Biomedical subjects

Alessandro Bencini

Publications and source records attributed to Alessandro Bencini.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of [Ln(III)2(Succinate)3(H2O)2].0.5H2O [Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, and Dy] polymeric networks: unusual ferromagnetic coupling in Gd derivative.

Lanthanide-organic coordination polymeric networks of [Ln(III)2(suc)3(H2O)2].0.5H2O [suc = succinate dianion, Ln = Pr (1), Nd (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), Gd (5), and Dy (6)] have been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. The structural determination reveals that complexes are isomorphous, all crystallizing in monoclinic system, space group I2/a(.) The complexes possess a 3D architecture with Ln ion in a nine-coordination geometry attained by eight oxygen atoms from succinate and one oxygen atom from an aqua ligand. Low-temperature magnetic study indicates that ferromagnetic interaction is present in case of Gd(III) and Dy(III). Antiferromagnetic interaction is observed for the rest of the complexes. Density functional theory calculations are performed which support the existence of a superexchange ferromagnetic coupling in Gd(III) ions, whereas classical crystal field model has been applied to study the complexes 1, 2, 3, and 6.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2006

Low-valent low-coordinated manganese(I) ion dimer: a temperature dependent W-band EPR study.

W-Band EPR spectra of [[HC(CMeNAr)(2)]Mn](2) (Ar = 2,6-(i)Pr(2)C(6)H(3)) have been measured at different temperatures. The spectra show a behavior which is typical for an antiferromagnetically coupled dimer with excited states populating upon increasing temperature. By following the intensity variation of the different features of the spectra with temperature, we attributed different groups of resonances to the S = 1, 2, and 3 states of the dimer. Their corresponding spin Hamiltonian parameters were derived from simulations. The zero-field-splitting parameters measured in this way were D(S=1) = 1.57 cm(-1) and E(S=1) = 0.064 cm(-1), D(S=2) = 0.266 cm(-1) and E(S=2) = 0.0045 cm(-1), and D(S=3) = 0.075 cm(-1) and E(S=3) = 0. On the basis of the molecular structure of the system, we could estimate that zero-field splitting (ZFS) is the result of anisotropic exchange and single-ion anisotropic contributions of similar magnitude (|D| approximately 0.2 cm(-1)). These results allow a deeper insight into the electronic structure of the Mn(I) centers in low-coordination environments, further supporting the electronic structure of Mn(I) to be 4s(1)3d(5), as previously indicated by DFT calculations.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

The influence of ligand field effects on the magnetic exchange of high-spin Co(II)-semiquinonate complexes.

[Co(Me(4)cyclam)(tropolonate)](PF(6)) was synthesised and structurally characterised. Its electronic and W-band EPR spectra have been analysed by means of the angular overlap calculation of the Spin Hamiltonian parameters that provided also a satisfactory reproduction of the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility. The present results can be interpreted assuming a pseudo-octahedral character for the Co(II) center. This prompted us to reconsider the model formerly used for the analysis of the magnetic coupling between hs-Co(II) and the paramagnetic o-semiquinonate ligand in the corresponding derivatives [Co(Me(4)cyclam)(PhenSQ)](PF(6)) and [Co(Me(4)cyclam)(DTBSQ)](PF(6)). These results indicate that the effect of the magnetic coupling is active only below 50 K and that a more refined model of exchange coupling between Co(II) and semiquinonato ligands is needed to quantitatively analyze the magnetic behaviour of this class of systems.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Synthesis and reaction of [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn]2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3): the complex containing three-coordinate manganese(I) with a Mn-Mn bond exhibiting unusual magnetic properties and electronic structure.

This paper reports on the synthesis, X-ray structure, magnetic properties, and DFT calculations of [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn]2 (Ar = 2,6-iPr2C6H3) (2), the first complex with three-coordinate manganese(I). Reduction of the iodide [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn(mu-I)]2 (1) with Na/K in toluene afforded 2 as dark-red crystals. The molecule of 2 contains a Mn2(2+) core with a Mn-Mn bond. The magnetic investigations show a rare example of a high-spin manganese(I) complex with an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two Mn(I) centers. The DFT calculations indicate a strong s-s interaction of the two Mn(I) ions with the open shell configuration (3d54s1). This suggests that the magnetic behavior of 2 could be correctly described as the coupling between two S1 = S2 = 5/2 spin centers. The Mn-Mn bond energy is estimated at 44 kcal mol(-1) by first principle calculations with the B3LYP functional. The further oxidative reaction of 2 with KMnO4 or O2 resulted in the formation of manganese(III) oxide [[HC(CMeNAr)2]Mn(mu-O)]2 (3). Compound 3 shows an antiferromagnetic coupling between the two oxo-bridged manganese(III) centers by magnetic measurements.

Crystallography, X-Ray↗

PubMed2004

DFT description of the electronic structure and spectromagnetic properties of strongly correlated electronic systems: NiII, CuII and ZnII o-dioxolene complexes.

The spectroscopic and magnetic properties of dioxolene complexes of zinc, copper and nickel were studied by DFT calculations on model complexes of formulas [(NH(3))(4)M(II)(SQ)](+) (M=Zn, Ni; SQ=semiquinonato) and [(NH(3))(2)Cu(II)(SQ)](+). Standard approaches such as time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), the Slater transition state (STS), and broken symmetry (BS) were found to be unable to completely account for the physical properties of the systems, and complete active space-configuration interaction (CAS-CI) calculations based on the Kohn-Sham (KS) orbitals was applied. The CAS-CI energies, properly corrected with multireference perturbation theory (MR-PT), were found to be in good agreement with experimental data. We present here a calculation protocol that has a low CPU cost/accuracy ratio and seems to be very promising for interpreting the properties of strongly correlated electronic systems in complexes of real chemical size.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Crystal and molecular structure and magnetic exchange properties of bis(di-micro-ethoxo-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato)dicopper(II)) complex. A synergy between DFT and experimental magnetochemistry.

The compound bis(di-micro-ethoxo-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato)dicopper(II)) has been synthesized and its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group C2/c, with a = 37.736(8) A, b = 9.173(2) A, c = 23.270(5) A, beta = 122.24(3) degrees. The structure can be described as a Lewis adduct between two dinuclear [Cu(DBSQ)(C(2)H(5)O)](2) units (DBSQ = 3,5-di-tert-butyl-semiquinonato). The temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility was efficiently analyzed by a combined DFT/experimental approach, showing that a rather strong ferromagnetic interaction exists between the DBSQ(-) and the copper(II) ions modulated by an antiferromagnetic interaction between the two copper(II) ions of the dinuclear units. Weak antiferromagnetism between the two units in the unit cell was measured.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Density functional characterization of the chemoselective oxidation of catechol by using molecular oxygen: thermodynamics of the reaction between [(triphos)Ir(dtbc)]+ and O2.

The catalytic mechanism of intra and extra catechol cleaving dioxygenases is still a matter of debate, because the intermediate transient oxygen adduct has never been isolated in these enzymes. The complex [(triphos)Ir(dtbc)](+) (triphos=MeC(CH(2)PPh(2))(3), DBTC(2-)=3,5-di-tert-butylcatecholate), reacts with molecular oxygen and exhibits a ring-cleaving catalytic activity, and a stable oxygen intermediate appears; this stimulates an opportunity for obtaining information that can be transferable to the above-mentioned enzymatic catalytic centers, therefore, giving a breakthrough into the strategy of oxygen activation in these natural systems. Here, we present the results of our computational approach, based on density functional theory, focusing on the following aspects: to explain the interaction with molecular oxygen and how to avoid the existing spin problem, to understand the formation of the bridging moiety, to clarify, if any, the possible influence on the structure of the formed adduct of the bidentate versus monodentate binding of the catechol ligand, and to disclose, eventually, the nature of final decomposition products with the aim to rationalize the intra versus extra cleavage of the catechol molecule itself.

Catechols↗

PubMed2002

DFT description of the magnetic properties and electron localization in dinuclear di-mu-oxo-bridged manganese complexes.

Density functional theory (DFT) was applied to describe the magnetic and electron-transfer properties of dinuclear systems containing the [MnO2Mn]n+ core, with n=0,1,2,3,4. The calculation of the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the mixed-valence species (n=1,3) allowed the classification of these systems according to the extent of valence localization as Class II compounds, in the Robin-Day classification scheme. The fundamental frequencies corresponding to the asymmetric breathing vibration were also computed.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2002

Electronic structure and nature of the ground state of the mixed-valence binuclear tetra(mu-1,8-naphthyridine-N,N')-bis(halogenonickel) tetraphenylborate complexes: experimental and DFT characterization.

The ground state electronic structure of the mixed-valence systems [Ni(2)(napy)(4)X(2)](BPh(4)) (napy=1,8-naphthyridine; X=Cl, Br, I) was studied with combined experimental (X-ray diffraction, temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and high-field EPR spectroscopy) and theoretical (DFT) methods. The zero-field splitting (zfs) ground S=3/2 spin state is axial with /D/ approximately 3 cm(-1). The iodide derivative was found to be isostructural with the previously reported bromide complex, but not isomorphous. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a=17.240(5), b=26.200(5), c=11.340(5) A, beta=101.320(5) degrees. DFT calculations were performed on the S=3/2 state to characterize the ground state potential energy surface as a function of the nuclear displacements. The molecules can thus be classified as Class III mixed-valence compounds with a computed delocalization parameter, B=3716, 3583, and 3261 cm(-1) for the Cl, Br, and I derivatives, respectively.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1999

On the Calculation and Modeling of Magnetic Exchange Interactions in Weakly Bonded Systems: The Case of the Ferromagnetic Copper(II) &mgr;(2)-Azido Bridged Complexes.

The magnetic exchange interactions in copper(II) &mgr;(2)-azido bridged complexes have been studied using several density functionals and both GTO and STO basis sets. From a methodological point of view, we have taken into proper account nonorthogonality effects in the framework of the broken symmetry approach. A remarkable agreement with experimental data has been obtained using the crystallographic geometry and the new MPW1PW functional. However, modeling of the true ligands by ammonia molecules and complete optimization of the geometry of the isolated complex significantly deteriorate the results. While this can lead to limitations on quantitative studies, general trends and magnetostructural correlations remain very significant. These results are, furthermore, not very sensitive to technical details, like the form of the functional or the type of basis set used.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Density Functional Description of the Ferromagnetic Exchange Interactions between Semiquinonato Radicals Mediated by Diamagnetic Metal Ions.

The electronic structures of Ti(CatNSQ)(2) and Sn(CatNSQ)(2), where CatNSQ(2)(-) is the tridentate radical ligand (3,5-di-tert-butyl-1,2-semiquinonato 1(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butyl-phenyl)immine), were investigated with density functional (DF) calculations, using the local approximation for the exchange-correlation functional. The crystal structure of Sn(CatNSQ)(2) was solved. The complex crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group, C222(1), with Z = 8 in a unit cell of the following dimensions: a = 19.580(5) Å, b = 24.310(5) Å, c = 23.690(5) Å. The crystals are not isomorphous with similar M(CatNSQ)(2) (M = Ti, V) complexes previously reported. DF calculations showed that the triplet (S = 1) spin state is stabilized with respect to the first excited singlet (S = 0) state and the computed exchange coupling constant J is in semiquantitative agreement with the values obtained from magnetic susceptibility measurements. Using a symmetry-based multiplet structure decomposition in terms of states defined by a single determinant (single determinant method, SD) the energies of the excited singlet states were also computed in agreement with the experimental data. The calculations have shown that the main exchange mechanism between the organic radicals, responsible for the ferromagnetism of these complexes, is a superexchange pathway mediated by the 3d orbitals of Ti and the 4p empty orbitals of Sn. Magnetostructural correlations between the exchange coupling constant and the M-O and M-N bond distances have been established.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1996

CO(2) Fixation by Novel Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Macrocyclic Complexes. A Solution and Solid State Study.

Solutions containing Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes with [15]aneN(3)O(2) rapidly adsorb atmospheric CO(2) to give {[ZnL](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) (2) and {[CuL](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) (4) complexes. The crystal structures of both complexes have been solved (for 2, space group R3c, a, b = 22.300(5) Å, c = 17.980(8) Å, V = 7743(4) Å(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0666, R(w)(2) = 0.1719; for 4, space group R3c, a, b = 22.292(7) Å, c = 10.096(8) Å, V = 7788(5) Å(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0598, R(w)(2) = 0.1611), and the spectromagnetic behavior of 4 has been studied. In both compounds a carbonate anion triply bridges three metal cations. Each metal is coordinated by one oxygen of the carbonate, three nitrogens, and an oxygen of the macrocycle; the latter donor weakly interacts with the metals. Although the two compounds are isomorphous, they are not isostructural, because the coordination geometries of Zn(II) in 2 and Cu(II) in 4 are different. The mixed complex {[CuZn(2)L(3)](&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) has been synthesized. X-ray analysis (space group R3c, a, b = 22.323(7) Å, c = 17.989(9) Å, V = 7763(5) Å(3), Z = 6, R = 0.0477, R(w)(2) = 0.1371) and EPR measurements are in accord with a &mgr;(3)-carbonate bridging one Cu(II) and two Zn(II) ions in {[CuZn(2)L(3)](&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}(4+). Both the Zn(II) and Cu(II) cations exhibit the same coordination sphere, almost equal to that found in the trinuclear Zn(II) complex 2. The systems Zn(II)/L and Cu(II)/Lhave been studied by means of potentiometric measurements in 0.15 mol dm(-)(1) NaCl and in 0.1 mol dm(-)(3) NaClO(4) aqueous solutions; the species present in solution and their stability constants have been determined. In both systems [ML](2+) species and hydroxo complexes [M(II)LOH](+) (M = Zn, Cu) are present in solution. In the case of Cu(II), a [CuL(OH)(2)] complex is also found. The process of CO(2) fixation is due to the presence of such hydroxo-species, which can act as nucleophiles toward CO(2). In order to test the nucleophilic ability of the Zn(II) complexes, the kinetics of the promoted hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate has been studied. The [ZnLOH](+) complex promotes such a reaction, where the Zn(II)-bound OH(-) acts as a nucleophile to the carbonyl carbon. The equilibrium constants for the addition of HCO(3)(-) and CO(3)(2)(-) to the [ZnL](2+) complex have been potentiometrically determined. Only [ML(HCO(3))](+) and [ML(CO(3))] species are found in aqueous solution. A mechanism for the formation of {[ML](3)(&mgr;(3)-CO(3))}.(ClO(4))(4) is suggested.

Journal Article↗