Automated iterative Csp3-C bond formation.

Fully automated synthetic chemistry would substantially change the field by providing broad on-demand access to small molecules. However, the reactions that can be run autonomously are still limited. Automating the stereospecific assembly of Csp3-C bonds would expand access to many important types of functional organic molecules1. Previously, methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA) boronates were used to orchestrate the formation of Csp2-Csp2 bonds and were effective building blocks for automating the synthesis of many small molecules2, but they are incompatible with stereospecific Csp3-Csp2 and Csp3-Csp3 bond-forming reactions3-10. Here we report that hyperconjugative and steric tuning provide a new class of tetramethyl N-methyliminodiacetic acid (TIDA) boronates that are stable to these conditions. Charge density analysis11-13 revealed that redistribution of electron density increases covalency of the N-B bond and thereby attenuates its hydrolysis. Complementary steric shielding of carbonyl π-faces decreases reactivity towards nucleophilic reagents. The unique features of the iminodiacetic acid cage2, which are essential for generalized automated synthesis, are retained by TIDA boronates. This enabled Csp3 boronate building blocks to be assembled using automated synthesis, including the preparation of natural products through automated stereospecific Csp3-Csp2 and Csp3-Csp3 bond formation. These findings will enable increasingly complex Csp3-rich small molecules to be accessed via automated assembly.

Intramolecular Hydrogen-Bond Interactions Tune Reactivity in Biomimetic Bis(µ-hydroxo)dicobalt Complexes.

Active site hydrogen-bond (H-bond) networks represent a key component by which metalloenzymes control the formation and deployment of high-valent transition metal-oxo intermediates. We report a series of dinuclear cobalt complexes that serve as structural models for the nonheme diiron enzyme family and feature a Co2(µ-OH)2 diamond core stabilized by intramolecular H-bond interactions. We define the conditions required for the kinetically controlled synthesis of these complexes: [Co2(µ-OH)2(µ-OAc)(κ1-OAc)2(pyR)4][PF6] (1R), where OAc = acetate and pyR = pyridine with para-substituent R, and we describe a homologous series of 1R in which the para-R substituent on pyridine is modulated. The solid state X-ray diffraction (XRD) structures of 1R are similar across the series, but in solution, their 1H NMR spectra reveal a linear free energy relationship (LFER) where, as R becomes increasingly electron-withdrawing, the intramolecular H-bond interaction between bridging µ-OH and κ1-acetate ligands results in increasingly "oxo-like" µ-OH bridges. Deprotonation of the bridging µ-OH results in the quantitative conversion to corresponding cubane complexes: [Co4(µ-O)4(µ3-OAc)4(pyR)4] (2R), which represent the thermodynamic sink of self-assembly. These reactions are unusually slow for rate-limiting deprotonation events, but rapid-mixing experiments reveal a 6000-fold rate acceleration on going from R = OMe to R = CN. These results suggest that we can tune reactivity by modulating the µ-OH pKa in the presence of intramolecular H-bond interactions to maintain stability as the octahedral d6 centers become increasingly acidic. Nature may similarly employ dynamic carboxylate-mediated H-bond interactions to control the reactivity of acidic transition metal-oxo intermediates.

Radical Rebound Hydroxylation Versus H-Atom Transfer in Non-Heme Iron(III)-Hydroxo Complexes: Reactivity and Structural Differentiation.

The characterization of high-valent iron centers in enzymes has been aided by synthetic model systems that mimic their reactivity or structural and spectral features. For example, the cleavage of dioxygen often produces an iron(IV)-oxo that has been characterized in a number of enzymatic and synthetic systems. In non-heme 2-oxogluterate dependent (iron-2OG) enzymes, the ferryl species abstracts an H-atom from bound substrate to produce the proposed iron(III)-hydroxo and caged substrate radical. Most iron-2OG enzymes perform a radical rebound hydroxylation at the site of the H-atom abstraction (HAA); however, recent reports have shown that certain substrates can be desaturated through the loss of a second H atom at a site adjacent to a heteroatom (N or O) for most native desaturase substrates. One proposed mechanism for the removal of the second H-atom  involves a polar-cleavage mechanism (electron transfer-proton transfer) by the iron(III)-hydroxo, as opposed to a second HAA. Herein we report the synthesis and characterization of a series of iron complexes with hydrogen bonding interactions between bound aquo or hydroxo ligands and the secondary coordination sphere in ferrous and ferric complexes. Interconversion among the iron species is accomplished by stepwise proton or electron addition or subtraction, as well as H-atom transfer (HAT). The calculated bond dissociation free energies (BDFEs) of two ferric hydroxo complexes, differentiated by their noncovalent interactions and reactivity, suggest that neither complex is capable of activating even weak C-H bonds, lending further support to the proposed mechanism for desaturation in iron-2OG desaturase enzymes. Additionally, the ferric hydroxo species are differentiated by their reactivity toward performing a radical rebound hydroxylation of triphenylmethylradical. Our findings should encourage further study of the desaturase systems that may contain unique H-bonding motifs proximal to the active site that help bias substrate desaturation over hydroxylation.

Electrochemical Studies of Selected Lanthanide and Californium Cryptates.

Efforts to quantitatively reduce CfIII → CfII in solution as well as studies of its cyclic voltammetry have been hindered by its scarcity, significant challenges associated with manipulating an unusually intense γ emitter, small reaction scales, the need for nonaqueous solvents, and its radiolytic effects on ligands and solvents. In an effort to overcome these impediments, we report on the stabilization of CfII by encapsulation in 2.2.2-cryptand and comparisons with the readily reducible lanthanides, Sm3+, Eu3+, and Yb3+. Cyclic voltammetry measurements suggest that CfIII/II displays electrochemical behavior with characteristics of both SmIII/II and YbIII/II. The °E1/2 values of -1.525 and -1.660 V (vs Fc/Fc+ in tetrahydrofuran (THF)) for [Cf(2.2.2-crypt)]3+/2+ and [Sm(2.2.2-crypt)]3+/2+, respectively, are similar. However, the ΔE values upon complexation by 2.2.2-cryptand for CfIII/II more closely parallels YbIII/II with postencapsulation shifts of 705 and 715 mV, respectively, whereas the shift of SmIII/II (520 mV) mirrors that of EuIII/II (524 mV). This suggests more structural similarities between CfII and YbII in solution than with SmII that likely originates from more similar ionic radii and local coordination environments, a supposition that is corroborated by crystallographic and extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements from other systems. Competitive-ion binding experiments between EuIII/II, SmIII/II, and YbIII/II were also performed and show less favorable binding by YbIII/II. Connectivity structures of [Ln(2.2.2-cryptand)(THF)][BPh4]2 (Ln = EuII, SmII) are reported to show the important role that THF plays in these redox reactions.

Product Distribution from Precursor Bite Angle Variation in Multitopic Alkyne Metathesis: Evidence for a Putative Kinetic Bottleneck.

In the dynamic synthesis of covalent organic frameworks and molecular cages, the typical synthetic approach involves heuristic methods of discovery. While this approach has yielded many remarkable products, the ability to predict the structural outcome of subjecting a multitopic precursor to dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC) remains a challenge in the field. The synthesis of covalent organic cages is a prime example of this phenomenon, where precursors designed with the intention of affording a specific product may deviate dramatically when the DCC synthesis is attempted. As such, rational design principles are needed to accelerate discovery in cage synthesis using DCC. Herein, we test the hypothesis that precursor bite angle contributes significantly to the energy landscape and product distribution in multitopic alkyne metathesis (AM). By subjecting a series of precursors with varying bite angles to AM, we experimentally demonstrate that the product distribution, and convergence toward product formation, is strongly dependent on this geometric attribute. Surprisingly, we discovered that precursors with the ideal bite angle (60°) do not afford the most efficient pathway to the product. The systematic study reported here illustrates how seemingly minor adjustments in precursor geometry greatly affect the outcome of DCC systems. This research illustrates the importance of fine-tuning precursor geometric parameters in order to successfully realize desirable targets.

Sterically Stabilized Terminal Hydride of a Diiron Dithiolate.

The kinetically robust hydride [t-HFe2(Me2pdt)(CO)2(dppv)2]+ ([t-H1]+) (Me2pdt2- = Me2C(CH2S-)2; dppv = cis-1,2-C2H2(PPh2)2) and related derivatives were prepared with 57Fe enrichment for characterization by NMR, FT-IR, and NRVS. The experimental results were rationalized using DFT molecular modeling and spectral simulations. The spectroscopic analysis was aimed at supporting assignments of Fe-H vibrational spectra as they relate to recent measurements on [FeFe]-hydrogenase enzymes. The combination of bulky Me2pdt2- and dppv ligands stabilizes the terminal hydride with respect to its isomerization to the 5-16 kcal/mol more stable bridging hydride ([µ-H1]+) with t1/2(313.3 K) = 19.3 min. In agreement with the nOe experiments, the calculations predict that one methyl group in [t-H1]+ interacts with the hydride with a computed CH···HFe distance of 1.7 Å. Although [t-H571]+ exhibits multiple NRVS features in the 720-800 cm-1 region containing the bending Fe-H modes, the deuterated [t-D571]+ sample exhibits a unique Fe-D/CO band at ∼600 cm-1. In contrast, the NRVS spectra for [µ-H571]+ exhibit weaker bands near 670-700 cm-1 produced by the Fe-H-Fe wagging modes coupled to Me2pdt2- and dppv motions.

Quantitative Analysis of Different Formation Modes of Platinum Nanocrystals Controlled by Ligand Chemistry.

Well-defined metal nanocrystals play important roles in various fields, such as catalysis, medicine, and nanotechnology. They are often synthesized through kinetically controlled process in colloidal systems that contain metal precursors and surfactant molecules. The chemical functionality of surfactants as coordinating ligands to metal ions however remains a largely unsolved problem in this process. Understanding the metal-ligand complexation and its effect on formation kinetics at the molecular level is challenging but essential to the synthesis design of colloidal nanocrystals. Herein we report that spontaneous ligand replacement and anion exchange control the form of coordinated Pt-ligand intermediates in the system of platinum acetylacetonate [Pt(acac)2], primary aliphatic amine, and carboxylic acid ligands. The formed intermediates govern the formation mode of Pt nanocrystals, leading to either a pseudo two-step or a one-step mechanism by switching on or off an autocatalytic surface growth. This finding shows the importance of metal-ligand complexation at the prenucleation stage and represents a critical step forward for the designed synthesis of nanocrystal-based materials.

Impact of Shape Persistence on the Porosity of Molecular Cages.

Porous materials provide a plethora of technologically important applications that encompass molecular separations, catalysis, and adsorption. The majority of research in this field involves network solids constructed from multitopic constituents that, when assembled either covalently or ionically, afford macromolecular arrangements with micro- or meso-porous apertures. Recently, porous solids fabricated from discrete organic cages have garnered much interest due to their ease of handling and solution processability. Although this class of materials is a promising alternative to network solids, fundamental studies are still required to elucidate critical structure-function relationships that govern microporosity. Here, we report a systematic investigation of the effects of building block shape-persistence on the porosity of molecular cages. Alkyne metathesis and edge-specific postsynthetic modifications afforded three organic cages with alkynyl, alkenyl, and alkyl edges, respectively. Nitrogen adsorption experiments conducted on rapidly crystallized and slowly crystallized solids illustrated a general trend in porosity: alkynyl > alkenyl > alkyl. To understand the molecular-scale origin of this trend, we investigated the short and long time scale molecular motions of the molecular cages using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) and classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Our combined experimental and computational results demonstrate that the microporosity of molecular cages directly correlates with shape persistence. These findings discern fundamental molecular requirements for rationally designing porous molecular solids.

Ligand Design for Isomer-Selective Oxorhenium(V) Complex Synthesis.

Recently, N,N-trans Re(O)(LN-O)2X (LN-O = monoanionic N-O chelates; X = Cl or Br prior to being replaced by solvents or alkoxides) complexes have been found to be superior to the corresponding N,N-cis isomers in the catalytic reduction of perchlorate via oxygen atom transfer. However, reported methods for Re(O)(LN-O)2X synthesis often yield only the N,N-cis complex or a mixture of trans and cis isomers. This study reports a geometry-inspired ligand design rationale that selectively yields N,N-trans Re(O)(LN-O)2Cl complexes. Analysis of the crystal structures revealed that the dihedral angles (DAs) between the two LN-O ligands of N,N-cis Re(O)(LN-O)2Cl complexes are less than 90°, whereas the DAs in most N,N-trans complexes are greater than 90°. Variably sized alkyl groups (-Me, -CH2Ph, and -CH2Cy) were then introduced to the 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline (Hhoz) ligand to increase steric hindrance in the N,N-cis structure, and it was found that substituents as small as -Me completely eliminate the formation of N,N-cis isomers. The generality of the relationship between N,N-trans/cis isomerism and DAs is further established from a literature survey of 56 crystal structures of Re(O)(LN-O)2X, Re(O)(LO-N-N-O)X, and Tc(O)(LN-O)2X congeners. Density functional theory calculations support the general strategy of introducing ligand steric hindrance to favor synthesis of N,N-trans Re(O)(LN-O)2X and Tc(O)(LN-O)2X complexes. This study demonstrates the promise of applying rational ligand design for isomeric control of metal complex structures, providing a path forward for innovations in a number of catalytic, environmental, and biomedical applications.

Synthetic Models for Nickel-Iron Hydrogenase Featuring Redox-Active Ligands.

The nickel-iron hydrogenase enzymes efficiently and reversibly interconvert protons, electrons, and dihydrogen. These redox proteins feature iron-sulfur clusters that relay electrons to and from their active sites. Reported here are synthetic models for nickel-iron hydrogenase featuring redox-active auxiliaries that mimic the iron-sulfur cofactors. The complexes prepared are NiII(µ-H)FeIIFeII species of formula [(diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)(µ-H)Fe(CO)2(ferrocenylphosphine)]+ or NiIIFeIFeII complexes [(diphosphine)Ni(dithiolate)Fe(CO)2(ferrocenylphosphine)]+ (diphosphine = Ph2P(CH2)2PPh2 or Cy2P(CH2)2PCy2; dithiolate = -S(CH2)3S-; ferrocenylphosphine = diphenylphosphinoferrocene, diphenylphosphinomethyl(nonamethylferrocene) or 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene). The hydride species is a catalyst for hydrogen evolution, while the latter hydride-free complexes can exist in four redox states - a feature made possible by the incorporation of the ferrocenyl groups. Mixed-valent complexes of 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene have one of the phosphine groups unbound, with these species representing advanced structural models with both a redox-active moiety (the ferrocene group) and a potential proton relay (the free phosphine) proximal to a nickel-iron dithiolate.

Crystal-Packing-Driven Enrichment of Atropoisomers.

Crystal-packing forces can have a significant impact on the relative stabilities of different molecules and their conformations. The magnitude of such effects is, however, not yet well understood. Herein we show, that crystal packing can completely overrule the relative stabilities of different stereoisomers in solution. Heating of atropoisomers (i.e. "frozen-out" conformational isomers) in solution leads to complex mixtures. In contrast, solid-state heating selectively amplifies minor (<25 mole %) components of these solution-phase mixtures. We show that this heating strategy is successful for compounds with up to four rotationally hindered σ bonds, for which a single stereoisomer out of seven can be amplified selectively. Our results demonstrate that common supramolecular interactions-for example, [methyl⋅⋅⋅π] coordination and [C-H⋅⋅⋅O] hydrogen bonding-can readily invert the relative thermodynamic stabilities of different molecular conformations. These findings open up potential new avenues to control the folding of macromolecules.

Synthesis of Cycloparaphenyleneacetylene via Alkyne Metathesis: C70 Complexation and Copper-Free Triple Click Reaction.

Alkyne metathesis provided an efficient macrocyclization route to a cycloparaphenyleneacetylene derivative in high yield. The cavity size was suitably matched for C70 which was tightly bound in an induced-fit fashion. The strained alkynes enabled a copper-free, 3-fold azide-alkyne cycloaddition at 50 °C.

Configuration Control in the Synthesis of Homo- and Heteroleptic Bis(oxazolinylphenolato/thiazolinylphenolato) Chelate Ligand Complexes of Oxorhenium(V): Isomer Effect on Ancillary Ligand Exchange Dynamics and Implications for Perchlorate Reduction Catalysis.

This study develops synthetic strategies for N,N-trans and N,N-cis Re(O)(LO-N)2Cl complexes and investigates the effects of the coordination spheres and ligand structures on ancillary ligand exchange dynamics and catalytic perchlorate reduction activities of the corresponding [Re(O)(LO-N)2](+) cations. The 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline (Hhoz) and 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazoline (Hhtz) ligands are used to prepare homoleptic N,N-trans and N,N-cis isomers of both Re(O)(hoz)2Cl and Re(O)(htz)2Cl and one heteroleptic N,N-trans Re(O)(hoz)(htz)Cl. Selection of hoz/htz ligands determines the preferred isomeric coordination sphere, and the use of substituted pyridine bases with varying degrees of steric hindrance during complex synthesis controls the rate of isomer interconversion. The five corresponding [Re(O)(LO-N)2](+) cations exhibit a wide range of solvent exchange rates (1.4 to 24,000 s(-1) at 25 °C) and different LO-N movement patterns, as influenced by the coordination sphere of Re (trans/cis), the noncoordinating heteroatom on LO-N ligands (O/S), and the combination of the two LO-N ligands (homoleptic/heteroleptic). Ligand exchange dynamics also correlate with the activity of catalytic reduction of aqueous ClO4(-) by H2 when the Re(O)(LO-N)2Cl complexes are immobilized onto Pd/C. Findings from this study provide novel synthetic strategies and mechanistic insights for innovations in catalytic, environmental, and biomedical research.

Monomers, Dimers, and Helices: Complexities of Cerium and Plutonium Phenanthrolinecarboxylates.

The reaction of Ce(III) or Pu(III) with 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid (PDAH2) results in the formation of new f-element coordination complexes. In the case of cerium, Ce(PDA)(H2O)2Cl·H2O (1) or [Ce(PDAH)(PDA)]2[Ce(PDAH)(PDA)] (2) was isolated depending on the Ce/ligand ratio in the reaction. The structure of 2 is composed of two distinct substructures that are constructed from the same monomer. This monomer is composed of a Ce(III) cation bound by one PDA(2-) dianionic ligand and one PDAH(-) monoanionic ligand, both of which are tetradentate. Bridging by the carboxylate moieties leads to either [Ce(PDAH)(PDA)]2 dimers or [Ce(PDAH)(PDA)]1∞ helical chains. For plutonium, Pu(PDA)2 (3) was the only product isolated regardless of the Pu/ligand ratio employed in the reaction. During the reaction of plutonium with PDAH2, Pu(III) is oxidized to Pu(IV), generating 3. This assignment is consistent with structural metrics and the optical absorption spectrum. Ambiguity in the assignment of the oxidation state of cerium in 1 and 2 from UV-vis-near-IR spectra invoked the use of Ce L3,2-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and heat capacity measurements. These experiments support the assignment of Ce(III) in both compounds. The bond distances and coordination numbers are also consistent with these assignments. 3 contains 8-coordinate Pu(IV), whereas the cerium centers in 1 and 2 are 9- and/or 10-coordinate, which correlates with the increased size of Ce(III) versus Pu(IV). Taken together, these data provide an example of a system where the differences in the redox behavior between these f elements creates more complex chemistry with cerium than with plutonium.

Rational Synthesis of the Carbonyl(perthiolato)diiron [Fe2(S3CPh2)(CO)6] and Related Complexes.

The photochemical reaction of Fe2(S2)(CO)6 and Ph2CS affords the perthiolate Fe2(S3CPh2)(CO)6 (1) in good yield. As confirmed crystallographically, 1 contains a previously elusive perthiolate ligand. The related reaction of Fe2(S2)(CO)5-(PPh3) and Ph2CS gave Fe2(S3CPh2)(CO)5(PPh3). Although Fe3S2(CO)9 and Ph2CS failed to efficiently give Fe2(S2CPh2)(CO)6, this compound could be prepared by desulfurization of 1 using PPh3.

N-Substituted Derivatives of the Azadithiolate Cofactor from the [FeFe] Hydrogenases: Stability and Complexation.

Experiments are described that probe the stability of N-substituted derivatives of the azadithiolate cofactor recently confirmed in the [FeFe] hydrogenases (Berggren, G., et al. Nature 2013, 499, 66). Acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of bis(thioester) BnN(CH2SAc)2 gives [BnNCH2SCH2]2 rather than azadithiol BnN(CH2SH)2. Treatment of BnN(CH2SAc)2 with NaO(t)Bu generates BnN(CH2SNa)2, which was trapped with NiCl2(diphos) (diphos = 1,2-C2H4(PR2)2; R = Ph (dppe) and Cy (dcpe)) to give fully characterized complexes Ni[(SCH2)2NBn](diphos). The related N-aryl derivative Ni[(SCH2)2NC6H4Cl](diphos) was prepared analogously from 4-ClC6H4N(CH2SAc)2, NaO(t)Bu, and NiCl2(dppe). Crystallographic analysis confirmed that these rare nonbridging [adt(R)](2-) complexes feature distorted square planar Ni centers. The analogue Pd[(SCH2)2NBn](dppe) was also prepared. (31)P NMR analysis indicates that Ni[(SCH2)2NBn](dppe) has basicity comparable to typical amines. As shown by cyclic voltammetry, the couple [M[(SCH2)2NBn](dppe)](+/0) is reversible near -2.0 V versus Fc(+/0). The wave shifts to -1.78 V upon N-protonation. In the presence of CF3CO2H, Ni[(SCH2)2NBn](dppe) catalyzes hydrogen evolution at rate of 22 s(-1) in the acid-independent regime, at room temperature in CH2Cl2 solution. In contrast to the instability of RN(CH2SH)2 (R = alkyl, aryl), the dithiol of tosylamide TsN(CH2SH)2 proved sufficiently stable to allow full characterization. This dithiol reacts with Fe3(CO)12 and, in the presence of base, NiCl2(dppe) to give Fe2[(SCH2)2NTs](CO)6 and Ni[(SCH2)2NTs](dppe), respectively.

Synthesis and structural data of tetrabenzo[8]circulene.

In 1976, the first attempted synthesis of the saddle-shaped molecule [8]circulene was reported. The next 37 years produced no advancement towards the construction of this complicated molecule. But remarkably, over the last six months, a flurry of progress has been made with two groups reporting independent and strikingly different strategies for the synthesis of [8]circulene derivatives. Herein, we present a third synthetic method, in which we target tetrabenzo[8]circulene. Our approach employs a Diels-Alder reaction and a palladium-catalyzed arylation reaction as the key steps. Despite calculations describing the instability of [8]circulene, coupled with the reported instability of synthesized derivatives of the parent molecule, the addition of four fused benzenoid rings around the periphery of the molecule provides a highly stable structure. This increased stability over the parent [8]circulene was predicted by using Clar's theory of aromatic sextets and is a result of the compound becoming fully benzenoid upon incorporation of these additional rings. The synthesized compound exhibits remarkable stability under ambient conditions-even at elevated temperatures-with no signs of decomposition over several months. The solid-state structure of this compound is significantly twisted compared to the calculated structure primarily as a result of crystal-packing forces in the solid state. Despite this contortion from the lowest-energy structure, a range of structural data is presented confirming the presence of localized aromaticity in this large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

Multicopper models for the laccase active site: effect of nuclearity on electrocatalytic oxygen reduction.

Cu complexes of 2,2'-dipicolylamine (DPA) were prepared and tested as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). To study the effect of multinuclearity on the ORR, two Cu-DPA units were connected with a flexible linker, and a third metal-binding pocket was installed in the ligand framework. ORR onset potentials and the diffusion-limited current densities of di- and tricopper complexes of DPA derivatives were found to be comparable to those of the simpler Cu-DPA system. Electrochemical analyses, crystallographic data, and metal-substitution studies suggested that Cu complexes of DPA derivatives reacted with O2 via a binuclear intermolecular pathway but that the Cu center in the third binding site did not participate in the ORR process. This study highlights the viability of Cu-DPA complexes to mimic the T3-site of laccase, and serves as a guide for designing future laccase models.

Diiron Azamonothiolates via Scission of Dithiadiazacyclooctanes by Iron Carbonyls.

The reaction of Fe3(CO)12 with the dithiadiazacyclooctanes [SCH2N(R)CH2]2 affords Fe2[SCH2N(Me)CH2](CO)6 (R = Me, Bn). The methyl derivative 1Me was characterized crystallographically (Fe-Fe = 2.5702(5) Å). Its low symmetry is verified by variable temperature 13C NMR spectroscopy which revealed that the turnstile rotation of the S(CH2)Fe(CO)3 and S(NMe)Fe(CO)3 centers are subject to very different energy barriers. Although 1Me resists protonation, it readily undergoes substitution by tertiary phosphines, first at the S(CH2)Fe(CO)3 center, as verified crystallographically for Fe2[SCH2N(Me)CH2](CO)5(PPh3). Substitution by the chelating diphosphine dppe (Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2) gave Fe2[SCH2N(Me)CH2](CO)4(dppe), resulting from substitution at both the S(CH2)Fe(CO)3 and S(NMe)Fe(CO)3 sites.

A motif for infinite metal atom wires.

A new motif for infinite metal atom wires with tunable compositions and properties is developed based on the connection between metal paddlewheel and square planar complex moieties. Two infinite Pd chain compounds, [Pd4(CO)4(OAc)4Pd(acac)2] 1 and [Pd4(CO)4(TFA)4Pd(acac)2] 2, and an infinite Pd-Pt heterometallic chain compound, [Pd4(CO)4(OAc)4Pt(acac)2] 3, are identified by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In these new structures, the paddlewheel moiety is a Pd four-membered ring coordinated by bridging carboxylic ligands and µ2 carbonyl ligands. The planar moiety is either Pd(acac)2 or Pt(acac)2 (acac = acetylacetonate). These moieties are connected by metallophilic interactions. The results showed that these one-dimensional metal wire compounds have photoluminescent properties that are tunable by changing ligands and metal ions. 3 can also serve as a single source precursor for making Pd4Pt bimetallic nanostructures with precise control of metal composition.