Octahedral cyanohydroxo cluster complex trans-[Re6Se8(CN)4(OH)2]: Synthesis, crystal structure, and properties

A hexarhenium cyanohydroxo anionic cluster complex [Re₆Se₈(CN)₄(OH)₂]⁴⁻ was synthesized for the first time starting from [Re₆Se₈(OH)₆]⁴⁻, which was crystallized as a salt of the composition Cs_2.75K_1.25[Re₆Se₈(CN)₄(OH)₂]·H₂O (1). The reaction of the complex with Cu²⁺ in an aqueous ammonia or methylamine solutions afforded [Cu(NH₃)₅]₂[Re₆Se₈(CN)₄(OH)₂]·8H₂O (2) or [{Cu(CH₃NH₂)₄}₂Re₆Se₈(CN)₄(OH)₂] (3), respectively. All of these three compounds were characterized by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Compound 1 is crystallized in the tetragonal space group I4/m with eight formula units per cell (a = b = 17.4823(14) Å, c = 19.430(2) Å, V = 5938.3(10) Å³); compound 2 is crystallized in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with two formula units per cell (a = 12.1845(13) Å, b = 8.6554(9) Å, c = 19.2568(19) Å, β = 91.081(2)°, V = 2030.5(4) Å³); compound 3 is crystallized in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with four formula units per cell (a = 19.816(4) Å, b = 14.611(3) Å, c = 13.751(3) Å, V = 3981.2(13) Å³). The luminescence properties of 1 were studied in both aqueous solution and solid state. In addition, the electronic structure of [Re₆Se₈(CN)₄(OH)₂]⁴⁻ was elucidated by DFT calculations.     

Long-range superexchanged magnetic interaction observed in heterometallic complex: {[Fe(Tpms)(CN)3][Mn(H2O)2(DMF)2]} · DMF

A new tri-cyanometalate building block for heterometallic complexes, [PPh₄]₂[Fe^II(Tpms)(CN)₃] (2) (PPh₄ = tetraphenylphosphonium; Tpms = tris(pyrazolyl) methanesulfonate), has been prepared. Using it as a building block, a one-dimensional chain compound, {[Fe^II(Tpms)(CN)₃][Mn^II(H₂O)₂( DMF)₂]} · DMF (3), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The magnetic properties of 3 correspond to a ferromagnetic chain with weak long-range superexchanged magnetic interaction between the high-spin manganese(II) ions.     

A trinuclear copper(II) complex with 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylato bridges - [Cu3(2,5-pydc)2(Me5dien)2(H2O)2(BF4)2] · H2O: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

A trinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₃(2,5-pydc)₂(Me₅dien)₂(BF₄)₂(H₂O)₂] · H₂O 1, has been constructed from 2,5-pyridine-dicarboxylato bridges (2,5-pydc²⁻) and N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentamethyl-diethylenetriamine (Me₅dien) acting as a blocking ligand. The copper ions, within the centrosymmetric trinuclear cations, are connected by two 2,5-pydc²⁻ bridges, with an intramolecular Cu···Cu separation of 8.432 Å. The central copper ion exhibits an elongated octahedral geometry, with semicoordinated ions, while the terminal ones are pentacoordinated (distorted square-pyramidal geometry). The cryomagnetic investigation of 1 reveals an antiferromagnetic coupling of the copper(II) ions (J = −5.9 cm⁻¹, H = −JS_Cu1S_Cu2 − JS_Cu2S_Cu1a).     

Synthesis and characterisation of palladium(II) iodo complexes containing water soluble phosphine ligands. Crystal structures of [PdI2(PTA-H)2][PtI3(PTA)]2 · 2H2O and trans-[PdI2(PTA)2]

The aqueous solution behaviour of the equilibrium related cis-[PdCl₂(PTA)₂] and [PdCl(PTA)₃]Cl complexes has been investigated in the presence of acid and iodide ions. Several of the resulting species were identified and a reaction scheme accounting for identified complexes is proposed. The crystal structures of trans-[PdI₂(PTA-H)₂][PdI₃(PTA)]₂ · 2H₂O (1) (PTA-H⁺ = protonated form of PTA) and trans-[PdI₂(PTA)₂] (2) are reported. The geometry around the Pd(II) metal centre in 1 (for both the cation and anion) and 2 is distorted square planar. The PTA ligands occupy a trans orientation in the cation of 1 and in complex 2. Compound 1 represents a rare example of a Pd(II) system wherein the cation:anion pair, in a 1:2 ratio, are both coordination complexes. It is the first d⁸ Ni-triad square planar complex containing only one PTA ligand and only the second platinum group metal complex. For the cation in 1, the bond distances and angles are Pd(1)-P(1) = 2.2864(16) Å, Pd(1)-I(1) = 2.6216(7) Å, P(1)-Pd(1)-P(1)′ = 180.00(7)° and P(1)-Pd(1)-I(1) = 87.62(4)°, while in the anion the bond distances are Pd(2)-P(2) = 2.2377(15) Å, Pd(2)-I(4) = 2.5961(13) Å, Pd(2)-I(2) = 2.6328(13) Å, Pd(2)-I(3) = 2.6513(8) Å, while the angles are P(2)-Pd(2)-I(4) = 90.00(5)°, P(2)-Pd(2)-I(2) = 89.69(5)°, I(4)-Pd(2)-I(2) = 179.57(2)°, P(2)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 175.19(4)°, I(4)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 90.29(4)° and I(2)-Pd(2)-I(3) = 90.05(4)°. Bond distances and angles of the coordination polyhedron in 2 are Pd-P = 2.327(3) Å, Pd-I = 2.5916(10) Å, P-Pd-I = 89.13(7)° and P-Pd-P = 180.00(13)°. The average effective- and Tolman cone angles for the two ligands, calculated from the crystallographic data, are 115° and 117° for PTA and PTA-H, respectively.     

Synthesis of copper-zinc bimetallic imidazolate framework compounds and the structure of Cu(I)-containing Cu2Zn(N2C3H3)4

Copper(II)-zinc(II) bimetallic imidazolate metal-organic framework compounds of composition Cu_aZn_bIm_2(a + b) (Im = C₃H₃N₂), including Cu₂ZnIm₆ (1), were prepared in high yields from the metal oxides under mild aqueous conditions using a novel acid catalysis method. Mild acidic hydrothermal treatment of paramagnetic 1 (≥120 °C) gave diamagnetic Cu(I)-containing Cu₂ZnIm₄ (2) in high yield. The formation mechanism of 2 involves electron transfer from Im⁻ to Cu(II), with concomitant formation of the unusual cyclotriimidazole, C₉H₆N₆. Air-stable 2, characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, crystallized in the tetragonal space group , with a = b = 10.9623(3), c = 6.3231(4) Å, α = β = γ = 90°, V = 759.86(6) Å³, and Z = 1.     

Robust anionic building blocks [M(malonate)2(H2O)2] for crystal engineering of inorganic-organic hybrid materials

One-pot reactions of transition metal (Cu^II, Ni^II, Co^II, or Cd^II) salt with malonic acid (H₂mal) in the presence of mesocyclic diamine generate three supramolecular complexes and a coordination polymer. [Cu(mal)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₂(H₂DACH) (1) and [M(mal)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂DACO) (M = Ni for 2, and Co for 3) are ion-pair products and managed by charge-assistant noncovalent interactions (DACO = 1,5-diazacyclooctane, and DACH = 1,4-diazacycloheptane). In these structures, the similar mononuclear [M(mal)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ building blocks are connected by hydrogen bonds to form 2D networks (with the aid of one lattice water in the case of 1), which are further extended by the cationic diamine components to yield 3D pillar-layered solids. While [Cd(mal)(H₂O)₂]_n (4) is a neutral polymeric complex, in which the similar [Cd(mal)₂(H₂O)₂]²⁻ subunits are propagated by additional Cd-O coordinative forces to result in the final 2D layer.     

The influence of substituents (R) at N atom of thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones {(C4H3S)HCN-N(H)-C(S)NHR} on bonding, nuclearity and H-bonded networks of copper(I) complexes

The nuclearity, bonding and H-bonded networks of copper(I) halide complexes with thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazones {(C₄H₃S)HC²N³-N(H)-C¹(S)N¹HR} are influenced by R substituents at N¹ atom. Thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-methyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscMe) or thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-ethyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscEt) have yielded halogen-bridged dinuclear complexes, [Cu₂(μ-X)₂(η¹-S-Htsc)₂(Ph₃P)₂] (Htsc, X: HttscMe, I, 1; Br, 2; Cl, 3; HttscEt, I, 4; Br, 5; Cl, 6), while thiophene-2-carbaldehyde-N¹-phenyl thiosemicarbazone (HttscPh) has yielded mononuclear complexes, [CuX(η¹-S-HttscPh)₂] (X, I, 7a; Br 8; Cl, 9) and a sulfur bridged dinuclear complex, [Cu₂(μ-S-HttscPh)₂(η¹-S-HttscPh)₂I₂] 7b co-existing with 7a in the same unit cell. These results are in contrast to S-bridged dimers [Cu₂(μ-S-Httsc)₂(η¹-Br)₂(Ph₃P)₂] · 2H₂O and [Cu₂(μ-S-Httsc)₂(η¹-Cl)₂(Ph₃P)₂] · 2CH₃CN obtained for R = H and X = Cl, Br (Httsc = thiophene-2-carbaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) as reported earlier. The intermolecular CH_Ph?π interaction in 1-3 (2.797 Å, 1; 3.264 Å, 2; 3.257 Å, 3) have formed linear polymers, whereas the CH_Ph?X and N³?HCH interactions in 4-6 (2.791, 2.69 Å, 5; 2.776, 2.745 Å, 6, respectively) have led to the formation of H-bonded 2D polymer. The PhN¹H?π, interactions (2.547 Å, 8, 2.599 Å, 9) have formed H-bonded dimers only. The Cu?Cu separations are 3.221-3.404 Å (1-6).     

Synthesis and characterization of isopropylamine complexes of lanthanide(II) diiodides: Molecular structure of TmI2(PrNH2)4 and EuI2(PrNH2)4

It was found that the lanthanide diiodides LnI₂ (1) (Ln = Nd, Sm, Eu, Dy, Tm, Yb) are dissolved in isopropylamine (IPA) without redox transformations. Stability of the formed solutions decreases in a row Eu ≈ Yb > Sm > Tm > Dy > Nd. Removing of a solvent in vacuum leaves complexes LnI₂(IPA)_x (2) (Nd, x = 5; Sm, Eu, Dy, Tm, Yb, x = 4) as crystalline colored solids. Stability of 2-Nd,Dy,Tm is higher than that of known THF or DME coordinated salts. Divalent state of metal in the products is confirmed by data of UV-Vis spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and their chemical behavior. Structure of 2-Eu and 2-Tm was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Oxidation of 2-Nd,Dy in IPA affords amine-amides (PrⁱNH)Ln(IPA)_y (3) (Nd, y = 4; Dy, x = 3). n-Propylamine also dissolves the iodides 1-Sm,Eu,Dy,Tm,Yb but stability of the solutions is significantly lower. 1-Nd vigorously reacts with PrⁿNH₂ even at −30 °C which hampers the formation of the solution.     

Structure and magnetism of two new linear trinuclear copper(II) clusters obtained from the tetradentate N2O2 ligand bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3-diaminopropane

Reaction of bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-1,3-diaminopropane (H₂bhbd) with copper(II) perchlorate and copper(II) chloride in methanol, respectively, leads to linear trinuclear clusters, namely [Cu₃(bhbd)₂(CH₃OH)₂(ClO₄)₂] (1) and [Cu₃(bhbd)₂Cl₂](CH₃OH)₄ (2). These coordination compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography, UV-Vis, IR and EPR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. Both complexes have a linear trinuclear array of copper ions bridged by means of phenolato O atoms and separated by a distance of 2.985(4) Å (1) and 2.937(4) Å (2). Strong antiferromagnetic interactions between these adjacent Cu^II ions govern the magnetochemistry of 1 (J = −303(1) cm⁻¹) and 2 (J = −482(3) cm⁻¹) resulting in S = 1/2 ground states fully populated below 150 K. A correlation between the interaction parameter J and the angles within the trinuclear clusters is proposed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structure of a Cu(I) bromide coordination polymer, [(tpyprz)3Cu10Br10] (tpyprz = tetra-2-pyridylpyrazine)

The hydrothermal reaction of CuBr₂ and tpyprz in the presence of NH₄VO₃ and HF for 72 h at 170 °C provided [(tpyprz)₃Cu₁₀Br₁₀] (1) in 20% yield. The two-dimensional structure of 1 may be described as Cu(I)-tpyprz chains, linked through {Cu₄Br₅}⁻ clusters in the ac-plane and decorated with {Cu₃Br₅}²⁻ clusters projecting from one face of the layer in the b-direction. The Cu(I) sites exhibit distorted trigonal coordination {CuBr₃} and distorted tetrahedral geometries, {CuBr₂N₂} and {CuN₄}. Crystal data for 1: monoclinic space group C2, a = 12.7561(8) Å, b = 19.359(1) Å, c = 15.860(1) Å, β = 97.178(1)°, V = 3885.8(4) Å³, Z = 2, D_calc = 2.222 g cm⁻³, μ(Mo Kα) = 78.75 cm⁻¹.     

Dioxouranium complexes as ligand. Synthesis and characterization of sandwich-type polyoxometalates [X2W18(UO2)2{(H2O)3M}2O68] (X = As and P) (M = Co, Cu, Mn, Ni and Zn)

The title complexes are synthesized by the reaction of an unusual ligand of [K₂P₂W₁₈(UO₂)₂O₆₈]¹²⁻ (1) and [KAs₂W₁₈(UO₂)₂O₆₈]¹³⁻ (2) with divalent metal ions of Co^II, Cu^II, Mn^II, Ni^II and Zn^II in 1:2 mole ratio and are characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ³¹P NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, TGA, and single crystal structure analysis. Crystals of [P₂W₁₈(UO₂)₂{(H₂O)₃Co}₂O₆₈]¹⁰⁻ (1a) and [As₂W₁₈(UO₂)₂{(H₂O)₃Cu}₂O₆₈]¹⁰⁻ (2b) are orthorhombic space group Cmca. Both 1a and 2b have structures in which two [M(H₂O)₃] (M = Co^II, Cu^II) and two UO₂ groups are sandwiched between two symmetry equivalent (XW₉) (X = P, As) units in a virtual C_i symmetry. In solution, 1a and [P₂W₁₈(UO₂)₂{(H₂O)₃Zn}₂O₆₈]¹⁰⁻ (1d) give two-line P NMR spectra that are consistent with a C_s symmetry structures so, are not consistent with the solid-state structures. The sodium salts of them give one-line P NMR spectra and are consistent with the C_i symmetry of solid-state structures. The uranium atoms have pentagonal-bipyramidal coordination, achieved by three equatorial bonds to the one XW₉ and two bonds to the other. The M atoms have octahedral or square pyramidal coordination, but only one bond to the one XW₉ and one bond to the other.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of trans-[Mo2(H2DMepyF)2(CH3CN)4](BF4)6 (HDMepyF=N,N-di(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)formamidine)

Reaction of Mo₂(O₂CCH₃)₂(DMepyF)₂ (HDMepyF=N,N^′-di(6-methyl-2-pyridyl)formamidine) with HBF₄ in CH₂Cl₂/CH₃CN afforded the complex trans-[Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](BF₄)₆ (1), which crystallized in two forms, trans-[Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](ax-CH₃CN)₂(BF ₄)₆ · 2CH₃CN (1a), and trans- [Mo₂(H₂DMepyF)₂(CH₃CN)₄](ax-BF₄) ₂(BF₄)₄ · 2CH₃CN (1b). The molecular structures of complexes (1) consist of two quadruply bonded molybdenum atoms, which are spanned by two trans-bridging formamidinate ligands and coordinated by four trans-CH₃CN. Each H₂DMepyF⁺ ligand adopts an s-cis,s-cis- conformation. The difference between 1a and 1b is that complex 1a contains two CH₃CN molecules as axial ligands, while 1b contains two BF₄⁻ anions as axial ligands. Complex 1 is the first dimolybdenum complex containing a pair of trans bridging ligands and two pairs of trans-CH₃CN ligands.     

Single molecule magnet: Heterodinuclear cyano-bridged cubic cluster [(Tp)8Fe4Ni4(CN)12] (Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate)

The octanuclear cyano-bridged cluster [(Tp)₈Fe₄Ni₄(CN)₁₂] · H₂O · 24CH₃CN (1) (Tp = hydrotris(1-pyrazolyl)borate) showing magnetic properties of single-molecule magnet has been synthesized by reaction of [fac-Fe(Tp)(CN)₃]⁻ with {(Tp)Ni(NO₃)} species formed from an equimolar reaction mixture of Ni(NO₃)₂ · 6H₂O and KTp in MeCN. The X-ray analysis of 1 shows molecular cube structure in which Fe^III and Ni^II ions reside in alternate corners. The average intramolecular Fe?Ni distance is 5.124 Å. Out-of-phase ac susceptibility and reduce magnetization measurements show that 1 is a single molecule magnet with ground spin state S = 6 and spin reversal energy barrier U = 14 K. Magnetic hysteresis loops were also observed by applying fast sweeping field.     

Structures, magnetic properties, and XPS of one-dimensional cyanide-bridged Cu-Ni/Pt bimetallic assembly complexes

Synthesis, crystal structures, and spectroscopic and magnetic properties of new one-dimensional cyano-bridged bimetallic complexes, [Cu^II(N-Eten)₂][M^II(CN)₄] (N-Eten = N-ethylethylenediamine; M^II = Ni^II (1) and Pt^II (2)), have been reported. Both complexes consist of one-dimensional alternate chains of Cu^II and M^II moieties. The Pt-C bond distances of 1.997(3) and 2.001(3) Å for 2 are considerably longer than the Ni-C bond lengths of 1.866(3) and 1.872(3) Å for 1. Because of pseudo Jahn-Teller distortion, the axial Cu-N bond distances of 2.554(2) and 2.550(3) Å for 1 and 2 are longer than those of equatorial ones of 2.008(2) and 2.056(2) Å for 1 and 2.010(2) and 2.054(2) Å for 2. In contrast to M^II-C bond distances, the Cu-N ones of 1 are similar to those of 2 regardless of element-substitution. These complexes indicate weak antiferromagnetic interactions with Weiss constants = − 4.68 and −3.95 K for 1 and 2, respectively. The emission spectrum of 2 (λ_ex = 360 nm) exhibits a broad band with peaks at 22 800 and 24 000 cm⁻¹ at 298 K. The Cu 2p_1/2 and 2p_3/2 peaks of XPS spectra are compared systematically to various copper(II) complexes showing different bridging features or distorted coordination geometries as models for excited structures induced by external physical conditions. The spectroscopic properties are discussed from the viewpoint of magneto-optical properties.     

3D hydrogen bonded metal-organic frameworks constructed from [M(H2O)6][M′(dipicolinate)2] · mH2O (M/M′ = Zn/Ni or Ni/Ni). Identification of intercalated acyclic (H2O)6/(H2O)10 clusters

New heterodinuclear Zn^II/Ni^II (1) and homodinuclear Ni^II/Ni^II (2) water-soluble and air stable compounds of general formula [M(H₂O)₆][M′(dipic)₂] · mH₂O have been easily prepared by self-assembly of the corresponding metal(II) nitrates with dipicolinic acid (H₂dipic) in water solution at room temperature.  The compounds have been characterized by IR, UV/Vis and atomic absorption spectroscopies, elemental and X-ray single crystal diffraction (for 1 · 4H₂O and 2 · 5H₂O) analyses.  3D infinite polymeric networks are formed via extensive hydrogen bonding interactions involving all coordinated and crystallization water molecules, and all dipicolinate oxygens, thus contributing to additional stabilization of dimeric units, metal-organic chains and 2D layers.  In 1 · 4H₂O, the latter represent a rectangular-grid 2D framework with multiple channels if viewed along the c crystallographic axis, while in 2 · 5H₂O intercalated crystallization water molecules are associated to form acyclic nonplanar hexameric water clusters and water dimers which occupy voids in the host metal-organic matrix, with a structure stabilizing effect via host-guest interactions.  The hexameric cluster extends to the larger (H₂O)₁₀ one with an unusual geometry (acyclic helical octamer with two pendent water molecules) by taking into account the hydrogen bonds to water ligands in [Ni(H₂O)₆]²⁺.  The obtained Zn/Ni compound 1 relates to the recently reported family of heterodimetallic complexes [M(H₂O)₅M′(dipic)₂] · mH₂O (M/M′ = Cu/Co, Cu/Ni, Cu/Zn, Zn/Co, Ni/Co, m = 2, 3), what now allows to establish the orders of the metal affinity towards the formation of chelates with dipicolinic acid (Co^II > Ni^II > Zn^II > Cu^II) or aqua species (Co^II < Ni^II < Zn^II < Cu^II).     

Supramolecular assemblies of new 2-D complexes: Syntheses, crystal structures, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of {[MnAu2(CN)4(NITpPy)2(H2O)2]}n and {[Co(N(CN)2)2(NITpPy)2(H2O)2]}n

Two new complexes, {[MnAu₂(CN)₄(NITpPy)₂(H₂O)₂]}_n (1) and {[Co(N(CN)₂)₂(NITpPy)₂(H₂O)₂]}_n (2), have been synthesized and characterized. The single-crystal X-ray analysis for the complexes 1 and 2 demonstrates that each M(II) (M = Mn or Co) ion assumes a distorted octahedral MN₄O₂ coordination polyhedron. Four nitrogen atoms come from the cyanide groups and the pyridyl rings in a common plane, and two oxygen atoms come from the H₂O molecules in trans-positions. The structures of complexes 1 and 2 illustrate that aurophilicity and/or hydrogen bonding interactions play important roles in increasing dimensionality. Magnetic investigations on complexes 1 and 2 show the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions.     

Rhenium(IV) cyanate complexes: Synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties of NBu4[ReBr4(OCN)(DMF)] and (NBu4)2[ReBr(OCN)2(NCO)3]

Two new rhenium(IV) mononuclear compounds of formula NBu₄[ReBr₄(OCN)(DMF)] (1) and (NBu₄)₂[ReBr(OCN)₂(NCO)₃] (2) (NBu₄ = tetrabutylammonium cation, OCN = O-bonded cyanate anion, NCO = N-bonded cyanate anion and DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) have been synthesized and their crystal structures determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic system with the space group P2₁/n, whereas 2 crystallizes in the triclinic one with as space group. In both complexes the rhenium atom is six-coordinated, in 1 by four Br atoms in the equatorial plane, and two trans-oxygen atoms, one of a DMF molecule and another one from a cyanato group, while in 2 by one bromide anion and five cyanate ligands, two of which are O-bonded and three N-bonded, forming a somewhat distorted octahedral surrounding. Magnetic susceptibility measurements on polycrystalline samples of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 1.9-300 K are interpreted in terms of magnetically isolated spin quartets with large values of the zero-field splitting (|2D| is ca. 41.6 and 39.2 cm⁻¹ for 1 and 2, respectively).     

Nature of the Ln-Co magnetic interactions in compounds [Ln2Co3(C5H4NPO3)6] · 4H2O with open-framework structures

The reactions of Ln(NO₃)₃ · xH₂O, CoSO₄ · 7H₂O or ZnSO₄ · 6H₂O and 2-pyridylphosphonic acid under hydrothermal conditions result in heterometallic phosphonate compounds with formula [Ln₂M₃(C₅H₄NPO₃)₆] · 4H₂O (Ln₂M₃; M = Co^II or Zn^II; Ln = La^III, Ce^III, Pr^III, Nd^III, Sm^III, Eu^III, Gd^III, Tb^III, Dy^III). These compounds are isostructural and crystallize in a chiral cubic space group I2₁3. Each structure contains the {LnO₉} polyhedra and {MN₂O₄} octahedra which are connected by edge-sharing to form an inorganic open-framework structure with a 3-connected 10-gon (10, 3) topology. The nature of Ln^III-Co^II magnetic interactions in Ln₂Co₃ is investigated by a comparison with their Ln^III-Zn^II analogues. It is found that the Ln^III-Co^II interaction is weak antiferromagnetic for Ln = Ce and ferromagnetic for Ln = Sm, Gd, Tb and Dy. In the cases of Ln = Pr, Nd and Eu, no significant magnetic interaction is observed.     

Insertion reactions of organic anhydrides into the M-O bond of CuOBu and Sb(OMe)3

The synthesis and structural characterization of the copper salts [Cu₂(2-Boc-benzoate)₄(dme)₂] (1), [Cu(2-Boc-benzoate)₂(tmeda)] (2), [Cu₂(2-Boc-benzoate)₂(dppm)] (3), [Cu(2-Boc-nicotinate)(PPh₃)₂] (4), [Cu₂{2-Boc-5,6-anhydride-naphthylcarboxylate}₂(dppm)₂] (5) [dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dppm = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, tmeda = N,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, Boc = tert-butoxycarbonyl] prove that cyclic organic anhydrides and dianhydrides readily insert into the Cu-O bond of [CuO^tBu] forming carboxylate ligands with ester functionalities in the ligand periphery. [Sb(CO₂Ph-o-CO₂Me)₂(OMe)(tmeda)] (6) was synthesised by insertion reaction of Sb(OMe)₃ with phthalic anhydride.     

Synthesis, structure and properties of TTF-carboxylate bridged paddlewheel dirhodium complexes, Rh2(BuCO2)3(TTFCO2) and Rh2(BuCO2)2(TTFCO2)2

Reaction of tetrathiafulvalene carboxylic acid (TTFCO₂H) with paddlewheel dirhodium complex Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₄ yielded TTFCO₂-bridged complexes Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₃(TTFCO₂) (1) and cis- and trans-Rh₂(Bu^tCO₂)₂(TTFCO₂)₂ (cis- and trans-2). Their triethylamine adducts [1(NEt₃)₂] and cis-[2(NEt₃)₂] were purified and isolated with chromatographic separation, and characterized with single crystal X-ray analysis. Trans-[2(NEt₃)₂] is not completely separated from a mixture of cis- and trans-[2(NEt₃)₂], but its single crystals were obtained from a solution of the mixture. A three-step quasi-reversible oxidation process was observed for 1 in MeCN. The first two steps correspond to the oxidation of the TTFCO₂ moiety and the last one is the oxidation of the Rh₂ core. The oxidation of cis-2 is observed as a two-step process with very similar E_1/2 values to those of the first two processes for 1. Both 1⁺ and cis-2²⁺ in MeCN at room temperature show isotropic ESR spectra with a g value of 2.008 and a_H = 0.135 mT for two equivalent H atoms and a_H = 0.068 mT for one H atom. The redox and ESR data of cis-2 suggest that the intramolecular interaction between the TTF moieties is very small.