Self-assembly of a metal-organic cage-like structure bearing cofacial redox-active bis-(o-semiquinone) copper(II) units.

Ditopic di-o-quinone with a resorcinol bridge exhibits the ability to self-assemble in a reaction with copper, giving a cage-like binuclear complex that, due to the cofacially placed metal ions, is capable of encapsulation of different solvent molecules as guest ligands. Notably, the geometry of the internal cavity of this complex adjusts depending on the coordinating properties of the encapsulated molecule (mono- or bidentate). A feature of this species is that the cage-forming units are copper(II) bis-semiquinonate moieties, capable of undergoing ligand-centered redox transformations. Electrochemical and EPR spectroscopy studies showed that there is a channel for intramolecular electronic exchange interactions between the redox centres of the molecule.

Annulation of a 1,3-dithiole ring to a sterically hindered o-quinone core. Novel ditopic redox-active ligands.

The fused 1,3-dithiole spacer seems to be very suitable for the functionalization of sterically hindered o-quinones with additional groups capable of coordination of metal ions and/or possessing a redox activity. An effective method for the synthesis of sterically hindered o-quinones containing 1,3-diketonate, dinitrile and p-quinone-methide functional groups at the periphery of the ligand has been developed. The novel compounds have rigid and conjugated structures and exhibit properties typical of o-quinones. A study of their monoreduced semiquinone derivatives reveal that the spin density is delocalized across the whole molecule, including peripheral fragments. The first stable o-quinone derivative bearing an annulated thiete heterocycle has been isolated and characterized.

Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction Studies of Two Polymorphic Modifications of the Dicarbonyl-o-Semiquinonato Rhodium Complex at Different Temperatures. Destruction Stimulated by Cooling Versus Stability.

It was found that the dicarbonyl-rhodium-o-semiquinonate complex (which thread-like crystals can bend reversibly under light/warm activation) can form two polymorphic modifications: isometric prisms (1) and sticks (2). Some thin sticks can bend as mentioned above. X-ray diffraction studies of polymorphic modifications at different temperatures were carried out. It was found that crystals 1 are destructed after cooling to 110 K as opposed to crystals 2. In turn, the reversible phase transition is detected in 2. In both polymorphic modifications, stack packaging motifs through the direct Rh-Rh bond are observed. The principal difference between packages of polymorphic modifications is that molecules 1 in the adjacent stacks are shifted relative to each other along the stack, in contrast to crystal 2. It was found that different packing of stacks leads to different anisotropic compression of crystals 1 and 2 during cooling, which is a key factor of their stability. Using the molecular invariom approach, the nature of the chemical bonds and charge distribution was investigated; the energy of the Rh-Rh bonds was estimated.

Imine-Based Catechols and o-Benzoquinones: Synthesis, Structure, and Features of Redox Behavior.

Novel sterically hindered catechols of the type 3-(RN=CH)-4,6-DBCatH2 with iminoalkyl or iminoaryl groups in the third position of the aromatic ring have been synthesized and characterized in detail. The o-benzoquinones 3-(RN=CH)-4,6-DBBQ have been synthesized by the oxidation of the corresponding catechols. The oxidation of methylimino-substituted catechol with K3[Fe(CN)6] in alkaline medium leads to the formation of two products: o-quinone and diene-dione, the product of the water addition to the corresponding o-quinone. Some o-benzoquinones react with water or methanol to yield products of water or methanol addition. A prototropic tautomerism is characteristic of catecholaldimines: a quinomethide form is observed in the case of aliphatic amine derivatives, while aryl-substituted catecholaldimines can exist both in the catechol and quinomethide forms in the crystalline state. The formation of dimeric structures motifs is observed in crystals. The electrochemical oxidation of imino-based catechols proceeds via two one-electron processes; the second wave is quasi-reversible, which is unusual for catechols.

Photo- and Thermosensitive Molecular Crystals. Valence Tautomeric Interconversion as the Cause of the Photomechanical Effect in Crystals of Bis(dioxolene)cobalt Complex.

Especially grown crystals (elongated plates) of the complex (1,10-phen)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2 (1) reversibly elastically bend under laser excitation (532 or 808 nm) and/or heating in the temperature interval ∼242-265 K (1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 3,6-DBSQ = anion-radical and 3,6-DBCat = dianion of 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone). The abrupt interconversion of valence tautomers is observed in this temperature range: (phen)Co(3,6-DBCat)(3,6-DBSQ) ⇌ (phen)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2. Solving the problem of design of photo- (thermo-) actuators with preset parameters, the series of solid solutions of general formula (phen)x(bpy)1-xCo(3,6-DBSQ)2 was obtained and crystallized as thin elongated plates. Crystals of each solid solution demonstrate the maximal photomechanical response (bending) at a temperature close to its own valence tautomeric (VT) transition temperature. On the other hand, the VT transition temperature depends on the composition of the solid solution. So, by setting the composition of the solid solution, one can set the temperature of the photomechanical response. It is the first example of temperature-manageable photomechanical properties.

Ferrocene-Containing Tin(IV) Complexes Based on o-Benzoquinone and o-Iminobenzoquinone Ligands. Synthesis, Molecular Structure, and Electrochemical Properties.

The addition of different substituted o-benzoquinones and o-iminobenzoquinones to tin(II) bis(o-iminophenolates) of the types (Fc-IP)2SnII and (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnII (where Fc-IP is anion 2-(ferrocenylmethyleneamino)phenolate [Fc-C(H)═N(C6H4)O-] and Fc-4,6-IP is anion 2-(ferrocenylmethyleneamino)-4,6-di-tert-butylphenolate [Fc-C(H)═N(4,6-tBu-C6H2)O-]) in tetrahydrofuran leads to the oxidation of Sn(II) to Sn(IV) with formation of the corresponding tin(IV) catecholates (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(3,6-Cat) (1), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(3,6-Cat) (2), (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(4-Cl-3,6-Cat) (3), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(4-Cl-3,6-Cat) (4), (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat) (5), and (Fc-IP)2SnIV(4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat) (6) or the o-amidophenolates (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(AP-Me) (7), (Fc-IP)2SnIV(AP-iPr) (8), and (Fc-4,6-IP)2SnIV(AP-iPr) (9). Here ligands 3,6-Cat, 4-Cl-3,6-Cat, and 4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat are dianions 3,6-di-tert-butyl-, 4-chloro-3,6-di-tert-butyl-, and 4,5-dichloro-3,6-di-tert-butylcatecholates, respectively, and AP-Me and AP-iPr are dianions 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate and 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-amidophenolate, respectively. Complexes 1-9 have been characterized in detail by IR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and 1H, 13C, and 119Sn NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of tin(IV) complexes 5, 7, and 9 in the crystalline state were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Complexes demonstrate a series of successive oxidations involving alternately catecholato/o-amidophenolato centers and ferrocenyl moieties. The relative oxidation potentials of these redox centers depend on the acceptor properties of the redox-active chelating O,O' or O,N ligand. An increase in the acceptor properties of redox-active o-quinonato-type ligands leads to an increase in the oxidation potentials of redox ligands as well as the following oxidation of ferrocenyl group(s). In two series of complexes, (Fc-4,6-L)2SnL' and (Fc-L)2SnL', where L' is AP-iPr, AP-Me, 3,6-Cat, 4-Cl-3,6-Cat, and 4,5-Cl2-3,6-Cat, a more pronounced convergence of the oxidation potentials of the redox-active o-quinonato ligand and ferrocenyl group occurs in the series (Fc-L)2SnL'.

Novel dioxolene nickel complexes with sterically hindered diazabutadienes. Coupling of aza-ligands coordinated to nickel.

A square-planar bis-o-semiquinonato nickel complex interacts with N,N'-disubstituted 1,4-diazabutadienes-1,3 forming six-coordinate compounds. The X-ray structural study indicates complex geometry to be close to the octahedral. Magnetic properties are determined by metal-ligand ferromagnetic exchange interactions which are promoted by complex geometry. In polar solvents (THF, CH2Cl2, and CHCl3) complexes are partly dissociated into corresponding diazabutadiene-nickel catecholate and free o-quinone. In the case of the most sterically hindered 1,4-bis-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-2,3-dimethyl-1,4-diazabutadiene-1,3 in n-hexane or toluene the above-mentioned reaction is accompanied by the coupling through the back-bonded methyl groups of diazabutadiene. The organic product of the coupling was eliminated from the complex, isolated and structurally characterized. Taking into account the quantitative yield the coupling reaction is the actual procedure for the synthesis of new potential nitrogen ligands.

Valence-Tautomeric Interconversion in a Bis(dioxolene)cobalt Complex with Iminopyridine Functionalized by a TEMPO Moiety. Phase Transition Coupled with Monocrystal Destruction.

Iminopyridine modified by TEMPO nitroxide was utilized for the synthesis of an octahedral bis(o-semiquinonato)cobalt complex. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements detect a valence tautomeric transformation in the temperature range 200-300 K. A reproducible hysteresis loop of about 40 K width is observed on the magnetic moment temperature dependence in the transition region. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements confirm different temperatures of phase transitions accompanying a valence-tautomeric transformation upon heating and cooling. Attempts to study the structural changes associated with the valence-tautomeric transformation by single-crystal X-ray diffraction failed because of the crystal destruction taking place upon cooling from 220 K. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern indicated an essential change of the unit cell upon cooling from 240 K.

Ferromagnetic Coupling in the Heterospin Bis-Catecholato-Manganese(IV) Complex with Pyridine Substituted by Nitronyl-nitroxide.

A new bis(3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholato)manganese complex with two 4-NIT-Py ligands was synthesized and characterized [4-NIT-Py = pyridine substituted at position 4 with nitronyl-nitroxide radical, 2-(pyridin-4-yl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole-3-oxide-1-oxyl]. X-ray diffraction indicated an octahedral environment of the manganese atom with a trans arrangement of ligands. Bonds lengths in the inner coordination core of the metal and in the chelate cycles that are representative of the charge distribution between the metal and ligands displayed a Mn(IV)(Cat2-)2 charge distribution. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements detected intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between the Mn(IV) S = 3/2 spins and spins of nitronyl-nitroxyls and intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions of spins of adjacent nitronyl-nitroxide fragments in a chain of molecules at low temperatures. The last phenomenon is revealed by short contacts between nitronyl-nitroxide radicals of adjacent complex molecules.

Protonated paramagnetic redox forms of di-o-quinone bridged with p-phenylene-extended TTF: A EPR spectroscopy study.

The chemical oxidation and reduction processes of deprotonated, direduced o-quinone-exTTF-o-quinone in protic solvents were studied by EPR spectroscopy. The formation of relatively stable paramagnetic protonated redox forms of the parent triad was very surprising. The character of spin-density distribution in the semiquinone-quinone and semiquinone-catechol redox forms indicates that the p-phenylene-extended tetrathiafulvalene connector provides a quite effective electronic communication channel between dioxolene coordination sites. It was found that the deprotonated, direduced o-quinone-exTTF-o-quinone is capable to reduction of the metal copper in solution. The radical anion species formed in this reaction exists in solution as a solvent-separated ion pair with a copper cation. A character of spin-density distribution in a radical anion species leads to the conclusion that the ligand corresponds to type III of the Robin-Day classification.

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.

Lattice-Modulated Phase Transition Coupled with Redox-Isomeric Interconversion of o-Semiquinone-Catecholato into Bis(o-semiquinonato) Cobalt Complexes.

Two redox-isomeric (valence tautomeric) complexes (2,2'-bpy)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2 (1) and (1,10-phen)Co(3,6-DBSQ)2 (2) (where 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-dipyridine; 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline; 3,6-DBSQ = 3,6-di-tert-butyl-benzosemiquinone-1,2) reveal phase transitions that accompany redox-isomeric interconversions of semiquinone-catecholato isomer into a bis-(semiquinonato) one. Phase transitions differ one from another by thermodynamic parameters (transition temperature and interval, enthalpy, and entropy). Complexes 1 and 2 have the same crystal system and space group, and they form solid solutions with any molar ratio. The number of solid solutions with the molar ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, and 1:16 of 1 per 2, respectively, were obtained. Product with 1:1 ratio was studied by precise calorimetry, by variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and by X-ray structural analysis. All solid solutions were investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry. Each solid solution possesses phase transition whose parameters depend on its composition. Transition temperature and enthalpy gradually grow with increasing of molar fraction of 1. The diagram "enthalpy-composition" is linear, whereas phase diagram "transition temperature-composition" is the bent-up arc.

Indirect Magnetic Exchange between o-Iminosemiquinonate Ligands Controlled by Apical Substituent in Pentacoordinated Gallium(III) Complexes.

A number of pentacoordinated gallium complexes iSQ2GaR (1-7) (R = Et (1), Me (2), N3 (3), Cl (4), Br (5), I (6), NCS (7)) where iSQ is a radical anion of 4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-o-iminobenzoquinone were synthesized, and crystalline samples of 1-7 were characterized using magnetic susceptibility measurements. The character of magnetic exchange interaction between spins of o-iminosemiquinonate radicals was found to be strongly influenced by the nature of the apical substituent. The antiferromagnetic coupling is predominant when the apical position is occupied by halogens or other tested inorganic anions, and the value of exchange interaction parameter varies from -99 to -176 K for R = I and NCS, respectively. In the case of alkyl groups the ferromagnetic exchange prevails and, as the result, the triplet ground state for pentacoordianted biradical compounds was observed. Compounds 1-7 demonstrate a biradical X-band EPR spectrum in frozen toluene matrix. The molecular structures of 4, 6, and 7 have been established by single-crystal X-ray analysis. A computational DFT UB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) study was performed on complexes 1-7 in order to understand the reason for changes in the magnetic behavior of the related diradical gallium compounds. The calculations showed that the magnetic behavior of the complexes with inorganic anions is conditioned by the presence of antiferromagnetic exchange channel formed as a consequence of overlapping between donor atomic orbitals of iminoquinone with π-orbitals of halogen atoms (4-6) or nitrogen atom (3, 7).

Heteroligand o-Semiquinonato-Formazanato Cobalt Complexes.

Two novel heteroligand o-semiquinonato-formazanato cobalt complexes [Co(3,6-SQ)(Form)] (1) and [Co(3,6-SQ)2(Form)] (2) (3,6-SQ is 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinonate radical anion; Form is 1,3,5-triphenylformazanate anion) were synthesized and characterized in detail. The molecular structures of [Co(3,6-SQ)(Form)] and [Co(3,6-SQ)2(Form)] were determined by X-ray analysis. Magnetic susceptibility measurements and spectroscopic studies have shown that square-planar complex 1 is diamagnetic with a residual paramagnetism due to antiferromagnetic exchange metal-ligand. Complex 2 includes cobalt(III) in the low-spin state and two anionic-radical o-semiquinonato and one formazanate ligand.

Changes in the NMR characteristics of 3,6-di-tert-butylquinone on formation of paramagnetic complexes.

High-resolution NMR spectra of 3,6-di-tert-butylquinone were recorded and analyzed for the first time in a wide range of temperatures. The spectra were transformed by paramagnetic additives of cobalt, nickel, and copper complexes synthesized on the basis of metal semiquinolates. Chloroform, dimethylsulfoxide, toluene, and acetone were used as solvents. It was shown that the spectra changed by paramagnetic additives can contain valuable information on the nature of a superfine interaction in paramagnetic complexes and on peculiarities of intramolecular dynamics inherent in these compounds.

The new C-C bond formation in the reaction of o-amidophenolate indium(III) complex with alkyl iodides.

The reaction of bis(4,6-di-tert-butyl-N-(2,6-di-iso-propylphenyl)-o-amidophenolato)indium(III) anion with alkyl iodides is reported. This process includes oxidative addition of two RI (R = Me, Et) molecules to the non-transition metal complex and results in an alkyl transfer to ring carbon atoms with the formation of two new C-C bonds. The interaction proceeds at mild conditions and gives new indium(III) derivatives containing iminocyclohexa-1,4-dienolate type ligands.

Ferrocene-o-benzosemiquinonato tin(IV) electron-transfer complexes.

The interaction of ferrocene with tin(IV) o-benzosemiquinonato complexes in acetonitrile results in a reversible electron transfer (ET) from ferrocene to the redox-active ligand with the formation of electron-transfer complexes [(3,6-Cat)SnBr3](-)[Cp2Fe](+) (1) and [(3,6-Cat)(3,6-SQ)SnCl2](-)[Cp2Fe](+) (2), where 3,6-Cat is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-catecholate dianion and 3,6-SQ is the 3,6-di-tert-butyl-o-benzosemiquinonato radical anion. The ET process and the solvent effect in the system "ferrocene-o-benzosemiquinonato tin(IV) complexes" were investigated on the basis of a combination of spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction methods. The molecular structures of 1 and 2 were confirmed by X-ray analysis. Complex 2 demonstrates the ferromagnetic coupling in the linear chain alternating ···D(+•)A(-•)D(+•)A(-•)··· motif.

Reversible binding of molecular oxygen to catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of SbV: electronic and steric factors.

Edge of reactivity: The reactions of reversible binding of molecular oxygen to catecholate and amidophenolate complexes of Sb(V) are investigated by analyzing the position of electronic (E(HOMO)) and steric (G-parameter) factors. The optimal electronic and steric parameters for such type reactions are found.

Sterically hindered o-quinone annulated with dithiete: a molecule comprising diolate and dithiolate coordination sites.

A new stable sterically hindered o-quinone annelated with a 1,2-dithiete ring was prepared by using mild conditions. The skeleton of the compound comprises diolate and dithiolate functions that have the potential to bind metals leading to the corresponding complexes. The reactivity of this compound as a ligand with respect to both coordination sites was studied. Reactions with metals indicate that the o-quinone function is reduced in the first stage to give semiquinonate and catecholate complexes. The dithiolate coordination site was involved in the reaction in a few cases only after diolate was bound. A trinuclear manganese complex with coordination on both sites was obtained and characterized by EPR spectroscopy. The electrochemical study of this quinone fused with dithiete is reported.

Tin(IV) and lead(IV) complexes with a tetradentate redox-active ligand.

The coordination chemistry of a tetradentate redox-active ligand, glyoxal-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylanil) (H(2)L), was investigated with the diorganotin(IV) and diphenyllead(IV) moieties. Complexes R(2)SnL (R = Me (1), Et (2), (t)Bu (3), Ph (4)) and Ph(2)PbL (5) have been prepared and characterized. The molecular structures of compounds 1, 3, and 5 have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The diamagnetic octahedral complexes bear a tetradentate O,N,N,O redox-active ligand with a nearly planar core. Complexes 1-5 demonstrate solvatochromism in solution. The CV of complexes 1-5 reveals four one-electron redox processes. The spin density distribution in the chemically generated cations and anions of 1-5 was studied by X-band EPR spectroscopy. The experimental data agree well with the results of DFT calculations of electronic structures for 1, its pyridine adduct 1·Py, cation 1(+) and anion 1(-).