Coordination geometry

Abstract: Four Cu(I) complexes were synthesized with a family of pyridylmethylamide ligands, HLR [HLR = N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide, R = null; 2,2-dimethyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)propionamide, R = Me3; 2,2,2-triphenyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)acetamide, R = Ph3)]. Complexes 1–3 were synthesized from the respective ligand and [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 in a 2 : 1 molar ratio: [Cu(HL)2]PF6 (1), [Cu2(HLMe3)4](PF6)2 (2), [Cu(HLPh3)2]PF6 (3). Complex 4, [Cu(HL)(CH3CN)(PPh3)]PF6, was synthesized from the reaction of HL with [Cu(CH3CN)4]PF6 and PPh3 in a 1 : 1 : 1 molar ratio. X-Ray crystal structures reveal that complexes 1, 3 and 4 are mononuclear Cu(I) species, while complex 2 is a Cu(I) dimer. The copper ions are four-coordinate with geometries ranging from distorted tetrahedral to seesaw in 1, 2, and 4. Complexes 1 and 2 are very air sensitive and they display similar electrochemical properties. The coordination geometry of complex 3 is nearly linear, two-coordinate. Complex 3 is exceptionally stable with respect to oxidation in the air, and its cyclic voltammetry shows no oxidation wave in the range of 0–1.5 V. The unusual inertness of complex 3 towards oxidation is attributed to the protection from bulky triphenyl substituent of the HLPh3 ligand. A new geometric parameter for four-coordinate compounds, τ4, is proposed as an improved, simple metric for quantitatively evaluating the geometry of four-coordinate complexes and compounds.

Abstract: This review discusses the design and structure of coordination polymers derived from Ag(I) with N-donor ligands and their role in the investigation of weak non-covalent interactions in the solid state. These forces include arene–arene, metal–anion, metal–arene and metal–metal interactions. The main purpose of this review is to classify and discuss the supramolecular forces which define the overall observed structure (topology, geometry and packing arrangement) of coordination polymers by comparison of a series of structurally related compounds when one parameter of the multi-component system (choice of anion, ligand or solvent) is varied. Design criteria for one-dimensional polymers are given and discussed with respect to the fundamental importance of these compounds for understanding and further development of supramolecular synthetic strategies.

Abstract: The role of the lone pair of electrons of Pb(II) in determining the coordination geometry is analyzed from crystallographic studies and ab initio molecular orbital optimizations. Of particular interest are factors that contribute to the disposition of ligands around the lead with geometries that are (1) holodirected, in which the bonds to ligand atoms are distributed throughout the surface of an encompassing globe, and (2) hemidirected, in which the bonds to ligand atoms are directed throughout only part of an encompassing globe, i.e., there is an identifiable void in the distribution of bonds to the ligands. The preferred coordination numbers for lead were found to be 4 for Pb(IV) and 4 and 6 for Pb(II). All Pb(IV) structures in the CSD have a holodirected coordination geometry. Pb(II) compounds are hemidirected for low coordination numbers (2−5) and holodirected for high coordination numbers (9, 10), but for intermediate coordination numbers (6−8), examples of either type of stereochemistry are found. A...

Abstract: 1,2,4-Triazole and its derivatives have gained great attention as ligands to transition metals by the fact that they unite the coordination geometry of both pyrazoles and imidazoles, and in addition exhibit a strong and typical property of acting as bridging ligands between two metal centres In this bridging capacity, the 1,2,4-triazole ligands show a great coordination diversity, especially when the triazole nucleus is substituted with additional donor groups This property together with their strong σ donor properties and the relative ease of synthesis make them very appealing for the design of new polynuclear metal complexes with interesting properties A number of X-ray structures have been evaluated in some detail in the present paper

Abstract: Structural models for the nitrogenase FeMo-cofactor and P-clusters are proposed based on crystallographic analysis of the nitrogenase molybdenum-iron (MoFe)-protein from Azotobacter vinelandii at 2.7 angstrom resolution. Each center consists of two bridged clusters; the FeMo-cofactor has 4Fe:3S and 1Mo:3Fe:3S clusters bridged by three non-protein ligands, and the P-clusters contain two 4Fe:4S clusters bridged by two cysteine thiol ligands. Six of the seven Fe sites in the FeMo-cofactor appear to have trigonal coordination geometry, including one ligand provided by a bridging group. The remaining Fe site has tetrahedral geometry and is liganded to the side chain of Cys alpha 275. The Mo site exhibits approximate octahedral coordination geometry and is liganded by three sulfurs in the cofactor, two oxygens from homocitrate, and the imidazole side chain of His alpha 442. The P-clusters are liganded by six cysteine thiol groups, two which bridge the two clusters, alpha 88 and beta 95, and four which singly coordinate the remaining Fe sites, alpha 62, alpha 154, beta 70, and beta 153. The side chain of Ser beta 188 may also coordinate one iron. The polypeptide folds of the homologous alpha and beta subunits surrounding the P-clusters are approximately related by a twofold rotation that may be utilized in the binding interactions between the MoFe-protein and the nitrogenase Fe-protein. Neither the FeMo-cofactor nor the P-clusters are exposed to the surface, suggesting that substrate entry, electron transfer, and product release must involve a carefully regulated sequence of interactions between the MoFe-protein and Fe-protein of nitrogenase.