Enolic Schiff base aluminum complexes and their catalytic stereoselective polymerization of racemic lactide

A series of enolic Schiff base aluminum(III) complexes LAIR (where L = NNOO-tetradentate enolic Schiff base ligand) containing ligands that differ in their steric and electronic properties were synthesized. Their single crystals showed that these complexes are five -coordinated around the aluminum center. Their coordination geometries are between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Their catalytic properties in the solution polymerization of racemic lactide (rac-LA) were examined. The modifications in the auxiliary ligand exhibited a dramatic influence on the catalytic performance.

Synthesis, photophysical properties, and theoretical studies on pyrrole-containing bromo Re(I) complex

Two bromo rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes with the formula of [Re(CO)(3)(L)Br], where L = 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen-Re) and 5-(1H-pyrrol-1-yl)-1,10-phenanthroline (Pyph-Re), were successfully synthesized with the aim to analyze the effect of the pyrrole (Py) moiety on the photophysical properties of Pyph-Re. It was found that the triplet metal-to-ligand charge-transfer d pi (Re) --> pi*(N-N) emission of Phen-Re and Pyph-Re centered at ca. 527 nm with the luminescence quantum yield (LQY) of 0.015 and ca. 578 nm with the LQY of 0.011, respectively. At the same time, the geometrical structures of the ground state and the absorption spectral properties of Phen-Re and Pyph-Re were also calculated with the 6-31G* basis set employed on C, H, N, O, and Br atoms, and LANL2DZ adopted on Re atom.

A {Co-32} Nanosphere Supported by p-tert-Butylthiacalix[4]arene

Calixarene-capped Co-32 clusters are constructed by a sodalite Co-24(II) cage and an encapsulated Co-8(III) cube. The spherical units are arranged into three isomeric structures, two of which are stacked by the bcc lattices and the third of which is assembled by the cubic closest packing of the spherical units.

Self-Assembly from Two-Dimensional Layered Networks to Tetranuclear Structures: Syntheses, Structures, and Properties of Four Copper-Thiacalix[4]arene Compounds

Two new copper-thiacalix[4]arene compounds, [Cu-2(1)-Cl-2(H(4)TC4A)](CH3OH) (1) and [Cu(I)2Cl(2)(H(4)PTC4A)](CH3OH)(CHCl3)(0.5) (2) (where H(4)TC4A = p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene and H(4)PTC4A = p-phenylthiacalix[4]arene), were synthesized by the solvothermal method in the mixed CH3OH/CHCl3 (1: 1) solvent and reassembled in air at room temperature to two other structures, [(Cu4Cl3)-Cl-II(HCO2)(TC4A)(CH3-OH)(2)(H2O)](CHCl3)(CH3OH)(2.7) (3) and [(Cu4Cl4)-Cl-II(PTC4A)(CH3OH)(4)] (4), respectively. All these four compounds were characterized by TG analyses, FTIR spectroscopy, and singlecrystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 feature two-dimensional layered networks, while compounds 3 and 4 are assembled by some tetranuclear units.

Chemical Bonding and Electronic Structure of 4d-Metal Monosulfides

Bond distances, vibrational frequencies, dissociation energies, electron affinities, ionization potentials and dipole moments of the title molecules in neutral and charged ions were studied by use of density functional method. Ground states for each molecule were assigned. The calculated bond distance decreases with the increasing of atomic number of 4d metals, reaches minimum at RhS, then increases. For cationic molecules, the calculated bond distance decreases to the minimum at MoS+, then increases. The calculated vibrational frequency decreases from YS(YS+) to PdS(PdS+) for both neutral and cationic molecules. The bond ionic character decreases from YS(YS+) to PdS(PdS+) for neutral and cationic molecules. The bonding patterns are discussed and compared with the available studies.

Chiral Salan Aluminium Ethyl Complexes and Their Application in Lactide Polymerization

Synthetic routes to aluminium ethyl complexes supported by chiral tetradentate phenoxyamine (salan-type) ligands [Al(OC6H2(R-6-R-4)CH2)(2){CH3N(C6H10)NCH3}-C2H5] 7: R = H ; 5, 8: R = Cl; 6, 9: R = CH3) are reported. Enantiornerically pure salan ligands 1-3 with (R,R) configurations at their cyclohexane rings afforded the complexes 4, 5, and 6 as mixtures of two diastereoisomers (a and b). Each diastereoisomer a was, as determined by X-ray analysis, monomeric with a five-coordinated aluminium central core in the solid state, adopting a cis-(O,O) and cis-(Me,Me) ligand geometry. From the results of variable-temperature (VT) H-1 NMR in the temperature range of 220-335 K, H-1-H-1 NOESY at 220 K, and diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), it is concluded that each diastereoisomer b is also monomeric with a five-coordinated aluminium central core.

Polymerization of Lactide Using Achiral Bis(pyrrolidene) Schiff Base Aluminum Complexes

A series of aluminum ethyls and isopropoxides based on a bis(pyrrolidene) Schiff base ligand framework has been prepared and characterized. NMR studies of the dissolved complexes indicate that they adopt a symmetric structure with a monomeric, five-coordinated aluminum center core. The aluminum ethyls used as catalysts in the presence of 2-propanol as initiator and the aluminum isopropoxides were applied for lactide polymerization in toluene to test their activities and stereoselectivities. All polymerizations are living, as evidenced by the narrow polydispersities and the good fit between calculated and found number-average molecular weights of the isolated polymers. All of these aluminum complexes polymerized (S,S)-lactide to highly isotactic PLA without epimerization of the monomer, furnished isotactic-biased polymer from rac-lactide, and gave atactic polymer from meso-lactide.

Evaluation of Effects of Bivalent Cations on the Formation of Purine-rich Triple-Helix DNA by ESI-FT-MS

The GGA triplet repeats are widely dispersed throughout eukaryotic genomes. (GGA)n or (GGT)n oligonucleotides can interact with double-stranded DNA containing (GGA:CCT)n to form triple-stranded DNA. The effects of 8 divalent metal ions (3 alkaline-earth metals and 5 transition metals) on formation of these purine-rich triple-helix DNA were investigated by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (ESI-FT-MS). In the absence of metal ions, no triplex but single-strand, duplex, and purine homodimer ions were observed in mass spectra. The triple-helix DNA complexes were observed only in the presence of certain divalent ions. The effects of different divalent cations on the formation of purine-rich triplexes were compared. Transition-metal ions, especially Co2+ and Ni2+, significantly boost the formation of triple-helix DNA, whereas alkaline-earth metal ions have no positive effects on triplex formation. In addition, Ba2+ is notably beneficial to the formation of homodimer instead of triplex.

Methyleneimidazoline Complexes of Iridium, Rhodium, and Palladium from Selective C(sp(3))-H Bond Activation

Palladium, iridium, and rhodium complexes of 2-methyleneimidazolines have been synthesized by selective phosphine-assisted activation of the 2-methyl C-H bonds in 2-methylimidazolium compounds. Metallacycles of various sizes were obtained in the reaction of phosphine-tethered 2-methylimidazolium compounds and [{M(cod)X}(2)] (M = Rh or Ir cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene: X = alkoxyl or Cl). representative complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The selectivity for aliphatic C(sp(3))H versus aromatic C(sp(2))H activation could be adjusted by means of the steric bulk of the OR ligand, whereby a bulky, OR group favors activation of the 2-methyl C(sp(3))-H bond. Experimental results confirmed that a methyl C-H activation product (a seven-membered iridacycle) is the kinetic product, while the aryl C-H activation product (a six-membered iridacycle) is the thermodynamic product.

Theoretical investigation of 5D-metal monocarbide

Bond distances, vibrational frequencies, electron affinities, ionization potentials and dissociation energies of the title molecules in neutral, positively and negatively charged ions were studied by use of density functional method. The calculated results were compared with previous theoretical and experimental studies. Ground states for each molecule were assigned. It was found that for some molecules, low-lying state, in which the energy is much close to the ground state, was obtained. In this case, further studies both experimentally and theoretically are necessary in order to find the true global minimum.

Achiral lanthanide alkyl complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalysis of highly heteroselective ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide

Alkane elimination reactions of amino-amino-bis(phenols) H2L1-4, Salan H2L5, and methoxy-beta-diimines HL6,7 with lanthanide tris(alkyl) s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) (Ln = Y, Lu), respectively, afforded a series of lanthanide alkyl complexes 1-8 with the release of tetramethylsilane. Complexes 1-6 are THF-solvated mono( alkyl) s stabilized by O, N, N, O-tetradentate ligands. Complexes 1-3 and 5 adopt twisted octahedral geometry, whereas 4 contains a tetragonal bipyramidal core. Bearing a monoanionic moiety L-6 (L-7), complex 7 ( 8) is a THF-free bis(alkyl). In complex 7, the O, N, N-tridentate ligand combined with two alkyl species forms a tetrahedral coordination core. Complexes 1, 2, and 3 displayed modest activity but high stereoselectivity for the polymerization of rac-lactide to give heterotactic polylactide with the racemic enchainment of monomer units P-r ranging from 0.95 to 0.99, the highest value reached to date. Complex 5 exhibited almost the same level of activity albeit with relatively low selectivity. In contrast, dramatic decreases in activity and stereoselectivity were found for complex 4. The Salan yttrium alkyl complex 6 was active but nonselective. Bis(alkyl) complexes 7 and 8 were more active than 1-3 toward polymerization of rac-LA, however, to afford atactic polylactides due to di-active sites. The ligand framework, especially the "bridge" between the two nitrogen atoms, played a significant role in governing the selectivity of the corresponding complexes via changing the geometry of the metal center.

Pyrrolide-ligated organoyttrium complexes. Synthesis, characterization, and lactide polymerization behavior

The N,N-bidentate ligand 2-{(N-2,6-diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl)}pyrrole (L-1) and the N,N,P-tridentate ligand 2-{(N-2-diphenylphosphinophenyl)iminomethyl)}pyrrole (L-2) have been prepared. Their reactions with homoleptic yttrium tris(alkyl) compound Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) have been investigated. Treatment of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with 1 equiv of L-1 generated a THF-solvated bimetallic (pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium mono(alkyl) complex (1) of central symmetry. In this process, L-1 is deprotonated by metal alkyl and its imino CN group is reduced to C-N by intramolecular alkylation, generating dianionic species that bridge two yttrium alkyl units in a unique eta(5)/eta(1):kappa(1) mode. The pyrrolyl ring behaves as a heterocyclopentadienyl ligand. Reaction of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with 2 equiv of L-1 afforded the monomeric bis(pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium mono(alkyl) complex (2), selectively. Amination of 2 with 2,6-diisopropylaniline gave the corresponding yttrium amido complex (3). In 3 the pyrrolide ligand is monoanionic and bonds to the yttrium atom in a eta(1):kappa(1) mode. The homoleptic tris(eta(1):kappa(1)-pyrrolylaldiminato)yttrium complex (4) was isolated when the molar ratio of L-1 to Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) increases to 3:1. Reaction of L-2 with equimolar Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) afforded an asymmetric binuclear complex (5).

Mixed ligands supported yttrium alkyl complexes: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis toward lactide polymerization

Treatment of yttrium tris(alkyl)s, Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2), by equimolar H(C5Me4)SiMe3(HCp') and indene (Ind-H) afforded (eta(5)-Cp')Y(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) (1) and (eta(5)-Ind)Y(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF) (2) via alkane elimination, respectively. Complex 1 reacted with methoxyamino phenols, 4,6-(CH3)(2)-2-[(MeOCH2CH2)(2)-NCH2]-C6H2-OH (HL1) and 4,6-(CMe3)(2)-2-[(MeOCH2CH2)(2)-NCH2]-C6H2OH (HL2) gave mixed ligands supported alkyl complexes [(eta(5)-Cp')(L)]Y(CH2SiMe3) (3: L = L-1; 4: L = L-2). Whilst, complex 2 was treated with HL2 to yield [(eta(5)-Ind)(L-2)]Y(CH2SiMe3) (5). The molecular structures of 3 and 5 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction to be mono(alkyl)s of THF-free, adopting pyramidal and tetragonal-bipyramidal geometry, respectively. Complexes 3 and 5 were high active initiators for the ring-opening polymerization Of L-lactide to give isotactic polylactide with high molecular weight and narrow to moderate polydispersity.

Yttrium bis(alkyl) and bis(amido) complexes bearing N,O multidentate ligands. Synthesis and catalytic activity towards ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Methoxy-modified beta-diimines HL1 and HL2 reacted with Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) to afford the corresponding bis(alkyl)s [(LY)-Y-1(CH2SiMe3)(2)] (1) and [(LY)-Y-2(CH2SiMe3)(2)] (2), respectively. Amination of 1 with 2,6-diisopropyl aniline gave the bis(amido) counterpart [(LY)-Y-1{N(H)(2,6-iPr(2)-C6H3)}(2)] (3), selectively. Treatment of Y(CH2SiMe3)(3)(THF)(2) with methoxy-modified anilido imine HL3 yielded bis(alkyl) complex [(LY)-Y-3(CH2SiMe3)(2)(THF)] (4) that sequentially reacted with 2,6-diisopropyl aniline to give the bis(amido) analogue [(LY)-Y-3{N(H)(2,6-iPr(2)-C6H3)}(2)] (5). Complex 2 was "base-free" monomer, in which the tetradentate beta-diiminato ligand was meridional with the two alkyl species locating above and below it, generating tetragonal bipyramidal core about the metal center. Complex 3 was asymmetric monomer containing trigonal bipyramidal core with trans-arrangement of the amido ligands. In contrast, the two cis-located alkyl species in complex 4 were endo and exo towards the 0,N,N tridentate anilido-imido moiety. The bis(amido) complex 5 was confirmed to be structural analogue to 4 albeit without THF coordination. All these yttrium complexes are highly active initiators for the ring-opening polymerization Of L-LA at room temperature.

(R,R)-DPEN-modified Ru/gamma-Al2O3 - An efficient heterogeneous catalyst for enantioselective hydrogenation of acetophenone

An efficient enantioselective catalyst of 5 wt.% Ru/-gamma-Al2O3 modified with R,R-1,2-diphenylethylene-diamine ((R,R)-DPEN) for the hydrogenation of a non-activated aromatic ketone of acetophenone has been investigated, a relatively high enantiomeric excess (ee) of 60.5% was obtained at both the conversion and selectivity larger than 99%, it was about three times higher than the ee values reported up to now for acetophenone hydrogenation with the supported transition metal catalysts modified by chiral reagents. The influences of some reaction parameters such as phosphine ligand, substrate/catalyst/modifier molar ratios, base, solvent, pressure and reaction temperature have been discussed. The chiral modifier of (R,R)-DPEN was very important in controlling the enantioselectivity through adsorption competing with other substrates on the surface of active metal species. The phosphine ligand and base were also important and indispensable in the present reaction.