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

Filling a Gap: Electrochemical Property Comparison of the Completed Compound Series [Mo2(DArF)n(O2C-Fc)4-n] (DArF = N,N'-Diarylformamidinate; O2C-Fc = Ferrocenecarboxylate)

The reaction of cis-[Mo2(O2C-Fc)2(NCCH3)4][BF4]2 (cis-1) with two electronically different N,N'-diarylformamidinate (DArF) ligands (DArF = N,N'-bis(p-trifluoromethylphenyl)formamidinate (DTfmpF), N,N'-bis(p-anisyl)formamidinate (DAniF)) results in the isolation of the tris- and monosubstituted complexes [Mo2(DTfmpF)3(O2C-Fc)] (2a) and [Mo2(DAniF)(O2C-Fc)3] (2b). These complexes complete the series of [Mo2(DArF)n(O2C-Fc)4-n] (n = 4-0) type compounds, thus allowing for a comprehensive study. On the basis of the oxidation potential E1/2([Mo2](4+)/[Mo2](5+)) of all Mo2 complexes, ligand basicity is found to decrease in the order DAniF(-) > DTfmpF(-) > Fc-CO2(-) ≫ CH3CN. In addition, no direct electronic interaction between the trans-positioned Fc units in complex 2b is detected, which is attributed to the full overlap of all Fc oxidation processes. Furthermore, the low-energy absorption bands of compounds 2a,b are located at different positions in their respective UV-vis spectra.

Electronic Coupling in [Mo2]-Bridge-[Mo2] Systems with Twisted Bridges

In order to evaluate the impact of bridge conformation on electronic coupling in donor-bridge-acceptor triad systems, two Mo2 dimers, [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[μ-1,4-{C(O)NH}2-Naph] (1, DAniF = N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate and Naph = naphthalenyl) and [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[μ-1,4-(CS2)2-2,5-Me2C6H2] (2), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. These two compounds feature a large dihedral angle (>60°) between the central aromatic ring and the plane defined by the Mo-Mo bond vectors, which is distinct from the previously reported phenylene bridged analogues [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[μ-1,4-{C(O)NH}2-ph] (I) and [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[μ-1,4-(CS2)2-C6H4] (II), respectively. Unusual optical behaviors are observed for the mixed-valence (MV) species (1(+) and 2(+)), generated by single-electron oxidation. While 2(+) exhibits a weak intervalence charge transfer (IVCT) absorption band in the near-IR region, the IVCT band is absent in the spectrum of 1(+), which is quite different from what observed for I(+) and II(+). Optical analyses, based on superexchange formalism and Hush model, indicate that, in terms of Robin-Day classification, mixed-valence species 1(+) belongs to the electronically uncoupled Class I and complex 2(+), with Hab = 220 cm(-1), is assigned to the weakly coupled Class II. Together with I(+) and II(+), the four MV complexes complete a transition from Class I to Class II-III borderline as a result of manipulating the geometric topology of the bridge. Given the structural and electronic features for the molecular systems, the impacts of electrostatic interaction (through-space) and electron resonance (through-bond) on electronic coupling are discussed.

Tuning the electronic coupling in Mo2-Mo2 systems by variation of the coordinating atoms of the bridging ligands

Three novel [Mo2]-bridge-[Mo2] complexes were synthesized by a convergent assembling reaction of the dimetal precursor Mo2(DAniF)3(O2CCH3) (DAniF = N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate) with the bridging ligands terephthalamidine, terephthalamide and dithioterephthalamide. The structures of these compounds, [Mo2(DAniF)3]2[μ-1,4-{C(E)NH}2-C6H4] (E = NH (), O () or S ()), were determined, either by X-ray crystallography or (1)H NMR spectroscopy, to be the analogues of the terephthalate bridged dimolybdenum dimer. These compounds are structurally and electronically closely related by having the same structural skeleton and similar bonding parameters, which allowed us to analyze the differences between N, O and S atoms on the bridging ligand in promoting electronic interaction between the two [Mo2] units. In the electronic spectra, the metal to ligand charge transfer absorption bands, attributed to the HOMO (dδ) → LUMO (pπ*) transition, was red shifted as the variable atoms change from N to O to S. The mixed-valence species (+), (+) and (+), generated by one-electron oxidation of the neutral precursors and measured in situ, exhibited characteristic intervalence absorption bands, for which the energy and half-height bandwidth decreased from (+) to (+). Therefore, in comparison to O atoms, S atoms are capable of enhancing the electronic coupling between the two [Mo2] units, and the incorporation of N atoms to the bridging ligands slightly diminished the metal-metal interaction. The molecular structures and spectroscopic properties of these compounds were simulated by theoretical calculations at DFT level on the simplified models, which gave results consistent with the experimental observations.

From molecules to materials: molecular paddle-wheel synthons of macromolecules, cage compounds and metal-organic frameworks

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are becoming a more and more important class of functional materials. Yet, very often, the synthesis of MOFs is not easy to control and requires a profound knowledge and experience in solid state chemistry. One of the most frequently used metal connectors is the so-called 'paddle-wheel' (PW) unit, which is a well-known molecular compound type in inorganic coordination chemistry. Depending on the ligands, the geometry of PWs strictly directs the assembly of ordered networks. This review focuses on the question, to what extent ordered network structures can be accessed by typical molecular syntheses in solution, starting from molecular PW complexes to ordered macromolecules, finite cage compounds and finally, three-dimensional superstructures.

Evidence of disruption of conjugation involving delta bonds in intramolecular electronic coupling

A dimer of dimers containing two quadruply bonded [Mo(2)(DAniF)(3)](+) units (DAniF = N,N'-di(p-anisyl)formamidinate) linked by the S-donor linker, dimethyldithiooxamidate was synthesized, structurally characterized, and electronic communication was probed. The core of [Mo(2)(DAniF)(3)](2)(C(2)S(2)N(2)Me(2)), 1, formed by the Mo(2)NSC(2)SNMo(2) atoms shows two fused but non planar six-membered rings, which differs from that of the beta form of dimethyloxamidate analogue that has a heteronaphthalene-type structure (Cotton, F. A.; Liu, C. Y.; Murillo, C. A.; Villagran, D.; Wang, X. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 14822). For these two analogous compounds electronic coupling between the two [Mo(2)] units, as determined by electrochemical measurements, diminishes considerably upon replacement of O-donor by S-donor atoms (DeltaE(1/2) = 531 mV and 440 mV, respectively). This suggests that the non planar conformation of the linker in 1 hampers a pathway leading to pi conjugation. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the highest occupied molecular orbitals HOMO-HOMO-1 energy gap of 0.12 eV for 1 is much smaller than that of 0.61 eV for the O-donor analogue, which is consistent with the electrochemical data.

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 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.

Tetraplatinum precursors for supramolecular assemblies: syntheses, crystal structures, and stereoselective self-assemblies of [Pt4(μ-OCOCH3)6(κ4-N4-DArBp)] (DArBp = 1,3-bis(arylbenzamidinate)propane)

Treatment of the cisoid-capped complex [Pt(4)(micro-OCOCH(3))(6)(kappa(4)-N(4)-DAr'Bp)] (), which was obtained from the reaction of [Pt(4)(micro-OCOCH(3))(8)] (1) with Na(2)D(t)BuPhBp (D(t)BuPhBp = 1,3-bis(para-tert-butylphenylbenzamidinate)propane), with an equimolar amount of 1,1'-ferrocenedicarboxylic acid undergoes a stereoselective self-assembly to afford an indented-quadrangle tetramer [Pt(4)(micro-OCOCH(3))(4)(kappa(4)-N(4)-D(t)BuPhBp){Fe(C(5)H(4)COO)(2)}](4) as a single diastereomer.