Ions Can Move a Proton‐Coupled Electron‐Transfer Reaction into Tunneling Regime

The effects of charged species on proton‐coupled electron‐transfer (PCET) reaction should be of significance for understanding/application of important chemical and biological PCET systems. Such species can be found in proximity of activated complex in a PCET reaction, although they are not involved in the charge transfer process. Reported here is the first study of the above‐mentioned effects. Here, the effects of Na⁺, K⁺, Li⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Me₄N⁺ observed in PCET reaction of ascorbate monoanions with hexacyanoferrate(III) ions in H₂O reveal that, in presence of ions, this over‐the‐barrier reaction entered into tunneling regime. The observations are: a) dependence of the rate constant on the cation concentration, where the rate constant is 71 (at I = 0.0023), and 821 (at 0.5M K⁺), 847 (at 1.0M Na⁺), and 438 M ^?1 s^?1 (at 0.011M Ca²⁺); b) changes of kinetic isotope effect (KIE) in the presence of ions, where k_H/k_D=4.6 (at I = 0.0023), and 3.4 (in the presence of 0.5M K⁺), 3.3 (at 1.0M Na⁺), 3.9 (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 3.9 (at 0.001M Mg²⁺), respectively; c) the isotope effects on Arrhenius pre‐factor where A_H/A_D=0.97 (0.15) in absence of ions, and 2.29 (0.60) (at 0.5M Na⁺), 1.77 (0.29) (at 1.0M Na⁺), 1.61 (0.25) (at 0.5M K⁺), 0.42 (0.16) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺) and 0.16 (0.19) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺); d) isotope differences in the enthalpies of activation in H₂O and in D₂O, where ΔΔH^?(D,H)=3.9 (0.4) kJ mol^?1 in the absence of cations, 1.3 (0.6) at 0.5M Na⁺, 1.8 (0.4) at 0.5M K⁺, 1.5 (0.4) at 1.0M Na⁺, 5.5 (0.9) (at 0.001M Ca²⁺), and 7.9 (2.8) (at 0.001M Mg²⁺) kJ mol^?1; e) nonlinear proton inventory in reaction. In the H₂O/dioxane 1 : 1, the observed KIE is 7.8 and 4.4 in the absence and in the presence of 0.1M K⁺, respectively, and A_H/A_D=0.14 (0.03). The changes when cations are present in the reaction are explained in terms of termolecular encounter complex consisting of redox partners, and the cation where the cation can be found in a near proximity of the reaction‐activated complex thus influencing the proton/electron double tunneling event in the PCET process. A molecule of H₂O is involved in the transition state. The resulting ‘configuration’ is more ‘rigid’ and more appropriate for efficient tunneling with Na⁺ or K⁺ (extensive tunneling observed), i.e., there is more precise organized H transfer coordinate than in the case of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ (moderate tunneling observed) in the reaction.     

Simultaneous Determination of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Cl− in Unstimulated and Stimulated Human Saliva Using All Solid State Multisensor Platform

Human saliva is one of the body fluids which collection method is relatively simple and non‐invasive. The article is dedicated to assess concentration (activity) of Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻ in fresh, unstimulated or stimulated human saliva samples using single solid contact ion‐selective electrodes with conventional reference electrode and self‐made multisensor platform (MP) equipped with ion‐selective membranes for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ and Cl⁻ and reference electrode made in solid state technology, based on dispersed KCl in the polymer. Both kind of electrodes, single ISE and miniaturized electrodes in multisensor platform (ISE‐MP) were made of glassy carbon. The electrode surfaces have been modified by conductive polymer (PEDOT) layer deposition; with the exception of Cl⁻ electrode, in which conducting polymer was not applied. Potentiometric measurements were used to compare the changes of the ionic composition in various samples of saliva.     

Effect of metal cations [Li+, Na+, K+, Be2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+] on the structure of 2‐(3′‐hydroxy‐2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole: A theoretical investigation

Density functional theory calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level to systematically explore the geometrical multiplicity and binding strength for the complexes formed by alkaline and alkaline earth metal cations, viz. Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ (Mⁿ⁺, hereinafter), with 2‐(3′‐hydroxy‐2′‐pyridyl)benzoxazole. A total of 60 initial structures were designed and optimized, of which 51 optimized structures were found, which could be divided into two different types: monodentate complexes and bidentate complexes. In the cation‐heteroatom complex, bidentate binding is generally stronger than monodentate binding, and of which the bidentate binding with five‐membered ring structure has the strongest interaction. Energy decomposition revealed that the total binding energies mainly come from electrostatic interaction for alkaline metal ion complexes and orbital interaction energy for alkaline earth metal ion complex. In addition, the electron localization function analysis show that only the Be? O and Be? N bond are covalent character, and others are ionic character. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A New Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cu2+ Based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐Decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione Fluorophore

A new chemosensor for Cu²⁺ was synthesized based on 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10‐decahydroacridine‐1,8‐dione dyes, which exhibited an obvious fluorescent selectivity to the sensing of Cu²⁺ ions over other cations, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺ and Pb²⁺. Moreover, it presented a fluorescent switch function when EDTA was added to the compound‐Cu²⁺ complex in examined systems.     

5,5′‐Hydrazinebistetrazole: An Oxidation‐stable Nitrogen‐rich Compound and Starting Material for the Synthesis of 5,5′‐Azobistetrazolates

All 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazoles reported in the literature are sensitive to oxidation and react with atmospheric oxygen to yield the corresponding 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates on time. Herewith, we report on the synthesis of the free acid 5,5′‐hydrazinebistetrazole (HBT) which showed to be stable on air for extended periods of time. The compound was fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods and its X‐ray structure was determined by diffraction techniques. Besides, we determined its explosive properties by BAM methods and calculated its heat of formation (+414 kJ mol^?1), detonation velocity (8523 m s^?1) and detonation pressure (27.7 GPa). HBT proved to be very safe to handle (impact sensitivity: >30 J, friction sensitivity: ～108 N) and was used as a starting material for the synthesis of some already reported 5,5′‐azobistetrazolates: NH₄⁺, NH₂NH₃⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺.     

Zn selective luminescent ‘off-on’ probes derived from diaryl oxadiazole and aza-15-crown-5

New photo-induced electron transfer (PET) probes OMOX and OBOX, carrying an additional binding site in the form of ‘oxadiazole nitrogen’ have been designed to evaluate binding interactions with biologically significant Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Zn²⁺ including environmentally toxic Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ using optical spectral techniques. While Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ did not appreciably perturb either the absorption or emission spectra, Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced slight red shifts (2-8 nm) in the UV-visible spectra as well as pronounced chelation induced enhanced fluorescence (CHEF). Both OMOX and OBOX exhibited the highest CHEF in contact with the zinc ion, whereas Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ induced relatively less emission enhancements. OBOX, which is a poorer emitter (Φ_f=0.0062) than OMOX (Φ_f=0.015), showed highly promising 160-fold emission enhancement in the presence of Zn²⁺. Potential, therefore is available in OBOX to function as a selective luminescent ‘off-on’ sensor for Zn²⁺ in the presence of coordinatively competing Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions.     

Metal(II) Ion Complexes with 5‐(Pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐2,4‐dihydro‐3H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐3‐thione; Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Acid‐base,and Complexing Properties in Solution

The study reports the synthesis of complexes Co(HL)Cl₂ ( 1 ), Ni(HL)Cl₂ ( 2 ), Cu(HL)Cl₂ ( 3 ), and Zn(HL)₃Cl₂ ( 4 ) with the title ligand, 5‐(pyrazin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐5‐thione (HL), and their characterization by elemental analyses, ESI‐MS (m/z), FT‐IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, as well as EPR in the case of the Cu^II complex. The comparative analysis of IR spectra of the metal ion complexes with HL and HL alone indicated that the metal ions in 1 , 2 , and 3 are chelated by two nitrogen atoms, N(4) of pyrazine and N(5) of triazole in the thiol tautomeric form, whereas the Zn^II ion in 4 is coordinated by the non‐protonated N(2) nitrogen atom of triazole in the thione form. pH potentiometry and UV/Vis spectroscopy were used to examine Co^II, Ni^II, and Zn^II complexes in 10/90 (v/v) DMSO/water solution, whereas the Cu^II complex was examined in 40/60 (v/v) DMSO/water solution. Monodeprotonation of the thione triazole in solution enables the formation of the L:M = 1:1 species with Co^II, Ni^II and Zn^II, the 2:1 species with Co^II and Zn^II, and the 3:1 species with Zn^II. A distorted tetrahedral arrangement of the Cu^II complex was suggested on the basis of EPR and Vis/NIR spectra.     

金属离子(Na~+、K~+、Ca~(2+)、Mg~(2+)、Zn~(2+))与鸟嘌呤异构体配合物的稳定性

在B3LYP/6-311++G**水平上用极化连续介质模型(PCM)系统研究了金属离子(M+/2+=Na+,K+,Ca2+,Mg2+,Zn2+)和十三种鸟嘌呤异构体形成的配合物GnxM+/2+(n为鸟嘌呤异构体的编号,x表示M+/2+与鸟嘌呤异构体的结合位点)在气(g)液(a)两相中的稳定性顺序.着重探讨了液相中配合物的稳定性差异,并且从溶质-溶剂效应、结合能、形变能及异构体的相对能量等几个方面分析了造成稳定顺序发生变化的原因.报道了溶液中这五种金属离子与鸟嘌呤异构体结合形成的六种基态配合物:aG1N2,N3Na+,aG1N2,N3K+,aG1O6,N7Ca2+,aG1N2,N3Mg2+(aG1O6,N7Mg2+),aG2N3,N9Zn2+.可以看出,除了在Zn2+配合物中鸟嘌呤异构体为G2外,构成其余四种金属离子配合物的鸟嘌呤异构体都是G1,但结合位点不同.同时对气相中各类配合物稳定性也进行了系统的排序,并报道了几种较稳定的配合物,如:gG3N1,O6K+,gG5N1,O6K+,gG3N1,O6Ca2+/Mg2+,gG4O6,N7Ca2+/Mg2+.     

From Zero‐dimensional to One‐dimensional: Use of Metal‐­Ligand Affinity in Supramolecular Assembly

The self‐assembly of 4 ‐ MTPP [ 4 ‐ MTPP = 2‐(methylthio)‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)pyrimidine] with Cu(NO₃)₂ and AgNO₃ was structurally investigated. For Cu(NO₃)₂, a discrete mononuclear Cu^II coordination compound, [Cu( 4 ‐ MTPP )₂(NO₃)₂] ( 1 ), resulted that is exclusively based on Cu–N coordination. For AgNO₃, a unique one‐dimensional double‐chain structure ( 2 ) was obtained with the Ag–N distances varying from 2.181(9) to 2.223(9) Å, and the average Ag–S distance being 2.98 Å. Compared to zero‐dimensional 1 , the extension to one‐dimensional 2 is considered to result from the specific affinity between Ag⁺ and the ligand 4 ‐ MTPP that is attributed to the strong coordinating tendency of silver for aromatic nitrogen and thioether sulfur atoms.     

Application of mercapto‐silica polymerized high internal phase emulsions for the solid‐phase extraction and preconcentration of trace lead(II)

A new class of solid‐phase extraction column prepared with grafted mercapto‐silica polymerized high internal phase emulsion particles was used for the preconcentration of trace lead. First, mercapto‐silica polymerized high internal phase emulsion particles were synthesized by using high internal phase emulsion polymerization and carefully assembled in a polyethylene syringe column. The influences of various parameters including adsorption pH value, adsorption and desorption solvents, flow rate of the adsorption and desorption procedure were optimized, respectively, and the suitable uploading sample volumes, adsorption capacity, and reusability of solid phase extraction column were also investigated. Under the optimum conditions, Pb²⁺ could be preconcentrated quantitatively over a wide pH range (2.0–5.0). In the presence of foreign ions, such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cl^? and NO₃^?, Pb²⁺ could be recovered successfully. The prepared solid‐phase extraction column performed with high stability and desirable durability, which allowed more than 100 replicate extractions without measurable changes of performance. The feasibility of the developed method was further validated by the extraction of Pb²⁺ in rice samples. At three spiked levels of 40.0, 200 and 800 μg/kg, the average recoveries for Pb²⁺ in rice samples ranged from 87.3 to 105.2%.     

Thiazole sulfonamide based ratiometric fluorescent chemosensor with a large spectral shift for zinc sensing

A new thiazole sulfonamide (TTP, 1) based Zn²⁺ selective intrinsic chemosensor has been synthesized and investigated. The chemosensor shows a selective fluorescence enhancement (3.0 fold) with Zn²⁺ over biologically relevant cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) and biologically non-relevant cations (Cd²⁺) in an aqueous ethanol system. It produces an increase in the quantum yield and a longer emission wavelength shift (64 nm) on Zn²⁺ binding with the potential of a ratiometric assay.     

Paper‐Based Electronic Tongue

We present a low cost paper‐based electronic tongue capable of discriminating forged water samples. System comprises of 4 paper‐based potentiometric sensors (sensitive to Cl^?, Na⁺/K⁺, Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺, ) and a traditional Ag/AgCl reference electrode. Different electrode materials and methods of insulation were tested with best results obtained for pencil graphite and lamination. The presented electronic tongue was able to distinguish tap and lake water from mineral water samples (PCA – Principal Component Analysis and KNN ? K‐nearest neighbour). In total 14 different water samples were used in this study. Sensors presented good signal repeatability, selectivity and reasonable sensitivity.     

Crystal structure,shape analysis and bioactivity of new LiI,NaI and MgII complexes with 1,10‐phenanthroline and 2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetic acid

Reactions of 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) and 2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetic acid (dcaH) with M_n(CO₃) (M = Li^I, Na^I and Mg^II; n = 1 and 2) in MeOH yield the mononuclear lithium complex aqua[2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetato‐κO](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)lithium(I), [Li(C₈H₅Cl₂O₂)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)] or [Li(dca)(phen)(H₂O)] ( 1 ), the dinuclear sodium complex di‐μ‐aqua‐bis{[2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetato‐κO](1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)sodium(I)}, [Na₂(C₈H₅Cl₂O₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂] or [Na₂(dca)₂(phen)₂(H₂O)₂] ( 2 ), and the one‐dimensional chain magnesium complex catena‐poly[[[diaqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)magnesium]‐μ‐2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetato‐κ²O:O′] 2‐(3,4‐dichlorophenyl)acetate monohydrate], {[Mg(C₈H₅Cl₂O₂)(C₁₂H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂](C₈H₅Cl₂O₂)·H₂O}_n or {[Mg(dca)(phen)(H₂O)₂](dca)·H₂O}_n ( 3 ). In these complexes, phen binds via an N,N′‐chelate pocket, while the deprotonated dca^? ligands coordinate either in a monodentate (in 1 and 2 ) or bidentate (in 3 ) fashion. The remaining coordination sites around the metal ions are occupied by water molecules in all three complexes. Complex 1 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with one molecule in the asymmetric unit. The Li⁺ ion adopts a four‐coordinated distorted seesaw geometry comprising an [N₂O₂] donor set. Complex 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P with half a molecule in the asymmetric unit, in which the Na⁺ ion adopts a five‐coordinated distorted spherical square‐pyramidal geometry, with an [N₂O₃] donor set. Complex 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁, with one Mg²⁺ ion, one phen ligand, two dca^? ligands and three water molecules in the asymmetric unit. Both dcaH ligands are deprotonated, however, one dca^? anion is not coordinated, whereas the second dca^? anion coordinates in a bidentate fashion bridging two Mg²⁺ ions, resulting in a one‐dimensional chain structure for 3 . The Mg²⁺ ion adopts a distorted octahedral geometry, with an [N₂O₄] donor set. Complexes 1 – 3 were evaluated against urease and α‐glucosidase enzymes for their inhibition potential and were found to be inactive.     

Synthesis and Structures of the Novel Biferrocenamine‐Based Receptor and its Voltammetric Responses to Transition Metal Ions

Reactions of formylferrocene and 1,2‐di‐(o‐aminophenoxy)ethane yield the novel bis(ferrocenyl) receptor (FcL). This compound has been characterized by IR, ¹H NMR and elemental analysis. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of FcL was investigated in detail in 0.1 M tetra‐n‐butylammonium perchlorate (TBAP) + CH₃CN by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry. Its co‐ordination properties with metal ions in acetonitrile were also studied. The FcL shows a two‐wave behavior for H⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Ni²⁺, but was unresponsive to Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺. The maximum oxidation peak shift of about 250 mV was found for FcL in the presence of Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺ or Ni²⁺.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and metal ion complexation studies of novel diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing aromatic thiol‐derived side arms

The Mannich aminomethylation reaction of aromatic thiols has been used to produce diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands containing thiol‐derived side arms. Thiophenols were attached to the azacrown through N‐CH₂‐S linkages even in the presence of hydroxy or acetamido groups. Heteroaromatic thiols containing N=C‐SH (or NH‐C=S) structural fragments were attached to diaza‐18‐crown‐6 by N‐CH₂‐N linkages with the thiol becoming a thione function. X‐ray crystal structural analyses show the N‐CH₂‐S and N‐CH₂‐N linkages for some of the new macrocyclic compounds. Interactions of four of the new diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ligands with Na⁺, K⁺, Ba²⁺, Ag⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cu²⁺ were evaluated by calorimetric titration at 25° in methanol. The results show that these ligands form stable complexes with many of the metal ions studied.     

Novel Ionophores for Barium‐Selective Electrodes: Synthesis and Analytical Characterization

A novel way of synthesis is developed for the Ba²⁺ selective neutral Ionophore 2a : 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(oxyethane‐2,1‐diyloxy)]bis(N‐benzyl‐N‐phenylacetamide) and its methyl ( 2b ), buthyl ( 2c ), and hexyl ( 2d ) derivatives. Ba²⁺ selective electrodes based on Ionophores 2a – d are compared with those with commonly used Ionophore 1 : N,N,N′,N′‐tetracyclohexyl‐oxybis(o‐phenyleneoxy) diacetamide. It is shown that Ionophores 2a – d , particularly 2b , are superior for measurements of Ba²⁺ in the presence of Ca²⁺, and in acidic solutions. Segmented sandwich membrane studies suggest formation of complexes IL₂²⁺ for Ba²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions with Ionophore 2b , while H⁺ ions apparently form complexes H₂L²⁺. The values of the complex formation constants are consistent with the selectivity coefficients.     

Silver(I)‐Selective PVC Membrane Potentiometric Sensor Based on a Recently Synthesized Calix[4]arene

A new PVC membrane potentiometric sensor for Ag(I) ion based on a recently synthesized calix[4]arene compound of 5,11,17,23‐tetra‐tert‐butyl‐25,27‐dihydroxy‐calix[4]arene‐thiacrown‐4 is developed. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response for Ag(I) ions over a wide concentration range (1.0×10^?2?1.0×10^?6 M) with a slope of 53.8±1.6 mV per decade. It has a relatively fast response time (5–10 s) and can be used for at least 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. The proposed electrode shows high selectivity towards Ag⁺ ions over Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Sr²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, NH₄⁺ ions and can be used in a pH range of 2–6. Only interference of Hg²⁺ is found. It is successfully used as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of a mixture of chloride, bromide and iodide ions.     

Binding Interaction of Captopril with Metal Ions: A Fluorescence Quenching Study

The binding interaction of captopril (CPL) with biologically active metal ions Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ was investigated in an aqueous acidic medium by fluorescence spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the metal ions quenched the intrinsic fluorescence of CPL by forming CPL‐metal complexes. It was found that static quenching was the main reason for the fluorescence quenching. The quenching constant in the case of Cu²⁺ was highest among all quenchers, perhaps due to its high nuclear charge and small size. Quenching of CPL by metal ions follows the order Cu²⁺>Ni²⁺>Co²⁺>Ca²⁺>Zn²⁺>Mn²⁺>Mg²⁺. The quenching constant K_sv, bimolecular quenching constant K_q, binding constant K and the binding sites "n" were determined together with their thermodynamic parameters at 27 and 37°C. The positive entropy change indicated the gain in configurational entropy as a result of chelation. The process of interaction was spontaneous and mainly ΔS‐driven.     

Syntheses,structures of N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes and their application as redox sensor for Cu2+ ion

Rigid N‐(substituted)‐2‐aza‐[3]‐ferrocenophanes L1 and L2 were easily synthesized from 1,1 ‐dicarboxyaldehydeferrocene and the corresponding amines. Ligands L1 and L2 were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The coordination abilities of L1 and L2 with metal ions such as Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ were evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The electrochemical shift (ΔE_1/2) of 125 mV was observed in the presence of Cu²⁺ ion, while no significant shift of the Fc/Fc + couple was observed when Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ metal ions were added to the solution of L1 in the mixture of MeOH and H₂O. Moreover, the extent of the anodic shift of redox potentials was approximately equal to that induced by Cu²⁺ alone when a mixture of Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was added to a solution of L1. Ligand L1 was proved to selectively sense Cu²⁺ in the presence of large, excessive first‐row transition and late‐transition metal cations. The coordination model was proposed from the results of controlled experiments and quantum calculations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Copper(II) and Copper(I) dpp Complexes, [Cu(dpp)Br2] and [Cu(dpp)2][CuBr2] (dpp = 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline)

The complexes [Cu(dpp)Br₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu(dpp)₂][CuBr₂] ( 2 ) (dpp = 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline) were synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction methods. Reaction of copper(II) bromide with the dpp ligand in dichloromethane at room temperature afforded 1 , which is a rare example of non‐square planar four‐coordinate copper(II) complexes. Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 15.352(3), b = 13.192(3), c = 11.358(2) Å, β = 120.61(3)°, V = 1979.6(7) ų, Z = 4, D_calc = 1.865 g cm^?3. The coordination geometry about the copper center is distorted about halfway between square planar and tetrahedral. The Cu‐N distance is 2.032(2) Å and the Cu‐Br distance 2.3521(5) Å. Heating a CH₂Cl₂ or acetone solution of 1 resulted in complex 2 , which consists of a slightly distorted tetrahedral [Cu(dpp)₂]⁺ cation and a linear two‐coordinate [CuBr₂]^? anion. 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group with a = 10.445(2), b = 11.009(2), c = 18.458(4) Å, α = 104.72(3), β = 94.71(3), γ = 103.50(3)°, V = 1973.3(7) ų, Z = 2, D_calc = 1.602 g cm^?3. The four Cu(1)‐N distances are between 2.042(3) and 2.067(3) Å, the distance of Cu(2)‐Br(1) 2.2268(8) Å, and the disordered Cu(3)‐Br(2) distances are 2.139(7) and 2.237(4) Å, respectively. Complex 2 could also be prepared by directly reacting CuBr with dpp in CH₂Cl₂.