Improved Synthesis of (TBA)2[W6Br14] Paving the Way to Further Study of Bromide Cluster Complexes.

Octahedral cluster complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, [M6X8Y6]n- (M = Mo, W; X, Y = Cl, Br, I), are promising active components in various fields, including biomedicine and solar energy. Cluster complexes draw considerable attention due to their X-ray opacity, red/near-IR luminescence, and ability to convert triplet molecular oxygen to active singlet oxygen under UV and visible irradiation. Among the octahedral cluster complexes of molybdenum and tungsten, compounds with a {W6Br8}4+ core are the least studied. There are only a few examples of compounds with substituted terminal ligands, and their properties are not well understood. Among other things, this is due to more labor-intensive and expensive methods for obtaining the starting compounds in comparison with molybdenum counterparts. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of an octahedral cluster complex, (TBA)2[W6Br14] (TBA+ = tetrabutylammonium), in gram quantities, starting from simple substances─W, Br2, and Bi─in 70% yield. The formation of pentanuclear tungsten cluster complexes was recorded as a byproduct. Compounds with substituted terminal ligands (TBA)2[W6Br8Y6] (Y = NO3, Cl, I) were obtained. We also discuss the instability of (TBA)2[W6Br8(NO3)6] under light exposure, the optical properties of a series of compounds (TBA)2[W6Br8Y6] (Y = Cl, Br, I), and the effect of terminal ligands on the chemical shifts in 183W NMR spectra in dimethyl sulfoxide-d6. The presented approach to the synthesis of one of the main precursors of various bromide cluster complexes on a gram scale can stimulate the study of their properties and development of new functional materials based on them.

Unusual Square Pyramidal Chalcogenide Mo5 Cluster with Bridging Pyrazolate-Ligands.

The family of chalcogenide molybdenum clusters is well presented in the literature by a series of compounds of nuclearity ranging from binuclear to multinuclear articulating octahedral fragments. Clusters actively studied in the last decades were shown to be promising as components of superconducting, magnetic, and catalytic systems. Here, we report the synthesis and detailed characterization of new and unusual representatives of chalcogenide clusters: square pyramidal complexes [{Mo5(µ3-Se)i4(µ4-Se)i(µ-pz)i4}(pzH)t5]1+/2+ (pzH = pyrazole, i = inner, t = terminal). Individually obtained oxidized (2+) and reduced (1+) forms have very close geometry (proven by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis) and are able to reversibly transform into each other, which was confirmed by cyclic voltammetry. Comprehensive characterization of the complexes, both in solid and in solution, confirms the different charge state of molybdenum in clusters (XPS), magnetic properties (EPR), and so on. DFT calculations complement the diverse study of new complexes, expanding the chemistry of molybdenum chalcogenide clusters.

From K6[Re6-xMoxS8(CN)5] Solid Solution to Individual Cluster Complexes: Separation and Investigation of [Re4Mo2S8(CN)6]n- and [Re3Mo3S8(CN)6]n- Heterometallic Clusters.

A series of new cluster compounds with {Re4Mo2S8} and {Re3Mo3S8} cores has been obtained and investigated. The clusters with different Re/Mo ratios were isolated as individual compounds, which made it possible to study their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties. The geometry of the new clusters was studied using a combination of X-ray diffraction analysis, XAS and quantum chemical DFT calculations. It was shown that the properties of the new clusters, such as the number and position of electrochemical transitions, electronic structure and change in geometry with a change in charge, are similar to the properties of clusters based on the {Re4Mo2Se8} and {Re3Mo3Se8} cores described earlier.

Evolution of the Electronic Structure of the trans-[Re6S8bipy4Cl2] Octahedral Rhenium Cluster during Reduction.

Understanding the processes that occur during the redox transformations of complexes coordinated by redox-active apical ligands is important for the design of electrochemically active compounds with functional properties. In this work, a detailed analysis of the interaction energy and electronic structure was performed for cluster complexes trans-[Re6S8bipy4Cl2]n (n = 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-), which can be obtained by stepwise electrochemical reduction of a neutral cluster trans-[Re6S8bipy4Cl2] in DMSO solution. It was shown that the formation of open-shell paramagnetic ions with S = 1, 2 and 1 is the most energetically favorable for n = 2-, 4- and 6-, respectively.

Selective Oxidation of Inner Pnictogenide Ligands in Mixed-Ligand Rhenium Cubane-Type Cluster Complexes.

Reactivity of new tetrahedral rhenium cluster complexes with pnictogenide inner ligands µ3-As3-, µ3-Sb3-, and µ3-Bi3- has been investigated in reactions with aqueous H2O2. It has been found that the oxidation of clusters [{Re4As3Q}(CN)12]7- (Q = S or Se) led to the formation of stable clusters with µ3-(AsO)3- ligands. Under the same conditions, the oxidation of [{Re4As2S2}(CN)12]6- cluster led to substitution of µ3-As3- ligands to µ3-O2-. The resulting cluster [{Re4O2S2}(CN)12]4- easily undergoes further oxidation, and even at room temperature, a unique {Re4} to {Re3} rearrangement occurs with the formation of the new triangular cluster [{Re3(µ3-S)(µ-O)2(µ-SO2)}(CN)9]5-. Upon heating, this process proceeds faster and the triangular cluster can be isolated as individual compounds. Cluster anions [{Re4SbSe3}(CN)12]5- and [{Re4BiS3}(CN)12]5- reacted with H2O2, yielding clusters containing µ3-O2- ligands, namely, [{Re4OSe3}(CN)12]4- and [{Re4OS3}(CN)12]4-. This indicates that oxidized forms of µ3-Sb3- and µ3-Bi3- ligands can be easily substituted.

Coordination Polymers Based on Rhenium Octahedral Chalcocyanide Cluster Anions and Ag+ Cations with Bipyridine Analogs.

A series of six coordination polymers based on octahedral cluster anions [Re6Q8(CN)6]4- (Q = S or Se) and Ag+ cations coordinated by bipyridine analogs were synthesized under solvothermal conditions. Their structures have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 described by the general formula [{Ag(phen)}4Re6Q8(CN)6] (Q = Se (1), S (2); phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) exhibit layered structures assembled into a supramolecular network by CH…π contacts. At the same time, compounds [{Ag(bipym)}2Ag2Re6Se8(CN)6] (bipym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine) (3), [{Ag2(bipy)}Ag2Re6Se8(CN)6]·CH3CN (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine) (4) and [{Ag(dpbp)}4Re6Q8(CN)6]·2H2O·2CH3CN (Q = Se (5), S (6); dpbp = 4,4'-Di(4-pyridyl)biphenyl)) evince framework structures. In 1, 2, 5 and 6 weak Ag⋯Ag interactions are observed. All the compounds show luminescence in the red region. The luminescence quantum yields and lifetimes were found to be notably higher than those for most of the coordination polymers based on the octahedral rhenium cluster complexes.

Octahedral Rhenium Cluster Complexes with 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene and 1,3-Bis(4-pyridyl)propane as Apical Ligands.

A series of eight new octahedral rhenium cluster complexes with the general formula trans-[{Re6Q8}L4X2] (Q = S or Se; L = 1,2-Bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene (bpe) or 1,3-Bis(4-pyridyl)propane (bpp); X = Cl or Br) was synthesized and investigated. While bpe is a ligand with a conjugated aromatic system, bpp represents a molecule of opposite type and has independent aromatic systems of the two pyridine rings. It was shown that this difference in the electronic structure of the ligands has a fundamental effect on the electronic structure, electrochemical and luminescent properties of the corresponding cluster complexes. Specifically, the [{Re6Q8}(bpe)4X2] complexes in solutions show multiple quasi-reversible electrochemical transitions associated with reduction of the organic ligands. At the same time, the trans-[{Re6Q8}(bpp)4X2] complexes show multielectron quasi-irreversible reduction processes, which correlate with the mixed character of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of these complexes. All the obtained new compounds exhibit red photoluminescence. The photophysical parameters (emission lifetimes and quantum yields) measured for the bpp complexes exceed those revealed for bpe complexes by more than an order of magnitude.

Stabilization of Re37+/Re38+ Metalloclusters by Cyanide Ligands in New Trinuclear Rhenium Cluster Complexes [{Re3X3}(CN)9]4-/[{Re3X3}(CN)9]5- (X = Br or I).

The interaction of rhenium(III) halides Re3Br9 and Re3I9 with aqueous solution of sodium cyanide resulted in the formation of the first trinuclear halide-cyanide rhenium cluster complexes [{Re3X3}(CN)9]5-/[{Re3X3}(CN)9]4- (X = Br or I) crystallized as salts of the compositions Cs4Na[{Re3Br3}(CN)9]·5.25H2O (1), Cs4Na[{Re3I3}(CN)9]·6H2O (2), Cs4[{Re3Br3}(CN)9]·2H2O·0.5CsCl (3), and Cs4[{Re3I3}(CN)9]·(4). All of the compounds are stable in air in the solid state and in aqueous solution. The substitution of apical halide ligands in the parent compounds Re3X9 by cyanides led to reduction of the original metallocluster Re39+ (12 cluster valence electrons (CVEs)) to Re37+ (14 CVEs), forming the compounds 1 and 2. The apical CN- ligands affect the electronic structure of the Re3 metallocluster stabilizing reduced form. Complexes 1 and 2 represent the first examples of triangular rhenium clusters with the Re37+ metallocluster. The reaction of 1 and 2 with H2O2 resulted in formation of compounds 3 and 4 with the formal charge of the Re3 metallocluster equal to 8+, and no further oxidation to Re39+ occurred. The compounds were characterized by the X-ray diffraction analysis, NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies, mass spectrometry, cyclic voltammetry, and magnetic susceptibility measurements.

Water-Soluble Rhenium Clusters with Triazoles: The Effect of Chemical Structure on Cellular Internalization and the DNA Binding of the Complexes.

Here we explore the effect of the nature of organic ligands in rhenium cluster complexes [Re6 Q8 L6 ]4- (where Q=S or Se, and L=benzotriazole, 1,2,3-triazole or 1,2,4-triazole) on the biological properties of the complexes, in particular on the cellular toxicity, cellular internalization and localization. Specifically, the study describes the synthesis and detailed characterization of the structure, luminescence and electrochemical properties of the four new Re6 clusters with 1,2,3- and 1,2,4-triazoles. Biological assays of these complexes are also discussed in addition to those with benzotriazole using cervical cancer (HeLa) and immortalized human fibroblasts (CRL-4025) as model cell lines. Our study demonstrates that the presence of hydrophobic and π-bonding rich units such as the benzene ring in benzotriazole significantly enhances cellular internalization of rhenium clusters. These ligands facilitate binding of the clusters to DNA, which results in increased cytotoxicity of the complexes.

The {Re4} Tetrahedral Cyanometalate Cluster Anion [{Re4(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)12]8- with Inner (µ3-CCN)3- Ligands and Its Features in Coordination of Cu2+ Cations.

A reaction between ReI3 and KCN at elevated temperature led to the formation of the new cyanometalate cluster anion [{Re4(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)12]8- (1). The anion contains µ3-CCN3- ligands, which are stabilized by the coordination to the triangular faces of the tetrahedral {Re4} metallocluster in a µ3 mode. The compound crystallized as a potassium salt, and its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. It was shown that µ3-CCN3- ligands are ambidentate and can interact with transition-metal cations similarly to terminal CN groups, resulting in the polymer framework formation.

Soluble Molecular Rhenium Cluster Complexes Exhibiting Multistage Terminal Ligands Reduction.

Substitution of terminal halide ligands of octahedral rhenium cluster complexes [Re6Q8X6]4- in a melt of 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) led to us obtaining four new compounds with the general formula trans-[Re6Q8(bpy)4X2] (Q = S or Se; X = Cl or Br) in high yield. In contrast to most of the known molecular rhenium cluster complexes with heteroaromatic terminal ligands, compounds 1-4 are soluble in organic solvents. This made it possible to carry out a detailed characterization of the new compounds both in solids and in solutions. In particular, it was shown that compounds 1-4 in the DMSO solution exhibit four reversible reduction processes. A comparison of the obtained data with the results of DFT calculations of the electronic structure suggests that these processes correspond to two-electron reduction of all four bpy ligands. The reduction potentials are shifted to the positive region compared with the potential of free bipyridine, and the value of the shift depends on the composition of the cluster core. The presence of four transitions also suggests that electronic exchange between terminal ligands in the cis-position is possible. The study of the luminescence of the compounds showed that emission maxima of selenide clusters almost coincide with those of sulfide ones, while luminescence spectra of the complexes with chloride terminal ligands (1 and 3) are slightly blue-shifted relative to the spectra of the complexes with bromide ligands (2 and 4).

Cyanide Complexes Based on {Mo6I8}4+ and {W6I8}4+ Cluster Cores.

Compounds based on new cyanide cluster anions [{Mo6I8}(CN)6]2-, trans-[{Mo6I8}(CN)4(MeO)2]2- and trans-[{W6I8}(CN)2(MeO)4]2- were synthesized using mechanochemical or solvothermal synthesis. The crystal and electronic structures as well as spectroscopic properties of the anions were investigated. It was found that the new compounds exhibit red luminescence upon excitation by UV light in the solid state and solutions, as other cluster complexes based on {Mo6I8}4+ and {W6I8}4+ cores do. The compounds can be recrystallized from aqueous methanol solutions; besides this, it was shown using NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy that anions did not undergo hydrolysis in the solutions for a long time. These facts indicate that hydrolytic stabilization of {Mo6I8} and {W6I8} cluster cores can be achieved by coordination of cyanide ligands.

Tailoring Heterometallic Cluster Functional Building Blocks: Synthesis, Separation, Structural and DFT Studies of [Re6-x Mox Se8 (CN)6 ]n.

Influence of the metal core composition and geometry on the structure, spectroscopic properties and redox potentials was investigated for the first time for heterometallic (Re/Mo)6 octahedral clusters. The discrete anionic clusters [Re6-x Mox Se8 (CN)6 ]n- (x=2, 3; n=4, 5) were obtained as individual salts. Their isomeric composition and bond-length distribution were inspected using a combination of single-crystal X-ray structure analysis, NMR, EXAFS, and DFT calculations.

Multifunctional Metal-Organic Frameworks Based on Redox-Active Rhenium Octahedral Clusters.

The redox-active rhenium octahedral cluster unit [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- was combined with Gd3+ ions and dicarboxylate linkers in novel types of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that display a set of functional properties. The hydrolytically stable complexes [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)Re6Se8(CN)6]·nH2O (1, L = furan-2,5-dicarboxylate, fdc; 2, L = thiophene-2,5-dicarboxylate, tdc) exhibit a 3D framework of trigonal symmetry where 1D chains of [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)]4+ are connected by [Re6Se8(CN)6]4- clusters. Frameworks contain spacious channels filled with H2O. Solvent molecules can be easily removed under vacuum to produce permanently porous solids with high volumetric CO2 uptake and remarkable CO2/N2 selectivity at room temperature. The frameworks demonstrate an ability for reversible redox transformations of the cluster fragment. The orange powders of compounds 1 and 2 react with Br2, yielding dark-green powders of [{Gd(H2O)3}2(L)Re6Se8(CN)6]Br·nH2O (3, L = fdc; 4, L = tdc). Compounds 3 and 4 are isostructural with 1 and 2 and also have permanently porous frameworks but display different optical, magnetic, and sorption properties. In particular, oxidation of the cluster fragment "switches off" its luminescence in the red region, and the incorporation of Br- leads to a decrease of the solvent-accessible volume in the channels of 3 and 4. Finally, the green powders of 3 and 4 can be reduced back to the orange powders of 1 and 2 by reaction with hydrazine, thus displaying a rare ability for fully reversible chemical redox transitions. Compounds 1-4 are mentioned as a new class of redox-active cluster-based MOFs with potential usage as multifunctional materials for gas separation and chemical contamination sensors.

Facile Substitution of Bridging SO22- Ligands in Re12 Bioctahedral Cluster Complexes.

Selective substitution of µ-SO22- groups by either O2- or Se2- ions occurs upon heating the bioctahedral rhenium cluster complex K6[Re12CS14(µ-SO2)3(CN)6] in air atmosphere or in the presence of a Se source, respectively, manifesting the remarkable lability of SO22- ligands bound to a transition-metal cluster. A series of compounds based on the new mixed-ligand anions, [Re12CS14(µ-O)3(CN)6]6-, [Re12CS14(µ-Se)3(CN)6]6-, and [Re12CS14(µ-O)3(OH)6]6-, were isolated and their solid-state structures were elucidated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Along with the previously reported µ-sulfide clusters, the new species constitute a series of rhenium anionic complexes with the common formula [Re12CS14(µ-Q)3L6]6- (Q = O, S, Se, L = CN-; Q = O, S, L = OH-), within which the total charge and number of cluster valence electrons (CVEs) are constant. The article presents insights into the mechanistic and synthetic aspects of the substitution process, and it comprehensively discusses the influence of inner ligand environment on the structure, spectroscopic characteristics, and electrochemical behavior of the novel compounds.

Selective two-step oxidation of µ2-S ligands in trigonal prismatic unit {Re3(µ6-C)(µ2-S)3Re3} of the bioctahedral cluster anion [Re12CS17(CN)6]6­.

An oxidation of cluster anion [Re(12)CS(17)(CN)(6)](6-) by H(2)O(2) in water has been investigated. It was shown that selective two-step oxidation of bridging µ(2)-S-ligands in trigonal prismatic unit {Re(3)(µ(6)-C)(µ(2)-S)(3)Re(3)} takes place. The first stage runs rapidly, whereas the speed of the second stage depends on intensity of ultraviolet irradiation of the reaction mixture. Each stage of the reaction is accompanied by a change in the solution's color. In the first stage of the oxidation, the cluster anion [Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(3)(CN)(6)](6-) is produced, in which all bridging S-ligands are turned into bridging SO(2)-ligands. The second stage of the oxidation leads to formation of the anion [Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(2)(SO(3))(CN)(6)](6-), in which one of the SO(2)-ligands underwent further oxidation forming the bridging SO(3)-ligand. Seven compounds containing these anions were synthesized and characterized by a set of different methods, elemental analyses, IR and UV/vis spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations. Structures of some compounds based on similar cluster anions, [Cu(NH(3))(5)](3)[Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(3)(CN)(6)]·9.5H(2)O, [Ni(NH(3))(6)](3)[Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(3)(CN)(6)]·4H(2)O, and [Cu(NH(3))(5)](2.6)[Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(3)(CN)(6)](0.6)[{Re(12)CS(14)(SO(2))(2)(SO(3))(CN)(5)(µ-CN)}{Cu(NH(3))(4)}](0.4)·5H(2)O, were investigated by X-ray analysis of single crystals.

Luminescent twelve-nuclear rhenium clusters.

The first luminescent twelve-nuclear rhenium cluster complexes were obtained. Three new clusters, namely, [Re12CS14(µ-Cl)3Cl6]5-, [Re12CS14(µ-Br)3Cl6]5- and [Re12CS14(µ-Br)3Br6]5-, were synthesized using the non-isovalent substitution of µ-O ligands within the {Re12CS14(µ-O)3}0 cluster core by halide anions. The geometry of the new clusters was investigated by X-ray structural analysis, and the electronic structures were evaluated by the use of DFT calculations. It was found that compounds based on these anions showed red luminescence in both the solid state and solution that was never observed before for previously studied twelve-nuclear rhenium clusters.

Mixed-metal clusters with a {Re3Mo3Se8} core: from a polymeric solid to soluble species with multiple redox transitions.

Cluster compounds based on a new {Re3Mo3Se8}n core were obtained and studied. The polymeric solid K6[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)4(CN)2/2] (1) containing 24 cluster valence electrons (CVE) was isolated as a result of high-temperature reaction. Water-soluble salts K5[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]·11H2O (2) and Cs5[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]·H2O (3) were prepared from compound 1. Crystal structures of the diamagnetic compounds 2 and 3 contain a cluster anion [Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]5- with a 22-electronic core {Re3Mo3Se8}+. Metathesis reaction followed by recrystallization from CH3CN yielded paramagnetic salt (Ph4P)4[Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]·2CH3CN (4) containing the {Re3Mo3Se8}2+ core with 21 CVE. Cyclic voltammetry of the solution of 4 displayed three quasi-reversible waves with E1/2 = -0.325, -0.818 and -1.410 V vs. Ag/AgCl electrode indicating the presence of [Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]4-/5-/6-/7- transitions. Electronic structure calculations showed that both mer- and fac-isomers of [Re3Mo3Se8(CN)6]n- clusters undergo great distortion when the number of CVE decreases.

From oxide to a new type of molecular tungsten compound: formation of bitetrahedral cluster complexes [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)16]10- and [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-As)4}(CN)16]10.

Tungsten trioxide has been found to be a convenient precursor for the synthesis of metal cluster compounds with new types of cluster cores. The reaction between WO3 and KCN led to the formation of the cluster complex [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-CCN)4}(CN)16]10-. Unexpectedly, it includes the fully deprotonated form of acetonitrile, the CCN3- anion, as a µ3-bridging ligand coordinated to the trigonal faces of the bitetrahedral W6 metallocluster. A similar complex [{W6(µ4-O)2(µ3-As)4}(CN)16]10- containing µ3-As3- ligands instead of µ3-CCN3- ones has been synthesized by the reaction between WO3, As and KCN.

Heterometallic clusters with a new {Re3Mo3S8} core: direct synthesis, properties and DFT calculations.

We report the direct facile high-temperature synthesis and investigation of heterometallic rhenium-molybdenum cluster K6[Re3Mo3S8(CN)4(CN)2/2] (1) with a new {Re3Mo3S8} core. Dissolution of polymeric compound 1 resulted in subsequent oxidation and formation of stable 23e paramagnetic anionic cluster complex [Re3Mo3S8(CN)6](6-).