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.

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.

Postmetallocene lanthanide-hydrido chemistry: A new family of complexes [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb) supported by guanidinate ligands-synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity in olefin polymerization.

The new family of Lewis base free hydrido complexes of rare-earth metals supported by guanidinate ligands [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Gd, Yb) was synthesized and structurally characterized. Single-crystal X-ray and solution NMR studies revealed that these complexes are dimeric in both solid state and in [D6]benzene. The dimeric hydrido complexes can adopt eclipsed (Nd, Sm, Gd) or staggered (Y, Yb, Lu) conformations depending on the metal-atom size. Catalytic activity of these [{Ln{(Me3Si)2NC(NiPr)2}2(mu-H)}2] complexes in the polymerization of ethylene, propylene, and styrene has been investigated. Complexes of Sm and Y have high catalytic activity in ethylene polymerization (1268 and 442 g mmol(-1) atm(-1) h(-1), respectively).