Recent studies on metal and metalloid bis(trimethylsilyl)methyls and the transformation of the bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl into the azaallyl and β-diketinimato ligands

Recent results (post-1990) on the synthesis and structures of bis(trimethylsilyl)methyls M(CHR₂)_m (R = SiMe₃) of metals and metalloids M are described, including those of the crystalline lipophilic [Na(μ-CHR₂)]_∞, [Rb(μ-CHR₂)(PMDETA)]₂, K₄(CHR₂)₄(PMDETA)₂, [Mg(CHR₂)(μ-CHR₂)]_∞, P(CHR₂)₂ (gaseous) and P₂(CHR₂)₄, [Yb(CHR₂)₂(OEt₂)₂] and [{Yb(CR₃)(μ-OEt)(OEt₂)}₂]; earlier information on other M(CHR₂)_m complexes and some of their adducts is tabulated. Treatment of M(CHR₂) (M = Li or K) with four different nitriles gave the X-ray-characterized azaallyls or β-diketinimates , and (LL′ = N(R)C(^tBu)CHR, L′L′ = N(R)C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)NR, LL″ = N(R)C(Ph)NC(H)C(Ph)CHR, R = SiMe₃ and Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,5). The two lithium reagents were convenient sources of other metal azaallyls or β-diketinimates, including those of K, Co(II), Zr(IV), Sn(IV), Yb(II), Hf(IV) and U(VI)/U(III). Complexes having one or more of the bulky ligands [LL′]⁻, [L′L′]⁻, [LL]⁻, [LL″]⁻, [L″L]⁻, [LL]⁻ and [{N(R)C(^tBu)CH}₂C₆H₄-2]²⁻ are described and characterized (LL = N(H)C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)NH, L″L = N(R)C(^tBu)C(H)C(Ph)NR, LL = N(R)C(^tBu)CHPh). Among the features of interest are (i) the contrasting tetrahedral or square-planar geometry for and , respectively, and (ii) olefin-polymerization catalytic activity of some of the zirconium(IV) chlorides.     

Electron transfer in organometallic clusters : XI. Redox chemistry of M3(CO)12(M = Ru, Os) and PPh3 derivatives; mechanism of catalysed nucleophilic substitution

The generality of a two-electron reduction process involving an mechanism has been established for M₃(CO)₁₂ and M₃(CO)₁₂−n(PPh₃)_n (M = Ru, Os) clusters in all solvents. Detailed coulometric and spectral studies in CH₂Cl₂ provide strong evidence for the formation of an ‘opened’ M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ species the triangulo radical anions M₃(CO)₁₂^−· having a half-life of < 10⁻⁶ s in CH₂Cl₂. However, the electrochemical response is sensitive to the presence of water and is concentration dependent. An electrochemical response for “opened” M₃(CO)₁₂²⁻ is only detected at low concentrations < 5 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ and under drybox conditions. The electroactive species ground at higher concentrations and in the presence of water M₃(CO)₁₁²⁻ and M₆(CO)₁₈²⁻ were confirmed by a study of the electrochemistry of these anions in CH₂Cl₂; HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is not a product. The couple [M₆(CO)₁₈]^−/2− is chemically reversible under certain conditions but oxidation of HM₃(CO)₁₁⁻ is chemically irreversible. Different electrochemical behaviour for Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is found when [PPN][X] (X = OAc⁻, Cl⁻) salts are supporting electrolytes. In these solutions formation of the ultimate electroactive species [μ-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₀]⁻ at the electrode is stopped under CO or at low temperatures but Ru₃(CO)₁₂^−· is still trapped by reversible attack by X presumably as [η¹-C(O)XRu₃(CO)₁₁]⁻. It is shown that electrode-initiated electron catalysed substitution of M₃(CO)₁₂ only takes place on the electrochemical timescale when M = Ru, but it is slow, inefficient and non-selective, whereas BPK-initiated nucleophilic substitution of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ is only specific and fast in ether solvents particulary THF. Metal---metal bond cleavage is the most important influence on the rate and specificity of catalytic substitution by electron or [PPN]-initiation. The redox chemistry of M₃(CO)₁₂ clusters (M = Fe, Ru, Os) is a consequence of the relative rates of metal---metal bond dissociation, metal-metal bond strength and ligand dissociation and in many aspects resembles their photochemistry.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Isotopic exchange reactions between iron-sulphur-nitrosyl clusters and nitrite

The anion [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]⁻ undergoes slow exchange with labelled nitrite [¹⁵NO₂]⁻ to yield a product [Fe₄S₃(¹⁴NO)(¹⁵NO)₆]⁻ in which complete isotopic exchange has occurred at the basal Fe(NO)₂ groups, but with no exchange at the apical Fe(NO) group. The neutral Fe₄S₄(NO)₄ reacts rapidly with [¹⁵NO₂⁻ to give fully exchanged [Fe₄S₃(¹⁵NO)₇]⁻, and it is proposed that the conversion proceeds by fragmentation, followed by complete isotopic exchange and rapid reassembly. The binuclear anion [Fe₂S₂(NO)₄]²⁻ also yields, with [¹⁵NO₂]²⁻ in CD₂Cl₂ solution, the fully exchanged [Fe₄S₃(¹⁵NO)₇]⁻, and a mechanism involving successive fragmentation, exchange and reassembly steps is proposed; however in aqueous solution, a clean exchange reaction occurs to give [Fe₂S₂(¹⁵NO)₄]²⁻. Neutral binuclear esters Fe₂(SR)₂(NO)₄ (R = Me, Et, or Ph) with [¹⁴NO₂]⁻ yield the mononuclear paramagnetic [Fe(¹⁴NO)₂(¹⁴NO₂)₂]⁻, and with [¹⁵NO₂]⁻ the analogous [Fe(¹⁵NO)₂(₁₅NO₂)₂]⁻.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the reactions of tetrathiomolybdate with roussin salts and esters, and with some related iron nitrosyls

The tetrathiomolybdate ion [MoS₄]²⁻ reacts in DMF solution with Roussin esters Fe₂(SR)₂(NO)₄ (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu,t-Bu, n-C₅H₁₁) to yield the paramagnetic iron nitrosyls [Fe(NO)₂(SR)₂]⁻ (1), [Fe(NO)₂(S₂MoS₂]⁻ (2) and [Fe(NO)(S₂MOS₂)₂]⁻ (3). The new complexes (2) and (3) have been characterized by EPR spectroscopy and the assignment to them of constitutions based respectively upon tetrahedral and square pyramidal iron is supported by EHMO calculations. Fe₂(SPh)₂(NO)₄ with [MoS₄]²⁻ yields only [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻, and preformed (3) reacts with PhS⁻ to give firstly EPR-silent species, and then [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻. The mononitrosyl (3) can also be formed by reaction of [MoS₄]²⁻ with [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]⁻, Fe₄S₄(NO)₄, or Fe₂I₂(NO)₄.     

Das perfluortriazinium-kation als oxidationsmittel in der metallorganischen synthese—ein neuer weg zur darstellung von [Cp2MCl2](M = Mo

The oxidation of Cp₂MCl₂ (M= Mo, W) with perfluortriazinium tetrafluoroborate, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in the presence of a flouride ion acceptor (BF₃ or PF₅) in SO₂ solution yielded the cationic metallocene complexes [Cp₂MCl ₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ or [C_p2MCl₂] ²⁺[BF₄]⁻[PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W), respectively. In these reactions, for the first time the perfluortriazinium cation has proved to be easy to handle and a useful oxidizer in organometallic chemistry. The oxidizer strength of three fluorotriazinium cations, [(XCN)₃F]⁺ (X = F, Cl, H), has been computed ab initio (HF/6 − 31 + G) and calibrated on literature data which were obtained by local density functional calculations. It was anchored to its F⁺ zero point by an experimental value for KrF⁺. ab]Die Oxidation von Cp²MCl₂ mit (M = MO, W) Perfluortriaziniumtetrafluoroborat, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in Anwesenheit eines Fluoridionenakzeptors (BF₃ oder PF₅) führte in SO₂-Lösung zur Bildung der kationischen Metallocen-Komplexe [Cp₂MCl₂₊]²⁺[BF₄]₂⁻ bzw. [Cp₂MCl₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ [PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W). In diesen Reaktionen konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, daß Perfluortriazinium-Kationen einfach zu handhabende und nützliche Oxidationsmittel im Bereich der metallorganischen Synthese darstellen. Das (Mdationsvermögen von drei Fluorotriazinium-Kationen, [(XCN)₃F]⁺(X = F, Cl, H), wurde ab initio berechnet (HF/6 − 31 + G) und mit Hilfe von Literaturdaten, die mittels local density functional-Berechnungen erhalten und am experimentellen Wert von KrF ⁺ bezüglich des F⁺ Nullpunktes verankert wurden, kalibriert.     

Fingerprint patterns from laser-induced Azido photochemistry of spin-labeled photoaffinity ATP analogs in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

The photochemical reaction of azide derivatives induced by ultraviolet (UV) laser in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) is reported. A novel synthesized class of azide aromatic derivatives, spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analogs which are useful probes in study of muscle contraction mechanism, is used in this investigation. In the negative ion MALDI spectra of these ATP analogs, “fingerprint” peaks corresponding to [M − 10 − 1]⁻, [M − 12 − 1]⁻, [M − 16 − 1]⁻, [M − 26 − 1]⁻, [M − 28 − 1]⁻, [M − 41 − 1]⁻, and [M − 42 − 1]⁻ were observed with relative intensities depending on the MALDI matrix. Only the [M − 16 − 1]⁻ is present in the similar mass spectra of the analog in which the azido group is replaced by a hydrogen. A model is suggested for the photochemical reactions of azide derivatives under UV laser irradiation. The photoreaction fingerprint information is diagnostically useful in characterization of azido compounds, especially for spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside ATP analogs.     

New aspects of the reaction of silver(I) cations with the ethylenediaminetetraacetate ion

The highly neutralized ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) titrant (95–99% as Y⁴⁻ anion) precipitates with Ag⁺ cations to form the Ag₄Y species, in aqueous medium, which is well characterized from conductometric titration, thermal analysis and potentiometric titration of the silver content of the solid. The precipitate dissolves in excess Y⁴⁻ to form a complex, AgY³⁻. Equilibrium studies at 25°C and ionic strength 0.50 M (NaNO₃) have shown from solubility and potentiometric measurements that the formation constant (95% confidence level) β₁ = (1.93 ± 0.07) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and the solubility products are K_S0 = [Ag +]⁴[Y⁴⁻] = (9.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ M⁵ and K_S1 = [Ag +]³[AgY³⁻] = (1.74 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹² M⁴. The presence of Na⁺, rather than ionic strength, markedly affects the equilibrium; the data at ionic strength 0.10 M are: β₁ = (1.19 ± 0.03) × 10⁶ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁹ M⁵ and K_S1 = (1.9 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹³ M⁴; at ionic strength tending to zero; β₁ = (1.82 ± 0.05) × 10⁷ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (2.6 ± 0.8) × 10⁻²² M⁵ and K_S1 = (5 ± 1) × 10⁻¹⁵ M⁴. The intrinsic solubility is 2.03 mM silver (I) in 0.50 M NaNO₃. Well-defined potentiometric titration curves can be taken in the range 1–2 mM with the Ag indicator electrode. Thermal analysis revealed from differential scanning calorimetry a sharp exothermic peak at 142°C; thermal gravimetry/differential thermal gravimetry has shown mass loss due to silver formation and a brown residue, a water-soluble polymeric acid (decomposition range 135–157°C), tending to pure silver at 600°C, consistent with the original Ag₄Y salt.     

Pulse radiolysis study of reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals originating from methyl tert-butyl ether in the gas phase

UV spectra and kinetics for the reactions of alkyl and alkylperoxy radicals from methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) were studied in 1 atm of SF₆ by the pulse radiolysis-UV absorption technique. UV spectra for the radical mixtures were quantified from 215 to 340 nm. At 240 nm. σ_R = (2.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ and σ_RO2 = (4.1 ± 0.6) × 10⁻¹⁸ cm² molecule⁻¹ (base e). The rate constant for the self-reaction of the alkyl radicals is (2.5 ± 1.1) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹. The rate constants for reaction of the alkyl radicals with molecular oxygen and the alkylperoxy radicals with NO and NO₂ are (9.1 ± 1.5) × 10⁻¹³, (4.3 ± 1.6) × 10⁻¹² and (1.2 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The rate constants given above refer to reaction at the tert-butyl side of the molecule.     

Electrospray mass spectrometry of zinc dithiophosphate derivatives and its application to the analysis of engine oil antiwear additives

Electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) has been applied to a variety of zinc O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate (DTP) derivatives. The neutral Zn(DTP)₂ compounds were converted to the [Zn(DTP)₃]⁻ anions by reaction with excess DTP⁻ and these principal anions are readily observed by ES-MS. Exchange reactions between two different zinc tris(DTP) anions leads to the simultaneous observation of zinc anions containing all possible combinations of ligands even though the species in solution are exchanging rapidly on the NMR timescale. Similar mass spectra are observed upon mixing Zn(DTP)₂ with a different DTP⁻ anion. Reaction of Zn(DTP)₂ with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) in methanol solution gives [Zn(DTP)(DMSO)_1,2]⁺ and free DTP⁻ ions which are observed in the positive ion and negative ion ES mass spectra respectively. This latter reaction provides a convenient method for the characterisation and qualitative analysis of engine oil inhibitor and antiwear additives, which contain zinc dithiophosphates with alkyl and aryl substituents.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and third-order non-linear optical property of heterobimetallic cluster compound [MoOICu3S3(2,2′-bipy)2]

Nest-shaped cluster [MoOICu₃S₃(2,2′-bipy)₂] (1) was synthesized by the treatment of (NH₄)₂MoS₄, CuI, (n-Bu)₄NI, and 2,2′-bipyridine (2,2′-bipy) through a solid-state reaction. It crystallizes in monoclinic space group P2₁/n, a=9.591(2) Å, b=14.820(3) Å, c=17.951(4) Å, β=91.98(2)°, V=2549.9(10) ų, and Z=4. The nest-shaped cluster was obtained for the first time with a neutral skeleton containing 2,2′-bipy ligand. The non-linear optical (NLO) property of [MoOICu₃S₃(2,2′-bipy)₂] in DMF solution was measured by using a Z-scan technique with 15 ns and 532 nm laser pulses. The cluster has large third-order NLO absorption and the third-order NLO refraction, its ₂ and n₂ values were calculated as 6.2×10⁻¹⁰ and −3.8×10⁻¹⁷ m² W⁻¹ in a 3.7×10⁻⁴ M DMF solution.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new bulky tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate ligands and their zinc and cadmium complexes

The sodium salts of the tris(2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^Bz]⁻ and tris(2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^p-Tol]⁻ anions have been readily prepared in very good yield from NaBH₄ and 2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazole or 2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazole, respectively. These new monoanionic tripodal sulfur-donor ligands have been used to prepare the Group 12 derivatives (Tm^R)MBr (M=Zn, Cd; R=Bz, p-Tol), all of which have been characterized by a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and, in the case of both benzyl-substituted derivatives, single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Reactions of cyclo-(t-Bu4Sb4) with alkali metals; syntheses and crystal structures of [M(L)n(t-Bu4Sb3)] (M=Na, K; n=1, 2) and [K(L)(t-Bu3Sb2)] (L=(Me2NCH2CH2)2NMe)

Reduction of cyclo-(t-Bu₄Sb₄) (1) with sodium or potassium in boiling tetrahydrofuran leads to the anions [t-Bu₄Sb₃]⁻ and [t-Bu₃Sb₂]⁻. Crystallization with pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (L) gives [M(L)_n(t-Bu₄Sb₃)] (n=1, M=Na (2), K (3); n=2, M=K (4)) and [K(L)(t-Bu₃Sb₂)] (5). Crystal structure analyses reveal coordination of the anionic antimony ligands on the alkali metal ions for 2, 3, and 5. In contrast, no Sb---K interactions were observed in the structure of 4.     

Homo- and hetero-bridged mixed-valence dinuclear complexes which contain the fragment ‘Rh(C6F5)3’

The reaction of the anionic mononuclear rhodium complex [Rh(C₆F₅)₃Cl(Hpz)]^t- (Hpz = pyrazole, C₃H₄N₂) with methoxo or acetylacetonate complexes of Rh or Ir led to the heterodinuclear anionic compounds [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-Cl)(μ-pz)M(L₂)] [M = Rh, L₂ = cyclo-octa-1,5-diene, COD (1), tetrafluorobenzobarrelene, TFB (2) or (CO)₂ (4); M = Ir, L₂ = COD (3)]. The complex [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(Hbim)]⁻ (5) has been prepared by treating [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(acac)]⁻ with H₂bim (acac = acetylacetonate; H₂bim = 2,2′-biimidazole). Complex 5 also reacts with Rh or Ir methoxo, or with Pd acetylacetonate, complexes affording the heterodinuclear complexes [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-bim)M(L₂)]⁻ [M = Rh, L₂ = COD (6) or TFB (7); M = Ir, L₂ = COD (8); M = Pd, L₂ = η³-C₃H₅ (9)]. With [Rh(acac)(CO)₂], complex 5 yields the tetranuclear complex [{(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-bim)Rh(CO)₂}₂]₂₋. Homodinuclear Rh^III derivatives [{Rh(C₆F₅)₃}₂(μ-L)₂]^·- [L₂ = OH, pz (11); OH, S^tBu (12); OH, SPh (13); bim (14)] have been obtained by substitution of one or both hydroxo groups of the dianion [{Rh(C₆F₅)₃(μ-OH)}₂]²⁻ by the corresponding ligands. The reaction of [Rh(C₆F₅)₃(Et₂O)_x] with [PdX₂(COD)] produces neutral heterodinuclear compounds [(C₆F₅)₃Rh(μ-X)₂Pd(COD)] [X = Cl (15); Br (16)]. The anionic complexes 1–14 have been isolated as the benzyltriphenylphosphonium (PBzPh₃⁺) salts.     

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster cations [Pt3{M(CO)3}(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)3] (M = Re, Mn)

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster [Pt₃(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)₃]²⁺ (1, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with Na⁺[M(CO)₅]⁻ to give the mixed metal clusters [Pt₃{M(CO)₃}(μ-dppm)₃]⁺ (M = Re, 2; Mn, 3). The new clusters are characterized by spectroscopic methods and, for M = Re, by an X-ray structure determination. The Pt₃Re core in 2 is tetrahedral with particularly short metal-metal distances.     

Electrochemical study and flow-injection amperometric detection of trace NO(2)(-) at CuPtCl(6) chemically modified electrode

A thin film of mixed-valent CuPtCl₆ is deposited on a glassy carbon electrode by continuous cyclic scanning in a solution containing 3×10⁻³ M CuCl₂+3×10⁻³ M K₂PtCl₆+1 M KCl in the potential range from 700 to −800 mV. The cyclic voltammetry is used to study the electrochemical behaviors of nitrite on CuPtCl₆/GC modified electrode and the electrode displays a good catalytic activity toward the oxidation of nitrite. The effects of the film thickness, pH, the electrode stability and precision have been evaluated. Experiments in flow-injection analysis are performed to characterize the electrode as an amperometric sensor for the detection of nitrite. The modified electrode shows a wide dynamic range, quite a low detection limit and short response time. The linear relationship between the flow-injection peak currents and the concentrations of nitrite is at a range of 1×10⁻⁷–2×10⁻³ M with a detection limit of 5×10⁻⁸ M.     

Aminosubstituierte 2-azoniaallenyliden-komplexe des chroms und wolframs

The successive reaction of chromium and tungsten hexacarbonyl, (CO)₆M (M = Cr, W), with [N=C(Ph)R]⁻ and [Et₃O]BF₄ yields the alkylideneamino(ethoxy)carbene complexes (CO)₅M[C(OEt)N=C(Ph)R] (M = Cr (1), W (2); R = NMe₂ (a), ^tBu (b)). Ethoxide abstraction from 1 and 2 affords 2-azoniaallenylidene complexes, {(CO)₅M[CNC(Ph)R]}⁺BF₄⁻ (3/4). The complexes 3 and 4 are best described as resonance hybrids of several limiting structures. On the basis of the spectroscopic data of the complexes 3a and 4a the limiting structure of an iminium-substituted isocyanide complex dominates.     

Synthesis, structure and non-linear optical property of a copper(II) thiocyanate three-dimensional supramolecular compound

A novel copper(II) thiocyanate complex [Cu(im)₂(NCS)₂] 1 (im=imidazole) has been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic analysis and crystallographic method. This supramolecular compound exhibits a three-dimensional solid state structure constituted by N–HS hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions. The compound in DMF solutions has a very strong third-order non-linear optical (NLO) behavior with absorption coefficient and refractive index ₂=1.18×10⁻¹¹ mw⁻¹, n₂=−9.00×10⁻¹⁶ m²w⁻¹, respectively, and third-order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ of 7.00×10⁻¹⁰ esu.     

3D H-bonding networks self-assembly from pyridinium derivatives and bis(maleonitriledithiolato)zincate(II)

The two ion-pair complexes, [pyH]₂[Zn(mnt)₂] (1) and [4,4′-bipyH₂]-[Zn(mnt)₂] (2), were synthesized, where mnt²⁻ denotes maleonitriledithiolate, and [pyH]⁺, [4,4′-bipyH₂]²⁺ represent pyridinium and diprotonated 4,4′-bipyridinium, respectively. Their single crystal structures show that there are strong bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the cations of the pyridinium derivative and the [Zn(mnt)₂]²⁻ anions in both 1 and 2. The bifurcated H-bonding interactions between the N–H of the pyridiniums and the CN groups of the mnt²⁻ ligands give rise to a 2D layered H-bonding network, the adjacent layers come together in such way as mutual embrace to give a tight pack, thus 2D hydrogen-bonding sheets further develop into 3D H-bonding networks through weak C–HS and ππ stacking interactions in 1. As for 2, the cations and anions connect into several types of H-bonding macrorings ([2+2], [3+3] and [4+4]), these H-bonding macrorings fuse to extend into 2D layered structure, the interpenetration between [3+3] and [4+4] type H-bonding macrorings in the adjacent layers give further rise to novel 3D extended H-bonding networks, in which there are clearly parallel stacks of cations and the chelate rings of anions.     

Aurophilic attraction: the additivity and the combination with hydrogen bonds

The coexistence of gold–gold contacts and hydrogen bonding is studied in the model system [H₂P(OH)AuCl]₂ and [H₂P(OH)AuPH₂(O)]₂. The two interactions are found to be comparable. The possible non-additivity of the aurophilic, Au(I)–Au(I) interaction is studied at MP2 level for the pentagonal [Au(SH)₂(AuSH)₅)]⁻ and hexagonal [Au(SH)₂(AuSH)₆]⁻ clusters. The possibilities of ‘mechanical cooperativity’ between different aurophilic attractions and of Au…S attractions are also considered.