Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of Urea Derivatives Coordinated to Cobalt(III). Possible Relevance to Urease.

The syntheses of a cobalt(III) complex, 2, containing N-(2-pyridylmethyl)urea and of six complexes, 3, containing phenyl-substituted N-2-pyridylmethyl-N'-(X)phenylureas (where X = 4-H, 4-CH(3), 4-Br, 3-Cl, 4-CF(3), and 4-NO(2)), have been accomplished by reaction of [(en)(2)Co(OSO(2)CF(3))(2)](CF(3)SO(3)) with the urea ligands in tetramethylene sulfone. The complexes have been characterized by UV-vis, FTIR, (1)H NMR, and (13)C NMR spectra along with elemental analysis. Also, X-ray crystallographic analysis of 2 confirms that the urea ligand chelates as a bidentate through the pyridyl nitrogen atom and the endo deprotonated, urea nitrogen atom to form a stable five-membered ring.