Polynuclear complex formation of trivalent lanthanides by 5-sulfosalicylate in an aqueous system—potentiometric, H NMR, and TRLIFS studies

The complex formation between several trivalent lanthanides (Ln) and 5-sulfosalicylate, (SSA)³⁻, was investigated by potentiometry, ¹H NMR, and time resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy (TRLIFS). The potentiometric data were used to deduce the stoichiometry and equilibrium constants for the reactions pLn³⁺ + rL ? Ln_pH_−qL_r + qH⁺ at 298 K in an ionic medium with a constant concentration of Na⁺ equal to 1.00 M. Note that “L” denotes the SSA ligand where all protons are dissociated. Two mononuclear chelating complexes, LnL(aq) and , were identified. Their stability constants obtained by least-squares refinement of the potentiometric data agree well with previously published information. In addition, two additional dinuclear complexes, and , which have very different ¹H NMR and fluorescence characteristics, were identified by least-squares refinement in the −log[H⁺] range of 6.0-10.0. ¹H NMR spectra from the ligand in the complex showed separate peaks having two different rates of exchange with free ligand in the bulk solution besides a signal from the free and carboxylate-coordinated ligands. This indicates that the dinuclear complex, , consists of two different types of chelating ligands: μ-{OR}-type chelating ligands between metals to form the {Ln₂L₂}-type core structure and the bidentate ligands outside the {Ln₂L₂}-type core. This core structure is different from the An(IV)-SSA case (An(IV): tetravalent actinide), in which hydroxides play the role of forming the {An₂(OH)₂}-type core structure. TRLIFS measurement gave further information about the dynamics and molecular structures of the complexes.     

Luminescent metalloreceptors with pendant macrocyclic ionophore: Synthesis, characterization, electrochemistry and ion-binding study

Metalloreceptors containing ruthenium(II) bipyridine unit as fluorophore and pendant macrocyclic units as ionophore have been synthesized and their luminescence and electrochemical properties have been investigated. Ion-binding study of these fluoroionophore with the anions F⁻, Cl⁻, Br⁻, I⁻, , , , , CH₃COO⁻, and and cations Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺, monitored by luminescence and ¹H NMR spectral changes, reveal strong interactions of and F⁻ for 2 and 3 and of Cu²⁺ only for 3. Luminescence titrations for 2 and 3 have been carried out to determine binding constants (K_s), and the calculated values are in the range 2.85 × 10² to 4.48 × 10⁴ M⁻¹. The ¹H NMR spectral changes for 2 and 3 with the addition of increasing concentration of F⁻ and exhibit substantial low-field shift of the CONH proton indicating its involvement in complex formation with the anions. The adduct of 2 and 3 have been isolated and characterized by ¹H and ³¹P NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy. The results are discussed in light of selectivity, structures of the anion bound complexes and their luminescence property.     

An aptamer-based fluorescent biosensor for potassium ion detection using a pyrene-labeled molecular beacon

A novel and sensitive biosensor based on aptamer and pyrene-labeled fluorescent probes for the determination of K⁺ was developed. The aptamer was used as a molecular recognition element and a partially complementary oligonucleotide with the aptamer was labeled by pyrene moieties at both ends to transduce the binding event of K⁺ with aptamer. In the presence of K⁺, the complementary oligonucleotides were displaced from aptamers, which was accompanied by excimer fluorescence of pyrenes because the self-hairpin structure of the complementary oligonucleotide brought pyrene moieties into close proximity. However, it gave only monomer emission in the absence of K⁺. Under optimum conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of pyrene was proportional to the concentration of K⁺ in the range of 6.0 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.0 × 10⁻² M. A detection limit of 4.0 × 10⁻⁴ M was achieved. Moreover, this method was able to detect K⁺ with high selectivity in the presence of Na⁺, , Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ ions of biological fluids. In brief, the assay may have great potential applications, especially in a biological environment because of its simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity.     

Microwave-assisted solubilization and solution properties of hyperbranched polysaccharide

A water-insoluble hyperbranched β-d-glucan (TM3a), extracted from sclerotia of Pleurotus tuber-regium, was treated by microwave exposure to improve its solubility in water. This method led to complete dissolution of the TM3a polysaccharide in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃. Various treatment periods were tested, and optimal conditions corresponded to 35 s at 765 W. The solution properties of TM3a in water were studied systematically by using size-exclusion chromatography combined with laser light scattering, viscometry, and dynamic light scattering at 25 °C. The dependences of intrinsic viscosity ([η]), radius of gyration (), and hydrodynamic radius (R_h) on weight average molecular weight (M_w) for TM3a in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃ at 25 °C were found to be , , and in the M_w range from 8.20 × 10⁵ to 4.88 × 10⁶. The fractal dimension, ratio of , and the <r²>_o/M_w value of TM3a were calculated and discussed. The results indicated that TM3a existed in a sphere-like conformation in 0.02 wt % aqueous NaN₃. Furthermore, by using transmission electron microscopy, we observed directly the spherical molecules of TM3a. This work gave valuable information on improvement of solubility and chain conformation characterization of the water-insoluble polysaccharide in water.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion

The oxidation of oxalic acid by tetrachloroaurate(III) ion in 0.005 ? [HClO₄] ? 0.5 mol dm⁻³ is first order in and a fractional order in [oxalic acid], the reactive entities being AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions. The pseudo first-order rate, k_obs, with respect to [Au(III)], is retarded by increasing [H⁺] and [Cl⁻]. The retardation by H⁺ ion is caused by the dissociation equilibrium . A mechanism in which a substitution complex, is formed from AuCl₃(OH)⁻ and ions prior to its rate limiting disproportionation into products is suggested. The rate limiting constant, k, has been evaluated and its activation parameters are reported. The equilibrium constant K₁ for the formation of the substitution complex and its thermodynamic parameters are also reported.     

Oxomolybdenum(III, IV and V) complexes of thiofunctional ligands

Reaction of [MoO₂(acac)₂] with (S is a thioether, S′ a thiophenolate function) yielded the compound Li₇(thf)₁₇{MoO}₈ · 10thf · hexane, where {MoO}₈ represents one 1, three (2, linked, via the oxo group, to [Li(thf)₃]⁺) and two (3a, linked by two [Li(thf)₂]⁺).A mixed-valent variant of 3, (3b, with an additional[Li(thf)₃]⁺ attached to S′), was also identified. The compounds model features pertinent to oxo-transferases containing the molybdopterin cofactor.     

Extraction properties for alkali metal picrates of macrocyclic trinuclear (p-cymene)ruthenium(II) and (pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)rhodium(III) complexes

The solvent extraction properties of macrocyclic trinuclear organometallic complexes, [(p-cymene)Ru(pyO₂)]₃ and [Cp^∗Rh(pyO₂)]₃, for Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ picrates have been investigated in a dichloromethane-water system at 25 °C. The extraction rates of the alkali metal picrates with these macrocyclic complex ligands are unusually slow; the shaking times required to attain equilibrium are at least 1 h for [(p-cymene)Ru(pyO₂)]₃ and 20-40 h for [Cp^∗Rh(pyO₂)]₃. From analysis of the equilibrium data, the extraction constants (K_ex = [ML⁺A⁻]_o/[M⁺][L]_o[A⁻]; M⁺ = alkali metal ion, L = macrocyclic ligand, A⁻ = picrate ion, o = organic phase) have been determined. The log K_ex value varies in the sequences, Li⁺ (5.72) > Na⁺ (4.50) > K⁺ (2.88) for [(p-cymene)Ru(pyO₂)]₃ and Li⁺ (4.79) > Na⁺ (2.70) ≈ K⁺ (2.69) for [Cp^∗Rh(pyO₂)]₃. The K_ex values of 6,6-dibenzyl-14-crown-4 (DBz14C4), which is one of the best Li⁺-selective crown ethers, have also been determined for comparison. It is revealed that [Cp^∗Rh(pyO₂)]₃ is much superior to DBz14C4 both in the extractability for Li⁺ and the selectivity for Li⁺ over Na⁺.     

Heterodimetallic Pd-based carboxylate-bridged complexes: Synthesis and structure of single-crystalline Pd-M (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Nd, Eu, Ce) acetates

A series of crystalline Pd^II-based heterodimetallic acetate-bridged complexes containing the transition (Mn^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II), post-transition (Zn^II) and rare-earth (Ce^IV, Nd^III, Eu^III) metals were synthesized starting from Pd₃(OOCMe)₆ and the complementary metal(II, III) acetates. The crystal and molecular structures of the binuclear Pd^IIM^II(μ-OOCMe)₄L (M = Mn, Co, Ni, Zn; L = H₂O, MeCN), trinuclear and tetranuclear (M = Nd, Eu) and complexes were established by X-ray diffraction.     

Reaction of hydrogen peroxide with hexaaquacobalt(III) perchlorate

The reaction of with H₂O₂ in 1.0 M HClO₄/LiClO₄ was found to be first-order in both reactants and the [H⁺] dependence of the second-order rate constant is given by k_2obs = b/[H⁺], b at 25 °C is 26.4 ± 0.5 s⁻¹. The rate law shows a simple inverse dependence on [H⁺] that is consistent with a rapidly maintained equilibrium between and its hydrolyzed form Co(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺, followed by the rate controlling step, i.e. oxidation of H₂O₂ by Co(H₂O)₅(OH)²⁺.     

Anation kinetics of pentacyanoaquachromate(III) by thiocyanate and azide

The kinetics of the reaction of Cr(CN)₅(H₂O)²⁻ with NCS⁻ and were studied at pH 5.0 and at pH 6.3-7.0, respectively, as a function of the temperature between 25.0 and 55.0 °C, and at various ionic strengths. Anation occurs in competition with aquation of CN⁻, with rate constants that exhibit less-than-first-order dependence on the concentration of the entering anions. The results are interpreted in terms of ligand interchange in a context of association of the two reacting anions mediated by the Na⁺ or Ca²⁺ counterions. The degree of aggregation depends mainly on the total cationic charge rather than on the ionic strength, and is ca. 2-fold larger for than for NCS⁻. Within the associated species, is a better entering ligand than NCS⁻ by a factor of 4.5. The Cr(CN)₅(NCS)³⁻ and Cr(CN)₅(N₃)³⁻ complexes were also synthesized, and the rates of aquation of NCS⁻ and were measured at pH 5.0 and between 55.0 and 80.0 °C, over the same range of ionic strengths. The ionic strength enhances the anation rates but has little effect on the aquation rates. The average activation enthalpies of the interchange step are 80 ± 3 and 76 ± 3 kJ mol⁻¹ for entry of NCS⁻ and , respectively. Those of the corresponding aquation reactions are 94 ± 4 and 107 ± 4 kJ mol⁻¹. Within error limits, all ΔH^‡ values are independent of the ionic strength. The results are consistent with an I_d mechanism for substitution in Cr(CN)₅X^z− complexes.     

Kinetic studies of the reduction of hexaaquacobalt(III) perchlorate by a cobaloxime, [Co(dmgBF2)2(H2O)2]

The reaction of with Co(dmgBF₂)₂(H₂O)₂ in 1.0 M HClO₄/LiClO₄ was found to be first-order in both reactants and the [H⁺] dependence of the second-order rate constant is given by k_2obs = b/[H⁺], b at 25 °C is 9.23 ± 0.14 × 10² s⁻¹. The [H⁺] dependence at lower temperatures shows some saturation effect that allowed an estimate of the hydrolysis constant for as K_a = 9.5 × 10⁻³ M at 10 and 15 °C. Marcus theory and the known self-exchange rate constant for Co(OH₂)₅OH^2+/+ were used to estimate an electron self-exchange rate constant of k₂₂ = 1.7 × 10⁻⁴ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for .     

Excited state properties of Tl2B12H12. Metal-centered photoluminescence

The compound Tl₂B₁₂H₁₂ which consists of icosahedral anions and Tl⁺ cations shows a metal-centered r.t. luminescence at λ_max = 530 nm which originates from the lowest-energy sp triplet of Tl⁺. This emission indicates a considerable covalent interaction between Tl⁺ and which is based on the hydridic nature of the boron cluster.     

Arylazoimidazoliumchloride and chlorometallates: Spectroscopic and structural characterization

Protonation or dialkylation of 2-(arylazo)imidazoles (RaaiH) has generated azoimidazolium motif (RaaiH₂⁺, RaaiR^′H⁺, RaaiR^′₂⁺ where R = H, CH₃ and R^′ = Me, Et, -CH₂Ph). Electrostatic attraction between imdazolium cation and counter ions like Cl⁻, , has generated hydrogen bonded azoimidazolium-chloride/chlorometallated networks. The single crystal X-ray structure of 1-benzyl-2-(phenylazo)imidazolium chloride shows tape like 1-D network of [Cl(H₂O)₄]⁻. Aquated Cl⁻ forms 10 membered supracycle through hydrogen bonding with imidazolium ion. The X-ray structures of [HaaiMe₂ (1,3)]⁺[Me₂NH₂]⁺ [ZnCl₄]²⁻ and [MeaaiH₂⁺·H₂O]₂[PtCl₆]²⁻ show hydrogen bonded chlorometallate chain penetrated into the channel developed by organic motif. Azoimidazolium units are associated through π···π and C-H···π interactions to strengthen the supramolecular geometry.     

Kinetic studies of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)iron(III) perchlorate with cobaloxime, [Co(dmgBF2)2(H2O)2]

The kinetics of the reduction of by Co(dmgBF₂)₂(H₂O)₂ in 0.041 M HNO₃/NaNO₃ was found to be first-order in both the oxidizing and reducing agents and the second-order rate constant is given by k_obs = k₁ + k₂K[Cl⁻], with k₁=1.59 × 10⁶ M⁻¹ s⁻¹and k₂K = 1.83 × 10⁸ M⁻² s⁻¹, at 25 °C. The term that is first-order in [Cl⁻] is attributed to the formation of an ion-pair between and Cl⁻. For k₁, the activation parameters ΔH* and ΔS* are 2.22 ± 0.02 kcal mol⁻¹ and −22.7 ± 0.8 cal mol⁻¹ K⁻¹, respectively. The self-exchange rate constant of k₂₂ ≈ 8.7 × 10⁻³ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ for was estimated using Marcus theory and the known self-exchange rate constant for .     

Ruthenium(II) complexes possessing the η-p-cymene ligand

Complexes possessing a soft donor η⁶-arene and hard donor acetylacetonate ligand, [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac-μ-CH)]₂[OTf]₂ (1) (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate; acac = acetylacetonate) and {Ar′ = 3,5-(CF₃)-C₆H₃}, were prepared and fully characterized. The lability of the μ-CH linkage for complex 1 and the THF ligand of 2 allow access to the unsaturated cation [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac)]⁺. The reaction of with KTp {Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolyl)borate} produces . The azide complex forms upon reaction of with N₃Ar (Ar = p-tolyl), and reaction of with CHCl₃ at 100 °C yields the chloride-bridged binuclear complex . The details of solid-state structures of [(η⁶-p-cymene)Ru(κ²-O,O-acac-μ-CH)]₂[OTf]₂ (1), and are disclosed.     

Argentophilic interaction and anionic control of supramolecular structures in simple silver pyridine complexes

The synthesis and characterization of three simple 1:2 silver(I) pyridine adducts of different counter-anions, [Ag(py)₂]⁺ · X⁻ (X = ClO₄, 1; BF₄, 2; PF₆, 3), are reported. The structural studies for 1-3 reveal the presence of strong ligand-unsupported argentophilic interactions between [Ag(py)₂]⁺ ions, forming pairs of . The Ag?Ag contact distances are 2.96-3.00 Å. In 1 and 2, pairs of are further linked into 1-D infinite chains by a combined set of multiple Ag?Ag close contacts (3.34-3.37 Å), offset ‘head to head’ π-π stacking, and anion bridging interactions. Such combined set of interactions is anion-dependant with 1 and 2 containing anions of tetrahedral geometry and , affording essentially the same supramolecular architecture. Metal-anion interactions are crucial in organizing the 1-D chains into 3-D networks. The ES-MS studies of 1 and 2 provide positive evidence for the aggregation of silver(I) ions in solution. In contrast, for 3 with the counter-anion of octahedral , pairs of are organized into a 3-D network via a combined set of Ag?F contacts, C(H)?F hydrogen bonds, and ‘head to tail’ π-π stacking interactions. No extended 1-D polymeric chains of silver ions are present in 3.     

On the mechanism of formation and spectral properties of radical anions generated by the reduction of -[Re(CO)3(5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline)] and -[Re(CO)3(3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline)] pendants in poly-4-vinylpyridine polymers

The electrochemical reduction in aprotic media of -[Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺ pendants in poly-4-vinylpyridine polymers is compared to that of [Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺ complexes (L = 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline). The UV-Vis absorption spectra of the reduced radical anions of 5-nitro-1,10-phenanthroline (NO₂-phen) and 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (tmphen) were obtained by spectro-electrochemistry of [Re^I(CO)₃(NO₂-phen)(CH₃CN)]⁺ and [Re^I(CO)₃(tmphen)(CH₃CN)]⁺, respectively. Similar spectra were obtained for the radical anions -phen and tmphen⁻ after pulse radiolysis experiments with -[Re^I(CO)₃L]⁺-containing polymers. The analysis of the time-resolved difference spectra was performed using “multivariate curve resolution” (MCR) techniques. Unlike , CH₂OH radicals were unable to reduce tmphen ligands. The reaction of and/or CH₂OH with -[Re^I(CO)₃(NO₂-phen)]⁺-containing polymers generates -[Re^I(CO)₃(-phen)] pendants which after disproportionation give rise to products with λ_max = 380 nm. The kinetic behavior of -[Re^I(CO)₃(-phen)] pendants under different experimental conditions is discussed.     

Novel structural variation of silver(I)-pyridine complexes in nitromethane as studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

The XAFS spectra were measured at around the Ag K-edge of the Ag(I) ion in nitromethane (NM) with a variety of concentrations of pyridine (PY). In NM without PY, the Ag(I) ion is tetrahedrally solvated by four NM molecules similar to those in most solvents. The Ag-O bond length in NM solvent is longer than that in aqueous solution, indicating the low donating ability of NM. The mono-, bis-, tris-, and tetrakis-pyridine complexes are formed in NM by the addition of PY. The EXAFS analyses reveal that the structure of the formed PY complex in NM is linear for Ag(py)(nm)⁺, linear for , triangular for , and tetrahedral for . The longer Ag-O bond length for Ag(py)(nm)⁺ than that for and the release of bound NM molecules at the formation of Ag(py)(nm)⁺ are interpreted to be due to the strong σ donating property of PY. The Ag-N bond length (220 pm) for is intermediate between 216 pm for and 228 pm for . The formation equilibria of and are analyzed on the basis of the changeover of EXAFS spectra as a function of the total concentrations of Ag⁺ and PY in NM.