Rapid Structure Determination of Microcrystalline Molecular Compounds Using Electron Diffraction.

Chemists of all fields currently publish about 50 000 crystal structures per year, the vast majority of which are X-ray structures. We determined two molecular structures by employing electron rather than X-ray diffraction. For this purpose, an EIGER hybrid pixel detector was fitted to a transmission electron microscope, yielding an electron diffractometer. The structure of a new methylene blue derivative was determined at 0.9 Šresolution from a crystal smaller than 1×2 µm2 . Several thousand active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) are only available as submicrocrystalline powders. To illustrate the potential of electron crystallography for the pharmaceutical industry, we also determined the structure of an API from its pill. We demonstrate that electron crystallography complements X-ray crystallography and is the technique of choice for all unsolved cases in which submicrometer-sized crystals were the limiting factor.

Structure and Bonding in Nickel-Thiolate-Iodine Charge-Transfer Complexes.

The dinuclear nickel complexes [Ni2 L(µ-O2 CR)](ClO4 ) [R=Me (4), R=OMe (6)], where L2- is a 24-membered macrocyclic N6 S2 ligand, react readily with excess I2 in MeCN solution at 4 °C to form stable mono-(I2 ) and bis-(I2 ) charge-transfer (CT) adducts of the type [Ni2 L(µ-O2 CR)(I2 )n ]+ (n=1 or 2) containing linear RS-I-I linkages. Three new CT compounds, namely, [Ni2 L(OAc)(I2 )](I2 )(I3 ) (5), [Ni2 L(O2 COMe)(I2 )](I5 )⋅MeCN (7⋅MeCN), and [Ni2 L(O2 COMe)(I2 )2 ](I5 )⋅MeCN (8⋅MeCN) as well as the triiodide salt [Ni2 L(OAc)](I3 ) (9) were synthesized and fully characterized. A common feature of the CT adducts is a polyiodide matrix, which surrounds the individual complex molecules, stabilized by secondary I⋅⋅⋅I interactions with the CT linkages. The scatter in both the RS-I (2.6 to 3.0 Å) and the I-I bond lengths (2.7 to 3.0 Å) is indicative of both a variable strength of the RS- →I2 bond and a varying degree of charge transfer. An analysis of the structural parameters was undertaken accompanied by DFT calculations to quantify the donating ability of the bridging thiolate functions and to shed more light on the bonding in this rare sort of charge-transfer complexes. The stability of the CT complexes and the results of preliminary transport measurements are also reported.

Adsorption of I2 by macrocyclic polyazadithiophenolato complexes mediated by charge-transfer interactions.

The macrocyclic complex [Ni2(L)(OAc)]ClO4 (1) adsorbs up to 17 molar equivalents (>270 wt%) of iodine, although it does not exhibit permanent porosity. Vibrational spectroscopic and crystallographic studies reveal that two I2 molecules are captured by means of thiophenolate→I2 charge-transfer interactions, which enable the diffusion and sorption of further I2 molecules in a polyiodide-like network. The efficient sorption and desorption characteristics make this material suitable for accommodation, sensing, and slow release of I2.

3D electron diffraction analysis of a novel, mechanochemically synthesized supramolecular organic framework based on tetrakis-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylmethane.

Tetrakis-4-(4-pyridyl)phenylmethane (TPPM) is a tetrahedral rigid molecule that crystallizes forming a dynamically responsive supramolecular organic framework (SOF). When exposed to different stimuli, this supramolecular network can reversibly switch from an empty to a filled solvated solid phase. This article describes a novel expanded form of a TPPM-based SOF that has been mechanochemically synthesized and whose crystal structure has been determined by 3D electron diffraction analysis using a novel electron diffractometer.

Electron crystallography and dedicated electron-diffraction instrumentation.

Electron diffraction (known also as ED, 3D ED or microED) is gaining momentum in science and industry. The application of electron diffraction in performing nano-crystallography on crystals smaller than 1 µm is a disruptive technology that is opening up fascinating new perspectives for a wide variety of compounds required in the fields of chemical, pharmaceutical and advanced materials research. Electron diffraction enables the characterization of solid compounds complementary to neutron, powder X-ray and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, as it has the unique capability to measure nanometre-sized crystals. The recent introduction of dedicated instrumentation to perform ED experiments is a key aspect of the continued growth and success of this technology. In addition to the ultra-high-speed hybrid-pixel detectors enabling ED data collection in continuous rotation mode, a high-precision goniometer and horizontal layout have been determined as essential features of an electron diffractometer, both of which are embodied in the Eldico ED-1. Four examples of data collected on an Eldico ED-1 are showcased to demonstrate the potential and advantages of a dedicated electron diffractometer, covering selected applications and challenges of electron diffraction: (i) multiple reciprocal lattices, (ii) absolute structure of a chiral compound, and (iii) R-values achieved by kinematic refinement comparable to X-ray data.

Saddles as rotational locks within shape-assisted self-assembled nanosheets.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are a key target for many applications in the modern day. Self-assembly is one approach that can bring us closer to this goal, which usually relies upon strong, directional interactions instead of covalent bonds. Control over less directional forces is more challenging and usually does not result in as well-defined materials. Explicitly incorporating topography into the design as a guiding effect to enhance the interacting forces can help to form highly ordered structures. Herein, we show the process of shape-assisted self-assembly to be consistent across a range of derivatives that highlights the restriction of rotational motion and is verified using a diverse combination of solid state analyses. A molecular curvature governed angle distribution nurtures monomers into loose columns that then arrange to form 2D structures with long-range order observed in both crystalline and soft materials. These features strengthen the idea that shape becomes an important design principle leading towards precise molecular self-assembly and the inception of new materials.

Interplay of magnetic exchange interactions and Ni-S-Ni bond angles in polynuclear nickel(II) complexes.

The ability of bridging thiophenolate groups (RS(-)) to transmit magnetic exchange interactions between paramagnetic Ni(II) ions is examined. Specific attention is paid to complexes with large Ni-SR-Ni angles. For this purpose, dinuclear [Ni(2)L(1)(mu-OAc)I(2)][I(5)] (2) and trinuclear [Ni(3)L(2)(OAc)(2)][BPh(4)](2) (3), where H(2)L(1) and H(2)L(2) represent 24-membered macrocyclic amino-thiophenol ligands, are prepared and fully characterized by IR- and UV/Vis spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, static magnetization M measurements and high-field electron spin resonance (HF-ESR). The dinuclear complex 2 has a central N(3)Ni(2)(mu-S)(2)(mu-OAc)Ni(2)N(3) core with a mean Ni-S-Ni angle of 92 degrees . The macrocycle L(2) supports a trinuclear complex 3, with distorted octahedral N(2)O(2)S(2) and N(2)O(3)S coordination environments for one central and two terminal Ni(II) ions, respectively. The Ni-S-Ni angles are at 132.8 degrees and 133.5 degrees . We find that the variation of the bond angles has a very strong impact on the magnetic properties of the Ni complexes. In the case of the Ni(2)-complex, temperature T and magnetic field B dependencies of M reveal a ferromagnetic coupling J=-29 cm(-1) between two Ni(II) ions (H=JS(1)S(2)). HF-ESR measurements yield a negative axial magnetic anisotropy (D<0) which implies a bistable (easy axis) magnetic ground state. In contrast, for the Ni(3)-complex we find an appreciable antiferromagnetic coupling J'=97 cm(-1) between the Ni(II) ions and a positive axial magnetic anisotropy (D>0) which implies an easy plane situation.

Dependence of the chemical properties of macrocyclic [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes on the basicity of the carboxylato coligands (L(2-) = macrocyclic N(6)S(2) ligand).

The dependence of the properties of mixed ligand [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes (where L(2-) represents a 24-membered macrocyclic hexaamine-dithiophenolato ligand) on the basicity of the carboxylato coligands has been examined. For this purpose 19 different [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes (2-20) incorporating carboxylates with pK(b) values in the range 9 to 14 have been prepared by the reaction of [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-Cl)](+) (1) and the respective sodium or triethylammonium carboxylates. The resulting carboxylato complexes, isolated as ClO(4)(-) or BPh(4)(-) salts, have been fully characterized by elemental analyses, IR, UV/vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The possibility of accessing the [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes by carboxylate exchange reactions has also been examined. The main findings are as follows: (i) Substitution reactions between 1 and NaO(2)CR are not affected by the basicity or the steric hindrance of the carboxylate. (ii) Complexes 2-20 form an isostructural series of bisoctahedral [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) compounds with a N(3)Ni(µ-SR)(2)(µ-O(2)CR)NiN(3) core. (iii) They are readily identified by their ν(as)(CO) and ν(s)(CO) stretching vibration bands in the ranges 1684-1576 cm(-1) and 1428-1348 cm(-1), respectively. (iv) The spin-allowed (3)A(2g) → (3)T(2g) (ν(1)) transition of the NiOS(2)N(3) chromophore is steadily red-shifted by about 7.5 nm per pK(b) unit with increasing pK(b) of the carboxylate ion. (v) The less basic the carboxylate ion, the more stable the complex. The stability difference across the series, estimated from the difference of the individual ligand field stabilization energies (LFSE), amounts to about 4.2 kJ/mol [Δ(LFSE)(2,18)]. (vi) The "second-sphere stabilization" of the nickel complexes is not reflected in the electronic absorption spectra, as these forces are aligned perpendicularly to the Ni-O bonds. (vii) Coordination of a basic carboxylate donor to the [Ni(II)(2)L](2+) fragment weakens its Ni-N and Ni-S bonds. This bond weakening is reflected in small but significant bond length changes. (viii) The [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CR)](+) complexes are relatively inert to carboxylate exchange reactions, except for the formato complex [Ni(II)(2)L(µ-O(2)CH)](+) (8), which reacts with both more and less basic carboxylato ligands.

Crystal structure solid-state cross polarization magic angle spinning 13C NMR correlation in luminescent d10 metal-organic frameworks constructed with the 1,2-Bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)ethane ligand.

Hydrothermal reactions of 1,2-bis(1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)ethane (btre) with copper(II), zinc(II), and cadmium(II) salts have yielded the dinuclear complexes [Zn2Cl4(mu2-btre)2] (1) and [Zn2Br4(mu2-btre)2] (2), the one-dimensional coordination polymer infinity1[Zn(NCS)2(2-btre)] (3), the two-dimensional networks infinity2[Cu2(mu2-Cl)2(mu4-btre)] (4), infinity2[Cu2(mu2-Br)2(mu4-btre)] (5), and infinity2{[Cd6(mu3-OH)2(mu3-SO4)4(mu4-btre)3(H2O)6](SO4).6H2O} (6), and the three-dimensional frameworks infinity3{[Cu(mu4-btre)]ClO4.0.25H2O} (7), 3{[Zn(mu4-btre)(mu2-btre)](ClO4)2} (8), infinity3{[Cd(mu4-btre)(mu2-btre)](ClO4)2} (9), and infinity3[Cu2(mu2-CN)2(mu4-btre)] (10, 2-fold 3D interpenetrated framework). The copper-containing products 4, 5, 7, and 10 contain the metal in the +1 oxidation state, from a simultaneous redox and self-assembly reaction of the Cu(II) starting materials. The cyanide-containing framework 10 has captured the CN- ions from the oxidative btre decomposition. The perchlorate frameworks 7, 8, or 9 react in an aqueous NH4+PF6- solution with formation of the related PF6--containing frameworks. The differences in the metal-btre bridging mode (mu2-kappaN1:N1', mu2-kappaN1:N2 or mu4-kappaN1:N2:N1':N2') and the btre ligand symmetry can be correlated with different signal patterns in the 13C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) NMR spectra. Compounds 2, 4, 5 and 7 to 10 exhibit fluorescence at 403-481 nm upon excitation at 270-373 nm which is not seen in the free btre ligand.

Trapping of a thiolate-->dibromine charge-transfer adduct by a macrocyclic dinickel complex and its conversion into an arenesulfenyl bromide derivative.

Stuck on sulfur: The first transition-metal complexes with S-Br units are surprisingly stable. Solid 3 is stable for at least six months and under vacuum solid 2 does not lose Br(2). The formation of the first structurally characterized transition-metal arenesulfenyl bromide complex 3 occurs with a change of the spin ground state from S = 2 to S = 0.

Triazolopyridines as ligands: structural diversity in iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 3-(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]- pyridine (L¹°) and spin crossover in [Fe(II)(L¹°)2(NCS)2].

The coordination chemistry of the ligand 3-(2-pyridyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine (L¹°) has been investigated and iron(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes featuring diverse structural motifs have been prepared. In the 2 : 1-type complexes [Co(II)(L¹°)2(MeOH)2](ClO4)2 (20), [Ni(II)(L¹°)2(MeOH)2](ClO4)2 (21), [Cu(II)(L¹°)2(MeOH)2](ClO4)2 (22), [Co(II)(L¹°)2(H2O)2](ClO4)2 (23) and [Cu(II)(L¹°)2(ClO4)2] (24) the metal centres are N4O2 octahedrally coordinated with two N²,N(pyr) bidentate ligands L¹° in the equatorial positions. In the N6 octahedral 4 : 1-type complex [Co(II)(L¹°)4](ClO4)2·H2O (25) both axially coordinating N¹ unidentate and equatorially bound N²,N(pyr) bidentate ligands L¹° are observed. The N6 octahedral 3 : 1-type complex [Fe(II)(L¹°)3](OTf)2·1.5MeCN·0.13H2O·0.87MeO(t)Bu (27) features three N²,N(pyr) bidentate ligands L¹° in the mer configuration. The two closely related N6 octahedral complexes [Fe(II)(L¹°)2(NCS)2] (29) and [Fe(II)(L¹°)2(dca)2] (30) have fundamentally different structures. While complex 29 features two equatorially bound N²,N(pyr) bidentate ligands L¹° and axial NCS⁻ co-ligands, complex 30 is a one-dimensional doubly µ1,5-dicyanamido-bridged polymer with N¹ unidentate ligands L¹° in the axial positions. Temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of the iron(II) complexes 28 and 29 have shown the 3 : 1-type complex [Fe(II)(L¹°)3](ClO4)2·H2O (28) to be in the low-spin state over the range 300-2 K and the 2 : 1-type complex 29 to be a spin crossover compound with T(1/2) = 269 K whereas the dicyanamido-bridged complex 30 remains in the high-spin state even down to 113 K, according to X-ray diffraction data. A single end-to-end bridging NCS⁻ co-ligand is found in the N4S square-pyramidal complex [Cu(II)(L¹°)(NCS)2] (31) which shows Curie-Weiss behaviour over the range 300-2 K. A brief review of the coordination chemistry of triazolopyridines is given.

Preparation and characterization of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of a hexaazadithiophenolate macrocycle.

The ligating properties of the 24-membered macrocyclic dinucleating hexaazadithiophenolate ligand (L(Me))2- towards the transition metal ions Cr(II), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) have been examined. It is demonstrated that this ligand forms an isostructural series of bioctahedral [(L(Me))M(II)2(OAc)]+ complexes with Mn(II) (2), Fe(II) (3), Co(II) (4), Ni(II) (5) and Zn(II) (6). The reaction of (L(Me))2- with two equivalents of CrCl2 and NaOAc followed by air-oxidation produced the complex [(L(Me))Cr(III)H2(OAc)]2+ (1), which is the first example for a mononuclear complex of (L(Me))2-. Complexes 2-6 contain a central N3M(II)(mu-SR)2(mu-OAc)M(II)N3 core with an exogenous acetate bridge. The Cr(III) ion in is bonded to three N and two S atoms of (L(Me))2- and an O atom of a monodentate acetate coligand. In 2-6 there is a consistent decrease in the deviations of the bond angles from the ideal octahedral values such that the coordination polyhedra in the dinickel complex 5 are more regular than in the dimanganese compound 2. The temperature dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal the magnetic exchange interactions in the [(L(Me))M(II)2(OAc)]+ cations to be relatively weak. Intramolecular antiferromagnetic exchange interactions are present in the Mn(II)2, Fe(II)2 and Co(II)2 complexes where J = -5.1, -10.6 and approximately -2.0 cm(-1) (H = -2JS1S2). In contrast, in the dinickel complex 5 a ferromagnetic exchange interaction is present with J = +6.4 cm(-1). An explanation for this difference is qualitatively discussed in terms of the bonding differences.

Preparation and characterization of mononuclear Co, Ni, and Zn complexes of dinucleating macrocyclic hexaaza-dithiophenolate ligands and their open-chain derivatives.

The preparation and characterization of mononuclear complexes of the dinucleating 24-membered hexazadithiophenolate macrocycles H2L2 and H2L3 and their open-chain N3S2 analogues H2L4 and H2L5 are reported. The highly crystalline compounds [Ni(L4)] (4), [Ni(L5)] (5), [Co(L5)] (6), [NiH2(L2)]2+ (7), [ZnH2(L2)]2+ (8), and [NiH2(L3)]2+ (9) could be readily prepared by stoichiometric complexation reactions of the hydrochlorides of the free ligands with the corresponding metal(II) dichlorides and NEt3 in methanolic solution. All complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Monometallic complexes 4-6 of the pentadentate ligands H2L4 and H2L5 feature distorted square pyramidal MN3S2 structures (tau = 0.01 to 0.44). Similar coordination geometries are observed for the macrocyclic complexes 7-9 of the octadentate ligands H2L2 and H2L3. The two hydrogen atoms in 7-9 are attached to the noncoordinating benzylic amine functions and are hydrogen bonded to the metal-bound thiophenolate functions. A comparison of the structures of 4-9 reveals that the macrocycles L2 and L3 have a rather flexible ligand backbone that do not confer unusual coordination geometries on the metal ions. We also report on the ability of the monometallic complexes 7 and 8 to serve as starting materials for the preparation of dinuclear complexes.

Zn-OH2 and Zn-OH complexes with hydroborate-derived tripod ligands: a comprehensive study.

The complete array of those hydrotris(pyrazolyl/thioimidazolyl)borate ligands that were developed and used in the author's laboratories, with N3, N2S, NS2, and S3 donor sets, was scanned for their ability to form Zn-OH2 and Zn-OH complexes. The coordination motifs found were Zn-OH2, Zn-OH, Zn-OH-Zn, and Zn-O2H3-Zn. Of these, the well-established Zn-OH motif was complemented with novel species bearing N3, NS2, and S3 tripods. The Zn-OH2 motif was observed only with pyrazolylborate ligands and only in unusual situations with coordination numbers higher than 4 for zinc. The new Zn-OH-Zn motif was realized for three different pyrazolylborates, for one NS2 tripod, and for two S3 tripods. Finally, it was verified that the Zn-O2H3-Zn motif again occurs only with pyrazolylborate ligands. The new complexes were identified by a total of 11 structure determinations.

Tris(thioimidazolyl)borate-zinc-thiolate complexes for the modeling of biological thiolate alkylations.

The S3Zn-SR coordination of thiolate-alkylating enzymes such as the Ada DNA repair protein was reproduced in tris(thioimidazolyl)borate-zinc-thiolate complexes Tti(R)Zn-SR'. Four different Tti(R) ligands and nine different thiolates were employed, yielding a total of 12 new complexes. In addition, one Tti(R)Zn-SH complex and two thiolate-bridged [Tti(R)-SEt-Tti(R)]+ complexes were obtained. A selection of six thiolate complexes was converted with methyl iodide to the corresponding methyl thioethers and Tti(R)Zn-I. According to a kinetic analysis these reactions are second-order processes, which implies that the alkylations are likely to occur at the zinc-bound thiolates. They are much faster than the alkylations of zinc thiolates with N3 or N2S tripod ligands. The most reactive thiolate, Tti(Xyl)Zn-SEt, reacts slowly with trimethyl phosphate in a nonpolar medium at room temperature, yielding methyl-ethyl-thioether and Tti(Xyl)Zn-OPO(OMe)2 which can be converted back to the thiolate complex with NaSEt. This is the closest reproduction of the Ada repair process so far.

Carboxylate and alkyl carbonate coordination at the hydrophobic binding site of redox-active dicobalt amine thiophenolate complexes.

A series of new dicobalt complexes of the permethylated macrocyclic hexaamine dithiophenolate ligand H(2)L(Me) have been prepared and investigated in the context of ligand binding and oxidation state changes. The octadentate ligand is an effective dinucleating ligand that supports the formation of bioctahedral complexes with a central N(3)Co(mu-SR)(2)(mu-X)CoN(3) core structure, leaving a free bridging position X for the coordination of the substrates. The acetato- and cinnamato-bridged complexes [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)CMe)](+) (2) and [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)CCH=CHPh)](+) (5) were prepared by reaction of the mu-Cl complex [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-Cl)](+) (1) with the corresponding sodium carboxylates in methanol. The electrochemical properties of these and of the methyl carbonate complex [(L(Me))Co(II)(2)(mu-O(2)COMe)](+) (8) were also investigated. All complexes undergo two stepwise oxidations at ca. E(1)(1/2) = +0.22 and at E(2)(1/2) = ca. +0.60 V vs SCE, affording the mixed-valent complexes [(L(Me))Co(II)Co(III)(mu-O(2)CR)](2+) (3, 6, 9) and the fully oxidized Co(III)Co(III) forms [(L(Me))Co(III)(2)(mu-O(2)CR)](3+) (4, 7, 10), respectively. Compounds 3, 6, 9 and 4, 7, 10 refer to acetato-, cinnamato-, and methylcarbonato species, respectively. The Co(II)Co(III) compounds were prepared by comproportionation of the respective Co(II)(2) and Co(III)(2) compounds. The Co(III)Co(III) species were prepared by bromine oxidation of the Co(II)Co(II) forms. The crystal structures of complexes 2.BPh(4).MeCN, 3.(I(3))(2), 5.BPh(4).2MeCN, 6.(ClO(4))(2).EtOH, 7.(ClO(4))(3).MeCN.(H(2)O)(3), and 9.(ClO(4))(2).(MeOH)(2).H(2)O were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography at 210 K. The oxidations occur without gross structural changes of the parent complexes. The Co(II)Co(III) complexes are composed of high-spin Co(II) (d(7)) and low-spin Co(III) (d(6)) ions. The Co(III)Co(III) complexes are diamagnetic. The oxidation reactions affect the binding mode of the substrates. In the Co(II)(2) and Co(II)Co(III) forms the carboxylates bridge the two Co(2+) ions in a symmetric mu-1,3 fashion with uniform C-O bond distances, whereas asymmetric bridging modes, with one short C=O and one long C-O distance, are adopted in the fully oxidized species. This is consistent with the observed shifts in vibrational frequencies for nu(as)(C-O) and nu(s)(C-O) across the series.

Realization of unusual ligand binding motifs in metalated container molecules: synthesis, structures, and magnetic properties of the complexes [(LMe)Ni2(mu-L')]n+ with L'=NO3-, NO2-, N3-, N2H4, pyridazine, phthalazine, pyrazolate, and benzoate.

A series of dinickel(II) complexes with the 24-membered macrocyclic hexaazadithiophenol ligand H(2)L(Me) was prepared and examined. The doubly deprotonated form (L(Me))(2-) forms complexes of the type [(L(Me))Ni2II(mu-L')](n+) with a bioctahedral N(3)Ni(II)(mu-SR)(2)(mu-L')Ni(II)N(3) core and an overall calixarene-like structure. The bridging coordination site L' is accessible for a wide range of exogenous coligands. In this study L'=NO(3)(-), NO(2)(-), N(3)(-), N(2)H(4), pyrazolate (pz), pyridazine (pydz), phthalazine (phtz), and benzoate (OBz). Crystallographic studies reveal that each substrate binds in a distinct fashion to the [(L(Me))Ni(2)](2+) portion: NO(2)(-), N(2)H(4), pz, pydz, and phtz form mu(1,2)-bridges, whereas NO(3)(-), N(3)(-), and OBz(-) are mu(1,3)-bridging. These distinctive binding motifs and the fact that some of the coligands adopt unusual conformations is discussed in terms of complementary host-guest interactions and the size and form of the binding pocket of the [(L(Me))Ni(2)](2+) fragment. UV/Vis and electrochemical studies reveal that the solid-state structures are retained in the solution state. The relative stabilities of the complexes indicate that the [(L(Me))Ni(2)](2+) fragment binds anionic coligands preferentially over neutral ones and strong-field ligands over weak-field ligands. Secondary van der Waals interactions also contribute to the stability of the complexes. Intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange interactions are present in the nitrito-, pyridazine-, and the benzoato-bridged complexes where J=+6.7, +3.5, and +5.8 cm(-1) (H=-2 JS(1)S(2), S(1)=S(2)=1) as indicated by magnetic susceptibility data taken from 300 to 2 K. In contrast, the azido bridge in [(L(Me))Ni(2)(mu(1,3)-N(3))](+) results in an antiferromagnetic exchange interaction J=-46.7 cm(-1). An explanation for this difference is qualitatively discussed in terms of bonding differences.