Cage-like Copper(II) Silsesquioxanes: Transmetalation Reactions and Structural, Quantum Chemical, and Catalytic Studies

The transmetalation of bimetallic copper-sodium silsesquioxane cages, namely, [(PhSiO1.5)(10)(CuO)(2)(NaO0.5)(2)] (Cooling Tower; 1), [(PhSiO1.5)(12)(CuO)(4)(NaO0.5)(4)] (Globule; 2), and [(PhSiO1.5)(6)(CuO)(4)(NaO0.5)(4)(PhSiO1.5)(6)] (Sandwich; 3), resulted in the generation of three types of hexanuclear cylinder-like copper silsesqui- oxanes, [(PhSiO1.5)(12)(CuO)(6)(C4H9OH)(2)(C2H5OH)(6)] (4), [(PhSiO1.5)(12)(CuO)(6)(C4H8O2)(4)(PhCN)(2)(MeOH)(4)] (5), and [(PhSiO1.5)(12)(CuO)(6)(NaCl)(C4H8O2)(12)(H2O)(2)] (6). The products show a prominent solvating system-structure dependency, as determined by X-ray diffraction. Topological analysis of cages 1-6 was also performed. In addition, DFT theory was used to examine the structures of the Cooling Tower and Cylinder compounds, as well as the spin density distributions. Compounds 1, 2, and 5 were applied as catalysts for the direct oxidation of alcohols and amines into the corresponding amides. Compound 6 is an excellent catalyst in the oxidation reactions of benzene and alcohols.