The surprising lability of bis(2,2’:6’,2’’-terpyridine)- chromium(III) complexes

The complex [Cr(tpy)(O3SCF3)3] (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine) is readily made from [Cr(tpy)Cl3] and is a convenient precursor to [Cr(tpy)2][PF6]3 and to [Cr(tpy)(4′-(4-tolyl)tpy)][PF6]3 and [Cr(tpy)(5,5′′-Me2tpy)][PF6]3 (4′-(4-tolyl)tpy = 4′-(4-tolyl)-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; 5,5′′-Me2tpy = 5,5′′-dimethyl-2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine); these are the first examples of heteroleptic bis(tpy) chromium(III) complexes. The single crystal structures of 2{[Cr(tpy)2][PF6]3}·5MeCN, [Cr(tpy)(4′-(4-tolyl)tpy)][PF6]3·3MeCN and [Cr(tpy)(5,5′′-Me2tpy)][PF6]3·3MeCN have been determined. Each cation contains the expected octahedral {Cr(tpy)2}3+ unit; in all three structures, the need to accommodate three anions per cation and the solvent molecules prevents the formation of a grid-like array of cations that is typical of many lattices containing {M(tpy)2}2+ motifs. Three reversible electrochemical processes are observed for [Cr(tpy)(4′-(4-tolyl)tpy)][PF6]3 and [Cr(tpy)(5,5′′-Me2tpy)][PF6]3, consistent with those documented for [Cr(tpy)2]3+. At pH 6.36, aqueous solutions of [Cr(tpy)2][PF6]3 are stable for at least two months. However, contrary to the expectations of the d3 Cr3+ ion being a kinetically inert metal centre, the tpy ligands in [Cr(tpy)2]3+are labile in the presence of base; absorption and 1H NMR spectroscopies have been used to monitor the effects of adding NaOH to aqueous and CD3OD solutions, respectively, of the homo- and heteroleptic complexes. Ligand dissociation is also observed when [Bu4N]F is added to CD3OD solutions of the complexes, but in aqueous solution, [Cr(tpy)2][PF6]3 is stable in the presence of fluoride ion

Supramolecular Approaches to Advanced Materials

Synthetic strategies based upon metal-directed self-assembly or upon the post-functionalization of dendritic and related systems have been used for the preparation of new nanodimensioned metal-containing species. These and related studies on the design of metallomesogens are reported in this paper

Packing Motifs in [M(bpy)₂X₂] Coordination Compounds (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; X = F, Cl, Br, I)

Packing motifs within structurally characterized cis-[M(bpy)2X2] (M = any metal, bpy = 2,20-bipyridine, X = F, Cl, Br, I) coordination compounds have been investigated using data from the Cambridge Structural Database. Compounds fall into two classes: non-solvated cis-[M(bpy)2X2] moieties and those with additional lattice molecules (solvent or other molecules). A recurring packing motif is a dimeric unit involving intermolecular face-to-face -stacking of bpy ligands and CHbpy...X contacts, although in several cases, slippage of the stacked bpy units reduces the effectiveness of the face-to-face interaction leaving the CHbpy...X contacts as the dominant crystal-packing interaction. The prevalence of the dimeric unit versus the assembly of 1D-chains in the solid state is described

Halide Ion Embraces in Tris(2,2'-bipyridine)metal Complexes

An analysis of the [M(bpy)3]n+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) complexes with halide counterions in the Cambridge Structural Database reveals a common structural motif in two thirds of the compounds. This interaction involves the formation of 12 short C–H…X contacts between halide ions lying within sheets of the cations and H-3 and H-3′ of six [M(bpy)3]n+ complex cations. A second motif, also involving 12 short contacts, but with H-6 and H-5, is identified between halide ions lying between sheets of the [M(bpy)3]n+ cation

"Simple" oligopyridine complexes - sources of unexpected structural diversity

The simple formulae often presented for main-group metal complexes of oligopyridines (typically 2,2-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline and 2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) hide a wide variety of polymeric solid-state structures. We present an overview of these structures and reveal a plethora of 1D chains, including ladder assemblies, and 2D networks. In most assemblies, the polymeric backbone or network is defined by the metal atoms and bridging ligands other than oligopyridines. The heterocyclic ligands typically feature as peripheral decorations, often engaging in face-to-face supramolecular p-stacking interactions which define the assembly of the crystal. In 1D coordination polymers, three types of decoration predominate which we have defined at Type 1 (all the oligopyridines on the same side and p-stacked, Type 2 (alternating arrangement of oligopyridines) and Type 3 (a pairwise alternating structure

Embracing [XY3]m–and [XY4]m– Anions in Salts of [M(bpy)3]q+

[M(bpy)3]q+ cations (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) are archetypical coordination entities containing chelating bidentate N,N′-donor ligands. Each propeller-shaped cation is chiral, existing as a Δ or Λ enantiomer. The supramolecular chemistry of [M(bpy)3]q+ cations in the crystal is dominated by cation- anion interactions and, to a lesser extent, weaker non-covalent interactions. Analysis of the data for [M(bpy)3]q+ salts in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) reveals a ubiquitous motif in which homochiral sheets of cations generate cavities for the accommodation of anions. A series of related and common motifs in the solid-state structures of [M(bpy)3]q+ salts has been identified. One of the commonest motifs comprises a hexagon of six cations with anions either in the center or lying above and/or below the centroid

Chemical bonding: the journey from miniature hooks to density functional theory

Our modern understanding of chemistry is predicated upon bonding interactions between atoms and ions resulting in the assembly of all of the forms of matter that we encounter in our daily life. It was not always so. This review article traces the development of our understanding of bonding from prehistory, through the debates in the 19th century C.E. bearing on valence, to modern quantum chemical models and beyon

Before Radicals Were Free-The Radical Particulier of de Morveau

Today, we universally understand radicals to be chemical species with an unpaired electron. It was not always so, and this article traces the evolution of the term radical and in this journey, monitors the development of some of the great theories of organic chemistr

Solar energy conversion using first row d-block metal coordination compound sensitizers and redox mediators

The use of renewable energy is essential for the future of the Earth, and solar photons are the ultimate source of energy to satisfy the ever-increasing global energy demands. Photoconversion using dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) is becoming an established technology to contribute to the sustainable energy market, and among state-of-the art DSCs are those which rely on ruthenium(ii) sensitizers and the triiodide/iodide (I(3)(−)/I(−)) redox mediator. Ruthenium is a critical raw material, and in this review, we focus on the use of coordination complexes of the more abundant first row d-block metals, in particular copper, iron and zinc, as dyes in DSCs. A major challenge in these DSCs is an enhancement of their photoconversion efficiencies (PCEs) which currently lag significantly behind those containing ruthenium-based dyes. The redox mediator in a DSC is responsible for regenerating the ground state of the dye. Although the I(3)(−)/I(−) couple has become an established redox shuttle, it has disadvantages: its redox potential limits the values of the open-circuit voltage (V(OC)) in the DSC and its use creates a corrosive chemical environment within the DSC which impacts upon the long-term stability of the cells. First row d-block metal coordination compounds, especially those containing cobalt, and copper, have come to the fore in the development of alternative redox mediators and we detail the progress in this field over the last decade, with particular attention to Cu(2+)/Cu(+) redox mediators which, when coupled with appropriate dyes, have achieved V(OC) values in excess of 1000 mV. We also draw attention to aspects of the recyclability of DSCs