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The impact that the anion and alkyl group has on the electronic structures and magnetic properties of four mononuclear Mn(III) complexes is explored in [Mn(salEen-Br) 2 ]Y (salEen-Br = 2-{[2-(ethylamino)ethylimino]methyl}-4-Br-phenol; Y = ClO 4 - 1 and BF 4 - ·1/3CH 2 Cl 2 2 ) and [Mn(salBzen-Br) 2 ]Y (salBzen-Br = 2-{[2-(benzylamino)ethylimino]methyl}-4-Br-phenol; Y = ClO 4 - 3 and BF 4 - 4 ). X-ray structures of [Mn(salEen-Br) 2 ]ClO 4 ·0.45C 6 H 14 1-hexane , [Mn(salEen-Br) 2 ]BF 4 ·0.33CH 2 Cl 2 ·0.15C 6 H 14 2-dcm-hexane , and 3 - 4 reveal that they crystallize in ambient conditions in the monoclinic P 2 1 / c space group. Lowering the temperature, 2-dcm-hexane uniquely exhibits a structural phase transition toward a monoclinic P 2 1 / n crystal structure determined at 100 K with the unit cell trebling in size. Remarkably, at room temperature, the axially elongated Jahn-Teller axis in 2-dcm-hexane is poorly defined but becomes clearer at low temperature after the phase transition. Magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 - 4 reveal that only 3 and 4 show slow relaxation of magnetization with Δ eff / k B = 27.9 and 20.7 K, implying that the benzyl group is important for observing single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties. Theoretical calculations demonstrate that the alkyl group subtly influences the orbital levels and therefore very likely the observed SMM properties.

In order to bind guest molecules with exquisite selectivity, biological host molecules often employ low symmetry binding pockets. The majority of metallosupramolecular assemblies, however, rely on symmetrical ligands to form high-symmetry assemblies that enclosing similarly symmetrical cavities. Here we employ an unsymmetrical quaterpyridine ligand in combination with cobalt(II) to form a mixture of low-symmetry [M 2 L 3 ] helicates and [M 4 L 6 ] tetrahedra and their subsequent oxidation to Co(III)-containing assemblies.

Despite the use of achiral ligands, the vast majority of metallosupramolecular assemblies containing octahedral tris-bidentate metal centres show strong stereochemical communication between metal centres, generally resulting in homochiral assemblies even though they are statistically disfavoured. Here we show that when resolved stereocentres are attached to the central part of a quaterpyridine ligand, the stereochemical coupling from this centre is insufficient to disrupt the strong stereochemical communication between metal centres in both [M 2 L 3 ] helicates and [M 4 L 6 ] tetrahedra.

Coordination cages can be used for enantio- and regioselective catalysis and for the selective sensing and separation of isomeric guest molecules. Here, stereoisomers of a family of coordination cages are resolved using ultra-high-resolution cyclic ion-mobility mass spectrometry (cIM-MS). The observed ratio of diastereomers is dependent on both the metal ion and counter ion. Moreover, the point groups can be assigned through complementary NMR experiments. This method enables the identification and interrogation of the individual isomers in complex mixtures of cages which cannot be performed in solution. Furthermore, these techniques allow the stability of individual isomers within the mixture to be probed, with the T-symmetric isomers in this case shown to be more robust than the C 3 and S 4 analogues., (© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Molecular crystals displaying elastic flexibility have important applications in the fields of optoelectronics and nanophotonic technologies. Understanding the mechanisms by which these materials bend is critical to the design of future materials incorporating these properties. Based on the known elastic properties of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II), a series of 14 aliphatic derivatives are synthesized and crystallized. All those which grew in a needle morphology display noticeable elasticity, with 1D chains of π-stacked molecules parallel to the long metric length of the crystal a consistent crystallographic feature. Crystallographic mapping is used to measure the mechanism of elasticity at an atomic-scale. Symmetric derivatives with ethyl and propyl side chains are found to have different mechanisms of elasticity, which are further distinguished from the previously reported mechanism of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II). While crystals of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) are known to bend elastically via a molecular rotation mechanism, the elasticity of the compounds presented is facilitated by expansion of their π-stacking interactions., (© 2023 The Authors. Small published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Organic materials are promising candidates for the development of efficient sensors for many medicinal and materials science applications. Single crystals of a small molecule, 4-trifluoromethyl phenyl isothiocyanate (4CFNCS), exhibit plastic deformation when bent, twisted, or coiled. Synchrotron micro-focus X-ray diffraction mapping of the bent region of the crystal confirms the mechanism of deformation. The crystals are incorporated into a flexible piezoresistive sensor using a composite constituting PEDOT: PSS/4CFNCS, which shows an impressive performance at high-pressure ranges (sensitivity 0.08 kPa -1 above 44 kPa)., (© 2022 The Authors. Small published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Coordination cages with well-defined cavities show great promise in the field of catalysis on account of their unique combination of molecular confinement effects and transition-metal redox chemistry. Here, three coordination cages are reduced from their native 16 + oxidation state to the 2 + state in the gas phase without observable structural degradation. Using this method, the reaction rate constants for each reduction step were determined, with no noticeable differences arising following either the incorporation of a C 60 -fullerene guest or alteration of the cage chemical structure. The reactivity of highly reduced cage species toward molecular oxygen is "switched-on" after a threshold number of reduction steps, which is influenced by guest molecules and the structure of cage components. These new experimental approaches provide a unique window to explore the chemistry of highly-reduced cage species that can be modulated by altering their structures and encapsulated guest species., (© 2022 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

The radical reactions of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and tetrahydrothiophene-1-oxide (THTO) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of a nitroxide radical scavenger have been evaluated both synthetically and in analytical practice. Fenton-mediated generation of oxygen-centred radicals produced several unusual products that reflect the fragmentation and ring-opening radical mechanisms of DMSO and THTO respectively. Addition of pollution-derived ROS to DMSO/THTO nitroxide solutions produced LC-MS detectable amounts of the same products isolated from the larger-scaled Fenton reactions. For air pollution analysis, these results highlight the complexity surrounding DMSO reactivity and fragmentation, and indicate that THTO produces simpler outcomes that should facilitate analysis of the processes involved.

The interplay of many factors influences the outcomes of self-assembly reactions. Using an acetylene-appended quaterpyridine ligand we show that both the size of the metal ion and the presence of steric repulsion between the acetylene groups result in the exclusive formation of [M 2 L 3 ] helicates rather than a helicate/tetrahedron equilibrium.

Self-assembled coordination cages and metal-organic frameworks have relied extensively on symmetric ligands in their formation. Here we have prepared a relatively simple system employing an unsymmetric ligand that results in two distinct self-assembled structures, a [Fe 2 L 3 ] 4+ helicate and a [Fe 4 L 6 ] 8+ cage composed of 10 interconverting diastereomers and their enantiomers. We show that the steric profile of the ligand controls the complexity, thermodynamics and kinetics of interconversion of the system., (© 2021 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Organic luminogens have been widely used in optoelectronic devices, bioimaging, and sensing. Conventionally, the synthesis of organic luminogens requires sophisticated, multistep design, reaction, and isolation procedures. Herein, the products of the melt-phase condensation of benzoguanamine (BG; 2,4-diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine) at 370-410 °C display interesting reaction-condition-dependent luminescence properties, including photoluminescence (PL) at a variety of wavelengths in the visible spectrum and quantum efficiencies (PLQE) of up to 58% in the powder form. With a simple and straightforward solvent washing procedure, the prominent blue luminescent component BG dimer was obtained in gram scale with >93% purity (96.5% purity after fractional sublimation). The BG dimer exhibited distinct aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties. PL measurements indicate that the electronically excited state of the BG dimer undergoes efficient intramolecular nonradiative deactivation in room-temperature solution, leading to a significantly reduced PLQE (<0.1%) in solution. These nonradiative processes are substantially inhibited when the dimer existed in the form of crystals, solid aggregates in solution or being fixed in a rigid polymer film, resulting in a significant increase in the PLQE and lifetime. This work not only provided a new understanding for PL properties of self-condensation luminescent products but also represented an unconventional strategy for large-scale preparation of organic luminogens with high purity.

We introduce a highly efficient ligation system based on a visible light-induced rearrangement affording a thiophenol which rapidly undergoes thiol-Michael additions. Unlike conventional light-triggered thiol-ene/yne systems, which rely on the use of photocaged bases/nucleophiles, (organo)-photo catalysts, or radical photoinitiators, our system provides a light-induced reaction in the absence of any additives. The ligation is self-catalyzed via the pyridine mediated deprotonation of the photochemically generated thiophenol. Subsequently, the thiol-Michael reaction between the thiophenol anion and electron deficient alkynes/alkenes proceeds additive-free. Hereby, the underlying photoinduced rearrangement of o -thiopyrinidylbenzaldehyde ( o TPyB) generating the free thiol is described for the first time. We studied the influence of various reactions conditions as well as solvents and substrates. We exemplify our findings in a polymer end group modification and obtained macromolecules with excellent end group fidelity.

A re-refinement of the published but chemically implausible, crystal structure of "Form III" of 4-bromophenyl 4-bromobenzoate shows that it is not a polymorph, but instead a co-crystal containing both 4-bromophenyl 4-bromobenzoate (≈25%) and likely 4-bromophenyl 4-nitrobenzoate (≈75%).

Nature builds simple molecules into highly complex assemblies, which are involved in all fundamental processes of life. Some of the most intriguing biological assemblies are those that can be precisely reconfigured to achieve different functions using the same building blocks. Understanding the reconfiguration of synthetic self-assembled systems will allow us to better understand the complexity of proteins and design useful artificial chemical systems. Here we have prepared a relatively simple system in which two distinct self-assembled structures, a [Fe2L3]4+ helicate and a [Fe4L6]8+ cage that are formed from the same precursors, coexist at equilibrium. We have measured the rates of interconversion of these two species and propose a mechanism for the transformation.

A spin-crossover (SCO) active dinuclear Fe(II) triple helicate of the form [Fe 2 L 3 ] 4+ was combined with additional supramolecular components in order to manipulate the interhelical separation and steric congestion and to study the magneto-structural effects on the ensuing composite materials. A more separated array of SCO units produced more extensive spin-transitions, while a tightly arranged lattice environment stabilized the low-spin state. This study highlights the important interplay between crystal packing, intermolecualr interactions, and the magentic behavior of SCO materials.

Herein, we pioneer a wavelength-gated synthesis route to phenalene diimides. Consecutive Diels-Alder reactions of methylisophthalaldehydes and maleimides afford hexahydro-phenalene-1,6-diol diimides via 5-formyl-hexahydro-benzo[f]isoindoles as the intermediate. Both photoreactions are efficient (82-99 % yield) and exhibit excellent diastereoselectivity (62-98 % d.r.). The wavelength-gated nature of the stepwise reaction enables the modular construction of phenalene diimide scaffolds by choice of substrate and wavelength. Importantly, this synthetic methodology opens a facile avenue to a new class of persistent phenalenyl diimide neutral radicals, constituting a versatile route to spin-active molecules., (© 2021 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Mechanically adaptable molecular crystals have potential applications in flexible smart materials and devices. Here, we report the mechanism of plastic deformation in single crystals of a small organic molecule (N-(4-ethynylphenyl)-3-fluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide) that can be repeatedly irreversibly bent and returned to its original shape without concomitant delamination or loss of integrity. Along with the quantification of the crystals' local and bulk mechanical properties (hardness, indentation modulus and Young's modulus), micro-focus synchrotron X-ray diffraction mapping show that upon deformation, molecular layers lined with trifluoromethyl groups cooperatively slip past one another resulting in their impressive plastic malleability.

Elastically flexible crystals form an emerging class of materials that exhibit a range of notable properties. The mechanism of thermal expansion in flexible crystals of bis(acetylacetonato)copper(II) is compared with the mechanism of molecular motion induced by bending and it is demonstrated that the two mechanisms are distinct. Upon bending, individual molecules within the crystal structure reversibly rotate, while thermal expansion results predominantly in an increase in intermolecular separations with only minor changes to molecular orientation through rotation., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The rational, deliberate design of supramolecular architectures is of great importance for the discovery of complex materials. A three-dimensional cubic halogen-bonded network has been prepared by combination of an octahedral metal-containing halogen bond acceptor and a linear ditopic donor. This material displays α-Po pcu topology and is seven-fold interpenetrated. This is the first neutral, metal-containing three-dimensional halogen-bonded network to be reported.

Single crystals are typically brittle, inelastic materials. Such mechanical responses limit their use in practical applications, particularly in flexible electronics and optical devices. Here we describe single crystals of a well-known coordination compound-copper(II) acetylacetonate-that are flexible enough to be reversibly tied into a knot. Mechanical measurements indicate that the crystals exhibit an elasticity similar to that of soft materials such as nylon, and thus display properties normally associated with both hard and soft matter. Using microfocused synchrotron radiation, we mapped the changes in crystal structure that occur on bending, and determined the mechanism that allows this flexibility with atomic precision. We show that, under strain, the molecules in the crystal reversibly rotate, and thus reorganize to allow the mechanical compression and expansion required for elasticity and still maintain the integrity of the crystal structure.

Homo- and heteronuclear meso,meso-(E)-ethene-1,2-diyl-linked diporphyrins have been prepared by the Suzuki coupling of porphyrinylboronates and iodovinylporphyrins. Combinations comprising 5,10,15-triphenylporphyrin (TriPP) on both ends of the ethene-1,2-diyl bridge M(2)10 (M(2) =H(2)/Ni, Ni(2), Ni/Zn, H(4), H(2)Zn, Zn(2)) and 5,15-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)porphyrinato-nickel(II) on one end and H(2), Ni, and ZnTriPP on the other (M(2)11), enable the first studies of this class of compounds possessing intrinsic polarity. The compounds were characterized by electronic absorption and steady state emission spectra, (1)H NMR spectra, and for the Ni(2) bis(TriPP) complex Ni(2)10, single crystal X-ray structure determination. The crystal structure shows ruffled distortions of the porphyrin rings, typical of Ni(II) porphyrins, and the (E)-C(2)H(2) bridge makes a dihedral angle of 50° with the mean planes of the macrocycles. The result is a stepped parallel arrangement of the porphyrin rings. The dihedral angles in the solid state reflect the interplay of steric and electronic effects of the bridge on interporphyrin communication. The emission spectra in particular, suggest energy transfer across the bridge is fast in conformations in which the bridge is nearly coplanar with the rings. Comparisons of the fluorescence behaviour of H(4)10 and H(2)Ni10 show strong quenching of the free base fluorescence when the complex is excited at the lower energy component of the Soret band, a feature associated in the literature with more planar conformations. TDDFT calculations on the gas-phase optimized geometry of Ni(2)10 reproduce the features of the experimental electronic absorption spectrum within 0.1 eV., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Novel profluorescent nitroxides bearing a triazole linker between the coumarin fluorophore and an isoindoline nitroxide were prepared in good yields using the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction (CuAAC). Nitroxides containing 7-hydroxy and 7-diethylamino substitution on their coumarin rings displayed significant fluorescence suppression, and upon reaction with methyl radicals, normal fluorescence emission was returned. The fluorescence emission for the 7-hydroxycoumarin nitroxide and its diamagnetic analogue was found to be strongly influenced by pH with maximal fluorescence emission achieved in basic solution. Solvent polarity was also shown to affect fluorescence emission. The significant difference in fluorescence output between the nitroxides and their corresponding diamagnetic analogues makes these compounds ideal tools for monitoring processes involving free-radical species.

Acyclic bissulfonylnitroxides have never been isolated, and degrade through fragmentation. In an approach to stabilising a bissulfonylnitroxide radical, the cyclic, peri-substituted N,N-bissulfonylhydroxylamine, 2-hydroxynaphtho[1,8-de][1,3,2]dithiazine 1,1,3,3-tetraoxide (1), has been prepared by formal nitrogen insertion into the sulfur-sulfur bond of a sulfinylsulfone, naphtho[1,8-cd][1,2]dithiole 1,1,2-trioxide. The heterocyclic ring of 1 is shown to adopt a sofa conformation by X-ray crystallography, with a pseudo-axial hydroxyl group. N,N-Bissulfonylhydroxylamine 1 displays high thermal, photochemical and hydrolytic stability compared to acyclic systems. EPR analysis reveals formation of the corresponding bissulfonylnitroxide 2 upon oxidation of 1 with the Ce(IV) salts CAN and CTAN. Although 2 does not undergo fragmentation, it cannot be isolated, since hydrogen atom abstraction to reform 1 occurs in situ. The stability and reactivity of 1 and 2 are compared with the known cyclic benzo-fused N,N-bissulfonylhydroxylamine, N-hydroxy-O-benzenedisulfonimide (6), for which the X-ray data, and EPR of the corresponding nitroxide 10, are also reported for the first time.

The crystal structure of the title compound, [Cu(C(26)H(22)P(2))(2)][CuCl(2)], is composed of discrete Cu(dppey)(2)](+) cations [dppey is cis-bis-(diphenyl-phosphino)ethene] and [CuCl(2)](-) anions. The tetra-hedral Cu(P-P)(2) core of the [Cu(dppey)(2)](+) cation is distorted, with Cu-P bond lengths ranging from 2.269 (1) to 2.366 (1) Å. The five-membered -Cu-P-CH=CH-P- rings adopt envelope conformations, with the Cu atom lying 0.38 and 0.65 Å out of the P-C=C-P planes. The Cu-Cl distances in the [CuCl(2)](-) anion are 2.094 (2) and 2.096 (2) Å, with a Cl-Cu-Cl angle of 176.81 (7)°.

New examples of nitrogen base adducts of dinuclear Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the doubly deprotonated forms of 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketones of type [RC(=O)CH(2)C(=O)C(6)H(4)C(=O)CH(2)C(=O)R] (L(1)H(2)) incorporating the mono- and difunctional amine bases pyridine (Py), 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy), piperidine (pipi), 1,4-piperazine (pip), N-methylmorpholine (mmorph), 1,4-dimethylpiperazine (dmpip) and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) have been synthesised by reaction of the previously reported [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)].2.5THF (R = Me), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(THF)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] (R = t-Bu) and [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] (R = t-Bu) complexes with individual bases of the above type. Comparative X-ray structural studies involving all ten base adduct derivatives have been obtained and reveal a range of interesting discrete and polymeric molecular architectures. The respective products have the following stoichiometries: [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)].Py (R = Me), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)].2EtPy (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(pipi)(2)].2pipi (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(mmorph)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu) and {[Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(pip)].pip.2THF}(n), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)].dmpip (R = t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(pipi)(4)].pipi (R = t-Bu) and [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(tmen)(2)] (R = t-Bu). The effect of pressure on the X-ray structure of [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)(mmorph)(2)] has been investigated. An increase in pressure from ambient to 9.1 kbar resulted in modest changes to the unit cell parameters as well as a corresponding decrease of 6.7 percent in the unit cell volume. While a small 'shearing' motion occurs between adjacent molecular units throughout the lattice, no existing bonds are broken or new bonds formed.

The mol-ecules of the title compound, C(18)H(20)O(3), display an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond between the hydr-oxy donor and a ketal O-atom acceptor. In the crystal, inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions connect adjacent mol-ecules into chains parallel to the b axis.

The mol-ecules of the title compound, C(16)H(16)O(2), display an intra-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond between the hydroxyl donor and the ketone acceptor. Inter-molecular C-H⋯π inter-actions connect adjacent mol-ecules into chains that propagate parallel to the ac diagonal. The chains are arranged in sheets, and mol-ecules in adjacent sheets inter-act via inter-molecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.

Di- and triporphyrin arrays consisting of 5,15-diphenylporphyrinatomagnesium(II) (MgDPP) coordinated to free-base and Ni(II) porphyrinyl mono- and bis-phosphine oxides, as well as the self-coordinating diphenyl[10,20-diphenylporphyrinatomagnesium(II)-5-yl]phosphine oxide [MgDPP(Ph(2)PO)], were synthesised in excellent yields and characterised by various spectroscopic techniques. Phosphine oxides stabilise Mg(II) coordination to porphyrins and the resulting complexes have convenient solubilities, while the Ni(II) complexes exhibit interesting intramolecular fluorescence quenching behaviour. The binding constant of MgDPP to triphenylphosphine oxide (5.3 +/- 0.1 x 10(5) M(-1)) and the very high self-association constant of [MgDPP(Ph(2)PO)] (5.5 +/- 0.5 x 10(8) M(-1)) demonstrate the strong affinity of phosphine oxides towards Mg(II) porphyrins. These complexes are the first strongly bound synthetic Mg(II) multiporphyrin complexes and could potentially mimic the "special pair" in the photosynthetic reaction centre.

Neutral dimeric metallocyclic complexes of type [M(2)(L(1))(2)B(n)] (where M = cobalt(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II), L(1) is the doubly deprotonated form of a 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketone ligand of type 1,3-bis(RC(O)CH(2)C(O))C(6)H(4) (R=Me, n-Pr, t-Bu) and B is pyridine (Py) or 4-ethylpyridine (EtPy)) have been synthesised, adding to similar complexes already reported for copper(II). New lipophilic ligand derivatives with R = octyl or nonyl were also prepared for use in solvent extraction experiments. Structural, electrochemical and solvent extraction investigations of selected metal complex systems from the above series are reported, with the X-ray structures of [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)] x 2.25CHCl(3) x 0.5H(2)O (R=Pr), [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu), [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(2)] (R=Me) and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(EtPy)(4)] (R=t-Bu) being presented. The electrochemistry of H(2)L(1) (R=t-Bu) and of [Fe(2)(L(1))(3)], [Co(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Ni(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(4)], [Cu(2)(L(1))(2)] and [Zn(2)(L(1))(2)(Py)(2)] has been examined. Oxidative processes for the complexes are dominantly irreversible, but several examples of quasireversible behaviour were observed and support the assignment of an anodic process, seen between +1.0 and +1.6 V, as a metal-centred oxidation. The reduction processes for the respective metal complexes are not simple, and irreversible in most cases. Solvent extraction studies (water/chloroform) involving variable concentrations of metal, bis-beta-diketone and heterocyclic base have been performed for cobalt(II) and zinc(II) using a radiotracer technique to probe the stoichiometries of the extracted species in each case. Synergism was observed when 4-ethylpyridine was added to the bis-beta-diketone ligand in the chloroform phase. Competitive extraction studies show a clear uptake preference for copper(II) over cobalt(II), nickel(II), zinc(II) and cadmium(II).

Synthesis of the 2,2'-dipyridylamine derivatives di-2-pyridylaminomethylbenzene 1, 1,2-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 2, 1,3-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 3, 2,6-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)pyridine 4, 1,4-bis(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 5, and 1,3,5-tris(di-2-pyridylaminomethyl)benzene 6 are reported together with the single-crystal X-ray structures of 2, 3, and 5. Reaction of individual salts of the type AgX (where X = NO(3)(-), PF(6)(-), ClO(4)(-), or BF(4)(-)) with the above ligands has led to the isolation of thirteen Ag(I) complexes, nine of which have also been characterised by X-ray diffraction. In part, the inherent flexibility of the respective ligands has resulted in the adoption of a range of coordination arrangements. A series of liquid-liquid (H(2)O/CHCl(3)) extraction experiments of Ag(I) with varying concentrations of 1-6 in the organic phase have been undertaken, with the counter ion in the aqueous phase being respectively picrate, perchlorate and nitrate. In general, extraction efficiencies for a given ionophore followed the Hofmeister order of picrate > perchlorate > nitrate; in each case the tris-dpa derivative 6 acting as the most efficient extractant of the six systems investigated. Competitive seven-metal bulk membrane transport experiments (H(2)O/CHCl(3)/H(2)O) employing the above ligands as the ionophore in the organic phase and equimolar concentrations of Co(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II) and Ag(I) in the aqueous source phase were also undertaken, with transport occurring against a pH gradient. Under the conditions employed 1 and 5 yielded negligible transport of any of the metals present in the source phase while sole transport selectivity for Ag(I) was observed for 2-4 and 6.

New examples of adducts between di- (and, in one instance, tetra-) functional nitrogen ligands and planar 'platform-like' dinuclear copper(II) complexes, [Cu2L2], incorporating the 1,3-aryl linked bis-beta-diketonato bridging ligand 1,1'-(1,3-phenylene)-bis(4,4-dimethylpentane-1,3-dione) (H2L) have been synthesised. The X-ray structures of six adduct species are reported. The interaction of [Cu2(L)2] with the ditopic ligand aminopyrazine (apyz) yielded the sandwich-like tetranuclear species [(Cu2L2(apyz))2]. A variable-temperature magnetochemical investigation of this product indicated weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the (five-coordinate) copper centres, mediated by the 2-aminopyrazine linkers. An analogous structure, [(Cu2L2(dabco))2] (dabco=1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane), was generated when dabco was substituted for aminopyrazine while use of 4,4'-dipyridyl sulfide (dps) and 4,4'-(1,3-xylylene)-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazole) (xbp) as the ditopic 'spacer' ligands resulted in polymeric species of type [Cu2L2(dps)]n and [Cu2L2(xbp)]n, respectively. These latter species exist as one-dimensional chain structures in which copper(II) centres on different dinuclear platforms are linked in a 'zigzag' fashion. In contrast, with 2,2'-dipyridylamine (dpa) a discrete complex of type [Cu2L2(dpa)2] formed in which one potential pyridyl donor from each 2,2'-dipyridylamine ligand remains uncoordinated. The use of the potentially quadruply-bridging hexamethylenetetramine (hmt) ligand as the linker unit was found to give rise to an unusual two-dimensional polymeric motif of type [(Cu2(L2)2)3(hmt)2]n. The product takes the form of a (6,3) network, incorporating triply bridging hexamethylenetetramine units.

A series of porphyrins substituted in one or two meso positions by diphenylphosphine oxide groups has been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed reaction of diphenylphosphine or its oxide with the corresponding bromoporphyrins. Compounds {MDPP-[P(O)Ph2]n} (M = H2, Ni, Zn; H2DPP = 5,15-diphenylporphyrin; n = 1, 2) were isolated in yields of 60-95%. The reaction is believed to proceed via the conventional oxidative addition, phosphination, and reductive elimination steps, as the stoichiometric reaction of eta(1)-palladio(II) porphyrin [PdBr(H2DPP)(dppe)] (H2DPP = 5,15-diphenylporphyrin; dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) with diphenylphosphine oxide also results in the desired mono-porphyrinylphosphine oxide [H2DPP-P(O)Ph2]. Attempts to isolate the tertiary phosphines failed due to their extreme air-sensitivity. Variable-temperature 1H NMR studies of [H2DPP-P(O)Ph2] revealed an intrinsic lack of symmetry, while fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the phosphine oxide group does not behave as a "heavy atom" quencher. The electron-withdrawing effect of the phosphine oxide group was confirmed by voltammetry. The ligands were characterized by multinuclear NMR and UV-visible spectroscopy, as well as mass spectrometry. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography showed that the bis(phosphine oxide) nickel(II) complex {[NiDPP-[P(O)Ph2]2} is monomeric in the solid state, with a ruffled porphyrin core and the two P=O fragments on the same side of the average plane of the molecule. On the other hand, the corresponding zinc(II) complex formed infinite chains through coordination of one Ph2PO substituent to the neighboring zinc porphyrin through an almost linear P=O...Zn unit, leaving the other Ph2PO group facing into a parallel channel filled with disordered water molecules. These new phosphine oxides are attractive ligands for supramolecular porphyrin chemistry.

Neutral trinuclear (triangular) copper(II) complexes of type [Cu3L3] incorporating the 1,4-aryl linked bis-beta-diketonato bridging ligands, 1,1-(1,4-phenylene)-bis(butane-1,3-dione) (H2L2), 1,1-(1,4-phenylene)-bis(pentane-1,3-dione) (H2L3) and 1,1-(1,4-phenylene)-bis(4,4-dimethylpentane-1,3-dione) (H2L4) have been demonstrated to react with selected heterocyclic nitrogen donor bases to generate extended supramolecular architectures whose structures have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Thus on reaction with 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy), [Cu3(L2)3] yields polymeric structures of type {[Cu3(L2)3(bipy)(THF)] x 2.75THF}n and {[Cu3(L2)3(bipy)(THF)] x bipy x 0.75THF}(n) while with pyrazine (pyz), {[Cu3(L2)3(pyz)] x 0.5THF}n was obtained. Each of these extended structures contain alternating triangle/linker units in a one-dimensional polymeric chain arrangement in which two of the three copper sites in each triangular 'platform' are formally five-coordinate through binding to a heterocyclic nitrogen atom. Interaction of the multifunctional linker unit hexamethylenetetramine (hmt) with [Cu3(L3)3] afforded an unusual, chiral, three-dimensional molecular framework of stoichiometry [Cu3(L3)3(hmt)]n. The latter incorporates the trinuclear units coordinated to three triply bridging hmt units. In marked contrast to the formation of the above structures incorporating bifunctional linker units and five-coordinate metal centres, the trinuclear platform [Cu3(L2)3] reacts with the stronger difunctional base 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]-octane (dabco) to yield a highly symmetric trigonal columnar species of type {[Cu3(L4)3(dabco)3] x 3H2O}n in which each copper centre is octahedrally coordinated.

A trinuclear metallo-capsule has been assembled from a new tripodal pyridyl ligand and three silver(I) ions; the X-ray structure shows the presence of a Ag-Ag interaction in the solid state giving rise to a non-symmetric capsule arrangement while NMR evidence indicates that the structure in solution is symmetrical.

Discrete cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes of type ML (where L is a bis(2,4-pentanedionate) derivative incorporating a -SCH2CH2S- bridge between the gamma-carbons of respective beta-diketone units) have been synthesised and represent the first examples in which a gamma-substituted, thioether-containing beta-diketone ligand coordinates via a sulfur and oxygen donor in preference to the classical coordination mode involving both beta-diketonate oxygens.

A range of 1,3-aryl linked, bis-beta-diketone derivatives (LH2) has been employed to synthesise neutral bis(ligand), dinuclear complexes incorporating square-planar copper(II) and tris(ligand) dinuclear helical derivatives containing octahedral iron(III). The 1H NMR spectra of the free ligands contain singlet peaks at ca. 16.2 ppm, indicative of enolic protons, confirming that the (bis) enol tautomer is present in solution. An X-ray structure of a ligand from the series incorporating tert-butyl terminal substituents confirms that the same tautomer persists in the solid and that the relative orientation of the bis-beta-diketone fragments is such that the coordination vectors lie at approximately 120 degrees to each other. The planar, dinuclear copper complexes form 1 : 2 adducts with pyridine and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, confirmed by X-ray structures, that incorporate five-coordinate metal centres. Based on this behaviour, the prospect of linking copper centres in the dinuclear complexes using the difunctional heterocyclic bases, 4,4'-bipyridine, 4,4'-trans-azopyridine and pyrazine as co-ligands has been probed. However, 4,4'-bipyridine was observed to coordinate through only one of its heterocyclic nitrogen atoms in the solid state to form a 1 : 2 ([Cu2(L)2]: 4,4'-bipyridine) adduct, analogous to the structures obtained with the above mono-functional nitrogen bases. Nevertheless, an X-ray structure determination shows that the related difunctional base, 4,4'-trans-azopyridine, coordinates in a bridging fashion via both its heterocyclic nitrogen atoms on alternate sides of each planar [Cu2(L)2] unit to produce an infinite one dimensional metallo chain. In contrast, with pyrazine, a new neutral, discrete assembly of type [Cu4(L)4(pyrazine)2] is formed. The X-ray structure shows that two planar dinuclear complexes are linked by two pyrazine molecules in a sandwich arrangement such that the coordination environment of each copper ion is approximately square pyramidal with the overall tetranuclear structure thus taking the form of a 'dimer of dimers'.

The interaction of six aryl-linked bis-beta-diketones, including a new naphthylene linked species, with copper(II), iron(III) and, in one instance gallium(III), has been investigated with the aim of obtaining metallo-supramolecular assemblies exhibiting different geometries. New examples of two assembly types incorporating the above bis-beta-diketones (L) were generated. The first type is represented by a range of molecular triangles of formula [Cu(3)(L-H(2))(3)](solvent)(n) while the second is given by a corresponding selection of less-common neutral molecular tetrahedra of formula [Fe(4)(L-H(2))(6)](solvent)(n) as well as [Ga(4)(L-H(2))(6)].8.5THF.0.5H(2)O; an example of each type has been characterised by X-ray crystallography. A magnetochemical investigation of [Fe(4)(-H(2))(6)].6THF is reported. The susceptibility is Curie like and consistent with very weak coupling occurring between the iron(III) d(5)(high spin) centres. The X-ray structures of two trinuclear copper(II) as well as a tetranuclear iron(III) and a tetranuclear gallium(III) assembly confirm their discrete triangular and tetrahedral geometries, respectively. The structure of the gallium(III) species is closely related to that of the corresponding iron(III) species. The tetrahedral structures provide rare examples of such assemblies encapsulating guest solvent molecules--in each case tetrahydrofuran is incorporated in the central cavity.

The interaction of cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II), zinc(II), cadmium(II), silver(I) and lead(II) with symmetrical mono-N-benzylated and xylyl-linked macrocyclic ligands derived from the O2N3-macrocycle, 1,12,15-triaza-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-5,8-dioxacycloheptadecane, has been investigated. The log K values for the respective 1 : 1 complexes in 95% methanol (I= 0.1; Et4NClO4, 25 degrees C) of the mono-benzylated derivative have been determined potentiometrically and the results compared with the values obtained previously for the parent (non-benzylated) ring system as well as for related di- and tri-benzylated macrocyclic species. Mono-benzylation results in slightly enhanced stability for the 1 : 1 silver(I) complex while the values for the corresponding complexes of the other six ions are in each case decreased even though the highest stability is still maintained for the 1 : 1 copper(II) complex. The log K results are in accord with a previous proposal that N-benzylation of amine-containing macrocyclic rings of the present type will normally have only a minor (positive or negative) influence on the affinity towards silver(I) while the corresponding binding strengths towards the remaining six metal ions are significantly reduced-behaviour we term 'selective detuning'. Competitive seven-metal transport experiments across a bulk chloroform membrane have been performed using both ligand systems as ionophores. In parallel to the log K results, transport selectivity for copper(II) was exhibited by both systems, with similar transport efficiencies being evident when compared on a 'per macrocyclic cavity' basis.