Phosphine Derivatives Research Articles

Bidentate [C,N] and Tridentate [C,N,S] Palladium Cyclometallated Complexes as Pre-Catalysts in Cross-Coupling Reactions.

Treatment of halide substituted bidentate [C,N] and tridentate [C,N,S] Schiff base ligands with palladium(II) acetate or with lithium tetrachloropalladate, as appropriate, afforded through C-H activation of the organic ligand, the dinuclear (1 a, 1 b) and mononuclear (1 c, 1 d, 1 e) palladacycles, respectively. Reaction of the μ-acetate dinuclear complexes with aqueous sodium chloride in a metathesis process, gave the μ-chloride dinuclear complexes (2 a, 2 b). Treatment of the latter with triphenylphosphine or with bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm)/ammonium hexafluorophosphate in complex/ phosphine 1 : 2 ratio, gave the phosphine derivatives (3 a, 3 b, 4 a, 4 b). Reaction of 1 c and of 1 e with triphenylphosphine/silver perchlorate and dppm/silver perchlorate, respectively, gave compounds 2 c and 2 e with removal of the chloride ligand by precipitation of the silver halide. The compounds were characterized by microanalysis (CHN), IR and 1H and 31P{1H} NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structures of three complexes, 4 a, 1 c and 1 e were studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the performance of the palladacycles were tested as pre-catalysts, namely Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction and those furnishing the better results are also reported.

Synthesis of Phosphine Chalcogenides Using Tetrabutylammonium Chalcogenocyanates.

The new chalcogenylation of phosphines using nBu4N‧XCN (X = S, Se) is described. The reaction in 1,2-dichloroethane at 120 °C provided the corresponding phosphine sulfides in good to high yields. The protocol could be extended to the synthesis of phosphinic acid derivatives as well as sulfurization of poly(styrene-co-4-styryldiphenylphosphine).

Investigation of the Optimal Phosphine for Improved Electrochemical Peptide Synthesis

Peptides have been expected to be medicines with higher specificity and fewer side effects than conventional medicines. However, a longstanding problem that the huge amount of waste is produced in synthetic process is not resolved. One of the causes is use of coupling reagents. Although they facilitate efficient peptide bond formation, byproducts lead to accumulation of waste. To address the issue, we developed electrochemical peptide synthesis using triphenylphosphine (Ph3P) as a coupling reagent. Anodic oxidation of Ph3P generates radical cation to activate carboxylic acids and promote peptide bond formation, producing triphenylphosphine oxide (Ph3PO). Since the reduction of Ph3PO to Ph3P is achieved in various ways, Ph3P have a potential to be a recyclable coupling reagent, which would be one of the solutions. Actually, we succeeded in development of an electrochemical peptide synthesis applicable to all of canonical amino acids and recovering method of Ph3PO. Nevertheless, we found that this method is difficult to use for highly sterically hindered amino acids. To improve the reaction efficiency, we examined various phosphine derivatives instead of Ph3P. We will present our recent improvement of the electrochemical peptide synthesis and nature of phosphine radical cations in detail.

Doping PCBM with fullerene phosphinate derivatives enhances the interface energy alignment and synergistic passivation capability

Phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) serves as a common electron transport layer (ETL) in inverted p-i-n structure perovskite solar cells (IPSCs), yet energy barriers and insufficient passivation at the PCBM-perovskite interface hinder device effectiveness and durability. In this study, we present a series of novel Fullerene Phenylacid Ester Derivatives (FPEDs: FPP, FTPP, FDPP) incorporated into PCBM. Our investigations illustrate that FPEDs effectively act to passivate the perovskite surface by forming robust interactions with uncoordinated Pb2+ ions via the phosphine oxide groups present in their molecular structures, thereby enhancing the stability of the devices. Moreover, these additives elevate the energy level of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of ETL, diminish the electron injection barrier, and enhance the efficiency of interlayer electron transport. Incorporating FPEDs enhances ETL coverage on the perovskite layer, reducing leakage current significantly. Notably, Devices with PCBM/FTPP achieved a peak PCE of 23.62% and showed superior stability, maintaining 96.8% of the initial PCE after 500 h, while control devices retained merely 80.7% over the same period.

Synthesis of 1,4-azaphosphinine nucleosides and evaluation as inhibitors of human cytidine deaminase and APOBEC3A.

Nucleoside and polynucleotide cytidine deaminases (CDAs), such as CDA and APOBEC3, share a similar mechanism of cytosine to uracil conversion. In 1984, phosphapyrimidine riboside was characterised as the most potent inhibitor of human CDA, but the quick degradation in water limited the applicability as a potential therapeutic. To improve stability in water, we synthesised derivatives of phosphapyrimidine nucleoside having a CH2 group instead of the N3 atom in the nucleobase. A charge-neutral phosphinamide and a negatively charged phosphinic acid derivative had excellent stability in water at pH 7.4, but only the charge-neutral compound inhibited human CDA, similar to previously described 2'-deoxyzebularine (Ki = 8.0 ± 1.9 and 10.7 ± 0.5 µM, respectively). However, under basic conditions, the charge-neutral phosphinamide was unstable, which prevented the incorporation into DNA using conventional DNA chemistry. In contrast, the negatively charged phosphinic acid derivative was incorporated into DNA instead of the target 2'-deoxycytidine using an automated DNA synthesiser, but no inhibition of APOBEC3A was observed for modified DNAs. Although this shows that the negative charge is poorly accommodated in the active site of CDA and APOBEC3, the synthetic route reported here provides opportunities for the synthesis of other derivatives of phosphapyrimidine riboside for potential development of more potent CDA and APOBEC3 inhibitors.

The Biological Impact of Some Phosphonic and Phosphinic Acid Derivatives on Human Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma malignancy currently represents a major health problem; therefore, the need for new therapy approaches is of great interest. In this regard, the current study aims to evaluate the anti-neoplastic potential of a newly developed phosphinic acid derivative (2-carboxyethylphenylphosphinic acid) and, subsequently, to outline its pharmaco-toxicological profile by employing two different in vitro human cell cultures (keratinocytes-HaCaT-and osteosarcoma SAOS-2 cells), employing different techniques (MTT assay, cell morphology assessment, LDH assay, Hoechst staining and RT-PCR). Additionally, the results obtained are compared with three commercially available phosphorus-containing compounds (P1, P2, P3). The results recorded for the newly developed compound (P4) revealed good biocompatibility (cell viability of 77%) when concentrations up to 5 mM were used on HaCaT cells for 24 h. Also, the HaCaT cultures showed no significant morphological alterations or gene modulation, thus achieving a biosafety profile even superior to some of the commercial products tested herein. Moreover, in terms of anti-osteosarcoma activity, 2-carboxyethylphenylphosphinic acid expressed promising activity on SAOS-2 monolayers, the cells showing viability of only 55%, as well as apoptosis features and important gene expression modulation, especially Bid downregulation. Therefore, the newly developed compound should be considered a promising candidate for further in vitro and in vivo research related to osteosarcoma therapy.

Pd(II) and Pt(II) saccharinate complexes with two phosphine derivatives: Synthesis, anticancer and antiangiogenic activities

As clinically used anticancer Pt(II) drugs have severe side effects, there is a growing interest for new metal complexes with great potential for cancer therapy. The current work aimed to prepare and characterize new Pd(II) and Pt(II) saccharinate (sac) complexes bearing pyridyl‐ and benzyldiphenylphosphines (PPh2Py and PPh2Bz, respectively), cis‐[Pd(sac)2(PPh2Py)2] (1), cis‐[PtCl(sac)(PPh2Py)2]·0.5DMF (2), cis‐[Pd(sac)2(PPh2Bz)2]·DMF (3) and trans‐[PtCl(sac)(PPh2Bz)2] (4) as promising anticancer and antiangiogenic drugs. The anticancer activity of the complexes was screened against seven cancer cell lines including HCT116 (colon), HepG2 (liver), MDA‐MB‐231 (breast), PANC‐1 (pancreatic), A549 (lung), C6 (glioma), DU145 (prostate) and normal human lung epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B). 1 and 2 did not show biological activity below 20 μM at 48 h, whereas 3 and 4 displayed significant cytotoxic effect on the cancer cells. 4 was the most potent complex (IC50 = 2.2–12.1 μM) and displayed much greater cytotoxicity than cisplatin in all the cancer cell lines. 4 caused apoptosis in HCT116 cells as evidenced by annexin V positivity and caspase 3/7 activity assays. Furthermore, the inhibition of antiapoptotic Bcl‐2 proteins by the complex suggested the intrinsic apoptosis. In addition, 4 greatly enhanced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequently caused remarkable DNA double‐strand breaks in HCT116 cells. Moreover, the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay was used to evaluate antiangiogenic potential of 4. The complex effectively inhibited angiogenesis at a dose of 50 ng, suggesting it as a promising multi‐targeted agent for antiangiogenic cancer treatment.

Synthesis, Spectroscopic Analysis, and Anti-Bacterial Studies of Pd(II) Complexes of Phosphine and Hydrazone Derivatives

This study reports the synthesis of seven hydrazone derivative complexes by the treatment equivalent molar of the phosphine ligand Ph2P(CH2)nPPh2 {where n= 1 dppm; n=2 dppe; n=3 dppp; n=4 dppb; (CH2)n = (Cp)2Fe} with [Pd(dbeoz)2] afforded complexes of the type [Pd(dbeoz)2(diphos)] and [Pd(dbeoz)2(dppm)]2, whereas the reaction of two moles of Ph3P with [Pd(dbeoz)2] gave a complex [Pd(dbeoz)2(PPh3)2] in good yield. CHN analysis, conductivity measurements, Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), 1H, and 31P-NMR, were used to investigate the structural geometries of the complexes. Further, the biological activity of the synthesized complexes was evaluated against three pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli) using the well diffusion method, the synthesized complexes displayed moderate to good inhibitory activity, and the [Pd(dbeoz)2(dppf)] complex exhibited the highest inhibitory activity with DIZ is 24, 27, and 28 mm against the three pathogenic bacteria, respectively.

CO2 reduction using aluminum hydride: Generation of in-situ frustrated Lewis pairs and small molecule activation therein.

CO2 reduction is appealing for the long-term production of high-value fuels and chemicals. Herein, using density functional theory (DFT) based calculations, we study the CO2 reduction pathway to formic acid using aluminum hydride and phosphine derivatives. Our primary focus is on aluminum hydride derivatives, aimed at improving the efficiency of the CO2 reduction process. Substituents with σ-donating properties at the aluminum center are discovered to lower the activation barriers. We demonstrate how di-tert-butylphosphine oxide (LB-O)/di-tert-butylphosphine sulfide (LB-S)/di-tert-butylphosphanimine (LB-N) work together with aluminum hydride to facilitate CO2 reduction process and generate in-situ frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs), such as FLP-O, FLP-S, and FLP-N. The activation strain model (ASM) analysis reveals the significance of strain energy in determining activation barriers. EDA-NOCV and PIO analyses elucidate the orbital interactions at the corresponding transition states. Furthermore, the study delves into the activation of various small molecules, such as dihydrogen, acetylene, ethylene, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, and acetonitrile, using those in-situ generated FLPs. The study highlights the low activation barriers and emphasizes the potential for small molecule activation in this context.

Inhibition of cytotoxic self-assembly of HEWL through promoting fibrillation by new synthesized α-hydroxycarbamoylphosphinic acids.

The main objective of the present study is to investigate the potency of new synthesized hydroxycarbamoyl phosphinic acid derivatives in modulating cytotoxic fibrillogenesis of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), as a common model in protein aggregation studies. Hydroxycarbamoyl phosphinic acid derivatives were prepared by the reaction of α-hydroxyalkylphosphinic acids with isocyanates (or isothiocyanates) in the presence of trimethylsilyl chloride (TMSCl). The designed process involves the condensation reaction leading to formation of new C sp2-P bond formation. The synthesis and purity of novel designed compounds were confirmed by NMR, LC-MS, and HPLC techniques. A range of experiments, including thioflavin T (ThT) and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence assays, Congo red binding measurement, atomic force microscopy imaging, MTT-based cell viability and hemolysis assays were employed to investigate anti-amyloidogenic effects of tested compounds. The obtained results demonstrate that these compounds are able to significantly modulate the self-assembly process of HEWL via shortening of nucleation phase leading to the acceleration of fibrillation and appearance of very large and thick fibrils with decreased surface hydrophobicity and cytotoxicity. Based on ANS binding data, we suggest that increased exposure of hydrophobic patches of oligomeric species is the possible mechanism by which tested compounds promote self-assembly process of HEWL. Fluorescence anisotropy and molecular docking studies indicate the interaction of both synthesized compounds with HEWL, and more specifically with residues that are situated in the highly aggregation-prone β-domain region of protein. This study unveils the potential of hydroxyalkylphosphinic acids as modulators of amyloid fibrillation highlighting these compounds as a promising approach for targeting protein aggregates associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

Cross-bridged cyclam derivatives with bis(phosphinate) and phosphinate-phosphonate pendant arms (cb-BPC) as chelators for copper radioisotopes.

Copper radioisotopes can be used for imaging as well as for therapy and, thus, can form ideal theranostic pairs. The Cu(II) complexes of cross-bridged cyclam (cb-cyclam) derivatives are considered to be highly stable in vivo. However, the complexes are mostly formed under harsh conditions not compatible with sensitive biomolecules. Here, a new class of cb-cyclam derivatives, cross-bridged bis(phosphinate)cyclams ("cb-BPC"), were investigated. Ligands with one or two methylene-bis(phosphinate) -CH2-PO2H-CH2-PO2H(R) (R = H, OH, substituted alkyl) pendant arms were synthesized. Bifunctionalization on the distant phosphorus atom was carried out by employing P-nitrobenzyl (R = CH2-Ph-4-NO2) precursors and/or, for cb-BPC with two bis(phosphinate) pendant arms, by reactions of silyl-phosphites obtained by silylation of their P(O)-H fragments. The reactive bifunctional groups include amine, carboxylate, azide, isothiocyanate, maleimide and/or tetrazine, and also their orthogonally reactive combination in a single molecule of chelator. The cb-BPCs with one bis(phosphinate) arm were not efficiently radiolabelled with 64Cu. The cb-BPCs with two pendant arms were radiolabelled even at room temperature and with only a small excess of chelator, leading to a high specific activity. Radiolabelling was fully comparable with that of analogous bis(phosphinate) derivatives of cyclam and identical radiolabelling of cyclam and cb-cyclam derivatives was observed for the first time. The cb-BPCs with two bis(phosphinate) pendant arms represent a new class of rigid chelators for copper radioisotopes that are easily synthetically modifiable, highly hydrophilic and radiolabelled under mild conditions.

Pronounced electronic modulation of geometrically-regulated metalloenediyne cyclization.

Using a diverse array of thermally robust phosphine enediyne ligands (dxpeb, X = Ph, Ph-pOCH3, Ph-pCF3, Ph-m 2CH3, Ph-m 2CF3, iPr, Cy, and t Bu) a novel suite of cisplatin-like Pt(ii) metalloenediynes (3, Pt(dxpeb)Cl2) has been synthesized and represents unique electronic perturbations on thermal Bergman cyclization kinetics. Complexes 3e (Ph-m 2CF3) and 3f (iPr) are the first of this structure type to be crystallographically characterized with inter alkyne termini distances (3e: 3.13 Å; 3f: 3.10 Å) at the lower end of the widely accepted critical distance range within which enediynes should demonstrate spontaneous ambient temperature cyclization. Despite different electronic profiles, these metalloenediynes adopt a rigid, uniform structure suggesting complexes of the form Pt(dxpeb)Cl2 have orthogonalized geometric and electronic contributions to thermal Bergman cyclization. Kinetic activation parameters determined using 31P NMR spectroscopy highlight the dramatic reactivity and thermal tunability of these complexes. At room temperature, the half-life (t 1/2) of cyclization spans a range of ∼35 hours and for the aryl phosphine derivatives, cycloaromatization rates are 10-30 times faster for complexes with electron donating substituents (3b: Ph-pOCH3; 3d: Ph-m 2CH3) compared to those with electron withdrawing substituents (3c: Ph-pCF3; 3e: Ph-m 2CF3). Computational interrogation of the aryl phosphine metalloenediynes 3a-3e reveals that the origin of this precise electronic control derives from electronic withdrawing group-mediated alkyne carbon polarization that amplifies coulombic repulsion increasing the cyclization barrier height. Additionally, mixing between the in-plane π-orbitals and the phosphine aryl ring system is pronounced for complexes with electron donating substituents which stabilizes the developing C-C bond and lowers the activation barrier. This π-orbital mixing is negligible however, for complexes with electron withdrawing substituents due to an energetic mismatch of the orbital systems. Overall, this work demonstrates that for geometrically rigid frameworks, even remote enediyne functionalization can have pronounced effects on activation barrier.

Unraveling environmental effects in the absorption and fluorescence spectra of p-methoxyphenylpiperazine derivatives

The p-methoxyphenylpiperazine motif can be found in many biologically active molecules, including approved drugs. It is characterized by a relatively weak fluorescence, which can be employed in different types of studies involving molecules with this motif. In this work, a thorough analysis of the absorption, excitation and emission spectra of the diphenyl(aminomethyl)phosphine and tris(aminomethyl)phosphine derivatives of p-methoxyphenylpiperazine, supported by the DFT calculations (ωB97XD/6-311++G(d,p)) with NBO and QTAIM analysis also for different model molecules (e.g. 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methylpiperazine) enabled determination of the mechanisms underlying beneath the electronic transitions and allowed to rationalize mixed solvent effects observed in electronic spectra of the studied compounds. Electronic transition from the ground state to the first excited state can be regarded as the n,π → π* transition with no solvatochromic effects, however the hydrogen bonds between the HBD solvent molecules and the nitrogen atom bound directly to the aromatic ring (N(4)) are shifting strongly the 1st absorption or excitation band maxima to the higher energies. Fluorescence band, as a result of the electron transition from the equilibrated 1st excited state to the ground state, can be described as the π*→π with positive solvatochromism. N(4) in the excited states adopts a sp2 hybridization and is no longer able to form HBs. On the other hand, increased electron density on the aromatic ring makes the emission processes vulnerable to its direct environment.

Palladium Catalysts Supported in Microporous Phosphine Polymer Networks.

A new set of microporous organic polymers (POPs) containing diphosphine derivatives synthesized by knitting via Friedel-Crafts has been attained. These amorphous three-dimensional materials have been prepared by utilizing diphosphines, 1,3,5-triphenylbenzene, and biphenyl as nucleophile aromatic groups, dimethoxymethane as the electrophilic linker, and FeCl3 as a promoting catalyst. These polymer networks display moderate thermal stability and high microporosity, boasting BET surface areas above 760 m2/g. They are capable of coordinating with palladium acetate, using the phosphine derivative as an anchoring center, and have proven to be highly efficient catalysts in Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reactions involving bromo- and chloroarenes under environmentally friendly (using water and ethanol as solvents) and aerobic conditions. These supported catalysts have achieved excellent turnover numbers (TON) and turnover frequencies (TOF), while maintaining good recyclability without significant loss of activity or Pd leaching after five consecutive reaction cycles.

Copper(I)‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrophosphination of 3,3‐Disubstituted Cyclopropenes

AbstractHerein, a copper(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphination of 3,3‐disubstituted cyclopropenes is reported. It provides a series of phosphine derivatives in high to excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. The methodology enjoys broad substrate scope on both 3,3‐disubstituted cyclopropenes and diarylphosphines. The high stereoselectivity is attributed to both the high stability of the Cu(I)‐(R,R)‐QUINOXP* complex in the presence of stoichiometric HPPh2 and the produced phosphines, and the high‐performance asymmetric induction of the Cu(I)‐(R,R)‐QUINOXP* complex. Finally, the method is used for the synthesis of new chiral phosphine‐olefin compounds built on a cyclopropane skeleton, one of which serves as a wonderful ligand in Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of phenylboronic acid to various α,β‐unsaturated compounds.

Copper(I)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Hydrophosphination of 3,3-Disubstituted Cyclopropenes.

Herein, a copper(I)-catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphination of 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropenes is reported. It provides a series of phosphine derivatives in high to excellent diastereo- and enantioselectivities. The methodology enjoys broad substrate scope on both 3,3-disubstituted cyclopropenes and diarylphosphines. The high stereoselectivity is attributed to both the high stability of the Cu(I)-(R,R)-QUINOXP* complex in the presence of stoichiometric HPPh2 and the produced phosphines, and the high-performance asymmetric induction of the Cu(I)-(R,R)-QUINOXP* complex. Finally, the method is used for the synthesis of new chiral phosphine-olefin compounds built on a cyclopropane skeleton, one of which serves as a wonderful ligand in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate addition of phenylboronic acid to various α,β-unsaturated compounds.

Carbon-supported statistically distributed polyethyleneimine/palladium (II) complexes as efficient and sustainable Sonogashira catalysts

A novel approach toward the obtaining of a Pd (II) carbon-supported catalyst based on a statistical distributed polymer (hyperbranched polyethyleneimine) and its use as a highly efficient and sustainable catalyst for Sonogashira-type coupling reactions is presented. The heterogenous Pd (II)/HBPEI catalyst fabricated through a facile, cost-effective and scalable procedure provides an innovative catalyst structure based on statistical distributed singular catalytic centers with well-defined Pd-Polymer chemical interactions, highly resistant to suffer leaching processes and extensively and homogenously distributed across the whole carbon surface. The catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic and recycling activity for several cross-coupling reactions between different aryl halides and terminal alkynes, free of any undesired by-product and in excellent yields, under air atmosphere, using water as solvent, at moderate temperatures (65 °C) and avoiding the use of phosphine derivatives, Cu(I) as co-catalyst and excess of any of the reactant. Therefore, the reported Pd(II)-HBPEI carbon-supported material can be considered a truly competitive heterogeneous Pd(II) catalyst for large-scale under green chemistry conditions.

Synthesis of phosphine derivatives of [Fe2(CO)6(μ-sdt)] (sdt = SCH2SCH2S) and investigation of their proton reduction capabilities

The reactions of [Fe2(CO)6(μ-sdt)] (1) (sdt = SCH2SCH2S) with phosphine ligands have been investigated. Treatment of 1 with dppm (bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) or dcpm (bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane) affords the diphosphine-bridged products [Fe2(CO)4(μ-sdt)(μ-dppm)] (2) and [Fe2(CO)4(μ-sdt)(μ-dcpm)] (3), respectively. The complex [Fe2(CO)4(μ-sdt)(κ2-dppv)] (4) with a chelating diphosphine was obtained by reacting 1 with dppv (cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethene). Reaction of 1 with dppe (1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) produces [{Fe2(CO)4(μ-sdt)}2(μ-κ1-dppe)] (5) in which the diphosphine forms an intermolecular bridge between two diiron cluster fragments. Three products were obtained when dppf (1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) was introduced to complex 1; they were [Fe2(CO)5(μ-sdt)(κ1-dppfO)] (6), the previously known [{Fe2(CO)5(μ-sdt)}2(μ-κ1-κ1-dppf)] (7), and [Fe2(CO)4(μ-sdt)(μ-dppf)] (8), with complex 8 being produced in highest yield. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on compounds 2, 3 and 8. All structures reveal the adoption of an anti-arrangement of the dithiolate bridges, while the diphosphines occupy dibasal positions. Infra-red spectroscopy indicates that the mono-substituted complexes 5, 6, and 7 are inert to protonation by HBF4.Et2O, but complexes 2, 3, 4 and [Fe2(CO)5(μ-sdt)(κ1-PPh3)] (9) show shifts of their ν(C-O) resonances that indicate that protons bind to the metal cores of the clusters. Addition of the one-electron oxidant [Cp2Fe]PF6 does not lead to any discernable shift in the IR resonances. The redox chemistry of the complexes was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, and the abilities of complexes to catalyze electrochemical proton reduction were examined.

Two Proton Conductive Coordination Polymers Constructed by an Unprecedented Structural Transformation of a Phosphine-Based Tricarboxylate Ligand

The phosphine-based tricarboxylate 2-(3,3′-dioxo-1λ5-1,1′-(3H,3′H)-spirobi[2,1-benzoxaphosphol]-1-yl)benzoic acid (L) has been intensely studied due to its unique configuration and readily oxidizable phosphorus center. However, the coordination of L with metals have been largely ignored in the field of coordination polymers (CPs). Herein, we report two CPs, [Zn3(L1)2(dib)2(H2O)]·9H2O (1) and [Cu3(L2)2(dib)2]·3H2O (2) (H3L1 = tris(2-carboxyphenyl)phosphine oxide, H3L2 = 2,2′-phosphinico-dibenzoic acid, dib = 1,4-di(1H-imidazol-1-yl)butane), synthesized based on L. Strikingly, despite the initial use of L, the structures of 1 and 2 reveal that L undergoes two unprecedented in situ structural changes after coordination with the metal ion. In 1, L is transformed to the phosphine oxide derivative L1, while in 2, it is transformed to the phosphinic acid derivative L2. With the aid of the flexible ligand dib, the one-dimensional (1D) chain structure of 1 and three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure of 2 were constructed. For 1 and 2, especially in 1, there are abundant hydrogen bonds between the framework and the lattice water molecules, which are conducive to the formation of excellent hydrophilic channels and the transport of protons. Electrochemical experimental results show that 1 and 2 exhibit high proton conductivities (σ) of more than 10–4 S cm–1 over a wide temperature range of 303–353 K and low activation energies (Ea) at 98% relative humidity. Compared with the σ value of the initial ligand L (3.12 × 10–5 S cm–1), the best σ values of 1 and 2 are improved by 28 times and 6 times, respectively, and Ea is also reduced from 0.39 to 0.13 eV for 1 and 0.12 eV for 2. This is the first report of proton-conducting polymers based on a phosphine-based carboxylate ligand, involving two in situ structural transitions of the ligand.

Hierarchical Helicates Bearing Phosphorus‐Based Substituents in the Periphery

AbstractPhosphinate and phosphane substituted hierarchical helicates have been prepared, and the phosphinate derivatives could be characterized in the crystal. The helicate with phosphane substituents was submitted to an orientating study on catalysis, showing its potential to act as chelating ligand for the generation of active rhodium‐based hydrogenation catalysts.