New Tetracopper(II) Cubane Cores Driven by a Diamino Alcohol: Self-assembly Synthesis, Structural and Topological Features, and Magnetic and Catalytic Oxidation Properties

Acetone Factor in the Design of Cu4-, Cu6-, and Cu9-Based Cage Coppersilsesquioxanes: Synthesis, Structural Features, and Catalytic Functionalization of Alkanes

The present study describes a new feature in the self-assembly of cagelike copperphenylsilsesquioxanes: the strong influence of acetone solvates on cage structure formation. By this simple approach, a series of novel tetra-, hexa-, or nonacoppersilsesquioxanes were isolated and characterized. In addition, several new complexes of Cu₄ or Cu₆ nuclearity bearing additional nitrogen-based ligands (ethylenediamine, 2,2'-bipyridine, phenanthroline, bathophenanthroline, or neocuproine) were produced. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies established molecular architectures of all of the synthesized products. Several coppersilsesquioxanes represent a novel feature of cagelike metallasilsesquioxane (CLMS) in terms of molecular topology. A Cu₄-silsesquioxane complex with ethylenediamine (En) ligands was isolated via the unprecedented self-assembly of a partly condensed framework of silsesquioxane ligands, followed by the formation of a sandwich-like cage. Two prismatic Cu₆ complexes represent the different conformers─regular and elliptical hexagonal prisms, "cylinders", determined by the different orientations of the coordinated acetone ligands ("shape-switch effect"). A heterometallic Cu₄Na₄-sandwich-like derivative represents the first example of a metallasilsesquioxane complex with diacetone alcohol ligands formed in situ due to acetone condensation reaction. As a selected example, the compound [(Ph₆Si₆O₁₁)₂Cu₄En₂]·(acetone)₂ was explored in homogeneous oxidation catalysis. It catalyzes the oxidation of alkanes to alkyl hydroperoxides with hydrogen peroxide and the oxidation of alcohols to ketones with tert-butyl hydroperoxide. Radical species take part in the oxidation of alkanes. Besides, [(Ph₆Si₆O₁₁)₂Cu₄En₂]·(acetone)₂ catalyzes the mild oxidative functionalization of gaseous alkanes (ethane, propane, n-butane, and i-butane). Two different model reactions were investigated: (1) the oxidation of gaseous alkanes with hydrogen peroxide to give a mixture of oxygenates (alcohols, ketones, or aldehydes) and (2) the carboxylation of C_n gaseous alkanes with carbon monoxide, water, and potassium peroxodisulfate to give C_n+1 carboxylic acids (main products), along with the corresponding C_n oxygenates. For these reactions, the effects of acid promoter, reaction time, and substrate scope were explored. As expected for free-radical-type reactions, the alkane reactivity follows the trend C₂H₆ < C₃H₈ < n-C₄H₁₀ < i-C₄H₁₀. The highest total product yields were observed in the carboxylation of i-butane (up to 61% based on i-C₄H₁₀). The product yields and catalyst turnover numbers (TONs) are remarkable, given an inertness of gaseous alkanes and very mild reaction conditions applied (low pressures, 50-60 °C temperatures).

Construction strategies to modulate the photocatalytic efficiency of Cd(ii) MOFs to photodegrade organic dyes

Two new tuned 3D Cd(ii) MOFs were synthesized and used as photocatalysts for dye degradation.

Time-Dependent Self-Assembly of Copper(II) Coordination Polymers and Tetranuclear Rings: Catalysts for Oxidative Functionalization of Saturated Hydrocarbons

This study describes a time-dependent self-assembly generation of new copper(II) coordination compounds from an aqueous-medium reaction mixture composed of copper(II) nitrate, H₃bes biobuffer (N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), ammonium hydroxide, and benzenecarboxylic acid, namely, 4-methoxybenzoic (Hfmba) or 4-chlorobenzoic (Hfcba) acid. Two products were isolated from each reaction, namely, 1D coordination polymers [Cu₃(μ₃-OH)₂(μ-fmba)₂(fmba)₂(H₂O)₂]_n (1) or [Cu₂(μ-OH)₂(μ-fcba)₂]_n (2) and discrete tetracopper(II) rings [Cu₄(μ-Hbes)₃(μ-H₂bes)(μ-fmba)]·2H₂O (3) or [Cu₄(μ-Hbes)₃(μ-H₂bes)(μ-fcba)]·4H₂O (4), respectively. These four compounds were obtained as microcrystalline air-stable solids and characterized by standard methods, including the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of 1 and 2 feature distinct types of metal-organic chains driven by the μ₃- or μ-OH^- ligands along with the μ-benzenecarboxylate linkers. The structures of 3 and 4 disclose the chairlike Cu₄ rings assembled from four μ-bridging and chelating aminoalcoholate ligands along with μ-benzenecarboxylate moieties playing a core-stabilizing role. Catalytic activity of 1-4 was investigated in two model reactions, namely, (a) the mild oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons with hydrogen peroxide to form alcohols and ketones and (b) the mild carboxylation of alkanes with carbon monoxide, water, and peroxodisulfate to generate carboxylic acids. Cyclohexane and propane were used as model cyclic and gaseous alkanes, while the substrate scope also included cyclopentane, cycloheptane, and cyclooctane. Different reaction parameters were investigated, including an effect of the acid cocatalyst and various selectivity parameters. The obtained total product yields (up to 34% based on C₃H₈ or up to 47% based on C₆H₁₂) in the carboxylation of propane and cyclohexane are remarkable taking into account an inertness of these saturated hydrocarbons and low reaction temperatures (50-60 °C). Apart from notable catalytic activity, this study showcases a novel time-dependent synthetic strategy for the self-assembly of two different Cu(II) compounds from the same reaction mixture.

Cu6- and Cu8-Cage Sil- and Germsesquioxanes: Synthetic and Structural Features, Oxidative Rearrangements, and Catalytic Activity

This study reports intriguing features in the self-assembly of cage copper(II) silsesquioxanes in the presence of air. Despite the wide variation of solvates used, a series of prismatic hexanuclear Cu₆ cages (1-5) were assembled under mild conditions. In turn, syntheses at higher temperatures are accompanied by side reactions, leading to the oxidation of solvates (methanol, 1-butanol, and tetrahydrofuran). The oxidized solvent derivatives then specifically participate in the formation of copper silsesquioxane cages, allowing the isolation of several unusual Cu₈-based (6 and 7) and Cu₆-based (8) complexes. When 1,4-dioxane was applied as a reaction medium, deep rearrangements occurred (with a total elimination of silsesquioxane ligands), causing the formation of mononuclear copper(II) compounds bearing oxidized dioxane fragments (9 and 11) or a formate-driven 1D coordination polymer (10). Finally, a "directed" self-assembly of sil- and germsesquioxanes from copper acetate (or formate) resulted in the corresponding acetate (or formate) containing Cu₆ cages (12 and 13) that were isolated in high yields. The structures of all of the products 1-13 were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, mainly based on the use of synchrotron radiation. Moreover, the catalytic activity of compounds 12 and 13 was evaluated toward the mild homogeneous oxidation of C₅-C₈ cycloalkanes with hydrogen peroxide to form a mixture of the corresponding cyclic alcohols and ketones.

Four structural diversity MOF-photocatalysts readily prepared for the degradation of the methyl violet dye under UV-visible light

The photocatalytic results demonstrated that all of them displayed efficient photocatalytic performances towards the degradation of methyl violet. The mechanism has been proposed.

Tetranuclear copper(ii) cubane complexes derived from self-assembled 1,3-dimethyl-5-(o-phenolate-azo)-6-aminouracil: structures, non-covalent interactions and magnetic property

A new doubly opened 4 + 2 Cu₄O₄ cubane cluster exhibits strong antiferromagnetic exchange coupling with J₁ = −110.1 cm⁻¹, and J₂ = −27.1 cm⁻¹.

Luminescent Lanthanide Complex Sensor for Acac and Cd2. Photochem Photobiol 2020;97:664-671. [PMID: 33301596 DOI: 10.1111/php.13366]

In this work, phenylmalonic acid (H₂ pmal) and phenanthroline (phen) are selected to react with Ln(NO₃ )₃ ·6H₂ O (Ln = Tb, Eu) to form two lanthanide coordination complex [Ln₂ (PAA)₄ (phen)₂ (NO₃ )₂ ] (Ln = Tb, Tb complex; Eu, Eu complex), PAA = deprotonated phenylacetic acid, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Two lanthanide complexes are stable in neutral, acid (pH = 4) and base (pH = 10) water solutions. Especially, Tb complex is a bifunctional sensor for acac and Cd²⁺ , through luminescence "turn on" and "turn off," respectively. Importantly, the limit of detections (LODs) for acac and Cd²⁺ are 90 nm and 0.5 μm, respectively. Furthermore, the sensing mechanisms are discussed in detail.

2-Methylimidazole Copper Iminodiacetates for the Adsorption of Oxygen and Catalytic Oxidation of Cyclohexane

The mixed-ligand copper(II) iminodiacetates [Cu(ida)(2-mim)(H2O)2]·H2O (1), [Cu(ida)(2-mim)2]·2H2O (2), [Cu(ida)(2-mim)(H2O)]n·4.5nH2O (3), and [Cu2(ida)2(2-mim)2]n·nH2O (4) (H2ida = iminodiacetic acid, 2-mim = 2-methylimidazole) were obtained from neutral or alkaline solutions at different temperatures. The novel complex 4 contains very small holes with diameters of 2.9 Å, which can adsorb O2 selectively and reversibly between 1.89 to 29.90 bars, compared with the different gases of N2, H2, CO2, and CH4. This complex is stable up to 150 °C based on thermal analyses and XRD patterns. The four complexes show catalytic activities that facilitate the conversion of cyclohexane to cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with hydrogen peroxide in a solution. The total conversion is 31% for 4.

Metal–organic architectures driven by a multifunctional 6-aminouracil spacer: structures, noncovalent interactions, and conductivity

Three new coordination polymers were assembled from a multifunctional 6-aminouracil building block and their structural features & functional properties were investigated.

Mild C-H functionalization of alkanes catalyzed by bioinspired copper(ii) cores

Three new copper(ii) coordination compounds formulated as [Cu(H_1.5bdea)₂](hba)·2H₂O (1), [Cu₂(μ-Hbdea)₂(aca)₂]·4H₂O (2), and [Cu₂(μ-Hbdea)₂(μ-bdca)]_n (3) were generated by aqueous medium self-assembly synthesis from Cu(NO₃)₂, N-butyldiethanolamine (H₂bdea) as a main N,O-chelating building block and different carboxylic acids [4-hydroxybenzoic (Hhba), 9-anthracenecarboxylic (Haca), or 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic (H₂bdca) acid] as supporting carboxylate ligands. The structures of products range from discrete mono- (1) or dicopper(ii) (2) cores to a 1D coordination polymer (3), and widen a family of copper(ii) coordination compounds derived from H₂bdea. The obtained compounds were applied as bioinspired homogeneous catalysts for the mild C-H functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons (cyclic and linear C₅-C₈ alkanes). Two model catalytic reactions were explored, namely the oxidation of hydrocarbons with H₂O₂ to a mixture of alcohols and ketones, and the carboxylation of alkanes with CO/S₂O₈^2- to carboxylic acids. Both processes proceed under mild conditions with a high efficiency and the effects of different parameters (e.g., reaction time and presence of acid promoter, amount of catalyst and solvent composition, substrate scope and selectivity features) were studied and discussed in detail. In particular, an interesting promoting effect of water was unveiled in the oxidation of cyclohexane that is especially remarkable in the reaction catalyzed by 3, thus allowing a potential use of diluted, in situ generated solutions of hydrogen peroxide. Moreover, the obtained values of product yields (up to 41% based on alkane substrate) are very high when dealing with the C-H functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons and the mild conditions of these catalytic reactions (50-60 °C, H₂O/CH₃CN medium). This study thus contributes to an important field of alkane functionalization and provides a notable example of new Cu-based catalytic systems that can be easily generated by self-assembly from simple and low-cost chemicals.

Synthesis, Structural Features, and Catalytic Activity of an Iron(II) 3D Coordination Polymer Driven by an Ether-Bridged Pyridine-Dicarboxylate

New iron(II) three-dimensional coordination polymer (3D CP), [Fe(µ3-Hcpna)2]n (1), was assembled under hydrothermal conditions from 5-(4’-carboxyphenoxy)nicotinic acid (H2cpna) as a trifunctional organic N,O-building block. This stable microcrystalline CP was characterized by standard methods for coordination compounds in the solid state (infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction). Structure and topology of 1 were examined and permitted an identification of a 3,6-connected framework of the rtl topological type. In addition, compound 1 acts as effective catalyst precursor for oxidative functionalization of alkanes (propane and cyclic C5−C8 alkanes) under homogeneous catalysis conditions, namely for the oxidation of saturated hydrocarbons with H2O2/H+ system to produce ketones and alcohols, and for alkane carboxylation with CO/H2O/S2O82− system to obtain carboxylic acids. The influence of an acid promoter and substrate scope (propane and cyclic C5−C8 alkanes) were investigated.

Tetracopper(II) Cores Driven by an Unexplored Trifunctional Aminoalcohol Sulfonic Acid for Mild Catalytic C–H Functionalization of Alkanes

Three new tetracopper(II) coordination compounds were easily generated from Cu(NO3)2, a trifunctional aminoalcohol sulfonic acid (H3bes, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) as a principal building block, and a benzene carboxylic acid as a supporting ligand (i.e., benzoic (Hba), 4-hydroxybenzoic (Hfba), or 3-hydroxybenzoic (Hthba) acid). The obtained microcrystalline products, [Cu4(µ-Hbes)3(µ-H2bes)(µ-L)]·2H2O (L = ba− (1), fhba− (2), and thba− (3)), were fully characterized by FTIR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), elemental analysis, ESI-MS (Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Compounds 1–3 were applied as effective homogeneous catalysts in the oxidative C−H functionalization of alkanes (cycloalkanes and propane). Two different model reactions were explored: (1) mild oxidation of alkanes with hydrogen peroxide to give alcohols and ketones, and (2) mild carboxylation of alkanes with carbon monoxide, water, and potassium peroxodisulfate to give carboxylic acids. For these reactions, effects of different parameters, as well as mechanistic and selectivity characteristics, were studied.

New Copper(II) Coordination Compounds Assembled from Multifunctional Pyridine-Carboxylate Blocks: Synthesis, Structures, and Catalytic Activity in Cycloalkane Oxidation

Two new copper(II) coordination compounds, namely a 1D coordination polymer [Cu(µ-cpna)(phen)(H₂O)]_n (1) and a discrete tetracopper(II) derivative [Cu(phen)₂(H₂O)]₂[Cu₂(µ-Hdppa)₂(Hdppa)₂] (2), were hydrothermally synthesized from copper(II) chloride as a metal source, 5-(4-carboxyphenoxy)nicotinic acid (H₂cpna) or 5-(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl)picolinic acid (H₃dppa) as a principal building block, and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as a crystallization mediator. Compounds 1 and 2 were isolated as air-stable microcrystalline solids and fully characterized by elemental and thermogravimetric analyses, IR spectroscopy, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In the solid state, the structure of 1 discloses the linear interdigitated 1D coordination polymer chains with the 2C1 topology. The crystal structure of an ionic derivative 2 shows that the mono- and dicopper(II) units are extended into the intricate 1D hydrogen-bonded chains with the SP 1-periodic net (4,4)(0,2) topology. Thermal stability and catalytic properties of 1 and 2 were also investigated. In fact, both Cu derivatives act as efficient homogeneous catalysts (catalyst precursors) for the mild oxidation of cycloalkanes by hydrogen peroxide to give the corresponding alcohols and ketones; the substrate scope and the effects of type and amount of acid promoter as well as bond-, regio-, and stereo-selectivity features were investigated.

Interplay between H-bonding and interpenetration in an aqueous copper(ii)-aminoalcohol-pyromellitic acid system: self-assembly synthesis, structural features and catalysis

Two new copper(ii) coordination compounds, [Cu(H1.5mdea)2]2(H2pma) (1a) and [{Cu2(μ-Hmdea)2}2(μ4-pma)]n·2nH2O (1b), were self-assembled at different temperatures from the same multicomponent reaction system, comprising copper(ii) nitrate, N-methyldiethanolamine (H2mdea), pyromellitic acid (H4pma), and potassium hydroxide. Products 1a and 1b were isolated as microcrystalline solids and fully characterized and their structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1a features the bis-aminoalcohol(ate) monocopper(ii) units and H2pma2- anions that are multiply interconnected by strong H-bonds into a firm 2D H-bonded layer. Compound 1b reveals the bis-aminoalcoholate dicopper(ii) motifs that are interlinked by the μ4-pma4- spacers into a 3D + 3D interpenetrated metal-organic framework. From a topological perspective, both networks of 1a and 1b are uninodal and driven by similar 4-connected H2pma2- or pma4- nodes, but result in distinct sql and dia topologies, respectively. Compound 1a was applied as an efficient catalyst for two model cycloalkane functionalization reactions: (1) oxidation by H2O2 to form cyclic alcohols and ketones and (2) hydrocarboxylation by CO/H2O and S2O82- to form cycloalkanecarboxylic acids. The substrate scope, effects of various reaction parameters, selectivity and mechanistic features were also investigated.

Multifunctional Aromatic Carboxylic Acids as Versatile Building Blocks for Hydrothermal Design of Coordination Polymers

Selected recent examples of coordination polymers (CPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) constructed from different multifunctional carboxylic acids with phenyl-pyridine or biphenyl cores have been discussed. Despite being still little explored in crystal engineering research, such types of semi-rigid, thermally stable, multifunctional and versatile carboxylic acid building blocks have become very promising toward the hydrothermal synthesis of metal-organic architectures possessing distinct structural features, topologies, and functional properties. Thus, the main aim of this mini-review has been to motivate further research toward the synthesis and application of coordination polymers assembled from polycarboxylic acids with phenyl-pyridine or biphenyl cores. The importance of different reaction parameters and hydrothermal conditions on the generation and structural types of CPs or MOFs has also been highlighted. The influence of the type of main di- or tricarboxylate ligand, nature of metal node, stoichiometry and molar ratio of reagents, temperature, and presence of auxiliary ligands or templates has been showcased. Selected examples of highly porous or luminescent CPs, compounds with unusual magnetic properties, and frameworks for selective sensing applications have been described.

Magnetostructural relationships in polymorphic ethylmalonate-containing copper(ii) coordination polymers

Three ethylmalonate-containing non-centrosymmetric copper(ii) coordination polymers with magnetic properties ranging from antiferromagnetism to ferromagnetic ordering are synthetized under nearly identical conditions.

A new series of Cd(ii) metal–organic architectures driven by soft ether-bridged tricarboxylate spacers: synthesis, structural and topological versatility, and photocatalytic properties

Two multifunctional, ether-bridged tricarboxylic acids were used as unexplored and highly versatile building blocks for the hydrothermal generation of eight new cadmium(ii) metal–organic architectures.

Polynuclear ampyrone based 3d coordination clusters

The use of a monoanionic Schiff base ligand in transition (Co, Ni and Cu) coordination chemistry yields mono-, tetra- and pentanuclear coordination clusters with different structural motifs.

Extending the family of quinolone antibacterials to new copper derivatives: self-assembly, structural and topological features, catalytic and biological activity

New copper(ii) compounds with quinolone pefloxacin were synthesized and fully characterized; they exhibit notable catalytic activity and promising biological profiles.

Mixed-ligand aminoalcohol-dicarboxylate copper(II) coordination polymers as catalysts for the oxidative functionalization of cyclic alkanes and alkenes

New copper(II) catalytic systems for the mild oxidative C–H functionalization of cycloalkanes and cycloalkenes were developed, which are based on a series of mixed-ligand aminoalcohol-dicarboxylate coordination polymers, namely [Cu2(μ-dmea)2(μ-nda)(H2O)2]n·2nH2O (1), [Cu2(μ-Hmdea)2(μ-nda)]n·2nH2O (2), and [Cu2(μ-Hbdea)2(μ-nda)]n·2nH2O (3) that bear slightly different dicopper(II) aminoalcoholate cores, as well as on a structurally distinct dicopper(II) [Cu2(H4etda)2(μ-nda)]·nda·4H2O (4) derivative [abbreviations: H2nda, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid; Hdmea, N,N′-dimethylethanolamine; H2mdea, N-methyldiethanolamine; H2bdea, N-butyldiethanolamine; H4etda, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediamine]. Compounds 1–4 act as homogeneous catalysts in the three types of model catalytic reactions that proceed in aqueous acetonitrile medium under mild conditions (50–60°C): (i) the oxidation of cyclohexane by hydrogen peroxide to cyclohexyl hydroperoxide, cyclohexanol, and cyclohexanone, (ii) the oxidation of cycloalkenes (cyclohexene, cyclooctene) by hydrogen peroxide to a mixture of different oxidation products, and (iii) the single-pot hydrocarboxylation of cycloalkanes (cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane) by carbon monoxide, water, and a peroxodisulfate oxidant into the corresponding cycloalkanecarboxylic acids. The catalyst and substrate scope as well as some mechanistic features were investigated; the highest catalytic activity of 1–4 was observed in the hydrocarboxylation of cycloalkanes, allowing to achieve up to 50% total product yields (based on substrate).

Synthesis of porous polymeric metalloporphyrins for highly efficient oxidation of cyclohexane in heterogeneous systems

A kind of metalloporphyrin-conjugated polymer developed as an excellent heterogeneous catalyst for C–H bond oxidation.