Calamitic metallomesogens derived from unsymmetric pyrazoles

Three series of copper(II) complexes 1a-1c derived from unsymmetric pyrazoles 2a-2c were prepared and their mesomorphic properties investigated. The mesomorphic behavior of compounds was studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarizing optical microscopy, and powder X-ray diffractometry. The crystal and molecular structures of mesogenic copper complex (2a; n=10) of 3-[4-decyloxyphenyl]-1H-pyrazole were determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, with a=4.0890(1) Å, b=18.0167(2) Å, c=25.5015(5) Å, and Z=2. The geometry at copper center was not perfectly square planar. A weak intermolecular H-bond (d=2.36 Å) between Cl1 and H2 atoms and π-π interaction (ca. 3.45-3.55 Å) was also observed. All their precursors 2a-2c were not mesogenic. In contrast, copper complexes 1a formed nematic or smectic C phases and complexes 1b-1c formed crystalline phases. Powder X-ray diffraction experiments confirmed the presence of SmC phase.     

New metallomesogens derived from unsymmetric 1,3,4-thiodiazoles: synthesis, single crystal structure, mesomorphism, and optical properties

A series of copper(II) complexes 1 derived from unsymmetric 1,3,4-thiadiazoles 2 exhibiting mesogenic properties are reported. All the precursors 2 and 3 exhibited smectic A or/and smectic C phases, whereas, copper complexes formed nematic, SmA or SmC phases. The mesophases formed by derivatives 2 and 3 were probably attributed to the H-bondings induced both intramolecularly or/and intermolecularly between amide (-NH) and phenolic (-OH) groups. The crystal and molecular structures of mesogenic 2-(5-(2-(hexyloxy)naphthalene-6-yl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl)phenol (2; n=6, m=6) were determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P-1, with a=7.4255(18) Å, b=8.209(2) Å, c=17.315(5) Å, and Z=2. An intermolecular H-bond (d=1.89 Å) between N2 and H1A atoms with an angle of 161.5° was observed. All molecules were packed as tilted layer arrangement and a π-π interaction (ca. 3.56 Å) was observed. Variable temperature FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopies were also used to probe the possible H-bondings formed in compound 2 (m=0, n=6). The fluorescent properties of these compounds 2 were examined. All λ_max peaks of the absorption and photoluminescence spectra occurred at ca. 359-363 nm and 519-537 nm, respectively. Excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction in this type of ortho-hydroxy-1,3,4-thiadiazole was also observed.     

New star-shaped triarylamines: synthesis, mesomorphic behavior, and photophysical properties

A total of 18 compounds 1-6 derived from triphenylamine as core group were prepared and characterized, and their mesomorphic properties were also investigated. Compounds 1-4 and 5,6 were prepared from p,p′,p″-triformyltriphenylamine and p,p′-diformyltriphenylamine with appropriate alkoxyphenylamines. The phase behavior of these mesogenic compounds was characterized and studied by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and powder XRD diffraction. Compounds 1-3 exhibited columnar mesophase, however, compounds 4-6 were nonmesogenic. The mesophases observed in compounds 1-3 were found to be side dependent. Compounds 1a, 2a, and 3a appended with one, two, or three side chains exhibited lamellar columnar (Col_L) phases, and compounds 2b and 3b with four or six side chains formed hexagonal columnar (Col_h) phases. The formation of the mesophases, lamellar or columnar mesophases, was probably induced by H-bonding formed between -CH₂NH groups. The oxidation process determined by cyclic voltammetry showed two redox waves, one appeared at 220-255 mV and the other one at 503-677 mV, which gave energy to HOMOs range of 5.02-5.36 eV. The fluorescent properties of the compounds were examined. All λ_max peaks of the absorption and photoluminescence spectra of compounds occurred at ca. 307-392 nm and 368-456 nm, respectively. Compound 4a has a larger red shift due to a better conjugation linked by CC double bonds instead of -CH₂NH in other compounds.     

Monosubstituted thermotropic ferrocenomesogens containing heterocyclic pyrazole

The synthesis and mesomorphic properties of two series of ferrocenyl derivatives, 5-[4-(4-alkoxylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-3-(4-ferrocenylphenyl)-1H-pyrazoles 1a and 3-[4-(4-ferrocenylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-5-(4-alkoxylphenyl)-1H-pyrazoles 1b are reported. Compounds 1a exhibited either nematic (N) or smectic A (SmA) phases, whereas compounds 1b formed N/SmC or SmA/SmC phases depending on the terminal carbon length. The formation of SmC phases in compounds 1b was attributed to better molecular interaction between layers since the ferrocenyl unit was remotely located one phenyl ring away from pyrazole core. In contrast, their precursors, ferrocenyl β-diketonates, were in fact non-mesogenic. A less bent shape formed by ferrocenyl pyrazoles than ferrocenyl β-diketones was believed to be responsible for the formation of observed mesophases. The crystal and molecular structure of 3-[4-(4-ferrocenylbenzyloxy)phenyl]-5-(4-hexyloxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole (1b; n=6) was determined by means of X-ray structural analysis. It crystallizes in the triclinic space group p-1, with a=11.0725(5) Å, b=12.5514(5) Å, c=14.2085(6) Å, and Z=2. The molecular arrangement was quite consistent with the layer structure observed by powder X-ray diffractometer. The cyclic voltammogram measured for 1 and 2 (n=16) indicated that incorporation of pyrazole group hardly influenced the electrochemical behavior of the ferrocenyl moiety.     

Catenar bimetallomesogens derived from quinoxaline–salicylaldimine conjugates

The preparation, characterization, and mesomorphic properties of two series of tridentate N-salicylidene-2-hydroxyanilines and their metal complexes were described. The crystal and molecular structure of bis[2-hydroxy-4-propyloxy-N-(2-hydroxy-3,4-dipropyloxybenzylidene) aniline]copper(II) were determined by means of X-ray analysis. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n and a Z=4. The geometry at Cu²⁺ ions is square pyramidal with a THF solvent molecule coordinated. The core structure was nearly flat, and the intramolecular Cu–Cu atoms were separated by ca. 3.0163(6) Å. All compounds 2a formed smectic C phases, and copper complexes 1a–Cu were not mesogenic. In contrast, compound 2e and complexes 1b–Cu, 1d–Cu, 1e–Cu, and 1e–Pd exhibited columnar phases. The lack of mesomorphism in 1e–Zn was attributed to a preferred tetrahedral over square planar geometry. A N_cell equal to 2.44–2.92, calculated from powder XRD data within a 9.0 Å thick indicated that an induced structure correlated by two catenar-shaped molecules was formed in Col_h phases.     

Dinuclear copper(II) complexes of a novel 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone Mannich base: Synthesis,structural, magnetic and electrochemical studies

A novel versatile tridentate 3-(aminomethyl)naphthoquinone proligand, 3-[N-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminobenzyl]-2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (HL), was obtained from the Mannich reaction of 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone (Lawsone) with 2-aminomethylpyridine (amp) and benzaldehyde. The reactions of HL with CuCl₂·2H₂O yielded two novel dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu(L)(H₂O)(μ-Cl)Cu(L)Cl] (1b), [CuCl(L)(μ-Cl)Cu(amp)Cl] (2) and a polymeric compound, [Cu(L)Cl)]_n (1a), whose relative yields were sensitive to temperature, reagents concentration and presence of base. The crystalline structures of 1b and 2 were determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The two copper atoms in complex 1b are connected by a single chloro bridge with a Cu?Cu separation of 4.1342(8) Å and Cu(1)–Cl(1)–Cu(2) angle of 109.31(4)°. In complex 2 the two copper atoms are held together by a chloro and a naphthalen-2-olate bridges [Cu(1)–Cl(2)–Cu(2) and Cu(1)–O(1)–Cu(2) angles being 83.31(3) and 109.70(9)°, respectively, and the Cu?Cu separation, 3.3476(9) Å]. As expected, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of complex 1b showed weak antiferromagnetic intramolecular coupling between the copper(II) centers, with J = −5.7 cm⁻¹, and evidenced for complex 2 strong antiferromagnetic coupling, with J ∼ −120 cm⁻¹. Furthermore, the magnetic behaviour of compound 1a suggested an infinite 1D coordination polymeric structure in which the copper(II) centers are connected by Cl–Cu–Cl bridges. Solution data (UV–Vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry) indicated structural changes of 2 and 1a in CH₃CN, and evidenced conversion of polymer 1a into dimer 1b.     

Synthesis and molecular structures of dinuclear complexes with 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-c,d]1,2-diphosphole as a bridging ligand

A bisphosphine in which a PhP-PPh bond bridges 1,8-positions of naphthalene, 1,2-dihydro-1,2-diphenyl-naphtho[1,8-cd]-1,2-diphosphole (1), was used as a bridging ligand for the preparation of dinuclear group 6 metal complexes. Free trans-1, a more stable isomer having two phenyl groups on phosphorus centers mutually trans with respect to a naphthalene plane, was allowed to react with two equivalents of M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) at room temperature to give dinuclear complexes (OC)₅M(μ-trans-1)M(CO)₅ (M = W (2a), Mo (2b), Cr (2c)). The preparation of the corresponding dinuclear complexes bridged by the cis isomer of 1 was also carried out starting from the free trans-1 in the following way. Mono-nuclear complexes M(trans-1)(CO)₅ (M = W (3a), Mo (3b), Cr (3c)) which had been prepared by a reaction of trans-1 with one equivalent of the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) (M = W, Mo, Cr) complex, were heated in toluene, wherein a part of the trans-3a-c was converted to their respective cis isomer M(cis-1)(CO)₅. Each cis trans mixture of the mono-nuclear complexes 3a-c was treated with the corresponding M(CO)₅(thf) to give a cis trans mixture of the respective dinuclear complexes 2a-c. The cis isomer of the ditungsten complex 2a was isolated, and its molecular structure was confirmed by X-ray analysis, showing a shorter W?W distance of 5.1661(3) Å than that of 5.8317(2) Å in trans-2a.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of the uranyl tellurates AgUO2(HTeO5) and Pb2UO2(TeO6)

Two uranyl tellurates, AgUO₂(HTeO₅) (1) and Pb₂UO₂(TeO₆) (2), were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and were structurally, chemically, and spectroscopically characterized. 1 crystallizes in space group Pbca, a=7.085(2) Å, b=11.986(3) Å, c=13.913(4) Å, V=1181.5(5) Å³, Z=8; 2 is in P2(1)/c, a=5.742(1) Å, b=7.789(2) Å, c=7.928(2) Å, V=90.703(2) Å³, and Z=2. These are the first structures reported for uranyl compounds containing tellurate. The U⁶⁺ cations are present as (UO₂)²⁺ uranyl ions that are coordinated by O atoms to give pentagonal and square bipyramids in compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The structural unit in 1 is a sheet consisting of chains of edge-sharing uranyl pentagonal bipyramids that are one bipyramid wide, linked through the dimers of TeO₆ octahedra. In 2, uranyl square bipyramids share each of their equatorial vertices with different TeO₆ octahedra, giving a sheet with the autunite-type topology. Sheets in 1 and 2 are connected through the low-valence cations that are located in the interlayer region. The structures of 1 and 2 are compared to those of uranyl compounds containing octahedrally coordinated cations.     

Reactivity of cyclopalladated compounds derived from biphenyl-2-ylamine towards carbon monoxide, butyl isocyanide and alkynes

The reactivity of the dimeric cyclopalladated compounds derived from biphenyl-2-ylamine (μ-X)₂[κ²-N2′,C1-1-Pd-2-{(2′-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}]₂ [X = OAc (1), X = Cl (2)] towards unsaturated organic molecules is reported. Compound 1 reacted with carbon monoxide and ^tbutyl isocyanide producing phenanthridin-6(5H)-one and N-tert-butylphenanthridin-6-amine in 63% and 88% yield, respectively. Compound 2 reacted separately with diphenylacetylene and 3-hexyne, affording the mononuclear organopalladium compounds [κ²-N2″,C1-η²-C2,C3- 1-Pd{(R-CC-R)₂-2′-(2″-NH₂C₆H₄)C₆H₄}Cl] [R = Ph (5), R = Et (6)] in 50-60% yield, which derived from the insertion of two alkyne molecules into the C-Pd σ bonds of 2. The crystal structure of compounds 5 and 6 has been determined. Compound 5 crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a = 13.3290(10) Å, b = 10.6610(10) Å and c = 22.3930(10) Å and β = 100.2690(10)°. Compound 6 crystallized in the triclinic space group with a = 7.271(7) Å, b = 10.038(3) Å and c = 16.012(5) Å, and α = 106.79(3)°, β = 96.25(4)° and γ = 99.62(4)°. The crystal structures of 5 and 6 have short intermolecular Pd-Cl?H-N-Pd non-conventional hydrogen bonds, which associated the molecules in chains in the first case and in dimers in the second.     

A group of new selenite-chlorides of strontium and d-metals (Co,Ni): Synthesis, thermal behavior and crystal chemistry

The new selenite-chlorides with composition Sr₃(SeO₃)₂Cl₂ (I) and Sr₂M(SeO₃)₂Cl₂ (M=Co, Ni (II and III)) were obtained. They crystallize in monoclinic system I: space group C2/m, a=13.203(2) Å, b=5.5355(8) Å, c=6.6170(10) Å, β=95.89(1)°, Z=2; II Space group P2₁/n, a=5.3400(10) Å, b =6.4279(6) Å, c=12.322(1) Å, β=92.44(1)°, Z=2; III: space group P2₁/n, a=5.3254(11) Å, b=6.4363(13) Å, c=12.197(2), β=92.53(3)°, Z=2. All three compounds are constructed in the same manner. Sr polyhedra form infinite layers, which are interconnected into a 3D framework by means of Sr polyhedra in the case of I or Co and Ni polyhedra in the case of II and III. Se atoms are situated inside the channels of the 3D framework. The topological analysis of ELF for I confirmed that the lone electron pairs of SeO₃ groups are located inside these channels.     

Aqueous syntheses of [(Cp-R)M(CO)3] type complexes (Cp = cyclopentadienyl, M = Mn, Tc, Re) with bioactive functionalities

We describe reactions of [^99mTc(H₂O)₃(CO)₃)]⁺ (1) with Diels-Alder products of cyclopentadiene such as “Thiele’s acid” (HCp-COOH)₂ (2) and derivatives thereof in which the corresponding [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] (3) complex did form in water. We propose a metal mediated Diels-Alder reaction mechanism. To show that this reaction was not limited to carboxylate groups, we synthesized conjugates of 2 (HCp-CONHR)₂ (4a-c) (4a, R = benzyl amine; 4b, R = N_α-Boc-l-2,3-diaminopropionic acid and 4c, R = glycine). The corresponding ^99mTc complexes [(4a)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6a, [(4b)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6b and [(4c)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 6c have been prepared along the same route as for Thiele’s acid in aqueous media demonstrating the general applicability of this synthetic strategy. The authenticity of the ^99mTc complexes on the no carrier added level have been confirmed by chromatographic comparison with the structurally characterized manganese or rhenium complexes.Studies of the reaction of 1 with Thiele’s acid bound to a solid phase resin demonstrated the formation of [(Cp-COOH)^99mTc(CO)₃)] 3 in a heterogeneous reaction. This is the first evidence for the formation of no carrier added ^99mTc radiopharmaceuticals containing cyclopentadienyl ligands via solid phase syntheses. Macroscopically, the manganese analogue 5a and the rhenium complexes 5b-c have been prepared and characterized by IR, NMR, ESI-MS and X-ray crystallography for 5a (monoclinic, P2₁/c, a = 9.8696(2) Å, b = 25.8533(4) Å, c = 11.8414(2) Å, β = 98.7322(17)°) in order to unambiguously assign the authenticity of the corresponding ^99mTc complexes.     

Unsymmetric 1,3,4-oxa(thia)diazoles of quinoxaline–naphthalene conjugates

Two new series of unsymmetric 1,3,4-oxa(thia)diazoles 1a,b containing both quinoxaline and naphthalene moieties were prepared and their mesomorphic properties were investigated. The mesomorphic behavior of compounds 1a,b and 2 was studied by DSC analysis and polarized optical microscopy. All compounds 1a and 2 exhibited hexagonal columnar phases (Col_h), which were also confirmed by powder XRD diffractometer. N_cell and R_ar values equal to 5.23 and 22.73 Å² within a slice of 9.0 Å thick were also obtained for 1a (n=16), indicating that a more disc-like structure constructed by two molecules lying side-by-side was correlated in Col_h phases. In contrast, all compounds 1b were not mesogenic, and the lack of mesomorphic properties in 1b might be due to their unfavorable conformations. The PL spectra of all compounds 1a,b showed one intense peak at λ_max=509–512 nm, and these photoluminescent emissions originated from quinoxaline moiety.     

Dimeric and trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)2,3 (E = S, Se, Te; R = Ph, Me)

Ph₂SiCl₂ and PhMeSiCl₂ react with Li₂E (E = S, Se, Te) under formation of trimeric diorganosilicon chalcogenides (PhRSiE)₃ (R = Ph: 1a-3a, R = Me: cis/trans-4a (E = S), cis/trans-5a (E = Se)). In case of E = S, Se dimeric four-membered ring compounds (PhRSiE)₂ (R = Ph: 1b-2b, R = Me: cis/trans-4b (E = S), cis/trans-5b (E = Se)) have been observed as by-products. 1a-5b have been characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ²⁹Si, ⁷⁷Se, ¹²⁵Te). Four- and six-membered ring compounds differ significantly in ²⁹Si and ⁷⁷Se chemical shifts as well as in the value of ¹J_SiSe.The molecular structures of 2a, 3a and trans-5a reported in this paper are the first examples of compounds with unfused six-membered rings Si₃E₃ (E = Se, Te). The Si₃E₃ rings adopt twisted boat conformations. The crystal structure of 3a reveals an intermolecular Te-Te contact of 3.858 Å which yields a dimerization in the solid state.     

Synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of benzo[c]quinolizinium and its 5-aza-, 6-aza, and 5,6-diaza analogues

Four heterocyclic salts 1a-d were prepared by Ca²⁺-assisted cyclization of fluoro derivatives 3, and investigated by spectroscopic (NMR and UV), electrochemical, and computational (DFT and MP2) methods. The mechanism for the formation of the cations was investigated at the DFT level of theory. 2-D NMR spectroscopy for 1[ClO₄] in DMSO­d₆ aided with DFT results permitted the assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals in cations 1. The molecular and crystal structures for 1a[ClO₄] [C₁₃H₁₀ClNO₄ triclinic, P−1, a=9.6517(12) Å, b=11.0470(13) Å, c=12.2373(15) Å, α=67.615(1)°, β=78.845(2)°, γ=87.559(2)°; V=1183.0(2) Å³, Z=4] and 1d[ClO₄] [C₁₂H₉ClN₂O₄ triclinic, P−1, a=5.9525(6) Å, b=8.3141(9) Å, c=12.2591(13) Å, α=73.487(1)°, β=83.814(1)°, γ=83.456(1)°; V=576.07(10) Å³, Z=2] were determined by X-ray crystallography and compared with results of DFT and MP2 calculations. Electrochemical analysis gave the reduction potential order (1b>1c∼1d>1a), which is consistent with computational results.     

Synthesis and characterization of perfluorinated nitriles and the corresponding sodium 5-perfluoroalkyltetrazolate salts

The high-yield syntheses of trifluoroacetonitrile (1a), pentafluoropropionitrile (1b) and heptafluorobutyronitrile (1c) under mild reaction conditions using readily available starting materials (trifluoroacetamide, pentafluoropropionamide, heptafluorobutanamide) are described. Furthermore, the reactions of the perfluoroalkyl nitriles with sodium azide in acetonitrile forming sodium 5-trifluoromethyltetrazolate (2a), sodium 5-pentafluoroethyltetrazolate (2b) and sodium 5-heptafluoropropyltetrazolate (2c) were undertaken. The 5-perfluoroalkyltetrazolate salts were characterized using vibrational (Raman and infrared) and multinuclear (¹³C, ^14/15N, ¹⁹F) NMR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. Additionally, the single crystal X-ray structure of the monohydrate of 2a was determined. Crystal data: 2a·H₂O: monoclinic, C2/m, a = 18.8588(6) Å, b = 7.1857(2) Å, c = 9.3731(3) Å, β = 102.938(3)°, V = 1237.94(7) Å³, Z = 8, D_calc = 1.911 g cm⁻³.     

Solid-state supramolecular array through cooperative π-π interactions of 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-o-carborane

Dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (carborane) has received much attention as a building block for supramolecular assemblies and bioactive compounds. Among the carborane isomers, 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane (o-carborane) has unique chemical properties, including the ability of the o-carborane C-H hydrogens to form H-bonds. We have designed and synthesized 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-o-carborane 1a to study its ability to form an intramolecular H-bond between the o-carborane C-H hydrogen and various H-bond acceptors both in solution and in the solid state. Intramolecular H-bonding ability in solution was evaluated by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopic measurements of the C-H hydrogen signal. The signal of the C-H hydrogen of 1a showed a remarkable downfield shift in CDCl₃ and various other solvents, i.e., the shift was almost solvent-independent. We suggest that 1a forms an intramolecular H-bond in these solvents. Crystal structure analysis of 1a showed a C-H?O distance of 2.05 Å and a nearly planar torsion angle C(2)-C(1)-C(7)-C(8) of 6.5°, indicating intramolecular C-H?O H-bond formation in the solid state. The crystal packing of 1a indicates that a supramolecular array is stabilized by cooperative π-π stacking interactions among the methoxyphenyl groups and by hydrophobic interactions of the o-carborane cages. DFT calculations indicate that the strength of the intramolecular H-bond of 1a is about 3.53 kcal/mol. These observations indicate the potential value of o-carborane in supramolecular chemistry and materials chemistry; it should be possible to design novel materials by utilizing both the H-bonding ability of the o-carborane C-H hydrogen and the high hydrophobicity of the o-carborane cage.     

Syntheses, optical properties and electronic structures of copper(I) tantalates: Cu5Ta11O30 and Cu3Ta7O19

Two copper tantalates, Cu₅Ta₁₁O₃₀ (1) and Cu₃Ta₇O₁₉ (2), were synthesized by solid-state and flux synthetic methods, respectively. A synthetic route yielding 2 in high purity was found using a CuCl flux at 800^oC and its structure was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) data (P6₃/m (no. 176), Z=2, a=6.2278(1) Å, and c=20.1467(3) Å). The solid-state synthesis of 1 was performed using excess Cu₂O that helped to facilitate the growth of single crystals and their characterization by XRD (P6¯2c (no. 190), Z=2, a=6.2252(1) Å, and c=32.516(1) Å). The atomic structures of both copper tantalates consist of alternating single and double layers of TaO₇ pentagonal bipyramids that are bridged by a single layer of isolated TaO₆ octahedra and linearly-coordinated Cu⁺. Measured optical bandgap sizes of ∼2.59 and ∼2.47 eV for 1 and 2 were located well within visible-light energies and were consistent with their orange-yellow colours. Each also exhibits optical absorption coefficients at the band edge of ∼700 and ∼275 cm⁻¹, respectively, and which were significantly smaller than that for NaTaO₃ of ∼1450 cm⁻¹. Results of LMTO calculations indicate that their visible-light absorption is attributable mainly to indirect bandgap transitions between Cu 3d¹⁰ and Ta 5d⁰ orbitals within the TaO₇ pentagonal bipyramids.     

Two metal chalcogenides, Hg2Te2X2 (XBr, I): 3-D framework constructed from novel left-handed helices

Two isostructural metal chalcogenides, Hg₂Te₂Br₂ (1) and Hg₂Te₂I₂ (2), were obtained by solid-state reactions and structurally characterized. Compounds 1 and 2 crystallize in the acentric space group P4₃2₁2 of the tetragonal system with eight formula units in a cell: a=10.2388(9), c=14.480(2) Å, V=1518.0(3) Å³, R₁/wR₂=0.0670/0.1328 for 1 and a=10.711(3), c=15.025(8) Å, V=1724(1) Å³, R₁/wR₂=0.0637/0.1233 for 2. Both compounds are characterized by a three-dimensional (3-D) framework structure, which is composed by interconnected left-handed helices formed by both tetrahedral and trigonal Hg atoms. Optical absorption spectra of 1 and 2 reveal the presence of sharp optical gaps of 2.06 and 1.85 eV, respectively, suggesting that both materials are semiconductors. TG-DTA measurements show that both compounds are thermally stable up to 200 °C. The composition of both compounds is well confirmed by the semiquantitative microscope analyses.     

Substituted lithiumtrimethylsiloxysilanides LiSiRR′(OSiMe3) - Investigations of their synthesis, stability and reactivity

The reactions of the trimethylsiloxychlorosilanes (Me₃SiO)RR′SiCl (1a-h: R′ = Ph, 1a: R = H, 1b: R = Me, 1c: R = Et, 1d: R = ⁱPr, 1e: R = ^tBu, 1f: R = Ph, 1g: R = 2,4,6-Me₃C₆H₂ (Mes), 1h: R = 2,4,6-(Me₂CH)₃C₆H₂ (Tip); 1i: R = R′ = Mes) with lithium metal in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at −78 °C and in a mixture of THF/diethyl ether/n-pentane in a volume ratio 4:1:1 at −110 °C lead to mixtures of numerous compounds. Dependent on the substituents silyllithium derivatives (Me₃SiO)RR′SiLi (2b-i), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g), Me₃SiRR′SiLi (4a-h), (LiO)RR′SiLi (12e, 12g-i), trisiloxanes (Me₃SiO)₂SiRR′ (5a-i) and trimethylsiloxydisilanes (6f^∗, 6h^∗, 6i^∗) are formed. All silyllithium compounds were trapped with Me₃SiCl or HMe₂SiCl resulting in the following products: (Me₃SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂R″ (6b-i: R″ = Me, 7c-i: R″ = H), Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂SiMe₂R″ (8a-g: R″ = Me, 9a-g: R″ = H), Me₃SiRR′SiSiMe₂R″ (10a-h: R″ = Me, 11a-h: R″ = H) and (HMe₂SiO)RR′SiSiMe₂H (13e, 13g-i). The stability of trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2 depends on the substituents and on the temperature. (Me₃SiO)Mes₂SiLi (2i) is the most stable compound due to the high steric shielding of the silicon centre. The trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2a-g undergo partially self-condensation to afford the corresponding trimethylsiloxydisilanyllithiums Me₃SiO(RR′Si)₂Li (3a-g). (Me₃)Si-O bond cleavage was observed for 2e and 2g-i. The relatively stable trimethylsiloxysilyllithiums 2f, 2g and 2i react with n-butyllithium under nucleophilic butylation to give the n-butyl-substituted silyllithiums ⁿBuRR′SiLi (15g, 15f, 15i), which were trapped with Me₃SiCl. By reaction of 2g and 2i with 2,3-dimethylbuta-1,3-diene the corresponding 1,1-diarylsilacyclopentenes 17g and 17i are obtained.X-ray studies of 17g revealed a folded silacyclopentene ring with the silicon atom located 0.5 Å above the mean plane formed by the four carbon ring atoms.     

Hydrothermal synthesis, structure and thermal stability of diamine templated layered uranyl-vanadates

Six new layered uranyl vanadates (NH₄)₂[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (1), (H₂EN)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (2), (H₂DAP)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (3), (H₂PIP)[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂].0,8H₂O (4), (H₂DMPIP)[(UO₂)₂V₂O₈] (5), (H₂DABCO)[(UO₂)₂(VO₄)₂] (6) were prepared from mild-hydrothermal reactions using 1,2-ethylenediamine (EN); 1,3-diaminopropane (DAP); piperazine (PIP); 1-methylpiperazine (MPIP); 1,4-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO). The structures of 1, 4, 5 and 6 were solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data while the structural models of 2 and 3 were established from powder X-ray diffraction data. In compounds 1, 2, 3 and 5, the uranyl-vanadate layers are built from dimers of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids and dimers of edge-shared VO₅ square pyramids further connected through edge-sharing. In 1 and 3, the layers are identical to that occurring in the carnotite group of uranyl-vanadates. In 2 and 5, the V₂O₈ dimers differ in orientation leading to a new type of layer. The layers of compound 4 and 6 are built from chains of edge-shared UO₇ pentagonal bipyramids connected by VO₄ tetrahedra and are of uranophane-type anion topology. For the six compounds, the ammonium or organoammonium cation resides in the space between the inorganic layers. Crystallographic data: 1 monoclinic, space group P2₁/c with a=6.894(2), b=8.384(3), c=10.473(4) Å and β=106.066(5)°, 2 monoclinic, space group P2₁/a with a=13.9816(6), b=8.6165(3), c=10.4237(3) Å and γ=93.125(3)°, 3 orthorhombic, space group Pmcn with a=14.7363(8), b=8.6379(4) and c=10.4385(4) Å, 4 monoclinic, space group C2/m with a=15.619(2), b=7.1802(8), c=6.9157(8) Å and β=101.500(2)°, 5 monoclinic, space group P2₁/b with a=9.315(2), b=8.617(2), c=10.5246(2) Å and γ=114.776(2)°, 6 monoclinic, space group C2/m with a=17.440(2), b=7.1904(9), c=6.8990(8) Å and β=98.196(2)°.