Benzoxazole-based heterometallic dodecanuclear complex [Dy(III)4Cu(II)8] with single-molecule-magnet behavior

Three Cu-Ln (Ln = Dy, Gd, Y) dodecanuclear clusters assembled by a novel ligand of the benzoxazole type are reported. The dysprosium cluster exhibits a frequency dependence of the alternating-current susceptibility and hysteresis loop at low temperature, indicating single-molecule-magnet behavior.     

Crystal-to-crystal transformations in heterometallic yttrium(III)-copper(I) iodide derivatives in a confined solvent-free environment: influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of iodocuprate clusters

The solvated yttrium iodide precursors [Y(L)(8)]I(3) (L = DMSO or DMF), prepared in situ by stirring YI(3)(Pr(i)OH)(4) in DMSO or DMF, react with CuI in the presence of NH(4)I to give ionic hetero-metallic species [Y(DMSO)(8)][Cu(2)(mu-I)I(4)] (1) and [Y(DMF)(8)][Cu(4)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(3)I(2)] (2) in excellent yields. Re-crystallization of 1 from DMF afforded the mixed-solvate complex [Y(DMSO)(6)(DMF)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (3). Compounds 2 and 3 undergo unique crystal-to-crystal transformation via progressive substitution of DMF by water molecules in a confined, solvent-free environment. Thus, crystals of 3 transform into [Y(DMSO)(6)(H(2)O)(2)][CuI(3)][I] (4), whereas a discrete ion-pair assembly of 2 is first converted into a 1-D zig-zag structure [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(2)](3+)[Cu(7)(mu(4)-I)(3)(mu(3)-I)(2)(mu-I)(4)(I)](1infinity)(3-) (5) and finally into a 2-D sheet containing mixed-valent copper atoms, [Y(DMF)(6)(H(2)O)(3)](3+)[Cu(I)(7)Cu(II)(2)(mu(3)-I)(8)(mu-I)(6)](2infinity)(3-) (6). The bi- and tetrafurcate H-bonding between water ligands on yttrium and iodides of the Cu-I cluster plays a pivotal role in the evolution of structures 4-6. Formation of a wide range of iodocuprate structures in 1-6, from discrete mono-, di- or tetranuclear units to one- and two-dimensional extended arrays, reflects the influence of solvated yttrium cations on the nuclearity and dimensionality of Cu-I clusters. TG-DTA-MS studies and DFT calculations for these complexes have also been carried out in order to determine their thermal stability and have insight about aforesaid transformations.     

Solid- and solution phase transformations in novel hybrid iodoplumbate derivatives templated by solvated yttrium complexes

Solvated yttrium iodide precursors [Y(L)8]I3 [L = dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)], prepared in situ by stirring YI3(Pr(i)OH)4 in DMF/DMSO, react with 3 equiv of PbI2 in the presence of NH4I to give novel hybrid derivatives based on either a one-dimensional (1D) straight chain, [Y(DMF)8][Pb3(mu-I)9](1infinity) x DMF (1), or discrete pentanuclear iodoplumbates, [Y(DMSO)8]2[(DMSO)2Pb5(mu3-I)2(mu-I)8I6] (2a). The complex 2a and a closely related [Y(DMSO)8][Y(DMSO)7(DMF)][(DMSO)2Pb5(mu3-I)2(mu-I)8I6] (2b) were obtained in good yield by solution phase transformation of 1 in DMSO under slight different conditions. Derivatives 1 and 2 also undergo unique solid-state transformation in a confined environment of paratone to give 1D polymers based on zigzag iodoplumbate chains; crystals of 1 transform into [Y(DMF)6(H2O)2][Pb3(mu3-I)(mu-I)7I](1infinity) (3) via an exchange reaction, whereas those of 2a and 2b are converted into [Y(DMSO)7][Pb3(mu3-I)(mu-I)7I](1infinity) (4) via a decomposition pathway. The trifurcate H-bonding between water ligands on yttrium cation and iodide of the iodoplumbate anion plays a pivotal role in transforming the straight 1D polymeric Pb-I chain of 1 into a zigzag chain in 3. The thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis studies indicate that complexes with DMF ligands are thermally more stable than those with DMSO ones, the mixed DMF-H2O ligand complex 3 being the most stable one because of the presence of strong H-bonding. Diffuse-reflectance UV-visible spectral analyses of 1-4 show an optical band gap in the 1.86-2.54 eV range, indicating these derivatives as potential semiconductors. In contrast to non-emissive 3 and 4, derivatives 1, 2a, and 2b show remarkable luminescent emission with peak maxima at 703 nm, assigned as an iodine 5p-lead 6s to lead 6p charge transfer (XM-M-CT).     

Crystal structures of 6-[(2-hydroxy-1,1-bishydroxymethylethylamino)methylene]-2,4-dinitrocyclohexa-2,4-dienone hydrate and complexes of copper(II) chloride and copper(II) nitrate with this ligand

The crystal structures of 6-[(2-hydroxy-1,1-bishydroxymethylethylamino)methylene]-2,4-dinitrocyclohexa-2,4-dienone hydrate L · H₂O (I), chloro-(2-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol-2-iminomethyl-4,6-dinitrophenolo)aquacopper hydrate [Cu(H₂O)(L-H)Cl] · H₂O (II), and (2-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpropane-1,3-diol-2-iminomethyl-4,6-dinitrophenolo)aquacopper nitrate [Cu(H₂O)(L-H)]NO₃ (III) are determined using X-ray diffraction. It is established that the salicylidene fragment of azomethine L in the structure of compound I is in a quinoid tautomeric form. In the crystal, molecules L and water molecules are joined together by hydrogen bonds into two-dimensional layers aligned parallel to the (010) plane. The copper atom in the structure of compound II coordinates the singly deprotonated tridentate molecule L (whose salicylidene fragment is in a benzenoid form), the chlorine ion, and the water molecule. The coordination polyhedron of the central copper atom is a distorted tetragonal pyramid. In the structure of compound III, the polymer chains are formed through the coordination bonds of the copper atom with two oxygen atoms of the amino alcohol fragment of azomethine L of the neighboring complex, which is related to the initial complex by the translation along the x axis. The coordination polyhedron of the central atom is an elongated tetragonal bipyramid. Polymers and nitro groups form a three-dimensional framework through hydrogen bonds.     

β‐CdC2O4

Crystals of an­hydrous cadmium oxalate, β‐[Cd(C₂O₄)], have been synthesized hydro­thermally and the crystal structure solved using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction data. The Cd and oxalate ions lie about independent inversion centres. The structure consists of a three‐dimensional framework built from sheets of cadmium octahedra linked together by oxalate groups.     

Insights into the reactivity of thiacalix[2]thianthrenes: synthesis and structural studies of sulfoxide and sulfone derivatives

We have recently reported a new class of macrocycle, the thiacalixthianthrenes. This paper describes some attempts to modify thiacalixthianthrene and a study of the structure of oxidized derivatives.     

Dimethyl selenide complexes of copper,gallium and indium halides as potential precursors for selenium-containing chalcopyrite semiconducting materials

The coordination chemistry of copper, gallium and indium halides with the simplest possible selenoether i.e. Me₂Se was investigated with the aim to use the resulting complexes as precursors for selenium-containing chalcopyrite semiconducting materials. An optimized general procedure for the high yield synthesis is described and the influence of a halide ion on the structure and solubility of these metal halide dimethyl selenide complexes are discussed. These complexes were characterized by the elemental analysis, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as single crystal X-ray structures, the later study showing them to be monomeric for gallium halides, mono- or dimeric for indium halides and either an ion-pairs or 2-D extended structure in the case of copper halides.     

Coinage Metal Complexes with Di-tertiary-butyl Sulfide as Precursors with Ultra-Low Decomposition Temperature

We report here the synthesis of [Cu₂(TFA)₄(^tBu₂S)₂] ( 1 ), [Ag₄(TFA)₄(^tBu₂S)₄] ( 2 ) and [AuCl(^tBu₂S)] ( 3 ) (TFA=trifluoroacetate), which decompose in solution medium at ultra-low temperature (e. g., in boiling toluene) to afford phase-pure and highly crystalline Cu₉S₅, Ag₂S and metallic Au nanoparticles, respectively. The low decomposition temperature of these precursors is attributed to the facile decomposition mechanism in the di-tertiary-butyl sulfide ligand. These results are a significant step in the direction of establishing a general low-temperature strategy spanning a range of systems including thermodynamically metastable materials and incorporate them in technologies that are sensitive to the harsh conditions.     

Synthesis,characterization and X-ray structures of N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes based on calix[4]arenes: highly efficient catalysts towards Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

A new series of calix[4]arene supported N-heterocyclic carbene palladium complexes were developed and fully characterized. A mono-substituted calix[4]arene was prepared through conventional procedures, following with the attachment of imidazolyl derivative groups to compose the precursors of novel NHCs ligands. Undergoing the alkylation with n-butylbromide and corresponding metallation with palladium and pyridine, original complexes were obtained. After a full characterization in solution and solid state, the evaluation of catalytic activity was taken out in Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reactions, which revealed good performances.