Self-Organization of a Binuclear Ruthenium Complex to Tetra- and Octanuclear Catalysts for Water Oxidation for “Artificial Photosynthesis”

The kinetics and mechanism of the action of tetra- and octanuclear ruthenium catalysts for water oxidation with Ce(IV) compounds in “artificial photosynthesis” have been studied. These catalysts are formed from a complex K₄[Ru₂(SO₄)₂(μ-SO₄)₂(μ-O)₂] · 2H₂O in an acidic medium via its self-organization. A tetranuclear adamantane-like cluster Ru₄O₆ is obtained during the dimerization of a binuclear complex and catalyzes the four-electron water oxidation to an oxygen molecule. An octanuclear cluster Ru₈O₁₂ is formed during the tetramerization of a binuclear complex and catalyzes the eight-electron water oxidation to an oxozone molecule O₄, which readily splits to two oxygen molecules.     

Chemical and Photochemical Water Oxidation Catalyzed by Mononuclear Ruthenium Complexes with a Negatively Charged Tridentate Ligand

Two mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuL(pic)₃] ( 1 ) and [RuL(bpy)(pic)] ( 2 ) (H₂L=2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid, pic=4‐picoline, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Both complexes could promote water oxidation chemically and photochemically. Compared with other known ruthenium‐based water oxidation catalysts using [Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆] (Ce^IV) as the oxidant in solution at pH 1.0, complex 1 is one of the most active catalysts yet reported with an initial rate of 0.23 turnover s^?1. Under acidic conditions, the equatorial 4‐picoline in complex 1 dissociates first. In addition, ligand exchange in 1 occurs when the Ru^III state is reached. Based on the above observations and MS measurements of the intermediates during water oxidation by 1 using Ce^IV as oxidant, [RuL(pic)₂(H₂O)]⁺ is proposed as the real water oxidation catalyst.     

Synthesis and Catalytic Water Oxidation Activities of Ruthenium Complexes Containing Neutral Ligands

Two dinuclear and one mononuclear ruthenium complexes containing neutral polypyridyl ligands have been synthesised as pre‐water oxidation catalysts and characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS. Their catalytic water oxidation properties in the presence of [Ce(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆] (Ce^IV) as oxidant at pH 1.0 have been investigated. At low concentrations of Ce^IV (5 mM ), high turnover numbers of up to 4500 have been achieved. An ¹⁸O‐labelling experiment established that both O atoms in the evolved O₂ originate from water. Combined electrochemical study and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric analysis suggest that ligand exchange between coordinated 4‐picoline and free water produces Ru aquo species as the real water oxidation catalysts.     

Photostimulated oxidation of water catalyzed by a tetranuclear ruthenium complex with lithium countercations

Photostimulated oxidation of water by potassium persulfate in the presence of photosensitizer bpy₃RuCl₂ ? 6H₂O and ruthenium catalyst Li₁₀[{Ru₄(μ-O)₄(μ-OH)₂(H₂O)₄} ? (γ-SiW₁₀O₃₆)₂] ? 10H₂O has been studied. It has been shown that the quantum yield of O₂ (0.29) is much higher than the quantum yield in a similar photocatalytic system with rubidium countercations (0.09).     

Synthesis and characterization of 2-hydroxy-pyridine modified Group 4 alkoxides

The reaction of Group 4 metal alkoxides ([M(OR)₄]) with the potentially bidentate ligand, 2-hydroxy-pyridine (2-HO-(NC₅H₄) or H-PyO), led to the isolation of a family of compounds. The products isolated from the reaction of [M(OR)₄] [where M = Ti, Zr, or Hf; OR = OPrⁱ (OCH(CH₃)₂), OBu^t (OC(CH₃)₃), or ONep (OCH₂C(CH₃)₃] under a variety of stoichiometries with H-PyO were identified by single crystal X-ray diffraction as [(OPrⁱ)₂(PyO-κ²(O,N))Ti(μ-OPrⁱ)]₂ (1), [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-ONep)Ti(ONep)₃] (2), [(ONep)₂Ti(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)(μ-O)Ti(ONep)₂]₂ (2a), [H][(PyO-κ²(O,N))(η¹(O)-PyO)Ti(ONep)₃] (3), [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ-OR)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (4), ONep (5)), [(OR)₂Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (6), ONep (7)), [[(OBu^t)₂Zr(μ(O)-PyO-(κ²(N,O))(μ(O,N)-PyO)₂Zr(OBu^t)](μ₃-O)]₂ (6a), [[(ONep)(PyO-κ²(N,O))Zr(μ(O,N)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))Zr(ONep)](μ₃-O)]₂ (7a), [(OBu^t)(PyO-κ²(O,N))Zr(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(O,N))₂((μ(O,N)-PyO)Zr(OBu^t)₃] (8), [(OBu^t)₂Hf(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ-OBu^t)Hf(OBu^t)₃] (9), [(OR)₂ M(μ(O)-PyO-κ²(N,O))₂(μ(O,N)-PyO)M(OR)₃] (OR = OBu^t (10), ONep (11)), and [(ONep)₃Hf(μ-ONep)(η¹(N),μ(O)-PyO)]₂Hf(ONep)₂ (12)·tol. The structural diversity of the binding modes of the PyO led to a number of novel structure types in comparison to other pyridine alkoxy derivatives. The majority of compounds adopt a dinuclear arrangement (1, 2, 4–11) but oxo-based tetra- (2a and 7a), tri- (12), and monomers (3) were observed as well. Compounds 1–12 were further characterized using a variety of analytical techniques including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy.     

Ruthenium and enzyme-catalyzed dynamic kinetic resolution of alcohols

Ruthenium acts as a good catalyst for the racemization reaction of secondary alcohols and amines. Ruthenium-catalyzed racemization is coupled with enzymatic kinetic resolution to prepare chiral compounds in 100% theoretical yield. Ten ruthenium complexes (1–10) act as a good catalyst the for racemization reaction and are also compatible with DKR process. Two other ruthenium complexes [RuCl₂(PPh₃)₃] and [Cp^*RuCl(COD)] are active for racemization reaction but their successful compatibility with DKR has not yet been reported. Ru/γ-Al₂O₃ and Ru–HAP are the heterogeneous catalysts used for the racemization reaction. They have also not been employed for DKR process. Polymer supported ruthenium is employed as a reusable racemization catalyst for aerobic DKR of alcohols.     

Visible‐Light‐Induced Water Oxidation Mediated by a Mononuclear‐Cobalt(II)‐Substituted Silicotungstate

A mononuclear‐cobalt(II)‐substituted silicotungstate, K₁₀[Co(H₂O)₂(γ‐SiW₁₀O₃₅)₂] ? 23 H₂O (POM‐ 1 ), has been evaluated as a light‐driven water‐oxidation catalyst. With in situ photogenerated [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) as the oxidant, quite high catalytic turnover number (TON; 313), turnover frequency (TOF; 3.2 s^?1), and quantum yield (Φ_QY; 27 %) for oxygen evolution at pH 9.0 were acquired. Comparison experiments with its structural analogues, namely [Ni(H₂O)₂(γ‐SiW₁₀O₃₅)₂]^10? (POM‐ 2 ) and [Mn(H₂O)₂(γ‐SiW₁₀O₃₅)₂]^10? (POM‐ 3 ), gave the conclusion that the cobalt center in POM‐ 1 is the active site. The hydrolytic stability of the title polyoxometalate (POM) was confirmed by extensive experiments, including UV/Vis spectroscopy, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), and cathodic adsorption stripping analysis (CASA). As the [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺/visible light/sodium persulfate system was introduced, a POM–photosensitizer complex formed within minutes before visible‐light irradiation. It was demonstrated that this complex functioned as the active species, which remained intact after the oxygen‐evolution reaction. Multiple experimental parameters were investigated and the catalytic activity was also compared with the well‐studied POM‐based water‐oxidation catalysts (i.e., [Co₄(H₂O)₂(α‐PW₉O₃₄)₂]^10? (Co₄‐POM) and [Co^IIICo^II(H₂O)W₁₁O₃₉]^7? (Co₂‐POM)) under optimum conditions.     

Solvent-Polarity-Induced Assembly of Calixarene-Capped Titanium-Oxo Clusters with Catalytic Activity in the Oxygenation of Sulfides

Four calixarene-coordinated titanium-oxo clusters, namely, [Ti₄(C6A)₂(μ₃-O)₂(DMF)₂] ( CIAC-258 ), [Ti₈(H₃C6A)₄(C₆H₅PO₃)₈(μ₂-O)₄]⁴⁻ ( CIAC-259 ), [Ti₆(TC4A)₃(μ₂-O)₃ (OiPr)₆] ( CIAC-260 ) and [Ti₆(H₂TC4A)₄(C₆H₅PO₃)₄(μ₂-O)₅(DMF)₂]²⁻ ( CIAC-261 ) were obtained, which feature sandwich-like, windmill-like, triangular, and tetrahedral structures, respectively. The polarity of the solvent determines the involvement of the auxiliary ligand phenylphosphonic acid in the formation of the products and their structures. Compounds CIAC-258 and CIAC-261 exhibit good catalytic performance in the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides with H₂O₂ as the oxidant, which can be attributed to the Ti active sites coordinated by exchangeable DMF molecules. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the Ti-hydroperoxo species formed by the interaction of the Ti active site in CIAC-258 or CIAC-261 and H₂O₂ is the most likely catalytic active component during the catalytic sulfoxidation process.     

Behavior of nitrite forms of nitrosylruthenium on extraction and back extraction of heterometalic Ru/Zn complexes with trioctylphosphine oxide

The state of ruthenium in conjugated phases upon extraction of trans-[Ru(¹⁵NO)(¹⁵NO₂)₄(OH)]^2? complex with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) in the presence of Zn²⁺ and subsequent back extraction with H¹⁵NO₃ and NH₃(concd.) solutions was studied by ¹⁵N NMR. Binuclear complexes [Ru(NO)(NO₂)_5?n (μ-NO₂) _n?1(μ-OH)Zn(TOPO) _n ] and [Ru(NO)(NO₂)_4?n (ONO)(μ-NO₂) _n?1(μ-OH)Zn(TOPO) _n ], where n = 2, 3, are predominant forms in extract. Kinetic restrictions for ruthenium extraction with TOPO solution in hexane and its back extraction with aqueous solutions of nitric acid and ammonia are eliminated in the absence of direct coordination of extractant to ruthenium. fac-Dinitronitrosyl forms [Ru(NO)(H₂O)₃(NO₂)₂]⁺, [Ru(NO)(H₂O)₂(NO₂)₂(NO₃)]⁰ (3 and 6 M HNO₃) and [Ru(NO)(H₂O)(NO₂)₂(NO₃)₂]^? (6 M HNO₃) prevail in nitric acid back extracts. Equilibrium constant at ambient temperature (0.05 ± 0.01) was assessed for the coordination of second nitrate ion to nitrosylruthenium dinitronitrato complex. Complex species [Ru(NO)(NO₂)₄(OH)]^2? and [Ru(NO)(NO₂)₃(ONO)(OH)]^2? prevail in ammonia back extract.     

Syntheses and structures of two new lithium-heptamolybdates

The synthesis, crystal structures, IR, UV–vis, ⁷Li NMR spectra, electrochemical investigations, and conductivity studies of two new lithium-heptamolybdates, (NH₄)₄[Li₂(H₂O)₇][Mo₇O₂₄]·H₂O (1) and (NH₄)₃[Li₃(H₂O)₄(μ₆-Mo₇O₂₄)]·2H₂O (2), are reported. In 1 the (NH₄)⁺ and [Li₂(H₂O)₇]²⁺, cations are charge balanced by the heptamolybdate anion. In 2, the [Mo₇O₂₄]^6? anion is coordinated to three unique Li⁺ ions via a μ₆-hexadentate-binding mode resulting in the formation of a two-dimensional (2-D) [Li₃(H₂O)₄(μ₆-Mo₇O₂₄)]^3? anionic complex, charge neutralized by three (NH₄)⁺ ions. The cations, anions, and the lattice water molecules in 1 and 2 are linked by weak H-bonding interactions.     

Anomalous Stoichiometry and Antiferromagnetic Ordering for the Extended Hydroxymanganese(II) Cubes/Hexacyanometalate-Based 3D-Structured [MnII4(OH)4][MnII(CN)6](OH2)6⋅H2O

The reaction of Mn^II(O₂CMe)₂ and NaCN or LiCN in water forms a light green insoluble material. Structural solution and Rietveld refinement of high-resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data for this unprecedented, complicated compound of previously unknown composition revealed a new alkali-free ordered structural motif with [Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄]⁴⁺ cubes and octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions interconnected in 3D by Mn^II-N≡C-Mn^II linkages. The composition is {[Mn^II(OH₂)₃][Mn^II(OH₂)]₃}(μ₃-OH)₄][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O=[Mn^II₄(μ₃-OH)₄(OH₂)₆][Mn^II(μ-CN)₂(CN)₄] ⋅ H₂O, which is further simplified to [Mn₄(OH)₄][Mn(CN)₆](OH₂)₇ ( 1 ). 1 has four high-spin (S=5/2) Mn^II sites that are antiferromagnetically coupled within the cube and are antiferromagnetically coupled to six low-spin (S=1/2) octahedral [Mn^II(CN)₆]⁴⁻ ions. Above 40 K the magnetic susceptibility, χ(T), can be fitted to the Curie–Weiss expression, χ ∝(T−θ)⁻¹, with θ=−13.4 K, indicative of significant antiferromagnetic coupling and 1 orders as an antiferromagnet at T_c=7.8 K.     

Theoretical Investigation of Reverse Water Gas Shift Reaction Catalyzed by Ruthenium Halogen Carbonyl Complexes

In this paper we present theoretical study of the reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction catalyzed by ruthenium halogen carbonyl complexes. Three mechanisms, including hydrogen chloride, formic acid and oxidation–reduction mechanism, have been explored by density functional theory. The calculations indicate that the oxidation–reduction mechanism contributes to the TDI and TDTS in the ESM TOF calculations. Bimetallic catalysts would be likely to be more highly active than monometallic catalyst for the RWGS reaction. Among bimetallic catalysts studied, both bimetallic catalysts [Ru(μ-Cl)Cl(CO)₃]₂ and [Ru(μ-CO)Cl(CO)₃]₂ shows higher activity than [Ru(μ-Cl)(CO)₄]₂ catalyst with [Ru(μ-CO)Cl(CO)₃]₂ considering as the most efficient catalyst for RWGS reaction.     

Dinuclear ruthenium(I) complexes of the type [Ru2(CO)4L2] with carboxylate or 2-pyridonate ligands: Evaluation as catalysts for olefin cyclopropanation with diazoacetates

Dinuclear ruthenium(I,I) carboxylate complexes [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-OOCR)₂]_n (R = CH₃ (1a), C₃H₇ (1b), H (1c), CF₃ (1d)) and 2-pyridonate complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-2-pyridonate)₂]_n (3) catalyze efficiently the cyclopropanation of alkenes with methyl diazoacetate. High yields are obtained with terminal nucleophilic alkenes (styrene, ethyl vinyl ether, α-methylstyrene), medium yields with 1-hexene, cyclohexene, 4,5-dihydrofuran and 2-methyl-2-butene. The E-selectivity of the cyclopropanes obtained from the monosubstituted alkenes and the cycloalkenes decreases in the order 1b > 1a > 1d > 1c. The cyclopropanation of 2-methyl-2-butene is highly syn-selective. Several complexes of the type [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂]₂ (4) and (5), [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂L²] (L² = CH₃OH, PPh₃) (6)–(9) and [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₂(μ-L¹)₂] (10) and (11), where L¹ is a 6-chloro- or 6-bromo-2-pyridonate ligand, are also efficient catalysts. Compared with catalyst 3, a halogen substituent at the pyridonate ligand affects the diastereoselectivity of cyclopropanation only slightly.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of [Ru8(μ5-S)2(μ4-S)(μ3-S)(μ-CNMe2)2(μ-CO)(CO)15] formed via the double sulphur-carbon bond cleavage of dithiocarbamate ligands

Heating cis-[Ru(S₂CNMe₂)₂(CO)₂] and [Ru₃(CO)₁₂] in xylene affords octanuclear [Ru₈(μ₅-S)₂(μ₄-S)(μ₃-S)(μ-CNMe₂)₂(μ-CO)(CO)₁₅] resulting from the double carbon-sulfur bond cleavage of two dithiocarbamate ligands. The structure consists of a tri-edge-bridged square of ruthenium atoms with a further ruthenium atom being bound only to the central bridging atom. Studies suggest that it may be formed via the pentanuclear intermediate [Ru₅(μ₄-S)₂(μ-CNMe₂)₂(CO)₁₁] which is formed in trace amounts.     

Synthesis,structure, and properties of polynuclear molybdenum(v,vi) oxomethoxides with magnesium

General conditions for the formation of heterometallic clusters by the simultaneous methanolysis of MoCl₅ and MgCl₂ were determined. The resultant alkalinity of the reaction solution, the Mg/Mo molar ratio, and the presence of traces of water are key factors responsible for the composition and structure of the mixed magnesium molybdenum methoxides that formed. The new decanuclear mixed-valence Mo^V,VI Mg oxomethoxide [Mo^V ₄O₄(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-O)₂Mo^VI ₂-O₄(OMe)₂Mg₄(MeOH)₆(μ₃-OMe)₆(μ₂-OMe)₈] (1) was synthesized by the reaction of lowernuclearity magnesium molybdenum oxoalkoxide complexes: NaMo^V of the complex Na(MeOH)Mo^V ₂O₂(μ₂-OMe)₃(OMe)₄ (2) and MgMo^VI of the complex [Mo^VIO₂Mg(MeOH)₂-(OMe)₄]₂ (3). The molecular structure of 1 was determined by X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis of tridentate 2,6-bis(imino)pyridyl aminechlorohydro ruthenium(II) complexes: The convenient use of amine hydrochlorides to generate metal-hydride

The reaction of low-valent ruthenium complexes with 2,6-bis(imino)pyridine ligand, [η²-N₃]Ru(η⁶-Ar) (1) or {[N₃]Ru}₂(μ-N₂) (2) with amine hydrochlorides generates six-coordinate chlorohydro ruthenium (II) complexes with amine ligands, [N₃]Ru(H)(Cl)(amine) (4). Either complex 1 or 2 activates amine hydrochlorides 3, and the amines coordinate to the ruthenium center to give complex 4. This is a convenient and useful synthetic approach to form ruthenium complexes with amine and hydride ligands using amine hydrochloride.     

Moderating the nucleophilicity of the sulfide ligands in the dinuclear {Pt2S2} metalloligand system using triphenylarsine

Reaction of cis-[PtCl₂(AsPh₃)₂] with excess sodium sulfide in benzene gave the triphenylarsine analogue of the well-known metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] as an orange solid.The compound was characterised by detailed mass spectrometry studies, and by conversion to various alkylated and metallated derivatives.The sulfide ligands in [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] are less basic than the triphenylphosphine analogue, and the complex gives a relatively weak [M+H]⁺ ion in the positive-ion electrospray (ESI) mass spectrum, compared with the phosphine analogue.Methylation of an equimolar mixture of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] with MeI gave the species [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SMe)(AsPh₃)₄]⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SMe)₂(PPh₃)₃I]⁺, indicating a reduced tendency for the sulfide of [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SMe)(AsPh₃)₄]⁺ to undergo alkylation.The lability of the arsine ligands is confirmed by the reaction of an equimolar mixture of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] with n-butyl chloride, giving [Pt₂(μ-S)(μ-SBu)(EPh₃)₄]⁺ (E = P, As), which with Me₂SO₄ gave a mixture of [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SBu)(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ and [Pt₂(μ-SMe)(μ-SBu)(AsPh₃)₃Cl]⁺.Reactivity towards 1,2-dichloroethane follows a similar pattern.The formation and ESI MS detection of mixed phosphine-arsine {Pt₂S₂} species of the type[Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)_n(PPh₃)_4−n] is also discussed. Coordination chemistry of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄] towards a range of metal-chloride substrates, forming sulfide-bridged trinuclear aggregates, has also been probed using ESI MS, and found to be similar to the phosphine analogue. The X-ray crystal structure of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(AsPh₃)₄Pt(cod)](PF₆)₂ (cod = 1,5-cyclo-octadiene) has been determined for comparison with the (previously reported) triphenylphosphine analogue. ESI MS is a powerful tool in exploring the chemistry of this system; in some cases the derivatising agent p-bromobenzyl bromide is used to convert sparingly soluble and/or poorly ionising {Pt₂S₂} species into soluble, charged derivatives for MS analysis.     

A Germanium Zeotype Containing Intratunnel Transition Metal Complexes

A new zeolite-type structure is adopted by (NH₄)⁺[M(NH₃)₂]⁺(Ge₉O₁₉)²⁻ (M=Cu, Ag; shown in the picture). These compounds are the first microporous germanates containing a transition metal complex inside their tunnels. The large separation between the metal centers and the unhindered access of reactants to these active sites through uniformly sized channels make these materials a good point of departure for designing new catalysts.     

New multinuclear half-titanocene catalysts in the syndiospecific polymerization of styrene

The syndiospecific polymerization of styrene with a new class of multinuclear transition metal catalysts in the presence of methylalumoxane and triisobutylaluminum has been investigated. The new multinuclear catalysts [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆ and [(η⁵-C₁₃H₁₇)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆ were received by reaction of the corresponding mononuclear compounds with water and characterized by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The molecular structure of both complexes is tetrameric with six bridging oxygen atoms between the four titanium atoms, forming an adamantane-like cage structure with a substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand remaining η⁵-bonded to each titanium atom.The bulky [(η⁵-C₁₃H₁₇)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆ shows higher polymerization conversions than [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆. The polymerization activity is significantly increased by an enhancement of the MAO concentration after a short retardation period and levels off at MAO/[(η⁵-C₁₃H₁₇)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆ molar ratios above about 600. Triisobutylaluminum increases the polymerization yield to a maximum at a TIBA/[(η⁵-C₁₃H₁₇)Ti]₄(μ-O)₆ molar ratio of about 30-100, but considerably decreases it at higher molar ratios below the polymerization conversion reached without any additional aluminum alkyl. Both compounds affect molecular weight and molecular weight distribution without any influence on the stereospecificity of the different catalytic sites active in polymerization reactions.The new multinuclear transition metal catalysts reach about 30-50% of the polymerization activity of the mononuclear catalysts on a molar basis and show a remarkably high catalytic activity in complex-coordinative polymerizations even after storage in non-inert-atmosphere conditions. The active polymerization sites of the multinuclear catalysts are not as uniform as the active sites of the mononuclear catalysts are and provide polystyrenes of a slightly lower syndiospecificity, but do not significantly influence the weight average molecular weights.     

Bridging behaviour of the 2‐thiobarbiturate anion in its complexes with LiI and NaI

The structures of the Li^I and Na^I salts of 2‐thiobarbituric acid (2‐sulfanylidene‐1‐3‐diazinane‐4,6‐dione, H₂TBA) have been studied. μ‐Aqua‐octaaquabis(μ‐2‐thiobarbiturato‐κ²O:O′)bis(2‐thiobarbiturato‐κO)tetralithium(I) dihydrate, [Li₄(C₄H₃N₂O₂S)₄(H₂O)₉]·2H₂O, (I), crystallizes with four symmetry‐independent four‐coordinated Li^I cations and four independent HTBA⁻ anions. The structure contains two structurally non‐equivalent Li^I cations and two non‐equivalent HTBA⁻ anions (bridging and terminal). Eight of the coordinated water ligands are terminal and the ninth acts as a bridge between Li^I cations. Discrete [Li₄(HTBA)₄(H₂O)₉]·2H₂O complexes form two‐dimensional layers. Neighbouring layers are connected via hydrogen‐bonding interactions, resulting in a three‐dimensional network. Poly[μ₂‐aqua‐tetraaqua(μ₄‐2‐thiobarbiturato‐κ⁴O:O:S:S)(μ₂‐thiobarbiturato‐κ²O:S)disodium(I)], [Na₂(C₄H₃N₂O₂S)₂(H₂O)₅]_n, (II), crystallizes with six‐coordinated Na^I cations. The octahedra are pairwise connected through edge‐sharing by a water O atom and an O atom from the μ₄‐HTBA⁻ ligand, and these pairs are further top‐shared by the S atoms to form continuous chains along the a direction. Two independent HTBA⁻ ligands integrate the chains to give a three‐dimensional network.