Similar structural feature observed in the crystal packing of [Ni(dmit)2] salts of geometrical isomer of methoxycarbonyl pyridinium

The crystal structures of the C-H?O hydrogen-bonded, 1:1 complex salts of with [Ni(dmit)₂]⁻ 2MMP, 3MMP and 4MMP (ortho-, meta-, and para-methoxycarbonyl N-methyl-pyridinium, respectively) cations with have been investigated. All complex salts formed non-segregated stacks with the anions being sandwiched between layers or dimers of cations. Within these salts, the arrangement of the counter cations are structurally modulated by two weak intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the hydrogen of the pyridinium ring, methyl group or one of the two and the CO group of the cations. The alignment of Ni(dmit)₂ molecules is found to be mainly governed by the attached position of methoxycarbonyl group. Powders of (2MMP)[Ni(dmit)₂], (3MMP)[Ni(dmit)₂] and (4MMP)[Ni(dmit)₂] salts exhibited room temperature conductivities of 4.33 × 10⁻¹⁰, 1.80 × 10⁻⁶ and 5.60 × 10⁻⁶ S cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Searching for switchable molecular conductors: Salts of [M(dcbdt)2] (M = Ni, Au) anions with [Fe(sal2-trien)] and [Fe(phen)3]

Salts of [Fe^III(sal₂-trien)]⁺and [Fe^II(phen)₃]²⁺ cations and M[(dcbdt)₂]⁻ anions with M = Ni and Au (dcbdt = dicyanobenzenedithiolate) with formula [Fe(sal₂-trien)] [M(dcbdt)₂] and [Fe(phen)₃] [M(dcbdt)₂]₂ were obtained and characterized by single X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. None of these salts shows a clear spin crossover behaviour and their magnetic properties are due essentially to the cations in a high spin S = 5/2 and low spin states for the Fe^III and Fe^II salts respectively. The magnetic Ni sublattices in both compounds appear to have a negligible direct contribution to the magnetization but enhance the AF interactions in the cation sublattice.     

Different coordination modes of Hdipic and dipic ligands to nickel(II) ions in a same environment (dipic = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, dipicolinate)

Two new nickel(II) complexes of the composition [Ni(cyclam)(Hdipic)₂] · 2H₂O (1) and [Ni(cyclam)(H₂O)₂][Ni(dipic)₂] · 2.5H₂O (2) (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) have been prepared and structurally characterized by a combination of analytical, spectroscopic, thermogravimetric, and crystallographic methods. The structure of 1 shows that the central nickel(II) ion is coordinated axially by two monodentate Hdipic ligands. The discrete neutral complex 1 further extends its structure by hydrogen bonding interactions to form a one-dimensional supramolecule. The structure of 2 consists of two independent nickel(II) centers. Water molecules instead of dipic ligands prefer to coordinate to the Ni1 ion forming a divalent cation [Ni(cyclam)(H₂O)₂]²⁺. Two dipic ligands coordinate to the second Ni2 ion forming a divalent anion [Ni(dipic)₂]²⁻. The divalent cations and anions are charge-balanced, resulting in a molecular salt. The divalent cations and anions are interconnected by multiple types of hydrogen bonding interactions.     

BEDT-TTF salts of the unsymmetrical [M(tfadt)2] dithiolene complexes (M = Ni, Au; tfadt = S2C2(CN)(CF3))

Two closely related 1:1 salts are obtained upon electrocrystallization of BEDT-TTF (BEDT-TTF: bis(ethylenedithio)tetrathiafulvalene) in the presence of the isosteric [M(tfadt)₂]⁻ dithiolene complexes (tfadt: 1-trifluoromethyl-2-cyano-1,2-dithiolato), which essentially differ by their spin state, S = 0 in [Au(tfadt)₂]⁻, S = 1/2 in [Ni(tfadt)₂]⁻. In both [BEDT-TTF][M(tfadt)₂] salts, the BEDT-TTF radical cations form chains with a strong lateral overlap and strong antiferromagnetic interactions while the paramagnetic anions in the nickel-containing salt [BEDT-TTF][Ni(tfadt)₂] are essentially non-interacting. The structural differences between the nickel and gold complexes are analyzed and discussed.     

An improved synthesis, crystal structures, and metallochromism of salts of [Ru(tolyl-terpy)(CN)3]

The previously reported complex [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ [ttpy = 4′(p-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine] is conveniently synthesised by reaction of ttpy with Ru(dmso)₄Cl₂ to give [Ru(ttpy)(dmso)Cl₂], which reacts in turn with KCN in aqueous ethanol to afford [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ which was isolated and crystallographically characterised as both its (PPN)⁺ and K⁺ salts. The K⁺ salt contains clusters containing three complex anions and three K⁺ cations connected by end-on and side-on cyanide ligation to the K⁺ ions. The solution speciation behaviour of [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ was investigated with both Zn²⁺ and K⁺ salts in MeCN, a solvent sufficiently non-competitive to allow the added metal cations to associate with the complex anion via the externally-directed cyanide lone pairs. UV-Vis spectroscopic titration of (PPN)[Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃] with Zn(ClO₄)₂ showed a blue shift of 2900 cm⁻¹ in the ¹MLCT absorption manifold due to the ‘metallochromism’ effect; a series of distinct binding events could be discerned corresponding to formation of 4:1, 1:1 and then 1:3 anion:cation adducts, all with high formation constants, as the titration proceeded. In contrast titration of (PPN)[Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃] with the more weakly Lewis-acidic KPF₆ resulted in a much smaller blue-shift of the ¹MLCT absorptions, and the titration data corresponded to formation of 1:1 and then 2:1 cation:anion adducts with weaker stepwise association constants of the order of 10⁴ and then 10³ M⁻¹. Although association of [Ru(ttpy)(CN)₃]⁻ resulted in a blue-shift of the ¹MLCT absorptions, the luminescence was steadily quenched, as raising the ³MLCT level makes radiationless decay via a low-lying ³MC state possible.     

TTF charge transfer salts containing cyanometallate anions [M(phen)(CN)4] (M = Cr or Fe; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline)

Two new charge transfer salts of TTF with the counter anions [M(phen)(CN)₄]⁻ (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, M = Cr (I) and Fe (II)) are described. The structures consist of alternating stacks of dimerised TTF⁺ cations and [M(phen)(CN)₄]⁻ anions and they are linked together by many short S?S contacts and hydrogen bonds. Within the organic stack, two dimerised TTF⁺ cations are arranged in a slipped face-to-face mode with short intra-dimer and long inter-dimer S?S distances. Strong antiferromagnetic exchange was found in the TTF⁺ dimers. Conductivity measurements show that compound I is a semiconductor.     

Two salts containing bis(maleonitriledithiolate)nickel(III)/copper(II) anion and substituted benzyltriphenylphosphinium: Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties

Syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of two salts, [FBzTPP][Ni(mnt)₂](1) and [FBzTPP]₂[Cu(mnt)₂](2) ([FBzTPP]⁺ = 1-(4′-fluorobenzyl)triphenylphosphinium, mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate), are investigated. In 1, the anions and cations stack into well-segregated columns, and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D alternating chain in a [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ column through intermolecular Ni?S and π?π interactions with the Ni?Ni distances of 3.939, 4.057 and 4.101 Å, and the C-H?N hydrogen bonds are found between the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anion and the neighboring [FBzTPP]⁺ cation. The [Cu(mnt)₂]²⁻ anions in 2 do not form a column and no weak interactions exist between the anions duo to isolation of the [FBzTPP]⁺ cations, while C-H?F and C-H?S hydrogen bonds were found in 2. Magnetic susceptibility measurements in the temperature range 2-300 K show that 1 exhibits a spin-gap transition around 46 K, and antiferromagnetic interaction (θ = −49.0 K) in the high-temperature phase (HT) and spin gap (Δ/k_b = 88.2 K) in the low-temperature phase (LT), while 2 shows a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling behavior with θ = −1.33 × 10⁻² K.     

Formation and structural chemistry of the unusual cyanide-bridged dinuclear species [Ru2(NN)2(CN)7] (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline)

Crystallisation of simple cyanoruthenate complex anions [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ (NN = 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline) in the presence of Lewis-acidic cations such as Ln(III) or guanidinium cations results, in addition to the expected [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ salts, in the formation of small amounts of salts of the dinuclear species [Ru₂(NN)₂(CN)₇]³⁻. These cyanide-bridged anions have arisen from the combination of two monomer units [Ru(NN)(CN)₄]²⁻ following the loss of one cyanide, presumably as HCN. The crystal structures of [Nd(H₂O)_5.5][Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇] · 11H₂O and [Pr(H₂O)₆][Ru₂(phen)₂(CN)₇] · 9H₂O show that the cyanoruthenate anions form Ru-CN-Ln bridges to the Ln(III) cations, resulting in infinite coordination polymers consisting of fused Ru₂Ln₂(μ-CN)₄ squares and Ru₄Ln₂(μ-CN)₆ hexagons, which alternate to form a one-dimensional chain. In [CH₆N₃]₃[Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇] · 2H₂O in contrast the discrete complex anions are involved in an extensive network of hydrogen-bonding involving terminal cyanide ligands, water molecules, and guanidinium cations. In the [Ru₂(NN)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ anions themselves the two NN ligands are approximately eclipsed, lying on the same side of the central Ru-CN-Ru axis, such that their peripheries are in close contact. Consequently, when NN = 4,4′-^tBu₂-2,2′-bipyridine the steric bulk of the t-butyl groups prevents the formation of the dinuclear anions, and the only product is the simple salt of the monomer, [CH₆N₃]₂[Ru(^tBu₂bipy)(CN)₄] · 2H₂O. We demonstrated by electrospray mass spectrometry that the dinuclear by-product [Ru₂(phen)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ could be formed in significant amounts during the synthesis of monomeric [Ru(phen)(CN)₄]²⁻ if the reaction time was too long or the medium too acidic. In the solid state the luminescence properties of [Ru₂(bipy)₂(CN)₇]³⁻ (as its guanidinium salt) are comparable to those of monomeric [Ru(bipy)(CN)₄]²⁻, with a ³MLCT emission at 581 nm.     

Cation effect on energy transfer reactions from [Tb(2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate)3] to anionic chromium(III) and neodymium(III) complexes in aqueous solutions

Cation effects are studied on the excitation energy transfer reaction between anionic complexes, i.e., [Tb(dpa)₃]³⁻ (dpa=2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate) quenched by [Cr(ox)₃]³⁻ (ox=oxalate ion), [Cr(mal)₃]³⁻ (mal=malonate ion) and [Nd(dpa)₃]³⁻ in aqueous solutions in the presence of alkali metal ions added for adjustments of ionic strengths. In the quenching reaction of [Cr(ox)₃]³⁻, magnitudes of quenching rate constants (k_q) and energy transfer rate constant in encounter complex (k₁) are changed by the cations in the order of Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ ≈ Rb⁺ ≈ Cs⁺, that is quite contrary of the cation effect on energy transfer reaction between [Ru(N-N)₃]²⁺ and [Cr(ox)₃]³⁻, reported in the previous paper. On the other hand, the rate constants in quenching reactions by [Cr(mal)₃]³⁻ and [Nd(dpa)₃]³⁻ remain almost constant. This result indicates that more separated donor-acceptor pair is not sensitive to coexisting cations.     

Cationic (tripyrrinato)palladium(II) complexes

The formation of cationic palladium(II)complexes [TrpyPd^II]⁺X⁻ by salt metathesis of the respective trifluoroacetates with different salts of weakly coordinating anions X⁻ was investigated. With non-hydrolizable counterions, cationic mono- and dinuclear complexes are observed depending on the nature of the anion X⁻ and the solvent. The mononuclear cations, which are only formed with X = BAr^F, most probably carry a weakly bound molecule of dichloromethane at the fourth coordination site of Pd^II. When treated with diazoalkanes, only these are sufficiently reactive to form carbene complexes. Four- and five coordinate Lewis base adducts [TrpyPd^IIL]⁺ with L = CH₃NC, tBuNH₂, PMe₃, PEt₃ and PiPr₃ and [TrpyPd^IIL₂]⁺ with L = PMe₃ were prepared from the mononuclear cations [TrpyPd^II]⁺BAr^F−. From structural studies it becomes apparent, that the formation of stable five coordinate Pd^II species is restricted to medium size ligands and depends on the delicate balance between the steric influence of L and the strain, which is induced on the TrpyPd^II unit.     

Encapsulation of [Mn(bpy)3] cations in 2D [Mn(dca)3] sheet: Synthesis, X-ray structure and EPR study

The reaction of Mn(NO₃)₂ · 4H₂O, 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) and sodium dicyanamide (dca) in aqueous medium yielded the {[Mn(bpy)₃][Mn(dca)₃]₂}_n (1). The single-crystal X-ray analysis of 1 revealed that the anionic part of the complex, [Mn(dca)₃]⁻, features infinite 2D sheets with a honeycomb-like porous structure having a void space of ca. 12 Å in which [Mn(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations are encapsulated to yield a fascinating molecular assembly. Mn^II ions possess an octahedral geometry both in the anionic and cationic components of complex 1. In the anionic component, each Mn^II ion is bridged by three pairs of dicyanamide anions in an end-to-end fashion with two other Mn^II ions from adjacent [Mn(dca)₃]⁻ moieties. This type of linking propagates parallel to the bc crystallographic plane to form 2D sheets. [Mn(bpy)₃]²⁺ is found to have somewhat “squeezed” upon encapsulation. No measurable magnetic interaction was evidenced through variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements. However, in addition to the broad g ≈ 2 resonance typical of magnetically diluted [Mn(bpy)₃]²⁺ cations, EPR spectroscopy evidenced exchange narrowing of the [Mn(dca)₃]⁻ resonance at g ≈ 2 thus indicating operation of weak magnetic interactions extended over the whole 2D network through the dca⁻ bridges.     

Synthesis and characterization of [Fe(III)(qsal)2][M(III)(pds)2] (M = Cu, Au)

Salts of the Fe(III) spin crossover cation [Fe^III(qsal)₂]⁺ (qsalH = N-(8-quinolyl)salicylaldimine) and monoanions [M^III(pds)₂]⁻ (M = Cu, Au; pds = pirazine-2,3-diselenolate) with formula [Fe^III(qsal)₂][M^III(pds)₂] were prepared and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and magnetic measurements. These two salts present magnetic properties essentially due to the Fe^III centres in the high-spin state (S = 5/2), and do not have any spin transition.     

A study of the second coordination sphere in 8-azaxanthinato salts of divalent metal aquacomplexes

The interaction of the 4,6-dimethyl and 4-monomethyl derivatives of 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-5,7-dione (which may be named also as purine derivatives, 1,3-dimethyl-8-azaxanthine, Hdmax and 3-methyl-8-azaxanthine, H3max) with the divalent cations of Mn, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd in aqueous media generate solids with formulation ML₂ · 6H₂O. The crystal structure of the Mn and Cd compounds with dmax and the Cd compound with 3max have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealing that the compounds are salts with [M(H₂O)₆]²⁺ as cations and dmax⁻ or 3dmax⁻ as anions. The second-sphere interactions in these compounds have been analysed, consisting in a network of very well-defined hydrogen bonds, with all available potential donor and acceptor positions involved. The topology of the motifs generated by these hydrogen bonds has been characterised, adapting to the second coordination sphere concepts usually applied to the first (chelate, bridge, monodentate, …). Monodimensional (tapes) superstructures with the building blocks rather tightly bounded appear in the compounds with dmax⁻ as anion, whereas the corresponding superstructure in the Cd compound with 3max⁻ is bidimensional. These superstructures further interact among them in a less tight fashion to generate the three dimensional crystal structures. Powder X-ray diffraction strongly suggests that Mn, Co, Zn and Cd compounds of each ligand are isostructural, so the results of the samples determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction may be extended to all these compounds. On the other hand, powder X-ray diffraction indicates that the nickel compounds have a different structure and the spectroscopic data for these compounds suggest that the ligand is directly attached to the metal for them.     

Temperature-dependent activity in early life stages of the stone crab Paralomis granulosa (Decapoda, Anomura, Lithodidae): A role for ionic and magnesium regulation?

Marine brachyuran and anomuran crustaceans are completely absent from the extremely cold (− 1.8 °C) Antarctic continental shelf, but caridean shrimps are abundant. This has at least partly been attributed to low capacities for magnesium excretion in brachyuran and anomuran lithodid crabs ([Mg²⁺]_HL = 20-50 mmol L^− 1) compared to caridean shrimp species ([Mg²⁺]_HL = 5-12 mmol L^− 1). Magnesium has an anaesthetizing effect and reduces cold tolerance and activity of adult brachyuran crabs. We investigated whether the capacity for magnesium regulation is a factor that influences temperature-dependent activity of early ontogenetic stages of the Sub-Antarctic lithodid crab Paralomis granulosa. Ion composition (Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) was measured in haemolymph withdrawn from larval stages, the first and second juvenile instars (crabs I and II) and adult males and females. Magnesium excretion improved during ontogeny, but haemolymph sulphate concentration was lowest in the zoeal stages. Neither haemolymph magnesium concentrations nor Ca²⁺:Mg²⁺ ratios paralleled activity levels of the life stages. Long-term (3 week) cold exposure of crab I to 1 °C caused a significant rise of haemolymph sulphate concentration and a decrease in magnesium and calcium concentrations compared to control temperature (9 °C). Spontaneous swimming activity of the zoeal stages was determined at 1, 4 and 9 °C in natural sea water (NSW, [Mg²⁺] = 51 mmol L^− 1) and in sea water enriched with magnesium (NSW + Mg²⁺, [Mg²⁺] = 97 mmol L^− 1). It declined significantly with temperature but only insignificantly with increased magnesium concentration. Spontaneous velocities were low, reflecting the demersal life style of the zoeae. Heart rate, scaphognathite beat rate and forced swimming activity (maxilliped beat rate, zoea I) or antennule beat rate (crab I) were investigated in response to acute temperature change (9, 6, 3, 1, − 1 °C) in NSW or NSW + Mg²⁺. High magnesium concentration reduced heart rates in both stages. The temperature-frequency curve of the maxilliped beat (maximum: 9.6 beats s^− 1 at 6.6 °C in NSW) of zoea I was depressed and shifted towards warmer temperatures by 2 °C in NSW + Mg²⁺, but antennule beat rate of crab I was not affected. Magnesium may therefore influence cold tolerance of highly active larvae, but it remains questionable whether the slow-moving lithodid crabs with demersal larvae would benefit from an enhanced magnesium excretion in nature.     

New template reactions of salicylaldehyde S-methyl-isothiosemicarbazone with 2-formylpyridine promoted by Ni(II) or Cu(II) metal ions

The template reaction between salicylaldehyde S-methyl-isothiosemicarbazone and 2-formylpyridine in presence of nickel(II) or copper(II) salts yields two new coordination compounds with general formula [NiL¹]₂(1) and [CuL²]₂(2) (L¹ = the dianionic (N¹-salicylidene)(N⁴-(hydroxy(pyridin-2-yl)methyl) S-methyl-isothiosemicarbazide) ligand and L² = the doubly deprotonated (N¹-salicylidene)(N⁴-(picolinoyl) S-methyl-isothiosemicarbazide) ligand). In the complex 1, the formed L¹ ligand appears as result of an addition reaction of the precursors, while for 2 a redox mechanism is implicated in the formation of L². Despite the fact that the initial organic precursors are the same, the resulting ligands obtained in the template reaction are different. In 1, the Ni(II) metal ion adopts a square-planar geometry and the [NiL¹] units are forming dimerized chains through weak Ni···Ni interactions (3.336 and 3.632 Å). In 2, the Cu(II) metal ions adopt a square-pyramidal geometry and form dinuclear species through weak Cu···O (phenoxo) interactions. The magnetic susceptibility measurements of the complexes reveal the diamagnetic nature of 1 as expected for a square planar Ni(II) complex and a paramagnetic behavior for 2 with weak intra-dimer antiferromagnetic interaction (J/k_B = −2.1(1) K).     

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of two novel Ni(mnt)2-based molecular magnetic materials containing substituted triphenylphosphinium

Two novel molecular magnetic materials, [RBzTPP][Ni(mnt)₂] (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate, [RBzTPP]⁺ = 4-R-benzyltriphenylphosphinium; R = CN (1), Cl (2)) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In crystal of 1, the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anions form a dimer via Ni?S and π?π stacking interactions between Ni(mnt)₂ planes, and the C-H?Ni and C-H?N H-bonding interactions are found between the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anions and the neighboring [CNBzTPP]⁺ cations. The anions and cations of 2 stack into well-segregated columns in the solid state; and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D alternating chain in a Ni(mnt)₂ column through intermolecular Ni?S, or π?π interactions with the Ni?Ni distances of 3.900, 4.198, and 4.165 Å. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for these complexes in the temperature range 1.8-300 K show that the overall magnetic behavior for 1 and 2 indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction, but 1 exhibits an activated magnetic behavior in the high-temperature (HT) region together with a Curie tail in the low-temperature (LT) region.     

Structures and magnetic properties of dicopper(II) and dinickel(II) complexes with end-on azido bridges

An asymmetric single EO azido bridged dinuclear copper(II) complex, [Cu₂(dmterpy)₂(μ-1,1-N₃)(N₃)₂] · NO₃ · (H₂O)₂1 [dmterpy = 5,5″-dimethyl-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine], and a double EO azido bridged dinuclear nickel(II) complex, [Ni₂(pbdiim)₄(μ-1,1-N₃)₂] · 2(N₃) · 6(H₂O) 2 [pbdiim = 2-(2′-pyridyl)benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]diimidazole], have been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically. Compound 1 consists of a single EO azido bridged Cu^II dimer in which each Cu^II ion is five-coordinated in the form of a distorted square-based pyramid. The N_(μ−1,1) atom holds on the apical position of one Cu^II pyramid with an elongated bond length of 2.305 Å and on the basal plane of another distorted Cu^II pyramid with a bond length of 1.991 Å. The Cu-N_(μ−1,1)-Cu angle is 117.4 (2)°. The copper(II) dimer forms a 1 D zig-zag chain via hydrogen bondings between azide ions, water molecules and the nitrate anion. Compound 2 consists of a double EO azido bridged Ni^II dimer with the Ni-N_(μ−1,1)-Ni bond angle of 102.96 (13)°. The coordination geometry of Ni^II is octahedral. Their magnetic properties have been measured in the range from 300 to 2 K and correlated with the molecular structures. Compound 1 shows weak ferromagnetic interactions within the copper(II) dimer (J = 2.88 cm⁻¹), despite the large EO azide bridge angle (117.4 (2)°). The intramolecular coupling between the Ni^II (S = 1) ions in compound 2 was found to be ferromagnetic (J = 27.87 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent properties of two cadmium thiocyanate coordination polymers with benzylpyridyl cations

Two luminescent Cd(II) complexes [RBzPy][Cd(SCN)₃] for R = Cl (1) and Br (2) have been synthesized and structurally characterized. The Cd atoms are all N3S3 hexa-coordinated with six bridging SCN⁻ and form infinite [Cd(SCN)₃]_∞ polymeric chains. The layer arrangement of the anionic chains was obtained using the larger halogenated benzylpyridyl cations. The luminescent properties of 1 and 2 in the solid state were investigated.     

Linkage of cation binding and folding in human telomeric quadruplex DNA

Formation of DNA quadruplexes requires monovalent cation binding. To characterize the cation binding stoichiometry and linkage between binding and folding, we carried out KCl titrations of Tel22 (d[A(GGGTTA)₃]), a model of the human telomere sequence, using a fluorescent indicator to determine [K⁺]_free and circular dichroism to assess the extent of folding. At [K⁺]_free = 5 mM (sufficient for > 95% folding), the apparent binding stoichiometry is 3K⁺/Tel22; at [K⁺]_free = 20 mM, it increased to 8-10K⁺/Tel22. Thermodynamic analysis shows that at [K⁺]_free = 5 mM, K⁺ binding contributes approximately − 4.9 kcal/mol for folding Tel22. The overall folding free energy is − 2.4 kcal/mol, indicating that there are energetically unfavorable contributions to folding. Thus, quadruplex folding is driven almost entirely by the energy of cation binding with little or no contribution from other weak molecular interactions.     

Preparation and structure of [Ru2(O2CMe)4]2[Fe(CN)5NO] and magnetically ordered Hx[Ru2(O2CMe)4]3−x[Cr(CN)5NO] possessing interpenetrating lattices

Reaction of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]Cl with K₃[Cr(CN)₅NO] in water forms H_x[Ru^II/III₂(O₂CMe)₄]_3−x-[Cr(CN)₅NO]·zH₂O (x = 0.2) that magnetically orders at 4.0 K and possesses an interpenetrating body centered cubic [a = 13.2509(2) Å] structure with random locations of the bridging nitrosyl ligands, and x/3 vacant cation sites. Similarly, the aqueous reaction of [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]Cl with Na₂[Fe(CN)₅NO] forms paramagnetic [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]₂[Fe(CN)₅NO]·H₂O, which has a similar tetragonal interpenetrating structure [a = 13.0186(1) Å, c = 13.0699(2) Å] where the NO ligands are presumably nonbridging and 1/3 of the expected cation sites are unoccupied. The presence of uncoordinated NO sites in addition to missing neighboring [Ru₂(O₂CMe)₄]⁺ units, results in significant vacancies (or holes) in the lattice.