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Mn(III)– and Co(III)–salen complexes (Mn-1 and Co-2) have been synthesized by a simple one-pot procedure through oxidation of Mn(II) and Co(II) precursors in air. X-ray structural analysis reveals that both complexes adopt similar coordination modes, including a typical square planar metal/salen coordination sphere, which is further occupied by two axial ligands, i.e., an acetate anion and a water molecule. Despite their structural similarity, they are not isomorphous given their distinct cell parameters. In the solid-state structures, both complexes exist as hydrogen-bonded dimers through hydrogen bonding interactions between the axially coordinating water molecules and outer O4 cavity from another molecule of the complex. The reductive activity of both complexes has been explored. While the reaction of Mn-1 with potassium triethylborohydride was unsuccessful, leading to a complicated mixture, the use of Co-2 furnished the formation of a novel product (CoK-3) that was isolated as red crystals in reasonable yield. CoK-3 was characterized as a heterometallic dimer involving the coordination of a K+ ion within the O4 cavity of a semi-hydrogenated salen/cobalt complex while the cobalt center has been reduced from Co(III) to Co(II). In addition, an attempt at reducing Co-2 with pinacolborane resulted in the isolation of crystals of Co-4, whose structure was determined as a simple square planar CoII–salen complex. Finally, three complexes (Mn-1, Co-2 and CoK-3) have been investigated for their cytotoxic activities against two human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB 468) and a normal breast epitheliel cell line (MCF-10A), with cisplatin used as a reference in order to discover potential drug candidates that may compete with cisplatin. The results reveal that Co-2 can be a promising drug candidate, specifically for the MCF-7 cancer cells, with minimal damage to healthy cells. 

Bioactive indium(iii)–terpyridine complexes are synthesized and structurally characterized. These compounds demostrated antifungal activity against variousCandidaspecies, as well as antiproliferative activity against human breast cancer cells. 

Monoprotonated homoleptic complex of cobalt(ii) with 4′-pyridyl-2,2′;6′,2′′-terpyridine ligand is an efficient precatalyst for hydroboration of styrene derivatives with Markovnikov selectivity, displaying turnover frequencies up to 47 000 h⁻¹. 

A facile epoxide ring-opening hydroboration reaction catalysed by an active vanadium complex supported by a redox-active terpyridine ligand is reported for the synthesis of secondary alcohols under mild conditions. 

An ionic metal–organic-framework (MOF) containing nanoscale channels was readily assembled from ditopic 4′-pyridyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (pytpy) and a simple iron( ii ) salt. X-ray structural analysis revealed a two-dimensional grid-like framework assembled by classic octahedral (pytpy) 2 Fe II cations as linkers (with pytpy as a new ditopic pyridyl ligand) and octa-coordinate FeCl 2 centers as nodes. The layer-by-layer assembly of the 2-D framework resulted in the formation of 3-D porous materials consisting of nano-scale channels. The charges of the cationic framework were balanced with anionic Cl 3 FeOFeCl 3 in its void channels. The new Fe-based MOF material was employed as a precatalyst for syn -selective hydroboration of alkynes under mild, solvent-free conditions in the presence of an activator, leading to the synthesis of a range of trans -alkenylboronates in good yields. The larger scale applicability and recyclability of the new MOF catalyst was further explored. This represents a rare example of an ionic MOF material that can be utilized in hydroboration catalysis. 

Giant N-heterocyclic carbene-containing organic macrocycles larger than “Texas-sized” molecular boxes have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The new macrocycles were employed for the Co-NHC promoted syn -selective hydroboration of alkynes with good stereo- and regioselectivity. 

A new diplumbane, namely [Pb(CH 2 SiMe 3 ) 3 ] 2 , was synthesized and structurally characterized. This group 14 element compound was found to catalyse the hydroboration of ketones and aldehydes under mild conditions without the use of additives and solvents, leading to the synthesis of a range of alcohols in high yields after hydrolysis. 

A ditopic nitrogen ligand (E)-N′-(pyridin-4-ylmethylene)isonicotinohydrazide (L) containing both divergent pyridyl coordination sites and a hydrogen-bonding hydrazide–hydrazone moiety was synthesized. The Co(NCS)2-mediated self-assembly of L has resulted in the synthesis of a novel 3-dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework (1) that features both coordination and hydrogen bonding interactions. X-ray structural analysis reveals the formation and coordination mode of 1 in the solid state. The rational utilization of coordination bonds and hydrogen bonding interactions is confirmed and responsible for constructing the 3D materials. Catalytic studies using 1 in the presence of an activator are performed for the hydroboration and hydrosilylation reactions of ketones and aldehydes, and the results are compared with previously reported cobalt-based polymeric catalysts. 

Molecular complexes of vanadium catalyze cis-selective anti-Markovnikov hydroboration of alkynes to generate vinyl boronate esters with appreciable turnover numbers of up to 4000 at room temperature. This represents the first example of the use of vanadium in homogeneous catalytic hydroboration of alkynes. The method is tolerant to various functional groups, including C═C double bonds. Accordingly, 1-hexen-5-yne can be quantitatively and selectively reduced at the triple bond, leaving the double bond unaffected. Preliminary computational analysis of the catalytic cycle reveals both two-state reactivity and previously unknown complexity associated with the redox-active ligand. Specifically, it was found that the ligand can shuttle up to two electrons back-and-forth to and from the metal, which thus adapts three different oxidation states on the catalytic reaction coordinate.