Reactivity of a N-Coordinated Germylene-Borane Complex: From Ge→B to Ge→Ga Coordination

Reactivity studies of the Ge^II→B complex L(Cl)Ge⋅BH₃ ( 1 ; L=2-Et₂NCH₂-4,6-tBu₂-C₆H₂) were performed to determine the effect on the Ge^II→B donation. N-coordinated compounds L(OtBu)Ge⋅BH₃ ( 2 ) and [LGe⋅BH₃]₂ ( 3 ) were prepared. The possible tuning of the Ge^II→B interaction was proved experimentally, yielding compounds 1-PPh₂-8-(LGe)-C₁₀H₆ ( 4 ) and L(Cl)Ge⋅GaCl₃ ( 5 ) without a Ge^II→B interaction. In 5 , an unprecedented Ge^II→Ga coordination was revealed. The experimental results were complemented by a theoretical study focusing on the bonding in 1 − 5 . The different strength of the Ge^II→E (E=B, Ga) donation was evaluated by using energy decomposition analysis. The basicity of different L(X)Ge groups through proton affinity is also assessed.     

Gallium “Shears” for C=N and C=O Bonds of Isocyanates

Digallane [L¹Ga−GaL¹] ( 1 , L¹=dpp-bian=1,2-[(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC]₂C₁₂H₆) reacts with RN=C=O (R=Ph or Tos) by [2+4] cycloaddition of the isocyanate C=N bonds across both of its C=C−N−Ga fragments to afford [L¹(O=C−NR)Ga−Ga(RN−C=O)L¹] (R=Ph, 3 ; R=Tos, 4 ). The reactions with both isocyanates result in new C−C and N−Ga single bonds. In the case of allyl isocyanate, the [2+4] cycloaddition across one C=C−N−Ga fragment of 1 is accompanied by insertion of a second allyl isocyanate molecule into the Ga−N bond of the same fragment to afford compound [L¹Ga−Ga(AllN− C=O)₂L¹] ( 5 ) (All=allyl). In the presence of Na metal, the related digallane [L²Ga−GaL²] ( 2 ; L²=dpp-dad=[(2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃)NC(CH₃)]₂) is converted into the gallium(I) carbene analogue [L²Ga:]⁻ ( 2 A ), which undergoes a variety of reactions with isocyanate substrates. These include the cycloaddition of ethyl isocyanate to 2 A affording [Na₂(THF)₅]{L²Ga[EtN−C(O)]₂GaL²} ( 6 ), cleavage of the N=C bond with release of 1 equiv. of CO to give [Na(THF)₂]₂[L²Ga(p-MeC₆H₄)(N−C(O))₂−N(p-MeC₆H₄)]₂ ( 7 ), cleavage of the C=O bond to yield the di-O-bridged digallium compound [Na(THF)₃]₂[L²Ga-(μ-O)₂-GaL²] ( 8 ), and generation of the further addition product [Na₂(THF)₅][L²Ga(CyNCO₂)]₂ ( 9 ). Complexes 3 – 9 have been characterized by NMR (¹H, ¹³C), IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Their electronic structures have been examined by DFT calculations.     

Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Features of Zinc(II) and Cadmium(II) Complexation with the Substituted closo-Hydridoborate Anion [2-B10H9(OH)]2−

Herein, we studied the experimental and theoretical foundations of the process of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexation with 2-hydroxido-nonahydrido-closo-decaborate(2−) anion [2-B₁₀H₉(OH)]²⁻ in the presence of azaheterocyclic ligands L (L=2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), and 2,2′-bipyridylamine (bpa)), which can be used as model system for obtaining complexes with the required composition and structure. The first examples of mixed-ligand Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with [2-B₁₀H₉(OH)]²⁻ coordinated by the metal atom were isolated selectively. The structures of zinc(II) complexes [Zn(bipy)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH)-κ²H¹,O)] ⋅ 2CH₃CN ( 1 ⋅ 2CH₃CN) and [Zn(phen)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH)-κ²H⁹,O)] ⋅ 2CH₃CN ( 2 ⋅ 2CH₃CN), as well as two cadmium(II) bond isomers [Cd(bipy)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH)-κ²H¹,O)] ( 4 a ) and [Cd(bipy)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH)-κ²H⁹,H¹⁰)] ( 4 b ) bound into a dimeric pair in the complex [Cd(bipy)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH))] ( 4 ), and cadmium(II) complex [Cd(bpa)₂(2-B₁₀H₉(OH)-κ²H⁷,H¹⁰)] ( 7 ) were solved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that for cadmium(II) the formation of both multicenter BH−Cd−HB and BO(H)−Cd−HB bonds is equally probable. The affinity of zinc(II) for oxygen leads to preferential formation of complexes via BO(H)−Zn−HB bonds than BH−Zn−HB bonds. The M−B(H) bonding was found to be presumably electrostatic in nature, which could be the reason of topological isomerism of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) decaborates.     

Tetrabutylammonium Salts of Aluminum(III) and Gallium(III) Phthalocyanine Radical Anions Bonded with Fluoren‐9‐olato− Anions and Indium(III) Phthalocyanine Bromide Radical Anions

Reduction of aluminum(III), gallium(III), and indium(III) phthalocyanine chlorides by sodium fluorenone ketyl in the presence of tetrabutylammonium cations yielded crystalline salts of the type (Bu₄N⁺)₂[M^III(HFl−O⁻)(Pc^.3−)]^.−(Br⁻) ⋅ 1.5 C₆H₄Cl₂ [M=Al ( 1 ), Ga ( 2 ); HFl−O⁻=fluoren‐9‐olato⁻ anion; Pc=phthalocyanine] and (Bu₄N⁺) [In^IIIBr(Pc^.3−)]^.− ⋅ 0.875 C₆H₄Cl₂ ⋅ 0.125 C₆H₁₄ ( 3 ). The salts were found to contain Pc^.3− radical anions with negatively charged phthalocyanine macrocycles, as evidenced by the presence of intense bands of Pc^.3− in the near‐IR region and a noticeable blueshift in both the Q and Soret bands of phthalocyanine. The metal(III) atoms coordinate HFl−O⁻ anions in 1 and 2 with short Al−O and Ga−O bond lengths of 1.749(2) and 1.836(6) Å, respectively. The C−O bonds [1.402(3) and 1.391(11) Å in 1 and 2 , respectively] in the HFl−O⁻ anions are longer than the same bond in the fluorenone ketyl (1.27–1.31 Å). Salts 1 – 3 show effective magnetic moments of 1.72, 1.66, and 1.79 μ_B at 300 K, respectively, owing to the presence of unpaired S= 1/2 spins on Pc^.3−. These spins are coupled antiferromagnetically with Weiss temperatures of −22, −14, and −30 K for 1 – 3 , respectively. Coupling can occur in the corrugated two‐dimensional phthalocyanine layers of 1 and 2 with an exchange interaction of J /k _B=−0.9 and −1.1 K, respectively, and in the π‐stacking {[In^IIIBr(Pc^.3−)]^.−}₂ dimers of 3 with an exchange interaction of J /k _B=−10.8 K. The salts show intense electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals attributed to Pc^.3−. It was found that increasing the size of the central metal atom strongly broadened these EPR signals.     

A Nickel Complex Containing a Pyramidalized,Ambiphilic Pincer Germylene Ligand

Reaction of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-stabilized PGeP-type germylene Ge{o-(PiPr₂)C₆H₄}₂⋅^MeIiPr ( 1 ) (^MeIiPr=1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) with Ni(cod)₂ gave pincer germylene complex Ni[Ge{o-(PiPr₂)C₆H₄}₂](^MeIiPr) ( 2 ), in which the Ge center of 2 is significantly pyramidalized. Theoretical calculation on 2 predicted the ambiphilicity of the germanium center, which was confirmed by reactivity studies. Thus, complex 2 reacted with both Lewis base ^MeIMe (^MeIMe=1,3,4,5-tetramethylimidazol-2-ylidene) and Lewis acid BH₃⋅SMe₂ at the germanium center to afford the adducts Ni[Ge{o-(PiPr₂)C₆H₄}₂⋅^MeIMe](^MeIiPr) ( 3 ) and Ni[Ge{o-(PiPr₂)C₆H₄}₂⋅BH₃](^MeIiPr) ( 4 ), respectively. Furthermore, the former was slowly converted to dinuclear complex Ni₂[Ge{o-(PiPr₂)C₆H₄}₂]₂(^MeIMe)₂ ( 5 ) at room temperature. Complex 5 can be regarded as a dimer of the ^MeIMe analog of 2 with a Ni-Ge-Ge-Ni linkage.     

In Situ Metal-Assisted Ligand Modification Induces Mn4 Cluster-to-Cluster Transformation: A Crystallography,Mass Spectrometry,and DFT Study

Dehydration of (S,S)-1,2-bis(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diol (H₄L) to (Z)-1,2-bis(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)ethenol) (H₃L′) was found to be metal-assisted, occurs under solvothermal conditions (H₂O/CH₃OH), and leads to [Mn^II₄(H₃L)₄Cl₂]Cl₂ ⋅ 5 H₂O ⋅ 5 CH₃OH ( Mn₄L₄ ) and [Mn^II₄(H₂L′)₆(μ₃-OH)]Cl ⋅ 4 CH₃OH ⋅ H₂O ( Mn₄L′₆ ), respectively. Their structures were determined by single-crystal XRD. Extensive ESI-MS studies on solutions and solids of the reaction led to the proposal consisting of an initial stepwise assembly of Mn₄L₄ from the reactants via [MnL] and [Mn₂L₂] below 80 °C, and then disassembly to [MnL] and [MnL₂] followed by ligand modification before reassembly to Mn₄L′₆ via [MnL′], [MnL′₂], and [Mn₂L′₃] with increasing solvothermal temperature up to 140 °C. Identification of intermediates [Mn₄L_xL′_6−x] (x=5, 4, 3, 2, 1) in the process further suggested an assembly/disassembly/in situ reaction/reassembly transformation mechanism. These results not only reveal that multiple phase transformations are possible even though they were not realized in the crystalline state, but also help to better understand the complex transformation process between coordination clusters during “black-box” reactions.     

Protonation versus Oxonium Salt Formation: Basicity and Stability Tuning of Cyanoborate Anions

Anhydrous H[BH₂(CN)₂] crystallizes from acidic aqueous solutions of the dicyanodihydridoborate anion. The formation of H[BH₂(CN)₂] is surprising as the protonation of nitriles requires strongly acidic and anhydrous conditions but it can be rationalized based on theoretical data. In contrast, [BX(CN)₃]⁻ (X=H, F) gives the expected oxonium salts (H₃O)[BX(CN)₃] while (H₃O)[BF₂(CN)₂]/H[BF₂(CN)₂] is unstable. H[BH₂(CN)₂] forms chains via N−H⋅⋅⋅N bonds in the solid state and melts at 54 °C. Solutions of H[BH₂(CN)₂] in the room‐temperature ionic liquid [EMIm][BH₂(CN)₂] contain the [(NC)H₂BCN−H⋅⋅⋅NCBH₂(CN)]⁻ anion and are unusually stable, which enabled the study of selected spectroscopic and physical properties. [(NC)H₂BCN−H⋅⋅⋅NCBH₂(CN)]⁻ slowly gives H₂ and [(NC)H₂BCN−BH(CN)₂]⁻. The latter compound is a source of the free Lewis acid BH(CN)₂, as shown by the generation of [BHF(CN)₂]⁻ and BH(CN)₂⋅py.     

Two threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks based on a flexible imidazole‐containing ligand and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate

The open‐chain polyether‐bridged flexible ligand 1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane (L) has been used to create two two‐dimensional coordination polymers under hydrothermal reaction of L with Cd^II or Co^II, in the presence of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc). In poly[[(μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato){μ‐1,2‐bis[2‐(1H‐1,3‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)phenoxy]ethane}cadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (I), and the cobalt(II) analogue {[Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₂₂H₂₂N₄O₂)]·2H₂O}_n, (II), the Cd^II and Co^II cations are six‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from two different bdc²⁻ dianions in a chelating mode and two N atoms from two distinct L ligands. The metal ions, bdc²⁻ dianions and L ligands each sit across crystallographic twofold axes. The bdc²⁻ coordination mode and the coordinating orientation of the L ligand play an important role in constructing the novel two‐dimensional framework. Complexes (I) and (II) are threefold interpenetrated two‐dimensional frameworks; their structures are almost isomorphous, while the bond lengths, angles and hydrogen bonds are different in (I) and (II).     

Experimental and Computational Studies on Quadruply Bonded Dimolybdenum Complexes with Terminal and Bridging Hydride Ligands

This contribution focuses on complex [Mo₂(H)₂(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂] ( 1 ) and tetrahydrofuran and pyridine adducts [Mo₂(H)₂(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂(L)₂] ( 1⋅thf and 1⋅py ), which contain a trans-(H)Mo≣Mo(H) core (Ad^Dipp2=HC(NDipp₂)₂; Dipp=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃). Computational studies provide insights into the coordination and electronic characteristics of the central trans-Mo₂H₂ unit of 1 , with four-coordinate, fourteen-electron Mo atoms and ϵ-agostic interactions with Dipp methyl groups. Small size C- and N-donors give rise to related complexes 1⋅L but only one molecule of P-donors, for example, PMe₃, can bind to 1 , causing one of the hydrides to form a three-centered, two-electron (3c-2e) Mo-H→Mo bond ( 2⋅PMe₃ ). A DFT analysis of the terminal and bridging hydride coordination to the Mo≣Mo bond is also reported, along with reactivity studies of the Mo−H bonds of these complexes. Reactions investigated include oxidation of 1⋅thf by silver triflimidate, AgNTf₂, to afford a monohydride [Mo₂(μ-H)(μ-NTf₂)(μ-Ad^Dipp2)₂] ( 4 ), with an O,O’-bridging triflimidate ligand.     

Room-Temperature Solid-State Transformation of Na4SnS4 ⋅ 14H2O into Na4Sn2S6 ⋅ 5H2O: An Unusual Epitaxial Reaction Including Bond Formation,Mass Transport,and Ionic Conductivity

A highly unusual solid-state epitaxy-induced phase transformation of Na₄SnS₄ ⋅ 14H₂O ( I ) into Na₄Sn₂S₆ ⋅ 5H₂O ( II ) occurs at room temperature. Ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations indicate an internal acid-base reaction to form [SnS₃SH]³⁻ which condensates to [Sn₂S₆]⁴⁻. The reaction involves a complex sequence of O−H bond cleavage, S²⁻ protonation, Sn−S bond formation and diffusion of various species while preserving the crystal morphology. In situ Raman and IR spectroscopy evidence the formation of [Sn₂S₆]⁴⁻. DFT calculations allowed assignment of all bands appearing during the transformation. X-ray diffraction and in situ ¹H NMR demonstrate a transformation within several days and yield a reaction turnover of ≈0.38 %/h. AIMD and experimental ionic conductivity data closely follow a Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann type T dependence with D(Na)=6×10⁻¹⁴ m² s⁻¹ at T=300 K with values increasing by three orders of magnitude from −20 to +25 °C.     

Front Cover: Water-Solvation-Dependent Spin Transitions in Cobalt(II)-Octacyanidometallate Complexes (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 30/2023)

The spin-crossover (SCO) and charge-transfer (CT) phenomena, the switching processes between two distinguishable magnetic states, are promising for developing materials capable of sophisticated memory and sensing functionalities. The majority of SCO systems are based on iron(II) complexes. However, cobalt(II)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine (terpy) systems emerge as a promising alternative. In this work, new complex salts [Co^II(terpy)₂]₂[Mo^IV(CN)₈] ⋅ 15H₂O, Co₂Mo (H₂O), and [Co^II(terpy)₂]₃[W^V(CN)₈]₂ ⋅ 12H₂O, Co₃W₂ (H₂O) were synthesized and physiochemically characterized. Structural studies for both compounds revealed [Co(terpy)₂]²⁺ layers pillared by octacyanidometallate anions and completed with water molecules between them. Magnetic studies confirmed that the (de)solvated phases of both complexes exhibit partial SCO on the cobalt(II) centers: Co^II−LS (S_Co(II)-LS=¹/₂)↔Co^II−HS (S_Co(II)-HS=³/₂). Moreover, handling dehydrated samples in a high-humidity environment leads to partial recovery of previous magnetic properties via humidity-induced SCO for Co₂Mo : Co^II−HS→Co^II−LS, and the new phenomenon of isothermal humidity-activated charge-transfer-induced spin transition, which we define here as HACTIST, for Co₃W₂ : Co^II−HS⋅⋅⋅W^V (S_Co(II)-HS=³/₂ and S_W(V)=¹/₂)→Co^III−LS⋅⋅⋅W^IV (S_W(IV)=0 and S_Co(III)-LS=0). These comprehensive studies shed light on the water-solvation-dependent spin transitions in Co(II)-octacyanidometallate(IV/V) complexes.     

Asymmetric Synthesis of Novel Ferrocenyl Ligands with Planar and Central Chirality

A stereogenic center at the position β to the metallocene backbone is present in ferrocenyl ligands 2 , which are interesting for asymmetric catalysis. These planar-chiral compounds are accessible for the first time by a highly diastereoselective and enantioselective synthesis (de=93–97 %; ee≥96 %) from the ferrocenyl ketones 1 . A variety of donor groups (E¹=Ph₂P⋅BH₃, SMe, SiPr; E²=SMe, STol, SePh, Ph₂P⋅BH₃, iPr₂P⋅BH₃) can be introduced as electrophiles. Tol=tolyl=CH₃C₆H₄.     

Saccharified Uranyl Ions: Self-Assembly of UO22+ into Trinuclear Anionic Complexes by the Coordination of Glucosamine-Derived Schiff Bases

The reaction of UO₂(OAc)₂ ⋅ 2H₂O with the biologically inspired ligand 2-salicylidene glucosamine (H₂ L¹ ) results in the formation of the anionic trinuclear uranyl complex [(UO₂)₃(μ₃-O)( L¹ )₃]²⁻ ( 1 ²⁻), which was isolated in good yield as its Cs-salt, [Cs]₂ 1 . Recrystallization of [Cs]₂ 1 in the presence of 18-crown-6 led to formation of a neutral ion pair of type [M(18-crown-6)]₂ 1 , which was also obtained for the alkali metal ions Rb⁺ and K⁺ (M=Cs, Rb, K). The related ligand, 2-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene) glucosamine (H₂ L² ) in a similar procedure with Cs⁺ gave the corresponding complex [Cs(18-crown-6)]₂[(UO₂)₃(μ₃-O)( L² )₃ ([Cs(18-crown-6)]₂ 2 ). From X-ray investigations, the [(UO₂)₃O( Lⁿ )₃]²⁻ anion (n=1, 2) in each complex is a discrete trinuclear uranyl species that coordinates to the alkali metal ion via three uranyl oxygen atoms. The coordination behavior of H₂ L¹ and H₂ L² towards UO₂²⁺ was investigated by NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, revealing the in situ formation of the 1 ²⁻ and 2 ²⁻dianions in solution.     

A two‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer based on 5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalic acid: poly[[tetraaquabis[μ3‐5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalato]dicadmium(II)] pentahydrate]

The title Cd^II compound, {[Cd₂(C₁₃H₇NO₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·5H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O and 5‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)isophthalic acid (H₂L). The asymmetric unit contains two crystallographically independent Cd^II cations, two deprotonated L²⁻ ligands, four coordinated water molecules and five isolated water molecules. One of the Cd^II cations adopts a six‐coordinate octahedral coordination geometry involving three O atoms from one bidentate chelating and one monodentate carboxylate group of two different L²⁻ ligands, one N atom of another L²⁻ ligand and two coordinated water molecules. The second Cd^II cation adopts a seven‐coordinate pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry involving four O atoms from two bidentate chelating carboxylate groups of two different L²⁻ ligands, one N atom of another L²⁻ ligand and two coordinated water molecules. Each L²⁻ ligand bridges three Cd^II cations and, likewise, each Cd^II cation connects to three L²⁻ ligands, giving rise to a two‐dimensional graphite‐like 6³ layer structure. These two‐dimensional layers are further linked by O—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. The photoluminescence properties of the title compound were also investigated.     

Slow Magnetic Relaxation,Antiferromagnetic Ordering,and Metamagnetism in MnII(H2dapsc)-FeIII(CN)6 Chain Complex with Highly Anisotropic Fe-CN-Mn Spin Coupling

Reactions of [Mn(H₂dapsc)Cl₂] ⋅ H₂O (dapsc=2,6- diacetylpyridine bis(semicarbazone)) with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] and (PPh₄)₃[Fe(CN)₆] lead to the formation of the chain polymeric complex {[Mn(H₂dapsc)][Fe(CN)₆][K(H₂O)_3.5]}_n ⋅ 1.5n H₂O ( 1 ) and the discrete pentanuclear complex {[Mn(H₂dapsc)]₃[Fe(CN)₆]₂(H₂O)₂} ⋅ 4 CH₃OH ⋅ 3.4 H₂O ( 2 ), respectively. In the crystal structure of 1 the high-spin [Mn^II(H₂dapsc)]²⁺ cations and low-spin hexacyanoferrate(III) anions are assembled into alternating heterometallic cyano-bridged chains. The K⁺ ions are located between the chains and are coordinated by oxygen atoms of the H₂dapsc ligand and water molecules. The magnetic structure of 1 is built from ferrimagnetic chains, which are antiferromagnetically coupled. The complex exhibits metamagnetism and frequency-dependent ac magnetic susceptibility, indicating single-chain magnetic behavior with a Mydosh-parameter φ=0.12 and an effective energy barrier (U_eff/k_B) of 36.0 K with τ₀=2.34×10⁻¹¹ s for the spin relaxation. Detailed theoretical analysis showed highly anisotropic intra-chain spin coupling between [Fe^III(CN)₆]³⁻ and [Mn^II(H₂dapsc)]²⁺ units resulting from orbital degeneracy and unquenched orbital momentum of [Fe^III(CN)₆]³⁻ complexes. The origin of the metamagnetic transition is discussed in terms of strong magnetic anisotropy and weak AF interchain spin coupling.     

Nestlike Silver(I) Thiolate Clusters with Tunable Emission Color Templated by Heteroanions

Four silver thiolate clusters, [H₃O][(Ag₃S₃)(BF₄)@Ag₂₇(tBuS)₁₈(hfac)₆H₂O] ⋅ H₂O ( 1 ; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone), [(Ag₃S₃)(CF₃CO₂)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ CF₃CO₂ ⋅ 4 CH₃CN ( 2 ), [(Ag₃S₃)(MoO₄)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ 2 CH₃CN ( 3 ), and [(Ag₃S₃)(CrO₄)@Ag₃₀(tBuS)₁₆(CF₃CO₂)₉(CH₃CN)₄] ⋅ 4 CH₃CN ( 4 ), were isolated. They have similar nestlike structures assembled by an [Ag₃S₃]³⁻ template together with one of the BF₄⁻, CF₃CO₂⁻, MoO₄²⁻, or CrO₄²⁻ anions. Interestingly, the solid-state emissions of 2 – 4 are dependent on the templating anions and are tunable from green to orange and then to red by changing the template from CF₃CO₂⁻ to MoO₄²⁻ and to CrO₄²⁻, and this may be correlated to the charge transfer between these templates to metal atoms. This work helps to understand the templating role of heteroanions and the relationship between structure and properties.     

Structural characterization,thermal stability,and solvent de-/ad-sorption behavior of two d10 M(II) (M = Cd and Zn) coordination polymers constructed by 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylsulfanyl-methyl)-2,4,6-trimethyl-benzene (L1)

Two d¹⁰ M(II) (M = Cd and Zn) coordination polymers (CPs) with chemical formulas, {[Cd(L¹)(NCS)₂(H₂O)]⋅C₂H₅OH}_n (1) , and {[Zn(L¹)(NCS)₂]⋅C₂H₅OH⋅0.5H₂O}_n (2) (L¹ = 1,3,5-tris(4-pyridylsulfanylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene) were synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal x-ray diffraction method. In compound 1 , the coordination environment of Cd(II) ion is distorted octahedral bonded to three nitrogen donors from three L¹ ligands located in a facial-position, two nitrogen donors from NCS⁻ and one water molecule. The L¹ acts as a bridge ligand with tris-monodentate coordination mode in a cis-cis-cis structural conformation, connecting the Cd(II) to form a two-dimensional (2D) zigzag-like layered metal-organic frameworks. Adjacent 2D layers are then arranged orderly in an ABAB manner to complete its three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular architecture. In compound 2 , the coordination environment of Zn(II) ion is distorted tetrahedral bonded to two nitrogen donors from two L¹ ligands and two nitrogen donors from two NCS⁻ ligands. The L¹ acts as a bridge ligand with bis-monodentate coordination mode in a cis-cis-cis structural conformation, connecting the Zn(II) ions to form a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag-like polymeric chain. Adjacent chains are arranged orderly in an alternate ABAB manner to generate a 2D framework and then further arranged in an AAA manner to complete its 3D supramolecular architecture. The structural characterization as well as thermal-stability and solvents de-/ad-sorption behavior of 1 and 2 are studied and discussed in details.     

A novel cadmium(II) coordination polymer with biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetra­carboxylic acid and 4,4′‐bipyridine

A novel cadmium(II) coordination polymer, poly[[[bis­(4,4′‐bipyridine)cadmium(II)]‐μ₃‐4,4′‐dicarboxy­biphenyl‐3,3′‐di­carboxyl­ato] 0.35‐hydrate], {[Cd(C₁₆H₈O₈)(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]·0.35H₂O}_n, was obtained by reaction of Cd(CH₃COO)₂·3H₂O, 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bpy) and biphenyl‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetra­car­boxylic acid (H₄L) under hydro­thermal conditions. Each Cd^II atom lies at the centre of a distorted octa­hedron, coordinated by four O atoms from three H₂L²⁻ ligands and N atoms from two monodentate 4,4′‐bpy ligands. Each H₂L²⁻ ligand coordinates to three Cd^II atoms through two carboxyl­ate groups, one acting as a bridging bidentate ligand and the other in a chelating bidentate fashion. Two Cd atoms, two H₂L²⁻ anions and four 4,4′‐bpy ligands form a ring dimer node, which links into an extended broad zonal one‐dimensional chain along the c axis.     

Direct Conversion of Benzothiadiazole to Benzimidazole: New Benzimidazole-Derived Metal–Organic Frameworks with Adjustable Honeycomb-Like Cavities

Up to now, the direct conversion of the thiadiazole ring to other heterocyclic rings has been a very challenging task. Herein, a Cd^II-mediated alcohol-substitution strategy for direct conversion from benzothiadiazole to benzimidazole is reported. Experimental and molecular modeling studies on the role of the chelated metal ion in this in situ alcohol-substitution reaction revealed that it serves as an all-rounder that is involved in the insertion of alcohol, activation of the thiadiazole ring by coordinative interaction, and the sulfur-extrusion process. Interestingly, the insertion of alcohol occurs much earlier than the sulfur-extrusion process, supported by a water-mediated proton-transfer process. This strategy also is suitable for constructing new benzimidazole-derived MOFs [Cd₂(HMBIDC²⁻)₂] ⋅ 4 H₂O ( Cd-BID-MOF-1 , HMBIDC²⁻=2-methyl-1H-benzimidazole-4,7-dicarboxylate) and [Cd₂(HPBIDC²⁻)₂] ⋅ 1/3 H₂O ( Cd-BID-MOF-2 , HPBIDC²⁻=2-(3-hydroxypropyl)-2H-benzimidazole-4,7-dicarboxylate). Because the terminal hydroxyl group on the imidazole ring protrudes into the circular channel in rhombohedral Cd-BID-MOF-2 , the cavity is closer to hydrophilic than the honeycomb-like cavity in Cd-BID-MOF-1 with similar 3D structure. This rare observation will provide a new strategy to develop in situ ligand-reaction synthesis of functional MOFs and useful chelation-assisted catalytic reactions in heteroaromatic chemistry.     

Crystal Structures,Magnetic Properties and Catecholase‐Like Activities of μ‐Alkoxo‐μ‐Carboxylato Double Bridged Dinuclear and Tetranuclear Copper(II) Complexes

One μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐carboxylato bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(L¹)(μ‐C₆H₅CO₂)] ( 1 )(H₃L¹ = 1,3‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐2‐propanol)), and two μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐dicarboxylato doubly‐bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu₄(L¹)₂(μ‐C₈H₁₀O₄)(DMF)₂]·H₂O ( 2 ) and [Cu₄(L²)₂(μ‐C₅H₆O₄]·2H₂O·2CH₃CN ( 3 ) (H₃L² = 1,3‐bis(5‐bromo‐salicylideneamino)‐2‐propanol)) have been prepared and characterized. The single crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the structure of complex 1 is dimeric with two adjacent copper(II) atoms bridged by μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐carboxylato ligands where the Cu···Cu distances and Cu‐O(alkoxo)‐Cu angles are 3.5 11 Å and 132.8°, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 consist of a μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐dicarboxylato doubly‐bridged tetranuclear Cu(II) complex with mean Cu‐Cu distances and Cu‐O‐Cu angles of 3.092 Å and 104.2° for 2 and 3.486 Å and 129.9° for 3 , respectively. Magnetic measurements reveal that 1 is strong antiferromagnetically coupled with 2J =‐210 cm^?1 while 2 and 3 exhibit ferromagnetic coupling with 2J = 126 cm^?1 and 82 cm^?1 (averaged), respectively. The 2J values of 1–3 are correlated to dihedral angles and the Cu‐O‐Cu angles. Dependence of the pH at 25 °C on the reaction rate of oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (3,5‐DTBC) to the corresponding quinone (3,5‐DTBQ) catalyzed by 1–3 was studied. Complexes 1–3 exhibit catecholase‐like active at above pH 8 and 25 °C for oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol.