The pressure-dependent structural evolution of a neutral zinc-imidazolate framework [Zn(2)(C(3)H(3)N(2))(4)](n) (ZnIm) has been investigated. The as-synthesized three-dimensional ZnIm network (alpha-phase) crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4(1)cd (a = 23.5028(4) A, c = 12.4607(3) A). The ZnIm crystal undergoes a phase transition to a previously unknown beta-phase within the 0.543(5)-0.847(5) GPa pressure range. The tetragonal crystal system is conserved during this transformation, and the beta-phase space group is I4(1) (a = 22.7482(3) A, c = 13.0168(3) A). The physical mechanism by which the transition occurs involves a complex cooperative bond rearrangement process. The room-temperature bulk modulus for ZnIm is estimated to be approximately 14 GPa. This study represents the first example of a high-pressure single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of a metal-organic framework.

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The single-crystal X-ray structure of Ru(3)(CO)(12) is reported at 8 pressures ranging from 1 atm (0.0 GPa) to 8.14(5) GPa. Although intramolecular bonding parameters remain relatively constant, intramolecular and intermolecular nonbonding contact distances decrease by an average of 4% and 15%, respectively. At 8.14 GPa, O...O, C...O, and C...C intermolecular distances as short as 2.54(4), 2.64(6), and 3.07(4) A, respectively, are observed, and the unit cell compresses to 75% of the ambient pressure volume. Raman and infrared spectroscopic measurements show that carbonyl stretching frequencies shift to higher wavenumber values by as much as 80 cm(-)(1), even though Ru-C and C-O distances stay roughly constant throughout the entire pressure range studied. Compression of the sample to above 18 GPa with laser radiation results in an irreversible transformation due to either decomposition or a total collapse of D(3)(h) molecular geometry accompanied by color darkening.

Seven new cobalt(II) phosphites, [Co(HPO(3))(C(14)H(14)N(4))(H(2)O)(2)].2H(2)O (1), [Co(HPO(3))(C(22)H(18)N(4))].H(2)O (2), [Co(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(22)H(18)N(4))(2)H(2)O].H(2)O (3), [Co(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(12)H(10)N(4))(1.5)H(2)O].1.5H(2)O (4), [Co(HPO(3))(C(14)H(14)N(4))(0.5)].H(2)O (5), [Co(HPO(3))(C(18)H(16)N(4))(0.5)] (6), and [Co(HPO(3))(C(18)H(16)N(4))(0.5)] (7) were synthesized in the presence of 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L1), 1,4-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L2), 1,3-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L3), 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene (L4), 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L5), 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)naphthalene (L6), and 1,5-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)naphthalene (L7), respectively, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 is a molecular compound in which two cobalt(II) ions are held together by double mu-O linkages. The inorganic framework of compounds 2 and 3 are composed of vertex-shared CoO(2)N(2)/CoO(3)N(2) and HPO(3) polyhedra that form four rings; these are further linked by an organic ligand to generate 2D sheets. Compounds 4 and 5 both have 1D inorganic structures, with the bifunctional ligands connected to each side of the ladder by coordination bonds to give 2D hybrid sheets. A 3D organically pillared hybrid framework is observed in 6 and 7. In 6, the stacking of the interlayer pillars gives rise to a small hydrophobic channel that extends through the entire structure parallel to the sheets. The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility measurements of these compounds show weak interactions between the metal centers, mediated through the mu-O and/or O-P-O linkages.

Four new zinc phosphates [Zn(HPO4)(C6H9N3O2)] (1), [Zn(HPO4)(C4H6N2)].H2O (2), [Zn2(HPO4)2(C14H14N4)].2H2O (3), and [Zn(HPO4)(C14H14N4)] (4) were synthesized in the presence of d-histidine, 1-methylimidazole, 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L1), and 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L2), respectively, and their structures were determined by X-ray crystallography. The inorganic framework of compounds 1, 2, and 3 is composed of vertex-shared ZnO3N and HPO4 tetrahedra that form four rings, which, in turn, are linked to generate a one-dimensional ladder structure. In 1 and 2 the organic groups (monoimidazole ligand) are located at each side of the ladders, while in 3 the bisimidazole ligand, 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, links the ladders together to form a novel 2D structure. Compound 1 is the first zinc phosphate framework to be templated by an N-bonded chiral amino acid. In 4 the zero-dimensional four rings are joined together by the linear bridging ligand, 1,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, to generate a one-dimensional framework with a new face-to-face structural motif. The 3D structure of compound 4 is stabilized by hydrogen-bonding, pi-pi interactions, and C-H...pi interactions. The approach of incorporating multifunctional ligands into zinc phosphate frameworks and linking the inorganic zinc phosphates subunits by an organic ligand provides opportunities for the design of new inorganic-organic open frameworks.

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The synthesis, aggregation behavior, and catalytic activity of rhodium complexes of a series of Xantphos derivatives with surface-active pendant groups, -4-C 6 H 4 O(CH 2 ) n C 6 H 4 (SO 3 Na)-(n ) 0, 3, 6) is described. Electron microscopy experiments show that these ligands and their complexes form vesicles in water if the hydrophobic part of the ligand is large enough (n ) 3, 6). The formed aggregates are stable at elevated temperatures (90 °C), and their presence leads to a significant enhancement of the solubility of organic substrates in aqueous solution. This enhanced solubility results directly in a higher reaction rate in the rhodiumcatalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene. Furthermore, recycling experiments show that the TOF and the high selectivity toward the more valuable linear aldehyde remains approximately the same in four consecutive runs. This indicates that the aggregates stay intact during the recycling and the active rhodium complex is retained in the water-phase quantitatively.

The syntheses and structures of five new zinc phosphites [Zn(HPO(3))(C(4)H(6)N(2))] (1), [Zn(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(10)H(10)N(2))(2)](2) (2), [Zn(HPO(3))(C(14)H(14)N(4))(0.5)] (3), [Zn(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(14)H(14)N(4))].0.4H(2)O (4), and [Zn(2)(HPO(3))(2)(C(14)H(14)N(4))] (5) are reported. In compounds 1-3, the zinc atoms are ligated by 1-methylimidazole, 1-benzylimidazole, and 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, respectively, while compounds 4 and 5 are synthesized in the presence of the same bifunctional ligand, 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene. The inorganic framework of compound 1 is composed of vertex-shared ZnO(3)N and HPO(3) tetrahedra that form 4-rings, which, in turn, are linked to generate a one-dimensional ladder structure. In 2, the inorganic framework is composed of 4-rings and 8-rings to form the well-known 4.8(2) 2D network. This is connected via C-H...pi interactions between 1-benzylimidazole ligand to generate a pseudo-pillared-layer structure. In 3, the inorganic framework again has the 4.8(2) topology pillared by the bis(imidazole) ligand, 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene. In 4, a new layer pattern is observed. Specifically, three edge-sharing 4-rings form triple-fused 4-rings. These tertiary building units are further connected to form 12-rings. The alternating triple 4-rings and 12-rings form a previously unknown 2D inorganic sheet. The sheets are joined together by the bis(imidazole) ligand, 1,3-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene, to generate a 3D pillared-layer structure. In 4, benzene rings and imidazole rings stack in a zigzag pattern in the interlayer space. A significant role for the triple 4-ring tertiary building unit in the formation of hybrid inorganic/organic metal phosphite structures is proposed for 4 and 5. In 5, the triple 4-rings fuse to give a 1D stair-step structure. Calculations show that the triple 4-ring pattern observed in the linear ladder structure of 1 is more stable than that in the stair step pattern of 5.