Polypyridyl iron(II) complexes showing remarkable photocytotoxicity in visible light

Iron(II) complexes of polypyridyl ligands (B), viz. Fe(B)(2)]Cl-2 (1 and 2) of N, N, N-donor 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,10-phenanthroline (pyphen in 1) and 3-(pyridin-2-yl)dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (pydppz in 2), are prepared and characterized. They are 1:2 electrolytes in aqueous DMF. The diamagnetic complexes exhibit metal to ligand charge transfer band near 570 nm in DMF. The complexes are avid binders to calf thymus DNA giving binding constant (K (b)) values of similar to 10(6) M-1 suggesting significant intercalative DNA binding of the complexes due to presence of planar phenanthroline bases. Complex 2 exhibits significant photocytotoxicity in immortalized human keratinocyte cells HaCaT and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 giving IC50 values of 0.08 and 13 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm). Complex 2 shows only minor dark toxicity in HaCaT cells but is non-toxic in dark in MCF-7 cancer cells. The light-induced cellular damage follows apoptotic pathway on generation of reactive oxygen species as evidenced from the dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay.

Photocytotoxic ternary copper(II) complexes of histamine Schiff base and pyridyl ligands

Ternary copper(Il) complexes of salicylaldehyde-histamine Schiff base (HL) and pyridyl ligands, viz. Cu(bpy)(L)](ClO4) (1) and Cu(dppz)(L)](C104) (2), where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine (in 1) and dppz is dipyrido3,2-a:2',3'-c]phenazine (in 2), were synthesized, characterized and their DNA binding, photo-activated DNA cleavage activity and photocytotoxicity studied. The 1:1 electrolytic one-electron paramagnetic complexes showed a d-d band near 670 nm in aqueous DMF (1:1 v/v). The crystal structure of complex 1 showed the metal in CuN4O distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Complex 2 intercalatively binds to calf-thymus (ct) DNA with a binding constant (K-b) of similar to 10(5) M-1. It exhibited moderate chemical nuclease activity but excellent DNA photocleavage activity in red light of 647 nm forming (OH)-O-center dot radicals. It showed remarkable photocytotoxicity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa) giving IC50 of 1.6 mu M in visible light (400-700 nm) with low dark toxicity. The photo-induced cell death is via generation of oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species.

Carbon-carbon bond forming reactions from bis(carbene)-platinum(II) complexes and olefin polymerization and oligomerization using group 4 post-metallocene complexes

A long-standing challenge in transition metal catalysis is selective C–C bond coupling of simple feedstocks, such as carbon monoxide, ethylene or propylene, to yield value-added products. This work describes efforts toward selective C–C bond formation using early- and late-transition metals, which may have important implications for the production of fuels and plastics, as well as many other commodity chemicals.

The industrial Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) process converts synthesis gas (syngas, a mixture of CO + H₂) into a complex mixture of hydrocarbons and oxygenates. Well-defined homogeneous catalysts for F-T may provide greater product selectivity for fuel-range liquid hydrocarbons compared to traditional heterogeneous catalysts. The first part of this work involved the preparation of late-transition metal complexes for use in syngas conversion. We investigated C–C bond forming reactions via carbene coupling using bis(carbene)platinum(II) compounds, which are models for putative metal–carbene intermediates in F-T chemistry. It was found that C–C bond formation could be induced by either (1) chemical reduction of or (2) exogenous phosphine coordination to the platinum(II) starting complexes. These two mild methods afforded different products, constitutional isomers, suggesting that at least two different mechanisms are possible for C–C bond formation from carbene intermediates. These results are encouraging for the development of a multicomponent homogeneous catalysis system for the generation of higher hydrocarbons.

A second avenue of research focused on the design and synthesis of post-metallocene catalysts for olefin polymerization. The polymerization chemistry of a new class of group 4 complexes supported by asymmetric anilide(pyridine)phenolate (NNO) pincer ligands was explored. Unlike typical early transition metal polymerization catalysts, NNO-ligated catalysts produce nearly regiorandom polypropylene, with as many as 30-40 mol % of insertions being 2,1-inserted (versus 1,2-inserted), compared to <1 mol % in most metallocene systems. A survey of model Ti polymerization catalysts suggests that catalyst modification pathways that could affect regioselectivity, such as C–H activation of the anilide ring, cleavage of the amine R-group, or monomer insertion into metal–ligand bonds are unlikely. A parallel investigation of a Ti–amido(pyridine)phenolate polymerization catalyst, which features a five- rather than a six-membered Ti–N chelate ring, but maintained a dianionic NNO motif, revealed that simply maintaining this motif was not enough to produce regioirregular polypropylene; in fact, these experiments seem to indicate that only an intact anilide(pyridine)phenolate ligated-complex will lead to regioirregular polypropylene. As yet, the underlying causes for the unique regioselectivity of anilide(pyridine)phenolate polymerization catalysts remains unknown. Further exploration of NNO-ligated polymerization catalysts could lead to the controlled synthesis of new types of polymer architectures.

Finally, we investigated the reactivity of a known Ti–phenoxy(imine) (Ti-FI) catalyst that has been shown to be very active for ethylene homotrimerization in an effort to upgrade simple feedstocks to liquid hydrocarbon fuels through co-oligomerization of heavy and light olefins. We demonstrated that the Ti-FI catalyst can homo-oligomerize 1-hexene to C₁₂ and C₁₈ alkenes through olefin dimerization and trimerization, respectively. Future work will include kinetic studies to determine monomer selectivity by investigating the relative rates of insertion of light olefins (e.g., ethylene) vs. higher α-olefins, as well as a more detailed mechanistic study of olefin trimerization. Our ultimate goal is to exploit this catalyst in a multi-catalyst system for conversion of simple alkenes into hydrocarbon fuels.

Reactions of platinum(II) complexes with dioxygen: progress toward alkane functionalization

Whereas stoichiometric activation of C-H bonds by complexes of transition metals is becoming increasingly common, selective functionalization of alkanes remains a formidable challenge in organometallic chemistry. The recent advances in catalytic alkane functionalization by transition-metal complexes are summarized in Chapter I.

The studies of the displacement of pentafluoropyridine in [(tmeda)Pt(CH_3)(NC_5F_5)][BAr^f_4] (1) with γ- tetrafluoropicoline, a very poor nucleophile, are reported in Chapter II. The ligand substitution occurs by a dissociative interchange mechanism. This result implies that dissociative loss of pentafluoropyridine is the rate-limiting step in the C-H activation reactions of 1.

Oxidation of dimethylplatinum(II) complexes (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 (N-N = tmeda(1), α-diimines) by dioxygen is described in Chapter III. Mechanistic studies suggest a two-step mechanism. First, a hydroperoxoplatinum(IV) complex is formed in a reaction between (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 and dioxygen. Next, the hydroperoxy complex reacts with a second equivalent of (N-N)Pt(CH_3)_2 to afford the final product, (N-N)Pt(OH)(OCH_3)(CH_3)_2. The hydroperoxy intermediate, (tmeda)Pt(OOH)(OCH_3)(CH_3)_2 (2), was isolated and characterized. The reactivity of 2 with several dime thylplatinum(II) complexes is reported.

The studies described in Chapter IV are directed toward the development of a platinum(II)-catalyzed oxidative alkane dehydrogenation. Stoichiometric conversion of alkanes (cyclohexane, ethane) to olefins (cyclohexene, ethylene) is achieved by C-H activation with [(N-N)Pt(CH_3)(CF_3CH_2OH)]BF_4 (1, N-N is N,N'-bis(3,5-di-t- butylphenyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene) which results in the formation of olefin hydride complexes. The first step in the C-H activation reaction is formation of a platinum(II) alkyl which undergoes β-hydrogen elimination to afford the olefin hydride complex. The cationic ethylplatinum(II) intermediate can be generated in situ by treating diethylplatinum(II) compounds with acids. Treatment of (phen)PtEt_2 with [H(OEt_2)_2]Bar^f_4 at low temperatures resulted in the formation of a mixture of [(phen)PtEt(OEt_2)]Bar^f_4 (8) and [(phen)Pt(C_2H_4)H] Bar^f_4 (7). The cationic olefin complexes are unreactive toward dioxygen or hydrogen peroxide. Since the success of the overall catalytic cycle depends on our ability to oxidize the olefin hydride complexes, a series of neutral olefin complexes of platinum(II) with monoanionic ligands (derivatives of pyrrole-2-carboxyaldehyde N-aryl imines) was prepared. Unfortunately, these are also stable to oxidation.

Preparation, characterization and gas sensing properties of high soluble metal (II) phthalocyanine thin films by spin-coating method

Three novel metal (II) phthalocyanine complexes were synthesized by cyclic tetramerisation reaction of a dicyano benzene component and different metal ions (Pd2+, Co2+, Zn2+). The structure of complexes was confirmed by elemental analysis, mass and IR spectrum. The excellent solubility of the complexes in benzene enabled us to obtain films by a spin-coating method. The films were characterized by IR, electronic spectral and AFM. The gas sensing properties to NO2 of the metal (II) phthalocyanine complex films were studied. In addition, the effects of different metal ions and the gas sensing temperature on the sensing properties were studied. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ethylene polymerization by (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes bearing different substituents on para-position of imines activated with MMAO

A series of (alpha-diimine)nickel(II) complexes [ArN = C(Nap)C = NAr]NiBr2 (Nap = 1,8-naphthdiyl, Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H3, 3a; Ar = 2,4,6-Me3C6H2 3b; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-tBuC(6)H(2), 3c; Ar 2,6-Me-2-4-BrC6H2, 3d; Ar = 2,6-Me-2-4-ClC6H2, 3e; Ar 2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3), 3f; Ar = 2,4,6-iPr(3)C(6)H(2), 3g; Ar = 2,6-iPr-4-BrC6H2, 3h) have been synthesized, characterized, and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO).

The Reasons for Ligand-Dependent Quantum Yields and Absorption Spectrum of Four Polypyridylruthenium(II) Complexes with a Tetrazolate-Based Ligand: TDDFT Study

The quantum yield, lifetime, and absorption spectrum of four [Ru(bpy)(2)L](+) [where bpy is 2,2'-bipyridyl; L is represented by the deprotonated form of 2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyridine (L1) or 2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)pyrazine (L2)], as well as their methylated complexes [Ru(bpy)(2)LMe](2+) (RuL1Me and RuL2Me) are closely ligand dependent. In this paper, density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TDDFT) were performed to compare the above properties among these complexes. The calculated results reveal that the replacement of pyridine by pyrazine or the attachment of a CH3 group to the tetrazolate ring greatly increases the pi-accepting ability of the ancillary ligands.

Oligoaniline-Functionalized terpyridine ligands and their ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis, spectroscopic property and redox behaviors

A series of oligoaniline-functionalized mono- and bis-topic terpyridine ligands, i.e. C6H5[N(R)C6H4](n)TPY (R = H, butyl, tert-butyloxycarbonyl; n = 1-4; TPY = 2,2':6',2"-terpyridyl) and TPYC6H4[N(R)C6H4](m)TPY (R = H, tert-butyloxycarbonyl; m = 2, 4), and the corresponding monoand bis-nuclear ruthenium(II) complexes have been synthesized and verified. The spectroscopic results indicate that two kinds of pi-pi* transitions from TPY and oligoaniline fragments of ligands strongly shift to lower energy, and the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer transition ((MLCT)-M-1) bands of all obtained complexes are considerably red-shifted (Delta lambda(max) = 22-64 nm) and their intensities become much more intense (approximately 4-6 times), compared with those of the reported complex [Ru(TPY)(2)](2+). Moreover, the spectroscopic properties of the ligands and complexes with longer oligoaniline units (n = 3, 4) are markedly influenced by the external stimulus, such as the oxidation and proton acid doping.

Synthesis, characterization and electrophosphorescent properties of mononuclear platinum(II) complexes based on 2-phenylbenzoimidazole derivatives

The rational design, synthesis and characterization of five phosphorescent platinum complexes [(C boolean AND N) Pt(acac)] [Hacac = acetylacetone, HC boolean AND N = 1-methyl-2-(4-fluorophenyl)benzoimidazole (H-FMBI), 1-methyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazole (H-MBI), 1,2-diphenyl-benzoimidazole (H-PBI), 1-(4-(3,6-di-t-butylcarbazol-9-yl)) phenyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazole (t-BuCz-H-PBI), and 1-(4-(3,6-di-(3,6-di-t-butyl-carbazol-9-yl))carbazol-9-yl) phenyl-2-phenylbenzoimidazole (t-BuCzCz-H-PBI)] have been discussed. The crystal structure of (MBI) Pt(acac) shows a nearly ideal square planar geometry around Pt atom and the weak intermolecular interactions with pi-pi spacing of 3.55 angstrom. All of the complexes emit green phosphorescence from the metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) excited state with high quantum efficiency (0.08-0.17) at room temperature.

Synthesis, photophysical and electrophosphorescent properties of mononuclear Pt(II) complexes with arylamine functionalized cyclometalating ligands

Four cyclometalated Pt(II) complexes, i.e., [(L-2)PtCl] (1b), [(L-3)PtCl] (1c), [(L-2)PtC CC6H5] (2b) and [(L-3)PtC CC6H5] (2c) (HL2 = 4-[p-(N-butyl-N-phenyl)anilino]-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine and HL3 = 4-[p(-N,N'-dibutyl-N'-phenyl)phenylene-diamino]-phenyl-6-phenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), have been synthesized and verified by H-1 NMR, C-13 NMR and X-ray crystallography. Unlike previously reported complexes [(L-1)PtCl] (1a) and [(L-1)PtC CC6H5] (2a) (HL1 = 4,6-diphenyl-2,2'-bipyridine), intense and continuous absorption bands in the region of 300-500 nm with strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer ((MLCT)-M-1) (d pi(Pt) -> pi*(L)) transitions (epsilon similar to 2 x 10(4) dm(3) mol (1) cm (1)) at 449-467 nm were observed in the UV-Vis absorption spectra of complexes 1b, 1c, 2b and 2c.

Rare earth metal alkyl complexes bearing N,O,P multidentate ligands: Synthesis, characterization and catalysis on the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide

Alkane elimination reactions of rare earth metal tris(alkyl)s, Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 (Ln = Y, Lu) with the multidentate ligands HL1-4, afforded a series of new rare earth metal complexes. Yttrium, complex I supported by flexible amino-intino phenoxide ligand HL1 was isolated as homoleptic product. In the reaction of rigid phosphino-imino phenoxide ligand HL 2 with equintolar Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2, HL 2 was deprotonated by the metal alkyl and its imino C=N group was reduced to C-N by intramolecular alkylation, generating THF-solvated mono-alkyl complexes (2a: Ln = Y; 2b: Ln = Lu). The di-ligand chelated yttriurn complex 3 without alkyl moiety was isolated when the molar ratio of HL 2 to Y(CH,SiMe3)3(THF)2 increased to 2: 1. Reaction of steric phosphino beta-ketoiminato ligand HL 3 with equimolar Ln(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 afforded di-ligated mono-alkyl complexes (4a: Ln = Y; 4b: Ln = Lu) without occurrence of intramolecular alkylation or formation of homoleptic product. Treatment of tetradentate methoxy-amino phenol HL 4 with Y(CH2SiMe3)3(THF)2 afforded a monomeric yttrium bis-alkyl complex of THF-free. The resultant complexes were characterized by IR, NMR spectrum and X-ray diffraction analyses.All alkyl complexes exhibited high activity toward the ring-opening polymerization Of L-lactide to give isotactic polylactide with controllable molecular weight and narrow to moderate polydispersity.

Synthesis and reactivity of rare earth metal alkyl complexes stabilized by anilido phosphinimine and amino phosphine ligands

Anilido phosphinimino ancillary ligand H2L1 reacted with one equivalent of rare earth metal trialkyl [Ln{CH2Si(CH3)(3)}(3)(thf)(2)] (Ln = Y, Lu) to afford rare earth metal monoalkyl complexes [L(1)LnCH(2)Si(CH3)(3)(THF)] (1a: Ln = Y; 1b: Ln = Lu). In this process, deprotonation of H2L1 by one metal alkyl species was followed by intramolecular C-H activation of the phenyl group of the phosphine moiety to generate dianionic species L-1 with release of two equivalnts of tetramethylsilane. Ligand L-1 coordinates to Ln(3+) ions in a rare C,N,N tridentate mode. Complex 1a reacted readily with two equivalents of 2,6-diisopropylaniline to give the corresponding bis-amido complex [(HL1)LnY(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)] (2) selectively, that is, the C-H activation of the phenyl group is reversible. When 1a was exposed to moisture, the hydrolyzed dimeric complex [{(HL1)Y(OH)}(2)](OH)(2) (3) was isolated. Treatment of [Ln{CH2Si(CH3)(3)}(3)-(thf)(2)] with amino phosphine ligands HL2-R gave stable rare earth metal bisalkyl complexes [(L2-R)Ln{CH2Si(CH3)(3)}(2)(thf)] (4a: Ln=Y, R=Me; 4b: Ln=Lu, R=Me; 4c: Ln=Y, R=iPr; 4d: Ln=Y, R=iPr) in high yields. No proton abstraction from the ligand was observed. Amination of 4a and 4c with 2,6-diisopropylaniline afforded the bis-amido counterparts [(L2-R)Y(NHC(6)H(3)iPr(2)-2,6)(2)(thf)] (5a: R=Me; 5b: R=iPr).

Synthesis, structure and luminescence properties of zinc (II) complexes with terpyridine derivatives as ligands

Five zinc (II) complexes (1-5) with 4 '-phenyl-2,2 ':6 ',2 ''-terpyridine (ptpy) derivatives as ligands have been synthesized and fully characterized. The para-position of phenyl in ptpy is substituted by the group (R), i.e. tert-butyl (t-Bu), hexyloxy (OHex), carbazole-9-yl (Cz), naphthalen-1-yl-phenyl-amine-N-yl (NPA) and diphenyl amine-N-yl (DPA), with different electron-donating ability. With increasing donor ability of the R, the emission color of the complexes in film was modulated from violet (392 nm) to reddish orange (604 nm). The photoexcited luminescence exhibits significant solvatochromism because the emission of the complexes involves the intra-ligand charge transfer (ILCT) excited state. The electrochemical investigations show that the complexes with stronger electro-donating substituent have lower oxidation potential and then higher HOMO level. The electroluminescence (EL) properties of these zinc (II) complexes were studied with the device structure of ITO/PEDOT/Zn (II) complex: PBD:PMMA/BCP/AlQ/ LiF/Al. Complexes 3, 4 and 5 exhibit EL wavelength at 552, 600 and 609 nm with maximum current efficiency of 5.28, 2.83 and 2.00 cd/A, respectively.

Preparation of linear alpha-olefins to high-molecular weight polyethylenes using cationic alpha-diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro-substituted ligands

A series of alpha-diimine nickel(II) complexes containing chloro-substituted ligands, [(Ar)N=C(C10H6)C=N(Ar)]NiBr2 (4a, Ar = 2,3-C6H3Cl2; 4b, Ar = 2,4-C6H3Cl2; 4c, Ar = 2,5-C6H3Cl2; 4d, Ar = 2,6-C6H3Cl2; 4e, Ar = 2,4,6-C6H2Cl3) and [(Ar)N=C(C10H6)C=N(Ar)](2)NiBr2 (5a, Ar = 2,3-C6H3Cl2; 5b, Ar = 2,4-C6H3Cl2; 5c, Ar = 2,5-C6H3Cl2), have been synthesized and investigated as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) as a cocatalyst, these complexes are highly effective catalysts for the oligomerization or polymerization of ethylene under mild conditions. The catalyst activity and the properties of the products were strongly affected by the aryl-substituents of the ligands used. Depending on the catalyst structure, it is possible to obtain the products ranging from linear alpha-olefins to high-molecular weight polyethylenes.

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopy and electroluminescence of zinc(II) complexes containing bidentate 2-(2-pyridyl)quinoline derivative ligands

Three bidentate ligands, 4-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-quinoline (ppq), 6-(carbazol-9-yl)-4-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-quinoline (cpq) and 6-diphenylamino-4-phenyl-2-(2-pyridyl)-quinoline (dpq) and their zinc(II) complexes, have been designed and synthesized. The crystal structure of [Zn(ppq)(2)Cl]PF6 shows that the central zinc atom is coordinated with one chloride and four nitrogen atoms from two ligands. The introduction of an electron-donating substituent such as carbazole or an aromatic amine group at the 6-position of the quinoline moiety can generate colored tunable Zn complexes, and the photoluminescence (PL) wavelength was modulated from 418 nm for [Zn(ppq)(2)Cl]PF6 to 591 nm for [Zn(cpq)(2)Cl]PF6 and 638 nm for [Zn(dpq)(2)Cl]PF6 in CH2Cl2 solution. The electroluminescence spectrum of [Zn(dpq)(2)Cl]PF6 exhibits pure red light emission with the Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage (CIE) coordinates (0.63, 0.36) and a maximum at 648 nm.