Controlling Metal–Ligand–Metal Oxidation State Combinations by Ancillary Ligand (L) Variation in the Redox Systems [L2Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL2]n,boptz=3,6‐bis(2‐oxidophenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine,and L=acetylacetonate, 2,2′‐bipyridine,or 2‐phenylazopyridine

The new compounds [(acac)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(acac)₂] ( 1 ), [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 2 ‐(ClO₄)₂), and [(pap)₂Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru(pap)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 3 ‐(ClO₄)₂) were obtained from 3,6‐bis(2‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1,2,4,5‐tetrazine (H₂boptz), the crystal structure analysis of which is reported. Compound 1 contains two antiferromagnetically coupled (J=?36.7 cm^?1) Ru^III centers. We have investigated the role of both the donor and acceptor functions containing the boptz^2? bridging ligand in combination with the electronically different ancillary ligands (donating acac^?, moderately π‐accepting bpy, and strongly π‐accepting pap; acac=acetylacetonate, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine pap=2‐phenylazopyridine) by using cyclic voltammetry, spectroelectrochemistry and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy for several in situ accessible redox states. We found that metal–ligand–metal oxidation state combinations remain invariant to ancillary ligand change in some instances; however, three isoelectronic paramagnetic cores Ru(μ‐boptz)Ru showed remarkable differences. The excellent tolerance of the bpy co ‐ ligand for both Ru^III and Ru^II is demonstrated by the adoption of the mixed ‐ valent form in [L₂Ru(μ‐boptz)RuL₂]³⁺, L=bpy, whereas the corresponding system with pap stabilizes the Ru^II states to yield a phenoxyl radical ligand and the compound with L=acac^? contains two Ru^III centers connected by a tetrazine radical‐anion bridge.     

Near‐IR Absorbing Ruthenium Complexes of Non‐Innocent 6,12‐Di(pyridin‐2‐yl)indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole: Variation as a Function of Co‐Ligands

This article deals with the hitherto unexplored metal complexes of deprotonated 6,12‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5,11‐dihydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (H₂L). The synthesis and structural, optical, electrochemical characterization of dimeric [{Ru^III(acac)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)]ClO₄ ([ 1 ]ClO₄, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(bpy)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)](ClO₄)₃ ([ 2 ](ClO₄)₃, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(pap)₂}₂(μ‐L^2?)](ClO₄)₂ ([ 4 ](ClO₄)₂, S=0), and monomeric [(bpy)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 3 ]ClO₄, S=0), [(pap)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 5 ]ClO₄, S=0) (acac=σ‐donating acetylacetonate, bpy=moderately π‐accepting 2,2’‐bipyridine, pap=strongly π‐accepting 2‐phenylazopyridine) are reported. The radical and dianionic states of deprotonated L in isolated dimeric 1 ⁺/ 2 ³⁺ and 4 ²⁺, respectively, could be attributed to the varying electronic features of the ancillary (acac, bpy, and pap) ligands, as was reflected in their redox potentials. Perturbation of the energy level of the deprotonated L or HL upon coordination with {Ru(acac)₂}, {Ru(bpy)₂}, or {Ru(pap)₂} led to the smaller energy gap in the frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), resulting in bathochromically shifted NIR absorption bands (800–2000 nm) in the accessible redox states of the complexes, which varied to some extent as a function of the ancillary ligands. Spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis/NIR, EPR) studies along with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations revealed (i) involvement of deprotonated L or HL in the oxidation processes owing to its redox non‐innocent potential and (ii) metal (Ru^III/Ru^II) or bpy/pap dominated reduction processes in 1 ⁺ or 2 ²⁺/ 3 ⁺/ 4 ²⁺/ 5 ⁺, respectively.     

Application of a Structure/Oxidation‐State Correlation to Complexes of Bridging Azo Ligands

Based on data from more than 40 crystal structures of metal complexes with azo‐based bridging ligands (2,2′‐azobispyridine, 2,2′‐azobis(5‐chloropyrimidine), azodicarbonyl derivatives), a correlation between the N? N bond lengths (d_NN) and the oxidation state of the ligand (neutral, neutral/back‐donating, radical‐anionic, dianionic) was derived. This correlation was applied to the analysis of four ruthenium compounds of 2,2′‐azobispyridine (abpy), that is, the new asymmetrical rac‐[(acac)₂Ru1(μ‐abpy)Ru2(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ ([ 1 ](ClO₄)₂), [Ru(acac)₂(abpy)] ( 2 ), [Ru(bpy)₂(abpy)](ClO₄)₂ ([ 3 ](ClO₄)₂), and meso‐[(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐abpy)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₃ ([ 4 ](ClO₄)₃; acac^?=2,4‐pentanedionato, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine). In agreement with DFT calculations, both mononuclear species 2 and 3 ²⁺ can be described as ruthenium(II) complexes of unreduced abpy⁰, with 1.295(5)<d_NN<1.320(3) Å, thereby exhibiting effects from π back‐donation. However, the abpy ligand in both the asymmetrical diamagnetic compound 1 ²⁺ (d_NN=1.374(6) Å) and the symmetrical compound 4 ³⁺ (d_NN=1.360(7), 1.368(8) Å) must be formulated as abpy^.?. Remarkably, the addition of [Ru^II(bpy)₂]²⁺ to mononuclear [Ru^II(acac)₂(abpy⁰)] induces intracomplex electron‐transfer under participation of the noninnocent abpy bridge to yield rac‐[(acac)₂Ru1^III(μ‐abpy^.?)Ru2^II(bpy)₂]²⁺ ( 1 ²⁺) with strong antiferromagnetic coupling between abpy^.? and Ru^III (DFT (B3LYP/LANL2DZ/6‐31G*)‐calculated triplet–singlet energy separation E_S=1?E_S=0=11739 cm^?1). Stepwise one‐electron transfer was studied for compound 1 ⁿ, n=1?, 0, 1+, 2+, 3+, by UV/Vis/NIR spectroelectrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and by DFT calculations. Whereas the first oxidation of compound 1 ²⁺ was found to mainly involve the central ligand to produce an (abpy⁰)‐bridged Class I mixed‐valent Ru1^IIIRu2^II species, the first reduction of compound 1 ²⁺ affected both the bridge and Ru1 atom to form a radical complex ( 1 ⁺), with considerable metal participation in the spin‐distribution. Further reduction moves the spin towards the {Ru2(bpy)₂} entity.     

Tuning the Electronic Properties in Ruthenium–Quinone Complexes through Metal Coordination and Substitution at the Bridge

A rare example of a mononuclear complex [(bpy)₂Ru(L¹_?H)](ClO₄), 1 (ClO₄) and dinuclear complexes [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L¹_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 2 (ClO₄)₂, [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L²_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 3 (ClO₄)₂, and [(bpy)₂Ru(μ‐L³_?2H)Ru(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂, 4 (ClO₄)₂ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, L¹=2,5‐di‐(isopropyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, L²=2,5‐di‐(benzyl‐amino)‐1,4‐benzoquinone, and L³=2,5‐di‐[2,4,6‐(trimethyl)‐anilino]‐1,4‐benzoquinone) with the symmetrically substituted p‐quinone ligands, L, are reported. Bond‐length analysis within the potentially bridging ligands in both the mono‐ and dinuclear complexes shows a localization of bonds, and binding to the metal centers through a phenolate‐type “O^?” and an immine/imminium‐type neutral “N” donor. For the mononuclear complex 1 (ClO₄), this facilitates strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding and leads to the imminium‐type character of the noncoordinated nitrogen atom. The dinuclear complexes display two oxidation and several reduction steps in acetonitrile solutions. In contrast, the mononuclear complex 1 ⁺ exhibits just one oxidation and several reduction steps. The redox processes of 1 ¹⁺ are strongly dependent on the solvent. The one‐electron oxidized forms 2 ³⁺, 3 ³⁺, and 4 ³⁺ of the dinuclear complexes exhibit strong absorptions in the NIR region. Weak NIR absorption bands are observed for the one‐electron reduced forms of all complexes. A combination of structural data, electrochemistry, UV/Vis/NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemistry, and DFT calculations is used to elucidate the electronic structures of the complexes. Our DFT results indicate that the electronic natures of the various redox states of the complexes in vacuum differ greatly from those in a solvent continuum. We show here the tuning possibilities that arise upon substituting [O] for the isoelectronic [NR] groups in such quinone ligands.     

Effect of External Pressure on the Excitation Energy Transfer from [Cr(ox)3]3− to [Cr(bpy)3]3+ in [Rh1−xCrx(bpy)3][NaM1−yCry(ox)3]ClO4

Resonant excitation energy transfer from [Cr(ox)₃]^3? to [Cr(bpy)₃]³⁺ in the doped 3D oxalate networks [Rh_1?xCr_x(bpy)₃][NaM^III_1?yCr_y(ox)₃]ClO₄ (ox=C₂O₄^?, bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, M=Al, Rh) is due to two types of interaction, namely super exchange coupling and electric dipole–dipole interaction. The energy transfer probability for both mechanisms is proportional to the spectral overlap of the ²E→⁴A₂ emission of the [Cr(ox)₃]^3? donor and the ⁴A₂→²T₁ absorption of the [Cr(bpy)₃]³⁺ acceptor. The spin‐flip transitions of (pseudo‐)octahedral Cr³⁺ are known to shift to lower energy with increasing pressure. Because the shift rates of the two transitions in question differ, the spectral overlap between the donor emission and the acceptor absorption is a function of applied pressure. For [Rh_1?xCr_x(bpy)₃][NaM_1?yCr_y(ox)₃]ClO₄ the spectral overlap is thus substantially reduced on increasing pressure from 0 to 2.5 GPa. As a result, the energy transfer probability decreases with increasing pressure as evidenced by a decrease in the relative emission intensity from the [Cr(bpy)₃]³⁺ acceptor.     

The Electron Transfer Series [MoIII(bpy)3]n (n=3+, 2+, 1+, 0, 1−), and the Dinuclear Species [{MoIIICl(Mebpy)2}2(μ2‐O)]Cl2 and [{MoIV(tpy.)2}2(μ2‐MoO4)](PF6)2⋅4 MeCN

The electronic structures of the five members of the electron transfer series [Mo(bpy)₃]ⁿ (n=3+, 2+, 1+, 0, 1?) are determined through a combination of techniques: electro‐ and magnetochemistry, UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopies, and X‐ray crystallography. The mono‐ and dication are prepared and isolated as PF₆ salts for the first time. It is shown that all species contain a central Mo^III ion (4d³). The successive one‐electron reductions/oxidations within the series are all ligand‐based, involving neutral (bpy⁰), the π‐radical anion (bpy^.)^1?, and the diamagnetic dianion (bpy^2?)^2?: [Mo^III(bpy⁰)₃]³⁺ (S=3/2), [Mo^III(bpy^.)(bpy⁰)₂]²⁺ (S=1), [Mo^III(bpy^.)₂(bpy⁰)]¹⁺ (S=1/2), [Mo^III(bpy^.)₃] (S=0), and [Mo^III(bpy^.)₂(bpy^2?)]^1? (S=1/2). The previously described diamagnetic dication “[Mo^II(bpy⁰)₃](BF₄)₂” is proposed to be a diamagnetic dinuclear species [{Mo(bpy)₃}₂(μ₂‐O)](BF₄)₄. Two new polynuclear complexes are prepared and structurally characterized: [{Mo^IIICl(^Mebpy⁰)₂}₂(μ₂‐O)]Cl₂ and [{Mo^IV(tpy^.)₂}₂(μ₂‐Mo^VIO₄)](PF₆)₂?4 MeCN.     

μ‐{N,N′‐Bis[2‐(dimethyl­amino)ethyl]oxamidato(2–)}‐1κ2O,O′:2κ4N,N′,N′′,N′′′‐bis­(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐1κ2N,N′)dinickel(II) bis­(perchlorate)

In the crystal structure of the title complex, [Ni₂(C₁₀H₂₀N₄O₂)(C₁₂H₁₂N₂)₂](ClO₄)₂ or [Ni(dmaeoxd)Ni(dmbp)₂](ClO₄)₂ {H₂dmaeoxd is N,N′‐bis­[2‐(dimethyl­amino)ethyl]oxamide and dmbp is 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine}, the deprotonated dmaeoxd²⁻ ligand is in a cis conformation and bridges two Ni^II atoms, one of which is located in a slightly distorted square‐planar environment, while the other is in an irregular octa­hedral environment. The cation is located on a twofold symmetry axis running through both Ni atoms. The dmaeoxd²⁻ ligands inter­act with each other via C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and π–π inter­actions, which results in an extended chain along the c axis.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of two bimetallic compounds [Co(bpy)2 (NiL)] (ClO4)2 and {[Co(phen)3](NiL)}(ClO4)2 containing a macrocyclic oxamide ligand

Two compounds, [Co(bpy)₂(NiL)](ClO₄)₂ (1)and {[Co(phen)₃](NiL)}(ClO₄)₂ (2), have been synthesized: (H₂L=2,3-dioxo-5,6,14,15-dibenzo-1,4,8,12-tetraazacylotetradeca-7,12-diene, bpy=2,2-bypyridine and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Compound (1) contains a discrete binuclear [Co(bpy)₂(NiL)]²⁺ cation, while compound (2) is composed of [Co(phen)₃]²⁺ cations and NiL neutral fragments. The magnetic properties of compound (1) have been dealt with by isotropic one-ion approximation of the Co^II ion with a spin--orbit coupling in an O_h symmetry environment. The electronic spectra of these two compounds have also been discussed.     

A mixed‐valence manganese(III)–manganese(IV) di‐μ‐oxo complex, [(cyclam)MnO]2(ClO4)2(NO3)

The title dinuclear di‐μ‐oxo‐bis­[(1,4,8,11‐tetra­aza­cyclo­tetra­decane‐κ⁴N)­manganese(III,IV)] diperchlorate nitrate complex, [Mn₂O₂(C₁₀H₂₄N₄)₂](ClO₄)₂(NO₃) or [(cyclam)Mn­O]₂(ClO₄)₂(NO₃), was self‐assembled by the reaction of Mn²⁺ with 1,4,8,11‐tetra­aza­cyclo­tetra­decane in aqueous media. The structure of this compound consists of a centrosymmetric binuclear [(cyclam)MnO]³⁺ unit, two perchlorate anions and one nitrate anion. While the low‐temperature electron paramagnetic resonance spectra show a typical 16‐line signal for a di‐μ‐oxo Mn^III/Mn^IV dimer, the magnetic susceptibility studies also confirm a characteristic antiferromagnetic coupling between the electronic spins of the Mn^IV and Mn^III ions.     

Comparative Study of Ruthenium(II) and Ruthenium(III) Complexes with the Ligand dmbpy (dmbpy = 4, 4′‐Dimethyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine)

The complex cis‐[Ru^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂](PF₆) ( 2 ) (dmbpy = 4, 4′‐dimethyl‐2, 2′‐bipyridine) was obtained from the reaction of cis‐[Ru^II(dmbpy)₂Cl₂] ( 1 ) with ammonium cerium(IV) nitrate followed by precipitation with saturated ammonium hexafluoridophosphate. The ¹H NMR spectrum of the Ru^III complex confirms the presence of paramagnetic metal atoms, whereas that of the Ru^II complex displays diamagnetism. The ³¹P NMR spectrum of the Ru^III complex shows one signal for the phosphorus atom of the PF₆^– ion. The perspective view of each [Ru^II/III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]^0/+ unit manifests that the ruthenium atom is in hexacoordinate arrangement with two dmbpy ligands and two chlorido ligands in cis position. As the oxidation state of the central ruthenium metal atom becomes higher, the average Ru–Cl bond length decreases whereas the Ru–N (dmbpy) bond length increases. The cis‐positioned dichloro angle in Ru^III is 1.3° wider than that in the Ru^II. The dihedral angles between pair of planar six‐membered pyridyl ring in the dmbpy ligand for the Ru^II are 4.7(5)° and 5.7(4)°. The observed inter‐planar angle between two dmbpy ligands in the Ru^II is 89.08(15)°, whereas the value for the Ru^III is 85.46(20)°.     

Evaluation of the Oxo‐bridged Dinuclear Ruthenium Ammine Complex as Redox Mediator in an Electrochemical Biosensor

The mediation of electron‐transfer by oxo‐bridged dinuclear ruthenium ammine [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ for the oxidation of glucose was investigated by cyclic voltammetry. These ruthenium (III) complexes exhibit appropriate redox potentials of 0.131–0.09 V vs. SCE to act as electron‐transfer mediators. The plot of anodic current vs. the glucose concentration was linear in the concentration range between 2.52×10^?5 and 1.00×10^?4 mol L^?1. Moreover, the apparent Michaelis‐Menten kinetic (K_M^app) and the catalytic (K_cat) constants were 8.757×10^?6 mol L^?1 and 1,956 s^?1, respectively, demonstrating the efficiency of the ruthenium dinuclear oxo‐complex [(bpy)₂(NH₃)Ru^III(µ‐O)Ru^III(NH₃)(bpy)₂]⁴⁺ as mediator of redox electron‐transfer.     

Pt2II and Pt2III dimers containing a Pt2(2,2′‐bipyridine)2(μ‐N,N‐dimethyl­guanidinato)2 unit

The syntheses and crystal structures of the title Pt₂^II and Pt₂^III dimers doubly bridged with N,N‐dimethyl­guanidinate ligands, namely bis­(μ‐N,N‐dimethyl­guanidinato)bis­[(2,2′‐bipyridine)platinum(II)](Pt—Pt) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate) acetonitrile disolvate, [Pt₂^II(C₃H₈N₃)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂](PF₆)₂·2CH₃CN, (I), and guanidinium bis­(μ‐N,N‐dimethyl­guanidinato)bis­[(2,2′‐bipyridine)sulfatoplatinum(III)](Pt—Pt) bis­(hexa­fluoro­phosphate) nitrate hexa­hydrate, (C₃H₁₀N₃)[Pt^III₂(C₃H₈N₃)₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂]NO₃·6H₂O, (II), are reported. The oxidation of the Pt₂^II dimer into the Pt₂^III dimer results in a marked shortening of the Pt—Pt distance from 2.8512 (6) to 2.5656 (4) Å. The change is mainly compensated for by the change in the dihedral angle between the two Pt coordination planes upon oxidation, from 21.9 (2) to 16.9 (3)°. We attribute the relatively strong one‐dimensional stack of dimers achieved in the Pt₂^II compound in part to the strong Pt^II⋯C(bpy) associations (bpy is 2,2′‐bipyridine) in the crystal structure [Pt⋯C = 3.416 (10) and 3.361 (12) Å].     

Two 2,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazo­le–metal complexes (M = Cu and Ni)

The reaction of the diazine ligand 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazole (pod, C₁₂H₈N₄O), with Cu(CF₃SO₃)₂ or Ni(ClO₄)₂ afforded the title complexes di­aqua­bis­[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazole‐N²,N³]copper(II) bis­(tri­fluoro­methane­sul­fon­ate), [Cu(pod)₂(H₂O)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂, and di­aqua­bis­[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridinyl)‐1,3,4‐oxa­diazo­le‐N²,N³]­nickel(II) diperchlorate, [Ni(pod)₂(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂. Both complexes present a crystallographically centrosymmetric mononuclear cation structure which consists of a six‐coordinated Cu^II or Ni^II ion with two pod mol­ecules acting as bidentate ligands and two axially coordinated water mol­ecules.     

Triethanolaminate iron perchlorate revisited: change of space group,chemical composition and oxidation states in [Fe7(tea)3(tea‐H)3](ClO4)2 (tea‐H3 is triethanolamine)

The X‐ray crystal structure of tris[N‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐2,2′‐iminodiethanolato]tris(2,2′,2′′‐nitrilotriethanolato)tetrairon(II)triiron(III) bis(perchlorate), [Fe₇(C₆H₁₂NO₃)₃(C₆H₁₃NO₃)₃](ClO₄)₂ or [Fe₇(tea)₃(tea‐H)₃](ClO₄)₂ (tea‐H₃ is triethanolamine), is known from the literature [Liu et al. (2008). Z. Anorg. Allg. Chem. 634 , 778–783] as a heptanuclear coordination cluster. The space group was given as I2₁3 and is reinvestigated in the present study. We find a new space‐group symmetry of Pa and could detect O—H hydrogens, which were missing in the original publication. Consequences on the Fe oxidation states are investigated with the bond‐valence method, resulting in a mixed‐valence core of four Fe^II and three Fe^III centres. Symmetry relationships between the two space groups and the average supergroup Ia are discussed in detail.     

Rhodium Complexes Containing O‐Bonded NHxMe2−xCHO (x=0, 1, 2): X‐Ray Structure of [Rh(PPh3)3(OCHNHMe)]ClO4

Displacement of norbornadiene (nbd; bicyclo[2.2.1]hepta‐2,5‐diene) from [Rh(PPh₃)₂(nbd)]ClO₄ by hydrogenation in the presence of PPh₃ and formamide or Me‐substituted derivatives, results in the formation of O‐bonded formamide complexes [Rh(PPh₃)₃(OCHNH_xMe_2−x)]ClO₄ (x=0, 1, 2) rather than N‐bonded derivatives. These have been characterised by spectroscopic measurements and, in the case of [Rh(PPh₃)₃(OCHNHMe)]ClO₄, by X‐ray crystallography. All undergo oxidative addition with H₂, and the rates of ligand exchange in the Rh^I and Rh^III complexes have been determined by magnetisation‐transfer measurements.     

Hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis of furfural and furfuryl alcohol catalyzed by ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes

The catalytic activity of ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 1 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 2 , Z = (3,5‐(CF₃)₂C₆H₃)₄B, i.e. BArF) and cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](Z)₂ ( 3 , Z = CF₃SO₃; 4 , Z = BArF) for the hydrogenation and/or the hydrogenolysis of furfural (FFR) and furfuryl alcohol (FFA) was investigated. The molecular structures of cis‐[Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(CH₃CN)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 3 ′) and dimeric cis‐[(Ru(4,4′‐Cl₂bpy)₂Cl)₂](BArF)₂ ( 5 ) were characterized by X‐ray crystallography. The structures are consistent with the anticipated reduction in steric hindrance about the ruthenium centers in comparison with corresponding complexes containing 6,6′‐Cl₂bpy ligands. While compounds 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 are all active and highly selective catalysts for the hydrogenation of FFR to FFA under modest reaction conditions, 3 and 4 showed decreased activity. This is best explained in terms of reduced Lewis acidity of the Ru²⁺ centers and reduced steric hindrance about the metal centers of catalysts 3 and 4 . cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](BArF)₂ ( 2 ) also displayed high catalytic efficiency for the hydrogenation of FFA to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. Presumably, this is because coordination of C═C bonds of FFA to the ruthenium center is poorly inhibited by non‐coordinating BArF counterions. Interestingly, cis‐[Ru(6,6′‐Cl₂bpy)₂(OH₂)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂ ( 1 ) showed some catalytic activity in ethanol for the hydrogenolysis of FFA to 2‐methylfuran, albeit with fairly modest selectivity. Nonetheless, these results indicate that ruthenium(II) bis(diimine) complexes need to be further explored as catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of C―O bonds of FFR, FFA, and related compounds. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hexafluorophosphate salts of bis and tetrakis(2,2′-bipyridine)lead(II) complexes

Both bis- and tetrakis-substituted 2,2′-bipyridine complexes of lead(II), [Pb(bpy)₂](PF₆)₂ and [Pb(bpy)₄](PF₆)₂ · bpy, respectively, have been characterized by X-ray crystallography as hexafluorophosphate salts when three equivalents of bipyridine is combined with Pb(NO₃)₂ in aqueous solution prior to metathesis. The tetrakis-substituted product, [Pb(bpy)₄](PF₆)₂ · bpy, shows an unusual combination of intramolecular and intermolecular π-stacking of two of the bipyridine ligands throughout the crystal. Incomplete metathesis also produces a catenated, mixed-anion complex, [Pb(bpy)₂(µ-NO₃)](PF₆), where the nitrate bridges lead(II) metal centers to form a 1-D coordination polymer. If metathesis is carried out using perchlorate, a known [Pb(bpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ analog is produced along with [bpyH](ClO₄), which has not been previously characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

A 1,2,4‐Triazole‐based Polynuclear Mixed‐valence MnIIMnIII Complex: Synthesis,Characterization, and Magnetic Property

A mixed‐valence Mn complex {[Mn^IIMn^III(HL)₂(4,4′‐bpy)(H₂O)₂] · (ClO₄)(DMF)₃(4,4′‐bpy)_0.5}_n ( 1 ) [H₂L = 3‐(2‐phenol)‐5‐(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole] was synthesized and characterized by X‐ray single‐crystal structure analysis and magnetic susceptibility. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that complex 1 has a dinuclear core, in which adjacent central Mn^III atoms are linked by 4,4′‐bipyridine to form an infinite one‐dimensional (1D) molecular configuration. According to the Mn surrounding bond lengths and bond valence sum (BVS) calculations, we demonstrated that the Mn atom coordinated to the pyridine N atoms is in the +2 oxidation state, while another Mn atom coordinated to the phenolic oxygen atoms is in the +3 oxidation state. Magnetic susceptibility data of the complex 1 indicate that the ferromagnetic interaction dominates in this complex.     

Synthesis and characterization of the [Ru<Subscript>3</Subscript>O(CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>COO)<Subscript>6</Subscript>(py)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(BPE)Ru(bpy)<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cl](PF<Subscript>6</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> dimer

The polymetallic [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl](PF₆)₂ complex (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, BPE = trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridil)ethylene and py = pyridine) was assembled by the combination of an electroactive [Ru₃O] moiety with a [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)Cl] photoactive centre, and its structure was determined using positive ion electrospray (ESI-MS) and tandem mass (ESI-MS/MS) spectrometry. The [Ru₃O(CH₃COO)₆(py)₂(BPE)Ru(bpy)₂Cl]²⁺ doubly charged ion of m/z 732 was mass-selected and subject to 15 eV collision-induced dissociation, leading to a specific dissociation pattern, diagnostic of the complex structure. The electronic spectra display broad bands at 409, 491 and 692 nm ascribed to the [Ru(bpy)₂(BPE)] charge-transfer bands and to the [Ru₃O] internal cluster transitions. The cyclic voltammetry shows five reversible waves at −1.07 V, 0.13 V, 1.17 V, 2.91 V and −1.29 V (vs SHE) assigned to the [Ru₃O]^{−1/0/+1/+2/+3} and to the bpy^0/−1 redox processes; also a wave is observed at 0.96 V, assigned to the Ru^+2/+3 pair. Despite the conjugated BPE bridge, the electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical results indicate only a weak coupling through the π-system, and preliminary photophysical essays showed the compound decomposes under visible light irradiation.     

One‐Dimensional Ferromagnetically Coupled Bimetallic Chains Constructed with trans‐[Ru(acac)2(CN)2]−: Syntheses,Structures, Magnetic Properties,and Density Functional Theoretical Study

Four cyano‐bridged 1D bimetallic polymers have been prepared by using the paramagnetic building block trans‐[Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂]^? (Hacac=acetylacetone): {[{Ni(tren)}{Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂}][ClO₄]?CH₃OH}_n ( 1 ) (tren=tris(2‐aminoethyl)amine), {[{Ni(cyclen)}{Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂}][ClO₄]? CH₃OH}_n ( 2 ) (cyclen=1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane), {[{Fe(salen)}{Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂}]}_n ( 3 ) (salen^2?=N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐o‐ethyldiamine dianion) and [{Mn(5,5′‐Me₂salen)}₂{Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂}][Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂]? 2 CH₃OH ( 4 ) (5,5′‐Me₂salen=N,N′‐bis(5,5′‐dimethylsalicylidene)‐o‐ethylenediimine). Compounds 1 and 2 are 1D, zigzagged NiRu chains that exhibit ferromagnetic coupling between Ni^II and Ru^III ions through cyano bridges with J=+1.92 cm^?1, z J′=?1.37 cm^?1, g=2.20 for 1 and J=+0.85 cm^?1, z J′=?0.16 cm^?1, g=2.24 for 2 . Compound 3 has a 1D linear chain structure that exhibits intrachain ferromagnetic coupling (J=+0.62 cm^?1, z J′=?0.09 cm^?1, g=2.08), but antiferromagnetic coupling occurs between FeRu chains, leading to metamagnetic behavior with T_N=2.6 K. In compound 4 , two Mn^III ions are coordinated to trans‐[Ru(acac)₂(CN)₂]^? to form trinuclear Mn₂Ru units, which are linked together by π–π stacking and weak Mn???O* interactions to form a 1D chain. Compound 4 shows slow magnetic relaxation below 3.0 K with ?=0.25, characteristic of superparamagnetic behavior. The Mn^III???Ru^III coupling constant (through cyano bridges) and the Mn^III???Mn^III coupling constant (between the trimers) are +0.87 and +0.24 cm^?1, respectively. Compound 4 is a novel single‐chain magnet built from Mn₂Ru trimers through noncovalent interactions. Density functional theory (DFT) combined with the broken symmetry state method was used to calculate the molecular magnetic orbitals and the magnetic exchange interactions between Ru^III and M (M=Ni^II, Fe^III, and Mn^III) ions. To explain the somewhat unexpected ferromagnetic coupling between low‐spin Ru^III and high‐spin Fe^III and Mn^III ions in compounds 3 and 4 , respectively, it is proposed that apart from the relative symmetries, the relative energies of the magnetic orbitals may also be important in determining the overall magnetic coupling in these bimetallic assemblies.