Bent and linear trinuclear nickel complexes with ligands derived from N -acylsalicylhydrazide ligands: structural characterization and bioactivity

Two trinuclear Ni(II) complexes Ni₃(L₁)₂(py)₂(DMF)(H₂O) (1) and Ni₃(L₂)₂(py)₂(DMF)₂ (2) with two new trianionic pentadentate ligands N-(3,5-dimethylbenzoyl)-salicylhydrazide (H₃L₁) and N-(phenylacetyl)-5-nitrosalicylhydrazide (H₃L₂) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Nickel ions in the two complexes have square-planar/octahedral/square-planar coordination. Central metal ion and two terminal metal ions in the two complexes are combined by two bridging deprotonated ligands, forming a trinuclear structural unit with an M–N–N–M–N–N–M core. Studies on the trinuclear Ni(II) complexes show that the β-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazide ligands with sterically flexible Cα methylene groups yield linear trinuclear Ni(II) complexes, while α-branched N-acylsalicylhydrazide ligands tend to form bent trinuclear Ni(II) complexes. Antibacterial screening data in a previous study indicates that bent trinuclear Ni(II) compound 1 is more active than linear compound 2 and less active than a tetranuclear nickel compound.     

Zinc(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes Based on Schiff Base Ligands: Synthesis,Crystal Structure,Luminescent and Magnetic Properties

Three new phenolate oxygen bridged transition metal complexes [Zn₃(HL¹)₃(μ₃‐CH₃O)]·(ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₃ ( 1 ), [Ni₂(HL¹)₂(μ_1,1‐N₃)(o‐vanillin)]·H₂O ( 2 ), [Ni₃(HL²)₂(PhCOO)₂(PhCOOH)₂(EtOH)₂] ( 3 ) have been synthesized by metal ions and potentially multidentate Schiff base ligands (H₂L¹ = 2‐((1‐hydroxy‐2‐methylpropan‐2‐ylimino) methyl)‐6‐methoxyphenol; H₃L² = (E)‐1‐((2‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐benzylidene)amino)ethane‐1,2‐diol). All the three complexes 1 , 2 , and 3 have been characterized by elemental analysis, FT‐IR spectroscopy, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Crystal structures reveal that complex 1 is a trinuclear incomplete cubane‐like zinc cluster whereas complex 2 is a dinuclear nickel complex bridged by azide, and compound 3 is a trinuclear nickel complex. The luminescent property for complex 1 and magnetic behaviors for complexes 2 and 3 have been investigated.     

Versatile coordination behaviors of a tetrapodal Schiff base ligand scaffold: formation of the dinuclear and trinuclear complexes and their antimicrobial activity

Four new complexes have been prepared and characterized from reaction of the tetrapodal Schiff base ligand 1,1,1,1-tetrakis[(3-methoxysalicylaldimino)methyl]methane (H₄L) with Cu(II), Ni(II) and Cd(II). X-ray diffraction experiments revealed that 1 ([Cu₂L·2H₂O]·H₂O) and 2 ([Cu₂L·2CH₃OH]·3H₂O) are dinuclear complexes, with the same tetragonal pyramidal coordination geometries around their Cu(II) ions. Complex 3 ([Ni₂L]·2H₂O) is dinuclear with two square planar Ni(II) ions coordinated to two pairs of the pendant branches of H₄L. Complex 4 ([Cd₃(HL)₂]·3H₂O) is a linear trinuclear species with three Cd(II) ions, which were intermolecularly coordinated to three pendant branches of two H₄L ligands via an uncommon intermolecular phenoxo oxygen face-sharing mode. The in vitro antimicrobial activities of H₄L and its complexes were evaluated against four micro-organisms (Colibacillus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis) using the tube-dilution method. The results revealed that 3 showed good inhibitory activity against the Gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and B. subtilis with MIC values of 62.5 and 31.0 μg mL, respectively.     

Trinuclear magnesium complexes stabilized by aminoalkoxide ligands

New magnesium complexes, [Et₂Mg₃(dmamp)₄] (1) and [(CH₂=CH)₂Mg₃(dmamp)₄] (2), were prepared by the reaction of alkylmagnesium bromide with sodium 1-dimethylamino-2-methyl-2-propoxide [Na(dmamp)] in THF. Complexes 1 and 2 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The XRD analysis showed that these complexes are trinuclear where the alkoxy O is the μ₂-O bridge between the Mg ions. Among the three metal centers, the two terminal Mg ions are five coordinate and have a square–pyramidal geometry, whereas the central Mg is four coordinate with a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The combination of ethyl and vinyl groups with sterically bulky aminoalkoxide ligands plays an important role in stabilizing the molecule.     

A hexanuclear cobalt(III) complex containing the pseudocubane fragment [Co4(μ4-O)2(μ3-O)2] in its metal framework and a solvated dibenzyl ether molecule

Room-temperature oxidation of a mixture of the complex (Co^II)₃(μ-OOCBu _t )₆(NEt₃)₂ and dibenzyl ether (DBE) with atmospheric oxygen in dichloromethane-benzene (4: 1) gave the hexanuclear complex [(Co^III)₆(μ₄-O)₂(μ₃-O)₂(μ-OOCBu ^t )₉(OH)₂(HOOCBu ^t )](HNEt₃) · 0.5DBE · C₆H₆ (I) as the major reaction product. According to X-ray diffraction data, the metal framework of complex I contains the pseudocubane fragment [Co₄(μ₄-O)₂(μ₃-O)₂] linked with two “peripheral” cobalt(III) ions. The possibility of using complex I as an intermediate catalyst for liquid-phase oxidation of DBE as well as the conformational changes in the DBE molecule due to its adaptation to the metal complexes are discussed.     

Ferrocene-Based Actinide Clusters: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Characterization

The polynuclear metal clusters continually attract wide interest due to their intriguing structures and potential applications in various scientific fields. Here, four actinide clusters have been synthesized by the utilization of multifunctional ligand ferrocenecarboxylic acid (HFcc) and Th⁴⁺/U⁴⁺ ions by solvent evaporation or solvothermal synthesis strategies in different solvents. Therein, compounds 1 , 2 and 4 feature similar [An₆(μ₃-O)₄(μ₃-OH)₄]¹²⁺ cores, which are further coordinated by 12 Fcc⁻ ligands and different solvent molecules. The U₆Fe₁₂ cluster of compound 4 is linked by four free HFcc molecules via multiple hydrogen bonding to form a supramolecular cluster [U₆(μ₃-O)₄(μ₃-OH)₄(Fcc)₁₂(H₂O)₄] ⋅ 4HFcc. The cluster core of compound 3 is a μ₃-O²⁻ bridged [U₃(μ₃-O)]¹⁰⁺ unit, which is further coordinated by 10 Fcc⁻ ligands via three kinds of coordination modes. It is worth noting that multifunctional Fcc⁻ ligand not only endows compound 1 a main redox wave at E_1/2=0.720 V in CH₂Cl₂/DMF solution, but also enables it to exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and properties of two dinuclear iron(III) complexes constructed with 1,2,3,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid and chelating N-donor auxiliary coligands

Two dinuclear Fe(III) metal–organic complexes with tetracarboxylate and chelating N-donor ligands, [Fe(Hbtec)(phen)(H₂O)]₂·2H₂O (1) and [Fe(Hbtec)(bpy)(H₂O)]₂·2H₂O (2) (H₄btec = 1,2,3,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction methods. Both complexes crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with two Fe(III) ions bridged by two Hbtec^3? ligands into a dinuclear unit. Hydrogen bonding connects the dinuclear units into a 3-D framework. The dinuclear units are 10-connected nodes that produce a 3-D framework with topology Schläfli symbol as (3¹²·4²⁸·5⁵). Thermal stabilities and luminescent properties of the two complexes have also been investigated.     

Structures and magnetism of two manganese crowns assembled with 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone oxime

Reactions of 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone oxime with manganese salts yielded two manganese crowns, [Mn₃(μ ₃-O)(4-OH-Me-sao)₃(HCOO)(MeOH)₅]·MeOH (1) and [Mn₃(μ ₃-O)(4-OH-Me-sao)₃(CH₃COO)(MeOH)₅]·MeOH (2) (4-OH-Me-saoH₂=2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone oxime). Both compounds possess [Mn^III ₃(μ ₃-O)]⁷⁺ cores which contain 9-MC-3 metallacrown (MC) rings with the repeating pattern [–Mn–N–O–]. However, the difference in the structures of both compounds is coordinated carboxylates. In 1 and 2, the MC molecules are connected with each other through intermolecular hydrogen bonds, generating similar 3-D supramolecular networks. Magnetic properties reveal that in 1 and 2 the metal ions exhibit ferromagnetic exchange coupling.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of a μ3-oxo-trichromium(III) propionate cluster with pyrazole

A new μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate cluster, [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(pyr)₃]NO₃·0.25(H₂O) (1), has been synthesized by reaction of a μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate precursor [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ with a pyrazol ligand (pyr) and characterized by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure determination, and thermal analysis. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies revealed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear Cr(III) cluster (J = ?11.9 cm^?1) and determined the electronic ground state (S = ½) of the compound.     

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Dinuclear Oxorhenium(V) Complexes with Bidentate Imidazole Derivatives

The oxo-bridged dinuclear complexes [(μ-O){ReOCl₂(L)}₂] [L = 2-(1-ethylaminomethyl)-1-methylimidazole (eami); 2-(1-methylaminomethyl)-1-methylimidazole (mami); 2-(1-ethylthiomethyl)-1-methylimidazole (etmi)] were prepared by reaction of trans-[ReOCl₃(PPh₃)₂] with L in acetone. X-ray crystallographic studies of the eami and etmi complexes show that these ligands coordinate in a bidentate manner, and that the cis, cis-N₂Cl₂ and cis, cis-NSCl₂ equatorial planes are nearly orthogonal to the O=Re-O-Re=O backbone.     

Dinuclear Zn(II) and Hg(II) complexes of an angular dipyridyl ligand: syntheses,crystal structures,and properties

The angular polytopic dipyridyl ligand 2,6-bis(quinoline-2-carboxamido)pyridine (H₂L) was prepared. Assemblies of H₂L with ZnAc₂ and HgAc₂ resulted in two new dinuclear complexes [Zn₂(L)(Ac)₂]?·?1.5H₂O?·?0.5CH₃OH (1) and [Hg₂(L)(Ac)₂]?·?5H₂O?·?CH₃OH (2) where the doubly deprotonated L^2? bi-chelate as μ-kN,N′?:?kN″,N″′, bridging the two metal centers (Ac?=?acetate). In 1, the two Zn(II) ions are also doubly bridged by two Ac ions in a μ-kO?:?kO′ coordination, and thus each metal center adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. In 2, each Ac ion is only terminal to Hg(II), in a rare distorted triangular or T-shaped coordination geometry. Free H₂L, 1, and 2 emit interesting bluish-green fluorescence with strong intensities. Thermogravimetric analysis of 1 shows that the dinuclear structure of 1 is stable to 382°C.     

Trinuclear and dinuclear Ni(II) complexes constructed by bridging oxygen: crystal structures,magnetic, and thermal properties

The reaction of H₂L (N,N ′-bis(5-ethyl-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-2,6-pyridinedicarboxamide) with Ni(II) salts gave crystals of two new complexes, [Ni₃(µ₃-O)(H₂L)(L)₂] · 2DMF (1) and [Ni₂(µ-H₂O)(CH₃OH)(DMF)(L)₂] · H₂O · CH₃OH (2). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis, and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 is a trinuclear complex containing a triangle frame in the center formed by three Ni(II) atoms with a bridging µ₃-O. Complex 2 is dinuclear formed by two Ni(II) atoms with a bridging H₂O. H₂L coordinates to metal centers as a pentadentate ligand in 1 and tetradentate in 2. Thermal analysis shows that the thermal stability of 1 is higher than that of 2. In addition, the magnetic properties of 2 are also reported.     

Homometallic Rare‐Earth Metal Phosphinidene Clusters: Synthesis and Reactivity

Two new trinuclear μ₃‐bridged rare‐earth metal phosphinidene complexes, [{L(Ln)(μ‐Me)}₃(μ₃‐Me)(μ₃‐PPh)] (L=[PhC(NC₆H₄iPr₂‐2,6)₂]^?, Ln=Y ( 2 a ), Lu ( 2 b )), were synthesized through methane elimination of the corresponding carbene precursors with phenylphosphine. Heating a toluene solution of 2 at 120 °C leads to an unprecedented ortho C? H bond activation of the PhP ligand to form the bridged phosphinidene/phenyl complexes. Reactions of 2 with ketones, thione, or isothiocyanate show clear phospha‐Wittig chemistry, giving the corresponding organic phosphinidenation products and oxide (sulfide) complexes. Reaction of 2 with CS₂ leads to the formation of novel trinuclear rare‐earth metal thione dianion clusters, for which a possible pathway was determined by DFT calculation.     

系列三核钼硫簇合物的合成、结构表征和性质研究

系统地报道了9个三核钼硫簇合物的合成和结构表征. 晶体结构分析表明, 其中化合物1和6具有[Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ-S)₃]簇芯, 化合物2和3具有不对称的簇芯[Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ-O)(μ-S)₂], 化合物4, 5, 7和8具有少见的[Mo₃(μ₃-O)(μ-S)₃]簇芯, 而化合物9则具有[Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ-S₂)₃]簇芯. 这一系列不同的簇芯以及桥配体和“松散”配位的端配体造成了不同的堆积结构. 讨论了前三种簇芯的电子结构, 并根据它们的立体构型和电子结构对某些重要的谱学表征结果做了合理的诠释. 测定了化合物4的变温电导率, 表明其具有半导体导电性能.     

Structural Variety of Niobium(V) Polyoxo Clusters Obtained from the Reaction with Aromatic Monocarboxylic Acids: Isolation of {Nb2O}, {Nb4O4} and {Nb8O12} Cores

The reactivity of aryl monocarboxylic acids (benzoic, 1- or 2-naphtoic, 4’-methylbiphenyl-4-carboxylic, and anthracene-9-carboxylic acids) as complexing agents for the ethoxide niobium(V) (Nb(OEt)₅ precursor has been investigated. A total of eight coordination complexes were isolated with distinct niobium(V) nuclearities as well as carboxylate complexation states. The use of benzoic acid gives a tetranuclear core Nb₄(μ₂-O)₄(L)₄(OEt)₈] (L=benzoate ( 1 )) with four Nb−(μ₂-O)−Nb linkages in a square plane configuration. A similar tetramer, 7 , was obtained with 2-naphtoic acid by using a 55 % humid atmosphere synthetic route. Two types of dinuclear brick were identified with one central Nb−(μ₂-O)−Nb linkage; they differ in their complexation state, with one bridging carboxylate ([Nb₂(μ₂-O)(μ₂-OEt)(L)(OEt)₆], with L=1-naphtoate ( 3 ) or anthracene-9-carboxylate ( 5 )) or two bridging carboxylate groups ([Nb₂(μ₂-O)(L)₂(OEt)₆], with L=4’-methylbiphenyl-4-carboxylic ( 4 ) or anthracene-9-carboxylate ( 6 )). An octanuclear moiety [Nb₈(μ₂-O)₁₂(L)₈(η₁-L)_4−x(OEt)_4+x] (with L=2-naphtoate, x=0 or 2; 8 ) was obtained by using a solvothermal route in acetonitrile; it has a cubic configuration with niobium centers at each node, linked by 12 μ₂-O groups. The formation of the niobium oxo clusters was characterized by infrared and liquid ¹H NMR spectroscopy in order to analyze the esterification reaction, which induces the release of water molecules that further react through oxolation with niobium atoms, in different {Nb₂O}, {Nb₄O₄} and {Nb₈O₁₂} nuclearities.     

Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear cadmium(II) and dinuclear uranyl(VI) complexes with <Emphasis Type="Italic">vic</Emphasis>-dioximes

In this study, the mononuclear complexes of cadmium(II) and dinuclear complexes of uranyl(VI) with five vic-dioximes have been obtained. Cadmium(II) forms, with ligands, complexes [(L ^xH)(Cl)(H₂O)(Cd)] with x=1–5. Mononuclear complexes with a metal: ligand ratio of 1:1 were obtained for cadmium(II) with the ligands, and a chloride ion and a water molecule are also coordinated to the cadmium(II) ions. Uranyl(VI) complexes of these ligands are a dinuclear structure with μ-hydroxo-bridges. Uranyl(VI) forms, with ligands, complexes [(L^xH)₂(OH)₂(UO₂)₂] with x=1–5, which have a 2:2 metal:ligand ratio. The structures of the complexes were identified by elemental analysis, i.r., and ¹H-n.m.r. spectra, u.v.–vis. spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, conductivity measurements and thermogravimetric analysis (t.g.a.).     

Synthesis,structures, and magnetic properties of two pyrazolato-bridged trinuclear copper(II) complexes

One nonlinear and one linear trinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu₃(dien)₂(pdc)₂CH₃OH]₂?·?6CH₃OH (1) and [Cu₃(pdc)₂(CH₃OH)₆(H₂O)₄] (2) were prepared and characterized structurally, where dien is diethylenetriamine and pdc^3? the trianion of 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylic acid. Both complexes consist of 3,5-pyrazoledicarboxylato-bridged trinuclear copper(II) centers. In 1, copper(II) ions are five-coordinate in distorted square pyramids with bond angles 164.78° for Cu(1)–Cu(2)–Cu(3) and 164.51° for Cu(4)–Cu(5)–Cu(6). In 2, the three copper(II) ions are six-coordinate with elongated octahedral geometry. The trinuclear units of 1 and 2 interact through hydrogen bonds to form 3-D and 2-D supramolecular networks, respectively. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show that 1 and 2 are antiferromagnetically coupled with J values of ?11.2 and ?13.3?cm^?1.     

Saccharified Uranyl Ions: Self-Assembly of UO22+ into Trinuclear Anionic Complexes by the Coordination of Glucosamine-Derived Schiff Bases

The reaction of UO₂(OAc)₂ ⋅ 2H₂O with the biologically inspired ligand 2-salicylidene glucosamine (H₂ L¹ ) results in the formation of the anionic trinuclear uranyl complex [(UO₂)₃(μ₃-O)( L¹ )₃]²⁻ ( 1 ²⁻), which was isolated in good yield as its Cs-salt, [Cs]₂ 1 . Recrystallization of [Cs]₂ 1 in the presence of 18-crown-6 led to formation of a neutral ion pair of type [M(18-crown-6)]₂ 1 , which was also obtained for the alkali metal ions Rb⁺ and K⁺ (M=Cs, Rb, K). The related ligand, 2-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene) glucosamine (H₂ L² ) in a similar procedure with Cs⁺ gave the corresponding complex [Cs(18-crown-6)]₂[(UO₂)₃(μ₃-O)( L² )₃ ([Cs(18-crown-6)]₂ 2 ). From X-ray investigations, the [(UO₂)₃O( Lⁿ )₃]²⁻ anion (n=1, 2) in each complex is a discrete trinuclear uranyl species that coordinates to the alkali metal ion via three uranyl oxygen atoms. The coordination behavior of H₂ L¹ and H₂ L² towards UO₂²⁺ was investigated by NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, revealing the in situ formation of the 1 ²⁻ and 2 ²⁻dianions in solution.     

Heptacopper(II) and dicopper(II)-adenine complexes: synthesis,structural characterization,and magnetic properties

The syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of two new copper(II) complexes with molecular formulas [Cu₇(μ₂-OH₂)₆(μ₃-O)₆(adenine)₆](NO₃)₂·6H₂O (1) and [Cu₂(μ₂-H₂O)₂(adenine)₂(H₂O)₄](NO₃)₄·2H₂O (2) are reported. The heptanuclear compound is composed of a central octahedral CuO₆ core sharing edges with six adjacent copper octahedra. In 2, the copper octahedra shares one equatorial edge. In both compounds, these basic copper cluster units are further linked by water bridges and bridging adenine ligands through N3 and N9 donors. All copper(II) centers exhibit Jahn–Teller distorted octahedral coordination characteristic of a d⁹ center. The study of the magnetic properties of the heptacopper complex revealed a dominant ferromagnetic intra-cluster interaction, while the dicopper complex exhibits antiferromagnetic intra-dimer interactions with weakly ferromagnetic inter-dimer interaction.     

Hydrogen Bonds as Structural Directive towards Unusual Polynuclear Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties of Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Complexes with a 2-Aminoglucose Ligand

The reaction of benzyl 2-amino-4,6-O-benzylidene-2-deoxy-α-D -glucopyranoside (HL) with the metal salts Cu(ClO₄)₂ ⋅ 6 H₂O and Ni(NO₃)₂ ⋅ 6 H₂O affords via self-assembly a tetranuclear μ₄-hydroxido bridged copper(II) complex [(μ₄-OH)Cu₄(L)₄(MeOH)₃(H₂O)](ClO₄)₃ ( 1 ) and a trinuclear alcoholate bridged nickel(II) complex [Ni₃(L)₅(HL)]NO₃ ( 2 ), respectively. Both complexes crystallize in the acentric space group P2₁. The X-ray crystal structure reveals the rare (μ₄-OH)Cu₄O₄ core for complex 1 which is μ₂-alcoholate bridged. The copper(II) ions possess a distorted square-pyramidal geometry with an [NO₄] donor set. The core is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the coordinating amino group of the glucose backbone and the benzylidene protected oxygen atom O4 of a neighboring {Cu(L)} fragment as hydrogen-bond acceptor. For complex 2 an [N₄O₂] donor set is observed at the nickel(II) ions with a distorted octahedral geometry. The trinuclear isosceles Ni₃ core is bridged by μ₃-alcoholate O3 oxygen atoms of two glucose ligands. The two short edges are capped by μ₂-alcoholate O3 oxygen atoms of the two ligands coordinated at the nickel(II) ion at the vertex of these two edges. Along the elongated edge of the triangle a strong hydrogen bond (244 pm) between the O3 oxygen atoms of ligands coordinating at the two relevant nickel(II) ions is observed. The coordinating amino groups of the these two glucose ligands are involved in additional hydrogen bonds with O4 oxygen atoms of adjacent ligands further stabilizing the trinuclear core. The carbohydrate backbones in all cases adopt the stable ⁴C₁ chair conformation and exhibit the rare chitosan-like trans-2,3-chelation. Temperature dependent magnetic measurements indicate an overall antiferromagnetic behavior for complex 1 with J₁=−260 and J₂=−205 cm⁻¹ (g=2.122). Compound 2 is the first ferromagnetically coupled trinuclear nickel(II) complex with J_A=16.4 and J_B=11.0 cm⁻¹ (g_1,2=2.183, g₃=2.247). For the high-spin nickel(II) centers a zero-field splitting of D_1,2=3.7 cm⁻¹ and D₃=1.8 cm⁻¹ is observed. The S=3 ground state of complex 2 is consistent with magnetization measurements at low temperatures.