Search

Cu(II) complexes of cyclen-based ligands Cu L 1 -Cu L 6 were synthesized and characterized. The corresponding ligands L 1 - L 6 comprise different donor sets including S and O atoms. Whereas cyclen ( L 1 ) is commercially available, L 2 - L 6 were synthesized according to protocols available in the literature. Cleavage activity of the complexes towards plasmid DNA was tested in the presence and absence of ascorbate as a reducing agent (oxidative vs. hydrolytic cleavage). As previously shown, the substitution of N donor atoms with hard donor O atoms leads to efficient oxidative nucleases, but dissociation of the complex upon reduction. We thus opted for S substitution (soft donors) to stabilize the reduced Cu(I) species. Increasing the S content, however, leads to species that are difficult to reoxidize in order to ensure efficient oxidative DNA cleavage. We are showing by experimental (cyclic voltammetry) and computational means (DFT) that the rational combination of O and S atoms next to two nitrogen donors within the macrocycle (oxathiacyclen complex Cu L 6 ) leads to the stabilization of both redox states. The complex thus exhibits the highest oxidative DNA cleavage activity within this family of cyclen-based Cu(II) complexes - without leaching of the metal ion during reduction.

The azido ligand is widely used in coordination chemistry both as a ligand and as a metal-bound reactant. Its role as a bridge for magnetic exchange coupling has attracted a lot of attention in polynuclear metal complexes. However, only a very limited number of complexes are known in which a single azide anion, particularly in the μ 1,1 -mode, is the only unsupported connection between two metal centers. We present here a series of copper(ii)-azido complexes with amine anchored, triazole-based tripodal ligands containing varying substituents. In the mononuclear copper-azido complexes there is only a negligible effect of these substituents on the structure of the metal complexes. However, the substituents seem to play a decisive role in the type and formation of the dinuclear complexes. Using the tripodal ligand TBTA with flexible benzyl substituents resulted in a rare example of an unsupported and solely μ 1,1 -azido-bridged dinuclear complex. The use of the TDTA ligand with 2,6-diisopropylphenyl moieties as rigid and sterically demanding substituents resulted in the formation of a scarce example of a solely μ 1,4 -tetrazolato-bridged dinuclear complex by in situ cycloaddition between the azide and solvent nitrile. This observation of a reaction of unactivated aliphatic nitrile with the azide anion at room temperature is very unusual. The isolation and characterization (by means of X-ray diffraction) of intermediates allows for mechanistic insights into the cycloaddition reaction. The isolated bridges in both dinuclear complexes render them ideal model compounds for the investigation of the magnetic exchange mediated by these ligands usually employed in polynuclear complexes and frameworks together with additional bridging ligands. Magnetic measurements and broken-symmetry DFT calculations were used to shed light on the magnetic exchange revealing weak and moderate antiferromagnetic exchange for the azide and tetrazolate, respectively.

The reaction of the chloro-bridged dimeric precursor [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}(μ-Cl)]2 (p-cym = p-cymene) with the bridging ligand 3,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bpytz) in ethanol results in the formation of the dinuclear complex [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz˙(-))](+), [1](+). The bridging tetrazine ligand is reduced to the anion radical (bpytz˙(-)) which connects the two Ru(II) centres. Compound [1](PF6) has been characterised by an array of spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. The radical anion character has been confirmed by magnetic moment (corresponding to one electron paramagnetism) measurement, EPR spectroscopic investigation (tetrazine radical anion based EPR spectrum) as well as density functional theory based calculations. Complex [1](+) displays two successive one electron oxidation processes at 0.66 and 1.56 V versus Ag/AgCl which can be attributed to [{(p-cym)Ru(II)C}2(μ-bpytz˙(-))](+)/[{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](2+) and [{(p-cym)Ru(II)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](+)/[{(p-cym)Ru(III)Cl}2(μ-bpytz)](2+) processes (couples I and II), respectively. The reduction processes (couple III-couple V), which are irreversible, likely involve the successive reduction of the bridging ligand and the metal centres together with loss of the coordinated chloride ligands. UV-Vis-NIR spectroelectrochemical investigation reveals typical tetrazine radical anion containing bands for [1](+) and a strong absorption in the visible region for the oxidized form [1](2+), which can be assigned to a Ru(II) → π* (tetrazine) MLCT transition. The assignment of spectroscopic bands was confirmed by theoretical calculations.

The generation of molecular platforms, the properties of which can be influenced by a variety of external perturbations, is an important goal in the field of functional molecular materials. We present here the synthesis of a new quinonoid ligand platform containing an [O,O,O,N] donor set. The ligand is derived from a chloranilic acid core by using the [NR] (nitrogen atom with a substituent R) for [O] isoelectronic substitution. Mononuclear Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes have been synthesized with this new ligand. Results obtained from single crystal X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, (spectro)electrochemistry, SQUID magnetometry, multi-frequency EPR spectroscopy and FIR spectroscopy are used to elucidate the electronic and geometric structures of the complexes. Furthermore, we show here that the spin state of the Fe(II) complex can be influenced by temperature, pressure and light and the Co(II) complex displays redox-induced spin-state switching. Bistability is observed in the solid-state as well as in solution for the Fe(II) complex. The new ligand presented here, owing to the [NR] group present in it, will likely have more adaptability while investigating switching phenomena compared to its [O,O,O,O] analogues. Thus, such classes of ligands as well as the results obtained on the reversible changes in physical properties of the metal complexes are likely to contribute to the generation of multifunctional molecular materials.

Synthesis of two new Au(III) corrole complexes with unsymmetrically substituted corrole ligands is presented here. The newly synthesized Au-compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The structural characterization of a representative Au(III) corrole has also been possible. Electrochemical, UV-vis-NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemical and DFT studies have been used to decipher the electronic structures of various electro-generated species. These are the first UV-vis-NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemical investigations on Au(III) corroles. Assignment of redox states of electro-generated Au(III) corroles is supported by DFT analysis. In contrast to the metal centered reduction reported in Au(III) porphyrins, one electron reduction in Au(III) corroles has been assigned to corrole centered on the basis of experimental and theoretical studies. Thus, the Au(III) corroles (not the analogous Au(III) porphyrin derivatives!) bear a truly redox inactive Au(III) center. Additionally, these Au-corrole complexes display NIR electrochromism, the origin of which is all on corrole-centered processes.

Mononuclear Pt(II) and the first dinuclear Pt(II) complexes along with a cyclometalated heterobimetallic Ir(III)/Pd(II) complex bearing mesoionic carbene donor ligands are presented starting from the same bis-triazolium salt. The mononuclear Pt(II) complex possesses a free triazole moiety which is generated from the corresponding triazolium salt through an N-demethylation reaction, whereas the mononuclear Ir(III) complex features an unreacted triazolium unit.

Synthesis of a ligand platform to generate di- and tri-mesoionic carbenes is reported together with their multinuclear Pd(II) complexes. Complete structural characterization and preliminary electrochemical data are presented.