Polynuclear CuII12MIII6 (M = Y, Nd, or Gd) Complexes Encapsulating a ClO4- Anion: [Cu12M6(OH)24(H2O)18(pyb)12(ClO4)](ClO4)17.cntdot.nH2O (Pyb = Pyridine Betaine)

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.

Three Gd-based magnetic refrigerant materials with high magnetic entropy: From di-nuclearity to hexa-nuclearity to octa-nuclearity

Magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is one of the most promising features of molecular-based magnetic materials. We reported three Gd-based magnetic refrigerant materials, namely, Gd₂(L)(NO₃)(H₂O)‧CH₃CN‧H₂O (1, H₂L = (Z)-N-[(1E)-(2-hydroxy-3-methphenyl)methylidene]pyrazine-2-carbohydrazonic acid), {Gd₆(L)₆(CO₃)₂(CH₃OH)₂(H₂O)₃Cl}Cl‧4CH₃CN (2), and Gd₈(L)₈(CO₃)₄(H₂O)₈‧2H₂O (3). Complex 1 contains two Gd^III ions linked by two η²:η¹:η¹:η¹:μ₂-L^2- ligands, which are seven-coordinated in a capped trigonal prism, and complex 2 possesses six Gd^III ions, contributing to a triangular prism configuration. For complex 3, eight Gd^III ions form a distorted cube arrangement. Moreover, the large values of magnetic entropy in the three complexes prove to be excellent candidates as cryogenic magnetic coolants.

Unraveling mechanisms of the uncoordinated nucleophiles: theoretical elucidations of the cleavage of bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate mediated by zinc-complexes with apical nucleophiles

A theoretical approach was used to investigate the hydrolytic cleavage mechanisms of the bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP⁻) catalyzed by Zn(ii)-complexes featuring uncoordinated nucleophiles. Ligand-based and alternative solvent-based nucleophilic attack reaction models are proposed. The pK_a values of the Zn(ii)-bound water molecules or ligands in the [Zn(LⁿH)(η-H₂O)(H₂O)]²⁺ (n = 1, 2 and 3) complexes, as well as the dimerization tendency of the mononuclear Zn(ii)-complexes, were found to significantly influence the reaction mechanisms. The Zn(ii)-L³ complexes were found to be more favorable for the hydrolytic cleavage of the BNPP⁻via a ligand-based nucleophilic attack pathway. This was due to the lower pK_a value for the deprotonation of the oxime ligand, the hard dimerization of the mononuclear Zn(ii)-L³ species, and the presence of an uncoordinated nucleophile. The origins of the uncoordinated reactions were systematically elucidated. The theoretical results reported here are in good agreement with experimental observations and more importantly, help to elucidate the factors that influence intermolecular nucleophilic attack reactions with coordinated/uncoordinated nucleophiles.

A theoretical approach was used to investigate the hydrolytic cleavage mechanisms of the bis(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (BNPP⁻) catalyzed by Zn(ii)-complexes featuring uncoordinated nucleophiles.

A homochiral Zn–Dy heterometallic left-handed helical chain complex without chiral ligands: anion-induced assembly and multifunctional integration

The Zn₃Dy₂ pentanuclear complex evolved into a heterometallic left-handed helical chain multifunctional complex by the template action of perchlorate anion.

Four 3d–4f heterometallic Ln45M7 clusters protected by mixed ligands

A series of high-nuclearity 3d–4f clusters Ln₄₅M₇ were obtained based on acetate and propionate as mixed protecting ligands and ClO₄⁻ and CO₃²⁻ as mixed anion templates.

Syntheses, structures, and properties of a series of novel high-nuclear 3d–4f clusters with mixed amino acids as ligands: {Ln6Cu24}(Ln = Gd, Tb, Pr and Sm)

The first examples of high-nuclear 3d–4f heterometallic clusters {Ln₆Cu₂₄}(Ln = Gd, Tb, Pr and Sm) with mixed amino acid ligands are reported.

Two nanosized 3d–4f clusters featuring four Ln6 octahedra encapsulating a Zn4 tetrahedron

Two high-nuclearity 3d–4f clusters Ln₂₄Zn₄ (Ln = Gd and Sm) featuring four Ln₆ octahedra encapsulating a Zn₄ tetrahedron were obtained through the self-assembly of Zn(OAc)₂ and Ln(ClO₄)₃.

Myo-inositol supported heterometallic Dy24M2 (M = Ni, Mn) cages

Two heterometallic cage-like Dy₂₄M₂ (M = Ni, Mn) cluster compounds have been synthesized through self-assembly of the metal ions and the myo-inositol ligand templated by three ClO₄⁻ anions.

Sodium and potassium ion directed self-assembled multinuclear assembly of divalent nickel or copper and L-leucine derived ligand

L-leucine derived ligand (H(2)L(L-leu)), KOH, and Ni(II) salt in 2:2:1 ratio self-assembled into a rather large (approximately 13 A) supramolecular assembly with the formula [K{Ni(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)](+) (1). Structural characterization showed three [Ni(HL(L-leu))(2)] units encapsulated K(+) similar to organic crown ethers/cryptand. Substituting Ni(II) with Cu(II) and K(+) with Na(+) in the above reaction resulted in a set of structurally identical assemblies with the general formula [M'{M(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)](+), where M' is either K(+) or Na(+) and M is either Cu(II) or Ni(II); [Na{Ni(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)]ClO(4) (2), Na{Ni(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)]OTf (3), [K{Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)]ClO(4) (4), [Na{Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)]ClO(4) (5), [K{Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)]NO(3) (6). Electrospray Ionization (ESI)-mass spectra of the assemblies in MeOH showed the retention of assemblies in solution. Visible spectroscopic studies showed retention of assembly 1 in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) which is stable even after the addition of 5 equiv of [18]-crown-6. The assemblies in 2-6 show various degrees of dissociation to [M(HL(L-leu))(2)] and M', in stronger H-bonding methanol. The dissociation can be reversed upon addition of excess KNO(3)/NaNO(3) salt. Structural characterization of [Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)(MeCN)] (7) along with its transformation to [K{Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)}(3)](+) in the presence of K(+) salt demonstrated that the assembly formation proceeds through an alkali metal ion induced ligand reorientation within the [Cu(HL(L-leu))(2)] units which is further stabilized by six strong H-bonds holding the assembly. Interestingly, visible spectra of 1 and 2 shows that minor structural changes caused by replacing K(+) with Na(+) is sufficient to shift the d-d transition of Ni(II) by approximately 70 nm, thereby providing an indirect way of distinguishing K(+) and Na(+), none of which have spectroscopic signature in the visible range.