Electrochemical and photochemical hydrogen generation by a water soluble cobalt(II) complex of 2,2-bipyridine

A molecular catalyst based on a cobalt(II) complex, [(bpy)₂Co(SCN)(Cl)] 1, has been prepared by the reaction of 2,2-bipyridine (bpy), CoCl₂·6H₂O, and KSCN. The complex has been investigated for both electrocatalytic hydrogen generation and photocatalytic hydrogen generation from purely aqueous solution. Under photoirradiation with blue light (λ _max = 469 nm), with [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ as a coupled photosensitizer and ascorbic acid (H₂A) as a sacrificial electron donor in pH 5.0 aqueous solution, complex 1 possesses good activity with an initial turnover rate of 2.7 × 10³ mol of H₂ per mole of catalyst for the first 3 h of photolysis. This activity can be sustained for at least 10 h with a turnover number of 1.2 × 10⁴ mol of H₂ per mole of catalyst. Additionally, complex 1 electrocatalyzes hydrogen generation from neutral water (pH 7.0) with a turnover frequency of 809 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour at an overpotential of 837.6 mV.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic properties of a cobalt(II) complex supported by an amine-bis(phenolate) ligand

A cobalt(II) complex [L′CoPy] 1 was prepared by the reaction of dimethylaminoethylamino-N,N-bis(2,4-dibromo)phenol (H₂L′) with CoCl₂. Electrochemical studies indicate that this complex is among the most efficient homogeneous catalysts for water reduction, with a turnover frequency of 917.7 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour at an overpotential of 636.7 mV (pH 7.0). Additionally, under photoirradiation with blue light (λ _max = 469 nm), complex 1 in combination with [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ and ascorbic acid (pH 4.0 in aqueous solution) also produces hydrogen with a turnover number of 4.9 × 10⁵ mol of H₂ per mol of catalyst.     

Synthesis,characterization, luminescent,and catalytic performance of a dinuclear triazenido–silver complex

Our group has developed a series of molecular electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation based on triazenido–metal complexes (such as cobalt, copper, etc.). In this paper, we present the electrocatalytic performance of a new dinuclear silver complex, [Ag₂(L)₂], formed by reaction of the triazenido ligand, 1-[(2-carboxyethyl)benzene]-3-[benzimidazole]triazene (HL) with AgNO₃. The electrocatalytic systems based on this silver complex can afford 91.23 and 473 moles of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour (mol H₂/mol catalyst/h) from acetic acid at overpotential (OP) of 991.6 mV and an aqueous buffer at an OP of 837.6 mV, respectively. Electrochemical investigations show both the silver center and the triazenido ligand, HL, play important roles in determining the catalytic activities of the electrocatalytic system. Additionally, the triazenido ligand (HL) can serve as a fluorescent sensor for Ag⁺.     

Transition metal tetrapentafluorophenyl porphyrin catalyzed hydrogen evolution from acetic acid and water

The performance of Cu (1), Co (2) and Zn (3) complexes of meso-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin in the electrocatalyzed evolution of hydrogen has been investigated. In acetic acid media, hydrogen evolution turnover frequency (TOF) values for complexes 1, 2 and 3 were 22.1, 19.8 and 18.1 h^?1, respectively, at an overpotential of 942 mV versus Ag/AgNO₃. In buffer solution at pH 7.0, the corresponding hydrogen evolution TOF values increased dramatically, to 266, 234, 218 h^?1 at a similar overpotential of 878 mV versus SHE. The Faradaic yields of 1, 2, and 3 for sustained proton reduction in catalytic experiments at a glassy carbon electrode over 72 h were 89.7, 90.4 and 91.0%, respectively, with no observable catalyst decomposition.     

Diverse topologies of three cobalt(II) coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(benzimidazole) and dicarboxylate ligands

Three cobalt(II) coordination polymers {[Co(L1)(nda)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O} _n (1), [Co(L2)(tbi)(H₂O)] _n (2) and [Co(L2)(bpdc)(H₂O)] _n (3) (L1 = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol, L2 = 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol, H₂nda = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H₂tbi = 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and H₂bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Complex 1 exhibits a 1D loop-like structure, which is further extended into a 3D 3,3,4T31 network through two O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. Complex 2 displays a 1D ladder-like chain, arranged into a 2D supramolecular network with 3,3,4L34 topology via classical O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, whereas complex 3 features a 2D 3,4L13 layer structure and further assembles into a 3D framework with a twofold interpenetrating sqc65 topology through O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. The fluorescence and catalytic properties of these complexes for the degradation of Congo red in a Fenton-like process have been investigated.     

Interaction of hydantoins with transition metal ions: synthesis,structural, spectroscopic,thermal and magnetic properties of [M(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>4</Subscript>(phenytoinate)<Subscript>2</Subscript>] M = Ni(II), Co(II)

Complexes of Ni(II) and Co(II) of the formulae [Ni(H₂O)₄(pht)₂] (1) and [Co(H₂O)₄(pht)₂]·1,5NH₃·H₂O (2) (where pht = phenotoinate anion) were obtained and characterized physicochemically. [Ni(H₂O)₄(pht)₂] (1) crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2₁/c; a = 11.7358(8), b = 11,1250(8), 11.4182(7) Å; β = 97.076(5)°; V = 1479.41 Å³; Z = 2. The environment around the nickel and cobalt ions can be described as a distorted octahedron. The metal ion was found to bind to four water molecules and two nitrogen atoms derived from two anions of the monodentate phenytoinate. Four intramolecular hydrogen bonds designated as S(6) graph set are found in one [Ni(H₂O)₄(pht)₂] (1) molecule. Two chain HB patterns, constructed by the [Ni(H₂O)₄(pht)₂] molecules extending along the c and b axes, respectively, have been observed. The cobalt complex precipitates with the additional solvent molecules: one and a half of ammonia and one water. The results document the preferential binding of hydantoins to the metal ions through N(3) atom.     

Synthesis and properties of a molybdenum Schiff base electrocatalyst for generating hydrogen from acetic acid

The reaction of N,N-dimethylethylenediamino-N,N-bis(2,4-difluorophenol) (H₂L) and MoCl₅ gives a molybdenum(VI) complex [MoL(O)₂] 1, whose structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction. Electrochemical studies show that complex 1 can catalyze hydrogen evolution from acetic acid with a turnover frequency of 88 mol of hydrogen per mole of catalyst per hour in DMF solution at an overpotential of 962 mV.     

Synthesis and physicochemical properties of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> metal complexes with 2-phenyl-4-(piperidyl-1)-pyrido[2,3-a]anthraquinone. The molecular and crystal structures of 2-phenyl-4-(piperidyl-1)-pyrido[2,3-a]anthraquinonium-7,12 tetranitrozincate

Two types of complexes of 2-phenyl-4-(piperidyl-1)-pyrido[2,3-a]anthraquinone (L) with transition metals were isolated from neutral acetonitrile and acidified acetonitrile and ethanol solutions and characterized. Metal complexes synthesized at pH = 7 had the composition MCl₂L · (CH₃CN) _n (M = Cu, Co, Ni). The complexes (HL)₂[Cu₂Cl₆] (I), (HL)₂[CoCl₄] (II), (HL)₂[Zn(NO₃)₄] (III) were obtained at pH = 1–2. The molecular and crystal structure of complex III was determined. Some spectral parameters of L and its complexes were measured.     

Lanthanide contraction effect on the crystal structures of 2D lanthanide coordination polymers based on 2-(trifluoromethyl)-1<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid

A series of new two-dimensional (2D) lanthanide(III) coordination polymers, namely {[Ln₂(μ ₂-HTFMIDC)₃(DMA)₄] · 2H₂O} _n [Ln = Pr (1); Nd (2); Sm (3); Eu (4); H₃TFMIDC = 2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, DMA = N,N′-dimethylacetamide] for type I and {[Ln₂(μ ₂-HTFMIDC)₃(DMA)₂(H₂O)₂] · DMA} _n [Ln = Eu (5); Gd (6)] for type II, have been successfully prepared under solvothermal conditions and structurally characterized for the first time. Both two types of structures exhibit similar 2D honeycomb-like networks, which are constructed by the linkages of μ ₂-HTFMIDC^2? bis-(bidentate) bridging ligands and Ln(III) metal centers. However, slightly different ABAB stacking fashions of the 2D layers and distinctly different hydrogen bonding interactions between the neighboring 2D layers are observed in crystal structures of type I and type II, which may be attributed to the lanthanide contraction effect. Meanwhile, the solid-state luminescent properties of 4 and 5 have been also investigated.     

Mono-, Di- and Tetranuclear Complexes and Clusters With Bromine-Functionalized Bis(diphenylphosphino)amine Ligands

We report the preparation of bromo-aryl functionalized bis(diphenylphosphino)amine ligands of the type Ph₂PNArPPh₂ (1, Ar = p-BrC₆H₄; 2, Ar = p-BrC₆H₄–C₆H₄) and their coordination properties. Mono- and dinuclear complexes were formed with Cu(I), Au(I), Pd(II), Pt(II) and tetranuclear cobalt carbonyl clusters were obtained. The crystal structures of [PdCl₂(1)] (3), [PdCl₂(2)] (4), [(AuCl)(μ-1)] (6), [Co₄(CO)₅(μ-CO)₃(μ-dppa)(μ-1)] (dppa = Ph₂PNHPPh₂) (8) and [Co₄(CO)₅(μ-CO)₃(μ-dppm)(μ-1)] (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) (9) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Whereas the diphosphine ligands chelate the metal center in 3 and 4, and in the Pt(II) complex 5 which is analogous to 3, ligand 1 acts as a bridge in 6 where the separation between the two Au(I) centers is 3.0402(5) Å. In the tetranuclear clusters 8 and 9, and in the cluster 10 analogous to 9 with 2 as bridging ligand, two orthogonal Co–Co edges are bridged by a diphosphine ligand and each cobalt center is thus coordinated by one P donor. Complex 3 was shown to react with the Pd(0) complex [Pd(dba)₂] (dba = dibenzylideneacetone) to afford a tetranuclear complex resulting from both the insertion of Pd(0) into the ligand C–Br bond and Pd(II)/Pd(0) comproportionation to form a doubly ligand-bridged Pd(I)–Pd(I) core.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and magnetic properties of three complexes containing bis(maleonitriledithiolate) copper(II) anion and <Emphasis Type="Italic">meta</Emphasis>-substituted benzyl isoquinolinium cations

Three complexes, [3RBzIQl]₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (mnt^2? = maleonitriledithiolate; [3RBzIQl]⁺ = 1-(3′-R-benzyl)isoquinolinium, R = Cl (1), I (2) or NO₂ (3)), have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and physicochemical methods as well as by X-ray crystallography. The [Cu(mnt)₂]^2? anions formed a 1D chain in complex 1, a dimer in 2 and a sheet structure in 3 through C···N and/or N···N interactions. The neighboring dimers of the cations arranged in a boat-type pattern stack into columns through weak π···π, Cl···π or O···π, C–H···π interactions. The anions and cations stack together into a columnar structure with a ···A–CC–A–CC–A··· sequence. The magnetic susceptibilities measured in the temperature range 2.0–300 K reveal that complex 1 undergoes a change from weak ferromagnetic to antiferromagnetic exchange around 132 K, while 2 shows antiferromagnetic behavior and 3 shows a weak ferromagnetic interaction when the temperature is lowered.     

One Novel 3D Supramolecular Network Based on Dicobalt-Carboxylate Secondary Building Units with Polycarboxylate Ligands 1, 2, 3, 4-Butanetetracarboxylic Acid

A novel cobalt–carboxylate framework constructed from secondary building units (SBUs), {[Co₁₆(btca)₈(H₂O)₄₀]·16H₂O}_n (1) (H₄btca = 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid) has been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by techniques of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, elemental analyses, infrared spectra, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. The complex exhibits 2D 4-connected sql net with (4⁴ × 6²) topology symbol built from [Co₂(COO)₄(H₂O)₅] SBUs and is further extended into a 3D supramolecular architecture via strong O–H···O hydrogen bonds. Moreover, the magnetic measurements indicate complex 1 exhibit antiferromagnetic behavior.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and antibacterial studies of silver(I) complexes with reduced Schiff base amino acid ligands

Three Ag(I) complexes of reduced Schiff base amino acid ligands, [Ag₂(Hshis)₂]·3H₂O (1), Ag(Hcgly) (2), and Ag(cala) (3) (H₂shis = N-(2-hydroxybenzyl)-l-histidine, H₂cgly = N-(2-hydroxy-5-chlorobenzyl)-glycine, Hcala = N-(4-chlorobenzyl)-d,l-alanine), have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 shows a dimeric structure, while complex 2 shows one-dimensional zigzag chains, which are extended into a two-dimensional supramolecular sheet by hydrogen bonds. Complex 3 exhibits a 2D sheet structure with dangling arms. The antimicrobial activities of the complexes have been investigated.     

Synthesis,structure, magnetic and catalytic behavior of a dinuclear copper(II) complex with triazendio ligands

A dinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu₂L₄] has been prepared by the reaction of CuCl₂·2H₂O and 1-[(2-iodo)benzene]-3-[benzothiazole] triazene (HL). The complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In the solid state, there is a significant antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper(II) centers with a coupling constant (J) of ??558 cm^?1. In homogeneous solution, the complex shows electrocatalytic activities for hydrogen generation from both acetic acid and neutral buffer with a turnover frequency of 50 mol of H₂ per mole of catalyst per hour (mol H₂/mol catalyst/h) at an overpotential (OP) of 941.6 mV, and 502 mol H₂/mol catalyst/h at an OP of 836.7 mV.     

Two new palladium and platinum complexes with a bidentate pyrazole-based ligand: crystal structure,fluorescence and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Two new precious metal coordination complexes [Pd(HL)₂] (1) and [PtL₂] (2) (where H₂L is 1-(carboxymethyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid) were synthesized by one-pot in situ hydrolysis. The complexes are assembled into a 3D structure by hydrogen bonding interactions and intermolecular contacts. The structures have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and characterized by FT-IR and liquid state fluorescent spectroscopy. Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals that the O···H contacts outnumber the other contacts in both structures (49.4 % of the total interactions for 1 and 41.6 % for 2).     

Coordination assemblies of rigid–flexible 1,3-bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl)propane ligands with MCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Fe,Co, Cu or Zn): structural diversity and mass spectra

Reactions of the rigid–flexible N-heterocycle 1,3-bis(5-(pyridine-2-yl)-1,2,4-triazole-3-yl) propane (H₂L) with MCl₂ (M = Fe, Co, Cu or Zn) gave coordination complexes, {[Fe ₂ ^III Cl₄(H₂L)₂]·2Cl}·EtOH·H₂O (1), {[Co₃Cl₅(HL)]·H₂O} _n (2), {[Co₄Cl₄(H₂L)₂(H₂O)₄]·[CoCl₄]₂}·H₂O (3), [Cu₂Cl₃(HL)(H₂O)]₆·5H₂O (4), [Cu ₂ ^II Cu^ICl₄(HL)] _n (5), {[Zn₂Cl₂(L)H₂O]·H₂O} _n (6) and [Zn₄Cl₆(HL)₂] (7), which have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural analysis reveals that the pyridine triazole ligand attains versatile coordination modes in these complexes. Complexes 1, 3, 4 and 7 consist of 0D clusters with binuclear or tetranuclear units; complex 2 presents a 2D network accompanied by HL^? and chloride bridges; complexes 5 and 6 show 1D chains with [Cu₃] and [Zn₂] subunits. In addition, the electrospray ionization mass spectrometry properties of selected complexes were investigated, revealing the stabilities and structural states of these complexes in solution. These results indicate that H₂L is an excellent multiconnection linker for the construction of diverse coordination complexes.     

Structures and enhanced third-order nonlinear optical performance of four complexes investigated by thin film <Emphasis Type="Italic">Z-</Emphasis>scan technique

Four transition metal complexes have been synthesized via hydrothermal reactions, namely, [Zn(1,3-BIB)(CH₃COO)₂]₂ 1, [Cu₂(1,4-BIB)₃(CO₃)₂](1,4-BIB)·10H₂O 2, {[Mn(H₂O)₂(1,2-BIB)₂]Cl₂}_n 3, and {[Mn(1,2-BIB)(1,4-NDC)]₂}_n 4, where 1,n-BIB = 1,n-bis(imidazol-l-yl-methyl)benzene, n = 2, 3, 4 and 1,4-NDC = naphthalene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid. Complex 1 presents a discrete ring-like structure. Complex 2 shows a ladder-like chain structure, while complex 3 has a joint-like chain structure. Complex 4 features a layer structure constructed from [Mn₂(N₄O₈)] clusters. The third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of these complexes in thin films have been investigated by employing the Z-scan technique. Complexes 1–3 exhibit strong third-order NLO reverse-saturable absorption, while 4 shows third-order NLO saturable absorption and a strong self-defocusing effect. The third-order NLO susceptibilities χ ⁽³⁾ of the four complexes were calculated as 2.74 × 10^?9, 12.24 × 10^?9, 42.78 × 10^?9 and 189.32 × 10^?9 esu, respectively. The electronic structures of the complexes were investigated by density functional theory, and the origins of their NLO properties are discussed.     

Supramolecular structure,spectroscopic, thermal studies and antimicrobial activities of Schiff base complexes

Metal(II) complexes of 4-(((2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylene)amino)-1,5-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one (HL) were prepared, and their compositions and physicochemical properties were characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, with¹HNMR, UV–Vis, IR, mass spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. All results confirm that the novel complexes have a 1:1 (M:HL) stoichiometric formulae [M(HL)Cl₂] (M = Cu(II)(1), Cd(II)(5)), [Cu(L)(O₂NO)(OH₂)₂](2), [Cu(HL)(OSO₃)(OH₂)₃]2H₂O(3), [Co(HL)Cl₂(OH₂)₂]3H₂O(4), and the ligand behaves as a neutral/monobasic bidentate/tridentate forming a five/six-membered chelating ring towards the metal ions, bonding through azomethine nitrogen, exocyclic carbonyl oxygen, and/or deprotonated phenolic oxygen atoms. The XRD studies show that both the ligand and Cu(II) complex (1) show polycrystalline with monoclinic crystal structure. The molar conductivities show that all the complexes are non-electrolytes. On the basis of electronic spectral data and magnetic susceptibility measurements, a suitable geometry has been proposed. The trend in g values (g _ll > g _⊥ > 2.0023) suggest that the unpaired electron on copper has a \(d_{{x^{2} - y^{2} }}\) character, and the complex (1) has a square planar, while complexes (2) and (3) have a tetragonal distorted octahedral geometry. The molecular and electronic structures of the ligand (HL) and its complexes (1–5) have been discussed. Molecular docking was used to predict the binding between HL ligand and the receptors of the crystal structure of Escherichia coli (E. coli) (3t88) and the crystal structure of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (3q8u). The activation thermodynamic parameters, such as activation energy (E _a), enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy change of the decomposition (ΔG) are calculated using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods. The ligand and its metal complexes (1–5) showed antimicrobial activity against bacterial species such as Gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and S. aureus), Gram negative bacteria (E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) and fungi (Aspergillus niger and Alternaria alternata); the complexes exhibited higher activity than the ligand.     

An octahedral nickel(II) complex of a hexadentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>2</Subscript> thioether ligand: synthesis,characterization, X-ray and electronic structure

A hexadentate dibasic thioether N₂O₂S₂ donor ligand (H ₂ L) and its octahedral nickel(II) complex, [Ni(L)] have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques. The structures of both H ₂ L and its nickel complex were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The cyclic voltammogram of the complex shows a quasi-reversible Ni(II)/Ni(III) oxidation couple (E _1/2 = 0.88 V) along with a ligand-based reduction (E _1/2 = ?0.83 V). The electronic structures and electrochemical properties have been interpreted with the help of DFT calculations. The electronic transitions as calculated by TDDFT/CPCM method are used to assign the UV–Vis absorption bands.