Triangular,ferromagnetically-coupled CuII 3-pyrazolato complexes as possible models of particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO)

Magnetic susceptibility and EPR studies show that trinuclear Cu(II)-pyrazolato complexes with a Cu(3)(mu3-X)2 core (X = Cl, Br) are ferromagnetically coupled: J(Cu-Cu) = +28.6 cm(-1) (X = Cl), +3.1 cm(-1) (X = Br). The orderly transition from an antiferromagnetic to a ferromagnetic exchange among the Cu centers of Cu(3)(mu3-X) complexes, X = O, OH, Cl, Br, follows the change of the Cu-X-Cu angle from 120 degrees to approximately 80 degrees. The crystal structures of [Bu4N]2"[Cu3(mu3-Br)2(mu-pz*)3Br3] (pz* = pz (1a) or 4-O2N-pz (1b), pz = pyrazolato anion, C(3)H(3)N(2)(1-)) are presented.     

Mononuclear and binuclear sandwich copper(II) complexes with poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands: syntheses, structures and properties

A series of Cu(II) complexes Cu(2)[micro-pz](2)[HB(pz)(3)](2) (1), Cu[H(2)B(pz)(2)](2) (2), Cu[HB(pz)(3)](2) (3), Cu[HB(pz(Me2))(3)](2) (4), Cu[B(pz)(4)](2) (5) (pz=pyrazole), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV-vis, X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and theoretical analysis. The IR spectra give the Cu-N vibration modes at 322, 366, 344, 387, and 380 cm(-1) in complexes 1-5, respectively. The UV spectra show all the complexes have same UV absorption at 232 nm; there is another band at 332 nm for complexes 1, 2 and 4, while for complexes 3 and 5, the bands are at 272 and 308 nm, respectively. Complex 1 has a binuclear structure in which two pyrazole ligands bridge two Cu-Tp units. In 2-5, the Cu(II) centers are coordinated with dihydrobis(pyrazolyl)borate (Bp), hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp), hydrotris(3,5-Me2pyrazolyl)borate (Tp'), tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate (Tkp) respectively to form a mononuclear structure. The results of thermal analysis for complexes 1-5 are discussed too.     

Redox-noninnocence of the S,S'-coordinated ligands in bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato)iron complexes

The electronic structures of complexes of iron containing two S,S'-coordinated benzene-1,2-dithiolate, (L)(2)(-), or 3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-benzenedithiolate, (L(Bu))(2)(-), ligands have been elucidated in depth by electronic absorption, infrared, X-band EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopies. It is conclusively shown that, in contrast to earlier reports, high-valent iron(IV) (d(4), S = 1) is not accessible in this chemistry. Instead, the S,S'-coordinated radical monoanions (L(*))(1)(-) and/or (L(Bu)(*))(1)(-) prevail. Thus, five-coordinate [Fe(L)(2)(PMe(3))] has an electronic structure which is best described as [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))] where the observed triplet ground state of the molecule is attained via intramolecular, strong antiferromagnetic spin coupling between an intermediate spin ferric ion (S(Fe) = (3)/(2)) and a ligand radical (L(*))(1)(-) (S(rad) = (1)/(2)). The following complexes containing only benzene-1,2-dithiolate(2-) ligands have been synthesized, and their electronic structures have been studied in detail: [NH(C(2)H(5))(3)](2)[Fe(II)(L)(2)] (1), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L)(4)] (2), [N(n-Bu)(4)](2)[Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(4)] (3); [P(CH(3))Ph(3)][Fe(III)(L)(2)(t-Bu-py)] (4) where t-Bu-py is 4-tert-butylpyridine. Complexes containing an Fe(III)(L(*))(L)- or Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))- moiety are [N(n-Bu)(4)][Fe(III)(2)(L(Bu))(3)(L(Bu)(*))] (3(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(t-Bu-py)] (4(ox)()), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))] (7), [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (8), and [Fe(III)(L(Bu))(L(Bu)(*))(PPr(3))] (9), where Pr represents the n-propyl substituent. Complexes 2, 3(ox)(), 4, [Fe(III)(L)(L(*))(PMe(3))(2)] (6), and 9 have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Dimensionality switching through a thermally induced reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition in a cyanide complex

The heterometallic hexanuclear cyanide-bridged complex {[Mn(bpym)(H(2)O)](2)[Fe(HB(pz)(3))(CN)(3)](4)} (1), its C(15)N and D(2)O enriched forms {[Mn(bpym)(H(2)O)](2)[Fe(HB(pz)(3))(C(15)N)(3)](4)} (2) and {[Mn(bpym)(D(2)O)](2)[Fe(HB(pz)(3))(CN)(3)](4)} (3), and the hexanuclear derivative complex {[Mn(bpym)(H(2)O)](2)[Fe(B(pz)(4))(CN)(3)](4)}·4H(2)O (4) [bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine, HB(pz)(3)(-) = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate, B(pz)(4)(-) = tetra(1-pyrazolyl)borate] have been synthesized. Their structures have been determined through single-crystal X-ray crystallography at different temperatures. Whereas 3 and 4 maintain a discrete hexanuclear motif during the entire temperature range investigated (down to 95 K), 1 and 2 exhibit a thermally induced reversible single-crystal to single-crystal phase transition driven by a remarkable concerted rearrangement of hydrogen and cyanide coordination bonds. While hexanuclear complexes are observed in the high temperature phases (noted 1a and 2a) above 200 K, the low temperature phases are composed of one-dimensional coordination polymers noted 1b and 2b. The magnetic properties of the four compounds have been investigated in the 2-300 K range, and they reveal the occurrence of an overall antiferromagnetic behavior. The thermal dependence of the optical reflectivity and the FT-IR absorbance have been studied for 1 in the range 10-300 K and 130-300 K, respectively. A comparative analysis of the structural and electronic properties for 1-4 clearly underlines the major role of the intermolecular interactions in the topological and dimensional rearrangement observed during the structural phase transition. This result opens new perspectives in the design of cyanide-based switchable magnetic materials using coordination bonds rearrangements.     

Synthesis, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of a new family of heterometallic cyanide-bridged Fe(III)2M(II)2 (M=Mn, Ni, and Co) square complexes

New heterobimetallic tetranuclear complexes of formula [Fe(III){B(pz)(4)}(CN)(2)(μ-CN)Mn(II)(bpy)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2)·CH(3)CN (1), [Fe(III){HB(pz)(3)}(CN)(2)(μ-CN)Ni(II)(dmphen)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2)·2CH(3)OH (2a), [Fe(III){B(pz)(4)}(CN)(2)(μ-CN)Ni(II)(dmphen)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2)·2CH(3)OH (2b), [Fe(III){HB(pz)(3)}(CN)(2)(μ-CN)Co(II)(dmphen)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2)·2CH(3)OH (3a), and [Fe(III){B(pz)(4)}(CN)(2)(μ-CN)Co(II)(dmphen)(2)](2)(ClO(4))(2)·2CH(3)OH (3b), [HB(pz)(3)(-) = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate, B(Pz)(4)(-) = tetrakis(1-pyrazolyl)borate, dmphen = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine] have been synthesized and structurally and magnetically characterized. Complexes 1-3b have been prepared by following a rational route based on the self-assembly of the tricyanometalate precursor fac-[Fe(III)(L)(CN)(3)](-) (L = tridentate anionic ligand) and cationic preformed complexes [M(II)(L')(2)(H(2)O)(2)](2+) (L' = bidentate α-diimine type ligand), this last species having four blocked coordination sites and two labile ones located in cis positions. The structures of 1-3b consist of cationic tetranuclear Fe(III)(2)M(II)(2) square complexes [M = Mn (1), Ni (2a and 2b), Co (3a and 3b)] where corners are defined by the metal ions and the edges by the Fe-CN-M units. The charge is balanced by free perchlorate anions. The [Fe(L)(CN)(3)](-) complex in 1-3b acts as a ligand through two cyanide groups toward two divalent metal complexes. The magnetic properties of 1-3b have been investigated in the temperature range 2-300 K. A moderately strong antiferromagnetic interaction between the low-spin Fe(III) (S = 1/2) and high-spin Mn(II) (S = 5/2) ions has been found for 1 leading to an S = 4 ground state (J(1) = -6.2 and J(2) = -2.7 cm(-1)), whereas a moderately strong ferromagnetic interaction between the low-spin Fe(III) (S = 1/2) and high-spin Ni(II) (S = 1) and Co(II) (S = 3/2) ions has been found for complexes 2a-3b with S = 3 (2a and 2b) and S = 4 (3a and 3b) ground spin states [J(1) = +21.4 cm(-1) and J(2) = +19.4 cm(-1) (2a); J(1) = +17.0 cm(-1) and J(2) = +12.5 cm(-1) (2b); J(1) = +5.4 cm(-1) and J(2) = +11.1 cm(-1) (3a); J(1) = +8.1 cm(-1) and J(2) = +11.0 cm(-1) (3b)] [the exchange Hamiltonian being of the type H? = -J(S?(i)·S?(j))]. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been used to substantiate the nature and magnitude of the exchange magnetic coupling observed in 1-3b and also to analyze the dependence of the exchange magnetic coupling on the structural parameters of the Fe-C-N-M skeleton.     

Experimental and theoretical Mössbauer study of an extended family of [Fe8(μ4-O)4(μ-4-R-px)12X4] clusters

Six [Fe(8)(μ(4)-O)(4)(μ-4-R-pyrazolato)(12)X(4)] complexes containing an identical Fe(8)(μ(4)-O)(4) core have been structurally characterized and studied by M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In each case, an inner μ(4)-O bridged Fe(III) cubane core is surrounded by four trigonal bipyramidal iron centers, the two distinct sites occurring in a 1:1 ratio. The M?ssbauer spectrum of each of the clusters consists of two quadrupole doublets, which, with one exception (X = NCS, R = H), overlap to give three absorption lines. The systematic variation of X and R causes significant changes in the M?ssbauer spectra. A comparison with values for the same clusters computed using density functional theory allows us to establish an unequivocal assignment of these peaks in terms of a nested model for the overlapping doublets. The changes in M?ssbauer parameters (both experimental and computed) for the 1-electron reduced species [Fe(8)(μ(4)-O)(4)(μ-4-Cl-pyrazolato)(12)Cl(4)](-) are consistent with a redox event that is localized within the cubane core.     

Sequential oxidation of the cubane [4Fe--4S] cluster from [4Fe--4S](-) to [4Fe--4S](3+) in Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) complexes

Gaseous Fe(4)S(n)(-) (n = 4-6) clusters and synthetic analogue complexes, Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) (L = Cl, Br, I; n = 1-4), were produced by laser vaporization of a solid Fe/S target and electrospray from solution samples, respectively, and their electronic structures were probed by photoelectron spectroscopy. Low binding energy features derived from minority-spin Fe 3d electrons were clearly distinguished from S-derived bands. We showed that the electronic structure of the simplest Fe(4)S(4)(-) cubane cluster can be described by the two-layer spin-coupling model previously developed for the [4Fe] cubane analogues. The photoelectron data revealed that each extra S atom in Fe(4)S(5)(-) and Fe(4)S(6)(-) removes two minority-spin Fe 3d electrons from the [4Fe--4S] cubane core and each halogen ligand removes one Fe 3d electron from the cubane core in the Fe(4)S(4)L(n)(-) complexes, clearly revealing a behavior of sequential oxidation of the cubane over five formal oxidation states: [4Fe--4S](-) --> [4Fe--4S](0) --> [4Fe--4S](+) --> [4Fe-4S](2+) --> [4Fe-4S](3+). The current work shows the electron-storage capability of the [4Fe--4S] cubane, contributes to the understanding of its electronic structure, and further demonstrates the robustness of the cubane as a structural unit and electron-transfer center.     

Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) as a versatile building block for the design of heterometallic systems: synthesis, crystal structure, and magnetic properties of PPh(4)[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)] x H(2)O, [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(4)] x 4H(2)O, and [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)Zn(II)] x 2H(2)O [bipy = 2,2'-Bipyridine; M = Mn and Zn

The new cyano complexes of formulas PPh(4)[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)] x H(2)O (1), [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(4)] x 4H(2)O with M = Mn (2) and Zn (3), and [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)Zn(II)] x 2H(2)O (4) [bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine and PPh(4) = tetraphenylphosphonium cation] have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The structure of complex 1 is made up of mononuclear [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) anions, tetraphenyphosphonium cations, and water molecules of crystallization. The iron(III) is hexacoordinated with two nitrogen atoms of a chelating bipy and four carbon atoms of four terminal cyanide groups, building a distorted octahedron around the metal atom. The structure of complexes 2 and 3 consists of neutral centrosymmetric [[Fe(III)(bipy)(CN)(4)](2)M(II)(H(2)O)(4)] heterotrinuclear units and crystallization water molecules. The [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) entity of 1 is present in 2 and 3 acting as a monodentate ligand toward M(H(2)O)(4) units [M = Mn(II) (2) and Zn(II) (3)] through one cyanide group, the other three cyanides remaining terminal. Four water molecules and two cyanide nitrogen atoms from two [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) units in trans positions build a distorted octahedron surrounding Mn(II) (2) and Zn(II) (3). The structure of the [Fe(phen)(CN)(4)](-) complex ligand in 2 and 3 is close to that of the one in 1. The intramolecular Fe-M distances are 5.126(1) and 5.018(1) A in 2 and 3, respectively. 4 exhibits a neutral one-dimensional polymeric structure containing two types of [Fe(bipy)(CN)(4)](-) units acting as bismonodentate (Fe(1)) and trismonodentate (Fe(2)) ligands versus the divalent zinc cations through two cis-cyanide (Fe(1)) and three fac-cyanide (Fe(2)) groups. The environment of the iron atoms in 4 is distorted octahedral as in 1-3, whereas the zinc atom is pentacoordinated with five cyanide nitrogen atoms, describing a very distorted square pyramid. The iron-zinc separations across the single bridging cyanides are 5.013(1) and 5.142(1) A at Fe(1) and 5.028(1), 5.076(1), and 5.176(1) A at Fe(2). The magnetic properties of 1-3 have been investigated in the temperature range 2.0-300 K. 1 is a low-spin iron(III) complex with an important orbital contribution. The magnetic properties of 3 correspond to the sum of two magnetically isolated spin triplets, the antiferromagnetic coupling between the low-spin iron(III) centers through the -CN-Zn-NC- bridging skeleton (iron-iron separation larger than 10 A) being very weak. More interestingly, 2 exhibits a significant intramolecular antiferromagnetic interaction between the central spin sextet and peripheral spin doublets, leading to a low-lying spin quartet.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of tetranuclear cubane-like and chain-like iron(II) complexes based on the N(4)O pentadentate dinucleating ligand 1,5-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]pentan-3-ol

The tetranuclear complexes [Fe(4)(pypentO)(pym)(3)(Oac)(NCS)(3)] x 1.5EtOH (1), [Fe(4)(pypentO)(pym)(Oac)(2)(NCS)(2)(MeO)(2)(H(2)O)] x H(2)O (2), [Fe(2)(pypentO)(NCO)(3)](2) (3), and [Fe(2)(pypentO)(N(3))(3)](2) (4) have been prepared, and their structure and magnetic properties have been studied (pypentOH = 1,5-bis[(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]pentan-3-ol, pymH = 2-pyridylmethanol). The X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 (C(43)H(53)N(10)O(7.5)S(3)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/n, a = 11.6153(17) A, b = 34.391(17) A, c = 14.2150(18) A, beta = 110.88(5) degrees, V = 5305(3) A(3), Z = 4) and 2 (C(31)H(45)N(7)O(10)S(2)Fe(4), monoclinic, C2/c, a = 19.9165(17) A, b = 21.1001(12) A, c = 21.2617(19) A, beta = 104.441(10) degrees, V = 8652.7(12) A(3), Z = 8) showed a Fe(4)O(4) cubane-like arrangement of four iron(II) atoms, four mu(3)-O bridging ligands, one (1) or two (2) syn-syn bridging acetates. The X-ray diffraction analysis of 3 (C(40)H(46)N(14)O(8)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 11.7633(18) A, b = 18.234(3) A, c = 10.4792(16) A, beta = 99.359(18) degrees, V = 2217.7(6) A(3), Z = 2) and 4 (C(34)H(46)N(26)O(2)Fe(4), monoclinic, P2(1)/c, V = 4412.4(10) A(3), a = 23.534(3) A, b = 18.046(2) A, c = 10.4865(16) A, beta = 97.80(2) degrees, Z = 4) showed a zigzag bis-dinuclear arrangement of four iron(II) cations, two mu(2)-O bridging pypentO ligands, four mu(2)-N-cyanato bridging ligands (3) or four end-on azido bridging ligands (4): they are the first examples of cyanato and azido bridged discrete polynuclear ferrous compounds, respectively. The M?ssbauer spectra of 1 are consistent with four different high-spin iron(II) sites in the Fe(4)O(4) cubane-type structure. The M?ssbauer spectra of 3 are consistent with two high-spin iron(II) sites (N(5)O and N(4)O). Below 190 K, the M?ssbauer spectra of 4 are consistent with one N(5)O and two N(4)O high-spin iron(II) sites. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was fitted with J(1) approximately 0 cm(-1), J(2) = -1.3 cm(-1), J(3) = 4.6 cm(-1), D = 6.4 cm(-1), and g = 2.21 for 1; J(1) = 2.6 cm(-1), J(2) = 2.5 cm(-1), J(3) = - 5.6 cm(-1), D = 4.5 cm(-1), and g = 2.09 for 2; J(1) = 1.5 cm(-1), J(2) = 0.2 cm(-1), D = - 5.6 cm(-1), D' = 4.5 cm(-1), and g = 2.14 for 3; and J(1) = - 2.6 cm(-1), J(2) = 0.8 cm(-1), D= 6.3 cm(-1), D' = 1.6 cm(-1), and g = 2.18 for 4. The differences in sign among the J(1), J(2), and J(3) super-exchange interactions indicate that the faces including only mu(3)-OR bridges exhibit ferromagnetic interactions. The nature of the ground state in 1-3 is confirmed by simulation of the magnetization curves at 2 and 5 K. In the bis-dinuclear iron(II) compounds 3 and 4, the J(2) interaction resulting from the bridging of two Fe(2)(pypentO)X(3) units through two pseudo-halide anions is ferromagnetic in 3 (X = mu(2)-N-cyanato) and may be either ferro- or antiferromagnetic in 4 (X = end-on azido). The J(1) interaction through the central O(alkoxo) and pseudo-halide bridges inside the dinuclear units is ferromagnetic in 3 (X = mu(2)-N-cyanato) and antiferromagnetic in 4 (X = end-on azido). In agreement with the symmetry of the two Fe(II) sites in complexes 3 and 4, D (pentacoordinated sites) is larger than D' (octahedral sites).     

Metallacycles of iron, zinc, and cadmium assembled by polytopic bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands and fluoride abstraction from BF4-

Reactions of the arene-linked bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligands m-bis[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (m-[CH(pz)2]2C6H4, Lm) and 1,3,5-tris[bis(1-pyrazolyl)methyl]benzene (1,3,5-[CH(pz)2]3C6H3, L3) with BF4- salts of divalent iron, zinc, and cadmium result in fluoride abstraction from BF4- and formation of fluoride-bridged metallacyclic complexes. Treatment of Fe(BF4)2.6H2O and Zn(BF4)2.5H2O with Lm leads to the complexes [Fe2(mu-F)(mu-Lm)2](BF4)3 (1) and [Zn2(mu-F)(mu-Lm)2](BF4)3 (2), in which a single fluoride ligand and two Lm molecules bridge the two metal centers. The reaction of [Cd2(thf)5](BF4)4 with Lm results in the complex [Cd2(mu-F)2(mu-Lm)2](BF4)2 (3), which contains dimeric cations in which two fluoride and two Lm ligands bridge the cadmium centers. Equimolar amounts of the tritopic ligand L3 and Zn(BF4)2.5H2O react to give the related monofluoride-bridged complex [Zn2(mu-F)(mu-L3)2](BF4)3 (4), in which one bis(pyrazolyl)methane unit on each ligand remains unbound. NMR spectroscopic studies show that in acetonitrile the zinc metallacycles observed in the solid-state remain intact in solution.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of a new family of Ni(4) spin clusters

A new family of tetranuclear Ni complexes [Ni(4)(ROH)(4)L(4)] (H(2)L = salicylidene-2-ethanolamine; R = Me (1) or Et (2)) has been synthesized and studied. Complexes 1 and 2 possess a [Ni(4)O(4)] core comprising a distorted cubane arrangement. Magnetic susceptibility and inelastic neutron scattering studies indicate a combination of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic pairwise exchange interactions between the four Ni(II) centers, resulting in an S = 4 spin ground state. Magnetization measurements reveal an easy-axis-type magnetic anisotropy with D approximately -0.93 cm(-)(1) for both complexes. Despite the large magnetic anisotropy, no slow relaxation of the magnetization is observed down to 40 mK. To determine the origin of the low-temperature magnetic behavior, the magnetic anisotropy of complex 1 was probed in detail using inelastic neutron scattering and frequency domain magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The spectroscopic studies confirm the easy-axis-type anisotropy and indicate strong transverse interactions. These lead to rapid quantum tunneling of the magnetization, explaining the unexpected absence of slow magnetization relaxation for complex 1.     

Four copper(II) pyrazolido complexes derived from reactions of 3{5}-substituted pyrazoles with CuF(2) or Cu(OH)(2)

Treatment of CuF(2) with 2 equiv of 3{5}-[pyrid-2-yl]pyrazole (Hpz(Py)), 3{5}-phenylpyrazole (Hpz(Ph)) or 3{5}-[4-fluorophenyl]pyrazole (Hpz(PhF)) in MeOH, followed by evaporation to dryness and recrystallisation of the solid residues, allows solvated crystals of [{Cu(micro-pz(Py))(pz(Py))}(2)] (1), [{Cu(micro-pz(Ph))(2)}(4)] (2) and [Cu(4)F(2)(micro(4)-F)(micro-pz(PhF))(5)(Hpz(PhF))(4)] (3) to be isolated in moderate-to-good yields. Similar reactions of these three pyrazoles with Cu(OH)(2) in refluxing MeOH respectively afford 1, 2 and [Cu(pz(PhF))(2)(Hpz(PhF))(2)] (4) in ca. 10% yield. Crystalline 1 x 1/2H(2)O x 2CHCl(3) contains two independent dinuclear molecules with a puckered di-(1,2-pyrazolido) bridge motif, linked by a bridging, hydrogen-bonding water molecule. Compound 2 x 1/2C(5)H(12), containing cyclic, square tetranuclear complex molecules, is the first homoleptic divalent metal pyrazolide to have a discrete molecular rather than polymeric structure, for a metal other than Pd or Pt. The two independent complex molecules in 3 x 3/4CH(2)Cl(2) x Hpz(PhF) contain a unique tetrahedral [Cu(4)(micro(4)-F)](7+) core, three of whose edges are spanned by bridging pyrazolido groups. Magnetic data show that the copper centres in 1 and 3 are antiferromagnetically coupled, but that dried bulk samples of 2 do not retain their molecular structure.     

Modular approach to tridentate N,O,N' ligands using pyrazolylborate chemistry

Two anionic tridentate N,O,N' chelators, [pz(Ph)B(mu-pz)(mu-O)B(Ph)pz](-) (3(-)) and [pz(Ph)(Ph)B(mu-pz)(mu-O)B(Ph)pz(Ph)](-) (4(-)), as well as the corresponding complexes [Fe(3)(py)Cl], [Fe(3)Cl(2)] and [Cu(3)Cl], have been synthesised and structurally characterised by X-ray crystallography (pz: pyrazolyl, pz(Ph): 3-phenylpyrazolyl, py: pyridine). Since our synthesis approach takes advantage of the highly modular pyrazolylborate chemistry, inexpensive and relatively resistant N,O,N' ligands of varying steric demand are readily accessible. The complexes [Fe(3)(py)Cl] and [Fe(3)Cl(2)] possess a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal configuration with the pyrazolyl rings occupying equatorial positions and the oxygen donor being located at an apical position. The complex [Cu(3)Cl] crystallises as chloro-bridged dimers featuring Cu(II) ions with ligand environments that are intermediate between a square-planar and a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new family of bi-, tri-, tetra-, and pentanuclear ferric complexes

Nine members of a new family of polynuclear ferric complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The reaction of Fe(O(2)CMe)(2) with polydentate Schiff base proligands (H(2)L) derived from salicylidene-2-ethanolamine, followed in some cases by reaction with carboxylic acids, has afforded new complexes of general formulas [Fe(2)(pic)(2)(L)(2)] (where pic(-) is the anion of 2-picolinic acid), [Fe(3)(O(2)CMe)(3)(L)(3)], [Fe(4)(OR)(2)(O(2)CMe)(2)(L)(4)], and [Fe(5)O(OH)(O(2)CR)(4)(L)(4)]. The tri-, tetra-, and pentanuclear complexes all possess unusual structures and novel core topologies. M?ssbauer spectroscopy confirms the presence of high-spin ferric centers in the tri- and pentanuclear complexes. Variable-temperature magnetic measurements suggest spin ground states of S = 0, 1/2, 0, and 5/2 for the bi-, tri-, tetra-, and pentanuclear complexes, respectively. Fits of the magnetic susceptibility data have provided the magnitude of the exclusively antiferromagnetic exchange interactions. In addition, an easy-axis-type magnetic anisotropy has been observed for the pentanuclear complexes, with D values of approximately -0.4 cm(-)(1) determined from modeling the low-temperature magnetization data. A low-temperature micro-SQUID study of one of the pentanuclear complexes reveals magnetization hysteresis at nonzero field. This is attributed to an anisotropy-induced energy barrier to magnetization reversal that is of molecular origin. Finally, an inelastic neutron scattering study of one of the trinuclear complexes has revealed that the magnetic behavior arises from two distinct species.     

Molecular [(fe(3))-(fe(3))] and [(fe(4))-(fe(4))] coordination cluster pairs as single or composite arrays

The synthesis of molecular cluster pairs is a challenge for coordination chemists due to the potential applications of these species in molecular spintronics or quantum computing. The ligand H(4)L, 1,3-bis-(3-oxo-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-propionyl)-2-methoxybenzene, has been successfully used to obtain a series of such complexes using the basic Fe(III) trinuclear carboxylates as starting materials. Synthetic control has allowed the isolation of the two molecular cluster pairs that form the composite [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2)[Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(py)(H(2)L)](2) (1). The dimers of trinuclear units, [Fe(3)O(PhCO(2))(5)(H(2)O)(H(2)L)](2) (2) and [Fe(3)O(o-MePhCO(2))(5)(H(2)L)(py)](2) (3), and the dimers of tetranuclear units, [Fe(4)O(2)(PhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (4) and [Fe(4)O(2)(o-MePhCO(2))(6)(H(2)L)(pz)](2) (5), are presented here. The magnetic properties of the reported aggregates show that they are pairs of semi-independent clusters weakly interacting magnetically as required for two-qubit quantum gates.     

High and low spin mononuclear and dinuclear iron(II) complexes of 4-amino and 4-pyrrolyl-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazoles

The first dinuclear iron(II) complexes of any 4-substituted 3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole ligands, [Fe(II)2(adpt)2(H2O)1.5(CH3CN)2.5](BF4)4 and [Fe(II)2(pldpt)2(H2O)2(CH3CN)2](BF4)4, are presented [where adpt is 4-amino-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole and pldpt is 4-pyrrolyl-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole]. Both dinuclear complexes feature doubly triazole bridged iron(II) centers that are found to be [high spin-high spin] at all temperatures, 4-300 K, and to exhibit weak antiferromagnetic coupling. In the analogous monometallic complexes, [Fe(II)(Rdpt)2(X)2](n+), the spin state of the iron(II) center was controlled by appropriate selection of the axial ligands X. Specifically, both of the chloride complexes, [Fe(II)(adpt)2(Cl)2] x 2 MeOH and [Fe(II)(pldpt)2(Cl)2] x 2 MeOH x H2O, were found to be high spin whereas the pyridine adduct [Fe(II)(adpt)2(py)2](BF4)2 was low spin. Attempts to prepare [Fe(II)(pldpt)2(py)2](BF4)2 and the dinuclear analogues [Fe(II)2(Rdpt)2(py)4](BF4)4 failed, illustrating the significant challenges faced in attempts to develop control over the nature of the product obtained from reactions of iron(II) and these bis-bidentate ligands.     

Novel rectangular [Fe4(mu4-OHO)(mu-OH)(2)](7+) versus "butterfly" [Fe4(mu3-O2](8+) core topology in the Fe(III)/RCO2(-)/phen reaction systems (R = Me,Ph; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline): preparation and properties of [Fe4(OHO)(OH)(2)(O2CMe)(4)(phen)(4)](ClO4)(3), [Fe4O2(O2CPh)(7)(phen)(2)](ClO4), and [Fe4O2(O2CPh)(8)(phen)(2)

The preparations, X-ray structures, and detailed physical characterizations are presented for three new tetranuclear Fe(III)/RCO(2)(-)/phen complexes, where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline: [Fe(4)(OHO)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(4)(phen)(4)](ClO(4))(3).4.4MeCN.H(2)O (1.4.4MeCN.H(2)O); [Fe(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(7)(phen)(2)](ClO(4)).2MeCN (2.2MeCN); [Fe(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(8)(phen)(2)].2H(2)O (3.2H(2)O). Complex 1.4.4MeCN.H(2)O crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, with a = 18.162(9) A, b = 39.016(19) A, c = 13.054(7) A, beta = 104.29(2) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 8963.7 A(3). Complex 2.2MeCN crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, with a = 18.532(2) A, b = 35.908(3) A, c = 11.591(1) A, beta = 96.42(1) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 7665(1) A(3). Complex 3.2H(2)O crystallizes in space group I2/a, with a = 18.79(1) A, b = 22.80(1) A, c = 20.74(1) A, beta = 113.21(2) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 8166(1) A(3). The cation of 1 contains the novel [Fe(4)(mu(4)-OHO)(mu-OH)(2)](7+) core. The core structure of 2 and 3 consists of a tetranuclear bis(mu(3)-O) cluster disposed in a "butterfly" arrangement. Magnetic susceptibility data were collected on 1-3 in the 2-300 K range. For the rectangular complex 1, fitting the data to the appropriate theoretical chi(M) vs T expression gave J(1) = -75.4 cm(-1), J(2) = -21.4 cm(-1), and g = 2.0(1), where J(1) and J(2) refer to the Fe(III)O(O(2)CMe)(2)Fe(III) and Fe(III)(OH)Fe(III) pairwise exchange interactions, respectively. The S = 0 ground state of 1 was confirmed by 2 K magnetization data. The data for 2 and 3 reveal a diamagnetic ground state with antiferromagnetic exchange interactions among the four high-spin Fe(III) ions. The exchange coupling constant J(bb) ("body-body" interaction) is indeterminate due to prevailing spin frustration, but the "wing-body" antiferromagnetic interaction (J(wb)) was evaluated to be -77.6 and -65.7 cm(-1) for 2 and 3, respectively, using the appropriate spin Hamiltonian approach. M?ssbauer spectra of 1-3 are consistent with high-spin Fe(III) ions. The data indicated asymmetry of the Fe(4) core of 1 at 80 K, which is not detected at room temperature due to thermal motion of the core. The spectra of 2 and 3 analyze as two quadrupole-split doublets which were assigned to the body and wing-tip pairs of metal ions. (1)H NMR spectra are reported for 1-3 with assignment of the main resonances.     

Coordination polymers of hexacyanotrimethylenecyclopropanediide and its monoanionic radical: synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties

The first examples of polymeric complexes that contain the polynitrile dianion hexacyanotrimethylenecyclopropanediide (HCTMCP(2-)) were isolated and their magnetic properties have been explored. Complexes of the form (n-TBA)(2)[M(HCTMCP)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (1) (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cd(II)) possess (4,4) sheet structures with large cavities that contain the tetra-n-butylammonium (n-TBA) countercations. Synthesis using sodium as the countercation yields a family of products with the general form [M(S)(4)M(S)(2)(HCTMCP)(2)] (S = EtOH, M = Fe(II) (2); S = MeOH, M = Co(II) or Zn(II) (3)). These complexes adopt a variety of two-dimensional (2D) structures. The complex [Mn(3)(HCTMCP)(2)(H(2)O)(12)](HCTMCP)·6(H(2)O) (4) contains cationic (6,3) sheets with the counteranion and solvent molecules encapsulated within the hexagonal windows. Complexes 1-4 display weak antiferromagnetic coupling in all cases. The first example of a complex that contains the CN-coordinated monoanionic radical HCTMCP (?-), [Cu(HCTMCP)(MeCN)(2)] (5) is described. This one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer, containing tetrahedral Cu(I) centers, displays medium strength antiferromagnetic coupling that is mediated through π-interactions between the radical anions on adjacent chains.     

Methanolysis and phenolysis routes to Fe6, Fe8, and Fe1) complexes and their magnetic properties: a new type of Fe8 ferric wheel

Alcoholysis of preformed tetranuclear and hexanuclear iron(III) clusters has been employed for the synthesis of four higher-nuclearity clusters. Treatment of [Fe(4)O(2)(O(2)CMe)(7)(bpy)(2)](ClO(4)) with phenol affords the hexanuclear cluster [Fe(6)O(3)(O(2)CMe)(9)(OPh)(2)(bpy)(2)](ClO(4)) (1). Reaction of [Fe(6)O(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CR)(10)(hep)(2)] (R = Bu(t) or Ph) with PhOH affords the new "ferric wheel" complexes [Fe(8)(OH)(4)(OPh)(8)(O(2)CR)(12)] [R = Bu(t) (2) or Ph (3)]. Complexes 2 and 3 exhibit the same structure, which is an unprecedented type for Fe(III). In contrast, treatment of [Fe(6)O(2)(OH)(2)(O(2)CBu(t))(10)(hep)(2)] with MeOH leads to the formation of [Fe(10)(OMe)(20)(O(2)CBu(t))(10)] (4), which exhibits the more common type of ferric wheel seen in analogous complexes with other carboxylate groups. Solid-state variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate spin-singlet ground states for complexes 2 and 4. The recently developed semiempirical method ZILSH was used to estimate the pairwise exchange parameters (J(AB)) and the average spin couplings S(A)[empty set].S(B)[empty set] between the Fe(III) centers, providing a clear depiction of the overall magnetic behavior of the molecules. All exchange interactions between adjacent Fe(III) atoms are antiferromagnetic.