Synthesis of LnII‐in‐Cryptand Complexes by Chemical Reduction of LnIII‐in‐Cryptand Precursors: Isolation of a NdII‐in‐Cryptand Complex

Lanthanide triflates have been used to incorporate Nd^III and Sm^III ions into the 2.2.2‐cryptand ligand (crypt) to explore their reductive chemistry. The Ln(OTf)₃ complexes (Ln=Nd, Sm; OTf=SO₃CF₃) react with crypt in THF to form the THF‐soluble complexes [Ln^III(crypt)(OTf)₂][OTf] with two triflates bound to the metal encapsulated in the crypt. Reduction of these Ln^III‐in‐crypt complexes using KC₈ in THF forms the neutral Ln^II‐in‐crypt triflate complexes [Ln^II(crypt)(OTf)₂]. DFT calculations on [Nd^II(crypt)]²⁺], the first Nd^II cryptand complex, assign a 4f⁴ electron configuration to this ion.     

Sandwich Double‐Decker Lanthanide(III) “Intracavity” Complexes Based on Clamshell‐Type Phthalocyanine Ligands: Synthesis,Spectral, Electrochemical,and Spectroelectrochemical Investigations

Phthalocyanine compounds of novel type based on a bridged bis‐ligand, denoted “intracavity” complexes, have been prepared. Complexation of clamshell ligand 1,1′‐[benzene‐1,2‐diylbis(methanediyloxy)]bis[9(10),16(17),23(24)‐tri‐tert‐butylphthalocyanine] (^clam,tBuPc₂H₄, 1 ) with lanthanide(III) salts [Ln(acac)₃] ? n H₂O (Ln=Eu, Dy, Lu; acetylacetonate) led to formation of double‐deckers ^clam,tBuPc₂Ln ( 2 a – c ). Formation of high molecular weight oligophthalocyanine complexes was demonstrated as well. The presence of an intramolecular covalent bridge affecting the relative arrangement of macrocycles was shown to result in specific physicochemical properties. A combination of UV/Vis/NIR and NMR spectroscopy, MALDI‐TOF mass‐spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and spectroelectrochemistry provided unambiguous characterization of the freshly prepared bis‐phthalocyanines, and also revealed intrinsic peculiarities in the structure–property relationship, which were supported by theoretical calculations. Unexpected NMR activity of the paramagnetic dysprosium complex 2 b in the neutral π‐radical form was observed and examined as well.     

CS2 Reductive Coupling to Acetylenedithiolate by a Dinuclear Ytterbium(II) Complex

The activation of CS₂ is of interest in a broad range of fields and, more particularly, in the context of creating new C−C bonds. The reaction of the dinuclear ytterbium(II) complex [Yb₂L₄], 1 , [L=(OtBu)₃SiO⁻] with carbon disulfide led to the isolation of unprecedented reduction products. In particular, the crystallographic characterization of complex [Yb₂L₄(μ-C₂S₂)], 2 , provided the first example of an acetylenedithiolate ligand formed from metal reduction of CS₂. Computational studies indicated that this unprecedented reactivity can be ascribed to the unusual binding mode of CS₂²⁻ in the isolated “key intermediate” [Yb₂L₄(μ-CS₂)], 3 , which results from the dinuclear nature of 1 .     

A Hexagonal Planar Metal Complex

A six‐coordinate [ML₃Z₃]‐type transition‐metal complex with a hexagonal planar geometry has been isolated and characterized, extending the scope of six‐coordinate metal coordination compounds to those with a geometry beyond octahedral and trigonal prismatic.     

含铋（Ⅲ）配合物的合成及其铋的配位性质

由于金属铋的绿色安全性，其配合物的应用领域不断扩大。因此，从分子水平探索配合物结构具有十分重要的意义。本文主要根据有机配体的不同，对三价铋离子配合物的合成及相应的结构进行分类概括，并针对固态铋配合物，对铋(Ⅲ)离子在各配合物中所处的配位环境以及与配体的配位方式等进行了综述。     

Remarkable Tuning of the Coordination and Photophysical Properties of Lanthanide Ions in a Series of Tetrazole‐Based Complexes

A series of seven new tetrazole‐based ligands (L1, L3–L8) containing terpyridine or bipyridine chromophores suited to the formation of luminescent complexes of lanthanides have been synthesized. All ligands were prepared from the respective carbonitriles by thermal cycloaddition of sodium azide. The crystal structures of the homoleptic terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes [Ln(Li)₂]NHEt₃ (Ln=Nd, Eu, Tb for i=1, 2; Ln=Eu for i=3, 4) and of the monoaquo bypyridine–tetrazolate complex [Eu(H₂O)(L7)₂]NHEt₃ were determined. The tetradentate bipyridine–tetrazolate ligand forms nonhelical complexes that can contain a water molecule coordinated to the metal. Conversely, the pentadentate terpyridine–tetrazolate ligands wrap around the metal, thereby preventing solvent coordination and forming chiral double‐helical complexes similarly to the analogue terpyridine–carboxylate. Proton NMR spectroscopy studies show that the solid‐state structures of these complexes are retained in solution and indicate the kinetic stability of the hydrophobic complexes of terpyridine–tetrazolates. UV spectroscopy results suggest that terpyridine–tetrazolate complexes have a similar stability to their carboxylate analogues, which is sufficient for their isolation in aerobic conditions. The replacement of the carboxylate group with tetrazolate extends the absorption window of the corresponding terpyridine‐ (≈20 nm) and bipyridine‐based (25 nm) complexes towards the visible region (up to 440 nm). Moreover, the substitution of the terpyridine–tetrazolate system with different groups in the ligand series L3–L6 has a very important effect on both absorption spectra and luminescence efficiency of their lanthanide complexes. The tetrazole‐based ligands L1 and L3–L8 sensitize efficiently the luminescent emission of lanthanide ions in the visible and near‐IR regions with quantum yields ranging from 5 to 53 % for Eu^III complexes, 6 to 35 % for Tb^III complexes, and 0.1 to 0.3 % for Nd^III complexes, which is among the highest reported for a neodymium complex. The luminescence efficiency could be related to the energy of the ligand triplet states, which are strongly correlated to the ligand structures.     

Synthesis and Application of New Salan Titanium Complexes in the Catalytic Reduction of Aldehydes

Complexes of formula [(H₂N₂O₂)TiCl₂] and [(H₂N₂O₂)Ti(OⁱPr)₂] (H₂N₂O₂H₂ = HOPh’CH₂NH(CH₂)₂NHCH₂Ph’OH, where Ph’ = 2,4-(CMe₂Ph)C₆H₂) were synthesized by the reaction of the salan ligand precursor H₂N₂O₂H₂ with TiCl₄ and Ti(OⁱPr)₄, respectively, in high yields. The dichlorido complex [(H₂N₂O₂)TiCl₂] revealed to be an efficient catalyst for the reduction of benzaldehyde in toluene. Full conversion was observed after 24 h at 55 °C in THF. The same catalyst also converted phenylacetaldehyde and hydrocinnamaldehyde into the corresponding alkanes quantitatively.     

Linking of CuI Units by Tetrahedral Mo2E2 Complexes (E=P,As)

The reaction of [Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ,η^2:2-E₂)] ( A : E=P, B : E=As, Cp=C₅H₅) with the WCA-containing Cu^I salts ([Cu(CH₃CN)₄][Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] (CuTEF, C ), [Cu(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄] ( D ) and [Cu(CH₃CN)_3.5][FAl{OC₆F₁₀(C₆F₅)}₃] (CuFAl, E )) affords seven unprecedented coordination compounds. Depending on the E₂ ligand complex, the counter anion of the copper salt and the stoichiometry, four dinuclear copper dimers and three trinuclear copper compounds are accessible. The latter complexes reveal first linear Cu₃ arrays linked by E₂ units (E=P, As) coordinated in an η^2:1:1 coordination mode. All compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. To define the nature of the Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu interactions, DFT calculations were performed.     

Dinuclear Cobalt Complexes with a Decadentate Ligand Scaffold: Hydrogen Evolution and Oxygen Reduction Catalysis

A new decadentate dinucleating ligand containing a pyridazine bridging group and pyridylic arms has been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. Four new dinuclear cobalt complexes featuring this ligand have been prepared and thoroughly characterized both in the solid state (X‐ray diffraction) and in solution (1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, and electrochemical techniques). The flexible but stable coordination environment provided by the ligand scaffold when coordinating Co in different oxidation states is shown to play a crucial role in the performance of the set of complexes when tested as catalysts for the photochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and chemical oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).     

Preparation and Properties of Transparent Ultrathin Lanthanide‐Complex Films

Highly transparent ultrathin films (UTFs) based on alternative layer‐by‐layer assembly of Eu‐ and Tb‐based lanthanide complexes (LCs) and Mg–Al‐layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanosheets are reported herein. UV–visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy showed an orderly growth of the two types of ultrathin films upon increasing the number of deposition cycles. AFM and SEM measurements indicate that the films feature periodic layered structures as well as uniform surface morphology. Luminescent investigations reveal that (LCs/LDH)_n UTFs can detect Fe³⁺ with relative selectivity and high sensitivity (Stern–Volmer constant K_SV=8.43×10³ L mol^?1); this suggests that (LCs/LDH)_n UTFs could be a promising luminescent probe for selectively sensing Fe³⁺ ion.     

稀土及其配合物对核酸的断裂作用

人工核酸酶是一类具有限制性内切酶的功能、能高效高选择性地催化水解DNA 或RNA 的断裂工具。它们一般由核酸结构识别系统及催化断裂系统组成, 将两种功能有效地结合起来, 可模拟核酸的酶切反应。本文综述了稀土及其配合物对核酸的断裂作用, 并对其断裂机制进行了探讨。     

Oligonuclear 3d–4f Complexes as Tectons in Designing Supramolecular Solid‐State Architectures: Impact of the Nature of Linkers on the Structural Diversity

Heteronuclear cationic complexes, [LCuLn]³⁺ and [(LCu)₂Ln]³⁺, were employed as nodes in designing high‐nuclearity complexes and coordination polymers with a rich variety of network topologies (L is the dianion of the Schiff base resulting from the 2:1 condensation of 3‐methoxysalycilaldehyde with 1,3‐propanediamine). Two families of linkers have been chosen: the first consists of exo‐dentate ligands bearing nitrogen‐donor atoms (bipyridine (bipy), dicyanamido (dca)), whereas the second consists of exo‐dentate ligands with oxygen‐donor atoms (anions derived from the acetylenedicarboxylic (H₂acdca), fumaric (H₂fum), trimesic (H₃trim), and oxalic (H₂ox) acids). The ligands belonging to the first family prefer copper(II ) ions, whereas the ligands from the second family interact preferentially with oxophilic rare‐earth cations. The following complexes have been obtained and crystallographically characterized: [LCu^II(OH₂)Gd^III(NO₃)₃] ( 1 ), [{LCu^IIGd^III(NO₃)₃}₂(μ‐4,4′‐bipy)] ( 2 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(acdca)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 13 H₂O ( 3 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(fum)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 4 H₂O ? C₂H₅OH ( 4 ), [LCu^IISm^III(H₂O)(Hfum)(fum)] ( 5 ), [LCu^IIEr^III(H₂O)₂(fum)]NO₃ ? 3 H₂O ( 6 ), [LCu^IISm^III(fum)_1.5(H₂O)₂] ? 4 H₂O ? C₂H₅OH ( 7 ), [{(LCu^II)₂Sm^III}₂fum₂](OH)₂ ( 8 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(trim)(H₂O)₂] ? H₂O ( 9 ), [{(LCu^II)₂Pr^III}(C₂O₄)_0.5(dca)]dca ? 2 H₂O ( 10 ), [LCu^IIGd^III(ox)(H₂O)₃][Cr^III(2,2′‐bipy)(ox)₂] ? 9 H₂O ( 11 ), and [LCuGd(H₂O)₄{Cr(CN)₆}] ? 3 H₂O ( 12 ). Compound 1 is representative of the whole family of binuclear Cu^II–Ln^III complexes which have been used as precursors in constructing heteropolymetallic complexes. The rich variety of the resulting structures is due to several factors: 1) the nature of the donor atoms of the linkers, 2) the preference of the copper(II ) ion for nitrogen atoms, 3) the oxophilicity of the lanthanides, 4) the degree of deprotonation of the polycarboxylic acids, 5) the various connectivity modes exhibited by the carboxylato groups, and 6) the stoichiometry of the final products, that is, the Cu^II/Ln^III/linker molar ratio. A unique cluster formed by 24 water molecules was found in crystal 11 . In compounds 2 , 3 , 4 , 9 , and 11 the Cu^II–Gd^III exchange interaction was found to be ferromagnetic, with J values in the range of 3.53–8.96 cm^?1. Compound 12 represents a new example of a polynuclear complex containing three different paramagnetic ions. The intranode Cu^II–Gd^III ferromagnetic interaction is overwhelmed by the antiferromagnetic interactions occurring between the cyanobridged Gd^III and Cr^III ions.     

Accessing Lanthanide-to-Lanthanide Energy Transfer in a Family of Site-Resolved [LnIIILnIII′] Heterodimetallic Complexes

The ligand H₃L (6-[3-oxo-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl]pyridine-2-carboxylic acid), which exhibits two different coordination pockets, has been exploited to engender and study energy transfer (ET) in two dinuclear [Ln^IIILn^III′] analogues of interest, [EuYb] and [NdYb]. Their structural and physical properties have been compared with newly synthesised analogues featuring no possible ET ([EuLu], [NdLu], and [GdYb]) and with the corresponding homometallic [EuEu] and [NdNd] analogues, which have been previously reported. Photophysical data suggest that ET between Eu^III and Yb^III does not occur to a significant extent, whereas emission from Yb^III originates from sensitisation of the ligand. In contrast, energy migration seems to be occurring between the two Nd^III centres in [NdNd], as well as in [NdYb], in which Yb^III luminescence is thus, in part, sensitised by ET from Nd. This study shows the versatility of this molecular platform to further the investigation of lanthanide-to-lanthanide ET phenomena in defined molecular systems.     

Complexes of heavy lanthanides witho-aminobenzoic acid

Anthranilates of Tb-Lu prepared in the reaction of the rare earth hydroxides withortho-aminobenzoic acid (anthranilic acid) have the general formulaLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃·2H₂O whereLn=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu. The water molecules in the hydrated compounds are in the outer coordination sphere. On heating in air at 493K dehydration occurs and the anhydrous anthranilatesLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃ are formed. On the basis of the IR spectra it was found that the metal in dihydrated anthranilates was simultaneously coordinated through amino and carboxyl groups whereas in anhydrous anthranilates only through the bidentate carboxyl group. From X-ray analysis it was stated that the anthranilatesLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃·2H₂O are isostructural, whereas the anhydrous compoundsLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃ are isostructural in the two groups Tb-Er and Tm-Lu.

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Die Komplexe der schweren Selteneerdmetalle mit Orthoaminobenzoesäure

Zusammenfassung Zur Darstellung der Verbindungen des TypsLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃·2H₂O (mitLn=Tb bis Lu) wurde die berechnete Menge vonLn(OH)₃ und C₆H₄NH₂COOH-Lösung gemischt und bei 363K schnell zur Kristallisation gebracht. Die Produkte werden schnell abfiltriert, mit Wasser gewaschen und bis zur Gewichtskonstanz getrocknet. Die VerbindungenLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃·2H₂O sind isostrukturell mit der Dichte ungefähr 1.6g·cm^–1 und geringer Löslichkeit in Wasser bei Raumtemperatur. Beim Erhitzen folgt zunächst Entwässerung bei 493 K, später Zersetzung zu Tb₄O₇ undLn ₂O₃. Die wasserfreien VerbindungenLn(C₆H₄NH₂COO)₃ sind isostrukturell in 2 Strukturtypen: Tb-Er and Tm-Lu. Die Infrarotspektren von wasserfreien Verbindungen und Doppelhydraten wurden registriert. Es wurde festgestellt, daß die Koordinierung der Seltenerdmetalle mit Liganden in den Dihydraten sowohl durch die Amino- als auch durch Carboxylgruppen erfolgt. In den wasserfreien Komplexen tritt die Koordinierung nur durch Carboxylgruppen auf.

     

Chiral AuI- and AuIII-Isothiourea Complexes: Synthesis,Characterization and Application

During an investigation into the potential union of Lewis basic isothiourea organocatalysis and gold catalysis, the formation of gold-isothiourea complexes was observed. These novel gold complexes were formed in high yield and were found to be air- and moisture stable. A series of neutral and cationic chiral gold(I) and gold(III) complexes bearing enantiopure isothiourea ligands was therefore synthesized and fully characterized. The steric and electronic properties of the isothiourea ligands was assessed through calculation of their percent buried volume and the synthesis and analysis of novel iridium(I)-isothiourea carbonyl complexes. The novel gold(I)- and gold(III)-isothiourea complexes have been applied in preliminary catalytic and biological studies, and display promising preliminary levels of catalytic activity and potency towards cancerous cell lines and clinically relevant enzymes.     

Redox‐Driven Symmetry Change for Terbium(III) Bis(porphyrinato) Double‐Decker Complexes by the Azimuthal Rotation of the Porphyrin Macrocycles

Molecular structures for three oxidation forms (anion, radical, and cation) of terbium(III) bis(porphyrinato) double‐decker complexes have been systematically studied. We found that the redox state controls the azimuthal rotation angle (φ) between the two porphyrin macrocycles. For [Tb^III(tpp)₂]ⁿ (tpp: tetraphenylporphyrinato, n=?1, 0, and +1), φ decreases at each stage of the oxidation process. The decrease in φ is due to the higher steric repulsion between the phenyl rings on the porphyrin macrocycle and the β hydrogen atoms on the other porphyrin macrocycle, which results from the shorter interfacial distance between the two porphyrin macrocycles. Conversely, φ=45° for both [Tb^III(oep)₂]^?1 and [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁰ (oep: octaethylporphyrinato), but φ=36° for [Tb^III(oep)₂]⁺¹. Theoretical calculations suggest that the smaller azimuthal rotation angle of the cation form is due to the electronic interaction in the doubly oxidized ligand system.     

Acid–Base‐Controlled Stereoselective Metalation of Overhanging Carboxylic Acid Porphyrins: Consequences for the Formation of Heterobimetallic Complexes

Overhanging carboxylic acid porphyrins have revealed promising ditopic ligands offering a new entry in the field of supramolecular coordination chemistry of porphyrinoids. Notably, the adjunction of a so‐called hanging‐atop (HAT) Pb^II cation to regular Pb^II porphyrin complexes allowed a stereoselective incorporation of the N‐core bound cation, and an allosterically controlled Newton’s cradle‐like motion of the two Pb^II ions also emerged from such bimetallic complexes. In this contribution, we have extended this work to other ligands and metal ions, aiming at understanding the parameters that control the HAT Pb^II coordination. The nature of the N‐core bound metal ion (Zn^II, Cd^II), the influence of the deprotonation state of the overhanging COOH group and the presence of a neutral ligand on the opposite side (exogenous or intramolecular), have been examined through ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments with the help of radiocrystallographic structures and DFT calculations. Single and bis‐strap ligands have been considered. They all incorporate a COOH group hung over the N‐core on one side. For the bis‐strap ligands, either an ester or an amide group has been introduced on the other side. In the presence of a base, the mononuclear Zn^II or Cd^II complexes incorporate the carbonyl of the overhanging carboxylate as apical ligand, decreasing its availability for the binding of a HAT Pb^II. An allosteric effector (e.g., 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), in the case of a single‐strap ligand) or an intramolecular ligand (e.g., an amide group), strong enough to compete with the carbonyl of the hung COO^?, is required to switch the N‐core bound cation to the opposite side with concomitant release of the COO^?, thereby allowing HAT Pb^II complexation. In the absence of a base, Zn^II or Cd^II binds preferentially the carbonyl of the intramolecular ester or amide groups in apical position rather than that of the COOH. This better preorganization, with the overhanging COOH fully available, is responsible for a stronger binding of the HAT Pb^II. Thus, either allosteric or acid–base control is achieved through stereoselective metalation of Zn^II or Cd^II. In the latter case, according to the deprotonation state of the COOH group, the best electron‐donating ligand is located on one or the other side of the porphyrin (COO^?>CONHR>COOR>COOH): the lower affinity of COOH for Zn^II and Cd^II, the higher for a HAT Pb^II. These insights provide new opportunities for the elaboration of innovative bimetallic molecular switches.     

Cyclometalated Gold(III) Complexes: Synthesis,Reactivity, and Physicochemical Properties

This Review showcases the ability of bi‐ and tridentate ligands to stabilize gold in high oxidation states through the formation of mono‐ and biscyclometalated gold(III) complexes. In‐depth studies on the synthesis, intrinsic reactivity, catalytic relevance, and photophysical properties of stabilized gold(III) species have been carried out, setting the stage for exciting developments in various research areas, such as catalysis, inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, ligand design, and materials science.