Structural characterization of a lanthanum bistriflimide complex, La(N(SO2CF3)2)3(H2O)3, and an investigation of La, Sm, and Eu electrochemistry in a room-temperature ionic liquid, [Me3N(n)Bu][N(SO2CF3)2

The reduction of selected lanthanide cations to the zerovalent state in the room-temperature ionic liquid [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI] is reported (where TFSI = bistriflimide, [N(SO2CF3)2]-). The lanthanide cations were introduced to the melt as the TFSI hydrate complexes [Ln(TFSI)3(H2O)3] (where Ln = La(III), Sm(III) or Eu(III)). The lanthanum compound [La(TFSI)3(H2O)3] has been crystallographically characterized, revealing the first structurally characterized f-element TFSI complex. The lanthanide in all three complexes was shown to be reducible to the metallic state in [Me3N(n)Bu][TFSI]. For both the Eu and Sm complexes, reduction to the metallic state was achieved via divalent species, and there was an additional observation of the electrodeposition of Eu metal.     

Formation of higher chloride complexes of Np(IV) and Pu(IV) in water-stable room-temperature ionic liquid [BuMeIm][Tf2N

A UV/vis/near-IR spectroscopic study shows that in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquid solutions, [BuMeIm]2[AnCl6] complexes, where BuMeIm+ is 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and An(IV) is Np(IV) or Pu(IV), have an octahedral An(IV) environment similar to that observed in solid complexes. Water has no influence on the absorption spectra of AnCl6(2-) complexes, indicating their stability to hydrolysis in ionic liquid. Adding [BuMeIm]Cl modifies the UV/vis/near-IR absorption spectra of An(IV) in the ionic liquid and causes solids to precipitate. The solid-state reflectance spectra of the precipitates reveal considerable differences from the corresponding An(IV) hexachloro complexes. A voltammetric study indicates that AnCl6(2-) complexes are electrochemically inert in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] at the glassy carbon working electrode. By contrast, quasi-reversible electrochemical reduction An(IV)/An(III) and An(IV) oxidation are observed in ionic liquids in the presence of [BuMeIm]Cl. The oxidation wave of noncoordinated chloride ions interferes with the An(IV) oxidation waves. The spectroscopic and voltammetric data clearly indicate the formation of nonoctahedral actinide(IV) chloride complexes with a Cl-/An(IV) ratio exceeding 6/1 in [BuMeIm][(CF3SO2)2N] in excess chloride ions.     

Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies of U(IV)-hexachloro complexes in hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids [BuMeIm][Tf2N] and [MeBu3N][Tf2N

The behavior of U(IV) octahedral complexes [cation]2[UCl6], where the [cation]+ is [BuMeIm]+ and [MeBu3N]+, is studied using UV/visible spectroscopy, cyclic staircase voltammetry, and rotating disk electrode voltammetry in hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) [BuMeIm][Tf2N] and [MeBu3N][Tf2N], where BuMeIm+ and MeBu3N+ are 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and tri-n-butylmethylammonium cations, respectively, and Tf2N- is the bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion. The absorption spectra of [cation]2[UCl6] complexes in the RTIL solutions are similar to the diffuse solid-state reflectance spectra of the corresponding solid species, indicating that the octahedral complex UCl6(2-) is the predominant chemical form of U(IV) in Tf2N--based hydrophobic ionic liquids. Hexachloro complexes of U(IV) are stable to hydrolysis in the studied RTILs. Voltammograms of UCl(6)2- at the glassy carbon electrode in both RTILs and at the potential range of -2.5 to +1.0 V versus Ag/Ag(I) reveal the following electrochemical couples: UCl6-/UCl6(2-) (quasi-reversible system), UCl(6)2-/UCl6(3-) (quasi-reversible system), and UCl(6)2-/UCl6(Tf2N)x-3+x (irreversible reduction). The voltammetric half-wave potential, Ep/2, of the U(V)/U(IV) couple in [BuMeIm][Tf2N] is positively shifted by 80 mV compared with that in [MeBu3N][Tf2N]. The positive shift in the Ep/2 value for the quasi-reversible U(IV)/U(III) couple is much greater (250 mV) in [BuMeIm][Tf2N]. Presumably, the potential shift is due to the specific interaction of BuMeIm+ with the uranium-hexachloro complex in ionic liquid. Scanning the negative potential to -3.5 V in [MeBu3N][Tf2N] solutions of UCl6(2-) reveals the presence of an irreversible cathodic process at the peak potential equal to -3.12 V (at 100 mV/s and 60 degrees C), which could be attributed to the reduction of U(III) to U(0).     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Silylated Hexaphenyl Carbodiphosphorane [Me3SiC(PPh3)2][CF3SO3]

The addition of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate TMS‐OTf (CF₃SO₃ = OTf, triflate) to hexaphenyl carbodiphosphorane PPh₃=C=PPh₃ ( 1 ) in toluene yields the silylated carbodiphosphorane [Me₃SiC(PPh₃)₂][OTf] ( 2 ). Compound 2 represents the first silylated carbodiphosphorane characterized in solution and in the solid state. 2 is an air‐sensitive compound but stable in solution and in the solid state in an inert atmosphere as shown by heteronuclear NMR experiments and also by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Compound 2 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the cell dimensions a = 1161.7(1), b = 1714.4(1), c = 1903.3(1) pm; β = 102.74(1)° and Z = 4. Structure, frontier orbitals, and dissociation energies for 2 were determined by density functional theory‐based computations highlighting the character of 2 as a Lewis acid adduct of a carbon(0) compound.     

Influence of gamma irradiation on hydrophobic room-temperature ionic liquids [BuMeIm]PF6 and [BuMeIm](CF3SO2)2N

Stability of neat hydrophobic Room-Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTIL) [BuMeIm]X, where [BuMeIm]+ is 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and X- is PF6-, and (CF3SO2)2N-, was studied under gamma radiolysis (137Cs) in an argon atmosphere and in air. It was found that the density, surface tension, and refraction index of RTILs are unchanged even by an absorbed dose of approximately 600 kGy. Studied RTILs exhibit considerable darkening when subjected to gamma irradiation. The light absorbance of ionic liquids increases linearly with the irradiation dose. Water has no influence on radiolytic darkening. A comparative study of [BuMeIm]X and [Bu4N][Tf2N] leads to the conclusion that the formation of colored products is related to gamma radiolysis of the [BuMeIm]+ cation. The radiolytic darkening kinetics of RTILs is influenced by the anions as follows: Cl- < (CF3SO2)2N- < PF6-. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and NMR analysis reveal the presence of nonvolatile radiolysis products at concentrations below 1 mol% for an absorbed dose exceeding 1200 kGy. Initial step of BuMeIm+ cation radiolysis is the loss of the Bu* group, the H* atom from the 2 position on the imidazolium ring, and the H* atom from the butyl chain. Radiolysis of ionic liquid anions yields F* and CF3* from PF6- and [Tf2N]-, respectively. Recombinations of these primary products of radiolysis lead to various polymeric and acidic species.     

Preparation and Structure of [Me3N(CF3)2BCCB(CF3)2NMe3]

Bis‐trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐di‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane [Me₃N(CF₃)₂BCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃] ( 1 ) has been prepared from trimethylamine‐ethynyl‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, [HCCB(CF₃)₂NMe₃], and dimethylamino‐bis(trifluoromethyl)borane, (CF₃)₂BNMe₂. The structure of 1 has been determined by x‐ray crystallography. In the solid state the molecule possesses crystallographic C_i symmetry. The acetylenic attachment to the boron atom is characterized by a short B–C bond length of 1.565(4) Å and an essentially linear B–C–C′ bond angle of 178.1(4)°.     

Solubility of tetrafluoromethane in the ionic liquid [hmim][Tf2N

Experimental results for the solubility of tetrafluoromethane (CF4, R14) in the ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)amide ([hmim][Tf2N]) are presented for temperatures between 293.3 and 413.3 K, at pressures (gas molalities) up to 9.6 MPa (0.22 mol kg-1). The experimental results were determined with a high-pressure view-cell technique operating on the synthetic method. The experimental data were used to determine Henry's constant of tetrafluoromethane in [hmim][Tf2N]. The results for the Henry's constant (at zero pressure) are correlated (on the molality scale) within the experimental uncertainty (i.e., about 1.1%) by ln(k(0)(H,CF4)/MPa) = 7.537 - 893.8/(T/K) - 0.003977(T/K). Henry's law was also extended to describe the gas solubility at higher pressures. Furthermore, a cubic equation of state was used to correlate the gas solubility over the entire range of experimentally investigated temperature and pressure. Both methods proved suited for a reliable correlation of the new experimental data.     

Anomalous diffusion of water in [BMIM][TFSI] room-temperature ionic liquid

We have studied the self-diffusion properties of butyl-methyl-imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-imide ([BMIM][TFSI]) + water system. The self-diffusion coefficients of cations, anions, and water molecules were determined by pulsed field gradient NMR. These measures were performed with increased water quantity up to saturation (from 0.3 to 30 mol %). Unexpected variations have been observed. The self-diffusion coefficient of every species increases with the quantity of water but not in the same order of magnitude. Whereas very similar evolutions are observed for the anion and cation, the increase is 25 times greater for water molecules. We interpret our data by the existence of phase separation at microscopic scale.     

Extraction-separation of Eu(III) and Th(IV) ions from nitrate media into a room-temperature ionic liquid

Application of a room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C₄mim⁺][PF₆ ^?]), in the extraction of Eu(III) and Th(IV) ions from nitrate media using tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) as extractant is investigated. The results are compared with those obtained in dichloromethane. It is shown that the europium ions are extracted via a solvation mechanism by formation of [Eu(TOPO) ₃ ³⁺ ](NO₃ ^?)₃ species in both [C₄mim⁺][PF₆ ^?] and dichloromethane. Nevertheless, application of the studied RTIL makes a significant improvement in the extraction efficiency of europium ions. A different attitude was observed for the extraction of thorium ions. In fact, although the analysis of the extraction data of these ions from sodium nitrate solutions confirms the formation of [Th(TOPO) ₃ ⁴⁺ ](NO₃ ^?)₄ species in dichloromethane, the extraction of these ions into the ionic liquid was not affected by the presence of TOPO. This latter outcome states the process takes place by a cation-exchange mechanism. It is found that the extraction of thorium ions diminishes in the presence of nitric acid. Interestingly, in contrast to the results observed in the extraction of thorium ions from sodium nitrate solutions, TOPO shows a co-operative effect on the extraction of these ions from nitric acid media. This allows considering the mechanism of the extraction of Th⁴⁺ ions from nitric acid media as a mixed ion exchange-solvation mechanisms by formation of [Th(TOPO)⁴⁺](NO₃ ^?)(PF₆ ^?)₃ species.     

Solubility of CO2 in the ionic liquid [hmim][Tf2N]

New experimental results are presented for the total pressure above liquid mixtures of carbon dioxide and the ionic liquid 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([hmim][Tf₂N]). The series of experiments were performed at preset temperature and liquid phase composition by means of a very precise high-pressure view-cell technique based on the synthetic method. A temperature range from (293.15 to 413.2) K was investigated where the maximum pressure reached approximately 10 MPa. Gas molalities in [hmim][Tf₂N] ranged up to about 4.7 mol · kg⁻¹. The (extended) Henry’s law is successfully applied to correlate the solubility pressures.     

A new dithiolene complex magnet: [Ni(Cp*Rubdt)2][CF3SO3]

The unique salt [Ni(Cp*Rubdt)₂][CF₃SO₃], containing the features of both a metal dithiolene complex and a metallocene, has been studied by d.c. and a.c. magnetic susceptibility measurements. This indicated ferromagnetism with T_c=3.5 K as evidenced by splitting of the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled d.c. susceptibility, remnant magnetisation, a non-zero imaginary component and a peak in the real component of the a.c. susceptibility and magnetic hysteresis. Studies of magnetisation against field indicated superparamagnetic behaviour above the ordering temperature up to around 10–20 K, suggesting correlated behaviour of the spins in one or two dimensions before the onset of 3D order. In contrast to many mixed dithiolene complex—metallocene salts, the structure of the title compound ensures that no segregation of the dithiolene and metallocene components into separate stacks can occur, a structural feature that has previously led to interesting magnetic materials.     

Palladium-catalyzed regiospecific aminocarbonylation of alkynes in the ionic liquid [bmim][Tf2N

[Structure: see text] Regiospecific construction of 2-substituted acrylamides was achieved by palladium-catalyzed aminocarbonylation of alkynes in the ionic liquid [bmim][Tf2N] without any acid additive under relatively mild conditions. The ionic liquid was used as the reaction medium and also acted as a promoter. Acrylamides were obtained in moderate to excellent yields, and an important feature is that the catalyst system can be recycled five times without loss of catalytic activity.     

Solubility of CO2 in room temperature ionic liquid [hmim][Tf2N

Solubility measurements of carbon dioxide in 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide have been performed with a gravimetric microbalance at temperatures of about 282, 297, 323, and 348 K and pressures up to about 2 MPa. Two different sources for the ionic liquid are examined in this work: an ultrapure sample from NIST (the IUPAC task force sample) and a commercially available sample. Both samples show nearly identical solubility behaviors, being undistinguishable within experimental uncertainties. Solubility (pressure-temperature-composition) data have been well correlated with an equation-of-state (EOS) model used in our previous works. The EOS model calculations are compared with experimental solubility data for the same system in the literature. The present EOS has predicted partial immiscibility at the CO2-rich side solutions. To prove this prediction, vapor-liquid-liquid equilibrium experiments have been made, and our predictions have been confirmed.     

Raman investigation of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and its mixture with LiN(SO2CF3)2

A preliminary Raman investigation of the ionic liquid N-methyl-N-propylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PYR(13)TFSI) and its 2/1 complex with the lithium salt LiN(SO(2)CF(3))(2) is reported. The study was performed over a temperature range extending from -100 to +60 degrees C, i.e., with PYR(13)TFSI in the crystalline and melt states. For comparison purposes, the study was extended to PYR(13)I, which is the precursor used in the synthesis of PYR(13)TFSI.     

An electrochemical study of PCl3 and POCl3 in the room temperature ionic liquid [C4mpyrr][N(Tf)2

Voltammetric studies of PCl3 and POCl3 have not been reported in the literature to date, probably due to the instability of these molecules in conventional aprotic solvents giving unstable and irreproducible results. From a previous study [Amigues et al. Chem. Commun. 2005, 1-4], it was found that ionic liquids have the ability to offer a uniquely stable solution phase environment for the study of these phosphorus compounds. Consequently, the electrochemistry of PCl3 and POCl3 has been studied by cyclic voltammetry on a gold microelectrode in the ionic liquid [C4mpyrr][N(Tf)2] (1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide). For both compounds, reduction and oxidation waves were observed and a tentative assignment of the waves is given. For PCl3, the reduction was thought to proceed via the following mechanism: PCl3 + e- <=> PCl3-, PCl3- <=> Cl- + P*Cl2, and Cl- + PCl3 <=> PCl4-. For POCl3, the suggested reduction mechanism was analogous to that of PCl3: POCl3 + e- <=> POCl3-, POCl3- <=> Cl- + P*OCl2, and Cl- + POCl3 <=> POCl4-. In both cases P*Cl2 and P*OCl2 are likely to engage in further reactions. Potential step microdisk chronoamperometry was carried out on the reductive waves of PCl3 and POCl3 to measure diffusion coefficients and number of electrons transferred. It was found that the diffusion of PCl3 was unusually slow (3.1 x 10(-12) m2 s(-1)): approximately 1 order of magnitude less than that for POCl3 (2.2 x 10(-11) m2 s(-1)). For both PCl3 and POCl3, a "split wave" was observed, with an overall electron count of 1. This observation is shown to be consistent with and to "fingerprint" the mechanisms proposed above.     

Structure of [C4mpyr][NTf2] room-temperature ionic liquid at charged gold interfaces

The structure of 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C(4)mpyr][NTf(2)]) room-temperature ionic liquid at an electrified gold interface was studied using neutron reflectometry, cyclic voltammetry, and differential capacitance measurements. Subtle differences were observed between the reflectivity data collected on a gold electrode at three different applied potentials. Detailed analysis of the fitted reflectivity data reveals an excess of [C(4)mpyr](+) at the interface, with the amount decreasing at increasingly positive potentials. A cation rich interface was found even at a positively charged electrode, which indicates a nonelectrostatic (specific) adsorption of [C(4)mpyr](+) onto the gold electrode.     

Site selectivity in the reactions of the hexanuclear platinum cluster [Pt6(mu-PtBu2)4(CO)6][CF3SO3]2

The previously reported hexanuclear cluster [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(6)](2+)[Y](2) (1-Y(2): Y=CF(3)SO(3) (-)) contains a central Pt(4) tetrahedron bridged at each of the opposite edges by another platinum atom; in turn, four phosphido ligands bridge the four Pt-Pt bonds not involved in the tetrahedron, and, finally, one carbonyl ligand is terminally bonded to each metal centre. Interestingly, the two outer carbonyls are more easily substituted or attacked by nucleophiles than the inner four, which are bonded to the tetrahedron vertices. In fact, the reaction of 1-Y(2) with 1 equiv of [nBu(4)N]Cl or with an excess of halide salts gives the monochloride [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(5)Cl](+)[Y], 2-Y, or the neutral dihalide derivatives [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(4)X(2)] (3: X=Cl; 4: X=Br; 5: X=I). Moreover, the useful unsymmetrically substituted [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(4)ICl] (6) was obtained by reacting equimolar amounts of 2 and [nBu(4)N]I, and the dicationic derivatives [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(4)L(2)](2+)[Y](2) (7-Y(2): L=(13)CO; 8-Y(2): L=CNtBu; 9-Y(2): L=PMe(3)) were obtained by reaction of an excess of the ligand L with 1-Y(2). Weaker nitrogen ligands were introduced by dissolving the dichloride 3 in acetonitrile or pyridyne in the presence of TlPF(6) to afford [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4) (CO)(4)L(2)](2+)[Z](2) (Z=PF(6) (-), 10-Z(2): L=MeCN; 11-Z(2): L=Py). The "apical" carbonyls in 1-Y(2) are also prone to nucleophilic addition (Nu(-): H(-), MeO(-)) affording the acyl derivatives [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(4)(CONu)(2)] (12: Nu=H; 13: Nu=OMe). Complex 12 is slowly converted into the dihydride [Pt(6)(mu-PtBu(2))(4)(CO)(4)H(2)] (14), which was more cleanly prepared by reacting 3 with NaBH(4). In a unique case we observed a reaction involving also the inner carbonyls of complex 1, that is, in the reaction with a large excess of the isocyanides R-NC, which form the corresponding persubstituted derivatives [Pt(6)(mu-tPBu(2))(4)(CN-R)(6)](2+)[Y](2), (15-Y(2): R=tBu; 16-Y(2) (2-): R=-C(6)H(4)-4-C triple bond CH). All complexes were characterized by microanalysis, IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of complexes 3, 5, 6 and 9-Y(2) are also reported. From the redox viewpoint, all complexes display two reversible one-electron reduction steps, the location of which depends both upon the electronic effects of the substituents, and the overall charge of the original complex.     

Transimination reactions in [b-3C-im][NTf2] ionic liquid

Compared to conventional molecular solvents, the ionic liquid [b-3C-im][NTf(2)] was found to promote transimination reactions with up to ～100-fold rate enhancement. This rate effect observed at ambient temperature might be explained by the fact that the ionic liquid displays weak Lewis acidity with very low, if any, nucleophilicity and its imidazolium cation is expected to interact by associating with, and thus electrophilically activating, the C=N bond of the starting imine, leading to increased stabilization of the polar, charged intermediate species and ultimately, rapid product formation. Moreover, the presence of 1 mol% Sc(OTf)(3) in [b-3C-im][NTf(2)] further facilitates the transimination reactions studied.