Blending Non‐Group‐3 Transition Metal and Rare‐Earth Metal into a C80 Fullerene Cage with D5h Symmetry

Rare‐earth metals have been mostly entrapped into fullerene cages to form endohedral clusterfullerenes, whereas non‐Group‐3 transition metals that can form clusterfullerenes are limited to titanium (Ti) and vanadium (V), and both are exclusively entrapped within an I_h‐C₈₀ cage. Non‐Group‐3 transition‐metal‐containing endohedral fullerenes based on a C₈₀ cage with D_5h symmetry, V_xSc_3?xN@D_5h‐C₈₀ (x=1, 2), have now been synthesized, which exhibit two variable cluster compositions. The molecular structure of VSc₂N@D_5h‐C₈₀ was unambiguously determined by X‐ray crystallography. According to a comparative study with the reported Ti‐ and V‐containing clusterfullerenes based on a I_h‐C₈₀ cage and the analogous D_5h‐C₈₀‐based metal nitride clusterfullerenes containing rare‐earth metals only, the decisive role of the non‐Group‐3 transition metal on the formation of the corresponding D_5h‐C₈₀‐based clusterfullerenes is unraveled.     

Kossel diagrams of blue phases

CB15/E9 mixtures submitted to an electric field exhibit a tetragonal phase BPX, having a D¹⁰ ₄(I4₁22) symmetry and two hexagonal phases BPH^3d and BPH^2d The Kossel diagram technique allows us (a) to confirm the hexagonal symmetry of BPH^3d and to determine precisely its space group D² ₆ (P6₂22) and (b) to study the field-induced phase transitions between BP II, BPX and BPH^3d. We show that the BP II → BPH^3d transition is a continuous deformation involving a dilatation in the field direction and a shear perpendicular to this direction. The BP II → BPX and BPX → BPH^3d transitions are discontinuous.     

Theoretical study of two‐dimensionally fused zinc porphyrins: DFT calculations

Electronic structures of D_4h square‐fused zinc porphyrin sheets of two types ( SA , SB ), where SA is a directly meso‐meso‐, β‐β‐, and β‐β‐linked array and SB is a directly β‐fused array, were compared using density functional theory (DFT). The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of oligomeric SA _n are characteristically delocalized at the cyclooctatetraene‐like sites composed of β‐pyrrolic carbons and their nearest‐neighbor nitrogens. Those of oligomeric SB _n remain solitary monomeric features, reflecting weakly interacting porphyrin units. These two‐dimensionally (2D) square‐fused sheets, especially for SA _n, show effective reduction of both the HOMO–LUMO energy gaps (E_g) and the lowest Q‐like excitation energies because of LUMO's greater stabilization with increasing number of porphyrins than the corresponding one‐dimensionally (1D) linear‐fused tapes. To estimate the minimum value of E_g, the electronic band structures of the infinite‐fused SA _∞ and SB _∞ were examined in detail using modern periodic DFT. Results indicate a full metal for SA _∞, with HOMO and LUMO bands crossing the Fermi level, and a semiconductor with E_g ≈ 0.5 eV for SB _∞. Furthermore, the phonon modes and the electron–phonon coupling (EPC) constant of SA _∞ were calculated throughout the Brillouin zone using density functional perturbation theory (DFPT), yielding a weak EPC constant, λ = 0.35. Within the standard phonon‐mediated BCS mechanism, the superconducting transition temperature, T_c is demonstrated using the McMillan formula, predicting ≈0.5 K. Results show that SA _∞ will become a rare synthetic metal/superconductor without a metal‐insulator transition coming from Peierls lattice instability because it has no serious imaginary phonon modes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2009     

Isolation and Structure Determination of a Missing Endohedral Fullerene La@C70 through In Situ Trifluoromethylation

D_5h‐symmetric fullerene C₇₀ (D_5h‐C₇₀) is one of the most abundant members of the fullerene family. One longstanding mystery in the field of fullerene chemistry is whether D_5h‐C₇₀ is capable of accommodating a rare‐earth metal atom to form an endohedral metallofullerene M@D_5h‐C₇₀, which would be expected to show novel electronic properties. The molecular structure of La@C₇₀ remains unresolved since its discovery three decades ago because of its extremely high instability under ambient conditions and insolubility in organic solvents. Herein, we report the single‐crystal X‐ray structure of La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃, which was obtained through in situ exohedral functionalization by means of trifluoromethylation. The X‐ray crystallographic study reveals that La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃ is the first example of an endohedral rare‐earth fullerene based on D_5h‐C₇₀. The dramatically enhanced stability of La@C₇₀(CF₃)₃ compared to La@C₇₀ can be ascribed to trifluoromethylation‐induced bandgap enlargement.     

Poly­[manganese(II)‐μ2‐benzidine‐κ2N:N′‐μ3‐bi­phenyl‐2,2′‐di­carboxylato‐κ4O:O′,O′′:O′′′]

The title compound, [Mn(C₁₄H₈O₄)(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)]_n, with a novel three‐dimensional framework, has been prepared by a hydro­thermal reaction at 433 K. Each Mn atom lies on a twofold axis in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, coordinated by two N atoms from two benzidine ligands and four O atoms from three symmetry‐related biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylate (bpdc) ligands. The benzidine ligands lie about inversion centres and the bpdc ligands about twofold axes. Each bpdc ligand is bonded to three Mn ions to form a continuous chain of metal ions. The bpdc ligands are accommodated in a series of distorted holes resembling hexagonal prisms.     

[N‐(2‐Hydroxy­ethyl)ethyl­enediamine‐κ3N,N′,O]‐cis‐bis(isothio­cyanato‐κN)copper(II)

In the novel transition metal isothio­cyanate complex of N‐(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)ethyl­enediamine (hydet‐en) with copper, [Cu(NCS)₂(C₄H₁₂N₂O)], the Cu atom lies in a distorted square‐pyramidal environment, coordinated by four N atoms in the basal plane and an apical O atom. The hydet‐en ligand is N,N,O‐tridentate, in contrast to the disposition in previously studied complexes, while the isothio­cyanate ions act as N‐atom donor ligands. The monomeric units are linked to one another by hydrogen bonds.     

Metal‐4,4′‐azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) Complexes with Seven‐ and Nine‐membered Hydrogen‐bonded Rings Originating from the Pyrrolic NH Function

The metal complexes [Cu(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂(H₂azbpz)₂] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) and [Ni(H₂O)₄(H₂azbpz)₂](NO₃)₂ · 2H₂O ( 2 ) of 4,4′‐azobis(3,5‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrazole) (H₂azbpz) incorporate the bipyrazole as a monodentate ligand and are associated into supramolecular architectures by hydrogen bonds and azo‐pz π interactions in the solid state. In 1 a cis configuration is integrated and the NH function adjacent to the metal‐coordinating nitrogen atom gives rise to a seven‐membered anion‐assisted hydrogen‐bonded ring around the central metal atom bringing the NH function in endo‐position to the azo‐bridge. The interplay of hydrogen‐bonds and dimeric azo‐pz π interactions in 1 forms one‐dimensional supramolecular chains, which are further interconnected by a heterodromic D_2h symmetric tetrameric water ring. In 2 a trans form of H₂azbpz is mono‐coordinated and the synergy of hydrogen‐bonded rings around the central metal atom and continuous azo‐pz π interactions form a two‐dimensional supramolecular network structure. The supramolecular packings of 1 and 2 is further underpinned by the analysis of their Hirshfeld surface areas.     

CH3NO2异构化反应的理论研究

利用密度泛函和电子密度拓扑分析方法对CH3NO2 (NM)的异构化反应进行了研究。 找到了九种可能的异构体和八个反应通道。通过内禀反应坐标(IRC)分析确认了过渡态与异构体之间的连接关系。计算结果表明,在CH3NO2→CH3ONOt反应过程中,过渡态为紧密结构(在整个反应过程中CH3NO2没有分解为CH3 和NO2 ),与Arenass等人的结论一致。在CH3NOOc→CH2NOOH反应过程中,存在有一个含有四元环→五元环→四元环→五元环变化过程的结构过渡区,这也是在反应过程中首次发现五元环状过渡结构。     

Angular overlap study of Dnh ions: Theory and application to actinyl complexes

An angular overlap formalism has been developed for the qualitative interpretation of the energy splittings in equatorially perturbed D_∞hions.For a number of different equatorial symmetry point groups the angular correction factors XXX² are calculated for all p, d, and f orbitals involved in the different bonding types.On the basis of these results the proposed model can be applied generally to all metal complexes where the central ion is subject to a strong axial perturbation. An application to the uranyl ion is treated in some detail.     

The Electronic Structure of Mixed Metcars Ti7MC12 (M = Y,Zr, Nb,..., Ag)

The electronic structures of a series of mixed metallocarbohedrenes (metcars) Ti₇MC₁₂formed as a result of replacement of the titanium atom in the Ti₈C₁₂metcar by 4dtransition metal ions (M = Y, Zr, Nb, ..., Ag) are established using the ab initioelectron density functional method in the discrete-variational scheme. The dependences of electronic structure, charge distributions, and chemical bonds in the Ti₇MC₁₂metcars on the cluster symmetry (T _hor T _d) and position of the 4datom in a molecular cage are discussed. The electronic states of 4datoms in molecular titanium carbide (Ti₈C₁₂metcar) are compared with those in crystal titanium carbide (cubic TiC phase with rock salt structure). The effect of doping of the Ti₈C₁₂metcar with 4datoms on its reactivity is studied.     

Crystal and electronic structure of a hexacarbonyldiiron cluster tethered to naphthalene‐2‐thiolate ligands

The structure of the previously reported complex bis(μ‐naphthalene‐2‐thiolato‐κ²S:S)bis(tricarbonyliron)(Fe—Fe), [Fe₂(C₁₀H₇S)₂(CO)₆], has been characterized by X‐ray diffraction. In the solid state, the dinuclear complex adopts a butterfly‐like shape, with an equatorial–axial spatial orientation of the naphthalene groups covalently coupled to the [S₂Fe₂(CO)₆] unit. The asymmetric unit contains three independent [(μ‐naphthalene‐2‐thiolato)₂Fe₂(CO)₆] molecules. These molecules show intermolecular π–π stacking interactions between the naphthalene rings, which was confirmed by Hirshfield surface analysis. The electronic spectrum of the complex recorded in acetonitrile shows a band centered at 350 nm (ϵ = 4.6 × 10³ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and tailing into the visible region. This absorption can be attributed to a π→π* electronic transition within the naphthalene moiety and a metal‐based d→d transition.     

Novel modification of anhydrous transition metal oxalates from powder diffraction

The known metal–C₂O₄ structures may be divided into two modifications, α and β. The α‐modification has an order–disorder struxture, revealing one‐dimensional disordering of the metal–oxalate chains, and the β‐modification is ordered. The crystal structures of orthorhombic γ‐MnC₂O₄ {poly[μ‐oxalato‐manganese(II)]; space group Pmna , a = 7.1333 (1), b = 5.8787 (1), c = 9.0186 (2) Å, V = 378.19 (1) ų, Z = 4 and D_x = 2.511 Mg m⁻³} and γ‐CdC₂O₄ {poly[μ‐oxalato‐cadmium(II)]; space group Pmna , a = 7.3218 (1), b = 6.0231 (1), c = 9.2546 (2) Å, V = 408.13 (1) ų, Z = 4 and D_x = 3.262 Mg m⁻³} have been obtained from powder diffraction patterns. The structures are isostructural. Each metal atom in each structure is coordinated by seven O atoms which belong to five oxalate ions. The crystal packing, which contains noticeable cavities in the [101] and [001] directions, is not close packed and essentially differs from the known disordered α‐ and ordered β‐modifications of transition metal oxalates. This modification seems to be metastable. It was found that a spontaneous γ→β phase transition takes place for γ‐CdC₂O₄.     

Bonding in FHF−, (HF)2, and FHF

Bonding in FHF^?, (HF)₂, and FHF is compared from the molecular orbital and electrostatic bonding viewpoint. The electrostatic force is dominant in the formation of FHF^? and HF dimer. Exchange repulsion dominates in preventing the formation of FHF and leads to a D_∞h transition state for H exchange. At the D_∞h stationary points for FHF^? and FHF the electronic structure can be understood using delocalized symmetry orbitals, but this delocalization is not the primary driving force along the potential energy surface leading to these structures. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2004     

Preferential Formation of Mono‐Metallofullerenes Governed by the Encapsulation Energy of the Metal Elements: A Case Study on Eu@C2n (2n=74–84) Revealing a General Rule

Encapsulating one to three metal atoms or a metallic cluster inside fullerene cages affords endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs) classified as mono‐, di‐, tri‐, and cluster‐EMFs, respectively. Although the coexistence of various EMF species in soot is common for rare‐earth metals, we herein report that europium tends to prefer the formation of mono‐EMFs. Mass spectroscopy reveals that mono‐EMFs (Eu@C_2n) prevail in the Eu‐containing soot. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the encapsulation energy of the endohedral metal accounts for the selective formation of mono‐EMFs and rationalize similar observations for EMFs containing other metals like Ca, Sr, Ba, or Yb. Consistently, all isolated Eu‐EMFs are mono‐EMFs, including Eu@D_3h(1)‐C₇₄, Eu@C_2v(19138)‐C₇₆, Eu@C_2v(3)‐C₇₈, Eu@C_2v(3)‐C₈₀, and Eu@D_3d(19)‐C₈₄, which are identified by crystallography. Remarkably, Eu@C_2v(19138)‐C₇₆ represents the first Eu‐containing EMF with a cage that violates the isolated‐pentagon‐rule, and Eu@C_2v(3)‐C₇₈ is the first C₇₈‐based EMF stabilized by merely one metal atom.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ab initio</Emphasis> structural study of M(mda)<Subscript>2</Subscript> complexes (M = Be,Mg, Ca; mda = C<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>3</Subscript>)

The structure of M(mda)₂ (M = Be, Mg, Ca; mda = C₃O₂H₃) bis-complexes was investigated by the ab initio Hartree-Fock method and by including electron correlation in terms of second order Möller-Plesset perturbation theory; for calculations we used triple-zeta valence basis sets complemented with polarization functions. Two most probable geometrical nuclear configurations (D _2h and D _2d ) are considered for each molecule. The structure with two mutually orthogonal chelate ligands (D _2d symmetry) corresponds to the potential energy surface (PES) minimum. The planar D _2h configuration corresponds to the first order saddle point on PES; consequently, its relative energy determines the height of the barrier to the D _2d D _2h D _2d intramolecular rearrangement. Correlation equations that relate the calculated values of equilibrium internuclear distances, force constants, and rearrangement barrier heights to the value of the ionic radius of the metal atom have been obtained. These correlations were employed to evaluate the molecular constants for Sr(mda)₂ and Ba(mda)₂. The theoretical data are compared with the available experimental literature data.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by V. V. Sliznev, S. B. Lapshina, and G. V. GirichevTranslated from Zhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 45, No. 4, pp. 611–623, July–August, 2004This revised version was published online in April 2005 with a corrected cover date.     

Spectroscopic Investigation of the Europium(3+) Ion in a New ZnY4W3O16 Matrix

A new Zn and Eu tungstate was characterized by spectroscopic techniques. This tungstate, of the formula ZnEu₄W₃O₁₆, crystallized in the orthorhombic system and was synthesized by a solid‐state reaction. It melts incongruently at 1330°. The luminescent properties, including excitation and emission processes, luminescent dynamics, and local environments of the Eu³⁺ ions in ZnEu₄W₃O₁₆ and ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ : Eu³⁺ diluted phases (1, 5, and 10 mol‐% of Eu³⁺ ion) were studied basing on the f⁶‐intraconfigurational transitions in the 250–720 nm spectral range. The excitation spectra of this system (λ_em 615 and 470 nm) show broad bands with maxima at 265 and 315 nm related to the ligand‐to‐metal charge‐transfer (LMCT) states. The emission spectra under excitation at the O→W (265 nm) and O→Eu³⁺ (315 nm) LMCT states present the blue‐green emission bands. The emission of tungstate groups mainly originate from the charge‐transfer state of excited 2p orbitals of O^2? to the empty orbitals of the central W⁶⁺ ions. On the other hand, in the emission of the Eu³⁺ ions, both the charge transfer from O^2? to Eu³⁺ and the energy transfer from W⁶⁺ ions to Eu³⁺ are involved. The emission spectra under excitation at the ⁷F₀→⁵L₆ transition of the Eu³⁺ ion (394 nm) of ZnY₄W₃O₁₆ : Eu³⁺ diluted samples show narrow emission lines from the ⁵D₃, ⁵D₂, and ⁵D₁ emitting states. The effect of the active‐ion (Eu³⁺) concentration on the colorimetric characteristic of the emissions of the compound under investigation are presented.     

Symmetry Adapted Analysis of Linear Molecules

Symmetry groups of the linear molecules belong to the C_∞v and D_∞h infinite groups. The symmetry adapted analysis of such types of molecule, is usually not systematically performed in the text book or paper. Since the standard formulas of symmetry adapted analysis are usually applicable for the finite groups only, one has to analyze the different subgroups of the linear molecules indirectly and correlates them with the irreducible representation of D_∞h and C_∞v. In this work, a systematic symmetry adapted analysis are introduced for the C_∞v and D_∞h molecules. It is a uniquely convenient way for molecular orbital calculations and vibrational normal mode analysis of the linear molecules.     

Isomorphous Catena Transition Metal Squarates [MII(C4O4)(dmso)2(OH2)2] (M = Co,Mn) and Magnetic Investigation into their Solid Solution M = CoxMn1–x

The crystal structures of two new isomorphous transition metal squarato complexes [M^II(C₄O₄)(dmso)₂(OH₂)₂] [M^II = Co^II (3d⁷), Mn^II (3d⁵); dmso = dimethylsulfoxide] and their magnetic properties are reported. The compounds feature two symmetrically independent chains, in which 1,3‐bridging squarato ligands connect cations in distorted octahedral surroundings of pseudo‐symmetry D_4h. From an equimolar solution of CoCl₂ · 6H₂O and MnCl₂ · 2H₂O a mixed‐metal coordination polymer crystallizes; it represents a solid solution and adopts the same structure as the corresponding monometallic compounds. The results of the diffraction experiment unambiguously proof the presence of both Co^II and Mn^II cations in either independent site albeit no precise ratio between the metal cations involved may be deduced from these findings. The difference in the magnetic properties between Co^II and Mn^II cations in the given ligand field has allowed us to establish their ratio in the solid solution more reliably than by X‐ray diffraction: Accounting for ligand field potential and spin‐orbit coupling of Co^II and regarding Mn^II as a pure spin system, the calculations yielded a fraction of 73 % Co^II in the mixed‐metal polymer. With respect to superexchange effects only weak antiferromagnetic interactions have been detected for the three coordination polymers.     

The electronic structures of tetrahedral oxo-complexes. The nature of the “charge transfer” transitions

The electronic structures of MnO^?₄, MnO^2?₄, MnO^3?₄, CrO^2?₄, CrO^3?₄, VO^3?₄, RuO₄, RuO^?₄, RuO^2?₄, TcO^?₄ and MoO^2?₄ have been investigated using the Hartree-Fock-Slater Discrete Variational Method. The calculated ordering of the valence orbitals of all the comlexes is: t₁, 4t₂, 3a₁, 1c, 3t₂, with t₁ the orbital of highest energy. The calculated single transition energies are in good agreement with experimental values and indicate the uniform assignment: t₁ → 2e(v₁), 4t₂ → 2e(v₂). t₁ → 5t₂(v₃), and 4t₂ → 5t₂(v₄). A/D values, calculated from the theory of magnetic circular dichroism (MDC) also support this assignment.Population analyses reveal that all complexes, whether d⁰, d¹ or d², have d-orbital populations close to those of the corresponding M²⁺ ions in which two electrons have been removed from the (n + 1)s orbital of M. This is also true of the excited states, such as t₁ → 2e and 4t₂ → 2e, where a transfer of charge from the ligands to the metal has previously been assumed. It is shown that, instead of a transfer of charge from ligands to metal, electronic excitation consists of a rearrangement of electron density both at the ligands and at the metal.     

Dynamic Equilibria in Solvent‐Mediated Anion,Cation and Ligand Exchange in Transition‐Metal Coordination Polymers: Solid‐State Transfer or Recrystallisation?

The solution properties of a series of transition‐metal–ligand coordination polymers [ML(X)_n]_∞ [M=Ag^I, Zn^II, Hg^II and Cd^II; L=4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy), pyrazine (pyz), 3,4′‐bipyridine (3,4′‐bipy), 4‐(10‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)anthracen‐9‐yl)pyridine (anbp); X=NO₃^?, CH₃COO^?, CF₃SO₃^?, Cl^?, BF₄^?; n=1 or 2] in the presence of competing anions, metal cations and ligands have been investigated systematically. Providing that the solubility of the starting complex is sufficiently high, all the components of the coordination polymer, namely the anion, the cation and the ligand, can be exchanged on contact with a solution phase of a competing component. The solubility of coordination polymers is a key factor in the analysis of their reactivity and this solubility depends strongly on the physical properties of the solvent and on its ability to bind metal cations constituting the backbone of the coordination polymer. The degree of reversibility of these solvent‐induced anion‐exchange transformations is determined by the ratio of the solubility product constants for the starting and resultant complexes, which in turn depend upon the choice of solvent and the temperature. The extent of anion exchange is controlled effectively by the ratio of the concentrations of incoming ions to outgoing ions in the liquid phase and the solvation of various constituent components comprising the coordination polymer. These observations can be rationalised in terms of a dynamic equilibrium of ion exchange reactions coupled with Ostwald ripening of crystalline products. The single‐crystal X‐ray structures of [Ag(pyz)ClO₄]_∞ ( 1 ), {[Ag(4,4′‐bipy)(CF₃SO₃)] ? CH₃CN}_∞ ( 2 ), {[Ag(4,4′‐bipy)(CH₃CN)]ClO₄ ? 0.5 CH₃CN}_∞ ( 3 ), metal‐free anbp ( 4 ), [Ag(anbp)NO₃(H₂O)]_∞ ( 5 ), {[Cd(4,4′‐bipy)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂ ? 4 H₂O}_∞ ( 6 ) and {[Zn(4,4′‐bipy)SO₄(H₂O)₃] ? 2 H₂O}_∞ ( 7 ) are reported.