Controlling Spin Crossover in a Family of Dinuclear Fe(III) Complexes via the Bis(catecholate) Bridging Ligand.

Spin crossover (SCO) complexes can reversibly switch between low spin (LS) and high spin (HS) states, affording possible applications in sensing, displays, and molecular electronics. Dinuclear SCO complexes with access to [LS-LS], [LS-HS], and [HS-HS] states may offer increased levels of functionality. The nature of the SCO interconversion in dinuclear complexes is influenced by the local electronic environment. We report the synthesis and characterization of [{FeIII(tpa)}2spiro](PF6)2 (1), [{FeIII(tpa)}2Br4spiro](PF6)2 (2), and [{FeIII(tpa)}2thea](PF6)2 (3) (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, spiroH4 = 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-5,5',6,6'-tetraol, Br4spiroH4 = 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-4,4',7,7'-tetrabromo-5,5',6,6'-tetraol, theaH4 = 2,3,6,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-dimethyl-9,10-dihydro-9,10-ethanoanthracene), utilizing non-conjugated bis(catecholate) bridging ligands. In the solid state, magnetic and structural analysis shows that 1 remains in the [HS-HS] state, while 2 and 3 undergo a partial SCO interconversion upon cooling from room temperature involving the mixed [LS-HS] state. In solution, all complexes undergo SCO from [HS-HS] at room temperature, via [LS-HS] to mixtures including [LS-LS] at 77 K, with the extent of SCO increasing in the order 1 < 2 < 3. Gas phase density functional theory calculations suggest a [LS-LS] ground state for all complexes, with the [LS-HS] and [HS-HS] states successively destabilized. The relative energy separations indicate that ligand field strength increases following spiro4- < Br4spiro4- < thea4-, consistent with solid-state magnetic and EPR behavior. All three complexes show stabilization of the [LS-HS] state in relation to the midpoint energy between [LS-LS] and [HS-HS]. The relative stability of the [LS-HS] state increases with increasing ligand field strength of the bis(catecholate) bridging ligand in the order 1 < 2 < 3. The bromo substituents of Br4spiro4- increase the ligand field strength relative to spiro4-, while the stronger ligand field provided by thea4- arises from extension of the overlapping π-orbital system across the two catecholate units. This study highlights how SCO behavior in dinuclear complexes can be modulated by the bridging ligand, providing useful insights for the design of molecules that can be interconverted between more than two states.

Inelastic Neutron Scattering Measurement of the Ground State Tunneling Gap in Tb and Ho Analogues of a Dy Field-Induced Single-Molecule Magnet.

Recent advances in single-molecule magnet (SMM) research have placed great value on interpretation of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) data for rare earth (RE)-containing SMMs. Here, we present the synthesis of several rare earth complexes where combined magnetic and INS studies have been performed, supported by ab initio calculations. The reaction of rare earth nitrate salts with 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bpy) and tetrahalocatecholate (X4Cat2-, X = Br, Cl) ligands in methanol (MeOH) afforded two new families of compounds [RE(2,2'-bpy)2(X4Cat)(X4CatH)(MeOH)] (X = Br and RE = Y, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Yb for 1-RE; X = Cl and RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Yb for 2-RE). Addition of triethylamine (Et3N) to the reaction mixture delivered Et3NH[RE(2,2'-bpy)2(Br4Cat)2] (3-RE, RE = Er and Yb). Interestingly, cerium behaves differently to the rest of the series, generating (2,2'-bpyH)2[Ce(Br4Cat)3(2,2'-bpy)] (4-Ce) with tetravalent Ce(IV) in contrast to the trivalent metal ions in 1-3. The static magnetic properties of 1-RE (RE = Gd, Tb, Dy and Ho) were investigated in conjunction with INS measurements on 1-Y, 1-Tb, and 1-Ho to probe their ground state properties and any crystal field excitations. To facilitate interpretation of the INS spectra and provide insight into the magnetic behavior, ab initio calculations were performed using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural data of 1-RE (RE = Tb, Dy and Ho). The ab initio calculations indicate ground doublets dominated by the maximal angular momentum projection states of Kramers type for 1-Dy and Ising type for 1-Tb and 1-Ho. Dynamic magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that 1-Dy exhibits slow magnetic relaxation in the presence of a small applied magnetic field mainly through Raman pathways. Inelastic neutron scattering spectra exhibit distinct transitions corresponding to crystal field-induced tunneling gaps between the pseudo-doublet ground state components for 1-Tb and 1-Ho, which is one of the first direct experimental measurements with INS of such tunneling transitions in a molecular nanomagnet. The power of high-resolution INS is demonstrated with evidence of two distinct tunneling gaps measurable for the two crystallographically unique Tb coordination environments observed in the single crystal X-ray structure.

Elucidation of LMCT Excited States for Lanthanoid Complexes: A Theoretical and Solid-State Experimental Framework.

Photophysical and magnetic properties arising from both ground and excited states of lanthanoid ions are relevant for numerous applications. These properties can be substantially affected, both adversely and beneficially, by ligand-to-metal charge-transfer (LMCT) states. However, probing LMCT states remains a significant challenge in f-block chemistry, particularly in the solid state. Intriguingly, the europium compounds [EuIII(18-c-6)(X4Cat)(NO3)]·MeCN (18-c-6 = 18-crown-6; X = Cl (tetrachlorocatecholate, 1-Eu) or Br (tetrabromocatecholate, 2-Eu) are distinctly darkly-colored, in marked contrast to the analogues with other lanthanoid ions in the 1-Ln and 2-Ln series (Ln = La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, and Dy). Herein, we report a multi-technique investigation of these compounds that has allowed elucidation of the LMCT character of the relevant absorption bands using magnetometry, absorption and emission spectroscopies, and solid-state electrochemistry. To support experimental observations, we present a semi-quantitative multireference ab initio model that (i) captures the anomalously low-lying LMCT excited state observed in the visible spectrum of 1-Eu (and its absence in the other 1-Ln analogues); (ii) elucidates the contribution of the LMCT excitation to the crystal field split 7FJ ground-state wave functions; and (iii) identifies the crucial role played by radial dynamical correlation of the EuIII 4f electrons in the description of the LMCT excited state, modeled by the inclusion of 4f → 5f excitations in the optimized wave function. By providing a set of experimental and theoretical tools, this work establishes a framework for the elucidation of LMCT excited states in lanthanoid compounds in the solid state.

Modulation of Charge Distribution in Cobalt-α-Diimine Complexes toward Valence Tautomerism.

Valence tautomerism (VT) and spin crossover (SCO) are promising avenues for developing a range of molecular materials for sensing, memory, and optoelectronic applications. However, these phenomena arise only when specific metal-ligand combinations are employed. The underexplored combination of cobalt(II/III) paired with bis((aryl)imino)acenapthene (Ar-BIAN) ligands, which can exist as neutral Ar-BIAN0 (L0), monoanionic radical Ar-BIAN•- (L•-), and dianionic Ar-BIAN2- (L2-) forms, has potential to afford both VT and SCO. Aiming to develop a new family of switchable molecules, we systematically explored a dual-tuning approach by varying the redox state and aryl substituents in a series of homoleptic [Co(Ar-BIAN)3]n+ complexes (Ar = Ph, n = 2 (12+), 1 (1+), 0 (1); Ar = 3,5-CF3-Ph, n = 0 (2); Ar = 4-MeO-Ph, n = 2 (32+), 0 (3)). As a prelude to synthetic and experimental studies, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to explore the structure and relative energies of the different electronic forms of each complex, comprising different cobalt oxidation and spin states and different ligand oxidation states. Except for compound 3, DFT identified a HS-CoII-L0 containing ground state for all complexes, precluding thermally induced SCO or VT. For 3, calculations suggested a possible thermally accessible LS-CoIII-(L•-)3 ⇌ HS-CoII-(L•-)2(L0) VT interconversion. Experimentally, structural and magnetic data reveal a HS-CoII-L0 containing ground state for all six compounds in the solid state, including 3, discounting thermally induced VT or SCO. In solution, electrochemical and spectroscopic analysis also indicate that all compounds exist as the HS-CoII-L0-containing electromer at 298 K. Intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) bands observed for neutral 1, 2, and 3 at room temperature suggest the mixed-valence HS-CoII-(L•-)2(L0) charge distribution. However, cooling 3 to 243 K in acetonitrile uniquely affords a substantial reduction in the intensity of this IVCT band, consistent with thermally induced VT interconversion to the LS-CoIII-(L•-)3 ground state as predicted by DFT calculations. This study emphasizes the utility of computationally guided molecular design for complicated systems with redox activity at the metal and multiple ligands, thus opening new avenues for tuning electronic structure and developing new families of switchable molecules.

A Convenient DFT-Based Strategy for Predicting Transition Temperatures of Valence Tautomeric Molecular Switches.

The ability to identify promising candidate switchable molecules computationally, prior to synthesis, represents a considerable advance in the development of switchable molecular materials. Even more useful would be the possibility of predicting the switching temperature. Cobalt-dioxolene complexes can exhibit thermally induced valence tautomeric switching between low-spin CoIII-catecholate and high-spin CoII-semiquinonate forms, where the half-temperature (T1/2) is the temperature at which there are equal amounts of the two tautomers. We report the first simple computational strategy for accurately predicting T1/2 values for valence tautomeric complexes. Dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT) methods have been applied to the [Co(dbdiox)(dbsq)(N2L)] (dbdiox/dbsq•- = 3,5-di-tert-butyldioxolene/semiquinonate; N2L = diimine) family of valence tautomeric complexes, including the newly reported [Co(dbdiox)(dbsq)(MeO-bpy)] (1) (MeO-bpy = 4,4'-dimethoxy-2,2'-bipyridine). The DFT strategy has been thoroughly benchmarked to experimental data, affording highly accurate spin-distributions and an excellent energy match between experimental and calculated spin-states. Detailed orbital analysis of the [Co(dbdiox)(dbsq)(N2L)] complexes has revealed that the diimine ligand tunes the T1/2 value primarily through π-acceptance. We have established an excellent correlation between experimental T1/2(toluene) values for [Co(dbdiox)(dbsq)(N2L)] complexes and the calculated lowest unoccupied molecular orbital energy of the corresponding diimine ligand. The model affords accurate T1/2(toluene) values for [Co(dbdiox)(dbsq)(N2L)] complexes, with an average error of only 3.7%. This quantitative and simple DFT strategy allows experimentalists to not only rapidly identify proposed VT complexes but also predict the transition temperature. This study lays the groundwork for future in silico screening of candidate switchable molecules prior to experimental investigation, with associated time, cost, and environmental benefits.

Understanding the Origin of One- or Two-Step Valence Tautomeric Transitions in Bis(dioxolene)-Bridged Dinuclear Cobalt Complexes.

Valence tautomerism (VT) involves a reversible stimulated intramolecular electron transfer between a redox-active ligand and redox-active metal. Bis(dioxolene)-bridged dinuclear cobalt compounds provide an avenue toward controlled two-step VT interconversions of the form {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} ⇌ {CoIII-cat-SQ-CoII}⇌{CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} (cat2- = catecholate, SQ•- = semiquinonate). Design flexibility for dinuclear VT complexes confers an advantage over two-step spin crossover complexes for future applications in devices or materials. The four dinuclear cobalt complexes in this study are bridged by deprotonated 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-5,5',6,6'-tetraol (spiroH4) or 3,3,3',3'-tetramethyl-1,1'-spirobi(indan)-4,4',7,7'-tetrabromo-5,5',6,6'-tetraol (Br4spiroH4) with Mentpa ancillary ligands (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, n = 0-3 corresponds to methylation of the 6-position of the pyridine rings). Complementary structural, magnetic, spectroscopic, and density functional theory (DFT) computational studies reveal different electronic structures and VT behavior for the four cobalt complexes; one-step one-electron partial VT, two-step VT, incomplete VT, and temperature-invariant {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} states are observed. Electrochemistry, DFT calculations, and the study of a mixed-valence {ZnII-cat-SQ-ZnII} analog have allowed elucidation of thermodynamic parameters governing the one- and two-step VT behavior. The VT transition profile is rationalized by (1) the degree of electronic communication within the bis(dioxolene) ligand and (2) the matching of cobalt and dioxolene redox potentials. This work establishes a clear path to the next generation of two-step VT complexes through incorporation of mixed-valence class II and class II-III bis(dioxolene) bridging ligands with sufficiently weak intramolecular coupling.

DFT Prediction and Experimental Investigation of Valence Tautomerism in Cobalt-Dioxolene Complexes.

The family of complexes of general formula [Co(Me ntpa)(Xdiox)]+ (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, n = 0-3 corresponds to successive methylation of the 6-position of the pyridine rings; X = Br4, Cl4, H4, 3,5-Me2, 3,5- tBu2; diox = dioxolene) was investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations to predict the likelihood of valence tautomerism (VT). The OPBE functional with relativistic and solvent corrections allowed accurate reproduction of trends in spin-state energetics, affording the prediction of VT in complex [Co(Me3tpa)(Br4diox)]+ (1+). One-electron oxidation of neutral precursor [CoII(Me3tpa)(Br4cat)] (1) enabled isolation of target compounds 1(PF6) and 1(BPh4). Solution variable-temperature UV-vis absorption and Evans method magnetic susceptibility data confirm DFT predictions that 1+ exists in a temperature-dependent valence tautomeric equilibrium between low-spin Co(III)-catecholate and high-spin Co(II)-semiquinonate forms. The solution VT transition temperature of 1+ is solvent-tunable with critical temperatures in the range of 291-359 K for the solvents measured. Solid-state magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1(PF6) and 1(BPh4) reveal the onset of VT transitions above room temperature.

Slow Magnetic Relaxation in Lanthanoid Crown Ether Complexes: Interplay of Raman and Anomalous Phonon Bottleneck Processes.

The combination of lanthanoid nitrates with 18-crown-6 (18-c-6) and tetrahalocatecholate (X4 Cat2- , X=Cl, Br) ligands has afforded two compound series [Ln(18-c-6)(X4 Cat)(NO3 )]⋅MeCN (X=Cl, 1-Ln; X=Br, 2-Ln; Ln=La, Ce, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy). The 18-c-6 ligands occupy equatorial positions of a distorted sphenocorona geometry, whereas the charged ligands occupy the axial positions. The analogues of both series with Ln=Ce, Nd, Tb and Dy exhibit out-of-phase ac magnetic susceptibility signals in the presence of an applied magnetic field, indicative of slow magnetization relaxation. When diluted into a diamagnetic La host to reduce dipolar interactions, the Dy analogue exhibits slow relaxation up to 20 K in the absence of an applied dc field. Concerted magnetic measurements, EPR spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations have allowed elucidation of the mechanisms responsible for slow magnetic relaxation. A consistent approach has been applied to quantitatively model the relaxation data for different lanthanoid analogues, suggesting that the spin dynamics are governed by Raman processes at higher temperatures, transitioning to a dominant phonon bottleneck process as the temperature is decreased, with an observed T-6 rather than the usual T-2 dependence (T is temperature). This anomalous thermal dependence of the phonon bottleneck relaxation is consistent with anharmonic effects in the lattice dynamics, which was predicted by Van Vleck more than 70 years ago.

Magnetic Excitations in Polyoxotungstate-Supported Lanthanoid Single-Molecule Magnets: An Inelastic Neutron Scattering and ab Initio Study.

Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) has been used to investigate the crystal field (CF) magnetic excitations of the analogs of the most representative lanthanoid-polyoxometalate single-molecule magnet family: Na9[Ln(W5O18)2] (Ln = Nd, Tb, Ho, Er). Ab initio complete active space self-consistent field/restricted active space state interaction calculations, extended also to the Dy analog, show good agreement with the experimentally determined low-lying CF levels, with accuracy better in most cases than that reported for approaches based only on simultaneous fitting to CF models of magnetic or spectroscopic data for isostructural Ln families. In this work we demonstrate the power of a combined spectroscopic and computational approach. Inelastic neutron scattering has provided direct access to CF levels, which together with the magnetometry data, were employed to benchmark the ab initio results. The ab initio determined wave functions corresponding to the CF levels were in turn employed to assign the INS transitions allowed by selection rules and interpret the observed relative intensities of the INS peaks. Ultimately, we have been able to establish the relationship between the wave function composition of the CF split LnIII ground multiplets and the experimentally measured magnetic and spectroscopic properties for the various analogs of the Na9[Ln(W5O18)2] family.

Valence Tautomerism in One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers.

The combination of the divergent bis-pyridyl linking ligands 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (1,2-bpe), 4,4'-trans-azopyridine (azpy), and 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (1,3-bpp) with cobalt and 3,5-di-tert-butyldioxolene (3,5-dbdiox) ligands has afforded the complexes [Co(3,5-dbdiox)2(1,2-bpe)]∞ (1), [Co(3,5-dbdiox)2(azpy)]∞ (2), [trans-Co(3,5-dbdiox)2(1,3-bpp)]∞ (3a), and [cis-Co(3,5-dbdiox)2(1,3-bpp)]∞ (3b). All species are 1D coordination polymers that crystallize as solvated forms; the geometric isomers 3a,b cocrystallize. Complexes 1, 2, and 3a exhibit around the Co centers a trans disposition of the N-donor atoms from the pyridyl linkers, while an unusual cis disposition is evident in 3b. Single-crystal X-ray structural analysis at 100 or 130 K of solvated forms of these complexes indicates that all complexes possess the {Co(III)(3,5-dbcat)(3,5-dbsq)} (3,5-dbcat = 3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate; 3,5-dbsq = 3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonate) charge distribution at the temperature of data collection. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility studies reveal that 1, 1·1.5MeCN·2H2O, 2·2EtOH, and 3·MeCN·H2O (3 = 3a·3b) all exhibit thermally induced valence tautomeric (VT) transitions above 200 K. Multiple heating and cooling cycles indicate that in some cases the behavior is strongly dependent on desolvation processes. Most notably, further desolvation of 1·1.5MeCN·2H2O above 340 K affords χmT values that suggest unusual ferromagnetic coupling in the {hs-Co(II)(3,5-dbsq)2} valence tautomer. Compound 3·MeCN·H2O exhibits a two-step VT transition that may be ascribed to the presence of the cis and trans geometric isomers. Compounds 1, 1·1.5MeCN·2H2O, 2·2EtOH, and 3·MeCN·H2O all also exhibit a single photoinduced VT transition, comparable to those generally observed for nonpolymeric cobalt-dioxolene complexes.

Carbonate-Bridged Lanthanoid Triangles: Single-Molecule Magnet Behavior, Inelastic Neutron Scattering, and Ab Initio Studies.

Optimization of literature synthetic procedures has afforded, in moderate yield, homogeneous and crystalline samples of the five analogues Na11[{RE(OH2)}3CO3(PW9O34)2] (1-RE; RE = Y, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er). Phase-transfer methods have allowed isolation of the mixed salts (Et4N)9Na2[{RE(OH2)}3CO3(PW9O34)2] (2-RE; RE = Y and Er). The isostructural polyanions in these compounds are comprised of a triangular arrangement of trivalent rare-earth ions bridged by a µ3-carbonate ligand and sandwiched between two trilacunary Keggin {PW9O34} polyoxometalate ligands. Alternating-current (ac) magnetic susceptibility studies of 1-Dy, 1-Er, and 2-Er reveal the onset of frequency dependence for the out-of-phase susceptibility in the presence of an applied magnetic field at the lowest measured temperatures. Inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectra of 1-Ho and 1-Er exhibit transitions between the lowest-lying crystal-field (CF) split states of the respective J = 8 and (15)/2 ground-state spin-orbit multiplets of the Ho(III) and Er(III) ions. Complementary ab initio calculations performed for these two analogues allow excellent reproduction of the experimental magnetic susceptibility and low-temperature magnetization data and are in reasonable agreement with the experimental INS data. The ab initio calculations reveal that the slight difference in coordination environments of the three Ln(III) ions in each complex gives rise to differences in the CF splitting that are not insignificant. This theoretical result is consistent with the observation of multiple relaxation processes by ac magnetic susceptibility and the broadness of the measured INS peaks. The ab initio calculations also indicate substantial mixing of the MJ contributions to the CF split energy levels of each Ln(III) ion. Calculations indicate that the CF ground states of the Ho(III) centers in 1-Ho are predominantly comprised of contributions from small MJ, while those of the Er(III) centers in 1-Er are predominantly comprised of contributions from large MJ, giving rise to slow magnetic relaxation. Although no direct evidence for intramolecular RE···RE magnetic coupling is observed in either magnetic or INS studies, on the basis of the ab initio calculations, we find noncollinear magnetic axes in 1-Er that are coplanar with the erbium triangle and radially arranged with respect to the triangle's centroid; thus, we argue that the absence of magnetic coupling in this system arises from dipolar and antiferromagnetic superexchange interactions that cancel each other out.

Mixed-Metal Hybrid Polyoxometalates with Amino Acid Ligands: Electronic Versatility and Solution Properties.

Eight new members of a family of mixed-metal (Mo,W) polyoxometalates (POMs) with amino acid ligands have been synthesized and investigated in the solid state and solution using multiple physical techniques. While the peripheral POM structural framework is conserved, the different analogues vary in nuclearity of the central metal-oxo core, overall redox state, metal composition, and identity of the zwitterionic α-amino acid ligands. Structural investigations reveal site-selective substitution of Mo for W, with a strong preference for Mo to occupy the central metal-oxo core. This core structural unit is a closed tetrametallic loop in the blue reduced species and an open trimetallic loop in the colorless oxidized analogues. Density functional theory calculations suggest the core as the favored site of reduction and reveal that the corresponding molecular orbital is much lower in energy for a tetra- versus trimetallic core. The reduced species are diamagnetic, each with a pair of strongly antiferromagnetically coupled MoV centers in the tetrametallic core, while in the oxidized complexes all Mo is hexavalent. Solution small-angle X-ray scattering and circular dichroism (CD) studies indicate that the hybrid POM is stable in aqueous solution on a time scale of days within defined concentration and pH ranges, with the stability enhanced by the presence of excess amino acid. The CD experiments also reveal that the amino acid ligands readily exchange with other α-amino acids, and it is possible to isolate the products of amino acid exchange, confirming retention of the POM framework. Cyclic voltammograms of the reduced species exhibit an irreversible oxidation process at relatively low potential, but an equivalent reductive process is not evident for the oxidized analogues. Despite their overall structural similarity, the oxidized and 2e-reduced hybrid POMs are not interconvertible because of the respective open- versus closed-loop arrangement in the central metal-oxo cores.

Regio- and stereoselective iodoacyloxylations of alkynes.

A new method for the regioselective and stereoselective iodoacyloxylation of alkynes has been developed. This protocol utilizes a combination of an iodobenzene dicarboxylate and iodine to functionalize a series of activated and unactivated alkynes in an entirely selective and predictable fashion. The resultant iodo-enol esters were subsequently coupled with boronic acids to afford tetrasubstituted alkene derivatives, which could be further converted to the corresponding 1,1-disubstituted acetophenone.

Modular molecules: site-selective metal substitution, photoreduction, and chirality in polyoxometalate hybrids.

The first members of a promising new family of hybrid amino acid-polyoxometalates have emerged from a search for modular functional molecules. Incorporation of glycine (Gly) or norleucine (Nle) ligands into an yttrium-tungstoarsenate structural backbone, followed by crystallization with p-methylbenzylammonium (p-MeBzNH3(+)) cations, affords (p-MeBzNH3)6K2(GlyH)[As(III)4(Y(III)W(VI)3)W(VI)44Y(III)4O159(Gly)8(H2O)14]⋅47 H2O (1) and enantiomorphs (p-MeBzNH3)15(NleH)3[As(III)4(Mo(V)2Mo(VI)2)W(VI)44Y(III)4O160(Nle)9(H2O)11][As(III)4(Mo(VI)2W(VI)2)W(VI)44Y(III)4O160(Nle)9(H2O)11] (generically designated 2: L-Nle, 2 a; D-Nle, 2 b). An intensive structural, spectroscopic, electrochemical, magnetochemical and theoretical investigation has allowed the elucidation of site-selective metal substitution and photoreduction of the tetranuclear core of the hybrid polyanions. In the solid state, markedly different crystal packing is evident for the compounds, which indicates the role of noncovalent interactions involving the amino acid ligands. In solution, mass spectrometric and small-angle X-ray scattering studies confirm maintenance of the structure of the polyanions of 2, while circular dichroism demonstrates that the chirality is also maintained. The combination of all of these features in a single modular family emphasizes the potential of such hybrid polyoxometalates to provide nanoscale molecular materials with tunable properties.

Predicting valence tautomerism in diverse cobalt-dioxolene complexes: elucidation of the role of ligands and solvent.

The ability of molecular switches to reversibly interconvert between different forms promises potential applications at the scale of single molecules up to bulk materials. One type of molecular switch comprises cobalt-dioxolene compounds that exhibit thermally-induced valence tautomerism (VT) interconversions between low spin Co(iii)-catecholate (LS-CoIII-cat) and high spin Co(ii)-semiquinonate (HS-CoII-sq) forms. Two families of these compounds have been investigated for decades but have generally been considered separately: neutral [Co(diox)(sq)(N2L)] and cationic [Co(diox)(N4L)]+ complexes (diox = generic dioxolene, N2L/N4L = bidentate/tetradentate N-donor ancillary ligand). Computational identification of promising new candidate compounds prior to experimental exploration is beneficial for environmental and cost considerations but requires a thorough understanding of the underlying thermochemical parameters that influence the switching. Herein, we report a robust approach for the analysis of both cobalt-dioxolene families, which involved a quantitative density functional theory-based study benchmarked with reliable quasi-experimental references. The best-performing M06L-D4/def2-TZVPP level of theory has subsequently been verified by the synthesis and experimental investigation of three new complexes, two of which exhibit thermally-induced VT, while the third remains in the LS-CoIII-cat form across all temperatures, in agreement with prediction. Valence tautomerism in solution is markedly solvent-dependent, but the origin of this has not been definitively established. We have extended our computational approach to elucidate the correlation of VT transition temperature with solvent stabilisation energy and change in dipole moment. This new understanding may inform the development of VT compounds for applications in soft materials including films, gels, and polymers.

Synthetic and theoretical study on novel N-ylidic complexes of mercury as new antibacterial agents.

The novel structure of Hg(II) complexes including the pyridinium ylide C5H5NCHC(O)C6H4-m-Br (Y) were synthesized and reported in this study. In the first step, the pyridinium salt C5H5NCH2C(O)C6H4-m-Br (S) was produced by reacting 2,3'-dibromoactophenone and pyridine. then, treatment of S with K2CO3 gave the related pyridinium ylide Y. Finally, the reaction of Y with HgX2 and Hg(NO3)2·H2O leads to the formation of novel binuclear [HgY2][HgX4] (X=Cl (1); X=Br (2); X=I (3)) and polymeric [HgY(NO3)2]n (4) complexes. The structure of complex 2 was also determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The obtained analyses proved the coordination through the ylidic carbon to metallic center. Additionally, Natural Bond Orbital (NBO), Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA), and EDA-NOCV studies are also used to investigate the nature of metal-ligand bonding in the complexes. Finally, the antibacterial activity of 1-4 was also examined against Gram positive and negative represented significant levels of inhibitory potency respected to used standards.

Tuning valence tautomerism in a family of dinuclear cobalt complexes incorporating a conjugated bridging bis(dioxolene) ligand with weak communication.

Valence tautomerism (VT) involves the stimulated reversible intramolecular electron transfer between a redox-active metal and ligand. Dinuclear cobalt complexes bridged by bis(dioxolene) ligands can undergo thermally-induced VT with access to {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII}, {CoIII-cat-SQ-CoII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} states (cat2- = catecholate, SQ˙- = semiquinonate, CoIII refers to low spin CoIII, CoII refers to high spin CoII). The resulting potential for two-step VT interconversions offers increased functionality over mononuclear examples. In this study, the bis(dioxolene) ligand 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxy-5,5'-dimethoxy-benzaldazine (thMH4) was paired with Mentpa (tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, n = 0-3 corresponds to methylation at 6-position of the pyridine rings) to afford [{Co(Mentpa)}2(thM)](PF6)2 (1a, n = 0; 2a, n = 2; 3a, n = 3). Structural, magnetic susceptibility and spectroscopic data show that 1a and 3a remain in the temperature invariant {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} forms in the solid state, respectively. In contrast, 2a exhibits incomplete thermally-induced VT between these two tautomeric forms via the mixed {CoIII-cat-SQ-CoII} tautomer. In solution, room temperature electronic absorption spectra are consistent with the assignments from the solid-state, with VT observed only for 2a. From electrochemistry, the proximity of the two 1e--processes for the thMn- ligand indicates weak electronic communication between the two dioxolene units, supporting the potential for a two-step VT interconversion in thMn- containing complexes. Comparison of the redox potentials of the Co and thMn- processes suggests that only 2a has these processes in sufficient proximity to afford the thermally-induced VT observed experimentally. Density functional theory calculations are consistent with the prerequisite energy ordering for a two-step transition for 2a, and temperature invariant {CoIII-cat-cat-CoIII} and {CoII-SQ-SQ-CoII} states for 1a and 3a, respectively. This work presents the third example, and the first formally conjugated example, of a bridging bis(dioxolene) ligand that can afford two-step VT in a Co complex, suggesting new possibilities towards applications based on multistep switching.

Phenotypic-Based Discovery and Exploration of a Resorufin Scaffold with Activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death by infectious disease. The long treatment regimen and the spread of drug-resistant strains of the causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) necessitates the development of new treatment options. In a phenotypic screen, nitrofuran-resorufin conjugate 1 was identified as a potent sub-micromolar inhibitor of whole cell Mtb. Complete loss of activity was observed for this compound in Mtb mutants affected in enzyme cofactor F420 biosynthesis (fbiC), suggesting that 1 undergoes prodrug activation in a manner similar to anti-tuberculosis prodrug pretomanid. Exploration of the structure-activity relationship led to the discovery of novel resorufin analogues that do not rely on the deazaflavin-dependent nitroreductase (Ddn) bioactivation pathway for their antimycobacterial activity. These analogues are of interest as they work through an alternative, currently unknown mechanism that may expand our chemical arsenal towards the treatment of this devastating disease.

Modulating the electronic properties of divalent lanthanoid complexes with subtle ligand tuning.

Five new compounds of formula [LnII(Mentpa)2](BPh4)2 (Ln = Eu, n = 0 (1-Eu), n = 2 (2-Eu) and n = 3 (3-Eu); Ln = Yb, n = 0 (1-Yb) and n = 2 (2-Yb); tpa = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine, n = 0-3 corresponds to successive methylation of the 6-position of the pyridine rings of Mentpa) have been synthesized and their structural, photophysical and electrochemical properties investigated. The LnII ions in the five complexes possess cubic coordination geometry and exhibit only small structural differences, due to the lengthening of the Ln-N bonds to accommodate the additional steric bulk associated with increasing methylation of the Mentpa ligands. Photophysical studies indicate moderate shifts in absorbance, emission and excitation bands associated with the 4f7 ↔ 4f65d1 (EuII) and 4f14 ↔ 4f135d1 (YbII) transitions, while electrochemistry reveals modulation of the redox potential of the LnII to LnIII oxidation. There is a strong correlation between Ln-N bond lengths and both the photophysical transition energies and metal redox-potentials, revealing how subtle ligand changes and ligand field effects can be used to modulate the electronic properties of complexes of divalent lanthanoid ions. Utilization of these insights may ultimately afford design and property tuning strategies for future functional molecular complexes based on divalent lanthanoid metals.

Utilizing the adaptive polyoxometalate [As2W19O67(H2O)](14-) to support a polynuclear lanthanoid-based single-molecule magnet.

Five members of a new family of polyoxometalate (POM)-ligated tetranuclear rare earth metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds have the general formula (HDABCO)(8)H(5)Li(8)[Ln(4)As(5)W(40)O(144)(H(2)O)(10)(gly)(2)]·25H(2)O [Ln = Gd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3), Ho (4) and Y = (5), HDABCO = monoprotonated 1,4-diazabicyclooctane, gly = glycine] and were synthesized from the preformed POM precursor [As(2)W(19)O(67)(H(2)O)](14-). The structure is comprised of two {As(2)W(19)O(68)} building blocks linked by a unit containing four rare earth ions and two additional tungsten centers, with the two glycine ligands playing a key bridging role. Two crystallographically distinct rare earth ions are present in each complex, both of which possess axially compressed, approximate square antiprismatic coordination geometry. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility profiles for 2-4 are dominated by population/depopulation of the M(J) sublevels of the relevant ground terms, and fitting of the data has afforded the ligand field parameters in each case, from which the energies of the M(J) sublevels can be calculated. Alternating current magnetic susceptibility data have revealed the onset of slow magnetic relaxation for 3, with the energy barrier to magnetization reversal determined to be 3.9(1) K. As for other lanthanoid complexes that display slow magnetic relaxation, this energy barrier is due to the splitting of the M(J) sublevels of the Dy(3+) ions such that the ground sublevel has a relatively large |M(J)| value, thereby affording Ising-type magnetic anisotropy. This complex is thus the first POM-supported polynuclear lanthanoid-based SMM. Simulation of the W-band EPR spectrum of 1 has afforded the spin Hamiltonian parameters for this species, while the X-band EPR spectrum of 3 indicates the presence of a non-negligible fourth-order transverse component of the anisotropy, which is responsible for the small effective energy barrier observed for 3 and the absence of slow magnetic relaxation for 4.