The aqueous interaction of neodymium with two omni existent biomoieties - a mechanistic understanding by experimental and theoretical studies

Neodymium (Nd), a technologically important metal ion, has emerged as a major contaminant in aquatic systems in recent years owing to its surge in electrical and electronic applications as a permanent magnet. The chelating molecules present in hydro- and biospheres could substantially enhance its absorption and lead to transportation and migration of Nd from the source. The mechanistic understanding of the Nd interaction with naturally relevant biomoieties present in flora and fauna is of primitive importance to estimate the toxicological effects of the metal ion. The present studies aimed at understanding the aquatic interaction of Nd with two biomoieties namely pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (P2C) and pyrazine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid (P23C) by multiple experimental determinations and theoretical estimations. Potentiometry and spectrophotometry were employed to determine the aquatic speciation and thermodynamic stability of the complexes. Both techniques supported the formation of ML_i (i = 1-4) complexes by Nd(III) with P2C and ML_i (i = 1-3) complexes with P23C. The Nd-P23C complexes are more stable than the Nd-P2C complexes for ML formation, while the opposite trend is observed for the ML₂ and ML₃ complexes. Titration calorimetry was used to determine the enthalpies of complexation which was found to be exothermic and majorly favored by entropy contributions. The formation of the Nd(III)-P2C complexes is more exothermic than that of the respective Nd(III)-P23C complexes. Density functional theory was employed for the geometry optimization of the predicted complexes and for the estimation of the bond distances and partial charges on the coordinating atoms in the optimized geometries. Experimental insights provide crucial inputs at the macro (thermodynamic) level and theoretical calculations help in understanding the complexation process at the molecular level.

The first coordination polymers with an [O]2[N]P(S)-Hg segment: a combined experimental, theoretical and database study

The study of one-dimensional coordination polymers {Hg₂Cl₄L₁}_n (1), {HgBr₂L₁}_n (2) and {Hg₂Cl₄L₂}_n (3) (L₁ = (S)P(OC₂H₅)₂NHC₆H₄NHP(S)(OC₂H₅)₂ and L₂ = (S)P(OC₂H₅)₂NC₄H₈NP(S)(OC₂H₅)₂) is the first such structural study of Hg(ii) coordination polymers with (O)₂(N)PS-based ligands. The mercury atoms adopt a distorted trigonal pyramidal environment, Hg(Cl)₃(S) for 1 and 3 and Hg(Br)₂(S)₂ for 2, and the difference observed in the stoichiometry of mercury halide to the thiophosphoramide ligand in 1 and 3 with respect to the one in 2 is a result of the formation of the Hg₂Cl₂ ring, however, the molar ratio 2 : 1 of HgX₂ (X = Cl and Br) to ligand was used for the preparation of all three complexes. The strengths of mercury-sulfur and mercury-halide covalent bonds are evaluated by theoretical calculations (QTAIM and NBO) which show their principally electrostatic nature with a partial covalent contribution. The energies of interactions building supramolecular assemblies and intramolecular interactions, i.e. NHCl, NHBr, CHCl, CHBr, CHO, CHS and CHπ, are theoretically evaluated. The characteristic structural features arising from the aromatic/aliphatic linkers in the ligands and chloride/bromide attached to mercury are investigated by Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots.

Hydrothermal assembly, structures, topologies, luminescence, and magnetism of a novel series of coordination polymers driven by a trifunctional nicotinic acid building block

In this work, a trifunctional N,O-building block, 5-(4-carboxyphenoxy)nicotinic acid (H₂cpna), that combines three distinct types of functional groups (COOH, N-pyridyl, and O-ether) was used for the hydrothermal assembly of thirteen new coordination compounds: [Co(μ₃-Hcpna)₂]_n (1), [Mn(μ₄-cpna)(H₂O)]_n (2), [Mn(μ₄-cpna)(H₂O)₂]_n (3), [Mn(μ-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H₂O)₂]_n (4), {[Ni(μ₃-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H₂O)]₂·H₂O}_n (5), {[Cd(μ₃-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)]·2H₂O}_n (6), [Zn₂(μ-cpna)₂(2,2'-bipy)₂] (7), [Cu(μ-cpna)(2,2'-bipy)(H₂O)]_n (8), {[Mn(μ-cpna)(phen)₂]·6H₂O}_n (9), {[Ni(μ₃-cpna)(phen)(H₂O)]·H₂O}_n (10), [Zn₂(μ-cpna)₂(phen)₂] (11), {[Pb(μ₃-cpna)(phen)]·H₂O}_n (12), and [Ni(μ₃-cpna)(4,4'-bipy)_0.5(H₂O)]_n (13). These products were synthesized from the corresponding metal(ii) chlorides, H₂cpna, NaOH, and optional N-donor supporting ligands or templates {bis(4-pyridyl)amine (bpa), 2,2'-bipyridine (2,2'-bipy), 4,4'-bipyridine (4,4'-bipy), or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)}. Products 1-13 were characterized in the solid state by standard methods, including elemental and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), IR spectroscopy, and powder (PXRD) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures of 1-13 feature distinct structural types, namely the 3D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs 1-3), the 2D coordination polymers (5, 6, 10, 12, and 13), the 1D coordination polymers (4, 8, and 9), and the 0D discrete cyclic dimers (7 and 11). Such a wide structural diversity of 1-13 is driven by various factors, including the type of the metal(ii) node, the deprotonation degree of H₂cpna, and/or the type of supporting ligand or template. Notably, an addition of bpa can tune the structure of MOF 3 by the template effect. Topological classification of underlying metal-organic networks was performed, leading to several distinct topological nets: rtl (in 1), hxg-d-4-C2/m (in 2), sra (in 3), 2C1 (in 4, 8 and 9), fes (in 5, 10, and 12), hcb (in 6), and 3,4L83 (in 13). The magnetic behavior of 1-5, 8-10, and 13 was studied and theoretically modeled, disclosing antiferromagnetic interactions. The luminescence behavior of 6, 7, 11, and 12 was also investigated.

Sonochemical synthesis of a new nano-sized barium coordination polymer and its application as a heterogeneous catalyst towards sono-synthesis of biodiesel

A new nano-sized barium coordination polymer, {(bipyH)[Ba₂(pydc)₂(Hpydc)(H₂O)₂]}_n·nH₂O (1), (bipy = 4,4'-bipyridine and H₂pydc = pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid), has been sonochemically synthesized and fully characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and elemental analyses. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and it was shown that this compound consists of 1D anionic coordination polymers and bipyH⁺ cationic species that construct a three-dimensional supramolecular architecture via non-covalent interactions i.e. ion-pairing and hydrogen bonding. The role of compound 1 as a heterogeneous catalyst in the production of biodiesel was also investigated. A full conversion of soybean oil to biodiesel was accomplished in an exceptionally short timeframe through an ultrasonic-assisted transesterification process in the presence of compound 1.

Bringing 5-(3,4-dicarboxylphenyl)picolinic acid to crystal engineering research: hydrothermal assembly, structural features, and photocatalytic activity of Mn, Ni, Cu, and Zn coordination polymers

A novel tricarboxylic acid block with phthalate and picolinate functionalities was applied for the assembly of a new series of coordination polymers with interesting structural features and functional properties.

Emerging La2O2CN2 matrix with controllable 3D morphology for photoluminescence applications

Shape-controlled La₂O₂CN₂ microstructures are synthesized and are used as hosts for doping with various RE³⁺ to realize different colored emissions.