Soluble precursors for CuInSe2, CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se2, and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 based on colloidal nanocrystals and molecular metal chalcogenide surface ligands

We report a new platform for design of soluble precursors for CuInSe(2) (CIS), Cu(In(1-x)Ga(x))Se(2) (CIGS), and Cu(2)ZnSn(S,Se)(4) (CZTS) phases for thin-film potovoltaics. To form these complex phases, we used colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with metal chalcogenide complexes (MCCs) as surface ligands. The MCC ligands both provided colloidal stability and represented essential components of target phase. To obtain soluble precursors for CuInSe(2), we used Cu(2-x)Se NCs capped with In(2)Se(4)(2-) MCC surface ligands or CuInSe(2) NCs capped with {In(2)Cu(2)Se(4)S(3)}(3-) MCCs. A mixture of Cu(2-x)Se and ZnS NCs, both capped with Sn(2)S(6)(4-) or Sn(2)Se(6)(4-) ligands was used for solution deposition of CZTS films. Upon thermal annealing, the inorganic ligands reacted with NC cores forming well-crystallized pure ternary and quaternary phases. Solution-processed CIS and CZTS films featured large grain size and high phase purity, confirming the prospects of this approach for practical applications.     

Effect of metal ions on photoluminescence, charge transport, magnetic and catalytic properties of all-inorganic colloidal nanocrystals and nanocrystal solids

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) provide convenient "building blocks" for solution-processed solar cells, light-emitting devices, photocatalytic systems, etc. The use of inorganic ligands for colloidal NCs dramatically improved inter-NC charge transport, enabling fast progress in NC-based devices. Typical inorganic ligands (e.g., Sn(2)S(6)(4-), S(2-)) are represented by negatively charged ions that bind covalently to electrophilic metal surface sites. The binding of inorganic charged species to the NC surface provides electrostatic stabilization of NC colloids in polar solvents without introducing insulating barriers between NCs. In this work we show that cationic species needed for electrostatic balance of NC surface charges can also be employed for engineering almost every property of all-inorganic NCs and NC solids, including photoluminescence efficiency, electron mobility, doping, magnetic susceptibility, and electrocatalytic performance. We used a suite of experimental techniques to elucidate the impact of various metal ions on the characteristics of all-inorganic NCs and developed strategies for engineering and optimizing NC-based materials.     

Chelating ligands for nanocrystals' surface functionalization

A new family of ligands for the surface functionalization of CdSe nanocrystals is proposed, namely alkyl or aryl derivatives of carbodithioic acids (R-C(S)SH). The main advantages of these new ligands are as follows: they nearly quantitatively exchange the initial surface ligands (TOPO) in very mild conditions; they significantly improve the resistance of nanocrystals against photooxidation because of their ability of strong chelate-type binding to metal atoms; their relatively simple preparation via Grignard intermediates facilitates the development of new bifunctional ligands containing, in addition to the anchoring carbodithioate group, a second function, which enables the grafting of molecules or macromolecules of interest on the nanocrystal surface. To give an example of this approach, we report, for the first time, the grafting of an electroactive oligomer from the polyaniline family-aniline tetramer-on CdSe nanocrystals after their functionalization with 4-formyldithiobenzoic acid. The grafting proceeds via a condensation reaction between the aldehyde group of the ligand and the terminal primary amine group of the tetramer. The resulting organic/inorganic hybrid exhibits complete extinction of the fluorescence of its constituents, indicating efficient charge or energy transfer between the organic and the inorganic semiconductors.     

Strong room-temperature ferromagnetism in Co2+-doped TiO2 made from colloidal nanocrystals

Colloidal cobalt-doped TiO(2) (anatase) nanocrystals were synthesized and studied by electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism, transmission electron microscopy, magnetic susceptibility, cobalt K-shell X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. The nanocrystals were paramagnetic when isolated by surface-passivating ligands, weakly ferromagnetic (M(s) approximately 1.5 x 10(-)(3) micro(B)/Co(2+) at 300 K) when aggregated, and strongly ferromagnetic (up to M(s) = 1.9 micro(B)/Co(2+) at 300 K) when spin-coated into nanocrystalline films. X-ray absorption data reveal that cobalt is in the Co(2+) oxidation state in all samples. In addition to providing strong experimental support for the existence of intrinsic ferromagnetism in cobalt-doped TiO(2), these results demonstrate the possibility of using colloidal TiO(2) diluted magnetic semiconductor nanocrystals as building blocks for assembly of ferromagnetic semiconductor nanostructures with potential spintronics applications.     

Stabilization of inorganic nanocrystals by organic dendrons

A series of hydrophilic organic dendron ligands was designed and synthesized for stabilizing high-quality semiconductor and noble metal nanocrystals. The focal point of the dendron ligands is chosen to be a thiol group which is a universal coordinating site for compound semiconductor and noble metal nanocrystals. The methods for binding these dendron ligands onto the surface of the nanocrystals are simple and straightforward. The thin, about 1-2 nm, but closely packed and tangled ligand shell provides sufficient stability for the "dendron-protected nanocrystals" to withstand the rigors of the coupling chemistry and the standard separation/purification techniques. The chemistry presented can be immediately applied for the development of a new generation of biomedical labeling reagents based on high-quality semiconductor nanocrystals. It also provides an alternative path to apply noble metal nanocrystals for developing sensitive detection schemes for chemical and biochemical purposes. The concept may further provide an optimal solution for many other problems encountered in nanocrystal-related research and development, for which the stability of the nanocrystals is a critical issue. Furthermore, the experimental results confirmed that the photochemical stability of colloidal semiconductor and noble metal nanocrystals is the key for developing reliable and reproducible processing chemistry for these nanocrystals.     

Syntheses,structures, and electroluminescence of Ln(2)(acac-azain)(4)(mu-acac-azain)(2) [acac-azain = 1-(N-7-azaindolyl)-1,3-butanedionato,Ln = Tb(III) and Y(III)

Two new luminescent lanthanide complexes Ln(2)(acac-azain)(4)(mu-acac-azain)(2) [acac-azain = 1-(N-7-azaindolyl)-1,3-butanedionato, Ln = Tb(III), 1, Y(III), 2] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. These two dinuclear complexes are isostructural with the two lanthanide ions being bridged by two acac-azain ligands. Each of the two metal ions is further chelated by four oxygen atoms from two acac-azain ligands, resulting in a coordination number eight for each metal ion. 1 displays characteristic Tb(III) emission bands while 2 displays weak blue luminescence attributable to the ligand. Single-layer and double-layer electroluminescent devices for compound 1 were fabricated, where compound 1 doped PVK layer functions as both the emitting layer and the hole transport layer and PBD functions as an electron transport layer (in the double-layer device), demonstrating that compound 1 is a promising green emitter in electroluminescent devices.     

Coordination networks with flexible ligands based on silver(I) salts: complexes of 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane with silver(I) salts of PF6-, CF3COO-, CF3CF2COO-, CF3CF2)CF2COO-, p-TsO-, and CF3SO3-

The synthesis and characterization of nine coordination networks based on 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane, L(3), and silver(I) salts of PF(6)(-) (1), CF(3)COO(-) (2), CF(3)CF(2)COO(-) (3), CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO(-) (4), p-TsO(-) (5, 6), and CF(3)SO(3)(-) (7-9) are reported. Only 1 and other "isostructural" complexes with weakly coordinating anions such as ClO(4)(-) and SbF(6)(-) are of the host-guest type. In all the other complexes, the anions and the acetone molecules, when present, are coordinated to the metal. Most of the complexes studied here form a 2D-coordination network. Only 4 and 5 adopt a polymer-like chain structure. The packing of the chains of 4 is pseudohexagonal compact, while that of 5 is of the centered type. In complex 1, the silver atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to the sulfur atoms of four different ligands. The PF(6)(-) anions and acetone molecules, sandwiched between silver-ligand cationic sheets, are held through van der Waals interactions. In each of the three perfluorocarboxylates (2-4), two silver atoms are joined by the anions in a diatomic bridging mode. The Ag...Ag distances are sufficiently short to indicate weak metal...metal interactions. The dimeric units in 2 and 3 are interconnected through the ligands, thereby generating a 2D-network of neutral sheets, while, in 4, the dimeric units are bound to four ligands and a 1D-coordination polymer is generated. In the case of the sulfonate anions (p-TsO(-) and CF(3)SO(3)(-)), the crystallization solvent influences the structure adopted. Thus, in 5, 7, and 9 obtained from petroleum ether, or other nonpolar solvents, two silver atoms are bound in a double-bridge fashion, while a monobridge mode is noted for 6 and 8, both recrystallized from diethyl ether. In 8, both bridging types are observed. The thermogravimetric investigation, in the room temperature-450 degrees C interval, of complexes 1, 3, and 7, which incorporate acetone molecules in their crystal structures, reveals a two-step weight loss for 1 (the acetone molecules are lost first followed by the ligands, leaving behind the silver salt), while complexes 3 and 7 decompose in a single step to metallic silver.     

Interaction of 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands with group 12 metal ions: coordination, structures and luminescence

The coordination chemistry of the group 12 metal ions with two 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands 1,3,5-tris[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (tmb) and 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolylbenzene (mb) has been investigated. The crystal structures of two coordination compounds (HgCl(2))(2)(tmb) and [Zn(mb)(2)(H(2)O)][ClO(4)](2) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis which established the chelate bonding mode by the group 12 metal ions to the tmb or mb ligand. The luminescent response of tmb and mb toward group 12 metal ions, Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) has been examined by fluorescent titration experiments which established that the three group 12 metal ions have distinct luminescent response toward the tmb or mb ligand. The addition of the Hg(II) ion resulted in fluorescence quenching. In contrast, the addition of Zn(II) or Cd(II) led to a red shift and dramatic intensity increase of the emission spectrum of the ligand.     

High-nuclearity ruthenium carbonyl cluster complexes derived from 2-amino-6-methylpyridine: synthesis of nonanuclear derivatives containing mu4- and mu5-oxo ligands

Nonanuclear cluster complexes [Ru9(mu3-H)2(mu-H)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)21] (4) (H2ampy = 2-amino-6-methylpyridine), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)(CO)20] (5), [Ru9(mu5-O)2(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)2(mu-CO)2(CO)19] (6), and [Ru9(mu4-O)(mu5-O)(mu4-ampy)(mu3-Hampy)(mu-Hampy)(mu-CO)(CO)19] (7), together with the known hexanuclear [Ru6(mu3-H)2(mu5-ampy)(mu-CO)2(CO)14] (2) and the novel pentanuclear [Ru5(mu4-ampy)(2)(mu-CO)(CO)12] (3) complexes, are products of the thermolysis of [Ru3(mu-H)(mu3-Hampy)(CO)9] (1) in decane at 150 degrees C. Two different and very unusual quadruply bridging coordination modes have been observed for the ampy ligand. Compounds 4-7 also feature one (4) or two (5-7) bridging oxo ligands. With the exception of one of the oxo ligands of 7, which is in a distorted tetrahedral environment, the remaining oxo ligands of 4-7 are surrounded by five metal atoms. In carbonyl metal clusters, quadruply bridging oxo ligands are very unusual, whereas quintuply bridging oxo ligands are unprecedented. By using 18O-labeled water, we have unambiguously established that these oxo ligands arise from water.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and luminescent properties of lanthanide complexes with tripodal ligands bearing benzimidazole and pyridine groups

Two tripodal ligands, bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (L(1)) and bis(2-pyridylmethyl)(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)amine (L(2)), were synthesized. With the third chromophoric ligand antipyrine (Antipy), three series of lanthanide(III) complexes were prepared: [LnL(1)(Antipy)(3)](ClO(4))(3) (series A), [LnL(1)(Antipy)Cl(H(2)O)(2)]Cl(2)(H(2)O)(2) (series B), and [LnL(2)(NO(3))(3)] (series C). The nitrate salt of the free ligand H(2)L(1).(NO(3))(2) and six complexes were structurally characterized: Pr(3+)A, Y(3+)A, Eu(3+)B, Eu(3+)C, Gd(3+)C and Tb(3+)C, in which the two A and three C complexes are isomorphous. Crystallographic studies showed that tripodal ligands L(1) and L(2) exhibited a tripodal coordination mode and formed 1:1 complexes with all lanthanide metal ions. The coordination numbers of the lanthanide metal ions for the A, B, and C complexes were 7, 8, and 10, respectively. Conductivity studies on the B and C complexes in methanol showed that, in the former, the coordinated Cl(-) dissociated to give 3:1 electrolytes and, in the latter, two coordinated NO(3)(-) ions dissociated to give 2:1 electrolytes. Detailed photophysical studies have been performed on the free ligands and their Gd(III), Eu(III), and Tb(III) complexes in several solvents. The results show a wide range in the emission properties of the complexes, which could be rationalized in terms of the coordination situation, the (3)LC level of the complexes, and the subtle variations in the steric properties of the ligands. In particular the Eu(3+)A and Tb(3+)A complexes, in which the central metal ions were wholly coordinated by chromophoric ligands of one L(1) and three antipyrine molecules, had relatively higher emission quantum yields than their corresponding B and C complexes.     

Ph(2)Bi-(Ge(9))-BiPh(2)](2-): a deltahedral Zintl ion functionalized by exo-bonded ligands

The title anion was synthesized by a reaction of nido-Ge(9)(4-), made from K(4)Ge(9) dissolved in ethylenediamine and 2,2,2-crypt(4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane), with BiPh(3). It was structurally characterized in (K-2,2,2-crypt)(2)[Ge(9)(BiPh(2))(2)].en which was crystallized from the solution. The anion is a monocapped square antiprism of Ge(9) with two diphenylbismuth ligands exo-bonded to opposite vertexes of the open face of the cluster. This is the first example where covalently exo-bonded ligands are attached to a deltahedral cluster that can exist without them as well.     

Versatile PEG-derivatized phosphine oxide ligands for water-dispersible metal oxide nanocrystals

We report the simple synthesis of poly(ethylene glycol)(PEG)-derivatized phosphine oxide ligands for water-dispersible metal oxide nanocrystals.     

First row transition metal complexes of (E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene) hydrazinyl)-2-oxo-N-phenylacetamide complexes

Manganese(II), iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), and chromium(III) complexes of (E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-2-oxo-N-phenylacetamide were synthesized and characterized by elemental and thermal (TG and DTA) analyses, IR, UV-vis and (1)H NMR spectra as well as magnetic moment. Mononuclear complexes are obtained with 1:1 molar ratio except [Mn(HOS)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Co(OS)(2)](H(2)O)(2) complexes which are obtained with 1:2 molar ratios. The IR spectra of ligand and metal complexes reveal various modes of chelation. The ligand behaves as a monobasic bidentate one and coordination occurs via the enolic oxygen atom and azomethine nitrogen atom. The ligand behaves also as a monobasic tridentate one and coordination occurs through the carbonyl oxygen atom, azomethine nitrogen atom and the hydroxyl oxygen. Moreover, the ligand behaves as a dibasic tridentate and coordination occurs via the enolic oxygen, azomethine nitrogen and the hydroxyl oxygen atoms. The electronic spectra and magnetic moment measurements reveal that all complexes possess octahedral geometry except the copper complexes possesses a square planar geometry. From the modeling studies, the bond length, bond angle, HOMO, LUMO and dipole moment had been calculated to confirm the geometry of the ligands and their investigated complexes. The thermal studies showed the type of water molecules involved in metal complexes as well as the thermal decomposition of some metal complexes. The protonation constant of the ligand and the stability constant of metal complexes were determined pH-metrically in 50% (v/v) dioxane-water mixture at 298 K and found to be consistent with Irving-Williams order. Moreover, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherechia coli and Candida albicans were determined.     

Divalent metal complexes (Ca, Sr, Ba, Yb) of the unsymmetrical 3-(2'-thienyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolate ligand

The divalent complexes [M(ttfpz)(2)(thf)(4)] (ttfpz = 3-(2'-thienyl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolate; M = Yb, 1, Ca, 2, Sr, 3, Ba, 4; thf = tetrahydrofuran) and [M(ttfpz)(2)(dme)(n)] (M = Ca, 5, Sr, 6, Yb, 7, n = 2; M = Ba, 8, n = 3; dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) have been prepared by redox transmetallation/protolysis reactions employing the free metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and ttfpzH in donor solvents and their structures determined. The monomeric structures exhibit η(2)-bound pyrazolate ligands with eight-coordinate metal atoms for complexes 1-7 and a ten-coordinate metal for 8. The pyrazolate ligands in the thf-complexes 1-4 as well as dme-derivatives 5 and 6 are in a transoid configuration, whilst in complex 7 the ttfpz ligands exhibit a cisoid relationship. In 8 the ligands have an intermediate role in between cisoid and transoid.     

Porous anionic, cationic, and neutral metal-carboxylate frameworks constructed from flexible tetrapodal ligands: syntheses, structures, ion-exchanges, and magnetic properties

A series of coordination polymers with anionic, cationic, and neutral metal-carboxylate frameworks have been synthesized by using a flexible tetrapodal ligand tetrakis[4-(carboxyphenyl)oxamethyl] methane acid (H(4)X). The reactions between divalent transition-metal ions and H(4)X ligands gave [M(3)X(2)]·[NH(2)(CH(3))(2)](2)·8DMA (M = Co (1), Mn (2), Cd(3)) which have anionic metal-carboxylate frameworks with NH(2)(CH(3))(2)(+) cations filled in channels. The reactions of trivalent metal ions Y(III), Dy(III), and In(III) with H(4)X ligands afforded cationic metal-carboxylate frameworks [M(3)X(2)·(NO(3))·(DMA)(2)·(H(2)O)]·5DMA·2H(2)O (M = Y(4), Dy(5)) and [In(2)X·(OH)(2)]·3DMA·6H(2)O (6) with the NO(3)(-) and OH(-) serving as counterions, respectively. Moreover, a neutral metal-carboxylate framework [Pb(2)X·(DMA)(2)]·2DMA (7) can also be isolated from reaction of Pb(II) and H(4)X ligands. The charged metal-carboxylate frameworks 1-5 have selectivity for specific counterions in the reaction system, and compounds 1 and 2 display ion-exchange behavior. Moreover, magnetic property measurements on compounds 1, 2, and 5 indicate that there exists weak antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic centers in the three compounds.     

Synthesis of compact multidentate ligands to prepare stable hydrophilic quantum dot fluorophores

We describe a simple and versatile scheme to prepare an array of heterofunctional multidentate ligands that permit strong and stable interactions with colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) and render them soluble in aqueous environments. These ligands were synthesized by reacting various chain length poly(ethylene glycols) with thioctic acid, followed by ring opening of the dithiolane moiety, creating a bidentate thiol motif with enhanced affinity for CdSe-ZnS core-shell QDs. Functionalization with these ligands permits processability of the nanocrystals not only in aqueous but also in many other polar solvents. These ligands provide a straightforward means of preparing QDs that exhibit greater resistance to environmental changes, making them more amenable for use in live cell imaging and other biotechnological applications.     

Effects of organic ligands, electrostatic and magnetic interactions in formation of colloidal and interfacial inorganic nanostructures

This paper discusses effects of organic ligands, electrostatic and magnetic interactions involved in morphological control of chemically synthesized inorganic nanostructures including colloid and planar systems. The special attention was concentrated on noble metal (gold and palladium) nanoparticles and nanostructures formed at the gas-liquid interface. The analysis of experimental data showed that electrostatic and ligand-related interactions influence very strongly on the metal nanostructure morphology. The hydrophobicity of ligand, charge and binding affinity to inorganic phase are important factors influencing the morphology of inorganic nanostructures formed in a layer at the gas/liquid interface by the interfacial synthesis method. The important point of this method is the quasi two-dimensional character of reaction area and possibilities to realize ultimately thin and anisotropic dynamic monomolecular reaction system with two-dimensional diffusion and interactions of precursors, intermediates and ligands resulting in planar growth and organization of inorganic nanoparticles and nanostructures in the plain of Langmuir monolayer. The morphology of resulting inorganic nanostructures can be controlled efficiently by variations of growth conditions via changes in state and composition of interfacial planar reaction media with the same precursor, and by variations of composition of adjacent bulk phases. The extreme anisotropy and heterogeneity of two-dimensional interfacial reaction system allows creating conditions when growing inorganic particles floating on the aqueous phase surface interact selectively with hydrophobic water-insoluble ligands in interfacial monolayer or with hydrophilic bulk-phase ligands, or at the same time with ligands of different nature present in monolayer and in aqueous phase. The spatial anisotropy of interfacial reaction system and non-homogeneity of ligand binding to inorganic phase gives possibilities for growth of integrated anisotropic nanostructures with unique morphologies, in particularly those characterized by very high surface/volume ratio, high effective perimeter, and labyrinth-like structure. In a case of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in colloids specific magnetic dipolar interactions can result in formation of chains, rings and more complex nanoparticulate structures or separated highly anisotropic nanoparticles. Theoretical considerations indicate to the importance of system dimensionality in relation to the energy balance which determines specific features of structure organization in planar charged metallic and magnetic nanostructures. For example, a requirement of Coulomb energy minimum, the possibility of free electron redistribution and strengthened attractive interactions between particles in metallic nanostructures can explain formation of very branchy systems with extremely high "effective perimeter". The obtained experimental and literature data show that system dimensionality, organic ligand nature along with electrostatic and magnetic interactions are most important factors of morphological control of chemically synthesized inorganic nanomaterials. The understanding and appropriate exploitation of these factors can be useful for further developments of efficient nanofabrication techniques based on colloidal and interfacial synthetic methods.     

Comparison of side-on and end-on coordination of E2 ligands in complexes [W(CO)5E2] (E=N,P, As,Sb, Bi,Si-, Ge-, Sn-, Pb-)

Complexes of W(CO)(5) with neutral diatomic pnictogen ligands N(2), P(2), As(2), Sb(2), and Bi(2) and anionic Group 14 ligands Si(2) (2-), Ge(2) (2-), Sn(2) (2-), and Pb(2) (2-) coordinated in both side-on and end-on fashion have been optimized by using density functional theory at the BP86 level with valence sets of TZP quality. The calculated bond energies have been used to compare the preferential binding modes of each respective ligand. The results were interpreted by analyzing the nature of the interaction between the ligands and the metal fragment using an energy partitioning method. This yields quantitative information regarding the strength of covalent and electrostatic interactions between the metal and ligand, as well as the contributions by orbitals of different symmetry to the covalent bonding. Results show that all the ligands studied bind preferentially in a side-on coordination mode, with the exception of N(2), which prefers to coordinate in an end-on mode. The preference of the heavier homologues P(2)-Bi(2) for binding in a side-on mode over the end-on mode in the neutral complexes [(CO)(5)WE(2)] comes mainly from the much stronger electrostatic attraction in the former species. The energy difference between the side-on and end-on isomers of the negatively charged complexes with the ligands Si(2) (2-), Ge(2) (2-), Sn(2) (2-), and Pb(2) (2-) is much less and it cannot be ascribed to a particular bonding component.     

Tetrametallic clusters (Ir(2)Rh(2)) through an ancillary ortho-carborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

The tetrametallic cluster complexes {Cp*Ir[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(9))]}Rh(2)(cod){Cp*Ir[E(2)C(2) (B(10)H(10))]} (E = S; Se) have been synthesized by reactions of the 16-electron half-sandwich iridium complexes [Cp*Ir{E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))}] [Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5), E = S, Se] with [Rh(cod)(micro-OEt)(2)] at room temperature in toluene solution. In the solid state, this tetrametallic cluster exhibits an irregular nearly planar metal skeleton with the two carborane dichalcogenolato ligands bridging the four metal centers from both sides of the tetrametallic plane. Even though all metal atoms coordinate bridging chalcogen atoms, they show different electronic and coordination environments. The molecular structures of and have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and anion-sensing studies of metal(II) complexes based on 3,3',4,4'-oxydiphthalate and N-donor ligands

Using a multicarboxylate ligand, 3,3',4,4'-oxydiphthalic acid (H(4)ODPA), and N-donor ligands, five metal(II)-ODPA complexes formulated as Cu(4)(ODPA)(2)(L1)(4)(H(2)O)(10)·2H(2)O (L1 = 4-(2-(pyridin-4-yl)vinyl)pyridine) (1), Co(H(2)ODPA) (L1)(H(2)O) (2), Zn(2)(ODPA)(2)(H(2)PIP)(2)·H(2)O (PIP = 1,3-bis(4-piperidinyl)propane) (3), Mn(2)(ODPA)(phen)(H(2)O)(2) (phen = phenanthroline) (4) and Cu(2)(H(2)ODPA)(2)(phen)(4)·H(2)O (5) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 shows a three dimensional (3D) framework with an unprecedented (4.6(4).8)(2)(4(2).6(4)) topology generated by the polycatenation of 2D layers. Complex 2 exhibits a uninodal 4-connected 3D architecture with 6(5)8-cds topology. Complex 3 shows a uninodal 2D layer with 4(4)-sql topology. Complex 4 has a binodal (4,6)-connected non-interpenetrated 3D architecture with (3.4(3).5.6)(3(2).4(3).5(4).6(4).7(2)) topology. Complex 5 is a mononuclear Cu(II) complex. Complexes 1 and 5 can irreversibly and reversibly detect SCN(-), Cl(-), Br(-) and I(-) in water, respectively. Complexes 2-4 are not feasible candidates for colorimetric detection of anions in aqueous solution. The metal(II) species and the structure of the metal complex play important roles in the colorimetric detection.