Oxidation of Ru(III)‐Bound Thiocyanate with Peroxomonosulfate: Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies

The reaction of [Ru^III(edta)(SCN)]^2? (edta^4? = ethylenediaminetetraacetate; SCN^? = thiocyanate ion) with the peroxomonosulfate ion (HSO₅^?) has been studied by using stopped‐flow and rapid scan spectrophotometry as a function of [Ru^III(edta)], [HSO₅^?], and temperature (15–30ºC) at constant pH 6.2 (phosphate buffer). Spectral analyses and kinetic data are suggestive of a pathway in which HSO₅^? effects the oxidation of the coordinated SCN^? by its direct attack at the S‐atom (of SCN^?) coordinated to the Ru^III(edta). The high negative value of entropy of activation (ΔS^≠ = ?90 ± 6 J mol^?1 deg^?1) is consistent with the values reported for the oxygen atom transfer process involving heterolytic cleavage of the O‐O bond in HSO₅^?. Formation of SO₄^2?, SO₃^2?, and OCN^? was identified as oxidation products in ESI‐MS experiments. A detailed mechanism in agreement with the spectral and kinetic data is presented.     

Bis(sulfonylimide)ruthenium(VI) Porphyrins: X‐ray Crystal Structure and Mechanism of C?H Bond Amination by Density Functional Theory Calculations

The X‐ray crystal structure of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(tmp)] (Ms=SO₂‐ p‐MeOC₆H₄; tmp=5,10,15,20‐tetramesitylporphyrinato(2?)), a metal sulfonylimide complex that can undergo alkene aziridination and C? H bond amination reactions, shows a Ru?N distance of 1.79(3) Å and Ru‐N‐S angle of 162.5(3)°. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on the electronic structures of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(tmp)] and model complex [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(por⁰)] (por⁰=unsubstituted porphyrinato(2?)) using the M06L functional gave results in agreement with experimental observations. For the amination of ethylbenzene by the singlet ground state of [Ru^VI(NMs)₂(por⁰)], DFT calculations using the M06L functional revealed an effectively concerted pathway involving rate‐limiting hydrogen atom abstraction without a distinct radical rebound step. The substituent effect on the amination reactivity of ethylbenzene by [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)] (X=SO₂‐p‐YC₆H₄ with Y=MeO, Me, H, Cl, NO₂) was examined. Electron‐withdrawing Y groups lower the energy of the LUMOs of [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)], thus facilitating their interaction with the low‐lying HOMO of the ethylbenzene C? H bond and hence increasing the reactivity of [Ru^VI(NX)₂(por⁰)]. DFT calculations on the amination/aziridination reactions of [Ru^VI(NSO₂C₆H₅)₂(por⁰)] with pent‐4‐enal, an aldehyde substrate bearing acyl, homoallylic, and allylic C? H bonds and a C?C bond, revealed a lower reaction barrier for the amination of the acyl C? H bond than for both the amination of the other C? H bonds and aziridination of the C?C bond in this substrate.     

Solid‐Liquid Equilibria in the Quinary Na+, K+//Cl−, SO2−4, B4O2−7‐H2O System at 298 K

The solid‐liquid equilibria in the quinary system Na⁺, K⁺//Cl^?, SO^2?₄, B₄O^2?₇‐H₂O at 298 K had been studied experimentally using the method of isothermal solution saturation. Solubilities and densities of the solution of the quinary system were measured experimentally. Based on the experimental data, the dry‐salt phase diagram and water content diagram of the quinary system were constructed, respectively. In the equilibrium diagram of the quinary system Na⁺, K⁺//Cl^?, SO^2?₄, B₄O^2?₇‐H₂O at 298 K, there are five invariant points F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5; eleven univariant curves E1F1, E2F2, E3F3, E4F5, E5F2, E6F4, E7F5, F1F4, F2F4 F1F3 and F3F5, and seven fields of crystallization saturated with Na₂B₄O₇ corresponding to Na₂SO₄, Na₂SO₄·10H₂O, Na₂SO₄·3K₂SO₄ (Gla), K₂SO₄, K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O, NaCl and KCl. The experimental results show that Na₂SO₄·3K₂SO₄ (Gla), K₂SO₄ and K₂B₄O₇·4H₂O have bigger crystallization fields than other salts in the quinary system Na⁺, K⁺//Cl^?, SO^2?₄, B₄O^2?₇‐H₂O at 298 K.     

Visible Light Excitable SCN− Selective Fluorescence Probe Derived from Thiophene

An efficient fluorescence probe, 4‐methyl‐2,6‐bis((thiophen‐2‐ylmethylimino)methyl)phenol (DFPTMA) and its SCN^? adduct has been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques like ¹H NMR,¹³C NMR, QTOF‐MS ES⁺, UV‐Vis and FTIR spectroscopy. Single crystal X‐ray structure of DFPTMA is reported. In presence of SCN^?, DFPTMA exhibits significant fluorescence enhancement (λ_Ex, 455 nm, λ_Em, 504 nm) in aqueous methanol (water‐methanol, 1:4, V/V, 0.1 mol/L HEPES buffer, pH 7.4). Common bio‐relevant anions viz. CH₃COO^?, NO₂^?, NO₃^?, Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, SO₄^2?, HSO₄^?, N₃^?, HAsO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2?, H₂PO₄^?, ClO₄^?, NCO^?, CN^?, CO₃^2?, F^?, PO₄^3?, S^2?, HS^? do not interfere in the recognition of SCN^?. Lowest detection limit for SCN^? is 0.88 µmol/L with response time <5 min. The SCN^? assisted enhancement in emission intensity may be attributed to the formation of H‐bond which enhances the rigidity of the molecular assembly.     

Redox Non‐Innocence and Isomer‐Specific Oxidative Functionalization of Ruthenium‐Coordinated β‐Ketoiminate

This article deals with isomeric ruthenium complexes [Ru^III(L^R)₂(acac)] (S=1/2) involving unsymmetric β‐ketoiminates (AcNac) (L^R=R‐AcNac, R=H ( 1 ), Cl ( 2 ), OMe ( 3 ); acac=acetylacetonate) [R=para‐substituents (H, Cl, OMe) of N‐bearing aryl group]. The isomeric identities of the complexes, cct (cis‐cis‐trans, blue, a ), ctc (cis‐trans‐cis, green, b ) and ccc (cis‐cis‐cis_, pink, c ) with respect to oxygen (acac), oxygen (L) and nitrogen (L) donors, respectively, were authenticated by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures and spectroscopic/electrochemical features. One‐electron reversible oxidation and reduction processes of 1 – 3 led to the electronic formulations of [Ru^III(L)(L ^? )(acac)]⁺ and [Ru^II(L)₂(acac)]^? for 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ (S=1) and 1^? – 3^? (S=0), respectively. The triplet state of 1 ⁺‐ 3 ⁺ was corroborated by its forbidden weak half‐field signal near g≈4.0 at 4 K, revealing the non‐innocent feature of L. Interestingly, among the three isomeric forms ( a – c in 1 – 3 ), the ctc ( b in 2 b or 3 b ) isomer selectively underwent oxidative functionalization at the central β‐carbon (C?H→C=O) of one of the L ligands in air, leading to the formation of diamagnetic [Ru^II(L)(L ′ )(acac)] (L ′ =diketoimine) in 4 / 4′ . Mechanistic aspects of the oxygenation process of AcNac in 2 b were also explored via kinetic and theoretical studies.     

Four‐Center Oxidation State Combinations and Near‐Infrared Absorption in [Ru(pap)(Q)2]n (Q=3,5‐Di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐aryl‐1,2‐benzoquinonemonoimine,pap=2‐Phenylazopyridine)

The complex series [Ru(pap)(Q)₂]ⁿ ([ 1 ]ⁿ–[ 4 ]ⁿ; n=+2, +1, 0, ?1, ?2) contains four redox non‐innocent entities: one ruthenium ion, 2‐phenylazopyridine (pap), and two o‐iminoquinone moieties, Q=3,5‐di‐tert‐butyl‐N‐aryl‐1,2‐benzoquinonemonoimine (aryl=C₆H₅ ( 1⁺ ); m‐(Cl)₂C₆H₃ ( 2⁺ ); m‐(OCH₃)₂C₆H₃ ( 3⁺ ); m‐(tBu)₂C₆H₃ ( 4 ⁺)). A crystal structure determination of the representative compound, [ 1 ]ClO₄, established the crystallization of the ctt‐isomeric form, that is, cis and trans with respect to the mutual orientations of O and N donors of two Q ligands, and the coordinating azo N atom trans to the O donor of Q. The sensitive C? O (average: 1.299(3) Å), C? N (average: 1.346(4) Å) and intra‐ring C? C (meta; average: 1.373(4) Å) bond lengths of the coordinated iminoquinone moieties in corroboration with the N?N length (1.292(3) Å) of pap in 1 ⁺ establish [Ru^III(pap⁰)(Q^.?)₂]⁺ as the most appropriate electronic structural form. The coupling of three spins from one low‐spin ruthenium(III) (t_2g⁵) and two Q^.? radicals in 1 ⁺– 4 ⁺ gives a ground state with one unpaired electron on Q^.?, as evident from g=1.995 radical‐type EPR signals for 1 ⁺– 4 ⁺. Accordingly, the DFT‐calculated Mulliken spin densities of 1 ⁺ (1.152 for two Q, Ru: ?0.179, pap: 0.031) confirm Q‐based spin. Complex ions 1 ⁺– 4 ⁺ exhibit two near‐IR absorption bands at about λ=2000 and 920 nm in addition to intense multiple transitions covering the visible to UV regions; compounds [ 1 ]ClO₄–[ 4 ]ClO₄ undergo one oxidation and three separate reduction processes within ±2.0 V versus SCE. The crystal structure of the neutral (one‐electron reduced) state ( 2 ) was determined to show metal‐based reduction and an EPR signal at g=1.996. The electronic transitions of the complexes 1 ⁿ– 4 ⁿ (n=+2, +1, 0, ?1, ?2) in the UV, visible, and NIR regions, as determined by using spectroelectrochemistry, have been analyzed by TD‐DFT calculations and reveal significant low‐energy absorbance (λ_max>1000 nm) for cations, anions, and neutral forms. The experimental studies in combination with DFT calculations suggest the dominant valence configurations of 1 ⁿ– 4 ⁿ in the accessible redox states to be [Ru^III(pap⁰)(Q^.?)(Q⁰)]²⁺ ( 1 ²⁺– 4 ²⁺)→[Ru^III(pap⁰)(Q^.?)₂]⁺ ( 1 ⁺– 4 ⁺)→[Ru^II(pap⁰)(Q^.?)₂] ( 1 – 4 )→[Ru^II(pap^.?)(Q^.?)₂]^? ( 1 ^?– 4 ^?)→[Ru^III(pap^.?)(Q^2?)₂]^2? ( 1 ^2?– 4 ^2?).     

Synthesis of Pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones Catalyzed by Br?nsted‐acidic Ionic Liquids as Highly Efficient and Reusable Catalysts

A convenient and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidin‐4‐ones via heterocyclization reaction of 5‐amino‐1H‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxamides with triethyl orthoesters using two Br?nsted‐acidic ionic liquids, 3‐methyl‐1‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate [MIM⁺(CH₂)₄SO₃H][HSO₄^?] or N‐(4‐sulfonic acid)butyl triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate [Et₃N⁺(CH₂)₄SO₃H][HSO₄^?], as efficient homogeneous catalysts under solvent‐free conditions is described.     

Vicinal Dinitridoruthenium‐Substituted Polyoxometalates γ‐[XW10O38{RuN}2]6− (X=Si or Ge)

Reaction of the divacant polyoxometalate K₈[γ‐XW₁₀O₃₆] (X=Si, Ge) with two equivalents of the metal‐nitrido precursor Cs₂[Ru^VINCl₅], at room temperature in water, produces K₂(Me₂NH₂)₂H₂[γ‐XW₁₀O₃₈{RuN}₂], X=Si ( DMA ‐ 1 a ) or Ge ( DMA ‐ 1 b ). The X‐ray crystal structures of both complexes show monomeric complexes with highly unusual vicinal terminal metal‐nitrido units. The Ru?N bond lengths are 1.594(10) and 1.612(11) Å in 1 a and 1 b , respectively. EXAFS studies confirmed the key structural assignments from X‐ray crystallography. The XANES spectrum of DMA‐1 a , diamagnetism, NMR (²⁹Si and ¹⁸³W) chemical shifts, voltammetric behavior, reductive titrations with [PW₁₂O₄₀]^4?, and computational data are all consistent with d² Ru^VI centers in these complexes. The FT‐IR and Raman spectra show the expected vibrational modes of the {γ‐XW₁₀} unit and the Ru?N stretch at 1080 cm^?1, respectively. Interestingly, reduction of DMA‐1 a by 4 equivalents of [PW₁₂O₄₀]^4? produces NH₃ in nearly quantitative yield. Cyclic voltammetry versus pH and calculations provide the energetics for the possible two‐electron reduction and two‐proton addition processes in this reaction.     

Structure of the Michaelis Complex and Function of the Catalytic Center in the Reductive Half‐Reaction of Computational and Synthetic Models of Sulfite Oxidase

By using frontier‐molecular‐orbital and electrostatic (nucleophilic) interactions as well as relaxed potential‐energy surface scans, it is shown that the initial step in the oxygen‐atom transfer (OAT) reaction of [Mo^VIO₂‐(S₂C₂Me₂)SMe]^?1 ( 1 ) and [Mo^VIO₂‐{(S₂C₂(CN)₂}₂]^2? ( 2 ) with HSO₃^? takes place by oxoanionic binding of the substrate to the Mo^VI center with the formation of a stable Michaelis complex. The gas‐phase and solvent‐corrected enthalpy profile with fully optimized minima and transition states for the OAT reaction of 1 and 2 with HSO₃^? showed the release of reaction energy for both complexes. The optimized geometries of 1 and 2 in the respective enzyme–substrate complexes showed a common feature with the participation of hydrogen bonding of the substrate with the axial (spectator) oxo group in the subsequent formation of the six‐membered MoO₂HOS transition state. The enzyme–substrate complex of 2 shows heptacoordination as proposed earlier, although the trans (to axial oxo)‐Mo? S(dithiolene) bond is elongated to 2.948 Å.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of Oxidation of Chromium(III)‐guanosine 5‐Monophosphate Complex by Periodate

The kinetics of oxidation of the chromium(III)‐guanosine 5‐monophosphate complex, [Cr^III(L)(H₂O)₄]³⁺(L = guanosine 5‐monophosphate) by periodate in aqueous solution to Cr^VI have been studied spectrophotometrically over the 25–45 °C range. The reaction is first order with respect to both [IO₄^?] and [Cr^III], and increases with pH over the 2.38–3.68 range. Thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated. It is proposed that electron transfer proceeds through an inner‐sphere mechanism via coordination of IO₄^? to chromium(III).     

Near‐IR Absorbing Ruthenium Complexes of Non‐Innocent 6,12‐Di(pyridin‐2‐yl)indolo[3,2‐b]carbazole: Variation as a Function of Co‐Ligands

This article deals with the hitherto unexplored metal complexes of deprotonated 6,12‐di(pyridin‐2‐yl)‐5,11‐dihydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole (H₂L). The synthesis and structural, optical, electrochemical characterization of dimeric [{Ru^III(acac)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)]ClO₄ ([ 1 ]ClO₄, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(bpy)₂}₂(μ‐L^.?)](ClO₄)₃ ([ 2 ](ClO₄)₃, S=1/2), [{Ru^II(pap)₂}₂(μ‐L^2?)](ClO₄)₂ ([ 4 ](ClO₄)₂, S=0), and monomeric [(bpy)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 3 ]ClO₄, S=0), [(pap)₂Ru^II(HL^?)]ClO₄ ([ 5 ]ClO₄, S=0) (acac=σ‐donating acetylacetonate, bpy=moderately π‐accepting 2,2’‐bipyridine, pap=strongly π‐accepting 2‐phenylazopyridine) are reported. The radical and dianionic states of deprotonated L in isolated dimeric 1 ⁺/ 2 ³⁺ and 4 ²⁺, respectively, could be attributed to the varying electronic features of the ancillary (acac, bpy, and pap) ligands, as was reflected in their redox potentials. Perturbation of the energy level of the deprotonated L or HL upon coordination with {Ru(acac)₂}, {Ru(bpy)₂}, or {Ru(pap)₂} led to the smaller energy gap in the frontier molecular orbitals (FMO), resulting in bathochromically shifted NIR absorption bands (800–2000 nm) in the accessible redox states of the complexes, which varied to some extent as a function of the ancillary ligands. Spectroelectrochemical (UV/Vis/NIR, EPR) studies along with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations revealed (i) involvement of deprotonated L or HL in the oxidation processes owing to its redox non‐innocent potential and (ii) metal (Ru^III/Ru^II) or bpy/pap dominated reduction processes in 1 ⁺ or 2 ²⁺/ 3 ⁺/ 4 ²⁺/ 5 ⁺, respectively.     

The Protonation of HSO3F: Preparation and Characterization of Fluorodihydroxyoxosulfonium Hexafluoroantimonate [H2SO3F]+[SbF6]−

Sulfurtrioxide reacts with the superacidic solutions XF/SbF₅ (X=H, D) to form the corresponding salts [X₂SO₃F]⁺[SbF₆]^?, which are the protonated forms of fluorosulfuric acid. The salts have been characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and a single‐crystal structure analysis. [H₂SO₃F]⁺[SbF₆]^? crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (no. 14) with four formula units in the unit cell. The crystal structure possesses a distorted tetrahedral O₃SF skeleton of the cations, which are linked with two strong hydrogen bridges to [SbF₆]^? anions and forms a one‐dimensional chain. The crystal structure and the vibrational spectra are compared to the quantum‐chemical‐calculated free [H₂SO₃F]⁺ cation. Additionally, an [H₂SO₃F(HF)₂]⁺ unit was calculated at the RHF/6‐311⁺⁺G(d,p) level to simulate H???F hydrogen bridges found in the solid state.     

Controlled Synthesis of Heterotrimetallic Single‐Chain Magnets from Anisotropic High‐Spin 3 d–4 f Nodes and Paramagnetic Spacers

By using the node‐and‐spacer approach in suitable solvents, four new heterotrimetallic 1D chain‐like compounds (that is, containing 3d–3d′–4f metal ions), {[Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)Fe(Tp*)(CN)₃] ? 2 CH₃CN ? CH₃OH}_n (H₂L=N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidene)‐1,3‐diaminopropane, Tp*=hydridotris(3,5‐dimethylpyrazol‐1‐yl)borate; Ln=Gd ( 1 ), Dy ( 2 ), Tb ( 3 ), Nd ( 4 )), have been synthesized and structurally characterized. All of these compounds are made up of a neutral cyanide‐ and phenolate‐bridged heterotrimetallic chain, with a {? Fe? C?N? Ni(? O? Ln)? N?C? }_n repeat unit. Within these chains, each [(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃]^? entity binds to the Ni^II ion of the [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ motif through two of its three cyanide groups in a cis mode, whereas each [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ unit is linked to two [(Tp*)Fe(CN)₃]^? ions through the Ni^II ion in a trans mode. In the [Ni(L)Ln(NO₃)₂(H₂O)]⁺ unit, the Ni^II and Ln^III ions are bridged to one other through two phenolic oxygen atoms of the ligand (L). Compounds 1 – 4 are rare examples of 1D cyanide‐ and phenolate‐bridged 3d–3d′–4f helical chain compounds. As expected, strong ferromagnetic interactions are observed between neighboring Fe^III and Ni^II ions through a cyanide bridge and between neighboring Ni^II and Ln^III (except for Nd^III) ions through two phenolate bridges. Further magnetic studies show that all of these compounds exhibit single‐chain magnetic behavior. Compound 2 exhibits the highest effective energy barrier (58.2 K) for the reversal of magnetization in 3d/4d/5d–4f heterotrimetallic single‐chain magnets.     

Outer‐Sphere 2 e−/2 H+ Transfer Reactions of Ruthenium(II)‐Amine and Ruthenium(IV)‐Amido Complexes

A diverse set of 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ reactions are described that interconvert [Ru^II(bpy)(en*)₂]²⁺ and [Ru^IV(bpy)(en‐H*)₂]²⁺ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine, en*=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH₂, en*‐H=H₂NCMe₂CMe₂NH⁻), forming or cleaving different O−H, N−H, S−H, and C−H bonds. The reactions involve quinones, hydrazines, thiols, and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene. These proton‐coupled electron transfer reactions occur without substrate binding to the ruthenium center, but instead with precursor complex formation by hydrogen bonding. The free energies of the reactions vary over more than 90 kcal mol⁻¹, but the rates are more dependent on the type of X−H bond involved than the associated ΔG °. There is a kinetic preference for substrates that have the transferring hydrogen atoms in close proximity, such as ortho ‐tetrachlorobenzoquinone over its para ‐isomer and 1,3‐cyclohexadiene over its 1,4‐isomer, perhaps hinting at the potential for concerted 2 e⁻/2 H⁺ transfers.     

Chiral η6‐Arene/N‐Tosylethylenediamine–Ruthenium(II) Complexes: Solution Behavior and Catalytic Activity for Asymmetric Hydrogenation

Aromatic ketones are enantioseletively hydrogenated in alcohols containing [RuX{(S,S)‐Tsdpen}(η⁶‐p‐cymene)] (Tsdpen=TsNCH(C₆H₅)CH(C₆H₅)NH₂; X=TfO, Cl) as precatalysts. The corresponding Ru hydride (X=H) acts as a reducing species. The solution structures and complete spectral assignment of these complexes have been determined using 2D NMR (¹H‐¹H DQF‐COSY, ¹H‐¹³C HMQC, ¹H‐¹⁵N HSQC, and ¹H‐¹⁹F HOESY). Depending on the nature of the solvents and conditions, the precatalysts exist as a covalently bound complex, tight ion pair of [Ru⁺(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X^?, solvent‐separated ion pair, or discrete free ions. Solvent effects on the NH₂ chemical shifts of the Ru complexes and the hydrodynamic radius and volume of the Ru⁺ and TfO^? ions elucidate the process of precatalyst activation for hydrogenation. Most notably, the Ru triflate possessing a high ionizability, substantiated by cyclic voltammetry, exists in alcoholic solvents largely as a solvent‐separated ion pair and/or free ions. Accordingly, its diffusion‐derived data in CD₃OD reflect the independent motion of [Ru⁺(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and TfO^?. In CDCl₃, the complex largely retains the covalent structure showing similar diffusion data for the cation and anion. The Ru triflate and chloride show similar but distinct solution behavior in various solvents. Conductivity measurements and catalytic behavior demonstrate that both complexes ionize in CH₃OH to generate a common [Ru⁺(Tsdpen)(cymene)] and X^?, although the extent is significantly greater for X=TfO^?. The activation of [RuX(Tsdpen)(cymene)] during catalytic hydrogenation in alcoholic solvent occurs by simple ionization to generate [Ru⁺(Tsdpen)(cymene)]. The catalytic activity is thus significantly influenced by the reaction conditions.     

Complex rate law for the cerium(IV) oxidation of glycolic acid in the medium HClO4–Na2SO4–NaClO4

The kinetics of the cerium(IV) oxidation of glycolic acid have been studied in the medium HClO₄? Na₂SO₄? NaClO₄ at varying organic substrate (HL), hydrogen, and bisulfate ion concentrations at 25.0°C and ionic strength 2.0M. Under the experimental conditions used (0.03 ? [H⁺] ? 0.5M; 0.02 ? [HSO₄^?] ? 0.1M; 0.01 ? [HL] ? 0.1M) the observed pseudo-first-order rate constant k_obs has been found to follow the complex expression where the values of the various constants have been estimated by a nonlinear least-squares method. According to this expression the oxidation process occurs significantly through three simultaneous pathways. Moreover three equilibria involving cerium(IV) and HSO₄^? (or SO₄^2?) ions are important from a kinetic point of view, whereas only two equilibria involving the corresponding complexes with the organic substrate are predominant.     

1‐Oxa‐nido‐dodecaborate [OB11H12]− from the Controlled Oxidation of the closo‐Borates [B11H11]2− and [B12H12]2−

The closo‐dodecaborate [B₁₂H₁₂]^2? is degraded at room temperature by oxygen in an acidic aqueous solution in the course of several weeks to give B(OH)₃. The degradation is induced by Ag²⁺ ions, generated from Ag⁺ by the action of H₂S₂O₈. Oxa‐nido‐dodecaborate(1?) is an intermediate anion, that can be separated from the reaction mixture as [NBzlEt₃][OB₁₁H₁₂] after five days in a yield of 18 %. The action of FeCl₃ on the closo‐undecaborate [B₁₁H₁₁]^2? in an aqueous solution gives either [B₂₂H₂₂]^2? (by fusion) or nido‐B₁₁H₁₃(OH)^? (by protonation and hydration), depending on the concentration of FeCl₃. In acetonitrile, however, [B₁₁H₁₁]^2? is transformed into [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? by Fe³⁺ and oxygen. The radical anions [B₁₂H₁₂] ^{˙ ?} and [B₁₁H₁₁] ^{˙ ?} are assumed to be the primary products of the oxidation with the one‐electron oxidants Ag²⁺ and Fe³⁺, respectively. These radical anions are subsequently transformed into [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? by oxygen. The crystal structure analysis shows that the structure of [OB₁₁H₁₂]^? is derived from the hypothetical closo‐oxaborane OB₁₂H₁₂ by removal of the B3 vertex, leaving a non‐planar pentagonal aperture with a three‐coordinate O vertex, as predicted by NMR spectra and theory.     

Composition‐Tailored 2 D Mn1−xRuxO2 Nanosheets and Their Reassembled Nanocomposites: Improvement of Electrode Performance upon Ru Substitution

Composition‐tailored Mn_1?xRu_xO₂ 2 D nanosheets and their reassembled nanocomposites with mesoporous stacking structure are synthesized by a soft‐chemical exfoliation reaction and the subsequent reassembling of the exfoliated nanosheets with Li⁺ cations, respectively. The tailoring of the chemical compositions of the exfoliated Mn_1?xRu_xO₂ 2 D nanosheets and their lithiated nanocomposites can be achieved by adopting the Ru‐substituted layered manganese oxides as host materials for exfoliation reaction. Upon the exfoliation–reassembling process, the substituted ruthenium ions remain stabilized in the layered Mn_1?xRu_xO₂ lattice with mixed Ru³⁺/Ru⁴⁺ oxidation state. The reassembled Li–Mn_1?xRu_xO₂ nanocomposites show promising pseudocapacitance performance with large specific capacitances of approximately 330 F g^?1 for the second cycle and approximately 360 F g^?1 for the 500th cycle and excellent cyclability, which are superior to those of the unsubstituted Li–MnO₂ homologue and many other MnO₂‐based materials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis provides strong evidence for the enhancement of the electrical conductivity of 2 D nanostructured manganese oxide upon Ru substitution, which is mainly responsible for the excellent electrode performance of Li–Mn_1?xRu_xO₂ nanocomposites. The results underscore the powerful role of the composition‐controllable metal oxide 2 D nanosheets as building blocks for exploring efficient electrode materials.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide by acidic bromate

The oxidation of 4‐methyl‐3‐thiosemicarbazide (MTSC) by bromate and bromine was studied in acidic medium. The stoichiometry of the reaction is extremely complex, and is dependent on the ratio of the initial concentrations of the oxidant to reductant. In excess MTSC and after prolonged standing, the stoichiometry was determined to be H₃CN(H)CSN(H)NH₂ + 3BrO₃^? → 2CO₂ + NH₄⁺ + SO₄^2? + N₂ + 3Br^? + H⁺ (A). An interim stoichiometry is also obtained in which one of the CO₂ molecules is replaced by HCOOH with an overall stoichiometry of 3H₃CN(H)CSN(H)NH₂ + 8BrO₃^? → CO₂ + NH₄⁺ + SO₄^2? + HCOOH + N₂ + 3Br^? + 3H⁺ (B). Stoichiometry A and B are not very different, and so mixtures of the two were obtained. Compared to other oxidations of thiourea‐based compounds, this reaction is moderately fast and is first order in both bromate and substrate. It is autocatalytic in HOBr. The reaction is characterized by an autocatalytic sigmoidal decay in the consumption of MTSC, while in excess bromate conditions the reaction shows an induction period before autocatalytic formation of bromine. In both cases, oxybromine chemistry, which involves the initial formation of the reactive species HOBr and Br₂, is dominant. The reactions of MTSC with both HOBr and Br₂ are fast, and so the overall rate of oxidation is dependent upon the rates of formation of these reactive species from bromate. Our proposed mechanism involves the initial cleavage of the C? N bond on the azo‐side of the molecule to release nitrogen and an activated sulfur species that quickly and rapidly rearranges to give a series of thiourea acids. These thiourea acids are then oxidized to the sulfonic acid before cleavage of the C? S bond to give SO₄^2?, CO₂, and NH₄⁺. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 237–247, 2002