The role of π–π stacking and hydrogen‐bonding interactions in the assembly of a series of isostructural group IIB coordination compounds

The supramolecular chemistry of coordination compounds has become an important research domain of modern inorganic chemistry. Herein, six isostructural group IIB coordination compounds containing a 2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenol ligand, namely dichloridobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)zinc(II), [ZnCl₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 1 , diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)zinc(II), [ZnI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 2 , dibromidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)cadmium(II), [CdBr₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 3 , diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)cadmium(II), [CdI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 4 , dichloridobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)mercury(II), [HgCl₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 5 , and diiodidobis(2‐{(E)‐[(2‐methoxyphenyl)azaniumylidene]methyl}phenolato‐κO)mercury(II), [HgI₂(C₂₈H₂₆N₂O₄)], 6 , were synthesized and characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic techniques. All six compounds exhibit an infinite one‐dimensional ladder in the solid state governed by the formation of hydrogen‐bonding and π–π stacking interactions. The crystal structures of these compounds were studied using geometrical and Hirshfeld surface analyses. They have also been studied using M06‐2X/def2‐TZVP calculations and Bader's theory of `atoms in molecules'. The energies associated with the interactions, including the contribution of the different forces, have been evaluated. In general, the π–π stacking interactions are stronger than those reported for conventional π–π complexes, which is attributed to the influence of the metal coordination, which is stronger for Zn than either Cd or Hg. The results reported herein might be useful for understanding the solid‐state architecture of metal‐containing materials that contain M^IIX₂ subunits and aromatic organic ligands.     

Two isomorphous ZnII/CoII complexes with tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiol and histamine,and (4‐hydroxymethyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN)bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κ2O,S)zinc(II)

The complexes [2‐(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)ethylamine‐κN]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κS)cobalt(II), [Co(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₅H₉N₃)], and [2‐(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)ethylamine‐κN]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κS)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₅H₉N₃)], are isomorphous. The central Zn^II/Co^II ions are surrounded by two S atoms from the tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolate ligand and by two N atoms from the chelating histamine ligand in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, with two intramolecular N—H...O hydrogen‐bonding interactions between the histamine NH₂ groups and tert‐butoxy O atoms. Molecules of the complexes are joined into dimers via two intermolecular bifurcated N—H...(S,O) hydrogen bonds. The Zn^II atom in [(1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl‐κN³)methanol]bis(tri‐tert‐butoxysilanethiolato‐κ²O,S)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₂₇O₃SSi)₂(C₄H₆N₂O)], is five‐coordinated by two O and two S atoms from the O,S‐chelating silanethiolate ligand and by one N atom from (1H‐imidazol‐4‐yl)methanol; the hydroxy group forms an intramolecular hydrogen bond with sulfur. Molecules of this complex pack as zigzag chains linked by N—H...O hydrogen bonds. These structures provide reference details for cysteine‐ and histidine‐ligated metal centers in proteins.     

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.     

Two zinc(II) coordination complexes based on an asymmetric multidentate ligand: syntheses,structures, selective fluorescence sensing of iron(III) ions and thermal analyses

The rational selection of ligands is vitally important in the construction of coordination complexes. Two novel Zn^II complexes, namely bis(acetato‐κO)bis[1‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³]zinc(II) monohydrate, [Zn(C₁₃H₁₅N₅)₂(C₂H₃O₂)₂]·H₂O, ( 1 ), and bis(azido‐κN¹)bis[1‐(1H‐benzotriazol‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³]zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₃H₁₅N₅)₂(N₃)₂], ( 2 ), constructed from the asymmetric multidentate imidazole ligand, have been synthesized under mild conditions and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Both complexes exhibit a three‐dimensional supramolecular network directed by different intermolecular interactions between discrete mononuclear units. The complexes were also investigated by fluorescence and thermal analyses. The experimental results show that ( 1 ) is a promising fluorescence sensor for detecting Fe³⁺ ions and ( 2 ) is effective as an accelerator of the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and characterizations of three new copper(II) complexes including anti‐inflammatory diclofenac

Three new diclofenac‐based copper(II) complexes, namely tetrakis{μ‐2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O:O′}bis(methanol‐κO)copper(II), [Cu₂(μ‐dicl)₄(CH₃OH)₂] ( 1 ), bis{2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O,O′}bis(1‐vinyl‐1H‐imidazole‐κN³)copper(II), [Cu(dicl)₂(vim)₂] ( 2 ), and bis{2‐[2‐(2,6‐dichloroanilino)phenyl]acetato‐κ²O,O′}bis(1H‐imidazole‐κN³)copper(II), [Cu(dicl)₂(im)₂] ( 3 ) [dicl is diclofenac (C₁₄H₁₀Cl₂NO₂), vim is 1‐vinylimidazole (C₅H₆N₂) and im is imidazole (C₃H₄N₂)], have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT–IR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows that complex 1 consists of dimeric units in which the dicl ligand exhibits a bidentate syn,syn‐μ₂ coordination mode linking two copper(II) centres. Complexes 2 and 3 have mononuclear units with the general formula [Cu(dicl)₂L₂] (L is vim or im) in which the Cu^II ions are octahedrally coordinated by two L and two dicl chelating ligands. The L and dicl ligands both occupy the trans positions of the coordination octahedron. The different coordination modes of dicl in the title complexes were revealed by Fourier transform IR (FT–IR) spectroscopy. The spin matching between the copper(II) centres in the dimeric [Cu₂(μ‐dicl)₄(CH₃OH)₂] units was also confirmed by magnetic data to be lower than the spin‐only value and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra. The thermal properties of the complexes were investigated by thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques.     

Three zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes containing 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole and polynitrile ligands: synthesis,molecular and supramolecular structures,and photoluminescence properties

Three photoluminescent complexes containing either Zn^II or Cd^II have been synthesized and their structures determined. Bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(dicyanamido‐κN ¹)zinc(II), [Zn(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₂N₃)₂], (I), bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(dicyanamido‐κN ¹)cadmium(II), [Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₂N₃)₂], (II), and bis[4‐amino‐3,5‐bis(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐1,2,4‐triazole‐κ²N ¹,N ⁵]bis(tricyanomethanido‐κN ¹)cadmium(II), [Cd(C₁₂H₁₀N₆)₂(C₄N₃)₂], (III), all crystallize in the space group P , with the metal centres lying on centres of inversion, but neither analogues (I) and (II) nor Cd^II complexes (II) and (III) are isomorphous. A combination of N—H…N and C—H…N hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions generates three‐dimensional framework structures in (I) and (II), and a sheet structure in (III). The photoluminescence spectra of (I)–(III) indicate that the energies of the π–π* transitions in the coordinated triazole ligand are modified by minor changes of the ligand geometry associated with coordination to the metal centres.     

Formation of lithium,sodium and potassium complexes with 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol (taci)

Single crystals of (1,3‐diamino‐5‐azaniumyl‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol‐κ³O²,O⁴,O⁶)(1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol‐κ³O²,O⁴,O⁶)lithium(I) diiodide dihydrate, [Li(C₆H₁₆N₃O₃)(C₆H₁₅N₃O₃)]I₂·2H₂O or [Li(Htaci)(taci)]I₂·2H₂O (taci is 1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol), (I), bis(1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol‐κ³O²,O⁴,O⁶)sodium(I) iodide, [Na(C₆H₁₅N₃O₃)₂]I or [Na(taci)₂]I, (II), and bis(1,3,5‐triamino‐1,3,5‐trideoxy‐cis‐inositol‐κ³O²,O⁴,O⁶)potassium(I) iodide, [K(C₆H₁₅N₃O₃)₂]I or [K(taci)₂]I, (III), were grown by diffusion of MeOH into aqueous solutions of the complexes. The structures of the Na and K complexes are isotypic. In all three complexes, the taci ligands adopt a chair conformation with axial hydroxy groups, and the metal cations exhibit exclusive O‐atom coordination. The six O atoms of the resulting MO₆ unit define a centrosymmetric trigonal antiprism with approximate D_3d symmetry. The interligand O...O distances increase significantly in the order Li < Na < K. The structure of (I) exhibits a complex three‐dimensional network of R—NH₂—H...NH₂—R, R—O—H...NH₂—R and R—O—H...O(H)—H...NH₂—R hydrogen bonds. The structures of the Na and K complexes consist of a stack of layers, in which each taci ligand is bonded to three neighbours via pairwise O—H...NH₂ interactions between vicinal HO—CH—CH—NH₂ groups.     

Two new dimeric cadmium(II) and zinc(II) sulfate complexes with 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine and 2,2:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine

The structures of two new sulfate complexes are reported, namely di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ³O,O′:O′′‐bis{aqua­[2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine‐κ³N¹,N²,N⁶]­cadmium(II)} tetra­hydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₆H₁₂N₆)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O, and di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′‐bis­[(2,2′:6′,2′′‐ter­pyridine‐κ³N¹,N^1′,N^1′′)­zinc(II)] dihydrate, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₅H₁₁N₃)₂]·2H₂O, the former being the first report of a Cd(tpt) complex [tpt is 2,4,6‐tris(2‐pyridyl)‐1,3,5‐triazine]. Both compounds crystallize in the space group P and form centrosymmetric dimeric structures. In the cadmium complex, the metal center is heptacoordinated in the form of a pentagonal bipyramid, while in the zinc complex, the metal ion is in a fivefold environment, the coordination geometry being intermediate between square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal. Packing of the dimers leads to the formation of planar structures strongly linked by hydrogen bonding.     

Two lanthanum(III) complexes containing η2‐pyrazolate and η2‐1,2,4‐triazolate ligands: intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions and coordination geometries

The lanthanum(III) complexes tris(3,5‐diphenylpyrazolato‐κ²N,N′)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III) tetrahydrofuran monosolvate, [La(C₁₅H₁₁N₂)₃(C₄H₈O)₃]·C₄H₈O, (I), and tris(3,5‐diphenyl‐1,2,4‐triazolato‐κ²N¹,N²)tris(tetrahydrofuran‐κO)lanthanum(III), [La(C₁₄H₁₀N₃)₃(C₄H₈O)₃], (II), both contain La^III atoms coordinated by three heterocyclic ligands and three tetrahydrofuran ligands, but their coordination geometries differ. Complex (I) has a mer‐distorted octahedral geometry, while complex (II) has a fac‐distorted configuration. The difference in the coordination geometries and the existence of asymmetric La—N bonding in the two complexes is associated with intramolecular C—H...N/O interactions between the ligands.     

Two ZnII mononuclear coordination compounds with pyridinedicarboxylate and auxiliary N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine ligands

Two new mononuclear coordination compounds, bis{4‐[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium} diaquabis(pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylato‐κ²N,O²)zincate(II), (C₆H₇N₂O)₂[Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)₂(H₂O)₂], (1), and (pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)bis[N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene‐κN)hydroxylamine]zinc(II), [Zn(C₇H₃NO₄)(C₆H₆N₂O)₂], (2), have been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffractometry. The centrosymmetric Zn^II cation in (1) is octahedrally coordinated by two chelating pyridine‐2,5‐dicarboxylate ligands and by two water molecules in a distorted octahedral geometry. In (2), the Zn^II cation is coordinated by a tridentate pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylate dianion and by two N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylidene)hydroxylamine molecules in a distorted C₂‐symmetric trigonal bipyramidal coordination geometry.     

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.     

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.     

Three novel topologically different metal–organic frameworks built from 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid

The design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much interest due to the intriguing diversity of their architectures and topologies. However, building MOFs with different topological structures from the same ligand is still a challenge. Using 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid (HL) as a new ligand, three novel MOFs, namely poly[[(N,N‐dimethylformamide‐κO)bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O,O′:N]cadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylformamide monosolvate methanol monosolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(C₃H₇NO)]·C₃H₇NO·CH₃OH}_n, ( 1 ), poly[[(μ₂‐acetato‐κ²O:O′)[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O:O′:N]bis[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ⁴O,O′:O′:N]dicadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate monohydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₃(CH₃CO₂)]·2C₄H₉NO·H₂O}_n, ( 2 ), and catena‐poly[[[diaquanickel(II)]‐bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ²O:N]] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate], {[Ni(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2C₄H₉NO}_n, ( 3 ), have been prepared. Single‐crystal structure analysis shows that the Cd^II atom in MOF ( 1 ) has a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdN₂O₅] coordination geometry. The [CdN₂O₅] units as 4‐connected nodes are interconnected by L^? ligands to form a fourfold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) framework with a dia topology. In MOF ( 2 ), there are two crystallographically different Cd^II ions showing a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdNO₆] and a distorted octahedral [CdN₂O₄] coordination geometry, respectively. Two Cd^II ions are connected by three carboxylate groups to form a binuclear [Cd₂(COO)₃] cluster. Each binuclear cluster as a 6‐connected node is further linked by acetate groups and L^? ligands to produce a non‐interpenetrating 3D framework with a pcu topology. MOF ( 3 ) contains two crystallographically distinct Ni^II ions on special positions. Each Ni^II ion adopts an elongated octahedral [NiN₂O₄] geometry. Each Ni^II ion as a 4‐connected node is linked by L^? ligands to generate a two‐dimensional network with an sql topology, which is further stabilized by two types of intermolecular OW—HW…O hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular framework. MOFs ( 1 )–( 3 ) were also characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetic analysis. Furthermore, the solid‐state photoluminescence of HL and MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) have been investigated. The photoluminescence of MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are enhanced and red‐shifted with respect to free HL. The gas adsorption investigation of MOF ( 2 ) indicates a good separation selectivity (71) of CO₂/N₂ at 273 K (i.e. the amount of CO₂ adsorption is 71 times higher than N₂ at the same pressure).     

Crystallization experiments with the dinuclear chelate ring complex di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η2‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC1)platinum(II)]

Crystallization experiments with the dinuclear chelate ring complex di‐μ‐chlorido‐bis[(η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)platinum(II)], [Pt₂(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)₂Cl₂], containing a derivative of the natural compound eugenol as ligand, have been performed. Using five different sets of crystallization conditions resulted in four different complexes which can be further used as starting compounds for the synthesis of Pt complexes with promising anticancer activities. In the case of vapour diffusion with the binary chloroform–diethyl ether or methylene chloride–diethyl ether systems, no change of the molecular structure was observed. Using evaporation from acetonitrile (at room temperature), dimethylformamide (DMF, at 313 K) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, at 313 K), however, resulted in the displacement of a chloride ligand by the solvent, giving, respectively, the mononuclear complexes (acetonitrile‐κN)(η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chloridoplatinum(II) monohydrate, [Pt(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)Cl(CH₃CN)]·H₂O, (η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chlorido(dimethylformamide‐κO)platinum(II), [Pt(C₁₅H₁₉O₄)Cl(C₂H₇NO)], and (η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐{[(propan‐2‐yloxy)carbonyl]methoxy}phenyl‐κC¹)chlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide‐κS)platinum(II), determined as the analogue {η²‐2‐allyl‐4‐methoxy‐5‐[(ethoxycarbonyl)methoxy]phenyl‐κC¹}chlorido(dimethyl sulfoxide‐κS)platinum(II), [Pt(C₁₄H₁₇O₄)Cl(C₂H₆OS)]. The crystal structures confirm that acetonitrile interacts with the Pt^II atom via its N atom, while for DMSO, the S atom is the coordinating atom. For the replacement, the longest of the two Pt—Cl bonds is cleaved, leading to a cis position of the solvent ligand with respect to the allyl group. The crystal packing of the complexes is characterized by dimer formation via C—H…O and C—H…π interactions, but no π–π interactions are observed despite the presence of the aromatic ring.     

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.     

One‐dimensional CuII coordination polymers containing C2h‐symmetric 1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylate linkers

Two new one‐dimensional Cu^II coordination polymers (CPs) containing the C_2h‐symmetric terphenyl‐based dicarboxylate linker 1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylate (3,3′‐TPDC), namely catena‐poly[[bis(dimethylamine‐κN)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O,O′:O′′:O′′′] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₂₀H₁₂O₄)(C₂H₇N)₂]·H₂O}_n, (I), and catena‐poly[[aquabis(dimethylamine‐κN)copper(II)]‐μ‐1,1′:4′,1′′‐terphenyl‐3,3′‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O³:O^3′] monohydrate], {[Cu(C₂₀H₁₂O₄)(C₂H₇N)₂(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, (II), were both obtained from two different methods of preparation: one reaction was performed in the presence of 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a potential pillar ligand and the other was carried out in the absence of the DABCO pillar. Both reactions afforded crystals of different colours, i.e. violet plates for (I) and blue needles for (II), both of which were analysed by X‐ray crystallography. The 3,3′‐TPDC bridging ligands coordinate the Cu^II ions in asymmetric chelating modes in (I) and in monodenate binding modes in (II), forming one‐dimensional chains in each case. Both coordination polymers contain two coordinated dimethylamine ligands in mutually trans positions, and there is an additional aqua ligand in (II). The solvent water molecules are involved in hydrogen bonds between the one‐dimensional coordination polymer chains, forming a two‐dimensional network in (I) and a three‐dimensional network in (II).     

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.     

More crystal field theory in action: the metal–4‐picoline (pic)–sulfate [M(pic)x]SO4 complexes (M = Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, Zn,and Cd)

Seven crystal structures of five first‐row (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) and one second‐row (Cd) transition metal–4‐picoline (pic)–sulfate complexes of the form [M(pic)_x]SO₄ are reported. These complexes are catena‐poly[[tetrakis(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)metal(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [M(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₄]_n, where the metal/M is iron, cobalt, nickel, and cadmium, di‐μ‐sulfato‐κ⁴O:O‐bis[tris(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)copper(II)], [Cu₂(SO₄)₂(C₆H₇N)₆], catena‐poly[[bis(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₂]_n, and catena‐poly[[tris(4‐methylpyridine‐κN)zinc(II)]‐μ‐sulfato‐κ²O:O′], [Zn(SO₄)(C₆H₇N)₃]_n. The Fe, Co, Ni, and Cd compounds are isomorphous, displaying polymeric crystal structures with infinite chains of M^II ions adopting an octahedral N₄O₂ coordination environment that involves four picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The Cu compound features a dimeric crystal structure, with the Cu^II ions possessing square‐pyramidal N₃O₂ coordination environments that contain three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. Zinc crystallizes in two forms, one exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of Zn^II ions adopting a tetrahedral N₂O₂ coordination containing two picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions, and the other exhibiting a polymeric crystal structure with infinite chains of Zn^II ions adopting a trigonal bipyramidal N₃O₂ coordination containing three picoline ligands and two bridging sulfate anions. The structures are compared with the analogous pyridine complexes, and the observed coordination environments are examined in relation to crystal field theory.     

Two new cadmium(II) coordination polymers based on bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)alkane ligands and pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid

Assemblies of pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarboxylic acid and Cd^II in the presence of bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane or bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethane under ambient conditions yielded two new coordination polymers, namely poly[[tetraaqua[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)butane‐κ²N⁴:N^4′]bis(μ₂‐pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ³N¹,O²:O³)dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd₂(C₆H₂N₂O₄)₂(C₈H₁₂N₆)(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O}_n, (I), and poly[[diaqua[μ₂‐1,2‐bis(1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)ethane‐κ²N⁴:N^4′]bis(μ₃‐pyrazine‐2,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴N¹,O²:O³:O^3′)dicadmium(II)] dihydrate], {[Cd₂(C₆H₂N₂O₄)₂(C₆H₈N₆)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, (II). Complex (I) displays an interesting two‐dimensional wave‐like structure and forms a distinct extended three‐dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of O—H...N and O—H...O hydrogen bonds. Complex (II) has a three‐dimensional framework structure in which hydrogen bonds of the O—H...N and O—H...O types are found.     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and photoluminescence of two homochiral zinc(II) coordination polymers

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have potentially useful applications and an intriguing variety of architectures and topologies. Two homochiral coordination polymers have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method, namely poly[(μ‐N‐benzyl‐L‐phenylalaninato‐κ⁴O,O′:O,N)(μ‐formato‐κ²O:O′)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₁₆H₁₆NO₂)(HCOO)]_n, (1), and poly[(μ‐N‐benzyl‐L‐leucinato‐κ⁴O,O′:O,N)(μ‐formato‐κ²O:O′)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₁₃H₁₈NO₂)(HCOO)]_n, (2), and studied by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. Compounds (1) and (2) each have a two‐dimensional layer structure, with the benzyl or isobutyl groups of the ligands directed towards the interlayer interface. Photoluminescence investigations show that both (1) and (2) display a strong emission in the blue region.