Complexes of a Noncyclic Carbazole-based N5-donor Schiff base: Structures, Redox, EPR and Poor Activity as Hydrogen Evolution Electrocatalysts.

A new noncyclic pentadentate N5-donor Schiff-base ligand, HL2Etpyr (1,1'-(3,6-ditert-butyl-9H-carbazole-1,8-diyl)bis(N-(2-(pyridin-2-yl)ethyl)methanimine)), prepared from 1,8-diformyl-3,6-ditertbutyl-carbazole (HUtBu) and two equivalents of 2-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine, along with four tetrafluoroborate complexes, [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4), where M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, and two [CoIIL2EtPyr]·1/2[CoIIX4] complexes where X = NCS or Cl, isolated as solvates, are reported. All six complexes were structurally characterized, revealing the cations to be isostructural, with M(II) in a trigonal bipyramidal N5-donor environment. Only the Zn(II) complex is fluorescent. Cyclic voltammograms of [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4) in MeCN reveal reversible redox processes at positive potentials: 0.61 (Zn), 0.62 (Cu), 0.57 (Ni), and 0.25 V (Co), and for the cobalt complex a second quasi-reversible process occurs at 0.92 V vs Fc+/Fc. EPR data for the first oxidation product clearly demonstrate that the Zn complex undergoes a ligand centered oxidation, and support this being the case for the Ni and Cu complexes, although this is not definitively shown. After both oxidations the EPR data shows that the Co complex is best described as a low spin Co(III)-ligand radical. In the presence of 80 mM acetic acid, controlled potential electrolysis carried out on [MIIL2Etpyr](BF4) at -1.68 V in MeCN shows some electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance in the order Ni(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) - but the control, Ni(II) tetrafluoroborate, is more active than all three of the complexes.

Iron(II) spin crossover complexes of tetradentate Schiff-bases: tuning T1/2 by choice of formyl-heterocycle component.

Four new tetradentate Schiff-base ligands were prepared in situ from the 1 : 2 condensation of 1,3-diaminopropane and either 2-thiazolecarboxaldehyde (L2thiazole), 4-thiazolecarboxaldehyde (L4thiazole), 4-oxazolecarboxaldehyde (L4oxazole), or 5-bromopyridine-2-aldehyde (L5Br-pyridine), and complexed with [Fe(NCS)2(pyridine)4] to give four monometallic FeII complexes, [Fe(Lheterocycle)(NCS)2]. Structural characterisation shows the expected octahedral FeII centres in all cases, with Lheterocycle occupying the equatorial plane and the two thiocyanate ligands trans to each other, resulting in an N6 coordination sphere. Solid state magnetic measurements showed that the two complexes with the thiazole-based ligands exhibit the beginning of a spin transition above 300 K, with T1/2 = 350 K for [Fe(L4thiazole)(NCS)2] and 400 K for [Fe(L2thiazole)(NCS)2], whereas the 4-oxazole-based ligand gives [Fe(L4oxazole)(NCS)2] which remains high spin at all measured temperatures (50-400 K). Interestingly, [Fe(L5Br-pyridine)(NCS)2] crystallised as two solvent-free polymorphs: magnetic measurements on samples with both polymorphs present showed a two step SCO with an abrupt transition at T1/2 = 245 K assigned to the transition in polymorph A (as this was also seen in a sample of pure polymorph A), and a gradual transition at T1/2 = 304 K assigned to polymorph B. These findings show that the order of increasing ligand field strength for these heterocycles is 4-oxazole ≪ 5Br-pyridine < 4-thiazole < 2-thiazole.

Copper-based electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution in water.

In aqueous pH 7 phosphate buffer, during controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) at -1.10 V vs. Ag|AgCl the literature square planar copper complex, [CuIILEt]BF4 (1), forms a heterogeneous deposit on the glassy carbon working electrode (GCWE) that is a stable and effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalyst. Specifically, CPE for 20 hours using a small GCWE (A = 0.071 cm2) gave a turnover number (TON) of 364, with ongoing activity. During CPE the brownish-yellow colour of the working solution fades, and a deposit is observed on the small GCWE. Repeating this CPE experiment in a larger cell with a larger GCWE (A = 2.7 cm2), connected to a gas chromatograph, resulted in a TON of 2628 after 2.6 days, with FE = 93%, and with activity ongoing. After this CPE, the working solution had faded to nearly colourless, and visual inspection of the large GCWE showed a material had deposited on the surface. In a 'rinse and repeat test', this heterogeneous deposit was used for further CPE, in a freshly prepared working solution minus fresh catalyst, which resulted in similar ongoing HER activity to before, consistent with the surface deposited material being the active HER catalyst. EDS, PXRD and SEM analysis of this deposit shows that copper and oxygen are the main components present, most likely comprising copper and copper(I) oxide ((Cu2O)n) formed from 1. The use of 1 leads to a deposit that is more catalytically active than that formed when starting with a simple copper salt (control), likely due to it forming a more robustly attached deposit, which also enables the observed long-lived catalytic activity.

Predictable electronic tuning of FeII and RuII complexes via choice of azine: correlation of ligand pKa with Epa(MIII/II) of complex.

Five new mononuclear ruthenium(II) tris-ligated complexes have been synthesised, varying through the choice of azine in the family of 3-azinyl-4-(4-methylphenyl)-5-phenyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole ligands (Lazine): [Ru(Lpyridine)](PF6)2 (1), [Ru(Lpyridazine)](PF6)2 (2), [Ru(L4-pyrimidine)](PF6)2 (3), [Ru(Lpyrazine)](PF6)2 (4), [Ru(L2-pyrimidine)](PF6)2 (5). Three of them, 1·2MeCN·Et2O, 3·2MeCN·Et2O and 4·2MeCN, have been structurally characterised, confirming the presence of the meridional isomer, as was previously reported for the FeII analogues. Cyclic voltammetry studies, in dry CH3CN vs. Ag/0.01 M AgNO3, show that all five RuII complexes undergo a reversible RuIII/RuII process, with the midpoint potential (Em) increasing from 0.87 to 1.18 V as the azine is changed: pyridine < pyridazine < 2-pyrimidine < 4-pyrimidine < pyrazine. A strong inverse linear correlation (R2 = 0.98) is found between the RuIII/RuII redox potential and the calculated HOMO orbital energies, which is consistent with the expectation that it is easier to oxidise (lower Em) a metal ion with a higher HOMO orbital energy. The same trend was reported earlier for the family of analogous FeII complexes, albeit at lower values of Em in all cases. In addition, the ionisation potentials of the RuII complexes, as well as those of the other group 8 analogues (FeII and OsII), showed a linear relationship with Epa. As the MIII/II redox potentials of a family of complexes has been previously reported to correlate with ligand pKa values, a computational protocol to calculate, in silico, the pKa of the Lazine family of ligands was developed. A strong linear relationship was found between the readily calculated pKa of the Lazine ligand and the Epa of the MII complex, for all three families of complexes (R2 = 0.98).

Solution Spin Crossover Versus Speciation Effects: A Cautionary Tale.

Two acyclic tetradentate Schiff base ligands, HLX-OH (X = H and Br), were synthesised by 2:1 condensation of either 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde or 5-bromo-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde and 1,3-diamino-2-propanol and then used to prepare six mononuclear complexes, [FeII(HLX-OH)(NCE)2], with three different NCE co-ligands (E = BH3, Se, and S). The apparent solution spin crossover switching temperature, T1/2, of these 6 complexes, determined by Evans method NMR studies, is tuned by several factors: (a) substituent X present at the 5 position of the pyridine ring of the ligand, (b) E present in the NCE co-ligand, (c) solvent employed (P'), and (d) potentially also by speciation effects. In CD3CN, for the pair of NCE = NCBH3 complexes, when X = H, the complex is practically LS (extrapolated T1/2 ∼624 K), whereas when X = Br, it is far lower (373 K), which implies a higher field strength when X = H than when it is Br. The same trend, X = H results in a higher apparent T1/2 than X = Br, is seen for the other two pairs of complexes, with E = Se (429 > 351 K, ΔT1/2 = 78 K) or S (361 > 342 K, ΔT1/2 = 19 K). For the family of three X = Br complexes, the change of E from BH3 (373 K) to Se (351 K) to S (342 K) leads to an overall ΔT1/2(apparent) = 31 K, whereas the decreases are far more pronounced in the X = H family (BH3 ∼624 > Se 429 > S 361 K). Changing the solvent used from CD3CN to (CD3)2CO and CD3NO2, for [FeII(HLBr-OH)(NCE)2] with either E = BH3 or S, revealed excellent, and very similar, positive linear correlations (R2 = 0.99) of increasing solvent polarity index P' (from 5 to 7) with increasing apparent T1/2 of the complex (E = BH3 gave T1/2 300 < 373 < 451 K , ΔT1/2 = 151 K; E = S gave T1/2 288 < 342 < 427 K, ΔT1/2 = 147 K). Several other solvent parameters were also correlated with the apparent T1/2 of these complexes (R2 = 0.74-0.96). Excellent linear correlations (R2 = 0.99) are also obtained with the coordination ability (aTM) of the three NCE co-ligands with the apparent T1/2 in both families of compounds, [FeII(HLX-OH)(NCE)2] where X = H or Br. The 15N NMR chemical shifts of the nitrogen atom in the three NCE co-ligands (direct measurement) show modest correlations (R2 = 0.74 for LH-OH family and 0.80 for LBr-OH family) with the apparent T1/2 values of the corresponding complexes.

Quantitative Assessment of Ligand Substituent Effects on σ- and π-Contributions to Fe-N Bonds in Spin Crossover FeII Complexes.

The effect of para-substituent X on the electronic structure of sixteen tridentate 4-X-(2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl))-pyridine (bppX ) ligands and the corresponding solution spin crossover [FeII (bppX )2 ]2+ complexes is analysed further, to supply quantitative insights into the effect of X on the σ-donor and π-acceptor character of the Fe-NA (pyridine) bonds. EDA-NOCV on the sixteen LS complexes revealed that neither ΔEorb,σ+π (R2 =0.48) nor ΔEorb,π (R2 =0.31) correlated with the experimental solution T1/2 values (which are expected to reflect the ligand field imposed on the iron centre), but that ΔEorb,σ correlates well (R2 =0.82) and implies that as X changes from EDG→EWG (Electron Donating to Withdrawing Group), the ligand becomes a better σ-donor. This counter-intuitive result was further probed by Mulliken analysis of the NA atomic orbitals: NA (px ) involved in the Fe-N σ-bond vs. the perpendicular NA (pz ) employed in the ligand aromatic π-system. As X changes EDG→EWG, the electron population on NA (pz ) decreases, making it a better π-acceptor, whilst that in NA (px ) increases, making it a better σ-bond donor; both increase ligand field, and T1/2 as observed. In 2016, Halcrow, Deeth and co-workers proposed an intuitively reasonable explanation of the effect of the para-X substituents on the T1/2 values in this family of complexes, consistent with the calculated MO energy levels, that M→L π-backdonation dominates in these M-L bonds. Here the quantitative EDA-NOCV analysis of the M-L bond contributions provides a more complete, coherent and detailed picture of the relative impact of M-L σ-versus π-bonding in determining the observed T1/2 , refining the earlier interpretation and revealing the importance of the σ-bonding. Furthermore, our results are in perfect agreement with the ΔE(HS-LS) vs. σp + (X) correlation reported in their work.

Mono-copper far more active than analogous di-copper complex for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution.

The di-copper(II) analogue, [CuII2(bis-LEt)](BF4)2 (2), of the previously reported mono-copper(II) complex [CuIILEt]BF4 (1) which resulted in long lived electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), has been prepared, characterised and tested for HER. The new bis-macrocycle, bis-HLEt, was formed from two HLEt Schiff base macrocycles (prepared by 1 + 1 condensation of 2,2'-iminobisbenzaldehyde and diethylenetriamine) being connected by selective alkylation of the less sterically hindered secondary alkyl amine group (NH) of each, using α,α'-dibromo-para-xylene to form a linker between them. The desired dicopper(II) complex, [Cu2II(bis-LEt)](BF4)2·4H2O (2·4H2O), was readily prepared, as a yellowish brown solid in 82% yield. SCXRD on yellow-brown crystals of [CuII2(bis-LEt)](BF4)2·2MeCN (2·2MeCN) revealed both copper(II) centres are square planar with a very similar copper(II) coordination environment to that of square planar 1. Although dicopper(II) complex 2 is easier to reduce than the analogous monocopper(II) complex 1 in MeCN (E1/2(ΔE): 2 -1.20(0.12) V, 1 -1.39(0.09) V, vs. 0.01 M AgNO3/Ag), electrocatalytic HER testing of dicopper complex 2·4H2O, in MeCN with 80 equivalents of acetic acid, revealed it was inactive, in stark contrast to the high and ongoing activity of 1 under the same conditions. So two is definitely not better than one metal ion in this case. Rather, it may be that the presence of an NH group in the macrocycle of 1, but absent in the bis-macrocycle of 2 (due to alkylating that NH to link the two macrocycles), may be key to the HER activity seen for 1.

Correlations between ligand field Δ o, spin crossover T 1/2 and redox potential E pa in a family of five dinuclear helicates.

A family of five new bis-bidentate azole-triazole Rat ligands (1,3-bis(5-(azole)-4-isobutyl-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)benzene), varying in choice of azole (2-imidazole, 4-imidazole, 1-methyl-4-imidazole, 4-oxazole and 4-thiazole), and the corresponding family of spin-crossover (SCO) and redox active triply bridged dinuclear helicates, [FeII 2L3]4+, has been prepared and characterised. X-ray crystal structures show all five Fe(ii) helicates are low spin at 100 K. Importantly, DOSY NMR confirms the intactness of these SCO-active dinuclear helicates in D3-MeCN solution, regardless of HS fraction: γ HS(298 K) = 0-0.81. Variable temperature 1H NMR Evans and UV-vis studies reveal that the helicates are SCO-active in MeCN solution. Indeed, the choice of azole in the Rat ligand used in [Fe2L3]4+ tunes: (a) solution SCO T 1/2 from 247 to 471 K, and (b) reversible redox potential, E m(FeII/III), from 0.25 to 0.67 V for four helicates, whilst one has an irreversible redox process, E pa = 0.78 V, vs. 0.01 M AgNO3/Ag. For the four reversible redox systems, a strong correlation (R 2 = 0.99) is observed between T 1/2 and E pa. Finally, the analogous Ni(ii) helicates have been prepared to obtain Δ o, establishing: (a) the ligand field strength order of the ligands: 4-imidazole (11 420) ∼ 1-methyl-4-imidazole (11 430) < 2-imidazole (11 505) ∼ 4-oxazole (11 516) < 4-thiazole (11 804 cm-1), (b) that Δ o ([NiII 2L3]4+) strongly correlates (R 2 = 0.87) with T 1/2 ([FeII 2L3]4+), and (c) interestingly that Δ o strongly correlates (R 2 = 0.98) with E pa for the four helicates with reversible redox, so the stronger the ligand field strength, the harder it is to oxidise the Fe(ii) to Fe(iii).

Electroactive Metal Complexes Covalently Attached to Conductive PEDOT Films: A Spectroelectrochemical Study.

The successful covalent attachment, via copper(I)-catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC), of alkyne-functionalized nickel(II) and copper(II) macrocyclic complexes onto azide (N3)-functionalized poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) films on ITO-coated glass electrodes is reported. To investigate the surface attachment of the selected metal complexes, which are analogues of the cobalt-based complex previously reported to be a molecular catalyst for hydrogen evolution, first, three different PEDOT films were formed by electropolymerization of pure PEDOT or pure N3-PEDOT, and last, 1:2N3-PEDOT:PEDOT were formed by co-polymerizing a 1:4 mixture of N3-EDOT:EDOT monomers. The successful surface immobilization of the complexes on the latter two azide-functionalized films, by CuAAC, was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemistry as well as by UV-vis-NIR and resonance Raman spectroelectrochemistry. The ratio between the N3 groups, and hence, the number of surface-attached metal complexes after CuAAC functionalization, in pristine N3-PEDOT versus 1:2N3-PEDOT:PEDOT is expected to be 3:1 and seen to be 2.86:1 with a calculated surface coverage of 3.28 ± 1.04 and 1.15 ± 0.09 nmol/cm2, respectively. The conversion, to the metal complex attached films, was lower for the N3-PEDOT films (Ni 74%, Cu 76%) than for the copolymer 1:2N3-PEDOT:PEDOT films (Ni 83%, Cu 91%) due to the former being more sterically congested. The Raman and UV-vis-NIR results were simulated using density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT), respectively, and showed good agreement with the experimental data. Importantly, the spectroelectrochemical behavior of both anchored metal complexes is analogous to that of the free metal complexes in solution. This proves that PEDOT films are promising conducting scaffolds for the covalent immobilization of metal complexes, as the existing electrochromic features of the complexes are preserved on immobilization, which is important for applications in electrocatalytic proton and carbon dioxide reduction, optoelectronics, and sensing.

Di- and Tri-nuclear VIII and CrIII Complexes of Dipyridyltriazoles: Ligand Rearrangements, Mixed Valency and Ferromagnetic Coupling.

The first dinuclear and trinuclear chromium(III) and dinuclear vanadium(III) complexes of N 4-R-substituted-3,5-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4-triazole (Rdpt) ligands have been prepared by solvothermal complexations under inert atmospheres, and characterized. The reactions of CrIII and VIII with adpt (R = amino) resulted in deamination of the ligand and yielded the dinuclear doubly-triazolate bridged complexes [ V 2 III (dpt -)2Cl4] (1) and [ Cr 2 III (dpt -)2Cl4] (2). In the case of the CrIII complex 2 this bridging results in a rare example of ferromagnetic coupling for a dinuclear CrIII compound. DFT studies confirm that in 2 the ferromagnetic coupling pathways dominate over the antiferromagnetic pathways, whereas in 1 the reverse occurs, consistent with the observed overall antiferromagnetic coupling in that case. It was also found that the use of different additives in the reaction allows the nuclearity of the CrIII product to be manipulated, giving either the dinuclear system, or the first example of a trinuclear circular helicate for a Rdpt complex, [ Cr 3 III (dpt)3Cl6]·1¾MeCN·»DCM (3). Reaction of N 4 -pydpt (R = 4-pyridyl) with VIII led to an unusual shift of the pyridyl substituent from N 4 to N 1 of the triazole, forming the ligand isomer N 1 -pydpt, and giving a dinuclear doubly-triazole bridged complex, [ V 2 III ( N 1 -pydpt)2Cl6]·2MeCN (4). Reaction with CrIII results in loss of the 4-pyridyl ring and a mixture of the di- and trinuclear complexes, 2 and 3. Interestingly, partial oxidation of the VIII in dinuclear complex 4 to vanadyl VIV=O was identified by crystallographic analysis of partially oxidized single crystals, [(VIVO)0.84(VIII)1.16( N 1 -pydpt)2Cl5.16]·0.84H2O·1.16MeCN (5).

Quantitative and Chemically Intuitive Evaluation of the Nature of M-L Bonds in Paramagnetic Compounds: Application of EDA-NOCV Theory to Spin Crossover Complexes.

To improve understanding of M-L bonds in 3d transition metal complexes, analysis by energy decomposition analysis and natural orbital for chemical valence model (EDA-NOCV) is desirable as it provides a full, quantitative and chemically intuitive ab initio description of the M-L interactions. In this study, a generally applicable fragmentation and computational protocol was established and validated by using octahedral spin crossover (SCO) complexes, as the transition temperature (T1/2 ) is sensitive to subtle changes in M-L bonding. Specifically, EDA-NOCV analysis of Fe-N bonds in five [FeII (Lazine )2 (NCBH3 )2 ], in both low-spin (LS) and paramagnetic high-spin (HS) states led to: 1) development of a general, widely applicable, corrected M+L6 fragmentation, tested against a family of five LS [FeII (Lazine )3 ](BF4 )2 complexes; this confirmed that three Lazine are stronger ligands (ΔEorb,σ+π =-370 kcal mol-1 ) than 2 Lazine +2 NCBH3 (=-335 kcal mol-1 ), as observed. 2) Analysis of Fe-L bonding on LS→HS, reveals more ionic (ΔEelstat ) and less covalent (ΔEorb ) character (ΔEelstat :ΔEorb 55:45 LS→64:36 HS), mostly due to a big drop in σ (ΔEorb,σ ↓50 %; -310→-145 kcal mol-1 ), and a drop in π contributions (ΔEorb,π ↓90 %; -30→-3 kcal mol-1 ). 3) Strong correlation of observed T1/2 and ΔEorb,σ+π , for both LS and HS families (R2 =0.99 LS, R2 =0.95 HS), but no correlation of T1/2 and ΔΔEorb,σ+π (LS-HS) (R2 =0.11). Overall, this study has established and validated an EDA-NOCV protocol for M-L bonding analysis of any diamagnetic or paramagnetic, homoleptic or heteroleptic, octahedral transition metal complex. This new and widely applicable EDA-NOCV protocol holds great promise as a predictive tool.

Direct Crystallographic Observation of CO2 Captured in Zig Zag Channels of a Copper(I) Metal-Organic Framework.

Single crystal X-ray diffraction has been used to study the CO2 absorption sites in a microporous Cu-MOF, [CuI2(py-pzpypz)2(µ-CN)2]n (1) (where py-pzpypz = 4-(4-pyridyl)-2,5-dipyrazyl-pyridine), which features zigzag-shaped channels, at a range of CO2 pressures (1, 5, and 10 bar) and at two temperatures (240 and 298 K). Unlike the acetonitrile molecules in the as-synthesized MOF, 1·MeCN, the CO2 molecules in 1·nCO2 (n = 0.8, 0.7, 0.45) are preferentially centered on the vertices of each zig and zag, which allows for weak (azine) C-H···OCO interactions with the H atoms on the electron-deficient pyrazine and pyridine rings of the MOF.

Extension of Azine-Triazole Synthesis to Azole-Triazoles Reduces Ligand Field, Leading to Spin Crossover in Tris-L Fe(II).

The first examples of azole-triazole Rat ligands, bidentate L4NMeIm(3-(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-4-yl)-5-phenyl-4-(p-tolyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole) and L4SIm (4-(5-phenyl-4-(p-tolyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)thiazole), have been prepared, by extension of the general synthesis used to access many examples of azine-triazoles. The tris-L FeII complexes of the azine-triazoles are consistently low spin (LS). As intended, these new azole-triazole ligands provide lower field strengths, resulting in high-spin (HS) [FeII(L4NMeIm)3](BF4)2 (1·4H2O) and spin crossover (SCO) active [FeII(L4SIm)3](BF4)2 (2·0.5H2O). Single-crystal structure determinations revealed that at 100 K 1·solvents is HS whereas 2·solvents is LS. Solid-state variable temperature magnetic studies of air-dried crystals showed that the methylimidazole-triazole complex 1·4H2O remains HS while the thiazole-triazole complex 2·0.5H2O undergoes a two-step gradual SCO (T1/2 approximately 275 and 350 K). Variable-temperature Evans method NMR studies of 2, in five different solvents (CD3NO2, CD3CN, CD3COCD3, CD2Cl2, and CDCl3) gave T1/2 values in a relatively narrow range, 214-259 K. These T1/2 values did not correlate with the solvent polarity index P' (R2 = 0.25) but did correlate with the solvent basicity parameter SB (R2 = 0.90). Variable-temperature UV-vis studies on a golden yellow CH3CN solution of 2, with monitoring of the d-d transition at 530 nm (ε = 39 L mol-1 cm-1 at 293 K) while the solution was heated from 253 to 303 K, showed that the high-spin fraction increased from 0.51 to 0.77. Cyclic voltammetry studies in CH3CN revealed a Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox process that was reversible for 1 and irreversible for 2, with significant tuning of the Epa value: the methylimidazole-triazole complex 1 is significantly easier to oxidize (0.46 V) than the thiazole-triazole complex 2 (0.68 V; both vs 0.01 M Ag/AgNO3).

Correction: Substituents drive ligand rearrangements, giving dinuclear rather than mononuclear complexes, and tune CoII/III redox potential.

Correction for 'Substituents drive ligand rearrangements, giving dinuclear rather than mononuclear complexes, and tune CoII/III redox potential' by Fabrice N. H. Karabulut et al., Dalton Trans., 2018, 47, 11749-11759, DOI: .

Dinuclear helicate and tetranuclear cage assembly using appropriately designed ditopic triazole-azine ligands.

Four new, symmetrical, bis-bidentate ditopic Rdpt-type, Rat (R azine-triazole), ligands have been prepared, Lnpym-meta/para (n = 2 or 4), which contain bidentate n-pyrimidine/triazole binding pockets connected through an appropriate aromatic spacer, meta/para-phenyl, to enable assembly into dinuclear helicates or tetranuclear tetrahedral cages, respectively. The 3 : 2 self assembly reactions of each Lnpym-meta/para ligand with iron(ii) tetrafluoroborate gave the desired complexes, as shown by X-ray crystal structure determinations of the pair of helicates [FeII2(Lnpym-meta)3(BF4)4]·6CH3CN, with n = 2 (1·6CH3CN) or 4 (2·6CH3CN), and the pair of Td cages [FeII4(Lnpym-para)6(BF4)8]·xsolvent, with n = 2 (3·xsolvent) or 4 (4·xsolvent). Reversible FeII/III processes at Em = 0.95 ± 0.05 V vs. 0.01 M AgNO3/Ag in MeCN are a feature of 1-4, with little variation in the redox potential as a function of nuclearity, architecture or choice of n-pyrimidine isomer. In all four complexes the iron(ii) centres are low spin, despite having employed the weakest field diazines, the 2- and 4-pyrimidines, in these ditopic Rat ligands. Nevertheless this is an exciting proof of principle that Rdpt-type ligands (previously used to generate about 50 spin crossover-active complexes) can be extended into ditopic forms that are suitable for supramolecular assembly of helicates and cages.

Qualitative Guest Sensing via Iron(II) Triazole Complexes.

The pyridazine-pyridine triazole-based Rat ligand, Lpydzpy [4-(4-methylphenyl)-3-(3-pyridazinyl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1,2,4-triazole], is potentially ditopic. Nevertheless, Lpydzpy is shown herein to exclusively form mononuclear iron(II) complexes, [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCE)2]·solvent, in the presence of coordinating NCE anions (E = S or Se). Specifically, a new family of 10 mononuclear complexes, in which Lpydzpy binds in a monotopic bidentate manner, has been made: two solvent-free complexes, [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCS)2] (1) and [FeII(Lpydzpy)2(NCSe)2] (2); six solvatomorphs, 1·4CH3CN, 2·4CH3CN, 1·2.25CH3CN, 2·3CH3CN, 2·tetrahydrofuran, and 2·CHCl3; and a pair of desolvated polymorphs, 1' and 2'. Seven of them are spin crossover-active, the exceptions being 1, 2, and 2'. This is confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) for 1, 2, 1·4CH3CN, and 2·4CH3CN and is consistent with variable-temperature optical microscopy observations on single crystals of 1·4CH3CN and 2·4CH3CN and on samples of 1' and 2'. Powder XRD, thermogravimetric analysis, and solid-state magnetometry reveal that desolvated 1' and 2' are capable of absorbing and desorbing a range of volatile guests: CH3CN in both cases and also tetrahydrofuran and CHCl3 in the case of 2'.

Discrete versus Chain Assembly: Hexacyanometallate Linkers and Macrocyclic {3d-4f} Single-Molecule Magnet Building Blocks.

The self-assembly of macrocyclic tetranuclear 3d-4f single-molecule magnet (SMM) building blocks, [CuII3TbIII(LPr)(NO3)2(H2O)]NO3 (1), with K3[MIII(CN)6] linkers, where M = Fe, Cr, or Co, results in a range of discrete (monomer and dimer) and one-dimensional (1D) chain (coordination polymer) supramolecular architectures, which have been structurally and magnetically characterized. The outcome of reactions of 1 with an excess of K3[Fe(CN)6] has been probed in detail. It was found to be dependent on several factors, resulting in five distinctly different compounds, all of which have the same 1:1 ratio of [Cu3Tb(LPr)]3+ to [Fe(CN)6]3-, but which differ in structural type, solvent content, and magnetic behavior. Three are discrete complexes: monomeric {[Cu3Tb(LPr)(H2O)5][Fe(CN)6]·(H2O)3·(MeCN)]} (2) and [Cu3Tb(LPr)Fe(CN)6(H2O)4(MeCN)]·(H2O)2·(MeCN) (3) plus dimeric {[Cu3Tb(LPr)Fe(CN)6(H2O)4]·(H2O)6.75}2 (4), while two are 1D chains (coordination polymers): {[Cu3Tb(LPr) cis-Fe(CN)6(H2O)3(MeOH)]·(H2O)3.75·(MeOH)0.75} n (5) and {[Cu3Tb(LPr) trans-Fe(CN)6(H2O)4]·(H2O)5·(DMF)5]} n (6). When K3[Cr(CN)6] or K3[Co(CN)6] are used in place of K3[Fe(CN)6], a discrete dimer {[Cu3Tb(LPr)Cr(CN)6(H2O)4]·(H2O)2.75}2 (7) and a 1D chain coordination polymer {[Cu3Tb(LPr)Co(CN)6(H2O)3(MeOH)]·(H2O)4·(MeOH)} n (8) are obtained, respectively, which are isomorphous with 4 and 5, respectively. Magnetic studies reveal the paramagnetism of these compounds down to 1.8 K, except for 7, which displays an ordered antiferromagnetic ground state with metamagnetic behavior. The 1D-coordination polymers (5, 6, and 8) do not exhibit single-chain magnet properties, because of the very weak interbuilding block magnetic interactions. For chain 8, below 2.8 K, a clear nonzero out-of-phase signal is seen, similar to that seen for the building block 1, so the magnetism of 8 is governed by that of these SMM building blocks (1).

Celebrating New Zealand Chemistry.

Kia ora! This special issue of Chemistry - An Asian Journal celebrates the breadth and depth of chemistry research being carried out across the eight Universities in New Zealand as well as by some of their alumni. It also coincides with the 150th anniversary of the founding of New Zealand's first university, the University of Otago.