First heterobimetallic AgI–CoIII coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO2 coordination modes: synthesis,characterization, structural and computational studies of (PPh3)2AgI–(μ‐κ2O,O′:κN‐NO2)–CoIII(DMGH)2(κN‐NO2)

An unusual heterobimetallic bis(triphenylphosphane)(NO₂)Ag^I–Co^III(dimethylglyoximate)(NO₂) coordination compound with both bridging and terminal –NO₂ (nitro) coordination modes has been isolated and characterized from the reaction of [CoCl(DMGH)₂(PPh₃)] (DMGH₂ is dimethylglyoxime or N,N′‐dihydroxybutane‐2,3‐diimine) with excess AgNO₂. In the title compound, namely bis(dimethylglyoximato‐1κ²O,O′)(μ‐nitro‐1κN:2κ²O,O′)(nitro‐1κN)bis(triphenylphosphane‐2κP)cobalt(III)silver(I), [AgCo(C₄H₇N₂O₂)₂(NO₂)₂(C₁₈H₁₅P)₂], one of the ambidentate –NO₂ ligands, in a bridging mode, chelates the Ag^I atom in an isobidentate κ²O,O′‐manner and its N atom is coordinated to the Co^III atom. The other –NO₂ ligand is terminally κN‐coordinated to the Co^III atom. The structure has been fully characterized by X‐ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) have been used to study the ground‐state electronic structure and elucidate the origin of the electronic transitions, respectively.     

Construction of (3,8)‐connected three‐dimensional cobalt(II) and copper(II) coordination polymers with 1,3‐bis[(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]benzene and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate ligands

Coordination polymers (CPs) have been widely studied because of their diverse and adjustable topologies and wide‐ranging applications in luminescence, chemical sensors, magnetism, photocatalysis, gas adsorption and separation. In the present work, two coordination polymers, namely poly[(μ₅‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ⁶O¹:O^1′:O³:O³:O⁵,O^5′){μ₃‐1,3‐bis[(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]benzene‐κ³N:N′:N′′}di‐μ₃‐hydroxido‐dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₉H₃O₆)(OH)(C₁₂H₁₂N₆)]_n or [Co₂(btc)(OH)(mtrb)]_n, (1), and poly[[diaquabis(μ₃‐benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylato‐κ³O¹:O³:O⁵)bis{μ₃‐1,3‐bis[(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]benzene‐κ³N:N′:N′′}tetra‐μ₃‐hydroxido‐tetracopper(II)] monohydrate], {[Cu₄(C₉H₃O₆)₂(OH)₂(C₁₂H₁₂N₆)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n or {[Cu₄(btc)₂(OH)₂(mtrb)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O}_n, (2), were synthesized by the hydrothermal method using 1,3‐bis[(1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl]benzene (mtrb) and benzene‐1,3,5‐tricarboxylate (btc^3?). CP (1) exhibits a (3,8)‐coordinated three‐dimensional (3D) network of the 3,8T38 topological type, with a point symbol of {4,5,6}₂{4²·5⁶·6¹⁶·7²·8²}, based on the tetranuclear hydroxide cobalt(II) cluster [Co₄(μ₃‐OH)₂]. CP (2) shows a (3,8)‐coordinated tfz‐d topology, with a point symbol of {4₃}₂{4⁶·6¹⁸·8⁴}, based on the tetranuclear hydroxide copper(II) cluster [Cu₄(μ₃‐OH)₂]. The different (3,8)‐coordinated 3D networks based on tetranuclear hydroxide–metal clusters of (1) and (2) are controlled by the different central metal ions [Co^II for (1) and Cu^II for (2)]. The thermal stabilities and solid‐state optical diffuse‐reflection spectra were measured. The energy band gaps (E_g) obtained for (1) and (2) were 2.72 and 2.29 eV, respectively. CPs (1) and (2) exhibit good photocatalytic degradation of the organic dyes methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB) under visible‐light irradiation.     

Enhanced third‐order nonlinear optical properties determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique: bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine)cobalt(II)]

π‐Conjugated organic materials exhibit high and tunable nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, and fast response times. 4′‐Phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine (PTP) is an important N‐heterocyclic ligand involving π‐conjugated systems, however, studies concerning the third‐order NLO properties of terpyridine transition metal complexes are limited. The title binuclear terpyridine Co^II complex, bis(μ‐4,4′‐oxydibenzoato)‐κ³O,O′:O′′;κ³O′′:O,O′‐bis[(4′‐phenyl‐2,2′:6′,2′′‐terpyridine‐κ³N,N′,N′′)cobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(C₂₁H₁₅N₃)₂], (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In the crystal structure, each Co^II cation is surrounded by three N atoms of a PTP ligand and three O atoms, two from a bidentate and one from a symmetry‐related monodentate 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate (ODA²⁻) ligand, completing a distorted octahedral coordination geometry. Neighbouring [Co(PTP)]²⁺ units are bridged by ODA²⁻ ligands to form a ring‐like structure. The third‐order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of (1) and PTP were determined in thin films using the Z‐scan technique. The title compound shows a strong third‐order NLO saturable absorption (SA), while PTP exhibits a third‐order NLO reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The absorptive coefficient β of (1) is −37.3 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹, which is larger than that (8.96 × 10⁻⁷ m W⁻¹) of PTP. The third‐order NLO susceptibility χ⁽³⁾ values are calculated as 6.01 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for (1) and 1.44 × 10⁻⁸ e.s.u. for PTP.     

A novel three‐dimensional tetranuclear CoII coordination polymer with water hexamers based on the V‐shaped tetracarboxylate ligand 4‐(2,4‐dicarboxylatophenoxy)phthalate

A new coordination polymer (CP), namely, poly[[diaquatris[μ₂‐1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene]bis[μ₆‐4‐(2,4‐dicarboxylatophenoxy)phthalato]tetracobalt(II)] hexahydrate], {[Co₄(C₁₆H₆O₉)₂(C₁₂H₁₀N₄)₃(H₂O)₂]·6H₂O}_n, has been synthesized by solvothermal reaction. The CP was fully characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and powder and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. It presents a three‐dimensional (3D) structure based on tetranuclear Co^II secondary building units (SBUs) with a tfz‐d net and point symbol (4³)₂(4⁶·6¹⁸·8⁴). The 4‐(2,4‐dicarboxyphenoxy)phthalic acid (H₄dcppa) ligands are completely deprotonated and link {Co₄(COO)₄}^4? SBUs into two‐dimensional (2D) layers. Furthermore, adjacent layers are connected by 1,4‐bis(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)benzene (bib) ligands, giving rise to a 3D supramolecular architecture. Interestingly, there are numerous elliptical cavities in the CP where isolated unique discrete hexameric water clusters have been observed. The results of thermogravimetric and magnetic analyses are described in detail.     

Two CoII coordination polymers of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid with flexible N‐donor ligands: syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Two Co^II‐based coordination polymers, namely poly[(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){μ₂‐1,3‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n or [Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,3‐bimb)₂]_n ( I ), and poly[[aqua(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){1,4‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)] dihydrate], {[Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n or {[Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,4‐bimb)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( II ), were synthesized from a mixture of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid, i.e. [H₄(o,m‐bpta)], CoCl₂·6H₂O and N‐donor ligands under solvothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. The bridging (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands combine with Co^II ions in different μ₄‐coordination modes, leading to the formation of one‐dimensional chains. The central Co^II atoms display tetrahedral [CoN₂O₂] and octahedral [CoN₂O₄] geometries in I and II , respectively. The bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene (bimb) ligands adopt trans or cis conformations to connect Co^II ions, thus forming two three‐dimensional (3D) networks. Complex I shows a (2,4)‐connected 3D network with left‐ and right‐handed helical chains constructed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands. Complex II is a (4,4)‐connected 3D novel network with ribbon‐like chains formed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? linkers. Magnetic studies indicate an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of I and II due to the longer Co…Co distances. An attempt has been made to fit the χ_MT results to the magnetic formulae for mononuclear Co^II complexes, the fitting indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II ions.     

Different coordination modes of trans‐2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenoxide in rare‐earth complexes: influence of the metal cation radius and the number of ligands on steric congestion and ligand coordination modes

A simple and effective synthetic route to homo‐ and heteroleptic rare‐earth (Ln = Y, La and Nd) complexes with a tridentate Schiff base anion has been demonstrated using exchange reactions of rare‐earth chlorides with in‐situ‐generated sodium (E)‐2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenoxide in different molar ratios in absolute methanol. Five crystal structures have been determined and studied, namely tris(2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐κ³O¹,N,O²)lanthanum, [La(C₁₄H₁₂NO₂)₃], ( 1 ), tris(2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐κ³O¹,N,O²)neodymium tetrahydrofuran disolvate, [La(C₁₄H₁₂NO₂)₃]·2C₄H₈O, ( 2 )·2THF, tris(2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato)‐κ³O¹,N,O²;κ³O¹,N,O²;κ²N,O¹‐yttrium, [Y(C₁₄H₁₂NO₂)₃], ( 3 ), dichlorido‐1κCl,2κCl‐μ‐methanolato‐1:2κ²O:O‐methanol‐2κO‐(μ‐2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐1κ³O¹,N,O²:2κO¹)bis(2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato)‐1κ³O¹,N,O²;2κ³O¹,N,O²‐diyttrium–tetrahydrofuran–methanol (1/1/1), [Y₂(C₁₄H₁₂NO₂)₃(CH₃O)Cl₂(CH₄O)]·CH₄O·C₄H₈O, ( 4 )·MeOH·THF, and bis(μ‐2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐1κ³O¹,N,O²:2κO¹)bis(2‐{[(2‐methoxyphenyl)imino]methyl}phenolato‐2κ³O¹,N,O²)sodiumyttrium chloroform disolvate, [NaY(C₁₄H₁₂NO₂)₄]·2CHCl₃, ( 5 )·2CHCl₃. Structural peculiarities of homoleptic tris(iminophenoxide)s ( 1 )–( 3 ), binuclear tris(iminophenoxide) ( 4 ) and homoleptic ate tetrakis(iminophenoxide) ( 5 ) are discussed. The nonflat Schiff base ligand displays μ₂‐κ³O¹,N,O²:κO¹ bridging, and κ³O¹,N,O² and κ²N,O¹ terminal coordination modes, depending on steric congestion, which in turn depends on the ionic radii of the rare‐earth metals and the number of coordinated ligands. It has been demonstrated that interligand dihedral angles of the phenoxide ligand are convenient for comparing steric hindrance in complexes. ( 4 )·MeOH has a flat Y₂O₂ rhomboid core and exhibits both inter‐ and intramolecular MeO—H…Cl hydrogen bonding. Catalytic systems based on complexes ( 1 )–( 3 ) and ( 5 ) have demonstrated medium catalytic performance in acrylonitrile polymerization, providing polyacrylonitrile samples with narrow polydispersity.     

A three‐dimensional twofold interpenetrated cobalt(II) MOF containing a flexible carboxylate‐based ligand: synthesis,structure and magnetic properties

The design and synthesis of coordination polymers (CPs) have attracted much interest due to the intriguing diversity of their architectures and topologies. The functional solid catena‐poly[μ₂‐aqua‐triaqua{μ₄‐5‐[4‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato}{μ₃‐5‐[4‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]benzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato}dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₆H₁₀O₇)₂(H₂O)₄]_n or [Co₂(HL)₂(μ₂‐H₂O)(H₂O)₃]_n, was synthesized successfully by self‐assembly of Co^II ions with 5‐[(4‐carboxyphenoxy)methyl]isophthalic acid (H₃L). The title compound was obtained under hydrothermal conditions and exhibits a twofold interpenetrated three‐dimensional skeleton with hms 3,5‐conn topology according to the cluster representation for valence‐bonded metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). It has been characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis and susceptibility measurements. The antiferromagnetic coupling between adjacent Co^II centres occurs via superexchange through the ligands.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of diaquabis(2,6‐diamino‐7H‐purin‐1‐ium‐κN9)bis(4,4′‐oxydibenzoato‐κO)cobalt(II) dihydrate

The title mononuclear Co^II complex, [Co(C₅H₇N₆)₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X‐ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P, with one formula unit per cell (Z = 1 and Z′ = ). It consists of a mononuclear unit with the Co^II ion on an inversion centre coordinated by two 2,6‐diamino‐7H‐purin‐1‐ium cations, two 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate anions (in a nonbridging κO‐monodentate coordination mode, which is less common for the anion in its Co^II complexes) and two water molecules, defining an octahedral environment around the metal atom. There is a rich assortment of nonbonding interactions, among which a strong N⁺—H…O⁻ bridge, with a short N…O distance of 2.5272 (18) Å, stands out, with the H atom ostensibly displaced away from its expected position at the donor side, towards the acceptor. The complex molecules assemble into a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network. A variable‐temperature magnetic study between 2 and 300 K reveals an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment and a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Co^II centres as the temperature decreases. The model leads to the following values: A (crystal field strength) = 1.81, λ (spin‐orbit coupling) = −59.9 cm⁻¹, g (Landé factor) = 2.58 and zJ (exchange coupling) = −0.5 cm⁻¹.     

Formation of Alkyne Bridged Multicobalt Carbonyl Complexes with Tris(2‐Thienyl)Phosphine or Bis(Trimethylsilylethynyl)Phenylphosphine Ligand

Treatment of Co₄(CO)₁₂ with an excess of trimethylsilylacetylene (TMSA) in the presence of tri(2‐thienyl)phosphine in THF at 25 °C for 2 hours yielded six compounds. Two pseudo‐octahedral, alkyne‐bridged tetracobalt clusters, [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe₃)(CO)₁₀(μ‐CO)₂] ( 4 ) and [Co₄(μ₄‐η²‐HC≡CSiMe³)‐(CO)₉(μ‐CO)₂{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 6 ), along with an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [Co₂(CO)₅(μ‐HC≡CSiMe₃)‐{P(C₄H₄S)₃}] ( 5 ), were obtained as new compounds. The addition of the thienylphosphine ligand, in fact, facilitates the reaction rate. Reaction of an alkyne‐bridged dicobalt complex, [(η²‐H‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₆] ( 3 ), with a bi‐functional ligand, PPh(‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)₂, yielded an unexpected six‐membered, cyclic compound, {(Ph)(Me₃Si‐C≡C)P‐[(η²‐C≡C‐SiMe₃)Co₂(CO)₅]}₂ ( 7 ). All of these new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means; the solid‐state structures of ( 5 ), ( 6 ) and ( 7 ) have been established by X‐ray crystallography.     

Crystal structure and magnetic properties of a linear tetranuclear CoII cluster

Polynuclear complexes are an important class of inorganic functional materials and are of interest particularly for their applications in molecular magnets. Multidentate chelating ligands play an important role in the design and syntheses of polynuclear metal clusters. A novel linear tetranuclear Co^II cluster, namely bis{μ₃‐(E)‐2‐[(2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis{μ₂‐(E)‐2‐[(2‐oxidobenzylidene)amino]phenolato}bis(1,10‐phenanthroline)tetracobalt(II), [Co₄(C₁₄H₁₁NO₂)₄(C₁₂H₈N₂)₂], was prepared under solvothermal conditions through a mixed‐ligand synthetic strategy. The structure was determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction and bulk purity was confirmed by powder X‐ray diffraction. The complex molecule has a centrosymmetric tetranuclear chain‐like structure and the four Co^II ions are located in two different coordination environments. The Co^II ions at the ends of the chain are in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, while the two inner Co^II ions are in five‐coordinate distorted trigonal bipyramidal environments. A magnetic study reveals ferromagnetic Co^II…Co^II exchange interactions for the complex.     

A three‐dimensional coordination polymer based on the Zn4(μ3‐OH)2 unit: poly[[(μ4‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ3‐hydroxido)bis(1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione)tetrazinc] dihydrate]

The title compound, {[Zn₄(C₈H₄O₄)₃(OH)₂(C₁₂H₆N₂O₂)₂]·2H₂O}_n, has been prepared hydrothermally by the reaction of Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂bdc) and 1,10‐phenanthroline‐5,6‐dione (pdon) in H₂O. In the crystal structure, a tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment is located on a crystallographic inversion centre which relates two subunits, each containing a [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron and a [ZnO₄] tetrahedron bridged by a μ₃‐OH group. The pdon ligand chelates to zinc through its two N atoms to form part of the [ZnN₂O₄] octahedron. The two crystallographically independent bdc²⁻ ligands are fully deprotonated and adopt μ₃‐κO:κO′:κO′′ and μ₄‐κO:κO′:κO′′:κO′′′ coordination modes, bridging three or four Zn^II cations, respectively, from two Zn₄(OH)₂ units. The Zn₄(OH)₂ fragment connects six neighbouring tetranuclear units through four μ₃‐bdc²⁻ and two μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands, forming a three‐dimensional framework with uninodal 6‐connected α‐Po topology, in which the tetranuclear Zn₄(OH)₂ units are considered as 6‐connected nodes and the bdc²⁻ ligands act as linkers. The uncoordinated water molecules are located on opposite sides of the Zn₄(OH)₂ unit and are connected to it through hydrogen‐bonding interactions involving hydroxide and carboxylate groups. The structure is further stabilized by extensive π–π interactions between the pdon and μ₄‐bdc²⁻ ligands.     

Two mixed‐metal carboxyl­ate–base adducts

The crystal structures of hexa‐μ‐propionato‐1:2κ⁶O:O′;1:3κ⁶O:O′‐di­quinoline‐2κN,3κN‐calcium(II)­dizinc(II), [Ca­Zn₂(C₃H₅O₂)₆(C₉H₇N)₂], and hexa‐μ‐pivalato‐1:2κ⁶O:O′;1:3κ⁶O:O′‐di­quinoline‐2κN,3κN‐calcium(II)­dicobalt(II), [Ca­Co₂(C₅H₉O₂)₆(C₉H₇N)₂], are described. Both contain a linear array of one Ca^II ion and two M^II (M = Zn, Co) ions connected by two sets of three carboxyl­ate ligands in syn–syn bridging modes. The distorted tetrahedral geometry around the M^II ion is completed by a quinoline N atom. The central Ca^II ion occupies a crystallographic inversion centre and is octahedrally coordinated by six carboxyl O atoms in each structure. The Zn^II?Ca^II and Co^II?Ca^II distances are 3.8504 (9) and 3.7929 (5) Å, respectively.     

Windmill Co4{Co4(μ4‐O)} with 16 Divergent Branches Forming a Family of Metal–Organic Frameworks: Organic Metrics Control Topology,Gas Sorption,and Magnetism

A series of highly connected metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), [Co₈(O)(OH)₄(H₂O)₄(ina)₈](NO₃)₂ ? 2 C₂H₅OH ? 4 H₂O ( 1 ), [Co₈(O)(OH)₄(H₂O)₄(pba)₈](NO₃)₂ ? 8 C₂H₅OH ? 28 H₂O ( 2 ), and [Co₈(O)(OH)₄(H₂O)₄(pbba)₈](NO₃)₂ ? guest ( 3 ), in which ina=isonicotinate, pba=4‐pyridylbenzoate, and pbba=4‐(pyridine‐4‐yl)phenylbenzoate, is reported. These MOFs contain a new secondary building unit (SBU), with a square Co₄(μ₄‐O) central unit having the rare μ₄‐O^2? motif, which is decorated by the other four peripheral cobalt atoms through μ₃‐OH in a windmill‐like shape. This SBU holds 16 divergent connecting organic ligands, pyridyl‐carboxylates, to form three different frameworks. The high porosity of desolvated 2 is shown by the efficient gas absorption of N₂, CO₂, CH₄, and H₂. In addition, 1 and 2 exhibit unusual canted antiferromagnetic behavior with spin‐glass‐like relaxation, with blocking temperatures that are fairly high, 20 K ( 1 ) and 10 K ( 2 ), for cobalt materials. The relationship between the metal clusters and linkers has been studied, in which the size and rotational degrees of freedom of the ligands are found to control the topology, gas sorption, and magnetic properties.     

Two‐dimensional ZnII and one‐dimensional CoII coordination polymers based on benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate and pyridine ligands

Coordination polymers constructed from metal ions and organic ligands have attracted considerable attention owing to their diverse structural topologies and potential applications. Ligands containing carboxylate groups are among the most extensively studied because of their versatile coordination modes. Reactions of benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC) and pyridine (py) with Zn^II or Co^II yielded two new coordination polymers, namely, poly[(μ₄‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁴O:O′:O′′:O′′′)(pyridine‐κN)zinc(II)], [Zn(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)]_n, (I), and catena‐poly[aqua(μ₃‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O:O′:O′′)bis(pyridine‐κN)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₄O₂)(C₅H₅N)₂(H₂O)]_n, (II). In compound (I), the Zn^II cation is five‐coordinated by four carboxylate O atoms from four BDC²⁻ ligands and one pyridine N atom in a distorted square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. Four carboxylate groups bridge two Zn^II ions to form centrosymmetric paddle‐wheel‐like Zn₂(μ₂‐COO)₄ units, which are linked by the benzene rings of the BDC²⁻ ligands to generate a two‐dimensional layered structure. The two‐dimensional layer is extended into a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure with the help of π–π stacking interactions between the aromatic rings. Compound (II) has a one‐dimensional double‐chain structure based on Co₂(μ₂‐COO)₂ units. The Co^II cations are bridged by BDC²⁻ ligands and are octahedrally coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three BDC²⁻ ligands, one water O atom and two pyridine N atoms. Interchain O—H…O hydrogen‐bonding interactions link these chains to form a three‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Orthopalladated complexes of phosphorus ylide: Poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone)‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles as reusable heterogeneous catalyst for Suzuki and Heck cross‐coupling reactions

The phosphorus ylide [Ph₃PCHC(O)C₆H₄‐NO₂–4] reacted with Pd(OAc)₂ to give the C,C‐orthometallated complex [Pd{κ²(C,C)‐C₆H₄PPh₂C(H)CO(C₆H₄‐NO₂–4)}(μ‐OAc)]₂, which underwent bridge exchange reaction with NaN₃, NaCl, KBr and KI, respectively, to afford the binuclear C,C‐orthopalladated complexes [Pd{κ²(C,C)‐C₆H₄PPh₂C(H)CO(C₆H₄‐NO₂–4)}(μ‐X)]₂ (X = N₃ ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), Br ( 3 ) and I ( 4 )). The complexes were identified using spectroscopy (infrared and NMR), CHNS technique and single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis. Thereafter, palladium nanoparticles with narrow size distribution were easily prepared using the refluxing reaction of iodo‐bridged orthopalladated complex 4 with poly(N ‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) as the protecting group. The PVP‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles were characterized using a variety of techniques including X‐ray diffraction, transmission and scanning electron microscopies, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of the PVP‐stabilized palladium nanoparticles was evaluated in the Suzuki reaction of phenylboronic acid and the Heck reaction of styrene with aryl halides of varying electron densities. This catalyst exhibited excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki cross‐coupling reactions in ethanol–water. Notably, aryl chlorides which are cheaper and more accessible than their bromide and iodide counterparts also reacted satisfactorily using this catalyst. After completion of reactions, the catalyst could be separated using a simple method and used many times in repeat cycles without considerable loss in its activity.     

CdII and CoII coordination polymers constructed from benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylic acid and 2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)‐1H‐benzimidazole ligands

In poly[aqua(μ₃‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ⁵O¹,O^1′:O¹:O⁴,O^4′)[2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl‐κN)‐1H‐benzimidazole]cadmium(II)], [Cd(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₂H₉N₃)(H₂O)]_n, (I), each Cd^II ion is seven‐coordinated by the pyridine N atom from a 2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)benzimidazole (3‐PyBIm) ligand, five O atoms from three benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (1,4‐bdc) ligands and one O atom from a coordinated water molecule. The complex forms an extended two‐dimensional carboxylate layer structure, which is further extended into a three‐dimensional network by hydrogen‐bonding interactions. In catena‐poly[[diaquabis[2‐(pyridin‐3‐yl‐κN)‐1H‐benzimidazole]cobalt(II)]‐μ₂‐benzene‐1,4‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O⁴], [Co(C₈H₄O₄)(C₁₂H₉N₃)₂(H₂O)₂]_n, (II), each Co^II ion is six‐coordinated by two pyridine N atoms from two 3‐PyBIm ligands, two O atoms from two 1,4‐bdc ligands and two O atoms from two coordinated water molecules. The complex forms a one‐dimensional chain‐like coordination polymer and is further assembled by hydrogen‐bonding interactions to form a three‐dimensional network.     

A one‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer based on 2,4′‐oxydibenzoic acid: poly[[[diaquabis[2‐(4‐carboxyphenoxy)benzoato‐κO1]cobalt(II)]‐μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine‐κ2N:N′] dihydrate]

The reaction of CoSO₄ with 2,4‐oxydibenzoic acid (H₂oba) and 4,4′‐bipyridine (bipy) under hydrothermal condition yielded a new one‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer, {[Co(C₁₄H₉O₅)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O}_n, which was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, magnetic properties and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The Co^II ions are connected by bipy ligands into infinite one‐dimensional chains. The Hoba⁻ ligands extend out from the two sides of the one‐dimensional chain. O—H...O hydrogen bonding extends these chains into a two‐dimensional supramolecular architecture.     

Template Syntheses of Copper(II) Complexes from Arylhydrazones of Malononitrile and their Catalytic Activity towards Alcohol Oxidations and the Nitroaldol Reaction: Hydrogen Bond‐Assisted Ligand Liberation and E/Z Isomerisation

A one‐pot template condensation of 2‐(2‐(dicyanomethylene)hydrazinyl)benzenesulfonic acid (H₂L¹, 1 ) or 2‐(2‐(dicyanomethylene)hydrazinyl)benzoic acid (H₂L², 2 ) with methanol (a), ethylenediamine (b), ethanol (c) or water (d) on copper(II), led to a variety of metal complexes, that is, mononuclear [Cu(H₂O)₂(κO¹,κN² L^1a] ( 3 ) and [Cu(H₂O)(κO¹,κN³ L^1b)] ( 4 ), tetranuclear [Cu₄(1 κO¹,κN²:2 κO¹ L^2a)₃‐(1 κO¹, κN²:2 κO² L^2a)] ( 5 ), [Cu₂(H₂O)(1 κO¹, κN²:2 κO¹ L^2c)‐(1 κO¹,1 κN²:2 κO¹,2 κN¹‐ L^2c)]₂ ( 6 ) and [Cu₂(H₂O)₂(κO¹,κN²‐ L^1dd)‐(1 κO¹,κN²:2 κO¹ L^1dd)(μ‐H₂O)]₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 7? 2 H₂O), as well as polymer‐ ic [Cu(H₂O)(κO¹,1 κN²:2 κN¹ L^1c)]_n ( 8 ) and [Cu(NH₂C₂H₅)(κO¹,1 κN²:2 κN¹L^2a)]_n ( 9 ). The ligands 2‐SO₃H‐C₆H₄‐(NH)N?C{(CN)[C(NH₂)‐(?NCH₂CH₂NH₂)]} (H₂L^1b, 10 ), 2‐CO₂H‐C₆H₄‐(NH)N?{C(CN)[C(OCH₃)‐(?NH)]} (H₂L^2a, 11 ) and 2‐SO₃H‐C₆H₄‐(NH)N?C{C(?O)‐(NH₂)}₂ (H₂L^1dd, 12 ) were easily liberated upon respective treatment of 4 , 5 and 7 with HCl, whereas the formation of cyclic zwitterionic amidine 2‐(SO₃^?)? C₆H₄? N?NC(? C?(NH⁺)CH₂CH₂NH)(?CNHCH₂CH₂NH) ( 13 ) was observed when 1 was treated with ethylenediamine. The hydrogen bond‐induced E/Z isomerization of the (HL^1d)^? ligand occurs upon conversion of [{Na(H₂O)₂(μ‐H₂O)₂}(HL^1d)]_n ( 14 ) to [Cu(H₂O)₆][HL^1d]₂ ? 2 H₂O ( 15 ) and [{CuNa(H₂O)‐(κN¹,1 κO²:2 κO¹ L^1d)₂}K_0.5(μ‐O)₂]n ? H₂O ( 16 ). The synthesized complexes 3 – 9 are catalyst precursors for both the selective oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols (to the corresponding carbonyl compounds) and the following diastereoselective nitroaldol (Henry) reaction, with typical yields of 80–99 %.     

Two new CoII coordination polymers with multifunctional 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid and flexible isomeric bis(imidazole) ligands: preparation,crystal structure and characterization

Two new Co^II coordination polymers (CPs), namely, catena‐poly[[[(5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κO)aquacobalt(II)]‐bis[μ‐1,3‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N:N′]] 4.75‐hydrate], {[Co(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂(H₂O)]·4.75H₂O}_n, (1), and poly[(μ‐5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromobenzene‐1,3‐dicarboxylato‐κ²O¹:O³)[μ‐1,2‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene‐κ²N:N′]cobalt(II)], [Co(C₈H₂Br₃NO₄)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)]_n, (2), have been synthesized successfully by the assembly of multifunctional 5‐amino‐2,4,6‐tribromoisophthalic acid (H₂ATBIP) and Co^II ions in the presence of the flexible isomeric bis(imidazole) ligands 1,3‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (mbix) and 1,2‐bis(imidazol‐1‐ylmethyl)benzene (obix). The isomeric mbix and obix ligands have a big influence on the structures of CPs (1) and (2). CP (1) is composed of chains of nanometre‐sized elliptical rings, in which the Co^II atom exhibits a distorted octahedral coordination geometry and ATBIP²⁻ acts as a monodentate ligand. Two adjacent chains are interlinked by π–π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds, resulting in a supramolecular double chain. Hydrogen‐bonded R₈⁶(16) rings extend adjacent supramolecular double chains into a two‐dimensional supramolecular layer. Halogen bonding and a hydrogen‐bonded R₄²(8) ring further link the two‐dimensional supramolecular layers, leading to the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular network. The Co^II ion in CP (2) is tetracoordinated, exhibiting a distorted tetrahedral configuration. The ATBIP²⁻ ligand exhibits a bis(monodentate) coordination bridging mode, linking adjacent Co^II ions into zigzag chains, which are further bridged by the auxiliary bridging obix ligand, resulting in a two‐dimensional (4,4) topological network. Interlayer hydrogen and halogen–halogen bonding further extend the two‐dimensional layers into a three‐dimensional supramolecular network. A detailed analysis of the solid‐state UV–Vis–NIR diffuse‐reflectance spectra of (1) and (2) indicates that a wide optical band gap exists in both (1) and (2). CP (1) exhibits an irreversible dehydration–rehydration behaviour.     

Cobalt(II) chloride complexes with 1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole featuring first‐ and second‐sphere coordination of the ligand

In catena‐poly[[dichloridocobalt(II)]‐μ‐(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κ²N²:N^2′)], [CoCl₂(C₈H₁₀N₄)]_n, (1), two independent bipyrazole ligands (Me₂bpz) are situated across centres of inversion and in tetraaquabis(1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole‐κN²)cobalt(II) dichloride–1,1′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole–water (1/2/2), [Co(C₈H₁₀N₄)₂(H₂O)₄]Cl₂·2C₈H₁₀N₄·2H₂O, (2), the Co²⁺ cation lies on an inversion centre and two noncoordinated Me₂bpz molecules are also situated across centres of inversion. The compounds are the first complexes involving N,N′‐disubstituted 4,4′‐bipyrazole tectons. They reveal a relatively poor coordination ability of the ligand, resulting in a Co–pyrazole coordination ratio of only 1:2. Compound (1) adopts a zigzag chain structure with bitopic Me₂bpz links between tetrahedral Co^II ions. Interchain interactions occur by means of very weak C—H...Cl hydrogen bonding. Complex (2) comprises discrete octahedral trans‐[Co(Me₂bpz)₂(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations formed by monodentate Me₂bpz ligands. Two equivalents of additional noncoordinated Me₂bpz tectons are important as `second‐sphere ligands' connecting the cations by means of relatively strong O—H...N hydrogen bonding with generation of doubly interpenetrated pcu (α‐Po) frameworks. Noncoordinated chloride anions and solvent water molecules afford hydrogen‐bonded [(Cl⁻)₂(H₂O)₂] rhombs, which establish topological links between the above frameworks, producing a rare eight‐coordinated uninodal net of {4²⁴.5.6³} ( ilc ) topology.