Variable coordination behaviour of pyrazole-containing N,P and N,P(O) ligands towards palladium(II)

Three bidentate, mixed-donor ligands based on a triphenylphosphine unit bearing a pyrazole group in the ortho-position of one phenyl ring have been synthesised; the N,P ligand [2-(3-pyrazolyl)phenyl]diphenylphosphine pzphos has been synthesised and transformed into new N,P(O) and N,P(S) derivatives, [2-(3-pyrazolyl)phenyl]diphenylphosphine oxide pzphos(O) and [2-(3-pyrazolyl)phenyl]diphenylphosphine sulfide pzphos(S), respectively. The coordination chemistry of pzphos and pzphos(O) towards palladium(II) has been investigated. Depending on the ligand to metal molar ratio employed in the reactions of palladium(II) with pzphos, either the 1 : 1 chelate [Pd(pzphos)Cl2] 1a or the 2 : 1 N,P chelate [Pd(pzphos)2]Cl2 1b was obtained. 1b contains two six-membered chelate rings in which the chlorides have been displaced from the inner coordination sphere of palladium. Exchange of the chloride anions in 1b for perchlorate anions was achieved using AgClO4 to give [Pd(pzphos)2][ClO4]2 1c. Reaction of pzphos(O) under the same conditions forms the 2 : 1 adduct [Pd(pzphos(O))2Cl2] 2b regardless of the metal to ligand ratio or the order of addition of reactants. Unlike the N,P chelate 1b, the N,P(O) ligands in complex 2b bind in a monodentate fashion through the N-donor atoms of the pyrazole rings. Abstraction of the chloro ligands in compound 2b using AgClO4 gave the 2 : 1 N,P(O) chelate [Pd{pzphos(O)}2][ClO4]2 2c, in which entropically unfavourable 7-membered chelate rings are formed. X-Ray diffraction has been used to confirm the solid-state structures of the pzphos(O) ligand and the complexes 1b, 1c, 2b and 2c.     

The coordination of perrhenate and pertechnetate to thorium(IV) in the presence of phosphine oxide or phosphate ligands

A series of thorium(IV) perrhenato- and pertechnetato-complexes with P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligands have been prepared and characterised both in the solid state and in solution. Isostructural complexes of general formula [Th(MO(4))(4)(L)(4)], where M = Re or Tc and L = triethylphosphate (TEP) (2 and 7), tri-iso-butylphosphate (TiBP) (3 and 8) and tri-n-butylphosphine oxide (TBPO) (4 and 9) have been prepared from the novel starting materials [Th(ReO(4))(4)] x 4H(2)O (1) and [Th(TcO(4))(4)] x 4H(2)O (6). The reaction of or with triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO) in MeOH has also led to the synthesis of [Th(MO(4))(3)(TPPO)(3)(OCH(3))(HOCH(3))] (M = Re (5) or Tc (10)). While the structural characterisation of 4 and 9 has been previously described, we report for the first time the structural characterisation of 2 and 5, with a partial structural refinement of 3. Vibrational spectroscopic analysis confirms that the Tc complexes not characterised by single crystal X-ray diffraction are indeed isostructural with the perrhenate complexes with the same P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligand. In all cases, monodentate coordination of the Group 7 tetraoxo anion is observed. (31)P NMR spectroscopy indicates that in all the phosphine oxide-based complexes there is one dominant solution species. For the phosphate based systems, the presence of pertechnetate appears to inhibit P[double bond, length as m-dash]O donor ligand complexation in solution, whereas a significant proportion of each phosphate remains coordinated to Th(IV) when perrhenate is present as the counter ligand. These results give some indication as to the mechanism of pertechnetate co-extraction with tetravalent cations in the presence of tri-n-butyl phosphate in the Plutonium and Uranium Recovery by Extraction (PUREX) process.     

Lanthanide clusters with internal Ln: fragmentation and the formation of dimers with bridging Se(2-) and Se2(2-) ligands

Reactions of "LnI(x)(SePh)(3-x)" (Ln = Dy, Ho) with elemental S/Se give (THF)14Ln10S6(Se2)6I6. The compounds are composed of a Ln6S6 double cubane core, with two twisted "Ln2(SeSe)3" units condensed onto opposing rectangular sides of the Ln6S6 fragment. This deposition of Ln2Se6 totally encapsulates the two central Ln's with chalcogen atoms (four S and four Se atoms), excluding neutral THF donors or iodides from the two primary coordination spheres. Reactions of Ln(10) clusters with a stronger Lewis base result in fragmentation and, in the case of Ln = Er, the isolation of (py)6Er2(Se2)(S0.8Se0.2)I2, with two Ln(III) ions spanned by E2- and (EE)2- ligands. The related homochalcogen dimers (py)6Ln2(Se2)(Se)Br2 (Ln = Ho, Yb) were prepared to establish that such molecules could be prepared rationally, and to confirm the isolability of E2- ligands coordinated to only two sterically unconstrained Ln ions.     

Structural studies of bis(histidinato)nickel(II): Combined experimental and computational studies

A distorted octahedral nickel(II) complex, [Ni(2-amino-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoic acid)₂] (1), has been synthesized by a solvothermal method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Geometry optimization in the gas phase and pyridine together with Hirshfeld surface and reduced density gradient analyses reveal that this complex shows different distortions from octahedral in the gas, liquid, and solid phases. The reason seems to be because of the presence of two intramolecular NH⋯O weak interactions in the gas phase and two sets of rather strong intermolecular NH⋯O and CH⋯O interactions in the solid phase. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations suggest that these different distortions result in different electronic absorption spectra.     

Polymeric silver(I) complexes with pyridyl dithioether ligands: experimental and theoretical investigations on the coordination properties of the ligands

The reactions of four flexible tetradentate ligands, 1,3-bis(2-pyridylthio)propane (L1), 1,4-bis(2-pyridylthio)butane (L2), 1,5-bis(2-pyridylthio)pentane (L3) and 1,6-bis(2-pyridylthio)hexane (L4) with AgX (X = BF4-, ClO4-, PF6-, or CF3SO3-) lead to the formation of seven new complexes: [AgL1(BF4)]2 (1), [[AgL2](ClO4)]infinity (2), [[AgL2(CH3CN)](PF6)]infinity (3), [[AgL3](BF4)(CHCl3)]2 (4), [[AgL3(CF3SO3)](CH3OH)(0.5)]infinity (5), [[Ag2L4(2)](BF4)2]infinity (6), and [[AgL4](PF6)]infinity (7), which have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Single-crystal X-ray analyses show that complexes 1 and 4 possess dinuclear macrometallacyclic structures, and complexes 2, 3 and 5-7 take chain structures. In all the complexes, the nitrogen atoms of ligands preferentially coordinate to silver atoms to form normal coordination bonds, while the sulfur atoms only show weak interactions with silver atoms and the intermolecular AgS weak contacts connect the low-dimensional complexes into high-dimensional supramolecular networks. Additional weak interactions, such as pi-pi stacking, F...F weak interactions, Ag...O contacts or C-H...O hydrogen bonds, also help to stabilize the crystal structures. It was found that the parity of the -(CH2)n- spacers (n = 3-6) affect the orientation of the two terminal pyridyl rings, thereby significantly influence the framework formations of these complexes. The coordination features of ligands and their conformation changes between free and coordination states have been investigated by DFT calculations.     

Redox-active p-quinone-based Bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands: synthesis and coordination behaviour

The synthesis, structural characterisation and coordination behaviour of mono- and ditopic p-hydroquinone-based bis(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands is described (i.e., 2-(pz2CH)C6H3(OH)2 (2a), 2-(pz2CH)-6-(tBu)C6H2(OH)2 (2b), 2-(pz2CH)-6-(tBu)C6H2(OSiiPr3)(OH) (2c), 2,5-(pz2CH)2C6H2(OH)2 (4)). Ligands 2a, 2b and 4 can be oxidised to their p-benzoquinone state on a preparative scale (2a ox, 2b ox, 4 ox). An octahedral Ni II complex [trans-Ni(2c)2] and square-planar Pd II complexes [Pd2bCl2] and [Pd2b ox Cl2] have been prepared. In the two Pd II species, the ligands are coordinated only through their pyrazolyl rings. The fact that [Pd2bC12] and [Pd2b oxC12] are isolable compounds proves that redox transitions involving the p-quinone substituent are fully reversible. In [Pd2b oxCl2], the methine proton is highly acidic and can be abstracted with bases as weak as NEt(3). The resulting anion dimerises to give a dinuclear macrocyclic Pd II complex, which has been structurally characterised. The methylated ligand 2-(pz2CMe)C6H3O2 (11 ox) and its Pd II complex [Pd11 oxCl2] are base-stable. A new class of redox-active ligands is now available with the potential for applications both in catalysis and in materials science.     

Reaction of tri(2-furyl)phosphine with triosmium clusters: C-H and P-C activation to afford furyne and phosphinidene ligands

Addition of tri(2-furyl)phosphine, PFu₃, to [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-H)₂] at room temperature gives [HOs₃(CO)₁₀(PFu₃)(μ-H)] (1), while in refluxing toluene the same reactants afford [Os₃(CO)₉{μ₃-PFu₂(C₄H₂O)}(μ-H)] (2) resulting from orthometallatation of a furyl ring. Reaction of PFu₃ with [Os₃(CO)_10−n(NCMe)_n] (n = 0, 1, 2) affords the substituted clusters [Os₃(CO)_12−n(PFu₃)_n] (n = 1-3) (3-5), the phosphine ligands occupying equatorial position in all cases. Heating [Os₃(CO)₁₁(PFu₃)] (3) in refluxing octane gives [Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-PFu)(μ₃-η²-C₄H₂O)] (6) which results from both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-phosphorus bond activation and contains both μ₃-η²-furyne and furylphosphinidene ligands. All new clusters have been characterized by spectroscopic methods together with single crystal X-ray diffraction for 2, 3 and 6.     

cis-Dicyanoosmium(II) diimine complexes bearing phosphine or sulfoxide ligands: spectroscopic and luminescent studies

A series of cis-dicyanoosmium(II) complexes [Os(PPh3)2(CN)2(N intersectionN)] (N intersectionN = Ph2phen (2a), bpy (2b), phen (2c), Ph2bpy (2d), tBu2bpy (2e)) and [Os(DMSO)2(CN)2(N intersectionN)] (3a-3e, N intersectionN = Br2phen (3f), Clphen (3g)), were synthesized and their spectroscopic and photophysical properties were examined, and [Os(PMe3)2(CN)2(phen)] (4) with axial PMe3 ligands was similarly prepared. The molecular structures of 2a, 2c, [2c.Zn(NO3)2]infinity, 2d, 2e, 3b, 3d, 3e, and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallographic analyses. The two CN ligands are cis to each other with mean Os-C bond distance of 2.0 A. The two PR3 (R = Ph, Me) or DMSO ligands are trans to each other with P/S-Os-P/S angles of approximately 177 degrees . The UV-vis absorption spectra of 2a-2e display an intense absorption band at 268-315 nm (epsilon = approximately (1.54-4.82) x 104 M-1 cm-1) that are attributed to pi --> pi*(N intersection N) and/or pi --> pi*(PPh3) transitions. The moderately intense absorption bands with lambdamax at 387-460 nm (epsilon = approximately (2.4-11.3) x 103 M(-1) cm(-1)) are attributed to a 1MLCT transition. A weak, broad absorption at 487-600 nm (epsilon = approximately 390-1900 M(-1) cm(-1)) is assigned to a 3MLCT transition. Excitation of 2a-2e in dichloromethane at 420 nm gives an emission with peak maximum at 654-703 nm and lifetime of 0.16-0.67 micros. The emission energies, lifetimes, and quantum yields show solvatochromic responses, and plots of numax, tau, and Phi, respectively, versus ET (solvent polarity parameter) show linear correlations, indicating that the emission is sensitive to the local environment. The broad structureless solid-state emission of 2a-2e at 298 (lambdamax 622-707 nm) and 77 (lambdamax 602-675 nm) K are assigned to 3MLCT excited states. The 77 K MeOH/EtOH (1:4) glassy solutions of 2a-2e also exhibit 3MLCT emissions with lambdamax = 560-585 nm. The 1MLCT absorption and 3MLCT emission of 3a-3g occur at lambdamax = 332-390 nm and 553-644 nm, respectively. In the presence of Zn(NO3)2, both the 1MLCT absorption and 3MLCT emission of 2c in acetonitrile blue-shift from 397 to 341 nm and 651 to 531 nm, respectively. The enhancement of emission intensity (I/Io) of 2e at 531 nm reached a maximum of approximately 810 upon the addition of two equivs of Zn(NO3)2. The crystallographic and spectroscopic evidence suggests that 2c undergoes binding of Zn2+ ions via the cyano moieties.     

Experimental and computational study of the Zn(n)S(n) and Zn(n)S(n)+ clusters

Zinc sulfide clusters produced by direct laser ablation and analyzed in a time-of-flight mass-spectrometer, showed evidence that clusters composed of 3, 6, and 13 monomer units were ultrastable. The geometry and energies of neutral and positively charged Zn(n)S(n) clusters, up to n = 16, were obtained computationally at the B3LYP/6-311+G level of theory with the assistance of an algorithm to generate all possible structures having predefined constraints. Small neutral and positive clusters were found to have planar geometries, neutral three-dimensional clusters have the geometry of closed-cage polyhedra, and cationic three-dimensional clusters have structures with a pair of two-coordinated atoms. Physical properties of the clusters as a function of size are reported. The relative stability of the positive stoichiometric clusters provides a thermodynamic rationale for the experimental results.     

Novel phosphine ligands bearing 3(5)-pyrazolyl and 4-(2-amino)pyrimidinyl groups: Synthesis and coordination chemistry

Novel triphenyl phosphine ligands bearing pyrazole or 2-aminopyrimidine groups in the ortho or meta position of one or three of the phenyl rings were obtained starting from the corresponding acyl derivatives Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄-COCH₃), Ph₂P(m-C₆H₄-COCH₃), or P(m-C₆H₄-COCH₃)₃. Conversion of the acyl groups into 3-dimethylamino-2-propen-1-onyl units was achieved by reaction with HC(OMe)₂NMe₂ which underwent ring closing with hydrazine or guanidine to yield the desired heterocycles. Two palladium complexes were synthesized using the coordinatively labile precursor (PhCN)₂PdCl₂, one of them could be characterized by X-ray structure analysis.     

Voltammetric behaviour of rhenium(I) complexes with phosphine and carbon monoxide ligands in acetonitrile solvent

Summary The anodic and cathodic behaviour of the complexesmer-[ReCl(CO)₃(PMe₂Ph)₂],fac[ReCl(CO)₃(PMe₂Ph)₂],mer-[ReCl(CO)₃(PPh₃)₂], and [ReCl(CO)₂(PMe₂Ph)₃] in acetonitrile solvent were studied using platinum and mercury electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential coulometry were the main electroanalytical techniques employed. The nature of the electrolysis products and of the electrode oxidation and reduction processes were investigated. In particular, [ReCl(CO)(MeCN)₂(PMe₂Ph)₃][ClO₄]₂, [ReCl₃(CO)₂(PMe₂Ph)₂], and a not completely defined rhenium(-I) complex were electrochemically synthesized and characterized by means of i.r. and¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy, and by elemental analysis.     

Some recent developments in the chemistry of multiply bonded dimetal complexes that contain the intramolecular bridging phosphine ligands R2P(CH2)nPR2

Recent synthetic and structural studies on multiply bonded complexes of stoichiometry M₂X₄[μ-R₂P(CH₂)_nPR₂]₂ (M = Mo, W or Re; X = Cl, Br or I; R = Me, Et or Ph; n = 1 or 2), the ditungsten(III) hydride W₂(μ-H)(μ-Cl)Cl₄(μ-dppm)₂ (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂), Re₂Cl₄(μ-dmpm)₃ (dmpm = Me₂PCH₂PMe₂), and M₂(μ-Cl)₂ Cl₄(μ-R₂PCH₂PR₂)₂ (R = Me or Ph) are surveyed. The first examples of multiply bonded complexes that contain the Ph₂PCH  CHPPh₂ ligand (abbreviated dppee) are described, viz. the α- and β-isomers of M₂X₄(dppee)₂ (M = Mo or Re, X = Cl or Br). The reactions of Re₂X₄(dppm)₂ (X = Cl or Br) with RNC, RCN and CO ligands that yield complexes in which a metal-metal multiple bond is preserved are reviewed.     

Determination of the configuration in six-membered saturated heterocycles (N,P, S,Se) and their oxidation products using experimental and calculated NMR chemical shifts

The six-membered saturated heterocycles—4-tert-butyl-1-methylpiperidine, 4-tert-butyl-1-methylphosphine, 4-tert-butyl-tetrahydro-2H-thiopyran, and 4-tert-butyl-tetrahydro-2H-selenopyran—were prepared as suitable model compounds with well-defined geometry for an NMR study of their oxidation products. The corresponding epimeric N-oxides, phosphinoxides, sulfoxides, and selenoxides were obtained by standard chemical preparation and also by in situ oxidation with meta-chloroperbenzoic acid directly in the NMR tube. The experimental ¹H and ¹³C chemical shifts were compared with corresponding calculated data obtained by GIAO approach with DFT, MP2, and HF methods and various basis sets. The correlation of experimental versus calculated data showed the possibility to determine the stereochemistry of the epimeric oxidation products using fast DFT B3LYP/6-31G* method for both geometry optimization and NMR chemical shifts calculation.     

High-resolution IR studies of hydrogen bonded clusters: large amplitude dynamics in (HCl)n

Structural and dynamical information on small hydrogen-bonded systems is revealed by high-resolution IR spectroscopy of HCl dimer, trimer and tetramer. In (HCl)2, four combination bands tentatively assigned to the Van der Waals stretch nu 4 and geared band nu 5 vibrations are observed. The study focuses on two unexpected results: (i) all of the observed bands are built only on the bound HCl stretch nu 2, and (ii) the bands predominantly originate from the 9-fold less populated upper tunneling level of the ground state. Model 3D quantum calculations are presented to show that both these surprising trends originate from the large amplitude tunneling dynamics in the dimer. The (HCl)3 spectra are assigned and analyzed for multiple isotopomeric contributions. The spectral fit reveals large homogeneous line broadening indicating the excited state lifetime of approximately 1.6 ns and tentatively associated with dynamics of intramolecular vibrational energy distribution (IVR) induced trimer ring opening. Finally, first high-resolution data on the HCl stretch fundamental spectrum of (HCl)4 are presented.     

Extending the coordination chemistry of molecular P(4)S(3): the polymeric Ag(P(4)S(3))(+) and Ag(P(4)S(3))(2)(+) cations

Upon reacting P(4)S(3) with AgAl(hfip)(4) and AgAl(pftb)(4) [hfip = OC(H)(CF(3))(2); pftb = OC(CF(3))(3)], the compounds Ag(P(4)S(3))Al(hfip)(4) 1 and Ag(P(4)S(3))(2)(+)[Al(pftb)(4)](-) 2 formed in CS(2) (1) or CS(2)/CH(2)Cl(2) (2) solution. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations, Raman and solution NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. One-dimensional chains of [Ag(P(4)S(3))(x)](infinity) (x = 1, 1; x = 2, 2) formed in the solid state with P(4)S(3) ligands that bridge through a 1,3-P,S, a 2,4-P,S, or a 3,4-P,P eta(1) coordination to the silver ions. Compound 2 with the least basic anion contains the first homoleptic metal(P(4)S(3)) complex. Compounds 1 and 2 also include the long sought sulfur coordination of P(4)S(3). Raman spectra of 1 and 2 were assigned on the basis of DFT calculations of related species. The influence of the silver coordination on the geometry of the P(4)S(3) cage is discussed, additionally aided by DFT calculations. Consequences for the frequently observed degradation of the cage are suggested. An experimental silver ion affinity scale based on the solid-state structures of several weak Lewis acid base adducts of type (L)AgAl(hfip)(4) is given. The affinity of the ligand L to the silver ion increases according to P(4) < CH(2)Cl(2) < P(4)S(3) < S(8) < 1,2-C(2)H(4)Cl(2) < toluene.     

Moderating the acidity of Pb(II)-water complexes through the coordination of nonaqueous ligands: a computational study

The metal dication Pb(II) is known to promote catalytic cleavage of the sugar-phosphate backbone in tRNA. The mechanism proposed to achieve this step requires that the [Pb(II)OH(-)](+) moiety act as a nucleophile and alter the local acidity of surrounding water molecules. MP2 calculations investigating the effect that nonaqueous bases have on the stability of dihydrated-Pb(II) show that the height and position of the proton-transfer barrier are sensitive to the presence of a single N- or O-coordinating "spectator" ligand and that, with the addition of two ligands coordinated directly to the Pb(II) center, the equilibrium for the hydrolysis reaction can shift to the left, thus making the Pb(II)-hydrate complex more stable than the Pb(II)-hydroxide complex. The calculations reveal a good correlation between the gas-phase basicities of nonaqueous ligands coordinated to the metal center and the barriers to proton transfer in [Pb(H(2)O)(2)](2+). In terms of the Pb(II)-induced hydrolysis of tRNA, these results indicate that the coordination of [Pb(II)-OH(-)](+) to uracil and cytosine in tRNA increases the basicity of the hydroxyl group and promotes nucleophilic attack of H(+).     

Unprecedented eta(1)-P(basal) coordination of P(4)X(3) molecules (X = S, Se). An experimental and theoretical study of the apical vs basal complexation dichotomy

Reaction of [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)(OTf)] (1) [triphos = MeC(CH(2)PPh(2))(3); OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)] with P(4)S(3) and P(4)Se(3) yields pairs of coordination isomers, namely, [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)[eta(1)-P(apical)-P(4)X(3)]](+) (X = S, 2; Se, 5) and [(triphos)Re(CO)(2)[eta(1)-P(basal)-P(4)X(3)]](+) (X = S, 3; Se, 6). The latter represent the first examples of the eta(1)-P(basal) coordination achieved by the P(4)X(3) molecular cage. Further reaction of 2/3 and 5/6 mixtures with 1 affords the dinuclear species [[(triphos)Re(CO)(2)](2)[mu,eta(1:1)-P(apical,)P(basal)-P(4)X(3)]](2+) (X = S, 4; Se, 7) in which the unprecedented M-eta(1)-P(basal)/eta(1)-P(apical)-M' bridging coordination of the P(4)X(3) molecule is accomplished. A theoretical analysis of the bonding properties of the two coordination isomers is also presented. The directionality of apical vs basal phosphorus lone pairs is also discussed in terms of MO arguments.     

Ruthenium(II) photosensitizers of tridentate click-derived cyclometalating ligands: a joint experimental and computational study

A systematic series of heteroleptic bis(tridentate)ruthenium(II) complexes of click-derived 1,3-bis(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)benzene N^C^N-coordinating ligands was synthesized, analyzed by single crystal X-ray diffraction, investigated photophysically and electrochemically, and studied by computational methods. The presented comprehensive characterization allows a more detailed understanding of the radiationless deactivation mechanisms. Furthermore, we provide a fully optimized synthesis and systematic variations towards redox-matched, broadly and intensely absorbing, cyclometalated ruthenium(II) complexes. Most of them show a weak room-temperature emission and a prolonged excited-state lifetime. They display a broad absorption up to 700?nm and high molar extinction coefficients up to 20?000?M(-1)cm(-1) of the metal-to-ligand charge transfer bands, resulting in a black color. Thus, the complexes reveal great potential for dye-sensitized solar-cell applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of new Ni(II) complexes with S,N-heterocycle ligands: influence of the steric strain of ligands on coordination

The complexes [NiCl₂(PyTn)₂]?·?2H₂O (1), [Ni(H₂O)₂(PyTn)₂](NO₃)₂ (2), [Ni(H₂O)₂(PzTz)₂]Cl₂ (3) and [Ni(H₂O)₂(PzTz)₂](NO₃)₂ (4) [PyTn?=?2-(1-pyrazolyl)-2-thiazoline; PzTz?=?2-(1-pyrazolyl)-1,3-thiazine] have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, electronic spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction to determine if the size of the S,N-heterocycle influences coordination to Ni(II). The four complexes are six coordinate as a distorted octahedron. The disposition of chlorides and water is trans in 1 and 2, whereas 3 and 4 are cis, as a consequence of the steric strain induced by the larger S,N-ring.     

Magnetothermal studies of a series of coordination clusters built from ferromagnetically coupled {Mn(II) (4)Mn(III) (6)} supertetrahedral units

Three high‐nuclearity mixed valence manganese^II/III coordination clusters, have been synthesised, that is, [Mn ^III ₆Mn ^II ₄(μ₃‐O)₄(HL¹)₆(μ₃‐N₃)₃(μ₃‐Br)(Br)](N₃)_0.7/(Br)_0.3 ? 3 MeCN ? 2 MeOH ( 1 ) (H₃L¹=3‐methylpentan‐1,3,5‐triol), [Mn^III₁₁Mn^II₆(μ₄‐O)₈(μ₃‐Cl)₄(μ,μ₃‐O₂CMe)₂(μ,μ‐L²)₁₀Cl_2.34(O₂CMe)_0.66(py)₃(MeCN)₂] ? 7 MeCN ( 2 ) (H₂L²=2,2‐dimethyl‐1,3‐propanediol and py is pyridine), and [Mn^III₁₂Mn^II₇(μ₄‐O)₈(μ₃‐η¹N₃)₈(HL³)₁₂(MeCN)₆]Cl₂ ? 10 MeOH ? MeCN ( 3 ) (H₃L³=2,6‐bis(hydroxymethyl)‐4‐methylphenol) with high ground‐spin states, S=22, 28±1, and 83/2, respectively; their magnetothermal properties have been studied. The three compounds are based on a common supertetrahedral building block as seen in the Mn₁₀ cluster. This fundamental magnetic unit is made up of a tetrahedron of Mn^II ions with six Mn^III ions placed midway along each edge giving an inscribed octahedron. Thus, the fundamental building unit as represented by compound 1 can be described as a Mn₁₀ supertetrahedron. Compounds 2 and 3 correspond to two such units joined by a common edge or vertex, respectively, resulting in Mn₁₇ and Mn₁₉ coordination clusters. Magnetothermal studies reveal that all three compounds show interesting long‐range magnetic ordering at low temperature, originating from negligible magnetic anisotropy of the compounds; compound 2 shows the largest magnetocaloric effect among the three compounds. This is as expected and can be attributed to the presence of a small magnetic anisotropy, and low‐lying excited states in compound 2 .