Covalent and ionic Cu(II) complexes with cyclam and substituted benzoato ligands: structural,thermal, redox and mesomorphic properties

A covalent mononuclear complex, [Cu(p–HOC₆H₄COO)₂(cyclam)] (1), and two ionic mononuclear complexes, [Cu(cyclam)(H₂O)₂](p–CH₃OC₆H₄COO)₂ (2) and [Cu(cyclam)(H₂O)₂](p–CH₃(CH₂)₁₅OC₆H₄COO)₂·H₂O (3), were formed from reaction of cyclam with [Cu₂(p–HOC₆H₄COO)₄(H₂O)₂], [Cu₂(p–CH₃OC₆H₄COO)₄(H₂O)₂] and [Cu₂(p-CH₃(CH₂)₁₅OC₆H₄COO)₄(H₂O)₂], respectively. These complexes were isolated as purple crystals with molecular structures showing distorted octahedral N₄O₂ geometry. Complexes 1 and 2 were irreversibly reduced to Cu(I) and oxidized to Cu(III), while 3 was redox inactive. Complex 2 reacted with N-(hexadecyl)isonicotinamide (L) to form [Cu(cyclam)(L)₂](p–CH₃OC₆H₄COO)₂ (4). These complexes were thermally stable (T_dec > 200 °C for 1–3 and 174 °C for 4). Complexes 3 and 4 behaved as ionic liquids (melting temperatures lower than 100 °C) and exhibited mesomorphism.     

Synthesis,crystal structure,and properties of a μ3-oxo-trichromium(III) propionate cluster with pyrazole

A new μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate cluster, [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(pyr)₃]NO₃·0.25(H₂O) (1), has been synthesized by reaction of a μ₃-oxo trinuclear chromium(III) propionate precursor [Cr₃(μ₃-O)(O₂CCH₂CH₃)₆(H₂O)₃]NO₃ with a pyrazol ligand (pyr) and characterized by IR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray structure determination, and thermal analysis. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization studies revealed antiferromagnetic exchange interactions within the trinuclear Cr(III) cluster (J = ?11.9 cm^?1) and determined the electronic ground state (S = ½) of the compound.     

Polyoxidovanadate complexes: synthesis,structures and catalytic oxidative bromination of phenol red

By selecting appropriate ligands, two polyoxidovanadate complexes, [Ni(en)₂]₃[V₁₈O₄₂Cl]·7H₂O·2H₃O⁺ (1) and [H₂N(CH₃)₂]₃[PV₁₄O₄₂]·2TMP·6H₃O⁺ (2), have been synthesized at different pH values using V₂(SO₄)₃, Ni(CH₃COO)₂, and H₆TTHA (for 1), VO(acac)₂ and TPP (for 2) (en = C₂H₈N₂, TPP = thiamine pyrophosphate, TMP = thiamine monophosphate, H₆TTHA = 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triamine hexaacetic acid). The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The complexes catalyze the oxidation of the organic substrate phenol red in the presence of H₂O₂ and bromide, and the reaction system is considered as a model for hydrogen peroxide determination. The reaction rate constants (k) for 1 and 2 are calculated as 3.729 × 10³ and 4.083 × 10³ (mol L)^?2 s^?1. The maximum conversion rate of phenol red for 1 is 83.32%, while for 2 is 81.12%.     

Syntheses,crystal structures and biological activity of the dialkytin complexes based on 2-oxo-3-phenylpropionic acid salicyloylhydrazone

Three new dialkytin complexes, {[o-OH–C₆H₄(O)C=N–N=C(CH₂Ph)COO](n-Bu₂Sn)}_n (1), {[o-OH–C₆H₄(O)C=N–N=C(CH₂Ph)COO](MeOH)(p-MeC₆H₅CH₂)₂Sn}₂ (2), and {[o-OH–C₆H₄(O)C=N–N=C(CH₂Ph)COO](EtOH)(C₆H₅CH₂)₂Sn}₂ (3), were synthesized by reactions of 2-oxo-3-phenylpropionic acid salicyloylhydrazone with the corresponding diorganotin(IV) complex, respectively. All the complexes were characterized by IR, ¹H, ¹³C, ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectra, elemental analysis, X-ray single crystal diffraction and TGA. For in vitro antitumor activities, complexes were evaluated by the MTT assay against three human cancer cell lines (NCI-H460, HepG2 and MCF7) and human cell line (HL7702). The results showed that 1 may be a better potential candidate for further chemical optimization and cancer therapy than 2 and 3. The interactions between the complexes and calf thymus DNA were studied; the interaction of 1 with calf thymus DNA was intercalation, 2 and 3 were intercalation and electrostatic binding.     

Syntheses,crystal structures,and magnetic properties of a series of Fe2Ln complexes

A family of phenoxo-bridged heterometallic Schiff base trinuclear complexes, [Fe₂LnL₂(C₃H₇COO)(H₂O)]·CH₃OH·CH₃CN·H₂O (Ln = Sm, 1; Gd, 2; Tb, 3; Dy, 4) is reported. Those complexes were afforded by “one-pot” reaction of a polydentate Schiff base ligand 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenylsalicylaldimine (H₂L) with Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Ln(NO₃)₃·6H₂O and sodium butyrate (C₃H₇COONa) in a mixture of methanol and acetonitrile in the presence of triethylamine as a base. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the structures of the four complexes are isomorphic. In each complex, two anionic [FeL₂]^? units coordinate to the central lanthanide ion as a tetradentate ligand using its four phenoxo oxygens, forming a two-blade propeller-like molecular shape. Magnetic properties of 1–4 were investigated using variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, and weak ferromagnetic exchange between the Fe^III and Ln^III ions has been established for the Gd derivative. The Tb and Dy complexes show no evidence of slow relaxation behavior above 2.0 K.     

New polynuclear compounds based on N-benzyliminodipropionic acid: solution studies,synthesis, and X-ray crystal structures

Three new polynuclear compounds based on a dicarboxylic acid ligand are reported. In particular, two Cu(II) coordination compounds, [Cu₂(H₂O)₆(Hbzlidp)₂](CF₃SO₃)₂·2H₂O (1) and [Cu(NO₃)(Hbzlidp)]_∞ (2) (bzlidp^2? = N-benzyliminodipropionate anion), and a Ni(II) dinuclear compound, [Ni₂(H₂O)₄(bzlidp)₂] (3), were synthesized and characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Different structures were obtained depending on the reaction conditions. The structural analyses reveal that 1 was formed by dinuclear [Cu₂(H₂O)₆(Hbzlidp)₂]²⁺ units built by two copper(II) ions joined through two Hbzlidp^? ligands, while 2 was formed by pairs of Cu(II) centers bridged by four syn,syn carboxylate groups to generate “paddle wheel” units. The dinuclear copper units are arranged in a rhombus type grid, in a 2-D layer structure. In both cases, the N was protonated and not coordinated to the metal center. Compound 3 was formed by [Ni₂(H₂O)₄(bzlidp)₂] neutral dinuclear units, with octahedral Ni(II) centers. Solution studies of the ligand–M(II) systems (M(II) = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) were also carried out.     

Two cadmium compounds with adenine and carboxylate ligands: syntheses,structures and photoluminescence

Two cadmium(II) coordination compounds, [Cd₃(CH₃CO₂)₄(ad)₂(CH₃CN)₂]_n (1) and [Cd₃(5-SIP)₂(H-ad)₂(H₂O)₆]_n (2) (H-ad = adenine and 5-SIP = 5-sulfoisophthalate), were synthesized and characterized. Compound 1 features a two-dimensional (2-D) layered structure based on linear trinuclear [Cd₃(CH₃CO₂)₄] units bridged by monoanionic adenine ligands. In 2, the 5-SIP^3? ligands link Cd(II) ions to form a one-dimensional (1-D) ladder, which is further linked by neutral adenine ligands to give a 2-D layered structure. In both structures, the carboxylate ligands link Cd(II) ions to form low-dimensional structures, which are further connected by adenine ligands to give high-dimensional structures. Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit emissions centered at 382 and 416 nm, respectively, which can be attributed to the ligand centered π–π* transition.     

Syntheses,structures, and properties of transition metal complexes with 2-( n -pyridyl)benzimidazole ( n = 2, 3, and 4)

Three pyridylbenzimidazoles (2-PBIM, 3-PBIM, and 4-PBIM) have been prepared (2-PBIM: 2-(2-pyridyl)-benzimidazole, 3-PBIM: 2-(3-pyridyl)-benzimidazole, 4-PBIM: 2-(4-pyridyl)-benzimidazole). Reactions of several transition metals (Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺) with the three ligands gave four new coordination complexes, [(Cd)₂(2-PBIM)₂(CH₃COO)₄] (1), [Cu(3-PBIM)₂(CH₃COO)₂]?·?2H₂O (2), [Cu(4-PBIM)₂(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)]?·?H₂O (3), and [Fe(4-PBIM)₂(Cl)₂(H₂O)₂] (4), respectively. These four complexes have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR spectroscopy, and UV absorption spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric properties of 2 and 4 were also measured. X-ray crystallographic studies reveal that these four complexes are very different, although the ligands are similar in structure. The role of hydrogen-bonding and π–π interactions in extending dimensionality of simple complexes has been discussed.     

Two tetranuclear Ni(II) complexes from substituted imidazole dicarboxylates: syntheses,structures, thermal and magnetic properties

Two tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes, [Ni₄ (p-BrPhHIDC)₄(py)₄(H₂O)₄]·CH₃OH (p-BrPhH₃IDC = 2-(p-bromophenyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid) (1) and [Ni₄(p-ClPhHIDC)₄ (CH₃CN)₄(H₂O)₄]·4H₂O (p-ClPhH₃IDC = 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid, py = pyridine) (2), have been solvothermally synthesised and structurally characterised. Both compounds consist of similar tetranuclear Ni(II) cores, in which the imidazole dicarboxylate ligands adopt the similar coordination mode. The thermal properties of 1 and 2 have been investigated. Also, it is discovered that there exists antiferromagnetic coupling between the Ni(II) ions in 1 and 2; the best fittings to the experimental magnetic susceptibilities gave J = ? 9.89 cm^? 1 and g = 2.18 for 1, and J = ? 10.54 cm^? 1 and g = 2.14 for 2.     

Effects of metal ions and ligands on transesterification: synthesis,structures, and catalytic activities of a series of cation–anionic complexes with dipyridylamine ligands

A series of cation–anion complexes derived by 2,2′-dipyridylamine (Hdpa) and carboxylate ligands with formulas [Ni(Hdpa)₂(CH₃COO)]Cl(CH₃OH) (1), [Co(Hdpa)₂(CH₃COO)]Cl(CH₃OH) (2), [Ni(Hdpa)₂(CH₃CH₂CH₂COO)]Cl (3), [Co(Hdpa)₂(CH₃CH₂CH₂COO)]Cl (4), [Ni(Hdpa)₂(C₆H₅COO)]Cl (5), and [Co(Hdpa)₂(C₆H₅COO)]Cl (6), were synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, MS(ESI), TG analysis, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectra. X-ray single crystal structural analysis showed that the coordination geometries of metal ions in these complexes are similar and they are cation–anion species. The hydrogen-bonding structures are 1-D chains through the N–H···Cl bonds. There are weak stacking interactions between pyridine rings in 1–4, while there are no stacking interactions in 5 and 6. We have investigated the transesterification of phenyl acetate with methanol catalyzed by 1–6 under mild conditions; 1–4 are homogeneous catalysts while 5 and 6 are heterogeneous catalysts due to their poor solubility in methanol. Cobalt complexes exhibit higher catalytic activities than corresponding nickel complexes. Complex 4 is the best catalyst of these six complexes.     

Synthetic and structural studies of the diiron toluenedithiolate carbonyl complexes with monophosphine ligands

Four diiron toluenedithiolate complexes 2–5 with monophosphine ligands are reported. Treatment of [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₆ (1) with tris(3-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(4-chlorophenyl)phosphine, tris(4-methylphenyl)phosphine or 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde, and Me₃NO?2H₂O in MeCN resulted in the formation of [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(3-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (2), [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄Cl)₃] (3), [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[P(4-C₆H₄CH₃)₃] (4), and [μ-SC₆H₃(CH₃)S-μ]Fe₂(CO)₅[Ph₂P(2-C₆H₄CHO)] (5) in 64–82% yields. Complexes 2–5 have been characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ¹H NMR, ³¹P{¹H} NMR, ¹³C{¹H} NMR and further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecular structures show that 2–5 contain a butterfly diiron toluenedithiolate cluster coordinated by five terminal carbonyls and an apical monophosphine.     

Filling the equatorial garland of uranyl ion: its content and limitations

Crystal structure determinations on the uranyl ion complexes [H₂N(CH₃)₂]₂[UO₂(bpdc)₂], (1), (bpdc?=?2,2′-bipyridine-3,3′-dicarboxylate), [pyH]₂[UO₂(btfac)(NO₃)₂](NO₃), (2), (btfac?=?1-phenyl-4,4,4-trifluorobutane-1,3-dionate), [H₂dabco][UO₂(nta)]₂·3H₂O, (3), (dabco?=?1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; nta?=?nitrilotriacetate) and [Ni(cyclam)UO₂(edta)]^.2H₂O, (4), (cyclam?=?1,4,8,11-tetrazacyclotetradecane; edta?=?ethylenediaminetetraacetate) have provided further examples of U(VI) in tetragonal-, pentagonal and hexagonal-bipyramidal coordination environments. Consideration of each structure within the context of those of known relatives has been used to assess the influence of factors in addition to repulsions within the primary coordination sphere on the equatorial coordination number of U(VI).

     

Synthesis and Surface Properties of Novel Cationic Gemini Surfactants

A series of novel cationic gemini surfactants, p-[C _n H_2n+1N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂CH(OH)CH₂O]₂C₆H₄·2Cl^? [A(n = 12), B(n = 14) and C(n = 16)], containing a spacer group with two flexible and hydrophilic groups (2-hydroxy-1,3-propylene) on both sides of a rigid and hydrophobic group (1,4-dioxyphenylene) has been synthesized by the reaction of hydroquinone diglycidyl ether with N,N-dimethylalkylamine and N,N-dimethylalkylamine hydrochloride. Their surface-active properties have been investigated by surface tension measurement. The critical micelle concentration (cmc) values of the synthesized cationic gemini surfactants are one order of magnitude lower than those of their corresponding monomeric surfactants (C _n H_2n + 1N⁺(CH₃)₃·Cl^?). Both the cmc and surface tension at the cmc (γ_cmc) of A are lower than those of p-[C₁₂H₂₅N⁺(CH₃)₂CH₂]₂C₆H₄·2Cl^? (D). The novel cationic gemini surfactants A and B also show good foaming properties.     

Hydrogen-bonded assemblies of trinuclear metal string complexes

Three kinds of trinuclear metal string complexes, [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L¹)₂]?·?H₂O?·?C₂H₅OH (L¹?=?(E)-3-(2-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (1), [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L²)₂]?·?2C₂H₅OC₂H₅ (L²?=?(E)-3-(3-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (2) and [Ni₃(dpa)₄(L³)₂]?·?3CH₂Cl₂?·?1.5CH₃OH (L³?=?(E)-3-(4-hydroxyl-phenyl)-acrylic acid) (3). (dpa^??=?bis(2-pyridyl)amido), have been synthesized. The structures of 1 and 2 have been analyzed by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction showing hydrogen-bonded networks.     

Synthesis and X-ray diffraction study of R[UO2(CH3COO)3] (R = H3O+ or NH(C2H5) 3+ )

Single crystals of (H₃O)[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃] (I) and (NH(C₂H₅)₃)[UO₂(CH₃COO)₃] (II) are synthesized, and their structures are studied by X-ray crystallography. Compound I crystallizes in the tetragonal crystal system with the unit cell parameters a = 13.70640(10) ?, c = 27.5258(5) ?, V = 5171.14(11) ?³, space group I4₁/a, Z = 16, R = 0.0238. The crystals of compound II are orthorhombic with the parameters a = 13.3685(3) ?, b = 10.6990(3) ?, c = 12.2616(3) ?, V = 1753.77(8) ?³, space group Pna2₁, Z = 4, R = 0.0228. The uranium-containing structural units of crystals I and II are [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ island mononuclear groups belonging to the A B₃⁰¹(A = UO₂²⁺, B⁰¹ = CH₃COO⁻) crystal-chemical group of uranyl complexes. [UO₂(CH₃COO)₃]⁻ complexes are linked into a three-dimensional framework by electrostatic interactions with the outer-sphere cations and by hydrogen bonds involving the hydrogen atoms of hydroxonium (I) or triethylammonium (II) with the oxygen atoms of the acetato groups.     

Bis{μ‐[6‐(hydroxy­methyl)‐2‐pyridyl]­methano­lato‐κ3N,O:O}bis{[2,6‐bis­(hydroxy­methyl)­pyridine‐κ3O,N,O′]copper(II)} di­acetate

The title dinuclear Cu^II complex, [Cu₂(C₇H₈NO₂)₂(C₇H₉NO₂)₂](CH₃COO)₂, has been synthesized by the reaction of Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O with pdmH₂ (pdmH₂ is pyridine‐2,6‐diyldi­methanol) in the presence of tetra­butyl­ammonium hydro­xide. The title complex contains a centrosymmetric Cu₂O₂ core and each Cu^II atom has distorted octahedral geometry. Molecular [Cu₂(pdmH)₂(pdmH₂)]²⁺ cations are connected by hydrogen bonds involving the CH₃COO⁻ anions, forming one‐dimensional chains along the a axis.     

Synthesis of a chiral rod-like metal–organic framework from a preformed amino acid-based hexanuclear wheel

Abstract

We report the two-step synthesis of a chiral rod-like metal-organic framework (MOF). The chemical approach consists on the use of a previously prepared oxamato-based homochiral hexanuclear wheel, the ligand being a derivative of the natural amino acid l-alanine, with formula (Me₄N)₆{Cu^II₆[(S)-alama])₆}·10H₂O (1) [where (S)-alama=(S)-N-(ethyl oxoacetate)alanine]. The anionic hexacopper(II) wheels, stabilized by the presence of templating tetramethylammonium counter-cations, disassemble in the presence of cationic square-planar [Ni(cyclam)]²⁺ complexes to yield, after a supramolecular reorganization process that involves axial coordination of the [Ni(cyclam)]²⁺ cations through the free carbonyl groups of the copper(II) moieties, a neutral chiral rod-like, three-dimensional (3D) MOF with formula [Ni(cyclam)][Cu(S)-alama]₂·16H₂O (2). The resulting MOF constitutes one of the few examples where such a high-nuclearity metal complex is used as precursor for the construction of rod-like MOFs.     

Koordinationspolymere 1, 2‐Dithiooxalato‐ und 1, 2‐Dithioquadratato‐Komplexe. Synthese und Strukturen von [BaCr2(bipy)2(1, 2‐dtox)4(H2O)2], [Ni(cyclam)(1, 2‐dtsq)]·2DMF, [Ni(cyclam)Mn(1, 2‐dtsq)2(H2O)2]·2H2O und [H3O][H5O2][Cu(cyclam)]3[Cu2(1, 2‐dtsq)3]2

Coordination Polymeric 1, 2‐Dithiooxalato and 1, 2‐Dithiosquarato Complexes. Syntheses and Structures of [BaCr₂(bipy)₂(1, 2‐dtox)₄(H₂O)₂], [Ni(cyclam)(1, 2‐dtsq)]·2DMF, [Ni(cyclam)Mn(1, 2‐dtsq)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H2₂, and [H₃O][H₅O₂][Cu(cyclam)]₃[Cu₂(1, 2‐dtsq)₃]₂ 1, 2‐Dithioxalate and 1, 2‐dithiosquarate ions have a pair of soft and hard donor centers and thus are suited for the formation of coordination polymeric complexes containing soft and hard metal ions. The structures of four compounds with building blocks containing these ligands are reported: In [BaCr₂(bipy)₂(1, 2‐dtox)₄(H₂O)₂] Barium ions and pairs of Cr(bipy)(1, 2‐dtox)₂ complexes form linear chains by the bisbidentate coordination of the dithiooxalate ligands towards Ba²⁺ and Cr³⁺. In [Ni(cyclam)(1, 2‐dtsq)]·2DMF short NÖH···O hydrogen bonds link the NiS₂N₄‐octahedra with C_2v‐symmetry to an infinite chain. In [Ni(cyclam)Mn(1, 2‐dtsq)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O the 1, 2‐dithiosquarato ligand shows a rare example of S‐coordination towards manganese(II). The sulfur atoms of cis‐MnO₂S₄‐polyedra are weakly coordinated towards the axial sites of square‐planar NiN₄‐centers, thus forming a zig‐zag‐chain of Mn···Ni···Mn···Ni polyhedra. [H₃O][H₅O₂][Cu (cyclam)]₃[Cu₂(1, 2‐dtsq)₃]₂ contains square planar [Cu^II(cyclam)]²⁺ ions and dinuclear [Cu^I₂(1, 2‐dtsq)₃]^4— ions. Here each copper atom is trigonally planar coordinated by S‐donor atoms of the ligands. The Cu…Cu distance is 2.861(4)Å.     

Three new lanthanide compounds based on nitronyl nitroxide radical: Crystal structure,magnetic properties,and luminescence properties

Three new lanthanide compounds were obtained using 2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) (NIT-3Methien). These compounds, [Gd(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5CH₃(CH₂)₅CH₃ (1: Half n-heptane trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide gadolinium(III)), [Tb(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5H₂O (2: Half Hydrate trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide terbium(III)), and [Dy(hfac)₃(NIT-3Methien)₂]?0.5H₂O (3: Half Hydrate trihexafluoroacetylacetonate-di-2-(3-methylthiophene)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide dysprosium(III)), (CH₃(CH₂)₅CH₃ = n-heptane), (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate), were characterized structurally and magnetically. The three compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P1( - ). Ln(III) ion was eight-coordinate by six oxygens from three hfac ligands and two oxygens from two radicals. In 1, direct current (DC) magnetic studies reveal ferromagnetic interactions between the Gd(III) ion and radicals with J₁ = 0.94 cm^?1. In 2 and 3, there are antiferromagnetic interactions between the Tb(III), or Dy(III) ions and radicals. The luminescence characterizations show that 2 exhibits highly selective luminescent sensing of Cr₂O₇^2? ions.