Antiferromagnetic ordering in MnF(salen)

Antiferromagnetic order at [Formula: see text] K has been identified in Mn(III)F(salen), salen  =  H14C16N2O2, an S  =  2 linear-chain system. Using single crystals, specific heat studies performed in magnetic fields up to 9 T revealed the presence of a field-independent cusp at the same temperature where (1)H NMR studies conducted at 42 MHz observed dramatic changes in the spin-lattice relaxation time, T 1, and in the linewidths. Low-field (less than 0.1 T) magnetic susceptibility studies of single crystals and randomly-arranged microcrystalline samples reveal subtle features associated with the transition.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[[(dimethyl sulfoxide-κO)(pyridine-2,6-di-carboxyl-ato-κ(3) O,N,O')nickel(II)]-μ-pyrazine-κ(2) N:N']

The title coordination polymer, [Ni(C7H3NO4)(C4H4N2)(C2H6OS)] n , consists of [010] chains composed of Ni(II) ions linked by bis-monodentate-bridging pyrazine mol-ecules. Each of the two crystallographically distinct Ni(II) ions is located on a mirror plane and is additionally coordinated by a dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) ligand through the oxygen atom and by a tridentate 2,6-pyridine-di-carb-oxy-lic acid dianion through one of each of the carboxyl-ate oxygen atoms and the pyridine nitro-gen atom, leading to a distorted octa-hedral coordination environment. The title structure exhibits an inter-esting complementarity between coordinative bonding and π-π stacking where the Ni-Ni distance of 7.0296 (4) Å across bridging pyrazine ligands allows the pyridine moieties on two adjacent chains to inter-digitate at halfway of the Ni-Ni distance, resulting in π-π stacking between pyridine moieties with a centroid-to-plane distance of 3.5148 (2) Å. The double-chain thus formed also exhibits C-H⋯π inter-actions between pyridine C-H groups on one chain and pyrazine mol-ecules on the other chain. As a result, the inter-ior of the double-chain structure is dominated by π-π stacking and C-H⋯ π inter-actions, while the space between the double-chains is occupied by a C-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding network involving DMSO ligands and carboxyl-ate groups located on the exterior of the double-chains. This separation of dissimilar inter-actions in the inter-ior and exterior of the double-chains further stabilizes the crystal structure.

Molecules at the Quantum-Classical Nanoparticle Interface: Giant Mn70 Single-Molecule Magnets of ∼4 nm Diameter

Two Mn70 torus-like molecules have been obtained from the alcoholysis in EtOH and 2-ClC2H4OH of [Mn12O12(O2CMe)16(H2O)4]·4H2O·2MeCO2H (1) in the presence of NBu(n)4MnO4 and an excess of MeCO2H. The reaction in EtOH afforded [Mn70O60(O2CMe)70(OEt)20(EtOH)16(H2O)22] (2), whereas the reaction in ClC2H4OH gave [Mn70O60(O2CMe)70(OC2H4Cl)20(ClC2H4OH)18(H2O)22] (3). The complexes are nearly isostructural, each possessing a Mn70 torus structure consisting of alternating near-linear [Mn3(μ3-O)4] and cubic [Mn4(μ3-O)2(μ3-OR)2] (R = OEt, 2; R = OC2H4Cl, 3) subunits, linked together via syn,syn-μ-bridging MeCO2(-) and μ3-bridging O(2-) groups. 2 and 3 have an overall diameter of ∼4 nm and crystallize as highly ordered supramolecular nanotubes. Alternating current (ac) magnetic susceptibility measurements, performed on microcrystalline samples in the 1.8-10 K range and a 3.5 G ac field with oscillation frequencies in the 5-1500 Hz range, revealed frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals below ∼2.4 K for both molecules indicative of the slow magnetization relaxation of single-molecule magnets (SMMs). Single-crystal, magnetization vs field studies on both complexes revealed hysteresis loops below 1.5 K, thus confirming 2 and 3 to be new SMMs. The hysteresis loops do not show the steps that are characteristic of quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM). However, low-temperature studies revealed temperature-independent relaxation rates below ∼0.2 K for both compounds, the signature of ground state QTM. Fitting of relaxation data to the Arrhenius equation gave effective barriers for magnetization reversal (Ueff) of 23 and 18 K for 2 and 3, respectively. Because the Mn70 molecule is close to the classical limit, it was also studied using a method based on the Néel-Brown model of thermally activated magnetization reversal in a classical single-domain magnetic nanoparticle. The field and sweep-rate dependence of the coercive field was investigated and yielded the energy barrier, the spin, the Arrhenius pre-exponential, and the cross-over temperature from the classical to the quantum regime. The validity of this approach emphasizes that large SMMs can be considered as being at or near the quantum-classical nanoparticle interface.

Catalytic Enantioselective Synthesis of Amino Skipped Diynes

The Cu-catalyzed synthesis of nonracemic 3-amino skipped diynes via an enantiodetermining C-C bond formation is described using StackPhos as ligand. Despite challenging issues of reactivity and stereoselectivity inherent to these chiral skipped diynes, the reaction tolerates an extremely broad substrate scope with respect to all components and provides the title compounds in excellent enantiomeric excess. The alkyne moieties are demonstrated here to be useful synthetic handles, and 3-amino skipped diynes are convenient building blocks for enantioselective synthesis.

Crystal structure of catena-poly[[[trans-bis(aceto-nitrile-κN)diaquacobalt(II)]-μ-pyrazine-κ(2) N:N'] dinitrate]

The central structural motif of the title coordination polymer, [Co(NO3)2(C4H4N2)(CH3CN)2(H2O)2] n , is a chain composed of Co(II) ions linked by bis-monodentate bridging pyrazine ligands through their N atoms. The Co(II) ion is located on an inversion center and is additionally coordinated by two O atoms of water mol-ecules and two N atoms of aceto-nitrile mol-ecules. The resultant N4O2 coordination sphere is distorted octa-hedral. The linear cationic chains extend parallel to the a axis and are aligned into layers parallel to the ac plane. Nitrate anions are situated in the space between the Co(II) chains and form O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds with the coordinating water mol-ecules, leading to a three-dimensional network structure. Weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are also present between pyrazine or aceto-nitrile mol-ecules and the nitrate anions.

A [3Fe–3S]3+ cluster with exclusively μ-sulfide donors

A [3Fe–3(μ-S)]³⁺ cluster is reported in which each ferric center has a distorted trigonal pyramidal geometry, with an S = 1/2 ground state for the cluster and unusually anisotropic hyperfine coupling constants as determined by variable temperature magnetometry and Mössbauer spectroscopy.

Synthesis and evaluation of κ2-β-diketonate and β-ketoesterate tungsten(vi) oxo-alkoxide complexes as precursors for chemical vapor deposition of WOx thin films

β-Diketonate and β-ketoesterate tungsten(vi) oxo-alkoxide complexes were synthesized and CVD of WO_x from WO(OCH₂C(CH₃)₃)₃(tbac) was demonstrated.

Carbon dioxide cleavage across a tungsten-alkylidyne bearing a trianionic pincer-type ligand

Splitting of CO₂ across the tungsten-carbon triple bond in [CF₃-ONO]WCC^tBu(THF)₂ (1) yields the tungsten oxo ketene [CF₃-ONO]W(O){(CH₃)₃CCCO} (6).

Synthesis and characterization of a family of M(2+) complexes supported by a trianionic ONO(3-) pincer-type ligand: towards the stabilization of high-spin square-planar complexes

High-spin square-planar molecular compounds are rare. In an effort to access this unique combination of geometry and spin state, we report the synthesis of a series of M(II) compounds stabilized by a trianionic pincer-type ligand, highlighting the formation of a high-spin square-planar Co(II) complex. Low-temperature, variable-frequency EPR measurements reveal that the ground electronic state of the Co(II) analogue is a highly anisotropic Kramers doublet (effective g values 7.35, 2.51, 1.48). This doublet can be identified with the lowest doublet of a quartet, S = 3/2 spin state that exhibits a very large ZFS, D ≥ 50 cm(-1). The observation of an effective g value considerably greater than the largest spin-only value 6, demonstrates that the orbital angular moment is essentially unquenched along one spatial direction. Density Functional Theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations reveal the electronic configurations of the ground and excited orbital states. A qualitative crystal field description of the geff tensor shows that it originates from the spin-orbit coupling acting on states obtained through the transfer of a β electron from the doubly occupied xy to the singly-occupied {xz/yz} orbitals.

Supramolecular aggregates of single-molecule magnets: exchange-biased quantum tunneling of magnetization in a rectangular [Mn3]4 tetramer

Exchange-biased QTM within a magnetically-supramolecular tetramer of Mn₃ single-molecule magnets with spin S = 6 has been analyzed.

The syntheses and properties of four magnetically-supramolecular oligomers of triangular Mn₃ units are reported: dimeric [Mn₆O₂(O₂CMe)₈(CH₃OH)₂(pdpd)₂] (3) and [Mn₆O₂(O₂CMe)₈(py)₂(pdpd)₂](ClO₄)₂ (4), and tetrameric [Mn₁₂O₄(O₂CR)₁₂(pdpd)₆](ClO₄)₄ (R = Me (5), ^tBu (6)). They were all obtained employing 3-phenyl-1,5-di(pyridin-2-yl)pentane-1,5-dione dioxime (pdpdH₂), either in direct synthesis reactions involving oxidation of Mn^II salts or in metathesis reactions with the preformed complex [Mn₃O(O₂CMe)₆(py)₃](ClO₄) (1); complex 6 was then obtained by carboxylate substitution on complex 5. Complexes 3 and 4 contain two [MnIII2Mn^II(μ₃-O)]⁶⁺ and [MnIII3(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ units, respectively, linked by two pdpd^2– groups. Complexes 5 and 6 contain four [MnIII3(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ units linked by six pdpd^2– groups into a rectangular tetramer [MnIII3]₄. Solid-state dc magnetic susceptibility studies showed that the Mn₃ subunits in 3 and 4 have a ground-state spin of S = 3/2 and S = 2, respectively, while the Mn₃ subunits in 5 and 6 possess an S = 6 ground state. Complexes 5 and 6 exhibit frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ′′_M) ac susceptibility signals indicating 5 and 6 to be tetramers of Mn₃ single-molecule magnets (SMMs). High-frequency EPR studies of a microcrystalline powder sample of 5·2CH₂Cl₂ provided precise spin Hamiltonian parameters of D = –0.33 cm^–1, |E| = 0.03 cm^–1, B04 = –8.0 × 10^–5 cm^–1, and g = 2.0. Magnetization vs. dc field sweeps on a single crystal of 5·xCH₂Cl₂ gave hysteresis loops below 1 K that exhibit exchange-biased quantum tunneling of magnetization (QTM) steps with a bias field of 0.19 T. Simulation of the loops determined that each Mn₃ unit is exchange-coupled to the two neighbors linked to it by the pdpd^2– linkers, with an antiferromagnetic inter-Mn₃ exchange interaction of J/k_B = –0.011 K (Ĥ = –2Jŝ_i·ŝ_j convention). The work demonstrates a rational approach to synthesizing magnetically-supramolecular aggregates of SMMs as potential multi-qubit systems for quantum computing.

Crystal structures of μ-oxalato-bis-[azido-(hista-mine)-copper(II)] and μ-oxalato-bis-[(dicyan-amido)(hista-mine)-copper(II)]

The title compounds, μ-oxalato-κ(4) O (1),O (2):O (1'),O (2')-bis-[[4-(2-amino-eth-yl)-1H-imid-azole-κ(2) N (3),N (4)](azido-κN (1))copper(II)], [Cu2(C2O4)(N3)2(C5H9N3)2], (I), and μ-ox-al-ato-κ(4) O (1),O (2):O (1'),O (2')-bis-[[4-(2-amino-eth-yl)-1H-imidazole-κ(2) N (3),N (4)](dicyanamido-κN (1))copper(II)], [Cu2(C2O4)(C2N3)2(C5H9N3)2], (II), are two oxalate-bridged dinuclear copper complexes. Each Cu(II) ion adopts a five-coordinate square-pyramidal coordination sphere where the basal N2O2 plane is formed by two O atoms of the oxalate ligand and two N atoms of a bidentate chelating histamine mol-ecule. The apical coordination site in compound (I) is occupied by a monodentate azide anion through one of its terminal N atoms. The apical coordination site in compound (II) is occupied by a monodentate dicyanamide anion through one of its terminal N atoms. The mol-ecules in both structures are centrosymmetric. In the crystals of compounds (I) and (II), the dinuclear complexes are linked through N-H⋯X and C-H⋯X (X = N, O) hydrogen bonds where the donors are provided by the histamine ligand and the acceptor atoms are provided by the azide, dicyanamide, and oxalate ligands. In compound (I), the coordinatively unsaturated copper ions inter-act with the histamine ligand via a C-H⋯Cu inter-action. The coordinatively unsaturated copper ions in compound (II) inter-act via a weak N⋯Cu inter-action with the dicyanamide ligand of a neighboring mol-ecule. The side chain of the histamine ligand is disordered over three sets of sites in (II).

N-heterocyclic carbene gold(I) and silver(I) complexes bearing functional groups for bio-conjugation

This work describes several synthetic approaches to append organic functional groups to gold and silver N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes suitable for applications in biomolecule conjugation. Carboxylate appended NHC ligands (3) lead to unstable Au(I) complexes that convert into bis-NHC species (4). A benzyl protected carboxylate NHC-Au(I) complex 2 was synthesized but deprotection to produce the carboxylic acid functionality could not be achieved. A small library of new alkyne functionalized NHC proligands were synthesized and used for subsequent silver and gold metalation reactions. The alkyne appended NHC gold complex 13 readily reacts with benzyl azide in a copper catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction to form the triazole appended NHC gold complex 14. Cell cytotoxicity studies were performed on DLD-1 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), Hep-G2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma), CCRF-CEM (human T-Cell leukemia), and HEK (human embryonic kidney). Complete spectroscopic characterization of the ligands and complexes was achieved using (1)H and (13)C NMR, gHMBC, ESI-MS, and combustion analysis.

Reactivity of Hydride Bridges in High-Spin [3M-3(μ-H)] Clusters (M = FeII, CoII)

The designed [3M-3(μ-H)] clusters (M = Fe(II), Co(II)) Fe3H3L (1-H) and Co3H3L (2-H) [where L(3-) is a tris(β-diketiminate) cyclophane] were synthesized by treating the corresponding M3Br3L complexes with KBEt3H. From single-crystal X-ray analysis, the hydride ligands are sterically protected by the cyclophane ligand, and these complexes selectively react with CO2 over other unsaturated substrates (e.g., CS2, Me3SiCCH, C2H2, and CH3CN). The reaction of 1-H or 2-H with CO2 at room temperature yielded Fe3(OCHO)(H)2L (1-CO2) or Co3(OCHO)(H)2L (2-CO2), respectively, which evidence the differential reactivity of the hydride ligands within these complexes. The analogous reactions at elevated temperatures revealed a distinct difference in the reactivity pattern for 2-H as compared to 1-H; Fe3(OCHO)3L (1-3CO2) was generated from 1-H, while 2-H afforded only 2-CO2.