Theoretical and experimental investigation of novel iron(II)-based spin crossover compounds

Two novel spin crossover (SCO) compounds, namely [Fe(INMe)(pyN₄)]Br₂, and [Fe(IMMe)(pyN₄)](OTf)₂, where pyN₄ = 2,6-Bis(1′,3′-diamino-2′methyl-prop-2′yl)pyridine, INMe = isonicotinic acid methyl ester, IMMe = N-methyl-imidazole, and OTf = triflate, are characterized here both from experimental and theoretical viewpoints. In particular, we apply various density functionals and basis sets to obtain optimized geometries for low- (LS) and high-spin (HS) states, vibrational spectra, LS–HS splittings, and temperature-dependent UV/vis spectra. While geometries and spectra are in good agreement with experimental data, the well-known spin pairing problem makes it difficult to compute accurate LS–HS splitting energies and enthalpies. Based on TD–DFT calculations, the capacity of the compounds for use as reversibly photo-switchable molecules is discussed.     

Synthesis, structure and nuclease activity of copper complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine ligands bearing ammonium groups

A series of Cu(II) complexes of disubstituted 2,2′-bipyridine bearing ammonium groups [Cu(L¹⁻⁴)₂Br]⁵⁺ (1–4, L¹ = [5,5′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L² = [5,5′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L³ = [4,4′-(Me₂NHCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺, L⁴ = [4,4′-(Me₃NCH₂)₂-bpy]²⁺ and bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) were synthesized, of which complexes 1 and 4 were structurally characterized. Both coordination configurations of Cu(II) ions can be described as distorted trigonal bipyramid. The interaction between all complexes and CT-DNA was evaluated by thermal-denaturation experiments and CD spectroscopy. Results show that the complexes interact with CT-DNA via outside electrostatic interactions and their binding ability follows the order: 1 > 2 > 3 > 4. In the absence of any reducing agents, the cleavage of plasmid pBR322 DNA by these complexes was investigated and the hydrolysis kinetics of DNA was studied in Tris buffer (pH 7.5) at 37 °C. Obtained pseudo-Michaelis–Menten kinetic parameters: 15.0, 13.6, 2.01 and 1.69 h⁻¹ for 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively, indicate that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit very high DNA cleavage activities. According to their crystal data, the high nuclease activity may be attributed to the strong interaction of the metal moiety and two ammonium groups with phosphate groups of DNA.     

Synthesis, structures and reactivity of triosmium clusters containing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands

Four triosmium carbonyl clusters bearing terminal pyrazines, bridging hydroxy and methoxycarbonyl ligands of general formula [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] (1, L = pyrazine; 2, L = 2-methylpyrazine; 3, L = 2,3-dimethylpyrazine; 4, L = 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine) were synthesized by the reactions of [Os₃(CO)₁₂] with the corresponding pyrazine derivatives and water in the presence of a methanolic solution of Me₃NO in moderate yields. Compounds [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L] react with a series of two electron donor ligands, L′ at ambient temperature to give [Os₃(CO)₉(μ-OH)(μ-OMeCO)L′] (5, L′ = PPh₃; 6, L′ = P(OMe)₃; 7, L′ = ^tBuNC; 8, L′ = C₅H₅N) in good yields by the displacement of the pyrazine ligands. This implies that the pyrazine ligands in 1–4 are relatively labile. Compounds 2, 3, 4, and 8 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. All the four compounds possess two metal–metal bonds and a non-bonded separation of two osmium atoms defined by Os(1)Os(3), which are simultaneously bridged by OH and MeOCO ligands and a heterocyclic ligand is terminally coordinated to one of the two non-bonded osmium atoms.     

Electron transfer of quinone self-assembled monolayers on a gold electrode

Dialkyl disulfide-linked naphthoquinone, (NQ-C_n-S)₂, and anthraquinone, (AQ-C_n-S)₂, derivatives with different spacer alkyl chains (C_n: n = 2, 6, 12) were synthesized and these quinone derivatives were self-assembled on a gold electrode. The formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of these derivatives on a gold electrode was confirmed by infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (IR-RAS). Electron transfer between the derivatives and the gold electrode was studied by cyclic voltammetry. On the cyclic voltammogram a reversible redox reaction between quinone (Q) and hydroquinone (QH₂) was clearly observed under an aqueous condition. The formal potentials for NQ and AQ derivatives were −0.48 and −0.58 V, respectively, that did not depend on the spacer length. The oxidation and reduction peak currents were strongly dependent on the spacer alkyl chain length. The redox behavior of quinone derivatives depended on the pH condition of the buffer solution. The pH dependence was in agreement with a theoretical value of E_1/2 (mV) = E′ − 59pH for 2H⁺/2e⁻ process in the pH range 3–11. In the range higher than pH 11, the value was estimated with E_1/2 (mV) = E′ − 30pH , which may correspond to H⁺/2e⁻ process. The tunneling barrier coefficients (β) for NQ and AQ SAMs were determined to be 0.12 and 0.73 per methylene group (CH₂), respectively. Comparison of the structures and the alkyl chain length of quinones derivatives on these electron transfers on the electrode is made.     

Alkyl-substituted cyclopentadienyl- and phospholyl-zirconium/MAO catalysts for propene and 1-hexene oligomerization

The directed oligomerization of propene and 1-hexene was carried out with a series of Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts (Cp′=C₅HMe₄, C₄Me₄P, C₅Me₅, C₅H₄^tBu, C₅H₃-1,3-^tBu₂, C₅H₂-1,2,4-^tBu₃) together with (C₅H₅)₂ZrCl₂. Oligomers in the molar mass range 300–1500 g/mol for propene and 200–3000 g/mol for 1-hexene were synthesized at 50 °C. The majority of oligomer molecules contain a double-bond end group. Oligomer characterization was carried out by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Vinylidene double bonds (from β-hydrogen elimination) are solely found for the tert-butyl-substituted zirconocenes and for most of the unsymmetrical methyl-substituted Cp′(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ systems (except Cp′=phospholyl). With (C₄Me₄P)(C₅H₅)ZrCl₂ and with the symmetrical methyl-containing Cp₂′ZrCl₂ pre-catalysts, also vinyl end groups (from β-methyl elimination) are observed in the case of oligopropenes. The vinylidene/vinyl ratio depends on the ligand and the vinyl content increases from C₅HMe₄ (65/35) over C₄Me₄P (61/39) to C₅Me₅ (9/91). The phospholyl zirconocenes and (C₅HMe₄)₂ZrCl₂ also exhibit chain-transfer to aluminum thereby giving saturated oligomers.     

Electrochemical properties of a ruthenium complex immobilized as thin films and in carbon paste electrodes

The electrochemical properties of mer-[RuCl₃(dppb)(4-pic)] (dppb = Ph₂P(CH₂)₄PPh₂, 4-pic = CH₃C₅H₄N), Rupic, in CHCl₃ are governed by the formation of species such as [Ru₂Cl₅(dppb)₂], [Ru₂(dppb)₂Cl₄(4-pic)] and trans-[RuCl₂(dppb)(4-pic)₂] upon the reduction of “[RuCl₂(dppb)]”. The overall behavior depends on whether Rupic is immobilized in cast or Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films, or incorporated into a carbon paste electrode (CPE). In cyclic voltammograms, one redox process appears for LB/Rupic films and CPE/Rupic, at E_pa = 0.35 V, E_pc = 0.25 V vs SCE, and E_pa = 0.32 V, E_pc = 0.24 V vs Ag/AgCl, respectively. This redox process was ascribed to the Ru^III/Ru^II charge transfer. For cast films the redox pair was poorly defined, with E_pa = 0.27 V and E_pc = 0.20 V. The reason for the difference lies in the phase separation and formation of aggregates onto ITO for the cast film, in contrast to the LB film. With aggregation, the formation of species occurring in solution is impaired for Rupic in cast films. The electrochemical properties for Rupic in LB films and incorporated into CPE allowed the electrocatalytic activity of Rupic to be exploited in sensors for dopamine and ascorbic acid.     

Catalytic oxidation of alcohols to carbonyl compounds with hydrogen peroxide using dinuclear iron complexes

Oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols has been studied in the presence of [Fe(ind)Cl]₂O (1) and [Fe₂(OMe)₂(PAP)Cl₄] (2) (indH = 1,3-bis(2′-pyridylimino)isoindoline; PAP = 1,4-di(2′-pyridyl)aminophthalazine) as catalysts using hydrogen peroxide as primary oxidant. The complexes were found to be suitable catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds in acetone as solvent. The reactivity of the alcohols is in the order primary < secondary < cyclic secondary < aromatic. The reaction mechanism in the case of 1 probable involves an iron-based oxidant, while in the case of 2 a free-radical mechanism is suggested.     

Oxovanadium(IV) based coordination polymers and their catalytic potentials for the oxidation of styrene, cyclohexene and trans-stilbene

Reaction between 5,5′-methylenebis(salicylaldehyde) or 5,5′-dithiobis(salicylaldehyde) and 1,2-diaminocyclohexane in equimolar ratio leads to the formation of new polymeric chelating ligands [–CH₂(H₂sal-dach)–]_n (I) and [–S₂(H₂sal-dach)₂–]_n (II). These ligands react with [VO(acac)₂] in DMF to give coordination polymers [–CH₂{VO(sal-dach)·DMF}–]_n (1) and [–S₂{VO(sal-dach)·DMF}–]_n (2). Both complexes are insoluble in common solvents and exhibit a magnetic moment value of 1.74 and 1.78μ_B, respectively. IR spectral studies confirm the coordination of ligands through the azomethine nitrogen and the phenolic oxygen atoms to the vanadium. These complexes exhibit good catalytic activity towards the oxidation of styrene, cyclohexene and trans-stilbene using tert-butylhydroperoxide as an oxidant. Concentration of the oxidant and reaction temperature has been optimised for the maximum oxidation of these substrates. Under the optimised conditions, oxidation of styrene gave a maximum of 76% (with 1) or 85% (with 2) conversion having following products in order of selectivity: benzaldehyde > styreneoxide > 1-phenylethane-1,2-diol > benzoic acid. A maximum of 98% conversion of cyclohexene was obtained with both the catalysts where selectivity of cyclohexeneoxide varied in the order: 2 (62%) > 1 (45%). With the conversion of 33% (with 1) and 47% (with 2), oxidation of trans-stilbene gives benzaldehyde, benzil and trans-stilbeneoxide as major products.     

Immobilization of antibody fragment for immunosensor application based on surface plasmon resonance

Biosurface fabrication using the Fab′ fragment of immunoglobulin (IgG) was carried out by self-assembly (SA) technique. The pepsin-digested monoclonal antibody (Mab) against bovine insulin containing the F(ab′)₂ fragment and residual proteins was separated using affinity chromatography and dialysis. To prevent the nonspecific binding of F(ab′)₂ onto gold (Au) substrate, the native disulfide bridge was reduced using dithiothreitol (DTT) to convert F(ab′)₂ into Fab′, which made the immobilization to be carried out via the native thiol (–SH) group. The fabricated biosurface using SA technique showed the formation of stable thin film through AFM topography. Through the concentration change of DTT and Fab′, the absorption characteristics against the Au surface were investigated using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) with the flow cell. The amount of immobilized antibody fragment and the antigen binding capacity were regulated with respect to the reduction state and concentration of F(ab′)₂. Based on the biosurface of the fabricated Fab′, the insulin-detection was carried out by the measurement of SPR. The proposed antibody surface could successfully detect the bovine insulin at the concentration from 100 ng/mL to 10 μg/mL.     

Influence of electronic and steric effects on stability constants and electrochemical reversibility of divalent ion complexes with glycine and sarcosine. A glass electrode potentiometric, sampled direct current polarographic, virtual potentiometric, and molecular modelling study

Cd^II complexes with glycine (gly) and sarcosine (sar) were studied by glass electrode potentiometry, direct current polarography, virtual potentiometry, and molecular modelling. The electrochemically reversible Cd^II–glycine–OH labile system was best described by a model consisting of M(HL), ML, ML₂, ML₃, ML(OH) and ML₂(OH) (M = Cd^II, L = gly) with the overall stability constants, as log β, determined to be 10.30 ± 0.05, 4.21 ± 0.03, 7.30 ± 0.05, 9.84 ± 0.04, 8.9 ± 0.1, and 10.75 ± 0.10, respectively. In case of the electrochemically quasi-reversible Cd^II–sarcosine–OH labile system, only ML, ML₂ and ML₃ (M = Cd^II, L = sar) were found and their stability constants, as log β, were determined to be 3.80 ± 0.03, 6.91 ± 0.07, and 8.9 ± 0.4, respectively. Stability constants for the ML complexes, the prime focus of this work, were thus established with an uncertainty smaller than 0.05 log units. The observed departure from electrochemical reversibility for the Cd–sarcosine–OH system was attributed mainly to the decrease in the transfer coefficient . The MM2 force field, supplemented by additional parameters, reproduced the reported crystal structures of diaqua-bis(glycinato-O,N)nickel(II) and fac-tri(glycinato)-nickelate(II) very well. These parameters were used to predict structures of all possible isomers of (i) [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ and [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺; and (ii) [Ni(H₂O)₃(IDA)] and [Ni(H₂O)₃(MIDA)] (IDA = iminodiacetic acid, MIDA = N-methyl iminodiacetic acid) by molecular mechanics/simulated annealing methods. The change in strain energy, ΔU_str, that accompanies the substitution of one ligand by another (ML + L′ → ML′ + L), was computed and a strain energy ΔU_str = +0.28 kcal mol⁻¹ for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₄(gly)]⁺ + sar → [Ni(H₂O)₄(sar)]⁺ + gly was found. This predicts the monoglycine complex to be marginally more stable. By contrast, for the reaction [Ni(H₂O)₃IDA] + MIDA → [Ni(H₂O)₃MIDA] + IDA, ΔU_str = −0.64 kcal mol⁻¹, and the monoMIDA complex is predicted to be more stable. This correlates well with (i) stability constants for Cd–gly and Cd–sar reported here; and (ii) known stability constants of ML complex for glycine, sarcosine, IDA, and MIDA.     

Optimised hydrothermal synthesis of multi-dimensional hybrid coordination polymers containing flexible organic ligands

In this paper, we summarise our recent research interest in the hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterisation of multi-dimensional coordination polymers. The use of N-(phosphonomethyl)iminodiacetic acid (also referred to as H₄pmida) in the literature as a versatile chelating organic ligand is briefly reviewed. This molecule plays an important role in the formation of centrosymmetric dimeric [V₂O₂(pmida)₂]⁴⁻ anionic units, which were first used by us as building blocks to construct novel coordination polymers. Starting with [V₂O₂(pmida)₂]⁴⁻ in solution, we have isolated [M₂V₂O₂(pmida)₂(H₂O)₁₀] species (where M²⁺ = Mn²⁺, Co²⁺ or Cd²⁺) via the hydrothermal synthetic approach, which were then employed for the construction of [CdVO(pmida)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)₂]·(4,4′-bpy)_0.5·(H₂O), [CoVO(pmida)(4,4′-bpy)(H₂O)₂]·(4,4′-bpy)_0.5, [Co(H₂O)₆][CoV₂O₂(pmida)₂(pyr)(H₂O)₂]·2(H₂O) and [Cd₂V₂O₂(pmida)₂(pyr)₂(H₂O)₄]·4(H₂O) by the inclusion of bridging organic ligands in the reactive mixtures, such as pyrazine (pyr) and 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bpy). These materials can contain channel systems, and exhibit magnetic behaviour, not only due to the V⁴⁺ centres but also to the transition metal centres which establish the links between neighbouring dimeric [V₂O₂(pmida)₂]⁴⁻ anionic units. A closely related anionic moiety, [Ge₂(pmida)₂(OH)₂]²⁻, was engineered to allow the study of such crystalline hybrid materials using one- and two-dimensional high-resolution solid-state NMR.     

Ru- and Fe-based N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-methyl-(1S,2S)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine complexes immobilised on mesoporous MCM-41: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic applications

Protected mesoporous MCM-41 phases were synthesized by grafting of the ligand, (1S,2S)-N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine (L₂Me), through the reactive 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane (3-CPTMS) group and designated as L₂Me-MCM-41. Subsequently, RuCl₃ and Fe(BF₄)₂ or Fe(CF₃SO₃)₂ were added to the heterogenized L₂Me-MCM-41 for complexation and designated as M-L₂Me-MCM-41 (M = Ru and Fe). All samples were characterized in detail using XRD, N₂ sorption isotherm, FT-IR, TGA-DTA, XPS, UV–vis, solid state ¹³C NMR, EPR and elemental analysis, etc. The XRD and sorption measurements of the catalyst confirmed the structural integrity of the mesoporous hosts and the spectroscopic characterization techniques proved the successful anchoring of the metal complexes over the modified mesoporous support. The screening of catalyst M-L₂Me-MCM-41 was done for the oxidation reaction of thioanisole (methyl phenyl sulphide) using H₂O₂ as an oxidant. The Ru-L₂Me-MCM-41 and Fe-L₂Me-MCM-41 catalysts show higher activities and turnover numbers and exhibit enantiomeric excess comparable to the homogeneous catalysts, Ru-L₂(Me)₂ and Fe-L₂(Me)₂. Furthermore, Fe-L₂Me-MCM-41 and Fe-L₂(Me)₂ were also found active in the epoxidation of styrene. These results indicate that metal complexes are confined into the pore of the material which play a major role in the reaction.     

Molecular structure and electrochemical properties of the Pt complex of 1,1′-bis(methylthio)ferrocene and the Pd complexes of 1,4,7-trithia[7]- and 1,5,9-trithia[9] (1,1′)ferrocenophanes

Molecular structures of (triphenylphosphine) [1,1′-bis-(methylthio)ferrocene-S,S′,Fe]Pt(BF₄)₂ (1), (1,5,9-trithia[9]ferrocenophane-S,S′,S″,Fe)Pd(BF₄)₂ (2), and (acetonitrile)(1,4,7-trithia[7]ferrocenophane-S,S′,S″,Fe)Pd(BF₄)₂ (3) were determined by X-ray analyses. The Pt in 1 and the Pd atom in 2 have a somewhat distorted square-planar geometry including the Fe atom of the ferrocene moiety, while the Pd atom in 3 is coordinated by one equivalent of acetonitrile and takes a distorted tetragonal-pyramidal geometry. The distances of the Fe---M bond (M = Pd, Pt) in 1–3 are 2.851(2), 2.827(2), and 3.0962(8) Å, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry of 1–3 gave no reversible wave, but afforded some information supporting the presence of a dative bond.     

N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamides and their dinuclear pentacoordinate nickel(II) complexes

The preparation, spectroscopic characterization and magnetic study of N,N′-bis(substituted-phenyl)oxamidate-bridged nickel(II) dinuclear complexes of formula {[Ni(N₃-mc)]₂(μ-CONC₆H₄-X)}(PF₆)₂ (N₃-mc = 2,4,4-trimethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclo-dodec-1-ene (Me₃-N₃-mc) or 2,4,4,9-tetramethyl-1,5,9-triazacyclododec-1-ene (Me₄-N₃-mc), X = 2-Cl, 4-Cl, 2-OCH₃, 4-OCH₃) are reported. These paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes have been characterized by both one- and two-dimensional (COSY) ¹H NMR techniques. The COSY spectrum of 5 has allowed to achieve the assignment of the phenyl protons of the N,N′-diphenyloxamidate. The crystal structures of [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (6), [Ni(Me₃-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-4-OMe)]₂(PF₆)₂ (8) and [Ni(Me₄-N₃-mc)(μ-CONC₆H₄-2-Cl)]₂(PF₆)₂ (9) have been determined and their magnetic properties have been studied. The value of magnetic coupling between the two nickel(II) ions across the oxamidate bridge [J = − 37.6 (6), −39.9 (8) and −39.7 cm⁻¹ (9)] is sensitive to the distortion of the coordination sphere of the metal ions and the topology of the molecular bridge.     

Photochemical reactions of alkynyl iron (II) complexes with carbon disulfide. Insertion of CS2 into an iron-C(sp) bond

The novel alkynyldithiocarboxylate complexes [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(S₂CCCR) (dppm-P)] (3a,b) and [Fe(η₅-C₅H₅)(S₂CCCR)(PPh₃)] (4a,b) were obtained through the insertion of CS₂ into the iron-akynyl bond in the complexes [Fe(η₅-C₅H₅)(CCR)(L)(L′] L, L′ = dppm R = Ph (1a), ^tBu(1b); L = (CO), L′ = (PPh₃) R = Ph (2a), ^tBu (2b). Variable-temperature ³¹P{¹H} NMR studies indicate the presence of two different isomers, [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(η³-S,C,S′---S₂CCCR)(L)(L′)] and [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅(η²-S,S′-S₂CCCR)(L)(L′)], which rapidly interconvert at room temperature. The synthesis of the precursor complex [Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(CC^tBu)(CO)(PPh₃)] is also described.     

Solid-state static Cu and P CP/MAS NMR, and liquid-state EXAFS studies on copper(I) O,O′-dialkyldithiophosphate cluster compounds: Formation of the copper(I) O,O′-di-iso-amyldithiophosphate cluster compound on the surface of synthetic chalcocite

Polycrystalline octa-nuclear copper(I) O,O′-di-i-propyl- and O,O′-di-i-amyldithiophosphate cluster compounds, {Cu₈[S₂P(OR)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} where R = ⁱPr and ⁱAm, were synthesized and characterized by ³¹P CP/MAS NMR at 8.46 T and static ⁶⁵Cu NMR at multiple magnetic field strengths (7.05, 9.4 and 14.1 T). The symmetries of the electronic environments around the P sites were estimated from the ³¹P chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) parameters, δ_aniso and η. Analyses of the ⁶⁵Cu chemical shift and quadrupolar splitting parameters for these compounds are presented with the data being compared to those for the analogous octa-nuclear cluster compounds with R = ⁿBu and ⁱBu. The ⁶⁵Cu transverse relaxation for the copper sites in {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} and {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} was found to be very different, with a relaxation time, T₂, of 590 μs (Gaussian) and 90 μs (exponential), respectively. The structures of {Cu₄[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₄} and {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱPr)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} cluster compounds in the liquid- and the solid-state were studied by Cu K-edge EXAFS. The disulfide, [S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₂, was obtained and characterized by ³¹P{¹H} NMR. The interactions of the disulfide and of the potassium O,O′-di-i-amyldithiophosphate salt with the surfaces of synthetic chalcocite (Cu₂S) were probed using solid-state ³¹P NMR spectroscopy and only the presence of copper(I) dithiophosphate species with the {Cu₈[S₂P(OⁱAm)₂]₆(μ₈-S)} structure was observed.     

Constructions of a set of novel hydrogen-bonded supramolecules from reactions of cobalt(II) salt with bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane and different carboxylic acids

Reactions of CoX₂·6H₂O (X = Cl⁻, ClO₄⁻) with bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)methane (dmpzm) and formic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, maleic acid, or fumaric acid under the presence of KOH solution produced a new family of Co(II)/dmpzm complexes, [Co(dmpzm)₂L]X·nH₂O (1: L = O₂CH, X = Cl, n = 2; 2: L = OAc, X = Cl, n = 3; 3: L = benzoate, X = ClO₄, n = 1/3; 4: L = salicylate, X = ClO₄, n = 1/3) and [Co₂(dmpzm)₄L](ClO₄)₂·nSolv (5: L = maleate, n = 3, Solv = H₂O; 6: L = fumarate, n = 2, Solv = MeOH). These compounds were structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1–4 are mononuclear while 5–6 are binuclear. Each cobalt atom of 1–6 is hexacoordinate, with a distorted octahedral CoN₄O₂ coordination geometry incorporating two N,N′-bidentate dmpzm ligands and one O,O′-bidentate carboxylate ligand. There are rich intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystals of 1–6, thereby forming either 2D hydrogen-bonded networks (1 and 2) or 3D hydrogen-bonded networks (3–6). In addition, the thermal behaviors of 1–6 were also investigated.     

Reactions of Ru(CCPh)(L2)Cp* (L2=dppm, dppe) with tetracyanoethene: cycloaddition, formation of monodentate dppm and dppmO complexes and migration of CN to ruthenium

Reactions of FcCCH (a), HCCCCFc (b) and FcCCCCFc (c) with Ru₃(CO)₁₀(NCMe)₂ (all) and Ru₃(μ-dppm)(CO)₁₀ (b and c only) are described. Among the products, the complexes Ru₃(μ₃-RC₂R′)(μ-CO)(CO)₉ (R=H, R′=Fc 1, CCFc 2; R=R′=Fc 5), Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-C₂CCFc)(μ-dppm)(CO)₇ 3, Ru₃(μ₃-FcC₂CCFc)(μ-dppm)(μ-CO)(CO)₇ 6 and Ru₃{μ₃-C₄Fc₂(CCFc)₂}(μ-dppm)(μ-CO)(CO)₅ 7 were characterised, including single-crystal structure determinations for 1, 3, 5 and 7; that of 7 did not differ significantly from an earlier study of a mixed CH₂Cl₂–C₆H₆ solvate.     

Pyrolysis and film growth studies of phosphinoborane compounds

Chemical vapor deposition experiments were conducted using phosphinoborane compounds of the type [R₂BPR′₂]_n, where R = CH₂CH₃ (1) or CH₃ (2), R′= C(CH₃)₃, and R = CH₂CH₃ (3) or CH₃ (4), R′ = Si(CH₃)₃. Thin films were deposited on Si substrates at 300–850°C under vacuum using 1–3, while no film formed using 4. All films contained considerable carbon (C/B = 0.67–7) and were deficient in phosphorus (P/B = 0-0.5) according to Auger electron spectroscopy. For 3, silicon was incorporated in the films (Si/B = 0.9–2). The preferential loss of phosphorus was nearly complete at higher pyrolysis temperatures that favor formation of carbon-rich films. Volatile products of the decompositions were observed by in situ mass spectroscopy and by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis of the condensate in a liquid nitrogen cooled trap. The products indicate that β-hydrogen elimination of alkene from boron is a preferred reaction pathway, while concerted elimination reactions appear to be inefficient. Although these phosphinoborane compounds do not appear to be suitable precursors for pure boron phosphide, the B-P-C films obtained are chemically inert and may be of interest as protective coatings.     

Synthesis of metallocenes of zirconium, hafnium, manganese, iron, tin, lead and half-sandwich complexes of rhodium and iridium containing the ligands (η-C5R4CR′2PMe2), where R and R′ may be H or Me

The dimethylphosphino substituted cyclopentadienyl precursor compounds [M(C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)], where M=Li⁺ (1), Na⁺ (2), or K⁺ (3), and [Li(C₅H₄CR′₂PMe₂)], where R′₂=Me₂ (4), or (CH₂)₅ (5), [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂H]X, where X⁻=Cl⁻ (6) or PF₆⁻ (7) and [HC₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂] (8), are described. They have been used to prepare new metallocene compounds, of which representative examples are [Fe(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂], where R=Me, R′=H (9); R=H and R′₂=Me₂ (10), or (CH₂)₅ (11), [Fe(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₃)₂]I₂ (12), [Fe{η-C₅Me₄CH₂P(O)Me₂}₂] (13), [Zr(η-C₅R₄CR′₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂], where R=H, R′=Me (14), or R=Me, R′=H (15), [Hf(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂]Cl₂] (16), [Zr(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂Me₂] (17), {[Zr(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂]Cl}{(C₆F₅)₃BClB(C₆F₅)₃} (18), [Zr{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂Cl₂}PtI₂] (19), [Mn(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)₂] (20), [Mn{(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (21), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (23), [Sn(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂] (24), [Pb{η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂B(C₆F₅)₃}₂] (25), [Pb(η-C₅H₄CMe₂PMe₂)₂PtI₂] (26), [Rh(η-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)(C₂H₄)] 29, [M(η,κP-C₅Me₄CH₂PMe₂)I₂], where M=Rh (30), or Ir, (31).