Baoyi Yu

A series of d10 metal coordination polymers based on a flexible bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) ligand and different carboxylates: synthesis, structures, photoluminescence and catalytic properties

To explore the influence of different aromatic polycarboxylates on the self-assembly and properties of d10 metal coordination frameworks, six coordination compounds containing a flexible bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) (pbmb) ligand, formulated as [Ag2(pbmb)(2,6-napdc)]n (1), {[Zn(pbmb)(tbta)]·H2O}n (2), {[Cd(pbmb)(tbta)]·H2O}n (3), [Zn2(pbmb)(btec)(H2O)]n (4), {[Zn2(OH)(pbmb)(bpdc)1.5]·H2O}n (5), and [Cd(pbmb)(3-npa)(H2O)]n (6), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (2,6-H2napdc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H2tbta = tetrabromoterephthalic acid, H4btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, H2bpdc = biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and H23-npa = 3-nitrophthalic acid). Complex 1 possesses an 8-connected 3D coordination framework with sqc3 topology based on rare tetranuclear Ag(I)-cluster secondary building units (SBUs). 2 and 3 possess 2D (4,4) grid structures. 4 shows a novel (3,4,5)-connected 2D network with the Schlafli symbol of {3·4·5}{3·42·52·6}{3·43·53·6·72}. 5 features a uninodal (4,4)-connected net containing binuclear {Zn2(OH)} SBUs and a 2-fold interpenetrating (3,6)-connected supramolecular framework with {42·6}{44·610·8}-3,6T24 topology that is formed via hydrogen bond interactions. Complex 6 is a 1D double-chain structure, which is finally extended to a 3D (4,5,5)-connected supramolecular network via hydrogen bonding interactions. Complexes 1–6 indicate high thermal stabilities and different photoluminescence behavior in the solid state. Moreover, all of these polymer materials manifest excellent photocatalytic activities for the degradation of methyl orange in the photo-Fenton-like process after 120 min (1: 99%, 2: 66%, 3: 91%, 4: 83%, 5: 91% and 6: 93%, respectively).

Four cobalt(II) coordination polymers with diverse topologies derived from flexible bis(benzimidazole) and aromatic dicarboxylic acids: syntheses, crystal structures and catalytic properties

Four mixed ligand coordination polymers based on the flexible bis(5,6-dimethybenzimidazole) and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, namely, [Co(L1)(bpdc)]n (1), {[Co(L1)(npht)]·0.5H2O}n (2), [Co(L2)(bpdc)]n (3), and [Co(L3)(bpdc)(H2O)]n (4) (L1 = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, L2 = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2npht = 3-nitrophthalic acid, L3 = 1,1′-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)methane) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Polymer 1 features a 3D three-fold interpenetrating dia array with a 4-connected 66 network, while 2 exhibits a 3D noninterpenetrated 3-connected framework with a 103-ThSi2 architecture. 3 and 4 have two-dimensional 3-connected (63) and 4-connected (44.62) topologies, respectively. Complex 4 ultimately is extended into an unusual 3D (3,5)-connected seh-3,5-P21/c supramolecular network via O–H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. The fluorescence and catalytic properties of the complexes for the degradation of the Congo red azo dye in a Fenton-like process are reported.

Synthesis, crystal structures, luminescence and catalytic properties of two d10 metal coordination polymers constructed from mixed ligands

Two new coordination polymers [Cd(bmb)(hmph)]n (1), {[Ag(bmb)]·H2btc}n (2) (bmb=1,4-bis(2-methylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2hmph=homophthalic acid, H3btc=1,3,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods, IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRPD and elemental analysis. Complex 1 features a 3D threefold interpenetrating dia array with a 4-connected 6(6) topology. Complex 2 shows a 1D helix chain structure connected by L1 ligands, which is finally extended into a rarely 2D 4L2 supramolecular network via C-H⋯O hydrogen bond interactions. In addition, the luminescence and catalytic properties of the two complexes for the degradation of the methyl orange azo dye in a Fenton-like process were presented. The degradation efficiency of the methyl orange azo dye for 1 and 2 are 56% and 96%, respectively.

Structural diversity of transition-metal coordination polymers derived from isophthalic acid and bent bis(imidazole) ligands

Four coordination polymers associated with bent bis(imidazole) 1,3-bis(imidazol-l-yl-methyl)benzene (mbix) and isophthalic acid (H2ip) or 5-methylisophthalic acid (H2mip) ligands, formulated as {[Cd(mbix)(mip)]·H2O}n (1), {[Co(mbix)(mip)]·0.4H2O}n (2) [Ni(mbix)(mip)H2O]n (3) and [Ni(mbix)(ip)]n (4), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous and exhibit a 1D loop-like chain. Complex 3 features a 2D (4,4) layer, which further extends into an unusual 2D (3,5)-connected 3,5L2 double-layered supramolecular network via classical O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. Complex 4 is a 3D network, which shows a rare binodal (3,5)-connected 3,5T1 framework. Moreover, the luminescence and catalytic properties of the complexes for the degradation of methyl orange by sodium persulfate in a Fenton-like process are reported.

Synthesis and characterization of non-chelating ruthenium–indenylidene olefin metathesis catalysts derived from substituted 1,1-diphenyl-2-propyn-1-ols

We report on the synthesis and characterization of the first generation of modified non-chelating indenylidene ruthenium catalysts denoted as RuCl2(4-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)-1-indenylidene)(PCy3)25a, RuCl2(3-(p-fluorophenyl)-1-indenylidene)(PCy3)25b, RuCl2(3-(2,6-xylyl)-1-indenylidene)(PCy3)25c and RuCl2(3-(1-naphthyl)-1-indenylidene)(PCy3)25d. The obtained complexes of 5a–d were characterized by means of NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Moreover the structures of 5a–d were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and compared with the standard ruthenium indenylidene complex 3 and the chelating benzylidene complex 2. Additionally, the catalytic performances of the obtained complexes 5a–d were evaluated in various metathesis reactions demonstrating that the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) reactions revealed a similar catalytic activity in comparison with the reference indenylidene catalyst 3.

Effect of the bulkiness of indenylidene moieties on the catalytic initiation and efficiency of second-generation ruthenium-based olefin metathesis catalysts

We report on the synthesis and characterization of a second generation of ruthenium catalysts bearing different sized indenylidene ligands, denoted as RuCl2(3-(2,6-xylyl)-1-indenylidene)(SIMes)(PCy3) 5a, RuCl2(4-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)-1-indenylidene)(SIMes)(PCy3) 5b, RuCl2(3-1-naphthyl-1-indenylidene)(SIMes)(PCy3) 5c and RuCl2(3-(p-fluorophenyl)-1-indenylidene)(SIMes)(PCy3) 5d. These complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, HRMS and elemental analysis. Moreover, the configurations of complexes 5a, 5b and 5d were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic performances of complexes 5a–d were evaluated in several olefin metathesis reactions: the RCM of substrates 6 and 7, the RCEYM of substrate 8 and the ROMP of COD, in comparison with commercially available catalyst 3a. Careful analysis of the catalytic performances and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data of complexes 5a–5d reveal that the steric modification on the 3-phenyl group has a significant influence on the ligand congestion around the ruthenium center, altering the catalytic activity in metathesis reactions. In addition, the better-performing complex 5a was further investigated in the RCM of substrate 6 in comparison with complex 3c and benchmark complexes 1b, 2 and 3a.

Depolymerization of 1,4-polybutadiene by metathesis: high yield of large macrocyclic oligo(butadiene)s by ligand selectivity control

Herein, we demonstrate a practical high yield preparation of large macrocyclic oligo(butadiene)s, preferably the C16 to C44 fraction, from commercial 1,4-polybutadiene by exploring intramolecular backbiting using a series of commercially available Ru catalysts. Product contamination with linear fragments is restricted by using high molecular weight 1,4-polybutadiene with a low content of 1,2-constructs (vinyl groups). The distribution of the cyclic compounds is largely dependent on the nature of the ligand structure of the Ru catalyst. Kinetic inspection of the reaction reveals a two-step mechanism involving (i) backbiting of the linear polymer with initial formation of large macrocycles followed by (ii) tandem ring-opening ring-closing metathesis predominantly leading to thermodynamically favorable t,t,t-cyclododecatriene (CDT). In particular, second-generation Ru catalysts with N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands favor undesired CDT formation. First-generation catalysts, presumably due to their high barriers for formation of the intermediate metallacyclobutane, selectively form the C16 to C44 macrocyclic oligo(butadiene) fraction. For example, reaction of (HMW, 98% cis)-polybutadiene with a first-generation Ru catalyst almost yields 90% C16–C44 cyclic oligo(butadiene)s.

Bidentate Schiff Base Ruthenium Complexes as Precursors of Homogeneous and Immobilized Catalysts

The paper presents an overview of the work conducted in our group on the synthesis of a novel class of homogeneous and immobilized Ru-complexes containing Schiff bases as O, N-bidentate ligands benefiting from a versatile, quite general and thoroughly exemplified two-step procedure. The new Ru-complexes with improved stability incorporate a variety of Schiff bases, associated with traditional inorganic and organic ligands such as chloride, phosphanes, arenes, cyclodienes, NHC etc., and different carbenes (alkylidene, vinylidene, allenylidene and indenylidene). By a proper choice of the Schiff base, useful physical and chemical properties of the derived Ru-complexes could be induced resulting in tunable catalytic activity for metathesis and related processes. A pertinent example is the latency of selected Schiff base Ru catalysts which by becoming active only under specific conditions (heat or acid activation) are ideal for industrial applications, e.g. reaction injection molding processes. The synthetic approaches that are critically discussed in this chapter have led to a diversity of Ru-complexes of which several members have risen to the rank of commercial catalysts.