Complex structures arising from the self-assembly of a simple organic salt.

Molecular self-assembly is the spontaneous association of simple molecules into larger and ordered structures1. It is the basis of several natural processes, such as the formation of colloids, crystals, proteins, viruses and double-helical DNA2. Molecular self-assembly has inspired strategies for the rational design of materials with specific chemical and physical properties3, and is one of the most important concepts in supramolecular chemistry. Although molecular self-assembly has been extensively investigated, understanding the rules governing this phenomenon remains challenging. Here we report on a simple hydrochloride salt of fampridine that crystallizes as four different structures, two of which adopt unusual self-assemblies consisting of polyhedral clusters of chloride and pyridinium ions. These two structures represent Frank-Kasper (FK) phases of a small and rigid organic molecule. Although discovered in metal alloys4,5 more than 60 years ago, FK phases have recently been observed in several classes of supramolecular soft matter6-11 and in gold nanocrystal superlattices12 and remain the object of recent discoveries13. In these systems, atoms or spherical assemblies of molecules are packed to form polyhedra with coordination numbers 12, 14, 15 or 16. The two FK structures reported here crystallize from a dense liquid phase and show a complexity that is generally not observed in small rigid organic molecules. Investigation of the precursor dense liquid phase by cryogenic electron microscopy reveals the presence of spherical aggregates with sizes ranging between 1.5 and 4.6 nanometres. These structures, together with the experimental procedure used for their preparation, invite interesting speculation about their formation and open different perspectives for the design of organic crystalline materials.

Investigation of the structure and phase transitions of the polymeric inorganic-organic hybrids: [M(Im)4V2O6]∞; M = Mn, Co, Ni, Im = imidazole.

The polymeric isomorphous hybrid inorganic-organic vanadium oxide compounds [M(Im)(4)V(2)O(6)](∞), M = Mn, Co, Ni, Im = imidazole, were investigated at various temperatures between 100 and 295 K by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystals all contain two-dimensional polymeric sheets packed perpendicular to c* and are 1:1 disordered in the space group P4(2)/n (Z = 8) at 295 K. The disordered phase is reversibly transformed to an I4(1)/a ordered phase (Z = 32) below 281 K for the Mn compound and below 175 K for the Co compound. Within a localized region of the I4(1)/a phase eight imidazoles are in close proximity and seven of these are hydrogen bonded to framework O atoms. The hydrogen-bond connectivity of six of these ligands is unchanged by the phase transition that allows an inversion of the local geometry using an inversion operator that is a symmetry element of P4(2)/n, but not I4(1)/a. The Mn structure has a well defined phase transition but the Co structure shows a large hysteresis and it was necessary to include stacking faults in the modelling of the Co structure at low temperatures. The Ni structure was shown to be partially twinned, but ordered in the space group P2/n (Z = 8) at 100 K, with two different localized regions each containing four pairs of inversion-related imidazoles, hydrogen bonding to framework O atoms involving eight imidazoles in one region and six imidazoles in the other. Models for the phase transition mechanisms are considered.

On the polymorphism of benzocaine; a low-temperature structural phase transition for form (II).

A low-temperature structural phase transition has been observed for form (II) of benzocaine (BZC). Lowering the temperature doubles the b-axis repeat and changes the space group from P2(1)2(1)2(1) to P112(1) with gamma now 99.37 degrees. The structure is twinned, the twin rule corresponding to a 2(1) screw rotation parallel to a. The phase transition is associated with a sequential displacement parallel to a of zigzag bi-layers of ribbons perpendicular to b*. No similar phase transition was observed for form (I) and this was attributed to the different packing symmetries of the two room-temperature polymorphic forms.

Synthesis and crystal and molecular structure of a hydrido tetraamine cobalt(III) complex.

A moderately stable hydrido complex of a tetraaminecobalt(III) complex has been synthesised, a first, and the crystal structure and properties are reported.

Revisiting the crystal structure and thermal properties of NaMgAl(oxalate)3 x 9 H2O/Cr(III): an extraordinary spectral hole-burning material.

We have reinvestigated the crystal structure and thermal properties of NaMgAl(oxalate)(3) x 9 H(2)O. In the thermal gravimetric analysis the steps of dehydration and decomposition/oxidation yield a mass change that is commensurate with 9 water molecules of hydration. Dehydration steps occur at 127, 171, and 201 degrees C whereas the oxalate ligand decomposes in steps at 403 and 424 degrees C with a final oxidation step at 692 degrees C. A refinement of the single crystal X-ray diffraction data taken at 200 K affirms the P3c1 space group with nine water molecules of hydration and unit cell parameters a = b = 16.7349(2) A and c = 12.6338(1) A with Z = 6. The structures can be described in terms of modulations of an idealised Z = 1 structure in P3lm. T-Cycle experiments of spectral holes in the R(1)-line yield a single Gaussian barrier with T(0) +/- sigma(T) of 46 +/- 21 K and three barriers with 40 +/- 12, 70 +/- 10, 107 +/- 5 K for perprotonated and partially deuterated (46%) NaMgAl(oxalate)(3) x 9 H(2)O/Cr(III) 0.5%, respectively.

Synthesis, structure, and electrochemistry of di- and zerovalent nickel, palladium, and platinum monomers and dimers derived from an enantiopure (S,S)-tetra(tertiary phosphine).

The ligand (S,S)-1,1,4,7,10,10-hexaphenyl-1,4,7,10-tetraphosphadecane, (S,S)-tetraphos, reacts with hexa(aqua)nickel(II) chloride in the presence of trimethylsilyl triflate (TMSOTf) in dichloromethane to give the yellow square-planar complex [Ni{(R,R)-tetraphos}](OTf)2, which has been crystallographically characterized as the square-pyramidal, acetonitrile adduct [Ni(NCMe){(R,R)-tetraphos}]OTf. Cyclic voltammograms of the nickel(II) complex in dichloromethane and acetonitrile at 20 degrees C showed two reduction processes at negative potentials with oxidative (E(p)(ox)) and reductive (E(p)(red)) peak separations similar to those observed for ferrocene/ferrocenium under identical conditions, suggesting two one-electron steps. The cyclic voltammetric data for the divalent nickel complex in acetonitrile at temperatures below -20 degrees C were interpreted according to reversible coordination of acetonitrile to the nickel(I) and nickel(0) complexes. The divalent palladium and platinum complexes [M{(R,R)-tetraphos}](PF6)2 and [M2{(R,R)-tetraphos}2](OTf)4 have been prepared. The reduction potentials for the complexes [M{(R,R)-tetraphos}](PF6)2 increase in the order nickel(II) < palladium(II) < platinum(II). The reaction of (S,S)-tetraphos with bis(cycloocta-1,5-diene)nickel(0) in benzene affords orange [Ni{(R,R)-tetraphos}], which slowly rearranges into the thermodynamically more stable, yellow, double-stranded helicate [Ni2{(R,R)-tetraphos}2]; the crystal structures of both complexes have been determined. The reactions of (S,S)-tetraphos with [M(PPh3)4] in toluene (M = Pd) or benzene (M = Pt) furnish the double-stranded helicates [M2{(R,R)-tetraphos}2]; the palladium complex crystallizes from hot benzene as the 2-benzene solvate and was structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. In each of the three zerovalent complexes, the coordinated (R,R)-tetraphos stereospecifically generates tetrahedral M(PP)2 stereocenters of M configuration.

Packing and polytypism in 1,10-phenanthrolin-1-ium (2-carboxyethyl)(2-carboxylatoethyl)dichlorostannate(IV).

The 1:1 adduct of [SnCl2(C2H4COOCH3)2] and 1,10-phenanthroline, (C12H8N2), which was set aside for 25 years, when recrystallized from ethanol was found to be the salt [C12H9N2]+.[SnCl2(C2H4COO)(C2H4COOH)]-. The Sn(IV) atom in the anion has pseudo-octahedral coordination with two cis Cl atoms, two C atoms and two O atoms trans to the Cl atoms. The possibility of alternative stacking of layers perpendicular to c* offers an explanation for observed twinning and polytypism. An ordered, untwinned, Z = 2 crystal structure was determined. Pairs of adjacent anions are linked together by strong intermolecular O-H...O- hydrogen bonds, and the cation contains a strong intramolecular N-H...N hydrogen bond between its two N atoms. The protonated ring of the cation exhibits increased Lewis acidity and is linked into a network with the anions using a strong N-H...O and weak C-H...O and C-H...Cl interactions. The remaining rings of the cation form weaker C-H...O and C-H...Cl interactions. The cations stack in columns along a with an interplanar spacing of 3.24 angstroms for separations between cations inversion-related about (1, 1/2, 1/2) and 3.34 angstroms for separations between cations inversion-related about (1/2, 1/2, 1/2).

(Z,2R,3R,4aR,7R,12aS)-2,3,7,8,12,12a-Hexahydro-2,3-dimethoxy-2,3,7-trimethyl-4aH-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-c]oxecin-5(11H)-one: a commensurate occupationally modulated structure revealing a condition for diffraction symmetry enhancement for non-parent reflections.

(Z,2R,3R,4aR,7R,12aS)-2,3,7,8,12,12a-Hexahydro-2,3-dimethoxy-2,3,7-trimethyl-4aH-[1,4]dioxino[2,3-c]oxecin-5(11H)-one (C16H26O6) crystallizes in the space group P3(1) and approximates the conditions necessary for diffraction symmetry enhancement without twinning for the h - k not = 3N reflections. The structure may be described as an occupancy modulation of a 1:1 disordered P3(1)21 parent structure with Z = 3 that would only contribute to the h - k = 3N reflections. The crystal studied was a 0.717 (2):0.283 twin, but also had a stacking fault that on average caused the (1 - p(j)):p(j) population ratio for the alternative orientations of ordered columns along the three non-equivalent screw axes (j = 1, 2 or 3) of P3(1) to be describable by p1 = 0.068 (3), p2 = p3 = 0.960 (3). The effect of these stacking faults could be simulated using global parameters that modify an ordered prototype structure. The structure reveals that the ten-membered lactone ring incorporates a Z-configured double bond and that the methoxy-substituted stereogenic centers created during a trans-diol protection step each possess the R-configuration.

Asymmetric transformation of a double-stranded, dicopper(I) helicate containing achiral bis(bidentate) Schiff bases.

Reactions of the bis(bidentate) Schiff-bases N,N'-bis(6-alkyl-2-pyridylmethylene)ethane-1,2-diamine (where alkyl = H, Me, iPr) (L) with tetrakis(acetonitrile)copper(I) hexafluorophosphate and silver(I) hexafluorophosphate afforded, respectively, the double-stranded, dinuclear metal helicates [T-4-(R,R)]-(+/-)-[M2L2](PF6)2 (M = Cu, Ag). The helicates were characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, conductivity, microanalysis, and single-crystal X-ray structure determinations on selected compounds. Intermolecular ligand exchange and intramolecular inversion rates for the complexes were investigated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Reversible intermolecular ligand exchange between two differently substituted helicates followed first-order kinetics. The rate constants (k) and corresponding half-lives (t(1/2)) for ligand exchange for the dicopper(I) helicates were k = (1.6-1.8) x 10(-6) s(-1) (t(1/2) = 110-120 h) in acetone-d6, k = 4.9 x 10(-6) s(-1) (t(1/2) = 40 h) in dichloromethane-d2, and k > 2 x 10(-3) s(-1) (t(1/2) < 5 min) in acetonitrile-d3. Ligand exchange for the disilver(I) helicates occurred with k > 2 x 10(-3) s(-1) (t(1/2) < 5 min). Racemization of the dicopper(I) helicate by an intramolecular mechanism was investigated by determination of the coalescence temperature for the diastereotopic isopropyl-Me groups in the appropriate complex, and DeltaG() >> 76 kJ mol(-1) was calculated for the process in acetone-d6, nitromethane-d3, and dichloromethane-d2 with DeltaG() = 75 kJ mol(-1) in acetonitrile-d3. Complete anion exchange of the hexafluorophosphate salt of a dicopper(I) helicate with the enantiomerically pure Delta-(-)-tris(catecholato)arsenate(V) ([As(cat)3]-) in the presence of Dabco gave the two diastereomers (R,R)-[Cu2L2][Delta-(-)-[As(cat)3]]2 and (S,S)-[Cu2L2][Delta-(-)-[As(cat)3]]2 in up to 54% diastereomeric excess, as determined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The diastereomerically and enantiomerically pure salt (R,R)-[Cu(2)L2][Delta-(-)-[As(cat)3]]2 crystallized from the solution in a typical second-order asymmetric transformation. The asymmetric transformation of the dicopper(I) helicate is the first synthesis of a diastereomerically and enantiomerically pure dicopper(I) helicate containing achiral ligands.

Mixed-metal cluster chemistry. 29. Core expansion and ligand-driven metal exchange at group 6-iridium clusters.

Reactions of the tetrahedral clusters MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-L) (L = C5HMe4, C5Me5) with the carbonylmetalate anions [Mo(CO)3(eta-L)]- afford the trigonal bipyramidal clusters Mo2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-L)2 (L = C5HMe4 (3c), 74%; L = C5Me5 (3d), 55%) in which the group 6 metal atoms occupy the apexes; reaction of the cyclopentadienylmolybdenum-containing analogues or their cyclopentadienyltungsten-containing homologues failed to afford analogous products. Reactions of MIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5H5) (M = Mo, W) with [M(CO)3(eta-L)]- (L = C5HMe4, C5Me5) afford the core-expanded heteroapex clusters M2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-C5H5)(eta-L) (M = Mo, L = C5HMe4 (5c), 9%, L = C5Me5 (5d), 4%; M = W, L = C5Me5 (6d), 5%) in low yield, together with the homoapex clusters M2Ir3(mu3-H)(mu-CO)2(CO)9(eta-L)2 (M = Mo, L = C5HMe4 (3c), 81%, L = C5Me5 (3d), 60%; M = W, L = C5Me5 (4d), 5%) in much higher yield for the Mo-containing examples. The identities of clusters 3c,d, 4d, and 5c,d have been confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies, with the same disposition of ligands about the trigonal bipyramidal cluster cores being observed in each case, a ligand arrangement that has been examined by complementary density functional theory studies. While cluster 5d is accessible as above, no reaction is observed from MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5) and [M(CO)3(eta-C5H5)]-. Treating MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5H5) with 1 equiv of [M(CO)3(eta-C5Me5)]- affords 5d as the major product, a further 1 equiv affording some MoIr3(mu-CO)3(CO)8(eta-C5Me5) and a third 1 equiv giving a good yield of 3d. This is consistent with reaction proceeding by apex fragment addition, followed by apex fragment elimination, and finally a further apex fragment addition, the homometallic incoming apexes being distinguished from the departing vertices by their highly methylated cyclopentadienyl ligands. Spectroscopic data suggest that the electron density at these disparate-metal-containing cluster cores is tunable by progressive (conceptual) cyclopentadienyl alkylation.

Niobium and tantalum tris(methimazolyl)borate complexes [M(=NC6H3iPr2-2,6)Cl2{HB(mt)3}] (M = Nb, Ta; mt = methimazolyl).

The first early transition metal tris(methimazolyl)borate com-plexes [M(=NR)Cl2{HB(mt)3}] (M = Nb, Ta; R = C6H3(i)Pr(2)-2,6; mt = methimazolyl) have been obtained from the reactions of [Nb(=NR)Cl3(DME)] or [Ta(=NR)Cl3(THF)2] (DME = dimethyl ether; THF = tetrahydrofuran) with Na[HB(mt)3] and structurally characterized, illustrating that the HB(mt)3 ligand can indeed be compatible with "hard" metals in high oxidation states.

Form III of 2,2',4,4',6,6'-hexanitroazobenzene (HNAB-III).

The crystal structure of form III of the title compound, HNAB [systematic name: bis(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)diazene], C12H4N8O12, has finally been solved as a pseudo-merohedral twin (monoclinic space group P2(1), rather than the orthorhombic space group C222(1) suggested by diffraction symmetry) using a dual space recycling method. The significant differences in the room-temperature densities of the three crystalline forms allow examination of molecular differences due to packing arrangements. An interesting relationship with the stilbene analog, HNS, is discussed. Interatomic separations are compared with other explosives and/or nitro-containing compounds.

A chemoenzymatic total synthesis of the undecenolide (-)-cladospolide B via a mid-stage ring-closing metathesis and a late-stage photo-rearrangement of the E-isomer.

A sixteen-step synthesis of the twelve-membered macrolide (-)-cladospolide B(2) from the microbially-derived cis-1,2-dihydrocatechol 5 is described. Pivotal steps include the ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of diene 12 to give the ten-membered lactone 13 together with small amounts of the head-to-tail and head-to-head dimers 14 and 15, respectively. The saturated lactol 19 derived from compounds 13 and 14 readily participates in a Wadsworth-Horner-Emmons reaction to give the E-configured alpha,beta-unsaturated ester 20. This last compound is then converted, through application of a Yamaguchi lactonisation reaction on the derived acid 22, into the macrolide 23 which, upon removal of the bis-acetal protecting group, affords compound 24, the E-isomer of target 2. Irradiation of a benzene solution of compound 24 results in its partial photoisomerisation to (-)-cladospolide B(2).

Bis(1-chloro-2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-3-oxocyclobutan-1-yl)pentasulfane: an occupancy modulated structure.

The title compound crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n and may be described by a partial ordering of a 1:1 disordered P2(1)/a parent structure with the c axis halved. The pentasulfane chain completes a full turn of a helix, which gives molecules containing left- or right-handed helices similar spatial requirements and allows them to be interchanged. The structure can be redescribed as containing 0.732 (1) of an ordered P2(1)/n structure and 0.268 (1) of a 1:1 disordered P2(1)/a structure, implying that 0.134 (1) of the molecule sites contain molecules of the opposite hand to that predicted by an ordered P2(1)/n structure. It is found that the average molecular position in the asymmetric unit is not the same for each component and that these structural differences must be recognized to obtain a satisfactory refinement.

Preparation of benzyne complexes of group 10 metals by intramolecular suzuki coupling of ortho-metalated phenylboronic esters: molecular structure of the first benzyne-palladium(0) complex.

A series of nickel(II) and palladium(II) aryl complexes substituted in the ortho position of the aromatic ring by a (pinacolato)boronic ester group, [MBr[o-C(6)H(4)B(pin)]L(2)] (M = Ni, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (2a), 2PCy(3) (2b), 2PEt(3) (2c), dcpe (2d), dppe (2e), and dppb (2f); M = Pd, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (3a), 2PCy(3) (3b), and dcpe (3d)), has been prepared. Many of these complexes react readily with KO(t)Bu to form the corresponding benzyne complexes [M(eta(2)-C(6)H(4))L(2)] (M = Ni, L(2) = 2PPh(3) (4a), 2PCy(3) (4b), 2PEt(3) (4c), dcpe (4d); M = Pd, L(2) = 2PCy(3) (5b)). This reaction can be regarded as an intramolecular version of a Suzuki cross-coupling reaction, the driving force for which may be the steric interaction between the boronic ester group and the phosphine ligands present in the precursors 2 and 3. Complex 3d also reacts with KO(t)Bu, but in this case disproportionation of the initially formed eta(2)-C(6)H(4) complex (5d) leads to a 1:1 mixture of a novel dinuclear palladium(I) complex, [(dcpe)Pd(mu(2)-C(6)H(4))Pd(dcpe)] (6), and a 2,2'-biphenyldiyl complex, [Pd(2,2'-C(6)H(4)C(6)H(4))(dcpe)] (7d). Complexes 2a, 3b, 3d, 4b, 5b, 6, and 7d have been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction; complex 5b is the first example of an isolated benzyne-palladium(0) species.

Structure and magnetism of heptanuclear complexes formed on encapsulation of hexacyanoferrate(II) with the Mn(II) and Ni(II) complexes of 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane.

The reaction of [Mn(dmptacn)OH(2)](2+) and [Ni(dmptacn)OH(2)](2+) (dmptacn = 1,4-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) with each cyano ligand on ferricyanide results in the assembly of heteropolynuclear cations around the cyanometalate core and reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II). In [[Mn(dmptacn)CN](6)Fe][ClO(4)](8) x 5H(2)O (1) and [[Ni(dmptacn)CN](6)Fe][ClO(4)](8) x 7H(2)O (2), ferrocyanide is encapsulated by either six Mn(II) or Ni(II) dmptacn moieties. These same products are obtained when ferrocyanide salts are used in the synthesis instead of ferricyanide. A binuclear complex, [[Mn(dmptacn)](2)CN][ClO(4)](3) (3), has also been formed from KCN and [Mn(dmptacn)OH(2)](2+). For both Mn(II) and Ni(II), the use of the pentadentate dmptacn ligand facilitates the formation of discrete cations in preference to networks or polymeric structures. 1 crystallizes in the trigonal space group R3 macro (No. 148) with a = 30.073(3) A, c = 13.303(4) A, and Z = 3 and is composed of heptanuclear [[Mn(dmptacn)CN](6)Fe](8+) cations whose charge is balanced by perchlorate counteranions. Weak H-bonding interactions between neighboring heptanuclear cations and some perchlorate counterions generate an infinite 1D chain of alternating [[Mn(dmptacn)CN](6)Fe](8+) and ClO(4)(-) ions running along the c-axis. Complex 3 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with a = 16.225(3) A, b = 16.320(2) A, c = 18.052(3) A, and Z = 8 and is composed of binuclear [[Mn(dmptacn)](2)CN](3+) cations in which the cyano-bridged Mn(II) centers are in a distorted trigonal prismatic geometry. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements have revealed the presence of a weak ferromagnetic interaction between the paramagnetic Mn(II) centers in 1, mediated either by the -NC-Fe-CN- bridging units or by Mn-NH...ClO(4-)...NH-Mn intercluster pathways.

Separated and aligned molecular fibres in solid state self-assemblies of cyclodextrin [2]rotaxanes.

The conformations of two [2]rotaxanes, each comprising alpha-cyclodextrin as the rotor, a stilbene as the axle and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl substituents as the capping groups, have been examined in solution and in the solid state, using (1)H NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography, respectively. In solution, introducing substituents onto the stilbene prevents the cyclodextrin from being localized over one end of the axle. Instead the cyclodextrin moves back and forth along the substituted stilbene. In the solid state, the axles of the rotaxanes form extended molecular fibres that are separated from each other and aligned along a single axis. The molecular fibres are strikingly similar to those formed by the axle component of one of the rotaxanes in the absence of the cyclodextrin, but in the latter case they are neither separated nor all aligned.

Synthesis, characterization, and electrochemical relationships of dinuclear complexes of platinum(II) and platinum(III) containing ortho-metalated tertiary arsine ligands.

Reaction of 2-Li-4-MeC6H3AsPh2 with [PtCl2(SEt2)2] gives two isomeric dinuclear platinum(II) complexes, one containing a half-lantern structure with two chelating and two bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(kappa2As,C-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)2], and the other, a full-lantern with four bridging C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2 ligands, [Pt2(mu-kappaAs,kappaC-C6H3-5-Me-2-AsPh2)4]. The lantern structure of the latter is retained in the dihalodiplatinum(III) complexes that are formed by oxidative addition of chlorine, bromine, or iodine to the isomeric mixture. The dichloro derivative undergoes metathesis reactions with silver or sodium salts, yielding the corresponding cyano, thiocyanato, cyanato, and fluoro species. The structures of all complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis. The oxidative addition products have Pt-Pt distances in the range 2.65-2.79 A (cf. 2.89 A in the lantern diplatinum(II) structure), consistent with the presence of a Pt-Pt bond. Electrochemical data lead to the conclusion that an initial rapid one-electron process and subsequent chemical reactions produce the dihalodiplatinum(III) lantern structure when mixtures of the lantern and half-lantern complexes are oxidized by halogens. The electrochemical data also explain why chemical reduction of the dihalodiplatinum(III) complex produces only the lantern diplatinum(II) complex.