When a dream comes true: birth of the African Crystallographic Association (AfCA).

This paper summarizes brief perspectives on the historic process of establishing an African Crystallographic Association (AfCA) and includes representative references. It covers activities within four arbitrarily selected, approximate time slots, i.e., 1890s-1999, 2000-2013, 2014-2019 and 2020-2023. A genuine attempt is made to include appropriate role players, organizations and accompanying events within these periods. It concludes with the official admission of AfCA as the fifth Regional Associate of the IUCr at the 26th Congress and General Assembly of the IUCr in Melbourne, Australia in 2023.

New approach for the synthesis of water soluble fac-[MI(CO)3]+ bis(diarylphosphino)alkylamine complexes (M = 99Tc, Re).

A novel proof-of-concept is reported to modify the water solubility and potential biological effects of a bis(diphenylphosphino)alkylamine (PNP) ligand and the corresponding metal complex, by introducing an amine group on the outer periphery of the pendant ligand arm. Thus, a tertiary butoxycarbonyl protected N'-Boc-ethylenediamine-N,N-bis(diphenylphosphino) (N'-Boc-PNP) ligand (1) was synthesized by reacting the protected ethylenediamine and chlorodiphenylphosphine in a 1 : 2 molar ratio. The corresponding fac-[Re(CO)3(N'-Boc-PNP)Br] (1A) complex was then obtained by reacting N'-Boc-PNP (1) with (Et4N)2fac-[Re(CO)3Br3] in equimolar amounts in DCM at 50 °C. De-protection of the N'-Boc pendant amine group in 1A with TFA leads to fac-[Re(NH3+-PNP)(CO)3Br]·CF3COO- (1B) which is soluble in D2O (>0.05 M). Treating 1B with saturated aqueous NaHCO3 yields fac-[Re(NH2-PNP)(CO)3Br]·MeOH (1C) in near quantitative yield. Although both 1A and 1C are not soluble in D2O, addition of TFA easily generates 1B (31P NMR), confirming the formation of the protonated amine. Isolation of fac-[99Tc(CO)3(N-Boc-PNP)(Cl)] (1D) confirmed that the rhenium and technetium (99Tc) can be easily interchanged in this process. Reported are hence the unique rhenium series of compounds 1A, 1B and 1C and the corresponding technetium complex 1D, unequivocally characterized by single crystal XRD, as well as IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Preliminary antimicrobial evaluation indicates that ligand 1 and its respective rhenium complexes (1A-1C) were not active against selected fungi (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans) and bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus). These types of ligands and complexes therefore present themselves as excellent radio models for further evaluation using 186Re, 188Re and 99mTc to potentially study the radiotoxicity of appropriately designed complexes.

Induced fit activity-based sensing: a mechanistic study of pyrophosphate detection with a "flexible" Fe-salen complex.

Activity-based sensing of biological targets is attracting increasing attention. In this work, we report detailed UV-Vis and fluorescence mechanistic studies on an Fe-salen based probe, [FeIII{salenMeCl2(SO3)2}OH2]- for pyrophosphate (PPi) detection. In the presence of PPi as an analyte, the probe disassembles into its molecular subunits and releases a fluorescent signal. Our studies illustrate that the aqua form of the complex (1-OH2) is the active species and that upon substitution of Fe-coordinated H2O and an initial end-on coordination of HP2O7 3-, the "trapped" pyrophosphate species switches from a monodentate to a bidentate coordination mode (i.e. linkage isomerism) via a probable equilibrium process. The elusive intermediate is further stabilized by a hydrogen bonding interaction that activates the probe for the subsequent final irreversible rate-limiting step, and allows selective discrimination between the other pyrophosphate (H2P2O7 2- and P2O7 4-) species in favour of the HP2O7 3-. The flexible mode of molecular recognition and binding of HP2O7 3- by the tetradentate probe 1-OH2 is unexpected and most effective at physiological pH, and has precedence in enzymatic catalysis (i.e. induced fit principle). These binding properties explain the previously observed outstanding selectivity of 1-OH2 for pyrophosphate over other (poly)oxophosphates and potentially competing analytes.

Synthesis, intermolecular interactions and biological activities of two new organic-inorganic hybrids C6H10N2,2Br and C6H10N2,2Cl·H2O.

A slow evaporation method has permitted the crystallization of two novel crystals of (2-aminomethyl)pyridindiumdihalide C6H10N2,2Br (1) and C6H10N2,2Cl·H2O (2). The structures of the prepared compounds (1) and (2) were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction which revealed that they crystallize, respectively, with triclinic and monoclinic symmetries. Their crystal packing was stabilized by non-covalent interactions, including N-H⋯Br, C-H⋯Br, N-H⋯Cl, O-H⋯Cl and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. 3-D Hirshfeld surface analysis followed by 2-D fingerprint schemes gives insights into the intermolecular interactions in the crystalline structure. Furthermore, the FT-IR spectroscopy of these two compounds was carried out. The synthesized products were also screened for in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, which reveals their favourable antioxidant activities against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) as well as the discolouration of ß-carotene.

Ambient and high-pressure kinetic investigation of methanol substitution in fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)3(MeOH)] by different monodentate nucleophiles.

Methanol substitution in the fac-[Re(CO)3(Trop)(MeOH)] complex (Trop- = tropolonate) was studied with a range of seven nucleophiles, namely pyridine (Py), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), imidazole (Im), thiourea (TU), 1-methyl-2-thiourea (MeTU), bromide (Br-) and iodide (I-) at variable temperature, and at ambient and high pressure. The substitution products were characterized by NMR, IR and UV/vis spectroscopy, and by chemical analysis, and the crystal structures of two of these, namely fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)3(Im)] and fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)3(DMAP)], are reported. High-pressure kinetic studies with four of these entering nucleophiles in methanol at 25 °C on fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)3(MeOH)] yielded the following activation volumes, ΔV≠(kL), for the ligation by four nucleophiles as defined by kL (cm3 mol-1): Im: 9.0 ± 0.2; Py: 10.1 ± 0.2; TU: 10.0 ± 0.3 and MeTU: 14.5 ± 0.3. Since these experimental ΔV≠(kL) values were positive but smaller than expected, it was interpreted that these indicated a dissociative/dissociative interchange pathway for these substitution reactions. Kinetic studies at ambient pressure and variable temperature in methanol on fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)3(MeOH)] with a range of eight entering nucleophiles pointed more clearly to a dissociative pathway and yielded the following results, wherein a clear linear free-energy relationship (LFER) was established for the entering nucleophiles Py, DMAP, Im, TU, MeTU, NCS-, Br- and I-, within the following ranges: kL (ligation; M-1 s-1), 0.263 ± 0.001 to 0.765 ± 0.002; k-L (solvolysis; s-1), (0.07 ± 0.01) × 10-3 to 0.674 ± 0.001; KL (equilibrium; M-1); 1.06 ± 0.01 to 2000 ± 500; ΔH≠(kL) (kJ mol-1), 58.0 ± 0.7 to 76.1 ± 0.6, and ΔS≠(kL) (J K-1 mol-1); -55 ± 2 to 6 ± 3.

Structures of rhenium(I) complexes with 3-hydroxyflavone and benzhydroxamic acid as O,O'-bidentate ligands and confirmation of π-stacking by solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

The synthesis and crystal structures of two new rhenium(I) complexes obtained utilizing benzhydroxamic acid (BHAH) and 3-hydroxyflavone (2-phenylchromen-4-one, FlavH) as bidentate ligands, namely tetraethylammonium fac-(benzhydroxamato-κ2O,O')bromidotricarbonylrhenate(I), (C8H20N)[ReBr(C7H6NO2)(CO)3], 1, and fac-aquatricarbonyl(4-oxo-2-phenylchromen-3-olato-κ2O,O')rhenium(I)-3-hydroxyflavone (1/1), [Re(C15H9O3)(CO)3(H2O)]·C15H10O3, 3, are reported. Furthermore, the crystal structure of free 3-hydroxyflavone, C15H10O3, 4, was redetermined at 100 K in order to compare the packing trends and solid-state NMR spectroscopy with that of the solvate flavone molecule in 3. The compounds were characterized in solution by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and in the solid state by 13C NMR spectroscopy using the cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) technique. Compounds 1 and 3 both crystallize in the triclinic space group P-1 with one molecule in the asymmetric unit, while 4 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121. Molecules of 1 and 3 generate one-dimensional chains formed through intermolecular interactions. A comparison of the coordinated 3-hydroxyflavone ligand with the uncoordinated solvate molecule and free molecule 4 shows that the last two are virtually completely planar due to hydrogen-bonding interactions, as opposed to the former, which is able to rotate more freely. The differences between the solid- and solution-state 13C NMR spectra of 3 and 4 are ascribed to inter- and intramolecular interactions. The study also investigated the potential labelling of both bidentate ligands with the corresponding fac-99mTc-tricarbonyl synthon. All attempts were unsuccessful and reasons for this are provided.

Self-Assembled Multinuclear Complexes Incorporating 99m Tc.

Multinuclear complexes or clusters are rarely investigated in medicinal inorganic chemistry although they represent structural intermediates between molecules and nanomaterials. We present in this report two strategies towards 99m Tc-containing clusters. In a pre-assembly approach, the preformed but incomplete cluster fragment [Re3 (µ2 -OH)3 (µ3 -OH)(CO)9 ]- reacts with [99m Tc(CO)3 ]+ to the highly stable [99m TcRe3 (µ3 -OH)4 (CO)12 ] cube. The same structure self-assembles when reacting the mononuclear Re and 99m Tc precursors in one pot. Integrating the coordinating OH groups from Schiff bases in this concept leads straight to dinuclear, mixed-metal complexes of the type [99m TcRe(µ2 -O^N-R1 )2 (CO)6 ] in quantitative yields. Both strategies are unprecedented and open a future path towards clusters, incorporating a 99m Tc radiolabel while being decorated with targeting or cytotoxic moieties.

Kinetics and Mechanism of CO Exchange in fac-[MBr2(solvent)(CO)3](-) (M = Re, (99)Tc).

The self-exchange kinetics of CO ligands in the solvated forms of the commonly used complex [MBr3(CO)3](2-) (M = Re, (99)Tc) were investigated in-depth by (13)C NMR spectroscopy in organic solvents such as dimethylformamide and methanol. The two homologues exhibit surprisingly different chemical behavior. In the case of rhenium, the stable intermediate [NEt4][ReBr2(CO)4] was isolated and characterized by (13)C NMR and IR spectroscopy as well as by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For technetium, no such intermediate could be identified. The activation parameters (ΔH(⧧) = 110 ± 7 kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(⧧) = 127 ± 22 J mol(-1) K(-1)) and the observed influences of different ligands and solvents suggest a dissociative-interchange-type mechanism with a second-order rate constant for the formation of [NEt4][ReBr2(CO)4], k1 = 0.039 ± 0.001 M(-1) s(-1) at 274 K. On the basis of variable-temperature NMR experiments, kinetic simulations, and density functional theory calculations, a complete model for the CO self-exchange, including all respective rate constants, is reported.

Regio- and Stereoselective 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Cyclic Azomethine Imines to Platinum(IV)-Bound Nitriles Giving Δ(2)-1,2,4-Triazoline Species.

The complex trans-[PtCl4(EtCN)2] (14) reacts smoothly at 25 °C with the stable cyclic azomethine imines R(1)CH═N(a)NC(O)CH(NHC(O)C6H4R(3))C(b)H(C6H4R(2))((a-b)) [R(1)/R(2)/R(3) = p-Me/H/H (8); p-Me/p-Me/H (9); p-Me/p-MeO/H (10); p-Me/p-Cl/p-Cl (11); p-MeO/p-Me/H (12); p-MeO/p-Cl/m-Me (13)], and the reaction proceeds as stereoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to one of the EtCN ligands accomplishing the monocycloadducts trans-[PtCl4(EtCN){N(a)═C(Et)N(b)C(O)CH(NHC(O)C6H4R(3))CH(C6H4R(2))N(c)C(d)HR(1)}])((a-d;b-c)) [R(1)/R(2)/R(3) = p-Me/H/H (15); p-Me/p-Me/H (16); p-Me/p-MeO/H (17); p-Me/p-Cl/p-Cl (18); p-MeO/p-Me/H (19); p-MeO/p-Cl/m-Me (20)]. Inspection of the obtained and literature data indicate that the cycloaddition of the azomethine imines to the C≡N bonds of HCN and of Pt(IV)-bound EtCN has different regioselectivity leading to Δ(2)-1,2,3-triazolines and Δ(2)-1,2,4-triazolines, respectively. Platinum(II) species trans-[PtCl2(EtCN){N(a)═C(Et)N(b)C(O)CH(NHC(O)C6H4R(3))CH(C6H4R(2))N(c)C(d)HR(1)}]((a-d;b-c)) [R(1)/R(2)/R(3) = p-Me/H/H (21); p-Me/p-Me/H (22); p-Me/p-MeO/H (23); p-Me/p-Cl/p-Cl (24); p-MeO/p-Me/H (25); p-MeO/p-Cl/m-Me (26)] were obtained by a one-pot procedure from 14 and 8-13 followed by addition of the phosphorus ylide Ph3P═CHCO2Me. Δ(2)-1,2,4-Triazolines N(a)═C(Et)N(b)C(O)CH(NHC(O)C6H4R(3))CH(C6H4R(2))N(c)C(d)HR(1(a-d;b-c)) [R(1)/R(2)/R(3) = p-Me/H/H (27); p-Me/p-Me/H (28); p-Me/p-MeO/H (29); p-Me/p-Cl/p-Cl (30); p-MeO/p-Me/H (31); p-MeO/p-Cl/m-Me (32)] were liberated from 21-26 by the treatment with bis(diphenylphosphyno)ethane (dppe). Platinum(II) complexes 21-26 were characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and IR and (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopies and single crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state for 25·CH3OH, 26·(CHCl3)0.84. The structure of 26 was also determined by COSY-90 and NOESY NMR methods in solution. Quantitative evaluation of several pairs of interproton distances obtained by NMR and X-ray diffraction agrees well with each other and with those obtained by the MM+ calculation method. Platinum(IV) complexes 15-20 were characterized by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Metal-free 6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a][1,2,4]triazoles (27-32) were characterized by high-resolution ESI-MS and IR and (1)H and (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectroscopies and single crystal X-ray diffraction for 29·CDCl3. Theoretical density functional theory calculations were carried out for the investigation of the reaction mechanism, interpretation of the reactivity of Pt-bound and free nitriles toward azomethine imines and analysis of the regio- and stereoselectivity origin.

Solid state isostructural behavior and quantified limiting substitution kinetics in Schiff-base bidentate ligand complexes fac-[Re(O,N-Bid)(CO)3(MeOH)](n).

A range of N,O-donor atom salicylidene complexes of the type fac-[M(O,N-Bid)(CO)3(L)](n) (O,N-Bid = anionic N,O-bidentate ligands; L = neutral coordinated ligand) have been studied. The unique feature of the complexes which crystallize in a monoclinic isostructural space group for complexes containing methanol in the sixth position (L = MeOH) is highlighted. The reactivity and stability of the complexes were evaluated by rapid stopped-flow techniques, and the methanol substitution by a range of pyridine type ligands indicates significant activation by the N,O-salicylidene type of bidentate ligands as observed from the variation in the second-order rate constants. In particular, following the introduction of the sterically demanding and electron rich cyclohexyl salicylidene moiety on the bidentate ligand, novel limiting kinetic behavior is displayed by all entering ligands, thus enabling a systematic probe and manipulation of the limiting kinetic constants. Clear evidence of an interchange type of intimate mechanism for the methanol substitution is produced. The equilibrium and rate constants (25 °C) for the two steps in the dissociative interchange mechanism for methanol substitution in fac-[Re(Sal-Cy)(CO)3(MeOH)] (5) by the pyridine type ligands 3-chloropyridine, pyridine, 4-picoline, and DMAP are k3 (s(-1)), 40 ± 4, 13 ± 2, 10.4 ± 0.7, and 2.11 ± 0.09, and K2 (M(-1)), 0.13 ± 0.01, 0.21 ± 0.03, 0.26 ± 0.02, and 1.8 ± 0.1, respectively.

Fast and reversible insertion of carbon dioxide into zirconocene-alkoxide bonds. A mechanistic study.

In two consecutive equilibria the compound (Cp*)2Zr(OMe)2 undergoes insertion of CO2 to form the mono- and bis-hemicarbonates. Both equilibria are exothermic but entropically disfavoured. Magnetisation transfer experiments gave kinetic data for the first equilibrium showing that the rate of insertion is overall second order with a rate constant of 3.20 ± 0.12 M(-1) s(-1), which is substantially higher than those reported for other early transition metal alkoxides, which are currently the best homogeneous catalysts for dimethyl carbonate formation from methanol and CO2. Activation parameters for the insertion reaction point to a highly ordered transition state and we interpret that as there being a substantial interaction between the CO2 and the metal during the C-O bond formation. This is supported by DFT calculations showing the lateral attack by CO2 to have the lowest energy transition state.

Distorted octahedral environments in tricarbonylrhenium(I) complexes of 5-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olate and 5,7-bis[2-(2-methylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olate.

The Re(I) centres of two Re(I)-tricarbonyl complexes, viz. tricarbonyl(pyridine-κN){5-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olato-κ(2)N(1),O}rhenium(I), [Re(C23H21N4O)(CO)3], (I), and {5,7-bis[2-(2-methylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olato-κ(2)N(1),O}tricarbonyl(pyridine-κN)rhenium(I), [Re(C28H23N6O)(CO)3], (II), are facially surrounded by three carbonyl ligands, a pyridine ligand and either a 5-[2-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olate [in (I)] or a 5,7-bis[2-(2-methylphenyl)diazen-1-yl]quinolin-8-olate [in (II)] ligand, in a slightly distorted octahedral environment. The crystal structure of (I) is stabilized by two intermolecular C-H···O interactions and that of (II) is stabilized by three intermolecular C-H···O hydrogen-bonding interactions.

Kinetic and mechanistic investigation of the substitution reactions of four and five co-ordinated rhodium stibine complexes with a bulky phosphite.

The substitution reaction of trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)2] (1) with tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite (2,4-TBPP) to form trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(2,4-TBPP)2] (4) in two consecutive steps has been investigated by UV-vis stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The experiments were performed in dichloromethane and in ethyl acetate, at 298 K and 268 K respectively for the first reaction step, and for the second reaction step over a temperature range from 278 to 313 K in both solvents. The first step is very fast (up to 1630 s(−1)) and on the limit of what is observable with the stopped-flow technique. Introduction of the five-coordinate complex trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)3] (2) in equilibrium with (1), by adding an excess SbPh3, led to a significant decrease in overall reaction rate for the formation of the intermediate trans-[Rh(Cl)(CO)(SbPh3)2(2,4-TBPP)] (3). Activation parameters for the second substitution reaction, in which 3 is converted to 4, has been determined as ΔH‡ = 22.85 ± 0.17 and 28.38 ± 0.10 kJ mol(−1) and ΔS‡ = −144.7 ± 0.6 and −100.9 ± 0.4 J mol(−1) K(−1) for CH2Cl2 and EtOAc respectively, supporting an associative pathway. A strongly coordinating solvent promotes both reactions. In all reaction steps a strong tendency for stibines to promote 5-coordinated, fairly stable intermediates is manifested.

Activation of rhenium(I) toward substitution in fac-[Re(N,O'-Bid)(CO)3(HOCH3)] by Schiff-base bidentate ligands (N,O'-Bid).

A series of fac-[Re(N,O'-Bid)(CO)3(L)] (N,O'-Bid = monoanionic bidentate Schiff-base ligands with N,O donor atoms; L = neutral monodentate ligand) has been synthesized, and the methanol substitution reactions have been investigated. The complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures of the compounds fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)], fac-[Re(Sal-pTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)], fac-[Re(Sal-Ph)(CO)3(HOCH3)], and fac-[Re(Sal-Ph)(CO)3(Py)] (Sal-mTol = 2-(m-tolyliminomethyl)phenolato; Sal-pTol = 2-(p-tolyliminomethyl)phenolato; Sal-Ph = 2-(phenyliminomethyl)phenolato; Py = pyridine) are reported. Significant activation for the methanol substitution is induced by the use of the N,O bidentate ligand as manifested by the second order rate constants, with limiting kinetics being observed for the first time. Rate constants (25 °C) (k1 or k3) and activation parameters (ΔHk‡, kJ mol(-1); ΔSk‡, J K(-1) mol(-1)) from Eyring plots for entering nucleophiles as indicated are as follows: fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] 3-chloropyridine: (k1) 2.33 ± 0.01 M(-1) s(-1); 85.1 ± 0.6, 48 ± 2; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] pyridine: (k1) 1.29 ± 0.02 M(-1) s(-1); 92 ± 2, 66 ± 7; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] 4-picoline: (k1) 1.27 ± 0.05 M(-1) s(-1); 88 ± 2, 53 ± 6; (k3) 3.9 ± 0.03 s(-1); 78 ± 8, 30 ± 27; (kf) 1.7 ± 0.02 M(-1) s(-1); 86 ± 2, 49 ± 6; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] DMAP (k3) 1.15 ± 0.02 s(-1); 88 ± 2, 52 ± 7. An interchange dissociative mechanism is proposed.

2,6-Dichloro-aniline-4-(2,6-dichloro-anilino)-pent-3-en-2-one (1/2).

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C6H5Cl2N·2C11H11Cl2NO, is composed of one mol-ecule of an enamino-ketone [i.e. -(2,6-dichloro-phenyl-amino)-pent-3-en-2-one] and half a mol-ecule of 2,6-dichloro-aniline, the whole mol-ecule of the latter component being generated by twofold rotational symmetry. In this latter mol-ecule, there are two intra-molecular N-H⋯Cl contacts. In the enamino-ketone mol-ecule, there is an N-H⋯O hydrogen bond of moderate strength, and the dihedral angle between the benzene ring and penta-none fragment [C-C(-N)=C-C(=O)-C; planar within 0.005 (1) Å] is 81.85 (7)°. In the crystal, two mol-ecules of the enamino-ketone are bridged by a mol-ecule of 2,6-dichloro-aniline via N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds of moderate strength. There are also π-π inter-actions present, involving the benzene rings of inversion-related enamino-ketone mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.724 (4) Å].

Ethylene tri- and tetramerization: a steric parameter selectivity switch from X-ray crystallography and computational analysis.

A steric parameter (θN-sub) is introduced to describe the steric bulk at the nitrogen atom on a range of PNP ligands used in ethylene tri- and tetramerization. This parameter was calculated for the free ligands and different metal complexes thereof and compared to catalytic data. A specific tendency is observed for the value of θN-sub and 1-hexene selectivity, and a slight increase in 1-octene selectivity is found with increased bulkiness of the substituents on the nitrogen atom.

Electronic influence of ß-diketonato-type ligands on the coordination of 1,5-cyclooctadiene to palladium(II) as defined by 'Venus fly trap' geometric parameters.

A range of single-crystal structures of the type [Pd(cod)(LL'-Bid)]A, where LL'-Bid = acetylacetonato (acac), thenoyltrifluoroactetonato (thtfac) and hexafluoroacetylacetonato (hfacac), and A = tetrafluoroborate (BF(4)(-)) and hexafluorophosphate (PF(6)(-)), are reported. The complexes [Pd(cod)(acac)]PF(6) (I), [Pd(cod)(thtfac)]PF(6) (III), [Pd(cod)(thtfac)]BF(4) (IV) and [Pd(cod)(hfacac)]PF(6) (V) are isostructural in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. The influence of the variation of the ß-diketonato-type ligands on the coordination geometry of cis,cis-1,5-cycloocta-1,5-diene (cod) was investigated and found that no significant changes to the Pd-C and C=C bond distances were observed. The `Venus fly trap' parameters vary by 7.8° for the 'jaw' angle (ψ), while the `bite' angle (χ) remains virtually constant.

4-(2,3-Dimethyl-anilino)pent-3-en-2-one.

In the title compound, C(13)H(17)NO, the dihedral angle between the aryl ring and the amino-acryl-aldehyde mean plane [N-C=C-C=O; maximum deviation = 0.0144 (9) Å] is 53.43 (4)°. There is an intra-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bond involving the amine and carbonyl groups. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains propagating along [001].

Coordinated aqua vs methanol substitution kinetics in fac-Re(I) tricarbonyl tropolonato complexes.

Water-soluble fac-[Re(CO)(3)(L,L'-Bid)(X)] (L,L'-Bid = tropolonato, X = H(2)O, methanol) complexes have been synthesized, and the aqua and methanol substitution reactions were investigated in water (pH range 6.3-10.0) and methanol, respectively, and compared. Thiocyanate ions were used as monodentate entering ligand. The complexes were characterized by UV-vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the complexes [NEt(4)] fac-[Re(Trop)(CO)(3)(H(2)O)].NO(3).H(2)O (reactant) and fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Trop)(Py)], a substitution product, are reported. Overall it was found that the aqua substitution of fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Trop)(H(2)O)] is about 10 times faster than the methanol substitution reaction for fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Trop)(MeOH)], with forward and reverse rate and stability constants [k(1) (M(-1) s(-1)), k(-1) (s(-1)), K(1), (M(-1))] for thiocyanate as monodentate entering ligand as follows: fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Trop)(H(2)O)] = 2.54 ± 0.03, 0.0077 ± 0.0005, 330 ± 22/207 ± 14 and fac-[Re(CO)(3)(Trop)(MeOH)] = 0.268 ± 0.002, 0.0044 ± 0.0002, (61 ± 3)/(52 ± 4). The activation parameters [ΔH(‡)(k1) (kJ mol(-1)), ΔS(‡)(k1) (J K(-1) mol(-1))] for the aqua and methanol complex respectively are 56.1 ± 0.7, -49 ± 2 and 64 ± 1, -43 ± 5.

Tricarbonylbis-(triphenyl-phosphane-κP)iridium(I) hexa-fluoridophosphate methanol monosolvate.

In the title compound, [Ir(C(18)H(15)P)(2)(CO)(3)]PF(6)·CH(3)OH, the Ir(I) atom is coordinated by two triphenyl-phosphine ligands in axial sites and three carbonyl ligands in the equatorial plane of a fairly regular trigonal bipyramid: the equatorial C-Ir-C angles range from 115.45 (9) to 126.42 (10)°. The small deviations from the ideal tetra-hedral geometry around the P atoms are illustrated by C-P-C angles ranging from 104.08 (9) to 106.46 (9)°. In the crystal, the mol-ecules are linked by weak C-H⋯F, C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π inter-actions.