Hydrolysis studies on bismuth nitrate: synthesis and crystallization of four novel polynuclear basic bismuth nitrates

Hydrolysis of Bi(NO(3))(3) in aqueous solution gave crystals of the novel compounds [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)(NO(3))(5)(H(2)O)](NO(3)) (1) and [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)(NO(3))(6)(H(2)O)(2)]·H(2)O (2) among the series of hexanuclear bismuth oxido nitrates. Compounds 1 and 2 both crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n but show significant differences in their lattice parameters: 1, a = 9.2516(6) ?, b = 13.4298(9) ?, c = 17.8471(14) ?, β = 94.531(6)°, V = 2210.5(3) ?(3); 2, a = 9.0149(3) ?, b = 16.9298(4) ?, c = 15.6864(4) ?, β = 90.129(3)°, V = 2394.06(12) ?(3). Variation of the conditions for partial hydrolysis of Bi(NO(3))(3) gave bismuth oxido nitrates of even higher nuclearity, [{Bi(38)O(45)(NO(3))(24)(DMSO)(26)}·4DMSO][{Bi(38)O(45)(NO(3))(24)(DMSO)(24)}·4DMSO] (3) and [{Bi(38)O(45)(NO(3))(24)(DMSO)(26)}·2DMSO][{Bi(38)O(45)(NO(3))(24)(DMSO)(24)}·0.5DMSO] (5), upon crystallization from DMSO. Bismuth oxido clusters 3 and 5 crystallize in the triclinic space group P1? both with two crystallographically independent molecules in the asymmetric unit. The following lattice parameters are observed: 3, a = 20.3804(10) ?, b = 20.3871(9) ?, c = 34.9715(15) ?, α = 76.657(4)°, β = 73.479(4)°, γ = 60.228(5)°, V = 12021.7(9) ?(3); 5, a = 20.0329(4) ?, b = 20.0601(4) ?, c = 34.3532(6) ?, α = 90.196(1)°, β = 91.344(2)°, γ = 119.370(2)°, V = 12025.8(4) ?(3). Differences in the number of DMSO molecules (coordinated and noncoordinated) and ligand (nitrate, DMSO) coordination modes are observed.     

Organic-inorganic hybrid materials starting from the novel nanoscaled bismuth oxido methacrylate cluster [Bi38O45(OMc)24(DMSO)9]·2DMSO·7H2O

The reaction of the basic bismuth nitrate [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)](NO(3))(6)·H(2)O with sodium methacrylate in DMSO gave [Bi(38)O(45)(OMc)(24)(DMSO)(9)]·2DMSO·7H(2)O (OMc = O(2)CC(3)H(5)), which is highly soluble in organic solvents. By copolymerization of the bismuth oxido cluster with methyl methacrylate transparent, radiopaque organic-inorganic hybrid materials were obtained.     

From {Bi22O26} to chiral ligand-protected {Bi38O45}-based bismuth oxido clusters

The reaction of [Bi(22)O(26)(OSiMe(2)tBu)(14)] (1) in THF with salicylic acid gave [Bi(22)O(24)(HSal)(14)] (2) first, which was converted into [Bi(38)O(45)(HSal)(22)(OH)(2)(DMSO)(16.5)]·DMSO·H(2)O (3·DMSO·H(2)O) after dissolution and crystallization from DMSO. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and ESI mass spectrometry associated with infrared multi-photon dissociation (IRMPD) tandem MS experiments confirm the formation of the large and quite stable bismuth oxido cluster 3. The reaction of compound 2 with the butoxycarbonyl(BOC)-protected amino acids phenylalanine and valine (BOC-PheOH and BOC-ValOH), respectively, resulted in the formation of chiral [Bi(38)O(45)(BOC-AA)(22)(OH)(2)] (AA=deprotonated amino acid), as shown by a combination of different analytical techniques such as elemental analysis, dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and ESI mass spectrometry.     

Sulfonato-encapsulated bismuth(III) oxido-clusters from Bi2O3 in water under mild conditions

Treatment of Bi(2)O(3) with the acids; S-(+)-10-camphorsulfonic, 2,4,6-mesitylenesulfonic and sulfamic, under sonication at room temperature in water for 2-4 h, results in the formation and subsequent crystallisation of polynuclear bismuth oxido-clusters; [Bi(18)O(12)(OH)(12)(O(3)S-Cam)(18)(H(2)O)(2)], [Bi(38)O(45)(O(3)S-Mes)(24)(H(2)O)(14)] and [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)(O(3)SNH(2))(6)].     

2-Aminoisobutyric acid in Co(II) and Co(II)/Ln(III) chemistry: homometallic and heterometallic clusters

The synthesis and magnetic properties of 13 new homo- and heterometallic Co(II) complexes containing the artificial amino acid 2-amino-isobutyric acid, aibH, are reported: [Co(II)(4)(aib)(3)(aibH)(3)(NO(3))](NO(3))(4)·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O (1·2.8CH(3)OH·0.2H(2)O), {Na(2)[Co(II)(2)(aib)(2)(N(3))(4)(CH(3)OH)(4)]}(n) (2), [Co(II)(6)La(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2)(H(2)O)(4)(CH(3)CN)(2)]·0.5[La(NO(3))(6)]·0.75(ClO(4))·1.75(NO(3))·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O (3·3.2CH(3)CN·5.9H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Pr(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Pr(NO(3))(5)]·0.41[Pr(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.59[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.2(ClO(4))·0.25H(2)O (4·0.25H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Nd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.8)(CH(3)OH)(4.7)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·2.7(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O (5·2.26CH(3)OH·0.24H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Sm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Sm(NO(3))(5)]·0.44[Sm(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(1.5)]·0.56[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.22(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (6·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Eu(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)OH)(4.87)(H(2)O)(1.13)](ClO(4))(2.5)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O (7·2.43CH(3)OH·0.92H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Gd(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.9)(H(2)O)(1.2)]·2.6(ClO(4))·0.5(NO(3))·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O (8·2.58CH(3)OH·0.47H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Tb(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·[Tb(NO(3))(5)]·0.034[Tb(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.5)(H(2)O)(0.5)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.343(ClO(4))·0.3H(2)O (9·0.3H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Dy(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(2.9)(CH(3)OH)(4.92)(H(2)O)(1.18)](ClO(4))(2.6)(NO(3))(0.5)·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O (10·2.5CH(3)OH·0.5H(2)O), [Co(II)(6)Ho(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(CH(3)CN)(6)]·0.27[Ho(NO(3))(3)(ClO(4))(0.35)(H(2)O)(0.15)]·0.656[Co(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)]·0.171(ClO(4)) (11), [Co(II)(6)Er(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(4)(NO(3))(2)(CH(3)CN)(2.5)(H(2)O)(3.5)](ClO(4))(3)·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O (12·CH(3)CN·0.75H(2)O), and [Co(II)(6)Tm(III)(aib)(6)(OH)(3)(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(6)]·1.48(ClO(4))·1.52(NO(3))·3H(2)O (13·3H(2)O). Complex 1 describes a distorted tetrahedral metallic cluster, while complex 2 can be considered to be a 2-D coordination polymer. Complexes 3-13 can all be regarded as metallo-cryptand encapsulated lanthanides in which the central lanthanide ion is captivated within a [Co(II)(6)] trigonal prism. dc and ac magnetic susceptibility studies have been carried out in the 2-300 K range for complexes 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 13, revealing the possibility of single molecule magnetism behavior for complex 10.     

Anion binding by metallo-receptors of 5,5'-dicarbamate-2,2'-bipyridine ligands

Three 5,5'-dicarbamate-2,2'-bipyridine ligands (L = L(1)-L(3)) bearing ethyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl terminals, respectively, on the carbamate substituents were synthesized. Reaction of the ligands L with the transition metal ions M = Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) or Ru(2+) gave the complexes ML(n)X(2)·xG (1-12, n = 1-3; X = Cl, NO(3), ClO(4), BF(4), PF(6), ?SO(4); G = Et(2)O, DMSO, CH(3)OH, H(2)O), of which [Fe(L(2))(3)???SO(4)]·8.5H(2)O (2), [Fe(L(1))(3)???(BF(4))(2)]·2CH(3)OH (7), [Fe(L(2))(3)???(Et(2)O)(2)](BF(4))(2)·2CH(3)OH (8), [ZnCl(2)(L(1))][ZnCl(2)(L(1))(DMSO)]·2DMSO (9), [Zn(L(1))(3)???(NO(3))(2)]·2H(2)O (10), [Zn(L(2))(3)???(ClO(4))(Et(2)O)]ClO(4)·Et(2)O·2CH(3)OH·1.5H(2)O (11), and [Cu(L(1))(2)(DMSO)](ClO(4))(2)·2DMSO (12) were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In the complexes ML(n)X(2)·xG the metal ion is coordinated by n = 1, 2 or 3 chelating bipyridine moieties (with other anionic or solvent ligands for n = 1 and 2) depending on the transition metal and reaction conditions. Interestingly, the carbamate functionalities are involved in hydrogen bonding with various guests (anions or solvents), especially in the tris(chelate) complexes which feature the well-organized C(3)-clefts for effective guest inclusion. Moreover, the anion binding behavior of the pre-organized tris(chelate) complexes was investigated in solution by fluorescence titration using the emissive [RuL(3)](2+) moiety as a probe. The results show that fluorescent recognition of anion in solution can be achieved by the Ru(II) complexes which exhibit good selectivities for SO(4)(2-).     

Artificial amino acids in nickel(II) and nickel(II)/lanthanide(III) chemistry

The synthesis and magnetic properties of five new homo- and heterometallic nickel(II) complexes containing artificial amino acids are reported: [Ni(4)(aib)(3)(aibH)(3)(NO(3))](NO(3))(4)·3.05MeOH (1·3.05MeOH), [Ni(6)La(aib)(12)](NO(3))(3)·5.5H(2)O (2·5.5H(2)O), [Ni(6)Pr(aib)(12)](NO(3))(3)·5.5H(2)O (3·5.5H(2)O), [Ni(5)(OH)(2)(l-aba)(4)(OAc)(4)]·0.4EtOH·0.3H(2)O 6(4·0.4EtOH·0.3H(2)O), and [Ni(6)La(l-aba)(12)][La(2)(NO(3))(9)] (5; aibH = 2-aminoisobutyric acid; l-abaH = l-2-aminobutyric acid). Complexes 1 and 4 describe trigonal-pyramidal and square-based pyramidal metallic clusters, respectively, while complexes 2, 3, and 5 can be considered to be metallocryptand-encapsulated lanthanides. Complexes 4 and 5 are chiral and crystallize in the space groups I222 and P2(1)3, respectively. Direct-current magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2-300 K range for all complexes reveal the presence of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, leading to small or diamagnetic ground states.     

Investigation of the crystal structure of a basic bismuth(III) nitrate with the composition [Bi6O4(OH)4](0.54(1))[Bi6O5(OH)3](0.46(1))(NO3)(5.54(1))

A basic bismuth(III) nitrate with the composition [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)](0.5)[Bi(6)O(5)(OH)(3)](0.5)(NO(3))(5.5) formed in a slow crystal growth mode has an ordered crystal structure with the monoclinic space group P2(1) and lattice parameters a = 15.850(3), b = 14.986(3), c = 18.230(4) ?, β = 107.329(17)° and volume V = 4133.6 ?(3) (Henry et al. 2003). In a very fast crystal growth mode the complex ions disorder in another P2(1) cell with slightly different lattice parameters a = 15.8404(1), b = 15.1982(1), c = 18.3122(1) ?, β = 106.829(1)° and V = 4219.8 ?(3). This cell can be related to two smaller cells: a monoclinic C2/m cell with a = 13.7161(1), b = 15.1943(1), c = 10.2399(1) ?, β = 98.586(1)° and V = 2110.1 ?(3) and a trigonal R3 cell with a = 15.18650(6), c = 15.8416(1) ? (hexagonal setting) and V = 3164.1 ?(3). These smaller cells correspond to average structures and hence the X-ray data do not account for the difference in the structures of the two different complex ions. However, when analysing neutron powder diffraction data, it is possible to distinguish between the two complex ions using a trigonal R3 cell with a = 15.1865(1) and c = 15.8416(1) ? (hexagonal setting). In a Rietveld type structure model refinement with a total of 28 atom sites (4 Bi, 3 N, 15 O and 6 H), the composition of this sample is determined to be [Bi(6)O(4)(OH)(4)](0.54(1))[Bi(6)O(5)(OH)(3)](0.46(1))(NO(3))(5.54(1)).     

Synthesis and structure of a bismuth(III)/chromium(VI) oxo cluster containing a Bi4Cr4O12 core

Bismuth(III) compounds containing the Kl?ui's oxygen tripodal ligand [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)](-) (L(OEt)(-)) have been synthesized, and their interactions with dichromate in aqueous media were studied. The treatment of Bi(5)O(OH)(9)(NO(3))(4) with NaL(OEt) in water afforded [L(OEt)Bi(NO(3))(2)](2) (1), whereas that of BiCl(3) with NaL(OEt) in CH(2)Cl(2) yielded L(OEt)BiCl(2) (2). Chloride abstraction of 2 with AgX afforded [L(OEt)BiX(2)](2) [X(-) = triflate (OTf(-)) (3), tosylate (OTs(-)) (4)]. In aqueous solutions at pH > 4, 4 underwent ligand redistribution to give the bis(tripod) complex [(L(OEt))(2)Bi(H(2)O)][OTs] (5). The treatment of 4 with Na(2)Cr(2)O(7) in acetone/water afforded the Bi(III)/Cr(VI) oxo cluster [(L(OEt))(4)Bi(4)(μ(3)-CrO(4))(2)(μ(3)-Cr(2)O(7))(2)] (6) containing a unique Bi(4)Cr(4)O(12) oxometallic core. Compound 6 oxidized benzyl alcohol to give ca. 6 equiv of benzaldehyde. The reaction between 2 and CrO(3) yielded [L(OEt)Bi(OCrO(2)Cl)](2)(μ-Cl)(2) (7). The crystal structures of complexes 4-7 have been determined.     

Structural motifs in phenylbismuth heterocyclic carboxylates--secondary interactions leading to oligomers

The reaction of triphenylbismuth [BiPh(3)] with several heterocyclic carboxylic acids was explored. Seven crystalline compounds, [PhBi(2-O(2)C-3-(OH)C(5)H(3)N)(2)(2-O(2)C-3-(OH)C(5)H(3)NH)] (5), [(Bi(2-O(2)C-3-(OH)C(5)H(3)N)(4))(C(5)H(5)NH)(C(5)H(5)N)] (7), [PhBi(2-O(2)C-C(4)H(3)N(2))(2)(2-O(2)C-C(4)H(4)N(2))·H(2)O] (8), [PhBi(2-O(2)C-C(9)H(6)N)(2)·H(2)O] (9), [Ph(2)Bi(O(2)C-C(4)H(3)O)] (10), [Ph(2)Bi(O(2)C-C(4)H(3)S)] (11) and [PhBi(O(2)C-C(4)H(3)S)(2)](2) (12), were prepared by simple reactions using BiPh(3) and the corresponding acids, 3-hydroxypicolinic acid, pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid, quinoline-2-carboxylic (quinaldic) acid, furan-2-carboxylic acid and thiophene-2-carboxylic acid. Compound 5 primarily exhibits a coordination number of six with pentagonal pyramidal geometry at bismuth, but an additional weak Bi···O interaction in the direction of the lone pair of electrons is present. This feature leads to a weakly bound dimer. The use of pyridine as the solvent in a similar reaction, however, led to 7, in which all of the Bi-Ph bonds are cleaved. In this compound, bismuth exhibits a coordination number of eight and distorted dodecahedral geometry. In compound 8, the geometry around bismuth is primarily a pentagonal pyramid, however, clear-cut but weak secondary Bi···N interactions leading to a dimeric formulation are discernible in the structure. The quinaldate compound 9 exhibits a lower formal coordination number of five for bismuth, with square pyramidal geometry, but again two secondary Bi···O interactions for each bismuth in the direction of the lone pair lead to a dimer. A similar secondary Bi···O interaction involving furan oxygen is present in the furoate compound 10, which is a polymeric chain (one dimensional coordination polymer). Although the thiophene carboxylate 11 is also a polymeric chain, no Bi···S interactions are present. Unlike the previously reported tetrameric biscarboxylate [PhBi(2-O(2)C-C(5)H(3)N)(2)](4), the thiophene carboxylate [PhBi(O(2)C-C(4)H(3)S)(2)](2) (12) is a dimer considering only primary interactions. However, these dimers are arranged in such a way that there are secondary Bi···S interactions in the structure in the expected direction of the lone pair of electrons on bismuth. Thus, these studies suggest that the stereochemical activity (or inactivity) of the bismuth lone pair of electrons need to be judged more cautiously. TGA studies are consistent with the presence of Bi-Ph groups in all of the compounds, except 7, as indicated by their formulae.     

1,2,4-Triazole functionalized adamantanes: a new library of polydentate tectons for designing structures of coordination polymers

A series of functionalized adamantanes: 1,3-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)(tr(2)ad); 1,3,5-tris(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-(tr(3)ad); 1,3,5,7-tetrakis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)adamantanes (tr(4)ad) and 3,5,7-tris(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)-1-azaadamantane (tr(3)ada) were developed as a new family of geometrically rigid polydentate tectons for supramolecular synthesis of framework solids. The coordination compounds were prepared under hydrothermal conditions; their structures reveal a special potential of the triazolyl adamantanes for the generation of highly-connected and open frameworks as well as structures based upon polynuclear metal clusters assembled with short-distance N(1),N(2)-triazole bridges. Complexes [Cd{L}(2)]A·nH(2)O [L = tr(3)ad, A = 2NO(3)(-) (4), CdCl(4)(2-) (5); L = tr(3)ada, A = CdI(4)(2-) (7)] are isomorphous and adopt a layered 3,6-connected structure of CdI(2) type. [{Cu(3)(OH)}(2)(SO(4))(5)(H(2)O)(2){tr(3)ad}(3)]·26H(2)O (6) is a layered polymer based upon Cu(3)(μ(3)-OH) nodes and trigonal tr(3)ad links. In [Cu(3)(OH)(2){tr(3)ada}(2)(H(2)O)(4)](ClO(4))(4) (8), [Cu(2){tr(3)ada}(2)(H(2)O)(3)](SO(4))(2)·7H(2)O (9) and [Cd(2){tr(3)ada}(3)]Cl(4)·28H(2)O (10) (UCl(3)-type net) the organic tripodal ligands bridge polynuclear metal clusters. Complexes [Ag{tr(4)ad}]NO(3)·3.5H(2)O (11) and [Cu{tr(4)ad}(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·3H(2)O (12) have 3D SrAl(2)-type frameworks with the metal ions and adamantane tectons as topologically equivalent tetrahedral nodes, while in [Cd(3)Cl(6){tr(4)ad}(2)]·9H(2)O (13) the ligands bridge trinuclear six-connected Cd(3)Cl(6)(μ-tr)(4)(tr)(2) clusters. In the compounds [Cd(2){tr(2)ad}(4)(H(2)O)(4)](CdBr(4))(2)·2H(2)O (2) and [Cd{tr(2)ad}(4){CdI(3)}(2)]·4H(2)O (3) the bitopic ligands provide simple links between the metal ions, while in [Ag(2){tr(2)ad}(2)](NO(3))(2)·2H(2)O (1) the ligand is tetradentate and generates a 3D framework.     

Periodic trends in hexanuclear actinide clusters

Four new Th(IV), U(IV), and Np(IV) hexanuclear clusters with 1,2-phenylenediphosphonate as the bridging ligand have been prepared by self-assembly at room temperature. The structures of Th(6)Tl(3)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](6)(NO(3))(7)(H(2)O)(6)·(NO(3))(2)·4H(2)O (Th6-3), (NH(4))(8.11)Np(12)Rb(3.89)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](12)(NO(3))(24)·15H(2)O (Np6-1), (NH(4))(4)U(12)Cs(8)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](12)(NO(3))(24)·18H(2)O (U6-1), and (NH(4))(4)U(12)Cs(2)[C(6)H(4)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](12)(NO(3))(18)·40H(2)O (U6-2) are described and compared with other clusters of containing An(IV) or Ce(IV). All of the clusters share the common formula M(6)(H(2)O)(m)[C(6)H(3)(PO(3))(PO(3)H)](6)(NO(3))(n)((6-n)) (M = Ce, Th, U, Np, Pu). The metal centers are normally nine-coordinate, with five oxygen atoms from the ligand and an additional four either occupied by NO(3)(-) or H(2)O. It was found that the Ce, U, and Pu clusters favor both C(3i) and C(i) point groups, while Th only yields in C(i), and Np only C(3i). In the C(3i) clusters, there are two NO(3)(-) anions bonded to the metal centers. In the C(i) clusters, the number of NO(3)(-) anions varies from 0 to 2. The change in the ionic radius of the actinide ions tunes the cavity size of the clusters. The thorium clusters were found to accept larger ions including Cs(+) and Tl(+), whereas with uranium and later elements, only NH(4)(+) and/or Rb(+) reside in the center of the clusters.     

Syntheses, characterization, and magnetic studies of copper(II) complexes with the ligand N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine (1,3-tpbd) and its phenol derivative 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresol] (2,6-Htpcd)

The copper(II) complexes [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)(NO(3))(4)](n)(NO(3))(4n)·13nH(2)O (1), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(AsO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (2), [Cu(4)(1,3-tpbd)(2)(PO(4))(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)](ClO(4))(2)·2H(2)O·0.5CH(3)OH (3), [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)(2)PO(2)}(2)](2)(ClO(4))(4) (4), and [Cu(2)(1,3-tpbd){(PhO)PO(3)}(2)(H(2)O)(0.69)(CH(3)CN)(0.31)](2)(BPh(4))(4)·Et(2)O·CH(3)CN (5) [1,3-tpbd = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-benzenediamine, BPh(4)(-) = tetraphenylborate] were prepared and structurally characterized. Analyses of the magnetic data of 2, 3, 4, and [Cu(2)(2,6-tpcd)(H(2)O)Cl](ClO(4))(2) (6) [2,6-tpcd = 2,6-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]-p-cresolate] show the occurrence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the copper(II) ions, the bis-terdentate 1,3-tpbd/2,6-tpcd, μ(4)-XO(4) (X = As and P) μ(1,2)-OPO and μ-O(phenolate) appearing as poor mediators of exchange interactions in this series of compounds. Simple orbital symmetry considerations based on the structural knowledge account for the small magnitude of the magnetic couplings found in these copper(II) compounds.     

Synthesis, characterization, crystal structure and preliminary reactivity behaviour of new heteropolytopic ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine spacer and pyrazolyl, tris-pyrazolylmethyl and tris-pyrazolylethoxy bonding fragments

Four new potentially polytopic nitrogen donor ligands based on the 1,3,5-triazine fragment, L(1)-L(4) (L(1) = 2-chloro-4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazine, L(2) = N,N'-bis(4,6-di(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diamine, L(3) = 2,4,6-tris(tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-1,3,5-triazine, and L(4) = 2,4,6-tris(2,2,2-tri(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)ethoxy)-1,3,5-triazine) have been synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of L(3) confirms that its molecular nature consists of a 1,3,5-triazine ring bearing three tripodal tris(pyrazolyl) arms. L(1), L(2), and L(4) react with Cu(I), Cu(II), Pd(II) and Ag(I) salts yielding mono-, di-, and oligonuclear derivatives: [Cu(L(1))(Cy(3)P)]ClO(4), [{Ag(2)(L(2))}(CF(3)SO(3))(2)]·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·H(2)O, [Cu(2)(L(2))(CH(3)COO)(2)](CH(3)COO)(2)·3H(2)O, [Pd(2)(L(2))(Cl)(4)]·2H(2)O, [Ru(L(2))(Cl)(OH)]·CH(3)OH, [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) and [Ag(3)(L(4))(2)](BF(4))(3). The interaction of L(3) with Ag(I), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ru(II) complexes unexpectedly produced the hydrolysis of the ligand with formation, in all cases, of tris(pyrazolyl)methane (TPM) derivatives. In detail, the already known [Ag(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3)) and [Cu(TPM)(2)](NO(3))(2), as well as the new [Zn(TPM)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) and [Ru(TMP)(p-cymene)]Cl(OH)·2H(2)O complexes have been isolated. Single-crystal XRD determinations on the latter derivatives confirm their formulation, evidencing, for the Ru(II) complex, an interesting supramolecular arrangement of the anions and crystallization water molecules.     

Silver(I)-ethynide clusters constructed with phosphonate-functionized polyoxovanadates

Two neutral silver(I)-phenylethynide clusters incorporating the [((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](4-) unit as an integral shell component, namely {(NO(3))(2)@Ag(16)(C≡CPh)(4)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](2)(DMF)(6)(NO(3))(2)}·DMF·H(2)O and {[(O(2))V(2)O(6)](3)@Ag(43)(C≡CPh)(19)[((t)BuPO(3))(4)V(4)O(8)](3)(DMF)(6)}·5DMF·2H(2)O, have been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The central cavities of the Ag(16) and Ag(43) clusters are occupied by two NO(3)(-) and three [(O(2))V(2)O(6)](4-) template anions, respectively.     

Magnetic nanosized {M(II)24}-wheel-based (M = Co, Ni) coordination polymers

Two 3D coordination polymers, [Co(24)(OH)(12)(SO(4))(12)(ip)(6)(DMSO)(18)(H(2)O)(6)]·(DMSO)(6)(EtOH)(6)(H(2)O)(36) (1·guests, ip = isophthalate) and [Ni(24)(OH)(12)(SO(4))(12)(ip)(6)(DMSO)(12)(H(2)O)(12)]·(DMSO)(6)(EtOH)(6)(H(2)O)(20) (2·guests), constructed with nanosized tetraicosanuclear Co(II) and Ni(II) wheels are solvothermally synthesized. Both complexes show intra- and interwheel dominant antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Linking [M(III)3] triangles with "double-headed" phenolic oximes

Strapping two salicylaldoxime units together with aliphatic α,Ω-aminomethyl links in the 3-position gives ligands which allow the assembly of the polynuclear complexes [Fe(7)O(2)(OH)(6)(H(2)L1)(3)(py)(6)](BF(4))(5)·6H(2)O·14MeOH (1·6H(2)O·14MeOH), [Fe(6)O(OH)(7)(H(2)L2)(3)](BF(4))(3)·4H(2)O·9MeOH (2·4H(2)O·9MeOH) and [Mn(6)O(2)(OH)(2)(H(2)L1)(3)(py)(4)(MeCN)(2)](BF(4))(5)(NO(3))·3MeCN·H(2)O·5py (3·3MeCN·H(2)O·5py). In each case the metallic skeleton of the cluster is based on a trigonal prism in which two [M(III)(3)O] triangles are tethered together via three helically twisted double-headed oximes. The latter are present as H(2)L(2-) in which the oximic and phenolic O-atoms are deprotonated and the amino N-atoms protonated, with the oxime moieties bridging across the edges of the metal triangles. Both the identity of the metal ion and the length of the straps connecting the salicylaldoxime units have a major impact on the nuclearity and topology of the resultant cluster, with, perhaps counter-intuitively, the longer straps producing the "smallest" molecules.     

Synthesis, structural, magnetic, DFT calculations and CShM studies of three new pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters

The ditopic ligand PyPzOAPz (N-[(Z)-amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1-(pyridin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) was synthesized by in situ condensation of methyl imino pyrazine-2-carboxylate with 5-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl) pyrazole-3-carbohydrazide. In this work we have also used two of our earlier ligands PzCAP (5-methyl-N-[(1E)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene]-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2009, 8215) and PzOAP (N-[(Z)-amino(pyridin-2-yl)methylidene]-5-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbohydrazonic acid) (Dalton Trans., 2007, 1229). These ligands PzCAP, PzOAP and PyPzOAPz were made to react with Mn(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O to produce three pentanuclear Mn(II) clusters [Mn(5)(PzCAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (1), [Mn(5)(PzOAP)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (2) and [Mn(5)(PyPzOAPz)(6)](ClO(4))(4) (3). These complexes have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses and variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. All complexes have a pentanuclear core with trigonal bipyramidal arrangement of Mn(II) atoms, where, the axial metal centers have a N(3)O(3) chromophore and the equatorial centers have N(4)O(2) with an octahedral arrangement. These Mn(5)(II) clusters 1, 2 and 3 show the presence of antiferromagnetic coupling within the pentanuclear manganese(II) core (J = -2.95, -3.19 and -3.00 cm(-1) respectively). Density functional theory calculations and continuous shape measurement (CShM) studies have been performed on these complexes to provide a qualitative theoretical interpretation of the antiferromagnetic behaviour shown by them. The pentanuclear Mn(II) cluster (1) on reaction with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion in CH(3)OH:H(2)O (60?:?40) forms a homoleptic [2 × 2] tetranuclear Cu(4)(II) grid [Cu(4)(PzCAP)(4)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2)·8H(2)O (4). The same Cu(4)(II) grid is also obtained from a direct reaction between the ditopic ligand PzCAP with Cu(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O in 1:1 mole proportion. This conversion of a cluster to a grid is a novel observation.     

Aggregation of dinuclear {Fe2hpdta} units to form polynuclear oxy/hydroxy-bridged Fe(III) coordination complexes

An approach for the preparation of oxy/hydroxy briged Fe(III) clusters that takes advantage of hydrolytic condensations of well defined {Fe(2)hpdta(H(2)O)(4)} building units is presented. Co-ligands such as tripodal H(3)tea or bidentate organic bases such as ethylenediamine (enH(2)) can be used to complete the coordination spheres of the Fe(III) centres and stabilise unsymmetrical iron-oxo clusters with non-zero magnetic ground spin-states. This strategy led to the isolation of a pentanuclear complex [Fe(5)(μ(3)-O)(hpdta)(H(2)tea)(Htea)(2))(tea)]·{N(C(2)H(4)OH)(3)}·2EtOH·7H(2)O (1) and a nonanuclear coordination complex [Fe(9)(μ(3)-O)(5)(μ-OH)(5)(en)(6)(hpdta)(2)](NO(3))(2)·7H(2)O (2).     

Nitrosyl induces phosphorous-acid dissociation in ruthenium(II)

The trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))]Cl(3) complex was synthesized by reacting [Ru(H(2)O)(NH(3))(5)](2+) with H(3)PO(3) and characterized by spectroscopic ((31)P-NMR, δ = 68 ppm) and spectrophotometric techniques (λ = 525 nm, ε = 20 L mol(-1) cm(-1); λ = 319 nm, ε = 773 L mol(-1) cm(-1); λ = 241 nm, ε = 1385 L mol(-1) cm(-1); ν(NO(+)) = 1879 cm(-1)). A pK(a) of 0.74 was determined from infrared measurements as a function of pH for the reaction: trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))](3+) + H(2)O ? trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(O(-))(OH)(2))](2+) + H(3)O(+). According to (31)P-NMR, IR, UV-vis, cyclic voltammetry and ab initio calculation data, upon deprotonation, trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(P(OH)(3))](3+) yields the O-bonded linkage isomer trans- [Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(OP(OH)(2))](2+), then the trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(OP(H)(OH)(2))](3+) decays to give the final products H(3)PO(3) and trans-[Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)](3+). The dissociation of phosphorous acid from the [Ru(NO)(NH(3))(4)](3+) moiety is pH dependent (k(obs) = 2.1 × 10(-4) s(-1) at pH 3.0, 25 °C).