Complexation and DFT studies of lower rim hexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene derivatives bearing pyridyl groups with transition and heavy metal cations. Cone versus partial cone conformation

The binding of representative alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal cations by 2‐pyridylmethoxy derivatives (1b, in cone and partial cone conformations) of p‐tert‐butylhexahomotrioxacalix[3]arene was studied. Binding was assessed by extraction studies of the metal picrates from water into dichloromethane and by stability constant measurements in acetonitrile and methanol, using spectrophotometric and potentiometric techniques. Microcalorimetric studies of some selected complexes in acetonitrile were performed, as well as proton NMR titrations. Computational methods (density functional theory calculations) were also employed to complement the NMR data. The results are compared with those obtained with the dihomooxacalix[4]arene 2b and the calix[4]arene 3b derivative analogues. Partial cone‐1b is the best extractant for transition and heavy metal cations. Both conformers of 1b exhibit very high stability constants for soft and intermediate cations Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺, with cone‐1b the strongest binder (ML, log β ≥ 7) and partial cone‐1b the most selective. Both derivatives show a slight preference for Na⁺. Besides the formation of ML complexes, ML₂ and M₂L species were also observed. The former complexes were, in general, formed with the transition and heavy metal cations, whereas the latter were obtained with Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺ and partial cone‐1b. In most cases, these species were corroborated by the proton NMR and density functional theory studies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Complexation of bis‐crown stilbene with alkali and alkaline‐earth metal cations. Ultrafast excited state dynamics of the stilbene‐viologen analogue charge transfer complex

The complex formation of bis(18‐crown‐6)stilbene ( 1 ) and its supramolecular donor‐acceptor complex with N,N′‐bis(ammonioethyl) 1,2‐di(4‐pyridyl)ethylene derivative ( 2 ) with alkali and alkaline‐earth metal perchlorates has been studied using absorption, steady‐state fluorescence, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy. The formation of 1 ?Mⁿ⁺ and 1 ?(Mⁿ⁺)₂ complexes in acetonitrile was demonstrated. The weak long‐wavelength charge‐transfer absorption band of 1 · 2 completely vanishes upon complexation with metal cations because of disruption of the pseudocyclic structure. The spectroscopic and luminescence parameters, stability constants, and 2‐stage dissociation constants were calculated. The initial stage of a recoordination process was found in the excited complexes 1 ?M⁺ and 1 ?(M⁺)₂ (M = Li, Na). The pronounced fluorescence quenching of 1 · 2 is explained by very fast back electron transfer (τ_et = 0.397 ps). The structure of complex 1 · 2 was studied by X‐ray diffraction; stacked ( 1 · 2 )_m polymer in which the components were connected by hydrogen bonding and stacking was found in the crystal. These compounds can be considered as novel optical molecular sensors for alkali and alkaline‐earth metal cations.     

Density functional theory study of the bis‐3‐benzo‐crown ethers and their complexes with alkali metal cations Na+, K+, Rb+ and Cs+

The binding interactions of bis‐3‐benzo‐15‐crown‐5 ethers and bis‐3‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6 ethers (neutral hosts) with a series of alkali metal cations Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ (charged guests) were investigated using quantum chemical density functional theory. Different optimized structures, binding energies and various thermodynamic parameters of free crown ethers and their metal cation complexes were obtained based on the Becke, three‐parameter, Lee–Yang–Parr functional using mixed basis set (C, H, O, Na⁺ and K⁺ using 6‐31 g, and the heavier cation Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ using effective core potentials). Natural bond orbital analysis is conducted on the optimized geometric structures. The main types of driving force host–guest interactions are investigated. The electron donating O offers a lone pair of electrons to the contacting LP* (1‐center valence antibond lone pair) orbitals of metal cations. The bis‐3‐benzocrown ethers are assumed to have sandwich‐like conformations, considering the binding energies to gauge the exact interactions with alkali cations. It is found that there are two different types of complexes: one is a tight ion pair and the other is a separated ion pair. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Density functional theory study on a fluorescent chemosensor device of aza‐crown ether

Three derivatives of alkyl anthracene covalently bonded to aza‐18‐crown‐6 at the nitrogen position, anthracene(CH₂)_n, (n = 1–3) which act as an on–off fluorogenic photoswitch have been theoretically studied using a computational strategy based on density functional theory at B3LYP/6‐31 + G(d,p) method. The fully optimized geometries have been performed with real frequencies which indicate the minima states. The binding energies, enthalpies and Gibbs free energies have been calculated for aza‐18‐crown‐6 ( L ) and their metal complexes. The natural bond orbital analysis is used to explore the interaction of host–guest molecules. The absorption spectra differences between L and their metal ligands, the excitation energies and absorption wavelength for their excited states have been studied by time‐dependent density functional theory with the basis set 6‐31 + G(d,p). These fluorescent sensors and switchers based on photoinduced electron transfer mechanism have been investigated. The PET process from aza‐crown ether to fluorophore can be suppressed or completely blocked by the entry of alkali metal cations into the aza‐crown ether‐based receptor. Such a suppression of the PET process means that fluorescence intensity is enhanced. The binding selectivity studies of the aza‐crown ether part of L indicate that the presence of the alkali metal cations Li⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺ play an important role in determining the internal charge transfer and the fluorescence properties of the complexes. In addition, the solvent effect has been investigated. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analysis of benzodiaza‐15‐crown‐5 ether derivative binding properties by potentiometric and optical methods

This research concerns the analysis of the binding properties of benzodiaza‐15‐crown‐5 ether derivatives towards different metal ions (Mg(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Ag(I)) in acetonitrile and water by potentiometric and optical methods. Benzodiaza‐15‐crown‐5 ether demonstrates high binding affinity towards Hg²⁺ (lg K₁₁ = 12.7), whereas the stability constants of complexes with other studied cations varied from 3 to 6 logarithmic units. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical design on a new double functional device of 2,2′‐bipyridine‐embedded N‐(9‐pyrenyl methyl)aza‐15‐crown‐5

Theoretical design on a new molecular switch and fluorescent chemosensor double functional device of aza‐crown ether (2,2′‐dipyridine‐embedded N‐(9‐anthraceneyl(pyrenyl)methyl)aza‐15‐crown‐5) was explored. The interactions between ligands and a series of alkaline earth metal cations (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺) were investigated. The fully optimized geometry structures of the free ligands ( L _1, L ₂) and their metal cation complexes ( L ₁/M²⁺, L ₂/M²⁺) were calculated with the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) method. The natural bond orbital analysis, which is based on optimized geometric structures, was used to explore the interaction of L ₁/M²⁺, L ₂/M²⁺ molecules. The absorption spectra of L _1, L ₂, L ₁/M²⁺, and L ₂/M²⁺, and their excited states were studied by time‐dependent density functional theory. A new type molecular device L ₂(2,2′‐dipyridine‐embedded N‐(9‐pyrenyl methyl)aza‐15‐crown‐5) is designed, which not only has the selectivity for Sr²⁺, and construct allosteric switch, but also has fluorescent sensor performance.     

Humic acid metal cation interaction studied by spectromicroscopy techniques in combination with quantum chemical calculations

Humic acids (HA) have a high binding capacity towards traces of toxic metal cations, thus affecting their transport in aquatic systems. Eu(III)–HA aggregates are studied by synchrotron‐based scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM) at the carbon K‐edge and laser scanning luminescence microscopy (LSLM) at the ⁵D₀→⁷F_1,2 fluorescence emission lines. Both methods provide the necessary spatial resolution in the sub‐micrometre range to resolve characteristic aggregate morphologies: optically dense zones embedded in a matrix of less dense material in STXM images correspond to areas with increased Eu(III) luminescence yield in the LSLM micrographs. In the C 1s‐NEXAFS of metal‐loaded polyacrylic acid (PAA), used as a HA model compound, a distinct complexation effect is identified. This effect is similar to trends observed in the dense fraction of HA/metal cation aggregates. The strongest complexation effect is observed for the Zr(IV)–HA/PAA system. This effect is confirmed by quantum chemical calculations performed at the ab initio level for model complexes with different metal centres and complex geometries. Without the high spatial resolution of STXM and LSLM and without the combination of molecular modelling with experimental results, the different zones indicating a `pseudo'‐phase separation into strong complexing domains and weaker complexing domains of HA would never have been identified. This type of strategy can be used to study metal interaction with other organic material.     

Improved charge transfer multiplet method to simulate M‐ and L‐edge X‐ray absorption spectra of metal‐centered excited states

Charge transfer multiplet (CTM) theory is a computationally undemanding and highly mature method for simulating the soft X‐ray spectra of first‐row transition metal complexes. However, CTM theory has seldom been applied to the simulation of excited‐state spectra. In this article, the CTM4XAS software package is extended to simulate M_2,3‐ and L_2,3‐edge spectra for the excited states of first‐row transition metals and also interpret CTM eigenfunctions in terms of Russell–Saunders term symbols. These new programs are used to reinterpret the recently reported excited‐state M_2,3‐edge difference spectra of photogenerated ferrocenium cations and to propose alternative assignments for the electronic state of these cations responsible for the spectroscopic features. These new programs were also used to model the L_2,3‐edge spectra of Fe^II compounds during nuclear relaxation following photoinduced spin crossover and to propose spectroscopic signatures for their vibrationally hot states.     

Comparison of the stability of thymine tautomers and the interaction of its tautomers with Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in gas and solvent phases

The present study compared the interactions among Na ⁺, K ⁺, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺, thymine and its tautomers in the gas and solvent phase, an interaction dependent upon the electronic construction of the tautomers. Three types of cation interaction with thymine and its tautomers were observed. In the first one, the metal cations interacted with a lone pair of nitrogen or oxygen of the tautomers. In the second type, there was an interaction among the cations, nitrogen and oxygen at the same time; the last one was that of cations with the electron density of thymine π-system, where the cations were perpendicular to the ring of thymine. The interaction of metals cation with tautomers was studied in the gas and solvent phases; a comparison was then made between interactions in two phases. The interaction energy for all complexes indicated the stability of complexes, an energy which was higher in Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ compared with Na⁺ and K⁺. Concerning K⁺ and Na⁺, the stability of all complexes of tautomers was greater than that of thymine complexes; however, the stability of certain Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ complexes was lower than the complexes of thymine.     

New dithiacrown–ether butadienyl dyes: synthesis,structure, and complex formation with heavy metal cations

Benzothiazole type butadienyl dyes containing a dithia‐15‐crown‐5 ( 2a ) or dithia‐18‐crown‐6 ether ( 2b ) moieties were synthesized. The structures of dyes 2a , b and their complexes with Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺ were studied by an X‐ray crystallography. It was found that the conformations of dithiacrown–ether moieties of dyes 2a , b are unfavorable for complex formation and change significantly upon binding of Ag⁺ or Pb²⁺. The complexation of 2a , b with Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ in water–acetonitrile mixtures with different contents of water (P_W = 0–75%, v/v) was studied by ¹H NMR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and polarography. In anhydrous acetonitrile, the stability constants of 1:1 complexes change in the sequence Cd²⁺ < Pb²⁺ ≤ Ag⁺ << Hg²⁺ in the case of 2a and in the sequence Cd²⁺ < Ag⁺ < Pb²⁺ << Hg²⁺ in the case of 2b . As P_W increases, the thermodynamic stability of Ag⁺ complexes increases. The opposite effect is observed for the complexes with Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺. When P_W ～ 50%, the stability constants of complexes with Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ become too small to be measured. The selectivity of ligands 2a , b toward Hg²⁺ versus Ag⁺ is very high at any P_W values (selectivity coefficients > 10⁴). The complexation of 2a , b with Hg²⁺ at P_W ≤ 50% is accompanied by a substantial hypsochromic effect. This allows dithiacrown‐containing butadienyl dyes to be used as selective optical molecular sensors for heavy metal ions, in particular, in aqueous solutions. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis, thermal and optical properties of metal(II) complexes with a novel ligand derived from pyrazolone-5

Three novel metal(II) complexes, CoL₂, NiL₂ and CuL₂ (L = (Z)-4-(2-(1,3-dimethyl-5-oxo-1H-pyrazol-4(5H)-ylidene)hydrazinyl)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydropyrazol-3-one were synthesized. Their structures were postulated based on elemental analyses, ¹H NMR, ESI-MS, FT-IR spectra and UV-vis spectra. The effect of different central metal(II) ions on absorption bands of the metal(II) complexes in CHCl₃ solutions was researched. The result indicates that the bathochromic shift is CuL₂ > NiL₂ > CoL₂. The absorption properties of thin films and thermal stability of these complexes are also discussed. In addition, the optical constants (complex refractive index N=n+ik) and thickness of the complex thin films on polished single-crystal silicon substrates were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry. Results indicate that the metal(II) complexes would be a promising recording medium candidate for blu-ray recordable optical storage system due to good absorption at 405 nm, high thermal stability and sharp thermal decomposition, and a high n values of 1.35–1.45 and a low k values of 0.33–0.39.     

Infrared spectroscopy of closed s-shell gas-phase M+(N2O)n (M = Li,Al) ion-molecule complexes*

ABSTRACT

We present the results of a combined experimental and computational study of the structures of gas-phase M⁺(N₂O)_n (M?=?Li, Al) complexes. Infrared spectra were recorded in the region of the N₂O asymmetric (N?=?N) stretch using photodissociation spectroscopy employing the inert messenger technique. Unlike in our previous studies on M⁺(N₂O)_n (M?=?Cu, Ag, Au and M?=?Co, Rh, Ir) complexes, N– and O–bound isomers in this case are near isoenergetic and are not distinguished spectroscopically at this resolution. In the case of Li⁺ complexes, there is, however, evidence for the presence of bound N₂ moieties, indicating the presence of inserted, OLi⁺N₂(N₂O)_n–type structures. The weak N₂ band lies to the blue of the signature of molecularly N– and O–bound ligands and is well–reproduced in the simulated spectra of energetically low-lying structures computed from density functional theory. No such inserted isomers are observed in the case of Al⁺(N₂O)_n complexes whose infrared spectra can be understood on the basis of molecularly-bound N₂O ligands. The differences in M⁺(N₂O)_n structures observed for these closed–shell, ns², metal centres relative to other metal cations are discussed in terms of the likely bonding motifs.     

Interaction studies of cysteine with Li+, Na+, K+, Be2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ metal cation complexes

The coordination geometries, electronic features, metal ion affinities, entropies, and the energetics of Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ metal cations with different possible conformations of cysteine complexes were studied. The complexes were optimized using density functional theory (B3LYP) and second order Moller–Plesset Perturbation (MP2) theory methods using 6‐311 + +G** basis set. The interactions of the metal cations at different nucleophilic sites of cysteine conformations were considered after a careful selection among several binding sites. All the metal cations coordinate with cysteine in a tridentate manner and also the most preferred position for the interaction. It is found that, the overall structural parameters of cysteine are not altered by metal ion substitution, but, the metal ion‐binding site has undergone a noticeable change. All the complexes were characterized by an electrostatic interaction between ligand and metal ions that appears slightly more pronounced for lithium and beryllium metal complexes. The metal ion affinity (MIA) and basis set superposition error (BSSE) corrected interaction energy were also computed for all the complexes. The effect of metal cations on the infrared (IR) stretching vibrational modes of amino N? H bond, side chain thiol group S? H bond, hydroxyl O? H bond, and Carbonyl C?O bond in cysteine molecules have also been studied. The nature of the metal ion‐ligand bond and the coordination properties were examined using natural bond order (NBO) at bond critical point (electron density and their Laplacian of electron density) through Atoms in Molecules (AIM) analyses. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nucleophilic substitution reactions promoted by oligoethylene glycols: a mechanistic study of ion‐pair SN2 processes facilitated by Lewis base

We present a mechanistic study for nucleophilic substitution (S_N2) reactions facilitated by multifunctional n‐oligoethylene glycols (n‐oligoEGs) using alkali metal salts MX (M⁺ = Cs⁺, K⁺, X^– = F^–, Br^–, I^–, CN^–) as nucleophilic agents. Density functional theory method is employed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of the S_N2 reaction. We found that the nucleophiles react as ion pairs, whose metal cation is ‘coordinated’ by the oxygen atoms in oligoEGs acting as Lewis base to reduce the unfavorable electrostatic effects of M⁺ on X^–. The two terminal hydroxyl (?OH) function as ‘anchors’ to collect the nucleophile and the substrate in an ideal configuration for the reaction. Calculated barriers of the reactions are in excellent agreement with all experimentally observed trends of S_N2 yields obtained by using various metal cations, nucleophiles and oligoEGs. The reaction barriers are calculated to decrease from triEG to pentaEG, in agreement with the experimentally observed order of efficiency (triEG < tetraEG < pentaEG). The observed relative efficiency of the metal cations Cs⁺ versus K⁺ is also nicely demonstrated (larger [better] barrier [efficiency] for Cs⁺ than for K⁺). We also examine the effects of the nucleophiles (F^–, Br^–, I^–, CN^–), finding that the magnitudes of reaction barriers are F^– > CN^– > Br^– > I^–, elucidating the observation that the yield was lowest for F^–. It is suggested that the role of oxygen atoms in the promoters is equivalent to that of –OH group in bulky alcohols (tert‐butyl or amyl‐alcohol) for S_N2 fluorination reactions previously studied in our lab. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spectroscopy properties of the amide group in valpromide and some derivatives with antiepileptic activity

Infrared spectra at 300 and 77 K and Raman spectra at 300 K of the valpromide (Vpd), N‐substituted derivatives, N‐ethylvalpromide (Etvpd), N‐isopropylvalpromide (Ipvpd) and the N,N‐disubstituted derivative, N,N‐dimethylvalpromide (Dmvpd) with antiepileptic activity, have been measured and analyzed with results derived from computational chemistry calculation. In agreement with theoretical predictions, experimental data indicate that while in Etvpd, Dmvpd and Ipvpd there are four different conformational co‐existing components (Etvpd: TTCG⁺, TCCG⁻, TTTC, G⁺G⁺C G⁺; Dmvpd: TTCC, G⁻TTA⁺, G⁺A⁻TC, G⁺A⁻C A⁺; Ipvpd: TTCT, TCCT, TCCC, G⁻ TTT) in the Vpd there are only three distinct stable conformations of C₁ symmetry group: TTC, TCT, G⁺G⁺T. Based on the accuracy of the B3LYP calculation, with the 6‐31 + G** basis set estimated by comparison between the predicted values of the vibrational modes and the available experimental data, we performed a structural and vibrational study of the amide group in the Vpd and their derivatives. We found that small nonplanarity deviations of C(O)N backbone induce significant changes on the structural and spectroscopic properties. These are not compatible with the decreasing of the resonance effect as it is produced when the twisting around the C(O) N increases. From the Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis the existence of stabilizing electrostatic interactions of type C H···O/N and C H···H N/C, which induce significant structural changes and a complex electronic redistribution of charge on the π‐system in those structures becomes evident. We view this as a consequence of the filled electron density change Lewis‐type NBOs type lp_{O1, 2}, lp_N1, σ_{(C H)N acyl} and empty non‐Lewis NBOs type σ*_{(C H)N acyl}, σ*_{N H}. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coumarinic fluorescent chemosensors for the detection of transition metal ions

Fluoroionophores consisting of coumarin-153 linked to mono- and diaza-crown ethers are able to complex transition metal cations (Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺) and Pb²⁺, with concomitant large changes in photophysical properties. The stability constants in acetonitrile are higher than 3×10⁶ M ^–1 except for Ni²⁺.     

Solid phase synthesis of novel α/β‐tetrapeptides,electrospray ionization mass spectrometric evaluation of their metal cation complexation behavior,and conformational analysis using density functional theory (DFT)

Thirty‐four novel α/β‐tetrapeptides ( 1–34 ) have been prepared employing solid‐phase and in‐parallel synthetic protocols. α/β ‐Tetrapeptides 1 – 34 were prepared by a combination of three α‐amino acid residues (alanine (Ala), phenylalanine (Phe), and isoleucine (Ile)) with one β‐amino acid residue (β³‐homophenylglycine). The corresponding complexes of several selected α/β‐tetrapeptides with alkali, alkaline earth, and transition metals, [tP + M⁺], were evaluated using ion electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS). According to the results from analysis of mixtures, we can conclude that the position of the β‐amino acid is determinant in the affinity toward different metal cations. Computational modeling (DFT, B3LYP 6‐311++G) provided useful information regarding the most likely coordination sites of the metal ions on the receptor α/β‐tetrapeptide 12 , HO₂C‐α‐Phe‐α‐Phe‐α‐Ile‐β³‐hPhg‐NH₂, as well as the conformational changes induced by the metal upon [tP + M⁺] complex formation. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of alkoxymethylidene malonate and malononitrile with hydrazines and anilines

The kinetics and mechanism of the nucleophilic vinylic substitution of dialkyl (alkoxymethylidene)malonates (alkyl: methyl, ethyl) and (ethoxymethylidene)malononitrile with substituted hydrazines and anilines R¹–NH₂ (R¹: (CH₃)₂N, CH₃NH, NH₂, C₆H₅NH, CH₃CONH, 4‐CH₃C₆H₄SO₂NH, 3‐ and 4‐X‐C₆H₄; X: H, 4‐Br, 4‐CH₃, 4‐CH₃O, 3‐Cl) were studied at 25 °C in methanol. It was found that the reactions with all hydrazines (the only exception was the reaction of (ethoxymethylidene)malononitrile with N,N‐dimethylhydrazine) showed overall second‐order kinetics and k_obs were linearly dependent on the hydrazine concentration which is consistent with the rate‐limiting attack of the hydrazine on the double bond of the substrate. Corresponding Brønsted plots are linear (without deviating N‐methyl and N,N‐dimethylhydrazine), and their slopes (β_Nuc) gradually increase from 0.59 to 0.71 which reflects gradually increasing order of the C–N bond formed in the transition state. The deviation of both methylated hydrazines is probably caused by the different site of nucleophilicity/basicity in these compounds (tertiary/secondary vs. primary nitrogen). A somewhat different situation was observed with the anilines (and once with N,N‐dimethylhydrazine) where parabolic dependences of the kinetics gradually changing to linear dependences as the concentration of nucleophile/base increases. The second‐order term in the nucleophile indicates the presence of a steady‐state intermediate ‐ most probably T^±. Brønsted and Hammett plots gave β_Nuc = 1.08 and ρ = ?3.7 which is consistent with a late transition state whose structure resembles T^±. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvation structure of magnesium,zinc, and alkaline earth metal ions in N,N‐dimethylformamide,N,N‐dimethylacetamide,and their mixtures studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations—Ionic size and electronic effects on steric congestion

The solvation structure of magnesium, zinc(II), and alkaline earth metal ions in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) and N,N‐dimethylacetamide (DMA), and their mixtures has been studied by means of Raman spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The solvation number is revealed to be 6, 7, 8, and 8 for Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, and Ba²⁺, respectively, in both DMF and DMA. The δ (O C N) vibration of DMF shifts to a higher wavenumber upon binding to the metal ions and the shift Δν(= ν_bound − ν_free) becomes larger, when the ionic radius of the metal ion becomes smaller. The ν (N CH₃) vibration of DMA also shifts to a higher wavenumber upon binding to the metal ions. However, the shift Δν saturates for small ions, as well as the transition‐metal (II) ions, implying that steric congestion among solvent molecules takes place in the coordination sphere. It is also indicated that, despite the magnesium ion having practically the same ionic radius as the zinc(II) ion of six‐coordination, their solvation numbers in DMA are significantly different. DFT calculations for these metalsolvate clusters of varying solvation numbers revealed that not only solvent–solvent interaction through space but also the bonding nature of the metal ion plays an essential role in the steric congestion. The individual solvation number and the Raman shift Δν in DMF–DMA mixtures indicate that steric congestion is significant for the magnesium ion, but not appreciable for calcium, strontium, and barium ions, despite the solvation number of these metal ions being large. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Linear free‐energy relationships in semiquinone species and their Mn(II) and Cu(II) complexes

Linear free‐energy relationships for a series of functionalized semiquinone ligands and their Mn^II‐ and Cu^IIhydro‐tris(3‐cumenyl‐5‐methylpyrazolyl) borate complexes were examined. Quinone–semiquinone cycle half‐wave reduction potentials and semiquinone hydrogen hyperfine coupling constants (a_H) were determined and their correlation with Hammett σ parameters reported. A new σ parameter, σ_aH, has been proposed. Mn^II and Cu^II metal complex metal–ligand charge transfer and n → π* UV transitions were found to be modulated by substituents. Satisfactory Hammett correlations between UV transitions and various σ values have been determined and compared in a number of instances. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.