Synthesis of di-, tri-, tetra- and pentacyclic arene complexes of ruthenium(II):[Ru(η-polycyclic arene)-(1-5-η-cyclooctadienyl)]PF6 and their reactions with NaBH4

The phenanthrene complex of ruthenium(II), [Ru(η⁶-phenanthrene)(1,5-η⁵-cyclooctadienyl)]PF₆ (2c), is prepared by the reaction of Ru(η⁴-1,5-COD)(η⁶-1,3,5-COT) (1) with phenanthrene and HPF₆ in 65% yield. Similar treatments with di- tri-, tetra- and pentacyclic arenes give corresponding polycyclic arene complexes, [Ru(η⁶-polycyclic arene)(1-5-η⁵-cyclooctadienyl)]PF₆ [polycyclic arene = naphthalene (2b), anthracene (2d), triphenylene (2e), pyrene (2f) and perylene (2g)] in 46-90% yields. The molecular structure of the perylene complex 2g is characterized by X-ray crystallography. Reaction of 2c with NaBH₄ gives a mixture of the 1,5- and 1,4-COD complexes of ruthenium(0), Ru(η⁶-phenanthrene)(η⁴-1,5-COD) (3c) and Ru(η⁶-phenanthrene)(η⁴-1,4-COD) (4c) in 76% in 1:8 molar ratio. The arene exchange reactions among cationic complexes [Ru(η⁶-arene)(1-5-η⁵-cyclooctadienyl)]PF₆ (2) showed the coordination ability of arenes in the following order: benzene ∼ triphenylene > phenanthrene > naphthalene > perylene ∼ pyrene > anthracene, suggesting the benzo fused rings, particularly those of acenes, decreasing thermal stability of the arene complex.     

Syntheses, crystal structures and Raman spectra of Ba(BF4)(PF6), Ba(BF4)(AsF6) and Ba2(BF4)2(AsF6)(H3F4); the first examples of metal salts containing simultaneously tetrahedral BF4 and octahedral AF6 anions

In the system BaF₂/BF₃/PF₅/anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (aHF) a compound Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) was isolated and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on the single crystal. Ba(BF₄)(PF₆) crystallizes in a hexagonal space group with a=10.2251(4) Å, c=6.1535(4) Å, V=557.17(5) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=3. Both crystallographically independent Ba atoms possess coordination polyhedra in the shape of tri-capped trigonal prisms, which include F atoms from BF₄⁻ and PF₆⁻ anions. In the analogous system with AsF₅ instead of PF₅ the compound Ba(BF₄)(AsF₆) was isolated and characterized. It crystallizes in an orthorhombic Pnma space group with a=10.415(2) Å, b=6.325(3) Å, c=11.8297(17) Å, V=779.3(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=4. The coordination around Ba atom is in the shape of slightly distorted tri-capped trigonal prism which includes five F atoms from AsF₆⁻ and four F atoms from BF₄⁻ anions. When the system BaF₂/BF₃/AsF₅/aHF is made basic with an extra addition of BaF₂, the compound Ba₂(BF₄)₂(AsF₆)(H₃F₄) was obtained. It crystallizes in a hexagonal P6₃/mmc space group with a=6.8709(9) Å, c=17.327(8) Å, V=708.4(4) Å³ at 200 K, and Z=2. The barium environment in the shape of tetra-capped distorted trigonal prism involves 10 F atoms from four BF₄⁻, three AsF₆⁻ and three H₃F₄⁻ anions. All F atoms, except the central atom in H₃F₄ moiety, act as μ₂-bridges yielding a complex 3-D structural network.     

An antiferromagnetically coupled hexanuclear copper(II) Schiff base complex containing phenoxo and dicyanamido bridges: Structural aspects and magnetic properties

A novel hexanuclear complex [{(CuL)₂Cu}₂(μ-dca)₂](ClO₄)₂·2L′(1) (where H₂L = (OH)C₆H₄C(CH₃)N(CH₂)₃NC(CH₃)C₆H₄(OH) or N,N′-bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone) propylenediimine and dca = N(CN)₂⁻ and L′ = 2-hydroxyacetophenone) has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis, FT-IR spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Single crystal X-ray structural characterization reveals a centrosymmetric nature of the complex unit, where the metal centers adopt distorted square-planar and distorted octahedral geometries. Structural analysis also reveals μ₂-phenoxo bridges between terminal and the central copper(II) centers of the asymmetric [(CuL)₂Cu(dca)] unit, the latter being interconnected to its symmetry related counterpart by double μ_1,5-dca bridges, leading to the hexanuclear complex ion [{(CuL)₂Cu}₂(μ-dca)₂]²⁺. Low temperature susceptibility measurements of 1 revealed the presence of strong antiferromagnetic coupling (2J = −407 cm⁻¹) between the copper(II) centers.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and thermochemical behaviour of a barium complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H2O)3] [5-OH-H2BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid]

A novel complex [Ba(5-OH-BDC)(H₂O)₃] [5-OH-H₂BDC = 5-hydroxyisophtalic acid] was synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The complex is Monoclinic P2₁/c, a = 11.1069(4), b = 14.8192(6), c = 6.5005(2) Å, β = 103.465(3)° and Z = 4, which exhibits a three-dimensional framework formed by linkage of adjacent two-dimensional (6, 3) layers via intermolecular hydrogen bonds. The title complex has been studied by IR spectrum and TG-DTG. The constant-volume combustion energy of the complex, Δ_cU, was determined as being (−3210.45 ± 1.41) kJ mol⁻¹ by a precise rotating-bomb calorimeter at 298.15 K. The standard enthalpy of combustion, , and the standard enthalpy of formation, , were calculated as being (−3207.97 ± 1.41) and (−1922.80 ± 1.76) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. A calculation model for determining the specific heat capacity of the complex with an improved RD496-III microcalorimeter is also derived. The specific heat capacity of the complex was (6158.387 ± 0.187) J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹.     

A new structure type of phosphate: Crystal structure of Na2Zn5(PO4)4

A new compound, Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄, was identified in the system ZnONa₂OP₂O₅ and high-quality crystal was obtained by the melt method. The crystal structure of this compound was solved by direct method from single crystal X-ray diffraction data. The structure was then refined anisotropically using a full-matrix least square refinement on F² and the refinement converged to R₁=0.0233 and wR₂=0.0544. This compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system with space group Pbcn, lattice parameters a=10.381(2) Å, b=8.507(1) Å, c=16.568(3) Å and Z=4. The structure is made up of 3D [Zn₅P₄O₁₆]_n²ⁿ⁻ covalent framework consisting of [Zn₄P₄O₁₆]_n⁴ⁿ⁻ layers. The powder diffraction pattern of Na₉Zn₂₁(PO₄)₁₇ is explained by simulating a theoretical pattern with NaZnPO₄ and Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ in the molar ratio of 1:4 and then by Rietveld refinement of experimental pattern. Na₂Zn₅(PO₄)₄ melts congruently at 855 °C and its conductivity is 5.63×10⁻⁹ S/cm.     

Synthesis,structure, and electrochemistry of pyridinecarboxamide cobalt(III) complexes; the effect of bridge substituents on the redox properties

Two series of complexes of the types trans-[Co^III(Mebpb)(amine)₂]ClO₄ {Mebpb²⁻ = N,N-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4-methylbenzene dianion, and amine = pyrrolidine (prldn) (1a), piperidine (pprdn) (2a), morpholine (mrpln) (3a), benzylamine (bzlan) (4a)}, and trans-[Co^III(cbpb)(amine)₂]X {cbpb²⁻ = N,N-bis(pyridine-2-carboxamido)-4-chlorobenzene dianion, and amine = pyrrolidine (prldn), X = PF₆ (1b), piperidine (pprdn), X = PF₆ (2b), morpholine (mrpln), X = ClO₄ (3b), benzylamine (bzlan), X = PF₆ (4b)} have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV–Vis, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of 1a has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The electrochemical behavior of these complexes, with the goal of evaluating the effect of axial ligation and equatorial substitution on the redox properties, is also reported. The reduction potential of Co^III, ranging from −0.53 V for (1a) to −0.31 V for (3a) and from −0.48 V for (1b) to −0.22 V for (3b) show a relatively good correlation with the σ-donor ability of the axial ligands. The methyl and chloro substituents of the equatorial ligand have a considerable effect on the redox potentials of the central cobalt ion and the ligand-centered redox processes.     

A new [Ni4] distorted cubane assembly on four solvent derived μ3-OMe corners: Solvent dependent formation and cleavage of exogenous bridges

A new Ni₄ distorted cubane complex [Ni₄(μ₃-OMe)₄Q₄(MeOH)₄] (1) (where Q⁻ is the anion of 8-quinolinol) is obtained from the reaction of NaQ with Ni(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O in refluxing MeOH via solvent derived μ₃-OMe assisted self-assembly of four nickel(II) centres. The periphery of [Ni₄(OMe)₄] cubane is covered by four Q⁻ and four MeOH molecules. This methanol specific reaction is not supported in solvent glycinol (Hgl; NH₂(CH₂)₂OH), an amine substituted ethanol, producing monomeric [NiQ₂(Hgl)₂] · 2H₂O (2 · 2H₂O) instead and is able to cleave 1 to yield 2 · 2H₂O. The cryomagnetic susceptibility data of powdered 1 can be modeled by a two J equation yielding J₁ = −1.8(1) cm⁻¹, J₂ = 3.9(1) cm⁻¹ and g = 2.24.     

Modulation of intermolecular exchange interaction in organic radical based compounds: Magneto-structural analysis of phenol and imidazolium substituted oxoverdazyl radicals

The synthesis of two oxoverdazyls based compounds, the 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-6-oxoverdazyl 1 and the perchlorate salt of 1,5-dimethyl-3-(2′-imidazolium)-6-oxoverdazyl 2 are reported. The structural analysis of 1 reveals that radicals are closely packed in regular columns by way of π-stacking. In contrast, the packing in 2 is definitely influenced by the protonation state of the radical substituent and shows strong lateral staggering of the organic radicals. The organisation in the solid state strongly influences the intermolecular exchange interaction between π-stacked radicals which goes from J = −113 cm⁻¹ (H = −J∑S_iS_i+1) in 1 to J = −1.0 cm⁻¹ and J′ = −0.67 cm⁻¹ in 2.     

Synthesis and characterization of para-nitro substituted 2,6-bis(phenylimino)pyridyl Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes and their ethylene polymerization properties

Four iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes ligated by 2,6-bis(4-nitro-2,6-R₂-phenylimino)pyridines, LMCl₂ (1: R = Me, M = Fe; 2: R = iPr, M = Fe; 3: R = Me, M = Co; 4: R = iPr, M = Co) have been synthesized and fully characterized, and their catalytic ethylene polymerization properties have been investigated. Among these complexes, the iron(II) pre-catalyst bearing the ortho-isopropyl groups (complex 2) exhibited higher activities and produced higher molecular weight polymers than the other complexes in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO). A comparison of 2 with the reference non-nitro-substituted catalyst (2,6-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenylimino)pyridyl)FeCl₂ (FeCat 5) revealed a modest increase of the catalytic activity and longer lifetime upon substitution of the para-positions with nitro groups (activity up to 6.0 × 10³ kg mol⁻¹ h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for 2 and 4.8 × 10³ kg mol⁻¹ h⁻¹ bar⁻¹ for 5), converting ethylene to highly linear polyethylenes with a unimodal molecular weight distribution around 456.4 kg mol⁻¹. However, the iron(II) pre-catalyst 1 on changing from ortho-isopropyl to methyl groups displayed much lower activities (over an order of magnitude) than 2 under mild conditions. As expected, the cobalt analogues showed relatively low polymerization activities.     

A computational study of SbnF5n (n = 1-4): Implications for the fluoride ion affinity of nSbF5

This contributions shows with a series of ab initio MP2 and DFT (BP86 and B3-LYP) computations with large basis sets up to cc-pVQZ quality that the literature value of the standard enthalpy of depolymerization of Sb₄F_20(g) to give SbF_5(g) (+18.5 kJ mol⁻¹) [J. Fawcett, J.H. Holloway, R.D. Peacock, D.R. Russell, J. Fluorine Chem. 20 (1982) 9] is by about 50 kJ mol⁻¹ in error and that the correct value of (Sb₄F_20(g)) is +68 ± 10 kJ mol⁻¹. We assign , , and values for Sb_nF_5n with n = 2-4 and compare the results to available experimental gas phase data. Especially the MP2/TZVPP values obtained in an indirect procedure that rely on isodesmic reactions or the highly accurate compound methods G2 and CBS-Q are in excellent agreement with the experimental data, and reproduce also the fine experimental details at temperatures of 423 and 498 K. With these data and the additional calculation of [Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻ (n = 1-4), we then assessed the fluoride ion affinities (FIAs) of Sb_nF_5n(g), nSbF_5(g), nSbF_5(l) and the standard enthalpies of formation of Sb_nF_5n(g) and [Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻_(g): FIA(Sb_nF_5n(g)) = 514 (n = 1), 559 (n = 2), 572 (n = 3) and 580 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹; FIA(nSbF_5(g)) = 667 (n = 2), 767 (n = 3) and 855 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹; FIA(nSbF_5(l)) = 434 (n = 1), 506 (n = 2), 528 (n = 3) and 534 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹. Error bars are approximately ±10 kJ mol⁻¹. Also the related Gibbs energies were derived. Δ_fH°([Sb_nF_5n+1]⁻_(g)) = −2064 ± 18 (n = 1), −3516 ± 25 (n = 2), −4919 ± 31 (n = 3) and −6305 ± 36 (n = 4) kJ mol⁻¹.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction analysis/crystal structure of new germatranes containing methyl substituents in three five-membered chelating rings

Three monomeric germatranes, 1-isopropoxy-3,3,7,7,10,10-hexamethyl-2,8,9-trioxa-5-aza-1-germatricyclo[3.3.3.0^1,5]undecane (1), 1-isopropoxy-3,3,7,7-tetramethyl-2,8,9-trioxa-5-aza-1-germatricyclo[3.3.3.0^1,5]undecane (2), and 1-isopropoxy-3,3-dimethyl-2,8,9-trioxa-5-aza-1-germatricyclo[3.3.3.0^1,5]undecane (3) have been synthesized by the reaction of Ge(O-i-Pr)₄ in refluxing toluene with corresponding triethanolamines, (HOCH₂CH₂)_nN(CH₂CMe₂OH)_3−n (n = 0, L1H₃; n = 1, L2H₃; n = 2, L3H₃), where the number of CMe₂ groups adjacent to a OH functionality varied from 3 (L1H₃) to 2 (L2H₃), and to 1 (L3H₃). These germatranes 1-3 have been characterized by solution ¹H and ¹³C{¹H} NMR and the solid state structure of 2 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Copper(II) complexes of N4 tetradentate ligands with flexible alkyl spacers: Crystal structure,DNA binding and cleavage studies

Mononuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu L1] (ClO₄)₂ (1), [Cu L2] (ClO₄)₂ (2) and [Cu L3] (ClO₄)₂ (3) with quadridentate Schiff base ligands L1 (N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-butane-1,4-diimine), L2 (N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-pentane-1,5-diimine) and L3 (N,N′-bis-pyridin-2-ylmethyl-hexane-1,6-diimine) have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structure data of 1 reveals the existence of the complex in two different geometries, namely a square pyramid and a distorted octahedron, which eventually leads to the packing of the molecule into helical and anti-parallel structures respectively. Absorption titration studies with calf thymus DNA for all three complexes are suggestive of groove binding with binding constant values for 1, 2 and 3 being 2.6 ± 0.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹, 11.5 ± 0.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ and 1.83 ± 0.2 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ respectively. Control cleavage experiments using pBR 322 plasmid DNA and distamycin suggest minor groove binding for these complexes. In the presence of ascorbic acid, the complexes show efficient DNA cleavage, the order of efficiency being 1 > 2 ≅ 3.     

Synthesis,structure and catalase activity of the [TPA2Mn2(μ-Cl)2] complex

The dinuclear Mn complex (Et₃NH)₂[TPA₂Mn₂(μ-Cl)₂](ClO₄)₄ (I) was synthesized and characterized. Complex I was obtained from the reaction between MnCl₂ and [H₃TPA](ClO₄)₃ in MeOH. Structural analysis of I showed the two Mn(II) atoms are bridged by two chloride ligands, forming a bis(μ-chloro)dimanganese core. The [Mn₂(μ-Cl)₂]²⁺ core, with a Mn–Mn distance of 3.521(2) Å, is similar to the active site found in chloride-inhibited Mn catalase. EPR and temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of complex I showed an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two S = 5/2 Mn centers with an exchange parameter J = −8.8 cm⁻¹. Catalytic activity of H₂O₂ dismutation was measured for complex I and compared with other related complexes. Kinetic parameters of H₂O₂ dismutation were obtained and a possible catalytic mechanism of complex I, related to chloride-inhibited Mn catalase, was suggested.     

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of hemoglobin immobilized in a magnetic nanoparticles-chitosan film

Magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) were synthesized by a chemical coprecipitation method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to confirm the crystallite structure and the particle's radius. The Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles and chitosan (CS) were mixed to form a matrix in which haemoglobin (Hb) can be immobilized for the fabrication of H₂O₂ biosensor. The Fe₃O₄-CS-Hb film exhibited a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible cyclic voltammetric peaks due to the redox of Hb-heme Fe (III)/Fe (II) in a pH 7.0 phosphate buffer. The formal potential of Hb-heme Fe(III)/Fe(II) couple varied linearly with the increase of pH in the range of 4.0-10.0 with a slope of 46.5 mV pH⁻¹, indicating that electron transfer was accompanied with single proton transportation in the electrochemical reaction. The surface coverage of Hb immobilized on Fe₃O₄-CS film glassy carbon electrode was about 1.13 × 10⁻¹⁰ mol cm⁻². The heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant (k_s) was 1.04 s⁻¹, indicating great facilitation of the electron transfer between Hb and magnetic nanoparticles-chitosan modified electrode. The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen and hydrogen peroxide reduction. The apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for H₂O₂ was estimated to be 38.1 μmol L⁻¹.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, infrared and Raman spectra of Sr4Cu3(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)4·3H2O and Ba2Cu4(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)3

The two new compounds, Sr₄Cu₃(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₄·3H₂O (1) and Ba₂Cu₄(AsO₄)₂(AsO₃OH)₃(2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. They represent previously unknown structure types and are the first compounds synthesized in the systems SrO/BaO-CuO-As₂O₅-H₂O. Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction [space group C2/c, a=18.536(4) Å, b=5.179(1) Å, c=24.898(5) Å, β=93.67(3)°, V=2344.0(8) Å³, Z=4 for 1; space group P4₂/n, a=7.775(1) Å, c=13.698(3) Å, V=828.1(2) Å³, Z=2 for 2]. The crystal structure of 1 is related to a group of compounds formed by Cu²⁺-(XO₄)³⁻ layers (X=P⁵⁺, As⁵⁺) linked by M cations (M=alkali, alkaline earth, Pb²⁺, or Ag⁺) and partly by hydrogen bonds. In 1, worth mentioning is the very short hydrogen bond length, D···A=2.477(3) Å. It is one of the examples of extremely short hydrogen bonds, where the donor and acceptor are crystallographically different. Compound 2 represents a layered structure consisting of Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers crosslinked by As1φ₄ tetrahedra, where φ is O or OH, which are interconnected by Ba, As2 and hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network. The layers are formed by Cu₂O₈ centrosymmetric dimers of CuO₅ edge-sharing polyhedra, crosslinked by As1O₄ tetrahedra. Vibrational spectra (FTIR and Raman) of both compounds are described. The spectroscopic manifestation of the very short hydrogen bond in 1, and ABC-like spectra in 2 were discussed.     

Two near-UV and visible chromophores of CpCo(Dithiolene) complexes with pyridinium-dicyanomethylide group

Tetracyanoethylene oxide (TCNEO) reacted with [CpCo(dithiolene)] (Cp = η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) complexes having 4-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl group to undergo a dicyanomethylation to the nitrogen atom on the pyridyl group. The reaction of [CpCo(S₂C₂(⁴Py)₂)] (1) with TCNEO formed both the monodicyanomethylated [CpCo(S₂C₂(⁴Py)(⁴Py-C(CN)₂))] (1a) and bisdicyanomethylated [CpCo(S₂C₂(⁴Py-C(CN)₂)₂)] (1b). [CpCo(S₂C₂(²Py)(⁴Py))] (2) reacted with TCNEO to give [CpCo(S₂C₂(²Py)(⁴Py-C(CN)₂))] (2a) but no dicyanomethylation occurred on the 2-pyridyl group. 2 reacted with excess TCNEO to form the only dicyanomethylated acetylene derivative ²Py-CC-(⁴Py-C(CN)₂) (2c), followed by a dissociation of the CpCoS₂ fragment. The monodicyanomethylated [CpCo(S₂C₂(ⁿPy-C(CN)₂)(2-thienyl))] (n = 4 (4a) or 3 (5a)) complexes were also prepared from [CpCo(S₂C₂(ⁿPy)(2-thienyl))] (n = 4 (4) or 3 (5)) and TCNEO. 1b was structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction study. The all dicyanomethylated [CpCo(dithiolene)] complexes showed the dithiolene LMCT absorption in the range of 605-644 nm (ε = 7000-9200 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹) and very strong absorption due to their pyridinium-dicyanomethylide moieties in near-UV region (e.g. 1b: λ_max = 470 nm, ε = 43,400 M⁻¹ cm⁻¹). The CV of the all dicyanomethylated complexes exhibited two reduction waves. The first reduction is due to Co^III/Co^II and the second one is due to the reduction of the pyridinium-dicyanomethylide moiety. The reduced 1b⁻ is stable enough for several minutes according to the visible spectroelectrochemical measurement. The ESR spectrum of 1b⁻ indicated eight hyperfine splittings due only to the interaction with the nuclear spin of cobalt (I = 7/2).     

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the binary mixture [(C2H5)2CO + CH3OH] probed by polarized Raman measurements and DFT calculations

The Raman spectra of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO (pentanone) and its binary mixtures with hydrogen donor solvent (CH₃OH), [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] having different mole fractions of the reference system, (C₂H₅)₂CO in the range 0.1-0.9 at a regular interval of 0.1 were recorded in the CO stretching region. In neat liquid, the Raman peak appears asymmetric. The asymmetric nature of the peak has been attributed to the CO stretching mode of the two conformers of (C₂H₅)₂CO having C₂ and C_2v point groups and the corresponding bands at ∼1711 and ∼1718 cm⁻¹, respectively. A careful analysis of the I_iso (isotropic component of the Raman scattered intensity) at different concentrations reveals that upon dilution with methanol, at mole fraction C = 0.6, an additional peak in the CO stretching region is observed at ∼1703 cm⁻¹ which is attributed to the hydrogen bonding with methanol. A peculiar feature in this study is that upon dilution, the peak at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ shows a minimum at C = 0.6, but on further dilution it shows a blue shift. However, the other peak at ∼1711 cm⁻¹ shows a continuous red shift with dilution as well as a maximum at C = 0.7 in the linewidth vs. concentration plot, which is essentially due to competition between motional narrowing and diffusion phenomena. A significant amount of narrowing in the Raman band at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ can be understood in terms of caging effect of the reference molecule by the solvent molecules at high dilution. A density functional theoretic (DFT) calculation on optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of two conformers of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO in C₂ ad C_2v forms and the complexes with one and two CH₃OH molecules with both the conformers was performed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations together indicate a co-existence of two conformers as well as hydrogen bonded complex with methanol in the binary mixture, [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] at intermediate concentrations.     

The hydrogenphosphate complex of (1,5-cyclooctadiene)iridium(I), {[Bu4N][(1,5-COD)Ir · HPO4]}n: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and ES-MS of a new, preferred precursor to HPO4 and Bu4N stabilized Ir(0)n nanoclusters

The synthesis and characterization of a previously unknown, rare organometallic-phosphate complex, {[Bu₄N][(1,5-COD)Ir · HPO₄]}_n (1), is described. Characterization of 1 was accomplished by elemental analysis, electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS), and ¹H and ¹³C NMR which established the symmetry of the product as at least C₂ or C_s. The ES-MS reveals an interesting, Ir(I) to Ir(III) oxidative process with intense peaks displaying the ¹⁹¹Ir/¹⁹³Ir isotopic distribution patterns expected for the fragments [(1,5-COD)Ir^III(HPO₄)₂]⁻, [(C₈H₁₁)₂(Ir^III)₂(PO₄)(HPO₄)(H₂O)]⁻, and [(C₈H₁₁)₂(Ir^III)₂(PO₄)(HPO₄)(H₂O)₂]⁻. These fragments, in turn, provide evidence for a structure with two HPO₄²⁻ groups attached to a single Ir, for example ring structures (of at least such C₂ or C_s symmetry) such as {[Bu₄N][(1,5-COD)Ir · HPO₄]}₂. Complex 1 is significant since it is known to be the preferred, compositionally precise precursor to the prototype example of a recently discovered class of novel, HPO₄²⁻ and Bu₄N⁺ stabilized nanoclusters, (Bu₄N)_2n²ⁿ⁺[Ir(0)_n · (HPO₄)_n]²ⁿ⁻. Such nanoclusters are being extended, via their analogous hydrogenphosphate-organometallic precursors (1,5-COD)M^{+ or 2+}/HPO₄²⁻ (M=Rh(I), Ru(II), Pt(II)) to their corresponding, catalytically active [M(0)_n · (HPO₄)_n]²ⁿ⁻ nanoclusters.     

Kinetics and mechanistic studies of the interaction of thiosulfate with cis-diaqua-bis[1-alkyl-2-(arylazo)imidazole]ruthenium(II) complexes

The nucleophilic substitution reaction of S₂O₃²⁻ with [Ru(HaaiR′)₂(OH₂)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1) [HaaiR′ = 1-alkyl-2-(phenylazo)imidazole] and [Ru(ClaaiR′)₂(OH₂)₂](ClO₄)₂ (2) [ClaaiR′ = 1-alkyl-2-(chlorophenylazo)imidazole] [where R′ = Me(a), Et(b) or Bz(c)] in acetonitrile–water (50% v/v) medium to yield Na₂[Ru(HaaiR′)₂(S₂O₃)₂] (3a, 3b or 3c) and Na₂[Ru(ClaaiR′)₂(S₂O₃)₂] (4a, 4b or 4c) has been studied. The products were characterized by microanalytical data and spectroscopic techniques (UV–Vis, NMR and mass spectroscopy). The reaction proceeds in two consecutive steps (A → B → C); each step follows first order kinetics with respect to each complex and S₂O₃²⁻, and the first step second order rate constant (k′₂) is greater than the second step one (k″₂). An increase in the π-acidity of the ligand increases the rate. Thermodynamic parameters, the standard enthalpy of activation (Δ^‡H⁰) and the standard entropy of activation (Δ^‡S⁰), have been calculated for both steps using the Eyring equation from variable temperature kinetic studies. The low Δ^‡H⁰ and large negative Δ^‡S⁰ values indicate an associative mode of activation for both aqua ligand substitution processes.     

Two new coordination polymers of Robson-type macrocycle bridged by perchlorate anions: Structure,electrochemistry and magnetism

Two new coordination polymers of Robson-type macrocycles, [Cu₂L¹(μ-ClO₄)₂]_∞ (1) and [Cu₂L²(μ-ClO₄)₂]_∞ (2) (where H₂L¹and H₂L² are the [2+2] condensation products of 2,6-diformyl-4-flurophenol with 1,3-diaminopropane and 2-hydroxy-1,3-diaminopropane, respectively), have been synthesized and characterized. The intriguing feature is that intermolecular perchlorato bridges occur between adjacent copper(II) centers. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes show that each complex undergoes two pseudo-reversible processes with the half wave potentials, −0.361 V and −0.729 V for 1, and −0.372 V and −0.744 V for 2, respectively. Magnetic susceptibility was measured for 1 and 2 over a temperature range of 2–300 K. The optimized magnetic data were J = −359.6 cm⁻¹, j′ = −30 cm⁻¹ and R = 6.8 × 10⁻⁸ for 1 and J = −411 cm⁻¹, j′ = −26 cm⁻¹ and R = 2.4 × 10⁻⁷ for 2, respectively. The data reveal antiferromagnetic couplings between the copper(II) ions of intra- and intermolecular units.