Novel Nanoscroll Structures from Carbon Nitride Layers

Nanoscrolls (papyrus‐like nanostructures) are very attractive structures for a variety of applications, owing to their tunable diameter and large accessible surface area. They have been successfully synthesized from different materials. In this work, we investigate, through fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, the dynamics of scroll formation for a series of graphene‐like carbon nitride (CN) two‐dimensional systems: g‐CN, triazine‐based g‐C₃N₄, and heptazine‐based g‐C₃N₄. Our results show that stable nanoscrolls can be formed for each of these structures. Possible synthetic routes to produce these nanostructures are also addressed.     

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4): An Interface Enabler for Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries

Solid‐state Li metal batteries (SSLMBs) have attracted considerable interests due to their promising energy density as well as high safety. However, the realization of a well‐matched Li metal/solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) interface remains challenging. Herein, we report g‐C₃N₄ as a new interface enabler. We discover that introducing g‐C₃N₄ into Li metal can not only convert the Li metal/garnet‐type SSE interface from point contact to intimate contact but also greatly enhance the capability to suppress the dendritic Li formation because of the greatly enhanced viscosity, decreased surface tension of molten Li, and the in situ formation of Li₃N at the interface. Thus, the resulting Li‐C₃N₄|SSE|Li‐C₃N₄ symmetric cell gives a significantly low interfacial resistance of 11 Ω cm² and a high critical current density (CCD) of 1500 μA cm^?2. In contrast, the same symmetric cell configuration with pristine Li metal electrodes has a much larger interfacial resistance (428 Ω cm²) and a much lower CCD (50 μA cm^?2).     

An Electrochemical Investigation into a Series of Tricyanovinylated Pyrrole Moieties

The electrochemical behavior of three tri‐cyanovinylated pyrrole species namely, 2‐tricyanovinyl‐pyrrole (C₄H₄N? C₅N₃), 2‐tricyanovinyl‐N‐methylpyrrole (C₅H₆N? C₅N₃) and 2‐tricyanovinyl‐N‐phenylpyrrole (C₁₀H₈N? C₅N₃), has been studied. All compounds were found to exhibit both an irreversible oxidation at more positive potentials compared to the unsubstituted monomer species and a reversible reduction redox couple associated with reduction of the co‐ordinated cyano ligands. The latter reductions of the tricyanovinylated compounds to their radical anions at platinum, carbon and gold electrodes in acetonitrile solution have been studied by cyclic voltammetry, using a variety of supporting electrolytes. The half‐wave potentials for each compound were found to be dependent upon the supporting electrolyte but independent of the nature of the electrode surface. This is attributed to ion‐pairing between the anions and the alkali metal cations. The reduction based redox processes of C₁₀H₈N? C₅N₃ and C₅H₆N? C₅N₃ were found to be facile in nature and independent of both the nature of the electrolyte and electrode surface. However, the reduction of C₄H₄N? C₅N₃ was found to be irreversible in nature. Attempts were made to elucidate, by both electrochemical and spectroscopic means, the structure of the products obtained upon oxidation of the tricyanovinylated compounds.     

Structural studies of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine hetero‐scorpionate copper complexes

The structures of five compounds consisting of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine complexed with copper in both the Cu^I and Cu^II oxidation states are presented, namely chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(I) 0.18‐hydrate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·0.18H₂O, (1), catena‐poly[[copper(I)‐μ₂‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ⁵N,N′,N′′:C²,C³] perchlorate acetonitrile monosolvate], {[Cu(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄·CH₃CN}_n, (2), dichlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) dichloromethane monosolvate, [CuCl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·CH₂Cl₂, (3), chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) perchlorate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄, (4), and di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis({(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II)) bis(tetraphenylborate), [Cu₂Cl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)₂][(C₆H₅)₄B]₂, (5). Systematic variation of the anion from a coordinating chloride to a noncoordinating perchlorate for two Cu^I complexes results in either a discrete molecular species, as in (1), or a one‐dimensional chain structure, as in (2). In complex (1), there are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Complex (2) consists of the Cu^I atom coordinated by the amine and pyridyl N atoms of one ligand and by the vinyl moiety of another unit related by the crystallographic screw axis, yielding a one‐dimensional chain parallel to the crystallographic b axis. Three complexes with Cu^II show that varying the anion composition from two chlorides, to a chloride and a perchlorate to a chloride and a tetraphenylborate results in discrete molecular species, as in (3) and (4), or a bridged bis‐μ‐chlorido complex, as in (5). Complex (3) shows two strongly bound Cl atoms, while complex (4) has one strongly bound Cl atom and a weaker coordination by one perchlorate O atom. The large noncoordinating tetraphenylborate anion in complex (5) results in the core‐bridged Cu₂Cl₂ moiety.     

In situ synthesis of mononuclear copper(II) complexes of the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine

Two mononuclear copper complexes, {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II) perchlorate, [Cu(ClO₄)(C₅H₈N₂)(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)]ClO₄, (I), and {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)copper(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu(C₅H₈N₂)₂(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)](PF₆)₂, (II), have been synthesized by the reactions of different copper salts with the tripodal ligand tris[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (TDPA) in acetone–water solutions at room temperature. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that they contain the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (BDPA), which cannot be obtained by normal organic reactions and has thus been captured in the solid state by in situ synthesis. The coordination of the Cu^II ion is distorted square pyramidal in (I) and distorted trigonal bipyramidal in (II). The new in situ generated tridentate BDPA ligand can act as a meridional or facial ligand during the process of coordination. The crystal structures of these two compounds are stabilized by classical hydrogen bonding as well as intricate nonclassical hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

Cu/Cu2O Electrodes and CO2 Reduction to Formic Acid: Effects of Organic Additives on Surface Morphology and Activity

Copper/copper oxide (Cu/Cu₂O) electrodes are known to display interesting electrocatalytic performances for the reduction of CO₂, and thus, deserve further investigation for optimization. Here, we show that the addition of nitrogen‐based organic additives greatly improves the activity of these electrodes (higher current densities, greater selectivity, and higher faradaic yields). The best effector is found to be tetramethyl cyclam. For example, electrolysis at ?2.0 V versus Fc⁺/Fc in CO₂‐saturated DMF/H₂O (99:1, v/v) in the presence of this effector results in formic acid with almost 90 % faradaic yield. SEM and XPS analysis of the electrode surface reveals that the organic additive promotes the formation of active Cu⁰ nanoparticles from Cu₂O during electrolysis. This simple approach provides a straightforward strategy toward the optimization of Cu/Cu₂O electrodes.     

Organic–inorganic hybrid diblock copolymer composed of poly (ε‐caprolactone) and poly(MA POSS): Synthesis and its nanocomposites with epoxy resin

Organic–inorganic hybrid diblock copolymers composed of poly(ε‐caprolactone) and poly(MA POSS) [PCL‐b‐P(MA POSS)] were synthesized via reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of 3‐methacryloxypropylheptaphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (MA POSS) with dithiobenzoate‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) as the macromolecular chain transfer agent. The dithiobenzoate‐terminated poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL‐CTA) was synthesized via the atom transfer radical reaction of 2‐bromopropionyl‐terminated PCL with bis(thiobenzoyl)disulfide in the presence of the complex of copper (I) bromide with N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine. The results of molecular weights and polydispersity indicate that the polymerizations were in a controlled fashion. The organic–inorganic diblock copolymer was incorporated into epoxy to afford the organic–inorganic nanocomposites. The nanostructures of the organic–inorganic composites were investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy and dynamic mechanical thermal analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the organic–inorganic nanocomposites displayed the increased yields of degradation residues compared to the control epoxy. In the organic–inorganic nanocomposites, the inorganic block [viz., P(MA POSS)] had a tendency to enrich at the surface of the materials and the dewettability of surface for the organic–inorganic nanocomposites were improved in terms of the measurement of surface contact angles. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

A two‐dimensional anionic CdII polymer constructed through dicyanamide coordination bridges

In the search for potential ferroelectric materials, molecular‐based one‐, two‐ and three‐dimensional cadmium(II) organic–inorganic compounds have been of interest as they often display solid–solid phase transitions induced by a variation in temperature. A new cadmium dicyanamide complex, poly[4‐dimethylamino‐1‐ethylpyridin‐1‐ium [tri‐μ‐dicyanamido‐κ⁶N¹:N⁵‐cadmium(II)]], {(C₉H₁₅N₂)[Cd(C₂N₃)₃]}_n, was synthesized by the reaction of 4‐dimethylamino‐1‐ethylpyridin‐1‐ium bromide, cadmium nitrate tetrahydrate and sodium dicyanamide in aqueous solution. In the crystal structure, each Cd^II cation is octahedrally coordinated by six terminal N atoms from six anionic dicyanamide (dca) ligands. Neighbouring Cd^II cations are linked together by dicyanamide bridges to form a two‐dimensional coordination polymer. The organic cations are not involved in the formation of the supramolecular network.     

AgI and CuI binuclear macrocyclic complexes with 1‐(3‐pyridyl)­ethano­ne oxime

Bis­[μ‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)­ethanone oxime‐κ²N:N′]­bis­[nitrato­sil­ver(I)], [Ag₂(NO₃)₂(C₇H₈N₂O)₂], crystallizes as a centrosymmetric binuclear macrocylic complex containing silver(I) ions bridged by the organic 1‐(3‐pyridyl)­ethanone oxime ligand. The ligand coordinates via the pyridine and the oxime N atoms. A similar metal–ligand arrangement was found in the copper(I) complex catena‐poly­[[bis­[μ‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)­ethano­ne oxime‐κ²N:N′]­dicopper(I)]‐di‐μ‐iodo], [Cu₂I₂(C₇H₈N₂O)₂]_n, but here the centrosymmetric macrocycles are connected by double anion bridges, resulting in the formation of a one‐dimensional coordination polymer.     

One‐dimensional copper(II) coordination polymers based on 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane and diimine ligands

Two one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymers (CPs), namely catena‐poly[[[aqua(2,2′‐bipyridine‐κ²N,N′)(nitrato‐κO)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐κ²N:N′] nitrate], {[Cu(NO₃)(C₁₀H₈N₂)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)(H₂O)]·NO₃}_n ( 1 ), and catena‐poly[[[aqua(nitrato‐κO)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane‐κ²N:N′] nitrate], {[Cu(NO₃)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(C₁₃H₁₄N₂)(H₂O)]·NO₃}_n ( 2 ), have been synthesized using [Cu(NO₃)(NN)(H₂O)₂]NO₃, where NN = 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), as a linker in a 1:1 molar ratio. The CPs were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination. The 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)propane (dpp) ligand acts as a bridging ligand, leading to the formation of a 1D polymer. The octahedral coordination sphere around copper consists of two N atoms from bpy for 1 or phen for 2 , two N atoms from dpp, one O atom from water and one O atom from a coordinated nitrate anion. Each structure contains two crystallographically independent chains in the asymmetric unit and the chains are linked via hydrogen bonds into a three‐dimensional network.     

Understanding metal–ligand interactions in coordination polymers using Hirshfeld surface analysis

Properties related to the size and shape of Hirshfeld surfaces provide insight into the nature and strength of interactions among the building blocks of molecular crystals. In this work, we demonstrate that functions derived from the curvatures of the surface at a point, namely, shape index (S) and curvedness (C), as well as the distances from the surface to the nearest external (d_e) and internal (d_i) nuclei, can be used to help understand metal–ligand interactions in coordination polymers. The crystal structure of catena‐poly[[[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)]‐μ‐4‐nitrophthalato‐κ²O¹:O²] trihydrate], {[Cu(C₈H₃NO₆)(C₁₂H₈N₂)]·3H₂O}_n, described here for the first time, was used as a prototypical system for our analysis. Decomposition of the coordination polymer into its metal centre and ligand molecules followed by joint analysis of the Hirshfeld surfaces generated for each part unveil qualitative and semi‐quantitative information that cannot be easily obtained either from conventional crystal packing analysis or from Hirshfeld surface analysis of the entire polymeric units. The shape index function S is particularly sensitive to the coordination details and its mapping on the surface of the metallic centre is highly dependent on the nature of the ligand and the coordination bond distance. Correlations are established between the shape of the Hirshfeld surface of the metal and the geometry of the metal–ligand contacts in the crystals. This could be applied not only to estimate limiting coordination distances in metal–organic compounds, but also to help establish structure–property relationships potentially useful for the crystal engineering of such materials.     

Four copper(II) complexes with potentially tetradentate tripodal ligands

The four title Cu^II compounds are chloro­[(2‐furyl­methyl)­bis(2‐pyridyl­methyl)­amine‐N,N′,N′′]copper(II) perchlorate, [CuCl(C₁₇H₁₇N₃O)]ClO₄, (I), chloro{2‐[bis(2‐pyridyl­methyl)­amino]­ethano­lato‐N,N′,N′′,O}­copper(II) hemi­[tetra­chloro­copper(II)], [CuCl(C₁₄H₁₇N₃O)][CuCl₄]_1/2, (II), chloro­[(2‐morpholino­ethyl)­bis(2‐pyridyl­methyl)­amine‐N,N′,N′′,N′′′]copper(II) perchlorate, [CuCl(C₁₈H₂₄N₄O)]ClO₄, (III), and chloro­[(2‐piperidinyl­ethyl)­bis(2‐pyridyl­methyl)­amine‐N,N′,N′′,N′′′]­copper(II) hexa­fluoro­phosphate, [CuCl(C₁₉H₂₆N₄)]­PF₆, (IV). They have tripodal potentially tetradentate ligands. In (I), the O atom of the furan moiety weakly coordinates to the Cu atom at a distance of 2.750 (3) Å.     

Effect of pH on the charge‐assisted hydrogen‐bonded assembly of the anionic [Cu(oxalate)2]2− building unit and N,N′‐ditopic cations

By the solvothermal reaction under acidic conditions of Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O, Na₂C₂O₄ and the N,N′‐ditopic organic coligands 1‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)piperazine (ppz) and 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpa), two novel anionic copper(II) coordination compounds were obtained, namely the one‐dimensional coordination polymer catena‐poly[4‐(pyridin‐1‐ium‐4‐yl)piperazin‐1‐ium [[(oxalato‐κ²O¹,O²)copper(II)]‐μ‐oxalato‐κ³O¹,O²:O^1′]], {(C₉H₁₅N₃)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂)]}_n or {(H₂ppz)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂]}_n, (I), and the discrete ionic complex 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridinium bis(oxalato‐κ²O¹,O²)copper(II), (C₁₂H₁₄N₂)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂] or (H₂bpa)[Cu(C₂O₄)₂], (II). The products were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses and UV and IR spectroscopic techniques. The [Cu(C₂O₄)₂]²⁻ units for (I) and (II) are stabilized by H₂ppz²⁺ and H₂bpa²⁺ cations, respectively, via charge‐assisted hydrogen bonds. Also, a study of the pH‐controlled synthesis of this system shows that (I) was obtained at pH values of 2–4. When using bpa, a two‐dimensional square‐grid network of [Cu(C₂O₄)(bpa)]_n was obtained at a pH of 4. This indicates that the pH of the reaction also plays a key role in the structural assembly and coordination abilities of oxalate and N,N′‐ditopic coligands.     

Two solvatomorphic forms of a copper complex formulated as Cu(L1)(ClO4)2·1.2H2O and Cu(L1)(ClO4)2, where L1 is 3,10‐C‐meso‐3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14‐octamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane

Two copper complex solvatomorphs, namely (3,10‐C‐meso‐3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14‐octamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane)bis(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II) 1.2‐hydrate, [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₁₈H₄₀N₄)]·1.2H₂O, (I), and (3,10‐C‐meso‐3,5,7,7,10,12,14,14‐octamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane)bis(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₁₈H₄₀N₄)], (II), are described and compared with each other and with a third, already reported, anhydrous diastereomer, denoted (III). Both compounds present very similar centrosymmetic coordination environments, with the Cu^II cation lying on an inversion centre in a distorted 4+2 octahedral environment, defined by the macrocyclic N₄ group in the equatorial sites and two perchlorate groups in trans‐axial positions [one of the perchlorate ligands in (I) is partially disordered]. The most significant difference in molecular shape is seen in the orientation of the perchlorate anions, and the influence of this on the intramolecular hydrogen bonding is discussed. The (partially) hydrated state of (I) favours the formation of chains along [011], while the anhydrous character of (II) and (III) promotes loosely bound structures with low packing indices.     

Structure and spectroscopic properties of the dimeric copper(I) N‐heterocyclic carbene complex [Cu2(CNCt‐Bu)2](PF6)2

In recent years, the use of copper N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes has expanded to fields besides catalysis, namely medicinal chemistry and luminescence applications. In the latter case, multinuclear copper NHC compounds have attracted interest, however, the number of these complexes in the literature is still quite limited. Bis[μ‐1,3‐bis(3‐tert‐butylimidazolin‐2‐yliden‐1‐yl)pyridine]‐1κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′;2κ⁴C²,N:N,C^2′‐dicopper(I) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu₂(C₁₉H₂₅N₅)₂](PF₆)₂, is a dimeric copper(I) complex bridged by two CNC, i.e. bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene)pyridine, ligands. Each Cu^I atom is almost linearly coordinated by two NHC ligands and interactions are observed between the pyridine N atoms and the metal centres, while no cuprophilic interactions were observed. Very strong absorption bands are evident in the UV–Vis spectrum at 236 and 274 nm, and an emission band is observed at 450 nm. The reported complex is a new example of a multinuclear copper NHC complex and a member of a compound class which has only rarely been reported.     

Three transition‐metal complexes with the macrocyclic ligand meso‐5,7,7,12,14,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (L): [Cu(ClO4)2(L)], [Zn(NO3)2(L)] and [CuCl(L)(H2O)]Cl

The three transition‐metal complexes, (meso‐5,7,7,12,14,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐κ⁴N)bis(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(C₁₈H₄₀N₄)], (I), (meso‐5,7,7,12,14,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐κ⁴N)bis(nitrato‐κO)zinc(II), [Zn(NO₃)₂(C₁₈H₄₀N₄)], (II), and aquachlorido(meso‐5,7,7,12,14,14‐hexamethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐κ⁴N)copper(II) chloride, [CuCl(C₁₈H₄₀N₄)(H₂O)]Cl, (III), are described. The molecules display a very similarly distorted 4+2 octahedral environment for the cation [located at an inversion centre in (I) and (II)], defined by the macrocycle N₄ group in the equatorial sites and two further ligands in trans‐axial positions [two O–ClO₃ ligands in (I), two O–NO₂ ligands in (II) and one chloride and one aqua ligand in (III)]. The most significant difference in molecular shape resides in these axial ligands, the effect of which on the intra‐ and intermolecular hydrogen bonding is discussed. In the case of (I), all strong hydrogen‐bond donors are saturated in intramolecular interactions, while weak intermolecular C—H...O contacts result in a three‐dimensional network. In (II) and (III), instead, there are N—H and O—H donors left over for intermolecular interactions, giving rise to the formation of strongly linked but weakly interacting chains.     

A study of novel macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials for counter electrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells

In this study, a newly synthesized macrocyclic copper complex, [Cu(C₁₀H₂₀N₈)(C₄H₈N₄)](BF₄)₂, was used for a reaction with graphene oxide. Macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials were prepared and applied to the counter electrodes (CEs) of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). As the level of the macrocyclic copper complex increased, the catalytic sites on the surface of the CE increased. The results showed that the device efficiency of the composite GO/Cu (1:10) CE was 7.61%, which was better than that of the Platinum (Pt) CE (7.04%). The device efficiency of the DSSC was enhanced effectively because the electrocatalytic activity of the CE was enhanced, and the interface impedance of the device was reduced. Therefore, the macrocyclic copper complex/graphene‐based composite materials may have the potential to replace traditional Pt to increase efficiency and reduce the fabrication cost of DSSCs.     

Oxidative degradation of the organometallic iron(II) complex [Fe{bis[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl]methane}(MeCN)(PMe3)](PF6)2: structure of the ligand decomposition product trapped via coordination to iron(II)

Iron is of interest as a catalyst because of its established use in the Haber–Bosch process and because of its high abundance and low toxicity. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are important ligands in homogeneous catalysis and iron–NHC complexes have attracted increasing attention in recent years but still face problems in terms of stability under oxidative conditions. The structure of the iron(II) complex [1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2‐bi(1H‐imidazole)‐κN³][3,3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1,1′‐methanediylbi(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐κC²)](trimethylphosphane‐κP)iron(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄N₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)(C₃H₉P)](PF₆)₂, features coordination by an organic decomposition product of a tetradentate NHC ligand in an axial position. The decomposition product, a C—C‐coupled biimidazole, is trapped by coordination to still‐intact iron(II) complexes. Insights into the structural features of the organic decomposition products might help to improve the stability of oxidation catalysts under harsh conditions.     

catena‐Poly[bis[(η2‐1‐allyl‐3‐aminopyridinium)copper(I)]‐di‐μ‐chloro‐copper(I)‐di‐μ‐chloro‐copper(I)‐di‐μ‐chloro]

Crystals of the title π‐complex, [Cu₄Cl₆(C₈H₁₁N₂)₂]_n, were obtained by means of alternating‐current electrochemical synthesis. The structure consists of infinite copper–chlorine chains to which 1‐allyl‐3‐amino­pyridinium moieties are attached via a η² Cu—(C=C) interaction. The two independent Cu atoms have distinct coordination environments. One is three‐coordinate, surrounded by two chloro ligands and the olefinic bond, whereas the second copper center is surrounded by a tetrahedral arrangement of four Cl atoms. The lower basicity of 3‐amino­pyridine as compared with 2‐ and 4‐amino­pyridine lowers the capacity of the organic ligand for donating to N—H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds and results in the formation of a large inorganic fragment.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Magnetic Behavior of New Azide Linked Compounds with One‐ and Two‐Dimensional Structures

Three azide based compounds were synthesized employing aliphatic amines as site blocking agents: [Ni(N₃)(C₆H₁₆N₂)₂]ClO₄ ( I ) [C₆H₁₆N₂ = N,N′‐diethylethylenediamine (DEDA)], [Cu₈(N₃)₁₆(C₆H₁₈N₄)₂] ( II ) [C₆H₁₈N₄ = tris(2‐aminoethyl) amine (TREN)], and [Cu₇(N₃)₁₄(C₇H₁₉N₃)₂] · 2H₂O ( III ) [C₇H₁₉N₃ = 3,3′‐diamino‐N‐methyldipropylamine (DMDA)]. The compounds I and II have one‐dimensional structure and III has a two‐dimensional structure. Compound I is a simple linear cationic Ni–azide chain and compound II has Cu₆ azide units forming a column terminated by the copper‐metalloligand generated in‐situ during the course of the reaction. The charge compensation perchlorate anions occupy spaces in between the chains in I . Compound II packs in a herringbone arrangement, which is not commonly observed in low‐dimensional structures. Compound III has one‐dimensional copper‐azide chains connected through copper‐metalloligand forming the two‐dimensional structure. All the three compounds exhibit anti‐ferromagnetic behavior.