Nitrile Cluster Compounds [(M6X12)X2(RCN)4] (M=Nb, Ta; X=Cl, Br; R=Et, n-Pr, n-Bu)

Three new series of mixed-ligand clusters of the [(M₆X₁₂)X₂(RCN)₄] (M=Nb, Ta; X=Cl, Br; R=Et, n-Pr, n-Bu) composition have been prepared. It is supposed that four nitrile molecules and two halogen atoms are coordinated to the terminal octahedral coordination sites of the [M₆X₁₂]²⁺ unit.     

First row wheels, [((t)Bu(3)SiS)MX](12)(M = Co, X = Cl; M = Ni, X = Br), are common amongst both simpler and more complex aggregates

[((t)Bu(3)SiS)MX[(12) are wheels for first row transition metals (M = Co, X = Cl; M = Ni, X = Br), but for nickel, simpler [e.g. [((t)Bu(3)SiS)Ni](2)(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))(2)[ and more complicated [e.g. [(mu-SSi(t)Bu(3))Ni](5)(mu(5)-S)] structures are by-products.     

Metal germylyne complexes [Mtbd1;Ge-R] and metallogermylenes [M-Ge-R]: DFT analysis of the systems [(Cp)(CO)(n)()Mtbd1;GeMe] (M = Cr,Mo, W,Fe(2+), n = 2; M = Fe,n = 1) and [(Cp)(CO)(n)()M-GeMe] (M = Cr,Mo, W,n = 3; M = Fe,n = 2)

Quantum chemical calculations at the gradient corrected DFT level using the exchange correlation functionals BP86 and B3LYP of the geometries of the title compounds are reported. The theoretically predicted bond lengths and angles of the model compounds are in excellent agreement with experiment. The nature of the metal-ligand interactions is quantitatively analyzed with an energy decomposition method. The analysis of the electronic structure of the neutral metal germylyne complexes Ia-Id and the metallogermylenes IIa-IId shows that the former compounds have about the same degree of electrostatic and covalent bonding, while the relative strength of the covalent contributions in the latter molecules is lower (41-42%) than the electrostatic attraction (58-59%). The a' '(pi) bonding contribution in the group-6 germylyne complexes Ia-Ic is rather high (42% of the orbital interactions). In the iron complex Id, it is even higher (53.8%) than the sigma bonding. The pi bonding contributions to the covalent bonding become much less (18-20%) in the metallogermylenes IIa-IId.     

Mechanism of CO exchange on cis-[M(CO)2X2]- complexes (M=Rh,Ir;X=Cl, Br, or I)

The CO exchange on cis-[M(CO)2X2]- with M = Ir (X = Cl, la; X = Br, 1b; X = I, 1c) and M = Rh (X = Cl, 2a; X = Br, 2b; X = I, 2c) was studied in dichloromethane. The exchange reaction [cis-[M(CO)2X2]- + 2*CO is in equilibrium cis-[M(*CO)2X2]- + 2CO (exchange rate constant: kobs)] was followed as a function of temperature and carbon monoxide concentration (up to 6 MPa) using homemade high gas pressure NMR sapphire tubes. The reaction is first order for both CO and cis-[M(CO)2X2]- concentrations. The second-order rate constant, k2(298) (=kobs)[CO]), the enthalpy, deltaH*, and the entropy of activation, deltaS*, obtained for the six complexes are respectively as follows: la, (1.08 +/- 0.01) x 10(3) L mol(-1) s(-1), 15.37 +/- 0.3 kJ mol(-1), -135.3 +/- 1 J mol(-1) K(-1); 1b, (12.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(3) L mol(-1) s(-1), 13.26 +/- 0.5 kJ mol(-1), -121.9 +/- 2 J mol(-1) K(-1); 1c, (98.9 +/- 1.4) x 10(3) L mol(-1) s(-1), 12.50 +/- 0.6 kJ mol(-1), -107.4 +/- 2 J mol(-1) K(-1); 2a, (1.62 +/- 0.02) x 10(3) L mol(-1) s(-1), 17.47 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1), -124.9 +/- 1 J mol(-1) K(-1); 2b, (24.8 +/- 0.2) x 10(3) L mol(-1) s(-1), 11.35 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1), -122.7 +/- 1 J mol(-1) K(-1); 2c, (850 +/- 120) x 10(3) L mol(-1), s(-1), 9.87 +/- 0.8 kJ mol(-1), -98.3 +/- 4 J mol(-1) K(-1). For complexes la and 2a, the volumes of activation were measured and are -20.9 +/- 1.2 cm3 mol(-1) (332.0 K) and -17.2 +/- 1.0 cm3 mol(-1) (330.8 K), respectively. The second-order kinetics and the large negative values of the entropies and volumes of activation point to a limiting associative, A, exchange mechanism. The reactivity of CO exchange follows the increasing trans effect of the halogens (Cl < Br < I), and this is observed on both metal centers. For the same halogen, the rhodium complex is more reactive than the iridium complex. This reactivity difference between rhodium and iridium is less marked for chloride (1.5: 1) than for iodide (8.6:1) at 298 K.     

tBu2P?PP(X)tBu2-Ylide (X = Cl,Br, I) durch Halogenierung von [tBu2P]2P?SiMe3

tBu₂P? P?P(X)tBu₂ Ylides (X = Cl, Br, I) by Halogenation of [tBu₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ [tBu₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ 1 with halogenating agents as Br₂, I₂, Br-succinimide, CCl₄, CBr₄, CI₄ or C₂Cl₆ via cleavage of the Si? P bond in 1 produces the ylides tBu₂P? P?P(X)tBu₂ (X = Cl, Br, I). This proceeds independent from the formerly known pathway – [tBu₂P]₂PLi + 1,2-dibromoethane – and shows that the Li-phosphide must not be present as a necessary requirement for the formation of ylides.     

Kinetics of the Reactions between [(RS)2Fe(µ-S)2M(µ-S)2Fe(SR)2] n− (M = Mo, R = Ph, n = 2; M = V, R = Et, n = 3) and [Fe(SR)4]2−: Key Steps in the Assembly of Cuboidal Fe—S-based Clusters

The reaction of [S₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]²⁻ with [Fe(SPh)₄]²⁻ produces the dicuboidal cluster [{MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃}₂(μ-(SPh)₃]³⁻ in a three stage process studied by ¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy and stopped-flow spectrophotometry. The initial stage involves the formation of the linear trinuclear [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]²⁻ and the kinetics indicate an equilibrium reaction (k₁^Mo = 2.5±0.3x 10² dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₋₁^Mo = 0.8±0.1 s⁻¹). The second stage involves the reduction of [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]²⁻ by [Fe(SPh)₄]²⁻ to form [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]³⁻ which subsequently rearranges to form the voided cuboidal [MoFe₂S₄(SPh)₃]²⁻. The kinetics of the second stage exhibits a simple first order dependence on the concentrations of both [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]³⁻ and [Fe(SPh)₄]²⁻ (k₂^Mo = 25 ± 2 dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹). The Kinetics of the third stage have not been studied but must involve incorporation of the final Fe and formation of the dicuboidal [{MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃}₂(μ-SPh)₃]³⁻. The kinetics of the reaction between [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ and [Fe(SEt)₄]²⁻ to form [{VFe₃S₄(SEt)₃}₂(μ-SEt)₃]³⁻ have also been studied. An important difference between this reaction and the formation of the analogous [{MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃}₂(μ-SPh)₃]³⁻ is that the formation of [{MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃}₂(μ-SPh)₃]³⁻ from [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂Fe(SPh)₂]²⁻ involves a change in the redox state of the cluster, whilst the formation of [{VFe₃S₄(SEt)₃}₂(μ-SEt)₃]³⁻ from [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ requires no change in redox state. The reaction between [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ and [Fe(SEt)₄]²⁻ involves two stages. The kinetics of the faster phase is associated with a rate law analogous to that observed for the reaction between [(PhS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂Mo(μ-S)₂ Fe(SPh)₂]²⁻ with [Fe(SPh)₄]²⁻: a first order dependence on the concentrations of [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ and [Fe(SEt)₄]²⁻ (k₂^V = 1.1±0.1 x 10³ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. This observation indicates that whilst there is no change in redox state between [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ and [{VFe₃S₄(SEt)₃}₂(μ-SEt)₃]³⁻, reduction is necessary to catalyse the conversion of the linear [(EtS)₂Fe(μ-S)₂V(μ-S)₂Fe(SEt)₂]³⁻ into the voided cuboidal [VFe₂S₄(SEt)₃]³⁻. The results of the studies reported in this paper together with those on other putative reactions involved in the assembly of cuboidal clusters, have been combined to present a scheme of the mechanism of cuboidal cluster assembly. Electronic supplementary material Electronic supplementary material is available for this article at and accessible for authorised users.     

MX2(AsH3)2(M=Pd,Pt;X=Cl,Br,I)的含时密度泛函理论研究

采用密度泛函方法(B3LYP)优化了MX2(AsH3)2[M=Pd；X=Cl(1)，Br(2)，I(3)和M=Pt；X=Cl(4)，Br(5)，I(6)]的基态结构，得到的几何参数与实验结果符合．以基态几何为基础，将TD-DFT方法用于计算标题配合物的电子吸收光谱．研究结果表明，金属的dx2-y2与配体所组成的反键轨道为LUMO轨道，从而该类配合物具有d-d跃迁属性的吸收带；在多数跃迁过程中，配体也有较大的贡献．     

Building und Reaktionen des Phosphanyliden-Phosphorans (tBu)2P?P = PX(tBu)2 (X = Br,Cl)

Formation and Reaction of the Phosphanylidene-phosphorane (tBu)₂P? P = PX(tBu)₂ (X = Br, Cl) The formation of (tBu)₂P? P = P(Br)tBu₂ 1 from [(tBu)₂P]₂PLi and BrH₂C? CH₂Br begins with an exchange of Li against Br and is then determined by the migration of Br from the secondary P atom in [(tBu)₂P]₂PBr 6 to the primary P in 1 . Similarly, (tBu)₂P? P = PC1(tBu)₂ 2 is obtained starting from PCl₃ and LiP(tBu)₂. The formation of Phospanylidene—phosporane is not influenced by the choice o the halogene substituent, but the presence of the tBu groups is strongly required. (tBu)₂P? P(Li)? P(SiMe₃)₂ e. g., yields (tBu)₂P? P(br)? P(SiMe₃)₂ with BrH₂C? CH₂Br; however neither this nor (tBu)₂P? P(Cl)? P(SiMe₃)₂ do rearrange to a Phosphanylidene-phosphorane. The F₃C substituent could be neglected in this investigation as [(F₃C)₂P]₂P? SiMe₃ cannot be lithiated by means of BuLi. Compounds 1 and 2 display a charateristic temperature dependent behavior. While 1 at +20°C decomposes via the reactive intermediate (tBu)₂P? P to from the cyclophosphanes P₃[P(tBu)₂]₄, it gives crystals of [(tBu)₂P]₂P? p[P(tBu)₂]₂ at ?20°C (from a solution in toluene). Reacting 1 with tBuLi produces (tBu)₂P? P = P(H)tBu₂ 20 and (tBu)₂P? P(H)? P(tBu)₂ 14 . Initially, a transmetallation yield tBuBr and (tBu)₂ P? P=Pli(tBu)₂ 21 ,then LiBr and isobutene are eliminated and 20 is formed which can rearrange to produce 14 . Without the elimination of isobutene, 1 react with nBuLi to give 21 witch can be trapped with Me₃SiCl as (tBu)₂P? P(tBu)₂ 23 . The main product in in this reaction is however [(tBu)₂P]₂P? nBu 22 .     

Structure and bonding in coinage metal halide clusters M(n)X(n), M = Cu, Ag, Au; X = Br, I; n = 1-6

Ab initio calculations in the framework of density functional theory (DFT) were performed to study the lowest-energy isomers of noble metal halide clusters M(n)Br(n) and M(n)I(n), for M = Cu, Ag, or Au and n = 1-6. For all species, the most stable structures were found to be cyclic arrangements. Calculated bond lengths and infrared frequencies were compared with the available experimental data. The nature of the ionocovalent bonding was characterized. The stability and fragmentation were also investigated. The present work confirms previous observations on the particular stability of the trimer.     

Die Bildung von [(tBu)2P]2P?P[P(tBu)2]2 aus LiP[P(tBu)2]2 und 1,2-Dibromethan. Die Thermolyse von tBu2P?PP(Br)tBu2

[(tBu)₂P]₂P? P[P(tBu)₂]₂ from LiP[P(tBu)₂]₂ and 1,2-Dibromomethane. Pyrolysis of tBu₂P? P?P(Br)tBu₂ All products of the reaction of [tBu₂P]₂PLi 1 with 1,2-dibromoethane 2 were investigated. Already at ?70°C tBu₂P? P?P(Br)tBu₂ 3 as main product and [tBu₂P]₂PBr 4 are formed. Only with an excess of 1 also [tBu₂P]P? P[P(tBu)₂]₂ 5 is obtained. Warming of a pure solution of 3 in toluene from ?70°C to ?30°C leads to 4 , and at 20°C tBu₂PBr and the cyclophosphanes P₄[P(tBu)₂]₄ and P₃[P(tBu)₂]₃ are observed. 5 does not result from 3 , it's rather a byproduct from the reaction of 1 with 4 . Also the ylide 3 and 1 yields 5 .     

Perfluoralkyltellur-Verbindungen: Untersuchungen zur Bildung von [(CF3)2TeX]+-Kationen und [(CF3)2TeX2+n]n−-Anionen (X = F,Cl, Br)

Perfluoroalkyl Tellurium Compounds: Investigations of the Preparation of [(CF₃)₂TeX]⁺ Cations and [(CF₃)₂TeX_2+n]^n? Anions (X = F, Cl, Br) The reactions of (CF₃)₂TeF₂ with BF₃, AsF₅ and SbF₅ yield the new complex compounds [(CF₃)₂TeF][BF₄] and [(CF₃)₂TeF][EF₆], respectively, while during the reactions of (CF₃)₂TeX₂ (X = Cl, Br) with halide acceptors only decompositions take place. (CF₃)₂TeX₂ form with MX (X = F, Cl; M = K, Rb, Cs, Me₄N, Ag) the isolable salts of the composition M[(CF₃)₂TeX₃]. M[(CF₃)₂TeBr₃] is only detected in solution besides decomposition products. No evidence for the formation of hexa-coordinated tellurates(IV) M₂[(CF₃)₂TeX₄] is found.     

Modified Tellurium Subhalides in the New Structure Type [Te15X4]n[MOX4]2n (M = Mo,W; X = Cl,Br)

The reactions of Te₂Br with MoOBr₃, TeCl₄ with MoNCl₂/MoOCl₃, and Te with WBr₅/WOBr₃ yield black, needle-like crystals of [Te₁₅X₄][MOX₄]₂ (M = Mo, W; X = Cl, Br). The crystal structure determinations [Te₁₅Br₄][MoOBr₄]₂: monoclinic, Z = 1, C2/m, a = 1595.9(4) pm, b = 403.6(1) pm, c = 1600.4(4) pm, β = 112.02(2)°; [Te₁₅Cl₄][MoOCl₄]₂: C2/m, a = 1535.3(5) pm, b = 402.8(2) pm, c = 1569.6(5) pm, β = 112.02(2)°; [Te₁₅Br₄][WOBr₄]₂: C2, a = 1592.4(4) pm, b = 397.5(1) pm, c = 1593.4(5) pm, β = 111.76(2)° show that all three compounds are isotypic and consist of one-dimensional ([Te₁₅X₄]²⁺)_n and ([MOX₄]^?)_n strands. The structures of the cationic strands are closely related to the tellurium subhalides Te₂X (X = Br, I). One of the two rows of halogen atoms that bridges the band of condensed Te₆ rings is stripped off, and additionally one Te position has only 75% occupancy which leads to the formula ([Te₁₅X₄]²⁺)_n (X = Cl, Br) for the cation. The anionic substructures consist of tetrahalogenooxometalate ions [MOX₄]^? that are linked by linear oxygen bridges to polymeric strands. The compounds are paramagnetic with one unpaired electron per metal atom indicating oxidation state M^v, and are weak semiconductors.     

Magnetoresistance effects evidencing the pi-d interaction in metallic organic conductors, (EDT-DSDTFVO)2*MX4 (M = Fe, Ga; X = Cl, Br)

The 2:1 salts of a new donor molecule, EDT-DSDTFVO with MX4- (M = Fe, Ga; X = Cl, Br) ions, were prepared. The crystal structures of the donor molecules had a beta-type packing motif. All the salts essentially exhibited metallic behaviors despite the small upturns in the resistances below 30-70 K. A large negative magnetoresistance (MR) effect [-14.7% (rho(perpendicular)) at 4.0 K and 5 T] was observed in the FeCl4- salt, while a positive MR effect [+4.0% (rho(perpendicular)) at 4.0 K and 5 T] was observed in the GaCl4- salt, suggesting that there is a pi-d interaction in the FeCl4- salt. The pressure application suppressed the resistivity upturns, increased the negative MR effect (-17.7% at 9.5 kbar) in the FeCl4- salt, and decreased the positive MR effect (+3.3% at 15 kbar) in the GaCl4- salt.     

Untersuchungen über Iodoferrate: Die Kristallstrukturen von Fe(THE)6(FeI3THF)2 · THF und Fe(Ch2O)6(FeI4)2 · I2(THF = C4H8O)

Investigations about Iodoferrates: The Crystal Structures of Fe(thf)₆(FeI₃thf)₂ · thf and Fe(CH₂O)₆(FeI₄)2 · I₂(thf = C₄H₈O) The crystal structures of FeI₂ · 3 thf (i.e. Fe(thf)₆(FeI₃thf)₂ · thf) ( 1 ) and Fe(CH₂O)₆(FeI₄)₂ · I₂ ( 2 ) were determined from single crystal X-ray data. 1 crystallizes in the cubic space group Pa3, a = 1759.8 pm, Z = 4, 2 in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n, a = 997.4, b = 1669.4, c = 1082.6 pm, β = 93.11°, Z = 2. The structure of 1 is composed of octahedral Fe(thf)₆²⁺ cations and distorted tetrahedral [FeI₃(thf)]-anions (Fe? I distance 261.1 pm). In 2 two tetrahedral tetraiodoferrate (III) anions are linked by an iodine molecule. The Fe? I distance was found to be 253.9 pm (mean, the I? I distance between FeI₄^? and I₂ 356.1 pm. The decomposititon of 1 in vacuum at elevated temperatures and the resulting formation of 2 from 1 are discussed.     

Phosphinophosphiniden-Phosphorane tBu2P?P = P(R)tBu2 aus Li(THF)2[η2-(tBu2P)2P] und Alkylhalogeniden

The Phosphinophosphinidene-phosphoranes ^tBu₂P? P = P(R)^tBu₂ from Li(THF)₂[η²-(^tBu₂P)₂P] and Alkyl Halides We report the formation of ^tBu₂P? P = P(R)^tBu₂ a and (^tBu₂)₂PR b (with R = Me, Et, ⁿPr, ⁱPr, ⁿBu, PhCH₂, H₂C = CH? CH₂ and CF₃) reactions of Li(THF)₂[η²-(^tBu₂P)₂P] 2 with MeCl, MeI, EtCl, EtBr, ⁿPrCl, ⁿPrBr, ⁱPrCl, ⁿBuBr, PhCH₂Cl, H₂C = CH? CH₂Cl or CF₃Br. In THF solutions the ylidic compounds a predominate, whereas in pentane the corresponding triphosphanes b are preferrably formed. With ClCH₂? CH = CH₂ only b is produced; CF₃Br however yields both ^tBu₂P? P = P(Br)^tBu₂ and ^tBu₂P? P = P(CF₃)^tBu₂, but no b . The ratio of a:b is influenced by the reaction temperature, too. The compounds ^tBu₂P? P = P(Et)^tBu₂ 4a and (^tBu₂P)₂PEt 4 b , e. g., are produced in a ratio of 4:3 at ?70°C in THF, and 1:1 at 20°C; whereas 1:1 is obtained at ?70°C in pentane, and 1:2 at 20°C. Neither ^tBuCl nor H₂C = CHCl react with 2 . The compounds a decompose thermally or under UV irradiation forming ^tBu₂PR and the cyclophosphanes (^tBu₂P)_nP_n.     

Insertion of H2C=CHX (X = F, Cl, Br, O(i)Pr) into (tBu3SiO)3TaH2 and beta-X-Elimination from (tBu3SiO)3HTaCH2CH2X (X = OR): relevance to Ziegler-Natta copolymerizations.

The insertion of H2C=CHX (X = OR; R = Me, Et, nPr, (i)Pr, CH=CH2, Ph) into (tBu3SiO)3TaH2 (1) afforded (tBu3SiO)3HTaCH2CH2X (2-CH2CH2X), which beta-X-eliminated to give ethylene and (tBu3SiO)3HTaX (3-X). beta-X-elimination rates were inversely proportional to the size of R. An X-ray crystallographic study of (tBu3SiO)3HTaCH2CH2O(t)Bu (2-CH2CH2O(t)Bu) revealed a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure with an equatorial plane containing the hydride and a -CH2CH2O(t)Bu ligand with a staggered disposition. erythro- and threo-(tBu3SiO)3HTaCHDCHDOEt (2-CHDCHDOEt) are staggered in solution, according to (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies, and eliminated cis- and trans-HDC=CHD, respectively, helping verify the four-centered transition state for beta-OEt-elimination. When X = F, Cl, or Br, 2-CH2CH2X was not observed en route to 3-X, signifying that olefin insertion was rate-determining. Insertion rates suggested that substantial positive charge on the substituted carbon was incurred. The reactivity of other H2C=CHX with 1, and a discussion of the observations and their ramifications on the incorporation of functionalized monomers in Ziegler-Natta copolymerizations, are presented.     

MX3(-) superhalogens (M = Be, Mg, Ca; X = Cl, Br): a photoelectron spectroscopic and ab initio theoretical study

Gas-phase alkaline earth halide anions, MgX3(-) and CaX3(-) (X = Cl, Br), were produced using electrospray and investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy at 157 nm. Extremely high electron binding energies were observed for all species and their first vertical detachment energies were measured as 6.60 +/- 0.04 eV for MgCl3(-), 6.00 +/- 0.04 eV for MgBr3(-), 6.62 +/- 0.04 eV for CaCl3(-), and 6.10 +/- 0.04 eV for CaBr3(-). The high electron binding energies indicate these are very stable anions and they belong to a class of anions, called superhalogens. Theoretical calculations at several levels of theory were carried out on these species, as well as the analogous BeX3(-). Vertical detachment energy spectra were predicted to compare with the experimental observations, and good agreement was obtained for all species. The first adiabatic detachment energies were found to be substantially lower (by about 1 eV) than the corresponding vertical detachment energies for all the MX3(-) species, indicating extremely large geometry changes between MX3(-) and MX3. We found that all the MX3(-) anions possess D3h ((1)A1') structures and are extremely stable against dissociation into MX2 and X-. The corresponding neutral species MX3, however, were found to be only weakly bound with respect to dissociation toward MX2 + X. The global minimum structures of all the MX3 neutrals were found to be C2v ((2)B2), which can be described as (X2(-))(MX+) charge-transfer complexes, whereas the MX2...X (C2v, (2)B1) van der Waals complexes were shown to be low-lying isomers.     

A coordinatively flexible hexadentate ligand gives structurally isomeric complexes M2(L)X3 (M = Cu,Zn; X = Br,Cl)

Polypyridyl multidentate ligands based on ethylenediamine backbones are important metal‐binding agents with applications in biomimetics and homogeneous catalysis. The seemingly hexadentate tpena ligand [systematic name: N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetate] reacts with zinc chloride and zinc bromide to form trichlorido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), [Zn₂(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)Cl₃], and tribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dizinc(II), [Zn₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)]. One Zn^II ion shows the anticipated N₅O coordination in an irregular six‐coordinate site and is linked by an anti carboxylate bridge to a tetrahedral ZnX₃ (X = Cl or Br) unit. In contrast, the Cu^II ions in aquatribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–tribromido[μ‐N,N,N′‐tris(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethylenediamine‐N′‐acetato]dicopper(II)–water (1/1/6.5) [Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)][Cu₂Br₃(C₂₂H₂₄N₅O₂)(H₂O)]·6.5H₂O, occupy two tpena‐chelated sites, one a trigonal bipyramidal N₃Cl₂ site and the other a square‐planar N₂OCl site. In all three cases, electrospray ionization mass spectra were dominated by a misleading ion assignable to [M(tpena)]⁺ (M = Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺).     

Silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag n X m (n≥2; 0≤m≤n;X=F,Br)

Nonstoichiometric silver-halogen cluster compounds Ag _n X _m (0≤m≤n;X=F, Br) are generated by cocondensation of Ag atoms and AgX species using a slightly modified gas aggregation technique. The AgX molecules are produced by partial decomposition of SF₆ and Br₂ respectively at the surface of the hot silver containing crucible, followed by the reaction of halogen atoms with silver, giving rise to the formation of AgX molecules. In a heterogeneous nucleation between these molecules and evaporated Ag atoms the afore mentioned cluster compounds are formed. The degree of halogenation can either be controlled by the adjustment of the silver evaporation rate, or even more easily by controlling the partial pressure of the halogenating agent. The mass spectra of singly charged halogenated clusters, which are generated by electron impact ionization, reflect the stability of ions. These mass spectra demonstrate that there is an alternation in the intensity pattern up to a relatively high degree of halogenation (m) for each of the investigated compound series Ag _n X _m ,n≤8. This behavior is similar to the well-known odd-even effect for pure metal clusters, allowing us to postulate the existence of a “metallic” core which governs the stability of the cluster ion (at least for not too high degree of halogenation).