Exploring the Symmetry,Structure, and Self‐Assembly Mechanism of a Gigantic Seven‐Fold Symmetric {Pd84} Wheel

The symmetry, structure and formation mechanism of the structurally self‐complementary { Pd₈₄ } = [Pd₈₄O₄₂(PO₄)₄₂(CH₃CO₂)₂₈]⁷⁰⁻ wheel is explored. Not only does the symmetry give rise to a non‐closest packed structure, the mechanism of the wheel formation is proposed to depend on the delicate balance between reaction conditions. We achieve the resolution of gigantic polyoxopalladate species through electrophoresis and size‐exclusion chromatography, the latter has been used in conjunction with electrospray mass spectrometry to probe the formation of the ring, which was found to proceed by the stepwise aggregation of {Pd₆}⁻ = [Pd₆O₄(CH₃CO₂)₂(PO₄)₃Na_6−nH_n]⁻ building blocks. Furthermore, the higher‐order assembly of these clusters into hollow blackberry structures of around 50 nm has been observed using dynamic and static light scattering.     

Binary salt of a palladium(II) complex with (phosphonomethyl)phosphonic (medronic) acid comprising `handbell‐like' [Pd{μ‐CH2(PO3)2}]3 units

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, dipotassium bis[hexaaquanickel(II)] tris(μ₂‐methylenediphosphonato)tripalladium(II) hexahydrate, K₂[Ni(H₂O)₆]₂[Pd₃{CH₂(PO₃)₂}₃]·6H₂O, consists of half a {[Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃}⁶⁻ anion [one Pd atom (4e) and a methylene C atom (4e) occupy positions on a twofold axis] in a rare `handbell‐like' arrangement, with K⁺ and [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺ cations to form the neutral complex, completed by three solvent water molecules. The {[Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃}⁶⁻ units exhibit close Pd...Pd separations of 3.0469 (4) Å and are packed via intermolecular C—H...Pd hydrogen bonds. The [KO₉] and [NiO₆] units are assembled into sheets coplanar with (011) and stacked along the [100] direction. Within these sheets there are [K₄Ni₄O₈] and [K₂Ni₂O₄] loops. Successive alternation of the sheets and [Pd{CH₂(PO₃)₂}]₃ units parallel to [001] produces the three‐dimensional packing, which is also supported by a dense network of hydrogen bonds involving the solvent water molecules.     

Electrospray Mass Spectrometry Study on Polynuclear Pd(II) and Ni (II) Complexes of 3, 6, 9, 16, 19, 22‐Hexaazatricyclo [22. 2.2.211,14] triaconta‐11, 13, 24, 26 (1), 27, 29‐Hexaene

Polynuclear Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes of macrocyclic polyamine 3,6,9,16,19,22‐hexaazatricyclo[22.2.2.2^11,14]‐triaconta 11,13,24,26(l),27,29‐hexaene (L) in solution were investigated by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS). For methanol solution of complexes M₂LX₄ (M = Pd(II) and Ni(II), X= Cl and I), two main clusters of peaks were observed which can be assigned to [M₂LX₃]⁺ and [M₂LX₂]²⁺. When Pd₂LCl₄ was treated with 2 or 4 mol of AgNO₃, it gave rise formation of Pd₂LCl₂ (NO₃)₂ · H₂O and [Pd₂L(H₂O)_m(NO₃)_n]^(4‐n)+, respectively. ESMS spectra show that the dissociation of the former in the ionization process gave peaks of [Pd₂LCl₂]²⁺ and [(Pd₂LCl₂)NO₃]⁺, while dissociation of the later gave the peaks of [Pd₂L(CH₃CO₂)₂]²⁺ and [Pd₂L(CH₃CO₂)₂](NO₃) ⁺ in the presence of acetic acid. Similar species were observed for Pd₂LI₄ when treated with 4 mol of AgNO₃. When [Pd₂L · (H₂O)_m(NO₃)_n]^(4‐n)+ reacted with 2 mol of oxalate anions at 40°C, [Pd₄L₂(C₂O₄)₂(NO₃)₂]²⁺ and [Pd₄L₂(C₂O₄)₂ (NO₃)]³⁺ were detected. This implies the formation of square‐planar molecular box Pd₄L₂(C₂O₄)₂(NO₃)₄ in which C₂O₄^? may act as bridging ligands as confirmed by crystal structure analysis. The dissociation form and the stability of complex cations in gaseous state are also discussed. This work provides an excellent example of the usefulness of ESIMS in the identification of metal complexes in solution.     

Solvent‐Dependent Self‐Assembly Behaviour and Speciation Control of Pd6L8 Metallo‐supramolecular Cages

The C₃‐symmetric chiral propylated host‐type ligands (±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L1 ) and (±)‐tris(4‐pyridyl‐4‐benzoxy)‐tris(propyl)‐cyclotricatechylene ( L2 ) self‐assemble with Pd^II into [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages that resemble a stella octangula. The self‐assembly of the [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is solvent‐dependent; broad NMR resonances and a disordered crystal structure indicate no chiral self‐sorting of the ligand enantiomers in DMSO solution, but sharp NMR resonances occur in MeCN or MeNO₂. The [Pd₆( L1 )₈]¹²⁺ cage is observed to be less favourable in the presence of additional ligand, than is its counterpart, where L=(±)‐tris(isonicotinoyl)cyclotriguaiacylene ( L1 a ). The stoichiometry of reactant mixtures and chemical triggers can be used to control formation of mixtures of homoleptic or heteroleptic [Pd₆L₈]¹²⁺ metallo‐cages where L= L1 and L1 a .     

Palladium‐, Platin‐ und Dieisenkomplexe mit Isocyanacetat: Ringschluß, säureinduzierte Ringöffnung,Diprotonierung

Palladium, Platinum, and Diiron Complexes with Isocyanoacetate: Ring Closure, Acid‐Induced Ring Opening, Diprotonation Substitution by isocyanoacetate (CNCH₂CO₂^?) of one chloro ligand in trans‐[MCl₂(PPh₃)₂] (M = Pd, Pt) results in the Δ²‐oxazolin‐5‐on‐2‐ato complexes 4a , b , i.e. immediate cyclization occurs in contact with these metal(II) species. In contrast, the open‐chain form of the functional isocyanide is retained in [K(18‐crown‐6][Fe₂Cp₂(CNCH₂CO₂)(CO)₃] ( 16 ) in which it occupies a terminal position. Protonation (alkylation) of the platinum complex 4b proceeds with ring cleavage and formation of isocyano acetic acid 11 (ethyl isocyanoacetate 12 ) stabilized by metal ion coordination. Protonation of 16 requires two equivalents of acid to yield the aminocarbyne‐bridged complex [{μ‐C=N(H)CH₂CO₂H}Fe₂Cp₂(CO)₃](BF₄) ( 17 ) as the only isolable product. Here isocyanoacetate displays a third kind of reactivity pattern in addition to that at Pd^II/Pt^II and that at Cr⁰/W⁰ where the primary species [M(CO)₅CNCH₂CO₂]^? and [M(CO)₅CNCH₂CO₂H] proved to be the most stable. All of the proposed structures are substantiated by analytical and the usual spectroscopic (IR, NMR{¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P}, FAB‐MS) data, that of 4b also by an X‐ray structure determination which reveals a practically perpendicular arrangement of the coordination and the ring plane, and a long C2‐O bond as the predetermined breaking point of the heterocycle.     

Organo‐Palladium(II)‐Verbindungen mit PdC4‐Koordination: Phenylethinyl‐ und Methylphenylethinylkomplexe

Tetrakis(p‐tolyl)oxalamidinato‐bis[acetylacetonatopalladium(II)] ([Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)]) reacted with Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ in THF with formation of [Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₂(thf)₄] ( 1a ). Reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 6 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 2 equiv. LiCH₃ resulted in the formation of [Pd(CH₃)(C≡C–C₆H₅)₃Li₂(thf)₄] ( 2 ), and the dimeric complex [Pd₂(CH₃)₄(C≡C–C₆H₅)₄Li₄(thf)₆] ( 3 ) was isolated upon reaction of [Pd₂(acac)₂(oxam)] with a mixture of 4 equiv. Li–C≡C–C₆H₅ and 4 equiv. LiCH₃. 1 – 3 are extremely reactive compounds, which were isolated as white needles in good yields (60–90%). They were fully characterized by IR, ¹H‐, ¹³C‐, ⁷Li‐NMR spectroscopy, and by X‐ray crystallography of single crystals. In these compounds Li ions are bonded to the two carbon atoms of the alkinyl ligand. 1a reacted with Pd(PPh₃)₄ in the presence of oxygen to form the already known complexes trans‐[Pd(C≡C–C₆H₅)₂(PPh₃)₂] and [Pd(η²‐O₂)(PPh₃)₂]. In addition, 1a is an active catalyst for the Heck coupling reaction, but less active in the catalytic Sonogashira reaction.     

Crystal Growth,Single‐Crystal Structure Refinement and Unusual Ligand‐Field Splittings of Lazulite‐Type Oxidephosphates MTi2O2(PO4)2 (M = FeII,CoII, NiII)

Single crystals of oxidephosphates MTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ [M: Fe (dark red), Co (pinkish red), Ni (green)] with edge‐lengths up to 0.4 mm were grown by chemical vapour transport. FeTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ and CoTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ are isotypic to NiTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂. The crystal structure of the latter was previously solved from powder data [FeTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ (data for CoTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ and NiTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ in brackets): monoclinic, P2₁/c, Z = 2, a = 7.394(3) (7.381(6), 7.388(4)) Å, b = 7.396(2) (7.371(5), 7.334(10)) Å, c = 7.401(3) (7.366(6), 7.340(3)) Å, β = 120.20(3) (120.26(6), 120.12(4))°, R₁ = 0.0393 (0.0309, 0.0539) wR₂ = 0.1154 (0.0740, 0.1389), 2160 (1059, 1564) independent reflections, 75 (76, 77) variables]. The single‐crystal study allowed improved refinement using anisotropic displacement parameters, yielded lower standard deviations for the structural parameters and revealed a small amount of cation disordering. Twinning and cation disordering within the structures are rationalized by a detailed crystallographic classification of the MTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ structure type in terms of group‐subgroup relations. The structure is characterized by a three‐dimensional network of [PO₄] tetrahedra and [M^IITi₂O₁₂] groups formed by face‐sharing of [M^IIO₆] and [TiO₆] octahedra. Electronic absorption spectra of MTi₂O₂(PO₄)₂ in the UV/VIS/NIR region show rather large ligand‐field splittings for the strongly trigonally distorted chromophors [M^IIO₆] (M = Fe, Co, Ni) with interelectronic repulsion parameters beeing slightly smaller than in other phosphates. Interpretation of the spectra within the framework of the angular overlap model reveals a significant second‐sphere ligand field effect of Ti^IV ions on the electronic levels of the Ni^II and Co^II.     

Three novel topologically different metal–organic frameworks built from 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid

The design and synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much interest due to the intriguing diversity of their architectures and topologies. However, building MOFs with different topological structures from the same ligand is still a challenge. Using 3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoic acid (HL) as a new ligand, three novel MOFs, namely poly[[(N,N‐dimethylformamide‐κO)bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O,O′:N]cadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylformamide monosolvate methanol monosolvate], {[Cd(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(C₃H₇NO)]·C₃H₇NO·CH₃OH}_n, ( 1 ), poly[[(μ₂‐acetato‐κ²O:O′)[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ³O:O′:N]bis[μ₃‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ⁴O,O′:O′:N]dicadmium(II)] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate monohydrate], {[Cd₂(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₃(CH₃CO₂)]·2C₄H₉NO·H₂O}_n, ( 2 ), and catena‐poly[[[diaquanickel(II)]‐bis[μ₂‐3‐nitro‐4‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)benzoato‐κ²O:N]] N,N‐dimethylacetamide disolvate], {[Ni(C₁₂H₇N₂O₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·2C₄H₉NO}_n, ( 3 ), have been prepared. Single‐crystal structure analysis shows that the Cd^II atom in MOF ( 1 ) has a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdN₂O₅] coordination geometry. The [CdN₂O₅] units as 4‐connected nodes are interconnected by L^? ligands to form a fourfold interpenetrating three‐dimensional (3D) framework with a dia topology. In MOF ( 2 ), there are two crystallographically different Cd^II ions showing a distorted pentagonal bipyramidal [CdNO₆] and a distorted octahedral [CdN₂O₄] coordination geometry, respectively. Two Cd^II ions are connected by three carboxylate groups to form a binuclear [Cd₂(COO)₃] cluster. Each binuclear cluster as a 6‐connected node is further linked by acetate groups and L^? ligands to produce a non‐interpenetrating 3D framework with a pcu topology. MOF ( 3 ) contains two crystallographically distinct Ni^II ions on special positions. Each Ni^II ion adopts an elongated octahedral [NiN₂O₄] geometry. Each Ni^II ion as a 4‐connected node is linked by L^? ligands to generate a two‐dimensional network with an sql topology, which is further stabilized by two types of intermolecular OW—HW…O hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular framework. MOFs ( 1 )–( 3 ) were also characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetic analysis. Furthermore, the solid‐state photoluminescence of HL and MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) have been investigated. The photoluminescence of MOFs ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) are enhanced and red‐shifted with respect to free HL. The gas adsorption investigation of MOF ( 2 ) indicates a good separation selectivity (71) of CO₂/N₂ at 273 K (i.e. the amount of CO₂ adsorption is 71 times higher than N₂ at the same pressure).     

Dinuclear Complexes of Copper(I) with Crown Ether‐containing N‐Thiophosphorylated Bis‐thioureas and 2,2′‐Bipyridine or 1,10‐Phenanthroline: Synthesis,Characterization, and Picrate Extraction Properties

Reaction of O,O′‐diisopropylthiophosphoric acid isothiocyanate (iPrO)₂P(S)NCS with 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, 1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, or 1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 leads to the N‐thiophosphorylated bis‐thioureas N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^I ), N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 ( H₂L^II ) and N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂]‐1,7‐diaza‐15‐crown‐5 ( H₂L^III ). Reaction of the potassium salts of H₂L^I–III with a mixture of CuI and 2,2′‐bipyridine ( bpy ) or 1,10‐phenanthroline ( phen ) in aqueous EtOH/CH₂Cl₂ leads to the dinuclear complexes [Cu₂(bpy)₂L^I–III] and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I–III] . The structures of these compounds were investigated by ¹H, ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The crystal structures of H₂L^I and [Cu₂(phen)₂L^I] were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Extraction capacities of the obtained compounds in comparison to the related compounds 1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(=CMe₂)CH₂P(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6, N,N′‐bis[C(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)₂]‐1,10‐diaza‐18‐crown‐6 towards the picrate salts LiPic, NaPic, KPic. and NH₄Pic were also studied.     

catena‐Poly[[tetra­kis(μ‐propionato‐κ2O:O′)dicopper(II)]‐μ‐3‐pyridylmethanol‐κ2N:O‐[bis­(propionato‐κO)bis­(3‐pyridylmethanol‐κN)copper(II)]‐μ‐3‐pyridylmethanol‐κO:N]

The title compound, [Cu₃(C₃H₅O₂)₆(C₆H₇NO)₄]_n, is composed of polymeric chains formed by alternating centrosymmetric Cu₂(μ‐CH₃CH₂CO₂)₄ and Cu(C₃H₅O₂)₂(C₆H₇NO)₂ units. These elemental units are linked by two bridging 3‐pyridylmethanol (3PM) ligands. The Cu₂(μ‐CH₃CH₂CO₂)₄ group presents a centrosymmetric tetra­bridged structure with four syn–syn bridging propionate ligands to which two 3PM mol­ecules are bonded (through N), occupying the apical positions of each square‐pyramidal polyhedron around the Cu^II ions. The remaining mononuclear group is centred around a third Cu^II ion, which lies on a symmetry centre and is bound to two monodentate propionate groups (through O), two monodentate 3PM mol­ecules (through N) and two bridging 3PM mol­ecules (through O), thus completing a square‐bipyramidal CuO₂N₂O₂ coordination.     

Isomorphous rare‐earth tris[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate] complexes and their catalytic properties in 1,3‐diene polymerization and in the inhibited oxidation of polydimethylsiloxane

Crystals of mononuclear tris[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato‐κO]pentakis(methanol‐κO)lanthanide methanol monosolvates of lanthanum, [La(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₃(CH₃OH)₅]·CH₃OH, ( 1 ), cerium, [Ce(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₃(CH₃OH)₅]·CH₃OH, ( 2 ), and neodymium, [Nd(C₂₄H₃₄O₄P)₃(CH₃OH)₅]·CH₃OH, ( 3 ), have been obtained by reactions between LnCl₃(H₂O)_n (n = 6 or 7) and lithium bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate in a 1:3 molar ratio in methanol media. Compounds ( 1 )–( 3 ) crystallize in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group and have isomorphous crystal structures. All three bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphate ligands display a κO‐monodentate coordination mode. The coordination number of the metal atom is 8. Each [Ln{O₂P(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₃(CH₃OH)₅] molecular unit exhibits four intramolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds, forming six‐membered rings. The unit forms two intermolecular O—H…O hydrogen bonds with one noncoordinating methanol molecule. All six hydroxy H atoms are involved in hydrogen bonding within the [Ln{O₂P(O‐2,6‐ⁱPr₂C₆H₃)₂}₃(CH₃OH)₅]·CH₃OH unit. This, along with the high steric hindrance induced by the three bulky diaryl phosphate ligands, prevents the formation of a hydrogen‐bond network. Complexes ( 1 )–( 3 ) exhibit disorder of two of the isopropyl groups of the phosphate ligands. The cerium compound ( 2 ) demonstrates an essential catalytic inhibition in the thermal decomposition of polydimethylsiloxane in air at 573 K. Catalytic systems based on the neodymium complex tris[bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) phosphato‐κO]neodymium, ( 3′ ), which was obtained as a dry powder of ( 3 ) upon removal of methanol, display a high catalytic activity in isoprene and butadiene polymerization.     

Stabilization of Substituted Triazenide Oxides: Synthesis and X‐ray Structural Features of Polymeric Potassium 3‐(4‐carboxylatophenyl)‐1‐methyltriazene N‐oxide‐hydrate, {K[O2C‐C6H4‐N(H)NN(CH3)O]·4H2O}n

3‐(4‐carboxyphenyl)‐1‐methyltriazene N‐oxide reacts with KOH in methanol/pyridine to give {K[O₂C‐C₆H₄‐N(H)NN(CH₃)O]·4H₂O}_n, Potassium‐3‐(4‐carboxylatophenyl)‐1‐methyltriazene N‐oxide). The terminal carboxylato group of the anion does not interact with the cation. In the crystal lattice of {K(C₈H₈N₃O₃)·4H₂O}_n each three of the four water molecules interact with two potassium cations, every K⁺ ion being the centre of six bridging K···O interactions. Potassium cations interact further with the terminal N‐oxigen atom of single [C₈H₈N₃O₃]^? anions achieving two parallel {C₈H₈N₃O₃^?K⁺}_n chains, which are linked through water molecules. The resulting polymeric, one‐dimensional chain, is operated by a screw axis 2₁ parallel to the crystallographic direction [010], along and equidistant to the K⁺ centres. The coordination of the K⁺ centres involves a distortion of the boat conformation of elementary sulfur (S₈) with the ideal C_2v symmetry.     

Synthese und strukturchemische Untersuchungen an molekularen Oxovanadiumphosphonaten

Synthesis and Structural Studies on Molecular Oxovanadium Phosphonates Solvothermal syntheses at 373 K in the system (MePPh₃)[VO₂Cl₂]/ RPO₃H₂ (R = tBu; Ph)/Template (T= Cl^?, HCl, OH^?; Br^?) /MeCN have lead to the already known compound [(VO)₆(tBuPO₃)₈ ? Cl^?] ( 1 ) [1] as well as to [(VO)₆(tBuPO₃)₈ ? T](T: HCl ( 2 ) OH^? 3 ), [(VO)₆(PhPO₃)₈ ? Br^?]×solv ( 4 ), (Ph₃PMe)₂[(VO)₆(PhPO₃)₈ ? Cl^?]₃ ( 5 ) with an identical VPO‐core, and [(V₃O₅)(VO)₄(tBuPO₃)₈ ? NO₃^?] ( 6 ) with seven metal centres. The renewed X‐ray structure analysis of 1 produced evidence, that the {V₆P₈O₂₄}‐core shows some flexibility and belongs to the enantiomorphic point group O (≡ 432). With the structure data from the compounds 1 – 5 a geometric model for the flexible contraction of the {V₆P₈O₂₄}‐core was developed. The calculation of the diameter of the host shell for different degrees of contraction shows that the {V₆P₈O₂₄}‐core is always too small to incorporate a nitrate ion. This leads to the formation of [(V₃O₅)(VO)₄(tBuPO₃)₈ ? NO₃^?] ( 6 ) which can be derived topologically from 1 . There is no structural similarity between 6 and the seven oxovanadium units containing anion of (Ph₄P)₂[(V₄O₇)(V₃O₅)(PhPO₃)₆ ? Cl^?] [2]. The thermal degradation of 1 in air starts at 590 K with the oxidation of the organic groups followed by the formation of β‐(VO)(PO₃)₂. Possibly these results offer new ways to use oxovanadium phosphonates as precursors of oxovanadium phosphate catalysts.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Two CuII‐benzene‐1,2,4,5‐tetracarboxylates with Three‐Dimensional Open Frameworks

Two new three‐dimensional frameworks with zeolite‐like channels were prepared in the presence of 1,6‐diaminohexane. Cu_1.5(H₃N–(CH₂)₆–NH₃)_0.5[C₆H₂(COO)₄] · 5H₂O ( 1 ) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar{1}$ with a = 772.56(7), b = 1110.36(7), c = 1111.98(8) pm, α = 98.720(7)°, β = 108.246(9)°, and γ = 95.559(7)°. Cu₂(H₃N–(CH₂)₆–NH₃)_0.5(OH)[C₆H₂(COO)₄] · 3H₂O ( 2 ) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2/c with a = 1159.34(11), b = 1059.44(7), c = 1582.2(2) pm, and β = 106.130(11)°. The Cu²⁺ coordination polyhedra are connected by [C₆H₂(COO)₄]^4– anions to yield three‐dimensional frameworks with wide centrosymmetric channel‐like voids. Complex 1 reveals voids extending along [100] with diagonals of 900 pm and 300 pm, whereas in complex 2 the diagonal of the nearly rectangular crossection of the channels extending parallel to [001] is 900 pm. The negative excess charges of the frameworks are compensated by [H₃N–(CH₂)₆–NH₃]²⁺ cations, which occupy the voids along with water molecules. The [H₃N–(CH₂)₆–NH₃]²⁺ cations are not connected to Cu²⁺ and have served as templates.     

Stereoselectivity in Diphos Addition to Molybdenum Complex with Pyridine‐2‐thionate (pyS) and η3‐Methallyl Coordinated Ligands

The conformational isomers endo‐ and exo‐[Mo{η³‐C₃H₄(CH₃)}(η²‐pyS)(CO)(η²‐diphos)] (diphos: dppm = {bis(diphenylphosphino)methane}, 2 ; dppe = {1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane}, 3 ) are prepared by reacting the double‐bridged pyridine‐2‐thionate (pyS) complex [Mo{η³‐C₃H₄(CH₃)}(CO)₂]₂(η¹:η²:μ‐pyS)₂, 1 with diphos in refluxing acetonitrile. Stereoselectivity of the methallyl, C₃H₄(CH₃), ligand improves the formation of the exo‐conformation of 2 and 3 . Orientations and spectroscopy of these complexes are discussed.     

Cerium‐Complex‐Catalyzed Oxidation of Arylmethanols under Atmospheric Pressure of Dioxygen and Its Mechanism through a Side‐On μ‐Peroxo Dicerium(IV) Complex

A new Ce^IV complex [Ce{NH(CH₂CH₂N=CHC₆H₂‐3,5‐(tBu)₂‐2‐O)₂}(NO₃)₂] ( 1 ), bearing a dianionic pentadentate ligand with an N₃O₂ donor set, has been prepared by treating (NH₄)₂Ce(NO₃)₆ with the sodium salt of ligand L1 . Complex 1 in the presence of TEMPO and 4 Å molecular sieves (MS4 A) has been found to serve as a catalyst for the oxidation of arylmethanols using dioxygen as an oxidant. We propose an oxidation mechanism based on the isolation and reactivity study of a trivalent cerium complex [Ce{NH(CH₂CH₂N=CHC₆H₂‐3,5‐(tBu)₂‐2‐O)₂}(NO₃)(THF)] ( 2 ), its side‐on μ‐O₂ adduct [Ce{NH(CH₂CH₂N=CHC₆H₂‐3,5‐(tBu)₂‐2‐O)₂}(NO₃)]₂(μ‐η²:η²‐O₂) ( 3 ), and the hydroxo‐bridged Ce^IV complex [Ce{NH(CH₂CH₂N=CHC₆H₂‐3,5‐(tBu)₂‐2‐O)₂}(NO₃)]₂(μ‐OH)₂ ( 4 ) as key intermediates during the catalytic cycle. Complex 2 was synthesized by reduction of 1 with 2,5‐dimethyl‐1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)‐1,4‐diazacyclohexadiene. Bubbling O₂ into a solution of 2 resulted in formation of the peroxo complex 3 . This provides the first direct evidence for cerium‐catalyzed oxidation of alcohols under an O₂ atmosphere.     

A new one‐dimensional ZnII coordination polymer based on 2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole and benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate

Multidentate N‐heterocyclic compounds form a variety of metal complexes with many intriguing structures and interesting properties. The title coordination polymer, catena‐poly[zinc(II)‐bis{μ‐2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole}‐κ²N³:N^3′;N^3′:N³‐zinc(II)‐bis(μ‐benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylato)‐κ²O¹:O²;κ³O¹,O^1′:O²], [Zn₂(C₈H₄O₄)₂(C₁₁H₁₀N₄)₂]_n, has been synthesized by the reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂ with 2‐[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]‐1H‐benzimidazole (imb) and benzene‐1,2‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdic) under hydrothermal conditions. There are two crystallographically distinct imb ligands [imb(A) and imb(B)] in the structure which adopt very similar coordination geometries. The imb(A) ligand bridges two symmetry‐related Zn1 ions, yielding a binuclear [(Zn1)₂{imb(A)}₂] unit, and the imb(B) ligand bridges two symmetry‐related Zn2 ions resulting in a binuclear [(Zn2)₂{imb(B)}₂] unit. The above‐mentioned binuclear units are further connected alternately by pairs of bridging bdic²⁻ ligands, forming an infinite one‐dimensional chain. These one‐dimensional chains are further connected through N—H...O hydrogen bonds, leading to a two‐dimensional layered structure. In addition, the title polymer exhibits good fluorescence properties in the solid state at room temperature.     

Characterization of Two Zincophosphates (UH‐6 and UH‐10) Synthesized using the Cobalt(III) Sarcophagine Complex as Structure‐directing Agent

The novel zincophosphates UH‐6 (sum formula |[Co(diAMHsar)]| [Zn₂(HPO₄)₃(PO₄)] · H₂O) and UH‐10 (sum formula |([Co(diAMHsar)])₂| [{Zn₂(HPO₄)₃(PO₄)}₂] · H₂O) were synthesized in hydrothermal syntheses employing the chiral sarcophagine complex [Co(diAMHsar)]⁵⁺ as the structure‐directing agent. The inorganic part of UH‐6 consists of pearl‐like chains of alternating [ZnO₄] and [PO₄] tetrahedra, which are connected to the incorporated cobalt complex via numerous hydrogen bonds. UH‐10 was synthesized under similar conditions, but at higher reaction temperatures. In consequence, the crystal structures of UH‐6 and UH‐10 are closely related, although systematic disorder in UH‐10 and the lower symmetry result in a unit cell twice as large as the corresponding unit cell of UH‐6. Interestingly, in both zincophosphates only one enantiomer of the cobalt complex is present, despite the fact that a racemic mixture of the complex salt is used for synthesis. Thermogravimetric analysis and powder X‐ray diffraction of a thermally treated sample of UH‐6 reveals a phase transformation at ca. 300 °C.     

Pincer‐Type Heck Catalysts and Mechanisms Based on PdIV Intermediates: A Computational Study

Pincer‐type palladium complexes are among the most active Heck catalysts. Due to their exceptionally high thermal stability and the fact that they contain Pd^II centers, controversial Pd^II/Pd^IV cycles have been often proposed as potential catalytic mechanisms. However, pincer‐type Pd^IV intermediates have never been experimentally observed, and computational studies to support the proposed Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms with pincer‐type catalysts have never been carried out. In this computational study the feasibility of potential catalytic cycles involving Pd^IV intermediates was explored. Density functional calculations were performed on experimentally applied aminophosphine‐, phosphine‐, and phosphite‐based pincer‐type Heck catalysts with styrene and phenyl bromide as substrates and (E)‐stilbene as coupling product. The potential‐energy surfaces were calculated in dimethylformamide (DMF) as solvent and demonstrate that Pd^II/Pd^IV mechanisms are thermally accessible and thus a true alternative to formation of palladium nanoparticles. Initial reaction steps of the lowest energy path of the catalytic cycle of the Heck reaction include dissociation of the chloride ligands from the neutral pincer complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)] [X=NH, R=piperidinyl ( 1 a ); X=O, R=piperidinyl ( 1 b ); X=O, R=iPr ( 1 c ); X=CH₂, R=iPr ( 1 d )] to yield cationic, three‐coordinate, T‐shaped 14e^? palladium intermediates of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd]⁺ ( 2 ). An alternative reaction path to generate complexes of type 2 (relevant for electron‐poor pincer complexes) includes initial coordination of styrene to 1 to yield styrene adducts [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Cl)(CH₂?CHPh)] ( 4 ) and consecutive dissociation of the chloride ligand to yield cationic square‐planar styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 6 ) and styrene. Cationic styrene adducts of type 6 were additionally found to be the resting states of the catalytic reaction. However, oxidative addition of phenyl bromide to 2 result in pentacoordinate Pd^IV complexes of type [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)]⁺ ( 11 ), which subsequently coordinate styrene (in trans position relative to the phenyl unit of the pincer cores) to yield hexacoordinate phenyl styrene complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(C₆H₅)(CH₂?CHPh)]⁺ ( 12 ). Migration of the phenyl ligand to the olefinic bond gives cationic, pentacoordinate phenylethenyl complexes [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(Br)(CHPhCH₂Ph)]⁺ ( 13 ). Subsequent β‐hydride elimination induces direct HBr liberation to yield cationic, square‐planar (E)‐stilbene complexes with general formula [{2,6‐C₆H₃(XPR₂)₂}Pd(CHPh?CHPh)]⁺ ( 14 ). Subsequent liberation of (E)‐stilbene closes the catalytic cycle.     

Silver–Ethene Complexes [Ag(η2‐C2H4)n][Al(ORF)4] with n=1, 2, 3 (RF=Fluorine‐Substituted Group)

Compounds including the free or coordinated gas‐phase cations [Ag(η²‐C₂H₄)_n]⁺ (n=1–3) were stabilized with very weakly coordinating anions [A]^? (A=Al{OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂}₄, n=1 ( 1 ); Al{OC(H)(CF₃)₂}₄, n=2 ( 3 ); Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄, n=3 ( 5 ); {(F₃C)₃CO}₃Al‐F‐Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₃, n=3 ( 6 )). They were prepared by reaction of the respective silver(I) salts with stoichiometric amounts of ethene in CH₂Cl₂ solution. As a reference we also prepared the isobutene complex [(Me₂C?CH₂)Ag(Al{OC(CH₃)(CF₃)₂}₄)] ( 2 ). The compounds were characterized by multinuclear solution‐NMR, solid‐state MAS‐NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy as well as by their single crystal X‐ray structures. MAS‐NMR spectroscopy shows that the [Ag(η²‐C₂H₄)₃]⁺ cation in its [Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]^? salt exhibits time‐averaged D_3h‐symmetry and freely rotates around its principal z‐axis in the solid state. All routine X‐ray structures (2θ_max.<55°) converged within the 3σ limit at C?C double bond lengths that were shorter or similar to that of free ethene. In contrast, the respective Raman active C?C stretching modes indicated red‐shifts of 38 to 45 cm^?1, suggesting a slight C?C bond elongation. This mismatch is owed to residual librational motion at 100 K, the temperature of the data collection, as well as the lack of high angular data owing to the anisotropic electron distribution in the ethene molecule. Therefore, a method for the extraction of the C?C distance in [M(C₂H₄)] complexes from experimental Raman data was developed and meaningful C?C distances were obtained. These spectroscopic C?C distances compare well to newly collected X‐ray data obtained at high resolution (2θ_max.=100°) and low temperature (100 K). To complement the experimental data as well as to obtain further insight into bond formation, the complexes with up to three ligands were studied theoretically. The calculations were performed with DFT (BP86/TZVPP, PBE0/TZVPP), MP2/TZVPP and partly CCSD(T)/AUG‐cc‐pVTZ methods. In most cases several isomers were considered. Additionally, [M(C₂H₄)₃] (M=Cu⁺, Ag⁺, Au⁺, Ni⁰, Pd⁰, Pt⁰, Na⁺) were investigated with AIM theory to substantiate the preference for a planar conformation and to estimate the importance of σ donation and π back donation. Comparing the group 10 and 11 analogues, we find that the lack of π back bonding in the group 11 cations is almost compensated by increased σ donation.