Characterization of [Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(NCCH3)2][Cl] and [Re2Cl3(μ-dppm)2(NCC6H5)2][Cl]·2CH2Cl2 by X-ray Crystallographic and Two-Dimensional NMR Spectroscopic Techniques

The complex Re₂Cl₆(P-n-Bu₃)₂ prepared in situ reacts with CH₃CN to form a blue-green solution. Addition of the chelating phosphine bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) results in the formation of the complex [Re₂Cl₃(-dppm)₂(NCCH₃)₂][Cl] (1) upon heating. The two acetonitrile molecules adopt a trans geometry on the rhenium center with the axially coordinated chlorine. The analogous trans benzonitrile species [Re₂Cl₃(-dppm)₂(NCC₆H₅)₂][Cl]·2CH₂Cl₂ (2) is synthesized under the same reaction conditions. The coupling constants of the AABB ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra of the compounds were elucidated from ³¹P–³¹P homonuclear J-resolved NMR experiments. Additional characterization methods include ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography.     

Surface and solution behavior of the mixed dialkyl chain cationic and nonionic surfactants

The surface and solution behavior of the mixed dialkyl chain cationic and nonionic surfactant mixture of dihexadecyldimethylammonium bromide, DHDAB, and hexaethylene monododecyl ether, C12E6, has been investigated, using primarily the scattering techniques of small-angle neutron scattering and neutron reflectivity. Within the time scale of the measurements, the adsorption of the pure component C12E6 at the air-solution interface shows no time dependence. In contrast, the adsorption of the DHDAB/C12E6 mixture and pure DHDAB has a pronounced time dependence. The characteristic time for adsorption varies with surfactant concentration, composition, and temperature. It is approximately 2-3 h for the DHDAB/C12E6 mixture, dependent upon concentration and composition, and approximately 50 min for DHDAB. At the air-solution interface, the equilibrium composition of the adsorbed layer shows a marked departure from ideal mixing, which is dependent upon both the solution concentration and the concentration of added electrolyte. In contrast, the composition of the aggregates in the bulk solution that are in equilibrium with the surface is close to ideal mixing, as expected for solution concentrations well in excess of the critical micellar concentration. The structure of the mixed adsorbed layer has been measured and compared with the structure of the equivalent pure surfactant monolayer, and no substantial changes in structure or conformation are observed. The extreme departure from ideal mixing in the adsorption behavior of the DHDAB/C12E6 mixture is discussed in the context of the structure of the adsorbed layer, changes in the underlying solution structures, and the failure of regular solution theory to predict such behavior.     

Nickel(II) complexes with tetra- and pentadentate aminopyridine ligands: synthesis, structure, electrochemistry, and reduction to nickel(I) species

A series of nickel(II) complexes with polydentate aminopyridine ligands N,N,N'-tris-[2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl]ethane-1,2-diamine (L1), N,N,N'-tris-[2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl]-N'-methylethane-1,2-diamine (L2), and N,N'-bis-[2-(2'-pyridyl)ethyl]-N,N'-dimethylethane-1,2-diamine (L3) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopic methods. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies showed that the Ni(II) ions have five-coordinate square-pyramidal geometry in [NiL2](ClO(4))(2), similar to that previously found in [NiL1](ClO(4))(2) x CH(3)NO(2) (Hoskins, B. F.; Whillans, F. D.J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans. 1975, 657), and square-planar geometry in [NiL3](ClO(4))(2). All three nickel(II) complexes are reduced by sodium borohydride or sodium amalgam in organic solvents to nickel(I) species, which were identified by highly anisotropic EPR spectra at 100 K: g(1) = 2.239, g(2) = 2.199, and g(3) = 2.025 for [NiL1](+); g(axially) = 2.324 and g(radially) = 2.079 for [NiL2](+) and [NiL3](+). Cyclic voltammetry of the nickel(II) complexes in acetonitrile exhibited reversible reduction waves at -1.01 V for [NiL1](2+), -0.91 V for [NiL2](2+), and -0.83 V for [NiL3](2+) versus SCE, potentials which are significantly less negative than those of most previously characterized Ni(II) complexes with nitrogen-only donor atoms. Complexes [NiL1](2+) and [NiL2](2+) showed high catalytic activity in the electroreduction of 1,2-trans-dibromocyclohexane to cyclohexene.     

The structure of mixed nonionic surfactant monolayers at the air-water interface: the effects of different alkyl chain lengths

The structure of mixed nonionic surfactant monolayers of monodecyl hexaethylene glycol (C10E6) and monotetradecyl hexaethylene glycol (C14E6) adsorbed at the air-water interface has been determined by specular neutron reflectivity. Using partial isotopic labeling (deuterium for hydrogen) of the alkyl and ethylene oxide chains of each surfactant, the distribution and relative positions of the chains at the interface have been obtained. The packing of the two different alkyl chain lengths results in structural changes compared to the pure surfactant monolayers. This results in changes in the relative positions of the alkyl chains and of the ethylene oxide chains at the interface. The role of the alkyl chain length is contrasted with that of the ethylene oxide chain length, determined from results reported previously on the nonionic surfactant mixture of monododecyl triethylene glycol (C12E3) and monododecyl octaethylene glycol (C12E8).     

Structural and functional characteristics of rhenium clusters derived from redox chemistry of the triangular [ReIII3(mu-Cl)3] core unit

The present study investigates structural and functional aspects of the redox chemistry of rhenium(III) chloride [Re3Cl9] (1) in aqueous and organic solvents, with emphasis on the dioxygen-activating capabilities of reduced rhenium clusters bearing the Re3(8+) core. Dissolution of 1 in HCl (6 M) generates [Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl9]3- (2a), which can be isolated as the tetraphenylphosphonium salt (2b). Anaerobic one-electron reduction of 1 by Hg in HCl (6-12 M) produces [(C6H5)4P]2[Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl7(H2O)2].H2O (3), the structure of which features a planar [Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl3] framework (Re3(8+) core), involving two water ligands that occupy out-of-plane positions in a trans arrangement. Compound 3 dissociates in the presence of CO, yielding [(C6H5)4P]2[ReIII2Cl8] (4) and an unidentified red carbonyl species. In situ oxidation (O2) of the reduced Re3(8+)-containing cluster in HCl (6 M) produces quantitatively 2a, whereas oxidation of 3 in organic media results in the formation of [(C6H5)4P]4[(Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl7(mu-OH))2].2CH2Cl2 (5). The structure of 5 reveals that two oxygen ligands (hydroxo units) bridge asymmetrically two Re3(9+) triangular clusters. The origin of these hydroxo units derives from the aquo ligands, rather than O2, as shown by 18O2 labeling studies. The hydroxo bridges of 5 can be replaced by chlorides upon treatment with Me3SiCl to afford the analogous [(C6H5)4P]4[(Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl7(mu-Cl))2].10CH2Cl2 (6). The reaction of 5 with Hg in HCl (6 M)/tetrahydrofuran regenerates compound 3. Complexes 1-3 exhibit nitrile hydratase type activity, inducing hydrolysis of CH3CN to acetamide. The reaction of 3 with CH3CN yields [(C6H5)4P]2[Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl6.5(CH3CN)1.5(CH3C(O)NH)0.5] (7), the structure of which is composed of [Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl7(CH3CN)2]2- (7a) and [Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl6(CH3CN)(CH3C(O)NH)]2- (7b) (Re3(8+) cores) as a disordered mixture (1:1). Oxidation of 7 with O2 in CH3CN affords [(C6H5)4P]2[Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl7(CH3C(O)NH)].CH3CN (8) and small amounts of [(C6H5)4P][ReO4] (9). Compound 8 is also independently isolated from the reaction of 2b with wet CH3CN, or by dissolving 5 in CH3CN. In MeOH, 5 dissociates to afford [(C6H5)4P]2[Re3(mu-Cl)3Cl8(MeOH)].MeOH (10).     

Adsorption of nonionic mixtures at the air-water interface: effects of temperature and electrolyte

Specular neutron reflection has been used to investigate the effects of temperature and added electrolyte on the adsorption of nonionic surfactants and nonionic surfactant mixtures at the air-water interface. For the alkyl poly-oxyethylene oxide nonionic surfactants, C(n)EO(m), the adsorption at the air-water interface is independent of temperature for surfactants with shorter ethylene oxide groups, whereas there is an increasing tendency for increased adsorption with temperature for surfactants with longer ethylene oxide groups. The addition of "salting in" (sodium thiocyanate, NaSCN) and "salting out" (sodium chloride, NaCl, sodium sulphate, Na2SO4) electrolyte results in reduced and enhanced adsorption, respectively, for C12EO8, whereas both types of electrolyte result in enhanced adsorption for C12EO12. The addition of electrolyte does not substantially alter the temperature dependence of the adsorption of the pure monolayers. For the nonionic mixtures of C12EO3/C12EO8 increasing temperature results in a surface richer in the least surface-active component, C12EO8. For the same nonionic mixture, the addition of "salting in" and "salting out" electrolyte results in an reduced and increased adsorption, respectively. The addition of "salting in" electrolyte results in a surface more rich in C12EO3, whereas for the addition of both "salting in" and "salting out" electrolyte the surface composition is essentially unaltered.     

Partitioning of small amphiphiles at surfactant bilayer/water interfaces: an avoided level crossing muon spin resonance study

The temperature-dependent variation of local environment and reorientation dynamics of the small amphiphile 2-phenylethanol in lamellar phase dispersions of the dichain cationic surfactants, 2,3-diheptadecyl ester ethoxypropyl-1,1,1-trimethylammonium chloride (DHTAC) and dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODMAC), and the nonionic surfactant, tetra(ethylene glycol) n-dodecyl ether (C12E4), have been determined using avoided level crossing muon spin resonance spectroscopy (ALC-muSR). For cosurfactant radicals the hydrophobic or hydrophilic character of the surrounding media can be determined from their magnetic resonance signatures. Comparison of the three different bilayer-forming surfactant systems shows that the ALC-muSR technique is able to distinguish both major and subtle differences in the partitioning of the cosurfactant radicals between the different systems.     

Effect of pendant arm position and length on the structure and properties of nickel aromatic dicarboxylate coordination polymers incorporating a kinked organodiimine

Hydrothermal synthesis has afforded three nickel coordination polymers incorporating both aromatic dicarboxylates and the kinked and hydrogen bonding capable organodiimine 4,4′-dipyridylamine (dpa). These were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. [Ni(1,2-phda)(dpa)(H₂O)]_n (1,2-phda = 1,2-phenylenediacetate, 1) displays (4,4) rhomboid grid-like 2D layers that aggregate into 3D through O–H?O hydrogen bonding. Shortening one of the pendant arms of the dicarboxylate ligand resulted in a shift to (6,3) herringbone style 2D coordination layer motifs in {[Ni(hmph)(dpa)] · 1.33H₂O}_n (hmph = homophthalate, 2), which stack in an AA′B pattern. [Ni(1,3-phda)(dpa)(μ-H₂O)_0.5]_n (1,3-phda = 1,3-phenylenediacetate, 3) manifests a canted primitive cubic type coordination polymer lattice constructed from dinuclear {Ni₂(μ-H₂O)} kernels linked into 3D through tethering 1,3-phda and dpa ligands. Analysis of the variable temperature magnetic susceptibility of 3 indicated the presence of antiferromagnetic superexchange within its dinuclear units (g = 2.290(2), J = −4.21(2) cm⁻¹).     

Anion and carboxylic acid binding to monotopic and ditopic amidopyridine macrocycles

Binding of inorganic anions, carboxylic acids, and tetraalkylammonium carboxylates by macrocyclic compounds of different size was studied by NMR in DMSO-d6. It has been shown that at least a 15-membered ring is necessary for successful recognition of fluoride. Larger macrocycles were shown to bind HSO4(-), H2PO4(-), Cl(-), and carboxylic acid salts. Effects of binding topicity are discussed. The 30-membered macrocycles 4 and 4m selectively bind substrates that are size- and shape-complementary: maximum binding is observed for dicarboxylic acids and dicarboxylates with four-carbon chains, and the binding constant for association of fumaric acid and 4 is ca. 5 orders of magnitude higher than that of maleic acid. The 30-membered macrocycle 4m showed selectivity toward alpha-ketocarboxylic acids. Secondary amino groups were not crucial for binding of fluoride to the macrocycles; however, they proved to be very important for selectivity and strength of carboxylic acid binding. The X-ray structure of the adduct of 4 and nitrobenzoic acid confirmed the guest H-bonding with both the amide and the secondary amino groups of the 30-membered macrocyclic host.