Unprecedented gold-tellurolate clusters [Au(8)(mu-TeR)(8)(PR'(3))(4)

The reaction of [AuCl(PR'3)] with KTeR, prepared from RTeTeR and K-selectride, gives the gold-tellurolate clusters [Au8(mu-TeR)8(PR'3)4] (R = Ph, Tol; PR'3 = PPh3, PPh2py) in high yield. This result contrasts with the one obtained from the reaction with thiolates or selenolates, from which mononuclear complexes are synthesized. The structures of these species have been determined and consist on three layers of gold and tellurium atoms in the ratio Au3Te2:Au2Te4:Au3Te2. There are short gold...gold interactions ranging from 2.9463(7) to 3.31132(7) A, and the clusters are composed of di- and tri-coordinated gold centers. The result is unprecedented in gold-chalcogenolate chemistry from which mononuclear species are expected and represents one of the few examples of gold-tellurolate derivatives. These species show an interesting luminescent behavior in the solid state (at 77 K) and in solution (both at 298 and 77 K).     

Crystal Structure and Spectroscopic Characterization of K(6)(VO)(4)(SO(4))(8) Containing Mixed-Valent Vanadium(IV)-Vanadium(V)

Pleochroistic crystals (dark green to colorless) of a mixed-valence V(IV)-V(V) compound, K(6)(VO)(4)(SO(4))(8), suitable for X-ray determination have been obtained from the catalytically important K(2)S(2)O(7)-V(2)O(5)/SO(2)-O(2)-SO(3)-N(2) molten salt-gas system, at approximately 400 degrees C. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1) (No. 4) with a = 8.931(2) ?, b = 18.303 (3) ?, c = 9.971(2) ?, beta = 90.11(2) degrees, and Z = 2. It contains two rather similar V(IV)-V(V) pairs of VO(6) octahedra distorted as usual having a short V-O bond of around 1.57 ?, a long bond of around 2.40 ? trans to this, and four equatorial bonds around 2.00 ?. The bond lengths of the V(V)O(6) octahedra are significantly shorter than those found for the V(IV)O(6) octahedra. The eight different SO(4)(2)(-) groups are all bridging bidentate between the V(IV) and V(V) atoms; a third oxygen is coordinated to a vanadium atom of a neighboring chain trans to the short V=O bond, and the fourth oxygen remains uncoordinated. The measured bond distances and angles show a considerable distortion of the SO(4) tetrahedra. This is confirmed by the IR spectra of the compound, where large shift and splitting of the sulfate nu(3) bands up to wave numbers of around 1300 cm(-)(1) is observed. The ESR spectra of the compound exhibit weak anisotropy with g(iso) = 1.972 +/- 0.002 and DeltaB(pp) = 65 +/- 2 G. The compound may cause the deactivation for industrial sulfuric acid catalysts observed around 400 degrees C in highly converted SO(2)-O(2)-N(2) gas mixtures.     

A new cyclic borazine species B(8)(NH)(4)(NMe(2))(8) containing a twelve-membered B(8)N(4) ring

The reaction between B(2)(NMe(2))(4) and two equivalents of [NH(4)][PF(6)] in thf at room temperature affords the new cyclic borazine B(8)(NH)(4)(NMe(2))(8) containing a non-planar twelve-membered ring with alternating B(2)(NMe(2))(2) and NH units.     

Site-differentiated hexanuclear rhenium(III) cyanide clusters [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(n)()(CN)(6)(-)(n)()](n)()(-)(4) (n = 4, 5) and kinetics of solvate ligand exchange on the cubic [Re(6)Se(8)](2+) Core

The site-differentiated, cyanide-substituted hexanuclear rhenium(III) selenide clusters cis- and trans-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)] and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(CN)](+) have been prepared from heterogeneous reactions of the corresponding iodo clusters with AgCN in refluxing chloroform. Isolated yields are 68%, 46%, and 64% for cis-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)], trans-[Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(4)(CN)(2)], and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(CN)](+), respectively. The new compounds are air- and water-stable and are characterized by X-ray diffraction crystallography, (31)P NMR and IR spectroscopies, and FAB mass spectrometry. In related work, the solvent exchange rates of two site-differentiated monosolvate clusters, [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(MeCN)](SbF(6))(2) and [Re(6)Se(8)(PEt(3))(5)(Me(2)SO)](SbF(6))(2), in neat solvents were measured by (1)H NMR. These clusters are substitutionally inert; k approximately 10(-)(5)-10(-)(6) s(-)(1) at 318 K. Activation parameters indicate a dissociative ligand exchange mechanism; DeltaH() values obtained from least-squares fitting of temperature-dependent kinetics data exceed RT by a factor of ca. 50 over the temperature range studied. These results demonstrate that the substitutional lability encountered in a previous study of cluster photophysics (Gray, T. G.; Rudzinski, C. M.; Nocera, D. G.; Holm, R. H. Inorg. Chem. 1999, 38, 5932) cannot result from ground-state thermal reactions.     

New class of ruthenium sulfide clusters: Ru(4)S(6)(PPh(3))(4), Ru(5)S(6)(PPh(3))(5), and Ru(6)S(8)(PPh(3))(6)

Reaction of RuCl(2)(PPh(3))(3) with S(2)(-) sources yields a family of phosphine-containing Ru-S clusters which have been characterized crystallographically and by MALDI-MS. Ru(4)S(6)(PPh(3))(4) (Ru-Ru(av) = 2.94 A) has idealized T(d)() symmetry whereas Ru(6)S(8)(PPh(3))(6) (Ru-Ru(av) = 2.82 A) adopts the idealized O(h)() symmetry characteristic of Chevrel clusters. Ru(5)S(6)(PPh(3))(5) is formally derived by the addition of Ru(PPh(3)) to one face of Ru(4)S(6)(PPh(3))(4). In terms of its M-S connectivity, the Ru(5)S(6) cluster resembles a fragment of the FeMo cluster in nitrogenase.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of the face-centered cubic clusters [Tp(8)(H(2)O)(12)M(6)Fe(8)(CN)(24)](4+) (M = Co, Ni)

Reactions between K[TpFe(CN)3] (Tp- = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate) and M(ClO4)2 x 6H2O (M = Co or Ni) in a mixture of acetonitrile and methanol afford, upon crystallization via THF vapor diffusion, [Tp8(H2O)12Co6Fe8(CN)24](ClO4)4.12THF x 7H2O (1) and [Tp8(H2O)12Ni6Fe8(CN)24](ClO4)4.12THF x 7H2O (2). Both compounds contain cyano-bridged clusters with a face-centered cubic geometry, wherein octahedral CoII or NiII centers are situated at the face-centering sites. The results of variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate the presence of ferromagnetic exchange coupling within both molecules to give ground states of S = 7 and 10, respectively. Low-temperature magnetization data reveal significant zero-field splitting, with the best fits for the Co6Fe8 and Ni6Fe8 clusters yielding D = -0.54 and 0.21 cm-1, respectively; ac magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on both samples showed no evidence of the slow relaxation effects associated with single-molecule magnet behavior.     

Single-molecule magnets: a new family of Mn(12) clusters of formula [Mn(12)O(8)X(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)L(6)

The reaction of (NBu(n)(4))[Mn(8)O(6)Cl(6)(O(2)CPh)(7)(H(2)O)(2)] (1) with 2-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (hmpH) or 2-(hydroxyethyl)pyridine (hepH) gives the Mn(II)(2)Mn(III)(10) title compounds [Mn(12)O(8)Cl(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hmp)(6)] (2) and [Mn(12)O(8)Cl(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hep)(6)] (3), respectively, with X = Cl. Subsequent reaction of 3 with HBr affords the Br(-) analogue [Mn(12)O(8)Br(4)(O(2)CPh)(8)(hep)(6)] (4). Complexes 2.2Et(2)O.4CH(2)Cl(2), 3.7CH(2)Cl(2), and 4.2Et(2)O.1.4CH(2)Cl(2) crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, monoclinic space group C2/c, and tetragonal space group I4(1)/a, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 represent a new structural type, possessing isomeric [Mn(III)(10)Mn(II)(2)O(16)Cl(2)] cores but with differing peripheral ligation. Complex 4 is essentially isostructural with 3. A magnetochemical investigation of complex 2 reveals an S = 6 or 7 ground state and frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in ac susceptibility studies that establish it as a new class of single-molecule magnet. These signals occur at temperatures higher than those observed for all previously reported single-molecule magnets that are not derived from [Mn(12)O(12)(O(2)CR)(16)(H(2)O)(x)]. A detailed investigation of forms of complex 2 with different solvation levels reveals that the magnetic properties of 2 are extremely sensitive to the latter, emphasizing the importance to the single-molecule magnet properties of interstitial solvent molecules in the samples. In contrast, complexes 3 and 4 are low-spin molecules with an S = 0 ground state.     

Isolation of the novel dirhodium(II/II) thiolate compound Rh(2)(eta(1)-C(6)H(5)S)(2)(mu-C(6)H(5)S)(2)(bpy)(2)

The reaction of the anticancer active compound [Rh(2)(mu-O(2)CCH(3))(2)(bpy)(2)(CH(3)CN)(2)][BF(4)](2) (1) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) with NaC(6)H(5)S under anaerobic conditions yields Rh(2)(eta(1)-C(6)H(5)S)(2)(mu-C(6)H(5)S)(2)(bpy)(2).CH(3)OH (2), which was characterized by UV-visible, IR, and (1)H NMR spectroscopies as well as single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Compound 2 crystallizes as dark red platelets in the monoclinic space group C2/c with cell parameters a = 20.398(4) A, b = 11.861(2) A, c = 17.417(4) A, beta = 108.98 degrees, V = 3984.9(14) A(3), Z = 4. The main structural features are the presence of a [Rh(2)](4+) core with a Rh-Rh distance of 2.549(2) A bridged by two benzene thiolate ligands in a butterfly-type arrangement. The axial positions of the [Rh(2)](4+) core are occupied by two terminal benzene thiolates. Cyclic voltammetric studies of 2 reveal that the compound exhibits an irreversible oxidation at +0.046 V in CH(3)CN, which is in accord with the fact that the compound readily oxidizes in the presence of O(2). The fact that this unusual dirhodium(II/II) thiolate compound is formed under these conditions is an important first step in understanding the metabolism of dirhodium anticancer active compounds with thiol-containing peptides and proteins.     

Hybrid cluster-cages formed via cyanometalate condensation: Cs subset Co(4)Ru(6)S(2)(CN)(12), Co(4)Ru(9)S(6)(CN)(9), and Rh(4)Ru(9)S(6)(CN)(9) frameworks

Condensation of cyanometalates and cluster building blocks leads to the formation of hybrid molecular cyanometalate cages. Specifically, the reaction of [Cs subset [CpCo(CN)(3)](4)[CpRu](3)] and [(cymene)(2)Ru(3)S(2)(NCMe)(3)]PF(6) produced [Cs subset [CpCo(CN)(3)](4)[(cymene)(2)Ru(3)S(2)][CpRu](3)](PF(6))(2), Cs subset Co(4)Ru(6)S(2)(2+). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, and ESI-MS measurements show that Cs subset Co(4)Ru(6)S(2)(2+ ) consists of a Ru(4)Co(4)(CN)(12) box fused with a Ru(3)S(2) cluster via a common Ru atom. The reaction of PPN[CpCo(CN)(3)] and 0.75 equiv of [(cymene)(2)(MeCN)(3)Ru(3)S(2)](PF(6))(2) in MeCN solution produced [[CpCo(CN)(3)](4)[(cymene)(2)Ru(3)S(2)](3)](PF(6))(2), Co(4)Ru(9)S(6)(2+). Crystallographic analysis, together with NMR and ESI-MS measurements, shows that Co(4)Ru(9)S(6)(2+ ) consists of a Ru(3)Co(4)(CN)(9) "defect box" core, wherein each Ru is fused to a Ru(3)S(2) clusters. The analogous condensation using [CpRh(CN)(3)](-) in place of [CpCo(CN)(3)](-) produced the related cluster-cage Rh(4)Ru(9)S(6)(2+). Electrochemical analyses of both Co(4)Ru(9)S(6)(2+) and Rh(4)Ru(9)S(6)(2+) can be rationalized in the context of reduction at the cluster and the Co(III) subunits, the latter being affected by the presence of alkali metal cations.     

The bis-phenyltin-substituted, lone-pair-containing tungstoarsenate [(C(6)h(5)Sn)(2)as(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)](8)(-)

The bis-phenyltin-substituted, lone-pair-containing tungstoarsenate [(C(6)H(5)Sn)(2)As(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)](8)(-) (1) has been synthesized and characterized by multinuclear NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Single-crystal X-ray analysis was carried out on (NH(4))(7)Na[(C(6)H(5)Sn)(2)As(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)].17.5H(2)O (NH(4)(-1), which crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/c, with a = 18.3127(17) A, b = 24.403(2) A, c = 22.965(2) A, beta = 106.223(2) degrees, and Z = 4. Polyanion 1 consists of two B-alpha-(As(III)W(9)O(33)) Keggin moieties linked via a WO(H(2)O) fragment and two SnC(6)H(5) groups leading to a sandwich-type structure with nominal C(2)(v) symmetry. Polyanion 1 is stable in solution as indicated by the expected 6-line pattern (4:4:4:4:2:1) in (183)W NMR and the expected (119)Sn, (13)C, and (1)H NMR spectra. Synthesis of 1 was accomplished by reaction of C(6)H(5)SnCl(3) and K(14)[As(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)] in a 2:1 molar ratio in aqueous acidic medium (pH 2). In the solid-state structure of NH(4)(-1, neighboring polyanions are weakly bound via W-O-Na bonds leading to chains which interact with each other via the phenyl rings resulting in a 2-D assembly.     

Photophysics of Supercomplexes. Adduct between Ru(bpy)(CN)(4)(2-) and the [32]ane-N(8)H(8)(8+) Polyaza Macrocycle

The formation of a supercomplex between the Ru(bpy)(CN)(4)(2-) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) complex and the [32]ane-N(8)H(8)(8+) macrocycle (1) has been studied in water and in acetonitrile. In acetonitrile, supercomplex formation is accompanied by (i) large hypsochromic shifts in the absorption spectrum (color changes from deep violet to yellow) and in the emission spectrum, (ii) large anodic shifts in standard oxidation (0.73 V) and reduction (0.37 V) potentials, (iii) typical shifts of (1)H-NMR signals for the macrocycle N-bound protons and the complex bipyridine protons, and (iv) a large increase in the MLCT excited-state lifetime of the complex. In water, the spectral shifts and the changes in standard potential are much less pronounced, but supercomplex formation is evidenced by (13)C-NMR (and (1)H-NMR) and by emission lifetime changes. In both solvents, supercomplex formation is complete in 1:1, 1.0 x 10(-4) M solutions, indicating very large stability constant values. A structure of the supercomplex with the macrocycle bound in a "boat" conformation to the four cyanide ligands of the complex, plausible in terms of molecular models, is consistent with all the experimental data. In water, the supercomplex further associates with added negative species containing carboxylate functions, as shown by partial reversal of the lifetime changes. When the added species is also a potential electron transfer quencher (such as, e.g., Rh(dcb)(3)(3-), dcb = 4,4'-dicarboxy-2,2'-bipyridine), however, association is not accompanied by quenching. This behavior is attributed to the structure of the supercomplex-quencher adduct, in which the macrocycle acts as an insulating spacer between the excited complex and the quencher.     

Rates of oxygen exchange between the [H(x)Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-)(x)(a)(q)) Lindqvist ion and aqueous solutions

Oxygen-isotope-exchange rates were measured between sites in the Lindqvist-type [H(x)()Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-)(x)()((aq)) polyoxoanion and aqueous solution as a function of pH and temperature. The ion has a central mu(6)-O that is inert to exchange, 12 mu(2)-O(H), and 6 eta-O. The potassium salt of this ion is recrystallized in (17)O-enriched water to (17)O-label the anion, which is then redissolved into isotopically normal water so that the (17)O NMR signals from structural oxygens can be followed as a function of time. Because the central mu(6)-O retains its (17)O signal throughout the experiments, it is clear that the polyoxoanion remains intact during isotopic equilibration of the other structural oxygens. At pH conditions where the [HNb(6)O(19)](7)(-) ion predominates, the mu(2)-O(H) sites isotopically exchange with solution about an order of magnitude more rapidly than the eta-O sites. Yet, we observe that the terminal and bridging oxo sites react at nearly the same rates when the ion is coordinated to 2-3 protons and possibly when it is unprotonated. On the basis of molecular models and experimental kinetic data, we propose metastable polymorphs of the hexaniobate structure where four of the mu(2)-O(H) and eta-O sites are temporarily equivalent and bonded to a coordinatively unsaturated Nb(V). This hypothesized intermediate allows facile access to bulk water molecules for exchange but cannot fully explain the kinetic results and additional experiments on other Lindvist ions are required.     

Routes to metallodendrimers of the [Re(6)(mu(3)-Se)(8)](2+) core-containing clusters

The reaction of [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5(MeCN)](SbF6)2 with an excess of 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (L1) and (E)-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene (L2) produced [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5(L1)](SbF6)2 and [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5(L2)](SbF6)2, respectively, each bearing an accessible pyridyl N atom capable of further metal coordination. Reacting these cluster complex-based ligands with [Re6(mu3-Se)8(MeCN)6](SbF6)2 afforded two heptacluster metallodendrimers, each featuring a central [Re6(mu3-Se)8]2+ cluster core surrounded by six units of [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5]2+ via the bridging interactions of its respective dipyridyl-based ligands. Their identity and stereochemistry have been established, with the most convincing evidence furnished by a unique 77Se NMR spectroscopic study. Electrochemical studies suggest very interesting electronic properties of these novel metallodendrimers.     

Characterization of Ti(6)O(4)(O(2)C(4)H(5))(8)(OCH(2)CH(3))(8) by electrospray time of flight mass spectrometry

A titanium oxide molecular cluster prepared by hydrolysis of titanium tetraethoxide in the presence of methacrylic acid, can be characterized by electrospray time of flight mass spectrometry (ESMS-TOF). The chemistry of such systems is not well known and ESMS is a powerful technique for studying the reactions of clusters in solution. The fingerprint of the cluster fragmentation suggests formation of Ti(x)O(y) core fragments that represent commonly observed structural constructs in bulk titanium oxide metallates. The fragmentation steps provide insight into the hydrolytic conversion of this molecular sol gel intermediate into bulk TiO(2). While MS has been applied to the study of metal alkoxide hydrolysis mechanisms, mass spectra of isolated individual titanium oxide clusters have not previously been reported.     

Spectroelectrochemical studies on mixed-valence states in a cyanide-bridged molecular square, [Ru(II)(2)Fe(II)(2)(mu-CN)(4)(bpy)(8)](PF6)(4).CHCl(3).H(2)O

A cyanide-bridged molecular square of [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II) (2)(mu-CN)(4)(bpy)(8)](PF(6))(4).CHCl(3).H(2)O, abbreviated as [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II) (2)](PF(6))(4), has been synthesised and electrochemically generated mixed-valence states have been studied by spectroelectrochemical methods. The complex cation of [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II) (2)](4+) is nearly a square and is composed of alternate Ru(II) and Fe(II) ions bridged by four cyanide ions. The cyclic voltammogram (CV) of [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II) (2)](PF(6))(4) in acetonitrile showed four quasireversible waves at 0.69, 0.94, 1.42 and 1.70 V (vs. SSCE), which correspond to the four one-electron redox processes of [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II) (2)](4+) right arrow over left arrow [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II)Fe(III)] (5+) right arrow over left arrow [Ru(II) (2)Fe(III) (2)](6+) right arrow over left arrow [Ru(II)Ru(III)Fe(III) (2)](7+) right arrow over left arrow [Ru(III) (2)Fe(III) (2)](8+). Electrochemically generated [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II)Fe(III)](5+) and [Ru(II) (2)Fe(III) (2)](6+) showed new absorption bands at 2350 nm (epsilon =5500 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 1560 nm (epsilon =10 500 M(-1) cm(-1)), respectively, which were assigned to the intramolecular IT (intervalence transfer) bands from Fe(II) to Fe(III) and from Ru(II) to Fe(III) ions, respectively. The electronic interaction matrix elements (H(AB)) and the degrees of electronic delocalisation (alpha(2)) were estimated to be 1090 cm(-1) and 0.065 for the [Ru(II) (2)Fe(II)Fe(III) (2)](5+) state and 1990 cm(-1) and 0.065 for the [Ru(II) (2)Fe(III) (2)](6+) states.