Crystal structure analyses are reported for anhydrous copper(II) hexafluoroacetylacetonate (Cu(hfac)(2)) and for two of its hydrates. The anhydrous compound (Cu(hfac)(2), 1: P1; at 100 K, a = 5.428(1), b = 5.849(1), c = 11.516(3) A; alpha = 81.47(2), beta = 74.57(2), gamma = 86.96(2) degrees; Z = 1) contains centrosymmetric square-planar complexes with close intermolecular Cu.F contacts. The geometry of the complex is similar to that previously reported for Cu(hfac)(2).toluene. The monoaquo compound (Cu(hfac)(2)(H(2)O), 2: P2(1)/c; at 100 K, a = 10.8300(8), b = 6.5400(6), c = 21.551(3) A; beta = 90.282(8) degrees; Z = 4) consists of square-pyramidal molecules with apical H(2)O ligands, and close-lying F atoms in the sixth coordination sites. The major difference between this structure and the two other polymorphs previously reported is the nature and direction of hydrogen bonds. The yellow-green solid formed from Cu(hfac)(2) with excess H(2)O is identified as the trihydrate. In crystalline form it is the previously unreported [trans-Cu(hfac)(2)(H(2)O)(2)].H(2)O (3: P1; at 150 K, a = 8.3899(3), b = 9.6011(3), c = 11.4852(4) A; alpha = 72.397(2), beta = 79.161(2), gamma = 87.843(2) degrees; Z = 2). There is no conclusive evidence in favor of any solid with the composition Cu(hfac)(2).2H(2)O.

Electronic absorption and emission spectra are reported for salts of two oxomolybdenum(IV) cations, [MoOCl(CN-t-Bu)(4)](+) and [MoOCl(Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))(2)](+), and for the new Mo(IV) complex [trans-Mo(OCH(3))(2)(CN-t-Bu)(4)](2+). All three ions show absorption bands (lambda(max,abs) 550-570 nm; epsilon 45-120 M(-)(1) cm(-)(1)) attributable to the (1)A(1)[(d(xy)())(2)] --> (1)E[(d(xy)())(1)(d(xz)()(,)(yz)())(1)] (C(4)(v)()) transition, and the last two show weak shoulders in the 700-750 nm range due to the analogous spin-forbidden ((1)A(1) --> (3)E) transition. Phosphorescence (lambda(max,em) 850-960 nm) occurs in the solid state for all three compounds at both room temperature and 77 K, and for [MoOCl(CN-t-Bu)(4)](+) in CH(2)Cl(2) at room temperature. These are the first phosphorescences recorded for molybdenum(IV) complexes. [MoOCl(CN-t-Bu)(4)](BPh(4)) precipitates quickly if NaBPh(4) is added to the Mo(IV) solution prepared from MoCl(5) and tert-butyl isocyanide in CH(3)OH. However, if NaPF(6) is used instead, [trans-Mo(OCH(3))(2)(CN-t-Bu)(4)](PF(6))(2) (formed by reaction of [MoOCl(CN-t-Bu)(4)](+) with methanol) crystallizes over a period of ca. 24 h. The crystal structure of [trans-Mo(OCH(3))(2)(CN-t-Bu)(4)](PF(6))(2) has been determined: C(22)H(42)F(12)MoN(4)O(2)P(2), monoclinic; space group P2(1)/c; a = 9.1538(8) Å, b = 15.709(2) Å, c = 13.456(2) Å; beta = 103.31(1) degrees; Z = 2; R(F) = 0.063, R(w)(F) = 0.056 for 2719 reflections with I > sigma(I).

Several six-coordinate Mo(III) complexes phosphoresce and undergo photooxidation in room-temperature solution. The phosphorescence of (Me(3)[9]aneN(3))MoX(3) (Me(3)[9]aneN(3) = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) in CH(3)CN at room temperature occurs with the following maxima, lifetimes, and quantum yields: X = Cl, 1120 nm, 1.0 &mgr;s, and 6.1 x 10(-)(5); X = Br, 1130 nm, 0.80 &mgr;s, and 9.6 x 10(-)(5); and X = I, 1160 nm, 0.40 &mgr;s, and 1.2 x 10(-)(4), respectively. The phosphorescences are assigned to the {(2)E(g), (2)T(1g)} --> (4)A(2g) transition. Solutions of HB(Me(2)pz)(3)Mo(III)Cl(3)(-) Me(2)pzH = 3,5-dimethylpyrazole) in CH(3)CN, and solid MoCl(3)(py)(3) and (Me(3)[9]aneN(3))WCl(3), also phosphoresce. (Me(3)[9]aneN(3))MoX(3) (X = Cl, Br, I) complexes undergo reversible one-electron photooxidation upon irradiation in the presence of acceptors such as TCNE and chloranil. (Me(3)[9]aneN(3))MoX(3) (X = Br, I only) are photooxidized irreversibly to [(Me(3)[9]aneN(3))Mo(IV)X(3)](+) by C(NO(2))(4) in CH(3)CN. In CH(3)CN-H(2)O (1:1 v/v), photoinitiated two-electron oxidation occurs: the primary photoproduct is Mo(IV), which disproportionates spontaneously to form [(Me(3)[9]aneN(3))Mo(V)OX(2)](+).

Ru(II) diimine complexes having phosphonic acid substituents adsorb to TiO 2 modified ITO electrodes and exhibit electrogenerated chemiluminescence when potentiostated at positive voltages in the presence of oxalate in buffered aqueous solutions.