Desymmetrization of an Octahedral Coordination Complex Inside a Self‐Assembled Exoskeleton

The synthesis of a centrally functionalized, ribbon‐shaped [6]polynorbornane ligand L that self‐assembles with Pd^II cations into a {Pd₂ L ₄} coordination cage is reported. The shape‐persistent {Pd₂ L ₄} cage contains two axial cationic centers and an array of four equatorial H‐bond donors pointing directly towards the center of the cavity. This precisely defined supramolecular environment is complementary to the geometry of classic octahedral complexes [M(XY)₆] with six diatomic ligands. Very strong binding of [Pt(CN)₆]^2? to the cage was observed, with the structure of the host–guest complex {[Pt(CN)₆]@Pd₂L₄} supported by NMR spectroscopy, MS, and X‐ray data. The self‐assembled shell imprints its geometry on the encapsulated guest, and desymmetrization of the octahedral platinum species by the influence of the D_4h‐symmetric second coordination sphere was evidenced by IR spectroscopy. [Fe(CN)₆]^3? and square‐planar [Pt(CN)₄]^2? were strongly bound. Smaller octahedral anions such as [SiF₆]^2?, neutral carbonyl complexes ([M(CO)₆]; M=Cr, Mo, W) and the linear [Ag(CN)₂]^? anion were only weakly bound, showing that both size and charge match are key factors for high‐affinity binding.     

Synthesis and Structures of Gallium‐β‐Diketiminate Complexes: Isolation of a Dinuclear Gallium(II) Complex

The sterically demanding β‐diketiminate ligand L^dmp [L^dmp = HC{(CMe)N(dmp)}₂, dmp = C₆H₃‐2,6‐Me₂] was used to stabilize various gallium complexes in the formal oxidation states +II and +III. The reaction of in situ generated [L^dmpLi] with gallium chloride affords [L^dmpGaCl₂] ( 1 ), which was used as starting complex to synthesize a variety of gallium(III) compounds [L^dmpGaX₂] [X = F ( 2 ), I ( 3 ), H ( 4 ), and Me ( 5 )]. Synthesis of the dinuclear complex [L^dmpGaI]₂ ( 6 ), with gallium in the formal oxidation state +II was accomplished by converting “GaI” with in situ generated [L^dmpLi] in toluene. All compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, NMR spectroscopy, LIFDI‐TOF‐MS, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Additionally DFT calculations were performed for analysis of the bonding in 6 .     

Synthesis,Structure, and Properties of [Hg6As4][YbBr6]Br,a Supramolecular Assembly Featuring a Discrete [YbBr6]3− Anion

A novel supramolecular assembly [Hg₆As₄][YbBr₆]Br has been prepared and its structure determined. It crystallizes in a cubic space group , a = 12.362(1) Å, with Z = 4. The title compound is a bi‐compartmental supramolecular architecture that is built of a three‐dimensional [Hg₆As₄]⁴⁺ cationic framework trapping two types of guest anions, [YbBr₆]^3? and Br^?, in a chessboard‐like order. [Hg₆As₄][YbBr₆]Br is a Curie‐Weiss paramagnet with a magnetic moment of 4.47 μ_B, which reflects the localized character of the 4f¹³ electrons of Yb. Thus, the whole assembly behaves as a magnetically dilute compound.     

Origins of Large Rate Enhancements in the Nazarov Cyclization Catalyzed by Supramolecular Encapsulation

The self‐assembled supramolecular host [Ga₄L₆]^12? ( 1 ; L=N,N‐bis(2,3‐dihydroxybenzoyl)‐1,5‐diaminonaphthalene) catalyzes the Nazarov cyclization of 1,3‐pentadienols with extremely high levels of efficiency. The catalyzed reaction proceeds at a rate over a million times faster than that of the background reaction, an increase comparable to those observed in some enzymatic systems. A detailed study was conducted to elucidate the reaction mechanism of both the catalyzed and uncatalyzed Nazarov cyclization of pentadienols. Kinetic analysis and ¹⁸O‐exchange experiments implicate a mechanism, in which encapsulation, protonation, and water loss from substrate are reversible, followed by irreversible electrocyclization. Although electrocyclization is rate determining in the uncatalyzed reaction, the barrier for water loss and for electrocyclization are nearly equal in the assembly‐catalyzed reaction. Analysis of the energetics of the catalyzed and uncatalyzed reaction revealed that transition‐state stabilization contributes significantly to the dramatically enhanced rate of the catalyzed reaction.     

Turn‐On Fluorescence and Unprecedented Encapsulation of Large Aromatic Molecules within a Manganese(II)–Triazole Metal–Organic Confined Space

For the purpose of investigating the coordination behavior of sterically congested alkenes and exploring the possibility of cofacial complexation in the polycyclic aromatic system for the formation of extended polymeric networks, a new tetradentate ligand, 1,1,2,2‐tetrakis[4‐(1H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl]ethylene (TTPE), has been designed and synthesized. By using TTPE as a building block with regard to the self‐assembly with MnCl₂ ? 4 H₂O, a novel two‐dimensional coordination framework {[Mn(TTPE)Cl₂] ? 4 CHCl₃}_n ( 1 ) can be isolated. Anion‐exchange and organic‐group‐functionalized aromatic guest TTPE‐loaded host–guest complex experimental results indicate that coordinated Cl^? anions in the 2D framework of 1 can be completely replaced with dissociative ClO₄^? groups in an irreversible single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal transformation fashion, as evidenced by the anion‐exchange products of {[Mn(TTPE)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ ? 0.5 TTPE ? 5.25 H₂O}_n ( 2 ). Interestingly, TTPE, acting as an organic template, was encapsulated in the confined space of the 2D grid of 2 . To the best of our knowledge, such large organic molecules encapsulated in the reactive organic‐group‐functionalized aromatic‐guest‐loaded host–guest complex are unprecedented up to now. Luminescence measurements illustrate that 1 and 2 represent novel examples of sensing materials based on triazole derivatives. Further, 2 has been demonstrated by tuning the fluorescence response of porous metal–organic frameworks as a function of adsorbed small analytes.     

Stabilization of Highly Reactive “Naked Anions”: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Vibrational Spectrum of [Na(12‐crown‐4)2]2 [P2S6] · CH3CN

The novel thiodiphosphate, [Na(12‐crown‐4)₂]₂[P₂S₆] · CH₃CN, bis[di(12‐crown‐4)sodium] hexathiodiphosphate(V) acetonitrile solvate ( 1 ) has been synthesized by the reaction of Na₂[P₂S₆] with 12‐crown‐4 in dry acetonitrile. The title compound crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₂/mbc (no. 135), with a = 15.184(1) Å, c = 21.406(2) Å and Z = 4 and final R1 = 0.0671 and wR2 = 0.0809. The crystal structure is characterized by discrete sodium‐bound crown‐ether sandwich cations, [Na(12‐crown‐4)₂]⁺ and [P₂S₆]^2? ions with D_2h symmetry. Sodium ion is coordinated by the eight oxygen atoms of two crown‐ether molecules to form a square antiprisma. Solvent molecules of CH₃CN are statistically disordered. Distances and angles of the [P₂S₆]^2? unit are similar to those in [K(18‐crown‐6)]₂ [P₂S₆] · 2 CH₃CN, and in K₂[P₂S₆] and Cs₂[P₂S₆]. The FT‐Raman and FT‐IR spectrum of the title compound has been recorded and interpreted, especially with respect to the P₂S₆ group and in comparison to the few known metal hexathiodiphosphates(V).     

Solvent‐Dependent Self‐Assembly Behaviour and Speciation Control of Pd6L8 Metallo‐supramolecular Cages

The C₃‐symmetric chiral propylated host‐type ligands (±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L1 ) and (±)‐tris(4‐pyridyl‐4‐benzoxy)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L2 ) self‐assemble with Pd^II into [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages that resemble a stella octangula. The self‐assembly of the [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is solvent‐dependent; broad NMR resonances and a disordered crystal structure indicate no chiral self‐sorting of the ligand enantiomers in DMSO solution, but sharp NMR resonances occur in MeCN or MeNO₂. The [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is observed to be less favourable in the presence of additional ligand, than is its counterpart, where L=(±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene ( L1 a ). The stoichiometry of reactant mixtures and chemical triggers can be used to control formation of mixtures of homoleptic or heteroleptic [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages where L= L1 and L1 a .     

Triple Helicates with Golden Strands: Self‐Assembly of M2Au6 Complexes from Gold(I) Metallaligands and Iron(II), Cobalt(II) or Zinc(II) Cations

Alkynyl gold(I) metallaligands [(AuC≡Cbpyl)₂(μ‐diphosphine)] (bpyl=2,2′‐bipyridin‐5‐yl; diphosphine=Ph₂P(CH₂)_nPPh₂, [n=3 (L^Pr), 4 (L^Bu), 5 (L^Pent), 6 (L^Hex)], dppf (L^Fc), Binap (L^Binap) and Diop (L^Diop)) react with MX₂ (M=Fe, Zn, X=ClO₄; M=Co, X=BF₄) to give triple helicates [M₂(L^R)₃]X₄. These complexes, except those containing the semirigid L^Binap metallaligand, present similar hydrodynamic radii (determined by diffusion NMR spectroscopy measurements) and a similar pattern in the aromatic region of their ¹H NMR spectra, which suggests that in solution they adopt a compact structure where the long and flexible organometallic strands are folded. The diastereoselectivity of the self‐assembly process was studied by using chiral metallaligands, and the absolute configuration of the iron(II) complexes with L^Binap and L^Diop was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). Thus, (R)‐L^Binap or (S)‐L^Binap specifically induce the formation of (Δ,Δ)‐[Fe₂((R)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄ or (Λ,Λ)‐[Fe₂((S)‐L^Binap)₃](ClO₄)₄, respectively, whereas (R,R)‐ or (S,S)‐L^Diop give mixtures of the ΔΔ‐ and ΛΛ‐diastereomers. The ΔΔ helicate diastereomer is dominant in the reaction of Fe^II with (R,R)‐L^Diop, whereas the ΛΛ isomer predominates in the analogous reaction with (S,S)‐L^Diop. The photophysical properties of the new dinuclear alkynyl complexes and the helicates have been studied. The new metallaligands and the [Zn₂(L^R)₃]⁴⁺ helicates present luminescence from [π→π*] excited states mainly located in the C≡Cbpyl units.     

Synthesis of Bimetallic Copper‐Rich Nanoclusters Encapsulating a Linear Palladium Dihydride Unit

The structurally precise Cu‐rich hydride nanoclusters [PdCu₁₄H₂(dtc/dtp)₆(C≡CPh)₆] (dtc: di‐butyldithiocarbamate ( 1 ); dtp: di‐isopropyl dithiophosphate ( 2 )) were synthesized from the reaction of polyhydrido copper clusters [Cu₂₈H₁₅(S₂CNⁿBu₂)₁₂]⁺ or [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₉] with phenyl acetylene in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂. Their structures and compositions were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and the results supported by ESI‐mass spectrometry. Hydride positions in 1 were confirmed by single‐crystal neutron diffraction. Each hydride is connected to one Pd⁰ and four Cu^I atoms in slightly distorted trigonalbipyramidal geometry. The anatomies of clusters 1 and 2 are very similar and DFT calculations allow rationalizing the interactions between the encapsulated [PdH₂]^2? unit and its Cu₁₄ bicapped icosahedral cage. As a result, Pd has the highest coordination number (14) so far recorded.     

Multicomponent One‐pot Reactions Towards the Synthesis of Stereoisomers of Dipicolylamine Complexes

Reported are multi‐component one‐pot syntheses of chiral complexes [M(L^ROR′)Cl₂] or [M(L^RSR′)Cl₂] from the mixture of an N‐substituted ethylenediamine, pyridine‐2‐carboxaldehyde, a primary alcohol or thiol and MCl₂ utilizing in‐situ formed cyclized Schiff bases where a C?O bond, two stereocenters, and three C?N bonds are formed (M=Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd; R=Et, Ph; R′=Me, Et, nPr, nBu). Tridentate ligands L^ROR′ and L^RSR′ comprise two chiral centers and a hemiaminal ether or hemiaminal thioether moiety on the dipicolylamine skeleton. Syn‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] precipitates out readily from the reaction mixture as a major product whereas anti‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] stays in solution as minor product. Both syn‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] and anti‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] were characterized using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Solid‐state structures revealed that syn‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] adopted a square pyramidal geometry while anti‐[Zn(L^PhOMe)Cl₂] possesses a trigonal bipyramidal geometry around the Zn centers. The scope of this method was shown to be wide by varying the components of the dynamic coordination assembly, and the structures of the complexes isolated were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallography. Syn complexes were isolated as major products with Zn^II and Cu^II, and anti complexes were found to be major products with Ni^II and Cd^II. Hemiaminals and hemiaminal ethers are known to be unstable and are seldom observed as part of cyclic organic compounds or as coordinated ligands assembled around metals. It is now shown, with the support of experimental results, that linear hemiaminal ethers or thioethers can be assembled without the assistance of Lewis acidic metals in the multi‐component assembly, and a possible pathway of the formation of hemiaminal ethers has been proposed.     

Double targeting of tumours with pyrenyl-modified dendrimers encapsulated in an arene-ruthenium metallaprism

The self‐assembly of 2,4,6‐tris(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine (tpt) triangular panels with p‐cymene–ruthenium building blocks and 5,8‐dioxido‐1,4‐naphthoquinonato (donq) bridges, in the presence of pyrenyl‐containing dendrimers of different generations (P₀, P₁ and P₂), affords the triangular prismatic host–guest compounds [P_n?Ru₆(p‐cymene)₆(tpt)₂(donq)₃]⁶⁺ ([P_n? 1 ]⁶⁺). The host–guest nature of these systems, with the pyrenyl moiety being encapsulated in the hydrophobic cavity of the cage and the dendritic functional group pointing outwards, was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy (¹H, 2D and DOSY). The host–guest properties of these systems were studied in solution by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods, allowing the determination of their affinity constants (K_a). Moreover, the ability of these water‐soluble host–guest systems to carry the pyrenyl‐containing dendrimers into cancer cells was evaluated on human ovarian cancer cells. The host–guest systems are all more cytotoxic than the empty cage [ 1 ][CF₃SO₃]₆ (IC₅₀≈4 μM ), with the most active compound, [P₀? 1 ][CF₃SO₃]₆, being an order of magnitude more cytotoxic.     

Three‐Component Self‐Assembly of a Series of Triply Interlocked Pd12 Coordination Prisms and Their Non‐Interlocked Pd6 Analogues

Template‐assisted formation of multicomponent Pd₆ coordination prisms and formation of their self‐templated triply interlocked Pd₁₂ analogues in the absence of an external template have been established in a single step through Pd? N/Pd? O coordination. Treatment of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] with K₃tma and linear pillar 4,4′‐bpy (en=ethylenediamine, H₃tma=benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylic acid, 4,4′‐bpy=4,4′‐bipyridine) gave intercalated coordination cage [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 1 ) exclusively, whereas the same reaction in the presence of H₃tma as an aromatic guest gave a H₃tma‐encapsulating non‐interlocked discrete Pd₆ molecular prism [{Pd(en)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 2 ). Though the same reaction using cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] (pn=propane‐1,2‐diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(en)(NO₃)₂] gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 3 ) along with non‐interlocked Pd₆ analogue [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂](NO₃)₆ ( 3′ ), and the presence of H₃tma as a guest gave H₃tma‐encapsulating molecular prism [{Pd(pn)}₆(bpy)₃(tma)₂(H₃tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 4 ) exclusively. In solution, the amount of 3′ decreases as the temperature is decreased, and in the solid state 3 is the sole product. Notably, an analogous reaction using the relatively short pillar pz (pz=pyrazine) instead of 4,4′‐bpy gave triply interlocked coordination cage [{Pd(pn)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂]₂[NO₃]₁₂ ( 5 ) as the single product. Interestingly, the same reaction using slightly more bulky cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(tmen)] (tmen=N,N,N′,N′‐tetramethylethylene diamine) instead of cis‐[Pd(NO₃)₂(pn)] gave non‐interlocked [{Pd(tmen)}₆(pz)₃(tma)₂][NO₃]₆ ( 6 ) exclusively. Complexes 1 , 3 , and 5 represent the first examples of template‐free triply interlocked molecular prisms obtained through multicomponent self‐assembly. Formation of the complexes was supported by IR and multinuclear NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy. Formation of guest‐encapsulating complexes ( 2 and 4 ) was confirmed by 2D DOSY and ROESY NMR spectroscopic analyses, whereas for complexes 1 , 3 , 5 , and 6 single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction techniques unambiguously confirmed their formation. The gross geometries of H₃tma‐encapsulating complexes 2 and 4 were obtained by universal force field (UFF) simulations.     

Cyano‐bridged extended heteronuclear supramolecular architectures with hexacyano­cobalt(III) as building blocks

The cyano‐bridged heteronuclear coordination polymer poly[tris[(5,12‐dimethyl‐7,14‐diphenyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclo­tetra­deca‐4,11‐diene)copper(II)]‐hexa‐μ‐cyano‐bis[tricyano­cobalt(III)] di­methyl­formamide solvate trihydrate], {[Cu₃Co₂(CN)₁₂(C₂₄H₃₂N₄)₃]·C₃H₇NO·3H₂O}_n, was synthesized by the assembly reaction of [CuL]²⁺ (L is 5,12‐dimethyl‐7,14‐di­phenyl‐1,4,8,11‐tetraazacyclotetradeca‐4,11‐diene) and [Co(CN)₆]³⁻ in a dimethyl­formamide–water solution. The structure consists of neutral cyano‐bridged Cu₃Co₂ units with the unique Co atom in a general position and all three Cu atoms on independent inversion centres. Each [Co(CN)₆]³⁻ ion connects three Cu^II ions via three cyano groups to form a novel cyano‐bridged two‐dimensional stair‐shaped‐layer structure. The water and dimethyl­formamide molecules are situated in the inter‐fragment spaces.     

Protonation and Proton‐Coupled Electron Transfer at S‐Ligated [4Fe‐4S] Clusters

Biological [Fe‐S] clusters are increasingly recognized to undergo proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET), but the site of protonation, mechanism, and role for PCET remains largely unknown. Here we explore this reactivity with synthetic model clusters. Protonation of the arylthiolate‐ligated [4Fe‐4S] cluster [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₄]^2? ( 1 , SAr=S‐2,4‐6‐(iPr)₃C₆H₂) leads to thiol dissociation, reversibly forming [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₃L]^1? ( 2 ) and ArSH (L=solvent, and/or conjugate base). Solutions of 2 +ArSH react with the nitroxyl radical TEMPO to give [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₄]^1? ( 1_ox ) and TEMPOH. This reaction involves PCET coupled to thiolate association and may proceed via the unobserved protonated cluster [Fe₄S₄(SAr)₃(HSAr)]^1? ( 1‐H ). Similar reactions with this and related clusters proceed comparably. An understanding of the PCET thermochemistry of this cluster system has been developed, encompassing three different redox levels and two protonation states.     

Synthese und thermische Eigenschaften von molekularen Clusterverbindungen zusammengesetzt aus Elementen der Gruppen 11‐13‐16

Syntheses and Thermal Properties of Cluster Molecules, formed from Groups 11‐13‐16 Elements In the presence of PPh₃, CuX (X = Cl, CH₃COO) or AgOC(O)C₆H₅ and GaCl₃ react in THF with S(SiMe₃)₂ or Se(SiMe₃)₂ to yield [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄S₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 1 ), [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 2 ), [Ag₆Ga₈Cl₄S₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 4 ) and [Ag₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 5 ). The use of PⁿPr₂Ph instead of PPh₃ and subsequent layering with n‐hexane leads to the formation of the cluster [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PⁿPr₂Ph)₁₂] ( 3a , 3b ). Reaction of CuCl, GaCl₃ and PⁿPr₃ with Se(SiMe₃)₂ in THF results in the crystallisation of the ionic cluster (HPⁿPr₃)₂[Cu₂Ga₄Cl₄Se₆(PⁿPr₃)₄] ( 6 ). The structures of 1 — 6 were determined by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. Thermogravimetric measurements of the cluster molecules and powder diffraction patterns of the remaining powders reveal the potential use of them as single source precursor compounds for the synthesis of the related ternary solid state materials.     

Encapsulation of Pyrene‐Functionalized Poly(benzyl ether) Dendrons into a Water‐Soluble Organometallic Cage

Two generations of lipophilic pyrenyl functionalized poly(benzyl ether) dendrimers (P₁ and P₂) have been synthesized. The thermal properties of the two functionalized dendrimers have been investigated, and the pyrenyl group of the dendritic molecules encapsulated in the arene–ruthenium metalla‐cage, [Ru₆(p‐cymene)₆(tpt)₂(donq)₃]⁶⁺ ([ 1 ]⁶⁺) (tpt=2,4,6‐tri(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1,3,5‐triazine; donq=5,8‐dioxydo‐1,4‐naphthoquinonato). The host–guest properties of [P₁⊂ 1 ]⁶⁺ and [P₂⊂ 1 ]⁶⁺ were studied in solution by NMR and UV/Vis spectroscopic methods, thus allowing the determination of the affinity constants. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of these water‐soluble host–guest systems was evaluated on human ovarian cancer cells.     

Coordination Behavior of a D‐Penicillaminato Aurate(I) Metalloligand Toward Coblat(III) Centers

Treatment of (NH₄)[Au(D‐Hpen‐S)₂](D‐H₂pen = D‐penicillamine) with CoCl₂·6H₂O in an acetate buffer solution, followed by air oxidation, gave neutral Au^ICo^III and anionic Au^I₃Co^III₂ polynuclear complexes, [Au₃Co₃(D‐pen‐N,O,S)₆]([ 1 ]) and [Au₃Co₂(D‐pen‐N,S)₆]^3? ([ 2 ]^3?), which were separated by anion‐exchange column chromatography. Complexes [ 1 ] and [ 2 ]^3? each formed a single isomer, and their structures were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. In [ 1 ], each of three [Au(D‐pen‐S)₂]^3?metalloligands coordinates to two Co^III ions in a bis‐tridentate‐N,O,S mode to form a cyclic Au^I₃Co^III₃ hexanuclear structure, in which three [Co(D‐pen‐N,O,S)₂]^? octahedral units and six bridging S atoms adopt trans(O) geometrical and R chiral configurations, respectively. In [ 2 ]^3?, each of three [Au(D‐pen‐S)₂]^3? metalloligands coordinates to two Co^III ions in a bis‐bidentate‐N,S mode to form a Au^I₃Co^III₂ pentanuclear structure, in which two [Co(D‐pen‐N,S)₃]^3? units and six bridging S atoms adopt ∧ and R chiral configurations, respectively.     

Designed Topology and Site‐Selective Metal Composition in Tetranuclear [MM′⋅⋅⋅M′M] Linear Complexes

The ligand 1,3‐bis[3‐oxo‐3‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)propionyl]benzene (H₄L), designed to align transition metals into tetranuclear linear molecules, reacts with M^II salts (M=Ni, Co, Cu) to yield complexes with the expected [MM???MM] topology. The novel complexes [Co₄L₂(py)₆] ( 2 ; py=pyridine) and [Na(py)₂][Cu₄L₂(py)₄](ClO₄) ( 3 ) have been crystallographically characterised. The metal sites in complexes 2 and 3 , together with previously characterised [Ni₄L₂(py)₆] ( 1 ), favour different coordination geometries. These have been exploited for the deliberate synthesis of the heterometallic complex [Cu₂Ni₂L₂(py)₆] ( 4 ). Complexes 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between pairs of metals within each cluster, leading to S=0 spin ground states, except for the latter cluster, which features two quasi‐independent S=1/2 moieties within the molecule. Complex 4 gathers the structural and physical conditions, thus allowing it to be considered as prototype of a two‐qbit quantum gate.     

Drei Alkalimetall‐Erbium‐Thiophosphate: Von der Schichtstruktur bei KEr[P2S7] zur dreidimensionalen Vernetzung in NaEr[P2S6] und Cs3Er5[PS4]6

Three Alkali‐Metal Erbium Thiophosphates: From the Layered Structure of KEr[P₂S₇] to the Three‐Dimensional Cross‐Linkage in NaEr[P₂S₆] and Cs₃Er₅[PS₄]₆ The three alkali‐metal erbium thiophosphates NaEr[P₂S₆], KEr[P₂S₇], and Cs₃Er₅[PS₄] show a small selection of the broad variety of thiophosphate units: from ortho‐thiophosphate [PS₄]^3? and pyro‐thiophosphate [S₃P–S–PS₃]^4? with phosphorus in the oxidation state +V to the [S₃P–PS₃]^3? anion with a phosphorus‐phosphorus bond (d(P–P) = 221 pm) and tetravalent phosphorus. In spite of all differences, a whole string of structural communities can be shown, in particular for coordination and three‐dimensional linkage as well as for the phosphorus‐sulfur distances (d(P–S) = 200 – 213 pm). So all three compounds exhibit eightfold coordinated Er³⁺ cations and comparably high‐coordinated alkali‐metal cations (CN(Na⁺) = 8, CN(K⁺) = 9+1, and CN(Cs⁺) ≈ 10). NaEr[P₂S₆] crystallizes triclinically ( ; a = 685.72(5), b = 707.86(5), c = 910.98(7) pm, α = 87.423(4), β = 87.635(4), γ = 88.157(4)°; Z = 2) in the shape of rods, as well as monoclinic KEr[P₂S₇] (P2₁/c; a = 950.48(7), b = 1223.06(9), c = 894.21(6) pm, β = 90.132(4)°; Z = 4). The crystal structure of Cs₃Er₅[PS₄] can also be described monoclinically (C2/c; a = 1597.74(11), b = 1295.03(9), c = 2065.26(15) pm, β = 103.278(4)°; Z = 4), but it emerges as irregular bricks. All crystals show the common pale pink colour typical for transparent erbium(III) compounds.     

Adsorption behaviour of a CdII–triazole MOF for butan‐2‐one in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion: the role of hydrogen bonding and C—H…π interactions

The adsorption behaviour of the Cd^II–MOF {[Cd(L)₂(ClO₄)₂]·H₂O ( 1 ), where L is 4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole, for butan‐2‐one was investigated in a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) fashion. A new host–guest system that encapsulated butan‐2‐one molecules, namely poly[[bis{μ₃‐4‐amino‐3,5‐bis[3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)phenyl]‐1,2,4‐triazole}cadmium(II)] bis(perchlorate) butanone sesquisolvate], {[Cd(C₂₄H₁₈N₆)₂](ClO₄)₂·1.5C₄H₈O}_n, denoted C₄H₈O@Cd‐MOF ( 2 ), was obtained via an SCSC transformation. MOF 2 crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4₃2₁2. The specific binding sites for butan‐2‐one in the host were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. N—H…O and C—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions and C—H…π interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules co‐operatively bind 1.5 butan‐2‐one molecules within the channels. The adsorption behaviour was further evidenced by ¹H NMR, IR, TGA and powder X‐ray diffraction experiments, which are consistent with the single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. A ¹H NMR experiment demonstrates that the supramolecular interactions between the framework, ClO₄^? anions and guest molecules in MOF 2 lead to a high butan‐2‐one uptake in the channel.