Ni(2,2':6',2″-Terpyridine-4'-carboxylate)2 Zwitterions and Carboxylate Polyanions in Mixed-Ligand Uranyl Ion Complexes with a Wide Range of Topologies

The zwitterionic complex formed by Ni^II and 2,2':6',2″-terpyridine-4'-carboxylate, Ni(tpyc)₂, has been used as a coligand with a diverse group of polycarboxylates in uranyl ion complexes synthesized under solvo-hydrothermal conditions, thus giving a series of 14 mixed ligand, heterometallic compounds. Both [(UO₂)₂(c-1,2-chdc)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)₂]₂·4CH₃CN (1) and [(UO₂)₂(tdc)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)₂]₂ (2), where c-1,2-chdc^2- is cis-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate and tdc^2- is 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate, display discrete U₄Ni₂ dinickelatetrauranacycles, a motif which is also found as part of a daisychain coordination polymer in [(UO₂)₄(bdc)₃Ni₂(tpyc)₄(NO₃)₂]·2CH₃CN·2H₂O (3), where bdc^2- is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate. Similar U₄Ni₂ rings associate to form a nanotubular polymer in [(UO₂)₂(tca)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)]·2CH₃CN·2H₂O (4), where tca^3- is tricarballylate. [(UO₂)₂(1,2-pda) (1,2-pdaH)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)]·CH₃CN (5), where 1,2-pda^2- is 1,2-phenylenediacetate, crystallizes as a meander-like chain in which each bent section can be seen as an open, semi-U₄Ni₂ ring. Oxalate (ox^2-) gives [(UO₂)₂(ox)₂Ni(tpyc)₂] (6), a monoperiodic polymer containing smaller U₄Ni rings, while 1,2,3-benzenetricarboxylate (1,2,3-btc^3-) and citrate (citH^3-) give [Ni(tpycH)(H₂O)₃][UO₂(1,2,3-btc)]₂·2H₂O (7) and [UO₂Ni₂(tpyc)₄][UO₂(citH)]₂ (8), two complexes with charge separation, the latter displaying one-periodic + two-periodic semi-interpenetration. [(UO₂)₂(btcH)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)] (9) and [(UO₂)₂(cbtcH)Ni(tpyc)₂(NO₃)] (10), where btc^4- and cbtc^4- are 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylate and cis,trans,cis-1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylate, respectively, are diperiodic networks with hcb topology, and [(UO₂)₂(ndc)Ni(tpyc)₂(OH)(NO₃)] (11), where ndc^2- is 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate, is a sql network containing dinuclear nodes and involving 100-membered U₁₀Ni₄ metallacyclic units. U₄Ni₂ rings are found in the diperiodic polymer formed in [(UO₂)₄(t-R-1,2-chdc)₄Ni₂(tpyc)₄] (12), where t-R-1,2-chdc^2- is trans-R,R-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate, the heavily puckered sheets being interlocked. 1,3-Phenylenediacetate (1,3-pda^2-) gives a very thick diperiodic polymer with KIa topology, [(UO₂)₄(1,3-pda)₄Ni₂(tpyc)₄]·CH₃CN·2H₂O (13). A triperiodic framework is formed with nitrilotriacetate (nta^3-) in [(UO₂)₂(nta)₂Ni₂(tpyc)₂] (14), where Ni^II is found in Ni(tpyc)₂ units as well as in Ni(nta)₂^4- moieties which both act as 4-coordinated nodes.

Highlighting Recent Crystalline Engineering Aspects of Luminescent Coordination Polymers Based on F-Elements and Ditopic Aliphatic Ligands

Three principal factors may influence the final structure of coordination polymers (CPs): (i) the nature of the ligand, (ii) the type and coordination number of the metal center, and (iii) the reaction conditions. Further, flexible carboxylate aliphatic ligands have been widely employed as building blocks for designing and synthesizing CPs, resulting in a diverse array of materials with exciting architectures, porosities, dimensionalities, and topologies as well as an increasing number of properties and applications. These ligands show different structural features, such as torsion angles, carbon backbone number, and coordination modes, which affect the desired products and so enable the generation of polymorphs or crystalline phases. Additionally, due to their large coordination numbers, using 4f and 5f metals as coordination centers combined with aliphatic ligands increases the possibility of obtaining different crystal phases. Additionally, by varying the synthetic conditions, we may control the production of a specific solid phase by understanding the thermodynamic and kinetic factors that influence the self-assembly process. This revision highlights the relationship between the structural variety of CPs based on flexible carboxylate aliphatic ligands and f-elements (lanthanide and actinides) and their outstanding luminescent properties such as solid-state emissions, sensing, and photocatalysis. In this sense, we present a structural analysis of the CPs reported with the oxalate ligand, as the one rigid ligand of the family, and other flexible dicarboxylate linkers with –CH₂– spacers. Additionally, the nature of the luminescence properties of the 4f or 5f-CPs is analyzed, and finally, we present a novel set of CPs using a glutarate-derived ligand and samarium, with the formula [2,2′-bipyH][Sm(HFG)₂ (2,2′-bipy) (H₂O)₂]•(2,2′-bipy) (α-Sm) and [2,2′-bipyH][Sm(HFG)₂ (2,2′-bipy) (H₂O)₂] (β-Sm).

Plumbing the uncertainties of solvothermal synthesis involving uranyl ion carboxylate complexes

Uranyl ion complexes with long-chain, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylate ligands illustrate how solvo-hydrothermal synthetic conditions sometimes result in the formation of species different from those hoped for.

Functionalized Aromatic Dicarboxylate Ligands in Uranyl-Organic Assemblies: The Cases of Carboxycinnamate and 1,2-/1,3-Phenylenedioxydiacetate

2-Carboxycinnamic acid (ccnH₂) and the isomeric 1,2- and 1,3-phenylenedioxydiacetic acids (1,2- and 1,3-pddaH₂) have been used to synthesize eight uranyl ion complexes under solvo-hydrothermal conditions. In the four complexes [PPh₄]₂[UO₂(ccn)(NO₃)]₂ (1), [PPh₄]₂[UO₂(ccn)(dibf)]₂ (2), [UO₂(ccn)(bipy)]₂ (3), and [Ni(R,S-Me₆cyclam)][UO₂(ccn)(HCOO)]₂ (4), the ccn^2- dianion retains a nearly planar geometry, which favors the formation of the centrosymmetric [UO₂(ccn)]₂ dimeric unit. Additional terminal ligands, either neutral (bipy = 2,2'-bipyridine) or anionic (nitrate, dibf^- = 1,3-dihydro-3-oxo-1-isobenzofuranacetate, and formate, the two latter formed in situ), complete the uranyl coordination sphere, leading in all cases to discrete, dinuclear species. Sodium(I) bonding to the carboxylate/ether O₄ site of the 1,2-pdda^2- dianion in the two complexes [UO₂Na(1,2-pdda)(OH)] (5) and [(UO₂)₂Na₂(1,2-pdda)₂(C₂O₄)] (6) results in this ligand being planar. Further lateral coordination to uranyl and sodium bonding to a uranyl oxo group allow formation of heterometallic diperiodic networks containing monoperiodic uranyl-only subunits. In the absence of Na⁺ cations, 1,2-pdda^2- adopts a conformation in which one carboxylate group is tilted out of the ligand plane in [UO₂(1,2-pdda)₂Ni(cyclam)] (7) and diaxial carboxylato bonding to nickel(II) unites uranyl-only monoperiodic subunits into a diperiodic network. The 1,3-pdda^2- ligand in [UO₂(1,3-pdda)(H₂O)] (8) is also nonplanar with one tilted carboxylate group, and the bridging bidentate nature of both carboxylate groups allows formation of a triperiodic framework in which both metal and ligand are four-coordinated nodes. While the emission spectra of complexes 1 and 5 display the vibronic progression considered typical of uranyl ion, those of complexes 2, 4, and 8 show broad emission bands which in the case of complex 4 completely replace the uranyl emission and which appear to be ligand-centered. The low energy of these broad bands can be rationalized in terms of the close association of certain ligand pairs within the structures.

Uranyl Ion Complexes of Polycarboxylates: Steps towards Isolated Photoactive Cavities

Consideration of the extensive family of known uranyl ion complexes of polycarboxylate ligands shows that there are quite numerous examples of crystalline solids containing capsular, closed oligomeric species with the potential for use as selective heterogeneous photo-oxidation catalysts. None of them have yet been assessed for this purpose, and some have obvious deficiencies, although related framework species have been shown to have the necessary luminescence, porosity and, to some degree, selectivity. Aspects of ligand design and complex composition necessary for the synthesis of uranyl ion cages with appropriate luminescence and chemical properties for use in selective photo-oxidation catalysis have been analysed in relation to the characteristics of known capsules.

Zero-, mono- and diperiodic uranyl ion complexes with the diphenate dianion: influences of transition metal ion coordination and differential UVI chelation

Diphenate complexes with uranyl cations are generally of low periodicity (0 or 1), but for one 2-periodic uranyl–Cu^II species.

Structure-Directing Effects of Counterions in Uranyl Ion Complexes with Long-Chain Aliphatic α,ω-Dicarboxylates: 1D to Polycatenated 3D Species

Nine uranyl ion complexes were synthesized under (solvo-)hydrothermal conditions using α,ω-dicarboxylic acids HOOC-(CH₂) _n-2-COOH (H₂C n, n = 6-9) and diverse counterions. Complexes [PPh₄][UO₂(C6)(NO₃)] (1) and [PPh₄][UO₂(C8)(NO₃)] (2) contain zigzag one-dimensional (1D) chains, with further polymerization being prevented by the terminal nitrate ligands. [PPh₃Me][UO₂(C7)(HC7)] (3) crystallizes as a 1D polymer with a curved section, with hydrogen bonding of the uncomplexed carboxylic groups giving rise to formation of 3-fold interpenetrated two-dimensional (2D) networks. [PPh₄][H₂NMe₂][(UO₂)₂(C7)₃] (4) and [PPh₃Me]₂[(UO₂)₂(C8)₃] (5) contain 1D chains, either ladder-like or containing doubly bridged dimers, while [PPh₃Me]₂[(UO₂)₂(C9)₃]·2H₂O (6) displays interdigitated, strongly corrugated honeycomb 2D nets. Ladder-like 1D polymers in [Cu( R,S-Me₆cyclam)][(UO₂)₂(C7)₂(C₂O₄)]·4H₂O (7) are associated into layers by the hydrogen bonded counterions, whereas the [Ni(cyclam)]²⁺ moieties are part of the 2D polymeric arrangement in [(UO₂)₂(C7)₂(HC7)₂Ni(cyclam)]·2H₂O (8) because of axial coordination of the nickel(II) center, with hydrogen bonding mediated by water molecules generating a three-dimensional (3D) net. [(UO₂)₂K₂(C7)₃(H₂O)]·0.5H₂O (9) contains convoluted uranyl dicarboxylate 2D subunits, which generate a 3D framework through 2D → 3D parallel polycatenation similar to that previously found in [NH₄]₂[(UO₂)₂(C7)₃]·2H₂O; further linking of these subunits is provided by bonding of the potassium cations to carboxylate and uranyl oxido groups. The solid-state emission spectra of complexes 1-6 and 9 display maxima positions typical of hexacoordinated uranyl carboxylate complexes, but uranyl luminescence is quenched in 7. A solid-state photoluminescence quantum yield of 11.5% has been measured for complex 1, while those for compounds 3-6 and 9 are in the range of 2.0-3.5%.

The structural evolution and tunable photoluminescence of f-element bearing coordination polymers of the 2,4,6-tri-α-pyridyl-1,3,5-triazine ligand

An attempt at expanding the family of f-element bearing TPTZ coordination polymers has resulted in fifteen new complexes with topologies that evolved along the periodic table and tunable photoluminescence properties.

Monomeric thorium chalcogenolates with bipyridine and terpyridine ligands

Thorium chalcogenolates Th(ER)4 react with 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy) to form complexes with the stoichiometry (bipy)2Th(ER)4 (E = S, Se; R = Ph, C6F5). All four compounds have been isolated and characterized by spectroscopic methods and low-temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction. Two of the products, (bipy)2Th(SC6F5)4 and (bipy)2Th(SeC6F5)4, crystallize with lattice solvent, (bipy)2Th(SPh)4 crystallizes with no lattice solvent, and the selenolate (bipy)2Th(SePh)4 crystallizes in two phases, with and without lattice solvent. In all four compounds the available volume for coordination bounded by the two bipy ligands is large enough to allow significant conformational flexibility of thiolate or selenolate ligands. 77Se NMR confirms that the structures of the selenolate products are the same in pyridine solution and in the solid state. Attempts to prepare analogous derivatives with 2,2',6',2''-terpyridine (terpy) were successful only in the isolation of (terpy)(py)Th(SPh)4, the first terpy compound of thorium. These materials are thermochromic, with color attributed to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer excitations.

Probing hydrogen and halogen-oxo interactions in uranyl coordination polymers: a combined crystallographic and computational study

Four uranyl compounds containing either benzoic acid (1), m-chlorobenzoic acid (2), m-bromobenzoic acid (3), or m-iodobenzoic acid (4) are described, and the latter two compounds are used to probe non-covalent interaction strengths via structural, vibrational, and computational means.

Synthesis, structural analysis, and supramolecular assembly of a series of in situ generated uranyl–peroxide complexes with functionalized 2,2′-bipyridine and varied carboxylic acid ligands

Presented herein are eight new binuclear uranyl complexes bridged by in situ generated peroxide ligands and assembled via noncovalent interactions.

Structural Consequences of 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylate Cis/Trans Isomerism in Uranyl Ion Complexes: From Molecular Species to 2D and 3D Entangled Nets

trans-1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (t-1,4-chdcH₂) or the commercially available mixture of the cis and trans isomers (c,t-1,4-chdcH₂) has been used in the synthesis of a series of 14 uranyl ion complexes, all obtained under solvohydrothermal conditions, some in the presence of additional metal cations and/or 2,2'-bipyridine (bipy). With its two isomeric forms having very different shapes and its great sensitivity to the experimental conditions, 1,4-chdc^2- appears to be suitable for the synthesis of uranyl ion complexes displaying a wide range of architectures. Under the conditions used, the pure trans isomer gives only the complexes [UO₂(t-1,4-chdc)(H₂O)₂] (1) and [UO₂(t-1,4-chdc)] (2), which crystallize as one- and two-dimensional (1D and 2D) species, respectively. Complexes containing either the cis isomer alone or mixtures of the two isomers in varying proportion were obtained from the isomer mixture. The neutral complexes [UO₂(c-1,4-chdc)(DMF)] (3) and [UO₂(c-1,4-chdc)(bipy)] (4) are 2D and 1D assemblies, respectively, while all the other complexes are anionic and include various counterions. [C(NH₂)₃]₃[H₂NMe₂][(UO₂)₄(c-1,4-chdc)₆]·H₂O (5) crystallizes as a three-dimensional (3D) framework with {10³} topology. While [H₂NMe₂]₂[(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)₂(t-1,4-chdc)]·DMF·2H₂O (6) is a 1D ladderlike polymer, [H₂NMe₂]₂[(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)(t-1,4-chdc)₂]·2H₂O (7), which differs in the cis/trans ratio, is a 3-fold 2D interpenetrated network with {6³} honeycomb topology. The related [H₂NMe₂]₂[(UO₂)₂(c,t-1,4-chdc)₃]·2.5H₂O (8), with one disordered ligand of uncertain geometry, is a 3-fold 3D interpenetrated system. The two isomorphous complexes [Co(bipy)₃][(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)₃]·1.5H₂O (9) and [Cd(bipy)₃][(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)₃]·1.5H₂O (10) form 3D frameworks with the {10³} srs topological type. In contrast, [Ni(bipy)₃]₂[(UO₂)₄(c-1,4-chdc)₂(t-1,4-chdc)(NO₃)₆]·2H₂O (11) is a molecular, tetranuclear complex due to the presence of terminal nitrate ligands. A 2-fold 3D interpenetration of frameworks with {10³} ths topology is observed in [Cu(bipy)₂]₂[(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)₂(t-1,4-chdc)]·2H₂O (12), while [Zn(bipy)₃][(UO₂)₂(c-1,4-chdc)₃]·4H₂O (13) crystallizes as a 2D net with the common {4.8²} fes topological type. The additional Pb^II cation is an essential part of the 3D framework formed in [UO₂Pb₂(c-1,4-chdc)(t-1,4-chdc)₂(bipy)₂] (14), in which uranyl and its ligands alone form 1D subunits. Together with previous results, the solid-state uranyl emission properties of seven of the present complexes evidence a general trend, with the maxima for the complexes with O₆ equatorial environments being blue-shifted with respect to those for complexes with O₅ environments.

Dicyanoaurate-based heterobimetallic uranyl coordination polymers

The first series of uranyl ([UO₂]²⁺)-dicyanoaurate coordination polymers and molecular complexes has been synthesized. Reactions of [A][Au(CN)₂] (A = [ⁿBu₄N]⁺ or [(Ph₃P)₂N]⁺ ([PPN])) and uranyl nitrate in alcoholic solvents in ambient light led to [A]₂[(UO₂)₂(μ-η²:η²-O₂)(NO₃)₂(μ-Au(CN)₂)₂], which incorporates peroxo ligands into a one-dimensional ladder topology with alternating aurophilic and peroxo rungs. Conducting the reaction with non-alcoholic solvents formed two polymorphs of a one-dimensional chain, [PPN][UO₂(NO₃)₂Au(CN)₂], from acetone, and a molecular analogue, [PPN]₂[UO₂(NO₃)₂(Au(CN)₂)₂], from acetonitrile, none of which exhibited aurophilic interactions. The addition of 2,2'-bipyridine to the initial reaction resulted in [UO₂(bipy)(MeO)(MeOH)]₂[(μ-Au(CN)₂)(Au(CN)₂)], a one-dimensional structure which propagates via a series of linear aurophilic bonds with pendant uranyl complexes; methanol and methoxy ligands provide additional connections through hydrogen bonding. The addition of 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine using solvothermal conditions resulted in the one-dimensional ladder [UO₂(Me₂bipy)Au(CN)₂]₂[(μ-OH)₂], generated through aurophilic bonds and hydroxide ligands. The incorporation of 2,2':6',2''-terpyridine (terpy) using solvothermal conditions resulted in [[UO₂(terpy)]₂(μ-NO₃)(μ-O)][Au(CN)₂], a molecular salt with no aurophilic interactions. Emission spectra attributable to aurophilic interactions are observed in [ⁿBu₄N]₂[(UO₂)₂(μ-η²:η²-O₂)(NO₃)₂(μ-Au(CN)₂)₂], while all others only show emission typical of the uranyl cation.

Coordination Polymers and Cage-Containing Frameworks in Uranyl Ion Complexes with rac- and (1R,2R)-trans-1,2-Cyclohexanedicarboxylates: Consequences of Chirality

Racemic and enantiopure (1R,2R) forms of trans-1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (H₂chdc and R-H₂chdc, respectively) have been used in the synthesis of a series of 13 uranyl ion complexes, all obtained under solvo-hydrothermal conditions and in the presence of additional metal cations and/or N-donor ligands. While the homometallic complex [UO₂(R-chdc)] (1) was only obtained with the enantiopure ligand, complexes [UO₂(chdc)(THF)] (2), [UO₂(chdc)(DMF)] (3), and [UO₂(chdc)(NMP)] (4), with a coordinated solvent molecule, were obtained from the racemic form only; all crystallize as two-dimensional (2D) assemblies. The two complexes [UO₂(chdc)(bipy)](5) and [UO₂(R-chdc)(bipy)] (6), where bipy is 2,2'-bipyridine, are isomorphous since 5 crystallizes as a racemic conglomerate; they are both one-dimensional (1D) homochiral, helical polymers. The heterometallic complexes [UO₂Cu(chdc)₂(bipy)(H₂O)]·H₂O (7) and [UO₂Cu(R-chdc)₂(bipy)]·3H₂O (8) crystallize as a 1D or a 2D species, respectively, while [UO₂Cd(R-chdc)₂(H₂O)₂]·H₂O (9) displays a 2D arrangement with the unusual Cairo pentagonal tiling topology. The four complexes [(UO₂)₂Na₂(chdc)₃(H₂O)₂] (10), [(UO₂)₂Ag₂(chdc)₃(H₂O)₂] (11), [(UO₂)₂Na₂(R-chdc)₃(H₂O)₂] (12), and [(UO₂)₂Pb(R-chdc)₃(H₂O)₄] (13) are closely related, all of them containing tetranuclear, pseudotetrahedral [(UO₂)₄(chdc/R-chdc)₆]^4- cage motifs, that are assembled into a three-dimensional (3D) framework by bridging counterions (Na⁺, Ag⁺, or Pb²⁺). These cages define a new pathway to assembly of such species based on the unique coordination geometry of uranyl ion, differing from the widely exploited use of octahedral metal ions.

The crystalline α,ω-dicarboxylate metal complex with the longest aliphatic chain to date: uranyl 1,15-pentadecanedioate

A bilayer 2D network is formed in uranyl 1,15-pentadecanedioate, different from the species obtained with related ligands and bulkier counterions.

Modulation of the Structure and Properties of Uranyl Ion Coordination Polymers Derived from 1,3,5-Benzenetriacetate by Incorporation of Ag(I) or Pb(II)

Reaction of uranyl nitrate with 1,3,5-benzenetriacetic acid (H3BTA) in the presence of additional species, either organic bases or their conjugate acids or metal cations, has provided 12 new crystalline complexes, all but one obtained under solvo-hydrothermal conditions. The complexes [C(NH2)3][UO2(BTA)]·H2O (1) and [H2NMe2][UO2(BTA)] (2) crystallize as one- or two-dimensional (1D or 2D) assemblies, respectively, both with uranyl tris-chelation by carboxylate groups and hydrogen-bonded counterions but different ligand conformations. One of the bound carboxylate units is replaced by chelating 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) or 3,4,7,8-tetramethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (Me4phen) in the complexes [(UO2)3(BTA)2(phen)3]·4H2O (3) and [(UO2)3(BTA)2(Me4phen)3]·NMP·3H2O (4) (NMP = N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone), which are a 2D network with honeycomb topology and a 1D polymer, respectively. With silver(I) cations, [UO2Ag(BTA)] (5), a three-dimensional (3D) framework in which the ligand assumes various chelating/bridging coordination modes, and the aromatic ring is involved in Ag(I) bonding, is obtained. A series of seven heterometallic complexes results when lead(II) cations and N-chelating molecules are both present. The complexes [UO2Pb(BTA)(NO3)(bipy)] (6) and [UO2Pb2(BTA)2(bipy)2]·3H2O (7), where bipy is 2,2'-bipyridine, crystallize from the one solution, as 1D and 2D assemblies, respectively. The two 1D coordination polymers [UO2Pb(BTA)(HCOO)(phen)] (8 and 9), again obtained from the one synthesis, provide an example of coordination isomerism, with the formate anion bound either to lead(II) or to uranyl cations. Another 2D architecture is found in [(UO2)2Pb2(BTA)2(HBTA)(H2O)2(phen)2]·2H2O (10), which provides a possible example of a Pb-oxo(uranyl) "cation-cation" interaction. While [UO2Pb(BTA)(HCOO)0.5(NO3)0.5(Me2phen)] (11), where Me2phen is 5,6-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, is a 1D assembly close to those in 6 and 8, [UO2Pb2(BTA)2(Me4phen)2] (12), obtained together with complex 4, crystallizes as a 2D network as a result of the high degree of connectivity provided by the chelating/bridging tricarboxylate ligand. Emission spectra measured in the solid state display vibronic fine structure attributable to uranyl luminescence (except for complex 5, in which emission is quenched), with variations in maxima positions associated with modifications of the uranyl ion environment.