Synthesis and structures of gallium amido imido phenyl clusters (PhGa)(4)(NH(i)Bu)(4)(N(i)Bu)(2) and (PhGa)(7)(NHMe)(4)(NMe)(5)

The phenylgallium-containing clusters constructed with bridging imido and amido ligands, (PhGa)(4)(NH(i)Bu)(4)(N(i)Bu)(2) (1) (51% yield) and (PhGa)(7)(NHMe)(4)(NMe)(5) (2) (31% yield), were synthesized from the room-temperature reactions of bis(dimethylamido)phenylgallium, [PhGa(NMe(2))(2)](2), with isobutylamine and methylamine, respectively. The reaction of [PhGa(NMe(2))(2)](2) in refluxing isobutylamine (85 degrees C) afforded (Ph(2)GaNH(i)Bu)(2) as one of the products, while the reaction of [PhGa(NMe(2))(2)](2) with methylamine at 150 degrees C afforded compound 2 in only 9% yield. Compound 1 possessed an admantane-like Ga(4)N(6) core, whereas compound 2 had a novel Ga(7)N(9) core constructed with both chair- and boat-shaped Ga(3)N(3) rings. The presence of several isomers of compounds 1 and 2 in solution is discussed along the structural similarities with other known gallium-nitrogen clusters and with gallium nitride.     

Diborane(4) compounds with bidentate diamino groups

The reaction between B(2)(NMe(2))(4) and 1,2-(NH(2))(2)-4-Bu(t)C(6)H(3) affords the diborane(4) compound 1,2-B(2){1,2-(NH)(2)-4-Bu(t)C(6)H(3)}(2) as the exclusive product whilst the reaction between rac-1,2-(NH(2))(2)C(6)H(10) and B(2)(NMe(2))(4) also affords only the 1,2-isomer, i.e. 1,2-B(2){1,2-(NH)(2)C(6)H(10)}(2), which is shown to be the more stable isomer by computational methods. The previously reported compounds 1,1-B(2){1,2-(NH)(2)C(6)H(4)}(2) and 1,2-B(2){1,2-(NH)(2)C(6)H(4)}(2) both react with four equivalents of Bu(n)Li to give what are presumed to be tetra-anions which react further with MeI, SnClMe(3) or SnClPh(3) to give the tetrasubstituted products 1,1-B(2){1,2-(NMe)(2)C(6)H(4)}(2), 1,1-B(2){1,2-(NSnMe(3))(2)C(6)H(4)}(2) and 1,2-B(2){1,2-(NSnPh(3))(2)C(6)H(4)}(2) respectively. The compound 1,1-B(2){1,8-(NH)(2)C(10)H(6)}(2) has also been prepared from the reaction between B(2)(NMe(2))(4) and 1,8-diaminonaphthalene. Lithiation and subsequent reaction with SnClMe(3), SnCl(2)Me(2) or SnCl(2)Ph(2) affords 1,1-B(2){1,8-(NSnMe(3))(2)C(10)H(6)}(2), 1,1-B(2){1,8-(N(2)-μ-SnMe(2))C(10)H(6)}(2) and 1,1-B(2){1,8-(N(2)-μ-SnPh(2))C(10)H(6)}(2) respectively. All new compounds have been characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Group-4 eta(1)-pyrrolyl complexes incorporating N,N-di(pyrrolyl-alpha-methyl)-N-methylamine

Syntheses and properties of group-4 complexes incorporating the tridentate, dianionic ligand N,N-(dipyrrolyl-alpha-methyl)-N-methylamine, dpma, have been investigated. Addition of 1 equiv of H(2)dpma to Ti(NMe(2))(4) and Zr(NMe(2))(4) results in transamination with 2 dimethylamides providing Ti(NMe(2))(2)(dpma) and Zr(NMe(2))(2)(NHMe(2))(dpma), respectively. Addition of 2 equiv of H(2)dpma to Zr(NMe(2))(4) and Hf(NMe(2))(4) results in production of the homoleptic complexes Zr(dpma)(2) and Hf(dpma)(2). Conversely, treatment of Ti(NMe(2))(4) with 2 equiv of H(2)dpma does not provide Ti(dpma)(2), which was available by addition of 2 Li(2)dpma to TiCl(4). The properties of the isostructural series M(dpma)(2) were investigated by single crystal X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, (14)N NMR, and other techniques. By (14)N NMR, it was found that the pyrrolyl resonance chemical shift changes approximately linearly with the electronegativity of the metal center, which was attributed to pi-interaction between the pyrrolyl nitrogen lone pair and the metal. Other complexes produced during this study include Ti(CH(2)SiMe(3))(NMe(2))(dpma), TiCl(2)(THF)(dpma), and Ti(OCH(2)CF(3))(2)(THF)(dpma). Two isomers for Ti(CH(2)SiMe(3))(NMe(2))(dpma) were isolated and characterized.     

Peculiar transformation of a nonaromatic Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) into an aromatic Na(2)Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4)

We analyzed the molecular orbitals for a Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) compound, which is a model of the (AlBr x NEt(3))(4) crystal structure recently reported by Schn?ckel and co-workers. We found that even though Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) contains a planar square Al(4) cluster it is not an aromatic compound. However, the addition of two sodium atoms to Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) yields a new Na(2)Al(4)Cl(4)(NH(3))(4) compound which is a pi-aromatic molecule. We hope that prediction of this new compound will facilitate a synthesis of aluminum aromatic solids.     

DFT investigation of the tri(amino)amine N(NH(2))(3)(2+) and the tri(azido)amine N(N(3))(3)(2+) dications and related mixed amino(azido)ammonium ions (N(3))(x)N(NH(2))(4-x)(+) (x = 0-4)(1)

Structures of the tri(amino)amine N(NH(2))(3)(2+) and the tri(azido)amine N(N(3))(3)(2+) dications were calculated at the density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP/6-311+G level. The tri(amino)amine dication (NH(2))(3)N(2+) (1) was found to be highly resonance stabilized with a high kinetic barrier for deprotonation. The structures of diamino(azido)amine dication (NH(2))(2)N(N(3))(2+) (2), amino(diazido)amine dication (NH(2))N(N(3))(2)(2+) (3), and tri(azido)amine dication (N(3))(3)N(2+) (4) were also found to be highly resonance stabilized. The structures and energetics of the related mixed amino(azido)ammonium ions (N(3))(x)N(NH(2))(4-x)(+) (x = 0-4) were also calculated.     

Synthetic Strategies To Obtain V-P-O Open Frameworks Containing Organic Species as Structural Directing Agents. Crystal Structure of the V(IV)-Fe(III) Bimetallic Phosphate [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)][Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O

A general synthetic approach to rationalize the solution preparative chemistry of oxovanadium phosphates containing organic species as structural directing agents is presented. Careful attention is payed to the hydrolysis and condensation processes involving the ionic species in solution, and a simple restatement of the partial charge model (PCM) has been used in order to organize the experimental results. The structure of a new V(IV)-Fe(III) bimetallic oxovanadium phosphate, [H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(3)](2)[H(3)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2)] [Fe(III)(H(2)O)(2)(V(IV)O)(8)(OH)(4)(HPO(4))(4)(PO(4))(4)].4H(2)O, has been determined by X-ray single crystal diffraction methods. This compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n and the cell dimensions are as follows: a = 14.383(3) ?, b = 10.150(2) ?, c = 18.355(4) ?, and beta = 90.39(3) degrees (Z = 2). The existence of a complex intercrossing channel system, including a very large channel of 18.4 ? of diameter (in which both water molecules and ethylenediamine species are located), is the more interesting feature of this structure. Thermal decomposition, including the dehydration/rehydration process, has been studied by thermal analysis and variable temperature X-ray powder diffraction techniques. A complementary SEM study of the different intermediate decomposition products is presented.     

Tris(pyrazolyl)borate amidoborane complexes of the group 4 metals

Treatment of the tris(pyrazolyl)borate metal triamides Tp'M(NMe(2))(3), where Tp' = (C(3)H(3)N(2))(3)BH (Tp) or (3,5-Me(2)C(3)HN(2))(3)BH (Tp*) and M = Ti, Zr and Hf, with the Br?nsted acidic Lewis adduct (C(6)F(5))(3)B·NH(3) in toluene solution leads to the formation of Tp'M(NMe(2))(2){NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(3)} complexes. The exception to this was the attempted preparation of Tp*Ti(NMe(2))(2){NH(2)B(C(6)F(5))(3)} which was unsuccessful. Where Tp' = Tp and M = Ti and Zr and where Tp' = Tp* and M = Zr the complexes have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods, revealing the first examples of octahedral amidoborane complexes of the group 4 metals. Attempts to drive the reactions to completion resulted in competing preferential hydrolysis of the amidoborane group, regenerating (C(6)F(5))(3)B·NH(3).     

pi-Bonding versus oligomerisation in the aromatic anions [C(6)H(4)N(2)E](-): formation of the cyclic tetrameric tetraanion [C(6)H(4)N(2)Sb](4)(4-)

The reaction of 1,2-(NH(2))(2)C(6)H(4) with Sb(NMe(2))(3)/(n)BuLi gives the formally-aromatic heterocyclic anion [C(6)H(4)N(2)Sb](-) which oligomerises into a cyclic tetrameric arrangement in the complex [C(6)H(4)N(2)SbLi.PMDETA](4) () (PMDETA = {Me(2)NCH(2)CH(2)}(2)NMe) using a donor-acceptor bonding mode that is unique in related main group heterocyclic anions.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, reactivity, and thermal stability of [eta(5):sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2)

Reaction of [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]TiCl(NMe2) (1) with 1 equiv of PhCH2K, MeMgBr, or Me3SiCH2Li gave corresponding organotitanium alkyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(R)(NMe2) (R = CH2Ph (2), CH2SiMe3 (4), or Me (5)) in good yields. Treatment of 1 with 1 equiv of n-BuLi afforded the decomposition product {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (3). Complex 5 slowly decomposed to generate a mixed-valence dinuclear species {[eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti}2(mu-NMe2)(mu:sigma-CH2NMe) (6). Complex 1 reacted with 1 equiv of PhNCO or 2,6-Me2C6H3NC to afford the corresponding monoinsertion product [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-OC(NMe2)NPh] (7) or [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(Cl)[eta(2)-C(NMe2)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)] (8). Reaction of 4 or 5 with 1 equiv of R'NC gave the titanium eta(2)-iminoacyl complexes [eta:(5)sigma-Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]Ti(NMe2)[eta(2)-C(R)=N(R')] (R = CH2SiMe3, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (9) or tBu (10); R = Me, R' = 2,6-Me2C6H3 (11) or tBu (12)). The results indicated that the unsaturated molecules inserted into the Ti-N bond only in the absence of the Ti-C(alkyl) bond and that the Ti-C(cage) bond remained intact. All complexes were fully characterized by various spectroscopic techniques and elemental analyses. Molecular structures of 2, 3, 6-8, and 10-12 were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray analyses.     

Synthesis and group 4 complexes of tris(pyrrolyl-alpha-methyl)amine

The tetradentate, trianionic ligand tris(pyrrolyl-alpha-methyl)amine (H(3)tpa) is available in 84% yield in a single step by a triple Mannich reaction involving 3 equiv of pyrrole, 3 equiv of formaldehyde, and ammonium chloride. The new ligand is readily placed on titanium by transamination on Ti(NMe(2))(4), which generates Ti(NMe(2))(tpa) (1) in 73% yield. Treating 1 with 1 equiv of 1,3-dimethyl-2-iminoimidazolidine (H-imd) in toluene provided a rare example of a titanium 2-iminoimidazolidinide, which displays some interesting structural features. Of note is the Ti-N(imd) distance of 1.768(2) A, a typical Ti-N double to triple bond distance. Reaction of Zr(NMe(2))(4) with H(3)tpa gave a complex of variable composition, probably varying in the amount of labile dimethylamine retained. However, stable discreet compounds were available by addition of THF, pyridine, or 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine (Bu(t)bpy) to in situ generated Zr(NMe(2))(NHMe(2))(x)(tpa). Three chloro zirconium complexes were generated using three different strategies. Treating Zr(tpa)(NMe(2))(Bu(t)bpy) (5) with ClSiMe(3) afforded Zr(tpa)(Cl)(Bu(t)bpy) (6) in 92% yield. Reaction of Li(3)tpa with ZrCl(4)(THF)(2) in THF gave a 72% yield of ZrCl(tpa)(THF)(2) (7). In addition, treatment of ZrCl(NMe(2))(3) with H(3)tpa cleanly generated ZrCl(NHMe(2))(2)(tpa) (8) in 95% yield. An organometallic zirconium complex was generated on treatment of 6 with LiCtbd1;CPh; alkynyl Zr(Ctbd1;CPh)(tpa)(Bu(t)bpy) (9) was isolated in 62% yield. 1, Ti(imd)(tpa) (2), 6, and 9 were characterized by X-ray diffraction.     

Facile oxidative addition of water at iridium: reactivity of trans-[Ir(4-C5NF4)(H)(OH)(PiPr3)2] towards CO2 and NH3

A reaction of trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(η(2)-C(2)H(4))(PiPr(3))(2)] (1) with an excess of water in THF at room temperature affords the hydrido hydroxo complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(PiPr(3))(2)] (2). Treatment of 2 with CO furnishes trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (3). Reductive elimination of water from 3 leads to the formation of the iridium(I) carbonyl complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(CO)(PiPr(3))(2)] (4). The insertion of CO(2) into the Ir-O bond of 2 forms the hydrido hydrogencarbonato complex trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(κ(2)-(O,O)-O(2)COH)(PiPr(3))(2)] (5). Treatment of 2 with NH(3) in C(6)D(6) yields trans-[Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(OH)(NH(3))(PiPr(3))(2)] (6). Storage of the reaction mixture at room temperature reveals the formation of the N-H activation product [Ir(4-C(5)NF(4))(H)(μ-NH(2))(NH(3))(PiPr(3))](2) (7).     

Site-differentiated hexanuclear rhenium(III) cyanide clusters [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(n)()(CN)(6)(-)(n)()](n)()(-)(4) (n = 4, 5) and kinetics of solvate ligand exchange on the cubic [Re(6)Se(8)](2+) Core

The site-differentiated, cyanide-substituted hexanuclear rhenium(III) selenide clusters cis- and trans-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)] and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(CN)](+) have been prepared from heterogeneous reactions of the corresponding iodo clusters with AgCN in refluxing chloroform. Isolated yields are 68%, 46%, and 64% for cis-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)], trans-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)], and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(CN)](+), respectively. The new compounds are air- and water-stable and are characterized by X-ray diffraction crystallography, (31)P NMR and IR spectroscopies, and FAB mass spectrometry. In related work, the solvent exchange rates of two site-differentiated monosolvate clusters, [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(MeCN)](SbF(6))(2) and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(Me(2)SO)](SbF(6))(2), in neat solvents were measured by (1)H NMR. These clusters are substitutionally inert; k approximately 10(-)(5)-10(-)(6) s(-)(1) at 318 K. Activation parameters indicate a dissociative ligand exchange mechanism; DeltaH() values obtained from least-squares fitting of temperature-dependent kinetics data exceed RT by a factor of ca. 50 over the temperature range studied. These results demonstrate that the substitutional lability encountered in a previous study of cluster photophysics (Gray, T. G.; Rudzinski, C. M.; Nocera, D. G.; Holm, R. H. Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38, 5932) cannot result from ground-state thermal reactions.     

Conversion of a Re(IV) tetrahedral cluster to a Re(III) octahedral cluster: synthesis of [(CH3)C(NH2)(2)](4)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)] by a solvothermal route

The compound [(CH(3))C(NH(2))(2)](4)[Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)] has been synthesized by the reaction at 200 degrees C for 3 days of Re(4)Te(4)(TeCl(2))(4)Cl(8), KSeCN, and NH(4)Cl in superheated acetonitrile. This compound crystallizes in the space group C2/c of the monoclinic system with four formula units in a cell of dimensions a = 20.3113(14) A, b = 10.1332(7) A, c = 19.9981(14) A, beta = 106.754(1) degrees, V = 3941.3(5) A(3) (T = 153 K). The [Re(6)Se(8)(CN)(6)](4-) anion comprises an Re(6) octahedron face capped by mu(3)-Se atoms, with each Re atom liganded by a CN group. The anions and cations are connected by an extensive network of hydrogen bonds. The conversion of a Re(IV) tetrahedral cluster to a Re(III) octahedral cluster appears to be unprecedented.     

Structure and Properties of [Fe(4)S(4){2,6-bis(acylamino)benzenethiolato-S}(4)](2)(-) and [Fe(2)S(2){2,6-bis(acylamino)benzenethiolato-S}(4)](2)(-): Protection of the Fe-S Bond by Double NH.S Hydrogen Bonds

Iron-sulfur clusters containing a singly or doubly NH.S hydrogen-bonded arenethiolate ligand, [Fe(4)S(4)(S-2-RCONHC(6)H(4))(4)](2)(-) (R = CH(3), t-Bu, CF(3)), [Fe(4)S(4){S-2,6-(RCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)](2)(-), [Fe(2)S(2)(S-2-RCONHC(6)H(4))(4)](2)(-) (R = CH(3), t-Bu, CF(3)), and [Fe(2)S(2){S-2,6-(RCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)](2)(-), were synthesized as models of bacterial [4Fe-4S] and plant-type [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins. The X-ray structures and IR spectra of (PPh(4))(2)[Fe(4)S(4){S-2,6-(CH(3)CONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)].2CH(3)CN and (NEt(4))(2)[Fe(2)S(2){S-2,6-(t-BuCONH)(2)C(6)H(3)}(4)] indicate that the two amide NH groups at the o,o'-positions are directed to the thiolate sulfur atom and form double NH.S hydrogen bonds. The NH.S hydrogen bond contributes to the positive shift of the redox potential of not only (Fe(4)S(4))(+)/(Fe(4)S(4))(2+) but also (Fe(4)S(4))(2+)/(Fe(4)S(4))(3+) in the [4Fe-4S] clusters as well as (Fe(2)S(2))(2+)/(Fe(2)S(2))(3+) in the [2Fe-2S] clusters. The doubly NH.S hydrogen-bonded thiolate ligand effectively prevents the ligand exchange reaction by benzenethiol because the two amide NH groups stabilize the thiolate by protection from dissociation.     

Reactions of tetrakis(dimethylamide)-titanium, -zirconium and -hafnium with silanes: synthesis of unusual amide hydride complexes and mechanistic studies of titanium-silicon-nitride (Ti-Si-N) formation

M(NMe(2))(4) (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) were found to react with H(2)SiR'Ph (R' = H, Me, Ph) to yield H(2), aminosilanes, and black solids. Unusual amide hydride complexes [(Me(2)N)(3)M(mu-H)(mu-NMe(2))(2)](2)M (M = Zr, 1; Hf, 2) were observed to be intermediates and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [(Me(2)N)(3)M(mu-D)(mu-NMe(2))(2)](2)M (1-d(2), 2-d(2)) were prepared through reactions of M(NMe(2))(4) with D(2)SiPh(2). Reactions of (Me(2)N)(3)ZrSi(SiMe(3))(3) (5) with H(2)SiR'Ph were found to give aminosilanes and (Me(2)N)(2)Zr(H)Si(SiMe(3))(3) (6). These reactions are reversible through unusual equilibria such as (Me(2)N)(3)ZrSi(SiMe(3))(3) (5) + H(2)SiPh(2) right arrow over left arrow (Me(2)N)(2)Zr(H)Si(SiMe(3))(3) (6) + HSi(NMe(2))Ph(2). The deuteride ligand in (Me(2)N)(2)Zr(D)Si(SiMe(3))(3) (6-d(1)) undergoes H-D exchange with H(2)SiR'Ph (R' = Me, H) to give 6 and HDSiR'Ph. The reaction of Ti(NMe(2))(4) with SiH(4) in chemical vapor deposition at 450 degrees C yielded thin Ti-Si-N ternary films containing TiN and Si(3)N(4). Ti(NMe(2))(4) reacts with SiH(4) at 23 degrees C to give H(2), HSi(NMe(2))(3), and a black solid. HNMe(2) was not detected in this reaction. The reaction mixture, upon heating, gave TiN and Si(3)N(4) powders. Analyses and reactivities of the black solid revealed that it contained -H and unreacted -NMe(2) ligands but no silicon-containing ligand. Ab initio quantum chemical calculations of the reactions of Ti(NR(2))(4) (R = Me, H) with SiH(4) indicated that the formation of aminosilanes and HTi(NR(2))(3) was favored. These calculations also showed that HTi(NH(2))(3) (3b) reacted with SiH(4) or H(3)Si-NH(2) in the following step to give H(2)Ti(NH(2))(2) (4b) and aminosilanes. The results in the current studies indicated that the role of SiH(4) in its reaction with Ti(NMe(2))(4) was mainly to remove amide ligands as HSi(NMe(2))(3). The removal of amide ligands is incomplete, and the reaction thus yielded "=Ti(H)(NMe(2))" as the black solid. Subsequent heating of the black solid and HSi(NMe(2))(3) may then yield TiN and Si(3)N(4), respectively, as the Ti-Si-N materials.     

Synthesis and structures of one- and two-electron oxidized forms of bis(acetylene)tetrairon clusters Cp'(4)Fe(4)(HCCH)(2) (Cp' = Cp,eta5-C(5)H(4)Me)

Air-oxidation of Cp'(4)Fe(4)(HCCH)(2) (Cp' = Cp (1a), C(5)H(4)Me (1b)) in an NH(4)PF(6)/CH(3)CN solution afforded the one-electron oxidized clusters [Cp'(4)Fe(4)(HCCH)(2)](PF(6)). Oxidation of 1a with excess AgBF(4) in THF afforded [1a](BF(4)), while that of 1b with excess AgBF(4) gave [1b](BF(4))(2). The X-ray crystal structure analysis of [1a](BF(4)) revealed that the monocationic cluster retains the butterfly-type Fe(4)(mu4-eta(2):eta(2):eta(1):eta(1)-HCCH)(2) framework similar to that of the neutral cluster. The average Fe-Fe bond length is shorter by 0.029 A than that in the neutral cluster. Electrochemical oxidation of 1a and 1b in 0.1 M NH(4)PF(6)/CH(3)CN solution at +0.30 and +0.25 V versus Ag/10 mM AgNO(3), respectively, afforded the two-electron oxidized clusters [1a](PF(6))(2) and [1b](PF(6))(2). The X-ray crystal structure analysis for [1b](BF(4))(2) shows that the butterfly-type cluster core is retained but shrinks more of those of neutral and monocationic clusters. The four Fe-Fe bonds in [1b](BF(4))(2) are unequivalent: one Fe-Fe bond (2.397(1) A) is apparently shorter than the others (2.439(2)-2.461(2) A).     

First characterization of the ammine-ammonium complex [(NH4(NH3)4)2(mu-NH3)2]2+ in the crystal structure of [NH4(NH3)4][B(C6H5)4].NH3 and the [NH4(NH3)4]+ complex in [NH4(NH3)4][Ca(NH3)7]As3S6.2NH3 and [NH4(NH3)4][Ba(NH3)8]As3S6.NH3

The compound [NH4(NH3)4][B(C6H5)4].NH3 (1) was prepared by the reaction of NaB(C(6)H(5))(4) with a proton-charged ion-exchange resin in liquid ammonia. [NH(4)(NH(3))(4)][Ca(NH(3))(7)]As(3)S(6).2NH(3) (2) and [NH4(NH3)4][Ba(NH3)8]As3S6.NH3 (3) were synthesized by reduction of As(4)S(4) with Ca and Ba in liquid ammonia. All ammoniates were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. They were found to contain the ammine-ammonium complex with the maximal possible number of coordinating ammonia molecules, the [NH4(NH3)4]+ ion. 1 contains a special dimer, the [(NH4(NH3)4)2(mu-NH3)2]2+ ion, which is formed by two[NH4(NH3)4]+ ions linked by two ammonia molecules. The H(3)N-H...N hydrogen bonds in all three compounds range from 1.82 to 2.20 A (DHA = Donor-H...Acceptor angles: 156-178 degrees). In 2 and 3, additional H(2)N-H...S bonds to the thioanions are observed, ranging between 2.49 and 3.00 A (DHA angles: 120-175 degrees). Two parallel phenyl rings of the [B(C(6)H(5))(4)](-) anion in 1 form a pi...pi hydrogen bond (C...C distance, 3.38 A; DHA angles, 82 degrees), leading to a dimeric [B(C6H5)4]2(2-) ion.     

Syntheses and Properties of New Layered Alkali-Metal/Ammonium Vanadium(V) Methylphosphonates: M(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) (M = NH(4), K, Rb, Tl). Single-Crystal Structures of K(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) and NH(4)(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2)

The hydrothermal syntheses of a family of new alkali-metal/ammonium vanadium(V) methylphosphonates, M(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) (M = K, NH(4), Rb, Tl), are described. The crystal structures of K(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) and NH(4)(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) have been determined from single-crystal X-ray data. Crystal data: K(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2), M(r) = 475.93, trigonal, R32 (No. 155), a = 7.139(3) ?, c = 19.109(5) ?, Z = 3; NH(4)(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2), M(r) = 454.87, trigonal, R32 (No. 155), a = 7.150(3) ?, c = 19.459(5) ?, Z = 3. These isostructural, noncentrosymmetric phases are built up from hexagonal tungsten oxide (HTO) like sheets of vertex-sharing VO(6) octahedra, capped on both sides of the V/O sheets by PCH(3) entities (as [PO(3)CH(3)](2-) methylphosphonate groups). In both phases, the vanadium octahedra display a distinctive two short + two intermediate + two long V-O bond distance distribution within the VO(6) unit. Interlayer potassium or ammonium cations provide charge balance for the anionic (VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) sheets. Powder X-ray, TGA, IR, and Raman data for these phases are reported and discussed. The structures of K(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) and NH(4)(VO(2))(3)(PO(3)CH(3))(2) are compared and contrasted with related layered phases based on the HTO motif.     

Supramolecular copper hydroxide tennis balls: self-assembly, structures, and magnetic properties of octanuclear [Cu(8)L(8)(OH)(4)](4+) clusters (HL = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide)

The self-assembly of supramolecular copper "tennis balls" that possess unusual magnetic properties using a small pyridyl amide ligand is described. Copper(II) complexes of N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide (HL) were synthesized in methanol. In the absence of base, the mononuclear complex [Cu(HL)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1) was prepared. The structure of 1, determined by X-ray crystallography, contains a copper(II) ion surrounded by bidentate HL ligands coordinated via the pyridyl N atom and the carbonyl O atom in a trans, square planar arrangement. Reactions carried out in the presence of triethylamine resulted in cluster complexes [Cu(8)L(8)(OH)(4)](ClO(4))(4) and [Cu(8)L(8)(OH)(4)](CF(3)SO(3))(4) [2(ClO(4))(4) and 2(OTf)(4), respectively]. The cationic portions of 2(ClO(4))(4) and 2(OTf)(4) are isostructural, containing eight copper(II) ions, eight deprotonated ligands (L(-)), and four mu(3)-hydroxide ligands. The top and bottom halves of the cluster are related by a pseudo-S(4) symmetry operation and are held together by bridging L(-) ligands. Solutions of 2(ClO(4))(4) and 2(OTf)(4), which were shown to contain the full [Cu(8)L(8)(OH)(4)](4+) fragment by electrospray mass spectrometry and conductance experiments, are EPR silent. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for 2(ClO(4))(4) as a function of temperature and magnetic field showed the Cu ions all to exhibit magnetic moments in the range expected for the d(9) configuration. At low temperatures, the magnetization was reduced due to predominantly antiferromagnetic interactions between ions. Analysis showed that partially frustrated interactions among the four Cu ions making up each half of the cluster gave good agreement with the data once a large molecular anisotropy was taken into account, with J(c) = 106 cm(-1), D = 27 cm(-1), and g = 2.17.     

Formation of double cubanes [Sn(7)(NR)(8)] in the reactions of pyridyl and pyrimidinyl amines with Sn(NMe(2))(2): a synthetic and theoretical study

In contrast to the reactions of Sn(NMe(2))(2) with unfunctionalized primary amines (RNH(2)), which yield the simple imido Sn(II) cubanes [SnNR](4), the reactions of 2-pyridyl or 2-pyrimidinyl amines give the mixed-oxidation-state Sn(II)/Sn(IV) double cubanes [Sn(7)(NR)(8)]. In addition to [Sn(7)[2-N(5-Mepy)](8)] x 2thf (1 x 2thf) (py = pyridine) and [Sn(7)[2-N(pm)](8)] x 0.33thf (2 x 0.33thf) (pm = pyrimidine), which were communicated previously, the syntheses and structures of the new complexes [Sn(7)[2-N(4-Mepm)](8)] x 2thf (3 x 2thf), [Sn(7)[2-N(4,6-Me(2)pm)](8)] x 4thf (4 x 4thf), [Sn(7)[2-N(4-Me-6-MeO-pm)](8)] (5), and [Sn(7)[2-N(4-MeO-6-MeO-pm)](8)] (6) are reported. Model DFT calculations on the reactions of Sn(NMe(2))(2) with 2-pmNH(2) or PhNH(2), producing the cubanes [Sn[2-N(pm)]](4) and [SnNPh](4) (respectively), and the corresponding double cubanes [Sn(7)[2-N(pm)](8)] and [Sn(7)(NPh)(8)], show that the presence of intramolecular Sn...N bonding which spans the cubane halves of the complexes is crucial to the formation of the double-cubane structure.