The dimers [Cu(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(3)](BF(4))(2) and [Ag(2)(dppm)(2)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](X)(2) (X(-) = BF(4)(-), ClO(4)(-)) and the coordination polymers [[M(diphos)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; diphos = bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (dppb), bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (dpppen), bis(diphenylphosphino)hexane (dpph)), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), and [[Ag(dpppen)(CN-t-Bu)]BF(4)](n) have been synthesized and fully characterized as model materials for the mixed bridging ligand polymers which exhibit the general formula [[M(diphos)(dmb)]BF(4)](n) (M = Cu, Ag; dmb = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) and [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n). The identity of four polymers ([[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) (x = 1, 2), [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n), [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n)) and the two dimers has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The structure of [[Ag(dppm)(dmb)]ClO(4)](n) exhibits an unprecedented 1-D chain of the type "[Ag(dmb)(2)Ag(dppm)(2)(2+)](n)", where d(Ag(.)Ag) values between tetrahedral Ag atoms are 4.028(1) and 9.609(1) A for the dppm and dmb bridged units, respectively. The [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(x)]BF(4)](n) polymers (x = 1, 2) form zigzag chains in which the Ag atoms are tri- and tetracoordinated, respectively. The [[Ag(2)(dppb)(3)(CN-t-Bu)(2)](BF(4))(2)](n) polymer, which is produced from the rearrangement of [[Ag(dppb)(CN-t-Bu)(2)]BF(4)](n), forms a 2-D structure described as a "honeycomb" pattern, where large [Ag(dppb)(+)](6) macrocycles each hosting two counterions and two acetonitrile guest molecules are observed. Properties such as glass transition temperature, morphology, thermal decomposition, and luminescence in the solid state at 293 K are reported. The luminescence bands exhibit maxima between 475 and 500 nm with emission lifetimes ranging between 6 and 55 micros. These emissions are assigned to a metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) of the type M(I) --> pi(NC)/pi(PPh(2)).

A new strategy to synthesize organometallic oligomers is presented and consists of using the title diisocyanide and chelated metal fragments with bis(diphenylphosphine)alkanes. The title materials are synthesized by reacting the [M(dppe)(BF4)] and [M2(dppp)2](BF4)2 complexes (M = Cu, Ag; dppe = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, dppp = bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) with dmb and the Pd2-bonded d9-d9 Pd2(dmb)2Cl2 dimer with dppe or dppp. The model compounds [M(diphos)(CN-t-Bu)2]BF4 (M = Cu, Ag) and [Pd2(diphos)2(CN-t-Bu)2](ClO4)2 (diphos = dppe, dppp) have been prepared and characterized as well for comparison purposes. Three of the model compounds were also characterized by X-ray crystallography to establish the diphosphine chelating behavior. The materials are amorphous and have been characterized from the measurements of the intrinsic viscosity, DSC, TGA, and XRD, as well as their capacity for making stand-alone films. The intrinsic viscosity data indicate that the Cu and Pd2 materials are oligomeric in solution (approximately 8-9 units), while the Ag materials are smaller. For [[Cu(dppe)(dmb)]BF4]n, a glass transition is reproducibly observed at about 82 degrees C (DeltaCp = 0.43 J/(g deg)), which suggests that these materials are polymeric in the solid state. The Cu and Ag species are luminescent in the solid state at room temperature exhibiting lambda(max) and tau(e) (emission lifetime) around 480-550 nm and 18-48 micros, respectively, while the Pd2 species are not luminescent under these conditions. During the course of this study, the unsaturated [M2(dppp)2](BF4)2 starting materials (M = Cu, Ag) were prepared, one of which (M = Ag) was characterized by crystallography. The bridging behavior of the dppp ligand in this case contrasts with the chelating behavior seen for the saturated [Cu(dppp)(CN-t-Bu)2]BF4 complex.

Background: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is often associated with frontal executive impairment in children. Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety disorders (AD) frequently accompany ADHD, but the impact of these comorbid disorders on cognition remains elusive. The five-point test (FPT), a design fluency task, has been shown to be sensitive to neurological damage, specifically to frontal lobe lesions in patients with brain injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare the performances of neurotypical children with that of children with ADHD, ADHD-ODD, and ADHD-AD on the FPT in order to examine whether these groups could be distinguished from one another based on their cognitive profile. Methods: A total of 111 children aged 8 to 11 years old participated in the study. Six measures from the FPT were used to characterize their performance. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were observed for five of the six FPT measures. Essentially, children with ADHD-ODD made more repeated designs than the three other groups (control p > 0.001, ADHD p = 0.008, ADHD-AD p = 0.008), while children with ADHD-AD produced fewer total and correct designs than the control and ADHD groups (p = 0.009). Conclusions: This suggests that comorbidities have an additive impact on the cognitive profile of children with ADHD. Design fluency may be a sensitive measure for capturing the subtle cognitive deficits that are likely to be involved in these disorders.