Polymetallic clusters of iron(III) with derivatised salicylaldoximes

The synthesis and magnetic properties of the compounds [HNEt(3)][Fe(2)(OMe)(Ph-sao)(2) (Ph-saoH)(2)].5MeOH (1.5MeOH), [Fe(3)O(Et-sao)(O(2)CPh)(5)(MeOH)(2)].3MeOH (2.3MeOH), [Fe(4)(Me-sao)(4)(Me-saoH)(4)] (3), [HNEt(3)](2)[Fe(6)O(2)(Me-sao)(4)(SO(4))(2)(OMe)(4)(MeOH)(2)] (4), [Fe(8)O(3)(Me-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (5), [Fe(8)O(3)(Et-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (6), and [Fe(8)O(3)(Ph-sao)(3)(tea)(teaH)(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)] (7) are reported (Me-saoH(2) is 2'-hydroxyacetophenone oxime, Et-saoH(2) is 2'-hydroxypropiophenone oxime and Ph-saoH(2) is 2-hydroxybenzophenone oxime). 1-7 are the first Fe(III) compounds synthesised using the derivatised salicylaldoxime ligands, R-saoH(2). 1 is prepared by treatment of Fe(2)(SO(4))(3).6H(2)O with Ph-saoH(2) in the presence of NEt(3) in MeOH; 2 prepared by treatment of Fe(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O with Et-saoH(2) and NaO(2)CPh in the presence of NEt(4)OH in MeOH; 3 prepared by treatment of Fe(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O with Me-saoH(2) and NaO(2)CCMe(3) in the presence of NEt(4)OH in MeOH; and 4 prepared by treatment of Fe(2)(SO(4))(3).6H(2)O with Me-saoH(2) in the presence of NEt(3) in MeOH. 4 is a rare example of a polynuclear iron complex containing a coordinated SO(4)(2-) ion. Compounds 5-7 are prepared by treatment of Fe(O(2)CMe)(2) with Me-saoH(2) (5), Et-saoH(2) (6), Ph-saoH(2) (7) in the presence of H(3)tea (triethanolamine) in MeOH, and represent the largest nuclearity Fe(III) clusters containing salicyladoxime-based ligands, joining a surprisingly small family of characterised octanuclear Fe complexes. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibilty measurements of 1, 3 and 5-7 reveal all five complexes possess S = 0 spin ground states; 2 possesses an S = 1/2 spin ground state, while 4 has an S = 4 +/- 1 spin ground state.     

Ground state spin-switching via targeted structural distortion: twisted single-molecule magnets from derivatised salicylaldoximes

The use of derivatised salicylaldoximes in Mn chemistry has led to the isolation of a plethora of beautiful new SMMs ranging in nuclearity from three to eight and with spin ground states as large as S = 12-including a Mn6 complex with the largest energy barrier to magnetisation reversal yet reported. The deliberate chemically-induced structural distortion of the [Mn6] molecule allows the isolation of analogous family members displaying remarkably different magnetic properties and this in turn allows for a rare semi-quantitative magneto-structural correlation which enables prediction of the magnetic properties of new family members.     

Tridecanuclear and docosanuclear manganese phosphonate clusters with slow magnetic relaxation

Two novel mixed-valent manganese phosphonate clusters [MnIIMnIII12O6(OH)6(O3PC6H11)10(py)6] (1) and [MnII4MnIII18O12(O3PC6H11)8(O2CCH3)22(H2O)6(py)2] (2) are reported in this paper. Complex 1 is the first carboxylate-free manganese phosphonate cluster. While compound 2 appears to be the largest manganese cluster thus far that contains phosphonate ligand. Both show slow magnetic relaxation behaviors.     

'Old' clusters with new function: oxidation catalysis by high oxidation state manganese and cerium/manganese clusters using O2 gas

The family of polynuclear manganese clusters of formula [Mn(12)O(12)(O(2)CR)(16)(H(2)O)(4)] (R = Et, Ph, etc.) has been investigated in great detail over the years for their ability to function as single-molecule magnets (SMMs), but they have not been employed as oxidation catalysts. In the present report, the ability is described of these clusters to act as catalysts in the selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde using molecular O(2) as the primary oxidant and the nitroxyl radical TEMPO as a cocatalyst. A systematic investigation of Mn clusters varied in their R group, oxidation state, and size was conducted in order to realize the electronic requirements that will lead to the best catalytic activity. The best reactivity (>99%) was obtained when the catalyst was the mixed-metal cluster [CeMn(6)O(9)(O(2)CMe)(9)(NO(3))(H(2)O)(2)], which contains Ce(4+)Mn(4+)(6) ions; in this case, lower loadings of catalysts (cluster and TEMPO) are required and the reaction can proceed even without a solvent. In addition, it has been demonstrated that the high efficiency can be only achieved when both high oxidation Ce(4+) and Mn(4+) ions are present within the same cluster.     

Gas-phase dioxygen activation by binuclear manganese clusters

Binuclear manganese oxide cations, Mn2O2+ (1) and Mn2O+ (2), have been prepared in the gas phase by a chemical route by using the reaction of O2 with the ions formed from the ionization of [Mn2(CO)10]. Their reactivity towards selected neutrals has been probed by Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance spectrometry (FT-ICR), and insights into the structure of the reagent ions and of ionic reaction intermediates have been obtained by collision-induced dissociation and by the outcome of ion-molecule reactions. Whereas dihydrogen proved to be unreactive, the hydrides H2O, H2S, and NH3 react by exchange, addition, and oxidation pathways. Oxidative features are displayed also in the reactions of 1 and 2 with model organic molecules, such as methanol, acetaldehyde, and unsaturated hydrocarbons, which undergo dehydrogenation, O-atom transfer, and homolytic cleavage processes. Potentially catalytic cycles are indicated, based on the regeneration of 1 by ligand exchange of end product ions with O2.     

Density functional study of tetrahedral manganese clusters

We have applied the ab initio density functional theory (DFT) based on generalized spin orbital (GSO) for tetrahedral manganese clusters with a noncollinear spin structure. It was found that three-dimensional (3D) spin states become clearly ground-states by all of GSO-localized spin density approximation, GSO-generalized gradient approximation, and GSO-hybrid methods for tetrahedral Mn(II)₄O₄. These results are consistent with the experimental results.     

A bulky oxime for the synthesis of Mn(III) clusters

The reaction between Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O and Br-saoH₂ (=5-Br-salicylaldoxime) in EtOH in the presence of NMe₄OH led to the formation of the hexanuclear cluster [Mn₆O₂(Br-sao)₆(OAc)₂(H₂O)₂(EtOH)₂]·2.8H₂O·2.2EtOH (1). Switching from Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O to Mn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, the same reaction upon addition of pivH (= trimethyl acetic acid) yielded [Mn₆O₂(Br-sao)₆(piv)₂(H₂O)₂(EtOH)₂]·6EtOH (2 6EtOH), and finally upon changing pivH to NaO₂CPh, we were able to isolate [Mn₆Na₂O₂(Br-sao)₆(O₂CPh)₄(H₂O)₂(EtOH)₄]·6EtOH (3 6EtOH). Clusters 1 and 2 6EtOH describe “typical” [Mn₆/oximate] complexes consisting of two {Mn₃} oxo-centered triangular units bridged by oximate groups, while in 3 6EtOH these triangular motifs are separated by two sodium cations. An investigation into the magnetic properties of all three clusters revealed the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic interactions, leading to ground states of S = 4 and 2 for 1 and 3, respectively. Finally, cluster 2 6EtOH functions as a single-molecule magnet with U_eff = 27.54 K.     

Photoluminescent metal-sulfur clusters derived from tetrathiometalates: metal-to-metal charge-transfer excited states of d0-d10 heterobimetallic sulfido clusters with bulky phosphine ligands

Reactions of MS4(2-) (M = Mo, W) with M'(PCy3)X (M'=Ag/Au, X= ClO4/Cl) and [Cu2(dcpm)2(MeCN)2](ClO4)2 (dcpm = bis(dicyclohexylphosphino)methane) afforded heterometallic sulfido clusters [M'2(PCy3)2(MS4)] (M=Mo, M'=Au: 2; M=W, M'=Ag: 3, Au: 4) and [Cu4(dcpm)4(MS4)](ClO4)2 (M=Mo: 5 x (ClO4)2, W: 6 x (ClO4)2), all of which, except 4, have been characterized by X-ray structure determination. Clusters 5 x(ClO4)2 and 6 x (ClO4)2 feature unusual 16-membered [Cu4P5C4] metallamacrocycles formed on the respective tetrathiometalate anion templates and have unusually long Cu-S bonds and Cu...M distances for metal sulfur clusters that contain a saddle-shaped [Cu4MS4] core. Low-energy absorption bands are observed in their electronic spectra at approximately 562 and 467 nm, respectively, assignable to MMCT transitions; quasireversible reduction waves are observed with E(1/2) = -1.43 (52+) and -1.78 V (62+) versus FeCp2(0/+); and they are emissive either in the solid state or in solution. The emission of 6(2+) can be quenched by both electron acceptors, such as methylviologen, or electron donors, such as aromatic amines, with the excited state reduction potential E(62+*/6+) estimated to be approximately 1.13V versus a normal hydrogen electrode.     

New routes to high nuclearity clusters: fluoride-based octametallic and tridecametallic clusters of manganese

The reaction of MnF(3) with 5,6-dimethylbenzotriazole (Me(2)BTAH) gives the [Mn(III)(8)] complex [Mn(8)O(4)(OMe)(2)(Me(2)BTA)(6)F(8)(Me(2)BTAH)(MeOH)(8)] and the [Mn(IV)(3)Mn(III)(10)] complex [Mn(13)O(12)(Me(2)BTA)(12)F(6)(MeOH)(10)(H(2)O)(2)]. The octametallic species is an "intermediate" in the formation of the tridecametallic cluster.     

Structure, bonding, and magnetism in manganese clusters

We investigate the structures and magnetic properties of small Mn(n) clusters in the size range of 2-13 atoms using first-principles density functional theory. We arrive at the lowest energy structures for clusters in this size range by simultaneously optimizing the cluster geometries, total spins, and relative orientations of individual atomic moments. The results for the net magnetic moments for the optimal clusters are in good agreement with experiment. The magnetic behavior of Mn(n) clusters in the size range studied in this work ranges from ferromagnetic ordering (large net cluster moment) for the smallest (n=2, 3, and 4) clusters to a near degeneracy between ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic solutions in the vicinity of n=5 and 6 to a clear preference for antiferromagnetic (small net cluster moment) ordering at n=7 and beyond. We study the details of this evolution and present a picture in which bonding in these clusters predominantly occurs due to a transfer of electrons from antibonding 4s levels to minority 3d levels.     

Purification of dodecanethiol derivatised gold nanoparticles

Monolayer protected gold nanoparticles synthesised by a two-phase method contain a significant amount of tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOABr), the quaternary ammonium salt used as the phase transfer reagent, as a persistently retained impurity. A simple purification protocol is described.     

Catalytic oxyfunctionalization of alkanes by manganese and ruthenium clusters

Di- and trinuclear clusters of manganese and ruthenium were used as catalysts in the oxidation of alkanes in the presence oftert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. The investigations reveal marked differences in the reactivity of the manganese and ruthenium catalysts though structurally they have similar coordination environment. The probable mechanism of hydroxylation in these systems is discussed.     

Multinuclear oxo-bridged manganese complexes with a bulky substituted benzoate ligand: novel species obtained by using steric control

A sterically hindered carboxylate ligand is used to synthesize the first transition metal complex containing both bis-mu-oxo and bis-mu-carboxylato groups, [Mn2(mu-O)2(mu-ArtolCO2)2(bpy)2]+. However, methyl substitution on the chelating bipyridine ligand results in the formation of a strikingly different and novel hexanuclear species, [Mn6(mu-O)4(mu3-O)4(mu-ArtolCO2)2(dmb)6]4+. Steric interactions between the bridging carboxylates and chelating pyridine-based ligands determine the nuclearity of the complexes formed.     

Novel manganese(II) sulfonate-phosphonates with dinuclear, tetranuclear, and hexanuclear clusters

Hydrothermal reactions of manganese(II) salts with m-sulfophenylphosphonic acid (m-HO3S-Ph-PO3H2, H3L) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) led to six novel manganese(II) sulfonate-phosphonates, namely, [Mn2(HL)2(phen)4][Mn2(HL)2(phen)4(H2O)](2).6H2O (1), [Mn4(L)2(phen)8(H2O)2][ClO4](2).3H2O (2), [Mn(phen)(H2O)4]2[Mn4(L)4(phen)4].10H2O (3), [Mn6(L)4(phen)8(H2O)2].4H2O (4), [Mn6(L)4(phen)8(H2O)2].24H2O (5), and [Mn6(L)4(phen)6(H2O)4].5H2O (6). The structure of 1 contains two types of dinuclear manganese(II) clusters, and 2-3 exhibit two types of tetranuclear manganese(II) cluster units. 4-5 feature two different types of isolated hexanuclear manganese(II) clusters, whereas the hexanuclear manganese(II) clusters in 6 are bridged by sulfonate-phosphonate ligands into a 1D chain. Magnetic property measurements indicate that there exist weak antiferromagnetic interactions between magnetic centers in all six compounds.     

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of small manganese oxide clusters

To investigate the electronic structure and magnetic properties of manganese oxide clusters, we carried out first-principles electronic structure calculations for small MnO clusters. Among various structural and magnetic configurations of the clusters, the bulklike [111]-antiferromagnetic ordering is found to be favored energetically, while the surface atoms of the clusters exhibit interesting electronic and magnetic characteristics which are different from their bulk ones. The distinct features of the surface atoms are mainly attributed to the reduction of Mn coordination numbers and the bond-length contractions in the clusters, which may serve as a key factor for the understanding of physical and chemical properties of magnetic oxide nanoparticles.     

Two germatranes with bulky substituents

In 1‐adamantyl‐2,8,9‐trioxa‐5‐aza‐1‐germabicyclo­[3.3.3]undecane or 1‐adamantylgermatrane, [Ge(C₁₀H₁₅)(C₆H₁₂NO₃)], (I), and (2,8,9‐trioxa‐5‐aza‐1‐germabicyclo­[3.3.3]undecan‐1‐yl)methyl N‐cyclo­hexyl­carbamate or [(germatran‐1‐yl)meth­yl] N‐cyclo­hexyl­carbamate, [Ge(C₆H₁₂NO₃)(C₈H₁₄NO₂)], (II), the Ge atoms are characterized by trigonal–bypiramidal configurations. The Ge⋯N distances [2.266 (3) and 2.206 (3) Å in (I) and (II), respectively] are among the longest observed in germatranes. The significant distortion of the apical N—Ge—C angle in (II) is caused by crystal packing effects.     

Phosphanes with bulky oligosilyl substituents

By reaction of dichloroheptasilane [(SiMe₃)₂MeSi]₂SiCl₂ with lithiumphosphanides LiPHR, the silylphosphanes [(SiMe₃)₂MeSi]₂SiClPHR with R = 2, 4, 6-tri-tert-butylphenyl ( = supermesityl, Mes1) (1) and Si(SiMe₃)₃ ( = hypersilyl, Hyp) (2) were prepared. Both compounds were characterized with X-ray diffraction, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Compound 1 did not react with n-BuLi, but only with a large excess of tert-BuLi. Phosphasilene [(SiMe₃)₂MeSi]₂SiPMes¹ could be identified by a ³¹P NMR signal at +346 ppm. All attempts to separate it from the reaction mixture failed due to many by-products which had formed through SiSi and SiP bond cleavage. Lithiation of 2 was possible with 4.2 equiv. of tert-BuLi, and crystals of the lithiumphosphanide [(SiMe₃)₂MeSi]₂SiClPLiHyp (3) could be obtained from THF, albeit in a quality not sufficient for X-ray diffraction. All attempts to achieve LiCl elimination and formation of the phosphasilene [(SiMe₃)₂MeSi]₂SiPSi(SiMe₃)₃ failed due to the unusual stability of the lithiumphosphanide. Prolongued refluxing in toluene (110 °C) only led to complete loss of coordinated THF, and ³¹P⁷Li spin spin coupling could be observed in the ³¹P NMR spectrum (¹J_PLi = 84 Hz).Reaction of potassium phosphanide [(SiMe₃)₃Si]SiMe₃PK with SiCl₄ led to the formation of [(SiMe₃)₃Si](SiMe₃)P(SiCl₃) (4), which could be successfully characterized with X-ray diffraction and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. SiP bond lengths vary between 218 pm (SiCl₃) and 230 pm (hypersilyl). Despite these differences, ³¹P²⁹Si coupling constants are nearly identical (92.4 Hz and 85.5 Hz, respectively).     

Stabilization of coordinatively unsaturated Ir4 clusters with bulky ligands: a comparative study of chemical and mechanical effects

The synthesis and characterization of new cluster compounds represented by the series Ir(4)(CO)(12-x)L(x) (L = tert-butyl-calix[4]-arene(OPr)(3)(OCH(2)PPh(2)); x = 2 and 3) is reported using ESI mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Thermally driven decarbonylation of the cluster compound series represented by x = 1-3 according to the formula above is followed via FTIR and NMR spectroscopies, and dynamic light scattering in toluene solution. The propensity of these clusters to decarbonylate in solution is shown to be directly correlated with number density of adsorbed calixarene phosphine ligands and controlled via Pauli repulsion between metal d and CO 5σ orbitals. The tendency for cluster aggregation unintuitively follows a trend that is exactly opposite to the cluster's propensity to decarbonylate. No cluster aggregation is observed for clusters consisting of x = 3, even after extensive decarbonylation via loss of all bridging CO ligands and coordinative unsaturation. Some of the CO lost during thermal treatment via decarbonylation can be rebound to the coordinatively unsaturated cluster consisting of x = 3. In contrast, the clusters consisting of x = 1 and x = 2 both aggregate into large nanoparticles when treated under identical conditions. Clusters in which the calixarene phosphine ligand is replaced with a sterically less demanding PPh(2)Me ligand 6 lead to significantly less coordinative unsaturation upon thermal treatment. Altogether, these data support a mechanical model of accessibility in coordinatively unsaturated metal clusters in solution, which hinges on having at least three sterically bulky organic ligands per Ir(4) core.     

Design of Novel Hexametallic Cartwheel Molecules from Persubstituted Benzene Compounds

The cartwheel complexes A are novel, nano-sized hexametallic species available from persubstituted benzenes C₆[3,5-(CH₂Y)₂C₆H₃] (Y=NMe₂, P(O)Ph₂, PPh₂, SPh). The molecular structure of A (Y=SPh, ML_n=PdCl) shows C₃ symmetry with adjacent radial Pd−Pd separations of 7.339(2) and 8.006(2) Å and a diametrically opposed Pd−Pd separation of 15.340(2) Å. Because of their size hexametallic species such as A are potential homogeneous catalysts in organic reactions which can be recovered by nanomembrane filtration techniques.