Doubly-bridged PNP-lariat ethers and their complexes with silver(i) ions in methanol solution

Abstract

We report the preparation of four new double-bridged PNP-lariat ether derivatives L1-L4 synthesized from precursor 1 by the subsequent substitution of chlorine atoms. The process consists of two steps. In the first one two reactive chlorine atoms of the -PCl 2 exocyclic moiety are substituted with respective nucleophiles: 2,2′-thiodiethanethiol 2 and 2,2′-oxydiethanethiol 3. In the second step the other chlorine atoms are substituted by aziridynyl 6 and pyrrolidinyl 7 groups, respectively. Their structures were established by MS, 1 H NMR, 31 P NMR, 13 C NMR spectroscopy. Furthermore, this work includes the investigation of complexation of silver(i) ions with the new ligands L1-L4 in methanol solution. The formation of the novel tetra-nuclear silver(i) complexes were observed. Stability constants were determined using a simple potentiometric titration. 1 H NMR, 31 P NMR, 13 C NMR spectra were recorded to investigate how the complexation of silver(i) ions by the investigated macrocyclic ligands occurs. © The Royal Society of Chemistry.