Structural and magnetic studies of tetranuclear heterometallic M/Cr (M = Co,Mn) complexes self-assembled from zerovalent cobalt or manganese,Reineckes salt and diethanolamine

Four novel heterometallic complexes [Co₂Cr₂(NCS)₄(HDea)₂(Dea)₂]·4dmf (1), [Co₂Cr₂(NCS)₄(HDea)₂(Dea)₂]·4dmso (2), [Mn₂Cr₂(NCS)₄(HDea)₂(Dea)₂(dmf)₂]·2dmf (3) and [Mn₂Cr₂(NCS)₄(HDea)₂(Dea)₂(dmso)₂]·4dmso (4) have been prepared using zerovalent cobalt (1, 2) or manganese (3, 4), Reineckes salt, ammonium thiocyanate and a non-aqueous solution of diethanolamine (H₂Dea) in air. The single X-ray analysis reveals that all compounds have similar centrosymmetric crystal structures based on a tetranuclear {M₂Cr₂(μ₃-O)₂(μ-O)₄} (M = Co, Mn) core. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1, 2 and 4 show antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic centers, while 3 exhibits a ferromagnetic behavior.     

Chains,helices, sheets and unusual 3D nets: Diverse structures of the flexible,ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazolyl)ethane

The flexible ditopic ligand 1,2-bis(3-(4-pyridyl)pyrazol-1-yl)ethane (L^4Et) displays remarkable versatility in the complexes that it forms with transition metals with products ranging from 1D chains to interpenetrating 3D networks. The L^4Et ligand itself crystallises in the space group P2₁, adopting a helical twist, although it is found in a variety of other conformations in its complexes. Coordination polymers containing the L^4Et ligand vary from almost straight, parallel 1D chains of [Ag₂(L^4Et)₂(ClO₄)₂(DMF)]·DMF (1), through interdigitating helical complexes containing tetrahedral Zn(II), [Zn(NCS)₂(L^4Et)]·DMF·H₂O (2) to 2D sheets of [Cu(L^4Et)₂(H₂O)₂](PF₆)₂·xH₂O (3) and the three-fold interpenetrating 3D network of [Co(L^4Et)₂(NCS)₂] (4). The 3D network adopts an unusual 3D 4-connected dmp (6⁵.8) topology. Dimensionality can be limited by the use of chelating co-ligands, demonstrated by the formation of the dinuclear complex [{Cu(py-2,6-CO₂)(H₂O)}₂(L^4Et)] (5).     

Yttrium thiocyanate-based supramolecular architectures: Synthesis, crystal structures, and thermal properties

The reaction of [Y(H₂O)₅(NCS)₃]·H₂O (1) with crown ether (18-crown-6) and KNCS in methanol afforded the complexes [Y(H₂O)₄(NCS)₃]·1.5(18-crown-6) (2) and [K(18-crown-6)(H₂O)_1.25]_2n{[K(18-crown-6)]₂[Y(NCS)₆]}_n·n(NCS) (3). In mononuclear complex 1, yttrium has a coordination number 8 and forms the coordination unit YO₅N₃. Complexes 1 are linked by hydrogen bonds to form a framework. The crystal structure of 2 contains the centrosymmetric ensembles [Y(H₂O)₄(NCS)₃]₂(18-crown-6)₃ formed via hydrogen bonds. In the crystal structure of 3, the [Y(NCS)₆]³⁻ anions and the [K(18-crown-6)]⁺ cations form one-dimensional polymeric chains (-Y-NCS-K-)_n. The thermal behavior of compounds 1 and 2 was investigated. It was shown that the supramolecular assembly has an effect on the temperature range for the removal of coordinated water molecules from the thiocyanate complex. The oxidative decomposition of the acido ligands in 1 and 2 occurs in a similar way to give Y₂O₂SO₄ as the final product (700 °С).     

Arene ruthenium complexes incorporating immine/azine hybrid-chelating N-N donor ligands: synthetic, spectral, structural aspects and DFT studies

New series of mono and binuclear arene ruthenium complexes [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl(L)}]⁺ and [{(η⁶-arene)RuCl}₂(μ-L)₂]²⁺ (arene=benzene, p-cymene or hexamethylbenzene), {L=pyridine-2-carbaldehyde azine (paa), p-phenylene-bis(picoline)-aldimine (pbp) and p-bi-phenylene-bis(picoline)-aldimine (bbp)} are reported. The complexes have been fully characterized and molecular structure of the representative mononuclear complex [(η⁶-C₆Me₆)RuCl(paa)]BF₄ (1), binuclear complexes [{(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl}₂(μ-paa)](BF₄)₂ (3) and [{(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl}₂(μ-pbp)](BF₄)₂ (6) have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. Single crystal X-ray structure determination revealed that in the binuclear complexes the [(η⁶-C₁₀H₁₄)RuCl]⁺ units are trans disposed. Further, the crystal packing in the complexes 1, 3 and 6 is stabilized by C-H?X type (X=Cl, F) inter, intramolecular hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking (3). To explore the ambiguous nature of the bonding between pyridine-2-carbaldehyde azine (paa) with ruthenium containing units [(η⁶-arene)RuCl]⁺, DFT/B3LYP calculations have been performed on the complexes [(η⁶-arene)RuCl(paa)]⁺ (arene=C₆H₆, I; C₆Me₆, II; C₁₀H₁₄, III).     

Hydrothermal syntheses, crystal structures and properties of three coordination frameworks based on a new semirigid ligand and benzenedicarboxylate

Three novel polymers, {[Cd(m-bdc)(L)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Co(m-bdc)(L)_0.5(H₂O)]_n (2) and [Zn₅(L)₂(p-bdc)₅(H₂O)]_n (3) based on 1,1′-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole (L) ligand and benzenedicarboxylate isomers, have been prepared and structurally characterized. Compound 1 exhibits a 2D architecture with (4²·6)(4²·6⁷·8) topology, which is synthesized by L and 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate (m-bdc) ligands. Compound 2 is constructed from 1D chains that are linked by L ligands extending a 2D (4,4) grid. Compound 3 is a 3D framework with (4³)(4⁶·6¹⁸·8⁴) topology, which is composed of trinuclear clusters and five-coordinated metal centers joined through 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (p-bdc) and L ligands. Moreover, the fluorescent properties of L ligand, compounds 1 and 3 are also determined.     

Structural and spectral studies on manganese(II) complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4)-methyl and N(4)-ethyl thiosemicarbazones

Four manganese(II) complexes of di-2-pyridyl ketone N(4)-methyl (HDpyMeTsc) and N(4)-ethyl thiosemicarbazones (HDpyETsc) were synthesized and physico-chemically characterized by means of partial elemental analyses, molar conductance measurements, electronic, infrared and EPR spectral studies. The complexes are represented as [Mn(DpyMeTsc)₂] (1), [Mn(HDpyMeTsc)Cl₂] (2), [Mn(HDpyMeTsc)₂](ClO₄)₂ · H₂O (3) and [Mn(DpyETsc)₂] · 2H₂O (4). The crystal structure of [Mn(DpyMeTsc)₂] was established by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The compound crystallizes into a monoclinic lattice with P2₁/n space group. Manganese(II) exists in a distorted octahedral geometry in the complex.     

Copper(II) complexes of N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones derived from pyridine-2-carbaldehyde: Crystal structure of a binuclear complex

Ten copper(II) complexes {[CuL¹Cl] (1), [CuL¹NO₃]₂ (2), [CuL¹N₃]₂ · 2/3H₂O (3), [CuL¹]₂(ClO₄)₂ · 2H₂O (4), [CuL²Cl]₂ (5), [CuL²N₃] (6), [Cu(HL²)SO₄]₂ · 4H₂O (7), [Cu(HL²)₂] (ClO₄)₂ · 1/2EtOH (8), [CuL³Cl]₂ (9), [CuL³NCS] · 1/2H₂O (10)} of three NNS donor thiosemicarbazone ligands {pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-p-methoxyphenyl thiosemicarbazone [HL¹], pyridine-2-carbaldehyde-N(4)-2-phenethyl thiosemicarbazone [HL²] and pyridine-2-carbaldehyde N(4)-(methyl), N(4)-(phenyl) thiosemicarbazone [HL³]} were synthesized and physico-chemically characterized. The crystal structure of compound 9 has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies and is found that the dimer consists of two square pyramidal Cu(II) centers linked by two chlorine atoms.     

Solid chemistry of the Zn/1,2,4-triazolate/anion system: Separation of 2D isoreticular layers tuned by the terminal counteranions X (X=Cl, Br, I, SCN)

An array of 2D isoreticular layers, viz. [Zn(atrz)X]_∞ (1·X; X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; atrz=3-amino-1,2,4-triazole anion), [Zn₄(atrz)₄(SCN)₄·H₂O]_∞ (1·SCN·H₂O) and [Zn(trz)X]_∞ (2·X; X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻; trz=1,2,4-triazole anion), have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Compounds 1·X and 1·SCN·H₂O are constructed from binuclear planar Zn₂(atrz)₂ subunits and exhibit (4,4) topological network when the subunits are simplified as four-connected nodes. Based on changing the terminal counteranions X (X=Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, SCN⁻), the average interlayer separations of 1·X and 1·SCN·H₂O are enlarged, which equal to 5.851, 6.153, 6.651 and 8.292 Å, respectively. As a result, H₂O molecules reside in the spaces between two adjacent layers of 1·SCN·H₂O. 2 and 1 are the isomorphous structures. In common with 1, the interlayer separations of 2·X are widened with increasing the ion radius. Solid-state luminescence properties and thermogravimetric analyses of 1 and 2 were investigated, respectively.     

Metal complexes of 2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrin: M(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP) (M = Ni, Pd) and Mn(2-NCH2C6H5NCTPP)Br (NCTPP = N-confused 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl porphyrinate)

The crystal structures of (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) nickel(II) methylene chloride solvate [Ni(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 4], (2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) palladium(II) [Pd(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP); 5] and bromo(2-aza-2-benzyl-5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21-carbaporphyrinato-N,N′,N″) manganese(III) toluene solvate [Mn(2-NCH₂C₆H₅NCTPP)Br·C₆H₅CH₃; 3·C₆H₅CH₃] have been established. The coordination sphere around the Ni²⁺ ion in 4 (or Pd²⁺ ion in 5) is distorted square planar (DSP), whereas for Mn³⁺ in 3·C₆H₅CH₃, it is a square-based pyramid with the Br atom lying in the axial site. The g value of 11.34, measured from parallel polarization of the X-band EPR spectra at 4 K, is consistent with a high spin mononuclear manganese(III) centre (S = 2) in 3. The magnitude of the axial (D) zero-field splitting (ZFS) for the mononuclear Mn(III) centre in 3 was determined approximately to be 1.4 cm⁻¹ by paramagnetic susceptibility measurements and conventional EPR spectroscopy.     

Complexes derived from the copper(II)/succinamic acid/N,N′,N″-chelate tertiary reaction systems: Synthesis,structural and spectroscopic studies

The use of succinamic acid (H₂sucm) in Cu^II/N,N′,N″-donor [2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine (terpy), 2,6-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)pyridine (dmbppy)] reaction mixtures yielded compounds [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)]_n(ClO₄)_n (1), [Cu(Hsucm)(terpy)(MeOH)](ClO₄) (2), [Cu₂(Hsucm)₂(terpy)₂](ClO₄)₂ (3), [Cu(ClO₄)₂(terpy)(MeOH)] (4), [Cu(Hsucm)(dmbppy)]_n(NO₃)_n·3nH₂O (5^.3nH₂O), and [CuCl₂(dmbppy)]·H₂O (6·H₂O). The succinamate(−1) ligand exists in four different coordination modes in the structures of 1–3 and 5, i.e., the μ₂-κO:κO′:κO″ in 1 and 5 which involves asymmetric chelating coordination of the carboxylato group and ligation of the amide O-atom leading to 1D coordination polymers, the μ₂-κ²O:κO′ in 3 which involves asymmetric chelating and bridging coordination of the carboxylato group, and the asymmetric chelating mode in 2. The primary amide group, either coordinated in 1 and 5, or uncoordinated in 2 and 3, participate in hydrogen bonding interactions, leading to interesting crystal structures. Characteristic IR bands of the complexes are discussed in terms of the known structures and the coordination modes of the Hsucm⁻ ligands. The thermal decomposition of complex 5·3nH₂O was monitored by TG/DTG and DTA measurements.     

Structural diversity in Cu(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) coordination complexes with the rigid N,N′-bis(2/3-aryl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide ligand

The syntheses and structures of a series of metal complexes, namely Cu₂Cl₄(L¹)(DMSO)₂·2DMSO (L¹ = N,N′-bis(2-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 1; {[Cu(L²)_1.5(DMF)₂][ClO₄]₂·3DMF}_∞ (L² = N,N′-bis(3-pyridinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 2; {[Cd(NO₃)₂(L³)]·2DMF}_∞ (L³ = N,N′-bis-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1,4-benzenedicarboxamide), 3; {[HgBr₂(L³)]·H₂O}_∞, 4, and {[Na(L³)₂][Hg₂X₅]·2DMF}_∞ (X = Br, 5; I, 6) are reported. All the complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is dinuclear and the molecules are interlinked through S?S interactions. In 2, the Cu(II) ions are linked through the L² ligands to form 1-D ladder-like chains with 60-membered metallocycles, whereas complexes 3 and 4 form 1-D zigzag chains. In complexes 5 and 6, the Na(I) ions are linked by the L³ ligands to form 2-D layer structures in which the [Hg₂X₅]⁻ anions are in the cavities. The L² ligand acts only as a bridging ligand, while L¹ and L³ show both chelating and bridging bonding modes. The L¹ ligand in 1 adopts a trans-anti conformation and the L² ligand in 2 adopts both the cis-syn and trans-anti conformations, whereas the L³ ligands in 3–6 adopt the trans conformation.     

Monomer,dimer, tetramer and salt: Structural variations in Zn(II) complexes of 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide

Complexes of Zn^II salts with 4,4′-bipyridine-N,N′-dioxide (bpdo) have been prepared by solvathermal and solvent layering methods. Three complexes were obtained from ZnBr₂: 1 is a 2D coordination polymer [Zn₂Br₄(bpdo)₂]_n, (2) a discrete trimetallic molecule [Zn₃Br₆(H₂O)₂(bpdo)₄] and 3 a salt [ZnBr₄][Zn(H₂O)₅(bpdo)]. Complexes 2 and 3 contain Zn^II ions in both octahedral and tetrahedral coordination geometry. While in 2, these are covalently linked by bridging bpdo ligands forming zwitterionic trimetallic molecules, in 3 there is complete charge separation into [ZnBr₄]²⁻ anions and [Zn(H₂O)₅(bpdo)]²⁺ cations. When Zn(NCS)₂ is used as starting material, a 1D coordination polymer [Zn(H₂O)₂ (bpdo)(NCS)₂]_n is obtained.     

Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties of five iron(II) coordination polymers with flexible bis(imidazole) and bis(triazole) ligands

Five iron(II) coordination polymers, {[Fe(bte)₂(NCS)₂][Fe(bte)(H₂O)₂(NCS)₂]}_n (1), [Fe(bime)(NCS)₂]_n (2), [Fe(bime)(dca)₂]_n (3), [Fe(bime)₂(N₃)₂]_n (4) and [Fe(btb)₂(NCS)₂]_n (5), were synthesized using the flexible ligands 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)ethane (bte), 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-yl)ethane (bime) and 1,4-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)butane (btb), together with NCS⁻, dicyanamide (dca) and N₃⁻. The compound 1 contains two kinds of motifs (double chain and single chain) and forms a three-dimensional hydrogen bonded network; 2 and 3 contain one-dimensional triple chains; and 4 and 5 form two-dimensional (4, 4) networks. The coordination anions (NCS⁻, dca and N₃⁻) and the structural characteristics of the ligands (bte, bime and btb) play an important role in the assembly of the topologies. Magnetic studies reveal that 1-5 remain in the high-spin state over the whole temperature range 2-300 K and no detectable spin-crossover is observed.     

Spectroscopic and structural studies of the 2D Mn(II) coordination polymer from a bridging Noxa, Npy bidentate ligand; tetra-n-butylammonium[5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiolate]

A coordination polymer {[Mn(3-pyt)₂(H₂O)₂][N(n-Bu)₄]⁺[3-pyt]⁻}_n (3) has been synthesized from the reaction of tetra-n-butylammonium[5-(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiolate] {[N(n-Bu)₄]⁺[3-pyt]⁻} and Mn(OAc)₂ · 4H₂O. The ligand and the Mn(II) complex 3 have been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, in addition 3 has also been studied crystallographically. The single crystal X-ray structure of the 3 shows that the ligand is bonded to Mn(II) via its pyridyl and oxadiazole nitrogen atoms. This bonding pattern connects the Mn(II) centres to afford an uniform two dimensional coordination frame work where the [Mn(3-pyt)₂(H₂O)₂]_n molecules are stacked in a parallel layers. The overall arrangement of molecules in crystal lattice results in open channels in which the enclosed tetra-n-butylammonium cations are stabilized by anionic oxadiazole molecules through N⁺···S⁻ ionic interactions.     

Supramolecular 2D structures in [M(NCS)2(bpe)2(H2O)2] (M = Mn, Fe) systems connected by hydrogen bonds

Here we report the synthesis and characterization by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV-Vis and EPR spectroscopies, and the magnetic measurements of two new compounds: [Mn(NCS)₂(bpe)₂(H₂O)₂] (1) and [Fe(NCS)₂(bpe)₂(H₂O)₂] (2) (bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene). Single-crystal structure analyses reveals discrete octahedral metal units that are assembled into 2D sheets through O-Hw?N(bpe) and O-Hw?S(thiocyanate) hydrogen bonds. The intermetallic M?M distances are 6.90 and 6.87 Å for 1 and 2, respectively. Supramolecular architectures are obtained by connections through H-bonds. Slight interactions are observed for compound 2.     

Auxiliary aromatic-acid effect on the structures of a series of Zn coordination polymers: Syntheses, crystal structures, and photoluminescence properties

Five novel Zn^II-(pyridyl)imidazole derivative coordination polymers, [Zn(L)₂] (1), [Zn₂(μ₃-OH)L(m-BDC)] (2), [Zn₂(μ₃-OH)L(p-BDC)]·H₂O (3), [Zn₂L(BTC)(H₂O)]·2.5H₂O (4) and [Zn_3.5(μ₃-OH)L₂(BTEC)(H₂O)]·H₂O (5) (L=4-((2-(pyridine-2-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-yl)methyl)benzoic acid, p-H₂BDC=1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid, m-H₂BDC=1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid, H₃BTC=1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid, H₄BTEC=1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid), were successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions through varying auxiliary aromatic-acid ligands and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 exhibits a 1D chain linked via double L bridges. Compound 2 features a well-known pcu topology with bent dicarboxylate ligand (m-H₂BDC) as an auxiliary ligand, while 3 displays a bcu network with linear dicarboxylate ligand (p-H₂BDC) as an auxiliary ligand. The structure of compound 4 is a novel 3D (3,5)-connected network with (4·6²)(4·6⁴·8²·10·12²) topology. It is interesting that compound 5 shows an intricate (3,4,8)-connected framework with (4·6²)(4²·6³·8)(4²·6⁴)(4²·6¹⁸·7·8⁶·10) topology. In addition, their infrared spectra (IR), X-ray powder diffraction (XPRD) and photoluminescent properties were also investigated in detail.     

Fe Spin crossover materials based on dissymmetrical N4 Schiff bases including 2-pyridyl and 2R-imidazol-4-yl rings: Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic and Mössbauer properties

The synthesis and characterization of new symmetrical Fe^II complexes, [FeL^A(NCS)₂] (1), and [FeL^Bx(NCS)₂] (2–4), are reported (L^A is the tetradentate Schiff base N,N′-bis(1-pyridin-2-ylethylidene)-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine, and L^Bx stands for the family of tetradentate Schiff bases N,N′-bis[(2-R-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene]-2,2-dimethylpropane-1,3-diamine, with: R = H for L^B1 in 2, R = Me for L^B2 in 3, and R = Ph for L^B3 in 4). Single-crystal X-ray structures have been determined for 1 (low-spin state at 293 K), 2 (high-spin (HS) state at 200 K), and 3 (HS state at 180 K). These complexes remain in the same spin-state over the whole temperature range [80–400 K]. The dissymmetrical tetradentate Schiff base ligands L^Cx, N-[(2-R₂-1H-imidazol-4-yl)methylene]-N′-(1-pyridin-2-ylethylidene)-2,2-R₁-propane-1,3-diamine (R₁ = H, Me; R₂ = H, Me, Ph), containing both pyridine and imidazole rings were obtained as their [FeL^Cx(NCS)₂] complexes, 5–10, through reaction of the isolated aminal type ligands 2-methyl-2-pyridin-2-ylhexahydropyrimidine (R₁ = H, 5–7) or 2,5,5-trimethyl-2-pyridin-2-ylhexahydropyrimidine (R₁ = Me, 8–10) with imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = H: 5, 8), 2-methylimidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = Me: 6, 9), and 2-phenyl-imidazole-4-carboxaldehyde (R₂ = Ph: 7, 10) in the presence of iron(II) thiocyanate. Together with the single-crystal X-ray structures of 7 and 9, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility and Mössbauer studies of 5–10 showed that it is possible to tune the spin crossover properties in the [FeL^Cx(NCS)₂] series by changing the 2-imidazole and/or C2-propylene susbtituent of L^Cx.     

Syntheses,structures and hydrolytic properties of copper(II) complexes of asymmetrically N-functionalised 1,4,7-triazacyclononane ligands

A series of new asymmetrically N-substituted derivatives of the 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (tacn) macrocycle have been prepared from the common precursor 1,4,7-triazatricyclo[5.2.1.0^4,10]decane: 1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L1), 1-isopropyl-4-propyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L2), 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-benzyl-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L3), 1-benzyl-4-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L4) and 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)-7-isopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (L5). The corresponding monomeric copper(II) complexes were synthesised and were found to be of composition: [Cu(L1)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C1), [Cu(L4)Cl₂] · 4H₂O (C2), [Cu(L3)(MeCN)](ClO₄)₂ (C3), [Cu(L5)](ClO₄)₂ · MeCN · NaClO₄ (C4) and [Cu(L2)Cl₂] · 1/2 H₂O (C5). The X-ray crystal structures of each complex revealed a distorted square-pyramidal copper(II) geometry, with the nitrogen donors on the ligands occupying 3 (C1 and C2), 4 (C3) or 5 (C4) coordination sites on the Cu(II) centre. The metal complexes were tested for the ability to hydrolytically cleave phosphate esters at near physiological conditions, using the model phosphodiester, bis(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP). The observed rate constants for BNPP cleavage followed the order k_C1 ≈ k_C2 > k_C5 ? k_C3 > k_C4, confirming that tacn-type Cu(II) complexes efficiently accelerate phosphate ester hydrolysis by being able to bind phosphate esters and also form the nucleophile necessary to carry out intramolecular cleavage. Complexes C1 and C2, featuring asymmetrically disubstituted ligands, exhibited rate constants of the same order of magnitude as those reported for the Cu(II) complexes of symmetrically tri-N-alkylated tacn ligands (k ∼ 1.5 × 10⁻⁵ s⁻¹).     

The reaction of manganese carbonyl with tert-butylisocyanide: Synthesis and characterization of cis- and trans-[Mn(BuNC)4(CN)(CO)]

The reaction of Mn₂(CO)₁₀ with tert-butyl isocyanide in the presence of 10 bar of carbon monoxide leads to the formation of cis- and trans-[Mn(^tBuNC)₄(CN)(CO)], 1a and 1b, in good yields together with [Mn(^tBuNC)₆]CN (2), as a minor product. Nevertheless, the reaction pathway highly depends on the reaction conditions. An interesting side-product is obtained, if chloroform is used during the workup procedure. Compound 3 is composed of cationic [Mn(^tBuNC)₅(CO)] units as well as dinuclear anionic [Mn(^tBuNC)₄(CO)(μ-CN)MnCl₃] moieties. If no additional CO pressure is applied to the system, the organic product N,N′-di-tert-butyl-3,5-bis-tert-butylimino-4-phenyl-cyclopent-1-ene-1,2-diamine (4), is formed in considerable amount. Compound 4 most probably is produced via a double benzylic C-H activation of the solvent toluene and the oligomerization of four isocyanide moieties. The reaction of 1b with Co(NO₃)₂ leads to the isolation of the trinuclear cyanide bridged coordination compound {[Mn(^tBuNC)₄) (CO) (μ-CN)]₂Co(NO₃)₂}, 5, in which the cobalt atoms are tetrahedrally surrounded by the two cyanide ligands and the η¹-coordinated nitro groups. In contrast to the reaction of 1b, treatment of the dicyano complexes cis- or trans-[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂] with Co(NO₃)₂ results in the formation of the coordination polymers {[Ru(^tBuNC)₄(CN)₂]Co(NO₃)₂}_n, 7 (trans) and 9 (cis). All new compounds are characterized by X-ray diffraction experiments.     

Solvothermal syntheses, and characterization of [Ln(en)4(SbSe4)] (Ln=Ce, Pr) and [Ln(en)4]SbSe4·0.5en (Ln=Eu, Gd, Er, Tm, Yb): The effect of lanthanide contraction on the crystal structures of lanthanide selenidoantimonates(V)

Two types of lanthanide selenidoantimonates [Ln(en)₄(SbSe₄)] (Ln=Ce(1a), Pr(1b)) and [Ln(en)₄]SbSe₄·0.5en (Ln=Eu(2a), Gd(2b), Er(2c), Tm(2d), Yb(2e); en=ethylenediamine) were solvothermally synthesized by reactions of LnCl₃, Sb and Se with the stoichiometric ratio in en solvent at 140 °C. The four-en coordinated lanthanide complex cation [Ln(en)₄]³⁺ formed in situ balances the charge of SbSe₄³⁻ anion. In compounds 1a and 1b, the SbSe₄³⁻ anion act as a monodentate ligand to coordinate complex [Ln(en)₄]³⁺ and the neutral compound [Ln(en)₄(SbSe₄)] is formed. The Ln³⁺ ion has a nine-coordinated environment involving eight N atoms and one Se atom forming a distorted monocapped square antiprism. In 2a-2e the lanthanide(III) ion exists as isolated complex [Ln(en)₄]³⁺, in which the Ln³⁺ ion is in a bicapped trigonal prism geometry. A systematic investigation of the crystal structures reveals that two types of structural features of these lanthanide selenidoantimonates are related with lanthanides contraction across the lanthanide series. TG curves show that compounds 1a-1b and 2a-2e remove their organic components in one and two steps, respectively.