Synthesis of Inorganic Fullerene-Like Molecules

Abstract

The reaction of [Cp*Fe(eta5-P5)] with Cu(I)Cl in solvent mixtures of CH2Cl2/CH3CN leads to the formation of entirely inorganic fullerene-like molecules of the formula [[Cp*Fe(eta5:eta1:eta1:eta1:eta1:eta1-P5)]12[CuCl]10[Cu2Cl3]5[Cu(CH3CN)2]5] (1) possessing 90 inorganic core atoms. This compound represents a structural motif similar to that of C60: cyclo-P5 rings of [Cp*Fe(eta5-P5)] molecules are surrounded by six-membered P4Cu2 rings that result from the coordination of each of the phosphorus lone pairs to CuCl metal centers, which are further coordinated by P atoms of other cyclo-P5 rings. Thus, five- and six-membered rings alternate in a manner comparable to that observed in the fullerene molecules. The so-formed half shells are joined by [Cu2Cl3]- as well as by [Cu(CH3CN)2]+ units. The spherical body has an inside diameter of 1.25 nanometers and an outside diameter of 2.13 nanometers, which is about three times as large as that of C60.

Networks of gold nanoparticles and bacteriophage as biological sensors and cell-targeting agents

“…Notably, this strategy maintains the low-cost, high-yield production of complex polymer units (phage) in host bacteria and bypasses many of the challenges in developing cell͞peptide detection tools, such as complex synthesis and coupling chemistry, poor solubility of peptides, the presence of organic solvents, and weak detection signals. We also show that, despite the evident structural contrast between the Au-phage fractal networks and the usual geometrically symmetrical nanostructures (17,18), these networks can effectively integrate the unique signal reporting properties of Au nanoparticles while preserving the biological properties of phage.…”

Evidence of hollow golden cages

“…Although ''free-standing'' inorganic cages have been synthesized (3), bare elemental metal cages have not been observed in nature or detected in the laboratory. Among metals, gold has some unique properties including the strong relativistic effects and aurophilic attraction (4).…”

The Diphosphorus Complex [Cp2Mo2(CO)4(η2‐P2)] as a Building Block for the Synthesis of Mixed‐Hybrid Coordination Polymers

“…[1h], 2 Due to the lack of P donating connectors and the usual use of simple transition‐metal cations, our group established an alternative approach by utilising organometallic polyphosphorus (P n ) ligand complexes with flexible coordination modes as connectors between metal ions. By using this novel method, it was possible to synthesize one‐ and two‐dimensional coordination polymers,3 vast fullerene‐like supramolecular spherical aggregates,4 and organometallic nanosized capsules 5. More recently, this concept was extended to three‐component reactions by using additional bipyridine‐based organic linkers in combination with P n ligand complexes and metal ions.…”