A family of calix[4]arene-supported [Mn(III)2Mn(II)2] clusters

In the cone conformation calix[4]arenes possess lower-rim polyphenolic pockets that are ideal for the complexation of various transition-metal centres. Reaction of these molecules with manganese salts in the presence of an appropriate base (and in some cases co-ligand) results in the formation of a family of calixarene-supported [Mn(III)(2)Mn(II)(2)] clusters that behave as single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Variation in the alkyl groups present at the upper-rim of the cone allows for the expression of a degree of control over the self-assembly of these SMM building blocks, whilst retaining the general magnetic properties. The presence of various different ligands around the periphery of the magnetic core has some effect over the extended self-assembly of these SMMs.     

Giant polyniobate clusters based on [Nb7O22]9- units derived from a Nb6O19 precursor

Rational self-assembly of hexaniobate Lindqvist-type precursor [HNb6O19]7- with soluble Cu2+ salts utilizing different strategies produces a series of giant polyniobate clusters, namely, (H2en)1.25[Cu(en)2(H2O)]2Cl4[Nb24O72H21.5]7 H2O (1; en: ethylenediamine), [Cu(en)2]3[Cu(en)2(H2O)]9[{H2Nb6O19} subset{[({KNb24O72H10.25}{Cu(en)2})2{Cu3(en)3(H2O)3}{Na1.5Cu1.5(H2O)8}{Cu(en)2}4]6}]144 H2O (2), K12Na4[H23NaO8Cu24(Nb7O22)8]106 H2O (3), and K16Na12[H9Cu25.5O8(Nb7O22)8] 73.5 H2O (4). Their structures were determined and further characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and elemental analysis. Structural analyses reveal that compound 2 comprises a giant capsule anion based on a wheel-shaped cluster encapsulating a Lindqvist diprotonated cluster [H2Nb6O19]6- unit, and forms a honeycomb-like structure with the inclusion of Lindqvist-type anions [H2Nb6O19]6- in the holes, whereas 3 and 4 represent an unprecedented giant cube-shaped framework. All the compounds are built from [Nb7O22]9- fundamental building blocks. Solution Raman spectroscopy studies of 2 and 3 reveal that the solid-state structures of these polyniobate cluster anions disassemble and exist in the form of the [Nb6O19]8- unit in solution. Magnetic susceptibility measurement of 3 shows antiferromagnetic coupling interactions between CuII ions with the spin-canting phenomenon.     

Kinetic versus thermodynamic control during the formation of [2]rotaxanes by a dynamic template-directed clipping process

A template-directed dynamic clipping procedure has generated a library of nine [2]rotaxanes that have been formed from three dialkylammonium salts-acting as the dumbbell-shaped components-and three dynamic, imino bond-containing, [24]crown-8-like macrocycles-acting as the ring-shaped components-which are themselves assembled from three dialdehydes and one diamine. The rates of formation of these [2]rotaxanes differ dramatically, from minutes to days depending on the choice of dialkylammonium ion and dialdehyde, as do their thermodynamic stabilities. Generally, [2]rotaxanes formed by using 2,6-diformylpyridine as the dialdehyde component, or bis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzyl)ammonium hexafluorophosphate as the dumbbell-shaped component, assembled the most rapidly. Those rotaxanes containing this particular electron-deficient dumbbell-shaped unit, or 2,5-diformylfuran units in the macroring, were the most stable thermodynamically. The relative thermodynamic stabilities of all nine of the [2]rotaxanes were determined by competition experiments that were monitored by (1)H NMR spectroscopy.     

A mixed-valence, hexadecamolybdenum cluster with an MoVI cubane "jewel" in a "setting" of five molybdateVI-linked dinuclear MoV nits

The hexadecanuclear, mixed-valence cluster [Mo(16)O(42)(OH)(2)(3-iPrC(3)H(3)N(2))(12)].H(2)O (1), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The C(2)-symmetric complex consists of a cubane Mo(VI) (4)O(4) "jewel" held in a 10-point "setting" comprised of five dinuclear Mo(V) units tethered together by two tetrahedral Mo(VI) centers. The dinuclear units are ligated by twelve 3-isopropylpyrazole units that interact with the Mo--O framework through a network of hydrogen bonds. Structural parameters, charge requirements, and bond valence sum analyses support the assignment of +5 and +6 oxidation states to the dinuclear and cubane/tetrahedral Mo centers, respectively. Space filling models reveal that the pyrazole groups coat much of the surface of the molecule, apart from a number of oxo-rich seams that trace a chiral pattern across the surface. Complex 1 exhibits a unique structure that combines moieties generally atypical of polyoxometalates, viz., a Mo cubane containing only two terminal oxo ligands, and three distinct Mo(V) (2) units (including a 5-coordinate Mo center) tethered into a 10-point "setting" by tetrahedral Mo(VI) centers.     

Time‐Resolved Assembly of Cluster‐in‐Cluster {Ag12}‐in‐{W76} Polyoxometalates under Supramolecular Control

We report the time‐resolved supramolecular assembly of a series of nanoscale polyoxometalate clusters (from the same one‐pot reaction) of the form: [H_(10+m)Ag₁₈Cl(Te₃W₃₈O₁₃₄)₂]_n, where n=1 and m=0 for compound 1 (after 4 days), n=2 and m=3 for compound 2 (after 10 days), and n=∞ and m=5 for compound 3 (after 14 days). The reaction is based upon the self‐organization of two {Te₃W₃₈} units around a single chloride template and the formation of a {Ag₁₂} cluster, giving a {Ag₁₂}‐in‐{W₇₆} cluster‐in‐cluster in compound 1 , which further aggregates to cluster compounds 2 and 3 by supramolecular Ag‐POM interactions. The proposed mechanism for the formation of the clusters has been studied by ESI‐MS. Further, control experiments demonstrate the crucial role that TeO₃^2?, Cl^?, and Ag⁺ play in the self‐assembly of compounds 1 – 3 .     

Controllable growth of chains and grids from polyoxomolybdate building blocks linked by silver(I) dimers

Molecular growth processes utilizing a beta-octamolybdate synthon and {Ag2} dimers are described and the directing influence of "encapsulating" cations and coordinating solvent is also demonstrated. The growth of two 1D chains, (nBu4N)2n[Ag2Mo8O26]n (1) and (nBu4N)2n[Ag2Mo8O26(CH3CN)2]n (2), is achieved when nBu4N+ ions are used, and the diameter of the chains can be expanded by the coordination of CH3CN solvent (2). The formation of a type of gridlike structure in which 1D chains are crossed-over each other in alternatively packed layers is achieved in DMSO as the solvent; DMSO acts as a linking group to give (nBu4N)2n[Ag2Mo8O26(dmso)2]n (3), which, similar to 1 and 2, still incorporates the Bu4N+ ions that exert an "encapsulating" influence. However, in (HDMF)n[Ag3(Mo8O26)(dmf)4]n (4) the relatively bulky Bu4N+ ions are exchanged for protonated DMF cations, thereby allowing the chains to condense to a 2D array. The building block concept is further enforced by the isolation of a "monomeric" unit (Ph4P)2[Ag2Mo8O26(dmso)4] (5), which is isolated when the Ph4P+ ions are so "encapsulating" as to prevent aggregation of the {Ag-Mo8-Ag} building blocks. The nature of the AgAg dimers in each of the compounds 1-4 is examined by DFT calculations and the interplay between these Ag-Ag interactions and the structure types is described.     

Two Cu21 clusters with pseudo-D3 symmetry derived from the D-saccharate pentaanion, C6H5O8(5-)

The combination of Cu(NO₃)₂, potassium hydrogen saccharate (KC₆H₉O₈) and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen) yields a pair of chiral cluster compounds, each with composition Cu₂₁(C₆H₅O₈)₆(phen)₁₂(NO₃)₁₂?solvate. One of the compounds forms as orthorhombic crystals, while the other forms cubic crystals. Each of the clusters has D₃ or approximate D₃ symmetry, but the arrangement of the saccharate ion in the clusters is quite different in the two cases. The clusters in the cubic form interact with neighbouring clusters through face‐to‐face π interactions involving the phen ligands, an association that leads to the generation of very large solvent‐filled spaces in the crystal structure. In contrast the clusters in the orthorhombic form are much more densely packed. At the centre of each cluster that crystallises in the orthorhombic form is a nitrate anion that binds to six Cu^II centres. ESI mass spectral studies indicate that the Cu₂₁ clusters exist in solution. Solid‐state magnetic studies of the cubic form of Cu₂₁ show that antiferromagnetic coupling occurs to leave a non‐zero‐spin ground state, and comparisons are made to the magnetic data for other large Cu^II clusters.     

含有二十分子水簇的金属—水二维网的构成

以醋酸铜、1,10-邻菲啰啉和顺丁烯二酸在去离子水和乙醇的混合溶液中反应得到了配合物单晶[Cd(phen)2(male)(H2O)]·9.5H2O (1) (phen＝1,10－邻菲啰啉; H2male＝顺丁烯二酸)。采用元素分析、红外光谱和热重分析对化合物进行了表征。用X－射线单晶衍射分析了晶体结构,结果表明：在化合物１中存在着由二十分子水簇构成的结构新颖的一维水链。一维水链和[Cd(phen)2(male)(H2O)]依靠氢键作用构成了独特的包含金属－水网的二维结构。