Structural and density functional studies of uranium(III) and lanthanum(III) complexes with a neutral tripodal N-donor ligand suggesting the presence of a U-N back-bonding interaction

The crystal structures of two trisiodide octacoordinated uranium(III) complexes of tris[(2-pyrazinyl)methyl]amine (tpza), which differ only by the ligand occupying the eighth coordination site (thf or MeCN), and of their lanthanum(III) analogues have been determined. In the acetonitrile adducts the M-N(pyrazine) distances are very similar for U(III) and La(III), while the U-N(acetonitrile) distance is 0.05 A shorter than the La-N(acetonitrile) distance. In the [M(tpza)I(3)(thf)] complexes in which the monodentate acetonitrile ligand, a weak pi-acceptor ligand, is replaced by a thf molecule, a sigma-donor only, the mean value of the distance U-N(pyrazine) is 0.05 A shorter than the mean value of the La-N(pyrazine) distance. Since we are comparing isostructural compounds of ions with very similar ionic radii, these differences indicate the presence of a stronger M-N interaction in the U(III) complexes and therefore suggest the presence of a covalent contribution to the U-N bonding. The selectivity of the tpza ligand toward U(III) complexation (with respect to that of La(III)) in the presence of sigma-donor-only ligands has been quantified by the value of K(U(tpza))/K(La(tpza)) measured to be 3.3 +/- 0.5. The analysis of the metal-N-donor ligand bonding was carried out by a quasi-relativistic density functional theory study on small model compounds, of formula I(3)M-L (M = La, Nd, U; L = acetonitrile, pyrazine) and I(3)M-(pyrazine)(3) (M = La, U). The structural data obtained from geometry optimizations on these systems reproduce experimental trends, i.e., a decrease in the M-N distance from La to U, combined with an increase of the C-N distance in the acetonitrile derivatives. A detailed orbital analysis carried out on the resulting optimized complexes did not reveal any orbital interaction between the trivalent lanthanide cations (Ln(3+)) and the N-donor ligands. In contrast, a back-donation electron transfer from 5f U(3+) orbitals to the pi* virtual orbital of the ligand was observed for both acetonitrile and pyrazine. Evaluation of the total bonding energy between the MI(3) and L fragments shows that this orbital interaction leads to a stabilization of the uranium(III) system compared to the lanthanide species.     

Lanthanide(III)/actinide(III) differentiation in coordination of azine molecules to tris(cyclopentadienyl) complexes of cerium and uranium

Reaction of azine molecules L with the trivalent metallocenes [M(C5H4R)3](M = Ce, U; R = But, SiMe3) in toluene gave the Lewis base adducts [M(C5H4R)3(L)](L = pyridine, 3-picoline, 3,5-lutidine, 3-chloropyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, 3,5-dimethylpyrazine and s-triazine), except in the cases of M = U and L = 3-chloropyridine, pyridazine, pyrazine and s-triazine where oxidation of U(III) was found to occur. In the pairs of analogous compounds of Ce(III) and U(III), i.e.[M(C5H4But)3(L)](L = pyridine, picoline) and [M(C5H4SiMe3)3(L)](L = pyridine, lutidine, pyrimidine and dimethylpyrazine), the M-N and average M-C distances are longer for M = Ce than for M = U; however, within a series of azine adducts of the same metallocene, no significant variation is noted in the M-N and average M-C distances. The equilibria between [M(C5H4R)3], L and [M(C5H4R)3(L)] were studied by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The stability constants of the uranium complexes, KUL, are greater than those of the cerium counterparts, KCeL. The values of KML are much greater for R = SiMe3 than for R = But and a linear correlation is found between the logarithms of KML and the hydrogen-bond basicity pKHB scale of the azines. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the enthalpy-entropy compensation effect holds for these complexation reactions. Competition reactions of [Ce(C5H4R)3] and [U(C5H4R)3] with L show that the selectivity of L in favour of U(III) increases with the [small pi] donor character of the metallocene and is proportional to the pi accepting ability of the azine molecule, measured by its reduction potential.     

Coordination ability of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) towards lanthanide(III) ions

The proton and metal complex equilibria of trans-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine-N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) (CDTP) with lanthanide(iii) ions, where Ln(III) = La(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), Ho(III) and Lu(III) were studied. The stoichiometry, protonation and complex formation constants were determined by potentiometric titration at 25.0 degrees C and ionic strength of 0.1 mol dm(-3) (KCl). All metal ions form several species: [LnH4L]-, [LnH3L](2-), [LnH2L](3-), [LnHL](4-), [LnL](5-), [LnH(-1)L](6-) and [LnH(-2)L](7-) in the pH range between 2 and 11. The stability constants log beta(LnL) were found to be between 14.7 and 16.7. The studied complexes were also characterized by spectroscopic methods (31P NMR, UV-Vis absorption and emission spectroscopy). These studies allowed to reveal a distinct structural change of the Ln(III)-CDTP complex which occurs between protonated and hydroxy species in solutions at pH around 7.5. The major change is caused by the involvement of both nitrogen donors in the metal ion coordination occurring in ML species. The data obtained from UV-Vis spectroscopy allowed to draw conclusions about complex symmetry and to estimate a number of coordinated water molecules. The hydration number or more precisely the number of two OH oscillators was found to be approximately one in all species formed over the pH range between 5 and 10. The structure of the major hydroxy complex was supported by X-ray crystallographic data. The crystal structures of the Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes clearly show that the CDTP ligand is coordinated to the Ln(III) ion by two nitrogen and four oxygen atoms in such a way that only one oxygen atom from each phosphonic group is placed in the lanthanide inner sphere. The monomeric complex anion is connected to a symmetry related ion through short hydrogen bonds formed by two hydroxy ions and one water molecule. In this way the two neighbouring anions form a quasi-dimer in which one of the Ln(III) ion is seven-coordinate (two N atoms, four O atoms and one hydroxy ion) and the other is eight-coordinate (two N atoms, four O atoms, one hydroxy ion and one water molecule).     

Syntheses and structural characterization of dinuclear and tetranuclear iron(III) complexes with dinucleating ligands and their reactions with hydrogen peroxide

The iron(III) complexes [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2).CH(3)OH.2H(2)O (1), [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OCH(3))(NO(3))(2)](NO(3))(2).4.5CH(3)OH (2), [Fe(2)(HPTB)(mu-OH)(OBz)(2)](ClO(4))(2).4.5H(2)O (3), [Fe(2)(N-EtOH-HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](ClO(4))(NO(3)).3CH(3)OH.1.5H(2)O (4), [Fe(2)(5,6-Me(2)-HPTB)(mu-OH)(NO(3))(2)](ClO(4))(NO(3)).3.5CH(3)OH.C(2)H(5)OC(2)H(5).0.5H(2)O (5), and [Fe(4)(HPTB)(2)(mu-F)(2)(OH)(4)](ClO(4))(4).CH(3)CN.C(2)H(5)OC(2)H(5).H(2)O (6) were synthesized (HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane, N-EtOH-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(N' '-(2-hydroxoethyl)-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane, 5,6-Me(2)-HPTB = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(5,6-dimethyl-2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane). The molecular structures of 2-6 were established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Iron(II) complexes with ligands similar to the dinucleating ligands described herein have been used previously as model compounds for the dioxygen uptake at the active sites of non-heme iron enzymes. The same metastable (mu-peroxo)diiron(III) adducts were observed during these studies. They can be prepared by adding hydrogen peroxide to the iron(III) compounds 1-6. Using stopped-flow techniques these reactions were kinetically investigated in different solvents and a mechanism was postulated.     

Ion-pair interactions of lanthanide(III) complexes in aqueous solutions

The formation of ion-pair adducts between the cationic complex La(THP)3+ (THP = 1,4,7,10-tetrakis(2-hydroxypropyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and the anionic complexes Tm(DOTA)- (DOTA = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetraacetate), Tm(DTPA)2- (DTPA = diethylenetriamine-N,N,N',N",N"-pentaacetate), Tm(TTHA)3- (TTHA = triethylenetetraamine-N,N,N',N",N"',N"'-hexaacetate), and Tm(DOTP)5- (DOTP = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N",N"'-tetrakis(methylenephosphonate)) is examined by 13C NMR spectroscopy. The induced 13C shifts of the La(THP)3+ complex are followed by titration of the Tm(III) complexes of DOTA, DTPA, and TTHA at pH 7. From these data, the stability constants are calculated to be beta 1 = 64 M-1 (1:1), beta 1 = 296 M-1 (1:1), and beta 2 = 26,000 M-2 (2:1) for the ion pairs of La(THP)3+, with Tm(DOTA)-, Tm(DTPA)2-, and Tm(TTHA)3-, respectively. The La(THP)3+,Tm(DOTP)5- system elicits chiral resolution of the rapidly interconverting Tm(DOTP)5- isomers.     

First-principles study of the separation of Am(III)/Cm(III) from Eu(III) with Cyanex301

The experimentally observed extraction complexes of trivalent lanthanide Eu(III) and actinide Am(III)/Cm(III) cations with purified Cyanex301 [bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid, HBTMPDTP denoted as HL], i.e., ML(3) (M = Eu, Am, Cm) as well as the postulated complexes HAmL(4) and HEuL(4)(H(2)O) have been studied by using energy-consistent 4f- and 5f-in-core pseudopotentials for trivalent f elements, combined with density functional theory and second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation theory. Special attention was paid to explaining the high selectivity of Cyanex301 for Am(III)/Cm(III) over Eu(III). It is shown that the neutral complexes ML(3), where L acts as a bidentate ligand and the metal cation is coordinated by six S atoms, are most likely the most stable extraction complexes. The calculated metal-sulfur bond distances for ML(3) do reflect the cation employed; i.e., the larger the cation, the longer the metal-sulfur bond distances. The calculated M-S and M-P bond lengths agree very well with the available experimental data. The obtained changes of the Gibbs free energies in the extraction reactions M(3+) + 3HL → ML(3) + 3H(+) agree with the thermodynamical priority for Am(3+) and Cm(3+). Moreover, the ionic metal-ligand dissociation energies of the extraction complexes ML(3) show that, although EuL(3) is the most stable complex in the gas phase, it is the least stable in aqueous solution.     

2-(5-Bromo-2-pyridylazo)-5-diethylaminophenol as a reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of La(III), Y(III), and Ce(III)

The complexes of the reagent 5-Br-PADAP with the metal ions La(III), Ce(III), and Y(III) have been studied.The composition and stability of these complexes have been determined. A sensitive spectrophotometric procedure for the determination of the metal ions La(III), Ce(III), and Y(III) has been proposed. The limitations of this procedure and the effect of other ions have been studied.     

Unusually high phosphodiesterolytic activity of La(III) hydroxide complexes stabilized by glycine derivatives

Glycine and N,N-dimethylglycine stabilize La(III) hydroxide complexes of the type La2L2(OH)4 which possess phosphodiesterolytic activity close to that observed with most active tetravalent cations like Ce(IV).     

Covalency in the f element-chalcogen bond. computational studies of M[N(EPR2)2]3 (M = La, Ce, Pr, Pm, Eu, U, Np, Pu, Am, Cm; E = O, S, Se, Te; R = H, (i)Pr, Ph)

The geometric and electronic structures of the title complexes have been studied using scalar relativistic, gradient-corrected density functional theory. Extension of our previous work on six-coordinate M[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 (M = La, Ce, U, Pu; E = O, S, Se, Te), models for the experimentally characterized M[N(EP (i)Pr 2) 2] 3, yields converged geometries for all of the other 4f and 5f metals studied and for all four group 16 elements. By contrast, converged geometries for nine-coordinate M[N(EPPh 2) 2] 3 are obtained only for E = S and Se. Comparison of the electronic structures of six- and nine-coordinate M[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 suggests that coordination of the N atoms produces only minor changes in the metal-chalcogen interactions. Six-coordinate Eu[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 and Am[N(EPH 2) 2] 3 with the heavier group 16 donors display geometric and electronic properties rather different from those of the other members of the 4f and 5f series, in particular, longer than expected Eu-E and Am-E bond lengths, smaller reductions in charge difference between M and E down group 16, and larger f populations. The latter are interpreted not as evidence of f-based metal-ligand covalency but rather as being indicative of ionic metal centers closer to M (II) than M (III). The Cm complexes are found to be very ionic, with very metal-localized f orbitals and Cm (III) centers. The implications of the results for the separation of the minor actinides from nuclear wastes are discussed, as is the validity of using La (III)/U (III) comparisons as models for minor actinide/Eu systems.     

Synthesis, characterization and DNA-binding studies on La(III) and Ce(III) complexes containing ligand of N-phenyl-2-pyridinecarboxamide

La(III) and Ce(III) complexes containing ligand of N-phenyl-2-pyridinecarboxamide (HL) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, conductivity measurement, IR spectra and thermal analysis. The general formulas of the complexes were [Ln(HL)(3)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(3).2H(2)O [Ln=La(III), Ce(III)]. The results indicated that the oxygen of carbonyl and the nitrogen of pyridyl coordinated to Ln(III), and there were also two water molecules taking part in coordination. Ln(III) and HL formed 1:3 chelate complexes and the coordination number was eight. The interaction between the complexes and DNA was studied by means of UV-vis spectra, fluorescence spectra, SERS spectra and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results showed that complexes can bind to DNA. The binding ability decreased in following order: La(III) complex, Ce(III) complex, and HL. The interaction modes between DNA and the three compounds were found to be mainly intercalative.     

The effects of light lanthanoid elements (La, Ce, Nd) on (Ar)CF-Ln coordination and C-F activation in N,N-dialkyl-N'-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenylethane-1,2-diaminate complexes

A new class of homoleptic organoamido rare earth complexes [Ln(L(Me) or L(Et))(3)] (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Me/Et) = p-HC(6)F(4)N(CH(2))(2)NMe(2)/Et(2)) exhibiting (Ar)CF-Ln interactions has been isolated from redox-transmetallation/protolysis (RTP) reactions between the free metals, Hg(C(6)F(5))(2) and L(Me/Et)H in tetrahydrofuran, together with low yields of [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) or [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) species, resulting from C-F activation reactions. The structures of the homoleptic complexes have eight-coordinate Ln metals with two tridentate (N,N',F) amide ligands including (Ar)CF-Ln bonds and either a bidentate (N,F) ligand (Ln = La, Ce, Nd; L(Et)) or a bidentate (N,N') ligand (Ln = Nd; L(Me)), in an unusual case of linkage variation. All (Ar)CF-Ln bond lengths are shorter than or similar to the corresponding Ln-NMe(2)/Et(2) bond lengths. In [Ln(L(Me))(2)F](3) (Ln = La, Ce) complexes, there is a six-membered ring framework with alternating F and Ln atoms and the metal atoms are eight-coordinate with two tridentate (N,N',F) L(Me) ligands, whilst [Nd(L(Et))(2)F](2) is a fluoride-bridged dimer.     

Uranyl complexes of alpha-carboxypolymethylenediaminetetra-acetic acids

The uranyl complexes of N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)-2,3-diaminopropionic acid, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)diaminobutyric acid, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(carboxymethyl)ornithine and N,N,N',N'-tetrakiscarboxymethyl)lysine have been studied by potentiometry, with computer evaluation of the titration data by the MINIQUAD program. Stability constants of the 1:1 and 2:1 metal:ligand chelates have been determined as well as the hydrolysis and polymerization constants at 25 degrees in 0.1M potassium nitrate. Results are compared with those obtained for the uranyl complexes of the corresponding members of the series of the polymethylenediaminetetra-acetic acids.     

Syntheses, structures and properties of a series of non-heme alkoxide-Fe(III) complexes of a benzimidazolyl-rich ligand as models for lipoxygenase

The treatment of Fe(ClO(4))(2)·6H(2)O or Fe(ClO(4))(3)·9H(2)O with a benzimidazolyl-rich ligand, N,N,N',N'-tetrakis[(1-methyl-2-benzimidazolyl)methyl]-1,2-ethanediamine (medtb) in alcohol/MeCN gives a mononuclear ferrous complex, [Fe(II)(medtb)](ClO(4))(2)·?CH(3)CN·?CH(3)OH (1), and four non-heme alkoxide-iron(III) complexes, [Fe(III)(OMe)(medtb)](ClO(4))(2)·H(2)O (2, alcohol = MeOH), [Fe(III)(OEt)(Hmedtb)](ClO(4))(3)·CH(3)CN (3, alcohol = EtOH), [Fe(III)(O(n)Pr)(Hmedtb)](ClO(4))(3)·(n)PrOH·2CH(3)CN (4, alcohol = n-PrOH), and [Fe(III)(O(n)Bu)(Hmedtb)](ClO(4))(3)·3CH(3)CN·H(2)O (5, alcohol = n-BuOH), respectively. The alkoxide-iron(III) complexes all show 1) a Fe(III)-OR center (R = Me, 2; Et, 3; (n)Pr, 4; (n)Bu, 5) with the Fe-O bond distances in the range of 1.781-1.816 ?, and 2) a yellow color and an intense electronic transition around 370 nm. The alkoxide-iron(III) complexes can be reduced by organic compounds with a cis,cis-1,4-diene moiety via the hydrogen atom abstraction reaction.     

Cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) complexes of thioether-containing hexadentate pyrazine amide ligands: C-S bond cleavage and cyclometallation reaction

Anaerobic reaction of Co(O2CMe)2.4H2O with the thioether-containing acyclic pyrazine amide hexadentate ligand 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,4-dithiobutane (H2L1) (-CH2CH2- spacer between the two pyrazine amide tridentate coordination units) furnishes [CoII(L1)].MeOH (1a) having CoN2(pyrazine)N'2(amide)S2(thioether) coordination. It exhibits an eight-line EPR spectrum, attesting to a low-spin (S = 1/2) state of CoII. A similar reaction in air, however, furnishes [CoIII(L3a)(L3b)].2MeOH (2a) (S = 0), resulting from a C-S bond cleavage reaction triggered by an acetate ion as a base, having CoN2(pyrazine)N'2(amide)S(thioether)S'(thiolate) coordination. On the other hand, the reaction of Co(O2CMe)2.4H2O with 1,4-bis[o-(pyrazine-2-carboxamidophenyl)]-1,5-dithiopentane (H2) (-CH2CH2CH2- spacer between the two pyrazine amide tridentate coordination units) in air affords a cobalt(II) complex [CoII(L2)].MeOH (1b.MeOH) (S = 1/2); its structurally characterized variety has the composition 1b.C6H6. Interestingly, 1b.MeOH undergoes facile metal-centred oxidation by aerial O2-H2O2-[Fe(eta5-C5H5)2][PF6], which led to the isolation of the corresponding cobalt(iii) complex [CoIII(L2)][ClO4] (2b). When treated with methanolic KOH, 2b affords a low-spin (S = 0) organocobalt(III) complex [Co(III)((L2')] (3). Structures of all complexes, except 1a, have been authenticated by X-ray crystallography. A five-membered chelate-ring forming ligand L1(2-) effects C-S bond cleavage and a six-membered chelate-ring forming ligand L2(2-) gives rise to Co-C bond formation, in cobalt(III)-coordinated thioether functions due to alpha C-H bond activation by the base. A rationale has been provided for the observed difference in the reactivity properties. The spectroscopic properties of the complexes have also been investigated. Cyclic voltammetry experiments in MeCN-CH2Cl2 reveal facile metal-centred reversible-to-quasireversible CoIV-CoIII (or a ligand-centred redox process; 2a), CoIII-CoII (1a, 1b.MeOH, 2a, 2b and 3), CoII-CoI (1a, 1b.MeOH, 2aand 2b), and CoI-Co0 (1a, 1b.MeOH and 2b) redox processes.     

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.     

Crystallographic and vibrational spectroscopic studies of octakis(DMSO)lanthanoid(III) iodides

The octakis(DMSO) (DMSO = dimethylsulfoxide) neodymium(III), samarium(III), gadolinium(III), dysprosium(III), erbium(III), and lutetium(III) iodides crystallize in the monoclinic space group P21/n (No. 14) with Z = 4, while the octakis(DMSO) iodides of the larger lanthanum(III), cerium(III), and praseodymium(III) ions crystallize in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (No. 61), Z = 8. In all [Ln(OS(Me2)8]I3 compounds the lanthanoid(III) ions coordinate eight DMSO oxygen atoms in a distorted square antiprism. Up to three of the DMSO ligands were found to be disordered and were described by two alternative configurations related by a twist around the metal-oxygen (Ln-O) bond. To resolve the atomic positions and achieve reliable Ln-O bond distances, complete semirigid DMSO molecules with restrained geometry and partial occupancy were refined for the alternative sites. This disorder model was also applied on previously collected data for the monoclinic octakis(DMSO)yttrium(III) iodide. At ambient temperature, the eight Ln-O bond distances are distributed over a range of about 0.1 A. The average value increases from Ln-O 2.30, 2.34, 2.34, 2.36, 2.38, 2.40 to 2.43 A (Ln = Lu, Er, Y, Dy, Gd, Sm, and Nd) for the monoclinic [Ln(OSMe2)8]I3 structures, and from 2.44, 2.47 to 2.49 A (Ln = Pr, Ce, and La) for the orthorhombic structures, respectively. The average of the La-O and Nd-O bond distances remained unchanged at 100 K, 2.49 and 2.43 A, respectively. Despite longer bond distances and larger Ln-O-S angles, the cell volumes are smaller for the orthorhombic structures (Ln = Pr, Ce, and La) than for the monoclinic structure with Ln = Nd, showing a more efficient packing arrangement. Raman and IR absorption spectra for the [Ln(OS(CH3)2)8]I3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Er, Lu, and Y) compounds, also deuterated for La and Y, have been recorded and analyzed by means of normal coordinate methods. The force constants for the Ln-O and S-O stretching modes in the complexes increase with decreasing Ln-O bond distance and show increasing polarization of the bonds for the smaller and heavier lanthanoid(III) ions.     

Complex formation reactions of lanthanum(III), cerium(III), thorium(IV), dioxouranyl(IV) complexes with tricine

Equilibrium studies for the heavy metal ions La(III), Ce(III), Th(IV) and UO2(IV) (M) complexes of the zwitterionic buffer tricine (L) in aqueous solution are investigated. Stoichiometry and stability constants for the different complexes formed as well as hydrolysis products of the metal cations are determined at 25 degrees C and ionic strength 0.1 M NaNO3. The stability of the formed complexes are discussed in terms of the nature of the heavy metal cation. The solid complexes are synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, FTIR, and TG analysis. The general molecular formulae of the obtained complexes is suggested to be [M(L)2](NO3)n-2(H2O)x, where n = the charge of the metal cation, x = no. of water molecules.     

A kinetics and mechanistic study on the role of the structural rigidity of the linker on the substitution reactions of chelated dinuclear Pt(II) complexes

Substitution reactions of platinum complexes bearing cyclohexylamine/diamine moieties viz., [Pt(H(2)O)(N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)cyclohexylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpcHna; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,4-cyclohexyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), cHn and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-dicyclohexylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), dcHnm and phenylamine/diamine moieties viz., ([Pt(H(2)O)N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)phenylamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(2), bpPha; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,3-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), mPh; [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4-phenyldiamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4), pPh and [{Pt(H(2)O)}(2)(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-4,4'-diphenylmethanediamine)](CF(3)SO(3))(4)), dPhm with thiourea nucleophiles were studied in acidified 0.01 M LiCF(3)SO(3) aqueous medium under pseudo-first-order conditions using stopped-flow and UV-visible spectrophotometric techniques. The rate of substitution follows a similar trend in the two sets of complexes and decreases in the order: bpcHna > dcHnm > cHn and bpPha > dPhm ≈ pPh ≈ mPh), respectively. The result of this study has shown that the rigidity and/or the planarity of a diamine bridge linking the two (2-pyridylmethyl)amine-chelated Pt(II) centres, influences the reactivity of the metal centres by protracting similar symmetry elements within the complexes, which determines the amount of steric influences felt on the coordination square-plane. Hence, the order of reactivity is controlled by both the steric hindrance and the magnitude of the trans σ-inductive effect originating from the linker towards the metal centre. These two factors also impact on the acidity of the complexes. The high negative entropies and low positive enthalpies support an associative mode of activation.     

Solid-phase extractive preconcentration and separation of lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) using a polymer-supported chelating calix [4] arene resin

In the present paper, solid-phase extractive preconcentration and separation of lanthanum(III) and cerium(III) using calix[4]arene-o-vanillinsemicarbazone immobilized on a polymeric matrix, a Merrifield peptide resin, is proposed. The diamino derivative of calix[4]arene was first diazotized and coupled with o-vanillinsemicarbazone to obtain a new “upper-rim” functionalized calix[4]arene-o-vanillinsemicarbazone. It was then covalently linked to the Merrifield peptide resin and characterized by FT-IR and elemental analysis. Quantitative studies were carried out by spectrophotometry and ICP-AES with a relative standard deviation of 1.7%. Various physicochemical parameters like pH, concentration of eluting agents, flow rate, total sorption capacity, metal-ligand stoichiometry, exchange kinetics, preconcentration factor, distribution coefficient, breakthrough capacity, resin stability, and effect of electrolytes and associated metal ions have been studied. The uptake and stripping of these metal ions on the resin was fast, indicating a better accessibility of La(III) and Ce(III) towards the chelating sites. Detection limits corresponded to three times the standard deviation of the blank (3σ_B) and amounted to 3.05 and 6.86 μg/L, along with preconcentration factors of 153 and 133 for La(III) and Ce(III), respectively. The robustness of the procedure is demonstrated by the recoveries obtained (>97.5%) for La(III) and Ce(III) in the presence of several cations and anions. The proposed method was satisfactorily applied to the separation of La(III) and Ce(III) from each other and also from U(VI) and Th(IV) by sequential acidic elution and varying pH. The validity of the method was tested by analyzing these metal ions in monazite sand and standard geological materials. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Substitution behaviour of amine-bridged dinuclear Pt(II) complexes with bio-relevant nucleophiles

Complexes of the type [Pt2(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)diamine(HO)2]4+ and [Pt2(N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)diamine(Cl)2]2+ were used to study their reactions with a series of bio-relevant nucleophiles, viz. thiourea, L-methionine and guanosine-5'-monophosphate (5'-GMP2-) as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature. The reactions with the sulfur containing nucleophiles (thiourea and L-methionine) were followed under pseudo-first-order conditions by stopped-flow and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The reaction with 5'-GMP2- was carried out under second order conditions and studied by NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that the bridged dinuclear complexes remain intact after coordination of the studied nucleophiles for an extended period of time, which differs significantly from that reported for other multinuclear platinum complexes in the literature.