Synthesis and structure of N-salicylidene-o-aminophenolato gallium(III) complexes

The reactions of Ga(acac)₃ with N-salicylidene-o-aminophenol (saphH₂) and its 5-methyl (5MesaphH₂) and 5-bromo (5BrsaphH₂) derivatives in alcohols afforded the complexes [Ga(acac)(saph)(EtOH)] (1), [Ga(acac)(5Mesaph)(MeOH)] (2) and [Ga(acac)(5Brsaph)(EtOH)] (3), respectively, in good yields. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been solved by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. All three complexes are mononuclear with the Ga^III atoms being surrounded by a dianionic tridentate Schiff base ligand, one bidentate acac⁻ ligand and a terminal alcohol molecule. Characteristic IR data are discussed in terms of the nature of bonding and the structures of the three complexes.     

Synthesis, spectral and structural studies of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-piperazine-4-carbodithioate and its Co(III), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes

The new complexes [Co(ecpzdtc)₃] (2) [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] (3) and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O (4) have been synthesized from sodium 1-ethoxycarbonyl-piperazine-4-carbodithioate [(Na⁺(ecpzdtc)⁻]. The ligand and the complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, magnetic susceptibility and single crystal X-ray data. The [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O complexes contain pyridine as the co-ligand. [Co(ecpzdtc)₃] (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic system, whereas [Zn(ecpzdtc)₂(py)] (3) and [Cd(ecpzdtc)₂(py)]·H₂O (4) crystallize in the triclinic system. The sulfur donor sites of the bidentate ligand chelate the metal center, forming a four-membered CS₂M ring. The cobalt complex has a distorted octahedral geometry, the zinc complex is almost between trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal, whereas the cadmium complex is square pyramidal. The crystal structures of all the complexes are stabilized by various types of inter and intramolecular hydrogen bonding.     

Mononuclear Fe(III) and tetranuclear [Fe(III)Gd(III)]2 complexes with a Schiff-base ligand derived from the o-vanillin: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties

The mononuclear high-spin iron(III) complexes [Fe(3-MeOsalpn)Cl(H₂O)] (1) and [Fe(3-MeOsalpn)(NCS)(H₂O)]·0.5CH₃CN (2) and the tetranuclear oxo-bridged compound [{Fe(3-MeOsalpn)Gd(NO₃)₃}₂(μ-O)]·CH₃CN (3) [3-MeOsalpn²⁻ = N,N′-propylenebis(3-methoxysalicylideneiminate)] have been prepared and magneto-structurally characterised. The iron(III) ion in 1 and 2 is six-coordinated in a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding with the two phenolate-oxygens and two imine-nitrogens from the Schiff-base building the equatorial plane and a water (1 and 2) and a chloro (1)/thiocyanate-nitrogen (2) in the axial positions. The neutral mononuclear units of 1 and 2 are assembled into centrosymmetric dinuclear motifs through hydrogen bonds between the axially coordinated water molecule of one iron centre and methoxy-oxygen atoms from the Schiff-base of the adjacent iron atom. The values of the intradimer metal-metal distance within the supramolecular dimers are 4.930 (1) and 4.878 Å (2). The tetranuclear of 3 can be described as two {Fe^III(3-MeOsalpn)} units connected through an oxo-bridge, each one hosting a [Gd^III(NO₃)₃] entity in the outer cavity defined by the two phenolate- and two methoxy-oxygen atoms. The values of the intramolecular Fe?Fe and Fe?Gd distances in 3 are 3.502 and 3.606 Å, respectively. The analysis of the magnetic data of 1-3 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K shows the occurrence of weak intermolecular antiferromagnetic interactions in 1 and 2 [J = −0.76 (1) and −0.75 cm⁻¹ (2) with the Hamiltonian defined as H = −JS_Fe1·S_Fe1] whereas two intramolecular antiferromagnetic interactions coexist in 3, one very strong between the two iron(III) ions (J₁) through the oxo bridge and the other much weaker between the iron(III) and the Gd(III) ions (J₂) across the double phenoxo oxygens [J₁ = −275 cm⁻¹ and J₂ = −3.25 cm⁻¹, the Hamiltonian being defined as H=-J₁S_Fe1·S_Fe1^′-J₂(S_Fe1·S_Gd1+S_Fe1^′·S_Gd1^′)]. These values are analysed in the light of the structural data and compared with those of related systems.     

Increasing the antibacterial activity of gallium(III) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa upon coordination to pyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones

Reaction of N(4)-phenyl-2-formylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Fo4Ph), N(4)-phenyl-2-acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Ac4Ph) and N(4)-phenyl-2-benzoylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (H2Bz4Ph) with gallium nitrate gave [Ga(H2Fo4Ph)₂](NO₃)₃ (1), [Ga(2Ac4Ph)₂]NO₃ (2) and [Ga(2Bz4Ph)₂]NO₃ (3). In all complexes coordination of the thiosemicarbazone via the N_py–N–S chelating system occurs. In 1 the thiosemicarbazone acts as a neutral ligand while in 2 and 3 the ligand is anionic. Upon slow diffusion of 2 in DMSO [Ga(2Ac4Ph)₂]NO₃·DMSO (2a) was formed. The crystal structure of 2a was determined. Upon coordination the antibacterial activity of both gallium and thiosemicarbazones against Pseudomonas aeruginosa significantly increases.     

New 3d–4f supramolecular systems constructed by [Fe(bipy)(CN)4] and partially blocked lanthanide cations

The reaction of acetonitrile (1–5) and mixed acetonitrile/water 1:1 (6–9) solutions containing the cyanide-bearing [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ building block (bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine) and the partially blocked [Ln(bpym)]³⁺ cation (Ln = lanthanide trivalent cation and bpym = 2,2′-bipyrimidine) has afforded two new families of 3d–4f supramolecular assemblies of formula [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₃][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] · H₂O · CH₃CN [Ln = Sm (1), Gd (2), Tb (3), Dy (4) and Ho (5)] and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₄][Fe(bipy)(CN)₄] [Ln = Pr (6), Nd (7), Sm (8), Gd (9)]. They crystallize in the P2₁/c (1–5) and P2/c (6–9) space groups and their structures are made up of [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ anions (1–9) and [Ln(bpym)(NO₃)₂(H₂O)_n]⁺ cations [n = 3 (1–5) and 4 (6–9)] with uncoordinated water and acetonitrile molecules (1–5) which are interlinked through an extensive network of hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking into three-dimensional motifs. Both families have in common the occurrence of the low-spin iron(III) unit [Fe(bipy)(CN)₄]⁻ where two bipy–nitrogen and four cyanide–carbon atoms build a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding around the iron atom [Fe–N = 1.980(3)–1.988(3) Å (1–5) and 1.988(2)–1.992(2) Å (6–9); Fe–C = 1.904(5)–1.952(4) Å (1–5) and 1.911(2)–1.948(3) Å (6–9)]. The main structural difference between both families concerns the environment of the lanthanide atom which is nine- (1–5)/10-coordinated (6–9) with a chelating bpym, two bidentate nitrate and three (1–5)/four (6–9) water molecules building distorted monocapped (1–5)/bicapped (6–9) square antiprisms. This different lanthanide environment is at the origin of the different hydrogen bonding pattern of the two families of compounds.     

Study on carbon-hydrogen activation of ketones by Gold(III) complexes and the synthesis and characterization of two ketonylgold(III) complexes

The acetonylgold(III) compound [Au(ppy)(CH₂COCH₃)Cl] (1) (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) was unexpectedly obtained during the crystallization process of Au(III) lactate complex [Au(ppy)(CH₃CHOHCOO⁻)Cl]. This new structure prompted us to further study the role of Au(III) complexes on the carbon-hydrogen activation of ketones. Complex [Au(ppy)(CH₂COCH₃)NO₃] (2) was synthesized by reacting [Au(ppy)(NO₃)₂] with acetone while the ketonyl Au(III) complex [Au(apd)Cl₂] (3) (Hapd = 2-acetylpyridine) was obtained through carbon-hydrogen bond activation of the acetyl group. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 have common features: a square-planar Au(III) centre coordinated by one five-membered chelate ring, one acetonyl ligand and one anion (chloride or nitrate). Both structures show that carbon-hydrogen activation of acetone by 2-phenylpyridine-Au(III) complexes leads to the formation of acetonyl-Au(III) complexes. The Au-CH₂ bond lengths (2.067(7) Å, 1 and 2.059(5) Å, 2) are similar to each other but longer than the Au-C (phenyl) bond lengths. The two softest ligands (carbanion) are also cis to each other in the thermodynamically most stable isomer. In complex 3, the σ-bonded acetyl group is confirmed by ¹³C DEPT NMR spectroscopy.     

Antimony(III) complexes with pyridine-derived thiosemicarbazones: Structural studies and investigation on the antitrypanosomal activity

The antimony(III) complexes [Sb(2Fo4Ph)Cl₂] (1), [Sb(2Ac4Ph)Cl₂] (2) and [Sb(2Bz4Ph)Cl₂] (3) were prepared with N(4)-phenyl-2-formyl- (H2Fo4Ph), 2-acetyl- (H2Ac4Ph) and 2-benzoylpyridine (H2Bz4Ph) thiosemicarbazones. The antimony(III) complexes presented antitrypanosomal activity against the epimastigote and trypomastigote forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Complexes (1) and (2) exhibited higher activity than the reference drugs benznidazole and nifurtimox.     

The supramolecular chemistry of metal complexes with heavily substituted imidazoles as ligands: Cobalt(II) and zinc(II) complexes of 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole

An investigation of the M^II/X⁻/L [M^II = Co, Ni, Cu, Zn; X⁻ = Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, NCS⁻, NO₃⁻, N₃⁻, CH₃COO⁻; L = 1-methyl-4,5-diphenylimidazole] general reaction system towards the detailed study of the intermolecular interactions utilized for controlling the supramolecular organization and the structural consequences on the structures produced has been initiated. Three representative complexes with the formulae [Co(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (1), [Zn(NO₃)₂(L)₂] (2) and [Co(NCS)₂(L)₂]·EtOH (3·EtOH) have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are isomorphous (tetragonal, I4₁cd) with their metal ions in a severely distorted octahedral Co/ZnN₂O₄ environment, while 3·EtOH crystallizes in P2₁/c with a tetrahedral CoN₄ coordination. The structural analysis of 1, 2 and 3·EtOH reveals a common mode of packing among neighbouring ligands (expressed through intramolecular π–π interactions between the 4,5-diphenylimidazole moieties), enhancing thus the rigidity and stability of the complexes. The bent coordination of the two isothiocyanates in 3 [Co–NCS angles of 173.8(2) and 160.8(2)°] seems to be caused by intermolecular hydrogen bonding and crystal packing effects.     

Triangular Ni2Ln and Ni2Y complexes derived from di-2-pyridyl ketone: Synthesis, structures and magnetic properties

The synthetic investigation of the Ni^II/M(NO₃)₃·6H₂O/di-2-pyridyl ketone [(py)₂CO] tertiary reaction system in EtOH has yielded triangular Ni₂M cationic complexes (M = lanthanide, Y). The reaction between Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O, Ni(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O, (py)₂CO and base (1:3:3:3) in EtOH under gentle heating gave the isostructural complexes [Ni₂Ln{(py)₂C(OEt)(O)}₃{(py)₂C(OH)(O)}(NO₃)(H₂O)](ClO₄)₂ (Ln = Gd, 2; Ln = Tb, 3) in high yields. The ligands (py)₂C(OEt)(O)⁻ and (py)₂C(OH)(O)⁻ are the monoanions of the hemiketal and gem-diol derivatives of (py)₂CO, respectively, formed in situ in the presence of the metal ions. The cations of 2 and 3 consist of one 8-coordinate Ln^III and two distorted octahedral Ni^II atoms in an essentially isosceles, triangular arrangement capped by a central μ₃-Ο⁻ atom of the unique 3.3011 (Harris notation) (py)₂C(OH)(O)⁻ ligand. Each metal-metal edge is bridged by the deprotonated O atom of one 2.2011 (py)₂C(OEt)(O)⁻ ligand. The isostructural complexes [Ni₂M{(py)₂C(OEt)(O)}₄(NO₃)(H₂O)]₂[M(NO₃)₅](ClO₄)₂ (M = Y, 4 ; M = Tb, 5 ; M = Dy, 6) were prepared by the 1:1 reaction of the mononuclear “metalloligand” [Ni(O₂CMe){(py)₂CO}{(py)₂C(OH)₂}](ClO₄) (1) and M(NO₃)₃·6H₂O in EtOH under mild heating in moderate to good yields. The structures of the dications of 4-6 are similar to those in 2 and 3, the only difference being the replacement of the unique 3.3011 (py)₂C(OH)(O)⁻ ligand of the latter by one 3.3011 (py)₂C(OEt)(O)⁻ group in the former. The Y^III, Tb^III and Dy^III atoms in [M(NO₃)₅]²⁻ are coordinated by five bidentate chelating nitrato groups. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the ligands. Variable temperature, solid-state direct current magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies were carried out on dried samples of 2-4. The data indicate ferromagnetic Ni?Ni and Ni?Gd exchange interactions, and an S_T = 11/2 ground state for 2. Complex 3 is characterized by a high-spin ground state while the ferromagnetic Ni?Ni interaction for 2 is independently supported by the study of 4. No out-of-phase, alternating current susceptibility signals have been detected for 3 that would be indicative of SMM behavior.     

cis-Palladium(II) complexes of derivatives of di-(2-pyridyl)methane: Study of the influence of the bridge group in the coordination mode

Palladium(II) complexes containing di-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylimine (1), di-(2-pyridyl)methanol (2) and di-(2-pyridyl)methyl-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate (4) ligands were synthesized and characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR in solution, IR and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Crystal structures of cis-dichloro[di-(2-pyridyl)-N-methylimine]palladium(II) (5), cis-dichloro[di-(2-pyridyl)methanol]palladium(II) (6) and cis-dichloro[di-(2-pyridyl)methyl-N,N-diethyldithiocarbamate]palladium(II) (7) showed a bidentate coordination mode of the di-(2-pyridyl)methane derivatives 1, 2 and 4. In these complexes is observed the formation of a five-membered chelate ring with the iminic ligand 1 and six-membered chelate rings with the pyridinic ligands 2 and 4. In all complexes the palladium atom displays a distorted square planar geometry.     

Hybrid inorganic–organic layered structures of [AuCl4] and protonated bipyridyl derivatives

Complexes of [AuCl₄]⁻ with 4,4′-dipyridylethane, 4,4′-dipyridylethene and 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide have been prepared by a solvent layering method. All three complexes pack in distinct organic and inorganic layers: [H₂-dpa][AuCl₄]Cl (1) and [H₂-dpe][AuCl₄]Cl (2) are isostructural and consist of layers of [AuCl₄]⁻ anions alternating with hydrogen-bonded dipyridyl?Cl?dipyridyl layers. In [H-bpdo][AuCl₄] (3), the organic layers consist instead of hydrogen-bonded bipyridyldioxide cations. This structure is the first report of a structure containing protonated 4,4′-bipyridine-1,1′-dioxide.     

A seven membered chelate ring complex of Mn(II) derived from bis(5-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole)-3-yl-disulfane and cleavage of the S-S bond in a Co(II) complex: Synthesis, spectral and structural characterization

The reaction of Mn(OAc)₂·4H₂O with bis(5-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole)-3-yl-disulfane (H₂ptds·2H₂O) (1) yielded new complex [Mn(ptds)(o-phen)₂] (2). It is observed that under similar conditions the reaction of Co(OAc)₂ with H₂ptds·2H₂O (1) leads to thermolysis of the S-S bond of the disulfane to yield [Co(pts)(o-phen)₂]·H₂O·0.5C₂H₅OH, with the newly generated organic ligand 5-phenyl-2H-1,2,4-triazole-3-sulfinate, (pts)²⁻. The ligand H₂ptds·2H₂O (1), [Mn(ptds)(o-phen)₂] (2) and [Co(pts)(o-phen)₂]·H₂O·0.5C₂H₅OH (3) crystallized into monoclinic, trigonal and triclinic crystal systems, respectively. The triazole ring nitrogen of the bidentate ligand chelates the Mn(II) center forming a seven membered chelate ring, while N, O donor sites of the resulting triazole sulfinate bond Co(II) to form a five membered chelate. The resulting complexes are paramagnetic and have a distorted octahedral geometry.     

Trifluoroacetylacetonate rhodium(III) methyl complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(L)][BPh4] and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh3)2(CH3)(I)] (L = CH3CN, NH3, pyridine), in comparison with their acetylacetonate analogs

The oxidative addition of CH₃I to planar rhodium(I) complex [Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂] in acetonitrile (TFA is trifluoroacetylacetonate) leads to the formation of cationic, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] (1), or neutral, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (4), rhodium(III) methyl complexes depending on the reaction conditions. 1 reacts readily with NH₃ and pyridine to form cationic complexes, cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(NH₃)][BPh₄] (2) and cis-[Rh(TFA)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(Py)][BPh₄] (3), respectively. Acetylacetonate methyl complex of rhodium(III), cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(I)] (5), was obtained by the action of NaI on cis-[Rh(Acac)(PPh₃)₂(CH₃)(CH₃CN)][BPh₄] in acetone at −15 °C. Complexes 1-5 were characterized by elemental analysis, ³¹P{¹H}, ¹H and ¹⁹F NMR. For complexes 2, 3, 4 conductivity data in acetone solutions are reported. The crystal structures of 2 and 3 were determined. NMR parameters of 1-5 and related complexes are discussed from the viewpoint of their isomerism.     

Structure,biological and electrochemical studies of transition metal complexes from N,S,N′ donor ligand 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline

The semirigid tridentate 8-(2-pyridinylmethylthio)quinoline ligand (Q1) is shown to form the structurally characterized transition metal complexes [Cu(Q1)Cl₂] (1), [Co(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (2), [Cd(Q1)(NO₃)₂] (3), [Cd(Q1)I₂] (4). [Cu(Q1)₂](BF₄)₂·(H₂O)₂ (5), [Cu(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂·(CH₃COCH₃)₂ (6), [Zn(Q1)₂](ClO₄)₂(H₂O)₂ (7), [Cd₂(Q1)₂Br₄] (8), [Ag₂(Q1)₂(ClO₄)₂] (9), and [Ag₂(Q1)₂(NO₃)₂] (10). Four types of structures have been observed: ML-type in complexes 1–4, in which the anions Cl⁻, NO₃⁻ or I⁻ also participate in the coordination; ML₂⁻ type in complexes 5–7 without direct coordination of the anions BF₄⁻ or ClO₄⁻ and with more (Cu²⁺) or less (Zn²⁺) distorted bis-fac coordinated Q1; M₂L₂-type in complex 8, in which two Br⁻ ions act as bridges between two metal ions; and M₂(μ-L)₂-type in complexes 9 and 10, in which the ligand bridges two anion binding and Ag–Ag bonded ions. Depending on electron configuration and size, different coordination patterns are observed with the bonds from the metal ions to N_pyridyl longer or shorter than those to N_quinoline. Typically Q1 acts as a facially coordinating tridentate chelate ligand except for the compounds 9 and 10 with low-coordinate silver(I). Except for 6 and 8, the complexes exhibit distinct constraining effects against both G(+) and G(-) bacteria. Complexes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 have considerable antifungal activities and complexes 1, 5, 7, and 10 show selective effects to restrain certain botanic bacteria. Electrochemical studies show quasi-reversible reduction behavior for the copper(II) complexes 1, 5 and 6.     

The effect of titanium alkoxides in the synthesis of heterobimetallic complexes by titanocene(III) alkoxide-induced metal-metal bond cleavage of metal carbonyl dimers

A series of titanocene(III) alkoxides L₂Ti(III)OR where L = Cp, R = Et(1b), ^tBu(1a), 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃(1c), 2,6-^tBu₂-4-Me-C₆H₂(1d), or L = Cp*, R = Me(2e), ^tBu(2a), Ph(2f) was synthesized and subjected to reaction with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W], [CpRu(CO)₂]₂, and Co₂(CO)₈. The Ti(III) precursors 1a, 1c, 2a, 2e, and 2f reacted with [CpM(CO)₃]₂ [M = Mo, W] to form heterobimetallic complexes L₂Ti(OR)(μ-OC)(CO)₂MCp [M = Mo, W], of which Ti and M are linked by an isocarbonyl bridge. Reactions of these Ti(III) complexes with Co₂(CO)₈ resulted in formation of Ti-Co₁ heterobimetallic complexes, from 2a, 2e, or 2f, or Ti-Co₃ tetrametallic complexes, Cp₂Ti(O^tBu)(μ-OC)Co₃(CO)₉ from 1a, 1b, or 1c. The products were characterized by NMR, IR, and X-ray crystallography. Reaction mechanisms were proposed from these results, in particular, from steric/electronic effects of titanium alkoxides.     

Syntheses and X-ray crystallographic studies of {[Ni(en)2(pot)2]0.5CHCl3} and [Ni(en)2](3-pytol)2

Two novel Ni(II) complexes {[Ni(en)₂(pot)₂]0.5CHCl₃} (3) {pot = 5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione} (1) and [Ni(en)₂](3-pytol)₂ (4) {3-pytol = 5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol} (2) have been synthesized using en as coligand. The metal complexes have been characterized by physical and analytical techniques and also by single crystal X-ray studies. The complexes 3 and 4 crystallize in monoclinic system with space group P21/a and P121/c, respectively. The complex 3 has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry with trans (pot)⁻ ligands while 4 has a square planar geometry around the centrosymmetric Ni(II) center with ionically linked trans (3-pytol)⁻ ligands. The π?π (face to face) interaction plays an important role along with hydrogen bondings to form supramolecular architecture in both complexes.     

Synthesis,structure, optical and magnetic properties of [CrL(X)3], {L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine; X = Cl,N3, NCS}

Three complexes of composition [CrL(X)₃], where L = 4′-(2-pyridyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine and X = Cl⁻, N₃⁻, NCS⁻ are synthesized. They are characterized by IR, UV–Vis, fluorescence, EPR spectroscopic, and X-ray crystallographic studies. Structural studies reveal that the Cr(III) ion is coordinated by three N atoms of L in a meridional fashion. The three anions occupy the other three coordination sites completing the mer-N₃Cl₃ (1) and mer-N₃N₃ (2 and 3), distorted octahedral geometry. The Cr–N2 has a shorter length than the Cr–N1 and Cr–N3 distances and the order Cr–N(NCS⁻) < Cr–N(N₃⁻) < Cr–Cl is observed. They exhibit some of the d–d transitions in the visible and intra-ligand transitions in the UV regions. The lowest energy d–d transition follows the trend [CrLCl₃] < [CrL(N₃)₃] < [CrL(NCS)₃] consistent with the spectrochemical series. In DMF, they exhibit fluorescence having π → π^∗ character. All the complexes show a rhombic splitting as well as zero-field splitting (zfs) in X-band EPR spectra at 77 K.     

Six-membered ring chelate complexes of Pd(II) and Pt(II) derived from di-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidin-2-ylsulfanylmethane

Cis-[MLCl₂] complexes of di-(2-pyridyl)pyrimidin-2-ylsulfanylmethane ligand (L), where M = Pd (1), and M = Pt (2) have been synthesized. Reaction of 1 with L in presence of Na[BF₄] and hot acetonitrile produced the complex [PdL₂](BF₄)₂ (3). Complexes 1-3 and ligand L have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR and NMR spectroscopy. Crystal structures of 1, 3 and L were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, showing nonplanar structures with the pyridinic rings twisted around the bridging carbon and the ipso carbon bonds. 1 and 3 displayed a bidentate coordination of L to the palladium atom with the formation of six-membered chelate rings, where the local geometry at palladium atom was distorted square planar. In 3 the palladium atom was coordinated to two dipyridyl ligands through two of the pyridinic nitrogen atoms to form a cationic complex stabilized by two tetrafluoroborate counter-ions.     

A variety of new tri- and tetranuclear Mn–Ln and Fe–Ln (Ln = lanthanide) complexes

The use of carboxylates in the synthesis of 3d/4f clusters, with or without a second organic ligand, has afforded a series of tetranuclear M₂Gd₂ complexes (M = Fe or Mn), and two new trinuclear M₂Gd (M = Fe or Mn) molecular compounds. Only one of these, [Mn₂Gd₂O₂(O₂CBu^t)₈(HO₂CBu^t)₄] (1), does not contain a multidentate chelate ligand. Two other similar tetranuclear clusters were synthesized from the use of triethanolamine (teaH₃) and 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane (thmeH₃). [Mn₂Gd₂(OH)₂(O₂CPh)₄(NO₃)₂(teaH)₂] (2) has very similar structure with 1, bearing a defective incomplete double-cubane core bridged by μ₃-O atoms, whereas in the core of [NHEt₃]₂[Fe₂Gd₂(O₂CPh)₄(thme)₂(NO₃)₄] (3) the thme³⁻ ligand caps the two incomplete cubane units, providing the triply-bridging alkoxides needed for bridging. Two new oxide-centered triangular clusters were synthesized bearing the Schiff-based chelate 2-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]methylamino}ethanol (dmemH), namely [Fe₂GdO(O₂CBu^t)₂(dmem)₂(NO₃)₃] (4), and [Mn₂GdO(O₂CBu^t)₂(dmem)₂(NO₃)₃] (5). Magnetic susceptibility measurements and/or reduced magnetization studies established that complexes 1 and 3 have an S = 5 ground state, complex 2 has S = 4, and complexes 4 and 5 are S = 7/2 in their ground states. These complexes portray the feasibility of obtaining products bearing metal cores commonly found in homometallic clusters, even when these include metals with completely different coordination chemistry and electronic structure, such as lanthanides.     

Nickel(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes of the [Ni(ndtc)3]X type: X-ray structure of [Ni(hmidtc)3][FeCl4]

A series of fourteen octahedral nickel(IV) dithiocarbamato complexes of the general formula [Ni(ndtc)₃]X·yH₂O {ndtc stands for the appropriate dithiocarbamate anion, X stands for ClO₄⁻ (1-8; y = 0) or [FeCl₄]⁻ (9-14; y = 0 for 9-12, 1 for 13 and 0.5 for 14} was prepared by the oxidation of the corresponding nickel(II) complexes, i.e. [Ni(ndtc)₂], with NOClO₄ or FeCl₃. The complexes, involving a high-valent Ni^IVS₆ core, were characterized by elemental analysis (C, H, N, Cl and Ni), UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and magnetochemical and conductivity measurements. The X-ray structure of [Ni(hmidtc)₃][FeCl₄] (9) was determined {it consists of covalently discrete complex [Ni(hmidtc)₃]⁺ cations and [FeCl₄]⁻ anions} and this revealed slightly distorted octahedral and tetrahedral geometries within the complex cations, and anions, respectively. The Ni(IV) atom is six-coordinated by three bidentate S-donor hexamethyleneiminedithiocarbamate anions (hmidtc), with Ni-S bond lengths ranging from 2.2597(5) to 2.2652(5) Å, while the shortest Ni···Cl and Ni···Fe distances equal 4.1043(12), and 6.2862(6) Å, respectively. Moreover, the formal oxidation state of iron in [FeCl₄]⁻ as well as the coordination geometry in its vicinity was also proved by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy in the case of 9.