Bimetallic Iron(3+) Spin-Crossover Complexes Containing a 2,2′-Bithienyl Bridging bis-QsalH Ligand

Preparation of Structurally and Electronically Diverse N → B-Ladder Boranes by [2 + 2 + 2] Cycloaddition

We report the synthesis of a series of eight N → B-ladder boranes through cobalt-mediated cyclotrimerization of (2-cyanophenyl)-dimesitylborane with different dialkynes. The resulting tetracoordinate boranes show variable electrochemical and optical properties depending on the substitution pattern in the backbone of the coordinating pyridine-derivatives. While boranes containing alkyl-substituted pyridines show lower electron affinities than the known parent compound, boranes featuring π-extended pyridine derivatives show higher electron affinities in the range of acceptor substituted triarylboranes. All derivatives show larger Stokes shifts (8790-6920 cm^-1) compared to the N → B-ladder borane coordinated by an unsubstituted pyridine.

Tellura(benzo)bithiophenes: Synthesis, Oligomerization, and Phosphorescence

A series of planar π-extended Te-containing heteroacenes, termed tellura(benzo)bithiophenes, were synthesized. This new structural class of heterocycle features a tellurophene ring fused to a benzobithiophene unit with aromatic side groups (either -C₆H₄ⁱPr or -C₆H₄OCH₃) positioned at the 2- and 5-positions of the tellurophene moiety. Although attempts to enhance molecular rigidity and extend ring-framework π-delocalization in a cumenyl (-C₆H₄ⁱPr)-capped tellura(benzo)bithiophene led to oxidation (and Te-C bond scission) to form a diene-one, the formation of an oligomeric tellura(benzo)bithiophene was possible via Kumada catalyst-transfer polycondensation (KCTP). Furthermore, one tellura(benzo)bithiophene derivative exhibits orange-red phosphorescence at room temperature in air when incorporated into a poly(methyl methacrylate) host; accompanying TD-DFT computations provided insight into a potential mechanism for the observed phosphorescence.

Iron(II) Spin Crossover Complex with the 1,2,3-Triazole-Containing Linear Pentadentate Schiff-Base Ligand and the MeCN Monodentate Ligand

A mononuclear iron(II) complex bearing the linear pentadentate N5 Schiff-base ligand containing two 1,2,3-triazole moieties and the MeCN monodentate ligand, [FeIIMeCN(L3-Me-3Ph)](BPh4)2·MeCN·H2O (1), have been prepared (L3-Me-3Ph = bis(N,N′-1-Phenyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-methylideneaminopropyl)methylamine). Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed an incomplete one-step spin crossover (SCO) from the room-temperature low-spin (LS, S = 0) state to a mixture of the LS and high-spin (HS, S = 2) species at the higher temperature of around 400 K upon first heating, which is irreversible on the consecutive cooling mode. The magnetic modulation at around 400 K was induced by the crystal-to-amorphous transformation accompanied by the loss of lattice MeCN solvent, which was evident from powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) studies and themogravimetry. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed that the complex is in the LS state (S = 0) between 296 and 387 K. In the crystal lattice, the complex-cations and B(1)Ph4− ions are alternately connected by intermolecular CH···π interactions between the methyl group of the MeCN ligand and phenyl groups of B(1)Ph4− ions, forming a 1D chain structure. The 1D chains are further connected by P4AE (parallel fourfold aryl embrace) interactions between two neighboring complex-cations, constructing a 2D extended structure. B(2)Ph4− ions and MeCN lattice solvents exist in the spaces of the 2D layer. DFT calculations verified that the 1,2,3-triazole-containing ligand L3-Me-3Ph gives a stronger ligand field around the octahedral coordination environment of the iron(II) ion than the analogous imidazole-containing ligand H2L2Me (= bis(N,N′-2-methylimidazol-4-yl-methylideneaminopropyl)methylamine) of the known compound [FeIIMeCN(H2L2Me)](BPh4)1.5·Cl0.5·0.5MeCN (2) reported by Matsumoto et al. (Nishi, K.; Fujinami, T.; Kitabayashi, A.; Matsumoto, N. Tetrameric spin crossover iron(II) complex constructed by imidazole⋯chloride hydrogen bonds. Inorg. Chem. Commun. 2011, 14, 1073–1076), resulting in the much higher spin transition temperature of 1 than that of 2.

(Phenoxyimidazolyl-salicylaldimine)iron complexes: synthesis, properties and iron catalysed ethylene reactions

(Salicyladimine)iron(iii) pre-catalysts, from iron(ii) precursors, form catalysts for ethylene oligomerisation, polymerisation and alkylation of aromatic solvents by the ethylene oligomers.

High-temperature spin crossover behavior in a nitrogen-rich Fe(III)-based system

A nitrogen-rich ligand bis(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)amine (H(3)bta) was employed to isolate a new Fe(III) complex, Na(2)NH(4)[Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)]·3DMF·2H(2)O (1). Single crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that complex 1 consists of Fe(III) ions in an octahedral environment where each metal ion is coordinated by three Hbta(2-) ligands forming the [Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)](3-) core. Each unit is linked to two one-dimensional (1-D) Na(+)/solvent chains creating a two-dimensional (2-D) network. In addition, the presence of multiple hydrogen bonds in all directions between ammonium cation and ligands of different [Fe(III)(Hbta)(3)](3-) units generates a three-dimensional (3-D) network. Magnetic measurements confirmed that the Fe(III) center undergoes a Spin Crossover (SCO) at high temperature (T(1/2) = 460(10) K).

Lattice effects on the spin-crossover profile of a mononuclear manganese(III) cation

Six solvated salts of a mononuclear manganese(III) complex with a chelating hexadentate Schiff base ligand are reported. One member of the series, [MnL]PF(6)⋅0.5 CH(3)OH (1), shows a rare low-spin (LS) electronic configuration between 10-300 K. The remaining five salts, [MnL]NO(3)⋅C(2)H(5)OH(2), [MnL]BF(4)⋅C(2)H(5)OH(3), [MnL]CF(3)SO(3)⋅C(2)H(5)OH (4), [MnL]ClO(4)⋅C(2)H(5)OH (5) and [MnL]ClO(4)⋅0.5 CH(3)CN (6), all show gradual incomplete spin-crossover (SCO) behaviour. The structures of all were determined at 100 K, and also at 293 K in the case of 3-6. The LS salt [MnL]PF(6)⋅0.5 CH(3)OH is the only member of the series that does not exhibit strong hydrogen bonding. At 100 K two of the four SCO complexes (2 and 4) assemble into 1D hydrogen-bonded chains, which weaken or rupture on warming. The remaining SCO complexes 3, 5 and 6 do not form 1D hydrogen-bonded chains, but instead exhibit discrete hydrogen bonding between cation/counterion, cation/solvent or counterion/solvent and show no significant change on warming.