Iron complexes of terdentate nitrogen ligands: formation and X-ray structure of three new dicationic complexes

Dicationic iron complexes were obtained upon complexation of the ligands 6,6″-di(p-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (L¹) or 2,6-bis-(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (L²) with iron dichloride or iron trichloride. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. Single crystal structure determinations of , and all show six-coordinate metal center. These complexes were obtained from L¹FeCl₂ and L²FeCl₂ during recrystallization attempts. (L¹)₂Fe²⁺ was shown to be a high-spin complex, whereas (L²)₂Fe²⁺ was shown to be low-spin. For , two independent dications of very similar geometry but with distinctive distortion were observed by X-ray analysis.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of Cu(II) compounds bridged by the terephthalate ligand and hydrogen bonds

A 3D network [Cu(tmen)(tp)(H₂O)₂]_n (1) (tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine; tp = terephthalate) and a 2D sheet [Cu(pyrazole)₂(tp)]_n (2), featuring 1D chains interwoven by hydrogen bonds, have been prepared and characterized by means of X-ray analyses and magnetic measurements. For 1, coordinative zigzag chains contain Cu(II) centers capped by the chelate ligand tmen, in which the tetragonal structure is elongated due to Jahn–Teller distortion. Coordinated water molecules are hydrogen-bonded to two free carboxylate oxygens of tp bridges, leading to the observed 3D structure. The use of the non-chelating capping ligand pyrazole produced the covalent-bonded 1D linear compound 2 with hydrogen bonds. A severe octahedral distortion of the Cu(II) center arises from a small bite angle (52.3(1)°) of two carboxylate oxygen atoms of tp, which are in turn hydrogen-bonded to the N–H groups of pyrazole ligands coordinated to Cu(II) atoms in neighboring chains. Magnetic data were fitted with the high-temperature series expansion for the Heisenberg chain spin Hamiltonian H = −J∑_iS_i · S_i + 1 together with consideration of the molecular field approximation (zJ′). Both compounds interestingly exhibit ferromagnetic interactions with g = 2.17, J = 4.08 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.28 cm⁻¹ for 1 and g = 2.09, J = 1.47 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.04 cm⁻¹ for 2. By taking into account structural parameters of distances between Cu atoms, it is reasonably assigned that the ferromagnetic couplings (J > 0) in these systems originate from the hydrogen bonds. The spin density of the d_x²-y² orbital on a Cu(II) atom in a chain is propagated and induced over the d_z² orbital of another Cu(II) atom in an adjacent chain. This orbital orthogonality gives rise to such interactions. The negative zJ′ term suggests that the tp bridges communicate only tiny antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Crystal structure, phase transition and thermal behaviour of dabcodiium hexaaquacopper(II) bis(sulfate), (C6H14N2)[Cu(H2O)6](SO4)2

A new organically templated metal sulfate has been synthesized and characterized. At room temperature, dabcodiium hexaaquacopper(II) bis(sulfate), (C₆H₁₄N₂)[Cu(H₂O)₆](SO₄)₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic symmetry (space group P2₁/n) with the following unit cell parameters: a = 6.9533(2), b = 12.5568(2), c = 9.9434(2) Å; β = 90.526(1)° and Z = 2. Its crystal structure is built from isolated [Cu(H₂O)₆]²⁺, and disordered ions linked together by a hydrogen-bonding network. The title compound undergoes a reversible phase transition of the first-order type at 265.7/281.8 K on heating–cooling runs. Below the phase transition temperature, the structure is fully ordered.     

Synthesis and structures of three 1-aminoethylidenediphosphonate compounds with transition-metal ions

Three new aminodiphosphonates, namely M(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·4H₂O (M = Zn, (1); Ni, (2)) and Cu(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·H₂O (4), in addition to the previously reported Co(phen)(AEDPH₃)₂·4H₂O (3), Cu(2,2′-bipy)(H₂O)(HEDPH₂)·2H₂O (5), and Cu(phen)(H₂O)(HEDPH₂)·2H₂O (6) (AEDPH₄ = 1-aminoethylidenediphosphonic acid, HEDPH₄ = 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2′-bipy = 2,2′-bipyridyl), have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds are all synthesized at the similar condition (80 °C), whereas they illustrate different frameworks. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 are isomorphous, which contain two same chelate and one six-coordinated metal ion, and display a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular structure through hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. Compound 4 contains a chelate and a monodentate , while the Cu ion is five-coordinated. The coordination model of Cu²⁺ in 4 is similar to that of 5 and 6. Comparing with four aminoethylidenediphosphonates, the difference of their structures is directed to the coordination model of the metal ions, while the three copper(II) diphosphonates illustrate different structures based on the deprotonized degree of the corresponding diphosphonic acids.     

Structural, spectral and antimicrobial studies of copper(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexyl thiosemicarbazone

Six new copper(II) complexes of 2-benzoylpyridine N(4)-cyclohexyl thiosemicarbazone (HL) have been synthesized and characterized by different physicochemical techniques like molar conductivity measurements, magnetic studies and electronic, infrared and EPR spectral studies. Five of the complexes have been found to possess the stoichiometry [CuLX], where X = Cl (1), Br (2), NO₃ (3), NCS (4), N₃ (5). The complex prepared from copper sulfate has the composition [Cu₂L₂SO₄] · (H₂O)₂ (6). In all the complexes the deprotonated ligand, L and the anion were found to be coordinated to the Cu(II) ion. The terdentate nature of the ligand is evident from the IR spectra. The metal ligand bonding parameters evaluated from the EPR spectra indicate strong in-plane σ and in-plane π bonding. The magnetic and spectroscopic data indicate a square planar geometry for complexes 1, 3, 4 and 5, while the complexes 2 and 6 are assigned a square pyramidal geometry. Crystal structure of the complex [CuLCl] reveals two molecules per asymmetric unit of a monoclinic lattice, with space group symmetry P2₁/n. The complexes [ CuLBr ₂] (2) and [CuLNCS] (4) crystallized into triclinic lattices with space group . Compound 2 exists as a thiolate bridged copper(II) dimer. The antimicrobial activity of the ligand and the copper complexes were tested against five types of bacteria isolated from clinical samples. The complexes were found to be active against Bacillus sp., Vibrio cholera O1, Staphylococcus aurus and Salmonella paratyphi.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structural characterisation and magnetic behaviour of hybrid complexes of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetate

Two new compounds containing multidentate chelating organic residues of N-(phophonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (H₄pmida), [M(pyr)(H₂O)₄][M₂(Hpmida)₂(pyr)(H₂O)₂]·2(H₂O) (where pyr=pyrazine and M=Co²⁺ or Ni²⁺ for I and II, respectively) have been synthesised and structurally characterised by single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis and solid-state ³¹P MAS NMR. The compounds contain discrete binuclear anionic [M₂(Hpmida)₂(pyr)(H₂O)₂]²⁻ units in which one pyrazine ligand bridges two M²⁺ cations which are completely trapped inside three five-membered chelate rings formed by the Hpmida³⁻ ligands. These moieties close pack in the ac plane via a series of strong and highly directional O–HO hydrogen bonds leading to the formation of anionic layers. One-dimensional cationic coordination polymers are placed in-between and strongly hydrogen-bonded to these layers. The magnetic properties of these two materials are also reported.     

Ion pairing, H-bonding, and π–π interactions in copper(II) complex-organo-networks derived from a proton-transfer compound of the 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid

The one-pot reaction between the novel proton transfer compound (pydaH₂)²⁺(phendc)²⁻, LH₂, and Cu(II) afforded the compounds (pydaH)₂[Cu(phendc)₂]·10H₂O, 1, and (pydaH)₂[Cu(phendc)(phendcH)]₂·5H₂O, 2, where pyda=2,6-diaminopyridine, and phendcH₂=1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 and 2 revealed that these are two novel self-assembled 3D Cu(II) complex-organo-networks, in which (pydaH)⁺ ions and [Cu(phendc)₂]²⁻ or complex units are held together by ion pairing, H-bonding, and π–π interactions. Magnetic measurements over the temperature range 1.8–310 K revealed no significant magnetic coupling between Cu(II) centers in 1 or 2.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and intercalation behavior of a layered titanium phosphate Ti2(H2PO4)(HPO4)(PO4)2 · 0.5C6N2H16, with an extended γ-phase intercalated into organic amine

With a hydrothermal technique, a layered titanium phosphate with the formula Ti₂(H₂PO₄)(HPO₄)(PO₄)₂ · 0.5C₆N₂H₁₆ (denoted TP-J2) has been prepared by treating the Ti/H₃PO₄/H₂O/1-methylpiperazine system directly. The as-synthesized products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, CP-MAS solid-state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG-DTA). The structure was solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and it presents an extended γ-phase intercalated with organic amine. Crystal data: triclinic, , a = 8.106 (2) Å, b = 8.197 (2) Å, c = 11.658 (2) Å.  = 78.32 (3)°, β = 80.85 (3)°, γ = 77.90 (3)°, Z = 2. Additionally, the intercalation behavior of TP-J2 with n-alkyl monoamine (n = 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12) was investigated. Owing to the strong brønsted base, N,N′-dimethylpiperazine, resides in the interlayer, it presented unusual features of TP-J2 in contrast with that of γ-Tip.     

A tetra-nuclear copper(II) complex stabilizes an extended structure of a water nonamer: Synthesis and characterization of [Cu4(C54H46N4O14)(OH)2] · 10H2O

A tetra-nuclear copper(II) complex [Cu₄(C₅₄H₄₆N₄O₁₄)(OH)₂] · 10H₂O (1) has been synthesized starting from l-tyrosine, NaOH, 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol (dfp) and CuSO₄ · 5H₂O. Compound 1 crystallizes from an ethanol–water mixture in triclinic space group. In the crystal of 1, two binuclear copper units, related by a center of symmetry, are bridged by two hydroxo bridges and results in the formation of a tetra-nuclear {Cu₄} structure. Five lattice water molecules, located in the asymmetric unit, interact among themselves and form an unusual form of a water nonamer. In the crystal, the water nonamer is again hydrogen bonded to the next nonamer forming a chainlike polymer. Each {Cu₄} complex unit attaches four such water nonamer chains. Variable temperature magnetic data fit to the Bleaney–Bower’s equation with a Curie type of impurity of S = 0.5. The best fit of the magnetic data to this equation yielded 2J = −217, g = 2.019 and a TIP value of 60 × 10⁻⁶ cm³ mol⁻¹.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structure characteristics of two new supramolecular compounds assembled from octamolybdates and bpy units (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine)

Two new compounds, (Hbpy)₃(bpy)₂[K(Mo₈O₂₆)]·2H₂O (1) and H₃(bpy)₅[K(Mo₈O₂₆)]·H₂O(2) (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine) have been synthesized under hydrothermal condition by using nearly the same starting materials, and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TGA, XPS and single crystal X-ray diffractions. The crystal structure analyses reveal that the two compounds possess unusual networks constructed from octamolybdates, potassium ions and organic groups. Both 1 and 2 consist of an identical inorganic chain , and they have analogous structures to each other with slightly different packing modes of the organic groups and water molecules and exhibit unusual three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular networks through extensive multi-point C–HO and N–HO hydrogen-bonding interactions.     

A new oxamato-bridged heterotrinuclear NiCuNi complex with irregular spin state structure: Synthesis, spectroscopy, crystal structure and magnetism

A new oxamato-bridged Ni^IICu^IINi^II species, [Ni(tacn)(H₂O)]₂[μ-Cu(pba)](ClO₄)₂·6H₂O 1, (tacn=1,4,7-triazacyclononane; pba=1,3-propylenebis(oxamato)) has been synthesized and structurally as well as magnetically characterized. Complex 1 has a discrete trinuclear Ni^IICu^IINi^II structure: Two nickel(II) ions are bridged by [Cu(pba)]²⁻ anion, macrocyclic ligand tacn works as terminal ligand of the nickel(II) center. The magnetic data of compound 1 was analyzed by means of

leading to g_Cu=2.19, g_Ni=2.18, J=−112.8 cm⁻¹, D=±4.31 cm⁻¹. The parameters are compared with the similar complexes and the irregular spin state structure of complex 1 is also described here.     

X-ray crystal structure and vibrational spectra of hydrazides and their metal complexes. Part II. Hexaaquacobalt(II)bis(phthalhydrazidato)tetrahydrate

The hexaaquacobalt(II)bis(phthalhydrazidato)tetrahydrate, [Co(H₂O)₆](C₈N₂O₂H₅)₂·4H₂O is examined using single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystals are triclinic, space group , with a = 9.757(1), b = 10.955(2), c = 11.106(1),  = 100.79(2), β = 90.35(3), γ = 91.54(1) and Z = 2. In [Co(H₂O)₆](C₈N₂O₂H₅)₂·4H₂O, the cobalt(II) is coordinated by six water ligands and the [Co(H₂O)₆]²⁺ is associated with the two O-deprotonated phthalhydrazidato ions only by hydrogen bonds. The infrared and Raman spectra of phthalhydrazide (PH) and infrared spectra of deuterated derivative phthalhydrazide (PD) and of [Co(H₂O)₆](C₈N₂O₂H₅)₂·4H₂O are reported. The theoretical wavenumbers, infrared intensities and Raman scattering activities have been calculated using density functional (B3LYP) method with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The calculated potential energy distribution has proved to be of great help in assigning the spectra PH, its deuterated derivative and [Co(H₂O)₆](C₈N₂O₂H₅)₂·4H₂O. The results from natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis for keto-hydroxy form of PH are presented.     

Zn(II) complexes with pyridine derived N6 and N8 donor azamacrocyclic ligands

A novel N6 macrocyclic ligand, L¹ (2,8,14,20-tetramethyl-3,7,15,19,25,26-hexaaza-tricyclo[19.3.1.1^9,13]hexacosa-1(24),9,11,13(26),21(25),22-hexaene), was obtained by reduction of the 2 + 2 condensation product of 2,6-diacetylpyridine and propane-1,3-diamine. Zinc(II) complexes of L¹, of a related N8 macrocycle, L³ (3,6,9,17,20,23,29,30-octaaza-tricyclo[23.3.1.1[11,15]]triaconta-1(28),1,13,15(30),25(29),26-hexaene), similarly prepared by 2 + 2 condensation of 2,6-diformylpyridine and diethylenetriamine and of a tetra N-2-cyanoethyl derivative of a homologue of L¹ prepared from diformyl pyridine and ethane-1,2-diamine, L² (3-[6,14,17-tris-(2-cyano-ethyl)-3,6,14,17,23,24-hexaaza-tricyclo[17.3.1.1^8,12] tetracosa-1(23),8(24),9,11,19,21-hexaen-3-yl]-propionitrile), were prepared. Structures were determined for [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O, [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ and [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O. The [ZnL¹](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O and [ZnL²](NO₃)₂ complexes present a mononuclear endomacrocyclic structure with the metal in an octahedral distorted environment coordinated by the six donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic backbone while the complex [Zn₂L³(NO₃)₂](NO₃)₂ · H₂O is dinuclear with both metal atoms into the macrocyclic cavity coordinated by four donor nitrogen atoms from the macrocyclic framework and one oxygen atom from one monodentate nitrate anion, in a distorted square pyramidal arrangement.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of cobalt(II) and iron(II) chloride complexes containing bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine ligands

Treatment of (2-C₅H₄N)CH_{2 3}N (TPA) with one equivalent of MCl₂ in n-BuOH at elevated temperatures affords the six-coordinate complexes [(TPA)MCl₂] (M = Co (1), Fe (2)) and, in the case of CoCl₂, the five-coordinate chloride salt [(TPA)CoCl]Cl (3). Conversely, addition of an excess of CoCl₂ in the latter reaction leads to [(TPA)CoCl]₂[CoCl₄] (4) as the only isolable product. Interaction of one equivalent of (2-C₅H₄N)CH_{2 2}NH (DPA) and MCl₂ under similar reaction conditions to that described above affords the dimeric species [(fac-DPA)MCl(μ-Cl)]₂ (M = Co (5), Fe (6)), while the bis(ligand) halide salts [(fac-DPA)₂M]Cl₂ (M = Co (7), Fe (8)) are accessible on addition of two equivalents of DPA. In the presence of air, 6 undergoes oxidation to give [ (fac-DPA)FeCl_{2 2}(μ-O)] (9). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies are reported for 1, 2 · MeCN, 3, , 7 · 3MeCN, 8 · 3MeCN and 9.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal studies of the reactions of the donors piperazine and N,N′-dimethylpiperazine with σ- and π-acceptors

The interactions of the electron donors piperazine (PIP) and N,N′-dimethylpiperazine (DMPIP) with the σ-acceptor iodine and the π-acceptors tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) and 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ) were studied spectrophotometrically in chloroform at 25 °C. The electronic and infrared spectra of the resulting charge-transfer complexes were recorded, in addition to thermal analysis. The results obtained showed that the stoichiometries of the reactions are not fixed and depend on the nature of both the donor and the acceptor. The formed CT-complexes have the formulas of , [(PIP)(TCNE)₂], [(PIP)(DDQ)₂], , [(DMPIP)(TCNE)₂] and [(DMPIP)(DDQ)₂]. A general mechanism explaining the formation of triiodide complexes was suggested.     

A study on copper(II)-Schiff base-azide coordination complexes: Synthesis, X-ray structure and luminescence properties of [Cu(L)(N3)]X (L = Schiff bases; X = ClO4, PF6)

Two Schiff bases N,N′-(bis(pyridin-2-yl)benzylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (pbpd) and N,N′-(bis(pyridin-2-yl)formylidene)butane-1,4-diamine (pfbd) have been prepared and used to synthesize copper(II) complexes. Four complexes of the type [Cu(L)(N₃)]X (1–4) [L = pbpd; X = ClO₄ (1); L = pbpd; X = PF₆ (2); L = pfbd; X = ClO₄ (3); L = pfbd; X = PF₆ (4)] have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of microanalytical, spectroscopic, magnetic, electrochemical, luminescence and other physicochemical properties. Two representative complexes of the series, 2 and 3, have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements which reveal that in each complex the copper(II) ion assumes a distorted trigonal bipyramidal environment through coordination of the metal centre by two pyridine N atoms and two imine N atoms of the Schiff base with the fifth position occupied by a N atom of a terminal . They display intraligand ¹(π–π^*) fluorescence at room temperature and intraligand ³(π–π^*) phosphorescence in glassy solutions (MeOH at 77 K). A band (492 nm) observed for the complexes in their solid-state emission spectra is an excimeric emission arising due to an aromatic π–π interaction. Electrochemical electron transfer study reveals Cu^II–Cu^I reduction in methanolic solutions.     

A new polar supramolecular 3D framework [Zn(pyz)(H2O)4]pht

A new Zn(II) complex, [Zn(pyz)(H₂O)₄]pht (1) (pyz=pyrazine; pht=1,2-benzenedicarboxylate) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized. Complex 1 features a novel polar 3D framework with a 1D polycationic chain , between which pht²⁻ dianions are encapsulated via the supramolecular interaction. Its powder SHG is of about three times as large as that of KH₂PO₄.     

Structure characterization of several oxalate-bridged transition-metal coordination polymers

Four oxalate-bridged transition-metal supramolecular compounds [Co₂(im)₄(ox)₂] 1, [Co(im)₂(ox)] 2, [Mn(2,2′-bpy)(ox)] 3 and [Fe(H₂O)₂(ox)] 4 (im, imidazole; ox, oxalate; bpy, bipyridine) were obtained from the simple hydrothermal reactions of Mⁿ⁺oxL (M, transition metal; L, aromatic N-donor ligand) system. They all exhibit the 1-D chain structures, consisting of the (or ML²⁺) units linked by oxalate bridges. Interestingly, the 1-D oxalate chains in the title compounds are further self-assembled into the 3-D supramolecular networks through the interchain various secondary bonding interactions. Because the units adopt the different configuration, the oxalate chains show either zigzag type as in compounds 1–3 or linear type as in compound 4. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomeric, and only in packing modes of interchain im molecules there exists the difference.     

Cyano-bridged bimetallic complexes of copper(II) with tetracyanonickelate(II). Crystal structure of [Cu(dpt)Ni(CN)4]

Five new complexes of composition [Cu(dpt)Ni(CN)₄] (1) (dpt=dipropylenetriamine), [Cu(dien)Ni(CN)₄]·2H₂O (2) (dien=diethylenetriamine), [Cu(N,N′-dimeen)Ni(CN)₄]·H₂O (3) (N,N′-dimeen=N,N′-dimethylethylenediamine), [Cu(N,N-dimeen)Ni(CN)₄]·H₂O (4) (N,N-dimeen=N,N-dimethylethylenediamine) and [Cu(trimeen)Ni(CN)₄] (5) (trimeen=N,N,N′-trimethylethylenediamine) have been obtained by the reactions of the mixture of Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, appropriate amine and K₂[Ni(CN)₄] in water and have been characterized by IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies and magnetic measurements. The crystal structure of [Cu(dpt)Ni(CN)₄] (1) has been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The structure of 1 consists of a one-dimensional polymeric chain ---Cu(dpt)---NC---Ni(CN)₂---CN---Cu(dpt)--- in which the Cu(II) and Ni(II) atoms are linked by CN groups. The nickel atom is four coordinate with four cyanide-carbon atoms (two cyano groups are terminal and two cyano groups (in cis fashion) are bridged) in a square-planar arrangement and the copper atom is five coordinate with two cyanide-nitrogen and three dpt-nitrogen atoms, in a distorted square-pyramidal arrangement. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility (2–300 K) was measured for compound 1. The magnetic investigation showed the presence of a very weak antiferromagnetic interaction (J=−0.16 cm⁻¹) between the copper atoms within each chain through the diamagnetic Ni(CN)₄ ²⁻ ions.     

Molecular, supramolecular structure and catalytic activity of transition metal complexes of phenoxy acetic acid derivatives

Six mononuclear complexes [M(L₁)₂(H₂O)₄] (M = Co(II), 1a and M = Mn(II), 1b), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)₂] (1c), [Cu(L₁)₂(H₂O)(Py)₂] (1d), [Cu(L₃)(H₂O)Cl] · H₂O (3a) and [Co(Sal)(H₂O)(Py)₃] · 2ClO₄ · H₂O (3b) of phenoxyacetic acid derivatives and Schiff base were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Co(II) (1a) and Mn(II) (1b) complexes are isomorphous. X-ray crystal structural analyses reveal that these coordination complexes form polymeric structure via formation of different types of hydrogen bonding and π-stacking interactions in solid. Thermal analysis along with the powder X-ray diffraction data of these complexes shows the importance of the coordinated and/or crystal water molecules in stabilizing the MOF structure. Complexes 1a, 1c, 3a show marginal catalytic activity in the oxidation of olefins to epoxides in the presence of i-butyraldehyde and molecular oxygen.