Origin of Ferromagnetic Exchange Coupling in Donor-Acceptor Biradical Analogues of Charge-Separated Excited States.

A new donor-acceptor biradical complex, TpCum,MeZn(SQ-VD) (TpCum,MeZn+ = zinc(II) hydro-tris(3-cumenyl-5-methylpyrazolyl)borate complex cation; SQ = orthosemiquinone; VD = oxoverdazyl), which is a ground-state analogue of a charge-separated excited state, has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The magnetic exchange interaction between the S = 1/2 SQ and the S = 1/2 VD within the SQ-VD biradical ligand is observed to be ferromagnetic, with JSQ-VD = +77 cm-1 (H = -2JSQ-VDŜSQ·ŜVD) determined from an analysis of the variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility data. The pairwise biradical exchange interaction in TpCum,MeZn(SQ-VD) can be compared with that of the related donor-acceptor biradical complex TpCum,MeZn(SQ-NN) (NN = nitronyl nitroxide, S = 1/2), where JSQ-NN ≅ +550 cm-1. This represents a dramatic reduction in the biradical exchange by a factor of ∼7, despite the isolobal nature of the VD and NN acceptor radical SOMOs. Computations assessing the magnitude of the exchange were performed using a broken-symmetry density functional theory (DFT) approach. These computations are in good agreement with those computed at the CASSCF NEVPT2 level, which also reveals an S = 1 triplet ground state as observed in the magnetic susceptibility measurements. A combination of electronic absorption spectroscopy and CASSCF computations has been used to elucidate the electronic origin of the large difference in the magnitude of the biradical exchange coupling between TpCum,MeZn(SQ-VD) and TpCum,MeZn(SQ-NN). A Valence Bond Configuration Interaction (VBCI) model was previously employed to highlight the importance of mixing an SQSOMO → NNLUMO charge transfer configuration into the electronic ground state to facilitate the stabilization of the high-spin triplet (S = 1) ground state in TpCum,MeZn(SQ-NN). Here, CASSCF computations confirm the importance of mixing the pendant radical (e.g., VD, NN) LUMO (VDLUMO and NNLUMO) with the SOMO of the SQ radical (SQSOMO) for stabilizing the triplet, in addition to spin polarization and charge transfer contributions to the exchange. An important electronic structure difference between TpCum,MeZn(SQ-VD) and TpCum,MeZn(SQ-NN), which leads to their different exchange couplings, is the reduced admixture of excited states that promote ferromagnetic exchange into the TpCum,MeZn(SQ-VD) ground state, and the intrinsically weaker mixing between the VDLUMO and the SQSOMO compared to that observed for TpCum,MeZn(SQ-NN), where this orbital mixing is significant. The results of this comparative study contribute to a greater understanding of biradical exchange interactions, which are important to our understanding of excited-state singlet-triplet energy gaps, electron delocalization, and the generation of electron spin polarization in both the ground and excited states of (bpy)Pt(CAT-radical) complexes.

Intra- and intermolecular interception of a photochemically generated terminal uranium nitride.

The photochemically generated synthesis of a terminal uranium nitride species is here reported and an examination of its intra- and intermolecular chemistry is presented. Treatment of the U(iii) complex LArUI(DME) ((LAr)2- = 2,2''-bis(Dippanilide)-p-terphenyl; Dipp = 2,6-diisopropylphenyl) with LiNImDipp ((NImDipp)- = 1,3-bis(Dipp)-imidazolin-2-iminato) generates the sterically congested 3N-coordinate compound LArU(NImDipp) (1). Complex 1 reacts with 1 equiv. of Ph3CN3 to give the U(iv) azide LArU(N3)(NImDipp) (2). Structural analysis of 2 reveals inequivalent Nα-Nß > Nß-Nγ distances indicative of an activated azide moiety predisposed to N2 loss. Room-temperature photolysis of benzene solutions of 2 affords the U(iv) amide (N-LAr)U(NImDipp) (3) via intramolecular N-atom insertion into the benzylic C-H bond of a pendant isopropyl group of the (LAr)2- ligand. The formation of 3 occurs as a result of the intramolecular interception of the intermediately generated, terminal uranium nitride (LAr)U(N)(NImDipp) (3'). Evidence for the formation of 3' is further bolstered by its intermolecular capture, accomplished by photolyzing solutions of 2 in the presence of an isocyanide or PMe3 to give (LAr)U[NCN(C6H3Me2)](NImDipp) (5) and (N,C-LAr*)U(N[double bond, length as m-dash]PMe3)(NImDipp) (6), respectively. These results expand upon the limited reactivity studies of terminal uranium-nitride moieties and provide new insights into their chemical properties.

Finding a new pathway for acid-induced nitrite reduction reaction: formation of nitric oxide with hydrogen peroxide.

Here, we report a new pathway for nitrite reduction chemistry, formation of cobalt-nitrosyl ({CoII-NO}8) with H2O2 in the reaction of a CoII-nitrito complex with a one-fold acid (H+) via the formation of a CoII-nitrous acid intermediate ({CoII-ONOH}). Mechanistic investigations using 15N-labeled-15NO2- revealed that the N-atom in the {CoII-NO}8 complex is derived from the nitrito ligand, and H2O2 came from the homolysis of the ON-OH moiety. Spectral evidence supporting the formation of the CoII-ONOH intermediate and the generation of H2O2 is also presented.

Zein film functionalized with gold nanoparticles and the factors affecting its mechanical properties.

In this article, we report a simple method to synthesize biodegradable zein films functionalized with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with significantly improved mechanical properties, as an environmentally benign substitute to biologically hazardous polymers. Zein-coated AuNPs were synthesized using the zein protein as a reducing agent and characterized with IR, UV, CD, ζ-potential, and TEM measurements. The zein protein interaction with the negatively charged surface of AuNPs provides excellent strength to the zein thin film. For the first time, FT-IR spectral studies suggested the strong interaction between AuNPs and zein protein, which was further supported by the higher binding constant (K b) value. The films were characterized for mechanical properties with spectroscopic and physical experimental investigations. The surface morphology of AuNP-doped zein film was explored by AFM and SEM, which suggested that the AuNPs prevent the buckling of zein film and increase the strength as well as flexibility of the film.

Photodynamics and Luminescence of Mono- and Tri-Nuclear Lanthanide Complexes in the Gas Phase and in Solution.

Lanthanide ions (DyIII , EuIII ) are stabilized by coordination with two Schiff base ligands in compounds [Dy{H3 L}2 ](NO3 )(EtOH)(H2 O)8 (1) and [Eu{H3 L}2 ](NO3 )(H2 O)8 (3) (H4 L, 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid). The latter is reported here for the first time. Both luminescence and ultrafast photodynamics after photoexcitation via a ligand absorption band (∼400 nm) have been studied. In solution, only the [Eu{H3 L}2 ]+ ([3]+ ) complex displays the typical lanthanide emission lines, whereas in gas phase both, [Dy{H3 L}2 ]+ ([1]+ ) and [3]+ , show their corresponding transitions depending on excitation energy. The ultrafast excited state dynamics, obtained in gas phase and in solution, are assigned to excited state intramolecular proton transfer processes in the ligands. The antenna ligand moiety of these complexes provides pockets for stabilization of two MnII ions so that we additionally investigated the photophysical behavior of the corresponding tri-nuclear (NHEt3 )2 [Ln{MnL}2 ](ClO4 )(H2 O)2 (Ln=DyIII , EuIII ) compounds (2, 4). Interestingly, the related complexes do not show lanthanide emission, neither in solution nor in gas phase. Transient data in solution and gas phase suggests an efficient quenching of the ligand's electronically excited state by strong interaction with the MnII ions. This effect could possibly be developed further into a design principle for luminescence-based sensing devices for metal cations.

Manganese- and Lanthanide-Based 1D Chiral Coordination Polymers as an Enantioselective Catalyst for Sulfoxidation.

The chiral 1D-coordination polymers (CP) {[Ln2(MnLCl)2(NO3)2(dmf)6(H2O)2]·xH2O}n [Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), and Gd (4)] were synthesized by the reaction of N,N'-bis(4-carboxysalicylidene)cyclohexanediamine (H4L) with [MnCl2·4(H2O)] and [Ln(NO3)3·x(H2O)] in the presence of dmf/pyridine at 90 °C. The polymers consist of manganese-salen-based moieties having carboxylate linkers connected to rare earth atoms in a 1D-chain structure. The polymers are very easily accessible. A one-step synthesis for the ligand and a second step for the preparation of the 1D coordination polymers starting from commercially available material are needed. The solid state structures of 1-4 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1-4 were investigated as heterogeneous catalysts for the sulfoxidation reaction of various alkyl and aryl sulfides. The influence of various solvents and oxidizing agents on the catalytic reaction was examined. It was found that the catalysts were active for more than one reaction cycle without significant loss of activity. For phenylsulfide with 1 mol % of the catalyst 4, a maximum conversion 100% and a chemoselectivity 88% were observed.

Tetranuclear and Pentanuclear Compounds of the Rare-Earth Metals: Synthesis and Magnetism.

The Schiff-base proligand 4-tert-butyl-2,6-bis-[(2-hydroxy-phenylimino)methyl]phenol (H3L) was prepared in situ from 4-tert-butyl-2,6-diformylphenol and 2-aminophenol. The proligand (H3L) was used with dibenzoylmethane (DBMH) or acetylacetone (acacH) with lanthanides giving compounds with varying arrangements of metal atoms and nuclearities. The tetranuclear compound {[Dy4(L)3(DBM)4][Et3NH]} (1) and pentanuclear compound {[Dy5(µ3-OH)2(L)3(DBM)4(MeOH)4]·4(MeOH)} (2) were obtained from the ligand (L)(3-) and dibenzoylmethane. The tetranuclear compounds {[Dy4(µ4-OH)(L)2(acac)4(MeOH)2(EtOH)(H2O)]·(NO3)·2(MeOH)·3(EtOH)} (3) and {[Ln4(µ3-OH)2(L)(HL)(acac)5(H2O)] (HNEt3)(NO3)·2(Et2O)} (Ln = Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6), and Tm (7)) resulted when the ligand (L)(3-) was used in the presence of acetylacetone. In the solid state structures, the tetranuclear compound 1 adopts a linear arrangement of metal atoms, while tetranuclear compound 3 has a square grid arrangement of metal atoms, and tetranuclear compounds 4-7 have a seesaw-shaped arrangement of metal atoms. The composition found from single-crystal X-ray analysis of compound 1 and 3-7 is supported by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The magnetic studies on compounds 1 suggest the presence of weak ferromagnetic interactions, whereas compounds 2-6 exhibit weak antiferromagnetic interactions between neighboring metal centers. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 also show single-molecule magnet behavior under an applied dc field.

Mononuclear and tetranuclear compounds of yttrium and dysprosium ligated by a salicylic schiff-base derivative: synthesis, photoluminescence, and magnetism.

The Schiff-base (2-aminoethyl)hydroxybenzoic acid (H(2)L) as a proligand was prepared in situ from 3-formylsalicylic acid and ethanolamine (ETA). The mononuclear {[Y(HL)(4)][ETAH]·H(2)O} (1) and {[Dy(HL)(4)] [ETAH]·3MeOH·H(2)O} (2) and tetranuclear {[Y(4)(HL)(2)(L)(4)(µ(3)-OH)(2)]·4MeOH·4H(2)O} (3), {[Dy4(HL)(2)(L)(4)(µ(3)-OH)(2)]·5(MeOH)(2)·7H(2)O (4), and {[Dy(4)(HL)(8)(L)(2)]·4MeOH·(2)H(2)O}(5) rare-earth metal complexes of this ligand could be obtained as single-crystalline materials by the treatment of H(2)L in the presence of the metal salts [Ln(NO(3))(3)·(H(2)O)m] (Ln = Y, Dy). In the solid state, the tetranuclear compounds 3 and 4 exhibit butterfly structures, whereas 5 adopts a rectangular arrangement. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry data of the ionic compounds 1 and 2 support single-crystal X-ray analysis. The yttrium compounds 1 and 3 show fluorescence with 11.5% and 13% quantum yield, respectively, whereas the quantum yield of the dysprosium complex 4 is low. Magnetic studies on the dysprosium compounds 4 and 5 suggest the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between neighboring metal centers. Compound 4 shows single-molecule-magnet behavior with two relaxation processes, one with the effective energy barrier U(eff) = 84 K and the preexponential factor τ(0) = 5.1 × 10(-9) s.

Au-based bimetallic nanoparticles for the intramolecular aminoalkene hydroamination.

Bimetallic Au-based nanoparticles (Au-M where M = Pt, Pd, Cu, Ni), synthesized by simultaneous reduction of the Au salt with noble/non-noble metal salts, exhibit a high activity for the aminoalkene (2,2-diphenylpent-4-en-1-amine) hydroamination affording the 5-membered Markovnikov product. Even though the particle size and morphology of Au-M nanoparticles are comparable to the corresponding monometallic Au nanoparticles, Au-M nanoparticles display superior catalytic activity, where the selectivity for the formation of the hydroaminated product depends on the alloying metal component in the bimetallic Au nanoparticle catalyst.

Salen-based coordination polymers of manganese and the rare-earth elements: synthesis and catalytic aerobic epoxidation of olefins.

Treatment of N,N'-bis(4carboxysalicylidene)ethylenediamine (H(4)L), with MnCl(2)⋅(H(2)O)(4), and Ln(NO(3))(3)⋅(H(2)O)(m) (Ln = Nd, Eu, Gd, Dy, Tb), in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)/pyridine at elevated temperature resulted (after work up) in the formation of 1D coordination polymers {[Ln(2)(MnLCl)(2)(NO(3))(2)(dmf)(5)]⋅4 DMF}(n) (1-5). In these coordination polymers the rare earth ions are connected through carboxylate groups from Mn-salen units in a 1D chain structure. Thus, the Mn-salen complex acts as a "metalloligand" with open coordination sites. All compounds were used as catalysts in the liquid-phase epoxidation of trans-stilbene with molecular oxygen, which resulted in the formation of stilbene oxide. Since the choice of the lanthanide had virtually no influence on the performance of the catalyst, only the manganese-gadolinium was studied in detail. The influence of solvent, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature, oxidant, and oxidant flow rate on conversion, yield, and selectivity was analyzed. A conversion of up to 70%, the formation of 61% stilbene oxide (88% selectivity), and a TON of 84 were observed after 24 h. A hot filtration test confirmed that the reaction is mainly catalyzed through a heterogeneous pathway, although a minor contribution of homogeneous species could not be completely excluded. The catalyst could be reused without significant loss of activity.

Trinuclear nickel-lanthanide compounds.

The Schiff base compound 2,2'-{[(2-aminoethyl)imino]bis[2,1-ethanediyl-nitriloethylidyne]}bis-2-hydroxy-benzoic acid (H(4)L) as a proligand was prepared in situ from 3-formylsalicylic acid with tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren). The trinuclear 3d-4f metal complexes of this ligand {[Ln{Ni(H(2)L)(tren)}(2)](NO(3))(3)} (Ln = Gd, Dy, Er, Lu) could be obtained as single crystalline material by synthesizing the proligand in the presence of the metal salts [Ni(NO(3))(2)·(H(2)O)(6)] and [Ln(NO(3))(3)·(H(2)O)(m)] (Ln = Gd, Dy, Er, Lu). In the solid state, the complexes adapt a new V shaped structure. Mass spectrometric ion signals related to the trinuclear complexes were detected both in positive and negative ion mode via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry supporting the single crystal X-ray analysis. Hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX) experiments in solution support the fragmentation scheme. The magnetic studies on all these compounds suggest the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between neighboring metal centers.