Dioxygen Activation of a Trinuclear CuICuICuI Cluster Capable of Mediating Facile Oxidation of Organic Substrates: Competition between O‐Atom Transfer and Abortive Intercomplex Reduction

The dioxygen activation of a series of Cu^ICu^ICu^I complexes based on the ligands ( L ) 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐ 1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl](methyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Me ) or 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(diethylamino)ethyl](ethyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Et ) forms an intermediate capable of mediating facile O‐atom transfer to simple organic substrates at room temperature. To elucidate the dioxygen chemistry, we have examined the reactions of 7‐Me , 7‐Et , and 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis[1‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol] ( 7‐N‐Meppz ) with dioxygen at ?80, ?55, and ?35 °C in propionitrile (EtCN) by UV‐visible, 77 K EPR, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and 7‐N‐Meppz and 7‐Me with dioxygen at room temperature in acetonitrile (MeCN) by diode array spectrophotometry. At both ?80 and ?55 °C, the mixing of the starting [Cu^ICu^ICu^I( L )]¹⁺ complex ( 1 ) with O₂‐saturated propionitrile (EtCN) led to a bright green solution consisting of two paramagnetic species: the green dioxygen adduct [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ ( 2 ) and the blue [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ species ( 3 ). These observations are consistent with the initial formation of [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)₂Cu^III( L )]¹⁺ ( 4 ), followed by rapid abortion of this highly reactive species by intercluster electron transfer from a second molecule of complex 1 to give the blue species 3 and subsequent oxygenation of the partially oxidized [Cu^IICu^ICu^I( L )]²⁺ ( 5 ) to form the green dioxygen adduct 2 . Assignment of 2 to [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ is consistent with its reactivity with water to give H₂O₂ and the blue species 3 , as well as its propensity to be photoreduced in the X‐ray beam during X‐ray absorption experiments at room temperature. In light of these observations, the development of an oxidation catalyst based on the tricopper system requires consideration of the following design criteria: 1) rapid dioxygen chemistry; 2) facile O‐atom transfer from the activated cluster to substrate; and 3) a suitable reductant to rapidly regenerate complex 1 to accomplish efficient catalytic turnover.     

Electrophilic Arene Hydroxylation and Phenol O?H Oxidations Performed by an Unsymmetric μ‐η1:η1‐O2‐Peroxo Dicopper(II) Complex

Reactions of the unsymmetric dicopper(II) peroxide complex [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]²⁺ ( 1 O₂ , where m‐XYL is a heptadentate N‐based ligand), with phenolates and phenols are described. Complex 1 O₂ reacts with p‐X‐PhONa (X=MeO, Cl, H, or Me) at ?90 °C performing tyrosinase‐like ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring to afford the corresponding catechol products. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that reactions occur through initial reversible formation of metastable association complexes [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(p‐X‐PhO)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]⁺ ( 1 O₂ ?X‐PhO) that then undergo ortho‐hydroxylation of the aromatic ring by the peroxide moiety. Complex 1 O₂ also reacts with 4‐X‐substituted phenols p‐X‐PhOH (X=MeO, Me, F, H, or Cl) and with 2,4‐di‐tert‐butylphenol at ?90 °C causing rapid decay of 1 O₂ and affording biphenol coupling products, which is indicative that reactions occur through formation of phenoxyl radicals that then undergo radical C? C coupling. Spectroscopic UV/Vis monitoring and kinetic analysis show that reactions take place through reversible formation of ground‐state association complexes [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(X‐PhOH)(m‐XYL^N3N4)]²⁺ ( 1 O₂ ?X‐PhOH) that then evolve through an irreversible rate‐determining step. Mechanistic studies indicate that 1 O₂ reacts with phenols through initial phenol binding to the Cu₂O₂ core, followed by a proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) at the rate‐determining step. Results disclosed in this work provide experimental evidence that the unsymmetric 1 O₂ complex can mediate electrophilic arene hydroxylation and PCET reactions commonly associated with electrophilic Cu₂O₂ cores, and strongly suggest that the ability to form substrate?Cu₂O₂ association complexes may provide paths to overcome the inherent reactivity of the O₂‐binding mode. This work provides experimental evidence that the presence of a H⁺ completely determines the fate of the association complex [Cu^II₂(μ‐η¹:η¹‐O₂)(X‐PhO(H))(m‐XYL^N3N4)]ⁿ⁺ between a PCET and an arene hydroxylation reaction, and may provide clues to help understand enzymatic reactions at dicopper sites.     

Two‐Color Valence‐to‐Core X‐ray Emission Spectroscopy Tracks Cofactor Protonation State in a Class I Ribonucleotide Reductase

Proton transfer reactions are of central importance to a wide variety of biochemical processes, though determining proton location and monitoring proton transfers in biological systems is often extremely challenging. Herein, we use two‐color valence‐to‐core X‐ray emission spectroscopy (VtC XES) to identify protonation events across three oxidation states of the O₂‐activating, radical‐initiating manganese–iron heterodinuclear cofactor in a class I‐c ribonucleotide reductase. This is the first application of VtC XES to an enzyme intermediate and the first simultaneous measurement of two‐color VtC spectra. In contrast to more conventional methods of assessing protonation state, VtC XES is a more direct probe applicable to a wide range of metalloenzyme systems. These data, coupled to insight provided by DFT calculations, allow the inorganic cores of the Mn^IVFe^IV and Mn^IVFe^III states of the enzyme to be assigned as Mn^IV(μ‐O)₂Fe^IV and Mn^IV(μ‐O)(μ‐OH)Fe^III, respectively.     

Observation of a CuII2(μ‐1,2‐peroxo)/CuIII2(μ‐oxo)2 Equilibrium and its Implications for Copper–Dioxygen Reactivity

Synthesis of small‐molecule Cu₂O₂ adducts has provided insight into the related biological systems and their reactivity patterns including the interconversion of the Cu^II₂(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo) and Cu^III₂(μ‐oxo)₂ isomers. In this study, absorption spectroscopy, kinetics, and resonance Raman data show that the oxygenated product of [(BQPA)Cu^I]⁺ initially yields an “end‐on peroxo” species, that subsequently converts to the thermodynamically more stable “bis‐μ‐oxo” isomer (K_eq=3.2 at ?90 °C). Calibration of density functional theory calculations to these experimental data suggest that the electrophilic reactivity previously ascribed to end‐on peroxo species is in fact a result of an accessible bis‐μ‐oxo isomer, an electrophilic Cu₂O₂ isomer in contrast to the nucleophilic reactivity of binuclear Cu^II end‐on peroxo species. This study is the first report of the interconversion of an end‐on peroxo to bis‐μ‐oxo species in transition metal‐dioxygen chemistry.     

Direct Resonance Raman Characterization of a Peroxynitrito Copper Complex Generated from O2 and NO and Mechanistic Insights into Metal‐Mediated Peroxynitrite Decomposition

We report the formation of a new copper peroxynitrite ( PN ) complex [Cu^II(TMG₃tren)(κ¹‐OONO)]⁺ ( PN1 ) from the reaction of [Cu^II(TMG₃tren)(O₂^.?)]⁺ ( 1 ) with NO^._(g) at ?125 °C. The first resonance Raman spectroscopic characterization of such a metal‐bound PN moiety supports a cis κ¹‐(^?OONO) geometry. PN1 transforms thermally into an isomeric form ( PN2 ) with κ²‐O,O′‐(^?OONO) coordination, which undergoes O?O bond homolysis to generate a putative cupryl (LCu^II?O^.) intermediate and NO₂^.. These transient species do not recombine to give a nitrato (NO₃^?) product but instead proceed to effect oxidative chemistry and formation of a Cu^II–nitrito (NO₂^?) complex ( 2 ).     

Bis{μ‐[6‐(hydroxy­methyl)‐2‐pyridyl]­methano­lato‐κ3N,O:O}bis{[2,6‐bis­(hydroxy­methyl)­pyridine‐κ3O,N,O′]copper(II)} di­acetate

The title dinuclear Cu^II complex, [Cu₂(C₇H₈NO₂)₂(C₇H₉NO₂)₂](CH₃COO)₂, has been synthesized by the reaction of Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O with pdmH₂ (pdmH₂ is pyridine‐2,6‐diyldi­methanol) in the presence of tetra­butyl­ammonium hydro­xide. The title complex contains a centrosymmetric Cu₂O₂ core and each Cu^II atom has distorted octahedral geometry. Molecular [Cu₂(pdmH)₂(pdmH₂)]²⁺ cations are connected by hydrogen bonds involving the CH₃COO⁻ anions, forming one‐dimensional chains along the a axis.     

Supramolecular Networks Extended by N–H···O Interactions between Cu‐Benzimidazole Subunits and Keggin Anions

Three new 2D/3D supramolecular architectures derived from Cu‐organic subunits and Keggin anions, [Cu^II₂(biz)₈(HPMo^VI₁₀Mo^V₂O₄₀)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O ( 1 ), [Cu^I₄(biz)₈(SiW₁₂O₄₀)] · 2H₂O ( 2 ) and [Cu^I₂(dmbiz)₄(Hdmbiz)₂(SiW₁₂O₄₀)] ( 3 ) (biz = benzimidazole, dmbiz = 5, 6‐dimethyl benzimidazole), were obtained under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis reveals that compound 1 has two kinds of [Cu^II(biz)₂]²⁺ cations, which are further extended by Keggin anions into a 2D (4, 8)‐connected supramolecular network by hydrogen bonding interactions. In compound 2 , four types of [Cu^I(biz)₂]⁺ subunits link the [SiW₁₂O₄₀]^4– anions to form a 3D (2, 6)‐connected supramolecular structure. Compound 3 shows a 3D supramolecular network with a NaCl‐type topology constructed by [Cu^I(dmbiz)₂]⁺ subunits, anions, and discrete [Hdmbiz]⁺ cations. Moreover, the electrochemical and photocatalytic properties of compounds 1 and 2 were investigated.     

Cyclic Voltammetry Study of the Mn‐Substituted Polyoxoanions [MnII4(H2O)2(H4AsW15O56)2]18− and [((MnIIOH2)MnII2PW9O34)2(PW6O26)]17−: Electrodeposition of Manganese Oxides Electrocatalysts for Dioxygen Reduction

The electrochemical behavior of two manganese (Mn)‐substituted polyoxoanions, the dissymmetrical Dawson sandwich‐type [Mn^II₄(H₂O)₂(H₄AsW₁₅O₅₆)₂]^18? and the Keggin sandwich banana‐shaped [((Mn^IIOH₂)Mn^II₂PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]^17? is investigated. At pH 5, the oxidation of the Mn^II‐centers results in one oxidation wave for [Mn^II₄(H₂O)₂(H₄AsW₁₅O₅₆)₂]^18? and two oxidation waves for [((Mn^IIOH₂)Mn^II₂PW₉O₃₄)₂(PW₆O₂₆)]^17?. To the best of our knowledge, presence of the second Mn‐based wave is rarely observed in the electrochemistry of Mn‐containing polyoxometalates. Deposition of Mn‐oxides electrocatalysts for dioxygen reduction is noticed by cyclic voltammetry, which can be distinguished by the significant positive shift in potentials of the dioxygen reduction reaction.     

Cation‐Mediated Conversion of the State of Charge in Uranium Arene Inverted‐Sandwich Complexes

Two new arene inverted‐sandwich complexes of uranium supported by siloxide ancillary ligands [K{U(OSi(OtBu)₃)₃}₂(μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐C₇H₈)] ( 3 ) and [K₂{U(OSi(OtBu)₃)₃}₂(μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐C₇H₈)] ( 4 ) were synthesized by the reduction of the parent arene‐bridged complex [{U(OSi(OtBu)₃)₃}₂(μ‐η⁶:η⁶‐C₇H₈)] ( 2 ) with stoichiometric amounts of KC₈ yielding a rare family of inverted‐sandwich complexes in three states of charge. The structural data and computational studies of the electronic structure are in agreement with the presence of high‐valent uranium centers bridged by a reduced tetra‐anionic toluene with the best formulation being U^V–(arene^4?)–U^V, KU^IV–(arene^4?)–U^V, and K₂U^IV–(arene^4?)–U^IV for complexes 2 , 3 , and 4 respectively. The potassium cations in complexes 3 and 4 are coordinated to the siloxide ligands both in the solid state and in solution. The addition of KOTf (OTf=triflate) to the neutral compound 2 promotes its disproportionation to yield complexes 3 and 4 (depending on the stoichiometry) and the U^IV mononuclear complex [U(OSi(OtBu)₃)₃(OTf)(thf)₂] ( 5 ). This unprecedented reactivity demonstrates the key role of potassium for the stability of these complexes.     

Direct Evidence for a [4+2] Cycloaddition Mechanism of Alkynes to Tantallacyclopentadiene on Dinuclear Tantalum Complexes as a Model of Alkyne Cyclotrimerization

A dinuclear tantalum complex, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)] ( 2 ), bearing a tantallacyclopentadiene moiety, was synthesized by treating [(η²‐EtC?CEt)TaCl₃(DME)] ( 1 ) with AlCl₃. Complex 2 and its Lewis base adducts, [Ta₂Cl₆(μ‐C₄Et₄)L] (L=THF ( 3 a ), pyridine ( 3 b ), THT ( 3 c )), served as more active catalysts for cyclotrimerization of internal alkynes than 1 . During the reaction of 3 a with 3‐hexyne, we isolated [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₆)(μ‐η²:η²‐EtC?CEt)] ( 4 ), sandwiched by a two‐electron reduced μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐hexaethylbenzene and a μ‐η²:η²‐3‐hexyne ligand, as a product of an intermolecular cyclization between the metallacyclopentadiene moiety and 3‐hexyne. The formation of arene complexes [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄Me₂)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 7 b ) and [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐η⁴:η⁴‐C₆Et₄RH)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] (R=nBu ( 8 a ), p‐tolyl ( 8 b )) by treating [Ta₂Cl₄(μ‐C₄Et₄)(μ‐η²:η²‐Me₃SiC?CSiMe₃)] ( 6 ) with 2‐butyne, 1‐hexyne, and p‐tolylacetylene without any isomers, at room temperature or low temperature were key for clarifying the [4+2] cycloaddition mechanism because of the restricted rotation behavior of the two‐electron reduced arene ligands without dissociation from the dinuclear tantalum center.     

Selective Ortho‐Hydroxylation–Defluorination of 2‐Fluorophenolates with a Bis(μ‐oxo)dicopper(III) Species

The bis(μ‐oxo)dicopper(III) species [Cu^III₂(μ‐O)₂(m‐XYL^MeAN)]²⁺ ( 1 ) promotes the electrophilic ortho‐hydroxylation–defluorination of 2‐fluorophenolates to give the corresponding catechols, a reaction that is not accomplishable with a (η²:η²‐O₂)dicopper(II) complex. Isotopic labeling studies show that the incoming oxygen atom originates from the bis(μ‐oxo) unit. Ortho‐hydroxylation–defluorination occurs selectively in intramolecular competition with other ortho‐substituents such as chlorine or bromine.     

Chelation versus Binucleation: Metal Complex Formation with the Hexadentate all‐cis‐N1,N2‐Bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine

The hexadentate ligand all‐cis‐N¹,N²‐bis(2,4,6‐trihydroxy‐3,5‐diaminocyclohexyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine (L^e) was synthesized in five steps with an overall yield of 39 % by using [Ni(taci)₂]SO₄?4 H₂O as starting material (taci=1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol). Crystal structures of [Na_0.5(H₆L^e)](BiCl₆)₂Cl_0.5?4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Ni(L^e)]‐ Cl₂?5 H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu(L^e)](ClO₄)₂?H₂O ( 3 ), [Zn(L^e)]CO₃?7 H₂O ( 4 ), [Co(L^e)](ClO₄)₃ ( 5 c ), and [Ga(H_?2L^e)]‐ NO₃?2 H₂O ( 6 ) are reported. The Na complex 1 exhibited a chain structure with the Na⁺ cations bonded to three hydroxy groups of one taci subunit of the fully protonated H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ ligand. In 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 c , a mononuclear hexaamine coordination was found. In the Ga complex 6 , a mononuclear hexadentate coordination was also observed, but the metal binding occurred through four amino groups and two alkoxo groups of the doubly deprotonated H_?2(L^e)^2?. The steric strain within the molecular framework of various M(L^e) isomers was analyzed by means of molecular mechanics calculations. The formation of complexes of L^e with Mn^II, Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II was investigated in aqueous solution by using potentiometric and spectrophotometric titration experiments. Extended equilibrium systems comprising a large number of species were observed, such as [M(L^e)]²⁺, protonated complexes [MH_z(L^e)]^2+z and oligonuclear aggregates. The pK_a values of H₆(L^e)⁶⁺ (25 °C, μ=0.10 m ) were found to be 2.99, 5.63, 6.72, 7.38, 8.37, and 9.07, and the determined formation constants (log β) of [M(L^e)]²⁺ were 6.13(3) (Mn^II), 20.11(2) (Cu^II), 13.60(2) (Zn^II), and 10.43(2) (Cd^II). The redox potentials (vs. NHE) of the [M(L^e)]^3+/2+ couples were elucidated for Co (?0.38 V) and Ni (+0.90 V) by cyclic voltammetry.     

[μ‐1κ2O,O′:2(η5)‐Cyclopentadienylcarboxylato][2(η5)‐diphenylphosphinocyclopentadienyl]bis[1,1(η5)‐tetramethylcyclopentadienyl]iron(II)titanium(III)

Reacting stoichiometric amounts of 1‐(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene­carboxylic acid and [Ti(η⁵‐C₅HMe₄)₂(η²‐Me₃SiC[triple‐bond]CSiMe₃)] produced the title carboxyl­atotitanocene complex, [{μ‐1κ²O,O′:2(η⁵)‐C₅H₄CO₂}{2(η⁵)‐C₅H₄P(C₆H₅)₂}{1(η⁵)‐C₅H(CH₃)₄}₂Fe^IITi^III] or [FeTi(C₉H₁₃)₂(C₆H₄O₂)(C₁₇H₁₄P)]. The angle subtended by the Ti/O/O′ plane, where O and O′ are the donor atoms of the κ²‐carboxy­late group, and the plane of the carboxyl‐substituted ferrocene cyclo­penta­dienyl is 24.93 (6)°.     

(2‐Methyl­quinolin‐8‐olato)­iron(III) and ‐copper(II) complexes

The crystal structures of tris(2‐methyl­quinolin‐8‐olato‐N,O)­iron(III), [Fe­(C₁₀­H₈­NO)₃], (I), and aqua­bis(2‐methyl­quinolin‐8‐olato‐N,O)­copper(II), [Cu­(C₁₀­H₈NO)₂­(H₂O)], (II), have been determined. Compound (I) has a distorted octahedral configuration, in which the central Fe atom is coordinated by three N atoms and three O atoms from three 2‐methylquinolin‐8‐olate ligands. The three Fe—O bond distances are in the range 1.934 (2)–1.947 (2) Å, while the three Fe—N bond distances range from 2.204 (2) to 2.405 (2) Å. In compound (II), the central Cu^II atom and H₂O group lie on the crystallographic twofold axis and the coordination geometry of the Cu^II atom is close to trigonal bipyramidal, with the three O atoms in the basal plane and the two N atoms in apical positions. The Cu—N bond length is 2.018 (5) Å. The Cu—O bond length in the basal positions is 1.991 (4) Å, while the Cu—O bond length in the apical position is 2.273 (6) Å. There is an intermolecular OW—H?O hydrogen bond which links the mol­ecules into a linear chain along the b axis.     

trans‐Bis(dimethyl sulfoxide‐κO)bis(3‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydroquinoxaline‐2‐carboxylato‐κ2N1,O2)copper(II)

The title compound, [Cu(C₉H₅N₂O₃)₂(C₂H₆OS)₂], consists of octahedrally coordinated Cu^II ions, with the 3‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydroquinoxaline‐2‐carboxylate ligands acting in a bidentate manner [Cu—O = 1.9116 (14) Å and Cu—N = 2.1191 (16) Å] and a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) molecule coordinated axially via the O atom [Cu—O = 2.336 (5) and 2.418 (7) Å for the major and minor disorder components, respectively]. The whole DMSO molecule exhibits positional disorder [0.62 (1):0.38 (1)]. The octahedron around the Cu^II atom, which lies on an inversion centre, is elongated in the axial direction, exhibiting a Jahn–Teller effect. The ligand exhibits tautomerization by H‐atom transfer from the hydroxyl group at position 3 to the N atom at position 4 of the quinoxaline ring of the ligand. The complex molecules are linked through an intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bond [N...O = 2.838 (2) Å] formed between the quinoxaline NH group and a carboxylate O atom, and by a weak intermolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond [3.392 (11) Å] formed between a carboxylate O atom and a methyl C atom of the DMSO ligand. There is a weak intramolecular C—H...O hydrogen bond [3.065 (3) Å] formed between a benzene CH group and a carboxylate O atom.     

New Entangled Coordination Networks Based on Charge‐Tunable Keggin‐Type Polyoxometalates

Investigation into a hydrothermal reaction system with transition‐metal (TM) ions, 1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐lmethyl)benzene (BBTZ) and various charge‐tunable Keggin‐type polyoxometalates (POMs) led to the preparation of four new entangled coordination networks, [Co^II(HBBTZ)(BBTZ)_2.5][PMo₁₂O₄₀] ( 1 ), [Cu^I(BBTZ)]₅[BW₁₂O₄₀] ? H₂O ( 2 ), [Cu^II(BBTZ)]₃[AsW^V₃W^VI₉O₄₀] ? 10 H₂O ( 3 ), and [Cu^II₅(BBTZ)₇(H₂O)₆][P₂W₂₂Cu₂O₇₇(OH)₂] ? 6 H₂O ( 4 ). All compounds were characterized by using elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The mixed valence of W centers in compound 3 was further confirmed by using XPS spectroscopy and bond‐valence sum calculations. In the structural analysis, the entangled networks of 1 – 4 demonstrate zipper‐closing packing, 3D polythreading, 3D polycatenation, and 3D self‐penetration, respectively. Moreover, with the enhancement of POM negative charges and the use of different TM types, the number of nodes in the coordination networks of 1 – 4 increased and the basic metal–organic building motifs changed from a 1D zipper‐type chain (in 1 ) to a 2D pseudorotaxane layer (in 2 ) to a 3D diamond‐like framework (in 3 ) and finally to a 3D self‐penetrating framework (in 4 ). The photocatalytic properties of compounds 1 – 4 for the degradation of methylene blue under UV light were also investigated; all compounds showed good catalytic activity and the photocatalytic activity order of Keggin‐type species was initially found to be {XMo₁₂O₄₀}>{XW₁₂O₄₀}>{XW_12?nTM_nO₄₀}.     

Polyol‐Metall‐Komplexe. 491) μ‐Dulcitolato‐O2, 3;4, 5‐Komplexe mit Amin‐Kupfer(II)‐ und ‐Nickel(II)‐Metallfragmenten

Polyol Metal Complexes. 49¹⁾ μ‐Dulcitolato‐O^{2, 3;4, 5} Complexes with Cu^II(en) and Ni^II(tren) Metal Fragments The dinuclear ethylenediamine‐copper(II) complex of the tetra‐anion of the achiral alditol dulcitol (galactitol) is remarkable, since it was the first crystalline carbohydrate—metal complex ever reported (W. Traube, G. Glaubitt, V. Schenck, Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1930 , 63, 2083—2093). Although its existence is recognized for many decades, its structure remained unknown due to a kind of crystal packing that promotes twinning. Crystal growth at low temperatures now yielded crystalline specimens of [(en)₂Cu₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 7 H₂O ( 1 ) that have allowed us to unravel both the crystal structure and the twinning law. Closely related molecular structures are adopted by [(tren)₂Ni₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 20 H₂O ( 2 ) and [(Me₃tren)₂Ni₂(Dulc2, 3, 4, 5H_—4)] · 16 H₂O ( 3 ), the latter showing the shortest hydrogen bond towards a polyolate acceptor ever found (O···O distance: 2.422Å).     

Di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis{[bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine‐κ3N′,N′′,N′′′]copper(II)} bis(perchlorate)

The title compund, [Cu₂(OH)₂(C₂₂H₂₅N₃)₂](ClO₄)₂, is a copper(II) dimer, with two [CuL]²⁺ units [L is bis(6‐methyl‐2‐pyridylmethyl)(2‐phenylethyl)amine] bridged by hydroxide groups to define the {[CuL](μ‐OH)₂[CuL]}²⁺ cation. Charge balance is provided by perchlorate counter‐anions. The cation has a crystallographic inversion centre halfway between the Cu^II ions, which are separated by 3.0161 (8) Å. The central core of the cation is an almost regular Cu₂O₂ parallelogram of sides 1.931 (2) and 1.935 (2) Å, with a Cu—O—Cu angle of 102.55 (11)°. The coordination geometry around each Cu^II centre can be best described as a square‐based pyramid, with three N atoms from L ligands and two hydroxide O atoms completing the coordination environment. Each cationic unit is hydrogen bonded to two perchlorate anions by means of hydroxide–perchlorate O—H...O interactions.