Photomagnetic Switching of Heterometallic Complexes [M(dmf)4(H2O)3(μ‐CN)Fe(CN)5]⋅H2O (M=Nd,La, Gd,Y) Analyzed by Single‐Crystal X‐ray Diffraction and Ab Initio Theory

Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction measurements have been carried out on [Nd(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃(μ‐CN)Fe(CN)₅]?H₂O ( 1 ; dmf=dimethylformamide), [Nd(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃(μ‐CN)Co(CN)₅]?H₂O ( 2 ), [La(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃(μ‐CN)Fe(CN)₅]?H₂O ( 3 ), [Gd(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃(μ‐CN)Fe(CN)₅]?H₂O ( 4 ), and [Y(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃(μ‐CN)Fe(CN)₅]?H₂O ( 5 ), at 15(2) K with and without UV illumination of the crystals. Significant changes in unit‐cell parameters were observed for all the iron‐containing complexes, whereas 2 showed no response to UV illumination. Photoexcited crystal structures have been determined for 1 , 3 , and 4 based on refinements of two‐conformer models, and excited‐state occupancies of 78.6(1), 84(6), and 86.6(7) % were reached, respectively. Significant bond‐length changes were observed for the Fe–ligand bonds (up to 0.19 Å), the cyano bonds (up to 0.09 Å), and the lanthanide–ligand bonds (up to 0.10 Å). Ab initio theoretical calculations were carried out for the experimental ground‐state geometry of 1 to understand the electronic structure changes upon UV illumination. The calculations suggest that UV illumination gives a charge transfer from the cyano groups on the iron atom to the lanthanide ion moiety, {Nd(dmf)₄(H₂O)₃}, with a distance of approximately 6 Å from the iron atom. The charge transfer is accompanied by a reorganization of the spin state on the {Fe(CN)₆} complex, and a change in geometry that produces a metastable charge‐transfer state with an increased number of unpaired electrons, thus accounting for the observed photomagnetic effect.     

Nitridorhenium(V)‐Komplexe mit Dimercaptobernsteinsäuredimethylester. Präparation,Charakterisierung und Kristallstruktur von [Re{NC(CH3)2PPhMe2}(DMSMe2)2]

Nitridorhenium(V) Complexes with Dimercapto Succinic Acid Dimethylester. Preparation, Characterization, and Crystal Structure of [Re{NC(CH₃)₂PPhMe₂}(DMSMe₂)₂] Reaction of [ReNCl₂(Me₂PhP)₃] 1 with two equivalents of dimercaptosuccinic acid dimethylester (DMSMe₂) results in the formation of a neutral, diamagnetic rhenium(V)‐DMSMe₂ complex with a phenyldimethylphosphinoisopropyl group at the nitrido ligand as a consequence of a nucleophilic attack of the coordinated nitrido ligand on the solvent molecule. The formed complex 2 of the composition [Re{NC(CH₃)₂(Me₂PhP)}(DMSMe₂)₂] crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1, a = 12.334(7), b = 12.412(7), c = 12.414(8) Å; α = 60.14(3)°, β = 67.98(3)°, γ = 80.63(6)°; Z = 2. Rhenium is located in a square‐pyramidal configuration of the donor atoms. The two meso‐DMSMe₂ ligands are in a syn‐endo conformation. The rhenium‐nitrogen bond (1.697(12) Å) is only slightly longer than typical Re–N bonding distances in nitrido complexes and comparable with other Re–N–C bonding distances. The addition of a solvent molecule is observed in acetone ( 2 ) as well as in methylethylketone ( 3 ). Moreover, a reaction of the nitrido group with the condensation product of ketone is found by mass spectrometry ([ReN{C(CH₃)(C₂H₅)CH₂C(O)C₂H₅(Me₂PhP)}(DMSMe₂)₂] 4 ).     

Solid- and solution-state studies of the novel mu-dicyanamide-bridged dinuclear spin-crossover system {[(Fe(bztpen)]2[mu-N(CN)2]}(PF6)3 x n H2O

The mononuclear diamagnetic compound {Fe(bztpen)[N(CN)2]}(PF6)CH3OH (1) (bztpen = N-benzyl-N,N',N'-tris(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine) has been synthesized and its crystal structure studied. Complex 1 can be considered to be the formal precursor of two new dinuclear, dicyanamide-bridged iron(II) complexes with the generic formula {[(Fe(bztpen)]2[mu-N(CN)2]}(PF6)3 x n H2O (n = 1 (2) or 0 (3)), which have been characterized in the solid state and in solution. In all three complexes, the iron atoms have a distorted [FeN6] octahedral coordination defined by a bztpen ligand and a terminal (1) or a bridging dicyanamide ligand (2 and 3). In the solid state, 2 and 3 can be considered to be molecular isomers that differ by the relative position of the phenyl ring of the two {Fe(bztpen)[N(CN)2]}+ halves (cis and trans, respectively). Depending on the texture of the sample, 2 exhibits paramagnetic behavior or displays a very incomplete spin transition at atmospheric pressure. Complex 3 undergoes a gradual two-step spin transition with no observed hysteresis in the solid state. Both steps are approximately 100 K wide, centered at approximately 200 K and approximately 350 K, with a plateau of approximately 80 K separating the transitions. The crystal structure of 3 has been determined in steps of approximately 50 K between 400 K and 90 K, which provides a fascinating insight into the structural behavior of the complex and the nature of the spin transition. Order-disorder transitions occur in the dicyanamide bridge and the PF6(-) ions simultaneously, with the spin-crossover behavior suggesting that these transitions may trigger the two-step character. In solution, 2 and 3 display very similar continuous spin conversions. Electrochemical studies of 2 and 3 show that the voltammograms are typical of dimeric systems with electronic coupling of the metals through the dicyanamide ligand.     

Reaction of alkyn-1-yl(diorganyl)silanes with 1-boraadamantane: Si-H-B bridges confirmed by the molecular structure in the solid state and in solution

1-Boraadamantane 1 was treated with alkyn-1-ylsilanes 2 containing one or two Si[bond]H functions. Under mild conditions, the reaction gave 4-methylene-3-borahomoadamantane derivatives 4 quantitatively and selectively by 1,1-organoboration. An electron deficient Si-H-B bridge was present in the product. The analogous reaction of 1 with an alkyn-1-yl-disilane 3 gave the corresponding alkene derivative 5, however, without the Si-H-B bridge. Evidence for the Si-H-B bridge in 4 was given by IR data, an extensive set of NMR spectroscopical data ((1)H, (11)B, (13)C, (29)Si NMR) including various unusual isotope effects on chemical shifts and coupling constants, as well as from the molecular structure of one example, 4 e, in the solid state. The precursor of 4 e, alkyne 2 e, Ph(2)Si(H)C[triple bond]CSi(H)Ph(2), was also studied by X-ray analysis.     

Low-spin state structure of [Fe(chloroethyltetrazole)6](BF4)2 obtained from synchrotron powder diffraction data

The complex [Fe(teec)6](BF4)2 (teec = chloroethyltetrazole) shows a two-step complete spin-crossover transition in the temperature range 300-90 K. Time-resolved synchrotron powder diffraction experiments have been carried out in this temperature range, and crystal structure models have been obtained from the powder patterns by using the parallel tempering technique. Of these models, the low-spin state structure at 90 K has been refined completely with Rietveld refinement. Its structural characteristics are discussed in relation to the high-spin state model and other spin-crossover compounds. The complex shows a remarkable anisotropic unit-cell parameter contraction that is dependent on the applied cooling rate. In addition, the possible important implications for the interpretation of spin-crossover behavior in terms of structural changes are discussed.     

Structural Observations of Heterometallic Uranyl Copper(II) Carboxylates and Their Solid‐State Topotactic Transformation upon Dehydration

The hydrothermal reactions of uranyl nitrate and metallic copper with aromatic polycarboxylic acids gave rise to the formation of five heterometallic UO₂²⁺? Cu²⁺ coordination polymers: (UO₂)Cu(H₂O)₂(1,2‐bdc)₂ ( 1 ; 1,2‐bdc=phthalate), (UO₂)Cu(H₂O)₂(btec) ? 4 H₂O ( 2 ) and (UO₂)Cu(btec) ( 2′ ; btec=pyromellitate), (UO₂)₂Cu(H₂O)₄(mel) ( 3 ; mel=mellitate), and (UO₂)₂O(OH)₂Cu(H₂O)₂(1,3‐bdc) ? H₂O ( 4 ; 1,3‐bdc=isophthlalate). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of compound 1 revealed 2D layers of chains of UO₈ and CuO₄(H₂O)₂ units that were connected through the phthalate ligands. In compound 2 , these sheets were connected to each other through the two additional carboxylate arms of the pyromellitate, thus resulting in a 3D open‐framework with 1D channels that trapped water molecules. Upon heating, free and bonded water species (from Cu? OH₂) were evacuated from the structure. This thermal transition was followed by in situ XRD and IR spectroscopy. Heating induced a solid‐state topotactic transformation with the formation of a new set of Cu? O interactions in the crystalline anhydrous structure ( 2′ ), in order to keep the square‐planar environment around the copper centers. The structure of compound 3 was built up from trinuclear motifs, in which one copper center, CuO₄(OH₂)₂, was linked to two uranium units, UO₅(H₂O)₂. The assembly of this trimer, “U₂Cu”, with the mellitate generated a 3D network. Complex 4 contained a tetranuclear uranyl core of UO₅(OH)₂ and UO₆(OH) units that were linked to two copper centers, CuO(OH)₂(H₂O)₂, which were then connected to each other through isophthalate ligands and U?O? Cu interactions to create a 3D structure. The common structural feature of these different compounds is a bridging oxo group of U?O? Cu type, which is reflected by apical Cu? O distances in the range 2.350(3)–2.745(5) Å. In the case of a shorter Cu? O distance, a slight lengthening of the uranyl bond (U?O) is observed (e.g., 1.805(3) Å in complex 4 ).     

Alcohol Solvates of Lanthanoid(III) Trifluoromethanesulfonates

After vacuum dehydration, a number of hydrated trivalent lanthanoid trifluoromethanesulfonates (“triflate”, “OTf” = F₃CSO₃), when recrystallized from various alcohol (ROH) solutions, yield solvates Ln(OTf)₃ · xROH, x = 3, 5 or 6. The following have been defined crystallographically (R/Ln/x): Me/La/3;Me/Gd/6; Et/Sm/3; Et/Gd/5 iPr/Nd,Sm/3. The Me/Gd/6complex, Gd(OTf)₃ · 6MeOH is a mononuclear/ionic form [(MeOH)₆Gd(O–OTf)₂](OTf), the gadolinium environment being octacoordinate, square‐antiprismatic with the O–OTf donors quasi‐trans on different faces of the coordination polyhedron; the Et/Gd/5 complex is neutral, molecular, mononuclear [(EtOH)₅Gd(O–OTf)₃], also with an octacoordinate, square‐antiprismatic coordination sphere, derivative of that of the methanol solvate. The remainder form one‐dimensional polymeric arrays, successive lanthanoid atoms linked by (μ‐O–OTf–O′)₃ triads, at either end of a tricapped trigonal prismatic array, the ROH molecules contributing the capping atoms. A (“baseline”) (re‐)determination of the “parent” Sm(OTf)₃ · 9H₂O is also recorded.     

Spirocyclic Boraamidinate Complexes of Lanthanide(III) Metals

The reaction of Li₂[Phbam^Dipp] (Phbam^Dipp = PhB(NDipp)₂; Dipp = 2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃) with lanthanum(III) triiodides LnI₃(THF)_3.5 (Ln = La, Sm) in THF produces complexes of the type [Li(THF)₄]₂[(Phbam^Dipp)₂LnI], which were characterized in solution by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray structural determinations. The ion‐separated complexes are comprised of a spirocyclic anion in which two Phbam^Dipp ligands and an iodide ion are linked to the five‐coordinate metal atom; charge balance is provided by two tetrasolvated lithium ions [Li(THF)₄]⁺.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Novel Copper(I) Clusters with Bridging Silyl Amide Ligands

Treatment of copper(I) chloride with R₂Si(NLiPh)₂ (R = Me, Ph) in thf led to the formation of the octanuclear cluster compounds [Cu₈{(R₂Si(NPh)₂}₄] [R = Me ( 1 ), Ph ( 2 ).] Compound 1 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4/n, with a = 1505.41(5) and c = 1911.32(7) pm. The X‐ray crystal structure determination revealed a cube shaped Cu₈ cluster core with μ₄ bridging Me₂Si(NPh)₂^2– ligands. The copper atoms display an almost linear coordination with Cu–N distances in the range of 191.1(3)–191.4(3) pm. The Cu–Cu distances are 265.7(1)–267.3(1) pm. Compound 2 forms monoclinic crystals, space group P2₁/n, with a = 1461.87(4), b = 2483.77(6), c = 2725.49(8) pm, β = 100.77(1)°. The cluster core of compound 2 consists formally of two mutually perpendicular arranged trigonal prisms, which share a common square face. Like in the case of compound 1 the square faces of the cluster core are capped by μ₄ bridging Ph₂Si(NPh)₂^2– ligands. The copper atoms adopt a nearly linear N–Cu–N coordination with Cu–N distances of 190.0(4)–195.1(4) pm. The Cu–Cu distances are 252.3(1)–305.6(1) pm.     

Structures and Dynamic Solution Behavior of Cationic,Two‐Coordinate Gold(I)–π‐Allene Complexes

A family of seven cationic gold complexes that contain both an alkyl substituted π‐allene ligand and an electron‐rich, sterically hindered supporting ligand was isolated in >90 % yield and characterized by spectroscopy and, in three cases, by X‐ray crystallography. Solution‐phase and solid‐state analysis of these complexes established preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C?C bond of the allene and to the allene π face trans to the substituent on the uncomplexed allenyl C?C bond. Kinetic analysis of intermolecular allene exchange established two‐term rate laws of the form rate=k₁[complex]+k₂[complex][allene] consistent with allene‐independent and allene‐dependent exchange pathways with energy barriers of ΔG^≠₁=17.4–18.8 and ΔG^≠₂=15.2–17.6 kcal mol^?1, respectively. Variable temperature (VT) NMR analysis revealed fluxional behavior consistent with facile (ΔG^≠=8.9–11.4 kcal mol^?1) intramolecular exchange of the allene π faces through η¹‐allene transition states and/or intermediates that retain a staggered arrangement of the allene substituents. VT NMR/spin saturation transfer analysis of [{P(tBu)₂o‐binaphthyl}Au(η²‐4,5‐nonadiene) ]⁺SbF₆^? ( 5 ), which contains elements of chirality in both the phosphine and allene ligands, revealed no epimerization of the allene ligand below the threshold for intermolecular allene exchange (ΔG^≠_298K=17.4 kcal mol^?1), which ruled out the participation of a η¹‐allylic cation species in the low‐energy π‐face exchange process for this complex.     

Formation of Thiosemicarbazone‐Functionalized Complexes with (GeS2)2 and (SnS2)2 Units

By reaction of organo‐functionalized germanium or tin sesquisulfides [(R¹T)₄S₆] (T = Ge, Sn; R¹ = CMe₂CH₂COMe) with thiosemicarbazide or its methyl or phenyl derivative, a series of four compounds were obtained and structurally characterized that are based on an inorganic (TS₂)₂ unit with an extended organic chelate ligand CMe₂CH₂CMeNNCSNHR′ (R′ = H, Me, Ph). The products combine a small, reactive metal chalcogenide moiety with a ligand system that allows for a variety of directed extensions at the terminal NHR′ group. Thus, this work represents the starting point to a multifaceted consecutive chemistry involving both the extension of the binary inorganic unit and further derivatization and/or coordination of the organic ligands.     

Polymerization of o‐quinodimethanes. IV. Radical polymerization of 1‐cyano‐o‐quinodimethane in the presence of TEMPO

The radical polymerization behavior of 1‐cyano‐o‐quinodimethane generated by thermal isomerization of 1‐cyanobenzocyclobutene in the presence of 2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐N‐oxide (TEMPO) and the block copolymerization of the obtained polymer with styrene are described. The radical polymerization of 1‐cyanobenzocyclobutene was carried out in a sealed tube at temperatures ranging from 100 to 150 °C for 24 h in the presence of di‐tert‐butyl peroxide (DTBP) as a radical initiator and two equivalents of TEMPO as a trapping agent of the propagation end radical to obtain hexane‐insoluble polymer above 130 °C. Polymerization at 150 °C with 5 mol % of DTBP in the presence of TEMPO resulted in the polymer having a number‐average molecular weight (M_n ) of 2900 in 63% yield. The structure of the obtained polymer was confirmed as the ring‐opened polymer having a TEMPO unit at the terminal end by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and IR analyses. Then, block copolymerization of the obtained polymer with styrene was carried out at 140 °C for 72 h to give the corresponding block copolymer in 82% yield, in which the unimodal GPC curve was shifted to a higher molecular weight region. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 3434–3439, 2000     

Copper(I) Clusters with Trifunctional Silyl Amide Ligands. Synthesis and Crystal Structures of [Li(THF)4]2[Cu10{RSi(NPh)3}4] (R = Me,Ph, Vin)

Treatment of CuCl with the lithiated silyl amides RSi(NLiPh)₃ (R = Me, Ph, Vin) in THF as solvent led to the formation of the novel Cu^I cluster compounds [Li(THF)₄]₂[Cu₁₀{RSi(NPh)₃}₄]. For each of the three compounds the X‐ray crystal structure analysis revealed similar Si₄N₁₂Cu₁₀ cores which are based on cubane like Cu₈ cores bearing two additional peripheral copper atoms. The copper atoms are coordinated nearly linearly by the μ₅‐bridging silyl amide ligands with Cu–N distances in the range of 187.1(3) to 194.5(4) pm and N–Cu–N angles of 171.6(1) to 178.7(1)°. For each of the compounds the structural parameters are very similar which indicates that the structures are barely influenced by the different steric requirements of the organic groups bound to silicon.     

Cyclopentadienyl Ruthenium(II) Complexes with Bridging Alkynylphosphine Ligands: Synthesis and Electrochemical Studies

The reaction of [CpRuCl(PPh₃)₂] (Cp=cyclopentadienyl) and [CpRuCl(dppe)] (dppe=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂) with bis‐ and tris‐phosphine ligands 1,4‐(Ph₂PC≡C)₂C₆H₄ ( 1 ) and 1,3,5‐(Ph₂PC≡C)₃C₆H₃ ( 2 ), prepared by Ni‐catalysed cross‐coupling reactions between terminal alkynes and diphenylchlorophosphine, has been investigated. Using metal‐directed self‐assembly methodologies, two linear bimetallic complexes, [{CpRuCl(PPh₃)}₂(μ‐dppab)] ( 3 ) and [{CpRu(dppe)}₂(μ‐dppab)](PF₆)₂ ( 4 ), and the mononuclear complex [CpRuCl(PPh₃)(η¹‐dppab)] ( 6 ), which contains a “dangling arm” ligand, were prepared (dppab=1,4‐bis[(diphenylphosphino)ethynyl]benzene). Moreover, by using the triphosphine 1,3,5‐tris[(diphenylphosphino)ethynyl]benzene (tppab), the trimetallic [{CpRuCl(PPh₃)}₃(μ₃‐tppab)] ( 5 ) species was synthesised, which is the first example of a chiral‐at‐ruthenium complex containing three different stereogenic centres. Besides these open‐chain complexes, the neutral cyclic species [{CpRuCl(μ‐dppab)}₂] ( 7 ) was also obtained under different experimental conditions. The coordination chemistry of such systems towards supramolecular assemblies was tested by reaction of the bimetallic precursor 3 with additional equivalents of ligand 2 . Two rigid macrocycles based on cis coordination of dppab to [CpRu(PPh₃)] were obtained, that is, the dinuclear complex [{CpRu(PPh₃)(μ‐dppab)}₂](PF₆)₂ ( 8 ) and the tetranuclear square [{CpRu(PPh₃)(μ‐dppab)}₄](PF₆)₄ ( 9 ). The solid‐state structures of 7 and 8 have been determined by X‐ray diffraction analysis and show a different arrangement of the two parallel dppab ligands. All compounds were characterised by various methods including ESIMS, electrochemistry and by X‐band ESR spectroscopy in the case of the electrogenerated paramagnetic species.