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Oxidations of C–H bonds with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) catalyzed by transition metal complexes are known to proceed through a number of routes, from the non-selective free radical to selective concerted and metal-mediated ones. However, there is a lack of understanding of the m-CPBA oxidative behavior, reaction mechanisms and factors that trigger its activity. An experimental and theoretical investigation of sp3 C–H bond oxidation with m-CPBA in the presence of the heterometallic pre-catalyst [CoIII4FeIII2O(Sae)8]·4DMF·H2O (1) (H2Sae = salicylidene-2-ethanolamine) and HNO3 promoter has been performed herein. The catalytic system 1/HNO3/m-CPBA allows mild hydroxylation of tertiary C–H bonds with 99% retention of stereoconfiguration of model alkane substrates, supported by high TOFs up to 2 s−1 (for cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane) and TONs up to 1.4 × 104 (at 50 °C). The catalytic effect of 1 is seen at the ppm level, while 1000 ppm (0.1 mol%) loading allows 1000-fold increase of the initial reaction rate up to 9 × 10−5 M s−1. The reaction mechanism was investigated by means of combined kinetic studies (including isotope effects), isotopic labeling (18O2, H218O, D2O), ESI-MS spectroscopy and DFT theoretical studies. The results suggest that the main oxidation pathway proceeds through a concerted mechanism involving a cobalt-peroxo C–H attacking species or via a cobalt–oxyl species (rebound process), rather than a free-radical pathway. Remarkably, the Co(III) catalyst does not change its oxidation state during the most energetically favored pathway, consistent with a metal–ligand cooperativity. The chlorobenzene radical is responsible for H abstraction in the non-selective side route, which is efficiently suppressed by the acidic promoter. Finally, signs for slow direct oxygen exchange between m-CPBA and water in the presence of a proton or a metal complex are found, suggesting that the results of 18O-tests should be treated cautiously when m-CPBA is used as the oxidant.

The novel complex [FeIIICl(L)2(H2O)] (1) was synthesized by interaction of iron(III) chloride with ethanol solution of o-vanillin (HL) and characterized by IR, UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The molecules of 1 in the solid state are joined into supramolecular dimeric units, where a set of strong hydrogen bonds predefines the structure of the dimer according to the “key-lock” principle. From the Hirshfield surface analysis the contribution of π⋯π stacking to the overall stabilization of the dimer was found to be negligible. Broken symmetry DFT calculations suggested the presence of long-range antiferromagnetic interactions (J = −0.12 cm−1 for H = −JS1S2 formalism) occurring through the Fe–O⋯O–Fe pathway, as evidenced by the studies of the model dimers where the water molecules were substituted by acetonitrile and acetone ones. The benchmark studies using a set of literature examples and various DFT functionals revealed the hybrid-GGA B3LYP as the best one for prediction of FeIII⋯FeIII antiferromagnetic exchange couplings of small magnitude. Magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed antiferromagnetic coupling between the metal atoms in 1 with a coupling constant of −0.35 cm−1. Catalytic studies demonstrated that 1 acts as an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of nitric acid promoter and under mild conditions (yield up to 37% based on the substrate), while tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) and m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as oxidants exhibit less efficiency. Combined UV/TDDFT studies evidence the structural rearrangement of 1 in acetonitrile with the formation of [FeIIICl(L)2(CH3CN)] species. The TDDFT benchmark using nine common DFT functionals and two model compounds (o-vanillin and [FeIII(H2O)6]3+ ion) support the hybrid meta-GGA M06-2X functional as the one most correctly predicting the excited state structure for the Fe(III) complexes, under the conditions studied.

Three novel coordination compounds, [Cu(ca)2(Hbae)2] (1), [Cu(va)2(Hbae)2] (2) and [Cu4(va)4(bae)4]·H2O (3), have been prepared by self-assembly reactions of copper(ii) chloride (1 and 2) or tetrafluoroborate (3) and CH3OH (1 and 3) or CH3CN (2) solution of 2-benzylaminoethanol (Hbae) and cinnamic (Hca, 1) or valeric (Hva, 2 and 3) acid. Crystallographic analysis revealed that both 1 and 2 have mononuclear crystal structures, wherein the complex molecules are H-bonded forming extended supramolecular chains. The tetranuclear structure of 3 is based on the {Cu4(μ3-O)4} core, wherein the metal atoms are bound together by μ3 oxygen bridges from 2-benzylaminoethanol forming an overall cubane-like configuration. The strong hydrogen bonding in 1-3 leads to the joining of the neighbouring molecules into 1D chains. Concentration-dependent ESI-MS studies disclosed the equilibria between di-, tri- and tetranuclear species in solutions of 1-3. All three compounds act as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of o-aminophenol to the phenoxazinone chromophore (phenoxazinone synthase-like activity), with the maximum reaction rates of 4.0 × 10-7, 2.5 × 10-7 and 2.1 × 10-7 M s-1 for 1, 2 and 3, respectively, supported by the quantitative yield of the product after 24 h. The dependence of the reaction rates on catalyst concentrations is evidence of reaction orders higher than one relative to the catalyst. Kinetic and ESI-MS data allowed us to assume that the tetranuclear species, originating from 1, 2 and 3 in solution, possess considerably higher activity than the species of lower nuclearity. Mechanistic and isotopic 18O-labelling experiments suggested that o-aminophenol coordinates to CuII species with the formation of reactive intermediates, while the oxygen from 18O2 is not incorporated into the phenoxazinone chromophore.

The synthesis, crystal structures and magnetic properties are reported for three novel mixed-valence tetranuclear [MnII2MnIII2(HBuDea)2(BuDea)2(EBA)4] (1), [MnII2MnIII2(HBuDea)2(BuDea)2(DMBA)4] (2) and undecanuclear [MnII3MnIII8O4(OH)2(BuDea)6(DMBA)8] (3) clusters, where H2BuDea is N-butyldiethanolamine, HEBA is 2-ethylbutyric acid and HDMBA is 2,2-dimethylbutyric acid. The compounds have been prepared through self-assembly reactions of manganese(ii) chloride with H2BuDea and respective carboxylic acid in methanol solution in air, affording 1 with HEBA, and 2 or 3 with HDMBA, depending on the experimental conditions. The single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 and 2 have similar centrosymmetric structures based on the {M4(μ3-O)2(μ-O)4} core, while 3 discloses the unprecedented {M11(μ-O)4(μ3-O)12} one. The Mn4 complexes display single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior with a S = 9 spin ground state and a high energy barrier Ueff/kB of up to 51 K. The magnetic properties of 2 are successfully modeled with JMnIII-MnIII/hc = 25.7 cm-1 and two JMnIII-MnII/hc constants of 3.1 and -0.93 cm-1 (data correspond to the Ĥ = -Jŝ1·ŝ2 formalism). The Mn11 cluster exhibits a paramagnetic behavior with dominant antiferromagnetic coupling. A possible influence of intermolecular effects and of different peripheries of the magnetic cores designed by using 2-ethylbutyrate (in 1) or 2,2-dimethylbutyrate (in 2) on the magnetic properties of 1 and 2 is discussed. The experimental magnetostructural correlations for the {MnII2MnIII2(μ3-O)2(μ-O)4} cores, supported by broken symmetry DFT calculations, disclose the X-MnIIIMnIII angle and MnIII-O distance (where MnIII-X and MnIII-O are axial Jahn-Teller bonds) as the structural factors having the strongest influence on JMnIII-MnIII exchange coupling. It is shown that two JMnIII-MnII constants are necessary for the correct description of magnetic exchange couplings in the {MnII2MnIII2(μ3-O)2(μ-O)4} tetranuclear unit.

The novel complex [Fe

New Schiff base complexes [Cu2(HL1)(L1)(N3)3]∙2H2O (1) and [Cu2L2(N3)2]∙H2O (2) were synthesized. The crystal structures of 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The HL1 ligand results from the condensation of salicylaldehyde and 1-(2-aminoethyl)piperazine, while a new organic ligand, H2L2, was formed by the dimerization of HL1 via a coupling of two piperazine rings of HL1 on a carbon atom coming from DMF solvent. The dinuclear building units in 1 and 2 are linked into complex supramolecular networks through hydrogen and coordination bondings, resulting in 2D and 1D architectures, respectively. Single-point and broken-symmetry DFT calculations disclosed negligible singlet&ndash, triplet splittings within the dinuclear copper fragments in 1 and 2. Catalytic studies showed a remarkable activity of 1 and 2 towards cyclohexane oxidation with H2O2 in the presence of nitric acid and pyridine as promoters and under mild conditions (yield of products up to 21%). Coordination compound 1 also acts as an active catalyst in the intermolecular coupling of cyclohexane with benzamide using di-tert-butyl peroxide (tBuOOtBu) as a terminal oxidant. Conversion of benzamide at 55% was observed after 24 h reaction time. By-product patterns and plausible reaction mechanisms are discussed.

A series of phthalocyanine (Pc) complexes of general formula [M(Pc)] (M = Mg, V, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn) was tested as catalysts for functionalization of sp3 C H bonds, namely in the mild stereoselective oxidation of cyclic alkanes (isomers of dimethylcyclohexane and decahydronaphthalene) using peroxides as oxidants. A high catalytic activity (yield of products up to 75% based on the oxidant) and outstanding retention of stereoconfiguration of substrates (>95% for isomers of dimethylcyclohexane) was disclosed for the cobalt phthalocyanine catalyst [Co(Pc)] using m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as oxidant and nitric acid as promoter. The phthalocyanine complexes other than Co are much less active with yields of products

The novel coordination compounds [Cu2(HtBuDea)2(OAc)2] (1) and [Cu2(HnBuDea)2Cl2]·nH2O (2) have been prepared through the reaction of the respective copper(II) salts with N-tert-butyldiethanolamine (H2tBuDea, for 1) or N-butyldiethanolamine (H2nBuDea, for 2) in methanol solution. Crystallographic analysis reveals that, in spite of the common binuclear {Cu2(μ-O)2} core, the supramolecular structures of the complexes are drastically different. In 1 binuclear molecules are linked together by H-bonds into 1D chains, while in 2 the neighboring pairs of binuclear molecules are H-bonded, forming tetranuclear aggregates. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 and 2 show a dominant antiferromagnetic behavior. Both complexes are also studied by HF-EPR spectroscopy. While the interaction between Cu(II) centers in 1 can be described by a single coupling constant J = 130.1(3) cm–1 (using H = JS1S2), the crystallographically different {Cu2(μ-O)2} pairs in 2 are expected exchange from...

The mono- and binuclear Schiff base complexes [CoL3]·DMF (1) and [CoCdL3Cl2]·0.5H2O (2) were facilely synthesized using zerovalent cobalt and cadmium chloride (for 2) as starting materials and the pre-formed pro-ligand HL (2-methoxy-6-[(methylimino)methyl]phenol, the product of condensation of o-vanillin and methylamine) in air. The compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and spectroscopic methods in solution and in the solid state. Both complexes demonstrate a profound catalytic activity in the stereoselective oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane (model substrate) with m-CPBA (m-chloroperbenzoic acid) under mild conditions in the presence of promoters of various acidity (HNO3, TFA and HOAc). The heterometallic binuclear CoIIICdII pre-catalyst (2) was more active than the mononuclear CoIII one (1), exhibiting higher products yields up to 51% and excellent stereospecificity (up to 99.2% retention of stereoconfiguration). This result could be associated with a synergistic effect of two different metals in 2. Based on the large obtained kinetic isotope effect and H218O labeling studies, the overall reaction mechanism was proposed to proceed without the participation of free alkyl radicals. The acidity of the promoter was shown to influence catalytic parameters for both 1 and 2 so that the better parameters are achieved with the acid possessing lower pKa values (a stronger acid). The comparison of the catalytic behaviours of 1 and 2 is discussed in detail considering relevant examples from the literature.

The novel hexanuclear complexes [Cu4Fe2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl]·0.5CH3CN (1) and [Cu4Mn2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl] (2) were prepared through one-pot self-assembly reactions of copper powder and iron(II) or manganese(II) chloride with N-tert-butyldiethanolamine (H2tBuDea) and pivalic acid (HPiv) in acetonitrile. Crystallographic studies revealed the uncommon molecular core type M6(μ-X)7(μ3-X)2 in 1 and 2, which can be viewed as a combination of two trimetallic M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) fragments joined by three bridging atoms. The analysis and classification of the hexanuclear complexes having a M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) moiety as a core forming fragment using data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) were performed. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 showed a decrease of the effective magnetic moment value at low temperature, indicative of antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic centres (JFe–Cu/hc = −6.9 cm−1, JCu–Cu/hc = −4.1 cm−1, JFe–Fe/hc = −24.2 cm−1). Complex 1 acts as a catalyst in the reaction of mild oxidation of cyclohexane with H2O2, showing the yields of products, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, up to 17% using pyrazinecarboxylic acid as a promoter. In the oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA), 70% of retention of stereoconfiguration was observed for tertiary alcohols. Compound 1 also catalyses the amidation of cyclohexane with benzamide. In all three catalytic reactions the by-products were investigated in detail and discussed.

Polynuclear homo- and heterometallic complexes of transition metals constitute a broad class of coordination compounds with recognized applications in catalysis, and polymetallic active sites in enzymes inspire their significance as bio-mimicking catalysts. The current interest of synthetic chemistry in the mild functionalization of alkanes demands a rapid progress in the field of metal-catalysed alkane oxidation. This review covers the synthesis of homo- and heterometallic polynuclear complexes of 3d metals with N,O-donor ligands and their application in homogeneous catalytic alkane hydroxylation and hydrocarboxylation, mainly during the last six years. The synthetic approaches used for the preparation of the polynuclear compounds and their structural features are discussed, as well as their use as catalysts in that field, effects of oxidants and promoters, and main reaction mechanisms.

Selective catalytic functionalization of organic substrates using peroxides as terminal oxidants remains a challenge in modern chemistry. The high complexity of interactions between metal catalysts and organic peroxide compounds complicates the targeted construction of efficient catalytic systems. Among the members of the peroxide family, m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA) exhibits quite complex behavior, where numerous reactive species could be formed upon reaction with a metal complex catalyst. Although m-CPBA finds plenty of applications in fine organic synthesis and catalysis, the factors that discriminate its decomposition routes under catalytic conditions are still poorly understood. The present review covers the advances in catalytic C–H oxidation and olefine epoxidation with m-CPBA catalyzed by mono- and polynuclear complexes of nickel, a cheap and abundant first-row transition metal. The reaction mechanisms are critically discussed, with special attention to the O–O bond splitting route. Selectivity parameters using recognized model hydrocarbon substrates are summarized and important factors that could improve further catalytic studies are outlined.

The new neutral dichloro-copper(II) Schiff base complex [CuCl2L]·dmf 2, where L results from condensation of 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde and aminoguanidine, was prepared, while the ligand itself was isolated in its protonated form as the dinitrate salt (H2L)(NO3)2 1. Extended conjugation is responsible for the planarity of the H2L2 + cation in 1. On coordination, L forms two fused 5-membered chelate rings occupying three equatorial positions of the distorted square pyramidal copper polyhedron in 2. The catalytic investigations disclosed a prominent activity of the copper compound 2 towards oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of various promoters (nitric and acetic acids, pyridine and pyrrole), showing overall yields of products (cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone) up to 21% based on the substrate.

The complexes of copper [Cu(κONN’-HL)(NO3)(DMF)](NO3)∙H2O (1) and [Cu(κONN’-HL)Cl2]∙½DMSO (2), and of manganese [Mn(κON-HL)2Cl2]Cl (3) and [Mn(κON-HL)2(NO3)2](NO3)∙H2O (4) were synthesized by reactions of the respective chloride or nitrate salt with a non-aqueous solutions of the Schiff base aminoalcohol HL (product of condensation of salicylic aldehyde and aminoethylpiperazine) and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis. The catalytic investigations disclosed a prominent activity of the copper compounds 1 and 2 towards oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of various promoters (nitric, hydrochloric, oxalic acids and pyridine), under mild conditions. The unusual promoting effect of pyridine on the catalytic activity of the copper catalysts allowed to achieve yields up to 21% based on cyclohexane. Chromatographic studies revealed that cyclohexyl hydroperoxide is a main reaction product and chlorocyclohexane (in the presence of HCl as promoter) was also detected, suggesting a free radical reaction pathway with hydroxyl radicals as attacking species. Complexes 1 and 2 act also as catalysts in the oxidation of 1-phenylethanol with tert-butylhydroperoxide, showing acetophenone yields up to 62% and TON (turnover numbers) up to 620 in the presence of the K2CO3 promoter.

The "direct synthesis" approach, namely one-pot reaction of metal powders and ammonium salt with a methanol solution of a polydentate Schiff base (H2L) formed in situ from salicylaldehyde and ethanolamine, has been successfully used for the preparation of the new heterometallic compounds [Cu3Mn(L)4(CH3OH)3]I3 (1), [Cu3Mn(L)4(CH3OH)3(H2O)]NCS·H2O (2), [Cu3Mn(L)4(CH3OH)(H2O)2.55]Br·0.45H2O (3) and [Cu3Mn(L)4(H2O)3.4]BF4·0.6H2O (4). Crystallographic analysis revealed that 1-4 are based on the tetranuclear core {CuMnIII(μ3-O)4} where the metal centres are joined by the oxygen bridges of Schiff base ligands forming a cube-like arrangement. The novel heterometallic compound [Cu3Mn(L)4(CH3OH)3]2[Mn(NCS)4]·2CH3OH (5) has been obtained by the "building block" approach using the reaction of [Cu(HL)2] with manganese acetate and NH4NCS in methanol. The crystal structure of 5 revealed the {CuMnIII(μ-O)2(μ3-O)2} metal core which can be viewed as a double open cube. In spite of a similar {Cu3MnO4} atom set in the cores of 1-5, the complexes show rather different molecular structures and significantly differ by the number and combinations of coordinated CH3OH/H2O solvent molecules. Variable-temperature (2-300 K) magnetic susceptibility along with variable-field magnetization measurements of 1-5 showed a decrease of the effective magnetic moment value at low temperature, indicative of the antiferromagnetic coupling of medium size (-55 to -22 cm-1). For these systems resembling a compressed prism the coupling constant in walls J4 correlates with the averaged bonding angles in walls α: J4vs. α develops approximately according to a straight line.

The mononuclear copper complexes [Cu{NH=C(OR)NC(OR)=NH}2] with alkoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligands that have different substituents (R = Me (1), Et (2), nPr (3), iPr (4), CH2CH2OCH3 (5)) were prepared, characterized (including the single crystal X-ray analysis of 3) and studied as catalysts in the mild oxidation of alkanes with H2O2 as an oxidant, pyridine as a promoting agent and cyclohexane as a main model substrate. The complex 4 showed the highest activity with a yield of products up to 18.5% and turnover frequency (TOF) up to 41 h&minus, 1. Cyclohexyl hydroperoxide was the main reaction product in all cases. Selectivity parameters in the oxidation of substituted cyclohexanes and adamantane disclosed a dominant free radical reaction mechanism with hydroxyl radicals as C&ndash, H-attacking species. The main overoxidation product was 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid, suggesting the presence of a secondary reaction mechanism of a different type. All complexes undergo gradual alteration of their structures in acetonitrile solutions to produce catalytically-active intermediates, as evidenced by UV/Vis spectroscopy and kinetic studies. Complex 4, having tertiary C&ndash, H bonds in its iPr substituents, showed the fastest alteration rate, which can be significantly suppressed by using the CD3CN solvent instead of CH3CN one. The observed process was associated to an autocatalytic oxidation of the alkoxy-1,3,5-triazapentadiene ligand. The deuterated complex 4-d32 was prepared and showed higher stability under the same conditions. The complexes 1 and 4 showed different reactivity in the formation of H218O from 18O2 in acetonitrile solutions.

The novel Schiff base complex [CoIIIZnIIL3Cl2]&middot, CH3OH (1) was synthesized by interaction of zinc powder, cobalt(II) chloride and methanol solution of the pre-formed HL in air (HL is the product of condensation of o-vanillin and methylamine) and characterized by IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In the heterometallic core of 1 the two metal centers are bridged by deprotonated phenoxy groups of the L&minus, ligands with the cobalt-zinc separation of 3.123 &Aring, Catalytic investigations demonstrated a pronounced activity of 1 towards mild alkane oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as an oxidant and cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane (cis-1,2-DMCH) as the model substrate. The influence of the nature of different promoting agents of various acidities (from HOTf to pyridine) on the catalytic process was studied in detail and a pronounced activity of 1 in the presence of nitric acid promoter was found, also showing a high retention of stereoconfiguration of the substrate (&gt, 99% for cis-1,2-DMCH). The best achieved yield of tertiary cis-alcohol based on the oxidant was 61%, with a turnover number (TON) of 198 for nitric acid as promoter. The 18O-incorporations into the alcohols when the reactions were performed under 18O2 atmosphere using acetic and nitric acid promoters, suggest that the cis-1,2-DMCH hydroxylation proceeds by two distinct pathways, a non-stereoselective and a stereoselective one (with and without involvement of a long-lived free carbon radical, respectively). The former dominates in the case of acetic acid promoter and the latter is realized in the case of HNO3 promoter.

Amorphous aluminum compounds are formed during the synthesis of the &gamma, Al2O3 catalyst precursor. Amorphous compounds influence on the alumina catalyst variously due to different physicochemical properties, which depend on the method of their preparation. In this research, the comparative analysis of physicochemical properties of amorphous aluminum compounds that were obtained by the precipitation method, the thermal decomposition of aluminum nitrate, and alcoxide hydrolysis product were studied. It is the first time that a new method for calculating of quantitative phase composition of amorphous aluminum compounds using the X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis, mass-spectrometry, and CHN-analysis was described. Properties of obtaining samples were studied using scanning electron microscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and temperature programmed desorption of ammonium analyses. The methods of precipitation and thermal decomposition of aluminum nitrate allows for obtaining non-porous samples consisting of a mixture of amorphous phases (hydroxide and basic salt) that contain the metals impurities and have low acidity of the oxides obtained from them. The highly porous amorphous alumina formed by the thermal decomposition of the alcoxide hydrolysis product with the least amount of impurities and a high acidity of the surface was observed.

Two complexes with isoindole-core ligands of general formula [M{C6H4C(NH2)NC(ONCMe2)2}2](NO3)2 (M = Co for 1 and M = Ni for 2) were studied as catalysts for the mild stereoselective alkane oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (m-CPBA) as an oxidant and cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane (cis-1,2-DMCH) as a main model substrate. Complex 1 disclosed a pronounced activity, with high retention of stereoconfiguration of substrates (>98% for cis-1,2-DMCH) and highest cis/trans ratio of tertiary alcohols (products) of 56, under mild conditions. The best achieved yields of tertiary cis-alcohols were of 13.7 and 50.5%, based on the substrate (cis-1,2-DMCH) and the oxidant (m-CPBA) respectively. Kinetic experiments, high bond and stereoselectivity parameters, kinetic isotope effect of 7.2(2) in the oxidation of cyclohexane, and incorporation of 18O from H218O support the involvement of CoIVO high-valent metal–oxo intermediates as main C–H attacking species.

The novel hexanuclear complexes [Cu4Fe2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl]·0.5CH3CN (1) and [Cu4Mn2(OH)(Piv)4(tBuDea)4Cl] (2) were prepared through one-pot self-assembly reactions of copper powder and iron(ii) or manganese(ii) chloride with N-tert-butyldiethanolamine (H2tBuDea) and pivalic acid (HPiv) in acetonitrile. Crystallographic studies revealed the uncommon molecular core type M6(μ-X)7(μ3-X)2 in 1 and 2, which can be viewed as a combination of two trimetallic M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) fragments joined by three bridging atoms. The analysis and classification of the hexanuclear complexes having a M3(μ-X)2(μ3-X) moiety as a core forming fragment using data from the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) were performed. Variable-temperature (1.8-300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 showed a decrease of the effective magnetic moment value at low temperature, indicative of antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic centres (JFe-Cu/hc = -6.9 cm-1, JCu-Cu/hc = -4.1 cm-1, JFe-Fe/hc = -24.2 cm-1). Complex 1 acts as a catalyst in the reaction of mild oxidation of cyclohexane with H2O2, showing the yields of products, cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone, up to 17% using pyrazinecarboxylic acid as a promoter. In the oxidation of cis-1,2-dimethylcyclohexane with m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m-CPBA), 70% of retention of stereoconfiguration was observed for tertiary alcohols. Compound 1 also catalyses the amidation of cyclohexane with benzamide. In all three catalytic reactions the by-products were investigated in detail and discussed.

The presence of χ-Al2O3 resulting from thermal decomposition gibbsite as part of alumina catalysts is unfavorable because of its acid characteristics. One of the available techniques of χ-Al2O3 removal is crystallization under hydrothermal conditions into boehmite, which is a main precursor of active γ-Al2O3. The influence of products of the hydrothermal treatment of χ-Al2O3 obtaining in result of thermal decomposition gibbsite under T = 150–200 °C, P = 0.5–1.5 MPa and pH = 4.0–9.2 were studied. The hydrothermal treatment products in these conditions are gibbsite and boehmite phases which are formed coincidently by parallel ways. In the alkaline medium at pH = 8.0–9.2 three-dimensional parallelepiped boehmite crystals with the edge length > 200 nm are formed, at pH = 4.0 two-dimensional rhombic-shaped plates with thickness 20–100 nm and with the edge length ~ 80–500 nm are formed. Crystallization of coarse boehmite particles promotes the formation of large and closed mesoporous.

The complex [FeIII(HL)Cl2(DMF)]Cl·DMF (1) was synthesized by reaction of Fe(III) chloride with a dimethylformamide solution of the Schiff base aminoalcohol HL (2-[(E)-{[2-(piperazin-1-yl)ethyl]imino}methyl]phenol) and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetry and spectroscopic methods. The catalytic investigations disclosed a marked activity of 1 towards oxidation of cyclohexane with hydrogen peroxide, under mild conditions, with yields based on cyclohexane up to 37% and TONs (turnover numbers) up to ca. 900. Kinetic experiments and selectivity parameters led to the conclusion that hydroxyl radicals are active (attacking C–H bonds) species in the studied catalytic reaction. Kinetic and UV/Vis spectrometry data revealed a complex nature of the processes occurring in the catalytic system, including the transformation of 1 into catalytically active species.

The "direct synthesis" approach, namely one-pot reaction of metal powders and ammonium salt with a methanol solution of a polydentate Schiff base (H

The synthesis of polynuclear coordination compounds, particularly heterometallic coordination compounds, remains a challenge for modern chemistry. Spontaneous self-assembly (SSA) is a primary approach that proceeds by broad screening, typically with simple, flexible ligands and available metal salts. The “direct synthesis” is a class of SSA, but prescribes the use of zero-valent metal(s) as a starting material, typically oxidized by air oxygen, which results in a deficiency of anions in the reaction mixture and forces deprotonation of the protic ligand(s) with the formation of unexpected products. The “direct synthesis” approach has been successfully applied to the preparation of heterometallic complexes, which has allowed the isolation of numerous complexes, many with uncommon structures. In this review we summarize our experience in the field of the “direct synthesis” of polynuclear heterometallic complexes, covering preparative and structural aspects as well as applications of the compounds obtained.

The novel chain coordination polymer {[Cu2(Piv)4(H3tBuDea)](Piv)}n (1) has been prepared through the self-assembly reaction of copper(II) nitrate with pivalic acid (HPiv) and N-tert-butyldiethanolamine (H2tBuDea) in acetonitrile solution. Crystallographic analysis revealed the extremely rare non-chelating bridging coordination mode of diethanolamine ligand in 1, observed for the first time in transition metal complexes, as well as in complexes of diethanolamine having a non-coordinating aliphatic group at the N atom. Possible reasons for such a coordination and analysis of the main coordination modes of diethanolamine-based ligands are discussed. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements showed that 1 represents a rare example of dicopper(II) tetracarboxylate that is a diamagnetic solid at room temperature. This behaviour is compared with literature examples and discussed on the basis of DFT calculations. Furthermore, 1 acts as an efficient catalyst for the mild hydrocarboxylation of linear and cyclic C5–C8 alkanes into the corresponding carboxylic acids.

Two novel heterometallic complexes, [Cu2Ni3(NCS)4(Me2Ea)6] (1) and [Cu2Ni3Cl4(Me2Ea)6] (2) (HMe2Ea = 2-dimethylaminoethanol), have been prepared using a one-pot reaction of copper powder with nickel thiocyanate (1) or chloride (2) in an acetonitrile solution of HMe2Ea in air. The magnetic investigations disclose dominant ferromagnetic exchange interactions with S = 4 and 2 ground states for 1 and 2, respectively. A planar arrangement of five metal centers in both compounds inspired us to study the question of planarity of polynuclear coordination compounds having MaXb cores (where M = metal and X = bridging atom). The distribution, obtained by the searches via the Cambridge Structural Database, of the structures possessing a planar disposition of the metal centers, depending on their nuclearity, is discussed, and typical planar molecular structure types (MST) are identified. It is demonstrated that the relative amounts of planar structures obey exponential decay in the 3–8 nuclearity region, with the exce...

A one-pot reactions of cobalt powder with iron(II) chloride in dimethylformamide (DMF; 1) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO; 2) solutions of polydentate salicylaldimine Schiff base ligands (H2L1, 1; H4L2, 2) based on 2-aminobenzyl alcohol (1) or tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (2), formed in situ, yielded two novel heterometallic complexes, [CoIII2FeIII2(L1)6]·4DMF (1) and [CoIII4FeIII4(HL2)8(DMSO)2]·18DMSO (2). Crystallographic investigations revealed that the molecular structure of 1 is based on a tetranuclear core, {CoIII2FeIII2(μ-O)6}, with a chainlike metal arrangement, while the structure of 2 represents the first example of a heterometallic octanuclear core, {CoIII4FeIII4(μ-O)14}, with a quite rare manner of metal organization, formed by two pairs of {CoFe(HL2)2} and {CoFe(HL2)2(DMSO)} moieties, which are joined by O bridges of the Schiff base ligands. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements showed a decrease of the μB value at low temperature, indicative of antiferromagneti...

Photochemical water oxidation, as a half-reaction of water splitting, represents a great challenge towards the construction of artificial photosynthetic systems. Complexes of first-row transition metals have attracted great attention in the last decade due to their pronounced catalytic efficiency in water oxidation, comparable to that exhibited by classical platinum-group metal complexes. Cobalt, being an abundant and relatively cheap metal, has rich coordination chemistry allowing construction of a wide range of polynuclear architectures for the catalytic purposes. This review covers recent advances in application of cobalt complexes as (pre)catalysts for water oxidation in the model catalytic system comprising [Ru(bpy)3]2+ as a photosensitizer and S2O82− as a sacrificial electron acceptor. The catalytic parameters are summarized and discussed in view of the structures of the catalysts. Special attention is paid to the degradation of molecular catalysts under catalytic conditions and the experimental methods and techniques used to control their degradation as well as the leaching of cobalt ions.

A one-pot reaction of copper powder and nickel and ammonium acetates in a CH 3 OH solution of ethylenediamine (en) yields a unique 1D aqua-bridged polymer [Cu(en) 2 (μ 2 -H 2 O) 2 -Ni(OAc) 4 ] n ·4nH 2 O (1) with an ambidentate Ni(OAc) 4 2- fragment that has not been previously characterized. The basic structural motif of 1 contains a previously unreported hetero-metallic M(μ 2 -H 2 O)M' aqua-bridge chain with alternating metal atoms. A complex system of N/O-H···O hydrogen bonds strengthens the polymeric chains and links them into a supramolecular three-dimensional network. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1 revealed a weak ferromagnetic coupling (J = 1.1 cm -1 ) between the paramagnetic copper(II) and nickel(II) ions, which is transmitted through the oxygen bridges.

The electrical and photoconductive properties of films of the composites based on poly(vinyl alcohol) with additions of the (NH4)[Cu(en)2Fe(C2O4)3] · 2DMSO complex, which forms polycrystalline structures in the films, have been studied. The increment of the conduction current under exposure to light is independent of the application of the voltage during illumination. The kinetics of increase and relaxation of the photoinduced conductivity does not depend on the voltage and light intensity (in the ranges under investigation). The photoinduced conductivity of the films decreases in the external magnetic field. The kinetics of change in the photocurrent after turning the magnetic field on and off is similar to the kinetics of its increase and relaxation after turning light on and off. The specific features of the internal photoelectric effect and the appearance of the memory effect under exposure to light have been attributed to deep energy traps sensitive to the magnetic field.

Four novel heterometallic complexes [Co2Cr2(NCS)4(HDea)2(Dea)2]·4dmf (1), [Co2Cr2(NCS)4(HDea)2(Dea)2]·4dmso (2), [Mn2Cr2(NCS)4(HDea)2(Dea)2(dmf)2]·2dmf (3) and [Mn2Cr2(NCS)4(HDea)2(Dea)2(dmso)2]·4dmso (4) have been prepared using zerovalent cobalt (1, 2) or manganese (3, 4), Reineckes salt, ammonium thiocyanate and a non-aqueous solution of diethanolamine (H2Dea) in air. The single X-ray analysis reveals that all compounds have similar centrosymmetric crystal structures based on a tetranuclear {M2Cr2(μ3-O)2(μ-O)4} (M = Co, Mn) core. Variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements of 1, 2 and 4 show antiferromagnetic coupling between the magnetic centers, while 3 exhibits a ferromagnetic behavior.

This article discusses synthesis of two heterometallic complexes [Cu(phen)2Fe(CN)5(NO)]·2H2O (1) and [Cu(phen)3][Fe(CN)5(NO)]·2H2O (2) prepared from zerovalent copper, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), ammonium thiocyanate in dimethylformamide (DMF) solution of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that compound 1 has a molecular structure with [Cu(phen)2]2+ and [Fe(CN)5NO]2– blocks joined through a bridging CN group of nitroprusside whereas compound 2 consists of a separate [Cu(phen)3]2+ cation and [Fe(CN)5NO]2– anion. The magnetic behaviour of compound 1 is paramagnetic. Compound 1 displays photo-induced transition to the metastable state SI after irradiation with blue light, what was proved by a low-frequency shift of ν(N–O) bands.

The one-pot reaction of copper powder, sodium nitroprusside, ammonium thiocyanate and 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) in acetonitrile solution at ambient conditions of air and water yields the novel heterometallic [Fe2Cu2(bpy)6(μ-CN)4(NCS)2]2[Fe(CN)5(NO)](NCS)2·5H2O complex 1, which has been structurally and magnetically characterized. The most prominent feature of this complex is the unique tetranuclear Fe 2 II Cu 2 II squares comprised [Cu(bpy)NCS]+ and [Fe(bpy)2]2+ corners with CN edges. The Cu⋯Cu and Fe⋯Fe separations are ∼6.72 and ∼7.73 A, respectively. The variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility study revealed that a very weak antiferromagnetic coupling is active between Cu(II) centers (JCuCu = −0.37 cm−1).

Four new heterometallic Cu(II)/Cr(III) complexes with N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen) and its novel Schiff-base derivatives, N′-[(1Z)-3-amino-1,3-dimethylbutylidene]-N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (dmenac) and N′-((1Z)-3-{[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amino}-1,3-dimethylbutylidene)-N,N-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (dmen2ac), have been easily prepared by self-assembly and characterized by spectroscopic methods and single crystal X-ray analysis. The structures of all the complexes are assisted by numerous hydrogen bonds that provide a web of interactions and mould the supramolecular architectures of the compounds. Variable-temperature (1.8–300 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal Curie-Weiss paramagnetic behavior of all the compounds, supported by EPR studies.

Three novel heterometallic complexes [Cu(en) 2 Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 ][Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 ] · 6dmf ( 1 ), [Cu(en) 2 Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 ](OAc) ( 2 ) and [{Cu(en) 2 } 3 {Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 } 2 (NCS) 2 ](NCS) 2 ( 3 ) have been synthesized in a one-pot reaction from copper powder, Reineckes salt, NH 4 X [X − = OAc − ( 2 ), NCS − ( 3 )] in a dmf ( 1 ) or CH 3 CN ( 2 , 3 ) solution of ethylenediamine (en). X-ray studies showed that 1 and 2 consist of cationic polymeric chains, formed by Cu ( en ) 2 2 + and Cr ( NCS ) 4 ( NH 3 ) 2 - building blocks that bridged through thiocyanate anions. In both complexes, distinct hydrogen bonds are present and serve to increase the dimensionality of the compound from one to two (in 1 ) or three (in 2 ). The main structural feature of 3 is the pentanuclear Cu 3 Cr 2 cation which is H-bonded with uncoordinated thiocyanate groups generating a 3D supramolecular assembly. The shortest Cu⋯Cr distances are 5.840(1) A for 1 , 5.856(1) and 6.018(3) A for 2 and 6.009(9) and 6.465(9) A for 3 . Compounds 1 and 2 are essentially paramagnets whereas compound 3 shows a weak antiferromagnetic coupling. The magnetic properties are simulated and discussed in terms of the structural features.

The temperature characteristics of the electric current and the photocurrent in films of composites based on electrically neutral poly(vinyl butyral) with additions of Cu(II)/Cr(III) heterometallic cation-anion complexes are investigated. The electrical conductivity and photoconductivity of the polymer composite films in the visible optical range increase with a decrease in the distance between the metal centers in the complexes and upon introduction of acceptor additions of the C60 fullerene into the composition of the polymer binder and increase exponentially with increasing temperature. The activation energy of electrical conduction and photoconduction exceeds 1 eV and depends weakly on the strength of the external electric field. The temperature characteristics of the electrical conductivity and photoconductivity of the materials under investigation are explained by the specific features of trapping of charge carriers at the interface between particles of the heterometallic complex and the polymer binder.

The one-pot self-assembly reaction of copper powder, Reineckes salt, acetone and tris(2-aminoethyl)amine (tren) in dmso affords to obtain a heterometallic compound [Cu(trenac)][Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 ](NCS) · 6dmso with novel Schiff-base ligand N -(2-{[(1 E )-3-amino-1,3-dimethylbutylidene]amino}ethyl)- N -(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine (trenac). The ligand trenac is generated by metal-directed condensation of tren, acetone and ammonia, formed during the synthetic procedure. X-ray structural investigations showed that the complex consists of [Cu(trenac)] 2+ cations, anions of the Reineckes salt [Cr(NCS) 4 (NH 3 ) 2 ] − , uncoordinated thiocyanate groups and dmso molecules, which are held together by electrostatic forces and hydrogen-bonded interactions. The compound was characterized by EPR spectroscopic and magnetic susceptibility measurements.