Synthesis of monodentate bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes of iridium: Mixed complexes of abnormal NHCs, normal NHCs, and triazole NHCs

Preparation of Mixed Bis-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Rhodium(I) Complexes

A series of mixed bis-NHC rhodium(I) complexes of type RhCl(η2-olefin)(NHC)(NHC’) have been synthesized by a stepwise reaction of [Rh(μ-Cl)(η2-olefin)2]2 with two different NHCs (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene), in which the steric hindrance of both NHC ligands and the η2-olefin is critical. Similarly, new mixed coumarin-functionalized bis-NHC rhodium complexes have been prepared by a reaction of mono NHC complexes of type RhCl(NHC-coumarin)(η2,η2-cod) with the corresponding azolium salt in the presence of an external base. Both synthetic procedures proceed selectively and allow the preparation of mixed bis-NHC rhodium complexes in good yields.

Self-Assembled Monolayers of Nitron: Self-Activated and Chemically Addressable N-Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers with Triazolone Structural Motif

N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have emerged as a unique molecular platform for the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on various surfaces. However, active carbene formation requires deprotonation of imidazolium salt precursors, which is mostly facilitated by exposure of the salt to exogenous base. Base residues were found to be adsorbed on the metal surface and hindered the formation of well-ordered carbene-based monolayers. Herein, we show that nitron, a triazolone-based compound that freely tautomerizes to a carbene, can spontaneously self-assemble into monolayers on Pt and Au surfaces, which obviates the necessity for base-induced deprotonation for active carbene formation. SAMs of nitron were found to be thermally stable and could not be displaced by thiols, and thus their high chemical stability was demonstrated. The amino group in surface-anchored nitron was shown to be chemically available for S_N 2 reactions, and makes surface-anchored nitron a chemically addressable cross-linking reagent for surface modifications.

Luminescent ruffled iridium(iii) porphyrin complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands: structures, spectroscopies and potent antitumor activities under dark and light irradiation conditions

A panel of iridium(iii) porphyrin complexes containing axial N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand(s) were synthesized and characterized. X-ray crystal structures of the bis-NHC complexes [Ir^III(ttp)(IMe)₂]⁺ (2a), [Ir^III(oep)(BIMe)₂]⁺ (2d), [Ir^III(oep)(I ⁱ Pr)₂]⁺ (2e) and [Ir^III(F₂₀tpp)(IMe)₂]⁺ (2f) display ruffled porphyrin rings with mesocarbon displacements of 0.483-0.594 Å and long Ir-C_NHC bonds of 2.100-2.152 Å. Variable-temperature ¹H NMR analysis of 2a reveals that the macrocycle porphyrin ring inversion takes place in solution with an activation barrier of 40 ± 1 kJ mol^-1. The UV-vis absorption spectra of Ir^III(por)-NHC complexes display split Soret bands. TD-DFT calculations and resonance Raman experiments show that the higher-energy Soret band is derived from the ¹MLCT dπ(Ir) → π*(por) transition. The near-infrared phosphorescence of Ir^III(por)-NHC complexes from the porphyrin-based ³(π, π*) state features broad emission bands at 701-754 nm with low emission quantum yields and short lifetimes (Φ _em < 0.01; τ < 4 μs). [Ir^III(por)(IMe)₂]⁺ complexes (por = ttp and oep) are efficient photosensitizers for ¹O₂ generation (Φ _so = 0.64 and 0.88) and are catalytically active in the light-induced aerobic oxidation of secondary amines and arylboronic acid. The bis-NHC complexes exhibit potent dark cytotoxicity towards a panel of cancer cells with IC₅₀ values at submicromolar levels. The cytotoxicity of these complexes could be further enhanced upon light irradiation with IC₅₀ values as low as nanomolar levels in association with the light-induced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Bioimaging of [Ir^III(oep)(IMe)₂]⁺ (2c) treated cells indicates that this Ir complex mainly targets the endoplasmic reticulum. [Ir^III(oep)(IMe)₂]⁺ catalyzes the photoinduced generation of singlet oxygen and triggers protein oxidation, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and the inhibition of angiogenesis. It also causes pronounced photoinduced inhibition of tumor growth in a mouse model of human cancer.

Novel triazolium based 11th group NHCs: synthesis, characterization and cellular response mechanisms

The novel NHC ligand precursor 1,4-bis(4-nitrobenzyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-4-ium bromide, [HTz^(pNO2Bz)2]Br, has been synthesized and used in the synthesis of the corresponding metal complexes M[Tz^(pNO2Bz)2]Br (M = Cu(i), Ag(i) or Au(i)).

Stable cyclic carbenes and related species beyond diaminocarbenes

The success of homogeneous catalysis can be attributed largely to the development of a diverse range of ligand frameworks that have been used to tune the behavior of various systems. Spectacular results in this area have been achieved using cyclic diaminocarbenes (NHCs) as a result of their strong σ-donor properties. Although it is possible to cursorily tune the structure of NHCs, any diversity is still far from matching their phosphorus-based counterparts, which is one of the great strengths of the latter. A variety of stable acyclic carbenes are known, but they are either reluctant to bind metals or they give rise to fragile metal complexes. During the last five years, new types of stable cyclic carbenes, as well as related carbon-based ligands (which are not NHCs), and which feature even stronger σ-donor properties have been developed. Their synthesis and characterization as well as the stability, electronic properties, coordination behavior, and catalytic activity of the ensuing complexes are discussed, and comparisons with their NHC cousins are made.