EQCM Study of Iridium Anodic Oxidation in H2SO4 and KOH Solutions

In the present study anodic oxidation of iridium layer formed thermally on a gold‐sputtered quartz crystal electrode has been investigated by electrochemical quartz crystal microgravimetry (EQCM) in the solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH. The emphasis here has been put on the microgravimetric behavior of iridium as a metal, because a few previous EQCM studies reported in literature have been devoted to iridium oxide films (IROFs). The objective pursued here has been to elucidate the nature of the main voltammetric peaks, which occur at different ranges of potential in the solutions investigated. It has been found that anodic oxidation of iridium electrode in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH solutions is accompanied by irregular fluctuations of the electrode mass at 0.4 V<E<0.8 V followed by regular increase in mass at 0.8 V<E<1.2 V. The cathodic process initially, at 1.2 V>E>0.9 V, proceeds without any or with slight increase in electrode mass, whereas at E<0.8 V a regular decrease in mass is observed. It has been found that mass to charge ratio characterizing the processes of interest is 2 to 3 g F^?1in acidic medium, whereas in the case of alkaline one it is 4 to 6 g F^?1. The main pair of peaks seen in the voltammograms of Ir electrode in alkaline medium at E<0.8 V is attributable to redox transition Ir(0)→Ir(III), whereas those observed in the case of acidic medium at E>0.8 V should be related to the redox process Ir(0)→Ir(IV) going via intermediate stage of Ir(III) formation. As a consequence of these redox transitions, the gel‐like surface layer consisting of Ir(III) or Ir(IV) hydrous oxides forms on the electrode surface.     

Realization of Rhodium Metal‐Oxide Electrode in Indifferent Electrolytes

The pH‐dependence of the stationary open‐circuit potential E_i=0^st of rhodium electrode with a surface layer of anodically formed insoluble compounds has been studied in sulfate and phosphate solutions by means of cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. The range of potentials of the investigations performed has been confined to the region of rhodium electrochemical oxidation/reduction, i.e., 0.2<E<1.2 V (RHE) in order to prevent any possible interference of other reactions such as H₂ and O₂ evolution. It has been shown that rhodium electrode with a layer of surface compounds formed anodically at E<<1.23 V (RHE) behaves like a reversible metal‐oxide electrode within the range of pH values from ca. 1.0 to ca. 8.0. It has been presumed that the stationary potential of such electrode is determined by the equilibrium of the following electrochemical reaction: Rh+3H₂O??Rh(OH)₃+3H⁺+3e^?. The pH‐dependence of the reversible potential of Eequation/tex2gif-inf-6.gif electrode has been found to be: Eequation/tex2gif-inf-8.gif=E_i=0^st=0.69?0.059 pH, V. In acid solutions (pH<2.0) rhodium hydroxide dissolves into the electrolyte, therefore, to reach equilibrium, the solution must be saturated with Rh(OH)₃. This has been achieved by adding Rh³⁺ ions in the form of Rh₂(SO₄)₃. The solubility product of Rh(OH)₃, estimated from the experimental Eequation/tex2gif-inf-16.gif?pH dependence obtained, is ca. 1.0×10^?48, which is close to the value given in literature.     

Ir(I) complexes with oxazoline-thioether ligands: nucleophilic attack of pyridine on coordinated 1,5-cyclooctadiene and application as catalysts in imine hydrogenation

Oxazoline-thioether ligands 6-11 react with [Ir(η⁴-COD)Py₂]PF₆ (COD=C₈H₁₂=1,5-cyclooctadiene) to give [Ir(σ-η²-C₈H₁₂Py⁺)L] PF₆ (L=oxazoline-thioether ligand) (12a-d) complexes resulted from the coordination of ligand to the metal and subsequent nucleophilic attack of pyridine to one of the double carbon bond of COD with concomitant iridium-carbon bond formation. When [Ir(η⁴-COD)₂]BF₄ was used as starting material, the reaction with ligands 7, 9 afforded the complexes [Ir(η⁴-COD)L]BF₄. Application of these iridium complexes to the reduction of N-(α-methyl)benzylidenbenzylamine gave low or negligible enantioselectivity.     

Hydrogen Peroxide Detection at Electrochemically and Sol‐Gel Derived Ir Oxide Films

Ir oxide (IrOx) films, formed electrochemically on bulk Ir metal (Ir/IrOx) and also on sol‐gel (SG) derived non‐silica based nanoparticulate Ir, have been studied as material useful for the detection of hydrogen peroxide, with possible application as a glucose biosensor. H₂O₂ reduction and oxidation on Ir/IrOx and SG‐derived IrOx films, deposited on various substrates such as Pt, Ir and GC, have been compared to the H₂O₂ behavior at the bare substrate. It was found that H₂O₂ reduction proceeds on the underlying electrode substrate, while H₂O₂ oxidation is independent of the nature of the substrate, therefore occurring via the IrOx film. The reactivity of IrOx towards H₂O₂ oxidation is similar to that seen at Pt, although IrOx has the additional advantages of excellent stability, insensitivity to common interfering substances, biocompatibility and a linear range of detection, up to at least 12 mM H₂O_2. At micromolar concentrations of H₂O₂, a second mode of detection, involving the catalyzed growth of IrOx films at Ir substrates, can be employed. These two methods of H₂O₂ analysis (oxidation/reduction and enhanced IrOx growth) can also be employed for glucose detection using IrOx‐based glucose biosensors.     

Der Dihydridoiridium(III)‐Komplex [IrH2Cl(PiPr3)2] als Molekülbaustein für unsymmetrische Rhodium–Iridiumund Iridium–Iridium‐Zweikernverbindungen

The Dihydridoiridium(III) Complex [IrH₂Cl(P i Pr₃)₂] as a Molecular Building Block for Unsymmetrical Binuclear Rhodium–Iridium and Iridium–Iridium Compounds The title compound [IrH₂Cl(PiPr₃)₂] ( 3 ) reacts with the chloro‐bridged dimers [RhCl(PiPr₃)₂]₂ ( 1 ) and [IrCl(C₈H₁₄)(PiPr₃)]₂ ( 5 ) by cleavage of the Cl‐bridges to give the unsymmetrical binuclear complexes 4 and 6 with Rh(μ‐Cl)₂Ir and Ir(μ‐Cl)₂Ir as the central building block. The reactions of 3 with the bis(cyclooctene) and (1,5‐cyclooctadiene) compounds [MCl(C₈H₁₄)₂]₂ ( 7 , 8 ) and [MCl(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)]₂ ( 9 , 10 ) (M = Rh, Ir) occur analogously and afford the rhodium(I)‐iridium(III) and iridium(I)‐iridium(III) complexes 11 – 14 in 70–80% yield. Treatment of [(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)M(μ‐Cl)₂IrH₂(PiPr₃)₂] ( 13 , 14 ) with phenylacetylene leads to the formation of the substitution products [(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)M(μ‐Cl)₂IrH(C≡CPh)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 15 , 16 ) without changing the central molecular core. Similarly, the compound [(η⁴‐C₈H₁₂)Rh(μ‐Br)₂IrH(C≡CPh)(PiPr₃)₂] ( 18 ) has been prepared; it was characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Bio‐inspired iron/sulfur/graphene nanocomposite and its use in the catalysis of the oxygen reduction reaction at room temperature in alkaline media on a glassy carbon electrode

This work demonstrates the performance of a bio‐inspired iron/sulfur/graphene nanocomposite as a non‐platinum electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in an alkaline medium. The catalyst shows the most positive ORR onset potential (1.1 V vs. RHE) according to its unique structure in the alkaline medium (KOH solution, pH = 13) at low temperature (T = 298 K). The catalyst is evaluated by the rotating‐disk electrode (RDE) method under various rotating speeds (0–2,000 rpm) in the potential range ?0.02–1.18 V vs. a rechargeable hydrogen electrode (RHE). The number of transferred electrons, as one of the most important parameters, is almost constant over a wide range of potentials (0.1–0.8 V), which indicates a more efficient four‐electron pathway from O₂ to H₂O on the FePc‐S‐Gr surface. The mean size of catalyst centers are in the nanoscale (<10 nm). The estimated Tafel slope in the appropriate range is about ?110 mV per decade at low current density, and E_1/2 of FePc‐S‐Gr displays a negative shift of only 7.1 mV after 10,000 cycles.     

Transformation of n-hexane on Al2O3and SiO2supported Pt, Pt+Ga and Ir+Pt+Ga catalysts prepared by anchoring methods

Summary Transformation of n-hexane over Al₂O₃and SiO₂supported Pt, Pt+Ga and Ir+Pt+Ga catalysts was studied in a continuous-flow reactor operated under slug-pulse mode at 520°C. Bimetallic catalysts were prepared by introducing first Ga(OEt)₃and then diallylplatinum as precursor compounds. Iridium was then introduced viadecomposition of Ir₄(CO)₁₂adsorbed onto Pt+Ga catalysts. The addition of Ga to Pt/SiO₂catalyst decreased hydrogenation, aromatization and hydrogenolysis selectivity. Over Pt/Al₂O₃catalyst Ga increased hydrogenolysis selectivity and decreased isomerization and C₅-cyclization. The main effect of Ir was to increase hydrogenolysis selectivity and the stability of catalysts.</o:p>     

EQCM Study of Ru and RuO2 Surface Electrochemistry

The present study represents comparative analysis of voltammetric and microgravimetric behavior of active ruthenium (Ru), electrochemically passivated ruthenium (Ru/RuO₂) and thermally formed RuO₂ electrodes in the solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH. It has been found that cycling the potential of active Ru electrode within E ranges 0 V–0.8 V and 0 V–1.2 V in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ and 0.1 M KOH solutions, respectively, leads to continuous electrode mass increase, while mass changes observed in alkaline medium are considerably smaller than those in acidic one. Microgravimetric response of active Ru electrode in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ within 0.2 V–0.8 V has revealed reversible character of anodic and cathodic processes. The experimentally found anodic mass gain and cathodic mass loss within 0.2–0.8 V make 2.2–2.7 g F^?1, instead of 17 g F^?1, which is the theoretically predicted value for Ru(OH)₃ formation according to equation: Ru+3H₂O?Ru(OH)₃+3H⁺+3e^?. In the case of Ru/RuO₂ electrode relatively small changes in mass have been found to accompany the anodic and cathodic processes within E range between 0.4 V and 1.2 V in the solution of 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Meanwhile cycling the potential of thermally formed RuO₂ electrode under the same conditions has lead to continuous decrease in electrode mass, which has been attributed to irreversible dehydration of RuO₂ layer. On the basis of microgravimetric and voltammetric study as well as the coulometric analysis of the results conclusions are presented regarding the nature of surface processes taking place on Ru and RuO₂ electrodes.     

Concurrent oxygen reduction and methanol oxidation in sulfuric acid solutions on platinized platinum electrodes

Steady-state polarization curves are compared in solutions of 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + O₂ (saturated), 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (0.005–0.1) M CH₃OH, and 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + (0.005–0.1) M CH₃OH + O₂ (saturated) on a Pt/Pt electrode. A considerable difference is found between the currents in mixed solutions and those expected based on the principle of additivity of currents in CH₃OH and O₂ individual solutions. The surface coverages with the CH₃OH and O₂ adsorption products are determined in the potential range of 0.2–0.9 V (RHE). Open-circuit potentials are measured in mixed solutions. The obtained results suggest that the direct heterogeneous interaction between methanol and oxygen occurs alongside with faradaic reactions. This is assumed to lead to a decrease in methanol electrooxidation currents at E ≥ 0.8 V and their increase at E ≤ 0.65 V.     

Solvent Extraction Separation of Iridium(III) from Rhodium(III) by N-n-Octylaniline

The use ofN-n-octylaniline for the extraction of iridium(III) from malonate media is studied at pH 8.5. Iridium(III) extracted in the organic phase was stripped with 2.0 M hydrochloric acid and was determined spectrophotometrically by the stannous chloride–hydrobromic acid method at 385 nm. The extraction system is studied as a function of the equilibration time, diluent, reagent concentration and diverse ions. Experimental data have been analyzed graphically to determine the stoichiometry of the extracted species. It was found that the extraction of iridium(III) proceeds by an anion exchange mechanism and transforms into the extracted species [RR"NH₂ ⁺Ir(C₃H₂O₄)₂ ^–]_org. The method is simple, rapid, and selective and has been devised for the sequential separation of iridium(III) from rhodium(III), not only from each other, but also from other accompanying Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Au(III), and base metals.     

Accelerating the oxygen reduction reaction via a bioinspired carbon‐supported zinc electrocatalyst

Oxygen utilization in electrochemical energy generation systems requires to overcome the slow kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we have outstretched an efficient strategy in order for developing a bioinspired Zn (N₄)/sulfur/graphitic carbon composite (Zn‐S‐Gc) with an effective performance for the ORR at low temperature. The catalyst composite was created by attaching the Zn (N₄) centers in the form of zinc phthalocyanine on the sulfur‐linked graphitic carbon surface. The most positive ORR onset potential of about 1.00 V versus a reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) was obtained due to the unique structure of a new catalyst in KOH solution (pH = 13) at low temperature (T = 298 K). The catalyst was evaluated using the rotating‐disk electrode method in the potential range of ?0.02–1.18 V versus RHE. The number of transferred electrons as one of the most important parameters (n > 3.70) is almost constant in a wide range of low overpotentials (0.1–0.6 V), which indicates a more efficient four‐electron pathway from O₂ to H₂O on the catalyst surface. The estimated Tafel slope in an appropriate range is about ≈ ?133.3 mV/dec at a low current density and E_1/2 of the electrocatalyst displays a negative shift of only 11 mV after 10,000 cycles. The mean size of the catalyst centers is on the nanoscale (<50 nm).     

Highly Sensitive and Selective Amperometric Detection of Periodate at Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with a Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complex and Single‐Wall Carbon Nanotubes

Single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were used as an immobilization matrix to incorporate [Ir(ppy)₂(phen‐dione)](PF₆) complex onto a glassy carbon electrode for the study of electrocatalytic reduction of periodate ion. Detailed preliminary electrochemical data for the Ir(III)‐complex in acetonitrile solution and for the modified GCE/SWCNTs/[Ir(ppy)₂(phen‐dione)](PF₆)/CGE are presented. The modified electrode was applied to selective amperometric detection of periodate through its electrocatalytic reduction to iodide at 0.200 V and pH 2.0. The use of amperometry resulted in two calibration plots over the concentration ranges of 1‐20 μM and 20‐450 μM, with a detection limit of 0.6 μM and sensitivity of 198 nA μM^?1.     

Unravelling Hydrogen Adsorption Kinetics on Ir(111) Electrode in Acid Solutions by Impedance Spectroscopy

The kinetics for hydrogen (H) adsorption on Ir(111) electrode has been studied in both HClO\begin{document}$ _4 $\end{document} and H\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}SO\begin{document}$ _4 $\end{document} solutions by impedance spectroscopy. In HClO\begin{document}$ _4 $\end{document}, the adsorption rate for H adsorption on Ir(111) increases from 1.74\begin{document}$ \times $\end{document}10\begin{document}$ ^{-8} $\end{document} mol\begin{document}$ \cdot $\end{document}cm\begin{document}$ ^{-2} $\end{document}\begin{document}$ \cdot $\end{document}s\begin{document}$ ^{-1} $\end{document} to 3.47\begin{document}$ \times $\end{document}10\begin{document}$ ^{-7} $\end{document} mol\begin{document}$ \cdot $\end{document}cm\begin{document}$ ^{-2} $\end{document}\begin{document}$ \cdot $\end{document}s\begin{document}$ ^{-1} $\end{document} with the decrease of the applied potential from 0.2 V to 0.1 V (vs. RHE), which is ca. one to two orders of magnitude slower than that on Pt(111) under otherwise identical condition. This is explained by the stronger binding of water to Ir(111), which needs a higher barrier to reorient during the under potential deposition of H from hydronium within the hydrogen bonded water network. In H\begin{document}$ _2 $\end{document}SO\begin{document}$ _4 $\end{document}, the adsorption potential is ca. 200 mV negatively shifted, accompanied by a decrease of adsorption rate by up to one order of magnitude, which is explained by the hindrance of the strongly adsorbed sulfate/bisulfate on Ir(111). Our results demonstrate that under electrochemical environment, H adsorption is strongly affected by the accompanying displacement and reorientation of water molecules that initially stay close to the electrode surface.     

新型铱配合物的合成及电致发光性质研究

合成了一种新型橙红色磷光材料铱的配合物(npp)₂Ir(acac)(npp=2-(1-萘基)-4-苯基吡啶，acac=乙酰丙酮)，通过 ¹H NMR、MS、元素分析对其结构进行了表征。以铱配合物(npp)₂Ir(acac)作为发光体，制备了结构为ITO/Ir(5%)：PVK(60 nm)/F-TBB(15 nm)/Alq₃(15 nm)/LiF(1 nm)/Al(150 nm)的电致发光器件，研究了其电致发光性质。结果表明器件的最大发射波长在599 nm，最大发光亮度为3 841 cd·m^-2，最大电流效率达3.9 cd·A^-1。     

Absorption and emission spectroscopic characterization of Ir(ppy)3

The absorption and emission spectroscopic behaviour of cyclometalated fac-tris(2-phenylpyridine) iridium(III) [Ir(ppy)₃] is studied at room temperature. Liquid solutions, doped films, and neat films are investigated. The absorption cross-section spectra including singlet–triplet absorption, the triplet–singlet stimulated emission cross-section spectra, the phosphorescence quantum distributions, the phosphorescence quantum yields and the phosphorescence signal decays are determined. In neat films fluorescence self-quenching occurs, in diluted solid solution (polystyrene and dicarbazole-biphenyl films) as well as deaerated liquid solution (toluene) high phosphorescence quantum yields are obtained, and in air-saturated liquid solutions (chloroform, toluene, tetrahydrofuran) the phosphorescence efficiency is reduced by triplet oxygen quenching. At intense short-pulse laser excitation the phosphorescence lifetime is shortened by triplet–triplet annihilation. No amplification of spontaneous emission in the phosphorescence spectral region was observed indicating higher excited-state absorption than stimulated emission.     

Cellular Mechanistic Considerations on Cytotoxic Mode of Action of Phosphino Ru(II) and Ir(III) Complexes

Two piano-stool ruthenium(II) complexes Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂PPh₂CH₂OH ( RuPOH ) and Ru(η⁶-p-cymene)Cl₂P(p-OCH₃Ph)₂CH₂OH ( RuMPOH ) and two half-sandwich iridium(III) complexes Ir(η ⁵-Cp*)Cl₂PPh₂CH₂OH ( IrPOH ) and Ir(η ⁵-Cp*)Cl₂P(p-OCH₃Ph)₂CH₂OH ( IrMPOH ) have been studied in terms of potential anticancer activity on previously selected cell line (human lung adenocarcinoma). Based on experimental results obtained in monoculture in vitro model mechanistic considerations on the possible cellular modes of action have been carried out. ICP-MS analysis revealed the higher cellular uptake for less hydrophobic Ir(III) complexes in comparison to the corresponding Ru(II) compounds. Cytometric analysis showed a predominance of apoptosis over the other types of cell death for all complexes. The apoptotic pathway was confirmed by a decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the activation of caspases-3/9 for both Ru(II) and Ir(III) complexes. It was concluded that in the case of Ru(II) complexes the intense ROS generation is mainly responsible for the resulting cytotoxicity. The corresponding Ir(III) complexes trigger simultaneously at least three different cytotoxic pathways i. e., depletion of mitochondrial potential, activation of caspases-dependent apoptosis, and ROS-associated oxidation. Thus, it can be assumed that the final accumulation of toxic effects over time via parallel activation of different pathways results in the highest cytotoxicity in vitro exhibited by Ir(III) complexes when compared with Ru(II) complexes.     

Organic soluble deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bearing carbazole moieties and its blend with phosphorescent Ir(III) complexes

A functionalized deoxyribonucleic acid (Cz‐DNA) was prepared with carbazolyl ammonium lipid as a triplet host material for phosphorescent material system. It is soluble in organic solvents, which facilitates the sample preparation for the absorption and luminescent properties in solid states. A highly soluble iridium complex, Ir(Cz‐ppy)₃ with carbazolyl‐substituted 2‐phenylpyridine ligands was employed for studying the phosphorescence in Cz‐DNA. There is a good overlap between the photoluminescence spectrum of Cz‐DNA and the metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands of the iridium complex. This overlap enables efficient energy transfer from the excited state in the host to the MLCT band of Ir(Cz‐ppy)₃. In addition, photoluminescence quantum yield of Cz‐DNA was found to be relatively larger than the copolymer (PCzSt) with vinylcarbazole and styrene. Thus, Cz‐DNA was employed as a triplet host material for fabricating multilayered electrophosphorescence devices via modification of its property by doping 5,4‐tert‐butylhexyl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole (PBD). After doping 30 wt % PBD and 10 wt % Ir(Cz‐ppy)₃ into Cz‐DNA, we achieved much improvement in electron injection/transport from an adjacent carrier transport layer, resulting in much improved device performances. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 1913–1918, 2010     

Versatile reactivity of half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes toward carboranylamidinates and their derivatives: synthesis, structure, and catalytic activity for norbornene polymerization

Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate‐based half‐sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ‐Cl)Cl}₂] (M=Ir, Rh; Cp*=η⁵‐C₅Me₅) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18‐electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 a ; Cab^N‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DIC)] ( 1 b ), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab^N‐DCC)] ( 1 c ; Cab^N‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHCy)]). A series of 16‐electron half‐sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 a ; Cab^N′‐DIC=[iPrN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab^N′‐DCC)] ( 2 b , Cab^N′‐DCC=[CyN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab^N′‐DIC)] ( 2 c ) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab^N,S‐DCC)] (M=Ir 3 a , 3 b ; Rh 3 c , 3 d ), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl₂}₂] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN?C(closo‐1,2‐C₂B₁₀H₁₀)(NHR)]S^? (R=iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C? Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1 a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10⁶ g_PNB ${{\rm{mol}}_{{\rm{Ir}}}^{ - {\rm{1}}} }Synthesis, structure, and reactivity of carboranylamidinate-based half-sandwich iridium and rhodium complexes are reported for the first time. Treatment of dimeric metal complexes [{Cp*M(μ-Cl)Cl}(2)] (M = Ir, Rh; Cp* = η(5)-C(5)Me(5)) with a solution of one equivalent of nBuLi and a carboranylamidine produces 18-electron complexes [Cp*IrCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?a; Cab(N)-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHiPr)]), [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DIC)] (1?b), and [Cp*RhCl(Cab(N)-DCC)] (1?c; Cab(N)-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHCy)]). A series of 16-electron half-sandwich Ir and Rh complexes [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?a; Cab(N')-DIC = [iPrN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NiPr)]), [Cp*Ir(Cab(N')-DCC)] (2?b, Cab(N')-DCC = [CyN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10)(NCy)]), and [Cp*Rh(Cab(N')-DIC)] (2?c) is also obtained when an excess of nBuLi is used. The unexpected products [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DIC)], [Cp*M(Cab(N,S)-DCC)] (M = Ir 3?a, 3?b; Rh 3?c, 3?d), formed through BH activation, are obtained by reaction of [{Cp*MCl(2)}(2)] with carboranylamidinate sulfides [RN=C(closo-1,2-C(2)B(10)H(10))(NHR)]S(-) (R = iPr, Cy), which can be prepared by inserting sulfur into the C-Li bond of lithium carboranylamidinates. Iridium complex 1?a shows catalytic activities of up to 2.69×10(6) g(PNB) mol(Ir)(-1) h(-1) for the polymerization of norbornene in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) as cocatalyst. Catalytic activities and the molecular weight of polynorbornene (PNB) were investigated under various reaction conditions. All complexes were fully characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectroscopy; the structures of 1?a-c, 2?a, b; and 3?a, b, d were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Embedding Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide within a Porous Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) Matrix to Enhance its H2‐evolving Catalytic Activity and Robustness

Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoS_x) is a promising alternative to Pt catalyst for the H₂ evolution in water. However, it is suffered of an electrochemical corrosion. In this report, we present a strategy to tack this issue by embedding the MoS_x catalyst within a porous poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix. The PEDOT host is firstly grown onto a fluorine‐doped tin oxide (FTO) electrode by electrochemical polymerization of EDOT monomer in an acetonitrile solution to perform a porous structure. The MoS_x catalyst is subsequently deposited onto the PEDOT by an electrochemical oxidation of [MoS₄]^2? monomer. In a 0.5 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte solution, the MoS_x/PEDOT shows higher H₂‐evolving catalytic activities (current density of 34.2 mA/cm² at ?0.4 V vs RHE) in comparison to a pristine MoS_x grown on a planar FTO electrode having similar catalyst loading (24.2 mA/cm²). The PEDOT matrix contributes to enhance the stability of MoS_x catalyst by a significant manner. As such, the MoS_x/PEDOT retains 81 % of its best catalytic activity after 1000 potential scans from 0 to ?0.4 V vs. RHE, whereas a planar MoS_x catalyst is completely degraded after about 240 potential scans, due to its complete corrosion.     

DFT/TD‐DFT investigation on Ir(III) complexes with N‐heterocyclic carbene ligands: Geometries,electronic structures,absorption, and phosphorescence properties

Iridium(III) complexes with N‐heterocyclic (NHC) ligands including fac‐Ir(pmb)₃ (1), mer‐Ir(pmb)₃ (2), (pmb)₂Ir(acac) (3), mer‐Ir(pypi)₃ (4), and fac‐Ir(pypi)₃ (5) [pmb = 1‐phenyl‐3H‐benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene, acac = acetoylacetonate, pypi = 1‐phenyl‐5H‐benzimidazolin‐2‐ylidene; fac = facial, mer = meridional] were investigated theoretically. The geometry structures of 1–5 in the ground and excited state were optimized with restricted and unrestricted DFT (density functional theory) methods, respectively (LANL2DZ for Ir atom and 6‐31G for other atoms). The HOMOs (highest occupied molecular orbitals) of 1–3 are composed of d(Ir) and π(phenyl), while those of 4 and 5 are contributed by d(Ir) and π(carbene). The LUMOs (lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals) of 1, 2, 4, and 5 are localized on carbene, but that of 3 is localized on acac. The calculated lowest‐lying absorptions with TD‐DFT method based on Perdew‐Burke‐Erzenrhof (PBE) functional of 1 (310 nm), 2 (332 nm), and 3 (347 nm) have ML_carbeneCT/IL_{phenyl→carbene}CT (MLCT = metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer; ILCT = intraligand charge transfer) transition characters, whereas those of 4 (385 nm) and 5 (389 nm) are assigned to ML_carbeneCT/IL_{carbene→carbene}CT transitions. The phosphorescences calculated by TD‐DFT method with PBE0 functional of 1 (386 nm) and 2 (388 nm) originate from ³ML_carbeneCT/³IL_{phenyl→carbene}CT excited states, but those of 4 (575 nm) and 5 (578 nm) come from ³ML_carbeneCT/³IL_{carbene→carbene}CT excited states. The calculated results showed that the carbene and phenyl groups act as two independent chromophores in transition processes. Compared with 1 and 2, the absorptions of 4 and 5 are red‐shifted by increasing the effective π‐conjugation groups near the C_carbene atom. We predicated that (pmb)₂Ir(acac) is nonemissive, because the LUMO of 3 is contributed by the nonemissive acac ligand. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010