Kerstin Gloe

Towards promising oxoanion extractants: azacages and open-chain counterparts

The efficiency of a series of amino-azacryptands for encapsulation and extraction of the oxoanions pertechnetate and perrhenate from aqueous solution is investigated and compared with that of their open-chain counterparts. The aqueous formation constants for oxoanion association with the cryptands were determined by pH potentiometry and/or NMR, and X-ray analysis of single crystals provides evidence for encapsulation. The extractabilities could not be explained solely on the basis of ligand lipophilicity; the level of protonation also plays an important role.

Self-assembly of an imidazolate-bridged FeIII/CuII heterometallic cage

A rare, discrete, mixed-valent, heterometallic Fe(III)/Cu(II) cage, [Cu6Fe8L8](ClO4)12·χsolvent (H3L = tris{[2-{(imidazole-4-yl)methylidene}amino]ethyl}amine), was designed and synthesized via metal-ion-directed self-assembly with neutral tripodal metalloligands. The formation of this coordination cage was demonstrated by X-ray crystallography, ESI mass spectrometry, FT-IR, and UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy.

Synthetic, structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction studies of neutral trinuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metallocycles and tetrahedral tetranuclear Fe(III) species incorporating 1,4-aryl-linked bis-beta-diketonato ligands.

Uncharged complexes, formulated as trimeric metallocycles of type [M3(L(1))3(Py)6] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) and L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,4-phenylene linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,4-bis(RC(O)CH2C(O))C6H4 (R = t-Bu)) have been synthesised, adding to related, previously reported complexes of these metals with L(1) (R = Ph) and copper(ii) with L(1) (R = Me, Et, Pr, t-Bu, Ph). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = hexyl, octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. The X-ray structures of H2L(1) (R = t-Bu) and of its trinuclear (triangular) nickel(II) complex [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6].3.5Py (R = t-Bu) are also presented. Electrochemical studies of H2L(1), [Co3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Ni3(L(1))3(Py)6], [Cu3(L(1))3], [Zn3(L(1))3(Py)6] and [Fe4(L(1))6] (all with R = t-Bu) show that oxidative processes for the complexes are predominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour also occur and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as involving metal-centred oxidations. The reduction behaviour for the respective metal complexes is not simple, being irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving the systematic variation of the metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base concentrations have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique in order to probe the stoichiometries of the respective extracted species. Significant extraction synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was also present with the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies demonstrated a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).

Interaction of an extended series of N-substituted di(2-picolyl)amine derivatives with copper(II). Synthetic, structural, magnetic and solution studies

The interaction of Cu(II) with the following secondary N-substituted derivatives of di(2-picolyl)amine () are reported: N-cyclohexylmethyl-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-benzyl-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(4-pyridylmethyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(4-carboxymethylbenzyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), N-(9-anthracen-8-ylmethyl)-di(2-picolyl)amine (), 1,3-bis[di(2-picolyl)aminomethyl]benzene (), 1,4-bis[di(2-picolyl)aminomethyl]benzene () and 2,4,6-tris[di(2-picolyl)amino]triazine (). The solid complexes [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2), [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5CH(2)Cl(2), Cu()(ClO(4))(2), Cu()(2)(ClO(4))(2), [Cu()(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O, Cu(2)()(ClO(4))(4), [Cu(2)()(Cl)(4)] and [Cu(2)(+H)(micro-OCH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(3).C(4)H(10)O were isolated and X-ray structures of [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2), [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5CH(2)Cl(2,) [Cu()(2)(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O, [Cu(2)()Cl(4)] and [Cu(2)(+H)(micro-OCH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(3).C(4)H(10)O were obtained. The series is characterised by a varied range of coordination geometries and lattice architectures which in the case of [Cu()(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)O)].0.5H(2)O includes a chain-like structure formed by unusual intermolecular pi-interactions between metal bound perchlorate anions and the aromatic rings of adjacent anthracenyl groups. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements have been performed for [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2) and [Cu()(micro-Cl)](2)(PF(6))(2).0.5H(2)O over the range 2-300 K. Both compounds show Curie-Weiss behaviour, with the data indicating weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the pairs of copper ions in each complex. Liquid-liquid (H(2)O/CHCl(3)) extraction experiments involving and as extractants showed that, relative to the parent (unsubstituted) dipic ligand , substitution at the secondary amine site in each case resulted in an increase in extraction efficiency towards Cu(II) (as its perchlorate salt); at least in part, this increase may be attributed to the enhanced lipophilicities of the N-substituted derivatives.

Assembly of a trinuclear metallo-capsule from a tripodal tris(β-diketone) derivative and copper(II)

A new metallo-capsule has been synthesised that consists of three copper(II) ions and two molecules of a tris-deprotonated tripodal ligand in which three 2,4-pentanedione groups are linked via their gamma-carbons through thioether spacers to the 1,3,5-positions of a triazine core.

Interaction of tripodal Schiff-base ligands with silver(I): structural and solution studies

The binding and extraction of Ag(I) by tripodal Schiff-base ligands incorporating different aromatic podand arms are reported. These ligands have been synthesized by condensation of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine with benzaldehyde (1), 4-phenylbenzaldehyde (2), 2- (3) and 4-pyridinecarbaldehyde (4). The structures of 1 and of four Ag(I) complexes [Ag(1)]ClO4, [Ag(2)]ClO4, [Ag3(3)2](ClO4)3 and {[Ag3(4)2](ClO4)3}n have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure of 1 shows intramolecular C–H⋯π (aromatic) interactions between phenyl rings, while bonding of Ag(I) via Ag–N interactions within the ionophore pocket is confirmed. In [Ag(1)]ClO4, and [Ag(2)]ClO4 additional long-range Ag–H interactions are observed, while π–π stacking occurs in the polynuclear species [Ag3(3)2](ClO4)3 and {[Ag3(4)2](ClO4)3}n. Potentiometric titration, liquid–liquid extraction and 1H NMR spectroscopic studies were performed to probe the nature of the silver complexes in solution. Potentiometric studies confirm increasing complex stability with Ag(I) in the order 2 < 4 < 1 < 3, and enhanced Ag(I) extraction efficiency was observed with both increasing lipophilicity of the ionophore and the presence of additional donor groups. 1H NMR spectroscopic studies were employed to probe the solution complexation behaviour of 1–4 towards Ag(I) and these confirm the formation of primarily 1 : 1 Ag : L complexes in solution.

Complexation, computational, magnetic, and structural studies of the maillard reaction product isomaltol including investigation of an uncommon π interaction with copper(II)

The metal complexation properties of the naturally occurring Maillard reaction product isomaltol HL(2) are investigated by measurement of its stability constants with copper(II), zinc(II), and iron(III) using potentiometric pH titrations in water, by structural and magnetic characterization of its crystalline complex, [Cu(L(2))(2)]·8H(2)O, and by density functional theory calculations. Strong complexation is observed to form the bis(isomaltolato)copper(II) complex incorporating copper in a typical (pseudo-)square-planar geometry. In the solid state, extensive intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving all three oxygen functions per ligand assembles the complexes into ribbons that interact to form two-dimensional arrays; further hydrogen bonds and π interactions between the furan moiety of the anionic ligands and adjacent copper(II) centers connect the complexes in the third dimension, leading to a compact polymeric three-dimensional (3D) arrangement. The latter interactions involving copper(II), which represent an underappreciated aspect of copper(II) chemistry, are compared to similar interactions present in other copper(II) 3D structures showing interactions with benzene molecules; the results indicate that dispersion forces dominate in the π system to chelated copper(II) ion interactions.

Liquid-liquid extraction studies with bis-β-diketones

1,4- (H₂L¹) and 1,3-phenylene (H₂L²) linked bis-β-diketone ligands as well as corresponding metal complexes of composition M₃(L¹)₃B₆ and M₂(L²)₂B₂ with B = pyridine (Py) or 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy) have been synthesised. Extraction studies involving the systematic variation of the metal, bis-β-Bdiketone and 4-ethylpyridine concentrations have been performed for Co(Il) and Zn(II) in order to probe the solution stoichiometries of the extracted species. Significant synergistic effects were observed when EtPy was present along with the bis-β-diketone ligand in the organic (CHCI₃) phase. Competitive extraction studies (water/chloroform) demonstrated a clear uptake preference for Cu(II) over Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(Il) and Cd(II).

An unprecedented bridging [Ag2(NO3)6]4− anion as a component of an infinite silver(I) molecular ladder incorporating a dinuclear cationic silver complex of a bis-dipyridylamine ligand

The interaction of silver(I) nitrate with the polypyridyl ligand (L) formed from two dipyridylamine units joined at their secondary amines by a 2,6-lutidinyl bridge results in a molecular ladder motif that consists of pairs of cationic [Ag2(L)MeCN]2+ units bridged by an unprecedented [Ag2(NO3)6]4− anion.

A new 34-membered N6O4-donor macrocycle: synthetic, X-ray and solvent extraction studies

The synthesis and crystal structure of a new 34-membered N6O4-donor macrocycle2 is reported. Solvent extraction experiments (water/chloroform) indicated that 2 acts as an efficient extractant towards silver(I) and zinc(II) at pH values beyond 6 while the extraction of iodide and chromate occurs below this pH. A competitive metal extraction experiment at pH 7.2 in which the perchlorate salts of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) were present together in the aqueous phase led to the following order of increasing extraction efficiency: cobalt(II) < nickel(II) < zinc(II) < copper(II) ∼ cadmium(II). A substantial synergistic enhancement of zinc(II) salt extraction was observed for a dual-host extraction system using the macrocycle2 as cation binder and the tripodal thiourea ligand 3 as anion receptor; in particular, a notable extraction of zinc(II) sulfate was obtained.