Stereoretentive formylation of (S)-proline: new application of the self-regeneration of stereo-centres (SRS) principle via chelation to cobalt(III).

In a Vilsmeier-Haack-type formylation reaction the α-(dihydroxymethyl)-(S)-prolinato complex (+)578-p-[Co(tren){(RC,SN)-Pro[CH(OH)2]O}]Cl2·2H2O (22) was produced stereoselectively (85% ee) from the (S)-prolinato complex, (+)578-p-[Co(tren){(SC,SN)-ProO}]2(H3O)2(HOEt2)(O3SCF3)7 (18). Similar reaction of the (S)-alaninato complex, (-)578-p-[Co(tren)(S-AlaO)](H3O)(O3SCF3)3 (13), produced the racemate, rac-p-[Co(tren)(Ala{CH(OH)2}O)]SO4·2H2O (17). The contrasting stereochemical outcomes of the formylation reaction with 18versus13 were ascribed to the stereogenic character of the coordinated sec. amine of the (S)-prolinate chelate in 18, which serves to uphold a chiral environment during reaction, whereas reaction intermediates derived from 13 lack this stereochemical feature. The stereoselective formylation of (S)-proline, relying on coordination to an inert metal centre, as conducted here, constitutes a novel application of the concept of Self-Regeneration of Stereocentres (SRS). The α-(hydroxymethyl)-(S)-prolinato complex, (+)578-p-[Co(tren){(RC,SN)-Pro(CH2OH)O}]Cl2·2H2O (23) resulted from borohydride reduction of 22. The molecular structures of (+)578-p-[Co(tren){(RC,SN)-Pro[CH(OH)2]O}]Cl2·2H2O (22), rac-p-[Co(tren)-(Ala{CH(OH)2}O)]I2·H2O (17) and (+)578-p-[Co(tren){(RC,SN)-Pro(CH2OH)O}]Cl2·2H2O (23) were established by X-ray crystallography.

Carbide complexes as π-acceptor ligands.

The π-accepting character of a terminal carbide complex acting as a ligand is demonstrated experimentally and corroborates earlier theoretical predictions. As a result, coordination of a terminal ruthenium carbide complex to electron-rich metal centres is shown to provide a facile and versatile route to carbide-bridged heterometallic complexes. Synthesis, reactivity, spectroscopic and structural characterization are reported for heterobimetallic systems with auxiliary metals from groups 9-11: Rh(i), Ir(i), Pd(ii), Pt(ii), Ag(i), and Au(i) coordinated by [Ru(C)Cl2(PCy3)2] (RuC). This encompasses the first example of a homoleptic carbide-ligated transition metal complex: [{(Cy3P)2Cl2RuC}2Au]+. Kinetics of substitution on Pt(ii) by RuC ranks the carbide complex as having intermediate nucleophilicity. The 13C-NMR signals from the carbide ligands are significantly more shielded in the bridged heterobimetallic complexes than in the parent terminal carbide complex. Structurally, RuC forms very shorts bonds to the heterometals, which supports the notion of the multiple bonded complex acting as a π-backbonding ligand. Reactions are reported where RuC displaces CO coordinated to Rh(i) and Ir(i). A strong trans influence exerted by RuC indicates it to be a stronger σ-donor than CO. The geometries around the carbide bridges resemble those in complexes of electron-rich metals with carbonyl or bridging nitride-complex-derived ligands, which establishes a link to other strong π-acceptor ligands.

Fluoride-bridged {Gd(III)3M(III)2} (M = Cr, Fe, Ga) molecular magnetic refrigerants.

The reaction of fac-[M(III)F3(Me3tacn)]⋅x H2O with Gd(NO3)3⋅5H2O affords a series of fluoride-bridged, trigonal bipyramidal {Gd(III)3M(III)2} (M = Cr (1), Fe (2), Ga (3)) complexes without signs of concomitant GdF3 formation, thereby demonstrating the applicability even of labile fluoride-complexes as precursors for 3d-4f systems. Molecular geometry enforces weak exchange interactions, which is rationalized computationally. This, in conjunction with a lightweight ligand sphere, gives rise to large magnetic entropy changes of 38.3 J kg(-1) K(-1) (1) and 33.1 J kg(-1) K(-1) (2) for the field change 7 T→0 T. Interestingly, the entropy change, and the magnetocaloric effect, are smaller in 2 than in 1 despite the larger spin ground state of the former secured by intramolecular Fe-Gd ferromagnetic interactions. This observation underlines the necessity of controlling not only the ground state but also close-lying excited states for successful design of molecular refrigerants.

Diazadioxa[8]circulenes: planar antiaromatic cyclooctatetraenes.

In this paper we describe a new class of antiaromatic planar cyclooctatetraenes: the diazadioxa[8]circulenes. The synthesis was achieved by means of a new acid-mediated oxidative dimerization of 3,6-dihydroxycarbazoles to yield the diazadioxa[8]circulenes in high yields. The synthetic protocol appears to be general, and is a one-pot transformation in which two C-C bonds and two C-O bonds are formed with the loss of two molecules of water. We also present a detailed characterization of the optical and electrochemical properties of this new class of stable planar cyclooctatetraenes. The properties of the diazadioxa[8]circulenes are compared with the properties of isoelectronic tetraoxa[8]circulenes and azatrioxa[8]circulenes. We discuss the antiaromatic nature of the planar central cyclooctatetraene moiety. The antiaromatic nature of the planar cyclooctatetraenes was studied by using computational methods (NICS calculations), and these calculations reveal that the central eight-membered ring has antiaromatic character.

Conversion of phenols into selenophenols: seleno Newman-Kwart rearrangement.

A 'Se'lling point: The first thermally induced OAr →SeAr migration reaction is reported, and it can be used to prepare aryl selenols in three steps from the corresponding phenols. O-aryl selenocarbamates rearrange to Se-aryl carbamates via a four-membered transition state. The aryl selenols (isolated as the diselenides) can be prepared by hydrolysis of the Se-aryl selenocarbamates.

Angular dependence of the exchange interaction in fluoride-bridged Gd(III)-Cr(III) complexes.

The observed angular variation of the magnetic exchange coupling parameter in a series of fluoride-bridged chromium(III)-gadolinium(III) complexes is explained by DFT calculations.

Azatrioxa[8]circulenes: planar anti-aromatic cyclooctatetraenes.

We describe herein the first synthesis of a new class of anti-aromatic planar cyclooctatetraenes: the azatrioxa[8]circulenes. This was achieved by treating a suitably functionalised 3,6-dihydroxycarbazole with 1,4-benzoquinones or a 1,4-naphthoquinone. We fully characterised the azatrioxa[8]circulenes by using optical, electrochemical and computational techniques as well as by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The results of a computational study (NICS) suggest that the central planar cyclooctatetraene is anti-aromatic when the molecules are in neutral or oxidised states (2+), and that the corresponding dianions are aromatic. We discuss the aromatic/anti-aromatic nature of the planar cyclooctatetraenes and compare them with the isoelectronic tetraoxa[8]circulenes.

Highly stereoselective, cobalt(III)-directed Mannich additions in water yielding α-methylamino acid products.

Highly stereoselective and rapid (<1 min) addition reactions to the imine double bond of 2-(methylimino)acetate complexes [L(4)Co(O(2)CCH=NCH(3))](2+) [L(4) = (en)(2) (7), (tren) (11)] were achieved in aqueous solution with nitromethane, ethyl 3-oxobutanoate or diethyl malonate. The molecular structures of two product complexes, rac-(Δ*-R(C)*-S(N)*)-[Co(en)(2)(O(2)CCH[CH(2)NO(2)]NHCH(3))]ZnCl(4) and rac-(Δ*-R(C)*-S(N)*)-[Co(en)(2)(O(2)CCH[CH(2)COCH(3)]NHCH(3))]ZnCl(4), were established by X-ray diffraction.

On the bromination of the dihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene photo-/thermoswitch.

BACKGROUND: The dihydroazulene (DHA)/vinylheptafulvene (VHF) system (with two cyano groups at C1) functions as a photo-/thermoswitch. Direct ionic bromination of DHA has previously furnished a regioselective route to a 7,8-dibromide, which by elimination was converted to a 7-bromo-substituted DHA. This compound has served as a central building block for functionalization of the DHA by palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions. The current work explores another bromination protocol for achieving the isomeric 3-bromo-DHA and also explores the outcome of additional bromination of this compound as well as of the known 7-bromo-DHA. RESULTS: Radical bromination on two different VHFs by using N-bromosuccinimide/benzoyl peroxide and light, followed by a ring-closure reaction generated the corresponding 3-bromo-DHAs, as confirmed in one case by X-ray crystallography. According to a (1)H NMR spectroscopic study, the ring closure of the brominated VHF seemed to occur readily under the reaction conditions. A subsequent bromination-elimination protocol provided a 3,7-dibromo-DHA. In contrast, treating the known 7-bromo-DHA with bromine generated a very labile species that was converted to a new 3,7-dibromoazulene, i.e., the fully unsaturated species. Azulenes were also found to form from brominated compounds when left standing for a long time in the solid state. Kinetics measurements reveal that the 3-bromo substituent enhances the rate of the thermal conversion of the VHF to DHA, which is opposite to the effect exerted by a bromo substituent in the seven-membered ring. CONCLUSION: Two general procedures for functionalizing the DHA core with a bromo substituent (at positions 3 and 7, respectively) are now available with the DHA as starting material.

Fluoride-bridged {Ln2Cr2} polynuclear complexes from semi-labile mer-[CrF3(py)3] and [Ln(hfac)3(H2O)2].

The trifluorido complex mer-[CrF(3)(py)(3)] (py = pyridine) reacts with 1 equiv. of [Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] and depending on the solvent forms the tetranuclear clusters [Cr(2)Ln(2)(µ-F)(4)(µ-OH)(2)(py)(4)(hfac)(6)], 1Ln, and [Cr(2)Ln(2)(µ-F)(4)F(2)(py)(6)(hfac)(6)], 2Ln, in acetonitrile and 1,2-dichloroethane, respectively (Ln = Y, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, and Er; hfacH = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone). Reaction with [Dy(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] in dichloromethane produces the dinuclear cluster [CrDy(µ-F)F(OH(2))(py)(3)(hfac)(4)], 3Dy. All the clusters feature fluoride bridges between the chromium(III) and lanthanide(III) centres. Fits of susceptibility data for 1Gd and 2Gd reveal the fluoride-mediated chromium(III)-lanthanide(III) exchange interactions to be 0.43(5) cm(-1) and 0.57(7) cm(-1), respectively (in the H = JS1· S2 convention). Heat capacity measurements on 2Gd reveal a moderate magneto-caloric effect (MCE) reaching -ΔS(m)(T) = 11.4 J kg(-1) K(-1) for ΔB(0) = 9 T → 0 T at T = 4.1 K. Out-of-phase alternating-current susceptibility (χ'') signals are observed for 1Dy, 2Dy and 2Tb, demonstrating slow relaxation of the magnetization.

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) study of a methoxide-bridged Dy(III)-Cr(III) cluster obtained by fluoride abstraction from cis-[Cr(III)F2(phen)2](+).

An isostructural series of dinuclear chromium(III)-lanthanide(III) clusters is formed by fluoride abstraction of cis-[CrF2(phen)2](+) by Ln(3+) resulting in LnF3 and methoxide-bridged Cr-Ln clusters (Ln = Nd (1), Tb (2), Dy (3)) of formula [Cr(III)(phen)2(µ-MeO)2Ln(NO3)4]·xMeOH (x = 2-2.73). In contrast to fluoride, methoxide bridges in a nonlinear fashion, which facilitates chelation. For 3, X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) provides element-specific magnetization curves that are compared to cluster magnetization and susceptibility data acquired by SQUID magnetometry. The combination of XMCD and SQUID is able to resolve very small magnetic coupling values and reveals a weak Cr(III)-Dy(III) coupling of j = -0.04(3) cm(-1). The Dy(III) ion has a ground-state Kramers doublet of mJ = ±13/2, and the first excited doublet is found to be mJ = ±11/2 at an energy of δ = 57(21) cm(-1). The Cr(III) ion exhibits a uniaxial anisotropy of DCr = -1.7(1.0) cm(-1). Further, we observe that a weak anisotropic coupling of dipolar origin is sufficient to model the data, suggesting that methoxide bridges do not play a significant role in the magnetic coupling for the present systems.

Fluoride bridges as structure-directing motifs in 3d-4f cluster chemistry.

The use of kinetically robust chromium(III) fluorido complexes as synthons for mixed 3d-4f clusters is reported. The tendency toward linear {Cr(III)-F-Ln(III)} units dictates the cluster topology. Specifically, we show that reaction of cis-[Cr(III)F(2)(NN)(2)]NO(3) (NN = 1,10-phenanthroline ("phen") or 2,2'-bipyridine ("bpy")) with Ln(NO(3))(3)·xH(2)O produces isostructural series of molecular {Ln(2)Cr(2)} squares (1-9) with linear fluoride bridges. In a parallel fashion, fac-[Cr(III)F(3)L], where L = N,N',N″-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane ("Me(3)tacn"), reacts with Nd(NO(3))(3)·6H(2)O to form a fluoride-centered penta-nuclear complex and fac-[Cr(III)F(3)L'], with L' = 1,1,1-tris-((methylamino)methylethane) ("Me(3)tame"), reacts with [Ln(hfac)(3)(H(2)O)(2)] (hfacH = 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoroacetylacetone) to yield an isostructural series of {Ln(3)Cr(2)} (10-14) trigonal bipyramids with no central ligand. The formation of the latter is accompanied by a partial solvolysis of the Cr(III) precursor but without formation of insoluble LnF(3). The magnetic properties of the gadolinium containing clusters allow quantification of fluoride-mediated, antiferromagnetic Gd-Cr exchange interactions of magnitude between 0.14 cm(-1) and 0.71 cm(-1) (H = J(12)S(1)·S(2) formalism) and vanishingly small J(Gd-Gd) of 0.06(0) cm(-1). The large spin and small anisotropy together with weak exchange interactions in the {Gd(3)Cr(2)} (11) cluster give rise to a very large magneto-caloric effect of -ΔS(m) = 28.7 J kg(-1) K(-1) (µ(0)H = 90 to 0 kOe).

Application of 204mPb perturbed angular correlation of γ-rays spectroscopy in coordination chemistry.

(204m)Pb perturbed angular correlation of γ-rays (PAC) spectroscopy has been applied successfully for the first time to detect the nuclear quadrupole interaction in a lead(II) coordination compound in a molecular crystal [tetraphenylarsonium lead(II) isomaleonitriledithiolate ([AsPh(4)](4)[Pb(2)(i-mnt)(4)])]. The recorded parameters from a powder crystalline sample are ν(Q) = 0.178(1) GHz and η = 0.970(7). The electric field gradient (EFG) was determined at the PW91/QZ4P level including relativistic effects using the two-component zeroth-order regular approximation method for both the [Pb(i-mnt)(2)](2-) monomer and the [Pb(2)(i-mnt)(4)](4-) dimer. Only the EFG for the latter compares favorably with the experimental data, indicating that the picture of this complex as a prototypical hemidirected coordination geometry with a stereochemically active lone pair on lead(II) is inadequate. Advantages and limitations of (204m)Pb PAC spectroscopy as a novel technique to elucidate the electronic and molecular structures of lead-containing complexes and biomolecules are presented.

Magnesium and nickel(II) furan-2,5-dicarboxylate.

The salts hexaaquamagnesium furan-2,5-dicarboxylate, [Mg(H(2)O)(6)](C(6)H(2)O(5)), (I), and hexaaquanickel furan-2,5-dicarboxylate, [Ni(H(2)O)(6)](C(6)H(2)O(5)), (II), provide the first crystallographic characterization of the furan-2,5-dicarboxylate dianion. Both structures exhibit extensive three-dimensional hydrogen-bonding networks between the octahedral coordinated hexaaquametal(II) ions and the dicarboxylate anions. Although the two structures are not isomorphous, they contain essentially identical two-dimensional slabs. The distinction between the structures is that these slabs are related by translation in (II), whereas adjacent slabs in (I) are reflected relative to each other by the action of a glide plane. The reflection occurs so that the local contacts between slabs are not changed, and thus the hydrogen-bond networks are identical except for the orientation of the water molecules at the interface between slabs.

Frequency-domain Fourier-transform terahertz spectroscopy of the single-molecule magnet (NEt4)[Mn2(5-Brsalen)2(MeOH)2Cr(CN)6].

We have investigated the novel single-molecule magnet (NEt(4))[Mn(2)(5-Brsalen)(2)(MeOH)(2)Cr(CN)(6)] (1; 5-Brsalen = N,N'-ethylenebis(5-bromosalicylidene)iminato anion) using spectroscopic as well as magnetization and susceptibility measurements. Frequency-domain Fourier-transform terahertz electron paramagnetic resonance (FDFT THz-EPR) based on the generation of THz radiation from a synchrotron in combination with inelastic neutron scattering (INS) allows for the discrimination between intermultiplet and intramultiplet transitions. Together with ac/dc magnetic susceptibility measurements the obtained set of data provides a complete characterization of the lowest energetic magnetic excitations. We find that the new compound 1 exhibits much weaker intermolecular interactions than found in the closely related compound: K[Mn(2)(5-Brsalen)(2)(H(2)O)(2)Cr(CN)(6)] (2). Furthermore, two phonon lines in the vicinity of the magnetic excitations are detected.

A linear single-molecule magnet based on [Ru(III)(CN)6]3-.

We report the synthesis, structure and magnetic properties of the first molecular cluster and single-molecule magnet to incorporate [Ru(III)(CN)(6)](3-). Frequency-domain Fourier-transform THz-EPR (FDFT THz-EPR) and magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate strongly anisotropic Mn-Ru exchange interactions.

Bis(tetraphenylphosphonium) tetra-cyanido-nitridochromate(V) dihydrate.

In the title compound, (C(24)H(20)P)(2)[Cr(CN)(4)(N)]·2H(2)O, the complex anion exhibits a square-based pyramidal geometry around the central Cr(V) atom, which is coordinated by a nitride ligand in the apical position and by four cyanide ligands in the equatorial plane. The chromium atom is located 0.4493 (13) Šout of the plane formed by the ligating C atoms of the cyanide ligands. The water mol-ecules of crystallization form inter-molecular O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds to the N atoms of two cyanide ligands of neighbouring complex anions, forming an infinite hydrogen-bonded chain parallel to [011] of water mol-ecules and [Cr(N)(CN)(4)](2-) anions. The terminal nitride ligands are not engaged in inter-molecular inter-actions.

Lewis acid enhanced switching of the 1,1-dicyanodihydroazulene/vinylheptafulvene photo/thermoswitch.

Mild Lewis acids enhance the rate of the thermal conversion of vinylheptafulvene (VHF) to dihydroazulene (DHA). In the absence of light, stronger Lewis acids promote the otherwise photoinduced DHA to VHF conversion.

Synthesis and X-ray crystal structure of a novel organometallic (µ3-oxido)(µ3-imido) trinuclear iridium complex.

Reaction of the organometallic aqua ion [Cp*Ir(H(2)O)(3)](2+) with tert-butyl(trimethylsilyl)amine in acetone yielded a novel trinuclear (µ(3)-oxido)(µ(3)-imido)pentamethylcyclopentadienyliridium(III) complex, [(Cp*Ir)(3)(O)(N(t)Bu)](2+). Single crystal structure analyses show the complex can be isolated both in the double salt ((t)BuNH(3))[(Cp*Ir)(3)(O)(N(t)Bu)](CF(3)SO(3))(3) (1) and in the simple triflate [(Cp*Ir)(3)(O)(N(t)Bu)](CF(3)SO(3))(2) (2). The double salt is stabilized by hydrogen bonding between the tert-butylammonium ion and the three triflate anions. It is the first time that a trinuclear (µ(3)-oxido)(µ(3)-imido) transition metal complex has been structurally characterized.