Synthesis and catalysis of di- and tetranuclear metal sandwich-type silicotungstates [(gamma-SiW10O36)2M2(mu-OH)2]10- and [(gamma-SiW10O36)2M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6]8- (M = Zr or Hf)

The di- and tetranuclear metal sandwich-type silicotungstates of Cs10[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Zr(H2O)}2(mu-OH)2] x 18 H2O (Zr2, monoclinic, C2/c (No. 15), a = 25.3315(8) A, b = 22.6699(7) A, c = 18.5533(6) A, beta = 123.9000(12) degrees, V = 8843.3(5) A(3), Z = 4), Cs10[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Hf(H2O)}2(mu-OH)2] x 17 H2O (Hf2, monoclinic, space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 25.3847(16) A, b = 22.6121(14) A, c = 18.8703(11) A, beta = 124.046(3) degrees, V = 8974.9(9) A(3), Z = 4), Cs8[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Zr(H2O)}4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6] x 26 H2O (Zr4, tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2 (No. 92), a = 12.67370(10) A, c = 61.6213(8) A, V = 9897.78(17) A(3), Z = 4), and Cs8[(gamma-SiW10O36)2{Hf(H2O)}4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6] x 23 H2O (Hf4, tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2 (No. 92), a = 12.68130(10) A, c = 61.5483(9) A, V = 9897.91(18) A(3), Z = 4) were obtained as single crystals suitable for X-ray crystallographic analyses by the reaction of a dilacunary gamma-Keggin silicotungstate K8[gamma-SiW10O36] with ZrOCl2 x 8 H2O or HfOCl2 x 8 H2O. These dimeric polyoxometalates consisted of two [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) units sandwiching metal-oxygen clusters such as [M2(mu-OH)2](6+) and [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) (M = Zr or Hf). The dinuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes Zr2 and Hf2 were isostructural. The equatorially placed two metal atoms in Zr2 and Hf2 were linked by two mu-OH ligands and each metal was bound to four oxygen atoms of two [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) units. The tertanuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes Zr4 and Hf4 were isostructural and consisted of the adamantanoid cages with a tetracoordinated oxygen atom in the middle, [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) (M = Zr or Hf). Each metal atom in Zr4 and Hf4 was linked by three mu-OH ligands and bound to two oxygen atoms of the [gamma-SiW10O36](8-) unit. The tetra-nuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes showed catalytic activity for the intramolecular cyclization of (+)-citronellal to isopulegols without formation of byproducts resulting from etherification and dehydration. A lacunary silicotungstate [gamma-SiW10O34(H2O)2](4-) was inactive, and the isomer ratio of isopulegols in the presence of MOCl2 x 8 H2O (M = Zr or Hf) were much different from that in the presence of tetranuclear complexes, suggesting that the [M4(mu4-O)(mu-OH)6](8+) core incorporated into the POM frameworks acts as an active site for the present cyclization. On the other hand, the reaction hardly proceeded in the presence of dinuclear zirconium and hafnium complexes under the same conditions. The much less activity is possibly explained by the steric repulsion from the POM frameworks in the dinuclear complexes.     

Novel Ti-O-Ti bonding species constructed in a metal-oxide cluster: reaction products of bis(oxalato)oxotitanate(IV) with the dimeric, 1,2-dititanium(IV)-substituted Keggin polyoxotungstate

The preparation and structural characterization of a novel Ti-O-Ti bonding complex constructed in a dilacunary alpha-Keggin polyoxometalate (POM), [[{Ti(ox)(H2O)}4(mu-O)3](alpha-PW10O37)](7-) (H2ox = oxalic acid) (1a), are described. The water-soluble, crystalline complex with a formula of K6H[1a].0.5KCl.10H2O (1p) was prepared as the bulk sample in 28.0% (0.51 g scale) yield in a 1:4 molar-ratio reaction of the dititanium(IV)-substituted, dimeric form of an alpha-Keggin POM, K10[(alpha-1,2-PW10Ti2O39)2].18H2O, with the titanium(IV) source K2[TiO(ox)2].2H2O in HCl-acidic solution (pH 0.08). Prior to formation of 1p, the KCl-free crystalline compound (1c) obtained was characterized with X-ray crystallography. The compound 1p was unequivocally characterized with complete elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), FTIR, and solution (31P, 183W, and 13C) NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of 1a was determined. The POM 1a in the solid state was composed of the four octahedral Ti groups (four guests), i.e., the two Ti-O-Ti groups linked with the mu-O atom, incorporated to the two adjacent, octahedral vacant sites (two hosts) in the dilacunary Keggin POM. The formation of 1a, as well as the recently found POM [{Ti(ox)(H2O)}2(mu-O)](alpha-PW11O39)](5-) (2a), was strongly dependent on the reaction with [TiO(ox)2](2-), i.e., the anionic titanium(IV) complex as the titanium(IV) source. The POM 1a is contrasted to most titanium(IV)-substituted POMs consisting of a combination of a monolacunary site (one host) and an octahedral Ti group (one guest) and also contrasted to 2a as a combination of a monolacunary site (one host) and two octahedral Ti groups or a Ti-O-Ti group (two guests).     

New complexes of zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) with heteroscorpionate ligands and the hydrolysis of such complexes to give a zirconium cluster

A series of zirconium and hafnium heteroscorpionate complexes have been prepared by the reaction of MCl4 (M = Zr, Hf) with the compounds [[Li(bdmpza)(H2O)](4)] [bdmpza = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetate], [[Li(bdmpzdta)(H2O)](4)] [bdmpzdta = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)dithioacetate], and (Hbdmpze) [bdmpze = 2,2-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)ethoxide] (the latter with the prior addition of Bu(n)Li). Under the appropriate experimental conditions, mononuclear complexes, namely, [MCl3(kappa3-bdmpzx)] [x = a, M = Zr (1), Hf (2); x = dta, M = Zr (3), Hf (4); x = e, M = Zr (5), Hf (6)], and dinuclear complexes, namely, [[MCl2(mu-OH)(kappa3-bdmpzx)]2] [x = a, M = Zr (7), Hf (8); x = dta, M = Zr (9); x = e, M = Zr (10)], were isolated. A family of alkoxide-containing complexes of the general formula [ZrCl2(kappa3-bdmpzx)(OR)] [x = a, R = Me (11), Et (12), iPr (13), tBu (14); x = dta, R = Me (15), Et (16), iPr (17), tBu (18); x = e, R = Me (19), Et (20), (i)Pr (21), (t)Bu (22)] was also prepared. Complexes 11-14 underwent an interesting hydrolysis process to give the cluster complex [Zr6(mu3-OH)8(OH)8(kappa2-bdmpza)8] (23). The structures of these complexes have been determined by spectroscopic methods, and the X-ray crystal structures of 7, 8, and 23 were also established.     

Tetrameric,trititanium(IV)-substituted polyoxotungstates with an alpha-Dawson substructure as soluble metal-oxide analogues: molecular structure of the giant "tetrapod" [(alpha-1,2,3-P2W15Ti3O62)4[mu3-Ti(OH)3]4Cl]45-

The preparation and structural characterization of the novel polyoxoanion [(alpha-1,2,3-P(2)W(15)Ti(3)O(62))(4)[mu(3)-Ti(OH)(3)](4)Cl](45-) (1 a; abbreviated to [TiO(6)](16); FW approximately 16 000) which consists of four tri-Ti(IV)-1,2,3-substituted alpha-Dawson substructures, four Ti(OH)(3) bridging groups, and one encapsulated Cl(-) ion, are described. A water-soluble, all-inorganic composition compound of the tetrameric Ti-O-Ti-bridged anhydride form, Na(x)H(45-x)[1 a].y H(2)O (1; x=16-19, y=60-70), which was afforded by the reaction of the tri-lacunary Dawson polyoxotungstate Na(12)[B-alpha-P(2)W(15)O(56)].19 H(2)O with an excess of TiCl(4) in aqueous solution, was obtained as analytically pure, homogeneous colorless crystals. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis revealed that 1 a was an inorganic, giant "tetrapod"-shaped molecule (inscribed to a sphere with a diameter of approximately 32 A) with approximately T(d) symmetry, in which the 16 edge- and/or corner-shared TiO(6) octahedra were contained. This number of TiO(6) octahedra was larger than that found in other titanium(IV)-substituted polyoxotungstates. Complex 1 was characterized by complete elemental analysis, TG/DTA, FTIR, UV/Vis absorption, and solution ((31)P and (183)W) NMR spectroscopy. The longest wavelength band in the UV/Vis absorption spectra of 1 in water was attributed to the O-->Ti(IV) ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) transition: the wavelength of the LMCT band increased linearly as the number of TiO(6) octahedra contained in the Keggin and Dawson polyoxoanions increased. The Ti(n) chromophores formed in the Keggin and Dawson polyoxotungstates are water-soluble analogues of solid TiO(2) or SrTiO(3) as light-semiconductors and photocatalysts.     

Analysis of mixtures of hafnium and zirconium by the methylthymol blue-hydrogen peroxide method

The reaction of hydrogen peroxide with the zirconium(IV) and hafnium(IV) Methylthymol Blue complexes (MeMTB) has been investigated. The conditional stability constants of the Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) complexes with hydrogen peroxide [K'(Me(H(2)O(2)))] were determined spectrophotometrically. The K'(Me(H(2)O(2))) values found, which depend on the acidity, are 3.91 x 10(2) 3.24 x 10(2), 2.63 x 10(2) at [HCl] = 0.2, 0.3, 1.0M respectively for Me = Zr(IV) and 0.828, 0.523, 0.319 for Me = Hf(IV). The ratios of the conditional stability constants, K'(Me(H(2)O(2)))/ K'(MeMTB), are: 5.52 x 10(-4), 5.79 x 10(-4), 8.23 x 10(-4) for Me = Zr(IV) and 2.08 x 10(-6), 2.74 x 10(-6), 1.48 x 10 (-5) for Me = Hf(IV) at the three acidities. The maximum of the ratio of the relative conditional stability constants is obtained in 0.2M hydrochloric acid. The conditions which should be complied with for the determination of hafnium in the presence of zirconium are discussed. The results were compared with those obtained by the Xylenol Orange-hydrochloric acid method. They are superior for samples containing less than 20 mole% of hafnium in admixture with zirconium.     

Tetravalent metal complexation by Keggin and lacunary phosphomolybdate anions

We report the synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization, and computational analysis of a series of phosphomolybdate complexes with tetravalent metal cations. The reaction between Ce (IV) and Th (IV) with phosphomolybdate at the optimum pH for the stabilization of the lacunary heteropolyoxometalate anion, [PMo 11O 39] (7-), results in the formation of compounds containing the anions [Ce(PMo 11O 39) 2] (10-) and [Th(PMo 11O 39) 2] (10-), respectively. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on salts of both species, Cs 10[Ce(PMo 11O 39) 2].20H 2O and (NH 4) 10[Th(PMo 11O 39) 2].22H 2O. In both anionic complexes the f-block metal cation is coordinated to the four unsaturated terminal lacunary site oxygens of each [PMo 11O 39] (7-) anion, yielding 8 coordinate sandwich complexes, analogous to previously prepared related complexes. Spectroscopic characterization points to the stability of these complexes in solution over a reasonably wide pH range. Density functional analysis suggests that the Ce-O bond strength in [Ce(PMo 11O 39) 2] (10-) is greater than the Th-O bond strength in [Th(PMo 11O 39) 2] (10-), with the dominant bonding interaction being ionic in both cases. In contrast, under similar reaction conditions, the dominant solid state Zr (IV) and Hf (IV) complexes formed contain the anions [Zr(PMo 12O 40)(PMo 11O 39)] (6-) and [Hf(PMo 12O 40)(PMo 11O 39)] (6-), respectively. In these complexes the central Group 4 d-block metal cations are coordinated to the four unsaturated terminal lacunary site oxygens of the [PMo 11O 39] (7-) ligand and to four bridging oxygens of a plenary Keggin anion, [PMo 12O 40] (3-). In addition, (NH 4) 5{Hf[PMo 12O 40][(NH 4)PMo 11O 39]}.23.5H 2O can be crystallized as a minor product. The structure of the anion, {Hf[PMo 12O 40][(NH 4)PMo 11O 39]} (5-), reveals coordination of the central Hf (IV) cation via four bridging oxygens on both the coordinated [PMo 11O 39] (7-) and [PMo 12O 40] (3-) anions. Unusually, the highly charged lacunary site remains uncoordinated to the Hf metal center but instead interacts with an ammonium cation. (31)P NMR indicates that complexation of the Keggin anion, [PMo 12O 40] (3-), to Hf (IV) and Zr (IV) will stabilize the Keggin anion to a much higher pH than usually observed.     

New organosilyl derivatives of the Dawson polyoxometalate [alpha2-P2W17O61(RSi)2O]6-: synthesis and mass spectrometric investigation

In the field of functionalized polyoxometalates, organosilyl derivatives of polyoxotungstate constitute a special class of hybrid organic-inorganic system. The first organosilyl derivative of the monovacant Dawson heteropolyoxotungstate [alpha2-P2W17O61]10- was obtained by three different methods. The use of two organosilanes as reagents enabled the preparation of the functionalized polyoxometalate [alpha2-P2W17O61(RSi)2O]6- in good yield. Electrospray (ESI-MS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, and 183W, 31P, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the composite systems. In several cases, ESI-MS analyses generated reduction processes which were compared to those related to [PMo11VO40]4-, the highly reducible Keggin polyoxometalate.     

Functionalization of heteropolyanions-osmium and rhenium nitrido derivatives of Keggin- and Dawson-type polyoxotungstates: synthesis, characterization and multinuclear ((183)W, (15)N) NMR, EPR, IR, and UV/Vis fingerprints

Reaction of K(10)[alpha(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61)] or K(10)[alpha(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61)] or [Bu(4)N][OsCl(4)N] in a water/methanol mixture, and subsequent precipitation with (Bu(4)N)Br provided [alpha(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61){Os(VI)N}](7-) and [alpha(1)-P(2)W(17)O(61){Os(VI)N}](7-) Dawson structures as tetrabutylammonium salts. Reactions of [(Bu(4)N)(4)][alpha-H(3)PW(11)O(39)] with either [ReCl(3)(N(2)Ph(2))(PPh(3))(2)] or [Bu(4)N][ReCl(4)N] are alternatives to the synthesis of [(Bu(4)N)(4)][alpha-PW(11)O(39){Re(VI)N}]. (183)W and (15)N NMR, EPR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry have been used to characterize these compounds and the corresponding [(Bu(4)N)(4)][alpha-PW(11)O(39){Os(VI)N}] Keggin derivative.     

Simultaneous determination of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) by CE using precolumn complexation with a [PW(11)O(39)](7-) ligand

A CE method was developed for the simultaneous determination of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) at trace levels. A lacunary Keggin-type [PW(11)O(39)](7-) ligand reacted quantitatively with a mixture of trace amounts of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) to form the so-called ternary Keggin-type anions [P(Zr(IV)W(11))O(40)](5-) and [P(Hf(IV)W(11))O(40)](5-) in 0.010 M monochloroacetate buffer (pH 2.2). Since both ternary anions possessed different electrophoretic mobilities and high molar absorptivities in the UV region, Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) were determined simultaneously with direct UV detection at 258 nm. Each peak height was linearly dependent on the concentration of Zr(IV) or Hf(IV) in the range of 5.0x10(-7)-1.0x10(-5) M; a detection limit of 2x10(-7) M was achieved. The utility of the proposed CE method was demonstrated for the simultaneous determination of Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) in natural water samples with satisfactory results.     

Titanium(IV) and Zirconium(IV) amido complexes derived from the azaoxa macrocycle 3,3-dimethyl-1,5-diaza-8-oxacyclodecane

The novel tridentate azaoxa macrocycle [O(NH)2], 3,3-dimethyl-1,5-diaza-8-oxacyclodecane, can be singly or doubly lithiated with (n)BuLi at the secondary amine N atoms, giving [O(NH)N]Li and [O(N)2]Li2, respectively, and further elaborated with introduction of TMS substituents via reaction with (TMS)Cl. Aminolysis of [Ti(NMe2)2Cl2] or [Zr(NR2)2Cl2(THF)2] with [O(NH)2] in toluene gave the distorted octahedral M[O(NH)N](NR2)Cl2 (M = Ti, R = Me; M = Zr, R = Me or Et), in which the macrocycle functions as a monoanionic ligand via an amido, an amine, and an ether functionality. Salt metathesis of [Zr(NEt2)2Cl2(THF)2] with [O(NH)N]Li in toluene afforded Zr[(O(NH)N)](NEt2)2Cl, the structure of which also confirms tridentate macrocycle coordination via one amido, one amine, and one ether group; in contrast, analogous salt metathesis involving [Zr(NEt2)2Cl2(THF)2] and [O(N)2Li2] gave the "sandwich" complex [(ON2)2Zr], with the macrocycle behaving as a dianionic ligand (Porter, R. M.; et al. Dalton Trans. 2005, 427). Finally, treatment of [O(NH)2] with AlMe3 gave the simple donor-acceptor adduct [O(NH)2]AlMe3, which resisted alkanolysis by prolonged heating. In the presence of MAO the new zirconium, titanium, and aluminum complexes show low activity in the polymerization of ethylene.     

Encapsulation of anion/cation in the central cavity of tetrameric polyoxometalate, composed of four trititanium(IV)-substituted α-Dawson subunits, initiated by protonation/deprotonation of the bridging oxygen atoms on the intramolecular surface

Preparation and structural characterization of a novel polyoxometalate (POM), [(P(2)W(15)Ti(3)O(60.5))(4)(NH(4))](35-) 1, i.e., an encapsulated NH(4)(+) cation species in the central cavity of a tetramer (called the Dawson tetramer) constituted by trititanium(IV)-substituted α-Dawson POM substructure, are described. POM 1 was synthesized by several different methods and unequivocally characterized by complete elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), FTIR spectroscopy, solution ((15)N{(1)H}, (31)P, (183)W) NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. First, POM 1 was synthesized by a reaction of NH(4)Cl in aqueous solution with a precursor, which was derived by thermal treatment of a monomeric triperoxotitanium(IV)-substituted Dawson POM, [α-1,2,3-P(2)W(15)(TiO(2))(3)O(56)(OH)(3)](9-) 2, for 3 h in an electric furnace at 200 °C. The encapsulated NH(4)(+) cation in 1 was confirmed by (15)N{(1)H} NMR measurement and X-ray crystallography. As another synthesis of 1, a direct exchange of the Cl(-) anion encapsulated in [{α-1,2,3-P(2)W(15)Ti(3)O(57.5)(OH)(3)}(4)Cl](25-) 3 with the NH(4)(+) cation was attained by neutralizing an aqueous solution containing 3 with the addition of aqueous NH(3) (the initial pH of ca. 2-2.5 was changed to 6.4), followed by adding NH(4)Cl. It has been clarified that the conditions as to whether the anion or the cation is encapsulated in the central cavity of the Dawson tetramer were significantly related to the protonation/deprotonation of the bridging oxygen atoms on the intramolecular surface, Ti-O-Ti/Ti-OH-Ti sites constituting the Dawson subunits.     

Peptide Bond Hydrolysis Catalyzed by the Wells-Dawson Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2) Polyoxometalate

In this paper we report the first example of peptide hydrolysis catalyzed by a polyoxometalate complex. A series of metal-substituted Wells-Dawson polyoxometalates were synthesized, and their hydrolytic activity toward the peptide bond in glycylglycine (GG) was examined. Among these, the Zr(IV)- and Hf(IV)-substituted ones were the most reactive. Detailed kinetic studies were performed with the Zr(IV)-substituted Wells-Dawson type polyoxometalate K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O which was shown to act as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of the peptide bond in GG. The speciation of K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O which is highly dependent on the pD, concentration, and temperature of the solution, was fully determined with the help of (31)P NMR spectroscopy and its influence on the GG hydrolysis rate was examined. The highest reaction rate (k(obs) = 9.2 (±0.2) × 10(-5) min(-1)) was observed at pD 5.0 and 60 °C. A 10-fold excess of GG was hydrolyzed in the presence of K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O proving the principles of catalysis. (13)C NMR data suggested the coordination of GG to the Zr(IV) center in K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O via its N-terminal amine group and amide carbonyl oxygen. These findings were confirmed by the inactivity of K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O toward the N-blocked analogue acetamidoglycylglycinate and the inhibitory effect of oxalic, malic, and citric acid. Triglycine, tetraglycine, and pentaglycine were also fully hydrolyzed in the presence of K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O yielding glycine as the final product of hydrolysis. K(15)H[Zr(α(2)-P(2)W(17)O(61))(2)]·25H(2)O also exhibited hydrolytic activity toward a series of other dipeptides.     

A fully integrated high-throughput screening methodology for the discovery of new polyolefin catalysts: discovery of a new class of high temperature single-site group (IV) copolymerization catalysts

For the first time, new catalysts for olefin polymerization have been discovered through the application of fully integrated high-throughput primary and secondary screening techniques supported by rapid polymer characterization methods. Microscale 1-octene primary screening polymerization experiments combining arrays of ligands with reactive metal complexes M(CH(2)Ph)(4) (M = Zr, Hf) and multiple activation conditions represent a new high-throughput technique for discovering novel group (IV) polymerization catalysts. The primary screening methods described here have been validated using a commercially relevant polyolefin catalyst, and implemented rapidly to discover the new amide-ether based hafnium catalyst [eta(2)-(N,O)[bond](2-MeO[bond]C(6)H(4))(2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2))N]Hf(CH(2)Ph)(3) (1), which is capable of polymerizing 1-octene to high conversion. The molecular structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Larger scale secondary screening experiments performed on a focused 96-member amine-ether library demonstrated the versatile high temperature ethylene-1-octene copolymerization capabilities of this catalyst class, and led to significant performance improvements over the initial primary screening discovery. Conventional one gallon batch reactor copolymerizations performed using selected amide-ether hafnium compounds confirmed the performance features of this new catalyst class, serving to fully validate the experimental results from the high-throughput approaches described herein.     

Bis[tetraruthenium(IV)]-containing polyoxometalates: [{Ru(IV)4O6(H2O)9}2Sb2W20O68(OH)2]4- and [{Ru(IV)4O6(H2O)9}2{Fe(H2O)2}2{β-TeW9O33}2H]-

The reaction of [Sb(2)W(22)O(74)(OH)(2)](12-) and [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(β-TeW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) with (NH(4))(2)[RuCl(6)] in aqueous solution resulted in the novel ruthenium(IV)-containing polyanions [{Ru(IV)(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(2)Sb(2)W(20)O(68)(OH)(2)](4-) and [{Ru(IV)(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(2){Fe(H(2)O)(2)}(2){β-TeW(9)O(33)}(2)H](-), exhibiting two cationic, adamantane-like, tetraruthenium(IV) units {Ru(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(4+) bound to the respective polyanion in an external, highly accessible fashion.     

Bis(alkylamido)phenylborane complexes of zirconium,hafnium, and vanadium

The coordination chemistry of the bis(tert-butylamido)phenylborane ligand, [(t)BuN-B(Ph)-N(t)Bu](2)(-), is developed. The ligand can be delivered to metals of groups 4 and 5 from its dilithio salt. The reactions of PhB((t)BuNLi)(2), 1, with metal halides of zirconium, hafnium, and vanadium generate complexes of the general formulas ((t)BuN-B(Ph)-N(t)Bu)(2)M(THF) (M = Zr (2), Hf (3)), Li(2)[M((t)BuN-B(Ph)-N(t)Bu)(3)] (M = Zr (4), Hf (5)), and M((t)BuN-B(Ph)-N(t)Bu)(2) (M = V (6)). (1)H and (11)B[(1)H] NMR and single-crystal X-ray analysis show that these amido metal complexes are structurally analogous to amidinates.     

The metalla-Pinner reaction between Pt(IV)-bound nitriles and alkylated oxamic and oximic forms of hydroxamic acids

The nitrile ligands in the platinum(IV) complexes trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et, CH2Ph) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] are involved in a metalla-Pinner reaction with N-methylbenzohydroxamic acid (N-alkylated form of hydroxamic acid, hydroxamic form; F1), PhC(=O)N(Me)OH, to achieve the imino species [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph]2 (1-3) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON(Me)C(=O)Ph](Me2SO)] (7), respectively. Treatment of trans-[PtCl4(RCN)2] (R=Me, Et) and cis/trans-[PtCl4(MeCN)(Me2SO)] with the O-alkylated form of a hydroxamic acid (hydroximic form), i.e. methyl 2,4,6-trimethylbenzohydroximate, 2,4,6-(Me3C6H2)C(OMe)=NOH (F2A), allows the isolation of [PtCl4[NH=C(R)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)]2] (5, 6) and [PtCl4[NH=C(Me)ON=C(OMe)(2,4,6-Me3C6H2)](Me2SO)] (8), correspondingly. In accord with the latter reaction, the coupling of nitriles in trans-[PtCl4(EtCN)2] with methyl benzohydroximate, PhC(OMe)=NOH (F2B), gives [PtCl4[NH=C(Et)ON=C(OMe)Ph]2] (4). The addition proceeds faster with the hydroximic F2, rather than with the hydroxamic form F1. The complexes 1-8 were characterized by C, H, N elemental analyses, FAB+ mass-spectrometry, IR, 1H and 13C[1H] NMR spectroscopies. The X-ray structure determinations have been performed for both hydroxamic and hydroximic complexes, i.e. 2 and 6, indicating that the imino ligands are mutually trans and they are in the E-configuration.     

Zr(IV)-monosubstituted Keggin-type dimeric polyoxometalates: synthesis, characterization, catalysis of H2O2-based oxidations, and theoretical study

The previously unknown Zr(IV)-monosubstituted Keggin-type polyoxometalates (Zr-POMs), (n-Bu4N)7H[{PW11O39Zr(mu-OH)}2] (1), (n-Bu4N)8[{PW11O39Zr(mu-OH)}2] (2), and (n-Bu4N)9[{PW11O39Zr}2(mu-OH)(mu-O)] (3) differing in their protonation state, have been prepared starting from heteropolyacid H5PW11ZrO40.14H2O. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, X-ray single-crystal structure, and IR, Raman, and 31P and 183W NMR spectroscopy. The single-crystal X-ray analysis of 2 reveals that two Keggin structural units [PW11O39Zr]3- are linked through two hydroxo bridges Zr-(OH)-Zr with Zr(IV) in 7-fold coordination. The IR spectra of 1 and 2 show a characteristic band at 772 cm(-1), which moves to 767 cm(-1) for 3, reflecting deprotonation of the Zr-(OH)-Zr bond. Potentiometric titration with methanolic Bu4NOH indicates that 1-3 contain 2, 1, and 0 acid protons, respectively. (83W NMR reveals Cs symmetry of 2 and 3 in dry MeCN, while for 1, it discovers nonequivalence of its two subunits and their distortion resulting from localization of the acidic proton on one of the Zr-O-W bridging O atoms. The (31)P NMR spectra of 2 and 3 differ insignificantly in dry MeCN, showing only signals at delta -12.46 and -12.44 ppm, respectively, while the spectrum of 1 displays two resonances at delta -12.3 (narrow) and -13.2 (broad) ppm, indicating slow proton exchange on the (31)P NMR time scale. The theoretical calculations carried out at the density functional theory level on the dimeric species 1-3 propose that protonation at the Zr-O-Zr bridging site is more favorable than protonation at Zr-O-W sites. Calculations also revealed that the doubly bridged hydroxo structure is thermodynamically more stable than the singly bridged oxo structure, in marked contrast with analogous Ti- and Nb-monosubstituted polyoxometalates. The interaction of 1-3 with H(2)O and H(2)O(2) in MeCN has been studied by both (31)P and (183)W NMR. The stability of the [PW(11)O(39)ZrOH](4-) structural unit toward at least 100-fold excess of H2O2 in MeCN was confirmed by both NMR and Raman spectroscopy. The interaction of 1 and 2 with H2O in MeCN produces most likely monomeric species (n-Bu4N)3+n[PW11O39Zr(OH)(n(H2O)(3-n)] (n = 0 and 1) showing a broad 31P NMR signal at delta -13.2 ppm, while interaction with H2O2 leads to the formation of an unstable peroxo species (delta -12.3 ppm), which reacts rapidly with cyclohexene, producing 2-cyclohexen-1-one and trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diol. Both 1 and 2 show a pronounced catalytic activity in H2O2 decomposition and H2O2-based oxidation of organic substrates, including cyclohexene, alpha-pinene, and 2,3,6-trimethylphenol. The oxidation products are consistent with those of a homolytic oxidation mechanism. On the contrary, 3 containing no acid protons reacts with neither H2O nor H2O2 and shows negligible catalytic activity. The Zr-monosubstituted polyoxometalates can be used as tractable homogeneous probes of Zr single-site heterogeneous catalysts in studying mechanisms of H2O2-based oxidations.     

Group IV imino-semiquinone complexes obtained by oxidative addition of halogens

An isostructural series of titanium, zirconium, and hafnium complexes, M[ap] 2L 2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf; L = THF, pyridine), of the redox-active 4,6-di- tert-butyl-2- tert-butylamidophenolate ligand ([ap] (2-)) have been prepared. The zirconium and hafnium derivatives react readily with halogen oxidants such as XeF 2, PhICl 2, and Br 2, leading to products in which one-electron oxidation of each [ap] (2-) ligand accompanies halide addition to the metal center. Iodine proved to be too weak of an oxidant to yield the corresponding oxidative addition product, and under no conditions could halogen oxidative addition products be obtained for titanium. According to X-ray crystallographic studies, the zirconium and hafnium oxidation products are best formulated as MX 2[isq.] 2 ([isq.] (-) = 4,6-di- tert-butyl-2- tert-butylimino-semiquinonate; M = Zr, Hf; X = F, Cl, Br) species, in which the molecule is symmetric with each redox-active ligand in the semiquinone oxidation state. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements suggest a singlet ( S = 0) ground-state for the diradical complexes with a thermally accessible triplet ( S = 1) excited state. Solution electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are consistent with this assignment, showing both Delta m s = 1 and Delta m s = 2 transitions for the antiferromagnetically coupled electrons.     

A novel zirconium polyoxometalate complex that contains both a coordinated saturated anion, [PMo12O40]3-, and a coordinated unsaturated anion, [PMo11O39]7-

The novel 8-coordinate zirconium compound (NH(4))(6)[Zr(PMo(12)O(40))(PMo(11)O(39))].26H(2)O (1) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and vibrational and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. It is the first example of a metal complex containing both parent, [PMo(12)O(40)](3)(-), and monovacant lacunary, [PMo(11)O(39)](7)(-), anions. Furthermore, this is the first crystallographic determination of the [PMo(11)O(39)](7)(-) anion.