Montserrat Corbella

A theoretical analysis of how geometrical distortions on Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu dimers influence their electronic and magnetic properties

Abstract A structural classification of dimers, containing the Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu core, based on data obtained from X-ray diffraction analysis reported in the literature has been performed. In these complexes, the local geometry around the copper metal center is generally a square pyramid, with a different degree of distortion towards a trigonal bipyramid. The global geometry of the dinuclear complex can be described in terms of the relative arrangement of the two square pyramids, giving rise to three types of geometries, termed: coplanar bases, parallel bases and perpendicular bases. Ideal models representing these geometries were defined and EH calculations were performed in each case, showing the different molecular orbitals involved in their corresponding frontier orbitals, together with their energy. EH calculations were also carried out for dimers embodying different type of structural distortions from the ideal models. The results obtained from those EH calculations have proven to be extremely useful for the proper interpretation and correlation of the magnetic data and dimer structure for those Cu(μ-Cl)2Cu complexes reported in the literature.

Tetranuclear [Co-Gd]2 complexes: aiming at a better understanding of the 3d-Gd magnetic interaction.

Tetranuclear [Co-Gd](2) complexes were prepared by using trianionic ligands possessing amide, imine, and phenol functions. The structural determinations show that the starting cobalt complexes present square planar or square pyramid environments that are preserved in the final tetranuclear [Co-Gd](2) complexes. These geometrical modifications of the cobalt coordination spheres induce changes in the cobalt spin ground states, going from S = 1/2 in the square planar to S = 3/2 for the square pyramid environments. Depending on the ligand, the complexes display antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic Co(II)-Gd(III) interactions. The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility-temperature products indicate that the Co-Gd interaction is ferromagnetic when high spin Co ions are concerned and antiferromagnetic in the case of low spin Co ions. This different magnetic behavior can be explained if we observe that the singly occupied σ d(x(2)-y(2)) orbital is populated (S = 3/2 Co ions) or unoccupied (S = 1/2 Co ions). Such an observation furnishes invaluable information for the understanding of the more general 3d-4f magnetic interactions.

Dinuclear Co(III)/Co(III) and Co(II)/Co(III) mixed-valent complexes: synthetic control of the cobalt oxidation level

The reactivity of cobalt(II) salts towards H(3)L (2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine) was studied in different reaction conditions. Accordingly, the interaction of cobalt(II) acetate with H(3)L in methanol gives rise to the discrete complex [Co(III)(2)L(OAc)(2)(OMe)]*1.5H(2)O.MeOH, 1. Reaction of cobalt(II) acetylacetonate with H(3)L in the presence of dicarboxylic acids was also investigated. Thus, when cobalt(II) acetylacetonate and H(3)L are mixed with terephthalic or malonic acid in 4 : 2 : 1 molar ratios, the mixed valent [Co(II/III)(2)L(acac)(p-O(2)CC(6)H(4)CO(2)H)][Co(II/III)(2)L(acac)(OH)]*2H(2)O*2MeOH, 2 and [Co(II/III)(2)L(acac)(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2)H)][Co(II/III)(2)L(acac)(OH)]*7H(2)O, complexes are isolated. Decreasing the pH of the medium, by addition of a second mol of dicarboxylic acid, leads to [Co(II/III)(2)L(O(2)CCH(2)CO(2))(MeOH)]*2MeOH, 4, while the reaction with terephthalic acid does not proceed. 1, 2 and 4 were crystallographically characterised and all the complexes are dinuclear, with hydrogen bonds that expand the initial nodes. The magnetic characterisation, as well as the NMR spectroscopy, indicates a diamagnetic nature for 1, in agreement with the presence of Co(III), showing the aerial oxidation suffered by the cobalt(II) ions. Nevertheless, are paramagnetic. Temperature variable magnetic measurements were recorded for the crystallographically characterised complexes 2 and 4 and these studies confirm the mixed valence Co(II)/Co(III) nature of the compounds. The best fits of the magnetic data give an axial distortion parameter Delta = 628.7 cm(-1) for 2 and 698.8 cm(-1) for 4, and spin-orbit coupling constant lambda = -117.8 cm(-1) for 2 and -107.0 cm(-1) for 4. Therefore, this study shows that the oxidation degree of the initial cobalt(ii) salt by atmospheric oxygen can be controlled according to the pH of the medium.

Kinetic parameters and solid state mechanism of the thermal dehydration of trans|CrF(H2O)(en)2|I2, trans|CrF(H2O)(tn)2|I2·H2O andtrans|CrF(H2O)(en)(tn)|I2·H2O (en = ethylenediamine; tn = 1,3-diaminopropane)

Abstract The solid phase thermal deaquation—anation of trans |CrF(H 2 O)(en) 2 |I 2 , trans |CrF(H 2 O)(tn) 2 |I 2 ·H 2 O and trans |CrF(H 2 O)(en)(tn)|I 2 ·H 2 O (en=ethylenediamine; tn=1,3 diaminopropane) has been investigated by means of isothermal and non-isothermal TG measurements. The kinetic parameters have been found by isothermal studies; the physical model of these reactions (nucleation, growth or intermediates) has been found by the shapes of the isothermal curves and by comparison of the isothermal and non-isothermal data for all the principal g(α) expressions. Values found for activation energy are low (about 130 kJ mol −1 for the en compound; about 70 kJ mol −1 for the tn compound, and about 110 kJ mol −1 for the mixed en—tn compound). These data permit the assignment of the deaquation—anation mechanism as S N 1 type, involving a square-base pyramid activated complex and elimination of water as Frenkel defects.

Ferromagnetic exchange in a dinuclear copper(II) complex mediated by a methanolate bridging ligand.

The copper(II) complex Cu(2)L(OMe)(H(2)O)(3), [middle dot]3H(2)O [H(3)L = 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-bis[4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-azabut-3-enyl]-1,3-imidazolidine] was obtained and recrystallised in methanol to yield crystals of [[Cu(2)L(OMe)]](2).2.5MeOH.4H(2)O, 1.2.5MeOH.4H(2)O. Its single X-ray study shows that it contains two crystallographically different but chemically equivalent dinuclear [Cu(2)L(OMe)] 1 molecules in the asymmetric unit cell. The copper atoms of each dinuclear moiety are in distorted square-pyramidal environments, with both pyramids sharing an apical phenolate and a basal methanolate oxygen atom. Magnetic characterisation of 1.3H(2)O shows a quite strong intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between both metal atoms. Extended Huckel calculations reveal that the intradinuclear magnetic interaction seems to be mediated by the exogenous methanolate bridging ligand.

Neodymium 1D systems: targeting new sources for field-induced slow magnetization relaxation

Two non-isostructural homometallic 1D neodymium species displaying field-induced slow magnetization relaxations are presented together with theoretical studies. It is established that both systems are better described as organized 1D single molecule magnets (SMMs). Studies show great potential of Nd(III) ions to provide homometallic chains with slow magnetic relaxation.

Versatility of 2,6-diacetylpyridine (dap) hydrazones in stabilizing uncommon coordination geometries of Mn(II): synthesis, spectroscopic, magnetic and structural characterization

Five seven- or eight-coordinate manganese complexes of hydrazone ligands have been prepared. Three seven-coordinate neutral Mn(II) complexes: [Mn(dapA2)]n (1), [Mn(dapB2)(H2O)2] (2), [Mn(dapS2)(H2O)2] (3) have been synthesized from the bis-Schiff bases of 2,6-diacetylpyridine: dap(AH)2, dap(BH)2 and dap(SH)2 (AH = anthraniloyl hydrazide, BH = benzoyl hydrazide, SH = salicyloyl hydrazide), respectively. Two eight-coordinate Mn(II) complexes: [Mn(dapS)2] (4) and [Mn(dapB)2].3H2O (5) have been synthesized from the mono-Schiff bases dapBH and dapSH, respectively. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and by IR, UV-Vis., FAB mass, EI mass and EPR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 1, 3.DMF and 4.DMF have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mono-Schiff bases are monoanionic and the bis-Schiff bases are dianionic. The octa-coordinated mono-Schiff base complex 4 adopts a dodecahedral geometry, while the hepta-coordinated bis-Schiff base complex 1 forms a one-dimensional linear polymeric chain. A weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction (J=-0.15 cm(-1)) between the Mn(II) ions in is attributed to weak Mn...Mn interaction through the PhNH(2) moiety of the ligand, as indicated by extended-Hückel molecular orbital calculations. A good simulation of the EPR spectrum of a frozen solution (DMSO at 4 K) of compound 1 was obtained with g=2.0, D=0.1 cm(-1), E=0.01 cm(-1). The EPR spectrum of a powdered sample of compound 1 shows a large broadening of the signal, due in part, to the important zero-field splitting of the hepta-coordinated Mn(II) ion.

Ferromagnetism in dinuclear copper(II)-phenolate complexes with exogenous O-donor bridges: a comparative study

The copper(II) complex Cu2L(OAc)(H2O)3.5, 1 x 3.5H2O was obtained and its reactivity in a basic medium investigated. Complex 1 x 3.5H2O shows different reaction patterns in air and in an inert atmosphere. Accordingly, interaction of 1 x 3.5H2O with Me4NOH x 5H2O in methanol-acetonitrile in air yields the hydroxide complex Cu2L(OH)(H2O)1.125, 2 x 1.125H2O while Cu2L(OMe)(MeOH)0.5(H2O), 3 x 0.5MeOH x H2O is isolated under an argon atmosphere. The products 1-3 were fully characterised and single crystals of {[Cu2L(OAc)] x MeCN x 3.5H2O}2, 1 x MeCN x 3.5H2O, {[Cu2L(OH)] x MeCN x 1.125H2O}2, 2 x MeCN x 1.125H2O and [Cu2L(OMe)] x 0.5MeOH x H2O, 3 x 0.5MeOH x H2O solved. The single X-ray study shows that 1-3 are dinuclear complexes with an endogenous phenol oxygen and an exogenous O-bridge. Magnetic characterisation of the three dinuclear complexes was performed, showing an apparent anomalous intramolecular ferromagnetic coupling between the metal atoms in all cases.

Chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) and glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in a patient with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP)

SummaryA new glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) variant with severe erythrocytic G6PD deficiency and a unique pH optimum is described in a young patient with chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia (CNSHA) and familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP). Chronic hemolysis was present in the absence of infections, oxidant drugs or ingestion of faba beans. Residual enzyme activity was about 2.6% and 63% of normal activity in erythrocytes and leucocytes, respectively. A molecular study using standard methods showed G6PD in the patient to have normal electrophoretic mobility (at pH 7.0, 8.0 and 8.8), normal apparent affinity for substrates (Km, G6P and NADP) and a slightly abnormal utilization of substrate analogues (decreased deamino-NADP and increased 2-deoxyglucose-6-phosphate utilization). Heat stability was found to be markedly decreased (8% of residual activity after 20 min of incubation at 46°C) and a particular characteristic of this enzyme was a biphasic pH curve with a greatly increased activity at low pH. Although molecular characteristics of this variant closely resemble those of G6PD Bangkok and G6PD Duarte, it can be distinguished from these and all other previously reported variants by virtue of its unusual pH curve. Therefore the present variant has been designated G6PD Clinic to distinguish it from other G6PD variants previously described.

Catecholase activity, DNA binding and cytotoxicity studies of a Cu(II) complex of a pyridoxal schiff base: synthesis, X-ray crystal structure, spectroscopic, electrochemical and theoretical studies

A binuclear Cu(II) complex of formula [Cu(L1Hpy)Cl]2(ClO4)2 (1), where L1H2 is a new tridentate ligand, formed by condensation of 2-aminomethyl pyridine and pyridoxal (one of the forms of vitamin B6), has been synthesized. X-ray crystal structure determination shows that in this complex two Cu(II) ions are interconnected by complementary hydroxymethyl bridges of the two pyridoxal moieties, which is a very rare example in the literature. However, with a Cu⋯Cu separation of 6.574(1) A and Cu–O(H)CH2– distance of 2.289 A, the bridge is very weak, and DFT calculations, as well as ESI-MS data and solution spectral studies indicate that in a MeOH solution the complex exists predominantly as a mixture of monomers [Cu(L1Hpy)Cl]+ and [Cu(L1Hpy)(MeOH)]2+ with the former being the predominant form. The DFT calculations as well as EPR spectra suggest that the SOMO is a metal dx2−y2 orbital. The complex shows highly efficient catecholase activity with kcat = 3·46 × 105 h−1 and kcat/KM = 1.00 × 108 M−1 h−1, which are the best values reported in the literature, so far, for catecholase mimicking model complexes. DFT calculations show that the reduction of the Cu(II)/Cu(I) by the coordinated catechol and the resultant structural changes is the rate determining step in the catalytic cycle. The complex also binds DNA quite strongly with a binding constant of ∼105 M−1. DFT calculations suggest that the most probable binding mode of the complex is intercalation of the pyridine ring of the complex between two adenine or adenine and cytosine base pairs. The complex shows low cytotoxicity towards HCT and HeLa cells, though cytotoxicity towards the latter cell line is much more than the former. It was also found that the complex can be used as a fluorescence probe for imaging HCT cells.