Oxazolidine Nitroxide Transformation in a Coordination Sphere of the Ln3+ Ions.

Upon the interaction of the hydrated lanthanide(III) salts found in acetonitrile solution with a tripodal paramagnetic compound, 4,4-dimethyl-2,2-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1,3-oxazolidine-3-oxyl (Rad), functionalized by two pyridyl groups, three neutral, structurally characterized complexes with diamagnetic polydentate ligands-[Dy(RadH)(hbpm)Cl2], [Yb2(ipapm)2(NO3)4], and [Ce2(ipapm)2(NO3)4(EtOAc)2]-were obtained. These coordination compounds are minor uncolored crystalline products, which were formed in a reaction mixture due to the Rad transformation in a lanthanide coordination sphere, wherein the processes of its simultaneous disproportionation, hydrolysis, and condensation proceed differently than in the absence of Ln ions. The latter fact was confirmed by the formation of the structurally characterized product of the oxazolidine nitroxide transformation during its crystallization in toluene solution. Such a conversion in the presence of 4f elements ions is unique since no similar phenomenon was observed during the synthesis of the 3d-metal complexes with Rad.

Revisiting Sodium Hexafluoroiridates: Perspective Precursors for Electronic, Quantum, and Related Materials.

The following salts have been synthesized and structurally characterized: Na2[IrF6]·2H2O (C2/m, a = 6.6327(4), b = 10.0740(6), c = 5.9283(5) Å, ß = 122.3880(10)°) and Na3[IrF6]·2H2O (R-3, a = 7.5963(3), b = 7.5963(3), c = 9.8056(4) Å) (for the first time) by single-crystal X-ray diffraction; the unit cell parameters of a tetragonal phase (P4 2/mnm, a = 5.005(2), c = 10.074(4) Å) of the stable α-Na2[IrF6] were determined for the first time; and the unit cell parameters of ß-Na2[IrF6] (P321, a = 9.332(4), c = 5.136(2) Å) and Na3[IrF6] (P21/n, a = 5.567(4), b = 5.778(4), c = 8.017(2) Å, ß = 90.41(2)°) were determined using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The data of the thermal stability was obtained by differential thermal analysis (DTA) for all substances. The presence of Na3[IrF6]·H2O monohydrate is predicted. H2[IrF6] was prepared in a solution and was demonstrated to behave as a strong dibasic acid.

Stabilization of Re37+/Re38+ Metalloclusters by Cyanide Ligands in New Trinuclear Rhenium Cluster Complexes [{Re3X3}(CN)9]4-/[{Re3X3}(CN)9]5- (X = Br or I).

The interaction of rhenium(III) halides Re3Br9 and Re3I9 with aqueous solution of sodium cyanide resulted in the formation of the first trinuclear halide-cyanide rhenium cluster complexes [{Re3X3}(CN)9]5-/[{Re3X3}(CN)9]4- (X = Br or I) crystallized as salts of the compositions Cs4Na[{Re3Br3}(CN)9]·5.25H2O (1), Cs4Na[{Re3I3}(CN)9]·6H2O (2), Cs4[{Re3Br3}(CN)9]·2H2O·0.5CsCl (3), and Cs4[{Re3I3}(CN)9]·(4). All of the compounds are stable in air in the solid state and in aqueous solution. The substitution of apical halide ligands in the parent compounds Re3X9 by cyanides led to reduction of the original metallocluster Re39+ (12 cluster valence electrons (CVEs)) to Re37+ (14 CVEs), forming the compounds 1 and 2. The apical CN- ligands affect the electronic structure of the Re3 metallocluster stabilizing reduced form. Complexes 1 and 2 represent the first examples of triangular rhenium clusters with the Re37+ metallocluster. The reaction of 1 and 2 with H2O2 resulted in formation of compounds 3 and 4 with the formal charge of the Re3 metallocluster equal to 8+, and no further oxidation to Re39+ occurred. The compounds were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Inorganic Ligands Sb3- and Bi3-: Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Complexes with Mixed-Ligand Cluster Cores {Re4Se3Sb}7+ and {Re4Se3Bi}7.

The reactions of ReI3, Se, and KCN with Sb2O3 or Bi2O3 at elevated temperature led to the formation of two new tetrahedral clusters with mixed-ligand cluster cores {Re4Se3Sb}7+ and {Re4Se3Bi}7+. They are the first examples of complexes with either Sb3- or Bi3- ligands, which have never been previously described in the literature.

The {Re4} Tetrahedral Cyanometalate Cluster Anion [{Re4(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)12]8- with Inner (µ3-CCN)3- Ligands and Its Features in Coordination of Cu2+ Cations.

A reaction between ReI3 and KCN at elevated temperature led to the formation of the new cyanometalate cluster anion [{Re4(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)12]8- (1). The anion contains µ3-CCN3- ligands, which are stabilized by the coordination to the triangular faces of the tetrahedral {Re4} metallocluster in a µ3 mode. The compound crystallized as a potassium salt, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was shown that µ3-CCN3- ligands are ambidentate and can interact with transition-metal cations similarly to terminal CN groups, resulting in the polymer framework formation.

Soluble Molecular Rhenium Cluster Complexes Exhibiting Multistage Terminal Ligands Reduction.

Substitution of terminal halide ligands of octahedral rhenium cluster complexes [Re6Q8X6]4- in a melt of 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) led to us obtaining four new compounds with the general formula trans-[Re6Q8(bpy)4X2] (Q = S or Se; X = Cl or Br) in high yield. In contrast to most of the known molecular rhenium cluster complexes with heteroaromatic terminal ligands, compounds 1-4 are soluble in organic solvents. This made it possible to carry out a detailed characterization of the new compounds both in solids and in solutions. In particular, it was shown that compounds 1-4 in the DMSO solution exhibit four reversible reduction processes. A comparison of the obtained data with the results of DFT calculations of the electronic structure suggests that these processes correspond to two-electron reduction of all four bpy ligands. The reduction potentials are shifted to the positive region compared with the potential of free bipyridine, and the value of the shift depends on the composition of the cluster core. The presence of four transitions also suggests that electronic exchange between terminal ligands in the cis-position is possible. The study of the luminescence of the compounds showed that emission maxima of selenide clusters almost coincide with those of sulfide ones, while luminescence spectra of the complexes with chloride terminal ligands (1 and 3) are slightly blue-shifted relative to the spectra of the complexes with bromide ligands (2 and 4).

Bis(2,1,3-benzotelluradiazolidyl)2,1,3-benzotelluradiazole: a pair of radical anions coupled by TeN chalcogen bonding.

Reduction of 2,1,3-benzotelluradiazole (3) yielded a crystalline solid that features a trimeric dianion formally composed of two [3]˙- and one 3 bridged by unusually asymmetric TeN chalcogen bonds. The solid is diamagnetic due to strong antiferromagnetic coupling, as revealed by CASSCF/CASPT2 and BS-DFT.

Octahedral molybdenum cluster as a photoactive antimicrobial additive to a fluoroplastic.

Finding methods that fight bacterial infection or contamination, while minimising our reliance on antibiotics is one of the most pressing needs of this century. Although the utilisation of UV-C light and strong oxidising agents, such as bleach, are still efficacious methods for eliminating bacterial surface contamination, both methods present severe health and/or environmental hazards. Materials with intrinsic photodynamic activity (i.e. a material's ability upon photoexcitation to convert molecular oxygen into reactive oxygen species such as singlet oxygen), which work with light within the visible photomagnetic spectrum could offer a significantly safer alternative. Here we present a new, bespoke molybdenum cluster (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(CF3(CF2)6COO)6], which is both efficient in the generation of singlet oxygen upon photoirradiation and compatible with the fluoropolymer (F-32L) known for its good oxygen permeability. Thus, (Bu4N)2[{Mo6I8}(CF3(CF2)6COO)6]/F-32L mixtures have been solution-processed to give homogenous films of smooth and fibrous morphologies and which displayed high photoinduced antibacterial activity against four common pathogens under visible light irradiation. These materials thus have potential in applications ranging from antibacterial coatings to filtration membranes and air conditioners to prevent spread of bacterial infections.

PO23- and AsO3-: Pnictogenide Ligands in the Highly Charged Re4 Cluster Anions [{Re4(PO)3(PO2)}(CN)12]8-, [{Re4As2(AsO)2}(CN)12]8-, and [{Re4(AsO)4}(CN)12]8.

New tetrahedral anionic rhenium cluster complexes [{Re4(PO)3(PO2)}(CN)12]8- (1) and [{Re4As2(AsO)2}(CN)12]8- (2) have been synthesized by the reaction of ReI3 with NaCN and Pred or KCN and Asgray, respectively. Compound 2 was further oxidized by aqueous H2O2 to produce the cluster anion [{Re4(AsO)4}(CN)12]8- (3). The anions contain new pnictogen/oxygen-based ligands, PO23- and AsO3-, which were stabilized by the coordination to the triangular faces of the tetrahedral Re4 metallocluster in µ3-mode. All three compounds were crystallized as either sodium or potassium salts, and their crystal structures were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Europium and ytterbium complexes with o-iminoquinonato ligands: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior.

Complexes of divalent ytterbium (1) and europium (2) with a dianionic o-amidophenolate ligand were prepared by both the direct reduction of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone (dpp-IQ) and the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-amidophenolate with LnI2 (Ln = Yb, Eu). Oxidation of o-amidophenolates 1, 2 with one equivalent of dpp-IQ as well as the salt metathesis reaction of potassium o-iminosemiquinolate with LnI2 afforded ligand mixed-valent o-iminosemiquinonato-amidophenolato complexes of trivalent ytterbium (3) and europium (4). All novel complexes 1-4 were fully characterized, including the solid state structures of 1 and 2 determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of paramagnetic 2-4 were examined.

Radical Anions, Radical-Anion Salts, and Anionic Complexes of 2,1,3-Benzochalcogenadiazoles.

By means of cyclic voltammetry (CV) and DFT calculations, it was found that the electron-acceptor ability of 2,1,3-benzochalcogenadiazoles 1-3 (chalcogen: S, Se, and Te, respectively) increases with increasing atomic number of the chalcogen. This trend is nontrivial, since it contradicts the electronegativity and atomic electron affinity of the chalcogens. In contrast to radical anions (RAs) [1].- and [2].- , RA [3].- was not detected by EPR spectroscopy under CV conditions. Chemical reduction of 1-3 was performed and new thermally stable RA salts [K(THF)]+ [2].- (8) and [K(18-crown-6)]+ [2].- (9) were isolated in addition to known salt [K(THF)]+ [1].- (7). On contact with air, RAs [1].- and [2].- underwent fast decomposition in solution with the formation of anions [ECN]- , which were isolated in the form of salts [K(18-crown-6)]+ [ECN]- (10, E=S; 11, E=Se). In the case of 3, RA [3].- was detected by EPR spectroscopy as the first representative of tellurium-nitrogen π-heterocyclic RAs but not isolated. Instead, salt [K(18-crown-6)]+ 2 [3-Te2 ]2- (12) featuring a new anionic complex with coordinate Te-Te bond was obtained. On contact with air, salt 12 transformed into salt [K(18-crown-6)]+ 2 [3-Te4 -3]2- (13) containing an anionic complex with two coordinate Te-Te bonds. The structures of 8-13 were confirmed by XRD, and the nature of the Te-Te coordinate bond in [3-Te2 ]2- and [3-Te4 -3]2- was studied by DFT calculations and QTAIM analysis.

From oxide to a new type of molecular tungsten compound: formation of bitetrahedral cluster complexes [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)16]10- and [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-As)4}(CN)16]10.

Tungsten trioxide has been found to be a convenient precursor for the synthesis of metal cluster compounds with new types of cluster cores. The reaction between WO3 and KCN led to the formation of the cluster complex [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)16]10-. Unexpectedly, it includes the fully deprotonated form of acetonitrile, the CCN3- anion, as a µ3-bridging ligand coordinated to the trigonal faces of the bitetrahedral W6 metallocluster. A similar complex [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-As)4}(CN)16]10- containing µ3-As3- ligands instead of µ3-CCN3- ones has been synthesized by the reaction between WO3, As and KCN.

Facile Substitution of Bridging SO22- Ligands in Re12 Bioctahedral Cluster Complexes.

Selective substitution of µ-SO22- groups by either O2- or Se2- ions occurs upon heating the bioctahedral rhenium cluster complex K6[Re12CS14(µ-SO2)3(CN)6] in air atmosphere or in the presence of a Se source, respectively, manifesting the remarkable lability of SO22- ligands bound to a transition-metal cluster. A series of compounds based on the new mixed-ligand anions, [Re12CS14(µ-O)3(CN)6]6-, [Re12CS14(µ-Se)3(CN)6]6-, and [Re12CS14(µ-O)3(OH)6]6-, were isolated and their solid-state structures were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Along with the previously reported µ-sulfide clusters, the new species constitute a series of rhenium anionic complexes with the common formula [Re12CS14(µ-Q)3L6]6- (Q = O, S, Se, L = CN-; Q = O, S, L = OH-), within which the total charge and number of cluster valence electrons (CVEs) are constant. The article presents insights into the mechanistic and synthetic aspects of the substitution process, and it comprehensively discusses the influence of inner ligand environment on the structure, spectroscopic characteristics, and electrochemical behavior of the novel compounds.

Copper(II) bromide, nitrate and perchlorate complexes with sterically demanding N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)acetamide ligands.

Functionalized acid amides are widely used in biology, medicine, environmental chemistry and many other areas. Among them, pyridine-substituted amides, in particular N-(pyridin-2-yl)acetamide and its derivatives, play an important role due to their excellent chelating properties. The donor properties of these ligands can be effectively modified by introducing electron-donating substituents (e.g. alkyl groups) into the heterocycle. On the other hand, substituents in the α-position of the pyridine ring can create steric hindrance, which significantly influences the coordination number and geometry. To achieve a better understanding of these effects, copper(II) complexes with sterically demanding N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)acetamide ligands (L) and monoanions of different size, shape and coordination ability have been chosen as model compounds. The crystal structures of three new compounds, bromidobis[N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl-κN)acetamide-κO]copper(II) bromide, [CuBr(C8H10N2O)]Br, (I), aquabis[N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl-κN)acetamide-κO]copper(II) dinitrate, [Cu(C8H10N2O)(H2O)](NO3)2, (II), and aquabis[N-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl-κN)acetamide-κO]copper(II) bis(perchlorate), [Cu(C8H10N2O)(H2O)](ClO4)2, (III), have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It has been shown that the presence of the 6-methyl group results in either a distorted square-pyramidal or a distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry around the CuII centres instead of the typical octahedral geometry observed when the methyl substituent is absent or occupies any other position on the pyridine ring. Moreover, due to the steric hindrance provided by the L ligands, only the bromide ligand, the smallest of the series, enters into the first coordination sphere of the CuII ion in (I). In (II) and (III), the vacant coordination site of the CuII ion is occupied by a water molecule, while the nitrate and perchlorate anions are not involved in coordination to the metal centre. The structures of (I)-(III) are characterized by the presence of one-dimensional infinite chains formed by hydrogen bonds of the types N-H...Br [in (I)], N-H...O and O-H...O [in (II) and (III)] between the amide groups of the L ligands, the coordinated water molecules and the uncoordinated anions. The hydrogen-bonded chains are further interconnected through π-π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings of the L ligands, with approximate interplanar separations of 3.5-3.6 Å.

Nature of Bonding in Donor-Acceptor Interactions Exemplified by Complexes of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes with 1,2,5-Telluradiazoles.

Comprehensive structural, spectroscopic, and quantum chemical analyses of new donor-acceptor complexes between N-heterocyclic carbenes and 1,2,5-telluradiazoles and a comparison with previously known complexes involving tellurenyl cations showed that the dative C-Te bonds cannot be solitarily described with only one Lewis formula. Canonical Lewis formulas that denote covalency and arrows emphasizing ionicity complement each other in varying extents. Evaluation of the relative weights of these resonance forms requires proper bonding description with a well-balanced toolbox of analytical methods. If for conciseness only, one resonance form is used, it must be the most significant one according to the analytical evaluation. If unclear, all significant resonance forms should be displayed.

Comprehensive study of hexarhenium cluster complex Na4[{Re6Te8}(CN)6] - In terms of a new promising luminescent and X-ray contrast agent.

Octahedral rhenium cluster complexes may have considerable potential as therapeutic and diagnostic drugs due to their luminescent and X-ray contrast properties, as well as their ability to generate singlet oxygen upon photoirradiation. However, their potential biological effects and toxicity in vitro and in vivo are rather far from being understood. Thus, the aim of our research was to study cytotoxicity, intracellular localization and cellular uptake/elimination kinetics in vitro, biodistribution and acute intravenous toxicity in vivo of a complex Na4[{Re6Te8}(CN)6] as the promising compound for biomedical application. The results have demonstrated that the complex penetrates through cell membranes with the maximum accumulation in cells in 24h of incubation and have low toxic effects in vitro and in vivo. The median lethal dose (LD50) of intravenously administrated Na4[{Re6Te8}(CN)6] is equal to 1082±83mg/kg. These findings will be useful for future development of cluster-based agents for different biomedical applications.

Cooperative reduction by Ln(2+) and Cp*(-) ions: synthesis and properties of Sm, Eu, and Yb complexes with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone.

The first examples of samarium, europium, and ytterbium complexes with 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone(3,6-dbbq) in the form of catecholate have been obtained by reactions of the quinone with the corresponding lanthanocenes, [LnCp2*(thf)n] (n = 1 or 2) in solution. In the course of the reactions lanthanide ions lose one or two Cp* ligands, which take part in reduction of a quinone molecule into a catecholate anion (dbcat, 2(-)). As a result of the reactions, Sm and Yb clearly yield dimeric complexes[(LnCp*)2(dbcat)2], where each Ln ion loses one Cp* ligand. Eu forms a trimeric complex [(EuCp*)-(Eu·thf)2(dbcat)3], in which one Eu ion is coordinated by one Cp* ligand, while two Eu ions have lost all Cp* ligands and are coordinated by THF molecules instead. Magnetic properties corroborate the assignment of oxidation states made on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction: all the quinone ligands are present in the catecholate state; both Sm/Yb ions in the dimers are in the +3 oxidation state, whereas the Eu trimer contains two Eu(II) and one Eu(III) ions. Cyclovoltammetry studies show the presence of two reversible oxidation waves for all complexes, presumably concerned with the redox transitions of the dbcat ligands.

Synthesis, crystal structure, and colloidal dispersions of vanadium tetrasulfide (VS4).

Although many of the layered metal chalcogenides, such as MoS2, are well-studied, some other chalcogenides have received less attention by comparison. In particular, there has been an emerging interest in vanadium tetrasulfide (VS4), which displays useful properties as a component of hybrids. However, the synthetic methods and characteristics of individual VS4 are not yet well defined, and there is no report on its solution processability. Here we have synthesized VS4 by a simple and fast direct reaction between elements. Reinvestigation of the VS4 crystal structure yielded more precise atomic coordinates and interatomic distances, thereby confirming the crystallization of VS4 in the monoclinic C2/c group and its quasi-1D chainlike structure. As the chains in VS4 are only bonded by weak van der Waals forces, we further demonstrate that bulk VS4 may be ultrasonically dispersed in appropriate solvents to form colloids, similarly to the layered chalcogenides. VS4 particles in colloids retain their phase identity and rod-shaped morphology with lengths in the range of hundreds of nanometers. Isopropanol dispersion exhibited the highest concentration and stability, which was achieved owing to the repulsion caused by high negative charges on the edges of the particles.

New NIR-emissive tetranuclear Er(III) complexes with 4-hydroxo-2,1,3-benzothiadiazolate and dibenzoylmethanide ligands: synthesis and characterization.

New tetranuclear heteroleptic complexes [Er4(dbm)6(O-btd)4(OH)2] (1) and [Er4(dbm)4(O-btd)6(OH)2] (2) (O-btd = 4-hydroxo-2,1,3-benzothiadiazolate and dbm = dibenzoylmethanide) and their solvates with toluene, THF and CH2Cl2 were prepared using two synthetic approaches. The structures of the products were confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Magnetic properties of 1 and 2 are in good agreement with X-ray data. The effective magnetic moment (µeff) values at 300 K for 1 and 2 corresponds to a system of 4 non-interacting Er(III) ions in the ground state 4J15/2 with g = 6/5. At ambient temperature and upon excitation with λexc = 450 nm, complexes 1 and 2 exhibit luminescence at 1530 nm, i.e. in the near infra-red (NIR) region. The luminescence intensity grows with increasing the number of the (O-btd)− ligands in the complexes. This observation suggests (O-btd)− as a new efficient antenna ligand for the lanthanide-based NIR luminescence.

Synthesis and characterization of a new Keggin anion: [BeW12O40](6-).

The first Keggin-type Be-containing heteropolyanion [BeW12O40](6-) (1(6-)) has been obtained by hydrothermal synthesis from sodium tungstate and Be(NO3)2. It was crystallized as (Bu4N)4.8Na1.2[BeW12O40] (1a) and (Me2NH2)6[BeW12O40]·4H2O (1b) salts, which were characterized by (9)Be and (183)W NMR, ESI-MS, CV, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.