Functionalised β-diketone assisted self-assembly of a hexanuclear yttrium oxo-hydroxo cluster

The reaction of YCl₃·6H₂O with ortho-hydroxydibenzoylmethane (HO-DBMH) in a 1:2 ratio, in methanol and in the presence of excess triethylamine as a base yielded a yellow precipitate which on crystallization from toluene or benzene /hexane afforded pale yellow block-like crystals. Single crystal X-ray diffraction of 1 revealed the formation of an interesting hexanuclear yttrium oxo-hydroxo cluster [Y₆(O-DBM)₆(HO-DBM)₄(μ₃-OH)₂(MeOH)₄]; the core resembles a butterfly framework flanked by a lanthanide atom on each side. Ten phenolic β-diketone ligands are present in the cluster, which bridge the metal centers in both chelating and chelating-bridging fashions.     

Site Preference in Multimetallic Nanoclusters: Incorporation of Alkali Metal Ions or Copper Atoms into the Alkynyl‐Protected Body‐Centered Cubic Cluster [Au7Ag8(C≡CtBu)12]+

The synthesis, structure, substitution chemistry, and optical properties of the gold‐centered cubic monocationic cluster [Au@Ag₈@Au₆(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ are reported. The metal framework of this cluster can be described as a fragment of a body‐centered cubic (bcc) lattice with the silver and gold atoms occupying the vertices and the body center of the cube, respectively. The incorporation of alkali metal atoms gave rise to [M_nAg_8?nAu₇(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ clusters (n=1 for M=Na, K, Rb, Cs and n=2 for M=K, Rb), with the alkali metal ion(s) presumably occupying the vertex site(s), whereas the incorporation of copper atoms produced [Cu_nAg₈Au_7?n(C≡C^tBu)₁₂]⁺ clusters (n=1–6), with the Cu atom(s) presumably occupying the capping site(s). The parent cluster exhibited strong emission in the near‐IR region (λ_max=818 nm) with a quantum yield of 2 % upon excitation at λ=482 nm. Its photoluminescence was quenched upon substitution with a Na⁺ ion. DFT calculations confirmed the superatom characteristics of the title compound and the sodium‐substituted derivatives.     

Extra Silver Atom Triggers Room‐Temperature Photoluminescence in Atomically Precise Radarlike Silver Clusters

Luminescent metal clusters show promise for applications in imaging and sensing. However, promoting emission from metal clusters at room temperature is a challenging task owing to the lack of an efficient approach to suppress the nonradiative decay process in metal cores. We report herein that the addition of a silver atom into a metal interstice of the radarlike thiolated silver cluster [Ag₂₇(S^tBu)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₉(DMAc)₄]?DMAc ( NC1 , DMAc=dimethylacetamide), which is non‐emissive under ambient conditions, produced another silver cluster [Ag₂₈(AdmS)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₁₀(H₂O)₄] ( NC2 ) that displayed bright green room‐temperature photoluminescence aided by the new ligand 1‐adamantanethiol (AdmSH). The 28th Ag atom, which hardly affects the geometrical and electronic structures of the Ag–S skeleton, triggered the emission of green light as a result of the rigidity of the cluster structure.     

Extra Silver Atom Triggers Room-Temperature Photoluminescence in Atomically Precise Radarlike Silver Clusters

Luminescent metal clusters show promise for applications in imaging and sensing. However, promoting emission from metal clusters at room temperature is a challenging task owing to the lack of an efficient approach to suppress the nonradiative decay process in metal cores. We report herein that the addition of a silver atom into a metal interstice of the radarlike thiolated silver cluster [Ag₂₇(S^tBu)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₉(DMAc)₄]⋅DMAc ( NC1 , DMAc=dimethylacetamide), which is non-emissive under ambient conditions, produced another silver cluster [Ag₂₈(AdmS)₁₄(S)₂(CF₃COO)₁₀(H₂O)₄] ( NC2 ) that displayed bright green room-temperature photoluminescence aided by the new ligand 1-adamantanethiol (AdmSH). The 28th Ag atom, which hardly affects the geometrical and electronic structures of the Ag–S skeleton, triggered the emission of green light as a result of the rigidity of the cluster structure.     

Finding all‐nonmetal transition‐metal‐like superatom and its magnetic building block

In novel superatom chemistry, it is very attractive that all‐metal clusters can mimic the behaviors of nonmetal atoms and simple nonmetal molecules. Wizardly all‐metal halogen‐like superatom Al₁₃ with 2P⁵ sub shell (corresponding to the 3p⁵ of chlorine) is the most typical example. In contrast, how to mimic the behaviors of magnetic transition‐metal atom using all‐nonmetal cluster is an intriguing challenge for superatom chemistry. In response to this based on human intuition, using quantum chemistry methods and extending jellium model from metal cluster to all‐nonmetal cluster, we have found out that all‐nonmetal octahedral B₆ cluster with characteristic jellium electron configuration 1S²1P⁶2S²1D⁸ in the triplet ground state can mimic the behaviors of transition‐metal Ni atom with electron configuration 3s²3p⁶4s²3d⁸ in electronic configuration, physics and chemistry. Interestingly, the characteristic order of 1S1P2S1D for the B₆ nonmetal cluster with short B‐B lengths is different from that of the traditional jellium model—1S1P1D2S for metal clusters with long M‐M lengths, which exhibits a novel size effect of nonmetal cluster on jellium orbital ordering. Based on the jellium electron configuration, the B₆ with the spin moment value of 2μ_B is a new all‐nonmetal transition‐metal nickel‐like superatom exhibiting a new kind of all‐nonmetal magnetic superatom. Finding the application of the all‐nonmetal magnetic superatom, we encapsulate the magnetic superatom B₆ inside fully hydrogenated fullerene forming a clathrate B₆@C₆₀H₆₀ with the spin moment value of 2μ_B. As the C₆₀H₆₀ cage as a polymerization unit can conserve the spin moment of endohedral B₆, the clathrate B₆@C₆₀H₆₀ is a new all‐nonmetal magnetic superatom building block. Naturally, magnetic superatom structures of the B₆ and B₆@C₆₀H₆₀ may be metastable.     

Reactivity of [Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3]− Towards Transition‐Metal M2+ Cations: Coordination and Redox Chemistry

Recently the metalloid cluster compound [Ge₉Hyp₃]^? ( 1 ; Hyp=Si(SiMe₃)₃) was oxidatively coupled by an iron(II) salt to give the largest metalloid Group 14 cluster [Ge₁₈Hyp₆]. Such redox chemistry is also possible with different transition metal (TM) salts TM²⁺ (TM=Fe, Co, Ni) to give the TM⁺ complexes [Fe(dppe)₂][Ge₉Hyp₃] ( 3 ; dppe=1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane), [Co(dppe)₂][Ge₉Hyp₃] ( 4 ), [Ni(dppe)(Ge₉Hyp₃)] ( 5 ) and [Ni(dppe)₂(Ge₉Hyp₃)]⁺ ( 6 ). Such a redox reaction does not proceed for Mn, for which a salt metathesis gives the first open shell [Hyp₃Ge₉‐M‐Ge₉Hyp₃] cluster ( 2 ; M=Mn). The bonding of the transition metal atom to 1 is also possible for Ni (e.g., compound 6 ), in which one or even two nickel atoms can bind to 1 . In contrast to this in case of the Fe and Co compounds 3 and 4 , respectively, the transition‐metal atom is not bound to the Ge₉ core of 1 . The synthesis and the experimentally determined structures of 2 – 6 are presented. Additionally the bonding within 2 – 6 is analyzed and discussed with the aid of EPR measurements and quantum chemical calculations.     

Controlled Expansion of a Strong‐Field Iron Nitride Cluster: Multi‐Site Ligand Substitution as a Strategy for Activating Interstitial Nitride Nucleophilicity

Multimetallic clusters have long been investigated as molecular surrogates for reactive sites on metal surfaces. In the case of the μ₄‐nitrido cluster [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₁₂]^?, this analogy is limited owing to the electron‐withdrawing effect of carbonyl ligands on the iron nitride core. Described here is the synthesis and reactivity of [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₈(CNAr^Mes2)₄]^?, an electron‐rich analogue of [Fe₄(μ₄‐N)(CO)₁₂]^?, where the interstitial nitride displays significant nucleophilicity. This characteristic enables rational expansion with main‐group and transition‐metal centers to yield unsaturated sites. The resulting clusters display surface‐like reactivity through coordination‐sphere‐dependent atom rearrangement and metal–metal cooperativity.     

Simulating the structureless emission bands of Mn2+ ions in ZnCO3 and CaCO3 matrices by means of quantum chemistry

Results from theoretical studies on the structureless luminescence spectra of Mn²⁺ impurity ions in matrices of calcite (CaCO₃) and smithsonite (ZnCO₃) are reported. The positions of the maxima and the width of the ⁴ T ₁(⁴ G) → ⁶ A ₁(⁶ S) emission bands of the indicated luminophors are calculated using a combined approach based on the periodic and cluster methods of quantum chemistry, and on well-known models of the vibrational broadening of electronic transition bands of impurity centers in crystals. The calculated parameters of the spectral bands are compared with the known experimental data and discussed in terms of the structural features of the investigated matrices and the contribution from lattice vibrations in the mechanism of broadening.     

The Planar CoB18− Cluster as a Motif for Metallo‐Borophenes

Monolayer‐boron (borophene) has been predicted with various atomic arrangements consisting of a triangular boron lattice with hexagonal vacancies. Its viability was confirmed by the observation of a planar hexagonal B₃₆ cluster with a central six‐membered ring. Here we report a planar boron cluster doped with a transition‐metal atom in the boron network (CoB₁₈^?), suggesting the prospect of forming stable hetero‐borophenes. The CoB₁₈^? cluster was characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations, showing that its most stable structure is planar with the Co atom as an integral part of a triangular boron lattice. Chemical bonding analyses show that the planar CoB₁₈^? is aromatic with ten π‐electrons and the Co atom has strong covalent interactions with the surrounding boron atoms. The current result suggests that transition metals can be doped into the planes of borophenes to create metallo‐borophenes, opening vast opportunities to design hetero‐borophenes with tunable chemical, magnetic, and optical properties.     

Cumulated double bond systems as ligands : V. Dialkylsulfurdiimine compounds M(CO)4(RNSNR) (M = Cr,Mo, W) and M(CO)5(RNSNR) (M = Cr,W); structural,spectroscopic and fluxional properties.

The preparation and properties are reported of M(CO)₄(RNSNR) (M = Cr, Mo, W; R = i-Pr, t-Bu), in which the ligand is bidentate and in the trans,trans configuration, and of M(CO)₅(RNSNR) (M = CR, W; R = Et, i-Pr) in which the sulfurdiimine is monodentate and in the cis,trans configuration. In both cases the ligand is linked to the metal atom via the N-atom(s). With M(CO)₅(MeNSNMe) a second isomer is found in which the sulfurdiimine is probably bonded via the S-atom to the metal. All the pentacarbonyl compounds are fluxional; this is attributed to a gliding movement of the metal atom along the NSN system.Both W(CO)₄(t-BuNSN-tBu) and W(CO)₅(MeNSNMe) show vibronic coupling of metal to ligand charge transfer transitions with sulfurdiimine vibrations, as shown with Resonance Raman, but only for W(CO)₅(MeNSNMe) also with the symmetric mode of the equatorial carbonyl groups. The metalsulfurdiimine bond appears to be weak for M(CO)₅(RNSNR), but strong for M(CO)₄(RNSNR).     

A Controlled Route to a Luminescent 3 d10–5 d10 Sulfido Cluster Containing Unique AuCu2(μ3‐S) Motifs

The first examples of gold(I) trimethylsilylchalcogenolate complexes were synthesized and their reactivity showcased in the preparation of a novel gold–copper–sulfur cluster [Au₄Cu₄S₄(dppm)₂] (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane). The unprecedented structural chemistry of this compound gives rise to interesting optoelectronic properties, including long‐lived orange luminescence in the solid state. Through time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, this emission is shown to originate from ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer facilitated by Au???Cu metallophilic bonding.     

Mass spectrometry of labile onium ions and carbocation salts. Study by desorption-ionization mass spectrometry: Fast atom bombardment,field desorption and 252Cf plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In contrast to the accepted notion that mass spectrometry is impractical as an analytical tool in condensed-phase preparative carbocation chemistry, it has been shown that desorption ionization techniques (fast atom bombard-ment, field desorption and²⁵²Cf plasma desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry) provide rapid and reliable methods for relative molecular mass determination for a wide variety of highly unstable, fragile carbocation salts and onium ions. In addition, interesting fragment ions and cluster ions (two cations and one anion) are observed. Application of these methods to study several dication ether salts has also been demonstrated.     

Ligand properties of aromatic azines: C-H activation, metal induced disproportionation and catalytic C-C coupling reactions

The reaction of aromatic azines with Fe₂(CO)₉ yields dinuclear iron carbonyl cluster compounds as the main products. The formation of these compounds may be rationalized by a C-H activation reaction at the aromatic substituent in ortho position with respect to the exocyclic C-N double bond followed by an intramolecular shift of the corresponding hydrogen atom toward the former imine carbon atom. The second imine function of the ligand does not react. Additional products arise from the metal induced disproportionation of the azine into a primary imine and a nitrile. So also one of the imine C-H bonds may be activated during the reaction. Depending on the aromatic substituent of the azine ligands iron carbonyl complexes of the disproportionation products are isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. C-C coupling reactions catalyzed by Ru₃(CO)₁₂ result in the formation of ortho-substituted azines. In addition, ortho-substituted nitriles are identified as side-products showing that the metal induced disproportionation reaction also takes place under catalytic conditions.     

Electronic Properties of Triangle Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) Clusters with Different Sizes and Edges

The electronic structures and transition properties of three types of triangle MoS₂ clusters, A (Mo edge passivated with two S atoms), B (Mo edge passivated with one S atom), and C (S edge) have been explored using quantum chemistry methods. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO)–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) gap of B and C is larger than that of A, due to the absence of the dangling of edge S atoms. The frontier orbitals (FMOs) of A can be divided into two categories, edge states from S_3p at the edge and hybrid states of Mo_4d and S_3p covering the whole cluster. Due to edge/corner states appearing in the FMOs of triangle MoS₂ clusters, their absorption spectra show unique characteristics along with the edge structure and size.     

Preparation of a Lanthanide–Titanium Oxo Cluster–Polymer Composite by CuI-Catalyzed Click Chemistry

Incorporating metal clusters within the skeleton of the organic polymers through a click reaction cannot only effectively prepare cluster–polymer composites, but also effectively avoid the cluster aggregation. Herein, an azide-containing lanthanide–titanium oxo cluster of Eu₈Ti₁₀-N₃ ( Eu₈Ti₁₀-N₃ =[Eu₈Ti₁₀(μ₃-O)₁₄(H₂O)₄(OAc)₂(tbba)₃₀(paza)₄(THF)₂] ⋅ 4 THF ⋅ 8 H₂O ( 1 ), Htbba=4-tert-butylbenzoic acid, Hpaza=4-azidobenzoate, HOAc=acetic acid, THF=tetrahydrofuran) through an in situ solvothermal reaction of 4-azidobenzoic acid and 4-tert-butylbenzoic acid. Reaction of 1 with PEG ( PEG =methoxypoly(ethyleneglycol)alkyne, 2000 g mol⁻¹) through Cu^I-catalyzed click chemistry generates a lanthanide–polymer composite of Eu₈Ti₁₀-N₃@PEG ( 2 ). Investigation with IR, ¹H NMR and ICP-OES of 2 indicates that the structural integrity of 1 is maintained in 2 . Study of the luminescent properties of 1 and 2 reveals that the quantum yield of 1 itself basically remains unchanged in 2 . Significantly, the formation of 2 cannot only effectively prevent the cluster 1 from aggregation, but also greatly enhance its solubility and adhesion to the substrate. Owing to the solubility and adhesion of luminescent materials being the key to their practical application, present work is thus of great significance for the development of metal cluster–polymer composite luminescent materials.     

Theoretical study of metallofullerenes M@C32

14 systems of metal atoms, embedded inside the C₃₂ cage, have been calculated and analyzed using the ab initio quantum chemistry Gamess program. We study their electronic structure, compare their stability. The metal atom with even electrons interjected inside the C₃₂ cage is more stable than the metal atom with odd electrons. Ti@C₃₂ system is the most stable in the 14 metallofullerenes.     

Direct observation and control of hydrogen-bond dynamics using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy

Hydrogen(H)-bond dynamics are involved in many elementary processes in chemistry and biology. Because of its fundamental importance, a variety of experimental and theoretical approaches have been employed to study the dynamics in gas, liquid, solid phases, and their interfaces. This review describes the recent progress of direct observation and control of H-bond dynamics in several model systems on a metal surface by using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). General aspects of H-bond dynamics and the experimental methods are briefly described in chapter 1 and 2. In the subsequent four chapters, I present direct observation of an H-bond exchange reaction within a single water dimer (chapter 3), a symmetric H bond (chapter 4) and H-atom relay reactions (chapter 5) within water–hydroxyl complexes, and an intramolecular H-atom transfer reaction (tautomerization) within a single porphycene molecule (chapter 6). These results provide novel microscopic insights into H-bond dynamics at the single-molecule level, and highlight significant impact on the process from quantum effects, namely tunneling and zero-point vibration, resulting from the small mass of H atom. Additionally, local environmental effect on H-bond dynamics is also examined by using atom/molecule manipulation with the STM.     

Hydroxyl improving the activity,selectivity and stability of supported Ni single atoms for selective semi-hydrogenation

Atomically dispersed metal catalysts with high atomic utilization and selectivity have been widely studied for acetylene semi-hydrogenation in excess ethylene among others. Further improvements of activity and selectivity, in addition to stability and loading, remain elusive due to competitive adsorption and desorption between reactants and products, hydrogen activation, partial hydrogenation etc. on limited site available. Herein, comprehensive density functional theory calculations have been used to explore the new strategy by introducing an appropriate ligand to stabilize the active single atom, improving the activity and selectivity on oxide supports. We find that the hydroxyl group can stabilize Ni single atoms significantly by forming Ni₁(OH)₂ complexes on anatase TiO₂(101), whose unique electronic and geometric properties enable high performance in acetylene semi-hydrogenation. Specifically, Ni₁(OH)₂/TiO₂(101) shows favorable acetylene adsorption and promotes the heterolytic dissociation of H₂ achieving high catalytic activity, and it simultaneously weakens the ethylene bonding to facilitate subsequent desorption showing high ethylene selectivity. Hydroxyl stabilization of single metal atoms on oxide supports and promotion of the catalytic activity are sensitive to transition metal and the oxide supports. Compared to Co, Rh, Ir, Pd, Pt, Cu, Ag and Au, and anatase ZrO₂, IrO₂ and NbO₂ surfaces, the optimum interactions between Ni, O and Ti and resulted high activity, selectivity and stability make Ni₁(OH)₂/TiO₂(101) a promising catalyst in acetylene hydrogenation. Our work provides valuable guidelines for utilization of ligands in the rational design of stable and efficient atomically dispersed catalysts.

Hydroxyl group can stabilize significantly Ni single atom by forming Ni₁(OH)₂ complexes on anatase TiO₂(101), which displays high catalytic performance in acetylene semi-hydrogenation.