Neutral Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of tetraazatetraenemacrocyles

Rotaxanes composed of dibenzo-24-crown-8 and macrocyclic transition metal complexing tetraimine units

New rotaxanes, composed of dibenzo-24-crown-8 and the axle containing two tetraazamacrocyclic Ni and/or Cu units, adopt either folded or extended conformations and di-Ni-rotaxanes exhibit a shuttling effect of DB24C8.

Macrocyclic Metal Complex-DNA Conjugates for Electrochemical Sensing of Single Nucleobase Changes in DNA

The direct incorporation of macrocyclic cyclidene complexes into DNA via automated synthesis results in a new family of metal-functionalized DNA derivatives that readily demonstrate their utility through the ability of one redox-active copper(II)-containing strand to distinguish electrochemically between all four canonical DNA nucleobases at a single site within a target sequence of DNA.

Self-assembly of a nickel(II) pseudorotaxane nanostructure on a gold surface

Tetraazamacrocyclic complexes of NiII and CuII can be used as components of catenanes or rotaxanes showing electrochemically switched intramolecular motion in solution. In our present studies, we modify these compounds with organothiol chains to attach them to the surface of the electrode using the self-assembly method and employ them next as molecular switches, which change conductivity upon applying appropriate potential. The electrochemical properties of these compounds are studied in the solution and, in the case of thiol derivative, immobilized on the electrode surface. The macrocyclic complex of NiII, immobilized on the Au surface, forms the axis of the rotaxane. This compound can be anchored to the surface by one or two thiol groups. The data obtained from scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments using colloidal Au confirm that the orientation normal to the surface dominates. The electrochemical experiments reveal reversible one-electron oxidation of metal center from +2 to +3. The behavior of the electrode modified with the macrocyclic complex of NiII upon immersion in a solution containing bismacrocyclic complex of NiII points to the formation of a new rotaxane-like nanostructure on the surface of the electrode.

Intermetallic interactions in face-to-face homo- and heterodinuclear bismacrocyclic complexes of copper(II) and nickel(II)

New face-to-face heterodinuclear complexes containing copper(II) and nickel(II) in identical tetraazamacrocyclic environments have been synthesized and characterized using ESI mass-spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods, and elemental analysis. These new bismacrocyclic systems were compared with the respective mono- and bismacrocyclic and [2]catenane homonuclear complexes. Interactions between the metal centers were monitored by magnetic and electrochemical measurements. Magnetic data indicate that all copper compounds studied behave as weakly interacting magnets. In the case of copper [2]catenane, the extent of magnetic interactions decreased when a benzocrown moiety was introduced between the macrocyclic units. On the basis of electrochemical data, the interactions between the metal centers were found to be substantially larger for the nickel complexes than for the corresponding copper ones. Interlocking of a benzocrown ether to form [2]catenane led to a nonequivalence of the metal centers and to the increase of donor abilities of the catenane compared to the respective bismacrocyclic complex. This is reflected by the shift of the first formal potential to less positive values. Intermetallic interactions for the heteronuclear nickel/copper complexes were found intermediary compared to the homonuclear ones. They were strengthened by shortening the spacer between the two tetraazamacrocyclic subunits which is a convenient way of fine-tuning the interactions. The increase of intermetallic interactions led to the increased stability of the intermediate mixed-valence states indicated by the higher values of comproportionation constants.

Novel [2]catenane structures introducing communication between transition metal centers via pi...pi interactions

[2]Catenane systems containing copper(II) and nickel(II) as metal centers have been self-assembled using tetraazamacrocyclic complexes and benzo-24-crown-8 as building blocks. A variety of methods, including X-ray crystallography, ESI mass spectrometry, (13)C and (1)H NMR, and electrochemistry, were applied to characterize these new face-to-face bismacrocyclic systems. Weak pi...pi interactions introduced by interlocking transition metal complexes with benzocrown moieties were shown to increase the communication (cooperativity) of metal centers. Introduction of the benzocrown increases the stability of the mixed valence state of the macrocyclic complex, which is reflected in high values of conproportionation constants. Moreover, this effect was found to be stronger than that obtained by shortening the length of the spacer between the two tetraazamacrocyclic subunits in the parent bismacrocycles. The extent of communication is larger for the nickel catenane than for the copper one.