pH-controlled change of the metal coordination in a dicopper(II) complex of the ligand H-BPMP: crystal structures, magnetic properties, and catecholase activity

The dinucleating ligand 2,6-bis[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methylphenol (H-BPMP) has been used to synthesize the three dinuclear Cu(II) complexes [Cu2(BPMP)(OH)][ClO4](2).0.5C4H8O (1), [Cu2(BPMP)(H2O)2](ClO4)(3).4H2O (2), and [Cu2(H-BPMP)][(ClO4)4].2CH3CN (3). X-ray diffraction studies reveal that 1 is a mu-hydroxo, mu-phenoxo complex, 2 a diaqua, mu-phenoxo complex, and 3 a binuclear complex with Cu-Cu distances of 2.96, 4.32, and 6.92 A, respectively. Magnetization measurements reveal that 1 is moderately antiferromagnetically coupled while 2 and 3 are essentially uncoupled. The electronic spectra in acetonitrile or in water solutions give results in accordance with the solid-state structures. 1 is EPR-silent, in agreement with the antiferromagnetic coupling between the two copper atoms. The X-band spectrum of powdered 2 is consistent with a tetragonally elongated square pyramid geometry around the Cu(II) ions, in accordance with the solid-state structure, while the spectrum in frozen solution suggests a change in the coordination geometry. The EPR spectra of 3 corroborate the solid-state and UV-visible studies. The 1H NMR spectra also lead to observations in accordance with the conclusions from other spectroscopies. The electrochemical behavior of 1 and 2 in acetonitrile or in water solutions shows that the first reduction (Cu(II)Cu(II)-Cu(II)Cu(I) redox couple) is reversible and the second (formation of Cu(I)Cu(I) irreversible. In water, 1 and 2 are reversibly interconverted upon acid/base titration (pK 4.95). In basic medium a new species, 4, is reversibly formed (pK 12.0), identified as the bishydroxo complex. Only 1 exhibits catecholase activity (oxidation of 3,5-di-tert-butylcatechol to the corresponding quinone, vmax = 1.1 x 10(-6) M-1 s-1 and KM = 1.49 mM). The results indicate that the pH dependence of the catalytic abilities of the complexes is related to changes in the coordination sphere of the metal centers.     

Caracterisation d'une variete amorphie de FeF3 : Etude thermique,magnetique et Mossbauer

Amorphous FeF₃ has been prepared by fast vaporisation of the bulk material and condensation : it has been characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Strong antiferromagnetic interactions, but low spin-freezing temperature are observed. The magnetic arrangment is speromagnetic. The spin glass behaviour is questionable; the Mössbauer study reveals an electric field gradient distribution which, in average, has no definite sign.     

Multifrequency EPR and redox reactivity investigations of a bis(mu-thiolato)-dicopper(II,II) complex

From a new tripodal ligand [N2SS'H] with mixed N, S(thioether), and S(thiolate) donor set, the corresponding bis(mu-thiolato)dicopper(II) complex has been prepared and characterized. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the complex [Cu2(N2SS')2](ClO4)2.C4H10O (1) demonstrates that the two five-coordinated Cu atoms are bridged by two thiolates leading to a nearly planar Cu2S2 core with a Cu1...Cu1* distance of 3.418(8) A and a large bridging angle Cu1S1Cu1* of 94.92 degrees. X-band (10 GHz), Q-band (34 GHz), and F-Band (115 GHz) EPR spectra of 1 are consistent with a weakly coupled dicopper(II,II) center attributed to an S = 1 state. Simulations for the three frequencies are obtained with a unique set of electronic parameters. The mean values of the spin Hamiltonian parameters for 1 are D = 0.210(3) cm(-1), E = 0.0295(5) cm(-1), |E/D| = 0.140, gx = 2.030(2), gy = 2.032(2), gz = 2.128(2). The electrochemical one-electron reduction of 1 generates the mixed-valent CuIICuI species. EPR and UV-vis spectra are consistent with a type I localized mixed-valent species, while dinuclear CuA centers of native cytochrome c oxidase (CcO)1-3 or nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR)4 have a delocalized CuIICuI mixed-valent state. After reoxidation of the CuIICuI species, the initial complex 1 is regenerated through a reversible interconversion process.     

Stepwise formation of a molecular square with bridging NH,O-substituted dicarbene building blocks

The β,β'-bis(triisopropylsiloxy)phenyl-1,4-diisocyanide 3 and [Ir(Cp*)Cl(2)](2) were used for the stepwise assembly of the [Ir(Cp*)Cl] cornered molecular square [6](Cl)(4). Synthesis of the tetrakis(diisocyanide) bridged molecular square [Ir(Cp*)Cl(3)](4)(BF(4))(4) [5](BF(4))(4) followed by cleavage of the O-Si(i-Pr)(3) bonds of the diisocyanide bridges with HCl/i-PrOH led to an intramolecular attack of the liberated hydroxyl groups at the isocyanide carbon atoms with formation of molecular square [6](Cl)(4) featuring four dicarbene linkers.