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Related Concept Videos

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview01:18

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Cations: Structural Overview

Cycloheptatriene is a neutral monocyclic unsaturated hydrocarbon that consists of an odd number of carbon atoms and an intervening sp3 carbon in the ring. The three double bonds in the ring correspond to 6 π electrons, which is a Huckel number, and therefore satisfies the criteria of 4n + 2 π electrons. However, the intervening sp3 carbon disrupts the continuous overlap of p orbitals. As a result, cycloheptatriene is not aromatic.
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Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
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Tetrahedral Complexes
Crystal field theory (CFT) is applicable to molecules in geometries other than octahedral. In octahedral complexes, the lobes of the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals point directly at the ligands. For tetrahedral complexes, the d orbitals remain in place, but with only four ligands located between the axes. None of the orbitals points directly at the tetrahedral ligands. However, the dx2−y2 and dz2 orbitals (along the Cartesian axes) overlap with the ligands less than the dxy,...
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Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
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Solution behavior and structural properties of Cu(I) complexes featuring m-terphenyl isocyanides.

Brian J Fox1, Queena Y Sun, Antonio G DiPasquale

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, Mail Code 0358, La Jolla, California 92093-0358, USA.

Inorganic Chemistry
|September 2, 2008
PubMed
Summary

The synthesis of a bulky m-terphenyl isocyanide ligand, CNAr(Mes2), is described. This ligand forms unique copper(I) complexes, with coordination behavior influenced by the copper halide and Lewis acidity, leading to diverse structural motifs.

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The Synthesis of [Sn10(Si(SiMe3)3)4]2- Using a Metastable Sn(I) Halide Solution Synthesized via a Co-condensation Technique

Published on: November 28, 2016

Area of Science:

  • Organometallic Chemistry
  • Coordination Chemistry
  • Ligand Design

Background:

  • Sterically demanding ligands are crucial for stabilizing unusual coordination numbers and geometries in metal complexes.
  • Copper(I) complexes with halide and pseudo-halide ligands offer a versatile platform for exploring novel structural architectures.
  • Isocyanide ligands provide tunable steric and electronic properties for coordination chemistry applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To synthesize and characterize the sterically encumbering m-terphenyl isocyanide ligand, CNAr(Mes2).
  • To investigate the coordination behavior of CNAr(Mes2) with various copper(I) halide and pseudo-halide fragments.
  • To explore the formation of rare structural motifs and understand the factors governing copper(I) coordination.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis of the m-terphenyl isocyanide ligand CNAr(Mes2).
  • Complexation reactions of CNAr(Mes2) with copper(I) chloride, bromide, iodide, and triflate salts.
  • Single-crystal X-ray diffraction for structural determination.
  • Solution NMR (1H) and FTIR spectroscopy for characterization and dynamic studies.
  • Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for bonding analysis.

Main Results:

  • CNAr(Mes2) readily forms bridging halide complexes with Cu(I) halides in a 1:1 ratio.
  • A three-coordinate monomer, ClCu(CNAr(Mes2))2, was synthesized and characterized, exhibiting rapid isocyanide exchange.
  • Tris-isocyanide complexes, ICu(CNAr(Mes2))3 and [(THF)Cu(CNAr(Mes2))3]OTf, were successfully prepared, showcasing different coordination behavior.
  • The triflate species [Cu(CNAr(Mes2))3]OTf acts as a Lewis acid, weakly binding benzene in an eta(1)-C manner.

Conclusions:

  • The steric bulk of CNAr(Mes2) significantly influences the coordination number and structure of copper(I) complexes.
  • The nature of the copper(I) halide/pseudo-halide fragment (e.g., chloride vs. iodide/triflate) dictates the coordination behavior and stability of the resulting complexes.
  • DFT calculations provide insights into the electronic structure and energetics of Cu-arene interactions in these novel complexes.