Construction of a functional layered solid using the tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate coordinating anion

Charge-Separated and Lewis Paired Metal-Organic Framework for Anion Exchange and CO2 Chemical Fixation

Charge-separated metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a unique class of MOFs that can possess added properties originating from the exposed ionic species. A new charge-separated MOF, namely, UNM-6 synthesized from a tetrahedral borate ligand and Co²⁺ cation is reported herein. UNM-6 crystalizes into the highly symmetric P43n space group with fourfold interpenetration, despite the stoichiometric imbalance between the B and Co atoms, which also leads to loosely bound NO₃ ^- anions within the crystal structure. These NO₃ ^- ions can be quantitatively exchanged with various other anions, leading to Lewis acid (Co²⁺ ) and Lewis base (anions) pairs within the pores and potentially cooperative catalytic activities. For example, UNM-6-Br, the MOF after anion exchange with Br^- anions, displays high catalytic activity and stability in reactions of CO₂ chemical fixation into cyclic carbonates.

Optical and nonlinear optical properties of Ln(Tp)2, where Ln = La,…,Lu and Tp = tris(pyrazolyl)borate: a DFT+TD-DFT study

DFT calculations of electronic, structural, thermodynamic properties, magnetic moment, static and dynamic polarizability and hyperpolarizability of Ln(Tp)₂ (Ln = rare earths, Tp = ring-unsubstituted tris(pyrazolyl)borate) complexes.

A charge-separated diamondoid metal–organic framework

Metal–organic framework with diamondoid structure constructed with precisely placed tetrahedral borate anions and copper(i) cations.

Investigating the topochemical polymerization of aniline derivatives in Pb(II) borate scaffolds

Three different aniline derivatives, namely m- and p-aminobenzoic acids and m-amino benzenesulfonic acid, were sequestered in between layers of a borate-based coordination polymer, based on lead(II) tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate. The aniline derivatives pre-organized in the interlayer spacing of the coordination polymer, and the reactivity of these pre-organized anionic monomers in the crystalline state was studied. We found that thermally activated reactivity under ambient atmospheric oxygen promotes what appears to be polymerization, and that the most reactive species is m-aminobenzenesulfonic acid monomer due to its increased mobility within the layers of the polymer.

Topological Control in Heterometallic Metal−Organic Frameworks by Anion Templating and Metalloligand Design

Several new heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on tris(dipyrrinato) metalloligands and Ag+ salts are reported. MOFs were prepared systematically to examine the effects of the core metal ion, counteranion, and ligand structure on the topology of the resultant network. The effect of the metal ion (Fe3+ vs Co3+) on MOF structure was generally found to be negligible, thereby permitting the facile synthesis of trimetallic Fe/Co/Ag networks. The choice of anion (e.g., silver salt) was found to have a pronounced effect on the MOF topology. Networks prepared with salts of AgO3SCF3 and AgBF4 reliably formed three-dimensional (10,3) nets, whereas use of AgPF6 and AgSbF6 produced two-dimensional (6,3) honeycomb nets. The topology generated upon formation of the MOF was found to be robust in certain cases, as demonstrated by anion-exchange experiments. Anion exchange was confirmed by X-ray crystallography in a rare set of apparent single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformations. The data presented here strongly suggest that the coordinative ability of the anion does not play a significant role in the observed templating effect. Finally, changes in the length of the tris(dipyrrinato) metalloligand were found to override the anion templating effect, resulting exclusively in two-dimensional (6,3) nets. These studies provide a basis for the rational design of MOF topologies by choice of ligand structure and anion templating effects. Furthermore, the results demonstrate the ability of carefully designed metalloligands to generate MOFs of structure strikingly similar to that of their organic counterparts.

Sequestering Perrhenate with a Borate-Based Coordination Polymer: A Model for Pertechnetate Separation

Crystals of the layered metal organic framework solid Pb[B(Im)4](NO3)(nH2O) can undergo exchange of the nitrate for perrhenate, a model for pertechnetate, forming Pb[B(Im)4](ReO4). We can monitor this reaction by 207Pb solid-state NMR and can isolate single crystals of the resultant material through growth in the presence of an excess of perrhenate. Such a synthetic metal-organic framework solid represents a new candidate for pertechnetate-sequestering materials.

The assembly of organic radical anions between metal-borate scaffolds

Metal-organic frameworks based on the Pb[B(Im)(4)](+) unit form layered structures analogous to those observed in clays and double layered hydroxide minerals. These layers can act as scaffolds for the organization of anionic organic guests. In this report, we use this scaffold to assemble TEMPO and PROXYL carboxylates in the interlayer spacings of Pb[B(Im)(4)](4-carboxy-TEMPO) 1 and Pb[B(Im)(4)](3-carboxy-PROXYL)(H(2)O)2, respectively. The resultant materials are paramagnetic, and the organization of the radical units differs between the two compounds. This results in changes in electronic structure of the radical unit, as observed by EPR spectroscopy.

Lead and Thallium Tetrakis(imidazolyl)borates: Modifying Structure by Varying Metal and Anion

We are using the coordinating anions tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate and tetrakis(4-methylimidazolyl)borate to construct new metal-organic framework structures. In this report, we are exploring materials similar in composition to the previously reported layered network structure Pb[B(Im)(4)](NO(3))(nH(2)O). The metal in this compound can be replaced with isoelectronic Tl(I), affording Tl[B(Im)(4)], and the borate can be modified by using 4-methylimidazole, resulting in Pb[B(4-MeIm)(4)](NO(3)) and Tl[B(4-MeIm)(4)]. Like the parent Pb[B(Im)(4)](NO(3))(nH(2)O), Tl[B(Im)(4)] and Tl[B(4-MeIm)(4)] are layered network structures but both lack anions or solvent molecules in the interlayer spacing. The material Pb[B(4-MeIm)(4)](NO(3)), however, exhibits a 3D network structure that lacks an open topology, resulting from the increased stereochemical activity (greater steric bulk toward other ligands) of the 4-methylimidazole ring. Both of the Tl(I) solids display longer M-N bonds than observed in the analogous Pb(II) compounds; these lengths account for the decreased effect of the stereochemical activity of the 4-methylimidazole ring in Tl[B(4-MeIm)(4)].

Heteroleptic Copper Dipyrromethene Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Coordination Polymers

The synthesis of neutral [Cu(dpm)2] and [Cu(dpm)(acac)] (dpm = dipyrromethene, acac = acetylacetonato) complexes is presented. The formation of the asymmetric metal complexes was monitored by electronic absorption and infrared spectroscopy. Two of the complexes investigated, containing pyrdpm ligands (pyrdpm = pyridyldipyrromethene), form 1-dimensional coordination polymers. The coordination polymers formed by these complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The complexes possess square pyramidal coordination geometries with the apical position occupied by the meso-pyridyl donor of a neighboring complex in the crystal lattice. The features of these coordination complexes that facilitate formation of extended solids have been probed. Symmetric [Cu(pyrdpm)2] complexes are unable to form coordination solids due to steric hindrance at the metal center. Use of cyano donors in complexes such as [Cu(cydpm)(acac)] (cydpm = cyanodipyrromethene) in lieu of pyridyl donors also fail to form network solids. Through these systematic studies, both the basic coordination chemistry of these complexes and the fundamental design requirements for synthesizing this novel class of coordination polymers have been defined.

Lead Tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate Solids: Anion Exchange, Solvent Intercalation, and Self Assembly of an Organic Anion

The coordination polymer Pb[B(Im)(4)](NO(3))(xH(2)O), constructed by using sodium tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate and lead(II) nitrate solutions, is a layered material with the metal centers facing the interlayer spacing. As in naturally occurring layered minerals, this compound can readily undergo anion exchange and reversible intercalation of solvent water in the solid state with retention of crystallinity. We observed changes in solvent intercalation by (207)Pb solid state NMR (SSNMR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Stoichiometric exchange of (15)N nitrate for nitrate and iodide for nitrate is monitored by (15)N and (207)Pb SSNMR, and single crystals of the iodide-exchanged material Pb[B(Im)(4)]I were isolated. While the iodide compound can be obtained through facile exchange from the nitrate parent compound, the organic anion benzoate is placed in the interlayer spacing for nitrate under self-assembly conditions and forms an alternating monolayer in Pb[B(Im)(4)](C(6)H(5)COO)(0.5H(2)O). The ion exchange versus self-assembly behavior correlates with the structural differences in the three compounds. In both Pb[B(Im)(4)]I and Pb[B(Im)(4)](C(6)H(5)COO)(0.5H(2)O), the lead sites act as Lewis acids for the iodide and benzoate, respectively.

Tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate-based coordination polymers: group II network solids, M[B(Im)4]2(H2O)2 (M = Mg, Ca, Sr)

We are using the coordinating anion tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate to construct new metal-organic framework structures. In this report, we present three alkaline earth metal network solids incorporating this anion. All three compounds have the same formula, M[B(Im)(4)](2)(H(2)O)(2) (M = Mg, Ca, Sr), and the same coordination environment about the metal. However, the three compounds have different network structures with different degrees of hydrogen bonding; the Mg material forms a two-dimensional network and the Ca and Sr compounds form one-dimensional chains. In addition, we present the structure of the protonated anion B(HIm)(Im)(3) as a model for the default structure of this anion and discuss how the conformation of tetrakis(imidazolyl)borate can affect the structure of network solids.