Multifunctional Amino Acid Derivative Coordination Compounds: Novel Contrast Agent and Luminescence Materials

In this work a family of multidimensional (2-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)ethyl) amino acid coordination compounds have been synthesized and thoroughly characterized. For this purpose, glycine, valine, phenylalanine and tyrosine have been selected as starting amino acids and Mn2+, Zn2+ and Cd2+ as metallic nodes. From one side, for Mn2+ based dimer magnetic resonance imaging studies have been conducted, prompted by the number and disposition of the coordinated water molecules and taking into consideration the promising future of manganese-based coordination compounds as bio-compatible substitutes to conventional Gd based contrast agents. From another side, d10 block metal-based complexes allowed exploring photoluminescence properties derived by in situ synthesized ligands. Finally, amino acid preserved structural chirality allowed us to examine chiroptical properties, particularly focusing on circularly polarized luminescence.

From field-induced to zero-field SMMs associated with open/closed structures of bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear complexes: a combined magnetic, theoretical and optical study

We have prepared a bis(compartmental) Mannich base ligand H4L (1,4,8,11-tetraaza-1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)cyclotetradecane) specifically designed to obtain bis(TMIILnIII) tetranuclear complexes (TM = transition metal). In this regard, we have succeeded in obtaining three new complexes of the formula [Zn2(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy2(NO3)2]·[Zn2(μ-L)(μ-OAc)Dy2(NO3)(OAc)]·4CHCl3·2MeOH (1) and [TM2(μ-H2L)2(μ-succinate)Ln2(NO3)2] (NO3)2·2H2O·6MeOH (TMII = Zn, LnIII = Dy (2); TMII = Co, LnIII = Dy (3)). Compound 1 contains two different bis(ZnDy) tetranuclear molecules that cocrystallize in the structure, in which acetato bridging ligands connect the ZnII and DyIII ions within each ZnDy subunit. This compound does not exhibit slow magnetic relaxation at zero field, but it is activated in the presence of an applied dc magnetic field and/or by Dy/Y magnetic dilution, showing two relaxation processes corresponding to each of the two different bis(ZnDy) units found in the structure. As revealed by the theoretical calculations, magnetic relaxation in 1 is single-ion in origin and takes place through the first excited state of each DyIII ion. When using the succinato dicarboxylate bridging ligand instead of acetate, compounds 2 and 3 were serendipitously formed, which have a closed structure with the succinate anion bridging two ZnDy subunits belonging to two different ligands. It should be noted that only compound 2 exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization in the absence of an external magnetic field. According to experimental and theoretical data, 2 relaxes through the second excited Kramers doublet (Ueff = 342 K). In contrast, 3 displays field-induced SMM behaviour (Ueff = 203 K). However, the Co/Zn diluted version of this compound 3Zn shows slow relaxation at zero field (Ueff = 347 K). Ab initio theoretical calculations clearly show that the weak ferromagnetic coupling between CoII and DyIII ions is at the origin of the lack of slow relaxation of this compound at zero field. Compound 2 and its diluted analogues 2Y and 3Zn show hysteresis loops at very low temperature, thus confirming their SMM behaviour. Finally, compounds 1 and 2 show DyIII based emission even at room temperature that, in the case of 2, allows us to extract the splitting of the ground 6H15/2 term, which matches reasonably well with theoretical calculations.

Nickel, copper, and zinc dinuclear helicates: how do bulky groups influence their architecture?

The ligand design factors that may influence the isolation of metallosupramolecular helicates or mesocates still deserve to be investigated. In this sense, dinuclear nickel(II), copper(II) and zinc(II) compounds were obtained by electrochemical synthesis using a family of five Schiff base ligands, H2Ln (n = 1-5), derived from bisphenylmethane and functionalized with bulky tert-butyl groups in the periphery and ethyl groups in the spacer. Six of the new complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography, thus demonstrating that the helicate structure is predominant in the solid state. 1H NMR studies were performed for the zinc complexes to analyze if the helical architecture of the metal complexes is retained in solution. These studies reveal that the presence of a tert-butyl group in the ortho position with respect to the OH group is an essential factor identified for the existence of a helicate conformation in solution.

Zero-Field SMM Behavior Triggered by Magnetic Exchange Interactions and a Collinear Arrangement of Local Anisotropy Axes in a Linear Co3II Complex

A new linear trinuclear Co(II)3 complex with a formula of [{Co(μ-L)}2Co] has been prepared by self-assembly of Co(II) ions and the N3O3-tripodal Schiff base ligand H3L, which is obtained from the condensation of 1,1,1-tris(aminomethyl)ethane and salicylaldehyde. Single X-ray diffraction shows that this compound is centrosymmetric with triple-phenolate bridging groups connecting neighboring Co(II) ions, leading to a paddle-wheel-like structure with a pseudo-C3 axis lying in the Co-Co-Co direction. The Co(II) ions at both ends of the Co(II)3 molecule exhibit distorted trigonal prismatic CoN3O3 geometry, whereas the Co(II) at the middle presents an elongated trigonal antiprismatic CoO6 geometry. The combined analysis of the magnetic data and theoretical calculations reveal strong easy-axis magnetic anisotropy for both types of Co(II) ions (|D| values higher than 115 cm-1) with the local anisotropic axes lying on the pseudo-C3 axis of the molecule. The magnetic exchange interaction between the middle and ends Co(II) ions, extracted by using either a Hamiltonian accounting for the isotropic magnetic coupling and ZFS or the Lines' model, was found to be medium to strong and antiferromagnetic in nature, whereas the interaction between the external Co(II) ions is weak antiferromagnetic. Interestingly, the compound exhibits slow relaxation of magnetization and open hysteresis at zero field and therefore SMM behavior. The significant magnetic exchange coupling found for [{Co(μ-L)}2Co] is mainly responsible for the quenching of QTM, which combined with the easy-axis local anisotropy of the CoII ions and the collinearity of their local anisotropy axes with the pseudo-C3 axis favors the observation of SMM behavior at zero field.

Magneto-thermal properties and slow magnetic relaxation in Mn(II)Ln(III) complexes: influence of magnetic coupling on the magneto-caloric effect

A family of Mn(II)Ln(III) dinuclear and tetranuclear complexes (Ln = Gd and Dy) has been prepared from the compartmental ligands N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine (H₂L¹) and N,N',N''-trimethyl-N,N''-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methylbenzyl)diethylenetriamine (H₂L²). The Mn(II)Gd(III) complexes exhibit antiferromagnetic interactions between Mn(II) and Gd(III) ions in most cases, which are supported by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Experimental magneto-structural correlations carried out for the reported complexes and other related complexes found in bibliography show that the highest ferromagnetic coupling constants are observed in di-μ-phenoxido bridged complexes, which is due to the planarity of the Mn-(μ-O)₂-Gd bridging fragment and to the high Mn-O-Gd angles. The effect of these angles has been studied by DFT calculations performed on a di-μ-phenoxido doubly bridged model. The magneto-thermal properties of the Mn(II)Gd(III) based complexes have also been measured, concluding that the magnitude of the Magneto-Caloric Effect (MCE) is due to the strength rather than to the nature of the magnetic coupling. Moreover, when two Mn(II)Gd(III) dinuclear units are connected by two carbonato-bridging ligands the MCE is enhanced, obtaining a maximum magnetic entropy change of 36.4 Jkg^-1 K^-1 at ΔB = 7 T and T = 2.2 K. On the other hand, one of the dinuclear Mn(II)Dy(III) complexes displays Single-Molecule Magnet (SMM) behaviour with an energy barrier of 14.8 K under an applied external field of 1000 Oe.

Two Synthetic Approaches to Coinage Metal(I) Mesocates: Electrochemical versus Chemical Synthesis

We report two different approaches to isolate neutral and cationic mesocate-type metallosupramolecular architectures derived from coinage monovalent ions. For this purpose, we use a thiocarbohydrazone ligand, H₂L (1), conveniently tuned with bulky phosphine groups to stabilize the M^I ions and prevent ligand crossing to achieve the selective formation of mesocates. The neutral complexes [Cu₂(HL)₂] (2), [Ag₂(HL)₂] (3), and [Au₂(HL)₂] (4) were prepared by an electrochemical method, while the cationic complexes [Cu₂(H₂L)₂](PF₆)₂ (5), [Cu₂(H₂L)₂](BF₄)₂ (6), [Ag₂(H₂L)₂](PF₆)₂ (7), [Ag₄(HL)₂](NO₃)₂ (8), and [Au₂(H₂L)₂]Cl₂ (9) were obtained by using a metal salt as the precursor. All of the complexes are neutral or cationic dinuclear mesocates, except the silver nitrate derivative, which exhibits a tetranuclear cluster mesocate architecture. The crystal structures of the neutral and cationic copper(I), silver(I), and gold(I) complexes allow us to analyze the influence of synthetic methodology or the counterion role on both the micro- and macrostructures of the mesocates.

Multifunctional Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from 3-Amino-4-hydroxybenzoate: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior, Luminescent Properties for Thermometry, and CO2 Adsorptive Capacity

Herein, we describe and study a new family of isostructural multifunctional metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with the formula {[Ln₅L₆(OH)₃(DMF)₃]·5H₂O}_n (where (H₂L) is 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoic acid ligand) for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, three of the materials (Dy-, Er-, and Yb-based MOFs) present single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior derived from the magnetic anisotropy of the lanthanide ions as a consequence of the adequate electronic distribution of the coordination environment. Additionally, photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu–Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers. Finally, the porous nature of the framework allowed showing the CO₂ sorption capacity.

A new family of isostructural multifunctional metal−organic frameworks has been described and studied for magnetism and photoluminescence. Interestingly, some materials present single-molecule magnet behavior, and photoluminescence properties of the ligand in combination with Eu and Tb counterparts were studied, including the heterometallic Eu−Tb mixed MOF that shows potential as ratiometric luminescent thermometers. Finally, the porous nature of the framework allowed showing the CO₂ sorption capacity.

Conversion of a double-tetranuclear cluster silver helicate into a dihelicate via a rare desulfurization process

We show the first example of a bisthiosemicarbazone silver double-tetranuclear cluster helicate [Ag4L2]2 obtained by electrochemical synthesis which undergoes a rare desulfurization process giving rise to a cationic silver dihelicate [Ag2(H2L)2]SO4.

A novel yttrium-based metal-organic framework for the efficient solvent-free catalytic synthesis of cyanohydrin silyl ethers

A new porous metal-organic framework (MOF) with the chemical formula [Y₅L₆(OH)₃(DMF)₃]·5H₂O (1) (where L = 3-amino-4-hydroxybenzoate) has been prepared by a solvothermal procedure. The structural characterization reveals that this material consists of a robust three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF) grown with clusters formed by Y(iii) and hydroxide anions joined to one another by the ligand, giving rise to an open structure with interconnected microchannels with variable dimensions. This assembled set has shown to possess a fascinating catalytic activity for the cyanosilylation of a broad range of aldehydes and ketones with exceptional recyclability, a solvent-free medium, and one order of magnitude lower catalyst loading compared to all related lanthanide-based MOFs described so far in the literature.

Designing Single-Molecule Magnets as Drugs with Dual Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Diabetic Effects

We have designed and synthesized two novel cobalt coordination compounds using bumetanide (bum) and indomethacin (ind) therapeutic agents. The anti-inflammatory effects of cobalt metal complexes with ind and bum were assayed in lipopolysaccharide stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages by inhibition of nitric oxide production. Firstly, we determined the cytotoxicity and the anti-inflammatory potential of the cobalt compounds and ind and bum ligands in RAW 264.7 cells. Indomethacin-based metal complex was able to inhibit the NO production up to 35% in a concentration-dependent manner without showing cytotoxicity, showing around 6–37 times more effective than indomethacin. Cell cycle analysis showed that the inhibition of NO production was accompanied by a reversion of the differentiation processes in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, due to a decreased of cell percentage in G0/G1 phase, with the corresponding increase in the number of cells in S phase. These two materials have mononuclear structures and show slow relaxation of magnetization. Moreover, both compounds show anti-diabetic activity with low in vitro cell toxicities. The formation of metal complexes with bioactive ligands is a new and promising strategy to find new compounds with high and enhanced biochemical properties and promises to be a field of great interest.

Effect of the change of the ancillary carboxylate bridging ligand on the SMM and luminescence properties of a series of carboxylate-diphenoxido triply bridged dinuclear ZnLn and tetranuclear Zn2Ln2 complexes (Ln = Dy, Er)

Eleven new dinuclear and tetranuclear compounds of general formulae [Zn(μ-L)(μ-X)Ln(NO3)2]·nS, [Zn2Dy2(μ3-L')2(μ-sal)2(NO3)(CH3OH)](NO3)·5CH3OH and [Zn2Er2(μ3-L')2(μ-sal)2(CH3OH)2](NO3)2·4CH3OH (X = benzoate, anthracenate, diclofenac, salicylate, 2,6-dihydroxybenzoate; Ln = Dy, Er; S = water, acetonitrile, methanol) were prepared from the N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine compartmental ligand (H2L). Complexes 1-6 and 9-11 consist of diphenoxido-carboxylate triply bridged compounds, which differ mainly in the carboxylate bridging ligand. It should be noted that the acidic character of the salicylic acid promotes, in the presence of methanol, the methoxylation of the H2L ligand thereby yielding a hemiacetal H3L', which is able to connect the Ln(iii) ions of two ZnLn dinuclear units forming the Zn2Ln2 tetranuclear complexes 7 and 8. All compounds display SMM behaviour in the presence of an external field with effective energy barriers (Ueff) as high as 61 K. Magneto-structural data for these complexes reveal that their SMM behaviour is not only significantly affected by the type of Ln(iii) ion but also by the carboxylate bridging ligand connecting the Zn(ii) and Ln(iii) ions. Photoluminescence properties have also been accomplished, showing that the ligands are able to sensitize lanthanide centred emissions in the visible and near-infrared regions with variable capacity. Moreover, the analysis of the luminescence decay curves reveals emission lifetimes in the range of few microsecond or hundreds of nanoseconds for Dy(iii)-based or Er(iii)-based luminophores, respectively.

Design and synthesis of a family of 1D-lanthanide-coordination polymers showing luminescence and slow relaxation of the magnetization

We have designed and synthesized eight isostructural 1D coordination polymers (CPs) with the general formula {[Ln(aapc)3(DMF)]}n [where Ln(iii) = Y (2), La (3), Nd (4), Eu (5), Gd (6), Tb (7), Dy (8), Er (9); and aapc = 3-((anthraquinone-1-yl)amino)propanoate]. These CPs consist of Ln-carboxylate infinite rods in which the bulky anthraquinone scaffolds arise from it in such a way that the resulting supramolecular packing exhibits isolated 1D chains. Solution structures have been corroborated through NMR methods including PGSE and EXSY NMR studies and, due to the presence of lanthanide ions, magnetic and luminescence properties have been studied. Alternating current magnetic measurements of compound 8 show slow relaxation of the magnetization, a characteristic of single molecule magnets (SMMs). The evaluation of solid-state photophysical properties reveals that the aapc scaffold sensitizes lanthanide(iii) based emission of compounds 4-9 both in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) regions at 10 K.

Secondary Oxide Phosphines to Promote Tandem Acyl-Alkyl Coupling/Hydrogen Transfer to Afford (Hydroxyalkyl)rhodium Complexes. Theoretical and Experimental Studies

Acyl(σ-norbornenyl)rhodium(III) dimer [Rh(μ-Cl)(C₉H₆NCO)(C₇H₉)L]₂ (1) (C₇H₉ = σ-norbornenyl; L = 4-picoline, isoquinoline) reacts with diphenylphosphine oxide (SPO) to undergo a one-pot reaction involving (i) cleavage of the chloride bridges and coordination of the phosphine, (ii) C-C bond coupling between acyl and norbornenyl in a 18e species, and (iii) ligand-assisted outer-sphere O(P)-to-O(C) hydrogen transfer, to afford mononuclear 16e species [RhCl{(C₉H₆NC(O)C₇H₉)(Ph₂PO)H}(L)] (2) containing a quinolinyl-(norbornenylhydroxyalkyl) fragment hydrogen-bonded to a κ¹- P-phosphinite ligand. Pentacoordinated 2, which adopt a distorted trigonal bipyramidal structure, are kinetic reaction products that transform into the thermodynamic favored isomers 3. Structures 3 contain an unusual weak η¹-C anagostic interaction involving the rhodium atom and one carbon atom of the olefinic C-H bond of the norbornenyl substituent in the chelating quinolinyl-hydroxyalkyl moiety. Their structure can be described as pseudoctahedral, through a 5 + 1 coordination, with the anagostic interaction in a trans disposition with respect to the phosphorus atom of the phosphinite ligand. Complexes were characterized in solution by NMR spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Complex [RhCl{(C₉H₆NC(O)C₇H₉)(Ph₂PO)H}(4-picoline)] (3a) was also identified by X-ray diffraction. Density functional theory calculations confirm the proposed structures by a plausible set of mechanisms that accounts for the 1 (monomer) → 2 → 3 transformation. Lowest-energy pathways involve reductive elimination of quinolinylnorbornenylketone, still coordinated in the rhodium(I) species thus formed, followed by O-to-O hydrogen transfer from κ¹- P-SPO to the sp³ hybridized carbonyl group (formal alkoxide) avoiding the otherwise expected classical release of ketone. Theoretical ¹³C NMR studies also confirm the experimental spectral data for the considered structures.

The effect of the disposition of coordinated oxygen atoms on the magnitude of the energy barrier for magnetization reversal in a family of linear trinuclear Zn-Dy-Zn complexes with a square-antiprism DyO8 coordination sphere

A series of trimetallic Zn-Dy-Zn complexes of the general formula [ZnX(μ-L)Dy(μ-L)XZn]Y·nS, where H₂L is the compartmental ligand N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-hydroxy-3-formyl-5-bromobenzyl)ethylenediamine, X is the coligand (X = Cl, Br, I and N₃), Y is the counteranion and S are the crystallization solvent molecules have been synthesized and magnetically characterized. In all these complexes, the Dy(iii) ions exhibit DyO₈ coordination environments with a slightly distorted square-antiprism D_4d symmetry. Due to the disposition of the oxygen atoms around the Dy(iii) ions, large easy-axis anisotropy is expected, which is responsible for the high thermal energy barriers for the reversal of the magnetization observed at zero field (in the 144-170 K range for all complexes). A preliminary correlation between the disposition of the oxygen atoms of the ligand (phenoxo and aldehyde) in the DyO₈ coordination sphere and the value of U_eff has been established.

Slow relaxation of magnetization and luminescence properties of a novel dysprosium and pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrasulfonate based MOF

A novel multifunctional Dy(iii) and pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrasulfonate based MOF displays intense PL/ SIM behaviour.

Irida-β-ketoimines Derived from Hydrazines To Afford Metallapyrazoles or N-N Bond Cleavage: A Missing Metallacycle Disclosed by a Theoretical and Experimental Study

Unprecedented metallapyrazoles [IrH₂{Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄)CNNHC(o-C₆H₄)PPh₂}] (3) and [IrHCl{Ph₂P(o-C₆H₄)CNNHC(o-C₆H₄)PPh₂}] (4) were obtained by the reaction of the irida-β-ketoimine [IrHCl{(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CNNH₂))H}] (2) in MeOH heated at reflux in the presence and absence of KOH, respectively. In solution, iridapyrazole 3 undergoes a dynamic process due to prototropic tautomerism with an experimental barrier for the exchange of ΔG_coal^⧧ = 53.7 kJ mol^-1. DFT calculations agreed with an intrapyrazole proton transfer process assisted by two water molecules (ΔG = 63.1 kJ mol^-1). An X-ray diffraction study on 4 indicated electron delocalization in the iridapyrazole ring. The reaction of the irida-β-diketone [IrHCl{(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))₂H}] (1) with H₂NNRR' in aprotic solvents gave irida-β-ketoimines [IrHCl{(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CNNRR'))H}] (R = R' = Me (5); R = H, R' = Ph (8)), which can undergo N-N bond cleavage to afford the acyl-amide complex [IrHCl(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄C(O)N(CH₃)₂))-κP,κO] (6) or [IrHCl(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CN)-κP)(NH₂NHPh-κNH₂)] (9) containing o-(diphenylphosphine)benzonitrile and phenylhydrazine, respectively. From a CH₂Cl₂/CH₃OH solution of 9 kept at -18 °C, single crystals of [IrHCl(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CN)-κP))(HN═NPh-κNH)] (10) containing o-(diphenylphosphine)benzonitrile and phenyldiazene were formed, as shown by X-ray diffraction. The reaction of 1 with methylhydrazine in methanol gave the hydrazine complex [IrCl(PPh₂(o-C₆H₄CO))₂(NH₂NH(CH₃)-κNH₂)] (7). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis was performed on 6 and 7.

Luminescence and Magnetic Properties of Two Three-Dimensional Terbium and Dysprosium MOFs Based on Azobenzene-4,4'-Dicarboxylic Linker

We report the in situ formation of two novel metal-organic frameworks based on terbium and dysprosium ions using azobenzene-4,4'-dicarboxylic acid (H₂abd) as ligand, synthesized by soft hydrothermal routes. Both materials show isostructural three-dimensional networks with channels along a axis and display intense photoluminescence properties in the solid state at room temperature. Textural properties of the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been fully characterized although no appreciable porosity was obtained. Magnetic properties of these materials were studied, highlighting the dysprosium material displays slightly frequency-dependent out of phase signals when measured under zero external field and under an applied field of 1000 Oe.

Rare earth anthracenedicarboxylate metal–organic frameworks: slow relaxation of magnetization of Nd3+, Gd3+, Dy3+, Er3+ and Yb3+ based materials

We report lanthanide-based MOFs with interesting magnetic behaviours. To the best of our knowledge, Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ materials are the first examples of 3D- and 2D-MOFs, respectively, that show slow relaxation of magnetization.

An experimental and theoretical magneto-structural study of polynuclear NiII complexes assembled from a versatile bis(salicylaldehyde)diamine polytopic ligand

Experimental and theoretical magneto-structural correlations and DFT calculations carried out in six novel Ni^II complexes with uncommon structures.

Stereoselective formation and catalytic activity of hydrido(acylphosphane)(chlorido)(pyrazole)rhodium(iii) complexes. Experimental and DFT studies

Stereoselectivity assisted by hydrogen bond formation, inhibited by steric hindrance, predicted by DFT calculations.

2D-cadmium MOF and gismondine-like zinc coordination network based on the N-(2-tetrazolethyl)-4′-glycine linker

We have designed and synthesized two new metal-organic-frameworks (MOFs) using the novel N-(2-tetrazolethyl)-4′-glycine spacer (TeGly)²⁻. These materials exhibit intense photoluminescence.

Anion controlled structural and magnetic diversity in unusual mixed-bridged polynuclear NiII complexes with a versatile bis(2-methoxy phenol)diamine hexadentate ligand. An experimental and theoretical magneto-structural study

Six new polynuclear Ni^II complexes with uncommon structures have been magneto-structural studied.

Photoluminescence of the first examples of metal–organic frameworks with two novel tetrazolatephenyl acetic acid derivatives: an experimental and theoretical study

We report the first Zn metal–organic frameworks with 1,3-tetrazolatephenyl-acetic and 1,4-tetrazolatephenyl-acetic spacers.

The ON/OFF switching by metal ions of the “Sergeants and Soldiers” chiral amplification effect on helical poly(phenylacetylene)s

Chiral amplification can be switched ON/OFF to both helical senses by the presence/absence of metal ions in copolymers of poly(phenylacetylene)s.

Modular structure of a robust microporous MOF based on Cu2 paddle-wheels with high CO2 selectivity

The synthesis of a new MOF with Cu2 paddle-wheels connected to glutarate and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane linkers has been explored. Experimental gas adsorption measurements reveal that the MOF is essentially non-porous to methane whereas it presents a type III isotherm upon CO2 adsorption, leading to high capacity and outstanding CO2 selectivity.

Copper(II) succinate complexes with 1,2-di-4-pyridylethane and 1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane

The compounds poly[di-mu(4)-succinato-mu(2)-1,2-di-4-pyridylethane-dicopper(II)], [Cu(2)(C(4)H(4)O(4))(2)(C(12)H(12)N(2))](n), (I), and poly[di-mu(4)-succinato-mu(2)-1,3-di-4-pyridylpropane-dicopper(II)], [Cu(2)(C(4)H(4)O(4))(2)(C(13)H(14)N(2))](n), (II), exhibit polymeric structures with the dicopper units doubly bridged by bis-bidentate succinate groups and crosslinked by the separator bis(pyridyl) molecules. In (I), the molecule exhibits a centre of inversion located midway between the core Cu-dimer atoms and another that relates half of the bis(pyridyl)ethane ligand to the other half. Compound (II) has a similar molecular packing but with a doubled lattice constant and noncentrosymmetric core units. An antiferromagnetic interaction due to the dinuclear copper units was deduced from magnetic subsceptibility measurements, and spin triplet signals were detected in the electron paramagnetic resonance spectra for both compounds.

Role of Barium(II) in the Determination of the Absolute Configuration of Chiral Amines by 1H NMR Spectroscopy

The assignment of the absolute configuration of alpha-chiral primary amines by complexation of their MPA derivatives with Ba2+ and NMR analysis of the changes generated is presented. All that is required is (a) the derivatization of the amine of unknown configuration with one enantiomer of the auxiliary reagent (MPA), either (R) or (S)-alpha-methoxyphenylacetic acid, (b) the recording of the 1H NMR spectrum of the resulting amide in MeCN-d3, (c) the addition of Ba(ClO4)2 to the NMR tube, and (d) the recording of a second spectrum after a few minutes of shaking. The above steps take a few minutes and are followed by an analysis of the shifts (measured as Deltadelta(Ba)) produced on the L1 and L2 substituents of the amine by the addition of Ba2+ and their comparison with those expected from the conformational changes produced by the complexation. The conformational changes initiated by complexation have been subjected to NMR and CD studies, which showed that the formation of the complex shifts the equilibrium from an antiperiplanar (AP) to a synperiplanar (SP) form, leading to an increase of the shielding by the phenyl group of MPA of the substituent of the amine located on the same side. In addition, theoretical calculations [density functional theory (DFT)] provide further support for the formation, structure, and stability of the complexes. The general applicability of this method and the trustworthiness of the resulting configurational assignment were guaranteed with a series of amines of known absolute configuration and varied structures, used as test compounds. The method proposed is simple, fast, and inexpensive, and it requires a very small amount of sample, only one derivatization, and the recording of just two 1H NMR spectra at room temperature. A graphical guide to simplify the application of this method is included.