Reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide and generation of reactive chalcogen species by mononuclear Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes of thiolate and selenolate

Comparative reactivity of a series of new Zn(II) and Fe(II) compounds, [(Py2ald)M(ER)] (E = S, R = Ph: M = Zn, 1aZn; M = Fe, 1aFe; E = S, R = 2,6-Me2-C6H3: M = Zn, 1bZn; M = Fe, 1bFe; E = Se, R = Ph: M = Zn, 2Zn; M = Fe, 2Fe), and [(Py2ald)M]22+ (M = Zn, 5Zn; M = Fe, 5Fe) is presented. Compound 1aZn could react with nitrite (NO2-) to produce [(Py2ald)Zn(ONO)] (3Zn), which, upon treatment with thiols and PhSeH (proton source), could regenerate either 1aZn/5Zn and 2Zn respectively, along with the production of nitric oxide (NO) where the yield of NO increases in the order tBuSH ≪ PhCH2SH < PhSH < PhSeH. In contrast to this, 1aFe, 2Fe and 5Fe could affect the direct reduction of NO2- in the absence of protons to generate NO and [{(Py2ald)(ONO)Fe}2-μ2-O] (8Fe). Moreover, 8Fe could regenerate 5Fe and 1aFe/2Fe upon treatment with 4 and 6 equiv. of PhEH (E = S/Se), respectively, along with the generation of NO. Finally, a comparative study of the mononuclear Zn(II) and Fe(II) compounds for the transfer of the coordinated thiolate/selenolate and the generation and transfer of reactive sulfur/selenium species (RES-, E = Se, S) to a series of organic substrates has been provided.

Picoseconds-Limited Exciton Recombination in Metal-Organic Chalcogenides Hybrid Quantum Wells

Metal-organic species can be designed to self-assemble in large-scale, atomically defined, supramolecular architectures. A particular example is hybrid quantum wells, where inorganic two-dimensional (2D) planes are separated by organic ligands. The ligands effectively form an intralayer confinement for charge carriers resulting in a 2D electronic structure, even in multilayered assemblies. Air-stable layered transition metal organic chalcogenides have recently been found to host tightly bound 2D excitons with strong optical anisotropy in a bulk matrix. Here, we investigate the excited carrier dynamics in the prototypical metal-organic chalcogenide [AgSePh]_∞, disentangling three excitonic resonances by low temperature transient absorption spectroscopy. Our analysis suggests a complex relaxation cascade comprising ultrafast screening and renormalization, interexciton relaxation, and self-trapping of excitons within a few picoseconds (ps). The ps-decay provided by the self-trapping mechanism may be leveraged to unlock the material's potential for ultrafast optoelectronic applications.

Electronic Structure of Tetrahedral, S = 2, [Fe{(EPiPr2)2N}2], E = S, Se, Complexes: Investigation by High-Frequency and -Field Electron Paramagnetic Resonance, 57Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy, and Quantum Chemical Studies

In this work, we assessed the electronic structures of two pseudotetrahedral complexes of FeII, [Fe{(SPiPr2)2N}2] (1) and [Fe{(SePiPr2)2N}2] (2), using high-frequency and -field EPR (HFEPR) and field-dependent 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopies. This investigation revealed S = 2 ground states characterized by moderate, negative zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters D. The crystal-field (CF) theory analysis of the spin Hamiltonian (sH) and hyperfine structure parameters revealed that the orbital ground states of 1 and 2 have a predominant dx2-y2 character, which is admixed with dz2 (∼10%). Although replacing the S-containing ligands of 1 by their Se-containing analogues in 2 leads to a smaller |D| value, our theoretical analysis, which relied on extensive ab initio CASSCF calculations, suggests that the ligand spin-orbit coupling (SOC) plays a marginal role in determining the magnetic anisotropy of these compounds. Instead, the dx2-y2β → dxyβ excitations yield a large negative contribution, which dominates the zfs of both 1 and 2, while the different energies of the dx2-y2β → dxzβ transitions are the predominant factor responsible for the difference in zfs between 1 and 2. The electronic structures of these compounds are contrasted with those of other [FeS4] sites, including reduced rubredoxin by considering a D2-type distortion of the [Fe(E-X)4] cores, where E = S, Se; X = C, P. Our combined CASSCF/DFT calculations indicate that while the character of the orbital ground state and the quintet excited states' contribution to the zfs of 1 and 2 are modulated by the magnitude of the D2 distortion, this structural change does not impact the contribution of the excited triplet states.

Heavy chalcogenide-transition metal clusters as coordination polymer nodes

While metal-oxygen clusters are widely used as secondary building units in the construction of coordination polymers or metal-organic frameworks, multimetallic nodes with heavier chalcogenide atoms (S, Se, and Te) are comparatively untapped. The lower electronegativity of heavy chalcogenides means that transition metal clusters of these elements generally exhibit enhanced coupling, delocalization, and redox-flexibility. Leveraging these features in coordination polymers provides these materials with extraordinary properties in catalysis, conductivity, magnetism, and photoactivity. In this perspective, we summarize common transition metal heavy chalcogenide building blocks including polynuclear metal nodes with organothiolate/selenolate or anionic heavy chalcogenide atoms. Based on recent discoveries, we also outline potential challenges and opportunities for applications in this field.

Applications of metal selenium/tellurium compounds in materials science

Metal chalcogenides are technologically important materials. Physical, chemical, electrical and mechanical properties of these materials can be fine-tuned by manipulating their shape, size and composition. Although several methods are employed for their synthesis, single-source molecular precursor route has emerged as a versatile strategy for their synthesis and in controlling shape, size and composition of the material under moderate conditions. This chapter gives a brief coverage on the design and development of single-source molecular precursors which have been employed for the preparation of metal selenide/telluride nanocrystals and for deposition of thin films. The discussion includes synthesis of transition-, main group and f-block metal chalcogenolate and/or chalcogenide clusters as precursors and their conversion into metal chalcogenides in the form of thin films and nanostructures. Precursors for ternary metal chalcogenides are also included.

Recent advances in the self-assembly of polynuclear metal–selenium and –tellurium compounds from 14–16 reagents

The use of reagents containing bonds between group 14 elements and Se or Te for the self-assembly of polynuclear metal–chalcogen compounds is covered. Background material is briefly reviewed and examples from the literature are highlighted from the period 2007–2017. Emphasis is placed on the different classes of 14–16 precursors and their application in the targeted synthesis of metal–chalcogen compounds. The unique properties arising from the combination of specific 14–16 precursors, metal atoms, and ancillary ligands are also described. Selected examples are chosen to underline the progress in (i) controlled synthesis of heterometallic (ternary) chalcogen clusters, (ii) chalcogen clusters with organic functionalized surfaces, and (iii) crystalline open-framework metal chalcogenides.

1D and 3D Polymeric Manganese(II) Thiolato Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of ∞3[Mn4(SPh)8] and ∞1[Mn(SMes)2]

Reactions of [Mn{N(SiMe₃)₂}₂]₂ with 2.1 equiv of RSH, R = Ph or Mes = C₆H₂-2,4,6-(CH₃)₃, yield compounds of the formal composition "Mn(SR)₂". Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that _∞¹[Mn(SMes)₂] forms one-dimensional chains in the crystal via μ₂-SMes bridges, whereas _∞³[Mn₄(SPh)₈] comprises a three-dimensional network in which adamantanoid cages composed of four Mn atoms and six μ₂-bridging SPh ligands are connected in three dimensions by doubly bridging SPh ligands. Thermogravimetric analysis and powder diffractometry indicate an reversible uptake of solvent molecules (tetrahydrofuran) into the channels of _∞¹[Mn(SMes)₂]. Magnetic measurements reveal antiferromagnetic coupling for both compounds with J = -8.2 cm^-1 (_∞¹[Mn(SMes)₂]) and -10.0 cm^-1 (_∞³[Mn₄(SPh)₈]), respectively. Their optical absorption and photoluminescence (PL) excitation spectra display characteristic d-d bands of Mn²⁺ ions in the visible spectral region. Both compounds emit bright phosphorescence at ∼800 nm at low temperatures (<100 K). However, only _∞¹[Mn(SMes)₂] retains a moderately intense emission at ambient temperature (with a quantum yield of 1.2%). Similar PL properties are also found for the related selenolate complexes _∞¹[Mn(SeR)₂] (R = Ph, Mes).

Hybrid metal-organic chalcogenide nanowires with electrically conductive inorganic core through diamondoid-directed assembly

Controlling inorganic structure and dimensionality through structure-directing agents is a versatile approach for new materials synthesis that has been used extensively for metal-organic frameworks and coordination polymers. However, the lack of 'solid' inorganic cores requires charge transport through single-atom chains and/or organic groups, limiting their electronic properties. Here, we report that strongly interacting diamondoid structure-directing agents guide the growth of hybrid metal-organic chalcogenide nanowires with solid inorganic cores having three-atom cross-sections, representing the smallest possible nanowires. The strong van der Waals attraction between diamondoids overcomes steric repulsion leading to a cis configuration at the active growth front, enabling face-on addition of precursors for nanowire elongation. These nanowires have band-like electronic properties, low effective carrier masses and three orders-of-magnitude conductivity modulation by hole doping. This discovery highlights a previously unexplored regime of structure-directing agents compared with traditional surfactant, block copolymer or metal-organic framework linkers.

Polymeric cobalt(ii) thiolato complexes – syntheses, structures and properties of 1∞[Co(SMes)2] and 1∞[Co(SPh)2NH3]

Structural and magnetic characterization of the first examples of polymeric cobalt chalcogenolato complexes namely 1∞[Co(SMes)₂] and 1∞[Co(SPh)₂NH₃].

Control over connectivity and magnetism of tetrahedral FeSe2 chains through coordination Fe–amine complexes

Magnetic interactions in compounds containing tetrahedral _∞¹(FeSe₂) chains separated by Fe–amine complexes are controlled by the denticity of the amine.

Low-dimensional compounds containing cyanide groups. XXV. Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and crystal structures of two ionic iron(II) complexes with tricyanomethanide: tris(1,10-phenanthroline-κ(2)N,N')iron(II) bis(tricyanomethanide) and tris(2,2'-bipyridine-κ(2)N,N')iron(II) bis(tricyanomethanide) sesquihydrate

Two new diamagnetic coordination compounds, [Fe(phen)3][C(CN)3]2, (I), and [Fe(bpy)3][C(CN)3]2·1.5H2O, (II), have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy (phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, C12H8N2, and bpy is 2,2'-bipyridine, C10H8N2). Both compounds are ionic with distorted octahedral [Fe(phen)3](2+) or [Fe(bpy)3](2+) complex cations, with average Fe-N distances of 1.977 (2) and 1.971 (3) Å, respectively, and two uncoordinated planar tricyanomethanide, or [C(CN)3](-), counter-anions balancing the positive charges of the cations. Solvent water molecules and tcm anions in (II) are linked via O-H...N hydrogen bonds into negatively charged layers and the interlayer space is filled by [Fe(bpy)3](2+) cations. The structures of (I) and (II) are stabilized by π-π interactions between the stacked aromatic rings of the phen ligands of two adjacent cations and by O-H...N hydrogen bonds, respectively, and also by π-π stacking interactions between phen and tcm units in (I).