ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF CYANO-BRIDGED DINUCLEAR IRON COMPLEXES

Abstract

A series of complexes of formula [(NC)₅Fe^II—NC—Fe^II(CN)₄L]^n?, with L = H₂O, pyridine, isonicotinamide and 4-cyanopyridine were prepared in aqueous solution by substitution of the corresponding [Fe^II(CN)₅L]^n? ions into [Fe^II(CN)₅H₂O]^3?. The mixed valent (II, III) and fully oxidized (III, III) complexes were also obtained. The (II, II) complexes were moderately stable toward dissociation into the mononuclear species, but the mixed-valent ions were properly characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and electrochemistry. Distinctive intervalence (IV) bands were assigned in the NIR region, with the energy being dependent on the binding properties of L; the IV band energy also correlated with the redox potential at the [NC—Fe(CN)₄L] fragment. By application of the Hush model, a valence-trapped situation was found for the [(NC)₅Fe^III—NC—Fe^II(CN)₄L]^n? ions. The class II behavior shows, however, a value of H _ab, the electronic coupling factor, of ca. 1600cm^?1, indicating a moderate-to-strong communication between the metal centers.     

The nature of active species in catalytic systems based on non-heme iron complexes, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid for selective olefin epoxidation

The catalytic systems [(BPMEN)Fe^II(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂/H₂O₂/CH₃OOH and [(TPA)Fe^II(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂/H₂O₂/CH₃OOH, where BPMEN = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane and TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, provide selective olefin epoxidation. Proton NMR studies showed that the mononuclear iron(IV) oxo complexes [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺, with L = BPMEN or TPA, are present in the cited catalytic systems. These intermediates are the decomposition products of the acylperoxo complexes [(L)Fe^III-O₃CCH₃]²⁺. Such a complex was observed by the ²H NMR technique at low temperatures. The [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ and [(L)Fe^V=O]³⁺ oxo complexes are possible active species in the studied catalytic systems.     

Electrochemical behaviour of [Ru(L)(CO)2Cl2] [Ru(L)(CO)Cl3][Me4N] and [Ru(L)(CO)2(CH3CN)2][CF3SO3]2 complexes (L = 2,2′- bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine)

The clectrochemical behaviour of the complexes [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂], [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ (L = 2,2′-bipyridine or 4,4′-isopropoxycarbonyl-2,2′-bipyridine) has been investigated in CH₃CN. The oxidation of [Ru(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] produces new complexes [Ru^III(L)(CO)(CH₃CN)₂Cl]²⁺ as a consequence of the instability of the electrogenerated transient Ru^III species [Ru^III(L)(CO)₂Cl₂]⁺. In contrast, the oxidation of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N] produces the stable [Ru^III(L)(CO)Cl₃] complex. In contrast [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ is not oxidized in the range up to the most positive potentials achievable. The reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂Cl₂] and [Ru^II(L)(CO)₂(CH₃CN)₂][CF₃SO₃]₂ results in the formation of identical dark blue strongly adherent electroactive films. These films exhibit the characteristics of a metal-metal bond dimer structure. No films are obtained on reduction of [Ru^II(L)(CO)Cl₃][Me₄N]. The effect of the substitution of the bipyridine ligand by electron-withdrawing carboxy ester groups on the electrochemical behaviour of all these complexes has also been investigated.     

Heterotrimetallic Coordination Polymers: {CuIILnIIIFeIII} Chains and {NiIILnIIIFeIII} Layers: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties

The use of the [Fe^III(AA)(CN)₄]^? complex anion as metalloligand towards the preformed [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ or [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ heterometallic complex cations (AA=2,2′‐bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10‐phenathroline (phen); H₂valpn=1,3‐propanediyl‐bis(2‐iminomethylene‐6‐methoxyphenol)) allowed the preparation of two families of heterotrimetallic complexes: three isostructural 1D coordination polymers of general formula {[Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III(H₂O)₃(μ‐NC)₂Fe^III(phen)(CN)₂ {(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃}]NO₃ ? 7 H₂O}_n (Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Tb ( 2 ), and Dy ( 3 )) and the trinuclear complex [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃] ? NO₃ ? H₂O ? CH₃CN ( 4 ) were obtained with the [Cu^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ assembling unit, whereas three isostructural heterotrimetallic 2D networks, {[Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III(ONO₂)₂(H₂O)(μ‐NC)₃Fe^III(bipy)(CN)] ? 2 H₂O ? 2 CH₃CN}_n (Ln=Gd ( 5 ), Tb ( 6 ), and Dy ( 7 )) resulted with the related [Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III]³⁺ precursor. The crystal structure of compound 4 consists of discrete heterotrimetallic complex cations, [Cu^II(valpn)La^III(OH₂)₃(O₂NO)(μ‐NC)Fe^III(phen)(CN)₃]⁺, nitrate counterions, and non‐coordinate water and acetonitrile molecules. The heteroleptic {Fe^III(bipy)(CN)₄} moiety in 5 – 7 acts as a tris‐monodentate ligand towards three {Ni^II(valpn)Ln^III} binuclear nodes leading to heterotrimetallic 2D networks. The ferromagnetic interaction through the diphenoxo bridge in the Cu^II?Ln^III ( 1 – 3 ) and Ni^II?Ln^III ( 5 – 7 ) units, as well as through the single cyanide bridge between the Fe^III and either Ni^II ( 5 – 7 ) or Cu^II ( 4 ) account for the overall ferromagnetic behavior observed in 1 – 7 . DFT‐type calculations were performed to substantiate the magnetic interactions in 1 , 4 , and 5 . Interestingly, compound 6 exhibits slow relaxation of the magnetization with maxima of the out‐of‐phase ac signals below 4.0 K in the lack of a dc field, the values of the pre‐exponential factor (τ_o) and energy barrier (E_a) through the Arrhenius equation being 2.0×10^?12 s and 29.1 cm^?1, respectively. In the case of 7 , the ferromagnetic interactions through the double phenoxo (Ni^II–Dy^III) and single cyanide (Fe^III–Ni^II) pathways are masked by the depopulation of the Stark levels of the Dy^III ion, this feature most likely accounting for the continuous decrease of χ_M T upon cooling observed for this last compound.     

Cyanide-bridged [Fe8M6] clusters displaying single-molecule magnetism (M=Ni) and electron-transfer-coupled spin transitions (M=Co)

Cyanide‐bridged metal complexes of [Fe₈M₆(μ‐CN)₁₄(CN)₁₀ (tp)₈(HL)₁₀(CH₃CN)₂][PF₆]₄?n CH₃CN?m H₂O (HL=3‐(2‐pyridyl)‐5‐[4‐(diphenylamino)phenyl]‐1H‐pyrazole), tp^?=hydrotris(pyrazolylborate), 1 : M=Ni with n=11 and m=7, and 2 : M=Co with n=14 and m=5) were prepared. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous, and crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. They have tetradecanuclear cores composed of eight low‐spin (LS) Fe^III and six high‐spin (HS) M^II ions (M=Ni and Co), all of which are bridged by cyanide ions, to form a crown‐like core structure. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed that intramolecular ferro‐ and antiferromagnetic interactions are operative in 1 and in a fresh sample of 2 , respectively. Ac magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 showed frequency‐dependent in‐ and out‐of‐phase signals, characteristic of single‐molecule magnetism (SMM), while desolvated samples of 2 showed thermal‐ and photoinduced intramolecular electron‐transfer‐coupled spin transition (ETCST) between the [(LS‐Fe^II)₃(LS‐Fe^III)₅(HS‐Co^II)₃(LS‐Co^III)₃] and the [(LS‐Fe^III)₈(HS‐Co^II)₆] states.     

A Brønsted‐Ligand‐Based Iron Complex as a Molecular Switch with Five Accessible States

A mononuclear Fe^II complex, prepared with a Brønsted diacid ligand, H₂L (H₂L=2‐[5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐yl] 6‐benzimidazole pyridine), shows switchable physical properties and was isolated in five different electronic states. The spin crossover (SCO) complex, [Fe^II(H₂L)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 1_A ), exhibits abrupt spin transition at T_1/2=258 K, and treatment with base yields a deprotonated analogue [Fe^II(HL)₂] ( 1_B ), which shows gradual SCO above 350 K. A range of Fe^III analogues were also characterized. [Fe^III(HL)(H₂L)](BF₄)Cl ( 1_C ) has an S=5/2 spin state, while the deprotonated complexes [Fe^III(L)(HL)], ( 1_D ), and (TEA)[Fe^III(L)₂], ( 1_E ) exist in the low‐spin S=1/2 state. The electronic properties of the five complexes were fully characterized and we demonstrate in situ switching between multiple states in both solution and the solid‐state. The versatility of this simple mononuclear system illustrates how proton donor/acceptor ligands can vastly increase the range of accessible states in switchable molecular devices.     

Single‐Molecule Magnet Behavior in Two Tetranuclear Cyanide‐bridged FeIII2NiII2 Compounds

Two tetranuclear cyanide‐bridged Fe^III₂Ni^II₂ compounds [Ni₂(L1)₄Fe₂(μ‐CN)₄(CN)₂(L2)₂] · 2ClO₄ · CH₃OH · 4H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ni₂(L1)₄Fe₂(μ‐CN)₄(CN)₂(L3)₂] · 2ClO₄ ( 2 ) [L1 = 4,4′‐dichloro‐2,2′‐bipyridine; L2 = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate; L3 = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate] were synthesized. Magnetic measurements indicated that both two compounds showed single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behaviors with the relaxation energy barrier of Δ/k_B = 68.9(8) K for 1 and 12.6(1) K for 2 . Magneto‐structural analysis indicated that the intermolecular interactions played an important part in the slow magnetic relaxation behaviors.     

An easy electrochemical procedure for tailoring thin films containing the [Fe(bpy)2(CH3CN)2] and/or [Fe(bpy)3]-like cores (bpy=2,2-bipyridine). Application to the design of a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure

A simple electrochemical procedure to tailor thin polymeric films containing the [Fe^II(bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂]²⁺ and/or [Fe^II(bpy)₃]²⁺-like cores have been described (bpy=2,2^′-bipyridine). The procedure is based on the electroreductive precipitation of soluble polymers prepared in situ in CH₃CN by mixing Fe³⁺ ions and a bis bipyridyl ligand, (chiragen: chir). In the resulting [Fe^II(chir)(CH₃CN)₂]_n²⁺ films, the two labile S ligands can be easily replaced by a bidentate ligand. This method has been applied with success to design a modified electrode with a supramolecular structure.     

Ni3 versus Ni30: A Truncated Octahedron Metal–Organic Cage Constructed with [Ni5(CN)4]6+ Squares and Tripodal Tris‐tacn Ligands That are Large and Flexible

Reactions of trinickel complex of tripodal tris‐tacn ligand N(CH₂‐m‐C₆H₄‐CH₂tacn)₃ ( L , tacn=1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) in acetonitrile–methanol solution with and without phosphate led to two complexes of distinct nuclearities, [(Ni^IICl)₃(CH₃OH)₃(HPO₄) L ](PF₆) (Ni₃, 1 ) and [(Ni^II₅(CN)₄(H₂O)₈Cl)₆ L ₈]Cl₃₀ (Ni₃₀, 2 ). Ligand L takes upward and downward conformation in the structure of 1 and 2 , respectively. It is proposed that phosphate directs the upward conformation of Ni₃ L to form 1 . In the absence of phosphate, Ni₃ L assembles with cyanide ions, which are formed by Ni‐catalyzed C?CN bond cleavage of acetonitrile, to give a nano‐sized Ni₃₀ cage. Complex 2 represents a discrete truncated octahedron cage assembled with [Ni₅(CN)₄]⁶⁺ squares and large and flexible triangular ligands, which is scarcely observed for self‐assembled metal‐organic cages. The magnetic properties of 1 and 2 were examined, showing intriguing magnetic properties.     

A Mixed-Valence {Fe13} Cluster Exhibiting Metal-to-Metal Charge-Transfer-Switched Spin Crossover

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin-crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a Fe^II-triazole moiety and generates a mixed-valence complex {[(Tp^4-Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₉[Fe^II₄(trz-ph)₆]}⋅[Ph₃PMe]₂⋅[(Tp^4-Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 ; trz-ph=4-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between Fe^III and one of the Fe^II sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp^4-Me)Fe^II(CN)₃][(Tp^4-Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₈ [Fe^IIIFe^II₃(trz-ph)₆]}⋅ [Ph₃PMe]₂⋅[(Tp^4-Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 a ). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two-step SCO behavior of 1 into one-step SCO behavior of 1 a . Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin-transition materials with accessible multi-electronic states.     

A Design Strategy for Single‐Stranded Helicates using Pyridine‐Hydrazone Ligands and PbII

The reactions of py‐hz ligands ( L1–L5 ) with Pb(CF₃SO₃)₂?H₂O resulted in some rare examples of discrete single‐stranded helical Pb^II complexes. L1 and L2 formed non‐helical mononuclear complexes [Pb L1 (CF₃SO₃)₂]?CHCl₃ and Pb L2 (CF₃SO₃)₂][Pb L2 CF₃SO₃]CF₃SO₃?CH₃CN, which reflected the high coordination number and effective saturation of Pb^II by the ligands. The reaction of L3 with Pb^II resulted in a dinuclear meso‐helicate [Pb₂ L3 (CF₃SO₃)₂Br]CF₃SO₃?CH₃CN with a stereochemically‐active lone pair on Pb^II. L4 directed single‐stranded helicates with Pb^II, including [Pb₂ L4 (CF₃SO₃)₃]CF₃SO₃?CH₃CN and [Pb₂ L4 CF₃SO₃(CH₃OH)₂](CF₃SO₃)₃?2 CH₃OH?2 H₂O. The acryloyl‐modified py‐hz ligand L5 formed helical and non‐helical complexes with Pb^II, including a trinuclear Pb^II complex [Pb₃ L5 (CF₃SO₃)₅]CF₃SO₃?3CH₃CN?Et₂O. The high denticity of the long‐stranded py‐hz ligands L4 and L5 was essential to the formation of single‐stranded helicates with Pb^II.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Co(III) dioximates with the complex anion [SbF6]?

The complexes [Co(DioxH)₂L₂][SbF₆] · nH₂O, where DioxH is dimethylglyoxime monoanion (DioxH^?) or 1,2-cyclohexanedione dioxime (NioxH^?), L is aniline (An) or triphenylphosphine (PPh₃), were isolated from the CoX₂ · nH₂O-NaSbF₆-DioxH₂-L system (X = F or CH₃COO) in aqueous methanol. The complexes were studied by UV, IR, and NMR spectroscopy and by X-ray diffraction. The crystal structure of [Co(DH)₂(An)₂][SbF₆] · H₂O (I) and [Co(NioxH)₂(PPh₃)₂][SbF₆] (II) is stabilized by the electrostatic interactions between the Co(III) complex cations and outer-sphere fluorine-containing anions and by hydrogen bonds between structural units.     

P−P Condensation and P−N/P−P Bond Metathesis: Facile Synthesis of Cationic Tri- and Tetraphosphanes

[L_C^RP((PhP)₂C₂H₄)][OTf] ( 4 a,b [OTf]) and [L_C^iPrP(PPh₂)₂][OTf] ( 5 b [OTf]) were prepared from the reaction of imidazoliumyl-substituted dipyrazolylphosphane triflate salts [L_C^RP(pyr)₂][OTf] ( 3 a,b [OTf]; a : R=Me, b =iPr; L_C^R=1,3-dialkyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-yl; pyr=3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl) with the secondary phosphanes PhP(H)C₂H₄P(H)Ph) and Ph₂PH. A stepwise double P−N/P−P bond metathesis to catena-tetraphosphane-2,3-diium triflate salt [(Ph₂P)₂(L_C^MeP)₂][OTf]₂ ( 7 a [OTf]₂) is observed when reacting 3 a [OTf] with diphosphane P₂Ph₄. The coordination ability of 5 b [OTf] was probed with selected coinage metal salts [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]OTf, AgOTf and AuCl(tht) (tht=tetrahydrothiophene). For AuCl(tht), the helical complex [{(Ph₂PPL_C^iPr)Au}₄][OTf]₄ ( 9 [OTf]₄) was unexpectedly formed as a result of a chloride-induced P−P bond cleavage. The weakly coordinating triflate anion enables the formation of the expected copper(I) and silver(I) complexes [( 5 b )M(CH₃CN)₃][OTf]₂ (M=Cu, Ag) ( 10 [OTf]₂, 11 [OTf]₂).     

Trinuclear Cyanido-Bridged [Cr2Fe] Complexes: To Be or not to Be a Single-Molecule Magnet,a Matter of Straightness

Trinuclear systems of formula [{Cr(L^N3O2Ph)(CN)₂}₂M(H₂L^N3O2R)] (M=Mn^II and Fe^II, L^N3O2R stands for pentadentate ligands) were prepared in order to assess the influence of the bending of the apical M−N≡C linkages on the magnetic anisotropy of the Fe^II derivatives and in turn on their Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behaviors. The cyanido-bridged [Cr₂M] derivatives were obtained by assembling trans-dicyanido Cr^III complex [Cr(L^N3O2Ph)(CN)₂]⁻ and divalent pentagonal bipyramid complexes [M^II(H₂L^N3O2R)]²⁺ with various R substituents (R=NH₂, cyclohexyl, S,S-mandelic) imparting different steric demand to the central moiety of the complexes. A comparative examination of the structural and magnetic properties showed an obvious effect of the deviation from straightness of the M−N≡C alignment on the slow relaxation of the magnetization exhibited by the [Cr₂Fe] complexes. Theoretical calculations have highlighted important effects of the bending of the apical C−N−Fe linkages on both the magnetic anisotropy of the Fe^II center and the exchange interactions with the Cr^III units.     

Selective Detection of Methomyl Pesticide by a Catalytic Chemosensing Assay

The catalytic chemosensing assay (CCA), a new indicator displacement assay, was developed for selective detection of methomyl, a highly toxic pesticide. Trimetallic complex {[Fe^II(dmbpy)(CN)₄]-[Pt^II(DMSO)Cl]₂-[Ru^II(bpy)₂(CN)₂]} ( 1 ; dmbpy=4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine, bpy=2,2′-bipyridine) was synthesized as a task-specific catalyst to initially reduce and degrade methomyl to CH₃SH/CH₃NH₂/CH₃CN/CO₂. The thus-produced CH₃SH interacts with the trimetallic complex to displace the cis-[Ru^II(bpy)₂(CN)₂] luminophore for monitoring. Other pesticides, including organophosphates and similar carbamate pesticides, remained intact under the same catalytic conditions; a selective sensing signal is only activated when 1 recognizes methomyl. Furthermore, 1 can be applied to detect methomyl in real water samples. In the luminescent mode of the assay, the method detection limit (MDL) of 1 for methomyl (LD₅₀=17 mg kg⁻¹) was 1.12 mg L⁻¹.     

The Building Block [FeIII(pzphen)(CN)4]– and its Lanthanide Complexes: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Magnetic Properties

The cyanide building block [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– and its four lanthanide complexes [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(H₂O)₅(DMF)₃] · (NO₃) · 2(H₂O) · (CH₃CN) [Ln = Nd ( 1 ), Sm ( 2 ), DMF = dimethyl formamide] and [{Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄}₂Ln^III(NO₃)(H₂O)₂(DMF)₂](CH₃CN) [Ln = Gd ( 3 ), Dy ( 4 )] were synthesized and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are ionic salts with two [Fe^III(pzphen)(CN)₄]^– cations and one Ln^III ion, but compounds 3 and 4 are cyano‐bridged Fe^III‐Ln^III heterometallic 3d‐4f complexes exhibiting a trinuclear structure in the same conditions. Magnetic studies show that compound 3 is antiferromagnetic between the central Fe^III and Gd^III atoms. Furthermore, the trinuclear cyano‐bridged Fe^III₂Dy^III compound 4 displays no single‐molecular magnets (SMMs) behavior by the alternating current magnetic susceptibility measurements.     

Role of electron transfer processes in the oxidation of aryl sulfides catalyzed by nonheme iron complexes

ABSTRACT

The oxidation of a series of aryl 1-methyl-1-phenylethyl sulfides with H₂O₂ catalyzed by the two tetradentate nonheme-iron complexes [(PDP)Fe^II(SbF₆)₂] and [(BPMCN)Fe^II(OTf)₂] occurs by an electron transfer-oxygen transfer (ET/OT) mechanism as supported by the observation of products deriving from fragmentation of the corresponding radical cations in association with S-oxidation products (sulfoxides).     

Cyanide-bridged complexes based on dinuclear Cu(II)-M(II) [M = Pb and Cu] building blocks: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Four cyanide-bridged heterometallic complexes {[CuPb(L 1 )][Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ]} 2 ·(ClO 4 ) 2 ·2H 2 O·2CH 3 CN (1), {[CuPb(L 1 )] 2 [Fe II (CN) 6 ](H 2 O) 2 }·10H 2 O (2), {[Cu 2 (L 2 )][Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ] 2 }·2H 2 O·2CH 3 OH (3) and {[Cu 2 (L 2 )] 3 [Fe III (CN) 6 ] 2 (H 2 O) 2 }·10H 2 O (4) have been synthesized by treating K[Fe III (bpb)(CN) 2 ] [bpb 2-=1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzenate] and K 3 [Fe III (CN)] 6 with dinuclear compartmental macrocyclic Schiff-base complexes [CuPb(L 1 )] (ClO 4 ) 2 or [Cu 2 (L 2 )]·(ClO 4 ) 2 , in which H 2 L 1 was derived from 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol, ethylenediamine, and diethylenetriamine in the molar ratio of 2:1:1 and H 2 L 2 from 2,6-diformyl-4-methyl-phenol and propylenediamine in the molar ratio of 1:1. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 displays a cyclic hexanuclear heterotrimetallic molecular structure with alternating [FeⅢ (bpb)(CN) 2 ]- and [CuPb(L 1 )] 2+ units. Complex 2 is of a neutral dumb-bell-type pentanuclear molecular configuration consisting of one [Fe(CN)6] 4- anion sandwiched in two [CuPu(L 1 )] 2+ cations, and the pentanuclear moieties are further connected by the hydrogen bonding to give a 2D supramolecular framework. Heterobimetallic complex 3 is a tetranuclear molecule composed of a centrosymmetric [Cu 2 (L2)] 2+ segment and two terminal cyanide-containing blocks [FeⅢ (bpb)(CN)2 ]- . Octanuclear compound 4 is built from two [Fe(CN)6]3- anions sandwiched in the three [Cu 2 L 2 ] 2+ cations. Investigation of their magnetic properties reveals the overall antiferromagnetic behavior in the series of complexes except 2.     

Inhibition of [FeFe]-hydrogenase by formaldehyde: proposed mechanism and reactivity of FeFe alkyl complexes

The mechanism for inhibition of [FeFe]-hydrogenases by formaldehyde is examined with model complexes. Key findings: (i) CH₂ donated by formaldehyde covalently link Fe and the amine cofactor, blocking the active site and (ii) the resulting Fe-alkyl is a versatile electrophilic alkylating agent. Solutions of Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NH](CO)₄(PMe₃)₂ (1) react with a mixture of HBF₄ and CH₂O to give three isomers of [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂](CO)₄(PMe₃)₂]⁺ ([2]⁺). X-ray crystallography verified the NCH₂Fe linkage to an octahedral Fe(ii) site. Although [2]⁺ is stereochemically rigid on the NMR timescale, spin-saturation transfer experiments implicate reversible dissociation of the Fe–CH₂ bond, allowing interchange of all three diastereoisomers. Using ¹³CH₂O, the methylenation begins with formation of [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂N¹³CH₂OH](CO)₄(PMe₃)₂]⁺. Protonation converts this hydroxymethyl derivative to [2]⁺, concomitant with ¹³C-labelling of all three methylene groups. The Fe–CH₂N bond in [2]⁺ is electrophilic: PPh₃, hydroxide, and hydride give, respectively, the phosphonium [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂PPh₃](CO)₄(PMe₃)₂]⁺, 1, and the methylamine Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₃](CO)₄(PMe₃)₂. The reaction of [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NH](CN)₂(CO)₄]²⁻ with CH₂O/HBF₄ gave [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CN](CN)(CO)₅]⁻ ([4]⁻), the result of reductive elimination from [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂](CN)₂(CO)₄]⁻. The phosphine derivative [Fe₂[(μ-SCH₂)₂NCH₂CN](CN)(CO)₄(PPh₃)]⁻ ([5]⁻) was characterized crystallographically.

The mechanism for inhibition of [FeFe]-hydrogenases by formaldehyde is examined with model complexes.     

A Mixed‐Valence {Fe13} Cluster Exhibiting Metal‐to‐Metal Charge‐Transfer‐Switched Spin Crossover

It is promising and challenging to manipulate the electronic structures and functions of materials utilizing both metal‐to‐metal charge transfer (MMCT) and spin‐crossover (SCO) to tune the valence and spin states of metal ions. Herein, a metallocyanate building block is used to link with a Fe^II‐triazole moiety and generates a mixed‐valence complex {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₉[Fe^II₄(trz‐ph)₆]}?[Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 ; trz‐ph=4‐phenyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole). Moreover, MMCT occurs between Fe^III and one of the Fe^II sites after heat treatment, resulting in the generation of a new phase, {[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^II(CN)₃][(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃]₈ [Fe^IIIFe^II₃(trz‐ph)₆]}? [Ph₃PMe]₂?[(Tp^4‐Me)Fe^III(CN)₃] ( 1 a ). Structural and magnetic studies reveal that MMCT can tune the two‐step SCO behavior of 1 into one‐step SCO behavior of 1 a . Our work demonstrates that the integration of MMCT and SCO can provide a new alternative for manipulating functional spin‐transition materials with accessible multi‐electronic states.