From cluster calculations to molecular materials: a mixed pseudopotential approach to modeling mixed-valence systems

In this paper we present a technique for finding an appropriate parameterization of ultrasoft pseudopotentials for modeling mixed-valence materials. For the example of hexacyanometallate molecular building blocks, we show how ionic cluster calculations can be used to determine a set of parameters for the metal centers. Pseudopotentials chosen in such a way are then shown to be suitable for periodic calculations of the corresponding mixed-valence materials (e.g., Prussian Blue).This work was originally presented at the Modelling and Design of Molecular Materials conference in Wrocaw, Poland.     

Two copper complexes based on ligand bearing ferrocene unit: Synthesis and structural characterization

The reaction of [(2-Pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]ferrocene with Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O under conventional condition in the absence of base affords a monocopper compound, [Cu(Hpmaf)₂(CH₃OH)₂](ClO₄)₂] 1, while that under solvothermal condition in the presence of triethylamine gives a dicopper compound, [Cu₂(pmaf)₂](ClO₄) 2, (Hpmaf = [(2-Pyridylmethylamino)carbonyl]ferrocene). Both compounds were characterised by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2 was further characterised by UV-vis and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and the results indicate that it is a fully delocalised mixed-valence dicopper compound. This is the first example of mixed-valence dicopper compound containing ferrocene group.     

Tetranuclear mixed-valence Co(II/III) and binuclear Ni(II) complexes incorporating hydroxyl-rich ligand: Syntheses, structures and magnetic properties

Three complexes of composition [Co₂^IICo₂^III(H₂hbhpd)₂(H₄hbhpd)₂(H₂O)₂]Cl₂(CH₃OH)₄ (1), [Co₂^IICo₂^III(H₂hbhpd)₂(H₄hbhpd)₂(H₂O)₂](NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)₄ (2) and [Ni₂(H₄hbhpd)₂(NO₃)](NO₃)(CH₃OH)_1.5 (3) (H₅hbhpd = 2-(2-hydroxy-benzylamino)-2-hydroxymethyl-propane-1,3-diol) have been synthesized and their structures have been characterized. Complexes 1 and 2 are mixed-valence cobalt clusters and display face-sharing monovacant dicubane structures. In the complexes 1 and 2, one of the three alkyl hydroxyl groups of H₅hbhpd ligand is deprotonated instead of deprotonation of phenyl hydroxyl group; thus monoanionic H₄hbhpd⁻ ligand displays novel η³, η¹, η¹, μ₃ coordination mode. Complex 3 is binuclear, and the two metal centers of 3 are bridged by two deprotonated phenyl hydroxyl oxygen atoms and iso-orthogonalized by a nitrato group in η¹η¹-O,O′ coordination fashion. Variable-temperature solid-state dc magnetization studies have been performed in the temperature range 2-300 K for compounds 1 and 3. Antiferromagnetic interactions were determined for 1 and ferromagnetic couplings were found for 3.     

A novel type of copper(I)/(II) mixed-valence compound: [Cu(dmp)2][Cu(hfac)3] with dmp=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and hfac=hexafluoroacetylacetonate

The mixed-valence compound [Cu^I(dmp)₂][Cu^II(hfac)₃] with dmp=2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline and hfac⁻=hexafluoroacetylacetonate has been synthesized and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The MV interaction has been examined by emission spectroscopy. The phosphorescence of [Cu^I(dmp)₂]⁺ is completely quenched. It is suggested that this quenching takes place by excited state electron transfer from Cu(I) to Cu(II).     

Synthesis, electrochemistry and mixed-valence state of dinuclear tris(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(III) complexes bridged by sulfur atoms at the γ-position of acetylacetonate

Dinuclear tris(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(III) complexes bridged by one sulfur atom (1) or two sulfur atoms (2) at the γ-position of the acetylacetonate have been synthesized by the reactions of tris(acetylacetonato)ruthenium(III) with SCl₂ or S₂Cl₂. The molecular structure of 2 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The cyclic voltammograms of both the dinuclear complexes exhibit two one-electron reduction waves in acetonitrile (AN), dichloromethane (DM), benzonitrile (BN), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). While the complex 1 exhibited two one-electron oxidation waves in AN, DM, and BN, complex 2 showed only irreversible waves in all the solvents. The comproportionation constants (K_c) for mixed-valence states of both Ru^II/Ru^III and Ru^III/Ru^IV were calculated from the redox potentials of dinuclear complexes. The values of log₁₀K_c (Ru^II/Ru^III) (for complexes 1 and 2) and log₁₀K_c (Ru^III/Ru^IV) (for complex 1) were between 1.35 and 3.55. These values are not so large and hence, the complexes may be classified as class II in the Robin and Day classification. Although no relationship could be found between K_c and the dielectric constant of the solvent, there exists a correlation between donor number (DN) of the solvent and log₁₀K_c values.     

1,2-Borotropic shifts and B-N bond cleavage reactions in molybdenum hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazolyl)borate chemistry: Mixed-valence MoMo2 and pyrazole-rich oxo-Mo complexes

Red-black [Tp^iPr∗Mo^VO]₂(μ-O)(μ-Mo^VIO₄) (1, Tp^iPr∗ = hydrobis(3-isopropylpyrazolyl)(5-isopropylpyrazolyl)borate) has been isolated as a by-product in the synthesis of NEt₄[Tp^iPrMo(CO)₃] (Tp^iPr = hydrotris(3-isopropylpyrazolyl)borate) and characterized by spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic techniques. The trinuclear, mixed-valence complex contains two distorted octahedral anti-Tp^iPr∗Mo^VO centers bridged by bent oxo (Mo-O-Mo av. 158.7°) and tetrahedral κO,κO′-molybdate ligands. The complex contains a six-membered, non-planar Mo₃(μ-O)₃ core and two 1,2-borotropically-shifted Tp^iPr∗ ligands (with the shifted pyrazolyl trans to Mo^V=O). Aerial decomposition of solid NEt₄[Tp^iPrMo(CO)₃] produces sky-blue, diamagnetic Tp^iPrMoO(ⁱPrpz)(ⁱPrpzH) (2, ⁱPrpz^- = 3-isopropylpyrazolate, ⁱPrpzH = 3-isopropyl-2H-pyrazole). Molecules of 2 feature a tridentate fac-Tp^iPr ligand and mutually cis terminal oxo (MoO = 1.665(2) Å) and monodentate ⁱPrpz⁻ and ⁱPrpzH ligands. The latter are formed by B-N bond cleavage of Tp^iPr. The complex can also be synthesized by reacting NEt₄[Tp^iPrMo(CO)₃] with excess 3-isopropylpyrazole and dioxygen at 100 °C. Cleavage of the B-N bond(s) of Tp^iPr was also observed in the formation of Tp^iPrMoO(SPh)(ⁱPrpzH) (3) as a by-product in the synthesis of Tp^iPrMoO₂(SPh). In the monohydrate, 3 exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry defined by a tridentate fac-Tp^iPr ligand and mutually cis terminal oxo (MoO = 1.676(3) Å) and monodentate SPh⁻ and ⁱPrpzH ligands. The pyrazole β-NH group is observed to participate in a hydrogen-bond to the lattice water molecule. The complex can be synthesized in high yield by reducing Tp^iPrMoO₂(SPh) by HSPh or PPh₃ in the presence of excess 3-isopropylpyrazole.     

Interactions between delocalized and localized electrons in heteropoly blues containing paramagnetic transition metals. Magnetic susceptibility and NMR studies

A special case of the influence of electron delocalization in the magnetic properties of mixed-valence inorganic compounds is presented. All the ions studied are Keggin or Wells-Dawson heteropolyanions. The data shown in this paper reflects the need of a theory that may explain the electronic properties of a type of compound intermediate between classical coordination complexes and solid state compounds. Measurements of the magnetic properties (susceptibility and NMR studies), of a series of mixed-valence oxide clusters as compared to their oxidized counterparts, show the existence of several important features. First, an excess diamagnetism is observed for diamagnetic two-electron species. This excess diamagnetism corresponds exactly to that expected for a pair of electrons delocalizable over a sphere of the radius of the molecule studied, and, therefore, may be understood as a ring-current effect similar to that found in organic aromatic systems. The correspondence of theoretical and observed diamagnetism in spherical molecules may be seen as an evidence that the ground state in two-electron species can be described as an orbitally symmetric A state. Second, the thermal study of the magnetic properties of delocalized one-electron species may be explained only by assuming a large covalency factor in the limit of what classical magnetochemistry may allow. Species containing paramagnetic transition ions see their magnetic properties changed upon reduction by a diamagnetic delocalized two electron pair. Such changes, observed as a decrease of second order effects, such as spin-orbit couplings, may only be interpreted, again, as the result of a considerable increase in covalency upon reduction. Third, if two antiferromagnetically coupled ions are present in the complex, the two electron reduction decreases this coupling, as if a shielding effect created by the ring current was present. On the other hand,¹⁸³W NMR studies of paramagnetic tungstates establish that the two electron delocalization increases the electronic interaction throughout the molecule, allowing an increase of magnetic spin delocalization through covalent bonding.     

Preparation and electrochemical properties of novel cyclic dinuclear acetylacetonato ruthenium complexes doubly bridged with sulfur and/or disulfur

A novel cyclic dinuclear acetylacetonato ruthenium complex doubly bridged with sulfur and/or disulfur at the γ-position of acetylacetonato ligand has been obtained by two different synthetic methods. The molecular structure of the dinuclear complex has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. Other two cyclic dinuclear β-diketonato ruthenium complexes were also prepared in good yields by the reaction of single bridged dinuclear complexes as starting materials with disulfur dichloride. The cyclic voltammograms of all the dinuclear complexes exhibit two one-electron reduction and oxidation waves in acetonitrile (AN) and dichloromethane (DM). The comproportionation constants (K_c) for mixed-valence state of both Ru^II/Ru^III and Ru^III/Ru^IV were evaluated in both solvents at 25 or −30 °C. The values of both K_c (Ru^II/Ru^III) and log₁₀ K_c (Ru^III/Ru^IV) for double bridged complex are large compared to those of corresponding single bridged complexes. This fact was rationally explained by the double bridging effect caused by the spread of electronic communication and also demonstrated the usefulness of the double bridged dinuclear complexes.     

Strong and weak coupling in mixed-valence complexes bridged by 4,4′-azo-di(phenylcyanamido)

The complexes [{Ru(tpy^∗)(bpy)}₂(μ-adpc)][PF₆]₂ where tpy^∗ is 4,4′,4″-tri-(tert-butyl)-2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine, bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine, and adpc²⁻ is 4,4′-azo-diphenylcyanamide dianion and trans,trans-[{Ru(tpy^∗)(pc)}₂(μ-adpc)] where pc⁻ is 2-pyrazine-carboxylato were prepared and characterized by cyclic voltammetry and spectroelectrochemical methods. Intervalence band properties and IR spectroelectrochemistry of the mixed-valence complexes [{Ru(tpy^∗)(bpy)}₂(μ-adpc)]³⁺ and trans,trans-[{Ru(tpy^∗)(pc)}₂(μ-adpc)]⁺ are consistent with delocalized and valence-trapped mixed-valence properties respectively. The reduction in mixed-valence coupling upon substituting a bipyridine ligand with 2-pyrazine carboxylato strongly suggests that hole-transfer superexchange is the dominant mechanism for metal-metal coupling in these complexes.     

The copper site in nitrous oxide reductase

Summary The properties of the novel copper enzyme nitrous oxide reductase from denitrifyingPseudomonas stutzeri are described. Multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy is used to characterize the various forms of the enzyme. The features observed at 2.4, 3.4, 4.5, 9.31 and 35 GHz are explained by a mixed-valence \s[Cu(1.5)\3. Cu(1.5)\s]S=\12 species with the unpaired electron delocalized between the two Cu nuclei. This site is also present in the catalytically inactive derivative of nitrous oxide reductase which was obtained from a transposon Tn5-induced mutant with defective chromophore biosynthesis. The resemblance of the low-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectra to the spectra for the so-called Cu_A of cytochromec oxidase can be taken as a first indication that the Cu_A may have a structural and electronic arrangement similar to the electron-paramagnetic-resonance-detectable copper in nitrous oxide reductase. Results from oxidation/reduction experiments, and from a quantitative determination of sulfhydryl and disulfide residues in the various forms of nitrous oxide reductase, suggest the involvement of the redox-couple cysteine/cystine in the structural organization of the active site of nitrous oxide reductase.