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Alexander J Blake

Publications and source records attributed to Alexander J Blake.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Triggered ligand release coupled to framework rearrangement: generating crystalline porous coordination materials.

A robust 3-D porous structure of formula [Ln2(PDC)3(DMF)2](infinity) has been constructed from lanthanide cations (Ln = Er3+ or Y3+) and the non-linear anionic bridging ligand, pyridine-3,5-dicarboxylate (PDC2-) in dimethylformamide (DMF). The solvated framework polymers {[M2(PDC)3(DMF)2].n(solv)}(infinity) (M = Er, Y) undergo a solid-state, crystal-to-crystal reaction upon heating and are converted via loss of both sorbed and coordinated solvent and rearrangement of the framework core to give a desolvated and porous form with retention of structural integrity. This structural transfer is the first crystallographically characterized system with lanthanide metal ions. These porous products are shown to be effective absorbants for H2, N2, and benzene.

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Redox non-innocence of thioether macrocycles: elucidation of the electronic structures of mononuclear complexes of gold(II) and silver(II).

The mononuclear +2 oxidation state metal complexes [Au([9]aneS(3))(2)](2+) and [Ag([18]aneS(6))](2+) have been synthesized and characterized crystallographically. The crystal structure of the Au(II) species [Au([9]aneS(3))(2)](BF(4))(2) shows a Jahn-Teller tetragonally distorted geometry with Au-S(1) = 2.839(5), Au-S(2) = 2.462(5), and Au-S(3) = 2.452(5) A. The related Ag(II) complex [Ag([18]aneS(6))](ClO(4))(2) has been structurally characterized at both 150 and 30 K and is the first structurally characterized complex of Ag(II) with homoleptic thioether S-coordination. The single-crystal X-ray structure of [Ag([18]aneS(6))](ClO(4))(2) confirms octahedral homoleptic S(6)-thioether coordination. At 150 K, the structure contains two independent Ag(II)-S distances of 2.569(7) and 2.720(6) A. At 30 K, the structure retains two independent Ag(II)-S distances of 2.615(6) and 2.620(6) A, with the complex cation retaining 3-fold symmetry. The electronic structures of [Au([9]aneS(3))(2)](2+) and [Ag([18]aneS(6))](2+) have been probed in depth using multifrequency EPR spectroscopy coupled with DFT calculations. For [Au([9]aneS(3))(2)](2+), the spectra are complex due to large quadrupole coupling to (197)Au. Simulation of the multifrequency spectra gives the principal g values, hyperfine (A) and quadrupole (P) couplings, and furthermore reveals non-co-incidence of the principal axes of the P tensor with respect to the A and g matrices. These results are rationalized in terms of the electronic and geometric structure and reveal that the SOMO has ca. 30% Au 5d(xy)() character, consistent with DFT calculations (27% Au character). For [Ag([18]aneS(6))](2+), detailed EPR spectroscopic analysis confirms that the SOMO has ca. 26% Ag 4d(xy)() character and DFT calculations are consistent with this result (22% Ag character).

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A porous framework polymer based on a zinc(II) 4,4'-bipyridine-2,6,2',6'-tetracarboxylate: synthesis, structure, and "zeolite-like" behaviors.

The robust metal-organic framework compound {[Zn(2)(L)] x 4H(2)O}(infinity) I has been synthesized by hydrothermal reaction of ZnCl(2) and 4,4'-bipyridine-2,6,2',6'-tetracarboxylic acid (H(4)L). Compound I crystallizes in a chiral space group, P4(2)2(1)2, with the chirality generated by the helical chains of hydrogen-bonded guest water molecules rather than by the coordination framework. Removal of guest water molecules from the crystal affords the porous material, [Zn(2)(L)](infinity) (II), which has very high thermal stability and is chemically inert. The N(2) isotherm of II at 77 K suggests a uniform porous structure with a BET surface area of 312.7 m(2)/g and a remarkably strong interaction with N(2) molecules (betaE(0) = 29.6 kJ mol(-)(1)). II also exhibits significant gas storage capacities of 1.08 wt % for H(2) at 4 bar and 77 K and 3.14 wt % (44.0 cm(3)/g, 67 v/v) for methane at 9 Bar at 298 K. The adsorption behavior of II toward organic solvent vapors has also been studied, and isotherms reveal that for different solvent vapors adsorption is dominated by two types of processes, absorbate-absorbate or absorbate-absorbent interactions. The adsorption and desorption kinetic processes in II are determined mainly by the molecular size of the guest species and their interaction with the host.

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Control of copper(I) iodide architectures by ligand design: angular versus linear bridging ligands.

A family of coordination polymers formed by the reaction of copper(I) iodide with a range of angular bidentate or tridentate N-donor ligands is reported. The framework polymers [CuI(dpt)](infinity) 1 [dpt = 2,4-bis(4-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine], [CuI(dpb)](infinity) 2 [dpb = 1,4-bis-(4-pyridyl)-benzene], [(CuI)3(dpypy)2](infinity) 3, [CuI(dpypy)](infinity) 4 [dpypy = 3,5-bis(4-pyridyl)-pyridine], and [Cu3I3(pypm)](infinity) 5 [pypm = 5-(4-pyridyl)pyrimidine] have been prepared and structurally characterized. It was found that the angular nature of the dpypy and dpt ligands favors the formation of discrete (CuI)2 dimeric subunits as observed in [CuI(dpt).MeCN](infinity) 1 and [(CuI)3(dpypy)2](infinity) 3. In contrast, reaction with the linear ligand dpb affords [CuI(dpb)](infinity) 2 which incorporates a one-dimensional (CuI)(infinity) chain structure. Moreover, the additional donor available on the central ring of the dpypy ligand generates a novel two-dimensional bilayer structure in 3, in contrast to the one-dimensional ribbon structure observed in the case of 1. Interestingly, the bilayer structure of 3 additionally exhibits 2-fold interpenetration. The reaction of CuI with dpypy produces not only 3 but a further product [CuI(dpypy)](infinity) 4 that has been characterized as a one-dimensional chain constructed from trigonal-planar Cu(I) centers bridged by bidentate dpypy ligands. Compound 5, [Cu3I3(pypm)](infinity), exhibits a highly unusual three-dimensional structure in which the pypm ligand bridges two-dimensional brick-wall (CuI)(infinity) sheets.

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Group I cation templated formation of luminescent mono- and bis-substituted thionaphthol heterobimetallic complexes of Pr, Nd, Eu and Tb.

Metathesis of lanthanide tris di-tert-butyl beta-diketonates ([Ln(thd)3] Ln=Pr, Nd, Eu, Tb) with one or two equivalents of group 1 salts of the sulfur bridged binaphtholate dianion [1,1'-S(2-OC10H4But(2)-3,6)2]2-, [M2L], M=K, Li affords luminescent mono- and bis-ligand substituted complexes ML[LnL(thd)2].L; M=K, Ln=Pr , Nd , Eu and Tb (L=thf, diethyl ether or toluene) and M(thf)2[LnL2(thd)]; M=Li, Ln=Pr , Nd , Eu , Tb . The potassium salt [K2L] affords mono-L substituted complexes most cleanly, while the lithium salt [Li2L] yields the bis-L substituted complexes most cleanly. The L ligands function as antenna for the sensitised lanthanide-centred emission in Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes. The X-ray single-crystal structures of mono- and bis-L lanthanide complexes of Nd3+ are presented.

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Selective oxo functionalization of the uranyl ion with 3d metal cations.

The linear uranyl dication [UO2]2+ can be bound in one of two coordination sites in the ditopic Pacman-shaped pyrrolic macrocyle H4L. Incorporation of Mn2+, Fe2+, or Co2+ cations in the second donor compartment affords the first uranyl complexes with a transition-metal-functionalized oxo group.

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Structural characterization of selenium and selenium-diiodine analogues of the antithyroid drug 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil and its alkyl derivatives.

The structures of four selenium analogues of the antithyroid drug 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil [systematic name: 2,3-dihydro-6-n-propyl-2-thioxopyrimidin-4(1H)-one], namely 6-methyl-2-selenouracil, C(5)H(6)N(2)OSe (1), 6-ethyl-2-selenouracil, C(6)H(8)N(2)OSe (2), 6-n-propyl-2-selenouracil, C(7)H(10)N(2)OSe (3), and 6-isopropyl-2-selenouracil, C(7)H(10)N(2)OSe (4), are described, along with that of the dichloromethane monosolvate of 6-isopropyl-2-selenouracil, C(7)H(10)N(2)OSe.CH(2)Cl(2) (4.CH(2)Cl(2)). The extended structure of (1) is a two-dimensional sheet of topology 6(3) with a brick-wall architecture. The extended structures of (2) and (4) are analogous, being based on a chain of eight-membered R(8)(6)(32) hydrogen-bonded rings. In (3) and (4.CH(2)Cl(2)), R(2)(2)(8) hydrogen bonding links molecules into chains. 6-n-Propyl-2-selenouracil.I(2), C(7)H(10)N(2)OSe.I(2) (7), is a charge-transfer complex with a ;spoke' structure, the extended structure of which is based on a linear chain formed principally by intermolecular N-H...O hydrogen bonds. Re-crystallization of 6-ethyl-2-selenouracil or (7) from acetone gave crystals of the diselenides [N-(6'-ethyl-4'-pyrimidone)(6-ethyl-2-selenouracil)(2)(Se-Se)].2H(2)O (9.2H(2)O) or [N-(6'-n-propyl-4'-pyrimidone)(6-n-propyl-2-selenouracil)(2)(Se-Se)] (10), respectively: these have similar extended chain structures formed via N-H...O and C-H...O hydrogen bonds, stacked to give two-dimensional sheets. Re-crystallization of (7) from methanol/acetonitrile led via deselenation to the formation of crystals of 6-n-propyl-2-uracil (11), in which six symmetry-related molecules combine to form a six-membered R(6)(6)(24) hydrogen-bonded ring, with each pair of molecules linked by an R(2)(2)(8) motif.

Antithyroid Agents↗

Molybdenum oxo-imido aryloxide complexes: oxo analogues of olefin metathesis catalysts.

The novel 16-electron molybdenum oxo-imido bis(aryloxide) complexes [Mo(NtBu)(O)(2,6-Me2C6H3O)2(py)] (1) and [Mo(NtBu)(O)(2,6-iPr2C6H3O)2(py)] (2) have been prepared by the salt elimination reactions of [Mo(NtBu)(O)Cl2(DME)] with the appropriate lithium aryloxide and from the cycloaddition reactions of tert-butyl isocyanate with the appropriate molybdenum dioxo bis(aryloxide) complex [Mo(O)2(OAr)2(py)n]. Complexes 1 and 2 are the first isolable and crystallographically characterized molybdenum oxo-imido aryloxide complexes. The geometry around the metal in complexes 1 and 2 is best described as a distorted trigonal bipyramid, with the imido and pyridine ligands occupying the axial positions and the oxo and aryloxide ligands in the equatorial plane. X-ray and IR data have confirmed that the imido ligand is the dominant pi donor in the complexes, resulting in an Mo-O bond order of less than 2.5. Reaction of [Mo(NtBu)(O)Cl2(DME)] with Li(OCH2tBu) instead gave the novel complex [Mo(NtBu)(OCH2tBu)3Cl(py)] (3).

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Bifunctional yttrium(III) and titanium(IV) NHC catalysts for lactide polymerisation.

Lewis acidic yttrium(III) and titanium(IV) derivatives of anionic, metal-tethered carbenes apparently act as bifunctional catalysts for the polymerisation of D,L-lactide, using a combination of Lewis acid and base functionalities to initiate ring opening of the cyclic monomer; the alcohol- and amino-functionalised carbenes from which they derive provide models for the first insertion step, and also display metal-free polymerisation catalysis to generate polylactic acid.

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Syntheses and structures of dinuclear double-stranded helicates of divalent manganese, iron, cobalt, and zinc.

The syntheses and solid-state and solution structures of a series of unusually volatile, charge neutral, [4 + 4] double-stranded helical complexes of divalent manganese, iron, cobalt, and zinc are described. Deprotonation of the N4-donor iminopyrrole ligand H2L by KH cleanly generates the salt K2(THF)2L, which displays both sigma and pi interactions between K and iminopyrrolyl fragments in the X-ray crystal structure. Transamination, salt elimination, and protonolysis reactions were found to be versatile and, in general, high-yielding routes to the dinuclear double helicates [M2(L)2] (M = Mn, Fe, Co, and Zn). These compounds are isomorphous in the solid state by X-ray crystallography and adopt dinuclear cleft motifs as a result of pi stacking between opposing iminopyrrolyl fragments. This motif was also observed in the solution structures of [Fe2(L)2] and [Zn2(L)2] below 230 and 200 K, respectively (DeltaG++ = approximately 46 and 39.0 kJ mol(-1), respectively).

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Modulation of the electronic structure and the Ni-Fe distance in heterobimetallic models for the active site in [NiFe]hydrogenase.

Reaction of the mononuclear Ni(II) thiolate complexes [Ni(L)] [L, L(1), H2L(1), bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-1,2-dimercaptoethane; L(2), H2L(2), N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-bis(2-mercaptoethyl)-bis(aminoethyl)sulfide] with [FeCp(CO)2I] gives the dithiolate-bridged heterobimetallic species, [Ni(L(1))FeCp(CO)]PF6, 1, and [Ni(L(2))FeCp]I, 2, respectively. Binding of a Fe(CO)3 fragment via reaction of square-planar [Ni(pdt)(dppe)] (dppe, 1,2-diphenylphosphinoethane; pdt(2-), 1,3-propanedithiolate) with Fe3(CO)12 or [Fe(CO)3(BDA)] (BDA, benzylidene acetone) affords diamagnetic [(dppe)Ni(mu-pdt)Fe(CO)3], 3, in which the Ni(II) center is bound tetrahedrally to two thiolate S-donors and to two P-donors. The complex [(dppe)Ni(mu-pdt)Fe(CO)3], 3, reacts in solution via rearrangement to afford [(OC)Ni(mu-dppe)(mu-pdt)Fe(CO)2], 4, in which one P-donor of dppe is bound to Ni and the other to Fe, and a CO ligand has transferred from Fe to Ni. Additionally, the syntheses of 3 and 4 afford the side products [(dppe)Ni(CO)2] and [(OC)3Fe(pdt)Fe(CO)3] together with the trinuclear species [(dppe)(CO)Fe(mu-CO)(mu-pdt)Fe(mu-pdt)Fe(CO)3], 5. Reaction of [Ni(pdt)(dppe)] with [FeCp(CO)2I] in CH2Cl2 affords two products [(dppe)Ni(mu-pdt)FeCp(CO)]PF6, 6, and [(dppe)Ni(pdt)(mu-I)Ni(dppe)]PF6, 7. The complexes 2, 3, and 4 show Ni-Fe distances of 2.539(4), 2.4666(6), and 2.4777(7) A, respectively, with relatively acute dihedral angles of 79.5-81.8 degrees for the Ni-S2-Fe bridge, thus mimicking the shortened Ni...Fe distance (2.5 A) and the acute dihedral angle of the Ni-S2-Fe moiety observed in certain active forms of [NiFe]hydrogenase. The role of direct Ni-Fe bonding in these complexes is discussed and linked to electronic structure calculations on [(dppe)Ni(pdt)Fe(CO)3], 3, which confirm the presence of a bent Ni(d(z2))-Fe(d(z2)) sigma-bond in a singlet ground state.

Binding Sites↗

Phenoxyl radicals: H-bonded and coordinated to Cu(II) and Zn(II).

Two pro-ligands ((R)LH) comprised of an o,p-di-tert-butyl-substituted phenol covalently bonded to a benzimidazole ((Bz)LH) or a 4,5-di-p-methoxyphenyl substituted imidazole ((PhOMe)LH), have been structurally characterised. Each possesses an intramolecular O-H[dot dot dot]N hydrogen bond between the phenolic O-H group and an imidazole nitrogen atom and (1)H NMR studies show that this bond is retained in solution. Each (R)LH undergoes an electrochemically reversible, one-electron, oxidation to form the [(R)LH] (+) radical cation that is considered to be stabilised by an intramolecular O...H-N hydrogen bond. The (R)LH pro-ligands react with M(BF(4))(2).H(2)O (M = Cu or Zn) in the presence of Et(3)N to form the corresponding [M((R)L)(2)] compound. [Cu((Bz)L)(2)] (), [Cu((PhOMe)L)(2)] (), [Zn((Bz)L)(2)] and [Zn((PhOMe)L)(2)] have been isolated and the structures of .4MeCN, .2MeOH, .2MeCN and .2MeCN determined by X-ray crystallography. In each compound the metal possesses an N(2)O(2)-coordination sphere: in .4MeCN and .2MeOH the {CuN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted square planar geometry; in .2MeCN and .2MeCN the {ZnN(2)O(2)} centre has a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The X-band EPR spectra of both and , in CH(2)Cl(2)-DMF (9 : 1) solution at 77 K, are consistent with the presence of a Cu(ii) complex having the structure identified by X-ray crystallography. Electrochemical studies have shown that each undergo two, one-electron, oxidations; the potentials of these processes and the UV/vis and EPR properties of the products indicate that each oxidation is ligand-based. The first oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+), comprising a M(ii) centre bound to a phenoxide ((R)L) and a phenoxyl radical ((R)L ) ligand; these cations have been generated electrochemically and, for R = PhOMe, chemically by oxidation with Ag[BF(4)]. The second oxidation produces [M(II)((R)L )(2)](2+). The information obtained from these investigations shows that a suitable pro-ligand design allows a relatively inert phenoxyl radical to be generated, stabilised by either a hydrogen bond, as in [(R)LH] (+) (R = Bz or PhOMe), or by coordination to a metal, as in [M(II)((R)L)((R)L )](+) (M = Cu or Zn; R = Bz or PhOMe). Coordination to a metal is more effective than hydrogen bonding in stabilising a phenoxyl radical and Cu(ii) is slightly more effective than Zn(II) in this respect.

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