Photoredox Cascade Catalyst for Efficient Hydrogen Production with Biomass Photoreforming

Biomass photoreforming is a promising method to provide both a clean energy resource in the form of hydrogen (H₂) and valuable chemicals as the results of water reduction and biomass oxidation. To overcome the poor contact between heterogeneous photocatalysts and biomass substrates, we fabricated a new photoredox cascade catalyst by combining a homogeneous catalyst, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPO), and a heterogeneous dual-dye sensitized photocatalyst (DDSP) composed of two Ru(II)-polypyridine photosensitizers ( RuP⁶ and RuCP⁶ ) and Pt-loaded TiO₂ nanoparticles. During blue-light irradiation (λ=460±15 nm; 80 mW), the DDSP photocatalytically reduced aqueous protons to form H₂ and simultaneously oxidized TEMPO^• radicals to generate catalytically active TEMPO⁺. It oxidized biomass substrates (water-soluble glycerol and insoluble cellulose) to regenerate TEMPO^•. In the presence of N-methyl imidazole as a proton transfer mediator, the photocatalytic H₂ production activities for glycerol and cellulose reforming reached 2670 and 1590 μmol H₂ (g_TiO2)⁻¹ h⁻¹, respectively, which were comparable to those of state-of-the-art heterogeneous photocatalysts.     

Benchmarking Three Ruthenium Phosphide Phases for Electrocatalysis of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Experimental and Theoretical Insights

The outstanding electrocatalytic activity of ruthenium (Ru) phosphides toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has received wide attention. However, the effect of the Ru phosphide phase on the HER performance remains unclear. Herein, a two-step method was developed to synthesize nanoparticles of three types of Ru phosphides, namely, Ru₂P, RuP, and RuP₂, with similar morphology, dimensions, loading density, and electrochemical surface area on graphene nanosheets by simply controlling the dosage of phytic acid as P source. Electrochemical tests revealed that Ru₂P/graphene shows the highest intrinsic HER activity, followed by RuP/graphene and RuP₂/graphene. Ru₂P/graphene affords a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 18 mV in acid media. Theoretical calculations further showed that P-deficient Ru₂P has a lower free energy of hydrogen adsorption on the surface than other two, P-rich Ru phosphides (RuP, RuP₂), which confirms the excellent intrinsic HER activity of Ru₂P and is consistent with experiment results. The work reveals for the first time a clear trend of HER activity among three Ru phosphide phases.     

Non-emissive RuII Polypyridyl Complexes as Efficient and Selective Photosensitizers for the Photooxidation of Benzylamines

Five new Ru^II polypyridyl complexes bearing N-(arylsulfonyl)-8-amidoquinolate ligands and three of their biscyclometalated Ir^III congeners have been prepared and employed as photocatalysts ( PC s) in the photooxidation of benzylamines with O₂. In particular, the new Ru^II complexes do not exhibit photoluminescence, rather they harvest visible light efficiently and are very stable in solution under irradiation with blue light. Their non-emissive behavior has been related to the low electrochemical energy gaps and rationalized on the basis of theoretical calculations (DFT analysis) that predict low S₀←T₁ energy values. Moreover, the Ru^II complexes, despite being non-emissive, display excellent activities in the selective photocatalytic transformation of benzylamines into the corresponding imines. The presence of an electron-withdrawing group (-CF3) on the arene ring of the N-(arylsulfonyl)-8-amidoquinolate ligand improves the photocatalytic activity of the corresponding photocatalyst. Furthermore, all the experimental evidence, including transient absorption spectroscopy measurements suggest that singlet oxygen is the actual oxidant. The Ir^III analogues are considerably more photosensitive and consequently less efficient photosensitizers ( PS s).     

Substituent Effect to Fine-Tune Energy Levels of Atom-Precise [MoOS3]2− Modified Copper(I) Thiolate Clusters Boosting Recyclable Photocatalysis

The propulsion of photocatalytic hydrogen (H₂) production is limited by the rational design and regulation of catalysts with precise structures and excellent activities. In this work, the [MoOS₃]²⁻ unit is introduced into the Cu^I clusters to form a series of atomically-precise Mo^VI−Cu^I bimetallic clusters of [Cu₆(MoOS₃)₂(C₆H₅(CH₂)S)₂(P(C₆H₄−R)₃)₄] ⋅ xCH₃CN (R=H, CH₃, or F), which show high photocatalytic H₂ evolution activities and excellent stability. By electron push-pull effects of the surface ligand, highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) levels of these Mo^VI−Cu^I clusters can be finely tuned, promoting the resultant visible-light-driven H₂ evolution performance. Furthermore, Mo^VI−Cu^I clusters loaded onto the surface of magnetic Fe₃O₄ carriers significantly reduced the loss of catalysts in the collection process, efficiently addressing the recycling issues of such small cluster-based catalyst. This work not only highlights a competitively universal approach on the design of high-efficiency cluster photocatalysts for energy conversion, but also makes it feasible to manipulate the catalytic performance of clusters through a rational substituent strategy.     

Redox-Induced Oxidative C−C Bond Cleavage of 2,2′-Pyridil in Diruthenium Complexes

In the recent years, there has been an emerging research interest in the domain of C−C bond-cleavage reactions. The present contribution deals with the redox-mediated dioxygen activation and C−C bond cleavage in a diruthenium complex [(acac)₂Ru^II(μ-L1)Ru^II(acac)₂], 1 (acac=acetylacetonate) incorporating 2,2′-pyridil (L1) as the bridging ligand. The above process leads to a C−C-cleaved monomeric product [(acac)₂Ru^III(pic⁻)], 2 (pic⁻=piconilate). Intriguingly, similar diastereomeric complexes [(acac)₂Ru^II(μ-L2)Ru^II(acac)₂], meso (ΔΛ): 3 a and rac (ΔΔ/ΛΛ): 3 b , involving an analogous diimine bridge (L2=N1,N2-diphenyl-1,2-di(pyridin-2-yl)ethane-1,2-diimine), were stable towards such oxidative transformations. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical studies, in combination, establish the potential non-innocent feature of the 2,2′-Pyridil (L1) and its derivative (L2) both in oxidation and reduction processes. Additionally, theoretical calculations have been employed to verify the redox states and their behavior. Furthermore, transition state (TS) calculations at the M06L/6-31G*/LANL2DZ level of theory together with detailed kinetic studies outline a putative mechanism for the selective transformation of 1 → 2 involving the formation of an intermediate bearing peroxide linkage to complex 1 .     

Effect of Cl− anions on photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous ozone over Au @ Ag/TiO2 catalyst

Au core Ag shell composite structure nanoparticles were prepared using a sol method. The Au core Ag shell composite nanoparticles were loaded on TiO₂ nanoparticles as support using a modified powder–sol method, enabling the generation of Au @ Ag/TiO₂ photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone. The sols were characterized by means of ultraviolet–visible light (UV–Vis) reflection spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The activity of the Au @ Ag/TiO₂ photocatalysts for photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone was evaluated and the effect of Cl^? anions on the photocatalytic activity of the catalysts was highlighted. Results showed that Au @ Ag/TiO₂ prepared via the modified powder–sol route in the presence of an appropriate amount of NaCl solid as demulsifier had better activity in the photocatalytic decomposition and elimination of ozone. At the same time, Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts had better ability to resist poisonous Cl^? anions than conventional Au/TiO₂ catalyst. The reasons could be, first, that NaCl was capable of reducing the concentration of free Ag⁺ by adsorption on the surface of Ag particles forming AgCl and enhancing the formation of Au core Ag shell particles, leading to a better resistance to Cl^? anions of the catalysts, and, second, AgCl took part in the photocatalytic decomposition of ozone together with Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts and had a synergistic effect on the latter, resulting in better photocatalytic activity of Au @ Ag/TiO₂ catalysts.     

Tuning the Photo-electrochemical Performance of RuII-Sensitized Two-Dimensional MoS2

Covalently tethering photosensitizers to catalytically active 1T-MoS₂ surfaces holds great promise for the solar-driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we report the preparation of two new Ru^II-complex-functionalized MoS₂ hybrids [Ru^II(bpy)₂(phen)]-MoS₂ and [Ru^II(bpy)₂(py)Cl]-MoS₂. The influence of covalent functionalization of chemically exfoliated 1T-MoS₂ with coordinating ligands and Ru^II complexes on the HER activity and photo-electrochemical performance of this dye-sensitized system was studied systematically. We find that the photo-electrochemical performance of this Ru^II-complex-sensitized MoS₂ system is highly dependent on the surface extent of photosensitizers and the catalytic activity of functionalized MoS₂. The latter was strongly affected by the number and the kind of functional groups. Our results underline the tunability of the photovoltage generation in this dye-sensitized MoS₂ system by manipulation of the surface functionalities, which provides a practical guidance for smart design of future dye-sensitized MoS₂ hydrogen production devices towards improved the photofuel conversion efficiency.     

Enhancement of CO2 and Toluene Adsorption on a Rare‐Earth Chalcophosphate Aerogel by Post Synthetic Modification with PdCl2

The sol‐gel metathesis reaction was used to synthesize a new family of aerogels called a rare‐earth chalcophosphate aerogel KY(P₂S₆)₂ · K⁺ and the rare‐earth metal cations Y³⁺ connect [P₂S₆]^2– anions to form an amorphous white gel. Supercritical drying of the resulting gel produced porous materials with a BET surface area of 443 m² · g^–1. The adsorption properties of the rare‐earth chalcophosphate aerogel were studied using volatile organic hydrocarbons (VOCs) and gases as adsorptives. The results showed preferential adsorption of toluene vapor over cyclohexane and cyclopentane vapor. The adsorption capacity toward toluene was 703 mg · g^–1. Favored adsorption of CO₂ over CH₄, N₂, or H₂ was also observed for the aerogel: KY(P₂S₆)₂ (CO₂/H₂: 308, CO₂/CH₄: 67, Co₂/N₂: 177). Pd doped aerogel showed significant enhancement toward toluene (1291 mg · g^–1) for 1 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂, (2064 mg · g^–1) for 3 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂ and (1108 mg · g^–1) for 5 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂. It also showed a noticeable improvement in the gas selectivity (CO₂/H₂: 337, CO₂/CH₄: 85, Co₂/N₂: 205) for 1 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂, (CO₂/H₂: 345, CO₂/CH₄: 109, Co₂/N₂: 212) for 3 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂ and (CO₂/H₂: 319, CO₂/CH₄: 73, Co₂/N₂: 187) for 5 wt % Pd @ KY(P₂S₆)₂.     

Development of Strong Visible-Light-Absorbing Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes for Robust and Efficient Light-Driven Hydrogen Production

Weak light absorption of common Ir(III) complexes (e. g., using phenylpyridine as the ligand) has hindered their applications in photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water as an efficient photosensitizer. To address this issue, a series of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes (Ir1–Ir5), featuring different electron-donating substituents to enhance the absorptivity, have been synthesized and studied as photosensitizers (PSs) for light-driven hydrogen production from water. Ir6–Ir7 were prepared as fundamental systems for comparisons. Electron donors, including 9-phenylcarbazole, triphenylamine, 4,4′-dimethoxytriphenylamine, 4,4′-di(N-hexylcarbazole)triphenylamine moieties were introduced on 6-(thiophen-2-yl)phenanthridine-based cyclometalating (C^N) ligands to explore the donor effect on the hydrogen evolution performance of these cationic Ir(III) complexes. Remarkably, Ir4 with 4,4′-dimethoxytriphenylamine achieved the highest turn-over number (TON) of 12 300 and initial turnover frequency (TOF_i) of 394 h⁻¹, with initial activity (activity_i) of 547 000 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ and initial apparent quantum yield (AQY_i) of 9.59 %, under the illumination of blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for 105 hours, which demonstrated a stable three-component photocatalytic system with high efficiency. The TON (based on n(H₂)/n(PSr)) in this study is the highest value reported to date among the similar photocatalytic systems using Ir(III) complexes with Pt nanoparticles as catalyst. The great potential of using triphenylamine-based Ir(III) PSs in boosting photocatalytic performance has also been shown.     

Structures and Energetics of NI3 and N2I4

We have applied new methods for performing coupled-cluster calculations to small molecules containing iodine atoms; specifically, NI₃ and N₂I₄. Because NI₃ is known to be very reactive, attempts to measure its thermodynamic properties have been challenging at best. To date, N₂I₄ has not been isolated, and our results suggest that its isolation will be just as challenging. We find that the ΔH_f(NI₃)=+307.7 kJ mol⁻¹ and ΔH_f(N₂I₄)=+551.6 kJ mol⁻¹, confirming that they are unstable with respect to their decomposition products N₂ and I₂.     

Two Regioisomers of Endohedral Pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes M2@Ih‐C80(CH2)2NTrt (M=La,Ce; Trt=trityl): Control of Metal Atom Positions by Addition Positions

The two regioisomers of endohedral pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes M₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt (M=La, Ce; Trt=trityl) were synthesized, isolated, and characterized. X‐ray crystallographic analyses of [6,6]‐La₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt and [6,6]‐Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt revealed that the encapsulated metal atoms are located at the slantwise positions on the mirror plane that parallels the pyrrolidine ring. Paramagnetic NMR analyses of [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt were also carried out to clarify the metal positions. As for the [6,6]‐adduct, the metal positions obtained by paramagnetic NMR analysis agree well with the X‐ray structure. In contrast, paramagnetic NMR analysis of the [5,6]‐adduct showed that the two Ce atoms are collinear with the pyrrolidine ring. We also compared the observed paramagnetic effects of the pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes with those of other cerium‐encapsulating fullerene derivatives such as bis‐silylated Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀ and a carbene adduct of Ce₂@I_h‐C₈₀. We found that the metal positions can be explained by the electrostatic potential maps of the corresponding [6,6]‐ and [5,6]‐adducts of [I_h‐C₈₀(CH₂)₂NTrt]^6?. These findings clearly show that metal positions inside fullerene cages can be controlled by means of the addition positions of the addends. In addition, the radical anions of the pyrrolidinodimetallofullerenes were prepared by bulk controlled‐potential electrolysis and characterized by X‐band EPR spectral study.     

Vinylene-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) with Symmetry-Tuned Polarity and Photocatalytic Activity

The polarity of a semiconducting molecule affects its intrinsic photophysical properties, which can be tuned by varying the molecular geometry. Herein, we developed a D_3h-symmetric tricyanomesitylene as a new monomer which could be reticulated into a vinylene-linked covalent organic framework (g-C₅₄N₆-COF) via Knoevenagel condensation with another D_3h-symmetric monomer 2,4,6-tris(4′-formyl-biphenyl-4-yl)-1,3,5-triazine. Replacing tricyanomesitylene with a C_2v-symmetric 3,5-dicyano-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine gave a less-symmetric vinylene-linked COF (g-C₅₂N₆-COF). The octupolar conjugated characters of g-C₅₄N₆-COF were reflected in its scarce solvatochromic effects either in ground or excited states, and endowed it with more promising semiconducting behavior as compared with g-C₅₂N₆-COF, such as enhanced light-harvesting and excellent photo-induced charge generation and separation. Along with the matched energy level, g-C₅₄N₆-COF enabled the two-half reactions of photocatalytic water splitting with an average O₂ evolution rate of 51.0 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹ and H₂ evolution rate of 2518.9 μmol h⁻¹ g⁻¹. Such values are among the highest of state-of-the-art COF photocatalysts.     

Preparation and characterization of low-amount Yb3+-doped TiO2 photocatalyst

The nanoparticles of Yb³⁺-doped (0.125 wt.%) and pure TiO₂ were prepared by an acid-catalyzed sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy; the specific surface of the samples was measured using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue in aqueous solution was used as a probe reaction to estimate the photocatalytic activity of the prepared nanoparticles. The photocatalytic activity of Yb³⁺/TiO₂ composite nanoparticles is much higher than that of pure TiO₂. A low amount of Yb³⁺ in TiO₂ can inhibit the anatase-rutile phase transformation of TiO₂, prevent grain growth increasing the specific surface area, and favor the high-temperature stabilization of the pores. According to the surface voltage spectroscopy data, Tb³⁺-doping prevents recombination of photoinduced electrons and holes and improves the light absorption capacity of the particle surface. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1680–1685, October, 2006.     

Cover Feature: Low-Cost and Scalable Ni-Prussian Blue Analogue//Functionalized Carbon Based Na-Ion Systems for all Climate Operations (ChemPhysChem 4/2023)

Herein, we have developed a sodium ion based aqueous energy storage device with nickel prussian-blue-analogue (Ni-PBA) positive and functionalized carbon-black negative electrodes in 1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte solution. The components required to develop the device, i. e., stainless steel (SS) current-collectors, absorbent-glass-mat separator, electrolyte, carbon-black, and precursors of Ni-PBA, are all environmentally benign and inexpensive. To minimize the corrosion of pristine-SS, polyaniline coating on the SS surface is applied by in situ electrodeposition method. The full cell exhibits a specific capacity of 28 mAh g⁻¹ with 90 % Coulomb efficiency (@0.2C), an energy density of 34 Wh kg⁻¹ (@20 W kg⁻¹), a power density of 100 W kg⁻¹ (@18 Wh kg⁻¹) and a good life cycle (70 % capacity-retention over 500 cycles @1.0C rate) within the 0–1.2 V window. The cell performance is further tested under variable temperatures, and 0–50 °C range is reported to be the working window for this cell.     

Cobalt Cyclopentadienyl-Phosphine Dinitrogen Complexes

By applying the potassium salts of cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligands LK to CoCl₂, the corresponding cobalt chlorides ( 1 , L Co^IICl) were prepared. By reducing complexes 1 with KHBEt₃ under a N₂ atmosphere, bridging end-on complexes, L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L ( 2 a and 2 b ), were successfully obtained. ¹⁵N₂-labeled [¹⁵N₂]- 2 a was prepared under ¹⁵N₂/¹⁴N₂ exchange in THF solution. L Co^I−N₂−Co^I L complex 2 a could react with P₄ molecules to release N₂ and generate a Co−P₄−Co moiety 4 . Further reduction of complex 2 b led to cleavage of a P−C bond in the cyclopentadienyl-phosphine ligand to provide novel μ-PCy₂-bridged Co⁰−N₂ complex 5 . DFT calculations confirmed the experimental observations.     

Hydrogen‐bonding one‐dimensional chains containing the R42(8) motif in the ammonium salts 1‐naphthylammonium iodide and naphthalene‐1,8‐diyldiammonium diiodide

In 1‐naphthylammonium iodide, C₁₀H₁₀N⁺·I⁻, and naphthalene‐1,8‐diyldiammonium diiodide, C₁₀H₁₂N₂²⁺·2I⁻, the predominant hydrogen‐bonding pattern can be described using the graph‐set notation R₄²(8). This is the first report of a structure of a diprotonated naphthalene‐1,8‐diyldiammonium salt.     

Porous TiO2 Nanotubes with Spatially Separated Platinum and CoOx Cocatalysts Produced by Atomic Layer Deposition for Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Efficient separation of photogenerated electrons and holes, and associated surface reactions, is a crucial aspect of efficient semiconductor photocatalytic systems employed for photocatalytic hydrogen production. A new CoO_x/TiO₂/Pt photocatalyst produced by template‐assisted atomic layer deposition is reported for photocatalytic hydrogen production on Pt and CoO_x dual cocatalysts. Pt nanoclusters acting as electron collectors and active sites for the reduction reaction are deposited on the inner surface of porous TiO₂ nanotubes, while CoO_x nanoclusters acting as hole collectors and active sites for oxidation reaction are deposited on the outer surface of porous TiO₂ nanotubes. A CoO_x/TiO₂/Pt photocatalyst, comprising ultra‐low concentrations of noble Pt (0.046 wt %) and CoO_x (0.019 wt %) deposited simultaneously with one atomic layer deposition cycle, achieves remarkably high photocatalytic efficiency (275.9 μmol h⁻¹), which is nearly five times as high as that of pristine TiO₂ nanotubes (56.5 μmol h⁻¹). The highly dispersed Pt and CoO_x nanoclusters, porous structure of TiO₂ nanotubes with large specific surface area, and the synergetic effect of the spatially separated Pt and CoO_x dual cocatalysts contribute to the excellent photocatalytic activity.     

Ti/TiO2 Electrode Preparation Using Laser Anneal and Its Application to Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand

A method for Ti/TiO₂ photoelectrode preparation using laser calcination instead of oven calcination process was introduced. The prepared TiO₂ film was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and amperometry, and it was found that the prepared electrode mainly consisted of anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles on its surface and exhibited a superior photocatalytic activity. The electrode was employed as a sensor to measure chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the wastewater. The measuring principle was based on the photocurrent responses of the electrode which were proportional to the COD values. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the linear range was 50–2000 mg L⁻¹, and the detection limit was 16 mg L⁻¹ (S/N=3). This method was characterized by short analysis time, simplicity, low environmental impact and long lifetime of the sensor. Additionally, the COD values obtained from the proposed and conventional methods agreed well as demonstrated by the high significant correlation between the two sets of COD values (R=0.9895, n=25).     

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I4 (M = Cd,Hg): Tetraiodide,Iodide–Iodine Adduct,or an Inclusion Compound of Iodine in MI2@(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)?

M(benzo‐18‐crown‐6)I₄ (M = Cd, Hg) are obtained as red columnar crystals from the reactions of benzo‐18‐crown‐6 (b18c6), cadmium and mercury iodide, respectively, and iodine in molar ratios of 1:1:2 in acetonitrile. They both crystallize with the orthorhombic crystal system, P2₁2₁2₁, a = 833.7(1), b = 1610.9(1), c = 1846.8(1) pm, V = 2480.3(1) 10⁶·pm³, Z = 4, for M = Cd and a = 823.4(1), b = 1616.5(1), c = 1866.1(1) pm, V = 2483.8(2) 10⁶·pm³ for M = Hg. The crystal structures consist of [M(b18c6)]I₂ molecules which are connected to a slightly lengthened iodine molecule via a secondary contact, according to the formulation I₂@[MI₂@(b18c6)].     

Synthesis and Reactivity of Cationic Triruthenium Clusters Derived from 2‐Methyl‐ and 4‐Methylpyrimidines: From Conventional Cyclometalated Ligands to Novel Types of N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

The methylation of the uncoordinated nitrogen atom of the cyclometalated triruthenium cluster complexes [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 1 ; 2‐MepyrH=2‐methylpyrimidine) and [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐4‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 9 ; 4‐MepyrH=4‐methylpyrimidine) gives two similar cationic complexes, [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2,3‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₁₀]⁺( 2 ⁺) and [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐3,4‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₁₀]⁺ ( 9 ⁺), respectively, whose heterocyclic ligands belong to a novel type of N‐heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) that have the C_carbene atom in 6‐position of a pyrimidine framework. The position of the C‐methyl group in the ligands of complexes 2 ⁺ (on C²) and 9 ⁺ (on C⁴) is of key importance for the outcome of their reactions with K[N(SiMe₃)₂], K‐selectride, and cobaltocene. Although these reagents react with 2 ⁺ to give [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐CH₂‐3‐Mepyr)(CO)₁₀] ( 3 ; deprotonation of the C²‐Me group), [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ³N¹,C⁵,C⁶‐4‐H‐2,3‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₉] ( 4 ; hydride addition at C⁴), and [Ru₆(μ‐H)₂{μ₆‐κ⁶N¹,N^1′,C⁵,C^5′,C⁶,C^6′‐4,4′‐bis(2,3‐Me₂pyr)}(CO)₁₈] ( 5 ; reductive dimerization at C⁴), respectively, similar reactions with 9 ⁺ have only allowed the isolation of [Ru₃(μ‐H)(μ₃‐κ²N¹,C⁶‐2‐H‐3,4‐Me₂pyr)(CO)₉] ( 11 ; hydride addition at C²). Compounds 3 and 11 also contain novel six‐membered ring NHC ligands. Theoretical studies have established that the deprotonation of 2 ⁺ and 9 ⁺ (that have ligand‐based LUMOs) are charge‐controlled processes and that both the composition of the LUMOs of these cationic complexes and the steric protection of their ligand ring atoms govern the regioselectivity of their nucleophilic addition and reduction reactions.