Topological insights in polynuclear Ni/Na coordination clusters derived from a schiff base ligand

This article presents the syntheses, crystal structures, topological features and magnetic properties of two Ni^II/Na^I coordination clusters formulated [Ni ₃ ^II Na(L1)₃(HL1)(MeOH)₂] (1) and [Ni ₆ ^II Na(L1)₅(CO₃)(MeO)(MeOH)₃(H₂O)₃]·4(MeOH) 2(H₂O) [2 4(MeOH) 2(H₂O)] where H₂L1 is the semi-rigid Schiff base ligand (E)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylideneamino)-phenol). Compound 1 possesses a rare Ni ₃ ^II Na^I cubane (3M4-1) topology, and compound 2 is the first example in polynuclear Ni/Na chemistry that exhibits a 2,3,4M7-1 topology.     

New divalent manganese complex with pyridine carboxylate N-oxide ligand: Synthesis, structure and magnetic properties

Two new manganese complexes, [Mn₃(L¹)₄(NO₃)₂]_n (1, HL¹=nicotinate N-oxide acid) and [MnL²Cl]_n (2, HL²=isonicotinate N-oxide acid)], have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, the L¹ ligands take two different coordinated modes bridging four and three Mn^II ions. The nitrate anions take chelating coordination modes, leading one type of the Mn^II ions as a 4-connected node. The whole net can be viewed as a 3, 4, 6-connected 4-nodal net with Schläfli notation {4³}2{4⁴; 6²}4{4⁶; 6⁶; 8³}. Complex 2 has a honeycomb layer mixed bridged by chlorine, N-oxide and carboxylate. The adjacent layers are linked by the phenyl ring of L² ligand, giving a 3D framework with a {3⁴; 5⁴} {3²;4;5⁶;6⁶} 4, 6-connect net. Magnetic studies indicate that 1 is an antiferromagnet with low-dimensional characteristic, in which a -J₁J₁J₂- coupled alternating chain is predigested. Fitting the data of 1 gives the best parameters J₁=−2.77, J₂=−0.67 cm⁻¹. The magnetic properties of complex 2 represent the character of the 2D honeycomb layer with the J₁=−2.05 and J₂=0.55 cm⁻¹, which results in a whole antiferromagnetic state.     

New approach to the synthesis of polynuclear heterometallic pivalates with iron and manganese atoms

New hexanuclear Fe(III)–Mn(II, III) pivalates [Fe₂ ^III Mn₄ ^II(O)₂(Piv)₁₀(HPiv)₄] (I) or [Fe₄ ^III Mn₂ ^III(O)₂(Piv)₁₂(CH₂O₂)(HPiv)₂] · Et₂O (II) are synthesized using the solid-state thermolysis of [Fe₂Mn(O)(Piv)₆(HPiv)₃] (90°С). Complexes I and II differ by the ratio of iron and manganese ions, which depends on the atmospheric composition during thermolysis. The structures of compounds I and II are determined by X-ray diffraction studies. According to the parameters of the Mössbauer spectrum, complex I contains the Fe³⁺ ions in the high-spin state in the octahedral environment of oxygen atoms.     

Tetranuclear manganese complexes with dimer-of-dimer and ladder structures from the use of a bis-bipyridyl ligand

The reaction of the bis-chelating ligand 1,2-bis(2,2'-bipyridine-6-yl)ethane (L) with the trinuclear species of formula [Mn(3)O(O(2)CR)(6)(py)(3)](ClO(4)) (R = Me (1); R = Et (2); R = Ph (3)) has afforded the new tetranuclear mixed-valent complexes [Mn(4)O(2)(O(2)CR)(4)L(2)](ClO(4))(2) (R = Me (4); R = Et (5); R = Ph (6)) and [Mn(4)O(2)(OMe)(3)(O(2)CR)(2)L(2)(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (R = Me (7); R = Et (8); R = Ph (9)). Complexes 4-6 were obtained in yields of 20%, 44%, and 37%, respectively. They are mixed-valent, with an average Mn oxidation state of +2.5. Complexes 7-9 were obtained in yields of 57%, 65%, and 70%, respectively. They are also mixed-valent, but with an average Mn oxidation state of +2.75. Complexes 4 x 2THF and 9 x 3MeOH x H(2)O crystallize in the triclinic space group P1 macro and contain [Mn(4)(mu(3)-O)(2)](6+) and [Mn(4)(mu(3)-O)(2)(mu-OMe)(2)](5+) cores, respectively, the latter being a new structural type in the family of Mn(4) complexes. Reactivity studies of 4-9 have shown that 4-6 can be converted into 7-9, respectively, and vice versa. The magnetic properties of 5 and 9 have been studied by dc and ac magnetic susceptibility techniques. Complex 5 displays antiferromagnetic coupling between its Mn ions resulting in a spin ground state of S = 0. Complex 9 also displays antiferromagnetic coupling, but the resulting ground state is S = (7)/(2), as confirmed by fitting magnetization versus field data collected for 9 at low temperatures, which gave S = (7)/(2), D = -0.77 cm(-1), and g = 1.79. Complex 9 exhibits a frequency-dependent out-of-phase ac susceptibility peak, indicative of the slow magnetization relaxation that is diagnostic of single-molecule magnetism behavior.     

Heterometal expansion of oxozirconium carboxylate clusters

Although representing a 'thermodynamic sink', the octahedral oxozirconium {Zr(6)O(4)(OH)(4)} cluster structure can be magnetically functionalized by up to six 3d metal cations with a combination of flexible aminoalkoxide and carboxylate ligands.     

Self-assembled polynuclear clusters derived from some flexible polydentate dihydrazide ligands

Polynuclear manganese(II), cobalt(II)/(III), iron(II)/(III) and nickel(II) complexes of a group of flexible polydentate dihydrazone ligands, based on pyridine-2,6-dipicolinic (A), oxalic (B) and malonic (C) subunits are described. Structural details are reported for the linear dinuclear complexes [Ni2(2poap)2(H2O)2](NO3)4 . 2CH3OH . 2.5H2O (1), [Mn2(pttp)(NO3)2(CH3OH)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 . H2O (2) and [Mn2(mapttp)2(NO3)2(H2O)2](NO3)2 . 10H2O (3), a square tetranuclear complex [Co4(pttp)4]Br6 . 9H2O (4), a tetranuclear tetrahedral complex [Ni4(pttp)6](BF4)6F2 . 14H2O (7), and a mixed spin state tetranuclear Ni(II) complex [(2pyoap)2Ni4(CH3OH)4] . 1.5CH3OH (10), with a diamond-like arrangement of metal ions. The paramagnetic metal centers are well separated in each case, leading to weak antiferromagnetic coupling or non-existent spin exchange.     

X-ray photoelectron spectra of polynuclear manganese complexes

Manganese trimethylacetate complexes with different ligand environments were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Changes in the Mn 2p, C 1s, O 1s, and N 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra caused by the substitution of Mn → N coordination bonds for Mn → O coordination bonds were examined. In the spectra of manganese trimethylacetate complexes, the satellite component was identified, which is evidence of the high-spin state of manganese atoms. An increase in the magnetic moment of the manganese complexes, both with the oxygen and mixed oxygen-nitrogen environment, is accompanied by an increase in the spin-orbit splitting, the difference in E _b between the satellite and the Mn 2p _3/2 line, and the ratio between the integrated intensities of the satellite and the Mn 2p _3/2 line (I sat_3/2/I Mn 2p _3/2). The XPS data made it possible to determine the measure of covalence of the metal-ligand bond. The XPS results are consistent with X-ray crystallography data.     

Reevaluation of the kinetics of polynuclear mimics for manganese catalases

Considerable effort has been expended in order to understand the mechanism of manganese catalases and to develop functional mimics for these enzymes. For many years, the most efficient reactivity mimic was [MnIVsalpn(mu-O)]2 [H2salpn = 1,3-bis(salicylideneiminato)propane], a compound that cycles between the MnIV2 and MnIII2 oxidation levels instead of the MnII2 and MnIII2 oxidation states used by the enzyme, with kcat = 250 s(-1) and kcat/KM = 1000 M(-1) s(-1). Recently, a truly exceptional high value of kcat was reported for the complex [Mn(bpia)(mu-OAc)]22+ [bpia = bis(picolyl)(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)amine]. On the basis of a calculated kcat value of 1100 s(-1) and an efficiency kcat/KM of 34 000 M(-1) s(-1), this complex has been suggested to represent a significant breakthrough in catalytic efficiencies of manganese catalase mimics. However, a plot of ri/[cat]T vs [H2O2]0, where the saturation value approaches 1.5 s(-1), is inconsistent with the 1100 s(-1) value tabulated for kcat. Similar discrepancies are observed for two other families of manganese complexes containing either a Mn2(mu-OPh)22+ core and different substituted tripodal ligands or complexes of methyl and ethyl salicylimidate, with an Mn2(mu-OPh)24+ core. Reevaluation of the kinetic parameters for these three systems reveals that the originally reported values were overestimated by a factor of approximately 1000 for both kcat and kcat/KM. We discuss the origin of the discrepancy between the previously published kinetic parameters and the newly derived values. Furthermore, we provide a short analysis of the existing manganese catalase mimics in an effort to provide sound directions for future investigations in this field.     

New routes to high nuclearity clusters: fluoride-based octametallic and tridecametallic clusters of manganese

The reaction of MnF(3) with 5,6-dimethylbenzotriazole (Me(2)BTAH) gives the [Mn(III)(8)] complex [Mn(8)O(4)(OMe)(2)(Me(2)BTA)(6)F(8)(Me(2)BTAH)(MeOH)(8)] and the [Mn(IV)(3)Mn(III)(10)] complex [Mn(13)O(12)(Me(2)BTA)(12)F(6)(MeOH)(10)(H(2)O)(2)]. The octametallic species is an "intermediate" in the formation of the tridecametallic cluster.     

Synthesis and structure of polynuclear carbonylphosphine clusters of palladium

Reductive condensation of Pd(OAc)₂ in dioxane in the presence of CO and PR₃ (R = Et, Buⁿ) with addition of CF₃COOH leads to the formation of decanuclear Pd₁₀(μ₃-CO)₄(μ₂-CO)₈(PBuⁿ₃)₆ (I) and Pd₁₀(CO)₁₄(PBuⁿ₃) (II) at Pd(OAc)₂:PR₃ molar ratios of 1:4–1:10 and 1:1.5–1:2.5, respectively. The use of CH₃COOH instead of CF₃COOH results in tetranuclear clusters Pd₄(CO)₅(PR₃)₄ (III) and Pd₄(μ₂-CO)₆(PBuⁿ₃) (IV). I ? III and III → IV transformations occur in organic media. The structures of I (space group P2₁/n, Z = λMo, 12125 independent reflections, R = 0.047) and IV (Pz:3, Z = λMo, 3254 reflections, R = 0.098) were established by X-Ray diffractions analysis. Cluster I is a 10-vertex Pd₁₀ polyhedron, an octahedron with four unsymmetrically centered non-adjacent faces. The average PdPd distances in the octahedron are 2.825 Å, in the eight short Pd_oct.Pd_cap. bonds with the “equatorial” Pd atoms of the inner octahedron, bridged by the μ₂-CO ligands, are 2.709 Å, and in the four elongated (without bridging CO groups) bonds with the apical Pd atoms of the octahedron are 3.300–3.422 Å. The PBuⁿ₃ ligands are coordinated to the apical Pd atoms and the capping atoms (PdP 2.291–2.324 Å). Cluster IV is tetrahedral, with the CO ligands symmetrically bridged; PdPd 2.778–2.817; PdP 2.232–2.291; PdC 2.06 Å (average).     

Structural measures of element-oxygen bond covalency from the changes to the delocalisation of the carboxylate ligand

The data set of more than 40,000 crystal structures containing the carboxylate group that have been deposited in the CSD has been used to examine the structural changes that occur in the carboxylate C-O bond lengths upon binding to different elemental centres. We report here quantifiable structural changes that are dependent on the elemental centre with which the group is interacting. For the main-group elements the trends are entirely periodic and follow those traditionally associated with covalency; elements exhibiting electronegativity closest to that of oxygen exhibit the largest structural change. In addition, we find the measure is extendable to both the transition metals and the lanthanoids and actinoids. Amongst the transition metals the trends of Pauling neutrality are not only maintained, but are quantifiable. The difference between the two C-O bond lengths increases with oxidation state and decreases with an increase in coordination number. All of the lanthanoids exhibit covalency within error of each other and the bonds to the actinoids are found to be more covalent than those to the lanthanoids. From the data analysis we are able to derive a correlation between the lengths of the two carboxylate arms that allows us to quantify percentage covalent character defined in terms of the resonance contributions to the carboxylate group.     

3D homometallic carboxylate ferrimagnet constructed from a manganese(II) succinate carboxylate layer motif pillared by isonicotinate spacers

A manganese succinate having a layer structure in which the layers are pillared by the isonicotinate spacers in a 3D architecture exhibits long-range ferrimagnetic order below 5.0 K, with the ferrimagnetism arising, for topological reasons, from the nature of the carboxylate binding modes. The compound is the first structurally authenticated example of a 3D ferrimagnet, featuring a homometallic topological ferrimagnetic sheet among metal carboxylates.     

Oxozinc carboxylate complexes: a new synthetic approach and the carboxylate ligand effect on the noncovalent-interactions-driven self-assembly

An atom-efficient and mild synthesis of a series of oxozinc carboxylates [Zn(4)(μ(4)-O)(O(2)CR)(6)] [where R = Ph (2a), p-PhC(6)H(4) (2b), p-MeC(6)H(4) (2c), and p-MeSC(6)H(4) (2d)] from well-defined alkylzinc precursors and H(2)O is described. The molecular and crystal structures of the resulting complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. A closer examination of their crystal structure provides a direct picture of the effect of the nature of substituents on the molecular self-assembly of the octahedral oxozinc through noncovalent interactions. It was revealed that these discrete oxozinc clusters can form diverse types of noncovalent assemblies ranging from structures representing zeolitic topologies in the case of 2a to soft porous materials with gated voids or open channels for the remaining molecular clusters.     

A C2-symmetric, basic Fe(III) carboxylate complex derived from a novel triptycene-based chelating carboxylate ligand

A triptycene-based bis(benzoxazole) diacid ligand H(2)L2(Ph4) bearing sterically encumbering groups was synthesized. Treatment of H(2)L2(Ph4) with Fe(OTf)(3) afforded a C(2)-symmetric trinuclear iron(III) complex, [NaFe(3)(L2(Ph4))(2)(μ(3)-O)(μ-O(2)CCPh(3))(2)(H(2)O)(3)](OTf)(2) (8). The triiron core of this complex adopts the well known "basic iron acetate" structure where the heteroleptic carboxylates, comprising two Ph(3)CCO(2)(-) and two (L2(Ph4))(2-) ligands, donate the six carboxylate bridges. The (L2(Ph4))(2-) ligand undergoes only minor conformational changes upon formation of the complex.     

Self-assembly and hydrophobic clusters of amphiphilic polysaccharides

The objective of this work was to synthesize and characterize new polymeric surfactants deriving from natural polymers and designed for membrane protein solubilization. For this purpose, a set of hydrophobically-modified pullulans (HMCMPs) of moderate molar mass and differing in hydrophobic modification ratio, charge ratio and the nature of the hydrophobic chains introduced, were prepared. Their behaviour in aqueous dilute solutions was investigated by surface tension measurement and with a polarity probe, the Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye. Two distinct critical concentrations were evidenced, demonstrating the complex behaviour of HMCMPs. Amphiphilic pullulan derivatives may indeed establish hydrophobic associations in bulk solution while adsorbing at the air  water interface. The structural parameters of the polymers influence their aqueous behaviour. Self-assembly of HMCMPs occurs at smaller concentrations when the hydrophobic modification ratio or the alkyl hydrophobic chain length increases. It seems to be governed by the concentration of hydrophobic grafts, rather than by polymer concentration. Probably because of steric hindrance, 3-phenylpropyl grafts do not favour self-assembly, and lead to HMCMPs that preferentially adsorb at the air  water interface.     

Replacement of carboxylate bridges in polynuclear nickel pivalates with 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine anions

The reaction of 2-hydroxy-6-methylpyridine (HL, 1) with nonanuclear nickel trimethyl-acetate Ni₉(OH)₆(OOCCMe₃)₁₂(HOOCCMe₃)₄ (2) in MeCN with a ratio M: L = 1: 1 under mild conditions (20 °C, 15 min) led to degradation of the metal core to form the hexanuclear complex (HL)₂(μ ₂-HL)₂Ni₆(μ₃-OH)₂(μ₂-H₂O)₂(μ-OOCCMe₃)₈(η-OOCCMe₃)₂ (3). Further heating of 3 in acetonitrile at 80 °C for 4 h afforded the (HL)Ni₆(μ ₃-OH)(μ₃,η²-L)₃(μ,η²-L)(μ₃-L)(μ ₃-OOCCMe₃)(μ-OOCCMe₃)₄(η²-OOCCMe₃) complex. The reaction with the use of a 2: 1 THF-EtOH mixture instead of acetonitrile at 50 °C gave the decanuclear complex [Ni₁₀(μ ₃-O)₂(μ₃-OH)₄(μ-OOCCMe₃)₆(μ₃,η ²-L)₆(EtOH)₆](H₂O)₂, which is also produced from compounds 1 and 2 in ethanol. The structures of the resulting complexes were established by X-ray diffraction. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 5, pp. 908–917, May, 2007.     

Single-molecule magnets: novel Mn(8) and Mn(9) carboxylate clusters containing an unusual pentadentate ligand derived from pyridine-2,6-dimethanol

The reactions of the Mn(III)(3) and Mn(II)Mn(III)(2) complexes [Mn(3)O(O(2)CEt)(6)(py)(3)][ClO(4)] and [Mn(3)O(O(2)CEt)(6)(py)(3)] with pyridine-2,6-dimethanol (pdmH(2)) afford the mixed-valence Mn(II)(6)Mn(III)(2) octanuclear complex [Mn(8)O(2)(py)(4)(O(2)CEt)(8)(L)(2)][ClO(4)](2) (1) and the Mn(II)(7)Mn(III)(2) enneanuclear complex [Mn(9)(O(2)CEt)(12)(pdm)(pdmH)(2)(L)(2)] (2), respectively. Both compounds contain a novel pentadentate ligand, the dianion of (6-hydroxymethylpyridin-2-yl)-(6-hydroxymethylpyridin-2-ylmethoxy)methanol (LH(2)), which is the hemiacetal formed in situ from the Mn-assisted oxidation of pdmH(2). Complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with the following cell parameters at -160 degrees C: a = 16.6942(5) A, b = 13.8473(4) A, c = 20.0766(6) A, beta = 99.880(1) degrees, V = 4572.27 A(3), and Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 4.78 (5.25). Complex 2.0.2MeCN crystallizes in the triclinic space group Ponemacr; with the following cell parameters at -157 degrees C: a = 12.1312(4) A, b = 18.8481(6) A, c = 23.2600(7) A, alpha = 78.6887(8) degrees, beta = 77.9596(8) degrees, gamma = 82.3176(8) degrees, V = 5076.45 A(3), and Z = 2, R (R(w)) = 4.12 (4.03). Both complexes are new structural types comprising distorted-cubane units linked together, albeit in two very different ways. In addition, complex 2 features three distinct binding modes for the chelating ligands derived from deprotonated pdmH(2). Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by variable-temperature ac and dc magnetic susceptibility measurements and found to possess spin ground states of 0 and 11/2, respectively. Least-squares fitting of the reduced magnetization data gave S = 11/2, g = 2.0, and D = -0.11 cm(-1) for complex 2, where D is the axial zero-field splitting parameter. Direct current magnetization versus field studies on 2 at <1 K show hysteresis behavior at <0.3 K, establishing 2 as a new single-molecule magnet. Magnetization decay measurements gave an effective barrier to magnetization relaxation of U(eff) = 3.1 cm(-1) = 4.5 K.     

A convenient MnIII starting material for the synthesis of homo- and heterometallic manganese carboxylate clusters: Mn9 and Mn10−xFex complexes

The use of a convenient source of Mn^III ions, namely the [Mn(OR)(O₂CR′)₂]_n (R = H, Me, and R′ = Me, Bu^t) family of 1-D coordination polymers, afforded two new enneanuclear and decanuclear molecular clusters, homometallic [Mn₉O₇(O₂CBu^t)₁₃(MeCN)₂] (3) and heterometallic [Mn_10?xFe_x(OMe)₂₀(O₂CMe)₁₀] (x < 10) (4), respectively. Compound 3 was synthesized by a solvent-induced structural transformation, whereas complex 4 resulted from the reaction of [Mn(OH)(O₂CMe)₂]_n with an Fe^III source. The core of 3 comprises two [Mn₄O₂]⁸⁺ butterfly units and a [Mn₃O]⁷⁺ triangular unit fused together by sharing one Mn atom. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 3 revealed dominant antiferromagnetic interactions within the molecule, and a ground state of S = 1 with many low-lying excited states. Complex 4 is a mixed Fe^III/Mn^III single-strand molecular wheel, which forms 3D nanotubular stacks arranged in a zig–zag fashion. The described work suggests that the [Mn(OR)(O₂CR′)₂]_n compounds represent excellent starting materials for Mn^III carboxylate cluster chemistry.