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Poster
Molecular structure of a Copper (I) Thiolate and its water-soluble complex
University of West Florida Libraries
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 2021)
2021
Abstract
The goal of this research was to develop reproducible methods to crystallize some copper(I) thiolates, denoted [Cuₙ(SR)ₘ]ⁿ⁻ᵐ in which “R” stands for an organic fragment, and obtain high-quality crystal structures of these compounds using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. We specifically focused on obtaining crystal structures of copper(I) 2-hydroxyethanethiolate, CuSCH₂CH₂OH (Cu2ME), and hexakis(2-hydroxyethanethiolato) tetracuprate(I) (Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻).
This was attempted by crystallizing tetraalkylammonium salts of complexions [Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ synthesized according to the equation below:
2NR₄OH + 2HSCH₂CH₂OH + 4CuSCH₂CH₂OH →
2(NR₄)₂[Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆] + H₂O
It is hypothesized that using bases with a bulkier alkyl group would allow the entire salt to crystallize due to the similar bulkiness of the Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ anion. The crystal structure of neutral Cu₂ME was confirmed from crystals formed by vapor diffusion at room temperature.
Methanolic 3M NH₄OH was the basic solution used to deprotonate 2-mercaptoethanol and dissolve Cu2ME. Diethyl ether was the nonsolvent, and in this case, the complex anion did not crystallize; instead, the Cu2ME starting material formed X-ray quality single crystals, which were analyzed at various temperatures. After attempting various methods, crystals suitable for determining the structure of the [Cu₄(SCH₂CH₂OH)₆]²⁻ complex were formed by vapor diffusion at room temperature using aqueous 1.5 M tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (Bu₄NOH) as the base with tetrahydrofuran (THF) as the nonsolvent. These tetrabutylammonium salts are slated for analysis by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.
Details
- Title
- Molecular structure of a Copper (I) Thiolate and its water-soluble complex
- Resource Type
- Poster
- Event
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program (University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, 2021)
- Contributors
- Dr. Timothy Royappa
- Publisher
- University of West Florida Libraries; Argo Scholar Commons
- Format
- pdf
- Copyright
- Permission granted to the University of West Florida Libraries to digitize and/or display this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires the permission of the copyright holder.
- Identifiers
- 99380090603906600
- Academic Unit
- Summer Undergraduate Research Program 2021
- Language
- English