An Old Crystallization Technique as a Fast, Facile, and Adaptable Method for Obtaining Single Crystals of Unstable "Li2TCNQF4" and New Compounds of TCNQ or TCNQF4: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Magnetic Properties.

Detailed structural information is essential for understanding the properties of TCNQ and TCNQF4 compounds (TCNQ = 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane; TCNQF4 = 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane). The ineludible requirement of obtaining crystals of a size and quality sufficient to yield a successful X-ray diffraction analysis has been challenging to satisfy because of the instability of many of these compounds in solution. Crystals of two new complexes of TCNQ, [trans-M(2ampy)2(TCNQ)2] [M = Ni (1), Zn (2); 2ampy = 2-aminomethylpyridine], as well as unstable [Li2(TCNQF4)(CH3CN)4]·CH3CN (3), can be prepared in minutes by a horizontal diffusion technique and can be harvested easily for X-ray structural studies. Compound 3, previously described as "Li2TCNQF4," forms a one-dimensional (1D) ribbon. Compounds 1 and 2 can also be obtained as microcrystalline solids from methanolic solutions of MCl2/LiTCNQ/2ampy. Their variable-temperature magnetic studies confirmed a contribution of strongly antiferromagnetically coupled pairs of TCNQ•- anion radicals at higher temperatures with exchange coupling J/kB = -1206 K and J/kB = -1369 K for 1 and 2, respectively, estimated using a spin dimer model. The presence of magnetically active anisotropic Ni(II) atoms with S = 1 in 1 was confirmed, and the magnetic behavior of 1, representing an infinite chain of alternating S = 1 sites and S = 1/2 dimers, was described by a spin-ring model suggesting ferromagnetic exchange coupling between Ni(II) sites and anion radicals.

Tetra-n-butyl-ammonium orotate monohydrate: knowledge-based comparison of the results of accurate and lower-resolution analyses and a non-routine disorder refinement.

The title hydrated mol-ecular salt (systematic name: tetra-n-butyl-ammonium 2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydro-pyrimidine-4-carboxyl-ate monohydrate), C16H36N+·C5H3N2O4 -·H2O, crystallizes with N-H⋯O and O-H⋯O hydrogen-bonded double-stranded anti-parallel ribbons consisting of the hydro-philic orotate monoanions and water mol-ecules, separated by the bulky hydro-phobic cations. The hydro-phobic and hydro-philic regions of the structure are joined by weaker non-classical C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. An accurate structure analysis conducted at T = 100 K is compared to a lower-resolution less accurate determination using data measured at T = 295 K. The results of both analyses are evaluated using a knowledge-based approach, and it is found that the less accurate room-temperature structure analysis provides geometric data that are similar to those derived from the accurate low-temperature analysis, with both sets of results consistent with previously analyzed structures. A minor disorder of one methyl group in the cation at low temperature was found to be slightly more complex at room temperature; while still involving a minor fraction of the structure, the disorder at room temperature was found to require a non-routine treatment, which is described in detail.

Slow magnetic relaxation in Ni-Ln (Ln = Ce, Gd, Dy) dinuclear complexes.

Three new isomorphous complexes [Ni(o-van-en)LnCl3(H2O)] [H2(o-van-en) = N,N'-ethylene-bis(3-methoxysalicylaldiminate; Ln = Ce (1), Gd (2), Dy (3)] were prepared by a stepwise reaction using mild conditions and were structurally characterised as dinuclear molecules in which Ni and Ln are coordinated by the compartmental Schiff base ligand (o-van-en)= and doubly bridged by O atoms. While the nickel(ii) centre is diamagnetic within the N2O2 square-planar coordination of the Schiff base ligand, the lanthanide atoms are octa-coordinated to give an {LnCl3O5} chromophore with a fac-arrangement of the chlorido ligands. AC magnetic measurements revealed that all three complexes, including the nominally isotropic Gd(iii) system, show field induced slow magnetic relaxation with two or three relaxation channels: at T = 1.9 K the low-frequency relaxation time is τLF(1) = 0.060 s at BDC = 0.5 T, τLF(2) = 0.37 s at BDC = 0.3 T, and τLF(3) = 1.29 s at BDC = 0.15 T.

Polymorphism of the dinuclear CoIII-Schiff base complex [Co2(o-van-en)3]·4CH3CN (o-van-en is a salen-type ligand).

Reactions of Co(OH)2 with the Schiff base bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)ethylenediamine, denoted H2(o-van-en), under different conditions yielded the previously reported complex aqua[bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(II), [Co(C18H18N2O4)(H2O)], 1, under anaerobic conditions and two polymorphs of [µ-bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]bis{[bis(3-methoxy-2-oxidobenzylidene)ethylenediamine]cobalt(III)} acetonitrile tetrasolvate, [Co2(C18H18N2O4)3]·4CH3CN, i.e. monoclinic 2 and triclinic 3, in the presence of air. Both novel polymorphs were chemically and spectroscopically characterized. Their crystal structures are built up of centrosymmetric dinuclear [Co2(o-van-en)3] complex molecules, in which each CoIII atom is coordinated by one tetradentate dianionic o-van-en ligand in an uncommon bent fashion. The pseudo-octahedral coordination of the CoIII atom is completed by one phenolate O and one amidic N atom of the same arm of the bridging o-van-en ligand. In addition, the asymmetric units of both polymorphs contain two acetonitrile solvent molecules. The polymorphs differ in the packing orders of the dinuclear [Co2(o-van-en)3] complex molecules, i.e. alternating ABABAB in 2 and AAA in 3. In addition, differences in the conformations, the positions of the acetonitrile solvent molecules and the pattern of intermolecular interactions were observed. Hirshfeld surface analysis permits a qualitative inspection of the differences in the intermolecular space in the two polymorphs. A knowledge-based study employing Full Interaction Maps was used to elucidate possible reasons for the polymorphism.

Exceptionally slow magnetic relaxation in cobalt(ii) benzoate trihydrate.

Cobalt(ii) benzoate trihydrate prepared by the reaction of CoCO3 with benzoic acid (HBz) in boiling water followed by crystallization has been structurally characterized as a chain-like system with the formula unit [Co(Bz)(H2O)2]Bz·H2O where the Co(ii) atoms are triply linked by one bridging syn-syn benzoato (Bz) and two aqua ligands; additional benzoate counter ions and solvate water molecules are present in the crystal structure. DC magnetic measurements reveal a sizable exchange coupling of a ferromagnetic nature between the Co(ii) atoms. At TN = 5.5 K the paramagnetic phase switches to the antiferromagnetic phase. Though the remnant magnetization is zero, the magnetization curve shows two lobes of a hysteresis loop and the DC relaxation experiments confirm a long relaxation time at T = 2.0 K. AC susceptibility data confirm a slow relaxation of magnetization even in the antiferromagnetic phase. In the absence of the magnetic field, two relaxation channels exist. The relaxation time for the low frequency channel is as slow as τLF > 1.6 s and data fitting yields τLF (2.1 K) = 14 s. The high-frequency relaxation time obeys the Orbach process at a higher temperature whereas the Raman process dominates the low-temperature region. Three slow relaxation channels are evidenced at the applied magnetic field BDC = 0.1 T.

A phase transition caught in mid-course: independent and concomitant analyses of the monoclinic and triclinic structures of (nBu4N)[Co(orotate)2(bipy)]·3H2O.

The preparation and characterization of the nBu4N+ salts of two bis-orotate(2-) complexes of cobalt, namely bis(tetra-n-butylammonium) diaquabis(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ide-6-carboxylato-κ2N1,O6)cobalt(II) 1.8-hydrate, (C16H36N)2[Co(C5H2N2O4)2(H2O)2]·1.8H2O, (1), and tetra-n-butylammonium (2,2'-bipyridine-κ2N,N')bis(2,4-dioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidin-1-ide-6-carboxylato-κ2N1,O6)cobalt(III) trihydrate, (C16H36N)[Co(C5H2N2O4)2(C10H8N2)]·3H2O, (2), are reported. The CoIII complex, (2), which is monoclinic at room temperature, presents a conservative single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition below 200 K, producing a triclinic twin. The transition, which involves a conformational change in one of the nBu groups of the cation, is reversible and can be cycled. Both end phases have been characterized structurally and the system was also characterized structurally in a two-phase intermediate state, using single-crystal diffraction techniques, with both the monoclinic and triclinic phases present. Thermal analysis allows a rough estimate of the small energy content, viz. 0.25 kJ mol-1, for both the monoclinic-to-triclinic transformation and the reverse transition, in agreement with the nature of the structural changes involving only the nBu4N+ cation.

Homoleptic organocobalt(III) compounds with intermediate spin.

Homoleptic organocobalt(III) compounds with formula [NBu4][Co(III)(C6X5)4] [X = F (3), Cl (4)] were obtained in reasonable yields by chemical oxidation of the corresponding divalent species [NBu4]2[Co(II)(C6X5)4] [X = F (1), Cl (2)]. The [Co(III)(C6X5)4](-)/[Co(II)(C6X5)4](2-) couples are electrochemically related by quasi-reversible, one-electron exchange processes at moderate potential: E1/2 = -0.29 (X = F) and -0.36 V (X = Cl) versus saturated calomel electrode. The [Co(III)(C6X5)4](-) anions in salts 3 and 4 show an unusual square-planar geometry as established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. According to their stereochemistry, these Co(III) derivatives (d(6)) are paramagnetic non-Kramers systems with a large zero-field splitting contribution and no observable electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum. The thermal dependence of their magnetic susceptibilities can be explained in terms of a spin-Hamiltonian formalism with S = 1 ground state (intermediate spin) and substantial spin-orbit contribution. The magnetic properties of the square-planar d(7) parent species [NBu4]2[Co(II)(C6X5)4] were also thoroughly studied both at microscopic (EPR) and macroscopic levels (alternating current and direct current magnetization measurements). They behave as S = 1/2 (low spin) systems with mainly (dz(2))(1) electron configuration and a certain degree of s-orbital admixture that has been quantified. The electronic structures of all four open-shell [Co(C6X5)4](q-) compounds (q = 1, 2) accounting for their respective magnetic properties are based on a common orbital energy-level diagram.

A discrete neutral transition-metal citrate cubane with an M4O4 core; coordinative versatility of the [M(II)4(citrate)4]8⁻ fragment.

The neutral cluster [Mn(II)8(citrate)4(H2O)18] is formed by the [M4(citrate)4](8-) fragment, with an Mn4O4 cubane core, which bonds four peripheral aquomanganese units--two [Mn(H2O)4](2+) and two [Mn(H2O)5](2+)--through a total of six metal-ligand bonds, giving a discrete neutral compound. The compound presents a unique coordination mode in which the citrate cubane acts as a chelate to each of the two peripheral [Mn(H2O)4](2+) (tetra-aquo) units. A detailed analysis of the central and peripheral geometries is given in terms of the tetrahedral distortions of key structural features. A reversible dehydration-rehydration process has been observed in a polycrystalline sample of the complex, whose structure lacks pores or channels.

Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of the new pentahydrate of bis(2,2'-bipyridine-κ(2)N,N')(oxalato-κ(2)O(1),O(2))nickel(II).

The reaction of NiCl2, K2C2O4·H2O and 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy) in water-ethanol solution at 281 K yields light-purple needles of the new pentahydrate of bis(2,2'-bipyridine)oxalatonickel(II), [Ni(C2O4)(C10H8N2)2]·5H2O or [Ni(ox)(bpy)2]·5H2O, while at room temperature, deep-pink prisms of the previously reported tetrahydrate [Ni(ox)(bpy)2]·4H2O [Román, Luque, Guzmán-Miralles & Beitia (1995), Polyhedron, 14, 2863-2869] were gathered. The asymmetric unit in the crystal structure of the new pentahydrate incorporates the discrete molecular complex [Ni(ox)(bpy)2] and five solvent water molecules. Within the complex molecule, all three ligands are bonded as chelates. The complex molecules are involved in an extended system of hydrogen bonds with the solvent water molecules. Additionally, π-π interactions also contribute to the stabilization of the extended structure. The dehydration of the pentahydrate starts at 323 K and proceeds in at least two steps as determined by thermal analysis.

Crystal structure and thermal properties of a square-planar Ni(II) complex of cyanide and a tricyclic bis-amidine ligand formed in situ under solvothermal conditions.

The reaction of N(1),N(1')-(ethane-1,2-diyl)bis(propane-1,3-diamine) (bapen), K2[Ni(CN)4]·H2O and dimethylformamide in the presence of Gd(NO3)3·6H2O under solvothermal conditions yielded yellow crystals of dicyanido(2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11-octahydropyrimido[2',1':3,4]pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine)nickel(II) hemihydrate, [Ni(CN)2(C10H16N4)]·0.5H2O, (I), the crystal structure of which is composed of [Ni(CN)2(pdpm)] molecules (pdpm is 2,3,4,6,7,9,10,11-octahydropyrimido[2',1':3,4]pyrazino[1,2-a]pyrimidine) on general positions linked by O-H···N hydrogen bonds to water molecules located on twofold axes. This structural unit is further linked by nonclassical C-H···N interactions to form a warped two-dimensional net perpendicular to the unit-cell b axis. The nets are stacked, with C-H···O contacts joining successive units. The Ni(II) cation is coordinated with square-planar geometry by a chelating pdpm ligand and two cyanide ligands in mutually cis positions. Complex (I) is stable up to 360 K, at which point dehydration takes place; the ligands start to decompose at 558 K.

A square two-dimensional polymer of cobalt citrate cubanes.

The structure of the title complex, poly[dicaesium(I) hexaaquacobalt(II) [octaaquatetra-µ-citrato-hexacobalt(II)] dodecahydrate], {Cs(2)[Co(H(2)O)(6)][Co(6)(C(6)H(4)O(7))(4)(H(2)O)(8)]·12H(2)O}(n), at 100 (1) K is formed by layers of a square two-dimensional polymer composed of Co(II) citrate cubanes bridged by magnetically active six-coordinate Co(II) cations. The polymer has plane symmetry p4mm in the c-axis projection. The cubanes reside on sites of crystallographic symmetry 4, while the bridging Co(II) centres lie on twofold axes. The basic polymeric unit has a charge of 4-, balanced by two Cs(+) and a [Co(H(2)O)(6)](2+) (symmetry -4) cation, which lie in channels between the polymeric layers. Unligated water molecules, of which there are 12 per cubane, enter into an extended intralayer and layer-bridging hydrogen-bond pattern, which can be described in detail even though not all of the H atoms of the water molecules were located.

Homoleptic organoderivatives of high-valent nickel(III).

Homoleptic perhalophenyl derivatives of divalent nickel complexes with the general formula [NBu(4)](2)[Ni(II)(C(6)X(5))(4)] [X=F (1), Cl (2)] have been prepared by low-temperature treatment of the halo-complex precursor [NBu(4)](2)[NiBr(4)] with the corresponding organolithium reagent LiC(6)X(5). Compounds 1 and 2 are electrochemically related by reversible one-electron exchange processes with the corresponding organometallate(III) compounds [NBu(4)][Ni(III)(C(6)X(5))(4)] [X=F (3), Cl (4)]. The potentials of the [Ni(III)(C(6)X(5))(4)](-)/[Ni(II)(C(6)X(5))(4)](2-) couples are +0.07 and -0.11 V for X=F or Cl, respectively. Compounds 3 and 4 have also been prepared and isolated in good yield by chemical oxidation of 1 or 2 with bromine or the amminium salt [N(C(6)H(4)Br-4)(3)][SbCl(6)]. The [Ni(III)(C(6)X(5))(4)](-) species have SP-4 structures in the salts 3 and 4, as established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The [Ni(II)(C(6)F(5))(4)](2-) ion in the parent compound 1 has also been found to exhibit a rather similar SP-4 structure. According to their SP-4 geometry, the Ni(III) compounds (d(7)) behave as S=1/2 systems both at microscopic (EPR) and macroscopic levels (ac and dc magnetization measurements). The spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained from the analysis of the magnetic behavior of 3 and 4 within the framework of ligand field theory show that the unpaired electron is centered mainly on the metal atom, with >97 % estimated d(z(2) ) contribution. Thermal decomposition of 3 and 4 proceeds with formation of the corresponding C(6)X(5)--C(6)X(5) coupling compounds.

Unusual luminescent octanuclear stellate platinacycle self-assembled by Pt-Ag bonds.

An unprecedented macrocyclic luminescent octanuclear cluster cyclo-[{Pt(C6Cl5)2(mu-OH)(mu-Ag)}4] (Pt-Ag) 2 was self-assembled by the formation of Pt(II)-Ag(I) bonds; the optical properties of this complex were also investigated.

Tri-[Pt2Tl]3- and polynuclear chain [Pt-Tl]infinity- complexes based on nonbridged Pt(II)-Tl(I) bonds: solid state and frozen solution photophysical properties.

Treatment of (NBu4)2[PtR4] (R = C6F5) with 1 or 0.5 equiv of TlNO3 in EtOH/H(2)O produces colorless crystals of trinuclear complex (NBu4)3[Tl{PtR4}2], 1, in which the Tl+ center is complexed by two [PtR4]2- fragments (Pt-Tl = 2.9777(4) and 3.0434(4) A). The expected mixed complex with a Pt/Tl composition of 1:1, 2, is generated as an orange microcrystalline solid by treating [PtR4]2- with a large excess of TlNO3 (approximately 8 equiv). Crystallographic analysis of 2 reveals the formation of a novel one-dimensional (1D) heterometallic linear chain (NBu4)(infinity)[Tl{PtR4}](infinity), 2, formed by alternating a [PtR4]2- fragment and a Tl+ center with a uniform Pt-Tl bond separation along the chain of 3.0321(2) A. Surprisingly, treatment of (NBu4)2[PtR4] with 1 equiv of TlPF6 in EtOH yields pale greenish-yellow needles of an unusual adduct, 2.{(NBu4)(PF6)}(infinity) (3), which was found to form a similar extended linear chain, {TlPtR4}(infinity), constructed by two alternating Pt-Tl separations, a shorter (3.1028(6) A) one and a longer (3.2306(6) A) one. The solid state and solution photophysical properties have been examined. While complex 1 shows a high-energy MM'CT blue phosphorescence (450 nm), the extended chain in 2 exhibits a lower-energy emission (582 nm) than that in adduct 3 (505 nm). For products 2 and 3, interesting luminescence thermochromism is observed in frozen solutions. The emissions are found to be strongly dependent on the solvent, concentration, and excitation wavelength.

Dichlorobis(imidazolidin-2-one-kappaO)zinc(II) at 150 K.

In the title compound, [ZnCl(2)(C(3)H(6)N(2)O)(2)], the zinc(II) cation is surrounded by a distorted tetrahedral environment consisting of two Cl anions and two imidazolidin-2-one molecules, the latter bound to the metal through their carbonyl O atoms. All atoms that are able to participate in hydrogen bonding are involved in such interactions. A hydrogen-bonding network mediates the formation of molecular columns parallel to the a axis. Neighboring columns are not bound by significant non-covalent interactions; the result is an extended pattern of supramolecular aggregation that is intermediate in completeness between the situations observed in two related complexes of cobalt that have been studied previously.

Synthesis and characterization of new five-coordinate platinum nitrosyl derivatives: density functional theory study of their electronic structure.

The neutral, five-coordinate platinum nitrosyl compounds [Pt(C(6)F(5))(3)(L)(NO)] (2) [L=CNtBu (2 a), NC(5)H(4)Me-4 (2 b), PPhMe(2) (2 c), PPh(3) (2 d) and tht (2 e)] have been prepared by the reaction of [NBu(4)][Pt(C(6)F(5))(3)(L)] (1) with NOClO(4) in CH(2)Cl(2). The ionic compound [N(PPh(3))(2)][Pt(C(6)F(5))(4)(NO)] (4) has been prepared in a similar way starting from the homoleptic species [N(PPh(3))(2)](2)[Pt(C(6)F(5))(4)] (3). Compounds 2 and 4 are all diamagnetic with [PtNO](8) electronic configuration and show nu(NO) stretching frequencies at around 1800 cm(-1). The crystal and molecular structures of 2 c and 4 have been established by X-ray diffraction methods. The coordination environment for the Pt center in both compounds can be described as square pyramidal (SPY-5). Bent nitrosyl coordination is observed in both cases with Pt-N-O angles of 120.1(6) and 130.2(7) degrees for 2 c and 4, respectively. The bonding mechanism of the nitrosyl ligand coordinated to various model [Pt(II)R(4)](2-) (R=H, Me, Cl, CN, C(6)F(5) or C(6)Cl(5)) and [Pt(C(6)F(5))(3)(L)](-) (L=CNMe, PH(3)) systems has been studied by density functional calculations at the B3LYP level of theory, using the SDD basis set. The R(4)Pt-NO and (C(6)F(5))(3)(L)Pt-NO interactions generally involve two components: i) a direct Pt-NO bonding interaction and ii) multicenter-bonding interactions between the N atom of the NO ligand and the donor atoms of the R and L ligands. Moreover, with the more complex R groups, C(6)F(5) or C(6)Cl(5), a third component has been found to arise, which involves multicenter electrostatic interactions between the positively charged NO ligand and the negatively charged halo-substituents in the ortho-position of the C(6)X(5) groups (X=F, Cl). The contribution of each component to the Pt-NO bonding in R(4)Pt-NO and (C(6)F(5))(3)(L)Pt-NO compounds seems to be modulated by the electronic and steric effects of the R and L ligands.

Hexaaquanickel diorotate(1-) dihydrate at 150 K.

In hexaaquanickel bis(2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate) dihydrate, [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](C(5)H(3)N(2)O(4))(2).2H(2)O, the nickel cation is coordinated by six aqua ligands and only associated with the two orotate ions through hydrogen bonds. The structure is isotypic with the magnesium and zinc analogues. The metal cation sits on a crystallographic center of inversion that relates the water molecules and the organic anions. The orotate moieties form an unbonded one-dimensional chain mediated by a hydrogen-bonded self-recognition interaction. The hexaaquanickel complex molecules bridge these chains laterally, acting as molecular clamps that bring neighboring layers nearer than expected. As a result of this three-dimensional arrangement, a short contact of 3.166 (5) A is observed between two C atoms of two adjacent ribbons.