Orbital energy mismatch engenders high-spin ground states in heterobimetallic complexes

The spin state in heterobimetallic complexes heavily influences both reactivity and magnetism. Exerting control over spin states in main group-based heterobimetallics requires a different approach as the orbital interactions can differ substantially from that of classic coordination complexes. By deliberately engendering an energetic mismatch within the two metals in a bimetallic complex we can mimic the electronic structure of lanthanides. Towards this end, we report a new family of complexes, [^Ph,MeTpMSnPh₃] where M = Mn (3), Fe (4), Co (5), Ni (6), Zn (7), featuring unsupported bonding between a transition metal and Sn which represent an unusual high spin electronic structure. Analysis of the frontier orbitals reveal the desired orbital mismatch with Sn 5s/5p primarily interacting with 4s/4p M orbitals yielding localized, non-bonding d orbitals. This approach offers a mechanism to design and control spin states in bimetallic complexes.

We report a series of high spin bimetallic transition metal–tin complexes. The unusual high spin configuration in a bimetallic complex is enabled by an energetic mismatch in the orbital energies, leading to lanthanide-like nonbonding interactions.     

Catalytic activity of some organolanthanoid derivatives in styrene and propene polymerization

Organolanthanoids of several classes were examined as potential styrene and propene polymerization catalysts. They are: molecular hydrides of divalent lanthanoids (samarium, europium, ytterbium); naphthalene and stilbene complexes of neodymium(III), samarium(II), europium(II), ytterbium(II), lutetium(III); amides and alkoxides (including heterobifunctional derivatives) of praseodymium(III), neodymium(III), samarium(II), europium(II), thulium(III), ytterbium(II, III); thiolate of samarium(III); phenyl and phenylethinyl derivatives of europium(II), thulium(III), ytterbium(II); methylytterbium cluster Yb₈ (μ‐CH₃)₁₄(μ‐CH₂)(THF)₆; heterobimetallic samarium(II), ytterbium(II, III) complexes; diazabutadiene ytterbium(III) derivatives; metallic praseodymium and ytterbium, activated by iodine. The highest activity in styrene polymerization revealed hydrides, naphthalene and stilbene complexes of samarium(II), europium(II) and ytterbium(II). In the propene polymerization only [(η⁵‐C₅H₄)CH₂CH­(CH₂OBu)(η¹‐O)]YbMe(THF) displayed noticeable activity.Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure determination of KScS2, RbScS2 and KLnS2 (Ln = Nd,Sm, Tb,Dy, Ho,Er, Tm and Yb) and crystal–chemical discussion

The title structures of KScS₂ (potassium scandium sulfide), RbScS₂ (rubidium scandium sulfide) and KLnS₂ [Ln = Nd (potassium neodymium sufide), Sm (potassium samarium sulfide), Tb (potassium terbium sulfide), Dy (potassium dysprosium sulfide), Ho (potassium holmium sulfide), Er (potassium erbium sulfide), Tm (potassium thulium sulfide) and Yb (potassium ytterbium sulfide)] are either newly determined (KScS₂, RbScS₂ and KTbS₂) or redetermined. All of them belong to the α‐NaFeO₂ structure type in agreement with the ratio of the ionic radii r³⁺/r⁺. KScS₂, the member of this structural family with the smallest trivalent cation, is an extreme representative of these structures with rare earth trivalent cations. The title structures are compared with isostructural alkali rare earth sulfides in plots showing the dependence of several relevant parameters on the trivalent cation crystal radius; the parameters thus compared are c, a and c/a, the thicknesses of the S—S layers which contain the respective constituent cations, the sulfur fractional coordinates z(S²⁻) and the bond‐valence sums.     

The structures of ordered defects in thiocyanate analogues of Prussian Blue

We report the structures of six new divalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthate frameworks with the generic formula , M = Mn, Co, Ni and Zn. These frameworks are defective analogues of the perovskite-derived trivalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthates M^III[Bi(SCN)₆]. The defects in these new thiocyanate frameworks order and produce complex superstructures due to the low symmetry of the parent structure, in contrast to the related and more well-studied cyanide Prussian Blue analogues. Despite the close similarities in the chemistries of these four transition metal cations, we find that each framework contains a different mechanism for accommodating the lowered transition metal charge, making use of some combination of Bi(SCN)₆³⁻ vacancies, M_Bi antisite defects, water substitution for thiocyanate, adventitious extra-framework cations and reduced metal coordination number. These materials provide an unusually clear view of defects in molecular framework materials and their variety suggests that similar richness may be waiting to be uncovered in other hybrid perovskite frameworks.

We report the structures of six new divalent transition metal hexathiocyanatobismuthate Prussian Blue analogues frameworks, which contain complex ordered defect structures.     

Au3-to-Ag3 coordinate-covalent bonding and other supramolecular interactions with covalent bonding strength

An efficient strategy for designing charge-transfer complexes using coinage metal cyclic trinuclear complexes (CTCs) is described herein. Due to opposite quadrupolar electrostatic contributions from metal ions and ligand substituents, [Au(μ-Pz-(i-C₃H₇)₂)]₃·[Ag(μ-Tz-(n-C₃F₇)₂)]₃ (Pz = pyrazolate, Tz = triazolate) has been obtained and its structure verified by single crystal X-ray diffraction – representing the 1^st crystallographically-verified stacked adduct of monovalent coinage metal CTCs. Abundant supramolecular interactions with aggregate covalent bonding strength arise from a combination of M–M′ (Au → Ag), metal–π, π–π interactions and hydrogen bonding in this charge-transfer complex, according to density functional theory analyses, yielding a computed binding energy of 66 kcal mol⁻¹ between the two trimer moieties – a large value for intermolecular interactions between adjacent d¹⁰ centres (nearly doubling the value for a recently-claimed Au(i) → Cu(i) polar-covalent bond: Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 2017, 114, E5042) – which becomes 87 kcal mol⁻¹ with benzene stacking. Surprisingly, DFT analysis suggests that: (a) some other literature precedents should have attained a stacked product akin to the one herein, with similar or even higher binding energy; and (b) a high overall intertrimer bonding energy by inferior electrostatic assistance, underscoring genuine orbital overlap between M and M′ frontier molecular orbitals in such polar-covalent M–M′ bonds in this family of molecules. The Au → Ag bonding is reminiscent of classical Werner-type coordinate-covalent bonds such as H₃N: → Ag in [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺, as demonstrated herein quantitatively. Solid-state and molecular modeling illustrate electron flow from the π-basic gold trimer to the π-acidic silver trimer with augmented contributions from ligand-to-ligand’ (LL′CT) and metal-to-ligand (MLCT) charge transfer.

A stacked Ag₃–Au₃ bonded (66 kcal mol⁻¹) complex obtained crystallographically exhibits charge-transfer characteristics arising from multiple cooperative supramolecular interactions.     

Direct metal–carbon bonding in symmetric bis(C–H) agostic nickel(i) complexes

Agostic interactions are examples of σ-type interactions, typically resulting from interactions between C–H σ-bonds with empty transition metal d orbitals. Such interactions often reflect the first step in transition metal-catalysed C–H activation processes and thus are of critical importance in understanding and controlling σ bond activation chemistries. Herein, we report on the unusual electronic structure of linear electron-rich d⁹ Ni(i) complexes with symmetric bis(C–H) agostic interactions. A combination of Ni K edge and L edge XAS with supporting TD-DFT/DFT calculations reveals an unconventional covalent agostic interaction with limited contributions from the valence Ni 3d orbitals. The agostic interaction is driven via the empty Ni 4p orbitals. The surprisingly strong Ni 4p-derived agostic interaction is dominated by σ contributions with minor π contributions. The resulting ligand–metal donation occurs directly along the C–Ni bond axis, reflecting a novel mode of bis-agostic bonding.

Symmetric Ni(i) agostic complexes reveal an unusual mode of bonding that is dominated by direct carbon-to-metal charge transfer.     

Samarium(II) Monoalkyl Complex Supported by a β-Diketiminato-Based Tetradentate Ligand: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalytic Hydrosilylation of Internal Alkynes

The synthesis and catalytic applications of trivalent rare-earth metal alkyl complexes have been well developed, but the chemistry of divalent rare-earth metal alkyl complexes lagged much behind. Herein, we report the synthesis, structure, and catalytic applications of a samarium(II) monoalkyl complex supported by a β-diketiminato-based tetradentate ligand, [LSmCH(SiMe₃)₂] (L=[MeC(NDipp)CHC(Me)NCH₂CH₂N(Me)CH₂CH₂NMe₂]⁻, Dipp=2,6-(iPr)₂C₆H₃). This complex is synthesized by the salt metathesis reaction of samarium iodide [LSm(μ-I)]₂ and KCH(SiMe₃)₂ in 63 % yield. Its structure is characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing a distorted square-pyramid coordination geometry. This samarium(II) monoalkyl complex exhibits high catalytic activity in the hydrosilylation of aryl and methyl-substituted unsymmetrical internal alkynes with secondary hydrosilanes, selectively providing the α-(E) products in high yields.     

Self-healing and shape memory functions exhibited by supramolecular liquid-crystalline networks formed by combination of hydrogen bonding interactions and coordination bonding

We here report a new approach to develop self-healing shape memory supramolecular liquid-crystalline (LC) networks through self-assembly of molecular building blocks via combination of hydrogen bonding and coordination bonding. We have designed and synthesized supramolecular LC polymers and networks based on the complexation of a forklike mesogenic ligand with Ag⁺ ions and carboxylic acids. Unidirectionally aligned fibers and free-standing films forming layered LC nanostructures have been obtained for the supramolecular LC networks. We have found that hybrid supramolecular LC networks formed through metal–ligand interactions and hydrogen bonding exhibit both self-healing properties and shape memory functions, while hydrogen-bonded LC networks only show self-healing properties. The combination of hydrogen bonds and metal–ligand interactions allows the tuning of intermolecular interactions and self-assembled structures, leading to the formation of the dynamic supramolecular LC materials. The new material design presented here has potential for the development of smart LC materials and functional LC membranes with tunable responsiveness.

New supramolecular hybrid liquid-crystalline networks exhibiting self-healing and shape memory properties are developed by self-assembly of small components through hydrogen bonding interactions and coordination bonding.     

Peculiar bond characters of fivefold coordinated octet compound crystals

The present work exemplifies complementary perspectives offered by the band and bond pictures of solids, with an emphasis on the chemical intuition pertaining to the latter, especially in the presence of interfaces. The modern computational method of constructing a unique set of maximally localized Wannier functions from delocalized band states imparts new interpretations to the familiar concept of chemical bonds in the context of crystalline solids. By bridging the band and bond pictures using advanced computational tools, we reveal for the first time the unusual bond characters of a long-predicted fivefold coordinated structure of binary octet compounds A^NB^8−N consisting of AA′ stacked planar AB honeycombs. While the isolated monolayer retains the familiar p_z–π bonding in a honeycomb framework as in graphene and hexagonal boron nitride, the bulk foregoes in-plane π bonding and embraces out-of-plane ⋯A–B–A–B⋯ chain bonding via overlapping p_z orbitals. Not only does the chemical intuition gained by invoking the bond picture clarify the chemical nature of the fivefold coordination, but it also facilely explains a salient discrepancy in theoretical predictions in otherwise sound ample experimental evidence in the form of epitaxial thin films, paving the way towards rational synthesis of such thin films for optoelectronic applications. On the other hand, we show that the conduction band minimum, important in determining the electrical and optical properties, is a distinctly extended state that can only be properly described within the band picture.

A refreshed view of chemical bonds in solids unveils unusual bonding in fivefold coordinated bulk crystals of octet compounds: out-of-plane cation–anion chain bonding via overlapping p_z orbitals replaces in-plane π bonding of the isolated monolayer.     

“Bottled” spiro-doubly aromatic trinuclear [Pd2Ru]+ complexes

Following an ongoing interest in the study of transition metal complexes with exotic bonding networks, we report herein the synthesis of a family of heterobimetallic triangular clusters involving Ru and Pd atoms. These are the first examples of trinuclear complexes combining these nuclei. Structural and bonding analyses revealed both analogies and unexpected differences for these [Pd₂Ru]⁺ complexes compared to their parent [Pd₃]⁺ peers. Noticeably, participation of the Ru atom in the π-aromaticity of the coordinated benzene ring makes the synthesized compound the second reported example of ‘bottled’ double aromaticity. This can also be referred to as spiroaromaticity due to the participation of Ru in two aromatic systems at a time. Moreover, the [Pd₂Ru]⁺ kernel exhibits unprecedented orbital overlap of Ru d_z² AO and two Pd d_xy or d_x²−y² AOs. The present findings reveal the possibility of synthesizing stable clusters with delocalized metal–metal bonding from the combination of non-adjacent elements of the periodic table which has not been reported previously.

Synthesis of a triangular [Pd₂Ru]⁺ complex with delocalized metal–metal bonding between non-adjacent elements of the periodic table, double aromaticity and overlap of d-AOs with different angular momentum.     

Trends in trigonal prismatic Ln-[1]ferrocenophane complexes and discovery of a Ho3+ single-molecule magnet

Lanthanide metallocenophanes are an intriguing class of organometallic complexes that feature rare six-coordinate trigonal prismatic coordination environments of 4f elements with close intramolecular proximity to transition metal ions. Herein, we present a systematic study of the structural and magnetic properties of the ferrocenophanes, [LnFc₃(THF)₂Li₂]⁻, of the late trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln = Gd (1), Ho (2), Er (3), Tm (4), Yb (5), Lu (6)). One major structural trend within this class of complexes is the increasing diferrocenyl (Fc²⁻) average twist angle with decreasing ionic radius (r_ion) of the central Ln ion, resulting in the largest average Fc²⁻ twist angles for the Lu³⁺ compound 6. Such high sensitivity of the twist angle to changes in r_ion is unique to the here presented ferrocenophane complexes and likely due to the large trigonal plane separation enforced by the ligand (>3.2 Å). This geometry also allows the non-Kramers ion Ho³⁺ to exhibit slow magnetic relaxation in the absence of applied dc fields, rendering compound 2 a rare example of a Ho-based single-molecule magnet (SMM) with barriers to magnetization reversal (U) of 110–131 cm⁻¹. In contrast, compounds featuring Ln ions with prolate electron density (3–5) don''t show slow magnetization dynamics under the same conditions. The observed trends in magnetic properties of 2–5 are supported by state-of-the-art ab initio calculations. Finally, the magneto-structural relationship of the trigonal prismatic Ho-[1]ferrocenophane motif was further investigated by axial ligand (THF in 2) exchange to yield [HoFc₃(THF*)₂Li₂]⁻ (2-THF*) and [HoFc₃(py)₂Li₂]⁻ (2-py) motifs. We find that larger average Fc²⁻ twist angles (in 2-THF* and 2-py as compared to in 2) result in faster magnetic relaxation times at a given temperature.

Lanthanide ferrocenophanes are an intriguing class of organometallic complexes that feature rare six-coordinate trigonal prismatic coordination environments of 4f elements with close intramolecular proximity to iron ions.     

Cerium(iv) complexes with guanidinate ligands: intense colors and anomalous electronic structures

A series of cerium(iv) mixed-ligand guanidinate–amide complexes, {[(Me₃Si)₂NC(NⁱPr)₂]_xCe^IV[N(SiMe₃)₂]_3−x}⁺ (x = 0–3), was prepared by chemical oxidation of the corresponding cerium(iii) complexes, where x = 1 and 2 represent novel complexes. The Ce(iv) complexes exhibited a range of intense colors, including red, black, cyan, and green. Notably, increasing the number of the guanidinate ligands from zero to three resulted in significant redshift of the absorption bands from 503 nm (2.48 eV) to 785 nm (1.58 eV) in THF. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra indicated increasing f occupancy (n_f) with more guanidinate ligands, and revealed the multiconfigurational ground states for all Ce(iv) complexes. Cyclic voltammetry experiments demonstrated less stabilization of the Ce(iv) oxidation state with more guanidinate ligands. Moreover, the Ce(iv) tris(guanidinate) complex exhibited temperature independent paramagnetism (TIP) arising from the small energy gap between the ground- and excited states with considerable magnetic moments. Computational analysis suggested that the origin of the low energy absorption bands was a charge transfer between guanidinate π orbitals that were close in energy to the unoccupied Ce 4f orbitals. However, the incorporation of sterically hindered guanidinate ligands inhibited optimal overlaps between Ce 5d and ligand N 2p orbitals. As a result, there was an overall decrease of ligand-to-metal donation and a less stabilized Ce(iv) oxidation state, while at the same time, more of the donated electron density ended up in the 4f shell. The results indicate that incorporating guanidinate ligands into Ce(iv) complexes gives rise to intense charge transfer bands and noteworthy electronic structures, providing insights into the stabilization of tetravalent lanthanide oxidation states.

A series of cerium(iv) mixed-ligand guanidinate-amide complexes, {[(Me₃Si)₂NC(NⁱPr)₂]_xCe^IV[N(SiMe₃)₂]_3−x}+ (x = 0−3), was prepared by chemical oxidation and studied spectroscopically and computationally, revealing trends in 4f/5d orbital occupancies.     

Thermodynamics of ion binding and occupancy in potassium channels

Potassium channels modulate various cellular functions through efficient and selective conduction of K⁺ ions. The mechanism of ion conduction in potassium channels has recently emerged as a topic of debate. Crystal structures of potassium channels show four K⁺ ions bound to adjacent binding sites in the selectivity filter, while chemical intuition and molecular modeling suggest that the direct ion contacts are unstable. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been instrumental in the study of conduction and gating mechanisms of ion channels. Based on MD simulations, two hypotheses have been proposed, in which the four-ion configuration is an artifact due to either averaged structures or low temperature in crystallographic experiments. The two hypotheses have been supported or challenged by different experiments. Here, MD simulations with polarizable force fields validated by ab initio calculations were used to investigate the ion binding thermodynamics. Contrary to previous beliefs, the four-ion configuration was predicted to be thermodynamically stable after accounting for the complex electrostatic interactions and dielectric screening. Polarization plays a critical role in the thermodynamic stabilities. As a result, the ion conduction likely operates through a simple single-vacancy and water-free mechanism. The simulations explained crystal structures, ion binding experiments and recent controversial mutagenesis experiments. This work provides a clear view of the mechanism underlying the efficient ion conduction and demonstrates the importance of polarization in ion channel simulations.

Polarization shapes the energy landscape of ion conduction in potassium channels.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Potassium–Lanthanoid(III) Complexes with the 1,2‐Benzenedisulfonate Ligand

The complexes [K(H₂O)₂LnL₂] (Ln = La or Nd; L = 1,2‐benzenedisulfonate) and [K(H₂O)Yb(H₂O)₄L₂] were initially isolated fortuitously from attempts to prepare the corresponding Ln₂L₃ complexes from Ln₂O₃ and H₂L in water. Indeed the bulk products from these reactions have the composition Ln₂L₃. Subsequently, deliberate syntheses by reacting equimolar amounts of Ln₂L₃ with K₂L in water gave the complexes in good yield. X‐ray crystal structures of [K(H₂O)₂LnL₂] (Ln = La or Nd) showed the complexes to be isostructural with a two dimensional polymeric network structure in which LnL₂ units are linked into chains crosslinked by potassium ions. Each Ln is nine coordinate with solely sulfonate oxygen donor atoms. Between adjacent lanthanoid ions there are three different types of sulfonate bridges and two examples of each. Most noteworthy is highly unsymmetrical bridging through μ‐η²‐sulfonate oxygen atoms. Consequently, one Ln–O bond is ca. 0.5 Å longer than the other eight. Potassium is nine‐coordinate with seven sulfonate oxygen atoms and two aqua ligands, and surprisingly <K–O(sulfonate)> is much longer than <K–O(H₂O)>. Pairs of potassium ions are linked by two μ‐η²‐sulfonate oxygen atoms, which are unsymmetrically bridging. The structure of [K(H₂O)Yb(H₂O)₄L₂] comprises discrete tetranuclear units containing two independent ytterbium ions, each coordinated by four water molecules and two chelating (via seven membered rings) disulfonate ligands, and two potassium ions, each coordinated by six sulfonate oxygen atoms and a water molecule. For each potassium, four of the coordinated sulfonate oxygen atoms are from sulfonate ligands bonded to one ytterbium atom and two from sulfonate ligands attached to the other ytterbium atom. In contrast to the Nd and La complexes, <K–O(sulfonate)> is shorter than <K–O(H₂O)>.     

Combined spectroscopic studies on post-functionalized Au25 cluster as an ATR-FTIR sensor for cations

Recently, significant research activity has been devoted to thiolate-protected gold clusters due to their attractive optical and electronic properties. These properties as well as solubility and stability can be controlled by post-synthetic modification strategies. Herein, the ligand exchange reaction between Au₂₅(2-PET)₁₈ cluster (where 2-PET is 2-phenylethanethiol) and di-thiolated crown ether (t-CE) ligands bearing two chromophores was studied. The post-functionalization aimed to endow the cluster with ion binding properties. The exchange reaction was followed in situ by UV-vis, ¹H NMR and HPLC. MALDI mass analysis revealed the incorporation of up to 5 t-CE ligands into the ligand shell. Once functionalized MALDI furthermore showed complexation of sodium ions to the cluster. ATR-FTIR spectroscopic studies using aqueous solutions of K⁺, Ba²⁺, Gd³⁺ and Eu³⁺ showed noticeable spectral shifts of the C–O stretching band around 1100 cm⁻¹ upon complexation. Further spectral changes point towards a conformational change of the two chromophores that are attached to the crown ether. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the di-thiol ligand bridges two staple units on the cluster. The calculations furthermore reproduce the spectral shift of the C–O stretching vibrations upon complex formation and reveal a conformational change that involves the two chromophores attached to the crown ether. The functionalized clusters have therefore attractive ion sensing properties due to the combination of binding properties, mainly due to the crown ether, and the possibility for signal transduction via an induced conformational change involving chromophore units.

Using ligand exchange reactions an atomically precise gold cluster was functionalized with a di-thiolated crown ether. Using in situ infrared spectroscopy films of the resulting composite were shown to incorporate metal cations.     

The electronic structure and deexcitation pathways of an isolated metalloporphyrin ion resolved by metal L-edge spectroscopy

The local electronic structure of the metal-active site and the deexcitation pathways of metalloporphyrins are crucial for numerous applications but difficult to access by commonly employed techniques. Here, we applied near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectrometry and quantum-mechanical restricted active space calculations to investigate the electronic structure of the metal-active site of the isolated cobalt(iii) protoporphyrin IX cation (CoPPIX⁺) and its deexcitation pathways upon resonant absorption at the cobalt L-edge. The experiments were carried out in the gas phase, thus allowing for control over the chemical state and molecular environment of the metalloporphyrin. The obtained mass spectra reveal that resonant excitations of CoPPIX⁺ at the cobalt L₃-edge lead predominantly to the formation of the intact radical dication and doubly charged fragments through losses of charged and neutral side chains from the macrocycle. The comparison between experiment and theory shows that CoPPIX⁺ is in a ³A_2g triplet ground state and that competing excitations to metal-centred non-bonding and antibonding σ* molecular orbitals lead to distinct deexcitation pathways.

Near-edge X-ray absorption mass spectrometry (NEXAMS) and restricted active space (RAS) quantum mechanical calculations at the metal L-edge reveal the electronic structure and orbital-specific deexcitation pathways of gas-phase metalloporphyrins.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Some Potassium Complexes of Some Bis(phenolate) Ligands and Some Novel Heterobimetallic Binuclear Arrays Formed with Trivalent Lanthanoid Ions

The structural characterizations of the potassium complexes of a pair of dianionic bis(phenolate) ligands, {L^R = [^?OC₆H₂(2,4‐Bu^t)(6‐CH₂)]₂NCH₂CH₂R} R = NMe₂, OMe, crystallized from 1,2,‐dimethoxyethane (DME) are recorded, showing them to take the binuclear form [K₂L^R(DME)₃]. A pair of neutral binuclear heterobimetallic isotypic complexes are defined with ytterbium(III), with phenol, as sodium salts, of the form [Yb(L^R)(OPh)₂Na(DME)(HOPh)], and a further array with samarium(III), of the (partially protonated) form [Sm(L^OMe)₂Na(OH₂)]. A further complex, [Na(DME)₃][Yb(*L^py)₂], results from an unusual ligand reduction by an ytterbium(II) species to give a new dianionic Schiff base ligand which is coordinated to ytterbium(III) {*L^py = ^?OC₆H₂(2,4‐Bu^t)(6‐CH=N‐CH‐2‐C₆H₄N)}.     

Complexes macrocycliques des lanthanides: Stabilité et comportement électrochimique dans le méthanol et le carbonate de propylène

Macrocyclic Complexes of Lanthanides: Stability and Electrochemical Behaviour in Methanol and Propylene Carbonate The stabilities of the 1:1 complexes of the trivalent lanthanides with the diazapolyoxamacrocycles (2.1.) and (2.2.1.) in anhydrous methanol and propylene carbonate have been determined at 25°, by competitive potentiometric methods using H⁺ or Ag⁺ as auxiliary cations, with Et₄NClO₄ as supporting-electrolyte. Additional data are also reported for the crown ethers 15C5 and 18C6 in propylene carbonate. It is shown that the diazapolyoxamacrocycles are much stronger complexing agents for trivalent lanthanides than macrocyclic polyethers, and that the bicyclic (2.2.1.) cryptates are more stable than the monocyclic (2.1.) complexes. With increasing atomic number of the lanthanides, the stability increases with diazapolyoxamacrocycles and decreases with cyclic polyethers. The electrochemical reduction of the trivalent samarium and europium cryptates has been investigated by polarography on a dropping Hg-electrode, in water and methanol. In both solvating solvents, the +2 oxidation states of the cations are stabilized by complexation.     

Transition metal complexes of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone isonicotinoyl hydrazone

Summary 2-Thenoyltrifluoroacetone isonicotinoyl hydra/one (H₂L), made by condensation of 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone(TTA) with isonicotinic acid hydrazide, and its transition metal complexes were prepared. H₂L functions as a tetradentate ligand for divalent metal ions, but as a tridentate ligand for trivalent metal ions, taking part in coordination in both mono- and divalent anions. Antioxidative tests were made to examine the elimination action for H₂L and the complexes towards superoxide O _inf2 ^sup–. and hydroxyl OH^. radicals, which confirmed the efficient antioxidative action towards these radicals.     

Observations of tetrel bonding between sp3-carbon and THF

We report the direct observation of tetrel bonding interactions between sp³-carbons of the supramolecular synthon 3,3-dimethyl-tetracyanocyclopropane (1) and tetrahydrofuran in the gas and crystalline phase. The intermolecular contact is established via σ-holes and is driven mainly by electrostatic forces. The complex manifests distinct binding geometries when captured in the crystalline phase and in the gas phase. We elucidate these binding trends using complementary gas phase quantum chemical calculations and find a total binding energy of −11.2 kcal mol⁻¹ for the adduct. Our observations pave the way for novel strategies to engineer sp³-C centred non-covalent bonding schemes for supramolecular chemistry.

sp³-C⋯THF tetrel bonding was observed in the crystalline state and in the gas phase. Density functional calculations revealed interaction energies up to −11.2 kcal mol⁻¹ and showed that these adducts are held together mainly by electrostatics.