The Influence of Weakly Coordinating Cations on the O−H⋅⋅⋅O− Hydrogen Bond of Silanol-Silanolate Anions

The reaction of a saline phosphazenium hydroxide hydrate with siloxanes led to a novel kind of silanol-silanolate anions. The weakly coordinating behavior of the cation renders the formation of silanol-silanolate hydrogen bonds possible, which otherwise suffer from detrimental silanolate–oxygen cation interactions. We investigated the influence of various weakly coordinating cations on silanol-silanolate motifs, particularly with regard to different cation sizes. While large cations favor the formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds resulting in cyclic structures, the less bulky tetramethyl ammonium cation encourages the formation of polyanionic silanol-silanolate chains in the solid state.     

Monohydrates of cuprous chloride and argentous chloride: H2O⋅⋅⋅CuCl and H2O⋅⋅⋅AgCl characterized by rotational spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

Pure rotational spectra of the ground vibrational states of ten isotopologues of each of H(2)O???CuCl and H(2)O???AgCl have been measured and analyzed to determine rotational constants and hyperfine coupling constants for each molecule. The molecular structure and spectroscopic parameters determined from the experimental data are presented alongside the results of calculations at the CCSD(T) level. Both experiment and theory are consistent with structures that are nonplanar at equilibrium. The heavy atoms are collinear while the local C(2) axis of the water molecule intersects the axis defined by the heavy atoms at an angle, φ = 40.9(13)° for Cu and φ = 37.4(16)° for Ag. In the zero-point state, each molecule is effectively planar, undergoing rapid inversion between two equivalent structures where φ has equal magnitude but opposite sign. The equilibrium geometry has C(s) symmetry, however. The ab initio calculations confirm that the timescale of this inversion is at least an order of magnitude faster than that of rotation of the molecule in the lowest rotational energy levels. The molecular geometries are rationalized using simple rules that invoke the electrostatic interactions within the complexes. Centrifugal distortion constants, Δ(J) and Δ(JK), nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, χ(aa)(Cu), χ(aa)(Cl), (χ(bb) - χ(cc))(Cu), and (χ(bb) - χ(cc))(Cl), and the nuclear spin-rotation constant of the copper atom, C(bb)(Cu)+C(cc)(Cu), are also presented.     

S−H…O and O−H…O Hydrogen Bonds-Comparison of Dimers of Thiocarboxylic and Carboxylic Acids

ωB97-XD/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations were performed on dimers of selected thiocarboxylic acids and on analogous carboxylic acids. The sample of calculated thiocarboxylic acids is an extension of the Cambridge Structural Database search that contains only a few such structures. The Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) method, Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory (SAPT) approach, Non-Covalent Interaction (NCI) method and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) were applied additionally to analyse interactions in dimers of thiocarboxylic and carboxylic acids. The insights into crystal structures as well as into results of calculations show that the formation of S−H…O hydrogen bonds between molecules of thiocarboxylic acids is steered by the same mechanisms as the formation of much stronger O−H…O hydrogen bonds in carboxylic acids. The intramolecular O−H…O and C−H…S hydrogen bonds occurring in few considered structures are also analysed.     

Proving and Probing the Presence of the Elusive C−H⋅⋅⋅O Hydrogen Bond in Liquid Solutions at Room Temperature

Hydrogen bonds (H bonds) play a major role in defining the structure and properties of many substances, as well as phenomena and processes. Traditional H bonds are ubiquitous in nature, yet the demonstration of weak H bonds that occur between a highly polarized C−H group and an electron-rich oxygen atom, has proven elusive. Detailed here are linear and nonlinear IR spectroscopy experiments that reveal the presence of H bonds between the chloroform C−H group and an amide carbonyl oxygen atom in solution at room temperature. Evidence is provided for an amide solvation shell featuring two clearly distinguishable chloroform arrangements that undergo chemical exchange with a time scale of about 2 ps. Furthermore, the enthalpy of breaking the hydrogen bond is found to be 6–20 kJ mol⁻¹. Ab-initio computations support the findings of two distinct solvation shells formed by three chloroform molecules, where one thermally undergoes hydrogen-bond making and breaking.     

The Cl−NH3, Cl−H2O,F−NH3 and F−H2O clusters and their photoelectron spectra

The geometries of the Cl^–NH₃, Cl^–H₂O, F^–NH₃ and F^–H₂O clusters are optimized using the coupled cluster method. The four lowest ionization potentials are then calculated, leading to the ground and low excited states of the neutral species. The first three IPs describe ionization from the externalp state of the halogen atom, whereas the fourth corresponds to ionization from the NH₃ or H₂O moiety, leading to charge transfer complexes. These complexes were recently observed in the photoelectron spectrum of Cl^–NH₃, in full accord with our calculations.Supported in part by the U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation     

N−X⋅⋅⋅O−N Halogen Bonds in Complexes of N-Haloimides and Pyridine-N-oxides: A Large Data Set Study

N−X⋅⋅⋅⁻O−N⁺ halogen-bonded systems formed by 27 pyridine N-oxides (PyNOs) as halogen-bond (XB) acceptors and two N-halosuccinimides, two N-halophthalimides, and two N-halosaccharins as XB donors are studied in silico, in solution, and in the solid state. This large set of data (132 DFT optimized structures, 75 crystal structures, and 168 ¹H NMR titrations) provides a unique view to structural and bonding properties. In the computational part, a simple electrostatic model (SiElMo) for predicting XB energies using only the properties of halogen donors and oxygen acceptors is developed. The SiElMo energies are in perfect accord with energies calculated from XB complexes optimized with two high-level DFT approaches. Data from in silico bond energies and single-crystal X-ray structures correlate; however, data from solution do not. The polydentate bonding characteristic of the PyNOs’ oxygen atom in solution, as revealed by solid-state structures, is attributed to the lack of correlation between DFT/solid-state and solution data. XB strength is only slightly affected by the PyNO oxygen properties [(atomic charge (Q), ionization energy (I_s,min) and local negative minima (V_s,min)], as the σ-hole (V_s,max) of the donor halogen is the key determinant leading to the sequence N-halosaccharin>N-halosuccinimide>N-halophthalimide on the XB strength.     

Spin-Enhanced O−H Cleavage in Electrochemical Water Oxidation

Herein we report the vital role of spin polarization in proton-transfer-mediated water oxidation over a magnetized catalyst. During the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) over ferrimagnetic Fe₃O₄, the external magnetic field induced a remarkable increase in the OER current, however, this increment achieved in weakly alkaline pH (pH 9) was almost 20 times that under strongly alkaline conditions (pH 14). The results of the surface modification experiment and H/D kinetic isotope effect investigation confirm that, at weakly alkaline pH, during the nucleophilic attack of Fe^IV=O by molecular water, the magnetized Fe₃O₄ catalyst polarizes the spin states of the nucleophilic attacking intermediates. The spin-enhanced singlet O−H cleavage and triplet O−O bonding occur synergistically, which promotes the O₂ generation more significantly than the strongly alkaline case involving only spin-enhanced O−O bonding.     

Thermochemical investigations of the systems KCl−KBr−H2O,K2SO4−(NH4)2SO4−H2O and KNO3−NH4NO3−H2O at 298.15 K

For the equilibrium solid phases occurring in the systems: KCl?KBr?H₂O, K₂SO₄?(NH₄)₂SO₄?H₂O and KNO₃?NH₄NO₃?H₂O, the concentration dependencies of differential solution enthalpies, Δ_sol H ₂ for several crystallization paths, were measured. The limiting differential solution enthalpies, Δ_sol H ₂ ⁰ , were determined by extrapolation of the above dependencies to the ionic strength,I _m ⁰ , corresponding to the appropriate binary solutions. For KCl?KBr?H₂O system only, the clear dependence between Δ_sol H ₂ ⁰ andI _m ⁰ values was found and discussed.     

Transition Metal-Free Aromatic C−H,C−N,C−S and C−O Borylation

Aromatic organoboron compounds are highly valuable building blocks in organic chemistry. They were mainly synthesized through aromatic C−H and C−Het borylation, in which transition metal-catalysis dominate. In the past decade, with increasing attention to sustainable chemistry, numerous transition metal-free C−H and C−Het borylation transformations have been developed and emerged as efficient methods towards the synthesis of aromatic organoboron compounds. This account mainly focuses on recent advances in transition metal-free aromatic C−H, C−N, C−S, and C−O borylation transformations and provides insights to where further developments are required.     

Nature and Strength of Weak O⋅⋅⋅O Interactions in Nitryl Halide Dimers

The use of real space functions and molecular graphs has pushed some chemists to wonder: Are interactions between negatively charged oxygen atoms possible? In this contribution we analyze whether there is a real interaction between oxygen atoms in nitryl halide dimers (XNO₂)₂ (X=F, Cl, Br and I) and in tetranitromethane and derivatives. Based on ab-initio and density functional theories (DFT) methods, we show these complexes are weakly stabilized. Energy decomposition analyses based on local molecular orbitals (LMOEDA) and interacting quantum atoms (IQA) reveal both dispersion and exchange play a crucial role in the stabilization of these complexes. Electron charge density and IQA analyses indicate that the oxygen atoms are connected by privileged exchange channels. In addition, electrostatic interactions between O and N atoms are also vital for the stabilization of the complexes. Finally, a reasonable explanation is given for the dynamic behavior of nitryl groups in tetranitromethane and derivatives.     

Lack of salt effect on the kinetics of the reaction SO2−4 + H3O+ → HSO−4 + H2O

It is found that the broadening of the 1100-cm⁻¹ line of SO⁻²₄, caused by increasing [H₃O⁺], is unaffected by addition of 4 M LiCl, NaBr, KCl and NH₄Cl. This finding is in line with the lack of influence of NaCl reported earlier. The significance of these findings, in terms of the reaction mechanism, is discussed.     

Untersuchungen in den Systemen GeO2−Na2O, −K2O und −Rb2O

Zusammenfassung Die Systeme GeO₂–Na₂O, –K₂O und –Rb₂O werden röntgenographisch und differentialthermoanalytisch untersucht. Die früher beschriebene Verbindung Na₂Ge₄O₉ (I) erweist sich als identisch mit dem vonJ. F. White und Mitarbeitern angegebenen Na₄Ge₉O₂₀. Von der dargestellten isotypen Kalium-Verbindung werden die Gitterkonstanten ermittelt. Im analogen Rubidium-System läßt sich ein isotypes Enneagermanat bisher nicht nachweisen. Einkristallaufnahmen von Natriumtetragermanat [Na₂Ge₄O₉ (II)] ergeben eine hexagonale Elementarzelle mit 6 Formeleinheiten Na₂Ge₄O₉. Ebenso werden von den isotypen Kalium-und Rubidiumtetragermanaten die Gitterparameter bestimmt. Im Natrium-System stellt offensichtlich das Enneagermanat die stabile Phase dar, während das Tetragermanat nur durch rasches Abkühlen aus der Schmelze erhalten wird. Bei den Kaliumgermanaten ist dagegen das Tetragermanat die stabile Phase.Mit 2 Abbildungen     

C−H Activation by Iron-Vanadium Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Anions FeV3O10− and FeV5O15−: A Comparison with Scandium-Vanadium Oxide Clusters

Late transition metal-bonded atomic oxygen radicals (LTM−O⋅⁻) have been frequently proposed as important active sites to selectively activate and transform inert alkane molecules. However, it is extremely challenging to characterize the LTM−O⋅⁻-mediated elementary reactions for clarifying the underlying mechanisms limited by the low activity of LTM−O⋅⁻ radicals that is inaccessible by the traditional experimental methods. Herein, benefiting from our newly-designed ship-lock type reactor, the reactivity of iron-vanadium bimetallic oxide cluster anions FeV₃O₁₀⁻ and FeV₅O₁₅⁻ featuring with Fe−O⋅⁻ radicals to abstract a hydrogen atom from C₂−C₄ alkanes has been experimentally characterized at 298 K, and the rate constants are determined in the orders of magnitude of 10⁻¹⁴ to 10⁻¹⁶ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹, which are four orders of magnitude slower than the values of counterpart ScV₃O₁₀⁻ and ScV₅O₁₅⁻ clusters bearing Sc−O⋅⁻ radicals. Theoretical results reveal that the rearrangements of the electronic and geometric structures during the reaction process function to modulate the activity of Fe−O⋅⁻. This study not only quantitatively characterizes the elementary reactions of LTM−O⋅⁻ radicals with alkanes, but also provides new insights into structure-activity relationship of M−O⋅⁻ radicals.     

DMSO-Enabled Selective Radical O−H Activation of 1,3(4)-Diols

Control of selectivity is one of the central topics in organic chemistry. Although unprecedented alkoxyl-radical-induced transformations have drawn a lot of attention, compared to selective C−H activation, selective radical O−H activation remains less explored. Herein, we report a novel selective radical O−H activation strategy of diols by combining spatial effects with proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET). It was found that DMSO is an essential reagent that enables the regioselective transformation of diols. Mechanistic studies indicated the existence of the alkoxyl radical and the selective interaction between DMSO and hydroxyl groups. Moreover, the distal C−C cleavage was realized by this selective alkoxyl-radical-initiation protocol.     

Rhoda-Electrocatalyzed C−H Methylation and Paired Electrocatalyzed C−H Ethylation and Propylation

The use of electricity over traditional stoichiometric oxidants is a promising strategy for sustainable molecular assembly. Herein, we describe the rhoda-electrocatalyzed C−H activation/alkylation of several N-heteroarenes. This catalytic approach has been successfully applied to several arenes, including biologically relevant purines, diazepam, and amino acids. The versatile C−H alkylation featured water as a co-solvent and user-friendly trifluoroborates as alkylating agents. Finally, the rhoda-electrocatalysis with unsaturated organotrifluoroborates proceeded by paired electrolysis.     

The Na⋅⋅⋅B Bond in NaBH3−: A Different Type of Bond

A newly introduced Na−B bond in NaBH₃⁻ has been a challenge for the chemical bonding community. Here, a series of MBH₃⁻ (M=Li, Na, K) species and NaB(CN)₃⁻ are studied within the context of quantum chemical topology approaches. The analyses suggest that M–B interaction cannot be classified as an ordinary covalent, dative, or even simple ionic interaction. The interactions are controlled by coulombic forces between the metals and the substituents on boron, for example, H or CN, more than the direct M–B interaction. On the other hand, while the characteristics of the (3, −1) critical points of the bonds are comparable to weak hydrogen bonds, not covalent bonds, the metal and boron share a substantial sum of electrons. To the best of the author's knowledge, the characteristics of these bonds are unprecedented among known molecules. Considering all paradoxical properties of these bonds, they are herein described as ionic-enforced covalent bonds.     

H?O

光电化学分解水可将太阳能转换为绿色的氢能,为目前的能源危机和环境问题提供了一种理想的解决方案.在分解水反应中,涉及四空穴过程的产氧半反应是制约性能的关键步骤,往往需要在半导体表面沉积电催化剂以加速产氧反应动力学.因此,全面理解电催化剂在光电化学分解水体系中的作用至关重要.在目前的产氧电催化剂中,过渡金属羟基氧化物电催化剂(MOOH, M=Fe, Co, Ni)因其环保、廉价、高效以及稳定的特性,已被广泛用于半导体光阳极分解水器件中.而且, MOOH可用简单的电沉积方法沉积在光电极表面,易于大面积制备.然而,电沉积法制备的MOOH具有复杂的结构,对其作用机制的全面理解更加困难.因此,本文以电沉积MOOH修饰的硅基光阳极(n+p-Si/SiOx/Fe/FeOx/MOOH)作为模型,研究了不同电催化剂对硅光阳极光电化学产氧性能的影响.实验发现电催化剂的界面优化在电催化剂修饰的光电极中发挥着重要作用,这是因为优化的界面可以提升界面电荷传输,提供更多的催化反应活性位点以及更高的本征催化活性,从而更有利于光解水性能的提升.该项研究揭示了电催化剂在光解水器件中的作用,并为今后高效光解水器件的设计提供了一定指导.首先在多晶n+p-Si基底上热蒸镀了一层30 nm的金属Fe膜,并通过电化学活化将Fe膜表面转换为FeOx得到Fe/FeOx (记作a Fe)界面层,然后利用电沉积方法制备MOOH表面修饰层,最终得到n+p-Si/SiOx/a Fe:MOOH光阳极.X射线光电子能谱、拉曼光谱以及扫描电子显微镜表面元素成像的表征结果均证实电极表面由于界面层金属Fe元素的掺杂而形成了Fe1-xNixOOH.在模拟太阳光下用于光解水产氧时, n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe:NiOOH电极的起始电位为～1.01 VRHE (相对于可逆氢电极的电势),在1.23 VRHE下的光电流为38.82 mAcm–2,显著优于n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe、 n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe:FeOOH以及n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe:CoOOH三个对比样品,且其稳定性达到75 h.另外,我们发现n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe:MOOH电极的光电化学产氧性能均显著高于n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe电极,且p++-Si/SiOx/aFe:MOOH的电催化产氧性能也高于p++-Si/SiOx/MOOH,不仅证明了aFe界面层对Si与MOOH层之间的界面接触作用的有效调控,而且表明双电催化剂体系(aFe:MOOH)的电催化产氧活性高于单电催化剂(MOOH).热力学分析表明, n+p-Si/SiOx/a Fe:MOOH光阳极的光电压大小与其光解水产氧性能并不一致,从而排除了热力学因素对性能的关键影响.进一步从塔菲尔斜率、电化学活性表面积和电化学阻抗谱对各电极的动力学进行了分析,证明了动力学因素在上述光阳极产氧性能中的主导作用.同时发现,由于a Fe:NiOOH双电催化剂具有更高的本征电催化产氧性能,提供了更多的表面活性位点以及更有效地促进了光生载流子的传输,对动力学的提升效果更显著,从而使n+p-Si/SiOx/aFe:NiOOH光阳极表现出最高的光解水产氧性能.     

Determination of the protonation state of [H3PW11O39]4− and the stability constant of [Ag(H2O)(H3PW11O39)]3− in aqueous solution

By employing elemental analysis, ³¹P NMR, pH, and conductivity measurements, the protonated state of lacunary heteropolyoxotungstophosphates in aqueous solution, {PW₁₁O₃₉}, is determined to be [H₃PW₁₁O₃₉]^4?. Using it as ligand, a complex of [Ag(H₂O)(H₃PW₁₁O₃₉)]^3? is formed. An electrochemical cell is designed as follows: (?) Hg, Hg₂Cl₂ [Ag(H₂O)(H₃PW₁₁O₃₉)]^3? (aq) | Ag(s) (+) (salt bridge is saturated KNO₃ solution). By measuring the electromotive force of the cell, the stability constant of [Ag(H₂O)(H₃PW₁₁O₃₉)]^3? in aqueous solution is determined to be 4.34 × 10³ (25 °C).