Reaction of Re-2{mu-O2CC(CH3)(3)}(4)Cl-2 with [(CO)(5)M-CN]Na (M = Cr, Mo, W) leads to tetranuclear complexes of formula Re-2{mu-O2CC(CH3)(3)}(4)[-NC-M(CO)(5)](2) (M = Cr, Mo, W). These complexes were characterized by H-1-, C-13-, and Mo-95-NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis and examined by cyclic voltammetry. The applied methods show the donor capabilities of the [(CO)(5)M-CN](-) ligands which shift electron density towards the Re centers weakening the Re-Re quadruple bond. The Re-Re bond lengths and the v(Re-Re) force constants are estimated based on the FT-IR and Raman examinations. Photochemical examinations and TG/MS experiments have also been conducted. The latter methods shows that the product complexes decompose around 100 degrees C, by first loosing their carbonyl substituents; as do the Cr, Mo, W precursor compounds. The dirhenium tetrapivalate unit decomposes only at higher temperatures in a distinct second step.

Reacting transition metal complexes in low oxidation states, containing one or two cyanide ligands, with methyltrioxorhenium(VII) leads to bridged mixed metal compounds in good yields. The Re(VII) core is then surrounded by five or six ligands, respectively. The strength of these CN bridges and thus the stability of the newly generated bimetallic compound strongly depends on the donor strength of the ligands surrounding of the Cr/Mo/W or Fe moiety. The stability of the mixed metal molecules is reflected in the temperature dependent behavior of their O-17-NMR spectra, in their IR (Re=O) stretching frequencies and force constants, as well as several other spectroscopic data. UV-vis absorption spectra show the appearance of charge transfer bands. In the case of the mixed Mo/Re complexes the Mo-95-NMR spectroscopy is also a helpful tool to examine the donor capability of the Mo moiety. The described compounds also show photosensitivity. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.

A complete study of the structural pH dependent transformations of the synthetic flavylium salt 4',7-dihydroxyflavylium chloride (DHF), occurring in aqueous solutions, including the basic region, is described. The kinetic study of the transformations occurring in acidic media (quinoidal base (A) reversible arrow flavylium cation (AH(+)) reversible arrow hemiacetal (B) reversible arrow cis-chalone (C-cis) reversible arrow trans-chalcone (C-trans)) allowed to conclude that the cis-trans isomerization is faster than the tautomerization and the hydration processes, which is unique in the anthocyanins family. Results obtained with the parent compound 4'7-dimethoxyglavylium chloride (DMF) with relevance to this study are also presented. In equilibrated basic solution the existence of acid-base equilibria involving the trans-Chalcone (C-trans) and its conjugated bases, (C-trans(-) and C-trans(2)), was detected. Freshly prepared solutions at pH >7 show also the presence of a transient species identified as the ionized quinoidal base (A(-)), which is almost completely converted into C-trans(2-) with a pH dependent rate constant.

The steady-state fluorescence emission spectra of the azacyclophanes 2,5,8,11-tetraaza[12] paracyclophane (L(1)), 2,6,9,13-tetraaza[14]paracyclophane (L(2)), 14,15,17,18-tetramethyl-2,5,8,11-tetraaza-[12]paracyclophane (L(3)) and 16,17,19,20-tetramethyl-2,6,9,13-tetraaza[14]paracyclophane (L(4)) as a function of pH have been measured. The fully protonated species of each cyclophane gives the highest fluorescence-emission quantum yield. The shapes of the titration curves have been explained by the existence of an electron-transfer quenching effect from a non-protonated amine to the benzene chromophore. This effect is greater for macrocycles in which the first deprotonated amine group is closer to the benzene. The association constants for the interaction of the four fully protonated macrocycles with K-3[Co(CN)(6)] have been measured either by potentiometry or from fluorescence-emission measurements, and increase in the order L(3) approximate to L(4) < L(1) approximate to L(2). The photoaquation quantum yields of K-3[Co(CN)(6)] have been measured in the presence of the macrocycles L(1) and L(2). and indicate that three of the CN nitrogens of the complex are involved in adduct formation with the fully protonated macrocycles, as supported by molecular modelling.