Tris(triazolyl)borate (Ttz) complexes differ significantly from Tp complexes in terms of electronic properties and reactivity.  The extra nitrogens in Ttz ligands (relative to Tp ligands) can bind to additional metals or acidic hydrogens, and through the latter interactions water solubility is improved.  Ttz ligands also show significantly different properties with LCuCO complexes, including a CO stretching frequency which can be modulated with H+ reversibly.  Through our spectroscopic studies, we have learned that surprisingly Ttz is a stronger sigma donor, and also a stronger pi acceptor than Tp, leading to a net decrease in donicity.  Ttz ligands offer hydrogen and metal binding sites far from the metal center, and these allow for switchable properties, acid stability, and unusual spectroscopic properties.   In many ways, these properties mimic the chemistry in enzymes (eg. compare globins vs. peroxidases), wherein reactivity is controlled by the presence, absence or relative strength of hydrogen bonding interactions.

Biomimetic chemistry with tris(triazolyl)borate ligands: Unique structures and reactivity via interactions with the remote nitrogens

244th National Meeting (2012)

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