Electronic structure and reactivity of three-coordinate iron complexes

[Reaction: see text]. The identity and oxidation state of the metal in a coordination compound are typically thought to be the most important determinants of its reactivity. However, the coordination number (the number of bonds to the metal) can be equally influential. This Account describes iron complexes with a coordination number of only three, which differ greatly from iron complexes with octahedral (six-coordinate) geometries with respect to their magnetism, electronic structure, preference for ligands, and reactivity. Three-coordinate complexes with a trigonal-planar geometry are accessible using bulky, anionic, bidentate ligands (beta-diketiminates) that steer a monodentate ligand into the plane of their two nitrogen donors. This strategy has led to a variety of three-coordinate iron complexes in which iron is in the +1, +2, and +3 oxidation states. Systematic studies on the electronic structures of these complexes have been useful in interpreting their properties. The iron ions are generally high spin, with singly occupied orbitals available for pi interactions with ligands. Trends in sigma-bonding show that iron(II) complexes favor electronegative ligands (O, N donors) over electropositive ligands (hydride). The combination of electrostatic sigma-bonding and the availability of pi-interactions stabilizes iron(II) fluoride and oxo complexes. The same factors destabilize iron(II) hydride complexes, which are reactive enough to add the hydrogen atom to unsaturated organic molecules and to take part in radical reactions. Iron(I) complexes use strong pi-backbonding to transfer charge from iron into coordinated alkynes and N 2, whereas iron(III) accepts charge from a pi-donating imido ligand. Though the imidoiron(III) complex is stabilized by pi-bonding in the trigonal-planar geometry, addition of pyridine as a fourth donor weakens the pi-bonding, which enables abstraction of H atoms from hydrocarbons. The unusual bonding and reactivity patterns of three-coordinate iron compounds may lead to new catalysts for oxidation and reduction reactions and may be used by nature in transient intermediates of nitrogenase enzymes.     

Comparison of the chemical properties of iron and cobalt porphyrins and corrins

Density functional calculations have been used to compare various geometric, electronic and functional properties of iron and cobalt porphyrin (Por) and corrin (Cor) species. The investigation is focussed on octahedral M(II/III) complexes (where M is the metal) with two axial imidazole ligands (as a model of b and c type cytochromes) or with one imidazole and one methyl ligand (as a model of methylcobalamin). However, we have also studied some five-coordinate M(II) complexes with an imidazole ligand and four-coordinate M(I/II) complexes without any axial ligands as models of other intermediates in the reaction cycle of coenzyme B12. The central cavity of the corrin ring is smaller than that of porphine. We show that the cavity of corrin is close to ideal for low-spin Co(III), Co(II), and Co(I) with the axial ligands encountered in biology, whereas the cavity in porphine is better suited for intermediate-spin states. Therefore, the low-spin state of Co is strongly favoured in complexes with corrins, whereas there is a small energy difference between the various spin states in iron porphyrin species. There are no clear differences for the reduction potentials of the octahedral complexes, but [Co(I)Cor] is more easily formed (by at least 40 kJ mole(-1)) than [Fe(I)Por]. Cobalt and corrin form a strong Cobond;C bond that is more stable against hydrolysis than iron and porphine. Finally, Fe(II/III) gives a much lower reorganisation energy than Co(II/III); this is owing to the occupied d(z2) orbital in Co(II). Altogether, these results give some clues about how nature has chosen the tetrapyrrole rings and their central metal ion.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Transition Metal Complexes Derived from N,S Bidentate Ligands

Two bidentate NS ligands were synthesized by the condensation reaction of S-2-methylbenzyldithiocarbazate (S2MBDTC) with 2-methoxybenzaldehyde (2MB) and 3-methoxybenzaldehyde (3MB). The ligands were reacted separately with acetates of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) yielding 1:2 (metal:ligand) complexes. The metal complexes formed were expected to have a general formula of [M(NS)₂] where M = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺. These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility and various spectroscopic techniques. The magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectral results supported the predicted coordination geometry in which the Schiff bases behaved as bidentate NS donor ligands coordinating via the azomethine nitrogen and thiolate sulfur. The molecular structures of the isomeric S2M2MBH (1) and S2M3MBH (2) were established by X-ray crystallography to have very similar l-shaped structures. The Schiff bases and their metal complexes were evaluated for their biological activities against estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and estrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cell lines. Only the Cu(II) complexes showed marked cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines. Both Schiff bases and other metal complexes were found to be inactive. In concordance with the cytotoxicity studies, the DNA binding studies indicated that Cu(II) complexes have a strong DNA binding affinity.     

The syntheses of 3d–3d mixed heterometallic coordination polymers with magnetic properties

Novel 3d–3d heterometallic metal-organic frameworks, [M(ox)(bipy)] (1, M = Co and Zn; 2, M = Co and Cd; ox = oxalate, bipy = 4,4-bipyridine), have been synthesized by using two bidentate ligands under hydrothermal conditions. The Co(II) and Zn(II) ions in 1, and Co(II) and Cd(II) in 2 are location disordered, with a molar ratio of 0.72:0.28, and 0.96:0.04, respectively. The co-existence of the two metal ions in the structures makes them more thermally stable than previously reported homometallic polymers of Co(II) or Zn(II) ions. Compound 1 exhibits weaker antiferromagnetism than the pure Co(II) complex owing to the incorporation of Zn(II).     

Co(III)-alkylperoxo complexes: syntheses, structure-reactivity correlations, and use in the oxidation of hydrocarbons

Crystalline [LCo(III)-OOR] complexes with strong-field ligands, L, afford ROO(*) and RO(*) radicals upon mild heating in solution. This fact allows oxidation of hydrocarbons by these complexes under mild conditions. The extent of hydrocarbon oxidation by discrete [LCo(III)-OOR] complexes depends on the nature of L, the solvent, the temperature, and the presence of other M(II) ions. Such systems are catalytic in the presence of excess ROOH.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Part 54: metal complexes of heterocyclic sulfonamides: a new class of antiglaucoma agents

Metal complexes of heterocyclic sulfonamides possessing carbonic anhydrase (CA) inhibitory properties were recently shown to be useful as intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering agents in experimental animals, and might be developed as a novel class of antiglaucoma drugs. Here we report the synthesis of a heterocyclic sulfonamide CA inhibitor and of the metal complexes containing main group metal ions, such as Be(II), Mg(II), Al(III), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) and the new sulfonamide as well as 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide as ligands. The new complexes were characterized by standard physico-chemical procedures, and assayed as inhibitors of three CA isozymes, CA I, II and IV. Some of them (but not the parent sulfonamides) strongly lowered IOP in rabbits when administered as a 2% solution into the eye.     

Cationic Peptides and Their Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes: Coordination and Biological Characteristics

Antimicrobial peptides are a promising group of compounds used for the treatment of infections. In some cases, metal ions are essential to activate these molecules. Examples of metalloantibiotics are, for instance, bleomycin and dermcidin. This study is focused on three new pseudopeptides with potential biological activity. The coordination behavior of all ligands with Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions has been examined. Various analytical methods such as potentiometric titration, UV-Vis and CD spectroscopies, and mass spectrometry were used. All compounds are convenient chelators for metal ion-binding. Two of the ligands tested have histidine residues. Surprisingly, imidazole nitrogen is not involved in the coordination of the metal ion. The N-terminal amino group, Dab side chains, and amide nitrogen atoms of the peptide bonds coordinated Cu(II) and Ni(II) in all the complexes formed. The cytotoxicity of three pseudopeptides and their complexes was evaluated. Moreover, their other model allowed for assessing the attenuation of LPS-induced cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activities were also evaluated, the results of which revealed to be very promising.     

Reactions of late transition metal complexes with molecular oxygen

Limited natural resources, high energy consumption, economic considerations, and environmental concerns demand that we develop new technologies for the sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. New methods that combine the selective activation of C-H bonds of hydrocarbons with oxidation by a green oxidant such as molecular oxygen would represent huge advances toward this goal. The spectacular selectivity of transition metals in cleaving C-H bonds offers the potential for the direct use of hydrocarbons in the production of value-added organics such as alcohols. However, the use of oxygen, which is abundant, environmentally benign, and inexpensive (particularly from air), has proven challenging, and more expensive and less green oxidants are often employed in transition-metal-catalyzed reactions. Advances in the use of oxygen as an oxidant in transition-metal-catalyzed transformations of hydrocarbons will require a better understanding of how oxygen reacts with transition metal alkyl and hydride complexes. For alkane oxidations, researchers will need to comprehend and predict how metals that have shown particularly high activity and selectivity in C-H bond activation (e.g. Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir) will react with oxygen. In this Account, we present our studies of reactions of late metal alkyls and hydrides with molecular oxygen, emphasizing the mechanistic insights that have emerged from this work. Our studies have unraveled some of the general mechanistic features of how molecular oxygen inserts into late metal hydride and alkyl bonds along with a nascent understanding of the scope and limitations of these reactions. We present examples of the formation of metal hydroperoxide species M-OOH by insertion of dioxygen into Pt(IV)-H and Pd(II)-H bonds and show evidence that these reactions proceed by radical chain and hydrogen abstraction pathways, respectively. Comparisons with recent reports of insertion of oxygen into other Pd(II)-H complexes, and also into Ir(III)-H and Rh(III)-H complexes, point to potentially general mechanisms for this type of reaction. Additionally, we observed oxygen-promoted C-H and H-H reductive elimination reactions from five-coordinate Ir(III) alkyl hydride and dihydride complexes, respectively. Further, when Pd(II)Me(2) and Pt(II)Me(2) complexes were exposed to oxygen, insertion processes generated M-OOMe complexes. Mechanistic studies for these reactions are consistent with radical chain homolytic substitution pathways involving five-coordinate M(III) intermediates. Due to the remarkable ability of Pt(II) and Pd(II) to activate the C-H bonds of hydrocarbons (RH) and form M-R species, this reactivity is especially exciting for the development of partial alkane-oxidation processes that utilize molecular oxygen. Our understanding of how late transition metal alkyls and hydrides react with molecular oxygen is growing rapidly and will soon approach our knowledge of how other small molecules such as olefins and carbon monoxide react with these species. Just as advances in understanding olefin and CO insertion reactions have shaped important industrial processes, key insight into oxygen insertion should lead to significant gains in sustainable commercial selective oxidation catalysis.     

Mononuclear metal-o(2) complexes bearing macrocyclic N-tetramethylated cyclam ligands

Metalloenzymes activate dioxygen to carry out a variety of biological reactions, including the biotransformation of naturally occurring molecules, oxidative metabolism of xenobiotics, and oxidative phosphorylation. The dioxygen activation at the catalytic sites of the enzymes occurs through several steps, such as the binding of O(2) at a reduced metal center, the generation of metal-superoxo and -peroxo species, and the O-O bond cleavage of metal-hydroperoxo complexes to form high-valent metal-oxo oxidants. Because these mononuclear metal-dioxygen (M-O(2)) adducts are implicated as key intermediates in dioxygen activation reactions catalyzed by metalloenzymes, studies of the structural and spectroscopic properties and reactivities of synthetic biomimetic analogues of these species have aided our understanding of their biological chemistry. One particularly versatile class of biomimetic coordination complexes for studying dioxygen activation by metal complexes is M-O(2) complexes bearing the macrocyclic N-tetramethylated cyclam (TMC) ligand. This Account describes the synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization, and reactivity studies of M-O(2) complexes bearing tetraazamacrocyclic n-TMC ligands, where M ═ Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni and n = 12, 13, and 14, based on recent results from our laboratory. We have used various spectroscopic techniques, including resonance Raman and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to characterize several novel metal-O(2) complexes. Notably, X-ray crystal structures had shown that these complexes are end-on metal-superoxo and side-on metal-peroxo species. The metal ions and the ring size of the macrocyclic TMC ligands control the geometric and electronic structures of the metal-O(2) complexes, resulting in the end-on metal-superoxo versus side-on metal-peroxo structures. Reactivity studies performed with the isolated metal-superoxo complexes reveal that they can conduct electrophilic reactions such as oxygen atom transfer and C-H bond activation of organic substrates. The metal-peroxo complexes are active oxidants in nucleophilic reactions, such as aldehyde deformylation. We also demonstrate a complete intermolecular O(2)-transfer from metal(III)-peroxo complexes to a Mn(II) complex. The results presented in this Account show the significance of metal ions and supporting ligands in tuning the geometric and electronic structures and reactivities of the metal-O(2) intermediates that are relevant in biology and in biomimetic reactions.     

Antibacterial Co(II) and Ni(II) Complexes of N-(2-Furanylmethylene)-2-Aminothiadiazole and Role of SO(4), NO(3), C(2)O(4) and CH(3)CO(2) anions on Biological Properties

Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes with a Schiff base, N-(2-furanylmethylene)-2-aminothiadiazole have been prepared and characterized by their physical, spectral and analytical data. The synthesized Schiff-bases act as tridentate ligands during the complexation reaction with Co(II) and Ni(II. metal ions. They possess the composition [M(L)(2)]X(n) (where M=Co(II) or Ni(II), L=, X=NO(3) (-), SO(4) (2-), C(2)O(4) (2-) or CH(3)CO(2) (-) and n=1 or 2) and show an octahedral geometry. In order to evaluate the effect of anions upon chelation, the Schiff-base and its complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity against bacterial strains e.g., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

Effect of the nature and degree of crosslinking on the catalase‐like activity of polystyrene‐supported schiff base‐metal complexes

Catalase‐like activity of the metal complexes of various crosslinked polystyrene‐supported Schiff bases were carried out and correlated with the nature and degree of crosslinking in the polymer support. Polystyrenes with 2–20 mol % ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA), 1,4‐butanediol dimethacrylate (BDDMA) and 1,6‐hexanediol diacrylate (HDODA) were used as polymer supports. functions of diethylenetriamine and salicylaldehyde were incorporated to the chloromethylpolystyrene by polymer analogous reactions and complexed with Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions. The metal uptake decreased in the order: Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) > Fe(III) > Fe(II), and extent of metal uptake by the various crosslinked system varied with the nature and degree of the crosslinking agent. The polymeric ligands and the metal complexes were characterized by various analytical techniques. The catalytic activities of these metal complexes were investigated towards the decomposition reaction of hydrogen peroxide. Generally among the various metal complexes, the catalytic activities decreased in the order: Co(II) > Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Fe(III) ? Fe(II). With increasing rigidity of the crosslinking agent their catalytic activity also decreased. Of the various crosslinked systems, the catalytic activity decreased in the order: HDODA‐ > BDDMA‐ > EGDMA‐crosslinked system. Also, the catalytic activity is higher for low crosslinked systems and decreased further with increasing degree of crosslinking. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1271–1278, 2004     

Metal-5-Fluorouracil-histamine complexes: solution, structural, and antitumour studies

Solution studies were performed pH-metrically to study the interaction of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) metal ions with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and histamine (Hm) separately (binary) and in the presence of each other (ternary) at 25+/-0.1( degrees )C temperature and a constant ionic strength of 0.1 M NaNO(3) in aqueous solution. The ternary complexes have been found to be more stable than the corresponding binary complexes as shown by the positive value of DeltalogK. The species distribution curves have been obtained using the computer programme BEST. On the basis of species distribution results, efforts were also made to prepare some mixed complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) ions by performing the reaction of their metal nitrates, 5FU and Hm in aqueous ethanol medium at suitable pH. The isolated solid complexes were characterized by different physico-chemical method in order to suggest the possible binding site of the ligands and the structure of the resultant complexes. All these complexes were checked for their antitumour activity by injecting in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) and Sarcoma-180 (S-180) bearing C(3)H/He mice. The results indicate that some complexes have good antitumour activity both in vivo and in vitro.     

Supramolecular Structure,Mode of Coordination,Thermal and Potentiometric Studies of Polymer Complexes: A Review

Chelating compounds derived from acryloyl monomers are being utilized as suitable ligands. They enable the formation of rigid coordination polymers. This review gives information about preparation and structurally characterization the polymer complexes by analyses, spectral techniques like IR, NMR, ESR thermal and potentiometric methods. The ESR spectral data of the Cu(II) complexes showed that the metal–ligand bonds have considerable covalent character. The thermal stability was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. The thermal behavior of these chelates shows that the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the subsequent steps. The results showed that the polymer complexes are more stable than the homopolymer. Proton ligand dissociation and metal ligand stability constants of acryloyl monomers with some transition metal ions in monomeric and polymeric forms potentiometrically were determined.     

Synthesis of polymer-supported metal-ion complexes and evaluation of their catalytic activities

Polymer-supported transition-metal-ion complexes of the N,N′-bis(o-hydroxy acetophenone) propylenediamine (HPPn) Schiff base were prepared by the complexation of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions on a polymer-anchored N,N′-bis(5-amino-o-hydroxy acetophenone) propylenediamine Schiff base. The complexation of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions on the polymer-anchored HPPn Schiff base was 83.44, 82.92, and 89.58 wt%, respectively, whereas the unsupported HPPn Schiff base showed 82.29, 81.18, and 87.29 wt % complexation of these metal ions. The iron(III) ion complexes of the HPPn Schiff base showed octahedral geometry, whereas the cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ion complexes were square planar in shape, as suggested by spectral and magnetic measurements. The thermal stability of the HPPn Schiff base increased with the complexation of metal ions, as evidenced by thermogravimetric analysis. The HPPn Schiff base showed a weight loss of 51.0 wt % at 500°C, but its iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ion complexes showed weight losses of 27.0, 35.0, and 44.7 wt % at the same temperature. The catalytic activity of the unsupported and supported metal-ion complexes was analyzed by the study of the oxidation of phenol and epoxidation of cyclohexene in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. The supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions showed a 73.0 wt % maximum conversion of phenol and 90.6 wt % epoxidation of cyclohexene, but unsupported complexes of iron(III) ions showed 63.8 wt % conversion of phenol and 83.2 wt % epoxidation of cyclohexene. The product selectivity for catechol (CTL) and epoxy cyclohexane (ECH) was 93.1 wt % and 98.1 wt % with the supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions, but it was low with the supported Schiff base complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions. The selectivity for CTL and ECH varied with the molar ratio of the metal ions but remained unaffected by the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to the substrate. The energy of activation for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and oxidation of phenol with the polymer-supported Schiff base complexes of iron(III) ions was 10.0 and 12.7 kJ/mol, respectively, but it was found to be higher with the supported HPPn Schiff base complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) ions and with the unsupported HPPn Schiff base complexes of iron(III), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) ions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Monomeric molecular modified polymer-bound iron complexes for the oxidation of cyclohexene

Polymer-bound 2,2′-bipyridine–iron(II,III) complexes have been shown catalytically oxidize cyclic alkenes with atmospheric pressure of molecular oxygen or air in the absence of solvent at ∼70°C. When cyclohexene are oxidized, the double bonds are maintained and 2-cyclohexen-1-ol as well as 2-cyclohexen-1-one is produced with the selectivity to total alcohols and ketones in the range of 92.5–97.7%. The catalytic activity and selectivity are influenced by the polymer supported ligands, monomeric ligands and additives. Complexes with mixed ligands or with coordinatively unsaturated structures exhibit higher catalytic activity compared with the reference complexes.     

Sorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions in the presence of EDTA on monodisperse anion exchangers

Conventional precipitation methods of industrial sewage and wastewater purification are not very effective and are insufficient in many cases. This implies the necessity of searching new, effective methods exploiting cheap, accessible and ecologically safe ion exchangers and sorbents. The paper presents the studies on removal of heavy metal ions — Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Fe(III) — from aqueous solutions in the presence of EDTA carried out on commercially available, strongly basic monodisperse anion exchangers with the polystyrene skeleton gel, Lewatit MonoPlus M 500; and the macroporous, Lewatit MonoPlus MP 500, which are more widely applied in water purification processes. The research results indicate a high affinity of the Lewatit MonoPlus M 500 and Lewatit MonoPlus MP 500 anion exchangers in the chloride form for copper(II), nickel(II), cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes with EDTA. The affinity series for the heavy metal complexes in the 0.001 M M(II)/(III)–0.001 M EDTA and 0.001 M M(II)/(III)–0.001M EDTA–0.001 M–0.002 M NaOH systems were found for the Lewatit MonoPlus M 500 anion exchanger in the chloride form to be as follows: Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) Fe(III). In the case of the Lewatit MonoPlus MP 500 anion exchanger in the chloride form there was found the following affinity series: Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) Fe(III). These anion exchangers can be applied in the removal of copper(II) complexes from waters and wastewaters.     

Water-soluble oxidized starch in complexation of Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions

The structure of the bromate-oxidized wheat starch (OS) contains partly opened glucose units with carbonyl and carboxyl groups at C2-, C3- or C6-positions. OS with a variable degree of oxidation (DO) was studied in alkaline conditions as a water-soluble complexing agent for Fe(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions, which are common in various wastewaters. Complexation was studied by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES) in a single metal ion or multi-metal ion solutions. The DO affected the efficiency of the complexation with metal ions. OS with the high DO (carboxyl and carbonyl DO of 0.72 and 0.23, respectively) complexed and held Fe(III) or Zn(II) ions in a soluble form effectively in 0.5 mM single ion alkaline solution with the molar ratio of 0.65:1 of oxidized starch-to-metal ion (OS-to-M). The OS-to-M molar ratio of 1.3:1 was required to form a soluble complex with Cu(II) or Ni(II) ions. These complexes were thermally stable at the temperature range of 20–60 °C. OS with the low DO (carboxyl and carbonyl DO 0.47 and 0.17, respectively) complexed Zn(II) ions highly, Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions poorly and Fe(III) ions only partly. In the multi-metal ion solution of OS the solubility of these metal ions improved with the increasing DO of starch, which followed the same tendency as was observed in the single metal ion systems. The increased molar ratio of OS-to-M improved the complexation and solubility of the metal ions in all multi-metal ion series. As the soluble multi-metal ion complexes were reanalyzed after 7 days, all solutions had kept the high complexation and solubility of metal ions (ca. 90%). Complexation by OS did not show a selective binding of the ions in the multi-metal ion solution. It was concluded that the flexible, opened ring structure units of OS prevented the selective binding to metal ions but made the complexes highly stable. Titrimetric studies of OS–Fe(III) complexation showed that each anhydroglucose unit of OS had more than one coordination site and as the content of OS increased, the free sites coordinated to Fe(III) ions and formed cross-linked starch structures.     

Transition Metal Ion Complexes of Schiff-bases. Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Properties

Some novel transition metal [Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)] complexes of substituted pyridine Schiff-bases have been prepared and characterized by physical, spectral and analytical data. The synthesized Schiff-bases act as deprotonated tridentate for the complexation reaction with Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions. The new compounds, possessing the general formula [M(L)(2)] where [M=Co(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) and HL=HL(1), HL(2), HL(3) and HL(4)] show an octahedral geometry. In order to evaluate the effect of metal ions upon chelation, the Schiff bases and their complexes have been screened for antibacterial activity against the strains such as Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The complexed Schiff bases have shown to be more antibacterial against one more bacterial species as compared to uncomplexed Schiff-bases.     

Switching Ion Binding Selectivity of Thiacalix[4]arene Monocrowns at Liquid–Liquid and 2D-Confined Interfaces

Understanding the interaction of ions with organic receptors in confined space is of fundamental importance and could advance nanoelectronics and sensor design. In this work, metal ion complexation of conformationally varied thiacalix[4]monocrowns bearing lower-rim hydroxy (type I), dodecyloxy (type II), or methoxy (type III) fragments was evaluated. At the liquid–liquid interface, alkylated thiacalixcrowns-5(6) selectively extract alkali metal ions according to the induced-fit concept, whereas crown-4 receptors were ineffective due to distortion of the crown-ether cavity, as predicted by quantum-chemical calculations. In type-I ligands, alkali-metal ion extraction by the solvent-accessible crown-ether cavity was prevented, which resulted in competitive Ag⁺ extraction by sulfide bridges. Surprisingly, amphiphilic type-I/II conjugates moderately extracted other metal ions, which was attributed to calixarene aggregation in salt aqueous phase and supported by dynamic light scattering measurements. Cation–monolayer interactions at the air–water interface were monitored by surface pressure/potential measurements and UV/visible reflection–absorption spectroscopy. Topology-varied selectivity was evidenced, towards Sr²⁺ (crown-4), K⁺ (crown-5), and Ag⁺ (crown-6) in type-I receptors and Na⁺ (crown-4), Ca²⁺ (crown-5), and Cs⁺ (crown-6) in type-II receptors. Nuclear magnetic resonance and electronic absorption spectroscopy revealed exocyclic coordination in type-I ligands and cation–π interactions in type-II ligands.     

Cyclic voltammetry of group VIII metals in cyanide melts

Group VIII metals were studied in a (Na, K)CN eutectic melt by cyclic voltammetry at 550° C. The aim was to obtain an overview of the behaviour of these metals in molten cyanide and possibly determine the oxidation state(s) of the metal complexes. Molten cyanide tends to stabilize low-oxidation-state platinum-group metals. Metal ions (M) were present for iridium and rhodium as M(III) and M(I), while for platinum and palladium as M(II) and M(I) complexes, respectively. The last two elements could also be obtained as M(O) species by electrochemical reduction of M(II) complexes. Cyclic voltammograms of all four elements showed a reversible reaction between two soluble species with a two electron transfer. Other elements studied were ruthenium, osmium, copper and silver which all occurred in one oxidation state only.