Ground term splitting of high-spin cobalt(2+) ion as a probe of coordination structure. 1. Dependence of the splitting on coordination geometry

Electronic Structure of Three-Coordinate FeII and CoII β-Diketiminate Complexes

The β-diketiminate supporting group, [ArNCRCHCRNAr]-, stabilizes low coordination number complexes. Four such complexes, where R = tert-butyl, Ar = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl, are studied: (nacnactBu)ML, where M = FeII, CoII and L = Cl, CH3. These are denoted FeCl, FeCH3, CoCl, and CoCH3 and have been previously reported and structurally characterized. The two FeII complexes (S = 2) have also been previously characterized by Mössbauer spectroscopy, but only indirect assessment of the ligand-field splitting and zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters was available. Here, EPR spectroscopy is used, both conventional field-domain for the CoII complexes (with S = 3/2) and frequency-domain, far-infrared magnetic resonance spectroscopy (FIRMS) for all four complexes. The CoII complexes were also studied by magnetometry. These studies allow accurate determination of the zfs parameters. The two FeII complexes are similar with nearly axial zfs and large magnitude zfs given by D = -37 ± 1 cm-1 for both. The two CoII complexes likewise exhibit large and nearly axial zfs, but surprisingly, CoCl has positive D = +55 cm-1 while CoCH3 has negative D = -49 cm-1. Theoretical methods were used to probe the electronic structures of the four complexes, which explain the experimental spectra and the zfs parameters.

Synthesis, structure, and characterisation of a ferromagnetically coupled dinuclear complex containing Co(II) ions in a high spin configuration and thiodiacetate and phenanthroline as ligands and of a series of isomorphous heterodinuclear complexes containing different Co : Zn ratios

We report the synthesis, crystal structure, and characterisation of a dinuclear Co(II) compound with thiodiacetate (tda) and phenanthroline (phen) as ligands (1), and of a series of metal complexes isomorphous to 1 with different Co : Zn ratios (2, 4 : 1; 3, 1 : 1; 4, 1 : 4; 5, 1 : 10). General characterisation methodologies and X-ray data showed that all the synthesised complexes are isomorphous to Zn(II) and Cu(II) analogues (CSD codes: DUHXEL and BEBQII). 1 consists of centrosymmetric Co(II) ion dimers in which the ions are 3.214 Å apart, linked by two μ-O bridges. Each cobalt atom is in a distorted octahedral environment of the N2O3S type. UV-vis spectra of 1 and 5 are in line with high spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) ions in octahedral coordination and indicate that the electronic structure of both Co(II) ions in the dinuclear unit does not significantly change relative to that of the magnetically isolated Co(II) ion. EPR spectra of powder samples of 5 (Co : Zn ratio of 1 : 10) together with spectral simulation indicated high spin Co(II) ions with high rhombic distortion of the zfs [E/D = 0.31(1), D > 0]. DC magnetic susceptibility experiments on 1 and analysis of the data constraining the E/D value obtained by EPR yielded g = 2.595(7), |D| = 61(1) cm-1, and an intradimer ferromagnetic exchange coupling of J = 1.39(4) cm-1. EPR spectra as a function of Co : Zn ratio for both powder and single crystal samples confirmed that they result from two effective S' = 1/2 spins that interact through dipolar and isotropic exchange interactions to yield magnetically isolated S' = 1 centres and that interdimeric exchange interactions, putatively mediated by hydrophobic interactions between phen moieties, are negligible. The latter observation contrasts with that observed in the Cu(II) analogue, where a transition from S = 1 to S' = 1/2 was observed. Computational calculations indicated that the absence of the interdimeric exchange interaction in 1 is due to a lower Co(II) ion spin density delocalisation towards the metal ligands.

Probing Methyl Group Tunneling in [(CH3)2NH2][Zn(HCOO)3] Hybrid Perovskite Using Co2+ EPR

At low temperature, methyl groups act as hindered quantum rotors exhibiting rotational quantum tunneling, which is highly sensitive to a local methyl group environment. Recently, we observed this effect using pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in two dimethylammonium-containing hybrid perovskites doped with paramagnetic Mn²⁺ ions. Here, we investigate the feasibility of using an alternative fast-relaxing Co²⁺ paramagnetic center to study the methyl group tunneling, and, as a model compound, we use dimethylammonium zinc formate [(CH₃)₂NH₂][Zn(HCOO)₃] hybrid perovskite. Our multifrequency (X-, Q- and W-band) EPR experiments reveal a high-spin state of the incorporated Co²⁺ center, which exhibits fast spin-lattice relaxation and electron spin decoherence. Our pulsed EPR experiments reveal magnetic field independent electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) signals, which are assigned to the methyl group tunneling. We use density operator simulations to extract the tunnel frequency of 1.84 MHz from the experimental data, which is then used to calculate the rotational barrier of the methyl groups. We compare our results with the previously reported Mn²⁺ case showing that our approach can detect very small changes in the local methyl group environment in hybrid perovskites and related materials.

Investigation by Chemical Substitution within 2p-3d-4f Clusters of the Cobalt(II) Role in the Magnetic Behavior of [vdCoLn]2 (vd = Verdazyl Radical)

1,5-Dimethyl-3-(3'-(hydroxymethyl)-2'-pyridine)-6-oxotetrazane (H₃vdpyCH₂OH) or its oxidized verdazyl form (vdpyCH₂OH) reacted with transition metal and/or lanthanide acetates to yield [(vdpyCH₂O)₂Co₂Ln₂(acO)₈] (Ln = Y(III): I_Co,Y; Gd(III): I_Co,Gd), [(vdpyCH₂O)₂M₃(acO)₄] (M = Zn(II): II_Zn; Co(II): II_Co) and [(vdpyCH₂OH)Zn(acO)₂] (III_Zn) through self-assembly implying a complex-as-ligand intermediate. Single-crystal diffraction reveals that I_MT,Ln are composed of 2p-3d-4f centrosymmetric clusters with verdazyl radicals at the two ends coordinated to the transition-metal ion in a tridentate mode and to the {Ln₂(acO)₄} lanthanide central core in a monodentate mode through its alkoxo moiety. In I_Co,Gd, the transition-metal ions adopt an irregular octahedral environment, and the {Ln₂(acO)₄} core adopts a paddlewheel motif, whereas in I_Co,Y, the transition metal is pentacoordinated, and the central core contains only two acetate bridges. Going from I_Co,Y to II_Co, the central {Y₂(acO)₄} core is replaced by an axially compressed octahedral cobalt(II) center, whereas the outer parts of the molecule remain still. The dc magnetic studies revealed that the alternate π-stacking of the verdazyl radicals in II_Zn led to the formation of alternate antiferromagnetically coupled 1D chains with J_vd-vd = -8.2(1) cm^-1 and J_vd-vd' = -7.6(1) cm^-1 (-2J convention). In I_Co,Y, a complex fitting procedure allowed us to retrieve a complete set of magnetic parameters to take into account both the magnetic anisotropy of the cobalt(II) centers and intra- and inter-molecular exchange effects. For I_Co,Y, it led to g_Co = 2.13(4), D_Co = 100(2) cm^-1, E_Co = 19.9(5) cm^-1, J_Co-vd = +26.5(4) cm^-1, and J_vd-vd = -7.95(4) cm^-1. ac magnetic susceptibility of I_Co,Y, I_Co,Gd and II_Co did not reveal any slow relaxation of the magnetization even when a dc external magnetic field up to 2000 Oe was applied.

The influence of solvent composition on the coordination environment of the Co/Mn/Br based para-xylene oxidation catalyst as revealed by EPR and ESEEM spectroscopy

The industrially important para-xylene oxidation reaction, based on a Co/Mn/Br catalyst, operates in a water/acetic acid (H2O/AcOH) solvent system.

Is the Electrophilicity of the Metal Nitrene the Sole Predictor of Metal-Mediated Nitrene Transfer to Olefins? Secondary Contributing Factors as Revealed by a Library of High-Spin Co(II) Reagents

Recent research has highlighted the key role played by the electron affinity of the active metal-nitrene/imido oxidant as the driving force in nitrene additions to olefins to afford valuable aziridines. The present work showcases a library of Co(II) reagents that, unlike the previously examined Mn(II) and Fe(II) analogues, demonstrate reactivity trends in olefin aziridinations that cannot be solely explained by the electron affinity criterion. A family of Co(II) catalysts (17 members) has been synthesized with the assistance of a trisphenylamido-amine scaffold decorated by various alkyl, aryl, and acyl groups attached to the equatorial amidos. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, cyclic voltammetry and EPR data reveal that the high-spin Co(II) sites (S = 3/2) feature a minimal [N3N] coordination and span a range of 1.4 V in redox potentials. Surprisingly, the Co(II)-mediated aziridination of styrene demonstrates reactivity patterns that deviate from those anticipated by the relevant electrophilicities of the putative metal nitrenes. The representative L4Co catalyst (-COCMe3 arm) is operating faster than the L8Co analogue (-COCF3 arm), in spite of diminished metal-nitrene electrophilicity. Mechanistic data (Hammett plots, KIE, stereocontrol studies) reveal that although both reagents follow a two-step reactivity path (turnover-limiting metal-nitrene addition to the C b atom of styrene, followed by product-determining ring-closure), the L4Co catalyst is associated with lower energy barriers in both steps. DFT calculations indicate that the putative [L4Co]NTs and [L8Co]NTs species are electronically distinct, inasmuch as the former exhibits a single-electron oxidized ligand arm. In addition, DFT calculations suggest that including London dispersion corrections for L4Co (due to the polarizability of the tert-Bu substituent) can provide significant stabilization of the turnover-limiting transition state. This study highlights how small ligand modifications can generate stereoelectronic variants that in certain cases are even capable of overriding the preponderance of the metal-nitrene electrophilicity as a driving force.

Applying Unconventional Spectroscopies to the Single-Molecule Magnets, Co(PPh3 )2 X2 (X=Cl, Br, I): Unveiling Magnetic Transitions and Spin-Phonon Coupling

Large separation of magnetic levels and slow relaxation in metal complexes are desirable properties of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Spin-phonon coupling (interactions of magnetic levels with phonons) is ubiquitous, leading to magnetic relaxation and loss of memory in SMMs and quantum coherence in qubits. Direct observation of magnetic transitions and spin-phonon coupling in molecules is challenging. We have found that far-IR magnetic spectra (FIRMS) of Co(PPh₃ )₂ X₂ (Co-X; X=Cl, Br, I) reveal rarely observed spin-phonon coupling as avoided crossings between magnetic and u-symmetry phonon transitions. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) gives phonon spectra. Calculations using VASP and phonopy programs gave phonon symmetries and movies. Magnetic transitions among zero-field split (ZFS) levels of the S=3/2 electronic ground state were probed by INS, high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR), FIRMS, and frequency-domain FT terahertz EPR (FD-FT THz-EPR), giving magnetic excitation spectra and determining ZFS parameters (D, E) and g values. Ligand-field theory (LFT) was used to analyze earlier electronic absorption spectra and give calculated ZFS parameters matching those from the experiments. DFT calculations also gave spin densities in Co-X, showing that the larger Co(II) spin density in a molecule, the larger its ZFS magnitude. The current work reveals dynamics of magnetic and phonon excitations in SMMs. Studies of such couplings in the future would help to understand how spin-phonon coupling may lead to magnetic relaxation and develop guidance to control such coupling.

Pogo-Stick Iron and Cobalt Complexes: Synthesis, Structures, and Magnetic Properties

The synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of monomeric half-sandwich iron and cobalt imidazolin-2-iminato complexes have been comprehensively investigated. Salt metathesis reactions of [Cp'M(μ-I)]₂ (1-M, M = Fe, Co; Cp' = η⁵-1,2,4-tri-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) with [Im^DippNLi]₂ (Im^DippN = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-iminato) furnishes the terminal half-sandwich compounds [Cp'M(NIm^Dipp)] (2-M, M = Fe, Co), which can be regarded as models for elusive half-sandwich iron and cobalt imido complexes. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the structure motif of a one-legged piano stool. Complex 2-Co can also be prepared by an acid-base reaction between [Cp'Co{N(SiMe₃)₂}] (3-Co) and Im^DippNH. The electronic and magnetic properties of 2-M and 3-Co were probed by ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy (M = Fe), X-band EPR spectroscopy (M = Co), and solid-state magnetic susceptibility measurements. In particular, the central metal atom adopts a high-spin (S = 2) state in 2-Fe, while the cobalt complex 2-Co represents a rare example of a Co(II) species with a coordination number different from six displaying a low-spin to high-spin spin-crossover (SCO) behavior. The experimental observations are complemented by DFT calculations.

Syntheses and magnetic properties of high-dimensional cucurbit[6]uril-based metal-organic rotaxane frameworks

Three new high-dimensional cucurbit[6]-based metal-organic rotaxane frameworks [Co₂(PR43)(BDC)₂Cl₂]·4H₂O (1), [Co₂(PR43)(BTC)₂]·6H₂O (2) and [Co₂(PR43)(BPT)₂]·20H₂O (3) were obtained via the hydrothermal synthesis method. Compound 1 comprised a two-dimensional layered structure, while compounds 2 and 3 exhibited three-dimensional pillared structures. All the compounds showed good thermal stabilities. Furthermore, the magnetic properties of compounds 1-3 were also investigated in detail.

Spectroscopic characterization of the Co-substituted C-terminal domain of rubredoxin-2

Pseudomonas putida rubredoxin-2 (Rxn2) is an essential member of the alkane hydroxylation pathway and transfers electrons from a reductase to the membrane-bound hydroxylase. The regioselective hydroxylation of linear alkanes is a challenging chemical transformation of great interest for the chemical industry. Herein, we report the preparation and spectroscopic characterization of cobalt-substituted P. putida Rxn2 and a truncated version of the protein consisting of the C-terminal domain of the protein. Our spectroscopic data on the Co-substituted C-terminal domain supports a high-spin Co(II) with a distorted tetrahedral coordination environment. Investigation of the two-domain protein Rxn2 provides insights into the metal-binding properties of the N-terminal domain, the role of which is not well understood so far. Circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption spectroscopies support an alternative Co-binding site within the N-terminal domain, which appears to not be relevant in nature. We have shown that chemical reconstitution in the presence of Co leads to incorporation of Co(II) into the active site of the C-terminal domain, but not the N-terminal domain of Rxn2 indicating distinct roles for the two rubredoxin domains.

Solvent water interactions within the active site of the membrane type I matrix metalloproteinase

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are an important family of proteases which catalyze the degradation of extracellular matrix components. While the mechanism of peptide cleavage is well established, the process of enzyme regeneration, which represents the rate limiting step of the catalytic cycle, remains unresolved. This step involves the loss of the newly formed N-terminus (amine) and C-terminus (carboxylate) protein fragments from the site of catalysis coupled with the inclusion of one or more solvent waters. Here we report a novel crystal structure of membrane type I MMP (MT1-MMP or MMP-14), which includes a small peptide bound at the catalytic Zn site via its C-terminus. This structure models the initial product state formed immediately after peptide cleavage but before the final proton transfer to the bound amine; the amine is not present in our system and as such proton transfer cannot occur. Modeling of the protein, including earlier structural data of Bertini and coworkers [I. Bertini, et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed., 2006, 45, 7952-7955], suggests that the C-terminus of the peptide is positioned to form an H-bond network to the amine site, which is mediated by a single oxygen of the functionally important Glu240 residue, facilitating efficient proton transfer. Additional quantum chemical calculations complemented with magneto-optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopies clarify the role of two additional, non-catalytic first coordination sphere waters identified in the crystal structure. One of these auxiliary waters acts to stabilize key intermediates of the reaction, while the second is proposed to facilitate C-fragment release, triggered by protonation of the amine. Together these results complete the enzymatic cycle of MMPs and provide new design criteria for inhibitors with improved efficacy.

Zwitterionic Cobalt Complexes with Bis(diphenylphosphino)(N-thioether)amine Assembling Ligands: Structural, EPR, Magnetic, and Computational Studies

The coordination of two heterofunctional P,P,S ligands of the N-functionalized DPPA-type bearing an alkylthioether or arylthioether N-substituent, (Ph2P)2N(CH2)3SMe (1) and (Ph2P)2N(p-C6H4)SMe (2), respectively, toward cobalt dichloride was investigated to examine the influence of the linker between the PNP nitrogen and the S atoms. The complexes [CoCl2(1)]2 (3) and [CoCl2(2)]2 (4) have been isolated, and 3 was shown by X-ray diffraction to be a unique dinuclear, zwitterion containing one CoCl moiety bis-chelated by two ligands 1 and one CoCl3 fragment coordinated by the S atom of a thioether function. The FT-IR, UV-vis, and EPR spectroscopic features of 3 were analyzed as the superposition of those of constitutive fragments identified by a retrosynthetic-type analysis. A similar approach provided insight into the nature of 4 for which no X-ray diffraction data could be obtained. A comparison between the spectroscopic features of 4 and of its constitutive fragments, [CoCl(2)2]PF6 (7) and [H2']2[CoCl4] (8) (2' = NH2(p-C6H4)SMe), and between those of 4 and 3 suggested that 4 could either have a zwitterionic structure, similar to that of 3, or contain a tetrahedral dicationic bis-chelated Co center associated with a CoCl4 dianion. Magnetic and EPR studies and theoretical calculations were performed. Doublet spin states were found for the pentacoordinated complexes [CoCl(1)2]PF6 (5) and 7 and anisotropic quadruplet spin states for the tetrahedral complexes [CoCl3(H1')] (6) (1' = NH2(CH2)3SMe) and 8. A very similar behavior was observed for 3 and 4, consisting in the juxtaposition of noninteracting doublet and quadruplet spin states. Antiferromagnetic interactions explain the formation of dimers for 6 and of layers for 8. The EPR signatures of 3 and 4 correspond to the superposition of low-spin nuclei in 5 and 7 and high-spin nuclei in 6 and 8, respectively. From DFT calculations, the solid-state structure of 4 appears best described as zwitterionic, with a low-spin state for the Co1 atom.

Synthesis, characterization and magnetism of metal–organic compounds: role of the positions of the coordinating groups of a meso-flexible ligand in placing anisotropy to exhibit spin-canting behaviour

Magnetic anisotropy can be included in metal–organic coordination polymers by altering the position of the coordinating groups on the skeleton of the ligand.

A role for hydrogen bonding in DNA recognition by the non-classical CCHHC type zinc finger, NZF-1

The non-classical zinc finger protein, Neural Zinc Finger Factor-1, contains six Cys2His2Cys domains. All three cysteines and the second histidine directly bind Zn(II). Using a combination of mutagenesis, metal coordination and DNA binding studies, we report that the first histidine is involved in a functionally important hydrogen bonding interaction.

Structural library of coordination polymers based on flexible linkers exploiting the role of linker coordination angle: synthesis, structural characterization and magnetic properties

The linker coordination angles observed in the crystal structures of a new series of coordination polymers of flexible linkers, are correlated with their dimensionality and topology.

Characterization of a cobalt-specific P(1B)-ATPase

The P(1B)-type ATPases are a ubiquitous family of P-type ATPases involved in the transport of transition metal ions. Divided into subclasses based on sequence characteristics and substrate specificity, these integral membrane transporters play key roles in metal homeostasis, metal tolerance, and the biosynthesis of metalloproteins. The P(1B-4)-ATPases have the simplest architecture of the five P(1B)-ATPase families and have been suggested to play a role in Co(2+) transport. A P(1B-4)-ATPase from Sulfitobacter sp. NAS-14.1, designated sCoaT, has been cloned, expressed, and purified. Activity assays indicate that sCoaT is specific for Co(2+). A single Co(2+) binding site is present, and optical, electron paramagnetic resonance, and X-ray absorption spectroscopic data are consistent with tetrahedral coordination by oxygen and nitrogen ligands, including a histidine and likely a water. Surprisingly, there is no evidence for coordination by sulfur. Mutation of a conserved cysteine residue, Cys 327, in the signature transmembrane Ser-Pro-Cys metal binding motif does not abolish the ATP hydrolysis activity or affect the spectroscopic analysis, establishing that this residue is not involved in the initial Co(2+) binding by sCoaT. In contrast, replacements of conserved transmembrane residues Ser 325, His 657, Glu 658, and Thr 661 with alanine abolish ATP hydrolysis activity and Co(2+) binding, indicating that these residues are necessary for Co(2+) transport. These data represent the first in vitro characterization of a P(1B-4)-ATPase and its Co(2+) binding site.

Spin ground state and magnetic properties of cobalt(II): relativistic DFT calculations guided by EPR measurements of bis(2,4-acetylacetonate)cobalt(II)-based complexes

The spin ground state of the core ion and structure of the bis(2,4-acetylacetonate)cobalt(II) model complex and its synthetic aqua and ethanol derivatives, Co(acac)(2)L(n), (L = EtOH, H(2)O), were examined by means of density functional theory (DFT) calculations supported by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements. Geometry optimizations were carried out for low-spin (doublet) and high-spin (quartet) states. For the Co(acac)(2) complex two possible conformations, a square-planar and a tetrahedral one, were taken into account. For all structures relative energies were calculated with both "pure" and hybrid functionals. The calculated data were complemented with the results of the EPR investigations carried out at liquid helium temperature, allowing for definite assignment of the high-spin state for the Co(acac)(2)(EtOH)(2) complex. However, because of the unresolved spectral features, only effective g-values could be assessed, whereas the zero-field splitting parameters (ZFS) were calculated by means of the spin-orbit mean field (SOMF) relativistic DFT method for which direct spin-spin (SS) and spin-orbit coupling (SOC) contributions were quantified.

A hyperactive cobalt-substituted extradiol-cleaving catechol dioxygenase

Homoprotocatechuate 2,3-dioxygenase from Brevibacterium fuscum (HPCD) has an Fe(II) center in its active site that can be replaced with Mn(II) or Co(II). Whereas Mn-HPCD exhibits steady-state kinetic parameters comparable to those of Fe-HPCD, Co-HPCD behaves somewhat differently, exhibiting significantly higher [Formula: see text] and k (cat). The high activity of Co-HPCD is surprising, given that cobalt has the highest standard M(III/II) redox potential of the three metals. Comparison of the X-ray crystal structures of the resting and substrate-bound forms of Fe-HPCD, Mn-HPCD, and Co-HPCD shows that metal substitution has no effect on the local ligand environment, the conformational integrity of the active site, or the overall protein structure, suggesting that the protein structure does not differentially tune the potential of the metal center. Analysis of the steady-state kinetics of Co-HPCD suggests that the Co(II) center alters the relative rate constants for the interconversion of intermediates in the catalytic cycle but still allows the dioxygenase reaction to proceed efficiently. When compared with the kinetic data for Fe-HPCD and Mn-HPCD, these results show that dioxygenase catalysis can proceed at high rates over a wide range of metal redox potentials. This is consistent with the proposed mechanism in which the metal mediates electron transfer between the catechol substrate and O(2) to form the postulated [M(II)(semiquinone)superoxo] reactive species. These kinetic differences and the spectroscopic properties of Co-HPCD provide new tools with which to explore the unique O(2) activation mechanism associated with the extradiol dioxygenase family.

Monofluoride bridged, binuclear metallacycles of first row transition metals supported by third generation bis(1-pyrazolyl)methane ligands: unusual magnetic properties

The reaction of M(BF(4))(2).xH(2)O, where M is Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn, and the ditopic, bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligand m-[CH(pz)(2)](2)C(6)H(4), L(m), where pz is a pyrazolyl ring, yields the monofluoride bridged, binuclear [M(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) complexes. In contrast, a similar reaction of L(m) with Ni(BF(4))(2).6H(2)O yields dibridged [Ni(2)(mu-F)(2)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(2). The solid state structures of seven [M(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) complexes show that the divalent metal ion is in a five-coordinate, trigonal bipyramidal, coordination environment with either a linear or nearly linear M-F-M bridging arrangement. NMR results indicate that [Zn(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) retains its dimeric structure in solution. The [Ni(2)(mu-F)(2)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(2) complex has a dibridging fluoride structure that has a six-coordination environment about each nickel(II) ion. In the solid state, the [Fe(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) and [Co(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) complexes show weak intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the two metal(II) ions with J values of -10.4 and -0.67 cm(-1), respectively; there is no observed long-range magnetic order. Three different solvates of [Cu(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) are diamagnetic between 5 and 400 K, thus showing strong antiferromagnetic exchange interactions of -600 cm(-1) or more negative. Mossbauer spectra indicate that [Fe(2)(mu-F)(mu-L(m))(2)](BF(4))(3) exhibits no long-range magnetic order between 4.2 and 295 K and isomer shifts that are consistent with the presence of five-coordinate, high-spin iron(II).

Multireference ab initio studies of zero-field splitting and magnetic circular dichroism spectra of tetrahedral Co(II) complexes

A newly developed multireference (MR) ab initio method for the calculation of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra was calibrated through the calculation of the ground- and excited state properties of seven high-spin (S = 3/2) Co(II) complexes. The MCD spectra were computed by the explicit treatment of spin-orbit coupled (SOC) and spin-spin coupled (SSC) N-electron states. For the complexes studied in this work, we found that the SOC is more important than the SSC for determining the ground state zero field splitting (ZFS). Our computed ZFS parameter D for the [Co(PPh(3))(2)Cl(2)] model complex is -17.6 cm(-1), which is reasonably close to the experimental value of -14.8 cm(-1). Generally, the computed absorption and MCD spectra are in fair agreement with experiment for all investigated complexes. Thus, reliable electronic structure and spectroscopic predictions for medium sized transition metal complexes are feasible on the basis of this methodology. This characterizes the presented method as a promising tool for MCD spectra interpretations of transition metal complexes in a variety of areas of chemistry and biology.

Integrated paramagnetic resonance of high-spin Co(II) in axial symmetry: chemical separation of dipolar and contact electron-nuclear couplings

Integrated paramagnetic resonance, utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), NMR, and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR), of a series of cobalt bis-trispyrazolylborates, Co(Tp ( x )) 2, are reported. Systematic substitutions at the ring carbons and on the apical boron provide a unique opportunity to separate through-bond and through-space contributions to the NMR hyperfine shifts for the parent, unsubstituted Tp complex. A simple relationship between the chemical shift difference (delta H - delta Me) and the contact shift of the proton in that position is developed. This approach allows independent extraction of the isotropic hyperfine coupling, A iso, for each proton in the molecule. The Co..H contact coupling energies derived from the NMR, together with the known metrics of the compounds, were used to predict the ENDOR couplings at g perpendicular. Proton ENDOR data is presented that shows good agreement with the NMR-derived model. ENDOR signals from all other magnetic nuclei in the complex ( (14)N, coordinating and noncoordinating, (11)B and (13)C) are also reported.

Photochemical generation of six- and five-membered cyclic vinyl cations

The photochemical solvolyses of 4-tert-butylcyclohex-1-enyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborate (1) and cyclopent-1-enyl(phenyl)iodonium tetrafluoroborate (2) in methanol yield vinylic ethers and vinylic cycloalkenyliodobenzenes and cycloalkenylbenzene, which are the trapping products of the geometrically destabilized C6-ring and C5-ring vinyl cation with the solvent and with the leaving group iodobenzene. Iodonium salt 2 also yields an allylic ether and allylic cyclopentenyliodobenzenes and cyclopentenylbenzene, which are the trapping products of the C5-ring allylic cation produced from the C5-ring vinyl cation by a hydride shift in a typical carbocationic rearrangement.

Self-assembly of the unique heterotrimetallic Cu/Co/M complexes possessing triangular antiferromagnetic {Cu2CoPb}2and linear ferromagnetic {Cu2CoCd2} cores

Two novel heterotrimetallic octa-[Cu2CoPbCl4(L)4]2 (1) and pentanuclear [Cu2CoCd2Cl6(L)4(HOMe)2] (2) complexes have been prepared in one-pot reactions of zerovalent copper with metal chlorides in a methanol (for 1) or acetonitrile (for 2) solution of 2-(dimethylamino)ethanol (HL) in open air. The crystal structures of both compounds consist of discrete centrosymmetric heterotrimetallic molecules revealing triangular (1) and unique consecutive (2) arrangements of magnetic CuII(2)CoII cores. The complex 1 can be viewed as a dimer made up of tetranuclear Cu2CoPbCl4(L)4 units linked through the two micro(2)-Cl atoms. The molecular structure of 2 is a pentanuclear assembly containing the previously unknown Cu(micro-O)(2)Co(micro-O)(2)Cu core. The magnetic studies of 1 revealed an antiferromagnetic coupling (J(CoCu) = 37 cm(-1) and J(CuCu) = 87 cm(-1)) while 2 exhibits a weak ferromagnetic behavior (J(CoCu) = -3.2 cm(-1) and J(CuCu) = -14.2 cm(-1)). The correlations between magnetic behaviour and structures as well as synthetic features are also discussed.

Tunable-frequency high-field electron paramagnetic resonance

A tunable-frequency methodology based on backward wave oscillator sources in high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) is described. This methodology is illustrated by an application to three non-Kramers transition metal ion complexes and one Kramers ion complex. The complexes are of: Ni(II) (S=1) as found in dichlorobistriphenylphosphanenickel(II), Mn(III) (S=2) as found in mesotetrasulfonatoporphyrinatomanganese(III) chloride, Fe(II) (S=2) as found in ferrous sulfate tetrahydrate, and Co(II) (S=3/2) as found in azido(tris(3-tert-butylpyrazol-1-yl)hydroborate)cobalt(II). The above Ni(II) and Mn(III) complexes have been studied before by HFEPR using the multifrequency methodology based on Gunn oscillator sources, but not by the present method, while the Fe(II) and Co(II) complexes presented here have not been studied by any form of HFEPR. Highly accurate spin Hamiltonian parameters can be obtained by the experimental methodology described here, in combination with automated fitting procedures. This method is particularly successful in determining g-matrix parameters, which are very difficult to extract for high-spin systems from single frequency (or a very limited set of multi-frequency) HFEPR spectra, but is also able to deliver equally accurate values of the zero-field splitting tensor. The experimental methods involve either conventional magnetic field modulation or an optical modulation of the sub-THz wave beam. The relative merits of these and other experimental methods are discussed.