Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes of chalcogenide derivatives of the organometallic ligand dppf and the dppa analogue

New Cu(I) and Ag(I) complexes were prepared by reaction of [M(NCCH3)(4)][X] (M = Cu or Ag; X = BF4 or PF6) with the bidentate chalcogenide ligands Ph2P(E)NHP(E)Ph-2 (E = S, S(2)dppa; E = Se, Se(2)dppa), and dpspf (1, 1'-bis(diphenylselenophosphoryl)ferrocene). Copper and silver behaved differently. While three molecules of either S(2)dppa and Se(2)dppa bind to a distorted tetrahedral Cu-4 cluster, with deprotonation of the ligand, 1:2 complexes of the neutral ligands are formed with Ag(l), with a tetrahedral coordination of the metal. The [Cu-4{Ph2P(Se)NP(Se)Ph-2}(3)](+) clusters assemble as dimers, held together by weak Se...Se distances interactions. Another dimer was observed for the [Ag(dpspf)](+) cation, with two short Ag...Se distances. DFT and MP2 calculations indicated the presence of attracting interactions, reflected in positive Mayer indices (MI). The electrochemistry study of this species showed that both oxidation and reduction took place at silver. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chalcogenide-halides of niobium (V). 1. Gas-phase structures of NbOBr3, NbSBr3, and NbSCl3. 2. Matrix infrared spectra and vibrational force fields of NbOBr3, NbSBr3, NbSCl3, and NbOCl3

The molecular structures of NbOBr3, NbSCl3, and NbSBr3 have been determined by gas-phase electron diffraction (GED) at nozzle-tip temperatures of 250 degreesC, taking into account the possible presence of NbOCl3 as a contaminant in the NbSCl3 sample and NbOBr3 in the NbSBr3 sample. The experimental data are consistent with trigonal-pyramidal molecules having C-3v symmetry. Infrared spectra of molecules trapped in argon or nitrogen matrices were recorded and exhibit the characteristic fundamental stretching modes for C-3v species. Well resolved isotopic fine structure (Cl-35 and Cl-37) was observed for NbSCl3, and for NbOCl3 which occurred as an impurity in the NbSCl3 spectra. Quantum mechanical calculations of the structures and vibrational frequencies of the four YNbX3 molecules (Y = O, S; X = Cl, Br) were carried out at several levels of theory, most importantly B3LYP DFT with either the Stuttgart RSC ECP or Hay-Wadt (n + 1) ECP VDZ basis set for Nb and the 6-311 G* basis set for the nonmetal atoms. Theoretical values for the bond lengths are 0.01-0.04 Angstrom longer than the experimental ones of type r(a), in accord with general experience, but the bond angles with theoretical minus experimental differences of only 1.0-1.5degrees are notably accurate. Symmetrized force fields were also calculated. The experimental bond lengths (r(g)/Angstrom) and angles (angle(alpha)/deg) with estimated 2sigma uncertainties from GED are as follows. NbOBr3: r(Nb=O) = 1.694(7), r(Nb-Br) = 2.429(2), angle(O=Nb-Br) = 107.3(5), angle(Br-Nb-Br) = 111.5(5). NbSBr3: r(Nb=S) = 2.134(10), r(Nb-Br) = 2.408(4), angle(S=Nb-Br) = 106.6(7), angle(Br-Nb-Br) = 112.2(6). NbSCl3: Nb=S) = 2.120(10), r(Nb-Cl) = 2.271(6), angle(S=Nb-Cl) = 107.8(12), angle(Cl-Nb-Cl) = 111.1(11).

Hybrid materials through linkage of chalcogenide tetrahedral clusters

Tetrahedral chalcogenide clusters, with their well-defined molecular structures and interesting properties, are attractive building blocks for hybrid materials, in which porosity may be integrated with electronic or optical properties. Linkage of tetrahedral clusters often occurs through bridging chalcogenolate ligands, and results in extended structures of inorganic connectivity. However, linkage of tetrahedral clusters via organic ligands is also possible and a number of coordination polymers have already been reported. Recent advances on the synthesis and crystal structures of extended hybrid structures based on tetrahedral clusters are described here.