Modulation of metal-metal separations in a series of Ag(I) and intensely blue photoluminescent Cu(I) NHC-bridged triangular clusters

A series of picolyl-substituted NHC-bridged triangular complexes of Ag(I) and Cu(I) were synthesized upon reaction of the corresponding ligand precursors, [Him(CH(2)py)(2)]BF(4) (1a), [Him(CH(2)py-3,4-(OMe)(2))(2)]BF(4) (1b), [Him(CH(2)py-3,5-Me(2)-4-OMe)(2)]BF(4) (1c), [Him(CH(2)py-6-COOMe)(2)]BF(4) (1d), and [H(S)im(CH(2)py)(2)]BF(4) (1e), with Ag(2)O and Cu(2)O, respectively. Complexes [Cu(3)(im(CH(2)py)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3) (2a), [Cu(3)(im(CH(2)py-3,4-(OMe)(2))(2))(3)](BF(4))(3) (2b), [Cu(3)(im(CH(2)py-3,5-Me(2)-4-OMe)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3), (2c), [Ag(3)(im(CH(2)py-3,4-(OMe)(2))(2))(3)](BF(4))(3), (3b), [Ag(3)(im(CH(2)py-3,5-Me(2)-4-OMe)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3) (3c), [Ag(3)(im(CH(2)py-6-COOMe)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3) (3d), and [Ag(3)((S)im(CH(2)py)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3) (3e) were easily prepared by this method. Complex 2e, [Cu(3)((S)im(CH(2)py)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3), was synthesized by a carbene-transfer reaction of 3e, [Ag(3)((S)im(CH(2)py)(2))(3)](BF(4))(3), with CuCl in acetonitrile. The ligand precursor 1d did not react with Cu(2)O. All complexes were fully characterized by NMR, UV-vis, and luminescence spectroscopies and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Complexes 2a-2c, 2e, and 3b-3e were additionally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each metal complex contains a nearly equilateral triangular M(3) core wrapped by three bridging NHC ligands. In 2a-2c and 2e, the Cu-Cu separations are short and range from 2.4907 to 2.5150 ?. In the corresponding Ag(I) system, the metal-metal separations range from 2.7226 to 2.8624 ?. The Cu(I)-containing species are intensely blue photoluminescent at room temperature both in solution and in the solid state. Upon UV excitation in CH(3)CN, complexes 2a-2c and 2e emit at 459, 427, 429, and 441 nm, whereas in the solid state, these bands move to 433, 429, 432, and 440 nm, respectively. As demonstrated by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, complexes 3b-3e are dynamic in solution and undergo a ligand dissociation process. Complexes 3b-3e are weakly photoemissive in the solid state.     

Adjusting the frameworks of silver(I) complexes with new pyridyl thioethers by varying the chain lengths of ligand spacers, solvents, and counteranions

In our efforts to systematically investigate the effects of the linker units of flexible ligands and other factors on the structures of Ag(I) complexes with thioethers, five new flexible pyridyl thioether ligands, bis(2-pyridylthio)methane (L(1)()), 1,3-bis(2-pyridylthio)propane (L(3)()), 1,4-bis(2-pyridylthio)butane (L(4)), 1,5-bis(2-pyridylthio)pentane (L(5)), and 1,6-bis(2-pyridylthio)hexane (L(6)), have been designed and synthesized, and the reactions of these ligands with Ag(I) salts under varied conditions (varying the solvents and counteranions) lead to the formation of eight novel metal-organic coordination architectures from di- and trinuclear species to two-dimensional networks: [Ag(3)(L(1)())(2)(ClO(4))(2)](ClO(4)) (1), [[AgL(3)](ClO(4))]( infinity ) (2), [[Ag(2)(L(4))(2)](ClO(4))(2)(CHCl(3))]( infinity ) (3), [[AgL(4)](ClO(4))(C(3)H(6)O)]( infinity ) (4), [[Ag(2)L(4)](NO(3))(2)]( infinity ) (5), [Ag(2)L(4)()(CF(3)SO(3))(2)]( infinity ) (6), [[AgL(5)](ClO(4))(CHCl(3))](2) (7), and [[AgL(6)()](ClO(4))]( infinity ) (8). All the structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The coordination modes of these ligands were found to vary from N,N-bidentate to N,N,S-tridentate to N,N,S,S-tetradentate modes, while the Ag(I) centers adopt two-, three-, or four-coordination geometries with different coordination environments. The structural differences of 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 indicate that the subtle variations on the spacer units can greatly affect the coordination modes of the terminal pyridylsulfanyl groups and the coordination geometries of Ag(I) ions. The structural differences of 3 and 4 indicate that solvents also have great influence on the structures of Ag(I) complexes, and the differences between 3, 5, and 6 show counteranion effects in polymerization of Ag(I) complexes. The influences of counterions and solvents on the frameworks of these complexes are probably based upon the flexibility of ligands and the wide coordination geometries of Ag(I) ions. The results of this study indicate that the frameworks of the Ag(I) complexes with pyridyl dithioethers could be adjusted by ligand modifications and variations of the complex formation conditions.     

Anion dependent structures of luminescent silver(i) complexes

The reaction of AgX, where X = trifluoroacetate (CF(3)CO(2)(-), tfa), nitrate (NO(3)(-)), trifluoromethanesulfonate (triflate, CF(3)SO(3)(-), OTf), hexafluorophosphate (PF(6)(-)), or perchlorate (ClO(4)(-)), with 2,2',3' '-tripyridylamine (tpa) yields five novel silver(I) complexes, which have been structurally characterized. The five complexes have the same 1:1 stoichiometry of Ag/tpa but exhibit different modes of coordination, depending upon the counterion present in the compound. Compound 1, [Ag(tpa)(tfa)](n)(), forms a 1D coordination polymer of [Ag(tpa)(tfa)](2) dimer units linked through bridging tfa counterions. Compound 2, [Ag(tpa)(CH(3)CN)(NO(3))](n), forms a zigzag chain 1D coordination polymer exclusively through Ag-N bonds. In compounds 1 and 2, each tpa ligand is bound to two Ag(I) ions via a 2-py and a 3-py group. Compound 3, [Ag(tpa)(OTf)](n), forms a ribbonlike 1D coordination polymer, in which each tpa ligand binds to three different silver centers via all three pyridyl groups, and the counterion remains coordinated to the Ag(I) center. Compounds 4, [Ag(tpa)(CH(3)CN)](n)(PF(6))(n), and 5, [Ag(tpa)(CH(3)CN)](n)() (ClO(4))(n), display ribbonlike structures resembling that of 3, except that the counterions are not coordinated. All complexes are luminescent in acetonitrile solution, with emission maxima in the near-UV region (lambda(max) = 366, 368, 367, 367, and 368 nm for 1-5, respectively). At 77 K, the emission maxima are red-shifted to lambda(max) = 452, 453, 450, 450, and 454 nm for 1-5, respectively.     

Preparation and solid-state characterization of mixed-ligand coordination/organometallic oligomers and polymers of copper(I) and silver(I) using diphosphine and mono- and diisocyanide ligands

The dimers [Cu(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(3)](BF(4))(2) and [Ag(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](X)(2) (X(-) = BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-)) and the coordination polymers [[M(diphos)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; diphos = bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppen), bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (dpph)), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), and [[Ag(dpppen)(CN-t-Bu)]BF(4)](n) have been synthesized and fully characterized as model materials for the mixed bridging ligand polymers which exhibit the general formula [[M(diphos)(dmb)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) and [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n). The identity of four polymers ([[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) (x = 1, 2), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n)) and the two dimers has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure of [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n) exhibits an unprecedented 1-D chain of the type "[Ag(dmb)(2)Ag(dppm)(2)(2+)](n)", where d(Ag(.)Ag) values between tetrahedral Ag atoms are 4.028(1) and 9.609(1) A for the dppm and dmb bridged units, respectively. The [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) polymers (x = 1, 2) form zigzag chains in which the Ag atoms are tri- and tetracoordinated, respectively. The [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n) polymer, which is produced from the rearrangement of [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n), forms a 2-D structure described as a "honeycomb" pattern, where large [Ag(dppb)(+)](6) macrocycles each hosting two counterions and two acetonitrile guest molecules are observed. Properties such as glass transition temperature, morphology, thermal decomposition, and luminescence in the solid state at 293 K are reported. The luminescence bands exhibit maxima between 475 and 500 nm with emission lifetimes ranging between 6 and 55 micros. These emissions are assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) of the type M(I) --> pi(NC)/pi(PPh(2)).     

Pyridine substituted N-heterocyclic carbene ligands as supports for Au(I)-Ag(I) interactions: formation of a chiral coordination polymer

Reaction of 1,3-bis(2-pyridinylmethyl)-1H-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [H(pyCH(2))(2)im]BF(4), with silver oxide in dichloromethane readily yields [Ag((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 1.BF(4)(). 1.BF(4) is converted to the analogous Au(I)-containing species, [Au((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 3, by a simple carbene transfer reaction in dichloromethane. Further treatment with two equivalents of AgBF(4) produces the trimetallic species [AuAg(2)((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)(NCCH(3))(2)](BF(4))(3), 4, which contains two silver ions each coordinated to the pyridine moieties on one carbene ligand and to an acetonitrile molecule in a T-shaped fashion. Monometallic [Ag((py)(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 5, and [Au((py)(2)im)(2)]BF(4), 6, are made analogously to 1.BF(4) and 3 starting from 1,3-bis(2-pyridyl)-imidazol-2-ylidene tetrafluoroborate, [H(py)(2)im]BF(4). Addition of excess AgBF(4) to 6 yields the helical mixed-metal polymer, ([AuAg((py)(2)im)(2)(NCCH(3))](BF(4))(2))(n), 7 which contains an extended Au(I)-Ag(I) chain with short metal-metal separations of 2.8359(4) and 2.9042(4) A. Colorless, monometallic [Hg((pyCH(2))(2)im)(2)](BF(4))(2), 8, is easily produced by refluxing [H(pyCH(2))(2)im)]BF(4) with Hg(OAc)(2) in acetonitrile. The related quinolyl-substituted imidazole, [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6), is produced analogously to [H(pyCH(2))(2)im]BF(4). [Hg((quinCH(2))(2)im)(2)](PF(6))(2), 9, is isolated in good yield as a white solid from the reaction of Hg(OAc)(2) and [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6). The reaction of [H(quinCH(2))(2)im]PF(6) with excess Ag(2)O produces the triangulo-cluster [Ag(3)((quinCH(2))(2)im)(3)](PF(6))(3), 11. All of these complexes were studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy, and complexes 3-9 were additionally characterized by X-ray crystallography. These complexes are photoluminescent in the solid state and in solution with spectra that closely resemble those of the ligand precursor.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of ruthenium(II) complexes of N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidenes

Mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2a), [RuCl(L2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2b), [Ru(L1)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4a), [Ru(L2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4b), [Ru(L2)(2)](PF(6))(2) (5), [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (6), [RuCl(L1)(CO)(2)](PF(6)) (7), and [RuCl(L1)(CO)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (8), and a tetranuclear complex [Ru(2)Ag(2)Cl(2)(L1)(2)(CH(3)CN)(6)](PF(6))(4) (3) containing 3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene (L1) and 3-butyl-1-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidene (L2) have been prepared and fully characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Both L1 and L2 act as pincer NNC donors coordinated to ruthenium (II) ion. In 3, the Ru(II) and Ag(I) ions are linked by two bridging Cl(-) through a rhomboid Ag(2)Cl(2) ring with two Ru(II) extending to above and down the plane. Complexes 2-8 show absorption maximum over the 354-428 nm blueshifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) due to strong σ-donating and weak π-acceptor properties of NHC ligands. Electrochemical studies show Ru(II)/Ru(III) couples over 0.578-1.274 V.     

Dinuclear silver(I) complexes for the design of metal-ligand networks based on triazolopyrimidines

Silver(I) coordination complexes with the versatile and biomimetic ligands 1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (tp), 5,7-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (dmtp) and 7-amine-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (7atp) all feature dinuclear [Ag(2)(μ-tp)(2)](2+) building units (where tp is a triazolopyrimidine derivative), which are the preferred motif, independently of the counter-anion used. According to AIM (atoms in molecules) and ELF (electron localization function) analyses, this fact is due to the great stability of these dinuclear species. The complexes structures range from the dinuclear entities [Ag(2)(μ-tp)(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)](BF(4))(2) (1), [Ag(2)(μ-tp)(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (2), [Ag(2)(μ-7atp)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (3) and [Ag(2)(μ-dmtp)(2)(CH(3)CN)](PF(6))(ClO(4)) (4) over the 1D polymer chain [Ag(2)(μ-CF(3)SO(3))(2)(μ-dmtp)(2)](n) (5) to the 3D net {[Ag(2)(μ(3)-tp)(2)](PF(6))(2)·～6H(2)O}(n) (6) with NbO topology.     

Di- and tetra-nuclear copper(II), nickel(II), and cobalt(II) complexes of four bis-tetradentate triazole-based ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

Four bis-tetradentate N(4)-substituted-3,5-{bis[bis-N-(2-pyridinemethyl)]aminomethyl}-4H-1,2,4-triazole ligands, L(Tz1)-L(Tz4), differing only in the triazole N(4) substituent R (where R is amino, pyrrolyl, phenyl, or 4-tertbutylphenyl, respectively) have been synthesized, characterized, and reacted with M(II)(BF(4))(2)·6H(2)O (M(II) = Cu, Ni or Co) and Co(SCN)(2). Experiments using all 16 possible combinations of metal salt and L(TzR) were carried out: 14 pure complexes were obtained, 11 of which are dinuclear, while the other three are tetranuclear. The dinuclear complexes include two copper(II) complexes, [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4) (2), [Cu(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(2) (4); two nickel(II) complexes, [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(H(2)O)(3)(CH(3)CN)](BF(4))(4)·0.5(CH(3)CN) (5) and [Ni(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(H(2)O)(4)](BF(4))(4)·H(2)O (8); and seven cobalt(II) complexes, [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·H(2)O (9), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·2H(2)O (10), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(H(2)O)(2)](BF(4))(4) (11), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz4))(μ-BF(4))](BF(4))(3)·3H(2)O (12), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz1))(SCN)(4)]·3H(2)O (13), [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz2))(SCN)(4)]·2H(2)O (14), and [Co(II)(2)(L(Tz3))(SCN)(4)]·H(2)O (15). The tetranuclear complexes are [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz1))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(BF(4))(2)](BF(4))(6) (1), [Cu(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)(μ-F)(2)](BF(4))(6)·0.5H(2)O (3), and [Ni(II)(4)(L(Tz3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(μ-F(2))](BF(4))(6)·6.5H(2)O (7). Single crystal X-ray structure determinations revealed different solvent content from that found by microanalysis of the bulk sample after drying under a vacuum and confirmed that 5', 8', 9', 11', 12', and 15' are dinuclear while 1' and 7' are tetranuclear. As expected, magnetic measurements showed that weak antiferromagnetic intracomplex interactions are present in 1, 2, 4, 7, and 8, stabilizing a singlet spin ground state. All seven of the dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes, 9-15, have similar magnetic behavior and remain in the [HS-HS] state between 300 and 1.8 K.     

Silver(I)-ethynide clusters constructed with phosphonate-functionized polyoxovanadates

Two neutral silver(I)-phenylethynide clusters incorporating the [((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](4-) unit as an integral shell component, namely {(NO(3))(2)@Ag(16)(C≡CPh)(4)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](2)(DMF)(6)(NO(3))(2)}·DMF·H(2)O and {[(O(2))V(2)O(6)](3)@Ag(43)(C≡CPh)(19)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](3)(DMF)(6)}·5DMF·2H(2)O, have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The central cavities of the Ag(16) and Ag(43) clusters are occupied by two NO(3)(-) and three [(O(2))V(2)O(6)](4-) template anions, respectively.     

Nitrosyl induces phosphorous-acid dissociation in ruthenium(II)

The trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))]Cl(3) complex was synthesized by reacting [Ru(H(2)O)(NH(3))(5)](2+) with H(3)PO(3) and characterized by spectroscopic ((31)P-NMR, δ = 68 ppm) and spectrophotometric techniques (λ = 525 nm, ε = 20 L mol(-1) cm(-1); λ = 319 nm, ε = 773 L mol(-1) cm(-1); λ = 241 nm, ε = 1385 L mol(-1) cm(-1); ν(NO(+)) = 1879 cm(-1)). A pK(a) of 0.74 was determined from infrared measurements as a function of pH for the reaction: trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))](3+) + H(2)O ? trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(O(-))(OH)(2))](2+) + H(3)O(+). According to (31)P-NMR, IR, UV-vis, cyclic voltammetry and ab initio calculation data, upon deprotonation, trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))](3+) yields the O-bonded linkage isomer trans- [Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(OP(OH)(2))](2+), then the trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(OP(H)(OH)(2))](3+) decays to give the final products H(3)PO(3) and trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)](3+). The dissociation of phosphorous acid from the [Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)](3+) moiety is pH dependent (k(obs) = 2.1 × 10(-4) s(-1) at pH 3.0, 25 °C).     

Luminescent complexes of silver(I) with pyridylbis(3-hexamethyleneiminyl thiosemicarbazone): effect of the counterion on the nuclearity

The reaction of pyridylbis(3-hexamethyleneiminyl thiosemicarbazone) (H(2)Plhexim) with various silver(I) salts and metal-ligand ratios led to the isolation of different complexes of the formulae [Ag(NO(3))(H(2)Plhexim)]·H(2)O (1), [Ag(2)(NO(3))(H(2)Plhexim)(CH(3)OH)](NO(3)) (2), [Ag(2)(ClO(4))(2)(H(2)Plhexim)] (3), [Ag(HPlhexim)]·xH(2)O (4), [Ag(HPlhexim)] (4a), [Ag(2)(Plhexim)(PPh(3))(4)]·2MeOH (5) and [Ag(4)(Plhexim)(2)]·DMF (6). The complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis, ESI mass spectrometry, IR and NMR ((1)H, (31)P) spectroscopy. The structures of 4a, 5 and 6 were also identified by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The concentration dependence on the absorption spectra of the methanolic solutions indicates polymerization equilibria in the ground state in both the ligand and the complexes. While H(2)Plhexim is essentially non-fluorescent, complexes 1-5 fluoresce more strongly by comparison. This fluorescent behavior is consistent with the monomeric or dimeric nature of the complexes.     

Artificial amino acids in nickel(II) and nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) chemistry

The synthesis and magnetic properties of five new homo- and heterometallic nickel(II) complexes containing artificial amino acids are reported: [Ni(4)(aib)(3)(aibH)(3)(NO(3))](NO(3))(4)·3.05MeOH (1·3.05MeOH), [Ni(6)La(aib)(12)](NO(3))(3)·5.5H(2)O (2·5.5H(2)O), [Ni(6)Pr(aib)(12)](NO(3))(3)·5.5H(2)O (3·5.5H(2)O), [Ni(5)(OH)(2)(l-aba)(4)(OAc)(4)]·0.4EtOH·0.3H(2)O 6(4·0.4EtOH·0.3H(2)O), and [Ni(6)La(l-aba)(12)][La(2)(NO(3))(9)] (5; aibH = 2-aminoisobutyric acid; l-abaH = l-2-aminobutyric acid). Complexes 1 and 4 describe trigonal-pyramidal and square-based pyramidal metallic clusters, respectively, while complexes 2, 3, and 5 can be considered to be metallocryptand-encapsulated lanthanides. Complexes 4 and 5 are chiral and crystallize in the space groups I222 and P2(1)3, respectively. Direct-current magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2-300 K range for all complexes reveal the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, leading to small or diamagnetic ground states.     

Sensitivity of silver(I) complexes of a pyrimidine-hydrazone ligand to solvent, counteranion, and metal-to-ligand ratio changes

Metal complexation studies were performed with AgSO(3)CF(3) and AgBF(4) and the ditopic pyrimidine-hydrazone ligand 6-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2-carboxaldehyde (2-methylpyrimidine-4,6-diyl)bis(1-methylhydrazone) (1) in both CH(3)CN and CH(3)NO(2) in a variety of metal-to-ligand ratios. The resulting complexes were studied in solution by NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by X-ray crystallography. Reacting either AgSO(3)CF(3) or AgBF(4) with 1 in either CH(3)CN or CH(3)NO(2) in a 1:1 metal-to-ligand ratio produced a double helicate in solution. This double helicate could be converted into a linear complex by increasing the metal-to-ligand ratio; however, the degree of conversion depended on the solvent and counteranion used. Attempts to crystallize the linear AgSO(3)CF(3) complex resulted in crystals with the dimeric structure [Ag(2)1(CH(3)CN)(2)](2)(SO(3)CF(3))(4) (2), while attempts to crystallize the AgSO(3)CF(3) double helicate from CH(3)CN resulted in crystals of another dimeric complex, [Ag(2)1(SO(3)CF(3))(CH(3)CN)(2)](2)(SO(3)CF(3))(2)·H(2)O (3). The AgSO(3)CF(3) double helicate was successfully crystallized from a mixture of CH(3)CN and CH(3)NO(2) and had the structure [Ag(2)1(2)](SO(3)CF(3))(2)·3CH(3)NO(2) (4). The linear AgBF(4) complex could not be isolated from the double helicate in solution; however, crystals grown from a solution containing both the AgBF(4) double helicate and linear complexes in CH(3)CN had the structure [Ag(2)1(CH(3)CN)(2)](BF(4))(2) (5). The AgBF(4) double helicate could only be crystallized from CH(3)NO(2) and had the structure [Ag(2)1(2)](BF(4))(2)·2CH(3)NO(2) (6).     

From simple to complex: topological evolution and luminescence variation in a copper(I) pyridylpyrazolate system tuned via second ligating spacers

By systematically varying the geometric length and electronic properties of the second ligating ligands of halogen (Cl(-), Br(-), and I(-)) and pseudohalogen (CN(-), SCN(-), and N(3)(-)) anions, we synthesized 11 isomeric/isostructural copper(I) complexes: [Cu(2)(L3-3)I](n) (1), [Cu(2)(L4-4)Br](n) (2-Br), [Cu(2)(L4-4)Cl](n) (2-Cl), [Cu(2)(L3-4)(CN)](n) (3), [Cu(2)(L3-3)(CN)](n) (4), [Cu(3)(L4-4)(CN)(2)](n) (5), {[Cu(2)(L4-4)Br](2)·CuBr}(n) (6-Br), {[Cu(2)(L4-4)Cl](2)·CuCl}(n) (6-Cl), [Cu(2)(L4-4)(SCN)](n) (7α-SCN), [Cu(2)(L4-4)(SCN)](n) (7β-SCN), and [Cu(2)(L4-4)(N(3))](n) (7α-N(3)). These structures are based on a series of isomeric pyridylpyrazole ligands, namely, 3,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazole (HL3-3), 3-(3-pyridyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazole (HL3-4), and 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1H-pyrazole (HL4-4), and their structural features range from 1-D (1), 2-D (2), and 3-D noninterpenetration (3), to 3-D 2-fold interpenetration (4 and 5), to 3-D self-catenation (6 and 7), exhibiting a trend from simple to complex with dimension expansion and an interpenetrating degree increase. The five most complex structures (6 and 7) with self-catenated networks are based on 2-fold interpenetrated networks linked via appropriate second ligating spacers (Cl(-), Br(-), SCN(-), and N(3)(-)), representing a strategy to construct self-catenated coordination polymers through cross-linking interpenetrated frameworks. Moreover, these complexes exhibit strong photoluminescence, which is mainly ascribed to Cu(I)-related charge transfers (MLCT, MC, and MMLCT) regulated by the electronic properties of halogen or pseudohalogen. The topological evolution and luminescence variation presented in this work open an avenue to understanding the luminescence origin and the structure-property relationship of luminescent coordination polymers.     

Catalytic transesterification of dialkyl phosphates by a bioinspired dicopper(II) macrocyclic complex

For a number of phosphoryltransfer enzymes, including the exonuclease subunit of DNA polymerase I, a mechanism involving two-metal ions and double Lewis-acid activation of the substrate, combined with leaving group stabilization, has been proposed. Inspired by the active site structure of this enzyme, we have designed as a synthetic phosphoryl transfer catalyst the dicopper(II) macrocyclic complex LCu(2). Crystal structures of complexes [(L)Cu(2)(mu-NO(3))(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) (1), [(L)Cu(2)(mu-CO(3))(CH(3)OH)](BF(4))(2) (2), and [(L)Cu(2)(mu-O(2)P(OCH(3))(2))(NO(3))](NO(3))(2) (3) illustrate various possibilities for the interaction of oxoanions with the dicopper(II) site. 1 efficiently promotes the transesterification of dimethyl phosphate (DMP) in CD(3)OD, k(cat) = 2 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1) at 55 degrees C. 1 is the only available catalyst for the smooth transesterification of highly inert simple dialkyl phosphates. From photometric titrations and the pH dependence of reactivity, we conclude that a complex [(L)Cu(2)(DMP)(OCH(3))](2+) is the reactive species. Steric bulk at the -OR substituents of phosphodiester substrates O(2)P(OR)(2)(-) drastically reduces the reactivity of 1. This is explained with -OR leaving group stabilization by Cu coordination, an interaction which is sensitive to steric crowding at the alpha-C-atom of substituent R. A proposed reaction mechanism related to that of the exonuclease unit of DNA polymerase I is supported by DFT calculations on reaction intermediates. The complex [(L)Cu(3)(mu(3)-OH)(mu-CH(3)O)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](ClO(4))(3) (4) incorporates a [Cu(OH)(OCH(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](-) complex anion, which might be considered as an analogue of the [PO(2)(OCH(3))(2)(OCD(3))](2)(-) transition state (or intermediate) of DMP transesterification catalyzed by LCu(2).     

Preparation and characterization of the argentates: [Ag[P(CF(3))(2)](2)](-), [Ag[(micro-P(CF(3))(2))M(CO)(5)](2)](-) (M = Cr, W), and [Ag[(micro-P(C(6)F(5))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)](-): X-ray crystal structure of [K(18-crown-6)][Ag[(micro-P(CF(3))(2))Cr(CO)(5)](2)

The first example of a mononuclear diphosphanidoargentate, bis[bis(trifluoromethyl)phosphanido]argentate, [Ag[P(CF(3))(2)](2)](-), is obtained via the reaction of HP(CF(3))(2) with [Ag(CN)(2)](-) and isolated as its [K(18-crown-6)] salt. When the cyclic phosphane (PCF(3))(4) is reacted with a slight excess of [K(18-crown-6)][Ag[P(CF(3))(2)](2)], selective insertion of one PCF(3) unit into each silver phosphorus bond is observed, which on the basis of NMR spectroscopic evidence suggests the [Ag[P(CF(3))P(CF(3))(2)](2)](-) ion. On treatment of the phosphane complexes [M(CO)(5)PH(CF(3))(2)] (M = Cr, W) with [K(18-crown-6)][Ag(CN)(2)], the analogous trinuclear argentates, [Ag[(micro-P(CF(3))(2))M(CO)(5)](2)](-), are formed. The chromium compound [K(18-crown-6)][Ag[(micro-P(CF(3))(2))Cr(CO)(5)](2)] crystallizes in a noncentrosymmetric space group Fdd2 (No. 43), a = 2970.2(6) pm, b = 1584.5(3) pm, c = 1787.0(4), V = 8.410(3) nm(3), Z = 8. The C(2) symmetric anion, [Ag[(micro-P(CF(3))(2))Cr(CO)(5)](2)](-), shows a nearly linear arrangement of the P-Ag-P unit. Although the bis(pentafluorophenyl)phosphanido compound [Ag[P(C(6)F(5))(2)](2)](-) has not been obtained so far, the synthesis of its trinuclear counterpart, [K(18-crown-6)][Ag[(micro-P(C(6)F(5))(2))W(CO)(5)](2)], was successful.     

Luminescent Ag i-Cu i heterometallic hexa-, octa-, and hexadecanuclear alkynyl complexes

A series of Ag(I)-Cu(I) heteronuclear alkynyl complexes were prepared by reaction of polymeric (MCCC(6)H(4)R-4)(n)() (M = Cu(I) or Ag(I); R = H, CH(3), OCH(3), NO(2), COCH(3)) with [M'(2)(mu-Ph(2)PXPPh(2))(2)(MeCN)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (M' = Ag(I) or Cu(I); X = NH or CH(2)). Heterohexanuclear complexes [Ag(4)Cu(2)(mu-Ph(2)PNHPPh(2))(4)(CCC(6)H(4)R-4)(4)](ClO(4))(2) (R = H, 1; CH(3), 2) were afforded when X = NH, and heterooctanuclear complexes [Ag(6)Cu(2)(micro-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2))(3)(CCC(6)H(4)R-4)(6)(MeCN)](ClO(4))(2) (R = H, 3; CH(3), 4; OCH(3), 5; NO(2), 6) were isolated when X = CH(2). Self-assembly reaction between (MCCC(6)H(4)COCH(3)-4)(n) and [M'(2)(mu-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2))(2)(MeCN)(2)](ClO(4))(2), however, gave heterohexadecanuclear complex [Ag(6)Cu(2)(micro-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2))(3)(CCC(6)H(4)COCH(3)-4)(6)](2)(ClO(4))(4) (7). The heterohexanuclear complexes 1 and 2 show a bicapped cubic skeleton (Ag(4)Cu(2)C(4)) consisting of four Ag(I) and two Cu(I) atoms and four acetylide C donors. The heterooctanuclear complexes 3-6 exhibit a waterwheel-like structure that can be regarded as two Ag(3)Cu(CCC(6)H(5))(3) components put together by three bridging Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2) ligands. The heterohexadecanuclear complex 7 can be viewed as a dimer of heterooctanuclear complex [Ag(6)Cu(2)(micro-Ph(2)PCH(2)PPh(2))(3)(CCC(6)H(4)COCH(3)-4)(6)](ClO(4))(2) through the silver and acetyl oxygen (Ag-O = 2.534 (4) A) linkage between two waterwheel-like Ag(6)Cu(2) units. All of the complexes show intense luminescence in the solid states and in fluid solutions. The microsecond scale of lifetimes in the solid state at 298 K reveals that the emission is phosphorescent in nature. The emissive state in compounds 1-5 is likely derived from a (3)LMCT (CCC(6)H(4)R-4 --> Ag(4)Cu(2) or Ag(6)Cu(2)) transition, mixed with a metal cluster-centered (d --> s) excited state. The lowest lying excited state in compounds 6 and 7 containing electron-deficient 4-nitrophenylacetylide and 4-acetylphenylacetylide, respectively, however, is likely dominated by an intraligand (3)[pi --> pi] character.     

Silver(I)-organophosphane complexes of electron withdrawing CF3- or NO2-substituted scorpionate ligands

New silver(I) complexes have been synthesized from the reaction of AgNO(3), monodentate tertiary phosphanes PR(3) (PR(3) = P(C(6)H(5))(3), P(o-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), P(m-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), P(p-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), PCH(3)(C(6)H(5))(2)) and two novel electron withdrawing ligands: potassium dihydrobis(3-nitropyrazol-1-yl)borate and potassium dihydrobis(3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ESI-MS and multinuclear ((1)H, (19)F and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy. Solid state structures of the potassium salts K[H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)] and K[H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)] have been reported. They form polymeric networks due to intermolecular contacts of various types between the potassium ion and atoms of the neighboring molecules. The silver adducts [H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2) and [H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)]Ag[P(p-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3)] have pseudo tetrahedral and trigonal planar silver sites, respectively. The bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligand acts as a kappa(2)-N(2) donor. The nitro-substituents are coplanar with the pyrazolyl rings in all these adducts indicating efficient electron delocalization between the two units. The [H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)] complex has been obtained from re-crystallization of {[H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2)} in a dichloromethane-diethyl ether solution; it is a three-coordinate, trigonal planar silver complex.     

Metal Cyanide Ions Mx(CN)y]+,- in the gas phase: M = Fe,Co, Ni,Zn, Cd,Hg, Fe + Ag,Co + Ag

The generation of metal cyanide ions in the gas phase by laser ablation of M(CN)(2) (M = Co, Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg), Fe(III)[Fe(III)(CN)(6)] x xH(2)O, Ag(3)[M(CN)(6)] (M = Fe, Co), and Ag(2)[Fe(CN)(5)(NO)] has been investigated using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. Irradiation of Zn(CN)(2) and Cd(CN)(2) produced extensive series of anions, [Zn(n)(CN)(2n+1)](-) (1 < or = n < or = 27) and [Cd(n)(CN)(2n+1)](-) (n = 1, 2, 8-27, and possibly 29, 30). Cations Hg(CN)(+) and [Hg(2)(CN)(x)](+) (x = 1-3), and anions [Hg(CN)(x)](-) (x = 2, 3), are produced from Hg(CN)(2). Irradiation of Fe(III)[Fe(III)(CN)(6)] x xH(2)O gives the anions [Fe(CN)(2)](-), [Fe(CN)(3)](-), [Fe(2)(CN)(3)](-), [Fe(2)(CN)(4)](-), and [Fe(2)(CN)(5)](-). When Ag(3)[Fe(CN)(6)] is ablated, [AgFe(CN)(4)](-) and [Ag(2)Fe(CN)(5)](-) are observed together with homoleptic anions of Fe and Ag. The additional heterometallic complexes [AgFe(2)(CN)(6)](-), [AgFe(3)(CN)(8)](-), [Ag(2)Fe(2)(CN)(7)](-), and [Ag(3)Fe(CN)(6)](-) are observed on ablation of Ag(2)[Fe(CN)(5)(NO)]. Homoleptic anions [Co(n)(CN)(n+1)](-) (n = 1-3), [Co(n)(CN)(n+2)](-) (n = 1-3), [Co(2)(CN)(4)](-), and [Co(3)(CN)(5)](-) are formed when anhydrous Co(CN)(2) is the target. Ablation of Ag(3)[Co(CN)(6)] yields cations [Ag(n)(CN)(n-1)](+) (n = 1-4) and [Ag(n)Co(CN)(n)](+) (n = 1, 2) and anions [Ag(n)(CN)(n+1)](-) (n = 1-3), [Co(n)(CN)(n-1)](-) (n = 1, 2), [Ag(n)Co(CN)(n+2)](-) (n = 1, 2), and [Ag(n)Co(CN)(n+3)](-) (n = 0-2). The Ni(I) species [Ni(n)(CN)(n-1)](+) (n = 1-4) and [Ni(n)(CN)(n+1)](-) (n = 1-3) are produced when anhydrous Ni(CN)(2) is irradiated. In all cases, CN(-) and polyatomic carbon nitride ions C(x)N(y)(-) are formed concurrently. On the basis of density functional calculations, probable structures are proposed for most of the newly observed species. General structural features are low coordination numbers, regular trigonal coordination stereochemistry for d(10) metals but distorted trigonal stereochemistry for transition metals, the occurrence of M-CN-M and M(-CN-)(2)M bridges, addition of AgCN to terminal CN ligands, and the occurrence of high spin ground states for linear [M(n)(CN)(n+1)](-) complexes of Co and Ni.     

Bis(alpha-diimine)nickel complexes: molecular and electronic structure of three members of the electron-transfer series [Ni(L)(2)](z)() (z = 0, 1+, 2+) (L = 2-Phenyl-1,4-bis(isopropyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene). A combined experimental and theoretical study

From the reaction of Ni(COD)(2) (COD = cyclooctadiene) in dry diethylether with 2 equiv of 2-phenyl-1,4-bis(isopropyl)-1,4-diazabutadiene (L(Ox))(0) under an Ar atmosphere, dark red, diamagnetic microcrystals of [Ni(II)(L*)(2)] (1) were obtained where (L*)(1-) represents the pi radical anion of neutral (L(Ox))(0) and (L(Red))(2-) is the closed shell, doubly reduced form of (L(Ox))(0). Oxidation of 1 with 1 equiv of ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate in CH(2)Cl(2) yields a paramagnetic (S = 1/2), dark violet precipitate of [Ni(I)(L(Ox))(2)](PF(6)) (2) which represents an oxidatively induced reduction of the central nickel ion. From the same reaction but with 2 equiv of [Fc](PF(6)) in CH(2)Cl(2), light green crystals of [Ni(II)(L(Ox))(2)(FPF(5))](PF(6)) (3) (S = 1) were obtained. If the same reaction was carried out in tetrahydrofuran, crystals of [Ni(II)(L(Ox))(2)(THF)(FPF(5))](PF(6)) x THF (4) (S = 1) were obtained. Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 were structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography: 1 and 2 contain a tetrahedral neutral complex and a tetrahedral monocation, respectively, whereas 3 contains the five-coordinate cation [Ni(II)(L(Ox))(2)(FPF(5))](+) with a weakly coordinated PF(6)(-) anion and in 4 the six-coordinate monocation [Ni(II)(L(Ox))(2)(THF)(FPF(5))](+) is present. The electro- and magnetochemistry of 1-4 has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and SQUID measurements. UV-vis and EPR spectroscopic data for all compounds are reported. The experimental results have been confirmed by broken symmetry DFT calculations of [Ni(II)(L*)(2)](0), [Ni(I)(L(Ox))(2)](+), and [Ni(II)(L(Ox))(2)](2+) in comparison with calculations of the corresponding Zn complexes: [Zn(II)((t)L(Ox))(2)](2+), [Zn(II)((t)L(Ox))((t)L*)](+), [Zn(II)((t)L*)(2)](0), and [Zn(II)((t)L*)((t)L(Red))](-) where ((t)L(Ox))(0) represents the neutral ligand 1,4-di-tert-butyl-1,4-diaza-1,3-butadiene and ((t)L*)(1-) and ((t)L(Red))(2-) are the corresponding one- and two-electron reduced forms. It is clearly established that the electronic structures of both paramagnetic monocations [Ni(I)(L(Ox))(2)](+) (S = 1/2) and [Zn(II)((t)L(Ox))((t)(L*)](+) (S = 1/2) are different.