Configurational landscape of chiral iron(ii) bis(phosphane) complexes.

The reaction of a chiral [FeH(η2-H2){(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2]+ ((R,R)-Me-DuPhos = (-)-1,2-bis[(2R,5R)-2,5-dimethylphospholano]benzene) complex with ethers and halides is investigated by NMR techniques. From this study, it is apparent that dihydrogen ligand exchange by poorly-coordinating donor molecules, such as THF or Et2O, is feasible under mild conditions. The cis-[FeH(THF-d8){(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2]+ complex is identified as the product in THF-d8 solution. A mixture of cis- and trans-[FeH(ether){(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2]+ isomers is obtained after the addition of small quantities of THF or Et2O to a CD2Cl2 solution of [FeH(η2-H2){(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2]+. The reaction of [FeH(η2-H2){(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2]+ with an excess of iodide or chloride salts in THF-d8 or CD2Cl2 affords initially cis- and trans-[FeHX{(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2] (X = Cl or I) isomers. The trans complex is the thermodynamic product obtained when X = Cl, whereas the cis isomer is obtained when X = I. These complexes evolve with time, and the pentacoordinated [FeX{(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2](A) (X = Cl, A = BF4; X = A = I) and hexacoordinated trans-[FeCl2{(R,R)-Me-DuPhos}2] compounds are obtained as air-stable crystals and identified by X-ray diffraction and NMR techniques. Experiments done with (S,S)-Me-DuPhos ((+)-1,2-bis[(2S,5S)-2,5-dimethylphospholano]benzene) gave similar results, and the [FeI{(S,S)-Me-DuPhos}2](ClO4) compound has been crystallographically characterized.

Pyrazole and Pyrazolate as Ligands in the Synthesis and Stabilization of New Palladium(II) and (III) Compounds.

The versatility of pyrazole/pyrazolate as ligands has allowed the synthesis and the structural characterization of four different types of new orthometalated palladium compounds, for which DFT calculations have been performed in order to investigate their relative stabilities. [Pd2{µ-(C6H4)PPh2}2{µ-(R,R'2pz)}2] (R = R' = H, 2a; R = Br, R' = H, 2b; R = CH3, R' = H, 2c; R = H, R' = CH3, 2d; R = Br, R' = CH3, 2e) compounds with exo-bidentate pyrazolatos are the first paddlewheel dinuclear palladium(II) compounds with pyrazolato bridging ligands described and characterized in the literature. In the process of the synthesis of 2a, a new tetranuclear intermediate compound, [Pd4{µ-(C6H4)PPh2}4(µ-pz)2(µ-OH)2] (3a), has been isolated and structurally characterized. Compounds of the general formula [Pd2{µ-(C6H4)PPh2}2Br2(R,R'2pzH)2] (R = R' = H, 4a; R = Br; R' = H, 4b; R = CH3; R' = H, 4c; R = H; R' = CH3, 4d; R = Br; R' = CH3, 4e) with pyrazoles as monodentate ligands have also been obtained, in which, according to the QTAIM analysis, additional Br···HNpz weak interactions stabilize their structure. The tetranuclear Pd2Ag2 compounds, [Pd2{µ-(C6H4)PPh2}2{µ-(R,R'2pz-Ag-R,R'2pz)}2] (R = R' = H, 5a; R = Br; R' = H, 5b; R = CH3, R' = H, 5c), showed a distorted tetrahedron disposition of the metal atoms. The QTAIM analysis revealed an enhanced stability because of additional metal-metal interactions. New palladium(III) compounds, [Pd2{µ-(C6H4)PPh2}2{µ-(R,R'2pz)}2Cl2] (R = R' = H, 6a; R = Br, R' = H, 6b) were also synthesized by oxidation of compounds 2 with PhICl2. DFT calculations highlighted their greater stability compared to that of similar compounds with N,N-donor ligands, such as formamidinatos and triazenidos.

Triazolopyridopyrimidines: an emerging family of effective DNA photocleavers. DNA binding. Antileishmanial activity.

Triazolopyridopyrimidines 3-phenyl-6,8-di(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[5',1':6,1]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1a), 6,8-di(pyridin-2-yl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[1',5':1,6]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1b) and 3-methyl-6,8-di(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,3]triazolo[5',1':6,1]pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1c) were prepared and their electrochemical and luminescence properties were studied in depth. The DNA binding ability of this series of compounds has been investigated by means of UV-vis absorption and fluorescence titrations, steady-state emission quenching with ferrocyanide as well as viscosity measurements. Results have shown that triazolopyridopyrimidine 1a interacts strongly at DNA grooves. This compound also displays preferential binding to GC-rich sequences and the ability to photooxidize guanine. Moreover, these studies have revealed the key role of the phenyl substituent at the triazole ring in the binding affinity of 1a-c. Compounds 1b and 1c did not show appreciable propensity for DNA binding, however these triazolopyridopyrimidines demonstrated to present photoinduced DNA cleavage activity, 1b being more active than 1c. DNA photocleavage mediated by these compounds takes place mainly through single strand scission events and, in a minor extent, through double strand cuts. Mechanistic investigations using radical scavengers showed that both 1b and 1c generate reactive oxygen species (singlet oxygen, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals) upon irradiation. Both type I and type II mechanisms are involved in the photocleavage process. Furthermore, compounds 1a-c were tested for their antiprotozoal activity against four different Leishmania spp. (L. infantum, L. braziliensis, L. guyanensis and L. amazonensis). Triazolopyridopyrimidines 1a and 1c resulted to be more active and selective than the reference drug (miltefosine) in vitro against L. infantum amastigotes. Compound 1a exhibited high leishmanicidal activity against L. infantum spleen forms in the in vivo test.

Further orthometalated dinuclear palladium(III) compounds with bridging N,S-donor ligands.

New dinuclear palladium(III) compounds of general formula Pd2[(C6H4)PPh2]2[N-S]2Cl2, N-S being 2-mercaptopyridinate, 3a; 2-mercapto-6-methylpyridinate, 3b; 2-quinolinethiolate, 3c; 2-mercaptopyrimidinate, 3d; 1-methyl-1H-imidazole-2-thiolate, 3e; 1-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-2-thiolate, 3f; 2-mercaptobenzothiazolate, 3g and 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazolate, 3h have been obtained by oxidation with PhICl2 of the corresponding palladium(II) counterparts. The stability of the new compounds has been studied by (31)P NMR spectroscopy from 200 to 298 K. Compounds 3f-h were relatively stable until room temperature and they have been synthesized and characterized by (31)P, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy at 223 K. Compound 3h was also structurally characterized by single X-ray diffraction methods at 150 K showing a Pd-Pd distance of 2.6334(6) Å. A topological charge density analysis has also been performed in order to obtain information on the nature of the bonding in these new palladium(II) and (III) compounds. The contribution of the sulphur p orbitals to the HOMO orbitals in the oxidized compounds allows greater stabilization.

Tandem beta-boration/arylation of alpha,beta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds by using a single palladium complex to catalyse both steps.

Diphenyl(3-methyl-2-indolyl)phosphine (C(9)H(8)NPPh(2), 1) gives stable dimeric palladium(II) complexes that contain the phosphine in P,N-bridging coordination mode. On treating 1 with [Pd(O(2)CCH(3))(2)], the new complexes [Pd(mu-C(9)H(7)NPPh(2))(NCCH(3))](2) (2) or [Pd(mu-C(9)H(7)NPPh(2))(mu-O(2)CCH(3))](2) (3) were isolated, depending on the solvent used, acetonitrile or toluene, respectively. Further reaction of 3 with the ammonium salt of 1 led to the substitution of one carboxylate ligand to afford [Pd(mu-C(9)H(7)NPPh(2))(3)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))] (4), in which the bimetallic unit is bonded by three C(9)H(7)NPPh(2)(-) moieties and one carboxylate group. Using this methodology, [Pd(2)(mu-C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(2)(mu-C(9)H(7)NPPh(2))(mu-O(2)CCX(3))] (X=H (7); X=F (8)) were synthesised from the ortho-metalated compounds [Pd(C(6)H(4)PPh(2))(mu-O(2)CCX(3))](2) (X=H (5); X=F (6)). Complexes 3, 4, 7, and 8 have been found to be active in the catalytic beta-boration of alpha,beta-unsaturated esters and ketones under mild reaction conditions. Hindrance of the carbonyl moiety has an influence on the reaction rate, but quantitative conversion was achieved in many cases. More remarkably, when aryl bromides were added to the reaction media, complex 7 induced a highly successful consecutive beta-boration/cross-coupling reaction with dimethyl acrylamide as the substrate (99% conversion, 89% isolated yield).

Dirhodium(II) compounds with bridging thienylphosphines: studies on reversible P,C/P,S coordination.

Monocyclometalated compound [Rh(2){(C(8)H(4)S)P(C(8)H(5)S)(2)}(CH(3)CO(2)H)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(3)] (1 a) and bis-cyclometalated compound [Rh(2){(C(8)H(4)S)P(C(8)H(5)S)(2)}(2)(CH(3)CO(2)H)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)] (2 a) have been isolated from the reaction of dirhodium tetraacetate and tris(2-benzo[b]thienyl)phosphine (2 BTP) using low acidic solutions. By contrast, in pure acetic acid the reaction of Rh(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(4) with 2 BTP and tris(2-thienyl)phosphine (2 TP), followed by replacement of the axial acetate ligands by chlorides, led to [Rh(2){(2-C(8)H(5)S)P(2-C(8)H(5)S)(2)}(2)Cl(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)] (3 b) and [Rh(2){(2-C(4)H(3)S)P(C(4)H(3)S)(2)}(2)Cl(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2)] (5 b), respectively. These new dirhodium(II) compounds possess equatorial bridging ligands in a phosphorous-sulfur (P,S) coordination mode. The reversible switching between the P,C and P,S bonding mode of the phosphine has been studied in the monocyclometalated [Rh(2){(C(4)H(2)S)P(C(4)H(3)S)(2)}(CH(3)CO(2)H)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(3)] (6 a), which was selectively transformed into compound [Rh(2){(2-C(4)H(3)S)P(C(4)H(3)S)(2)}(CF(3)SO(3))(CH(3)CO(2)H)(O(2)CCH(3))(3)] (7 c) in triflic acid media. Remarkably, compound 7 c reverts to the starting compound 6 a upon treatment with sodium acetate. Theoretical DFT calculations for both the P,C/P,S rearrangement and the base-promoted reversion have been performed to explain the experimental findings. Data suggest the P,C/P,S rearrangement occurs by means of a "concerted protonation-demetalation mechanism" followed by eta(2) coordination of the thienyl ring and subsequent isomerization to the S-eta(1)-coordination mode. In the reversion reaction, the base coordinated at the axial position would promote a concerted metalation-deprotonation mechanism.

Intramolecular apical metal-H-Csp3 interaction in molybdenum and silver complexes.

The reaction of HTIMP3 (HTIMP3=tris[1-diphenylphosphino)-3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl]methane) with AgBF4 and Mo(CO)3(NCCH3)3 leads to Ag(HTIMP3)BF4 and Mo(CO)3(HTIMP3), respectively. The metal centre is coordinated to the three phosphorus atoms of the HTIMP3 ligand, which adopts a facial coordination mode, placing a H-Csp3 hydrogen atom at the apical position close to the metal centre. The solid-state structure of Mo(CO)3(HTIMP3) has been determined by X-ray crystallography, and the data have been used as input parameters for obtaining the optimised geometry of the complex using the B3PW91 functional. The silver structure has been modelled from the X-ray parameters of the molybdenum structure. In addition, theoretical calculations on the H-Csp3 downfield shift upon metal coordination has also been performed. They reproduce the experimental H-Csp3 chemical shifts well and supports that proton deshielding is mainly due to the presence of the metal, since the hydrogen is already located in the cone created by the aromatic-phosphino arms in the free ligand.

Synthesis and reactivity of the novel hydride derivative RhHCl(TIMP(3)) (HTIMP(3) = tris[1-(diphenylphosphino)-3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl]methane).

The reaction of HTIMP(3) (HTIMP(3) = tris[1-(diphenylphosphino)-3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl]methane) with [RhCl(COD)](2) and Rh(acac)(CO)(2) produces RhHCl(TIMP(3)) (1H) and Rh(TIMP(3))(CO) (2), respectively, both exhibiting tetradentate kappaC,kappa(3)P-coordination of the TIMP(3) moiety. The reaction of RhHCl(TIMP(3)) with nucleophiles (L) in the presence of AgBF(4) or AgPF(6) produces different compounds depending on the nature of L. Indeed, cationic Lewis adducts of formula [RhH(L)(TIMP(3))](+) ((2H+)-(5H+)) are obtained when L is CO, CNCH(2)Ph, pyridine or CH(2)CHCN. On the other hand, when the incoming nucleophile is CH(3)COOH the hydride-free complex [Rh(CH(3)COO)(TIMP(3))](+) ((6+)) is obtained. Finally, the reaction of RhHCl(TIMP(3)) with PhCCPh and CH(2)CHCOOMe in the presence of AgPF(6) leads to the insertion products [Rh(PhCCHPh)(TIMP(3))](+) ((+)) and [Rh(CH(2)CH(2)COOMe)(TIMP(3))](+) ((8+)), respectively. The solid state structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction in selected cases (1H, (6+)).

Enantio- and diastereocontrol in intermolecular cyclopropanation reaction of styrene catalyzed by dirhodium(II) complexes with bulky ortho-metalated aryl phosphines.

Enantiomerically pure dirhodium(II) complexes with ortho-metalated p-substituted aryl phosphines have been shown to be enantio- and diastereoselective in the cyclopropanation of styrene by ethyl diazoacetate. Enantioselectivities up to 91% and diastereoselectivities up to 90% are observed for ethyl cis-2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylate.

Synthesis and structure of the incomplete cuboidal clusters [W3Se4H3(dmpe)3]+, [W3Se4H(3-x)(OH)x(dmpe)3]+ and [W3Se4(OH)3(dmpe)3]+, and the mechanism of the acid-assisted substitution of the coordinated hydrides.

The novel incomplete cuboidal cluster [W3Se4H3(dmpe)3](PF6), [1](PF6), has been prepared by reduction of [W3Se4Br3(dmpe)3](PF6) with LiBH4 in THF solution. The trihydroxo complex [W3Se4(OH)3(dmpe)3](PF6), [2](PF6), was obtained by reacting [W3Se4Br3(dmpe)3](PF6) with NaOH in MeCN-H2O solution. The complexes [1](PF6) and [2](PF6) were converted to their BPh4- salts by treatment with NaBPh4. Recrystallisation of [1](BPh4) in the presence of traces of water affords the mixed dihydride hydroxo complex [W3Se4H2(OH)(dmpe)3](BPh4). The crystal structures of [1](BPh4), [2](BPh4) and [W3Se4H2(OH)(dmpe)3](BPh4) have been resolved. Although the [1]+ trihydride does not react with an excess of halide salts, reaction with HX leads to [W3Se4X3(dmpe)3]+ (X = Cl, Br). The kinetics of this reaction has been studied at 25 degrees C in MeCN-H2O solution (1:1, v/v) and found to occur with two consecutive kinetic steps. The first step is independent of the nature and concentration of the X(-) anion but shows a first order dependence on the concentration of acid (k1 = 12.0 mol(-1) dm(3) s(-1)), whereas the second one is independent of the nature and concentration of both the acid and added salts (k2 = 0.024 s(-1)). In contrast, the reaction of [2]+ with acids occurs in a single step with kobs = 0.63 s(-1)(HCl) and 0.17 s(-1)(HBr). These kinetic results are discussed on the basis of the mechanism previously proposed for the reactions of the analogous [W3S4H3(dmpe)3]+ cluster, with special emphasis on the effects caused by the change of S by Se on the rate constants for the different processes involved.