Bis{μ‐3‐[3‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl]pyridine}disilver(I) bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate): effect of counter‐anions on the self‐assembly of coordination complexes

As part of a study on the effect of different counter‐anions on the self‐assembly of coordination complexes, a new dinuclear Ag^I complex, [Ag₂(C₁₄H₁₂N₄)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, with the 3‐[3‐(2‐pyridyl)pyrazol‐1‐ylmethyl]pyridine (L) ligand was obtained through the reaction of L with AgCF₃SO₃. In this complex, each Ag^I center in the centrosymmetric dinuclear complex cation is coordinated by two pyridine and one pyrazole N‐atom donor of two inversion‐related L ligands in a trigonal planar geometry. This forms a unique box‐like cyclic dimer with an intramolecular nonbonding Ag...Ag separation of 6.379 (7) Å. Weak Ag...CF₃SO₃ and C—H...X (X = O and F) hydrogen‐bonding interactions, together with π–π stacking interactions, link the complex cations along the [001] and [10] directions, respectively, generating two different one‐dimensional chains and then an overall two‐dimensional network of the complex running parallel to the (110) plane. Comparison of the structural differences with previous findings suggests that the presence of different counter‐anions plays an important role in the construction of such supramolecular frameworks.     

Tandem Silver Cluster Isomerism and Mixed Linkers to Modulate the Photoluminescence of Cluster‐Assembled Materials

Silver chalcogenolate cluster assembled materials (SCAMs) are a category of promising light‐emitting materials the luminescence of which can be modulated by variation of their building blocks (cluster nodes and organic linkers). The transformation of a singly emissive [Ag₁₂(SBu^t)₈(CF₃COO)₄(bpy)₄]_n (Ag₁₂bpy, bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) into a dual‐emissive [(Ag₁₂(SBu^t)₆(CF₃COO)₆(bpy)₃)]_n (Ag₁₂bpy‐2) via cluster‐node isomerization, the critical importance of which was highlighted in dictating the photoluminescence properties of SCAMs. Moreover, the newly obtained Ag₁₂bpy‐2 served to construct visual thermochromic Ag₁₂bpy‐2/NH₂ by a mixed‐linker synthesis, together with dichromatic core–shell Ag₁₂bpy‐2@Ag₁₂bpy‐NH₂‐2 via solvent‐assisted linker exchange. This work provides insight into the significance of metal arrangement on physical properties of nanoclusters.     

Coordination Polymer Flexibility Leads to Polymorphism and Enables a Crystalline Solid–Vapour Reaction: A Multi‐technique Mechanistic Study

Despite an absence of conventional porosity, the 1D coordination polymer [Ag₄(O₂C(CF₂)₂CF₃)₄(TMP)₃] ( 1 ; TMP=tetramethylpyrazine) can absorb small alcohols from the vapour phase, which insert into Ag?O bonds to yield coordination polymers [Ag₄(O₂C(CF₂)₂CF₃)₄(TMP)₃(ROH)₂] ( 1‐ROH ; R=Me, Et, iPr). The reactions are reversible single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformations. Vapour‐solid equilibria have been examined by gas‐phase IR spectroscopy (K=5.68(9)×10^?5 (MeOH), 9.5(3)×10^?6 (EtOH), 6.14(5)×10^?5 (iPrOH) at 295 K, 1 bar). Thermal analyses (TGA, DSC) have enabled quantitative comparison of two‐step reactions 1‐ROH → 1 → 2 , in which 2 is the 2D coordination polymer [Ag₄(O₂C(CF₂)₂CF₃)₄(TMP)₂] formed by loss of TMP ligands exclusively from singly‐bridging sites. Four polymorphic forms of 1 ( 1‐A^LT , 1‐A^HT , 1‐B^LT and 1‐B^HT ; HT=high temperature, LT=low temperature) have been identified crystallographically. In situ powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) studies of the 1‐ROH → 1 → 2 transformations indicate the role of the HT polymorphs in these reactions. The structural relationship between polymorphs, involving changes in conformation of perfluoroalkyl chains and a change in orientation of entire polymers (A versus B forms), suggests a mechanism for the observed reactions and a pathway for guest transport within the fluorous layers. Consistent with this pathway, optical microscopy and AFM studies on single crystals of 1‐MeOH / 1‐A^HT show that cracks parallel to the layers of interdigitated perfluoroalkyl chains develop during the MeOH release/uptake process.     

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Optical Properties of Europium Trifluoroacetate Complexes with 1,10-Phenanthroline and 2,2-Bipyridine

Two europium trifluoroacetate complexes, Eu(CF₃COO)₃·phen ( 1 ) and Eu(CF₃COO)₃·bpy ( 2 ) (where phen=1,10‐phenanthroline, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TA). Single‐crystal X‐ray structure has been determined for the complex [Eu₂(CF₃COO)₆·(phen)₃·(H₂O)₂]·EtOH. The crystal structure of [Eu₂(CF₃COO)₆·(phen)₃·(H₂O)₂]·EtOH shows that two different coordination styles with europium ions coexist in the same crystal and have entirely different coordination geometries and numbers. This crystal can be considered as an 1:1 adduct of [Eu(CF₃COO)₃·(Phen)₂·H₂O]·EtOH (9‐coordination part) and Eu(CF₃COO)₃·phen·H₂O (8‐coordination part). The excitation spectra of the two complexes demonstrate that the energy collected by "antenna ligands" is transferred to Eu³⁺ ions efficiently. The room‐temperature PL spectra of the complexes are composed of the typical Eu³⁺ ions red emission, due to transitions between ⁵D₀→⁷F_J(J=0→4). The lifetimes of ⁵D₀ of Eu³⁺ in the complexes were examined using time‐resolved spectroscopic analysis, and the lifetime values of Eu(CF₃COO)₃·phen and Eu(CF₃COO)₃·bpy were fitting with bi‐exponential (2987 and 353 µs) and monoexponential (3191 µs) curves, respectively. In order to elucidate the energy transfer process of the europium complexes, the energy levels of the relevant electronic states had been estimated. The thermal analyses indicate that they are all quite stable to heat.     

Silver(I)-organic networks constructed with flexible silver-ethynide supramolecular synthon o-, m-, p-Cl–C6H5OCH2CC⊃Agn (n = 4, 5)

A series of five silver coordination polymers [(AgL1)·(AgCF₃COO)₅·(H₂O)₃] (1), [(AgL1)₂·(AgCF₃COO)₁₁·(H₂O)₆] (2), [(AgL2)·(AgCF₃COO)₃·(H₂O)] (3), [(AgL3)·(AgCF₃COO)₄·(CH₃CN)₂] (4), and [(AgL3)·(AgCF₃COO)₇·(CH₃CN)₂·(H₂O)₂] (5) have been constructed from three flexible anionic ligands HL1, HL2, and HL3 (HL1 = 1-chloro-2-(prop-2-ynyloxy)benzene, HL2 = 1-chloro-3-(prop-2-ynyloxy)benzene, HL3 = 1-chloro-4-(prop-2-ynyloxy)benzene). In these compounds, the invariable appearance of the μ₄- and μ₅-ligation modes of the ethynide moiety affirms the general utility of the flexible silver-ethynide supramolecular synthon o-, m-, p-Cl?C₆H₅OCH₂CC?Ag_n (n = 4, 5) in coordination network assembly. Among them, Ag?Cl interaction plays a vital role in assembling the supramolecular structures in complexes 1?3.     

One‐Dimensional Polymers Based on Silver(I) Cations and Organometallic cyclo‐P3 Ligand Complexes

The synthesis and characterization of the first supramolecular aggregates incorporating the organometallic cyclo‐P₃ ligand complexes [Cp^RMo(CO)₂(η³‐P₃)] (Cp^R=Cp (C₅H₅; 1a ), Cp* (C₅(CH₃)₅; 1b )) as linking units is described. The reaction of the Cp derivative 1a with AgX (X=CF₃SO₃, Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄) yields the one‐dimensional (1D) coordination polymers [Ag{CpMo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η¹:η¹‐P₃)}₂]_n[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]_n ( 2 ) and [Ag{CpMo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η¹:η¹‐P₃)}₃]_n[X]_n (X=CF₃SO₃ ( 3a ), Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄ ( 3b )). The solid‐state structures of these polymers were revealed by X‐ray crystallography and shown to comprise polycationic chains well‐separated from the weakly coordinating anions. If AgCF₃SO₃ is used, polymer 3a is obtained regardless of reactant stoichiometry whereas in the case of Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄], reactant stoichiometry plays a decisive role in determining the structure and composition of the resulting product. Moreover, polymers 3a, b are the first examples of homoleptic silver complexes in which Ag^I centers are found octahedrally coordinated to six phosphorus atoms. The Cp* derivative 1b reacts with Ag[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] to yield the 1D polymer [Ag{Cp*Mo(CO)₂(μ,η³:η²:η¹‐P₃)}₂]_n[Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]_n ( 4 ), the crystal structure of which differs from that of polymer 2 in the coordination mode of the cyclo‐P₃ ligands: in 2 , the Ag⁺ cations are bridged by the cyclo‐P₃ ligands in a η¹:η¹ (edge bridging) fashion whereas in 4 , they are bridged exclusively in a η²:η¹ mode (face bridging). Thus, one third of the phosphorus atoms in 2 are not coordinated to silver while in 4 , all phosphorus atoms are engaged in coordination with silver. Comprehensive spectroscopic and analytical measurements revealed that the polymers 2 , 3a , b , and 4 depolymerize extensively upon dissolution and display dynamic behavior in solution, as evidenced in particular by variable temperature ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. Solid‐state ³¹P magic angle spinning (MAS) NMR measurements, performed on the polymers 2 , 3b , and 4 , demonstrated that the polymers 2 and 3b also display dynamic behavior in the solid state at room temperature. The X‐ray crystallographic characterisation of 1b is also reported.     

Front Cover: Safe Entry to Ag(I)/Ag(III) Mixed Valence Salts Containing the Homoleptic Ag(III) Anion [Ag(CF3)4]− (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 19/2023)

The synthesis of Naumann's Ag^I/Ag^III mixed valence salt [Ag^I]⁺[Ag^III(CF₃)₄]⁻ ( Ag-1 ) is revisited. Ag-1 is now safely available in half gram scale upon 2e⁻ oxidation of AgF in presence of CF₃SiMe₃ and ambient air. In addition to its unprecedented crystallographic characterization, the use of Ag-1 to build the novel Ag^I/Ag^III salts [ Ag (bpy)₂] -1 , [ Ag (18-crown-6)₂] -1 , [ Ag -crypt-222] -1 and [ Ag (PCy₃)₂] -1 is herein reported, alongside their characterization by NMR, single crystal X-ray diffraction (Sc-XRD) and elemental analysis (EA). The utility of the currently affordable Ag-1 in gold(I) catalysis was demonstrated by the excellent catalytic activity displayed by [{ Au (PPh₃)}₂(μ-Cl)] -1 and [ Au (PPh₃)] -1 in the 5-exo-dig cyclization of N-propargylbenzamide ( 2 ). These cationic Au^I catalysts are accessible from (PPh₃)AuCl and Ag-1 , and outperform the activity of the well-known benchmark catalyst (PPh₃)AuNTf₂.     

General Assembly of Twisted Trigonal‐Prismatic Nonanuclear Silver(I) Clusters

A general class of C₃‐symmetric Ag₉ clusters, [Ag₉S(tBuC₆H₄S)₆(dpph)₃(CF₃SO₃)] ( 1 ), [Ag₉(tBuC₆H₄S)₆(dpph)₃(CF₃SO₃)₂] ? CF₃SO₃ ( 2 ), [Ag₉(tBuC₆H₄S)₆(dpph)₃(NO₃)₂] ? NO₃ ( 3 ), and [Ag₉(tBuC₆H₄S)₇(dpph)₃(Mo₂O₇)_0.5]₂ ? 2 CF₃COO ( 4 ) (dpph=1,6‐bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane), with a twisted trigonal‐prism geometry was isolated by the reaction of polymeric {(HNEt₃)₂[Ag₁₀(tBuC₆H₄S)₁₂]}_n, 1,6‐bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane, and various silver salts under solvothermal conditions. The structures consist of discrete clusters constructed from a girdling Ag₉ twisted trigonal prism with the top and bottom trigonal faces capped by diverse anions (i.e., S^2? and CF₃SO₃^? for compound 1 , 2×CF₃SO₃^? for compound 2 , 2×NO₃^? for compound 3 , and tBuC₆H₄S^? and Mo₂O₇^2? for compound 4 ). This trigonal prism is bisected by another shrunken Ag₃ trigon at its waist position. Interestingly, two inversion‐related Ag₉ trigonal‐prismatic clusters are dimerized by the Mo₂O₇^2? ion in compound 4 . The twist is amplified by the bulkier thiolate, which also introduces high steric‐hindrance for the capping ligand, that is, the longer dpph ligand. Four more silver–sulfur clusters (namely, compounds 5 – 8 ) with their nuclearity ranging from 6–10 were solely characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction to verify the above‐described synergetic effect of mixed ligands in the construction of Ag₉ twisted trigonal prisms. Surprisingly, only cluster 1 emits yellow luminescence at λ=584 nm at room temperature, which may be attributed to a charge transfer from the S 3p orbital to the Ag 5s orbital, or mixed with metal‐centered (MC) d¹⁰→d⁹s¹ transitions. Upon cooling from 300 to 80 K, the emission intensity was enhanced along with a hypsochromic shift. The good linear relationship between the maximum emission intensity and the temperature for compound 1 in the range of 180–300 K indicates that this is a promising molecular luminescent thermometer. Furthermore, cyclic voltammetric studies indicated that the diffusion‐ and surface‐controlled redox processes were determined for compounds 1 and 3 as well as compound 4 , respectively.     

Thermochromic Luminescent Nest‐Like Silver Thiolate Cluster

A novel discrete open high‐nuclearity nest‐like silver thiolate cluster complex, [Ag₃₃S₃(StBu)₁₆(CF₃COO)₉(NO₃)(CH₃CN)₂](NO₃) ( 1 ), has been isolated with nitrate and S^2? anions acting as structure‐directing templates. Its similar nest‐like structure has been assembled into an extended layer [Ag₃₁S₃(StBu)₁₆(NO₃)₉]_n ( 2 ) by adjustment of auxiliary ligand. More interestingly, both complexes exhibit temperature‐dependent luminescence of high sensitivity with a large fluorescence enhancement (12‐fold for 1 , 21‐fold for 2 ), which can be easily recognized by the naked‐eye (dramatic red‐shift Δ=104 nm for 1 , larger Δ=113 nm for 2 at 77 K compared to those at 298 K). The correlation between luminescent thermochromism and temperature‐dependent variation of the coordination modes of template NO₃^? anion, Ag???S and Ag???Ag distances are also elucidated through variable‐temperature single‐crystal X‐ray crystal structure (VT‐SCXRD) analyses.     

Extra Silver Atom Triggers Room‐Temperature Photoluminescence in Atomically Precise Radarlike Silver Clusters

Luminescent metal clusters show promise for applications in imaging and sensing. However, promoting emission from metal clusters at room temperature is a challenging task owing to the lack of an efficient approach to suppress the nonradiative decay process in metal cores. We report herein that the addition of a silver atom into a metal interstice of the radarlike thiolated silver cluster [Ag₂₇(S^tBu)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₉(DMAc)₄]?DMAc ( NC1 , DMAc=dimethylacetamide), which is non‐emissive under ambient conditions, produced another silver cluster [Ag₂₈(AdmS)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₁₀(H₂O)₄] ( NC2 ) that displayed bright green room‐temperature photoluminescence aided by the new ligand 1‐adamantanethiol (AdmSH). The 28th Ag atom, which hardly affects the geometrical and electronic structures of the Ag–S skeleton, triggered the emission of green light as a result of the rigidity of the cluster structure.     

Double targeting of tumours with pyrenyl-modified dendrimers encapsulated in an arene-ruthenium metallaprism

The self‐assembly of 2,4,6‐tris(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (tpt) triangular panels with p‐cymene–ruthenium building blocks and 5,8‐dioxido‐1,4‐naphthoquinonato (donq) bridges, in the presence of pyrenyl‐containing dendrimers of different generations (P₀, P₁ and P₂), affords the triangular prismatic host–guest compounds [P_n?Ru₆(p‐cymene)₆(tpt)₂(donq)₃]⁶⁺ ([P_n? 1 ]⁶⁺). The host–guest nature of these systems, with the pyrenyl moiety being encapsulated in the hydrophobic cavity of the cage and the dendritic functional group pointing outwards, was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, 2D and DOSY). The host–guest properties of these systems were studied in solution by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods, allowing the determination of their affinity constants (K_a). Moreover, the ability of these water‐soluble host–guest systems to carry the pyrenyl‐containing dendrimers into cancer cells was evaluated on human ovarian cancer cells. The host–guest systems are all more cytotoxic than the empty cage [ 1 ][CF₃SO₃]₆ (IC₅₀≈4 μM ), with the most active compound, [P₀? 1 ][CF₃SO₃]₆, being an order of magnitude more cytotoxic.     

Octahedral and Cyclic [Ag6] Cluster Cores Stabilized by {Ag3(Spz)3(N‐triphos)3} Motifs [HSpz = Pyrazine‐2‐thiolate,N‐triphos = Tris((diphenylphosphanyl)methyl)amine]: Ag···Ag Interactions

The complexes [Ag₁₂(Spz)₁₂(N‐triphos)₂][Ag₃(Spz)₃(N‐triphos)]₂ · (DMF)₆ ( 1 ) and [Ag₁₈(Spz)₁₂(N‐triphos)₄(CF₃CO₂)₆] ( 2 ) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray diffraction [HSpz = pyrazine‐2‐thiolate, N‐triphos = tris((diphenylphosphanyl)methyl)amine]. The central [Ag₆] ring with chair‐conformation in 1 and the ideally octahedral [Ag₆] cluster core in 2 are both stabilized by the tripodal building units of neutral [Ag₃(Spz)₃(N‐triphos)] compound. The Ag ··· Ag distances of the [Ag₆] moieties in 1 and 2 are 3.07 and 2.81 Å, respectively, exhibiting intermetallic interactions, which can enhance the stability of [Ag₆] conformations. In addition, the π ··· π interactions between parallel pyrazine rings could impose on the building and the Ag ··· Ag interactions of these Ag–S clusters.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behaviour of the new Tetrameric Gadolinium Carboxylate [Gd4(OH)4(CF3COO)8(H2O)4] · 2.5 H2O

The novel tetrameric gadolinium(III) compound [Gd₄(OH)₄(CF₃COO)₈(H₂O)₄] · 2.5 H₂O was synthesized and structurally characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The Gd³⁺ ions are bridged by hydroxide ions and carboxylate groups to tetramers with Gd³⁺‐Gd³⁺ distances between 384.2(2) and 388.1(2) pm. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (Z = 4). The magnetic behaviour of [Gd₄(OH)₄(CF₃COO)₈(H₂O)₄] · 2.5 H₂O was investigated in the temperature range of 2 to 300 K. The magnetic data of this compound indicate antiferromagnetic interactions (J_ex = ?0.0197 cm^?1).     

Syntheses and characterization of dinuclear and tetranuclear AgI supramolecular complexes generated from symmetric and asymmetric molecular clips containing oxadiazole rings

A new asymmetric ligand, 5‐{3‐[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]phenyl}‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( L5 ), which contains two oxadiazole rings, was synthesized and characterized. The assembly of symmetric 2,5‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole ( L1 ) and asymmetric L5 with AgCO₂CF₃ in solution yielded two novel Ag^I complexes, namely catena‐poly[[di‐μ‐trifluoroacetato‐disilver(I)]‐bis[μ‐2,5‐bis(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole]], [Ag₂(C₂F₃O₂)₂(C₁₂H₈N₄O)₂]_n or [Ag₂(μ₂‐O₂CCF₃)₂( L1 )₂]_n ( 1 ), and bis(μ₃‐5‐{3‐[5‐(4‐methylphenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazol‐2‐yl]phenyl}‐2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole)tetra‐μ₃‐trifluoroacetato‐tetrasilver(I) dichloromethane monosolvate, [Ag₄(C₂F₃O₂)₄(C₂₂H₁₅N₅O₂)₂]·CH₂Cl₂ or [Ag₂(μ₃‐O₂CCF₃)₂( L5 )]₂·CH₂Cl₂ ( 2 ). Complex 1 displays a one‐dimensional ring–chain motif, where dinuclear Ag₂(CF₃CO₂)₂ units alternate with Ag₂( L1 )₂ macrocycles. This structure is different from previously reported Ag– L1 complexes with different anions. Complex 2 features a tetranuclear supramolecular macrocycle, in which each ligand adopts a tridentate coordination mode with the oxadiazole ring next to the p‐tolyl ring coordinated and that next to the pyridyl ring free. Two L5 ligands are bound to two Ag1 centres through two oxadiazole N and two pyridyl N atoms to form a macrocycle. The other two oxadiazole N atoms coordinate to the two Ag2 centres of the Ag₂(O₂CCF₃)₄ dimer. Each CF₃CO₂^? anion adopts a μ₃‐coordination mode, bridging the Ag1 and Ag2 centres to form a tetranuclear silver(I) complex. This study indicates that the donor ability of the bridging oxadiazole rings can be tuned by electron‐withdrawing and ‐donating substituents. The emission properties of ligands L1 and L5 and complexes 1 and 2 were also investigated in the solid state.     

Alternating Array Stacking of Ag26Au and Ag24Au Nanoclusters

An assembly strategy for metal nanoclusters using electrostatic interactions with weak interactions, such as C?H???π and π???π interactions in which cationic [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ and anionic [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? nanoclusters gather and assemble in an unusual alternating array stacking structure is presented. [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? is a new compound type, a double nanocluster ion compound (DNIC). A single nanocluster ion compound (SNIC) [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? was also synthesized, having a k‐vector‐differential crystallographic arrangement. [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? adopts a different assembly mode from both [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?. Thus, the striking packing differences of [Ag₂₆Au(2‐EBT)₁₈(PPh₃)₆]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^?, [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2‐EBT)₁₈]^? and the existing [PPh₄]⁺ [Ag₂₄Au(2,4‐DMBT)₁₈]^? from each other indicate the notable influence of ligands and counterions on the self‐assembly of nanoclusters.     

Cross-Coupling through Ag(I)/Ag(III) Redox Manifold

In ample variety of transformations, the presence of silver as an additive or co-catalyst is believed to be innocuous for the efficiency of the operating metal catalyst. Even though Ag additives are required often as coupling partners, oxidants or halide scavengers, its role as a catalytically competent species is widely neglected in cross-coupling reactions. Most likely, this is due to the erroneously assumed incapacity of Ag to undergo 2e⁻ redox steps. Definite proof is herein provided for the required elementary steps to accomplish the oxidative trifluoromethylation of arenes through Ag^I/Ag^III redox catalysis (i. e. CEL coupling), namely: i) easy Ag^I/Ag^III 2e⁻ oxidation mediated by air; ii) bpy/phen ligation to Ag^III; iii) boron-to-Ag^III aryl transfer; and iv) ulterior reductive elimination of benzotrifluorides from an [aryl-Ag^III-CF₃] fragment. More precisely, an ultimate entry and full characterization of organosilver(III) compounds [K]⁺[Ag^III(CF₃)₄]⁻ ( K-1 ), [(bpy)Ag^III(CF₃)₃] ( 2 ) and [(phen)Ag^III(CF₃)₃] ( 3 ), is described. The utility of 3 in cross-coupling has been showcased unambiguously, and a large variety of arylboron compounds was trifluoromethylated via [Ag^III(aryl)(CF₃)₃]⁻ intermediates. This work breaks with old stereotypes and misconceptions regarding the inability of Ag to undergo cross-coupling by itself.     

A new three‐dimensional neutral framework of lanthanum oxalate: [La2(C2O4)3(DMF)(H2O)3]n

In the title complex, poly[triaquabis(dimethylformamide)di‐μ₃‐oxalato‐μ₂‐oxalato‐dilanthanum(III)], [La₂(C₂O₄)₃(C₃H₇NO)(H₂O)₃]_n, both La ions are coordinated by nine O atoms, forming slightly distorted tricapped trigonal prisms. The two La ions, the terminal water O atom, and the O and N atoms of the dimethylformamide molecule reside on twofold rotation axes, giving the two La‐centered coordination geometries twofold or pseudo‐twofold symmetries. The two oxalate ligands, one of which rests on a center of inversion at the mid‐point of the C—C bond, adopt different bridging modes, connecting with the La ions to form two types of lanthanide oxalate chains, i.e. anionic {[La(C₂O₄)₂(DMF)(H₂O)₂]ⁿ⁻}_n (DMF is dimethylformamide) and cationic zigzag {[La(C₂O₄)(H₂O)]ⁿ⁺}_n, respectively. Each zigzag cationic chain is linked to four adjacent anionic chains via the bridging oxalate anions, and each anionic chain connects with four zigzag cationic chains, constructing a three‐dimensional neutral framework.     

Amide‐Functionalized Naphthyridines on a RhII–RhII Platform: Effect of Steric Crowding,Hemilability, and Hydrogen‐Bonding Interactions on the Structural Diversity and Catalytic Activity of Dirhodium(II) Complexes

Ferrocene‐amide‐functionalized 1,8‐naphthyridine (NP) based ligands {[(5,7‐dimethyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2‐yl)amino]carbonyl}ferrocene (L¹H) and {[(3‐phenyl‐1,8‐naphthyridin‐2‐yl)amino]carbonyl}ferrocene (L²H) have been synthesized. Room‐temperature treatment of both the ligands with Rh₂(CH₃COO)₄ produced [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₃(L¹)] ( 1 ) and [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₃(L²)] ( 2 ) as neutral complexes in which the ligands were deprotonated and bound in a tridentate fashion. The steric effect of the ortho‐methyl group in L¹H and the inertness of the bridging carboxylate groups prevented the incorporation of the second ligand on the {Rh^II–Rh^II} unit. The use of the more labile Rh₂(CF₃COO)₄ salt with L¹H produced a cis bis‐adduct [Rh₂(CF₃COO)₄(L¹H)²] ( 3 ), whereas L²H resulted in a trans bis‐adduct [Rh₂(CF₃COO)₃(L²)(L²H)] ( 4 ). Ligand L¹H exhibits chelate binding in 3 and L²H forms a bridge‐chelate mode in 4 . Hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the amide hydrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms play an important role in the formation of these complexes. In the absence of this hydrogen‐bonding interaction, both ligands bind axially as evident from the X‐ray structure of [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(CH₃CN)₄(L²H)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 6 ). However, the axial ligands reorganize at reflux into a bridge‐chelate coordination mode and produce [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(CH₃CN)₂(L¹H)](BF₄)₂ ( 5 ) and [Rh₂(CH₃COO)₂(L²H)₂](BF₄)₂ ( 7 ). Judicious selection of the dirhodium(II) precursors, choice of ligand, and adaptation of the correct reaction conditions affords 7 , which features hemilabile amide side arms that occupy sites trans to the Rh–Rh bond. Consequently, this compound exhibits higher catalytic activity for carbene insertion to the C?H bond of substituted indoles by using appropriate diazo compounds, whereas other compounds are far less reactive. Thus, this work demonstrates the utility of steric crowding, hemilability, and hydrogen‐bonding functionalities to govern the structure and catalytic efficacyof dirhodium(II,II) compounds.     

新型含2-噁唑啉基三角架配体-银(I)一维配位聚合物的合成与结构

通过含2-噁唑啉基三角架配体1,3,5-三(2-噁唑啉基)苯(L)与三氟醋酸银反应合成了配合物[Ag₄(L)₂(CH₃CN)₂(CF₃CO₂)₄]_n (1), 并利用元素分析、电喷雾质谱、X射线单晶衍射等方法对其进行了表征. 晶体结构解析结果显示配合物1属三斜晶系, 空间群P-1, a＝0.83731(6) nm, b＝1.22828(9) nm, c＝1.33997(10) nm, α＝102.9760(10)°, β＝107.3050(10)°, γ＝93.8600(10)°, Z＝1, R＝0.0365, wR₂＝0.0929. 该配合物是由[Ag₄(L)₂(CF₃CO₂)₂]^2＋笼状结构单元通过另外两个三氟醋酸根双桥连形成的一维链状结构. 相邻的链间通过C—H…O氢键进一步扩展为二维网状结构. 电喷雾质谱研究结果显示在实验条件下, 溶液中配合物1是以聚合状态存在的.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Imidazolium Salts Bearing Fluorinated Anions

The reaction of 1‐methylimidazole and α,α‐dibromo‐p‐xylene was followed by a metathesis reaction with fluorinated anion sources, which yielded new fluorinated imidazolium salts [C₆H₄(CH₂(C₄H₆N₂)₂]²⁺ 2[A]^– where A = BF₄ ( 2 ), PF₆ ( 3 ), CF₃SO₃ ( 4 ), and CF₃COO ( 5 ). The compounds were characterized by ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ¹⁹F‐, ³¹P NMR, and IR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction data of compounds 2 , 3 , and 4 were also reported, whereas compound 5 was found to be a liquid. The solid compounds crystallized in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group and have similar crystallographic parameters. The study revealed that the different fluorinated anions affected the spatial arrangement of atoms and the extent of cation–anion interactions, hence, influenced the stability and coordination properties of the imidazolium salts. A trend was observed which related the strength of cation–anion interaction to physical properties such as melting point.