Preparation,crystal structure and characterization of 2,4,6-trinitro-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid monohydrate

In the present work, we synthesized 2,4,6-trinitro-3,5-dimethylbenzoic acid (TNDMBA). Single crystal of TNDMBA·H₂O was cultured from aqueous solution using a slow evaporation method at 30°C. The crystal structure was determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The crystal belongs to the monoclinic system with space group P2(1)/c having unit cell parameters of a = 17.24(3) Å, b = 6.032(1) Å, and c = 16.359(4) Å. There are two kinds of intermolecular H-bond interactions between H₂O and TNDMBA, which is different from typical carboxylic acids that form H-bond dimers across crystallographic centers of inversion. The title compound was characterized by FT-IR, DSC, and TG-DTG technologies, and calculated by using density functional theory (DFT) method. The calculated results show that the structural parameters from the theory are close to those of the crystal structure from the experiments. The compound is composed of three nitro groups and one carboxyl group, and it can be used as a potential energetic combustion catalyst in industry.     

Estimating the energy of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in chitosan oligomers

The effect the number of chitosan monomer units CTS_n (n = 1–5), the protonation of chitosan dimers, and the interaction between CTS_n (n = 1–3) and acetate ions have on the energy of intramolecular hydrogen bonds is investigated by means of QTAIM analysis and solving the vibrational problem within the cluster-continuum model. It is established that the number of H-bonds in CTS_n is 2n ? 1 and the total energy of H-bonds grows by ~20 kJ/mol. It is concluded that the hydrogen bonds between CTS and acetate ions play a major role in the stabilization of polyelectrolyte complexes in dilute acetic acid solutions of CTS.     

Preparation,characterization and crystal structures of metal(II) tetraza macrocyclic complexes with organic co-ligands

The complexes [Ni(L1)(pyc)₂]·2H₂O (1) (L1 = C-meso-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane; Hpyc = pyrazinecarboxylic acid) and [Cu(L2)(H-cpdc)] (2) (L2 = 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazatricyclo[14,4,0^1.18,0^7.12]docosane; H₂-cpdc = cyclopropanedicarboxylic acid) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The crystal structure of complex 1 shows a distorted octahedral coordination geometry around the nickel(II) center, with four secondary amines in the equatorial positions and two nitrogen atoms of the pyc^? ligands in the trans positions. In complex 2, the coordination environment around the copper(II) center is a Jahn–Teller distorted octahedron with four Cu–N bonds and two axial Cu–O bonds. The electronic spectra, electrochemical and TGA behavior of the complexes are significantly affected by the nature of the axial pyc^? and H-cpdc^? ligands.     

Determination of migrated phthalic acid residues into edible oils using a green mode of air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector

In this study, for the first time, an organic solvent-free air-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction method has been reported for the extraction and preconcentration of phthalic acids (o-phthalic acid, m-phthalic acid, and p-phthalic acid) from edible oil samples. The method is based on the repeated aspirating/injection of an alkaline aqueous solution and the oil sample mixture in a conical bottom centrifuge tube to form a cloudy solution. After phase separation by centrifuging, the sedimented phase is directly analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the method showed low limits of detection and quantification between 0.11–0.29 and 0.28–0.91 ng mL^?1, respectively. Extraction recoveries and enrichment factors were from 81 to 97% and 406 to 489, respectively. The relative standard deviations for the analysis of 5 ng mL^?1 of each analyte were less than 5.9% for intraday (n = 6) and interday (n = 5) precisions. Finally, different oil samples were successfully analyzed using the proposed method and m-phthalic acid, and p-phthalic acid were determined in some of them at ng mL^?1 level.     

Synthesis and characterization of high-dimensional structure based on paradodecatungstate clusters and sodium–aminoacetic acid complex subunits

An organic–inorganic hybrid material based on paradodecatungstate building blocks and sodium–aminoacetic acid complex subunits,{Na₁₀(H₃N–CH₂–COO)₂[H₂W₁₂O₄₂]}·28H₂O (1), have been synthesized under mildly acidic conditions. This compound was characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and UV–visible spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with a = 11.879(2) Å, b = 12.706(2) Å, c = 13.067(2) Å, α = 74.11(3)°, β = 79.71(3)°, γ = 65.95(3)°, V = 1727.2(5) Å³, and Z = 1. The crystal structure consists of infinite 2D layers constructed from [H₂W₁₂O₄₂]^10? clusters and sodium–aminoacetic acid complexes; adjacent layers are further joined by the complex units and sodium cations to yield a three-dimensional network.     

Synthesis,structure and electrochemical properties of some thiosemicarbazone complexes of iridium

Reaction of thiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde and 2-hydroxyacetophenone (H₂L¹ and H₂L²) with [Ir(PPh₃)₃Cl] affords complexes of type [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L)(H)] (L = L¹ or L²) in ethanol. A similar reaction carried out in toluene affords the [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L)(H)] complexes along with complexes of type [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L)Cl], where a chloride is coordinated to iridium instead of the hydride. The structure of the [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L²)(H)] and [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L²)Cl] complexes has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Crystal data for [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L²)(H)]: space group, P2₁/c; crystal system, monoclinic; a=12.110(2) Å, b=17.983(4) Å, c=18.437(4) Å, β=103.42(3)°, Z=4; R ₁=0.0591, wR ₂=0.1107. Crystal data for [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L²)Cl]: space group, P2₁/c; crystal system, monoclinic; a=17.9374(11) Å, b=19.2570(10) Å, c=24.9135(16) Å, β=108.145(5)°, Z=4; R ₁=0.0463, wR ₂=0.0901. In all the complexes the thiosemicarbazones are coordinated to the metal center as dianionic tridentate O, N, S-donors and the two triphenylphosphines are trans. The complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d? ⁶, S=0) and show intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on all the [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L)(H)] and [Ir(PPh₃)₂(L)Cl] complexes shows a quasi-reversible Ir(III)–Ir(IV) oxidation within 0.55–0.78 V vs. SCE followed by an irreversible oxidation of the thiosemicarbazone within 0.91–1.27 V vs. SCE. An irreversible reduction of the thiosemicarbazone is also observed within ?1.10 to ?1.23 V vs. SCE.     

Crystallographic and conformational analysis of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-2-isopropyl-4-(<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-tolyldiazenyl)phenol

The molecular and crystal structures of the title compound, C₁₆H₁₈N₂O, were characterized and determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction method in addition to spectroscopic means such as IR, UV–VIS and ¹H NMR. The compound crystallizes in orthorhombic space group P bca, with a = 9.3350(5) Å, b = 23.4878(13) Å, c = 26.5871(12) Å, Z = 16, D _calc. = 1.1591(1) g/cm³, μ (MoK_α) = 0.073 mm^?1. Monomers of the compound in the crystal structure are linked into C(7) and C(8) chains generated by translation along the [1 0 0] direction with the aid of O–H···N type H-bonds which serve to the stabilization of periodic organization of the molecules beside major and minor component in the disordered azo fragment. In order to describe conformational flexibility and the crystal packing effects on the molecular conformation, potential barriers regarding the rotation along both Ar–N bonds were calculated by varying the related torsional degrees of freedom in every 10° ranging from ?180° to +180° via quantum chemical calculations at DFT/B3LYP level.     

Hydrostable coordination polymers of a methyl-functionalized 4,4′-bipyridine ligand: structure,stability, magnetic and luminescent properties

The reactions of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and methyl-functionalized 4,4′-bipyridine ligands with metal salts under hydrothermal conditions generated four structurally diverse cobalt(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II) coordination polymers, [Co(CH₃-BDC)(dmbpy)_0.5] _n (1), [Cd(OH-HBDC)₂(dmbpy)] _n (2), [Zn(NDC)(dmbpy)] _n , (3) and {[Cd(DBA)(dmbpy)_0.5]·2H₂O} _n (4) (CH₃–H₂BDC = 5-methylisophthalic acid, OH–H₂BDC = 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid, H₂NDC = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H₂DBA = 4,4′-methylenedibenzoic acid, dmbpy = 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridine). All four complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complex 1 shows a 3D jsm topology structure with two 1D channels parallel to the a and b axes. Complex 2 has a zigzag chain in which the OH-HBDC ligands point alternately up and down. Complexes 3 and 4 show 2D (4,4) networks when the dinuclear metal centers and their ligands are regarded as nodes and linkers, respectively. Complex 3 also shows twofold interpenetration with 1D channels along the b axis. Two nets of complex 4 interlock in parallel, giving rise to a polycatenated layer (2D → 2D). Thermogravimetric and chemical stabilities, magnetic and luminescent properties of these complexes were investigated.     

New hybrids of clozapine and haloperidol and their isosteric analogues: synthesis,X-ray crystallography,conformational analysis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation

Schizophrenia is a debilitating mental disorder which affects approximately 1% of the world’s population. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic showing unmatched effectiveness in the control of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Unlike typical antipsychotics, clozapine does not induce extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), tardive dyskinesia or elevate prolactin levels. However, clozapine can induce a potentially fatal blood disorder, agranulocytosis, in 1–2% of patients, severely limiting its clinical use. The model for antipsychotic activity under investigation is based on obtaining a clozapine-like profile with preferential dopamine D₄ and serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor affinity. Profiled herein are three unique members of a series of prospective antipsychotic agents. Compound (I) originated from the structural hybridization of the commercial therapeutics, clozapine and haloperidol, whilst compounds (II) and (III) possess an alternative tricyclic nucleus derived from JL13; a clozapine-like atypical antipsychotic developed by Liégeois et al. These compounds have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, IR, ¹H and ¹³C-NMR spectroscopy, MS and X-ray diffraction. Compound (I) crystallizes in space group P(?1) with a = 10.5032(1), b = 10.6261(2), c = 12.6214(3) Å, α = 81.432(1)°, β = 83.292(1)°, γ = 61.604(1)°, Z = 2, V = 1223.62(4) Å³, C₂₈H₂₉ClN₄O, M _r = 473.00, D _c = 1.284 Mg/m³, μ = 0.185 mm^?1, F(000) = 500, R = 0.0506 and wR = 0.1304. Compound (II) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 10.8212(2), b = 9.3592(2), c = 22.9494(5) Å, β = 106.471(1)°, Z = 4, V = 2228.88(8) Å³, C₂₅H₂₅ClN₄O₂, M _r = 448.94, D _c = 1.338 Mg/m³, μ = 0.202 mm^?1, F(000) = 944, R = 0.0529 and wR = 0.1129. Compound (III) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 10.5174(2), b = 9.3112(2), c = 24.2949(5) Å, β = 98.666(1)°, Z = 4, V = 2352.03(8) Å³, C₂₅H₂₄Cl₂N₄O₂, M _r = 483.38, D _c = 1.365 Mg/m³, μ = 0.306 mm^?1, F(000) = 1008, R = 0.0478 and wR = 0.1067. The solid state conformations of (I), (II) and (III) exhibit the characteristic V-shaped buckled nature of the respective dibenzodiazepine and pyridobenzoxazepine nuclei with the central seven-membered heterocycle in a boat conformation. The molecules of (I) form a head-to-tail dimeric motif stabilized by hydrogen bonding. The results of a conformational analysis of compounds (I)–(III) investigating the effect of environment (in vacuo and aqueous solution) are presented. These analogues were tested for in vitro affinity for the dopamine D₄ and serotonin 5-HT_2A receptors and their comparative receptor binding profiles to clozapine and JL13 are reported.     

A Novel 3D Platinum–Thallium Coordination Polymer having Strong Metal–Metal Interactions

A new three-dimensional platinum(II)–thallium(I) coordination polymer [{Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂}₄Tl₄][Pt(CN)₄]₂·2H ₂ O (pda = 1,2-propyldiamine) has been prepared from the direct reaction of [Tl₂Pt(CN)₄] and [Pt(pda)(NHCOtBu)₂] in water, and its structure was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound crystallizes in monoclinic, space group Pn, a = 11.567(2) Å, b = 11.570(2) Å, c = 37.677(8)Å, β = 94.64(3)°, V = 5025.8(17) Å³, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0679 and wR2 = 0.1574 [I >  2σ (I)], Goodness-of-fit on F ² = 1.055. The compound exhibits a novel 3D network structure consisting of [Pt(CN)₄]^2? connected 1D infinite Pt–Tl–Pt–Tl chains via strong Pt–Tl bonds.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and in vitro anticancer activities of oxovanadium(IV) complexes of amino acid Schiff base and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands

Four oxovanadium(IV) complexes, namely [VO(desa-met)(phen)]·MeOH·2H₂O (1) (desa-met = Schiff base derived from 4-(diethylamino)salicylaldehyde and dl-methionine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), [VO(o-van-met) (phen)]·MeOH·CH₂Cl₂·3H₂O (2) (o-van-met = Schiff base derived from o-vanillin and dl-methionine), [VO(dtbs-napa)(phen)]·2H₂O (3) (dtbs-napa = Schiff base derived from 3,5-di-tert-butyl salicylaldehyde and 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine) and [VO(hyna-napa)(phen)]·1.5H₂O (4) (hyna-napa = Schiff base derived from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 3-(1-naphthyl)-l-alanine), were synthesized and characterized by IR, HRMS, UV–vis spectra, molar conductance and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). X-ray structural analysis showed that the V(IV) atoms in all four complexes are six-coordinated in a distorted octahedral environment. In the crystals of complexes 1 and 2, π–π stacking interactions together with hydrogen bonds connect the molecular units into 2D networks. Meanwhile, CH–π stacking interactions are observed between the aromatic rings in the crystals of 1 and 4, while the π–π stacking interactions between aromatic rings in the crystals of 2 and 3 are arranged with a face-to-face mode. The in vitro anticancer activities of these complexes against A-549 and HeGp2 cells were tested by MTT assay.     

Silver-based coordination complexes of carboxylate ligands: crystal structures,luminescence and photocatalytic properties

The complexes [Ag₄(dpe)₄]·(btec) (1) and [Ag₄(bpy)₄]·(btec)·12H₂O (2) (dpe = 1,2-di(4-pyridyl)ethylene, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, H₄btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid) have been synthesized in aqueous alcohol/ammonia by slow evaporation at room temperature and characterized by elemental analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV–Vis and luminescence spectroscopies. Both complexes are composed of 1D infinite cationic [Ag/dpe(bpy)] _n ⁿ⁺ chains and discrete btec^4? anions. Their three-dimensional supramolecular structures are built up of cationic sheets formed from [Ag/dpe(bpy)] _n ⁿ⁺ units via weak Ag…Ag and Ag…N interactions, plus anionic btec^4? sheets featuring electrostatic, π–π and hydrogen bonding interactions. Both complexes exhibited photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of methyl orange under UV light irradiation.     

Spectroscopic validation and biological screening of new iron(III) complexes with N,O donor ligands

Monometallic trivalent complexes of iron were synthesized by reaction between N, O type donor ligands (L) or (L′) and metal salt in a 1:2 (metal:ligand) molar ratio. Structure and composition of metal complexes were evaluated by elemental analysis, conductance measurements, magnetic moment measurements, and various spectroscopic studies viz. FTIR, UV–visible, and ESI–MS. Analytical and molar conductance data are consistent with the formulation of complexes as [Fe(L)₂X₂]·X and [Fe(L′)₂X₂]·X (where; L = Hydrazine carboxylic acid ethyl ester, L′ = Hydrazine carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester and X = Cl^?, Br^? or NO₃ ^?) due to their 1:1 electrolytic nature. IR spectral data revealed bi-dentate coordination behavior of ligands. An octahedral geometry may be assigned for metal complexes on the basis of electronic absorption data and magnetic moment parameters. The compounds were evaluated for their biological activity by in vitro antimicrobial screening against bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi and fungi Candida parapsilosis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The results indicate that metal complexes exhibit more activity than free ligands against studied microbes.     

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium heterocyclic-thiocarboxylate complexes

The cyclopentadienyl ruthenium complexes CpRuL₂SCO-het (Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; L₂ = 2PPh₃ (1), dppe (2)) bearing heterocyclic thiocarboxylate ligands have been synthesized from the reaction of CpRuL₂SH with heterocyclic acid chlorides (ClCO-2-C₄H₃S (a); ClCO-2-C₄H₃O (b); ClCO-1-C₄H₈N (c)). Bubbling of CO gas through a THF solution of (1) produced the mixed carbonyl–phosphine complexes CpRu(PPh₃)(CO)SCO-het (3) with high yields. Complexes (1)-(3) were characterized by spectroscopic methods (i.r., ¹H-n.m.r., ³¹P-n.m.r.) and elemental analysis. The molecular structure of CpRu(PPh₃)₂SCO-2-C₄H₃S (1a) verifies that the thiocarboxylate ligands bind via the sulfur atom (Ru–S = 2.406(2) Å).     

Synthesis,characterization, antimicrobial activity and ultrastructure of the affected bacteria of new quinoline compounds

The reaction on 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde azo compounds (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) with 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one to obtain HL _n (where n = 6–10) have been characterized by means of TLC, melting point and spectral data, such as IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectra and thermal studies. The X-ray diffraction patterns of two starting materials 8-hydroxy quinoline-7-aldehyde (start 1), 4-amino-1,2-dihydro-2,3-dimethyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-one (start 2) and the ligands (HL_5,10) are investigated in powder form. All the ligands have been screened for their antimicrobial activity against four local bacterial species, two Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus) and two Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae) as well as against four local fungi; Aspergillus niger, Alternaria alternata, Penicillium italicum and Fusarium oxysporium. The results show that the azo ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 1–5) have no antimicrobial activity against bacteria and fungi while most azomethine ligands (HL _n ) (where n = 6–10) are good antibacterial agents against E. coli and K. pneumoniae as well as antifungal agents against P. italicum and A. alternata. The results were compared to standard substances (start 1) and (start 2). Among the azomethine ligands, HL₁₀ was the most effective against the most microorganisms tested. The size of clear zone was ordered as p-(OCH₃ < CH₃ < H < Cl < NO₂) as expected from Hammett’s constant (σ ^R ). Also, the ultrastructure study of the affected bacteria confirmed that HL₈ is good antibacterial agent against E. coli and S. aureus.     

Computational Studies on the Mo-Doped Gold Nanoclusters Au<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis></Subscript>Mo(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> = 1–10): Structures,Stabilities and Magnetic Properties

The geometric structures, relative stabilities, magnetic properties of Mo-doped gold clusters Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) have been investigated at the PBE1PBE/def2TZVP level of theory. The results show that molybdenum doping has a significant effect on the geometric structures and electronic properties of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10) clusters. For the lowest energy structures of Au _n Mo(n = 1–10), the two dimensional to three dimensional transition occurs at cluster size n ≥ 8, and their relative stabilities exhibit odd–even oscillation with the change of Au atom number. It is found that charge in corresponding Au _n Mo clusters transfers from Mo atom to Au _n host in the size range n = 1–7, whereas the charge in opposition direction in the size range n = 8–10. In addition, the magnetic properties of Au _n Mo clusters are enhanced after doping single Mo atom into the corresponding gold clusters. Our results are valuable for the design of magnetic material.     

Preparation and thermal reliability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-butyl stearate/methyl palmitate composite phase change material

In this study, a series of binary mixtures of N-butyl stearate (nBS) and methyl palmitate (MP) were used to produce a novel composite phase change material (CPCM) for potential application in the eastern China, and their thermal properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results of DSC indicated that the mixture consisting of 10 mass% nBS and 90 mass% MP is optimum as the CPCM in terms of the phase change temperature ranges (T _f = 19.74–5.59 °C; T _m = 18.34–33.80 °C) and latent heats (ΔH _f = 176.8 J g^?1; ΔH _m = 189.3 J g^?1). On the other hand, the thermal reliability and chemical stability of the CPCM after 120, 180, 240, 300, 360 and 500 accelerated thermal cycling tests were studied by DSC and fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. The results demonstrated that the CPCM had good thermal reliability and chemical stability.     

Molecular and crystal structure of 15-acetylsongorine and songoramine isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aconitum szechenyianum</Emphasis> Gay

Two napelline skeletal diterpenoid alkaloids 15-acetylsongorine, C₂₄H₃₃NO₄ I, and songoramine, C₂₂H₂₉NO₃ II, were first isolated from the roots of Aconitum Szechenyianum Gay. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The crystal I is the triclinic system with space group P1 having unit cell parameters of a = 9.360(8) Å, b = 11.593(9) Å, c = 11.830(16) Å, α = 113.223(15)°, β = 105.950(16)°, γ = 101.296(12)°, and Z = 2. Hydrogen bonds O–H···O and O–H···N joint the molecules into dimer. The crystal II belongs to the orthorhombic system with space group P2₁2₁2₁ having unit cell parameters of a = 8.950(2) Å, b = 13.272(3) Å, c = 15.454(4) Å and Z = 4. The O–H···O hydrogen bonding interaction links the molecule into linear chains. The distortion of rings of compound I and II were evaluated by calculation of the Cremer and Pople puckering parameters. The presence of the C–O–C bond in the compound II results in the changes of ring conformations compared with that of the compound I.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>-Dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of sterically encumbered phenol-based tetradentate N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> ligands: Structural,spectroscopic, and electrochemical studies

Two cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes [MoO₂L] (L: L ¹, 2 and L: L ², 3) in a phenol-based sterically encumbered N₂O₂ ligand environment have been synthesized, and their crystallographic characterizations are reported. The orange crystals of 2 are monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with unit cell dimensions as a=16.2407(17) Å, b=7.2857(8) Å, c=18.400(2) Å, β=98.002(9)°, Z=4, and d _cal=1.486 g cm^?3. The light orange crystals of 3, however, are orthorhombic, space group, Pbcn, with unit cell dimensions a=8.3110(12) Å, b=12.637(3) Å, c=34.673(5) Å, Z=4, and d _cal=1.187 g cm^?3. The structures were refined by a full-matrix least-squares procedure on F ² to a final R=0.046 (0.055 for 3) using 4944 (3677) all independent data. In both the cases, the Mo atom exists in a distorted octahedral geometry defined by a N₂O₄ donor set, which features a cis-Mo(–O)₂ and a trans-Mo(OPh)₂ arrangement. Compound 2 undergoes a quasireversible one-electron reduction at ?1.3 V vs Ag/AgCl reference due to Mo^VIO₂/Mo^VO₂ electron transfer and thus providing a rare example of steric solution to the comproportionation–dimerization problem encountered frequently in the development of valid biomimetic models for the active sites of oxomolybdenum enzymes.