A DFT and TD‐DFT Approach to the Understanding of Statistical Kinetics in Substitution Reactions of M3Q4 (M=Mo,W; Q=S,Se) Cuboidal Clusters

For many years it has been known that the nine water molecules in [M₃Q₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺ cuboidal clusters (M=Mo, W; Q=S, Se) can be replaced by entering ligands, such as chloride or thiocyanate, and kinetic studies carried out mainly on the substitution of the first water molecule at each metal centre reveal that the reaction at the three metal centres occurs with statistical kinetics; that is, a single exponential with a rate constant corresponding to the reaction at the third centre is observed instead of the expected three‐exponential kinetic trace. Such simplification of the kinetic equations requires the simultaneous fulfilment of two conditions: first that the three consecutive rate constants are in statistical ratio, and second that the metal centres behave as independent chromophores. The validity of those simplifications has been checked for the case of the reaction of [Mo₃S₄(H₂O)₉]⁴⁺ with Cl^? by using DFT and TD‐DFT theoretical calculations. The results of those calculations are in agreement with the available experimental information, which indicates that the H₂O ligands trans to the μ‐S undergo substitution much faster than those trans to the μ₃‐S. Moreover, the energy barriers for the substitution of the first water molecule at the three metal centres are close to each other, the differences being compatible with the small changes in the numerical values of the rate constants required for observation of statistical kinetics. TD‐DFT calculations lead to calculated electronic spectra, which are in reasonable agreement with those experimentally measured, but the calculations do not indicate that the three metal centres behave as independent chromophores, although the mathematical conditions required for simplification of the kinetic traces to a single exponential are reasonably well fulfilled at certain wavelengths. A re‐examination of the kinetics of the reaction by using global fitting procedures yields results, which are compatible with statistical kinetics, although an alternative interpretation in which substitution only occurs at a single metal centre under reversible conditions is also possible.     

Kinetic, DFT and TD-DFT studies on the mechanism of stabilization of pyramidal H3PO3 at the [Mo3M'S4(H2O)10]4+ clusters (M' = Pd, Ni)

The kinetics of reaction between the [Mo(3)M'S(4)(H(2)O)(10)](4+) clusters (M' = Pd, Ni) and H(3)PO(3) has been studied in 4.0 M Hpts/Lipts (pts(-) = p-toluenesulfonate). For both complexes there is an initial kinetic step with small absorbance changes that corresponds to substitution of the water coordinated to Pd by a molecule of tetrahedral H(3)PO(3). For the Pd complex, tautomerization of H(3)PO(3) occurs in a slower kinetic step with much larger absorbance changes; it leads to formation of [Mo(3)Pd(pyr-H(3)PO(3))S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) in which H(3)PO(3) adopts a pyramidal structure, but the process is not as favored as for H(3)PO(2). The kinetics of this second step is independent of the concentration of H(3)PO(3) but dependent on the concentration of Hpts on the supporting electrolyte. For the Ni complex, the second step is severely hindered and its kinetics could not be studied. DFT calculations indicate that tautomerization of H(3)PO(3) is expected to be less favoured than that of H(3)PO(2), both processes being less favored at the Ni cluster than at its Pd analogue. With regard to the tautomerization mechanism, the calculations indicate that the mechanism previously proposed for H(3)PO(2) can be the same for H(3)PO(3), although the initial H-shift can also occur through a protonation-deprotonation sequence with participation of external protons instead of a second molecule of the phosphorus acid. TD-DFT studies have been also carried out to understand the similarity between the spectra of the starting complex and the reaction intermediate formed in the first kinetic step as well as the large spectral changes associated to the tautomerization process. Although it contains contributions from several transitions, the intense band observed for clusters containing coordinated pyr-H(3)PO(3) involves essentially ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) transitions.     

Gas phase oxidation of alkoxo ligands in bis(peroxo)[MO(O2)2(OR)]- and trisoxo [MO3(OR)]- anions (M = Cr, Mo, W)

The anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) and [M(VI)O(3)(OR)](-)(M = Cr, Mo, W; R = H, Me, Et, (n)Pr, (i)Pr) were transferred to the gas phase by the electrospray process. Their decomposition was examined by multistage mass spectrometry and collisional activation experiments. The molybdate and tungstate anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) underwent parallel elimination of aldehyde (ketone) and dioxygen while the equivalent chromate underwent loss of dioxygen only. The peroxo ligands were the source of oxidising equivalents in both reactions. For each alkoxo ligand, the total yield of aldehyde for the tungstate system exceeded that for the molybdate system. Collisional activation of [M(VI)O(3)(OMe)](-) led to clean elimination of formaldehyde with the metal centre supplying the oxidising equivalents. For larger alkoxo ligands, only the chromate centre eliminated aldehyde, while the molybdate and tungstate centres underwent clean loss of alkene. Threshold activation voltages indicated that the peroxo ligands of [W(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OMe)](-) are more oxidising than the tungstate centre of [W(VI)O(3)(OMe)](-). (2)H and (18)O isotope tracing experiments were consistent with a formal hydride transfer mechanism operating for oxidation of alkoxo ligand in each system. In the solid state, anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) are typically pentagonal pyramidal (oxo in apical site) while [M(VI)O(3)(OR)](-) are tetrahedral. The data indicate that an equatorial ligand position is the site of alkoxo oxidation in [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) anions. Comparisons of the gas phase data with those for a solution phase system are made.     

The intricate paramagnetic state of [Os(Q)(2)(bpy)](+), Q = 4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-iminobenzoquinone

The combination of two highly non-innocent ligands with a third-row transition metal produces the title complex ion which was crystallised as [Os(Q)(2)(bpy)](ClO(4))·C(6)H(6) (Q = 4,6-di-tert-butyl-o-iminobenzoquinones, bpy = 2,2(')-bipyridine) and could be structurally characterised to exhibit a tris-chelate situation at the metal with trans-positioned N and cis-positioned O donor atoms. The metrical ligand parameters are in agreement with two partially reduced ligands. A 3-spin interaction (Q˙(-))Os(III)(Q˙(-)) can rationalise the observed S = 1/2 situation with ligand-centred resulting spin. Ligand-based spin is confirmed by DFT (calculated spin populations Q: 1.113; Os: -0.113; bpy: 0.001) and is also apparent from the EPR signal (g(1) 1.981, g(2) 1.955, g(3) 1.803, Δg 0.178, ?g? 1.915) which is influenced by the high spin-orbit coupling constant of the osmium centre. The susceptibility measurements reveal antiferromagnetic behaviour. A one-electron oxidation and two one-electron reductions could be monitored spectroelectrochemically (UV-VIS-NIR) and analysed by TD-DFT, in comparison with the results from the ruthenium analogue. The analysis reflects the strong orbital mixing between the metal and the two Q-ligand MOs.     

Metallophilicity versus pi-pi interactions: ligand-unsupported argentophilicity/cuprophilicity in oligomers-of-dimers [M2L2]n (M=CuI or AgI, L=tridentate ligand)

To verify whether attractive metallophilic interactions exist in the dimer-of-dimers [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)](2) (Hophen=1H-[1,10]phenanthrolin-2-one) (1), we designed and synthesized a series of such [M(2)L(2)](2) structures by varying the d(10) metal and/or the ligand (M=Cu(I) or Ag(I), L=ophen or obpy; Hobpy=1H-[2,2']bipyridinyl-6-one), and have successfully obtained three dimers-of-dimers: [Ag(2)(ophen)(2)](2).6 H(2)O (2), [Cu(2)(obpy)(2)](2) (3), and [Ag(2)(obpy)(2)](2).4.5 H(2)O.0.5 DMF (4). X-ray analyses of these structures show that interdimer M-M separations in [Ag(2)-(ophen)(2)](2) (3.199 A) are remarkably shorter than those in [Cu(2)(ophen)(2)](2) (3.595 A). Shorter interdimer M-M separations are found in the structures of [M(2)(obpy)(2)](2) (2.986 and 2.993 A in [Cu(2)(obpy)(2)](2), 3.037 to 3.093 A in [Ag(2)(obpy)(2)](2)), in which the pi systems are smaller than in the complexes with the ophen ligand. Detailed structural comparison of these dimers-of-dimers indicates that the interdimer, face-to-face pi-pi interactions repulse rather than support the interdimer metal-metal attractive interactions. This study also yields qualitative comparison of the strengths between argentophilic, cuprophilic, and face-to-face pi-pi interactions. DFT calculations on the four dimers-of-dimers further support the above deduction. The structure of a trimer-of-dimers [Ag(2)(obpy)(2)](3) (Ag-Ag 3.171 to 3.274 A) is further evidence that the oligomerization of the [M(2)L(2)] molecules is favored by stronger metallophilic and weaker face-to-face pi-pi interactions.     

Insertion reactions of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide with aminoboranes, -boryls and -borylenes

Insertion reactions of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide with aminoboranes and with aminoboryl and -borylene transition metal complexes have been examined as potential routes to new boron-containing ligand systems. Reactions with systems containing two-coordinate boron centres are found to be significantly more facile than those with three-coordinate substrates. Thus, reaction of (dicyclohexylamino)boron dichloride () with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide over 36 h at 50 degrees C generates the (structurally authenticated) guanidinate complex Cy(2)NC(NCy)(2)BCl(2) () via insertion into the BN bond. By contrast, the corresponding reaction with the cationic aminoborylene complex [CpFe(CO)(2)(BNCy(2))](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-) () proceeds rapidly at ca.-30 degrees C, via initial insertion into the FeB bond to give [CpFe(CO)(2)C(NCy)(2)BNCy(2)](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-) (). Consistent with related studies, a key factor in facilitating such insertion chemistry is thought to be the formation of an initial donor/acceptor complex between the diimide and the group 13 centre. Thus, DFT studies suggest that [CpFe(CO)(2)B(NCy(2))(CyNCNCy)](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-) is a potential intermediate in the reaction of with CyNCNCy, and that further reaction to give the observed product, , is strongly exergic (-183 kJ mol(-1)). By contrast, DFT calculations for the alternative isomer [CpFe(CO)(2)B(CyN)(2)CNCy(2)](+)[BAr(f)(4)](-) (), formed by BN insertion, suggest that it is 112 kJ mol(-1) less stable than . Such experimental and computational findings imply that under reaction conditions where a suitable isomerisation pathway is available, cationic complexes such as , which contain a four-membered boron-donor heterocycle are likely to be disfavoured with respect to alternative C-bound isomers.     

Synthesis, Reactivity, and Structural Characterization of the Nonclassical [MTe(7)](n)()(-) Anions (M = Ag, Au, n = 3; M = Hg, n = 2)

Several tellurometalates of the general formula [MTe(7)](n)()(-) (n = 2, 3) have been isolated as salts of organic cations by reaction of suitable metal sources with polytelluride solutions in DMF. The [HgTe(7)](2)(-) anion has the same structure in both the NEt(4)(+) and the PPh(4)(+) salts except for a minor change in the ligand conformation. The [AgTe(7)](3)(-) and [HgTe(7)](2)(-) anions contain metal atoms coordinated in trigonal-planar fashion to eta(3)-Te(7)(4)(-) ligands. The central Te atom of an eta(3)-Te(7)(4)(-) ligand is coordinated to the metal atom and to two Te atoms in a "T"-shaped geometry consistent with a hypervalent 10 e(-) center. The planar [AuTe(7)](3)(-) anion may best be described as possessing a square-planar Au(III) atom coordinated to an eta(3)-Te(5)(4)(-) ligand and to an eta(1)-Te(2)(2)(-) ligand. The reaction of [NEt(4)](n)()[MTe(7)] (M = Hg, n = 2; M = Au, n = 3) with the activated acetylene dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) has yielded the products [NEt(4)](n)()[M(Te(2)C(2)(COOCH(3))(2))(2)] (M = Hg, n = 2; M = Au, n = 1). The metal atoms are coordinated to two Te(COOCH(3))C=C(COOCH(3))Te(2)(-) ligands, for M = Hg in a distorted tetrahedral fashion and for M = Au in a square-planar fashion.     

A density functional study of oxygen activation by unsaturated complexes [M(bipy)(2)](2+), M = Cr and Fe

Density functional theory is used to probe the reaction of O(2) with the unsaturated transition-metal fragments [M(bipy)(2)](2+), M = Cr, Fe. In both cases, calculations indicate that the O(2) molecule is initially trapped as an eta(2)-bound superoxide ion, where the unpaired electron in the out-of-plane pi orbital of O(2) is weakly coupled to those on the trivalent metal ion. In the chromium case, a cis-dioxo Cr(VI) complex is found to be significantly more stable than the superoxo species. The two minima are, however, separated by a large barrier, along with a change in spin state. For the iron analogue, the relative energies of the two minima are reversed, the superoxo complex being the global minimum. The energetics of the O(2) activation processes are consistent with previously reported mass spectrometric experiments, where an adduct, [M(bipy)(2)(O(2))](2+), was detected only for chromium.     

Synthesis and reactivity of W3Te74+ clusters and chalcogen exchange in the M3Q7 (M = Mo, W; Q = S, Se, Te) cluster family

Heating WTe(2), Te, and Br(2) at 390 degrees C followed by extraction with KCN gives [W(3)Te(7)(CN)(6)](2-). Crystal structures of double salts Cs(3.5)K{[W(3)Te(7)(CN)(6)]Br}Br(1.5).4.5H(2)O (1), Cs(2)K(4){[W(3)Te(7)(CN)(6)](2)Cl}Cl.5H(2)O (2), and (Ph(4)P)(3){[W(3)Te(7)(CN)(6)]Br}.H(2)O (3) reveal short Te(2)...X (X = Cl, Br) contacts. Reaction of polymeric Mo(3)Se(7)Br(4) with KNCSe melt gives [Mo(3)Se(7)(CN)(6)](2-). Reactions of polymeric Mo(3)S(7)Br(4) and Mo(3)Te(7)I(4) with KNCSe melt (200-220 degrees C) all give as final product [Mo(3)Se(7)(CN)(6)](2)(-) via intermediate formation of [Mo(3)S(4)Se(3)(CN)(6)](2-)/[Mo(3)SSe(6)(CN)(6)](2-) and of [Mo(3)Te(4)Se(3)(CN)(6)](2-), respectively, as was shown by ESI-MS. (NH(4))(1.5)K(3){[Mo(3)Se(7)(CN)(6)]I}I(1.5).4.5H(2)O (4) was isolated and structurally characterized. Reactions of W(3)Q(7)Br(4) (Q = S, Se) with KNCSe lead to [W(3)Q(4)(CN)(9)](5-). Heating W(3)Te(7)Br(4) in KCNSe melt gives a complicated mixture of W(3)Q(7) and W(3)Q(4) derivatives, as was shown by ESI-MS, from which E(3)[W(3)(mu(3)-Te)(mu-TeSe)(3)(CN)(6)]Br.6H(2)O (5) and K(5)[W(3)(mu(3)-Te)(mu-Se)(3)(CN)(9)] (6) were isolated. X-ray analysis of 5 reveals the presence of a new TeSe(2-) ligand. The complexes were characterized by IR, Raman, electronic, and (77)Se and (125)Te NMR spectra and by ESI mass spectrometry.     

Mechanistic studies on the reactions of PhS(-) or [MoS(4)](2)(-) with [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) (M = Fe or Co)

Kinetic studies, using stopped-flow spectrophotometry, on the reactions of [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) (M = Fe or Co) with PhS(-) to form [M(SPh)(4)](2)(-) are described, as are the reactions between [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) and [MoS(4)](2)(-) to form [S(2)MoS(2)Fe(SPh)(2)](2)(-) or [S(2)MoS(2)CoS(2)MoS(2)](2)(-). The kinetics of the reactions with PhS(-) are consistent with an initial associative substitution mechanism involving attack of PhS(-) at one of the tetrahedral M sites of [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) to form [M(4)(SPh)(11)](3)(-). Subsequent or concomitant cleavage of a micro-SPh ligand, at the same M, initiates a cascade of rapid reactions which result ultimately in the complete rupture of the cluster and formation of [M(SPh)(4)](2)(-). The kinetics of the reaction between [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) and [MoS(4)](2)(-) indicate an initial dissociative substitution mechanism at low concentrations of [MoS(4)](2)(-), in which rate-limiting dissociation of a terminal thiolate from [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-) produces [M(4)(SPh)(9)](-) and the coordinatively unsaturated M site is rapidly attacked by a sulfido group of [MoS(4)](2)(-). It is proposed that subsequent chelation of the MoS(4) ligand results in cleavage of an M-micro-SPh bond, initiating a cascade of reactions which lead to the ultimate break-up of the cluster and formation of the products, [S(2)MoS(2)Fe(SPh)(2)](2)(-) or [S(2)MoS(2)CoS(2)MoS(2)](2)(-). With [Co(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-), at higher concentrations of [MoS(4)](2)(-), a further substitution pathway is evident which exhibits a second order dependence on the concentration of [MoS(4)](2)(-). The mechanistic picture of cluster disruption which emerges from these studies rationalizes the "all or nothing" reactivity of [M(4)(SPh)(10)](2)(-).     

Probing the intrinsic electronic structure of the bis(dithiolene) anions [M(mnt)2]2- and [M(mnt)2]1- (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; mnt = 1,2-S2C2(CN)2) in the gas phase by photoelectron spectroscopy

A detailed understanding of the electronic structure of transition metal bis(dithiolene) complexes is important because of their interesting redox, magnetic, optical, and conducting properties and their relevance to enzymes containing molybdenum and tungsten bis(dithiolene) centers. The electronic structures of the bis(dithiolene) anions [M(mnt)(2)](n-) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; mnt = 1,2-S(2)C(2)(CN)(2); n = 0-2) were examined by a combination of photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and density functional theory calculations. The combined experimental and theoretical data provide insight into the molecular orbital energy levels of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) and the ground and excited states of [M(mnt)(2)](1-) and [M(mnt)(2)]. Detachment features from ligand-based orbitals of [M(mnt)(2)](2-) occur at similar energies for each species, independent of the metal center, while those arising from metal-based orbitals occur at higher energies for the heavier congeners. Electronic excitation energies inferred for [M(mnt)(2)](1-) from the PES experiments agree well with those obtained in optical absorption experiments in solution, with the PES experiments providing additional insight into the changes in energy of these transitions as a function of metal. The singly charged anions [M(mnt)(2)](1-) were also prepared and studied independently. Electron detachment from the ground states of these doublet anions accessed the lowest singlet and triplet states of neutral [M(mnt)(2)], thereby providing a direct experimental measure of their singlet-triplet splitting.     

Heterometallic 20-membered {Fe16Ln4} (Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho) metallo-ring aggregates

The reaction of triethanolamine (teaH(3)) with [Fe(III)(3)O(O(2)CCH(3))(6)(H(2)O)(3)]Cl·6H(2)O and Ln(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O in acetonitrile yields [Fe(16)Ln(4)(tea)(8)(teaH)(12)(μ-O(2)CCH(3))(8)](NO(3))(4)·16H(2)O·xMeCN (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6); x = 10 or 11). These 20-membered metallo-ring complexes are the largest such single-stranded oxygen-bridged rings so far reported. The structure is stabilised by two of the acetate ligands, which form anti,anti-bridges across the centre of the ring, pinching the ring and giving it rigidity. The magnetic properties are dominated by the antiferromagnetic couplings between the Fe(III) centres. Although the Fe(2) and Fe(6) sub-chains within the ring are fully spin-compensated at low temperatures with S(subchain) = 0, coupling between the Gd(III) cations and the Fe(III) centres at the ends of the sub-chains (in 3) results in a pinning of the lanthanide spins. The (57)Fe M?ssbauer spectra of 3 and 5 obtained at low temperatures are consistent with the presence of Fe(III) intracluster strong antiferromagnetic coupling. The applied field spectrum for 3 reveals no magnetic hyperfine interaction apart from that of the nucleus with the applied field, while the one for 5 is a superposition of three subspectra which show contributions from each of the peripheral as well as from the central iron sites.     

Electronic tuning of the lability of Pt(II) complexes through pi-acceptor effects. Correlations between thermodynamic,kinetic, and theoretical parameters

pi-Acceptor effects are often used to account for the unusual high lability of [Pt(terpy)L]((2)(-)(n)+) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complexes. To gain further insight into this phenomenon, the pi-acceptor effect was varied systematically by studying the lability of [Pt(diethylenetriamine)OH(2)](2+) (aaa), [Pt(2,6-bis-aminomethylpyridine)OH(2)](2+) (apa), [Pt(N-(pyridyl-2-methyl)-1,2-diamino-ethane)OH(2)](2+) (aap), [Pt(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine)OH(2)](2+) (pap), [Pt(2,2'-bipyridine)(NH(3))(OH(2))](2+) (app), and [Pt(terpy)OH(2)](2+) (ppp). The crystal structure of the apa precursor [Pt(2,6-bis-aminomethylpyridine)Cl]Cl.H(2)O was determined. The substitution of water by a series of nucleophiles, viz. thiourea, N,N-dimethylthiourea, N,N,N',N'-tetramethylthiourea, I(-), and SCN(-), was studied under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of concentration, pH, temperature, and pressure, using stopped-flow techniques. The data enable an overall comparison of the substitution behavior of these complexes, emphasizing the role played by the kinetic cis and trans pi-acceptor effects. The results indicate that the cis pi-acceptor effect is larger than the trans pi-acceptor effect, and that the pi-acceptor effects are multiplicative. DFT calculations at the B3LYP/LACVP level of theory show that, by the addition of pi-acceptor ligands to the metal, the positive charge on the metal center increases, and the energy separation of the frontier molecular orbitals (E(LUMO) - E(HOMO)) of the ground state Pt(II) complexes decreases. The calculations collectively support the experimentally observed additional increase in reactivity when two pi-accepting rings are adjacent to each other (app and ppp), which is ascribed to "electronic communication" between the pyridine rings. The results furthermore indicate that the pK(a) value of the platinum bound water molecule is controlled by the pi-accepting nature of the chelate system and reflects the electron density around the metal center. This in turn controls the rate of the associative substitution reaction and was analyzed using the Hammett equation.     

Solid-state structural and magnetic investigations of [M[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) (M = Fe,Co, Ni,Cu): observation of a thermally induced solid-state phase change controlling an iron(II) spin-state crossover

The reaction of M(BF(4))(2).xH(2)O (M = Co, Ni, and Cu) and HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3) in a 1:2 ratio yields [Co[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) (2), [Ni[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) (3), and [Cu[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) (4). Over the temperature range from 5 to 350, 345, or 320 K, Curie law behavior is observed for microcrystalline samples of all three compounds showing them to have three, two, and one unpaired electrons, respectively, with no spin-crossover observed for 2. Crystalline samples of these compounds torque in the applied magnetic field the first time the sample is cooled to 5 K. The solid-state structures of all three are isomorphous at 220 K, monoclinic in the space group C2/c. The metal is located on a unique crystallographic site and has a trigonally distorted octahedral structure, with 4 showing the expected Jahn-Teller distortions. Cooling crystals of all three to low temperatures leads to the observation of the same phase change to triclinic in the new space group P(-)1 with nonmerohedral twinning. This change is reversible and yields two crystallographically unique metal sites at low temperature. The bond angles and distances for the two different metal sites for each compound in the low temperature structures are very similar to each other and to those in the 220 K structures. The same phase change, monoclinic to triclinic, has been observed previously for [Fe[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) (1), except in this case, the phase change results in half of the cations changing over from the high-spin state to the low-spin state while the other half of the cations remain high-spin, with the low-spin form decreasing its Fe-N bond distances by 0.19 A. The new results with 2-4 show that it is the phase transition, which occurs in complexes of the type [M[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2) with first row transition metals, that is driving the unusual spin-crossover behavior of [Fe[HC(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)](2)](BF(4))(2).     

High-nuclearity metal-cyanide clusters: synthesis,magnetic properties,and inclusion behavior of open-cage species incorporating [(tach)M(CN)3] (M = Cr,Fe, Co) complexes

The use of 1,3,5-triaminocyclohexane (tach) as a capping ligand in generating metal-cyanide cage clusters with accessible cavities is demonstrated. The precursor complexes [(tach)M(CN)(3)] (M = Cr, Fe, Co) are synthesized by methods similar to those employed in preparing the analogous 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) complexes. Along with [(tach)Fe(CN)(3)](1)(-), the latter two species are found to adopt low-spin electron configurations. Assembly reactions between [(tach)M(CN)(3)] (M = Fe, Co) and [M'(H(2)O)(6)](2+) (M' = Ni, Co) in aqueous solution afford the clusters [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Ni(4)Co(4)(CN)(12)](8+), [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Co(8)(CN)(12)](8+), and [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Ni(4)Fe(4)(CN)(12)](8+), each possessing a cubic arrangement of eight metal ions linked through edge-spanning cyanide bridges. This geometry is stabilized by hydrogen-bonding interactions between tach and water ligands through an intervening solvate water molecule or bromide counteranion. The magnetic behavior of the Ni(4)Fe(4) cluster indicates weak ferromagnetic coupling (J = 5.5 cm(-)(1)) between the Ni(II) and Fe(III) centers, leading to an S = 6 ground state. Solutions containing [(tach)Fe(CN)(3)] and a large excess of [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) instead yield a trigonal pyramidal [(tach)(H(2)O)(15)Ni(3)Fe(CN)(3)](6+) cluster, in which even weaker ferromagnetic coupling (J = 1.2 cm(-)(1)) gives rise to an S = (7)/(2) ground state. Paralleling reactions previously performed with [(Me(3)tacn)Cr(CN)(3)], [(tach)Cr(CN)(3)] reacts with [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](2+) in aqueous solution to produce [(tach)(8)Cr(8)Ni(6)(CN)(24)](12+), featuring a structure based on a cube of Cr(III) ions with each face centered by a square planar [Ni(CN)(4)](2)(-) unit. The metal-cyanide cage differs somewhat from that of the analogous Me(3)tacn-ligated cluster, however, in that it is distorted via compression along a body diagonal of the cube. Additionally, the compact tach capping ligands do not hinder access to the sizable interior cavity of the molecule, permitting host-guest chemistry. Mass spectrometry experiments indicate a 1:1 association of the intact cluster with tetrahydrofuran (THF) in aqueous solution, and a crystal structure shows the THF molecule to be suspended in the middle of the cluster cavity. Addition of THF to an aqueous solution containing [(tach)Co(CN)(3)] and [Cu(H(2)O)(6)](2+) templates the formation of a closely related cluster, [(tach)(8)(H(2)O)(6)Cu(6)Co(8)(CN)(24) superset THF](12+), in which paramagnetic Cu(II) ions with square pyramidal coordination are situated on the face-centering sites. Reactions intended to produce the cubic [(tach)(4)(H(2)O)(12)Co(8)(CN)(12)](8+) cluster frequently led to an isomeric two-dimensional framework, [(tach)(H(2)O)(3)Co(2)(CN)(3)](2+), exhibiting mer rather than fac stereochemistry at the [Co(H(2)O)(3)](2+) subunits. Attempts to assemble larger edge-bridged cubic clusters by reacting [(tach)Cr(CN)(3)] with [Ni(cyclam)](2+) (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) complexes instead generated extended one- or two-dimensional solids. The magnetic properties of one of these solids, two-dimensional [(tach)(2)(cyclam)(3)Ni(3)Cr(2)(CN)(6)]I(2), suggest metamagnetic behavior, with ferromagnetic intralayer coupling and weak antiferromagnetic interactions between layers.     

A kinetics and mechanistic study on the role of the structural rigidity of the linker on the substitution reactions of chelated dinuclear Pt(II) complexes

Substitution reactions of platinum complexes bearing cyclohexylamine/diamine moieties viz., [Pt(H(2)O)(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)cyclohexylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpcHna; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,4-cyclohexyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), cHn and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-dicyclohexylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), dcHnm and phenylamine/diamine moieties viz., ([Pt(H(2)O)N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)phenylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpPha; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), mPh; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), pPh and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-diphenylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4)), dPhm with thiourea nucleophiles were studied in acidified 0.01 M LiCF(3)SO(3) aqueous medium under pseudo-first-order conditions using stopped-flow and UV-visible spectrophotometric techniques. The rate of substitution follows a similar trend in the two sets of complexes and decreases in the order: bpcHna > dcHnm > cHn and bpPha > dPhm ≈ pPh ≈ mPh), respectively. The result of this study has shown that the rigidity and/or the planarity of a diamine bridge linking the two (2-pyridylmethyl)amine-chelated Pt(II) centres, influences the reactivity of the metal centres by protracting similar symmetry elements within the complexes, which determines the amount of steric influences felt on the coordination square-plane. Hence, the order of reactivity is controlled by both the steric hindrance and the magnitude of the trans σ-inductive effect originating from the linker towards the metal centre. These two factors also impact on the acidity of the complexes. The high negative entropies and low positive enthalpies support an associative mode of activation.     

Chemistry of Thiobenzoates: Syntheses, Structures, and NMR Spectra of Salts of [M(SOCPh)(3)](-) (M = Zn, Cd, Hg)

The salts (Ph(4)E)[M(SOCPh)(3)] (M = Zn, Cd, or Hg; E = P or As) are produced by the reaction of Zn(NO(3))(2).6 H(2)O, Cd(NO(3))(2).4H(2)O or HgCl(2) with Et(3)NH(+)PhCOS(-) and (Ph(4)E)X (E = P, X = Br; E = As, X = Cl) in aqueous MeOH in the ratios M(II):PhCOS(-):Ph(4)E(+) = 1:>/=3:>/=1. The crystal structures of (Ph(4)P)[Zn(SOCPh)(3)] (1), (Ph(4)As)[Cd(SOCPh)(3)] (2) and (Ph(4)P)[Hg(SOCPh)(3)] (3) have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Crystal data for 1: triclinic; space group P&onemacr;; Z = 2; a = 10.819(2) ?, b = 13.219(3) ?, c = 15.951(3) ?; alpha = 101.75(2) degrees, beta = 97.92(1) degrees, gamma = 109.18(2) degrees. Crystal data for 2: triclinic; space group P&onemacr;; Z= 2; a = 10.741(2) ?, b = 13.168(2) ?, c = 15.809(2) ?; alpha = 101.00(1) degrees, beta = 97.65(1) degrees, gamma = 109.88(1) degrees. Crystal data for 3: monoclinic; space group P2(1)/n; Z = 4; a = 13.302(2) ?, b = 14.276(2) ?, c = 21.108(2) ?; beta = 90.92(1) degrees. The compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous and isostructural. In the anions [M(SOCPh)(3)](-) the metal atoms have trigonal planar coordination by three sulfur atoms. The metal atoms are further more weakly coordinated intramolecularly to one (M = Hg) or two (M = Zn, Cd) thiobenzoate oxygen atom(s). Using the Bond Valence approach it is found that the contribution of M.O bonding to the total bonding is in the order Cd > Zn > Hg. The metal ((113)Cd, (199)Hg) NMR signals of [M(SOCPh)(3)](-) (M = Cd, Hg) are more shielded than those found for MS(3) kernels in thiolate complexes, a difference attributed to the M(.)O bonding in the thiobenzoate complexes. The (113)Cd resonance of [Cd(SOCPh)(3)](-) in dilute solution is in the region anticipated from dilution data for [Na(Cd{SOCPh}(3))(2)](-).     

Structural, kinetic, and theoretical studies on models of the zinc-containing phosphodiesterase active center: medium-dependent reaction mechanisms

Dinuclear zinc(II) complexes [Zn(2)(bpmp)(mu-OH)](ClO(4))(2) (1) and [Zn(2)(bpmp)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (2) (H-BPMP=2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol) have been synthesized, structurally characterized, and pH-driven changes in metal coordination observed. The transesterification reaction of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP) in the presence of the two complexes was studied both in a water/DMSO (70:30) mixture and in DMSO. Complex 2 was not reactive whereas for 1 considerable rate enhancement of the spontaneous hydrolysis reaction was observed. A detailed mechanistic investigation by kinetic studies, spectroscopic measurements ((1)H, (31)P NMR spectroscopy), and ESI-MS analysis in conjunction with ab initio calculations was performed on 1. Based on these results, two medium-dependent mechanisms are presented and an unusual bridging phosphate intermediate is proposed for the process in DMSO.     

Structural and electronic properties of reduced transition metal oxide clusters, M4O10 and M4O10- (M = Cr, W), from photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations at the density functional theory (DFT), coupled cluster theory (CCSD(T)), and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) theory levels are employed to study the reduced transition metal oxide clusters M(4)O(10)(-) (M = Cr, W) and their neutrals. Photoelectron spectra are obtained at 193 and 157 nm photon energies, revealing very different electronic structures for the Cr versus W oxide clusters. The electron affinity and HOMO-LUMO gap are measured to be 3.68 ± 0.05 and 0.7 eV, respectively, for the Cr(4)O(10) neutral cluster, as compared to 4.41 ± 0.04 and 1.3 eV for W(4)O(10). A comprehensive search is performed to determine the ground-state structures for M(4)O(10) and M(4)O(10)(-), in terms of geometry and electronic states by carefully examining the calculated relative energies at the DFT, CCSD(T), and CASSCF levels. The ground states of Cr(4)O(10) and Cr(4)O(10)(-) have tetrahedral structures similar to that of P(4)O(10) with the anion having a lower symmetry due to a Jahn-Teller distortion. The ground states of W(4)O(10) and W(4)O(10)(-) have butterfly shape structures, featuring two fused five-member rings with a metal-metal multiple bond between the central metal atoms. The much stronger WW bonding than the CrCr bonding is found to be the primary cause for the different ground state structures of the reduced Cr(4)O(10)(0/-) versus W(4)O(10)(0/-) oxide clusters. The photoelectron spectra are assigned by comparing the experimental and theoretical adiabatic and vertical electron detachment energies, further confirming the determination of the ground electronic states of M(4)O(10) and M(4)O(10)(-). The time-dependent DFT method is used to calculate the excitation energies of M(4)O(10). The TD-DFT results in combination with the self-consistently calculated vertical detachment energies for some of the excited states at the DFT and CCSD(T) levels are used to assign the higher energy bands. Accurate clustering energies and heats of formation of M(4)O(10) are calculated and used to calculate accurate reaction energies for the reduction of M(4)O(12) to M(4)O(10) by CH(3)OH, as well as for the oxidation of M(4)O(10) to M(4)O(12) by O(2). The performance of the DFT method with the B3LYP and BP86 functionals in the calculations of the relative energies, electron detachment energies, and excitation energies are evaluated, and the BP86 functional is found to give superior results for most of these energetic properties.     

Nickel-manganese sulfido carbonyl cluster complexes. synthesis, structure, and properties of the unusual paramagnetic complexes Cp2Ni2Mn(CO)3(mu 3-E)2, E = S, Se

The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) yielded the paramagnetic new compound Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(CO)(3)(mu(3)-S)(2) (1) and a new hexanuclear metal product Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(4)(CO)(14)(mu(6)-S(2))(mu(3)-S)(2) (2). Structurally, compound 1 contains two triply bridging sulfido ligands on opposite sides of an open Ni(2)Mn triangular cluster. EPR and temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 show that it contains one unpaired electron. The electronic structure of 1 was determined by Fenske-Hall molecular orbital calculations which show that the unpaired electron occupies a low lying antibonding orbital delocalized unequally across the three metal atoms. The selenium homologue Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(CO)(3)(mu(3)-Se)(2) (3) was obtained from the reaction of a mixture of Mn(2)(CO)(10) and [CpNi(CO)](2) with elemental selenium and Me(3)NO.2H(2)O. It also has one unpaired electron. Compound 1 reacted with elemental sulfur to yield the dinickeldimanganese compound, Cp(2)Ni(2)Mn(2)(CO)(6)(mu(4)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(5)), 4, which can also be made from the reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(7)(mu-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) and sulfur. Compound 4 was converted back to 1 by sulfur abstraction using PPh(3). The reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(10) with [CpNi(CO)](2) in the presence of thiirane yielded the ethanedithiolato compound CpNiMn(CO)(3)(mu-SCH(2)CH(2)S) (5), which was also obtained from the reaction of Mn(4)(CO)(15)(mu(3)-S(2))(mu(4)-S(2)) with [CpNi(CO)](2) in the presence of thiirane. Compound 5 reacted with additional quantities of thiirane to yield the new compound CpNiMn(CO)(3)[mu-S(CH(2)CH(2)S)(2)], 6, which contains a 3-thiapentanedithiolato ligand that bridges the two metal atoms. Compound 6 was also obtained from the reaction of Mn(2)(CO)(10) with [CpNi(CO)](2) and thiirane. The molecular structures of the new compounds 1-6 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses.