Evaluation of dispersion type metal···π arene interaction in arylbismuth compounds - an experimental and theoretical study.

The dispersion type Bi···π arene interaction is one of the important structural features in the assembly process of arylbismuth compounds. Several triarylbismuth compounds and polymorphs are discussed and compared based on the analysis of single crystal X-ray diffraction data and computational studies. First, the crystal structures of polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1) are described emphasizing on the description of London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions and other van der Waals interactions in the solid state and the effect of it on polymorphism. For comparison we have chosen the substituted arylbismuth compounds (C6H4-CH═CH2-4)3Bi (2), (C6H4-OMe-4)3Bi (3), (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)3Bi (4) and (C6H3-t-Bu2-3,5)2BiCl (5). The structural analyses revealed that only two of them show London dispersion type bismuth···π arene interactions. One of them is the styryl derivative 2, for which two polymorphs were isolated. Polymorph 2a crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121, while polymorph 2b exhibits the monoclinic space group P21/c. The general structure of 2a is similar to the monoclinic C2/c modification of Ph3Bi (1a), which leads to the formation of zig-zag Bi-arenecentroid ribbons formed as a result of bismuth···π arene interactions and π···π intermolecular contacts. In the crystal structures of the polymorph 2b as well as for 4 bismuth···π arene interactions are not observed, but both compounds revealed C-HPh···π intermolecular contacts, as likewise observed in all of the three described polymorphs of Ph3Bi. For compound 3 intermolecular contacts as a result of coordination of the methoxy group to neighboring bismuth atoms are observed overruling Bi···π arene contacts. Compound 5 shows a combination of donor acceptor Bi···Cl and Bi···π arene interactions, resulting in an intermolecular pincer-type coordination at the bismuth atom. A detailed analysis of three polymorphs of Ph3Bi (1), which were chosen as model systems, at the DFT-D level of theory supported by DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations reveals how van der Waals interactions between different structural features balance in order to stabilize molecular arrangements present in the crystal structure. Furthermore, the computational results allow to group this class of compounds into the range of heavy main group element compounds which have been characterized as dispersion energy donors in previous work.

Syntheses of pentanuclear group 6 iridium clusters by core expansion of tetranuclear clusters with Ir(CO)2(η5-C5Me4R) (R = H, Me).

Metal cluster core expansion at tetrahedral group 6-group 9 mixed-metal clusters MIr3(µ-CO)3(CO)8(η(5)-L) (M = W, Mo, L = C5H5; M = Mo, L = C5Me5) with the iridium capping reagents Ir(CO)2(η(5)-L') (L' = C5Me5, C5Me4H) in refluxing toluene afforded the trigonal-bipyramidal clusters MIr4(µ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-C5H5)(η(5)-L') (M = Mo, L' = C5Me5, 1a; M = W, L' = C5Me5, 1b; M = Mo, L' = C5Me4H, 1c; M = W, L' = C5Me4H, 1d) and MoIr4(µ3-H)(µ-CO)2(µ-η(1):η(5)-CH2C5Me4)(CO)7(η(5)-C5Me5) (2). Related reactions with M2Ir2(µ-CO)3(CO)7(η(5)-L)2 (M = W, Mo, L = C5H5; M = Mo, L = C5Me5) afforded M2Ir3(µ-CO)3(CO)6(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-L') (M = Mo, L' = C5Me5, 3a; M = W, L' = C5Me5, 3b; M = Mo, L' = C5Me4H, 3c; M = W, L' = C5Me4H, 3d), W2Ir3(µ-CO)4(CO)5(η(5)-C5H5)2(η(5)-C5Me4H) (4), and Mo2Ir3(µ-CO)3(CO)6(η(5)-C5Me5)3 (5). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 1a-1d, 2, 3a-3d, and 4 confirmed their molecular structures, including the µ-η(1):η(5)-CH2C5Me4 ligand at hydrido cluster 2, derived from a C-H bond activation of one of the methyl groups. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were employed to suggest the structure of 5. The redox behavior of the new clusters was examined through cyclic voltammetry; all clusters exhibit oxidation and reduction processes (with respect to the resting state), with the oxidation processes being the more reversible, and increasingly so on decreasing Ir content of the clusters, replacing W by Mo, and increasing alkylation of the cyclopentadienyl ligands. In situ IR and UV-vis-near-IR spectroelectrochemical studies of the reversible oxidation processes in 1a and 3a were undertaken, with the spectra of the former suggesting progression to an all-terminal CO geometry concomitant with the first oxidation and a significant structural change upon the second oxidation step. DFT studies of 1a revealed that its crystallographically-confirmed Mo-equatorial core geometry is essentially isoenergetic with a possible Mo-apical isomer, and identified several bridging CO structures for the charged states.

Remarkable in vitro bactericidal activity of bismuth(III) sulfonates against Helicobacter pylori.

Four new tris-substituted bismuth(III) sulfonates of general formula [Bi(O(3)SR)(3)] (R = phenyl 1, p-tolyl 2, 2,4,6-mesityl 3 and S-(+)-10-camphoryl 4) have been synthesised and characterised. Their synthesis by solvent-free (SF) and solvent-mediated (SM) methods has been explored and their activity against Helicobacter pylori has been investigated. The compounds 1-4 display a remarkable in vitro activity against three laboratory strains of H. pylori (B128, 26,695 and 251) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values as low as 0.049 µg mL(-1) for the strains B128 and 26,695, and 0.781 µg mL(-1) for the clinical isolate 251. This places most MIC values in the nano-molar region and demonstrates the strong influence of the sulfonate group on the bactericidal properties. The novel solid state structure [Bi(8)(O(3)SMes)(20)(SO(4))(2)(H(2)O)(6)]·(C(7)H(8))(7)5·(C(7)H(8))(7), derived from the SM reaction under reflux conditions, is presented and the incorporation of the two inorganic sulfate anions in the centre of the wheel-like bismuth sulfonate cluster explained.

Caging peroxide: anion-templated synthesis and characterization of a rare-earth cluster.

Sequestration of peroxide derived from molecular oxygen has resulted in the templated synthesis of a terbium picolinate cluster, isolated as a 2D sodiated network in the solid state. This first example of an air-stable rare-earth peroxide cluster represents key evidence for a peroxide-containing intermediate in rare-earth-cluster-catalyzed oxidation reactions. Luminescent and magnetic properties have also been investigated.

Systematic study of the formation of the lanthanoid cubane cluster motif mediated by steric modification of diketonate ligands.

The treatment of ortho ring-functionalised 1-phenylbutane-1,3-dione ligands bearing nitro (Hnpd, Hnmc), methoxy (Hmmc) or fluoro (Hfpp) groups with hydrated lanthanoid salts has provided [Er(4)(µ(3)-OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(npd)(8)] (3), [Ln(4)(µ(3)-OH)(4)(nmc)(8)] (Ln = Gd (4), Tb (5), Dy (6) and Er (7)), [Er(4)(µ(3)-OH)(4)(mmc)(8)] (8) and [Er(4)(µ(3)-OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(fpp)(8)] (9), respectively. The products were all obtained as cubane clusters in the solid state, as distinct from previous diketonato clusters, with control over motif formation attributed to the steric influence of the ortho-positioned functional groups at the cluster periphery. This work highlights a means of targeting a specific lanthanoid cluster motif by the rational modification of ligands at key locations.

Synthesis, structural, and photophysical investigation of diimine triscarbonyl Re(I) tetrazolato complexes.

The synthesis, structural, and photophysical properties of a novel family of neutral fac-[Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)(L)] complexes, where N(∧)N is either 2,2'-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline and L is a para functionalized 5-aryltetrazolate [namely, 5-phenyltetrazolate (Tph(-)), 4-(tetrazolate-5-yl)benzaldehyde (Tbdz(-)), 5-(4-acetylphenyl)tetrazolate (Tacy(-)), and methyl 4-(tetrazolate-5-yl)benzoate (Tmeb(-))] are reported. The complexes were prepared by direct addition of the corresponding tetrazolate anion to the acetonitrile solvated fac-[Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)](+) precursor. NMR data demonstrate that the coordination of the metal fragment is regiospecific at the N2 atom of the tetrazolate ring. These conclusions are also supported by X-ray structural determinations. Photophysical data were obtained in diluted and deaerated dichloromethane solutions displaying broad and structureless profiles with emission maxima ranging from 566 to 578 nm. The absorption profiles indicate the presence of higher energy intraligand (IL) π-π* transitions and lower energies ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT) and metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT). As the last two transitions are mixed, they are better described as a metal-ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (MLLCT), a result that is also supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The complexes show excited state lifetime values ranging from 102 to 955 ns, with associated quantum yield between 0.012 and 0.099. Compared to the parent neutral chloro or bromo [Re(N(∧)N)(CO)(3)X], the complexes show a slightly improved performance because of the π accepting nature of the tetrazolato ligand. The metal-to-ligand backbonding is in fact depleting the Re center of electron density, thus widening the HOMO-LUMO gap and reducing the non-radiative decay mechanism in accordance with the energy gap law. Finally, the electron-withdrawing or donating nature of the substituent on the phenyltetrazolato ligand allows the fine-tuning of the photophysical properties.

Anti-Leishmanial activity of homo- and heteroleptic bismuth(III) carboxylates.

Bismuth(III) complexes of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs) and substituted benzoic acids (o-methoxybenzoic acid, m-methoxybenzoic acid, o-nitrobenzoic acid, 3,5-diacetamidobenzoic acid, and 5-[(R/S)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl carbamoyl]-2-pyridine carboxylic acid) have been synthesised and fully characterised. Two new bis-carboxylato bismuth complexes have been characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction, namely [PhBi(o-MeOC(6)H(4)CO(2))(2)(bipy)]·0.5EtOH (bipy=2,2'-bipyridine) and [PhBi(C(9)H(11)N(2)O(3)CO(2))(2)(H(2)O)]·6H(2)O. All compounds were tested against the parasite Leishmania major promastigotes for their anti-Leishmanial activity and were further assessed for their toxicity to mammalian cells. The NSAID free acids and their bismuth derivatives show negligible anti-Leishmanial activity at concentrations 1.95 to 250 µg/mL against the promastigotes of L. major whereas in the case of mammalian cells only bismuth complexes of naproxen and mefenamic acid have significant effect at concentration≥250 µg/mL. The bismuth(III) complexes of substituted benzoic acids show significant anti-Leishmanial activity against the promastigotes of L. major V121 at very low concentrations while their respective free carboxylic acids show no effective activity. However, the bismuth compounds inhibit the growth of the mammalian cells at all concentrations studied (1.95 to 500 µg/mL) following 48 h incubation. The comparatively low toxicity of BiCl(3) and Bi(NO(3))(3), suggests that overall toxicity of bismuth complexes towards the parasite is both ligand and metal dependent.

Structural and solution studies of phenylbismuth(III) sulfonate complexes and their activity against Helicobacter pylori.

Three bis-phenylbismuth sulfonates [Ph(2)Bi(O(3)SR)](∞) (R = p-tolyl 1, mesityl 2 or S-(+)-10-camphoryl 3) have been synthesised and characterised. Their tendency for ligand redistribution in solution, and activity against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori have been investigated. The structures of 2 and 3 have been authenticated by X-ray diffraction crystallography. They are structurally very similar with polymeric helical chain structures composed of four coordinate Bi atoms which bridge between two sulfonate O atoms with near linear O-Bi-O bond angles. The two phenyl rings are cis to one another and trans to the stereochemically active lone pair. Upon dissolution of the pure compounds 1, 2 and 3, a ligand redistribution reaction occurs in which the mono-phenylbismuth bis-sulfonates, the bismuth tris-sulfonates and triphenylbismuth are formed. Two further complexes of general formula [PhBi(O(3)SR)(2)](∞) (where R = p-tolyl 4, and mesityl 5) were thus obtained and their crystal structures determined. The presence of the single sulfonato ligand in compounds 1, 2 and 3 resulted in a dramatic increase in bacteriocidial activity towards H. pylori (MIC values of ≥6.25 µg mL(-1)) relative to BiPh(3) (>64 µg mL(-1)) and the sulfonic acids, which were essentially inactive.

Monitoring the stepwise assembly of a 3-D framework from a supramolecular lanthanoid synthon by in situ infrared spectroscopy.

Construction of a 3-D supramolecular network from [Ln(cpb)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] (Ln = Nd, Tb; Hcpb = 1-(4-cyanophenyl)-1,3-butanedione) by sequential displacement of a coordinated water by DMF, dimerisation by reciprocal hydrogen bonding in solution and pi-pi stacking and interdigitation of nitriles has been monitored by in situ fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

Synthesis and structural characterization of cationic 5-hydroxy-1,3-diketonate stabilized dinuclear complexes and tetranuclear lanthanoid clusters.

5-Hydroxy-1,3-diketonate ligands have been found to stabilize dimeric complexes and tetrameric lanthanoid clusters dependent on the degree of steric bulk provided by the presence or absence of a methoxy group. Treatment of (R/S,Z)-1'-hydroxy-3-(hydroxy(phenyl)methylene)bi(cyclopentan)-2-one (Hhpb) and the p-methoxyphenyl derivative (Hhmb) with [LnCl(2)(H(2)O)(6)]Cl yields clusters of composition [Ln(4)(Cl)(2)(O)(hpb)(6)]Cl(2) (Ln = Nd (1), Ho (2), Tb (3), and Er (4)) and [Ln(2)(hmb)(5)]Cl (Ln = La (5), Nd (6), Tb (7), Dy (8), and Er (9)). Single crystal X-ray analysis of the tetranuclear cluster has revealed the lanthanoid core to be in a tetrahedral arrangement around a central mu(4)-oxygen, bridged by symmetrical chlorides and shrouded in six bridging hpb ligands. The dimeric complexes are stabilized by three bridging and two terminal hmb ligands. In each instance, double or single cationic charges respectively are balanced by chloride anions.

Bismuth(III) 5-sulfosalicylate complexes: structure, solubility and activity against Helicobacter pylori.

Treatment of 5-sulfosalicylic acid (H(3)Ssal) with BiPh(3) results in the formation of the first dianionic carboxylate-sulfonate bismuth complex, [PhBi(HSsal)H(2)O](infinity) 1a, and its ethanol analogue [PhBi(HSsal)EtOH](infinity) 1b (space group P2(1)/c), while Bi(OAc)(3) gives the mixed monoanionic and dianionic complex, {[Bi(HSsal)(H(2)Ssal)(H(2)O)(3)](2) x 2 H(2)O}(infinity) 2 (space group P1). The three complexes are all polymeric in the solid state as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, with extended frameworks constructed from dimeric [Bi(HSsal)](2), 1a and 1b, or from [Bi(HSsal)(H(2)Ssal)](2) units, 2. The heteroleptic bismuth complexes 1a and 2 display remarkable aqueous solubility, 10 and 2.5 mg ml(-1) respectively, resulting in a clear solution of pH 1.5. In contrast, 1b is essentially insoluble in aqueous environments. All three complexes show significant activity against the bacterium Helicobacter pylori of <6.25 microg ml(-1).

A spectroscopic study of nicotine analogue 2-phenylpyrrolidine (PPD) using resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), microwave, and 2D NMR techniques.

Conformational preferences of the nicotine analogue 2-phenylpyrrolidine (PPD) have been studied in both gaseous and solution phases. Theoretical calculations at the MP2 and B3LYP levels point to 5-6 stable conformers which differ in three degrees of conformational freedom; torsion between the two rings, inversion at the pyrrolidine (PY) amine, and PY ring puckering, characterized using the Cremer-Pople definition for pseudorotation. Only one conformer has a trans arrangement between the amino hydrogen and the phenyl substituent. It is 6-8 kJ mol(-1) more stable than the cis conformers, has a perpendicular ring arrangement, and puckers at the nitrogen atom--similar to structures reported for nicotine. Resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) data, including hole burn spectra, indicate only one conformer is present in the free jet expansion, and band contour analysis suggests assignment to the trans conformer. Confirmation was provided by microwave spectroscopy. Fifty-seven lines measured in the 48-72 GHz region were assigned to 206 b-type transitions and fitted to yield rotational constants within 2 MHz of MP2 values predicted for the trans conformer. The solution-phase conformers of PPD were studied using 1D and 2D (1)H NMR spectroscopy and solvent-based theoretical calculations. In marked contrast to the gas phase, NMR data reveals only cis conformers present in solution. Calculations confirm increased stability for these conformers when placed in simulated chloroform or water environments. Solvent molecules are believed to disrupt a crucial N...H(ortho) stabilizing interaction present within the trans conformer.

BiPh3--a convenient synthon for heavy alkaline-earth metal amides.

Environmentally friendly, commercially available BiPh3 reacts with heavy alkaline-earth metals (Ae) and bulky trimethylsilylamines to give the corresponding amides [Ae{N(SiMe3)(R)}2(thf)n] (R=SiMe3, 2,4,6-Me3C6H2, 2,6-iPr2C6H3) in good yields, providing proof of concept for a general synthetic method.

A new Na/Mg inverse crown ether.

A 'missing' member of the inverse crown ether family, namely mu(4)-oxo-tetrakis(mu-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinido)dimagnesium(II)disodium(I), [Na(2)Mg(2)O(C(9)H(18)N)(4)], has been synthesized by blocking the alternative aromatic metallation route via the use of sterically hindered 1,3,5-mesitylene as a solvent. [Na(2)Mg(2)O(NR(2))(4)] (NR(2) is 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinide) is shown to form a cationic planar eight-membered ring with alternating metal and N atoms, which captures at its core an oxide guest that lies on an inversion centre [principal dimensions: Na-O = 2.2405 (11) A, Na-N = 2.445 (3) and 2.572 (3) A, Mg-O = 1.8673 (9) A, and Mg-N = 2.032 (2) and 2.063 (2) A].

Landmark Crystal Structure of an Experimentally Utilized Tetralithium-Tetrapotassium Amide-Alkoxide Superbase.

At long last an experimentally utilized superbase has been crystallographically characterized. Isolated from a lithium amide-potassium alkoxide-arene mixture, this landmark compound adopts a novel sixteen-vertex "carousel" arrangement stabilized by two distinct types of benzene ligation.