An Yttrium Organic cyclo-P4 Complex and Its Selective Conversions.

The rare-earth-metal organic cyclo-P4 complex (LY·DMAP)2[1,2-R2- cyclo-P4] (2, L = N, N'-2,6-diisopropylphenyl-1,4-diazabutadiene, DMAP = 4- N, N'-dimethylpyridine, R = CH2C6H4NMe2-2) was synthesized by direct functionalization of P4 using the rare-earth-metal alkyl complex LYR(THF) (1) for the first time. Further investigations indicated that three selective conversions of the cyclo-P4 species have been realized by alkyl migration. Complex 2 was slowly transformed into a R2P-substituted cyclo-P3 cluster (LY·DMAP)2[ cyclo-P3PR2] (3) under heating conditions. The reaction of 2 with 1 equiv of KR gave the unsubstituted cyclo-P3 complex (LY·THF)2[ cyclo-P3]K (4) in quantitative yield, accompanied by the elimination of the organophosphorus compound PR3 (5). Treatment of 2 with HMPA afforded the structurally characterized Zintl-type P7 complex (LY·HMPA)3P7 (6). The formation of complexes 3, 4, and 6 revealed that unusual alkyl migrations in the polyphosphorus complexes occurred in these reactions, and the transformations from cyclo-P4 into cyclo-P3 also provided a new insight into the stepwise degradation of P4 using metal complexes.

Reversing Conventional Reactivity of Mixed Oxo/Alkyl Rare-Earth Complexes: Non-Redox Oxygen Atom Transfer.

The preferential substitution of oxo ligands over alkyl ones of rare-earth complexes is commonly considered as "impossible" due to the high oxophilicity of metal centers. Now, it has been shown that simply assembling mixed methyl/oxo rare-earth complexes to a rigid trinuclear cluster framework cannot only enhance the activity of the Ln-oxo bond, but also protect the highly reactive Ln-alkyl bond, thus providing a previously unrecognized opportunity to selectively manipulate the oxo ligand in the presence of numerous reactive functionalities. Such trimetallic cluster has proved to be a suitable platform for developing the unprecedented non-redox rare-earth-mediated oxygen atom transfer from ketones to CS2 and PhNCS. Controlled experiments and computational studies shed light on the driving force for these reactions, emphasizing the importance of the sterical accessibility and multimetallic effect of the cluster framework in promoting reversal of reactivity of rare-earth oxo complexes.

Reversible Redox Activity in Multicomponent Metal-Organic Frameworks Constructed from Trinuclear Copper Pyrazolate Building Blocks.

Inorganic functionalization of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), such as incorporation of multiple inorganic building blocks with distinct metals into one structure and further modulation of the metal charges, endows the porous materials with significant properties toward their applications in catalysis. In this work, by an exploration of the role of 4-pyrazolecarboxylic acid (H2PyC) in the formation of trinuclear copper pyrazolate as a metalloligand in situ, four new MOFs with multiple components in order were constructed through one-pot synthesis. This metalloligand strategy provides multicomponent MOFs with new topologies (tub for FDM-4 and tap for FDM-5) and is also compatible with a second organic linker for cooperative construction of complex MOFs (1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid for FDM-6 and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid for FDM-7). The component multiplicity of these MOFs originates from PyC's ability to separate Cu and Zn on the basis of their differentiated binding affinities toward pyrazolate and carboxylate. These MOFs feature reversible and facile redox transformations between CuI3(PyC)3 and CuII3(µ-OH)(PyC)3(OH)3 without altering the connecting geometries of the units, thus further contributing to the significant catalytic activities in the oxidation of CO and aromatic alcohols and the decomposition of H2O2. This study on programming multiple inorganic components into one framework and modulating their electronic structures is an example of functionalizing the inorganic units of MOFs with a high degree of control.

A Novel Small-Molecule Compound of Lithium Iodine and 3-Hydroxypropionitride as a Solid-State Electrolyte for Lithium-Air Batteries.

A novel small-molecule compound of lithium iodine and 3-hydroxypropionitrile (HPN) has been successfully synthesized. Our combined experimental and theoretical studies indicated that LiIHPN is a Li-ion conductor, which is utterly different from the I(-)-anion conductor of LiI(HPN)2 reported previously. Solid-state lithium-air batteries based on LiIHPN as the electrolyte exhibit a reversible discharge capacity of more than 2100 mAh g(-1) with a cyclic performance over 10 cycles. Our findings provide a new way to design solid-state electrolytes toward high-performance lithium-air batteries.

Fluorescent Gold Nanoclusters with Interlocked Staples and a Fully Thiolate-Bound Kernel.

The structural features that render gold nanoclusters intrinsically fluorescent are currently not well understood. To address this issue, highly fluorescent gold nanoclusters have to be synthesized, and their structures must be determined. We herein report the synthesis of three fluorescent Au24 (SR)20 nanoclusters (R=C2 H4 Ph, CH2 Ph, or CH2 C6 H4 (t) Bu). According to UV/Vis/NIR, differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) analysis, these three nanoclusters adopt similar structures that feature a bi-tetrahedral Au8 kernel protected by four tetrameric Au4 (SR)5 motifs. At least two structural features are responsible for the unusual fluorescence of the Au24 (SR)20 nanoclusters: Two pairs of interlocked Au4 (SR)5 staples reduce the vibration loss, and the interactions between the kernel and the thiolate motifs enhance electron transfer from the ligand to the kernel moiety through the Au-S bonds, thereby enhancing the fluorescence. This work provides some clarification of the structure-fluorescence relationship of such clusters.

Mono-cadmium vs Mono-mercury Doping of Au25 Nanoclusters.

Controlling the dopant type, number, and position in doped metal nanoclusters (nanoparticles) is crucial but challenging. In the work described herein, we successfully achieved the mono-cadmium doping of Au25 nanoclusters, and revealed using X-ray crystallography in combination with theoretical calculations that one of the inner-shell gold atoms of Au25 was replaced by a Cd atom. The doping mode is distinctly different from that of mono-mercury doping, where one of the outer-shell Au atoms was replaced by a Hg atom. Au24Cd is readily transformed to Au24Hg, while the reverse (transformation from Au24Hg to Au24Cd) is forbidden under the investigated conditions.

A rod-packing microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework for highly selective separation of C2H2/CO2 at room temperature.

Self-assembly of a trigonal building subunit with diaminotriazines (DAT) functional groups leads to a unique rod-packing 3D microporous hydrogen-bonded organic framework (HOF-3). This material shows permanent porosity and demonstrates highly selective separation of C2H2/CO2 at ambient temperature and pressure.

Octadecanuclear macrocycles and nonanuclear bowl-shaped structures based on two analogous pyridyl-substituted imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate ligands.

Two types of unprecedented Cp*Rh-based (Cp* = η(5)-C5Me5) complexes, two octadecanuclear macrocycles, and a nonanuclear bowl-shaped complex have been synthesized from two analogous pyridyl-functionalized imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate ligands, 2-(pyridin-4-yl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate ligand and 2-(pyridin-3-yl)-1H-imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate ligand, respectively.

Ordered vacancies and their chemistry in metal-organic frameworks.

Vacancies are common in solid materials, but it remains a challenge to introduce them at specific locations with controlled distributions. Here we report the creation of ordered metal vacancies and linker vacancies in a cubic metal-organic framework (MOF) based on Zn(II) and pyrazolecarboxylic acid by removing a quarter of the metal ions and half of the linkers. The MOF with ordered vacancies shows increased pore size, thus allowing large dye molecules to fit in the pores. Furthermore, by filling the vacancies with new metals and new linkers, eight new single-crystalline MOFs with multicomponents in absolute order are introduced. The capability of performing stepwise elimination and addition reactions systematically in extended solids without destroying the structural integrity has generated complex MOF structures which otherwise cannot be made.

H2-initiated reversible switching between two-dimensional metallacycles and three-dimensional cylinders.

Although reversible covalent activation of molecular hydrogen (H2) by transition-metal complexes is a common reaction, H2-mediated sophisticated reversible arrangements of organometallic frameworks have not yet been described. Herein, we report unusual organometallic transformations in solution that can be accomplished by uptake or release of H2. An efficient route for synthesizing air- and moisture-stable 16-electron M2L2-type metallacycles under very mild conditions has been developed. The new organometallic metallacycles favor the binding of small ligands such as MeCN, Cl(-), CO, and pyridine. The reaction of a coordinatively unsaturated 16-electron M2L2-type macrocyclic complex featuring thione ligands with 1 atm of H2 leads to the isolation of a 18-electron M2L3-type cylinder, along with hydride species. Remarkably, the obtained mixture underwent loss of H2 in a facile manner upon heating to re-form the starting M2L2-type complex. A possible mechanism is proposed for the reversible transformations.

Reactivity of Tp(Me2) -supported yttrium alkyl complexes toward aromatic N-heterocycles: ring-opening or C-C bond formation directed by C-H activation.

Unusual chemical transformations such as three-component combination and ring-opening of N-heterocycles or formation of a carbon-carbon double bond through multiple C-H activation were observed in the reactions of Tp(Me2) -supported yttrium alkyl complexes with aromatic N-heterocycles. The scorpionate-anchored yttrium dialkyl complex [Tp(Me2) Y(CH2 Ph)2 (THF)] reacted with 1-methylimidazole in 1:2 molar ratio to give a rare hexanuclear 24-membered rare-earth metallomacrocyclic compound [Tp(Me2) Y(µ-N,C-Im)(η(2) -N,C-Im)]6 (1; Im=1-methylimidazolyl) through two kinds of C-H activations at the C2- and C5-positions of the imidazole ring. However, [Tp(Me2) Y(CH2 Ph)2 (THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1-methylbenzimidazole to afford a C-C coupling/ring-opening/C-C coupling product [Tp(Me2) Y{η(3) -(N,N,N)-N(CH3 )C6 H4 NHCHC(Ph)CN(CH3 )C6 H4 NH}] (2). Further investigations indicated that [Tp(Me2) Y(CH2 Ph)2 (THF)] reacted with benzothiazole in 1:1 or 1:2 molar ratio to produce a C-C coupling/ring-opening product {(Tp(Me2) )Y[µ-η(2) :η(1) -SC6 H4 N(CHCHPh)](THF)}2 (3). Moreover, the mixed Tp(Me2) /Cp yttrium monoalkyl complex [(Tp(Me2) )CpYCH2 Ph(THF)] reacted with two equivalents of 1-methylimidazole in THF at room temperature to afford a trinuclear yttrium complex [Tp(Me2) CpY(µ-N,C-Im)]3 (5), whereas when the above reaction was carried out at 55 °C for two days, two structurally characterized metal complexes [Tp(Me2) Y(Im-Tp(Me2) )] (7; Im-Tp(Me2) =1-methyl-imidazolyl-Tp(Me2) ) and [Cp3 Y(HIm)] (8; HIm=1-methylimidazole) were obtained in 26 and 17 % isolated yields, respectively, accompanied by some unidentified materials. The formation of 7 reveals an uncommon example of construction of a CC bond through multiple C-H activations.

Homometallic rare-Earth metal phosphinidene clusters: synthesis and reactivity.

Two new trinuclear µ3 -bridged rare-earth metal phosphinidene complexes, [{L(Ln)(µ-Me)}3 (µ3 -Me)(µ3 -PPh)] (L=[PhC(NC6 H4 iPr2 -2,6)2 ](-) , Ln=Y (2 a), Lu (2 b)), were synthesized through methane elimination of the corresponding carbene precursors with phenylphosphine. Heating a toluene solution of 2 at 120 °C leads to an unprecedented ortho CH bond activation of the PhP ligand to form the bridged phosphinidene/phenyl complexes. Reactions of 2 with ketones, thione, or isothiocyanate show clear phospha-Wittig chemistry, giving the corresponding organic phosphinidenation products and oxide (sulfide) complexes. Reaction of 2 with CS2 leads to the formation of novel trinuclear rare-earth metal thione dianion clusters, for which a possible pathway was determined by DFT calculation.

Methylidene rare-earth-metal complex mediated transformations of C=N, N=N and N-H bonds: new routes to imido rare-earth-metal clusters.

Three new patterns of reactivity of rare-earth metal methylidene complexes have been established and thus have resulted in access to a wide variety of imido rare-earth metal complexes [L3Ln3(µ2-Me)3(µ3-Me)(µ-NR)] (L = [PhC(NC6H3iPr2-2,6)2](-); R = Ph, Ln = Y (2 a), Lu (2 b); R = 2,6-Me2C6H3, Ln = Y (3 a), Lu (3 b); R = p-ClC6H4, Ln = Y (4 a), Lu (4 b); R = p-MeOC6H4, Ln = Y (5 a), Lu (5 b); R = Me2CHCH2CH2, Ln = Y (6 a), Lu (6 b)) and [{L3Lu3(µ2-Me)3(µ3-Me)}2(µ-NR'N)] (R' = (CH2)6 (7 b), (C6H4)2 (8 b)). Complex 2 b was treated with an excess of CO2 to give the corresponding carboxylate complex [L3Lu3(µ-η(1):η(1)-O2CCH3)3(µ-η(1):η(2)-O2C-CH3)(µ-η(1):η(1):η(2)-O2CNPh)] (9 b) easily. Complex 2 a could undergo the selective µ3-Me abstraction reaction with phenyl acetylene to give the mixed imido/alkynide complex [L3Y3(µ2-Me)3(µ3-η(1):η(1):η(3)-NPh)(µ3-C≡CPh)] (10 a) in high yield. Treatment of 2 with one equivalent of thiophenol gave the selective µ3-methyl-abstracted products [L3Ln3(µ2-Me)3(µ3-η(1):η(1):η(3)-NPh)(µ3-SPh)] (Ln = Y (11 a); Lu (11 b). All new complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, NMR spectroscopy, and most of the structures confirmed by X-ray diffraction.

A porous metal-organic framework constructed from carboxylate-pyrazolate shared heptanuclear zinc clusters: synthesis, gas adsorption, and guest-dependent luminescent properties.

A three-dimensional porous structure of [Zn7O2(bpdc)4(dmpp)2]·6DEF·10H2O (MAC-7, H2bpdc = 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, Hdmpp = 3,5-dimethyl-4-(4'-pyridyl)pyrazole), built of 12-bridged carboxylate-pyrazolate shared Zn7O2 clusters, has been synthesized. Because of the presence of 12-bridged carboxylate-pyrazolate shared building block, MAC-7 is a double-linked pcu-type framework and shows reversible phase transformation. Photoluminescent property studies indicate that MAC-7 could sense nitrobenzene over toluene, p-xylene, and mesitylene by luminescent quenching.

Chiral alpha-aminoxy acid/achiral cyclopropane alpha-aminoxy acid unit as a building block for constructing the alpha N-O helix.

The monomer 1 derived from achiral 1-(aminoxy)cyclopropanecarboxylic acid (OAcc) and oligopeptides 2-9 consisting of a chiral alpha-aminoxy acid and an achiral alpha-aminoxy acid such as OAcc were synthesized and their structures characterized. The eight-membered-ring intramolecular hydrogen bond, namely the alpha N-O turn, was formed between adjacent residues independent of their chirality. However, the helix formation was sequence-dependent. Dipeptide 2 bearing chiral alpha-aminoxy acid (d-OAA) at the N-terminus and achiral OAcc at the C-terminus preferentially adopted a right-handed 1.8(8) helical structure, but dipeptide 3 (OAcc-d-OAA) did not. Theoretical calculation results, in good agreement with experimental ones, revealed that the biased handedness of alpha N-O turn found in OAcc residue depends on its preceding chiral residue. It was then found that the helical conformation was destroyed in the case of oligopeptides 6 and 7 [OAA-(OAcc)(n), n = 2, 3]. The crystal structure of tripeptide 8 ((i)PrCO-d-OVal-OAcc-d-OVal-NH(i)Bu) further disclosed the helical structure formed by three consecutive homochiral alpha N-O turns. This study has uncovered achiral aminoxy acid residues such as the OAcc unit as a useful building block to be incorporated into chiral aminoxy peptides to mimic chiral helix structure.

A new strategy for ring modification of metallocenes: carbodiimide Insertion into the eta(5)-Y-C5H5 bond and subsequent isomerization.

Unusual insertion of carbodiimide into the Y-Cp (Cp = C(5)H(5)) bond and isomerization of the resulting cyclopentadienyl (Cp)-substituted amidinate complex to the amidino-substituted Cp complex have been established, representing an efficient and simple method for ring modification of sensitive metallocenes. All products, including the rare four-center interaction precursor of the insertion, have been characterized by X-ray structural analyses.

Gamma-deprotonation of anionic bis(trimethylsilyl)amidolanthanide complexes with a countered [(Tp(Me2))2Ln]+ cation.

Tp(Me2)LnCl(2) (1) reacts with 2 equiv of KN(SiMe(3))(2) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature to yield the ligand redistribution/gamma-deprotonation products [(Tp(Me2))(2)Ln](+)[((Me(3)Si)(2)N)(2)Ln(CH(2))SiMe(2)N(SiMe(3))](-) [Ln = Er (2), Y (3)]. Complex 2 can also be obtained by reacting [(Me(3)Si)(2)N](2)ErCl with KTp(Me2). However, 1 reacts with 1.5 and 1 equiv of KN(SiMe(3))(2) to yield [(Tp(Me2))(2)Er](+)[((Me(3)Si)(2)N)(3)ErCl](-) (4) and [(Tp(Me2))(2)Er](+){[(Me(3)Si)(2)N)Tp(Me2)ErCl](2)(mu-Cl)(2)K}(-) (5), respectively. Furthermore, it is found that 2 reacts with 2 equiv of CyN=C=NCy (Cy = cyclohexyl) to give the tandem HN(SiMe(3))(2) elimination and Ln-C insertion product (Tp(Me2))Er[(CyN)(2)CCH(2)SiMe(2)N(SiMe(3))] (6) in 71% isolated yield. The results reveal that the gamma-deprotonation degree of advancement increases with an increase of the steric hindrance around the central metal ion. All new complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic properties, and their solid-state structures have also been determined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Poly[[[aqua(2,2'-bipyridine-kappa2N,N')manganese(II)]-mu-croconato-kappa4O,O':O'',O'''] monohydrate]: a one-dimensional coordination polymer connected by hydrophilic-hydrophilic and lipophilic-lipophilic interactions at 135 K.

In the title one-dimensional coordination polymer, {[Mn(C(5)O(5))(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)].H(2)O}(n), each Mn(II) ion is seven-coordinated by four O atoms from two croconate ligands, two N atoms from a 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy) ligand and one O atom from an aqua ligand. The croconate ligand bridges the Mn(II) ions in a bis-bidentate chelation mode, forming an extended [Mn(C(5)O(5))](n) chain running parallel to the [001] direction, with the lipophilic 2,2'-bipy ligands lying along one side and the hydrophilic water molecules along the opposite side. Coordinated water and solvent water molecules are arranged in the hydrophilic layer, which is characterized by O-H...O hydrogen bonds between croconate ligands. Meanwhile, 2,2'-bipy ligands from adjacent chains partially overlap and exhibit pi-pi interactions to form a lipophilic layer. The hydrophilic and lipophilic layers are arranged alternately to build a layer structure.

Synthesis of mixed Cp/Tp(Me2) lanthanide complexes from lanthanocene precursors and their structures and reactivities.

Reaction of Cp(2)LnCl with 1 equiv of KTp(Me2) in toluene gives the mixed Tp(Me2)/Cp lanthanide complexes Cp(2)Ln(Tp(Me2)) (Ln = Yb (1a), Er (1b), Dy (1c)), while unexpected complexes CpLn(Tp(Me2))Cl(THF) (Ln = Yb (2a), Er (2b.THF), Dy (2c), Y (2d)) are obtained when the reactions are carried out in THF. Complex 2b can also be formed by the reaction of CpErCl(2)(THF)(3) with 1 equiv of KTp(Me2) in THF. Moreover, complex 1a can also be obtained from the reaction of Cp(3)Yb and KTp(Me2). The results not only represent an efficient and versatile method for the synthesis of mixed Cp/Tp(Me2) lanthanide complexes but also provide new insight into the reactivity of Cp(2)LnCl. Furthermore, the reactivities of complexes 1a-c toward proton-donating reagents are examined. It has been found that 1b reacts with benzotriazole (C(6)H(4)NHN(2)) in THF to yield a lanthanide metallomacrocyclic complex [(Tp(Me2))CpEr(mu-N(3)C(6)H(4))](3) (3), while the reaction of 1a with 1 equiv of 2-aminopyridine in THF gives an unexpected oxide complex [(Tp(Me2))Yb(2-HNC(5)H(4)N)](2)(mu-O) (4). Presumably, the oxide ligand of compound 4 results from adventitious water. In addition, treatment of 1c with 2 equiv of 3,5-dimethylpyrazole yields a completely Cp-abstracted product (Tp(Me2))Dy(Pz(Me2))(2)(THF) (5), which can also be directly obtained from a three-component reaction of Cp(2)DyCl, KTp(Me2), and 3,5-dimethylpyrazole in THF. These results further indicate that the new mixed Tp(Me2)/Cp lanthanide complexes are practical and versatile precursors for the synthesis of poly(pyrazolyl)borate lanthanide derivatives. All new compounds have been characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. The structures of complexes 1a,b and 2-5 have also been determined through single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

1,2,4-Diazaphospholide complexes of barium: mechanism of formation and crystallographic characterization.

A number of barium 1,2,4-diazaphospholide (dp(-)) complexes have been prepared by protonolysis of barium bis[bis(trimethylsilyl)]amide (Ba[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2)) and the corresponding 1,2,4-diazaphospholes. The bis(3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-diazaphospholide)-tetrakis(tetrahydrofuran)barium [eta(2)(N,N)-3,5-Ph(2)dp)(2)Ba(THF)(4)] (1) and bis(3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-diazaphospholide)-tetrakis(dimethylsulfoxide)barium [eta(2)(N,N)-3,5-Ph(2)dp)(2)Ba(DMSO)(4)] (2) were prepared by the reactions of Ba[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and 3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-diazaphosphole (H[3,5-Ph(2)dp]) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), respectively, while the bis(3,5-disubstituted-1,2,4-diazaphospholide)-(18-crown-6) barium complexes [trans-eta(2)(N,N)-dp)(2)Ba(18-crown-6)] (3), [cis-eta(2)(N,N)-tBu(2)dp)(2)Ba(18-crown-6)] (4), [trans-eta(2)(N,N)-tBu(2)dp)(2)Ba(18-crown-6)] (5), [cis-eta(2)(N,N)-Ph(2)dp)(2)Ba(18-crown-6)] (6), and [trans-eta(2)(N,N)-Ph(2)dp)(2)Ba(18-crown-6)] (7) were synthesized by the reaction of Ba[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and the corresponding 1,2,4-diazaphospholes in the presence of 18-crown-6 in THF or DMSO. Complexes 1, 2, 3, 4, and 7 have been structurally characterized. Complex 4 is the first structurally characterized barium complex in which the two organic ligands are located on the same side of 18-crown-6 (cis conformation). The (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectra suggested a partial dissociation of the barium 1,2,4-diazaphospholides 2, 4, and 7 into the corresponding ion associated complexes in solutions.