Light induced excited spin state trapping in the binuclear spin crossover compound [Fe(bpym)(NCS)2]2(bpym) exhibiting a high-spin ground state

A photo-magnetic effect is evidenced using near-infrared light in the binuclear complex [Fe(bpym)(NCS)₂]₂(bpym). This compound has a ⁵T_2g–⁵T_2g ground state and exhibits no thermal spin crossover – in contrast to the analogous [Fe(bpym)(NCSe)₂]₂(bpym). The estimated photo-conversion ratio is ca. 30%. By means of magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as Raman and infrared absorption spectroscopies, the nature of the photo-induced phase was established as the ⁵T_2g–¹A_1g state, which means that only one iron center is converted to low-spin. The photo-induced state was completely converted back to the ground state either by visible light excitation or by heating.     

Synthesis, structure and non-linear optical property of a copper(II) thiocyanate three-dimensional supramolecular compound

A novel copper(II) thiocyanate complex [Cu(im)₂(NCS)₂] 1 (im=imidazole) has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and crystallographic method. This supramolecular compound exhibits a three-dimensional solid state structure constituted by N–HS hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The compound in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with absorption coefficient and refractive index ₂=1.18×10⁻¹¹ mw⁻¹, n₂=−9.00×10⁻¹⁶ m²w⁻¹, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of 7.00×10⁻¹⁰ esu.     

Structural, spectral and thermal properties of a polymeric nickel(II) complex containing two-dimensional network

The structure of the complex [Ni(hmt)(NCS)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, assembled by hexamethylenetetramine (hmt) and octahedral Ni(II), is reported. Crystal data: Fw 351.07, a=9.885(10) Å, b=12.06(1) Å, c=12.505(8) Å, β=114.41(4)°, V=1357(1) ų, Z=4, space group=C2/c, T=173 K, λ(Mo−K)=0.71070 Å, ρ_calc=1.718 gcm⁻¹, μ=17.44 cm⁻¹, R=0.099, Rw=0.145. The tetrahedral assembling template effect of the hmt molecule is completed by two coordination bonds and two hydrogen interactions. The UV–vis absorption spectrum of this complex [Ni(hmt)(NCS)₂(H₂O)₂]_n with a two-dimensional network is determined in the range of 5000–35000 cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The observed spectrum is discussed and explained perfectly by the scaling radial theory proposed by us. The two-dimensional structure has no apparent effects on the d–d transitions of the central Ni(II) ion. The IR spectrum and the GT curve of the complex were also measured and clearly reflect its structural properties.     

Reaction of the tetrasulphidomolybdenum(IV) complex LMo(NCS)(S4) with dicarbomethoxyacetylene: X-ray structure of LMo(NCS){S2C2(CO2Me)2} [L = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate]

The reaction of {HB(Me₂pz)₃}Mo(NCS)(S₄) [HB(Me₂pz)₃⁻ = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate anion] with dicarbomethoxyacetylene in refluxing toluene results in the formation of the brown, diamagnetic complex {HB(Me₂pz)₃}Mo(NCS){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂} (1) (the reactants above also yield 1 upon prolonged reaction in dichloromethane at 25°C), which has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. The mononuclear pseudo-octahedral complex contains a facially tridentate HB(Me₂pz)₃⁻ ligand, a monodentate N-bound NCS⁻ ligand, and a bidentate S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂²⁻ ligand having a near planar MoS₂C₄ fragment and a SC=CS bond distance of 1.342(15) Å. Solutions of 1 are unstable in air and decompose to produce {HB(Me₂pz)₃}MoO₂(NCS) and {HB(Me₂pz)₃}MoO(NCS)₂.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic, magnetic and EPR studies of di-μ-hydroxo-bis[(NN)(N-phenyl-2-pyridinamine)copper(II)]hexaflourophosphate, with NN=2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline.: X-ray crystal structure of the 2,2′-bipyridine complex

Binuclear complexes [{Cu(NN)(PhNHpy)}₂(μ-OH)₂](PF₆)₂, where NN=2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), have been synthesized and characterized by chemical analysis, conductance measurements and IR and electronic spectroscopy. The X-ray crystal structure of [{Cu(bipy)(PhNHpy)}₂(μ-OH)₂](PF₆)₂ shows a distorted square-planar pyramidal coordination for Cu(II), defined by two nitrogen atoms of bipy, two bridging oxygen atoms and the pyridinic nitrogen atom of the ligand. Magnetic susceptibility measurements (in the 4.8–290 K range) reveal coupling which is antiferromagnetic for the bipy complex (2J=−24.2 cm⁻¹) and slightly ferromagnetic for the phen complex (2J=3.3 cm⁻¹). The EPR spectra show the expected triplet signals.     

Structure and properties of the dinuclear complex [Co2(μ-OAc)2(OAc)2(μ-H2O)(phen)2]

The dinuclear complex [Co₂(μ-OAc)₂(OAc)₂(μ-H₂O)(phen)₂] has been prepared and its structure was determined. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c. The Co–Co distance is 3.574 Å and is similar to the Fe–Fe distance in the reduced methane monooxygenase hydroxylase. The electronic and IR spectra of the complex confirm octahedral coordination of the cobalt atoms and formation of strong O–HO hydrogen bonds in the solid state. The dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of the complex on temperature indicates an antiferromagnetic interaction, the value of the isotropic exchange parameter J was estimated to be −2.1 cm⁻¹. The ¹H NMR spectra show that in organic solvents the structure of compound is the same as in the solid state, however, in water solution the complex dissociates giving compounds with different Co:phen ratios.     

Theoretical and experimental investigation of novel iron(II)-based spin crossover compounds

Two novel spin crossover (SCO) compounds, namely [Fe(INMe)(pyN₄)]Br₂, and [Fe(IMMe)(pyN₄)](OTf)₂, where pyN₄ = 2,6-Bis(1′,3′-diamino-2′methyl-prop-2′yl)pyridine, INMe = isonicotinic acid methyl ester, IMMe = N-methyl-imidazole, and OTf = triflate, are characterized here both from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. In particular, we apply various density functionals and basis sets to obtain optimized geometries for low- (LS) and high-spin (HS) states, vibrational spectra, LS–HS splittings, and temperature-dependent UV/vis spectra. While geometries and spectra are in good agreement with experimental data, the well-known spin pairing problem makes it difficult to compute accurate LS–HS splitting energies and enthalpies. Based on TD–DFT calculations, the capacity of the compounds for use as reversibly photo-switchable molecules is discussed.     

Tetra(μ3-hydroxo)hexa(μ2-carboxylato-O,O′)-bridged tetranuclear terbium(III) cubane complex

A novel tetranuclear terbium(III) complex [Tb₄(OH)₄(pybet)₆(H₂O)₈][Tb₄(OH)₄(pybet)₆(H₂O)₇ (NO₃)](ClO₄)₁₄·6H₂O has been synthesized and shown by X-ray crystallography to have a cubane-like Tb₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ₂-carboxylato-O,O′)₆ core. The ligand pybet is pyridinoacetate, C₅H₅⁺N-CH₂CO₂⁻. Magnetic susceptibility data were measured for this Tb₄ complex in the range of 2.0–320 K and in fields of 1.0 G to 50.0 kG. It is concluded that either there is very weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (J = −0.015 cm⁻¹) or there is a small crystal-field splitting of the ⁷F₆ Tb^III ground state.     

Syntheses and structural characterization of transition metal(II) coordination polymers containing 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide

The reactions of Zn(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and FeSO₄ · 7H₂O with 4-PDS (4-PDS = 4,4′-dipyridyldisulfide) and NH₄SCN in CH₃OH afforded the complexes [Zn(NCS)₂(4-PDS)]_n (1) and [Fe(NCS)₂(4-PDS)₂ · 4H₂O]_n (2), respectively, while the reaction of CoCl₂ · 6H₂O with 4-PDS in CH₃OH gave the complex {[Co(4-PDS)₂][Cl]₂ · 2CH₃OH}_n, (3). These complexes have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography. The 4-PDS ligands in 1 are coordinated to the metal centers through the nitrogen atoms to form 1-D zigzag-chains, and the distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry at each zinc center is completed by a pair of N-bonded thiocyanate ligands. Compound 2 has a 1-D channel-chain structure and each octahedral Fe(II) metal center is coordinated by four 4-PDS ligands and two trans N-bonded thiocyanate ligands. Weak SS interactions in complex 1 link the 1-D chains into 2-D molecular sheets. In complex 2, the channel chains are interlinked through SS interactions to form molecular sheets, which interpenetrate through the SS interactions to form 3-D structures with large cavities that are occupied by the water molecules. Compound 3 also has a 1-D channel-chain structure with each square-planar Co(II) metal center coordinated by four 4-PDS ligands. Multiple C–HCl hydrogen bonds and SO interactions in 3 link the 1-D chains into 2-D structures.     

Low-temperature heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of crystalline [Re2(Ala)4(H2O)8](ClO4)6 (Re = Eu, Er; Ala = alanine)

[Re₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆ (Re=Eu, Er; Ala=alanine) were synthesized, and the low-temperature heat capacities of the two complexes were measured with a high-precision adiabatic calorimeter over the temperature range from 80 to 370 K. For [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, two solid–solid phase transitions were found, one in the temperature range from 234.403 to 249.960 K, with peak temperature 243.050 K, the other in the range from 249.960 to 278.881 K, with peak temperature 270.155 K. For [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆, one solid–solid phase transition was observed in the range from 270.696 to 282.156 K, with peak temperature 278.970 K. The molar enthalpy increments, ΔH_m, and entropy increments,ΔS_m, of these phase transitions, were determined to be 455.6 J mol⁻¹, 1.87 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 243.050 K; 2277 J mol⁻¹, 8.43 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 270.155 K for [Eu₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆; and 4442 J mol⁻¹, 15.92 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ at 278.970 K for [Er₂(Ala)₄(H₂O)₈](ClO₄)₆. Thermal decompositions of the two complexes were investigated by use of the thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. A possible mechanism for the thermal decomposition is suggested.     

Resonance Rayleigh scattering, second-order scattering and frequency doubling scattering methods for the indirect determination of penicillin antibiotics based on the formation of Fe3[Fe(CN)6]2 nanoparticles

Under the HCl solution and heating condition, penicillin antibiotics such as amoxicillin (AMO), ampicillin (AMP), sodium cloxacillin (CLO), sodium carbenicillin (CAR) and sodium benzylpenicillin (BEN) could react with Fe(III) to produce Fe(II) which further reacted with Fe(CN)₆³⁻ to form a Fe₃[Fe(CN)₆]₂ complex. By virtue of hydrophobic force and Van der Waals force, the complex aggregated to form Fe₃[Fe(CN)₆]₂ nanoparticles with an average diameter of 45 nm. This resulted in a significant enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and non-linear scattering such as second-order scattering (SOS) and frequency doubling scattering (FDS). The increments of scattering intensity (ΔI) were directly proportional to the concentrations of the antibiotics in a certain range. The detection limits for the five penicillin antibiotics were 2.9–6.1 ng ml⁻¹ for RRS method, 4.0–6.8 ng ml⁻¹ for SOS method and 7.4–16.2 ng ml⁻¹ for FDS method, respectively. Among them, the RRS method exhibited the highest sensitivity and the AMO system was more sensitive than other antibiotics systems. Based on the above researches, a new highly sensitive and simple method for the indirect determination of penicillin antibiotics has been developed. It can be applied to the determination of penicillin antibiotics in capsule, tablet, human serum and urine samples. In this work, the spectral characteristics of absorption, RRS, SOS and FDS spectra, the optimum conditions of the reaction and the influencing factors were investigated. In addition, the reaction mechanism was discussed.     

Structure and phase transitions in guanidinium halogenobismuthates(III)

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dilatometric and dielectric measurements have been used to study the phase transitions in [C(NH₂)₃]₃BiBr₆. The [C(NH₂)₃]₃BiBr₆ crystal undergoes four phase transitions: at 419, 429, 475 and 495 K (on heating). The high-temperature phase transition is clearly of first-order type and its high entropy effect allows classifying it as of the order–disorder type. X-ray diffraction studies showed that [C(NH₂)₃]₃BiBr₆ crystallises in monoclinic, centrosymmetric space group, C2/c. The anionic sublattice is composed of isolated BiBr₆³⁻ octahedra. The infrared between 100 and 350 K and Raman spectra at room temperature in the frequency range related to the internal vibrations of guanidinium cations were studied for [C(NH₂)₃]₃BiBr₆, [C(NH₂)₃]₃Bi₂Br₉, [C(NH₂)₃]₃BiCl₆xCl₂ and C(NH₂)₃Cl to analyse the dynamical state of cations. At room temperature, the cations in the studied guanidinium halogenobismuthates(III) are almost rigid, so the mechanism of high-temperature phase transitions is probably connected with the release of rotation of the cations.     

Spectroelectrochemistry and investigation of charge transport mechanisms of iron poly(pyridyl) redox polymers

In this work, we describe the characterization of the complex [Fe(tpy-NH₂)₂](PF₆)₂ (tpy-NH₂ = bis[4′-(3-aminophenyl)-2, 2′:6′,2″-terpyridine]. The complex was oxidatively electropolymerized on glassy-carbon electrodes in CH₃CN/0.1 M tetraethylammonium perchlorate (TEAP) to generate polymer films that exhibit reversible oxidative electrochemical behavior in a wide potential range (0.0–1.6 V), as well as high conductivity and stability/durability. In situ spectrocyclic voltammetry of this modified electrode was carried out on a photodiode array spectrophotometer attached to a potentiostat, which provided UV–Vis absorption spectra of the redox species during the potential sweep. We determined charge transport parameters as a function of time and thickness of the modified electrode, and the results showed that poly-[[Fe(tpy-NH₂)₂]²⁺]_n can be made to exhibit three regimes of charge transport behavior by manipulation of the film thickness and the experimental time-scale. Morphological characterization of the film was provided by atomic force microscopy.     

Vibrational spectra and theoretical study of ZnCd(SCN)4 single crystal

The vibrational spectra of the zinc cadmium thiocyanate (ZCTC) single crystal are studied by Raman spectroscopy and ab initio calculation with the molecular orbital (MO) theory using a G 98 program. Agreement is achieved between the vibrational wavenumbers predicted by the theory and those observed in Raman scattering experiments. The results show that the characteristic vibrational modes of ZCTC crystal arise mainly from the internal vibrations of the SCN, Zn(NCS)₄, and Cd(SCN)₄ clusters. The three-dimensional network structure of ZCTC crystal is identified, and the high optical nonlinearity of the crystal is chiefly ascribed to the conjugated charge-transfer (–Zn–NCS–Cd–) bridges that connect all the distorted Zn(NCS)₄ and Cd(SCN)₄ tetrahedra together.     

Synthesis, characterization and magnetic properties of novel μ-isophthalato oxovanadium(IV) binuclear complexes

Four novel oxovanadium(IV) binuclear complexes have been synthesized, namely [(VO)₂(IPHTA) (L)₂SO₄ (L denotes 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy); 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (Me₂bpy) and 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen)), where IPHTA is the isophthalate dianon. Based on elemental analyses, molar conductivity measurements, IR and electronic spectra studies, it is proposed that these complexes have IPHTA-bridged structures and consist of two vanadium(IV) atoms in a square-pyramidal environment. The complexes [(VO)₂(IPHTA)(Me₂bpy)₂]SO₄ (1) and [(VO)₂(IPHTA)(bpy)₂]SO₄ (2) were characterized by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility (4–300 K) and the data could be well fitted by the least-squares method to a susceptibility equation derived from the spin Hamiltonian operator, . The exchange integral, J, was found to be −26.8 cm⁻¹ for (1) and −31.0 cm⁻¹ for (2). These results are commensurate with antifferomagnetic interactions between two oxovanadium(IV) ions within each molecule. The influence of different terminal ligands on magnetic interactions between the metals of this kind of complexes is also discussed.     

Synthesis and magnetism of the first tetranuclear copper(II)–iron(III) complexes of macrocyclic oxamides

Four novel tetranuclear macrocyclic complexes of the formula [(CuLⁱ)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (i=1–4, Lⁱ are the dianions of the [14]N₄ and [15]N₄ macrocyclic oxamides, namely 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene, 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9-methyl-7,12-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,11-diene and 2,3-dioxo-5,6:14,15-dibenzo-7,13-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)-1,4,8,12-tetraazacyclotetradeca-7,12-diene] have been prepared and characterized. These complexes are the first examples of oxamido-bridged Cu(II)–Fe(III) heterometallic species. Cryomagnetic studies on [(CuL¹)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (1) and [(CuL³)₃Fe](ClO₄)₃·3H₂O (3) (77–300 K) revealed that the Cu(II) and Fe(III) ions interact antiferromagnetically through the oxamido bridge, with the exchange integral J=−30.8 cm⁻¹ for 1 and J=−28.7 cm⁻¹ for 3 based on . The interaction parameters have been compared with that of the related [Cu₃Mn] compound.     

Synthesis and chemistry of the bis(trimethylsilyl)amido bis-tetrahydrofuranates of the group 2 metals magnesium, calcium, strontium and barium. X-ray crystal structures of Mg[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF and related Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2·2THF

Transamination reactions utilizing the compound mercuric bis(trimethylsilyl)amide, Hg{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂, in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and the metals Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Al have been investigated. Thus the THF solvated compounds Na[N(SiMe₃)₂]·THF and M[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF, M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba (1–4), have been prepared. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and the related manganese compound Mn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂·2THF (5) are reported. Interaction of the silylamides, 2–4, with a range of crown ethers apparently proceeded with elimination of silylamine, (Me₃Si)₂NH, and novel ring opening of the crown ethers, generating species containing a donor alkoxide ligand with a vinyl ether function, presumably, ---O(CH₂CH₂O)_nCH=CH₂ (n = 3−5). The silylamides 2–4 were also cleanly converted to the corresponding alkoxides (from ¹H NMR data) in reactions with stoichiometric quantities of 3-ethyl-3-pentanol.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of noble gas coordinated dipalladium–dioxygen complexes

The reaction products of palladium atoms with molecular oxygen in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. In addition to the previously reported mononuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd(η²–O₂) and Pd(η²–O₂)₂, dinuclear palladium–dioxygen complexes: Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ were formed under visible light irradiation and were identified on the basis of isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations. In addition, experiments doped with xenon in argon coupled with theoretical calculations suggest that the Pd(η²–O₂), Pd₂(η²–O₂) and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂ complexes are coordinated by two argon or xenon atoms in solid argon matrix, and therefore, should be regarded as the Pd(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂, Pd₂(η²–O₂)(Ng)₂ and Pd₂(η²–O₂)₂(Ng)₂ (NgAr or Xe) complexes isolated in solid argon.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the reactions of tetrathiomolybdate with roussin salts and esters, and with some related iron nitrosyls

The tetrathiomolybdate ion [MoS₄]²⁻ reacts in DMF solution with Roussin esters Fe₂(SR)₂(NO)₄ (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu,t-Bu, n-C₅H₁₁) to yield the paramagnetic iron nitrosyls [Fe(NO)₂(SR)₂]⁻ (1), [Fe(NO)₂(S₂MoS₂]⁻ (2) and [Fe(NO)(S₂MOS₂)₂]⁻ (3). The new complexes (2) and (3) have been characterized by EPR spectroscopy and the assignment to them of constitutions based respectively upon tetrahedral and square pyramidal iron is supported by EHMO calculations. Fe₂(SPh)₂(NO)₄ with [MoS₄]²⁻ yields only [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻, and preformed (3) reacts with PhS⁻ to give firstly EPR-silent species, and then [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻. The mononitrosyl (3) can also be formed by reaction of [MoS₄]²⁻ with [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]⁻, Fe₄S₄(NO)₄, or Fe₂I₂(NO)₄.