FeIII Quinolylsalicylaldimine Complexes: A Rare Mixed‐Spin‐State Complex and Abrupt Spin Crossover

A new synthesis of (8‐quinolyl)‐5‐methoxysalicylaldimine (Hqsal‐5‐OMe) is reported and its crystal structure is presented. Two Fe^III complexes, [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂]Cl ? solvent (solvent=2 MeOH ? 0.5 H₂O ( 1 ) and MeCN ? H₂O ( 2 )) have been prepared and their structural, electronic and magnetic properties studied. [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂] Cl ? 2 MeOH ? 0.5 H₂O ( 1 ) exhibits rare crystallographically independent high‐spin and low‐spin Fe^III centres at 150 K, whereas [Fe(qsal‐5‐OMe)₂]Cl ? MeCN ? H₂O ( 2 ) is low spin at 100 K. In both structures there are extensive π–π and C? H???π interactions. SQUID magnetometry of 2 reveals an unusual abrupt stepped‐spin crossover with T_1/2=245 K and 275 K for steps 1 and 2, respectively, with a slight hysteresis of 5 K in the first step and a plateau of 15 K between the steps. In contrast, 1 is found to undergo an abrupt half‐spin crossover also with a hysteresis of 10 K. The two compounds are the first Fe^III complexes of a substituted qsal ligand to exhibit abrupt spin crossover. These conclusions are supported by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy. Both complexes exhibit reversible reduction to Fe^II at ?0.18 V and irreversible oxidation of the coordinated qsal‐5‐OMe ligand at +1.10 V.     

Two‐Step Spin Transition in a 1D FeII 1,2,4‐Triazole Chain Compound

A thermochromic 1D spin crossover coordination (SCO) polymer [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 1? 2 H₂O), whose precursor βAlatrz, (1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl‐propionate) has been tailored from a β‐amino acid ester is investigated in detail by a set of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared, and Raman measurements. An hysteretic abrupt two‐step spin crossover (T_1/2^↓=230 K and T_1/2^↑=235 K, and T_1/2^↓=172 K and T_1/2^↑=188 K, respectively) is registered for the first time for a 1,2,4‐triazole‐based Fe^II 1D coordination polymer. The two‐step SCO configuration is observed in a 1:2 ratio of low‐spin/high‐spin in the intermediate phase for a 1D chain. The origin of the stepwise transition was attributed to a distribution of chains of different lengths in 1? 2 H₂O after First Order Reversal Curves (FORC) analyses. A detailed DFT analysis allowed us to propose the normal mode assignment of the Raman peaks in the low‐spin and high‐spin states of 1? 2 H₂O. Vibrational spectra of 1? 2 H₂O reveal that the BF₄^? anions and water molecules play no significant role on the vibrational properties of the [Fe(βAlatrz)₃]²⁺ polymeric chains, although non‐coordinated water molecules have a dramatic influence on the emergence of a step in the spin transition curve. The dehydrated material [Fe(βAlatrz)₃](BF₄)₂ ( 1 ) reveals indeed a significantly different magnetic behavior with a one‐step SCO which was also investigated.     

2‐Amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐thiadiazole as Bidentate Ligand

The amino substituted bidentate chelating ligand 2‐amino‐5‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole (H₂ L ) was used to prepare 3:1‐type coordination compounds of iron(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II). In the iron(II) perchlorate complex [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·0.6MeOH·0.9H₂O a 1:1 mixture of mer and fac isomers is present whereas [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃](BF₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O, [Co^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·2H₂O and [Ni^II(H₂ L )₃](ClO₄)₂·MeOH·H₂O feature merely mer derivatives. Moessbauer spectroscopy and variable temperature magnetic measurements revealed the [Fe^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core to exist in the low‐spin state, whereas the [Co^II(H₂ L )₃]²⁺ complex core resides in its high‐spin state, even at very low temperatures.     

Revisited crystal symmetry of the high‐spin form of the iron(II) spin‐crossover complex di­cyano­[2,13‐di­methyl‐6,9‐dioxa‐3,12,18‐tri­aza­bi­cyclo­[12.3.1]­octadeca‐1(18),2,12,14,16‐pentaene]­iron(II) monohydrate

The title iron(II) complex, [Fe(CN)₂(C₁₅H₂₃N₃O₂)]·H₂O, is of interest to the spin‐crossover community because of its unusual temperature‐dependent magnetic behaviour as well as its relatively high relaxation temperature for the light‐induced spin‐crossover phenomenon. Structural modifications are strongly suspected to cause the unusual thermal spin‐crossover features. Recently, the high‐spin crystal structure has been reported but with an inadequate space group. In the present paper, the crystal structure is corrected by a new investigation, and some consequences for the structure–property relationships of this complex are discussed. The Fe^II ion is seven‐coordinate and lies on a twofold axis.     

Three Novel 1‐H‐Benzimidazole‐5‐Carboxylate‐Based Nickel(II)/Cobalt(II) Coordination Polymers: Synthesis,Crystal Structures,Luminescent, and Magnetic Properties

Three 1H‐benzimidazole‐5‐carboxylate (Hbic^–)‐based coordination polymers, {[Ni(H₂O)(Hbic)₂] · 2H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Ni(H₂O)₂(Hbic)₂] · 3H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and {[Co₂(H₂O)₄(Hbic)₄] · 4DMF · 3H₂O}_n ( 3 ) were obtained by reactions of the ligand H₂bic and Ni^II or Co^II salts in the presence of different structure directing molecules. They were structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectra, elemental analysis, thermal stability, luminescent, and magnetic measurements. Structural analysis suggests that the three polymers exhibit a 2D (4, 4) layer for 1 and 1D linear double chains for both 2 and 3 due to the variable binding modes and the specific spatial orientation of the Hbic^– ligand towards the different paramagnetic metal ions, which were further aggregated into different 3D supramolecular architectures by popular hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Weak and comparable antiferromagnetic couplings mediating by Hbic^– bridge are observed between the neighboring spin carriers for 2 and 3 , respectively. Additionally, complexes 1 – 3 also display different luminescence emissions at room temperature due to the ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer.     

Two Extended 5‐Methyltetrazolate‐Based Magnetic Complexes: Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Two 5‐methyl‐tetrazolate (mtz^–)‐based paramagnetic metal coordination polymers, {[Cu₂(H₂O)₂(mtz)(μ₃‐OH)(nip)] · H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Cu(H₂O)(mtz)₂]_n ( 2 ), were obtained in the presence and absence of aromatic 5‐nitroisophathalate (nip^2–) coligand by varying the preparation methods. Structural determinations reveal that 1 is a three‐dimensional (3D) framework with corner‐sharing triangular ribbons infinitely extended by ditopic nip^2– connectors. In contrast, 2 is a coplanar (4,4) layer constructed from square‐pyramidal Cu^II ions and μ‐N1,N4‐mtz^– linkers, which is further assembled into a 3D supramolecular network by interlayer hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Magnetically, spin‐frustrated antiferromagnetic ordering is observed in the 3D framework of 1 and canted antiferromagnetic behavior with a slight spin‐flop transition is presented in 2 , which are structurally resulting from the locally Δ‐ribbon in 1 and asymmetric magnetic superexchange mediated by the μ‐N1,N4‐mtz^– bridge of 2 .     

trans‐Dioxocyclam (1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐2,9‐dione) dihydrate and its NiII complex

The crystal structures are reported of trans‐dioxocyclam dihydrate, C₁₀H₂₀N₄O₂·2H₂O, a structural isomer of the well known cis‐dioxocyclam, and of its novel Ni complex, (1,4,8,11‐tetra­aza­cyclo­tetra­decane‐2,9‐dionato‐κ⁴N)­nickel(II) dihydrate, [Ni(C₁₀H₁₈N₄O₂)]·2H₂O, the first example of a trans­ition metal complex of this ligand. Both mol­ecules lie on crystallographic centres of inversion. The free ligand has two of its N atoms turned outwards from the ring and hydrogen bonded to water mol­ecules. A major conformational change takes place in the complex in which the ligand binds in a trans tetradentate fashion, as suggested by the electronic spectrum. The nickel(II) ion is low spin, although the electronic spectrum of the complex in water indicates an equilibrium mixture of low‐spin and high‐spin species. The irreversible electrochemical oxidation of [NiL¹] (L¹ is deprotonated trans‐dioxocyclam, C₁₀H₁₈N₄O₂) in water occurs at a potential of 0.964 V [versus SHE (standard hydrogen electrode)], which is very similar to that for the Ni–cis‐dioxocyclam complex.     

A new coordination complex based on a polynitrile ligand: bis(4‐amino‐3,5‐di‐2‐pyridyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole)diaquairon(II) bis(1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐methylsulfanylpropenide)

The new high‐spin iron(II) complex, [Fe(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(H₂O)₂](C₈H₃N₄S)₂ or [Fe(abpt)₂(H₂O)₂](tcnsme)₂ [where abpt is 4‐amino‐3,5‐di‐2‐pyridyl‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole and tcnsme is the 1,1,3,3‐tetracyano‐2‐methylthiopropenide anion], consists of discrete [Fe(abpt)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁺ dications, where the Fe^II ion is coordinated by two N,N′‐bidentate chelating abpt ligands in the equatorial plane and two water molecules in trans positions, generating a distorted octahedral [FeN₄O₂] environment. The cationic unit is neutralized by two polynitrile tcnsme anions, in which the C—N, C—C and C—S bond lengths indicate extensive electronic delocalization. In the crystal structure, the dications and anions are linked through O—H...N and N—H...N hydrogen bonds involving the water H atoms and those of the NH₂ groups and the N atoms of the CN groups, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional network.     

Tetra­phenyl­phos­phonium 4‐hydroxy‐2,2,6,6‐tetra­methyl­piperidinyl­oxy‐4‐sulfonate

The title compound, C₂₄H₂₀P⁺·C₉H₁₇NO₅S⁻, consists of an organic monovalent cation and an organic monovalent anion, the latter being derived from the TEMPO radical (TEMPO is 2,2,6,6‐tetra­methyl­piperidin‐1‐oxyl). Two inversion‐related anions interact via two –O—H⃛O—S– hydrogen bonds, forming a dimer in which there are no short contacts between the spin centres (–N—O) of the TEMPO(OH)SO₃⁻ anions. Furthermore, no significant magnetic interaction is observed between the dimers because the dimer is surrounded by cations. These results are consistent with the paramagnetic behaviour of the title salt.     

Crystal structure and spectroscopic characterization of a cobalt(II) tetraazamacrocycle: completing a series of first‐row transition‐metal complexes

The tetraazamacrocyclic ligand 1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane (TMC) has been used to bind a variety of first‐row transition metals but to date the crystal structure of the cobalt(II) complex has been missing from this series. The missing cobalt complex chlorido(1,4,8,11‐tetramethyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradecane‐κ⁴N )cobalt(II) chloride dihydrate, [CoCl(C₁₄H₃₂N₄)]Cl·2H₂O or [Co^IICl(TMC)]Cl·2H₂O, crystallizes as a purple crystal. This species adopts a distorted square‐pyramidal geometry in which the TMC ligand assumes the trans‐I configuration and the chloride ion binds in the syn‐methyl pocket of the ligand. The Co^II ion adopts an S = spin state, as measured by the Evans NMR method, and UV–visible spectroscopic studies indicate that the title hydrated salt is stable in solution. Density functional theory (DFT) studies reveal that the geometric parameters of [Co^IICl(TMC)]Cl·2H₂O are sensitive to the cobalt spin state and correctly predict a change in spin state upon a minor perturbation to the ligand environment.     

A new two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer based on 2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole and benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate: synthesis,crystal structure and characterization

In the construction of coordination polymers, many factors can influence the formation of the final architectures, such as the nature of the metal centres, the organic ligands and the counter‐anions. In the coordination polymer poly[aqua(μ‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O ¹,O ^1′:O ²,O ^2′)[μ‐2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κ²N ²:N ³]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₂H₁₂N₄)(C₈H₄O₄)(H₂O)]_n or [Cd(immb)(1,2‐bdic)(H₂O)]_n , each Cd^II ion is seven‐coordinated by two N atoms from two symmetry‐related 2‐(1H‐imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole (immb) ligands, by four O atoms from two symmetry‐related benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (1,2‐bdic²⁻) ligands and by one water molecule, leading to a CdN₂O₅ distorted pentagonal bipyramidal coordination environment. The immb and 1,2‐bdic²⁻ ligands bridge Cd^II ions and form a two‐dimensional network structure. O—H…O and N—H…O hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure. In addition, the IR spectroscopic properties, PXRD patterns, thermogravimetric behaviour and fluorescence properties of the title polymer have been investigated.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Magnetic Characterization of a Series of Iron(II) Coordination Frameworks with 2, 6‐Bis(1, 2,4‐triazole‐4‐yl)pyridine

Based on the bis‐triazole ligand 2, 6‐bis(1, 2,4‐triazole‐4‐yl)pyridine (L), the triazole‐iron(II) complexes [Fe(L)₂(dca)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O ( 1 ) (Nadca = sodium dicyanamide), {[Fe(μ₂‐L)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂}_n ( 2 ), and {[Fe(μ₂‐L)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ · L · H₂O}_n ( 3 ) were isolated by solvent diffusion methods. When iron(II) salts and Nadca were used, compound 1 was isolated, which contains mononuclear Fe(L)₂(dca)₂(H₂O)₂ units. When FeCl₂ or FeClO₄ were used, one‐dimensional (1D) cation iron(II) chains ( 2 ) and two‐dimensional (2D) cation iron(II) networks ( 3 ) were isolated indicating anion directing structural diversity. Moreover, variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility data of 1 – 3 were recorded in the temperature range 2–300 K. The magnetic curve of complex 2 was fitted by using the classical spin Heisenberg chain model indicating anti‐ferromagnetic interactions (J = –5.31 cm^–1). Obviously complexes 1 – 3 show no detectable thermal spin crossover behaviors, the lack of spin‐crossover behavior may be correlated with FeN₄O₂ coordination spheres in 1 – 3 .     

Untersuchung von Hydrolysereaktionen zum Aufbau von Eisen(III)‐Oxo‐Aggregaten

Investigation of the Hydrolytic Build‐up of Iron(III)‐Oxo‐Aggregates The synthesis and structures of five new iron/hpdta complexes [{Fe^III₄(μ‐O)(μ‐OH)(hpdta)₂(H₂O)₄}₂Fe^II(H₂O)₄]·21H₂O ( 2 ), (pipH₂)₂[Fe₂(hpdta)₂]·8H₂O ( 4 ), (NH₄)₄[Fe₆(μ‐O)(μ‐OH)₅(hpdta)₃]·20.5H₂O ( 5 ), (pipH₂)_1.5[Fe₄(μ‐O)(μ‐OH)₃(hpdta)₂]·6H₂O ( 7 ), [{Fe₆(μ₃‐O)₂(μ‐OH)₂(hpdta)₂(H₄hpdta)₂}₂]·py·50H₂O ( 9 ) are described and the formation of these is discussed in the context of other previously published hpdta‐complexes (H₅hpdta = 2‐Hydroxypropane‐1, 3‐diamine‐N, N, N′, N′‐tetraacetic acid). Terminal water ligands are important for the successive build‐up of higher nuclearity oxy/hydroxy bridged aggregates as well as for the activation of substrates such as DMA and CO₂. The formation of the compounds under hydrolytic conditions formally results from condensation reactions. The magnetic behaviour can be quantified analogously up to the hexanuclear aggregate 5 . The iron(III) atoms in 1 ‐ 7 are antiferromagnetically coupled giving rise to S = 0 spin ground states. In the dodecanuclear iron(III) aggregate 9 we observe the encapsulation of inorganic ionic fragments by dimeric{M₂hpdta}‐units as we recently reported for Al^III/hpdta‐system.     

Local Coordination Geometry and Spin State in Novel FeII Complexes with 2,6‐Bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine‐Type Ligands as Controlled by Packing Forces: Structural Correlations

A substituted 2,6‐bis(pyrazol‐3‐yl)pyridine (3‐bpp) ligand, H₄L, created to facilitate intermolecular interactions in the solid, has been used to obtain four novel Fe^II complexes: [Fe(H₄L)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? 2 CH₃NO₂ ? 2 H₂O, [Fe(H₄L)(H₂LBF₂)](BF₄) ? 5 C₃H₆O (H₂LBF₂ is an in situ modified version of H₄L), [Fe(H₄L)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? 2 C₃H₇OH and [Fe(H₄L)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? 4 C₂H₅OH. Changing of spin‐inactive components (solvents, anions or distant ligand substituents) causes differences to the coordination geometry of the metal that are key to the magnetic proper‐ ties. Magnetic measurements show that, contrary to the previously published complex [Fe(H₄L)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? H₂O ? 2 CH₃COCH₃, the newly synthesised compounds remain in the high‐spin (HS) state at all temperatures (5–300 K). A member of the known family of Fe^II/3‐bpp complexes, [Fe(3‐bpp)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? 1.75 CH₃COCH₃ ? 1.5 Et₂O, has also been prepared and characterised structurally. In the bulk, this compound exhibits a gradual and incomplete spin transition near 205 K. The single‐crystal structure is consistent with it being HS at 250 K and partially low spin at 90 K. Structural analysis of all these compounds reveals that the exact configuration of intermolecular interactions affects dramatically the local geometry at the metal, which ultimately has a strong influence on the magnetic properties. Along this line, the geometry of Fe^II in all published 3‐bpp compounds of known structure has been examined, both by calculating various distortion indices (Σ, Θ, θ and Φ) and by continuous shape measures (CShMs). The results reveal correlations between some of these parameters and indicate that the distortions from octahedral geometry observed on HS systems are mainly due to strains arising from intermolecular interactions. As previously suggested with other related compounds, we observe here that strongly HS‐distorted systems have a larger tendency to remain in that state.     

Luminescent properties of three structures built from 3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olate and cadmium

Yellow–orange tetraaquabis(3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κN³)cadmium(II) dihydrate, [Cd(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O, (I), and yellow tetraaquabis(3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κN³)cadmium(II) 1,4‐dioxane solvate, [Cd(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₄]·C₄H₈O₂, (II), contain centrosymmetric mononuclear Cd²⁺ coordination complex molecules in different conformations. Dark‐red poly[[decaaquabis(μ₂‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐5‐oxo‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐olato‐κ²N:N′)bis(μ₂‐3‐cyano‐4‐dicyanomethylene‐1H‐pyrrole‐2,5‐diolato‐κ²N:N′)tricadmium] hemihydrate], [Cd₃(C₈HN₄O₂)₂(C₈N₄O₂)₂(H₂O)₁₀]·0.5H₂O, (III), has a polymeric two‐dimensional structure, the building block of which includes two cadmium cations (one of them located on an inversion centre), and both singly and doubly charged anions. The cathodoluminescence spectra of the crystals are different and cover the wavelength range from UV to red, with emission peaks at 377 and 620 nm for (III), and at 583 and 580 nm for (I) and (II), respectively.     

Direct Observation of Ordered High‐Spin–Low‐Spin Intermediate States of an Iron(III) Three‐Step Spin‐Crossover Complex

A neutral mononuclear Fe^III complex [Fe^III(H‐5‐Br‐thsa‐Me)(5‐Br‐thsa‐Me)]?H₂O ( 1 ; H₂‐5‐Br‐thsa‐Me=5‐bromosalicylaldehyde methylthiosemicarbazone) was prepared that exhibited a three‐step spin‐crossover (SCO) with symmetry breaking and a 14 K hysteresis loop owing to strong cooperativity. Two ordered intermediate states of 1 were observed, 4HS–2LS and 2HS–4LS, which exhibited reentrant phase‐transition behavior. This study provides a new platform for examining multistability in SCO complexes.     

Syntheses,structures and characterization of isomorphous CoII and NiII coordination polymers based on 2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole and benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate

Careful choice of the organic ligands is one of the most important parameters in the rational design and synthesis of coordination polymers. Aromatic polycarboxylates have been widely used in the preparation of metal–organic polymers since they can utilize various coordination modes to form diverse structures and can act as hydrogen‐bond acceptors and donors in the assembly of supramolecular structures. Nitrogen‐heterocyclic organic compounds have also been used extensively as ligands for the construction of polymers with interesting structures. In the polymers catena‐poly[[[diaquabis{2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN ³}cobalt(II)]‐μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O ¹:O ⁴] dihydrate], {[Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₂H₁₁N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n , (I), and catena‐poly[[[diaquabis{2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole‐κN ³}nickel(II)]‐μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O ¹:O ⁴] dihydrate], {[Ni(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₂H₁₁N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n , (II), the Co^II or Ni^II ion lies on an inversion centre and exhibits a slightly distorted octahedral coordination geometry, coordinated by two N atoms from two imidazole rings and four O atoms from two monodentate carboxylate groups and two water molecules. The dicarboxylate ligands bridge metal ions forming a polymeric chain. The 2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐6‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazole ligands coordinate to the Co^II or Ni^II centres in monodentate modes through an imidazole N atom and are pendant on opposite sides of the main chain. The two structures are isomorphous. In the crystal, the one‐dimensional chains are further connected through O—H…O, O—H…N and N—H…O hydrogen bonds, leading to a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture. In addition, the IR spectroscopic properties, PXRD patterns, thermogravimetric behaviours and fluorescence properties of both polymers have been investigated.     

A new one‐dimensional CuII complex with a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture incorporating benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate and 1‐[(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐imidazole

Subtle modifications of N‐donor ligands can result in complexes with very different compositions and architectures. In the complex catena‐poly[[bis{1‐[(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐imidazole‐κN ³}copper(II)]‐μ‐benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O ¹,O ^1′:O ³], {[Cu(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₀H₉N₅)₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n , each Cu^II ion is six‐coordinated by two N atoms from two crystallographically independent 1‐[(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐imidazole (bmi) ligands, by three O atoms from two symmetry‐related benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylate (bdic²⁻) ligands and by one water molecule, leading to a distorted CuN₂O₄ octahedral coordination environment. The Cu^II ions are connected by bridging bdic²⁻ anions to generate a one‐dimensional chain. The bmi ligands coordinate to the Cu^II ions in monodentate modes and are pendant on opposite sides of the main chain. In the crystal, the chains are linked by O—H…O and O—H…N hydrogen bonds, as well as by π–π interactions, into a three‐dimensional network. A thermogravimetric analysis was carried out and the fluorescence behaviour of the complex was also investigated.     

Poly[di‐μ‐aqua‐μ‐1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene‐κ2N:N′‐tetrakis(4‐iodobenzoato‐κ2O,O′)dicadmium]

Colourless crystals of the title compound, [Cd₂(C₇H₄IO₂)₄(C₁₂H₁₀N₂)(H₂O)₂]_n, were obtained by the self‐assembly of Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, 1,2‐bis(pyridin‐4‐yl)ethene (bpe) and 4‐iodobenzoic acid (4‐IBA). Each Cd^II atom is seven‐coordinated in a pentagonal–bipyramidal coordination environment by four carboxylate O atoms from two different 4‐IBA ligands, two O atoms from two water molecules and one N atom from a bpe ligand. The Cd^II centres are bridged by the aqua molecules and bpe ligands, which lie across centres of inversion, to give a two‐dimensional net. Topologically, taking the Cd^II atoms as nodes and the μ‐aqua and μ‐bpe ligands as linkers, the two‐dimensional structure can be simplified as a (6,3) network.     

From a Phosphaketenyl‐Functionalized Germylene to 1,3‐Digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene

The first 4π‐electron resonance‐stabilized 1,3‐digerma‐2,4‐diphosphacyclobutadiene [L^H₂Ge₂P₂] 4 (L^H=CH[CHNDipp]₂ Dipp=2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃) with four‐coordinate germanium supported by a β‐diketiminate ligand and two‐coordinate phosphorus atoms has been synthesized from the unprecedented phosphaketenyl‐functionalized N‐heterocyclic germylene [L^HGe‐P=C=O] 2 a prepared by salt‐metathesis reaction of sodium phosphaethynolate (P≡C?ONa) with the corresponding chlorogermylene [L^HGeCl] 1 a . Under UV/Vis light irradiation at ambient temperature, release of CO from the P=C=O group of 2 a leads to the elusive germanium–phosphorus triply bonded species [L^HGe≡P] 3 a , which dimerizes spontaneously to yield black crystals of 4 as isolable product in 67 % yield. Notably, release of CO from the bulkier substituted [L^tBuGe‐P=C=O] 2 b (L^tBu=CH[C(^tBu)N‐Dipp]₂) furnishes, under concomitant extrusion of the diimine [Dipp‐NC(^tBu)]₂, the bis‐N,P‐heterocyclic germylene [DippNC(^tBu)C(H)PGe]₂ 5 .