Self-assembly through hydrogen-bonding and C–Hπ interactions in metal complexes of N-functionalised glycine

The complex [Ni(L1)₂(py)₂]. toluene (L1 is N-phthaloylglycinato and py is pyridine) was prepared from solid state reaction whereas co-crystals having composition 2[Ni(L1)₂(py)₃(H₂O)] · [Ni(L1)₂(py)₂(H₂O)₂] · 2py · 2H₂O was obtained from solution state reaction.     

Ferromagnetic mixed tribridged dinuclear copper(II) complex [Cu2(OAc)2(OH)(dpa)2]PF6 · H2O (dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamine): 3D superstructure based on hydrogen bond and π…π interaction

A new dinuclear complex [Cu₂(OAc)₂(OH)(dpa)₂] PF₆ · H₂O (1) is prepared and structurally and magneto-structurally characterized. The monocationic core contains one acetate in familiar bidentate η¹:η¹:μ₂-bridge and another in the rare monoatomic bridge along with one hydroxo intermediary. 1 packs through N–H…O and O–H…O hydrogen bonds and π…π interaction resulting a 3D supramolecular continuum and displays high-energy intraligand ¹(π − π^*) fluorescence and intraligand ³(π − π^*) phosphorescence in glassy solution.     

Two novel Zn(II) coordination polymers based on trigonal ligand: 4′-(4-pyridyl)-3,2′:6′,3″-terpyridine

Two novel Zn(II) coordination polymers, [Zn₅(pytpy)₈(fum)₄(H₂O)₄(OH)₂]_n · n(CH₃OH) · 2n(H₂O) (1) and [Zn₃(pytpy)₄ (btc)₂]_n · 2n(H₂O) (2) (pytpy = 4′-(4-pyridyl)-3,2′:6′,3″-terpyridine, H₂fum = fumaric acid, H₃btc = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Complex 1 is a 2D layer structure, which is constructed from linear pentanuclear Zn(II) subunits interconnected via bidentate-bridging pytpy ligands and tridentate-bridging fum²⁻ anions. Complex 2 is a 3D network structure, μ₂-pytpy ligands link the layers based on the heart-like hexanuclear subunits to form the 3D network. Both complexes show strong fluorescence emission upon excitation at 310 nm in solid state. Additionally, these two complexes possess great thermal stabilities, especially for 2, the framework is stable up to 350 °C.     

An unusual dichromium(II,II) compound bearing di-2-pyridyl ketone oximate ligands and prepared by the ligand-assisted reduction of a trichromium(III,III,III) complex in air

The reaction of the oxide-centred triangular, trichromium(III,III,III) complex [Cr₃O(O₂CCMe₃)₆(H₂O)₃](O₂CCMe₃) with di-2-pyridyl ketone oxime, (py)₂CNOH, in MeCN under aerobic and refluxing conditions yields the pivalate-free, dichromium(II,II) complex [Cr₂{(py)₂CNO}₄] · 2H₂O (1 · 2H₂O). The dinuclear complex can also be prepared by the reaction of [Cr(CO)₆] with (py)₂CNOH in refluxing MeCN/H₂O in air. The two high-spin Cr^II atoms are doubly bridged by two 2.1110 oximate ligands, while a chelating 1.0110 (py)₂CNO⁻ ion completes distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination at each metal centre. The dimers are stabilized by intramolecular stacking interactions between the terminal (py)₂CNO⁻ ligands, and the structural effects of these interactions are discussed.     

Photoluminescent metal–organic coordination polymer incorporating one-dimensional silver chains

Solution phase reaction of AgNO₃ with a mixture of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and heterocyclic 2-aminopyrimidine (APYM) under the ammoniacal conditions gives rise to a novel metal–organic coordination polymer Ag₃(BTC)(APYM)₂ (1). The structure of 1 possesses a unique three-dimensional (3D) framework with one-dimensional channels surrounded by carboxylato-supported Ag–Ag dimers, Ag–Ag chains, fully deprotonated [BTC]^3? and APYM ligands. Moreover, 1 exhibits strong blue photoluminescence maximized at 464 nm at room temperature (λ_ex = 383 nm) and upon cooling to 77 K, the emission spectrum seems narrowly red-shifted.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and photoluminescence of Zn–Ln heterometallic polymers based on pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid

Three new two-dimensional 3d–4f isostructural heterometallic coordination polymers, namely [Ln₂Zn(2,3-pydc)₄(H₂O)₄·4H₂O]_n (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), 2,3-pydcH₂ = pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid) have been successfully synthesized by the hydrothermal reactions of Ln₂O₃, Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, H₂pydc and H₂O. X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that they possess a 2D heterometallic framework containing 1D lanthanide chains based on dimeric [Ln(2,3-pydc)₂(H₂O)₂]₂ unit. The Zn(II) ion, which is six-coordinated by four oxygen and two nitrogen atoms from four 2,3-pydc²⁻ ligands, as a bridge, links the lanthanide chains to make the 1D chains further extend into 2D layer framework. Furthermore, the neighboring layers are assembled into three-dimensional supramolecular network through inter-layer O–HO and C–HO hydrogen-bond interactions. In addition, the solid-state luminescent property of complex 2 was investigated.     

A hemidirected 1-D coordination polymer [Pb2(H2O)2(HBTC)2] · 3H2O extended in holodirected 3-D by weak Pb–O interactions

A new complex, [Pb₂(H₂O)₂(HBTC)₂] · 3H₂O (H₃BTC = 1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid) (1), has been synthesized under hydrothermal condition. The single-crystal analysis shows that 1 consists of 1-D double-chains with Pb(II) six-coordinated by three H₃BTC and one H₂O molecule with the Pb–O bond distances in the range of 2.56–2.76 Å. When the Pb–O bonding limit extends from 2.76 to 2.90 Å, the potential weak bonds of Pb–O can be found and the coordination number of Pb will increase from six to nine. As a result, the coordination geometry of Pb(II) transforms from hemidirected to holodirected and an infinite 3-D framework is obtained by the connection of the double-chains. The IR spectrum and the TGA–DTA curve of 1 are also reported in this paper.     

Controllable assembly of a 3-D metal–organic supramolecular framework with the inclusion of a well-resolved 1-D water morph

Two mixed-ligand metal–organic complexes [Cd₂(adipato)(phen)₂(NO₃)₂(H₂O)₂](H₂O)₆ (1) and {[Cd(adipato)(phen)](H₂O)₃}_n (2) have been synthesized upon the reaction of Cd(II) nitrate with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and adipate under similar conditions. For 1, the adipato-bridged dinuclear entities are extended into a 3-D supramolecular architecture via hydrogen bonds and π–π stacking. Interestingly, a well-resolved 1-D water morphology consisting of alternate cyclic water tetramer and hexamer is detected as the guests in each channel of this 3-D lattice. Whereas 2 represents a layered coordination polymer in which the Cd^II centers are interlinked by adipate dianions via different coordination modes.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and photophysical properties of a series of new neutral iridium(III) complexes with 2-phenylpyridine

A series of new neutral iridium(III) complexes containing strong-field ancillary ligands, [Ir(ppy)₂(PPh₃)L] (ppy = 2-phenylpyridine, PPh₃ = triphenylphosphine, L = NCS⁻, 1; , 2; NCO⁻, 3), have been synthesized and fully characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, ESI mass spectral and elemental analysis. The crystal structure of 1 has been determined by X-ray analysis. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra of 1–3 show emission maxima at 477, 489 and 485 nm, respectively, corresponding to blue light-emitting of 1 and blue-green light-emitting of 2 and 3. PL quantum yields (PLQYs) of 1–3 are 0.39, 0.13 and 0.43, respectively.     

An easy entry to novel early–late oligonuclear transition metal complexes containing π-conjugated systems

Heterotrinuclear Ti–Cu–Ru (5) and heterotetranuclear Ti–Cu–Pt–Fe (7) containing complexes are accessible by using {[Ti](CC^tBu)₂}CuMe (1) ([Ti]=(η⁵-C₅H₄SiMe₃)₂Ti) as key molecule; in 5 and 7, the corresponding early and late transition metal atoms are linked by π-conjugated organic moieties.     

An oxide chain constructed from octamolybdate, a Keggin anion and a copper (II) – Tetrapyridylpyrazine binuclear unit

The hydrothermal reaction of MoO₃, CuSO₄·5H₂O, tetra-4-pyridylpyrazine (tpyprz), and diphenyldiarsonic acid in water at 140 °C for 48 h yielded the one-dimensional material [{Cu₂(tpyprz)(H₂O)₃}₂{Mo₈O₂₆}{Mo₁₂O₃₆(AsO₄)}]·8H₂O (1·8H₂O). The chain structure of 1·8H₂O is constructed from alternating β-octamolybdate clusters and molybdoarsonate Keggin clusters linked through {Cu₂(tpyprz)(H₂O)₃}⁴⁺ binuclear subunits. The Cu(II) sites are inequivalent with one copper bonding to two pyridyl donors and a pyrazine nitrogen of one terminus of the tpyprz ligand, two aqua ligands and an oxo-group of the cluster while the second copper site coordinates to the nitrogen donors of the other terminus of the tpyprz ligand, an aqua group, a terminal oxo-group of the cluster and a terminal oxo-group of the mixed valence {Mo₁₁^VIMo^VO₃₆(AsO₄)}⁴⁻ cluster. Crystal data: C₄₈H₆₀AsCu₄Mo₂₀N₁₂O₈₀: FW = 4332.96 Triclinic , a = 12.5087(5) Å, b = 13.6681(6) Å, c = 14.8980(6) Å, α = 92.196(1)°, β = 97.046(1)°, γ = 97.751(1)°, Z = 1, D_calc = 2.877 g cm⁻³; structure solution and refinement based on 12,333 reflections (Mo K_α, λ = 0.71073 Å) converged at R₁ = 0.0540 and wR₂ = 0.1115.     

Bimetallic nickel complexes of trimethyl phenyl linked salicylaldimine ligands: Synthesis, structure and their ethylene polymerization behaviors

Bimetallic salicylaldimine-nickel complexes, 2,4,6-Me₃-1,3-{[NCH–(3′-R-5′-Y-2′-O–C₆H₃)-κ²-N,O]Ni(Ph) (PPh₃)}₂ [R = tert-Bu, Y = Me, 1b; R = Ph, Y = H, 2b] were prepared and their catalytic behaviors of ethylene polymerization were investigated. The bimetallic complex 2b shows higher activities (2.9 × 10⁵ g PE mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹) for ethylene polymerization and affords polymer with high molecular weight (M_w = 1.41 × 10⁵) and broad molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 6.1) than its mononuclear matrix, {[(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)–NCH–(3′-Ph-2′-O–C₆H₃)-κ²-N,O]Ni(Ph)(PPh₃)} (3) (Activity = 5.5 × 10⁴ g PE mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹; M_w = 1.86 × 10⁴; M_w/M_n = 2.8).     

Uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution using Mg–Al layered double hydroxides intercalated with citrate, malate, and tartrate

Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (Mg–Al LDH) was modified with organic acid anions using a coprecipitation technique, and the uptake of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by the Mg–Al LDH was studied. Citrate·Mg–Al LDH, malate·Mg–Al LDH, or tartrate·Mg–Al LDH, which had citrate³⁻ (C₆H₅O₇³⁻), malate²⁻ (C₄H₄O₅²⁻), or tartrate²⁻ (C₄H₄O₆²⁻) anions intercalated in the interlayer, was prepared by dropwise addition of a mixed aqueous solution of Mg(NO₃)₂ and Al(NO₃)₃ to a citrate, malate, or tartrate solution at a constant pH of 10.5. These Mg–Al LDHs were found to take up Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ rapidly from an aqueous solution at a constant pH of 5.0. This capacity was mainly attributable to the formation of the citrate–metal, malate–metal, and tartrate–metal complexes in the interlayers of the Mg–Al LDHs. The uptake of Cu²⁺ increased in the order malate·Mg–Al LDH < tartrate·Mg–Al LDH < citrate·Mg–Al LDH. The uptake of Cd²⁺ increased in the order malate·Mg–Al LDH < tartrate·Mg–Al LDH = citrate·Mg–Al LDH. These differences in Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ uptake were attributable to differences in the stabilities of the citrate–metal, malate–metal, and tartrate–metal complexes. These results indicate that citrate³⁻, malate²⁻, and tartrate²⁻ were adequately active as chelating agents in the interlayers of Mg–Al LDHs.     

Oxidation of catechol and l-ascorbic acid by [Ru(tpy)(pic)(OH)] (tpy = 2,2′6′,2″-terpyridine; pic = picolinate): Kinetic and mechanistic studies

Kinetics of oxidation of catechol (H₂cat) to benzoquinone (BQ) and, ascorbate (HA⁻) to dehydroascorbic acid (A) by [Ru^III(tpy)(pic)(OH)]⁺ (1) (tpy = 2,2’6’,2”-terpyridine; pic⁻ = picolinate) have been studied as function of [H₂cat] (or [HA⁻]), ionic strength (0.01 − 0.25 M), temperature (10–30 °C) at a constant pH = 3.2, using stopped-flow and rapid-scan diode array spetrophotometric techniques. The rate of reaction of 1 with HA⁻ was found to be very fast as compared to that of with H₂cat. The kinetic data and activation parameters are interpreted in terms of an associative interchange mechanism. Analysis of spectral and kinetic data revealed that the reaction of 1 with catechol proceeds by a straightforward outer-sphere electron transfer pathway, whereas, reduction of 1 with HA⁻ involves ion-pair formation.     

Construction of silver–organic framework with silver rods of repeated Ag-triangle units: Synthesis,structure, and properties

A new thick silver rod incorporating repeated Ag₃ units sustained by 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (1,3,5-H₃BTC) and Ag⋯Ag interactions, {[Ag₃(BTC)(pyz)]·(H₂O)}_n (1) (pyz = pyrazine), has been synthesized and structurally characterized. Compound 1 displays a three-dimensional coordination framework with infinite 1D Ag rod, and adjacent silver rods bridged by the 1,3,5-H₃BTC and pyz ligand. Argentophilicity plays an important role in determining the infinite silver(I) rods. Complex 1 exhibits photoluminescence maximized at 542 nm upon 363 nm excitation at room temperature, which may be mainly assigned to ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) perturbed by Ag⋯Ag interactions. Temperature dependent luminescence spectra from 298 to 77 K have been studied. Upon decreasing the temperature from 298 to 77 K, the emission bands grow in intensity. In addition, the thermogravimetric analysis and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) of complex 1 have also been investigated.     

Hexanuclear 4d–4f complexes [Ln2Ag4(ina)8(H2O)10][NO3]2 · 4H2O (Ln = Sm, Eu, Dy): Syntheses, structures and photoluminescent properties

Hexanuclear 4d–4f heterometallic complexes, [Ln₂Ag₄(ina)₈(H₂O)₁₀][NO₃] ₂ · 4H₂O [Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Dy (3) and Hina = isonicotinic acid], have been synthesized by the hydrothermal reaction of lanthanide oxides, Ag^I, and isonicotinic acid at a suitable temperature. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies indicate that these 4d–4f complexes consist of extended 1D zigzag chains structure built upon [Sm₂Ag₄(ina)₈(H₂O)₁₀] subunits connected by Ag–Ag interactions. Furthermore, the photoluminescent properties of the complex 2 were studied.     

A {Cu6}-containing inorganic-metal-organic sandwich-type tungstoantimonite and its 3D supramolecular framework

A hexagonal {Cu₆} cluster-containing tungstoantimonite, [Cu(enMe)₂(H₂O)]₂{Cu(enMe)₂[Cu(enMe)]₃[Cu(H₂O)]₃(SbW₉O₃₃)₂}·5H₂O (1, enMe = 1,2-diaminopropane) has been successfully synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. The {Cu₆} cluster in 1 is stabilized by both the inorganic O-donor ligand {B-α-SbW₉O₃₃}⁹⁻ and the organic N-donor ligand enMe, leading to a hybrid inorganic-metal-organic sandwich-type polyoxometalate. The sandwich-type polyoxoanions are further connected into a 3D supramolecular framework via hydrogen bonding interactions between 1,2-enMe molecules and the sandwich-type polyoxoanions. The magnetic study indicates that intramolecular ferromagnetic Cu–Cu interactions exist in the hexanuclear metal-cluster.     

Synthesis and Redox Properties of a π-Conjugated Cyclobutadienecobalt Polymer Containing Ferrocenyl Groups

The reaction of CpCo(PPh₃)₂, in which Cp= ⁵-cyclopentadienyl, with a -conjugated diacetylene, FcCC–o-C₆H₄–CCFc, in which Fc=ferrocenyl, was found to give a cyclobutadienecobalt mononuclear complex, { ⁴-C₄Fc₂(o-FcC₆H₄)₂}CoCp (1), the crystal structure of which was determined by X-ray crystallography. In contrast, the reaction of CpCo(PPh₃)₂ with FcCC–p-C₆H₄–CCFc affords a cyclobutadienecobalt polymer, [p-C₆H₄( ⁴-C₄Fc₂)CoCp] _n (2). The monocobalt complex 1 shows reversible 1e^– and 3e^– redox waves at E ⁰=0.116 and 0.350 V vs Ag/Ag⁺, and the polymer complex 2 shows two chemically reversible redox waves at E ⁰=0.143 and 0.219 V for the oxidation of the ferrocenyl moieties in the cyclic voltammogram. Crystal data are as follows: (1, C₆₅H₄₉CoFe₄), triclinic, space group P\={1} (No. 2), a=13.547(4), b=16.197(4), c=11.763(4) Å, =106.79(2), =97.93(3), =97.12(3), V=2410(1) ų, Z=2.     

Aerobic oxidation of alcohols over novel crystalline MoVO oxide

Novel crystalline MoVO oxide was employed as the catalyst in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. Reactions were mainly conducted at 353 K in pure oxygen or air (1 atm). The selectivities for benzaldehydes were more than 95% in all cases. The conversions of benzyl alcohols varied from 10% to 99% depending on the substituent. A Hammett plot gave a moderate ρ-value of −0.249 (r² = 0.98), suggesting that the reaction processes may involve hydride abstraction. The oxidation of primary alkanols afforded aldehydes, and secondary alcohols were mainly dehydrated to olefins. It was found that the conversion of linear alkanols decreased with the length of alkanols. Kinetic analysis showed that catalytic reaction rate was first-order dependent on the concentrations of substrate and of catalyst. The apparent activation energy was estimated to be 45.7 kJ mol⁻¹. Catalytic reactions took place on the 6- or 7-member rings on the a–b basal plane, where highly dense unsaturated metal cation centers and oxygen anion might serve as catalytic active sites.     

A new (3,4,7)-connected topology framework based on [Cd2(CO2)3O4N2] second building unit

A new 3D coordination polymer [Cd₂(L³)(BTC)(H₂O)] (1) (HL³ = 3,5-bis(pyridin-3-ylmethoxy)benzoic acid, H₃BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid), has been isolated under hydrothermal condition and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 is constructed from Cd₂-based second building units (SBUs) [Cd₂(CO₂)₃O₄N₂] and displays a 3D (3,4,7)-connected net with (4²·6)(4³·6³)(4⁵·6¹¹·8⁵) topology. In addition, the photoluminescent spectra indicate compound 1 may be a good candidate for blue-luminescent materials.