Chiral functionalized bisphosphine ligands: Transition metal complexes of 1,2-bis(tert-Butylchlorophosphino)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12)

When rac- or meso-1,2-bis(tert-butylchlorophosphino)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (1a or 1b) is reacted with [M(CO)₄(NBD)] (M = Cr, Mo, NBD = norbornadiene), [Mo(CO)₄(EtCN)₂] or [W(CO)₆], rac-[Cr(CO)₄{1,2-(P^tBuCl)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀}] (2), rac- or meso-[Mo(CO)₄{1,2-(P^tBuCl)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀}] (3a or 3b) and rac-[W(CO)₄{1,2-(P^tBuCl)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀}] (4) could be isolated as pure diastereomers. UV irradiation of 1 with [Cr(CO)₆] in moist THF proceeds with hydrolysis and formation of [Cr(CO)₄{1,2-(P(OH)^tBu)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₀}] (5) which contains the metal complex-stabilized phosphinous acid. Compounds 2–5 were characterized spectroscopically (¹H, ³¹P, ¹¹B, ¹³C NMR), by mass spectrometry and by X-ray structure determination.     

2-Benzothiazolylthioacetic acid and 4,4′-bipyridine as ligands in designing low-dimensional coordination polymers: Synthesis, architectures and magnetic properties

The combined use of 4,4′-bipyridine (4,4′-bipy) and 2-benzothiazolylthioacetic acid (HBTTAA) as ligands with Mn(II), Cd(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) ions afforded six polymeric complexes, namely {[Mn₃(BTTAA)₄(4,4′-bipy)₄](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O}_n (1), [Mn(BTTAA)₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]_n (2), [Cd(BTTAA)₂(4,4′-bipy)₂]_n (3), [Cd(BTTAA)(4,4′-bipy)(NO₃)(H₂O)]_n (4), [Co(BTTAA)₂(4,4′-bipy)(H₂O)₂]_n (5) and [Cu(BTTAA)₂(4,4′-bipy)]_n (6). All these complexes have been characterized by a combination of analytical, spectroscopic and crystallographic methods. Complex 1 is a novel 2D network formed by two different 4⁴ grid networks, whereas isomorphous complexes 2 and 3 exhibit a 2Dl coordination architecture formed by the same 4⁴ grid network. In 4–6, extended 1D chains are formed, with the 4,4′-bipy molecules acting as rigid rod-like links between adjacent metal centers. The carboxylato groups of BTTAA in these complexes exhibit four different coordination modes, namely monodentate, chelating, bridging and bridging-chelating modes. The magnetic properties of 1, 2, 5 and 6 were investigated in the temperature range 2.0–300.0 K. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements show weak antiferromagnetic interactions in these complexes.     

Synthesis and characterization of half-sandwich iridium(III) and rhodium(III) complexes bearing organochalcogen ligands

Reactions of [Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl]₂ (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η⁵-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) with bi- or tri-dentate organochalcogen ligands Mbit (L1), Mbpit (L2), Mbbit (L3) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (L4) (Mbit = 1,1′-methylenebis(3-methyl-imidazole-2-thione); Mbpit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-iso-propyl-imidazole-2-thione), Mbbit = 1,1′-methylene bis (3-tert-butyl-imidazole-2-thione)) and [Tm^Me]⁻ (Tm^Me = tris (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazolyl) borate) result in the formation of the 18-electron half-sandwich complexes [Cp*M(Mbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 1a; M = Rh, 1b), [Cp*M(Mbpit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 2a; M = Rh, 2b), [Cp*M(Mbbit)Cl]Cl (M = Ir, 3a; M = Rh, 3b) and [Cp*M(Tm^Me)]Cl (M = Ir, 4a; M = Rh, 4b), respectively. All complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectra. The molecular structures of 1a, 2b and 4a have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis, EPR spectrum and X-ray structure of tetra-n-butylammonium bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato(2−)-κS,S′)platinate(III)

The new salt, tetra-n-butylammonium bis(benzene-1,2-dithiolato(2−)-κ²S,S′)platinate(III), [NBu₄][Pt(C₆H₄S₂)₂] (1), has been synthesized in ethanol/water, and fully characterized by single crystal X-ray structure determination. The central platinum in the complex ion [Pt(bdt)₂]⁻ is tetracoordinated by the S atoms of the bdt²⁻ ligands (bdt²⁻ is benzene-1,2-dithiolate) in a square-planar geometry. The well-resolved frozen solution EPR spectrum exhibits rhombic symmetry. The room temperature effective magnetic moment (μ_eff = 1.80 Bohr magneton) is in line with this spectrum and strongly supports the Pt(III) oxidation state in 1. This observation is in excellent agreement with previous results reported on closely related Ni(III), Pd(III) and Pt(III) species.     

Role of ligand conformation in the structural diversity of copper(II) and silver(I) coordination polymers containing the angular dipyridyl ligand bearing amide spacer

The new dipyridyl ligands N,N′-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bis(pyridine-4-carboxamide), L1, and N,N′-(methylenedi-p-phenylene)bis(pyridine-3-carboxamide), L2, incorporating amide spacers have been synthesized and reacted with metal salts to give complexes of the types [Cu(L1)₂X₂]_∞ (X = Cl, 1 and X = Br, 2), {[Cu(L1)₂(DMF)](NO₃)₂}_∞, 3, {[Ag₂(L1)₂](SO₄)}_∞, 4, and {[Cu(L2)(DMSO)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)}_∞, 5. All compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic methods and their structures determined by X-ray crystallography.Complexes 1, 2 and 3 form 1-D double-stranded polymeric chains showing rhombic molecular squares with approximate dimensions of 16.95 × 19.13 Å² for 1, 17.03 × 19.06 Å² for 2 and 16.66 × 19.94 Å² for 3. Complex 4 forms infinite 1-D zigzag polymeric chains, which are interlinked through a series of Ag–O interactions to form wavy 1-D ladder like chains, and complex 5 forms 1-D sinusoidal chains. While the L1 ligands in complexes 1, 2 and 3 adopt the cis conformation and that in complex 4 adopts trans conformation, the L2 ligand in complex 5 adopts the trans-anti conformation. The ligand conformations also differ in the dihedral angles between the pyridyl and phenyl rings. All complexes exhibit emissions which may be tentatively assigned as intraligand (IL) π → π* transition.     

Solid state coordination chemistry of copper(II)/α-hydroxycarboxylato/2,2′-bipyridine systems

Four new two-ligand complexes of copper(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine and one of three different α-hydroxycarboxylic acids (lactic, H₂LACO; 2-methyllactic, H₂MLACO; and mandelic, H₂MANO) were prepared. Complexes 1–3 of general formula [Cu(HL)₂(bipy)]·nH₂O (HL=monodeprotonated acid), were characterized by elemental analysis, IR, electronic and EPR spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and thermogravimetric analysis. Complexes 1 (HL=HLACO, n=2), 2 (HL=HMLACO, n=1) and 3a (the result of attempted recrystallization of 3, of formula [Cu(HMANO)(bipy)₂](HMANO)·H₂MANO·CH₃CN were studied by X-ray diffractometry. The copper atom is in an elongated, tetragonally distorted octahedral environment in 1 and 2 and in 3a has a coordination polyhedron intermediate between a square pyramid and a trigonal bipyramid, as evaluated in terms of the parameter τ. In 1 and 2 the α-hydroxycarboxylato ligand is bidentate and monoanionic but in 3a there are three forms: a monodentate monoanion, a monoanionic counterion, and a neutral molecule.     

Preparation and electrochemical behaviour of dinuclear platinum complexes containing NCN ligands (NCN=[C6H3(Me2NCH2)2-2,6]). The crystal structure of [C6H3(Me2NCH2)2-1,3-(CC)-5]2

A series of homodinuclear Pt compounds containing the anionic, potentially terdentate NCN ligand (NCN=[C₆H₃(Me₂NCH₂)₂-2,6]⁻) or its 4-ethynyl derivative were prepared. The two platinum centres are linked together in two different fashions: (i) directly linked by an ethynyl or diethynylphenyl group (head-to-head) and (ii) indirectly bonded by a ethynyl- or butadiynyl-linked bis-NCN ligand (tail-to-tail). The reaction of the head-to-head σ,σ′-ethynylide complex {Pt}CC{Pt} ({Pt}=[Pt(C₆H₃{CH₂NMe₂}₂-2,6)]⁺) with [CuCl]_n yields {Pt}Cl and [Cu₂C₂]_n, while with [Cu(NCMe)₄][BF₄] a Cu(I) bridged complex was formed: [(η²-{Pt}CC{Pt})₂Cu][BF₄]. The results of cyclic voltammetry experiments reveal that both connection modes of the two platinum centres lead to electrochemically independent Pt–NCN units. The X-ray crystal structure analysis of the neutral, tail-to-tail bridging butadiyne bis-NCNH ligand [C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)-1,3-(CC)-5]₂ is reported.     

Heterometallic clusters arising from cubic Ni3M′O4 (M′=K and Na) entity: Solvothermal synthesis with/without the assistance of microwave

Solvothermal reaction assisted with microwave leads to the formation of two unique heterometallic cubic clusters [Ni₃M′(L)₃(OH)(CH₃CN)₃]₂·CH₃CN (M′=K for 1 and M′=Na for 2, where L is an anion of 2-[(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-benzylidene)-amino]-ethanesulfonate) with higher efficiency, yields and purity than those without it. The 6-metallacrown-3 [Ni₃(OH)(L)₃]⁻ groups exhibit interesting ion trapping and self-assembly of size-different Na⁺ and K⁺ through form recognition and coordination activity in 1 and 2. The magnetic studies for 1 and 2 suggest that the {Ni₃M′O₄} (M′=K and Na) cores both display dominant ferromagnetic interactions from the nature of the binding modes of μ₃-O (oxidophenyl) and μ₃-OH.     

Theoretical investigation on possible mechanisms on regioselective formation of (η-siloxyallyl)tungsten complexes

Selective formation of (η³-siloxyallyl)tungsten complexes by reaction of hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten complexes with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds was reported experimentally. The mechanisms have been investigated by employing the model reaction of [Cp(CO)₂(H)WSi(H)–{C(SiH₃)₃}] (R), derived from the original experimental complex Cp′(CO)₂(H)WSi(H)–[C(SiMe₃)₃] (1a, Cp′ = Cp*; 1b, Cp′ = η⁵-C₅Me₄Et), with methyl vinyl ketone, under the aid of the density functional calculations at the b3lyp level of theory. It is theoretically predicted that the route involving migration of the hydride to silicon to afford a 16e intermediate [Cp(CO)₂W–SiH₂–{C(SiH₃)₃}] is inaccessible (route 2), supporting the proposition by experiments. Another route, via [2 + 4] cycloaddition followed by directly Si–H reductive elimination, is theoretically predicted to be accessible (route 1). In route 1, two possible paths with different attacking directions of the oxygen of methyl vinyl ketone at Si (WSi) are put forward. The attack at the Si atom from the hydride (H1) side of the plane W–Si–H1 in R is found to be preferred kinetically. The regioselectivity for formation of (η³-siloxyallyl)tungsten complexes, where only the exo-anti isomer was obtained, is discussed based on the consideration of thermodynamics and kinetics.     

Heterobimetallic platinum–copper and platinum–silver transition metal complexes based on cis-[Pt](CCPh)2: an overview

The reaction of cis-[Pt](CCPh)₂ {[Pt]=(bipy)Pt, (bipy′)Pt; BIPY=2,2′-bipyridine, bipy′=4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine} with different copper(I) and silver(I) salts [M′X] (M′=Cu, Ag; X=inorganic or organic ligand) produces alkynyl-bridged (hetero)bi-, tri-, tetra- or pentametallic transition metal complexes. The structural aspects and reaction chemistry of such species and the preference for one coordination mode over another is discussed. The interconversion and mechanistical aspects in the formation of the latter complexes is also reported.     

Synthesis, X-ray structure and anti-corrosion activity of two silver(I) pyrazino complexes

Two new silver(I) pyrazine complexes [Ag₂(ampyz)(NO₃)₂]_n, 1 and {[Ag(2,3-pyzdic)](NO₃)}_n, 2 (where ampyz = aminopyrazine, and 2,3-pyzdic = 2,3-pyrazinedicarboxamide) were synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. Complex 1 has a 2D sheet structure through both bridging μ_O,O′-(NO₃) groups and μ_N,N′-pyrazine moieties. A 3D structure with a characteristic (10,3)-d or 10³-utp net is formed through extensive hydrogen bonding. Complex 2 has a 1D chain structure through bridging μ_N,N′-pyrazine moieties. Strong hydrogen bonds further connect these chains to extend the dimensionality to a 3D network structure. The complexes were tested as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 0.1 M nitric acid medium using potentiodynamic polarization technique. Both complexes are of mixed type corrosion inhibitors with dominant anodic effect. The inhibition efficiencies are 68% and 50% for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. The inhibition mechanisms of both inhibitors are mainly due to adsorption of the inhibitor molecules on the surface of mild steel. All data were compared and fitted to the kinetic-thermodynamic model. The binding constants K are 3263 and 1147 for complexes 1 and 2, respectively.     

DNA binding and oxidative cleavage activity of ternary (l-proline)copper(II) complexes of heterocyclic bases

Ternary copper(II) complexes [Cu(l-pro)(B)(H₂O)](NO₃) (1, 2) where l-pro = l-proline, B is a N,N-donor heterocyclic base, viz. 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy, 1), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen, 2), are synthesized, characterized, and their DNA binding and cleavage activity studied. The bpy complex (1) is structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The complexes show the presence of a distorted square-pyramidal (4 + 1) CuN₃O₂ coordination geometry. Complex [Cu(l-pro)(bpy)(H₂O)](NO₃) (1) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with unit cell parameters: a = 7.082(3) Å, b = 10.483(5) Å, c = 11.581(5) Å, α = 89.700(7)°, β = 83.488(8)°, γ = 84.109(8)° and V = 849.7(7) Å³. The one-electron paramagnetic complexes display a d–d band near 600 nm in water and show a cyclic voltammetric response due to Cu(II)/Cu(I) couple near 0.1 V (versus SCE) in Tris–HCl buffer–0.1 M KCl. Binding interactions of the complexes with calf thymus (CT) DNA have been investigated by emission, absorption, viscosity and DNA thermal denaturation studies. The phen complex displays significant binding propensity to the CT DNA giving an order: 2 (phen)  1 (bpy). The bpy complex does not show any apparent binding to the DNA and hence poor cleavage efficiency. Complex 2 shows efficient oxidative cleavage of SC-DNA in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) involving hydroxyl radical species as evidenced from the control data showing inhibition of DNA cleavage in the presence of DMSO and catalase.     

Syntheses and structures of doubly tucked-in titanocene complexes with tetramethyl(aryl)cyclopentadienyl ligands

Titanocene–bis(trimethylsilyl)ethyne complexes [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄R)₂(η²-Me₃SiCCSiMe₃)], where R=benzyl (Bz, 1a), phenyl (Ph, 1b) and p-fluorophenyl (FPh, 1c), thermolyse at 150–160°C to give products of double C---H activation [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄Bz){η³:η⁴-C₅Me₃(CH₂)(CHPh)}] (2a), [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄Bz){η³:η⁴-C₅Me₂Bz(CH₂)₂}] (2a′), [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph){η³:η⁴-C₅Me₂Ph(CH₂)₂}] (2b), and [Ti(η⁵-C₅Me₄FPh){η³:η⁴-C₅Me₂FPh(CH₂)₂}] (2c). In the presence of 2,2,7,7-tetramethylocta-3,5-diyne (TMOD) the thermolysis affords analogous doubly tucked-in compounds bearing one η³:η⁴-allyldiene and one η⁵-C₅Me₄R ligand having TMOD attached by its C-3 and C-6 carbon atoms to the vicinal methylene groups adjacent to the substituent R (R=Bz (3a), Ph (3b), and FPh (3c)). Compound 3a is smoothly converted into air-stable titanocene dichloride [TiCl₂{η⁵-C₅Me₂Bz(CH₂CH(t-Bu)CH=CHCH(t-Bu)CH₂)}(η⁵-C₅Me₄Bz)] (4a) by a reaction with hydrogen chloride. Yields in both series of doubly tucked-in complexes decrease in the order of substituents: BzPh>FPh. Crystal structures of 1c, 2a, 2b, and 3b have been determined.     

Alcohol adducts of zinc dichloride: Molecular structure of [ZnCl2(THF){1-HOC(C6H11)2-2-NMe2C6H4}]

The aminoalcohols 1-HOCR₂-2-NMe₂C₆H₄ [R = Ph (1), R = C₆H₁₁ (2)] and 1-HOCPh₂CH₂-2-NMe₂C₆H₄ (3) react with ZnCl₂ in tetrahydrofuran to give the alcohol adducts [ZnCl₂(THF){1-HOCR₂-2-NMe₂C₆H₄}] [R = Ph (4), R = C₆H₁₁ (5)] and [ZnCl₂(THF){1-HOCPh₂CH₂-2-NMe₂C₆H₄}] (6). The complexes 4–6 were characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and 5 was also structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography.     

Synthetic and structural studies of metal complexes derived from tris(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolylmethyl)amine and pyridine derivatives

A series of metal complexes with a tripodal ligand, TMPzA, have been synthesized and characterized, and their single crystal structures have been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. It has been found that when pyridyl derivatives as auxiliary ligands are added to the reaction mixture, the tripodal ligand TMPzA loses a pendant arm and coordinates with the metal centers to form the complexes: [Cu(DMPzA)(2,2′-bipy)]·(ClO₄)₂ (1), [(DMPzA)Cu(μ-4,4′-bipy)Cu(DMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₄ (2), [(TMPzA)Cu(μ-H₂DPC)Cu(DMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₂ (3), [(DMPzA)Co(μ-H₂DPC)Co(TMPzA)]·(ClO₄)₂ (4) [TMPzA = tris(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolymethyl)amine; bipy = bipyridine; H₂DPC = pyridyl-2,6-bicarboxylate; DMPzA = bis(3,5-bimethyl-pyrazolmethyl)amine]. In order to investigate the effect of the pyridyl ring on the cleavage of the pendant arm in the tripodal ligand, a fifth complex, [(TMPzA)Co(μ-HZPC)Co(TMPzA)·(H₂O)₂]·(ClO₄)₃ (5), has been prepared by using pyrazole-carboxylate (HZPC) instead of pyridyl derivatives, and its crystal structure has been determined. It has been found that the pendant arm in TMPzA ligand has not been removed in complex 5. The results show that the complexes with TMPzA have a strong ability to recognize pyridine compounds in methanol solvent, and they have potential application for molecular devices in the future. The cleavage mechanism has been studied by DFT calculations and ESI-MS spectra.     

Platinum(IV) complexes with α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) alkanediyl and diethyl ether/thioether ligands. Crystal structures of dibromodimethyl[1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane]platinum(IV) and trimethyl-bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]etherplatinum(IV) tetrafluoroborate

Reactions of the flexible α,ω-bis(pyrazol-1-yl) compounds 1,2-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (L1), 1,8-bis(pyrazol-1-yl)-n-octane (L2), bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) and bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]thioether (L4) with precursor organometallic platinum complexes ([(PtBr₂Me₂)_n], [(PtIMe₃)₄] and [(PtMe₂(cod)]/I₂) are described herein. The spectroscopic characterization of the platinum(IV) products of these reactions [PtBr₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)_mpz}], m = 2 (1) or 8 (2), [PtI₂Me₂{pz(CH₂)₂pz}] (3), [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂pz)][BF₄] (4) and [PtMe₃(pzCH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂pz)][CF₃SO₃] (5), where ‘pz’ is pyrazol-1-yl, is discussed. Furthermore, solid state structures of 1, a complex with a seven-membered chelate ring, and 4, a complex bearing the neutral κ²N,N′,κO ligand bis[2-(pyrazol-1-yl)ethyl]ether (L3) are reported.     

Synthesis and structure of mixed-metal thiolate complex Cp′Cr(CO)2(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh3)2: Side-on-coordination of Cr–S double bond with platinum

The reaction of [Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)]₂ (1) (Cp′ = MeC₅H₄) with (PPh₃)₂Pt(PhCCPh) gives Cp′Cr(CO)₂(μ-SBu)Pt(PPh₃)₂ (2) which could be regarded as a product of the substitution of acetylene ligand at platinum by a monomeric chromium–thiolate fragment. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis 2 contains single Cr–Pt (2.7538(15)) and Pt–S (2.294(2) Å) bonds while Cr–S bond (2.274(3) Å) is shortened in comparison with ordinary Cr–S bonds (2.4107(4)–2.4311(4) Å) in 1. The bonding between Cr–S fragment and platinum atom is similar to the olefine coordination in their platinum complexes.     

Reversible photomagnetic properties of the molecular compound [{Cu(bipy)2}2{Mo(CN)8}]·9H2O·CH3OH

The optical and photomagnetic properties of [{Cu^II(bipy)₂}₂{Mo^IV(CN)₈}]·9H₂O·CH₃OH (1) have been reinvestigated. A comparison between spectra in solution and in the solid state revealed the presence of an intervalence band (or Metal–Metal Charge Transfer, hereafter noted MMCT) at 570 nm. The photomagnetic properties have been performed in a Superconducting QUantum Interference Device at 10 K with irradiation in the range of the MMCT: 488 nm, 520 nm and 647 nm at 10 K. An important increase of the magnetic signal has been measured after 1 h of irradiation at 488 nm, whereas a weaker increase has been obtained for the irradiation at 520 nm in the same conditions. Moreover, after an excitation at 488 nm, an irradiation at 647 nm has induced a decrease of the magnetic moment, which corresponds to a partial deexcitation. The complete characterization of the photoproduct has been realised after an irradiation of 4 h at 488 nm. The photomagnetic properties have shown an increase of the paramagnetism of 1 at low temperature. After a thermal heating at 300 K, the material goes back to its initial state before irradiation. It is the first time that a fully reversible photomagnetic behaviour for the compound [{Cu^II(bipy)₂}₂{Mo^IV(CN)₈}]·9H₂O·CH₃OH has been described. The observed properties have been discussed in terms of an electron transfer mechanism Mo → Cu.     

A small methanoato ligand in the structural differentiation of copper(II) complexes

Several copper(II) methanoato complexes, namely mononuclear [Cu(O₂CH)₂(2-mpy)₂] (1) (2-mpy = 2-methylpyridine), binuclear [Cu₂(μ-O₂CH)₄(2-mpy)₂] (2), and the polynuclear {[Cu(μ-O₂CH)₂(2-mpy)₂][Cu₂(μ-O₂CH)₄]}_n (3) and {Na₂[Cu(μ-O₂CH)₂(O₂CH)₂][Cu₂(μ-O₂CH)₄]}_n (4), have been synthesized. The mononuclear complex 1 is formed by two asymmetric chelate methanoate anions and two 2-methylpyridine molecules, giving a highly distorted ‘elongated octahedral’ coordination sphere. Complex 1 decomposes outside the mother-liquid, transforming into a regular isolated binuclear paddle-wheel complex 2 with four intra-binuclear bridging methanoates and two axial 2-mpy ligands. The polynuclear complex 3 is formed of alternate mononuclear and binuclear building blocks resembling the central cores of 1 and 2, but with significant differences, especially for the methanoates of the mononuclear units. The oxygen atom of the mononuclear unit in the octahedral axial position in 3 is simultaneously coordinated to the axial position of the binuclear paddle-wheel central core, thus enabling a chain type of structure. A chain of alternate mononuclear and binuclear building blocks, as in the neutral compound 3, are found as well in the ionic polymeric compound 4, though two types of bridges are found in 4, while there is only one type in 3. Namely, the axial position of the octahedral mononuclear unit in 4 is occupied by the methanoate oxygen atom that is already a part of the binuclear paddle-wheel unit, while one equatorial methanoate from the mononuclear unit serves as a triatomic bridge to the axial position of the binuclear building block. A very strong antiferromagnetic interaction is found for all the complexes with the paddle-wheel building blocks [Cu₂(μ-O₂CH)₄] 2–4 (−2J = 444–482 cm⁻¹), attributed to the methanoate intra-binuclear bridges. On the other hand, this strong antiferromagnetism, found already at room temperature, reduces the intensity of the EPR S = 1 spin signals reported for the isolated paddle-wheel complex 2. For the polymeric 3, only the spin S = ½ signals are found in the EPR spectra, and they are assigned to the mononuclear building blocks. No signals with a clear origin are however seen in the room temperature EPR spectrum of the polymeric analogue 4, only the S = ½ signals in the low temperature spectra. This feature is suggested to be due to a specific influence between the adjacent S = 1 (binuclear) and S = ½ (mononuclear) species via their bridges.     

Cyanometallate incorporated supramolecular networks based on a nitroalkyl-substituted CuN4 precursor: Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal and electrochemical studies

Two new copper(II) complexes, viz. [Cu(nelin)(H₂O)₂]₂[Fe(CN)₆] · 6H₂O (2) and [{Cu(nelin)}₂Ni(CN)₄](ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (3), have been synthesized using [Cu(nelin)](ClO₄)₂ (1) (nelin = 1,9-diamino-5-methyl-5-nitro-3,7-diazanonane) as a nitroalkyl-substituted Cu^IIN₄ precursor, and their structures and supramolecular networks have been fully explored using the single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The H-bonded 1D chains of 2 run along the a-axis, being generated from supramolecular synthons using cations and anions, and are further propagated into a 3D array to form irregular honeycomb-like channels which are divided into two halves, with each half accomodating a helical water chain running in opposite directions to each other. In complex 3, the trinuclear units are arranged in successive rows in a herringbone fashion and bifurcated hydrogen bonding through the uncoordinated terminals of the [Ni(CN)₄]²⁻ units give rise to a supramolecular (4,4) network. A comparison of the PXRD pattern of complex 2 and its dehydrated form indicate marked changes in the diffraction pattern with the development of a quasi glassy nature in the dehydrated form. The electrochemical properties of 1, 2 and 3 have been investigated in comparative ways using the cyclic voltammetric technique in aqueous and MeCN solutions with Ag/AgCl as a reference electrode. Electrochemical reduction generates the one-electron reduced nitro-radical anion. In water–alcohol glass at 77 K complex 2 exhibits a typical four-line hyperfine EPR spectra with g_|| = 2.11, g = 2.02, A_|| = 150 Oe and A = 5 Oe at ν = 9.45 MHz.