Icosahedral Li clusters in the structures of Li33.3Ba13.1Ca3 and Li18.9Na8.3Ba15.3

The intermetallic phases Li_33.3Ba_13.1Ca₃ and Li_18.9Na_8.3Ba_15.3 have been prepared and their crystal structures have been determined. According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, both compounds crystallize in new structure types with trigonal unit cells (Li_33.3Ba_13.1Ca₃: R3¯c, a=19.9127(4) Å, c=90.213(3) Å, Z=18, V=30,978(1) Å³ and Li_18.9Na_8.3Ba_15.3: P3¯, a=20.420(3) Å, c=92.914(19), Z=18, V=33,550(10) Å³). The first compound can be described as a complicated variant of the arsenic structure. The second has similar packing of the Ba atoms but differs from the Ca-containing phase in the packing of the light elements. Both compounds contain icosahedron-based polytetrahedral clusters, typical for Li-rich phases, e.g. Ba₁₉Li₄₄.     

Gas-phase cluster cations generated by direct laser ablation on AgBr/S mixture

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Re4As6S3, a thio-spinel-related cluster system

We have synthesized a new compound with formula Re₄As₆S₃ and characterized its crystal structure by Rietveld powder diffraction methods. Re₄As₆S₃ crystallizes in an face-centered cubic unit cell, space group (no. 216), with lattice constant a=9.8608(1) Å and Z=4. The rhenium atoms form tetrahedral clusters linked via tetrahedral arsenic clusters to produce an NaCl-type arrangement. The oxidation state of rhenium is IV and the number of electrons shared by the rhenium atoms in the cluster is 12. The structure is based on an ordered defect thio-spinel A_(1−x)B₂X₄ where the B-type atoms form tetrahedral clusters.     

Free electron model in cluster structure theory. Electronic structures of [Mo6S8(CN)6]6?, [Mo6Se8(CN)6]6?, [Re6S8(CN)6]4?, and Rh6(CO)16 clusters

The results of quantum chemical calculations of the electronic structure and geometry of octahedral clusters [Mo₆S₈(CN)₆]⁶⁻, [Mo₆Se₈(CN)₆]⁶⁻, [Re₆S₈(CN)₆]⁴⁻, and Rh₆(CO)₁₆ by the ab initio SCF (RHF) and DFT (B3LYP) methods with various basis sets are presented. The electronic states of the clusters under study in ideal spherically symmetric potential were classified in the orbital quantum number l (1s, 1p, 1d, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i), l = 0–6. In real crystal field with O_h symmetry these states are split. The calculated new electronic states were matched to the irreducible representations of the point symmetry group O_h. The polarizabilities of the compounds considered are 55–65 ų. A new model for the electronic structure of octahedral clusters containing M₆ groups was proposed. The model is based on the idea of free electrons moving in spherically symmetric potential field. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2617–2624, December, 2005.     

The reaction of [H4Ru4(CO)12] with 1-penten-3-yne: dimerization and trimerization through the triple bonds

The clusters [Ru₄(μ-CO)(CO)₁₀(μ₄-η¹:η²:η¹:η²-C₅H₆)₂] (1), [Ru₄(CO)₈(μ₄-η⁴:η¹:η¹:η¹:η³-C₁₀H₁₂)(μ₃-η³:η²:η¹-C₅H₆)] (2) and [Ru₄(CO)₁₀(μ₄-η⁴:η¹:η¹:η³:η¹-C₁₅H₁₆)] (3) have been prepared from the reaction of [H₄Ru₄(CO)₁₂] with 1-penten-3-yne. This reaction is observed to proceed with dimerization and trimerization through the triple bonds. The products were characterized spectroscopically by ¹H- and ¹³C-NMR. X-ray crystal structures of compounds 1 and 2 are also described.     

High-yield syntheses of [Rh7(CO)16] and [Rh14(CO)25] working in ethylene glycol solution under 1 atm of CO

The anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters [Rh₇(CO)₁₆]³⁻ and [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻ can be easily prepared by a new simple and high yield one-pot synthesis starting from RhCl₃·nH₂O dissolved in ethylene glycol and involving two steps: (i) treatment of RhCl₃·nH₂O under 1 atm of CO at 50 °C to give [Rh(CO)₂Cl₂]⁻; (ii) addition of a base (CH₃CO₂Na or Na₂CO₃) followed by reductive carbonylation under 1 atm of CO at an adequate temperature (50 °C for [Rh₇(CO)₁₆]³⁻; 150 °C for [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻). These new syntheses are more convenient than those previously reported, especially since such clusters are not accessible via silica surface-mediated reactions. This different behavior is due to the particular stabilization on the silica surface and under 1 atm of CO of an anionic carbonyl cluster, called A, which does not allow the formation of a higher nuclearity carbonyl cluster, called B, which was shown to be the key-intermediate in the synthesis of [Rh₁₄(CO)₂₅]⁴⁻ working in ethylene glycol solution. Although it was not possible to isolate crystals of A and B suitable for X-ray structural determination, a combination of cyclovoltammetry, one of the few examples so far available of the use of this technique for anionic rhodium carbonyl clusters, infrared spectroscopy and elemental analyses suggest that A and B are probably the never reported [Rh₇(CO)₁₄]⁻ and [Rh₁₅(CO)₂₈]³⁻ clusters, respectively. In particular the tentative formulation of the two clusters was carried out by a non-conventional method based on the existence of a linear correlation between carbonyl frequencies of the main band and the [(charge/Rh atoms)/CO number] ratio.     

Reactions of nickelocene with lithium and magnesium alkyls containing β-hydrogen atoms

The reaction of nickelocene with BrMgR, where R=CH₂CH(CH₃)C₆H₅, C₂H₅, (CH₂)₇CH₃ and CH₂CH₂CH₃, have been studied. It was found that the presence of β-hydrogen in R did not cause the total splitting of the carbon–nickel bond but alkylidynetrinickel clusters were formed. It is the first example of the synthesis of alkylidynetrinickel clusters (NiCp)₃CR′ from the organonickel species possessing β-hydrogen. Besides trinickel clusters, the following compounds were always formed in all the studied reactions: (NiCp)₄H₂, (NiCp)₆, CpNi(η³-C₅H₇) and (NiCp)₂(μ-C₅H₆). The structure of (NiCp)₃CCH(CH₃)Ph has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study.     

Binding of multiple SO2 molecules to small gold cluster anions (AuN−, AuNOH−, N = 1-8)

The binding of SO₂ on gas-phase gold cluster anions, Au_N⁻, and their hydroxide counterparts, Au_NOH⁻, have been studied using density functional theory combined with flow reactor/time-of-flight mass spectrometry techniques. SO₂ is adsorbed on all of the Au_N⁻ and Au_NOH⁻ clusters (N = 1-8) and the hydroxide clusters are more active than the bare anionic clusters. Successive additions of SO₂ molecules (up to four) have been analyzed. In all cases, anionic clusters are shown to bind multiple SO₂ molecules. Theoretical analyses are in agreement with the experimental results, showing that the addition of more than one molecule is thermodynamically favorable. Larger clusters do not necessarily absorb more molecules, as different SO₂ binding motifs on these clusters are present. These results provide important insight for the potential use of these anionic clusters as SO₂ hunters.     

Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of [Co(CO2)n]+ Clusters

The mass-selected infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy was utilized to investigate the interactions of cationic cobalt with carbon dioxide molecules. Quantum chemical calculations were performed on the [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺ clusters to identify the structures of the low-lying isomers and to assign the observed spectral features. All the [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺(n=2-6) clusters studied here show resonances near the CO₂ asymmetric stretch of free CO₂ molecule. Experimental and calculated results indicate that the CO₂ molecules are weakly bound to the Co⁺ cations in an end-on con guration via a charge-quadrupole electrostatic interaction. The present IRPD spectra of [Co(CO₂)_n]⁺ clusters have been compared to those of Ar-tagged species ([Co(CO₂)_n]⁺-Ar), which would provide insights into the tagging effect of rare gas on the weakly-bounded clusters.     

A joint electrochemical/spectroelectrochemical inspection (and re-inspection) of high-nuclearity platinum carbonyl clusters

The accurate study of the electron transfer activity of the tetraanion [Pt₁₉(CO)₂₂]⁴⁻ is presented together with that of the dianion [Pt₃₈(CO)₄₄]²⁻, which was previously studied by spectroelectrochemistry but only partially examined from the electrochemical viewpoint. The main feature of the two clusters is that they undergo a sequence of close-spaced pairs of reversible one-electron processes, which are qualitatively reminiscent of those exhibited by the dianion [Pt₂₄(CO)₃₀]²⁻. In order to focus on such unique aspect of the three structurally characterised platinum clusters, we have investigated (and reinvestigated) their electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical redox properties, also reporting on the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum of the monoanion [Pt₂₄(CO)₃₀]⁻, which represents the first successful study of the paramagnetism of homoleptic platinum–carbonyl clusters.     

Synthesis and diphosphine ligand fluxionality in Os3(CO)10(bmi): Kinetic evidence for nondissociative diphosphine isomerization and X-ray crystal structure of 1,1-Os3(CO)10(bmi)

The triosmium cluster 1,2-Os₃(CO)₁₀(MeCN)₂ reacts rapidly with the diphosphine ligand 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)-N-p-tolylmaleimide (bmi) at room temperature to give bmi-bridged cluster 1,2-Os₃(CO)₁₀(bmi) (2b) as the major product, along with the chelating isomer 1,1-Os₃(CO)₁₀(bmi) (2c) and the hydride-bridged cluster HOs₃(CO)₉[μ-(PPh₂)CC{PPh(C₆H₄)}C(O)N(tolyl-p)C(O)] (3) as minor by-products. All three cluster compounds have been isolated and fully characterized in solution by IR and NMR spectroscopies (¹H and ³¹P), and X-ray crystallography in the case of 2c. Cluster 2b is unstable and readily isomerizes to 2c in quantitative yield on mild heating. The kinetics for the conversion of 2b → 2c have been measured over the temperature range of 318-348 K in toluene solution, and based on the observed activation parameters a nondissociative isomerization process that proceeds via a transient μ₂-bridged phosphine moiety is presented. Near-UV photolysis of cluster 2c at room temperature affords HOs₃(CO)₉[μ-(PPh₂)CC{PPh(C₆H₄)}C(O)N(tolyl-p)C(O)] (3) with a quantum yield of 0.017. The reactivity of clusters 2b, 2c, and 3 is discussed with respect to related diphosphine-substituted Os₃(CO)₁₀(P-P) clusters prepared by our groups.     

Regiospecific and sequential P-C bond activation/cluster transformations in the reaction of PhCCo2MoCp(CO)8 with the diphosphine ligands 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride (bma) and 3,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)-5-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone (bmf)

Thermolysis of the mixed-metal cluster PhCCo₂MoCp(CO)₈ (1) with the diphosphine ligand 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride (bma) in CH₂Cl₂ leads to the sequential formation of the phosphido-bridged cluster Co₂MoCp(CO)₅[μ₂,η²,η¹-C(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)OC(O)](μ-PPh₂) (3) and the bis(phosphido)-bridged cluster Co₂MoCp(CO)₄[η³,η¹,η¹-C(Ph)CCC(O)OC(O)](μ-PPh₂)₂ (4). 3 and 4 have been isolated and characterized in solution by IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P) spectroscopies, and the solid-state structures have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. Both clusters contain 48e- and exhibit triangular Co₂Mo cores. The structure of 3 reveals the presence of a phosphido moiety that bridges the Co-Co vector and a six-electron μ₂,η²,η¹-C(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)OC(O) ligand that caps one of the Co₂Mo faces. The X-ray structure of 4 confirms that the five-electron η³,η¹,η¹- C(Ph)CCC(O)OC(O) ligand is σ-bound to the two cobalt centers in an η¹ fashion and π-coordinated to the molybdenum center through a traditional η³-allylic interaction. The reaction between PhCCo₂MoCp(CO)₈ and the chiral diphosphine ligand 3,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)-5-methoxy-2(5H)-furanone (bmf) proceeds similarly, furnishing the phosphido-bridged cluster Co₂MoCp(CO)₅ [μ₂,η²,η¹-C(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)OCH(OMe)](μ-PPh₂) (6), followed by conversion to Co₂MoCp(CO)₄[η³,η¹,η¹-C(Ph)CCC(O)OCH(OMe)](μ-PPh₂)₂ (7). The identities of clusters 6 and 7 have been ascertained by solution spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography. The overall molecular structure of cluster 6 is similar to that of cluster 3, except that the P-C(furanone ring) bond cleavage occurs with high regioselectivity and high diastereoselectivity. The cleavage of the remaining P-C(furanone ring) bond in cluster 6 gives rise to the bis(phosphido)-bridged cluster 7, whose structure is discussed relative to its bma-derived analogue 4. The diastereoselectivity that accompanies the formation of 6 and 7 is discussed relative to steric effects within the Co₂Mo polyhedron. The cyclic voltammetric properties of cluster 3 have been examined, with three well-defined one-electron processes for the 0/+1, 0/−1, −1/−2 redox couples found. The composition of the HOMO and LUMO in 3 was established by extended Hückel MO calculations, with the data discussed relative to the parent tetrahedrane cluster 1.     

Ligand substitution in HC(O)CCo3(CO)9 with 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd): Diphosphine ligand fluxionality, decarbonylation of the formyl moiety and competitive P-Ph bond cleavage reactivity

The reaction of the formyl-capped cluster HC(O)CCo₃(CO)₉ (1) with the diphosphine ligand 4,5-bis(diphenylphosphino)-4-cyclopenten-1,3-dione (bpcd) in the presence of added Me₃NO leads to the production of the disubstituted cluster HC(O)CCo₃(CO)₇(bpcd) (2). Thermolysis of 2 in toluene at 60 °C gives the methylidyne-capped cluster HCCo₃(CO)₇(bpcd) (4) and the phosphido-bridged cluster Co₃(CO)₇[μ₂,η²,η¹-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O)] (5). Cluster 4 has been independently prepared from HCCo₃(CO)₉ and bpcd and shown to serve as the precursor to 5. The new clusters 2, 4, and 5 have been isolated and characterized in solution by IR and NMR (¹H and ³¹P) spectroscopies and their solid-state structures have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. Both clusters 2 and 4 contain 48e- and exhibit triangular Co₃ cores with a chelating and bridging bpcd ligand in the solid state, respectively. The structure of 5 provides unequivocal support for the loss of the methylidyne capping ligand and P-Ph bond cleavage attendant in the activation of 4 and confirms the presence of the face capping seven-electron μ₂,η²,η¹-P(Ph)CC(PPh₂)C(O)CH₂C(O) ligand in the final product. The fluxionality displayed by the bpcd ligand in clusters 2 and 4 and the decarbonylation behavior of the formyl moiety in the former cluster are discussed relative to related alkylidyne-capped Co₃ derivatives.     

Magic cluster ion distributions: (NO)3+ (N2O)n and (NO)3+ (CO2)n

Supersonic jet expansions of mixtures of nitric oxide with either nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide have been investigated over a wide range of relative concentrations. Mixed molecular cluster ions of the form (NO) _m ⁺ (N₂O)_n and (NO) _m ⁺ (CO₂)_n are detected following non-resonant two-photon ionization. Over a wide range of intermediate concentrations, the cluster ion distributions (NO) ₃ ⁺ (N₂O)_n and (NO) ₃ ⁺ (CO₂)_n with n30 are significantly more intense than clusters containing other numbers of nitric oxide molecules. The extra abundance of these species is attributed to their especially stable structures and several possible forms are discussed. An intriguing possibility involves a stable cyclic nitric oxide trimer (or ion) when combined with nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide clusters.     

Structure and stability of B+13 clusters

The structures and energies of B⁺₁₃, observed experimentally to be an unusually abundant species among cationic boron clusters, have been studied systematically with B3LYP/6–31G* density functional theory. The most thermodynamically stable B⁺₁₂ and B⁺₁₃ clusters are confirmed to have planar or quasiplanar rather than globular structures. However, the computed dissociation energies of the 3-dimensional B⁺₁₃ clusters are much closer to the experimental values than those of the planar or quasiplanar structures. Hence, planar and 3-dimensional B⁺₁₃ may both exist. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 19: 203–214, 1998     

Magnetic interactions in CoM3+xGa2−xO4 spinel solid solutions: I: CoRhxGa2−xO4

The magnetic susceptibility of polycrystalline solid solutions CoRh_xGa_2?xO₄ with a spinel structure have been measured between 4.2 and 1000°K. The magnetic properties have been found to vary with the composition x as a consequence of the variation in the distribution of Co²⁺ ions among tetrahedral and octahedral sites. The low-temperature magnetic behavior reveals an antiferromagnetic order and the concomitant presence of finite clusters of exchange-coupled Co²⁺ ions and of isolated paramagnetic ions.     

A density functional theory study of the Au7Hn (n = 1–10) clusters

The geometries, electronic, and magnetic properties of the Au₇H_n (n = 1–10) clusters have been systematically investigated by using relativistic all-electron density functional theory with generalized gradient approximation. It is found that the Au₇ on the whole retains its triangle structure after hydrogen atoms adsorption and adsorbing hydrogen atoms can stabilize the Au₇ structure. The Au₇H₇ cluster is much higher stability than the neighboring clusters. The pronounced even–odd alternation of the magnetic moments is observed in the Au₇H_n systems indicating Au₇H_n clusters possess tunable magnetic properties by adding even or odd number of H atoms.     

Two Mn4Mn8 clusters from the use of tripodal ligands showing single-molecule magnet behavior

The reaction of manganese(II) acetylacetonate (Mn(acac)₂), 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane (H₃thme), tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (H₃thma), and (CH₃)₃CCO₂H, adamantane-1-carboxylic acid (Hada) in solvothermal method leads to two mixed-valence Mn^III₄Mn^II₈ clusters, [Mn(III)₄Mn(II)₈(μ₅-O)₂(μ₃-MeO)₂(thme)₄(Me₃CCO₂)₁₀(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O (1) and [Mn(III)₄Mn(II)₈(μ₅-O)₂(μ₃-MeO)₂(thma)₄(ada)₁₀(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O (2). The Mn^III₄Mn^II₈ cores of the complexes can be described as a central rhomboid [Mn₄O₆] layer sandwiched by two [Mn₄O₇] layers, or capped edge-sharing bioctahedra. The co-parallel alignment of four JT axes of the Mn^III ions enhances the magnetic anisotropy of the Mn₁₂ molecules. For the population of low-lying excited states, the attempts to fit the direct current (dc) data of two complexes were failed, while rough spin ground state S = 4 for 1 and S = 2 or 3 for 2 were obtained from alternating current (AC) magnetization studies. The two compounds show clearly nonzero and frequency-dependent out-of-phase (χ_M′′) ac signal below 3 K, indicating a slow relaxation of the magnetization, confirming 1 and 2 to be SMMs, though out-of-phase AC peak above 1.8 K was not observed. The substitution of tripodal ligands and carboxylate ligands leads to different coordinate modes of the pivalate ligands in the Mn₁₂ clusters and varies the packing modes of Mn₁₂ molecules in the crystal.     

Reactions of free gold cluster cations with H2O, CH3Cl, and mixtures thereof

The reactions of the mass-selected gas-phase gold cluster cations Au₃⁺ and Au₅⁺ with H₂O, CH₃Cl, and mixtures of these reactants were studied under well-defined multi-collision conditions in an octopole ion trap. The reaction of CH₃Cl with the gold cations was found to proceed fast at room temperature, leading to the adsorption of one CH₃Cl molecule at each ‘corner’ atom of the cluster ion. This strong adsorption hindered the coadsorption of other reactants like H₂O. However, a considerable reduction of the CH₃Cl partial pressure led to distinct patterns of H₂O/CH₃Cl coadsorption products. Furthermore, the mass spectra indicated the loss of hydrogen after the reaction of CH₃Cl with Au₃⁺.