Molecular structures and vibrational frequencies for cis-[PdCl2(tmen)] and cis-[Pd(N3)2(tmen)]: A DFT study

Theoretical molecular structures of the complexes cis-[PdCl₂(tmen)] and cis-[Pd(N₃)₂(tmen)] (tmen = N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) were investigated using B3LYP/DFT method. The calculated molecular parameters, bond distances and angles, revealed a square-planar geometry around the metallic center for both compounds with the azide being linear. The theoretical infrared spectra of C₁ symmetry (electronic state ¹A) of the compounds are in agreement with the experimental data.     

A novel Keggin-type tungstogermanate dimer bearing dinuclear copper-organic coordination ions: {H8[Cu(phen)(μ2-CH3COO)2Cu(phen)(H2O)]2[Ge2W23CuO80]} · 24H2O

An unprecedented Keggin-type tungstogermanate dimer bearing dinuclear copper-organic coordination ions {H₈[Cu(phen)(μ₂-CH₃COO)₂Cu(phen)(H₂O)]₂[Ge₂W₂₃CuO₈₀]} · 24H₂O has been synthesized and characterized by IR, UV, ICP analyses, ESR spectra, element analysis, TG and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The compound is built up from a dimeric heteropolyanion constituted by two corner-shared Keggin-type building subunits and two dinuclear copper-organic coordination cations [Cu(phen)(μ₂-CH₃COO)₂Cu(phen)(H₂O)]²⁺, each of which consists two square pyramidal copper-phen ions bridged by two μ₂-acetate ligands.     

Phosphate triester hydrolysis promoted by S3–zinc(II) complexes with a bridged hydroxide: The crystal structure of TtiZn–OP(O)(OC6H4-p-NO2)2, Tti = hydrotris(N-xylyl-2-thioimidazolyl)borate

The bridged μ-hydroxo dinuclear four-co-ordinated zinc(II) complex 2, derived from hydrotris(N-xylyl-2-thioimidazolyl)borate cleaves the P–O bond in tris(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate to form a mixture of a monomeric phosphate diester complex 3 and phenoxo complex 4.     

A novel 3D metal-organic framework with helical structure: Synthesis and structure of [Ag4(tzdt)4(μ-tzdtH)2]n (tzdtH=1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione)

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF), the first 3D 1,3-thiazolidine-2-thione (tzdtH) coordinated MOF with strong Ag–Ag interaction (2.9001 Å) in tetranuclear silver clusters, was synthesized. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction shows that the versatile ligand tzdtH contributes greatly to the formation of the 3D framework and the helical structure.     

A 3-D bismuth–organic framework containing 1-D cationic inorganic [Bi2O2] chains

A three-dimensional Bi(III) based metal–organic framework was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using the multidentate organic linker 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate. Bismuth oxide 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylate, Bi₂O₂[NC₅H₃(CO₂)₂], contains embedded 1-D cationic bismuth oxide chains that propagate along the crystallographic c-axis. The oxygens of the Bi₂O₂ core are three-coordinate and bond strongly to the Bi atoms. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that the material possesses high thermal stability up ca. 400 °C before decomposing to phase-pure Bi₂O₃ at 800 °C. The structure, crystallinity, morphology and properties of the material are discussed.     

Kinetic investigation of the NO decomposition over V–O–W/Ti(Sn)O2 catalyst

A kinetic study of the NO decomposition over V–O–W/Ti(Sn)O₂ catalyst carried out in a tubular fixed-bed reactor operating under atmospheric pressure at different temperatures and at various space times is presented. Assuming that NO decomposition occurs as a result of electron transfer from the metal active site to antibonding π NO orbital, several kinetic models were derived and applied to describe the kinetics of reaction. The best agreement between the experimental data and theoretical prediction was achieved with the model assuming adsorption of NO on the active sites as the rate-determining step. Finally, it was concluded that V–O–W/Ti(Sn)O₂ catalyst has promising activity for the NO removal in O₂ presence from the effluent gases of the different sources of emission.     

Diplatinum(III) [Cl2(μ2-amidinate)4] compound derived from air oxidation of mononuclear cis-[Pt(NH3)2(amidine-κ)2] complex

The dinuclear platinum(III) complex [Pt₂Cl₂{μ₂-N(H)C(Et)N(H)}₄] (2) has been prepared by heating cis-[Pt(NH₃)₂{NHC(NH₂)Et}₂](Cl)₂ (cis-1) under aeration conditions in an EtOH/H₂O mixture at 70 °C for 2 d and it was characterized by elemental analyses (C, H, N), ESI⁺-MS, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopies and also by X-ray diffraction. Complex 2 represents the second Pt^III dimer stabilized by the amidinate ligand ever known and it has a lantern-type structure with four amidinate ligands bridging two Pt^III centers with Pt–Pt distance of 2.4809(2) Å.     

Biodiesel production from soybean oil catalyzed by multifunctionalized Ta2O5/SiO2-[H3PW12O40/R] (R = Me or Ph) hybrid catalyst

Mesoporous Ta₂O₅ materials functionalized with both alkyl group and a Keggin-type heteropoly acid, Ta₂O₅/SiO₂-[H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/R] (R = Me or Ph), was prepared by a single step sol–gel co-condensation method followed by a hydrothermal treatment in the presence of a triblock copolymer surfactant. The catalytic performance of the resulting multifunctionalized organic–inorganic hybrid materials was evaluated by a direct use of soybean oil for biodiesel production in the presence of 20 wt% myristic acid under atmosphere refluxing, and the influences of the catalyst preparation approaches, functional component loadings, and molar ratios of oil to methanol on the catalytic activity of the Ta₂O₅/SiO₂-[H₃PW₁₂O₄₀/R] were studied. In addition, the recyclability of the hybrid materials was evaluated via four catalytic runs. Finally, the network structures of the hybrid materials and the functions of the incorporated alkyl groups on the catalytic activity of the materials were put forward.     

Nucleophilic addition of water to 1-isoquinolinyl phenyl ketone. The synthesis, spectroscopic investigation, crystal and molecular structure and DFT calculations of [ReOBr2(iquinpk-OH)(PPh3)]

The reaction of [ReOBr₃(PPh₃)₂] with 1-isoquinolinyl phenyl ketone in acetone has been examined and the novel complex [ReOBr₂(iquinpk-OH)(PPh₃)] has been obtained. The complex has been characterised by IR, UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The electronic structure of [ReOBr₂(iquinpk-OH)(PPh₃)] has been calculated with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The spin-allowed electronic transitions of [ReOBr₂(iquinpk-OH)(PPh₃)] have been calculated with the time-dependent DFT method and the UV–Vis spectrum has been discussed on this basis.     

Synthesis and characterisation of tetraosmium carbonyl clusters bearing an azo type ligand: crystal and molecular structures of [Os4(μ-H)4(CO)11(NC5H4N=NPh)] and [Os4(μ-H)4(CO)10(MeCN)(NC5H4N=NPh)]

Reaction of [Os₄(μ-H)₄(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂] with one equivalent of 4-phenylazopyridine (4-PAP) in CH₂Cl₂ at ambient conditions afforded two new tetraosmium clusters [Os₄(μ-H)₄(CO)₁₁(NC₅H₄N=NPh)] (1) and [Os₄(μ-H)₄(CO)₁₀(MeCN)(NC₅H₄N=NPh)] (2) in moderate yields. Compound 1 exists as a pair of isomers in solution, which differ in the location of the bridging hydride ligands. The molecular structures of clusters 1 and 2 consist of a highly distorted tetrahedral metal skeleton, with the azo ligand terminally bonded to an osmium atom.     

Direct growth of Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3 · xH2O thin films on modified QCM-gold electrodes – Water sorption isotherms

The preparation of a thin film of the metal–organic framework Cu₃(BTC)₂(H₂O)₃ · xH₂O (HKUST-1) on the gold electrode of a quartz-crystal microbalance (QCM) was achieved by direct growth on a 11-mercaptoundecanol self-assembled monolayer (SAM). The formation of the SAM on the gold substrate was proven via reflection–absorption infrared-spectroscopy. The HKUST-1 thin film was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman-spectroscopy, and scanning-electron microscopy. Water vapor sorption measurements allow us to directly characterize the sorption properties of the thin film grown on the electrode of the QCM-device.     

Pressureless sintering and mechanical properties of SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–K2O–TiO2–F (CaO–Na2O) machinable glass–ceramics

To develop a high strength machinable glass–ceramic through pressureless sintering, the glassy compositions were obtained by mixing a mica-based frit and a frit in the SiO₂–CaO–Na₂O system. According to XRD results, the glass compositions mainly crystallized into phlogopite and diopside after sintering. The optimum sintered glass–ceramic with desirable mechanical properties, machinability and sinterability was achieved by addition of 30 wt.% SiO₂–CaO–Na₂O glass powder to 70 wt.% mica glass composition. SEM results confirmed presence of needle-like diopside crystals which played a reinforcement role to the platelet phlogopite and glassy matrix combination. The measurements showed bending strength and fracture toughness enhanced up to 144.6 ± 17.6 MPa and 1.7 ± 0.2 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

Supramolecular π–π assembly of a neutral [Cu(salen)] complex via the templating effect of an ionic inorganic complex Na2[Cu(mnt)2] forming a framework type material having well-defined channels

A classical ionic inorganic complex Na₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate = 1,2-dicyanoethylenedithiolate), that acts as a template in assembling neutral [Cu(salen)] (salen = bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) complexes forming a framework type arrangement, is accommodated in the channel formed in the crystal structure of a new type of host–guest compound [Cu(salen)]₄ · Na₂[Cu(mnt)₂] (1). The non-covalent supramolecular interactions among [Cu(salen)] complexes and between [Cu(salen)] and [Cu(mnt)₂]²⁻ complexes in the crystal lattice of 1 result in weak antiferromagnetic coupling.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis, crystal structure and NMR of [Na(DB18C6)(CH3CN)]3[α-AsM12O40] (M = Mo/W)

Two super-molecular complexes [Na(DB18C6)(CH₃CN)]₃[α-AsM₁₂O₄₀] (M = Mo/W) were obtained by solvothermal reaction and characterized by IR,¹H ¹³C and gUMBC NMR, X-ray. The result reveals that the complex consists of a [α-AsM₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ (M = Mo/W) anion with α-Keggin structure, and three complex [Na (DB18C6)(CH₃CN)]⁺ cations in which every sodium ion is located in the cavity of dibenzo-18-crown-6 with 6 Na–O bonds and coordinated with one of the terminal O atom of [α-AsM₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ (M = Mo/W) and the N atom of CH₃CN from two sides of the distorted DB18C6 plane, respectively. The three terminal O atoms linked with sodium ion are from a single M₃O₁₃ (M = Mo/W) triplet of the α-Keggin metalatoarsenate anion, and M–O_b (M = Mo/W) bonds exhibit alternating single–double bond character.     

Charge transport properties of poly(N-vinylimidazole) containing [Os(N)6]2+/3+ moieties

The rate of charge transport of electrodes modified with osmium containing poly(N-vinylimidazole) has been examined as a function of the nature of the contacting electrolyte solution and of temperature. Heterogeneous electron transfer from the electrode into the polymer film has also been investigated. The charge transport parameters show that the nature of the electrolyte anion and its concentration have a large impact on the polymer morphology. In sulfuric acid the films appear significantly swollen, hydrated, and porous, while in perchlorate-containing solutions they are rather compact. Activation energies for the rate-determining step of charge transport show that, depending on the electrolyte, segmental chain motion or ion movement represents the rate-limiting process.     

Ionic liquid as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a metal-organic framework: (BMIM)2[Cd3(BDC)3Br2] (BMIM = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)

An ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide, is used as reaction medium for the synthesis and crystallization of a coordination polymer, (BMIM)₂[Cd₃(BDC)₃Br ₂] (1) (BMIM = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, BDC =  1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), which forms an anionic two-dimensional framework with the imidazolium cations located between the layers. This compound is thermally stable up to ca. 340 °C and exhibits blue emission in solid state at room temperature. Other characterizations by IR and UV–visible spectra are also described.     

The structure of the [Et2In(μ,λ-O2C)–C6H4–2–NH2]∞ coordination polymer: Competition of intramolecular hydrogen bonding with metal–ligand coordination preferences in determining the molecular and crystal structure

The X-ray structure analysis of [Et₂In(μ,λ-O₂C)–C₆H₄–2–NH₂]_n (1) reveals an extended one-dimensional chain comprised of an array of five-coordinate indium centers. The chain unit repeated along two-fold screw axis is defined by the diethylindium moiety chelated asymmetrically by the carboxylate group with one of the two carboxylate oxygens acting as bridge to the next indium center in the chain. The NH₂ group does not participate in the coordination of the metal center but is involved in an intermolecular hydrogen bond.     

[Zn(BDC)(H2O)2]n: a novel blue luminescent coordination polymer constructed from BDC-bridged 1-D chains via interchain hydrogen bonds (BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate)

A novel coordination polymer [Zn(BDC)(H₂O)₂]_n 1 (where BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c, a=15.09(2) Å, b=5.058(7) Å, c=12.196(16) Å, β=103.62(2)°, , Z=4. The most striking feature of 1 is that it consists of a high-dimensional network structure constructed from BDC-bridged 1-D chains via interchain hydrogen bonds. The coordination sphere of the zinc(II) ion is a distorted tetrahedron completed by four oxygen atoms from two water molecules and two BDC ligands. BDC adopts the bis-monodentated (syn–anti) coordination mode linking two adjacent zinc(II) ions. 1 shows strong blue photoluminescence as the result of the fluorescence from the intraligand emission excited state.