Supramolecular nanostructured assemblies of different types of porphyrins with fullerene using TiO2 nanoparticles for light energy conversion

TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified with porphyrin derivatives, 5-[4-benzoic acid]-10,15,20-tris[3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl]-21H,23H-porphyrin (Ar-H₂P-COOH), 5-[4-benzoic acid]-10,20-tris[3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl]-21H,23H-porphyrin (H-H₂P-COOH), and 5,10,15,20-tetra[4-benzoic acid]-21H,23H-porphyrin (H₂P-4COOH). The porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles were deposited on nanostructured OTE/SnO₂ electrode together with nanoclusters of fullerene (C₆₀) in acetonitrile-toluene (3/1, v/v) using an electrophoretic deposition technique to afford the porphyrin-modified TiO₂ composite electrode denoted as OTE/SnO₂/(porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticle+C₆₀)_n. The porphyrin-modified TiO₂ composite electrodes have efficient light absorbing properties in the visible region, exhibiting the photoactive response under visible light excitation using redox couple. The incident photon-to-photocurrent efficiency (IPCE) values of supramolecular nanostructured electrodes of porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles with fullerene [OTE/SnO₂/(Ar-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n, OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n, and OTE/SnO₂/(H₂P-4COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n] are much larger than those of the reference systems of porphyrin-modified TiO₂ nanoparticles without C₆₀ [OTE/SnO₂/(Ar-H₂P-COO-TiO₂)_n, OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂)_n, and OTE/SnO₂/(H₂P-4COO-TiO₂)_n]. In particular, the maximum IPCE value (41%) is obtained for OTE/SnO₂/(H-H₂P-COO-TiO₂+C₆₀)_n under the bias potential of 0.2 V versus SCE. This indicates that the formation of supramolecular complexes between porphyrins and fullerene on TiO₂ nanoparticles plays an important role in improvement of the light energy conversion properties.     

Reactivity of 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine with [Re2(CO)8(CH3CN)2]: Molecular structures of [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)] and [Re2(CO)8(C14H10N4)Re2(CO)8]

The reaction of the labile compound [Re₂(CO)₈(CH₃CN)₂] with 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine in dichloromethane solution at reflux temperature afforded the structural dirhenium isomers [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)] (1 and 2), and the complex [Re₂(CO)₈(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)Re₂(CO)₈] (3). In 1, the ligand is σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated to a Re(CO)₃ fragment through pyridine and pyrazine to form a five-membered chelate ring. A seven-membered ring is obtained for isomer 2 by N-coordination of the 2-pyridyl groups while the pyrazine ring remains uncoordinated. For 2, isomers 2a and 2b are found in a dynamic equilibrium ratio [2a]/[2b]  =  7 in solution, detected by ¹H NMR (−50 °C, CD₃COCD₃), coalescence being observed above room temperature. The ligand in 3 behaves as an 8e-donor bridge bonding two Re(CO)₃ fragments through two (σ,σ′-N,N′) interactions. When the reaction was carried out in refluxing tetrahydrofuran, complex [Re₂(CO)₆(C₁₄H₁₀N₄)₂] (4) was obtained in addition to compounds 1-3. The dinuclear rhenium derivative 4 contains two units of the organic ligand σ,σ′-N,N′-coordinated in a chelate form to each rhenium core. The X-ray crystal structures for 1 and 3 are reported.     

On the microstructure and symmetry of apparently hexagonal BaAl2O4

The P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ at room temperature has been carefully re-investigated by a combined transmission electron microscopy and neutron powder diffraction study. It is shown that the poor fit of this P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) structure model for BaAl₂O₄ to neutron powder diffraction data is primarily due to the failure to take into account coherent scattering between different domains related by enantiomorphic twinning of the P6₃22 parent sub-structure. Fast Fourier transformation of [0 0 1] lattice images from small localized real space regions (∼10 nm in diameter) are used to show that the P6₃ (a=2a_p, b=2b_p, c=c_p) crystal structure reported for BaAl₂O₄ is not correct on the local scale. The correct local symmetry of the very small nano-domains is most likely orthorhombic or monoclinic.     

Phase transitions in K3AlF6

Phase transitions in the elpasolite-type K₃AlF₆ complex fluoride were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, electron diffraction and X-ray powder diffraction. Three phase transitions were identified with critical temperatures , and . The α-K₃AlF₆ phase is stable below T₁ and crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a=18.8588(2)Å, b=34.0278(2)Å, c=18.9231(1)Å, β=90.453(1)° (a=2a_c−c_c, b=4b_c, c=a_c+2c_c; a_c, b_c, c_c—the basic lattice vectors of the face-centered cubic elpasolite structure) and space group I2/a or Ia. The intermediate β phase exists only in very narrow temperature interval between T₁ and T₂. The γ polymorph is stable in the T₂<T<T₃ temperature range and has an orthorhombic unit cell with a=36.1229(6)Å, b=17.1114(3)Å, c=12.0502(3)Å (a=3a_c−3c_c, b=2b_c, c=a_c+c_c) at 250 °C and space group Fddd. Above T₃ the cubic δ polymorph forms with a_c=8.5786(4)Å at 400 °C and space group . The similarity between the K₃AlF₆ and K₃MoO₃F₃ compounds is discussed.     

Novel sandwich complexes of zirconium [C9H5(SiMe3)2](C5Me4R)ZrCl2 (R = CH3, CH2CH2NMe2): Synthesis and reduction behavior

Novel half-sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂]ZrCl₃ (3) and sandwich [C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂](C₅Me₄R)ZrCl₂ (R = CH₃ (1), CH₂CH₂NMe₂ (2)) complexes were prepared and characterized. The reduction of 2 by Mg in THF lead to (η⁵-C₉H₅(SiMe₃)₂)[η⁵:η²(C,N)-C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂]ZrH (7). The structure of 7 was proved by NMR spectroscopy data. Hydrolysis of 2 resulted in the binuclear complex ([C₅Me₄CH₂CH₂NMe₂]ZrCl₂)₂O (6). The crystal structures of 1 and 6 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Synthesis of water-soluble 2-alkylcyclodextrin-C60 conjugates and their inclusion complexation in aqueous solution

Two β-cyclodextrin-C₆₀ conjugates (3 and 4) with a flexible linker at the secondary face of cyclodextrin are synthesized by a single reaction of 2-(ω-azidoundecanyl)-2-O-heptakis (2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (2) and C₆₀, both of which display satisfactory water solubility. Structural analyses show that 3 is a closed [5,6] aziridinofullerene, whereas 4 is a bis-adduct derivative. Using rhodamine B (RhB) as a guest molecule, the inclusion complexation behavior of 3 was investigated in aqueous solution.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Catalytic oxidation of diorganotin(IV) carboxylates to mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) carboxylates by Ag and structure characterization of the mixed-ligand monoalkyltin(IV) 2-pyridinecarboxylate (2-ClPhCH2)Sn(2-ClPhCO2)(O2CC5H4N-2)2

The complexes of the type (ArCH₂)₂SnO were catalytic-oxygenated by Ag⁺ and yielded mixed-ligand organotin(IV) complexes (ArCH₂)(2-C₅H₄NCO₂)₂(ArCOO)tin(IV) (Ar = C₆H₅ (1), 2-ClC₆H₄ (2), 2-CNC₆H₄ (3), 4-ClC₆H₄ (4), 4-CNC₆H₄ (5), 2-FC₆H₄ (6)). The complexes 1-6 are characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn) spectroscopies. Single X-ray crystal structure analysis has been determined, which reveals that the center tin atom of complex 2 is seven-coordinated geometry.     

Hydroxy- and boronic-acid-functionalized carbosilanes: Synthesis and solid state structure of Si(C6H4-4-SiMe2((CH2)3OH))4

Consecutive synthesis methodologies for the preparation of carbosilanes (Ph)(Me)Si((CH₂)₃B(OH)₂)₂ (2), Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe₂((CH₂)₃B(OH)₂))₄ (5), (Ph)(Me)Si((CH₂)₃OH)₂ (3), and Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe_3−n((CH₂)₃OH)_n)₄ (6a, n = 1; 6b, n = 2; 6c, n = 3) are reported. Boronic acids 2 and 5 are accessible by treatment of (Ph)(Me)Si(CH₂CHCH₂)₂ (1) or Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe₂(CH₂CHCH₂))₄ (4a) with HBBr₂·SMe₂ followed by addition of water, while 3 and 6 are available by the hydroboration of 1 or Si(C₆H₄-4-SiMe_3−n(CH₂CHCH₂)_n)₄ (4a, n = 1; 4b, n = 2; 4c, n = 3) with H₃B·SMe₂ and subsequent oxidation with H₂O₂.The single molecular structure of 6a in the solid state is reported. Representative is that 6a crystallized in the chiral non-centrosymmetric space group P2₁2₁2₁ forming 2D layers due to intermolecular hydrogen bond formation of the HO functionalities along the crystallographic a and c axes.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.     

Syntheses of platinum(II) complexes of cyclo-octenyl group and isolation of a self-assembled oxo-bridged macrocyclic complex [Pt4(Spy)4(C8H12-O-C8H12)2]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (1) (C₈H₁₂OMe = 8-methoxy-cyclooct-4-ene-1-yl) with various anionic chalcogenolate ligands have been investigated. The reaction of 1 with Pb(Spy)₂ (HSpy = pyridine-2-thiol) yielded a binuclear complex [Pt₂(Spy)₂(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (2). A trinuclear complex [Pt₃(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂OMe)₂] (3) was isolated by a reaction between 2 and [Pt(Spy)₂]_n. The reaction of 1 with HSpy in the presence of NaOMe generated 2 and its demethylated oxo-bridged tetranuclear complex [Pt₄(Spy)₄(C₈H₁₂-O-C₈H₁₂)₂] (4). Treatment of 1 with ammonium diisopropyldithiophosphate completely replaced C₈H₁₂OMe resulting in [Pt(S₂P{OPrⁱ}₂)₂] (5), whereas non-rigid 5-membered chelating ligand, Me₂NCH₂CH₂E⁻, produced mononuclear complexes [Pt(ECH₂CH₂NMe₂)(C₈H₁₂OMe)] (E = S (6), Se (7)). These complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, ¹⁹⁵Pt{¹H}) and absorption spectroscopy. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 were established by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Thermolysis of 2, 6 and 7 in HDA gave platinum nanoparticles.     

Modeling the platinum-catalyzed intermolecular hydroamination of ethylene: The nucleophilic addition of HNEt2 to coordinated ethylene in trans-PtBr2(C2H4)(HNEt2)

Compound trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (1) has been synthesized by Et₂NH addition to K[PtBr₃(C₂H₄)] and structurally characterized. Its isomer cis-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(NHEt₂) (3) has been obtained from 1 by photolytic dissociation of ethylene, generating the dinuclear trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)]₂ intermediate (2), followed by thermal re-addition of C₂H₄, but only in low yields. The addition of further Et₂NH to 1 in either dichloromethane or acetone yields the zwitterionic complex trans-Pt⁽⁻⁾Br₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂) (4) within the time of mixing in an equilibrated process, which shifts toward the product at lower temperatures (ΔH° = −6.8 ± 0.5 kcal/mol, ΔS° = 14.0 ± 2.0 e.u., from a variable temperature IR study). ¹H NMR shows that free Et₂NH exchanges rapidly with H-bonded amine in a 4·NHEt₂ adduct, slowly with the coordinated Et₂NH in 1, and not at all (on the NMR time scale) with Pt-NHEt₂ or -CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ in 4. No evidence was obtained for deprotonation of 4 to yield an aminoethyl derivative trans-[PtBr₂(NHEt₂)(CH₂CH₂NEt₂)]⁻ (5), except as an intermediate in the averaging of the diasteretopic methylene protons of the CH₂CH₂N⁽⁺⁾HEt₂ ligand of 4 in the higher polarity acetone solvent. Computational work by DFT attributes this phenomenon to more facile ion pair dissociation of 5·Et₂NH₂⁺, obtained from 4·Et₂NH, facilitating inversion at the N atom. Complex 4 is the sole observable product initially but slow decomposition occurs in both solvents, though in different ways, without observable generation of NEt₃. Addition of TfOH to equilibrated solutions of 4, 1 and excess Et₂NH leads to partial protonolysis to yield NEt₃ but also regenerates 1 through a shift of the equilibrium via protonation of free Et₂NH. The DFT calculations reveal also a more favourable coordination (stronger Pt-N bond) of Et₂NH relative to PhNH₂ to the Pt^II center, but the barriers of the nucleophilic additions of Et₂NH to the C₂H₄ ligand in 1 and of PhNH₂ to trans-PtBr₂(C₂H₄)(PhNH₂) (1a) are predicted to be essentially identical for the two systems.     

Synthesis and reactivity of para-substituted benzoylmethyltellurium(II and IV) compounds: observation of intermolecular C-H-O hydrogen bonding in the crystal structure of (p-MeOC6H4COCH2)2TeBr2

Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dibromides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂, (Y=H (1a), Me (1b), MeO (1c)) can be prepared either by direct insertion of elemental Te across C_Rf-Br bonds (where C_Rf refers to α-carbon of a functionalized organic moiety) or by the oxidative addition of bromine to (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂Te (Y=H (2a), Me (2b), MeO (2c)). Bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurium dichlorides, (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeCl₂ (Y=H (3a), Me (3b), MeO (3c)), are prepared by the reaction of the bis(p-substituted benzoylmethyl)tellurides 2a-c with SO₂Cl₂, whereas the corresponding diiodides (p-YC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeI₂ (Y=H (4a), Me (4b), MeO (4c)) can be obtained by the metathetical reaction of 1a-c with KI, or alternatively, by the oxidative addition of iodine to 2a-c. The reaction of 2a-c with allyl bromide affords the diorganotellurium dibromides 1a-c, rather than the expected triorganotelluronium bromides. Compounds 1-4 were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, ¹H, ¹³C and ¹²⁵Te NMR spectroscopy (solution and solid-state) and in case of 1c also by X-ray crystallography. (p-MeOC₆H₄COCH₂)₂TeBr₂ (1c) provides, a rare example, among organotellurium compounds, of a supramolecular architecture, where C-H-O hydrogen bonds appear to be the non-covalent intermolecular associative force that dominates the crystal packing.     

Reactions of bis(alkynyl)silanes with HB(C6F5)2: Formation of boryl-substituted silacyclobutene derivatives

Treatment of R₂Si(CC-SiMe₃)₂ [1a (Me), 1b (Ph)] with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at low temperature (253 K (a), 273 K (b)) gives the -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene products (4a,b) under kinetic control. Upon warming to room temperature they disappear to form the thermodynamically favoured isomeric silole derivatives (2a,b). Similar treatment of Me₂Si(CC-R¹)₂ [5a (R¹ = Ph), 5b (R¹ = tert-butyl) with HB(C₆F₅)₂ at room temperature gave the stable -B(C₆F₅)₂ substituted silacyclobutene derivatives 6 and 7, respectively. Subsequent photolysis resulted in a Z- to E-isomerization of the substituted exocyclic CC double bonds in these products. The silacyclobutene derivative E-6 was characterized by an X-ray crystal structure analysis.     

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}-Zr{RN(CH2)3NR}, structural analyses of rac-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C5H3)2}Zr{RN(CH2)3NR} (where R is SiMe3 or Ph), and meso to rac isomerization

Syntheses of rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{Me₃SiN(CH₂)₃NSiMe₃} (rac-3/meso-3) and rac/meso-{PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂}Zr{PhN(CH₂)₃NPh} (rac-4/meso-4) were achieved by metallation of K₂[PhP(3-t-Bu-C₅H₃)₂] · 1.3 THF (2) with Zr{RN(CH₂)₃NR}Cl₂(THF)₂ (where R = SiMe₃ or Ph, respectively) using ethereal solvent. These isomeric pairs were characterized by ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy; rac-3 and rac-4 were also examined via single crystal X-ray crystallography. The structures of rac-3 and rac-4 are notable in the tendency of the cyclopentadienyl rings towards η³ coordination. While isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 slowly isomerize in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ to equilibrium ratios, the isomerization rate for 3 is more than 15-fold greater than that for 4. In addition, equilibrium ratios are rapidly reached when isolated samples of rac-3/meso-3 and rac-4/meso-4 are exposed to tetrabutylammonium chloride in tetrahydrofuran-d₈ solvent. We propose that a nucleophile (either chloride or the phosphine interannular linker) brings about dissociation of one cyclopentadienyl ring, thus promoting the rac/meso isomerization mechanism.     

New organomercury(II) compounds containing intramolecular N → Hg interactions: crystal and molecular structure of [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]HgCl and [2-(Me2NCH2)C6H4]Hg[S(S)PPh2]

[2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]HgCl (1) was prepared by reacting HgCl₂ with [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Li in diethyl ether. The reactions of 1 with the sodium or ammonium salt of the appropriate thiophosphinato ligand, in 1:1 molar ratio, afford the isolation of [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(S)PR₂] [R=Me (2), Et (3), Ph (4)], [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(O)PPh₂] (5) and [2-(Me₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]Hg[S(S)P(OⁱPr)₂] (6). The compounds were investigated by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P) spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 1 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Due to the strong intramolecular coordination of the N atom of the pendant CH₂NMe₂ arm [Hg(1)-N(1) 2.764(6) and 2.725(4) Å in 1 and 4, respectively] both compounds exhibit a T-shaped (C,N)HgX core in the molecular unit, with almost linear arrangement of the covalent bonds [C(1)-Hg(1)-Cl(1) 176.93(18)° in 1, and C(1)-Hg(1)-S(1) 169.54(16)° in 4]. The crystals of 1 contain discrete monomeric molecules, while the crystals of 4 contain dimer associations built through asymmetric bridging dithiophosphinato ligands [Hg(1)-S(1) 2.3911(16) Å, Hg(1)?S(2a) 3.102(2) Å], thus resulting in an overall pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal (or seesaw) (C,N)HgS₂ core, with the nitrogen atom and the weekly bonded sulfur atom in equatorial positions [N(1)-Hg(1)?S(2a) 82.01(10)°].     

Reactivity of a functionalized trisamido ligand with Zr(NMe2)4 and GaMe3

NMR study of the reactivity of multifunctional ligand cis,cis-C₆H₉(NHCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃ (1) with GaMe₃ and Zr(NMe₂)₄ was carried out, yielding [cis,cis-(κ^N-NHCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)(κ^N-NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₂C₆H₉]GaMe (2) and [cis,cis-(NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃C₆H₉]Ga₂Me₃ (3), and [cis,cis-(NCH₂C₆H₄-o-PPh₂)₃C₆H₉]Zr(NMe₂) (4), respectively. The spectral properties of 2 and 3 are very similar to that observed for the equivalent aluminum species already reported, but form at a much slower rate which allows for the observation of a GaMe₃⋅1 adduct. Species 4 undergoes coordination/displacement of one of the phosphine arms, which was observed using both NMR spectroscopy and DFT analyses.     

Chemically modified oximato complexes of titanium(IV) isopropoxide as new precursors for the sol-gel preparation of nano-sized titania: Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC10H16}4·2CH2Cl2]

Reactions of [Ti(OPrⁱ)₄] with various oximes, in anhydrous refluxing benzene yielded complexes of the type [Ti{OPrⁱ}_4−n{L}_n], where, n = 1-4 and LH = (CH₃)₂CNOH (1-4), C₉H₁₆CNOH (5-8) and C₉H₁₈CNOH (9-12). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, FAB-mass, FT-IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C{¹H}) spectral studies. The FAB-mass spectra of mono- (1), and di- (2), (6), (10) substituted products indicate their dimeric nature and that of tri- (3) and tetra- (4), (8) substituted derivatives suggest their monomeric nature. Crystal and molecular structure of [Ti{ONC₁₀H₁₆}₄·2CH₂Cl₂] (8A) suggests that the oximato ligands bind the metal in a dihapto η²-(N, O) manner, leading to the formation of an eight coordinated species. Thermogravimetric curves of (3), (6) and (10) exhibit multi-step decomposition with the formation of TiO₂ as the final product in each case, at 900 °C. Low temperature (∼600 °C) sol-gel transformations of (2), (3), (4), (6), (7) and (8) yielded nano-sized titania (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), respectively. Formation of anatase phase in all the titania samples was confirmed by powder XRD patterns, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. SEM images of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) exhibit formation of nano-grains with agglomer like surface morphologies. Compositions of all the titania samples were investigated by EDX analyses. The absorption spectra of the two representative samples, (a) and (f) indicate an energy band gap of 3.17 eV and 3.75 eV, respectively.     

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl2{meso-o-C6H4(PPhCH2CH2PPh2)2}] with a series of small molecules

Reactions of Mo(II)-tetraphosphine complex [MoCl₂(κ⁴-P4)] (2; P4 = meso-o-C₆H₄(PPhCH₂CH₂PPh₂)₂) with a series of small molecules have been investigated. Thus, treatment of 2 with alkynes RCCR′ (R = Ph, R′ = H; R = p-tolyl, R′ = H; R = Me, R′ = Ph) in benzene or toluene gave neutral mono(alkyne) complexes [MoCl₂(RCCR′)(κ³-P4)] containing tridentate P4 ligand, which were converted to cationic complexes [MoCl(RCCR′)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl having tetradentate P4 ligand upon dissolution into CDCl₃ or CD₂Cl₂. The latter complexes were available directly from the reactions of 2 with the alkynes in CH₂Cl₂. On the other hand, treatment of 2 with 1 equiv. of XyNC (Xy = 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃) afforded a seven-coordinate mono(isocyanide) complex [MoCl₂(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)] (7), which reacted further with XyNC to give a cationic bis(isocyanide) complex [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (8). From the reaction of 2 with CO, a mono(carbonyl) complex [MoCl₂(CO)(κ⁴-P4)] (9) was obtained as a sole isolable product. Reaction of 9 with XyNC afforded [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)]Cl (10a) having a pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with axial CO and XyNC ligands, whereas that of 7 with CO resulted in the formation of a mixture of 10a and its isomer 10b containing axial CO and Cl ligands. Structures of 7 and 9 as well as [MoCl(XyNC)₂(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆](8′) and [MoCl(CO)(XyNC)(κ⁴-P4)][PF₆] (10a′) derived by the anion metathesis from 8 and 10a, respectively, were determined in detail by the X-ray crystallography.     

Assembly of diverse structural types of organotellurium compounds in the reactions of (4-MeO-C6H4)2TeO with pyridine carboxylic acids

The reactions of Ar₂TeO (Ar = 4-MeO-C₆H₄) with 2-, 3- and 4-pyridine carboxylic acids (LH) afforded different organotelluroxane structural types depending on the stoichiometry of the reactants and the conditions of the reaction. Ar₂Te(L)OH (1a-1c) are formed in a 1:1 reaction of Ar₂TeO with LH in the presence of water. On the other hand a 1:2 reaction under anhydrous conditions leads to the formation of Ar₂TeL₂ (2a-2c). A 2:2 reaction under anhydrous conditions affords the ditelluroxanes Ar₂Te(L)OTe(L)Ar₂ (3a-3c) while tritelluroxanes Ar₂Te(L)OTeAr₂OTe(L)Ar₂ (4a-4c) are formed in 3:2 reactions. Interestingly, 3a-3c are formed in the reaction of 2a-2c with Ar₂TeO. The former can be hydrolyzed to 1a-1c while the latter upon reaction with Ar₂TeO lead to the formation of the tritelluroxanes 4a-4c. Attempts to metalate 2a with PdCl₂(MeCN)₂ leads to a transfer of the carboxylate ligand to palladium affording Ar₂TeCl₂ and PdL₂. X-ray crystal structures of representative examples of the family of 1, 2 and 3 reveal interesting supramolecular structures and the formation of a novel [TeO]₂ structural unit. The latter results from intermolecular secondary Te?O interactions.