Metal-organic frameworks incorporating Cu3(mu3-OH) clusters

Interaction of 4,4-bi(1,2,4-triazole) (btr) with copper(II) chloride (bromide) in aqueous or aqueous alcohol media led to a series of coordination polymers featuring the formation of mu 3-hydroxotricopper(II) clusters and their integration into 3D frameworks. These unprecedented structures originate in the propagation of trigonal hydroxotricopper(II) clusters bridged by tri- or tetradentate organic ligands. Complex [{Cu3(mu3-OH)}{Cu3(mu3-O)}(mu4-btr)3(H2O)4(OH)2Cl6]Cl.0.5H2O adopts a structure of SrSi2 topology, with eight-fold interpenetration of the coordination frameworks. The structure of [{Cu3(mu3-OH)}2(mu3-btr)6(mu4-btr)(mu-X)X4]X5.nH2O (X = Br, n = 6; X = Cl, n = 8) involves 2D coordination layers [{Cu3(mu3-OH)}(mu3-btr)3]n with an exceptional (3,6)-net topology, which are cross-linked by tetradentate btr ligands and bridging chloride (bromide) ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of a series of novel heptanuclear trigonal-prismatic polyhedra with different edge-ligands

Five novel heptanuclear trigonal-prismatic polyhedra, Na4[PrNi6(Gly)9(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6].(ClO4)7 (1), Na2[PrNi6(Gly)8(mu 3-OH)3(mu 2-OH2)-(H2O)6].(ClO4)6.(H2O)2 (2), Na[DyNi6(Gly)7(mu 3-OH)3(mu 2-OH2)2(H2O)6].(ClO4)6.H2O (3), [SmNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3Cl3(H2O)6].Cl3.(H2O)9 (4), and [ErNi6(Gly)6(mu 3-OH)3Cl3(H2O)6].Cl3.(H2O)9 (5), were synthesized through self-assembly and characterized by X-ray structure analysis. Complex 1 crystallizes in the trigonal P3 space group (a = b = 18.1121(2), c = 11.987(0) A, and Z = 2). Complex 2 belongs to the triclinic P1 space group (a = 16.0145(3), b = 20.58650(10), c = 20.8452(3) A, alpha = 78.0590(10), beta = 67.9200(10), gamma = 68.1540(10) degrees, and Z = 4). Complex 3 belongs to the monoclinic P2(1)/m space group (a = 14.9863(3), b = 13.533, c = 15.6171(3) A, beta = 116.8970(10) degrees, and Z = 2). Complexes 4 and 5 are isomorphous (4: trigonal, P3; a = b = 11.8661(4), c = 18.2034(10) A, Z = 2; 5: a = b = 11.9001(5), c = 18.1229(11) A, Z = 2). A Ln3+ ion is in the center of the prism formed by six nickel atoms. It coordinates to nine oxygen atoms. Its coordination polyhedron may be best described as a tricapped trigonal prism. The five complexes all have a core of [LnNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6]6+ and were obtained through the edge-ligand exchange of the three mu 2-OH2 ligands of [LnNi6(Gly)6-(mu 3-OH)3(H2O)6(mu 2-OH2)3]6+ partly or wholly by glycine or Cl-. Magnetic measurements reveal that 1 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic interaction, while 5 exhibits a ferromagnetic interaction.     

Combination of lacunary polyoxometalates and high-nuclear transition-metal clusters under hydrothermal conditions. 5. A novel tetrameric cluster of [{Fe(II)Fe(III)(12)(mu(3)-OH)(12)(mu(4)-PO(4))(4)}(B-alpha-PW(9)O(34))(4)](22)(-)

A novel tetrameric cluster, (enH2)3.5H15[{FeIIFeIII12(mu3-OH)12(mu4-PO4)4}(B-alpha-PW9O34)4].83H2O (1; en = ethylenediamine), has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR, optical diffuse reflectance, thermogravimetric analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The skeleton of 1 is composed of four tri-FeIII-substituted [FeIII3(mu3-OH)3(B-alpha-PW9O34)]3- Keggin moieties fused together through a FeII2O2 unit and four mu4-PO4 bridges, resulting in a unique tetramer with C2 symmetry. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1 reveals the antiferromagnetic interactions between FeII and FeIII centers.     

Syntheses, structures, and properties of high-nuclear 3d-4f clusters with amino acid as ligand: {Gd6Cu24}, {Tb6Cu26}, and {(Ln6Cu24)2Cu} (Ln = Sm, Gd)

Four novel high-nuclear 3d-4f heterometallic clusters were obtained through the self-assembly of Ln(III), Cu(II), and amino acid ligands (2-methylalanine (mAla), glycine (Gly), and L-proline (Pro), respectively). The metal skeleton of cluster 1, [Gd6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(mAla)16(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)17.(OH)2.(H2O)2(0), may be described as a huge {Gd6Cu12} octahedron connected with 12 additional Cu(II) ions. The structure of cluster 2, Na4[Tb6Cu26(mu3-OH)30(Gly)18(ClO4)(H2O)22].(ClO4)25.(H2O)42, may be described as a {Tb6Cu24} main structure connected with two [Cu(Gly)(H2O)2]+ groups. Compounds {[Ln6Cu24(mu3-OH)30(Pro)12(Ac)6(ClO4)(H2O)13]2Cu(Pro)2}.(ClO4)18.(OH)16.(H2O)55 (Ln= Sm (3), Gd (4)) are 61-nuclear clusters, which represent the largest known 3d-4f clusters so far, the structure can be described as two {Ln6Cu24} octahedral units connected by a trans-Cu(proline)2 bridge. The electrical conductivity measurements reveal that they are temperature-sensitive semiconductors. The magnetic susceptibility measurements display that compound 4 is ferromagnetic.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of (6-9)-nuclear Ni(II) trimethylacetates and their heterospin complexes with nitroxides

New polynuclear nickel trimethylacetates [Ni6(OH)4(C5H9O2)8(C5H10O2)4] (6), [Ni7(OH)7(C5H9O2)7(C5H10O2)6(H2O)] x 0.5 C6H14 x 0.5 H2O (7), [Ni8(OH)4(H2O)2(C5H9O2)12] (8), and [Ni9(OH)6(C5H9O2)12(C5H10O2)4] x C5H10O2 x 3 H2O (9), where C5H9O2 is trimethylacetate and C5H10O2 is trimethylacetic acid, have been found. Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Because of their high solubility in low-polarity organic solvents, compounds 6-9 reacted with stable organic radicals to form the first heterospin compounds based on polynuclear Ni(II) trimethylacetate and nitronyl nitroxides containing pyrazole (L(1)-L(3)), methyl (L(4)), or imidazole (L(5)) substituent groups, respectively, in side chain [Ni7(OH)5(C5H9O2)9(C5H10O2)2(L(1))2(H2O)] x 0.5 C6H14 x H2O (6+1a), [Ni7(OH)5(C5H9O2)9(C5H10O2)2(L2)2(H2O)] x H2O (6+1b), [Ni7(OH)5(C5H9O2)9(C5H10O2)2(L(3))2(H2O)] x H2O (6+1c), [Ni6(OH)3(C5H9O2)9(C5H10O2)4(L(4))] x 1.5 C6H14 (6'), and [Ni4OH)3(C5H9O2)5(C5H10O2)4(L(5))] x 1.5 C7H8 (4). Their structures were also determined by X-ray crystallography. Although Ni(II) trimethylacetates may have varying nuclearity and can change their nuclearity during recrystallization or interactions with nitroxides, this family of compounds is easy to study because of its topological relationship. For any of these complexes, the polynuclear framework may be derived from the [Ni6] polynuclear fragment {Ni6(mu4-OH)2(mu3-OH)2(mu2-C5H9O2-O,O')6(mu2-C5H9O2-O,O)(mu4-C5H9O2-O,O,O',O')(C5H10O2)4}, which is shaped like an open book. On the basis of this fragment, the structure of 7-nuclear compounds (7 and 6+1a-c) is conveniently represented as the result of symmetric addition of other mononuclear fragments to the four Ni(II) ions lying at the vertexes of the [Ni6] open book. The 9-nuclear complex is formed by the addition of trinuclear fragments to two Ni(II) ions lying on one of the lateral edges of the [Ni6] open book. This wing of the 9-nuclear complex preserves its structure in another type of 6-nuclear complex (6') with the boat configuration. If, however, two edge-sharing Ni(II) ions are removed from [Ni6] (one of these lies at a vertex of the open book and the other, on the book-cover line), we obtain a 4-nuclear fragment recorded in the molecular structure of 4. Twinning of this 4-nuclear fragment forms highly symmetric molecule 8, which is a new chemical version of cubane.     

Cluster-type basic lanthanide iodides [M6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)8 (M = Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy)

Ln6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)(8) (Ln = Nd, Eu, Tb, Dy) compounds are obtained as the final hydrolysis products of lanthanide triiodides in an aqueous solution. Their X-ray crystal structure features a body-centered arrangement of oxygen-centered {Ln6X8}8+ cluster cores: [Nd6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)8 [Pearson code oP156, orthorhombic, Pnnm (No. 58), Z = 2, a = 1310.4(3) pm, b = 1502.1(3) pm, c = 1514.9(3) pm, 3384 reflections with I0 > 2sigma(I0), R1 = 0.0340, wR2 = 0.0764, GOF = 1.022, T = 298(2) K], [Eu6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)8 [Pearson code oP156, orthorhombic, Pnnm (No. 58), Z = 2, a = 1306.6(2) pm, b = 1498.15(19) pm, c = 1499.41(18) pm, 4262 reflections with I0 > 2sigma(I0), R1 = 0.0540, wR2 = 0.0860, GOF = 0.910, T = 298(2) K], [Tb6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)8 [Pearson code oP156, orthorhombic, Pnnm (No. 58), Z = 2, a = 1296.34(5) pm, b = 1486.13(7) pm, c = 1491.88(6) pm, 4182 reflections with I0 > 2sigma(I0), R1 = 0.0395, wR2 = 0.0924, GOF = 1.000, T = 298(2) K], and [Dy6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)8(H2O)24]I8(H2O)8 [Pearson code oP156, orthorhombic, Pnnm (No. 58), Z = 2, a = 1296.34(5) pm, b = 1486.13(7) pm, c = 1491.88(6) pm, 3329 reflections with I0 > 2sigma(I0), R1 = 0.0389, wR2 = 0.0801, GOF = 0.992, T = 298(2) K.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structures, and photoluminescent properties of benzenepentacarboxylate bridged networks incorporating zinc(II)-hydroxide clusters or zinc(II)-carboxylate layers

The first coordination compounds of partially or wholly deprotonated benzenepentacarboxylic acid (H5L) were synthesized in the presence or absence of auxiliary 2,2'-bipyridyl (2,2'-bpy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligands, and their crystal structures and photoluminescent properties were characterized. Their formulas are [Zn6(mu3-OH)2(L)2(H2O)6]n (1), [Zn5(mu3-OH)2(HL)2(2,2'-bpy)2]n (2), [Zn2(HL)(phen)2(H2O)2]n (3), and [Zn5(L)2(phen)4(H2O)3]n.2nH2O (4). Both 1 and 2 are three-dimensional (3D) zinc(II)-hydroxide cluster based coordination frameworks. 1 contains distorted chairlike hexanuclear Zn6(mu3-OH)2 cluster units as secondary building blocks. Each Zn6(mu3-OH)2 unit connects six others through the three-connected nodes of L5- ligands into a 3D rigid and condensed coordination network, whereas in 2, each pentanuclear Zn5(mu3-OH)2 unit connects the other six ones through the three-connected [HL]4- nodes into a 3D network in the simple cubic packing mode. 3 has two-dimensional (2D) Zn(II)-carboxylate supramolecular layers constructed from a one-dimensional (1D) coordination chain structure by hydrogen bonds of the water and mu5-[HL]4- bridges, whereas 4 has 2D coordination layers composed of Zn(II) and mu8-L5- bridges. The adjacent coordination assemblies in 3 and 4 are further extended by hydrogen bonds and pi...pi interactions into 3D supramolecular architectures. 1-4 are photoluminescent active materials, and their photofluorescent properties are closely related to their intrinsic structure arrangements.     

Syntheses and characterizations of a series of novel Ln6Cu24 clusters with amino acids as ligands

With glycine or L-alanine as ligands, a series of novel 3d-4f heterometallic Ln(6)Cu(24) clusters with the formulas of [Sm(6)Cu(24)(mu(3)-OH)(30)(Gly)(12)(Ac)(12)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(16)].(ClO(4))(9).(OH)(2).(H(2)O)(31) (1) and [Ln(6)Cu(24)(mu(3)-OH)(30)(Ala)(12)(Ac)(6)(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(12)].(ClO(4))(10).(OH)(7).(H(2)O)(34) (2.Ln) (Ln = Tb, Gd, Sm, and La) were synthesized by self-assembly, among which 1 and 2.Tb were characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The metal skeleton of the clusters may be described as a huge [Ln(6)Cu(12)] octahedron (constructed with 6 Ln(III) ions located at the vertices and 12 inner Cu(II) ions located at the midpoints of the edges) connected by 12 additional Cu(II) ions (every 2 are connected to 1 Ln(III) vertex). The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibilities of 2.Ln was investigated and was found to vary with the central rare-earth ions. Impedance spectroscopic measurements of 2.Ln reveal that they are ionic conductors.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of oxime-bridged polynuclear Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Two new polynuclear complexes [Ni6(amox)6(mu6-O)(mu3-OH)2](Cl2).6H2O and [Cu3(amox)3(mu3-OH)(mu3-Cl)](ClO4).4H2O (amox- = anion of 4-amino-4-methyl-2-pentanone oxime) have been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. The Ni(II) complex contains a novel Chinese-lantern-like Ni6 cage centered by an oxo ion. It contains the nearest octahedral Ni(II)...Ni(II) separation (<2.8 A) and exhibits strong antiferromagnetic properties. The Cu(II) complex has a cyclic trinuclear copper(II) core bridged by both mu3-OH(-) and mu3-Cl(-) ions. The magnetic susceptibilities of both antiferromagnetic complexes were fitted by using approximate models.     

Hydroxyl-directed dinitration of carboxylate ligands mediated by lead and nickel nitrates and preparation of Pb/Ni heterometallic complexes under hydrothermal conditions

The hydrothermal reaction of 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (H3L) and lead and nickel nitrates produced a heterometallic polymer [Pb6Ni(mu3-OH)8(La)2]n containing heptanuclear [Pb6Ni(mu3-OH)8]6+ units and a homometallic complex {[Pb(Lb)(H2O)].(H2O)0.25}n consisting of one-dimensional lead-oxide chains: evidently, the La and Lb ligands resulted from in situ hydroxyl-directed dinitration of L ligand during the hydrothermal reaction.     

Interplay of cubic building blocks in (et6-arene)ruthenium-containing tungsten and molybdenum oxides

A series of molybdenum and tungsten organometallic oxides containing [Ru(arene)]2+ units (arene =p-cymene, C6Me6) was obtained by condensation of [[Ru(arene)Cl2]2] with oxomolybdates and oxotungstates in aqueous or nonaqueous solvents. The crystal structures of [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6]]4W4O16], [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr]]4W2O10], [[[Ru-(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2(mu-OH)3]2][[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]2W8O28(OH)2[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2], and [[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) have been determined. While the windmill-type clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)]4(MO3)4(mu3-O)4] (M = Mo, W; arene =p-MeC6H4iPr, C6Me6), the face-sharing double cubane-type cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4(WO2)2(mu3-O)4(mu4-O)2], and the dimeric cluster [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)(WO3)3(mu3-O)3(mu3-OH)Ru(eta6-pMeC6H4iPr)(H2O)]2(mu-WO2)2]2- are based on cubane-like units, [(Ru(eta6-C6Me6)]2M5O18[Ru(eta6-C6Me6)(H2O)]] (M = Mo, W) are more properly described as lacunary Lindqvist-type polyoxoanions supporting three ruthenium centers. Precubane clusters [[Ru(eta6-arene)](MO3)2(mu-O)3(mu3-O)]6- are possible intermediates in the formation of these clusters. The cluster structures are retained in solution, except for [[Ru(eta6-p-MeC6H4iPr)]4Mo4O16], which isomerizes to the triple-cubane form.     

Preparation, properties, and reactivities of unprecedented oxo-sulfido Nb(IV) aqua ions and crystal structure of (Me2NH2)6[Nb5(mu3-S)2(mu3-O)2(mu2-O)2(NCS)14].3.5H2O

By treatment of Zn-reduced ethanolic solutions of NbCl5 with HCl in the presence of sulfide followed by cation-exchange chromatography, two oxo-sulfido niobium aqua ions, the red [Nb4(mu4-S)(mu2-O)5(H2O)10]4+ and the yellow-brown [Nb5(mu3-S)2(mu3-O)2(mu2-O)2(H2O)14]8+, were isolated. Both readily form their respective thiocyanate complexes, for which the structure for the former has been previously reported. Brown crystals of (Me2NH2)6[Nb5S2O4(NCS)14].3.5H2O (1) were isolated in the case of the latter, and the structure was determined by X-ray crystallography (space group: a = 15.4018(5) A, b = 21.1932(8) A, c = 22.0487(8) A, alpha=gamma = 90 degrees , beta = 103.4590(10) degrees , and R(1) = 0.0659). An unprecedented pentanuclear Nb5S2O48+ core is revealed in which short Nb-Nb distances (2.7995(8)-2.9111(8) A) are consistent with metal-metal bonding. A stopped-flow kinetic study of the 1:1 equilibration of NCS- with [Nb4(mu4-S)(mu2-O)5(H2O)10]4+ has been carried out. Equilibration rate constants are independent of [H(+)] in the range investigated (0.5-2.0 M) and at 25 degrees C; kf= 9.5 M(-1) s(-1), kaq = 2.6 x 10(-2) s(-1), and K = 365 M1). Conditions with first NCS- and then [Nb4(mu4-S)(mu2-O)5(H2O)10]4+ in excess revealed a statistical factor of 4, suggesting the presence of four kinetically equivalent Nb atoms. Attempts to study the 1:1 substitution of NCS- with [Nb5(mu3-S)2(mu3-O)2(mu2-O)2(H2O)14]8+ showed signs of saturation kinetics. Quantum chemical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) approach were performed on both the Nb4O5S4+ and Nb5O4S28+ naked clusters. The highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals have dominant Nb(4d) character. The HOMO for Nb4O5S4+ is a nondegenerate fully filled MO, whereas for Nb5O4S28+, it is a nondegenerate partially filled MO with one unpaired electron. EPR spectroscopy on [Nb5(mu3-S)2(mu3-O)2(mu2-O)2(H2O)14]8+ shows that the molecule has total anisotropy (C2v), with all three tensors, gx= 2.399, gy= 1.975, and gz= 1.531, resolved. No hyperfine interaction expected from the nuclear moment of I = 9/2 for 93Nb was observed.     

Polynuclear lanthanide hydroxo complexes: new chemical precursors for coordination polymers

The synthesis of hexanuclear lanthanide hydroxo complexes by controlled hydrolysis led to polymorphic compounds. The hexanuclear entities crystallize in four different ways that depend on the extent of their hydration. The four structures can be described as hexanuclear lanthanide entities with formula [Ln(6)(mu(6)-O)(mu(3)-OH)(8)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(12)](2+). Two additional NO(3)(-) ions intercalate between the hexanuclear entities in order to ensure the electroneutrality of the crystal structure. Some crystallization water molecules fill the intermolecular space. The three first families of compounds (1-3) exhibit crystal structures that have previously been reported. The fourth family of compounds (4) is described here for the first time. Its chemical formula is [Ln(6)(mu(6)-O)(mu(3)-OH)(8)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(12)](NO(3))(2).2H(2)O (Ln = Gd, Er, and Y). In this paper, the chemical and thermal stabilities of the hexanuclear lanthanide compounds are reported together with the magnetic properties of the Gd(III)-containing species. To use these entities as precursors for new materials, the substitution of the nitrato groups by chloride ions has been studied. Two byproduct compounds have so been obtained: The first (compound 5) is a nitrato/chloride hexanuclear compound of chemical formula [Er(6)(mu(6)-O)(mu(3)-OH)(8)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(12)](NO(3))Cl.2H(2)O. The second one (compound 6) is a polymeric compound in which the hexanuclear entities are linked by an unexpected and original N(2)O(4) bridge. Its chemical formula is [Er(6)(mu(6)-O)(mu(3)-OH)(8)(NO(3))(4)(H(2)O)(11)(OH)(ONONO(2))]Cl(3).2H(2)O. Its crystal structure can be described as the juxtaposition of chainlike molecular motifs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a coordination polymer synthesized from an isolated polylanthanide hydroxo complex.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, X-ray structure and complex magnetic behaviour of Ba4(C2O4)Cl2[[Fe(C2O4)(OH)]4

Hydrothermal reaction of iron(III) chloride, barium chloride and sodium oxalate in a narrow stoichiometry range produces the title compound Ba4(C2O4)Cl2[[Fe(C2O4)(OH)]4] (1). This new iron(II) oxalate crystallises in the tetragonal space group P42/mnm: a = 13.811(3), c = 7.026(2) A. The structure consists of parallel chains of mu2-hydroxy-bridged iron(II) ions. These are connected by bridging oxalates to form an anionic framework with large channels that contain the remaining barium, chloride and oxalate counter ions. Magnetisation studies on an oriented single crystal of 1 revealed a magnetic phase transition at 32 K and a strong easy-plane anisotropy at all temperatures. Above Tc the compound behaves as an S = 2XY antiferromagnetic chain, showing a broad maximum in the susceptibility at about 70 K. We determined the intrachain coupling J and the interchain coupling J' to be -7 cm(-1) and +0.4 cm(-1), respectively. The low-temperature phase is an ordered antiferromagnetic state. Zero- and longitudinal-field muon spin-rotation/relaxation studies support this interpretation; below Tc oscillations in the muon spin-autocorrelation function are observed giving unambiguous evidence for a non-zero sublattice magnetisation and proof of a long-range magnetically ordered state.     

Barrel- and crown-shaped dodecanuclear copper(II) cages built from phosphonate, pyrazole, and hydroxide ligands

The reaction of Cu(ClO4)2. 6H2O with t-BuP(O)(OH)2 and 3,5-(CF3)2PzH in the presence of triethylamine afforded the dodecanuclear cage ([Et3NH]2[Cu12(mu-3,5-(CF3)2Pz)6(mu3-OH)6(mu-OH)3(mu3-t-BuPO3)2(mu6-t-BuPO3)3][t-BuPO2OH][C6H5CH3]2) (2). The molecular structure of this cage revealed that it possesses a barrel-shaped architechture. The cage structure is built by the cumulative coordination action of phosphonate, hydroxide, and pyrazolyl ligands. A similar reaction involving Cu(NO3)2. 3H2O, t-BuP(O)(OH)2, 3,5-dimethylpyrazole, and triethylamine afforded another dodecanuclear cage [Cu12(mu-DMPz)8(eta1-DMPzH)2(mu4-O)2(mu3-OH)4(mu3- t-BuPO3)4].3MeOH (3). The latter is crown-shaped and is built by the coordination of pyrazole, pyrazolyl, phosphonate, hydroxide, oxide, and methanol ligands. Both of the dodecanuclear cages are efficient nucleases in the presence of magnesium monoperoxyphthalate.     

Lanthanide coordination with alpha-amino acids under near physiological pH conditions: polymetallic complexes containing the cubane-like [Ln4(mu3-OH)4]8+ cluster core

Tetranuclear lanthanide-hydroxo complexes of the general formula [Ln(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)(AA)(x)(H(2)O)(y)](8+) (1, Ln = Sm, AA = Gly, x = 5, y = 11; 2, Ln = Nd, AA = Ala, x = 6, y = 10; 3, Ln = Er, AA = Val, x = 5, y = 10) have been prepared by alpha-amino acid controlled hydrolysis of lanthanide ions under near physiological pH conditions (pH 6-7). The core component of these compounds is a cationic cluster [Ln(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)](8+) whose constituent lanthanide ions and triply bridging hydroxo groups occupy the alternate vertexes of a distorted cube. The amino acid ligands coordinate the lanthanide ions via bridging carboxylate groups. Utilizing L-glutamic acid as the supporting ligand, a cationic cluster complex (4) formulated as [Er(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)(Glu)(3)(H(2)O)(8)](5+) has been obtained. Its extended solid-state structure is composed of the cubane-like [Er(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)](8+) cluster building units interlinked by the carboxylate groups of the glutamate ligands. All compounds are characterized by using a combination of spectroscopic techniques and microanalysis (CHN and metal). Infrared spectra of the complexes suggest the coordinated amino acids to be zwitterionic. The presence of mass (MALDI-TOF) envelopes corresponding to the [Ln(4)(mu(3)-OH)(4)](8+) (Ln = trivalent Sm, Nd, or Er) core containing fragments manifests the integrity of the cubane-like cluster unit. Magnetic studies using Evans' method suggest that exchange interactions between the lanthanide ions are insignificant at ambient temperature. The structural identities of all four compounds have been established crystallographically. The tetranuclear cluster core has been demonstrated to be a common structural motif in these complexes. A mechanism responsible for its self-assembly is postulated.     

A novel series of vanadium-sulfite polyoxometalates: synthesis, structural, and physical studies

Reaction of NH4VO3 with sulfur dioxide affords the hexanuclear cluster (NH4)2(Et4N)[(V(IV)O)6(mu4-O)2(mu3-OH)2(mu3-SO3)4(H2O)2]Cl x H2O (1), and the decapentanuclear host-guest compound (Et4N)5{Cl subset [(VO)15(mu3-O)18(mu-O)3]} x 3 H2O (2). Sequential addition of magnesium oxide to an acidic aqueous solution of NH4VO3 (pH approximately 0) followed by (NH4)2SO3 resulted in the formation of either the non-oxo polymeric vanadium(IV) compound trans-(NH4)2[V(IV)(OH)2(mu-SO3)2] (3) or the polymeric oxovanadium(IV) sulfite (NH4)[V(IV)O(SO3)1.5(H2O)] x 2.5 H2O (4) at pH values of 6 and 4, respectively. The decameric vanadium(V) compound {Na4(mu-H2O)8(H2O)6}[Mg(H2O)6][V(V)10(O)8(mu6-O)2(mu3-O)14] x 3 H2O (5) was synthesised by treating an acidic aqueous solution of NH4VO3 with MgO and addition of NaOH to pH approximately 6. All the compounds were characterised by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. The crystal structure of compound 1 revealed an unprecedented structural motif of a cubane unit [M4(mu4-O)2(mu3-OH)2] connected to two other metal atoms. Compound 3 comprises a rare example of a non-oxo vanadium(IV) species isolated from aqueous solution and in the presence of the reducing agent SO3(2-), while compound 4 represents a rare example of an open-framework species isolated at room temperature (20 degrees C). In addition to the synthesis and crystallographic studies, we report the IR and magnetic properties (for 1, 2 and 3) of these vanadium clusters as well as theoretical studies on compound 3.     

Synthesis and magnetism of oxygen-bridged tetranuclear defect dicubane Co(II) and Ni(II) clusters

Reaction of aqueous/ethanolic solutions of CoCl2.6H2O and nitrilotripropionic acid (H3ntp=N(CH2CH2COOH)3) in the presence of potassium hydroxide affords the hydroxy-bridged tetranuclear cluster [Co4mu3-OH)2(H2O)6(ntp)2].2H2O (1). The Ni(II) analogue [Ni4(mu3-OH)2(H2O)6(ntp)2].2H2O (2) can also be isolated using aqueous solutions and Ni(SO4).7H2O as metal salt. With small changes in reaction conditions the methoxy-bridged analogue, [Ni4(mu3-OMe)2(H2O)6(ntp)2](3), can also be isolated. In these tetramers the M(II) ions are oxygen-bridged and exhibit a defect dicubane-like core with two missing vertices. The magnetic properties have been studied for all three clusters and reveal competing antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic interactions between the four Co(II) ions in 1 and ferromagnetic coupling between the four Ni(II) ions in 2 and 3. In all three compounds the individual clusters order antiferromagnetically at Neel temperatures below 1 K.     

CrIII(NCMe)6]3+--a labile CrIII source enabling formation of Cr[M(CN)6] (M=V, Cr, Mn, Fe) Prussian blue-type magnetic materials

The kinetic inertness of the hexaaquachromium(III) (kH2O=2.4x10(-6) s(-1)) has led to challenges with respect to incorporating CrIII ions into Prussian blue-type materials; however, hexakis(acetonitrile)chromium(III) was shown to be substantially more labile (approximately 10(4) times) and enables a new synthetic route for the synthesis of these materials via nonaqueous solvents. The synthesis, spectroscopic, and physical properties of Cr[M(CN)6] (M=V, Cr, Mn, Fe) Prussian blue analogues synthesized from [CrIII(NCMe)6]3+ and the corresponding [MIII(CN)6]3- are described. All these compounds {(NEt4)0.02CrIII[VIII(CN)6]0.98(BF4)(0.08).0.10MeCN (1), CrIII[CrIII(CN)6].0.16MeCN (2), CrIII[MnIII(CN)6].0.10MeCN (3), and (NEt4)0.04CrIII0.64CrIV0.40[FeII(CN)6]0.40[FeIII(CN)6]0.60(BF4)(0.16).1.02MeCN (4)} are ferrimagnets exhibiting cluster-glass behavior. Strong antiferromagnetic coupling was observed for M=V, Cr, and Mn with Weiss constants (theta) ranging from -132 to -524 K; and in 2, where the strongest coupling is observed (theta=-524 K), the highest Tc (110 K) value was observed. Weak antiferromagnetic coupling was observed for M=Fe (theta=-12 K) leading to the lowest Tc (3 K) value in this series. Weak coupling and the low Tc value observed in 4 were additionally contributed by the presence of both [FeII(CN)6]4- and [FeIII(CN)6]3- as confirmed by 57Fe-M?ssbauer spectroscopy.     

A simple organic reaction mediates the crystallization of the inorganic nanocluster [Ga13(mu3-OH)6(mu2-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15

We report the single-crystal structure of an inorganic gallium cluster [Ga13(mu3-OH)6(mu2-OH)18(H2O)24](NO3)15.6H2O prepared using a simple organic reaction to drive the formation of the crystalline inorganic cluster.