Asymmetrically fused polyoxometalate-silver alkynide composite cluster.

We demonstrate that an asymmetric composite cluster, [Ag25{C≡CC(CH3)3}16(CH3CN)4(P2W15Nb3O62)] (1), consisting of directly fused polyoxometalate and silver alkynide moieties can be facilely synthesized by a one-pot reaction between a Nb-substituted Dawson-type polyoxometalate, H4[α-P2W15Nb3O62](5-), and the mixture of (CH3)3CC≡CAg and CF3SO3Ag. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed the structure of 1, where Ag atoms are selectively attached to the Nb-substituted hemisphere of the pedestal Dawson anion. Its structural integrity in the solution was demonstrated by (31)P NMR spectroscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation. The latter method also unveiled the stepwise formation mechanism of 1.

Ring-shaped Re(I) multinuclear complexes with unique photofunctional properties.

We synthesized for the first time a series of emissive ring-shaped Re(I) complexes (Re-rings) with various numbers of Re(I) units and various lengths of bridge ligands. The photophysical properties of the Re-rings could be varied widely through changes in the size of the central cavity. A smaller central cavity of the Re-rings induced intramolecular π-π interactions between the ligands and consequently caused a stronger emission and a longer lifetime of the excited state. The Re-rings can function as efficient and durable photosensitizers. The combination of a trinuclear Re-ring photosensitizer with fac-[Re(bpy)(CO)3(MeCN)](+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) as a catalyst photocatalyzed CO2 reduction with the highest quantum yield of 82%.

Slow magnetic relaxation of a S = 1/2 copper(II)-substituted Keggin-type silicotungstate.

This is the first report on slow magnetic relaxation in an S = 1/2 system based on a first-row transition metal ion with the polyoxometalate skeleton [(n-C4H9)4N]4H2[SiW11O39Cu] (1). The X-band electron-spin-resonance spectrum of 1 measured at room temperature indicates that the copper ion experiences significantly reduced intermolecular interactions compared to the potassium salt and that it adopts a five-coordinated square-pyramidal coordination geometry. The AC magnetic-susceptibility measurements revealed that 1 undergoes slow magnetic relaxation in an applied static magnetic field (Hdc). The extracted spin-lattice relaxation time (92 ms at 1.8 K and Hdc = 5000 Oe) for 5% magnetically diluted 1, [(n-C4H9)4N]4H2[SiW11O39Cu0.05Zn0.95] (dil.1), is comparable to those of other potential S = 1/2 spin qubits. A relaxation-time analysis indicated that Raman spin-lattice relaxation dominates even at low temperatures in an optimized field. The extracted Raman exponent (n = 2.30) is smaller than those of other S = 1/2 complexes that carry organic ligands, which implies that the decrease in relaxation time at higher temperatures is likely to be moderate.

Dual emission from rhenium(I) complexes induced by an interligand aromatic interaction.

A series of rhenium(I) diimine complexes cis,trans-[Re(dmb)(CO)(2)(PR(1)R(2)R(3))(PR(4)R(5)R(6))](+) (dmb=4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, R(n)=phenyl or alkyl), each of which bears two phosphine ligands with various numbers of phenyl groups, has been synthesized by using the photochemical ligand-substitution reaction. Detailed studies of the structural features, not only in the crystal but also in solution, indicate that the number of phenyl groups is a crucial factor in controlling the rotational conformation of the phosphine ligands, which in turn determines the extent of the π-π interaction between the aromatic diimine ligand and the phenyl group(s). The π-π interaction strongly affected both electrochemical and photophysical properties: 1) the oxidation power of the Re complex became stronger, 2) the lifetime of the excited state became longer, and 3) the Stokes shift between the (1) MLCT absorption band and emission from the corresponding (3) MLCT excited state became smaller. In particular, the diphenyl and triphenyl phosphine had much greater influence on the properties than the monophenyl phosphine ligand. Dual emission was observed from the different rotational conformers of the complexes with an intermediate number of phenyl groups in the phosphine ligands.

Ir3Co6 and Co3Fe3 dithiolene cluster complexes: multiple metal-metal bond formation and correlation between structure and internuclear electronic communication.

π-Conjugated trinuclear iridium and cobalt dithiolenes undergo multiple metal-metal bond formation with Co(2)(CO)(8) and Fe(CO)(5), giving rise to Ir(3)Co(6) nonanuclear and Co(3)Fe(3) hexanuclear cluster complexes 5 and 6, respectively. 5 retains a planar framework and intense π conjugation across the three iridadithiolenes and the phenylene bridge, which results in intense electronic communication among the three Co(2)(CO)(5) units in reduced mixed-valent states.

Solvent-driven association and dissociation of the hydrogen-bonded protonated decavanadates.

Hydrogen-bond-assisted molecular aggregation of decavanadate anions, [H(n)V(10)O(28)]((6-n)-), in non-aqueous solutions was probed by systematic small-angle X-ray scattering and (1)H and (51)V NMR spectroscopic measurements in mixtures of acetone and 1,4-dioxane. Under acetone-rich conditions, the decavanadate anion prefers a self-associated hydrogen-bonded dimer of {[H(3)V(10)O(28)](2)}(6-), which dissociates into monomeric species as the proportion of 1,4-dioxane increases. The association/dissociation behaviors of the decavanadate anions were proven to be reversible and driven by the protophobic/protophilic nature of the solvent.

Synthesis of orthorhombic Mo-V-Sb oxide species by assembly of pentagonal Mo6O21 polyoxometalate building blocks.

Mix and match: The pentagonal [Mo(6)O(21)](n-) polyoxomolybdate building block assembles with other sources of Mo, V, and Sb ions to form an orthorhombic Mo-V-Sb oxide. The first single-crystal X-ray analysis of an orthorhombic Mo-V-based oxide, a promising catalyst for light alkane selective oxidation known as the "M1 phase", revealed the structure of the compound.

The pH dependent nuclearity variation of {Mo(154-x)}-type polyoxomolybdates and tectonic effect on their aggregations.

The pH dependence of the structures of {Mo(154-x)} mixed-valence oxomolybdate giant clusters were investigated by synchrotron X-ray diffraction of systematically prepared crystals containing [Mo138O410(OH)20(OH2)46](40-) (1), [Mo138O410(OH)20(OH2)38](40-) (2), [Mo138O406(OH)16(OH2)46](28-) (3), [Mo142O400(OH)52(OH2)38](28-) (4), [Mo142O432(OH2)58](40-) (5), [Mo148O436(OH)15(OH2)56](27-) (6), [Mo150O451(OH)5(OH2)61](35-) (7), and both [Mo150O442.5(OH)11.5(OH2)64](24.5-) and [Mo152O446(OH)20(OH2)54](28-) (8). Crystals 1, 4, and 5 contain discrete clusters while intercluster Mo-O-Mo bonds connect the clusters into chains in crystal 7, into two-dimensional networks in crystals 2 and 3, and into a three-dimensional framework structure in crystal 6. Crystal 8 contains both discrete and linearly catenated clusters: discrete {Mo150} are located between the chains of {Mo152}. Direct correlation was observed between the nuclearity of the clusters with the pH of the mother liquor. On the other hand, the geometries of extended structures do not show apparent correlation with the pH. They turned out to be governed by the tectonics of the component clusters. The pH of the mother liquor exerts influence on the extended structure through the structures of the constituent clusters.

Systematic synthesis, isolation, and photophysical properties of linear-shaped Re(I) oligomers and polymers with 2-20 units.

Systematic synthesis routes have been developed for the linear-shaped rhenium(I) oligomers and polymers bridged with bidentate phosphorus ligands, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-{Re(N--N)(CO)2-PP-}(n)Re(N--N)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (N--N = diimine, PP = bidentate phosphine, n = 0-18). These were isolated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and identified by (1)H NMR, IR, electrospray ionization Fourier transform mass spectrometry, analytical SEC, and elemental analysis. Crystal structures of [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)2, [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)2-Ph2PC[triple bond]CPPh2-Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)3 and [Re(bpy)(CO)3-Ph2PC2H4PPh2-{Re(bpy)(CO)2Ph2PC2H4PPh2-}(n)Re(bpy)(CO)3](PF6)(n+2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, n = 1, 2) were obtained, showing that they have interligand pi-pi interaction between the bpy ligand and the phenyl groups on the phosphorus ligand. All of the oligomers and polymers synthesized were emissive at room temperature in solution. For the dimers, broad emission was observed with a maximum at 523-545 nm, from the (3)MLCT excited-state of the tricarbonyl complex unit, [Re(N--N)(CO)3-PP-]. Emission from the longer oligomers and polymers with > or = 3 Re(I) units was observed at wavelengths 50-60 nm longer than those of the corresponding dimers. This fact and the emission decay results clearly show that energy transfer from the edge unit to the interior unit occurs with a rate constant of (0.9 x 10(8))-(2.5 x 10(8)) s(-1). The efficient energy transfer and the smaller exclusive volume of the longer Re(I) polymers indicated intermolecular aggregation for these polymers in an MeCN solution.

Crystallographic observation of an olefin photodimerization reaction that takes place via thermal molecular tumbling within a self-assembled host.

In situ crystallography reveals that the solid state [2 + 2] photodimerization of acenaphthylene in a coordination cage takes place smoothly without preorganizaiton of reaction centers at a preferred geometry, because the substrate tumbles thermally in the large hollow of the cage.

Novel spin transition between S = 5/2 and S = 3/2 in highly saddled iron(III) porphyrin complexes at extremely low temperatures.

A novel spin transition between S = 5/2 and S = 3/2 has been observed for the first time in five-coordinate, highly saddled iron(III) porphyrinates by EPR and SQUID measurements at extremely low temperatures.

Control over the preference for binding sites of polyoxometalates to silver ethynide clusters by surface charge modification.

A polyoxometalate-silver ethynide composite cluster, [Ag42(CO3){C≡CC(CH3)3}27(α-A-SiW9Nb3O40)2](-) (1), demonstrates that we can select the binding site of a polyoxometalate to the silver alkynide cluster by tuning the surface charge of the precursor polyoxometalate. Multidimensional and multinuclear NMR spectra revealed that 1 maintains its precise atomic connectivity in the solution.

Self-assembly of a lacunary alpha-Keggin undecatungstophosphate into a three-dimensional network linked by s-block cations.

The crystal structure of [(CH3)4N]4Na2H[alpha-PW11O39].8H2O has been determined by using the Weissenberg camera at the BL04B2 beamline of SPring-8, revealing that it contains a disorder-free lacunary [alpha-PW11O39]7- anion with one sodium cation embedded into its lacuna that links the oxometalate building blocks into a one-dimensional chain, which is then woven into a three dimensional latticework by another Na+.

Synthesis, structure and valence-trapping vs. detrapping for new trinuclear iron pentafluoro benzoate complexes: possible recognition of organic molecules by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy.

New mixed-valence trinuclear iron pentafluorobenzoate complexes were synthesized. Their valence-detrapping and/or valence-trapping phenomena were studied by (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. For [Fe3O(C6F5CO2)6(py)3]·CH2Cl2 (1), a valence-trapped state was observed at low temperatures, while the valence-detrapped state was observed at room temperature. Removal of CH2Cl2 from 1 gives the de-solvated [Fe3O(C6F5CO2)6(py)3] (2) where the valence was trapped at room temperature. The CH2Cl2-free 2 can reversibly absorb and desorb CH3CN; the process was followed by (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy by monitoring valence-trapping and valence-detrapping phenomena. Organic molecules such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, cumene, and xylene are also trapped by 2 and affect the iron valence states. However, small molecules such as H2O and CO2 do not affect the valence-trapped state of 2. Three xylene isomers trapped within the nano-void of 2 were distinguished by (57)Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy at room temperature.

Determination of α-Keggin structure of [GeW11O39Ru(III)(H2O)]5-. Reaction of [GeW11O39Ru(III)(H2O)]5- with dimethyl sulfoxide to form [GeW11O39Ru(III)(dmso)]5- and their structural characterization.

Reaction of ruthenium((III))-substituted Keggin-type germanotungstate [GeW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(H(2)O)](5-) (1) with a dimethyl sulfoxide (dmso) produced a dmso-coordinating derivative [GeW(11)O(39)Ru(III)(dmso)](5-) (2). Structural characterization of compound 2 by using cyclic voltammetry, UV-Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, (1)H-NMR spectroscopy and single crystal structure analysis (monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.461(1), b = 20.198(1), c = 18.078(1), ß = 90.426(1), Z = 4) revealed that Ru(III) was incorporated in the α-Keggin-type framework and coordinated by dmso through an Ru-S bond. The IR spectra of 1 and 2 were very similar, indicating that 1 also has an α-Keggin structure. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the incorporated Ru(III)-dmso was reversibly reduced to the Ru(II)-dmso derivative and oxidized to the Ru(IV)-dmso derivative. The redox potential in [α-XW(11)O(39)Ru(III/II)(dmso)](n-) (X = P, Ge, Si) decreased in the order of P > Ge > Si. Reaction of the complex 2 with ascorbic acid produced a one-electron-reduced compound [α-GeW(11)O(39)Ru(II)(dmso)](6-).

Benzophenones from an endophytic fungus, Graphiopsis chlorocephala, from Paeonia lactiflora cultivated in the presence of an NAD+-dependent HDAC inhibitor.

Graphiopsis chlorocephala was separated from the surface-sterilized healthy leaves of Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae) and cultivated with nicotinamide (an NAD(+)-dependent HDAC inhibitor). The culture conditions significantly enhanced secondary metabolite production in the fungus and led to the isolation of a structurally diverse set of new benzophenones, cephalanones A-F (1-6), and a known 2-(2,6-dihydroxy-4-methylbenzoyl)-6-hydroxybenzoic acid (7). The structures of 1-6 were determined from NMR data, single crystal X-ray diffraction, and chemical transformations.

Crystallization of a Keplerate-type polyoxometalate into a superposed kagome-lattice with huge channels.

Crystal structures of two Sr(2+) salts of the Keplerate-type polyoxometalate, [Mo(VI)(72)Mo(V)(60)O(372)(CH(3)COO)(30)(H(2)O)(72)](42-), have been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. One compound exhibits a superposed kagome-lattice with huge channels whose diameters measure approximately 3.0 nm, while the arrangement of the Keplerate anions in the other compound approximates to a distorted cubic close packing.

Unusual electronic structure of bis-isocyanide complexes of iron(III) porphyrinoids.

A series of isocyanide complexes, [Fe(Porphyrinoid)((t)BuNC)(2)](+), were synthesized and examined for their physicochemical properties. The molecular structure of the bis((t)BuNC) adduct of the iron(III) porphycene (1) and corrphycene (2) adopting the (d(xy))(2)(d(xz), d(yz))(3) ground state were determined for the first time. Furthermore, 1 and 2 showed unusual crossover phenomena between different electron configurations, (d(xy))(2)(d(xz), d(yz))(3) ground state and (d(xz), d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground state, by the addition of the external stimuli.

Structural diversity of new C13-polyketides produced by Chaetomium mollipilium cultivated in the presence of a NAD(+)-dependent histone deacetylase inhibitor.

Cultivation of Chaetomium mollipilium with nicotinamide, a NAD(+)-dependent HDAC inhibitor, stimulated its secondary metabolism, leading to the isolation of structurally diverse new C(13)-polyketides, mollipilin A-E (1-5) as well as two known compounds (6 and 7). Spectroscopic methods, X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis, and VCD elucidated the absolute configurations of structures 1-6, and plausible biosynthetic pathways for 1-7 were proposed based on structural relationships. Mollipilins A (1) and B (2) exhibited moderate growth inhibitory effects on HCT-116 cells.

Tenuipyrone, a novel skeletal polyketide from the entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria tenuipes, cultivated in the presence of epigenetic modifiers.

The concomitant addition of the histone deacetylase inhibitor and the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor to the culture medium of an entomopathogenic fungus, Isaria tenuipes, greatly enhanced its secondary metabolite production and led to the isolation of tenuipyrone (1), a novel polyketide with an unprecedented tetracyclic ring system bearing a spiroketal structural component, along with two known C(10)-polyketides, cephalosporolide B (2), which is a plausible biosynthetic precursor of 1, and cephalosporolide F (3).