Strong Visible-Light-Absorbing Cuprous Sensitizers for Dramatically Boosting Photocatalysis

Developing strong visible-light-absorbing (SVLA) earth-abundant photosensitizers (PSs) for significantly improving the utilization of solar energy is highly desirable, yet it remains a great challenge. Herein, we adopt a through-bond energy transfer (TBET) strategy by bridging boron dipyrromethene (Bodipy) and a Cu^I complex with an electronically conjugated bridge, resulting in the first SVLA Cu^I PSs ( Cu-2 and Cu-3 ). Cu-3 has an extremely high molar extinction coefficient of 162 260 m ⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 518 nm, over 62 times higher than that of traditional Cu^I PS ( Cu-1 ). The photooxidation activity of Cu-3 is much greater than that of Cu-1 and noble-metal PSs (Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and Ir(ppy)₃⁺) for both energy- and electron-transfer reactions. Femto- and nanosecond transient absorption and theoretical investigations demonstrate that a “ping-pong” energy-transfer process in Cu-3 involving a forward singlet TBET from Bodipy to the Cu^I complex and a backward triplet-triplet energy transfer greatly contribute to the long-lived and Bodipy-localized triplet excited state.     

Dispersion‐Force‐Assisted Disproportionation: A Stable Two‐Coordinate Copper(II) Complex

The synthesis of the first linear coordinated Cu^II complex Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂ ( 1 Dipp=C₆H₅‐2,6Prⁱ₂) and its Cu^I counterpart [Cu{N(SiMe₃)Dipp}₂]^? ( 2 ) is described. The formation of 1 proceeds through a dispersion force‐driven disproportionation, and is the reaction product of a Cu^I halide and LiN(SiMe₃)Dipp in a non‐donor solvent. The synthesis of 2 is accomplished by preventing the disproportionation into 1 by using the complexing agent 15‐crown‐5. EPR spectroscopy of 1 provides the first detailed study of a two‐coordinate transition‐metal complex indicating strong covalency in the Cu?N bonds.     

Thermochromism of CuI Tetrakisguanidine Complexes: Reversible Activation of Metal‐to‐Ligand Charge‐Transfer Bands

Tetranuclear, intensely blue‐coloured Cu^I complexes were synthesised in which two Cu₂X₃^? units (X=Br or I) are bridged by a dicationic GFA (guanidino‐functionalised aromatic) ligand. The UV/Vis spectra show a large metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) band around 638 nm. The tetranuclear “low‐temperature” complexes are in a temperature‐dependent equilibrium with dinuclear Cu^I “high‐temperature” complexes, which result from the reversible elimination of two CuX groups. A massive thermochromism effect results from the extinction of the strong MLCT band upon CuX elimination with increasing temperature. For all complexes, quantum chemical calculations predict a small and method‐dependent energy difference between the possible electronic structures, namely Cu^I and dicationic GFA ligand (closed‐shell singlet) versus Cu^II and neutral GFA ligand (triplet or broken‐symmetry state). The closed‐shell singlet state is disfavoured by hybrid‐DFT functionals, which mix in exact Hartree–Fock exchange, and is favoured by larger basis sets and consideration of a polar medium.     

Ultrafast Energy Transfer in Triptycene‐Grafted Bodipy Scaffoldings

A series of new compounds in which various Bodipy dyes are grafted logically on triptycene rigid structures are synthesized and characterized, and their absorption spectra and photophysical properties are studied, also by pump‐probe transient absorption spectroscopy. The studied compounds are: the mono‐Bodipy species TA, TB, and TC (where A, B, and C identify different Bodipy subunits absorbing and emitting at different wavelengths), the multichromophore species TA₃, which bears three identical A subunits, and the three multichromophoric species TAB, TBC, and TABC, all of them containing at least two different types of Bodipy subunits. The triptycene moiety plays the role of a rigid scaffold, keeping the various dyes at predetermined distances and allowing for a three‐dimensional structural arrangement of the multichromophoric species. The absorption spectra of the multichromophoric Bodipy species are essentially additive, indicating that negligible inter‐chromophoric interaction takes place at the ground state. Luminescence properties and transient absorption spectroscopy indicate that a very fast (on the picosecond time scale) and efficient photoinduced energy transfer occurs in all the multi‐Bodipy species, with the lower‐energy Bodipy subunits of each multi‐Bodipy compounds playing the role of an electronic energy collector. In TAB, an energy transfer from the A‐type Bodipy subunit to the B‐type one takes place with a rate constant of 1.6×10¹⁰ s^?1, whereas in TBC an energy transfer from the B‐type Bodipy subunit to the C‐type subunit is bi‐exponential, exhibiting rate constants of 1.7×10¹¹ and 1.9×10¹⁰ s^?1; the possible presence of different conformers with different donor–acceptor distances in this bichromophoric species is proposed to cause the bi‐exponential energy‐transfer process. Interpretation of the intricate energy‐transfer pathways occurring in TABC is made with the help of the processes identified in the bichromophoric compounds. In all cases, the measured energy‐transfer rate constants agree with a Förster mechanism for the energy‐transfer processes.     

Contractile and Extensible Molecular Figures‐of‐Eight

Two large rings, 66‐ (m‐66 ) and 78‐membered ( m‐78 ) rings, each one incorporating two pairs of transition‐metal‐complexing units, have been prepared. The coordinating fragments are alternating bi‐ and tridentate chelating groups, namely, 2,9‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline (dpp) and 2,2′,2′,6′′‐terpyridine (terpy) respectively. Both macrocycles form molecular figures‐of‐eight in the presence of Fe^II, affording a classical bis‐terpy complex as the central core. The larger m‐78 ring can accommodate a four‐coordinate Cu^I center with the formation of a {Cu(dpp)₂}⁺ central complex and a highly twisted figure‐of‐eight backbone, whereas m‐66 is too small to coordinate Cu^I. Macrocycle m‐78 thus affords stable complexes with both Fe^II and Cu^I; the ligand around the metal changes from (terpy)₂ to (dpp)₂. This bimodal coordination situation allows for a large amplitude rearrangement of the organic backbone. When coordinated to preferentially octahedrally coordinated Fe^II or Cu^II, the height of the molecule along the coordinating axis of the tridentate terpy ligands is only about 11 Å, whereas the height of the molecule along the same vertical axis is several times as large for the tetrahedral Cu^I complex. Chemically or electrochemically driven contraction and extension motions along a defined axis make this figure‐of‐eight particularly promising as a new class of molecular machine prototype for use as a constitutive element in muscle‐like dynamic systems.     

Chemical Origin of the Stability Difference between Copper(I)‐ and Silver(I)‐Based Halide Double Perovskites

Recently, Cu^I‐ and Ag^I‐based halide double perovskites have been proposed as promising candidates for overcoming the toxicity and instability issues inherent within the emerging Pb‐based halide perovskite absorbers. However, up to date, only Ag^I‐based halide double perovskites have been experimentally synthesized; there are no reports on successful synthesis of Cu^I‐based analogues. Here we show that, owing to the much higher energy level for the Cu 3d¹⁰ orbitals than for the Ag 4d¹⁰ orbitals, Cu^I atoms energetically favor 4‐fold coordination, forming [CuX₄] tetrahedra (X=halogen), but not 6‐fold coordination as required for [CuX₆] octahedra. In contrast, Ag^I atoms can have both 6‐ and 4‐fold coordinations. Our density functional theory calculations reveal that the synthesis of Cu^I halide double perovskites may instead lead to non‐perovskites containing [CuX₄] tetrahedra, as confirmed by our material synthesis efforts.     

Deactivation of Cu‐Exchanged Automotive‐Emission NH3‐SCR Catalysts Elucidated with Nanoscale Resolution Using Scanning Transmission X‐ray Microscopy

To gain insight into the underlying mechanisms of catalyst durability for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO_x with an ammonia reductant, we employed scanning transmission X‐ray microscopy (STXM) to study Cu‐exchanged zeolites with the CHA and MFI framework structures before and after simulated 135 000‐mile aging. X‐ray absorption near‐edge structure (XANES) measurements were performed at the Al K‐ and Cu L‐edges. The local environment of framework Al, the oxidation state of Cu, and geometric changes were analyzed, showing a multi‐factor‐induced catalytic deactivation. In Cu‐exchanged MFI, a transformation of Cu^II to Cu^I and Cu_xO_y was observed. We also found a spatial correlation between extra‐framework Al and deactivated Cu species near the surface of the zeolite as well as a weak positive correlation between the amount of Cu^I and tri‐coordinated Al. By inspecting both Al and Cu in fresh and aged Cu‐exchanged zeolites, we conclude that the importance of the preservation of isolated Cu^II sites trumps that of Brønsted acid sites for NH₃‐SCR activity.     

An Adaptable N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Macrocycle Hosting Copper in Three Oxidation States

A neutral hybrid macrocycle with two trans‐positioned N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) and two pyridine donors hosts copper in three oxidation states (+I–+III) in a series of structurally characterized complexes ( 1 – 3 ). Redox interconversion of [LCu]^+/2+/3+ is electrochemically (quasi)reversible and occurs at moderate potentials (E_1/2=?0.45 V and +0.82 V (vs. Fc/Fc⁺)). A linear C^NHC‐Cu‐C^NHC arrangement and hemilability of the two pyridine donors allows the ligand to adapt to the different stereoelectronic and coordination requirements of Cu^I versus Cu^II/Cu^III. Analytical methods such as NMR, UV/Vis, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and Cu Kβ high‐energy‐resolution fluorescence detection X‐ray absorption spectroscopies, as well as DFT calculations, give insight into the geometric and electronic structures of the complexes. The XAS signatures of 1 – 3 are textbook examples for Cu^I, Cu^II, and Cu^III species. Facile 2‐electron interconversion combined with the exposure of two basic pyridine N sites in the reduced Cu^I form suggest that [LCu]^+/2+/3+ may operate in catalysis via coupled 2 e^?/2 H⁺ transfer.     

Hydrogen Bonds Dictate the Coordination Geometry of Copper: Characterization of a Square‐Planar Copper(I) Complex

6,6′′‐Bis(2,4,6‐trimethylanilido)terpyridine (H₂Tpy^NMes) was prepared as a rigid, tridentate pincer ligand containing pendent anilines as hydrogen bond donor groups in the secondary coordination sphere. The coordination geometry of (H₂Tpy^NMes)copper(I)‐halide (Cl, Br and I) complexes is dictated by the strength of the NH–halide hydrogen bond. The Cu^ICl and Cu^IICl complexes are nearly isostructural, the former presenting a highly unusual square‐planar geometry about Cu^I. The geometric constraints provided by secondary interactions are reminiscent of blue copper proteins where a constrained geometry, or entatic state, allows for extremely rapid Cu^I/Cu^II electron‐transfer self‐exchange rates. Cu(H₂Tpy^NMes)Cl shows similar fast electron transfer (≈10⁵ m ^?1 s^?1) which is the same order of magnitude as biological systems.     

Photoresponsive Propeller‐like Chiral AIE Copper(I) Clusters

A pair of propeller‐like chiral trinuclear Cu^I clusters ( R/S‐Cu3 ) with unique photoinduced fluorescence enhancement were prepared. R/S‐Cu3 showed intense variable luminescence after UV light irradiation, which was attributed to the stepwise oxidation of ligand in the clusters. It exhibited typical aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) (α_AIE=17.3). Mechanism studies showed that metal cluster‐centered (MCC) and triplet metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (³MLCT) processes are the origin of the luminescence; the processes are regulated by a restriction of intramolecular motions mechanism in a different state. The chiral structure and AIE feature endow R/S‐Cu3 with remarkable circularly polarized luminescence (g_lum=2×10^?2) in the aggregated state. It shows good capability for producing reactive oxygen species. This work enriches the kinds of atomically precise AIE clusters, gains insight into their luminescence mechanism, and offers the prospect of application in multifunctional materials.     

A novel three‐dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer: poly[[diaquadi‐μ3‐chlorido‐μ2‐chlorido‐tri‐μ3‐nicotinato‐tricopper(I)gadolinium(III)] hemihydrate]

In the title polymeric heterometallic compound, {[Cu₃Gd(C₆H₄NO₂)₃Cl₃(H₂O)₂]·0.5H₂O}_n, comprising copper(I) and gadolinium(III) cations bridged by nicotinate (nic) ligands and chloride anions, the Gd^III centers display a bicapped trigonal prismatic geometry, defined by six carboxylate O atoms and two water molecules. For copper(I), one Cu center is three‐coordinated by three chloride ions and displays a trigonal–planar geometry; the other two Cu centers are four‐coordinated and display a very distorted tetrahedral geometry. The chloride anions act in μ₂‐ and μ₃‐bridging modes, linking the Cu^I ions into an infinite chain. The nic ligand exhibits a tridentate coordination mode, with the carboxylate O atoms linking to two Gd^III ions and the N atom linking to one Cu^I ion. Thus, a novel three‐dimensional heterometallic coordination polymer is constructed from Gd–carboxylate subunits and Cu—Cl chains. In addition, intra‐ and intermolecular O—H...O and O—H...Cl hydrogen bonds are also observed within the three‐dimensional structure. Topologically, the framework represents an unusual 3,6‐connected (4.8²)₃(4¹⁰.6⁵) net.     

A copper(I) coordination polymer incorporation the corrosion inhibitor 1H‐benzotriazole: poly[μ3‐benzotriazolato‐κ3N1:N2:N3‐copper(I)]

The title complex, [Cu(C₆H₄N₃)]_n, was synthesized by the reaction of cupric nitrate, 1H‐benzotriazole (BTAH) and aqueous ammonia under hydrothermal conditions. The asymmetric unit contains three crystallographically independent Cu^I cations and two 1H‐benzotriazolate ligands. Two of the Cu^I cations, one with a linear two‐coordinated geometry and one with a four‐coordinated tetrahedral geometry, are located on sites with crystallographically imposed twofold symmetry. The third Cu^I cation, with a planar three‐coordinated geometry, is on a general position. Two Cu^I cations are doubly bridged by two BTA⁻ ligands to afford a noncentrosymmetric planar [Cu₂(BTA)₂] subunit, and two [Cu₂(BTA)₂] subunits are arranged in an antiparallel manner to form a centrosymmetric [Cu₂(BTA)₂]₂ secondary building unit (SBU). The SBUs are connected in a crosswise manner via the sharing of four‐coordinated Cu^I cations, Cu—N bonding and bridging by two‐coordinate Cu^I cations, resulting in a one‐dimensional chain along the c axis. These one‐dimensional chains are further linked by C—H...π and weak van der Waals interactions to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Conjugated Polyelectrolyte‐Induced Self‐Assembly of Alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6‐Bis(benzimidazol‐2′‐yl)pyridine Complexes

Water‐soluble cationic alkynylplatinum(II) 2,6‐bis(benzimidazol‐2′‐yl)pyridine (bzimpy) complexes have been demonstrated to undergo supramolecular assembly with anionic polyelectrolytes in aqueous buffer solution. Metal–metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MMLCT) absorptions and triplet MMLCT (³MMLCT) emissions have been found in UV/Vis absorption and emission spectra of the electrostatic assembly of the complexes with non‐conjugated polyelectrolytes, driven by Pt???Pt and π–π interactions among the complex molecules. Interestingly, the two‐component ensemble formed by [Pt(bzimpy‐Et){C?CC₆H₄(CH₂NMe₃‐4)}]Cl₂ ( 1 ) with para‐linked conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE), PPE‐SO₃^?, shows significantly different photophysical properties from that of the ensemble formed by 1 with meta‐linked CPE, mPPE‐Ala. The helical conformation of mPPE‐Ala allows the formation of strong mPPE‐Ala– 1 aggregates with Pt???Pt, electrostatic, and π–π interactions, as revealed by the large Stern–Volmer constant at low concentrations of 1 . Together with the reasonably large Förster radius, large HOMO–LUMO gap and high triplet state energy of mPPE‐Ala to minimize both photo‐induced charge transfer (PCT) and Dexter triplet energy back‐transfer (TEBT) quenching of the emission of 1 , efficient Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from mPPE‐Ala to aggregated 1 molecules and strong ³MMLCT emission have been found, while the less strong PPE‐SO₃^?– 1 aggregates and probably more efficient PCT and Dexter TEBT quenching would account for the lack of ³MMLCT emission in the PPE‐SO₃^?– 1 ensemble.     

Ionothermal synthesis and crystal structure of a new organic–inorganic hybrid compound: catena‐poly[bis(1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) [hepta‐μ‐bromido‐pentacuprate(I)]]

A new organic–inorganic hybrid compound, catena‐poly[bis(1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium) [μ₅‐bromido‐tri‐μ₃‐bromido‐tri‐μ₂‐bromido‐pentacuprate(I)]], {(C₆H₁₁N₂)₂[Cu₅Br₇]}_n, has been obtained under ionothermal conditions from a reaction mixture containing Ba(OH)₂·8H₂O, Cu(OH)₂·2H₂O, As₂O₅, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium bromide and distilled water. The crystal structure consists of complex [Cu₅Br₇]²⁻ anions arranged in sinusoidal {[Cu₅Br₇]²⁻}_n chains running along the a axis, which are surrounded by 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium cations. Three of the five unique Br atoms and one of the three Cu^I atoms occupy special positions with half‐occupancy (a mirror plane perpendicular to the b axis, site symmetry m). The Cu^I ions are in a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment, with four Br atoms at distances ranging from 2.3667 (10) to 2.6197 (13) Å, and an outlier at 3.0283 (12) Å, exceptionally elongated and with a small contribution to the bond‐valence sum of only 6.7%. Short C—H...Br contacts build up a three‐dimensional network. The Cu...Cu distances within the chain range from 2.8390 (12) to 3.0805 (17) Å, indicating the existence of weak Cu^I...Cu^I cuprophilic interactions.     

Iridium(III) Complexes Bearing Pyrene‐Functionalized 1,10‐Phenanthroline Ligands as Highly Efficient Sensitizers for Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion

“Chemistry‐on‐the‐complex” synthetic methods have allowed the selective addition of 1‐ethynylpyrene appendages to the 3‐, 5‐, 3,8‐ and 5,6‐positions of Ir^III‐coordinated 1,10‐phenanthroline via Sonogashira cross‐coupling. The resulting suite of complexes has given rise to the first rationalization of their absorption and emission properties as a function of the number and position of the pyrene moieties. Strong absorption in the visible region (e.g. 3,8‐substituted Ir‐3 : λ_abs=481 nm, ?=52 400 m ^?1 cm^?1) and long‐lived triplet excited states (e.g. 5‐substituted Ir‐2 : τ_T=367.7 μs) were observed for the complexes in deaerated CH₂Cl₂. On testing the series as triplet sensitizers for triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion, those Ir^III complexes bearing pyrenyl appendages at the 3‐ and 3,8‐positions ( Ir‐1 , Ir‐3 ) were found to give optimal upconversion quantum yields (30.2 % and 31.6 % respectively).     

Dioxygen Activation of a Trinuclear CuICuICuI Cluster Capable of Mediating Facile Oxidation of Organic Substrates: Competition between O‐Atom Transfer and Abortive Intercomplex Reduction

The dioxygen activation of a series of Cu^ICu^ICu^I complexes based on the ligands ( L ) 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐ 1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl](methyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Me ) or 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis(1‐{[2‐(diethylamino)ethyl](ethyl)amino}propan‐2‐ol) ( 7‐Et ) forms an intermediate capable of mediating facile O‐atom transfer to simple organic substrates at room temperature. To elucidate the dioxygen chemistry, we have examined the reactions of 7‐Me , 7‐Et , and 3,3′‐(1,4‐diazepane‐1,4‐diyl)bis[1‐(4‐methylpiperazin‐1‐yl)propan‐2‐ol] ( 7‐N‐Meppz ) with dioxygen at ?80, ?55, and ?35 °C in propionitrile (EtCN) by UV‐visible, 77 K EPR, and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, and 7‐N‐Meppz and 7‐Me with dioxygen at room temperature in acetonitrile (MeCN) by diode array spectrophotometry. At both ?80 and ?55 °C, the mixing of the starting [Cu^ICu^ICu^I( L )]¹⁺ complex ( 1 ) with O₂‐saturated propionitrile (EtCN) led to a bright green solution consisting of two paramagnetic species: the green dioxygen adduct [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ ( 2 ) and the blue [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ species ( 3 ). These observations are consistent with the initial formation of [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐O)₂Cu^III( L )]¹⁺ ( 4 ), followed by rapid abortion of this highly reactive species by intercluster electron transfer from a second molecule of complex 1 to give the blue species 3 and subsequent oxygenation of the partially oxidized [Cu^IICu^ICu^I( L )]²⁺ ( 5 ) to form the green dioxygen adduct 2 . Assignment of 2 to [Cu^IICu^II(μ‐η²:η²‐peroxo)Cu^II( L )]²⁺ is consistent with its reactivity with water to give H₂O₂ and the blue species 3 , as well as its propensity to be photoreduced in the X‐ray beam during X‐ray absorption experiments at room temperature. In light of these observations, the development of an oxidation catalyst based on the tricopper system requires consideration of the following design criteria: 1) rapid dioxygen chemistry; 2) facile O‐atom transfer from the activated cluster to substrate; and 3) a suitable reductant to rapidly regenerate complex 1 to accomplish efficient catalytic turnover.     

Post‐Synthetic Monovalent Central‐Metal Exchange,Specific I2 Sensing,and Polymerization of a Catalytic [3×3] Grid of [CuII5CuI4L6]⋅(I)2⋅13 H2O

From a predesigned grid, [Cu^II₅Cu^I₄L₆] ? (I)₂ ? 13 H₂O ( 1 ), in which LH₂ was a pyrazinyl‐triazolyl‐2,6‐substituted pyridine, we successfully synthesized an extended 3D complex, ¹_∞[{Cu^II₅Cu^I₈L₆}{μ‐[Cu^I₃(CN)₆]}₂ ? 2 CH₃‐ CN] ( 2 ), that displayed unprecedented coexistence of all the five known coordination geometries of copper. Grid 1 displayed monovalent central metal exchange (CME) of Cu^I for Ag^I for the first time, as well as the formation of tri‐iodide in the crystalline state. These systems were investigated for their magnetic properties. Remarkably, grid 1 showed much higher catalytic activity than the Ag‐exchanged product for synthesis of a substituted triazole, 1‐benzyl‐4‐phenyl‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazole.     

Syntheses,Structures, Electrochemistry,and Electrocatalysis of Three Copper(II) Coordination Polymers constructed from 5‐[4‐(1H‐Imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]‐1H‐tetrazole

Three coordination polymers (CPs) based on the 5‐[4‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]‐1H‐tetrazole ( HL ) ligand, namely, [Cu(μ₂‐ L )(μ₄‐pbda)(H₂O)] ( 1 ), [Cu₂(μ‐Hbtc)(H₂btc)(μ₃‐OH)(μ₄‐ HL )] ( 2 ) and [Cu₅(μ₃‐ L )(μ₄‐ L )(μ₃‐ip)(μ₃‐OH)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O ( 3 ) (H₂pbda = 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₃btc = 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid, H₂ip = isophthalic acid) were hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 represents “weave”‐type 2D layers consisting of wave‐like 1D chains and 1D straight chains, which are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular structure. Complex 2 exhibits a uninodal (4)‐connected 2D layer with a point symbol of {4⁴ · 6²}, in which the L ligand can be described as μ₅‐bridging and the H₂btc^– ions display multiple kinds of coordination modes to connect Cu^II ions into 1D “H”‐type Cu‐H₂btc chains. In complex 3 , 2D Cu‐ L layers with two kinds of grids and 1D “stair”‐type Cu‐ip chains link each other to construct a 3D {4¹² · 6³} framework, which contains the pentanuclear subunits. Deprotonated degree and coordination modes of carboxylate ligands may consequentially influence the coordination patterns of main ligands and the final structures of complexes 1 – 3 . Furthermore, electrochemical behaviors and electrocatalytic activities of the title complexes were analyzed at room temperature, suggesting practical applications in areas of electrocatalytic reduction toward nitrite and hydrogen dioxide in aqueous solutions, respectively.     

Metal Derivatives of Heterocyclic Thioamides: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Copper Complexes with 1‐Methyl‐1,3‐imidazoline‐2‐thione and 1,3‐Imidazoline‐2‐thione

Reactions of copper(I) halides (Cl, Br, I) with 1‐methyl‐1, 3‐imidazoline‐2‐thione (mimzSH) in 1 : 2 molar ratio yielded sulfur‐bridged dinuclear [Cu₂X₂(μ‐S‐mimzSH)₂(η¹‐S‐mimzSH)₂] (X = I, 1 , Br, 2 ; Cl, 3 ) complexes. Copper(I) iodide with 1,3‐imidazoline‐2‐thione (imzSH₂) and Ph₃P in 1 : 1 : 1 molar ratio has also formed a sulfur‐bridged dinuclear [Cu₂I₂(μ‐S‐imzSH₂)₂(PPh₃)₂] ( 4 ) complex. The central Cu(μ‐S)₂Cu cores form parallelograms with unequal Cu–S bond distances {2.324(2), 2.454(3) Å} ( 1 ); {2.3118(6), 2.5098(6) Å} ( 2 ); {2.3075(4), 2.5218(4) Å} ( 3 ); {2.3711(8), 2.4473(8) Å} ( 4 ). The Cu···Cu separations, 2.759–2.877Å in complexes 1 – 3 are much shorter than 3.3446Å in complex 4 . The weak intermolecular interactions {H₂CH···S^# ( 2 ); CH···Cl^# ( 3 ); NH···I^# ( 4 )} between dimeric units in complexes 2 – 4 lead to the formation of linear 1D polymers.     

Crystal Structures,Magnetic Properties and Catecholase‐Like Activities of μ‐Alkoxo‐μ‐Carboxylato Double Bridged Dinuclear and Tetranuclear Copper(II) Complexes

One μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐carboxylato bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(L¹)(μ‐C₆H₅CO₂)] ( 1 )(H₃L¹ = 1,3‐bis(salicylideneamino)‐2‐propanol)), and two μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐dicarboxylato doubly‐bridged tetranuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu₄(L¹)₂(μ‐C₈H₁₀O₄)(DMF)₂]·H₂O ( 2 ) and [Cu₄(L²)₂(μ‐C₅H₆O₄]·2H₂O·2CH₃CN ( 3 ) (H₃L² = 1,3‐bis(5‐bromo‐salicylideneamino)‐2‐propanol)) have been prepared and characterized. The single crystal X‐ray analysis shows that the structure of complex 1 is dimeric with two adjacent copper(II) atoms bridged by μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐carboxylato ligands where the Cu···Cu distances and Cu‐O(alkoxo)‐Cu angles are 3.5 11 Å and 132.8°, respectively. Complexes 2 and 3 consist of a μ‐alkoxo‐μ‐dicarboxylato doubly‐bridged tetranuclear Cu(II) complex with mean Cu‐Cu distances and Cu‐O‐Cu angles of 3.092 Å and 104.2° for 2 and 3.486 Å and 129.9° for 3 , respectively. Magnetic measurements reveal that 1 is strong antiferromagnetically coupled with 2J =‐210 cm^?1 while 2 and 3 exhibit ferromagnetic coupling with 2J = 126 cm^?1 and 82 cm^?1 (averaged), respectively. The 2J values of 1–3 are correlated to dihedral angles and the Cu‐O‐Cu angles. Dependence of the pH at 25 °C on the reaction rate of oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol (3,5‐DTBC) to the corresponding quinone (3,5‐DTBQ) catalyzed by 1–3 was studied. Complexes 1–3 exhibit catecholase‐like active at above pH 8 and 25 °C for oxidation of 3,5‐di‐tert‐butylcatechol.