Molecular pairs and a propeller containing quadruply bonded dimolybdenum units linked by polyamidate ligands

Two molecular pairs [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[N,N'-diethylterephthalamidate] (1) and [Mo2(DAniF)3]2{1,3-C6H4[C(O)NP]} (2) where DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) and the propeller ([Mo2(DAniF)3]3{1,3,5-C6H3[C(O)NPh]3} (3)) have been prepared in good yield and high purity by directly combining Mo2(DAniF)3(O2CCH3) with the corresponding polyamidates. Electrochemical measurements of these complexes show unresolved redox waves, which indicate that the dimetal centers are only electronically weakly coupled. Compound 1 was chemically oxidized by ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate to the two-electron oxidation product 4, where one electron was removed from each of the [Mo2] units. The hyperfine coupling in the EPR spectrum (A = 22 x 10-4 cm-1 ) suggests that 4 is an electron-trapped species with one electron residing on each of the two dimolybdenum units, as suggested also by electrochemical measurements.     

Charge-transfer hybrids containing covalently bonded polyoxometalates and ferrocenyl units

Two new charge-transfer hybrids with one or two ferrocenyl units covalently attached to a hexamolybdate cluster through an extended pi-conjugated bridge have been prepared using Pd-catalyzed coupling reactions on monoiodo- or diiodo-functionalized cluster substrates in over 60% yields. These hybrids have been characterized by (1)H NMR, FTIR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. The electronic spectra of these hybrids show a broad absorption tail extending beyond 550 nm, indicating the existence of charge-transfer transition from the ferrocenyl donor to the cluster acceptor. The observation of the clear charge-transfer transition indicates the contribution of charge-transfer resonance to the ground state in both 2a and 2b even though the donor-acceptor separation distance of 11.29 A is rather long, signaling a through-bond charge-transfer nature made possible by the organic pi-conjugated bridge. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal a one-electron oxidation wave and a one-electron reduction wave for the hybrid with one ferrocenyl unit. For the one with two ferrocenyl units, a lower reduction potential and a two-electron oxidation wave are observed, indicating negligible electronic interactions between the two ferrocenyl units.     

An unusual trigonal D3 assembly composed of molybdate anions and multiply bonded dimolybdenum units

Oxidation of the molybdate-linked pair having two quadruply bonded Mo(2)(4+) units, [Mo(2)(DAniF)(3)](2)(micro(2)-MoO(4)), (DAniF = N,N'-di-(p-anisyl)formamidinate) leads to the formation of a species consisting of three oxidized Mo(2)(5+) units connected by two micro(3)-MoO(4)(2-) dianions, {[Mo(2)(DAniF)(3)](3)(micro(3)-MoO(4))(2)}(2+). This cation displays overall D(3) point group symmetry due to a slight twisting of the three Mo(2)(5+) units about the threefold symmetry axis. This distortion removes all mirror symmetry but preserves all C(2) axes orthogonal to the unique C(3) axis. Cyclic voltammetry of {[Mo(2)(DAniF)(3)](3)(micro(3)-MoO(4))(2)}(2+) in CH(2)Cl(2) reveals three reversible one-electron redox processes, corresponding to successive reduction of each of the three Mo(2)(5+) units, with DeltaE(1/2) separations of 0.36 V and 0.41 V.     

Synthesis and thermal decomposition of methylsiloxane oligomers containing two linked cyclosiloxane units

Ten separated oligomeric methylsiloxanes, with cyclic and linear segments of different size, have been prepared and studied. The thermal decomposition of these compounds has been investigated in the temperature range from 400–600°C. The pentasiloxy cycle proved to be more stable than the tetrasiloxy in the investigated compounds. Compounds containing the strained cyclotrisiloxy group have the lowest stability. On the basis of the pyrolysis product distributions, a general mechanism of dimethylsiloxane elimination and addition is proposed.     

Synthesis and structure of cuboctahedral and anticuboctahedral cages containing 12 quadruply bonded dimolybdenum units

The syntheses and structures of two clusters containing 12 Mo-Mo quadruple bonds, [Mo(24)(C(12)H(12)O(4))(24)](C(5)H(5)N)(12) and Mo(24)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(24), are reported. The 12 paddlewheel building blocks and 24 ligands self-assemble into cuboctahedral and anticuboctahedral polyhedra, respectively, depending on the manner in which the two halves of the cluster are aligned. These clusters contain twice as many dimolybdenum units as any previously reported cluster. Possible assembly mechanisms are also proposed.     

Main chain thermotropic copolyesters containing imino group linked mesogenic units and polymethylene spacers

Three new series of main chain liquid crystalline polyesters consisting of arómatic-type Schiff base mesogenic units and polymethylene spacers were synthesized and their thermal transitions and liquid crystalline properties were studied. All three series exhibited an even-odd effect in melting and isotropization temperatures. They formed nematic mesophases in melts as judged by their optical textures observed through a polarizing microscope and by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Four novel linear trinuclear assemblies containing bridging triazole ligands. Crystal structure,magnetic, semiconducting and fluorescent properties

Four homotrinuclear linear coordination compounds with bridging ligand of (m-phenol)-1,2,4-triazole, [Mn₃(L)₆(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₆ (1), [Ni₃(L)₆(H₂O)₆](BF₄)₆·4DMF (2), [Cd₃(L)₆(H₂O)₆](ClO₄)₆· 2H₂O·2DMF·2EtOH (3), [Zn₃(L)₈(H₂O)₄](BF₄)₄(SiF₆)·2EtOH·12H₂O (4), have been synthesized and structurally determined. The structures consist of three metal ions in linear arrangements, linked to each other by two pairs of three N1, N2 bridging triazole ligands. The negative value of J suggests that antiferromagnetic interaction exists in 1. Green fluorescence of 2 and 4 with emissions at 518 nm for 2 and 524 for 4 is possibly assigned to LMCT. The energy gaps of the compounds 2 and 4 are 1.82 and 1.97 eV, respectively, which suggests that the two materials behave as semiconductors.     

Induced helix formation and stabilization of a meta‐linked polymer containing pyridine units

A new amphiphilic polymer containing pyridine units was synthesized and characterized. The solvent‐dependent conformational transition from extended transoid to helical cisoid was studied by absorption, fluorescence, and ¹H NMR measurements. The polar solvent promoted the formation of the helical structures. A metal ion or H⁺ could stabilize the ordered structure. Moreover, the solvophobically induced helical structure was stable to environmental stimuli. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1403–1412, 2007.     

Synthesis and characterization of heterobimetallic mixed-ligand complexes containing Zr(μ-OPri)2Al bridging units

Interesting varieties of heterobimetallic mixed-ligand complexes [Zr{M(OPrⁱ) _n }₂ (L)] (where M = Al, n = 4, L = OC₆H₄CH = NCH₂CH₂O (1); M = Nb, n = 6, L = OC₆H₄CH = NCH₂CH₂O (2); M = Al, n = 4, L = OC₁₀H₆CH = NCH₂CH₂O (3); M = Nb, n = 6, L = OC₁₀H₆CH = NCH₂CH₂O (4)), [Zr{Al(OPrⁱ)₄}₂Cl(OAr)] (where Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,5 (5); Ar = C₆H₂Me-4-Bu₂-2,6 (6), [Zr{Al(OPrⁱ)₄}₂(OAr)₂] (where Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,5 (7); Ar = C₆H₂Me-4-Bu₂-2,6 (8), [Zr{Al(OPrⁱ)₄}₃(OAr)] (where Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,5 (9); Ar = C₆H₃Me₂-2,6 (10), [ZrAl(OPrⁱ)_7-n (ON=CMe₂) _n ] (where n = 4 (11); n = 7 (12), [ZrAl₂(OPrⁱ)_10-n (ON=CMe₂) _n ] (where n = 4 (13); n = 6 (14); n = 10 (15) and [Zr{Al(OPrⁱ)₄}₂{ON=CMe(R)} _n Cl_2–n] [where n = 1, R = Me (16); n = 2, R = Me (17); n = 1, R = Et (18); n = 2, R = Et (19)] have been prepared either by the salt elimination method or by alkoxide-ligand exchange. All of these heterobimetallic complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight measurements, and spectroscopic (I.r., ¹H-, and ²⁷Al- n.m.r.) studies.     

A cross-coupling strategy for the synthesis of dimetallic assemblies containing mixed bipyridine-terpyridine bridging ligands: luminescence and energy transfer properties

Tris-bidentate complexes of the form [Ir(N[symbol: see text]C)2(N[symbol: see text]N)]+ and [Ru(N[symbol: see text]N)3]2+ incorporating a boronic acid substituent (N[symbol: see text]C=2-phenylpyridyl, N[symbol: see text]N=a 2,2'-bipyridyl ligand), are cross-coupled with bromo-substituted bis-terpyridyl ruthenium and iridium complexes to generate heterometallic assemblies comprising bpy-phi(n)-tpy bridges; they display efficient energy transfer from Ir(III) to Ru(II).     

Photophysical behavior of block copolymers containing EDOT,thiophene, and benzodiathiazole units linked to fluorene

The spectral properties of two block copolymers were investigated, based on the fluorene‐EDOT (FEDOT) segment linked either to fluorene‐thiophene (FTh) or to fluorene‐benzothiadiazole (FBz) units, in an alternated fashion. Experimental data revealed that in the first material, each block keeps the spectral absorption region observed in the individual copolymers, while in the other structure new spectral characteristics were observed, as compared with each individual segment. In order to elucidate this behavior, theoretical calculations using density functional theory methods were performed. The block copolymers were reduced to a minimal representative model and the following structures were modeled: (FEDOT)₂, (FBz)₂ e (FTh)₂ relative to the alternated segments and (FEDOT)₂‐(FBz)₂ and (FEDOT)₂‐(FTh)₂ as miniblocks for the block copolymers. The theoretical results showed good agreement with experimental data and used to interpret the differences in electronic behavior of the block copolymers and their correlation with the observed photophysical behavior. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 908–915     

Shaping calixarene frameworks. Synthesis and structure of a calix[8]arene containing three bridging phosphate units

The reaction of p-tert-butylcalix[8]arene with PCl₅, followed by hydrolysis and subsequent esterification with triethyl orthoformate afforded a triphosphate involving all phenolic oxygen atoms of the calixarene framework. As revealed by an X-ray diffraction study, the presence of two μ₃-(O,O,O) and one μ₂-(O,O) bridging phosphoryl groups results in an unusual lengthening of the calix[8]arene loop (longest OO separation: 13.9 Å)     

Big macrocyclic assemblies of carboranes (big MACs): synthesis and crystal structure of a macrocyclic assembly of four carboranes containing alternate ortho- and meta-carborane icosahedra linked by para-phenylene units

The macrocyclic compound, [1,2-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄-1,7-C₂B₁₀H₁₀-1,4-C₆H₄]₂ (5)—a novel cyclooctaphane, was prepared by condensation of the C,C′-dicopper(I) derivative of meta-carborane with 1,2-bis(4-iodophenyl)-ortho-carborane. The X-ray crystal structure of 5·C₆H₆·6C₆H₁₂ was determined at 150 K, revealing an extremely loose packing mode. Molecule 5 has a crystallographic C_s and local C_2v symmetry; the macrocycle adopts a butterfly (dihedral angle 143°) conformation with the ortho-carborane units at the wingtips and the phenylene ring planes roughly perpendicular to the wing planes. Multinuclear NMR spectra suggest that molecule 5 in solution inverts rapidly via the planar D_2h geometry, which (from ab initio HF/6-31G* calculations) is only 1 kcal mol⁻¹ higher in energy than the C_2v one. An attempt to prepare an even larger macrocycle, comprising three para-carborane and three ortho-carborane units linked by six para-phenylene units, was unsuccessful.     

Polynuclear lanthanide complexes of a series of bridging ligands containing two tridentate N,N',O-donor units: structures and luminescence properties

A set of three potentially bridging ligands containing two tridentate chelating N,N',O-donor (pyrazole-pyridine-amide) donors separated by an o, m, or p-phenylene spacer has been prepared and their coordination chemistry with lanthanide(III) ions investigated. Ligand L(1) (p-phenylene spacer) forms complexes with a 2:3 M:L ratio according to the proportions used in the reaction mixture; the Ln(2)(L(1))(3) complexes contain two 9-coordinate Ln(III) centres with all three bridging ligands spanning both metal ions, and have a cylindrical (non-helical) 'mesocate' architecture. The 1:1 complexes display a range of structural types depending on the conditions used, including a cyclic Ln(4)(L(1))(4) tetranuclear helicate, a Ln(2)(L(1))(2) dinuclear mesocate, and an infinite one-dimensional coordination polymer in which metal ions and bridging ligands alternate along the sequence. ESMS studies indicate that the 1:1 complexes form a mixture of oligonuclear species {Ln(L(1))}(n) in solution (n up to 5) which are likely to be cyclic helicates. In contrast, ligands L(2) and L(3) (with o- and m-phenylene spacers, respectively) generally form dinuclear Ln(2)L(2) Ln(III) complexes in which the two ligands may be arranged in a helical or non-helical architecture about the two metal ions. These complexes also contain an additional exogenous bidentate bridging ligand, either acetate or formate, which has arisen from hydrolysis of solvent molecules promoted by the Lewis-acidity of the Ln(III) ions. Luminescence studies on some of the Nd(III) complexes showed that excitation into ligand-centred pi-pi* transitions result in the characteristic near-infrared luminescence from Nd(III) at 1060 nm.     

Synthesis and cytotoxicity of dinuclear complexes containing ruthenium(II) bipyridyl units linked by a bis(pyridylimine) ligand

Enantiopure dinuclear ruthenium polypyridyl complexes of the form [Ru(2)(LL)(4)L(1)](PF(6))(4) (LL = 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); L(1)= C(25)H(20)N(4) a bis(pyridylimine) ligand containing a diphenylmethane spacer) have been synthesized using the chiral building blocks cis-[Ru(bpy)(2)(py)(2)](2+) and cis-[Ru(phen)(2)(py)(2)](2+). These dinuclear ruthenium complexes have been characterised using NMR, mass spectrometry, UV-visible absorbance, circular dichroism and linear dichroism. The compounds exhibit good photo and thermal stability. The extinction coefficient for the bpy complex at 478 nm is epsilon(478) = 15,700 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3) and for the phen complex is epsilon(478) = 24,900 mol(-1) cm(-1) dm(3). Both complexes have their longest wavelength (metal to ligand charge transfer) transition predominantly x/y (short axis)-polarised while the transitions at shorter wavelength are a mixture of x/y and z-polarisations, similar to both the copper helicate and iron triple helicate studied previously. Cytotoxicity studies reveal that the compounds are dramatically less active against cancer cell lines than the recently reported supramolecular cylinders prepared from the same bis(pyridylimine) ligand.     

Synthesis and characterization of copolymers containing biphenylyl rings linked to the main chain through spacers of various lengths

Copolymers between 1-(4-biphenylyloxy carbonyl)ethylene (I), 1-[2-(4-biphenylyloxy)ethyloxy carbonyl]ethylene (II) and 1-[6-(4-biphenylyloxy carbonyl)]ethylene (III) were synthesized by radical polymerization. They were characterized by DSC, TOA, RX and viscosity techniques. The smectic order of poly(I) and the crystalline order of poly(III) depend on the amounts of comonomers incorporated. The obtained data demonstrate that the presence of quantities of comonomers exceeding 10% leads to complete destruction of smectic and crystalline order in poly(I) and poly(III) respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of new polystyrenes containing tributyltin moieties linked to the aromatic ring through a methylenic spacer

Novel polymeric derivatives bearing tributyltin carboxylate moieties in the side chain were synthesized. The coordination at tin in solution and in the solid state was investigated by both Sn‐NMR and FT‐IR: the metal atom appears completely tetracoordinated in chloroform solution, while in the solid state all polymeric products exhibit both tetra‐ and pentacoordination at tin, the latter increasing with the amount of tin containing units. No evidence of tin leaching by hydrolysis of the organometallic ester was observed for these materials. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5372–5383, 2004     

Synthesis and properties of conjugated polymers containing 3,9‐ and 2,9‐linked carbazole units in the main chain

Novel conjugated polymers containing 3,9‐ or 2,9‐linked carbazole units in the main chain were synthesized by the polycondensation of ethynyl‐ and iodo‐substituted 9‐arylenecarbazolylene monomers, and their optical and electrical properties were studied. Polymers with weight‐average molecular weights of 3400–12,000 were obtained in 76–99% yields by the Sonogashira coupling polycondensation in piperidine or tetrahydrofuran (THF)/piperidine at 30 °C for 48 h. All the 3,9‐linked polymers absorbed light around 300 nm. The para‐phenylene‐linked polymer also absorbed light around 350 nm, while meta‐phenylene‐linked one did not. The 3,9‐linked polymers absorbed light at a wavelength longer than the 2,9‐linked one. The polymers emitted blue fluorescence with high quantum yields (0.21–0.78) upon excitation at the absorption maxima. The polymers were oxidized around 0.6 V, and reduced around 0.5 V. Poly( 1 ) showed the dark conductivity of 3.7 × 10^?11 S/cm (10³ V/cm). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 3506–3517, 2009