Intramolecular exchange of coordinated and dangling phosphines in pentacarbonyl group 6 complexes of 1,1,2-tris(diphenylphosphino)ethane

The linkage isomers, (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂ CH₂CH(PPh₂)₂] 1 and (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂ CH(PPh₂)CH₂PPh₂] 2 (M = Cr, Mo and W) exist in equilibrium at room temperature. Equilibrium constants for 1Cr ? 2Cr, 1Mo ? 2Mo and 1W ? 2W at 25 °C in CDCl₃ are 2.61, 5.0 and 4.74, respectively. Enthalpy favors the forward reaction (ΔH = −13.5, −12 and −12.2 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively) while entropy favors the reverse reaction (ΔS = −37.6, −28 and −28.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively). Isomerization is much faster than chelation with 1Mo ? 2Mo ? 1W ? 2W > 1Cr ? 2Cr. Enthalpies of activation for 1Cr ? 2Cr and 1W ? 2W are 119.0 and 92.6 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, and entropies of activation are 1.4 and −28.2 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹, respectively. Isomerization is 10⁴ times faster for these complexes than for (OC)₅M[κ¹-PPh₂CH₂CH₂P(p-tolyl)₂]. A novel mechanism is proposed to account for the rate differences. The X-ray crystal structure of 2W shows that the phosphorus atom of the short phosphine arm lies very close to a carbon atom of the W(CO)₄ equatorial plane (3.40 Å) which could allow “through-space” coupling, accounting in part for the observation of long-range J_PC and J_PW coupling. The X-ray structure of (OC)₅W[κ¹-PPh₂ C(CH₂)PPh₂] 5W has been determined for comparison to 2W.     

An equatorial tri-iron substituted Wells-Dawson type tungstophosphate with magnetic and bifunctional electrocatalytic properties

Interaction of the hexa-lacunary polyanion precursor [α-H₂P₂W₁₂O₄₈]¹²⁻ and the Fe^III in aqueous solution results in the formation of an equatorial tri-iron substituted Wells-Dawson type compound, K₄Cs₂Fe₂[P₂W₁₅(FeOH)₃O₅₉]·22H₂O (1). Compound 1 was characterized by IR, elemental, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric, magnetic, as well as electrochemical analysis. The polyoxoanion [P₂W₁₅(FeOH)₃O₅₉]¹²⁻ can be viewed as a derivative of the parent polyoxoanion [α-P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ by removal of three belt WO groups and then inhabited by three FeOH groups. The compound 1-modified carbon paste electrode (1-CPE) presents good electrocatalytic activity not only toward the reduction of nitrite which is attributed to the function of tungstophosphate, but also toward the oxidation of ascorbic acid which is primarily attributed to the function of Fe^III. The magnetic properties of 1 have been studied by magnetic susceptibility and fitted according to an isotropic exchange model. Compound 1 exhibits strong antiferromagnetic spin exchange interactions between the Fe^III centers.     

Synthesis and X-ray characterization of nickel(II) arsenatotungstate complexes: isolation of an intermediate leading to the formation of a sandwich-type polyoxometalate

The nickel arsenatotungstate K₁₀[As₂W₁₉(H₂O){Ni(H₂O)}₂O₆₇]·18H₂O (1) has been synthesized. Due to its instability in water, attempts to obtain crystals of 1 suitable for X-ray diffraction have failed. The stabilization of the [As₂W₁₉(H₂O){Ni(H₂O)}₂O₆₇]¹⁰⁻ core has been reached by synthesizing the analogue mixed {CsK} salt. The crystal structure of Cs₆K₂[Ni(H₂O)₆][As₂W₁₉(H₂O){Ni(H₂O)}₂O₆₇]·17H₂O (2) has been resolved. It consists of two [α-AsW₉O₃₃]⁹⁻ sub-units linked via a belt containing a tungsten and two nickel cations. Comparison of infrared and electronic absorption spectroscopic data for 1 and 2 has confirmed the structure proposed for 1. The instability of 1 led us to investigate the behavior of 1 in water. UV-Vis spectroscopy revealed that the formation of this complex is a multi-step reaction. An intermediate, the complex K₈[Ni(H₂O)₆]_1.5[As₂W₁₉(H₂O){K(H₂O)}{Ni(H₂O)₄}O₆₇]·21H₂O (3), has been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, UV-Vis and infrared spectroscopies, and X-ray diffraction. In 3, the two vacant sites of the [As₂W₁₉O₆₇]¹⁴⁻ anion are occupied by a nickel and a potassium, forming a {WNiK} belt. It follows that the stability of 2 in water is due to the large ionic radius of Cs⁺, which prevents the inclusion of the alkaline cation into the cavity of the [As₂W₁₉O₆₇]¹⁴⁻ anion. The complex 3 represents a unique example of a fully characterized intermediate leading to the formation of a sandwich-type polyoxometalate.     

Studies on Zn(II) and Cd(II) heteroligand complexes with RC(S)NHP(O)(OiPr)2 (R = Ph, NH2, PhNH) and α-diimine (bpy and phen) ligands. C-Cl bond cleavage of CH2Cl2 by [Zn(phen){PhC(S)NP(O)(OiPr)2}2]

The reaction of [ZnL^I,II₂] (L^I = [NH₂C(S)NP(O)(OiPr)₂]⁻; L^II = [PhNHC(S)NP(O)(OiPr)₂]⁻) or [Cd₂L^IV₄] (L^IV = [PhC(S)NP(O)(OiPr)₂]⁻) with 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) leads to the heteroligand complexes [Zn(bpy)L^I,II₂], [Zn(phen)L^I,II₂], [Cd(bpy)L^IV₂] or [Cd(phen)L^IV₂], respectively. The introduction of the diimine ligands into the coordination sphere of the metal cation provokes a change from 1,5-O,S- to 1,3-N,S-coordination of the anionic ligands for Zn but not for the Cd species. The reaction of [Zn(phen)L^IV₂] (L^IV = PhC(S)NP(O)(OiPr)₂⁻) with CH₂Cl₂ cleaves the chlorine atoms from CH₂Cl₂ and leads to the formation of [Zn(phen)L^IVCl] and S,S′-bis(benzimidothio-N-diisopropoxyphosphoryl)methane (L^IV-CH₂-L^IV) in high yields. Using CHCl₃ or CCl₄ instead of CH₂Cl₂ does not lead to the formation of chlorine substituted products even under reflux conditions. The new compounds were investigated by ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR, IR spectroscopy and microanalysis. Crystal structures of [ZnL^II₂], [Cd(phen)L^IV₂]·CH₂Cl₂, [Zn(bpy)L^I₂] and [Zn(phen)L^IVCl] were elucidated by X-ray diffraction.     

Syntheses, structures and luminescence of a series of Cd(II)-containing coordination polymers constructed from a long flexible bis-triazole ligand

Six novel Cd(II) coordination polymers based on 4,4′-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl)biphenyl (btmb), namely, [Cd(btmb)₂I₂]_n (1), [Cd(btmb)I₂]_n (2), {[Cd(btmb)₂(NO₃)₂]·H₂O}_n (3), {[Cd(btmb)₂(SCN)₂]·3H₂O}_n (4), {[Cd(btmb)(CH₃COO)₂(H₂O)]·CH₃CN}_n (5) and [Cd(btmb)Cl₂(H₂O)]_n (6) have been synthesized by the reactions of btmb with Cd(II) salts in the presence of different anions (I⁻, , NCS⁻, CH₃COO⁻ or Cl⁻) under appropriate reaction conditions. The assemblies of btmb with CdI₂ afford two different structures: two-dimensional (2D) rhombohedral grid layer network structure 1 and 2D layer structure 2 involved with one-dimensional (1D) linear cadmium chains. Treatment of btmb with Cd(NO₃)₂·4H₂O gives rise to a 2D grid network structure 3 which is similar to 1. When the I⁻ or NO₃⁻ anions were replaced by NCS⁻, CH₃COO⁻ or Cl⁻, different 1D coordination polymers 4-6 were obtained, respectively. Polymer 4 displays a 1D double-chain structure, while both polymers 5 and 6 show 1D zigzag chain structures. In addition, the luminescence measurements reveal that polymers 1-6 exhibit different fluorescent emissions in the solid-state at room temperature, which can be attributed to the various coordination environments of Cd(II), solvent molecules and different packing interactions in these polymers.     

Spontaneous resolution of a chiral polyoxometalate: Synthesis, crystal structures and properties

Two enantiomerically pure chiral POM-based compounds, [(CH₃)₂NH₂]₁₀[Zr(PW₁₁O₃₉)₂] · 10H₂O (Left-1, L-1 for short and Right-1, R-1 for short) have been prepared by conventional aqueous solution method without a chiral auxiliary and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of L-1 and R-1 contain two lacunary [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻ units, each acting as a tetra-dentate ligand, the Zr^IV cation sandwiched between two [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻ anions is of eight coordination and occupies a distorted square antiprismatic geometry. The circular dichroism spectra confirmed the occurrence of spontaneous resolution and the enantiomeric nature of L-1 and R-1. Cyclic voltammetric experiment for 1 represents two redox peaks corresponding to the redox processes of [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻ in the potential range from −1000 to 1000 mV.     

Assembly of three novel 2D frameworks with helical chains based on [H2W12O40] clusters and lanthanide - Organic complexes

Three novel polyoxotungstate-based rare earth compounds, [(C₆H₅NO₂)Ln(H₂O)₅]₂[H₂W₁₂O₄₀] · nH₂O (Ln = Ce³⁺ (1), Pr³⁺(2), n = 7; Nd³⁺ (3), n = 6), have been synthesized in aqueous solution and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectra and TG analysis. The structural feature of compounds 1-3 is that the α-metatungstate cluster [H₂W₁₂O₄₀]⁶⁻ anions are linked by the lanthanide (Ln) cation-organic coordination complexes, resulting in a two-dimensional (2D) structure with helical chains. The magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 have been studied by measuring their magnetic susceptibility in the temperature range 2-300 K, indicating the existence of spin-orbital coupling interactions and antiferromagnetic response. Furthermore, the electrochemical properties of 1-3 were studied.     

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.     

Speciation, stability constants and structures of complexes of copper(II), nickel(II), silver(I) and mercury(II) with PAMAM dendrimer and related tetraamide ligands

The acid-base properties and Cu(II), Ni(II), Ag(I) and Hg(II) binding abilities of PAMAM dendrimer, L, and of the simple model compounds, the tetraamides of EDTA and PDTA, L¹, were studied in solution by pH-metric methods and by ¹H NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. PAMAM is hexabasic and six pK_a values have been determined and assigned. PAMAM forms five identifiable complexes with copper(II), [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, [CuLH₂]⁴⁺, [CuLH]³⁺, [CuL]²⁺ and [CuLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 2-11 and three with nickel(II), [NiLH]³⁺, [NiL]²⁺ and [NiLH_-1]⁺ in the pH range 7-11. The complex [CuLH₄]⁶⁺, which contains two tertiary nitrogen and three amide oxygen atoms coordinated to the metal ion, is less stable than the analogous EDTA and PDTA tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, which contain two tertiary nitrogen and four amide oxygen atoms, due to ring size and charge effects. With increasing pH, [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ undergoes deprotonation of two coordinated amide groups to give [CuLH₂]⁴⁺ with a concomitant change from O-amide to N-amidate coordination. Surprisingly and in contrast to the tetraamide complexes [CuL¹]²⁺, these two deprotonation steps could not be separated. As expected the nickel(II) complexes are less stable than their copper(II) analogues. The tetra-N-methylamides of EDTA, L¹(b), and PDTA form mononuclear and binuclear complexes with Hg(II). In the case of L¹(b) these have stoichiometries HgL¹(b)Cl₂, [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂ and [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻. Based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data the proposed structure for HgL¹(b)Cl₂, the main tetraamide ligand containing species in the pH range <3-6.5, contains L¹(b) coordinated to the metal ion through the two tertiary nitrogens and two amide oxygens while the structure of [HgL¹(b)H₋₂Cl₂]²⁻, the main tetraamide ligand species at pH 7.5-9.0, contains the ligand similarly coordinated but through two amidate nitrogen atoms instead of amide oxygens. The proposed structure of [Hg₂L¹(b)Cl₂]²⁺, a minor species at pH 3-6.5, also based on ¹H NMR and pH-metric data, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amide oxygens and a chloride ligand while that of [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻, contains each Hg(II) coordinated to a tertiary amino nitrogen, two amidate nitrogens, a chloride and a hydroxo ligand in the case of one of the Hg(II) ions. The parent EDTA and PDTA amides only form mononuclear complexes. PAMAM also forms dinuclear as well as mononuclear complexes with mercury(II) and silver(I). In the pH range 3-11 six complexes with Hg(II) i.e. [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺, [HgLH₃Cl₂]³⁺, [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺, [Hg₂LH₋₁Cl₂]⁺, [HgLH₋₁Cl₂]⁻ and [HgLH₋₂Cl₂]²⁻ were identified and only two with Ag(I), [AgLH₃]⁴⁺ and [Ag₂L]²⁺. Based on stoichiometries, stability constant comparisons and ¹H NMR data, structures are proposed for these species. Hence [HgLH₄Cl₂]⁴⁺ is proposed to have a similar structure to [CuLH₄]⁶⁺ while [Hg₂LCl₂]²⁺has a similar structure to [Hg₂L¹(b)H₋₅Cl₂]³⁻.     

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.     

Iron(III), chromium(III) and cobalt(II) complexes with squarate: Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetic properties

The preparation and variable temperature-magnetic investigation of three squarate-containing complexes of formula [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (1) [Cr₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄]·2H₂O (2) and [Co(C₄O₄)(H₂O)₄]_n (3) [H₂C₄O₄ = 3.4-dihydroxycyclobutene-1,2-dione (squaric acid)] together with the crystal structures of 1 and 3 are reported. Complex 1 contains discrete centrosymmetric [Fe₂(OH)₂(C₄O₄)₂(H₂O)₄] diiron(II) units where the iron pairs are joined by a di-μ-hydroxo bridge and two squarate ligands acting as bridging groups through adjacent oxygen atoms. Two coordinated water molecules in cis position complete the octahedral environment at each iron atom in 1. The iron-iron distance with the dinuclear unit is 3.0722(6) Å and the angle at the hydroxo bridge is 99.99(7)°, values which compare well with the corresponding ones in the isostructural compound 2 (2.998 Å and 99.47°) whose structure was reported previously. The crystal structure of 3 contains neutral chains of squarato-O¹,O³-bridged cobalt(II) ions where four coordinated water molecules complete the six-coordination at each cobalt atom. The cobalt-cobalt separation across the squarate bridge is 8.0595(4) Å. A relatively important intramolecular antiferromagnetic coupling occurs in 1 whereas it is very weak in 2, the exchange pathway being the same [J = −14.4 (1) and −0.07 cm⁻¹ (2), the spin Hamiltonian being defined as ]. A weak intrachain antiferromagnetic interaction between the high-spin cobalt(II) ions occurs in 3 (J = −0.30 cm⁻¹). The magnitude and nature of these magnetic interactions are discussed in the light of their respective structures and they are compared with those reported for related systems.     

Mononuclear and polynuclear halide and nitrate Cu(II) compounds with 1,4,5-triazanaphthalene as a ligand: Characterization, magnetism and X-ray structures

Using the ligand 1,4,5-triazanaphthalene (abbreviated as tan) in combination with Cu(II) salts, three mononuclear compounds, Cu(tan)₂Cl₂ (1), Cu(tan)₂Br₂ (3), Cu(tan)₂(NO₃)₂ (5) and three polynuclear compounds, [Cu(tan)Cl₂]_n (2), [Cu(tan)Br₂]_n (4), [Cu(tan)(NO₃)₂]_n (6) have been synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis, EPR, FTIR and Far-FTIR spectroscopies. The crystal structures of compounds 1, 3, 5 and 6 are reported, as well as that of the dioxane adduct of compound 4, [Cu(tan)Br₂(C₄H₈O₂)](C₄H₈O₂) (4A).The structure of (2) was solved by X-ray powder diffraction. The coordination geometry around the Cu(II) atoms is tetrahedral for (1) and (3), square-pyramidal for (4A) and distorted octahedral for (5) and (6). Magnetic susceptibility measurements on the polynuclear compounds revealed weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Cu(II) atoms with interaction constants (J) of J = −9.1 and −10.5 cm⁻¹, for 4 and 6, respectively. For compound 2 two options for possible interactions were considered, with interaction constants which vary for J_rung −22.0 to −13.5 cm⁻¹ and J_rail −19.6 to −17.0 cm⁻¹. These figures are discussed in the light of relevant structural parameters and literature.     

Synthesis, isolation and spectroscopic characterization of Dawson polyoxotungstate-supported, organometallic complex, [{(C6H6)Ru}P2W15V3O62]: The two positional isomers

The Dawson polyoxotungstate (POM)-based, organometallic ruthenium(II) complex, [{(C₆H₆)Ru}P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]⁷⁻, was synthesized as two materials, i.e. 1 · 2Bu₄NCl and 1 · 1Bu₄NCl (1 = (Bu₄N)₇[{(C₆H₆)Ru}P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]), which contained two positional isomers a and b as major or minor species. In isomer a with the overall C_s symmetry, the (C₆H₆)Ru²⁺ group was supported on one vanadium(V) octahedral site (two V-O-V bridging oxygens and one OV terminal oxygen) of the three edge-shared vanadium(V) octahedra (V₃ site, B-site) in the Dawson POM-support [1,2,3-P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂]⁹⁻, whereas in the other isomer b with the overall C_3v symmetry, the (C₆H₆)Ru²⁺ group was supported on the center of the V₃ site in the Dawson POM-support. Material 1 · 2Bu₄NCl was prepared by a stoichiometric reaction in CH₂Cl₂ at ambient temperature of the Dawson POM-support (Bu₄N)₉[1,2,3-P₂W₁₅V₃O₆₂] with the precursor [(C₆H₆)RuCl₂]₂, whereas material 1 · 1Bu₄NCl was prepared by a stoichiometric reaction in CH₃CN under refluxing conditions. The temperature-varied ³¹P NMR spectra revealed that b was thermodynamically more stable thana.     

Seven organic-inorganic hybrid compounds constructed from 2,4,6-tris-(pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine and polyoxometalates

Seven new organic-inorganic hybrid compounds containing inorganic polyoxometalates and trigonal organic ligand 2,4,6-tris-(3/4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine (3/4-tpt), namely [Mo₈O₂₆M(Htpt)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (M = Zn (1), Co (2), Ni (3)), [Mo₈O₂₆Cu(Htpt)₂(H₂O)₂]_n·2nH₂O (4), [Mo₈O₂₆(H₂tpt)₂]·6H₂O (5), [Mn(Mo₄O₁₃)(4-tpt)₂]_n (6) and [Fe₃(Mo₄O₁₅)(3-tpt)]_n·nH₂O (7), were synthesized hydrothermally and characterized by EA, IR, TG, and PXRD techniques. Single crystal X-ray structural analysis revealed that compounds 1-4 are 1-D coordination polymers constructed from [Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ cluster and [M(Htpt)₂(H₂O)₂]⁴⁺ fragments. Compound 5 is an isolated cluster composed of [Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ anion and monodentate H₂tpt²⁺ cation. 3-Tpt ligands in 1-5 are partially protonated and act as monodentate ligands. Octamolybdates adopt β- and γ-[Mo₈O₂₆]⁴⁻ structural mode in compounds 1-4 and 5, respectively. In compound 6, each [Mo₄O₁₃]²⁻ tetramer links four Mn(II) ions to form a 2-D wave-like polymeric layer. The 2-D [MnMo₄O₁₃] bimetallic layers are pillared by neutral 4-tpt bidentately to generate a 3-D metal-organic framework. Compound 7 is a 3-D coordination polymer constructed from 2-D [Fe₃(Mo₄O₁₅)] bimetallic polymeric layer and pillared by neutral tridentate 3-tpt. These compounds are thermal stable under 250 °C. The compounds 1 and 5 display luminescence with emission maximum at 481 and 442 nm, respectively.     

Zirconium and hafnium aqua complexes [(H2O)3M(P2W17O61)]: Synthesis, characterization and substitution of water by chiral ligand

The hydroxocomplexes [{(H₂O)M(μ₂-OH)(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)}₂]¹⁴⁻ (M = Zr, Hf) in HCl undergo cleavage of the hydroxo bridges with the formation of monomeric species [(H₂O)₃M(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]⁶⁻. In the case of Hf single crystals of the composition (Me₂NH₂)_5.5(H)_1.5[(Hf(H₂O)₃)_0.9(WO)_0.1{P₂W₁₇O₆₁}]Cl·9.5H₂O (1), as the result of co-crystallization of [(H₂O)₃Hf(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]⁶⁻ and [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻ salts, were isolated from these solutions and structurally characterized. Zr gives (Me₂NH₂)₂(H)₄[{(H₂O)₂ZrP₂W₁₇O₆₁}]·8.67H₂O (2), in whose structure chiral polymeric chains {[(H₂O)₂M(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]}_n⁶ⁿ⁻ are present. Under hydrothermal conditions the water molecules in [(H₂O)₃M(P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]⁶⁻ are replaced by l-malic acid with the formation of stable chiral polyoxoanions, isolated as (NH₂Me₂)₈[M(L-ООССН(ОН)СН₂СОО)P₂W₁₇O₆₁]·7·9H₂O (M = Zr, 3; M = Hf, 4). The structures of 1, 2 and 3 were determined; 3 and 4 were found to be isostructural. The products were also characterized by elemental analysis, thermogravimetry and IR-spectroscopy.     

Heterometal cubane-type WFe3S4 and related clusters trigonally symmetrized with hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate

The scope of formation and structures of tungsten-iron-sulfur clusters has been explored using reactions based on [(Tp*)WS₃]¹⁻ (1) as the ultimate precursor. The reaction system 1/FeCl₂/NaSEt/S affords the cubane cluster [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄Cl₃]¹⁻ (2), which with NaSEt is converted to [(Tp*)WFe₃S₄(SEt)₃]¹⁻ (3).Clusters 2 and 3 contain the cubane [WFe₃(μ₃-S)₄]³⁺ core.Complex 1 with FeCl₂/NaSEt forms [(Tp*)WFe₂S₃Cl₂(SEt)]¹⁻ (4) with the cuboidal [WFe₂(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)(μ₂-SR)]²⁺ core.Treatment of 2 with excess Et₃P yields the edge-bridged double [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₆S₈(PEt₃)₄] (5) with the [W₂Fe₆(μ₃-S)₆(μ₄-S)₂] core. Reaction of 2 with excess leads a mixture of products, from which [(Tp*)₂W₂Fe₅S₉Na(SH)(MeCN)]³⁻(6) was identified.This cluster, as closely related [(Tp)₂Mo₂Fe₆S₉(SH)₂]³⁻, exhibits a core topology [W₂Fe₅Na(μ₂-S)₂(μ₃-S)₆(μ₆-S)] very similar to the P^N cluster of nitrogenase. All reactions were carried out in acetonitrile. The structures of 2-6 were established crystallographically as Et₄N⁺ salts. In the cubane series, substitution of tungsten for molybdenum decreases the [MFe₃S₄]^3+/2+ redox potential by ca. 0.20 V but has a negligible effect on electron distribution. This work expands the small set of previously known weak-field W-Fe-S clusters, demonstrates the existence of tungsten-containing edge-bridged double cubanes and clusters with the P^N core topology, and introduces a new cuboidal core structure as found in 4 (Tp = hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate, Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate).     

Synthesis, structures and properties of dinuclear cadmium(II) complexes based on polybenzimidazole binucleating ligands

Three novel cadmium(II) complexes [Cd₂(tbpo)(O₂CC₆H₄-p-NO₂)₂]ClO₄·3CH₃OH (1) [Cd₂(bbap)(O₂CC₆H₄-p-NO₂)₂]ClO₄·4.5CH₃OH·0.75H₂O (2) and [Cd(ntb)(O₂CC₆H₄-p-NO₂)]ClO₄·4CH₃OH (3) have been synthesized and characterized by IR, elemental analysis, ¹H NMR and X-ray crystallography, where tbpo⁻ and bbap⁻ are anions of N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)-2-hydroxo-1,3-diaminopropane and 2,6-bis[bis(2-benzimidazolylmethyl)aminomethyl]-4-methylphenol, respectively; ntb is tris(2-benzimidazolymethyl)amine. Complexes 1 and 2 contain μ-phenolate-bridged and μ-alkoxo-bridged dicadmium(II) cores with the Cd1?Cd2 separation of 3.671 Å for complex 1 and 3.718 Å for 2. One of the 4-nitrobenzoate anions bridged the two cadmium(II) ions in syn-anti mode through its carboxylate group, the other 4-nitrobenzoate is only coordinated with Cd2 in bidentate chelating mode. The two central cadmium(II) atoms are in trigonal bipyramidal and pentagonal bipyramidal geometry. In complex 3, the cadmium(II) atom is coordinated with four nitrogen atoms of ntb and one carboxylate oxygen atom of 4-nitrobenzoate in distorted trigonal bipyramidal geometry. Experiment shows that there is a higher affinity of 4-nitrobenzoate anion as coligand with the dinuclear [Cd₂(tbpo)]³⁺ and [Cd₂(bbap)]³⁺ cores than that with the mononuclear [Cd(ntb)]²⁺ core.     

A family of polyamino phenolic macrocyclic ligands. Acid-base and coordination properties towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions

The acid-base and coordination properties towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) of four polyamino-phenol macrocycles 15-hydroxy-3,6,9-triazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-11,13,1¹⁵-triene L1, 18-hydroxy-3,6,9,12-tetraazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-14,16,1¹⁸-triene L2, 21-hydroxy-3,6,9,12,15-pentaazabicyclo[15.3.1]enaicosa-17,19,1²¹-triene L3 and 24-hydroxy-3,6,9,12,15,18-hexaazabicyclo[18.3.1]tetraicosa-20,22,1²⁴-triene L4 are reported. The protonation and stability constants were determined by means of potentiometric measurements in 0.15 mol dm⁻³ NMe₄Cl aqueous solution at 298.1 K. L1 forms highly unsaturated Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) mononuclear complexes that are prone to give dimeric dinuclear species with [(MH₋₁L1)₂]²⁺ stoichiometry, in solution. L2 forms stable Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) mononuclear complexes that can coordinate external species as OH⁻ anion, giving hydroxylated complexes at alkaline pH. L3 forms stable Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) mononuclear complexes and Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) dinuclear [M₂H₋₁L3]³⁺ species. L4 forms stable mono- and dinuclear Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes, but only mononuclear species with Pb(II). The effect of macrocyclic size is considered in the discussion of results.     

Anion effects on construction of Zn compounds with a chelating ligand bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine and their catalytic activities

Three Zn^II complexes containing bispicam ligands (bispicam = bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), [Zn(bispicam)₂](NO₃)₂·2CH₃OH 4A, [Zn(bispicam)(NO₃)₂] 4B, and [Zn(bispicam)₂](OTf)₂6, were obtained, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Complexes of the general formulation [Zn(bispicam)₂]X₂ (X = Cl⁻ (1), Br⁻ (2), I⁻ (3), NO₃⁻ (4A), ClO₄⁻ (5), and OTf⁻ (6)) show fac geometric isomers (a) or enantiomers (c) and (d) according to anions. Moreover, complexes 4-6 could carry out the catalytic transesterification of a range of esters with methanol under the mild conditions. Importantly, the catalyst 4B with an unsaturated structure has shown better efficiency than the catalysts, 4A, 5, and 6, having saturated structures. To explain this reactivity difference, two different reaction mechanisms have been proposed (metal-based vs. amide N-H-based).     

Niobium-substituted arsenotungstates: Controllable transformation between monomers and tetramer

Three niobium-containing arsenotungstates have been synthesized for the first time: peroxoniobium-containing Cs₅K[AsW₉(NbO₂)₃O₃₇]·7H₂O (1), peroxo-free Cs_5.5Na_0.5[AsW₉Nb₃O₄₀]·17H₂O (2), and tetramer Cs₁₀K₃H₃[As₄W₃₆Nb₁₆O₁₆₆]·28H₂O (3). Both monomers 1 and 2 can assemble into tetramer 3 in acidic conditions, and 3 can transform to 1 or 2 by adding H₂O₂ or adjusting the pH value. Comparing the Nb-containing POM systems of A-α-XW₉ (X = Si, Ge, As), although they are different only in heteroatoms, there are remarkable differences in reaction conditions and reactivity. The ¹⁸³W NMR spectra of 1, the UV-Vis spectra of 1-2 along with the IR spectra and thermal stability of 1-3 have been studied and compared with their Ge or Si analogs. The electrochemical properties of 1-3 have also been investigated and the cyclic voltammograms of 3 indicate good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrite.