Novel chloride-centered discrete CuI8 cubic clusters containing diselenophosphate ligands. Syntheses and structures of [Cu8(mu8-Cl)[Se2P(OR)2](6)](PF6) (R = Et, Pr, iPr)1

Recent progress in dichalcophosphate coinage metal clusters and superatoms

Atomically precise clusters of group 11 metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) attract considerable attention owing to their remarkable structure and fascinating properties. One of the unique subclasses of these clusters is based on dichalcophosphate ligands of [(RO)₂PE₂]^- type (E = S or Se, and R = alkyl). These ligands successfully stabilise the most diverse Cu, Ag, and Au clusters and superatoms, spanning from simple ones to amazing assemblies featuring unusual structural and bonding patterns. It is noteworthy that such complicated clusters are assembled directly from cheap and simple reagents, metal(I) salts and dichalcophosphate anions. This reaction, when performed in the presence of a hydride or other anion sources, or foreign metal ions, results in hydrido- or anion-templated homo- or heteronuclear structures. In this feature article, we survey the recent advances in this exciting field, highlighting the powerful synthetic capabilities of the system "a metal(I) salt - [(RO)₂PX₂]^- ligands - a templating anion or borohydride" as an inexhaustible platform for the creation of new atomically precise clusters, superatoms, and nanoalloys.

Platonic and Archimedean solids in discrete metal-containing clusters

Metal-containing clusters have attracted increasing attention over the past 2-3 decades. This intense interest can be attributed to the fact that these discrete metal aggregates, whose atomically precise structures are resolved by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD), often possess intriguing geometrical features (high symmetry, aesthetically pleasing shapes and architectures) and fascinating physical properties, providing invaluable opportunities for the intersection of different disciplines including chemistry, physics, mathematical geometry and materials science. In this review, we attempt to reinterpret and connect these fascinating clusters from the perspective of Platonic and Archimedean solid characteristics, focusing on highly symmetrical and complex metal-containing (metal = Al, Ti, V, Mo, W, U, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag, Au, lanthanoids (Ln), and actinoids) high-nuclearity clusters, including metal-oxo/hydroxide/chalcogenide clusters and metal clusters (with metal-metal binding) protected by surface organic ligands, such as thiolate, phosphine, alkynyl, carbonyl and nitrogen/oxygen donor ligands. Furthermore, we present the symmetrical beauty of metal cluster structures and the geometrical similarity of different types of clusters and provide a large number of examples to show how to accurately describe the metal clusters from the perspective of highly symmetrical polyhedra. Finally, knowledge and further insights into the design and synthesis of unknown metal clusters are put forward by summarizing these "star" molecules.

Cl@Ag22 Au6 (4-TBBT)28 (PPh4 ): A Chloride-Centered Ag-Au Bimetallic Cluster for Optics

We report the single-crystal synthesis of a chlorine-centered bimetallic cluster, Cl@Ag₂₂ Au₆ (4-TBBT)₂₈ (PPh₄ ), which bears a quatrefoil-structured Cl@Ag₂₂ (SR)₁₆ core studded by six Au(SR)₂ staples showing a quasi T_d symmetry. This cluster bears 28 metal atoms and 28 ligands, with a chlorine atom hosted in the center of the metallic Ag₂₂ Au₆ core. Single-crystal analysis shows that this cluster possesses essentially a different bonding nature compared with other monolayer-protected metal clusters (MPCs) or traditional metal-sulfur complexes. We fully dissect the structure evolution in forming such a chlorine-centered cluster. Interestingly, this cluster, Cl@Ag₂₂ Au₆ (4-TBBT)₂₈ (PPh₄ ), displays a fluorescence emission at 570 nm and supports the solid emission with a minor red shift at 574 nm. On the other hand, we have tested the nonlinear optical property and observed unambiguous nonlinear optical property with a normal valley-shaped transmittance curve corresponding to reverse saturated absorption (RSA) of the cluster.

Synthesis and structural characterization of inverse-coordination clusters from a two-electron superatomic copper nanocluster

We have synthesized and structurally characterized a series of centred cuboctahedral copper clusters, namely [Cu13{S2CNR2}6{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR'}4](PF6), 1a-d (where a: R = n Bu, R' = CO2Me; b: R = n Bu, R' = CO2Et; c: R = iPr, R' = CO2Et; d: R = n Pr, R' = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3); [Cu12(μ12-S){S2CNR2}6{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR'}4], 2a-c; [Cu12(μ12-Cl){S2CNR2}6{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR'}4](PF6), 3a-e (where e: R = n Bu, R' = Ph); [Cu12(μ12-Br){S2CN n Bu2}6{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CPh}4](PF6), 4e; and [Cu12(μ12-Cl)(μ3-Cl){S2CN n Bu2}6{C[triple bond, length as m-dash]CCO2Me}3]+ 5a. Cluster 1a is the first structurally characterized copper cluster having a Cu13 centered cuboctahedral arrangement, a miniature of the bulk copper fcc structure. Furthermore, the partial Cu(0) character in the 2-electron superatoms 1 was confirmed by XANES. Inverse coordination clusters 2-5 are the first examples of copper clusters containing main group elements (Cl, Br, S) with a hyper-coordination number, twelve. A combined theoretical and experimental study was performed, which shows that the central copper (formally Cu1-) in nanoclusters 1 can be replaced by chalcogen/halogen atoms, resulting in the formation of clusters 2-5 which show enhanced luminescence properties and increase in the ionic component of the host-guest interaction as Br ≈ Cl > S > Cu, which is consistent with the Cu-X Wiberg indices. The new compounds have been characterized by ESI-MS, 1H, 13C NMR, IR, UV-visible, emission spectroscopy, and the structures 2a-b, 3d-e, 4e and 5a were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Large CuI8 chalcogenone cubic cages with non-interacting counter ions

Synthesis and applications of two mega size octanuclear copper(i) chalcogenone cages have been reported.

Copper(i) diselenocarbamate clusters: synthesis, structures and single-source precursors for Cu and Se composite materials

The first Cu(i) compounds supported by dialkyl diselenocarbamates were reported to exhibit tetrahedral, hydride-centered tetracapped tetrahedral and hydride-centered tricapped tetrahedral core structures.

Selenium-Centered, Undecanuclear Silver Cages Surrounded by Iodo and Dialkyldiselenophosphato Ligands. Syntheses, Structures, and Photophysical Properties

Three clusters [Ag11(mu9-Se)(mu3-I)3{Se2P(OR)2}6] (R = Et, 1; iPr, 2; 2Bu, 3) were isolated from the reaction of [Ag(CH3CN)4](PF6), NH4[Se2P(OR)2], and Bu4NI in a molar ratio of 4:3:1 in CH2Cl2 in 47-55% yield. Compounds 1 and 2 can also be synthesized with high yield from the reaction of Ag10(Se)[Se2P(OR)2]8 with 8 equiv of Bu4NI. In the positive fast atom bombardment mass spectra of 1-3, two major peaks that correspond to the intact molecule with the loss of an iodide ion, [Ag11(mu9-Se)(mu3-I)(2){Se2P(OR)2}6]+, and a diselenophosphate ligand, [Ag11(mu9-Se)(mu3-I)3{Se2P(OR)2}5]+, were identified. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of 2 and 3 reveal an Ag11Se core stabilized by three iodide anions and six diselenophosphato ligands in a tetrametallic tetraconnective (mu2,mu2) coordination mode. The central core adopts the geometry of a 3,3,4,4,4-pentacapped trigonal prism with a selenium atom in the center. In addition, weak intermolecular Se...I interactions exist in 2 and form a one-dimensional polymeric chain structure. Furthermore, all compounds exhibit orange-red luminescence in both the solid state and solution.

Discrete copper(i) clusters with Cu6P6Se6 and Cu6P4Se6 cores

The reactions of chalcogenophosphinites with copper(I) metal salts are shown to yield highly stable, multi-metallic copper-chalcogen based clusters with novel topologies.

Coordination chemistry of Group 12 metals with phosphorodiselenoates: syntheses, structures and VT 31P NMR study of monomer–dimer exchange equilibrium

The reactions of diselenophosphates, [dsep, (RO)2PSe2-; R = Et, (n)Pr and (i)Pr] with cadmium(II) and mercury(II) perchlorates in a 2 : 1 molar ratio formed compounds of stoichiometry M[Se2P(OR)2]2{M = Cd, R = Et (1), (n)Pr (2), (i)Pr (3); Hg, Et(4), (n)Pr (5), (i)Pr (6)}, and with zinc(II) perchlorates, chalcogen centered tetranuclear clusters, [Zn4(micro4-E){Se2P(OR)2}6]{E = Se, R = Et (7), (n)Pr (8), (i)Pr (9); E = O, R = Et (10), (n)Pr (11), (i)Pr (12)} were formed. All these complexes have been characterized with the help of analytical data, X-ray crystallography (1, 3, 6, 10, 11 and 12), and FAB-mass spectrometry (7-12). Compound 1 is a linear double-chain polymer, in which each pair of Cd atoms is bridged by two dsep ligands; the mercury 6 polymer has a helical chain structure, in which two Hg atoms are bridged by one dsep ligand, and the other ligand chelates the Hg atom. The chelating dsep ligands lie on either side of the helical chain. Compound 3 exists as a dimer in which two cadmium atoms are connected by two bridging dsep ligands, and each cadmium atom is further chelated by a dsep ligand. The metal atoms in 1, 3 and 6 are each coordinated by four selenium atoms in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. Clusters 10-12 have tetrahedral array of zinc atoms with an oxygen atom in the center with edge-bridging dsep ligands. Positive FAB-mass spectra support the formation of selenium-centered clusters,7-9, of which the cluster 8 was structurally confirmed earlier. The solution state behavior of compounds 1-12 has been studied by using multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Dimer 3 in CD2Cl2 showed monomer-dimer exchange equilibrium in the temperature range 20 to -90 degrees C and the free energy of activation is calculated from the coalescence temperature as DeltaG++(223 K)= 38.5 kJ mol(-1). Polymer undergoes depolymerization in CDCl3 and exhibits monomer-dimer exchange equilibrium in the temperature range 20 to -60 degrees C.

Synthesis and structure of novel [Ph(RO)PSe2]– complexes

Reaction of (PhPSe2)2(Woollins reagent) with NaOR (R = Me, Et, (i)Pr) gives the non-symmetric phosphonodiselenoato anions [Ph(RO)PSe2]- which can be complexed to a range of metals. The nickel complex Ni[Ph(MeO)PSe2]2 adopts a square-planar ML2 structure while the cadmium complex Cd[Ph(MeO)PSe2]2 displays a dimeric M2L4 structure. Two different lead complexes are observed, one consisting of PbL2 units joined by Pb...Se interactions to form distinct dimeric pairs. The other displays a novel dimeric structure built around a central four-membered Pb2Se2 ring. All new compounds have been characterised spectroscopically (31P, 1H, 13C NMR, IR, mass spectroscopy), by elemental analysis and five demonstrative X-ray structures are reported.

The First, Discrete Zn4 Tetrahedron with a Selenium Atom in the Center: X-ray Structure and Solution Study of [Zn4(μ4-Se){Se2P(OPr)2}6]

The first discrete, selenium-centered tetranuclear zinc cluster [Zn4(mu4-Se)[Se2P(OPr)2]6] was isolated and characterized. The cluster consists of six edge-bridged dsep ligands with four zinc atoms in a slightly distorted tetrahedron and a mu4-Se atom in the center. In addition, 12 mu2-bridging selenium atoms form a Se12 icosahedron. From variable-temperature 31P NMR studies, it was observed that the cluster [Zn4(Se)[Se2P(OPr)2]6] is partly decomposed to [Zn[Se2P(OPr)2]2] and the monomeric species [Zn[Se2P(OPr)2]2] is further in equilibrium with its dimer [Zn[Se2P(OPr)2]2]2.

A Nonacoordinated Bridging Selenide in a Tricapped Trigonal Prismatic Geometry Identified in Undecanuclear Copper Clusters: Syntheses, Structures, and DFT Calculations

Undecanuclear copper clusters, [Cu(11)(micro(9)-Se)(micro(3)-Br)(3)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)] (R = Et, Pr, (i)Pr) (1a-c), were isolated along with closed-shell ion-centered cubes, [Cu(8)(micro(8)-Br)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)] (PF(6)) (2a-c) and [Cu(8)(micro(8)-Se)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)] (3a-c), from the reaction of [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)](PF(6)), NH(4)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)], and Bu(4)NBr in a molar ratio of 2:3:2 in CH(2)Br(2). The molecular formulations of these clusters were confirmed by elemental analysis, positive FAB mass spectrometry, and multinuclear NMR ((1)H, (31)P, and (77)Se). (77)Se NMR spectra of Cu(11) clusters (1a-c) are of special interest as two inequivalent selenium nuclei of the diselenophosphate (dsep) ligand exhibit different scalar coupling patterns with the adjacent phosphorus nuclei. X-ray analysis of 1c reveals a Cu(11)Se core stabilized by three bromide and six dsep ligands. The central core adopts the geometry of a 3,3,4,4,4-pentacapped trigonal prism with a selenium atom in the center. The coordination geometry for the nonacoordinate selenium atom is tricapped trigonal prismatic. The X-ray structure 2a or 2c consists of a cationic cluster in which eight copper ions are linked by six diselenophosphate ligands with a central micro(8)-Br ion. The shape of the molecule is a bromide-centered distorted Cu(8) cube. Each diselenophosphate ligand occupies square faces of the cube and adopts a tetrametallic tetraconnective coordination pattern. Each copper atom of the cube is coordinated by three selenium atoms with a strong interaction with the central bromide ion. Molecular orbital calculations at the B3LYP level of the density functional theory have been carried out to study the Cu-micro(9)-Se interactions for clusters [Cu(11)(micro(9)-Se)(micro(3)-X)(3)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)] (X = Br, I). Calculations show that the formal bond order of each Cu-micro(9)-Se bond is slightly smaller than half of those calculated for the terminal Cu-micro(2)-Se bonds.

New Halide-Centered Discrete AgI8 Cubic Clusters Containing Diselenophosphate Ligands, {Ag8(X)[Se2P(OR)2]6}(PF6) (X = Cl, Br; R = Et, Pr, iPr): Syntheses, Structures, and DFT Calculations

Six clusters Ag(8)(micro(8)-X)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)(PF(6)) (R = Et, X = Cl, 1a, X = Br, 1b; R = Pr, X = Cl, 2a, X = Br, 2b; R = (i)Pr, X = Cl, 3a, X = Br, 3b) were isolated from the reaction of [Ag(CH(3)CN)(4)](PF(6)), NH(4)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)], and Bu(4)NX in a molar ratio of 4:3:1 in CH(2)X(2). Positive FAB mass spectra show m/z peaks at 2573.2 for 1a, 2617.3 for 1b, 2740.9 for 2a, 2786.9 for 2b, 2742.3 for 3a, and 2787.0 for 3b due to respective molecular cation, (M - PF(6))(+). (31)P NMR spectra of 1a-3b display a singlet at delta 82.3, 81.5, 82.9, 81.7, 76.3, and 75.8 ppm with a set of satellites (J(PSe) = 661, 664, 652, 652, 656, and 656 Hz, respectively). The X-ray structure (1a-2b) consists of a discrete cationic cluster in which eight silver ions are linked by six diselenophosphate ligands and a central micro(8)-Cl or micro(8)-Br ion with a noncoordinating PF(6)(-) anion. The shape of the molecule is a halide-centered distorted Ag(8) cubic cluster. The dsep ligand exhibits a tetrametallic tetraconnective (micro(2), micro(2)) coordination pattern, and each caps on a square face of the cube. Each silver atom of the cube is coordinated by three selenium atoms and the central chloride or bromide ion. Additionally, molecular orbital calculations at the B3LYP level of the density functional theory have been carried out to study the Ag-micro(8)-X (X = Cl, Br) interactions for cluster cations [Ag(8)(micro(8)-X)[Se(2)P(OR)(2)](6)](+). Calculations show very weak bonding interactions exist between micro(8)-X and Ag atoms of the cube.

Syntheses, Solid-State Structures, and Solution Studies by VT 31P NMR of [Zn{Se2P(OEt)2}2]∞ and [Zn2{Se2P(OiPr)2}4]

Complexes [Zn[Se(2)P(OEt)(2)](2)]( infinity ) (1) and [Zn(2)[Se(2)P(O(i)Pr)(2)](4)] (2) are prepared from the reaction of Zn(ClO(4))(2).6H(2)O and (NH(4))[Se(2)P(OR)(2)] (R = Et and (i)Pr) in a molar ratio of 1:2 in deoxygenated water at room temperature. Positive FAB mass spectra show m/z peaks at 968.8 (Zn(2)L(3)(+)) and 344.8 (ZnL(+)) for 1 and m/z at 1052.8 (Zn(2)L(3)(+)) for 2. (1)H NMR spectra exhibit chemical shifts at delta 1.43 and 4.23 ppm for 1 and 1.41 and 4.87 ppm for 2 due to Et and (i)Pr group of dsep ligands. While the solid-state structure of compound 1 is a one-dimensional polymer via symmetrically bridging dsep ligands, complex 2 in the crystalline state exists as a dimer. In both 1 and 2, zinc atoms are connected by two bridging dsep ligands with an additional chelating ligand at each zinc atom. The dsep ligands exhibit bimetallic biconnective (micro(2), eta(2)) and monometallic biconnective (eta(2)) coordination patterns. Thus, each zinc atom is coordinated by four selenium atoms from two bridging and one chelating dsep ligands and the geometry around zinc is distorted tetrahedral. The Zn-Se distances range between 2.422 and 2.524 A. From variable-temperature (31)P NMR studies it has been found that monomer and dimer of the complex are in equilibrium in solution via exchange of bridging and chelating ligands. However, at temperature above 40 degrees C the complex exists as a monomer and shows a very sharp peak while with lowering of the temperature the percentage of dimer increases gradually at the expense of monomer. Below -90 degrees C the complex exists as a dimer and two peaks are observed with equal intensities which are due to bridging and chelating ligands. (77)Se NMR spectra of both complexes at -30 degrees C exhibit three doublets due to the presence of monomer and dimer in solution.

Ligand Substitution in Cubic Clusters: Surprising Isolation of the Cocrystallization Products of Cu8(μ8-Se)[S2P(OEt)2]6 and Cu6[S2P(OEt)2]6

The cluster (Cu8(mu8-Se)[S2P(OEt)2]6)0.54(Cu6[S2P(OEt)2]6)0.46 (2) was prepared in 78% yield from the reaction of Cu8(Se)[Se2P(OPr)2]6 (1) and NH4S2P(OEt)2 in toluene. The central selenide ion in 2 was characterized by 77Se NMR at delta -976 ppm. The simulated solid-state 31P NMR spectrum shows two components with an intensity ratio close to 55:45. The peak centered at 100.7 ppm is assigned to the 31P nuclei in the hexanuclear copper cluster, and that at 101.1 ppm is due to the octanuclear copper cluster. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirms the cocrystallization structures of Cu8(Se)[S2P(OEt)2]6 (54%) and Cu6[S2P(OEt)2]6 (46%) (2: trigonal, space group R3, a=21.0139(13) A, c=11.404(3) A, gamma=120 degrees, Z=3). While the octanuclear copper cluster possesses a 3-fold crystallographic axis which pass through the Cu2, Se, and Cu(2A) atoms, the six copper atoms having the S6 point group symmetry in Cu6[S2P(OEt)2]6 form a compressed octahedron. The Cu8(mu8-Se) cubic core in Cu8(mu8-Se)[S2P(OEt)2]6 is larger in size than the metal core in Cu8(mu8-Se)[Se2P(OPr)2]6 (1) although the bite distance of the Se-containing bridging ligand is larger than that of the S ligand. To understand the nature of the structure contraction of the metal core and metal-mu8-Se interaction, molecular orbital calculations have been carried out at the B3LYP level of density functional theory. MO calculations suggest that Cu-mu8-Se interactions are not very strong and a half bond can be formally assigned to each Cu-mu8-Se bond. Moderate Cu...Cu repulsion exists, and it is the bridging ligands that are responsible for the observed Cu...Cu contacts. Hence, the S-ligating copper clusters have greater Cu...Cu separations because each Cu carries more positive charge in the presence of the more electronegative S-containing ligands.