Conformational isomerism and weak molecular and magnetic interactions in ternary copper(II) complexes of [Cu(AA)L']ClO4.nH2O, where AA = L-phenylalanine and L-histidine, L' = 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2-bipyridine, and n = 1 or 1.5: synthesis, single-crystal X-ray structures, and magnetic resonance investigations

Weak molecular and magnetic exchange interactions in ternary copper(II) complexes, viz., [Cu(L-phe)(phen)(H(2)O)]ClO(4) (1), [Cu(L-phe)(bpy)(H(2)O)]ClO(4) (2), and [Cu(L-his)(bpy)]ClO(4).1.5H(2)O (3), where L-phe = L-phenylalanine, L-his = L-histidine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, and bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, have been investigated. Single-crystal X-ray structures reveal that complex 2 crystallizes in a monoclinic space group P2(1), with unit cell parameters a = 7.422(7) A, b = 11.397(5) A, c = 12.610(2) A, beta = 102.10(5) degrees, V = 1043.0(11) A(3), Z = 2, R = 0.0574, and R(w) = 0.1657. Complex 3 crystallizes in a monoclinic space group C2, with a = 18.834(6) A, b = 10.563(4) A, c = 11.039(3) A, beta = 115.23(2) degrees, V = 1986.6(11) A(3), Z = 4, R = 0.0466, and R(w) = 0.1211. Molecules of 2, in the solid state, are self-assembled via weak intra- and intermolecular pi-pi stacking and H-bonding interactions. Molecules of 3 exhibit intermolecular dimeric association with the Cu.Cu separation being 3.811 A. X-ray structures and (1)H NMR studies reveal conformational isomerism in both solid and liquid states of complexes 1 and 2. The aromatic side chain of L-phe in 1 and 2 adopts either a "folded" (A) or an "extended" (B) conformation. Variable-temperature (1)H NMR and spin lattice relaxation measurements point out interconversion between conformations A and B at temperatures above 323 K. The change in molecular conformation induces a change in the electron density at the site of copper and band gap energy between HOMO and LUMO orbitals. Interestingly, in spite of paramagnetic nature, complexes 1 and 2 are amenable for both EPR and (1)H NMR spectroscopic studies. Single-crystal EPR spectra of 2 in three orthogonal planes are consistent with three-dimensional magnetic behavior. Intramolecular exchange dominates the dipolar interactions. The EPR spectra of 3 correspond to weak magnetic interactions between associated dimeric units. The structural and magnetic resonance investigations together reveal that the weak pi-pi stacking interactions are the electronic pathways for magnetic interactions in 1-3.     

Accessibility and Selective Stabilization of the Principal Spin States of Iron by Pyridyl versus Phenolic Ketimines: Modulation of the (6)A(1) ↔ (2)T(2) Ground-State Transformation of the [FeN(4)O(2)](+) Chromophore

Several potentially tridentate pyridyl and phenolic Schiff bases (apRen and HhapRen, respectively) were derived from the condensation reactions of 2-acetylpyridine (ap) and 2'-hydroxyacetophenone (Hhap), respectively, with N-R-ethylenediamine (RNHCH(2)CH(2)NH(2), Ren; R = H, Me or Et) and complexed in situ with iron(II) or iron(III), as dictated by the nature of the ligand donor set, to generate the six-coordinate iron compounds [Fe(II)(apRen)(2)]X(2) (R = H, Me; X(-) = ClO(4)(-), BPh(4)(-), PF(6)(-)) and [Fe(III)(hapRen)(2)]X (R = Me, Et; X(-) = ClO(4)(-), BPh(4)(-)). Single-crystal X-ray analyses of [Fe(II)(apRen)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (R = H, Me) revealed a pseudo-octahedral geometry about the ferrous ion with the Fe(II)-N bond distances (1.896-2.041 ?) pointing to the (1)A(1) (d(π)(6)) ground state; the existence of this spin state was corroborated by magnetic susceptibility measurements and M?ssbauer spectroscopy. In contrast, the X-ray structure of the phenolate complex [Fe(III)(hapMen)(2)]ClO(4), determined at 100 K, demonstrated stabilization of the ferric state; the compression of the coordinate bonds at the metal center is in accord with the (2)T(2) (d(π)(5)) ground state. Magnetic susceptibility measurements along with EPR and M?ssbauer spectroscopic techniques have shown that the iron(III) complexes are spin-crossover (SCO) materials. The spin transition within the [Fe(III)N(4)O(2)](+) chromophore was modulated with alkyl substituents to afford two-step and one-step (6)A(1) ? (2)T(2) transformations in [Fe(III)(hapMen)(2)]ClO(4) and [Fe(III)(hapEen)(2)]ClO(4), respectively. Previously, none of the X-salRen- and X-sal(2)trien-based ferric spin-crossover compounds exhibited a stepwise transition. The optical spectra of the LS iron(II) and SCO iron(III) complexes display intense d(π) → p(π)* and p(π) → d(π) CT visible absorptions, respectively, which account for the spectacular color differences. All the complexes are redox-active; as expected, the one-electron oxidative process in the divalent compounds occurs at higher redox potentials than does the reverse process in the trivalent compounds. The cyclic voltammograms of the latter compounds reveal irreversible electrochemical generation of the phenoxyl radical. Finally, the H(2)salen-type quadridentate ketimine H(2)hapen complexed with an equivalent amount of iron(III) to afford the μ-oxo-monobridged dinuclear complex [{Fe(III)(hapen)}(2)(μ-O)] exhibiting a distorted square-pyramidal geometry at the metal centers and considerable antiferromagnetic coupling of spins (J ≈ -99 cm(-1)).     

Immobilized metal complexes in porous organic hosts: development of a material for the selective and reversible binding of nitric oxide.

Delivery of NO to specific targets is important in fundamental studies and therapeutic applications. Various methods have been reported for delivery of NO in vivo and in vitro; however, there are few examples of systems that reversibly bind NO. Reported herein is the development of a new polymer (P-1[Co(II)]) that reversibly binds NO. P-1[Co(II)] has a significantly higher affinity for NO compared to O(2), CO(2), and CO. The polymer is synthesized by template copolymerization methods and consists of a porous methacrylate network, containing immobilized four-coordinate Co(II) sites. Binding of NO causes an immediate color change, indicating coordination of NO to the site-isolated Co(II) centers. The formation of P-1[Co(NO)] has been confirmed by EPR, electronic absorbance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies. Electronic and X-ray absorbance results for P-1[Co(II)] and P-1[Co(NO)] show that the coordination geometry of the immobilized cobalt complexes are similar to those of their monomeric analogues and that NO binds directly to the cobalt centers. EPR spectra show that the binding of NO to P-1[Co(II)] is reversible in the solid state; the axial EPR signal associated with the four-coordinate Co(II) sites in P-1[Co(II)] is quenched upon NO binding. At room temperature and atmospheric pressure, 40% conversion of P-1[Co(NO)] to P-1[Co(II)] is achieved in 14 days; under vacuum at 120 degrees C this conversion is complete in approximately 1 h. The binding of NO to P-1[Co(II)] is also observed when the polymer is suspended in liquids, including water.     

1H NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance, and density functional theory study of dinuclear pentaammineruthenium dicyanamidobenzene complexes

Paramagnetic (1)H NMR and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopies and density functional theory (DFT) spin density calculations were selectively performed on the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+,?4+,?5+) complexes, where L is 2,3,5,6-tetrachloro-, 2,5-dichloro-, 2,5-dimethyl-, and unsubstituted 1,4-dicyanamidobenzene dianion, to characterize the electronic structure of these complexes. EPR spectra of the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+) complexes in N,N'-dimethylformamide at 4 K showed a ruthenium axial signal, and thus the complexes are [Ru(II),L(2-), Ru(III)] mixed-valence systems. DFT spin density calculations of [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](3+) where L = 1,4-dicyanamidobenzene dianion gave mostly bridging-ligand centered spin distribution for both vacuum and implicit solvent calculations, in poor agreement with EPR, but more realistic results were obtained when explicit electrostatic interactions between solute and solvent were included in modeling. For the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](4+) complexes, EPR spectroscopy showed no signal down to 4 K. Nevertheless, solvent-dependent (1)H NMR data and analysis support a [Ru(III),L(2-), Ru(III)] state. Hyperfine coupling constants (A(c)/h) of trans- and cis-ammine and phenyl hydrogens were determined to be 17.2, 3.8, and -1.5 MHz respectively. EPR studies of the [{(NH(3))(5)Ru}(2)(μ-L)](5+) complexes showed a metal-radical axial signal and based on previously published (1)H NMR data, a [Ru(IV),L(2-), Ru(III)] state is favored over a [Ru(III),L(-), Ru(III)] state.     

Complexes of 5,5'-aminoacido-substituted 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands: control of diastereoselectivity with a pH switch and a chloride-responsive combinatorial library

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new chiral ligand, 2,2'-bipyridine substituted at the 5 and 5' positions by N-methyl-L-valine methyl ester (5), is presented. The ligand readily forms complexes [M(5)3]2+ where M = Co(II) and Fe(II) in CH3CN, and the complexation reaction is slightly diastereoselective (d.e. =ca. 20%) in favour of the Delta diastereomer. The addition of six equivalents of HCl to these complexes [M(II)(5)3]2+ leads to formation of Delta-[M(II)(5H2)3]8+ with a d.e. of 100%. This high diastereoselectivity can be reversed by the addition of base i.e. the diastereoselectivity can be controlled by the pH. Delta-[Fe(5H2)3]8+ was found to bind chloride ions in CD3OD-CD3CN (6:1) with a binding constant of 260 M(-1). [Co(II)(5)3]2+ can be oxidised to Delta-[Co(III)(5H2)3]9+. Formation constants for both [Co(II)(5)3]2+ and [Co(II)(5H2)3]8+ in acetonitrile were obtained by spectrophotometric titrations. In the former case, the stability constant, log beta3 = 19.5(8), is very similar to that measured for [Co(II)(bipy)3]2+ (log beta3 = 19.3(7)) but this drops significantly when the amine groups of are protonated (log beta3 = 16.5(2)). A dynamic combinatorial library was prepared by mixing three equivalents of, three equivalents of bipy, and two equivalents of Co(II) in CD3CN. The presence of all possible Delta- and Lambda-[Co(II)(5)x(bipy)(3-x)]2+ complexes was inferred from 1H NMR and ES-MS spectra. Addition of protons to this library reduced the number of components by inducing diastereoselectivity, and presence of chloride further simplified the 1H NMR spectrum, indicating that [Cl2 ligand Delta-[Co(II)(5H2)3]]6+ and [Co(II)(bipy)3]2+ were the dominant products.     

Properties of a mixed-valence (Fe(II))2(Fe(III))2 square cell for utilization in the quantum cellular automata paradigm for molecular electronics

The di-mixed-valence complex [{(eta(5)-C5H5)Fe(eta(5)-C5H4)}4(eta(4)-C4)Co(eta(5)-C5H5)]2+, 1(2+), has been evaluated as a molecular four-dot cell for the quantum cellular automata paradigm for electronic devices. The cations 1(1+) and 1(2+) are prepared in good yield by selective chemical oxidation of 1(0) and are isolated as pure crystalline materials. The solid-state structures of 1(0) and 1(1+) and the midrange- and near-IR spectra of 1(0), 1(1+), 1(2+), and 1(3+) have been determined. Further, the variable-temperature EPR spectra of 1(1+) and 1(2+), magnetic susceptibility of 1(1+) and 1(2+), M?ssbauer spectra of 1(0), 1(1+), and 1(2+), NMR spectra of 1(0), and paramagnetic NMR spectra of 1(1+) and 1(2+) have been measured. The X-ray structure determination reveals four ferrocene "dots" arranged in a square by C-C bonds to the corners of a cyclobutadiene linker. The four ferrocene units project from alternating sides of the cyclobutadiene ring and are twisted to minimize steric interactions both with the Co(eta(5)-C5H5) fragment and with each other. In the solid state 1(2+) is a valence-trapped Robin and Day class II compound on the 10(-12) s infrared time scale, the fastest technique used herein, and unambiguous evidence for two Fe(II) and two Fe(III) sites is observed in both the infrared and M?ssbauer spectra. Both EPR and magnetic susceptibility measurements show no measurable spin-spin interaction in the solid state. In solution, the NMR spectra show that free rotation around the C-C bonds connecting the ferrocene units to the cyclobutadiene ring becomes increasingly hindered with decreasing temperature, leading to spectra at the lowest temperature that are consistent with the solid-state structure. Localization of the charges in the cations, which is observed in the paramagnetic NMR spectra as a function of temperature, correlates with the fluxional behavior. Hence, the alignment between the pi systems of the central linker and the ferrocene moieties most likely controls the rate of electron exchange between the dots.     

Unusual iron(II) and cobalt(II) complexes derived from monodentate arylamido ligands

The coordination chemistry of the N-substituted arylamido ligands [N(R)(C6H3R'2-2,6)] [R = SiMe3, R' = Me (L1); R = CH2But, R' = Pri (L2)] toward FeII and CoII ions was studied. The monoamido complexes [M(L1)(Cl)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (1), Co (2)] react readily with MeLi, affording the mononuclear, paramagnetic iron(II) and cobalt(II) methyl-arylamido complexes [M(L1)(Me)(tmeda)] [M = Fe (3), Co (4)]. Treatment of 2:1 [Li(L2)(THF)2]/FeCl2 affords the unusual two-coordinate iron(II) bis(arylamide) [Fe(L2)2] (5).     

Spectral studies on cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of naphthaldehyde substituted aroylhydrazones

A series of new coordination complexes of cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) with two new aroylhydrazones, 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde isonicotinoylhydrazone (H(2)L(1)) and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-2-thenoyl-hydrazone (H(2)L(2)) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic susceptibility measurements, (1)H NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy and thermal analysis. IR spectra suggests ligands acts as a tridentate dibasic donor coordinating through the deprotonated naphtholic oxygen atom, azomethine nitrogen atom and enolic oxygen atom. EPR and ligand field spectra suggests octahedral geometry for Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes and a square planar geometry for Cu(II) complexes.     

Synthesis and studies on metal coordination with a novel carboxyamide ligand

Novel complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Pd(II) with the new ligand [N,N'-bis(2-carboxy-1-oxo-phenelenyl)ethylenediamine] (H2L) have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, magnetic susceptibility, thermal, infrared, electronic, 1H NMR and EPR spectral studies. Infrared and 1H NMR spectra show that H2L acts as a binegative tetradentate ligand. Coordination occurs through deprotonated carboxylate oxygens and nondeprotonated amido nitrogens in all the complexes. Electronic spectral studies and magnetic moment values suggest N2O2 coordination around each metal centre with strong field square planar chromophores. The probable structures of the complexes have been assigned on the basis of spectral studies. The complex formation between M(II) [M(II) = Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] and (L2-) has also been studied potentiometrically in 75% aqueous DMF at 25 degrees C in 0.1 M NaClO4. The stability constants were found to follow the order: Mn(II) < Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II) > Zn(II).     

Investigation on structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of Ln(III)-M (M = Fe(II)(HS), Co(II)) coordination polymers

The structures, luminescent and magnetic properties of three series of coordination polymers with formulas-{[Fe(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·xH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Er; 1-9), {[Co(3)Ln(2)(L(1))(6)(H(2)O)(6)]·yH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Pr-Dy, Yb; 10-17) and {[Co(2)Ln(L(2))(HL(2))(2)(H(2)O)(7)]·zH(2)O}(n) (Ln = Eu-Yb; 18-25) (H(2)L(1) = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, H(3)L(2) = 4-hydroxyl-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid) were systematically explored in this contribution. [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (1-9) and [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (10-17) series are isostructural, and display 3D porous networks with 1D nanosized channels constructed by Fe/Co-OCO-Ln linkages. Furthermore, two types of "water" pipes are observed in 1D channels. [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (18-25) series exhibit 2D open frameworks based on double-stranded helical motifs, which are further assembled into 3D porous structures by intermolecular hydrogen bonds between hydroxyl groups. The variety of the resulting structures is mainly due to the HO-substitution effect. These 3D coordination polymers show considerably high thermal stability, and do not decomposed until 400 °C. The high-spin Fe(II) ion in [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, M?ssbauer spectroscopy and magnetic studies. The luminescent spectra of coordination polymers associated with Sm(III), Eu(III), Tb(III) and Dy(III) were systematically investigated, and indicate that different d-metal ions in d-f systems may result in dissimilar luminescent properties. The magnetic properties of [Fe(II)(HS)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (3, 6, 7, 9, 13), [Co(II)-L(1)-Ln(III)] (15-17) and [Co(II)-L(2)-Ln(III)] (19-24) coordination polymers were also studied, and the χ(M)T values decrease with cooling. For the single ion behavior of Co(II) and Ln(III) ions, the magnetic coupling nature between Fe(II)(HS)/Co(II) and Ln(III) ions cannot be clearly depicted as antiferromagnetic coupling.     

Nine non-symmetric pyrazine-pyridine imide-based complexes: reversible redox and isolation of [M(II/III)(pypzca)2](0/+) when M = Co, Fe

The non-symmetric imide ligand Hpypzca (N-(2-pyrazylcarbonyl)-2-pyridinecarboxamide) has been deliberately synthesised and used to produce nine first row transition metal complexes: [M(II)(pypzca)(2)], M = Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Fe; [M(III)(pypzca)(2)]Y, M = Co and Y = BF(4), M = Fe and Y = ClO(4); [Cu(II)(pypzca)(H(2)O)(2)]BF(4), [Mn(II)(pypzca)(Cl)(2)]HNEt(3). These are the first deliberately prepared complexes of a non-symmetric imide ligand. X-ray crystal structures of [Cu(II)(pypzca)(2)]·H(2)O, [Co(II)(pypzca)(2)], [Co(III)(pypzca)(2)]BF(4), [Cu(II)(pypzca)(H(2)O)(2)]BF(4)·H(2)O and [Mn(II)(pypzca)Cl(2)]HNEt(3) show that each of the (pypzca)(-) ligands binds in a meridional fashion via the N(3) donors. In the first three complexes, two such ligands are bound such that the 'spare' pyrazine nitrogen atoms are positioned approximately orthogonally to one another and also to the imide oxygen atoms. In MeCN the [M(II/III)(pypzca)(2)](0/+) complexes, where M = Ni, Co or Fe, exhibit one reversible metal based M(II/III) process and two distinct, quasi-reversible ligand based reduction processes, the latter also observed for M(II) = Zn. [Mn(II)(pypzca)Cl(2)]HNEt(3) displays a quasi-reversible oxidation process in MeCN, along with several irreversible processes. Both copper(II) complexes show only irreversible processes. Variable temperature magnetic measurements show that [Fe(III)(pypzca)(2)]ClO(4) undergoes a gradual spin crossover from partially high spin at 298 K (3.00 BM) to fully low spin at 2 K (1.96 BM), and that [Co(II)(pypzca)(2)] remains high spin from 298 to 4 K. All of the complexes are weakly coloured, other than [Fe(II)(pypzca)(2)] which is dark purple and absorbs strongly in the visible region.     

Molecular structure and spectroscopic studies on novel complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid with Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions based on density functional theory

Novel Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) complexes of coumarin-3-carboxylic acid (HCCA) were studied at experimental and theoretical levels. The complexes were characterised by elemental analyses, FT-IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy and by magnetic susceptibility measurements. The binding modes of the ligand and the spin states of the metal complexes were established by means of molecular modelling of the complexes studied and calculation of their IR, NMR and absorption spectra at DFT(TDDFT)/B3LYP level. The experimental and calculated data verified high spin Ni(II), Co(II) and Mn(II) complexes and a bidentate binding through the carboxylic oxygen atoms (CCA2). The model calculations predicted pseudo octahedral trans-[M(CCA2)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] structures for the Zn(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) complexes and a binuclear [Mn(2)(CCA2)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] structure. Experimental and calculated (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR and UV-Vis data were used to distinguish the two possible bidentate binding modes (CCA1 and CCA2) as well as mononuclear and binuclear structures of the metal complexes.     

Electronic relaxation phenomena following (57)Co(EC)(57)Fe nuclear decay in [Mn(II)(terpy)2](ClO4)2.(1/2)H2O and in the spin crossover complexes [Co(II)(terpy)2]X2.nH2O (X = Cl and ClO4): a Mössbauer emission spectroscopic study

The valence states of the nucleogenic (57)Fe arising from the nuclear disintegration of radioactive (57)Co by electron capture decay, (57)Co(EC)(57)Fe, have been studied by M?ssbauer emission spectroscopy (MES) in the (57)Co-labeled systems: [(57)Co/Co(terpy)(2)]Cl(2).5H(2)O (1), [(57)Co/Co(terpy)(2)](ClO(4))(2).(1)/(2)H(2)O (2), and [(57)Co/Mn(terpy)(2)](ClO(4))(2). (1)/(2)H(2)O (3) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine). The compounds 1, 2, and 3 were labeled with ca. 1 mCi of (57)Co and were used as the M?ssbauer sources at variable temperatures between 300 K and ca. 4 K. [Fe(terpy)(2)]X(2) is a diamagnetic low-spin (LS) complex, independent of the nature of the anion X, while [Co(terpy)(2)]X(2) complexes show gradual spin transition as the temperature is varied. The Co(II) ion in 1 "feels" a somewhat stronger ligand field than that in 2; as a result, 83% of 1 stays in the LS state at 321 K, while in 2 the high-spin (HS) state dominates at 320 K and converts gradually to the LS state with a transition temperature of T(1/2) approximately 180 K. Variable-temperature M?ssbauer emission spectra for 1, 2, and 3 showed only LS-(57)Fe(II) species at 295 K. On lowering the temperature, metastable HS Fe(II) species generated by the (57)Co(EC)(57)Fe process start to grow at ca. 100 K in 1, at ca. 200 K in 2, and at ca. 250 K in 3, reaching maximum values of 0.3 at 20 K in 1, 0.8 at 50 K in 2, and 0.86 at 100 K in 3, respectively. The lifetime of the metastable HS states correlates with the local ligand field strength, and this is in line with the "inverse energy gap law" already successfully applied in LIESST relaxation studies.     

Observation of an Organic Acid Mediated Spin State Transition in a Co(II)-Schiff Base Complex: An EPR, HYSCORE, and DFT Study

The interactions of a weak organic acid (acetic acid, HOAc) with a toluene solution of the Co(II)-Schiff base type complex, (R,R')-N,N'-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexane-diamino Co(II) (labeled [Co(1)]), was investigated using EPR, HYSCORE, and DFT computations. This activated [Co(II)(1)] system is extremely important within the context of asymmetric catalysts (notably the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides) despite the lack of detailed structural information about the nature of the paramagnetic species present. Under anaerobic conditions, the LS [Co(II)(1)] complex with a |yz, (2)A(2)? ground state is converted into a low-spin (LS) and a high-spin (HS) complex in the presence of the acid. The newly formed LS state is assigned to the coordinated [Co(II)(1)]-(HOAc) complex, possessing a |z(2), (2)A(1)? ground state (species A; g(x) = 2.42, g(y) = 2.28, g(z) = 2.02, A(x) = 100, A(y) = 120, A(z) = 310 MHz). The newly formed HS state is assigned to an acetate coordinated [Co(II)(1)]-(OAc(-)) complex, possessing an S = (3)/(2) spin ground state (species B, responsible for a broad EPR signal with g ≈ 4.6). These spin ground states were confirmed with DFT calculations using the hybrid BP86 and B3LYP functionals. Under aerobic conditions, the LS and HS complexes (species A and B) are not observed; instead, a new HS complex (species C) is formed. This complex is tentatively assigned to a paramagnetic superoxo bridged dimer (AcO(-))[Co(II)(1)···O(2)(-)Co(III)(1)](HOAc), as distinct from the more common diamagnetic peroxo bridged dimers. Species C is characterized by a very broad HS EPR signal (g(x) = 5.1, g(y) = 3.9, g(z) = 2.1) and is reversibly formed by oxygenation of the LS [Co(II)(1)]-(HOAc) complex to the superoxo complex [Co(III)(1)O(2)(-)](HOAc), which subsequently forms the association complex C by interaction with the HS [Co(II)(1)](OAc(-)) species. The LS and HS complexes were also identified using other organic acids (benzoic and propanoic acid). Thermal annealing-quenching experiments revealed the additional presence of [Co(III)(1)O(2)(-)](HOAc) adducts, corroborating the presence of species C and the presence of diamagnetic dimer complexes in the solution, such as the EPR silent (HOAc)[Co(III)(1)(O(2)(2-))Co(III)(1)](HOAc). Overall, it appears that a facile interconversion of the [Co(1)] complex, possessing a LS ground state, occurs in the presence of acetic acid, producing both HS and LS Co(II) states, prior to formation of the oxidized active form of the catalyst, [Co(III)(1)](OAc(-)).     

Controlled intramolecular electron transfers in cyanide-bridged molecular squares by chemical modifications and external stimuli

A series of cyanide bridged Fe-Co molecular squares, [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (1), [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp*)(2)(bpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·2MeOH (2), and [Co(2)Fe(2)(CN)(6)(tp)(2)(dtbbpy)(4)](PF(6))(2)·4H(2)O (3) (tp = hydrotris(pyrazol-1-yl)borate, tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate, bpy =2,2'-bipyridine, dtbbpy =4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine), were prepared by the reactions of [Fe(CN)(3)(L)](-) (L = tp or tp*) with Co(2+) and bidentate ligands (bpy or dtbbpy) in MeOH. In the molecular squares, Fe and Co ions are alternately bridged by cyanide ions, forming macrocyclic tetranuclear cores. Variable temperature X-ray structural analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed that 1 exhibits two-step charge-transfer induced spin transitions (CTIST) centered at T(1/2) = 275 and 310 K in the solid state. The Fe and Co ions in 1 are the low-spin (LS) Fe(III) and high-spin (HS) Co(II) ions, described here in the high-temperature (HT) phase ([Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)]) at 330 K, while a low-temperature (LT) phase ([Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)]) with LS Fe(II) and Co(III) ions was dominant below 260 K. X-ray structural analysis revealed that in the intermediate (IM) phase at 298 K 1 exhibits positional ordering of [Fe(III)(LS2)Co(II)(HS2)] and [Fe(II)(LS2)Co(III)(LS2)] species with the 2:2 ratio. In photomagnetic experiments on 1, light-induced CTIST from the LT to the HT phase was observed by excitation of Fe(II) → Co(III) intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) band at 5 K and the trapped HT phase thermally relaxed to the LT phase in a two-step fashion. On the other hand, 2 and 3 are in the HT and LT phases, respectively, throughout the entire temperature range measured, and no CTIST was observed. UV-vis-NIR absorption spectral measurements and cyclic voltammetry in solution revealed that the different electronic states in 1-3 are ascribable to the destabilization of iron and cobalt ion d-orbitals by the introduction of methyl and tert-butyl groups to the ligands tp and bpy, respectively. Temperature dependence of UV-vis-NIR spectra confirmed that 1 exhibited a one-step CTIST in butyronitrile, of which T(1/2) varied from 227 to 280 K upon the addition of trifluoroacetic acid.     

Synthesis of heterometal cluster complexes by the reaction of cobaltadichalcogenolato complexes with groups 6 and 8 metal carbonyls

Metalladichalcogenolate cluster complexes [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) (3), [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2W(CO)2] (4), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Fe(CO)3] (5), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Ru(CO)2(P(t)Bu3)] (6), [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (7), and [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}(Se2C6H4)W(CO)2] (8) were synthesized by the reaction of [CpCo(E2C6H4)] (E = S, Se) with [M(CO)3(py)3] (M = Mo, W), [Fe(CO)5], or [Ru(CO)3(P(t)Bu3)2], and their crystal structures and physical properties were investigated. In the series of trinuclear group 6 metal-Co complexes, 3, 4, and 7 have similar structures, but the W-Se complex, 8, eliminates one cobalt atom and one cyclopentadienyl group from the sulfur analogue, 4, and does not satisfy the 18-electron rule. 1H NMR observation suggested that the CoW dinuclear complex 8 was generated via a trinuclear Co2W complex, with a structure comparable to 7. The trinuclear cluster complexes, 3, 4, and 7, undergo quasi-reversible two-step one-electron reduction, indicating the formation of mixed-valence complexes Co(III)M(0)Co(II) (M = Mo, W). The thermodynamic stability of the mixed-valence state increases in the order 4 < 3 < 7. In the dinuclear group 8 metal-Co complexes, 5 and 6, the CpCo(S2C6H4) moiety and the metal carbonyl moiety act as a Lewis acid character and a base character, respectively, as determined by their spectrochemical and redox properties. Complex 5 undergoes reversible two-step one-electron reduction, and an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study indicates the stepwise reduction process from Co(III)Fe(0) to form Co(III)Fe(-I) and Co(II)Fe(-I).     

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and comparative DNA binding studies of Schiff base complexes derived from L-leucine and glyoxal

The mononuclear Schiff base complexes of the type, [ML(CH₃OH)₂] [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] have been synthesized by template condensation of l-leucine and glyoxal. The complexes have been characterized on the basis of the results of the elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectroscopic studies viz, FT-IR, Mass, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectra. The UV–vis and magnetic moment data revealed an octahedral geometry around Co(II), Ni(II) ion with distortion around Cu(II) ion complex confirmed by EPR data. The conductivity data show a non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. Absorption and fluorescence spectroscopic studies support that all the complexes exhibit a significant binding to calf thymus DNA.     

Intermediate states on the way to edge-sharing BO4 tetrahedra in M6B22O39·H2O (M=Fe, Co)

The new borates Fe(II)(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O (colourless) and Co(II)(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O (dichroic: red/bluish) were synthesised under the high-pressure/high-temperature conditions of 6 GPa and 880 °C (Fe)/950 °C (Co) in a Walker-type multi-anvil apparatus. The compounds crystallise in the orthorhombic space group Pmn2(1) (Z=2) with the lattice parameters a=771.9(2), b=823.4(2), c=1768.0(4) pm, V=1.1237(4) nm(3), R(1)=0.0476, wR(2)=0.0902 (all data) for Fe(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O and a=770.1(2), b=817.6(2), c=1746.9(4) pm, V=1.0999(4) nm(3), R(1)=0.0513, wR(2)=0.0939 (all data) for Co(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O. The new structure type of M(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O (M=Fe, Co) is built up from corner-sharing BO(4) tetrahedra and BO(3) groups, the latter being distorted and close to BO(4) tetrahedra if additional oxygen atoms of the neighbouring BO(4) tetrahedra are considered in the coordination sphere. This situation can be regarded as an intermediate state in the formation of edge-sharing tetrahedra. The structure consists of corrugated multiple layers interconnected by BO(3)/BO(4) groups to form Z-shaped channels. Inside these channels, iron and cobalt show octahedral (M1, M3, M4, M5) and strongly distorted tetrahedral (M2, M6) coordination by oxygen atoms. Co(II)(6)B(22)O(39)·H(2)O is dichroic and the low symmetry of the chromophore [Co(II)O(4)] is reflected by the polarised absorption spectra (Δ(t)=4650 cm(-1), B=878 cm(-1)).     

An electron paramagnetic resonance study of copper(II)-beta-substituted beta-amino acid systems by the two-dimensional simulation method: first evidence of primarily steric effects of substituents on equilibria of metal complexes

We have studied the complex equilibria of copper(II) with a series of beta-substituted beta-amino acids (R: H, Me, Et, iBu, iPr, cHex, 1-EtPr, and tBu) in aqueous solution by pH potentiometry and electron paramagnetic resonace (EPR) spectroscopy in the range pH = 2-8 at various metal and ligand concentrations. The basicities of the corresponding donor groups differed only slightly in the series of ligands. A purely mathematical method, the matrix rank analysis carried out on the EPR spectrum package recorded in the presence of copper(II), indicated the formation of 6 independent paramagnetic species. Accordingly, Cu(2+) (aqua complex) and the complexes [CuLH](2+), [CuL](+), [CuL(2)H(2)](2+), [CuL(2)H](+), and [CuL(2)] were considered in the subsequent analysis of series of spectra, and also two isomers of [CuL(2)] were identified. The formation constants and the EPR parameters, e.g. the isotropic g-factors and the copper and nitrogen hyperfine couplings for the above species, were determined in the same optimization procedure by the simultaneous evaluation of spectra. The ligands "LH" are suggested to bind in equatorial positions through their carboxylate groups, while the amino acids in the L protonation state are likely to occupy two equatorial sites via the amino and carboxylate groups. For the isomers of [CuL(2)], the donors of the same kind are in the cis or trans position. As far as we know, this is the first reported case in which a strong correlation has been found between the steric effects of substituents characterized by Meyer's steric parameter V(a) and the protonation constants of metal complexes. The observed trend for the preference for nonprotonated complexes [CuL](+) and [CuL(2)] to increase with the steric demand of the substituent was explained by the increasing shielding effect of the substituent hindering protonation of the nonprotonated complex.     

Redox and structural properties of mixed-valence models for the active site of the [FeFe]-hydrogenase: progress and challenges

The one-electron oxidations of a series of diiron(I) dithiolato carbonyls were examined to evaluate the factors that affect the oxidation state assignments, structures, and reactivity of these low-molecular weight models for the H ox state of the [FeFe]-hydrogenases. The propanedithiolates Fe 2(S 2C 3H 6)(CO) 3(L)(dppv) (L = CO, PMe 3, P i-Pr 3) oxidize at potentials approximately 180 mV milder than the related ethanedithiolates ( Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2007, 46, 6152). The steric clash between the central methylene of the propanedithiolate and the phosphine favors the rotated structure, which forms upon oxidation. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectra for the mixed-valence cations indicate that the unpaired electron is localized on the Fe(CO)(dppv) center in both [Fe 2(S 2C 3H 6)(CO) 4(dppv)]BF 4 and [Fe 2(S 2C 3H 6)(CO) 3(PMe 3)(dppv)]BF 4, as seen previously for the ethanedithiolate [Fe 2(S 2C 2H 4)(CO) 3(PMe 3)(dppv)]BF 4. For [Fe 2(S 2C n H 2 n )(CO) 3(P i-Pr 3)(dppv)]BF 4; however, the spin is localized on the Fe(CO) 2(P i-Pr 3) center, although the Fe(CO)(dppv) site is rotated in the crystalline state. IR and EPR spectra, as well as redox potentials and density-functional theory (DFT) calculations, suggest that the Fe(CO) 2(P i-Pr 3) site is rotated in solution, driven by steric factors. Analysis of the DFT-computed partial atomic charges for the mixed-valence species shows that the Fe atom featuring a vacant apical coordination position is an electrophilic Fe(I) center. One-electron oxidation of [Fe 2(S 2C 2H 4)(CN)(CO) 3(dppv)] (-) resulted in 2e oxidation of 0.5 equiv to give the mu-cyano derivative [Fe (I) 2(S 2C 2H 4)(CO) 3(dppv)](mu-CN)[Fe (II) 2(S 2C 2H 4)(mu-CO)(CO) 2(CN)(dppv)], which was characterized spectroscopically.