P2 addition to terminal phosphide M[triple bond]P triple bonds: a rational synthesis of cyclo-P3 complexes

The diphosphaazide complex (Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3 (Mes* = 2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl, Np = neopentyl, Ar = 3,5-Me2C6H3), 1, has previously been reported to lose the P2 unit upon gentle heating, to form (Mes*N)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, 2. The first-order activation parameters for this process have been estimated here using an Eyring analysis to have the values Delta H(double dagger) = 19.6(2) kcal/mol and Delta S(double dagger) = -14.2(5) eu. The eliminated P2 unit can be transferred to the terminal phosphide complexes P[triple bond]M(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, 3-M (M = Mo, W), and [P[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-), 3-Nb, to give the cyclo-P3 complexes (P3)M(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3 and [(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-). These reactions represent the formal addition of a P[triple bond]P triple bond across a M[triple bond]P triple bond and are the first efficient transfers of the P2 unit to substrates present in stoichiometric quantities. The related complex (OC)5W(Mes*NPP)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, 1-W(CO)5, was used to transfer the (P2)W(CO)5 unit in an analogous manner to the substrates 3-M (M = Mo, W, Nb) as well as to [(OC)5WP[triple bond]Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-). The rate constants for the fragmentation of 1 and 1-W(CO)5 were unchanged in the presence of the terminal phosphide 3-Mo, supporting the hypothesis that molecular P2 and (P2)W(CO)5, respectively, are reactive intermediates. In a reaction related to the combination of P[triple bond]P and M[triple bond]P triple bonds, the phosphaalkyne AdC[triple bond]P (Ad = 1-adamantyl) was observed to react with 3-Mo to generate the cyclo-CP2 complex (AdCP2)Mo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3. Reactions of the electrophiles Ph3SnCl, Mes*NPCl, and AdC(O)Cl with the anionic, nucleophilic complexes [(OC)5W(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-) and [{(OC)5W}2(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3](-) yielded coordinated eta(2)-triphosphirene ligands. The Mes*NPW(CO)5 group of one such product engages in a fluxional ring-migration process, according to NMR spectroscopic data. The structures of (OC)5W(P3)W(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, [(Et2O)Na][{(OC)5W}2(P3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3], (AdCP2)Mo(N[(i)Pr]Ar)3, (OC)5W(Ph3SnP3)Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, Mes*NP(W(CO)5)P3Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, and {(OC)5W}2AdC(O)P3Nb(N[Np]Ar)3, as determined by X-ray crystallography, are discussed in detail.     

Infrared spectra, structure, and bonding of the GeH3-CrH, HGe[triple bond]MoH3, and HGe[triple bond]WH3 molecules in solid neon and argon

Laser ablated chromium, molybdenum, and tungsten atoms react with germane during condensation in excess noble gases. The chromium reaction stopped at the germyl metal hydride, molybdenum gave some hydride but mostly germylidyne, and tungsten reacted spontaneously to give only the germylidyne species. These molecules were identified by isotopic shifts, density-functional theory product energy and frequency calculations, and comparison to the analogous methane and silane reaction products. Effective bond orders for the HGe[triple bond]MoH3 and HGe[triple bond]WH3 molecules are 2.82 and 2.87 using the B3LYP density functional, and are slightly lower than their silicon and carbon analogues. Our calculated Ge[triple bond]M triple bond lengths for these simple trihydride complexes are 0.05 to 0.10 A shorter than those measured for larger group 6 organometallic complexes.     

The d4/d3 redox pairs [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']z (z=0 and 1): structural consequences of electron transfer and implications for the inverse halide order

The d4 halide complexes [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp'] {X=F, Cl, Br or I; R=Me or Ph; M=Mo or W; Tp'=hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate} undergo one-electron oxidation to the d3 monocations [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+, isolable for M=W, R=Me. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pairs [WX(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CMe)Tp']z (X=Cl and Br, z=0 and 1), the ESR spectra of the cations [WX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+ (X=F, Cl, Br or I; R=Me or Ph), and DFT calculations on [WX(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CMe)Tp']z (X=F, Cl, Br and I; z=0 and 1) are consistent with electron removal from a HOMO (of the d4 complexes) which is pi-antibonding with respect to the W-X bond, pi-bonding with respect to the W-C(O) bond, and delta-bonding with respect to the W-Calkyne bonds. The dependence of both oxidation potential and nu(CO) for [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp'] shows an inverse halide order which is consistent with an ionic component to the M-X bond; the small size of fluorine and its closeness to the metal centre leads to the highest energy HOMO and the lowest oxidation potential. In the cations [MX(CO)(eta-RC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CR)Tp']+ electronegativity effects become more important, leading to a conventional order for Cl, Br and I. However, high M-F pi-donation is still facilitated by the short M-F distance.     

Infrared and DFT investigations of the XC[triple bond]ReX3 and HC[triple bond]ReX3 complexes: Jahn-Teller distortion and the methylidyne C-X(H) stretching absorptions

The XC[triple bond]ReX3 complexes (X = F, Cl) are produced by CX(4) reaction with laser-ablated Re atoms, following oxidative C-X insertion and alpha-halogen migration in favor of the carbon-metal triple bond and are identified through the observation of characteristic absorptions in the argon matrix infrared spectra and comparison with vibrational frequencies calculated by density functional theory. The methylidyne C-F and C-Cl stretching absorptions are observed near 1584 and 1328 cm-1, and the C-H stretching modes for HC[triple bond]ReX3 at 3104 and 3097 cm(-1), respectively, which are substantially higher than the precursor stretching modes and in agreement with the general trend that higher s-orbital character in carbon hybridization leads to a higher stretching frequency. The Jahn-Teller effect in the doublet-state XC[triple bond]ReX3 and HC[triple bond]ReX3 complexes gives rise to distorted structures with Cs symmetry and two equivalent longer Re-X bonds and one slightly shorter Re-X bond.     

Carbon-rich molecules: synthesis and isolation of aryl/heteroaryl terminal bis(butadiynes) (HC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-Ar-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]CH) and their applications in the synthesis of oligo(arylenebutadiynylene) molecular wires

The synthesis, isolation and characterisation are reported for a series of terminal aryl/heteroaryl bis(butadiynes) (HC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-Ar-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]CH) 4a-e including the X-ray molecular structure of the 2,5-pyridylene derivative 4d; compound 4a and the mono-protected analogue [HC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-Ar-C[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]C-C(OH)Me2] 5a serve as convenient precursors for the synthesis of highly-conjugated oligo(arylenebutadiynylene)s.     

Structural consequences of the one-electron reduction of d4 [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp']+ and the electronic structure of the d5 radicals [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {L = CO and P(OCH2)3CEt}

Reduction of [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp']X {Tp' = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Mo, X = [PF6]-, R = R' = Ph, C6H4OMe-4 or Me; R = Ph, R' = H; M = W, X = [BF4]-, R = R' = Ph or Me; R = Ph, R' = H} with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] gave paramagnetic [M(CO)2(eta-RC[triple bond]CR')Tp'], characterised by IR and ESR spectroscopy. X-Ray structural studies on the redox pair [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'] and [Mo(CO)2(eta-PhC[triple bond]CPh)Tp'][PF6] showed that oxidation is accompanied by a lengthening of the C[triple bond]C bond and shortening of the Mo-C(alkyne) bonds, consistent with removal of an electron from an orbital antibonding with respect to the Mo-alkyne bond, and with conversion of the alkyne from a three- to a four-electron donor. Reduction of [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'][PF6] with [Co(eta-C5H5)2] in CH2Cl2 gives [MoCl(CO)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], via nitrile substitution in [Mo(CO)(NCMe)(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'], whereas a similar reaction with [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']+ (M = Mo or W) gives the phosphite-containing radicals [M(CO){P(OCH2)3CEt}(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp']. ESR spectroscopic studies and DFT calculations on [M(CO)L(eta-MeC[triple bond]CMe)Tp'] {M = Mo or W, L = CO or P(OCH2)3CEt} show the SOMO of the neutral d5 species (the LUMO of the d4 cations) to be largely d(yz) in character although much more delocalised in the W complexes. Non-coincidence effects between the g and metal hyperfine matrices in the Mo spectra indicate hybridisation of the metal d-orbitals in the SOMO, consistent with a rotation of the coordinated alkyne about the M-C2 axis.     

HC[triple bond]P and H3C-C[triple bond]P as proton acceptors in protonated complexes containing two phosphorus bases: structures, binding energies, and spin-spin coupling constants

Ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug'-cc-pVTZ level have been carried out to investigate the structures and binding energies of cationic complexes involving protonated sp, sp2, and sp3 phosphorus bases as proton donor ions and the sp-hybridized phosphorus bases H-C[triple bond]P and H3C-C[triple bond]P as proton acceptors. These proton-bound complexes exhibit a variety of structural motifs, but all are stabilized by interactions that occur through the pi cloud of the acceptor base. The binding energies of these complexes range from 6 to 15 kcal/mol. Corresponding complexes with H3C-C[triple bond]P as the proton acceptor are more stable than those with H-C[triple bond]P as the acceptor, a reflection of the greater basicity of H3C-C[triple bond]P. In most complexes with sp2- or sp3-hybridized P-H donor ions, the P-H bond lengthens and the P-H stretching frequency is red-shifted relative to the corresponding monomers. Complex formation also leads to a lengthening of the C[triple bond]P bond and a red shift of the C[triple bond]P stretching vibration. The two-bond coupling constants 2pihJ(P-P) and 2pihJ(P-C) are significantly smaller than 2hJ(P-P) and 2hJ(P-C) for complexes in which hydrogen bonding occurs through lone pairs of electrons on P or C. This reflects the absence of significant s electron density in the hydrogen-bonding regions of these pi complexes.     

A microwave spectroscopic and quantum chemical study of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate (H(2)==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N) and cyclopropyl selenocyanate (C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N)

The microwave spectra of propa-1,2-dienyl selenocyanate, H(2)C==C==CHSeC[triple bond]N, and cyclopropyl selenocyanate, C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N, are reported. The spectra of the ground and two vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue and the spectrum of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue were assigned for one rotameric form of H(2)C==C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. This conformer is characterized by a C-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 129(5) degrees from synperiplanar (0 degrees ) and is shown to be the global minimum of H(2)C[double bond, length as m-dash]C[double bond, length as m-dash]CHSeC[triple bond]N. The spectra of the ground and of three vibrationally excited states of the (80)Se isotopologue, as well as of the ground state of the (78)Se isotopologue of one rotamer of C(3)H(5)SeC[triple bond]N were assigned. This conformer has a H-C-Se-C dihedral angle of 80(4) degrees from synperiplanar and is at least 3 kJ mol(-1) more stable than any other form of the molecule. The microwave study has been augmented by quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) and MP2/6-311+ +G(3df,3pd) levels of theory.     

Synthesis and luminescence behaviour of novel heterodecanuclear silver(I)-rhenium(I) alkynyl complexes. X-ray crystal structures of [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Me2bpy)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 and [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Br2phen)(CO)3]4](PF6)2

A novel series of luminescent heterodecanuclear mixed-metal alkynyl complexes, [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(N--N)(CO)3]4](PF6)2, (N--N = tBu2bpy, Me2bpy, phen, Br2phen), have been successfully synthesized; the X-ray crystal structures of [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Me2bpy)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 and [Ag6(mu-dppm)4[mu3-C[triple bond]CC[triple bond]C-Re(Br2phen)(CO)3]4](PF6)2 have also been determined.     

Investigating CN- cleavage by three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

Three-coordinate Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 binds cyanide to form the intermediate [Ar((t)Bu)N]3Mo-CN-Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 but, unlike its N2 analogue which spontaneously cleaves dinitrogen, the C-N bond remains intact. DFT calculations on the model [NH2]3Mo/CN- system show that while the overall reaction is significantly exothermic, the final cleavage step is endothermic by at least 90 kJ mol(-1), accounting for why C-N bond cleavage is not observed experimentally. The situation is improved for the [H2N]3W/CN- system where the intermediate and products are closer in energy but not enough for CN- cleavage to be facile at room temperature. Additional calculations were undertaken on the mixed-metal [H2N]3Re+/CN- /W[NH2]3 and [H2N]3Re+/CN-/Ta[NH2]3 systems in which the metals ions were chosen to maximise the stability of the products on the basis of an earlier bond energy study. Although the reaction energetics for the [H2N]3Re+/CN /W[NH2]3 system are more favourable than those for the [H2N]3W/CN- system, the final C-N cleavage step is still endothermic by 32 kJ mol(-1) when symmetry constraints are relaxed. The resistance of these systems to C-N cleavage was examined by a bond decomposition analysis of [H2N]M-L1[triple bond]L2-M[NH2]3 intermediates for L1[triple bond]L2 = N2, CO and CN which showed that backbonding from the metal into the L1[triple bond]L2 pi* orbitals is significantly less for CN than for N2 or CO due to the negative charge on CN- which results in a large energy gap between the metal d(pi), and the pi* orbitals of CN-. This, combined with the very strong M-CN- interaction which stabilises the CN intermediate, makes C-N bond cleavage in these systems unfavourable even though the C[triple bond]N triple bond is not as strong as the bond in N2 or CO.     

Tristhiolatomolybdenum nitrides, (RS)(3)Mo[triple bond]N where R = (i)Pr and (t)Bu,preparation, characterization and comparisons with related trialkoxymolybdenumnitrides

The addition of thiols to ((t)BuO)(3)Mo[triple bond]N in toluene leads to the formation of (RS)(3)Mo[triple bond]N compounds as yellow, air-sensitive compounds, where R = (i)Pr and (t)Bu. The single-crystal structure of ((t)BuS)(3)Mo[triple bond]N reveals a weakly associated dimeric structure where two ((t)BuS)(3)Mo[triple bond]N units (Mo-N = 1.61 A, Mo-S = 2.31 A (av)) are linked via thiolate sulfur bridges with long 3.03 A (av) Mo-S interactions. Density functional theory calculations employing Gaussian 98 B3LYP (LANL2DZ for Mo and 6-31G* for N, O, S, and H) have been carried out for model compounds (HE)(3)Mo[triple bond]N and (HE)(3)MoNO, where E = O and S. A comparison of the structure and bonding within the related series ((t)BuE)(3)Mo[triple bond]N and ((t)BuE)(3)MoNO is made for E = O and S. In the thiolate compounds, the highest energy orbitals are sulfur lone-pair combinations. In the alkoxides, the HOMO is the N 2p lone-pair which has M-N sigma and M-O pi* character for the nitride. As a result of greater O p pi to Mo pi interactions, the M-N pi orbitals of the Mo-N triple bond are destabilized with respect to their thiolate counterpart. For the nitrosyl compounds, the greater O p pi to Mo d pi interaction favors greater back-bonding to the nitrosyl pi* orbitals for the alkoxides relative to the thiolates. The results of the calculations are correlated with the observed structural features and spectroscopic properties of the related alkoxide and thiolate compounds.     

Synthesis of [F3S(triple bond)NXeF][AsF6] and structural study by multi-NMR and Raman spectroscopy, electronic structure calculations, and X-ray crystallography

The salt, [F3S(triple bond)NXeF][AsF6], has been synthesized by the reaction of [XeF][AsF6] with liquid N(triple bond)SF3 at -20 degrees C. The Xe-N bonded cation provides a rare example of xenon bound to an inorganic nitrogen base in which nitrogen is formally sp-hybridized. The F3S(triple bond)NXeF+ cation was characterized by Raman spectroscopy at -150 degrees C and by 129Xe, 19F, and 14N NMR spectroscopy in HF solution at -20 degrees C and in BrF5 solution at -60 degrees C. Colorless [F3S(triple bond)NXeF][AsF6] was crystallized from HF solvent at -45 degrees C, and its low-temperature X-ray crystal structure was determined. The Xe-N bond is among the longest Xe-N bonds known (2.236(4) A), whereas the Xe-F bond length (1.938(3) A) is significantly shorter than that of XeF2 but longer than in XeF+ salts. The Xe-F and Xe-N bond lengths are similar to those of HC(triple bond)NXeF+, placing it among the most ionic Xe-N bonds known. The nonlinear Xe-N-S angle (142.6(3)o) contrasts with the linear angle predicted by electronic structure calculations and is attributed to close N...F contacts within the crystallographic unit cell. Electronic structure calculations at the MP2 and DFT levels of theory were used to calculate the gas-phase geometries, charges, bond orders, and valencies of F3S(triple bond)NXeF+ and to assign vibrational frequencies. The calculated small energy difference (7.9 kJ mol-1) between bent and linear Xe-N-S angles also indicates that the bent geometry is likely the result of crystal packing. The structural studies, natural bond orbital analyses, and calculated gas-phase dissociation enthalpies reveal that F3S(triple bond)NXeF+ is among the weakest donor-acceptor adducts of XeF+ with an Xe-N donor-acceptor interaction that is very similar to that of HC(triple bond)NXeF+, but considerably stronger than that of F3S(triple bond)NAsF5. Despite the low dissociation enthalpy of the donor-acceptor bond in F3S(triple bond)NXeF+, 129Xe, 19F, and 14N NMR studies reveal that the F3S(triple bond)NXeF+ cation is nonlabile at low temperatures in HF and BrF5 solvents.     

Effects of chain length and Au spin-orbit coupling on 3(pi pi*) emission from bridging Cn2- units: theoretical characterization of spin-forbidden radiative transitions in metal-capped one-dimensional carbon chains [H3PAu(C[triple bond]C)nAuPH3

Density functional theory and CASSCF calculations have been used to optimize the geometries of binuclear gold(I) complexes [H(3)PAu(C[triple bond]C)(n)AuPH(3)] (n=1-6) in their ground states and selected lowest energy (3)(pi pi*) excited states. Vertical excitation energies obtained by time-dependent density functional calculations for the spin-forbidden singlet-triplet transitions have exponential-decay size dependence. The predicted singlet-triplet splitting limit of [H(3)PAu(C[triple bond]C)(proportional/variant)AuPH(3)] is about 8317 cm(-1). Calculated singlet-triplet transition energies are in reasonable agreement with available experimental observations. The effect of the heavy atom Au spin-orbit coupling on the (3)(pi pi*) emission of these metal-capped one-dimensional carbon allotropes has been investigated by MRCI calculations. The contribution of the spin- and dipole-allowed singlet excited state to the spin-orbit-coupling wave function of the (3)(pi pi*) excited state makes the low-lying acetylenic triplet excited states become sufficiently allowed so as to appear in both electronic absorption and emission.     

Electroswitchable photoluminescence activity: synthesis, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, photophysics, and X-ray crystal and electronic structures of [Re(bpy)(CO)3(C[triple bond]C[bond]C6H4[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C5Me5)(dppe)][PF6](n) (n = 0, 1)

A novel heterobimetallic alkynyl-bridged complex, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)], 1, and its oxidized species, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)][PF(6)], 2, have been synthesized and their X-ray crystal structures determined. A related vinylidene complex, [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond](H)C[double bond]C)Fe(C(5)Me(5))(dppe)][PF(6)], 3, has also been synthesized and characterized. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows a quasireversible reduction couple at -1.49 V (vs SCE), a fully reversible oxidation at -0.19 V, and a quasireversible oxidation at +0.88 V. In accord with the electrochemical results, density-functional theory calculations on the hydrogen-substituted model complex Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C)Fe(C(5)H(5))(dHpe) (Cp = C(5)H(5), dHpe = H(2)P[bond](CH(2))(2)[bond]PH(2)) (1-H) show that the LUMO is mainly bipyridine ligand pi* in character while the HOMO is largely iron(II) d orbital in character. The electronic absorption spectrum of 1 shows low-energy absorption at 390 nm with a 420 nm shoulder in CH(2)Cl(2), while that of 2 exhibits less intense low-energy bands at 432 and 474 nm and additional low-energy bands in the NIR at ca. 830, 1389, and 1773 nm. Unlike the related luminescent rhenium(I)-alkynyl complex [Re(bpy)(CO)(3)(C[triple bond]C[bond]C(6)H(4)[bond]C[triple bond]C[bond]H)], 4, complex 1 is found to be nonemissive, and such a phenomenon is attributed to an intramolecular quenching of the emissive d pi(Re) --> pi*(bpy) (3)MLCT state by the low-lying MLCT and LF excited states of the iron moiety. Interestingly, switching on of the luminescence property derived from the d pi(Re) --> pi*(bpy) (3)MLCT state can be demonstrated in the oxidized species 2 and the related vinylidene analogue 3 due to the absence of the quenching pathway.     

Tracking the chemistry of unsaturated C3H3 groups adsorbed on a silver surface: propargyl-allenyl-acetylide triple bond migration, self-hydrogenation, and carbon-carbon bond formation

A diverse array of unsaturated C1 (methylene and methylidyne) and C2 (vinyl, vinylidene, ethylidene, and ethylidyne) bound to metal center(s) and surfaces has received much attention. In sharp contrast to the effort devoted to C1 and C2 ligands, complexes or surfaces bearing C3 fragments have been less explored, especially the M-C3H3 systems, which include propargyl (M-CH2C[triple bond]CH), allenyl (M-CH=C=CH2), and acetylide (M-C[triple bond]CCH3) forms. To understand the bonding and reactivity of these C3 species appended to an extended metal structure, proprargyl bromide (Br-CH2C[triple bond]CH) was utilized as a precursor to generate C3H3 fragments on a Ag(111) surface under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The molecular transformation process was explored by a combination of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS), and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) techniques. In addition, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were conducted to obtain the optimized geometries and energies for the various surface intermediates. The computed IR spectra facilitated the vibrational mode assignments. TPD spectra show that C3H3(ad) self-hydrogenates to C3H4 around 300 and 475 K, respectively. In addition to hydrogenation, a C-C coupling product C6H6 (2,4-hexadiyne) is also unveiled as part of the desorption feature at 475 K. Identification of the possible C3H4 isomers (propyne and/or allene) was equivocal, but it was circumvented by using an alpha,alpha-dimethyl-substituted propargylic species--(CH3)2(alpha)C-C[triple bond]CH, which results in hydrogenation products, alkynic (CH3)2CH-C[triple bond]CH and allenic (CH3)2C=C=CH2, distinguishable by the mass spectrometry. The substitution experiments clarify that in the normal case the convoluted TPD feature around 300 K, in fact, consists of both allene at 260 K and propyne at 310 K, while the last hydrogenation product at 475 K is solely propyne. The RAIR spectroscopy demonstrates that at 200 K C3H3(ad) on Ag(111) readily adopts the allenyl formalism involving concerted CBr bond scission and [1,3]-sigmatropic migration (i.e., Br-*CH2C[triple bond]CH --> *CH2=C=CH-Ag), in which the sigma bond moves to a new metal location across the pi-periphery. Single hydrogen incorporation to the alpha-carbon of the surface allenyl rationalizes the allene formation at 260 K. When the surface is heated to the range of 250-300 K, both RAIR and XP spectra reveal drastic changes, indicative of a new species whose spectral characteristics could be duplicated by separate measurements from 1-propyn-1-yl iodide (CH3-C[triple bond]C-I) being a direct source for the surface methylacetylide (CH3-C[triple bond]C-Ag). It is thus suggested that allenyl is further reorganized to render acetylide presumably via [1,3]-hydrogen shift (i.e., *CH2=C=CH-Ag --> *CH3=C[triple bond]C-Ag). The presence of this third Ag-C3H3 isomeric form demonstrates an unprecedented propargyl-allenyl-acetylide multiple rearrangements on a metal surface. Migration of the triple bond from the remote terminal position into the chain, through the stage of allenic structure, is driven by thermodynamic stabilities, supported by the DFT total energy calculations. Consequently, the evolutions of propyne at 310 and 475 K, as well as 2,4-hexadiyne (bismethylacetylide), can all be reasoned out.     

Computational analyses of singlet-singlet and singlet-triplet transitions in mononuclear gold-capped carbon-rich conjugated complexes

Density functional theory and CASSCF calculations have been used to determine equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies of metal-capped one-dimensional pi-conjugated complexes (H3P)Au(C[triple chemical bond]C)(n)(Ph) (n = 1-6), (H3P)Au(C[triple chemical bond]CC6H4)(C[triple chemical bond]CPh), and H3P--Au(C[triple chemical bond]CC6H4)C[triple chemical bond]CAu--PH3 in their ground states and selected low-lying pi(pi)* excited states. Vertical excitation energies for spin-allowed singlet-singlet and spin-forbidden singlet-triplet transitions determined by the time-dependent density functional theory show good agreement with available experimental observations. Calculations indicate that the lowest energy 3(pi(pi)*) excited state is unlikely populated by the direct electronic excitation, while the low-lying singlet and triplet states, slightly higher in energy than the lowest triplet state, are easily accessible by the excitation light used in experiments. A series of radiationless transitions among related excited states yield the lowest 3(pi(pi)*) state, which has enough long lifetimes to exhibit its photochemical reactivities.     

Addition of mild electrophiles to a Mo[triple bond]N triple bond and nitrile synthesis via metal-mediated N-atom transfer to acid chlorides

The addition of mild electrophiles to the anionic terminal Mo-nitride {[(t)BuOCO]Mo[triple bond]N]Na(DMF)}(2) (1) and the synthesis of nitriles via metal-mediated N-atom transfer is reported. The X-ray structure of a pivaloylimido intermediate indicates the presence of a weakly coordinated DMF molecule. Kinetic studies confirm that cyclometalation and DMF dissociation occur prior to nitrile extrusion.     

Extended-chain, multinuclear transition metal complexes bridged by cyanodiazenido(1-), [N=N-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N]-, ligands

Extended-chain complexes containing multiple transition metal centres linked by conjugated micro-cyanodiazenido(1-) ligands [N=N-C[triple bond, length as m-dash]N]- have been obtained by reaction of trans-[BrW(dppe)2(N2CN)], , [dppe=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane] with dirhodium(II) tetra-acetate, bis(benzonitrile)palladium(II) dichloride, and bis(aqua)M(II) bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonate) (M=Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn): stronger Lewis acids such as tetrakis(acetonitrile)palladium(II) tetrafluoroborate and boron trifluoride promote hydrolysis of complex , leading to the isolation of a novel carbamoylhydrazido(2-) complex, trans-[BrW(dppe)2(N2HC=ONH2)]+[BF4]-.     

Trifluoropropynylxenon(II) tetrafluoroborate [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4]--isolation of an alkynylxenon(II) compound for the first time

The salt [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4] was prepared as neat compound by the reaction of the hitherto unknown alkynyldifluoroborane CF3C[triple bond]CBF2 with XeF2 in 1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoropropane (PFP) at -45 degrees C in 59% yield. [CF3C[triple bond]CXe] [BF4] was unambiguously characterised by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy in anhydrous HF (aHF) solution.     

The short N [bond] F bond in N(2)F(+) and how Pauli repulsion influences bond lengths. Theoretical study of N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H)

Exceptionally short N [bond] F bond distances of only 1.217 A (crystal) and 1.246 A (gas phase) have been reported for N(2)F(+), making it the shortest N [bond] F bond ever observed. To trace the origin of this structural phenomenon, we have analyzed the model systems N(2)X(+), NF(3)X(+), and NH(3)X(+) (X [double bond] F, H) using generalized gradient approximation density functional theory at BP86/TZ2P. In good agreement with experiment, the computations yield an extremely short N [bond] F bond for N(2)F(+): we find N [bond] F bond distances in N(2)F(+), NF(4)(+), and NH(3)F(+) of 1.245, 1.339, and 1.375 A, respectively. The N [bond] X bonding mechanisms are quantitatively analyzed in the framework of Kohn-Sham MO theory. At variance with the current hypothesis, reduced steric and other Pauli repulsion (of substituents or lone pairs at N with F) rather than the extent of s [bond] p hybridization of N (i.e., sp versus sp(3)) are responsible for the much shorter N [bond] F distance in N(2)F(+) compared to NF(4)(+). The results for our nitrogen compounds are furthermore discussed in the more general context of how bond lengths are determined by both bonding and repulsive orbital interactions.