Weak Interactions Initiate C−H and C−C Bond Dissociation of Ethane on Nbn+ Clusters

The conversion of ethane into value-added chemicals under ambient conditions has attracted much attention but the mechanisms remain not fully understood. Here we report a study on the reaction of ethane with thermalized Nb_n⁺ clusters based on a multiple-ion laminar flow tube reactor combined with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (MIFT-TQMS). It is found that ethane reacts with Nb_n⁺ clusters to form both products of dehydrogenation and methane-removal (odd-carbon products). Combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we studied the reaction mechanisms of the C−C bond activation and C−H bond cleavage on the Nb_n⁺ clusters. It is unveiled that hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) initiates the reaction process, giving rise to the formation of Nb−C bonds and an elongated C−C distance in the HNb_n⁺CH₂CH₃ motif. Subsequent reactions allow for C−C bond activation and a competitive HAT process which is associated with CH₄ removal or H₂ release, resulting in the production of the observed carbides.     

Ion–Molecule Reactions of “Rollover” Cyclometalated [Pt(bipy−H)]+ (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) with Dimethyl Ether in Comparison with Dimethyl Sulfide: An Experimental/Computational Study

The ion–molecule reactions of dimethyl ether with cyclometalated [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ were investigated in gas‐phase experiments, complemented by DFT methods, and compared with the previously reported ion–molecule reactions with its sulfur analogue. The initial step corresponds in both cases to a platinum‐mediated transfer of a hydrogen atom from the ether to the (bipy?H) ligand, and three‐membered oxygen‐ and sulfur‐containing metallacycles serve as key intermediates. Oxidative C? C bond coupling (“dehydrosulfurization”), which dominates the gas‐phase ion chemistry of the [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ ion with dimethyl sulfide, is practically absent for dimethyl ether. The competition in the formation of C₂H₄ and CH₂X (X=O, S) in the reactions of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with (CH₃)₂X (X=O, S) as well as the extensive H/D exchange observed in the [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺/(CH₃)₂O system are explained in terms of the corresponding potential‐energy surfaces.     

Iridium Complexes Containing Mesoionic C Donors: Selective C(sp3)H versus C(sp2)H Bond Activation,Reactivity Towards Acids and Bases,and Catalytic Oxidation of Silanes and Water

Metalation of a C2‐methylated pyridylimidazolium salt with [IrCp*Cl₂]₂ affords either an ylidic complex, resulting from C(sp³)?H bond activation of the C2‐bound CH₃ group if the metalation is performed in the presence of a base, such as AgO₂ or Na₂CO₃, or a mesoionic complex via cyclometalation and thermally induced heterocyclic C(sp²)?H bond activation, if the reaction is performed in the absence of a base. Similar cyclometalation and complex formation via C(sp²)?H bond activation is observed when the heterocyclic ligand precursor consists of the analogous pyridyltriazolium salt, that is, when the metal bonding at the C2 position is blocked by a nitrogen rather than a methyl substituent. Despite the strongly mesoionic character of both the imidazolylidene and the triazolylidene, the former reacts rapidly with D⁺ and undergoes isotope exchange at the heterocyclic C5 position, whereas the triazolylidene ligand is stable and only undergoes H/D exchange under basic conditions, where the imidazolylidene is essentially unreactive. The high stability of the Ir?C bond in aqueous solution over a broad pH range was exploited in catalytic water oxidation and silane oxidation. The catalytic hydrosilylation of ketones proceeds with turnover frequencies as high as 6 000 h^?1 with both the imidazolylidene and the triazolylidene system, whereas water oxidation is enhanced by the stronger donor properties of the imidazol‐4‐ylidene ligands and is more than three times faster than with the triazolylidene analogue.     

“Roll‐over” Cyclometalation of 2,2′‐Bipyridine Platinum(II) Complexes in the Gas Phase: A Combined Experimental and Computational Study

In a combined experimental/computational investigation, the gas‐phase behavior of cationic [Pt(bipy)(CH₃)((CH₃)₂S)]⁺ ( 1 ) (bipy=2,2′‐bipyridine) has been explored. Losses of CH₄ and (CH₃)₂S from 1 result in the formation of a cyclometalated 2,2′‐bipyrid‐3‐yl species [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ ( 2 ). As to the mechanisms of ligand evaporation, detailed labeling experiments complemented by DFT‐based computations reveal that the reaction follows the mechanistically intriguing “roll‐over” cyclometalation path in the course of which a hydrogen atom from the C(3)‐position is combined with the Pt‐bound methyl group to produce CH₄. Activation of a C? H‐bond of the (CH₃)₂S ligand occurs as well, but is less favored (35 % versus 65 %) as compared to the C(3)? H bond activation of bipy. In addition, the thermal ion/molecule reactions of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with (CH₃)₂S have been examined, and for the major pathway, that is, the dehydrogenative coupling of the two methyl groups to form C₂H₄, a mechanism is suggested that is compatible with the experimental and computational findings. A hallmark of the gas‐phase chemistry of [Pt(bipy?H)]⁺ with the incoming (CH₃)₂S ligand is the exchange of one (and only one) hydrogen atom of the bipy fragment with the C? H bonds of dimethylsulfide in a reversible “roll‐over” cyclometalation reaction. The Pt^II‐mediated conversion of (CH₃)₂S to C₂H₄ may serve as a model to obtain mechanistic insight in the dehydrosulfurization of sulfur‐containing hydrocarbons.     

Hydrogen‐Bond Cooperativity in Formamide2–Water: A Model for Water‐Mediated Interactions

The rotational spectrum of formamide₂–H₂O formed in a supersonic jet has been characterized by Fourier‐transform microwave spectroscopy. This adduct provides a simple model of water‐mediated interaction involving the amide linkages, as occur in protein folding or amide‐association processes, showing the interplay between self‐association and solvation. Mono‐substituted ¹³C, ¹⁵N, ¹⁸O, and ²H isotopologues have been observed and their data used to investigate the structure. The adduct forms an almost planar three‐body sequential cycle. The two formamide molecules link on one side through an N?H???O hydrogen bond and on the other side through a water‐mediated interaction with the formation of C=O???H?O and O???H?N hydrogen bonds. The analysis of the quadrupole coupling effects of two ¹⁴N‐nuclei reveals the subtle inductive forces associated to cooperative hydrogen bonding. These forces are involved in the changes in the C=O and C?N bond lengths with respect to pure formamide.     

Isomerization and fragmentation of aliphatic ether radical cations: Interconversion of distonic ions and cyclopropane intermediates

The reactions of propyl ether radical cations close to threshold are initiated by (reversible) formation of γ-disitonic isomers, R$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + $ (H)CH₂CH₂CH₂^·. The three methylene groups in these ions lose their positional identity by ring closure/ring opening via [cyclopropane + alcohol]^+· intermediates. Extensive hydrogen exchange occurs within the C₃-chain. When R is not methyl the γ-distonic isomer undergoes further intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer reactions that lead to formation of α- and β-distonic ions. The α-distonic isomers expel ethyl and propyl radicals by C? O bond cleavage.     

Chiral Transformation in Protonated and Deprotonated Adipic Acids through Multistep Internal Proton Transfer

Protonated and deprotonated adipic acids (PAA: HOOC? (CH₂)₄? COOH₂⁺ and DAA: HOOC? (CH₂)₄? COO^?) have a charged hydrogen bond under the influence of steric constraint due to the molecular skeleton of a circular ring. Despite the similarity between PAA and DAA, it is surprising that the lowest energy structure of PAA is predicted to have (H₂O???H???OH₂)⁺ Zundel‐like symmetric hydrogen bonding, whereas that of DAA has H₃O⁺ Eigen‐like asymmetric hydrogen bonding. The energy profiles show that direct proton transfer between mirror image structures is unfavorable. Instead, the chiral transformation is possible by subsequent backbone twistings through stepwise proton transfer along multistep intermediate structures, which are Zundel‐like ions for PAA and Eigen‐like ions for DAA. This type of chiral transformation by multistep intramolecular proton transfers is unprecedented. Several prominent OH???O short hydrogen‐bond stretching peaks are predicted in the range of 1000–1700 cm^?1 in the Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics (CPMD) simulations, which show distinctive signatures different from ordinary hydrogen‐bond peaks. The O? H? O stretching peaks in the range of 1800–2700 cm^?1 become insignificant above around 150 K and are almost washed out at about 300 K.     

Synergistic Catalysis for the Umpolung Trifluoromethylthiolation of Tertiary Ethers

The first transition‐metal‐free, site‐specific umpolung trifluoromethylthiolation of tertiary alkyl ethers has been developed, achieving the challenging tertiary C(sp³)–SCF₃ coupling under redox‐neutral conditions. The synergism of organophotocatalyst 4CzIPN and BINOL‐based phosphorothiols can site‐selectively cleave tertiary sp³ C(sp³)–O ether bonds in complex molecules initiated by a polarity‐matching hydrogen‐atom‐transfer (HAT) event. The incorporation of several competing benzylic and methine C(sp³)?H bonds in alkyl ethers has little influence on the regioselectivity. Selective difluoromethylthiolation of C?O bonds has also been achieved. This represents not only an important step forward in trifluoromethylthiolation but also a promising means for site‐selective C?O bond functionalization of unsymmetrical tertiary alkyl ethers.     

A Highly Stable Copper‐Based Catalyst for Clarifying the Catalytic Roles of Cu0 and Cu+ Species in Methanol Dehydrogenation

Identification of the active copper species, and further illustration of the catalytic mechanism of Cu‐based catalysts is still a challenge because of the mobility and evolution of Cu⁰ and Cu⁺ species in the reaction process. Thus, an unprecedentedly stable Cu‐based catalyst was prepared by uniformly embedding Cu nanoparticles in a mesoporous silica shell allowing clarification of the catalytic roles of Cu⁰ and Cu⁺ in the dehydrogenation of methanol to methyl formate by combining isotope‐labeling experiment, in situ spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. It is shown that Cu⁰ sites promote the cleavage of the O?H bond in methanol and of the C?H bond in the reaction intermediates CH₃O and H₂COOCH₃ which is formed from CH₃O and HCHO, whereas Cu⁺ sites cause rapid decomposition of formaldehyde generated on the Cu⁰ sites into CO and H₂.     

Homolytic X-H Bond Cleavage at a Gold(III) Hydroxide: Insights into One-Electron Events at Gold

C(sp³)-H and O−H bond breaking steps in the oxidation of 1,4-cyclohexadiene and phenol by a Au(III)-OH complex were studied computationally. The analysis reveals that for both types of bonds the initial X−H cleavage step proceeds via concerted proton coupled electron transfer (cPCET), reflecting electron transfer from the substrate directly to the Au(III) centre and proton transfer to the Au-bound oxygen. This mechanistic picture is distinct from the analogous formal Cu(III)-OH complexes studied by the Tolman group (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019 , 141, 17236–17244), which proceed via hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) for C−H bonds and cPCET for O−H bonds. Hence, care should be taken when transferring concepts between Cu−OH and Au−OH species. Furthermore, the ability of Au−OH complexes to perform cPCET suggests further possibilities for one-electron chemistry at the Au centre, for which only limited examples exist.     

Different hydrogen-bonding patterns in two [Zn(ENTPP)] complexes with water or methanol as ligands

We have synthesized zinc complexes of H₂ENTPP (5-(8-ethoxycarbonyl-1-naphthyl)-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin) as a model to study hydrogen-bonding interactions. When water or methanol is a ligand, crystals of [Zn(ENTPP)(CH₃OH)] or [Zn(ENTPP)(H₂O)]?·?C₆H₅CH₃ were obtained. In both structures, the ligand has hydrogen-bonding interactions, but in different patterns. In [Zn(ENTPP)(CH₃OH)], the methanol oxygen and carboxylate oxygen in the naphthyl group form an intermolecular hydrogen bond. In [Zn(ENTPP)(H₂O)]?·?C₆H₅CH₃, there are two independent molecules A and B. In molecule B, there is an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the water oxygen and the carboxylate oxygen, while in molecule A, besides the intramolecular hydrogen bond, there is an intermolecular hydrogen bond between the water oxygen and the carboxylate oxygen. ¹H NMR spectra suggest the binding of methanol or water to zinc are equilibrium processes in solution. Equilibrium constant has been determined by UV-Vis measurements, and it suggests the binding affinity of zinc to methanol has been moderately increased.     

Correlated one‐electron wave functions

Using four basis sets, 6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐311++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the acidic H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. By contrast with above the three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen‐bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is a noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD(T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Long‐range π‐type hydrogen bond in dimers CH2?HF,CH2O?H2O,and CH2O?NH3

Using four basis bets, (6‐311G(d,p), 6‐31+G(d,p), 6‐31++G(2d,2p), and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd), the optimized structures with all real frequencies were obtained at the MP2 level for the dimers CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, CH₂O? NH₃, and CH₂O? CH₄. The structures of CH₂O? HF, CH₂O? H₂O, and CH₂O? NH₃ are cycle‐shaped, which result from the larger bend of σ‐type hydrogen bonds. The bend of σ‐type H‐bond O…H? Y (Y?F, O, N) is illustrated and interpreted by an attractive interaction of a chemically intuitive π‐type hydrogen bond. The π‐type hydrogen bond is the interaction between one of the H atoms of CH₂O and lone pair(s) on the F atom in HF, the O atom in H₂O, or the N atom in NH₃. In contrast with the above three dimers, for CH₂O? CH₄, because there is not a π‐type hydrogen bond to bend its linear hydrogen bond, the structure of CH₂O? CH₄ is noncyclic shaped. The interaction energy of hydrogen bonds and the π‐type H‐bond are calculated and discussed at the CCSD (T)/6‐311++G(3df,3pd) level. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Switchover of the Mechanism between Electron Transfer and Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer for a Protonated Manganese(IV)–Oxo Complex by Changing Only the Reaction Temperature

Hydroxylation of mesitylene by a nonheme manganese(IV)–oxo complex, [(N4Py)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺ ( 1 ), proceeds via one‐step hydrogen‐atom transfer (HAT) with a large deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of 3.2(3) at 293 K. In contrast, the same reaction with a triflic acid‐bound manganese(IV)‐oxo complex, [(N4Py)Mn^IV(O)]²⁺‐(HOTf)₂ ( 2 ), proceeds via electron transfer (ET) with no KIE at 293 K. Interestingly, when the reaction temperature is lowered to less than 263 K in the reaction of 2 , however, the mechanism changes again from ET to HAT with a large KIE of 2.9(3). Such a switchover of the reaction mechanism from ET to HAT is shown to occur by changing only temperature in the boundary region between ET and HAT pathways when the driving force of ET from toluene derivatives to 2 is around ?0.5 eV. The present results provide a valuable and general guide to predict a switchover of the reaction mechanism from ET to the others, including HAT.     

铂钌团簇活化甲醇C―H和O―H键的理论研究

采用密度泛函理论研究了Pt_nRu_m (n+m=3, n≠0)团簇活化甲醇C―H和O―H键的反应活性和机理. 分别给出以O―H和C―H键活化为初始步骤的势能曲线. 计算结果表明反应是以C―H键的活化为初始步骤; 三种团簇与甲醇反应的活性顺序为Pt₂Ru>Pt₃>PtRu₂. 前线轨道分析表明Pt_nRu_m团簇活化初始的C―H和O―H键的活化过程是质子转移(PT). 此外还讨论了溶剂化对反应的影响. 本研究可为C―H键和O―H键的活化提供更深入的理解, 为甲醇活化反应催化剂选择以及其使用条件的优化提供新思路.     

Hydro­gen‐bonded adducts of ferrocene‐1,1′‐diyl­bis­(di­phenyl­methanol): a finite cyclic 1:1 adduct with 2,2′‐dipyridyl­amine

In ferrocene‐1,1′‐diyl­bis­(di­phenyl­methanol)–2,2′‐dipyridyl­amine (1/1), [Fe(C₁₈H₁₅O)₂]·C₁₀H₉N₃, (I), there is an intramolecular O—H?O hydrogen bond [H?O 2.03 Å, O?O 2.775 (2) Å and O—H?O 147°] in the ferrocenediol component, and the two neutral molecular components are linked by one O—H?N hydrogen bond [H?N 1.96 Å, O?N 2.755 (2) Å and O—H?N, 157°] and one N—H?O hydrogen bond [H?O 2.26 Å, N?O 3.112 (2) Å and N—H?O 164°] forming a cyclic R(8) motif. One of the pyridyl N atoms plays no part in the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, but participates in a short intramolecular C—H?N contact [H?N 2.31 Å, C?N 2.922 (2) Å and C—H?N 122°].     

Automated Reaction Mechanism Generation Including Nitrogen as a Heteroatom

The open source rate‐based Reaction Mechanism Generator (RMG) software and its thermochemical and kinetics databases were extended to include nitrogen as a heteroatom. Specific changes to RMG and the mining of thermochemistry and reaction kinetics data are discussed. This new version of RMG has been tested by generating a detailed pyrolysis and oxidation model for ethylamine (EA, CH₃CH₂NH₂) at ∼1400 K and ∼2 bar, and comparing it to recent shock tube studies. Validation of the reaction network with recent experimental data showed that the generated model successfully reproduced the observed species as well as ignition delay measurements. During pyrolysis, EA initially decomposes via a C C bond scission, and the CH₂NH₂ product subsequently produces the first H radicals in this system via β‐scission. As the concentration of H increases, the major EA consuming reaction becomes H abstraction at the α‐site by H radicals, leading to a chain reaction since its product generates more H radicals. During oxidation, the dominant N₂‐producing route is mediated by NO and N₂O. The observables were found to be relatively sensitive to the C C and C N EA bond scission reactions as well as to the thermodynamic values of EA; thermodynamic data for EA were computed at the CBS‐QB3 level and reported herein. This work demonstrates the ability of RMG to construct adequate kinetic models for nitrogenous species and discusses the pyrolysis and oxidation mechanisms of EA.     

A Reaction-Induced Localization of Spin Density Enables Thermal C−H Bond Activation of Methane by Pristine FeC4+

The reactivity of the cationic metal-carbon cluster FeC₄⁺ towards methane has been studied experimentally using Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and computationally by high-level quantum chemical calculations. At room temperature, FeC₄H⁺ is formed as the main ionic product, and the experimental findings are substantiated by labeling experiments. According to extensive quantum chemical calculations, the C−H bond activation step proceeds through a radical-based hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. This finding is quite unexpected because the initial spin density at the terminal carbon atom of FeC₄⁺, which serves as the hydrogen acceptor site, is low. However, in the course of forming an encounter complex, an electron from the doubly occupied sp-orbital of the terminal carbon atom of FeC₄⁺ migrates to the singly occupied π*-orbital; the latter is delocalized over the entire carbon chain. Thus, a highly localized spin density is generated in situ at the terminal carbon atom. Consequently, homolytic C−H bond activation occurs without the obligation to pay a considerable energy penalty that is usually required for HAT involving closed-shell acceptor sites. The mechanistic insights provided by this combined experimental/computational study extend the understanding of methane activation by transition-metal carbides and add a new facet to the dizzying mechanistic landscape of hydrogen-atom transfer.     

Substrate‐Dependent H/D Kinetic Isotope Effects and the Role of the Di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) Core in Soluble Methane Monooxygenase: A Theoretical Study

Soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) is an enzyme that converts alkanes to alcohols using a di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) intermediate Q at the active site. Very large kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) indicative of significant tunneling are observed for the hydrogen transfer (H‐transfer) of CH₄ and CH₃CN; however, a relatively small KIE is observed for CH₃NO₂. The detailed mechanism of the enzymatic H‐transfer responsible for the diverse range of KIEs is not yet fully understood. In this study, variational transition‐state theory including the multidimensional tunneling approximation is used to calculate rate constants to predict KIEs based on the quantum‐mechanically generated intrinsic reaction coordinates of the H‐transfer by the di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) complex. The results of our study reveal that the role of the di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) core and the H‐transfer mechanism are dependent on the substrate. For CH₄, substrate binding induces an electron transfer from the oxygen to one Fe^IV center, which in turn makes the μ‐O ligand more electrophilic and assists the H‐transfer by abstracting an electron from the C?H σ orbital. For CH₃CN, the reduction of Fe^IV to Fe^III occurs gradually with substrate binding and H‐transfer. The charge density and electrophilicity of the μ‐O ligand hardly change upon substrate binding; however, for CH₃NO₂, there seems to be no electron movement from μ‐O to Fe^IV during the H‐transfer. Thus, the μ‐O ligand appears to abstract a proton without an electron from the C?H σ orbital. The calculated KIEs for CH₄, CH₃CN, and CH₃NO₂ are 24.4, 49.0, and 8.27, respectively, at 293 K, in remarkably good agreement with the experimental values. This study reveals that diverse KIE values originate mainly from tunneling to the same di(μ‐oxo)diiron(IV) core for all substrates, and demonstrate that the reaction dynamics are essential for reproducing experimental results and understanding the role of the diiron core for methane oxidation in sMMO.     

Photoinduced Decomposition of Formaldehyde on Rutile TiO2(100)-(1×1)?

We have investigated the photoinduced decomposition of formaldehyde (CH₂O) on a rutile TiO₂(100)-(1×1) surface at 355 nm using temperature-programmed desorption. Products, formate (HCOO^-), methyl radical (CH₃·), ethylene (C₂H₄), and methanol (CH₃OH) have been detected. The initial step in the decomposition of CH₂O on the rutile TiO₂(100)-(1×1) surface is the formation of a dioxymethylene intermediate in which the carbonyl O atom of CH₂O is bound to a Ti atom at the five-fold-coordinated Ti⁴⁺ (Ti_5c) site and its carbonyl C atom bound to a nearby bridge-bonded oxygen (O_b) atom, respectively. During 355 nm irradiation, the dioxymethylene intermediate can transfer an H atom to the O_b atom, thus forming HCOO^- directly, which is considered as the main reaction channel. In addition, the dioxymethylene intermediate can also transfer methylene to the O_b row and break the C-O bond, thus leaving the original carbonyl O atom at the Ti_5c site. After the transfer of methylene, several pathways to products are available. Thus, we have found that O_b atoms are intimately involved in the photoinduced decomposition of CH₂O on the rutile TiO₂(100)-(1×1) surface.