RhodiumIII/SilverI Relay Catalyzed C—H Aminomethylation with Imine Equivalents and Lewis Acid Catalyzed [4+2] Cycloaddition of Indoles with Triarylhexahydrotriazine†

A Rh^III/Ag^I relay‐catalyzed C(sp²)—H coupling of indoles with triarylhexahydrotriazine (THT) is reported in this context. Upon merging Rh^III‐catalyzed C(sp²)—H bond activation and silver promoted THT dissociation, an efficient indole's C3 aminomethylation protocol is uncovered, providing C3 aminomethyl indoles in good yields and exhibiting potential applications for the synthesis of complicated bioactive compounds. We revealed the C3‐selectivity of this reaction through a detailed mechanistic investigation. Meanwhile, during the examination of the reaction conditions, we discovered another [4+2] cycloaddition pathway to afford tetrahydro‐indolo[3,2‐c]quinoline scaffold products via silver or Lewis acid catalysis.     

Through-Space Spin Coupling in a Silver(II) Porphyrin Dimer upon Stepwise Oxidations: AgII⋅⋅⋅AgII,AgII⋅⋅⋅AgIII,and AgIII⋅⋅⋅AgIII Metallophilic Interactions

Metallophilic interactions between closed-shell metal ions are becoming a popular tool for a variety of applications related to high-end materials. Heavier d⁸ transition-metal ions are also considered to have a closed shell and can be involved in such interactions. There is no systematic investigation so far to estimate the structure and energy characteristics of metallophilic interactions in Ag^II/Ag^II (d⁹/d⁹), Ag^III/Ag^III (d⁸/d⁸), and mixed-valent Ag^II/Ag^III (d⁹/d⁸) complexes, which have been demonstrated in the present study. Both interporphyrinic and intermetallic interactions were investigated on stepwise oxidation by using a rigid ethene-bridged cis silver(II) porphyrin dimer and the results compared with those for highly flexible ethane-bridged analogues. By controlling the nature of chemical oxidants and their stoichiometry, both 1e and 2e oxidations were done stepwise to generate Ag^II/Ag^III mixed-valent and Ag^III/Ag^III porphyrin dimers, respectively. Unlike all other ethene-bridged metalloporphyrin dimers reported earlier, in which 2e oxidation stabilizes only the trans form, such an oxidation of silver(II) porphyrin dimer stabilizes only the cis form because of the metallophilic interaction. Besides silver(II) ⋅⋅⋅ silver(II) interactions in cis silver(II) porphyrin dimer, stepwise oxidations also enabled us to achieve various hitherto-unknown silver(II) ⋅⋅⋅ silver(III) and silver(III) ⋅⋅⋅ silver(III) interactions, which thereby allow significant modulation of their structure and properties. The strength of Ag ⋅⋅⋅ Ag interaction follows the order Ag^II/Ag^II (d⁹/d⁹)<Ag^II/Ag^III (d⁹/d⁸)<Ag^III/Ag^III (d⁸/d⁸). Single-crystal XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ¹H NMR and EPR spectroscopy, and variable-temperature magnetic investigations revealed various oxidation states of silver and metallophilic interactions, which are also well supported by computational analysis.     

Investigation of the interaction between cobalt sulfide coatings and Ag(I) ions using cyclic voltammetry in KClO4 and NaOH aqueous solutions and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Cobalt sulfide coatings have been investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KClO₄ and 0.1 M NaOH solutions and analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. They have been shown to contain CoS(OH), CoS and Co(OH)₂. After treating such Co sulfide coatings with AgNO₃ solution, their composition changes: both the cobalt and oxygen content decreases and Ag (up to 85 at%) appears in the coating as Ag₂S, Ag₂O and metallic Ag. Co(II) compounds react with Ag⁺ ions according to an exchange reaction [CoS+2Ag⁺+2H₂O→Ag₂S+Co(OH)₂+2H⁺]. In the course of the reaction of Co(OH)₂ with silver ions, a redox process occurs, giving metallic silver [Co(OH)₂+Ag⁺+H₂O→Ag°+Co(OH)₃+H⁺ or Co(OH)₂+Ag⁺→Ag°+CoO(OH)+H⁺]. Ag₂S reduction takes place at more positive potentials than Cu reduction; therefore sulfide layers of cobalt modified with silver ions, unlike unmodified ones, may be plated with Cu from both acid and alkaline electrolytes. Electronic Publication     

Chemiluminescent Logic Gates Based on Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles/Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites

Label‐free logic gates (AND, OR, and INHIBIT) based on chemiluminescence (CL) as new optical readout signal have been developed by taking advantage of the unique CL activity of luminol‐ and lucigenin‐functionalized gold nanoparticles/graphene oxide (luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO) nanocomposites. It was found that Fe²⁺ ions could induce the CL emission of luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites in alkaline solution. On this basis, by using Fe²⁺ ions and NaOH as the inputs and the CL signal as the output, an AND logic gate was fabricated. When the initial reaction system contained luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites and NaOH, either Fe²⁺ ions or Ag⁺ ions could react with the luminol‐lucigenin/AuNPs/GO nanocomposites to produce a strong CL emission. This result was used to design an OR logic gate using Fe²⁺ ions and Ag⁺ ions as the inputs and CL signal as the output. Moreover, two INHIBIT logic gates for Fe²⁺ and Ag⁺ were also developed using by NaClO and L ‐cysteine as their CL inhibitors, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed logic gates were successfully used to detect Fe²⁺, Ag⁺, and L ‐cysteine, respectively. The developed logic gates may find future applications in sensing, clinical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.     

Investigation of Metal Ion Effect on Specific DNA Sequences and DNA Hybridization

In this article, we investigated the sequence specific interaction of single (ssDNA) and double stranded (dsDNA) with silver ions (Ag⁺) with electrochemical methods. We, for the first time, examined the effect of base sequences, base content and physiochemical properties of different DNA sequences on interaction with Ag⁺ in detail. We used different base contents to show how the composition of nucleic acid influences the electrochemical signals. We first immobilized ssDNA probes on bare graphite electrodes. Then, we showed the sequence effect on oxidation signals of AgDNA complex by sensing Ag⁺ to the probe coated surfaces to interact with different ssDNA sequences. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of Ag⁺ on dsDNA. We measured the oxidation signals obtained from Ag⁺‐ssDNA and Ag⁺‐dsDNA complex at approximately 0.2 V and 1.0 V (vs Ag/AgCl), respectively with Differential Pulse Voltammetry (DPV). We showed that the oxidation signals of the AgDNA complex obtained from dsDNA‐modified electrodes is higher than the electrodes modified with ssDNA. More importantly, we showed that Ag⁺‐ssDNA and Ag⁺ ion‐dsDNA exhibit different electrochemical behaviors.     

Valence Interconversion of Octahedral Nickel(II/III/IV) Centers

Three oxidation states (+2, +3, +4) of an octahedral nickel center were stabilized in a newly prepared RhNiRh trinuclear complex, [Ni{Rh(apt)₃}₂]^{n +} (apt=3‐ aminopropanethiolate), in which the nickel center was bound by six thiolato donors sourced from two redox‐inert fac ‐[Rh^III(apt)₃] octahedral units. The three oxidation states of the octahedral nickel center were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, as well as spectroscopic, electrochemical, and magnetic measurements; all three were interconvertible, and the conversion was accompanied by changes in color, magnetism, and Jahn–Teller distortion.     

Selective Determination of Dimethyl Sulfide in Seawater Using Reactive Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Reactive extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used for the rapid, sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater without sample pretreatment. Using silver cations (Ag⁺) as the ionic reagent, the analyte was selectively extracted from seawater to form adduct ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺. The characteristic product ions of Ag⁺, generated from parent ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺ by tandem mass spectrometry, were used for quantitative analysis. A linear calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 10,000 pg/mL with acceptable relative standard deviations of 3.2–8.1%. This method provided a low limit of detection (0.3 pg/mL), reasonable recovery (82–111%), and acceptable precision (3.9 and 4.2% for intraday and interday measurements). Trace dimethyl sulfide was determined in seawater by this method. These results demonstrate that reactive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is suitable for the rapid, reliable, and sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater. Further investigations will improve our understanding on the relationship between global climate change and dimethyl sulfide concentrations in the ocean.     

The Crystal Structure of Solvent‐Free Silver Dodecachloro‐closo‐dodecaborate Ag2[B12Cl12] from Aqueous Solution

Colourless octahedral single crystals of solvent‐free Ag₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] (cubic, Pa3¯; a = 1238.32(7) pm, Z = 4) are obtained by the metathesis reaction of Cs₂[B₁₂Cl₁₂] with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and recrystallization of the crude product from water. The crystal structure is best described as a distorted anti‐CaF₂‐type arrangement in which the quasi‐icosahedral [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions (d(B—B) = d(B—Cl) = 177—180 pm) are arranged in a cubic closest‐packed fashion. The tetrahedral interstices are filled with Ag⁺ cations which are strongly displaced from their ideal positions. Thereby each silver atom gets coordinated by six chlorine atoms from the edges of three [B₁₂Cl₁₂]^2— anions providing a distorted octahedral coordination sphere to the Ag⁺ cations (d(Ag—Cl) = 283—285 pm, CN = 6).     

Impedimetric DNA‐Based Biosensor for Silver Ions Detection with Hemin/G‐Quadruplex Nanowire as Enhancer

A DNA‐based biosensor was reported for detection of silver ions (Ag⁺) by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) with [Fe(CN)₆]^4?/3? as redox probe and hybridization chain reaction (HCR) induced hemin/G‐quadruplex nanowire as enhanced label. In the present of target Ag⁺, Ag⁺ interacted with cytosine‐cytosine (C? C) mismatch to form the stable C? Ag⁺? C complex with the aim of immobilizing the primer DNA on electrode, which thus triggered the HCR to form inert hemin/G‐quadruplex nanowire with an amplified EIS signal. As a result, the DNA biosensor showed a high sensitivity with the concentration range spanning from 0.1 nM to 100 µM and a detection limit of 0.05 nM.     

A High‐Valent Manganese(IV)–Oxo–Cerium(IV) Complex and Its Enhanced Oxidizing Reactivity

A mononuclear nonheme manganese(IV)–oxo complex binding the Ce⁴⁺ ion, [(dpaq)Mn^IV(O)]⁺–Ce⁴⁺ ( 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺), was synthesized by reacting [(dpaq)Mn^III(OH)]⁺ ( 2 ) with cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN). 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ was characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, such as UV/Vis, EPR, CSI‐MS, resonance Raman, XANES, and EXAFS, showing an Mn?O bond distance of 1.69 Å with a resonance Raman band at 675 cm^?1. Electron‐transfer and oxygen atom transfer reactivities of 1 ‐Ce⁴⁺ were found to be greater than those of Mn^IV(O) intermediates binding redox‐inactive metal ions ( 1 ‐Mⁿ⁺). This study reports the first example of a redox‐active Ce⁴⁺ ion‐bound Mn^IV‐oxo complex and its spectroscopic characterization and chemical properties.     

Redox Sorption and Recovery of Silver Ions as Silver Nanocrystals on Poly(aniline‐co‐5‐sulfo‐2‐anisidine) Nanosorbents

Poly[aniline(AN)‐co‐5‐sulfo‐2‐anisidine(SA)] nanograins with rough and porous structure demonstrate ultrastrong adsorption and highly efficient recovery of silver ions. The effects of five key factors—AN/SA ratio, Ag^I concentration, sorption time, ultrasonic treatment, and coexisting ions—on Ag^I adsorbability were optimized, and AN/SA (50/50) copolymer nanograins were found to exhibit much stronger Ag^I adsorption than polyaniline and all other reported sorbents. The maximal Ag^I sorption capacity of up to 2034 mg g^?1 (18.86 mmol g^?1) is the highest thus far and also much higher than the maximal Hg‐ion sorption capacity (10.28 mmol g^?1). Especially at ≤2 mM Ag^I, the nanosorbents exhibit ≥99.98 % adsorptivity, and thus achieve almost complete Ag^I sorption. The sorption fits the Langmuir isotherm well and follows pseudo‐second‐order kinetics. Studies by IR, UV/Vis, X‐ray diffraction, polarizing microscopy, centrifugation, thermogravimetry, and conductivity techniques showed that Ag^I sorption occurs by a redox mechanism mainly involving reduction of Ag^I to separable silver nanocrystals, chelation between Ag^I and ? NH? /? N?/? NH₂/ ? SO₃H/? OCH₃, and ion exchange between Ag^I and H⁺ on ? SO₃^?H⁺. Competitive sorption of Ag^I with coexisting Hg, Pb, Cu, Fe, Al, K, and Na ions was systematically investigated. In particular, the copolymer nanoparticles bearing many functional groups on their rough and porous surface can be directly used to recover and separate precious silver nanocrystals from practical Ag^I wastewaters containing Fe, Al, K, and Na ions from Kodak Studio. The nanograins have great application potential in the noble metals industry, resource reuse, wastewater treatment, and functional hybrid nanocomposites.     

Highly Stable Double‐Stranded DNA Containing Sequential Silver(I)‐Mediated 7‐Deazaadenine/Thymine Watson–Crick Base Pairs

The oligonucleotide d(TX)₉, which consists of an octadecamer sequence with alternating non‐canonical 7‐deazaadenine (X) and canonical thymine (T) as the nucleobases, was synthesized and shown to hybridize into double‐stranded DNA through the formation of hydrogen‐bonded Watson–Crick base pairs. dsDNA with metal‐mediated base pairs was then obtained by selectively replacing W‐C hydrogen bonds by coordination bonds to central silver(I) ions. The oligonucleotide I adopts a duplex structure in the absence of Ag⁺ ions, and its stability is significantly enhanced in the presence of Ag⁺ ions while its double‐helix structure is retained. Temperature‐dependent UV spectroscopy, circular dichroism spectroscopy, and ESI mass spectrometry were used to confirm the selective formation of the silver(I)‐mediated base pairs. This strategy could become useful for preparing stable metallo‐DNA‐based nanostructures.     

A H+/Ag+ Dual‐Target Responsive Label‐Free Light‐Up Probe Based on a DNA Triplex

We developed a dual‐target responsive sensor for label‐free light‐up fluorescent detection of protons (H⁺) and silver ions (Ag⁺) using an “OR′′ logic gate. Berberine, a cost‐effective and non‐toxic indicator, partially intercalates the formed triplex DNA in the presence of H⁺ or Ag⁺, generating enhanced fluorescence. The designed Ag⁺ probe has high selectivity and desirable sensitivity, which is necessary for practical use. The robust ”OR“ logic gate is capable of a rapid and reversible response to the H⁺ and/or Ag⁺ inputs.     

[RhIII(dmbpy)2Cl2]+ as a Highly Efficient Catalyst for Visible‐Light‐Driven Hydrogen Production in Pure Water: Comparison with Other Rhodium Catalysts

We report a very efficient homogeneous system for the visible‐light‐driven hydrogen production in pure aqueous solution at room temperature. This comprises [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]Cl ( 1 ) as catalyst, [Ru(bpy)₃]Cl₂ ( PS1 ) as photosensitizer, and ascorbate as sacrificial electron donor. Comparative studies in aqueous solutions also performed with other known rhodium catalysts, or with an iridium photosensitizer, show that 1) the PS1 / 1 /ascorbate/ascorbic acid system is by far the most active rhodium‐based homogeneous photocatalytic system for hydrogen production in a purely aqueous medium when compared to the previously reported rhodium catalysts, Na₃[Rh^I(dpm)₃Cl] and [Rh^III(bpy)Cp*(H₂O)]SO₄ and 2) the system is less efficient when [Ir^III(ppy)₂(bpy)]Cl ( PS2 ) is used as photosensitizer. Because catalyst 1 is the most efficient rhodium‐based H₂‐evolving catalyst in water, the performance limits of this complex were further investigated by varying the PS1 / 1 ratio at pH 4.0. Under optimal conditions, the system gives up to 1010 turnovers versus the catalyst with an initial turnover frequency as high as 857 TON h^?1. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy measurements show that the initial step of the photocatalytic H₂‐evolution mechanism is a reductive quenching of the PS1 excited state by ascorbate, leading to the reduced form of PS1 , which is then able to reduce [Rh^III(dmbpy)₂Cl₂]⁺ to [Rh^I(dmbpy)₂]⁺. This reduced species can react with protons to yield the hydride [Rh^III(H)(dmbpy)₂(H₂O)]²⁺, which is the key intermediate for the H₂ production.     

2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine versus 2‐(2′‐Pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine: Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic RhIII and IrIII Complexes Based on Aromatic Phosphorus Heterocycles

The bidentate P,N hybrid ligand 1 allows access for the first time to novel cationic phosphinine‐based Rh^III and Ir^III complexes, broadening significantly the scope of low‐coordinate aromatic phosphorus heterocycles for potential applications. The coordination chemistry of 1 towards Rh^III and Ir^III was investigated and compared with the analogous 2,2′‐bipyridine derivative, 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylpyridine ( 2 ), which showed significant differences. The molecular structures of [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl (Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) were determined by means of X‐ray diffraction and confirm the mononuclear nature of the λ³‐phosphinine–Rh^III and Ir^III complexes. In contrast, a different reactivity and coordination behavior was found for the nitrogen analogue 2 , especially towards Rh^III as a bimetallic ion pair [RhCl(Cp*)( 2 )]⁺[RhCl₃(Cp*)]^? is formed rather than a mononuclear coordination compound. [RhCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl and [IrCl(Cp*)( 1 )]Cl react with water regio‐ and diastereoselectively at the external P?C double bond, leading exclusively to the anti‐addition products [MCl(Cp*)( 1 H ? OH)]Cl as confirmed by X‐ray crystal‐structure determination.     

Kinetics of the mediatory reduction ofgem-dichlorocyclopropanes

The effect of the nature of organic electron transfer agents and of Pt^II, Pd^II, Rh^II, Co^II, Ni^II, Cu^II, Cr^III, Mn^II, Ti^III, V^III, Zn^II, and Ag^I metal ions on the kinetics of the homogeneous reduction ofgem-dichlorocyclopropanes has been studied. Pt^II, Pd^II, Rh^III, Co^II, and Ni^II ions accelerate this process, V^III and Ag^I ions exert practically no effect on the reduction rate, and the rest of the metal ions exhibit inhibitor properties.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1407–1410, August, 1993.     

Reactions of Pyridyl‐Functionalized,Chelating λ3‐Phosphinines in the Coordination Environment of RhIII and IrIII

Rh^III and Ir^III complexes based on the λ³‐P,N hybrid ligand 2‐(2′‐pyridyl)‐4,6‐diphenylphosphinine ( 1 ) react selectively at the P?C double bond to chiral coordination compounds of the type [( 1 H ? OH)Cp*MCl]Cl ( 2 , 3 ), which can be deprotonated with triethylamine to eliminate HCl. By using different bases, the pK_a value of the P? OH group could be estimated. Whereas [( 1 H ? O)Cp*IrCl] ( 4 ) is formed quantitatively upon treatment with NEt₃, the corresponding rhodium compound [( 1 H ? O)Cp*RhCl] ( 5 ) undergoes tautomerization upon formation of the λ⁵σ⁴‐phosphinine rhodium(III) complex [( 1? OH)Cp*RhCl] ( 6 ) as confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Blocking the acidic P? OH functionality in 3 by introducing a P? OCH₃ substituent leads directly to the λ⁵σ⁴‐phosphinine iridium(III) complex ( 8 ) upon elimination of HCl. These new transformations in the coordination environment of Rh^III and Ir^III provide an easy and general access to new transition‐metal complexes containing λ⁵σ⁴‐phosphinine ligands.     

Rhodium‐Catalyzed Stereoselective Amination of Thioethers with N‐Mesyloxycarbamates: DMAP and Bis(DMAP)CH2Cl2 as Key Additives

A stereoselective Rh‐catalyzed intermolecular amination of thioethers using a readily available chiral N‐mesyloxycarbamate to produce sulfilimines in excellent yields and diastereomeric ratio is described. A catalytic mixture of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) and bis(DMAP)CH₂Cl₂ proved pivotal in achieving high selectivity. The X‐ray crystal structure of the (DMAP)₂?[Rh₂{(S)‐nttl}₄] complex was obtained and mechanistic studies suggested a Rh^II‐Rh^III complex as the catalytically active species.     

Selective Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles onto Potassium Hexaniobate: Structural Organisation with Bactericidal Properties

Silver‐based nanocomposites are known to act as biocides against a series of microorganisms and are largely studied as an alternative to substitute conventional antibiotics that show decreasing efficacy. In this work, an eco‐friendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles assembled on the surface of hexaniobate crystals is reported. By means of ion exchange, K⁺ ions of layered potassium hexaniobate were partially substituted by Ag⁺ ions and the resulting material was exposed to UV light. The irradiation allowed the reduction of silver ions with consequent formation of silver nanoparticles located only on the hexaniobate surface, whereas Ag⁺ ions located in the interlayer space remained in the ionic form. Increasing UV‐light exposure times allowed controlling of the silver nanoparticle size. The antibacterial effects of the pristine potassium hexaniobate and of silver‐containing hexaniobate samples were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The antibacterial efficacy was determined to be related to the presence of silver in hexaniobate. An increasing activity against E. coli was observed with the decrease in silver nanoparticles size, suggesting that silver nanoparticles of distinct sizes interact differently with bacterial cell walls.     

A Cryptate Reference Electrode for Ionic Liquids

The cryptate electrode (Ag/Ag⁺222), prepared by immersing silver wire in a solution of silver(I) salt and the cryptand 222 (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) in ionic liquids have been studied. The potential of the electrode is stabilized by the equilibrium of the Ag⁺ ion complexation by the cryptand, similarly to the potential stabilization by the ionic product of slightly soluble salts, used in aqueous electrodes of the second kind. The Ag/Ag⁺222 cryptate electrode (concentration of the cryptate was much higher than the silver(I) cation concentration, [222]>[Ag⁺]) may be used as a reference electrode in room temperature ionic liquids. The potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode is less sensitive to the presence of impurities, such as halides or water, in comparison to the Ag/Ag⁺ electrode. After anodic or cathodic polarization, the potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode comes back to the initial open circuit potential quickly. Preparation of the Ag/Ag⁺222 reference electrode is very easy: a silver wire is immersed in a solution of Ag⁺ salt and cryptand 222 (both available commercially) in the ionic liquid under study.