Synthesis of a new ligand for transition metal-fullerene supramolecular systems

A new ligand has been designed that provides a relatively simple framework to build supramolecular systems containing both fullerene and transition-metal moieties. The modular framework of the ligand allows for the easy design of more complex systems. Analysis of absorption and emission spectra suggests significant photoinduced charge transfer between the two moieties. More complex systems and the excited-state photophysics of the presented systems are being studied.     

A new approach to internal Lewis pairs featuring a phosphenium acid and a pyridine base

A bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligand containing a pendant Lewis base has been used as a new framework to support a N-heterocyclic phosphenium cation (NHP). Reactivity studies demonstrate the ability of the ligand to act as a Lewis base, while the phosphorus centre provides a Lewis acidic site, giving new opportunities in NHP chemistry.     

Rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of indanones: development of a new "axially chiral" bisphosphine ligand

A rhodium-catalyzed asymmetric isomerization of racemic alpha-arylpropargyl alcohols to beta-chiral indanones has been developed. High enantioselectivity has been realized by the use of a newly developed axially chiral bisphosphine ligand. This ligand is unique in the sense that its axial chirality is fixed to a single configuration upon complexation to a transition metal due to other chiral axes existing within the same molecule.     

Regiochemistry of propene insertion with group 4 polymerization catalysts from a theoretical perspective

The regiochemistry of monomer insertion in propene polymerization promoted by group 4 metal catalysts has been investigated by using DFT methods. We calculated primary and secondary propene insertion on metallocenes, constrained geometry catalysts and post-metallocene systems analyzing the effects of ligand framework, growing chain and metal. Our study supports the concept that for metallocene-based catalysts the regiochemistry of propene is mainly originated by steric effects. Instead, for octahedral systems a delicate balance between steric and electronic effects is found. This allows to play with the electronic properties of the ligand framework to tune finely the regiochemistry of polymerization.     

First three-dimensional inorganic-organic hybrid material constructed from an "inverted Keggin" polyoxometalate and a copper(I)-organic complex

A new polyoxometalate (POM) based on a flexible bidentate ligand and "inverted Keggin" inorganic building block, namely, [Cu(8)L(8)[Mo(12)O(46)(AsPh)(4)](2)]·H(2)O (1), where L is 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propane, has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition. In 1, the "inverted Keggin" [Mo(12)O(46)(AsPh)(4)](4-) building blocks are linked by the one-dimensional (1D) zigzag [Cu(I)(trans-L)](+) chains and [Cu(I)(4)(cis-L)(4)](4+) macrocycles to yield a three-dimensional (3D) framework. The compound 1 represents the first 3D "inverted Keggin" polyoxometalate modified by a transition-metal complex. Topologically, the 3D framework can be considered as an 8-connected net with a Schl?fli symbol of 4(22)·6(6). As far as we know, compound 1 is the highest-connected uninodal network topology presently known for POM-based materials. The compound was characterized by its IR spectrum, UV-vis spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. Remarkably, compound 1 exhibits photocatalytic activity for dye degradation under visible light irradiation and shows good stability toward visible-light photocatalysis.     

Interaction of a "nido"-ruthenium terpyridylamine complex with charged elongated micellar scaffolds

Influence on ionic surfactants by a specially designed terpyridylamine ligand and the ruthenium(II) complex formed with it has been studied in aqueous solution. The ligand coordinates to Ru(2+) into an octahedral geometry in such a way that the final form takes a "nido" or nest-like structure. The substitution on the pyridinyl moiety is kept at the ortho position to acquire the specified geometry. Similar complexes have been reported to have anti-tumor properties and thus the ruthenium complexes can effectively replace platinum complexes that serve the same purpose but with certain drawbacks. The "nido" geometry was chosen to minimize the cytotoxicity that creeps in when para substituents of the pyridinyl moiety are used. The latter variety forms a dendridic scaffold. In presence of both the ligand and the complex, ionic surfactants form elongated aggregates. The surface charge of those aggregates decides the nature of interaction of the ligand and the complex formed therefore. Interaction with anionic surfactant scaffold is found to be stronger than the cationic one.     

Guest‐Responsive Function of a Dynamic Metal–Organic Framework with a π Lewis Acidic Pore Surface

A 3D dynamic coordination framework with an electron‐deficient pore surface has been synthesized by using Zn^II (having a variable coordination number) and a predesigned flexible π‐electron‐deficient core‐based ligand, exhibiting chemical separations based on pore surface functionalization (π Lewis acidic pore surfaces and open metal sites) and framework flexibility, giving rise to a unique smart guest‐responsive material.     

Crystal structure and dynamic properties of a bimetallic cyano complex Cd(C4H8O2)Cu(CN)3 with an interpenetrating 3D framework containing a 1,4-dioxane bridging ligand as a rotor

The title complex Cd(C(4)H(8)O(2))Cu(CN)(3) has a 3D twofold interpenetrating framework structure. The structural base of the framework is a planar hexagonal network complex of [Cu(CN)(3)Cd](infinity) ,which is formed with cyanides connecting the coordination sites of Cu(i) ions with a triangle planar form and the equatorial coordination sites of Cd(ii) ions with a trigonal bipyramid form. The networks are stacked and a 1,4-dioxane molecule coordinates to two Cd(ii) ions in alternate networks as a bridging ligand. The 1,4-dioxane ligand penetrates a hexagonal window of the network sandwiched between the bridged networks. This 1,4-dioxane bridge completes the 3D twofold interpenetrating framework structure. (2)H-NMR powder patterns of the deuterated complex Cd(C(4)D(8)O(2))Cu(CN)(3) revealed the dynamics of the 1,4-dioxane bridge as a rotor. Above 253 K, the 1,4-dioxane ligand undergoes rotational motion combined with a ring inversion between two chair conformations. The free energy of activation DeltaG(double dagger) for the ring inversion was calculated to be 41.4(7) kJ mol(-1) at 298 K.     

A "turn-on" fluorescent sensor for the selective detection of mercuric ion in aqueous media

A water-soluble turn-on fluorescent sensor for Hg(II) is described. Incorporation of soft thioether donors into an aniline-derived ligand framework that can be linked to a fluorescein platform affords sensor MS1, which shows a approximately 5-fold increase in integrated emission upon addition of 1 equiv of Hg(II). The synthesis and metal-binding properties of MS1 are discussed, and its ability to detect environmentally relevant concentrations of Hg(II) is demonstrated.     

Diamidonaphthalene-supported pnictogenium cations: synthesis of an N-heterocyclic stibenium cation by a novel protonation route

A 1,8-bis(alkylamido)naphthalene framework has been applied to the construction of N-heterocyclic arsenium and stibenium cations; a novel synthetic route, involving protonation of an ancillary amido ligand, was used to generate the base-stabilized stibenium cation.     

A designed metal-organic framework based on a metal-organic polyhedron

A C(3) symmetric ligand with three 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate units has been used to construct a metal-organic framework with a (3,24)-connected network topology, where the nanometre-sized metal-organic cuboctahedra (MOCs) have been incorporated solely into a cubic close packing (CCP) arrangement, which led to superoctahedral and supertetrahedral cavities.     

Synthesis of hybrid framework materials under "dry" hydrothermal conditions: crystal structure and magnetic properties of Mn(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2)(C(2)O(4))

An exploration of the manganese oxalate-phosphoric acid-water system under hydrothermal conditions, and using "reagent" quantities only of water, has led to the isolation of a new mixed anion framework material Mn(2)(H(2)PO(4))(2)(C(2)O(4)). This material features continuous chains of cis edge-sharing MnO(6) octahedra, a motif which is unique among mixed phosphate-oxalate materials identified so far. These octahedral chains are linked into a three-dimensional framework via corner-sharing with H(2)PO(4) tetrahedra, with oxalate ions acting as a bis-bidentate ligand in the third direction. Magnetic susceptibility studies show that this material may be modeled as an antiferromagnetic, S = (5)/(2) Heisenberg chain, with weaker coupling between the chains.     

Chemical applications of topology and group theory 13. Chirality and framework groups [1]

Pople has recently introduced the concept of a framework group to specify the full symmetry properties of a molecular structure. Furthermore, Pople has developed powerful algorithms for the use of framework groups to generate all distinguishable skeletons with a given number of sites. This paper studies the systematics of chirality arising from different framework groups. In this connection framework groups can be classified into four different types: linear, planar, achiral, and chiral. Chiral framework groups lead to chiral systems for any ligand partition including that with all ligands equivalent. Linear framework groups are never chiral even for the ligand partition with all ligands different. Planar framework groups are also never chiral since all sites are in the same plane, which therefore remains a symmetry plane for any ligand partition. However, the mirror symmetry of the molecular plane of a planar framework group can be destroyed by a process called polarization; this process can be viewed as the mathematical analogue of complexing a planar aromatic hydrocarbon to a transition metal. The chirality of four-, five-, and six-site framework groups is discussed in terms of the maximum symmetry ligand partitions resulting in removal of all of the symmetry elements corresponding to improper rotations S _n (including reflections S ₁ and inversions S ₂) from achiral and polarized planar framework groups. The Ruch-Schönhofer group theoretical algorithms for the calculation of chiral ligand partitions and pseudoscalar polynomials of lowest degree (“chirality functions”) are adapted for use with these framework groups. Other properties of framework groups relevant to a study of their chirality are also discussed: these include their transitivity (i.e. whether all sites are equivalent or not), their normality (i.e. whether proper rotations correspond to even permutations and improper rotations correspond to odd permutations), and the number of sites in their symmetry planes.     

p-Carborane: a new cage spacer for photoactive metal polypyridine dyads

The first example of a binuclear ruthenium complex involving the p-carborane framework in the bridging ligand is reported. The bridging ligand is a symmetric linear array comprising a central p-carborane unit, two p-phenylene spacers, and two 5-yl-2,2'-bipyridine coordinating units. A homobinuclear Ru(II) complex, with 2,2'-bipyridine as peripheral ligands, was synthesized and characterized. The Ru(II)-Ru(III) mixed-valence species, obtained by partial oxidation, has been investigated with steady-state and time-resolved techniques in CH3CN. The rate of photoinduced electron transfer is 2.3 x 10(8) s(-1).     

Immobilization of sodium ions on the pore surface of a porous coordination polymer

A porous coordination polymer (PCP) with immobilization of sodium cations on the pore surface has been synthesized, by employing a bifunctional carboxylate/sulfonate ligand, and structurally characterized. The porous framework with 1D channels of the dimension of 4.9 x 4.9 A2 shows high thermal stability ( approximately 330 degrees C), affording Type I adsorption isotherms for CO2, acetone, and benzene. The chemical shift of 13C NMR and characteristic adsorption energy (betaE0) of acetone adsorbed in this compound represent the Lewis acidity of this framework.     

"ON-OFF" switching of europium complex luminescence coupled with a ligand redox process

A triarylamine-functionalized terpyridine ligand formed a highly coordinated complex with europium tris(β-diketonate), which displayed reversible 'ON-OFF' luminescence switching coupled with a ligand redox process of triarylamine/triarylaminium cations.     

"Oxidative addition" to a Zirconium(IV) redox-active ligand complex

A strategy to enable reactivity analogous to oxidative addition is presented for d(0) transition-metal complexes. The reaction of the redox-active ligand 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-tert-butylamidophenolate (ap) with ZrCl(4)(THF)(2) affords the new complex Zr(IV)(ap)(2)(THF)(2). This compound is formally zirconium(IV) and contains no d electrons; however, exposure of Zr(IV)(ap)(2)(THF)(2) to chlorine gas results in swift chlorine addition at the zirconium metal center via one-electron oxidation of each ap ligand. The diradical product, Zr(IV)Cl(2)(isq)(2) (isq = 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-tert-butyliminosemiquinone), has been characterized by X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometery.     

An example of node-based postassembly elaboration of a hydrogen-sorbing, metal-organic framework material

A robust, noncatenated, and permanently microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) material has been synthesized by combining a new nonplanar ligand, 4,4',4',4'-benzene-1,2,4,5-tetrayltetrabenzoic acid, with a zinc(II) source under solvothermal conditions. The new material features cavities that are readily modified via activation and functionalization of framework nodes (as opposed to struts). A preliminary investigation of the "empty cavity" version of the material and six cavity-modified versions reveals that modification can substantially modulate the MOF's internal surface area, pore volume, and ability to sorb molecular hydrogen.     

Construction of Stable Helical Metal-Organic Frameworks with a Conformationally Rigid “Concave Ligand”

A helical metal-organic framework was prepared by using a conformationally rigid tetratopic benzoic acid ligand with binding units pointing toward each other (concave ligand). To avoid the obvious intramolecular interactions between binding units, matching spacing groups were applied to introduce atropic repulsion, thereby allowing the formation of extended frameworks for the first time. With this new ligand design, a helical-shaped MOF with significantly improved air and moisture stability was successfully prepared, thus providing a new strategy for ligand design toward porous material constructions.