Basic [Au25(SCH2CH2Py)18]−⋅Na+ Clusters: Synthesis,Layered Crystallographic Arrangement,and Unique Surface Protonation

The synthesis of high‐purity and high‐yield Au₂₅ clusters protected by the basic pyridyl ethanethiol (HSCH₂CH₂Py, 4‐PyET and 2‐PyET) is presented. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction of the [Au₂₅(4‐PyET)₁₈]^??Na⁺ clusters has revealed a structure similar to that known for the phenyl ethanethiolate analogue, but with pyridyl‐N coordination to Na⁺, a more relaxed ligand shell, and a profoundly layered arrangement in the solid state. Because of the pendant Py moiety, the [Au₂₅(PyET)₁₈]^? clusters are endowed with unique (de)protonation equilibria, which has been characterized in detail by UV/Vis absorption and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. [Au₂₅(PyET)₁₈]^? clusters showed an unexpectedly H⁺‐dependent solubility that is tunable in aqueous and organic solvents. The successful synthesis of the basic Py‐terminated thiolate‐protected Au₂₅ clusters paves the way to realize a new family of metalloid clusters possessing basic properties.     

Same Magic Number but Different Arrangement: Alkynyl‐Protected Au25 with D3 Symmetry

Two homoleptic alkynyl‐protected gold clusters with compositions of Na[Au₂₅(C≡CAr)₁₈] and (Ph₄P)[Au₂₅(C≡CAr)₁₈] (Na? 1 and Ph₄P? 1 , Ar=3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) were synthesized via a direct reduction method. 1 is a magic cluster analogous to [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? in terms of electron counts and metal‐to‐ligand ratio. Single‐crystal structure analysis reveals that 1 has an identical Au₁₃ kernel to [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^?, but adopts a distinctly different arrangement of the six peripheral dimer staple motifs. The steric hindrance of alkynyl ligands is responsible for the D₃ arrangement of Au₂₅. The introduction of alkynyl also significantly changes the optical absorption features of the nanocluster as supported by DFT calculations. This magic cluster confirms that there is a similar but quite different parallel alkynyl‐protected metal cluster universe in comparison to the thiolated one.     

Templated Atom‐Precise Galvanic Synthesis and Structure Elucidation of a [Ag24Au(SR)18]− Nanocluster

Synthesis of atom‐precise alloy nanoclusters with uniform composition is challenging when the alloying atoms are similar in size (for example, Ag and Au). A galvanic exchange strategy has been devised to produce a compositionally uniform [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? cluster (SR: thiolate) using a pure [Ag₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? cluster as a template. Conversely, the direct synthesis of Ag₂₄Au cluster leads to a mixture of [Ag_25?xAu_x(SR)₁₈]^?, x=1–8. Mass spectrometry and crystallography of [Ag₂₄Au(SR)₁₈]^? reveal the presence of the Au heteroatom at the Ag₂₅ center, forming Ag₂₄Au. The successful exchange of the central Ag of Ag₂₅ with Au causes perturbations in the Ag₂₅ crystal structure, which are reflected in the absorption, luminescence, and ambient stability of the particle. These properties are compared with those of Ag₂₅ and Ag₂₄Pd clusters with same ligand and structural framework, providing new insights into the modulation of cluster properties with dopants at the single‐atom level.     

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.     

Salts of Anionic Metal Carbonyl Clusters with Cryptand[2.2.2](Na+), DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na+), and Paramagnetic Cp*2Cr+ Cations Obtained by Reduction

Reduction of neutral metal clusters (Co₄(CO)₁₂, Ru₃(CO)₁₂, Fe₃(CO)₁₂, Ir₄(CO)₁₂, Rh₆(CO)₁₆, {CpMo(CO)₃}₂, {Mn(CO)₅}₂) by decamethylchromocene (Cp*₂Cr) or sodium fluorenone ketyl in the presence of cryptand[2.2.2] and DB‐18‐crown‐6 was studied. Nine new salts with paramagnetic Cp*₂Cr⁺, cryptand[2.2.2](Na⁺), and DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺) cations and [Co₆(CO)₁₅]^2– ( 1 , 2 ), [Ru₆(CO)₁₈]^2– ( 3 – 4 ) dianions, [Rh₁₁(CO)₂₃]^3– ( 6 ) trianions, and new [Ir₈(CO)₁₈]^2– ( 5 ) dianions were obtained and structurally characterized. The increase of nuclearity of clusters under reduction was shown. Fe₃(CO)₁₂ preserves the Fe₃ core under reduction forming the [Fe₃(CO)₁₁]^2– dianions in 7 . The [CpMo(CO)₃]₂ and [Mn(CO)₅]₂ dimers dissociate under reduction forming mononuclear [CpMo(CO)₃]^– ( 8 ) and [Mn(CO)₅]^– ( 9 ) anions. In all anions the increase of negative charge on metal atoms shifts the bands attributed to carbonyl C–O stretching vibrations to smaller wavenumbers in agreement with the elongation of the C–O bonds in 1 – 9 . In contrast, the M–C(CO) bonds are noticeably shortened at the reduction. Magnetic susceptibility of the salts with Cp*₂Cr⁺ is defined by high spin Cp*₂Cr⁺ (S = 3/2) species, whereas all obtained anionic metal clusters and mononuclear anions are diamagnetic. Rather weak magnetic coupling between S = 3/2 spins is observed with Weiss temperature from –1 to –11 K. That is explained by rather long distances between Cp*₂Cr⁺ and the absence of effective π–π interaction between them except compound 7 showing the largest Weiss temperature of –11 K. The {DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺)}₂[Co₆(CO)₁₅]^2– units in 2 are organized in infinite 1D chains through the coordination of carbonyl groups of the Co₆ clusters to the Na⁺ ions and π–π stacking between benzo groups of the DB‐18‐crown‐6(Na⁺) cations.     

Formation,Expansion, and Interconversion of Metallarings in a Sulfur‐Bridged AuICoIII Coordination System

A novel Au^ICo^III coordination system that is derived from the newly prepared [Co(D ‐nmp)₂]^? ( 1 ^?; D ‐nmp=N‐methyl‐D ‐penicillaminate) and a gold(I) precursor Au^I is reported. Complex 1 ^? acts as a sulfur‐donating metallaligand and reacts with the gold(I) precursor to give [Au₂Co₂(D ‐nmp)₄] ( 2 ), which has an eight‐membered Au^I₂Co^III₂ metallaring. Treatment of 2 with [Au₂(dppe)₂]²⁺ (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) leads to the formation of [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(D ‐nmp)₄]²⁺ ( 3 ²⁺), which consists of an 18‐membered Au^I₄Co^III₂ metallaring that accommodates a tetrahedral anion (BF₄^?, ClO₄^?, ReO₄^?). In solution, the metallaring structure of 3 ²⁺ is readily interconvertible with the nine‐membered Au^I₂Co^III metallaring structure of [Au₂Co(dppe)(D ‐nmp)₂]⁺ ( 4 ⁺); this process depends on external factors, such as solvent, concentration, and nature of the counteranion. These results reveal the lability of the Au? S and Au? P bonds, which is essential for metallaring expansion and contraction.     

Ligand‐Stabilized and Atomically Precise Gold Nanocluster Catalysis: A Case Study for Correlating Fundamental Electronic Properties with Catalysis

We present results from our investigations into correlating the styrene‐oxidation catalysis of atomically precise mixed‐ligand biicosahedral‐structure [Au₂₅(PPh₃)₁₀(SC₁₂H₂₅)₅Cl₂]²⁺ (Au₂₅‐bi) and thiol‐stabilized icosahedral core–shell‐structure [Au₂₅(SCH₂CH₂Ph)₁₈]^? (Au₂₅‐i) clusters with their electronic and atomic structure by using a combination of synchrotron radiation‐based X‐ray absorption fine‐structure spectroscopy (XAFS) and ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS). Compared to bulk Au, XAFS revealed low Au–Au coordination, Au? Au bond contraction and higher d‐band vacancies in both the ligand‐stabilized Au clusters. The ligands were found not only to act as colloidal stabilizers, but also as d‐band electron acceptor for Au atoms. Au₂₅‐bi clusters have a higher first‐shell Au coordination number than Au₂₅‐i, whereas Au₂₅‐bi and Au₂₅‐i clusters have the same number of Au atoms. The UPS revealed a trend of narrower d‐band width, with apparent d‐band spin–orbit splitting and higher binding energy of d‐band center position for Au₂₅‐bi and Au₂₅‐i. We propose that the differences in their d‐band unoccupied state population are likely to be responsible for differences in their catalytic activity and selectivity. The findings reported herein help to understand the catalysis of atomically precise ligand‐stabilized metal clusters by correlating their atomic or electronic properties with catalytic activity.     

Co‐Adsorption of O2 and CO on Au2−: Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study of [Au2O2(CO)n]− (n=2–6)

The co‐adsorption of O₂ and CO on anionic sites of gold species is considered as a crucial step in the catalytic CO oxidation on gold catalysts. In this regard, the [Au₂O₂(CO)_n]^? (n=2–6) complexes were prepared by using a laser vaporization supersonic ion source and were studied by using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the gas phase. All the [Au₂O₂(CO)_n]^? (n=2–6) complexes were characterized to have a core structure involving one CO and one O₂ molecule co‐adsorbed on Au₂^? with the other CO molecules physically tagged around. The CO stretching frequency of the [Au₂O₂(CO)]^? core ion is observed around =2032–2042 cm^?1, which is about 200 cm^?1 higher than that in [Au₂(CO)₂]^?. This frequency difference and the analyses based on density functional calculations provide direct evidence for the synergy effect of the chemically adsorbed O₂ and CO. The low lying structures with carbonate group were not observed experimentally because of high formation barriers. The structures and the stability (i.e., the inertness in a sense) of the co‐adsorbed O₂ and CO on Au₂^? may have relevance to the elementary reaction steps on real gold catalysts.     

Luminescent Di‐ and Polynuclear Organometallic Gold(I)–Metal (Au2, {Au2Ag}n and {Au2Cu}n) Compounds Containing Bidentate Phosphanes as Active Antimicrobial Agents

The reaction of new dinuclear gold(I) organometallic complexes containing mesityl ligands and bridging bidentate phosphanes [Au₂(mes)₂(μ‐LL)] (LL=dppe: 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphano)ethane 1 a , and water‐soluble dppy: 1,2‐bis(di‐3‐pyridylphosphano)ethane 1 b ) with Ag⁺ and Cu⁺ lead to the formation of a family of heterometallic clusters with mesityl bridging ligands of the general formula [Au₂M(μ‐mes)₂(μ‐LL)][A] (M=Ag, A=ClO₄^?, LL=dppe 2 a , dppy 2 b ; M=Ag, A=SO₃CF₃^?, LL=dppe 3 a , dppy 3 b ; M=Cu, A=PF₆^?, LL=dppe 4 a , dppy 4 b ). The new compounds were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry The crystal structures of [Au₂(mes)₂(μ‐dppy)] ( 1 b ) and [Au₂Ag(μ‐mes)₂(μ‐dppe)][SO₃CF₃] ( 3 a ) were determined by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study. 3 a in solid state is not a cyclic trinuclear Au₂Ag derivative but it gives an open polymeric structure instead, with the {Au₂(μ‐dppe)} fragments “linked” by {Ag(μ‐mes)₂} units. The very short distances of 2.7559(6) Å (Au? Ag) and 2.9229(8) Å (Au? Au) are indicative of gold–silver (metallophilic) and aurophilic interactions. A systematic study of their luminescence properties revealed that all compounds are brightly luminescent in solid state, at room temperature (RT) and at 77 K, or in frozen DMSO solutions with lifetimes in the microsecond range and probably due to the self‐aggregation of [Au₂M(μ‐mes)₂(μ‐LL)]⁺ units (M=Ag or Cu; LL=dppe or dppy) into an extended chain structure, through Au? Au and/or Au? M metallophilic interactions, as that observed for 3 a . In solid state the heterometallic Au₂M complexes with dppe ( 2 a – 4 a ) show a shift of emission maxima (from ca. 430 to the range of 520‐540 nm) as compared to the parent dinuclear organometallic product 1 a while the complexes with dppy ( 2 b–4 b ) display a more moderate shift (505 for 1 b to a max of 563 nm for 4 b ). More importantly, compound [Au₂Ag(μ‐mes)₂(μ‐dppy)]ClO₄ ( 2 b ) resulted luminescent in diluted DMSO solution at room temperature. Previously reported compound [Au₂Cl₂(μ‐LL)] (LL dppy 5 b ) was also studied for comparative purposes. The antimicrobial activity of 1–5 and Ag[A] (A=ClO₄^?, SO₃CF₃^?) against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and yeast was evaluated. Most tested compounds displayed moderate to high antibacterial activity while heteronuclear Au₂M derivatives with dppe ( 2 a – 4 a ) were the more active (minimum inhibitory concentration 10 to 1 μg mL^?1). Compounds containing silver were ten times more active to Gram‐negative bacteria than the parent dinuclear compound 1 a or silver salts. Au₂Ag compounds with dppy ( 2 b , 3 b ) were also potent against fungi.     

Giant Emission Enhancement of Solid‐State Gold Nanoclusters by Surface Engineering

Ligand‐induced surface restructuring with heteroatomic doping is used to precisely modify the surface of a prototypical [Au₂₅(SR¹)₁₈]^? cluster ( 1 ) while maintaining its icosahedral Au₁₃ core for the synthesis of a new bimetallic [Au₁₉Cd₃(SR²)₁₈]^? cluster ( 2 ). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies reveal that six bidentate Au₂(SR¹)₃ motifs (L2) attached to the Au₁₃ core of 1 were replaced by three quadridentate Au₂Cd(SR²)₆ motifs (L4) to create a bimetallic cluster 2 . Experimental and theoretical results demonstrate a stronger electronic interaction between the surface motifs (Au₂Cd(SR²)₆) and the Au₁₃ core, attributed to a more compact cluster structure and a larger energy gap of 2 compared to that of 1 . These factors dramatically enhance the photoluminescence quantum efficiency and lifetime of crystal of the cluster 2 . This work provides a new route for the design of a wide range of bimetallic/alloy metal nanoclusters with superior optoelectronic properties and functionality.     

Aurophilic Interactions in the Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoclusters into Nanoribbons with Enhanced Luminescence

Aurophilic interactions (Au^I???Au^I) are crucial in directing the supramolecular self‐assembly of many gold(I) compounds; however, this intriguing chemistry has been rarely explored for the self‐assembly of nanoscale building blocks. Herein, we report on studies on aurophilic interactions in the structure‐directed self‐assembly of ultrasmall gold nanoparticles or nanoclusters (NCs, <2 nm) using [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? (SR=thiolate ligand) as a model cluster. The self‐assembly of NCs is initiated by surface‐motif reconstruction of [Au₂₅(SR)₁₈]^? from short SR‐[Au^I‐SR]₂ units to long SR‐[Au^I‐SR]_x (x>2) staples accompanied by structure modification of the intrinsic Au₁₃ kernel. Such motif reconstruction increases the content of Au^I species in the protecting shell of Au NCs, providing the structural basis for directed aurophilic interactions, which promote the self‐assembly of Au NCs into well‐defined nanoribbons in solution. More interestingly, the compact structure and effective aurophilic interactions in the nanoribbons significantly enhance the luminescence intensity of Au NCs with an absolute quantum yield of 6.2 % at room temperature.     

Site Preference in Multimetallic Nanoclusters: Incorporation of Alkali Metal Ions or Copper Atoms into the Alkynyl‐Protected Body‐Centered Cubic Cluster [Au7Ag8(C≡CtBu)12]+

The synthesis, structure, substitution chemistry, and optical properties of the gold‐centered cubic monocationic cluster [Au@Ag₈@Au₆(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ are reported. The metal framework of this cluster can be described as a fragment of a body‐centered cubic (bcc) lattice with the silver and gold atoms occupying the vertices and the body center of the cube, respectively. The incorporation of alkali metal atoms gave rise to [M_nAg_8?nAu₇(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ clusters (n=1 for M=Na, K, Rb, Cs and n=2 for M=K, Rb), with the alkali metal ion(s) presumably occupying the vertex site(s), whereas the incorporation of copper atoms produced [Cu_nAg₈Au_7?n(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ clusters (n=1–6), with the Cu atom(s) presumably occupying the capping site(s). The parent cluster exhibited strong emission in the near‐IR region (λ_max=818 nm) with a quantum yield of 2 % upon excitation at λ=482 nm. Its photoluminescence was quenched upon substitution with a Na⁺ ion. DFT calculations confirmed the superatom characteristics of the title compound and the sodium‐substituted derivatives.     

A mixed‐valence chair‐like tetranuclear copper(I,II) cluster with three linking modes of the 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole ligand

In the tetranuclear copper complex tetrakis[μ‐3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]bis[3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolido]dicopper(I)dicopper(II) dihydrate, [Cu^I₂Cu^II₂(C₁₂H₈N₅)₆]·2H₂O, the asymmetric unit is composed of one Cu^I center, one Cu^II center, three anionic 3,5‐bis(2‐pyridyl)‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐BPT) ligands and one solvent water molecule. The Cu^I and Cu^II centers exhibit [Cu^IN₄] tetrahedral and [Cu^IIN₆] octahedral coordination environments, respectively. The three independent 2‐BPT ligands adopt different chelating modes, which link the copper centers to generate a chair‐like tetranuclear metallomacrocycle with metal–metal distances of about 4.4 × 6.2 Å disposed about a crystallographic inversion center. Furthermore, strong π–π stacking interactions and O—H...N hydrogen‐bonding systems link the tetracopper clusters into a two‐dimensional supramolecular network.     

Synthesis of Well‐Defined Bicapped Octahedral Iron Clusters [(trenL)2Fe8(PMe2Ph)2]n (n=0, −1)

The synthesis of polynuclear clusters with control over size and cluster geometry remains an unsolved challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of open‐shell octairon clusters supported by two heptaamine ligands [o‐H₂NC₆H₄NH(CH₂)₂]₃N (^trenLH₉). The crystal structure of the all‐ferrous species ([^trenL)₂Fe₈(PMe₂Ph)₂] ( 1 ) displays a bicapped octahedral geometry with Fe? Fe distances ranging from 2.4071(6) to 2.8236(5) Å, where the ligand amine units are formally in amine, amide, and imide oxidation states. Several redox states of the octairon cluster are accessible, as ascertained using cyclic voltammetry. The one‐electron‐reduced clusters [M]⁺[(^trenL)₂Fe₈(PMe₂Ph)₂]^? (M=Bu₄N ( 2 a ); (15‐crown‐5)Na(thf) ( 2 b )) were isolated and characterized. Variable‐temperature magnetic susceptibility data indicates that the exchange coupling within the [Fe₈] core is antiferromagnetic which is attenuated upon reduction to the mixed valent anion.     

Steric Effects on the Structures,Reactivity, and Coordination Chemistry of Tris(2‐pyridyl)aluminates

Introducing substituents in the 6‐position of the 2‐pyridyl rings of tris(pyridyl)aluminate anions, of the type [EtAl(2‐py′)₃]^? (py′=a substituted 2‐pyridyl group), has a large impact on their metal coordination characteristics. This is seen most remarkably in the desolvation of the THF solvate [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li?THF] to give the monomer [EtAl(6‐Me‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 1 ), containing a pyramidal, three‐coordinate Li⁺ cation. Similar monomeric complexes are observed for [EtAl(6‐CF₃‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 2 ) and [EtAl(6‐Br‐2‐py)₃Li] ( 3 ), which contain CF₃ and Br substituents (R). This steric influence can be exploited in the synthesis of a new class of terminal Al?OH complexes, as is seen in the controlled hydrolysis of 2 and 3 to give [EtAl(OH)(6‐R‐2‐py)₂]^? anions, as in the dimer [EtAl(OH)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 5 ). Attempts to deprotonate the Al?OH group of 5 using Et₂Zn led only to the formation of the zincate complex [LiZn(6‐Br‐py)₃]₂ ( 6 ), while reactions of the 6‐Br substituted 3 and the unsubstituted complex [EtAl(2‐py)₃Li] with MeOH give [EtAl(OMe)(6‐Br‐2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 7 ) and [EtAl(OMe)(2‐py)₂Li]₂ ( 8 ), respectively, having similar dimeric arrangements to 5 . The combined studies presented provide key synthetic methods for the functionalization and elaboration of tris(pyridyl)aluminate ligands.     

Formation,Expansion, and Interconversion of Metallarings in a Sulfur‐Bridged AuICoIII Coordination System

A novel Au^ICo^III coordination system that is derived from the newly prepared [Co(D ‐nmp)₂]⁻ ( 1 ⁻; D ‐nmp=N‐methyl‐D ‐penicillaminate) and a gold(I) precursor Au^I is reported. Complex 1 ⁻ acts as a sulfur‐donating metallaligand and reacts with the gold(I) precursor to give [Au₂Co₂(D ‐nmp)₄] ( 2 ), which has an eight‐membered Au^I₂Co^III₂ metallaring. Treatment of 2 with [Au₂(dppe)₂]²⁺ (dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) leads to the formation of [Au₄Co₂(dppe)₂(D ‐nmp)₄]²⁺ ( 3 ²⁺), which consists of an 18‐membered Au^I₄Co^III₂ metallaring that accommodates a tetrahedral anion (BF₄⁻, ClO₄⁻, ReO₄⁻). In solution, the metallaring structure of 3 ²⁺ is readily interconvertible with the nine‐membered Au^I₂Co^III metallaring structure of [Au₂Co(dppe)(D ‐nmp)₂]⁺ ( 4 ⁺); this process depends on external factors, such as solvent, concentration, and nature of the counteranion. These results reveal the lability of the Au S and Au P bonds, which is essential for metallaring expansion and contraction.     

Nickel(II) Complexes of 1‐Alkyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.13,7]decane – Synthesis and Solid‐State Structures

Complexes [NiI₃(mpta)₂]I ( 1 ) and [NiI₃(ppta)₂]I ( 2 ) have been synthesized by reaction of nickel(II) halide salts with ‐1‐methyl‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane iodide (mpta⁺I^?) and 1‐(n‐propyl)‐1‐azonia‐3,5‐diaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1^3,7]decane bromide (ppta⁺Br^?) respectively. The crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 are described and are similar, with both compounds crystallizing in monoclinic space groups. The geometry about both nickel atoms is that of a trigonal bipyramid with the cationic phosphine ligands found in the axial positions and the iodide ligands arranged in the equatorial plane.     

The Structure and Optical Properties of the [Au18(SR)14] Nanocluster

Decreasing the core size is one of the best ways to study the evolution from Au^I complexes into Au nanoclusters. Toward this goal, we successfully synthesized the [Au₁₈(SC₆H₁₁)₁₄] nanocluster using the [Au₁₈(SG)₁₄] (SG=L ‐glutathione) nanocluster as the starting material to react with cyclohexylthiol, and determined the X‐ray structure of the cyclohexylthiol‐protected [Au₁₈(C₆H₁₁S)₁₄] nanocluster. The [Au₁₈(SR)₁₄] cluster has a Au₉ bi‐octahedral kernel (or inner core). This Au₉ inner core is built by two octahedral Au₆ cores sharing one triangular face. One transitional gold atom is found in the Au₉ core, which can also be considered as part of the Au₄(SR)₅ staple motif. These findings offer new insight in terms of understanding the evolution from [Au^I(SR)] complexes into Au nanoclusters.     

Synthesis,characterization, X‐ray crystal structure and in vitro antitumour activity of sodium bis(2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylato)triphenylstannate

Sodium bis[2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylato]triphenylstannate, [(CH₃OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂)‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀‐9‐COO)₂SnPh₃]^? Na⁺, compound 1, was synthesized by the 1:1 condensation of triphenyltin(IV) hydroxide with 2‐(3′,6′,9′‐trioxadecyl)‐1,2‐dicarba‐closo‐dodecaborane‐1‐carboxylic acid and crystallized in the presence of sodium bicarbonate. Its structure was determined by spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X‐ray diffraction. The structure of 1 consists of trigonal bipyramidal [Sn(Ph)₃(L)₂]^? anions and Na⁺ cations coordinated by oxygen atoms of polyoxaalkyl chains of different stannate anions, forming cation–anion chains elongated along the c axis. Compound 1 is significantly more active in vitro against seven tumour cell lines of human origin than 5‐fluorouracil, cis‐platin, carboplatin, and previously reported organotin carboranecarboxylates, but is less active than organotin polyoxaalkylcarboxylates. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Five New Coordination Polymers Based on Benzophenone‐2, 4′‐dicarboxylic Acid and N‐Donor Spacers

Five new coordination polymers, namely, [Ni₂(L)₂(4, 4′‐bipy)₃)] · H₂O]_n ( 1 ), [Ni₂(L)₂(O) (bpp)₂]_n ( 2 ), [Zn(L)(bib)_0.5]_n ( 3 ), [Zn(L)(PyBIm)]_n ( 4 ), and [Zn₃(L)₂(OH)(im)]_n ( 5 ) [H₂L = benzophenone‐2, 4′‐dicarboxylic acid, 4, 4′‐bipy = 4, 4′‐bipyridine, bpp = 1, 3‐bis(4‐pyridyl)propane, PyBIm = 2‐(4‐pyridyl)benzimidazole, and im = imidazole] were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Structure determination revealed that compound 1 is a 3D network and exhibits a 4‐connected metal‐organic framework with (4².6³.8) topology, whereas compounds 2 , 3 , 4 , and 5 are two‐dimensional layer structures. In compounds 2 – 4 , dinuclear metal clusters are formed through carboxylic groups. In compound 5 , trinuclear metal clusters are formed through μ₃‐OH and carboxylic groups. The carboxylic groups exhibit three coordination modes in compounds 1 – 5 : monodentately, bidentate‐chelating, and bis‐monodentately. Furthermore, the luminescent properties for compounds 3 , 4 , and 5 were investigated.