Biomimetic synthesis of the arachidic acid/Ag<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Cd<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">y</Emphasis></Subscript>S nanocomposite films

Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles were obtained in arachidic acid (AA) monolayer containing Ag⁺ and Cd²⁺ under H₂S flow. The AA/Ag _x Cd _y S monolayers were deposited onto solid substrate to prepare LB films. The UV-vis spectrum showed that the LB film exhibited notable quantum-size effect. The small-angle X-ray diffraction revealed periodic structure of the LB films. The molar ratio of Ag to Cd in AA/Ag _x Cd _y S film was ca. 1 : 5 as measured by the XPS. TEM and FTIR spectroscopy showed that the head-groups of arachidic acid molecules controlled formation of Ag _x Cd _y S nanoparticles in the monolayer.     

Mechanistic Investigation of Catalyst‐Transfer Suzuki–Miyaura Condensation Polymerization of Thiophene–Pyridine Biaryl Monomers with the Aid of Model Reactions

We have investigated the requirements for efficient Pd‐catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura catalyst‐transfer condensation polymerization (Pd‐CTCP) reactions of 2‐alkoxypropyl‐6‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐3‐(4,4,5,5‐tetramethyl‐1,3,2‐dioxaborolan‐2‐yl)pyridine ( 12 ) as a donor–acceptor (D –A) biaryl monomer. As model reactions, we first carried out the Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction of X–Py–Th–X′ (Th=thiophene, Py=pyridine, X, X′=Br or I) 1 with phenylboronic acid ester 2 by using tBu₃PPd⁰ as the catalyst. Monosubstitution with a phenyl group at Th‐I mainly took place in the reaction of Br–Py–Th–I ( 1 b ) with 2 , whereas disubstitution selectively occurred in the reaction of I–Py–Th–Br ( 1 c ) with 2 , indicating that the Pd catalyst is intramolecularly transferred from acceptor Py to donor Th. Therefore, we synthesized monomer 12 by introduction of a boronate moiety and bromine into Py and Th, respectively. However, examination of the relationship between monomer conversion and the M_n of the obtained polymer, as well as the matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra, indicated that Suzuki–Miyaura coupling polymerization of 12 with (o‐tolyl)tBu₃PPdBr initiator 13 proceeded in a step‐growth polymerization manner through intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst. To understand the discrepancy between the model reactions and polymerization reaction, Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions of 1 c with thiopheneboronic acid ester instead of 2 were carried out. This resulted in a decrease of the disubstitution product. Therefore, step‐growth polymerization appears to be due to intermolecular transfer of the Pd catalyst from Th after reductive elimination of the Th‐Pd‐Py complex formed by transmetalation of polymer Th–Br with (Pin)B–Py–Th–Br monomer 12 (Pin=pinacol). Catalysts with similar stabilization energies of metal–arene η²‐coordination for D and A monomers may be needed for CTCP reactions of biaryl D–A monomers.     

Layer‐by‐layer assembly of {chitosan/Pd}n multilayer film based on in‐situ photochemical reduction with excellent electrocatalytic properties

Chitosan/palladium {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film was assembled based on layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique and in‐situ photo‐chemical reduction reaction, in which the CTS plays the role of a photo‐reduction agent and an assembly reagent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that spherical Pd nanoparticles with diameter of 20 nm are well‐dispersed in the composite multilayer films, and the size of Pd nanoparticles increased gradually with the extension of illumination time. Besides, the {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film exhibits linear, uniform and regular layer‐by‐layer growth. Furthermore, the {CTS/Pd}_n composite multilayer film presents an excellent catalytic properties for oxygen reduction, and it has potential application in energy, chemical synthesis and biological processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of NCN‐Pincer Pd‐Complex‐Bound Norvalines

The NCN‐pincer Pd‐complex‐bound norvalines Boc‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐OMe ( 1 ) were synthesized in multigram quantities. The molecular structure and absolute configuration of 1 were unequivocally determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. The robustness of 1 under acidic/basic conditions provides a wide range of N‐/C‐terminus convertibility based on the related synthetic transformations. Installation of a variety of functional groups into the N‐/C‐terminus of 1 was readily carried out through N‐Boc‐ or C‐methyl ester deprotection and subsequent condensations with carboxylic acids, R¹COOH, or amines, R²NH₂, to give the corresponding N‐/C‐functionalized norvalines R¹‐D /L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐R² 2 – 9 . The dipeptide bearing two Pd units 10 was successfully synthesized through the condensation of C‐free 1 with N‐free 1 . The robustness of these Pd‐bound norvalines was adequately demonstrated by the preservation of the optical purity and Pd unit during the synthetic transformations. The lipophilic Pd‐bound norvalines L ‐ 2 , Boc‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, and L ‐ 4 , n‐C₄H₉CO‐L ‐[PdCl(dpb)]Nva‐NH‐n‐C₁₁H₂₃, self‐assembled in aromatic solvents to afford supramolecular gels. The assembled structures in a thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 and kinetically stable supramolecular aggregates of L ‐ 2 were precisely elucidated by cryo‐TEM, WAX, SAXS, UV/Vis, IR analyses, and single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. An antiparallel β‐sheet‐type aggregate consisting of an infinite one‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonding network of amide groups and π‐stacking of PdCl(dpb) moieties was observed in the supramolecular gel fiber of L ‐ 2 , even though discrete dimers are assembled through hydrogen bonding in the thermodynamically stable single crystal of L ‐ 2 . The disparate DSC profiles of the single crystal and xerogel of L ‐ 2 indicate different thermodynamics of the molecular assembly process.     

One‐ and two‐dimensional CdII coordination polymers constructed from 2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetate ligands

The one‐ and two‐dimensional polymorphic cadmium polycarboxylate coordination polymers, catena‐poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, and poly[bis[μ₂‐2‐(2‐methyl‐1H‐benzimidazol‐1‐yl)acetato‐κ³N³:O,O′]cadmium(II)], also [Cd(C₁₀H₉N₂O₂)₂]_n, were prepared under solvothermal conditions. In each structure, each Cd^II atom is coordinated by four O atoms and two N atoms from four different ligands. In the former structure, two crystallographically independent Cd^II atoms are located on twofold symmetry axes and doubly bridged in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode by the ligands into correspondingly independent chains that run in the [100] and [010] directions. Chains containing crystallographically related Cd^II atoms are linked into sheets viaπ–π stacking interactions. Sheets containing one of the distinct types of Cd^II atom are stacked perpendicular to [001] and alternate with sheets containing the other type of Cd^II atom. The second complex is a two‐dimensional homometallic Cd^II (4,4) net structure in which each Cd^II atom is singly bridged to four neighbouring Cd^II atoms by four ligands also acting in a μ₂‐N:O,O′‐mode. A square‐grid network results and the three‐dimensional supramolecular framework is completed by π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic ring systems.     

A two‐dimensional cadmium(II) coordination polymer constructed from 4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylate and 1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylate ligands

Crystals of poly[[aqua[μ₃‐4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylato‐κ⁵O¹O^1′:N³,O⁴:O⁵][μ₄‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylato‐κ⁷N³,O⁴:O⁴,O^4′:O¹,O^1′:O¹]cadmium(II)] monohydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₅H₁₄N₂O₄)(C₁₆H₁₄N₂O₆)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n or {[Cd₂(Hcpimda)(cpima)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n, (I), were obtained from 1‐(4‐carboxybenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H₃cpimda) and cadmium(II) chloride under hydrothermal conditions. The structure indicates that in‐situ decarboxylation of H₃cpimda occurred during the synthesis process. The asymmetric unit consists of two Cd²⁺ centres, one 4‐carboxy‐1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐5‐carboxylate (Hcpimda²⁻) anion, one 1‐(4‐carboxylatobenzyl)‐2‐propyl‐1H‐imidazole‐4‐carboxylate (cpima²⁻) anion, one coordinated water molecule and one lattice water molecule. One Cd²⁺ centre, i.e. Cd1, is hexacoordinated and displays a slightly distorted octahedral CdN₂O₄ geometry. The other Cd centre, i.e. Cd2, is coordinated by seven O atoms originating from one Hcpimda²⁻ ligand and three cpima²⁻ ligands. This Cd²⁺ centre can be described as having a distorted capped octahedral coordination geometry. Two carboxylate groups of the benzoate moieties of two cpima²⁻ ligands bridge between Cd2 centres to generate [Cd₂O₂] units, which are further linked by two cpima²⁻ ligands to produce one‐dimensional (1D) infinite chains based around large 26‐membered rings. Meanwhile, adjacent Cd1 centres are linked by Hcpimda²⁻ ligands to generate 1D zigzag chains. The two types of chains are linked through a μ₂‐η² bidentate bridging mode from an O atom of an imidazole carboxylate unit of cpima²⁻ to give a two‐dimensional (2D) coordination polymer. The simplified 2D net structure can be described as a 3,6‐coordinated net which has a (4³)₂(4⁶.6⁶.8³) topology. Furthermore, the FT–IR spectroscopic properties, photoluminescence properties, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) pattern and thermogravimetric behaviour of the polymer have been investigated.     

A novel three‐dimensional CdII coordination polymer: poly[[aquabis(2,2′‐bipyridine)(μ5‐pyrazol‐1‐ide‐3,5‐dicarboxylato)(μ4‐pyrazol‐1‐ide‐3,5‐dicarboxylato)(μ3‐pyrazole‐3,5‐dicarboxylato)tetracadmium(II)] dihydrate]

The title compound, {[Cd₄(C₅H₂N₂O₄)(C₅HN₂O₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)]·2H₂O}_n, crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n and displays a three‐dimensional architecture. The asymmetric unit is composed of four crystallographically independent Cd^II centres, two triply deprotonated pyrazole‐3,5‐dicarboxylic acid molecules, one doubly deprotonated pyrazole‐3,5‐dicarboxylic acid molecule, two 2,2′‐bipyridine ligands, one coordinated water molecule and two interstitial water molecules. Interestingly, the Cd^II centers exhibit two different coordination numbers. Two Cd^II centres adopt a distorted octahedral arrangement and a third a trigonal–prismatic geometry, though they are all hexacoordinated. However, the fourth Cd^II center is heptacoordinated and displays a pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry. The three anionic ligands adopt μ₃‐, μ₄‐ and μ₅‐bridging modes, first linking Cd^II centers into a one‐dimensional wave‐like band, then into a wave‐like layer and finally into a three‐dimensional coordination framework, which is stabilized by hydrogen bonds.     

Syntheses,Crystal Structures,and Magnetic Properties of Three Metal‐Nitroxide Complexes with the V‐shaped 4, 4′‐Oxybis(benzoate)

Three new metal–nitroxide complexes {[Ni(NIT4Py)₂(obb)(H₂O)₂] · 1.5H₂O}_n ( 1 ), {[Co(NIT4Py)₂(obb)(H₂O)₂] · 2H₂O}_n ( 2 ), and [Co(IM4Py)₂(obb)₂(H₂O)₂][Co(IM4Py)₂(H₂O)₄] · 10H₂O ( 3 ) with the V‐shaped 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) [NIT4Py = 2‐(4′‐pyridyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, IM4Py = 2‐(4′‐pyridyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxide, and obb = 4, 4′‐oxybis(benzoate) anion] were synthesized and structurally characterized. Single‐crystal X‐ray analyses indicate that complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in neutral one‐dimensional (1D) zigzag chains, in which the nitroxide–metal–nitroxide units are linked by the V‐shaped 4,4′‐oxybis(benzoate) anions, whereas complex 3 consists of isolated mononuclear [Co(IM4Py)₂(obb)₂(H₂O)₂]^2– anions and [Co(IM4Py)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ ions. Magnetic measurements show that complexes 1 and 2 both exhibit weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the metal ions and the nitroxides.     

A novel two‐dimensional cadmium(II) complex: poly[diaquatris(μ4‐cyclohexane‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis[2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole]tricadmium(II)

The title compound, [Cd₃(C₈H₁₀O₄)₃(C₁₂H₉N₃)₂(H₂O)₂]_n or [Cd₃(chdc)₃(4‐PyBIm)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, was synthesized hydrothermally from the reaction of Cd(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O with 2‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole (4‐PyBIm) and cyclohexane‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (1,4‐chdcH₂). The asymmetric unit consists of one and a half Cd^II cations, one 4‐PyBIm ligand, one and a half 1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands and one coordinated water molecule. The central Cd^II cation, located on an inversion centre, is coordinated by six carboxylate O atoms from six 1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands to complete an elongated octahedral coordination geometry. The two terminal rotationally symmetric Cd^II cations each exhibits a distorted pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry, coordinated by one N atom from 4‐PyBIm, five O atoms from three 1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands and one O atom from an aqua ligand. The 1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands possess two conformations, i.e.e,e‐trans‐chdc²⁻ and e,a‐cis‐chdc²⁻. The cis‐1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands bridge the Cd^II cations to form a trinuclear {Cd₃}‐based chain along the b axis, while the trans‐1,4‐chdc²⁻ ligands further link adjacent one‐dimensional chains to construct an interesting two‐dimensional network.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behaviour of Two 1‐D Chain Manganese‐Nitroxide Complexes Bridged by Isophthalate Anions

Two one‐dimensional (1‐D) chain manganese‐nitroxide complexes {[Mn(NIT4Py)₂(ip)(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( 1 ) and [Mn(IM4Py)₂(ip)(H₂O)₂]_n ( 2 ) (NIT4Py = 2‐(4′‐pyridinyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl‐3‐oxide, IM4Py = 2‐(4′‐pyridinyl)‐4,4,5,5‐tetramethylimidazoline‐1‐oxyl and ip = isophthalate anion) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectrum and electronic absorption spectra. Complex 1 was structurally characterized and it crystallizes in neutral 1‐D chains where Mn^II nitroxide units [Mn(NIT4Py)₂(H₂O)₂] are linked by isophthalate anions. The magnetic measurements show that complex 1 exhibits antiferromagnetic couplings, while complex 2 exhibits ferromagnetic interactions between the Mn^II ion and the nitroxide radicals.     

Synthesis,Structure and Characterization of a Novel One‐dimensional Tube‐like Cadmium Coordination Polymer

By the self‐assembly of 2‐aminobenzimidazole ( L ), Nadca (Nadca = dicyanamide sodium) and CdCl₂, a novel one‐dimensional (1D) Cd^II coordination polymer [Cd(μ_1,5‐dca)(μ_1,3,5‐dca) L ]_n ( 1 ) ( L = 2‐aminobenzimidazole) has been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, element analysis and FT‐IR spectra. In 1 μ_1,5‐bidentate and μ_1,3,5‐tridentate dca ligands bridge Cd^II ions to form a 1D tube‐like structure, which presents a new 1D tubular structural motif of (3.4(2))(3(2).4(2).5(3)) topology in M‐dca systems (M = metallic). Solid‐state blue fluorescence spectrum of 1 also has been determined and compared with that of free ligand.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Properties of Copper(II), Zinc(II), and Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on 5‐Nitro‐isophthalate and 1,2‐(2‐Pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole

Three coordination polymers, namely {[Cu(5‐nipa)(L²²)](H₂O)₂}_n ( 1 ), [Zn(5‐nipa)(L²²)(H₂O)]_n ( 2 ), and {[Cd₂(5‐nipa)₂(L²²)(H₂O)₃](H₂O)_3.6}_n ( 3 ), were prepared under similar synthetic method based on 1,2‐(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (L²²) and ancillary ligand 5‐nitro‐isophthalic acid (5‐H₂nipa) with Cu^II, Zn^II, and Cd^II perchlorate, respectively. All the complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction indicates that complexes 1 and 2 show similar 1D chain structures, whereas complex 3 exhibits the 2D coordination network with hcb topology. The central metal atoms show distinct coordination arrangements ranging from distorted square‐pyramid for Cu^II in 1 , octahedron for Zn^II in 2 , to pentagonal‐bipyramid for Cd^II in 3 . The L²² ligand adopts the same (η³,μ₂) coordination fashion in complexes 1 – 3 , while the carboxyl groups of co‐ligand 5‐nipa^2– adopt monodentate fashion in 1 and 2 and bidentate chelating mode in 3 . These results indicate that the choice of metal ions exerts a significant influence on governing the target complexes. Furthermore, thermal stabilities of complexes 1 – 3 and photoluminescent properties of 2 and 3 were also studied in the solid state.     

The two‐dimensional coordination polymer poly[diaqua(μ2‐1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline)‐μ4‐sulfato‐μ3‐sulfato‐dicadmium(II)]

In the title coordination polymer, [Cd₂(SO₄)₂(C₁₃H₈N₄)(H₂O)₂]_n, there are two crystallographically independent Cd^II centres with different coordination geometries. The first Cd^II centre is hexacoordinated by four O atoms of four sulfate ligands, one water O atom and one N atom of a 1H‐imidazo[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (IP) ligand, giving a distorted octahedral coordination environment. The second Cd^II centre is heptacoordinated by four O atoms of three sulfate ligands, one water O atom and two N atoms of one chelating IP ligand, resulting in a distorted monocapped anti‐trigonal prismatic geometry. The symmetry‐independent Cd^II ions are bridged in an alternating fashion by sulfate ligands, forming one‐dimensional ladder‐like chains which are connected through the IP ligands to form two‐dimensional layers. These two‐dimensional layers are linked by interlayer hydrogen bonds, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Highly Catalytic Carbon Nanotube/Pt Nanohybrid‐Based Transparent Counter Electrode for Efficient Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

Low‐cost transparent counter electrodes (CEs) for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are prepared by using nanohybrids of carbon nanotube (CNT)‐supported platinum nanoparticles as highly active catalysts. The nanohybrids, synthesized by an ionic‐liquid‐assisted sonochemical method, are directly deposited on either rigid glass or flexible plastic substrates by a facile electrospray method for operation as CEs. Their electrochemical performances are examined by cyclic voltammetry, current density–voltage characteristics, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The CNT/Pt hybrid films exhibit high electrocatalytic activity for I^?/I₃^? with a weak dependence on film thickness. A transparent CNT/Pt hybrid CE film about 100 nm thick with a transparency of about 70 % (at 550 nm) can result in a high power conversion efficiency (η) of over 8.5 %, which is comparable to that of pyrolysis platinum‐based DSSCs, but lower cost. Furthermore, DSSC based on flexible CNT/Pt hybrid CE using indium‐doped tin oxide‐coated polyethylene terephthalate as the substrate also exhibits η=8.43 % with J_sc=16.85 mA cm^?2, V_oc=780 mV, and FF=0.64, and this shows great potential in developing highly efficient flexible DSSCs.     

Enhanced π‐back‐donation resulting in the trans labilization of a pyridine ligand in an N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) PdII precatalyst: a case study

The molecular structure of the benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene–PdCl₂–pyridine‐type PEPPSI (pyridine‐enhanced precatalyst, preparation, stabilization and initiation) complex {1,3‐bis[2‐(diisopropylamino)ethyl]benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene‐κC²}dichlorido(pyridine‐κN)palladium(II), [PdCl₂(C₅H₅N)(C₂₃H₄₀N₄)], has been characterized by elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy, and natural bond orbital (NBO) and charge decomposition analysis (CDA). Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) searches were used to understand the structural characteristics of the PEPPSI complexes in comparison with the usual N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. The presence of weak C—H…Cl‐type hydrogen‐bond and π–π stacking interactions between benzene rings were verified using NCI plots and Hirshfeld surface analysis. The preferred method in the CDA of PEPPSI complexes is to separate their geometries into only two fragments, i.e. the bulky NHC ligand and the remaining fragment. In this study, the geometry of the PEPPSI complex is separated into five fragments, namely benzimidazol‐2‐ylidene (Bimy), two chlorides, pyridine (Py) and the Pd^II ion. Thus, the individual roles of the Pd atom and the Py ligand in the donation and back‐donation mechanisms have been clearly revealed. The NHC ligand in the PEPPSI complex in this study acts as a strong σ‐donor with a considerable amount of π‐back‐donation from Pd to C_carbene. The electron‐poor character of Pd^II is supported by π‐back‐donation from the Pd centre and the weakness of the Pd—N(Py) bond. According to CSD searches, Bimy ligands in PEPPSI complexes have a stronger σ‐donating ability than imidazol‐2‐ylidene ligands in PEPPSI complexes.     

Ultra‐small sugar‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene‐protected palladium nanoparticles and catalytic activity

Ultra‐small Pd nanoparticles (UNPs) represent a distinctive type of nanomaterial making them very attractive for a range of applications. Herein, chiral sugar‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with various lengths of alkyl chain (sugar‐NHCs‐ⁿC_nH_2n+1) were first used to prepare water‐soluble Pd@NHCs‐sugar UNPs via an efficient ligand‐exchange strategy, which can be handled under air and are stable over 10 months. The Pd@NHCs‐sugar UNPs were highly monodisperse, with tunable core diameters from 1.7 to 2.1 nm, and an effect of the particle size on the N‐substituted aliphatic chains was observed. To investigate the accessibility of the surface, the Pd@NHCs‐sugar UNPs were studied as catalysts for C–C coupling reaction in eco‐friendly ethanol aqueous solution without any precipitation of metallic Pd. The presence of the longest aliphatic group in the Pd@NHCs‐sugar UNPs imparts to them the highest catalyst activity (turnover number and turnover frequency up to 196 000 and 3 920 000 h^?1).     

Tailoring Coordination Polymers by Substituent Effect: A Bifunctional CoII‐Doped 1D‐Coordination Network with Electrochemical Water Oxidation and Nitroaromatics Sensing

Three Cd^II coordination polymers (CPs) were synthesized with a tripodal ligand N,N‘,N‘ ‘‐tris(4‐pyridinylmethyl)‐1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxamide in combination with three different substituted isophthalic acids with general formulas {[Cd₂( L )(NIP)₂(H₂O)₂].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 1 ), {[Cd₂( L )(AIP)₂(H₂O)₂].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 2 ) and {[Cd( L )(BIP) (H₂O)].4H₂O}_n, (CP‐ 3 ). The substituent groups on the co‐ligand had profound effect on the network topologies of the corresponding CPs as well as their properties. Out of the three, CP‐ 1 and 2 were found to form 3D networks whereas CP‐ 3 was a 1D linear chain with uncoordinated pyridyl sites. Due to its structural features CP‐ 3 was found to show interesting properties. The 1D CP containing uncoordinated pyridyl site exhibited an excellent ability for doping with Co^II which in turn acts as an efficient water oxidation electrocatalyst with required overpotential of 380 mV for an anodic current density of 1 mA cm^?2. The CP also exhibited luminescence‐based detection of nitroaromatics (LOD: 0.003 mm ) without any significant interference in presence of other organic compounds.     

The coordination polymer poly[bis[μ2‐2‐(2,2′‐bi‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)acetato]cadmium]

The title compound, [Cd(C₈H₇N₄O₂)₂]_n, crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group P with an asymmetric unit consisting of a bivalent Cd^II atom and two 2‐(2,2′‐bi‐1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)acetate (BDAC⁻) anions. Two inversion‐related BDAC⁻ ligands are oppositely arranged and bind two Cd^II ions to form a [Cd₂(BDAC)₂] rhomboid subunit which is bridged by another BDAC⁻ ligand to form an infinite ladder along the a direction containing parallelogram grids. The three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture is formed by hydrogen bonds and C—H...π and π–π interactions.     

Crystal Structures and Luminescence of Two Cadmium‐Carboxylate Cluster‐based Compounds with Mixed Ligands

Reactions of Cd(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O with 2‐quinolinecarboxylic acid (H‐QLC) in the presence of 1,4‐benzenedicarboxylic acid (H₂‐BDC) or 1,3,5‐benzenetricarboxylic acid (H‐BTC) in DMF/H₂O solvent afforded two compounds, namely, [Cd(QLC)(BDC)_1/2(H₂O)]_n ( 1 ) and [Cd(QLC)(BTC)_1/3]_n ( 2 ). Both compounds are two‐dimensional (2D) frameworks but feature different cadmium‐carboxylate clusters as a result of the presence of the polycarboxylate ligands with different geometries and coordination preference. The dinuclear Cd₂(QLC)₂ units in 1 are bridged by the pairs of bridging water ligands to give a one‐dimensional (1D) chain, which is further linked by the second ligand of BDC^2– to form a 2D structure. Compound 2 is constructed from unique hexanuclear macrometallacyclic Cd₆(QLC)₆ clusters, which are linked by the surrounding BTC^3– ligands to generate a 2D structure. Photoluminescence studies showed both compounds exhibit ligand‐centered luminescent emissions with emission maxima at 405 and 401 nm, respectively.     

A one‐dimensional ladder‐like six‐coordinate cadmium polymer: catena‐poly[bis[(S)‐2‐methylpiperazine‐1,4‐diium] [bis[trichloridocadmium(II)]‐di‐μ3‐chlorido]]

The crystal structure of the title compound {(C₅H₁₄N₂)₂[Cd₂Cl₈]}_n, (I), consists of hydrogen‐bonded 2‐methylpiperazinediium (H₂MPPA²⁺) cations in the presence of one‐dimensional polymeric {[CdCl₃(μ₃‐Cl)]²⁻}_n anions. The Cd^II centres are hexacoordinated by three terminal chlorides and three bridging chlorides and have a slightly distorted octahedral CdCl₃(μ₃‐Cl)₃ arrangement. The alternating CdCl₆ octahedra form four‐membered Cd₂Cl₂ rings by the sharing of neighbouring Cd–Cl edges to give rise to extended one‐dimensional ladder‐like chains parallel to the b axis, with a Cd...Cd distance of 4.094 (2) Å and a Cd...Cd...Cd angle of 91.264 (8)°. The H₂MPPA²⁺ cations crosslink the [CdCl₃(μ₃‐Cl)]_n chains by the formation of two N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to each chain, giving rise to one‐dimensional ladder‐like H₂MPPA²⁺–Cl₂ hydrogen‐bonded chains [graph set R₄²(14)]. The [CdCl₃(μ₃‐Cl)]_n chains are interwoven with the H₂MPPA²⁺–Cl₂ hydrogen‐bonded chains, giving rise to a three‐dimensional supramolecular network.