Polyatomic anion versus acetonitrile in coordinating ability: structural properties of AgX-bearing 1,4-bis(2-isonicotinoyloxyethyl)piperazine (X??=?NO3?, CF3SO3?, ClO4?, BF4?, and PF6?)

Type studies on competitive polyatomic anion versus acetonitrile coordination in the self-assembly of a series of [Ag₂(X) _m (bip)(NCCH₃) _n ](X)_2−m (X⁻ = NO₃ ⁻, CF₃SO₃ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, BF₄ ⁻, and PF₆ ⁻; m = 0, 2; n = 0, 2, 4; bip = 1,4-bis(2-isonicotinoyloxyethyl)piperazine) were carried out. Each bip spacer acts as an N₄ tetradentate ligand and is linked to four silver(I) centers through two pyridine and two piperazine moieties, producing a double strand consisting of two 20-membered ring units. The coordinating environment around the silver(I) center is subtly determined by the competition of the polyatomic anions with acetonitrile, that is, by the Ag···NCCH₃ versus Ag···X interactions. The coordinating ability of acetonitrile is inversely proportional to the order of the coordination ability of the Hoffmeister series of polyatomic anions, NO₃ ⁻ ≫ CF₃SO₃ ⁻ > ClO₄ ⁻ > BF₄ ⁻ ≫ PF₆ ⁻.     

From a Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> chelated compound to a hybrid material: selective emission responses to anions

A novel terbium 2-hydroxymethyl-benzoimidazole-6-carboxylic acid complex has been designed and unique emission changes to fluoride anions in comparison with HSO₄⁻, AcO⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, and I⁻ were observed. Then, the complex was encapsulated into an inorganic matrix. The novel hybrid material, with strong green emission was successfully synthesized as an anions receptor in water. More importantly, this hybrid material not only gave luminescence response to F⁻, but also to HSO₄⁻. Spectroscopic studies demonstrated that the recognition process for fluoride ions can be mainly ascribed to its hydrogen bonding interactions with hydrogen bond donor units (NH and OH). In case of hydrogen sulfate, the sensing effects can be probably attributed to its acidity instead of hydrogen bonding interactions.     

Fine competition and control among argentophilic,electrostatic, and π···π interactions in a molecular chair structure

The reaction of AgX (X⁻ = NO₃ ⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, or CF₃SO₃ ⁻) with 1,3-bis(3-pyridyl)tetramethyldisiloxane (L) at room temperature affords 20-membered metallacyclodimers, [Ag(L)]₂(X)₂. For the macrocyclodimer, fine competition among argentophilic, electrostatic, and π···π interaction exists. The macrocyclodimer is a unique molecular chair that tunes a transannular argentophilic interaction via the bite size of the counteranions. In order to reversibly control the argentophilic interaction, anion exchange has been accomplished. The anion exchangeability depends on the water solubility rather than the electrostatic interaction between silver(I) and anions.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties of a radical ligand and its corresponding copper(II) complex

A new chelating radical ligand, IMMeBzIm (IMMeBzIm = 2-{2′-[(l′-methyl)benzimidazolyl]}-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl) and its copper(II) complex [Cu(IMMeBzIm)₂(ClO₄)]·(ClO₄) have been prepared and characterized by IR, magnetic and single-crystal X-ray analysis. In the crystal structures, both free IMMeBzIm and the complex crystallize in monoclinic space groups P2(1)/c and C2/c, respectively. The structure of IMMeBzIm consists of mononuclear molecules. In the complex, the coordination geometry around copper is a distorted square pyramid, and the apical position is occupied by one oxygen atom of ClO₄ ⁻ anion. A 1-D polymer is formed through intermolecular H-bond interactions. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility of the free IMMeBzIm suggests weak antiferromagnetic coupling with J = −1.12 cm⁻¹ where the spin Hamitonian is defined as Ĥ = −2 JŜ ₁ Ŝ ₂ between radical and radical.     

Enhanced fluorescence of 3-tryptimino-1-phenyl-butan-1-one–Tb with 1,10-phenanthroline ternary system, and its analytical application

A new Schiff base ligand, 3-tryptimino-1-phenyl-butan-1-one (TPB), was synthesized. The fluorescence intensity of its terbium(III) complex was greatly enhanced by addition of 1,10-phenanthroline to an acetonitrile solution. Spectrofluorimetric determination of trace amounts of Tb³⁺ was performed based on this effect. The excitation and emission wavelengths are 293 and 546 nm, respectively. Under optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensities varied linearly with the concentration of Tb³⁺ in the range of 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 7.0 × 10⁻⁶ M with a detection limit of 2.4 × 10⁻⁹ M. Interference by some rare earth ions is described. This method was applied to the determination of trace amounts of terbium(III) in a high purity Y₂O₃ matrix. The mechanism of fluorescence enhancement was also studied.     

A Binuclear Copper(II) Complex with Two Symmetric End-on Azido Bridges. Synthesis, Spectroscopy, Crystal Structure and Magnetism

A binuclear copper(II) complex with two symmetric end-on azido bridges: [Cu₂(tacn)₂(μ-N₃)₂](ClO₄)² · CH₃OH (1), where tacn = 1,4,7-triazacyclononane, has been synthesized and structurally as well as magnetically characterized. Compound (1) has the discrete binuclear structure, bridged by two end-on N₃⁻ anions. The macrocyclic ligand tacn functions as a terminal ligand. The magnetic data of compound (1) were analyzed by means of Ĥ = −2JŜ₁Ŝ₂ − DŜ_z, leading to J = 2.49 cm⁻¹, g = 2.08, D = ±0.97 cm⁻¹, zJ′ = −0.47 cm⁻¹. The ferromagnetic interaction is discussed on the basis of the structural features and is compared with the model structure of Ruiz.     

Thermal Behaviour of Complexes of Antipyrine Derivatives

Parent and mixed ligand complexes of cobalt and copper with antipyrine derivatives of 1,2-ethanediamine or piperazine and with 2-aminobenzothiazole (TAB) were synthesized and their thermal behaviour was investigated. The complexes contain N,N′-bis(4-antipyrylmethyl)-piperazine (BAMP) or N,N′-tetra(4-antipyrylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane (TAMEN) or/and TAB as ligand, and Cl⁻, ClO₄ ⁻ or SCN⁻. The complexes decompose with the evolution of heat. The decomposition route depends on the presence of ClO₄ ⁻. If the ClO₄ ⁻ is not coordinated, it oxidizes the TAB and BAMP or TAMEN and the decomposition is explosive. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis,structure, DNA interaction,and hydrolytic function toward bis(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-nitrophenyl) phosphate of a heterobinuclear macrocyclic complex

An asymmetrical bis-pyridine pendant-armed macrocyclic heterobinuclear complex, [ZnNiL](ClO₄)₂·CH₃CN (H₂L was derived from the condensation between 3,3′-((ethane-1,2-diylbis((pyridin-2-ylmethyl)azanediyl))bis(methylene))bis(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzaldehyde) and 1.3-diaminopropane), has been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The asymmetric unit contains two complete macrocyclic complexes that are nevertheless quite similar to one another. The Zn–Ni separations, bridged by the two phenoxides, are 3.107 and 3.141 Ǻ, respectively. The phosphate hydrolysis catalyzed by the complex was investigated using bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) as the substrate. The catalytic rate constant (k _cat) is 1.64 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at pH 7.4 and 25 °C, which is 10⁸-fold higher than that of the corresponding uncatalyzed reaction. The interaction between the complex and calf thymus (CT) DNA was investigated by UV–vis absorption, viscosity experiments, and cyclic voltammetry. The complex shows good binding propensity to calf thymus DNA via intercalation with a binding constant of 5 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. The agarose gel electrophoresis studies show that the complex has a concentration-dependent DNA cleavage activity.     

Thermodynamic properties and molar heat capacity of Er<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Asp)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Im)<Subscript>8</Subscript>(ClO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>6</Subscript>·10H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

A complex of Erbium perchloric acid coordinated with l-aspartic acid and imidazole, Er₂(Asp)₂(Im)₈(ClO₄)₆·10H₂O was synthesized for the first time. It was characterized by IR and elements analysis. The heat capacity and thermodynamic properties of the complex were studied with an adiabatic calorimeter (AC) from 80 to 390 K and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) from 100 to 300 K. Glass transition and phase transition were discovered at 220.45 and 246.15 K, respectively. The glass transition was interpreted as a freezing-in phenomenon of the reorientational motion of ClO⁴⁻ ions and the phase transition was attributed to the orientational order/disorder process of ClO⁴⁻ ions. The thermodynamic functions [H _T  − H _298.15] and [S _T  − S _298.15] were derived in the temperature range from 80 to 390 K with temperature interval of 5 K. Thermal decomposition behavior of the complex in nitrogen atmosphere was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).     

Scalar-relativistic 5f-in-core pseudopotentials and core-polarization potentials for trivalent actinides: calibration calculations for Ac<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Cm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Lr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> complexes

The performance of recently proposed 5f-in-core pseudopotentials for the trivalent actinides was investigated in calculations for model complexes An³⁺L ⁿ⁻ for three selected actinides (An³⁺ = Ac³⁺, Cm³⁺, Lr³⁺) and eight simple ligands with atoms from the first three periods of the table of elements (L ⁿ⁻ = F⁻, Cl⁻, OH⁻, SH⁻, CO, NH₂⁻, H₂O, H₂S, NH₃). Results of Hartree-Fock and Coupled Cluster with singles, doubles and perturbative triples calculations using basis sets of quadruple-zeta quality are compared to corresponding reference data obtained with scalar-relativistic energy-adjusted 5f-in-valence small-core pseudopotentials. The inclusion of core-polarization potentials in the 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations and corrections of the basis set superposition error by the counterpoise correction leads to very good agreement between the 5f-in-valence and 5f-in-core pseudopotential results for bond lengths, bond angles and binding energies. Results from 5f-in-core pseudopotential calculations using different density functionals also show reasonable agreement with the more rigorous Coupled Cluster results. It is argued that the An 5f rather than the An f population is a useful criterion for the applicability of a specific An 5f-in-core pseudopotential.     

Immobilization of quaternary ammonium salts on silica gel for perchlorate ions removal

Silica surface was modified with quaternary ammonium salts to give three matrices of different chain length. The synthesized supports were characterized by elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy, as well as scanning electron microscopy and semi-empirical parametric method 5. Their exchange capacities for ClO₄ ⁻, F⁻, NO₃ ⁻ and CH₃COO⁻ ions were investigated by conductometric titration. The amount of exchanged chloride ions from the matrix was studied for different initial anions concentration. The functionalized silica gel showed very good ability of perchlorate ions exchange from the water solution in room temperature. The anion-exchange properties were also studied in comparison to different number of reactive sites in the matrices. The increased number of chloride at the silica surface took effect on increased ability of ClO₄ ⁻ anion exchange      

FAD-modified SiO2/ZrO2/C ceramic electrode for electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate

SiO₂/ZrO₂/C carbon ceramic material with composition (in wt%) SiO₂ = 50, ZrO₂ = 20, and C = 30 was prepared by the sol–gel-processing method. A high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image showed that ZrO₂ and the graphite particles are well dispersed inside the matrix. The electrical conductivity obtained for the pressed disks of the material was 18 S cm⁻¹, indicating that C particles are also well interconnected inside the solid. An electrode modified with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prepared by immersing the solid SiO₂/ZrO₂/C, molded as a pressed disk, inside a FAD solution (1.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹) was used to investigate the electrocatalytic reduction of bromate and iodate. The reduction of both ions occurred at a peak potential of −0.41 V vs. the saturated calomel reference electrode. The linear response range (lrr) and detection limit (dl) were: BrO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵–1.23 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ and dl = 2.33 μmol L⁻¹; IO₃ ⁻, lrr = 4.98 × 10⁻⁵ up to 2.42 × 10⁻³ and dl = 1.46 μmol L⁻¹ for iodate.     

DDTC-Na-based colorimetric chemosensor for the sensing of cyanide in water

Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC-Na) was demonstrated to be a new colorimetric cyanide chemosensor by utilizing an indirect trick. First, some copper ions were added to the colorless aqueous solution of DDTC-Na. Then, the resultant brown solution was studied upon the addition of different anions, including Cl⁻, I⁻, IO₃⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, H₂PO₄⁻, F⁻, SCN⁻, HSO₄⁻, ClO₄⁻ and CN⁻. It was observed by naked eyes that the brown solution changed to colorless immediately after the addition of the trace cyanide, but there were no changes towards other anions, making DDTC-Na a good selective cyanide chemosensor in pure water. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20674059 & 20402011)     

Thermoanalytical studies of imidazole-substituted coordination compounds

Four manganese(II) coordination compounds with bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone (BIK) of general formula Mn(BIK)₂X₂ (X = Cl, Br, NO₃, ClO₄) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, by UV–vis, and FTIR spectroscopies to be compared with the literature data. Following our previous thermoanalytical studies on imidazole-substituted coordination compounds, the thermal behavior of the synthesized Mn(II) complexes was investigated using TG and DTG techniques: the thermal profile is characterized by three substantial consecutive releasing steps for all the three complexes and the releasing supposed behavior is confirmed by EGA analysis performed by coupling the TG analyzer to an MS spectrometer. In particular, the first step is ascribed to the release of the two anions, followed by the loss of four methyl groups (side chains of the ligand) and two bridge-carbonyl groups. The residual tetra-imidazole manganese compound decomposes in a final step to give MnO as the final residue. Both the initial decomposition temperatures and the kinetic rate constants associated to the first decomposition step indicated a higher stability of the Mn(BIK)₂Cl₂ complex, the bromide complex being very close to the chloride one (first-step thermal stability: ClO₄ ⁻ <NO₃ ⁻ ≤Br⁻ <Cl⁻). Finally, the three-dimensional diffusion reaction model (D3) was selected to describe the first decomposition step for all the four complexes examined.     

Supramolecular self-assembly of two Cu(II) complexes with 1,2,4-triazole derivatives: syntheses,crystal structures and magnetic properties

Two two-dimensional coordination complexes, {[Cu₄(BTM)₆(OPA)₄] · 4DMF · 3H₂O} _n (1) and {[Cu(BDTM)(OH)](ClO₄) · 2H₂O} _n (2) (BTM = bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methane, BDTM = bis(3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methane, OPA²⁻ = ortho-phthalic dianion, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), were synthesized and structurally characterized. Each Cu(II) ion locates in a distorted square pyramidal geometry in 1, in which OPA²⁻ ligands bridge Cu²⁺ ions along a axis to form a magnetic transmission chain and BTM ligands act as flexible spacers to construct the two-dimensional layer structure. In 2, each Cu²⁺ ion adopts tetra-coordination geometry to two hydroxyl groups and two triazolyl nitrogen atoms from two different BDTM ligands. Two hydroxyl groups bridge two Cu²⁺ ions to form a rhombic diamond, and four BDTM ligands connect four diamonds to form a 36-membered macrocyclic structure with large channels along a axis. Magnetic properties revealed that both OPA²⁻ and OH⁻ mediate anti-ferromagnetic interactions between Cu²⁺ ions with J = − 0.06(3) and −301.9(2) cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Kinetic and thermodynamic sorption study of radiocobalt by magnetic hydroxyapatite nanoparticles

A novel composite adsorbent, magnetite/hydroxyapatite (Fe₃O₄/HAP) composites, was prepared by biowaste chicken eggshell for the purpose of removing radiocobalt from aqueous solutions. It highlighted that more than 92% Co(II) could be removed by using the developed composites under the experimental conditions. The maximum sorption capacity of Co(II) on Fe₃O₄/HAP composites was 6.9 × 10⁻⁴ mol/g. The coexisted foreign ions, e.g., ClO₄ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Cl⁻, Na⁺ and K⁺, did not interfere the elimination of Co(II) from aqueous solutions, while Mg²⁺ did. The sorption process was found to be controlled well by pseudo-second-order and intra-particle diffusion models, and the equilibrium data were simulated by Langmuir model very well with high correlation coefficients. The thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneity and endothermic nature of Co(II) sorption processes. After sorption, the Fe₃O₄/HAP composites could be effectively and fleetly separated from aqueous solutions by magnetic separation technique in large scale. The Fe₃O₄/HAP composites are suitable materials in the preconcentration of Co(II) from large volumes of aqueous solutions.     

Sensitive fluorescent probes for determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose based on enzyme-immobilized magnetite/silica nanoparticles

Sensitive fluorescent probes for the determination of hydrogen peroxide and glucose were developed by immobilizing enzyme horseradish peroxidase (HRP) on Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ magnetic core–shell nanoparticles in the presence of glutaraldehyde. Besides its excellent catalytic activity, the immobilized enzyme could be easily and completely recovered by a magnetic separation, and the recovered HRP-immobilized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles were able to be used repeatedly as catalysts without deactivation. The HRP-immobilized nanoparticles were able to activate hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which oxidized non-fluorescent 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propionic acid to a fluorescent product with an emission maximum at 409 nm. Under optimized conditions, a linear calibration curve was obtained over the H₂O₂ concentrations ranging from 5.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹, with a detection limit of 2.1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹. By simultaneously using glucose oxidase and HRP-immobilized Fe₃O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles, a sensitive and selective analytical method for the glucose detection was established. The fluorescence intensity of the product responded well linearly to glucose concentration in the range from 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 5.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed method was successfully applied for the determination of glucose in human serum sample.     

Unusual ion UO4? formed upon collision induced dissociation of [UO2(NO3)3]?, [UO2(ClO4)3]?, [UO2(CH3COO)3]? ions

The following ions [UO₂(NO₃)₃]⁻, [UO₂(ClO₄)₃]⁻, [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ were generated from respective salts (UO₂(NO₃)₂, UO₂(ClO₄)₃, UO₂(CH3COO)2) by laser desorption/ionization (LDI). Collision induced dissociation of the ions has led, among others, to the formation of UO₄ ⁻ ion (m/z 302). The undertaken quantum mechanical calculations showed this ion is most likely to possess square planar geometry as suggested by MP2 results or strongly deformed geometry in between tetrahedral and square planar as indicated by DFT results. Interestingly, geometrical parameters and analysis of electron density suggest it is an U^VI compound, in which oxygen atoms bear unpaired electron and negative charge.     

Structural characterisation of mononuclear zinc(ii) complexes of 4-methyl-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole with three-atom co-ligands: [ZnII(medpt)2X]ClO4 (X?=?NCS?, N3?, NO2?)

The reaction of 4-methyl-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole (medpt) with Zn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O and NaSCN, NaN₃ or NaNO₂ in a 2:1:1 molar ratio in MeOH/H₂O (9:1) affords the mononuclear complexes [Zn^II(medpt)₂(NCS)]ClO₄, [Zn^II(medpt)₂(N₃)]ClO₄ and [Zn^II(medpt)₂(NO₂)]ClO₄, respectively. All three complexes have been structurally characterised and found to feature unusual coordination polyhedra for 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole complexes. In [Zn^II(medpt)₂(NCS)]ClO₄ and [Zn^II(medpt)₂(N₃)]ClO₄, the zinc atom resides within a distorted square-pyramidal N₅ coordination sphere [τ = 0.22 and 0.04, respectively] with two bidentate medpt ligands bound equatorially and the pseudohalide ion coordinating as a unidentate co-ligand in the apical position. In contrast, the NO₂ ⁻ ion in [Zn^II(medpt)₂(NO₂)]ClO₄ acts as a bidentate ligand, which leads to a strongly distorted N₄O₂ coordination environment about the metal centre.     

Two new oxamido-bridged trinuclear complexes [Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>M] (M = Mn(II), Co(II)): synthesis,structures, and magnetic properties

By using the macrocyclic oxamido-copper complex CuL (H₂L = 2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9,10-(O)cyclohexyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclo-tetradeca-7,12-diene) as precursor, two new trinuclear complexes with the formulas [(CuL)₂Mn(ClO₄)₂] (1) and [(CuL)₂Co(ClO₄)₂] (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. H-bonds are found between the molecules, which link adjacent trinuclear units together to form a unique one-dimensional structure. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility for the complexes was analyzed by means of the Hamiltonian leading to J = −14.66 cm⁻¹ and J = −22.9 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.