Octanuclear and Nonanuclear Supramolecular Copper(II) Complexes with Linear “Tritopic” Ligands: Structural and Magnetic Studies

Diversity of Coordination Modes in a Flexible Ditopic Ligand Containing 2-Pyridyl, Carbonyl and Hydrazone Functionalities: Mononuclear and Dinuclear Cobalt(III) Complexes, and Tetranuclear Copper(II) and Nickel(II) Clusters

Syntheses, crystal structures and characterization are reported for four new complexes [Cu4Br2(L)4]Br2 (1), [Ni4(NO3)2(L)4(H2O)](NO3)2 (2), [Co2(L)3](ClO4)3 (3) and [Co(L)2](ClO4) (4), where L− is the monoanion of the ditopic ligand N′-(1-(pyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)pyridine-2-carbohydrazide (LH) built on a picolinoyl hydrazone core fragment, and possessing a bidentate and a tridentate coordination pocket. The tetranuclear cation of 1·0.8H2O·MeOH is a strictly planar, rectangular [2 × 2] grid. Two 2.21011 L− ligands bridge adjacent CuII atoms on the short sides of the rectangle through their alkoxide oxygen atoms, and two 2.11111 ligands bridge adjacent CuII atoms on the long sides of the rectangle through their diazine groups; two metal ions are 5-coordinate and two are 6-coordinate. The tetranuclear cation of 2·0.2H2O·3EtOH is a square [2 × 2] grid. The two 6-coordinate NiII atoms of each side of the square are bridged by the alkoxide O atom of one 2.21011 L− ligand. The dinuclear cation of 3·0.8H2O·1.3MeOH contains two low-spin octahedral CoIII ions bridged by three 2.01111 L− ligands forming a pseudo triple helicate. In the mononuclear cation [Co(L)2]+ of complex 4, the low-spin octahedral CoIII center is coordinated by two tridentate chelating, meridional 1.10011 ligands. The crystal structures of the complexes are stabilized by a variety of π–π stacking and/or H-bonding interactions. Compounds 2, 3 and 4 are the first structurally characterized nickel and cobalt complexes of any form (neutral or anionic) of LH. The 2.01111 and 1.10011 coordination modes of L−, observed in the structures of complexes 3 and 4, have been crystallographically established for the first time in coordination complexes containing this anionic ligand. Variable-temperature, solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility and variable-field magnetization studies at 1.8 K were carried out on complexes 1 and 2. Antiferromagnetic metal ion···metal ion exchange interactions are present in both complexes. The study reveals that the cation of 1 can be considered as a practically isolated pair of strongly antiferromagnetically coupled (through the diazine group of L−) dinulear units. The susceptibility data for 2 were fit to a single-J model for an S = 1 cyclic tetramer. The values of the J parameters have been rationalized in terms of known magnetostructural correlations. Spectral data (infrared (IR), ultraviolet/visible (UV/VIS), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for the diamagnetic complexes) are also discussed in the light of the structural features of 1–4 and the coordination modes of the organic and inorganic ligands that are present in the complexes. The combined work demonstrates the ligating flexibility of L−, and its usefulness in the synthesis of complexes with interesting structures and properties.

A new nitrogen rich open chain diazine ligand system: synthesis coordination chemistry and magneto-structural studies

The synthesis and coordination chemistry of a new series of open chain diazine based ligands (L3aH₂, L3bH₂, and L3cH₂) is reported. The ligands comprise a central disubstituted bipyridine moiety with two bridging alkoxide oxygen donors, together with diazine and pyridine terminal groups strategically located to coordinate three metal centres. Reactions of L3aH₂ and L3bH₂ with CuX₂ (X^- = ClO₄, Cl, NO₃) yield a trinuclear complex (1) and 1-D copper chains (2, 3). In these complexes the ligands bind copper ions via N_bipyridne, trans N_diazine, O_hydrazone, and N_pyridne donors while vacant sites are occupied by counter ions or solvent molecules (methanol, water, acetonitrile). Reaction of L3cH₂ with MnCl₂ affords a linear trinuclear Mn complex (4), where the Mn(ii) ions are connected via μ₂-O_hydrazone linkers with no N-N bridging. Reaction of L3aH₂ with Fe(SO₃CF₃)₂ yields a tetranuclear mixed valence Fe complex (5), in which both trans N-N and O_hydrazone bridging is observed. Magnetic studies reveal the presence of moderate to strong antiferromagnetic interactions in complexes 1-4 while a mix of ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic interactions is observed in complex 5.

Synthesis, X-ray characterization, DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis studies of carbohydrazone based on Zn(ii) complexes

Five Zn(ii) complexes based on a N₄O core carbohydrazone ligand have been synthesized and X-ray characterized. The noncovalent interactions that govern the crystal packing have been rationalized by means of DFT calculations.

Supramolecular Self-Assembled Polynuclear Complexes from Tritopic, Tetratopic, and Pentatopic Ligands: Structural, Magnetic and Surface Studies

Polymetallic, highly organized molecular architectures can be created by "bottom-up" self-assembly methods using ligands with appropriately programmed coordination information. Ligands based on 2,6-picolyldihydrazone (tritopic and pentatopic) and 3,6-pyridazinedihydrazone (tetratopic) cores, with tridentate coordination pockets, are highly specific and lead to the efficient self-assembly of square [3 x 3] Mn9, [4 x 4] Mn16, and [5 x 5] Mn25 nanoscale grids. Subtle changes in the tritopic ligand composition to include bulky end groups can lead to a rectangular 3 x [1 x 3] Mn9 grid, while changing the central pyridazine to a more sterically demanding pyrazole leads to simple dinuclear copper complexes, despite the potential for binding four metal ions. The creation of all bidentate sites in a tetratopic pyridazine ligand leads to a dramatically different spiral Mn4 strand. Single-crystal X-ray structural data show metallic connectivity through both mu-O and mu-NN bridges, which leads to dominant intramolecular antiferromagnetic spin exchange in all cases. Surface depositions of the Mn9, Mn16, and Mn25 square grid molecules on graphite (HOPG) have been examined using STM/CITS imagery (scanning tunneling microscopy/current imaging tunneling spectroscopy), where tunneling through the metal d-orbital-based HOMO levels reveals the metal ion positions. CITS imagery of the grids clearly shows the presence of 9, 16, and 25 manganese ions in the expected square grid arrangements, highlighting the importance and power of this technique in establishing the molecular nature of the surface adsorbed species. Nanoscale, electronically functional, polymetallic assemblies of this sort, created by such a bottom-up synthetic approach, constitute important components for advanced molecule-based materials.

Linear copper ‘chain’ complexes with bulky tritopic hydrazone ligands—structural and magnetic studies

Tritopic 2,6-picolyl-bis-hydrazone ligands with bulky terminal groups derived from phenyl-pyridyl ketone do not form the expected [3 x 3] grids on reaction with copper(II), but instead form Cu8 'pinwheels', and in the present case linear trinuclear, pentanuclear and chain structures also. Direct bridging between copper ions occurs through micro2-N-N diazine groups, and longer O-C-N hydrazone connections, leading to moderately strong antiferromagnetic exchange between adjacent metal centres. Structural and magnetic properties are discussed in the context of specific orthogonal and non-orthogonal bridges, which can be distinguished and quantified.

Supramolecular ‘flat’ Mn9grid complexes—towards functional molecular platforms

Flat, quantum dot like arrays of closely spaced, electron rich metal centres are seen as attractive subunits for device capability at the molecular level. Mn(II)9 grids, formed by self-assembly processes using 'tritopic' pyridine-2,6-dihydrazone ligands, provide easy and pre-programmable routes to such systems, and have been shown to exhibit a number of potentially useful physical properties, which could be utilized to generate bi-stable molecular based states. Their ability to form surface monolayers, which can be mapped by STM techniques, bodes well for their possible integration into nanometer scale electronic components of the future. This report highlights some new Mn(II)9 grids, with functionalized ligand sites, that may provide suitable anchor points to surfaces and also be potential donor sites capable of further grid elaboration. Structures, magnetic properties, electrochemical properties, surface studies on HOPG (highly ordered pyrolytic graphite), including the imaging of individual metal ion sites in the grid using CITS (current imaging tunneling spectroscopy) are discussed, in addition to an analysis of the photophysics of a stable mixed oxidation state [Mn(III)4Mn(II)5] grid. The grid physical properties as a whole are assessed in the light of reasonable approaches to the use of such molecules as nanometer scale devices.

A self-assembled hexadecanuclear 4 × [2 × 2] Mn(ii)16square grid from a pyridazine bis(hydrazone) ligand: synthesis, structure and magnetism

A compartmentalized {4 x[2 x 2]} Mn(II)16 antiferromagnetically coupled square grid results from the self-assembly reaction of a tetratopic pyridazine bis(hydrazone) ligand and Mn(II).

Tetranuclear Manganese(II) Complexes of Thiacalixarene Macrocycles with Trigonal Prismatic Six-Coordinate Geometries: Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic Properties

Two tetranuclear manganese(II) complexes [Mn(II)4(thiaS)2] (1) and [Mn(II)4(thiaSO)2] (2) have been synthesized under solvothermal conditions in methanol with p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene (thiaS) and p-tert-butylsulfinylthiacalix[4]arene (thiaSO). For both complexes, the structure has been established from single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Mn4(thiaS)2].H2O (1) crystallizes in the orthorhombic Immm (No. 71) space group with the following parameters: a = 18.213 (5) angstroms, b = 19.037 (5) angstroms, c = 29.159 (5) angstroms, V = 10110 (4) angstroms3, and Z = 4. [Mn4(thiaSO)2].H2O (2) crystallizes in the monoclinic C2/m (No. 12) space group with the following parameters: a = 33.046(1) angstroms, b = 19.5363 (8) angstroms, c = 15.7773 (9) angstroms, beta = 115.176 (2) degrees, V = 9218.3 (8) angstroms3, and Z = 4. The two complexes are neutral and are best described as manganese squares sandwiched between two thiacalixarene macrocycles. In both complexes, each manganese center is six-coordinated in a trigonal prismatic geometry with four phenoxo oxygen atoms plus two sulfur atoms for 1 or two oxygen atoms from SO groups for 2. The two tetranuclear complexes exhibit identical magnetic behaviors resulting from antiferromagnetic interactions between the four manganese centers. The simulation of the magnetic susceptibility was done considering a single exchange-coupling constant between the manganese(II) ions, J (H = -J(S1S2 + S2S3 + S3S4 + S1S4)). The best fits give the same result for the two complexes: g = 1.94 and J = -5.57 cm(-1).

2004 Alcan Award LectureFrom dinuclear to triakontahexanuclear complexes — Adventures in supramolecular coordination chemistry

Polynuclear coordination complexes result from the interplay between the arrangement of the binding sites of a ligand, and their donor content, and the coordination preferences of the metal ion involved. Rational control of the ligand properties, such as denticity, geometry, and size, can lead to large, and sometimes predictable, polynuclear assemblies. This Alcan Award Lecture highlights our "adventures" with polynucleating ligands over the last 25 years, with examples ranging from simple dinucleating to more exotic high-denticity ligands. Complexes with nuclearities ranging from 2 to 36 have been produced, many of which have novel magnetic, electrochemical, and spectroscopic properties. Self-assembly strategies using relatively simple "polytopic" ligands have been very successful in producing high-nuclearity clusters in high yield. For example, linear "tritopic" ligands produce M9 (M = Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)) [3 × 3], flat grid-like molecules, which have quantum dot-like arrays of nine closely spaced metal centers in electronic communication. Some of these grids are discussed in terms of their novel magnetic and electrochemical properties, and also as multistable nanometer-scale platforms for potential molecular device behaviour. Bigger ligands with extended arrays of coordination pockets, and the capacity to self-assemble into much larger grids, are highlighted to illustrate our current and longer term goals of generating polymetallic molecular two-dimensional layers on surfaces.Key words: Alcan Award Lecture, transition metal, polynuclear, structure, magnetism, electrochemistry, surface studies, molecular device.

Supramolecular Mn(II) and Mn(II)/Mn(III) Grid Complexes with [Mn9(μ2-O)12] Core Structures. Structural, Magnetic, and Redox Properties and Surface Studies

A series of [3 x 3] Mn(II)(9), antiferromagnetically coupled, alkoxide-bridged, square grid complexes, derived from a group of "tritopic" dihydrazide ligands, is described. The outer ring of eight Mn(II) centers in the grids is isolated magnetically from the central Mn(II) ion, leading to an S = 0 ground state for the ring, and an S = 5/2 ground state overall in each case. Exchange in the Mn(II)(8) ring can be represented by a 1D chain exchange model. Rich electrochemistry displayed by these systems has led to the production of Mn(II)/Mn(III) mixed-oxidation-state grids by both electrochemical and chemical means. Structures are reported for [Mn(9)(2poap)(6)](C(2)N(3))(6).10H(2)O (1), [Mn(9)(2poap)(6)](2)[Mn(NCS)(4)(H(2)O)](2)(NCS)(8).10H(2)O (2), [Mn(9)(2poapz)(6)](NO(3))(6).14.5H(2)O (3), [Mn(9)(2popp)(6)](NO(3))(6).12H(2)O (4), [Mn(9)(2pomp)(6)](MnCl(4))(2)Cl(2).2CH(3)OH.7H(2)O (5), and [Mn(9)(Cl2poap)(6)](ClO(4))(9).7H(2)O (6). Compound 1 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group P4(2)/n, with a = 21.568(1) A, c = 16.275(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 25.043(1) A, b = 27.413(1) A, c = 27.538(2) A, alpha = 91.586(2) degrees, beta = 113.9200(9) degrees, gamma = 111.9470(8) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 3 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 18.1578(12) A, b = 18.2887(12) A, c = 26.764(2) A, alpha = 105.7880(12) degrees, beta = 101.547(2) degrees, gamma = 91.1250(11) degrees, and Z = 2. Compound 4 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group P4(1)2(1)2, with a = 20.279(1) A, c = 54.873(6) A, and Z = 4. Compound 5 crystallized in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 18.2700(2) A, c = 26.753(2) A, and Z = 2. Compound 6 crystallized in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 19.044(2) A, b = 19.457(2) A, c = 23.978(3) A, alpha = 84.518(3) degrees, beta = 81.227(3) degrees, gamma = 60.954(2) degrees, and Z = 2. Preliminary surface studies on Au(111), with a Mn(II) grid complex derived from a sulfur-derivatized ligand, indicate monolayer coverage via gold-sulfur interactions, and the potential for information storage at high-density levels.