Redox behavior of trinuclear M3(μ-H)(μ3-μ1:μ2:μ2-C2Fe)(Co)9 and tetranuclear RuM3 3(μ-H)(μ4-μ1:μ1:μ1:μ2-C2Fe)(Co)12 (M=Ru or Os; and Fc=ferrocenyl) clusters. Electronic interaction between the ferrocenylacetylide ligand and the metal core of the cluster

The redox properties of the clusters Ru₃(CO)₁₂(1), Ru₃(μ-H)(μ₃-μ¹:μ²:μ²-C₂Fe)(CO)₉ (2), OS₃(μ-H)(μ₃-μ¹:μ²:μ²-C₂Fe)(CO)₉ (3), Ru₄(μ-H)(μ₄-μ¹:μ¹:μ¹:μ²-C₂Fe)(CO)₁₂ (4), and RuOS₃(μ-H)(μ₄-μ¹:μ¹:μ¹:μ²-C₂Fe)(CO)₁₂ (5) in THF have been studied by cyclic voltammetry in the temperature range from ?60 to +20°C. It was demonstrated that reversible one-electron oxidation of the ferrocenyl fragment in clusters 2–5 occurs at more positive potentials (δE ⁰=0.15–0.26 V) than that of free ferrocene. This is indicative of the electron-withdrawing character of the cluster core with respect to the ferrocenylacetylide ligand. The electron-withdrawing effect of the metal core is more pronounced in tetranuclear clusters4 and 5 than in trinuclear clusters2 and3. Unlike complexes1–3, which undergo irreversible reduction, complexes4 and5 undergo reversible one-electron reduction to form the corresponding radical anions4 ^? and5 ^?.     

Protonation and acylation of the heterometallic complexes (μ-H)Os3(μ-O2CC5H4FeCp)(CO)10 and Fe{(μ-O2CC5H4)(μ-H)Os3(CO)10}2

The reactions of the heterometallic complexes (-H)Os₃(-O₂CC₅H₄FeCp)(CO)₁₀ (1) and Fe{(-O₂CC₅H₄)(-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀}₂ (2) with CF₃COOH, CF₃SO₃H, and AcCl were studied. The reaction of 1 with CF₃COOH involves interaction with the Cp ligands, protonation of the O atom of the bridging carboxylate group, and oxidative degradation of the complex. At low concentrations, CF₃SO₃H protonates the O atom of the bridging carboxylate group, while at high concentrations, degradation of the complex takes place. The reaction of complex 2with either CF₃COOH or low concentrations of CF₃SO₃H results in successive elimination of two [(-H)Os₃(CO)₁₀] cluster fragments due to protonation of the O atoms of the carboxylate groups. In the case of high CF₃SO₃H concentrations, the Os—Os bonds of both cluster fragments of 2 are also protonated to give the [Fe{(-O₂CC₅H₄)(-H)₂Os₃(CO)₁₀}₂]²⁺ dication. The Friedel—Crafts acylation of 1 takes place only when a large excess of AcCl and AlCl₃ is used to give two new complexes, (-H)Os₃(-O₂CC₅H₄FeC₅H₄C(O)CH₃)(CO)₁₀ and (-H)Os₃(-O₂CC₅H₃C(O)CH₃FeCp)(CO)₁₀ in a 2 : 1 ratio.     

Kinetische untersuchungen zur deprotonierung von Fe3(CO)9(μ2-H)(μ3-S-t-Bu) durch amine

Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₂-H)(μ₃-S-t-Bu) reacts with amines in aprotic solvents to give salts [Fe₃(CO)₉(μ₃-S-t-Bu)]⁻[AminH]⁺ under deprotonation. The association of cluster and amine under formation of a solvated ion pair follows a second order rate law. The isotope effects k_H/k_D as well as the rate constants are strongly correlated with the steric demand of the individual bases used: The largest rate constants and the largest isotope effects (up to k_H/k_D = 13) are observed for bases with the least steric hindrance.     

Molecular structure and fluxional behaviour of the iron-rhodium methoxymethylidyne cluster complex Fe2 Rh(μ-H)(μ3-COCH3)(CO)7(η-C5H5)

The complex Fe₂Rh(μ-H)(μ₃-COCH₃)(CO)₇(η-C₅H₅) prepared by treatment of Fe₃(μ-H)(μ-COCH₃)(CO)₁₀ with Rh(CO)₂ (η-C₅H₅), has been examined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallises in the monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15) with a 25.409(2), b 8.129(1), c 17.044(1) Å, β 103.744(6)°, V 3419.6(6) ų and D_c 2.02 g cm⁻³ for Z = 8 and M = 519.8. Data were collected for 2° ⩽ θ ⩽ 30° with graphite monochromated X-radiation (Mo-K_α) using an Enraf-Nonius CAD4-F diffractometer. The structure was refined to R = 0.025 (R_itw = 0.037) for 3557 observed [I ⩾ 3(σI)], absorption corrected data. The complex contains an asymmetrically bonded methoxymethylidyne ligand capping an Fe₂Rh triangular face (Fe(1)-C(8) 1.863(3), Fe(2)-C(8) 1.881(3), Rh-C(8), 2.211(3) Å). The terminal carbonyl ligand on the rhodium atom shows slight semi-bridging interactions with the two iron atoms (Fe(1) … C(7) 2.888(4), Fe(2) … C(7), 2.769(4) Å, Rh-C(7)-O(7) 169.1(4)°. The iron—iron vector is spanned by a (directly located) μ-hydride ligand. Variable temperature ¹³C NMR studies reveal fluxional behaviour, including a temperature dependence both of the alkylidyne carbon chemical shift (δ 323.5 at +80°C, δ 319.2 at −90°C) and its ¹⁰³Rh coupling constant (¹J(Rh-C) 23 Hz at −90°C, 26 Hz at +80°C). These data suggest an increased interaction of the ‘semi-μ₃’ alkylidyne ligand with the rhodium centre at higher temperatures, primarily associated with the highest energy fluxional process. Extended Hückel MO calculations on this complex allow a rationalisation of the ‘semi-μ₃’ nature of the COCH₃ group.     

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of the electron-deficient metal carbonyl cluster [Os3(CO)5(μ3-H)(μ-H)(μ-PtBu2)2(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)]

The reaction of [Os₃(CO)₁₀(μ-dppm)] (1) with ^tBu₂PH in refluxing diglyme results in the electron-deficient metal cluster complex [Os₃(CO)₅(μ₃-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)₂(μ-dppm)] (2) (dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) in good yields. The molecular structure of 2 has been established by a single crystal X-ray structure analysis. In contrast to the known homologue [Ru₃(μ-CO)(CO)₄(μ₃-H)(μ-H)(μ-P^tBu₂)₂(μ-dppm)] (3), no bridging carbonyl ligand was found in 2. The electronically unsaturated cluster 2 does not react with carbon monoxide under elevated pressure, therefore 2 seems to be coordinatively saturated by reason of the high steric demands of the phosphido ligands.     

Microwave Promoted Oxidative Addition Reactions of Os3(CO)12: Efficient Syntheses of Triosmium Clusters of the Type Os3(μ-X)2(CO)10 and Os3(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)10

Microwave heating allows for the high-yield, one-step synthesis of the known triosmium complexes Os₃(μ-Br)₂(CO)₁₀ (1), Os₃(μ-I)₂(CO)₁₀ (2), and Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)₁₀ with R = methyl (3), ethyl (4), isopropyl (5), n-butyl (6), and phenyl (7). In addition, the new clusters Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OR)(CO)₁₀ with R = n-propyl (8), sec-butyl (9), isobutyl (10), and tert-butyl (11) are synthesized in a microwave reactor. The preparation of these complexes is easily accomplished without the need to first prepare an activated derivative of Os₃(CO)₁₂, and without the need to exclude air from the reaction vessel. The syntheses of complexes 1 and 2 are carried out in less than 15 min by heating stoichiometric mixtures of Os₃(CO)₁₂ and the appropriate halogen in cyclohexane. Clusters 3–6 and 8–10 are prepared by the microwave irradiation of Os₃(CO)₁₂ in neat alcohols, while clusters 7 and 11 are prepared from mixtures of Os₃(CO)₁₂, alcohol and 1,2-dichlorobenzene. Structural characterization of clusters 2, 4, and 5 was carried out by X-ray crystallographic analysis. High resolution X-ray crystal structures of two other oxidative addition products, Os₃(CO)₁₂I₂ (12) and Os₃(μ-H)(μ-O₂CC₆H₅)(CO)₁₀ (13), are also presented.     

Synthesis and decarbonylation reactions of the triiron phosphinidene complex [Fe3Cp3(μ-H)(μ3-PPh)(CO)4]: easy cleavage and formation of P-H and Fe-Fe bonds

The binuclear phosphine complex [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(PH(2)Ph)] (Cp = η(5)-C(5)H(5)) reacted with the acetonitrile adduct [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(NCMe)] in dichloromethane at 293 K to give the trinuclear hydride-phosphinidene derivative [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(CO)(4)] as a mixture of cis,anti and trans isomers (Fe-Fe = 2.7217(6) ? for the cis,anti isomer). In contrast, photochemical treatment of the phosphine complex with [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] gave the phosphide-bridged complex trans-[Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-PHPh)(μ-CO)(2)(CO)(3)] as the major product, along with small amounts of the binuclear hydride-phosphide complexes [Fe(2)Cp(2)(μ-H)(μ-PHPh)(CO)(2)] (cis and trans isomers), which are more selectively prepared from [Fe(2)Cp(2)(CO)(4)] and PH(2)Ph at 388 K. The photochemical decarbonylation of either of the mentioned triiron compounds led reversibly to three different products depending on the reaction conditions: (a) the 48-electron phosphinidene cluster [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(μ-CO)(2)] (Fe-Fe = 2.592(2)-2.718(2) ?); (b) the 50-electron complex [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-H)(μ(3)-PPh)(μ-CO)(CO)(2)], also having carbonyl- and hydride-bridged metal-metal bonds (Fe-Fe = 2.6177(3) and 2.7611(4) ?, respectively); and (c) the 48-electron phosphide cluster [Fe(3)Cp(3)(μ-PHPh)(μ(3)-CO)(μ-CO)(2)], an isomer of the latter phosphinidene complex now having three intermetallic bonds (Fe-Fe = 2.5332(8)-2.6158(8) ?).     

Addition of HCl to a Cluster-Bound Vinylidene Ligand: Preparation and Structure of Ru5(μ3-SMe)(μ3-CMe)(μ-Cl)(μ-SMe)(μ-PPh2)2(CO)9·PhMe

Addition of aqueous HCl to Ru₅( ₃-C=CH₂)(-SMe)₂(-PPh₂)₂(CO)₁₀ afforded the structurally characterized carbyne complex Ru₅( ₃-SMe)( ₃-CMe)(-Cl)(-SMe)(-PPh₂)₂(CO)₉, formed by addition of H to the vinylidene ligand; a Cl atom bridges an Ru–Ru bond.     

Synthesis and structure of Os3(μ-H)3(CO)9(μ3-Sn)Os3(μ-H)(CO)10(PEt2Ph): The first osmium cluster containing a face-capping tin atom

Pyrolysis a the cluster Os₃(µ-H h (CO)₁₀ (SnMe2 H) produced an as yet unidentified purple duster, which upon reaction with PEt₂Ph at room temperature, gave essentially a quantitative yield of the cluster Os₃(µ-H)₃(CO)₉(µ₃-Sn) Os₃(µ-H)(CO)₁₀(PEt₂Ph), 4. The X-ray structure of 4 (as the toluene solvate) shows that it consists Or two Os, triangles linked through a µ₄-Sn unit, such that one of the Os₃ triangle is µ₃-bonded to the Sn atom (Os-Sn range 2.689(2)–2.707(2) Å) and the other is bonded via a single covalent bond (Os-Sn = 2.643(2) Å). The phosphine ligand occupies the equatorial site on a second osmium atom a be latter Os₃ moiety that is syn to the Sn atom; the unique bridging hydride ligarid is believed to occupy a site that Acis to both the P and Sn atoms. Crystallographic data for compound4. 0.5C₇H₈: space group,P ; ca= 11862(4) Å,b = 12.940(4) Å,c = 16.513(5) Å, =68.96(3),=80.60(3)°,=62.49(2).R=0.029, 4118 observed reflections.     

Synthesis and ligand substituion chemistry of dinuclear,phosphido-bridged complexes of manganese. X-ray crystal structures of Mn2(μ-H)(μ-Cy2P)(CO)7(PCy2H)(1) and Mn2(μ-H)(μ-Cy2P)(CO)6(PMe32

Reaction of Mn₂ (CO)₁₀ with two equivalents of dicyclohexylphosphine in toluene at 110° produces Mn₂ (μ-H)(μ-Cy₂P)(CO)₇(PCy₂H) (1) in 60% yield. Interaction of 1 with excess trimethylphosphine produces Mn₂(μ-H)(μ-Cy₂P)(CO)₆ (PMe₃)(₂ (2) in 90% yield. The X-ray crystal structures of 1 and 2 have been determined. Both structures contain two Mn atoms bridged by a Cy₂P group and a hydridge. In each case, the metal atoms exhibit distorted octahedral geometry, with the phosphines occupying positions trans to the P atom of the bridging dicyclohexylphosphine. A metal-metal distance of ca. 2.9 Å separates the manganese atoms in both complexes.     

Synthesis of Platinum-Triruthenium Clusters Using the Zero-Valent Platinum Reagent Pt(nb)3: X-Ray Crystal Structures of Ru3Pt(CO)11(P-iPr3)2, Ru3Pt(μ-H)(μ3-η3-MeCCHCMe)(CO)9(P-iPr3), Ru3Pt(μ3-η2-PhCCPh)(CO)10(P-iPr3), Ru3Pt(μ-H)(μ4-N)(CO)10(P-iPr3) and Ru3Pt(μ-H)(μ4-η2-NO)(CO)10(P-iPr3)

The complexes Pt(nb)_3-n(P-iPr₃)_n (n=1, 2, nb=bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene), prepared in situ from Pt(nb)₃, are useful reagents for addition of Pt(P-iPr₃)_n fragments to saturated triruthenium clusters. The complexes Ru₃Pt(CO)₁₁(P-iPr₃)₂ (1), Ru₃Pt(-H)(₃-³-MeCCHCMe)(CO)₉(P-iPr₃) (2), Ru₃Pt(₃-²-PhCCPh)(CO)₁₀(P-iPr₃) (3), Ru₃Pt(-H)(₄-N)(CO)₁₀(P-iPr₃) (4) and Ru₃Pt(-H)(₄-²-NO)(CO)₁₀(P-iPr₃) (5) have been prepared in this fashion. All complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and by single crystal X-ray determinations. Clusters 1–3 all have 60 cluster valence electrons (CVE) but exhibit differing metal skeletal geometries. Cluster 1 exhibits a planar-rhomboidal metal skeleton with 5 metal–metal bonds and with minor disorder in the metal atoms. Cluster 2 has a distorted tetrahedral metal arrangement, while cluster 3 has a butterfly framework (butterfly angle=118.93(2)°). Clusters 4 and 5 posseses 62 CVE and spiked triangular metal frameworks. Cluster 4 contains a ₄-nitrido ligand, while cluster 5 has a highly unusual ₄-²-nitrosyl ligand with a very long nitrosyl N–O distance of 1.366(5) Å.     

Tetrarhena-heterocycle from the palladium-catalyzed dimerization of Re2(CO)8(μ-SbPh2)(μ-H) exhibits an unusual host-guest behavior

The six-membered heavy atom heterocycles [Re(2)(CO)(8)(μ-SbPh(2))(μ-H)](2), 5, and Pd[Re(2)(CO)(8)(μ-SbPh(2))(μ-H)](2), 7, have been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed ring-opening cyclo-dimerization of the three-membered heterocycle Re(2)(CO)(8)(μ-SbPh(2))(μ-H), 3. The palladium atom that lies in the center of the heterocycle 7 was removed to yield 5. The palladium removal was found to be partially reversible leading to an unusual example of host-guest behavior. A related dipalladium complex Pd(2)Re(4)(CO)(16)(μ(4)-SbPh)(μ(3)-SbPh(2))(μ-Ph)(μ-H)(2), 6, was also formed in these reactions of palladium with 3.     

A structural and Mössbauer study of complexes with Fe(2)(micro-O(H))(2) cores: stepwise oxidation from Fe(II)(micro-OH)(2)Fe(II) through Fe(II)(micro-OH)(2)Fe(III) to Fe(III)(micro-O)(micro-OH)Fe(III)

Dinuclear non-heme iron clusters containing oxo, hydroxo, or carboxylato bridges are found in a number of enzymes involved in O(2) metabolism such as methane monooxygenase, ribonucleotide reductase, and fatty acid desaturases. Efforts to model structural and/or functional features of the protein-bound clusters have prompted the preparation and study of complexes that contain Fe(micro-O(H))(2)Fe cores. Here we report the structures and spectroscopic properties of a family of diiron complexes with the same tetradentate N4 ligand in one ligand topology, namely [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(II)(2)(micro-OH)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (1), [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(II)Fe(III)(micro-OH)(2)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (2), and [(alpha-BPMCN)(2)Fe(III)(2)(micro-O)(micro-OH)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (3) (BPMCN = N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane). Stepwise one-electron oxidations of 1 to 2 and then to 3 demonstrate the versatility of the Fe(micro-O(H))(2)Fe diamond core to support a number of oxidation states with little structural rearrangement. Insight into the electronic structure of 1, 2', and 3 has been obtained from a detailed M?ssbauer investigation (2' differs from 2 in having a different complement of counterions). Mixed-valence complex 2' is ferromagnetically coupled, with J = -15 +/- 5 cm(-)(1) (H = JS(1).S(2)). For the S = (9)/(2) ground multiplet we have determined the zero-field splitting parameter, D(9/2) = -1.5 +/- 0.1 cm(-)(1), and the hyperfine parameters of the ferric and ferrous sites. For T < 12 K, the S = (9)/(2) multiplet has uncommon relaxation behavior. Thus, M(S) = -(9)/(2) <--> M(S) = +(9)/(2) ground state transition is slow while deltaM(S) = +/-1 transitions between equally signed M(S) levels are fast on the time scale of M?ssbauer spectroscopy. Below 100 K, complex 2' is trapped in the Fe(1)(III)Fe(2)(II) ground state; above this temperature, it exhibits thermally assisted electron hopping into the state Fe(1)(II)Fe(2)(III). The temperature dependence of the isomer shifts was corrected for second-order Doppler shift, obtained from the study of diferrous 1. The resultant true shifts were analyzed in a two-state hopping model. The diferric complex 3 is antiferromagnetically coupled with J = 90 +/- 15 cm(-)(1), estimated from a variable-temperature M?ssbauer analysis.     

Reactions of the triosmium cluster Os3(μ-H)(μ-OH)(CO)10 with naphthols

Reaction of the cluster Os₃(μ-H)(μ-OH)(CO)₁₀ (1) with 1-naphthol afforded the isomeric clusters 2a and 3a with the formulae Os₃(μ-H)₂(μ₃-1-OC₁₀H₆)(CO)₉. A similar reaction with 2-naphthol, however, gave Os₃(μ-H)(μ-2-OC₁₀H₇)(CO)₁₀, 4b, and the analogue of 2a. These clusters have been structurally characterised to confirm the mode of anchoring of the naphthols.     

Hydrido-Carbonyl Rhenium Clusters with a Square Geometry of the Metal Core. Synthesis and X-Ray Characterization of the Novel [Re4(μ-H)3(CO)16]− Anion

Three and tetranuclear ring clusters have been obtained by treatment of [Re₂(CO)₈(THF)₂] with carbonyl-rhenates containing two terminal hydrides. The reaction with [ReH₂(CO)₄]^- provided a selective route to the previously known [Re₃(-H)₂(CO)₁₂]^- triangular cluster anion 1. The reaction with [Re₂H₂(-H)(CO)₈]^- gave the novel [Re₄(-H)₃(CO)₁₆]^- anion 2, containing a rare example of a puckered-square metal cluster. Protonation of 1 is known to afford the neutral [Re₃(-H)₃(CO)₁₂] species 3. Analogously the reaction of 2 with a strong acid afforded the previously known square metal clusters [Re₄(-H)₄(CO)₁₆] 4. The reaction could not be reversed by treatment with bases. Photolysis of 4 gave the unsaturated complex [Re₂(-H)₂(CO)₈] 5: this is the reverse of the dimerization reaction, that in THF at room temperature produces 4 from 5. Thermal treatment (reflux in cyclohexane for 24 h) left 4 almost unchanged. A single crystal X-ray analysis of [NEt₄]2 showed a s/e/s/s (e=eclipsed, s=staggered) conformation of the Re(CO)₄ units, leading to a puckered geometry of the ring, at variance with the square-planar geometry of 4 (all eclipsed). Two of the three hydrides of 2 have been located as bridging the Re–Re edges from inside the metal ring, as previously observed in 4. Density functional computations indicated a puckered conformation as the most stable for both 2 and 4, with very low activation energies for ring inversion (6.6 and 2.2 kcal·mol^-1, respectively), but ruled out solid state fluxionality for 4, whose observed planar geometry must be attributed to packing stabilization.     

Characterization of a microfluidic in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (μBBB)

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), a unique selective barrier for the central nervous system (CNS), hinders the passage of most compounds to the CNS, complicating drug development. Innovative in vitro models of the BBB can provide useful insights into its role in CNS disease progression and drug delivery. Static transwell models lack fluidic shear stress, while the conventional dynamic in vitro BBB lacks a thin dual cell layer interface. To address both limitations, we developed a microfluidic blood-brain barrier (μBBB) which closely mimics the in vivo BBB with a dynamic environment and a comparatively thin culture membrane (10 μm). To test validity of the fabricated BBB model, μBBBs were cultured with b.End3 endothelial cells, both with and without co-cultured C8-D1A astrocytes, and their key properties were tested with optical imaging, trans-endothelial electrical resistance (TEER), and permeability assays. The resultant imaging of ZO-1 revealed clearly expressed tight junctions in b.End3 cells, Live/Dead assays indicated high cell viability, and astrocytic morphology of C8-D1A cells were confirmed by ESEM and GFAP immunostains. By day 3 of endothelial culture, TEER levels typically exceeded 250 Ω cm(2) in μBBB co-cultures, and 25 Ω cm(2) for transwell co-cultures. Instantaneous transient drop in TEER in response to histamine exposure was observed in real-time, followed by recovery, implying stability of the fabricated μBBB model. Resultant permeability coefficients were comparable to previous BBB models, and were significantly increased at higher pH (>10). These results demonstrate that the developed μBBB system is a valid model for some studies of BBB function and drug delivery.     

Synthesis,characterization, and catalytic activity of a water soluble copper(II) and nickel(II) heterobimetallic complex [CuNi(μ-OH)(μ-OH2)(μ-OAc)(bpy)2](ClO4)2 in aqueous medium in the absence of a base and co-catalyst

A copper(II)–nickel(II)-based catalyst system has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, mass spectra, magnetic moment, EPR, UV-Vis, IR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The structure of the complex was established by X-ray crystallography. The complex is an efficient catalyst, which oxidizes primary and secondary alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones at 70 °C employing 15% H₂O₂ as the oxidant in the absence of a base and co-catalyst.     

Analysis of the Glass-Forming Ability of Fe–Er Alloys,Based on Thermodynamic Modeling

The Fe–Er phase diagram and thermodynamic properties of all its phases are assessed by means of self-consistent analysis. To refine the data on phase equilibria in the Fe–Er system, an investigation is performed in the 10–40 at % range of Er concentrations. The temperature–concentration dependences of the thermodynamic properties of a melt are presented using the model of ideal associated solutions. Thermodynamic parameters of each phase are obtained, and the calculated results are in agreement with available experimental data. The correlation between the thermodynamic properties of liquid Fe–Er alloys and their tendency toward amorphization are studied. It is shown that compositions of amorphous alloys prepared by melt quenching coincide with the ranges of concentration with the predominance of Fe₃Er and FeEr₂ associative groups that have large negative entropies of formation.     

Spectroscopic Properties of a Biologically Relevant [Fe2(μ-O)2] Diamond Core Motif with a Short Iron-Iron Distance

Diiron cofactors in enzymes perform diverse challenging transformations. The structures of high valent intermediates ( Q in methane monooxygenase and X in ribonucleotide reductase) are debated since Fe−Fe distances of 2.5–3.4 Å were attributed to “open” or “closed” cores with bridging or terminal oxido groups. We report the crystallographic and spectroscopic characterization of a Fe^III₂(μ-O)₂ complex ( 2 ) with tetrahedral (4C) centres and short Fe−Fe distance (2.52 Å), persisting in organic solutions. 2 shows a large Fe K-pre-edge intensity, which is caused by the pronounced asymmetry at the T_D Fe^III centres due to the short Fe−μ−O bonds. A ≈2.5 Å Fe−Fe distance is unlikely for six-coordinate sites in Q or X , but for a Fe₂(μ-O)₂ core containing four-coordinate (or by possible extension five-coordinate) iron centres there may be enough flexibility to accommodate a particularly short Fe−Fe separation with intense pre-edge transition. This finding may broaden the scope of models considered for the structure of high-valent diiron intermediates formed upon O₂ activation in biology.