Di‐ and triphenylacetate complexes of yttrium and europium

The significant variety in the crystal structures of rare‐earth carboxylate complexes is due to both the large coordination numbers of the rare‐earth cations and the ability of the carboxylate anions to form several types of bridges between rare‐earth metal atoms. Therefore, these complexes are represented by mono‐, di‐ and polynuclear complexes, and by coordination polymers. The interaction of LnCl₃(thf)_x (Ln = Eu or Y; thf is tetrahydrofuran) with sodium or diethylammonium diphenylacetate in methanol followed by recrystallization from a DME/THF/hexane solvent mixture (DME is 1,2‐dimethoxyethane) leads to crystals of the non‐isomorphic dinuclear complexes tetrakis(μ‐2,2‐diphenylacetato)‐κ⁴O:O′;κ³O,O′:O′;κ³O:O,O′‐bis[(1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐κ²O,O′)(2,2‐diphenylacetato‐κ²O,O′)europium(III)], [Eu(C₁₄H₁₁O₂)₆(C₄H₁₀O₂)₂], (I), and tetrakis(μ‐2,2‐diphenylacetato)‐κ⁴O:O′;κ³O,O′:O′;κ³O:O,O′‐bis[(1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐κ²O,O′)(2,2‐diphenylacetato‐κ²O,O′)yttrium(III)], [Y(C₁₄H₁₁O₂)₆(C₄H₁₀O₂)₂], (II), possessing monoclinic (P2₁/c) symmetry. The [Ln(Ph₂CHCOO)₃(dme)]₂ molecule (Ln = Eu or Y) lies on an inversion centre and exhibits three different coordination modes of the diphenylacetate ligands, namely bidentate κ²O,O′‐terminal, bidentate μ₂‐κ¹O:κ¹O′‐bridging and tridentate μ₂‐κ¹O:κ²O,O′‐semibridging. The terminal and bridging ligands in (I) are disordered over two positions, with an occupancy ratio of 0.806 (2):0.194 (2). The interaction of EuCl₃(thf)₂ with Na[Ph₃CCOO] in methanol followed by crystallization from hot methanol produces crystals of tetrakis(methanol‐κO)tris(2,2,2‐triphenylacetato)‐κ⁴O:O′;κO‐europium(III) methanol disolvate, [Eu(C₁₉H₁₅O₂)₃(CH₃OH)₄]·2CH₃OH, (III)·2MeOH, with triclinic (P) symmetry. The molecule of (III) contains two O,O′‐bidentate and one O‐monodentate terminal triphenylacetate ligand. (III)·2MeOH possesses one intramolecular and four intermolecular hydrogen bonds, forming a [(III)·2MeOH]₂ dimer with two bridging methanol molecules.     

Phenoxide and alkoxide complexes of Mg,Al and Zn,and their use for the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone with initiators of different natures

A new packing polymorph of bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO)bis(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)magnesium, [Mg(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)₂] or Mg(BHT)₂(THF)₂, (BHT is the 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenoxide anion and THF is tetrahydrofuran), ( 1 ), has the same space group (P2₁) as the previously reported modification [Nifant'ev et al. (2017d). Dalton Trans. 46 , 12132–12146], but contains three crystallographically independent molecules instead of one. The structure of ( 1 ) exhibits rotational disorder of the tert‐butyl groups and positional disorder of a THF ligand. The complex of bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO)bis(μ₂‐ethyl glycolato‐κ²O,O′:κO)dimethyldialuminium, [Al₂(CH₃)₂(C₄H₇O₃)₂(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂] or [(BHT)AlMe(OCH₂COOEt)]₂, ( 2 ), is a dimer located on an inversion centre and has an Al₂O₂ rhomboid core. The 2‐ethoxy‐2‐oxoethanolate ligand (OCH₂COOEt) displays a μ₂‐κ²O,O′:κO semi‐bridging coordination mode, forming a five‐membered heteronuclear Al–O–C–C–O ring. The same ligand exhibits positional disorder of the terminal methyl group. The redetermined structure of the heptanuclear complex octakis(μ₃‐benzyloxo‐κO:κO:κO)hexaethylheptazinc, [Zn₇(C₂H₅)₆(C₇H₇O)₈] or [Zn₇(OCH₂Ph)₈Et₆], ( 3 ), possesses a bicubic Zn₇O₈ core located at an inversion centre and demonstrates positional disorder of one crystallographically independent phenyl group. Cambridge Structural Database surveys are given for complexes structurally analogous to ( 2 ) and ( 3 ). Complexes ( 2 ) and ( 3 ), as well as derivatives of ( 1 ), are of interest as catalysts for the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone, and polymerization results are reported.     

Dimeric hexakis(4‐methyl­benzoato)­bis(1,10‐phenanthroline)didyspros­ium(III)

The title compound, [Dy₂(C₈H₇O₂)₆(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], forms binuclear complexes, viz. di‐μ‐4‐methyl­benzoato‐κ⁴O:O′‐bis[bis(4‐methyl­benzoato‐κ²O,O′)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)dyspros­ium(III)] tetra‐μ‐4‐methyl­benzoato‐κ⁸O:O′‐bis[(4‐methyl­benzoato‐κ²O,O′)(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)dyspros­ium(III)]. There are two independent binuclear com­plexes in the asymmetric unit, both of which are centrosymmetric. In one, the Dy^III ions are linked by two bridging 4‐­methyl­benzoate groups, while in the other, the Dy^III ions are linked by four bridging 4‐methyl­benzoate groups. The remaining 4‐methyl­benzoate groups and 1,10‐phenanthroline units coordinate to just one metal ion in bidentate modes.     

Chromium complexes bearing disubstituted organophosphate ligands and their use in ethylene polymerization

The crystal structures of three unusual chromium organophosphate complexes have been determined, namely, bis(μ‐butyl 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenyl hydrogen phosphato‐κO:κO′)di‐μ‐hydroxido‐bis[(butyl 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenyl hydrogen phosphato‐κO)(butyl 2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenyl phosphato‐κO)chromium](Cr—Cr) heptane disolvate or {Cr₂(μ₂‐OH)₂[μ₂‐PO₂(OBu)(O‐2,6‐^tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂)‐κO:κO′]₂[PO₂(OBu)(O‐2,6‐^tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂)‐κO]₂[HOPO(OBu)(O‐2,6‐^tBu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₂)‐κO]₂}·2C₇H₁₆, [Cr₂(C₁₉H₃₂O₄P)₄(C₁₉H₃₃O₄P)₂(OH)₂]·2C₇H₁₆, denoted ( 1 )·2(heptane), [μ‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato‐1κO:2κO′]bis[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato]‐1κO,2κO‐chlorido‐2κCl‐triethanol‐1κ²O,2κO‐di‐μ‐ethanolato‐1κ²O:2κ²O‐dichromium(Cr—Cr) ethanol monosolvate or {Cr₂(μ₂‐OEt)₂[μ₂‐PO₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H₃)₂‐κO:κO′][PO₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H₃)₂‐κO]₂Cl(EtOH)₃}·EtOH, [Cr₂(C₂H₅O)₂(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₃Cl(C₂H₆O)₃]·C₂H₆O, denoted ( 2 )·EtOH, and di‐μ‐ethanolato‐1κ²O:2κ²O‐bis{[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) hydrogen phosphato‐κO][bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato‐κO]chlorido(ethanol‐κO)chromium}(Cr—Cr) benzene disolvate or {Cr₂(μ₂‐OEt)₂[PO₂(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H₃)₂‐κO]₂[HOPO(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂‐C₆H₃)₂‐κO]₂Cl₂(EtOH)₂}·2C₆H₆, [Cr₂(C₂H₅O)₂(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₂(C₂₄H₃₅O₄P)₂Cl₂(C₂H₆O)₂]·2C₆H₆, denoted ( 3 )·2C₆H₆. Complexes ( 1 )–( 3 ) have been synthesized by an exchange reaction between the in‐situ‐generated corresponding lithium or potassium disubstituted phosphates with CrCl₃(H₂O)₆ in ethanol. The subsequent crystallization of ( 1 ) from heptane, ( 2 ) from ethanol and ( 3 ) from an ethanol/benzene mixture allowed us to obtain crystals of ( 1 )·2(heptane), ( 2 )·EtOH and ( 3 )·2C₆H₆, whose structures have the monoclinic P2₁, orthorhombic P2₁2₁2₁ and triclinic P space groups, respectively. All three complexes have binuclear cores with a single Cr—Cr bond, i.e. Cr₂O₆P₂ in ( 1 ), Cr₂PO₄ in ( 2 ) and Cr₂O₂ in ( 3 ), where the Cr atoms are in distorted octahedral environments, formally having 16 ē per Cr atom. The complexes have bridging ligands μ₂‐OH in ( 1 ) or μ₂‐OEt in ( 2 ) and ( 3 ). The organophosphate ligands demonstrate terminal κO coordination modes in ( 1 )–( 3 ) and bridging μ₂‐κO:κO′ coordination modes in ( 1 ) and ( 2 ). All the complexes exhibit hydrogen bonding: two intramolecular O_phos…H—O_phos interactions in ( 1 ) and ( 3 ) form two {H[PO₂(OR)₂]₂} associates; two intramolecular Cl…H—O_Et hydrogen bonds additionally stabilize the Cr₂O₂ core in ( 3 ); two intramolecular O_phos…H—O_Et interactions and two O…H—O intermolecular hydrogen bonds with a noncoordinating ethanol molecule are observed in ( 2 )·EtOH. The presence of both basic ligands (OH^? or OEt^?) and acidic [H(phosphate)₂]^? associates at the same metal centres in ( 1 ) and ( 3 ) is rather unusual. Complexes may serve as precatalysts for ethylene polymerization under mild conditions, providing polyethylene with a small amount of short‐chain branching. The formation of a small amount of α‐olefins has been detected in this reaction.     

A three‐dimensional coordination polymer based on the Zn4(μ3‐OH)2 unit: poly[[(μ4‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐hydroxido)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione)tetrazinc] dihydrate]

The title compound, {[Zn₄(C₈H₄O₄)₃(OH)₂(C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₂]·2H₂O}_n, has been prepared hydrothermally by the reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc) and 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione (pdon) in H₂O. In the crystal structure, a tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment is located on a crystallographic inversion centre which relates two subunits, each containing a [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron and a [ZnO₄] tetrahedron bridged by a μ₃‐OH group. The pdon ligand chelates to zinc through its two N atoms to form part of the [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron. The two crystallographically independent bdc²⁻ ligands are fully deprotonated and adopt μ₃‐κO:κO′:κO′′ and μ₄‐κO:κO′:κO′′:κO′′′ coordination modes, bridging three or four Zn^II cations, respectively, from two Zn₄(OH)₂ units. The Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment connects six neighbouring tetranuclear units through four μ₃‐bdc²⁻ and two μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands, forming a three‐dimensional framework with uninodal 6‐connected α‐Po topology, in which the tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ units are considered as 6‐connected nodes and the bdc²⁻ ligands act as linkers. The uncoordinated water molecules are located on opposite sides of the Zn₄(OH)₂ unit and are connected to it through hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving hydroxide and carboxylate groups. The structure is further stabilized by extensive π–π interactions between the pdon and μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands.     

A dinuclear zinc complex containing a diamond‐core geometry: [Zn2(μ2‐GueO)2(GueO)2(py)2]·0.5(toluene) (GueOH is guethol)

The title zinc alkoxide, bis(μ‐2‐ethoxyphenolato)‐κ³O¹,O²:O¹;κ³O¹:O¹,O²‐bis[(2‐ethoxyphenolato‐κ²O¹,O²)(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)] toluene hemisolvate, [Zn₂(C₈H₉O₂)₄(C₅H₅N)₂]·0.5C₇H₈, crystallizes with two independent complex molecules located on inversion centres and one independent toluene solvent molecule disordered about an inversion centre. The Zn^II atoms are six‐coordinated in distorted octahedral geometries with O₅N donor sets. The Zn^II ions and bridging alkoxide groups are arranged in a diamond Zn₂O₂ core structure. The guetholate (2‐ethoxyphenolate) ligands adopt two different coordination modes, viz. peripheral chelating and μ₂‐bridging. Preliminary investigations of the catalytic activity of the compound in the ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide demonstrate rapid and efficient generation of polylactide.     

A copper–polyol complex: [Na2(C2H6O2)6][Cu(C2H4O2)2]

The ionic title complex, bis(μ‐ethylene glycol)‐κ³O,O′:O′;κ³O:O,O′‐bis[(ethylene glycol‐κ²O,O′)(ethylene glycol‐κO)sodium] bis(ethylene glycolato‐κ²O,O′)copper(II), [Na₂(C₂H₆O₂)₆][Cu(C₂H₄O₂)₂], was obtained from a basic solution of CuCl₂ in ethylene glycol and consists of discrete ions interconnected by O—H...O hydrogen bonds. This is the first example of a disodium–ethylene glycol complex cation cluster. The cation lies about an inversion center and the Cu^II atom of the anion lies on another independent inversion center.     

First‐row transition metal–pyridine (py)–sulfate [(py)xM](SO4) complexes (M = Ni,Cu and Zn): crystal field theory in action

The crystal structures of three first‐row transition metal–pyridine–sulfate complexes, namely catena‐poly[[tetrakis(pyridine‐κN)nickel(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Ni(SO₄)(C₅H₅N)₄]_n, (1), di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[tris(pyridine‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(SO₄)₂(C₅H₅N)₆], (2), and catena‐poly[[tetrakis(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′‐[bis(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn₂(SO₄)₂(C₅H₅N)₆]_n, (3), are reported. Ni compound (1) displays a polymeric crystal structure, with infinite chains of Ni^II atoms adopting an octahedral N₄O₂ coordination environment that involves four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. Cu compound (2) features a dimeric molecular structure, with the Cu^II atoms possessing square‐pyramidal N₃O₂ coordination environments that contain three pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. Zn compound (3) exhibits a polymeric crystal structure of infinite chains, with two alternating zinc coordination environments, i.e. octahedral N₄O₂ coordination involving four pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands, and tetrahedral N₂O₂ coordination containing two pyridine ligands and two bridging sulfate ligands. The observed coordination environments are consistent with those predicted by crystal field theory.     

Three isomorphous Ln complexes: {[Ln2(bt)6(bno)(H2O)4]·bno}n (bt is but‐2‐enoate and bno is 4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide), with Ln = Nd,Er and Y

The polymeric title compounds, namely catena‐poly[[[di‐μ‐but‐2‐enoato‐κ³O:O,O′;κ³O,O′:O′‐bis[diaquadibut‐2‐enoato‐κO;κ²O,O′‐neodymium(III)]]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide‐κ²O:O′] 4,4′‐bipyridyl N,N′‐dioxide solvate] and the erbium(III) and yttrium(III) analogues, {[Ln₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₀H₈N₂O₂)(H₂O)₄]·C₁₀H₈N₂O₂}_n (Ln = Nd, Er and Y), form from [Ln₂(bt)₆(H₂O)₄] dimers (bt is but‐2‐enoate) bridged by 4,4′‐bipyridyl dioxide (bno) spacers into sets of parallel chains; these linear arrays are interconnected by aqua‐mediated hydrogen bonds into broad two‐dimensional structures, which in turn interact with each other though the hydrogen‐bonded bridged bno solvent units. Both independent bno units in the structures are bisected by symmetry centres.     

Three isotypic polymeric complexes with rare earth cations,but‐2‐enoate anions and 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine and 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine bridging ligands

Three isotypic rare earth complexes, catena‐poly[[aquabis(but‐2‐enoato‐κ²O,O′)yttrium(III)]‐bis(μ‐but‐2‐enoato)‐κ³O,O′:O;κ³O:O,O′‐[aquabis(but‐2‐enoato‐κ²O,O′)yttrium(III)]‐μ‐4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine‐κ²N:N′], [Y₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₂], the gadolinium(III) analogue, [Gd₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)(H₂O)₂], and the gadolinium(III) analogue with a 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine bridging ligand, [Gd₂(C₄H₅O₂)₆(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)₂], are one‐dimensional coordination polymers made up of centrosymmetric dinuclear [M(but‐2‐enoato)₃(H₂O)]₂ units (M = rare earth), further bridged by centrosymmetric 4,4′‐(ethane‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine or 4,4′‐(ethene‐1,2‐diyl)dipyridine spacers into sets of chains parallel to the [20] direction. There are intra‐chain and inter‐chain hydrogen bonds in the structures, the former providing cohesion of the linear arrays and the latter promoting the formation of broad planes parallel to (010).     

Two novel alkaline earth coordination polymers constructed from cinnamic acid and 1,10‐phenanthroline: synthesis and structural and thermal properties

In coordination chemistry and crystal engineering, many factors influence the construction of coordination polymers and the final frameworks depend greatly on the organic ligands used. The diverse coordination modes of N‐donor ligands have been employed to assemble metal–organic frameworks. Carboxylic acid ligands can deprotonate completely or partially when bonding to metal ions and can also act as donors or acceptors of hydrogen bonds; they are thus good candidates for the construction of supramolecular architectures. We synthesized under reflux or hydrothermal conditions two new alkaline earth(II) complexes, namely poly[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)bis(μ‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ³O,O′:O)calcium(II)], [Ca(C₁₀H₇O₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, (1), and poly[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)(μ₃‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ⁴O:O,O′:O′)(μ‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ³O,O′:O)barium(II)], [Ba(C₁₀H₇O₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, (2), and characterized them by FT–IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Complex (1) features a chain topology of type 2,4 C4, where the Ca atoms are connected by O and N atoms, forming a distorted bicapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Complex (2) displays chains of topology type 2,3,5 C4, where the Ba atom is nine‐coordinated by seven O atoms of bridging/chelating carboxylate groups from two cinnamate ligands and by two N atoms from one phenanthroline ligand, forming a distorted tricapped prismatic arrangement. Weak C—H…O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions between phenanthroline ligands are responsible to the formation of a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. The thermal decompositions of (1) and (2) in the temperature range 297–1173 K revealed that they both decompose in three steps and transform to the corresponding metal oxide.     

Multiple bridging modes in a novel trinuclear titanium 1,3‐dioxypropane compound,Ti3(methyliminodiethanolate)2(1,3‐propanediolate)4

The title compound, bis(2,2′‐methyl­imino­diethano­lato)‐1κ³O,N,O′;3κ³O,N,O′‐di‐μ₃‐propane‐1,3‐diolato‐1:2:3κ⁸O:O,O′:O′‐μ‐propane‐1,3‐diolato‐1:3κ²O:O′‐propane‐1,3‐diolato‐2κ²O,O′‐trititanium(IV), [Ti₃(C₅H₁₁NO₂)₂(C₃H₆O₂)₄], has four 1,3‐propane­diolate ligands binding in three different modes. Two ligands chelate adjacent Ti atoms with normal μ₃‐O bridges, giving typical edge‐sharing of the Ti distorted octahedra, one chelating to the central Ti atom with no μ‐bridging, and the other spanning the cluster, binding only to the outermost Ti atoms. The two methyl­imino­diethano­late ligands each coordinate to the outer Ti atoms via their N and two O atoms. The Ti—O bond lengths range, in a self‐consistent fashion, from 1.816 (2) to 2.082 (2) Å, while the average Ti—N distance is 2.391 (3) Å.     

A novel trinuclear zinc(II) cluster with a tetrahedral ZnO4 core

The reaction of 0.67 molar equivalents of the O,N,O′‐tridentate zwitterionic Schiff base (2Z,4E)‐4‐[(2‐hydroxyphenyl)iminio]pent‐2‐en‐2‐olate (H₂L) with one equivalent of zinc(II) acetate in methanol affords a novel trinuclear Zn^II cluster, di‐μ‐acetato‐1:2κ²O:O′;2:3κ²O:O′‐dimethanol‐1κO,3κO‐bis{μ‐2‐[(2E,3Z)‐4‐oxidopent‐3‐en‐2‐ylideneamino]phenolato}‐1:2κ⁴O²,N,O⁴:O⁴;2:3κ⁴O⁴:O²,N,O⁴‐trizinc(II), [Zn₃(C₁₁H₁₁NO₂)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂(CH₄O)₂], (I), in which two bridging acetate ligands link the terminal square‐based pyramidal Zn^II ions to the approximately tetrahedral Zn^II ion at the core of the cluster. The ZnO₄ coordination group of the central Zn^II ion is established by two bridging phenolate and two bridging acetate O atoms. The remaining four coordination sites of each terminal Zn^II ion are occupied by methanol and deprotonated H₂L. Furthermore, the Zn‐bound methanol hydroxyl groups are involved in complementary hydrogen bonding with the Zn‐bound enolate O atom of a neighbouring molecule, about an inversion centre in each case. The structure of (I) is therefore best described as an extended one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded chain of trinuclear Zn^II clusters.     

Structure and magnetic properties of a copper(II) coordination polymer based on azide,pyridine and homophthalic acid

The azide anion is a short bridging ligand that has been used extensively to construct magnetic coordination polymers, and fundamental magneto‐structural correlations have been substantiated by theoretical calculations. The copper(II) coordination polymer poly[bis(μ‐azido‐κ²N¹:N¹)(μ₄‐homophthalato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′′)bis(pyridine‐κN)dicopper(II)], [Cu₂(C₉H₆O₄)(N₃)₂(C₅H₅N)₂]_n, was synthesized from homophthalic acid (2‐carboxyphenylacetic acid), pyridine and azide (N₃⁻) by a hydrothermal reaction. Single‐crystal structure analysis indicated that it features a one‐dimensional chain structure which is comprised of (μ_1,1‐N₃⁻)(μ‐syn–syn‐COO⁻)₂‐ and (μ_1,1‐N₃⁻)₂‐bridged tetranuclear Cu^II units. Magnetic measurements revealed that the compound exhibits dominant antiferromagnetic behaviour.     

A new hybrid organic–inorganic chain: [(phen)Cu–μ‐(κ2O:O′‐VP2O10H3)2–Cu(phen)]n

The structure of the title compound, poly[(dihydrogenphosphato‐κO)(μ₃‐hydrogenphosphato)di‐μ‐oxido‐(1,10‐phenanthroline)copper(II)vanadium(V)], [CuV(HPO₄)(H₂PO₄)O₂(C₁₂H₈N₂)]_n, is defined by [(phen)Cu–μ‐(κ²O:O′‐VP₂O₁₀H₃)₂–Cu(phen)] units (phen is 1,10‐phenanthroline), which are connected to neighbouring units through vanadyl bridges. Neighbouring chains have no covalent bonds between them, although they interdigitate through the phen groups viaπ–π interactions.     

Di‐μ‐sulfito‐bis­[(4,4′‐di­methyl‐2,2′‐bi­pyridine)­zinc(II)] dihydrate and poly­[[aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline)­zinc(II)]‐μ3‐sulfito‐zinc(II)‐μ3‐sulfito]

Two different zinc sulfite compounds have been prepared through the decomposition of pyrosulfite–­di­thionite ions in aqueous solution, viz. a dimeric complex, di‐μ‐sulfito‐κ³O,O′:O′′;κ³O:O′,O′′‐bis­[(4,4′‐di­methyl‐2,2′‐bi­pyridine‐κ²N,N′)­zinc(II)] dihydrate, [Zn₂(SO₃)₂(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)₂]·2H₂O, (I), which was solved and refined from a twinned sample, and an extended polymer, poly­[[aqua(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)­zinc(II)]‐μ₃‐sulfito‐κ²O:O′:O′′‐zinc(II)‐μ₃‐sulfito‐κ³O:O:O′], [Zn₂(SO₃)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)]_n, (II). In (I), the dinuclear Zn^II complex has a center of symmetry. The cation is five‐coordinate in a square‐pyramidal arrangement, the anion fulfilling a bridging chelating role. Compound (II) comprises two different zinc units, one being five‐coordinate (square pyramidal) and the other four‐coordinate (trigonal pyramidal), and two independent sulfite groups with different binding modes to the cationic centers.     

An octanuclear iron(III) isobutyrate wheel

The reaction of the μ₃‐oxido‐centred trinuclear isobutyrate cluster [Fe₃O(O₂CCHMe₂)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺ with an excess of phenol (PhOH) in chloroform produces a novel octanuclear Fe^III cluster, cyclo‐tetra‐μ₂‐hydroxido‐dodeca‐μ₂‐isobutyrato‐κ²⁴O:O′‐octa‐μ₂‐phenolato‐κ¹⁶O:O′‐octairon(III) phenol hexasolvate monohydrate, [Fe₈(C₄H₇O₂)₁₂(C₆H₅O)₈(OH)₄]·6C₆H₅OH·H₂O. The neutral cluster is located about a centre of inversion and consists of a planar ring of eight Fe^III centres with two types of bridges between adjacent Fe atoms: each Fe atom is bridged to one of its neighbours by a μ‐hydroxide and two 1,3‐bridging carboxylates, or by two phenolate and one 1,3‐bridging isobutyrate ligand. The cavity within the {Fe₈} wheel is occupied by a disordered water molecule. Intermolecular O—H...O hydrogen bonds and C—H...π interactions connect the clusters and the phenol solvent molecules to form a three‐dimensional network.     

Two‐dimensional ZnII and one‐dimensional CoII coordination polymers based on benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate and pyridine ligands

Coordination polymers constructed from metal ions and organic ligands have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse structural topologies and potential applications. Ligands containing carboxylate groups are among the most extensively studied because of their versatile coordination modes. Reactions of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC) and pyridine (py) with Zn^II or Co^II yielded two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[(μ₄‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′′)(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)]_n, (I), and catena‐poly[aqua(μ₃‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O:O′:O′′)bis(pyridine‐κN)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)₂(H₂O)]_n, (II). In compound (I), the Zn^II cation is five‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four BDC²⁻ ligands and one pyridine N atom in a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. Four carboxylate groups bridge two Zn^II ions to form centrosymmetric paddle‐wheel‐like Zn₂(μ₂‐COO)₄ units, which are linked by the benzene rings of the BDC²⁻ ligands to generate a two‐dimensional layered structure. The two‐dimensional layer is extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings. Compound (II) has a one‐dimensional double‐chain structure based on Co₂(μ₂‐COO)₂ units. The Co^II cations are bridged by BDC²⁻ ligands and are octahedrally coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three BDC²⁻ ligands, one water O atom and two pyridine N atoms. Interchain O—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions link these chains to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Tetrakis(μ‐2,3‐dimethoxybenzoato)bis[(2,2′‐bipyridine)(2,3‐dimethoxybenzoato)lanthanum(III)]

The title compound, tetrakis(μ‐2,3‐di­methoxy­benzoato)‐κ⁴O:O′;κ⁶O,O′:O′‐bis[(2,2′‐bi­pyridine‐N,N′)(2,3‐di­methoxy­benzoato‐O,O′)lanthanum(III)], [La₂(2,3‐DMOBA)₆(2,2′‐bpy)₂], where 2,3‐DMOBA is 2,3‐di­methoxy­benzoate (C₉H₉O₄) and 2,2′‐bpy is 2,2′‐bi­pyridine (C₁₀H₈N₂), is a dimer with a centre of inversion between the La atoms bridged by four carboxyl­ate ligands. The central La atom is ennea‐coordinated and has a distorted monocapped square‐antiprism geometry.     

Structural diversity of polynuclear MgxOy cores in magnesium phenoxide complexes

The binuclear complex bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato)‐1κO ,2κO‐(1,2‐dimethoxyethane‐1κ²O ,O ′)bis(μ‐phenylmethanolato‐1:2κ²O :O )(tetrahydrofuran‐2κO )dimagnesium(II), [Mg₂(C₇H₇O)₂(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)(C₄H₁₀O₂)] or [(BHT)(DME)Mg(μ‐OBn)₂Mg(THF)(BHT)], (I), was obtained from the complex [(BHT)Mg(μ‐OBn)(THF)]₂ by substitution of one tetrahydrofuran (THF) molecule with 1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME) in toluene (BHT is O‐2,6‐^t Bu₂‐4‐MeC₆H₄ and Bn is benzyl). The trinuclear complex bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato)‐1κO ,3κO‐tetrakis(μ‐2‐methylphenolato)‐1:2κ⁴O :O ;2:3κ⁴O :O‐bis(tetrahydrofuran)‐1κO ,3κO‐trimagnesium(II), [Mg₃(C₇H₇O)₄(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂(C₄H₈O)₂] or [(BHT)₂(μ‐O‐2‐MeC₆H₄)₄(THF)₂Mg₃], (II), was formed from a mixture of Bu₂Mg, [(BHT)Mg(ⁿ Bu)(THF)₂] and 2‐methylphenol. An unusual tetranuclear complex, bis(μ₃‐2‐aminoethanolato‐κ⁴O :O :O ,N )tetrakis(μ₂‐2‐aminoethanolato‐κ³O :O ,N )bis(2,6‐di‐tert‐butyl‐4‐methylphenolato‐κO )tetramagnesium(II), [Mg₄(C₂H₆NO)₆(C₁₅H₂₃O)₂] or Mg₄(BHT)₂(OCH₂CH₂NH₂)₆, (III), resulted from the reaction between (BHT)₂Mg(THF)₂ and 2‐aminoethanol. A polymerization test demonstrated the ability of (III) to catalyse the ring‐opening polymerization of ϵ‐caprolactone without activation by alcohol. In all three complexes (I)–(III), the BHT ligand demonstrates the terminal κO‐coordination mode. Complexes (I), (II) and (III) have binuclear rhomboid Mg₂O₂, trinuclear chain‐like Mg₃O₄ and bicubic Mg₄O₆ cores, respectively. A survey of the literature on known polynuclear Mg_x O_y core types for ArO–Mg complexes is also presented.