Two polymorphic malonato-bridged copper(II) complexes of formula ([Cu(bpy)(H2O)][Cu(bpy)(mal)(H2O)])-(ClO4)2 (1 and 2) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine and mal = malonate dianion) have been prepared and their structures solved by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/a, with a = 23.743(3) A, b = 9.7522(5) A, c = 27.731(2) A, beta = 114.580(10) degrees, and Z = 4. Compound 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn, with a = 23.700(5) A, b = 25.162(5) A, c = 9.693(5) A, and Z = 4. The structures of 1 and 2 are made up of uncoordinated perchlorate anions and malonate-bridged zigzag copper(II) chains grouped in an isosceles triangle running parallel to the b (1) and c (2) axes. These chains are built by a [Cu(bpy)(mal)(H2O)] unit acting as bis-monodentate ligand toward two [Cu(bpy)(H2O)] adjacent units through its OCCCO skeleton in an anti-anti conformation, whereas the OCO carboxylate bridges exhibit the anti-syn conformation. Compounds 1 and 2 contain four crystallographically independent copper(II) atoms, but the environment of all of them is distorted square pyramidal: the axial position is occupied by a water molecule, whereas the equatorial plane is formed by a chelating bpy and either a bidentate malonate or two carboxylate oxygens from two malonate groups. The equatorial Cu-O(mal) (1.911(4)-1.978(4) (1) and 1.897(5)-1.991(4) A (2)) and Cu-N(bpy) (1.983(4)-2.008(5) (1) and 1.971(6)-2.007(6) A (2)) bonds are somewhat shorter than the axial Cu-O(w) one (2.257(5)-2.524(5) (1) and 2.236(5)-2.505(6) A (2)). The angles subtended at the copper atom by the chelating bpy vary in the ranges 80.9(2)-81.8(2) degrees (1) and 80.4(2)-82.1(2) degrees (2), values which are somewhat smaller than those of the chelating malonate (80.4(2)-82.1(2) degrees (1) and 93.0(2)-93.6(2) degrees (2)). The intrachain copper-copper separations through the OCCCO fragment are 8.227(1) (1) and 8.206(2) A (2), whereas those through the OCO bridging unit are 4.579(1)-5.043(1) (1) and 4.572(2)-5.040(2) A (2). The magnetic behavior of 1 and 2 in the temperature range 2.0-290 K is very close, and it corresponds to an overall ferromagnetic coupling, the chi MT versus T curve exhibiting a maximum at 18 K. The analysis of the magnetic data through a numerical expression derived for the real topology of 1 and 2, that is, chains of isosceles triangles with two intrachain exchange pathways J1 (exchange coupling through the OCO carboxylate) and J2 (exchange coupling through the OCCCO malonate), indicates the occurrence of ferro- (J1 = +4.6 cm-1) and antiferromagnetic couplings (J2 = -4.2 cm-1). The magnetic coupling through these exchange pathways is further analyzed and substantiated by density functional theory calculations on a malonate-bridged trinuclear copper(II) model system.

Novel core-shell quinone-rich poly(dopamine)-magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were prepared by using an in situ polymerization method. Catechol groups were oxidized to quinone by using a thermal treatment. MNPs were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, magnetic force microscopy, UV/Vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The hybrid nanomaterial showed an average core diameter of 17 nm and a polymer-film thickness of 2 nm. The core-shell nanoparticles showed high reactivity and were used as solid supports for the covalent immobilization of glucose oxidase (Gox) through Schiff base formation and Michael addition. The amount of Gox immobilized onto the nanoparticle surface was almost twice that of the nonoxidized film. The resulting biofunctionalized MNPs were used to construct an amperometric biosensor for glucose. The enzyme biosensor has a sensitivity of 8.7 mA M(-1)  cm(-2) , a low limit of detection (0.02 mM), and high stability for 45 days. Finally, the biosensor was used to determine glucose in blood samples and was checked against a commercial glucometer.

The isomerization of allylic alcohols in water, catalytically mediated by watersoluble metal complexes, is an elegant synthetic procedure for obtaining carbonyl compounds in a completely atom-economical eco-benign process with useful applications in naturalproduct synthesis and bulk chemical processes. This overview aims to provide a view of the goals attained in catalyzed allylic alcohol isomerization in water and its promising applications.

The new water-soluble ligand dmPTA(OSO(2)CF(3))(2) (1) (dmPTA = N,N'-dimethyl-1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane) has been synthesized by reaction of PTA with MeOSO(2)CF(3) in acetone (PTA = 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricycle[3.3.1.1(3,7)]decane). The reaction of 1 with KOH gave rise to the new water-soluble ligand dmoPTA (3) (dmoPTA = 3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) by elimination of the -CH(2)- group located between both NCH(3) units. Compound dmPTA(BF(4))(2) (2) and complex [RuClCp(HdmoPTA)(PPh(3))](OSO(2)CF(3)) (4) have also been synthesized, while compounds HdmoPTA(BF(4)) (3a) and [RuClCp(dmPTA)(PPh(3))](OSO(2)CF(3)) (5) were characterized but not isolated. The new ligands and the complex have been fully characterized by NMR, IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystal structure determination (ligand 1 and complex 4). The synthetic processes for 3 and 4 were studied.

Polycrystalline samples of dimeric cadmium tartrate, [(Cd,C4H4O6)2H2O)]3H2O [labeled CdT(I)], were studied using impedance measurements and x-ray powder diffraction. The dependence of the real part of the dielectric constant on temperature showed a sharp peak at about 65 °C, revealing a structural phase transition, while the other broad peak in the temperature range (70<T<85 °C) was due to the loss of water molecules. The x-ray powder diffraction patterns at three temperatures (25, 60, and 70 °C) are consistent with three nonequivalent space groups. According to these results, it seems that this compound undergoes two successive phase transitions: P212121→P21→Pnmn, suggesting an intermediate ferroelectric behavior, labeled CdT(II) between a paraelectric CdT(I) and an anhydrous phase, labeled CdT(III).

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Slow diffusion of aqueous solutions of europium() chloride into gel of sodium metasilicate containing malonic acid (H 2 mal) yields single crystals of the three-dimensional compound of formula [Eu 2 (mal) 3 (H 2 O) 6 ] whose structure was determined by X-ray diffraction methods at 293 and 173 K. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system but the spatial group changes from I2/a in the high temperature range (293 ≥ T ≥ 236 K) to Ia in the low temperature range (T < 236 K). In both cases, nine oxygen atoms forming a distorted monocapped square antiprism surround the Eu 3ϩ ions. The structure at 293 K consists of a three-dimensional arrangement of triaquaeuropium() units bridged by malonate groups which result from cross-linking of the single chains running parallel to the c axis and the double zigzag chains which grow in the ab plane. At low temperature the structure of the compound can be visualised as chains of europium() ions linked through two of the three crystallographically independent malonate ligands, whose chains run parallel to the b axis and a second family of chains (along the c axis) through the third independent malonate ligand forming a three-dimensional network. In both the crystal structure is stabilised through extensive hydrogen bonding involving carboxylate and water molecules. Studies of the magnetic behaviour, spectroscopic, thermogravimetric and calorimetric characteristics of [Eu 2 (mal) 3 (H 2 O) 6 ] are reported. Laser-excited site selective spectroscopy shows a unique crystal-field site for Eu III ions in the crystal at room temperature and down to 236 K. However, below this temperature, two different sites are clearly identified, in agreement with a change in the crystal structure.

The complex [RuCp(PPh3)2(HdmoPTA)](OSO2CF3)2 (2; HdmoPTA = 3,7-H-3,7-dimethyl-1,3,7-triaza-5-phosphabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) was synthesized and characterized. Its crystal structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex showed a more potent antiproliferative activity than cisplatin against a representative panel of human cancer cells.