Tuning of crystallization method and ligand conformation to give a mononuclear compound or two‐dimensional SCO coordination polymer based on a new semi‐rigid V‐shaped bis‐pyridyl bis‐amide ligand

With the new semi‐rigid V‐shaped bidentate pyridyl amide compound 5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide (L) as an auxiliary ligand and the Fe^II ion as the metal centre, one mononuclear complex, bis(methanol‐κO)bis[5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide‐κN]bis(thiocyanato‐κN)iron(II), [Fe(SCN)₂(C₁₉H₁₆N₄O₂)₂(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ), and one two‐dimensional coordination polymer, catena‐poly[[[bis(thiocyanato‐κN)iron(II)]‐bis[μ‐5‐methyl‐N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxamide‐κ²N:N′]] methanol disolvate dihydrate], {[Fe(SCN)₂(C₁₉H₁₆N₄O₂)₂]·2CH₃OH·2H₂O}_n ( 2 ), were prepared by slow evaporation and H‐tube diffusion methods, respectively, indicating the effect of the method of crystallization on the structure type of the target product. Both complexes have been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. The single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that L functions as a monodentate ligand in mononuclear 1 , while it coordinates in a bidentate manner to two independent Fe(SCN)₂ units in complex 2 , with a different conformation from that in 1 and the ligands point in two almost orthogonal directions, therefore leading to a two‐dimensional grid‐like network. Investigation of the magnetic properties reveals the always high‐spin state of the Fe^II centre over the whole temperature range in 1 and a gradual thermally‐induced incomplete spin crossover (SCO) behaviour below 150 K in 2 , demonstrating the influence of the different coordination fields on the spin properties of the metal ions. The current results provide useful information for the rational design of functional complexes with different structure dimensionalities by employing different conformations of the ligand and different crystallization methods.     

Dinuclear cobalt(II) complexes with double phosphate ester bridges and tetradentate ligands having anisole or quinoline appendages

Phosphate esters provide a rigid and stable polymeric backbone in nucleic acids. Metal complexes with phosphate ester groups have been synthesized as structural and spectroscopic models of phosphate‐containing enzymes. Dinucleating ligands are used extensively to synthesize model complexes since they provide the support required to stabilize such complexes. The crystal structures of two dinuclear Co^II complexes, namely bis(μ‐diphenyl phosphato‐κ²O :O ′)bis({2‐methoxy‐N ,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]aniline‐κ⁴N ,N ′,N ′′,O }cobalt(II)) bis(perchlorate), [Co(C₁₂H₁₀O₄P)₂(C₁₉H₁₉N₃O)₂](ClO₄)₂, and bis(μ‐diphenyl phosphato‐κ²O :O ′)bis({N ,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]quinolin‐8‐amine‐κ⁴N ,N ′,N ′′,O }cobalt(II)) bis(perchlorate), [Co(C₁₂H₁₀O₄P)₂(C₂₁H₁₈N₄)₂](ClO₄)₂, with tetradentate 2‐methoxy‐N ,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]aniline (L ¹) and N ,N‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]quinolin‐8‐amine (L ²) ligands are reported. The complexes have similar structures, with distorted octahedral geometries around the metal centres. Both are centrosymmetric (Z ′ = 0.5), with the Co^II centres doubly bridged by diphenyl phosphate ester groups. A number of aromatic–aromatic interactions are present and differ between the two complexes as the anisole group in L ¹ is replaced by a quinoline group in L ². A detailed study of these interactions is presented.     

Synthesis and characterization of two novel bimetallic macrocyclic complexes generated from 1,2,4‐triazole‐containing semi‐rigid ligands and M(NO3)2 units (M = Ni and Zn)

Bimetallic macrocyclic complexes have attracted the attention of chemists and various organic ligands have been used as molecular building blocks, but supramolecular complexes based on semi‐rigid organic ligands containing 1,2,4‐triazole have remained rare until recently. It is easier to obtain novel topologies by making use of asymmetric semi‐rigid ligands in the self‐assembly process than by making use of rigid ligands. A new semi‐rigid ligand, 3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine (L), has been synthesized and used to generate two novel bimetallic macrocycle complexes, namely bis{μ‐3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine}bis[(methanol‐κO)(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)nickel(II)] dinitrate, [Ni₂(NO₃)₂(C₁₇H₁₄N₆S)₂(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₂, (I), and bis{μ‐3‐[(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]‐5‐(quinolin‐2‐yl)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐amine}bis[(methanol‐κO)(nitrato‐κ²O,O′)zinc(II)] dinitrate, [Zn₂(NO₃)₂(C₁₇H₁₄N₆S)₂(CH₃OH)₂](NO₃)₂, (II), by solution reactions with the inorganic salts M(NO₃)₂ (M = Ni and Zn, respectively) in mixed solvents. In (I), two Ni^II cations with the same coordination environment are linked by L ligands through Ni—N bonds to form a bimetallic ring. Compound (I) is extended into a two‐dimensional network in the crystallographic ac plane via N—H…O, O—H…N and O—H…O hydrogen bonds, and neighbouring two‐dimensional planes are parallel and form a three‐dimensional structure via π–π stacking. Compound (II) contains two bimetallic rings with the same coordination environment of the Zn^II cations. The Zn^II cations are bridged by L ligands through Zn—N bonds to form the bimetallic rings. One type of bimetallic ring constructs a one‐dimensional nanotube via O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds along the crystallographic a direction, and the other constructs zero‐dimensional molecular cages via O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds. They are interlinked into a two‐dimensional network in the ac plane through extensive N—H…O hydrogen bonds, and a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture is formed via π–π interactions between the centroids of the benzene rings of the quinoline ring systems.     

Two nickel(II) bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine complexes with homophthalic and benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylic acids

Two new Ni^II complexes involving the ancillary ligand bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine (bpma) and two different carboxylate ligands, i.e. homophthalate [hph; systematic name: 2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)acetate] and benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylate (btc), namely catena‐poly[[aqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)]‐μ‐2‐(2‐carboxylatophenyl)aceteto‐κ²O:O′], [Ni(C₉H₆O₄)(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)(H₂O)]_n, and (μ‐benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylato‐κ⁴O¹,O²:O⁴,O⁵)bis(aqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)) bis(triaqua{bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}nickel(II)) benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylate hexahydrate, [Ni₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)₂(H₂O)₂]·[Ni(C₁₂H₁₃N₃)(H₂O)₃]₂(C₁₀H₂O₈)·6H₂O, (II), are presented. Compound (I) is a one‐dimensional polymer with hph acting as a bridging ligand and with the chains linked by weak C—H...O interactions. The structure of compound (II) is much more complex, with two independent Ni^II centres having different environments, one of them as part of centrosymmetric [Ni(bpma)(H₂O)]₂(btc) dinuclear complexes and the other in mononuclear [Ni(bpma)(H₂O)₃]²⁺ cations which (in a 2:1 ratio) provide charge balance for btc⁴⁻ anions. A profuse hydrogen‐bonding scheme, where both coordinated and crystal water molecules play a crucial role, provides the supramolecular linkage of the different groups.     

A Non‐Heme Iron Photocatalyst for Light‐Driven Aerobic Oxidation of Methanol

Non‐heme (L)Fe^III and (L)Fe^III‐O‐Fe^III(L) complexes (L=1,1‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethan‐1‐amine) underwent reduction under irradiation to the Fe^II state with concomitant oxidation of methanol to methanal, without the need for a secondary photosensitizer. Spectroscopic and DFT studies support a mechanism in which irradiation results in charge‐transfer excitation of a Fe^III?μ‐O?Fe^III complex to generate [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ (observed transiently during irradiation in acetonitrile), and an equivalent of (L)Fe^II. Under aerobic conditions, irradiation accelerates reoxidation from the Fe^II to the Fe^III state with O₂, thus closing the cycle of methanol oxidation to methanal.     

A one‐dimensional zinc(II) coordination polymer incorporating [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate and N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands

In the title compound, catena‐poly[[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylato‐[[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]chloridozinc(II)]‐μ‐[N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide]], [Zn₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)Cl₂(C₂₆H₂₂N₄O₂)₃]_n, the Zn^II centre is four‐coordinate and approximately tetrahedral, bonding to one carboxylate O atom from a bidentate bridging dianionic [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand, to two pyridine N atoms from two N,N′‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)‐[1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxamide ligands and to one chloride ligand. The pyridyl ligands exhibit bidentate bridging and monodentate terminal coordination modes. The bidentate bridging pyridyl ligand and the bridging [1,1′‐biphenyl]‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate ligand both lie on special positions, with inversion centres at the mid‐points of their central C—C bonds. These bridging groups link the Zn^II centres into a one‐dimensional tape structure that propagates along the crystallographic b direction. The tapes are interlinked into a two‐dimensional layer in the ab plane through N—H...O hydrogen bonds between the monodentate ligands. In addition, the thermal stability and solid‐state photoluminescence properties of the title compound are reported.     

Three zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes containing 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole and polynitrile ligands: synthesis,molecular and supramolecular structures,and photoluminescence properties

Three photoluminescent complexes containing either Zn^II or Cd^II have been synthesized and their structures determined. Bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(dicyanamido‐κN ¹)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₂N₃)₂], (I), bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(dicyanamido‐κN ¹)cadmium(II), [Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₂N₃)₂], (II), and bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(tricyanomethanido‐κN ¹)cadmium(II), [Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₄N₃)₂], (III), all crystallize in the space group P , with the metal centres lying on centres of inversion, but neither analogues (I) and (II) nor Cd^II complexes (II) and (III) are isomorphous. A combination of N—H…N and C—H…N hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions generates three‐dimensional framework structures in (I) and (II), and a sheet structure in (III). The photoluminescence spectra of (I)–(III) indicate that the energies of the π–π* transitions in the coordinated triazole ligand are modified by minor changes of the ligand geometry associated with coordination to the metal centres.     

Structural studies of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine hetero‐scorpionate copper complexes

The structures of five compounds consisting of (prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine complexed with copper in both the Cu^I and Cu^II oxidation states are presented, namely chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(I) 0.18‐hydrate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·0.18H₂O, (1), catena‐poly[[copper(I)‐μ₂‐(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ⁵N,N′,N′′:C²,C³] perchlorate acetonitrile monosolvate], {[Cu(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄·CH₃CN}_n, (2), dichlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) dichloromethane monosolvate, [CuCl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]·CH₂Cl₂, (3), chlorido{(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II) perchlorate, [CuCl(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)]ClO₄, (4), and di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis({(prop‐2‐en‐1‐yl)bis[(pyridin‐2‐yl)methylidene]amine‐κ³N,N′,N′′}copper(II)) bis(tetraphenylborate), [Cu₂Cl₂(C₁₅H₁₇N₃)₂][(C₆H₅)₄B]₂, (5). Systematic variation of the anion from a coordinating chloride to a noncoordinating perchlorate for two Cu^I complexes results in either a discrete molecular species, as in (1), or a one‐dimensional chain structure, as in (2). In complex (1), there are two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. Complex (2) consists of the Cu^I atom coordinated by the amine and pyridyl N atoms of one ligand and by the vinyl moiety of another unit related by the crystallographic screw axis, yielding a one‐dimensional chain parallel to the crystallographic b axis. Three complexes with Cu^II show that varying the anion composition from two chlorides, to a chloride and a perchlorate to a chloride and a tetraphenylborate results in discrete molecular species, as in (3) and (4), or a bridged bis‐μ‐chlorido complex, as in (5). Complex (3) shows two strongly bound Cl atoms, while complex (4) has one strongly bound Cl atom and a weaker coordination by one perchlorate O atom. The large noncoordinating tetraphenylborate anion in complex (5) results in the core‐bridged Cu₂Cl₂ moiety.     

Hydrogen bonding and π–π interactions in the cocrystal salt [Fe(bpe)2(H2O)4](TCEP)2·2(bpe) [bpe is trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene and TCEP is 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide]

The cocrystal salt tetraaquabis[trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κN]iron(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide)–trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (1/2), [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)₂(H₂O)₄](C₉H₅N₄O)₂·2C₁₂H₁₀N₂, is a rare example of a mononuclear Fe^II compound with trans‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethane (bpe) ligands. The complex cation resides on a crystallographically imposed inversion center and exhibits a tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Both the symmetry‐independent bpe ligand and the cocrystallized bpe molecule are essentially planar. The 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐ethoxypropenide counter‐ion is nonplanar and the bond lengths are consistant with significant electron delocalization. The extended structure exhibits an extensive O—H…N hydrogen‐bonding network with layers of complex cations joined by the cocrystallized bpe. Both the coordinated and the cocrystallized bpe are involved in π–π interactions. Hirshfeld and fingerprint plots reveal the important intermolecular interactions. Density functional theory was used to estimate the strengths of the hydrogen‐bonding and π–π interactions, and suggest that the O—H…N hydrogen bonds enhance the strength of the π‐interactions by increasing the polarization of the pyridine rings.     

Two zinc(II) coordination complexes based on an asymmetric multidentate ligand: syntheses,structures, selective fluorescence sensing of iron(III) ions and thermal analyses

The rational selection of ligands is vitally important in the construction of coordination complexes. Two novel Zn^II complexes, namely bis(acetato‐κO)bis[1‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³]zinc(II) monohydrate, [Zn(C₁₃H₁₅N₅)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂]·H₂O, ( 1 ), and bis(azido‐κN¹)bis[1‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³]zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₃H₁₅N₅)₂(N₃)₂], ( 2 ), constructed from the asymmetric multidentate imidazole ligand, have been synthesized under mild conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Both complexes exhibit a three‐dimensional supramolecular network directed by different intermolecular interactions between discrete mononuclear units. The complexes were also investigated by fluorescence and thermal analyses. The experimental results show that ( 1 ) is a promising fluorescence sensor for detecting Fe³⁺ ions and ( 2 ) is effective as an accelerator of the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.     

Synthesis and characterization of two one‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers (CPs) with 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid and flexible N‐donor bipyridyl ligands

The bromo‐substituted aromatic dicarboxylic acid 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid (H₂ATBIP) was used to assemble with Cd^II ions in the presence of the N‐donor flexible bipyridyl ligands 3,3′‐(diazene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine (mzpy) and 1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea (3bpmu), leading to the formation of two chain coordination polymers by adopting solution methods, namely, catena‐poly[[[triaqua(5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κO)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐3,3′‐(diazene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine‐κ²N¹:N^1′] dihydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₀H₈N₄)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n or {[Cd(ATBIP)(mzpy)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, ( 1 ), and catena‐poly[[[tetraaquacadmium(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea‐κ²N¹:N^1′‐[diaquabis(5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalato‐κO)cadmium(II)]‐μ‐1,3‐bis(pyridin‐3‐ylmethyl)urea‐κ²N¹:N^1′] octahydrate], {[Cd(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₂H₁₂N₄O)(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n or {[Cd(ATBIP)(3bpmu)(H₂O)₃]·4H₂O}_n, ( 2 ). Both complexes were characterized by FT–IR spectroscopic analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), solid‐state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectroscopic analysis, and single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis (PXRD). The mzpy and 3bpmu ligands bridge the Cd^II metal centres in ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) into one‐dimensional chains, and the ATBIP²⁻ ligands show a monodentate coordination to the Cd^II centres in both coordination polymers. A discrete water tetramer exists in ( 1 ). Within the chains of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), there are halogen bonds between adjacent ATBIP²⁻ and mzpy or 3bpmu ligands, as well as hydrogen bonds between the ATBIP²⁻ ligands and the coordinated water molecules. With the aid of weak interactions, the structures of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are further extended into three‐dimensional supramolecular networks. An analysis of the solid‐state diffuse reflectance UV–Vis spectra of ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) indicates that a wide indirect band gap exists in both complexes. Complexes ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) exhibit irreversible and reversible dehydration–rehydration behaviours, respectively, and the solid‐state fluorescence properties of both complexes have been studied.     

A diketiminate‐bound diiron complex with a bridging carbonate ligand

Reduction of carbon dioxide by a diiron(I) complex gives μ‐carbonato‐κ³O:O′,O′′‐bis{[2,2,6,6‐tetramethyl‐3,5‐bis(2,4,6‐triisopropylphenyl)heptane‐2,5‐diiminate(1−)‐κ²N,N′]iron(II)} toluene disolvate, [Fe₂(C₄₁H₆₅N)₂(CO₃)]·2C₇H₈, a diiron(II) species with a bridging carbonate ligand. The asymmetric unit contains one diiron complex and two cocrystallized toluene solvent molecules that are distributed over three sites, one with atoms in general positions and two in crystallographic sites. Both Fe^II atoms are η²‐coordinated to diketiminate ligands, but η¹‐ and η²‐coordinated to the bridging carbonate ligand. Thus, one Fe^II center is three‐coordinate and the other is four‐coordinate. The bridging carbonate ligand is nearly perpendicular to the iron–diketiminate plane of the four‐coordinate Fe^II center and parallel to the plane of the three‐coordinate Fe^II center.     

Highly Selective and Catalytic Oxygenations of C−H and C=C Bonds by a Mononuclear Nonheme High‐Spin Iron(III)‐Alkylperoxo Species

The reactivity of a mononuclear high‐spin iron(III)‐alkylperoxo intermediate [Fe^III(t‐BuL^Urea)(OOCm)(OH₂)]²⁺( 2 ), generated from [Fe^II(t‐BuL^Urea)(H₂O)(OTf)](OTf) ( 1 ) [t‐BuL^Urea=1,1′‐(((pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)azanediyl)bis(ethane‐2,1‐diyl))bis(3‐(tert‐butyl)urea), OTf=trifluoromethanesulfonate] with cumyl hydroperoxide (CmOOH), toward the C?H and C=C bonds of hydrocarbons is reported. 2 oxygenates the strong C?H bonds of aliphatic substrates with high chemo‐ and stereoselectivity in the presence of 2,6‐lutidine. While 2 itself is a sluggish oxidant, 2,6‐lutidine assists the heterolytic O?O bond cleavage of the metal‐bound alkylperoxo, giving rise to a reactive metal‐based oxidant. The roles of the urea groups on the supporting ligand, and of the base, in directing the selective and catalytic oxygenation of hydrocarbon substrates by 2 are discussed.     

Oxidative degradation of the organometallic iron(II) complex [Fe{bis[3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl]methane}(MeCN)(PMe3)](PF6)2: structure of the ligand decomposition product trapped via coordination to iron(II)

Iron is of interest as a catalyst because of its established use in the Haber–Bosch process and because of its high abundance and low toxicity. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are important ligands in homogeneous catalysis and iron–NHC complexes have attracted increasing attention in recent years but still face problems in terms of stability under oxidative conditions. The structure of the iron(II) complex [1,1′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐2,2‐bi(1H‐imidazole)‐κN³][3,3′‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl‐κN)‐1,1′‐methanediylbi(1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl‐κC²)](trimethylphosphane‐κP)iron(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Fe(C₁₇H₁₄N₆)(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)(C₃H₉P)](PF₆)₂, features coordination by an organic decomposition product of a tetradentate NHC ligand in an axial position. The decomposition product, a C—C‐coupled biimidazole, is trapped by coordination to still‐intact iron(II) complexes. Insights into the structural features of the organic decomposition products might help to improve the stability of oxidation catalysts under harsh conditions.     

Synthesis,structure, thermostability and luminescence properties of ZnII and CdII coordination polymers based on dimethysuccinate and flexible 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene ligands

The design and synthesis of functional coordination polymers is motivated not only by their structural beauty but also by their potential applications. Zn^II and Cd^II coordination polymers are promising candidates for producing photoactive materials because these d¹⁰ metal ions not only possess a variety of coordination numbers and geometries, but also exhibit luminescence properties when bound to functional ligands. It is difficult to predict the final structure of such polymers because the assembly process is influenced by many subtle factors. Bis(imidazol‐1‐yl)‐substituted alkane/benzene molecules are good bridging ligands because their flexibility allows them to bend and rotate when they coordinate to metal centres. Two new Zn^II and Cd^II coordination polymers based on mixed ligands, namely, poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis(μ₃‐2,2‐dimethylbutanoato‐κ³O¹:O⁴:O^4′)dizinc(II)], [Zn₂(C₆H₈O₄)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, and poly[[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N³:N^3′]bis(μ₃‐2,2‐dimethylbutanoato‐κ⁵O¹,O^1′:O⁴,O^4′:O⁴)dicadmium(II)], [Cd₂(C₆H₈O₄)₂(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Both complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c with similar unit‐cell parameters and feature two‐dimensional structures formed by the interconnection of S‐shaped Zn(Cd)–2,2‐dimethylsuccinate chains with 1,4‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene bridges. However, the Cd^II and Zn^II centres have different coordination numbers and the 2,2‐dimethylsuccinate ligands display different coordination modes. Both complexes exhibit a blue photoluminescence in the solid state at room temperature.     

Two ZnII mononuclear coordination compounds with pyridinedicarboxylate and auxiliary N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine ligands

Two new mononuclear coordination compounds, bis{4‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium} diaquabis(pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,O²)zincate(II), (C₆H₇N₂O)₂[Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (1), and (pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)bis[N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene‐κN)hydroxylamine]zinc(II), [Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₆H₆N₂O)₂], (2), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The centrosymmetric Zn^II cation in (1) is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate ligands and by two water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. In (2), the Zn^II cation is coordinated by a tridentate pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion and by two N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine molecules in a distorted C₂‐symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.     

In situ synthesis of mononuclear copper(II) complexes of the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine

Two mononuclear copper complexes, {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)(perchlorato‐κO)copper(II) perchlorate, [Cu(ClO₄)(C₅H₈N₂)(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)]ClO₄, (I), and {bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl‐κN²)methyl]amine‐κN}bis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole‐κN²)copper(II) bis(hexafluoridophosphate), [Cu(C₅H₈N₂)₂(C₁₂H₁₉N₅)](PF₆)₂, (II), have been synthesized by the reactions of different copper salts with the tripodal ligand tris[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (TDPA) in acetone–water solutions at room temperature. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealed that they contain the new tridentate ligand bis[(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)methyl]amine (BDPA), which cannot be obtained by normal organic reactions and has thus been captured in the solid state by in situ synthesis. The coordination of the Cu^II ion is distorted square pyramidal in (I) and distorted trigonal bipyramidal in (II). The new in situ generated tridentate BDPA ligand can act as a meridional or facial ligand during the process of coordination. The crystal structures of these two compounds are stabilized by classical hydrogen bonding as well as intricate nonclassical hydrogen‐bond interactions.     

A novel two‐dimensional nickel(II) coordination polymer with 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene and azide ligands

The coordination geometry of the Ni^II atom in the title complex, poly[diazidobis[μ‐1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N⁴:N^4′]nickel(II)], [Ni(N₃)₂(C₁₂H₁₂N₆)₂]_n, is a distorted octahedron, in which the Ni^II atom lies on an inversion centre and is coordinated by four N atoms from the triazole rings of two symmetry‐related pairs of 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (bbtz) ligands and two N atoms from two symmetry‐related monodentate azide ligands. The Ni^II atoms are bridged by four bbtz ligands to form a two‐dimensional (4,4)‐network.     

Magnetism and crystal structure of an N3O3‐coordinated iron(II) complex

The reaction of [FeL(MeOH)₂] {where L is the tetradentate N₂O₂‐coordinating Schiff base‐like ligand (E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoate)(2−) and MeOH is methanol} with 3‐aminopyridine (3‐apy) in methanol results in the formation of the octahedral complex (3‐aminopyridine‐κN¹){(E,E)‐diethyl 2,2′‐[1,2‐phenylenebis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(3‐oxobutanoato)(2−)‐κ⁴O³,N,N′,O^3′}(methanol‐κO)iron(II), [Fe(C₂₀H₂₂N₂O₆)(C₅H₆N₂)(CH₄O)] or [FeL(3‐apy)(MeOH)], in which the Fe^II ion is centered in an N₃O₃ coordination environment with two different axial ligands. This is the first example of an octahedral complex of this multidentate ligand type with two different axial ligands, and the title compound can be considered as a precursor for a new class of complexes with potential spin‐crossover behavior. An infinite two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond network is formed, involving the amine NH group, the methanol OH group and the carbonyl O atoms of the equatorial ligand. T‐dependent susceptibility measurements revealed that the complex remains in the high‐spin state over the entire temperature range investigated.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and luminescence properties of seven mononuclear zinc(II), cadmium(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with 5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole

Due to their versatile coordination modes and metal‐binding conformations, triazolyl ligands can provide a wide range of possibilities for the construction of supramolecular structures. Seven mononuclear transition metal complexes with different structural forms, namely aquabis[3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₄H₁₁N₄)₂(H₂O)], (I), bis[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ³,N ⁴]bis(nitrato‐κO )zinc(II), [Zn(NO₃)₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₄)₂], (II), bis(methanol‐κO )bis[3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₄H₁₁N₄)₂(CH₄O)₂], (III), diiodidobis[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ³,N ⁴]cadmium(II), [CdI₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₄)₂], (IV), bis[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐3‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ³,N ⁴]bis(nitrato‐κO )cadmium(II), [Cd(NO₃)₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₄)₂], (V), aquabis[3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₄H₁₁N₄)₂(H₂O)], (VI), and diaquabis[3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]nickel(II), [Ni(C₁₄H₁₁N₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (VII), have been prepared by the reaction of transition metal salts (Zn^II, Cd^II, Co^II and Ni^II) with 3‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole (pymphtzH) under either ambient or hydrothermal conditions. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. All the complexes form three‐dimensional supramolecular structures through hydrogen bonds or through π–π stacking interactions between the centroids of the pyridyl or arene rings. The pymphtzH and pymphtz⁻ entities act as bidentate coordinating ligands in each structure. Moreover, all the pyridyl N atoms are coordinated to metal atoms (Zn, Cd, Co or Ni). The N atom in the 4‐position of the triazole group is coordinated to the Zn and Cd atoms in the crystal structures of (II), (IV) and (V), while the N atom in the 1‐position of the triazolate group is coordinated to the Zn, Co and Ni atoms in (I), (III), (VI) and (VII).