Voltammetric Characterization of Redox‐Inactive Guest Binding to LnIII[15‐Metallacrown‐5] Hosts Based on Competition with a Redox Probe

A novel competitive binding assay was implemented to monitor the binding of a redox inactive substrate to a redox inactive metallacrown host based on its competition with ferrocene carboxylate (FcC^?) using cyclic voltammetry (CV). First, the binding of FcC^? to Ln^III[15‐MC‐5] (LnMC) hosts was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. It was shown that the voltammetric half wave potentials, E_1/2, shifted to more positive potentials upon the addition of LnMC. The explicit dependence of E_1/2 with the concentration of LnMC was used to determine the association constants for the complex. The FcC^? binding strength decreased with larger central lanthanide metals in the LnMC hosts, and substantially weaker binding was observed with La^III. X‐ray crystallography revealed that the hydrophobic host cavity incompletely encapsulated FcC^? when the guest was bound to the nine‐coordinate La^III, suggesting the LnMC’s ligand side chains play a substantial role in guest recognition. With knowledge of the MC‐FcC^? solution thermodynamics, the binding affinity of a redox inactive guest was then assessed. Addition of sodium benzoate to a LnMC and FcC^? mixture resulted in E_1/2 shifting back to the value observed for FcC^? in the absence of LnMC. The association constants between benzoate and LnMC’s were calculated via the competitive binding approach. Comparison with literature values suggests this novel assay is a viable method for determining association constants for host–guest systems that exhibit the proper electrochemical behavior. Notably, this CV competitive binding approach does not require the preparation of a modified electrode or a tethered guest, and thus can be generalized to a number of host–guest systems.     

Statistical analysis of (13)C and (15)N NMR chemical shifts from GIAO/B3LYP/6-311 + + G** calculated absolute shieldings

The (13)C and (15)N absolute shieldings of 28 compounds have been calculated at the GIAO/B3LYP/6-311 + + G** level to complete a collection of data already published. This has allowed us to devise new equations relating delta and sigma for these nuclei based on 461 points ((13)C) and 70(72) points ((15)N).     

Single‐Molecule‐Magnet Behavior in the Family of [Ln(OETAP)2] Double‐Decker Complexes (Ln=Lanthanide,OETAP=Octa(ethyl)tetraazaporphyrin)

Double‐decker complexes of lanthanide cations can be readily prepared with tetraazaporphyrins (porphyrazines). We have synthesized and characterized a series of neutral double‐decker complexes [Ln(OETAP)₂] (Ln=Tb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Gd³⁺, Y³⁺; OETAP=octa(ethyl)tetraazaporphyrin). Some of these complexes show analogous magnetic features to their phthalocyanine (P_c) counterparts. The Tb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ derivatives exhibit single‐molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with high blocking temperatures over 50 and 10 K, respectively. These results confirm that, in double‐decker complexes that involve Tb or Dy, the (N₄)₂ square antiprism coordination mode has an important role in inducing very large activation energies for magnetization reversal. In contrast with their P_c counterparts, the use of tetraazaporphyrin ligands endows the presented [Ln(OETAP)₂] complexes with extraordinary chemical versatility. The double‐decker complexes that exhibit SMM behavior are highly soluble in common organic solvents, and easily processable even through sublimation.     

Complete 1H and 13C NMR spectral assignment of cis- and trans- 3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones

1H and 13C NMR spectra of cis- and trans-3-(2-[2-(4-methylphenyl)ethenyl]phenyl])sydnones, the first stilbene-substituted mezoionic oxadiazolium rings, were fully assigned combining the information in various solvents, such as deuterated benzene, acetone and chloroform, using 2D NMR techniques.     

15N NMR study of substituted 2-(phenylamino)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Substituted 2-(phenylamino)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were studied by 15N NMR spectroscopy. All signals were assigned on the basis of HMQC and HMBC experiments. Chemical shifts values were correlated with empirical Hammett parameters as well as with calculated electron densities and chemical shieldings.     

Enantioselective self-assembly of bimetallic [Mn(II) (delta)-Cr(III)(C2O4)3]- and [Mn(II) (lambda)-Cr(III)(C2O4)3]- layered anionic networks templated by the optically active (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5]+ ions

The ferrocenic ammonium (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2NR(3-)-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5] iodide salts with R=CH3, C2H5, n-C3H7, n-C4H9, were synthesized starting from the (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(CH3)2-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5] amines obtained in their optically active forms through asymmetric cyclopalladation of [C5H5Fe-C5H4CH2N(CH3)2]. 1H NMR studies of these planar chiral 1,2-disubstituted ferrocenic ammonium iodide salts in the presence of the (Delta)-(tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato)phosphate(V) anion), [(Delta)-Trisphat] support the formation of specific diastereomeric ion pairs. Such intermolecular interactions can be related to the self-assembly of the two-dimensional optically active compounds [[(Sp)-1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5][Mn (Delta)-Cr(C2O4)3]] and [[(Rp)-1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5][Mn (Lambda)-Cr(C2O4)3]] starting from the resolved (Rp)- and (Sp)-[1-CH2N(n-C3H7)3-2-CH3-C5H3Fe-C5H5]+ ion associated to the racemic anionic building block rac-[Cr(C2O4)3]3- and Mn2+. Both enantiomeric forms of the networks behave as ferromagnets with a Curie temperature of 5.7 K.     

Rare-earth tricyanomelaminates [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)H(2)O (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy): structural investigation, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, and photoluminescence

The rare-earth tricyanomelaminates, [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O (LnTCM; Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy), have been synthesized through ion-exchange reactions. They have been characterized by powder as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, vibrational spectroscopy, and solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N MAS NMR spectroscopy. The X-ray powder pattern common to all nine rare-earth tricyanomelaminates LnTCM (Ln=La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) indicates that they are isostructural. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction pattern of LnTCM is indicative of non-merohedral twinning. The crystals are triclinic and separation of the twin domains as well as refinement of the structure were successfully carried out in the space group P1 for LaTCM (LaTCM; P1, Z=2, a=7.1014(14), b=13.194(3), c=13.803(3) A, alpha=90.11(3), beta=77.85(3), gamma=87.23(3) degrees , V=1262.8(4) A(3)). In the crystal structure, each Ln(3+) is surrounded by two nitrogen atoms from two crystallographically independent tricyanomelaminate moieties and seven oxygen atoms from crystal water molecules. The positions of all of the hydrogen atoms of the ammonium ions and water molecules could not be located from difference Fourier syntheses. The presence of [NH(4)](+) ions as well as two NH groups belonging to two crystallographically independent monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties has only been confirmed by subjecting LaTCM to solid-state (1)H, (13)C, and (15)N{(1)H} cross-polarization (CP) MAS NMR and advanced CP experiments such as cross-polarization combined with polarization inversion (CPPI). The (1)H 2D double-quantum single-quantum homonuclear correlation (DQ SQ) spectrum and the (15)N{(1)H} 2D CP heteronuclear-correlation (HETCOR) spectrum have revealed the hydrogen-bonded (N--HN) dimer of monoprotonated tricyanomelaminate moieties as well as H-bonding through [NH(4)](+) ions and H(2)O molecules. The structures of the other eight rare-earth tricyanomelaminates (LnTCM; Ln=Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy) have been refined from X-ray powder diffraction data by the Rietveld method. Photoluminescence studies of [NH(4)]Eu[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have revealed orange-red (lambda(max)=615 nm) emission due to the (5)D(0)-(7)F(2) transition, whereas [NH(4)]Tb[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O has been found to show green emission with a maximum at 545 nm arising from the (5)D(4)-(7)F(5) transition. DTA/TG studies of [NH(4)]Ln[HC(6)N(9)](2)[H(2)O](7)xH(2)O have indicated several phase transitions associated with dehydration of the compounds above 150 degrees C and decomposition above 200 degrees C.     

Polynitrogen chemistry: preparation and characterization of (N5)2SnF6, N5SnF5, and N5B(CF3)4

Metathetical processes were used to convert N5SbF6 into N5[B(CF3)4] and (N5)2SnF6. The latter salt is especially noteworthy because it contains two N5+ ions per anion, thus demonstrating that salts with touching polynitrogen cations can be prepared. This constitutes an important milestone towards our ultimate goal of synthesizing a stable, ionic nitrogen allotrope. The stepwise decomposition of (N5)2SnF6 yielded N5SnF5. Multinuclear NMR spectra show that in HF the SnF5- ion exists as a mixture of Sn2F(10)(2-) and Sn4F(20)(4-) ions. Attempts to isolate FN5 from the thermolysis of (N5)2SnF6 were unsuccessful, yielding only the expected decomposition products, FN3, N2, trans-N2F2, NF3, and N2.     

Gas-Phase Structures of Potassium Tetrakis(hexafluoro- acetylacetonato) Lanthanide(III) Complexes [KLn(C5HF6O2)4] (Ln=La,Gd, Lu)

The molecular structures of potassium tetrakis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)lanthanide(III) complexes [KLn(hfa)₄] (Ln=La, Gd, Lu; hfa=C₅HF₆O₂,) were studied by synchronous gas-phase electron diffraction/mass spectrometry (GED/MS) supported by quantum-chemical (DFT/PBE0) calculations. The compounds sublime congruently and the vapors contain a single molecular species: the heterobinuclear complex [KLn(hfa)₄]. All molecules are of C₁ symmetry with the lanthanide atom in the center of an LnO₈ coordination polyhedron, while the potassium atom is coordinated by three ligands with formation of three K−O and three K−F bonds. One hfa ligand is not bonded to the potassium atom. Topological analysis of the electron-density distributions confirmed the existence of ionic-type K−O and K−F bonding. The structures of the free [KLn(hfa)₄] molecules are compared with those of the related compounds [KDy(hfa)₄] and [KEr(hfa)₄] in their crystalline state. The complex nature of the chemical bonding is discussed on the basis of electron-density topology analyses.