Anion template effect on the self-assembly and interconversion of metallacyclophanes

Reactions of 3,6-bis(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine (bptz) with solvated first-row transition metals M(II) (M(II) = Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu) have been explored with emphasis on the factors that influence the identity of the resulting cyclic products for Ni(II) and Zn(II). The relatively small anions, namely [ClO4]- and [BF4]-, lead to the formation of molecular squares [{M4(bptz)4(CH3CN)8} subsetX][X]7, (M = Zn(II), Ni(II); X = [BF4]-, [ClO4]-), whereas the larger anion [SbF6]- favors the molecular pentagon [{Ni5(bptz)5-(CH3CN)10} subsetSbF6][SbF6]9. The molecular pentagon easily converts to the square in the presence of excess [BF4]-, [ClO4]-, and [I]- anions, whereas the Ni(II) square can be partially converted to the less stable pentagon under more forcing conditions in the presence of excess [SbF6]- ions. No evidence for the molecular square being in equilibrium with the pentagon was observed in the ESI-MS spectra of the individual square and pentagon samples. Anion-exchange reactions of the encapsulated ion in [{Ni4(bptz)4(CH3CN)8} subsetClO4][ClO4]7 reveal that a larger anion such as [IO4]- cannot replace [ClO4]- inside the cavity, but that the linear [Br3]- anion is capable of doing so. ESI-MS studies of the reaction between [Ni(CH3CN)6][NO3]2 and bptz indicate that the product is trinuclear. Mass spectral studies of the bptz reactions with Mn(II), Fe(II), and Cu(II), in the presence of [ClO4]- anions, support the presence of molecular squares. The formation of the various metallacyclophanes is discussed in light of the factors that influence these self-assembly reactions, such as choice of metal ion, anion, and solvent.     

Gas-phase carbene radical anions: new mechanistic insights

The gas-phase reactivity of the CHCl*- anion has been investigated with a series of halomethanes (CCl4, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, and CH3Cl) using a FA-SIFT instrument. Results show that this anion primarily reacts via substitution and by proton transfer. In addition, the reactions of CHCl*- with CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 form minor amounts of Cl2*- and Cl-. The isotopic distribution of these two products is consistent with an insertion-elimination mechanism, where the anion inserts into a C-Cl bond to form an unstable intermediate, which eliminates either Cl2*- or Cl- and Cl*. Neutral and cationic carbenes are known to insert into single bonds; however, this is the first observation of such reactivity for carbene anions.     

Hydrogen-bonded networks through second-sphere coordination

The reaction of 4, 7-phenanthroline (1) with aqueous transitionmetal complexes [Mn(H2O)6][NO3]2, [Co(H2O)6][NO3]2, [Ni(H2O)6[NO3]2, [Mn(H2O)6][ClO4]2, and [Co(H2O)6][ClO4]2 does not produce coordination complexes between these metal cations and the N-donor ligand as expected. Instead, supramolecular hydrogenbonded networks are formed between the nitrogen donor atoms of 4, 7-phenanthroline and the OH groups of coordinated water molecules: M-O-H...N interactions. This motif of second-sphere coordination for 1 can be exploited as a tool for crystal engineering. As a demonstration of the generality of this new interaction as a supramolecular building block, five X-ray crystal structures are reported that utilise this hydrogen bonding scheme; [Co(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (2a), [Co(MeCN)2(H2O)4][ClO4]2.(1)2 (2b), [Ni(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (3a), [Mn(H2O)4(NO3)2].(1)2 (4a), and [Mn(H2O)6][ClO4]2.(1)(4).4H2O (4b). Each network involves complete saturation of the hydrogen-bond donor sets between the aqua complex and 1 using primarily M-O-H...N(1) and M-O-H...O(anion), interactions. Thermogravimteric analysis shows these materials to have stabililities similar to coordination polymers involving metal-ligand bonds; this demonstrates that second-sphere hydrogen bonding has potential for the construction of polymeric metal-containing materials.     

Simple preparations of Pd6Cl12, Pt6Cl12, and Qn[Pt2Cl8+n], n=1, 2 (Q=TBA+, PPN+) and structural characterization of [TBA][Pt2Cl9] and [PPN]2[Pt2Cl10].C7H8

The hexanuclear Pd6Cl12, i.e., the crystal phase classified as beta-PdCl2, was obtained by reacting [TBA]2[Pd2Cl6] with AlCl3 (or FeCl3) in CH2Cl2. The action of AlCl3 on PtCl42-, followed by digestion of the resulting solid in 1,2-C2H4Cl2 (DCE), CHCl3, or benzene, produced Pt6Cl12.DCE, Pt6Cl12.CHCl3, or Pt6Cl12.C6H6, respectively. Treating [TBA]2[PtCl6] with a slight excess of AlCl3 afforded [TBA][Pt2Cl9], whose anion was established crystallographically to be constituted by two "PtCl6" octahedra sharing a face. Dehydration of H2PtCl6.nH2O with SOCl2 gave an amorphous compound closely analyzing as PtCl4, reactive with [Q]Cl in SOCl2 to yield [Q][Pt2Cl9] or [Q]2[Pt2Cl10], depending on the [Q]Cl/Pt molar ratio (Q=TBA+, PPN+). A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study has shown [PPN]2[Pt2Cl10].C7H8 to contain dinuclear anions formed by two edge-sharing PtCl6 octahedra.     

Trinuclear to dinuclear: a radii dependence lanthanide(III) self-assembly coordination behavior of an amide-type tripodal ligand

Lanthanide nitrate complexes with the heptadentate ligand L (6-[2-(2-(diethylamino)-2-oxoethoxy)ethyl]-N,N,12-triethyl-11-oxo-3,9-dioxa-6,12-diazatetradecanamide), [Ln(2)L(NO(3))(6)] (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Eu, Ho), have been prepared and characterized. The X-ray crystallographic studies show that, in [La(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].H(2)O (1), two complex cations [LaL(H(2)O)](3+) are linked by a hexanitrato anion [La(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) and form a trinuclear cation. In [Nd(2)L(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)].CHCl(3).1/2CH(3)OH.1/2H(2)O (2), one complex cation [NdL(H(2)O)](3+) and a hexanitrato complex anion [Nd(NO(3))(6)](3)(-) are linked by a bridging NO(3)(-) to form a dinuclear complex. In both complexes, the bridging nitrate is an unusual tetradentate ligand. The metal ions are 12-coordinated in hexanitrato anions and 10-coordinated in complex cations. The chainlike supramolecular structures of La(3+) complex are parallel and have no hydrogen bonds in between, while, in the Nd(3+) complex, a chiral cavity is formed by hydrogen bonds between two adjacent supramolecular chains. These influences are further investigated by assessing the separation efficiency of L and (1)H NMR spectra of its lanthanide nitrate mixtures in solution.     

C6F5Xe]+ and [C6F5XeNCCH3]+ salts of the weakly coordinating borate anions, [BY4]- (Y = CN, CF3, or C6F5)

New examples of [C6F5Xe]+ salts of the weakly coordinating [BY4]- (Y = CN, CF3, or C6F5) anions were synthesized by metathesis of [C6F5Xe][BF4] with MI[BY4] (MI = K or Cs; Y = CN, CF3, or C6F5) in CH3CN at -40 degrees C, and were crystallized from CH2Cl2 or from a CH2Cl2/CH3CN solvent mixture. The low-temperature (-173 degrees C) X-ray crystal structures of the [C6F5Xe]+ cation and of the [C6F5XeNCCH3]+ adduct-cation are reported for [C6F5Xe][B(CF3)4], [C6F5XeNCCH3][B(CF3)4], [C6F5Xe][B(CN)4], and [C6F5XeNCCH3][B(C6F5)4]. The [C6F5Xe]+ cation, in each structure, interacts with either the anion or the solvent, with the weakest cation-anion interactions occurring for the [B(CF3)4]- anion. The solid-state Raman spectra of the [C6F5Xe]+ and [C6F5XeNCCH3]+ salts have been assigned with the aid of electronic structure calculations. Gas-phase thermodynamic calculations show that the donor-acceptor bond dissociation energy of [C6F5XeNCCH3]+ is approximately half that of [FXeNCCH3]+. Coordination of CH3CN to [C6F5Xe]+ is correlated with changes in the partial charges on mainly Xe, the ipso-C, and N, that is, the partial charge on Xe increases and those on the ipso-C and N decrease upon coordination, typifying a transition from a 2c-2e to a 3c-4e bond.     

Hydrogen/chlorine exchange reactions of gaseous carbanions

Gas-phase reactions of three typical carbanions CH(2)NO(2)(-), CH(2)CN(-), and CH(2)S(O)CH(3)(-) with the chloromethanes CH(2)Cl(2), CHCl(3), and CCl(4), examined by tandem mass spectrometry, show a novel hydrogen/chlorine exchange reaction. For example, reaction between the nitromethyl anion CH(2)NO(2)(-) and carbon tetrachloride CCl(4) forms the ion CHClNO(2)(-). The suggested reaction mechanism involves nucleophilic attack by CH(2)NO(2)(-) at the chlorine of CCl(4) followed by proton transfer within the resulting complex [CH(2)ClNO(2) + CCl(3)(-)] to form CHClNO(2)(-) and CHCl(3). Two other carbanions CH(2)CN(-) and CH(2)S(O)CH(3)(-) also undergo the novel hydrogen/chlorine exchange reactions with CCl(4) but to a much smaller extent, their higher nucleophilicities favoring competitive nucleophilic attack reactions. Proton abstraction is the exclusive pathway in the reactions of these carbanions with CHCl(3). While CH(2)CN(-) and CH(2)S(O)CH(3)(-) promote mainly proton abstraction and nucleophilic displacement in reactions with CH(2)Cl(2), CH(2)NO(2)(-) does not react.     

Reversible anion exchanges between the layered organic-inorganic hybridized architectures: syntheses and structures of manganese(II) and copper(II) complexes containing novel tripodal ligands

Six noninterpenetrating organic-inorganic hybridized coordination complexes, [Mn(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2).2 H(2)O (5), [Mn(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2) (6), [Mn(3)(2)(N(3))(2)].2 H(2)O (7), [Cu(3)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (8), [Mn(4)(2)(H(2)O)(SO(4))].CH(3)OH.5 H(2)O (9) and [Mn(4)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (10) were obtained through self-assembly of novel tripodal ligands, 1,3,5-tris(1-imidazolyl)benzene (3) and 1,3-bis(1-imidazolyl)-5-(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (4) with the corresponding metal salts, respectively. Their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. The results of structural analysis of complexes 5, 6, 7, and 8 with rigid ligand 3 indicate that their structures are mainly dependant on the nature of the organic ligand and geometric need of the metal ions, but not influenced greatly by the anions and metal ions. While in complexes 9 and 10, which contain the flexible ligand 4, the counteranion plays an important role in the formation of the frameworks. Entirely different structures of complexes 5 and 10 indicate that the organic ligands greatly affect the structures of assemblies. Furthermore, in complexes 5 and 6, the counteranions located between the cationic layers can be exchanged by other anions. Reversible anion exchanges between complexes 5 and 6 without destruction of the frameworks demonstrate that 5 and 6 can act as cationic layered materials for anion exchange, as determined by IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and X-ray powder diffraction.     

The OsO4F-, OsO4F2(2)-, and OsO3F3- anions, their study by vibrational and NMR spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, and the X-ray crystal structures of [N(CH3)4][OsO4F] and [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3

The fluoride ion acceptor properties of OsO4 and OsO3F2 were investigated. The salts [N(CH3)4][OsO4F] and [N(CH3)4]2[OsO4F2] were prepared by the reactions of OsO4 with stoichiometric amounts of [N(CH3)4][F] in CH3CN solvent. The salts [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3] and [NO][OsO3F3] were prepared by the reactions of OsO3F2 with a stoichiometric amount of [N(CH3)4][F] in CH3CN solvent and with excess NOF, respectively. The OsO4F- anion was fully structurally characterized in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [N(CH3)4][OsO4F]: Abm2, a = 7.017(1) A, b = 11.401(2) A, c = 10.925(2) A, V = 874.1(3) A3, Z = 4, and R = 0.0282 at -50 degrees C. The cis-OsO4F2(2-) anion was characterized in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy, and previous claims regarding the cis-OsO4F2(2-) anion are shown to be erroneous. The fac-OsO3F3- anion was fully structurally characterized in CH3CN solution by 19F NMR spectroscopy and in the solid state by vibrational spectroscopy of its N(CH3)4+ and NO+ salts and by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of [N(CH3)4][OsO3F3]: C2/c, a = 16.347(4) A, b = 13.475(3) A, c = 11.436(3) A, beta = 134.128(4) degrees, V = 1808.1(7) A3, Z = 8, and R = 0.0614 at -117 degrees C. The geometrical parameters and vibrational frequencies of OsO4F-, cis-OsO4F2(2-), monomeric OsO3F2, and fac-OsO3F3- and the fluoride affinities of OsO4 and monomeric OsO3F2 were calculated using density functional theory methods.     

Extended coordination frameworks incorporating heterobimetallic squares

The molecular structure of aluminium and iron(III) complexes with 3-phenyl and 3-(4-pyridyl) (HL) substituted acetylacetonate ligands is appreciably distorted. For AlL3 and FeL3 this shows that the orientation of the side pyridyl-N donor atoms lone pairs is about 90 and 135 degrees which favours the assembly of heterobimetallic square patterns in Al(Fe)L3 complexes with metal ions. This was employed for the modular construction of semi-regular heterobimetallic networks, in which the pyridyldiketonate ligands bridge pairs of Fe(Al)/Cd(Co) metal ions and support the structure of 1D and 2D coordination polymers. The unprecedented 2D structure of [Cd[AlL3](CH3OH)[NO3]2].2CHCl3 and Cd[AlL3](CH3OH)Br2].2CHCl3 . 2CH3OH is based upon plane tiling by a set of heterobimetallic squares and octagons, while [Cd[FeL3]2(NO3)2].2H2O and [Co[AlL3]2Cl2].4CHCl3 . 2CH3OH are 1D polymers and exist as chains of heterobimetallic squares sharing opposite vertices.     

Assembly of azido- or cyano-bridged binuclear complexes containing the bulky [Mn(phen)2]2+ building block: syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties

Two new cyano-bridged heterobinuclear complexes, [Mn(II)(phen)2Cl][Fe(III)(bpb)(CN)2] x 0.5CH3CH2OH x 1.5H2O (1) and [Mn(II)(phen)2Cl][Cr(III)(bpb)(CN)2] x 2H2O (2) [phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; bpb(2-) = 1,2-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)benzenate], and four novel azido-bridged Mn(II) dimeric complexes, [Mn2(phen)4(mu(1,1)-N3)2][M(III)(bpb)(CN)2]2 x H2O [M = Fe (3), Cr (4), Co (5)] and [Mn2(phen)4(mu(1,3)-N3)(N3)2]BPh4 x 0.5H2O (6), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and magnetic studies. Complexes 1 and 2 comprise [Mn(phen)2Cl]+ and [M(bpb)(CN)2]- units connected by one cyano ligand of [M(bpb)(CN)2]-. Complexes 3-5 are doubly end-on (EO) azido-bridged Mn(II) binuclear complexes with two [M(bpb)(CN)2]- molecules acting as charge-compensating anions. However, the Mn(II) ions in complex 6 are linked by a single end-to-end (EE) azido bridging ligand with one large free BPh4(-) group as the charge-balancing anion. The magnetic coupling between Mn(II) and Fe(III) or Cr(III) in complexes 1 and 2 was found to be antiferromagnetic with J(MnFe) = -2.68(3) cm(-1) and J(MnCr) = -4.55(1) cm(-1) on the basis of the Hamiltonian H = -JS(Mn)S(M) (M = Fe or Cr). The magnetic interactions between two Mn(II) ions in 3-5 are ferromagnetic in nature with the magnetic coupling constants of 1.15(3), 1.05(2), and 1.27(2) cm(-1) (H = -JS(Mn1)S(Mn2)), respectively. The single EE azido-bridged dimeric complex 6 manifests antiferromagnetic interaction with J = -2.29(4) cm(-1) (H = -JS(Mn1)S(Mn2)). Magneto-structural correlationship on the EO azido-bridged Mn(II) dimers has been investigated.     

Large-scale synthesis and resolution of TRISPHAT [tris(tetrachlorobenzenediolato) phosphate(V)] anion

Both enantiomers of TRISPHAT anion can be obtained on a multigram scale through a novel resolution procedure. The Lambda enantiomer is isolated as the tri-n-butylammonium salt, [(n)()Bu(3)NH][Lambda-1], which is soluble in pure CHCl(3) and CH(2)Cl(2). The Delta enantiomer is prepared as the cinchonidinium derivative, which is only soluble in polar solvent mixtures (>7.5% DMSO in CHCl(3)).     

Protonation of a lanthanum phosphide-alkyl occurs at the P-La not the C-La bond: isolation of a cationic lanthanum alkyl complex

Protonation of the heteroleptic, cyclometalated lanthanum phosphide complex [((Me3Si)2CH)(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)P]La(THF)[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))] with [Et3NH][BPh4] yields the cationic alkyllanthanum complex [(THF)4La[P(C6H4-2-CH2NMe2)(CH(SiMe3)(SiMe2CH2))]][BPh4].     

Design and crystal structures of triple helicates with crystallographic idealized D3 symmetry: the role of side chain effect on crystal packing

Novel crystallographic D3-symmetric binuclear triple molecular helices [Co2L(1)3][BF4]4 (1), [Zn2L(1)3][BF4]4 (2), [Mn2L(1)3][BF4]4 (3), [Co2L(2)3][BF4]4 (4), [Zn2L(2)3][BF4]4 (5), and [Mn2L(2)3][BF4]4 (6) have been achieved to establish the side chain effect on molecular packing, where L1 is [(C5H4N)C(CH3)=N-(C6H4)-]2CH2 and L2 is [(C5H4N)C(CH3)=N-(C6H4)-]2O, respectively. Crystal structure analyses show that each helix crystallizes in a hexagonal crystal system with space group Pc1 and the general axis of the helix occupies the crystallographic 3-fold axial position with the other three crystallographic 2-fold symmetries perpendicular to it. Each metal center is bound to three pyridylimine units to attain C3 pseudooctahedral coordination geometry with respective equivalent metal-N (CH=N) and metal-N (pyridyl) bonds. It is speculated that the existence of the methyl group might minimize the potential intermolecular interactions, which would be the essential factor controlling the helices formed in idealized crystallographic D3 symmetry. Moreover, crystallographic idealized C3-symmetric helicates [Co2L(3)3][BF4]4 (7), [Zn2L(3)3][BF4]4 (8), [Ni2L(3)3][BF4]4 (9), and [Cu2L(3)3][BF4]4 (10) were also structurally characterized for comparison, where L3 is [(C5H4N)C(CH3)=N-]2. All the results indicate that the existence of the methyl group in the side chain of aromatic ligands could effectively reduce the potential - intermolecular interactions and the side chain effect of the methyl group in crystal packing is robust enough to be exchanged from one network structure to another, which ensures the generality and predictability of the crystallographic idealized symmetry formation to a certain extent.     

Hydrogen bonding mediated ion pairs of some aprotic ionic liquids and their structural transition in aqueous solution

Ion pair speciation of ionic liquids(ILs) has an important effect on the physical and chemical properties of ILs and recognition of the structure of ion pairs in solution is essential. It has been reported that ion pairs of some ILs can be formed by hydrogen bonding interactions between cations and anions of them. Considering the fact that far-IR(FIR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool in indicating the intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonding, in this work, this spectroscopic technique has been combined with molecular dynamic(MD) simulation and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy(~1H NMR) to investigate ion pairs of aprotic ILs [Bmim][NO_3], [BuPy][NO_3], [Pyr_(14)][NO_3], [PP_(14)][NO_3] and [Bu-choline][NO_3] in aqueous IL mixtures. The FIR spectra have been assigned with the aid of density functional theory(DFT) calculations, and the results are used to understand the effect of cationic nature on the structure of ion pairs. It is found that contact ion pairs formed in the neat aprotic ILs by hydrogen bonding interactions between cation and anion, were still maintained in aqueous solutions up to high water mole fraction(say 0.80 for [BuPy][NO3]). When water content was increased to a critical mole fraction of water(say 0.83 for [BuPy][NO3]), the contact ion pairs could be transformed into solvent-separated ion pairs due to the formation of the hydrogen bonding between ions and water. With the further dilution of the aqueous ILs solution, the solvent-separated ion pairs was finally turned into free cations and free anions(fully hydrated cations or anions). The concentrations of the ILs at which the contact ion pairs were transformed into solvent-separated ion pairs and solvent-separated ion pairs were transformed into free ions(fully hydrated ion) were dependent on the cationic structures. These information provides direct spectral evidence for ion pair structures of the aprotic ILs in aqueous solution. MD simulation and ~1H NMR results support the conclusion drawn from FIR spectra investigations.     

Structures, host-guest chemistry and mechanism of stepwise self-assembly of M4L6 tetrahedral cage complexes

The ligand L(bip), containing two bidentate pyrazolyl-pyridine termini separated by a 3,3'-biphenyl spacer, has been used to prepare tetrahedral cage complexes of the form [M(4)(L(bip))(6)]X(8), in which a bridging ligand spans each of the six edges of the M(4) tetrahedron. Several new examples have been structurally characterized with a variety of metal cation and different anions in order to examine interactions between the cationic cage and various anions. Small anions such as BF(4)(-) and NO(3)(-) can occupy the central cavity where they are anchored by an array of CH···F or CH···O hydrogen-bonding interactions with the interior surface of the cage, but larger anions such as naphthyl-1-sulfonate or tetraphenylborate lie outside the cavity and interact with the external surface of the cage via CH···π interactions or CH···O hydrogen bonds. The cages with M = Co and M = Cd have been examined in detail by NMR spectroscopy. For [Co(4)(L(bip))(6)](BF(4))(8) the (1)H NMR spectrum is paramagnetically shifted over the range -85 to +110 ppm, but the spectrum has been completely assigned by correlation of measured T(1) relaxation times of each peak with Co···H distances. (19)F DOSY measurements on the anions show that at low temperature a [BF(4)](-) anion diffuses at a similar rate to the cage superstructure surrounding it, indicating that it is trapped inside the central cage cavity. Furthermore, the equilibrium step-by-step self-assembly of the cage superstructure has been elucidated by detailed modeling of spectroscopic titrations at multiple temperatures of an acetonitrile solution of L(bip) into an acetonitrile solution of Co(BF(4))(2). Six species have been identified: [Co(2)L(bip)](4+), [Co(2)(L(bip))(2)](4+), [Co(4)(L(bip))(6)](8+), [Co(4)(L(bip))(8)](8+), [Co(2)(L(bip))(5)](4+), and [Co(L(bip))(3)](2+). Overall the assembly of the cage is entropy, and not enthalpy, driven. Once assembled, the cages show remarkable kinetic inertness due to their mechanically entangled nature: scrambling of metal cations between the sites of pure Co(4) and Cd(4) cages to give a statistical mixture of Co(4), Co(3)Cd, Co(2)Cd(2), CoCd(3) and Cd(4) cages takes months in solution at room temperature.     

Structural and near-IR photophysical studies on ternary lanthanide complexes containing poly(pyrazolyl)borate and 1,3-diketonate ligands

The ligands tris[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]hydroborate (L1, potentially hexadentate) and bis[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl]dihydroborate (L2, potentially tetradentate) have been used to prepare ternary lanthanide complexes in which the remaining ligands are dibenzoylmethane anions (dbm). [Eu(L1)(dbm)2] is eight-coordinate, with L1 acting only as a tetradentate chelate (with one potentially bidentate arm pendant) and two bidentate dbm ligands. [Nd(L1)(dbm)2] was also prepared but on recrystallization some of it rearranged to [Nd(L1)2][Nd(dbm)4], which contains a twelve-coordinate [Nd(L1)2]+ cation (two interleaved hexadentate podand ligands) and the eight-coordinate anion [Nd(dbm)4]- which, uniquely amongst eight-coordinate complexes having four diketonate ligands, has a square prismatic structure with near-perfect O8 cubic coordination. Formation of this sterically unfavourable geometry is assumed to arise from favourable packing with the pseudo-spherical cation. The isostructural series of complexes [Ln(L2)(dbm)2](Ln = Pr, Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Er, Yb) was also prepared and all members structurally characterised; again the metal ions are eight-coordinate, from one tetradentate ligand L2 and two bidentate dbm ligands. Photophysical studies on the complexes with Ln = Pr, Nd, Er, and Yb were carried out; all show the near-IR luminescence characteristic of these metal ions, with longer lifetimes in CD3OD than in CH3OH. For [Yb(L2)(dbm)2], two species with different luminescence lifetimes were observed in CH3OH solution, corresponding to species with zero or one coordinated solvent molecules, in slow exchange on the luminescence timescale. For [Nd(L2)(dbm)2] a single average solvation number of 0.7 was observed in MeOH. For [Pr(L2)(dbm)2] a range of emission lines in the visible and NIR regions was detected; time-resolved measurements show a particularly high susceptibility to quenching by solvent CH and OH oscillators.     

Magnetic properties of cyano-bridged Ln3+-M3+ complexes. Part I: trinuclear complexes (Ln3+ = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm; M3+ = FeLS, Co) with bpy as blocking ligand

The reaction of Ln(NO3)3(aq) with K3[Fe(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] and 2,2'-bipyridine in water/ethanol led to eight trinuclear complexes: trans-[M(CN)4(mu-CN)2{Ln(H2O)4(bpy)2}2][M(CN)6].8H2O (M = Fe3+ or Co3+, Ln = La3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, and Sm3+). The structures for the eight complexes [La2Fe] (1), [Ce2Fe] (2), [Pr2Fe] (3), [Nd2Fe] (4), [Ce2Co] (5), [Pr2Co] (6), [Nd2Co] (7), and [Sm2Co] (8) have been solved; they crystallize in the triclinic space group P and are isomorphous. They exhibit a supramolecular 3D architecture through hydrogen bonding and pi-pi stacking interactions. A stereochemical study of the nine-vertex polyhedra of the lanthanide ions, based on continuous shape measures, is presented. No significant magnetic interaction was found between the lanthanide(III) and the iron(III) ions.     

Metal nitrosyl reactivity: Acetonitrile-promoted insertion of an alkylidene into a nitrosyl ligand with fission of the NO bond

Treatment of the complexes [Re(NO)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] (R = Cy, 1 a; R = iPr, 1 b) with phenyldiazomethane gave the cationic benzylidene species [Re{CH(C6H5)}(NO)2(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] (2 a and 2 b) in good yields. Upon reaction of 2 a and 2 b with acetonitrile, the consecutive formation of [Re(N[triple bond]CCH3)(N[triple bond]CPh)(NO)(OC(CH3)=NH)(PR3)][BAr(F)4] (3 a and 3 b) and [Re(NCCH3)(OC{CH3}NH{C6H5})(NO)(PR3)2][BAr(F)4] (4 a and 4 b) was observed. The proposed reaction sequence involves the coupling of coordinated NO, carbene and acetonitrile molecules to yield the (1Z)-N-[imino(phenyl)methyl]ethanimidate ligand. The coupling of the nitrosyl and the benzylidene is anticipated to occur first, forming an oximate species. The subsequent acetonitrile addition can be envisaged as a heteroene reaction of the oximate and the acetonitrile ligand yielding 3 a and 3 b, which in turn can cyclise and undergo a prototropic shift initiated by an internal attack of the ethaneimidate ligand on the benzonitrile moiety to afford 4 a and 4 b.     

Second-sphere interaction of anions with a weakly binding metal complex host: probing the effect of counteranions

The reaction of [Re(OTf)(CO)5] with N-methylimidazole (MeIm) afforded [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]OTf (1). The reactions of 1 with KPF6, NaBPh4 and NaBAr'4 (Ar' = 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) afforded [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]PF6 (2) [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]BPh4 (3) and [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]BAr'4 (4) respectively. An analogous reaction using N-phenylimidazole (PhIm) yielded [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3]BAr'4 (7). These new compounds were characterized by IR and NMR, and the structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction. Compounds [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3]2[PtCl6] (5), [Re(CO)3(MeIm)3][HSO4] (6), [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3][Br] (8) and [Re(CO)3(PhIm)3][NO3] (9) were crystallized from equimolar mixtures of either 4 or 7 and the tetrabutylammonium salt of the corresponding anion, and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. The solution behavior of 1-4, 7 toward several anions was studied spectroscopically, including the quantitative determination of binding constants by 1H NMR. The cationic tris(imidazole)complexes are stable against imidazole-by-anion substitution, and the main hydrogen bonding interactions involve the imidazole NC(H)N groups. The binding constants for compounds 1-4 with several external anions follow the order 1<2<3<4, indicating that the strength of the cationic complex-counteranion interaction follows the order OTf(-) > PF6(-) > BPh4(-) > BAr'4(-).