Metal‐Free,Room‐Temperature Oxygen‐Atom Transfer in the N2O/CO Redox Couple as Catalyzed by [Si2Ox].+ (x=2–5)

The thermal reduction of N₂O by CO mediated by the metal‐free cluster cations [Si₂O_x]^.+ (x =2–5) has been examined in the gas phase using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometry in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations. Three successive oxidation/reduction steps occur starting from [Si₂O₂]^.+ and N₂O to form eventually [Si₂O₅]^.+; the latter as well as the intermediate oxide cluster ions react sequentially with CO molecules to regenerate [Si₂O₂]^.+. Thus, full catalytic cycles occur at ambient conditions in the gas phase. Mechanistic aspects of these sequential redox processes have been addressed to reveal the electronic origins of these unparalleled reactions.     

Energy and substituent effects on gaseous ionic decompositions: Electron and charge exchange ionization of benzophenones and benzils

The correlation with substituent constants reported previously for [YØCO]⁺/[ØCO]⁺ ratios in the electron ionization mass spectra of substituted benzophenones and acetophenones has also been observed in the electron ionization spectra of substituted benzils. The [YØCO]⁺/[ØCO]⁺ ratio for the substituted benzils varied with energy of the ionizing electrons according to predictions from a simple kinetic and thermochemical analysis. [YØCO]⁺/[ØCO]⁺ ratios in the charge exchange spectra of benzophenones obtained with Xe, Kr, CO, N₂ and Ar gave good correlations with sub-stituent constants in agreement with the same analysis. Good correlations were also noted for [YØCO]⁺/[ØCO]⁺ ratios with substituent constants for [M]⁺ ions of the benzophenones of the same excess energy (5.5 eV). [YØCO]⁺/[ØCO]⁺ ratios for benzils obtained by charge exchange with [CO]⁺ also showed good correlations with substituent constant. It is suggested that [Ø]⁺ and [YØ]⁺ ions from the benzophenones may be formed primarily by one step decompositions of the molecular ions, but that the [Ø]⁺ and [YØ]⁺ ions from the benzils are formed primarily by decomposition of [ØCO]⁺ and [YØCO]⁺ ions.     

On the Origin of the Distinctly Different Reactivity of Ruthenium in [MO]+/CH4 Systems (M=Fe,Ru, Os)

The thermal gas‐phase reactions of [RuO]⁺ with methane have been explored by FT‐ICR mass spectrometry and high‐level quantum‐chemical calculations. In contrast to the previously studied [FeO]⁺/CH₄ and [OsO]⁺/CH₄ couples, which undergo oxygen/hydrogen atom transfers and dehydrogenation, respectively, the [RuO]⁺/CH₄ system produces selectively [Ru(CH)₂]⁺ and H₂O, albeit with much lower efficiency. Various mechanistic scenarios were uncovered, and the associated electronic origins were revealed by high‐level quantum‐chemical calculations. The reactivity differences observed for the [MO]⁺/CH₄ couples (M=Fe, Ru, Os) are due to the subtle interplay of the spin–orbit coupling efficiency, orbital overlap, and relativistic effects.     

Thermal Activation of CH4 and H2 as Mediated by the Ruthenium Oxide Cluster Ions [RuOx]+ (x=1–3): On the Influence of Oxidation States

Thermal gas-phase reactions of the ruthenium-oxide clusters [RuO_x]⁺ (x=1–3) with methane and dihydrogen have been explored by using FT-ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high-level quantum chemical calculations. For methane activation, as compared to the previously studied [RuO]⁺/CH₄ couple, the higher oxidized Ru systems give rise to completely different product distributions. [RuO₂]⁺ brings about the generations of [Ru,O,C,H₂]⁺/H₂O, [Ru,O,C]⁺/H₂/H₂O, and [Ru,O,H₂]⁺/CH₂O, whereas [RuO₃]⁺ exhibits a higher selectivity and efficiency in producing formaldehyde and syngas (CO+H₂). Regarding the reactions with H₂, as compared to CH₄, both [RuO]⁺ and [RuO₂]⁺ react similarly inefficiently with oxygen-atom transfer being the main reaction channel; in contrast, [RuO₃]⁺ is inert toward dihydrogen. Theoretical analysis reveals that the reduction of the metal center drives the overall oxidation of methane, whereas the back-bonding orbital interactions between the cluster ions and dihydrogen control the H−H bond activation. Furthermore, the reactivity patterns of [RuO_x]⁺ (x=1–3) with CH₄ and H₂ have been compared with the previously reported results of Group 8 analogues [OsO_x]⁺/CH₄/H₂ (x=1–3) and the [FeO]⁺/H₂ system. The electronic origins for their distinctly different reaction behaviors have been addressed.     

Ion–molecule reaction in the gas phase 3—nucleophilic substitution of 17ξ-R-5α,14β-androstane-14,17ξ-diols under [NH4]+ chemical ionization conditions1

Under Ammonia chemical Ionization conditions the source decompositions of [M + NH₄]⁺ ions formed from epimeric tertiary steroid alchols 14 OH_β, 17OH_α or 17 OH_β substituted at position 17 have been studied. They give rise to formation of [M + NH₄? H₂O]⁺ dentoed as [MH_sH]⁺, [M_sH? H₂O]⁺, [M_sH? NH₃]⁺ and [M_sH? NH₃? H₂O]⁺ ions. Stereochemical effects are observed in the ratios [M_sH? H₂O]⁺/[M_sH? NH₃]⁺. These effects are significant among metastable ions. In particular, only the [M_sH]⁺ ions produced from trans-diol isomers lose a water molecule. The favoured loss of water can be accounted for by an S_N2 mechanism in which the insertion of NH₃ gives [M_sH]⁺ with Walden inversion occurring during the ion-molecule reaction between [M + NH₄]⁺ + NH₃. The S_N1 and S_Ni pathways have been rejected.     

Ethyl‐Zinc(II)‐Cation Equivalents: Synthesis and Hydroamination Catalysis

Ion‐like ethylzinc(II) compounds with weakly coordinating aluminates [Al(OR^F)₄]^? and [(R^FO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^? (R^F=C(CF₃)₃) were synthesized in a one‐pot reaction and fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction, NMR and vibrational spectroscopy, and by quantum chemical calculations. The catalytic activity of ion‐like Et‐Zn[Al(OR^F)₄] in intermolecular hydroamination and in the unusual double hydroamination of anilines and alkynes was investigated. Favorable performance was also found in comparison to the Et₂Zn/ [PhNMe₂H]⁺[B(C₆F₅)₄]^? system generated in situ at lower catalyst loadings of 2.5 mol %.     

Efficient Room‐Temperature Activation of Methane by TaN+ under C−N Coupling

The thermal reaction of diatomic tantalum nitride cation [TaN]⁺ with methane has been explored using FT‐ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculation; based on this combined experimental/computational approach, mechanistic aspects of this novel, highly efficient C?N coupling process have been uncovered. In distinct contrast to [TaN]⁺, its lighter congeners [VN]⁺ and [NbN]⁺ are inert towards methane under ambient conditions, and the origins of the remarkably variable efficiencies of the three metal nitrides are uncovered by CCSD(T) calculations.     

The Unique Gas‐Phase Chemistry of the [AuO]+/CH4 Couple: Selective Oxygen‐Atom Transfer to,Rather than Hydrogen‐Atom Abstraction from,Methane

The thermal reaction of [AuO]⁺ with methane has been explored using FT‐ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculations. In contrast to the previously studied congener [CuO]⁺, and to [AgO]⁺, [AuO]⁺ reacts with CH₄ exclusively via oxygen‐atom transfer to form CH₃OH, and a novel mechanistic scenario for this selective oxidation process has been revealed. Also, the origin of the inertness of the [AgO]⁺/CH₄ couple has been addressed computationally.     

On the Origin of Reactivity Enhancement/Suppression upon Sequential Ligation: [Re(CO)x]+/CH4 (x=0–3) Couples

The thermal gas‐phase reactions of rhenium carbonyl complexes [Re(CO)_x ]⁺ (x =0–3) with methane have been explored by using FT‐ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculation. While it had been concluded in previous studies that addition of closed‐shell ligands in general decreases the reactivity of metal ions, the current work provides an exception: the previously demonstrated inertness of atomic Re⁺ towards methane is completely changed upon ligation with CO. Both [Re(CO)]⁺ and [Re(CO)₂]⁺ bring about efficient dehydrogenation of the hydrocarbon under ambient conditions. However, addition of a third ligand to form [Re(CO)₃]⁺ completely quenches the reactivity.     

Spin‐Selective Thermal Activation of Methane by Closed‐Shell [TaO3]+

Thermal reactions of the closed‐shell metal‐oxide cluster [TaO₃]⁺ with methane were investigated by using FTICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculations. While the generation of methanol and formaldehyde is somewhat expected, [TaO₃]⁺ remarkably also has the ability to abstract two hydrogen atoms from methane with the elimination of CH₂. Mechanistically, the generation of CH₂O and CH₃OH occurs on the singlet‐ground‐state surface, while for the liberation of ³CH₂, a two‐state reactivity scenario prevails.     

Polychloride Monoanions from [Cl3]− to [Cl9]−: A Raman Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Investigation

Polychloride monoanions stabilized by quaternary ammonium salts are investigated using Raman spectroscopy and state‐of‐the‐art quantum‐chemical calculations. A regular V‐shaped pentachloride is characterized for the [N(Me)₄][Cl₅] salt, whereas a hockey‐stick‐like structure is tentatively assigned for [N(Et)₄][Cl₂???Cl₃^?]. Increasing the size of the cation to the quaternary ammonium salts [NPr₄]⁺ and [NBu₄]⁺ leads to the formation of the [Cl₃]^? anion. The latter is found to be a pale yellow liquid at about 40 °C, whereas all the other compounds exist as powders. Further to these observations, the novel [Cl₉]^? anion is characterized by low‐temperature Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum‐chemical calculations.     

catena‐Poly[bis(μ‐2,2′‐bipyridin‐6‐olato)‐κ3N,N′:O;O:N,N′‐dicopper(I,II) [[tetrafluoridoniobium(V)]‐μ‐oxido]]

A novel copper–niobium oxyfluoride, {[Cu₂(C₁₀H₇N₂O)₂][NbOF₄]}_n, has been synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by elemental analysis, EDS, IR, XPS and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The structural unit consists of one C₂‐symmetric [NbOF₄]⁻ anion and one centrosymmetric coordinated [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ cation (obpy is 2,2′‐bipyridin‐6‐olate). In the [NbOF₄]⁻ anion, each Nb^V metal centre is five‐coordinated by four F atoms and one O atom in the first coordination shell, forming a square‐pyramidal coordination geometry. These square pyramids are then further connected to each other via trans O atoms [Nb—O = 2.187 (3) Å], forming an infinite linear {[NbOF₄]⁻}_n polyanion. In the coordinated [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ cation, the oxidation state of each Cu site is disordered, which is confirmed by the XPS results. The disordered Cu sites are coordinated by two N atoms and one O atom from two different obpy ligands. The [NbOF₄]⁻ and [Cu₂(obpy)₂]⁺ units are assembled via weak C—H...F hydrogen bonds, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional supramolecular structure. π–π stacking interactions between the pyridine rings [centroid–centroid distance = 3.610 (2) Å] may further stabilize the crystal structure.     

Dicationic E4 Chains (E=P,As, Sb,Bi) Embedded in the Coordination Sphere of Transition Metals

The oxidation chemistry of the complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η²:η²‐E₂)] (E=P ( A ), As ( B ), Sb ( C ), Bi ( D )) is compared. The oxidation of A – D with [Thia]⁺ (=[C₁₂H₈S₂]⁺) results in the selective formation of the dicationic E₄ complexes [{CpMo(CO)₂}₄(μ₄,η²:η²:η²:η²‐E₄)]²⁺ (E=P ( 1 ), As ( 2 ), Sb ( 3 ), Bi ( 4 )), stabilized by four [CpMo(CO)₂] fragments. The formation of the corresponding monocations [ A ]⁺, [ C ]⁺, and [ D ]⁺ could not be detected by cyclic voltammetry, EPR, or NMR spectroscopy. This finding suggests that dimerization is fast and that there is no dissociation in solution, which was also predicted by DFT calculations. However, EPR measurements of 2 confirmed the presence of small amounts of the radical cation [ B ]⁺ in solution. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction revealed that the products 1 and 2 feature a zigzag E₄ chain in the solid state while 3 and 4 bear a central E₄ cage with a distorted “butterfly‐like” geometry. Additionally, 1 can be easily and reversibly converted into a symmetric and an unsymmetric form.     

Stereochemical applications of mass spectrometry. 3—Energy dependence of the fragmentation of stereoisomeric methylcyclohexanols

Breakdown graphs have been constructed from charge exchange data for the epimeric 2-methyl-, 3-methyl- and 4-methyl-cyclohexanols. Although the breakdown graphs for epimeric pairs are essentially identical above ～12 eV recombination energy, significant differences are observed for the epimeric 2-methyl- and 4-methyl-cyclohexanols at low internal energies. For the 2-methylcyclohexanols the ratio ([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_cis/([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_trans is 3.2 in the [C₆F₆]^+· charge exchange mass spectra. This is attributed to both energetic and conformational effects which favour the stereospecific cis-1,4-H₂O elimination for the cis epimer. The breakdown graph for trans-4-methylcyclohexanol shows a sharp peak in the abundance of the [M? H₂O]^+· ion at ～10 eV recombination energy which is absent from the breakdown graph for the cis epimer. This peak is attributed to the stereospecific cis-1,4-elimination of water from the molecular ion of the trans isomer; the reaction appears to have a low critical energy but a very unfavourable frequency factor, and alternative modes of water loss common to both epimers are observed at higher energies. As a result, in the [C₆F₆]^+· charge exchange mass spectra the ([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_trans/([M? H₂O]^+·/[M]^+·)_cis ratio is ～24, compared to the value of 13 observed in the 70 eV EI mass spectra. No differences are observed in either the metastable ion abundances or the associated kinetic energy releases for epimeric molecules.     

Inner-sphere oxidation of 2-aminomethylpyridinecobalt(II) complex by N-bromosuccinimide

The kinetics of the oxidation of the 2-aminomethylpyridineCo^II complex by N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), have been studied in aqueous solutions under various conditions, and obey the following rate law:Rate = [NBS][Co(L)(H₂O)₂]²⁺[k₂₊k₃/[H⁺]]An inner-sphere mechanism is proposed for the oxidation pathway for both protonated and deprotonated complex species, with the formation of an intermediate, which is slowly converted into the final oxidation products. The reaction rate is increased by increasing the pH, T, [complex], and decreased by increasing ionic strength over the range studied.     

A Stable Crystalline Copper(I)–N2O Complex Stabilized as the Salt of a Weakly Coordinating Anion

Nitrous oxide is considered a poor ligand, and therefore only a handful of well‐defined metal–N₂O complexes are known. Oxidation of copper powder with an extreme oxidant, [Ag₂I₂][ An ]₂ ([ An ]^?=[Al(OC(CF₃)₃)₄]^?) in perfluorinated hexane leads to Cu^I[ An ], the first auxiliary ligand‐free Cu^I salt of the perfluorinated alkoxyaluminate anion. The compound is capable of forming a stable and crystalline complex with nitrous oxide, Cu(N₂O)[ An ], where the Cu?N₂O bond is by far the strongest among all other molecular metal–N₂O complexes known. Thorough characterization of the compounds together with the crystal structure of Cu(N₂O)[ An ] complex supported with DFT calculations are presented. These give insight into the bonding in the Cu⁺–N₂O system and confirm N‐end coordination of the ligand.     

Counter‐Intuitive Gas‐Phase Reactivities of [V2]+ and [V2O]+ towards CO2 Reduction: Insight from Electronic Structure Calculations

[V₂O]⁺ remains “invisible” in the thermal gas‐phase reaction of bare [V₂]⁺ with CO₂ giving rise to [V₂O₂]⁺; this is because the [V₂O]⁺ intermediate is being consumed more than 230 times faster than it is generated. However, the fleeting existence of [V₂O]⁺ and its involvement in the [V₂]⁺ → [V₂O₂]⁺ chemistry are demonstrated by a cross‐over labeling experiment with a 1:1 mixture of C¹⁶O₂/C¹⁸O₂, generating the product ions [V₂¹⁶O₂]⁺, [V₂¹⁶O¹⁸O]⁺, and [V₂¹⁸O₂]⁺ in a 1:2:1 ratio. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations help to understand the remarkable and unexpected reactivity differences of [V₂]⁺ versus [V₂O]⁺ towards CO₂.     

Conductivity and Redox Potentials of Ionic Liquid Trihalogen Monoanions [X3]−, [XY2]−, and [BrF4]− (X=Cl,Br, I and Y=Cl,Br)

The ionic liquid (IL) trihalogen monoanions [N₂₂₂₁][X₃]⁻ and [N₂₂₂₁][XY₂]⁻ ([N₂₂₂₁]⁺=triethylmethylammonium, X=Cl, Br, I, Y=Cl, Br) were investigated electrochemically via temperature dependent conductance and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The polyhalogen monoanions were measured both as neat salts and as double salts in 1-butyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidinium trifluoromethane-sulfonate ([BMP][OTf], [X₃]⁻/[XY₂]⁻ 0.5 M). Lighter IL trihalogen monoanions displayed higher conductivities than their heavier homologues, with [Cl₃]⁻ being 1.1 and 3.7 times greater than [Br₃]⁻ and [I₃]⁻, respectively. The addition of [BMP][OTf] reduced the conductivity significantly. Within the group of polyhalogen monoanions, the oxidation potential develops in the series [Cl₃]⁻>[BrCl₂]⁻>[Br₃]⁻>[IBr₂]⁻>[ICl₂]⁻>[I₃]⁻. The redox potential of the interhalogen monoanions was found to be primarily determined by the central halogen, I in [ICl₂]⁻ and [IBr₂]⁻_, and Br in [BrCl₂]⁻. Additionally, tetrafluorobromate(III) ([N₂₂₂₁]⁺[BrF₄]⁻) was analyzed via CV in MeCN at 0 °C, yielding a single reversible redox process ([BrF₂]⁻/[BrF₄]⁻).     

Efficient Room‐Temperature Methane Activation by the Closed‐Shell,Metal‐Free Cluster [OSiOH]+: A Novel Mechanistic Variant

The closed‐shell cluster ion [OSiOH]⁺ is generated in the gas phase and its reactivity towards the thermal activation of CH₄ has been examined using Fourier transform‐ion cyclotron resonance (FT‐ICR) mass spectrometry in conjunction with state‐of‐the‐art quantum chemical calculations. Quite unexpectedly at room temperature, [OSiOH]⁺ efficiently mediates C?H bond activation, giving rise to [SiOH]⁺ and [SiOCH₃]⁺ with the concomitant formation of methanol and water, respectively. Mechanistic aspects for this unprecedented reactivity pattern are presented, and the properties of the [OSiOH]⁺/CH₄ couple are compared with those of the closed‐shell systems [OCOH]⁺/CH₄ and [MgOH]⁺/CH₄; the last two couples exhibit an entirely different reactivity scenario.     

The Origin of the Efficient,Thermal Chemisorption of Methane by the Heteronuclear Metal‐Oxide Cluster [Al2TaO5]+

The thermal gas‐phase reactions of the closed‐shell metal‐oxide cluster [Al₂TaO₅]⁺ with methane have been explored by using FT‐ICR mass spectrometry complemented by high‐level quantum chemical calculations. Mechanistic aspects have been addressed to reveal the origins of the efficient addition process which results in activating the C?H bond of methane. The [Al₂TaO₅]⁺/CH₄ couple has been compared with several other systems reported previously, and the electronic origins of their rather distinct performances are discussed.