Modifying Electronic Communication in Dimolybdenum Units by Linkage Isomers of Bridged Oxamidate Dianions

A Rapid Synthesis of Oriented Palladium Nanoparticles by UV Irradiation

Palladium nanoparticles of average size around 8 nm have been synthesized rapidly by UV irradiation of mixture of palladium chloride and potassium oxalate solutions. A rod-shaped palladium oxalate complex has been observed as an intermediate. In the absence of potassium oxalate, no Pd nanoparticles have been observed. The synthesized Pd nanoparticles have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selective area electron diffraction and energy dispersive analysis by X-rays (EDAX) analyses. XRD analysis indicates the preferential orientation of catalytically active {111} planes in Pd nanoparticles. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the formation of anisotropic Pd nanoparticles.

Mixed valence complexes involving MM quadruple bonds (M=Mo or W)

The MM quadruple bond of configuration MM sigma2pi4delta2 is redox active and in many ways ideally suited for studies of mixed valency when two or more such centres are linked by a bridging ligand. In this account, the mechanism of electronic coupling is examined for complexes of the type [L3M2bridgeM2L3]0/+ where L, a pivalate; bridge, a dicarboxylate or related ligand and M, Mo or W. The represented examples allow us to probe electronic factors close to the class II/III border and readily distinguish between electron and hole transfer in the superexchange mechanism. The potential for mixed valence organic radical anions mediated by the M2 centre is also raised and one specific example of class III behaviour is described.

Modulating Electronic Coupling Using O- and S-donor Linkers

Structures of compounds having two dimolybdenum units Mo2(DAniF)3+ (DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) connected by unsubstituted oxamidate (1) and dithiooxamidate (2) linkers are isomorphous, and the cores of the molecules are planar because of two intramolecular hydrogen bonds within the linkers. Molecular mechanics calculations show a barrier of rotation along the C-C bond of approximately 10 kcal x mol(-1), which suggests that planar conformations are also expected in solution. Changing the two oxygen atoms in the linker of 1 to sulfur atoms results in a significant enhancement of the electronic coupling between the dimetal units (Delta(E1/2) = 204 mV for 1 and 407 mV for 2). The electronic spectrum of 2 shows an intense low energy (600 nm) metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) band, whereas that for 1 shows only a weak absorption band at 460 nm. DFT calculations on models 1' and 2', in which the anisyl groups were replaced by hydrogen atoms, show that the energy of the pi* orbital of the linker is much lower for 2'. This allows dpi-ddelta interactions from the electrons in the delta orbitals of the Mo2 unit to the sulfur atom that in turn facilitates an electron hopping pathway.

Crystal-to-Crystal Oxidative Deprotonation of a Di(μ-hydroxo) to a Di(μ-oxo) Dimer of Dimolybdenum Units

A crystal-to-crystal transformation of (DAniF)3Mo2(micro-OH)2Mo2(DAniF)3 (1) to (DAniF)3Mo2(micro-O)2Mo2(DAniF)3 (2), where DAniF is the anion (p-anisyl)NC(H)N(p-anisyl), by dioxygen provides rare insight into the deprotonation process effected by dioxygen. In this dimolybdenum system, the conversion occurs without significant loss of crystallinity. Although no intermediates have been directly observed, a compound containing the [(DAniF)3Mo2(micro-OH)(micro-O)Mo2(DAniF)3]+ cation, a proposed intermediate, has been obtained independently. Possible pathways for the overall conversion of 1 to 2 are discussed.

Electronic Localization versus Delocalization Determined by the Binding of the Linker in an Isomer Pair

By using stoichiometric amounts of (C5H5)2FePF6, the isomeric neutral diamidate-bridged molecules, alpha- and beta-(DAniF)3Mo2(ArN(O)CC(O)NAr)Mo2(DAniF)3, with Ar = p-MeOC6H4, have been oxidized to give the PF6 salts of the four cations alpha1+, alpha2+, beta1+, and beta2+. All four structures have been accurately determined and, together with supporting evidence from near-IR, EPR, NMR and magnetic susceptibility measurements, it clearly establishes that in the mixed-valent alpha+ species the unpaired electron is localized over only one of the Mo2 units while the alpha2+ cation behaves as a diradical having two Mo25+ units that are essentially uncoupled. However, the beta+ species is fully delocalized, in the time scale of the experiments, with the unpaired electron being equally shared by the two Mo2 units. It displays a HOMO-1 --> SOMO transition at 4700 cm-1 (Deltanu1/2 = 2300 cm-1). Because of strong coupling, the beta2+ species is diamagnetic.

A Fractional Bond Order of 1/2 in Pd25+−Formamidinate Species; The Value of Very High-Field EPR Spectra

Reaction of Pd(2)(DAniF)(4), 1, (DAniF = di-p-anisylformamidinate) with 1 equiv of AgPF(6) in CH(2)Cl(2) at or below -10 degrees C produces the paramagnetic species [Pd(2)(DAniF)4]PF(6), 1-PF(6), that has been studied by X-ray crystallography, UV-vis spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and multifrequency (9.5, 34.5, 110, and 220 GHz) EPR spectroscopy. Upon oxidation of the precursor, the Pd-Pd distance decreases by 0.052 Angstrom from 2.6486(8) to 2.597(1) Angstrom. The EPR spectra show broad signals with line widths of about 1000 G. The spectra collected at high field show a large spread of g tensor components ( approximately 0.03), but these are masked at lower frequencies (9.5 and 34.5 GHz). A reinvestigation using high-field EPR of the p-tolyl analogue, which is the only other structurally characterized Pd(2)(5+) species (Cotton, F. A.; Matusz, M.; Poli, R.; Feng, X. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1988, 110, 1144), shows that this species, which had been reported to give an isotropic 9.5 GHz EPR spectrum, also gives anisotropic 110 and 220 GHz EPR spectra with a similarly large spread of g tensor components consistent with the unpaired electron residing in a metal-based MO. The results of these studies and calculations using density functional theory are consistent with the oxidation being metal-based, resulting in an uncommon Pd(2)(5+) species with a Pd-Pd bond order of 1/2.

A deliberate approach for the syntheses of heterometallic supramolecules containing dimolybdenum Mo24+ species coordinated to other metal units

Two compounds with quadruply bonded Mo2(4+) species having isonicotinate ligands bound through the carboxylate group have been designed to act as anglers by luring metal-containing Lewis acids to bind to the N-pyridyl group. The corner pieces are Mo2(DAniF)3(O2CC5H4N) and cis-Mo2(DAniF)2(O2CC5H4N)2, DAniF=N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate. The heterometallic molecular rods -Ni(acac)2-and-Rh2(O2CCH3)4- were made by reaction of with Ni(acac)2 and the metal-metal bonded species Rh2(O2CCH3)4, respectively. In these compounds either a mononuclear or a dinuclear species are sandwiched between two molecules of . The cisoid compound has been employed for the synthesis of a molecular rhombus, [-Zn(Cl2)]2. The successful syntheses and isolation of show that the use of corner pieces with angler groups is an excellent approach for making heterometallic supramolecular compounds having a combination of metal-metal bonded units and other metal species.

An isomeric pair of fluoride-bridged cyclic dimolybdenum triads

A pair of isomeric cyclic triads containing three quadruply bonded [Mo2] units, [Mo2(cis-DAniF)2]2+ (DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate), bridged by six fluoride anions, has been synthesized and crystallographically characterized. For the alpha isomer, the three [Mo2] units are oriented in two orthogonal directions. Two of them are structurally equivalent and parallel to each other, but oriented perpendicular to the third one. The beta isomer is a triangle with three geometrically identical [Mo2] units, parallel to each other, as the vertices. Thus, the beta isomer possesses idealized D3h symmetry while the alpha isomer only has C2v symmetry. These two isomers do not interconvert in boiling THF or toluene or under irradiation with ultraviolet light, but oxidation of the alpha isomer first generates an alpha+ species that changes to beta+. The two isomers have very similar electrochemical behavior, both showing three reversible one-electron redox processes for the [Mo2] centers and similar potential separations (DeltaE(1/2)). The first and second redox couples are well separated (ca. 390-410 mV), while the second and third ones are separated by only about 150 mV.

Molecular Pairs and A Propeller Containing Quadruply Bonded Dimolybdenum Units Linked by Polyamidate Ligands

Two molecular pairs [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[N,N'-diethylterephthalamidate] (1) and [Mo2(DAniF)3]2{1,3-C6H4[C(O)NP]} (2) where DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) and the propeller ([Mo2(DAniF)3]3{1,3,5-C6H3[C(O)NPh]3} (3)) have been prepared in good yield and high purity by directly combining Mo2(DAniF)3(O2CCH3) with the corresponding polyamidates. Electrochemical measurements of these complexes show unresolved redox waves, which indicate that the dimetal centers are only electronically weakly coupled. Compound 1 was chemically oxidized by ferrocenium tetrafluoroborate to the two-electron oxidation product 4, where one electron was removed from each of the [Mo2] units. The hyperfine coupling in the EPR spectrum (A = 22 x 10-4 cm-1 ) suggests that 4 is an electron-trapped species with one electron residing on each of the two dimolybdenum units, as suggested also by electrochemical measurements.

A Rare and Highly Oxidized Mo25.5+ Unit Stabilized by Oxo Anions and Supported by Formamidinate Bridges

A series of tetranuclear compounds consisting of two {Mo2[(m-CF3C6H4)NC(H)N(m-CF3C6H4)]3}n+ moieties linked by two OH- or two O2- ions has been characterized. Abbreviating the dimolybdenum plus three spectator bridging ligands as [Mo2], the following three compounds have been made-[Mo2](mu-OH)2[Mo2] (1), [Mo2](mu-O)2[Mo2] (2), and {[Mo2](mu-O)2[Mo2]}SbF6 (3). Compound 1, which is diamagnetic and contains quadruply bonded Mo2(4+) units, is converted to diamagnetic 2 by oxidation with O2. Compound 2, which has Mo2(5+) units, is oxidized by NOSbF6 to 3 which has a rare Mo2(5.5+) core and an odd electron delocalized over the two dimolybdenum units.

Uniquely Strong Electronic Communication between [Mo2] Units Linked by Dioxolene Dianions

Unprecedented strong electronic communication has been found in dimolybdenum pairs containing quadruply bonded Mo2(DAniF)3(+) (DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) units linked by dioxolene (C6X2O4(2-)) anions. The neutral compounds [Mo2(DAniF)3]2(C6X2O4) (1, X = H; 2, X = Cl; 3, X = NO2) and the singly oxidized products {[Mo2(DAniF)3]2(C6X2O4)Mo2}PF6 (4, X = H; 5, X = Cl) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods. Unusually short Mo-O distances (approximately 2.05 A for 1 and 2, and approximately 2.01 A for 4 and 5) are implicated in the remarkably strong interaction between [Mo2] units via the linkers. This leads to an extensive charge delocalization in the mixed-valence species, which is mediated by the dioxolene linker, as revealed by the large deltaE(1/2) values (763, 795, and 816 mV for 1, 2, and 3, respectively). Additional evidence for the strong electronic coupling is provided by UV-vis, NIR, and EPR spectroscopies and DFT calculations.

Dimolybdenum-Containing Molecular Triangles and Squares with Diamidate Linkers: Structural Diversity and Complexity

By employing cis-Mo2(DAniF)2(2+) (DAniF = N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate) as the vertex building block and terephthaloyldiamidate as the linker, four dimolybdenum-containing cyclic oligomers have been synthesized and structurally characterized. In these compounds, described by the general formula [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2((ArNOC)2C6H4)2]n, n = 3 and 4, the geometry and composition of the products are affected by the identity of the aromatic groups of the linker. When Ar = phenyl, n = 3 (1a and 1b); however, n = 4 for Ar = p-trifluoromethylphenyl (2) and when Ar = m-trifluoromethylphenyl (3). All these compounds have a central cavity, shaped by the diamidate linker, that is capable of serving as host to guest molecules in a selective manner. For compounds 2 and 3, self-assembly that takes place in the crystalline state entails intermolecular C-H...F-C interactions. Such interactions generate a one-dimensional network with a tunnel cross section of 10 x 10 A(2) in 2, whereas in 3, they result in a cage in which two THF molecules are encapsulated. The F...H distances vary in a broad range from 2.38 to 2.70 A.

Strong electronic interaction between two dimolybdenum units linked by a tetraazatetracene

The large rigid dianion fluoflavinate, C(14)H(8)N(4)(2)(-), consisting of four fused and planar six-membered rings with four nitrogen donor atoms, has been used to link two metal-to-metal bonded and redox-active Mo(2)(n)()(+) units which are each locally bridged by three additional groups, collectively denoted [Mo(2)]. In 1, the [Mo(2)] units are Mo(2)(DAniF)(3) (DAniF = N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate), and in 5, they are trans-Mo(2)(DAniF)(2)(O(2)CCH(3)) groups. These [Mo(2)](fluoflavinate)[Mo(2)] compounds show three reversible one-electron oxidation steps, one more than all other [Mo(2)](linker)[Mo(2)] species known to date. The first two redox processes are metal-based, and the third one has been assigned to a ligand oxidation by comparison to that of paddlewheel compound 4 which contains only one dimolybdenum unit with a monoanionic fluoflavinate ligand. Chemical oxidations of 1 produce the singly- and doubly-oxidized species 2 and 3, respectively. All compounds have been characterized by X-ray crystallography and, as appropriate, by various techniques such as NMR, EPR, near-IR, and UV-vis. The fluoflavinate ligand strongly mediates electronic communication between the dimetal units, and the mixed valence species 2 can be described as electronically delocalized. Calculations at the DFT level using a variety of functionals support such an assignment and indicate that a strong transition in the NIR for the singly oxidized species can be assigned to the HOMO-1 to SOMO transition.

Dynamic equilibrium between cyclic oligomers. Thermodynamic and structural characterization of a square and a triangle

A dynamic equilibrium has been found in CDCl3 between a neutral molecular square, [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2]4(O2CC6F4CO2)4 (1) and triangle, [cis-Mo2(DAniF)2]3(O2CC6F4CO2)3 (2) (DAniF = the anion of N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidine). The two components have been crystallographically characterized and solution studies by 1H and 19F NMR spectra of the concentration- and the temperature-dependence of the equilibrium have been performed. The conversion of three moles of molecular squares 1 to four moles of molecular triangles 2 has an equilibrium constant of 1.98(7) x 10(-4) at 23.7 degrees C. At this temperature, the DeltaG(0) for the conversion of three moles of squares to four moles of triangles is 21.0 kJ mol(-1). The conversion is enthalpically disfavored (DeltaH(0) = 23.5 kJ mol(-1)), but entropically favored (DeltaS(0) = 8.2 J K(-1) mol(-1)).

Cations M2(O2CtBu)4+, Where M = Mo and W, and MoW(O2CtBu)4+. Theoretical, Spectroscopic, and Structural Investigations

With the aid of density function theory, the molecular and electronic structures of the molecules Mo2(O2CMe)4, MoW(O2CMe)4, and W2(O2CMe)4 and their single-electron oxidized radical cations have been determined; this includes calculated observables such as v(MM) and the delta --> delta* electronic transition energies. The calculated properties are compared with those for the corresponding pivalates, M2(O2CtBu)4 (M = Mo or W) and MoW(O2CtBu)4 and their radical cations prepared in situ by oxidation with Cp2FePF6. The EPR spectra of the radical cations are also reported. The EPR spectrum of the MoW(O2CtBu)4+ cation reveals that the unpaired electron is in a polarized MM delta orbital having 70% Mo and 30% W character. The MM stretching frequencies show good correlation with the MM bond lengths obtained from single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of MoW(O2CtBu)4, W2(O2CtBu)4, and W2(O2CtBu)4+PF6- compounds, along with previously reported structures. These data provide benchmark parameters for valence trapped dicarboxylate bridged radical cations of the type [(tBuCO2)3M2]2(micro-O2C-X-CO2)+ (X = conjugated spacer).

Studies of oxalate-bridged MM quadruple bonds and their radical cations (M = Mo or W): on the matter of linkage isomers

Electronic structure calculations employing density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) have been carried out on the model complexes {[(HCO2)3M2]2(mu-O2CCO2)}0/+(M=Mo or W) in D2h symmetry, where the oxalate bridge forms either five- or six-membered rings with the M(2) centres; the complexes are hereafter referred to as mu(5,5)0/+ and mu(6,6)0/+, respectively. The calculations predict that the neutral complexes should exist as the mu(5,5) linkage isomer, while the radical cations favour the mu(6,6) isomer by ca. 4-6 kJ mol-1. For the mu(5,5) isomers, the rotational barriers about the oxalate C-C bond have been calculated to be 15.9 and 27.2 kJ mol-1 for M=Mo and W, respectively. For the cationic mu(5,5)+ isomers the barrier is higher, being 36.8 and 50.6 kJ mol-1 for M=Mo and W, respectively. The calculated Raman and visible near-IR spectra for the mu(5,5)0/+ and mu(6,6)0/+ are compared with experimental data obtained for the {[(tBuCO2)3M2]2(mu-O2CCO2)}0/+ complexes, hereafter referred to as M4OXA0/+(M=Mo or W). The experimental data more closely correlate with that calculated for the mu(5,5)0/+ linkage isomers, and the 13C-NMR spectrum of the mixed metal complex Mo2W2OXA indicates the presence of the 5-membered oxalate-bridged species (J(CC)=100 Hz).

Strong Electronic Coupling between Dimolybdenum Units Linked by theN,N‘-Dimethyloxamidate Anion in a Molecule Having a Heteronaphthalene-like Structure

Very strong electronic communication, manifested in a K(C) value of ca. 10(9), has been found in a system of three compounds separated by one electron oxidation where each compound contains two metal-metal bonded Mo(2)(n+) units linked by a dimethyloxamidate anion, CH(3)N(O)C-C(O)NCH(3)(2)(-). The Mo-Mo distances increase as the oxidation state increases and the bond order decreases, while the diamagnetic, doubly oxidized species becomes essentially planar and resembles a naphthalene molecule. Calculations at the DFT level indicate that a strong transition in the near-IR region, shown by the singly oxidized and paramagnetic species, is best described as a HOMO-1 --> SOMO transition.

Systematic Preparation of Mo24+ Building Blocks for Supramolecular Assemblies

The preparation of additional and useful building blocks for the construction of supramolecular entities with quadruply bonded Mo(2)(4+) units has been explored, and five new mixed-ligand complexes with three types of ligands and various basicities are reported. The ligands used were the DAniF (N,N'-di-p-anisylformamidinate) anion, the acetate anion, and neutral acetonitrile molecules. The formamidinate ligands are the least labile, and the acetonitrile molecules are the most labile. This difference as well as a relatively strong trans directing influence by the formamidinate anions in ligand substitution reactions allows designed synthesis of various mixed-ligand building blocks, including rare pairs of cis and trans isomers. The new compounds are cis-Mo(2)(DAniF)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2) (1), trans-Mo(2)(DAniF)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(2) (2), trans-[Mo(2)(DAniF)(2)(O(2)CCH(3))(CH(3)CN(eq)())(2)]BF(4) (3), trans-[Mo(2)(DAniF)(2)(CH(3)CN(eq)())(4)](BF(4))(2) (4), and [Mo(2)(O(2)CH(3))(CH(3)CN(eq)())(6)(CH(3)CN(ax)())](BF(4))(3) (5), where eq and ax designate equatorial and axial ligands, respectively. A comparison with some previously synthesized complexes is given along with a discussion of the overall reactivity of all compounds.