Novel copper complexes based on the thiocyanate bridge – Synthesis, X-ray studies and magnetic properties

Copper(II) coordination polymer based on l-arginine as a supramolecular hybrid inorganic–organic material: synthesis, structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties

We report the synthesis and structural, spectroscopic and magnetic properties of new 1D coordination polymeric complex {[Cu(μ-l-Arg)2]SO4⋅1.5H2O}n (1) that contains asymmetric μ−O,O’ carboxylic bridge linking distorted square-pyramidal [Cu(μ-l-Arg)2]2+ coordination units. In 1D, the syn−anti−μ2−η1:η1zigzag polymer conformation, the adjacent Cu(II) ions are distanced by 5.707 Å, and the subsequent Cu∙∙∙Cu proximity in 1D-coordination chain equals 6.978 Å. Detailed interpretation of IR and Raman spectra of l-arginine and 1 was performed. The principal components of the g tensor determined from EPR experiments (gx = 2.059, gy = 2.075, gz = 2.228) indicate nearly axial symmetry of Cu(II) coordination sphere and correspond to the unpaired electron occupying the dx2–y2 orbital. The single broad band at 16,200 cm–1, characteristic of d−d transition, is assigned to the dominant dublet-dublet 2B1g(dx2–y2)→ 2Eg(dyz≈dxz) transition. Magnetic susceptibility measurements have revealed ferromagnetic coupling between the Cu(II) ions within the 1D-coordination chain, while the intermolecular coupling is antiferromagnetic.

Graphical Abstract

Cd(II) and Zn(II) thiocyanate coordination compounds with 3-ethylpyridine: synthesis, crystal structures and properties

Reaction of Cd(NCS)2 and Zn(NCS)2 with 3-ethylpyridine leads to the formation of compounds of compositions M(NCS)2(3-ethylpyridine)4 (M=Cd, 1-Cd; Zn, 1-Zn) and M(NCS)2(3-ethylpyridine)2 (M=Cd, 2-Cd; Zn, 2-Zn). 1-Cd and 1-Zn are isotypic and form discrete complexes in which the metal cations are octahedrally coordinated by two trans-coordinating N-bonded thiocyanate anions and four 3-ethylpyridine co-ligands. In 2-Cd the cations are also octahedrally coordinated but linked into chains by pairs of μ-1,3-bridging anionic ligands. 2-Zn is built up of discrete complexes, in which the Zn cation is tetrahedrally coordinated by two N-bonded thiocyanate anions and two 3-ethylpyridine co-ligands. Compounds 1-Cd, 2-Cd and 2-Zn can be prepared in a pure state, whereas 1-Zn is unstable and transforms on storage into 2-Zn. If 1-Cd and 1-Zn are heated, a transformation into 2-Cd, respectively 2-Zn is observed. Luminescence measurements reveal that 1-Cd, 2-Cd and 2-Zn emit light in the blue spectral range with maxima at, respectively, 21724, 21654 and 22055 cm−1, assigned to ligand-based luminescence.

Copper thiocyanate: polytypes, defects, impurities, and surfaces

Copper thiocyanate (CuSCN) is an established solid state dye in solar cells and has emerged as a key material for applications in transparent conductors and solution-processed thin film transistors. Here we report the results of density-functional theory calculations on several fundamental properties related to the performance of CuSCN in the above-mentioned systems. We describe the structural and electronic properties of CuSCN phases and show that the material is prone to polytypism. We also perform a systematic study on various defects and hydrogen impurities and determine their effect on the electronic properties of the host system, particularly with respect to doping. Finally, we show that non-polar surfaces have low formation energies, suggesting easy cleavage along certain directions.

Molecular structure of mercury(II) thiocyanate complexes based on DFT calculations and experimental UV-electron spectroscopy and Raman studies

In this work, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study on molecular structure, vibrational and electronic spectra of [Hg(SCN)n](2-)(n) complexes (where n=2, 3, 4) in the aqueous solution. Molecular modeling of the mercury(II) complexes were done by the density functional theory (DFT) method using B3LYP functional with Stuttgart relativistic ECP 78MWB basis set for Hg and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set for all other atoms. The effect of different solvation models with explicit (ligand) and/or implicit water environment upon its geometry, vibrational frequencies and UV spectrum have been studied. The influence of H2O/D2O exchange on the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies of studied complexes has been established. The double-peak character of the νHgS vibrational mode of the all analyzed mercury complexes and νCN mode of [Hg(SCN)3H2O](-) complex, respectively, were proposed here for the first time. The formation of four-coordinated Hg(II) complexes with thiocyanate and (or) water ligands was verified.