A Remarkable Solvent Effect on the Nuclearity of Neutral Titanium(IV)‐Based Helicate Assemblies

The spontaneous self‐assembly of a neutral circular trinuclear Ti^IV‐based helicate is described through the reaction of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with a rationally designed tetraphenolic ligand. The trimeric ring helicate was obtained after diffusion of n‐pentane into a solution with dichloromethane. The circular helicate has been characterized by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study, ¹³C CP‐MAS NMR and ¹H NMR DOSY solution spectroscopic, and positive electrospray ionization mass‐spectrometric analysis. These analytical data were compared with those obtained from a previously reported double‐stranded helicate that crystallizes in toluene. The trimeric ring was unstable in a pure solution with dichloromethane and transformed into the double‐stranded helicate. Thermodynamic analysis by means of the PACHA software revealed that formation of the double‐stranded helicates was characterized by ΔH(toluene)=?30 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS(toluene)=+357 J K^?1 mol^?1, whereas these values were ΔH(CH₂Cl₂)=?75 kJ mol^?1 and ΔS(CH₂Cl₂)=?37 J K^?1 mol^?1 for the ring helicate. The transformation of the ring helicate into the double‐stranded helicate was a strongly endothermic process characterized by ΔH(CH₂Cl₂)=+127 kJ mol^?1 and ΔH(n‐pentane)=+644 kJ mol^?1 associated with a large positive entropy change ΔS=+1115 J K^?1?mol^?1. Consequently, the instability of the ring helicate in pure dichloromethane was attributed to the rather high dielectric constant and dipole moment of dichloromethane relative to n‐pentane. Suggestions for increasing the stability of the ring helicate are given.     

Unexpected Macrocyclic Multinuclear Zinc and Nickel Complexes that Function as Multitasking Catalysts for CO2 Fixations

Unique self‐assembled macrocyclic multinuclear Zn^II and Ni^II complexes with binaphthyl‐bipyridyl ligands (L) were synthesized. X‐ray analysis revealed that these complexes consisted of an outer ring (Zn₃L₃ or Ni₃L₃) and an inner core (Zn₂ or Ni). In the Zn^II complex, the inner Zn₂ part rotated rapidly inside the outer ring in solution on an NMR timescale. These complexes exhibited dual catalytic activities for CO₂ fixations: synthesis of cyclic carbonates from epoxides and CO₂ and temperature‐switched N‐formylation/N‐methylation of amines with CO₂ and hydrosilane.     

Non‐Conjugated Dicarboxylate Anode Materials for Electrochemical Cells

Classical organic anode materials for Na‐ion batteries are mostly based on conjugated carboxylate compounds, which can stabilize added electrons by the double‐bond reformation mechanism. Now, 1,4‐cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (C₈H₁₂O₄, CHDA) with a non‐conjugated ring (?C₆H₁₀?) connected with carboxylates is shown to undergo electrochemical reactions with two Na ions, delivering a high charge specific capacity of 284 mA h g^?1 (249 mA h g^?1 after 100 cycles), and good rate performance. First‐principles calculations indicate that hydrogen‐transfer‐mediated orbital conversion from antibonding π* to bonding σ stabilize two added electrons, and reactive intermediate with unpaired electron is suppressed by localization of σ‐bonds and steric hindrance. An advantage of CHDA as an anode material is good reversibility and relatively constant voltage. A large variety of organic non‐conjugated compounds are predicted to be promising anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.     

Synthesis and Characterization of New 3‐(3‐Hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐ alkyl‐3,4‐dihydrobenzo[e][1,3]oxazepine‐1,5‐dione Compounds

A series of 3‐(3‐hydroxyphenyl)‐4‐alkyl‐3,4‐dihydrobenzo[e][1,3]oxazepine‐1,5‐dione compounds with general formula C_nH_2n+1CNO(CO)₂C₆H₄(C₆H₄OH) in which n are even parity numbers from 2 to 18. The structure determinations on these compounds were performed by FT‐IR spectroscopy which indicated that the terminal alkyl chain attached to the oxazepine ring was fully extended. Conformational analysis in DMSO at ambient temperature was carried out for the first time via high resolution ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy.     

Metal‐Deficient Supramolecule Based on a Fivefold‐Symmetric Building Block

An unprecedented cationic supramolecule [(Cp′′Fe(η⁵‐P₅))₁₂{CuNCMe}₈]⁸⁺ 2.66 nm in diameter was selectively isolated as a salt of the weakly coordinating anion [Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]^? for the first time and characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, PXRD, NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Its metal‐deficient core contains the lowest possible number of Cu atoms to connect 12 pentaphosphaferrocene units, providing a supramolecule with fullerene topology which, topologically, also represents the simplest homologue in the family of metal‐deficient pentaphosphaferrocene‐based supramolecules [{Cp^RFe(η⁵‐P₅)}₁₂(CuX)_20?n]. The 12 vacant metal sites between the cyclo‐P₅ rings, the largest number attained to date, make this compound a facile precursor for potential inner and outer modifications of the core as well as for functionalization via the substitution of labile acetonitrile ligands.     

Stepwise Encapsulation of Sulfate Ions by Ferrocenyl‐Functionalized Tripodal Hexaurea Receptors

Three ferrocenyl‐functionalized tripodal hexaurea anion receptors with ortho‐ ( L² ), meta‐ ( L³ ), and para‐phenylene ( L⁴ ) bridges, which showed strong binding affinities toward sulfate ions, have been designed and synthesized. In particular, meta‐phenylene‐bridged ligand L³ , owing to its trigonal bipyramidal structure, can encapsulate two SO₄^2? ions in its “inner” and “outer” tripodal clefts, respectively, as supported by their clearly distinct NMR resonances and by molecular modeling. The sulfate complex of ortho‐ligand L² , (TBA)₂[SO₄? L² ] ? 2 H₂O ( 1 ), displays a caged tetrahedral structure with an encapsulated sulfate ion that is hydrogen bonded by the six urea groups of ligand L² . CV studies showed two types of electrochemical response of the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple upon anion binding, that is, a shift of the wave and the appearance of a new peak. Quantitative binding data were obtained from the NMR and CV titrations.     

Counterion Dynamics in an Interpenetrated Coordination Cage Capable of Dissolving AgCl

In solution, the eight BF₄^? counterions of a positively charged D₄‐symmetric interpenetrated [Pd₄ligand₈]⁸⁺ double cage ( 1 ) are localized in distinct positions. At low temperatures, one BF₄^? ion is encapsulated inside the central pocket of the supramolecular structure, two BF₄^? ions are bound inside the equivalent outer pockets, and the remaining five BF₄^? ions are located outside the cage structure (expressed by the formula [3 BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅). On warming, the two BF₄^? ions in the outer pockets are found to exchange with the exterior ions in solution whereas the central BF₄^? ion stays locked inside the central cavity (here written as [BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₇). The exchange kinetics were determined by exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) NMR experiments and line‐shape fitting in different solvents. The tremendously high affinity of this double cage for the binding of two chloride ions inside the outer pockets allows for complete exchange of two BF₄^? ions by the addition of solid AgCl to give [2 Cl+BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅. The uptake of the two chloride ions is allosteric and is thus accompanied by a structural rearrangement (compression along the Pd₄ axis) of the double cage structure. An analysis by using 900 MHz NOESY NMR spectroscopy shows that this compression of about 3.3 % is associated with a helical twist of 8°, which together resemble a screw motion. As a consequence of squeezing each of the outer two pockets by 53 %, the volume of the central pocket is increased by 43 %, which results in an increase of 36 % in the ¹⁹F spin‐lattice relaxation time (T₁) of the central BF₄^? ion. The packing coefficients (PC) for the ions in the outer pockets (103 % for BF₄^? and 96 % for Cl^?) were calculated.     

Oligo-m-phenyleneoxalamide copper(II) mesocates as electro-switchable ferromagnetic metal-organic wires

Double‐stranded copper(II) string complexes of varying nuclearity, from di‐ to tetranuclear species, have been prepared by the Cu^II‐mediated self‐assembly of a novel family of linear homo‐ and heteropolytopic ligands that contain two outer oxamato and either zero ( 1 b ), one ( 2 b ), or two ( 3 b ) inner oxamidato donor groups separated by rigid 2‐methyl‐1,3‐phenylene spacers. The X‐ray crystal structures of these Cu^II_n complexes (n=2 ( 1 d ), 3 ( 2 d ), and 4 ( 3 d )) show a linear array of metal atoms with an overall twisted coordination geometry for both the outer CuN₂O₂ and inner CuN₄ chromophores. Two such nonplanar all‐syn bridging ligands 1 b – 3 b in an anti arrangement clamp around the metal centers with alternating M and P helical chiralities to afford an overall double meso‐helicate‐type architecture for 1 d – 3 d . Variable‐temperature (2.0–300 K) magnetic susceptibility and variable‐field (0–5.0 T) magnetization measurements for 1 d – 3 d show the occurrence of S=nS_Cu (n=2–4) high‐spin ground states that arise from the moderate ferromagnetic coupling between the unpaired electrons of the linearly disposed Cu^II ions (S_Cu=1/2) through the two anti m‐phenylenediamidate‐type bridges (J values in the range of +15.0 to 16.8 cm^?1). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for 1 d – 3 d evidence a sign alternation of the spin density in the meta‐substituted phenylene spacers in agreement with a spin polarization exchange mechanism along the linear metal array with overall intermetallic distances between terminal metal centers in the range of 0.7–2.2 nm. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and rotating‐disk electrode (RDE) electrochemical measurements for 1 d – 3 d show several reversible or quasireversible one‐ or two‐electron steps that involve the consecutive metal‐centered oxidation of the inner and outer Cu^II ions (S_Cu=1/2) to diamagnetic Cu^III ones (S_Cu=0) at relatively low formal potentials (E values in the range of +0.14 to 0.25 V and of +0.43 to 0.67 V vs. SCE, respectively). Further developments may be envisaged for this family of oligo‐m‐phenyleneoxalamide copper(II) double mesocates as electroswitchable ferromagnetic ‘metal–organic wires’ (MOWs) on the basis of their unique ferromagnetic and multicenter redox behaviors.     

Organophosphine/phosphite‐stabilized silver(I) complexes bearing N‐acetylbenzamide ligand: synthesis,characterization and potential application in metal organic chemical vapor deposition

New N‐silver(I) acetylbenzamide complexes of type L_n?AgNC₉H₈O₂ (L = PPh₃; n = 1, 2a; n = 2, 2b; n = 3, 2c; L = P(OEt)₃; n = 1, 2d; n = 2, 2e; n = 3, 2f) were prepared. These complexes were obtained in high yields and characterized by elemental analysis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C{H} NMR, ³¹P{H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, respectively. The molecular structure of 2b has been determined by X‐ray single‐crystal analysis in which the silver atom is in a distorted tetrahedral geometry and crystallizes as cis–trans. New N‐silver(I) acetylbenzamide complexes have a four‐membered ring, which could influence their chemical and physical properties and modulate volatility. Metal organic chemical vapor deposition experiments were carried out successfully at 400°C and 450°C using 2e as precursor for the deposition of silver films, respectively. The high‐purity silver film obtained at 400°C is dense and homogeneous. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selective Binding of Imidazolium Cations in Building Multi‐Component Layers

Addition of 1‐alkyl‐3‐methylimidazolium (C_n‐mim) cations 3 – 5 to a mixture of bis‐phosphonium cation 2 and sodium p‐sulfonatocalix[4]arene ( 1 ) in the presence of lanthanide ions results in the selective binding of an imidazolium cation into the cavity of the calixarene. The result is a multi‐layered solid material with an inherently flexible interplay of the components. Incorporating ethyl‐, n‐butyl‐ or n‐hexyl‐mim cations into the multi‐layers results in significant perturbation of the structure, the most striking effect is the tilting of the plane of the bowl‐shaped calixarene relative to the plane of the multi‐layer, with tilt angles of 7.2, 28.9 and 65.5°, respectively. The lanthanide ions facilitate complexation, but are not incorporated into the structures and, in all cases, the calixarene takes on a 5? charge, with one of the lower‐rim phenolic groups deprotonated. ROESY NMR experiments and other ¹H NMR spectroscopy studies establish the formation of 1:1 supermolecules of C_n‐mim and calixarene, regardless of the ratio of the two components, and indicate that the supermolecules undergo rapid exchange on the NMR spectroscopy timescale.     

A polymeric cobalt(II) complex derived from citric acid (H4cit) and 2,6‐diaminopurine (dap): {[Co4(cit)2(dap)4(H2O)4]·6.35H2O}n

Poly[[tetraaquadi‐μ₄‐citrato‐tetrakis(2,6‐diaminopurine)tetracobalt(II)] 6.35‐hydrate], {[Co₄(C₆H₄O₇)₂(C₅H₆N₆)₄(H₂O)₄]·6.35H₂O}_n, presents three different types of Co^II cations in the asymmetric unit, two of them lying on symmetry elements (one on an inversion centre and the other on a twofold axis). The main fragment is further composed of one fully deprotonated citrate (cit) tetraanion, two 2,6‐diaminopurine (dap) molecules and two aqua ligands. The structure is completed by a mixture of fully occupied and disordered solvent water molecules. The two independent dap ligands are neutral and the cit tetraanion provides for charge balance, compensating the 4+ cationic charge. There are two well defined coordination geometries in the structure. The simplest is mononuclear, with the Co^II cation arranged in a regular centrosymmetric octahedral array, coordinated by two aqua ligands, two dap ligands and two O atoms from the β‐carboxylate groups of the bridging cit tetraanions. The second, more complex, group is trinuclear, bisected by a twofold axis, with the metal centres coordinated by two cit tetraanions through their α‐ and β‐carboxylate and α‐hydroxy groups, and by two dap ligands bridging through one of their pyridine and one of their imidazole N atoms. The resulting coordination geometry around each metal centre is distorted octahedral. Both groups are linked alternately to each other, defining parallel chains along [201], laterally interleaved and well connected via hydrogen bonding to form a strongly coupled three‐dimensional network. The compound presents a novel μ₄‐κ⁵O:O,O′:O′,O′′,O′′′:O′′′′ mode of coordination of the cit tetraanion.     

Activation of Aryl and Heteroaryl Halides by an Iron(I) Complex Generated in the Reduction of [Fe(acac)3] by PhMgBr: Electron Transfer versus Oxidative Addition

The mechanism of the reactions of aryl/heteroaryl halides with aryl Grignard reagents catalyzed by [Fe^III(acac)₃] (acac=acetylacetonate) has been investigated. It is shown that in the presence of excess PhMgBr, [Fe^III(acac)₃] affords two reduced complexes: [PhFe^II(acac)(thf)_n] (n=1 or 2) (characterized by ¹H NMR and cyclic voltammetry) and [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? (characterized by cyclic voltammetry, ¹H NMR, EPR and DFT). Whereas [PhFe^II(acac)(thf)_n] does not react with any of the investigated aryl or heteroaryl halides, the Fe^I complex [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? reacts with ArX (Ar=Ph, 4‐tolyl; X=I, Br) through an inner‐sphere monoelectronic reduction (promoted by halogen bonding) to afford the corresponding arene ArH together with the Grignard homocoupling product PhPh. In contrast, [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? reacts with a heteroaryl chloride (2‐chloropyridine) to afford the cross‐coupling product (2‐phenylpyridine) through an oxidative addition/reductive elimination sequence. The mechanism of the reaction of [PhFe^I(acac)(thf)]^? with the aryl and heteroaryl halides has been explored on the basis of DFT calculations.     

The Structural Systematics of Protonation of Some Important Nitrogen‐base Ligands. II. Some Univalent Anion Salts of Singly Protonated Bis(2‐pyridyl)amine

Syntheses and single crystal X‐ray structure determinations are recorded for a number of normal and ‘acid’ salts of bis(2‐pyridylamine), ‘dpa’, with univalent anions, X, variously hydrated, i.e. [dpaH]X·nH₂O, and [dpaH]X·HX·nH₂O. The ‘normal’ salt arrays so characterized are for X = Br^? (n = 2, isomorphous with the previously described chloride compound) and, I^?, ClO₄^?, ‘tca^?’ (≡ Cl₃CCO₂)^? (all n = 1); acid salt arrays are described for X = NO₃^? and tca (both n = 0). In all cases except those of X = ClO₄^?, NO₃^?, there is one independent formula unit devoid of crystallographic symmetry comprising the asymmetric unit of the structure. In all cases, the proton associated with the cation is ‘chelated’ by the pair of ring nitrogen atoms, disposed ‘endo’; in the tca adducts and the nitrate salt, the total cation is disordered in each case by inversion about a real or putative inversion centre between the rings. In the perchlorate compound, the (ordered) cation lies on a crystallographic 2‐axis, as does the water molecule, and the perchlorate ion, which is disordered about such an axis; in the nitrate compound, the acid hydrogen atom is modelled as disposed on a crystallographic inversion centre between a pair of symmetry‐related nitrate groups, containing, like the Htca adduct, the [XHX]^? moiety rather than a diprotonated cation.     

Influence of Backbone Chlorination on the Electronic Properties of Diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP)‐Based Dimers

Chlorination of π‐conjugated backbones is garnering great interest because of fine‐tuning electronic properties of conjugated materials for organic devices. Herein we report a synthesis of thiophene‐based diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) dimers and their chlorinated counterparts by introducing a chlorine atom in the outer thiophene ring to investigate the influence of the chlorination on charge transport. The backbone chlorination lowers both the HOMO and the LUMO of the dimers and leads to a blue‐shift of maximum absorption in compared to unsubstituted counterparts. X‐ray analysis reveals that the chlorine atom prompts the outer thiophene ring out of the planarity of the backbone with a relatively large torsional angle. The chlorinated dimers exhibit slipped one‐dimensional packing decorated with multiple intermolecular interactions, because of a combination of a negative inductive effect and a positive mesomeric effect of the halogen atom, which might facilitate charge transport within the oligomeric backbones. The mobility in the single‐crystal OFET devices of the chlorinated dimers is up to 1.5 cm² V^?1 s^?1, which is two times higher than that of the non‐chlorinated DPP dimers. Our results indicate that the chlorine atom plays a key role in directing non‐covalent interactions to lock the slipped stacks, enabling electronic coupling between adjacent molecules for efficient charge transport. In addition, our results also demonstrate that these DPP dimers with straight n‐octyl chains exhibit higher mobilities than the dimers with branched 2‐ethylhexyl chains.     

ipso‐Arylative Ring‐Opening Polymerization as a Route to Electron‐Deficient Conjugated Polymers

ipso‐Arylative ring‐opening polymerization of 2‐bromo‐8‐aryl‐8H‐indeno[2,1‐b]thiophen‐8‐ol monomers proceeds to M_n up to 9 kg mol^?1 with conversion of the monomer diarylcarbinol groups to pendent conjugated aroylphenyl side chains (2‐benzoylphenyl or 2‐(4‐hexylbenzoyl)phenyl), which influence the optical and electronic properties of the resulting polythiophenes. Poly(3‐(2‐(4‐hexylbenzoyl)phenyl)thiophene) was found to have lower frontier orbital energy levels (HOMO/LUMO=?5.9/?4.0 eV) than poly(3‐hexylthiophene) owing to the electron‐withdrawing ability of the aryl ketone side chains. The electron mobility (ca. 2×10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1) for poly(3‐(2‐(4‐hexylbenzoyl)phenyl)thiophene) was found to be significantly higher than the hole mobility (ca. 8×10^?6 cm² V^?1 s^?1), which suggests such polymers are candidates for n‐type organic semiconductors. Density functional theory calculations suggest that backbone distortion resulting from side‐chain steric interactions could be a key factor influencing charge mobilities.     

Critical Solution Temperatures for Two Phase Solvent Systems with Halide Salts,Carboxylic Acids,Surfactants, and Polynuclear Aromatic Compounds

Upper critical solution temperatures (UCST) of water‐phenol systems are reported with 0.1 mol kg^?1 halide salts, carboxylic acids, 1.0% PEG 200 in water, and 0.01 mol kg^?1 surfactants and polynuclear aromatic compounds namely benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, chrysene; and benzene derivatives solutions in phenol. The valence electrons and shell numbers, bascity, ‐CH₃ and ‐CH₂‐, hydrophilic, hydrophobic and π conjugated electrons of respective additives have been noted to affect the UCST values and mutual solubilities of the water and phenol. The surfactants decrease the UCST values with higher mutual solubilities due to effective hydrophilic as well as hydrophobic interactions with aqueous and organic phases, respectively. The stronger structure breaking action of the 3(‐OH) of the glycerol outweighs than those of the 3(‐COO^?) and 1(‐OH) of the citric acid and the urea does produce almost equal UCST values as compared to glycerol. A decrease in the UCST values is noted with number of conjugated π electrons of the benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, and chrysene. In general, the dTc/dx₂ values of salts for 0.20–0.16 mole fractions of phenol are found positive while for 0.055–0.052 mole fractions, the negative.     

Unusual Hafnium–Pyridylamido/ERn Heterobimetallic Adducts (ERn=ZnR2 or AlR3)

NMR spectroscopy and DFT studies indicate that the Symyx/Dow Hf(IV)–pyridylamido catalytic system for olefin polymerization, [{N^?,N,C_Nph^?}HfMe][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 , Nph=naphthyl), interacts with ER_n (E=Al or Zn, R=alkyl group) to afford unusual heterobimetallic adducts [{N^?,N}HfMe(μ‐C_Nph)(μ‐R)ER_n?1][B(C₆F₅)₄] in which the cyclometalated Nph acts as a bridge between Hf and E. ¹H VT (variable‐temperature) EXSY NMR spectroscopy provides direct evidence of reversible alkyl exchanges in heterobimetallic adducts, with ZnR₂ showing a higher tendency to participate in this exchange than AlR₃. 1‐Hexene/ER_n competitive reactions with 1 at 240 K reveal that the formation of adducts is strongly favored over 1‐hexene polymerization. Nevertheless, a slight increase in the temperature (to >265 K) initiates 1‐hexene polymerization.     

Heteroleptic Silylamido Phenolate Complexes of Calcium and the Larger Alkaline Earth Metals: β‐Agostic Ae⋅⋅⋅Si?H Stabilization and Activity in the Ring‐Opening Polymerization of L‐Lactide

The factors governing the stability and the reactivity towards cyclic esters of heteroleptic complexes of the large alkaline earth metals (Ae) have been probed. The synthesis and stability of a family of heteroleptic silylamido and alkoxide complexes of calcium [{LOⁱ}Ca? Nu(thf)_n] supported by mono‐anionic amino ether phenolate ligands (i=1, {LO¹}^?=4‐(tert‐butyl)‐2,6‐bis(morpholinomethyl)phenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=0, 4 ; i=2, {LO²}^?=2,4‐di‐tert‐butyl‐6‐{[2‐(methoxymethyl)pyrrolidin‐1‐yl]methyl}phenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=0, 5 ; i=4, {LO⁴}^?=2‐{[bis(2‐methoxyethyl)amino]methyl}‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate, Nu^?=N(SiMe₂H)₂^?, n=1, 6 ; Nu^?=HC?CCH₂O^?, n=0, 7 ) and those of the related [{LO³}Ae? N(SiMe₂H)₂] ({LO³}^?=2‐[(1,4,7,10‐tetraoxa‐13‐azacyclopentadecan‐13‐yl)methyl]‐4,6‐di‐tert‐butylphenolate Ae=Ca, 1 ; Sr, 2 ; Ba, 3 ) have been investigated. The molecular structures of 1 , 2 , [( 4 )₂], 6 , and [( 7 )₂] have been determined by X‐ray diffraction. These highlight Ae???H? Si internal β‐agostic interactions, which play a key role in the stabilization of [{LOⁱ}Ae? N(SiMe₂H)₂] complexes against ligand redistribution reactions, in contrast to regular [{LOⁱ}Ae? N(SiMe₃)₂]. Pulse‐gradient spin‐echo (PGSE) NMR measurements showed that 1 , 4 , 6 , and 7 are monomeric in solution. Complexes 1 – 7 mediate the ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) of L ‐lactide highly efficiently, converting up to 5000 equivalents of monomer at 25 °C in a controlled fashion. In the immortal ROP performed with up to 100 equivalents of exogenous 9‐anthracenylmethanol or benzyl or propargyl alcohols as a transfer agent, the activity of the catalyst increased with the size of the metal ( 1 < 2 < 3 ). For Ca‐based complexes, the enhanced electron‐donating ability of the ancillary ligand favored catalyst activity ( 1 > 6 > 4 ≈ 5 ). The nature of the alcohol had little effect over the activity of the binary catalyst system 1 /ROH; in all cases, both the control and end‐group fidelity were excellent. In the living ROP of L ‐LA, the HC?CCH₂O^? initiating group (as in 7 ) proved superior to N(SiMe₂H)₂^? or N(SiMe₃)₂^? (as in 6 or [{LO⁴}Ca? N(SiMe₃)₂] ( B ), respectively).     

Synthesizing 2D and 3D Selenidostannates in Ionic Liquids: The Synergistic Structure‐Directing Effects of Ionic Liquids and Metal–Amine Complexes

Presented are the ionothermal syntheses, characterizations, and properties of a series of two‐ and three‐dimensional selenidostannate compounds synergistically directed by metal–amine complex (MAC) cations and ionic liquids (ILs) of [Bmmim]Cl (Bmmim=1‐butyl‐2,3‐dimethylimidazolium). Four selenidostannates, namely, 2D‐(Bmmim)₃[Ni(en)₃]₂[Sn₉Se₂₁]Cl ( 1 , en=ethylenediamine), 2D‐(Bmmim)₈[Ni₂(teta)₂(μ‐teta)]Sn₁₈Se₄₂ ( 2 , teta=triethylenetetramine), 2D‐(Bmmim)₄[Ni(tepa)Cl]₂[Ni(tepa)Sn₁₂Se₂₈] ( 3 , tepa=tetraethylenepentamine), and 3D‐(Bmmim)₂[Ni(1,2‐pda)₃]Sn₈Se₁₈ ( 4 , 1,2‐pda=1,2‐diaminopropane), were obtained. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analyses revealed that compounds 1 and 2 possess a lamellar anionic [Sn₃Se₇]_n^2n? structure comprising distinct eight‐membered ring units, whereas 3 features a MAC‐decorated anionic [Ni(tepa)Sn₁₂Se₂₈]_n^6n? layered structure. In contrast to 1 – 3 , compound 4 exhibits a 3D open framework of anionic [Sn₄Se₉]_n^2n?. The structural variation from 1 to 4 clearly indicates that on the basis of the synergistic structure‐directing ability of the MACs and ILs, variation of the organic polyamine ligand has a significant impact on the formation of selenidostannates.