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The almost quantitative formation of the triangular trinuclear copper derivative [Cu3(3-OH)(-pz)3(MeCOO)2(Hpz)] (1) (Hpz = pyrazole), has been simply achieved by adding Hpz to an ethanol solution of Cu(MeCOO)2 x H2O. An X-ray molecular structure determination shows that 1 is completely unsymmetric and that trinuclear units result assembled in an extended bidimensional network formed through acetate bridges and hydrogen bonds. EPR and magnetic measurements are consistent with the presence of a single unpaired electron. Theoretical density functional calculations carried out for S = 1/2 provide a thorough description of the electronic structure of 1, allowing a detailed assignment of its UV-vis absorption spectrum. Compound 1 reacts with MeONa, yielding [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeCOO)(MeO)(Hpz)] (2) and [Cu3(micro3-OH)(micro-pz)3(MeO)2(Hpz)] (3) through the substitution of one and two acetate ions, respectively, with MeO- ion(s). The spontaneous self-assembly of the triangular trinuclear Cu3 moiety seems to occur only with pyrazole as can be inferred by the results obtained in the reactions of copper(II) acetate with some substituted pyrazoles leading to the formation of mononuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)2] (4-8) and dinuclear [Cu(MeCOO)2(L)]2 (9-11) (L = substituted pyrazole) compounds. Also the presence of acetate ions seems to play a leading role in determining the formation of the trinuclear triangular arrangement, as indicated by the formation of a mononuclear derivative, [Cu(CF3COO)2(Hpz)]2 (compound 12), in the reaction of copper(II) trifluoroacetate with pyrazole. Compounds 1-3, as well as some other mono- and dinuclear copper(II)-substituted pyrazole complexes, have been tested as catalyst precursors in cyclopropanation reaction, observing the formation of products in a syn:anti ratio opposite that normally reported.

Two ruthenium nitrosyl porphyrins have been synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. The investigated compounds are represented as [(TPP)Ru(NO)(H(2)O)]BF(4) and (TPP)Ru(NO)(ONO) where TPP is the dianion of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin. (TPP)Ru(NO)(ONO) crystallizes in the tetragonal space group I4, with a = 13.660(1) Å, c = 9.747(1) Å, V = 1818.7(3) Å(3), and Z = 2, 233 K. The most chemically interesting feature of the structure is that the nitrosyl and O-bound nitrito groups are located axial and trans to one another. Both complexes undergo an irreversible reduction at the metal center which is accompanied by dissociation of the axial ligand trans to NO. The addition of 1-10 equiv of pyridine to [(TPP)Ru(NO)(H(2)O)]BF(4) in CH(2)Cl(2) containing 0.1 M TBAP leads to the formation of [(TPP)Ru(NO)(py)](+), a species which is reversibly reduced at E(1/2) = -0.29 V. The electrochemical data indicate that (TPP)Ru(NO)(ONO) can also be converted to [(TPP)Ru(NO)(py)](+) in CH(2)Cl(2) solutions containing pyridine but only under specific experimental conditions. This reaction does not involve a simple displacement of the ONO(-) axial ligand from (TPP)Ru(NO)(ONO) but occurs after reduction of (TPP)Ru(NO)(ONO) to (TPP)Ru(NO)(py) followed by reoxidation to [(TPP)Ru(NO)(py)](+).