Dinuclear ruthenium(I) complexes of the type [Ru2(CO)4L2] with carboxylate or 2-pyridonate ligands: Evaluation as catalysts for olefin cyclopropanation with diazoacetates

Dinuclear ruthenium(I,I) carboxylate complexes [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-OOCR)₂]_n (R = CH₃ (1a), C₃H₇ (1b), H (1c), CF₃ (1d)) and 2-pyridonate complex [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-2-pyridonate)₂]_n (3) catalyze efficiently the cyclopropanation of alkenes with methyl diazoacetate. High yields are obtained with terminal nucleophilic alkenes (styrene, ethyl vinyl ether, α-methylstyrene), medium yields with 1-hexene, cyclohexene, 4,5-dihydrofuran and 2-methyl-2-butene. The E-selectivity of the cyclopropanes obtained from the monosubstituted alkenes and the cycloalkenes decreases in the order 1b > 1a > 1d > 1c. The cyclopropanation of 2-methyl-2-butene is highly syn-selective. Several complexes of the type [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂]₂ (4) and (5), [Ru₂(CO)₄(μ-L¹)₂L²] (L² = CH₃OH, PPh₃) (6)–(9) and [Ru₂(CO)₄(CH₃CN)₂(μ-L¹)₂] (10) and (11), where L¹ is a 6-chloro- or 6-bromo-2-pyridonate ligand, are also efficient catalysts. Compared with catalyst 3, a halogen substituent at the pyridonate ligand affects the diastereoselectivity of cyclopropanation only slightly.     

Reactions of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex with oxiranes

Reactivity of a hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)WSi(H)[C(SiMe₃)₃] (1), toward oxiranes was investigated. Treatment of 1 with racemic mono-substituted oxiranes with a substituent R (R = Ph, vinyl, ^tBu, or ⁿBu) at room temperature produced dihydrido(vinyloxysilyl)tungsten complexes, (E)- and/or (Z)-Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCHR)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} [(E/Z)-2: R = Ph, (E)-3: R = vinyl, (E)-4: R = ^tBu, (E/Z)-5: R = ⁿBu] in high yields via regioselective ring-opening of oxiranes. When the substituent R on oxirane was relatively large, (E)-isomers (2, 3, and 4) were obtained predominantly (87–97%), while the substituent was a relatively small ⁿBu group, an approximately 1:1 mixture of (E)- and (Z)-isomers [(E/Z)-5] was obtained. Reaction of 1 with 2,2-dimethyloxirane afforded the corresponding complex, Cp¹(CO)₂(H)₂W{Si(H)(OCHCMe₂)[C(SiMe₃)₃]} (6), quantitatively. A reaction mechanism is also discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of organophosphine/phosphite stabilized N-silver(I) succinimide: crystal structure of [(Ph3P)3 · AgNC4H4O2]

Six organophosphine/phosphite stabilized N-silver(I) succinimide complexes of the type L_n · AgNC₄H₄O₂ (L = PPh₃; n = 1, 2a; n = 2, 2b; n = 3, 2c; L = P(OEt)₃; n = 1, 2d; n = 2, 2e; n = 3, 2f) have been prepared by reacting [AgNC₄H₄O₂], which can be synthesized from succinimide and excessive Ag₂O in boiling water, with triphenylphosphine or triethylphosphite in dichloromethane under a nitrogen atmosphere. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H, ¹³C{H} NMR, IR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TG and DSC). The molecular structure of 2c has been determined by X-ray single crystal analysis, in which the silver atom is in a distorted tetrahedral geometry.     

Molecular spin ladders self-assembly from [Ni(dmit)2]− building blocks: Syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Two ion-pair compounds, consisting of 1-(4′-R-benzyl)pyridinium ([RBzPy]⁺, R = NO₂ (1) and Br (2)) and [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ (dmit²⁻ = 2-thioxo-1,3-dithion-4,5-dithiolato), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The anions of [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ stack into dimers, which further construct into two-leg ladder through terminal S⋯S interactions in 1, lateral S⋯S interactions in 2. The weak H-bonding interactions of C–H⋯S were observed in 2, while only weak van de Waals interactions between anion and cations in 1. The magnetic susceptibilities measured in 2–300 K indicate AFM exchange interaction domination both two compounds. A peculiar magnetic transition at ∼100 K was observed in 1. An AFM ordering below ∼11 K was found in 2, and the best fit to magnetic susceptibility above 45 K in this compound, using a dimer model with s = 1/2, give rise to Δ/k_B = 36.1 K, zJ = −0.91 K, C = 3.2 × 10⁻³ emu K mol⁻¹ and χ₀ = −4.0 × 10⁻⁶ emu mol⁻¹ with g of 2.0 fixed.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a photoresponsive organodirhodium complex with active S–S bonds: [(CpPhRh)2(μ-CH2)2(μ-O2SSO2)] (CpPh = η5-C5Me4Ph)

A photoresponsive rhodium dinuclear complex having phenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp^Ph = η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph) and photosensitive dithionite (μ-O₂SSO₂) ligands, [(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂(μ-O₂SSO₂)] (1), has been synthesized. The crystal of complex 1 (monoclinic, C2/m (No. 12), a = 24.805(2) Å, b = 29.111(2) Å, c = 10.8475(11) Å, β = 105.9830(7)°, V = 7530.0(12) Å³, Z = 8) consists of two independent molecules, 1-cis and 1-trans, with different arrangement of the Cp^Ph ligands. The flexibility, volume, and shape of the reaction cavities around the dithionite unit of 1-cis and 1-trans in the crystal are discussed. The crystal structures of the precursors of 1, trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-Cl)₂Cl₂] and trans-[(Cp^PhRh)₂(μ-CH₂)₂Me₂], are also reported.     

Two novel Keggin tungstocobaltates grafted by cobaltII complex group(s): K[Co(phen)2(H2O)]2[HCoW12O40]·2H2O and [Co(2,2′-bipy)3]1.5{[Co(2,2′-bipy)2(H2O)][HCoW12O40]}·0.5H2O

Two novel inorganic–organic hybrid compounds composed of Keggin tungstocobaltate framework and cobalt(II)–N coordination complexes, K[Co(phen)₂(H₂O)]₂[HCoW₁₂O₄₀]·2H₂O (1) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) and [Co(2,2′-bipy)₃]_1.5{[Co(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)][HCoW₁₂O₄₀]·0.5H₂O (2) (bipy = bipyridine), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by directly using Keggin POMs as starting materials, which were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG analyses and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Crystal data for compound 1: C₄₈H₄₁Co₃KN₈O₄₄W_12, triclinic, space group P-1, a = 10.918(5) Å, b = 13.401(5) Å, c = 13.693(5) Å, α = 69.291(5)°, β = 71.568(5)°, γ = 78.421(5)°, V = 1768.9(12) Å³, Z = 1; for compound 2: C₁₃₀H₁₀₄Co₇N₂₆O₈₃W_24, orthorhombic, space group, C2/c, a = 46.839(9) Å, b = 14.347(3) Å, c = 26.147(5) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 17,570(6) Å³, Z = 4. Compound 1 exhibits a pseudo-1D chainlike structure, in which potassium ions act as linkages of Keggin unit doubly grafted by [Co(phen)₂(H₂O)] complex. Compound 2 represents a [Co(2,2′-bipy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺ mono-grafted Keggin tungstocobaltate derivative with 1.5[Co(2,2′-bipy)₃]²⁺ countercations. The cyclic voltammetric behavior of 1-CPE is similar to the parent 3-CPE, but the cyclic voltammetric behavior of Co^II shows a little difference. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurement of compound 1 demonstrates the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Mono- and di-nuclear complexes of thiosemicarbazones with copper(I): Synthesis,spectroscopy and structures

Reactions of copper(I) halides with a series of thiosemicarbazones, namely, benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (R¹R²CN–NH–C(S)–NH₂, R¹ = Ph, R² = H; Hbtsc), 2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (R¹ = Ph, R² = py; Hbpytsc), and acetone thiosemicarbazone (R¹ = R² = Me; Hactsc), in the presence of PPh₃ has formed dimeric complexes, viz. sulfur bridged [Cu₂(μ-S-Hbtsc)₂Br₂(PPh₃)₂]·2H₂O (1), iodo-bridged [Cu₂(μ-I)₂(η¹-S-Hbtsc)₂(PPh₃)₂] (2), and heterobridged [Cu₂(μ₃-S,N³-Hactsc)(η¹-Br)(μ-Br)(PPh₃)₂] (3), as well as mononuclear complexes [CuX(η¹-S-Hbpytsc)(PPh₃)₂]·CH₃CN (X = Br, 4; Cl, 5). Complexes 1, 2, 4 and 5 involve thiosemicarbazone ligands in η¹-S bonding mode while in compound 3, ligand acts in N³, S-chelation-cum-S-bridging mode (μ₃-S,N³ mode). The intermolecular interactions such as, N²H?X, HN¹H?X (X = S, Br, Cl), CH?π interactions lead to 2D networks. All the complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analyses, IR, ¹H, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray crystallography. The role of a solvent in alteration of nuclearity and bonding modes of complexes has been highlighted.     

[MoFe3S4]3+ and [MoFe3S4]2+ cubane clusters containing a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl molybdenum moiety

A series of organometallic molybdenum/iron/sulfur clusters of the general formula [Cp¹MoFe₃S₄L_n]^m (Cp¹ = η⁵-C₅Me₅; L = S^tBu, SPh, Cl, I, n = 3, m = 1−; L_n = I₂(P^tBu₃), m = 0; L = 2,6-diisopropylphenylisocyanide (ArNC), n = 7, m = 1+) have been synthesized. A cubane cluster (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(S^tBu)₃] (2) was isolated from a self-assembly reaction of Cp¹Mo(S^tBu)₃ (1), FeCl₃, LiS^tBu, and S₈ followed by cation exchange with PPh₄Br in CH₃CN, while an analogous cluster (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(SPh)₃] (3) was obtained from the Cp¹MoCl₄/FeCl₃/LiSPh/PPh₄Br reaction system or from a ligand substitution reaction of 2 with PhSH. Treatment of 2 with benzoyl chloride gave rise to (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄Cl₃] (4), which was in turn converted to (PPh₄)[Cp¹MoFe₃S₄I₃] (5) by the reaction with NaI. A neutral cubane cluster Cp¹MoFe₃S₄I₂(P^tBu₃) (6) was generated upon treating 5 with P^tBu₃. Although reduction of 4 by cobaltocene under the presence of ArNC resulted in a disproportionation of the cubane core to give Fe₄S₄(ArNC)₉Cl (7), a similar reduction reaction of 5 produced [Cp¹MoFe₃S₄(ArNC)₇]I (8), where the MoFe₃S₄ core was retained. The crystal structures of 4–6, and 8 were determined by the X-ray analysis.     

Seven-membered Pd(II) complexes containing symmetric phosphorus ylides: Synthesis,characterization and high catalytic activity toward Suzuki cross-coupling reactions

The reaction of 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) with various ketones in acetone produces the new phosphonium salts [RC(O)CH₂PPh₂(CH₂)₂PPh₂CH₂C(O)R]X₂ (R = 2-naphtyl, X = Br (1); R = 2,4-dichlorophenyl, X = Cl (2); R = 3-nitrophenyl, X = Br (3)). Further treatment with a base gives the symmetrical phosphorus ylides, RC(O)CHPPh₂(CH₂)₂PPh₂CHC(O)R (R = 2-naphtyl (4), 2,4-dichlorophenyl (5), 3-nitrophenyl (6)). These ligands react with Pd(II) chloride to form C,C-chelated complexes with the composition [RC(O)CHPPh₂(CH₂)₂PPh₂CHC(O)R]PdCl₂, where R = 2-naphtyl (7), 2,4-dichlorophenyl (8), 3-nitrophenyl (9). These compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods and consist of seven-membered rings formed by the coordination of the ligands through the two ylidic carbon atoms to the metal center. The structure of compound 5 has been characterized crystallographically. The palladium complex 9 is employed in the Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between phenylboronic acid and several aryl halides. It was found to be a competent catalyst for a variety of substrates to afford the coupled products in high yields using DMF as a solvent. The biaryl products were obtained under aerobic conditions in short reaction times with a lower loading of the catalyst (0.001 mol%).     

Two highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N3O) Schiff base copper(II) complexes: Template synthesis,structural characterization,magnetic and computational studies

Two new copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L¹)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) and [Cu(L²)(ClO₄)] (2), of the highly unsymmetrical tetradentate (N₃O) Schiff base ligands HL¹ and HL² (where HL¹ = N-(2-hydroxyacetophenone)-bis-3-aminopropylamine and HL² = N-(salicyldehydine)-bis-3-aminopropylamine) have been synthesised using a template method. Their single crystal X-ray structures show that in complex 1 two independent copper(II) centers are doubly bridged through phenoxo-O atoms (O1A and O1B) of the two ligands and each copper atom is five-coordinated with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The asymmetric unit of complex 2 consists of two crystallographically independent N-(salicylidene)-bis(aminopropyl)amine-copper(II) molecules, A and B, with similar square pyramidal geometries. Cryomagnetic susceptibility measurements (5–300 K) on complex 1 reveal a distinct antiferromagnetic interaction with J = ?23.6 cm^?1, which is substantiated by a DFT calculation (J = ?27.6 cm^?1) using the B3LYP functional. Complex 1, immobilized over highly ordered hexagonal mesoporous silica, shows moderate catalytic activity for the epoxidation of cyclohexene and styrene in the presence of TBHP as an oxidant.     

Sc(OTf)3/TsOH: a highly efficient catalytic system for the synthesis of 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane derivatives

A variety of aldehydes undergo a tandem acetalization and intramolecular Prins cyclization with pent-4-ene-1,2-diol in the presence of 5 mol % scandium triflate and 15 mol % p-toluenesulfonic acid (TsOH) in dichloroethane at 80 °C to produce the corresponding bicyclic ethers, that is, 2,6-dioxabicyclo[3,2,1]octane derivatives in good yields and with high selectivity. The salient features of this methodology are higher yields, lower catalyst loadings, and faster reaction times. The combination of Sc(OTf)₃ and TsOH (1:3) was found to be more effective than either Sc(OTf)₃ or TsOH alone.     

Dimeric and monomeric palladium(II) parent-amido (NH2) complexes: Synthesis,characterization, and reactivity

The treatment of [PdL₃(NH₃)]OTf (L₃ = (PEt₃)₂(Ph) (1), (2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃) (3)) with NaNH₂ in THF afforded dimeric and monomeric parent-amido palladium(II) complexes with bridging and terminal NH₂, respectively, anti-[Pd(PEt₃)(Ph)(μ-NH₂)]₂ (2) and Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₂) (4). The dimeric complex 2 crystallizes in the space group P2₁/n with a = 13.228(2) Å, b = 18.132(2) Å, c = 24.745(2) Å, β = 101.41(1)°, and Z = 4. It has been found that there are two crystallographically independent molecules with Pd(1)–Pd(2) and Pd(3)–Pd(4) distances of 2.9594 (10) and 2.9401(9) Å, respectively. The monomeric amido complex 4 protonates from trace amounts of water to give the cationic ammine species [Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₃)]⁺. Complex 4 reacts with diphenyliodonium triflate ([Ph₂I]OTf) to give aniline complex [Pd(2,6-(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(NH₂Ph)]OTf (5). Reaction of 4 with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD, DEAD) yields diastereospecific palladium(II) vinyl derivative (Z)–(Pd(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(CR = CR(NH₂)) (R = CO₂Me (6a), CO₂Et (6b)). Reacting complexes 6a and 6b with p-nitrophenol produces (Pd(Cy₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃)(OC₆H₄–p-NO₂) (8) and cis-CHR = CR(NH₂), exclusively.     

Oxidative addition of MeI to some cyclometalated organoplatinum(II) complexes: Kinetics and mechanism

New cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes [PtMe(C^N)L], 1, in which C^N = deprotonated 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), benzo[h]quinoline (bhq) or 2-(p-tolyl)pyridine (tpy) and L = PPh₃ or PMePh₂, were synthesized by the reaction of [PtMe(C^N)(SMe₂)] with 1 equiv of L. The reaction of complexes 1 with MeI gave the cyclometalated Pt(IV) complexes [PtMe₂I(C^N)L], 3. On the basis of kinetic studies, using Uv–visible spectroscopy, it was suggested that the latter oxidative addition reactions were proceeded by an S_N2 mechanism. The rates of the reactions at different temperatures were measured and consistent with the proposed mechanism, large negative ΔS³ values were found for each reaction. Besides, rate of reactions (in CHCl₃) involving the PPh₃ complexes [PtMe(C^N)(PPh₃)], were almost 3–5 times slower than those involving the PMePh₂ complexes [PtMe(C^N)(PMePh₂)]. This was attributed to the electronic and steric effects of PPh₃ ligand as compared with that of PMePh₂ ligand which was further confirmed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations through finding approximate structures for the described complexes.     

Copper azine compounds: Synthesis,structure and magnetic analyses of Cu(phenazine)Cl2, (phenazinium)2CuCl4 · H2O,and [Cu(phenazine)Cl2 · H2O]2

Three compounds composed of phenazine and copper chloride have been prepared and studied by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and variable temperature magnetization. The compounds synthesized and studied are: Cu(phenazine)Cl₂ (1), (phenazinium)₂CuCl₄ · H₂O (2), and [Cu(phenazine)Cl₂ · H₂O]₂ (3). Compounds 1 and 2 are described as antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chains with exchange constants ∣J∣/k_B = 33.8 K and 8.6 K, respectively.     

Synthesis,X-ray structure and reactivity of μ-(CF3COO)2-[Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr2-C6H3)(CHCMe2Ph)(OOCCF3)(Et2O)]2, the first Bis(trifluoroacetate) derivative of a Schrock catalyst

Reaction of Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂C₆H₅)(OSO₂CF₃)(DME) (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with 2 equiv. of CF₃COOK yields μ-(CF₃COO)₂-[Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂Ph)(OOCCF₃)(Et₂O)]₂ (1). Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pna2₁ with a = 17.2485(3), b = 17.0336(3), c = 25.4031(5) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 7463.5(2) Å³, Z = 4. In contrast to alkoxide based Schrock type initiators, 1 is virtually inactive in numerous metathesis reactions including ring-closing metathesis (RCM) and homo metathesis reactions, the cyclopolymerization of 1,6-heptadiynes, and even ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norborn-2-ene. However, addition of quinuclidine results in the in situ formation of 1a (Mo(N-2,6-i-Pr₂-C₆H₃)(CHCMe₂C₆H₅)(OOCCF₃)₂(quinuclidine) which displays moderate activity in ROMP, cyclopolymerization of 1,6-heptadiynes and RCM. Theoretical investigations carried out on the B3LYP/LACVP¹ level provide substantial explanation for these findings.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of complexes of M(NO3)2; M = MnII,CoII, NiII,and CuII,with pyridine ligands carrying an aminoxyl radical

Four complexes of M(NO₃)₂(4NOPy-OMe)₂, (4NOPy-OMe = 4-(N-tert-butyloxylamino)-2-(methoxymethylenyl)pyridine, and M = Mn^II, 1; Co^II, 2; Ni^II, 3; Cu^II, 4), were prepared and fully characterized. X-ray single crystal analysis reveals that four complexes are isostructural. The molecular structures are distorted octahedral in which the methoxy oxygen atoms coordinate to the metal ion by trans-configuration while the pyridyl nitrogen atoms and the nitrate oxygen atoms coordinate by cis-configuration. The magnetic properties of all complexes were investigated by SQUID magneto/susceptometry. Temperature dependence of the molar magnetic susceptibilities in the temperature range of 2–300 K indicated that the magnetic coupling between aminoxyl radicals and metal ion was antiferromagnetic in the complex 1 and were ferromagnetic in the complexes 2–4. The quantitative analysis based on the spin Hamiltonian, H = −2J(S₁S_M + S_MS₂) yielded the best fit as J/k_B = −13.4 ± 0.1 K, g = 1.94 ± 0.002, and θ = −0.78 ± 0.02 K for the complex 1, J/k_B = 48.7 ± 2.1 K, g = 2.07 ± 0.02, and θ = −2.83 ± 0.41 K for the complex 3 (the data in the temperature range 300–50 K were used), and J/k_B = 57.0 ± 1.2 K, g = 2.002 ± 0.004, and θ = −9.8 ± 0.1 K for the complex 4.     

Synthesis of heteronuclear (MoRu2) clusters from 16-electron half-sandwich complexes (p-Cymene)Ru[E2C2(B10H10)] (E = S,Se)

The heterometallic cluster complexes {(p-Cymene)Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}Mo(CO)₂{(CO)₃Ru[S₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]} (2) and {(p-Cymene)Ru[Se₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)]}₂Mo(CO)₂ (3) (p-Cymene = η⁶-4-isopropyl-toluene) have been synthesized from the reactions of 16-electron half-sandwich ruthenium 1,2-dichalcogenolate carborane complexes (p-Cymene)Ru[E₂C₂(B₁₀H₁₀)] (E = S(1a), Se(1b)) with Mo(CO)₃(Py)₃ in the presence of BF₃ · Et₂O. The complexes of 2 and 3 were characterized by elemental analysis and IR, NMR spectra. The molecular structure of 2 has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complex 2 is unsymmetrical and the two Ru–Mo single bonds (2.7893(14), 2.8189(13) Å) are each supported by a symmetrically bridging o-carborane-1,2-dithiolato ligand.     

Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties of pyrazolate-bridged dinuclear complexes [{M(NCS)(4-Phpy)}2(μ-bpypz)2] (M = Co2+ and Fe2+)

The synthesis and magnetic characterization of pyrazolato-bridged dinuclear complexes [{M(NCS)(4-Phpy)}₂(μ-bpypz)₂] (Hbpypz = 3,5-bis(2-pyridyl)-pyrazole; 4-Phpy = 4-phenylpyridine; M = Co²⁺ (1) and Fe²⁺ (2)) are described together with the X-ray crystal analysis of the cobalt complex. The structure of 1 shows that the desired coordination has been achieved with the cobalt atoms being coordinated to two bpypz to form the dimer. The X-ray diffraction patterns show 1 and 2 to be isomorphous at room temperature. 2 displays a single spin-crossover transition between the [HS–HS] and [LS–LS] states with T_c = 150 K.     

Ce(H2O)(PO4)3/2(H3O)1/2(H2O)1/2, a second entry in the structural chemistry of cerium(IV) phosphates

A cerium(IV) phosphate has been prepared using precipitation methods and its structure has been solved by single crystal X-ray diffraction (R₁ = 0.0292 for 3092 reflections with I>2σ(I) and wR₂ = 0.0540). Ce(H₂O)(PO₄)_3/2(H₃O)_1/2(H₂O)_1/2 crystallises in the monoclinic space group C2/c (a = 15.7058(17) Å, b = 9.6261(9) Å, c = 10.1632(4) Å, ß = 121.623(7)°, and V = 1308.4 (2) Å³). Its structure is based on a negatively charged 3D framework, made of cerium atoms connected by PO₄ tetrahedra. There are two types of PO₄ units; one shares only corners with the cerium coordination polyhedra while the other one shares edges and corners. This structure also includes hydronium cations, to balance the framework charge, and water molecules. One special feature of this 3D framework is the formation of interconnected tunnels which extend along the c axis and contain the hydronium cations and the water molecules. This open framework and the presence of cationic species in the tunnels are in perfect agreement with the previously reported ion exchange properties.     

Hemilability of 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine and 2-(oxazol-2-yl)pyridine ligands: Imidazole and oxazole ring Lewis basicity,Ni(II)/Pd(II) complex structures and spectra

Fourteen new organic molecules A1–A4, B1–B5, C1–C4 and D and a series of transition metal(II) complexes (Ni1–Ni9 and Pd1–Pd2b) were synthesized and studied in order to characterize the hemilability of 2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)pyridine and 2-(oxazol-2-yl)pyridine ligands (A1–A4 = 2-R²-6-(4,5-diphenyl-1R¹-imidazol-2-yl)pyridines, R¹ = H or CH₃, R² = H or CH₃; B1–B5 = 1-R²-2-(pyridin-2-yl)-1R¹-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazoles/oxazoles, R¹ = H or CH₃, R² = H or CH₃; C1–C4 = 2-(6-R²-pyridin-2-yl)-1H-imidazo/oxazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolines, R² = H or CH₃; D = 2-mesityl-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline). They were also used to study the substituent effects on the donor strengths as well as the coordination chemistries of the imidazole/oxazole fragments of the hemilabile ligands.All the observed protonation–deprotonation processes found within pH 1–14 media pertain to the imidazole or oxazole rings rather than the pyridyl Lewis bases. The donor characteristics of the imidazole/oxazole ring can be estimated by spectroscopic methods regardless of the presence of other strong N donor fragments. The oxazoles possessed notably lower donor strengths than the imidazoles. The electron-withdrawing influence and capacity to hinder the azole base donor strength of 4,5-azole substituents were found to be in the order phenanthrenyl (B series) > 4,5-diphenyl (A series) > phenanthrolinyl (C series). An X-ray structure of Ni5b gave evidence for solvent induced ligand reconstitution while the structure of Pd2b provided evidence for solvent induced metal–ligand bond disconnection.Interestingly, alkylation of 1H-imidazoles did not necessarily produce the anticipated push of electron density to the donor nitrogen. Furthermore, substituents on the 4,5-carbons of the azole ring were more important for tuning donor strength of the azole base. DFT calculations were employed to investigate the observed trends. It is believed that the information provided on substituent effects and trends in this family of ligands will be useful in the rational design and synthesis of desired azole-containing chelate ligands, tuning of donor properties and application of this family of ligands in inorganic architectural designs, template-directed coordination polymer preparations, mixed-ligand inorganic self-assemblies, etc.