Molecular and electronic structures of dinuclear iron complexes incorporating strongly electron-donating ligands: implications for the generation of the one- and two-electron oxidized forms

The ligands (L(t-Bu(2)))(2-), (L(Me(2)))(2-), and (L(Cl(2)))(2-) have been employed for the synthesis of the dinuclear Fe(III) complexes [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))], [L(Me(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Me(2))], and [L(Cl(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Cl(2))]. The strongly electron-donating groups (tert-amines and phenolates) were chosen to increase the electron density at the coordinated ferric ions and thus to facilitate the oxidation of the complexes, with the possibility of fine-tuning the electronic structures by variation of the remote substituents. Molecular structures established in the solid (by single-crystal X-ray diffraction) and in solution (by X-ray absorption spectroscopy) show that the Fe ions are five-coordinate in a square-pyramidal coordination environment with the ligand adopting a trans-conformation. Spectroscopic and magnetic characterization establishes the highly covalent nature of the Fe(III)-O(oxo) and Fe(III)-O(Ph) bonds. The variations in the donor capabilities of the phenolates (due to changes in the remote substituents) are compensated for by a flexible electron donation of the Fe(III)-O(oxo) bonding. Spectroelectrochemical characterization demonstrates that [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))] can be oxidized reversibly at +0.27 and +0.44 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, whereas [L(Me(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Me(2))] and [L(Cl(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(Cl(2))] exhibit irreversible oxidations at +0.29 and +0.87 V versus Fc(+)/Fc, respectively. UV-vis, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy show that the successive oxidations of [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(μ-O)FeL(t-Bu(2))] are ligand-centered leading to the monophenoxyl radical complex [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)(μ-O)Fe(III)L(t-Bu(2))](+) (with the oxidation primarily localized on one-half of the molecule) and the diphenoxyl radical complex [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)(μ-O)Fe(III?)L(t-Bu(2))](2+). Both products are unstable in solution and decay by cleavage of an Fe(III)-O(oxo) bond. The two-electron oxidized species is more stable because of two equally strong Fe(III)-O(oxo) bonds, whereas in the singly oxidized species the Fe(III)-O(oxo) bond of the non-oxidized half is weakened. The decay of the monocation results in the formation of [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)](+) and [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(IV)=O], while the decay of the dication yields [(?)L(t-Bu(2))Fe(III)](2+) and [L(t-Bu(2))Fe(IV)=O]. Follow-up reactions of the oxidized fragments with the counteranion of the oxidant, [SbCl(6)](-), leads to the formation of [Fe(III)Cl(4)](-).     

Refined crystal structure and idealized structure of mixed-valent Eu4F5(CN2)2: transition possible

The new europium fluoride carbodiimide Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) was synthesized by solid state reaction from mixtures of EuF(3) and Li(2)(CN(2)) at 700 °C. The crystal structure as refined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (P ?42(1)c, no. 114, a = 16.053(1) ?, c = 6.5150(6) ?, Z = 8) reveals three crystallographically distinct [N═C═N](2-) ions in the structure of mixed-valent Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2). The presence of one Eu(3+) and three Eu(2+) per formula unit Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) is confirmed by magnetic measurements and (151)Eu-Mo?ssbauer spectroscopy. The arrangement of Eu ions and gravity centers of [NCN](2-) ions in the structure of Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) follow the motif formed by atoms in the CuAl(2)-type structure. A possible high-symmetry structure of Eu(4)F(5)(CN(2))(2) is discussed on the basis of a group-subgroup scheme.     

Binuclear Pt-Tl bonded complex with square pyramidal coordination around Pt: a combined multinuclear NMR, EXAFS, UV-Vis, and DFT/TDDFT study in dimethylsulfoxide solution

The structure and bonding of a new Pt-Tl bonded complex formed in dimethylsulfoxide (dmso), (CN)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+), have been studied by multinuclear NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, and EXAFS measurements in combination with density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations. This complex is formed following the equilibrium reaction Pt(CN)(4)(2-) + Tl(dmso)(6)(3+) ? (CN)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+) + dmso. The stability constant of the Pt-Tl bonded species, as determined using (13)C NMR spectroscopy, amounts to log K = 2.9 ± 0.2. The (NC)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+) species constitutes the first example of a Pt-Tl bonded cyanide complex in which the sixth coordination position around Pt (in trans with respect to the Tl atom) is not occupied. The spectral parameters confirm the formation of the metal-metal bond, but differ substantially from those measured earlier in aqueous solution for complexes (CN)(5)Pt-Tl(CN)(n)(H(2)O)(x)(n-) (n = 0-3). The (205) Tl NMR chemical shift, δ = 75 ppm, is at extraordinary high field, while spin-spin coupling constant, (1)J(Pt-Tl) = 93 kHz, is the largest measured to date for a Pt-Tl bond in the absence of supporting bridging ligands. The absorption spectrum is dominated by two strong absorption bands in the UV region that are assigned to MMCT (Pt → Tl) and LMCT (dmso → Tl) bands, respectively, on the basis of MO and TDDFT calculations. The solution of the complex has a bright yellow color as a result of a shoulder present on the low energy side of the band at 355 nm. The geometry of the (CN)(4)Pt-Tl core can be elucidated from NMR data, but the particular stoichiometry and structure involving the dmso ligands are established by using Tl and Pt L(III)-edge EXAFS measurements. The Pt-Tl bond distance is 2.67(1) ?, the Tl-O bond distance is 2.282(6) ?, and the Pt-C-N entity is linear with Pt-C and Pt···N distances amounting to 1.969(6) and 3.096(6) ?, respectively. Geometry optimizations on the (CN)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+) system by using DFT calculations (B3LYP model) provide bond distances in excellent agreement with the EXAFS data. The four cyanide ligands are located in a square around the Pt atom, while the Tl atom is coordinated in a distorted octahedral fashion with the metal being located 0.40 ? above the equatorial plane described by four oxygen atoms of dmso ligands. The four equatorial Tl-O bonds and the four cyano ligands around the Pt atom are arranged in an alternate geometry. The coordination environment around Pt may be considered as being square pyramidal, where the apical position is occupied by the Tl atom. The optimized geometry of (CN)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+) is asymmetrical (C(1) point group). This low symmetry might be responsible for the unusually large NMR linewidths observed due to intramolecular chemical exchange processes. The nature of the Pt-Tl bond has been studied by MO analysis. The metal-metal bond formation in (CN)(4)Pt-Tl(dmso)(5)(+) can be simply interpreted as the result of a Pt(5d(z(2)))(2) → Tl(6s)(0) donation. This bonding scheme may rationalize the smaller thermodynamic stability of this adduct compared to the related complexes with (CN)(5)Pt-Tl entity, where the linear C-Pt-Tl unit constitutes a very stable bonding system.     

Solvothermal growth of a ruthenium metal-organic framework featuring HKUST-1 structure type as thin films on oxide surfaces

Phase-pure crystalline thin films of a mixed-valence Ru(2)(II,III) metal-organic framework with 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate (btc) as a linker were solvothermally grown on amorphous alumina and silica surfaces. Based on the Rietveld refinement, the structure of Ru-MOF was assigned to be analogous to [Cu(3)(btc)(2)] (HKUST-1).     

Synthesis and characterization of trinuclear square-planar Ni3 and Cu3 complexes of an extended phloroglucinol ligand: Experimental evidence for the relative contributions of benzene-like and radialene-like resonance structures

The synthesis and characterization of the extended phloroglucinol ligand H₃felddien, its trinuclear Ni^II complex [(felddien)Ni₃](BF₄)₃ and its trinuclear Cu^II complex [(felddien)Cu₃](ClO₄)₃ is presented. Detailed NMR studies provide strong evidence that the ligand H₃felddien has to be described as the N-protonated tautomer and not as the O-protonated tautomer, with strong contribution of a radialene-like keto-enamine resonance structure resulting in a C_s and a C_3h isomer. The trinucleating tris(tetradentate) ligand provides three donor sets comprised of a phenolate, an imine, and two tertiary amine donors. This donor set enables the synthesis of the diamagnetic square-planar coordinated Ni^II complex [(felddien)Ni₃](BF₄)₃ which provides the opportunity to perform detailed NMR spectroscopic characterizations for the evaluation of the electronic structure of the central phloroglucinol unit. In conjunction with a single-crystal X-ray diffraction and a UV-vis absorption spectroscopic analysis, these data indicate that in the coordinated form, the benzene-like phenolate-imine and the radialene-like keto-enamine resonance structures have contributions to the overall resonance hybrid. The weakening of the central π system as a consequence of the contribution of the keto-enamine resonance structure explains the relative small ferromagnetic interactions in the trinuclear Cu^II complex [(felddien)Cu₃](ClO₄)₃. This detailed analysis identifies the strong resonance with unsaturated groups in 2,4,6 position of phloroglucinol as the main source for the low ferromagnetic couplings by the spin-polarization mechanism in all our extended phloroglucinol ligands. A replacement of the unsaturated imine functions by saturated amine functions may be a synthetic opportunity to enhance the ferromagnetic interactions by the spin-polarization mechanism in this ligand system.     

Disproportionation of Bromous Acid HOBrO by Direct O-Transfer and via Anhydrides O(BrO)(2) and BrO-BrO(2). An Ab Initio Study of the Mechanism of a Key Step of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky Oscillating Reaction

The results are reported of an ab initio study of the thermochemistry and of the kinetics of the HOBrO disproportionation reaction 2HOBrO (2) ? HOBr (1) + HBrO(3) (3), reaction ( R4' ), in gas phase (MP2(full)/6-311G*) and aqueous solution (SMD(MP2(full)/6-311G*)). The reaction energy of bromous acid disproportionation is discussed in the context of the coupled reaction system R2-R4 of the FKN mechanism of the Belousov-Zhabotinsky reaction and considering the acidities of HBr and HOBrO(2). The structures were determined of ten dimeric aggregates 4 of bromous acid, (HOBrO)(2), of eight mixed aggregates 5 formed between the products of disproportionation, (HOBr)(HOBrO(2)), and of four transition states structures 6 for disproportionation by direct O-transfer. It was found that the condensation of two HOBrO molecules provides facile access to bromous acid anhydride 7, O(BrO)(2). A discussion of the potential energy surface of Br(2)O(3) shows that O(BrO)(2) is prone to isomerization to the mixed anhydride 8, BrO-BrO(2), and to dissociation to 9, BrO, and 10, BrO(2), and their radical pair 11. Hence, three possible paths from O(BrO)(2) to the products of disproportionation, HOBr and HOBrO(2), are discussed: (1) hydrolysis of O(BrO)(2) along a path that differs from its formation, (2) isomerization of O(BrO)(2) to BrO-BrO(2) followed by hydrolysis, and (3) O(BrO)(2) dissociation to BrO and BrO(2) and their reactions with water. The results of the potential energy surface analysis show that the rate-limiting step in the disproportionation of HOBrO consists of the formation of the hydrate 12a of bromous acid anhydride 7 via transition state structure 14a. The computed activation free enthalpy ΔG(act)(SMD) = 13.6 kcal/mol for the process 2·2a → [14a](?) → 12a corresponds to the reaction rate constant k(4) = 667.5 M(-1) s(-1) and is in very good agreement with experimental measurements. The potential energy surface analysis further shows that anhydride 7 is kinetically and thermodynamically unstable with regard to hydrolysis to HOBr and HOBrO(2) via transition state structure 14b. The transition state structure 14b is much more stable than 14a, and, hence, the formation of the "symmetrical anhydride" from bromous acid becomes an irreversible reaction for all practical purposes because 7 will instead be hydrolyzed as a "mixed anhydride" to afford HOBr and HOBrO(2). The mixed anhydride 8, BrO-BrO(2), does not play a significant role in bromous acid disproportionation.     

Analytical polarization and coherence transfer functions for three dipolar coupled spins 12

Analytical polarization and coherence transfer functions are presented for a spin system consisting of three dipolar coupled homonuclear spins 12 under energy matched conditions. Based on these transfer functions, optimal durations of Hartmann-Hahn mixing periods can be determined for arbitrary dipolar coupling constants D(12), D(13), and D(23). In addition, the dependence of the transfer efficiency on the relative size of the dipolar coupling constants is illustrated.     

Magnetic resonance elastography of the brain in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: initial results

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has provided motivation for developing novel methods for assessing the disease and the effects of potential treatments. Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is an MRI-based method for quantitatively imaging the shear tissue stiffness in vivo. The objective of this research was to determine whether this new imaging biomarker has potential for characterizing neurodegenerative disease. Methods were developed and tested for applying MRE to evaluate the mouse brain, using a conventional large bore 3.0T MRI system. The technique was then applied to study APP-PS1 mice, a well-characterized model of AD. Five APP-PS1 mice and 8 age-matched wild-type mice were imaged immediately following sacrifice. Brain shear stiffness measurements in APP-PS1 mice averaged 22.5% lower than those for wild-type mice (P = .0031). The results indicate that mouse brain MRE is feasible at 3.0T, and brain shear stiffness has merit for further investigation as a potential new biomarker for Alzheimer's disease.     

Optical smart card using semipassive communication

An optical secure short-range communication system is presented. The mobile unit (optical smart card) of this system utilizes a retroreflector with an optical modulator, using light from the stationary unit; this mobile unit has very low power consumption and can be as small as a credit card. Such optical smart cards offer better security than RF-based solutions, yet do not require physical contact. Results from a feasibility study model are included.