Solvent Responsive Magnetic Dynamics of a Dinuclear Dysprosium Single‐Molecule Magnet

A new dysprosium(III) phosphonate dimer {Dy(notpH₄)(NO₃)(H₂O)}₂ ? 8 H₂O ( 1 ) [notpH₆=1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1,4,7‐triyl‐tris(methylenephosphonic acid)] that contains two equivalent Dy^III ions with a three‐capped trigonal prism environment is reported. Complex 1 can be transformed into {Dy(notpH₄)(NO₃)(H₂O)}₂ ( 2 ) in a reversible manner by desorption and absorption of solvent water at ambient temperature. This process is accompanied by a large dielectric response. Magnetic studies reveal that both 1 and 2 show thermally activated magnetization relaxation as expected for single‐molecule magnets. Moreover, the magnetic dynamics of the two compounds can be manipulated by controlling the number of solvent molecules at room temperature.     

Anionically Substituted 1,1′,1″‐Methylidynetris[1H‐pyrazole] Ligands for the Formation of Neutral Lanthanide Complexes in Water: Synthesis,Characterization, and Photophysical Properties

The six‐step synthesis of the new podand‐type ligand 6,6′,6″‐[methylidenetri(1H‐pyrazole‐1,3‐diyl)]tris[pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid] (LH₃) is described. Reaction of LH₃ with LnCl₃ ?6 H₂O (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb) in MeOH resulted in the isolation of [LnL]?HCl complexes characterized by elemental analysis, mass and IR spectroscopy. Photophysical studies of the Eu and Tb complexes in aqueous solutions revealed the characteristic luminescence features of the metal atoms, indicative of an efficient ligand‐to‐metal energy‐transfer process. Determination of the luminescence quantum yields in H₂O showed the Tb complex to be highly luminescent (?=15%), while, for the Eu complex, the quantum efficiency was only 2%. Excited‐state‐lifetime measurements in H₂O and D₂O evidenced the presence of ca. three H₂O molecules in the first coordination sphere of the complexes. Investigation of the Gd complex allowed the determination of the ligand‐centered triplet state and showed the ligand to be well suited for energy transfer to the metal. The luminescence properties of the complexes are described, and the properties of the ligand as a suitable complexation pocket is questioned.     

A Paramagnetic Copper(III) Complex Containing an Octahedral CuIIIS6 Coordination Polyhedron

Only the second octahedral, paramagnetic copper(III ) complex (S=1) has now been synthesized and characterized. Six thiolato bridging ligands in the heterotrinuclear species [LCo^IIICu^IIICo^IIIL](ClO₄)₃⋅2 Me₂CO (L=1,4,7‐tris(4‐tert‐butyl‐2‐sulfidobenzyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) stabilize this rare electron configuration. A section of the structure of the reduced form (Cu^II, S=½) is shown. XAS, EXAFS, and EPR spectroscopy prove unambiguously that the one‐electron oxidation to the copper(III ) is metal‐ rather than ligand‐centered.     

Lanthanide(II) Complexes Supported by N,O‐Donor Tripodal Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, and Ligand‐Dependent Redox Behavior

The preparation and characterization of a series of complexes of the Yb and Eu cations in the oxidation state II and III with the tetradentate N,O‐donor tripodal ligands (tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA), BPA^? (HBPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), BPPA^? (HBPPA=bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine), and MPA^2? (H₂MPA=(2‐pyridylmethyl)bis(3.5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐2‐hydroxybenzyl)amine) is reported. The X‐ray crystal structures of the heteroleptic Ln²⁺ complexes [Ln(TPA)I₂] (Ln=Eu, Yb) and [Yb(BPA)I(CH₃CN)]₂, of the Ln²⁺ homoleptic [Ln(TPA)₂]I₂ (Ln=Sm, Eu, Yb) and [Eu(BPA)₂] complexes, and of the Ln³⁺ [Eu(BPPA)₂]OTf and [Yb(MPA)₂K(dme)₂] (dme=dimethoxyethane) complexes have been determined. Cyclic voltammetry studies carried out on the bis‐ligand complexes of Eu³⁺ and Yb³⁺ show that the metal center reduction occurs at significantly lower potentials for the BPA^? ligand as compared with the TPA ligand. This suggests that the more electron‐rich character of the BPA^? ligand results in a higher reducing character of the lanthanide complexes of BPA^? compared with those of TPA. The important differences in the stability and reactivity of the investigated complexes are probably due to the observed difference in redox potential. Preliminary reactivity studies show that whereas the bis‐TPA complexes of Eu²⁺ and Yb²⁺ do not show any reactivity with heteroallenes, the [Eu(BPA)₂] complex reduces CS₂ to afford the first example of a lanthanide trithiocarbonate complex.     

Unraveling the Mechanism of Water Oxidation Catalyzed by Nonheme Iron Complexes

Density functional theory (DFT) is employed to: 1) propose a viable catalytic cycle consistent with our experimental results for the mechanism of chemically driven (Ce^IV) O₂ generation from water, mediated by nonheme iron complexes; and 2) to unravel the role of the ligand on the nonheme iron catalyst in the water oxidation reaction activity. To this end, the key features of the water oxidation catalytic cycle for the highly active complexes [Fe(OTf)₂(Pytacn)] (Pytacn: 1‐(2′‐pyridylmethyl)‐4,7‐dimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane; OTf: CF₃SO₃^?) ( 1 ) and [Fe(OTf)₂(mep)] (mep: N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐N,N′‐dimethyl ethane‐1,2‐diamine) ( 2 ) as well as for the catalytically inactive [Fe(OTf)₂(tmc)] (tmc: N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐tetramethylcyclam) ( 3 ) and [Fe(NCCH₃)(^MePy₂CH‐tacn)](OTf)₂ (^MePy₂CH‐tacn: N‐(dipyridin‐2‐yl)methyl)‐N′,N′′‐dimethyl‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) ( 4 ) were analyzed. The DFT computed catalytic cycle establishes that the resting state under catalytic conditions is a [Fe^IV(O)(OH₂)(LN₄)]²⁺ species (in which LN₄=Pytacn or mep) and the rate‐determining step is the O?O bond‐formation event. This is nicely supported by the remarkable agreement between the experimental (ΔG^≠=17.6±1.6 kcal mol^?1) and theoretical (ΔG^≠=18.9 kcal mol^?1) activation parameters obtained for complex 1 . The O?O bond formation is performed by an iron(V) intermediate [Fe^V(O)(OH)(LN₄)]²⁺ containing a cis‐Fe^V(O)(OH) unit. Under catalytic conditions (Ce^IV, pH 0.8) the high oxidation state Fe^V is only thermodynamically accessible through a proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) process from the cis‐[Fe^IV(O)(OH₂)(LN₄)]²⁺ resting state. Formation of the [Fe^V(O)(LN₄)]³⁺ species is thermodynamically inaccessible for complexes 3 and 4 . Our results also show that the cis‐labile coordinative sites in iron complexes have a beneficial key role in the O?O bond‐formation process. This is due to the cis‐OH ligand in the cis‐Fe^V(O)(OH) intermediate that can act as internal base, accepting a proton concomitant to the O?O bond‐formation reaction. Interplay between redox potentials to achieve the high oxidation state (Fe^V?O) and the activation energy barrier for the following O?O bond formation appears to be feasible through manipulation of the coordination environment of the iron site. This control may have a crucial role in the future development of water oxidation catalysts based on iron.     

A mixed chloride/trifluoromethanesulfonate ligand species in a ruthenium(II) complex

The compound [2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine‐κ²N,N′][chlorido/trifluoromethanesulfonato(0.91/0.09)][(10,11‐η)‐5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5‐amine‐κN](triphenylphosphane‐κP)ruthenium(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate dichloromethane 0.91‐solvate, [Ru(CF₃SO₃)_0.09Cl_0.91(C₆H₈N₂)(C₁₅H₁₃N)(C₁₈H₁₅P)]CF₃SO₃·0.91CH₂Cl₂, belongs to a series of Ru^II complexes that had been tested for transfer hydrogenation, hydrogenation of polar bonds and catalytic transfer hydrogenation. The crystal structure determination of this complex revealed disorder in the form of two different anionic ligands sharing the same coordination site, which other spectroscopic methods failed to characterize. The reduced catalytic activity of the title compound was not fully understood until the crystallographic data provided evidence for the mixed ligand species. The crystal structure clearly shows that the majority of the synthesized material has a chloride ligand present. Only a small portion of the material is the expected complex [Ru^II(OTf)(ampy)(η²‐tropNH₂)(PPh₃)]OTf, where OTf is triflate or trifluoromethanesulfonate, ampy is 2‐(aminomethyl)pyridine and tropNH₂ is 5H‐dibenzo[a,d]cyclohepten‐5‐amine.     

Synthesis of an Iron(IV) Aqua–Oxido Complex Using Ozone as an Oxidant

The iron(IV) oxido complex [(tmc)Fe=O(OTf)]OTf with the macrocyclic ligand 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclo‐tetradecane (tmc) has been synthesized using ozone as an oxidant. By adding water to this compound the complex [(H₂O)(tmc)Fe=O)](OTf)₂ could be prepared. This complex is important in regard to a better understanding of the reactivity of Fe^IV oxido complexes. Mössbauer measurements using the solid compound showed an isomer shift of δ=0.19 mm s^?1 and a quadrupole splitting ΔE_Q=1.38 mm s^?1, confirming the high‐valent Fe^IV state. DFT calculations were performed and led to an assignment of triplet spin multiplicity. Crystallographic characterization of [(H₂O)(tmc)Fe=O)](OTf)₂ as well as of starting materials [(tmc)Fe(CH₃CN)](OTf)₂ and [(tmc)Fe(OTf)]OTf together with previous results strongly suggest that [(H₂O)(tmc)Fe=O)](OTf)₂ was formed similar to the oxido–hydroxido tautomerism analogous to heme systems.     

Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Luminescence of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers with Pyridine-2,5-dicarboxylic Acid

The complexes of formulas [Ln₂(pydc)₂(Hpydc)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O [Ln=Ce ( 1 ), Pr ( 2 ), H₂pydc=pyridine‐2,5‐di‐carboxylic acid] have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, TG and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structure analyses for 1 and 2 indicate that one‐dimensional metal helical chains are linked through carboxylate groups, and the helical chains are connected with the bridging pydc^2? anion, forming two‐dimensional layered polymeric structures. The luminescent properties of complexes were also discussed.     

Functionalised Tris(pyrazolyl)methane Ligands and Re(CO)3 Complexes Thereof

The synthesis of new tripodal nitrogen ligands derived from tris(pyrazolyl)methane (Tpm^R, R = H, tBu, Ph in 3‐position) is described. After deprotonation of the parent tris(pyrazolyl)methane Tpm^R, the carbanion reacts readily with ethylene oxide to yield the 3,3,3‐tris(3′‐substituted pyrazolyl)propanol ligands[(3‐Rpz)₃CCH₂CH₂OH, R = H, tBu, Ph, 1a – c ]. These ligands can be easily derivatised at the alcohol function. Microwave‐assisted reactions of these ligands and [Re(CO)₅Br] yields the complex [( 1a )Re(CO)₃]Br ( 4 ) in the case of ligand 1a , whereas in the case of the substituted ligands 1b and 1c degradation was observed. The degradation products are identified as [(Hpz^R)₂Re(CO)₃Br] [R = tBu ( 7b ), Ph ( 7c )]. These complexes were also prepared directly from [Re(CO)₅Br] and the corresponding pyrazoles by microwave‐assisted synthesis. The Re(CO)₃ complexes 4 and [( 1a )Re(CO)₃]OTf ( 5 ) are water‐soluble. The structures of 5· H₂O and [{(pz)₃CCH₂CH₃}Re(CO)₃]OTf · 1.5H₂O · ¹/₂CH₃CN ( 6· 1.5H₂O · ¹/₂CH₃CN) as well as the structure of 7b have been elucidated by X‐ray crystallography.     

Lanthanide Contraction within a Series of Asymmetric Dinuclear [Ln2] Complexes

A complete isostructural series of dinuclear asymmetric lanthanide complexes has been synthesized by using the ligand 6‐[3‐oxo‐3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)propionyl]pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid (H₃ L ). All complexes have the formula [Ln₂(H L )₂(H₂ L )(NO₃)(py)(H₂O)] (Ln=La ( 1 ), Ce ( 2 ), Pr ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 ), Sm ( 5 ), Eu ( 6 ), Gd ( 7 ), Tb ( 8 ), Dy ( 9 ), Ho ( 10 ), Er ( 11 ), Tm ( 12 ), Yb ( 13 ), Lu ( 14 ), Y ( 15 ); py=pyridine). Complexes of La to Yb and Y have been crystallographically characterized to reveal that the two metal ions are encapsulated within two distinct coordination environments of differing size. Whereas one site maintains the coordination number (nine) through the whole series, the other one increases from nine to ten owing to a change in the coordination mode of an NO₃^? ligand. This series offers a unique opportunity to study in detail the lanthanide contraction within complexes of more than one metal. This analysis shows that various representative parameters proportional to this contraction follow a quadratic decay as a function of the number n of f electrons. Slater’s model for the atomic radii has been used to extract, from these decays, the shielding constant of 4f electrons. The average of O???O distances within the coordination polyhedra shared by both metals and of the Ln???Ln separations follow also a quadratic decay, therefore showing that such dependence holds also for parameters that receive the contribution of two lanthanide ions simultaneously. The magnetic behavior has been studied for all nondiamagnetic complexes. It reveals the effect of the spin–orbit coupling and a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between both metals. Photoluminescent studies of all the complexes in the series reveal a single broad emission band in the visible region, which is related to the coordinated ligand. On the other hand, the Nd, Er, and Yb complexes show features in the near‐IR region due to metal‐based transitions.     

Voltammetric and Spectroscopic Study of Chromium(III)/Picolinate Complexes

The electrochemical properties and the stability of the Cr^III complexes [Cr(pic)₃]·H₂O and [Cr(pic)₂(OH)]₂·5H₂O (Hpic = pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid = picolinic acid) were investigated in DMF solutions by cyclic voltammetry, and complemented by electronic spectroscopy. The electrochemical results indicate that both compounds undergo a one‐electron reversible reduction process. The mononuclear species has a more accessible reduction potential than the binuclear one. In this last case, the observed one‐electron process can be ascribed to a considerable stabilization of the mixed valence Cr^III/Cr^II species. Both complexes were also characterized by infrared and Raman spectroscopy.     

Synthese,Struktur und Reaktivität von Tris‐, Bis‐ und Mono(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl)‐Komplexen des Neodyms,Lanthans und des Yttriums

The tris(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl) complexes [Ln(η⁵‐Me₂C₅H₅)₃] (Ln = Nd, La, Y) are obtained analytically pure by reaction of the tribromides LnBr₃·nTHF with the potassium compound K(Me₂C₅H₅)(thf)_n in THF in good yields. The structural characterization is carried out by X‐ray crystal structure analysis and NMR‐spectroscopically. The tris complexes can be transformed into the dimeric bis(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl) complexes [Ln₂(η⁵‐Me₂C₅H₅)₄X₂] (Ln, X: Nd, Cl, Br, I; La, Br, I; Y, Br) by reaction with the trihalides THF solvates in the molar ratio 2:1 in toluene. Structure and bonding conditions are determined for selected compounds by X‐ray crystal structure analysis and NMR‐spectroscopically in general. The dimer‐monomer equilibrium existing in solution was investigated NMR‐spectroscopically in dependence of the donor strength of the solvent and could be established also by preparation of the corresponding monomer neutral ligand complexes [Ln(η⁵‐Me₂C₅H₅)₂X(L)] (Ln, X, L: Nd, Br, py; La, Cl, thf; Br, py; Y, Br, thf). Finally the possibilities for preparation of mono(2,4‐dimethylpentadienyl)lanthanoid(III)‐dibromid complexes are shown and the hexameric structure of the lanthanum complex [La₆(η⁵‐Me₂C₅H₅)₆Br₁₂(thf)₄] is proved by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.     

Cationic Allyl Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Metals: Synthesis,Structural Characterization,and 1,3‐Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

Monocationic bis‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La, Nd; X=H, F) and dicationic mono‐allyl complexes of yttrium and the early lanthanides [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₆]²⁺[BPh₄]₂^? (Ln=La, Nd) were prepared by protonolysis of the tris‐allyl complexes [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(diox)] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; diox=1,4‐dioxane) isolated as a 1,4‐dioxane‐bridged dimer (Ln=Ce) or THF adducts [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₃(thf)₂] (Ln=Ce, Pr). Allyl abstraction from the neutral tris‐allyl complex by a Lewis acid, ER₃ (Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃) gave the ion pair [Ln(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[ER₃(η¹‐CH₂CH?CH₂)]^? (Ln=Y, La; ER₃=Al(CH₂SiMe₃)₃, BPh₃). Benzophenone inserts into the La? C_allyl bond of [La(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^? to form the alkoxy complex [La{OCPh₂(CH₂CH?CH₂)}₂(thf)₃]⁺[BPh₄]^?. The monocationic half‐sandwich complexes [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂]⁺[B(C₆X₅)₄]^? (Ln=Y, La; X=H, F) were synthesized from the neutral precursors [Ln(η⁵‐C₅Me₄SiMe₃)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂(thf)] by protonolysis. For 1,3‐butadiene polymerization catalysis, the yttrium‐based systems were more active than the corresponding lanthanum or neodymium homologues, giving polybutadiene with approximately 90 % 1,4‐cis stereoselectivity.     

Copper(II) bromide,nitrate and perchlorate complexes with sterically demanding N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide ligands

Functionalized acid amides are widely used in biology, medicine, environmental chemistry and many other areas. Among them, pyridine‐substituted amides, in particular N‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide and its derivatives, play an important role due to their excellent chelating properties. The donor properties of these ligands can be effectively modified by introducing electron‐donating substituents (e.g. alkyl groups) into the heterocycle. On the other hand, substituents in the α‐position of the pyridine ring can create steric hindrance, which significantly influences the coordination number and geometry. To achieve a better understanding of these effects, copper(II) complexes with sterically demanding N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl)acetamide ligands (L ) and monoanions of different size, shape and coordination ability have been chosen as model compounds. The crystal structures of three new compounds, bromidobis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) bromide, [CuBr(C₈H₁₀N₂O)]Br, (I), aquabis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) dinitrate, [Cu(C₈H₁₀N₂O)(H₂O)](NO₃)₂, (II), and aquabis[N‐(6‐methylpyridin‐2‐yl‐κN )acetamide‐κO ]copper(II) bis(perchlorate), [Cu(C₈H₁₀N₂O)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂, (III), have been determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. It has been shown that the presence of the 6‐methyl group results in either a distorted square‐pyramidal or a distorted trigonal–bipyramidal coordination geometry around the Cu^II centres instead of the typical octahedral geometry observed when the methyl substituent is absent or occupies any other position on the pyridine ring. Moreover, due to the steric hindrance provided by the L ligands, only the bromide ligand, the smallest of the series, enters into the first coordination sphere of the Cu^II ion in (I). In (II) and (III), the vacant coordination site of the Cu^II ion is occupied by a water molecule, while the nitrate and perchlorate anions are not involved in coordination to the metal centre. The structures of (I)–(III) are characterized by the presence of one‐dimensional infinite chains formed by hydrogen bonds of the types N—H…Br [in (I)], N—H…O and O—H…O [in (II) and (III)] between the amide groups of the L ligands, the coordinated water molecules and the uncoordinated anions. The hydrogen‐bonded chains are further interconnected through π–π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings of the L ligands, with approximate interplanar separations of 3.5–3.6 Å.     

X-ray studies of lanthanide(III) complexes with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate anion

Polycrystalline complexes of lanthanide(III) with 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid were obtained as hydrated compounds of general formula Ln(C₈H₇O₄)₃?·?nH₂O. After slow recrystallization we obtained single crystals of complexes and determined their structures. Praseodymium(III) and neodymium(III) form isostructural dihydrated complexes [Ln(C₈H₇O₄)₃(H₂O)₂], which crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P 1. Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Ho(III) and Tb(III) compounds are hexahydrates and also crystallize in the triclinic system, space group P 1. Dihydrated compounds form polymeric chains with metal centres linked by oxygen atoms of bridging carboxylates. Each metal ion is coordinated by chelating carboxylic group and two water molecules. Complexes of the second isostructural group form dinuclear units [Ln₂(C₈H₇O₄)₆(H₂O)₄]?·?8H₂O. Lanthanide(III) ions are linked by oxygen atoms of two chelating–bridging carboxylate groups. In the dimeric structure each metal ion coordinates additionally two chelating carboxylic groups and two water molecules.     

Hydrothermal Syntheses,Crystal Structures and Properties of Two Novel 3‐D Lanthanide(III) Coordination Polymers Constructed with Mixed Heterocyclic Carboxylic Acid

The hydrothermal reactions of Ln₂O₃ (Ln = Nd and Eu) with pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂pydc) resulted in the formation of two isomorphic three‐dimensional (3D) polymeric Ln^III complexes, [Ln(pydc)(nic)·H₂O]_n (Ln = Nd( 1 ) and Eu( 2 )), in which nic (nicotinate; also named as pyridine‐2‐carboxylic acid) might have been formed from the pydc ligands through the C–C bond cleavage and CO₂ molecules releasing. Pydc ligands bridge lanthanide centers to form the three‐dimensional framework featuring hexagonal channels along the axis a which are occupied by bridging nic anions and mono‐coordinated water molecules. From the topological point of view, two three‐dimensional nets are binodal with six‐ and three‐connected nodes, which display a distorted rutile (4.6²)₂(4²·6¹⁰·8³) topology. Magnetic measurements (2‐300 K) reveal that all polymers possess weak antiferromagnetic property. A strong fluorescence emission spectrum of compound 2 was observed.     

Crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H2O)](PF6)2 and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF6) and the kinetics studies of the aqua ligand substitution by pyridine and substituted pyridines

The crystal structures of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)₂, 1, and [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(2-picoline)](PF₆), 2, (where terpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine and HPB = 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzoxazole) have been determined. Both structures show slightly distorted octahedral coordination around the ruthenium center. In complex 1, the imine nitrogen of the HPB ligand occupies an axial position and is trans to the aqua ligand whereas in complex 2, the imine nitrogen is trans to the nitrogen of the 2-picoline ligand. The Ru-N(2-picoline) bond distance is much longer than the other Ru-N bonds in the complex due to steric effects from the methyl group of 2-picoline. In both complexes, the phenolate oxygen of the HPB ligand is in the equatorial position and trans to the center nitrogen of the terpyridine. The reaction of [Ru(terpy)(HPB)(H₂O)](PF₆)2 with pyridine and its analogs, 2-picoline and 4-picoline in dichloromethane was monitored spectrophotometrically. There is an initial reduction of the [Ru(III)-H₂O] complex to [Ru(II)-H₂O] complex prior to the substitution of the aqua ligand. The values of the activation parameters indicate that the substitution of the aqua ligand by pyridine, 2-picoline and 4-picoline follow an associative mechanism.     

Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III‐in‐crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

Exploring Excited‐State Tunability in Luminescent Tris‐cyclometalated Platinum(IV) Complexes: Synthesis of Heteroleptic Derivatives and Computational Calculations

The synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and photophysical properties of a series of heteroleptic tris‐ cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes are reported. The complexes mer‐[Pt(C^N)₂(C′^N′)]OTf, with C^N=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2,4‐difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy) or 2‐phenylpyridine (ppy), and C′^N′=C‐deprotonated 2‐(2‐thienyl)pyridine (thpy) or 1‐phenylisoquinoline (piq), were obtained by reacting bis‐ cyclometalated precursors [Pt(C^N)₂Cl₂] with AgOTf (2 equiv) and an excess of the N′^C′H pro‐ligand. The complex mer‐[Pt(dfppy)₂(ppy)]OTf was obtained analogously and photoisomerized to its fac counterpart. The new complexes display long‐lived luminescence at room temperature in the blue to orange color range. The emitting states involve electronic transitions almost exclusively localized on the ligand with the lowest π–π* energy gap and have very little metal character. DFT and time‐dependent DFT (TD‐DFT) calculations on mer‐[Pt(ppy)₂(C′^N′)]⁺ (C′^N′=thpy, piq) and mer/fac‐[Pt(ppy)₃]⁺ support this assignment and provide a basis for the understanding of the luminescence of tris‐cyclometalated Pt^IV complexes. Excited states of LMCT character may become thermally accessible from the emitting state in the mer isomers containing dfppy or ppy as chromophoric ligands, leading to strong nonradiative deactivation. This effect does not operate in the fac isomers or the mer complexes containing thpy or piq, for which nonradiative deactivation originates mainly from vibrational coupling to the ground state.     

Rare-earth metal allyl and hydrido complexes supported by an (NNNN)-type macrocyclic ligand: synthesis, structure, and reactivity toward biomass-derived furanics

The preparation and characterization of a series of neutral rare‐earth metal complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] (Ln=Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm) supported by the 1,4,7‐trimethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane anion (Me₃TACD^?) are reported. Upon treatment of the neutral allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)₂] with Brønsted acids, monocationic allyl complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)(η³‐C₃H₅)(thf)₂][B(C₆X₅)₄] (Ln=La, Ce, Nd, X=H, F) were isolated and characterized. Hydrogenolysis gave the hydride complexes [Ln(Me₃TACD)H₂]_n (Ln=Y, n=3; La, n=4; Sm). X‐ray crystallography showed the lanthanum hydride to be tetranuclear. Reactivity studies of [Ln(Me₃TACD)R₂]_n (R=η³‐C₃H₅, n=0; R=H, n=3,4) towards furan derivatives includes hydrosilylation and deoxygenation under ring‐opening conditions.