Kristof Van Hecke

Carboxyl-Functionalized Task-Specific Ionic Liquids for Solubilizing Metal Oxides

Imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, morpholinium, and quaternary ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salts were functionalized with a carboxyl group. These ionic liquids are useful for the selective dissolution of metal oxides and hydroxides. Although these hydrophobic ionic liquids are immiscible with water at room temperature, several of them form a single phase with water at elevated temperatures. Phase separation occurs upon cooling. This thermomorphic behavior has been investigated by (1)H NMR, and it was found that it can be attributed to the temperature-dependent hydration and hydrogen-bond formation of the ionic liquid components. The crystal structures of four ionic liquids and five metal complexes have been determined.

A series of d10 metal coordination polymers based on a flexible bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) ligand and different carboxylates: synthesis, structures, photoluminescence and catalytic properties

To explore the influence of different aromatic polycarboxylates on the self-assembly and properties of d10 metal coordination frameworks, six coordination compounds containing a flexible bis(2-methylbenzimidazole) (pbmb) ligand, formulated as [Ag2(pbmb)(2,6-napdc)]n (1), {[Zn(pbmb)(tbta)]·H2O}n (2), {[Cd(pbmb)(tbta)]·H2O}n (3), [Zn2(pbmb)(btec)(H2O)]n (4), {[Zn2(OH)(pbmb)(bpdc)1.5]·H2O}n (5), and [Cd(pbmb)(3-npa)(H2O)]n (6), have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopic methods as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (2,6-H2napdc = 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, H2tbta = tetrabromoterephthalic acid, H4btec = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylic acid, H2bpdc = biphenyl-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid and H23-npa = 3-nitrophthalic acid). Complex 1 possesses an 8-connected 3D coordination framework with sqc3 topology based on rare tetranuclear Ag(I)-cluster secondary building units (SBUs). 2 and 3 possess 2D (4,4) grid structures. 4 shows a novel (3,4,5)-connected 2D network with the Schlafli symbol of {3·4·5}{3·42·52·6}{3·43·53·6·72}. 5 features a uninodal (4,4)-connected net containing binuclear {Zn2(OH)} SBUs and a 2-fold interpenetrating (3,6)-connected supramolecular framework with {42·6}{44·610·8}-3,6T24 topology that is formed via hydrogen bond interactions. Complex 6 is a 1D double-chain structure, which is finally extended to a 3D (4,5,5)-connected supramolecular network via hydrogen bonding interactions. Complexes 1–6 indicate high thermal stabilities and different photoluminescence behavior in the solid state. Moreover, all of these polymer materials manifest excellent photocatalytic activities for the degradation of methyl orange in the photo-Fenton-like process after 120 min (1: 99%, 2: 66%, 3: 91%, 4: 83%, 5: 91% and 6: 93%, respectively).

Hydrophobic ionic liquids with strongly coordinating anions

Ionic liquids containing the hexafluoroacetylacetonate anion are immiscible with water and they exhibit strong metal-complexing ability.

Four cobalt(II) coordination polymers with diverse topologies derived from flexible bis(benzimidazole) and aromatic dicarboxylic acids: syntheses, crystal structures and catalytic properties

Four mixed ligand coordination polymers based on the flexible bis(5,6-dimethybenzimidazole) and aromatic dicarboxylic acids, namely, [Co(L1)(bpdc)]n (1), {[Co(L1)(npht)]·0.5H2O}n (2), [Co(L2)(bpdc)]n (3), and [Co(L3)(bpdc)(H2O)]n (4) (L1 = 1,4-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, L2 = 1,3-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, H2npht = 3-nitrophthalic acid, L3 = 1,1′-bis(5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole)methane) have been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized. Polymer 1 features a 3D three-fold interpenetrating dia array with a 4-connected 66 network, while 2 exhibits a 3D noninterpenetrated 3-connected framework with a 103-ThSi2 architecture. 3 and 4 have two-dimensional 3-connected (63) and 4-connected (44.62) topologies, respectively. Complex 4 ultimately is extended into an unusual 3D (3,5)-connected seh-3,5-P21/c supramolecular network via O–H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. The fluorescence and catalytic properties of the complexes for the degradation of the Congo red azo dye in a Fenton-like process are reported.

Copper(I)‐Containing Ionic Liquids for High‐Rate Electrodeposition

New metal-containing ionic liquids [Cu(CH(3)CN)(n)][Tf(2)N] (n=2, 4; Tf(2)N=bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)- amide) have been synthesised and used as a non-aqueous electrolyte for the electrodeposition of copper at current densities greater than 25 A dm(-2). The tetrahedral copper(I)-containing cation in [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][Tf(2)N] is structurally analogous to quaternary ammonium and phosphonium ionic liquids and overcomes problems of metal solubility and mass transport. Two CH(3)CN ligands are removed at elevated temperatures to give [Cu(CH(3)CN)(2)][Tf(2)N], which can be used as a concentrated non-aqueous electrolyte. The structural and electrochemical characterisation of these compounds is described herein.

Speciation of Copper(II) Complexes in an Ionic Liquid Based on Choline Chloride and in Choline Chloride/Water Mixtures

A deep-eutectic solvent with the properties of an ionic liquid is formed when choline chloride is mixed with copper(II) chloride dihydrate in a 1:2 molar ratio. EXAFS and UV-vis-near-IR optical absorption spectroscopy have been used to compare the coordination sphere of the cupric ion in this ionic liquid with that of the cupric ion in solutions of 0.1 M of CuCl(2)·2H(2)O in solvents with varying molar ratios of choline chloride and water. The EXAFS data show that species with three chloride ions and one water molecule coordinated to the cupric ion as well as species with two chloride molecules and two water molecules coordinated to the cupric ion are present in the ionic liquid. On the other hand, a fully hydrated copper(II) ion is formed in an aqueous solution free of choline chloride, and the tetrachlorocuprate(II) complex forms in aqueous choline chloride solutions with more than 50 wt % of choline chloride. In solutions with between 0 and 50 wt % of choline chloride, mixed chloro-aquo complexes occur. Upon standing at room temperature, crystals of CuCl(2)·2H(2)O and of Cu(choline)Cl(3) formed in the ionic liquid. Cu(choline)Cl(3) is the first example of a choline cation coordinating to a transition-metal ion. Crystals of [choline](3)[CuCl(4)][Cl] and of [choline](4)[Cu(4)Cl(10)O] were also synthesized from molecular or ionic liquid solvents, and their crystal structures were determined.

Uranyl Complexes of Carboxyl-Functionalized Ionic Liquids

Uranium(VI) oxide has been dissolved in three different ionic liquids functionalized with a carboxyl group: betainium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, 1-(carboxymethyl)-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide, and N-(carboxymethyl)-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide. The dissolution process results in the formation of uranyl complexes with zwitterionic carboxylate ligands and bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (bistriflimide) counterions. An X-ray diffraction study on single crystals of the uranyl complexes revealed that the crystal structure strongly depends on the cationic core appended to the carboxylate groups. The betainium ionic liquid gives a dimeric uranyl complex, the imidazolium ionic liquid a monomeric complex, and the pyrrolidinium ionic liquid a one-dimensional polymeric uranyl complex. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure measurements have been performed on the betainium uranyl complex. The absorption and luminescence spectra of the uranyl betainium complex have been studied in the solid state and dissolved in water, in acetonitrile, and in the ionic liquid betainium bistriflimide. The carboxylate groups remain coordinated to uranyl in acetonitrile and in betainium bistriflimide but not in water.

Speciation of Rare‐Earth Metal Complexes in Ionic Liquids: A Multiple‐Technique Approach

The dissolution process of metal complexes in ionic liquids was investigated by a multiple-technique approach to reveal the solvate species of the metal in solution. The task-specific ionic liquid betainium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Hbet][Tf(2)N]) is able to dissolve stoichiometric amounts of the oxides of the rare-earth elements. The crystal structures of the compounds [Eu(2)(bet)(8)(H(2)O)(4)][Tf(2)N](6), [Eu(2)(bet)(8)(H(2)O)(2)][Tf(2)N](6) x 2 H(2)O, and [Y(2)(bet)(6)(H(2)O)(4)][Tf(2)N](6) were found to consist of dimers. These rare-earth complexes are well soluble in the ionic liquids [Hbet][Tf(2)N] and [C(4)mim][Tf(2)N] (C(4)mim = 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium). The speciation of the metal complexes after dissolution in these ionic liquids was investigated by luminescence spectroscopy, (1)H, (13)C, and (89)Y NMR spectroscopy, and by the synchrotron techniques EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) and HEXS (high-energy X-ray scattering). The combination of these complementary analytical techniques reveals that the cationic dimers decompose into monomers after dissolution of the complexes in the ionic liquids. Deeper insight into the solution processes of metal compounds is desirable for applications of ionic liquids in the field of electrochemistry, catalysis, and materials chemistry.

A Microwave-Assisted Diastereoselective Multicomponent Reaction To Access Dibenzo[c,e]azepinones: Synthesis and Biological Evaluation

An unprecedented microwave-assisted multicomponent strategy has been elaborated for the fast, efficient, and diastereoselective generation of the dibenzo[c,e]azepinone scaffold. The generated compounds were evaluated for their bioactivity.

Efficient synthesis of the indoloazocine framework via intramolecular alkyne carbocyclization

A microwave-assisted protocol based on an Hg(OTf)(2) catalyzed intramolecular alkyne carbocyclization reaction was developed for selective construction of the indoloazocine core.