Adduct formation or metathesis reactions of silver complexes containing the fluorinated ligands [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]- and [CF3SO3]-: formation of silver adducts containing unsupported silver-germanium bonds

A mixture of [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Ag(eta 2-toluene) and [(Me)2ATI]GeCl in CH2Cl2, rather than undergoing metathesis, formed a 1:1 adduct [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Ag<--GeCl[(Me)2ATI] (1, where [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3] = hydrotris(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazolyl)borate and [(Me)2ATI] = N-methyl-2-(methylamino)troponiminate) featuring a silver-germanium bond. Solutions of 1 (in CH2Cl2 or toluene) did not precipitate AgCl even after several days. However, it easily underwent metathesis with CF3SO3Ag, leading to the chloride-free product [HB(3,5-(CF3)2Pz)3]Ag<--Ge(OSO2CF3)[(Me)2ATI] (2). Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Ag-Ge bond distances of 1 and 2 are 2.4215(9) and 2.4116(10) A, respectively.     

Behaviour of [PdH(dppe)2]X (X=CF3SO3-, SbF6-, BF4-) as proton or hydride donor: relevance to catalysis

The synthesis, characterization and properties of [PdH(dppe)(2)](+)CF(3)SO(3) (-).0.125 THF (1; dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphanyl)ethane) and its SbF(6) (-) (1') and BF(4) (-) (1") analogues, the missing members of the [MH(dppe)(2)](+)X(-) (M=Ni, Pd, Pt) family, are described. The Pd hydrides are not stable in solution and can react as proton or hydride donors with formation of dihydrogen, [Pd(dppe)(2)](2+) and [Pd(dppe)(2)]. Complexes 1-1" react with carbocations and carbanions by transferring a hydride and a proton, respectively. Such H(-) or H(+) transfer occurs also towards unsaturated compounds, for example, hydrogenation of a C=C double bond. Accordingly, 1 can hydrogenate methyl acrylate to methyl propionate. Complex 1" is an effective (hourly turnover frequency=16) and very selective (100 %) catalyst for the hydrogenation of cyclohexen-2-one to cyclohexanone with dihydrogen under mild conditions. Density functional calculations coupled with a dielectric continuum model were carried out to compute the energetics of the hydride/proton transfer reactions, which were used to rationalize some of the experimental findings. Theory provides strong support for the thermodynamic and kinetic viability of a tetracoordinate Pd complex as an intermediate in the reactions.     

Syntheses of new ionic technetium(III) complexes containing four monodentate phosphine ligands. Crystal structures of trans-[Tc(PMe2Ph)4Cl2]PF6, trans-[Tc(PMe3)4Cl2]BPh4, and trans-[Tc(PMe3)4Cl2]PF6

New ionic technetium complexes of the type trans-[Tc(PR3)4Cl2]+ are synthesized by various methods. The simplest method is the reaction of [TcO4]- with the phosphine in methanol in the presence of a chloride salt. Compounds containing PMe2Ph and PMe3 are synthesized and characterized by crystallographic methods. The complexes containing the less bulky phosphine can be prepared from complexes containing the bulker phosphine. The compounds are paramagnetic, with two unpaired electrons. The complexes studied by X-ray diffraction methods are the trans isomers. [Tc(PMe2Ph)4Cl2]PF6 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 11.511(2) A, b = 26.713(7) A, c = 12.688(3) A, beta = 92.79(1) degrees, Z = 4, and R1 = 0.0574. [Tc(PMe3)4Cl2]BPh4 (II) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, with a = 18.213(5) A, b = 22.950(5) A, c = 19.428(6) A, Z = 8, and R1 = 0.0691. [Tc(PMe3)4Cl2]PF6 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, with a = 18.152(7) A, b = 16.838(9) A, c = 18.090(6) A, beta = 106.63(1) degrees, Z = 8, and R1 = 0.0670. The compounds all have octahedral coordination, but an important tetrahedral deformation of the plane containing the Tc and the four P atoms is observed in each case. In II, the two independent Tc atoms are both located on 2-fold axes.     

Influence of gamma irradiation on hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids [BuMeIm]PF6 and [BuMeIm](CF3SO2)2N

Stability of neat hydrophobic Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTIL) [BuMeIm]X, where [BuMeIm]+ is 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and X- is PF6-, and (CF3SO2)2N-, was studied under gamma radiolysis (137Cs) in an argon atmosphere and in air. It was found that the density, surface tension, and refraction index of RTILs are unchanged even by an absorbed dose of approximately 600 kGy. Studied RTILs exhibit considerable darkening when subjected to gamma irradiation. The light absorbance of ionic liquids increases linearly with the irradiation dose. Water has no influence on radiolytic darkening. A comparative study of [BuMeIm]X and [Bu4N][Tf2N] leads to the conclusion that the formation of colored products is related to gamma radiolysis of the [BuMeIm]+ cation. The radiolytic darkening kinetics of RTILs is influenced by the anions as follows: Cl- < (CF3SO2)2N- < PF6-. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and NMR analysis reveal the presence of nonvolatile radiolysis products at concentrations below 1 mol% for an absorbed dose exceeding 1200 kGy. Initial step of BuMeIm+ cation radiolysis is the loss of the Bu* group, the H* atom from the 2 position on the imidazolium ring, and the H* atom from the butyl chain. Radiolysis of ionic liquid anions yields F* and CF3* from PF6- and [Tf2N]-, respectively. Recombinations of these primary products of radiolysis lead to various polymeric and acidic species.     

Coordination networks with flexible ligands based on silver(I) salts: complexes of 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane with silver(I) salts of PF6-, CF3COO-, CF3CF2COO-, CF3CF2)CF2COO-, p-TsO-, and CF3SO3-

The synthesis and characterization of nine coordination networks based on 1,3-bis(phenylthio)propane, L(3), and silver(I) salts of PF(6)(-) (1), CF(3)COO(-) (2), CF(3)CF(2)COO(-) (3), CF(3)CF(2)CF(2)COO(-) (4), p-TsO(-) (5, 6), and CF(3)SO(3)(-) (7-9) are reported. Only 1 and other "isostructural" complexes with weakly coordinating anions such as ClO(4)(-) and SbF(6)(-) are of the host-guest type. In all the other complexes, the anions and the acetone molecules, when present, are coordinated to the metal. Most of the complexes studied here form a 2D-coordination network. Only 4 and 5 adopt a polymer-like chain structure. The packing of the chains of 4 is pseudohexagonal compact, while that of 5 is of the centered type. In complex 1, the silver atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to the sulfur atoms of four different ligands. The PF(6)(-) anions and acetone molecules, sandwiched between silver-ligand cationic sheets, are held through van der Waals interactions. In each of the three perfluorocarboxylates (2-4), two silver atoms are joined by the anions in a diatomic bridging mode. The Ag...Ag distances are sufficiently short to indicate weak metal...metal interactions. The dimeric units in 2 and 3 are interconnected through the ligands, thereby generating a 2D-network of neutral sheets, while, in 4, the dimeric units are bound to four ligands and a 1D-coordination polymer is generated. In the case of the sulfonate anions (p-TsO(-) and CF(3)SO(3)(-)), the crystallization solvent influences the structure adopted. Thus, in 5, 7, and 9 obtained from petroleum ether, or other nonpolar solvents, two silver atoms are bound in a double-bridge fashion, while a monobridge mode is noted for 6 and 8, both recrystallized from diethyl ether. In 8, both bridging types are observed. The thermogravimetric investigation, in the room temperature-450 degrees C interval, of complexes 1, 3, and 7, which incorporate acetone molecules in their crystal structures, reveals a two-step weight loss for 1 (the acetone molecules are lost first followed by the ligands, leaving behind the silver salt), while complexes 3 and 7 decompose in a single step to metallic silver.     

Surface characterization of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium Br-, I-, PF6-, BF4-, (CF3SO2)2N-, SCN-, CH3SO3-, CH3SO4-, and (CN)2N- ionic liquids by sum frequency generation

Sum frequency generation spectroscopy, SFG, was used for the surface characterization at the gas-liquid interface of the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation combined with the following anions: Br-, I-, PF6-, BF4-, (CF3SO2)2N- (imide), SCN-, CH3SO3- (MeSO3), CH3SO4- (MS), and (CN)2N- (DCN). The SFG spectra obtained for the different ionic liquids were similar independent of the anion selected; therefore, a comprehensive analysis for the surface characterization of the ionic liquids' cation was focused only on the PF6- and Br- anion combinations. For an accurate identification of the vibrational modes observed, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy in combination with isotopic labeling with deuterium and polarized Raman spectroscopy was used. The cation orientation was determined by analysis of polarization-dependent SFG spectra. For a compound dried in a vacuum to < or = 2 x 10(-5) Torr, the cation appears to be oriented with the ring laying flat along the surface plane and the butyl chain projecting into the gas phase independent of the anion identity.     

Mechanism of [3+2] Cycloaddition of Alkynes to the [Mo3S4(acac)3(py)3][PF6] Cluster

A study, involving kinetic measurements on the stopped‐flow and conventional UV/Vis timescales, ESI‐MS, NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, has been carried out to understand the mechanism of the reaction of [Mo₃S₄(acac)₃(py)₃][PF₆] ([ 1 ]PF₆; acac=acetylacetonate, py=pyridine) with two RC?CR alkynes (R=CH₂OH (btd), COOH (adc)) in CH₃CN. Both reactions show polyphasic kinetics, but experimental and computational data indicate that alkyne activation occurs in a single kinetic step through a concerted mechanism similar to that of organic [3+2] cycloaddition reactions, in this case through the interaction with one Mo(μ‐S)₂ moiety of [ 1 ]⁺. The rate of this step is three orders of magnitude faster for adc than that for btd, and the products initially formed evolve in subsequent steps into compounds that result from substitution of py ligands or from reorganization to give species with different structures. Activation strain analysis of the [3+2] cycloaddition step reveals that the deformation of the two reactants has a small contribution to the difference in the computed activation barriers, which is mainly associated with the change in the extent of their interaction at the transition‐state structures. Subsequent frontier molecular orbital analysis shows that the carboxylic acid substituents on adc stabilize its HOMO and LUMO orbitals with respect to those on btd due to better electron‐withdrawing properties. As a result, the frontier molecular orbitals of the cluster and alkyne become closer in energy; this allows a stronger interaction.     

Two-dimensional heisenberg antiferromagnets: syntheses, X-ray structures, and magnetic behavior of [Cu(pz)2](ClO4)2, [Cu(pz)2](BF4)2, and [Cu(pz)2(NO3)](PF6)

We report on the syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic susceptibilities of a family of copper pyrazine (pz)-based antiferromagnets with moderate in-plane magnetic exchange. These materials fall into two classes: monoclinic complexes [Cu(pz)2]A2 for A = ClO4 (1) or BF4 (2) and the tetragonal complex [Cu(pz)2(NO3)]PF6 (3). Compound 1 and its deuterated version [Cu(pz-d4)2](ClO4)2 (1a) crystallize in the space group C2/m at room temperature with disordered perchlorate anions. For both 1 and 2, the C centering of the Cu(II), S = 1/2, site yields four equivalent nearest neighbors, producing layers of Cu(II) ions bridged by the pz molecules, which map onto a square magnetic lattice. The layers are offset such that Cu(II) ions lie above and below the holes of adjacent layers. Compound 3 crystallizes in the space group I4/mcm with a layer structure similar to those of 1 and 2 but with Cu(II) ions of adjacent layers stacked above each other and bridged by semicoordinate NO3- ions. The variable-temperature susceptibilities in these compounds approximate a two-dimensional Heisenberg antiferromagnet with J values within the layers of 17.5(3) K (1), 15.3(3) K (2), and 10.8(3) K (3). Ordering transitions are observed in the magnetic data at 4.2(3) and 4.3(5) K for 1 and 2, respectively.     

Trifluoropropynylxenon(II) tetrafluoroborate [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4]--isolation of an alkynylxenon(II) compound for the first time

The salt [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4] was prepared as neat compound by the reaction of the hitherto unknown alkynyldifluoroborane CF3C[triple bond]CBF2 with XeF2 in 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (PFP) at -45 degrees C in 59% yield. [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4] was unambiguously characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in anhydrous HF (aHF) solution.     

Unsymmetrical linear pentanuclear nickel string complexes: [Ni(5)(tpda)(4)(H(2)O)(BF(4))](BF(4))(2) and [Ni(5)(tpda)(4)(SO(3)CF(3))(2)](SO(3)CF(3))

The one-electron oxidized linear pentanuclear nickel complexes [Ni(5)(tpda)(4)(H(2)O)(BF(4))](BF(4))(2) (1) and [Ni(5)(tpda)(4)(SO(3)CF(3))(2)](SO(3)CF(3)) (2) have been synthesized by reacting the neutral compound [Ni(5)(tpda)(4)Cl(2)] with the corresponding silver salts. These compounds have been characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 15.3022(1) A, b = 31.0705(3) A, c = 15.8109(2) A, beta = 92.2425(4) degrees, V = 7511.49(13) A(3), Z = 4, and compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a = 42.1894(7) A, b = 17.0770(3) A, c = 21.2117(4) A, beta = 102.5688(8) degrees, V = 14916.1(5) A(3), Z = 8. X-ray structural studies reveal an unsymmetrical Ni(5) unit for both compounds 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 show stronger Ni-Ni interactions as compared to those of the neutral compounds.     

Self-assembly of coordination polymers from AgX (X = SbF(6)(-), PF(6)(-), and CF(3)SO(3)(-)) and oxadiazole-containing ligands

The coordination chemistry of the oxadiazole-containing rigid bidentate ligands 2,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L1), 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L2), and 2,5-bis(3-aminophenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (L3) with inorganic Ag(I) salts has been investigated. Four new coordination polymers (1, 2, 3, and 5) and one new bimetallic macrocyclic supramolecular complex (4) were synthesized from solution reactions of L1-L3 with inorganic Ag(I) salts, respectively. Compounds [[Ag(L1)]SbF(6)](n) (1) (1, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 6.6846(4) A, b = 27.1113(15) A, c = 8.6802(5) A, beta = 94.1080(10) degrees, Z = 4) and [[Ag(L1)]PF(6)](n) (2) (2, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 6.6753(3) A, b = 27.2824(14) A, c = 8.2932(4) A, beta = 94.6030(10) degrees, Z = 4) were obtained from the reactions of L1 with AgSbF(6) and AgPF(6) in a CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)OH mixed solvent system, respectively. Compounds 1 and 2 are isostructural and feature a novel two-dimensional zeolite-like net with two different individual rings. [[Ag(L2)]SbF(6)](n) (3) (3, monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 5.5677(3) A, b = 17.3378(9) A, c = 15.6640(8) A, beta = 94.4100(10) degrees, Z = 2) and [Ag(2)(L2)(2)](SbF(6))(2) (4) (4, triclinic, P1, a = 8.7221(5) A, b = 9.2008(6) A, c = 10.7686(7) A, alpha = 70.6270(10) degrees, beta = 75.7670(10) degrees, gamma = 73.7560(10) degrees, Z = 1) were obtained from one-pot reaction of L2 with AgSbF(6) in a CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)OH mixed solvent system. Compound 3 features a one-dimensional chain pattern, while compound 4 adopts a novel bimetallic macrocyclic structural motif which consists of Ag(2)(L2)(2) ringlike units (crystallographic dimensions, 8.06 x 7.42 A(2)). [[Ag(L3)]SO(3)CF(3)](n) (5) is generated from L3 and AgSO(3)CF(3) in a CH(2)Cl(2)/CH(3)OH mixed solvent system and crystallizes in the unusual space group Pbcn, with a = 9.8861(5) A, b = 20.2580(10) A, c = 17.5517(8) A, Z = 8. It adopts novel two-dimensional sheets that are cross-linked to each other by strong interlayer N-H...O hydrogen bonding interactions into a novel H-bonded three-dimensional network.     

Application of ionic liquids containing tricyanomethanide [C(CN)3]- or tetracyanoborate [B(CN)4]- anions in dye-sensitized solar cells

A series of novel ionic liquids composed of imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, and ammonium cations with tricyanomethanide or tetracyanoborate anions were prepared. The ionic liquids were characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy and ESI-mass spectrometry, and their physical properties were investigated. Solid state structures of the N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium and triethylpropylammonium tetracyanoborate salts were obtained by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The salts that are liquid at room temperature were evaluated as electrolyte additives in dye-sensitized solar cells, giving rise to efficiencies 7.35 and 7.85% under 100 and 10% Sun, respectively, in combination with the standard Z907 dye.     

Cluster complexes [Mo3O2S2(Acac)3(Amine)3]PF6

New mixed-ligand cluster complexes [Mo₃O₂S₂(Acac)₃(Amine)₃]PF₆ (Amine = morpholine (Mor), 4-cyanopyridine (PyCN), pyrazine (Pz)) have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The crystal structure of the Mor complex, which was isolated as [Mo₃(μ₃-S)(μ₂-O)₂(μ₂-S)(Acac)₃(Mor)₃]PF₆ · 0.5Mor · 0.3(CH₃)₂CO was determined. The stability of the complexes in methanolic solutions decreases in a row: Mor > PyCN > Pz.     

Acetate and acetamide complexes of [Ni(Me4[12]aneN4)]PF6: a tale of two ligands

Although there are many examples of acetate complexes, acetamide complexes are virtually unknown. A side‐by‐side comparison in (acetato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₃O₂)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (1), and (acetamidato‐κ²O,O′)(1,4,7,10‐tetramethyl‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane‐κ⁴N)nickel(II) hexafluoridophosphate, [Ni(C₂H₄NO)(C₁₂H₂₈N₄)]PF₆, (2), shows the steric equivalence between these two ligands, suggesting that acetamide could be considered as a viable acetate replacement for electronic tuning.