Au(CN)4]- as both an intramolecular and intermolecular bidentate ligand with [(tmeda)Cu(mu-OH)] dimers: from antiferro- to ferromagnetic coupling in polymorphs

Two polymorphic products, [[Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)}2Au(CN)4][Au(CN)4] (1) and [Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)Au(CN)4]2 (2), were synthesized from {Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)}(2)X(2) (tmeda = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine, X = ClO4-, BF4-) and 2 equiv of K[Au(CN)4], and their X-ray structures were determined. Both compounds have [Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)}2(2+) dimers with [Au(CN)4]- units bound in the axial positions. However, in 1, two trans N-donor cyanides of each [Au(CN)4]- unit bind to adjacent copper(II) dimers, forming a 1-D chain, whereas complex 2 is molecular, with two mono-coordinated [Au(CN)4]- units. The 1-D polymorph 1 is formed from aqueous solution, while the molecular polymorph 2 is obtained with X = BF4- in methanol. The polymorphs have slightly different Cu-O-Cu angles, a key magnetostructural parameter, such that the 1-D chain 1, with an angle of 96.6(2) degrees, shows ferromagnetic interactions with 2J = +57.5 cm(-1) and g = 2.097, whereas the molecular complex 2, with an angle of 98.92(17) degrees, shows antiferromagnetic interactions with 2J = -143.6 cm(-1) and g = 2.047. A similar Cu(II) complex, [[Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)]2Au(CN)4][ClO4].MeOH (3), was synthesized in methanol when X = ClO4-, in which the [Au(CN)4]- unit bridges the two Cu(II) centers within the dimer in an intramolecular fashion via cis N-donor cyanides. The average Cu-O-Cu angle of 98.4(2) degrees in 3 generates antiferromagnetic interactions with 2J = -64.8 cm(-1) and g = 2.214. Complexes 1-3 represent the first examples of [Cu(tmeda)(mu-OH)]2(2+) dimers with Cu-O-Cu angles under 100 degrees, thereby extending the range of 2J coupling constants for this moiety from 149 to 566 cm(-1). The switch to ferromagnetic interactions in 1 as a result of the coordinating, bridging [Au(CN)4]- anion suggests that cationic, dinuclear moieties that are typically antiferromagnetically coupled may, with an appropriate coordinating counterion, become ferromagnetic units.     

Au(CN)4]- as a supramolecular building block for heterobimetallic coordination polymers

A series of the first coordination polymers using the [Au(CN)(4)](-) anion as a building block has been prepared. The planar tetracyanoaurate anion uses one, two, or four cyano groups to bridge to Ni(II) or Cu(II) centers and exhibits weak Au(III)-N(cyano) interactions between anions. Ni(en)(2)[Au(CN)(4)](2).H(2)O (1, en = ethylenediamine) is a molecular compound with the two [Au(CN)(4)](-) anions coordinating in a trans orientation to Ni(II) without further cyanide coordination. Cu(dien)[Au(CN)(4)](2) (2, dien = diethylenetriamine) forms a similar molecular complex; however, the dimensionality is increased through weak intermolecular Au-N(cyano) interactions of 3.002(14) A to form a 1-D zigzag chain. Cu(en)(2)[Au(CN)(4)](2) (3) also forms a molecular complex similar to 1, but with elongated axial bonds. The complex further aggregates through Au-N(cyano) interactions of 3.035(8) A to form a 2-D array. In [Cu(dmeda)(2)Au(CN)(4)][Au(CN)(4)] (4, dmeda = N,N-dimethylethylenediamine) one [Au(CN)(4)](-) anion coordinates via two cis-N(cyano) donors to the axial sites of two Cu(II) centers to form a 1-D zigzag chain of alternating [Cu(dmeda)(2)](2+) and [Au(CN)(2)](-) units; the other [Au(CN)(4)](-) anion forms a 1-D chain via Au-N(cyano) interactions. In [Cu(bipy)(H(2)O)(2)(Au(CN)(4))(0.5)][Au(CN)(4)](1.5) (5, bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) one [Au(CN)(4)](-) anion uses all four cyano moieties to bridge four different Cu(II) centers, creating a 1-D chain.     

Heterobimetallic coordination polymers incorporating [M(CN)(2)](-) (M = Cu,Ag) and [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) units: increasing structural dimensionality via M-M' and M...NC interactions

A series of new heterometallic coordination polymers has been prepared from the reaction of metal-ligand cations and KAg(CN)(2) units. Many of these contain silver-silver (argentophilic) interactions, analogous to gold-gold interactions, which serve to increase supramolecular structural dimensionality. Compared to [Au(CN)(2)](-) analogues, these polymers display new trends specific to [Ag(CN)(2)](-), including the formation of [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) and the presence of Ag...N interactions. [Cu(en)(2)][Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (1, en = ethylenediamine) forms 1-D chains of alternating [Ag(CN)(2)](-) and [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) units via argentophilic interactions of 3.102(1) A. These chains are connected into a 2-D array by strong cyano(N)-Ag interactions of 2.572(3) A. [Cu(dien)Ag(CN)(2)](2)[Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (2, dien = diethylenetriamine) forms a 1-D chain of alternating [Cu(dien)](2+) and [Ag(CN)(2)](-) ions with the Cu(II) atoms connected in an apical/equatorial fashion. These chains are cross-linked by [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-) units via argentophilic interactions of 3.1718(8) A and held weakly in a 3-D array by argentophilic interactions of 3.2889(5) A between the [Ag(CN)(2)](-) in the 2-D array and the remaining free [Ag(CN)(2)](-). [Ni(en)][Ni(CN)(4)].2.5H(2)O (4) was identified as a byproduct in the reaction to prepare the previously reported [Ni(en)(2)Ag(2)(CN)(3)][Ag(CN)(2)] (3). In [Ni(tren)Ag(CN)(2)][Ag(CN)(2)] (5, tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine), [Ni(tren)](2+) cations are linked in a cis fashion by [Ag(CN)(2)](-) anions to form a 1-D chain similar to the [Au(CN)(2)](-) analogue. [Cu(en)Cu(CN)(2)Ag(CN)(2)] (6) is a trimetallic polymer consisting of interpenetrating (6,3) nets stabilized by d(10)-d(10) interactions between Cu(I)-Ag(I) (3.1000(4) A). Weak antiferromagnetic coupling has been observed in 2, and a slightly stronger exchange has been observed in 6. The Ni(II) complexes, 4 and 5, display weak antiferromagnetic interactions as indicated by their relatively larger D values compared to that of 3. Magnetic measurements on isostructural [Ni(tren)M(CN)(2)][M(CN)(2)] (M = Ag, Au) show that Ag(I) is a more efficient mediator of magnetic exchange as compared to Au(I). The formation of [Ni(CN)(4)](2)(-), [Ag(2)(CN)(3)](-), and [Cu(CN)(2)](-) are all attributed to secondary reactions of the dissociation products of the labile KAg(CN)(2).     

Structural and spectroscopic impact of tuning the stereochemical activity of the lone pair in lead(II) cyanoaurate coordination polymers via ancillary ligands

The reaction of Pb(ClO4)2 x xH2O, an ancillary ligand L, and two equivalents of Au(CN)2(-) gave a series of crystalline coordination polymers, which were structurally characterized. The ligands were chosen to represent a range of increasing basicity, to influence the stereochemical activity (i.e., p-orbital character) of the Pb(II) lone pair. The Pb(II) center in [Pb(1,10-phenanthroline)2][Au(CN)2]2 (1) is 8-coordinate, with a stereochemically inactive lone pair; all 8 Pb-N bonds are similar. The Au(CN)2(-) units propagate a 2-D brick-wall structure. In [Pb(2,2'-bipyridine)2][Au(CN)2]2 (2), the 8-coordinate Pb(II) center has asymmetric Pb-N bond lengths, indicating moderate lone pair stereochemical activity; the supramolecular structure forms a 1-D chain/ribbon motif. For [Pb(ethylenediamine)][Au(CN)2]2 (3), the Pb(II) is only 5-coordinate and extremely asymmetric, with Pb-N bond lengths from 2.123(7) to 3.035(9) A; a rare Pb-Au contact of 3.5494(5) A is also observed. The Au(CN)2(-) units connect the Pb(ethylenediamine) centers to form 1-D zigzag chains which stack via Au-Au interactions of 3.3221(5) A to yield a 2-D sheet. (207)Pb MAS NMR of the polymers indicates an increase in both the chemical shielding span and isotropic chemical shift with increasing Pb(II) coordination sphere anisotropy (from delta iso = -2970 and Omega = 740 for 1 to delta iso = -448 and Omega = 3980 for 3). The shielding anisotropy is positively correlated with Pb(II) p-character, and reflects a direct connection between the NMR parameters and lone-pair activity. Solid-state variable-temperature luminescence measurements indicate that the emission bands at 520 and 494 nm, for 1 and 2, respectively, can be attributed to Pb --> L transitions, by comparison with simple [Pb(L)2](ClO4)2 salts. In contrast, two emission bands for 3 at 408 and 440 nm are assignable to Au-Au and Pb-Au-based transitions, respectively, as supported by single-point density-functional theory calculations on models of 3.     

1-D polymer containing the [Ru-N-Ru] mu-nitrido moiety: crystal structure and magnetic properties of ([Cu(en)2]3[Ru2N(CN)10].ClO4)n (en = 1,2-diaminoethane)

A novel (mu-nitrido-diruthenium)-bridged 1-D coordination polymer was formed from reaction of K5[Ru2N(CN)10] with [Cu(en)2](ClO4)2; a similar reaction with [Cu(pn)2][(ClO4)2] (pn = 1,3-diaminopropane) gave ([Cu(pn)2]5[Ru2N(CN)10]2) as a discrete molecular compound; variable temperature susceptibility measurements show that there is a weak ferromagnetic interaction between the Cu(II) ions in 1-D polymer.     

Interplay between covalent and aurophilic interactions in a series of isostructural 3D Hoffman-like frameworks containing bipyrimidine and dicyanoaurate bridges. X-Ray structure and magnetic properties of {(mu-Au(CN)(2)](2)[(M(NH(3))(2))(2)(mu-bpym)]}[Au(CN)(2)](2) (M = Ni(II), Co(II) and Cu(II))

The isomorphous coordination polymers {micro-Au(CN)(2)](2)[(M(NH(3))(2))(2)(mu-bpym)]}[Au(CN)(2)](2) (M = Co(II) (1), Ni(II) (2), Cu(II) (3)) have been prepared from the reaction of 2 equiv. M(NO(3))(2) x nH(2)O (M = Cu(II), n = 3; M = Ni(II) and Co(II), n = 6) with 1 equiv. of bipyrimidine (bpym) in aqueous ammonia and then with an aqueous solution containing 1 equiv. of K[Au(CN)(2)]. The structures of these complexes are made of bpym bridged centrosymmetric dinuclear [M(NH(3))(2)(mu-bpym)M(NH(3))(2)] units connected by [Au(CN)(2)](-) anions to four other dinuclear units giving rise to a cationic 2D (4,4) rectangular grid network, its charge being balanced by two non-coordinated [Au(CN)(2)](-). The layers are stacked in such a way that the ammonia coordinated molecules are interdigitated and aligned above and below one sheet with cavities in neighbouring sheets, giving rise to an ABAB[dot dot dot] repeat pattern of layers. Gold atoms of bridging and non-bridging dicyanoaurate anions are involved in short aurophilic interactions (Au1-Au2 distances in the range 3.12-3.14 Angstrom), leading to a chain of gold atoms running along the a direction. Neighbouring gold chains are further connected by weaker aurophilic interactions (Au1-Au1 distances in the range 3.43-3.49 Angstrom), affording a honeycomb-like 2D network of gold atoms. The (4,4) rectangular sheets and (6,3) honeycomb sheets share the Au2 atoms, leading to a unique 3D network. Magnetic measurements clearly show the existence of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the metal ions with susceptibility maxima at 17 K (1), 22 K (2), and 17 K (3). The data of 1 were analyzed through a full Hamiltonian involving spin-orbit coupling, axial distortion, Zeeman interactions and magnetic exchange coupling between Co(II), and the best fit gives J = -9.23 cm(-1), kappa = 0.99, lambda = -142 cm(-1), Delta = -562 cm(-1). For 2 and 3, magnetic data were fitted to the theoretical equations derived from the isotropic Hamiltonian: H = -JS(1)S(2). The best fit parameters were g = 2.050(1), J = -17.51(1) and P = 0.01(2) for 2 and g = 2.068(5), J = -20.07(8) and P = 0.015(4) for 3, respectively (P takes into account the amount of paramagnetic impurity). In order to explain the weak magnetic interaction between copper(II) ions mediated by the bipyrimidine bridging ligand in 3, we have carried out electronic structure calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT).     

Polymorphism of Zn[Au(CN)2]2 and its luminescent sensory response to NH3 vapor

Four polymorphic forms of the complex Zn[Au(CN)2]2 have been synthesized and both structurally and spectroscopically characterized. In each of the four polymorphs, a zinc center in a tetrahedral geometry with a Au(CN)2(-) unit at each tetrahedral vertex is observed. All four structures contain three-dimensional networks based on corner-sharing tetrahedra. Because of the long Au(CN)2(-) bridging unit, the extra space not occupied by one network is filled by two to five additional interpenetrated networks. Short gold-gold bonds with lengths ranging from 3.11 to 3.33 A hold the interpenetrated networks together. Three of the four polymorphs are luminescent, having solid-state emissions with wavelengths ranging from 390 to 480 nm. A linear correlation between the emission energy and the gold-gold distance was observed. Upon exposure to ammonia vapor, the polymers altered their structures and emission energies, with the emission wavelength shifting to 500 nm for {Zn(NH3)2[Au(CN)2]2}, which adopts a two-dimensional layer structure with octahedral, trans-oriented NH3 groups. The adsorption route is dependent on the polymorph used, with NH3 detection limits as low as 1 ppb. Desorption of the ammonia occurred over 30 min at room temperature.     

Bending, twisting, and breaking CuCN chains to produce framework materials: the reactions of CuCN with alkali-metal halides

The reactions of the low-temperature polymorph of copper(I) cyanide (LT-CuCN) with concentrated aqueous alkali-metal halide solutions have been investigated. At room temperature, KX (X = Br and I) and CsX (X = Cl, Br, and I) produce the addition products K[Cu(2)(CN)(2)Br].H(2)O (I), K(3)[Cu(6)(CN)(6)I(3)].2H(2)O (II), Cs[Cu(3)(CN)(3)Cl] (III), Cs[Cu(3)(CN)(3)Br] (IV), and Cs(2)[Cu(4)(CN)(4)I(2)].H(2)O (V), with 3-D frameworks in which the -(CuCN)- chains present in CuCN persist. No reaction occurs, however, with NaX (X = Cl, Br, I) or KCl. The addition compounds, I-V, reconvert to CuCN when washed. Both low- and high-temperature polymorphs of CuCN (LT- and HT-CuCN) are produced, except in the case of Cs[Cu(3)(CN)(3)Cl] (III), which converts only to LT-CuCN. Heating similar AX-CuCN reaction mixtures under hydrothermal conditions at 453 K for 1 day produces single crystals of I-V suitable for structure determination. Under these more forcing conditions, reactions also occur with NaX (X = Cl, Br, I) and KCl. NaBr and KCl cause some conversion of LT-CuCN into HT-CuCN, while NaCl and NaI, respectively, react to form the mixed-valence Cu(I)/Cu(II) compounds [Cu(II)(OH(2))(4)][Cu(I)(4)(CN)(6)], a known phase, and [Cu(II)(OH(2))(4)][Cu(I)(4)(CN)(4)I(2)] (VI), a 3-D framework, which contains infinite -(CuCN)- chains. After 3 days of heating under hydrothermal conditions, the reaction between KI and CuCN produces [Cu(II)(OH(2))(4)][Cu(I)(2)(CN)I(2)](2) (VII), in which the CuCN chains are broken into single Cu-CN-Cu units, which in turn are linked into chains via iodine atoms and then into layers via long Cu-C and Cu-Cu interactions.     

Aurophilicity-coordination interplay in the design of cyano-bridged nickel(II)-Gold(I) bimetallic assemblies: structural and computational studies of the gold(I)-gold(I) interactions

Two polymorphic cyano-bridged Au(I)-Ni(II) bimetallic complexes of formulas [Ni(en)2Au(CN)2][Au(CN)2] (1) and [Ni(en)2[Au(CN)2]2] (2) have been prepared from the 1:2 reaction between [Au(CN)2]- and either [Ni(en)2Cl2]Cl or [Ni(en)3]Cl2.2H2O, respectively. The structure of 1 consists of polymeric cationic chains of alternating [Au(CN)2]- and [Ni(en)2]2+ units running along the a axis and [Au(CN)2]- anions lying between the chains. The noncoordinated dicyanoaurate anions are aligned perpendicular to the ac plane and involved in aurophilic interactions with the bridging dicyanoaurate groups, ultimately leading to a 2D bimetallic grid. The structure of 2 consists of trinuclear molecules made of two [Au(CN)2]- anions linked to [Ni(en)2]2+ unit in trans configuration. Trinuclear units are joined by aurophilic interactions to form 1D zigzag chains. The magnetic properties of these compounds are strongly dominated by the local anisotropy of the octahedral Ni(II) ions, thus indicating that the magnetic exchange interaction mediated by dicyanoaurate bridging groups, if it exists, is very weak. To get insight into the electronic properties of the inter- and intramolecular interactions of the [Au(CN)2]- building blocks, the structures of different aggregates of dicyanogold units were optimized and then analyzed by making use of atoms-in-molecules (AIM) theory. Moreover, bond indices were calculated by methods based upon nonlinear population analysis.     

Spin-crossover behavior in cyanide-bridged iron(II)-gold(I) bimetallic 2D Hofmann-like metal-organic frameworks

The synthesis and characterization of new two-dimensional (2D) cyanide-bridged iron(II)-gold(I) bimetallic coordination polymers formulated, {Fe(3-Xpy)2[Au(CN)2]2} (py = pyridine; X = F (1), Cl (2), Br (3), and I (4)) and the clathrate derivative {Fe(3-Ipy)2[Au(CN)2]2}.1/2(3-Ipy) (5), are reported. The iron(II) ion lies in pseudoctahedral [FeN6] sites defined by four [Au(CN)2](-) bridging ligands and two 3-Xpy ligands occupying the equatorial and axial positions, respectively. Although only compounds 2 and 4 can be considered strictly isostructurals, all of the components of this family are made up of parallel stacks of corrugated {Fe[Au(CN)2]2}n grids. The grids are formed by edge sharing of {Fe4[Au(CN)2]4} pseudosquare moieties. The stacks are constituted of double layers sustained by short aurophilic contacts ranging from 3.016(2) to 3.1580(8) A. The Au...Au distances between consecutive double layers are in the range of 5.9562(9)-8.790(2) A. Compound 5, considered a clathrate derivative of 4, includes one-half of a 3-Ipy molecule per iron(II) atom between the double layers. Compound 1 undergoes a half-spin transition with critical temperatures Tc downward arrow = 140 K and Tc upward arrow = 145 K. The corresponding thermodynamic parameters derived from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are Delta H = 9.8 +/- 0.4 kJ mol(-1) and Delta S = 68.2 +/- 3 J K mol(-1). This spin transition is accompanied by a crystallographic phase transition from the monoclinic P2(1)/c space group to the triclinic P1 space group. At high temperatures, where 1 is 100% high-spin, there is only one crystallographically independent iron(II) site. In contrast, the low temperature structural analysis shows the occurrence of two crystallographically independent iron(II) sites with equal population, one high-spin and the other low-spin. Furthermore, 1 undergoes a complete two-step spin transition at pressures as high as 0.26 GPa. Compounds 2- 4 are high-spin iron(II) complexes according to their magnetic and [FeN6] structural characteristics. Compound 5, characterized for having two different iron(II) sites, displays a two-step spin transition with critical temperatures of Tc(1) = 155 K, Tc(2) downward arrow = 97 K, and Tc(2) upward arrow = 110 K. This change of spin state takes place in both sites simultaneously. All of these results are compared and discussed in the context of other {Fe(L) x [M(I)(CN)2]} coordination polymers, particularly those belonging to the homologous compounds {Fe(3-Xpy)2[Ag(CN)2]2} and their corresponding clathrate derivatives.     

Nitric oxide reduction of copper(II) complexes: spectroscopic evidence of copper(II)-nitrosyl intermediate

Two copper(II) complexes, 1 and 2 with L(1) and L(2) [L(1) = 2- aminomethyl pyridine; L(2) = bis-(2-aminoethyl)amine], respectively, in degassed acetonitrile solvent, on exposure to NO gas, were found to form a thermally unstable [Cu(II)-NO] intermediate which then resulted in the reduction of the copper(II) centers. The formation of the [Cu(II)-NO] intermediate was evidenced by UV-visible, FT-IR, and EPR spectroscopic studies. The reduction of the copper(II) centers by nitric oxide afforded ligand transformation through diazotization at the primary amine coordination site, in both cases. The modified ligands, in each case, were isolated and characterized.     

Thermally triggered reductive elimination of bromine from Au(III) as a path to Au(I)-based coordination polymers

Four new [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers, Zn(pyz)(NCMe)(2)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (1; pyz = pyrazine), Co(pyz)[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2)·H(2)O (2) and [M(bipy)(2)(AuBr(2)(CN)(2))][(n)Bu(4)N][AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](2) (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine), where M = Co (5) and Zn (6), were synthesized and three of them structurally characterized. 1 forms 1-D chains connected by pyz ligands while isostructural 5 and 6 form 3-D frameworks via [AuBr(2)(CN)(2)](-) and bipy linkers. Aqueous suspensions of 2, 5 and 6 or their precursors in situ (preferred) were heated hydrothermally to 125 °C, triggering the reductive elimination of bromine from the Au(III) centres, which yielded the [Au(CN)(2)](-)-based coordination polymers M(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), where M = Zn (3) or Co (4) and Zn(bipy)[Au(CN)(2)][Au{Br(0.68)(CN)(0.32)}CN] (7), or a mixture of cyanoaurate(I)-containing products in the case of 5 and 6. The structural characterization of 3 revealed a [Au(CN)(2)](-)/pyz-based framework similar to previously reported Cu(pyz)[Au(CN)(2)](2), whereas 7 formed an intricate network consisting of individual 2-D networks held together by AuAu interactions and featuring the rare [AuBrCN](-) unit. The kinetics of the thermally-induced reductive elimination of Br(2) from K[AuBr(2)(CN)(2)] in 1-BuOH yielded a t(?) of approx. 10 min to 4 h from 98 to 68 °C, and activation parameters of ΔH(?) = 131(15) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(?) = 14.97(4) kJ K(-1)mol(-1), indicating that the elimination of the halogen provides the highest barrier to activation.     

Heterometallic MIIRuIII2 compounds constructed from trans-[Ru(Salen)(CN)2]- and trans-[Ru(Acac)2(CN)2]-. Synthesis, structures, magnetic properties, and density functional theoretical study

The synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of four cyano-bridged M(II)Ru(III)2 compounds prepared from the paramagnetic Ru(III) building blocks, trans-[Ru(salen)(CN)2]- 1 [H2salen = N,N'-ethylenebis(salicylideneimine)] and trans-[Ru(acac)2(CN)2]- (Hacac = acetylacetone), are described. Compound 2, {Mn(CH3OH)4[Ru(salen)(CN)2]2}.6CH3OH.2H2O, is a trinuclear complex that exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn(II) and Ru(III) centers. Compound 3, {Mn(H2O)2[Ru(salen)(CN)2]2.H2O}n, has a 2-D sheetlike structure that exhibits antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn and Ru, leading to ferrimagnetic-like behavior. Compound 4, {Ni(cyclam)[Ru(acac)2(CN)2]2}.2CH3OH.2H2O (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane), is a trinuclear complex that exhibits ferromagnetic coupling. Compound 5, {Co[Ru(acac)2(CN)2]2}n, has a 3-D diamond-like interpenetrating network that exhibits ferromagnetic ordering below 4.6 K. The density functional theory (DFT) method was used to calculate the molecular magnetic orbitals and the magnetic exchange interaction between Ru(III) and M(II) (Mn(II), Ni(II)) ions.     

Aurophilicity as a cofactor in crystal engineering. Dicyanoaurate(I) anion as a building block in a novel Co(II)-Au(I) bimetallic assembly

A 2D grid-shaped cyanide-bridged Co(II)-Au(I) bimetallic coordination polymer, [Co(DMF)2(Au(CN)2)2], has been prepared from the [Au(CN)2]- building block; sheets associate pair-wise by aurophilic interactions and the compound exhibits zeolite-like properties.     

Alkoxo-bridged copperII complexes as nodes in designing solid-state architectures. The interplay of coordinative and d10-d10 metal-metal interactions in sustaining supramolecular solid-state architectures

Four novel polymeric coordination networks have been obtained through self-assembly processes involving alkoxo-bridged copperII species as nodes, and anionic cyano-complexes as linkers: infinity2[{Cu2(pa)2}{M(CN)2}2](M=Ag, 1; Au, 2), (infinity)3[{Cu4(mea)4}{Au(CN)2}4.H2O]3, and (infinity)3[{Cu2(pa)2}{Ni(CN)4}](pa = deprotonated propanolamine; mea = deprotonated monoethanolamine). The supramolecular architectures of compounds 1, and 2 are sustained by argentophilic or strong aurophilic interactions. The solid-state architectures of 1 and 2, which are isomorphous, consist of infinite layers, constructed from binuclear alkoxo-bridged nodes and [M(CN)2]- spacers. The layers are stacked in an offset parallel mode, and are further interconnected through Ag...Ag or Au...Au contacts (1: Ag...Ag 3.015 A; 2: Au....Au 3.069 A). Compound 3 consists of unique fourfold interpenetrating diamondoid nets. The diamondoid topology is built of heterocubane {Cu4O4} nodes, which are connected by [Au(CN)2]- rods. The Cu-O distances within the {Cu4O4} node vary between 1.927(2) and 2.679(1) A, showing unsymmetric bridging of the copper atoms. Aurophilic interactions are established between the bridging and terminal [Au(CN)2]- metalloligands, and connect the interpenetrating nets, resulting in infinite chains of gold atoms (the Au...Au distances vary between 3.253 and 3.305 [Angstrom]). Compound 4 exhibits a 3-D network constructed from {Cu2(pa)2]2+ nodes connected by square-planar [Ni(CN)4]2- ions. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 are weakly paramagnetic. The cryomagnetic investigation of reveals a gradual increase, followed by a decrease of the chiMT product, as the temperature is lowered. A superposition of ferro- (J1=+20.8 cm(-1)) and antiferromagnetic (J2=-6.4) interactions within the tetranuclear node was found. Antiferromagnetic interactions are established between the tetranuclear nodes (theta=-2.99 K).     

Toward rational construction of gold, gold-silver, and gold-mercury string complexes: syntheses, structures, and properties of [Au(Tab)2]2L2 (L = I and PF6), {[(Tab)2M][Au(CN)2]}2 (M = Au and Ag), and {[Hg(Tab)2][Au(CN)2]2} [Tab = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate

The reaction of AuI with 2 equiv of TabHPF6 [TabH = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiol] in the presence of excess Et3N in dimethylformamide (DMF)/MeOH afforded a binuclear gold(I) complex [Au(Tab)2]2I2.2H2O (1). Anion exchange of 1 with NH4PF6 in DMF gave rise to the more soluble complex [Au(Tab)2]2(PF6)2 (2). Treatment of 2 with K[Au(CN)2] produced a tetranuclear gold(I) complex {[(Tab)2Au][Au(CN)2]}2 (3). Analogous reactions of two known mononuclear complexes [Ag(Tab)2](PF6) (4) and [Hg(Tab)2](PF6)2 (5) with 1 or 2 equiv of K[Au(CN)2] generated one Ag2Au2 complex {[(Tab)2Ag][Au(CN)2]}2 (6) and one Au/Hg complex {[Hg(Tab)2][Au(CN)2]2} (7), respectively. Compounds 1-3, 6, and 7 were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-vis spectra, 1H NMR, and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. 1 and 2 have a similar [Au(Tab)2]2(2+) dimeric structure in which the two [Au(Tab)2]+ cations are connected via one Au-Au aurophilic interaction. In the structure of 3 or 6, each of the two pairs of [M(Tab)2]+ cation and [Au(CN)2]- anion is held together via ionic interactions to form a {[(Tab)2M][Au(CN)2]} species (M = Au, 3; Ag, 6). Two such species are further connected by one Au-Au aurophilic bonding interaction to form an uncommon Au(4) or Ag2Au2 linear string structure with three ligand-unsupported metal-metal bonds. For 7, the [Hg(Tab)2]2+ dication and the [Au(CN)2]2(2-) dianion are interconnected by the secondary Hg...N(CN) interactions to form a 1D chain structure. The thermal and luminescent properties of 1-3, 6, and 7 in solid state were also investigated.     

New magnetic copper(II) coordination polymers with the polynitrile ligand (C[C(CN)2]3)2- and N-donor co-ligands

Reactions between CuCl2 and K2tcpd (tcpd2- = [C10N6]2- = (C[C(CN)2]3)2-) in the presence of neutral co-ligands (bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine, and tn = 1,3-diaminopropane) in aqueous solution yield the new compounds [Cu2(bpym)(tcpd)2(H2O)4] x 2H2O (1), [Cu(tn)(tcpd)] (2), and [Cu(tn)2(tcpd)] x H2O (3), which are characterized by X-ray crystallography and magnetic measurements. Compound 1 displays a one-dimensional structure in which the bpym ligand, acting with a bis-chelating coordination mode, leads to [Cu2(bpym)]4+ dinuclear units which are connected by two mu2-tcpd2- bridging ligands. Compound 2 consists of a three-dimensional structure generated by [Cu(tn)]2+ units connected by a mu4-tcpd2- ligand. The structure of 3 is made up of centrosymmetric planar [Cu(tn)]2+ units connected by a mu2-tcpd2- ligand leading to infinite zigzag chains. In compounds 1 and 3, the bridging coordination mode of the tcpd2- unit involves only two nitrogen atoms of one C(CN)2 wing, while in 2, this ligand acts via four nitrogen atoms of two C(CN)2 wings. Despite this difference, the structural features of the tcpd2- units in 1-3 are essentially similar. Magnetic measurements for compound 1 exhibit a maximum in the chi(m) vs T plot (at approximately 150 K) which is characteristic of strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the Cu(II) metal ions dominated by the magnetic exchange through the bis-chelating bpym. The fit of the magnetic data to a dimer model gives J and g values of -90.0 cm(-1) and 2.12, respectively. For compounds 2 and 3 the thermal variations of the magnetic susceptibility show weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Cu(II) metal ions that can be well reproduced with an antiferromagnetic regular S = 1/2 chain model that gives J values of -0.07(2) and -0.18(1) cm(-1) with g values of 2.12(1) and 2.13(1) for compounds 2 and 3, respectively (the Hamiltonian is written in all the cases as H = -2JS(a)S(b)).     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of 2-D and 3-D [cation]{M[Au(CN)2]3} (M = Ni, Co) coordination polymers

In order to study the templating effect of the cation and the resulting impact on the magnetic properties, reactions of M(II) salts with [cation][Au(CN)₂] were conducted, yielding a series of coordination polymers of the form [cation]{M[Au(CN)₂]₃} (cation = ⁿBu₄N⁺, PPN⁺ (bis(triphenylphosphoranylidene)ammonium); M = Ni(II) and Co(II)). The structures of ⁿBu₄N{M[Au(CN)₂]₃} and PPN{M[Au(CN)₂]₃} (M = Ni and Co) contain two distinct 3-D anionic frameworks of {M[Au(CN)₂]₃}⁻, hence the framework was sensitive to the cation, but not to the identity of the metal center. In ⁿBu₄N{M[Au(CN)₂]₃}, the metal centers are connected by [Au(CN)₂] units to form six 2-D (4, 4) rectangular grids that are fused through the M centers to yield a complex three-dimensional framework which accommodates the ⁿBu₄N⁺ cations. In PPN{M[Au(CN)₂]₃}, the framework adopts a simpler non-interpenetrated Prussian-blue-type pseudo-cubic array, with the PPN⁺ cations occupying each cavity; no reduction in dimensionality occurs despite the large cation size. In the presence of water, {Co(H₂O)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂} · ⁿBu₄N[Au(CN)₂] was obtained, a 2-D layered polymer that contains neutral sheets of {Co(H₂O)₂[Au(CN)₂]₂} which are separated by ⁿBu₄N[Au(CN)₂] layers; aurophilic interactions of 3.4250(13) Å and hydrogen-bonding connect the layers. The magnetic properties of all compounds were investigated by SQUID magnetometry. The Ni(II) polymers have similar magnetic behaviour, which are dominated by zero-field splitting with very weak antiferromagnetic interactions at low temperature (D ∼ 2–3 cm⁻¹, zJ < 1 cm⁻¹). The magnetic behaviour of all of the Co(II) polymers were found to be very similar, and dominated by single-ion effects (i.e. a large first-order orbital contribution). No significant magnetic coupling is observed in any of these coordination polymers, suggesting that the [Au(CN)₂] bridging unit behaves as a poor mediator of magnetic exchange in these high-dimensionality systems.     

Synthesis and reactivity of copper(I) complexes containing a bis(imidazolin-2-imine) pincer ligand

The new pincer ligand 2,6-bis[(1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imino)methyl]pyridine (TL(tBu)) has been prepared in high yield from 2,6-bis(hydroxymethyl)pyridine (1) and 1,3-di-tert-butylimidazolin-2-imine (3). Reaction of TL(tBu) with [Cu(MeCN)4]PF6 affords the highly reactive copper(I) complex [(TL(tBu))Cu]PF6, [5]PF6, which forms the stable copper(I) isocyanide complexes [6a]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2179 cm(-1)) and [6b]PF6 (nu(CN) = 2140 cm(-1)) upon addition of tert-butyl or 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, respectively. For the cations 6a and 6b, DFT calculations reveal ground-state electronic structures of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))Cu(CNR)] with tricoordinate geometries around the copper atoms. Exposure of [5]PF6 to the air readily leads to trapping of atmospheric CO2 to form the square-planar complex [(TL(tBu))Cu(HCO3-kappaO)]PF6, [7]PF6, with the bicarbonate ligand adopting a rarely observed monodentate coordination mode. In chlorinated solvents such as dichloromethane or chloroform, [5]PF(6) rapidly abstracts chloride by reductive dechlorination of the solvent to yield [(TL(tBu))CuCl]PF6, [8]PF6 quantitatively. Reaction of TL(tBu) with copper(I) bromide or chloride affords complexes 9a and 9b, respectively, for which X-ray diffraction analysis, low-temperature NMR experiments and DFT calculations reveal the presence of a kappa(2)-coordinated ligand of the type [(TL(tBu)-kappaN(1):kappaN(2))CuX]. In solution, complex 9b undergoes slow disproportionation forming the mixed-valence copper(II)/copper(I) system [(TL(tBu))CuCl][CuCl2], [8]CuCl2 with a linear dichlorocuprate(I) counterion.     

Cuprophilicity-induced cocrystallization of [Cu2(4,4'-bpy)(CN)2]n sheets and [Cu(SCN)]n chains into a 3-D pseudopolyrotaxane

The cocrystallization of [Cu(SCN)]n chains and [Cu2(4,4'-bpy)(CN)2]n (4,4'-bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine) layers generated a 3-D pseudopolyrotaxane compound, [Cu2(4,4'-bpy)(CN)2].[Cu(SCN)] (1), which can also be viewed as a 3-D network constructed by linkages of 2-D sheets and 1-D chains via unsupported CuI-CuI interactions. The CuI-CuI contact of 2.651(4) A in 1 is the shortest unsupported CuI-CuI distance documented to date, indicating cuprophilic attractions.