Theoretical study of intra- and inter-chain magnetic interactions in [Ni(chxn)2Br]Br2

The intra- and the inter-chain magnetic interactions in [Ni(chxn)₂Br]Br₂, which is one of the typical one-dimensional (1-D) MX complexes are examined by using an unrestricted hybrid DFT (UB3LYP) method. Calculated effective exchange integral (J) value along the 1-D chain is 2J_Intra = −4016 K and is close to an experimental result (−3600 K). On the other hand, a very weak anti-ferromagnetic inter-chain interaction through Br⁻ ions is observed. The value is estimated to be 2J_Inter = −2 to −6 K. In addition to the J values, transfer integral (t), on-site Coulomb repulsion (U) and charge transfer energy (E^CT) values along the 1-D chain are also estimated to be 0.46, 2.46 and 0.6 eV, respectively.     

Synthesis of [F]xenon difluoride as a radiolabeling reagent from [F]fluoride ion in a micro-reactor and at production scale

[¹⁸F]Xenon difluoride ([¹⁸F]XeF₂), was produced by treating xenon difluoride with cyclotron-produced [¹⁸F]fluoride ion to provide a potentially useful agent for labeling novel radiotracers with fluorine-18 (t_1/2 = 109.7 min) for imaging applications with positron emission tomography. Firstly, the effects of various reaction parameters, for example, vessel material, solvent, cation and base on this process were studied at room temperature. Glass vials facilitated the reaction more readily than polypropylene vials. The reaction was less efficient in acetonitrile than in dichloromethane. Cs⁺ or K⁺ with or without the cryptand, K 2.2.2, was acceptable as counter cation. The production of [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was retarded by K₂CO₃, suggesting that generation of hydrogen fluoride in the reaction milieu promoted the incorporation of fluorine-18 into xenon difluoride. Secondly, the effect of temperature was studied using a microfluidic platform in which [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was produced in acetonitrile at elevated temperature (≥85 °C) over 94 s. These results enabled us to develop a method for obtaining [¹⁸F]XeF₂ on a production scale (up to 25 mCi) through reaction of [¹⁸F]fluoride ion with xenon difluoride in acetonitrile at 90 °C for 10 min. [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was separated from the reaction mixture by distillation at 110 °C. Furthermore, [¹⁸F]XeF₂ was shown to be reactive towards substrates, such as 1-((trimethylsilyl)oxy)cyclohexene and fluorene.     

A hybrid material based on [Mo6Br14] inorganic cluster units and [BEDO-TTF] organic monocationic radicals: Synthesis, structure and properties of (BEDO-TTF)2Mo6Br14(PhCN)4

The first charge transfer salt based on non- dimerized [BEDO-TTF]⁺ monocationic radical (BEDO-TTF=bis(ethylenedioxy)tetrathiafulvalene) associated with [Mo₆Br₁₄]²⁻ cluster anions has been synthesized by conventional electro-oxidation and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-VIS-NIR absorption and magnetic susceptibility measurements. (BEDO-TTF)₂Mo₆Br₁₄(PhCN)₄ crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, a=10.414(4) Å, b=21.711(7) Å, c=15.958(5) Å, β=93.65(3)°, V=3601(2) Å³, Z=2, R₁=0.0578, wR₂=0.0731. The structure of this hybrid compound is built up from a [BEDO-TTF]⁺ and PhCN (benzonitrile) organic framework in which are hosted the [Mo₆Br₁₄]²⁻ inorganic cluster units. It results in non- dimerized [BEDO-TTF]⁺ cations that exhibit a paramagnetic behavior characteristic of one unpaired electron.     

Retention profile and subsequent chemical speciation of chromium (III) and (VI)) in industrial wastewater samples employing some onium cations loaded polyurethane foams

The retention of chromium (VI) from aqueous media onto tetraphenylarsonium chloride (TPAs⁺Cl⁻) or tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP⁺Br⁻) immobilized polyurethane foams (PUFs) was fast and followed first order reaction. The kinetic data of the retention step were subjected to Weber-Morris, Lagergren, Bhattacharya and Venkobachar and Bt kinetic models. The results revealed that, film and intraparticle transport might be the two steps controlling the rate of chromium (VI) sorption from the aqueous acid solutions of pH ∼ zero. The positive values of the Δ H of chromium (VI) retention by the reagents loaded PUFs were interpreted as an endothermic process. Under the optimum pH (pH ∼ zero ) of the aqueous solution, the proposed TPAs⁺Cl⁻ or TPP⁺Br⁻ immobilized PUFs was successfully used in a series of medical syringe (30, 50 mL capacity) as pulse columns for complete collection of chromium (VI) species present in fresh and industrial wastewater samples at ultra trace low level of chromium (VI) (≤ 0.05 μg mL^− 1). The collected chromium (VI) species onto TPAs⁺Cl⁻ or TPP⁺Br⁻-PUFs was then stripped quantitatively (98-102 ± 2.6%) from the pulse columns with NaOH (2.0 mol L^− 1) and subsequently analyzed photometrically. The chromium (VI) ions could be pre concentrated up to 100-fold from large volume of water samples. The proposed pulse foam columns were applied successfully for complete collection, recovery (97.5 ± 2.6%, n = 5) and subsequent chemical speciation of chromium (III) and (VI) in wastewater samples. The results are in good agreement with the reported and standard methods at 95% confidence.     

Spectrofluorometric determination and chemical speciation of trace concentrations of chromium (III & VI) species in water using the ion pairing reagent tetraphenyl-phosphonium bromide

A highly selective, and low cost extractive spectrofluorometric method has been developed for determination of trace concentrations of chromium (III & VI) in water samples using the fluorescent reagent tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP⁺·Br⁻). The method was based upon solvent extraction of the produced ion associate [TPP⁺·CrO₃Cl⁻] of TPP⁺·Br⁻ and halochromate in aqueous HCl and measuring the fluorescence quenching of TPP⁺·Br⁻ in chloroform at λ_ex/em = 242/305 nm. The fluorescence intensity of TPP⁺Br⁻ decreased linearly on increasing the chromium (VI) concentration in the range of 1-114 μg L⁻¹. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of chromium (VI) were 0.43 and 1.42 μg L⁻¹, respectively. Chromium (III) species after oxidation to chromium (VI) with H₂O₂ in alkaline solution were also determined. Chemical speciation of chromium (III & VI) species at trace levels was achieved. The method was applied for analysis of chromium in certified reference material (IAEA Soil-7) and in tap- and wastewater samples and compared successfully (>95%) with the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) results.     

The [F]2-Fluoro-1,3-thiazolyl Moiety - an Easily-Accessible Structural Motif for Prospective Molecular Imaging Radiotracers

2-Fluoro-1,3-thiazoles were rapidly and efficiently labeled with no-carrier-added fluorine-18 (t_1/2 = 109.7 min) by treatment of readily prepared 2-halo precursors with cyclotron-produced [¹⁸F]fluoride ion. The [¹⁸F]2-fluoro-1,3-thiazolyl moiety constitutes a new and easily-labeled structural motif for prospective molecular imaging radiotracers.     

3-(Aryl)-2-sulfanylpropenoates of mercury(II) and phenylmercury(II)

Compounds [HQ]₂[Hg(L)₂] and [HQ][PhHg(L)] [where HQ = diisopropylammonium cation; L = pspa, fspa, tspa, where p = 3-(phenyl), f = 3-(2-furyl), t = 3-(2-thienyl), and spa = 2-sulfanylpropenoato] have been prepared by the reaction of mercury(II) acetate or phenylmercury(II) acetate with the corresponding acid in the presence of diisopropylamine in ethanol. The compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, FAB mass spectrometry and IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy. The crystal structures of the [HQ]₂[Hg(L)₂] compounds show the presence of diisopropylammonium cations and [Hg(L)₂]²⁻ anions. In each anion the Hg atom is in an HgO₂S₂ environment and this can be described as nido-tbp. The crystal structures of the [HQ][PhHg(L)] compounds show the presence of diisopropylammonium cations and [PhHg(L)]⁻ anions in which the Hg atom adopts an HgCOS distorted T-environment. The NMR data suggest that the coordination mode of the ligand L²⁻ determined by X-ray diffractometry in the solid remains in solution.     

Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated ionomer p-perfluoro-[1-(2-sulfonic)ethoxy]ethylated polyacrylonitrile-styrene

Fluorinated ionomer p-perfluoro[1-(2-sulfonic)ethoxy]ethylated polyacrylonitrile-styrene (SFAS) (5) was synthesized via electron transfer reaction between polyacrylonitrile-styrene (AS) (1) and perfluoro-di[2-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]propionyl peroxide (FAP) (2) and followed by alkali hydrolysis and acidification of p-perfluoro[1-(2-fluorosulfonyl)ethoxy]ethylated polyacrylonitrile-styrene (3). The microstructure of ionomer 5 was well characterized by FTIR and ¹⁹F NMR. Its desulfonation occurred above 197 °C was found by TGA, the degree of substitution (DS) and ion exchange capacity (IEC) determined by titration were well controlled through changing the molar ratio of 2:1. The proton exchange membranes made of ionomer 5 have water uptake from 13.4 to 135.3% and conductivity up to 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C.     

Stereodynamics of 1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane: experimental and theoretical analysis

Dynamic NMR of 1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane reveals two dynamic processes: ring inversion leading to equilibrium between two degenerate rotamers of C_s symmetry (ΔG^≠ = 13.5 kcal/mol), and rotation about the S-N bond leading to equilibrium between the C_s (more stable) and C_3v (2.12 kcal/mol less stable) rotamers (ΔG^≠ = 13.0 kcal/mol).     

An efficient synthesis of ([F]fluoropropyl)quinoline-5,8-diones by rapid radiofluorination-oxidative demethylation

Since many molecules bearing quinoline-5,8-dione or fused 1,4-quinone moieties possess a wide spectrum of biological activities, efficient methods for incorporation of fluorine-18 (F-18) into quinoline-5,8-diones have received considerable attention in positron emission tomography (PET) molecular imaging studies. In this paper, we describe an efficient synthetic route for the regioselective preparation of fluoropropyl-substituted quinoline-5,8-diones on the C3, C4, and C6 positions by tert-alcohol media fluorination, followed by oxidative demethylation of the corresponding dimethoxy compound using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) in the presence of catalytic amounts of sulfuric acid. Moreover, F-18 labeled [¹⁸F]fluoropropylquinoline-5,8-diones [¹⁸F]21-23 were prepared from the corresponding mesylate precursors by a method of rapid and efficient one-pot, two-step reactions: radiofluorination using TBA [¹⁸F]F generated under no-carrier-added (NCA) conditions; oxidative demethylation, resulting in a 45% radiochemical yield of [¹⁸F]21-23 (decay-corrected) with a total synthesis time (including HPLC purification) of 75 min and high radiochemical purity (>99%), as well as high specific activity (∼230 GBq/μmol).     

Calorimetric determination of enthalpy changes for proton ionization of N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-ethane sulfonic acid] (HEPES) and N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid] (HEPPSO) in water-methanol mixtures

Enthalpies for the two proton ionizations of the biochemical buffers N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-ethane sulfonic acid] (HEPES) and N-[2-hydroxyethyl]piperazine-N′-[2-hydroxypropane sulfonic acid] (HEPPSO) were obtained in water-methanol mixtures with methanol mole fraction (X_m) from 0 to 0.360. With increasing methanol, the ionization enthalpy for the first proton (ΔH₁) of HEPES increased steadily from 8.4 to 15.3 kJ mol⁻¹ whereas that for HEPPSO rose to a maximum of 21.0 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.123 before dropping to 18.4 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.360. The ionization enthalpy for the second proton (ΔH₂) of HEPES varied from 20.8 kJ mol⁻¹ in water to 13.6 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.360 with a maximum of 24.8 kJ mol⁻¹ at X_m = 0.194. For HEPPSO, ΔH₂ increased steadily from 23.4 to 29.2 kJ mol⁻¹. The solvent composition was selected so as to include the region of maximum structure enhancement of water by methanol. The results were interpreted in terms of solvent-solvent and solvent-solute interactions.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of the Cp2Zr{CH(SiMe3)2} cation

The generation and properties of the Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ cation are described. An X-ray crystallographic analysis shows that the carborane salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][HCB₁₁Me₅Br₆] contains an agostic Zr-μ-Me-Si interaction in the solid state. Low temperature NMR spectra of the borate salt [Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}][B(C₆F₅)₄] show that this interaction is retained in solution. Variable temperature NMR spectra establish that the SiMe₂(μ-Me) and unbound SiMe₃ units of Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ exchange by a “pivot” process involving partial rotation around the Zr-CH(SiMe₃)₂ bond, with a barrier of ΔG^‡ = 9.2(1) kcal/mol at −89 °C. Cp₂Zr{CH(SiMe₃)₂}⁺ does not coordinate alkenes or alkynes.     

Reverse atom transfer radical polymerisation (RATRP) of methacrylates using copper(I)/pyridinimine catalysts in conjunction with AIBN

N-n-Propyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 1, N-n-octyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 2, N-n-lauryl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 3, and N-n-octadecyl-2-pyridylmethanimine, 4 have been used in conjunction with copper(II) bromide and azo initiators for the reverse atom transfer radical polymerisation of a range of methacrylates. AIBN to Cu^IIBr₂ ratios of 0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1 give PMMA with M_n 11 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.24) (at 22% conversion), 12 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.06) (at 83% conversion) and 10 900 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.11) (at 84% conversion), respectively. A Cu^IIBr₂ complex is demonstrated to be needed at the start of the reaction for good control over molecular weight and polydispersity as reactions using Cu(I)Br as catalyst yielded PMMA of M_n 31 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 2.90), reactions with no copper yield PMMA of M_n 33 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 2.95). The RATRP of styrene was carried out using Cu^IIBr₂ as catalyst. AIBN to Cu^IIBr₂ ratio of 0.5:1, 0.75:1 and 1:1 gave PS with M_n = 12 400 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.27) at low conversion, M_n = 15 500 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.11) and 12 400 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.38), respectively at ∼85% conversion. A series of block copolymers of MMA with BMA, BzMA and DMEAMA (15 600 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.18), 13 300 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.14) 15 300 g mol⁻¹ (PDi) = 1.16), using a PMMA macroinitiator were prepared. Emulsion polymerisation of MMA using [initiator]:[Cu^(II)Br₂] ratio = 0.5:1 with Brij surfactant gave a linear increase of M_n with respect to conversion, final M_n = 112 800 g mol⁻¹ (PDi = 1.42). Further reactions were carried out with [initiator]:[Cu^(II)Br₂] ratio = 0.75:1 and 1:1. Both giving PMMA with M_n ∼ 32 000 g mol⁻¹ (PDi ∼ 2.4). These reactions exhibit no control, this is because the azo initiator is present in excess and all of the monomer is consumed by a free radical polymerisation as opposed to a controlled reaction. Particle size analysis (DLS) showed the particle size between 160 and170 nm in all cases.     

A new heteroditopic receptor and sensor highly selective for bromide in the presence of a bound cation

The heteroditopic receptor 2 containing a crown ether and amidoferrocence groups was synthesized and the binding abilities with various anions are reported in the presence and absence of metal cations. In the presence of Na⁺, 2 showed positive co-operative binding towards Br⁻ with the binding affinity K_ass = 16,096 M⁻¹. Therefore, receptor 2 showed a switched-on binding for Br⁻ in the presence of Na⁺ and a switched-off binding in the absence of Na⁺. Compound 2 was also found to sense Cl⁻ and Br⁻ electrochemically.     

Energy analysis of metal-metal bonding in [RM-MR] (M = Zn, Cd, Hg; R = CH3, SiH3, GeH3, C5H5, C5Me5)

The metal-metal bonds of the title compounds have been investigated with the help of energy decomposition analysis at the DFT/TZ2P level. In good agreement with experiment, computations yield Hg-Hg bond distance in [H₃SiHg-HgSiH₃] of 2.706 Å and Zn-Zn bond distance in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Zn-Zn(η⁵-C₅Me₅)] of 2.281 Å. The Cd-Cd bond distances are longer than the Hg-Hg bond distances. Bond dissociation energies (-BDE) for Zn-Zn bonds in zincocene −70.6 kcal/mol in [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂Zn₂] and −70.3 kcal/mol in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂Zn₂] are greater amongst the compounds under study. In addition, [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂M₂] is found to have a binding energy slightly larger than those in [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)₂M₂]. The trend of the M-M bond dissociation energy for the substituents R shows for metals the order GeH₃ < SiH₃ < CH₃ < C₅Me₅ < C₅H₅. Electrostatic forces between the metals are always attractive and they are strong (−75.8 to −110.5 kcal/mol). The results demonstrate clearly that the atomic partial charges cannot be taken as a measure of the electrostatic interactions between the atoms. The orbital interaction (covalent bonding) ΔE_orb is always smaller than the electrostatic attraction ΔE_elstat. The M-M bonding in [RM-M-R] (R = CH₃, SiH₃, GeH₃, C₅H₅, C₅Me₅; M = Zn, Cd, Hg) has more than half ionic character (56-64%). The values of Pauli repulsions, ΔE_Pauli, electrostatic interactions, ΔE_elstat, and orbital interactions, ΔE_elstat are larger for mercury compounds as compared to zinc and cadmium.     

Simulation of the Raman spectra of zwitterionic glycine + nH2O (n = 1, 2, …, 5) by means of DFT calculations and comparison to the experimentally observed Raman spectra of glycine in aqueous medium

Raman spectra of an aqueous solution of glycine (Gly) have been recorded in the range of 400-2000 cm⁻¹. In aqueous solution, glycine molecules exist in their zwitterionic form, having two opposite charged poles, COO⁻ and NH₃⁺. The zwitterionic structure of glycine (ZGly) is stabilized by the hydrogen bond interaction of water (W) molecules. In the present report, we have optimized the ground state geometries of different hydrogen bonded complexes of [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] in aqueous medium using DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d) level of theory. A comparative discussion on the structural details and binding energies (BEs) of each conformer has been also done. The theoretical Raman spectra were calculated corresponding to the most stable [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] conformers. The theoretically simulated Raman spectra of each stable conformer were compared with experimentally observed Raman spectra to explore the number of water molecules needed for stabilizing the structure of ZGly. The theoretically simulated Raman spectra corresponding to the most stable conformer of [ZGly + (W)₅] having a BE of −22.8 kcal/mol, are matching nicely with the experimentally observed Raman spectra. Thus, on the basis of the above observations, we conclude that the conformer, [ZGly + (W)₅] is the most probable conformer in the aqueous medium. We also believe that in the conformer, [ZGly + (W)₅] the five water molecules are arranged around the ZGly in such a way that the effect of steric hindrance is less compared to the other conformers. The dipole-dipole interaction potential (DDP) is also calculated corresponding to the strongest hydrogen bond for each [ZGly + (W)_n=1-5] conformer.     

Fluoride-selective polymeric membrane electrodes based on Zr(IV)- and Al(III)-salen ionophores of various structures

Al(III)- and Zr(IV)-salophens of novel structures were tested as anion-selective ionophores. It was shown that these compounds are highly selective to fluoride and give selectivity greatly deviating from classical Hofmeister pattern, when doped into the polymeric membrane of ion-selective electrode (ISE). The following selectivity sequence has been recorded for both ionophores: F⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > NO₃⁻ ≈ Br⁻ ≈ Cl⁻. The results of potentiometric and spectrophotometric measurements allow to conclude that the nature and structure of salophen ligands influence stability of ISE working parameters. An increase in salophen ligands lipophilicity results in prolongation of the ISE lifetime, most likely due to slower ionophore decomposition caused by the hydrolysis of imine bonds in salophen structure. Ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) with the most successful Al(III)-salophen exhibited a stable, fast and near-Nernstian fluoride response and a functional lifetime near 3 weeks and selectivity coefficients with as follows: −2.8 (Y⁻ = Br⁻), −2.7 (Cl⁻), −2.8 (NO₃⁻), −1.5 (SCN⁻), −1.3 (ClO₄⁻), which is better than for other ones based on Zr(IV)- and Al(III)-salophens and salens described to date.     

Synthesis and characterization of the two enantiomers of a chiral sigma-1 receptor radioligand: (S)-(+)- and (R)-(-)-[18F]FBFP

Racemic [¹⁸F]FBFP ([¹⁸F]1) proved to be a potent σ₁ receptor radiotracer with superior imaging properties. The pure enantiomers of unlabeled compounds (S)- and (R)-1 and the corresponding iodonium ylide precursors were synthesized and characterized. The two enantiomers (S)-1 and (R)-1 exhibited comparable high affinity for σ₁ receptors and selectivity over σ₂ receptors. The Ca²⁺ fluorescence assay indicated that (R)-1 behaved as an antagonist and (S)-1 as an agonist for σ₁ receptors. The ¹⁸F-labeled enantiomers (S)- and (R)-[¹⁸F]1 were obtained in >99% enantiomeric purity from the corresponding enantiopure iodonium ylide precursors with radiochemical yield of 24.4% ± 2.6% and molar activity of 86–214 GBq/µmol. In ICR mice both (S)- and (R)-[¹⁸F]1 displayed comparable high brain uptake, brain-to-blood ratio, in vivo stability and binding specificity in the brain and peripheral organs. In micro-positron emission tomography (PET) imaging studies in rats, (S)-[¹⁸F]1 exhibited faster clearance from the brain than (R)-[¹⁸F]1, indicating different brain kinetics of the two enantiomers. Both (S)- and (R)-[¹⁸F]1 warrant further evaluation in primates to translate a single enantiomer with more suitable kinetics for imaging the σ₁ receptors in humans.     

Synthesis of light-emmting materials bis-[2′-2″-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) and bis-[2′-4″-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)styryl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II)

Two novel light-emitting materials bis-[2′-2″-(9H-fluoren-2-yl)-vinyl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) (3) and bis-[2′-4″-(4,5-diphenyl-1H-imidazol-2-yl)styryl-8-hydroxyquinoline] zinc(II) (4) containting 8-hydroxyquinoline and fluorene or imidazole moieties have been synthesized. The optical properties of these complexes were influenced by the styryl substituents, and exhibited orange-emission. They have higher fluorescence quantum yields than Alq₃, and good stabilities with thermal decomposition temperatures 395 °C and 435 °C. The single-layer OLED fabricated by 3 emitted lemon-yellow, and exhibited good device performance with a maximum luminance of 489 cd m⁻², and luminance efficiency of up to 0.41 cd A⁻¹. The single-layer OLED fabricated by 4 emitted yellow-green, and exhibited good device performance with a maximum luminance of 323 cd m⁻², and luminance efficiency of up to 0.54 cd A⁻¹.     

Structural characterization of [Fe(NO)(mnt)2] salts

The iron dithiolene compounds [Fe₂(mnt)₄]²⁻ [1]²⁻ and [Fe(NO)(mnt)₂]ⁿ (n = 1−, [2]¹⁻; n = 2−, [2]²⁻) ([mnt]²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate = [(NC)₂C₂S₂]²⁻) have been characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction as their [Et₄N]⁺ salts at 100 K. Dianion [2]²⁻ is prepared from [2]¹⁻ by reduction with Na[Et₃BH] and is observed to have a bent Fe-NO angle at 149.9(5)° in contrast to the linear configuration of Fe-NO in [2]¹⁻ (180.0°). The change from linear to bent binding mode for NO, an increase of more than 0.1 Å in the Fe-N bond length, and the relative invariance of the Fe-S distances for [2]²⁻ versus [2]¹⁻ indicate that the NO ligand is the site of reduction. The [Et₃NH]⁺ complex of [2]¹⁻ was also identified by crystallography and found to have hydrogen bonding contacts between [Et₃NH]⁺ and the cyano nitrogen atom of an [mnt]²⁻ ligand. Furthermore, relatively close S?S contacts (3.602-3.615 Å) occur between [2]¹⁻ anions, which pack together in an offset, head-to-head fashion. These S?S contacts are absent in the structure of [Et₄N][2]. Infrared spectra show an energy decrease for, and a significant broadening of, the NO bond stretching absorption peak in [2]²⁻, which is consistent with a bent NO ligand sampling a range of conformations both by facile pivoting about the Fe-N axis and by a breathing of the Fe-NO angle.