Switching between kappa(2) and kappa(3) bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligands by tuning reaction conditions: synthesis, spectral, electrochemical, structural, and theoretical studies on arene-Ru(II) derivatives of bis(azol-1-yl)acetate ligands.

New (arene)ruthenium(II) derivatives containing neutral HL or anionic L(-) ligands (arene = p-cymene or benzene, HL in general, in particular HL(1) = bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid and HL(2) = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)acetic acid) have been synthesized and analytically and spectrally characterized. The ligands in neutral form coordinate ruthenium in a chelating kappa(2)-N,N'-bidentate fashion affording 1:1 derivatives of formula [Ru(arene)(HL)Cl]Cl, where the inner Cl can be replaced by a phosphine. These derivatives show very high conductance values in water, due to the contribution of H(3)O(+) produced by deprotonation of the -COOH fragment in HL ligands and consequent formation of 1:2 electrolytes such as [Ru(arene)(kappa(3)-N,N',O-L)]Cl(2) species. However, the remaining derivatives contain monoanion L(-) ligands coordinating in the tripodal kappa(3)-N,N',O-tridentate fashion. The solid-state X-ray structure of the complex [Ru(eta(6)-p-cymene)(kappa(3)-N,N',O-L(1))]PF(6) confirmed such behavior. The redox properties of those compounds have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis, which, on the basis of their measured Ru(II/III) oxidation potentials, have allowed for the ordering of the HL and L(-) ligands according to their electron-donor character. This is accounted for by DFT calculations, which show a relevant contribution of L ligand orbitals to the highest occupied molecular orbitals (HOMOs) when they are coordinated in the monoanionic tridentate form, while for derivatives containing neutral HL ligands, the main contribution to the HOMOs comes from orbitals of the metal and chlorine atoms, the overall contribution from the bidentate HL ligand orbitals being small. Values of the Lever electrochemical E(L) ligand parameter (a measure of the net electron donor character of a ligand) have been estimated for the above and related acylpyrazolonate ligands, as well as for the eta(6)-coordinated benzene and cymene.

Areneruthenium(II) 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate derivatives: coordination chemistry, redox properties, and reactivity.

Areneruthenium(II) molecular complexes of the formula [Ru(arene)(Q)Cl], containing diverse 4-acyl-5-pyrazolonate ligands Q with arene = cymene or benzene, have been synthesized by the interaction of HQ and [Ru(arene)Cl(micro-Cl)]2 dimers in methanol in the presence of sodium methoxide. The dinuclear compound [{Ru(cymene)Cl}2Q4Q] (H2Q4Q = bis(4-(1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone)dioxohexane), existing in the RRuSRu (meso form), has been prepared similarly. [Ru(cymene)(Q)Cl] reacts with sodium azide in acetone, affording [Ru(cymene)(Q)N3] derivatives, where Cl- has been replaced by N3-. The reactivity of [Ru(cymene)(Q)Cl] has also been explored toward monodentate donor ligands L (L = triphenylphosphine, 1-methylimidazole, or 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole) and exo-bidentate ditopic donor ligands L-L (L-L = 4,4'-bipyridine or bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) in the presence of silver salts AgX (X = SO3CF3 or ClO4), new ionic mononuclear complexes of the formula [Ru(cymene)(Q)L]X, and ionic dinuclear complexes of the formula [{Ru(cymene)(Q)}2L-L]X2 being obtained. The solid-state structures of a number of complexes were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies. Their redox properties have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry and controlled potential electrolysis, which, on the basis of their measured RuII/III reversible oxidation potentials, have allowed the ordering of the bidentate acylpyrazolonate ligands according to their electron-donor character and are indicative of a small dependence of the HOMO energy upon the change of the monodentate ligand. This is accounted for by DFT calculations, which show a relevant contribution of acylpyrazolonate ligand orbitals to the HOMOs, whereas that from the monodentate ligand is minor.

The competition between acetate and pyrazolate in the formation of polynuclear Zn(II) coordination complexes.

Hydrated zinc(II) acetate reacts with pyrazole (Hpz) and, depending on the reaction conditions, forms different pyrazole-containing species, i.e. [[Zn(CH3COO)(mu-pz)(Hpz)]2] (1), [[Zn(CH3COO)2(Hpz)2.CH3COOH]] (2), [[Zn(mu-pz)2]n] (3), and [[Zn(mu-CH3COO)(mu-pz)]n] (4). Their structural models have been derived from single-crystal X-ray diffractometry as well as from less conventional ab-initio X-ray powder methods. All species contain tetrahedrally coordinated Zn(II) ions, with Zn-N and Zn-O bond distances close to 2.0 angstroms. The existence of the [Zn(mu-pz)]2 core in the species 1, 3 and 4 indicates the propensity for the formation, in the presence of pyrazolate ligands, of well-defined dinuclear entities (with Zn...Zn contacts in the range 3.6-3.8 angstroms). The latter can mutually interact, in the crystals, through either hydrogen-bonding of ancillary ligands (as in 1) or coordinative bonds (via acetates, as in 4, or by self-complementarity, as in 3). The interconversion paths among these species have been studied, employing chemical and thermal methods. In particular, the topotactic and quantitative transformation of 1 into 3 by moderate heating is likely based on a solid-state cooperative condensation mechanism of the dangling pyrazolates toward neighbouring zinc(II) ions, with concomitant acetic acid extrusion.

The imidazole role in strontium beta-diketonate complexes formation.

A selection of new strontium beta-diketonate derivatives (imH2)2[Sr2(beta-dike)6] [where imH = imidazole and beta-dike = tfac (tfacH = 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,4-pentanedione), tfbz (tfbzH = 1,1,1-trifluoro-4-phenyl-2,4-butanedione), or hfac (hfacH = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione)], [Sr2(tfac)4(Meim)2(H2O)2], (MeimH)2[Sr(beta-dike)4] (where Meim = 1-methylimidazole and beta-dike = tfbz or hfac), [Sr2(thd)4(imH)2(EtOH)], and [Sr2(thd)4(Meim)2(EtOH)] (where thdH = 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedione) have been synthesized and fully characterized. (imH2)2[Sr2(beta-dike)6] and (MeimH)2[Sr(beta-dike)4] are di- and mononuclear Sr anionic complexes, respectively, while [Sr2(tfac)4(Meim)2(H2O)2], [Sr2(thd)4(imH)2(EtOH)], and [Sr2(thd)4(Meim)2(EtOH)] are neutral dinuclear molecular derivatives. The derivative (imH2)2[Sr2(hfac)6] slowly decomposes in solution under aerobic conditions, giving (imH2)2[Sr(H2O)2(tfa)3](tfa) (tfaH = trifluoroacetic acid), which is an ionic compound containing polynuclear anionic chains composed of Sr(H2O)2(tfa)3 units. When a deficiency of imH is employed, the thdH proligand forms not only the dinuclear derivative [Sr2(thd)4(imH)2(EtOH)] but also an additional product with the formula [Sr(thd)2(H2O)2(EtOH)], in which the Sr atom is seven-coordinated. A complete solid-state characterization has been accomplished by comparing X-ray and solid-state 13C NMR data. Elucidation of the H-bond interaction between the heterocyclic rings and metal complexes by cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning 15N NMR is also reported.

Sorption-desorption behavior of bispyrazolato-copper(II) 1D coordination polymers.

A new polycrystalline vapochromic polymorph of the one-dimensional copper bispyrazolate polymer reversibly and selectively absorbs a number of small molecules; the crystal structures of the anhydrous and fully hydrated species, determined by powder diffraction methods, are markedly different despite their simple, fast, and reversible interconversion.

Silver coordination chemistry of a new versatile "Janus"-type N(2),O(2)-bichelating donor, formation of an unprecedented supramolecular network of binuclear silver building blocks containing a five-coordinate beta-diketonate, and isolation of unexpected silver-tin-silver heterotrimetallic complexes from silver metathesis reactions.

Synthetic, spectroscopic, and single-crystal X-ray studies are reported for several complexes of silver(I) with the N(2),O(2)-bichelating Q(py) ligand (HQ(py) = 1-(2-pyridyl)-3-methyl-4-trifluoroacetylpyrazol-5-one). Direct interaction between HQ(py) and AgNO(3) in methanol, in the presence of NaOCH(3), affords derivative Ag(Q(py)), showing a polynuclear structure composed of dinuclear building blocks with two different Ag environments and two Q(py) donors differently connected. By adding neutral ligands such as PR(3) (R = Ph, Cy, C(6)H(4)-o-CH(3), C(6)H(4)-p-F, Bu(i)) to Ag(Q(py)), dinuclear Ag(Q(py))(PR(3)) derivatives have been isolated, containing bridging N(2),O-exotridentate Q(py) donors spanning a pair of AgPR(3) moieties. Reaction of Ag(Q(py))(PPh(3)) with excess PPh(3) produces the mononuclear Ag(Q(py))(PPh(3))(2) containing N(2)-chelate Q(py). Ag(Q(py)) interacts with 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe) yielding the derivative Ag(Q(py))(dppe), having a polynuclear structure in the solid state which is seemingly disrupted in solution, with the formation of two new species, a mononuclear neutral compound and a dinuclear ionic one. By the interaction of Ag(Q(py)) with nitrogen donors L (L = imidazole (imH), 1-methylimidazole (Meim), 1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (Hmimt), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)), mononuclear species Ag(Q(py))(L) have been obtained, where Q(py) is coordinated to silver in N(2)-chelating mode. Ag(Q(py))(PPh(3))(2) reacts with SnRCl(3) (R = Ph, Bu(n)) affording heterotrimetallic [[(Ph(3)P)(2)AgCl](2)SnRCl(3)] derivatives.

Crystal structures and vibrational and solution and solid-state (CPMAS) NMR spectroscopic studies in triphenyl phosphine, arsine, and stibine silver(I) bromate systems, (R3E)xAgBrO3 (E = P, As, Sb; x = 1-4).

Adducts of triphenyl phosphine, triphenyl arsine, and triphenyl stibine with silver(I) bromate have been synthesized and characterized both in solution ((1)H and ESI MS spectroscopy) and in the solid state (IR, single-crystal X-ray structure analysis). The triphenyl phosphine complexes have been also investigated by (31)P[(1)H] solution and (31)P cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectroscopy. The topology of the structures in the solid state was found to depend on the nature of EPh(3) and on the stoichiometric ratio AgBrO(3)/EPh(3). In AgBrO(3)/PPh(3) (1:1)(4) (1) and AgBrO(3)/PPh(3) (1:2) (2), the bromate is in the unfamiliar and hitherto structurally uncharacterized role of coordinating ligand, the complex having a mononuclear form in 2 and a less familiar tetrameric form in 1. In AgBrO(3)/AsPh(3) (1:4).CH(3)OH (7) and AgBrO(3)/SbPh(3) (1:4).C(2)H(5)OH (11), the cations are the familiar homoleptic [Ag(EPh(3))(4)](+) array with the bromate role simply that of counterion. The AgBrO(3)/AsPh(3) (1:2)(2).0.7"H(2)O" derivative (6) is binuclear L(2)Ag(mu-BrO(3))(2)AgL(2) with a four-membered ring core (L = AsPh(3)).

Variable coordination modes of NO2(-) in a series of Ag(I) complexes containing triorganophosphines, -arsines, and -stibines. Syntheses, spectroscopic characterization (IR, 1H and 31P NMR, electrospray ionization mass), and structures of [AgNO2(R(3)E)(x)] adducts (E = P, As, Sb, x = 1-3).

Adducts of triorganophosphine, triphenylarsine, and triphenylstibine with silver(I) nitrite have been synthesized and characterized both in solution ((1)H, (31)P NMR) and in the solid state (IR, single-crystal X-ray structure analysis). In addition aggregates of AgNO(2) and ER(3) (E = P, As, Sb) have been identified in solution by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The topology of the structures in the solid state was found to depend on the nature of ER(3) and on the stoichiometric ratio AgNO(2):ER(3). The adducts AgNO(2):EPh(3) (1:1) (E = P or Sb) are one-dimensional polymers, the role of NO(2)(-) being to bridge successive metal atoms by coordination of the two oxygens to one silver atom and the nitrogen lone pair to a successive Ag. The adduct AgNO(2):P(o-tolyl)(3) (1:1) is mononuclear, due to steric hindrance of the phosphine, the nitrite being O,O'-bidentate, a rare example of a quasi-linear P-Ag-X array. AgNO(2):P(p-F-C(6)H(4))(3) (1:1) is a dimer, the nitrite being coordinated through both oxygens, the first unidentate, the second bridging bidentate. P(o-tolyl)(3) and Pcy(3) form 1:2 adducts, also mononuclear, the nitrite still an O,O'-chelate. In contrast, the adduct AgNO(2):AsPh(3) (1:2) is a centrosymmetric dimer, essentially an aggregate of a pair of [Ag(O(2)N)(AsPh(3))(2)] arrays with one nitrite oxygen being the bridging atom. The adducts AgNO(2):EPh(3) (1:3) (E = As, Sb) are mononuclear, the nitrite behaving as a consistently strong O,O'-chelate. The E = As adduct is a triclinic solvated form, whereas the unsolvated E = Sb species is monoclinic. ESI-MS spectra of acetonitrile solutions of these complexes show the existence of [Ag(ER(3))](+), [Ag(CH(3)CN)](+), [Ag(CH(3)CN)(2)](+), [AgCl(2)](-), [Ag(NO(2))(2)](-), [Ag(ER(3))(CH(3)CN)](+), and [Ag(ER(3))(2)](+) as well as higher aggregates [Ag(2)(NO(2))(ER(3))(2)](+), [Ag(2)(NO(2))(3)](-) and [Ag(2)Cl(2)(NO(2))](-), which are less prevalent.

First structurally characterized silver(I) derivatives with nonfluorinated beta-diketones.

Synthetic, spectroscopic, and single-crystal X-ray structural studies of diverse complexes of silver(I) acylpyrazolonate salts AgQ(R') (QH = 1-phenyl-3-methyl-4-R'(C=O)-pyrazol-5-one; Q(1), R = Ph; Q(2), R' = CF(3); Q(3), R' = Me) with neutral ligands L = unidentate PR(3) (R = Ph, o-tolyl, cyclohexyl) and Hmimt (1-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole) and bidentate dppe (Ph(2)P(CH(2))(2)PPh(2)) and trimen (N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine) define the donor capability of the anionic Q(R') ligand in a variety of roles. In the free ligand Q(3)H (which crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15), Z = 8, unit cell parameters a = 17.981(6) A, b = 5.0641(4) A, c = 24.271(6) A, and beta = 99.67(2)), the acidic OH group hydrogen-bonds intramolecularly to the adjacent pyrazolone oxygen, i.e., the two oxygen atoms are cis, true of the other Q(R') species structurally characterized here in their anionic complexed forms, in which they chelate the silver in the usual beta-diketonate manner, but not of the free anion, found in the array [Ag(Ph(3)P)(Hmimt)(2)](Q(1)) (triclinic space group P(-)1(no. 2), Z = 2, unit cell parameters a = 11.553(1) A, b = 11.943(1) A, c = 15.479(2) A, alpha = 74.829(2), beta = 76.094(2), and gamma = 78.185(2)), or [Ag(trimen)Q(1)] (monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (no. 14), Z = 4, unit cell parameters a = 7.982(1) A, b = 12.299(2) A, c = 21.507(3) A, and beta = 95.119(3)), which forms an infinite one-dimensional polymer string, Q(1) linking successive silver(I) atoms by coordination by way of the unsubstituted nitrogen and the pyrazolonate oxygen. In all [Ag(R(3)P)(2)(chelate-Q(1))] (R = Ph, Cy) complexes, P(2)Ag(O,O') arrays are found (R = Ph, monoclinic space group C2/c (no. 15), Z = 8, unit cell parameters a = 16.193(8) A, b = 13.859(7) A, c = 39.306(7) A, and beta = 100.02(3); R = Cy, triclinic space group P(-)1(no. 2), Z = 2, unit cell parameters a = 10.4655(9) A, b = 12.079(1) A, c = 22.804(2) A, alpha = 104.872(2), beta = 95.180(2), and gamma = 104.144(2)), also true of [Ag(Ph(3)P)(2)(O,O'-Q(2))] (triclinic space group P(-)1(no. 2), Z = 2, unit cell parameters a = 10.672(2) A, b = 10.710(2) A, c = 18.713(3) A, alpha = 87.573(2), beta = 80.972(2), and gamma = 81.734(2)), whereas [Ag(o-tol(3)P)Q(1)] (monoclinic space group P2(1)/c (no. 14), Z = 2 dimers, unit cell parameters a = 11.8221(6) A, b = 13.2601(6) A, c = 20.5141(10) A, and beta = 91.758(1)) exists as a dinuclear species containing two AgO(2)NP units where the acylpyrazolonate is coordinated in a bridging O,O'-Q-Nfashion. Silver atoms are four-coordinate in all except the Hmimt complex.