Alcoholysis of 2,2‘-Pyridil, (2-C5H4N)C(O)C(O)(2-C5H4N), in the Presence of Copper(II): A Family of Planar Pentanuclear Copper(II) Complexes Stabilized by [(2-C5H4N)C(O)(OR)C(O)(OR)(2-C5H4N)]2- and Carboxylate Ligands

Indium(III)/2-benzoylpyridine chemistry: interesting indium(III) bromide-assisted transformations of the ligand

Reactions of 2-benzoylpyridine, (py)(ph)CO, with InX₃ (X = Cl, Br) in EtOH at room temperature have been studied. The InCl₃/(py)(ph)CO system has provided access to complex [InCl₃{(py)(ph)CO}(EtOH)]·{(py)(ph)CO} (1) and the byproduct {(pyH)(ph)CO}Cl (2). The reaction of InBr₃ with (py)(ph)CO has led to a mixture of (L)[InBr₄{(py)(ph)CO}] (3) and [In₂Br₄{(py)(ph)CH(O)}₂(EtOH)₂] (4), where L⁺ is the 9-oxo-indolo[1,2-a]pyridinium cation and (py)(ph)CH(O)^- is the anion of (pyridin-2-yl)methanol. Based on solubility and crystallisation time differences between the two components of the mixture, complex 4 was isolated in pure form, i.e. free from 3. The formations of the counterion L⁺ and the coordinated (py)(ph)CH(O)^- anion represent clearly InBr₃-promoted/assisted transformations. Reaction mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of 2, 3 and 4. Complex 4 could also be isolated by the reaction of InBr₃ and pre-formed (py)(ph)CH(OH) in EtOH. The solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, while the identity of the salt 2 was confirmed by microanalyses and a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including ESI-MS spectra. In the indium(III) complexes, the metal ions are 6-coordinate with a distorted octahedral geometry. The halogeno groups (Cl^-, Br^-) in the three complexes are terminal. The (py)(ph)CO molecule behaves as a N,O-bidentate (1.11) ligand in 1 and 3. A terminal EtOH ligand completes the coordination sphere of In^III in 1. The alkoxo oxygen atoms of the two 2.21 (py)(ph)CH(O)^- ligands doubly bridge the In^III centers in 4 creating a {InIII2(μ-OR)₂}⁴⁺ core; a nitrogen atom of one reduced organic ligand, two bromo ions and one terminal EtOH molecule complete the 6-coordination at each metal centre. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 were characterised by IR and Raman spectroscopies, and the data were discussed in terms of their known solid-state structures. Molar conductivity data and ¹H NMR spectra were used in an attempt to probe the behaviour of the complexes in DMSO. The to-date observed metal ion-assisted/promoted transformations of (py)(ph)CO are also discussed.

Crystal structures of two CuII compounds: catena-poly[[chlorido-copper(II)]-μ-N-[eth-oxy(pyridin-2-yl)methyl-idene]-N'-[oxido(pyridin-3-yl)methyl-idene]hydrazine-κ4 N,N',O:N''] and di-μ-chlorido-1:4κ2 Cl:Cl-2:3κ2 Cl:Cl-di-chlorido-2κCl,4κCl-bis[μ3-eth-oxy(pyridin-2-yl)methano-lato-1:2:3κ3 O:N,O:O;1:3:4κ3 O:O:N,O]bis-[μ2-eth-oxy(pyridin-2-yl)methano-lato-1:2κ3 N,O:O;3:4κ3 N,O:O]tetracopper(II)

Two CuII complexes [Cu(C14H13N4O2)Cl] n , I, and [Cu4(C8H10NO2)4Cl4] n , II, have been synthesized. In the structure of the mononuclear complex I, each ligand is coordinated to two metal centers. The basal plane around the CuII cation is formed by one chloride anion, one oxygen atom, one imino and one pyridine nitro-gen atom. The apical position of the distorted square-pyramidal geometry is occupied by a pyridine nitro-gen atom from a neighbouring unit, leading to infinite one-dimensional polymeric chains along the b-axis direction. Each chain is connected to adjacent chains by inter-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl inter-actions, leading to a three-dimensional network structure. The tetra-nuclear complex II lies about a crystallographic inversion centre and has one core in which two CuII metal centers are mutually inter-connected via two enolato oxygen atoms while the other two CuII cations are linked by a chloride anion and an enolato oxygen. An open-cube structure is generated in which the two open-cube units, with seven vertices each, share a side composed of two CuII ions bridged by two enolato oxygen atoms acting in a μ3-mode. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO3NCl units are connected by one μ2-O and two μ3-O atoms from deprotonated hydroxyl groups and one chloride anion to the three other CuII centres. Each of the penta-coordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO3Cl square-pyramidal environment. The CuII atoms in each of the two CuO2NCl2 units are connected by μ2-O and μ3-O atoms from deprotonated alcohol hy-droxy groups and one chloride anion to two other CuII ions. Each of the penta-coordinated CuII cations has a distorted NO2Cl2 square-pyramidal environment. In the crystal, a series of intra-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonds are observed in each tetra-nuclear monomeric unit, which is connected to four tetra-nuclear monomeric units by inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, thus forming a planar two-dimensional structure in the (01) plane.

Twists to the Spin Structure of the Ln9-diabolo Motif Exemplified in Two {Zn2Ln2}[Ln9]{Zn2} Coordination Clusters

Two pentadecanuclear Zn₄Ln₁₁ [with Ln = Gd(1) or Dy(2)] coordination clusters, best formulated as {Zn₂Ln₂}[Ln₉]{Zn₂}, are presented. The central {Ln₉} diabolo core has a {Zn₂Ln₂} handle motif pulling at two outer Ln ions of the central core via two {ZnLn} units, which also invest the system with C₂ point symmetry. The resulting cluster motif is supported on two Zn "feet", corresponding to the {Zn₂} unit in the formula. A thorough investigation of the magnetic properties in the light of the properties of previously reported {Ln₉} diabolo compounds was undertaken. Up to now, the spin structure of such diabolo motifs usually proves ambiguous. Our magnetic studies show that the orientation of the central spin in the {Gd₉} diabolo plays a decisive role. In stabilizing the core by attachment of the {Zn}²⁺ "feet" and using the C₂ symmetry related {ZnGd}⁵⁺ handles to influence the spin direction of the central Gd of the {Gd₉} diabolo, we can understand why the "naked" {Gd₉} diabolo shows ambiguous spin structure. This then allowed us to elucidate the single-molecule magnetic (SMM) properties of the Dy-based compound 2 through disentangling the magnetic properties of the isostructural Gd-based compound 1.

The synthesis of three new Cu5, Cu8 and Cu12 clusters via the use of a semi-flexible aminotriazine-based bis-methylpyridine ligand

The use of a semi-flexible aminotriazine-based bis-methylpyridine ligand afforded three new Cu₅, Cu₈ and Cu₁₂ complexes.

Isoskeletal Schiff base polynuclear coordination clusters: synthetic and theoretical aspects

This work addresses and enlightens synthetic aspects derived from our effort to systematically construct isoskeletal tetranuclear coordination clusters (CCs) of the general formula [TR₂Ln₂(LX)₄(NO₃)₂(solv)₂] possessing a specific defected dicubane topology.

Interesting copper(ii)-assisted transformations of 2-acetylpyridine and 2-benzoylpyridine

Novel Cu^II-assisted transformations have been observed in the reactions of copper(ii) sources and 2-pyridyl ketones.

A mononuclear and a mixed-valence chain polymer arising from copper(II) halide chemistry and the use of 2,2'-pyridil

Reactions of 2,2′-pyridil (pyCOCOpy) with CuCl₂ · 2H₂O and CuBr₂ in EtOH yielded the mononuclear complex [Cu(pyCOOEt)₂Cl₂] · H₂O (1) and the one-dimensional, mixed-valence complex [Cu₂^ICu^II(pyCOOEt)₂Br₄]_n (2), respectively. Both complexes crystallize in the triclinic space group P 1¯. The lattice constants are a = 8.382(2), b = 9.778(2), c = 7.814(2), α = 101.17(1), β = 114.55(1), γ = 94.14(1)° for 1 and a = 8.738(1), b = 9.375(2), c = 7.966(1), α = 79.09(1), β = 64.25(1), γ = 81.78(1)° for 2. 2,2′-pyridil undergoes a metal-assisted alcoholysis and oxidation leading to decomposition and yielding the ethyl picolinate (pyCOOEt) ligand. The autoredox process associated with the reduction of copper(II) to copper(I) in the case of complex 2 is discussed in terms of the increased redox activity of the copper(II) bromide system relative to the copper(II) chloride system.

An “S”-shaped pentanuclear CuII cluster derived from the metal-assisted hydrolysis of pyCOpyCOpy: structural, magnetic and spectroscopic studies

Reaction of [Cu2(O2CMe)4(H2O)2] with 2,6-di-(2-pyridylcarbonyl)-pyridine (pyCOpyCOpy or dpcp) in MeCN-H2O 10:1, led to the pentanuclear copper(II) complex [Cu5(O2CMe)6{pyC(O)(OH)pyC(O)(OH)py}2] () which crystallizes in the triclinic P1 space group. The copper(II) atoms are arranged in an "S"-shaped configuration, and are bridged by the doubly deprotonated bis(gem-diol) form of the ligand, pyC(O)(OH)pyC(O)(OH)py2-. Magnetic susceptibility data indicate the interplay of both ferro- and antiferromagnetic intramolecular interactions stabilizing an S=3/2 ground state. Fitting of the data according to a next-nearest-neighbour model {H=-[J1(S1S2+S1'S2')+J2(S2S3+S3'S2')+J3(S1S3+S3'S1')+J4(S2S2')]} yields exchange coupling constants J1=+39.7 cm(-1), J2=-15.9 cm(-1), J3=-8.3 cm(-1) and J4=+4.3 cm(-1), leading to an S=3/2 ground state. X-Band EPR spectroscopy indicates a zero-field splitting of the ground state with |D3/2|=0.38 cm(-1).

In Situ Synthesis of Trisubstituted Methanol Ligands and Their Potential as One-Pot Generators of Cubane-like Metal Complexes

Two different one pot routes to a variety of metal cubane compounds are reported; one route is based on an in situ benzilic acid type rearrangement and the other involves in situ nucleophilic attack at a ketone. Diketosuccinic acid in basic solution in the presence of certain divalent metal ions undergoes a benzilic acid type rearrangement to generate the carbon oxyanion, C(CO(2) (-))(3)O(-), which serves as a cubane-forming bridging ligand in a series of octanuclear complexes of composition [M(8){C(CO(2))(3)O}(4)](H(2)O)(12) (M=Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn). At the heart of each of these highly symmetrical aggregates is an M(4)O(4) cubane core, each oxygen component of which is provided by the alkoxo centre of a C(CO(2) (-))(3)O(-) ligand. Reaction of 2,2'-pyridil, (2-C(5)H(4)N)COCO(2-C(5)H(4)N), and calcium nitrate in basic alcoholic solution, which proceeds by a similar benzilic acid type rearrangement, gives the cubane compounds, [Ca(4)L(4)(NO(3))(4)] in which L=(2-C(5)H(4)N)(2)C(COOR)O(-) (R=Me or Et). Nucleophilic attack by bisulfite ion at the carbonyl carbon atom of 2,2'-dipyridyl ketone in the presence of certain divalent metals generates the electrically neutral complexes, [{(C(5)H(4)N)(2)SO(3)C(OH)}(2)M] (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn and Cd). Cubane-like complexes [M(4){(C(5)H(4)N)(2)SO(3)C(O)}(4)] (M=Zn, Mn) can be obtained directly from 2,2'-dipyridyl ketone in one-pot reaction systems (sealed tube, 120 degrees C) if a base as weak as acetate ion is present to deprotonate the OH group of the initial [(C(5)H(4)N)(2)SO(3)C(OH)](-) bisulfite addition compound; the [(C(5)H(4)N)(2)SO(3)C(O)](2-) ligand in this case plays the same cubane-forming role as the ligands C(COO(-))(3)O(-) and (2-C(5)H(4)N)(2)C(COOR)O(-) above. When excess sodium sulfite is used in similar one-pot reaction mixtures, the monoanionic complexes, [M(3)Na{(C(5)H(4)N)(2)SO(3)C(O)}(4)](-) (M=Zn, Mn, Co) with an M(3)NaO(4) cubane core, are formed directly from 2,2'-dipyridyl ketone.

Magnetism, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, Electrochemistry, and Mass Spectrometry of the Pentacopper(II)-Substituted Tungstosilicate [Cu5(OH)4(H2O)2(A-α-SiW9O33)2]10-, A Model Five-Spin Frustrated Cluster

The dimeric, pentacopper(II)-substituted tungstosilicate [Cu(5)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)(A-alpha-SiW(9)O(33))(2)](10)(-) (1) has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, electrochemistry, magnetic measurements, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and mass spectrometry (MS). Magnetization and high-field EPR measurements reveal that the pentameric copper core {Cu(5)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)}(6+) of 1 exhibits strong antiferromagnetic interactions (J(a) = -51 +/- 6 cm(-)(1), J(b) = -104 +/- 1 cm(-)(1), and J(c) = -55 +/- 3 cm(-)(1)) resulting in a spin S(T) = (1)/(2) ground state. EPR data show that the unpaired electron spin density is localized on the spin-frustrated apical Cu(2+) ion with g(zz) = 2.4073 +/- 0.0005, g(yy) = 2.0672 +/- 0.0005, g(xx) = 2.0240 +/- 0.0005, and A(zz) = -340 +/- 20 MHz (-0.0113 cm(-)(1)). 1 can therefore be considered as a model system for a five-spin, electronically coupled, spin-frustrated system. Polyanion 1, which is stable over a wide pH domain (pH 1-7), was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in a pH 5 medium. Its CV was constituted by an initial two-step reduction of the Cu(2+) centers to Cu(0) through Cu(+), followed at more negative potential by the redox processes of the W centers. Controlled potential coulometry of 1 allows for the reduction of the five Cu(2+) centers, as seen by consumption of 10.05 +/- 0.05 electrons per molecule. Polyanion 1 triggers efficiently the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate and nitrite, and it also catalyzes the reduction of N(2)O. To our knowledge, this is the first example of N(2)O catalytic reduction by a polyoxoanion. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance MS was used to unambiguously assign the molecular weight of the solution-phase species 1 and the oxidation states of the Cu atoms in the central {Cu(5)(OH)(4)(H(2)O)(2)}(6+) core. Infrared (IR) multiphoton dissociation MS/MS of 1 showed evidence of a condensation process similar to bronze formation at low irradiation intensity. Higher IR intensity resulted in the formation of stable fragments consistent with those previously observed in the solution chemistry of polyoxoanions.

A novel nonanuclear CuIIcarboxylate-bridged cluster aggregate with an S = 7/2 ground spin state

The Cu(II) aggregate in [Cu(9)(cpida)(6)(MeOH)(6)].6(MeOH)[H(3)cpida = 2-(carboxyphenyl)iminodiacetic acid] is made up of two weakly ferromagnetically coupled carboxylate-bridged Cu(4) units that are antiferromagnetically linked through a central Cu(II) to give a Cu(9) core with an S= 7/2 spin ground state.

Novel rectangular [Fe4(mu4-OHO)(mu-OH)(2)](7+) versus "butterfly" [Fe4(mu3-O2](8+) core topology in the Fe(III)/RCO2(-)/phen reaction systems (R = Me, Ph; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline): preparation and properties of [Fe4(OHO)(OH)(2)(O2CMe)(4)(phen)(4)](ClO4)(3), [Fe4O2(O2CPh)(7)(phen)(2)](ClO4), and [Fe4O2(O2CPh)(8)(phen)(2)]

The preparations, X-ray structures, and detailed physical characterizations are presented for three new tetranuclear Fe(III)/RCO(2)(-)/phen complexes, where phen = 1,10-phenanthroline: [Fe(4)(OHO)(OH)(2)(O(2)CMe)(4)(phen)(4)](ClO(4))(3).4.4MeCN.H(2)O (1.4.4MeCN.H(2)O); [Fe(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(7)(phen)(2)](ClO(4)).2MeCN (2.2MeCN); [Fe(4)O(2)(O(2)CPh)(8)(phen)(2)].2H(2)O (3.2H(2)O). Complex 1.4.4MeCN.H(2)O crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, with a = 18.162(9) A, b = 39.016(19) A, c = 13.054(7) A, beta = 104.29(2) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 8963.7 A(3). Complex 2.2MeCN crystallizes in space group P2(1)/n, with a = 18.532(2) A, b = 35.908(3) A, c = 11.591(1) A, beta = 96.42(1) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 7665(1) A(3). Complex 3.2H(2)O crystallizes in space group I2/a, with a = 18.79(1) A, b = 22.80(1) A, c = 20.74(1) A, beta = 113.21(2) degrees, Z = 4, and V = 8166(1) A(3). The cation of 1 contains the novel [Fe(4)(mu(4)-OHO)(mu-OH)(2)](7+) core. The core structure of 2 and 3 consists of a tetranuclear bis(mu(3)-O) cluster disposed in a "butterfly" arrangement. Magnetic susceptibility data were collected on 1-3 in the 2-300 K range. For the rectangular complex 1, fitting the data to the appropriate theoretical chi(M) vs T expression gave J(1) = -75.4 cm(-1), J(2) = -21.4 cm(-1), and g = 2.0(1), where J(1) and J(2) refer to the Fe(III)O(O(2)CMe)(2)Fe(III) and Fe(III)(OH)Fe(III) pairwise exchange interactions, respectively. The S = 0 ground state of 1 was confirmed by 2 K magnetization data. The data for 2 and 3 reveal a diamagnetic ground state with antiferromagnetic exchange interactions among the four high-spin Fe(III) ions. The exchange coupling constant J(bb) ("body-body" interaction) is indeterminate due to prevailing spin frustration, but the "wing-body" antiferromagnetic interaction (J(wb)) was evaluated to be -77.6 and -65.7 cm(-1) for 2 and 3, respectively, using the appropriate spin Hamiltonian approach. Mössbauer spectra of 1-3 are consistent with high-spin Fe(III) ions. The data indicated asymmetry of the Fe(4) core of 1 at 80 K, which is not detected at room temperature due to thermal motion of the core. The spectra of 2 and 3 analyze as two quadrupole-split doublets which were assigned to the body and wing-tip pairs of metal ions. (1)H NMR spectra are reported for 1-3 with assignment of the main resonances.