Chiral recognition in association between antimony potassium tartrate and bis(L-alaninate)ethylenediamine cobalt(III) complexes using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The chiral recognition of metal complexes by a quick and sensitive mass spectrometric analysis was investigated. The principle is introduction of an external chiral standard compound and detection of the differential association with two optical isomers. Using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry we detected weak intermolecular association between the external chiral anion bis(mu-L-, D-tartrato)-diantimonate(III), [Sb2(L-, D-tart)2]2- and isomeric bis(L-alaninate) ethylenediamine cobalt(III) complex ions, [Co(L-ala)2(en)]+ in acetonitrile/water solution. The difference in the association with optical isomers of the Co complex was measured. The results were interpreted based on a model of intermolecular interaction involving hydrogen bonding. The prospects of the mass spectrometry method for chiral recognition using the external chiral negative ion [Sb2(L-, D-tart)2]2- was discussed.     

Controlled aggregation of ME8(n-) binary anions (M = Cr,Mo; E = As,Sb) into one-dimensional arrays: structures,magnetism and spectroscopy

The [ME(8)](n)()(-) ions where M = Cr, Mo; E = As, Sb; n = 2, 3 have been prepared from the corresponding E(7)(3)(-) Zintl ions and M(naphthalene)(2) precursors. The complexes and their [A(crypt)](+) salts (A = Na, K) are formed in 20-45% crystalline yields and have been characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, EPR, cyclic voltammetry, magnetic susceptibility, electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures are defined by crown-like cyclo-E(8) rings that are centered by transition metals. MoAs(8)(2)(-) (2) is a 16 e(-) diamagnetic complex whereas MoSb(8)(3)(-) (5) and the CrAs(8)(3)(-) salts (3 and 4) are 17 e(-) paramagnetic complexes. The ESI-MS spectra show free and alkali-complexed ME(8)(n)()(-) ions. The K(+) salt of CrAs(8)(3)(-) (4) crystallizes in a one-dimensional chain structure of [KCrAs(8)](2)(-) repeat units whereas the Na(+) salt (3) as well as 2 and 5 crystallize in "free ion" structures. The Cr atoms in 3 and 4 are formally d(1) Cr(5+) centers that show EPR signals at g = 2.001 with small As hyperfine interactions of 3.6 G. The susceptibility of the [KCrAs(8)](2)(-) salt 4 was modeled as a 1D Heisenberg antiferromagnet with a small -J/k(B) of 3K arising from antiferromagnetic couplings of the d(1) centers whereas 3 shows Curie-Weiss behavior. The electrochemical studies show metal-based oxidations for 3-5 but a ligand based oxidation for 2. The electronic spectra are interpreted in terms of the molecular orbital analysis of Li and Wu. The differences in formal oxidation states of the metals is described in terms of a Zintl-Klemm formalism involving E(8)(8)(-) rings that are isoelectronic to S(8). The factors governing the formation of 1D chains versus free ions are presented.     

Ligand-directed molecular architectures: self-assembly of two-dimensional rectangular metallacycles and three-dimensional trigonal or tetragonal prisms

Three angular ditopic ligands (1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-4,6-dimethylbenzene L(1), 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene L(2), and 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene L(3)) and one tripodal ligand 1,3,5-tris(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene L(4) have been prepared. Reaction of these shape-specific designed ligands with different metal salts affords a series of discrete molecular architectures: [Ag(2)L(1)(2)](BF(4))(2) 1, [Ag(2)L(2)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) 2, [CF(3)SO(3)(-) subset Ag(2)L(3)(2)]CF(3)SO(3) 3, [CF(3)SO(3)(-) subset Ag(2)L(3)(3)]CF(3)SO(3) 4, [ClO(4)(-) subset Cu(2)L(2)(4)](ClO(4))(3) 5, [4H(2)O subset Ni(2)L(2)(4)Cl(4)].6H(2)O 6, [BF(4)(-) subset Ag(3)L(4)(2)](BF(4))(2) 7, [ClO(4)(-) subset Ag(3)L(4)(2)](ClO(4))(2) 8, and [CuI(3)(2-) subset Cu(3)L(4)(2)](2)[Cu(2)I(4)] 9. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS, IR, and NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. 1 is a dinuclear metallacycle with 2-fold rotational symmetry in which two syn-conformational L(1) ligands are connected by two linearly coordinated Ag(+) ions. 2 and 3 are structurally related, consisting of rectangular structures assembled from two linearly coordinated Ag(+) ions and two L(2) or L(3) ligands. The structure of 4 is a trigonal prismatic box consisting of two Ag(+) ions in trigonal planar coordination linked by three L(3) ligands, while the structures of 5 and 6 are tetragonal prismatic cages constructed by two square planar Cu(2+) or Ni(2+) ions linked by four L(2) ligands. The topologies of 7-9 are similar to that of 4; however, these three structures are assembled from three linearly coordinated Ag(+) or Cu(+) ions and two tripodal ligands, representing an alternative strategy to assembling a trigonal prism. (1)H NMR and ESI-MS were utilized to elucidate the solution structures of these macrocycles.     

Gas phase, solution, and solid state alkali ion binding by the [NbE8](3-) (E = As, Sb) complexes: synthesis, structure, and spectroscopy

Toluene solutions of Nb(toluene)(2) react with ethylenediamine solutions of K(3)E(7) (E = As, Sb) in the presence of 2,2,2-crypt to give [NbAs(8)](3-) (2) and [NbSb(8)](3-) (3) ions, respectively, in low yields. The (133)Cs NMR spectroscopy, ESIMS results (negative ion mode), and single-crystal X-ray structures of the ions are reported. The complexes have S(8)-like E(8) rings with Nb atoms in the center. The 1:1 complex of 2 with Cs+ was observed in solution and also in the gas phase as the oxidized ion [CsNbAs(8)](1-). The anion 2 selectively binds to Cs(+) in solution even in the presence of excess Na(+). Other gas-phase ions formed include [Cs(2)(NbAs(8))](1-), [KCs(NbAs(8))](1-), [KCs(NbAs(8))(2)](1-), [KNbAs(8)](1-), and [K(2)NbAs(8)](1-).     

Speciation of metal-EDTA complexes by flow injection analysis with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Flow injection analysis (FIA) with ESI-MS and ion chromatography (IC) with inductively coupled plasma-MS (ICP-MS) as the complementary technique have been explored for the determination of metal ions as their metal-EDTA complexes. ESI-MS enabled the identification of metal-EDTA complexes such as [Mn(EDTA)](2-), [Co(EDTA)](2-), [Ni(EDTA)](2-), [Cu(EDTA)](2-), [Zn(EDTA)](2-), [Pb(EDTA)](2-), and [Fe(EDTA)](1-) and their MS spectral showed that these metal-EDTA complexes were present in solution. Based on the ESI-MS, ion chromatographic separation and ICP-MS detection of these complexes are possible because IC-ICP-MS requires stable metal-EDTA complex during the chromatographic separation. The separation of these metal-EDTA complexes was achieved on an anion-exchange column with a mobile phase containing 30 mM NH(4)(HPO(4))(2) at pH 7.5 within 7 min with ICP-MS providing element specific detection. The ICP-MS LODs for the metal-EDTA were in the range of 0.1-0.5 microg/L with the exception of Fe (15 microg/L). The proposed method was a simple procedure for sample processing, using direct injection of sample without removal of sample matrix and was successfully applied to the determination of metal-EDTA complexes in real samples.     

Metastable Se6 as a ligand for Ag+: from isolated molecular to polymeric 1D and 2D structures

Attempts to prepare the hitherto unknown Se(6)(2+) cation by the reaction of elemental selenium and Ag[A] ([A](-) = [Sb(OTeF(5))(6)](-), [Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](-)) in SO(2) led to the formation of [(OSO)Ag(Se(6))Ag(OSO)][Sb(OTeF(5))(6)](2)1 and [(OSO)(2)Ag(Se(6))Ag(OSO)(2)][Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](2)2a. 1 could only be prepared by using bromine as co-oxidant, however, bulk 2b (2a with loss of SO(2)) was accessible from Ag[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] and grey Se in SO(2) (chem. analysis). The reactions of Ag[MF(6)] (M = As, Sb) and elemental selenium led to crystals of 1/∞{[Ag(Se(6))](∞)[Ag(2)(SbF(6))(3)](∞)} 3 and {1/∞[Ag(Se(6))Ag](∞)}[AsF(6)](2)4. Pure bulk 4 was best prepared by the reaction of Se(4)[AsF(6)](2), silver metal and elemental selenium. Attempts to prepare bulk 1 and 3 were unsuccessful. 1-4 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure determinations, 2b and 4 additionally by chemical analysis and 4 also by X-ray powder diffraction, FT-Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy. Application of the PRESTO III sequence allowed for the first time (109)Ag MAS NMR investigations of 4 as well as AgF, AgF(2), AgMF(6) and {1/∞[Ag(I(2))](∞)}[MF(6)] (M = As, Sb). Compounds 1 and 2a/b, with the very large counter ions, contain isolated [Ag(Se(6))Ag](2+) heterocubane units consisting of a Se(6) molecule bicapped by two silver cations (local D(3d) sym). 3 and 4, with the smaller anions, contain close packed stacked arrays of Se(6) rings with Ag(+) residing in octahedral holes. Each Ag(+) ion coordinates to three selenium atoms of each adjacent Se(6) ring. 4 contains [Ag(Se(6))(+)](∞) stacks additionally linked by Ag(2)(+) into a two dimensional network. 3 features a remarkable 3-dimensional [Ag(2)(SbF(6))(3)](-) anion held together by strong Sb-FAg contacts between the component Ag(+) and [SbF(6)](-) ions. The hexagonal channels formed by the [Ag(2)(SbF(6))(3)](-) anions are filled by stacks of [Ag(Se(6))(+)](∞) cations. Overall 1-4 are new members of the rare class of metal complexes of neutral main group elemental clusters, in which the main group element is positively polarized due to coordination to a metal ion. Notably, 1 to 4 include the commonly metastable Se(6) molecule as a ligand. The structure, bonding and thermodynamics of 1 to 4 were investigated with the help of quantum chemical calculations (PBE0/TZVPP and (RI-)MP2/TZVPP, in part including COSMO solvation) and Born-Fajans-Haber-cycle calculations. From an analysis of all the available data it appears that the formation of the usually metastable Se(6) molecule from grey selenium is thermodynamically driven by the coordination to the Ag(+) ions.     

"n-Doping" of deltahedral Zintl ions

We report a simple and efficient method for replacing germanium atoms in deltahedral Ge(9)(4-) clusters with Sb or Bi. While reactions of Ge(9)(4-) with EPh(3) (E = Sb, Bi) at room temperature are known to produce mono- and disubstituted clusters [Ph(2)E-Ge(9)-Ge(9)-EPh(2)](4-) and [Ph(2)E-Ge(9)-EPh(2)](2-), respectively, at elevated temperatures or with sonication they result in exchange of Ge cluster atoms with Sb or Bi. Structurally characterized from such reactions are the novel "n-doped" deltahedral Zintl ions [(EGe(8))-(Ge(8)E)](4-), (Sb(2)Ge(7))(2-), and [(SbGe(8))-SbPh(2)](2-).     

The [Sn(9)Pt(2)(PPh(3))](2)(-) and [Sn(9)Ni(2)(CO)](3)(-) complexes: two markedly different Sn(9)M(2)L transition metal zintl ion clusters and their dynamic behavior

[Sn(9)Pt(2)(PPh(3))](2)(-) (2) was prepared from Pt(PPh(3))(4), K(4)Sn(9), and 2,2,2-cryptand in en/toluene solvent mixtures. The [K(2,2,2-cryptand)](+) salt is very air and moisture sensitive and has been characterized by ESI-MS, variable-temperature (119)Sn, (31)P, and (195)Pt NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The structure of 2 comprises an elongated tricapped Sn(9) trigonal prism with a capping PtPPh(3), an interstitial Pt atom, a hypercloso electron count (10 vertex, 20 electron) and C(3)(v)() point symmetry. Hydrogenation trapping experiments and deuterium labeling studies showed that the formation of 2 involves a double C-H activation of solvent molecules (en or DMSO) with the elimination of H(2) gas. The ESI-MS analysis of 2 showed the K[Sn(9)Pt(2)(PPh(3))](1)(-) parent ion, an oxidized [Sn(9)Pt(2)(PPh(3))](1)(-) ion, and the protonated binary cluster anion [HSn(9)Pt(2)](1)(-). 2 is highly fluxional in solution giving rise to a single time-averaged (119)Sn NMR signal for all nine Sn atoms but the Pt atoms remain distinct. The exchange is intramolecular and is consistent with a rigid, linear Pt-Pt-PPh(3) rod embedded in a liquidlike Sn(9) matrix. [Sn(9)Ni(2)(CO)](3)(-) (3) was prepared from Ni(CO)(2)(PPh(3))(2), K(4)Sn(9), and 2,2,2-cryptand in en/toluene solvent mixtures. The [K(2,2,2-cryptand)](+) salt is very air and moisture sensitive, is paramagnetic, and has been characterized by ESI-MS, EPR, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 3 is a 10-vertex 21-electron polyhedron, a slightly distorted closo-Sn(9)Ni cluster with an additional interstitial Ni atom and overall C(4)(v)() point symmetry. The EPR spectrum showed a five-line pattern due to 4.8-G hyperfine interactions involving all nine tin atoms. The ESI-MS analysis showed weak signals for the potassium complex [K(2)Sn(9)Ni(2)(CO)](1-) and the ligand-free binary ions [K(2)Sn(9)Ni(2)](1)(-), [KSn(9)Ni(2)](1)(-), and [HSn(9)Ni(2)](1)(-).     

Superelectrophilic tetrakis(carbonyl)palladium(II)- and -platinum(II) undecafluorodiantimonate(V), [Pd(CO)4][Sb(2)F(11)]2 and [Pt(CO)4][Sb(2)F(11)]2: syntheses, physical and spectroscopic properties, their crystal, molecular, and extended structures, and density functional calculations: an experimental, computational, and comparative study .

The salts [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2), M = Pd, Pt, are prepared by reductive carbonylation of Pd[Pd(SO(3)F)(6)], Pt(SO(3)F)(4) or PtF(6) in liquid SbF(5), or HF-SbF(5). The resulting moisture-sensitive, colorless solids are thermally stable up to 140 degrees C (M = Pd) or 200 degrees C (M = Pt). Their thermal decompositions are studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Single crystals of both salts are suitable for an X-ray diffraction study at 180 K. Both isostructural salts crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (No. 14). The unit cell volume of [Pt(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2) is smaller than that of [Pd(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2) by about 0.4%. The cations [M(CO)(4)](2+), M = Pd, Pt, are square planar with only very slight angular and out-of-plane deviations from D(4)(h)() symmetry. The interatomic distances and bond angles for both cations are essentially identical. The [Sb(2)F(11)](-) anions in [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2,) M = Pd, Pt, are not symmetry-related, and both pairs differ in their Sb-F-Sb bridge angles and their dihedral angles. There are in each salt four to five secondary interionic C- -F contacts per CO group. Of these, two contacts per CO group are significantly shorter than the sum of the van der Waals radii by 0.58 - 0.37 A. In addition, structural, and spectroscopic details of recently synthesized [Rh(CO)(4)][Al(2)Cl(7)] are reported. The cations [Rh(CO)(4)](+) and [M(CO)(4)](2+), M = Pd, Pt, are characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy. Of the 16 vibrational modes (13 observable, 3 inactive) 10 (Pd, Pt) or 9 (Rh), respectively, are found experimentally. The vibrational assignments are supported by DFT calculations, which provide in addition to band positions also intensities of IR bands and Raman signals as well as internal force constants for the cations. (13)C NMR measurements complete the characterization of the square planar metal carbonyl cations. The extensive characterization of [M(CO)(4)][Sb(2)F(11)](2), M = Pd, Pt, reported here, allows a comparison to linear and octahedral [M(CO)(n)()][Sb(2)F(11)](2) salts [M = Hg (n = 2); Fe, Ru, Os (n = 6)] and their derivatives, which permit a deeper understanding of M-CO bonding in the solid state for superelectrophilic cations with [Sb(2)F(11)](-) or [SbF(6)](-) as anions.     

Single-source materials for metal-doped titanium oxide: syntheses, structures, and properties of a series of heterometallic transition-metal titanium oxo cages

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) doped with transition-metal ions (M) has potentially broad applications in photocatalysis, photovoltaics, and photosensors. One approach to these materials is through controlled hydrolysis of well-defined transition-metal titanium oxo cage compounds. However, to date very few such cages have been unequivocally characterized, a situation which we have sought to address here with the development of a simple synthetic approach which allows the incorporation of a range of metal ions into titanium oxo cage arrangements. The solvothermal reactions of Ti(OEt)(4) with transition-metal dichlorides (M(II)Cl(2), M = Co, Zn, Fe, Cu) give the heterometallic transition-metal titanium oxo cages [Ti(4)O(OEt)(15)(MCl)] [M = Co (2), Zn (3), Fe (4), Cu (5)], having similar MTi(4)(μ(4)-O) structural arrangements involving ion pairing of [Ti(4)O(OEt)(15)](-) anion units with MCl(+) fragments. In the case of the reaction of MnCl(2), however, two Mn(II) ions are incorporated into this framework, giving the hexanuclear Mn(2)Ti(4)(μ(4)-O) cage [Ti(4)O(OEt)(15)(Mn(2)Cl(3))] (6) in which the MCl(+) fragments in 2-5 are replaced by a [ClMn(μ-Cl)MnCl](+) unit. Emphasizing that the nature of the heterometallic cage is dependent on the metal ion (M) present, the reaction of Ti(OEt)(4) with NiCl(2) gives [Ti(2)(OEt)(9)(NiCl)](2) (7), which has a dimeric Ni(μ-Cl)(2)Ni bridged arrangement arising from the association of [Ti(2)(OEt)(9)](-) ions with NiCl(+) units. The syntheses, solid-state structures, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of 2-7 are presented, a first step toward their applications as precursor materials.     

Novel lanthanoid thioantimonates: the first coexistence of different types of thioantimonate anions in the same framework

Two novel lanthanoid thioantimonates [Sm(4)(tepa)(4)(μ-η(2),η(3)-Sb(3)S(7))(2)(μ-Sb(2)S(4))] (1, tepa = tetraethylenepentamine) and [Eu(2)(tepa)(2)(μ-SbS(3))(μ-OH)](2)(SbS(4))(OH)·H(2)O (2) were solvothermally synthesized. Compound 1 represents the only example of different types of [Sb(3)S(7)](5-) and [Sb(2)S(4)](2-) anions coexisting in the same lanthanoid thioantimonate framework, while 2 displays rare mixed-valent Sb(3+)/Sb(5+) character with the Sb(3+) in a noncondensed pyramid [Sb(III)S(3)](3-). The theoretical band structure and luminescence properties have also been investigated.     

Coordination site-dependent cation binding and multi-responsible redox properties of Janus-head metalloligand, [Mo(V)(1,2-mercaptophenolato)3

The redox-active fac-[Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-) (mp: o-mercaptophenolato) bearing asymmetric O- and S-cation binding sites can bind with several kinds of metal ions such as Na(+), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(I). The fac-[Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-) metalloligand coordinates to Na(+) to form the contact ion pair {Na(+)(THF)(3)[fac-Mo(V)(mp)(3)]} (1), while a separated ion pair, n-Bu(4)N[fac-Mo(V)(mp)(3)] (2), is obtained by exchanging Na(+) with n-Bu(4)N(+). In the presence of asymmetric binding-sites, the metalloligand reacts with Mn(II)Cl(2)·4H(2)O, Fe(II)Cl(2)·4H(2)O, Co(II)Cl(2)·6H(2)O, and Ni(II)Cl(2)·6H(2)O to afford UV-vis-NIR spectra, indicating binding of these guest metal cations. Especially, for the cases of the Mn(II) and Co(II) products, trinuclear complexes, {M(H(2)O)(MeOH)[fac-Mo(V)(mp)(3)](2)}·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) (3·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) (M = Mn(II)), 4·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) (M = Co(II))), are successfully isolated and structurally characterized where the M are selectively bound to the hard O-binding sites of the fac-[Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-). On the other hand, a coordination polymer, {Cu(I)(CH(3)CN)[mer-Mo(V)(mp)(3)]}(n) (5), is obtained by the reaction of fac-[Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-) with [Cu(I)(CH(3)CN)(4)]ClO(4). In sharp contrast to the cases of 1, 3·1.5CH(2)Cl(2), and 4·1.5CH(2)Cl(2), the Cu(I) in 5 are selectively bound to the soft S-binding sites, where each Cu(I) is shared by two [Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-) with bidentate or monodentate coordination modes. The second notable feature of 5 is found in the geometric change of the [Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-), where the original fac-form of 1 is isomerized to the mer-[Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-) in 5, which was structurally and spectroscopically characterized for the first time. Such isomerization demonstrates the structural flexibility of the [Mo(V)(mp)(3)](-). Spectroscopic studies strongly indicate that the association/dissociation between the guest metal ions and metalloligand can be modulated by solvent polarity. Furthermore, it was also found that such association/dissociation features are significantly influenced by coexisting anions such as ClO(4)(-) or B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-). This suggests that coordination bonds between the guest metal ions and metalloligand are not too static, but are sufficiently moderate to be responsive to external environments. Moreover, electrochemical data of 1 and 3·1.5CH(2)Cl(2) demonstrated that guest metal ion binding led to enhance electron-accepting properties of the metalloligand. Our results illustrate the use of a redox-active chalcogenolato complex with a simple mononuclear structure as a multifunctional metalloligand that is responsive to chemical and electrochemical stimuli.     

Tetracyanomanganate(II) and its salts of divalent first-row transition metal ions

The first known paramagnetic, tetrahedral cyanide complex, [Mn(II)(CN)(4)](2)(-), is formed by the photoinduced decomposition of [Mn(IV)(CN)(6)](2)(-) in nonaqueous solutions or by thermal decomposition in the solid state. In acetonitrile or dichloromethane, photoexcitation into the ligand-to-metal charge transfer band (lambda(max) = 25 700 cm(-1), epsilon = 3700 cm(-1) M(-1)) causes the homolytic cleavage of cyanide radicals and reduction of Mn(IV). Free cyanide in dichloromethane leads to the isolation of polycyanide oligomers such as [C(12)N(12)](2)(-) and [C(4)N(4)](-), which was crystallographically characterized as the PPN(+) salt C(40)H(30)N(5)P(2): monoclinic space group = I2/a, a = 18.6314(2) A, b = 9.1926(1) A, c = 20.8006(1), beta =106.176(2) degrees, Z = 4]. In the solid state Mn(IV)-CN bond homolysis is thermally activated above 122 degrees C, according to differential scanning calorimetry measurements, leading to the reductive elimination of cyanogen. The [Mn(II)(CN)(4)](2-) ion has a dynamic solution behavior, as evidenced by its concentration-dependent electronic and electron paramagnetic spectra, that can be attributed to aggregation of the coordinatively and electronically unsaturated (four-coordinate, 13-electron) metal center. Due to dynamics and lability of [Mn(II)(CN)(4)](2-) in solution, its reaction with divalent first-row transition metal cations leads to the formation of lattice compounds with both tetrahedral and square planar local coordination geometries of the metal ions and multiple structural and cyano-linkage isomers. alpha-Mn(II)[Mn(II)(CN)(4)] has an interpenetrating sphalerite- or diamond-like network structure with a unit cell parameter of a = 6.123 A (P43m space group) while a beta-phase of this material has a noninterpenetrating disordered lattice containing tetrahedral [Mn(II)(CN)(4)](2-). Linkage isomerization or cyanide abstraction during formation results in alpha-Mn(II)[Co(II)(CN)(4)] and Mn(II)[Ni(II)(CN)(4)] lattice compounds, both containing square planar tetracyanometalate centers. alpha-Mn(II)[Co(II)(CN)(4)] is irreversibly transformed to its beta-phase in the solid state by heating to 135 degrees C, which causes a geometric isomerization of [Co(II)(CN)(4)](2)(-) from square planar (nu(CN) = 2114 cm(-1), S = (1)/(2)) to tetrahedral (nu(CN) = 2158 cm(-1), S = (3)/(2)) as evidenced by infrared and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Mn(II)[Ni(II)(CN)(4)] is the only phase formed with Ni(II) due to the high thermodynamic stability of square planar [Ni(II)(CN)(4)](2)(-).     

Theoretical evidence of persistent chirality in D3 homoleptic hexacoordinate complexes with monodentate ligands

A theoretical study of the enantiomer interconversion pathway relevant to racemization reactions of hexacoordinate transition-metal complexes is presented based on density functional calculations. The potential-energy surface for the trigonal twist pathway of the [Zr(SH)(6)](2-) model compound has been explored. The optimum structure reproduces, to a very good approximation, the experimental geometry of the analogous compound in which the thiolato groups have C(6)H(4)-4-OMe substituents instead of H atoms. A barrier of about 19 kcal mol(-1) is estimated for the racemization of [Zr(SH)(6)](2-) and exploratory calculations for [Zr(SC(6)H(4)-4-OMe)(6)](2-) indicate that a larger barrier should be expected. For the chiral homoleptic organometallic complexes [ZrMe(6)](2-) and [RhMe(6)](3-) no significant racemization barrier is expected.     

Rates of water exchange for two cobalt(II) heteropolyoxotungstate compounds in aqueous solution

Polyoxometalate ions are used as ligands in water-oxidation processes related to solar energy production. An important step in these reactions is the association and dissociation of water from the catalytic sites, the rates of which are unknown. Here we report the exchange rates of water ligated to Co(II) atoms in two polyoxotungstate sandwich molecules using the (17)O-NMR-based Swift-Connick method. The compounds were the [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(B-α-PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-) and the larger αββα-[Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-) ions, each with two water molecules bound trans to one another in a Co(II) sandwich between the tungstate ligands. The clusters, in both solid and solution state, were characterized by a range of methods, including NMR, EPR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, and EXAFS spectroscopy, ESI-MS, single-crystal X-ray crystallography, and potentiometry. For [Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(B-α-PW(9)O(34))(2)](10-) at pH 5.4, we estimate: k(298)=1.5(5)±0.3×10(6) s(-1), ΔH(≠)=39.8±0.4 kJ mol(-1), ΔS(≠)=+7.1±1.2 J mol(-1) K(-1) and ΔV(≠)=5.6 ±1.6 cm(3) mol(-1). For the Wells-Dawson sandwich cluster (αββα-[Co(4)(H(2)O)(2)(P(2)W(15)O(56))(2)](16-)) at pH 5.54, we find: k(298)=1.6(2)±0.3×10(6) s(-1), ΔH(≠)=27.6±0.4 kJ mol(-1) ΔS(≠)=-33±1.3 J mol(-1) K(-1) and ΔV(≠)=2.2±1.4 cm(3) mol(-1) at pH 5.2. The molecules are clearly stable and monospecific in slightly acidic solutions, but dissociate in strongly acidic solutions. This dissociation is detectable by EPR spectroscopy as S=3/2 Co(II) species (such as the [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+) monomer ion) and by the significant reduction of the Co-Co vector in the XAS spectra.     

Electronic properties and stability of dititanium(IV) substituted alpha-Keggin polyoxotungstate with heteroatom phosphorus by DFT

The electronic properties, redox properties, protonation, and stability of five [alpha-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) isomers have been investigated employing density-functional theory (DFT) method. The results reveal that the stability of [alpha-1,2-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) and [alpha-1,6-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) is weaker and the redox ability is higher among five isomers, while for [alpha-1,5-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7-), [alpha-1,4-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-), and [alpha-1,11-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) the stability is higher, but the redox ability is weaker. At the same time, Ti-substituted systems are preferentially reduced in the tungsten centers. A simple analysis of molecular electrostatic potential maps of [alpha-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) isomers suggests that the preferred protonation site corresponds to bridging oxygens (OTi(2) and OTiW) and terminal oxygens (OTi), especially bridging oxygens bonded to titaniums (OTi(2)) in [alpha-1,2-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) and [alpha-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-). It is proposed that the most stable structure is formed preferentially after protonation of the Ti-O site from the study of the protonated species, [alpha-1,4-HPTi(2)W(10)O(40)](6)(-). By means of total bonding energies of [alpha-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) isomers, the relative sequence of stability has then been shown to be [alpha-1,4-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) > [alpha-1,5-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) > [alpha-1,11-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) > [alpha-1,2-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) > [alpha-1,6-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-). In addition, the one-electron-reduced species of [alpha-PTi(2)W(10)O(40)](7)(-) are also discussed.     

New phosphorescent polynuclear Cu(I) compounds based on linear and star-shaped 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivatives: syntheses, structures, luminescence, and electroluminescence

Four dinuclear and trinuclear Cu(I) complexes that contain 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl derivative ligands including 1,4-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,4-bmb), 1,3-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (1,3-bmb), 1,3,5-tris[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]benzene (tmb), and 4,4'-bis[2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl]biphenyl (bmbp) have been synthesized. The formulas of these complexes are [Cu(2)(1,4-bmb)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (1), [Cu(2)(1,3-bmb)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (2), [Cu(3)(tmb)(PPh(3))(6)][BF(4)](3) (3), and [Cu(2)(bmbp)(PPh(3))(4)][BF(4)](2) (4), respectively. The crystal structures of 2-4 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The Cu(I) ions in the complexes have a distorted tetrahedral geometry. For 3, two structural isomers (syn and anti) resulted from two different orientations of the three 2-(2'-pyridyl)benzimidazolyl chelating units were observed in the crystal lattice. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR experiments established the presence of syn and anti isomers for 1-3 in solution which interconvert at ambient temperature. Complexes 1-4 have a weak MLCT absorption band in the 350-450 nm region and display a yellow-orange emission when irradiated by UV light. One unexpected finding is that the yellow-orange emission of complexes 1-4 has a very long decay lifetime (approximately 200 micros) at 77 K. An electroluminescent (EL) device using 4 as the emitter and PVK as the host was fabricated. However, the long decay lifetime of the copper complexes may limit their applications as phosphorescent emitters in EL devices.     

Synthesis, structures, and properties of ruthenium(II) complexes of N-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidenes

Mononuclear ruthenium complexes [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2a), [RuCl(L2)(CH(3)CN)(2)](PF(6)) (2b), [Ru(L1)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4a), [Ru(L2)(CH(3)CN)(3)](PF(6))(2) (4b), [Ru(L2)(2)](PF(6))(2) (5), [RuCl(L1)(CH(3)CN)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (6), [RuCl(L1)(CO)(2)](PF(6)) (7), and [RuCl(L1)(CO)(PPh(3))](PF(6)) (8), and a tetranuclear complex [Ru(2)Ag(2)Cl(2)(L1)(2)(CH(3)CN)(6)](PF(6))(4) (3) containing 3-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)-1-(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)imidazolylidene (L1) and 3-butyl-1-(1,10-phenanthrolin-2-yl)imidazolylidene (L2) have been prepared and fully characterized by NMR, ESI-MS, UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. Both L1 and L2 act as pincer NNC donors coordinated to ruthenium (II) ion. In 3, the Ru(II) and Ag(I) ions are linked by two bridging Cl(-) through a rhomboid Ag(2)Cl(2) ring with two Ru(II) extending to above and down the plane. Complexes 2-8 show absorption maximum over the 354-428 nm blueshifted compared to Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) due to strong σ-donating and weak π-acceptor properties of NHC ligands. Electrochemical studies show Ru(II)/Ru(III) couples over 0.578-1.274 V.     

Design and function of pre-organised outer-sphere amidopyridyl extractants for zinc(II) and cobalt(II) chlorometallates: the role of C-H hydrogen bonds

Four new sterically hindered pyridines, L(1)-L(4)-containing amido substituents at the 2-position act as efficient solvent extractants for [CoCl(4)](2-) or [ZnCl(4)](2-) from acidic chloride solutions through protonation of the pyridino N-centre to form the neutral outer-sphere complexes [(LH)(2)MCl(4)]. These ionophores show very high selectivity for chlorometallate anions over chloride ion and are readily stripped to liberate the free-metal chlorides without the formation of inner-sphere complexes [ML(2)Cl(2)]. Single-crystal X-ray structure determinations of [(L(2)H)(2)CoCl(4)] and [(L(2)H)(2)ZnCl(4)] (L(2) = 2-(4,6-di-tert-butylpyridin-2-yl)-N,N'-dihexylmalonamide) coupled with (1)H?NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations on L(2)H(+) and other complexes of [ZnCl(4)](2-) confirm that the pyridinium NH group does not address the outer co-ordination sphere of the metallanion, but rather forms a hydrogen bond to the pendant amide groups and thus pre-organizes the ligand to present both C-H and amido N-H hydrogen-bond donors to the [MCl(4)](2-) ions. The selectivity for chlorometallates over chloride ions shown by this class of extractants arises from their ability to present several polarized C-H units towards the charge-diffuse ions [MCl(4)](2-), whereas the smaller, "harder" chloride anion prefers to be associated with the amido N-H hydrogen-bond donors.     

Synthesis and characterization of nickel inverse 9-metallacrown-3, palladium-silver, and dinuclear platinum complexes containing pyrazole-functionalized NHC ligands

Three metallacrown nickel complexes [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L1)(3)](PF(6))(2) (1, L1 = 3-((N-methylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate), [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L2)(3)](PF(6))(2) (2, L2 = 3-((N-mesitylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate), and [Ni(3)(μ-OH)(L3)(3)](PF(6))(2) (3, L3 = 3-((N-pyrimidin-2-ylimidazolylidenyl)methyl)-5-methylpyrazolate) were obtained by the reactions of corresponding silver-NHC complexes with Raney nickel powder at 45 °C. The same reaction at 80 °C afforded [Ni(3)(L2)(4)](PF(6))(2) (4). The carbene-transfer reaction of the silver-carbene complex with [(η(3)-C(3)H(5))PdCl](2) yielded the heterotrimetallic complex [AgPd(2)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2)(L2)(2)](PF(6)) (5), whereas the carbene-transfer reaction with Pt(cod)Cl(2) gave [Pt(2)(L3)(2)](PF(6))(2) (6). All of these complexes have been fully characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1-6 were also studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. In 1-3, three nickel centers are bridged together by three pyrazole-NHC ligands and a hydroxide group, forming a 9-metallacrown-3 topology. Complex 4 is paramagnetic, consisting of two square-planar nickel(II) ions and one tetrahedral nickel ion in which three Ni ions are bridged by four pyrazolate units. In the mixed Pd-Ag complex 5, two palladium and one silver centers are bridged by two pyrazole-NHC ligands. Complex 5 showed good catalytic activity in the Sonogashira coupling reaction of aryl bromides and phenylacetylene under mild conditions typically catalyzed by Pd-Cu systems.