Nickel(II) Complexes with a Hydroxyl Pendant‐Armed Macrocyclic Ligand: Synthesis,Characterization, and Crystal Structures

The reactions of different nickel(II) salts with a mixed‐donor macrocyclic ligand L (6,7,8,9,10,11,18,19‐octahydro‐5H, 17H‐dibenzo[f,o][1,5,9,13] dioxadiazacyclohexadecin‐18‐ol), potentially pentadentate N₂O₃ donor sets containing one pendant alcohol function have been investigated. The physical properties and the chemical structures of 1:1 (metal:ligand) NiLX₂ (X = Cl^?, Br^?, NO₃^?, ClO₄^?) complexes have been characterized by using IR, UV‐Vis spectroscopy and conductance measurements. The X‐ray determination have been employed to probe the nature of the respective complexes in solid state. The nickel atom in [NiL(NO₃)]NO₃·0.5H₂O complex is six‐coordinate with a distorted octahedral coordination in which the all N₂O₃ donor atoms are coordinated to the nickel atom. The coordination sphere is completed by a nitrate anion. In contrast to the above nickel complex, in [NiLCl₂] complex the pendant hydroxyl arm of macrocycle remains uncoordinated and ligand acts as tetradentate N₂O₂ donor atoms. The coordination sphere is completed by two chloride anions and the nickel atom is six‐coordinate with a distorted octahedral coordination.     

(Acetonitrile‐κN){2‐[bis­(2‐pyridylethyl)­amino]ethanol‐κ4N,N′,N′′,O}zinc(II) bis­(perchlorate) monohydrate

In the title compound, [Zn(C₂H₃N)(C₁₆H₂₁N₃O)](ClO₄)₂·H₂O, the Zn^II ion is coordinated by two pyridyl N atoms, one amine N atom, and an ethanol O atom from the N,N′,N′′,O‐tetra­dentate 2‐[bis­(2‐pyridylethyl)amino]­ethanol donor ligand. The fifth coordination site is filled by an acetonitrile N atom, and there is one solvent water mol­ecule in the asymmetric unit. The 2+ charge of the cationic portion of the complex is balanced by two perchlorate counter‐anions.     

Theoretical Insights into the Mechanism of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Release from CO‐Releasing Molecules

We used density functional theory to investigate the capacity for carbon monoxide (CO) release of five newly synthesized manganese‐containing CO‐releasing molecules (CO‐RMs), namely CORM‐368 ( 1 ), CORM‐401 ( 2 ), CORM‐371 ( 3 ), CORM‐409 ( 4 ), and CORM‐313 ( 5 ). The results correctly discriminated good CO releasers ( 1 and 2 ) from a compound unable to release CO ( 5 ). The predicted Mn? CO bond dissociation energies were well correlated (R²≈0.9) with myoglobin (Mb) assay experiments, which quantified the formation of MbCO, and thus the amount of CO released by the CO‐RMs. The nature of the Mn? CO bond was characterized by natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. This allowed us to identify the key donor–acceptor interactions in the CO‐RMs, and to evaluate the Mn? CO bond stabilization energies. According to the NBO calculations, the charge transfer is the major source of Mn? CO bond stabilization for this series. On the basis of the nature of the experimental buffers, we then analyzed the nucleophilic attack of putative ligands (L′=HPO₄^2?, H₂PO₄^?, H₂O, and Cl^?) at the metal vacant site through the ligand‐exchange reaction energies. The analysis revealed that different L′‐exchange reactions were spontaneous in all the CO‐RMs. Finally, the calculated second dissociation energies could explain the stoichiometry obtained with the Mb assay experiments.     

Synthesis and Basic Coordination Properties of Side‐chain Functionalized Bis‐phosphonio‐benzophospholides

Salts containing bis‐phosphonio‐benzophospholide cations 2 a – d with an additional donor site in one of the phosphonio‐moieties were synthesized either via quaternisation of the Ph₂P moiety in the neutral phosphonio‐benzophospholide 3 , or via ring‐closure of the functionalized bis‐phosphonium ion 6 . The Ph₂P‐substituted cation 2 d formed chelate complexes [M(k²P,P′‐ 2 d )(CO)_n]⁺ with M(CO)_n = Ni(CO)₂, Fe(CO)₃, Cr(CO)₄. In the latter case, competition between formation of the chelate and a complex [Cr(kP‐ 2 d )₂(CO)₄]²⁺ was observed, and interpreted as a consequence of antagonism between the stabilizing chelate effect and destabilizing ligand–ligand repulsions. The formation of stable Pd^II and Pt^II complexes of 2 d suggests that the chelate effect may also overcome the kinetic inhibition which so far prevented isolation of complexes of these metals with bis‐phosphonio‐benzophospholides. The newly synthesized ligands and complexes were characterized by spectroscopic data, and an X‐ray crystal structure analysis of 2 a [Br]. The reactivity of chelate complexes towards Ph₃P indicates that the ring phosphorus atom is a weaker donor than the pendant Ph₂P‐group.     

Cation influence on the structure and electron density of water in some Men+·H2O complexes

The cation influence on the water molecule in the Li⁺·H₂O, Be²⁺·H₂O, Mg²⁺·H₂O and A1³⁺·H₂O complexes has been studied by means of quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations. A number of general trends are noted. (1) The calculated equilibrium water O-H distances increase with increasing binding energies, i.e. in the order Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Be²⁺, Al³⁺. The H-O-H angles differ by about ±1 ° from the calculated equilibrium angle for the free H₂O molecule; the variation has no systematic trend. (2) The electron density redistribution accompanying the change in the internal H₂O geometry in these complexes is considerably smaller than the redistribution brought about by the direct influence of the external field. (3) The harmonic O-H stretching force constant decreases with increased cation-water bonding. (4) The qualitative features of the density changes are very similar for the four complexes. The magnitudes of the interactions follow the relation Li⁺ < Mg²⁺ < Be²⁺ Al³⁺. An increased polarization of the H₂O molecule occurs with electron migration from the H atoms towards the O atom and an accumulation of electron charge approximately at the centre of the Meⁿ⁺—O bond, especially in Be²⁺·H₂O and A1³⁺·H₂O. An electron deficiency is found in the lone-pair region.     

The chiral helical structure of a copper(II) complex with a tridentate Schiff base ligand

In the title salt, catena‐poly[[[aquacopper(II)]‐μ‐3‐(2‐pyridylmethyleneamino)propanoato‐κ⁴N,N′,O:O′] perchlorate], {[Cu(C₉H₉N₂O₂)(H₂O)]ClO₄}_n, the monomeric unit contains a square‐based pyramidal Cu^II centre. The four basal positions are occupied by a tridentate anionic Schiff base ligand which furnishes an NNO‐donor set, with the fourth basal position being occupied by an O‐donor atom from the carboxylate group of an adjacent Schiff base ligand. The coordination sphere is completed by a water molecule at the apical position. Interestingly, each carboxylate group in the ligand forms a syn–anti‐configured bridge between two Cu^II centres, leading to left‐handed chiral helicity. The framework also exhibits O—H...O hydrogen bonds involving the water molecules and an O atom of the perchlorate anion.     

Complexation Properties of N,N′,N″,N′′′‐[1,4,7,10‐Tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrayltetrakis(1‐oxoethane‐2,1‐diyl)]tetrakis[glycine] (H4dotagl). Equilibrium,Kinetic, and Relaxation Behavior of the Lanthanide(III) Complexes

Eu³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Yb³⁺ complexes of the dota‐derived tetramide N,N′,N″,N′′′‐[1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetrayltetrakis(1‐oxoethane‐2,1‐diyl)]tetrakis[glycine] (H₄dotagl) are potential CEST contrast agents in MRI. In the [Ln(dotagl)] complexes, the Ln³⁺ ion is in the cage formed by the four ring N‐atoms and the amide O‐atom donor atoms, and a H₂O molecule occupies the ninth coordination site. The stability constants of the [Ln(dotagl)] complexes are ca. 10 orders of magnitude lower than those of the [Ln(dota)] analogues (H₄dota=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid). The free carboxylate groups in [Ln(dotagl)] are protonated in the pH range 1–5, resulting in mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and tetraprotonated species. Complexes with divalent metals (Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cu²⁺) are also of relatively low stability. At pH>8, Cu²⁺ forms a hydroxo complex; however, the amide H‐atom(s) does not dissociate due to the absence of anchor N‐atom(s), which is the result of the rigid structure of the ring. The relaxivities of [Gd(dotagl)] decrease from 10 to 25°, then increase between 30–50°. This unusual trend is interpreted with the low H₂O‐exchange rate. The [Ln(dotagl)] complexes form slowly, via the equilibrium formation of a monoprotonated intermediate, which deprotonates and rearranges to the product in a slow, OH^?‐catalyzed reaction. The formation rates are lower than those for the corresponding Ln(dota) complexes. The dissociation rate of [Eu(dotagl)] is directly proportional to [H⁺] (0.1–1.0M HClO₄); the proton‐assisted dissociation rate is lower for [Eu(H₄dotagl)] (k₁=8.1?10^?6 M ^?1 s^?1) than for [Eu(dota)] (k₁=1.4?10^?5 M ^?1 s^?1).     

Ligand Exchange Processes on Solvated Beryllium Cations. II [Be(solvent)(12‐Crown‐4)]2+

The solvation and solvent exchange mechanism of [Be(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ in water and ammonia was studied by DFT calculations (RB3LYP/6‐311+G**). In solution, five‐fold coordinated Be²⁺ species of quadratic pyramidal [Be(H₂O)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ and [Be(NH₃)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺ exist. The water and ammonia exchange reactions follow an associative interchange mechanism, similar to that found for the pure solvent complexes [Be(H₂O)₄]²⁺ and [Be(NH₃)₄]²⁺. The activation barriers are clearly smaller than for the pure solvent complexes, viz. [Be(H₂O)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺: 6.0 kcal/mol and [Be(NH₃)(12‐crown‐4)]²⁺: 15.3 kcal/mol.     

Correlation energy,correlated electron density,and exchange‐correlation potential in some spherically confined atoms

We report correlation energies, electron densities, and exchange‐correlation potentials obtained from configuration interaction and density functional calculations on spherically confined He, Be, Be²⁺, and Ne atoms. The variation of the correlation energy with the confinement radius R_c is relatively small for the He, Be²⁺, and Ne systems. Curiously, the Lee–Yang–Parr (LYP) functional works well for weak confinements but fails completely for small R_c. However, in the neutral beryllium atom the CI correlation energy increases markedly with decreasing R_c. This effect is less pronounced at the density‐functional theory level. The LYP functional performs very well for the unconfined Be atom, but fails badly for small R_c. The standard exchange‐correlation potentials exhibit significant deviation from the “exact” potential obtained by inversion of Kohn–Sham equation. The LYP correlation potential behaves erratically at strong confinements. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Iron pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand complexes as catalyst precursors

The structure of a pincer ligand consists of a backbone and two `arms' which typically contain a P or N atom. They are tridentate ligands that coordinate to a metal center in a meridional configuration. A series of three iron complexes containing the pyrrole‐based PNP pincer ligand 2,5‐bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolide (PN^pyrP) has been synthesized. These complexes are possible precursors to new iron catalysts. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}carbonylchlorido(trimethylphosphane‐κP )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₃H₉P)(CO)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(PMe₃)(CO)], (I), has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, with the Cl and CO ligands occupying the apical positions. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}chlorido(pyridine‐κN )iron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(C₅H₅N)] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(py)] (py is pyridine), (II), is a five‐coordinate square‐pyramidal complex, with the pyridine ligand in the apical position. {2,5‐Bis[(diisopropylphosphanyl)methyl]pyrrolido‐κ³P ,N ,P ′}dicarbonylchloridoiron(II), [Fe(C₁₈H₃₄NP₂)Cl(CO)₂] or [Fe(PN^pyrP)Cl(CO)₂], (III), is structurally similar to (I), but with the PMe₃ ligand replaced by a second carbonyl ligand from the reaction of (II) with CO. The two carbonyl ligands are in a cis configuration, and there is positional disorder of the chloride and trans carbonyl ligands.     

A zinc–lithium complex of 4,7‐bis(2‐aminoethyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1‐acetate

The asymmetric unit of {[4,7‐bis(2‐amino­ethyl)‐1,4,7‐tri­aza­cyclo­nonan‐1‐yl]acetato}zinc(II) triaqua{μ‐[4,7‐bis(2‐amino­ethyl)‐1,4,7‐tri­aza­cyclo­nonan‐1‐yl]acetato}lithium(I)zinc(II) chloride diperchlorate, [Zn(C₁₂H₂₆N₅O₂)][LiZn(C₁₂H₂₆N₅O₂)(H₂O)₃]Cl(ClO₄)₂, obtained from the reaction between the lithium salt of 4,7‐bis(2‐amino­ethyl)‐1,4,7‐tri­aza­cyclo­nonane‐1‐acetate and Zn(ClO₄)₂, contains two Zn^II complexes in which each Zn^II ion is six‐coordinated by five N‐atom donors and one O‐­atom donor from the ligand. One carboxyl­ate O‐atom donor is not involved in coordination to a Zn^II atom, but coordinates to an Li⁺ ion, the tetrahedral geometry of Li⁺ being completed by three water mol­ecules. The two complexes are linked via a hydrogen bond between a primary amine N—H group and the carboxyl­ate‐O atom not involved in coordination to a metal.     

Ligand Site Preference in Iron Tetracarbonyl Complexes Fe(CO)4L (L = CO,CS, N2, NO+, CN–, NC–, η2‐C2H4, η2‐C2H2, CCH2, CH2, CF2, NH3, NF3, PH3, PF3, η2‐H2)

Equilibrium geometries, bond dissociation energies and relative energies of axial and equatorial iron tetracarbonyl complexes of the general type Fe(CO)₄L (L = CO, CS, N2, NO⁺, CN^–, NC^–, η²‐C₂H₄, η²‐C₂H₂, CCH₂, CH₂, CF₂, NH₃, NF₃, PH₃, PF₃, η²‐H₂) are calculated in order to investigate whether or not the ligand site preference of these ligands correlates with the ratio of their σ‐donor/π‐acceptor capabilities. Using density functional theory and effective‐core potentials with a valence basis set of DZP quality for iron and a 6‐31G(d) all‐electron basis set for the other elements gives theoretically predicted structural parameters that are in very good agreement with previous results and available experimental data. Improved estimates for the (CO)₄Fe–L bond dissociation energies (D₀) are obtained using the CCSD(T)/II//B3LYP/II combination of theoretical methods. The strongest Fe–L bonds are found for complexes involving NO⁺, CN^–, CH₂ and CCH₂ with bond dissociation energies of 105.1, 96.5, 87.4 and 83.8 kcal mol^–1, respectively. These values decrease to 78.6, 64.3 and 64.2 kcal mol^–1, respectively, for NC^–, CF₂ and CS. The Fe(CO)₄L complexes with L = CO, η²‐C₂H₄, η²‐C₂H₂, NH₃, PH₃ and PF₃ have even smaller bond dissociation energies ranging from 45.2 to 37.3 kcal mol^–1. Finally, the smallest bond dissociation energies of 23.5, 22.9 and 18.5 kcal mol^–1, respectively are found for the ligands NF₃, N₂ and η²‐H₂. A detailed examination of the (CO)₄Fe–L bond in terms of a semi‐quantitative Dewar‐Chatt‐Duncanson (DCD) model is presented on the basis of the CDA and NBO approach. The comparison of the relative energies between axial and equatorial isomers of the various Fe(CO)₄L complexes with the σ‐donor/π‐acceptor ratio of their respective ligands L thus does not generally support the classical picture of π‐accepting ligands preferring equatorial coordination sites and σ‐donors tending to coordinate in axial positions. In particular, this is shown by iron tetracarbonyl complexes with L = η²‐C₂H₂, η²‐C₂H₄, η²‐H₂. Although these ligands are predicted by the CDA to be stronger σ‐donors than π‐acceptors, the equatorial isomers of these complexes are more stable than their axial pendants.     

Two centrosymmetric dinuclear phenanthroline–copper(II) complexes with 3,5‐dichloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid and 5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid

The title compounds, bis(μ‐3,5‐dichloro‐2‐oxidobenzoato)‐κ³O¹,O²:O²;κ³O²:O¹,O²‐bis[(3,5‐dichloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid‐κO¹)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)], [Cu₂(C₇H₂Cl₂O₃)₂(C₇H₄Cl₂O₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], (I), and bis(μ‐5‐chloro‐2‐oxidobenzoato)‐κ³O¹,O²:O¹;κ³O¹:O¹,O²‐bis[(5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid‐κO¹)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)copper(II)] ethanol monosolvate, [Cu₂(C₇H₃ClO₃)₂(C₇H₅ClO₃)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂]·C₂H₆O, (II), contain centrosymmetric dinuclear complex molecules in which Cu²⁺ cations are surrounded by a chelating 1,10‐phenanthroline ligand, a chelating 3,5‐dichloro‐2‐oxidobenzoate or 5‐chloro‐2‐oxidobenzoate anionic ligand and a monodentate 3,5‐dichloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid or 5‐chloro‐2‐hydroxybenzoic acid ligand. The chelating benzoate ligand also bridges to the other Cu²⁺ ion in the molecule, but the O atom involved in the bridge is different in the two complexes, being the phenolate O atom in (I) and a carboxylate O atom in (II). The bridge completes a 4+1+1 axially elongated tetragonal–bipyramidal arrangement about each Cu²⁺ cation. The complex molecules of both compounds are linked into one‐dimensional supramolecular chains through O—H...O hydrogen bonds.     

Structure and Stability of Endohedral Complexes X@（HBNH）12

Using quantum chemistry methods B3LYP/6-31＋＋G（d,p） to optimize endohedral complexes X@（HBNH）12 （X=Li^0/＋, Na^0/＋, K^0/＋, Be^0/2＋, Mg^0/2＋, Ca^0/2＋, H and He）, the geometries with the lowest energy were achieved. Inclusion energy, standard equilibrium constant, natural charge, spin density, ionization potentials, and HOMO-LUMO energy gap were also discussed. The calculation predicted that X=Na^0/＋, K^0/＋, Mg^0/2＋, Ca^0/2＋, H and He are nearly located at the center of （HBNH）12 cluster. Li^＋ lies in less than 0.021 nm departure from the center. Li and Be^0/2＋ dramatically deviate from the center. （HBNH）12 prefers to enclose Li^＋, Be^2＋, Mg^2＋, and Ca^2＋ in it than others. Moreover, M@（HBNH）12 （M=Li, Na, K） species are ＂superalkalis＂ in that they possess lower first ionization potentials than the Cs atom （3.9 eV）.     

New Class of Hydrido Iron(II) Compounds with cis‐Reactive Sites: Combination of Iron and Diphosphinodithio Ligand

The cationic complex [Fe(P₂S₂)(NCMe)₂]²⁺ (P₂S₂=(Ph₂PC₆H₄CH₂S)₂(C₂H₄) ([ 1 (NCMe)₂]²⁺)), with two MeCN ligands in a cis orientation, was synthesized and characterized. The MeCN ligand in [ 1 (NCMe)₂]²⁺ undergoes further substitution by a hydride ligand or CO to give iron(II) hydrides [H 1 (NCMe)]⁺, [H 1 H]⁰, and [H 1 (CO)]⁺. The order of reactivity of the hydrides was [H 1 H]⁰>[H 1 (NCMe)]⁺>[H 1 (CO)]⁺, and was illustrated by their reactions toward protic acids, the organic cation of 10‐methylacridinium (MeAcr⁺) as a hydride acceptor, and intermolecular hydride transfer reactions among these ferrous compounds. For example, MeAcr⁺ was reduced initially by a one‐electron transfer process from [H 1 H]⁰, resulting in competing reactions of MeAcr^. dimerization, hydrogen atom transfer from [H 1 H]⁺ to MeAcr^., and decomposition of [H 1 H]⁺. MeAcrH was produced in excellent yields through a single‐step H^? transfer from [H 1 (NCMe)]⁺ to MeAcr⁺, but [H 1 (CO)]⁺ was inactive toward MeAcr⁺.     

Electron‐Rich Diferrous–Phosphane–Thiolates Relevant to Fe‐only Hydrogenase: Is Cyanide “Nature's Trimethylphosphane”?

The two‐step one‐pot oxidative decarbonylation of [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂] ( 1 ) with [FeCp₂]PF₆, followed by addition of phosphane ligands, led to a series of diferrous dithiolato carbonyls 2 – 6 , containing three or four phosphane ligands. In situ measurements indicate efficient formation of 1 ²⁺ as the initial intermediate of the oxidation of 1 , even when a deficiency of the oxidant was employed. Subsequent addition of PR₃ gave rise to [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₃(PMe₃)₃]²⁺ ( 2 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₂(PR₃)₂]²⁺ (R=Me 3 , OMe 4 ) as principal products. One terminal CO ligand in these complexes was readily substituted by MeCN, and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)₂(PMe₃)₃(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 5 ) and [Fe₂(S₂C₂H₄)(μ‐CO)(CO)(PMe₃)₄(MeCN)]²⁺ ( 6 ) were fully characterized. Relevant to the H_red state of the active site of Fe‐only hydrogenases, the unsymmetrical derivatives 5 and 6 feature a semibridging CO ligand trans to a labile coordination site.     

A twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional CdII coordination framework: poly[[μ2‐1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene](μ3‐5‐nitrobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato)cadmium(II)]

A twofold interpenetrating three‐dimensional Cd^II coordination framework, [Cd(C₈H₃NO₆)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, has been prepared and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The asymmetric unit consists of a divalent Cd^II atom, one 1,3‐bis(2‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (1,3‐BMIB) ligand and one fully deprotonated 5‐nitrobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate (NO₂‐BDC²⁻) ligand. The coordination sphere of the Cd^II atom consists of five O‐donor atoms from three different NO₂‐BDC²⁻ ligands and two imidazole N‐donor atoms from two different 1,3‐BMIB ligands, forming a distorted {CdN₂O₅} pentagonal bipyramid. The NO₂‐BDC ligand links three Cd^II atoms via a μ₁‐η¹:η¹ chelating mode and a μ₂‐η²:η¹ bridging mode. The title compound is a twofold interpenetrating 3,5‐connected network with the {4².6⁵.8³}{4².6} topology. In addition, the compound exhibits fluorescence emissions in the solid state at room temperature.     

The first example of a two‐coordinated AuI atom bonded to an FeII atom and an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand

The aurophilicity exhibited by Au^I complexes depends strongly on the nature of the supporting ligands present and the length of the Au–element (Au—E) bond may be used as a measure of the donor–acceptor properties of the coordinated ligands. A binuclear iron–gold complex, [1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene‐2κC²]dicarbonyl‐1κ²C‐(1η⁵‐cyclopentadienyl)gold(I)iron(II)(Au—Fe) benzene trisolvate, [AuFe(C₅H₅)(C₂₇H₃₆N₂)(CO)₂]·3C₆H₆, was prepared by reaction of K[CpFe(CO)₂] (Cp is cyclopentadienyl) with (NHC)AuCl [NHC = 1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene]. In addition to the binuclear complex, the asymmetric unit contains three benzene solvent molecules. This is the first example of a two‐coordinated Au atom bonded to an Fe and a C atom of an N‐heterocyclic carbene.     

[Bis(2‐diphenylphosphinoethyl) sulfide‐κ3P,S,P′](triphenylphosphine‐κP)platinum(II) diperchlorate acetone solvate

In the title compound, [Pt(C₁₈H₁₅P)(C₂₈H₂₈P₂S)]­(ClO₄)₂·­C₃H₆O or [Pt(PPh₃)(PSP)](ClO₄)₂·CH₃COCH₃, where PSP is the potentially tridentate chelate ligand bis(2‐di­phenyl­phosphinoethyl) sulfide, all three donor groups of the PSP ligand are coordinated to the central Pt atom, with Pt—P = 2.310 (1) Å and Pt—S = 2.343 (1) Å. The fourth coordination site is occupied by the P donor of the tri­phenyl­phosphine ligand [Pt—P = 2.289 (1) Å]. The complex cation has exact mirror symmetry, with the S atom, the Pt atom and the P atom of the PPh₃ ligand in the mirror plane. The Pt atom has a distorted square‐planar coordination geometry. A π–π interaction is present between the phenyl rings of the PPh₃ ligand and the terminal –PPh₂ group of the PSP chelate.     

The influence of ligand substituents and donor atom sets on the gas phase electron attachment reactions of bis-chelates of nickel(II)

Electron attachment reactions and negative ion mass spectra which were obtained under negative chemical ionization conditions have been examined for a series of 21 nickel(II) bis-chelates of formula Ni[R¹CXCHCYR²]₂. Three ligand donor atom sets (X, Y), respectively O₄, O₂S₂, S₄ were investigated for each of the substituent combinations, viz.: R¹=CH₃, CF₃ or C₂H₅O, R²=CH₃; R¹=C₆H₅, CH₃ or CF₃, R²=C₆H₅; and R¹ = R² = tert?C₄H₉. While the ligand substituent combinations exerted considerable influence over the various ion decomposition reactions, the relative molecular ion stabilities were largely dependent on the ligand donor atom sets and followed the sequence O₄? O₂S₂>S₄ for most substituent combinations. Rationalizations are offered in terms of reductive electron capture reactions involving metal-based orbitals, as well as the increasing stabilities of reaction products as sulphur is incorporated into the ligand donor atom sets. A comparison is also given of negative ion mass spectral data obtained under electron impact conditions as well as negative chemical ionization conditions when methane was used as an electron energy moderating gas.