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Fentanyl, also known as ‘jackpot’, is a synthetic opiate that is 50–100 times more potent than morphine. Clandestine laboratories produce analogues of fentanyl, known as fentalogues to circumvent legislation regarding its production. Three pyridyl fentalogues were synthesized and then hyperpolarized by signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) to appraise the forensic potential of the technique. A maximum enhancement of ‐168‐fold at 1.4 T was recorded for the ortho pyridyl 1H nuclei. Studies of the activation parameters for the three fentalogues revealed that the ratio of ligand loss trans to hydride and hydride loss in the complex [Ir(IMes)(L)3(H)2]+ (IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazole‐2‐ylidene) ranged from 0.52 to 1.83. The fentalogue possessing the ratio closest to unity produced the largest enhancement subsequent to performing SABRE at earth's magnetic field. It was possible to hyperpolarize a pyridyl fentalogue selectively from a matrix that consisted largely of heroin (97 : 3 heroin:fentalogue) to validate the use of SABRE as a forensic tool., No more hiding for pyridyl fentalogues! The hyperpolarization technique SABRE (signal amplification by reversible exchange) is utilised for the successful enhancement of 1H NMR signals of pyridyl functionalised fentalogues. We further demonstrate the successful selective polarization of one the fentalogues against a strong background‐signal of heroin.

The title compound, diethyl (6-methyl-2-pyridyl)aminoethylenemalonate (1), crystallises in the monoclinic space group P21/c (No. 14). The unit cell parameters are a = 10.5657(7) A, b = 9.1784(5) A, c = 14.5681(7) A, β = 101.636(6)°, Z′ = 1 and Z = 4 at 150 K. The extended structure forms approximately orthogonal columns of stacked molecules. All bond lengths and angles are unremarkable. No disorder, twinning or co-crystallised solvent is present in the structure. An intramolecular hydrogen bond exists between the enamine nitrogen and carbonyl oxygen. Hirshfeld surface analysis reveals a short contact between a carbonyl oxygen and neighbouring aryl hydrogen, as well as a carbonyl–carbonyl interaction. The X-ray structure of diethyl (6-methyl-2-pyridyl)aminoethylenemalonate (1), an intermediate in the synthesis of ethyl nalidixate, is reported, and Hirshfeld surface analysis employed to identify intermolecular interactions within the structure.

We present the syntheses, structures, magnetic data and theoretical analyses for two families of heptanuclear clusters, wherein two staggered dysprosium(III) triangles are linked by various M(III) d‐/p‐block ions. The families differ in the counter‐anion and are of formulae [DyIII6MIII(OH)8(o‐tol)12(MeOH)5(NO3)]∙4MeOH and [DyIII6MIII(OH)8(o‐tol)12(MeOH)6]Cl·6MeOH (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Al; o‐tol = o‐toluate). We find that variation of the central metal ion M is crucial in tuning the toroidal moments on the triangular units, with diamagnetic M linking ions enhancing the ferrotoroidic coupling. By detailed simulation and analysis of various magnetic measurements, including sub‐kelvin microSquid hysteresis loops, we identified the specific signature of the M linking ions’ modulation of toroidal properties, including the mechanism whereby anisotropic, paramagnetic M ions lead to hysteresis profiles with larger remnant magnetisations and broader coercive fields.

The inherently rapid ligand substitution kinetics associated with the novel and chemically compatible precursors, [MCl3(EnBu2)3] (M = Sb, Bi; E = Se, Te), enable CVD growth of ternary Bi2(Se1-xTex)3 and (Bi1-ySby)2Te3 thin films with very good compositional, structural and morphological control, for the first time. X-ray diffraction data follow Vegard’s law and Raman bands shift linearly with the atom substitutions, indicating very well-distributed solid solutions.

Fluoropyridyl glycosides, synthesized from the corresponding glycosyl bromides, are shown to be excellent donors in glycosylation reactions. Both armed and disarmed donors were prepared and reacted smoothly with a series of glycosyl acceptors. Coupling proceeded in high yields, with activation of the donor achieved using a range of promoters, and also displayed unusually high selectivity. In addition these novel systems offer the potential for introducing a series of glycosyl donors with ‘tunable reactivity’.

The pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*) antimony(III) cations [Cp*2Sb][B(C6F5)4], [Cp2*Sb][OTf], [Cp*SbCl][B(C6F5)4] and [Cp*Sb][OTf]2 have been isolated and structurally characterised. [Cp*SbCl]+ forms dimers in the solid state via an intermolecular Sb–Cl interaction. Initial screening shows that [Cp*SbCl][B(C6F5)4] is significantly Lewis acidic and can catalyse the dimerisation of 1,1-diphenylethylene; [Cp2*Sb][B(C6F5)4] exhibits negligible Lewis acidity. Highly unstable [Cp*SbF][B(C6F5)4] could not be isolated, but stabilisation with the IMes ligand allowed isolation of [Cp*SbF(IMes)][B(C6F5)4]. Fluorodechlorination of CH2Cl2 and PhCCl3 was observed in the presence of crude [Cp*SbF][B(C6F5)4] in solution. A computational mechanistic investigation suggests that the latter proceeds via a carbocation intermediate.

The palladium(II) chlorostibine complex [PdCl2(SbMe2Cl)2]2 has a dimeric structure in the solid state, stabilized by hyper-coordination at the Lewis amphoteric Sb centers. Reaction with 8 equiv of MeLi forms [Pd4(μ3-SbMe3)4(SbMe3)4], whose structure comprises a tetrahedral Pd(0) core with four terminal SbMe3 ligands and four μ3-SbMe3 ligands, one capping each triangular Pd3 face. Density functional theory calculations, supported by energy decomposition analysis and the natural orbitals for chemical valence scheme, highlight significant donor and acceptor orbital contributions to the bonding between both the terminal and the bridging SbMe3 ligands and the Pd4 core.

Five complexes of the general formula PdCl2(SbMe2Cl)n (n = 1-5) have been synthesised by combining [PdCl2(MeCN)2] and SbMe2Cl in different molar ratios in toluene. Their solid-state structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes display considerable structural diversity: [Pd4Cl8(SbMe2Cl)4] (1, n = 1) is a chloride bridged tetramer, [Pd2Cl4(SbMe2Cl)4] (2, n = 2) is a dimer, [PdCl(SbMe2Cl)2(SbMe2Cl2)] (3, n = 3) is a supramolecular polymer, [Pd2(SbMe2Cl)8]Cl4¬ (4, n = 4) is a loosely associated dimer and [Pd(SbMe2Cl)5]Cl2 (5, n = 5) is a monomer with square pyramidal PdSb5 coordination geometry. Each structure contains secondary interactions between coordinated Sb centres and chloride ligands or anions, resulting in five-coordinate Sb in all cases with a range of Sb∙∙∙Cl bond lengths. The electronic structures of these complexes have been investigated using DFT methods including NBO and Pipek-Mezey localised orbital methods in order to interrogate both the Sb-Pd and secondary Sb∙∙∙Cl bonding.

Magnesium reduction of MCl5 (M = Nb or Ta) in the presence of R2S (R = Me or nBu) affords the complexes [M2Cl4(R2S)2(?-Cl)2(?-R2S)]. The X-ray structures of those complexes where M = Nb or Ta, R = nBu2S, and of a new polymorph of [Ta2Cl4(Me2S)2(?-Cl)2(?-Me2S)], show that they have confacial bi-octahedral structures with Mdouble bond; length as m-dashM double bonds. The reactions of [Nb2Cl4(R2S)2(?-Cl)2(?-R2S)] with MeSCH2CH2SMe, MeSeCH2CH2SeMe or MeSeCH2CH2CH2SeMe produce the edge-linked dimers [Nb2Cl4(MeSCH2CH2SMe)2(?-Cl)2] and [Nb2Cl4{MeSe(CH2)nSeMe}2(?-Cl)2], all with Mdouble bond; length as m-dashM double bonds (M26+). The tantalum diselenoether complex, [Ta2Cl4(MeSeCH2CH2SeMe)2(?-Cl)2], is similar. Two “dimer of dimers”, [{Nb2Cl4(?-Cl)2(?-Me2S)}2(?-MeSeCH2CH2CH2SeMe)2] and [{Ta2Cl4(?-Cl)2(?-Me2S)}2(?-nBuSeCH2CH2CH2SenBu)2], containing confacial bi-octahedra linked by diselenoether bridges, were obtained as minor by-products and were identified via their X-ray crystal structures. Under similar conditions the xylyl-linked diselenoether, o-C6H4(CH2SeMe)2, gave a complex mixture of products, including [Ta2Cl4{o-C6H4(CH2SeMe)2}2(?-Se)2]. The complexes were characterised by microanalysis, IR and UV–visible spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures are reported for [Nb2Cl6(nBu2S)3], [Ta2Cl6(nBu2S)3], [Ta2Cl8(Me2S)2], [Ta2Cl6(Me2S)3], [Ta2Cl4{o-C6H4(CH2SeMe)2}2(Se)2], [{Ta2Cl6(Me2S)(nBuSeCH2CH2CH2SenBu)}2] and [Ta2Cl4(Me2S)4(S)2].

This article reviews work up until mid-2014 on the synthesis and properties of transition metal complexes containing the heavier Group 15 Sb(III) and Bi(III) ligands, of general formula ER3 (E = Sb or Bi; R = alkyl, aryl etc, and may include a pendant donor group such as amine or ether) and ER(3-n)Xn (E = Sb or Bi; R is an organic substituent such as alkyl, aryl, etc.; X is an electronegative substituent such as halide; n = 0-3) in which these ligands function as a donor to a transition metal fragment, while simultaneously participating as an acceptor to another electronegative group such as an anionic or metal-coordinated halide, or an amine, ether, etc., leading to Sb/Bi centres bearing more than eight valence electrons ('hypervalent'). The Lewis acid properties of the halostibines and halobismuthines, ER(3-n)Xn, are also reviewed.

A series of alkylchalcogenostibines, Me2SbSenBu, MeSb(SenBu)2, Sb(SenBu)3 and MeSb(TenBu)2, have been designed and synthesised as potential precursors for chemical vapour deposition (CVD) by reaction of nBuELi (E = Se, Te) with the appropriate halostibine, Me3−nSbCln (n = 1, 2, 3), and characterised by 1H, 13C{1H} and 77Se{1H} or 125Te{1H} NMR spectroscopy as appropriate. MeSb(SenBu)2 and MeSb(TenBu)2 are very effective single source precursors for the low pressure CVD of high quality crystalline thin films of Sb2Se3 and Sb2Te3, respectively, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and thin film X-ray diffraction. Hall conductivity, carrier mobility, carrier density and, in the case of Sb2Te3, Seebeck coefficient measurements reveal electronic characteristics comparable with Sb2E3 deposited by atomic layer deposition or molecular beam epitaxy, suggesting materials quality and performance suitable for incorporation into electronic device structures. Choice of substrate and deposition conditions were found to significantly affect the morphology and preferred orientation of Sb2Te3 crystallites, enabling deposition of films with either 〈1 1 0〉 or 〈0 0 1〉 alignment. Use of micro-patterned substrates allowed selective deposition of crystalline 2D micro-arrays of Sb2Te3 onto exposed TiN surfaces only.

A series of pentavalent niobium and tantalum halide complexes with thio-, seleno- and telluro-ether ligands, [MCl5(EnBu2)] (M = Nb, Ta; E = S, Se, Te), [TaX5(TeMe2)] (X = Cl, Br, F) and the dinuclear [(MCl5)2{o-C6H4(CH2SEt)2}] (M = Nb, Ta), has been prepared and characterised by IR, 1H, 13C{1H}, 77Se, 93Nb and 125Te NMR spectroscopy, as appropriate, and microanalyses. Confirmation of the tantalum(V)–telluroether coordination follows from the crystal structure of [TaCl5(TeMe2)], which represents the highest oxidation state transition metal complex with telluroether coordination structurally authenticated. The Ta(V) monotelluroether complexes are much more stable than the Nb(V) analogues. In the presence of TaCl5 the ditelluroether, CH2(CH2TetBu)2, is decomposed; one of the products is the dealkylated [tBuTe(CH2)3Te][TaCl6], whose structure was determined crystallographically. Crystal structures of [(MCl5)2{o-C6H4(CH2SEt)2}] (M = Nb, Ta) show ligand-bridged species. The complexes bearing β-hydrogen atoms on the terminal alkyl substituents have also been investigated as single source reagents for the deposition of ME2 thin films via low pressure chemical vapour deposition. While the tantalum complexes proved to be unsuitable, the [NbCl5(SnBu2)] and [NbCl5(SenBu2)] deposit NbS2 and NbSe2 as hexagonal platelets onto SiO2 substrates at 750 °C and 650 °C, respectively. Grazing incidence and in-plane X-ray diffraction confirm both materials adopt the 3R-polytype (R3mh), and the sulfide shows preferred orientation with the crystallites aligned predominantly with the c axis perpendicular to the substrate. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectra are consistent with the X-ray data.

The neutral, distorted octahedral complex [TiCl4(Se n Bu2)2] (1), prepared from the reaction of TiCl4 with the neutral Se n Bu2 in a 1:2 ratio and characterized by IR and multinuclear (1H, 13C{1H}, 77Se{1H}) NMR spectroscopy and microanalysis, serves as an efficient single-source precursor for low-pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) of titanium diselenide, TiSe2, films onto SiO2 and TiN substrates. X-ray diffraction patterns on the deposited films are consistent with single-phase, hexagonal 1T-TiSe2 (P3m1), with evidence of some preferred orientation of the crystallites in thicker films. The composition and structural morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray, and Raman spectroscopy. SEM imaging shows hexagonal plate crystallites growing perpendicular to the substrate, but these tend to align parallel to the surface when the quantity of reagent is reduced. The resistivity of the crystalline TiSe2 films is 3.36 ± 0.05 × 10-3 Ω·cm with a carrier density of 1 × 1022 cm-3. Very highly selective film growth from the reagent was observed onto photolithographically patterned substrates, with film growth strongly preferred onto the conducting TiN surfaces of SiO2/TiN patterned substrates. TiSe2 is selectively deposited within the smallest 2 μm diameter TiN holes of the patterned TiN/SiO2 substrates. The variation in crystallite size with different diameter holes is determined by microfocus X-ray diffraction and SEM, revealing that the dimensions increase with the hole size, but that the thickness of the crystals stops increasing above ∼20 μm hole size, whereas their lengths/widths continue to increase.

The tripodal tristibine N(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)3 (L) has been prepared in high yield and characterized by 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. A range of reactions with transition-met...

While most high and medium oxidation state (O.S. ≥ 3) metal and non-metal fluorides and oxide fluorides are strong Lewis acids, exploration of their coordination chemistry with neutral ligands has been limited and mostly non-systematic. This is despite the very different properties conferred on the acceptor centre by the small electronegative fluoride ligands compared to the heavier halides. This article sets out these key differences, discusses possible synthetic routes, the key characterisation techniques, and appropriate bonding models. Current knowledge of the coordination chemistry of d, f and p-block fluorides and oxide fluorides with neutral ligands (with donor atoms drawn from Groups 15 and 16 and including N-heterocyclic carbenes) is then presented and discussed, and the differences in properties compared to complexes containing the heavier halides are illustrated. The emphasis is on work published post 1990, but earlier work is also included as essential background and where no more recent information exists. Attention is drawn to unexplored areas meriting investigation and to possible applications of these complexes.

The crystal structure of 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-hy­droxy­methyl­phenol is presented., The title compound, C15H24O2, is an example of a phenol-based pendant-arm precursor. In the mol­ecule, the phenol hy­droxy group participates in an intra­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bond with the pendant alcohol group, forming an S(6) ring. This ring adopts a half-chair conformation. In the crystal, O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds connect mol­ecules related by the 31 screw axes, forming chains along the c axis. The C—C—O angles for the hy­droxy groups are different as a result of the type of hybridization for the C atoms that are involved in these angles. The C—C—O angle for the phenol hy­droxy group is 119.21 (13)°, while the angle within the pendant alcohol is 111.99 (13)°. The bond length involving the phenolic oxygen is 1.3820 (19) Å, which contrasts with that of the alcoholic oxygen which is 1.447 (2) Å. The former is conjugated with the aromatic ring and so leads to the observed shorter bond length.

The reactions of NbCl4 with diphosphine ligands o-C6H4(PMe2)2, Me2PCH2CH2PMe2 or Et2PCH2CH2PEt2 in a 1 : 2 molar ratio in MeCN solution produced eight-coordinate [NbCl4(diphosphine)2]. [NbBr4(diphosphine)2] (diphosphine = o-C6H4(PMe2)2 or Me2PCH2CH2PMe2) were made similarly from NbBr4. X-ray crystal structures show that [NbCl4{o-C6H4(PMe2)2}2] has a dodecahedral geometry, but the complexes with dimethylene-backboned diphosphines are distorted square antiprisms. The Nb-P distances andP-Nb-P angles are very similar in the two types, but Nb-Cl distances are ∼0.1 Å longer in the square antiprismatic complexes. These paramagnetic (d(1)) complexes were also characterised by microanalysis, magnetic measurements, IR and UV-visible spectroscopy. Using a 1 : 1 molar ratio of NbCl4 : diphosphine (diphosphine = Me2PCH2CH2PMe2, Et2PCH2CH2PEt2, Cy2PCH2CH2PCy2 and Ph2PCH2CH2CH2PPh2) afforded [NbCl4(diphosphine)], and [NbBr4(Me2PCH2CH2PMe2)] was obtained similarly. These 1 : 1 complexes are unstable in solution, preventing X-ray crystallographic study, but based upon their diamagnetism, IR, UV-visible and (31)P{(1)H} NMR spectra, they are formulated as halide-bridged dimers [(diphosphine)X2Nb(μ-X)4NbX2(diphosphine)], with single Nb-Nb bonds and chelating diphosphines. The Nb(iv) complexes are prone to hydrolysis and oxidation in solution and the structures of the Nb(v) complexes [NbBr4(Me2PCH2CH2PMe2)2][NbOBr4(MeCN)] with a dodecahedral cation, and [{NbOCl3{Et2P(CH2)2PEt2}}2{μ-Et2P(CH2)2PEt2}] which contains seven-coordinate Nb(v) centres with a symmetrical diphosphine bridge, are reported. The structure of niobium tetrabromide, conveniently made from NbCl4 and BBr3, is a chain polymer with edge-linked NbBr6 octahedra and alternating long and short Nb-Nb distances, the latter ascribed to Nb-Nb bonds.

Alkylhalostibines have been shown to behave either as Lewis acids toward appropriate neutral ligands or as Lewis bases to low-valent metal fragments. The boundaries of their Lewis acid and Lewis base behavior have been determined, and the structural and spectroscopic consequences of the different behaviors probed. [SbMeX2(L–L)] (L–L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline) and [SbMeX2(L)2] (L = OPMe3, OPPh3) are five-coordinate, distorted square-pyramidal monomers with the Me group axial, with the bond distances little affected by coordination. Significant changes in the bonding within the group 6 carbonyl complexes [M(CO)5(L′)] are evident, with L′→M σ-donation decreasing across the series L′ = SbMe3 → SbMe2Br → SbMeBr2, and an increase in M→L′ π-acceptance within the same series. Intermolecular interactions are a major feature within these systems, ranging from weak, MCO···Sb interactions in [M(CO)5(SbMe2Br)] and [M(CO)5(SbMeBr2)] to remarkably strong O···Sb hypervalent bonds in [Mn(CO)5(SbMe2Br)][CF3SO3]...

The halostibine complexes [CpFe(CO)2(SbMe2Br)][CF3SO3] and [CpFe(CO)2(SbMe2Br)][BF4] both contain significant interactions between the anion and the formally neutral Sb(III) ligand, which simultaneously displays Lewis acidic and Lewis basic properties. The unexpected secondary product [CpFe(CO)(Me2BrSb-?-Br-SbBrMe2)] is formed in the presence of excess ligand, the strongly associated Br– anion bridging the two Sb donors to form a four-membered FeSb2Br ring.

© 2020 by the authors. We report the synthesis, structural and magnetic characterization of five mononuclear DyIII ion complexes using triphenylphosphine oxide as a monodentate ligand. They have formulae [DyIII(OPPh3)3(NO3)3] (1), [DyIII(OPPh3)4(NO3)2](NO3) (2), [DyIII(OPPh3)3Cl3] (3), [DyIII(OPPh3)4Cl2]Cl (4) and [DyIII(OPPh3)4Cl2](FeCl4) (5). These complexes are characterized using single crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed that each complex has a unique coordination environment around the DyIII ion, which results in varying dynamic magnetic behavior. Ab initio calculations are performed to rationalize the observed magnetic behavior and to understand the effect that the ligand and coordination geometry around the DyIII ion has on the single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. In recent years, seven coordinate DyIII complexes possessing pseudo ~D5h symmetry are found to yield attractive blocking temperatures for the development of new SMM complexes. However, here we show that the strength of the donor ligand plays a critical role in determining the effective energy barrier and is not simply dependent on the geometry and the symmetry around the DyIII ion. Seven coordinate molecules possessing pseudo D5h symmetry with strong equatorial ligation and weak axial ligation are found to be inferior, exhibiting no SMM characteristics under zero-field conditions. Thus, this comprehensive study offers insight on improving the blocking temperature of mononuclear SMMs.

The title compounds, [1,2-bis­(isopropyl­sulfan­yl)ethane-2κ2S,S′]octa­chlorido-1κ5Cl,2κ3Cl-μ-oxido-ditantalum(V), [Ta2Cl8O(C8H18S2)], (I), and μ-dimethyl­diselane-κ2Se:Se′-μ-oxido-bis­[tetra­chloridotantalum(V)], [Ta2Cl8O(C2H6Se2)], (II), contain six-coordinate TaV centres linked by a nonlinear oxide bridge. Compound (I) contains one TaV centre bonded to a chelating dithio­ether and three terminal chloride ligands, with the second TaV centre bonded to five terminal chloride ligands. In (II), two tetra­chloridotantalum(V) residues are bridged by the diselenide, giving a puckered five-membered Ta/O/Ta/Se/Se ring. The Ta—O distances in the bridges are short in both compounds, indicating that significant multiple-bond character is retained despite the deviation from linearity, and the bond lengths reveal a clear trans influence order of O > Cl > S > Se on the hard TaV centre. The structures are compared with the [Ta2Cl10O]2− anion, which contains a linear oxide bridge.

A series of pentavalent niobium and tantalum halide complexes with thio-, seleno- and telluro-ether ligands, [MCl5(E(n)Bu2)] (M = Nb, Ta; E = S, Se, Te), [TaX5(TeMe2)] (X = Cl, Br, F) and the dinuclear [(MCl5)2{o-C6H4(CH2SEt)2}] (M = Nb, Ta), has been prepared and characterised by IR, (1)H, (13)C{(1)H}, (77)Se, (93)Nb and (125)Te NMR spectroscopy, as appropriate, and microanalyses. Confirmation of the tantalum(V)-telluroether coordination follows from the crystal structure of [TaCl5(TeMe2)], which represents the highest oxidation state transition metal complex with telluroether coordination structurally authenticated. The Ta(V) monotelluroether complexes are much more stable than the Nb(V) analogues. In the presence of TaCl5 the ditelluroether, CH2(CH2Te(t)Bu)2, is decomposed; one of the products is the dealkylated [(t)BuTe(CH2)3Te][TaCl6], whose structure was determined crystallographically. Crystal structures of [(MCl5)2{o-C6H4(CH2SEt)2}] (M = Nb, Ta) show ligand-bridged species. The complexes bearing β-hydrogen atoms on the terminal alkyl substituents have also been investigated as single source reagents for the deposition of ME2 thin films via low pressure chemical vapour deposition. While the tantalum complexes proved to be unsuitable, the [NbCl5(S(n)Bu2)] and [NbCl5(Se(n)Bu2)] deposit NbS2 and NbSe2 as hexagonal platelets onto SiO2 substrates at 750 °C and 650 °C, respectively. Grazing incidence and in-plane X-ray diffraction confirm both materials adopt the 3R-polytype (R3mh), and the sulfide shows preferred orientation with the crystallites aligned predominantly with the c axis perpendicular to the substrate. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectra are consistent with the X-ray data.

High quality, nanostructured Bi2Te3,with an unprecedented degree of positional and orientational control of the material form on the nanoscale, is readily obtained by low pressure chemical vapour deposition using a new molecular precursor. This system offers a convenient method that delivers key structural requirements necessary to improve the thermoelectric efficiency of Bi2Te3 and to develop the nascent field of topological insulators.Thermoelectric

The key features of arsines, stibines and bismuthines as ligands towards transition metal and main group metal/metalloids are described. Following a brief review of the development of the chemistry, the main synthetic routes to the ligands are described and the advantages and limitations of the various approaches outlined. Current views of the nature of the metal-ligand bonding are evaluated, and the main coordination modes of the ligands described with illustrative examples.

The main synthetic routes to phosphine and arsine macrocycles are described. These include high dilution and template directed routes, and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods are discussed. Syntheses are also described for a selection of mixed donor macrocycles containing P or As donors.

[MF(4)(dmso)(2)] (M = Zr or Hf) and [MF(4)(dmf)(2)], prepared by dissolving MF(4)·nH(2)O in the appropriate solvent, have been used as synthons for a range of complexes of these otherwise intractable tetrafluorides. These reagents react with OPR(3) (R = Me or Ph) or OAsPh(3) (L) in anhydrous CH(2)Cl(2) to form six-coordinate [MF(4)L(2)] which exist as a mixture of cis (predominant form) and trans isomers in CH(2)Cl(2) solution but which crystallise as trans (OPPh(3), OAsPh(3)) or cis (OPMe(3)) forms. Cis-[ZrF(4)(OAsPh(3))(2)] crystals were obtained from MeCN. Cis-[MF(4)(pyNO)(2)] and eight-coordinate (distorted dodecahedral) [MF(4)(L-L)(2)] (L-L = 2,2'-bipy, or 1,10-phen), and [MF(4)(Me(4)-cyclam)] were also obtained. Attempts to prepare complexes with the N-heterocyclic carbene, 1,3-(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene (IDiPP) or alkyl diphosphines were unsuccessful. Crystal structures are reported for trans-[ZrF(4)(OPPh(3))(2)], cis- and trans-[ZrF(4)(OAsPh(3))(2)], cis-[HfF(4)(OPMe(3))(2)], [ZrF(4)(2,2'-bipy)(2)], cis-[HfF(4)(dmf)(2)], and geometric isomers (both pentagonal bipyramidal) of [(dmso)(2)F(3)M(μ-F)(2)MF(3)(dmso)(2)]. The failed attempts to make IDiPP adducts led to crystals of [IDiPPH](3)[M(3)F(15)] containing discrete anions based upon a triangle of M atoms with single F bridges. The results are compared with previous work on TiF(4) adducts and with complexes of MCl(4), and demonstrate that the MF(4) are very hard Lewis acids, with a marked preference for O- over N-donors.

Methyldihalobismuthines, BiMeX2 (X = Cl or Br) prepared from MeLi and a stoichiometric amount of BiX3 in thf, react with 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridyl or Me2NCH2CH2NMe2 (L−L) in thf or MeCN to give [BiMeX2(L−L)], which are poorly soluble in non-polar solvents. X-Ray structures of [BiMeBr2(L−L)] and of [BiMeCl2(Me2NCH2CH2NMe2)] show discrete square pyramidal molecules with apical methyl groups, and no intermolecular contacts within the sum of the appropriate Van der Waals radii. The structure of BiMe2Br is a 1-D polymer chain with bromine bridges containing a pseudo-trigonal bipyramidal geometry at bismuth. The reactions of BiMe2X with the bidentate N-donor ligands result in disproportionation to also form [BiMeX2(L–L)]. An unusual [BiMeBr4]2− anion in the salt [Li(H2O)(1,10-phen)2][Li(1,10-phen)2(μ-Br)BiMeBr3]·thf, was isolated as a by-product and shows a Li−Br−Bi bridge to one of the Li cations. BiMe2Br disproportionates on reaction with [M(CO)5(thf)] (M = Cr or W) to form [M(CO)5(BiMe3)].

The title compounds, [1,2-bis(isopropylsulfanyl)ethane-2κ(2)S,S']octachlorido-1κ(5)Cl,2κ(3)Cl-μ-oxido-ditantalum(V), [Ta(2)Cl(8)O(C(8)H(18)S(2))], (I), and μ-dimethyldiselane-κ(2)Se:Se'-μ-oxido-bis[tetrachloridotantalum(V)], [Ta(2)Cl(8)O(C(2)H(6)Se(2))], (II), contain six-coordinate Ta(V) centres linked by a nonlinear oxide bridge. Compound (I) contains one Ta(V) centre bonded to a chelating dithioether and three terminal chloride ligands, with the second Ta(V) centre bonded to five terminal chloride ligands. In (II), two tetrachloridotantalum(V) residues are bridged by the diselenide, giving a puckered five-membered Ta/O/Ta/Se/Se ring. The Ta-O distances in the bridges are short in both compounds, indicating that significant multiple-bond character is retained despite the deviation from linearity, and the bond lengths reveal a clear trans influence order of OClSSe on the hard Ta(V) centre. The structures are compared with the [Ta(2)Cl(10)O](2-) anion, which contains a linear oxide bridge.

The hybrid dibismuthines O(CH(2)CH(2)BiPh(2))(2) and MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)BiPh(2))(2) react with [M(CO)(5)(thf)] (M = Cr or W) to form [{M(CO)(5)}(2){O(CH(2)CH(2)BiPh(2))(2)}] and [{Cr(CO)(5)}(2){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)BiPh(2))(2)}] containing bridging bidentate (Bi(2)) coordination. The unsymmetrical tertiary bismuthine complexes [M(CO)(5){BiPh(2)(o-C(6)H(4)OMe)}] are also described. Depending upon the molar ratio, the hybrid distibines O(CH(2)CH(2)SbMe(2))(2) and MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2) react with [M(CO)(5)(thf)] to give the pentacarbonyl complexes [{M(CO)(5)}(2){O(CH(2)CH(2)SbMe(2))(2)}] and [{Cr(CO)(5)}(2){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}] or tetracarbonyls cis-[M(CO)(4){O(CH(2)CH(2)SbMe(2))(2)}] and cis-[M(CO)(4){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}]. The latter can also be obtained from [Cr(CO)(4)(nbd)] or [W(CO)(4)(pip)(2)], and contain chelating bidentates (Sb(2)-coordinated) as determined crystallographically. S(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2) coordinates as a tridentate (SSb(2)) in fac-[M(CO)(3){S(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}] (M = Cr or Mo) and fac-[Mn(CO)(3){S(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}][CF(3)SO(3)]. Fac-[Mn(CO)(3){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}][CF(3)SO(3)] contains NSb(2)-coordinated ligand in the solid state, but in solution a second species, Sb(2)-coordinated and with a κ(1)-CF(3)SO(3) replacing the coordinated amine is also evident. X-ray crystal structures were also determined for fac-[Cr(CO)(3){S(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}], fac-[Mn(CO)(3){S(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}][CF(3)SO(3)] and fac-[Mn(CO)(3){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}] [CF(3)SO(3)]. Hypervalent N···Sb interactions are present in cis-[M(CO)(4){MeN(CH(2)-2-C(6)H(4)SbMe(2))(2)}] (M = Mo or W), but absent for M = Cr.

The hybrid dibismuthines O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, and S(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2 (R = Me, Ph), have been prepared and characterized by microanalysis, 1H and 13C{1H} NMR spectroscopy, and FAB mass spectrometry. The X-ray structures of O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2 and S(CH2-2-C6H4BiPh2)2 show close to symmetrical hypervalent interactions between the O or S atoms and both bismuth centers. The antimony analogue S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2 is quaternized by MeI to [S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe3)2]I2, which also shows a hypervalent S···Sb interaction, but in this case to only a single antimony center. Complexes of these and related ligands with the CpFe(CO)2+ group, of the type [{CpFe(CO)2}2L][BF4]2 (L = O{(CH2)2BiPh2}2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, S(CH2-2-C6H4BiR2)2, O{(CH2)2SbR2}2, S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2, MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2, Ph2Sb(CH2)3SbPh2), have been prepared and characterized by microanalysis (antimony complexes only), 1H and 13C{1H} NMR and IR spectroscopy, and ES+ mass spectrometry. The X-ray crystal structure of [{CpFe(CO)2}2{O{(CH2)2SbMe2}2}][BF4]2 shows a hypervalent Sb···O contact to one of the antimony centers, whereas no hypervalent contacts are seen in the structure of [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2. IR (carbonyl region) and NMR spectroscopy indicate that, uniquely, [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4BiPh2)2}][BF4]2 shows hypervalent N···Bi interactions in both the solid and solution, but for the other dibismuthine complexes, there is evidence for inequivalence of the iron centers (and hence hypervalency) only in the solid state. Spectroscopic data indicate that hypervalent interactions are absent in [{CpFe(CO)2}2{MeN(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2 and [{CpFe(CO)2}2{S(CH2-2-C6H4SbMe2)2}][BF4]2, but present in solid [{CpFe(CO)2}2{O{(CH2)2SbR2}2}][BF4]2. The preparation and X-ray structure of [CpFe(CO)2{BiPh2(o-C6H4OMe)}][BF4] is also reported, but attempts to isolate [CpFe(CO)2(BiPhMe2)]][BF4] resulted in rapid scrambling of the substituents at bismuth to give [CpFe(CO)2(BiPh3?nMen)][BF4] (n = 0?3).