Structures and magnetic properties of tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes with unusual mu3-1,1,3 azido bridges

Pyrazolate-based dinucleating ligands with thioether-containing chelate arms have been used for the synthesis of a family of novel tetranuclear nickel(II) complexes [L2Ni4(N3)3(O2CR)](ClO4)2 that incorporate three azido bridges and one carboxylate (R = Me, Ph). Molecular structures have been elucidated by X-ray crystallography in four cases, revealing Ni4 cores with a unique topology in which two of the azido ligands adopt an unusual mu3-1,1,3 bridging mode. The compounds were further characterized by mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, and variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. Magnetic data analyses indicate a combination of significant intramolecular ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions that give rise to an overall S(T) = 0 ground state. The sign and the magnitude of the individual couplings have been rationalized in the framework of the common magnetostructural correlations for end-to-end and end-on azido linkages, suggesting that these correlations also remain valid for the respective fragments of multiply bridging mu3-1,1,3 azido ligands.     

Redox site confinement in highly unsymmetric dimanganese complexes

A set of highly preorganized pyrazolate-bridged dimanganese complexes L(Mn)MnX have been prepared and structurally characterized. They can be described as hybrid organometallic/Werner-type systems that consist of a low-spin CpMn(I)(CO)2 subunit (Mn1) and a proximate tripodal tetradentate {N4} binding pocket accommodating a high-spin Mn(II) ion (Mn2), with Mn...Mn distances of approximately 4.3 A and different coligands bound to Mn2. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations (both the hybrid B3LYP and the pure BP86 functionals and the all-electron basis sets 6-311G and 6-311G*) confirm that the valence alpha and beta Kohn-Sham molecular orbitals (MOs) of these mixed-valent Mn(I)Mn(II) compounds have predominant Mn(3d) character and an almost perfectly localized nature: all five unpaired electrons are essentially localized at the Werner-type Mn2, whereas Mn1 possesses an effective closed-shell structure with the MOs of highest energy centered there. One-electron oxidation occurs in a clean process at approximately E(1/2) = -0.6 V (versus ferrocene/ferrocinium), giving the low-spin/high-spin Mn(II)Mn(II) species. UV/vis and IR spectroelectrochemistry as well as a detailed theoretical analysis reveal that the redox process takes place with strict site control at the organometallic subunit, while it does not significantly influence the spin and charge distribution on the Werner-type site. Positions and shifts of the nu(C[triple bond]O) absorptions are largely reproduced by the DFT calculations. These systems thus represent an exceptional example of the effect the unsymmetry of a dinucleating ligand scaffold has on the spin and charge distribution in homobimetallic complexes and might offer interesting prospects for the study of the cooperative effects of bimetallic arrays.     

Book review

S. E. J_rgensen and Yu. M. Svirezhev Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems Elsevier, Amsterdam 2004, Price: paperback 85€; hardbound 140€, 350 (A4 size) pages     

Towards rod-shaped molecules based on the twelve-vertex ferratricarbollides

The compounds with a single and double -CH₂C₆H₄CH₂- spacer, [CpFeC₃B₈H₁₀-NH-CH₂C₆H₄CH₂-NH-C₃B₈H₁₀FeCp] and [CpFeC₃B₈H₁₀-N-(CH₂C₆H₄CH₂)₂-N-C₃B₈H₁₀FeCp], represent the first example of designed shaping by extremely stable cyclopentadienyl-ferratricarbollide (CpFeTCB) cages into rigid molecular constructions approaching linear arrangement.     

Biocompatible hydrogels based on chitosan,cellulose/starch,PVA and PEDOT:PSS with high flexibility and high mechanical strength

Fabricating mechanically strong hydrogels that can withstand the conditions in internal tissues is a challenging task. We have designed hydrogels based on multicomponent systems by combining chitosan, starch/cellulose, PVA, and PEDOT:PSS via one-pot synthesis. The starch-based hydrogels were homogeneous, while the cellulose-based hydrogels showed the presence of cellulose micro- and nanofibers. The cellulose-based hydrogels demonstrated a swelling ratio between 121 and 156%, while the starch-based hydrogels showed higher values, from 234 to 280%. Tensile tests indicated that the presence of starch in the hydrogels provided high flexibility (strain at break?>?300%), while combination with cellulose led to the formation of stiffer hydrogels (elastic moduli 3.9–6.6 MPa). The ultimate tensile strength for both types of hydrogels was similar (2.8–3.9 MPa). The adhesion and growth of human osteoblast-like SAOS-2 cells was higher on hydrogels with cellulose than on hydrogels with starch, and was higher on hydrogels with PEDOT:PSS than on hydrogels without this polymer. The metabolic activity of cells cultivated for 3 days in the hydrogel infusions indicated that no acutely toxic compounds were released. This is promising for further possible applications of these hydrogels in tissue engineering or in wound dressings.

Graphical abstract

     

Charge transport and contact resistance in coplanar devices based on colloidal polyaniline dispersion

The charge transport properties of thin films prepared from colloidal dispersion of polyaniline stabilized by poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PANI/PVP) have been investigated. The electrical characterization of coplanar device comprising of gold electrodes and PANI/PVP film deposited by spin coating served to gain insights into the contact and bulk resistance. The films prepared from PANI/PVP colloidal dispersion show high stability over a large temperature range. Temperature dependent measurements in the range from 90 to 350 K reveal that the charge transport can be described by a three‐dimensional variable‐range hopping mechanism as the dominant mode in the films. The stability of the films cast from dispersion within a large temperature range opens the possibility of the application as a polymer semiconductor layer in sensors and charge‐transport interlayer in organic solar cells. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2016 , 54, 1710–1716     

A monitor for atmospheric sulphur dioxide,based on enrichment of SO2 by a polydispersive water aerosol

A monitor for continuous analysis of sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere at the ppb v/v level (1 ppb v/v = 2.62 g/m³ SO₂) is described. The apparatus operates on the principle of equilibrium accumulation of sulphur dioxide from the air by a polydispersive water aerosol which continuously transfers SO₂ from an air-flow of l/min into microlitre volumes of water condensate. High sensitivity (1 ppb v/v), low relative error (± 5% at 4 ppb v/v SO₂), high selectivity (CO₂ does not interfere at a concentration of 2 × 10³ ppm v/v, interference by NO _x and H₂S is acceptably low), and low response delay (10 s) are provided by a compact coupling of the enrichment procedure with conductivity detection of SO₂ in the film of water aerosol condensate formed directly on the wire-gauze sensor. The reliability of the method has been studied under simulated conditions, with spectrophotometric method as reference. The analyser is computer-controlled, and the detector response is processed on-line and displayed (as g/m³) in real-time on a screen or is transmitted telemetrically to a control centre. It is portable and suitable for use in both stationary and moving locations.The paper is dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the birthday of Prof. Josef F. K. Huber     

Photolysis of Steroidal 20-Aryl-Substituted 11-Nitrites

The two structurally similar 20-phenyl- and 20-(4-methoxyphenyl)-11-(nitrosooxy)pregnan-20-ol derivatives 4 and 7 behave differently under photolytic conditions, the former nitrous acid ester affording, as a main product, the benzo-fused hexacyclic compound 9 , and the latter the 21 -nitro derivative 12. Mechanistic aspects of these transformations are discussed.