Zinc and cadmium dihydroxide molecules: matrix infrared spectra and theoretical calculations

Laser-ablated zinc and cadmium atoms were mixed uniformly with H2 and O2 in excess argon or neon and with O2 in pure hydrogen or deuterium during deposition at 8 or 4 K. UV irradiation excites metal atoms to insert into O2 producing OMO molecules (M = Zn, Cd), which react further with H2 to give the metal hydroxides M(OH)2 and HMOH. The M(OH)2 molecules were identified through O-H and M-O stretching modes with appropriate HD, D2, (16,18)O2, and (18)O2 isotopic shifts. The HMOH molecules were characterized by O-H, M-H, and M-O stretching modes and an M-O-H bending mode, which were particularly strong in pure H2/D2. Analogous Zn and Cd atom reactions with H2O2 in excess argon produced the same M(OH)2 absorptions. Density functional theory and MP2 calculations reproduce the IR spectra of these molecules. The bonding of Group 12 metal dihydroxides and comparison to Group 2 dihydroxides are discussed. Although the Group 12 dihydroxide O-H stretching frequencies are lower, calculated charges show that the Group 2 dihydroxide molecules are more ionic.     

Infrared spectroscopic observation of the group 13 metal hydroxides, M(OH)1,2,3 (M =Al, Ga, In, and Tl) and HAl(OH)2

Reactions of laser-ablated Al, Ga, In, and Tl atoms with H2O2 and with H2 + O2 mixtures diluted in argon give new absorptions in the O-H and M-O stretching and O-H bending regions, which are assigned to the metal mono-, di-, and trihydroxide molecules. Isotopic substitutions (D2O2, 18O2, 16,18O2, HD, and D2) confirm the assignments, and DFT calculations reproduce the experimental results. Infrared spectra for the Al(OH)(OD) molecule verify the calculated C2v structure. The trihydroxide molecules increase on annealing from the spontaneous reaction with a second H2O2 molecule. Aluminum atom reactions with the H2 + O2 mixtures favor the HAl(OH)2 product, suggesting that AlH3 generated by UV irradiation combines with O2 to form HAl(OH)2.     

From linear inorganic chains to helices: chirality in the M(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (M = Zn,Cd) compounds

Cd(C(4)H(4)N(2))(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (C(4)H(4)N(2) = pyrazine, pyz) was synthesized via hydro(solvato)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods (P3(2)()21, no. 154, Z = 3, a = 7.4328(7) A, c = 16.376(2) A). Both of the known M(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (M = Zn, Cd) compounds are comprised of trans-M(pyz)(2)(OH(2))(2)F(2) and cis-MoO(2)F(4) octahedra that share fluoride vertices to form helical chains along the 3-fold screw axes. Individual chains are bridged to six symmetry-equivalent helices through metal-pyrazine and OH(2)...F and OH(2)...O hydrogen bonds. Structural comparisons of similar oxyfluoride chains demonstrate that they can be varied from linear to helical through (1) the replacement of pyridine or pyrazine by H(2)O molecules and (2) the substitution of cis-directing MoO(2)F(4)(2-) anions in place of trans-directing WO(2)F(4)(2-) or TiF(6)(2-) anions. Infrared absorption (IR) measurements for M = Cd show two distinct O-H stretches corresponding to hydrogen-bonded O-H...F and O-H...O groups. Contrastingly for M = Zn, IR measurements exhibit O-H stretches for averaged hydrogen-bonded O-H...(O/F) groups, free (unbound) O-H groups, and higher energy Mo-F stretches. The IR data suggest a small fraction of the O-H...F hydrogen bonds are broken in the M = Zn analogue as a result of the racemic twinning. Both compounds exhibit nonlinear optical behavior, with second harmonic generation (SHG) intensities, relative to SiO(2), of approximately 0.25 ( = 0.28 pm/V) for the racemically twinned Zn(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) and approximately 1.0 ( = 0.55 pm/V) for the enantiopure Cd(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4).     

Infrared spectra of M(OH)(1,2,4) (M = Pb, Sn) in solid argon

Infrared absorptions for the matrix-isolated lead and tin hydroxides M(OH), M(OH)2 and M(OH)4 (M = Pb, Sn) were observed in laser-ablated metal atom reactions with H2O2 during condensation in excess argon. The major M(OH)2 product was also observed with H2 and O2 mixtures, which allowed the substitution of 18O2. The band assignments were confirmed by appropriate D2O2, D2, 16O18O, and 18O2 isotopic shifts. MP2 and B3LYP calculations were performed to obtain molecular structures and to reproduce the infrared spectra. The minimum energy structure found for M(OH)2 has C(s) symmetry and a weak intramolecular hydrogen bond. In experiments with Sn, HD, and O2, the internal D bond is favored over the H bond for Sn(OH)(OD). The Pb(OH)4 and Sn(OH)4 molecules are calculated to have S4 symmetry and substantial covalent character.     

Infrared spectra and density functional calculations for M(OH)(2,3) and HOMO molecules and M(OH)2+ cations (M = Y, La)

Reactions of laser-ablated Y and La atoms with H2O2 gives the M(OH)2 and M(OH)3 molecules and the HOMO dehydration product, and the cation M(OH)2+ in solid argon. Density functional calculations show that the dihydroxide molecules and cations are bent at the metal center, and the symmetric and antisymmetric O-H stretching modes are both observed in the infrared spectra. The trihydroxide molecules have calculated C(3h) structures characterized by strong antisymmetric O-H and M-O stretching modes. Mulliken charges increase for all product molecules going down the Group 3 family and increase as one, two, and three OH ligands are bonded to the metal center. Evidence is also presented for the Y(OH)4- anion.     

Vibrational spectra of Na, K, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ salts of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic (pyromellitic) acid--a short hydrogen bond evidence

Five salts of 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid (pyromellitic acid), [C6H2(COO)4H4], have been synthesized and investigated by infrared and Raman spectroscopy and by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods: sodium salt [Na2(H2O)2][C6H2(COO)4H2], potassium salt [K(H2O)3][C6H2(COO)4H3] and transition metal salts [M(H2O)6][C6H2(COO)4H2], which M = Mn, Ni and Zn. Crystal structures of all five compounds show short intramolecular asymmetric hydrogen bonds (SHB) between adjacent carboxyl groups with O...O distance average of 2.40 A. The Raman and infrared spectra reported indicate the presence of short hydrogen bonds in all salts, in agreement with the X-ray data. The O-H stretching mode [nu(OH)] had been observed at about 2500 cm(-1). Deuterated analogues were synthesized and their Raman spectra show that nu(OH)/nu(OD) ratio average is about unit. The symmetric [nu(sym)(O..H..O)] and asymmetric [nu(asym)(O..H..O)] stretching modes have been attributed about 300 and 870 cm(-1), respectively, in all salts, and for deuterated analogues, the ratio nu(OH)/nu(OD) to nu(sym)(O..H..O, O..D..O) is close to unit like it occurs in nu(OH). The vibrational modes, mainly SHB modes, are tentatively assigned by molecular orbital ab initio calculations of pyromellitic acid and anions [C6H2(COO)4H3]- and [C6H2(COO)4H2]2-. Geometry optimizations showed a good agreement with experimental data. Frequency calculation confirms the assignment of specific vibrational modes. Ab initio calculations show that nu(C=O) and nu(sym)(COO) are strongly coupled with in plane OH bending [delta(OH)]. In Raman spectra of deuterated analogues is observed a frequency shift of these bands.     

Infrared spectra and electronic structure calculations for the group 2 metal M(OH)2 dihydroxide molecules

Reactions of laser-ablated Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba atoms with O2 and H2 in excess argon give new absorptions in the O-H and O-M-O stretching regions, which increase together upon UV photolysis and are due to the M(OH)2 molecules (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba). The same product absorptions are observed in the metal atom reactions with H2O2. The M(OH)2 identifications are supported by isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations (B3LYP and MP2). The O-H stretching frequencies of the alkaline earth metal dihydroxide molecules decrease from 3829.8 to 3784.6 to 3760.6 to 3724.2 cm(-1) in the family series in solid argon, while the base strength of the solid compounds increases. Calculations show that Sr(OH)2 and Ba(OH)2 are bent at the metal center, owing to d orbital involvement in the bonding. Although these molecules are predominantly ionic, the O-H stretching frequencies do not reach the ionic limit of gaseous OH- going down the family group because of cation-anion polarization and p(pi) --> d(pi) interactions.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure, and luminescent properties of selected Zn(II)/Cd(II) coordination polymers constructed from 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x = 3, 4)

Utilizing 3,5-bis(x-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (x-Hpytz, x = 3; x = 4) as multidentate ligands, six novel coordination polymers with Zn(II) or Cd(II) metal ions were prepared: [Zn(3-pytz)(0.5)(OH)(0.5)Cl](n) (1, 1D ladder), {[Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(4)] [Zn(3-Hpytz)(H(2)O)(3)·SO(4)]SO(4)·5H(2)O}(n) (2·5H(2)O, 1D chain), [Cd(3-Hpytz)(SO(4))](n) (3, 3D framework), {[Cd(3-Hyptz)SO(4)·3H(2)O]·2H(2)O}(n) (4·2H(2)O, 1D chain), [Zn(4-pytz)Cl](n) (5, 3D framework) and [Zn(2)(4-pytz)(SO(4))(OH)](n) (6, 3D framework). All compounds were obtained from hydrothermal reactions, with the exception of compound 4 which was obtained by solvent diffusion at room temperature. All compounds were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis and TGA analysis and their structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. All compounds exhibited substantial thermal stability and showed photofluorescent properties that resulted from ligand π-π* transition.     

Physical and kinetic analysis of the cooperative role of metal ions in catalysis of phosphodiester cleavage by a dinuclear Zn(II) complex

A dinuclear metal ion complex Zn(2)()(L2O) and its mononuclear analogue Zn(L1OH) were synthesized and studied as catalysts of the cleavage of the phosphate diester 2-hydroxypropyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNP). X-ray crystal structure data, potentiometric titrations, and (1)H NMR spectra obtained over a wide range of pH values provide strong evidence that the alcohol linker in the complex Zn(2)()(L2O) is ionized below pH 6.0, while the alcohol group in the complex Zn(L1OH) remains protonated even at high pH. The ionizations observed at high pH correspond to the formation of the monohydroxo complexes, Zn(2)(L2O)(OH) and Zn(L1OH)(OH), with pK(a)'s of 8.0 and 9.2, respectively. The pH-rate profiles of second-order rate constants for metal-ion complex-catalyzed cleavage of HPNP are reported. These show downward curvature centered at the pK(a)'s for the respective zinc-bound waters, and limiting second-order rate constants at high pH of k(c) = 0.71 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for Zn(2)()(L2O) and 0.061 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for Zn(L1OH). The larger catalytic activity of Zn(2)()(L2O) compared with Zn(L1OH) is due to the cooperative role of the metal ions in facilitating the formation of the ionized zinc-bound water at close to neutral pH and in providing additional stabilization of the rate-limiting transition state for phosphodiester cleavage. Zn(2)()(L2O) complex (1 M) at pH 7.6 stabilizes the transition state for the uncatalyzed reaction by 9.3 kcal/mol. Assuming that the dissociation constant determined for a diethyl phosphate inhibitor is similar to that for substrate, then ca. 2.4 kcal/mol of these stabilizing interactions are expressed in the ground-state Michaelis complex, while the bulk of these interactions are only expressed as the reaction approaches the transition state for phosphodiester cleavage.     

Interactions of metal ions with water: ab initio molecular orbital studies of structure, vibrational frequencies, charge distributions, bonding enthalpies, and deprotonation enthalpies. 2. Monohydroxides

The formation and properties of a wide range of metal ion monohydroxides, M(n)(+)[OH(-)], where n = 1 and 2, have been studied by ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the MP2(FULL)/6-311++G**//MP2(FULL)/6-311++G** and CCSD(T)(FULL)/6-311++G**//MP2(FULL)/6-311++G** computational levels. The ions M(n)()(+) are from groups 1A, 2A, 3A, and 4A in the second, third, and fourth periods of the Periodic Table and from the first transition series. Geometrical parameters, vibrational frequencies, atomic charge distributions, orbital occupancies, and bonding enthalpies are reported. The M(n)(+)-O distances are shorter in the hydroxides than in the corresponding hydrates (published previously as Part 1, Inorg. Chem. 1998, 37, 4421-4431) due to a greater electrostatic interaction in the hydroxides. The natural bond orbitals for most of the first-row transition metal ion hydroxides do not contain a formal metal-oxygen bonding orbital; nevertheless the atomic charge distributions show that for both n = 1 and 2 a significant amount of electron density is consistently transferred from the hydroxide ion to the bound metal ion. Deprotonation enthalpies for the hydrates have been evaluated according to the simple dissociation process, M(n)(+)[OH(2)] --> M(n)(+)[OH(-)] + H(+), and also via proton transfer to another water molecule, M(n)(+)[OH(2)] + H(2)O --> M(n)(+)[OH(-)] + H(3)O(+). The drastic reduction in these deprotonation enthalpies as H(2)O molecules are sequentially bonded in the first coordination shell of the metal ion (amounting to 71, 64, 85, and 91 kcal/mol for the bonding of six water molecules to Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), and Zn(2+), respectively) is found to be due to the greater decrease in the bonding enthalpies for the hydroxides relative to the hydrates. Proton transfer to bases other than water, for example side chain groups of certain amino acids, could more than offset the decrease in deprotonation energy due to the filling of the first coordination shell. Linear relationships have been found between the pK(a) values for ionization of the Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+) aquo ions, and Delta for the bonding of the first water molecule, for the bonding of the hydroxide ion, and for proton dissociation from the monohydrate. Similar relationships have also been found between the pK(a) values and the reciprocal of the M-O bond lengths in both the monohydrates and hydroxides. Thus the ionization of metal hydrates in water echoes the properties of the monomeric species M(n)(+)[OH(2)].     

Infrared spectra of the group 2 metal dihydroxide molecules

Group 2 metal atoms (Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba) react on ultraviolet photoexcitation with O(2), H(2) mixtures in solid argon at 10 K to produce new absorptions in the O-H and O-M-O stretching regions. The effect of detailed isotopic substitution on these two absorptions identifies the M(OH)(2) molecules. The stepwise decrease in the O-H stretching modes in this chemical family demonstrates an increase in ionic character, which parallels the increase in base strength for the analogous solid compounds.     

C(4)N(3)OH(7).Zn(H2O)HPO4, a neutral zincophosphate cluster

C(4)N(3)OH(7).Zn(H(2)O)HPO(4), built up from 4-rings of ZnO(2)(H(2)O)N and HPO(4) tetrahedra, is the first neutral, molecular, zincophosphate cluster. The unit-cell packing involves numerous O-H...O and N-H...O hydrogen bonds and pi...pi stacking interactions. Crystal data: C(4)N(3)OH(7).Zn(H(2)O)HPO(4), M(r) = 292.49, triclinic, P1 (No. 2), a = 9.2956(5) A, b = 11.2077(6) A, c = 19.8319(12) A, alpha = 80.314(1) degrees, beta = 78.829(1) degrees, gamma = 89.241(1) degrees, V = 1997.7(2) A(3), Z = 4.     

Charge penetration and the origin of large O-H vibrational red-shifts in hydrated-electron clusters, (H2O)n-

The origin of O-H vibrational red-shifts observed experimentally in (H2O)n(-) clusters is analyzed using electronic structure calculations, including natural bond orbital analysis. The red-shifts are shown to arise from significant charge transfer and strong donor-acceptor stabilization between the unpaired electron and O-H sigma* orbitals on a nearby water molecule in a double hydrogen-bond-acceptor ("AA") configuration. The extent of e(-) --> sigma* charge transfer is comparable to the n --> sigma* charge transfer in the most strongly hydrogen-bonded X(-)(H2O) complexes (e.g., X = F, O, OH), even though the latter systems exhibit much larger vibrational red-shifts. In X(-)(H2O), the proton affinity of X(-) induces a low-energy XH...(-)OH diabatic state that becomes accessible in v = 1 of the shared-proton stretch, leading to substantial anharmonicity in this mode. In contrast, the H + (-)OH(H2O)(n-1) diabat of (H2O)n(-) is not energetically accessible; thus, the O-H stretching modes of the AA water are reasonably harmonic, and their red-shifts are less dramatic. Only a small amount of charge penetrates beyond the AA water molecule, even upon vibrational excitation of these AA modes. Implications for modeling of the aqueous electron are discussed.     

Syntheses and Crystal Structures of Four New Complexes [Mn(4,4''-bip)2(OH2)4](DBA)·4H2O and [M(OH2)(HDPA)2]·3H2O (M = Mn, Co, Ni)

Four new transition metal complexes, [Mn(4,4'-bip)2(OH2)4](DBA)·4H2O 1(4,4'-bip = 4,4'-bipyridine, H2DBA = benzene-1,3-dicarboxylic acid) and [M(OH2)(HDPA)2]·3H2O (M = Mn 2, M = Co 3, M = Ni 4,H2DPA = 2,6-pyridine-dicarboxylic acid), have been prepared from the reaction of transition metals and carboxylic acids, and characterized by X-ray and elemental analyses. For compound 1, the packing diagram shows that a three-dimensional network is formed via hydrogen bonds and strong π-π interactions. For compounds 2, 3 and 4,a double-helical chain is formed through hydrogen bonds. Moreover, a three-dimensional network is constructed from chains via complicated hydrogen bonds between crystal water molecules and oxygen atoms of HDPA-.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of M(PMe3)3(O2CR)2(OH2)H2 (M = Mo, W): aqua-hydride complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Mo(PMe(3))(6) and W(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H undergo oxidative addition of the O-H bond of RCO(2)H to yield sequentially M(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)H and M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)H(2) (M = Mo and R = Ph, Bu(t); M = W and R = Bu(t)). One of the oxygen donors of the bidentate carboxylate ligand may be displaced by H(2)O to give rare examples of aqua-dihydride complexes, M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)(2)(OH(2))H(2), in which the coordinated water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to both carboxylate ligands.     

Formation of a spiral-shaped inorganic-organic hybrid chain, [Cu(II)(2,2'-bipy)(H(2)O)(2)Al(OH)(6)Mo(6)O(18)](n)()(n)()(-): influence of intra- and interchain supramolecular interactions

A novel chainlike coordination polymer [Cu(II)(2,2'-bipy)(H(2)O)(2)Al(OH)(6)Mo(6)O(18)](n)()(n)()(-), formed from a heteropolyanion [Al(OH)(6)Mo(6)O(18)](3)(-) as a building unit and a copper(II) complex fragment, [Cu(II)(2,2'-bipy)(H(2)O)(2)](2+), as a linker, provides the first example of an extended structure based on an Anderson type of polyanion and a transition metal complex with organic ligand. The intra- and interchain O-H.O hydrogen-bonding interactions are seemingly responsible for the spiral shape of this chain. Crystal data: triclinic space group Ponemacr;, a = 11.2253(18) A, b = 14.5194(17) A, c = 15.2672(10) A, alpha = 112.191(8) degrees, beta = 106.693(9) degrees, gamma = 93.916(13) degrees, and Z = 2.     

Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy of the uranyl selenite mineral haynesite (UO2)3(SeO3)2(OH)2.5H2O

Near- and mid-infrared spectra of uranyl selenite mineral haynesite (UO(2))(3)(SeO(3))(2)(OH)(2).5H(2)O, were studied and assigned. Observed bands were assigned to the stretching vibrations of uranyl and selenite units, stretching, bending and libration modes of water molecules and hydroxyl ions, and delta U-OH bending vibrations. U-O bond lengths in uranyl and hydrogen bond lengths O-H...O were inferred from the spectra.     

A novel series of materials composed of arrays of vanadium oxide container molecules, [V18O42(X)] (X = H2O,Cl-, Br-): synthesis and characterization of [M2(H2N(CH2)2NH2)5][(M(H2N(CH2)2NH2)2]2V18O42(X)]. 9H2O (M = Zn,Cd)

The synthesis and characterization of the novel systems [Zn(2)(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(5)][(Zn(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(2))(2)V(18)O(42)(H(2)O)].9H(2)O (1), [Cd(2)(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(5)][(Cd(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(2))(2)V(18)O(42)(Br)].9H(2)O (2), and [Zn(2)(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(5)][(Zn(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(2))(2)V(18)O(42)(Cl)].9H(2)O (3) have been described. These materials represent a new class of solids that have been prepared by combining conventional coordination compounds with spherical polyoxovanadate clusters. The isomorphous structures of these hybrid solids consist of two-dimensional arrays of container cluster molecules [V(18)O(42)(X)] (X = H(2)O, Br-, Cl-) interlinked by the transition metal complex moieties [M(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(2)] (M = Zn, Cd). These compounds contain an unprecedented complex cation, [M(2)(H(2)N(CH(2))(2)NH(2))(5)](4+). Crystal data for 1: C(9)H(46)N(9)O(26)V(9)Zn(2), monoclinic space group P2(1)/m (No. 11), a = 12.3723(7) A, b = 20.9837(11) A, c = 15.8379(8) A, beta = 97.3320(10) degrees, Z = 4.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of bi- and trimetallic octacyanometalate(IV) complexes: [Delta,Lambda-MII(en)3][cis-MII(en)2(OH2)][MIV(CN)8].2H2O and [cis-MII(en)2(OH2)]2[(mu-NC)2MIV(CN)6].4H2O (MII = Mn, Co, Ni; MIV = Mo, W)

Treatment of [M(II)(en)(3)][OTs](2) or methanolic ethylenediamine solutions containing transition metal p-toluenesulfonates (M(II) = Mn, Co) with aqueous K(4)M(IV)(CN)(8).2H(2)O or Cs(3)M(V)(CN)(8) (M(IV) = Mo, W; M(V) = Mo) affords crystalline clusters of [M(II)(en)(3)][cis-M(II)(en)(2)(OH(2))(mu-NC)M(IV)(CN)(7)].2H(2)O (M(IV) = Mo; M(II) = Mn, 1; Ni, 5; M(IV) = W; M(II) = Mn, 2; Ni, 6) and [cis-M(II)(en)(2)(OH(2))](2)[(mu-NC)(2)M(IV)(CN)(6)].4H(2)O (M(IV) = Mo; M(II) = Co, 3; Ni, 7; M(IV) = W; M(II) = Co, 4) stoichiometry. Each cluster contains cis-M(II)(en)(2)(OH(2))(mu-NC)(2+) units that likely result from dissociative loss of en from [M(II)(en)(3)](2+), affording cis-M(II)(en)(2)(OH(2))(2)(2+) intermediates that are trapped by M(IV)(CN)(8)(4-).     

Phenoxyl radicals: H-bonded and coordinated to Cu(II) and Zn(II)

Two pro-ligands ((R)LH) comprised of an o,p-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenol covalently bonded to a benzimidazole ((Bz)LH) or a 4,5-di-p-methoxyphenyl substituted imidazole ((PhOMe)LH), have been structurally characterised. Each possesses an intramolecular O-H[dot dot dot]N hydrogen bond between the phenolic O-H group and an imidazole nitrogen atom and (1)H NMR studies show that this bond is retained in solution. Each (R)LH undergoes an electrochemically reversible, one-electron, oxidation to form the [(R)LH] (+) radical cation that is considered to be stabilised by an intramolecular O...H-N hydrogen bond. The (R)LH pro-ligands react with M(BF(4))(2).H(2)O (M = Cu or Zn) in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [M((R)L)(2)] compound. [Cu((Bz)L)(2)] (), [Cu((PhOMe)L)(2)] (), [Zn((Bz)L)(2)] and [Zn((PhOMe)L)(2)] have been isolated and the structures of .4MeCN, .2MeOH, .2MeCN and .2MeCN determined by X-ray crystallography. In each compound the metal possesses an N(2)O(2)-coordination sphere: in .4MeCN and .2MeOH the {CuN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted square planar geometry; in .2MeCN and .2MeCN the {ZnN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The X-band EPR spectra of both and , in CH(2)Cl(2)-DMF (9 : 1) solution at 77 K, are consistent with the presence of a Cu(ii) complex having the structure identified by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have shown that each undergo two, one-electron, oxidations; the potentials of these processes and the UV/vis and EPR properties of the products indicate that each oxidation is ligand-based. The first oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+), comprising a M(ii) centre bound to a phenoxide ((R)L) and a phenoxyl radical ((R)L ) ligand; these cations have been generated electrochemically and, for R = PhOMe, chemically by oxidation with Ag[BF(4)]. The second oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L )(2)](2+). The information obtained from these investigations shows that a suitable pro-ligand design allows a relatively inert phenoxyl radical to be generated, stabilised by either a hydrogen bond, as in [(R)LH] (+) (R = Bz or PhOMe), or by coordination to a metal, as in [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+) (M = Cu or Zn; R = Bz or PhOMe). Coordination to a metal is more effective than hydrogen bonding in stabilising a phenoxyl radical and Cu(ii) is slightly more effective than Zn(II) in this respect.