Organometallic boxes built from 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin panels and hydroxyquinonato-bridged diruthenium clips

Self-assembly of 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-pyridyl)porphyrin (tpp-H₂) tetradentate panels with dinuclear arene ruthenium clips [Ru₂(η⁶-arene)₂(dhbq)Cl₂] (arene = C₆H₅Me, p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me, C₆Me₆; dhbq = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinonato) affords the cationic organometallic boxes [Ru₈(η⁶-C₆H₅Me)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([1]⁸⁺), [Ru₈(η⁶-p-PrⁱC₆H₄Me)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([2]⁸⁺) and [Ru₈(η⁶-C₆Me₆)₈(tpp-H₂)₂(dhbq)₄]⁸⁺ ([3]⁸⁺). These octanuclear cations have been isolated as their triflate salts and characterised by mass spectrometry, NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structure of these systems was deduced by one-dimensional and two-dimensional NMR experiments (ROESY, COSY, HSQC).     

Semi-rigid N-para-ferrocenyl(benzoyl)amino-acid esters for biomaterials: synthesis and characterization of Fc-C6H4CONHCH(R)CO2Me where Fc = (η5-C5H5)Fe(η5-C5H4) and R=H,CH3,CH2CH(CH3)2,CH2C6H5 and the X-ray crystal structures of Fc-C6H4CO2Me and the l-alanine derivative Fc-C6H4CONHCH(CH3)CO2Me

A series of N-para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl amino-acid esters, para-Fc(C₆H₄)CONHCH(R)CO₂CH₃ {Fc = (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(η⁵-C₅H₄); R = H, CH₃, CH₂CH(CH₃)₂, CH₂C₆H₅}, 3–6 have been prepared by coupling para-(ferrocenyl)benzoic acid to the amino-acid esters (gly, l-Ala, l-Leu, l-Phe) using the standard 1,3-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) protocol. The compounds were fully characterized by a range of spectroscopic techniques including FAB-MS. The X-ray crystal structures of the parent para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl methyl ester, Fc-C₆H₄CO₂Me, 1 and a chiral derivative N-{para-(ferrocenyl)benzoyl}-l-alanine methyl ester, Fc-C₆H₄CONHCH(CH₃)CO₂Me, 4 have been determined.     

Ethylene polymerization using an asymmetric dinuclear titanocene catalyst carrying a novel 3-oxa-pentamethylene bridge

The asymmetric 3-oxa-pentamethylene bridged dinuclear titanocenium complex (CpTiCl₂)₂ (η⁵-C₉H₆(CH₂CH₂ OCH₂CH₂)-η⁵-C₅H₃ CH₃) (1) has been prepared, characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, and after activation with MAO tested as a homogenous catalyst for the polymerization of ethylene. The results show that the catalytic activity of 1 as well as the molecular weight of the produced polyethylene are higher than those using the alkylidene bridged asymmetric dinuclear metallocenes (CpTiCl₂)₂ (η⁵-C₉H₆(CH₂) _n-η⁵-C₅H₄), n = 3 (4), 4 (5). The molecular weight distribution of polyethylene produced with 1/MAO reaches 11.00 and the HT-GPC curve shows a bimodal distribution. The melting point of the polyethylene obtained by 1/MAO is higher than 135 °C and the ¹³C NMR spectrum of PE shows only one strong signal at 30 ppm for the methylene units indicating a highly linear and crystalline polymer.     

Alkoxo- and carboxylato-bridged hexanuclear copper(II) complex: Synthesis,structure and magnetic properties

Reaction of copper(II) nitrate trihydrate with N,N-dimethylethanolamine (dmea) and pivalic acid in methanol led to the hexanuclear copper(II) complex Cu₆(η¹:μ₂-C₄H₁₀NO)₄(η¹:η¹:μ₂-C₅H₉O₂)₄(η¹:μ₁-C₅H₉O₂)₂(μ₃-OH)₂ (1). The crystal structure of 1 indicates that hexametallic centers are bridged by the μ₃-alkoxo, dmea oxygens, and the μ₂-dicarboxylato oxygen atoms of pivalate ions. Furthermore, in the asymmetric unit, three types of copper ions have been found labeled as Cu₁, Cu₂ and Cu₃. The Cu₂ takes a distorted octahedral shape, whereas Cu₁ and Cu₃ adopt square pyramidal geometries. The complex 1 shows strong antiferromagnetic interactions through the oxo groups within the dimeric units (J = − 82.6 to − 25.8 cm^− 1) and weak antiferromagnetic couplings between the dimers (J = − 10.9 and 0.8 cm^− 1).     

Synthesis,characterization and compared reactivity of asymmetrical ansa-metallocenes

Rac and meso ansa-zirconocenes [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] (R = Et, R′ = H; R = Pr, R′ = H; and R = Et, R′ = Pr) 4–9 have been prepared by the reaction of ZrCl₄ with the corresponding dilithiated derivatives from the ligands {1-Me₂Si(3-R-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-R′-(η⁵-C₉H₅))} (R = Et, R′ = H 1; R = Pr, R′ = H 2; and R = Et, R′ = Pr 3) in diethyl ether/toluene at ?78 °C. The molecular structure of rac [Zr{1-Me₂Si(3-Et-(η⁵-C₉H₅))(3-Pr-(η⁵-C₉H₅))}Cl₂] 8 has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies, which show a pseudotetrahedral environment formed by the two chlorine ligands and two η⁵-coordinated indenyl ligands. The activity in homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerization is compared and discussed.     

A new organic-inorganic hybrid tetrameric polyoxometalate assembled by monovacant Dawson [α2-P2W17O61]10 − and trivalent cerium cations

A novel octa-nuclear cerium(III)-containing organic-inorganic hybrid polyoxometalate [N(CH₃)₄]₈H₁₆[{Ce(η¹-C₆H₅NO₂)₂(H₂O)₆[Ce(H₂O)₃(α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]}{Ce(η²-C₆H₅NO₂)₂(H₂O)₅[Ce(H₂O)(α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁)]}]₂·90H₂O (C₆H₅NO₂ = isonicotinic acid) (1) was obtained, which had been hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by IR spectrum, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. Structural analysis indicated at 1 is composed of four lacunary Dawson-type units [α₂-P₂W₁₇O₆₁]^10 − joined together by eight cerium cations forming an uncommon zigzag tetrameric structure with eight isonicotinic acids as the organic pendants coordinating to the cerium cations. Magnetic property studies indicate that obvious antiferromagnetic interactions exist in eight Ce^3 + cations.     

Molecular structure of [In2(μ,η1-OR)(μ,η2-OR)(η2-OR)3(η1-OR)] R = C2H4NMe2, a pincer ligand

Functional indium [In(OR)₃]_m alkoxides (R = C₂H₄OMe, C₂H₄NMe₂) have been obtained by alcoholysis of In[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃ and characterised by elemental analysis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy. The 2-dimethylaminoethoxide was characterised by X-ray diffraction. It corresponds to the association of two InO₆ octahedra giving the unsymmetrical dimer [In₂(μ,η¹-OR)(μ,η²-OR)(η²-OR)₃(η¹-OR)] (2). 2 was used as a pincer ligand toward Cu(acac)₂.     

Thermal dehydration of Y(TFA)3(H2O)3: Synthesis and molecular structures of [Y(μ,η1:η1-TFA)3(THF)(H2O)]1∞ · THF and [Y4(μ3-OH)4(μ,η1:η1-TFA)6(η1-TFA)(η2-TFA)(THF)3(DMSO)(H2O)] · 6THF (TFA = trifluoroacetate)

In order to obtain a better anhydrous precursor for various applications in materials science and catalysis, thermal dehydration reactions of Y(TFA)₃(H₂O)₃ (TFA = trifluoroacetate) (A) were investigated. Thermal treatment of A at different temperatures under vacuum (5 × 10^?2 mm) for several hours failed to give totally anhydrous yttrium trifluoroacetate (as indicated by IR). Two different complexes, a partially dehydrated [Y(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₃(THF)(H₂O)]_1∞·THF (1) and a partially hydrolyzed [Y₄(μ₃-OH)₄(μ,η¹:η¹-TFA)₆(η¹-TFA)(η²-TFA)(THF)₃(DMSO)(H₂O)] · 6THF (2), were obtained with good and moderate yield, respectively, by crystallization of two different thermally treated batches of A from THF (or THF + DMSO) at room temperature. More efficient dehydration of A could be achieved at 200 °C in a furnace, the obtained anhydrous yttrium tris-trifluoroacetate giving Y(TFA)₃(THF)₂ (3) on crystallization from THF. All the products were characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as thermo-gravimetric analysis. In addition, single crystal X-ray structures are reported for 1 and 2, which show either a terminal (η¹ and η²) or bridging (μ,η¹:η¹) bonding behavior of the TFA ligand.     

Polynuclear copper(II) carboxylates with 2,2′-bipyridine or 1,10-phenanthroline: Synthesis,characterization, X-ray structures and magnetism

[Cu₂(phen)₂(μ-O₂CH)₂(O₂CH)₂]_n (1) and [Cu₆(bpy)₆(μ-O₂CC₂H₅)₇(H₂O)₂)](PF₆)₅ · 2H₂O (2) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, electronic and EPR spectra and X-ray structure analyses. Compound 1 consists of four independent polymeric chains of dinuclear [Cu₂(phen)₂(μ-O₂CH)₂(O₂CH)₂] subunits with the asymmetric bidentate bridging formato groups linking Cu atoms in an anti–anti configuration. All Cu(II) ions are in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The hexanuclear copper(II) molecule of compound 2 is constructed from three different dinuclear units connected to each other via two syn–anti-μ₃-η¹;η² carboxylato bridges. All copper(II) ions are in the distorted square-pyramidal geometry. Two terminal dinuclear units are similar in structure in which both Cu(II) ions are doubly bridged by the syn–syn carboxylato anions, while those of the central dinuclear entity are triply bridged by two μ₃-η¹;η² carboxylato anions via monoatomic bridging fashion and one syn–syn carboxylato anion. The magnetic susceptibility (5–350 K) of compound 2 was measured and agree with a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the Cu(II) centers.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the singly tucked-in derivative of bis(phenyltetramethylcyclopentadienyl)titanium

Thermolysis of [TiMe₂(η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph)₂] (4) at 145 °C for 5 h afforded the singly tucked-in paramagnetic titanocene [Ti(III)(η⁵-C₅Me₄Ph){η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₃Ph(CH₂)}] (9). In distinction to the singly tucked-in permethyltitanocene [Ti(III)(η⁵-C₅Me₅){η⁵:η¹-C₅Me₄(CH₂)}] (1) which was found crystallographically disordered [J.M. Fischer, W.E. Piers, V.G. Young, Jr., Organometallics 15 (1996) 2410] the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 9 afforded molecular parameters with nearly by one order better precision as measured by esd-values.     

Models of intermediates in metallocene-catalyzed alkene polymerizations: observation of a d0 cationic titanium–alkyl-alkene complex and decomposition by β-allyl elimination

Low temperature activation of Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η¹- CH₂CH(CH₂CHCH₂)CH₂] (3) with [HN(CH₃)(C₆H₅)₂] [B(C₆F₅)₄] led to the formation of Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η²-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CHCH₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (6) as determined by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Cp^*₂Ti[η¹,η²-CH₂CH(CH₃)CH₂CHCH₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] undergoes rapid quantitative β-allyl elimination at temperatures as low as −140 °C. The resulting cationic titanium allyl complex [Cp^*₂Ti(η³-CH₂CHCH₂)][B(C₆F₅)₄] (4) exhibits a static structure at low temperatures, but interconversion of η³–η¹ binding modes can be observed at higher temperatures. Lineshape analysis of this process yielded ΔG³(−10 °C)= 13.7 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹, ΔH³=9.8 ± 0.6 kcal mol⁻¹, and ΔS³=−15 ± 3 eu. The use of neutral borane B(C₆F₅)₃ also resulted in β-allyl elimination with the formation of [Cp^*₂Ti(η³-CH₂CHCH₂)][CH₂=CHCH₂B(C₆F₅)₃] (8).     

Structural differences of half-sandwich complexes of scandium and yttrium containing bulky substituents

Scandium and yttrium half-sandwich chloride complexes (η⁵-C₅Me₄R)ScCl₂(THF)₂ R = CH₂Ph (3) or SiMe₂CH₂CH₂Ph (5) and (η⁵-C₅Me₄R)YCl₂(THF)₂ R = CH₂Ph (4) or SiMe₂CH₂CH₂Ph (6) were prepared by metathetic reactions of the corresponding substituted lithium or potassium cyclopentadienides with scandium or yttrium trichloride. A mutual comparison of the determined solid state structures of 4 and 5 revealed the tetranuclear character in the case of scandium complex containing C₅Me₄SiMe₂CH₂CH₂Ph ligand, while a formation of the trinuclear ate-complex 4 incorporating lithium was observed for the combination of yttrium and the benzyl substituted tetramethyl cyclopentadienyl. Moreover, the steric effect of addition of another differently substituted cyclopentadienyl ring into the molecule was evaluated.     

Synthesis of diiron sulfur clusters containing thiolato-1,8-naphthalene imide ligand

Three diiron sulfur clusters containing thiolato-1,8-naphthalene imide ligand, [Cp*Fe(μ-4,5-S₂-ⁿBu-NMI)(μ-CO)FeCp*] (3a), [Cp′Fe(μ-4,5-S₂-ⁿBu-NMI)(μ-CO)FeCp′] (3b), [CpFe(ⁿBu-NMI-S)]₂ (4) (3a: Cp* = η⁵-C₅Me₅; 3b: Cp′ = η⁵-C₅HMe₄; 4: Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; ⁿBu-NMI = N-butyl-1,8-naphthalene imide) were synthesized via the reaction of N-butyl-4,5-disulfide-1,8-naphthalene imide and [Cp2Fe(μ-CO)CO]₂ (Cp2 = Cp*, Cp′, Cp). A partially desulfurated product [CpFe(ⁿBu-NMI-S)]₂ was determined in the reaction of [CpFe(μ-CO)CO]₂ with ⁿBu-NMI 4,5-dithiolate. The new complexes were structurally characterized by X-ray analysis.     

Metal-organic frameworks constructed from monomeric,dimeric and trimeric phenanthroline citrate zinc building units

Adduct of mononuclear and dinuclear citrate zinc complex [Zn(Hcit)(phen)(H₂O)][Zn₂(Hcit)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃]·13.5H₂O (1) and its aggregate [Zn₃(Hcit)₂(phen)₄]_n·14nH₂O (2) (H₄cit = citric acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized in weak acidic solutions. The former was obtained from the reaction of zinc nitrate, citric acid and phenanthroline in a molar ratio of 3:2:3, while a slightly excess of phenanthroline results in the formation of the polymeric product 2 in a molar ratio of 3:2:4. Transformation of 1 to 2 was finished by the reaction of 1 with an equimolar of phenanthroline in 72% yield. Reverse conversion of 2 to 1 is obtained in 77% yield, showing an equilibrium between 1 and 2. Neutral compound 1 consists of one monomeric anionic unit [Zn(Hcit)(phen)(H₂O)]^? and one dimeric cationic unit [Zn₂(Hcit)(phen)₂(H₂O)₃]⁺ that connect each other by strong hydrogen bonds [O6?O4w 2.636(2); O7?O3w 2.630(3) Å]. In 2, the citrate ligand links each trinuclear unit [Zn₃(Hcit)₂(phen)₄] to generate an infinite 1D chain that extents into a 3D supramolecular structure by intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds. Moreover, 1 and 2 exhibit strong fluorescence at room temperature.     

Hydrothermal synthesis,crystal structure and physical properties of {[Gd(H2O)4(μ2-C6NO2H5)2Gd(H2O)4](μ3-C6NO2H4)2(ZnCl3)2} · 2H2O · 2Cl

A bimetallic 4f–3d tetranuclear complex {[Gd(H₂O)₄(μ₂-C₆NO₂H₅)₂Gd(H₂O)₄](μ₃-C₆NO₂H₄)₂(ZnCl₃)₂} · 2H₂O · 2Cl (1) has been synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is characterized by a tetranuclear Gd₂Zn₂ structure with the gadolinium and zinc atoms interconnected by isonicotinic acid ligands. The tetranuclear species of {[Gd(H₂O)₄(μ₂-C₆NO₂H₅)₂Gd(H₂O)₄](μ₃-C₆NO₂H₄)₂(ZnCl₃)₂} link to isolated chlorine ions and water molecules via π?π interactions and hydrogen bonds to yield a 3-D supramolecular framework. Photoluminescent investigation reveals that the title complex displays an emission in ultraviolet region. The solid-state diffuse reflectance spectra of 1 reveal the presence of a sharp optical gap of 3.66 eV.     

Amine-directed structural studies of four zinc metal-organic frameworks based on a novel phosphonocarboxylate ligand

A novel phosphonocarboxylic ligand, 4′-phosphonobiphenyl-3,5-dicarboxylic acid (H₄pbpdc), was synthesized to construct 4 zinc compounds, namely, {[Zn₃(pbpdc)₂·2R}_n (R = C₅H₁₂N for 1, C₄H₁₀N for 2 and C₆H₁₆N for 3) and {[Zn₂pbpdc]·C₆H₁₈N₃}_n(4), which were characterized by X-ray crystallography, elemental analysis, FTIR and TG. Structures 1 ~ 3 have the same 3-dimensional (3-D) frameworks with point symbol of {4.6.7³.8}₂{4².6.7².8}₂{4².6².7.8}₂{4².6².7²}. Structure 4 is constructed from a 6-connected metallic cluster and 3-connected phosphonocarboxylic building units resulting in a topology of flu-3,6-C2/c. The luminescent properties of compounds 1 ~ 4 and organic ligand were studied.     

Self-assembly and guest binding of nickel(II) macrocyclic complex with pentyl groups and cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid

Reaction of the nickel(II) macrocyclic complex 1 including pendant pentyl groups in MeCN/H₂O mixed solvent with deprotonated cis,cis-1,3,5-cyclohexanetricarboxylic acid (CTC^3 −) resulted in two-dimensional (2-D) coordination polymer [Ni(C₁₈H₄₂N₆)]₃[C₆H₉(COO)₃]₂·6H₂O·6CH₃CN (2). The crystal structure of 2 indicates that each nickel(II) macrocyclic unit binds two CTC^3 − ions in trans position and each CTC^3 − ion coordinates three nickel(II) macrocyclic complexes to form a 2-D layer with hexagonal motif. The dried solid of 2 differentiates MeOH, EtOH, and PhOH in toluene solvent with the K_f values of 1.38, 2.11, and 6.68 M^− 1, respectively.     

Squarato-metal(II) complexes: Part 6. Synthesis,structure and magnetic characterization of an usual squarate-based 1D copper(II) coordination polymer composed of hexanuclear entities and a trinucleating ligand scaffold

The reaction of the polynucleating ligand 1,3,5-tris[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aminomethyl]benzene (L^TDPA) with Cu(ClO₄)₂ · 6H₂O afforded the trinuclear complex [Cu₃(T^TDPA)(H₂O)₇](ClO₄)₆ · 5H₂O (1). When the reaction was performed in the presence of the squarate dianion, C₄O₄^2-, the compound {[Cu₆(L^TDPA)₂(μ_1,3-C₄O₄)₃](ClO₄)₆ · 12H₂O}_n (2) was obtained. Both compounds have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, showing a trinuclear and a 1D polymeric structures for 1 and 2, respectively. Complex 2 is composed of unusual hexametallic building blocks. Magnetic susceptibility measurements (SQUID) reveal essentially uncoupled copper(II) ions in complex 1, whereas complex 2 shows weak antiferromagnetic coupling via the squarato bridges within magnetically isolated dicopper(II) subunits of the 1D chain.     

pH-controlled the formation of 4-sulfocalix[4]arene-based 1D and 2D coordination polymers

Three manganese/4-sulfocalix[4]arene complexes, namely, {H[(C₂₈H₂₀O₁₆S₄)Mn(H₂O)₄Mn_0.5(H₂O)₂]}_n ·6nH₂O (1), {NH₄[(C₂₈H₂₀O₁₆S₄)Mn(H₂O)₄Mn_0.5(H₂O)₂]}_n · 5nH₂O (2), [(C₂₈H₂₀O₁₆S₄)Mn₂(H₂O)₈]_n · 6nH₂O (3), have been synthesized under different pH conditions. Complex 1, which exhibits a one-dimensional (1D) structure, is formed at [H⁺] = 2.0 mol L⁻¹. Reaction at pH 4 leads to another one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer of 2. At pH 5, a two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymer of complex 3 is formed, showing clearly structural effects on pH response.     

Copolymerization of N-propargylphosphonamidates. Helicity control of the copolymers by P-chirality

The copolymerization of diastereomeric pairs of N-propargylphosphonamidate monomers 1–3 ((1R,2S,5R)-HCCCH₂NHP(O)R-O-menthyl, 1: R = CH₃, 2: R = C₂H₅, 3: R = n-C₃H₇) carrying P- and C-chiral centers was carried out with (nbd)Rh⁺[η⁶-C₆H₅B⁻(C₆H₅)₃] as a catalyst in CHCl₃ for 24 h to afford the copolymers with number-average molecular weights ranging from 1400 to 12 000 in 65–85% yields. The cis contents of the copolymers were above 80%. The copolymers consisting of a pair of diastereomeric monomer units with a large diastereomeric excess showed a large specific rotation and an intense Cotton effect in CHCl₃, indicating that they take a helical conformation with predominantly one-handed screw sense. On the other hand, the copolymer with a small diastereomeric excess showed a small specific rotation and a CD signal. The copolymerization of P-(R)-1 (1a) with an achiral N-propargylphosphoramidate monomer, HCCCH₂NHP(O)(OPh)₂ (4) was also carried out with various feed ratios. Among the obtained copolymers with various compositions, poly(1a₉₅-co-4₅) showed the largest specific rotation and CD intensity in CHCl₃, and poly(1a₅₀-co-4₅₀) did so in THF. The copolymers decreased the CD intensity upon raising the temperature.