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{A new rigid bidentate ligand, bis(1-naphthylimino)acenaphthene, L1, and its Zn(II) and Pd(II) complexes {[}ZnCl(2)(L1)], 1, and {[}PdCl(2)(L1)], 2, were synthesized. L1 was prepared by the ``template method{''}, reacting 1-naphthyl amine and acenaphthenequinone in the presence of ZnCl(2), giving 1, which was further demetallated. Reaction of 1-naphthyl amine with acenaphthenequinone and PdCl(2) afforded dichloride bis(1-naphthyl)acenaphthenequinonediimine palladium, 2. L1, 1, and 2 were obtained as a mixture of syn and anti isomers. Compound 2 was also obtained by the reaction of PdCl(2) activated by refluxing it in acetonitrile followed by the addition of L1; by this route also a mixture of syn and anti isomers was obtained, but at a different rate. The solid-state structures of L1 and the anti isomer of compound 2 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. All compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses; matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry; IR; UV-vis; (1)H, (13)C, and (1)H-(1)H correlation spectroscopy; (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear single quantum coherence; (1)H-(13)C heteronuclear single quantum coherence-total correlation spectroscopy; and (1)H-(1)H nuclear Overhauser effect spectrometry NMR spectroscopies when applied. Density functional theory studies showed that both conformers for {[}PdCl(2)(BIAN)] are isoenergetic, and they can both be obtained experimentally. However, we can predict that the isomerization process is not available in a square-planar complex, but it is possible for the free ligand. The molecular geometry is very similar in both isomers, and only different orientations for naphthyl groups can be expected.}

A novel flexible tripodal ligand derived from 3-methylindole, ("InTREN" L), and its mononuclear Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Hg(II) and Pd(II) complexes are described. All compounds gave analytically pure solid samples. Characterisation of the compounds was accomplished by (1)H NMR, IR and absorption spectroscopies, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) and elemental analysis and their geometry optimized using density functional theory (DFT).Time-dependent-density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations have been used to assign the lowest energy absorption bands of the free ligand and the Zn(II) complex. The system is a very good candidate for in situ recognition/coordination effects by MALDI-TOF-MS spectrometry and absorption spectroscopy. The presence of three indole groups in InTREN opens up the possibility to synthesize new three-dimensional self-assembly supramolecular structures. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

{{A series of cationic gold(I) alpha-diimine complexes of the type {[}(NHC)Au(alpha-diimine)]X or {[}(PPh(3))Au(alpha-diimine)]X, where NHC = IPr

{Reaction of {[}Co(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)(2)], 1, with 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene (dppf) yields the new trinuclear complex {[}Co(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO)](2)(mu-dppf), 2, which was structurally characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction and showed two Co(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO) moieties covalently linked by a dppf bridge. Electrochemical studies in dichloromethane revealed that both Co(I) and Fe(II) in the precursors were oxidized to Co(II)/Co(III) and Fe(III), respectively. On the other hand, in 2 the two first oxidation waves were assigned to Co, the Fe(II) centre requiring a higher potential than in free dppf. DFT calculations showed that the HOMOs of 2 were localised in the Co fragments, owing to the destabilisation of the Co(eta(5)-C5H5)(CO) orbitals after binding dppf. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}

{Three new emissive 8-aminoquinoline derived probes (1)-(3) and one dinuclear Zn(II) complex (4) were synthesized and fully characterized. Their absorption spectra show maxima at 310-336 nm, and fluorescence emission between 456 and 498 nm. Compound (1) was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The effect upon Zn(II) and Cu(II) coordination to compounds (1)-(3) was studied by monitoring the changes in absorption and fluorescence spectra, and complemented by calculation of metal-ligand stability constants. The results indicate that compound (3) is the one that presents the most favorable geometry for coordinating two metal cations, fact that is confirmed by the synthesis of the dinuclear complex (4), with similar molecular geometry. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.}