Electrochemical study of a nonheme Fe(ii) complex in the presence of dioxygen. Insights into the reductive activation of O2 at Fe(ii) centers

Recent efforts to model the reactivity of iron oxygenases have led to the generation of nonheme Fe^III(OOH) and Fe^IV(O) intermediates from Fe^II complexes and O₂ but using different cofactors. This diversity emphasizes the rich chemistry of nonheme Fe(ii) complexes with dioxygen. We report an original mechanistic study of the reaction of [(TPEN)Fe^II]²⁺ with O₂ carried out by cyclic voltammetry. From this Fe^II precursor, reaction intermediates such as [(TPEN)Fe^IV(O)]²⁺, [(TPEN)Fe^III(OOH)]²⁺ and [(TPEN)Fe^III(OO)]⁺ have been chemically generated in high yield, and characterized electrochemically. These electrochemical data have been used to analyse and perform simulation of the cyclic voltammograms of [(TPEN)Fe^II]²⁺ in the presence of O₂. Thus, several important mechanistic informations on this reaction have been obtained. An unfavourable chemical equilibrium between O₂ and the Fe^II complex occurs that leads to the Fe^III-peroxo complex upon reduction, similarly to heme enzymes such as P450. However, unlike in heme systems, further reduction of this latter intermediate does not result in O–O bond cleavage.     

Fluorimetric Detection of Phosphates in Water Using a Disassembly Approach: A Comparison of FeIII-, ZnII-, MnII- and MnIII-salen Complexes

Details of the reaction sequence used for the fluorimetric detection of phosphates by disassembly of transition metal Schiff base complexes were investigated for [Fe^III(salen)(H₂O)]⁺, [Zn^II(salen)], [Mn^II(salen)(H₂O)₂], and [Mn^III(salen)(H₂O)]⁺. The reactivity of these compounds towards phosphorus oxoanions of differing charge, number of donor atoms and steric hindrance was detected by UV/Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy in both aprotic organic and aqueous media. Selectivity of [Fe^III(salen)(H₂O)]⁺ towards pyrophosphate over all other tested phosphorus-containing analytes was strongly supported. [Zn^II(salen)] showed a faster reactivity but was much less selective. In contrast, [Mn^III(salen)(H₂O)]⁺ proved to be more stable than the iron complex but generally showed little reactivity towards phosphorus oxoanions. The influence of the charge of the central atom was investigated using the Mn^II analogue [Mn^II(salen)(H₂O)₂]. As expected, the reduced charge resulted in a reactivity comparable to the Zn^II complex in organic solution but lead to hydrolysis of the complex in water. Finally, the reaction products of [Fe^III(salen)(H₂O)]⁺ with phosphates were characterized by IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, providing further insights into the reaction mechanism of the disassembly process.     

Non-Heme-Iron-Mediated Selective Halogenation of Unactivated Carbon−Hydrogen Bonds

Oxidation of the iron(II) precursor [(L¹)Fe^IICl₂], where L¹ is a tetradentate bispidine, with soluble iodosylbenzene (^sPhIO) leads to the extremely reactive ferryl oxidant [(L¹)(Cl)Fe^IV=O]⁺ with a cis disposition of the chlorido and oxido coligands, as observed in non-heme halogenase enzymes. Experimental data indicate that, with cyclohexane as substrate, there is selective formation of chlorocyclohexane, the halogenation being initiated by C−H abstraction and the result of a rebound of the ensuing radical to an iron-bound Cl⁻. The time-resolved formation of the halogenation product indicates that this primarily results from ^sPhIO oxidation of an initially formed oxido-bridged diiron(III) resting state. The high yield of up to >70 % (stoichiometric reaction) as well as the differing reactivities of free Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in comparison with [(L¹)Fe^IICl₂] indicate a high complex stability of the bispidine-iron complexes. DFT analysis shows that, due to a large driving force and small triplet-quintet gap, [(L¹)(Cl)Fe^IV=O]⁺ is the most reactive small-molecule halogenase model, that the Fe^III/radical rebound intermediate has a relatively long lifetime (as supported by experimentally observed cage escape), and that this intermediate has, as observed experimentally, a lower energy barrier to the halogenation than the hydroxylation product; this is shown to primarily be due to steric effects.     

Mechanistic Insight into the Nitric Oxide Dioxygenation Reaction of Nonheme Iron(III)–Superoxo and Manganese(IV)–Peroxo Complexes

Reactions of nonheme Fe^III–superoxo and Mn^IV–peroxo complexes bearing a common tetraamido macrocyclic ligand (TAML), namely [(TAML)Fe^III(O₂)]^2? and [(TAML)Mn^IV(O₂)]^2?, with nitric oxide (NO) afford the Fe^III–NO₃ complex [(TAML)Fe^III(NO₃)]^2? and the Mn^V–oxo complex [(TAML)Mn^V(O)]^? plus NO₂^?, respectively. Mechanistic studies, including density functional theory (DFT) calculations, reveal that M^III–peroxynitrite (M=Fe and Mn) species, generated in the reactions of [(TAML)Fe^III(O₂)]^2? and [(TAML)Mn^IV(O₂)]^2? with NO, are converted into M^IV(O) and ^.NO₂ species through O?O bond homolysis of the peroxynitrite ligand. Then, a rebound of Fe^IV(O) with ^.NO₂ affords [(TAML)Fe^III(NO₃)]^2?, whereas electron transfer from Mn^IV(O) to ^.NO₂ yields [(TAML)Mn^V(O)]^? plus NO₂^?.     

Synthesis and spectral studies on heterobimetallic complexes of manganese and ruthenium derived from N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide

The complex [Mn^IV(napbh)₂] (napbhH₂ = N-(2-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl)methylenebenzoylhydrazide) reacts with activated ruthenium(III) chloride in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux, giving heterobimetallic complexes, [Mn^IV(napbh)₂Ru^IIICl₃(H₂O)] · [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)] reacts with Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O in methanol in 1 : 1.2 molar ratio under reflux to give [Ru^III(napbhH)Cl₂(H₂O)Mn^II(OAc)₂]. Replacement of aquo in these heterobimetallic complexes has been observed when the reactions are carried out in the presence of pyridine (py), 3-picoline (3-pic), or 4-picoline (4-pic). The molar conductances for these complexes in DMF indicates 1 : 1 electrolytes. Magnetic moment values suggest that these heterobimetallic complexes contain Mn^IV and Ru^III or Ru^III and Mn^II in the same structural unit. Electronic spectral studies suggest six coordinate metal ions. IR spectra reveal that the napbhH₂ ligand coordinates in its enol form to Mn^IV and bridges to Ru^III and in the keto form to Ru^III and bridging to Mn^II.     

Dioxygen Reactivity of Copper(I)/Manganese(II)-Porphyrin Assemblies: Mechanistic Studies and Cooperative Activation of O2

The oxidation of transition metals such as manganese and copper by dioxygen (O₂) is of great interest to chemists and biochemists for fundamental and practical reasons. In this report, the O₂ reactivities of 1:1 and 1:2 mixtures of [(TPP)Mn^II] (1; TPP: Tetraphenylporphyrin) and [(tmpa)Cu^I(MeCN)]⁺ (2; TMPA: Tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) are described. Variable-temperature (−110 °C to room temperature) absorption spectroscopic measurements support that, at low temperature, oxygenation of the (TPP)Mn/Cu mixtures leads to rapid formation of a cupric superoxo intermediate, [(tmpa)Cu^II(O₂^•–)]⁺ (3), independent of the presence of the manganese porphyrin complex (1). Complex 3 subsequently reacts with 1 to form a heterobinuclear μ-peroxo species, [(tmpa)Cu^II–(O₂^2–)–Mn^III(TPP)]⁺ (4; λ_max = 443 nm), which thermally converts to a μ-oxo complex, [(tmpa)Cu^II–O–Mn^III(TPP)]⁺ (5; λ_max = 434 and 466 nm), confirmed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In the 1:2 (TPP)Mn/Cu mixture, 4 is subsequently attacked by a second equivalent of 3, giving a bis-μ-peroxo species, i.e., [(tmpa)Cu^II−(O₂²⁻)−Mn^IV(TPP)−(O₂²⁻)−Cu^II(tmpa)]²⁺ (7; λ_max = 420 nm and δ_pyrrolic = −44.90 ppm). The final decomposition product of the (TPP)Mn/Cu/O₂ chemistry in MeTHF is [(TPP)Mn^III(MeTHF)₂]⁺ (6), whose X-ray structure is also presented and compared to literature analogs.     

A Structural and Functional Model for the Tris-Histidine Motif in Cysteine Dioxygenase

The iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)(MeCN)₃](SO₃CF₃)₂ (L are two derivatives of tris(2-pyridyl)-based ligands) have been synthesized as models for cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). The molecular structure of one of the complexes exhibits octahedral coordination geometry and the Fe−N_py bond lengths [1.953(4)–1.972(4) Å] are similar to those in the Cys-bound Fe^II-CDO; Fe−N_His: 1.893–2.199 Å. The iron(II) centers of the model complexes exhibit relatively high Fe^III/II redox potentials (E_1/2=0.988–1.380 V vs. ferrocene/ferrocenium electrode, Fc/Fc⁺), within the range for O₂ activation and typical for the corresponding nonheme iron enzymes. The reaction of in situ generated [Fe(L)(MeCN)(SPh)]⁺ with excess O₂ in acetonitrile (MeCN) yields selectively the doubly oxygenated phenylsulfinic acid product. Isotopic labeling studies using ¹⁸O₂ confirm the incorporation of both oxygen atoms of O₂ into the product. Kinetic and preliminary DFT studies reveal the involvement of an Fe^III peroxido intermediate with a rhombic S= Fe^III center (687–696 nm; g≈2.46–2.48, 2.13–2.15, 1.92–1.94), similar to the spectroscopic signature of the low-spin Cys-bound Fe^IIICDO (650 nm, g≈2.47, 2.29, 1.90). The proposed Fe^III peroxido intermediates have been trapped, and the O−O stretching frequencies are in the expected range (approximately 920 and 820 cm⁻¹ for the alkyl- and hydroperoxido species, respectively). The model complexes have a structure similar to that of the enzyme and structural aspects as well as the reactivity are discussed.     

Facile and Reversible Formation of Iron(III)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Adducts from Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Complexes and Cerium(III)

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) or Ce^IV(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆ is often used in artificial water oxidation and generally considered to be an outer‐sphere oxidant. Herein we report the spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of [(N4Py)Fe^III‐O‐Ce^IV(OH₂)(NO₃)₄]⁺ ( 3 ), a complex obtained from the reaction of [(N4Py)Fe^II(NCMe)]²⁺ with 2 equiv CAN or [(N4Py)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ ( 2 ) with Ce^III(NO₃)₃ in MeCN. Surprisingly, the formation of 3 is reversible, the position of the equilibrium being dependent on the MeCN/water ratio of the solvent. These results suggest that the Fe^IV and Ce^IV centers have comparable reduction potentials. Moreover, the equilibrium entails a change in iron spin state, from S =1 Fe^IV in 2 to S =5/2 in 3 , which is found to be facile despite the formal spin‐forbidden nature of this process. This observation suggests that Fe^IV=O complexes may avail of reaction pathways involving multiple spin states having little or no barrier.     

Facile and Reversible Formation of Iron(III)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Adducts from Nonheme Oxoiron(IV) Complexes and Cerium(III)

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) or Ce^IV(NH₄)₂(NO₃)₆ is often used in artificial water oxidation and generally considered to be an outer-sphere oxidant. Herein we report the spectroscopic and crystallographic characterization of [(N4Py)Fe^III-O-Ce^IV(OH₂)(NO₃)₄]⁺ ( 3 ), a complex obtained from the reaction of [(N4Py)Fe^II(NCMe)]²⁺ with 2 equiv CAN or [(N4Py)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ ( 2 ) with Ce^III(NO₃)₃ in MeCN. Surprisingly, the formation of 3 is reversible, the position of the equilibrium being dependent on the MeCN/water ratio of the solvent. These results suggest that the Fe^IV and Ce^IV centers have comparable reduction potentials. Moreover, the equilibrium entails a change in iron spin state, from S=1 Fe^IV in 2 to S=5/2 in 3 , which is found to be facile despite the formal spin-forbidden nature of this process. This observation suggests that Fe^IV=O complexes may avail of reaction pathways involving multiple spin states having little or no barrier.     

Complexes of N-phenyl-N′-2-furanthiocarbohydrazide with oxovanadium(IV), manganese(III), iron(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II)

A new ligand, N-phenyl-N -2-furanthiocarbohydrazide (HPhfth), and its complexes with VO^IV, Mn^III, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, i.r., n.m.r., u.v.–vis., mass and FAB mass spectral data. The room temperature e.s.r. spectra of the VO^IV, Fe^III and Cu^II complexes yield <g> values characteristic of square pyramidal VO^IV, octahedral Fe^III and square planar Cu^II, respectively. The Ni^II and Cu^II complexes semiconduct, but the Zn^II complex is an insulator at room temperature. However, the conductivity increases as the temperature increases from 303–383 K, with a band gap of 0.21–1.01 eV. HPhfth and its soluble complexes have been screened against several bacteria and fungi.     

Vanadium–Manganese Redox Flow Battery: Study of MnIII Disproportionation in the Presence of Other Metallic Ions

The Mn^III/Mn^II redox couple with a standard potential of +1.51 V versus the standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) has attracted interest for the design of V/Mn redox flow batteries (RFBs). However, Mn^III disproportionation leads to a loss of capacity, an increase in pressure drop, and electrode passivation caused by the formation of MnO₂ particles during battery cycling. In this work, the influence of Ti^IV or/and V^V on Mn^III stability in acidic conditions is studied by formulating four different electrolytes in equimolar ratios (Mn, Mn/Ti, Mn/V, Mn/V/Ti). Voltammetry studies have revealed an EC_i process for Mn^II oxidation responsible for the electrode passivation. SEM and XPS analysis demonstrate that the nature and morphology of the passivating oxides layer depend strongly on the electrolyte composition. Spectroelectrochemistry highlights the stabilization effect of Ti^IV and V^V on Mn^III. At a comparable pH, the amount of Mn^III loss through disproportionation is decreased by a factor of 2.5 in the presence of Ti^IV or/and V^V. Therefore, V^V is an efficient substitute for Ti^IV to stabilize the Mn^III electrolyte for RFB applications.     

Isonitrosoacetylacetone dithiosemicarbazone complexes of some first row transition metals

Summary Complexes of the potentially tetradentate ligand isonitroso-acetylacetone dithiosemicarbazone (inbtH₂) of formulae [Ti(inbtH₂)Cl₂]Cl₂, [M(inbt)], where M = V^IV O, Mn^II, Ni^II or Zn^II, [M(inbtH₂)X₂], where M = Co^II and X = Cl, or M = Ni^II and X = Cl, Br or I, and [M(inbtH₂)Cl₂]Cl, where M = Cr^III or Fe^III, have been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. In all the compounds the metal is coordinated by the thiocarbonyl sulphur and imine nitrogen, as revealed by i.r. studies. The n.m.r. spectra of the complexes of Ni^II and Zn^II confirm coordination through nitrogen. Possible structures for the complexes are proposed. The Mössbauer spectrum of the Fe^III complex is discussed.     

The nature of active species in catalytic systems based on non-heme iron complexes, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid for selective olefin epoxidation

The catalytic systems [(BPMEN)Fe^II(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂/H₂O₂/CH₃OOH and [(TPA)Fe^II(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂/H₂O₂/CH₃OOH, where BPMEN = N,N′-dimethyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane and TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, provide selective olefin epoxidation. Proton NMR studies showed that the mononuclear iron(IV) oxo complexes [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺, with L = BPMEN or TPA, are present in the cited catalytic systems. These intermediates are the decomposition products of the acylperoxo complexes [(L)Fe^III-O₃CCH₃]²⁺. Such a complex was observed by the ²H NMR technique at low temperatures. The [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ and [(L)Fe^V=O]³⁺ oxo complexes are possible active species in the studied catalytic systems.     

Synthesis, spectroscopy and redox properties of mononuclear manganese(II) and manganese(IV) complexes with N-(aryl)-pyridine-2-aldimine (L) and its amide derivatives. X-ray structural characterization of [Mn(MeL)2(NCS)2] (MeL = N-(4-methylphenyl)-pyridine-2-aldimine)

A series of mononuclear Mn^II and Mn^IV complexes of general formulae [MnL₂(NCS)₂] (1a–1d) and [Mn(L)₂(NCS)₂] (2a–2c) have been prepared where L are Schiff bases obtained by the condensation of pyridine-2-aldehyde with para-alkyl-substituted aniline, and L are the corresponding amide ligands. The room temperature magnetic susceptibility data of (1a–1d) indicate that Mn^II is in a high spin state. The cyclic voltammograms of (1a–1d) exhibit a one-electron quasi-reversible Mn^IIMn^III oxidation. A linear correlation has been found when E⁰[Mn^III/Mn^II] is plotted against Hammett _p parameters. X-ray crystallographic data of (1b) shows that the central Mn^II ion adopts a distorted octahedral geometry with six different Mn–N distances. Upon oxidation of Mn^II complexes (1b–1d) by H₂O₂, the corresponding Mn^IV complexes (2a–2c) were obtained, and the Schiff base ligands were oxidized to the corresponding amides. The lowest energy LMCT bands of these Mn^IV complexes correlate linearly with Hammett _p parameters. The redox behavior of the Mn^IV complexes has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. E.p.r. spectra of the Mn^II and Mn^IV complexes are also reported.     

A comparative kinetic study for the oxidation of 2‐mercaptoethanol by di‐μ‐oxo‐bis(1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane)‐dimanganese(III,IV) and di‐μ‐oxo‐bis(1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane)‐dimanganese(III,IV) complexes: Influence of copper(II)

A comparative kinetic study of the reactions of two mixed valence manganese(III,IV) complexes with macrocyclic ligands, [L¹Mn^IV(O)₂Mn^IIIL¹], 1 (L¹ = 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane) and [L²Mn^IV(O)₂Mn^IIIL²], 2 (L² = 1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane) with 2‐mercaptoethanol (RSH) has been carried out by spectrophotometry in aqueous buffer at (30 ± 0.1)°C. Rate of the reactions between the oxidants and the reductant was found to be negligibly slow with no systematic dependence on either redox partners. Externally added copper(II) (usually 5 × 10^?7 mol dm^?3), however, increases the rate of the reduction of 1 and 2 significantly. In the presence of catalytic amount of copper(II), the rate of the reaction is nearly proportional to [RSH] at lower concentration of the reductant but follows a saturation kinetics at higher concentration of the latter for the reaction between 1 and the thiol. Reaction rate was found to be strongly influenced by the variation of acidity of the medium and the observed kinetics suggests that the two reductant species ([Cu(RSH)]²⁺ and [Cu(RS)]⁺) are significant for the reaction between 1 and the thiol. The dependence of the rate on [RSH] for the reduction of 2 by the thiol was complex and rationalized considering two equilibria involving the catalyst (Cu²⁺) and the reductant. The pH rate profile suggests that both the μ‐O protonated [Mn^III(O)(OH)Mn^IV] and the deprotonated [Mn^III(O)₂Mn^IV] forms of the oxidant 2 become important. The kinetic results presented in this study indicate the domination of outer‐sphere path. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 129–137, 2004     

Complexes of 1-isonicotinoyl-4-benzoyl-3-thiosemicarbazide with manganese(II), iron(III), chromium(III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II)

1-Isonicotinoyl-4-benzoyl-3-thiosemicarbazide (IBtsc) and its Cr^III, Mn^II, Fe^III, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, u.v.–vis., i.r., n.m.r. and FAB mass spectral data. The room temperature e.s.r. spectra of the Cr^III, Fe^III and Cu^II complexes yield values, characteristic of octahedral, tetrahedral and square-planar complexes, respectively. The Mössbauer spectra of [Fe(IBtsc-H)Cl₂] at room temperature and at 78 K suggest the presence of high-spin Fe^III. The Ni^II, Cr^III and Cu^II complexes show semiconducting behaviour in the solid state, but the Zn^II complex is an insulator at room temperature. IBtsc and its soluble complexes have been screened against several bacteria, fungi and tumour cell lines.     

Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Study of EuIII and EuII Coordination in the 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide Ionic Liquid

Separation processes based on room temperature ionic liquids (RTIL) and electrochemical refining are promising strategies for the recovery of lanthanides from primary ores and electronic waste. However, they require the speciation of dissolved elements to be known with accuracy. In the present study, Eu coordination and Eu^III/Eu^II electrochemical behavior as a function of water content in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm][NTf₂]) was investigated using UV–visible spectrophotometry, time-resolved laser fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In situ measurements were performed in spectroelectrochemical cells. Under anhydrous conditions, Eu^III and Eu^II were complexed by NTf₂, forming Eu−O and Eu−(N,O) bonds with the anion sulfoxide function and N atoms, respectively. This complexation resulted in a greater stability of Eu^II, and in quasi-reversible oxidation–reduction with an E₀’ potential of 0.18 V versus the ferrocenium/ferrocene (Fc⁺/Fc) couple. Upon increasing water content, progressive incorporation of water in the Eu^III coordination sphere occurred. This led to reversible oxidation–reduction reactions, but also to a decrease in stability of the +II oxidation state (E₀’=−0.45 V vs. Fc⁺/Fc in RTIL containing 1300 mm water).     

A Non‐Heme Iron Photocatalyst for Light‐Driven Aerobic Oxidation of Methanol

Non‐heme (L)Fe^III and (L)Fe^III‐O‐Fe^III(L) complexes (L=1,1‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐N,N‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)ethan‐1‐amine) underwent reduction under irradiation to the Fe^II state with concomitant oxidation of methanol to methanal, without the need for a secondary photosensitizer. Spectroscopic and DFT studies support a mechanism in which irradiation results in charge‐transfer excitation of a Fe^III?μ‐O?Fe^III complex to generate [(L)Fe^IV=O]²⁺ (observed transiently during irradiation in acetonitrile), and an equivalent of (L)Fe^II. Under aerobic conditions, irradiation accelerates reoxidation from the Fe^II to the Fe^III state with O₂, thus closing the cycle of methanol oxidation to methanal.     

Mn12-Acetate Complexes Studied as Single Molecules

The phenomenon of single molecule magnet (SMM) behavior of mixed valent Mn₁₂ coordination clusters of general formula [Mn^III₈Mn^IV₄O₁₂(RCOO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] had been exemplified by bulk samples of the archetypal [Mn^III₈Mn^IV₄O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] (4) molecule, and the molecular origin of the observed magnetic behavior has found support from extensive studies on the Mn₁₂ system within crystalline material or on molecules attached to a variety of surfaces. Here we report the magnetic signature of the isolated cationic species [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₅(CH₃CN)]⁺ (1) by gas phase X-ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy, and we find it closely resembling that of the corresponding bulk samples. Furthermore, we report broken symmetry DFT calculations of spin densities and single ion tensors of the isolated, optimized complexes [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₅(CH₃CN)]⁺ (1) , [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆] (2) , [Mn₁₂O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] (3) , and the complex in bulk geometry [Mn^III₈Mn^IV₄O₁₂(CH₃COO)₁₆(H₂O)₄] (5) . The found magnetic fingerprints – experiment and theory alike – are of a remarkable robustness: The Mn^IV₄ core bears almost no magnetic anisotropy while the surrounding Mn^III₈ ring is highly anisotropic. These signatures are truly intrinsic properties of the Mn₁₂ core scaffold within all of these complexes and largely void of the environment. This likely holds irrespective of bulk packing effects.     

Complexes of N-nicotinoyl-N′-2-furanthiocarbohydrazide with oxovanadium(IV), manganese(II), iron(II & III), cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II)

A new potential tetradentate ligand, N-nicotinoyl-N-2-furanthiocarbohydrazide (H₂Nfth), and its complexes with VO^IV, Mn^II, Fe^II,III, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II and Zn^II have been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility measurements, u.v.–vis, i.r., n.m.r., ES⁺ and FAB mass spectral data. The room temperature e.s.r spectra of the VO^IV and Fe^III complexes yield g values, characteristic of octahedral complexes. The Mössbauer spectra of [Fe(HNfth)₂] and [Fe₂(Nfth)₃] at room temperature and at 78 K suggest the presence of high-spin iron(II) and iron(III), respectively. The complexes are electrically insulating at room temperature, however, their conductivities increase as the temperature increases from 333–383 K, with a band gap of 0.46–0.77 eV, indicating their semiconducting behaviour. H₂Nfth and its soluble complexes have been screened against several bacteria and fungi.