Ge(9)=Ge(9)=Ge(9)](6-): a linear trimer of 27 germanium atoms

The title anion was synthesized by oxidation of nido-Ge94- with Ph3P or Ph3As in ethylenediamine solution. It was structurally characterized in the compound (Rb-2,2,2-crypt)6[Ge9=Ge9=Ge9].3en (2,2,2-crypt = 4,7,13,16,21,24-hexaoxa-1,10-diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) crystallized from the solution. The anion is a linear trimer of nine-atom clusters with the shape of tricapped trigonal prisms elongated along two of the three prismatic edges. Each pair of clusters is connected by two exo-bonds.     

Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]8-: a linear tetramer of nine-atom germanium clusters,a nanorod

A tetramer of nine-atom deltahedral germanium clusters and charge 8-, [Ge9=Ge9=Ge9=Ge9]8- , has been characterized as a (Rb-18C6)(+) salt (18C6 = 18-crown-6 polyether). The clusters are connected by pairs of parallel bonds, and the electrons are delocalized over the whole anion. The size of the tetramer is of nanorod dimensions, ca. 2 nm.     

Addition of a thallium vertex to empty and centered nine-atom deltahedral zintl ions of germanium and tin

Nickel atoms were inserted into nine-atom deltahedral Zintl ions of E(9)(4-) (E = Ge, Sn) via reactions with Ni(cod)(2) (cod = cyclooctadiene), and [Ni@Sn(9)](3-) was structurally characterized. Both the empty and the Ni-centered clusters react with TlCp (Cp = cyclopentadienyl anion) and add a thallium vertex to form the deltahedral ten-atom closo-species [E(9)Tl](3-) and [Ni@E(9)Tl](3-), respectively. The structures of [Ge(9)Tl](3-) and [Ni@Sn(9)Tl](3-) showed that, as expected, the geometry of the ten-atom clusters is that of a bicapped square antiprism where the Tl-atom occupies one of the two capping vertices. This illustrates that centering a nine-atom cluster with a nickel atom does not change its reactivity toward TlCp. All compounds were characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry.     

Metal-centered deltahedral Zintl ions: synthesis of [Ni@Sn9]4- by direct extraction from intermetallic precursors and of the vertex-fused dimer [{Ni@Sn8(μ-Ge)(1/2)}2]4-

Ni-centered deltahedral Sn(9) clusters with a charge of 4-, i.e., [Ni@Sn(9)](4-), were extracted in ethylenediamine in high yield directly from intermetallic precursors with the nominal composition "K(4)Sn(9)Ni(3)". The new endohedral clusters were crystallized and structurally characterized in K[K(18-crown-6)](3)[Ni@Sn(9)]·3benzene (1a, triclinic, P1?, a = 10.2754(5) ?, b = 19.5442(9) ?, and c = 20.5576(13) ?, α = 73.927(3)°, β = 79.838(4)°, and γ = 84.389(3)°, V = 3899.6(4) ?(3), Z = 2) and K[K(2,2,2-crypt)](3)[Ni@Sn(9)] (1b, triclinic, P1, a = 15.8028(8) ?, b = 16.21350(9) ?, and c = 20.1760(12) ?, α = 98.71040(10)°, β = 104.4690(10)°, and γ = 118.3890(10)°, V = 4181.5(4) ?(3), Z = 2). The alternative method of a post-synthetic insertion of a Ni atom in empty Sn(9) clusters by a reaction with Ni(cod)(2) predominantly produces the more-oxidized clusters with a charge of 3-, i.e., the recently reported [Ni@Sn(9)](3-). Nonetheless, using substoichiometric amounts of 18-crown-6 as a cation sequestering agent, we also have been able to isolate the 4- clusters as a minor phase from such reactions. They were structurally characterized in K[K(en)][K(18-crown-6)](2)[Ni@Sn(9)]·0.5en (2, monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 10.4153(5) ?, b = 25.6788(11) ?, and c = 20.6630(9) ?, β = 102.530(2)°, V = 5394.7(4) ?(3), Z = 2). The ability of the Ni-centered clusters to exist with both 3- and 4- charges parallels the same ability of the empty clusters and is very promising for similarly rich chemistry involving electron transfer and flexible "oxidation states". We also report the synthesis and characterization of the endohedral heteroatomic dimer [{Ni@Sn(8)(μ-Ge)(1/2)}(2)](4-) composed of two [Ni@(Sn(8)Ge)]-clusters fused at the Ge-vertex. The dimer was synthesized by reacting an ethylenediamine solution of a ternary precursor with the nominal composition "K(4)Ge(4.5)Sn(4.5)", which is known to produce heteroatomic Ge(9-x)Sn(x) clusters, with Ni(cod)(2). It is isostructural with the reported [{Ni@Sn(8)(μ-Sn)(1/2)}(2)](4-) and is structurally characterized in [K-(2,2,2-crypt)](4)[{Ni@Sn(8)(μ-Ge)(1/2)}(2)]·2en (3, monoclinic, C2/c, a = 30.636(2) ?, b = 16.5548(12) ?, and c = 28.872(2) ?, β = 121.2140(10)°, V = 12523.5(15) ?(3), Z = 4).     

Alkylation of Deltahedral Zintl clusters: synthesis of [R-Ge9-Ge9-R]4- (R = tBu, sBu, nBu, tAm and structure of [tBu-Ge9-Ge9-tBu]4-

Reactions of nine-atom deltahedral clusters (Zintl ions) of germanium, Ge9n- (n = 2, 3, 4), with alkyl chlorides, RCl (R = tBu, nBu, sBu, tAm), yielded the corresponding dialkylated dimers of Ge9 clusters [R-Ge9-Ge9-R]4-. The tBu derivative with [K(2,2,2-crypt)]+ countercations was characterized in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction as [K(2,2,2-crypt)]4[tBu-Ge9-Ge9-tBu].7en (monoclinic, C2/c, a = 35.0914(10) A, b = 24.8161(6) A, and c = 16.8782(5) A, beta = 94.0136(17) degrees , V = 14662.0(7) A3, and Z = 4) and in solution by 1H and 13C NMR. All species were also characterized in solution by electrospray mass spectrometry in the negative-ion mode. These are the first main group deltahedral clusters functionalized with purely organic substituents.     

Group 9 Chalcogenometalates

The compounds [K(18-crown-6)](3)[Ir(Se(4))(3)] (1), [K(2.2.2-cryptand)](3)[Ir(Se(4))(3)].C(6)H(5)CH(3) (2), and [K(18-crown-6)(DMF)(2)][Ir(NCCH(3))(2)(Se(4))(2)] (3) (DMF = dimethylformamide) have been prepared from the reaction of [Ir(NCCH(3))(2)(COE)(2)][BF(4)] (COE = cyclooctene) with polyselenide anions in acetonitrile/DMF. Analogous reactions utilizing [Rh(NCCH(3))(2)(COE)(2)][BF(4)] as a Rh source produce homologues of the Ir complexes; these have been characterized by (77)Se NMR spectroscopy. [NH(4)](3)[Ir(S(6))(3)].H(2)O.0.5CH(3)CH(2)OH (4) has been synthesized from the reaction of IrCl(3).nH(2)O with aqueous (NH(4))(2)S(m)(). In the structure of [K(18-crown-6)](3)[Ir(Se(4))(3)] (1) the Ir(III) center is chelated by three Se(4)(2)(-) ligands to form a distorted octahedral anion. The structure contains a disordered racemate of the Deltalambdalambdalambda and Lambdadeltadeltadelta conformers. The K(+) cations are pulled out of the planes of the crowns and interact with Se atoms of the [Ir(Se(4))(3)](3)(-) anion. [K(2.2.2-cryptand)](3)[Ir(Se(4))(3)].C(6)H(5)CH(3) (2) possesses no short K.Se interactions; here the [Ir(Se(4))(3)](3)(-) anion crystallizes as the Deltalambdalambdadelta/Lambdadeltadeltalambda racemate. In the crystal structure of [K(18-crown-6)(DMF)(2)][Ir(NCCH(3))(2)(Se(4))(2)] (3), the K(+) cation is coordinated by an 18-crown-6 ligand and two DMF molecules and the anion comprises an octahedral Ir(III) center bound by two chelating Se(4)(2)(-) chains and two trans acetonitrile groups. The [Ir(Se(4))(3)](3)(-) and [Rh(Se(4))(3)](3)(-) anions undergo conformational transformations as a function of temperature, as observed by (77)Se NMR spectroscopy. The thermodynamics of these transformations are: [Ir(Se(4))(3)](3)(-), DeltaH = 2.5(5) kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS = 11.5(2.2) eu; [Rh(Se(4))(3)](3)(-), DeltaH = 5.2(7) kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS = 24.7(3.0) eu.     

Solvation of copper(II) sulfate in binary water/N,N-dimethylformamide mixtures: from the solution to the gas phase

The solvation of copper(II) sulfate in binary mixtures of water and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is studied by a combined approach using electrochemical studies in solution and a mass spectrometric assay of the solvated ions formed from these solutions upon electrospray ionization (ESI). In the condensed phase, the limiting transference numbers (t(+/-)(o)) and the apparent ion association constants (K(A)'s) of CuSO(4) have been determined in water/DMF solutions at 20 degrees C. The t(+)(o) values decrease with increasing DMF content, demonstrating a gradual solvation of Cu(2+) by DMF molecules. The association constants indicate that aggregation becomes more pronounced as the DMF content increases. In order to achieve complementary insight, the intrinsic interactions among the ions and solvent molecules are investigated in gas-phase experiments of the CuSO(4)/water/DMF system using ESI mass spectrometry. Under the conditions used, the dications [Cu(DMF)(n)](2+) (n = 3-6), [Cu(2)(DMF)(n)SO(4)](2+) (n = 2-7), and [Cu(3)(DMF)(n)(SO(4))(2)](2+) (n = 2-7), and the monocations [Cu(OH)(DMF)(n)](+), [Cu(DMF)(n)(HSO(4))](+) (both, n = 1-3), and [Cu(DMF)(n)](+) (n = 1, 2), are formed as the leading copper-containing cations. Likewise, polynuclear copper clusters observed in the anion ESI spectra support partial aggregation occurring in solution. The gas-phase studies clearly support the conclusions that (i) DMF is a highly preferred ligand for CuII in comparison to water and that (ii) DMF supports ion association for which the mass spectrometric data suggest the formation of polynuclear copper clusters.     

Structural rearrangements and magic numbers in reactions between pyridine-containing water clusters and ammonia

Molecular cluster ions H(+)(H(2)O)(n), H(+)(pyridine)(H(2)O)(n), H(+)(pyridine)(2)(H(2)O)(n), and H(+)(NH(3))(pyridine)(H(2)O)(n) (n = 16-27) and their reactions with ammonia have been studied experimentally using a quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Abundance spectra, evaporation spectra, and reaction branching ratios display magic numbers for H(+)(NH(3))(pyridine)(H(2)O)(n) and H(+)(NH(3))(pyridine)(2)(H(2)O)(n) at n = 18, 20, and 27. The reactions between H(+)(pyridine)(m)(H(2)O)(n) and ammonia all seem to involve intracluster proton transfer to ammonia, thus giving clusters of high stability as evident from the loss of several water molecules from the reacting cluster. The pattern of the observed magic numbers suggest that H(+)(NH(3))(pyridine)(H(2)O)(n) have structures consisting of a NH(4)(+)(H(2)O)(n) core with the pyridine molecule hydrogen-bonded to the surface of the core. This is consistent with the results of high-level ab initio calculations of small protonated pyridine/ammonia/water clusters.     

Rational synthesis of [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3]- from its parent Zintl ion Ge9(4-)

Reported is the first rational synthesis of a trisubstituted deltahedral Zintl ion, [Ge(9){Si(SiMe(3))(3)}(3)](-) in this case, by the addition of the three substituents in a reaction of the parent naked deltahedral Zintl ion Ge(9)(4-) with {(Me(3)Si)(3)Si}Cl. The new species were crystallized and structurally characterized in [K(2,2,2-crypt)](2)[Ge(9){Si(SiMe(3))(3)}(3)] (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 26.497(3) ?, b = 24.090(2) ?, c = 29.268(3) ?, β = 113.888(2)°, V = 17082(3) ?(3), Z = 8, R1/wR2 = 0.0436/0.0812 for the observed data and 0.1023/0.1010 for all data).     

{AsW9O33}-{Mo3S4} based polyoxometalates including a metal-metal bond with Pd or Ni. Synthesis, structure and studies in solution

Heterometallic cuboidal clusters [Mo(3)S(4)M(H(2)O)(9)Cl](3+) M = Pd or Ni react with the trivacant [AsW(9)O(33)](9-) anion to give tetramodular complexes [(H(2)AsW(9)O(33))(4){Mo(3)S(4)M(H(2)O)(5)}(2)](20-) (M = Pd for anion 2 and M = Ni for anion 3) in good yield. Both anions crystallized as single crystals of potassium salts to give K-2 and K-3 salts which have been characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction. Both compounds are isomorphous and the anions 2 and 3 are described as two dimeric moeties, associated by internal hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions involving four outer potassium ion and coordination bonds within a central {M(2)S(2)} unit containing a M-M metallic bond. Studies in solution reveal that the dimeric association is maintained in solution in the 2 × 10(-4)-2 × 10(-3) mol L(-1) range. Conversely, in the presence of exogeneous ligands, such as iodide or pyridine the UV-vis data are consistent with the dissociation of the anion 2 into monomer through a Pd-L coordination bond (L = I(-) or Py). Furthermore, (183)W NMR spectrum of 2 shows that molecular structure of 2 is retained in solution. Elemental analysis and IR are also supplied. Electrochemical behavior of 2 and 3 are given and compared with the Pd or Ni free parent anion. The CVs are dominated mainly by irreversible reduction or oxidation processes, where the peak potentials appear dependent upon the ionic charge of the complex. However, the CV of the Pd-containing anion (2) is consistent with the deposition of Pd metal at the electrode, which gives rise to an oxidation process into palladium oxide.     

Tri-metallic deltahedral Zintl ions: experimental and theoretical studies of the novel dimer [(Sn6Ge2Bi)2]4-

We report the synthesis, characterization, and computational rationalization of the first trimetallic deltahedral Zintl ions. The novel nine-atom clusters were structurally characterized as dimers of [(Sn(6)Ge(2)Bi)(2)](4-) with Ge-Ge intercluster bonds. They are synthesized either by reacting bimetallic clusters (Sn(9-x)Ge(x))(4-) with BiPh(3) or by direct extraction from precursors with nominal composition "K(4)Ge(4)Sn(4)Bi".     

The role of sequestering agents in the formation and structure of germanium anion cluster polymers

Large blue-green, transparent crystalline needles of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]KGe(9).3en are prepared, in high yield, from the reaction of (2,2)diaza[18]-crown-6 in toluene with a solution of "KGe(4)" in ethylenediamine (en). The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (a = 10.9763(12) A, b = 27.265(3) A, c = 13.880(1) A; Z = 4). The crystal structure of [K-(2,2)diaza-[18]-crown-6]KGe(9).2en features one-dimensional [KGe(9)](-) bare intermetallic chains formed from the linking, via exo-bonds, of nido-Ge(9)(2-) clusters. Uncomplexed K atoms effectively cap the square bases of the monocapped square antiprismatic [Ge(9)](2-) clusters. The optical band gap of the title compound is 1.25 eV. The use of weaker sequestering agents in the isolation of Ge cluster anions from en solutions provides an additional handle in a controlled molecular route to preparing new low-dimensional Zintl phases.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and optical properties of [Ag(UO2)3(OAc)9][Zn(H2O)4(CH3CH2OH)2]: a novel compound containing closed-shell 3d10, 4d10 and 5d10 metal ions

[Ag(UO(2))(3) (OAc)(9)][Zn(H(2)O)(4)(CH(3)CH(2)OH)(2)] (, OAc = CH(3)COO(-)) crystallized from an ethanol solution and its structure was determined by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and X-ray crystallography; it is composed of [Zn(H(2)O)(4)(CH(3)CH(2)OH)(2)](2+) cations and [Ag(UO(2))(3)(OAc)(9)](2-) anions in which triuranyl [(UO(2))(OAc)(3)](3) clusters are linked by the Ag ion.     

Isotope exchange in reactions between D2O and size-selected ionic water clusters containing pyridine, H+ (pyridine)m(H2O)n

Pyridine containing water clusters, H(+)(pyridine)(m)(H(2)O)(n), have been studied both experimentally by a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer and by quantum chemical calculations. In the experiments, H(+)(pyridine)(m)(H(2)O)(n) with m = 1-4 and n = 0-80 are observed. For the cluster distributions observed, there are no magic numbers, neither in the abundance spectra, nor in the evaporation spectra from size selected clusters. Experiments with size-selected clusters H(+)(pyridine)(m)(H(2)O)(n), with m = 0-3, reacting with D(2)O at a center-of-mass energy of 0.1 eV were also performed. The cross-sections for H/D isotope exchange depend mainly on the number of water molecules in the cluster and not on the number of pyridine molecules. Clusters having only one pyridine molecule undergo D(2)O/H(2)O ligand exchange, while H(+)(pyridine)(m)(H(2)O)(n), with m = 2, 3, exhibit significant H/D scrambling. These results are rationalized by quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2) for H(+)(pyridine)(1)(H(2)O)(n) and H(+)(pyridine)(2)(H(2)O)(n), with n = 1-6. In clusters containing one pyridine, the water molecules form an interconnected network of hydrogen bonds associated with the pyridinium ion via a single hydrogen bond. For clusters containing two pyridines, the two pyridine molecules are completely separated by the water molecules, with each pyridine being positioned diametrically opposite within the cluster. In agreement with experimental observations, these calculations suggest a "see-saw mechanism" for pendular proton transfer between the two pyridines in H(+)(pyridine)(2)(H(2)O)(n) clusters.     

Synthesis, structure, and luminescent properties of microporous lanthanide metal-organic frameworks with inorganic rod-shaped building units

A series of microporous lanthanide metal-organic frameworks, Tb3(BDC)(4.5)(DMF)2(H2O)3.(DMF)(H2O) (1) and Ln3(BDC)(4.5)(DMF)2(H2O)3.(DMF)(C2H5OH)(0.5)(H2O)(0.5) [Ln = Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4)], have been synthesized by the reaction of the lanthanide metal ion (Ln3+) with 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid and triethylenetetramine in a mixed solution of N,N'-dimethylformamide (DMF), water, and C(2)H(5)OH. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that they are extremely similar in structure and crystallized in triclinic space group P. An edge-sharing metallic dimer and 4 metallic monomers assemble with 18 carboxylate groups to form discrete inorganic rod-shaped building units [Ln6(CO2)18], which link to each other through phenyl groups to lead to three-dimensional open frameworks with approximately 4 x 6 A rhombic channels along the [0,-1,1] direction. A water sorption isotherm proves that guest molecules in the framework of complex 1 can be removed to create permanent microporosity and about four water molecules per formula unit can be adsorbed into the micropores. These complexes exhibit blue fluorescence, and complex 1 shows a Tb3+ characteristic emission in the range of 450-650 nm.     

Complexes of the heavier alkaline Earth metals Ca, Sr, and Ba with O-functionalized phosphanide ligands

Metathesis reactions between either SrI(2) or BaI(2) and 2 equiv of the potassium phosphanide [[(Me(3)Si)(2)CH]-(C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P]K yield, after recrystallization, the complexes [[([Me(3)Si](2)CH)(C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P](2)M(THF)(n)] [M = Sr, n = 2 (5); Ba, n = 3 (6)]. Similar metathesis reactions between MI(2) and 2 equiv of the more sterically demanding potassium phosphanide [[(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P]K yield the chemically isostructural complexes [[([Me(3)Si](2)CH)(C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P](2)M(THF)(2)] [M = Ca (9), Sr (7), Ba (8)]. Compounds 5-9 have been characterized by multi-element NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Complex 9 is thermally unstable and decomposes at room temperature to give the tertiary phosphane [(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(3)-2-OMe-3-Me)P(Me) and an unidentified Ca-containing product. Compounds 5 and 6 also decompose at elevated temperatures to give the corresponding tertiary phosphane [(Me(3)Si)(2)CH](C(6)H(4)-2-OMe)P(Me) and intractable metal-containing products. The decomposition of 5, 6, and 9 suggests that these compounds undergo an intramolecular methyl migration from the O atom in one phosphanide ligand to the P atom of an adjacent phosphanide ligand to give species containing dianionic alkoxo-phosphanide ligands.     

Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of a family of tetra-, hexa-, and nonanuclear Mn/Ni heterometallic clusters

A family of Mn(III)/Ni(II) heterometallic clusters, [Mn(III)(4)Ni(II)(5)(OH)(4)(hmcH)(4)(pao)(8)Cl(2)]·5DMF (1·5DMF), [Mn(III)(3)Ni(II)(6)(N(3))(2)(pao)(10)(hmcH)(2)(OH)(4)]Br·2MeOH·9H(2)O (2·2MeOH·9H(2)O), [Mn(III)Ni(II)(5)(N(3))(4)(pao)(6)(paoH)(2)(OH)(2)](ClO(4))·MeOH·3H(2)O (3·MeOH·3H(2)O), and [Mn(III)(2)Ni(II)(2)(hmcH)(2)(pao)(4)(OMe)(2)(MeOH)(2)]·2H(2)O·6MeOH (4·2H(2)O·6MeOH) [paoH = pyridine-2-aldoxime, hmcH(3) = 2, 6-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-p-cresol], has been prepared by reactions of Mn(II) salts with [Ni(paoH)(2)Cl(2)], hmcH(3), and NEt(3) in the presence or absence of NaN(3) and characterized. Complex 1 has a Mn(III)(4)Ni(II)(5) topology which can be described as two corner-sharing [Mn(2)Ni(2)O(2)] butterfly units bridged to an outer Mn atom and a Ni atom through alkoxide groups. Complex 2 has a Mn(III)(3)Ni(II)(6) topology that is similar to that of 1 but with two corner-sharing [Mn(2)Ni(2)O(2)] units of 1 replaced with [Mn(3)NiO(2)] and [MnNi(3)O(2)] units as well as the outer Mn atom of 1 substituted by a Ni atom. 1 and 2 represent the largest 3d heterometal/oxime clusters and the biggest Mn(III)Ni(II) clusters discovered to date. Complex 3 possesses a [MnNi(5)(μ-N(3))(2)(μ-OH)(2)](9+) core, whose topology is observed for the first time in a discrete molecule. Careful examination of the structures of 1-3 indicates that the Mn/Ni ratios of the complexes are likely associated with the presence of the different coligands hmcH(2-) and/or N(3)(-). Complex 4 has a Mn(III)(2)Ni(II)(2) defective double-cubane topology. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc and ac magnetization studies were carried out on complexes 1-4. Fitting of the obtained M/(Nμ(B)) vs H/T data gave S = 5, g = 1.94, and D = -0.38 cm(-1) for 1 and S = 3, g = 2.05, and D = -0.86 cm(-1) for 3. The ground state for 2 was determined from ac data, which indicated an S = 5 ground state. For 4, the pairwise exchange interactions were determined by fitting the susceptibility data vs T based on a 3-J model. Complex 1 exhibits out-of-phase ac susceptibility signals, indicating it may be a SMM.     

The unusual thermochromic NIR luminescence of Cu(I) clusters: tuned by Cu-Cu interactions and packing modes

Two hexanuclear Cu(I) clusters [Cu(I)(3)(4-ptt)(3)](2)·3DMF·3H(2)O (1) and [Cu(I)(4-ptt)](6)·8DMF·7H(2)O (2) (4-Hptt = 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide), were synthesized and characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 with similar coordination environments are isomers, but their detailed structures are different due to the reaction temperature tuning effect. Both 1 and 2 extend from monomers to 3D supramolecules with the help of hydrogen bonding between the triazole and pyridine from the 4-ptt ligands. The Cu(6)S(6) units of 1 pack in a polydirectional array, while the Cu(6)S(6) units in 2 extend in one direction and link the planes of adjacent ligands to enhance the delocalization of π electrons. Their varied Cu-Cu interactions and individual packing modes cause differences in luminescent and thermostable behaviors. Compound 1 exhibits an unusually long wavelength at about 900 nm and a higher thermal stability; while the emission of 2 splits into two bands (high-energy and low-energy emission bands) as the temperature decreases. Therefore, the emissions of 1 originate from a (3)CC transition, and those of 2 are from a mixture of (3)CC and MLCT.     

Dimers of heptapnictide anions: As14 4- and P14 4- in the crystal structures of [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3

Compounds [Rb(18-crown-6)]4As14.6NH3 (1) and [Li(NH3)4]4P14.NH3 (2) were prepared by the reaction of Rb4As6 with SbPh3 and 18-crown-6 and by the reduction of white phosphorus with elemental lithium in liquid ammonia, respectively. Both were characterized by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. They were found to contain the Ci symmetrical Pn14(4-) anion (Pn = P, As), which consists of two nortricyclane-like Pn7-cages connected by a single bond. Molecular complexes of [Rb(18-crown-6)(NH3)]2[Rb(18-crown-6)]2As14 are formed in 1, which are connected to fanfold sheets via N-H...O bonds. The anion is isolated in 2, and N-H...N bonds result in the formation of {[Li(NH3)4](mu-NH3)2[Li(NH3)4]}2+ cationic complexes.