Yue-Ling Bai

Synthesis, structure and adsorption of coordination polymers constructed from 3,3′,5,5′-azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid and Zn ions

3,3′,5,5′-Azobenzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4abtc) was synthesized by reduction of 5-nitroisophthalic acid in basic aqueous/ethanol solution in the presence of Zn powder. Three novel coordination polymers {[Zn2(η6-ao2btc)(η2-2,2′-bpy)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}1n (1), {[Zn2(η8-aobtc)(η2-phen)(H2O)]·DMF}3n (2), and {(Hap)2[Zn3(η9-aobtc)2]·2H2O}3n (3) (2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, ap = 4-aminopyridine, ao2btc4− and aobtc4− are two oxidized forms of H4abtc ligand) were prepared under hydrothermal conditions. The structures of 1–3 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complex 1 is a 1D chain polymer, while 2 and 3 are porous 3D metal–organic frameworks with a cavity size of 9 A diameter and 7 × 15 A rectangular cavities, respectively. In 1, ao2btc4− links four mononuclear ZnO6 chromophores. Ligand aobtc4− in 2 links four dinuclear Zn2(CO2)4(H2O)N2, while aobtc4− in 3 bridges four trinuclear Zn3(CO2)8. From a topology point of view, ao2btc4− or aobtc4− are all 4-connected linkers in 1–3, while the mononuclear ZnO6 in 1, dinuclear Zn2(CO2)4(H2O)N2 in 2 and trinuclear Zn3(CO2)8 in 3 are 2, 4 and 8 connected nodes, respectively. Zn(II) in complex 2 can be replaced by Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) with simultaneous loss of crystallinity. The metal ion exchange rate decrease in the order Co(II) < Ni(II) < Cu(II). 2 can encapsulate iodine (I2) in cyclohexane solution to form 2⊃0.1I2. The encapsulated I2 can be released completely in ethanol. The Hap+ in 3 can be replaced by methylene blue in aqueous solution to form 3⊃0.1methylene blue. The insignificant replacement is an indication that the guest molecule in the cavity channel is immobile, which prevents further substitution. With a bis-oxo group in the azo moiety, the framework of 1 is so unstable that it will decompose at ∼150 °C with simultaneous release of NO. Complexes 2 and 3 are stable at 330 °C. IR and fluorescence spectra were also discussed.

Novel complexes constructed by flexible 1,2,3,4,5,6- cyclohexanehexacarboxylate and transition metal ions – From 0D mononuclear to 3D porous coordination polymers

Nine novel coordination polymers were prepared from flexible 1,2,3,4,5,6-cyclohexanehexacarboxylate (H6L) and corresponding metal ions at room temperature and/or hydrothermal conditions, namely from binary {[Zn3(η9-LI)(η2-H2O)1(η1-H2O)7]·(H2O)5}3n (1), {[Co3(η9-LI)(η2-H2O)1(η1-H2O)7]·(H2O)5}3n (2), {[Cu5(η8-HLI)2·10H2O]·(H2O)4}3n (3), {[Ni3(η12-LII)(η1-H2O)6]·1.5H2O}3n (4), to ternary {[Zn(η3-H4LI)(4,4′-bipy)(η1-H2O)]·(H2O)2}2n (5), {[Zn2(η4-H3LI)(1,10-phen)3·(η1-NO3)]·H2O}1n (6), {[Cd2(η4-H4LI)2(2,2′-bipy)2(η1-H2O)2]·(2,2′-bipy)·(H2O)3}1n (7), {[Co1.5(η3-H3LI)(η1-4,4′-bipy)3(η1-H2O)3]·6H2O}1n (8), [Mn(1,10-phen)2(H2O)2]·(H4LI)·(H2O)5 (9) (LI = all-cis (a,e,a,e,a,e) conformation L6−, LII = all-trans (e,e,e,e,e,e) conformation L6−, where a and e represent the carboxylate that is almost perpendicular/parallel to the least square of the cyclohexane moiety. 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 1,10-phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 have 3D coordination frameworks, in which H6L are fully deprotonated or only mono-protonated, their coordination numbers are 8, 9 and 12. Complexes 1 and 2 are isomorphous with each other and exhibit 3,5-connected with {32;4}{3;63;86} network in the Schlafli notation. Complex 3 is a 3,6-connected {43}{45;67;83} network. Complex 4 is a 3,9-connected 9-noted with {42;6}3{46;621;89} network. 5–8 are ternary complexes with secondary building blocks where L binds 2 to 4 protons, respectively. The coordination number of L decreased to 3–4 in complexes 5–8. Complex 9 is a mononuclear complex where H4L2− acts as a counter ion to balance the charge of the metal ion. The ligand in hydrothermal synthesized 4 adopts the all-trans configuration LII, while in all the other room temperature complexes, L adopts an LI configuration. As a role, it is always the e-position carboxylate that prefers to coordinate to the metal ion. The solid state photoluminescence studied indicates that there are ligand-centered emissions in 1, 5, 6, and 7. Complex 2 is a breathable porous coordination polymer, X-ray powder diffraction patterns (PXRD) studies have shown that the dehydration/rehydration of 2 can be fully reversible under 100 °C.

Phenolacetyl Viologen as Multifunctional Chromic Material for Fast and Reversible Sensor of Solvents, Base, Temperature, Metal Ions, NH3 Vapor, and Grind in Solution and Solid State

Electron-withdrawing/coordinating o-phenolacetyl-substituted viologen can act as a visual sensor for solvents, bases, and temperature in organic solvents. Due to chelating phenolacetyl groups, this viologen can coordinate to Fe(III), Cu(II), and ZnCl2 in aqueous and DMF solutions. Interestingly, this viologen can respond to temperature, grind, and NH3 vapor in its solid state. Stimuli response is visible, fast, and fully reversible in air at room temperature. The color change is attributed to the enolic and/or free radical structure. This is the most versatile chromic material that responds to chemical and physical stimuli in both solution and solid state.

Alkaline reagent-induced structural diversity of four metal–organic frameworks based on a flexible bicarboxylate ligand

Four new metal–organic frameworks, namely, [CdNa(bci)(H2O)3]n (1), [CdK(bci)(H2O)3]n (2), [Cd(Hbci)(H2O)]n (3) and {[(H2en)0.5Cd(bci)]·2H2O}n (4) (H3bci = bis(2-carboxyethyl)isocyanurate, en = ethylenediamine), have been prepared from H3bci and Cd(NO3)2 in aqueous solution using different alkaline reagents, namely, NaOH, KOH, triethylamine and ethylenediamine, respectively, which were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses, infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and powder X-ray diffraction. Compounds 1 and 2 are 3D heterometallic frameworks, featuring a 3-nodal 3,3,6-connected T5 type topology and a new 3-nodal 3,4,7-connected topology, respectively; complex 3 is a 3D monometallic framework with a uninodal 4-connected cag topology, while compound 4 is a 2D double-layer structure with a 2-nodal 3,6-connected kgd topology, which is extended to form a 3D supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bonds. Moreover, four new coordination modes of the H3bci ligand were observed in complexes 1–4. The results indicate that the alkaline reagents play a crucial role in the diversity of the structures and coordination modes of the H3bci ligand. The luminescence properties and thermal stabilities of these compounds were further investigated. Unexpectedly, complex 4 shows strong luminescence emission of guest ethylenediamine molecules.

A Homochiral {CoΙΙ 16CoΙΙΙ 4} Supertetrahedral T 4 Cluster from a Racemic Ligand with Ferromagnetic Behavior and High Photocatalytic Activity

A homochiral mixed-valence cobalt cluster [CoΙΙ16 CoΙΙΙ4 (μ6 -O)4 (μ3 -OH)12 (S-bme)12 (OAc)6 ]Cl6 ⋅5 CH3 OH⋅18 H2 O (1, Hbme=1H-(benzimidazol-2-yl)ethanol) was synthesized from a racemic ligand and three cobalt salts of CoCl2 ⋅6 H2 O, Co(Ac)2 ⋅4 H2 O and Co(NO3 )2 ⋅6 H2 O in a DMF/MeOH mixed solvent. The enantioselective coordination occurs when a large excess of cobalt ions added in the solution and only the S-configuration of the racemic ligand involved in crystallization. The CD spectra of three crystal samples show identical Cotton signals, indicating the repeatability and the enantiomeric purity of the single crystals. This compound presents a beautiful two-shell Matryoshka-type supertetrahedral T4 cluster constructed by an inner CoΙΙΙ4 O4 cubane and four exterior CoΙΙ4 O4 cubanes bridged by μ6 -O2- and μ3 -OH- ions. This highest nuclear chiral cobalt cluster is the first example of enantiopure cobalt cluster separated from a racemic ligand and is the largest supertetrahedral cobalt cluster up to now. The magnetic studies reveal it behaves as a ferromagnet. Photocatalytic properties of 1 show high catalytic activities for the degradation of the highly toxic triphenyl dye crystal violet (CV) in the presence of H2 O2 under visible light in aqueous solution. The degradation rate almost reach 100 % at 45 min and can maintain 98.54 % after 8 cycles.