Coordination solids via assembly of adaptable components: systematic structural variation in alkaline earth organosulfonate networks

A family of alkaline earth organosulfonate coordination solids is reported. In contrast to more typical crystal engineering approaches, these solids are sustained by the assembly of building blocks that are coordinatively adaptable rather than rigid in their bonding preferences. The ligand, 4,5-dihydroxybenzene-1,3-disulfonate, L, progressively evolves from a 0D, 1D, 2D, to a 3D microporous network with the Group II cations Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+), (compounds 1-4), respectively. This trend in dimensionality can be explained by considering factors such as hard-soft acid-base principles and cation radii, a rationalization which follows salient crystal engineering principles. The selective gas sorption properties of the microporous 3D network [Ba(L)(H(2)O)].H(2)O, 4, with different gaseous guests are also presented.     

Two novel alkaline earth coordination polymers constructed from cinnamic acid and 1,10‐phenanthroline: synthesis and structural and thermal properties

In coordination chemistry and crystal engineering, many factors influence the construction of coordination polymers and the final frameworks depend greatly on the organic ligands used. The diverse coordination modes of N‐donor ligands have been employed to assemble metal–organic frameworks. Carboxylic acid ligands can deprotonate completely or partially when bonding to metal ions and can also act as donors or acceptors of hydrogen bonds; they are thus good candidates for the construction of supramolecular architectures. We synthesized under reflux or hydrothermal conditions two new alkaline earth(II) complexes, namely poly[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)bis(μ‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ³O,O′:O)calcium(II)], [Ca(C₁₀H₇O₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, (1), and poly[(1,10‐phenanthroline‐κ²N,N′)(μ₃‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ⁴O:O,O′:O′)(μ‐3‐phenylprop‐2‐enoato‐κ³O,O′:O)barium(II)], [Ba(C₁₀H₇O₂)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n, (2), and characterized them by FT–IR and UV–Vis spectroscopies, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, as well as by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. Complex (1) features a chain topology of type 2,4 C4, where the Ca atoms are connected by O and N atoms, forming a distorted bicapped trigonal prismatic geometry. Complex (2) displays chains of topology type 2,3,5 C4, where the Ba atom is nine‐coordinated by seven O atoms of bridging/chelating carboxylate groups from two cinnamate ligands and by two N atoms from one phenanthroline ligand, forming a distorted tricapped prismatic arrangement. Weak C—H…O hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking interactions between phenanthroline ligands are responsible to the formation of a supramolecular three‐dimensional network. The thermal decompositions of (1) and (2) in the temperature range 297–1173 K revealed that they both decompose in three steps and transform to the corresponding metal oxide.     

Synthesis,structural characterization,and thermal properties of alkaline (earth) compounds derived from 2,4-dinitroimidazole

Eight alkaline and alkaline-earth compounds derived from 2,4-dinitroimidazole (2,4-HDNI) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR, and TG–DSC, of which K(2,4-DNI) (1), Rb(2,4-DNI)(2,4-HDNI)(H₂O)₂ (2), and Ba(2,4-DNI)₂(H₂O)₄ (3) were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the three compounds were crystallized from water, but 1 was an anhydrate. The coordination number in 1 and 3 is 10, but in 2 is 9. The 2,4-DNI adopts either η³, η², or η¹ coordination modes depending on the metal cation. In 3, there is an inversion center located on the metal. Only in 2 does water play an important role for the construction of the structure; in 3 it is a hydrogen bonding participant. TG–DSC analyses of 1 were also performed, and non-isothermal decomposition reaction kinetics were obtained.     

Isolation and structural elucidation of a new sildenafil analogue from a functional coffee

A sildenafil analogue was detected in a functional coffee sample labelled to have male sexual performance enhancement effects. This analogue was isolated and purified by flash chromatography and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Its structure was elucidated using high-resolution mass spectrometry; electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry; and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. Compared with sildenafil, instead of an N-methylpiperazinyl moiety, ring opening of the piperazine ring with the loss of a carbon atom resulted in a substituted benzenesulfonamide. The chemical name of this analogue is N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]-4-ethoxy-3-(1-methyl-7-oxo-3-propyl-6,7-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)benzenesulfonamide. It is named descarbonsildenafil because it has one less carbon atom when compared with sildenafil.     

Synthesis and photopysical properties of a polioxo ethylene chain alkaline earth metal fluorescent sensor with 2-aminoanthracene as terminal group

A new symmetric polioxo ethylene chain fluorescent probe containing 2-aminoanthracene bichromophoric as the terminal group for the alkaline earth metal cation, 2,2'-[oxybis(3-oxapentamethyleneoxy)]-bis[N-(2-anthryl)benzamide)] (1), has been synthesized. The photophysical properties of 1 have been studied by means of absorption, fluorescence spectroscopy, and (1)H NMR. The difference in emission spectra response to concentration of model compound 2-acetamido-anthracene and 1 in acetonitrile implies that intermolecular excited dimers is likely to occur. Fluorescence decay profiles of 2-acetamido-anthracene can be described by a biexponential fit, while three lifetimes, two of which are similar as those of 2-acetamido-anthracene, are found for 1. The third lifetime might be attributed to intramolecular excited dimers. Complex formation with alkaline earth metal ions are investigated in acetonitrile as solvent via fluorimetric titrations. Fluorescence intensity trend of the complex with Mg(2+) differed from those of other alkaline earth metal ions. The compound forms 1:2 (ligand/Mg(2+)) complex with Mg(2+) while formed 1:1 complexes with Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+), producing large hypochromic shifts in the emission spectra and significant cation-induced fluorescence amplifications. On the contrary, the addition of Ca(2+), Sr(2+), or Ba(2+) lead to a decrease in the fluorescence emission first, then an increase and blue shift in emission could be found at the end.     

Syntheses and characterization of energetic compounds constructed from alkaline earth metal cations (Sr and Ba) and 1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)ethane

Two new energetic compounds, [M(BTE)(H₂O)₅]_n (M=Sr(1), Ba(2)) [H₂BTE=1,2-bis(tetrazol-5-yl)ethane], have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that they are isomorphous and exhibit 2D (4,4) net framework, generated by 4-connected Sr₂(H₂O)₁₀/Ba₂(H₂O)₁₀ SBUs linked up by two independent binding modes of H₂BTE, and the resulting 2D structure is interconnected by hydrogen-bond and strong face to face π-π stacking interactions between two tetrazole rings to lead to a 3D supramolecular architecture. DSC measurements show that they have significant catalytic effects on thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate. Moreover, the photoluminescence properties, thermogravimetric analyses, and flame colors of the as-prepared compounds are also investigated in this paper.     

Anion exchange in the channels of a robust alkaline earth sulfonate coordination network

The barium sulfonate network presented herein, [[Ba2(L)(H2O)5]Cl]infinity (1), represents the first metal sulfonate compound to possess a cationic framework. The network is layered with channels between pillaring ligands in which chloride ions reside. Compound 1 contracts slightly upon dehydration but retains its overall structural motif to 420 degrees C. Significantly, the chloride ions of the structure can be exchanged in 80% yield for fluoride ions in a facile manner. This exchange is quantified by elemental analyses, gravimetric determination, and 19F NMR spectroscopy. Confirmation of retention of structure is provided by standardized powder X-ray diffraction experiments. This last point is notable as the F-analogue of the structure is not attainable by a direct synthesis. These results illustrate one of the hallmark features of supramolecular chemistry, that a robust and functional framework can result through cooperative interactions between more weakly interacting units.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of a molecular plutonium(IV) compound constructed from dimeric building blocks

Single crystals of Na(8)Pu(2)(O(2))(2)(CO(3))(6) x 12H(2)O, exhibiting bridging mu(2),eta(2)-O(2) ligands in unprecedented Pu(IV) dimeric units, were obtained at ambient temperature from an aqueous Pu(IV) peroxide carbonate solution.     

Syntheses and structural characterization of cadmium complexes constructed from a tetrakis(3-pyridylmethyl) functionalized ligand

A functionalized ligand (L?=?1,4,8,11-tetrakis(3-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) was synthesized by the reaction of 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (cyclam, L¹) with 3-(chloromethyl)pyridine hydrochloride. Hydrothermal reactions between L and two Cd(II) salts (nitrate or chloride) led to the formation of [CdCl₂(µ₄-4(pyridyl)L)] _n (1) and [Cd(µ-ONO₂)₂(µ₄-4(pyridyl)L)] _n (2), which were characterized by elemental analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 1, Cd is six-coordinate, with a CdN₄Cl₂ octahedral coordination environment forming two metallamacrocycles with the functionalized cyclam. In the structure of 2, the metal possesses a distorted CdN₄O₂ octahedral coordination geometry, also presenting two metallamacrocycles. In both structures, the ligand does not chelate, but forms extended polymeric structures.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of Sr(2)AlH(7): a new structural type of alkaline earth aluminum hydride

The title hydride and its deuteride were successfully synthesized. The heavy atom structure and hydrogen positions were determined respectively by X-ray powder diffraction and time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. They crystallize with a new monoclinic structure in space group I2 (No. 5); cell parameters: a = 12.575(1) A, b = 9.799(1) A, c = 7.9911(8) A, beta = 100.270(4) degrees (hydride), a = 12.552(1) A, b = 9.7826(8) A, c = 7.9816(7) A, beta = 100.286(4) degrees (deuteride), Z = 8. Sr(2)AlH(7) is the first example that consists of isolated [AlH(6)] units and infinite one-dimensional twisted chains of edge-sharing [HSr(4)] tetrahedra along the crystallographic c axis.     

Determination of oxygen in ternary uranium oxides by a gravimetric alkaline earth addition method

The applicability of a gravimetric method based on alkaline earth metal addition for the determination of oxygen in ternary uranium oxides of the type M—U—O (M=La, Ce and Th) is described. The oxide sample is mixed with MgO or Ba_2.8UO_5.8 and heated in air under suitable conditions. Because uranium is completely oxidized to the hexavalent state during the reaction, oxygen can be determined from the weight change. Oxygen in La_yU_1-y O_2+x is determined up to y = 0.8 with a standard deviation for x of ±0.006 with MgO. For Th_yU_1-y O_2+x, the value of x is determined with Ba_2.8UO_5.8 with a standard deviation of ±0.01 at y = 0.8. For Ce_yU_1-y O_2+x, the method can be applied only for low cerium concentrations where y = 0–0.2; the value for x with Ba_2.8UO_5.8 at y = 0.2 showed a standard deviation of ±0.002.     

Dendritic nanospace constructed by only glycerol units enhanced uptake of a fluorescent molecule in aqueous solution

A polyglycerol dendrimer (PGD) of generation 2, which consists of only glycerol units, constructed nanospace capable of uptake of a fluorescent molecule with a 1:1 stoichiometry. On the other hand, a PGD of generation 1 trapped the molecule at the outer part.     

A CNDO calculation of electron and hole defects in a mixed halide alkaline earth crystal

The CNDO method representing a large cluster embedded in the point charges of the surrounding lattice has been applied to trapped electron and hole species in BaFBr. F centers are more stable on the F^- lattice site while V_K or H centers are more stable on Br^- lattice sites. The relative energy levels show the unpaired electron 1–2 eV above the valence band edge for V_K and H centers and 5–6 eV above the valence band edge for F centers. The results are qualitatively in agreement with physical expectations in this system. Relative strengths and weaknesses of this type of calculation are     

Synthesis and structural investigation of two metal-organic frameworks constructed from alkaline earth metal cations and organic ligand 5-nitroisophthalic acid (5-NO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>BDC)

Two supermolecular co-ordination polymers [M(5-NO₂-BDC)(H₂O)₆] [M = Sr(1), Ba(2)] were prepared by the assembly of alkaline earth metal cations and symmetric organic ligand 5-NO₂-H₂BDC, respectively. These two complexes have been characterized with the aid of elemental analysis, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopic and X-ray crystallography. Both 1 and 2 have a similar 3D flowerlike supramolecular assembled by multiple interpenetration of the 1D chains where 12-membered rings share common C–O–M edges with each other extended by O–H···O hydrogen bonds. The co-ordination geometry around M (II) ions could be described as distorted tricapped trigonal prism arrangements.     

Hydrostatic pressure induced transformation of magnetism in a trimetallic CuMnFe Prussian blue analogue

With chemical co-precipitation, trimetal Prussian blue analogue Cu_0.71Mn_0.79[Fe(CN)₆]·7.3H₂O was obtained. We used supercritical carbon dioxide extraction apparatus to pressurize the samples for 10?MPa, 20?MPa, and 42?MPa for 5?h. X-ray powder diffraction data show the single-phase of the sample at different pressures with a NaCl-type face-centered cubic structure. Trimetal Prussian blue analogs Cu_0.71Mn_0.79[Fe(CN)₆]·7.3H₂O include both ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions among different metal ions and exhibit novel mixed magnetic property. Hydrostatic pressure may be a powerful tool for development of new functional magnets. Spontaneous magnetization in the field cooled (FC) magnetization above 10?MPa approaches a value three times larger than that at 1?atm, and the zero field cooled (ZFC) magnetization is also extremely sensitive to pressure. The results show that pressure can simultaneously enhance the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions in this material. The Weiss constant decreases gradually with pressure increasing from 10 to 42?MPa, due to pressure-induced electron transfer from Mn²⁺/Cu²⁺ to Fe³⁺.     

Distribution characteristics of rare earth elements in plants from a rare earth ore area

The contents of eight rare earth elements (La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb and Lu) in various plant species taken from a rare earth ore area were determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis. For a given plant, the REE patterns in root, leaf and host soil are different from each other. The REE distribution characteristics in roots of various species are very similar and resemble those in the surface water. The results of this study suggest that there is no significant fractionation between the REEs during their uptake by the plant roots from soil solution. However, the variation of the relative abundance of individual REE occurs in the process of transportation and deposition of REEs in plants.     

DNA cleavage induced by thermal electron transfer from a dimeric NADH analogue to acridinium ions in the presence of oxygen

Acridinium ions, which can intercalate to DNA, act as thermal DNA cleavers in the presence of a dimeric NADH analogue and O2 in an aqueous solution via thermal electron transfer from a dimeric NADH analogue to acridinium ions, followed by the electron-transfer reduction of O2 to O2*- by the resulting NAD radicals.     

Recent advances in tailoring the aggregation of heavier alkaline earth metal halides, alkoxides and aryloxides from non-aqueous solvents

This overview on one of the subjects treated in our group deals with the synthesis and study of low-dimensional polymer and molecular solid state structures formed with alkaline earth metal ions in non-aqueous solvents. We have chosen several synthetic approaches in order to obtain such compounds. The first concept deals with the "cutting out" of structural fragments from a solid state structure of a binary compound, which will be explained with reference to BaI2. Depending on the size and concentration of oxygen donor ligands, used as chemical scissors on BaI2, three-, two-, one- and zero-dimensional derived adducts of BaI2 are obtained, comparable to a structural genealogy tree for BaI2. A second part deals with the supramolecular approach for the synthesis of low dimensional polymeric compounds based on alkaline earth metal iodides, obtained by the combination of metal ion coordination with hydrogen bonding between the cationic complexes and their anions. Certain circumstances allow rules to be established for the prediction of the dimensionality of a given compound, contributing to the fundamental problem of structure prediction in crystal engineering. A third section describes a synthetic approach for generating pure alkaline earth metal cage compounds as well as alkali and alkaline earth mixed metal clusters. A first step deals with different molecular solvated alkaline earth metal iodides which are investigated as a function of the ligand size in non-aqueous solvents. These are then reacted with some alkali metal compound in order to partially or totally eliminate alkali iodide and to form the targeted clusters. These unique structures of ligand stabilized metal halide, hydroxide and/or alkoxide and aryloxide aggregates are of interest as potential precursors for oxide materials and as catalysts. Approaches to two synthetic methods of the latter, sol-gel and (MO)CVD (metal-organic chemical vapour deposition), are investigated with some of our compounds. (D. C. Bradley, Chem. Rev., 1989, 89, 1317-22; K. G. Caulton and L. G. Hubert-Pfalzgraf, Chem. Rev., 1990, 90, 969-95; T. P. Hanusa, Coord. Chem. Rev., 2000, 210, 329-367; T. P. Hanusa, in Comprehensive Coordination Chemistry II, ed. J. A. McCleverty and T. J. Meyer, Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2004, vol. 3, 1-92). Finally, the physical properties of some of our compounds are described qualitatively in order to show the wide spectrum of possibilities and potential applications for chemistry in this field.