Oxalate-2-ethanolamine complexes of some bivalent cations (Mn,Co, Ni,Cu, Zn and Cd)

On the refluxing ofM(II) oxalate (M=Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn or Cd) and 2-ethanolamine in chloroform, the following complexes were obtained: MnC₂O₄·HOCH₂CH₂NH₂·H₂O, CoC₂O₄·2HOCH₂CH₂NH₂, Ni₂(C₂O₄)₂·5HOCH₂CH₂NH₂·3H₂O, Cu₂(C₂O₄)₂·5HOCH₂CH₂NH₂, Zn₂(C₂O₄)₂·5HOCH₂CH₂NH₂·2H₂O and Cd₂(C₂O₄)₂·HOCH₂CH₂NH₂·2H₂O. Following the reaction ofM(II) oxalate with 2-ethanolamine in the presence of ethanolammonium oxalate, a compound with the empirical formula ZnC₂O₄·HOCH₂CH₂NH₂·2H₂O¹ was isolated. The complexes were identified by using elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction patterns, IR spectra, and thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. The IR spectra and X-ray powder diffraction patterns showed that the complexes obtained were not isostructural. Their thermal decompositions, in the temperature interval between 20 and about 900°C, also take place in different ways, mainly through the formation of different amine complexes. The DTA curves exhibit a number of thermal effects.     

Phase Transitions in Crystalline [M(H2O)6](ClO4)2 (M=Mg,Mn, Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, Zn,Cd and Hg)

The results of DSC measurements in the temperature range 140–370 K on nine crystalline compounds of the type [M(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₂, where M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Hg, are discussed. Anomalies detected in the DSC curves are related to the existence of solid-solid phase transitions and/or to the melting points of these compounds. In consequence of two different hypothetical structural modifications of [Fe(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₂, two DSC curves are obtained. For the compounds with M=Fe, Cd and Hg, new phase transitions have been discovered. The transition temperatures of the other phase transitions are in good agreement with literature data obtained by adiabatic calorimetry. For the compounds with M=Mg, Ni and Cd, DTA measurements were also carried out and the melting points of theses compounds were established. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Crystal chemistry of M[PO2(OH)2]2·2H2O compounds (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd): Structural investigation of the Ni, Zn and Cd salts

The compounds M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, Cd) were prepared from super-saturated aqueous solutions at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray structure investigations of members with M=Ni, Zn, Cd were performed at 295 and 120 K. The space-group symmetry is P2₁/n, Z=2. The unit-cell parameters are at 295/120 K for M=Ni: a=7.240(2)/7.202(2), b=9.794(2)/9.799(2), c=5.313(1)/5.285(1) Å, β=94.81(1)/94.38(1)°, V=375.4/371.9 Å³; M=Zn: a=7.263(2)/7.221(2), b=9.893(2)/9.899(3), c=5.328(1)/5.296(2) Å, β=94.79(1)/94.31(2)°, V=381.5/377.5 Å³; M=Cd: a=7.356(2)/7.319(2), b=10.416(2)/10.423(3), c=5.407(1)/5.371(2) Å, β=93.85(1)/93.30(2)°, V=413.4/409.1 Å³. Layers of corner-shared MO₆ octahedra and phosphate tetrahedra are linked by three of the four crystallographically different hydrogen bonds. The fourth hydrogen bond (located within the layer) is worth mentioning because of the short O_h?O bond distance of 2.57-2.61 Å at room temperature (2.56-2.57 Å at 120 K); only for M=Mg it is increased to 2.65 Å. Any marked temperature-dependent variation of the unit-cell dimension is observed only vertical to the layers. The analysis of the infrared (IR) spectroscopy data evidences that the internal PO₄ vibrations are insensitive to the size and the electronic configuration of the M²⁺ ions. The slight strengthening of the intra-molecular P-O bonds in the Mg salt is caused by the more ionic character of the Mg-O bonds. All IR spectra exhibit the characteristic “ABC trio” for acidic salts: 2900-3180 cm⁻¹ (A band), 2000-2450 cm⁻¹ (B band) and 1550-1750 cm⁻¹ (C band). Both the frequency and the intensity of the A band provide an evidence that the PO₂(OH)₂ groups in M[PO₂(OH)₂]₂·2H₂O compounds form weaker hydrogen bonds as compared with other acidic salts with comparable O?O bond distances of about 2.60 Å. The observed shift of the O-H stretching vibrations of the water molecule in the order M=Mg>Mn≈Fe≈Co>Ni>Zn≈Cd has been discussed with respect to the influence of both the character and the strength of M↔H₂O interactions.     

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of new unsymmetrical N2O2 Schiff bases derived from 3-(2-aminobenzylimino)-1-phenylbutan-1-ol: synthesis,structure, antibacterial properties,and electrochemistry

Two new N₂O₂ unsymmetrical Schiff bases, H₂L¹ = 3-[({o-[(E)-(o-hydroxyphenyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol and H₂L² = 3-[({o-[(E)-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylideneamino]phenyl}methyl)imino]-1-phenyl-1-buten-1-ol, and their copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes, [CuL¹] (1), [CuL²] (2), [NiL¹] (3), and [NiL²] (4), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures of these complexes have been determined by X-ray diffraction. The coordination geometry around Cu(II) and Ni(II) centers is described as distorted square planar in all complexes with the CuN₂O₂ coordination more distorted than the Ni ones. The electrochemical studies of these complexes indicate a good correlation between the structural distortion and the redox potentials of the metal centers. The ligand and metal complexes were also screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis, Characterization and Thermal Decomposition of M1[M2(C2O4)2]xH2O (x=5 for M1=Co and x=4 for M1=Cd; M2=Ni)

Cobalt bis(oxalato)nickelate pentahydrate, Co[Ni(C₂O₄)₂]5H₂O and cadmium bis(oxalato)nickelate tetrahydrate, Cd[Ni(C₂O₄)2]4H₂O have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, reflectance and IR spectral studies. Thermal decomposition studies (TG, DTG and DTA ) in air showed that both the compound of cobalt and cadmium produced the oxide, MNiO_x (x=3 for M=Co; x=2 for M=Cd ) at 325 and 360°C respectively. DSC studies in nitrogen attributed only the mixture of both the metal at the end. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Synthesis,characterization and thermal analysis of [Fe(N2H4)2(CH3COO)2]

[Fe(N₂H₄)₂(CH₃COO)₂] was synthesised and characterized for the first time by chemical analysis, magnetic measurements, electronic and IR spectral studies. Its thermal reactivity was ascertained by thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) techniques and it has been concluded that unlike some other metal carboxylate hydrazinates, it does not show any autocatalytic behaviour. The decomposition was also subjected to kinetic analysis using the equations of Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzger by the method of weighted least-squares.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and biological activity of benzofuran Schiff bases with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) complexes

New Schiff bases have been synthesized from benzofuran-2-carbohydrazide and benzaldehyde, [BPMC] or 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, [BDMeOPMC]; complexes of the type MLX₂, where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II), L = BPMC or BDMeOPMC and X = Cl, have been prepared. Structures have been elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic properties, spectral studies i.e., ¹H NMR, electronic, ESR and IR studies show that the Schiff bases are bidentate through the azomethine nitrogen and oxygen of the carbonyl. We propose tentative structures for all of these complexes. The antifungal and antibacterial activities of the ligands and their metal complexes have been screened against fungi Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus and against bacteria Escherichia coli and S. aurious.     

Nuclease activity of redox/non-redox active binuclear transition metal mixed-polypyridine complexes: [M2(1,4-tpbd)(diimine)2(H2O)2]4+, M = Zn,Co, Ni,Cd, diimine = phen,bpy, dafo

Seven new transition metal complexes formulated as [M₂(1,4-tpbd)(diimine)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ [M = Zn, Co, Ni, Cd; 1,4-tpbd = N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzene-1,4-diamine; diimine is a N,N-donor heterocyclic base like 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (dafo)] have been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography: [Zn₂(1,4-tpbd)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (1), [Zn₂(1,4-tpbd)(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (2), [Co₂(1,4-tpbd)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (3), [Ni₂(1,4-tpbd)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (4), [Ni₂(1,4-tpbd)(bpy)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (5), [Ni₂(1,4-tpbd)(dafo)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (6) and [Cd₂(1,4-tpbd)(phen)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (7). Single crystal diffraction reveals that the metals in the complexes are all in a distorted octahedral geometry. The interactions of the seven complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) have been investigated by UV absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism spectroscopy and viscosity measurements. The apparent binding constants (K_app) are calculated to be 5.2?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 1, 1.05?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 2, 5.76?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 3, 4.57?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 4, 1.29?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 5, 1.7?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 6, 2.53?×?10⁵ M^?1 for 7, the binding propensity to the calf thymus DNA in the order: 3 (Co-phen) > 1 (Zn-phen) > 4 (Ni-phen) > 7 (Cd-phen) > 6 (Ni-dafo) > 5 (Ni-bpy) > 2 (Zn-bpy). Furthermore, these complexes display efficient oxidative cleavage of supercoiled DNA; the Zn(II)/H₂O₂ and Cd(II)/H₂O₂ systems efficiently cleave DNA attributed to the peroxide ion coordinated to the Zn(II) and Cd(II), which enhanced their nucleophilicity, this is rare.     

Polysulfonylamine. LXXXIV [1]. Zur Isotypie in den Dimesylamid-Komplexreihen [M(H2O)4{(CH3SO2)2N}2] (MMg,Ca, Ni,Cu, Zn,Cd) und [M(py)4{(CH3SO2)2N}2] (MNi,Cu, Zn,Cd)

Polysulfonylamines. LXXXIV. Isotypic Structures in the Dimesylamide Complex Series [M(H₂O)₄{(CH₃SO₂)₂N}₂] (M?Mg, Ca, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) and [M(py)₄{(CH₃SO₂)₂N}₂] (M?Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) The crystal structures of the trans-octahedral complexes [M(H₂O)₄{(CH₃SO₂)₂N}₂] (M?Ca, Cd), in which the dimesylamide anion acts as a monodentate O-ligand and a tetrafunctional hydrogen bond acceptor, were determined by low-temperature X-ray diffraction. Both belong to an isotypic series (triclinic, space group P1 , Z = 1) that had previously been characterized for M?Mg, Ni, Cu and Zn (Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 1996 , 622, 1065). In this structure there exists an extended network of strong hydrogen bonds which is probably the underlying reason why the structure type surprisingly persists across the whole series. To support this explanation by indirect evidence from comparison with suitable structures devoid of strong hydrogen bonding, the analogous trans-octahedral complexes [M(py)₄{(CH₃SO₂)₂N}₂] (M?Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd) were prepared by treating M[(CH₃SO₂)₂N]₂ with pyridine, and the crystal structures of the Ni, Cu, Zn and Cd compounds were studied by low-temperature X-ray crystallography. As anticipated, the four pyridine complexes do not form an isotypic series but instead two isotypic pairs consisting of the Ni and Zn compounds (monoclinic, space group P2₁/n, Z =2) and of the Cu and Cd complexes (triclinic, space group P1, Z = 1). All molecules of the aqua and the pyridine complexes display crystallographic centrosymmetry. In the hydrates, the mean M? OH₂ and the M? O(anion) distances are 232.6 and 232.7 pm for M ? Ca, 225.5 and 230.3 pm für M ? Cd. The mean M? N and the M? O(anion) bond lengths of the pyridine species amount to 211.8 and 213.1 pm for M ? Ni, 217.0 and 218.5 pm for M ? Zn, 232.8 and 234.4 pm for M ? Cd; the corresponding values for the severely Jahn-Teller distorted Cu complex are 203.6 and 254.5 pm. In the crystals of the pyridine complexes, each methyl group is connected through a weak C? H…?O bond to a sulfonyl oxygen atom of an adjacent molecule.     

Structure and Magnetochemical Properties of [MII(1,10-C12H8N2)3]2+ (M = Mn, Ni, Cu) Cation Salts with ortho-Carboranes(12)

A magnetochemical study has been performed on a series of [M^II(1,10–C₁₂H₈N₂)₃]²⁺ (M^II = Mn, Ni, Cu) cation salts with [B₉C₂H₁₂]^– and [M^III(B₉C₂H₁₁)₂ ]^– (M^III = Co, Ni) ortho-carboranes(12) in the temperature range of 2 K to 300 K. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray phase analysis (XRPA) data are given and discussed for these compounds. The complexes contain paramagnetic centers of different origin and aromatic fragments of two types in the structures. The results are represented by the temperature (T) dependences of the inverse molar paramagnetic susceptibility (^–1) and effective magnetic moments (_ef) and by Curie–Weiss equations. For two salts with Mn(II), ferromagnetic interactions near T=20 K have been detected, which is a new phenomenon in borane chemistry.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and spectral properties of three chiral complexes [M((R, R)-et-pybox)Cl2] (M=Zn and Mn) and [Ni((R, R)-et-pybox)(H2O)2Cl]Cl

Three chiral complexes: [M((R, R)-et-pybox)Cl₂] (M=Zn, 1, and Mn, 2) and [Ni((R, R)-et-pybox)(H₂O)₂Cl]Cl (3) ((R, R)-et-pybox is C₂-symmetric 2,6-bis[4′-(R)-ethoxyoxazolin-2′-yl]pyridine) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV, TG and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses show that 1 is isostructural to 2, the obtained complexes are of isolated mononuclear and the metal atoms of 1 and 2 have distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment. A feature of interest is noted in the unit cell of 3, there exist two types of molecules, which similarly have a distorted octahedral geometry but only slightly differ in the orientation of the coordinated atoms to the central Ni atom. These two types of molecules interact with each other by O–H···Cl hydrogen bonds, giving rise to one-dimensional ribbon structure.     

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyano groups. XIV. Crystal structure, spectroscopic, thermal and magnetic properties of [CuL2][Pt(CN)4] complexes (L=ethylenediamine or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine)

Violet crystals of [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] and blue crystals of [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄] were crystallized from the water-methanol solution containing CuCl₂·2H₂O, ethylenediamine (en) or N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and K₂[Pt(CN)₄]·3H₂O. Both compounds were characterized using elemental analysis, infrared and UV-VIS spectroscopy, magnetic measurements, specific heat measurements and thermal analysis. X-ray structure analysis revealed chain-like structure in both compounds. The covalent chains are built of Cu(II) ions linked by [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions in the [111] and [101] direction, respectively. The Cu(II) atoms are hexacoordinated by four nitrogen atoms in the equatorial plane from two molecules of bidentate ligands L with average Cu-N distance of 2.022(2) and 2.049(4) Å, respectively. Axial positions are occupied by two nitrogen atoms from bridging [Pt(CN)₄]²⁻ anions at longer Cu-N distance of 2.537(2) and 2.600(5) Å, respectively. Both materials are characterized by the presence of weak antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. Despite the one-dimensional (1D) character of the structure, the analysis of magnetic properties and specific heat at very low temperatures shows that [Cu(en)₂][Pt(CN)₄] behaves as two-dimensional (2D) spatially anisotropic square lattice Heisenberg magnet, while more pronounced influence of interlayer coupling is observed in [Cu(dmen)₂][Pt(CN)₄].     

Novel M(II)–Hg(II) coordination polymers generated from metal-containing building blocks M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)2 · (H2O)2 (M=Cu, Ni, Co) and HgCl2

A new class of M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)) mixed-metal coordination polymers, Cu(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂HgCl₂ (4), [Co(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.61H₂O (5) and [Ni(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂(HgCl₂)₂] · 0.77H₂O (6), have been prepared by self assembly of metal-containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂(M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), with HgCl₂. Compounds 4–6 were characterized fully by IR, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 4 crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c, with a=17.916(5) Å, b=7.223(2) Å, c=13.335(4) Å, β=128.726(3)°, V=1346.2(6) ų, Z=4. It contains alternating Hg(II) and Cu(II) metal centers that are cross-linked by 2-pyrazinecarboxylate spacers and chlorine co-ligands to generate a unique three-dimensional Hg(II)–Cu(II) mixed metal framework. Compound 5 crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3879(7) Å, b=6.6626(8) Å, c=13.2286(15) Å, α=96.339(2)°, β=91.590(2)°, γ=113.462(2)°, V=511.71(10) ų, Z=1. Compound 6 also crystallized in the triclinic space group P , with a=6.3543(8) Å, b=6.6194(8) Å, c=13.2801(16) Å, α=96.449(2)°, β=92.263(2)°, γ=113.541(2)°, V=506.67(11) ų, Z=1. Compounds 5 and 6 are isostructural and in the solid state the Hg(II)M(II)Hg(II) units are connected by Hg₂Cl₂ linkages to produce a novel M(II)–Hg(II) (M=Co(II), Ni(II)) zigzag mixed-metal chain, in which a new type of M–M′–M′–M array was observed. The metal containing building blocks, M(2-pyrazinecarboxylate)₂ · (H₂O)₂ (M=Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II)), exhibit different connectivities to HgCl₂ depending on the metal cation contained within them.     

Based on MFe2O4 (M=Co,Cu, and Ni): Magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts in synthesis of heterocyclic structural scaffolds

Abstract

Catalysis research under magnetically recoverable nanocatalysts is a well-known topic in organic synthesis. In recent times, catalysis research has clearly experienced a renaissance in the area of utility of ferrite nanoparticles based on their ability to recovery and reusability. In this review, the focus is on the fabrication, characterization and of application the MFe₂O₄ (M=Co, Cu, and Ni) nanocatalysts in synthesis of heterocyclic structural scaffolds.     

Syntheses and structures of highly hindered N-functionalised alkyl and amido group 12 complexes MR2 (M=Zn, Cd, and Hg), [MRCl]2 (M=Zn and Hg)

The reaction of MCl₂ (M=Zn, Cd and Hg) with Li(2-(C(SiMe₃)₂)(6-Me-C₅H₃N)), [Li(MeR)], affords mononuclear metal(II) alkyls. These, in the solid state, show intramolecular M-N interactions in their four-membered chelate rings, which progressively weaken down the series, the C-M-C angles becoming more open (〈M-N〉= 2.30(2), 2.52(2), 2.913(4) Å, C-M-C=160.7(2), 168.5(2), 180(-)°). Alkylmercury chloride complexes have been prepared by the reaction of HgCl₂ with [Li(MeR)], Li(2-(C(SiMe₃)₂)(C₅H₄N)), [Li(HR)], or Li(2-(NSiMe₃)(6-Me-C₅H₃N)), [Li(mpsa)], or from the redistribution reaction of the dialkyl (or amido) mercury complex with HgCl₂. The alkylmercury chloride complexes are dimeric or polymeric in nature with near-linear 2-coordination; (Hg-Cl=2.329(5), 2.318(4), 2.272(8) Å, Cl-Hg-C(N)=175.0(4), 174.7(4), 175.6(5)°). Cd(2-(CH(SiMe₃))(6-Me-C₅H₃N))₂(tmen), prepared from the reaction of Li(2-(CH(SiMe₃))(6-Me-C₅H₃N)) and CdCl₂ in the presence of tmen, has also been structurally authenticated as the rac isomer with the ipso protons directed towards the tmen.     

Gas phase and solution state stability of complexes L…M, where M = Cu, Ni, or Zn and L = R−C(O)NHOH (R = H, NH2, CH3, CF3, or Phenyl)

The structure and gas-phase metal affinities (M = Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺) of formohydroxamic acid derivatives R–C(O)NHOH (R = H, NH₂, CH₃, CF₃ and Phenyl) were studied using the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) method of DFT theory. In order to evaluate the conformational behavior of these systems in water, we carried out CPCM-SCRF optimization calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) levels of theory. The obtained optimized geometries and interaction affinities of the gas and solution phase were compared. The following order of stability was found for ionic complexes of the transition metals: Cu²⁺ > Ni(t)²⁺ > Zn²⁺. The same stability order would be expected according to the Irving–Williams order of stability constants. The high-spin complexes of the Ni²⁺ were more stable than the low-spin complexes. The solvent effect reduced the observed relative stability of individual metallic complexes of substituted hydroxamic acids.     

Synthesis,characterization and luminescence of the tetranuclear gold cluster: [Au4{7,8-(PPh2)2-7,8-C2B9H10}2(PPh3)2]

A tetranuclear gold cluster has been synthesized by the reaction of [Au(PPh₃)NO₃] with the closo carborane diphosphine 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀ in THF, and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹H and ¹³C?NMR spectroscopy and X-ray structure determination. The cluster crystallizes in the triclinic Pī, a?=?15.118(8)?Å, b?=?16.057(9)?Å, c?=?24.284(13)?Å, α?=?80.822(9)°, β?=?79.624(8)°, γ?=?81.938(8)°, Z?=?2, R ₁?=?0.0626, wR ₂?=?0.1894. A single crystal structure determination showed that four gold atoms form a tetrahedral framework. Among these four gold atoms, two were chelated by two nido carborane diphosphine [7,8-(PPh₂)₂-7,8-C₂B₉H₁₀]^? anions coming from the degradation of the initial closo ligand 1,2-(PPh₂)₂-1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀, while the other two were ligated to two PPh₃ groups. The luminescence of this cluster was also investigated in dichloromethane solution at room temperature.     

Highlights of the spectroscopy, photochemistry and electrochemistry of [M(CO)4(α-diimine)] complexes, M=Cr, Mo, W

Tetracarbonyl-diimine complexes [M(CO)₄(α-diimine)] (M=Cr, Mo, W; α-diimine=polypyridyl (bpy, phen), pyridine-2-carbaldehyde (R-PyCa) or 1,4-diaza-butadiene, (R-DAB)) have very interesting structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical and photochemical properties. Their comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigations have important implications for our understanding of the chemistry of organometallic complexes with noninnocent ligands. The most interesting physical and chemical aspects of [M(CO)₄(α-diimine)] complexes, which have more general relevance, are highlighted and discussed.     

A template self-assembly strategy to synthesize free-standing TiO2-MO (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu or Zn) colloidal films

A series of binary free-standing colloidal films, TiO₂-MO (M = Mg, Co, Ni, Cu and Zn) have been synthesized via a self-assembly technology, utilizing sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS) as template and the mixture of titanium butoxide and MCl₂ as precursor. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) have been employed to characterize TiO₂-MO samples. Results show that TiO₂-MO films are mainly composed by well-ordered nanostructures (e.g. mesoporous particles and lamellar pieces) and more importantly, the increased Ti(OC₄H₉)₄ precursor have significant effect on modifying the as-synthesized nanostructures. A structural model based on SDS micellar template, the complex metallic oxide precursor and charge-density matching between the template and precursor has been proposed. Remarkably, this template self-assembly method has a potential to design a variety of functional multicomponent materials with high-ordered nanostructures, such as high gas sensing SnO₂-ZnO films.