Formation of cyclo- and polystannanes by dehydrogenative stannane coupling catalyzed by platinum(II) complexes

Reaction of (PhMe₂P)₂PtMe₂ or [(κ²-P,N)-Ph₂PC₂H₄NMe₂]PtMe₂ with an excess of H₂SnBu₂ or H₂SnPh₂ resulted in the catalytic formation of cyclo-, oligo- and/or polystannanes. In the reaction of (PhMe₂P)₂PtMe₂ with H₂SnBu₂, linear oligomeric species H(SnBu₂)_nH were observed in the initial stage of the reaction, which eventually converted into cyclostannanes. Only polystannanes were observed in the reaction of [(κ²-P,N)-Ph₂PC₂H₄NMe₂]PtMe₂ with H₂SnBu₂. The reactions of H₂SnPh₂ were similar, but more difficult to analyze due to redistribution reactions and the formation of insoluble products. The mechanism of the reactions is clearly different to that previously observed for HSnR₃ because metal complexes indicative of oxidative addition/reductive elimination reactions were only observed as minor products.     

Hydrothermal syntheses and structures of vanadium oxyfluorides templated by organic and metal organic cations

The hydrothermal reactions of V₂O₅, HF and an organodiphosphonic acid, in the presence of appropriate templating organoammonium or metal-organic complex cations provided three new oxyfluorovanadate compounds. The V(IV) species [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₃][V₃O₃F₂(H₂O){O₃PCH₂PO₃}₂]·2H₂O (1·2H₂O) exhibits a three-dimensional anionic framework constructed from {VO(O₃PCH₂PO₃)}_n²ⁿ⁻ chains and {VF₂O₄} octahedra. The molecular structure of [N(CH₂CH₂NH₃)₃]₂[NH₄][V₃O₂F₆(O₃PCH₂PO₃)₂]·2H₂O (2·2H₂O) is characterized by the presence of unique {V₃O₂F₆(O₃PCH₂PO₃)₂}⁷⁻ clusters. The bimetallic phase [{Cu(ophen)}VOF{HO₃P(CH₂)₅PO₃}] (3) is one-dimensional with {Cu₂V₂O₂F₂(HO₃PR)₂(O₃PR)₂} cluster building blocks.     

Extending the coordination chemistry of cobalt with the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4]: Synthesis of the first cobalt(III) derivatives

The coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards cobalt(II) and cobalt(III) centres has been explored using an electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (ESI MS)-directed methodology. Reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with CoCl₂·6H₂O in methanol gave a green-yellow suspension of the known adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoCl₂], and the CoBr₂ adduct could be similarly prepared. When in situ-generated [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoCl₂] is reacted with 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and base, the initial product is the cobalt(II) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ]⁺, which is then converted in air to the cobalt(III) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ₂]⁺, isolated as its hexafluorophosphate salt. The corresponding picolinate (Pic) derivative [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(Pic)₂]⁺ was similarly prepared, however reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], CoCl₂·6H₂O and 8-(tosylamino)quinoline (HTQ) produced only the cobalt(II) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoTQ]⁺. Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄], CoCl₂·6H₂O and dithiocarbamates gave cobalt(III) complexes [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(S₂CNR₂)₂]⁺ [R = Et or R₂ = (CH₂)₄], and proceeded much more rapidly, consistent with the known ability of the dithiocarbamate ligand to stabilize cobalt in higher oxidation states. A study of the fragmentation of cobalt(III) adducts by positive-ion ESI mass spectrometry indicated that [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄CoQ₂]⁺ fragments to form the radical cation [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄]⁺, which could also be generated by ESI MS analysis of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] in methanol-NaOH solution. In contrast, the corresponding indium(III) derivative [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄InQ₂]⁺, and the cobalt(III) dithiocarbamate [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Co(S₂CN(CH₂)₄)₂]⁺ are much more reluctant to fragment under analogous conditions, and the differences are discussed in terms of cobalt(III) redox chemistry.     

Raman and infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies of dinuclear rhenium and osmium complexes, M2(O2CCH3)4X2 (M = Re, Os; X = Cl, Br)

Infrared, far-infrared and Raman spectra of Re₂(O₂CCH₃)₄X₂ (X = Cl, Br) and Re₂(O₂CCD₃)₄Cl₂ have been recorded. Assignments of the vibrational spectra of Os₂(O₂CCH₃)₄Cl₂ and its deuterated derivative have been completed together with the Re complexes on the basis of normal-coordinate analysis. Force constant calculation was made for the acetate ion as well as for a four-atomic unit (with the CH₃ and CD₃ groups considered as point masses) using optimized masses of 16.7, 17.8, 20.5 and 21.6 for ¹²CH₃, ¹³CH₃, ¹²CD₃ and ¹³CD₃ groups, respectively. The force constants of the acetate ion have been adopted to the starting force field of the M₂(O₂CCH₃)₄X₂ type complexes. The metal-halide (0.889, 0.997 and 1.286 N cm⁻¹) and metal-metal stretching (3.32, 3.34 and 3.57 N cm⁻¹) force constants were obtained for Re₂(O₂CCH₃)₄Cl₂Re₂(O₂CCH₃)₄Br₂ and Os₂(O₂CCH₃)₄Cl₂ complexes, respectively. It was shown that the so-called diatomic approximation in most cases overestimates the M-M stretching force constants by 30-40%. Much better correlation has been obtained to fit these force constants, which produced values very close to those obtained by full normal-coordinate calculations. The Re-Re stretching force constants showed a reasonable correlation with the Re-Re bond distances for 18 rhenium complexes.     

Thallium(III) complexes of the metalloligands [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] and [Pt2(μ-Se)2(PPh3)4]

Reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with the diarylthallium(III) bromides Ar₂TlBr [Ar = Ph and p-ClC₆H₄] in methanol gave good yields of the thallium(III) adducts [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlAr₂]⁺, isolated as their salts. The corresponding selenide complex [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄TlPh₂]BPh₄ was similarly synthesised from [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄], Ph₂TlBr and NaBPh₄. The reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with PhTlBr₂ gave [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBrPh]⁺, while reaction with TlBr₃ gave the dibromothallium(III) adduct [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBr₂]⁺[TlBr₄]⁻. The latter complex is a rare example of a thallium(III) dihalide complex stabilised solely by sulfur donor ligands. X-ray crystal structure determinations on the complexes [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlPh₂]BPh₄, [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBrPh]BPh₄ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄TlBr₂][TlBr₄] reveal a greater interaction between the thallium(III) centre and the two sulfide ligands on stepwise replacement of Ph by Br, as indicated by shorter Tl-S and Pt?Tl distances, and an increasing S-Tl-S bond angle. Investigations of the ESI MS fragmentation behaviour of the thallium(III) complexes are reported.     

Effect of copper-substitution on the structure and nuclearity of Cu(II)-pyrazolates: from trinuclear to tetra-, hexa- and polynuclear complexes

The influence of terminal ligands on the structure and nuclearity of copper(II)-pyrazolates has been investigated. Exchange of the chloride ligands of [Cu₃(μ₃-X)(μ-pz)₃Cl₃]ⁿ⁻ (X=O, OH; n=2, 1) or [Cu₃(μ₃-Cl)₂(μ-pz)₃Cl₃]²⁻ complexes for cyanate, acetate or bromide ligands maintains the integrity of the triangular species: PPN[Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(μ-pz)₃(NCO)₃], PPN[Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(μ-pz)₃(O₂CCH₃)₃(H₂O)] · H₂O, Bu₄N[Cu₃(μ₃-OH)(μ-pz)₃(O₂CCH₃)₃] · 3H₂O and (Bu₄N)₂[Cu₃(μ₃-Br)₂(μ-pz)₃Br₃] have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction techniques, respectively. In contrast, tetranuclear complexes (Bu₄N)₂[Cu₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ-4-X-pz)₂(μ-O₂CPh)₂(O₂CPh)₄] (X=H, Cl, Br, NO₂) and the hexanuclear complex (Bu₄N)₂[Cu₆(μ₃-O)(μ₃-OH)(μ-4-NO₂-pz)₆(μ-O₂CPh)₃(O₂CPh)₂(H₂O)] · (CH₂Cl₂)_0.5 have been obtained on substitution for benzoate ligands. An attempt to partially substitute the chlorides for tert-butoxide ligands, also provided a tetranuclear complex, (Bu₄N)₂[Cu₄(μ-OH)₂(μ-pz)₄Cl₄], without incorporation of the incoming ligand. Similarly, removal of all chloride ions in the absence of an appropriate substituting ligand leads to higher nuclearity metallacycles [Cu(μ-OH)(μ-pz)]_n (n=6, 8, 9, 12, 14).     

Synthesis, crystal structure and vibrational spectroscopy of a novel mixed ligands Ni(II) pentaborate: [Ni(C4H10N2)(C2H8N2)2][B5O6(OH)4]2

A novel organic-inorganic hybrid pentaborate [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂][B₅O₆(OH)₄]₂ has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction and characterized by FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analyses and DTA-TGA. Its crystal structure was determined from single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure consists of isolated polyborate anion [B₅O₆(OH)₄]⁻ and nickel complex cation of [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂]²⁺, in which the two kinds of ligands come from the decomposition of triethylenetriamine material. The [B₅O₆(OH)₄]⁻ units are connected to one another through hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional framework with large channel along the a and c axes, in which the templating [Ni(C₄H₁₀N₂)(C₂H₈N₂)₂]²⁺ cations are located. The assignments of the record FT-IR absorption frequencies and Raman shifts were given.     

Torque Generation of Enterococcus hirae V-ATPase

V-ATPase (V_oV₁) converts the chemical free energy of ATP into an ion-motive force across the cell membrane via mechanical rotation. This energy conversion requires proper interactions between the rotor and stator in V_oV₁ for tight coupling among chemical reaction, torque generation, and ion transport. We developed an Escherichia coli expression system for Enterococcus hirae V_oV₁ (EhV_oV₁) and established a single-molecule rotation assay to measure the torque generated. Recombinant and native EhV_oV₁ exhibited almost identical dependence of ATP hydrolysis activity on sodium ion and ATP concentrations, indicating their functional equivalence. In a single-molecule rotation assay with a low load probe at high ATP concentration, EhV_oV₁ only showed the “clear” state without apparent backward steps, whereas EhV₁ showed two states, “clear” and “unclear.” Furthermore, EhV_oV₁ showed slower rotation than EhV₁ without the three distinct pauses separated by 120° that were observed in EhV₁. When using a large probe, EhV_oV₁ showed faster rotation than EhV₁, and the torque of EhV_oV₁ estimated from the continuous rotation was nearly double that of EhV₁. On the other hand, stepping torque of EhV₁ in the clear state was comparable with that of EhV_oV₁. These results indicate that rotor-stator interactions of the V_o moiety and/or sodium ion transport limit the rotation driven by the V₁ moiety, and the rotor-stator interactions in EhV_oV₁ are stabilized by two peripheral stalks to generate a larger torque than that of isolated EhV₁. However, the torque value was substantially lower than that of other rotary ATPases, implying the low energy conversion efficiency of EhV_oV₁.     

Syntheses, structures and electrochemical study of π-acetylene complexes of cobalt

The preparation and characterisation of the complexes [Co₂(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂][Co₂(CO)₆](Me₃SiC₂C₂SiMe₃) (4), [Co₂(CO)₄(dppm)][Co₂(CO)₆](Me₃SiC₂C₂H) (5), [Co₂(CO)₄(dppa)][Co₂(CO)₆](Me₃SiC₂C₂SiMe₃) (6), [Co₂(CO)₄(dppm)]₂[Co₂(CO)₆](Me₃SiC₂CCC₂C₂SiMe₃) (7) and [{SiMe₃(Co₂(CO)₄(dppm))C₂}₂(HCC)(1,3,5-C₆H₃)] (8) are described. An electrochemical study of the complexes 5-8 and of the related [Co₂(CO)₄(dppm)]₂(Me₃SiC₂(CC)₂C₂SiMe₃) (1), [Co₂(CO)₄(dppa)]₂(Me₃SiC₂C₂SiMe₃) (2) and [{SiMe₃(Co₂(CO)₄(dppm))C₂}(HCC)₂(1,3,5-C₆H₃)] (3) is presented by means of the cyclic and square-wave voltammetry techniques. Crystals of 8 suitable for single-crystal X-ray diffraction were grown and the molecular structure of this compound is discussed.     

EPR study of the oxidation reaction of nickel(0) phosphine complexes with Lewis and Brønsted acids

The oxidation of Ni(PPh₃)₄ with BF₃ · OEt₂, H₃CCOOH, and F₃CCOOH, and that of (PPh₃)₂Ni(C₂H₄) with BF₃ · OEt₂ is studied by EPR spectroscopy. The reaction of the Ni(0) complexes with BF₃ · OEt₂ gives Ni(II) complexes with which they react to form Ni(I) compounds with covalent Ni-F and Ni-B bonds that transform with excess BF₃ · OEt₂ into cationic paramagnetic Ni(I) complexes. Acetic acid also adds oxidatively to Ni(PPh₃)₄ to form a Ni(II) complex that reacts further to give Ni(I) hydride and carboxylate complexes. The Ni(I) hydride is transformed by the acid into the Ni(I) carboxylate with release of hydrogen, the amount of which depends on the rate of acid addition. The following Ni(I) complexes are identified in the reaction medium: [Ni(PPh₃)₃]BF₄, [(PPh₃)₂Ni(OEt₂)]BF₄, [(PPh₃)Ni(OEt₂)_n]BF₄, (PPh₃)₂NiBF₂, (PPh₃)₃NiOOCCH₃, and [(PPh₃)₂Ni(OEt₂)P(OEt)₃]BF₄. Oxidation schemes of Ni(0) complexes by Lewis and Brønsted acids are given.     

Synthesis, spectroscopic and structural characterization of Cu(II) derivatives of tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methanes

The reaction between CuX₂ (X=ClO₄, NO₃, Cl, Br and CH₃COO) and excess of tris(pyrazol-1-yl)methane ligands L (L=CH(pz)₃, CH(4-Mepz)₃, CH(3,5-Me₂pz)₃, CH(3,4,5-Me₃pz)₃ or CH(3-Mepz)₂(5-Mepz)) yields [CuX₂(L)], [{CuX₂}₃(L₂)₂] or [Cu(L₂)]X₂-type complexes. The ligand to metal ratio is dependent on the number and disposition of the Me substituents on the azole-type ligand and mainly on the nature of the counter-ion X. All complexes have been characterized in the solid state as well as in solution (IR and UV spectra, and conductivity determinations). The solid-state structures of [Cu{(3,5-Me₂pz)₃CH}₂](NO₃)₂, [Cu{(3,5-Me₂pz)₃CH}₂](ClO₄)₂·0.5H₂O, [Cu{(3,4,5-Me₃pz)₃CH}₂](NO₃)₂·H₂O, [Cu{(4-Mepz)₃CH}₂]Br₂·3H₂O have been determined by single crystal X-ray studies.     

Influence of chain length on mono- versus di-alkylation in the reactivity of [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] towards α,ω-dihalo-n-alkanes; a synthetic route to platinum(II) ω-haloalkylthiolate complexes

The reactions of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with α,ω-dibromoalkanes Br(CH₂)_nBr (n = 4, 5, 6, 8, 12) gave mono-alkylated [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)_nBr}(PPh₃)₄]⁺ and/or di-alkylated [Pt₂(μ-S(CH₂)_nS}(PPh₃)₄]²⁺ products, depending on the alkyl chain length and the reaction conditions. With longer chains (n = 8, 12), intramolecular di-alkylation does not proceed in refluxing methanol, with the mono-alkylated products [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)_nBr}(PPh₃)₄]⁺ being the dominant products when excess alkylating agent is used. The bridged complex [{Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄}₂{μ-(CH₂)₁₂}]²⁺ was accessible from the reaction of [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] with 0.5 mol equivalents of Br(CH₂)₁₂Br. [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)₄Br}(PPh₃)₄]⁺ can be cleanly isolated as its BPh₄⁻ salt, but undergoes facile intramolecular di-alkylation at −18 °C, giving the known species [Pt₂(μ-S(CH₂)₄S}(PPh₃)₄]²⁺. The reaction of I(CH₂)₆I with [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] similarly gives [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)₆I}(PPh₃)₄]⁺, which is fairly stable towards intramolecular di-alkylation once isolated. These reactions provide a facile route to ω-haloalkylthiolate complexes which are poorly defined in the literature. X-ray crystal structures of [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)₅Br}(PPh₃)₄]BPh₄ and [Pt₂(μ-S(CH₂)₅S}(PPh₃)₄](BPh₄)₂ are reported, together with a study of these complexes by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry. All complexes fragment by dissociation of PPh₃ ligands, and the bromoalkylthiolate complexes show additional fragment ions [Pt₂(μ-S){μ-S(CH₂)_n−2CHCH₂}(PPh₃)_m]⁺ (m = 2 or 3; m ≠ 4), most significant for n = 4, formed by elimination of HBr.     

Syntheses and structures of the heterometallic clusters [(Ph3PAu)3Re(CO)4], [(Ph3PAu)4Re(CO)4], [(Ph3PAu)6AuRe2(CO)8], and [(Ph3PAu)6Re(CO)3]

The reaction of [HRe₃(CO)₁₂]²⁻ with an excess of Ph₃PAuCl in CH₂Cl₂ yields [(Ph₃PAu)₄Re(CO)₄]⁺ as the main product, which crystallizes as [(Ph₃PAu)₄Re(CO)₄]PF₆ · CH₂Cl₂ (1 · CH₂Cl₂) after the addition of KPF₆.The crystal structure determination reveals a trigonal bipyramidal Au₄Re cluster with the Re atom in equatorial position.If [(Ph₃PAu)₄Re(CO)₄]⁺ is reacted with PPh₄Cl, a cation [Ph₃PAu]⁺ is eliminated as Ph₃PAuCl, and the neutral cluster [(Ph₃PAu)₃Re(CO)₄] (2) is formed.It combines with excess [(Ph₃PAu)₄Re(CO)₄]⁺ to afford the cluster cation, [(Ph₃PAu)₆AuRe₂(CO)₈]⁺. It crystallizes from CH₂Cl₂ as[(Ph₃PAu)₆AuRe₂(CO)₈]PF₆ · 4CH₂Cl₂ (3 · 4CH₂Cl₂). In [(Ph₃PAu)₃Re(CO)₄] the metal atoms are arranged in form of a lozenge while in [(Ph₃PAu)₆AuRe₂(CO)₈]⁺ two Au₄Re trigonal bipyramids are connected by a common axial Au atom.The treatment of [(Ph₃PAu)₄Re(CO)₄]⁺ with KOH and Ph₃PAuCl in methanol yields the cluster cation [(Ph₃PAu)₆Re(CO)₃]⁺, which crystallizes with from CH₂Cl₂ as [(Ph₃PAu)₆Re(CO)₃]PF₆ · CH₂Cl₂ (4 · CH₂Cl₂). The metal atoms in this cluster form a pentagonal bipyramid with the Re atom in the axial position.     

An electrospray mass spectrometry-directed survey of the coordination chemistry of the metalloligand [Pt2(μ-S)2(PPh3)4] with platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride substrates: influence of metal-ligand lability on product type

The reactivity of the metalloligand [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄] towards a wide range of platinum(II) and palladium(II) chloride complex substrates [L₂MCl₂] has been explored, using the technique of electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry to directly analyse reaction solutions. In the majority of cases, products are formed by addition of the ML₂²⁺ fragment to the {Pt₂S₂} core, giving trinuclear species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄ML₂]²⁺. The adducts with Pt(diene) [diene=cyclo-octa-1,5-diene (cod), norbornadiene], Pd(cod), Pd(bipy) (bipy=2,2^′-bipyridine), Pt(PMe₃)₂ and Pt(PTA)₂ (PTA=phosphatriaza-adamantane) moieties were synthesised and characterised on the macroscopic scale, with [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pt(cod)] (BF₄)₂ and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(bipy)] (PF₆)₂ also characterised by X-ray diffraction studies. No metal scrambling was found to occur, as has been observed in some previous cases involving the related complexes [Pt₂(μ-Se)₂(PPh₃)₄] and [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(dppe)₂] (dppe=Ph₂PCH₂CH₂PPh₂). With cis-[PtCl₂(SOMe₂)₂] the species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PtCl(SOMe₂)]⁺ was formed, as a result of the lability of the SOMe₂ ligand. With palladium(II)-phosphine systems, the observed product species is dependent on the phosphine; the bulky PPh₃ ligand in [PdCl₂(PPh₃)₂] leads primarily to the analogous known species [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄PdCl(PPh₃)]⁺, and a small amount of the metal-scrambled species [PtPd₂S₂(PPh₃)₅Cl]⁺. In contrast, [PdCl₂(PTA)₂], containing the small PTA ligand gave [Pt₂(μ-S)₂(PPh₃)₄Pd(PTA)₂]²⁺.     

Zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes based on 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine (L): Synthesis, structure, luminescence. Double lone pair-π interactions in the structure of ZnL2Cl2

A series of zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes with 4-(3,5-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-6-(piperidin-1-yl)pyrimidine (L), ZnLCl₂, CdLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O, have been synthesized. The compounds ZnLCl₂ and CdLCl₂ were obtained in a M:L = 1:1 molar ratio in EtOH solutions, while ZnL₂Cl₂ and CdL₂Cl₂ were isolated in a M:L = 1:3 molar ratio in EtOH/Me₂CO mixtures. Surprisingly, attempts to crystallize CdLCl₂ from EtOH/Me₂CO mixture afforded single crystals of a compound, having 1:2 metal-to-ligand stoichiometry, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O, instead of a complex with 1:1 stoichiometry. At the same time, crystallization of CdL₂Cl₂ from Me₂CO/CHCl₃ mixture afforded CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O single crystals. According to X-ray crystal structure data, ZnLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O complexes have molecular mononuclear structures. The molecules of L adopt bidentate chelating binding mode being coordinated to the metal ions through N² atom of the pyrazole and N³ atom of the pyrimidine rings. The coordination core of zinc atom in ZnLCl₂ complex is a distorted ZnN₂Cl₂ tetrahedron. The coordination cores of metal atoms in the structures of ZnL₂Cl₂, CdL₂Cl₂·0.5Me₂CO·1.5H₂O and CdL₂Cl₂·0.5CHCl₃·0.5H₂O are the distorted cis-MN₄Cl₂ (M = Zn, Cd) octahedra. In the structure of ZnL₂Cl₂ double lone pair(N(piperidine))-π(pyrimidine) interactions were observed. The photoluminescent properties of L, ZnLCl₂, CdLCl₂, ZnL₂Cl₂ and CdL₂Cl₂ were studied in the solid state under the same experimental conditions. These compounds were found to display bright blue luminescence. Highest relative intensity of emission was detected for ZnL₂Cl₂.     

The photosynthesis of young Panicum C4 leaves is not C3-like

Evidence is presented contrary to the suggestion that C₄ plants grow larger at elevated CO₂ because the C₄ pathway of young C₄ leaves has C₃-like characteristics, making their photosynthesis O₂ sensitive and responsive to high CO₂. We combined PAM fluorescence with gas exchange measurements to examine the O₂ dependence of photosynthesis in young and mature leaves of Panicum antidotale (C₄, NADP-ME) and P. coloratum (C₄, NAD-ME), at an intercellular CO₂ concentration of 5 Pa. P. laxum (C₃) was used for comparison. The young C₄ leaves had CO₂ and light response curves typical of C₄ photosynthesis. When the O₂ concentration was gradually increased between 2 and 40%, CO₂ assimilation rates (A) of both mature and young C₄ leaves were little affected, while the ratio of the quantum yield of photosystem II to that of CO₂ assimilation (Φ_PSII/Φ_CO2) increased more in young (up to 31%) than mature (up to 10%) C₄ leaves. A of C₃ leaves decreased by 1·3 and Φ_PSII/Φ_CO2 increased by 9-fold, over the same range of O₂ concentrations. Larger increases in electron transport requirements in young, relative to mature, C₄ leaves at low CO₂ are indicative of greater O₂ sensitivity of photorespiration. Photosynthesis modelling showed that young C₄ leaves have lower bundle sheath CO₂ concentration, brought about by higher bundle sheath conductance relative to the activity of the C₄ and C₃ cycles and/or lower ratio of activities of the C₄ to C₃ cycles.     

Oxygen uptake of carp,Cyprinus carpio,swimming in normoxic and hypoxic water

Synopsis Oxygen uptake (V_{o 2}) was measured in carp of approximately 40 cm length swimming at controlled variable oxygen tensions (P_{o 2}). At P_{o 2}> 120 mm Hg V_{o 2} increased with an increase in swimming speed from 5.6 to 11.3 cm · sec^–1. Extrapolation of V_{o 2} to zero activity at P_{o 2} = 140 mm Hg revealed a standard O₂ uptake of 36.7 ml O₂ · kg^–1 · h^–1 at 20° C. At the lowest swimming speed (5.6 cm · s^–1) the oxygen uptake increased when the water P_{o 2} was reduced. A near doubling in V_{o 2} was seen at P_{o 2} = 70 mm Hg compared to 140 mm Hg. At higher swimming speeds in hypoxic water V_{o 2} decreased relative to the values at low swimming speeds. As a result the slope of the lines expressing log V_{o 2} as a function of swimming speed decreased from positive to negative values with decreasing P_{o 2} of the water. pH of blood from the caudal vein drawn before and at termination of swimming at P_{o 2} = 70 mm Hg and 100 mm Hg did not show any decrease in relation to rest values at P_{o 2} = 140 mm Hg. Blood lactate concentration did not increase during swimming at these tensions.     

Variation inRhizobium leguminosarum response to short term application of NH4NO3 to nodulatedPisum sativum L.

Summary This study was conducted to determine the effect of short term application of NH₄NO₃ on nodule function and to determine whether the rhizobial isolate used was a significant factor in this effect. Pea plants were inoculated with 10 differentRhizobium leguminosarum isolates and grown for 3 weeks in N-free medium before addition of 0, 1, 2 or 5 mM NH₄NO₃ for 2 to 7 days. Acetylene reduction and leghemoglobin content decreased with increasing exposure time to NH₄NO₃ and with increasing concentration of NH₄NO₃. NH ₄ ⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ depletion from the nutrient medium were assayed in plants exposed to 5 mM NH₄NO₃ and mean uptake rates were similar for each ion. There were significant differences among isolates in the rate of decrease of C₂H₂ reduction with increasing NH₄NO₃ concentration (C₂H₂ reduction responsiveness to NH₄NO₃) 4 and 7 days after addition of NH₄NO₃ but no differences after 2 days of exposure to NH₄NO₃. There were significant differences among isolates in NH ₄ ⁺ depletion from the nutrient medium but these differences were not correlated with the differences observed in C₂H₂ reduction. Ranking of the isolates for C₂H₂ reduction responsiveness to NH₄NO₃ applied to plants with nodules was different from that obtained when NH₄NO₃ was applied at seeding. Isolates with varying sensitivity to NH₄NO₃ may be useful tools for determining the mechanisms responsible for inhibition of symbiotic N₂ fixation by combined nitrogen. NRCC paper no. 25863.     

Modeling aspects of hydrodesulfurization by molybdenum hydride compounds: Desulfurization of thiophene and benzothiophene and C-S bond cleavage of dibenzothiophene

The molybdenum hydride complexes Mo(PMe₃)₅H₂ and Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄ are capable of cleaving the C-S bonds of thiophene, benzothiophene and dibenzothiophene. For example, Mo(PMe₃)₅H₂ reacts with thiophene to give the η⁵-thiophene and butadiene-thiolate complexes, (η⁵-C₄H₄S)Mo(PMe₃)₃ and (η⁵-C₄H₅S)Mo(PMe₃)₂(η²-CH₂PMe₂). These complexes are also obtained from the reaction between Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄ and thiophene under photochemical conditions, whereas at elevated temperatures thiophene is desulfurized to liberate but-1-ene. Similarly, Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄ desulfurizes benzothiophene at elevated temperatures to liberate ethylbenzene, while the arylthiolate complex Mo(PMe₃)₄(SC₆H₄Et)H₃ is obtained photochemically. Furthermore, Mo(PMe₃)₄H₄ cleaves the C-S bond of dibenzothiophene to give [η⁶,κ¹-C₆H₅C₆H₄S]Mo(PMe₃)₂H.     

Insertion reactions of SnCl2 into Pt-Cl bonds in pentahalophenylplatinate(II) complexes

Several pentahalophenylplatinate complexes with Pt-Sn metal-metal bonds have been synthesized by facile insertion of SnCl₂ into Pt-Cl bonds of the starting platinum substrates. The complexes have been characterized spectroscopically and, in the case of (NBu₄)₂[trans-Pt(SnCl₃)₂(C₆F₅)₂] and (NBu₄)₂[trans-Pt₂(μ-Cl)₂(SnCl₃)₂(C₆F₅)₂], the structures have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The reactivity of these derivatives towards neutral ligands has been explored. The electronic spectra of some selected derivatives have also been examined.