Remarkable similarity of molecular packing in crystals of racemic and enantiopure 2-phenylpropionamide: Z' = 4 structures, molecular disorder, and the formation of a partial solid solution.

Substituted acetamides (many of which are chiral) are known to be pharmacologically active. 2-Phenylpropionamide (2PPA) is one of the simplest chiral α-substituted acetamides and thus is of interest as a model compound in the growth and design of pharmaceutical crystals. In this study, the crystal structures of racemic and enantiopure forms of 2PPA were determined for the first time using single crystal X-ray diffraction at 100 K. The relationship between the signs of optical rotation and the absolute configurations is (+)-(S)-2PPA and (-)-(R)-2PPA. Four symmetrically independent molecules with different conformations are observed in crystals of both racemic and enantiopure forms. Remarkably, all forms adopt very similar supramolecular structures, H-bonded corrugated layers, that can be described using a R22(8)R64(16) graph set. The outer surfaces of these layers are built of nonpolar phenyl groups, and their inner structures are composed of H-bonded amide groups. The presence of these layers determines the thin plate shape of 2PPA crystals. Spectroscopically, the racemic and enantiopure forms substantially differ only in the low-frequency Raman region. X-ray diffraction data suggest that the racemic form of 2PPA is a partial solid solution made possible by statistical occupancy of molecular positions by (R)- and (S)-enantiomers.

Hypercoordinated eka-tin materials with dangling aryl-methoxy and -methylthio ligands exhibiting intramolecular secondary bonding and aryl bond stabilization in reactions with organotin chlorides.

The syntheses of [2-(CH3ECH2)C6H4]PbPh3-nCln, (n = 0, E = O (4), E = S (5); n = 1, E = O (6), E = S (7); n = 2, E = O (8), are described. NMR and single crystal data illustrate significant Pb⋯E interactions increasing as n progresses from 0 to 2. The Pb⋯E interactions stabilize the Pb-aryl bonding to the extent that the reactions of 4 and 5 with Me2SnCl2 result in interchange of a Ph group and Cl to produce 6 and 7, respectively, together with Me2PhSnCl.

Redox Potential Tuning of Dimolybdenum Systems through Systematic Substitution by Guanidinate Ligands.

We report the synthesis and characterization of a series of dimolybdenum paddlewheel complexes of the type Mo2(DAniF)4-n(hpp)n (n = 1-3), where DAniF is the anion of N,N'-di-p-anisyl-formamidine and hpp is the anion of 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-2H-pyrimido[1,2-a]pyrimidine. The effect on the electronic structure of these tetragonal paddlewheel dimolybdenum compounds was studied upon systematic substitution of formamidinate ligands by the more basic guanidinates. Mo-Mo distances in the paddlewheel structures decreased upon guanidinate ligand substitution, and were found to be 2.0844(6) and 2.0784(6), for Mo2(DAniF)3(hpp) (1) and trans-Mo2(DAniF)2(hpp)2 (2), respectively. Electrochemical studies show that the half-wave potential of the Mo25+/Mo24+ couple shifts cathodically upon ancillary ligand substitution ranging from -0.286 V for the tetraformamidinate complex to -1.795 V for the tetraguanidinate analogue and with redox potentials of -0.75, -1.07, and -1.14 V for 1, 2, and 3 (Mo2(DAniF)(hpp)3), respectively. The presence of a second redox event assigned to the Mo26+/Mo25+ couple was not observed until two guanidinate ligands were introduced. Raman spectroscopy shows that the v(M-M) stretch gets systematically strengthened upon formamidinate ligand substitution by the guanidinate ligand hpp. The induced delta bond destabilization by the basic hpp ligand was measured using DFT calculations by tracking the energy of the frontier orbitals. The decrease in the HOMO-LUMO energy gap was supported by the red shift in the UV-vis spectra of the compounds: 412, 442, and 450 nm for 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

Titanium-Mediated Catalytic Hydrogenation of Monocyclic and Polycyclic Arenes.

Two electron-reduction of the TiIV guanidinate complex (ImDipp N)(Xyket guan)TiCl2 gives (η6 -ImDipp N)(xyket guan)Ti (1intra ) and (ImDipp N)(Xyket guan)Ti(η6 -C6 H6 ) (1inter ) (Xyket guan=[(tBuC=N)C(NXylyl)2 ]- , Xylyl=2,5-dimethylphenyl) in the absence or presence of benzene, respectively. These complexes have been found to hydrogenate monocyclic and polycyclic arenes under relatively mild conditions (150 psi, 80 °C)-the first example of catalytic, homogeneous arene hydrogenation with TON >1 by a Group IV system.

Crystal structure at 100†K of bis-[1,2-bis-(di-phenyl-phosphan-yl)ethane]-nickel(II) bis-(tri-fluoro-methane-sulfonate): a possible negative thermal expansion mol-ecular material.

In the title salt, [Ni(C26H24P2)2](CF3SO3)2 or [Ni(dppe)2]2+·(OTf-)2 [dppe = 1,2-bis-(di-phenyl-phosphan-yl)ethane and OTf- = tri-fluoro-methane-sulfonate], the Ni atom (site symmetry ) has a square-planar geometry with the bidentate ligands chelating the metal. As a result of the steric hindrance of the phenyl rings, the counter-ions are blocked from the metal coordination sphere. The dynamic disorder of the anion existing at 296 K is reduced at 100 K and based on these two temperatures, negative thermal expansion behaviour is observed.

A Terminal Iron(IV) Nitride Supported by a Super Bulky Guanidinate Ligand and Examination of Its Electronic Structure and Reactivity.

Utilizing the bulky guanidinate ligand [LAr*]- (LAr* = (Ar*N)2C(R), Ar* = 2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-tert-butylphenyl, R = NCtBu2) for kinetic stabilization, the synthesis of a rare terminal Fe(IV) nitride complex is reported. UV irradiation of a pyridine solution of the Fe(II) azide [LAr*]FeN3(py) (3-py) at 0 °C cleanly generates the Fe(IV) nitride [LAr*]FeN(py) (1). The 15N NMR spectrum of the 115N (50% Fe≡15N) isotopomer shows a resonance at 1016 ppm (vs externally referenced CH3NO2 at 380 ppm), comparable to that known for other terminal iron nitrides. Notably, the computed structure of 1 reveals an iron center with distorted tetrahedral geometry, τ4 = 0.72, featuring a short Fe≡N bond (1.52 Å). Inspection of the frontier orbital ordering of 1 shows a relatively small HOMO/LUMO gap with the LUMO comprised by Fe(dxz,yz)N(px,y) π*-orbitals, a splitting that is manifested in the electronic absorption spectrum of 1 (λ = 610 nm, ε = 1375 L·mol-1·cm-1; λ = 613 nm (calcd)). Complex 1 persists in low-temperature solutions of pyridine but becomes unstable at room temperature, gradually converting to the Fe(II) hydrazide product [κ2-(tBu2CN)C(η6-NAr*)(N-NAr*)]Fe (4) upon standing via intramolecular N-atom insertion. This reactivity of the Fe≡N moiety was assessed through molecular orbital analysis, which suggests electrophilic character at the nitride functionality. Accordingly, treatment of 1 with the nucleophiles PMe2Ph and Ar-N≡C (Ar = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) leads to partial N-atom transfer and formation of the Fe(II) addition products [LAr*]Fe(N═PMe2Ph)(py) (5) and [LAr*]Fe(N═C═NAr)(py) (6). Similarly, 1 reacts with PhSiH3 to give [LAr*]Fe[N(H)(SiH2Ph)](py) (7) which Fukui analysis shows to proceed via electrophilic insertion of the nitride into the Si-H bond.

Unusual C2h -Symmetric trans-1-(Bis-pyrrolidine)-tetra-malonate Hexa-Adducts of C60 : The Unexpected Regio- and Stereocontrol Mediated by Malonate-Pyrrolidine Interaction.

A totally unanticipated regio- and stereoisomerically pure C2h -symmetric trans-1-(bis-pyrrolidine)-tetra-malonate hexa-adduct of C60 was obtained via a topologically controlled method, followed by a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. The structures of the products were elucidated by 1 H and 13 C NMR and by X-ray crystallography. The unexpected regio- and stereoselectivity observed, supported by theoretical calculations, was found to be a consequence of malonate-pyrrolidine interactions.

C(sp3 )-H Oxidative Addition and Transfer Hydrogenation Chemistry of a Titanium(II) Synthon: Mimicry of Late-Metal Type Reactivity.

Two-electron reduction of the TiIV compound (ket guan)(ImDipp N)Ti(OTf)2 (3) gives the arene-masked complex (ket guan)(η6 -ImDipp N)Ti (1) in excellent yield. Upon standing in solution, 1 converts to a TiIV metallacycle (4) through dehydrogenation of a pendant isopropyl group. Spectroscopic evidence shows this transformation initially proceeds via the oxidative addition of a C(sp3 )-H bond and can be reversed upon exposure of 4 to H2 . Interestingly, treatment of 1 with cyclohexene gives cyclohexane and 4 via a titanium-mediated transfer hydrogenation reaction, a process that can be extended to catalytically hydrogenate other unsaturated hydrocarbons under mild conditions. These results, rare for the early-metals, suggest 1 possesses chemical characteristics reminiscent of noble, late-metals.

Advances in Guanidine Ligand Design: Synthesis of a Strongly Electron-Donating, Imidazolin-2-iminato Functionalized Guanidinate and its Properties on Iron.

Imidazolin-2-imines (ImRN-), derived from N-heterocylic carbenes, have been shown to be strong electron donors when directly coordinated to metals or when used as a substituent in larger ligand frameworks. In an attempt to enhance the electron-donating properties of the popular guanidine ligand class, the effect of appending an ImRN- backbone onto a guanidinate scaffold was investigated. Addition of 1 equiv of [Li(Et2O)][Im tBuN] to the aryl carbodiimide (dippN)2C (dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) cleanly affords the lithium Im tBuN-functionalized guanidinate [Li(THF)2][(Im tBuN)C(Ndipp)2] (1). Subsequent metalation of the ligand with FeBr2 gives the yellow Fe(II) complex {[(Im tBuN)C(Ndipp)2]FeBr}2 (4) in good yield. Solid-state structural analyses of both 1 and 4 shows the Im tBuN- group acts as a non-coordinating backbone substituent. Direct structural comparison of 4 to the closely related guanidinate and ketimine-guanidinate complexes {[(X)C(Ndipp)2]FeBr}2 (X = t Bu2C=N (5); N( i Pr)2 (6)), differing only in their backbone, reveals a detectable resonance contribution of the Im tBuN- group to the guanidinate ligand electronic structure. Moreover, the Fe(II)/Fe(III) redox couple of 4 (E1/2 = -0.67 V) is cathodically shifted by greater than 200 mV from the oxidation potentials of 5 (E1/2 = -0.42 V) and 6 (E1/2 = -0.45 V), demonstrating the [(Im tBuN)C(Ndipp)2]- system to be a quantifiably superior electron donor.

Synthesis and characterization of a trans-1 hexakis-fullerene linker that forms crystalline polymers with silver salts.

A new flexible hexakis-fullerene adduct with two bis(pyridin-4-ylmethyl)malonate groups located at trans-1 positions was synthesized. Via reaction with Ag(PF6) under two different conditions, two new 1D coordination polymers were obtained; under a nitrogen atmosphere, the silver ions are connected by argentophilic interactions but under an ambient atmosphere, the silver ions exhibit no interaction between them but coordination to the (H2PO4)(-) ions.

Donor Properties of a New Class of Guanidinate Ligands Possessing Ketimine Backbones: A Comparative Study Using Iron.

Addition of 1 equiv of LiN═C(t)Bu2 or LiN═Ad (Ad = 2-adamantyl) to the aryl carbodiimide C(NDipp)2 (Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) readily generates the lithium ketimine-guanidinates Li(THF)2[(X)C(NDipp)2] (X = N═C(t)Bu2 (1-(t)Bu), N═Ad (1-Ad)) in excellent yields. These new ligands can be readily metalated with iron to give the N,N'-bidentate chelates [{(X)C(NDipp)2}FeBr]2 (X = N═C(t)Bu2 (5-(t)Bu), N═Ad (5-Ad)), in which the ketimines behave as noncoordinating backbone substituents. In an effort to understand the potential electronic contributions of the ketimine group to the ligand architecture, a thorough structural and electronic study was conducted comparing the features and properties of 5-(t)Bu and 5-Ad to their guanidinate and amidinate analogues [{(X)C(NDipp)2}FeBr]2 (X = (i)Pr2N (6), (t)Bu (7)). Solid-state structural analyses indicate little electronic contribution from the N-ketimine nitrogen atom, while solution-phase electronic absorption spectra of 5-(t)Bu and 5-Ad are qualitatively similar to the amidinate complex 7. Yet, electrochemical measurements do show the donor properties of the ketimine-guanidinate in 5-(t)Bu to be intermediate between its guanidinate and amidinate counterparts in 6 and 7. Preliminary reactivity studies also show that the reduction chemistry of 5-(t)Bu diverges significantly from that of 6 and 7. Treatment of 5-(t)Bu with excess magnesium or 1 equiv of KC8 leads to the formation of the Fe(I)-Fe(I) complex [{µ-((t)Bu2C═N)C(NDipp)2}2Fe2] (11), which possesses an exceedingly short Fe═Fe bond (2.1516(5) Å), while neither 6 nor 7 forms dinuclear complexes upon reduction. This result demonstrates that ketimine-guanidinates do not simply behave as amidinate variants but can contribute to distinctive metal chemistry of their own.

Synthesis of a "super bulky" guanidinate possessing an expandable coordination pocket.

Friedel-Crafts alkylation of 4-tert-butylaniline with 2 equiv of benzhydrol affords bulky 2,6-bis(diphenylmethyl)-4-tert-butylaniline (Ar*NH2) in good yield, which can be readily synthesized on a tens of grams scale. The reaction of 6 equiv of Ar*NH2 with triphosgene generates the symmetric urea (Ar*NH)2CO, which, upon dehydration with a P2O5/Al2O3 slurry in pyridine, produces the sterically encumbered carbodiimide (Ar*N)2C as an air-stable white solid. The treatment of (Ar*N)2C with LiN═C(t)Bu2 in tetrahydrofuran cleanly gives the monomeric lithium guanidinate Li[(Ar)*ketguan], free of coordinating solvent, in 85% yield. Protonation of Li[(Ar)*ketguan] with lutidinium chloride produces the guanidine (Ar)*ketguanH (MW = 1112.60 g/mol), which is easily derivatized to give the monomeric alkali metal complexes M[(Ar)*ketguan] (M = K, Cs) in 94% and 51% yield, respectively. The solid-state molecular structures of M[(Ar)*ketguan] (M = Li, K, Cs) show formally two-coordinate alkali metal cations encapsulated within a hydrophobic coordination pocket formed by the peripheral diphenylmethyl substituents of the guanidinate. Remarkably, percent buried volume analyses (% V(Bur)) of M[(Ar)*ketguan] [M = Li (94.8% V(Bur)), K (92.1% V(Bur)), Cs (81.7% V(Bur))] reveal a coordination cavity that adjusts to individually accommodate the variously sized metal ions despite the highly encumbering nature of the ligand. This demonstrates a flexible ligand framework that is able to stabilize low-coordinate metal centers within a "super bulky" coordination environment.

Synthesis and characterization of electron donor-acceptor platinum(II) complexes composed of N,N-diphenylpyridineamine and triphenylamine ligands.

The synthesis and electronic properties of a series of platinum(II) complexes composed of electron-donor and electron-acceptor components as potential photovoltaic materials is reported. The complexes are composed of triphenylamines (TPA) and pyridine-derivatized TPAs as the electron-donating components, and alkynyl derivatives of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole and cyclopentadithiophenone as the electron acceptors. The complexes containing the pyridine-derivatized ligands were prepared to examine the effect that direct coordination of a heteroatom-modified TPA may have on the electronic properties of donor-acceptor (D-A) complexes. Four complexes composed of meta- and para- pyridine-derivatized TPAs were prepared, and their electronic properties were compared with three structurally similar complexes composed of TPA, as well as with purely organic D-A compounds. Data collected from UV-vis and cyclic voltammetry show minor differences on the properties of the complexes containing the pyridine-derivatized ligands when compared to the TPA analogs, exhibiting similar highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital bandgaps ranging from 2.156 to 2.705 eV for the pyridine-derivatized complexes (6a,b and 7a,b), 2.038-2.320 eV for the TPA complexes (8a,b and 9a), 2.301 eV for organic molecule 10a, and 1.997 eV for 10b. All compounds are stable, exhibiting no decomposition in the solid indefinitely, and only minor decomposition in solution. All compounds were characterized by (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and electrospray mass spectrometry. All complexes were also characterized by (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis of CHN; determination of Ag content for 6a,b and 7a,b (carried through the synthetic steps) was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The para-pyridine-derivatized complex of 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (6a) was further characterized by X-ray crystallography as a AgNO3 clathrate. X-ray quality crystals were grown from a solution of hexanes/CH2Cl2 and from diffusion of hexanes into a CH2Cl2 solution of the complex, providing a solvent-free crystal and a solvate of CH2Cl2, respectively.

Synthesis, characterization, and evaluation of cis-diphenyl pyridineamine platinum(II) complexes as potential anti-breast cancer agents.

Although cisplatin is considered as an effective anti-cancer agent, it has shown limitations and may produce toxicity in patients. Therefore, we synthesized two cis-dichlorideplatinum(II) compounds (13 and 14) composed of meta- and para-N,N-diphenyl pyridineamine ligands through a reaction of the amine precursors and PtCl2 with respective yields of 16 and 47 %. We hypothesized that compounds 13 and 14, with lipophilic ligands, should transport efficiently in cancer cells and demonstrate more effectiveness than cisplatin. When tested for biological activity, compounds 13 and 14 were found to inhibit the growth of MCF 7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (IC50s 1 ± 0.4 µM and 1 ± 0.2 µM for 13 and 14, respectively, and IC50 7.5 ± 1.3 µM for compound 13 and 1 ± 0.3 µM for compound 14). Incidentally, these doses were found to be lower than cisplatin doses (IC50 5 ± 0.7 µM for MCF 7 and 10 ± 1.1 µM for MDA-MB-231). Similar to cisplatin, 13 and 14 interacted with DNA and induced apoptosis. However, unlike cisplatin, they blocked the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells suggesting that in addition to apoptotic and DNA-binding capabilities, these compounds are useful in blocking the metastatic migration of breast cancer cells. To delineate the mechanism of action, computer-aided analyses (DFT calculations) were conducted for compound 13. Results indicate that in vivo, the pyridineamine ligands are likely to dissociate from the complex, forming a platinum DNA adduct with anti-proliferative activity. These results suggest that complexes 13 and 14 hold promise as potential anti-cancer agents.

Design, synthesis, and X-ray crystal structure of a fullerene-linked metal-organic framework.

Given the unique structural and electronic properties of C60 , metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) containing C60 linkers are expected to exhibit interesting characteristics. A new hexakisfullerene derivative possessing two pairs of phenyl pyridine groups attached to two methano-carbon atoms located at the trans-1 positions was designed and synthesized. The four pyridyl nitrogen atoms define a perfectly planar rectangle. This new C60 derivative was used to assemble the first fullerene-linked two-dimensional MOF by coordination with Cd(2+) .

Unexpected isomerism in cis-2 bis(pyrrolidino)[60]fullerene diastereomers.

Similar yet different: A one-step regio- and diastereoselective synthesis of three new bis(pyrrolidine)[60]fullerenes, one cis-1 and two unprecedented cis-2 diastereoisomers, is reported. The compounds are easily purified using simple chromatographic techniques, and were fully characterized by spectroscopic techniques and X-ray crystallography. A mechanism for the isomeric conversion observed is proposed.

A tripodal ligand constructed from mesoionic carbene donors.

A tripodal ligand constructed solely from mesoionic carbene donors is reported. The donor strength of this ligand is lower than most imidazol-2-ylidene-based tris(carbene)borate ligands, as measured by IR spectroscopy of {NiNO}(10) and {Mn(CO)3}(+) derivatives. The attenuated donor strength is proposed to be due to the collective electron-withdrawing effect of the ligand's aryl substituents.

8-Alkoxy- and 8-aryloxy-BODIPYs: straightforward fluorescent tagging of alcohols and phenols.

We demonstrate herein that both alcohols and phenols can be tagged with a BODIPY (borondipyrromethene) moiety to yield highly fluorescent products. Thus, 8-(methylthio)-BODIPY (1) undergoes an S(N)Ar-type reaction with a host of alcohols and phenols in the presence of a base and a Cu(I) additive. The BODIPY dyes bearing alkoxy or nonfunctionalized phenoxy moieties are characterized by a highly efficient fluorescence emission, regardless of the media, in the blue-green part of the visible region. Complementary to this, the presence of electron-donor groups at the aryl ring leads to an intramolecular charge-transfer process, which quenches the fluorescence mainly in polar media. In addition to simple alcohols and phenols, four natural products (eugenol, menthol, cholesterol, and estrone) were labeled in a simple fashion. X-ray structures of the cholesterol and estrone derivatives are discussed. In fact, the BODIPY bearing cholesterol stands out as a bright fluorescence biological marker.

Intramolecular chalcogen-tin interactions in [(o-MeEC6H4)CH2]2SnPh(2-n)Cl(n) (E = S, O, CH2; n = 0, 1, 2) and intermolecular chlorine-tin interactions in the meta- and para-methoxy isomers.

Organotin(IV) compounds of the type [(o-MeEC(6)H(4))CH(2)](2)SnPh(2-n)Cl(n) were synthesized, E = O, n = 0 (1), n = 1 (2), and n = 2 (3); E = S, n = 0 (4), n = 1 (5), and n = 2 (6); and E = CH(2), n = 0 (7), n = 1 (8), and n = 2 (9). The dichloro compounds 3 and 6 have been investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and exhibit bicapped tetrahedral geometry at the tin atom as a consequence of significant intramolecular Sn...O (3) and Sn...S (6) secondary bonding, in monomolecular units. Compound 3, when crystallized from a hexane/THF solvent mixture, shows two different conformers, 3' and 3'', in the crystal structure; 3' has two equivalent Sn...O interactions, while 3'' has two nonequivalent Sn...O interactions. Upon the recrystallization of 3 from hexane, only a single structural form is observed, 3'. The Sn...E distances in 3', 3'', and 6 are 71.3, 73.5 and 72.9, and 76.3% of the SigmavdW radii, respectively. The meta- and para-substituted isomers of 3 (10, 11) exhibit a distortion at the tin atom due to self-association via intermolecular Sn...Cl interactions, resulting in polymeric structures. (119)Sn NMR spectroscopy suggests that the intramolecular Sn...E interactions persist in solution for the dichloride compounds 3 and 6.