Synthesis and reactivity of the macrobicyclic complexes (1,5,8,12-tetraaza-17-oxabicyclo[10.5.2]nonadecane)cobalt(III) perchlorate ([Co(L1)(ClO4)](ClO4)2), [(chloro(1,4,8,11-tetraaza-17-oxabicyclo[9.5.3]nonadecane)cobalt(III) perchlorate ([Co(L2)(Cl)](ClO4)2), (4,8-dimethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraaza-17-oxabicyclo[9.5.3]nonadecane)cobalt(III) perchlorate ([Co(L3)(ClO4)](ClO4)2), and (5,8-dimethyl-1,5,8,12-tetraaza-17-oxabicyclo[10.5.2]nonadecane)cobalt(III) perchlorate ([Co(L4)(ClO4)](ClO4)2) — Crystal structure of the L2 complex

Abstract

The potentially penta-coordinating ligands L2 and L3 have been synthesized by reaction of the 10-membered macrocycle 1,5-diaza-8-oxacyclodecane with either 1,9-dichloro-3,7-diazanonane-2,8-dione, and subsequent reduction of the diamide (3), or with 1,9-dichloro-3,7-(dimethyl)diazanonane-2,8-dione and reduction (L3). A similar procedure is outlined for the dimethylated macrobicycle (L4), based on the corresponding nine-membered 1,4-diaza-7-oxacyclononane. The Co(III) complexes of these ligands and of 1,5,8,12-tetraaza-17-oxabicyclo[10.5.2]nonadecane (L1) have been prepared. Spectrophotometric determinations on the L1 complex ion confirm the presence of two hydrogen ion related equilibria, one of which (pK = 2.2 ± 0.2) is associated with the proposed replacement of the apical ether oxygen by a water molecule that is bound to the metal centre and hydrogen bonded to the ether. The species derived from L1 and L2 exhibit remarkable kinetic stability. Studies on the anation of the [Co(L1)(H2O)](ClO4)3 with chloride ions in acidic media are consistent with the reaction of both the proton-related complex and the [Co(L1)(H2O)]3+ ion. Whilst complex ions containing two secondary NH groups maintain the metal–ion coordination in strongly acidic media, corresponding species with ligands containing all four tertiary amine sites are subject to attack by protons leading to a relatively facile demetallation of the complexes. The latter finding is supported by kinetic studies and mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of the ions. Key words: cobalt(III), macrobicycle, hydrolysis, anation, spectroscopic analysis.