Triazole‐Functionalized N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Palladium and Platinum and Efficient Aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Imidazolium salts bearing triazole groups are synthesized via a copper catalyzed click reaction, and the silver, palladium, and platinum complexes of their N‐heterocyclic carbenes are studied. [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄, [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆), [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆) (L1=3‐((1‐benzyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazolylidene), [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂, and [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ (L2=1‐butyl‐3‐((1‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)imidazolylidene) have been synthesized and fully characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, and X‐ray crystallography. The silver complex [Ag₄(L1)₄](PF₆)₄ consists of a Ag₄ zigzag chain. The complexes [Pd(L1)Cl](PF₆) and [Pt(L1)Cl](PF₆), containing a nonsymmetrical NCN ′ pincer ligand, are square planar with a chloride trans to the carbene donor. [Pd₂(L2)₂Cl₂](PF₆)₂ consists of two palladium centers with CN₂Cl coordination mode, whereas the palladium in [Pd(L2)₂](PF₆)₂ is surrounded by two carbene and two triazole groups with two uncoordinated pyridines. The palladium compounds are highly active for Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling reactions of aryl bromides and 1,1‐dibromo‐1‐alkenes in neat water under an air atmosphere.     

Metal‐Carbene‐Templated Photochemistry in Solution: A Universal Route towards Cyclobutane Derivatives

A series of dicarbene‐bridged metallacycles [Ag₂( 1 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 2 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 3 )₂](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 7 )₂](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 8 )₂](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 11 )₂](PF₆)₂ were obtained in high yields via the reactions of 1,2,4‐triazole‐, 1,2,3‐triazole‐ and imidazo[1,5‐a]pyridine‐based ligands with Ag₂O in CH₃CN. The C=C double bonds in all of the newly synthesized metallacycles went through [2 + 2] photodimerization under UV irradiation condition (λ = 365 nm, T = 298 K) yielding the dinuclear rctt‐cyclobutane‐silver(I) complexes [Ag₂( 4 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 5 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 6 )](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( 9 )](BF₄)₂, [Ag₂( 10 )](BF₄)₂ and [Ag₂( 12 )](PF₆)₂, respectively with quantitative yields. Treatment of the these cyclobutane‐bridged silver(I) complexes with NH₄Cl resulted in the exclusive formation of cyclobutane derivatives after removal of the silver(I) metal ions.     

Synthesis,Structures, and Photophysics of Polynuclear Silver(I) Thiolate and Silver(I) Thiocarboxylate Complexes with Dppm Ligands

Trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes [Ag₃(μ‐dppm)₃(μ_n‐SR)₂](ClO₄) [n = 2, R = C₆H₄Cl‐4 ( 1 ) and C{O}Ph ( 2 ); n = 3, R = tBu ( 3 )], pentanuclear silver(I) thiolate complex [Ag₅(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SC₆H₄NO₂‐4)₄](PF₆) ( 4 ), and hexanuclear silver(I) thiolate complexes [Ag₆(μ‐dppm)₄(μ₃‐SR)₄]Y₂ [Y = ClO₄, R =C₆H₄CH₃‐4 ( 5 ) and C₁₀H₇ (2‐naphthyl) ( 7 ); Y = PF₆, R = C₆H₄OCH₃‐4( 6 )], were synthesized [dppm = bis(diphenylphosphanyl)methane] and their crystal structures as well as photophysical properties were studied. In the solid state at 77 K, trinuclear silver(I) thiolate and silver(I) thiocarboxylate complexes 1 and 2 exhibit luminescence at 470–523 nm, tentatively attributed to originate from the ³IL (intraligand) of thiolate or thiocarboxylate ligands, whereas hexanuclaer silver(I) thiolate complexes 5 and 7 produce dual emission, in which high‐energy emission is tentatively attributed to come from the ³IL of thiolate ligands and low‐energy emission is tentatively assigned to come from the admixture of metal ··· metal bond‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MMLCT) and metal‐centered (MC) excited states.     

Self-Assembly of Benzimidazole-Derived Tris-NHC Ligands and AgI-Ions to Hexanuclear Organometallic Cages and Their Unusual Transmetalation Chemistry

Multi-ligand self-assembly to attain the Ag^I-N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-built hexanuclear organometallic cages of composition [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆ from the reaction of benzimidazole-derived tris(azolium) salts [H₃- 3 a , b ](PF₆)₃ with Ag₂O was achieved. The molecular structures of the cages were established by X-ray diffraction studies along with NMR and MS analyses. The existence of a single assembly in solution was supported by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY) ¹H NMR spectra. Further, transmetalation reactions of these self-assembled complexes, [Ag₆( 3 a , b )₄](PF₆)₆, with Cu^I/Au^I-ions provided various coinage metal-NHC complexes having diverse molecular compositions, which included the first example of a hexanuclear Cu^I-dodecacarbene complex, [Cu₆( 3 b )₄](PF₆)₆.     

Turn‐On Fluorescence in Tetra‐NHC Ligands by Rigidification through Metal Complexation: An Alternative to Aggregation‐Induced Emission

Two tetraphenylethylene (TPE) bridged tetraimidazolium salts, [H₄ L ‐Et](PF₆)₄ and [H₄ L ‐Bu](PF₆)₄, were used as precursors for the synthesis of the dinuclear Ag^I and Au^I tetracarbene complexes [Ag₂( L ‐Et)](PF₆)₂, [Ag₂( L ‐Bu)](PF₆)₂, [Au₂( L ‐Et)](PF₆)₂, and [Au₂( L ‐Bu)](PF₆)₂. The tetraimidazolium salts show almost no fluorescence (Φ _F<1 %) in dilute solution while their NHC complexes display fluorescence “turn‐on” (Φ _F up to 47 %). This can be ascribed to rigidification mediated by the restriction of intramolecular rotation within the TPE moiety upon complexation. DFT calculations confirm that the metals are not involved in the lowest excited singlet and triplet states, thus explaining the lack of phosphorescence and fast intersystem crossing as a result of heavy atom effects. The rigidification upon complexation for fluorescence turn‐on constitutes an alternative to the known aggregation‐induced emission (AIE).     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Organometallic Molecular Cylinders Bearing Bulky Imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands

The metal-controlled self-assembly of organometallic molecular cylinders from a series of imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine-based tris-NHC ligands is described in this report. The imidazo[1,5-a]pyridinium salts H₃- L (PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) were treated with 1.5 equivalents of Ag₂O to yield the trinuclear Ag^I hexacarbene cages [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ), in which three Ag^I are sandwiched between the two tricarbene ligands. The silver(I) complexes [Ag₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ underwent a facile transmetalation reaction in the presence of 3 equivalents of [AuCl(tht)] (tht=tetrahydrothiophene) to furnish the trinuclear Au^I cylinder-like cages [Au₃( L )₂](PF₆)₃ ( L = 4 a – 4 c ) without destruction of the metallosupramolecular structure. The new hexacarbene assemblies feature a large cavity that can easily accommodate a molecule of dimethyl sulfoxide as molecular guest. This is the first study of a unique “host–guest” system containing an organometallic cylinder-like cage derived exclusively from poly-NHC ligands.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Properties of Tetraphenylethylene-Based Tetrakis-NHC Ligands and Their Metal Complexes

The development of highly emissive dinuclear Ag^I or Au^I complexes [M₂L](PF₆)₂ (L= 2 a , 2 b ; M=Ag, Au) derived from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based tetrabenzimidazolin-2-ylidene ligands is reported. The new complexes exhibit a remarkable fluorescence enhancement compared to their parent benzimidazolium salts. The quantum yield (Φ_F) value for salt H₄- 2 a (PF₆)₄ in dilute solution (c=10⁻⁵ m ) was found to be less than 1 %, whereas its metal complexes show Φ_F values up to 55 % at similar solution concentration. This observation can be attributed to the rigidification of the TPE skeleton upon metalation resulting in a restriction of the intramolecular rotation of the phenyl groups. Functionalization of the complexes [M₂ 2 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) with terminal coumarin groups and subsequent photoirradiation yielded the complexes [M₂ 3 b ](PF₆)₂ (M=Ag, Au) bearing a new type of ligand with an unaffected TPE moiety.     

Synthesis,structure, luminescence and electrochemical and antioxidant properties of anion-controlled silver(I) complexes with 2,2′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1,3-benzoxazole

To explore the influence of various anions on the self-assembly and properties of silver complexes, reactions of anions of silver salts with 2,2′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis-1,3-benzoxazole (BBO) afforded four complexes, formulated as [Ag₂(BBO)₂(p-toluenesulfonate)₂] ( 1 ), {[Ag(BBO)(picrate)]}_∞ ( 2 ), {[Ag(BBO)_1/2(o-coumarate)]·DMF}_∞ ( 3 ) and {[Ag₂(BBO)₃](PF₆)₂}_∞ ( 4 ). These complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal analysis results show that under the influence of coordination modes and steric hindrance of anions, the complexes exhibited binuclear ( 1 ), one-dimensional polymeric ( 2 and 3 ) and two-dimensional polymeric ( 4 ) structures. Compared with the BBO ligand, only complex 1 has a new emission peak at 428 nm, which is attributed to ligand–metal charge transfer. The emission peaks of complexes 2 – 4 are similar to those of the BBO ligand, which can be due to π–π* and n–π* transitions. These results indicate that anions can modulate the structures and luminescent properties of silver complexes. Moreover, cyclic voltammograms of 1 – 4 indicated an irreversible Ag⁺/Ag couple with the order of reversibility being 2 > 1 > 4 > 3 . In vitro antioxidant experiments showed that complex 3 has significant antioxidant activity against superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.     

Tertiary phosphine-appended transition metal ferrocenyl dithiocarbamates: Syntheses,Hirshfeld surface,and electrochemical analyses

Five new heteroleptic complexes of Cu(I), Ag(I), and Ni(II) having formulae [Cu₃(dtc)₂(dppf)₂]PF₆ ( Cu-I ), [Cu₃(dtc)₂(dppe)₂]PF₆ ( Cu-II ), [Cu(PPh₃)₂(dtc)] ( Cu-III ), [Ag₃(dtc)₂(PPh₃)₂]NO₃ ( Ag-I ), and [Ni(dtc)(dppf)]PF₆ ( Ni-I ) (dtc = N-ethanol-N-methylferrocenyl-dithiocarbamate; dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene; dppe = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane; PPh₃ = tripheylphosphine) have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared, multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that Ag-I forms a rare trinuclear cluster in which the geometry around the two silver centers Ag1 and Ag3 is distorted tetrahedral, whereas the third silver center Ag2 shows a distorted trigonal planar geometry. The Ni-I complex has a distorted square-planar geometry around the Ni center. In addition, a side product [Ag₂{S₂(dppf)₂}] ( Ag-II ) was obtained during an attempt to synthesize [Ag(dppf)(dtc)], where the two Ag centers are bridged by two sulfido centers and coordinated with two phosphorus centers of the dppf ligand to give rise to a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The solid-state structures of Ag-I , Ni-I , and Ag-II are stabilized by a variety of weak interactions. The nature of these interactions has been addressed with the help of Hirshfeld surface analyses. In addition, the weak argentophilic interaction in Ag-I and Ag-II have been studied using quantum theory of atoms in molecules and natural bond orbital calculations. The electrochemical properties of the complexes have been investigated using cyclic voltammetry, where Cu-I and Cu-II exhibited two quasi-reversible waves, whereas Cu-III , Ag-I , Ag-II , and Ni-I exhibited only one quasi-reversible peak.     

The evaluation of singlet-triplet separations for [W2(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl4(μ-dppm)2] and [W2(μ-H)2 (μ-O2CC6H5)2(P(C6H5)3)2] based on P NMR and crystallographic data

The singlet-triplet separations for the edge-sharing bioctahedral (ESBO) complex W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)(Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃ (II) has been studied by ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The structural characterization of [W₂(μ-H)₂(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)₂Cl₂(P(C₆H₅)₃)₂] (I) by single-crystal X-ray crystallography has allowed the comparison of the energy of the HOMOLUMO separation determined using the Fenske-Hall method for a series of ESBO complexes with two hydride bridging atoms, two chloride bridging atoms and the mixed case with a chloride and hydride bridging atom. The complex representing the mixed case, [W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ · (THF)₃] (II), has been synthesized and the value of −2J determined from variable-temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.     

Heterodinuclear Ruthenium(II) Complexes of the Bridging Ligand 1,6,7,12‐Tetraazaperylene with Iron(II), Cobalt(II), Nickel(II), as well as Palladium(II) and Platinum(II)

The first heterodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the 1,6,7,12‐tetraazaperylene (tape) bridging ligand with iron(II), cobalt(II), and nickel(II) were synthesized and characterized. The metal coordination sphere in this complexes is filled by the tetradentate N,N′‐dimethyl‐2,11‐diaza[3.3](2,6)‐pyridinophane (L‐N₄Me₂) ligand, yielding complexes of the general formula [(L‐N₄Me₂)Ru(µ‐tape)M(L‐N₄Me₂)](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂ with M = Fe {[ 2 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, Co {[ 3 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}, and Ni {[ 4 ](ClO₄)₂(PF₆)₂}. Furthermore, the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes with palladium(II)‐ and platinum(II)‐dichloride [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PdCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 5 ](PF₆)₂} and [(dmbpy)₂Ru(μ‐tape)PtCl₂](PF₆)₂ {[ 6 ](PF₆)₂}, respectively were also prepared. The molecular structures of the complex cations [ 2 ]⁴⁺ and [ 4 ]⁴⁺ were discussed on the basis of the X‐ray structures of [ 2 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN and [ 4 ](ClO₄)₄ · MeCN. The electrochemical behavior and the UV/Vis absorption spectra of the heterodinuclear tape ruthenium(II) complexes were explored and compared with the data of the analogous mono‐ and homodinuclear ruthenium(II) complexes of the tape bridging ligand.     

Different Silver Nanoparticles in One Crystal: Ag210(iPrPhS)71(Ph3P)5Cl and Ag211(iPrPhS)71(Ph3P)6Cl

Two pure silver nanoparticles (Ag₂₁₀(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁(Ph₃P)₅Cl and Ag₂₁₁(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁(Ph₃P)₆Cl labeled as SD/Ag210 and SD/Ag211 (SD=SunDi), were found to co‐crystallize in forming compound 1 . Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (SCXRD) revealed that they differ by only one Ag(PPh₃). Their four‐shell nanoparticles consist of three pure Ag metal shells (Ag₁₉@Ag₅₂@Ag₄₅) shielded by a silver‐organic Ag₈₉(ⁱPrPhS)₇₁Cl[Ag(Ph₃P)]_n outermost shell. The number (n) of Ag(Ph₃P) is five for SD/Ag210 and six for SD/Ag211. The pseudo‐fivefold symmetric Ag nanoparticles exhibit surface plasmon absorption similar to a true metallic state but at the nanoscale. This work exemplifies the important effects of phosphine in stabilizing large silver nanoparticles; and offers a platform to investigate the origin of differences in nanoscale metal materials, even differing by only one metal atom; it also sheds light on the regioselective binding of auxiliary Ph₃P on the surface of silver nanoparticles.     

Syntheses,Structures, and Properties of the Complexes [Ag(N∧S)n](X), N∧S = 1‐Methyl‐2‐(alkylthiomethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazoles,X = PF6 (n = 2) or PO2F2 (n = 1)

The complexes [Ag(η²‐N∧S)₂](PF₆), N∧S = 1‐methyl‐2‐(methylthiomethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole, mmb (complex 1 ) or 1‐methyl‐2‐(tert‐butylthiomethyl)‐1H‐benzimidazole, mtb (complex 2 ), and [Ag(μ,η²‐mmb)(μ,η²‐O₂PF₂)] (complex 3 ) were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography. Long Ag–S (ca. 2.70 Å) and shorter Ag–N bonds (ca. 2.23 Å) are part of characteristically distorted tetrahedral coordination arrangements at the silver(I) ions in 1 and 2 . Unexpectedly, the comparison with the copper analogue [Cu(η²‐mmb)₂](PF₆) reveals a more tetrahedral and less linear coordination arrangement for the corresponding silver species. Compound 3 as obtained by hydrolysis of the PF₆ ion or by the use of AgPO₂F₂ exhibits bridging mmb and η²‐difluorophosphate ligands in a chain‐type structure.     

Impact of Group 10 Metals on the Solvent-Induced Disproportionation of o-Semiquinonato Complexes

The oxidation of [M^II(3,5-DTBCat)(DTBbpy)] (M=Ni ( [Ni] ), Pd ( [Pd] ), and Pt ( [Pt] ); 3,5-DTBCat=3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholato; DTBbpy=4,4′-di-tert-butyl-2,2′-bipyridine) afforded the dimeric {[Ni^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆)}₂ ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ; 3,5-DTBSQ=3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato) and monomeric semiquinonato (SQ) complexes [M^II(3,5-DTBSQ)(DTBbpy)](PF₆) (M=Pd ( [Pd](PF₆) ) and Pt ( [Pt](PF₆) )). The negative solvatochromic properties of the SQ complexes allowed us to estimate the relative order of their dipole moments: [Pd](PF₆) > [Pt](PF₆) > {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ . The complexes [Pd](PF₆) and [Pt](PF₆) adopt monomeric structures and are stable in CH₂Cl₂ and toluene, whereas they gradually disproportionate at room temperature to [M] and 3,5-di-tert-butylbenzoquinone (3,5-DTBBQ) in polar solvents such as THF, MeOH, EtOH, DMF, or DMSO. The results of spectroscopic studies suggested that the oxidized nickel complex adopts a monomeric structure ( [Ni](PF₆) ) in CH₂Cl₂, but a dimeric structure ( {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ ) in the other investigated solvents. In polar solvents, {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ may disproportionate to [Ni] and 3,5-DTBBQ at 323 K, thereby demonstrating a significant solvent- and metal-dependence in temperature. The relative activities of {[Ni](PF₆)}₂ and [M](PF₆) toward disproportionation are related to the electrochemically estimated K_dis values in CH₂Cl₂ and DMF. The present work demonstrates that solvent polarity and the dipole moments of the SQ complexes promote disproportionation, which can be controlled by a judicious choice of the metal ion, solvent, and temperature.     

A trefoil-shaped macrocycle with [12]-imidazolium cations

A trefoil-like two-dimensional (2D) C_3v symmetric organic [12]-imidazolium cation H₁₂–2(PF₆)₁₂ featuring three [4]-imidazolium macrocycles was synthesized in three steps. The reaction of a dodecakis H₁₂–1(PF₆)₁₂ imidazolium salt with Ag₂O resulted in the formation of a hexanuclear Ag^I dodecacarbene assembly [Ag₆(1)](PF₆)₆. Upon UV irradiation, the photodimerization of the cinnamic ester pendants of [Ag₆(1)](PF₆)₆ led to the generation of a trefoil-like complex [Ag₆(2)](PF₆)₆ containing three closed metallacycles. Removal of metal ions allowed for the synthesis of the target molecule. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C{¹H} and 2D NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS).     

Tuning Excited State Isomerization Dynamics through Ground State Structural Changes in Analogous Ruthenium and Osmium Sulfoxide Complexes

The complexes [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)](PF₆)₂ and [Os(bpy)₂(pyESO)](PF₆)₂, in which bpy is 2,2′‐bipyridine and pyESO is 2‐((isopropylsulfinyl)ethyl)pyridine, were prepared and studied by ¹H NMR, UV–visible and ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy, as well as by electrochemical methods. Crystals suitable for X‐ray structural analysis were grown for [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)](PF₆)₂. Cyclic voltammograms of both complexes provide evidence for S→O and O→S isomerization as these voltammograms are described by an ECEC (electrochemical‐chemical electrochemical‐chemical) mechanism in which isomerization follows Ru²⁺ oxidation and Ru³⁺ reduction. The S‐ and O‐bonded Ru^3+/2+ couples appear at 1.30 and 0.76 V versus Ag/AgCl in propylene carbonate. For [Os(bpy)₂(pyESO)](PF₆)₂, these couples appear at 0.97 and 0.32 V versus Ag/AgCl in acetonitrile, respectively. Charge‐transfer excitation of [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)](PF₆)₂ results in a significant change in the absorption spectrum. The S‐bonded isomer of [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)]²⁺ features a lowest energy absorption maximum at 390 nm and the O‐bonded isomer absorbs at 480 nm. The quantum yield of isomerization in [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)]²⁺ was found to be 0.58 in propylene carbonate and 0.86 in dichloroethane solution. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic measurements were collected for both complexes, revealing time constants of isomerizations of 81 ps (propylene carbonate) and 47 ps (dichloroethane) in [Ru(bpy)₂(pyESO)]²⁺. These data and a model for the isomerizing complex are presented. A striking conclusion from this analysis is that expansion of the chelate ring by a single methylene leads to an increase in the isomerization time constant by nearly two orders of magnitude.     

Dinuclear Macrocyclic Quinoline Bridged Mercury and Silver Bis(N‐heterocyclic Carbene) Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Spectroscopic Studies

Quinoline bridged imidazolium precursors 5,8‐bis(N‐R‐imidazolylidenylmethylene)quinoline PF₆^– salts [H₂L](PF₆)₂ [R = Me ( 1a ), R = naphthylmethyl ( 1b )] were prepared by quaternization of N‐methylimidazole and N‐naphthylmethylimidazole with 5,8‐bis(bromomethyl)quinoline, respectively. Reaction of the imidazolium ligands 1a and 1b with Hg(OAc)₂ and Ag₂O in acetonitrile gave the macrocyclic transition metal carbene complexes [Hg₂L₂](PF₆)₄ ( 2a and 2b ) and [Ag₂L₂](PF₆)₂ ( 3a and 3b ), respectively. All the N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes were characterized in detail by NMR, ESI‐MS, and elemental analysis. Structures of complexes 2a and 3a were determined by X‐ray diffraction studies. Structural studies revealed that the coordination arrangement of the central mercury atom in complex 2a displays a tricoordinate mode and the molecular conformation results in a“closed” form with the bridging quinoline functionality in the macrocycle, whereas the silver complex 3a does not show an coordiantion between the bridging quinoline and the Ag^I ion, which results in an “open” conformation of the macrocycle. The Hg^II and Ag^I NHC complexes showed similar UV absorption and luminescence in acetonitrile solutions.     

T-symmetric 40-nucleus silver clusters assembled by hetero-anions

We report two anion-templated Ag₄₀ clusters, [Ag₄₀(E)₄(SO₄){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂₄](PF₆)₆ (E = S, 1 ; Se, 2 ). The anionic templates were generated in situ from the decomposition of dithiophosphate (dtp) ligands. The extrusion of sulfur undergoes disproportionation reactions to generate sulfide and sulfate anions, which provide the source of templates in the subsequent cluster assembly reactions. Two Ag₄₀ clusters display high similarity in their structures. The sulfide (selenide) anions and the central sulfate anion reveal a six-coordinate and a rare dodecametallic dodecaconnective pattern, respectively. Four near-equivalent [Ag₁₀(E){S₂P(OEt)₂}₆]²⁺ motifs were assembled via the connection of central sulfate anion to construct Ag₄₀ clusters. The cluster cation, [Ag₄₀(E)₄(SO₄){S₂P(OEt)₂}₂₄]⁶⁺, displayed in T symmetry, is unprecedented in anion-templated silver clusters.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and luminescence properties of multinuclear silver complexes of pyrazole-functionalized NHC ligands containing Ag-Ag and Ag-π interactions

A few pyrazole-functionalized imidazolium salts have been prepared via the reactions of N-alkylimidazole and 3,5-bis(chloromethyl)pyrazole or 2-(1-(2-chloroethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(5-methyl-1-vinyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine. Reactions of these imidazolium salts with Ag₂O led to the successful isolation of tetranuclear [Ag₄(L)₂](X)₂ (X = PF₆⁻ or BF₄⁻; H₃L1 = 3,5-bis(N-benzylimidazoliumyl)pyrazole, H₃L2 = 3,5-bis(N-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazoliumyl)pyrazole, H₃L3 = imidazolium cyclophane from the condensation of 3,5-bis(chloromethyl)pyrazole and 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane) and trinuclear silver clusters supported by N-heterocyclic carbene ligands in high yields. The molecular structures of these silver complexes have been confirmed by ¹H, ¹³C NMR, ESI-MS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses. The tetranuclear complexes [Ag₄(L1)₂](PF₆)₂ (1) and [Ag₄(L2)₂](BF₄)₂ (2) consist of a pair of Ag-Ag contacts (ca. 3.11 Å) showing weak silver-silver interaction. [Ag₄(L3)₂](PF₆)₂ (3) has a square planar Ag₄ core sandwiched by two NHC cyclophanes with Ag-Ag distances of 3.22 Å. All the silver atoms in 1-3 are located in the same linear C-Ag-N coordination environment. [Ag₃(L4)₂] (PF₆)₃ (HL4 = 2-(1-(2-methylimidazoliumylethyl)-5-methyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)-6-(5-methyl-1-vinyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl) pyridine) (4) is a trinuclear complex in which the three silver are bridged by two L4 molecules, and the Ag₃ units form one-dimensional chain via Ag-π interaction. The luminescence properties of the imidazolium salts and their silver complexes were also studied.     

Anion‐directed Silver(I) Coordination Assemblies Based on 1‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐2‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolewith Diverse Supramolecular Networks and Dichromate Removal Capabilities

A series of silver(I) supramolecular complexes, namely, {[Ag(L²⁴)](NO₃)}_n ( 1 ), [Ag₂(L²⁴)(NO₂)₂]_n ( 2 ), and {[Ag_1.25(L²⁴)(DMF)](PF₆)_1.25}_n ( 3 ) were prepared by the reactions of 1‐(2‐pyridyl)‐2‐(4‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (L²⁴) and silver(I) salts with different anions (AgNO₃, AgNO₂, AgPF₆). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that 1 – 3 display diverse supramolecular networks. The structure of dinuclear complex 1 is composed of a six‐membered Ag₂N₄ ring with the Ag ··· Ag distance of 4.4137(3) Å. In complex 2 , the adjacent Ag^I centers are interlinked by L²⁴ ligands into a 1D chain, the adjacent of which are further extended by the bridged nitrites to construct a 2D coordination architecture. Complex 3 shows a 3D (3,4)‐connected framework, which is generated by the linkage of L²⁴ ligands. All complexes were characterized by IR spectra, elemental analysis, and powder X‐ray diffraction. Notably, a structural comparison of the complexes demonstrates that their structures are predominated by the nature of anions. Additionally, 1 and 2 show efficient dichromate (Cr₂O₇^2–) capture in water system, which can be ascribed to the anion‐exchange.