in the internal bond lengths and angles of the complexes which are coupled to systematic shifts of the tropylium 1H and 13C resonances in the NMR spectra. The use of the Advanced Light Source (ALS) permitted crystallographic characterization of only the third example of a complex containing a Pd–FBF3 bond.

1,4,7-Tris(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane is widely used as an intermediate in the preparation of medically important DO3A and DOTA metal chelators. Despite its commercial availability and importance, the literature describing the preparation and properties of the free base is limited and sometimes unclear. We present herein an efficient synthesis of the hydrobromide salt of 1,4,7-tris(tert-butoxycarbonylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane, characterize this compound spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallographic analysis, describe its simple conversion to the corresponding free base, characterize this compound spectroscopically and by X-ray crystallographic analysis, and make observations on the reactivity of this interesting and useful compound.

Lanthanide hydroxide cluster complexes with acetylacetonate were synthesized by the hydrolysis of the corresponding hydrated lanthanide acetylacetonates in methanol in the presence of triethylamine. Polymeric lanthanide hydroxide complexes based on diamond-shaped dinuclear repeating units of [Ln(2)(CH(3)CO(3))(2)](4+) (Ln = La, Pr) and discrete complexes featuring a tetranuclear distorted cubane core of [Ln(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(μ(3)-OCH(3))(2)](8+) (Ln = Nd, Sm) and a nonanuclear core of [Ln(9)(μ(4)-O)(μ(4)-OH)(μ(3)-OH)(8)](16+) (Ln = Eu-Dy, Er, Yb) were obtained. The dependence of the cluster nuclearity on the identity of the lanthanide ion is rationalized in terms of the influences of a metal ion's Lewis acidity and the sterics about the Ln-OH unit on the kinetics of the assembly process that leads to a particular cluster.

Two Hg(II) complexes with the cluster-complex ligand [Re6(μ3-Se)8(PEt3)5(PTA)](SbF6)2 (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane), {[Re6(μ3-Se)8(PEt3)5(PTA)(Hg3I7)](SbF6)}n·(CH3CN)n (1) and {[Re6(μ3-Se)8(PEt3)5(PTA)]2(Hg4I9)}(SbF6)3·2CH3CN (2), were prepared and structurally characterized. The two compounds were obtained from reactions conducted at different temperatures under otherwise identical conditions. Recrystallization of the room-temperature product 2 in a different solvent mixture produced yet another new Hg(II) complex, {[Re6(μ3-Se)8(PEt3)5(PTA)](Hg3I8)}·CH3CN (3) which may be considered as a consequence of the dissociation of the kinetic product 2 in solution and the re-assembly of necessary components to generate the new compound upon crystallization. The solid-state structure of 1 contains polymeric cluster columns, in which the PTA ligand adopts a hitherto unknown coordination mode with simultaneous coordination of all four (one P and three N atoms) potentially coordinating atoms.

The following article describes a concise synthesis of a collection of 4,5-dihydro-1H-benzo[e][1,4]diazepines fused to a hydantoin ring. Molecular complexity and biological relevance are high and structures are generated in a mere three steps, employing the Ugi reaction to assemble diversity reagents. The protocol represents a novel UDC (Ugi-deprotect-cyclize) strategy employed in the Ugi-5-component CO2-mediated condensation, followed by further cyclization under basic conditions, to afford the fused hydantoin. Mechanistic caveats, dependent on the aldehydes of choice will be revealed and a facile oxidation of the final products to imidazolidenetriones is briefly discussed.

As part of a study into new Fentanyl-derived opioid compounds with potent analgesic activity and reduced side effects the starting material title compound, C14H21N3O (1), was synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure is monoclinic Cc with unit cell parameters a = 14.1480(3) A, b = 14.1720(4) A, c = 27.6701(7) A, β = 96.956(1)°, α = γ = 90°. The compound has crystallized with four crystallographically unique molecules in the asymmetric unit; each molecule has a very similar conformation and an analysis of the structure shows that although all four unique molecules overlay very well there is no evidence of pseudo-symmetry which would relate the molecules in the higher symmetry space group C2/c. The crystal packing consists of two separate hydrogen bonded chains which are linked together to form a thick 2D structure in the ab plane. The compound N′-(1-benzylpiperidin-4-yl)acetohydrazide crystallizes with four crystallographically unique molecules in the asymmetric unit; each molecule has a very similar conformation but there is no evidence of pseudo-symmetry.

A combination of multinuclei NMR, UV-vis spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction was used to characterize a new series of tripalladium ditropylium sandwich complexes [Pd(3)Tr(2)(E)(3)][BF(4)](2) (E = PPh(3), AsPh(3), and SbPh(3) and PEt(3)). Ligand substitution leads to a systematic shift of the (1)H and (13)C NMR tropylium resonances and is correlated with the electron donating properties of the substituent group. Replacement of the ligand increases the palladium-pnictogen bond length in the order PAsSb; however, this only slightly alters the internal Pd-Pd bond lengths, supporting the hypothesis that there are only weak Pd-Pd bonding interactions.

The N-functionalized macrocyclic ligand 2,13-bis(1-naphthalenylmethyl)-5,16-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo(14,4,01.18,07.12)docosane (L3) and its copper(II) complex were prepared. The crystal structure of [Cu(L3)](ClO4)2·2CH3CN was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction at 150 K. The copper atom, which lies on an inversion centre, has a square planar arrangement and the complex adopts a stable trans-III configuration. The longer distance [2.081(2) A] for Cu–N(tertiary) compared to 2.030(3) A for Cu–N(secondary) may be due to the steric effect of the attached naphthalenylmethyl group on the tertiary nitrogen atom. Two perchlorate ions are weakly attached to copper in axial sites and are further connected to the ligand of the cation through NH···O hydrogen bonds [N···O 3.098 A]. IR and UV/Vis spectroscopic properties are also described.

The conformationally constrained tyrosine analogues, (R)- and (S)-5-hydroxy-2-aminoindan-2-carboxylic acids, were prepared by chromatographic separation of diastereomeric dipeptide derivatives formed from N-Boc-L-phenylalanine. Absolute configurations were assigned by X-ray crystallographic analysis.

The [FeFe] hydrogenase enzyme active site inspired complexes [Fe(2)(mu-C(6)H(4)S(2))(CO)(5)PTA] (1PTA) and [Fe(2)(mu-C(6)H(4)S(2))(CO)(4)PTA(2)] (1PTA(2)) (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) were synthesized and characterized. The ability of 1PTA and 1PTA(2) to catalytically produce molecular hydrogen in solution from the weak acid acetic acid was examined electrochemically and compared to previous studies on the all carbonyl containing analogue [Fe(2)(mu-C(6)H(4)S(2))(CO)(6)] (1). Computational methods and cyclic voltammograms indicated that the substitution of CO ligands by PTA in 1 resulted in markedly different reduction chemistry. Both 1PTA and 1PTA(2) catalytically produce molecular hydrogen from acetic acid, however, the mechanism by which and 1PTA and 1PTA(2) catalyze hydrogen differ in the initial reductive processes.

A series of new RhI triazole-based N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes [(cod)Rh(NHC)Cl] 2a–c were obtained by transmetallation from AgI complexes using n-butyl, benzyl and neopentyl NHC wing tip substituents. The corresponding new RhI ionic complexes (3a-c) were synthesized bytreating compounds 2a–c with triphenylphosphane and AgBF4. These complexes were characterized by nmr spectroscopy and the structures of 2c, 3a, 3b, and 3c were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 3b formed two polymorphs, the first reported incidence of polymorphism in this type of NHC. Ir analogues, 4, of complexes 3a–c were also synthesized; two complexes are isomorphous with the Rh analogues 4b and 4c while 4a has a different structure. Differences in syn and anti molecular conformation of the NHC ligands is rationalized in terms of stabilizing intramolecular C–H···π interactions and steric crowding of the PPh3 ligand.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009)

To investigate neighboring amide participation in thioether oxidation, which may be relevant to brain oxidative stress accompanying beta-amyloid peptide aggregation, conformationally constrained methylthionorbornyl derivatives with amido moieties were synthesized and characterized, including an X-ray crystallographic study of one of them. Electrochemical oxidation of these compounds, studied by cyclic voltammetry, revealed that their oxidation peak potentials were less positive for those compounds in which neighboring group participation was geometrically possible. Pulse radiolysis studies provided evidence for bond formation between the amide moiety and sulfur on one-electron oxidation in cases where the moieties are juxtaposed. Furthermore, molecular constraints in spiro analogues revealed that S-O bonds are formed on one-electron oxidation. DFT calculations suggest that isomeric sigma*(SO) radicals are formed in these systems.

A crystallographic investigation of the title compound, C22H28Cl2N4O4, using crystals obtained under different crystallization conditions, revealed the presence of two distinct polymorphic forms. The mol­ecular conformation in the two polymorphs is very different: one adopts a ‘C’ shape, whereas the other adopts an ‘S’ shape. In the latter, the molecule lies across a crystallographic twofold axis. The ‘S’-shaped polymorph undergoes a reversible ortho­rhom­bic-to-monoclinic phase transition on cooling, whereas the structure of the ‘C’-shaped polymorph is temperature insensitive.

Organocatalytic alpha-sulfenylation of substituted piperazine-2,5-diones is reported through the use of cinchona alkaloids as Lewis bases and electrophilic sulfur transfer reagents. 1-Phenylsulfanyl[1,2,4]triazole, a novel sulfur transfer reagent, gave excellent product yields with a number of substituted piperazine-2,5-diones under mild conditions. Catalyst loading, stoichiometry of sulfur electrophile, temperature and solvent were optimized to achieve high product yields.