Synthesis,characterization, and hyperpolarizability measurements of main‐chain azobenzene molecules

A series of new AB type azobenzene monomers based on various substituted phenols and higher order fused/extended aromatic rings were synthesized and their hyperpolarizability tensor β determined by hyper‐Rayleigh scattering (HRS) measurement in methanol. The electron donor (? OH) and acceptor units (? COOH) were kept constant in the series, but the effective conjugation length was varied by varying the number and position of substituents as well as the number of aromatic rings. The effect of substitution of the phenolic ring on the β value was investigated and it was found to range from 15 × 10^?30 to 42 × 10^?30 esu. The effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on the nonlinear optical (NLO) property was also examined. The nonlinearity was in the following order of phenol derivative: α‐naphthol > phenyl phenol > 2,6‐dimethyl phenol > o‐cresol > cardanol > phenol > β‐naphthol. The unusually low values for the β‐naphthol‐based chromophore compared with its isomer (α‐naphthol) could be rationalized based on hydrogen bonding of the o‐hydroxyl group with the β nitrogen of the azo bridge. These azobenzene NLO chromophoric monomers were polymerized to form main‐chain polymers with a head to tail structure. The polymers had high thermal stability and rather low solubility in common organic solvents. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 4455–4468, 2005     

NLO‐active maleimide copolymers with ­high glass transition temperatures

We synthesized some novel rigid NLO‐active maleimide copolymers bearing DR‐1 moieties ( PMPD , PHSD and PHND ). All copolymers exhibited high T_g's (190～197 °C), good solubilities for common solvents and excellent film‐forming properties. Dependence of film thickness on the d₃₃ value for the poled copolymer films induced by corona poling was investigated and it was demonstrated that in less than thickness of 0.3 µm decrease of the thickness gives rise to remarkable increase in the d₃₃ value. The poled copolymer films exhibited large d₃₃ values (270 × 10^?9 esu (film thickness 0.13 µm) for PMPD , 290 × 10^?9 esu (0.12 µm) for PHSD and 350 × 10^?9 esu (0.08 µm) for PHND ) as well as large r₃₃ values (51.0 pmV^?1 for PMPD and 60.4 pmV^?1 for PHND ) which are significantly large compared to the value of LiNbO₃ (31 pmV^?1) as a typical EO material. The d₃₃ values of the poled copolymers were kept constant even after standing 1000h at 80 °C, although a small decrease was observed at an initial stage. Further, the d₃₃ values did not change up to ca. 123 °C upon heating at the rate of 10 °C/min in all cases. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bis(4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) ruthenium (II) Complexes Containing 2‐Arylimidazo‐ [4,5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline: Syntheses,Characterization and Third‐order Nonlinear Optical Properties

Four novel mononuclear ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(dmb)₂L]²⁺ [dmb = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine, L = imidazo‐[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (IP), 2‐phenylimidazo‐[4,5‐f][1,10]phenanthroline (PIP), 2‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)imidazo‐[4,5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline (HOP), 2‐(4′‐dimethylaminophenyl) imidazo‐[4, 5‐f] [1,10] phenanthroline (DMNP)] were synthesized and characterized by ES‐MS, ¹H NMR, UV‐vis and electrochemistry. The nonlinear optical properties of the ruthenium(II) complexes were investigated by Z‐scan techniques with 12 ns laser pulse at 540 nm, and all of them exhibit both nonlinear optical (NLO) absorption and self‐defocusing effect. The corresponding effective NLO susceptibility |x³| of the complexes is in the range of 2.68 × 10^?12‐4.57 × 10^?12 esu.     

pH‐Controlled Molecular Switches and the Substrate‐Directed Self‐Assembly of Molecular Capsules with a Calix[4]pyrrole Derivative

10α,20α‐Bis(4‐nitrophenyl)calix[4]pyrrole ( 1 ) forms 1:1 complexes with anions of selected aromatic hydroxy acids in which the host orientation within the guest is controlled by a change in the pH value. Some bis‐anionic guests, including those obtained from 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid, 1,4‐ and 1,3‐benzenedicarboxylic acids, induce the self‐assembly of molecular capsules involving two molecules of the receptor. ¹H NMR data and solid‐state structures of the 1:1 complex of 1 with p‐C₆H₄(COOH)(COO^?)⁺NMe₄ and the 2:1 capsule [( 1 )₂m‐C₆H₄(COO^?)₂(⁺NMe₄)₂] provide structural details in solution and in the solid state.     

Photophysics and Acid‐Base Chemistry of Re(CH3bpyCOOH)(CO)3X (X=Cl−, and Imidazole) Complexes

Rheniumtricarbonyl(4′‐methyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine‐4‐carboxylic acid)X (where X is Cl^? and imidazole) complexes have been prepared. These two complexes exhibit similar spectroscopic properties. The metal‐ to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) absorption and the corresponding emission are observed. This charge transfer band is highly solvent dependent. Due to the stronger electron‐withdrawing ability of the ‐COOH (in comparison to the ‐COO^? group), the MLCT band has red‐shifted during protonation. Emission quantum yields are dramatically reduced while life time remains similar upon protonation. These behaviors are typical in static quenching mechanism by protons. The ground state pK_a of Re(CO)₃ (CH₃bpyCOOH)Cl obtained from the pH titration curve of the complex absorption at 409 nm was 2.5.     

Synthesis,characterization, electronic structure,and non‐linear optical properties (NLO) of Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 5‐phenylazo‐8‐hydroxyquinoline using DFT approach

5‐phenylazo‐8‐hydroxyquinoline and its newly metal complexes with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions have been prepared and characterized using different analytical techniques. The complexes are distorted octahedral binding via one oxygen and nitrogen atoms of the ligand; two/three coordinated water molecules. 1:1 complexes contain one chloride or OH⁻ ion and some complexes have one or two water of hydration whereas 1:2 complexes contain only two coordinated water molecules in their coordination spheres. All complexes behave as neutral in dimethylformamide (DMF). The electronic structure and non‐linear optical parameters NLO of the complexes (ML and ML2) are investigated theoretically at the B3LYP/GEN level of theory. The geometries of the studied complexes are non‐planner. The calculated E_HOMO and E_LUMO energies of the studied complexes were used to calculate the global properties; hardness (η), global softness (S) and electronegativity (χ). The total dipole moment (μ_tot), static total and anisotropy of polarizability (α, Δα) and static first hyperpolarizability (β) values were calculated and compared with urea as a reference compound. The studied complexes show promising optical properties.     

Thermal and chromatographic behaviour of Ru(III) and Rh(III) complexes with iminodiacetic acid

A method has been developed to study the thermal (DTA, TG) and chromatographic behaviour of the complexes formed between Ru(III) and Rh(III) and iminodiacetic acid (IDA). Above 100°C the dehydration of the isolated compounds is detected while the decarboxylation process depends fundamentally on the number of free carboxylic groups. In the cases where the COOH groups predominate on the coordinated COO^?, the release of CO₂ takes place in two different steps, the first one above 270°C and the second at 400°C. Liberation of CO occurs from 550–600°C. Only in the above case the formation of other gases as methane, ethane, ethylene and traces of ammonia and hydrogen is observed.     

Theoretical study on second‐order nonlinear optical properties of spin crossover Fe(III) phenolate‐pyridyl Schiff base complexes

The density functional and ab initio theory were used to investigate the second‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of Schiff base ligands, open‐shell Fe(III), and closed‐shell Ni(II) complexes. The effect of the metal center in complexes is thus manifold: it templates the formation of acentric structures, imparts high thermal stability to the chelate ring, and display higher second‐order NLO response than their ligands. The second‐order NLO response of metal complexes are intensively sensitive to the exchange donor/acceptor because the differences of the extent of charge separation and the intraligand charge transfer processes. Thus, substituted metal complexes could realize “switches on” the second‐order NLO response by exchange donor/acceptor. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Nano‐sized metal complexes of azo L‐histidine: Synthesis,characterization and their application for catalytic oxidation of 2‐amino phenol

A novel azo dye ligand formed by the coupling of L‐histidine with 2‐hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldyhide(H₂L) and its Ru³⁺, Pd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ nano‐sized complexes were obtained and described by elemental analysis, TGA, magnetic moment measurements, molar conductance, UV‐Vis, ESR, X‐ray powder diffraction, IR, SEM, TEM, ¹H‐nmr, ¹³C‐nmr, and EI‐mass spectral studies. The analytical results and spectral studies detected that the H₂L ligand acts as dibasic tetradentate via aldehyde oxygen, azo nitrogen and deprotonated OH and COOH groups. The data showed the paramagnetic Ru³⁺ complex has octahedral geometry while Pd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ have square planar structures. The molar conductance measurements display all complexes are nonelectrolyte. The crystallinity, morphology and average particle size data revealed the prepared complexes were formed in the Nano scale. The average particle size as calculated from TEM images are found to be 13.72, 64.52 and 115.00 nm for Ru³⁺, Pd²⁺ and Ni²⁺ chelates, respectively. The catalytic activities of these compounds were checked for oxidation of 2‐amino phenol to 2‐amino‐3H phenoxazine‐3‐one as heterogeneous catalysts. A 96, 31 and 21% catalytic conversion are found when using Ru(III), Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of physically crosslinked N‐vinylcaprolactam,acrylic acid,methacrylic acid,and N,N‐dimethylacrylamide hydrogels

Physically crosslinked hydrogels based on N‐vinylcaprolactam/acrylic acid and N‐vinylcaprolactam/methacrylic acid were prepared via free radical polymerization. These temperature responsive hydrogels were characterized in terms of glass transition, phase separation temperature, potentiometric titration and swelling properties. Results showed that phase transition temperature was dependent on the pH value of the solution; increasing pH led to higher lower critical solution temperature (LCST) values which was related to the dissociative behaviors of the carboxylic group of MAc in the buffered solutions. Additionally, with the incorporation of N,N‐dimethylacrylamide into the system, cloud point measurements and MDSC showed an increased in the LCST. This increase was based on hydrophilicity, the hydrophilic–hydrophobic balance was disturbed, and consequently, the LCST behavior was shifted. The pKa of the copolymers ranged between 5.6 and 6.5, while for the terpolymers pKa ranged between 5.3 and 6. At high pH (>10), the ? COOH group is deprotonated and negatively charged (? COO^?), while at low pH (1–3) the carboxylic group remains protonated which results in hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl groups (from NaOH) and the excess of HCl. These results correlate with swelling studies where above the pKa value the hydrogels dissolved rapidly compared to below pKa they did not dissolve at all. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2013 , 51, 1555–1564     

Effects of the substituting groups and proton abstraction on the nonlinear optical properties of heteroleptic bis-tridentate Ru(II) complexes

The second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties have been carried out on a series of Ru(II) complexes with different 4′-substituted terpyridine derivatives and the tridentate ligand 2,6-bis(benzimidazole-2-yl)pyridine by using density functional theory (DFT). The introduction of different substituents enhances the static first hyperpolarizabilities in various degrees. Time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations indicate that the additional metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transition, which is vectorially opposite to the intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) transition, could contribute to the smaller β_vec in species with electron-withdrawing groups compared to ones with electron-donating groups. The stepwise deprotonation brings about a change in electron density of the benzimidazole moiety and finally makes the moiety turn to be as donor, which subsequently leads to an efficient second-order NLO switching. For the species 3 with electron-donating group, the β_vec value of the mono-deprotonated system is 49.9 and 11.1 times as small as that of its diprotonated and fully deprotonated ones.     

A New Copper(I) Complex Based on Imidazole and Triphenylphosphine Ligands: Synthesis,Structure, Third‐Order NLO,and Fluorescence Properties

A new candidate [Cu(PPh₃)₂Him]Br ( 1 , PPh₃=triphenylphosphine, Him=1‐H‐imidazole) for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials has been synthesized and characterized crystallographically. The third‐order NLO optical properties were measured by the Z‐scan technique with an 8 ns pulsed laser at 532 nm. Compound 1 exhibits strong NLO absorptive abilities [α₂=(61±5)×10^?12] and effective self‐focusing performance [n₂=(15±3)×10^?18 m²·W^?1] in 1.01×10^?4 mol·dm^?3 DMF solution. The compound also exhibits luminescence in DMF solution at room temperature and shows narrow emission with maximum at 382 nm. The electronic structure and photoluminescent process were investigated by means of TD‐DFT calculations. The results suggest that the contribution to the frontier orbitals from the Cu? Br δ bond plays a crucial role in its linear optical properties, and the origin of luminescence is attributable to the π??→n transitions.     

Novel Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) Vanillin Based Metallo‐Pharmaceuticals for Cancer and Inflammation Treatment: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

In this study, three novel complexes comprising trivalent Cr (III), Fe (III) and Ru (III) with imine ligand derived from 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxypyridine and o‐vanillin (H₂L) have been synthesized and characterized via wide range of spectroscopic and analytical tools such as ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, infrared (IR) and UV–Vis spectrophotometry, conductivity and magnetic measurements. The obtained results along with DFT data confirmed a 1:1 (metal: ligand) stoichiometry with non‐planner geometries for the three complexes. The binding action and the docking study of the prepared metal‐complexes to calf thymus DNA was also studied by absorption spectra and viscosity technique, which revealed that the three complexes interact strongly with DNA through intercalative binding mode. Significantly, these metal‐imine complexes showed strong and efficient anti‐inflammatory and antimicrobial activities against various gram‐positive (Microccus luteus), gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescence) bacteria, and three strains of fungus. Moreover, all complexes exhibited more potent cytotoxicity effect on the outgrowth of different types of carcinoma cells, including human colon (HCT‐116 cell line), breast (MCF‐7 cell line), and hepatic cellular (HepG‐2), than the clinically‐proven Vinblastine standard.     

Acid–Base‐Controlled Stereoselective Metalation of Overhanging Carboxylic Acid Porphyrins: Consequences for the Formation of Heterobimetallic Complexes

Overhanging carboxylic acid porphyrins have revealed promising ditopic ligands offering a new entry in the field of supramolecular coordination chemistry of porphyrinoids. Notably, the adjunction of a so‐called hanging‐atop (HAT) Pb^II cation to regular Pb^II porphyrin complexes allowed a stereoselective incorporation of the N‐core bound cation, and an allosterically controlled Newton’s cradle‐like motion of the two Pb^II ions also emerged from such bimetallic complexes. In this contribution, we have extended this work to other ligands and metal ions, aiming at understanding the parameters that control the HAT Pb^II coordination. The nature of the N‐core bound metal ion (Zn^II, Cd^II), the influence of the deprotonation state of the overhanging COOH group and the presence of a neutral ligand on the opposite side (exogenous or intramolecular), have been examined through ¹H NMR spectroscopic experiments with the help of radiocrystallographic structures and DFT calculations. Single and bis‐strap ligands have been considered. They all incorporate a COOH group hung over the N‐core on one side. For the bis‐strap ligands, either an ester or an amide group has been introduced on the other side. In the presence of a base, the mononuclear Zn^II or Cd^II complexes incorporate the carbonyl of the overhanging carboxylate as apical ligand, decreasing its availability for the binding of a HAT Pb^II. An allosteric effector (e.g., 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), in the case of a single‐strap ligand) or an intramolecular ligand (e.g., an amide group), strong enough to compete with the carbonyl of the hung COO^?, is required to switch the N‐core bound cation to the opposite side with concomitant release of the COO^?, thereby allowing HAT Pb^II complexation. In the absence of a base, Zn^II or Cd^II binds preferentially the carbonyl of the intramolecular ester or amide groups in apical position rather than that of the COOH. This better preorganization, with the overhanging COOH fully available, is responsible for a stronger binding of the HAT Pb^II. Thus, either allosteric or acid–base control is achieved through stereoselective metalation of Zn^II or Cd^II. In the latter case, according to the deprotonation state of the COOH group, the best electron‐donating ligand is located on one or the other side of the porphyrin (COO^?>CONHR>COOR>COOH): the lower affinity of COOH for Zn^II and Cd^II, the higher for a HAT Pb^II. These insights provide new opportunities for the elaboration of innovative bimetallic molecular switches.     

Color‐Tunable Electrogenerated Chemiluminescence of Ruthenium N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes

Ru(II) complexes 1 – 3 bearing various N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands were synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) properties were discussed to evaluate a potential of their use as multicolor ECL labels. Interestingly, they exhibited ECL emission ranging from greenish‐yellow to red both in nonaqueous and mixed aqueous solutions, which might show the potential of the Ru(II) complexes as multicolor ECL labels.     

Ru(III)‐catalyzed oxidation of cysteine hydrochloride by methylene blue in acidic medium; synergetic effect of Cu(II): A kinetic study

Cysteine hydrochloride and methylene blue (MB) interact in a molar ratio of 2:1 in acidic medium forming cystine and dihydromethylene blue, and the reaction is catalyzed by Ru(III). At low concentrations (ca. 2.0 × 10^?8 M), Cu(II) does not catalyze the reaction significantly but at this concentration level the catalytic activity of Ru(III) is found to be augmented by the addition of Cu(II) and the kinetics of Ru(III)‐catalyzed reaction has been studied in the absence and in the presence of externally added Cu(II). The reaction follows a half‐order kinetics in MB that increases to ¾ on increasing [MB] beyond 1.5 × 10^?5 M in the Ru‐catalyzed reaction. In the Ru–Cu catalyzed reaction; the order in MB is ¾ even at lower concentrations of MB. The order in cysteine is unity. The rate decreases on increasing [MB] in both cases but attains a limiting value at higher concentrations of MB (ca. >2.0 × 10^?5 M) in the presence of Ru(III) alone. The rate increases on increasing [H⁺] and in Ru‐catalyzed reaction, an optimum is noticed. The rate increases linearly with increasing [Ru(III)], but equilibration of the catalyst with other ingredients of the reaction system decreases the rate. The FTIR spectra of the reaction system exhibit time‐dependent changes in the stretching as well as bending modes of –SH group. The synergetic effect of Cu(II) has been attributed to its ligation with cysteine and its subsequent interaction with Ru(II) produced in situ in the system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 145–150, 2008     

Removal of Zn(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution Using BPHA‐Impregnated Polyurethane Foam

Zn(II) ions sorption onto N‐Benzoyl‐N‐Phenylhydroxylamine (BPHA) impregnated polyurethane foam (PUF) has been studied extensively using radiotracer and batch techniques. Maximum sorption (～98%) of Zn(II) ions (8.9 × 10^?6 M) onto sorbent surface is achieved from a buffer of pH 8 solution in 30 minutes using 7.5 mg/mL of BPHA‐impregnated polyurethane foam at 283 K. The sorption data follow Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin‐Radushkevich (D‐R) isotherms. The Langmuir constants Q = 18.01 ± 0.38 μ mole g^?1 and b = (5.39 ± 0.98) × 10³ L mole^?1 have been computed. Freundlich constants 1/n = 0.29 ± 0.01 and C_m = 111.22 ± 12.3 μ mole g^?1 have been estimated. Sorption capacity 31.42 ± 1.62 μ mole g^?1, β = ?0.00269 ± 0.00012 kJ² mole^?2 and energy 13.34 ± 0.03 kJ mole^?1 have been evaluated using D‐R isotherm. The variation of sorption with temperature yields ΔH = ?77.7 ± 2.8 k J mole^?1, ΔS = ?237.7 ± 9.3 J mole^?1 K^?1 and ΔG = ?661.8 ± 117.5 k J mol^?1 at 298 K reflecting the exothermic and spontaneous nature of sorption. Cations like Fe(III), Ce(III), Al(III), Pb(II) and Hg(II) and anions, i.e., oxalate, EDTA and tartrate, reduce the sorption significantly, while iodide and thiocyanate enhanced the sorption of Zn(II) ions onto BPHA‐impregnated polyurethane foam.     

Design and spectroscopic study of new ruthenium(II) complexes containing ligands derived from terpyridine and dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine: {Ru(4′‐Rph‐tpy) [dppz(COOH)]Cl}PF6 with R = NO2, Br,Cl

A series of polypyridine ruthenium complexes of the general formula {Ru(Rph‐tpy)[dppz(COOH)]Cl} PF₆ with R = Br ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), NO₂ ( 3 ) where Rph‐tpy is 4′‐(4‐Rphenyl‐2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridine and dppz(COOH) is dipyrido[3,2‐a:2′,3′‐c]phenazine‐2‐carboxylic acid were prepared and characterized. These complexes display intense metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer (MLCT) bands centered about 500 nm. The effect of pH on the absorption spectra of these complexes consisting of protonatable ligands has been investigated in water solution by spectrophotometric titration. The electrochemistry shows oxidation potentials for the Ru(II)–Ru(III) couple at +0.881 ( 1 ), +0.907 ( 2 ) and +0.447 V ( 3 ), respectively. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

NLO‐X (X = I–III): New Gaussian basis sets for prediction of linear and nonlinear electric properties

New adjusted Gaussian basis sets are proposed for first and second rows elements (H, B, C, N, O, F, Si, P, S, and Cl) with the purpose of calculating linear and mainly nonlinear optical (L–NLO) properties for molecules. These basis sets are new generation of Thakkar‐DZ basis sets, which were recontracted and augmented with diffuse and polarization extrabasis functions. Atomic energy and polarizability were used as reference data for fitting the basis sets, which were further applied for prediction of L–NLO properties of diatomic, H₂, N₂, F₂, Cl₂, BH, BF, BCl, HF, HCl, CO, CS, SiO, PN, and polyatomic, CH₄, SiH₄, H₂O, H₂S, NH₃, PH₃, OCS, NNO, and HCN molecules. The results are satisfactory for all electric properties tested; dipole moment (µ), polarizability (α), and first hyperpolarizability (β), with an affordable computational cost. Three new basis sets are presented and called as NLO‐I (ADZP), NLO‐II (DZP), and NLO‐III (VDZP). The NLO‐III is the best choice to predict L–NLO properties of large molecular systems, because it presents a balance between computational cost and accuracy. The average errors for β at B3LYP/NLO‐III level were of 8% for diatomic molecules and 14% for polyatomic molecules that are within the experimental uncertainty. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molekülstrukturen von Kupfer(II)- und Eisen(III)-Chlorokomplexen mit di- und monoprotoniertem N-(Pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethylendiamin-N,N′,N′-triacetat (H2pedta−; Hpedta2−)

Molecular Structures of Copper(II) and Iron(III) Chloro Complexes with di- and monoprotonated N-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′-triacetate (H₂pedta^?; Hpedta^2?) The molecular structures of two complexes of di- and monoprotonated N-(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′,N′ -triacetate (pedta^3?) with Cu^II and Fe^III as central atoms have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Both complexes have a distorted octahedral coordination with H₂pedta^? and Hpedta^2? as pentadentate ligands and a chloride ion occupying the sixth coordination site. The different oxidation states of the central atoms result in a completely different coordination behaviour of the carboxyl groups. In both complexes one of the ? CH₂? COOH groups is uncoordinated. In the Fe^III complex, the central atom is coordinated by the hydroxylic O atoms of the deprotonated carboxyl groups. Contrary to this in the Cu^II complex, the central atom is coordinated by the carbonylic O atoms. One of the coordinated carboxyl groups is protonated and the other is deprotonated. All protonated carboxyl groups in both complexes form intermolecular hydrogen bonds.