Thermal expansion and structural complexity of strontium borates

Thermal expansion of four strontium borates has been studied by high-temperature powder X-ray diffraction. Strong anisotropy of thermal expansion is observed for the structures of Sr₃B₂O₆ (0D) and SrB₂O₄ (1D) based on triangles BO₃ only: The high expansion occurs perpendicular to the BO₃ plane, i.e. along the direction of the less strong bonds in the crystal structure. The monoclinic Sr₂B₁₆O₂₆ (3D) borate expands dramatically due to shear deformations in monoclinic plane: Monoclinic β′ angle changes significantly because it is not fixed by symmetry. In contrast to these borates, SrB₄O₇ (3D) borate built up from tetrahedra only expands almost isotropically. Average value of volume expansion is 36 × 10^?6 K^?1 for studied Sr-borates. Tendency of slight decrease in the volume thermal expansion and sharp decrease in the melting points is observed with an increase in B₂O₃ content as a result of the degree of polymerization increase. As the B₂O₃ content grows in Sr-borates, the structural complexity increases in the SrO–B₂O₃ system due to more complex anionic structure. Inverse “melting temperature decrease—structural complexity increase” correlation is revealed.     

Substituent effects in reduction-induced synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">ansa</Emphasis>-titanocenes

Bis{(diphenylvinylsilyl)tetramethylcyclopentadienyl}titanium dichloride [TiCl₂{η⁵-C₅Me₄(SiPh₂CH=CH₂)}₂] (1) is reduced with a half molar equivalent of magnesium to the monochloride ([TiCl{η⁵-C₅Me₄(SiPh₂CH=CH₂)}₂] (2), whereas one molar equivalent of magnesium affords the titanocene [Ti{η⁵-C₅Me₄(SiPh₂CH=CH₂)}{η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄(SiPh₂CH=CH₂)}] (3) stabilized by η²-coordination of one of the two vinyl groups to titanium(II). In the presence of excess magnesium, the vinyl moieties of 3 undergo intramolecular coupling to afford the ansa-titanocene [Ti(η⁵:η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄SiPh₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂SiPh₂C₅Me₄)] (4) possessing the η²-coordinated double bond in lateral position of its ansa-chain. The symmetrical ansa-titanocene [Ti(η⁵:η⁵:η²-C₅Me₄SiPh₂CH₂CH=CHCH₂SiPh₂C₅Me₄)] (5) was not obtained although its DFT-calculated energy is only slightly higher than that of 4. It is considered that transient 5 gives rise to non-identified tar-like by-products which inherently accompany the formation of 4.     

Diverse topologies of three cobalt(II) coordination polymers constructed from flexible bis(benzimidazole) and dicarboxylate ligands

Three cobalt(II) coordination polymers {[Co(L1)(nda)(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O} _n (1), [Co(L2)(tbi)(H₂O)] _n (2) and [Co(L2)(bpdc)(H₂O)] _n (3) (L1 = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol, L2 = 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-yl)-2-propanol, H₂nda = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H₂tbi = 5-tert-butyl isophthalic acid and H₂bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid) were synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. Complex 1 exhibits a 1D loop-like structure, which is further extended into a 3D 3,3,4T31 network through two O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. Complex 2 displays a 1D ladder-like chain, arranged into a 2D supramolecular network with 3,3,4L34 topology via classical O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, whereas complex 3 features a 2D 3,4L13 layer structure and further assembles into a 3D framework with a twofold interpenetrating sqc65 topology through O–H···O hydrogen bonding interactions. The fluorescence and catalytic properties of these complexes for the degradation of Congo red in a Fenton-like process have been investigated.     

Naringenin Schiff base: antioxidant activity,acid–base profile,and interactions with DNA

A Schiff base derived from naringenin (NTSC) and its complex with Cu(II) ([Cu(H₃L)(OAc)]·H₂O, Cu(II)–NTSC) have been synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods. EPR studies confirmed that nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur are the donor atoms bound to Cu(II) in the complex. The geometry of the complex has been modelled using DFT methods. Furthermore, naringenin and NTSC were used for the formation of Cu(II) complexes in solution, for comparison of biological activities. Antioxidant studies confirmed better radical scavenging activity of both NTSC and its Cu(II) complex compared to naringenin. The interaction of these compounds with calf thymus DNA was monitored by UV–Vis spectroscopy.     

The role of substituents in a bidentate <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-chelating ligand on the substitution of aqua ligands from mononuclear Pt(II) complexes

The rate of substitution of aqua ligands from three mononuclear platinum(II) complexes, namely [Pt{2-(pyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine}(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂, [Pt(H ₂ Py)]; [Pt{2-(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-ylmethyl)pyridine}(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂, [Pt(dCH ₃ Py)] and [Pt{2-[(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)pyrazoly-1-ylmethyl]pyridine}(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂, [Pt(dCF ₃ Py)] by thiourea, N,N-dimethylthiourea and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylthiourea, was studied in aqueous perchloric acid medium of constant ionic strength. The substitution reactions were investigated under pseudo-first-order conditions as a function of nucleophile concentration and temperature using UV/Visible and stopped-flow spectrophotometries. The observed pseudo-first-order rate constants, \( k_{{{\text{obs }}\left( {1/2} \right)}} \), for the stepwise substitution of the first and second aqua ligands obeyed the rate law: \( k_{{{\text{obs}}\left( {1/2} \right)}} = k_{{2 \left( { 1 {\text{st/2nd}}} \right)}} \left[ {\text{Nu}} \right] \). The first substitution reaction takes place trans to the pyrazole ligand, while the second entering nucleophile is stabilised at the reaction site trans to the pyridine ligand. The rate of substitution of the first aqua ligand from the complexes followed the order: Pt(dCF ₃ Py) > Pt(H ₂ Py) > Pt(dCH ₃ Py), while that of the second was Pt(H ₂ Py) ≈ Pt(dCF ₃ Py) > Pt(dCH ₃ Py). Lower pK _a values were found for the deprotonation of the aqua ligand cis to the pyrazole ring. Density functional theory calculations were performed to support the interpretation of the experimental results.     

Synthesis and structural studies of arene ruthenium and Cp*Rh/Cp*Ir complexes containing pyridylpyrazole- and pyridylthiazole-based ligands

The reactions of [(arene)RuCl₂]₂ (arene = p-cymene or benzene) and [Cp*MCl₂]₂ (M = Rh or Ir) with N,N′-bidentate chelating ligands 2-[3-(2-pyridyl)pyrazolyl]pyrimidine (L1) and 4-phenyl-(2-pyridyl)thiazole (L2) leads to the formation of mononuclear complexes of general formula [(arene)/Cp*M(L)Cl]PF₆. Eight such complexes have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. In addition, five of the complexes were also characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. These complexes have typical piano-stool geometries around the metal center, with five-membered metellacycles in which L1 and L2 both act as N,N′-chelating ligands. Moreover, L1 prefers to coordinate through its pyrimidine and pyrazolyl nitrogen atoms, rather than the pyridine nitrogen.     

Syntheses,characterization, and magnetic properties of two 3D frl topological frameworks constructed from nickel diphosphonates

Two 3D open-framework nickel diphosphonates, [Ni₃(H₂zdn)₂(bpe)₂]·4H₂O (1) and [Ni₃(H₂zdn)₂(bpy)₂]·bpy·4H₂O (2) (H₅zdn = zoledronic acid, bpe = trans-4,4-vinylenedipyridine, bpy = 4,4′-dipyridyl), have been prepared and structurally characterized. In complex 1, the metal centers are linked by zoledronate ligands to generate a 2D layer, containing 14- and 24-membered rings. These 2D layers are further pillared by the bpe ligands into a 3D network structure with cylindrical channels. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal ferrimagnetism at T _c = 3.8 and 4.4 K for complexes 1 and 2, respectively.     

Synthesis,crystal structures and catalytic properties of three-dimensional nickel(II) and manganese(II) coordination polymers with dicarboxylate and semi-rigid bis(imidazole) ligands

Two coordination polymers (CPs), namely [Ni(L)(chdc)] _n (1) and [Mn(L)(ndc)(H₂O)] _n (2) (L = 4,4′-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl, H₂chdc = 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, H₂ndc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid), have been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods and also by single-crystal diffraction. Both CPs feature 3D-diamond-like networks with point symbol of 6⁶; CP-1 displays a 2-fold interpenetrated net, while CP-2 presents a non-interpenetrated framework. The thermal stabilities, solid-state luminescence properties and catalytic activities of both CPs for degradation of methyl orange in a Fenton-like process were investigated.     

Inner-sphere oxidation of a ternary dipicolinatochromium(III) complex involving a malonic acid co-ligand

The oxidation of a ternary complex of chromium(III), [Cr^III(DPA)(Mal)(H₂O)₂]^?, involving dipicolinic acid (DPA) as primary ligand and malonic acid (Mal) as co-ligand, was investigated in aqueous acidic medium. The periodate oxidation kinetics of [Cr^III(DPA)(Mal)(H₂O)₂]^? to give Cr(VI) under pseudo-first-order conditions were studied at various pH, ionic strength and temperature values. The kinetic equation was found to be as follows: \( {\text{Rate}} = {{\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]\left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} } \right]_{\text{T}} \left( {{{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right)} \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]\left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} } \right]_{\text{T}} \left( {{{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{k_{5} K_{5} + k_{6} K_{4} K_{6} } {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right]}}} \right)} {\left\{ {\left( {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{4} } \right) + \left( {K_{5} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{6} K_{4} } \right)\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]} \right\}}}} \right. \kern-0pt} {\left\{ {\left( {\left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{4} } \right) + \left( {K_{5} \left[ {{\text{H}}^{ + } } \right] + K_{6} K_{4} } \right)\left[ {{\text{IO}}_{4}^{ - } } \right]} \right\}}} \) where k ₆ (3.65 × 10^?3 s^?1) represents the electron transfer reaction rate constant and K ₄ (4.60 × 10^?4 mol dm^?3) represents the dissociation constant for the reaction \( \left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} \left( {\text{DPA}} \right)\left( {\text{Mal}} \right)\left( {{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}} \right)_{2} } \right]^{ - } \rightleftharpoons \left[ {{\text{Cr}}^{\text{III}} \left( {\text{DPA}} \right)\left( {\text{Mal}} \right)\left( {{\text{H}}_{2} {\text{O}}} \right)\left( {\text{OH}} \right)} \right]^{2 - } + {\text{H}}^{ + } \) and K ₅ (1.87 mol^?1 dm³) and K ₆ (22.83 mol^?1 dm³) represent the pre-equilibrium formation constants at 30 °C and I = 0.2 mol dm^?3. Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was found to enhance the reaction rate, whereas sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) had no effect. The thermodynamic activation parameters were estimated, and the oxidation is proposed to proceed via an inner-sphere mechanism involving the coordination of IO₄ ^? to Cr(III).     

Synthesis of a palladium(II) complex of a <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-heterocylic carbene via transmetalation: crystal structure and antibacterial studies

An Ag(I)-N-heterocylic carbene (NHC) complex, [Ag(L)₂]PF₆ (L = 1-(2′-methylbenzyl)-3-(2″-propyl)benzimidazolium), was used as a transfer agent for the synthesis of a Pd(II)–NHC complex, formulated as [PdCl(L)₂(MeCN)]PF₆ (Pd1). The complex Pd1 was characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that the Pd(II) atom has a square planar geometry. This complex was screened for its antibacterial potential against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600). These results are compared with those obtained for a standard antibiotic, ampicillin, and also the corresponding Ag(I)–NHC complex.