Coordination-Induced Band Gaps in MOFs

Herein, we report on the synthesis of a microporous, three-dimensional phosphonate metal-organic framework (MOF) of the composition Cu3(H5-MTPPA)2·2 NMP (H8-MTPPA = methane tetra-p-phenylphosphonic acid and NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone). This MOF, termed TUB1, has a unique one-dimensional inorganic building unit composed of square planar and distorted trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms. It possesses a (calculated) BET surface area of 766.2 m2/g after removal of the solvents from the voids. The Tauc plot for TUB1 yields indirect and direct band gaps of 2.4 eV and 2.7 eV, respectively. DFT calculations reveal the existence of two spin-dependent gaps of 2.60 eV and 0.48 eV for the alpha and beta spins, respectively, with the lowest unoccupied crystal orbital for both gaps predominantly residing on the square planar copper atoms. The projected density of states suggests that the presence of the square planar copper atoms reduces the overall band gap of TUB1, as the beta-gap for the trigonal bipyramidal copper atoms is 3.72 eV.

Tris[triphenylantimony(V)]hexa(μ-oxido)tellurium(VI): a molecular complex with six Te—O—Sb bridges

In the structure of the title compound [systematic name hexa-μ-oxido-1:2κ4 O:O;1:3κ4 O:O;1:4κ4 O:O-nonaphenyl-2κ3 C,3κ3 C,4κ3 C-triantimony(V)tellurium(VI)], [Sb3Te(C6H5)9O6], the hexaoxidotellurate(VI) ion is coordinated to three SbV ions via pairs of cis-positioned O atoms to form a discrete molecular unit. The TeVI and SbV central ions exhibit distorted octahedral [TeO6] and distorted trigonal–bipyramidal [SbC3O2] coordination geometries, respectively. The linking of these polyhedra, by sharing the dioxide edges, results in the Te-based octahedron having a mer-configuration. The packing of the molecules is dominated by C—H...O hydrogen bonding and weak dispersion forces, with a minor contribution from C—H...π bonds and π–π stacking interactions. According to the Hirshfeld surface analysis, the contributions of the H...H, H...C/C...H and H...O/O...H contacts are 58.0, 32.6 and 7.8%, respectively. The title structure provides a model for the bonding of triorganoantimony dications to octahedral oxoanions, and the observed doubly bridged motifs, Te(μ-O)2Sb, may find application in the functionalization of polyoxometalate species.

A New Dimeric Copper(II) Complex of Hexyl Bis(pyrazolyl)acetate Ligand as an Efficient Catalyst for Allylic Oxidations

A new dimeric copper(II) bromide complex, [Cu(LOHex)Br(μ-Br)]2 (1), was prepared by a reaction of CuBr2 with the hexyl bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligand (LOHex) in acetonitrile solution and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution. The crystal structure of 1 was also determined: the complex is interlinked by two bridging bromide ligands and possesses terminal bromide ligands on each copper atom. The two pyrazolyl ligands in 1 coordinate with the nitrogen atoms to complete the Cu coordination sphere, resulting in a five-coordinated geometry—away from idealized trigonal bipyramidal and square pyramidal geometries—which can better be described as distorted square pyramidal, as measured by the τ and χ structural parameters. The pendant hexyloxy chain is disordered over two arrangements, with final site occupancies refined to 0.705 and 0.295. The newly synthesized complex was evaluated as a catalyst in copper-catalyzed C–H oxidation for allylic functionalization through a Kharasch–Sosnovsky reaction without any external reducing agent. Using 0.5 mol% of this catalyst, and tert-butyl peroxybenzoate (Luperox) as an oxidant, allylic benzoates were obtained with up to 90% yield. The general reaction time was only slightly decreased to 24 h but a very significant decrease in the alkene:Luperox ratio to 3:1 was achieved. These factors show relevant improvements with respect to classical Kharasch–Sosnovsky reactions in terms of rate and amount of reagents. The present study highlights the potential of copper(II) complexes containing functionalized bis(pyrazol-1-yl)acetate ligands as efficient catalysts for allylic oxidations.

Co(II) Amide, Pyrrolate, and Aminopyridinate Complexes: Assessment of their Manifold Structural Chemistry and Thermal Properties

A series of cobalt(II) (silyl)amides, pyrrolates and aminopyridinates were synthesized. Inspired by the dimeric bis(trimethylsilylamido)cobalt(II) complex ([Co(TMSA)2]2), facile salt metathesis employing the ligand 2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1,2,5-azadisilolidinyl (TMADS) yielded its congener [Co(TMADS)2]2. Novel, heteroleptic Lewis adducts of the former resulted in unusual three- to four-fold coordination geometry around the metal center. Similarily, the salt [Co(TMADS)3Li(DAD)2] was isolated which demonstrates an ion separated Co(II) anion with silylamide ligation and Li+ counter cation. Transpyrrolylation using [Co(TMSA)2]2 was established for the synthesis of bis[N,N’-2-(dimethylaminomethyl)pyrrolyl]cobalt(II), and bis(N-2-(tert-butyliminomethyl)pyrrolyl)cobalt(II). Treatment of CoCl2 with two equivalents of lithiated N,N-dimethyl(N’-tert-butyl)ethane-1-amino-2-amide and N,N-dimethyl(N’-trimethylsilyl)ethane-1-amino-2-amide resulted in the respective Co(II) amido-amines. Reaction of CoCl2 with lithium 4-methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl)pyridine-2-amide yielded the first binuclear, homoleptic Co(II) aminopyridinate complex with a distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination environment (τ5 = 0.533) for one central Co(II) ion and a weakly distorted tetrahedral coordination geometry (τ4 = 0.845) for the other. All of the new compounds were thoroughly characterized in terms of composition and structure. Finally, the key thermal characteristics of volatility and thermal stability were assessed using a combination of thermogravimetric analysis and complementary bulk sublimation experiments.

Synthesis, Characterization and Crystal Structures of Zinc(II) and Cobalt(III) Complexes Derived from Tridentate NNO- and NON- Schiff Bases with Antibacterial Activities

Two new polynuclear zinc complexes [Zn2Br2(L1)2] (1) and [Zn(μ1,5-dca)L2]n (2), and two new mononuclear cobalt(III) complexes [CoL1N3(Brsal)] (3) and [CoL2(HL2)] (4), where L1 = 5-bromo-2-(((2-dimethylamino)ethyl)imino)methyl)phenolate, L2 = 5-bromo-2-(((2-hydroxyethyl)imino)methyl)phenolate, dca = dicyanoamide, Brsal = 5-bromo-2-formylphenolate, have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UVVis spectra, molar conductivity, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis indicates that the Zn atoms in complex 1 are in distorted square pyramidal coordination, the Zn atoms in complex 2 are in distorted trigonal bipyramidal coordination, and the Co atoms in complexes 3 and 4 are in octahedral coordination. The molecules of the complexes are stacked through π···π interactions and hydrogen bonds. The complexes were assayed for antibacterial activities against three Gram-positive bacterial strains (B. subtilis, S. aureus, and St. faecalis) and three Gram-negative bacterial strains (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and E. cloacae) by MTT method.

Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Antibacterial Activity of New Tetranuclear Zinc(II) Complexes with Schiff Base Ligands

Two new tetranuclear zinc(II) complexes, [Zn4(L1)2(μ2-η1:η1-CH3COO)4(μ1,1-N3)2] (1) and [Zn4(L2)4(CH3CH2OH) (H2O)] (2), where L1 and L2 are the deprotonated forms of 4-fluoro-2-((pyridin-2-ylmethylimino)methyl)phenol (HL1) and 4-fluoro-2-((2-(hydroxymethyl)phenylimino)methyl)phenol (H2L2), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and UV-vis spectroscopy, and single crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray crystal structural study indicated that the distances between the adjacent Zn atoms are 3.160(1)–3.353(1) Å in 1 and 3.005(1)–3.168(1) Å in 2. All zinc atoms in 1 are pentacoordinated in trigonal bipyramidal geometry, and those in 2 are in square pyramidal and octahedral geometry. The complexes and the Schiff bases were assayed for antibacterial activities against three Gram-positive bacterial strains (B. subtilis, S. aureus, and St. faecalis) and three Gram-negative bacterial strains (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and E. cloacae) by MTT method.

Anion Induced Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of Zinc(II) Complexes Derived from 5-Bromo-2-((2-(diethylamino)ethylimino)methyl) phenol

By changing the anions of zinc salts, three different zinc(II) complexes, [Zn2(HL)2(NCS)4]·2CH3OH (1), [Zn2L(μ2-η1:η1-CH3COO)2(NCS)] (2) and [Zn(HL)I2]·CH3OH (3), where L = 5-bromo-2-((2-(diethylamino)ethylimino)methyl)phenolate, HL = 5-bromo-2-((2-(diethylammonio)ethylimino)methyl)phenolate, have been synthesized and characterized by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analysis indicates that the Zn atoms in the complexes are in trigonal bipyramidal, square pyramidal and tetrahedral coordination. The anions of the zinc salts lead to the formation of different structures of the complexes. Antibacterial activity of the complexes against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsielle pneumoniae and Candida albicans strains was studied.

Polymeric coordination complex of lithium(I) with aqua and cyanurate ligands

The polymeric title complex, poly[hexa-μ-aqua-diaquatetra-μ-cyanurato-tetralithium] [Li4(C3H2N3O3)4(H2O)7] n , synthesized at room temperature from an aqueous solution of lithium hydroxide and cyanuric chloride, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P\overline{1}. There are two distinct Li+ cations in the asymmetric unit, one of which, Li1, has distorted trigonal–bipyramidal geometry and is coordinated via oxygen to two cyanurate anions occupying equatorial positions, and three water molecules, two in the axial positions and the third in an equatorial position. One of the axial water ligands and the equatorial water ligand are involved in bridging to a crystallographically equivalent Li1 cation. A centre of inversion lies between the two Li1 cations and the Li1...Li1 distance is 3.037 (5) Å. The remaining axial water ligand bridges to the second Li cation, Li2, which is disordered over two crystallographic sites with approximately equal occupancy, and has an Li1...Li2 distance of 3.438 (7) Å. The terminal Li2 cation is coordinated to three water molecules and an oxygen atom from a cyanuric anion and has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. A three-dimensional network of intermolecular hydrogen bonds involving N—H...O, O—H...O and O—H...N interactions serves to hold the structure together, as confirmed by a Hirshfeld surface analysis. The title compound was further characterized using IR and UV–vis spectroscopy and TG–DTA analysis.

Experimental and Computational Investigations into Trivalent Phosphorous-Mediated Radical Thiol Desulfurization

Radical-mediated thiol desulfurization processes using tricoordinate phosphorous reagents are used in a range of applications from small molecule synthesis to peptide modification. A combined experimental and computational examination of the mechanism and kinetics of the radical desulfurization of alkyl thiyl radicals using trivalent phosphorus reagents was performed. Primary alkyl thiols undergo desulfurization between 10^6 to 10^9 M-1s-1 depending on the phosphorus component with either an H-atom transfer step or β-fragmentation of the thiophosphoranyl intermediate may be rate-controlling. While the desulfurization of primary aliphatic thiols showed a marked dependence on the identity of phosphorous reagent used with either a rate-controlling H-atom transfer or -fragmentation, thiols yielding stabilized C-centered radicals showed much less sensitivity. Support for a stepwise S-atom transfer process progressing via a distorted trigonal bipyramidal thiophosphoranyl radical intermediate was obtained from DFT calculated energetics and hyperfine splitting values.