Catalytic effect of cis-diammineplatinum α-pyrrolidone tan adsorbed on a platinum electrode in electrochemical oxidation of water into molecular oxygen

Cyclic voltammograms of cis-diammineplatinum α-pyrrolidone-blue and -tan, [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]ⁿ⁺ (n = 5 and 6, respectively) show for either complex only one redox peak at 0.53 V (average potential of the anodic and cathodic peak potentials). Coulometry and UVVis spectra of bulk- electrolyzed solution indicated that the redox peak corresponds to the reaction [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁸⁺ + 4e ⇄ 2[Pt₂(NH₃)₄(C₄H₆NO)₂]²⁺. When cyclic voltammetry is carried out in a solution of [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁶⁺ or a platinum electrode adsorbed with [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁶⁺ is used in the presence of oxidizing agent in the solution, O₂ gas generates from the electrode surface with large catalytic cathodic current at potentials below ca. 0.8 V. The O₂ gas was confirmed to generate from water by GC-MS analysis. This abnormal O₂ generation phenomenon is explained with cyclic reactions of chemical surface oxide formation on the electrode by the oxidizing agent and electrochemical reduction of the surface oxide. Oxygen gas generates from the reaction of [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁸⁺ or [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁶⁺ with OH⁻ produced in the course of the electrochemical reduction of the electrode surface oxide. The ability of [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁸⁺ and [Pt₄(NH₃)₈(C₄H₆NO)₄]⁶⁺ to oxidize OH⁻ into O₂ has been reported previously.     

Protonated N-heterocycle-templated supramolecular frameworks built of triangular molybdenum(IV) clusters

A series of porous supramolecular complexes (Hoxine)₂ · [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃] · 5H₂O (1),(Hphen)₂ · [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂)₃]  · 0.5C₂H₅OH · 7H₂O (2), H₂bpy · [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃] · 2.5H₂O (3), H₂TTD · [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃] · C₂H₅OH · 3H₂O (4), (oxine = 8-hydroxyquinoline, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, TTD = triethylene diamine) have been prepared and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis and infrared spectroscopy. Self-assembly of [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃]²⁻ directed by H-bonding association between the coordination water molecules and oxalate groups forms 2-D host H-bonded single layer in 1, double layer in 2 and 3, and undulated layer in 4 depending on the nature of the guest protonated N-heterocycles. Unlike cis-Hoxine⁺ or Hphen⁺ that employs lattice water molecules H-bonded to them to interconnect the host layers, trans-H₂bpy²⁺ or H₂TTD²⁺ acts a linker between the neighboring host layers to form 3-D supramolecular frameworks with channeled structures wherein the guest protonated cations are located.     

Bis(oxalato)dioxovanadate(V) and Bis(oxalato)oxoperoxo-vanadate(V) Complexes: Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Activity

Two structurally related vanadium(V) complexes, K₃[VO₂(C₂O₄)₂]·3H₂O and K₃[VO(O₂)(C₂O₄)₂]·1/2H₂O, were thoroughly characterized by infrared, Raman, and electronic spectroscopies. The effect of both complexes on the viability of the human MG-63 osteosarcoma cells was tested using the MTT assay. The monoperoxo complex shows a very strong antiproliferative activity (at 100-μM concentration, this complex diminished the cell viability ca. 80 %), whereas the dioxo complex was inactive.     

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.     

Characterization of ligno-cellulosic materials bleached with oxo-diperoxo-molybdates

A newly effective system was used to bleach ligno-cellulosic textile materials. This system is based on two different newly synthesized natrium oxo-diperoxo molybdates, Na₂[MoO (O₂)₂(C₂O₄)] and Na₂[MoO (O₂)₂(C₆H₆O₇)].     

Aryldiazenido derivatives: A new entry to the functionalization of Keggin polyoxometalates

A series of aryldiazenido polyoxomolybdates of the type (nBu₄N)₂[Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr){Na(MeOH)}] (Ar = C₆F₅, 1; Ar = O₂N-o-C₆H₄, 2; Ar = O₂N-m-C₆H₄, 3; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 4a; Ar = (O₂N)₂-o,p-C₆H₃, 5) have been obtained by controlled degradation of the parent compounds (nBu₄N)₃[Mo₆O₁₈(NNAr)] with NaOH in methanol. They have been characterized by elemental analysis and UV-Vis and IR spectroscopy. In addition, 4a has been characterized by ⁹⁵Mo NMR spectroscopy and the crystal structure of (nBu₄N)₂[Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNC₆H₄-p-NO₂){Na(H₂O))]·H₂O (4b) has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The molecular structure of the anion of 4b features a lacunary Lindqvist-type anion [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNC₆H₄-p-NO₂)]³⁻ interacting with a sodium cation through the four terminal axial oxygen atoms. The 1:1 sodium complexes react with BaCl₂ and BiCl₃ to yield 2:1 complexes which have been isolated as (nBu₄N)₄[Ba{Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)}₂] (Ar = C₆F₅, 6; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 7) and (nBu₄N)₃[Bi{Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)}₂] (Ar = C₆F₅, 8; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 9). X-ray crystallography analysis of 9·Me₂CO has shown that the tetradentate [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(N₂C₆H₄-p-NO₂)]³⁻ anions provide a square-antiprismatic environment for Bi. In contrast, IR spectroscopy provides evidence for a square-prismatic environment of Ba in 6 and 7. In acetonitrile-methanol mixed solvent, [Mo₅O₁₃(OMe)₄(NNAr)]³⁻ and [PW₁₁O₃₉]⁷⁻, generated in situ by alkaline degradation of their respective parents, [Mo₆O₁₈(NNAr)]³⁻ and [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻, react together to give the Keggin-type diazenido compounds (nBu₄N)₄[PW₁₁O₃₉(MoNNAr)] (Ar = O₂N-o-C₆H₄, 10; Ar = O₂N-m-C₆H₄, 11; Ar = O₂N-p-C₆H₄, 12), which have been characterized by ³¹P and ¹⁸³W NMR spectroscopy.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and luminescent behaviour of coordination complexes of copper with bi- and tridentate amines and phosphonic acids

The synthesis and crystal structure of four new copper(I) and copper(II) supramolecular amine, and amine phosphonate, complexes is reported. Reaction of copper(I) with 2-,9-dimethyl-1-10-phenanthroline (dmp) produced a stable 4-coordinate Cu(I) species, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂]Cl · MeOH · 5H₂O (2), i.e., the increased steric hindrance in the ‘bite’ area of dmp did not prevent interaction with the metal and provided protection against oxidation which was not possible for the phen analogue [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36]. Subsequent addition of phenylphosphonic acid to (2) produced two structures from alternative synthetic routes. An ‘in situ’ process yielded red block Cu(I) crystals, [Cu^(I)(dmp)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₃H₂ · C₆H₅PO₃H] (4), whilst recrystallisation of (2) prior to addition of the acid (‘stepwise’ process) produced a green, needle-like Cu(II) complex, [Cu^(II)(dmp) · (H₂O)₂ · C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)] (3). However, addition of excess dmp during the ‘stepwise’ process forced the equilibrium towards product (4) and resulted in an optimum yield (99%). The structure of (4) was similar to the phen analogue, [Cu^(II)Cl(phen)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH) · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (1) [R. Clarke, K. Latham, C. Rix, M. Hobday, J. White, CrystEngCommun. 7(3) (2005), 28-36], but the presence of dmp exerted some influence on global packing, whilst (3) exists as a polymeric layered material. In contrast, reaction of copper(I) with di-2-pyridyl ketone (dpk), followed by phenylphosphonic acid produced purple/blue Cu(II) species, [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] Cl₂ · 4H₂O (5), and [Cu^(II)(dpk · H₂O)₂] · [C₆H₅PO₂(OH)₂ · C₆H₅PO(OH)₂] (6), respectively, i.e., in both cases oxidation of copper occurred. Solid-state luminescence was observed in (2) and (4). The latter showing a 5-fold enhancement in intensity.     

Structure and magnetic properties of LnIII[Ru2(CO3)4] · 8H2O

Ln^III[Ru₂(CO₃)₄] · 8H₂O (Ln = Gd, Nd, Ho, Yb) is formed from the reaction of Ln^III and [Ru₂(CO₃)₄]^3? in water. These Ln^III materials have a 3D network structure composed of linked chains and μ_n-CO₃ linkages to both Ru and Ln^III sites, and are best described as Ln^III(OH₂)₄[Ru₂(CO₃)₄]_1/2[Ru₂(CO₃)₄(OH₂)₂]_1/2 · 3H₂O. Complete characterization of the Gd^III species is presented, as the other Ln^III are isostructural and exhibit large spin–orbit coupling leading to complex magnetic behavior. Magnetic ordering is not observed above 2 K.     

Delving into the complex picture of Ti(IV)-citrate speciation in aqueous media: Synthetic, structural, and electrochemical considerations in mononuclear Ti(IV) complexes containing variably deprotonated citrate ligands

The aqueous reaction of TiCl₄ with citric acid at pH ∼ 4 (KOH), led to the surprising isolation of a species assembly K₃[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₂(C₆H₅O₇)] · K₄[Ti(C₆H₅O₇)₂(C₆H₆O₇)] · 10H₂O (1). The same system at pH ∼ 3 (neocuproine), led to the crystalline material (C₁₄H₁₃N₂)₂[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₃] · 5H₂O (2), while at pH 5.0 (NaOH), afforded Na₃[Ti(C₆H₆O₇)₂(C₆H₅O₇)] · 9H₂O (3). Analytical, spectroscopic and structural characterization of 1, 2 and 3 revealed their distinct nature exemplified by mononuclear complexes bearing variably deprotonated citrates bound to Ti(IV). Solid-state ¹³C MAS NMR spectroscopy in concert with solution ¹³C and ¹H NMR on 3 provided ample evidence for the existence of bound citrates of distinct coordination mode to the metal ion. Cyclic voltammetry defined the electrochemical signature of complex 2, thereby projecting the physicochemical profile of the species formulated by the aforementioned properties. Comparison of cyclic voltammetric data on available discrete Ti(IV)-citrate species depicts the electrochemical profile and an E_1/2 value trend of the species in that binary system’s aqueous speciation, further substantiating the redox behavior of mononuclear Ti(IV)-citrate species in a pH-sensitive fashion. Collectively, the well-defined discrete species in 1-3 reflect and corroborate a synthetically challenging yet complex pH-specific picture of the aqueous Ti(IV) chemistry with the physiological citric acid, and shed light on the pH-dependent speciation in the binary Ti(IV)-citrate system.     

Supramolecular architectures built of triangular molybdenum(IV) heterometallic clusters encapsulating novel water clusters

The hydrothermal reaction of the dimolybdenum(V) Na₂[Mo₂O₃S(HNTA)₂] · 6H₂O (1) and the lanthanide(III) ion yield the neutral trimolybdenum(IV) heterometalic cluster, [(H₂O)₈NdMo₃O₃S(HNTA)₂(NTA)] · 7H₂O (2) (NTA = nitrilotriacetato ligand). The addition reaction of Ag⁺ and [Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃]²⁻ affords the anionic heterometallic cluster in N(C₂H₅)₄[Ag(H₂O)₃Mo₃O₄(C₂O₄)₃(H₂O)₃] · 5H₂O (3). The H-bonded self-assemblies of the resulting asymmetric and larger heterometallic clusters form the 2D layered structure and 3D supramolecular open framework in 2 and 3, respectively, with larger pores to be stabilized by water clusters. These water clusters appear as (H₂O)₄ and (H₂O)₁₈ in 2 and (H₂O)₂₂ in 3.     

Self-assembly of four three-dimensional reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates decorated with transitional metal complexes

Four new three-dimensional materials built from reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates as building blocks and transitional metal (Co, Zn and Cd) complexes as linkers, (Hbpy)₂[Co(bpy)(H₂O)]₂[Co(H₂PO₄)₂ (HPO₄)₆(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] (1), [Co(H₂O)₄]₂[Co(Hbpy)(H₂O)]₂[Co(bpy)][Co(HPO₄)₄(PO₄)₄(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 6H₂O (2), Na₂[Zn(Hbpy)(H₂O)₂]₂[Zn(Hbpy)]₂[Zn(HPO₄)₂(PO₄)₆(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 4H₂O (3), (H₂bpy)₂[Cd(bpy)(H₂O)]₂[Cd(bpy)(H₂O)₂]₂[Cd(HPO₄)₄(PO₄)₄(MoO₂)₁₂(OH)₆] · 2H₂O (4) (bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. The 3-D framework of 1 is constructed from Co[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers bonded together with [Co(bpy)]_n coordination polymer chains. In compound 2, the Co[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers are linked by both [Co(bpy)] complex chains and the cobalt dimers to form a 3-D framework. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of reduced molybdenum(V) phosphates decorated with transition metal complexes chains. The 3-D framework of 3 is constructed from Zn[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers bonded together with [Zn(bpy)] coordination complexes and [Zn(bpy)(H₂O)₂] complexes. In compound 4, the Cd[P₄Mo₆]₂ dimers are coordinated with [Cd(bpy)(H₂O)] and [Cd(bpy)(H₂O)₂] complexes to construct a 3-D structure. To our best knowledge, it is the first time that linear ligand 4,4′-bpy molecules have been grafted into the backbone of reduced molybdenum phosphates. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of compounds 1 and 2 are reported.     

Solvatothermal chemistry of organically-templated vanadium fluorides and oxyfluorides

The solvatothermal reactions of V₂O₅, the appropriate organoamine and HF in the temperature range 100-180 °C yielded a series of vanadium fluorides and oxyfluorides. The compounds [NH₄][H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][VF₆] (1) and [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][VF₅(H₂O)] (2) contain mononuclear V(III) anions, while [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₃]₂ [VF₅(H₂O)]₂[VOF₄(H₂O)] (3) exhibits both V(IV) and V(III) mononuclear anions. Both compound 4, [H₃NCH₂(C₆H₄)CH₂NH₃][VOF₄]·H₂O (4·H₂O) and compound 5, [HN(C₂H₄)₃NH][V₂O₂F₆ (H₂O)₂] (5) contain binuclear anions constructed from edge-sharing V(IV) octahedra. In contrast, [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂(CH₂)₂NH₃]₂[V₄O₄F₁₄(H₂O)₂], (6) exhibits a tetranuclear unit of edge- and corner-sharing V(IV) octahedra. Compound 7, [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₂][VF₅], contains chains of corner-sharing {V^IVF₆} octahedra, while [H₂N(C₂H₄)₂NH₂]₃[V₄F₁₇O]·1.5H₂O (8·1.5H₂O) is two-dimensional with a layer of V(III) and V(IV) octahedra in an edge- and corner-sharing arrangement. In the case of [H₃N(CH₂)₂NH₃][V₂O₆] (9), there was no fluoride incorporation, and the anion is a one-dimensional chain of corner-sharing V(V) tetrahedra.     

Synthesis and characterisation of dinuclear oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with thienyl carboxylate ligands

The first structurally characterised oxomolybdenum(V) complexes with thienyl carboxylate ligands were prepared by the reaction of [Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄] or (NH₄)₂[MoOCl₅] with the corresponding acid (2-thiophenecarboxylic, 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic or 3-(3-thienyl)acrylic acid). Complexes [Mo₂O₃(μ-OC₂H₅)(μ-O₂CR)(C₅H₇O₂)₂](R = -C₄H₃S (1), -C₄H₂S(CH₃) (2) or -CHCHC₄H₃S (3)) were obtained upon substitution of two acetylacetonate ligands from [Mo₂O₃(C₅H₇O₂)₄] with RCOO⁻ in dry ethanol. Reactions of (NH₄)₂[MoOCl₅] with the corresponding thienyl carboxylic acid in the presence of γ-picoline (C₆H₇N) yielded complexes (C₆H₇NH)[Mo₂O₄(μ-O₂CR)Cl₂(C₆H₇N)₂] (R = -C₄H₃S (4), -C₄H₂S(CH₃) (5) or -CHCHC₄H₃S (6)). All of the six new complexes were characterised as dinuclear. The molecular structures of 1, 3, 4·0.5CH₃CN and 5 were determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction method. In the complexes the two molybdenum atoms are doubly bridged either by one oxygen and one ethoxy-oxygen, or alternatively by two oxo-oxygens, and are additionally bridged by the thienyl carboxylate ion in a didentate bridging manner. All complexes were further characterised by means of chemical analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG and in some cases by the one and two-dimensional NMR method.     

Synthesis and structural characterisation of new cationic dinuclear ruthenium(II) thiolato complexes of the type [Ru2(η-arene)2(μ-p-S-C6H4-Br)3]

Dinuclear dichloro complexes [Ru(C₆H₆)Cl₂]₂, [Ru(p-MeC₆H₄ ⁱPr)Cl₂]₂, [Ru(1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Me₄)Cl₂]₂, and [Ru(C₆Me₆)Cl₂]₂ react in ethanol with p-bromothiophenol to give the corresponding cationic complexes [Ru₂(C₆H₆)₂(p-S-C₆H₄-Br)₃]⁺ (1), [Ru₂(p-MeC₆H₄ ⁱPr)₂(p-S-C₆H₄-Br)₃]⁺ (2), [Ru₂(1,2,4,5-C₆H₂Me₄)₂(p-S-C₆H₄-Br)₃]⁺ (3), and [Ru₂(C₆Me₆)₂(p-S-C₆H₄-Br)₃]⁺ (4), which can be isolated in quantitative yield as their chloride salts. X-ray structure analysis of these complexes shows that the nature of the arene ligand influences the folding of the p-S-C₆H₄-Br units. In 1, where the less hindered arene ligand is present, the three phenyl rings of the thiolato units are not constrained to a coplanar arrangement, whereas in 4 the C₆Me₆ forces the three phenyl rings to be in perfect planarity. Complexes 2 and 3 show an intermediary arrangement.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and magnetism of a new mixed germanium-polyoxovanadate cluster

A new germanium-polyoxovanadate, (H₃aep)₄[V₁₄Ge₈O₅₀]·2(aep)·13H₂O (1), has been synthesized under solvothermal conditions applying GeO₂, NH₄VO₃, Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O and an aqueous solution of 1-(2-aminoethyl)-piperazine (aep, C₆H₁₈N₃) in the temperature range from 110 to 150 °C. The compound crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric tetragonal space group P-42₁c with a = 17.193(1) Å, c = 16.501(1) Å, V = 4877.9(5) Å³ and Z = 2. The structure consists of isolated spherical [V^IV₁₄Ge^IV₈O₅₀]¹²⁻ cluster anions and protonated amine molecules as counterions. The cluster anion can be viewed as a derivative of the [V₁₈O₄₂] archetype by replacing four VO₅ pyramids by four Ge₂O₇ units. The latter are formed by corner-sharing of two [GeO₄]⁴⁻ tetrahedra. At temperatures above 150 °C the compound (H₂pip)₄(Hpip)₄[V^IV₁₄Ge^IV₈O₅₀(H₂O)] (2) (pip = piperazine, C₄N₂H₁₀) is formed and during the reaction Cu²⁺ is reduced to elemental copper. This redox reaction is essential for the formation of 2. The crystal water molecules in the structure of 1 are emitted at low temperatures. The magnetic properties are dominated by strong intra-cluster antiferromagnetic coupling and the strongest exchange between edge- and corner-sharing VO₅ square pyramids results in an eight-membered spin ring to which two three-membered spin bridges are joined. The magnetic susceptibility data suggest that even at the low temperature of 2 K several multiplet states are still significantly populated.     

New open-framework phosphate and phosphite compounds of gallium

Five new open-framework compounds of gallium have been synthesized by hydrothermal methods and their structures determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. The compounds, [C₈N₄H₂₆][Ga₆F₄(PO₄)₆], I, [C₅N₃H₁₁][Ga₃F₂(PO₄)₃]·H₂O, II, [C₆N₃H₁₉][Ga₄(C₂O₄)(PO₄)₄(H₂PO₄)]·2H₂O, III, [Ga₂F₃(HPO₄)(PO₄)]·2H₃O, IV, and [C₃N₂H₅]₂[Ga₄(H₂O)₃(HPO₃)₇], V, possess three-dimensional structures. All the compounds are formed by the connectivity between the Ga polyhedra and phosphite/phosphate units. The observation of SBU-6 (I and II) and spiro-5 (IV) secondary building units (SBUs) are noteworthy. The flexibility of the formation of gallium phosphate frameworks has been established by the isolation of two related structures (I and II) from the same SBU units but different organic amines. Some of the present structures have close resemblance to the gallium phosphate phases known earlier. The compounds have been characterized by CHN analysis, powder XRD, IR, and TGA.     

Part II. Chiral dirhodium (II) catalysts with ortho-metalated arylphosphane ligands in the enantioselective intramolecular cyclopropanation of a racemic α-diazo ketone

In this report, chiral dirhodium (II) with ortho-metalated phosphane ligands, namely (M)-Rh₂(O₂CR) ₂(PC)₂ [PC = ortho-metalated aryl phosphane, O₂CR = carboxylate bridging ligands) (1a-g), have been used for the intramolecular cyclopropanation of racemic1-diazo-6-methyl-3-(2-propenyl)-5-hepten-2-one (2), containing both a tri- and monosubstituted carbon-carbon double bond, in pentane. The highest level of regiocontrol has been obtained with chiral catalyst Rh₂(O₂CCH₃)₂[(p-MeC₆H₃)P(p-MeC₆H₄)₂]₂ (M)-1c, affording favorably trisubstituted cyclopropane 3 versus monosubstituted cyclopropane 4 in 74:26 ratio. An exceptional diastereoselectivity was obtained with the entire catalyst series, leading to the unique formation of the syn products. Excellent enantiocontrol values (80-90% ee) have been achieved with catalysts 1a [(PC = (C₆H₃)P(C₆H₄)₂, R = C(CH₃)₃)], 1c [PC = p-MeC₆H₃)P(p-MeC₆H₄)₂, R = CH₃], 1f [PC = m-CH₃C₆H₃)P(m-CH₃C₆H₄)₂, R = CF₃] and 1g [PC = 3,5-(CH₃)₂C₆H₃)P(3,5-(CH₃)₂C₆H₄)₂, R = CF₃] at room temperature. Pentane is found to be a convenient solvent for high enantiocontrol in the cyclopropanation of α-diazo ketone 2.     

Acetato complexes of molybdenum(V): A novel tetranuclear core based on the metal–metal bonded {Mo2O4}2+ units

A series of acetato complexes of molybdenum(V), based on the singly metal–metal bonded {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ structural fragment, has been prepared. A dinuclear (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₄(OOCCH₃)] · CH₃CN (1) (PyH⁺ = pyridinium cation, C₅H₅NH⁺) was obtained upon the reaction of (PyH)₅[MoOCl₄(H₂O)]₃Cl₂ with the equimolar solution of pyridine and acetic acid in acetonitrile at ambient conditions. The acetato ligand in 1 is coordinated to a pair of molybdenum atoms in a syn–syn bidentate bridging manner. (PyH)_n[MoOBr₄]_n afforded in an analogous synthetic procedure a tetranuclear cluster, [Mo₄O₈(OOCCH₃)₃(OH)Py₄] · 1/2CH ₃CN · 1/2H₂O (3), with a novel core which may be envisioned as the acetate- and hydroxide-assisted assembly of {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ building blocks. Its structure is presented in terms of known tetranuclear clusters which are also composed of two {Mo₂O₄}²⁺ units. The acetato ligands in 3 adopted apart from bidentate bridging binding modes also a monodentate one. Partial substitution of chlorido ligands in (PyH)₃[Mo₂O₄Cl₄(OOCCH₃)] · CH₃CN (1) with pyridine resulted in a neutral [Mo₂O₄Cl(OOCCH₃)Py₃] · PrⁱOH · Py (2) which retained the original acetate coordination. The title compounds were fully characterized by X-ray diffraction studies and infrared vibrational spectroscopy.     

pH-specific synthesis,isolation, spectroscopic and structural characterization of a new dimeric assembly of dinuclear vanadium(V)–citrate–peroxo species from aqueous solutions

Outstanding among the plethora of roles of vanadium in biological systems is its ability to act as an insulin mimetic agent, counteracting hyperglycemia. Poised to comprehend the interactions of V(V) with physiological substrates of low molecular mass, research efforts were launched to investigate the aqueous synthetic chemistry of the ternary V(V)–citric acid–H₂O₂ system. In a pH-specific fashion, reaction of VCl₃ with citric acid and H₂O₂ in aqueous ammonia led to the isolation of a unique assembly of ternary dinuclear complexes in (NH₄)₆[V₂O₂(O₂)₂(C₆H₅O₇)₂] · [V₂O₂(O₂)₂(C₆H₆O₇)₂] · 6H₂O (1). This unique assembly of dinuclear species was characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The structure of 1 reveals two dinuclear V₂O₂ core complexes, bearing peroxo moieties and bound citrates of variable deprotonation state and coordination mode. The physicochemical data: (a) present an unusual “instant picture” of the pH-specific aqueous speciation of the investigated system, attest to the presence of known species and clearly suggest the existence of a new discrete species in the aqueous structural speciation of the ternary system, (b) exemplify the usefulness of the synthetic strategy in the discovery of new discrete V(V)–citrate–peroxo species, and (c) offer insight into the ternary interactions of V(V) toward O-containing substrates relevant to insulin mimetic activity.     

Peroxo heteroligand vanadates(V): Synthesis,spectra-structure relationships,and stability toward decomposition

Effect of heteroligands (L) on the properties of vanadium peroxides was investigated by preparing a number of peroxovanadium complexes, which were characterized by analysis, IR, UV/V and NMR spectra. X-ray structures for some were obtained. The vanadates(V) contain the cation M(I)=Na, K, NH₄, Rb or Cs. Diperoxo complexes include M(I)[VO(O₂)₂L], where L=dipyridyl, o-phenanthroline; M(I)₃[VO(O₂)₂(C₂O₄)]; K₂[(nicotinic acid) {VO(O₂)₂}₂]H₂O;M(I)₄[O{VO(O₂)₂}₂ cystine]2H₂O; H₄[O{VO(O₂)₂(adenine)₂)₂]2H₂O; and K₂H₂[O{VO(O₂)₂(adenosine)}₂]2H₂O. Monoperoxo vanadates(V) correspond to the formula M(I)₂[VO(O₂)L]₂ for L=citrate and malate; M(I)₂[VO(O₂)L] for L=nitrilotriacetate; M(I)[VO(O₂)L] for L=iminodiacetate, tartrate and EDTA; and [HVO₂(O₂)(adenosine)]2H₂O. Syntheses of these heteroligand peroxovanadium compounds are sensitive to pH, temperature and the concentration of the components. The stability towards decomposition in solid state, mother-liquid and pure water solutions depends upon the heteroligand. Characteristic (V=O) and (O-O) stretching frequency bands in IR can be correlated with the corresponding bond lengths and the [peroxoV(V)] charge transfer bands in UV/V spectra. Intramolecular one-electron transfer in peroxo vanadates(V) can trigger the generation of radicals, and its dependency upon the nature of the heteroligand is discussed.