Formation Thermodynamics of Binary and Ternary Lanthanide(III) Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline and Chloride in N,N-Dimethylformamide

Formation thermodynamics of binary and ternary lanthanide(III) (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tm, Lu) complexes with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and the chloride ion have been studied by titration calorimetry and spectrophotometry in N,N-dimethyl-formamide (DMF) containing 0.2 mol-dm^–3 (C₂H₅)₄NClO₄ as a constant ionic medium at 25°C. In the binary system with 1,10-phenanthroline, the Ln(phen)³⁺ complex is formed for all the lanthanide(III) ions examined. The reaction enthalpy and entropy values for the formation of Ln(phen)³⁺ decrease in the order La > Ce > Nd, then increase in the order Nd < Eu < Gd < Dy, and again decrease in the order Dy > Tm > Lu. The variation is explained in terms of the coordination structure of Ln(phen)³⁺ that changes from eight to seven coordination with decreasing ionic radius of the metal ion. In the ternary Ln³⁺-Cl^–-phen system, the formation of LnCl(phen)²⁺, LnCl₂(phen)⁺, and LnCl₃(phen) was established for cerium(III), neodymium(III), and thulium(III), and their formation constants, enthalpies, and entropies were obtained. The enthalpy and entropy values are also discussed from the structural point of view.     

Linear free energy relationships and kinetics of ligand substitutions: Correlations of rate constants with overall stability constants of reactive intermediate species in the stepwise formation of pentacyanohydroxoferrate(III) from monohydroxoaminocarboxylato iron(III) complexes

Summary A linear free energy relationship has been proposed between stepwise rate constants and the overall stability constants of the intermediates of the type FeL(OH)(CN)_x (where x=0, 1, 2 and 3) formed in the five step reaction mechanism of CN^– with FeLOH, where L denotes aminocarboxylatesviz. EDTA, HEDTA and DTPA.     

Sensitized near-infrared emission of Yb from an Ir–Yb bimetallic complex

A new cyclometalated ligand 1,3-dimethyl-5-phenyl-1H-[1,2,4]-triazole (pdt) was designed and synthesized. And the corresponding Ir^III complex Ir(pdt)₂(phen5f) (phen5f stands for 4,4,5,5,5-pentafluoro-1-(1′,10′-phenanthrolin-2′-yl)-pentane-1,3-dionate) was obtained. According to the measurement of the lowest triplet state energy level of Ir(pdt)₂(phen5f), it is suitable for sensitizing NIR (near-infrared) lanthanide ions instead of Eu^III. The bimetallic complex [(pdt)₂Ir(μ-phen5f)YbCl₂ · 2CH₃CH₂OH · H₂O]Cl was synthesized by the approach of “complexes as ligands”. Data showed that the emission quenching was observed in the solid state when the Ir^III–Yb^III complex was compared with the Ir^III complex, which implied that energy transfer might occur from Ir^III complex-ligand to Yb^III ion. Upon irradiation of the MLCT (metal-to-ligand charge transfer) absorption of Ir(pdt)₂(phen5f), the characteristic emission of Yb^III was obtained with the peak around 978 nm.     

Synthesis and thermodynamic properties of novel tripod ligands and their cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes

Three novel compounds, based on the 1,3,5-benzene core with C₃-symmetry, have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, i.r. and ¹H-n.m.r. Thermodynamic properties of the ligands and their Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, and Zn^II metal complexes have been investigated and the corresponding stability constants obtained at 25.0 ± 0.1 °C and with I = 0.1 mol dm^–3 in KNO₃ by potentiometric titration. A linear free energy relationship exists between the stability constants of complexes and the protonation constants of ligands in the ternary system of the Cu^II-5-substituted phenanthroline-tripod ligand complexes.     

Preparation of a novel clay/metal complex hybrid film and its catalytic oxidation to chiral 1,1-binaphthol

An ITO electrode modified with a hybrid film of chiral metal complex (Λ-[Os(phen)₃]²⁺) and a clay (montmorillonite) has been prepared for the purpose of chiral sensing. As a first step, a floating monolayer of amphiphilic Os(II) complex, [Os(phen)₂(dC18bpy)](ClO₄)₂ (phen=1,10-phenanthroline, dC18bpy=4,4^′-dioctadecyl-2,2^′-bipyridyl), was formed on an aqueous dispersion of sodium montmorillonite. The monolayer acted as an organic part for the hybridization of clay particles in an aqueous phase. The hybrid film of clay and amphiphilic metal complex was transferred onto an indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate by the vertical dipping method. The next step was to immerse the electrode in chloroform, during which the amphiphilic Os(II) complex was removed from the clay surface. Thereafter the electrode was immersed in an aqueous solution of 0.5 mM Λ-[Os(phen)₃](ClO₄)₂ and rinsed with water. Cyclic voltammetric measurements were performed at each step of the above procedures. When the observed curves were simulated on the basis of a double-layered modified electrode, the electron transfer rate constant (k₁) for Λ-[Os(phen)₃]²⁺/Λ-[Os(phen)₃]³⁺ was determined to be 0.25 s⁻¹. This Os^II/Os^III redox couple was found to mediate the electrochemical oxidation of chiral 1,1^′-2-binaphthol in a stereoselective way: i.e., the S-isomer was oxidized at a 1.4 times higher rate than the R-isomer.     

A kinetic study of the 1, 10-phenanthroline-catalysed iron(III) oxidation of epimeric aldo-, and D-, and L-ketohexoses

Summary Fe^III in H₂SO₄ medium does not oxidize sugars even at the reflux temperature, however, the reaction is catalysed by trace amounts of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). A kinetic study shows that the oxidation rate increases as [phen] increases and exhibits a fractional order dependence upon [phen]. The orders with respect to [Fe^III] and [carbohydrate] are unity. The oxidation rate decreases as [HSO^4/–] and [H₂SO₄] increase. A plausible mechanism is proposed involving participation of an [Fe^III-phen] precursor and sugar in the rate-determining step.     

Dynamics of ternary complex formation in the reaction of diaquoanthranilato-N,N-diacetatonickelate(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

Dynamics of ternary complex formation in the reaction of diaquoanthranilato-N, N-diacetatonickelate(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline. $\rm Ni(ada)(H_2O)_2^{-}$ $+$ $L\rightleftharpoons Ni(ada)(L)^{-}$ $+$ $2 H_20;$ $- {{d[Ni(ada)^{-}]}\over{dt}}$ $=$ $k_f[Ni(ada)^{-}][L]+k_d\ [Ni(ada)(L)];$ $\ ada^{3-}=$anthranilate-N, N-diacetate; and L=bipy or phen. The kinetics of formation of ternary complexes by diaquoanthranilato-N, N-diacetatonickelate(II). [Ni(ada)(H₂O)]⁻ with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) have been studied under pseudo-first-order conditions containing excess bipy or phen by stopped-flow spectrophotometry in the pH range 7.1–7.8 at 25°C and λ = 0.1 mol dm⁻³. In each case, the reaction is first-order with respect to both Ni(ada)⁻ and the entering ligand (ie., bipy, phen). The reactions are reversible. The forward rate constants are: $k^{\rm Ni(ada)}_{\rm Ni(ada)(bipy)}=0.87\times10^3{\rm dm}^3 {\rm mol}^{-1}{\rm s}^{-1}$, . $k^{\rm Ni(ada)}_{\rm Ni(ada)(phen)}=1.87\times10^3{\rm dm}^3 {\rm mol}^{-1}{\rm s}^{-1}$; and the reverse rate constants are: $k^{\rm Ni(ada)(bipy)}_{\rm Ni(ada)}=1.0{\rm s}^{-1}$ and $k^{\rm Ni(ada)(phen)}_{\rm Ni(ada)}=2.0{\rm s}^{-1}$. The corresponding stability constants of ternary complex formation are: and , . The observed rate constants and huge drops in stability constants in ternary complex formation agree well with the mechanism in which dissociation of an acetate arm of the coordinated ada³⁻ prior to chelation by the aromatic ligand occurs. The observations have been compared with the kinetics of ternary complex formation in the reaction Ni(ada)⁻ - glycine in which the kinetics involves a singly bonded intermediate, N(ada)((SINGLE BOND)O(SINGLE BOND)N)²⁻ in rapid equilibrium with the reactants followed by a sluggish ring closure step. The reaction with the aromatic ligands conforms to a steady-state mechanism, while for glycine it gets shifted to an equilibrium mechanism. The cause of this difference in mechanistic pathways has been explained. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Assessing the exchange coupling in binuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes and the slow relaxation of the magnetization in the antiferromagnetically coupled Dy2 derivative

We report here the synthesis and the investigation of the magnetic properties of a series of binuclear lanthanide complexes belonging to the metallacrown family. The isostructural complexes have a core structure with the general formula [Ga₄Ln₂(shi^3–)₄(Hshi^2–)₂(H₂shi^–)₂(C₅H₅N)₄(CH₃OH)_x(H₂O)_x]·xC₅H₅N·xCH₃OH·xH₂O (where H₃shi = salicylhydroxamic acid and Ln = Gd^III1; Tb^III2; Dy^III3; Er^III4; Y^III5; Y^III_0.9Dy^III_0.16). Apart from the Er-containing complex, all complexes exhibit an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling leading to a diamagnetic ground state. Magnetic studies, below 2 K, on a single crystal of 3 using a micro-squid array reveal an opening of the magnetic hysteresis cycle at zero field. The dynamic susceptibility studies of 3 and of the diluted DyY 6 complexes reveal the presence of two relaxation processes for 3 that are due to the excited ferromagnetic state and to the uncoupled Dy^III ions. The antiferromagnetic coupling in 3 was shown to be mainly due to an exchange mechanism, which accounts for about 2/3 of the energy gap between the antiferro- and the ferromagnetic states. The overlap integrals between the Natural Spin Orbitals (NSOs) of the mononuclear fragments, which are related to the magnitude of the antiferromagnetic exchange, are one order of magnitude larger for the Dy₂ than for the Er₂ complex.     

Stoichiometrical coordination behaviour of hexaza tripodal ligands towards zinc(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II)

The stability constants of Zn^II, Cu^II, Ni^II and Co^II with different tripodal ligands, 1,3,5-tris(2,5-diazaoctxyl)benzene (L1), 1,3,5-tris(2,5-diazanonxyl)benzene (L2) and 1,3,5-tris[3-(2-pyridyl)-2-azapropyl]benzene (L3) have been studied at 25 °C in 0.1 mol dm^–3 KNO₃ aqueous solution using potentiometric titrations. During the titrations, the ligand concentrations were kept constant at 1 × 10^–3 mol dm^–3, while 1:1 and 1:3 metal:ligand ratios were used for each system. The results indicated that, in the 1:1 metal:ligand ratio, the binding of M^II to the ligand gives rise to several 1:1 complexes differing in their degree of protonation whereas in the 3:1 ratio, polynuclear complexes are formed. Additionally, the ternary complexes of the tripod ligands, with Cu^II-5-substituted-1, 10-phenanthroline have been investigated and the results show that linear free energy relationship exists in such ternary systems.     

Synthesis and photophysical properties of Ir<Superscript>III</Superscript>-Ln<Superscript>III</Superscript> (Ln = Nd,Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes containing bipyrimidines as bridging ligands

Bipyrimidines have been chosen as (N∧N)(N∧N) bridging ligands for connecting metal centers. Ir^III-Ln^III (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes [Ir(dfppy)₂(μ-bpm)Ln(TTA)₃]Cl were synthesized by using Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl as the ligand coordinating to lanthanide complexes Ln(TTA)₃·2H₂O. The stability constants between Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl and lanthanide ions were measured by fluorescence titration. The obvious quenching of visible emission from Ir^III complex in the Ir^III-Ln^III (Ln = Nd, Yb, Er) bimetallic complexes indicates that energy transfer occurred from Ir^III center to lanthanides. NIR emissions from Nd^III, Yb^III, and Er^III were obtained under the excitation of visible light by selective excitation of the Ir^III-based chromophore. It was proven that Ir(dfppy)₂(bpm)Cl as the ligand could effectively sensitize NIR emission from Nd^III, Yb^III, and Er^III.     

Study of isothermal decomposition of lanthanide mixed complexes with 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanodione and 1,10-phenanthroline

Isothermal decomposition kinetic of three lanthanide mixed complexes with the general formula of Ln(thd)3phen (where Ln=Nd³⁺, Sm³⁺ or Er³⁺, thd=2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanodione and phen=1,10-phenanthroline) has been studied in this work. The powders were characterized by their melting point, elemental analysis, FTIR spectroscopy and thermogravimetry. The isothermal TG curves have been recorded under the same conditions at 265–285, 265–285 and 250–270°C for Nd(thd)₃phen, Sm(thd)₃phen and Er(thd)₃phen, respectively. The kinetic parameters, i.e. activation energy, reaction order and frequency factor were obtained through the technique of lineal regression using the relation g(α)=kt+g ₀. The analysis was done at decomposed fractions between 0.10–0.90. The values of activation energy were: 114.10, 114.24 and 115.04 kJ mol^–1 for the Nd(thd)₃phen, Sm(thd)₃phen and Er(thd)₃phen complexes, respectively. The kinetic models that best described the isothermal decomposition reaction the complexes were R1 and R2. The values of activation energy suggests the following decreasing order of stability: Nd(thd)₃phen<Sm(thd)₃phen<Er(thd)₃phen.     

Thermochemistry of the solid complex Gd(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>dtc)<Subscript>3</Subscript>(phen)

Summary A ternary solid complex Gd(Et₂dtc)₃(phen) has been obtained from reactions of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaEt₂dtc), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and hydrated gadolinium chloride in absolute ethanol. The title complex was described by chemical and elemental analyses, TG-DTG and IR spectrum. The enthalpy change of liquid-phase reaction of formation of the complex, Δ_rH^Θ_m(l), was determined as (-11.628±0.0204) kJ mol^-1 at 298.15 K by a RD-496 III heat conduction microcalorimeter. The enthalpy change of the solid-phase reaction of formation of the complex, Δ_rH^Θ_m(s), was calculated as (145.306±0.519) kJ mol^-1 on the basis of a designed thermochemical cycle. The thermodynamics of reaction of formation of the complex was investigated by changing the temperature of liquid-phase reaction. Fundamental parameters, the apparent reaction rate constant (k), the apparent activation energy (E), the pre-exponential constant (A), the reaction order (n), the activation enthalpy (Δ_rH^Θ_≠), the activation entropy (Δ_rS^Θ_≠), the activation free energy (Δ_rG^Θ_≠) and the enthalpy (Δ_rH^Θ_≠), were obtained by combination of the thermodynamic and kinetic equations for the reaction with the data of thermokinetic experiments. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_cU, was determined as (-18673.71±8.15) kJ mol^-1 by a RBC-II rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. Its standard enthalpy of combustion, Δ_cH^Θ_m, and standard enthalpy of formation, Δ_fH^Θ_m, were calculated to be (-18692.92±8.15) kJ mol^-1 and (-51.28±9.17) kJ mol^-1, respectively.     

Linear free energy relationships between reaction rate constants and equilibrium constants of complex compounds: III. Kinetics and mechanisms of ternary complex formation between (5-X-1, 10-phenanthroline)copper(II) and threonine

The kinetics of ternary complex formation involving Cu(5-X-1, 10-phen) and threonine (CuAL, A=5-X-1, 10-phen; L=threonine or represented by O-N; X=NO₂, Cl, H, CH₃) has been studied by temperature-jump and stopped-flow methods. The formation rate constants, k_f(M^?1·s^?1), for the complexation reaction, CuA + L CuAL, are as follows; X=NO₂, 8.68×10⁸; X = Cl, 7.13×10⁸; X=H, 6.12×10⁸; X=CH₃, 5.42×10⁸. The rate constants for zwitterion attack are nil within experimental error. It has been found that a linear free energy relationship exists between the stability (logK^CuA_CuAL) of the complexes CuAL and log k_f as follows: logK^CuA_CuAL = 0.13+0.83 logk_f, r = 0.99. It suggested that the formation rate governed the stability of the ternary complexes. The rates of formation of the ternary complexes increased with decreasing electron-donating property of the substituents. A linear relationship was found to exist as expressed by the following equation: log(k^R_f/K^O_f = 0.097σ, r = 0.96. A mechanism involves a rapid equilibrium between CuA and L followed by a slow ring closure of L.     

Holmium(iii) molecular nanomagnets for optical thermometry exploring the luminescence re-absorption effect

Coordination complexes of lanthanide(3+) ions can combine Single-Molecule Magnetism (SMM) with thermally modulated luminescence applicable in optical thermometry. We report an innovative approach towards high performance SMM-based optical thermometers which explores tunable anisotropy and the luminescence re-absorption effect of Ho^III complexes. Our concept is shown in dinuclear cyanido-bridged molecules, {[Ho^III(4-pyridone)₄(H₂O)₂][M^III(CN)₆]}·nH₂O (M = Co, 1; Rh, 2; Ir, 3) and their magnetically diluted analogues, {[Ho^III_xY^III_1–x(4-pyridone)₄(H₂O)₂][M^III(CN)₆]}·nH₂O (M = Co, x = 0.11, 1@Y; Rh, x = 0.12, 2@Y; Ir, x = 0.10, 3@Y). They are built of pentagonal bipyramidal Ho^III complexes revealing the zero-dc-field SMM effect. Experimental studies and the ab initio calculations indicate an Orbach magnetic relaxation with energy barriers varying from 89.8 to 86.7 and 78.7 cm⁻¹ K for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. 1–3 also differ in the strength of quantum tunnelling of magnetization which is suppressed by hyperfine interactions, and, further, by the magnetic dilution. The Y^III-based dilution governs the optical properties as 1–3 exhibit poor emission due to the dominant re-absorption from Ho^III while 1@Y–3@Y show room-temperature blue emission of 4-pyridone. Within ligand emission bands, the sharp re-absorption lines of the Ho^III electronic transitions were observed. Their strong thermal variation was used in achieving highly sensitive ratiometric optical thermometers whose good performance ranges, lying between 25 and 205 K, are adjustable by using hexacyanidometallates. This work shows that Ho^III complexes are great prerequisites for advanced opto-magnetic systems linking slow magnetic relaxation with unique optical thermometry exploiting a luminescence re-absorption phenomenon.

Ho^III complexes bearing organic luminophores and inorganic metalloligands are an effective tool for achieving the unique conjunction of single-molecule magnetism and thermometric luminescence re-absorption phenomenon.     

Replacement reactions at a ferrous phthalocyanine centre. Piperidine and substituted pyridines as entering ligands

The kinetics of the replacement of dmso in FePc(dmso)2 by piperidine and 11 substituted pyridines, to form FePc(base)₂ species, have been studied by stopped-flow techniques. For the first step a linear free energy relationship (LFER) exists between the rate constant for fission of base from FePc(base)(dmso) and the gas phase proton affinity of the base, from bases with low proton affinity (CO) to high proton affinity (CN^–). The rate constant for dmso fission from FePc(dmso)₂ was estimated to be ca. 420,000 s^–1, and this fission process largely governs the rate of the first step for neutral bases. The slow first step for the reaction with cyanide ion as base can be explained when the energy needed to de-pair cyanide and potassium ions is taken into account.In the second step the formation rate constants of FePc(base)₂ species cover one order of magnitude for neutral bases, and the base dissociation rate constants cover two orders of magnitude, with a good LFER between these constants and the pK_BH of the leaving group. There is also a good LFER between the equilibrium constant for bis-base complex formation and these same dissociation rate constants.     

Electron transfer at tetrahedral cobalt(II). Part 1. Kinetics of bromate ion reduction

Summary The bromate ion reduction by 12-tungstocobaltate(II) anion has been investigated. The reaction obeys the empirical rate law:-d[reductant]/dt=5(a+b[H⁺]²)[BrO ₃ ^– ][reductant]: where a=(2.49±0.18)×10^–4M^–1 s^–1, b=(4.65±0.20)×10^–5M^–3s^–1 at 24.5±0.1°C [H⁺]=0.05–1.50M and I=2.0M (NaClO₄). This rate law is interpreted in terms of parallel reactions of BrO ₃ ^– and H₂BrO ₃ ⁺ . On the basis of the observed anion catalysis, substitution intertness of the reductant and Marcus type linear free energy relations, the outer sphere mechanism is proposed for both pathways.     

Kinetics and mechanism of exchange reaction of [Y(APTA)] (APTA=o-aminophenol-N,N, O-triacetic acid) with copper(II)

Summary The kinetics of the exchange reaction between [Y(APTA)] and Cu^II have been investigated over a range of [H⁺] from 2.5×10^–5 to 7.5×10^–4 mol dm^–3 at 30°C and ionic strength 0.2 mol dm^–3 KNO₃. The results show that the exchange reaction proceeds via both self-and proton-catalyzed dissociation of [Y(APTA)] and also by the direct attack of Cu^II on [Y(APTA)]. The corresponding rate constants k_d, k _h and k_Cu have been evaluated as 6.3s^–1, 8.4×10⁴ mol^–1 dm³ s^–1 and 416mol^–3 dm³ s^–1 respectively. The possible intermediates are discussed in terms of the structure of APTA. The complex-formation rate constants of Y^III with APTA^3- and HAPTA^2- were also obtained.     

Kinetics of the dissociation of tris(1,10-phenanthroline) iron(III) complex ion in aqueous acid solutions. A mechanistic model for product specificity

Summary The natural decay of Fe(phen) _f3 ^p3&#x002b; , where no Ce^IV is employed for scavenging the side reaction product, Fe(phen) _f3 ^p2+ , is now treated as a complex reaction involving two parallel processes, and the experimental kinetics are consistent with the rate laws derived from a mechanism that simultaneously explains the composition of the products as a function of acidity. In terms of the proposed mechanism the dissociation rate of the complex ion in acid solutions containing Ce^IV as scavenging agent is to be regarded as a Ce^IV retarded aquation rate, and OH^– is to be assigned a catalytic role in the kinetics of basic reduction.     

Dinuclear Lanthanide(III) Complexes from the Use of Methyl 2-Pyridyl Ketoxime: Synthetic,Structural, and Physical Studies

The first use of methyl 2-pyridyl ketoxime (mepaoH) in homometallic lanthanide(III) [Ln(III)] chemistry is described. The 1:2 reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃·nH₂O (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy; n = 5, 6) and mepaoH in MeCN have provided access to complexes [Ln₂(O₂CMe)₄(NO₃)₂(mepaoH)₂] (Ln = Nd, 1; Ln = Eu, 2; Ln = Gd, 3; Ln = Tb, 4; Ln = Dy, 5); the acetato ligands derive from the Ln^III—mediated hydrolysis of MeCN. The 1:1 and 1:2 reactions between Dy(O₂CMe)₃·4H₂O and mepaoH in MeOH/MeCN led to the all-acetato complex [Dy₂(O₂CMe)₆(mepaoH)₂] (6). Treatment of 6 with one equivalent of HNO₃ gave 5. The structures of 1, 5, and 6 were solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Elemental analyses and IR spectroscopy provide strong evidence that 2–4 display similar structural characteristics with 1 and 5. The structures of 1–5 consist of dinuclear molecules in which the two Ln^III centers are bridged by two bidentate bridging (η¹:η¹:μ₂) and two chelating-bridging (η¹:η²:μ₂) acetate groups. The Ln^III atoms are each chelated by a N,N’-bidentate mepaoH ligand and a near-symmetrical bidentate nitrato group. The molecular structure of 6 is similar to that of 5, the main difference being the presence of two chelating acetato groups in the former instead of the two chelating nitrato groups in the latter. The geometry of the 9-coordinate Ln^III centers in 1, 5 and 6 can be best described as a muffin-type (MFF-9). The 3D lattices of the isomorphous 1 and 5 are built through H-bonding, π⋯π stacking and C-H⋯π interactions, while the 3D architecture of 6 is stabilized by H bonds. The IR spectra of the complexes are discussed in terms of the coordination modes of the organic and inorganic ligands involved. The Eu(III) complex 2 displays a red, metal-ion centered emission in the solid state; the Tb^III atom in solid 4 emits light in the same region with the ligand. Magnetic susceptibility studies in the 2.0–300 K range reveal weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular Gd^III…Gd^III exchange interactions in 3; the J value is −0.09(1) cm⁻¹ based on the spin Hamiltonian Ĥ = −J(Ŝ_Gd1·Ŝ_Gd2).     

Mechanistic studies on the oxidation of pyruvic acid by an oxo-bridged diiron(III,III) complex in aqueous acidic media

In aqueous solution [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ (1, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) equilibrates with its conjugate bases [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(H₂O)(OH)]³⁺ (2) and [Fe₂(μ-O)(phen)₄(OH)₂]²⁺ (3). In the presence of excess phen and in the pH range 2.5–5.5, the dimer quantitatively oxidizes pyruvic acid to acetic acid and carbon dioxide, the end iron species being ferroin, [Fe(phen)₃]²⁺. The observed reaction rate shows a bell-shaped curve as pH increases, but is independent of added phen. Kinetic analysis shows that (3) is non-reactive and (1) has much higher reactivity than (2) in oxidizing pyruvic acid. The basicity of the bridging oxygen increases with deprotonation of the aqua ligands. The reaction rate decreases significantly in media enriched with D₂O in comparison to that in H₂O, with a greater retardation at higher pH, suggesting the occurrence of proton coupled electron transfer (PCET; 1e, 1H⁺), which possibly drags the energetically unfavorable reaction to completion in presence of excess phen.