Solid-State and solution studies of [Ln(n)(SiW11O39)] polyoxoanions: an example of building block condensation dependent on the nature of the rare earth

The reactivity of the [alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) monovacant polyoxometalate with lanthanide has been investigated for four different trivalent rare-earth cations (Ln = Nd(III), Eu(III), Gd(III), Yb(III)). The crystal structures of KCs(4)[Yb(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(2)] x 24H(2)O (1), K(0.5)Nd(0.5)[Nd(2)(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(11)] x 17H(2)O (2a), and Na(0.5)Cs(4.5)[Eu(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(2)] x 23H(2)O (3a) are reported. The solid-state structure of compound 1 consists of linear wires built up of [alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) anions connected by Yb(3+) cations, while the linkage of the building blocks by Eu(3+) centers in 3a leads to the formation of zigzag chains. In 2a, dimeric [Nd(2)(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(2)(H(2)O)(8)](10-) entities are linked by four Nd(3+) cations. The resulting chains are connected by lanthanide ions, leading to a bidimensional arrangement. Thus, the dimensionality, the organization of the polyoxometalate building units, and the Ln/[alpha-SiW(11)O(39)](8-) ratio in the solid state can be tuned by choosing the appropriate lanthanide. The luminescent properties of compound 3a have been studied, showing that, in solution, the polymer decomposes to give the monomeric complex [Eu(alpha-SiW(11)O(39))(H(2)O)(4)](5-). The lability of the four exogenous ligands connected to the rare earth must allow the functionalization of this lanthanide polyanion.     

Mononuclear and dinuclear complexes with a [Ru(tBu2PCH2CH2PtBu2)(CO)] core

Thermolysis of solid [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)2Cl2](2, d(t)bpe =(t)Bu2PCH2CH2P(t)Bu2) under vacuum affords the five-coordinate complex [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)Cl2] (4), which was shown by X-ray crystallography to contain a weak remote agostic interaction. In solution, 4 can be readily trapped by CO, CH3CN or water to give [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)(L)Cl2](L = CO, 2; L = CH3CN, 6; L = H2O, 7). Reaction of 4 with AgOTf/H2O yields the tris-aqua complex [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)(H2O)3](OTf)2 (8), which has been structurally characterised and probed in solution by pulsed-gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR spectroscopy. The water ligands in 8 are labile and easily substituted to give [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)(NCCH3)3](OTf)2 (10) and [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)(DMSO)3](OTf)2 (11). In the presence of CO, the tris-aqua complex undergoes water-gas shift chemistry with formation of the cationic hydride species [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)3H](OTf) (12) and CO2. X-Ray crystal structures of complexes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 11-12 are reported along with those for [{Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)}2(mu-Cl)2(mu-OTf)](OTf) (3), [{Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)}2(mu-Cl)3][Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)Cl3](5) and [Ru(d(t)bpe)(CO)(H2O)2(OTf)](OTf)(9).     

Structural characterization of mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstates

We have synthesized the mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstate [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(H(2)O)](5-) (1a) by reaction of the mono-lacunary silicotungstate precursor [SiW(11)O(39)](8-) with Ru(acac)(3) under hydrothermal conditions and isolated as the caesium salt Cs(5)[SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(H(2)O)] (1). The DMSO-coordinated complex [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(DMSO)](5-) (2a) was prepared by reaction of 1a with DMSO in aqueous solution at 353 K and isolated as the caesium-potassium mixed salt Cs(4.9)K(0.1)[SiW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(DMSO)] (2). Both compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, powder X-ray structure analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, IR-spectroscopy and elemental analysis. 1 crystallized in the tetragonal space group P4(2)/ncm with a = 20.9299(4), c = 10.3603(4) Angstrom, Z = 4. The ruthenium atom in the Keggin unit could not be distinguished from the tungsten due to disorder. The structural analysis of 2 (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.5850(4), b = 20.2764(7), c = 18.1326(4) Angstrom, beta = 90.8730(10) degrees , Z = 4) successfully revealed that the incorporated ruthenium atom is coordinated by DMSO through a Ru-S bond. Polyanion 2a represents the first mono-substituted Keggin ion in which the ruthenium center is not crystallographically disordered. UV-Vis spectroscopy combined with controlled potential electrolysis confirmed that the incorporated rutheniums in 1 and 2 have a valence state of +3. The IR spectra of both 1 and 2 were very similar. All these data indicate that 1 synthesized by reaction of the mono-lacunary silicotungstate K(8)[SiW(11)O(39)] with Ru(acac)(3) under hydrothermal conditions is truly the mono-ruthenium substituted Keggin-type silicotungstate.     

Bis[tetraruthenium(IV)]-containing polyoxometalates: [{Ru(IV)4O6(H2O)9}2Sb2W20O68(OH)2]4- and [{Ru(IV)4O6(H2O)9}2{Fe(H2O)2}2{β-TeW9O33}2H]-

The reaction of [Sb(2)W(22)O(74)(OH)(2)](12-) and [Fe(4)(H(2)O)(10)(β-TeW(9)O(33))(2)](4-) with (NH(4))(2)[RuCl(6)] in aqueous solution resulted in the novel ruthenium(IV)-containing polyanions [{Ru(IV)(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(2)Sb(2)W(20)O(68)(OH)(2)](4-) and [{Ru(IV)(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(2){Fe(H(2)O)(2)}(2){β-TeW(9)O(33)}(2)H](-), exhibiting two cationic, adamantane-like, tetraruthenium(IV) units {Ru(4)O(6)(H(2)O)(9)}(4+) bound to the respective polyanion in an external, highly accessible fashion.     

Hydrothermal and solid-state transformation of ruthenium-supported Keggin-type heteropolytungstates [XW11O39{Ru(II)(benzene)(H2O)}]n- (X = P (n = 5), Si (n = 6), Ge (n = 6)) to ruthenium-substituted Keggin-type heteropolytungstates

A new pathway for the preparation of mono-ruthenium (Ru)(iii)-substituted Keggin-type heteropolytungstates with an aqua ligand, [PW(11)O(39)Ru(iii)(H(2)O)](4-) (1a), [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(iii)(H(2)O)](5-) (1b) and [GeW(11)O(39)Ru(iii)(H(2)O)](5-) (1c), using [Ru(ii)(benzene)Cl(2)](2) as a Ru source was described. Compounds 1a-1c were prepared by reacting [XW(11)O(39)](n-) (X = P, Si and Ge) with [Ru(ii)(benzene)Cl(2)](2) under hydrothermal condition and were isolated as caesium salts. Ru(benzene)-supported heteropolytungstates, [PW(11)O(39){Ru(ii)(benzene)(H(2)O)}](5-) (2a), [SiW(11)O(39){Ru(ii)(benzene)(H(2)O)}](6-) (2b) and [GeW(11)O(39){Ru(ii)(benzene)(H(2)O)}](6-) (2c), were first produced in the reaction media, and then transformed to 1a, 1b and 1c, respectively, under hydrothermal conditions. Calcination of Ru(benzene)-supported heteropolytungstates, 2a, 2b and 2c, in the solid state produced mixtures of 1a, 1b and 1c with CO (carbon monoxide)-coordinated complexes, [PW(11)O(39)Ru(ii)(CO)](5-) (4a), [SiW(11)O(39)Ru(ii)(CO)](6-) (4b) and [GeW(11)O(39)Ru(ii)(CO)](6-) (4c), respectively. From comparison of their catalytic activities in water oxidation reaction, it was indicated that ruthenium should be incorporated in the heteropolytungstate in order to promote catalytic activity.     

Synthesis, characterization, and photochemical behavior of {Ru(arene)}2+ derivatives of alpha-[PW11O39]7-: an organometallic way to ruthenium-substituted heteropolytungstates

Reaction of [Ru(arene)Cl(2)](2) (arene = benzene, toluene, p-cymene, hexamethylbenzene) with K(7)[PW(11)O(39)].14H(2)O provided two series of organometallic derivatives of heteropolytungstates: type-1 and type-2 complexes of general formulas [PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)(H(2)O)}](5-) and [{PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)}}(2){WO(2)}](8-), respectively. All compounds were characterized by infrared and multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (183)W) spectroscopies. The crystal structures of Na(4)K(4)[{PW(11)O(39){Ru(benzene)}}(2){WO(2)}].6H(2)O (NaK-2a.6H(2)O), K(7)H[{PW(11)O(39){Ru(toluene)}}(2){WO(2)}].4H(2)O (K-2b.4H(2)O), and Cs(3)K(2)[PW(11)O(39){Ru(p-cymene)(H(2)O)}].4H(2)O (CsK-1c.4H(2)O) were obtained and revealed that the {Ru(arene)} fragment is supported on the oxometallic framework. Photochemical reactivity of [PW(11)O(39){Ru(arene)(H(2)O)}](5-) (arene = toluene, p-cymene) in the presence of various ligands L (L = H(2)O, dimethyl sulfoxide, tetramethylene sulfoxide, and diphenyl sulfoxide) was investigated, and led to the formation of [PW(11)O(39){Ru(L)}](5-), in which the ruthenium is incorporated into the lacunary [PW(11)O(39)](7-) anion.     

Catalytic four-electron oxidation of water by intramolecular coupling of the oxo ligands of a bis(ruthenium-bipyridine) complex

A bis(ruthenium-bipyridine) complex bridged by 1,8-bis(2,2':6',2'-terpyrid-4'-yl)anthracene (btpyan), [Ru(2)(μ-Cl)(bpy)(2)(btpyan)](BF(4))(3) ([1](BF(4))(3); bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine), was prepared. The cyclic voltammogram of [1](BF(4))(3) in water at pH?1.0 displayed two reversible [Ru(II),Ru(II)](3+)/[Ru(II),Ru(III)](4+) and [Ru(II),Ru(III)](4+)/[Ru(III),Ru(III)](5+) redox couples at E(1/2)(1) = +0.61 and E(1/2)(2) = +0.80?V (vs. Ag/AgCl), respectively, and an irreversible anodic peak at around E = +1.2?V followed by a strong anodic currents as a result of the oxidation of water. The controlled potential electrolysis of [1](3+) ions at E = +1.60?V in water at pH?2.6 (buffered with H(3)PO(4)/NaH(2)PO(4)) catalytically evolved dioxygen. Immediately after the electrolysis of the [1](3+) ion in H(2)(16)O at E = +1.40?V, the resultant solution displayed two resonance Raman bands at nu = 442 and 824?cm(-1). These bands shifted to nu = 426 and 780?cm(-1), respectively, when the same electrolysis was conducted in H(2)(18)O. The chemical oxidation of the [1](3+) ion by using a Ce(IV) species in H(2)(16)O and H(2)(18)O also exhibited the same resonance Raman spectra. The observed isotope frequency shifts (Δnu = 16 and 44?cm(-1)) fully fit the calculated ones based on the Ru-O and O-O stretching modes, respectively. The first successful identification of the metal-O-O-metal stretching band in the oxidation of water indicates that the oxygen-oxygen bond at the stage prior to the evolution of O(2) is formed through the intramolecular coupling of two Ru-oxo groups derived from the [1](3+) ion.     

Multi-iron silicotungstates: synthesis, characterization, and stability studies of polyoxometalate dimers

The reaction of Fe(III) with Na(+) and K(+) salts of the trivacant [alpha-SiW(9)O(34)](10)(-) ligand have been investigated at pH 6 and pH 1. A new dimer, [(alpha-SiFe(3)W(9)(OH)(3)O(34))(2)(OH)(3)](11-) (1), is synthesized by reacting Na(7)H(3)[alpha-SiW(9)O(34)] or K(10)[alpha-SiW(9)O(34)] with exactly 3 equiv of Fe(III) in a 0.5 M sodium acetate solution (pH 6). The structure of 1, determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (a = 22.454(2) A, b = 12.387(2) A, c = 37.421(2), beta = 100.107(8) degrees , monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, R(1) = 5.11% based on 12739 independent reflections), consists of two [alpha-SiFe(3)W(9)(OH)(3)O(34)](4-) units linked by three Fe-mu-OH-Fe bonds. Reaction of K(10)[alpha-SiW(9)O(34)] with 3 equiv of Fe(III) in water (pH 1) yields [(alpha-Si(FeOH(2))(2)FeW(9)(OH)(3)O(34))(2)](8)(-2). The structure of 2 was also determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (a = 36.903(2) A, b = 13.9868(9) A, c = 21.7839(13) A, beta = 122.709(1) degrees , monoclinic, C2/c, Z = 4, R(1) = 4.57% based on 11787 independent reflections). It consists of two [alpha-Si(FeOH(2))(2)FeW(9)(OH)(3)O(34)](4-) Keggin units linked by a single edge. The terminal ligand on Fe1 in each trisubstituted Keggin unit becomes a mu(2) oxo ligand bridging to a [WO(6)](2-) moiety. The UV-vis spectra of both complexes show the characteristic oxygen-to-metal-charge-transfer bands of polyoxometalates as well as an Fe(III)-centered band at 436 nm (epsilon = 146 M(-1) cm(-1)) and 456 nm (epsilon = 104 M(-1) cm(-1)) for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry data show that complex 1 decomposes between 575 and 600 degrees C whereas no decomposition is observed for complex 2 up to temperatures of 600 degrees C.     

Synthesis, structures and reactivity of ruthenium nitrosyl complexes containing Kläui's oxygen tripodal ligand

Ruthenium nitrosyl complexes containing the Kl?ui's oxgyen tripodal ligand L(OEt)(-) ([CpCo{P(O)(OEt)(2)}(3)](-) where Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)) were synthesized and their photolysis studied. The treatment of [Ru(N^N)(NO)Cl(3)] with [AgL(OEt)] and Ag(OTf) afforded [L(OEt)Ru(N^N)(NO)][OTf](2) where N^N = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridyl (dtbpy) (2·[OTf](2)), 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) (3·[OTf](2)), N,N,N'N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (4·[OTf](2)). Anion metathesis of 3·[OTf](2) with HPF(6) and HBF(4) gave 3·[PF(6)](2) and 3·[BF(4)](2), respectively. Similarly, the PF(6)(-) salt 4·[PF(6)](2) was prepared by the reaction of 4·[OTf](2) with HPF(6). The irradiation of [L(OEt)Ru(NO)Cl(2)] (1) with UV light in CH(2)Cl(2)-MeCN and tetrahydrofuran (thf)-H(2)O afforded [L(OEt)RuCl(2)(MeCN)] (5) and the chloro-bridged dimer [L(OEt)RuCl](2)(μ-Cl)(2) (6), respectively. The photolysis of complex [2][OTf](2) in MeCN gave [L(OEt)Ru(dtbpy)(MeCN)][OTf](2) (7). Refluxing complex 5 with RNH(2) in thf gave [L(OEt)RuCl(2)(NH(2)R)] (R = tBu (8), p-tol (9), Ph (10)). The oxidation of complex 6 with PhICl(2) gave [L(OEt)RuCl(3)] (11), whereas the reduction of complex 6 with Zn and NH(4)PF(6) in MeCN yielded [L(OEt)Ru(MeCN)(3)][PF(6)] (12). The reaction of 3·[BF(4)](2) with benzylamine afforded the μ-dinitrogen complex [{L(OEt)Ru(bpy)}(2)(μ-N(2))][BF(4)](2) (13) that was oxidized by [Cp(2)Fe]PF(6) to a mixed valence Ru(II,III) species. The formal potentials of the RuL(OEt) complexes have been determined by cyclic voltammetry. The structures of complexes 5,6,10,11 and 13 have been established by X-ray crystallography.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the [Ru(III)(edta)(H2O)](-)-mediated oxidation of cysteine by H2O2

The kinetics and mechanism of the [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-)-mediated oxidation of cysteine (RSH) by hydrogen peroxide (edta(4-) = ethylenediaminetetraacetate), were studied in detail as a function of both the hydrogen peroxide and cysteine concentrations at pH 5.1 and room temperature. The kinetic traces reveal clear evidence for a catalytic process in which hydrogen peroxide reacts directly with cysteine coordinated to the Ru(III)(edta) complex in the form of [Ru(III)(edta)SR](2-). A parallel process in which [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) first reacts with H(2)O(2) to produce [Ru(V)(edta)O](-) and subsequently oxidizes cysteine, is orders of magnitude slower than the [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-)-mediated oxidation in which cysteine rapidly coordinates to [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) prior to the reaction with H(2)O(2). HPLC product analyses revealed the formation of cystine (RSSR) as major product along with cysteine sulfinic acid (RSO(2)H) in the reaction system, and established the catalytic role of [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-). Simulations were performed to account for the rather complex kinetic traces in terms of the suggested reaction mechanism. The results of the simulations support the proposed reaction mechanism that involves the oxidation of coordinated cysteine to cysteine sulfenic acid (RSOH), which subsequently rapidly reacts with H(2)O(2) and RSH to form RSO(2)H and RSSR, respectively.     

Reaction of [RuIII(edta)(H2O)]- with H2O2 in aqueous solution. Kinetic and mechanistic investigation

The reaction of [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) (1) (edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) with hydrogen peroxide was studied kinetically as a function of [H(2)O(2)], temperature (5-35 degrees C) and pressure (1-1300 atm) at a fixed pH of 5.1 using stopped-flow techniques. The reaction was found to consist of two steps involving the rapid formation of a [Ru(III)(edta)(OOH)](2-) intermediate which subsequently undergoes parallel heterolytic and homolytic cleavage to produce [(edta)Ru(V)=O](-) (45%) and [(edta)Ru(IV)(OH)](-) (55%), respectively. The water soluble trap, 2,2'-azobis(3-ethylbenzithiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), was employed to substantiate the mechanistic proposal. Reactions were carried out under pseudo-first conditions for [ABTS] > [HOBr] > [1], and were monitored as a function of time for the formation of the one-electron oxidation product ABTS* (+). A detailed mechanism in agreement with the rate and activation parameters is presented, and the results are discussed with reference to data reported for the corresponding [Fe(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-)/H(2)O(2) system.     

Synthesis and structure of cationic guanidinate-bridged bimetallic {Li7M} cubes (M = Mn, Co, Zn) with inverse crown counter anions

The reactions of the heteroleptic lithium amide [Li(3)(μ-hmds)(2)(μ,μ-hpp)] (1), where [hmds](-) = hexamethyldisilazide and [hpp](-) = hexahydropyrimidopyrimidide, with MnCl(2), CoCl(2) or ZnBr(2) result in the formation of the separated ion-pairs [MLi(7)(μ(8)-O)(μ,μ-hpp)(6)](+)[A](-), which each consist of a {MLi(7)} oxo-centred cube structural motif (M = Mn 2, Co 4, Zn 5), with each face of the cube being bridged by an [hpp](-) ligand. In the case of M = Mn and Co, the counter ion, [A](-), is the pentagonal anionic inverse crown [{Li(μ-hmds)}(5)(μ(5)-Cl)](-) (3), whereas the reaction with M = Zn produces the known tris-amido zincate [Zn(hmds)(3)](-) counter anion.     

Dimer-of-dimers model for the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II. Synthesis and properties of [MnIV4O5(terpy)4(H2O)2](ClO4)6

A dimer-of-dimers model compound for the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II, [[(H(2)O)(terpy)Mn(IV)(micro-O)(2)Mn(IV)(terpy)](2)(micro-O)](ClO(4))(6) (terpy = 2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine), has been prepared and characterized by X-ray crystallography and ESI-MS. Low pH was found to promote the disproportionation of [Mn(III/IV)(2)O(2)(terpy)(2)(OH(2))(2)](3+) to Mn(2+) and a Mn(IV/IV)(2)O(2)(terpy)(2) species; the latter complex slowly dimerizes to form the title complex. Protonation of a micro-oxo bridge is proposed to initiate the disproportionation, based on analogy with the [Mn(III/)(IV)(2)O(2)(bpy)(4)](3+) system.     

Photocatalytic generation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex with water as an oxygen source

The photocatalytic formation of a non-heme oxoiron(IV) complex, [(N4Py)Fe(IV)(O)](2+) [N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine], efficiently proceeds via electron transfer from the excited state of a ruthenium complex, [Ru(II)(bpy)(3)](2+)* (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) to [Co(III)(NH(3))(5)Cl](2+) and stepwise electron-transfer oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with 2 equiv of [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and H(2)O as an oxygen source. The oxoiron(IV) complex was independently generated by both chemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+) with [Ru(III)(bpy)(3)](3+) and electrochemical oxidation of [(N4Py)Fe(II)](2+).     

Photophysical and structural properties of cyanoruthenate complexes of hexaazatriphenylene

The tritopic bridging ligand hexaazatriphenylene (HAT) has been used to prepare the mono-, di-, and trinuclear cyanoruthenate complexes [Ru(CN)(4)(HAT)](2-) ([1](2-)), [{Ru(CN)(4)}(2)(mu(2)-HAT)](4-) ([2](4-)), and [{Ru(CN)(4)}(3)(mu(3)-HAT)](6-) ([3](6-)). These complexes are of interest both for their photophysical properties and ability to act as sensitizers, associated with strong MLCT absorptions; and their structural properties, with up to 12 externally directed cyanide ligands at a single "node" for preparation of coordination networks. The complexes are strongly solvatochromic, with broad and intense MLCT absorption manifolds arising from the presence of low-lying pi* orbitals on the HAT ligand, as confirmed by DFT calculations; in aprotic solvents [3](6-) is a panchromatic absorber of visible light. Although nonluminescent in fluid solution, the lowest MLCT excited states have lifetimes in D(2)O of tens of nanoseconds and could be detected by time-resolved IR spectrosocopy. For dinuclear [2](4-) and trinuclear [3](6-) the TRIR spectra are indicative of asymmetric MLCT excited states containing distinct Ru(III) and Ru(II) centers on the IR time scale. The complexes show red (3)MLCT luminescence as solids and in EtOH/MeOH glass at 77 K. Ln(III) salts of [1](2-), [2](4-), and [3](6-) form infinite coordination networks based on Ru-CN-Ln bridges with a range of one-, two-, and three-dimensional polymeric structures. In the Yb(III) and Nd(III) salts of [3](6- )the complex anion forms an 8-connected node. Whereas all of the Gd(III) salts show strong (3)MLCT luminescence in the solid state, the Ru-based emission in the Nd(III) and Yb(III) analogues is substantially quenched by Ru --> Ln photoinduced energy transfer, which results in sensitized near-infrared luminescence from Yb(III) and Nd(III).     

Novel Ti-O-Ti bonding species constructed in a metal-oxide cluster: reaction products of bis(oxalato)oxotitanate(IV) with the dimeric, 1,2-dititanium(IV)-substituted Keggin polyoxotungstate

The preparation and structural characterization of a novel Ti-O-Ti bonding complex constructed in a dilacunary alpha-Keggin polyoxometalate (POM), [[{Ti(ox)(H2O)}4(mu-O)3](alpha-PW10O37)](7-) (H2ox = oxalic acid) (1a), are described. The water-soluble, crystalline complex with a formula of K6H[1a].0.5KCl.10H2O (1p) was prepared as the bulk sample in 28.0% (0.51 g scale) yield in a 1:4 molar-ratio reaction of the dititanium(IV)-substituted, dimeric form of an alpha-Keggin POM, K10[(alpha-1,2-PW10Ti2O39)2].18H2O, with the titanium(IV) source K2[TiO(ox)2].2H2O in HCl-acidic solution (pH 0.08). Prior to formation of 1p, the KCl-free crystalline compound (1c) obtained was characterized with X-ray crystallography. The compound 1p was unequivocally characterized with complete elemental analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses (TG/DTA), FTIR, and solution (31P, 183W, and 13C) NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of 1a was determined. The POM 1a in the solid state was composed of the four octahedral Ti groups (four guests), i.e., the two Ti-O-Ti groups linked with the mu-O atom, incorporated to the two adjacent, octahedral vacant sites (two hosts) in the dilacunary Keggin POM. The formation of 1a, as well as the recently found POM [{Ti(ox)(H2O)}2(mu-O)](alpha-PW11O39)](5-) (2a), was strongly dependent on the reaction with [TiO(ox)2](2-), i.e., the anionic titanium(IV) complex as the titanium(IV) source. The POM 1a is contrasted to most titanium(IV)-substituted POMs consisting of a combination of a monolacunary site (one host) and an octahedral Ti group (one guest) and also contrasted to 2a as a combination of a monolacunary site (one host) and two octahedral Ti groups or a Ti-O-Ti group (two guests).     

Synthesis, reactivities, and magnetostructural properties of FeIII, FeIII-O-FeIII, and ZnIIFeIII-O-FeIIIZnII complexes of a tetraiminodiphenolate macrocycle

The mononuclear iron(III) complexes [Fe(LH2)(H2O)Cl](ClO4)2.2H2O (1) and [Fe(LH2)(H2O)2](ClO4)3.H2O (2) have been prepared by reacting [Pb(LH(2))](ClO4)2 with FeCl3.6H2O and Fe(ClO(4))(3).6H(2)O, respectively. Complex 2 upon treatment with 1 equiv of alkali produces the oxo-bridged dimer [{Fe(LH2)(H2O)}2(mu-O)](ClO4)4.2H2O (3). In these compounds, LH2 refers to the tetraiminodiphenol macrocycle in the zwitterionic form whose two uncoordinated imine nitrogens are protonated and hydrogen-bonded to the metal-bound phenolate oxygens. The aqua ligands of complexes 1-3 get exchanged in acetonitrile. Reaction equilibria involving binding and exchange of the terminal ligands (Cl-/H2O/CH3CN) in these complexes have been studied spectrophotometrically. The equilibrium constant for the aquation reaction (K(aq)) [1]2+ + H2O <==> [2]3+ + Cl- in acetonitrile is 8.65(5) M, and the binding constant (K(Cl)-) for the reaction [1]2+ + Cl- [1Cl]+ + CH3CN is 4.75(5) M. The pK(D) value for the dimerization reaction 2[2]3+ + 2OH- <==> [3]4+ + 3H(2)O in 1:1 acetonitrile-water is 9.38(10). Complexes 1-3 upon reaction with Zn(ClO4)(2).6H(2)O and sodium acetate (OAc), pivalate (OPiv), or bis(4-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) produce the heterobimetallic complexes [{FeLZn(mu-X)}2(mu-O)](ClO4)2, where X = OAc (4), OPiv (5), and BNPP (6). The pseudo-first-order rate constant (k(obs)) for the formation of 4 at 25 degrees C from either 1 or 3 with an excess of Zn(OAc)2.2H2O in 1:1 acetonitrile-water at pH 6.6 is found to be the same with k(obs) = 1.6(2) x 10(-4) s(-1). The X-ray crystal structures of 3, 4, and 6 have been determined, although the structure determination of 3 was severely affected because of heavy disordering. In 3, the Fe-O-Fe angle is 168.6(6) degrees, while it is exactly 180.0 degrees in 4 and 6. Cyclic and square-wave voltammetric (CV and SWV) measurements have been carried out for complexes 1-4 in acetonitrile. The variation of the solvent composition (acetonitrile-water) has a profound effect on the E(1/2) and DeltaE(p) values. The binding of an additional chloride ion to an iron(III) center in 1-3 is accompanied by a remarkable shift of E(1/2) to more negative values. The observation of quasi-reversible CV for complexes containing a Fe(III)-O-Fe(III) unit (3 and 4) indicates that in the electrochemical time scale unusual Fe(III)-O-Fe(II) is produced. The 1H NMR spectra of complexes 3-6 exhibit hyperfine-shifted signals in the range 0-90 ppm with similar features. The metal-hydrogen distances obtained from T(1) measurements are in good agreement with the crystallographic data. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements carried out for 3 and 4 indicate strong antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (H = -2JS1.S2) between the high-spin iron(III) centers in the Fe-O-Fe unit with J = -114 cm(-1) (3) and -107 cm(-1) (4).     

Oxidative homolysis of a nitrosylchromium complex

Metal(III)-polypyridine complexes [M(NN)(3)](3+) (M = Ru or Fe; NN = bipyridine (bpy), phenanthroline (phen), or 4,7-dimethylphenanthroline (Me(2)-phen)) oxidize the nitrosylpentaaquachromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)NO](2+), with an overall 4:1 stoichiometry, 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) + [Cr(aq)NO](2+) + 2 H(2)O --> 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) + [Cr(aq)](3+) + NO(3)(-) + 4 H(+). The kinetics follow a mixed second-order rate law, -d[[M(NN)(3)](3+)]/dt = nk[[M(NN)(3)](3+)][[Cr(aq)NO](2+)], in which k represents the rate constant for the initial one-electron transfer step, and n = 2-4 depending on reaction conditions and relative rates of the first and subsequent steps. With [Cr(aq)NO](2+) in excess, the values of nk are 283 M(-1) s(-1) ([Ru(bpy)(3)](3+)), 7.4 ([Ru(Me(2)-phen)(3)](3+)), and 5.8 ([Fe(phen)(3)](3+)). In the proposed mechanism, the one-electron oxidation of [Cr(aq)NO](2+) releases NO, which is further oxidized to nitrite, k = 1.04x10(6) M(-1) s(-1), 6.17x10(4), and 1.12x10(4) with the three respective oxidants. Further oxidation yields the observed nitrate. The kinetics of the first step show a strong correlation with thermodynamic driving force. Parallels were drawn with oxidative homolysis of a superoxochromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)OO](2+), to gain insight into relative oxidizability of coordinated NO and O(2), and to address the question of the "oxidation state" of coordinated NO in [Cr(aq)NO](2+).     

Remarkably high catalytic activity of the Ru(III)(edta)/H2O2 system towards degradation of the azo-dye Orange II

The Ru(III)(edta)/H(2)O(2) system (edta(4-) = ethylenediaminetretaacetate) was found to degrade the azo-dye Orange II at remarkably high efficiency under ambient conditions. Catalytic degradation of the dye was studied by using rapid-scan spectrophotometry as a function of [H(2)O(2)], [Orange II] and pH. Spectral analyses and kinetic data point towards a catalytic pathway involving the rapid formation of [Ru(III)(edta)(OOH)](2-) followed by the immediate subsequent degradation of Orange II prior to the conversion of [Ru(III)(edta)(OOH)](2-) to [Ru(IV)(edta)(OH)](-) and [Ru(V)(edta)(O)](-)via homolysis and heterolysis of the O-O bond, respectively. The higher oxidation state Ru(IV) and Ru(V) complexes react three orders of magnitude slower with Orange II than the Ru(III)-hydroperoxo complex. In comparison to biological oxygen transfer reactions, the Ru(edta) complexes show the reactivity order Compound 0 ? Compounds I and II.