Metal complexes of pyridine: infrared and raman spectra with particular reference to isotopic labelling studies

Phase-dependent polymerization isomerism in the coordination complexes of a flexible bis(β-diketonato) ligand

First prepared in the late 70s, the pro-ligand 1,3-bis(3,5-dioxo-1-hexyl)benzene (H2bdhb) contains two acetoacetyl terminations linked to a central 1,3-phenylene unit through dimethylene bridges. Since each termination can be either in diketonic or keto-enolic form, in organic solution it exists as a mixture of three spectroscopically resolvable tautomers. In the presence of pyridine, Co2+ and the bdhb2- anion form a crystalline dimeric compound with formula [Co2(bdhb)2(py)4] (2) and a Co⋯Co separation of more than 11 Å. Complex 2 contains two pseudo-octahedrally coordinated and non-interacting high-spin cobalt(II) ions (S = 3/2) displaying a large easy-plane anisotropy (D ∼ 70 cm-1), as consistently indicated by magnetic measurements, X-band EPR spectra, and complete active space self-consistent field/N-electron valence state perturbation theory (CASSCF/NEVPT2) calculations. At cryogenic temperatures (T < 7 K) and in an applied static magnetic field, the compound shows detectably slow magnetic relaxation, which occurs through direct and Raman mechanisms. Combined mass spectrometry, UV-Vis, and 1H/2H NMR data, including an isotopic labelling experiment and a determination of molecular weight by diffusion ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), show that 2 rearranges to monomeric high-spin [Co(bdhb)(py)x] species (x = 0, 1, or 2) in organic solution (CH2Cl2, THF) with concomitant partial dissociation of the py ligands. The X-band EPR spectra in a frozen CH2Cl2/toluene matrix concurrently suggest a significant alteration of the coordination environment upon dissolution. These observations are fairly well reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) and CASSCF/NEVPT2 calculations on the lowest Gibbs free energy conformers of each species, as provided by an extensive conformational search based on meta-dynamics simulations and semiempirical tight-binding methods. After the vanadyl analogue, compound 2 provides the second example of polymerization isomerism in the 1 : 1 adducts of bdhb2- with divalent metal ions.

Tuning the Thermometric Features in 1D Luminescent EuIII and TbIII Coordination Polymers through Different Bridge Phosphine Oxide Ligands

Tb^III and Eu^III systems have been investigated as ratiometric luminescent temperature probes in luminescent coordination polymers due to Tb^III → Eu^III energy transfer (ET). To help understand how ion-ion separation, chain conformation as well as excitation channel impact their thermometric properties, herein, [Eu(tfaa)₃(μ-L)Tb(tfaa)₃]_n one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymers (tfaa^- = trifluoroacetylacetonate, and L = [(diphenylphosphoryl)R](diphenyl)phosphine oxide, R = ethyl - dppeo - or butyl - dppbo) were synthesized. The short μ-dppeo bridge ligand leads to a more linear 1D polymeric chain, while the longer μ-dppbo bridge leads to tighter packed chains. As the temperature rises from 80 K, upon direct Tb^III excitation at 488 nm, the Tb^III emission intensity decreases, while the Eu^III emission intensity increases after 160 and 200 K when L = dppeo or dppbo, respectively. The temperature-dependent emission intensities, due to Tb^III → Eu^III ET, enable the development of ratiometric luminescent temperature probes featuring maximum relative thermal sensitivity up to 3.8% K^-1 (250 K, L = dppbo, excitation at 488 nm). On the other hand, the same system displays maximum thermal sensitivity up to 3.5% K^-1 (323 K) upon ligand excitation at 300 nm. Thus, by changing the excitation channel and bridge ligand that leads to modification of the polymer conformations, the maximum relative thermal sensitivity can be tuned.

Tuning the metal-ligand bond in the σ-complexes of stannylenes and azabenzenes

The metal-ligand bond in a set of 60 σ-complexes has been investigated by electronic structure computations. These σ-complexes originate from the unique combination of 12 stannylenes (SnX₂ ) with five azabenzene ligands (pyridine, pyrazine, pyrimidine, pyridazine, and s-triazine), where the nitrogen center of the ligand acts as σ-donor and the tin(II) center as σ-acceptor in a 1:1 fashion. The Sn ← N bond and the total interaction between the stannylene and azabenzene moieties of the σ-complexes are characterized in depth to relate the Sn ← N strength to the substitution pattern at SnX₂ and to the number and the positioning of N atoms in the azabenzenes. Such X substituents as (iso)cyano and trifluoromethyl groups enhance the interaction strength, while the presence of alkyl, phenyl, and silyl substituents in SnX₂ diminishes the stability of σ-complexes. A gradual weakening of the total interaction is associated with the growing number of N atoms in the azabenzenes, while the N-atom positioning in pyridazine is particularly effective in strengthening the interaction with stannylenes. Variations in the Sn ← N bond strength usually follow those in the total interaction between the moieties but the interacting quantum atoms picture of Sn ← N reveals certain intriguing exceptions.

A Novel ZnII Complex Bearing Two Monodentate (4-Methoxyphenyl)[(1E, 2E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ilidene] Schiff Bases: Crystal Structure and DFT Study

A novel ZnII complex bearing two monodentate (4-methoxyphenyl)[(1E, 2E)-3-phenylprop-2-en-1-ilidene] Schiff bases was synthesized and investigated both in the solid state by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and FTIR and in solution by 1H NMR spectroscopy. The complex crystallizes in the P21/c monoclinic space group. The asymmetric unit contains one ZnII ion coordinated to two Schiff base ligands and two chloride ions, in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The title complex was also investigated by DFT, using the hybrid functional B3LYP with basis set 6-31G++, which reproduced the geometry and structural features of the complex in the crystal, and was used to assign the main bands in the FTIR spectrum. In solution, the complex maintains its integrity against decomposition to the parent reagents.

Stereoelectronic Effects in Cl2 Elimination from Binuclear Pt(III) Complexes

Halogen photoelimination is the critical energy-storing step of metal-catalyzed HX-splitting photocycles. Homo- and heterobimetallic Pt(III) complexes display among the highest quantum efficiencies for halogen elimination reactions. Herein, we examine in detail the mechanism and energetics of halogen elimination from a family of binuclear Pt(III) complexes featuring meridionally coordinated Pt(III) trichlorides. Transient absorption spectroscopy, steady-state photocrystallography, and far-infrared vibrational spectroscopy suggest a halogen elimination mechanism that proceeds via two sequential halogen-atom-extrusion steps. Solution-phase calorimetry experiments of the meridional complexes have defined the thermodynamics of halogen elimination, which show a decrease in the photoelimination quantum efficiency with an increase in the thermochemically defined Pt-X bond strength. Conversely, when compared to an isomeric facial Pt(III) trichloride, a much more efficient photoelimination is observed for the fac isomer than would be predicted based on thermochemistry. This difference in the fac vs mer isomer photochemistry highlights the importance of stereochemistry on halogen elimination efficiency and points to a mechanism-based strategy for achieving halogen elimination reactions that are both efficient and energy storing.

Inelastic neutron scattering studies of methyl chloride synthesis over alumina

Not only is alumina the most widely used catalyst support material in the world, it is also an important catalyst in its own right. One major chemical process that uses alumina in this respect is the industrial production of methyl chloride. This is a large scale process (650,000 metric tons in 2010 in the United States), and a key feedstock in the production of silicones that are widely used as household sealants. In this Account, we show how, in partnership with conventional spectroscopic and reaction testing methods, inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy can provide additional insight into the active sites present on the catalyst, as well as the intermediates present on the catalyst surface. INS spectroscopy is a form of vibrational spectroscopy, where the spectral features are dominated by modes involving hydrogen. Because of this, most materials including alumina are largely transparent to neutrons. Advantageously, in this technique, the entire "mid-infrared", 0-4000 cm(-1), range is accessible; there is no cut-off at ~1400 cm(-1) as in infrared spectroscopy. It is also straightforward to distinguish fundamental modes from overtones and combinations. A key parameter in the catalyst's activity is the surface acidity. In infrared spectroscopy of adsorbed pyridine, the shifts in the ring stretching modes are dependent on the strength of the acid site. However, there is a very limited spectral range available. We discuss how we can observe the low energy ring deformation modes of adsorbed pyridine by INS spectroscopy. These modes can undergo shifts that are as large as those seen with infrared inspectroscopy, potentially enabling finer discrimination between acid sites. Surface hydroxyls play a key role in alumina catalysis, but in infrared spectroscopy, the presence of electrical anharmonicity complicates the interpretation of the O-H stretch region. In addition, the deformations lie below the infrared cut-off. Both of these limitations are irrelevant to INS spectroscopy, and all the modes are readily observable. When we add HCl to the catalyst surface, the acid causes changes in the spectra. We can then deduce both that the surface chlorination leads to enhanced Lewis acidity and that the hydroxyl group must be threefold coordinated. When we react η-alumina with methanol, the catalyst forms a chemisorbed methoxy species. Infrared spectroscopy clearly shows its presence but also indicates the possible coexistence of a second species. Because of INS spectroscopy's ability to discriminate between fundamental modes and combinations, we were able to unambiguously show that there is a single intermediate present on the surface of the active catalyst. This work represents a clear example where an understanding of the chemistry at the molecular level can help rationalize improvements in a large scale industrial process with both financial and environmental benefits.

Pyridine type complexes of transition-metal halides XI.Structural, thermal and spectroscopic studies of aminopyridine complexes of cobalt(II) halides

Crystalline ternary mixed aminopyridine complexes of cobalt(II) chlorides and cobalt(II) bromides have been prepared and analysed by means of thermal (TG, DTG, DTA) methods, UV/VIS spectroscopy, magnetic measurements and X-ray powder diffraction techniques. The symmetry and cell dimensions have been calculated using TREOR 90, a trial-and-error indexing program. One of the compounds, namely the [Co(3-NH2-pyridine)4Cl2] complex has been studied also by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, yielding a propeller-shaped molecule with octahedral co-ordination, exhibiting both molecular and crystallographic inversion symmetry. Crystal data: C20H24N8Cl2Co, Mw = 506.30, triclinic (P-1) unit cell with a = 7.684(1), b = 8.582(1), c = 9.966(2) Å, α = 73.17(1), β= 69.97(1), γ = 70.33(1)°, Vc = 570.0(2) Å3 and Z = 1. The structure model was refined to R = 0.027 and wR = 0.037 for 2680 reflections with I > 3σ(I).

1H, 13C, 15N NMR and 13C, 15N CPMAS studies of cobalt(III)-chloride-pyridine complexes, spontaneous py → Cl substitution in trans-[Co(py)4Cl2]Cl, and a new synthesis of mer-[Co(py)3Cl3]

trans-[Co(py)4Cl2]Cl·6H2O, mer-[Co(py)3Cl3] and mer-[Co(py)3(CO3)Cl] were studied by UV-Vis, far-IR and 1H, 13C, 15N NMR. The formation of Co-N bonds lead to variable in sign and magnitude changes of 1H NMR chemical shifts, heavily dependent on proton position, coordination sphere geometry and character of auxiliary ligands. 13C nuclei were deshielded upon Co(III) coordination, while 15N NMR studies exhibited ca. 85–110 ppm shielding effects (ca. 15–25 ppm more expressed for nitrogens trans to N than trans to Cl or O). 13C and 15N CPMAS spectra revealed a slight inequivalency of formally identical Co-py bonds in trans-[Co(py)4Cl2]Cl·6H2O and mer-[Co(py)3Cl3], suggesting for the latter complex an existence of distortion isomers. In chloroform, a spontaneous trans-[Co(py)4Cl2]Cl → mer-[Co(py)3Cl3] + py reaction was monitored by 1H NMR and UV-Vis. This process of py → Cl substitution allowed the design of a more convenient and efficient method of mer-[Co(py)3Cl3] preparation.

Synthesis and physic-chemical properties of a copper(II) complex with 2-(2-pyridyl)iminotetrahydro-1,3-thiazine hydrochloride-water (1/2) (PyTzHCl.2H2O). Crystal structure of PyTz and [[CuCl(PyTz)]2(mu-Cl)2]

The synthesis of 2-(2-pyridyl)iminotetrahydro-1,3-thiazine (PyTz) has been carried out, as well as the determination of its X-ray crystal structure, together with the coordination behaviour and equilibra study of PyTzHCl.2H2O with copper(II) in aqueous solution at 298 K and 0.1 M ionic strength in NaClO4. The formation constants are determined and discussed in terms of the characteristics of the ligand. The compound Di-mu-chloro-bis[chloro[2-(2-pyrydil-kappaN)amino-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine-kappaN]copper] has been isolated and its crystal and molecular structure determined by X-ray analysis. The structure consists of dimeric molecules [Cu2Cl4L2], in which copper ions are bridged by two chloro ligands. The geometry about each copper approximates to a distorted square pyramid with the bridging ligands occupying apical and equatorial sites of each copper ion, while the PyTz ligand and the remaining chloride ion are located in an equatorial plane. The compound was also characterized through elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility, electron paramagnetic resonance, and electronic and infrared spectroscopies.