Anna J. Warren

Dipyridyl β-diketonate complexes and their use as metalloligands in the formation of mixed-metal coordination networks

The iron(III) and aluminium(III) complexes of 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane-1,3-dionato (dppd) and 1,3-di(3-pyridyl)propane-1,3-dionato (dmppd), [Fe(dppd)(3)] 1, [Fe(dmppd)(3)] 2, [Al(dppd)(3)] 3 and [Al(dmppd)(3)] 4 have been prepared. These complexes adopt molecular structures in which the metal centres contain distorted octahedral geometries. In contrast, the copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes [Cu(dppd)(2)] 5 and [Zn(dmppd)(2)] 6 both form polymeric structures in which coordination of the pyridyl groups into the axial positions of neighbouring metal centres links discrete square-planar complexes into two-dimensional networks. The europium complex [Eu(dmppd)(2)(H(2)O)(4)]Cl·2EtOH·0.5H(2)O 7 forms a structure containing discrete cations that are linked into sheets through hydrogen bonds, whereas the lanthanum complex [La(dmppd)(3)(H(2)O)]·2H(2)O 8 adopts a one-dimensional network structure, connected into sheets by hydrogen bonds. The iron complexes 1 and 2 act as metalloligands in reactions with silver(I) salts, with the nature of the product depending on the counter-ions present. Thus, the reaction between 1 and AgBF(4) gave [AgFe(dppd)(3)]BF(4)·DMSO 9, in which the silver centres link the metalloligands into discrete nanotubes, whereas reactions with AgPF(6) and AgSbF(6) gave [AgFe(dppd)(3)]PF(6)·3.28DMSO 10 and [AgFe(dppd)(3)]SbF(6)·1.25DMSO 11, in which the metalloligands are linked into sheets. In all three cases, only four of the six pyridyl groups present on the metalloligands are coordinated. The reaction between 2 and AgNO(3) gave [Ag(2)Fe(dmppd)(3)(ONO(2))]NO(3)·MeCN·CH(2)Cl(2)12. Compound 12 adopts a layer structure in which all pyridyl groups are coordinated to silver centres and, in addition, a nitrate ion bridges between two silver centres. A similar structure is adopted by [Ag(2)Fe(dmppd)(3)(O(2)CCF(3))]CF(3)CO(2)·2MeCN·0.25CH(2)Cl(2)13, with a bridging trifluoroacetate ion playing the same role as the nitrate ion in 12.

Micro-focused X-ray diffraction characterization of high-quality [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester single crystals without solvent impurities

We report the preparation of high-quality, solvent-free [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) large single crystals (size up to 0.5 mm) by slow drying of a chlorobenzene solution at room temperature. The monoclinic structure containing four PCBM molecules per unit cell was successfully solved (R-factor = 0.0512) via micro-focused X-ray diffraction and employed as a reliable experimental model for further molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the first peak of the simulated fullerene–fullerene radial distribution function is centred at 10.05 A, giving a nearest neighbour coordination number of 7.0. The work reported herein provides the structural basis for a fundamental understanding of charge transport in this important functional material that is particularly relevant to organic solar cells.

Solid-State Interconversions: Unique 100 % Reversible Transformations between the Ground and Metastable States in Single-Crystals of a Series of Nickel(II) Nitro Complexes

The solid-state, low-temperature linkage isomerism in a series of five square planar group 10 phosphino nitro complexes have been investigated by a combination of photocrystallographic experiments, Raman spectroscopy and computer modelling. The factors influencing the reversible solid-state interconversion between the nitro and nitrito structural isomers have also been investigated, providing insight into the dynamics of this process. The cis-[Ni(dcpe)(NO2)2] (1) and cis-[Ni(dppe)(NO2)2] (2) complexes show reversible 100 % interconversion between the η1-NO2 nitro isomer and the η1-ONO nitrito form when single-crystals are irradiated with 400 nm light at 100 K. Variable temperature photocrystallographic studies for these complexes established that the metastable nitrito isomer reverted to the ground-state nitro isomer at temperatures above 180 K. By comparison, the related trans complex [Ni(PCy3)2(NO2)2] (3) showed 82 % conversion under the same experimental conditions at 100 K. The level of conversion to the metastable nitrito isomers is further reduced when the nickel centre is replaced by palladium or platinum. Prolonged irradiation of the trans-[Pd(PCy3)2(NO2)2] (4) and trans-[Pt(PCy3)2(NO2)2] (5) with 400 nm light gives reversible conversions of 44 and 27 %, respectively, consistent with the slower kinetics associated with the heavier members of group 10. The mechanism of the interconversion has been investigated by theoretical calculations based on the model complex [Ni(dmpe)Cl(NO2)].

Photoactivated linkage isomerism in single crystals of nickel, palladium and platinum di-nitro complexes – a photocrystallographic investigation

Low temperature, single crystal photocrystallographic studies have been carried out on four square planar Group 10 complexes [Ni(PEt(3))(2)(NO(2))(2)] 1, [Pd(PPh(3))(2)(NO(2))(2)] 2, [Pd(AsPh(3))(2)(NO(2))(2)] 3 and [Pt(PPh(3))(2)(NO(2))(2)] 4, in which the two nitro groups adopt the trans configuration. Irradiation with UV light, at 100 K, of single crystals of complexes 1-3 photoisomerise from the η(1)-NO(2) nitro form to the η(1)-ONO nitrito form occurred. Complex 1 underwent 25% conversion to the nitrito form before crystal decomposition occurred. 2 and 3 underwent 46% and 39% conversion, respectively, to the nitrito form when a photostationary state was reached. While under the same experimental conditions 4 showed no isomerisation. The photocrystallographic results can be correlated with the results of DFT calculations and with the observed trends in the solution UV/visible absorption spectroscopy obtained for these complexes. The results suggest that while steric factors in the isomerization processes are important there may also be a kinetic effect relating to the lability of the metal involved.

Visualization of membrane protein crystals in lipid cubic phase using X-ray imaging.

A comparison of X-ray diffraction and radiographic techniques for the location and characterization of protein crystals is demonstrated on membrane protein crystals mounted within lipid cubic phase material.

Application of in situ diffraction in high-throughput structure determination platforms.

Macromolecular crystallography (MX) is the most powerful technique available to structural biologists to visualize in atomic detail the macromolecular machinery of the cell. Since the emergence of structural genomics initiatives, significant advances have been made in all key steps of the structure determination process. In particular, third-generation synchrotron sources and the application of highly automated approaches to data acquisition and analysis at these facilities have been the major factors in the rate of increase of macromolecular structures determined annually. A plethora of tools are now available to users of synchrotron beamlines to enable rapid and efficient evaluation of samples, collection of the best data, and in favorable cases structure solution in near real time. Here, we provide a short overview of the emerging use of collecting X-ray diffraction data directly from the crystallization experiment. These in situ experiments are now routinely available to users at a number of synchrotron MX beamlines. A practical guide to the use of the method on the MX suite of beamlines at Diamond Light Source is given.

In vacuo X-ray data collection from graphene-wrapped protein crystals.

A method is reported for collecting room-temperature data from protein crystals under vacuum by protecting them with a thin graphene layer.

Exploiting Microbeams for Membrane Protein Structure Determination

A reproducible, and sample independent means of predictably obtaining large, well-ordered crystals has proven elusive in macromolecular crystallography. In the structure determination pipeline, crystallisation often proves to be a rate-limiting step, and the process of obtaining even small or badly ordered crystals can prove time-consuming and laborious. This is particularly true in the field of membrane protein crystallography and this is reflected in the limited number of unique membrane protein structures deposited in the protein data bank (less than 650 by June 2016 – http://blanco.biomol.uci.edu/mpstruc). Over recent years the requirement for, and time and cost associated with obtaining, large crystals has been partially alleviated through the development of beamline instrumentation allowing data collection, and structure solution, from ever-smaller crystals. Advances in several areas have led to a step change in what might be considered achievable during a synchrotron trip over the last decade. This chapter will briefly review the current status of the field, the tools available to ease data collection and processing, and give some examples of exploitation of these for membrane protein microfocus macromolecular crystallography.

The Ni(II) Complex of 2-Hydroxy-Pyridine- N-Oxide 2-Isothionate: Synthesis, Characterization, Biological Studies, and X-ray Crystal Structures using (1) Cu Kα Data and (2) Synchrotron Data

C 12 H 20 N 6 NiO 6 S 2 or NiL 2 (SCN) 2 ](NH 4 ) 2 .2H 2 O, where L is 2-hydroxy-pyridine-N-oxide, has been prepared and characterized using elemental analyses, IR, UV and visible spectrometry, magnetic moment measurements, thermal analyses and single crystal X-ray analyis. The results indicate that the complex reacts as a bidentate ligand and is bound to the metal ion via the two oxygen atoms of the ligand (HL). The activation energies, ∆ E*, entropies ∆S*, enthalpies ∆H* and order of reactions have been derived from differential thermogravimetric (DTA) curves. Based on inhibition zone diameter measurements, the complex exhibited significant antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It also exhibited significant antifungal activity against Candida albicans, but no activity was found against Aspergillus flavus . The crystal structure of the Ni(II) complex [C 12 H 20 N 6 Ni O 6 S 2 ], Mr = 467.17, was determined from Cu Kα X-ray diffraction data, λ = 1.54178 A, at 100 K using direct methods. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2 1 /n with Z = 4 and a = 8.9893(2) A, b = 17.6680(5) A, c = 12.5665(3) A, β = 108.609(1)°. In parallel with this study corresponding results were derived for the crystal structure determined independently from synchrotron X-ray diffraction data, λ = 0.61990 A, at 100 K. The unit cell parameters derived in this experiment are a = 9.000(2) A, b = 17.700(4) A, c = 12.590(3) A, β = 108.61(3)°. Both studies show 4 O and 2 N atoms coordinating Ni in a distorted octahedral arrangement. Each of the Ni 2-hydroxy-pyridinium-N-oxide moieties is highly planar and the S=C=N-Ni ligands are approximately linear. The crystal structure is characterised by a number of strong hydrogen bonds.

Comparison of EM-CCD and scientific CMOS based camera systems for high resolution X-ray imaging and tomography applications

We have developed an Electron Multiplying (EM) CCD based, high frame rate camera system using an optical lens system for X-ray imaging and tomography. The current state of the art systems generally use scientific CMOS sensors that have a readout noise of a few electrons and operate at high frame rates. Through the use of electron multiplication, the EM-CCD camera is able to operate with a sub-electron equivalent readout noise and a frame rate of up to 50 HZ (full-frame). The EM-CCD-based camera system has a major advantage over existing technology in that it has a high signal-to-noise ratio even at very low signal levels. This allows radiation-sensitive samples to be analysed with low flux X-ray beams which greatly reduces the beam damage. This paper shows that under the conditions of this experiment the EM-CCD camera system has a comparable spatial resolution performance to the scientific CMOS based imaging system and has a superior signal-to-noise ratio.