Na2C3O2: The First Crystalline Compound with the Elusive -C≡C-COO- Anion

By reaction of sodium electride or NaC2H with the anhydrous sodium salt of propiolic acid, Na(OOC-C≡C-H), in liquid ammonia crystalline powders of Na2C3O2 were obtained. The structure analysis based on synchrotron powder diffraction data revealed that Na2C3O2 crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell (I2/a, Z=4) exhibiting the elusive Y-shaped -C≡C-COO- anion, which is unprecedented in a crystalline compound up to now. IR/Raman and solid-state NMR spectroscopic investigations with assignments supported by DFT-based ab initio calculations confirm this finding. Reaction with sodium electride led to a higher crystallinity of the product, but additionally a by-product apparently due to decomposition and polymerization of Na2C3O2 was formed. No such by-product was observed in the reaction with NaC2H, which turned out to be a milder metalation route. However, the product of the latter reaction is less crystalline.

Heterometallic AuI 6 AgI 6 Macrocyclic Cluster Templated by a Supramolecular Melamine Dimer

The application of supramolecular templates in aligning atomically precise heterometal arrays is important for pursuing functional materials. Herein, we report that a bilayered supramolecular tri-deprotonated melamine dimer functions as an effective template in the construction of a heterometallic gold(I)-silver(I) macrocyclic cluster [μ6 -(C3 N6 H3 )3- ]2 -AuI 6 AgI 6 . X-ray single crystal structural analysis showed that a crown-like AuI 6 AgI 6 macrocycle is aligned around two parallelly stacked μ6 -(C3 N6 H3 )3- moieties hold together with π-π interactions. Theoretical calculations revealed that the [μ6 -(C3 N6 H3 )3- ]2 motif dominantly contributes to the near-occupied orbitals in the electronic structure, which is closely related to its luminescence properties. This work demonstrates that the supramolecular templates containing multiple symmetric binding sites may present a facile approach in the construction of functional metal clusters.

Heterometallic Coinage Metal Acetylenediide Clusters Showing Tailored Thermochromic Luminescence

Acetelyenediide (C₂ ^2- ) species have been encapsulated in bimetallic and trimetallic clusters: [(AuL)₆ Ag₇ (C≡C)₃ ](BF₄ )₇ (2) and [(AuL)₆ AgCu₆ (C≡C)₃ ](BF₄ )₇ (3), L=phenylbis(2-pyridyl)phosphine (PPhpy₂ ). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that they are isostructural and six silver atoms in 2 are replaced with copper in 3. Both clusters have a trefoil skeleton, which can be viewed as three trigonal bipyramidal (LAu-C≡C-AuL)M₂ Ag (M=Ag/Cu) motifs sharing a common silver atom. TDDFT calculations showed Cu-doping significantly increases the energy level of (C₂ -Cu)-involved occupied orbital, thus inducing interesting transition coupling of dual-emission at low temperature. This work not only provides a strategy for constructing heterometallic clusters, but also shows the prospect for pursuing novel thermochromic luminescent materials by incorporating multi-congeneric metal components.

Iminophosphanes: Synthesis, Rhodium Complexes, and Ruthenium(II)-Catalyzed Hydration of Nitriles

Highly stable iminophosphanes, obtained from alkylating nitriles and reaction of the resulting nitrilium ions with secondary phosphanes, were explored as tunable P-monodentate and 1,3-P,N bidentate ligands in rhodium complexes. X-ray crystal structures are reported for both κ¹ and κ² complexes with the counterion in one of them being an unusual anionic coordination polymer of silver triflate. The iminophosphane-based ruthenium(II)-catalyzed hydration of benzonitrile in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (180 °C, 3 h) and water (100 °C, 24 h) and under solvent free conditions (180 °C, 3 h) results in all cases in the selective formation of benzamide with yields of up to 96%, thereby outperforming by far the reactions in which the common 2-pyridyldiphenylphosphane is used as the 1,3-P,N ligand.

Assembly of high-symmetry silver(i) alkyl-1,3-diynyl cluster complexes via core transformation

Supramolecular precursors [(R–CC–CC)Ag]₄(PPh₃)₄ (R = iPr and chx) are employed to construct three iso-structural silver(i) alkyl-1,3-diynyl cluster complexes that bear the same novel trigonal bipyramidal Ag₅ core.

AgPO2F2 and Ag9(PO2F2)14: the first Ag(i) and Ag(i)/Ag(ii) difluorophosphates with complex crystal structures

The reaction of AgF2 with P2O3F4 yields a mixed valence Ag(I)/Ag(II) difluorophosphate salt with AgAg(PO2F2)14 stoichiometry - the first Ag(ii)-PO2F2 system known. This highly moisture sensitive brown solid is thermally stable up to 120 °C, which points at further feasible extension of the chemistry of Ag(ii)-PO2F2 systems. The crystal structure shows a very complex bonding pattern, comprising of polymeric Ag(PO2F2)14(4-) anions and two types of Ag(I) cations. One particular Ag(II) site present in the crystal structure of Ag9(PO2F2)14 is the first known example of square pyramidal penta-coordinated Ag(ii) in an oxo-ligand environment. Ag(i)PO2F2 - the product of the thermal decomposition of Ag9(PO2F2)14 - has also been characterized by thermal analysis, IR spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. It has a complicated crystal structure as well, which consists of infinite 1D [Ag(I)O4/2] chains which are linked to more complex 3D structures via OPO bridges. The PO2F2(-) anions bind to cations in both compounds as bidentate oxo-ligands. The terminal F atoms tend to point inside the van der Waals cavities in the crystal structure of both compounds. All important structural details of both title compounds were corroborated by DFT calculations.

Porphyrin-based mixed-valent Ag(i)/Ag(ii) and Cu(i)/Cu(ii) networks as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for the azide-alkyne "click" reaction and promising oxidation of ethylbenzene

By using a new porphyrin-based linker, two unusual mixed-valent Ag(i,ii)- and Cu(i,ii)-organic networks were synthesized. Most strikingly, 1 and 2 exhibit highly efficient catalytic activities for the azide-alkyne "click" reaction and oxidation of ethylbenzene.

Crystal structure of μ-cyanido-1:2κ(2) N:C-dicyanido-1κC,2κC-bis-(quinolin-8-amine-1κ(2) N,N')-2-silver(I)-1-silver(II): rare occurrence of a mixed-valence Ag(I,II) compound

The title dinuclear complex, [Ag2(CN)3(C9H8N2)2], may be considered as an Ag(II) compound with the corresponding metal site coordinated by two bidentate quinolin-8-amine mol-ecules, one cyanide group and one dicyanidoargentate(I) anion, [Ag(CN)2](-). Since this latter ligand contains an Ag(I) atom, the complex should be a class 1 or class 2 mixed-valence compound, according to the Robin-Day classification. The Ag(II) atom is six-coordinated in a highly distorted octa-hedral geometry, while the Ag(I) atom displays the expected linear geometry. In the crystal, the amino groups of the quinolin-8-amine ligands form N-H⋯N hydrogen bonds with the N atoms of the non-bridging cyanide ligands, forming a two-dimensional network parallel to (102). The terminal cyanide ligands are not engaged in polymeric bonds and the title compound is an authentic mol-ecular complex. The title mol-ecule is thus a rare example of a stable Ag(I,II) complex, and the first mixed-valence Ag(I,II) mol-ecular complex characterized by X-ray diffraction.

The first example of a mixed valence ternary compound of silver with random distribution of Ag(I) and Ag(II) cations

The reaction between colourless AgSbF6 and sky-blue Ag(SbF6)2 (molar ratio 2 : 1) in gaseous HF at 323 K yields green Ag3(SbF6)4, a new mixed-valence ternary fluoride of silver. Unlike in all other Ag(I)/Ag(II) systems known to date, the Ag(+) and Ag(2+) cations are randomly distributed on a single 12b Wyckoff position at the 4̄ axis of the I4̄3d cell. Each silver forms four short (4 × 2.316(7) Å) and four long (4 × 2.764(6) Å) contacts with the neighbouring fluorine atoms. The valence bond sum analysis suggests that such coordination would correspond to a severely overbonded Ag(I) and strongly underbonded Ag(II). Thorough inspection of thermal ellipsoids of the fluorine atoms closest to Ag centres reveals their unusual shape, indicating that silver atoms must in fact have different local coordination spheres; this is not immediately apparent from the crystal structure due to static disorder of fluorine atoms. The Ag K-edge XANES analysis confirmed that the average oxidation state of silver is indeed close to +1⅓. The optical absorption spectra lack features typical of a metal thus pointing out to the semiconducting nature of Ag3(SbF6)4. Ag3(SbF6)4 is magnetically diluted and paramagnetic (μ(eff) = 1.9 μ(B)) down to 20 K with a very weak temperature independent paramagnetism. Below 20 K weak antiferromagnetism is observed (Θ = -4.1 K). Replacement of Ag(I) with potassium gives K(I)2Ag(II)(SbF6)4 which is isostructural to Ag(I)2Ag(II)(SbF6)4. Ag3(SbF6)4 is a genuine mixed-valence Ag(I)/Ag(II) compound, i.e. Robin and Day Class I system (localized valences), despite Ag(I) and Ag(II) adopting the same crystallographic position.

Organosilver(I) framework assembly with trifluoroacetate and enediyne-functionalized alicycles

Eight new silver(I) trifluoroacetate complexes based on a series of designed ligands, each featuring an alicyclic ring with enediyne functionality, have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Each ethynide terminal is inserted into an Agn (n = 4-5) basket, leading to the generation of coordination chain or layer structures, but the well shielded ethenyl group does not take part in silver-olefin bonding. Variation in ring size of the alicycles is shown to influence the construction of the organosilver(I) coordination networks, which are consolidated by weak intermolecular interactions in the crystal structures. The effect of adding ancillary N-donor ligands to the reaction system on the coordination and supramolecular network assembly is also investigated.

Betaine-Induced Assembly of Neutral Infinite Columns and Chains of Linked Silver(I) Polyhedra with Embedded Acetylenediide

Ten polymeric silver(I) double salts containing embedded acetylenediide: [(Ag2C2)2(AgCF3CO2)9(L1)3] (1), [(Ag2C2)2(AgCF3CO2)10(L2)3]H2O (2), [(Ag2C2)(AgCF3CO2)4(L3)(H2O)]0.75 H2O (3), [(Ag2C2)(1.5)(AgCF3CO2)7(L4)2] (4), [(Ag2C2)(AgCF3CO2)7(L5)2(H2O)] (5), [(Ag2C2) (AgC2F5CO2)7(L1)3(H2O)] (6), [(Ag2C2)(AgCF3CO2)7(L1)3(H2O)]2 H2O (7), [(Ag2C2)(AgC2F5CO2)6(L3)2] (8), [(Ag2C2)2(AgC2F5CO2)12(L4)2(H2O)4]H2O (9), and [(Ag2C2)(AgCF3CO2)6(L3)2(H2O)]H2O (10) have been isolated by varying the types of betaines, the perfluorocarboxylate ligands employed, and the reaction conditions. Single-crystal X-ray analysis has shown that 1-4 all have a columnar structure composed of fused silver(I) double cages, with C2(2-) species embedded in its stem and an exterior coat comprising anionic and zwitterionic carboxylates. For 5 and 6, single silver(I) cages are linked into a beaded chain through both types of carboxylate ligands. In 7, two different coordination modes of L1 connect the silver(I) polyhedra into a chain. For 8, the mu(2)-O,O' coordination mode of L3 connects the silver(I) double cages into a chain. Compound 9 exhibits a two-dimensional architecture generated from the cross-linkage of double cages by C2F5CO2-, L4, and [Ag2(C2F5CO2)2] units. Similar to 9, 10 is also a two-dimensional structure, which is formed by connecting the chains of linked double cages through [Ag2(CF3CO2)2] bridging.

Synthesis, Structure, and Large Optical Limiting Effect of the First Coordination Polymeric Cluster Based on an {I@[AgI(inh)]6} Hexagram Block

In this paper, treatment of N-(isonicotinoyl)-N'-nicotinoylhydrazine (inh) and AgI with excess KI afforded a unique coordination polymeric cluster {[AgI(inh)]6(KI)}n (1) with the hexagram cluster units centered by mu6-I. In the polymer these hexagram units are parallel to the ab plane and are linked by separated K+ centers through inh. Polymer 1 represents the first example of coinstantaneous cation-anion-induced supramolecular self-assembly with nanoscale inner cavities. The polymer's third-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were determined by the Z-scan technique in DMF solution. The results show that the polymer has strong third-order optical nonlinearities. The nonlinear absorptive index a2 and refractive index n2 are calculated to be 1.044 x 10(-9) mW(-1) and 2.827 x 10(-11) esu, respectively. The values are comparable to those of the reported cluster polymers. The optical limiting experiments show that the present cluster exhibits a large optical limiting capacity. The value of the limiting threshold was measured as 0.53 J cm(-2) from the optical limiting experimental data. This value is three times better than 1.6 J cm(-2) of C60. This paper also gives a summary and comparison on the optical limiting properties of oligomeric and polymeric clusters.

Silver cages with encapsulated acetylenediide as building blocks for hydrothermal synthesis of supramolecular complexes with n-cyanopyridine and pyridine-n-carboxamide (n = 3, 4)

New silver(i) double salts (Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(8)(3-pyCONH(2))(2)(H(2)O)(4) (1), [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(4)(4-pyCONH(2))(H(2)O)].H(2)O (2), (Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(6)(3-pyCONH(2))(4) (3), (Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(6)(3-pyCN)(2) (4) and (Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(4)(4-pyCN)(2) (5) (n-pyCONH(2) is pyridine-n-carboxamide, n-pyCN is n-cyanopyridine; n=3, 4) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. All five compounds contain polyhedral silver(i) cages each encapsulating a C(2)(2-) dianion. Compounds 1, 3 ,4 and 5 exhibit three-dimensional structures, whereas compound 2 is a two-dimensional network. The structure of 1 is constructed from the linkage of a branched-tree architecture via hydrogen bonds. Unlike 4 and 5, which involve the connection of n-cyanopyridine (n=3, 4) with silver columns, 3 results from the linkage of discrete silver cages via pyridine-3-carboxamide.

Self-Assembled Silver Polyhedra with Embedded Acetylide Dianion Stabilized by Perfluorocarboxylate and 4-Hydroxyquinoline Ligands

Four new silver(I) double salts (L(2)H)(4)[Ag(10)(C(2))(CF(3)CO(2))(12)(L)(2)].5H(2)O (1), [Ag(8)(C(2))(CF(3)CO(2))(6)(L)(6)] (2), [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgC(2)F(5)CO(2))(6)(L)(3)(H(2)O)].H(2)O (3), and (L.H(3)O)(2)[Ag(11)(C(2))(2)(C(2)F(5)CO(2))(9)(H(2)O)(2)].H(2)O (4) incorporating the hitherto unexplored ligand 4-hydroxyquinoline (L) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Compound 1 features an unprecedented bicapped square-antiprismatic Ag(10) silver cage with an embedded C(2)(2-) moiety, whereas the discrete supermolecule 2 bears a rhombohedral Ag(8) core similar to that previously found in Ag(2)C(2).6AgNO(3). Compound 3 contains a discrete supramolecular complex whose core is a (C(2))(2)@Ag(16) double cage constructed from the edge-sharing of two monocapped square antiprisms, which is completely surrounded by 12 pentafluoropropionate, 6 4-hydroxyquinoline, and 2 aqua ligands. The layer structure in 4 is constructed from a sinuous anionic silver column composed of fused irregular monocapped trigonal antiprisms each encapsulating a C(2)(2-) dianion, with L.H(3)O(+) species serving as hydrogen-bond connectors to adjacent columns.

Assembly of discrete, one-, two-, and three-dimensional silver(I) supramolecular complexes containing encapsulated acetylide dianion with nitrogen-donor spacers

The first successful attempt to construct supramolecular entities via incorporation of bifunctional exodentate ligands into the silver acetylide system is reported. Coordination assembly with nitrogen-donor spacers led to the formation of five distinct supramolecular complexes, namely [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(4)(pyz)(2)](n) (1), [(Ag(2)C(2))(2)(AgCF(3)CO(2))(10)(CF(3)CO(2))(4)(DabcoH)(4)(H(2)O)(1.5)].H(2)O (2), [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(4)(CF(3)CO(2))(bpaH)](n)() (3), [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(8)(bpa)(4)](n) (4), and [(Ag(2)C(2))(2)(AgCF(3)CO(2))(10)(bppz)(2)(H(2)O)](n) (5) (pyz = pyrazine; Dabco = 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane; bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane; bppz = 2,3-bis(2-pyridyl)pyrazine). Complex 1 is a three-dimensional framework composed of silver columns cross-linked by pyrazine bridges, whereas 2 contains a discrete supermolecule whose core is a Ag(14) double cage that is completely surrounded by trifluoroacetate, aqua, and terminal monoprotonated Dabco ligands. Complex 3 has a branched-tree architecture with one terminal of the bpa ligand attached to the silver backbone and the other exposed and protonated. In 4, neutral decanuclear [(Ag(2)C(2))(AgCF(3)CO(2))(8)] units are interlinked by bpa spacers adopting both gauche and anti conformations to generate a layer structure. Another two-dimensional network was formed with bppz serving as an angular bridging ligand in 5, in which the building unit is a silver quadruple cage containing 24 silver atoms.

A novel organometallic columnar complex containing endohedral silver(I)-ethynediyl binding and exterior silver(I)-aromatic interaction

Unprecedented eta 3 pi-donor behavior of the benzyltrimethy-lammonium ion is observed in the polymeric silver(I) complex [(PhCH2NMe3)Ag7(C2)(CF3CO2)6]n that comprises a columnar backbone constructed from the fusion of Ag8 square antiprisms each enclosing an acetylide dianion.