2‐Amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐thiadiazole as Bidentate Ligand

The amino substituted bidentate chelating ligand 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (H₂ L ) was used to prepare 3:1‐type coordination compounds of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II). In the iron(II) perchlorate complex [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·0.6MeOH·0.9H₂O a 1:1 mixture of mer and fac isomers is present whereas [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](BF₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O, [Co^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O and [Ni^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O feature merely mer derivatives. Moessbauer spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic measurements revealed the [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core to exist in the low‐spin state, whereas the [Co^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core resides in its high‐spin state, even at very low temperatures.     

Cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes with 4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine

4′‐Cyanophenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (cptpy) was employed as an N,N′,N′′‐tridentate ligand to synthesize the compounds bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(II) bis(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane solvate, [Co^II(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₂·CH₃NO₂, (I), and bis[4′‐(4‐cyanophenyl)‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine]cobalt(III) tris(tetrafluoridoborate) nitromethane sesquisolvate, [Co^III(C₂₂H₁₄N₄)₂](BF₄)₃·1.5CH₃NO₂, (II). In both complexes, the cobalt ions occupy a distorted octahedral geometry with two cptpy ligands in a meridional configuration. A greater distortion from octahedral geometry is observed in (I), which indicates a different steric consequence of the constrained ligand bite on the Co^II and Co^III ions. The crystal structure of (I) features an interlocked sheet motif, which differs from the one‐dimensional chain packing style present in (II). The lower dimensionality in (II) can be explained by the disturbance caused by the larger number of anions and solvent molecules involved in the crystal structure of (II). All atoms in (I) are on general positions, and the F atoms of one BF₄⁻ anion are disordered. In (II), one B atom is on an inversion center, necessitating disorder of the four attached F atoms, another B atom is on a twofold axis with ordered F atoms, and the C and N atoms of one nitromethane solvent molecule are on a twofold axis, causing disorder of the methyl H atoms. This relatively uncommon study of analogous Co^II and Co^III complexes provides a better understanding of the effects of different oxidation states on coordination geometry and crystal packing.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Bis(1‐{(E)‐2‐pyridinylmethylidene}‐semicarbazone)iron(II) and ‐copper(II) Diperchlorate Monohydrates

The pyridine‐2‐carbaldehyde semicarbazone ligand (HL) reacts with iron(II) and copper(II) perchlorates in boiling ethanol to yield red‐violet [Fe^II(HL)₂](ClO₄)₂·H₂O ( 1 ) and light‐green crystals [Cu^II(HL)₂](ClO₄)₂·H₂O ( 2 ). The crystals are triclinic with the metal ions in an octahedral environment, coordinated to two nitrogen and one oxygen‐donor atom from HL. Electronic, magnetic and electrochemical properties are presented as well.     

Trinuclear [CoIII2–LnIII] (Ln=Tb,Dy) Single‐Ion Magnets with Mixed 6‐Chloro‐2‐Hydroxypyridine and Schiff Base Ligands

The Schiff base ligand N1,N3‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)diethylenetriamine (H₂valdien) and the co‐ligand 6‐chloro‐2‐hydroxypyridine (Hchp) were used to construct two 3d–4f heterometallic single‐ion magnets [Co₂Dy(valdien)₂(OCH₃)₂(chp)₂] ? ClO₄ ? 5 H₂O ( 1 ) and [Co₂Tb(valdien)₂(OCH₃)₂(chp)₂] ? ClO₄ ? 2 H₂O ? CH₃OH ( 2 ). The two trinuclear [Co^III₂Ln^III] complexes behave as a mononuclear Ln^III magnetic system because of the presence of two diamagnetic cobalt(III) ions. Complex 1 has a molecular symmetry center, and it crystallizes in the C2/c space group, whereas complex 2 shows a lower molecular symmetry and crystallizes in the P2₁/c space group. Magnetic investigations indicated that both complexes are field‐induced single‐ion magnets, and the Co^III₂–Dy^III complex possesses a larger energy barrier [74.1(4.2) K] than the Co^III₂–Tb^III complex [32.3(2.6) K].     

Controlling Metal–Ligand–Metal Oxidation State Combinations by Ancillary Ligand (L) Variation in the Redox Systems [L2Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL2]n,boptz=3,6‐bis(2‐oxidophenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine,and L=acetylacetonate, 2,2′‐bipyridine,or 2‐phenylazopyridine

The new compounds [(acac)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(acac)₂] ( 1 ), [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ‐(ClO₄)₂), and [(pap)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(pap)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 ‐(ClO₄)₂) were obtained from 3,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (H₂boptz), the crystal structure analysis of which is reported. Compound 1 contains two antiferromagnetically coupled (J=?36.7 cm^?1) Ru^III centers. We have investigated the role of both the donor and acceptor functions containing the boptz^2? bridging ligand in combination with the electronically different ancillary ligands (donating acac^?, moderately π‐accepting bpy, and strongly π‐accepting pap; acac=acetylacetonate, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine pap=2‐phenylazopyridine) by using cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for several in situ accessible redox states. We found that metal–ligand–metal oxidation state combinations remain invariant to ancillary ligand change in some instances; however, three isoelectronic paramagnetic cores Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru showed remarkable differences. The excellent tolerance of the bpy co ‐ ligand for both Ru^III and Ru^II is demonstrated by the adoption of the mixed ‐ valent form in [L₂Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL₂]³⁺, L=bpy, whereas the corresponding system with pap stabilizes the Ru^II states to yield a phenoxyl radical ligand and the compound with L=acac^? contains two Ru^III centers connected by a tetrazine radical‐anion bridge.     

Near‐IR Absorbing Ruthenium Complexes of Non‐Innocent 6,12‐Di(pyridin‐2‐yl)indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole: Variation as a Function of Co‐Ligands

This article deals with the hitherto unexplored metal complexes of deprotonated 6,12‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5,11‐dihydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (H₂L). The synthesis and structural, optical, electrochemical characterization of dimeric [{Ru^III(acac)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)]ClO₄ ([ 1 ]ClO₄, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(bpy)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)](ClO₄)₃ ([ 2 ](ClO₄)₃, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(pap)₂}₂(μ‐L^2?)](ClO₄)₂ ([ 4 ](ClO₄)₂, S=0), and monomeric [(bpy)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 3 ]ClO₄, S=0), [(pap)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 5 ]ClO₄, S=0) (acac=σ‐donating acetylacetonate, bpy=moderately π‐accepting 2,2’‐bipyridine, pap=strongly π‐accepting 2‐phenylazopyridine) are reported. The radical and dianionic states of deprotonated L in isolated dimeric 1 ⁺/ 2 ³⁺ and 4 ²⁺, respectively, could be attributed to the varying electronic features of the ancillary (acac, bpy, and pap) ligands, as was reflected in their redox potentials. Perturbation of the energy level of the deprotonated L or HL upon coordination with {Ru(acac)₂}, {Ru(bpy)₂}, or {Ru(pap)₂} led to the smaller energy gap in the frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), resulting in bathochromically shifted NIR absorption bands (800–2000 nm) in the accessible redox states of the complexes, which varied to some extent as a function of the ancillary ligands. Spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis/NIR, EPR) studies along with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations revealed (i) involvement of deprotonated L or HL in the oxidation processes owing to its redox non‐innocent potential and (ii) metal (Ru^III/Ru^II) or bpy/pap dominated reduction processes in 1 ⁺ or 2 ²⁺/ 3 ⁺/ 4 ²⁺/ 5 ⁺, respectively.     

Reversible Phase Transformation and Luminescence of Cadmium(II)–Dipyridylamide‐Based Coordination Frameworks

We have synthesized a series of 1D double‐zigzag ({[Cd(paps)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 1 ), {[Cd(papo)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 3 ), and {[Cd(papc)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 5 )) and 2D polyrotaxane frameworks ([Cd(papc)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n ( 6 )) by the reaction of Cd(ClO₄)₂ with dipyridylamide ligands N,N′‐bis(pyridylcarbonyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl thioether (paps), N,N′‐bis(pyridylcarbonyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (papo), and N,N′‐(methylenedi‐p‐phenylene)bispyridine‐4‐carboxamide (papc), respectively, where their molecular structures have been determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. Based on the powder X‐ray data (PXRD) of compound 3 and its Zn^II analogue, heating the double‐zigzag framework of compound 3 can give the polyrotaxane framework of [Cd(papo)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n ( 4 ) and grinding this powder sample in the presence of moisture resulted in its complete conversion back into the pure double‐zigzag framework. In addition, heating the double‐zigzag frameworks of compounds 1 and 5 can induce structural transformation into their respective polyrotaxanes, whereas grinding these solid samples in the presence of moisture did not lead to the formation of the double zigzags. Herein, we investigated the effect of the metal (from Zn^II to Cd^II) on the assembly process and luminescence properties, as well as on the particularly intriguing structural transformation of a series of papx‐based frameworks. In fact, the assembly behavior and luminescence properties of the Cd^II? papx and Zn^II? papx frameworks were really similar. However, both Zn^II? papx (x=s, o) frameworks can perform reversible structural transformation, but only the Cd^II? papo framework can do it. Therefore, a delicate metal effect on such a new structural transformation can be observed.     

Counter‐Anion‐Regulated Mixed‐Valency of Cobalt(II/III) Centers in a Metallosupramolecular Framework

A diamagnetic Au^I₄Co^III₂ hexanuclear complex, [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(l ‐nmc)₄]²⁺ ([ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]²⁺; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, l ‐H₂nmc=N‐methyl‐l ‐cysteine), was newly synthesized by the reaction of [Co(l ‐nmc)₂]^? with [Au₂Cl₂(dppe)] and crystallized with different inorganic anions (X=ClO₄^?, NO₃^?, Cl^?, SO₄^2?) to produce ionic solids ([ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]X_n). Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that all the solids crystallize in the chiral space group F432 with a face‐centered‐cubic lattice structure consisting of supramolecular octahedra of complex cations. The paramagnetic nature of all the solids was evidenced by magnetic susceptibility measurements, showing the variation of the oxidation states of two cobalt centers in [ 1_{L ‐ nmc} ]ⁿ⁺ from Co^II_1.00Co^III_1.00 for X=ClO₄^? or NO₃^? to Co^II_0.67Co^III_1.33 for X=Cl^?, via Co^II_0.83Co^III_1.17 for X=SO₄^2?. The difference in the Co^II/III mixed‐valences was explained by the difference in sizes and charges of counter anions accommodated in lattice interstices with a fixed volume.     

Cyano‐Bridged ‘Oximato’ Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Catalase‐Like Activities

The reaction of the ‘oximato’‐ligand precursor A (Fig. 1) and metal salts with KCN gave two mononuclear complexes [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n](ClO₄) ( 1 and 2 ; L={N‐(hydroxy‐κO)‐α‐oxo‐N′‐[(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)methyl[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4‐ethanimidamidato‐κN′}; M=Co^II ( 1 ), Cu^II ( 2 ); n=2 for Co^II, n=0 for Cu^II; Figs. 2 and 3). The new cyano‐bridged pentanuclear ‘oximato’ complexes [{ML(H₂O)_n(NC)}₄M¹(H₂O)_x](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 – 6 ) and trinuclear complexes [{ML(H₂O)_n(NC)}₂M¹L](ClO₄) ( 7 – 10 ) ([M¹=Mn^II, Cu^II; x=2 for Mn^II, x=0 for Cu^II] were synthesized from mononuclear complexes and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductance, and IR and thermal analysis. The four [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n]⁺ moieties are connected by a metal(II) ion in the pentanuclear complexe 3 – 6 , each one involving four cyano bridging ligands (Fig. 4). The central metal ion displays a square‐planar or octahedral geometry, with the cyano bridging ligands forming the equatorial plane. The axial positions are occupied by two aqua ligands in the case of the central Mn‐atom. The two [ML(CN)(H₂O)_n]⁺ moieties and an ‘oximato’ ligand are connected by a metal(II) ion in the trinuclear complexes 7 – 10 , each one involving two cyano bridging ligands (Fig. 5). The central metal ions display a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry, with two cyano bridging ligands and the donor atoms of the tridentate ‘oximato’ ligand. Moreover catalytic activities of the complexes for the disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were also investigated in the presence of 1H‐imidazole. The synthesized homopolynuclear Cu^II complexes 6 and 10 displayed eficiency in disproportion reactions of H₂O₂ producing H₂O and dioxygen thus showing catalase‐like activity.     

The first dinuclear cobalt complex bridged by acetylamidate ligands: di‐μ‐acetylamido‐κ2O:N;κ2N:O‐di‐μ‐hydroxido‐κ4O:O‐bis[bis(pyridine‐κN)cobalt(III)] bis(perchlorate) acetonitrile disolvate

The title compound, [Co₂(C₂H₄NO)₂(OH)₂(C₅H₅N)₄](ClO₄)₂·2C₂H₃N, consists of two octahedral Co^III centers arranged around an inversion point in which two cis hydroxide and two trans acetylamidate ligands link the two centers together, forming a dimeric cationic complex. Each Co^III center has two cis pyridine ligands which coordinate in the same plane as the cis hydroxide ligands. Two acetonitrile solvent molecules and two perchlorate anions are hydrogen bonded to the H atoms on the bridging hydroxide and acetylamidate (N atom) ligands, respectively.     

Synthesis,Structure and Magnetic Properties of a Cyano‐bridged Dinuclear Compound fac‐{[FeIII(pzTp)(CN)2(μ‐CN)] CuII(TPyA)}·Et2O·ClO4 (pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate)

The reaction of tricyanometallate precursor, (Bu₄N)[(pzTp)Fe(CN)₃] with Cu(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O in the presence of the tetradentate ligand tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine (TPyA) afford the dinuclear compound fac‐{[Fe^III(pzTp)(CN)₂(μ‐CN)]Cu^II(TPA)}·Et₂O·ClO₄ ( 1 ) (pzTp = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate). The molecular structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In compound 1 , the Fe^III ion is coordinated by three cyanide carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms of pzTp anions. Whereas, the Cu^II ion is surrounded by one cyanide nitrogen atom and four nitrogen atoms from the TPyA ligand. Magnetic measurements indicate the intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling is observed for compound 1 , and it has S = 1 ground states.     

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

Two 2,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazo­le–metal complexes (M = Cu and Ni)

The reaction of the diazine ligand 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazole (pod, C₁₂H₈N₄O), with Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂ or Ni(ClO₄)₂ afforded the title complexes di­aqua­bis­[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazole‐N²,N³]copper(II) bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sul­fon­ate), [Cu(pod)₂(H₂O)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, and di­aqua­bis­[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazo­le‐N²,N³]­nickel(II) diperchlorate, [Ni(pod)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂. Both complexes present a crystallographically centrosymmetric mononuclear cation structure which consists of a six‐coordinated Cu^II or Ni^II ion with two pod mol­ecules acting as bidentate ligands and two axially coordinated water mol­ecules.     

A Brønsted‐Ligand‐Based Iron Complex as a Molecular Switch with Five Accessible States

A mononuclear Fe^II complex, prepared with a Brønsted diacid ligand, H₂L (H₂L=2‐[5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐3‐yl] 6‐benzimidazole pyridine), shows switchable physical properties and was isolated in five different electronic states. The spin crossover (SCO) complex, [Fe^II(H₂L)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 1_A ), exhibits abrupt spin transition at T_1/2=258 K, and treatment with base yields a deprotonated analogue [Fe^II(HL)₂] ( 1_B ), which shows gradual SCO above 350 K. A range of Fe^III analogues were also characterized. [Fe^III(HL)(H₂L)](BF₄)Cl ( 1_C ) has an S=5/2 spin state, while the deprotonated complexes [Fe^III(L)(HL)], ( 1_D ), and (TEA)[Fe^III(L)₂], ( 1_E ) exist in the low‐spin S=1/2 state. The electronic properties of the five complexes were fully characterized and we demonstrate in situ switching between multiple states in both solution and the solid‐state. The versatility of this simple mononuclear system illustrates how proton donor/acceptor ligands can vastly increase the range of accessible states in switchable molecular devices.     

μ‐{N,N′‐Bis[2‐(dimethyl­amino)ethyl]oxamidato(2–)}‐1κ2O,O′:2κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐bis­(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐1κ2N,N′)dinickel(II) bis­(perchlorate)

In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Ni₂(C₁₀H₂₀N₄O₂)(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)₂](ClO₄)₂ or [Ni(dmaeoxd)Ni(dmbp)₂](ClO₄)₂ {H₂dmaeoxd is N,N′‐bis­[2‐(dimethyl­amino)ethyl]oxamide and dmbp is 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine}, the deprotonated dmaeoxd²⁻ ligand is in a cis conformation and bridges two Ni^II atoms, one of which is located in a slightly distorted square‐planar environment, while the other is in an irregular octa­hedral environment. The cation is located on a twofold symmetry axis running through both Ni atoms. The dmaeoxd²⁻ ligands inter­act with each other via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions, which results in an extended chain along the c axis.     

Adsorption behaviour of a CdII–triazole MOF for butan‐2‐one in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion: the role of hydrogen bonding and C—H…π interactions

The adsorption behaviour of the Cd^II–MOF {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)₂]·H₂O ( 1 ), where L is 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole, for butan‐2‐one was investigated in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion. A new host–guest system that encapsulated butan‐2‐one molecules, namely poly[[bis{μ₃‐4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}cadmium(II)] bis(perchlorate) butanone sesquisolvate], {[Cd(C₂₄H₁₈N₆)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.5C₄H₈O}_n, denoted C₄H₈O@Cd‐MOF ( 2 ), was obtained via an SCSC transformation. MOF 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2. The specific binding sites for butan‐2‐one in the host were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. N—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and C—H…π interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules co‐operatively bind 1.5 butan‐2‐one molecules within the channels. The adsorption behaviour was further evidenced by ¹H NMR, IR, TGA and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments, which are consistent with the single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. A ¹H NMR experiment demonstrates that the supramolecular interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules in MOF 2 lead to a high butan‐2‐one uptake in the channel.     

Heteronuclear 3 d/DyIII Coordination Clusters as Catalysts in a Domino Reaction

Three isoskeletal tetranuclear coordination clusters with general formula [M^II₂Dy^III₂L₄(EtOH)₆](ClO₄)₂?2 EtOH, (M=Co, 1 ; M=Ni, 2 ) and [Ni^II₂Dy^III₂L₄Cl₂(CH₃CN)₂]?2 CH₃CN ( 3 ), have been synthesized and characterized. These air‐stable compounds, and in particular 3 , display efficient homogeneous catalytic behavior in the room‐temperature synthesis of trans‐4,5‐diaminocyclopent‐2‐enones from 2‐furaldehyde and primary or secondary amines under a non‐inert atmosphere.     

Two CoII coordination polymers of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid with flexible N‐donor ligands: syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Two Co^II‐based coordination polymers, namely poly[(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){μ₂‐1,3‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n or [Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,3‐bimb)₂]_n ( I ), and poly[[aqua(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){1,4‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)] dihydrate], {[Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n or {[Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,4‐bimb)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( II ), were synthesized from a mixture of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid, i.e. [H₄(o,m‐bpta)], CoCl₂·6H₂O and N‐donor ligands under solvothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. The bridging (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands combine with Co^II ions in different μ₄‐coordination modes, leading to the formation of one‐dimensional chains. The central Co^II atoms display tetrahedral [CoN₂O₂] and octahedral [CoN₂O₄] geometries in I and II , respectively. The bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene (bimb) ligands adopt trans or cis conformations to connect Co^II ions, thus forming two three‐dimensional (3D) networks. Complex I shows a (2,4)‐connected 3D network with left‐ and right‐handed helical chains constructed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands. Complex II is a (4,4)‐connected 3D novel network with ribbon‐like chains formed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? linkers. Magnetic studies indicate an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of I and II due to the longer Co…Co distances. An attempt has been made to fit the χ_MT results to the magnetic formulae for mononuclear Co^II complexes, the fitting indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II ions.     

Reversible Phase Transformation and Mechanochromic Luminescence of ZnII‐Dipyridylamide‐Based Coordination Frameworks

A 1D double‐zigzag framework, {[Zn(paps)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 1 ; paps=N,N′‐bis(pyridylcarbonyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl thioether), was synthesized by the reaction of Zn(ClO₄)₂ with paps. However, a similar reaction, except that dry solvents were used, led to the formation of a novel 2D polyrotaxane framework, [Zn(paps)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n ( 2 ). This difference relies on the fact that water coordinates to the Zn^II ion in 1 , but ClO₄^? ion coordination is found in 2 . Notably, the structures can be interconverted by heating and grinding in the presence of moisture, and such a structural transformation can also be proven experimentally by powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The related N,N′‐bis‐ (pyridylcarbonyl)‐4,4′‐diaminodiphenyl ether (papo) and N,N′‐(methylenedi‐para‐phenylene)bispyridine‐4‐carboxamide (papc) ligands were reacted with Zn^II ions as well. When a similar reaction was performed with dry solvents, except that papo was used instead of paps, the product mixture contained mononuclear [Zn(papo)(CH₃OH)₄](ClO₄)₂ ( 5 ) and the polyrotaxane [Zn(papo)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n ( 4 ). From the powder XRD data, grinding this mixture in the presence of moisture resulted in total conversion to the pure double‐zigzag {[Zn(papo)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 3 ) immediately. Upon heating 3 , the polyrotaxane framework of 4 was recovered. The double‐zigzag {[Zn(papc)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂}_n ( 6 ) and polyrotaxane [Zn(papc)₂(ClO₄)₂]_n ( 7 ) were synthesized in a similar reaction. Although upon heating the double‐zigzag 6 undergoes structural transformation to give the polyrotaxane 7 , grinding solid 7 in the presence of moisture does not lead to the formation of 6 . Significantly, the bright emissions for double‐zigzag frameworks of 1 and 3 and weak ones for polyrotaxane frameworks of 2 and 4 also show interesting mechanochromic luminescence.     

Copper(II), Cobalt(II), and Nickel(II) Complexes of two Novel Pyridine‐derived Macrocyclic Ligands bearing o‐ and pNitrobenzyl Pendant Groups

The pendant‐armed ligands L¹ and L² were synthesized by N‐alkylation of the four secondary amine groups of the macrocyclic precursor L using o‐nitrobenzylbromide (L¹) and p‐nitrobenzylbromide (L²). Nitrates and perchlorates of Cu^II, Ni^II and Co^II were used to synthesize the metal complexes of both ligands and the complexes were characterized by microanalysis, MS‐FAB, conductivity measurements, IR and UV‐Vis spectroscopy and magnetic studies. The crystal structures of L¹, [CuL¹](ClO₄)₂·CH₃CN·H₂O, [CuL²](ClO₄)₂·6CH₃CN, [CuL²][Cu(NO₃)₄]·5CH₃CN·0.5CH₃OH and [NiL²](ClO₄)₂·3CH₃CN·H₂O were determined by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. These structural analysis reveal the free ligand L¹, three mononuclear endomacrocyclic complexes {[CuL¹](ClO₄)₂·CH₃CN·H₂O, [CuL²](ClO₄)₂·6CH₃CN and [NiL²](ClO₄)₂·3CH₃CN·H₂O} and one binuclear complex {[CuL²][Cu(NO₃)₄]·5CH₃CN·0.5CH₃OH} in which one of the metals is in the macrocyclic framework and the other metal is outside the ligand cavity and coordinated to four nitrate ions.