Bonding, structure, and energetics of gaseous E8(2+) and of solid E8(AsF6)2 (E = S, Se)

The attempt to prepare hitherto unknown homopolyatomic cations of sulfur by the reaction of elemental sulfur with blue S8(AsF6)2 in liquid SO2/SO2ClF, led to red (in transmitted light) crystals identified crystallographically as S8(AsF6)2. The X-ray structure of this salt was redetermined with improved resolution and corrected for librational motion: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), Z = 8, a = 14.986(2) A, b = 13.396(2) A, c = 16.351(2) A, beta = 108.12(1) degrees. The gas phase structures of E8(2+) and neutral E8 (E = S, Se) were examined by ab initio methods (B3PW91, MPW1PW91) leading to delta fH theta[S8(2+), g] = 2151 kJ/mol and delta fH theta[Se8(2+), g] = 2071 kJ/mol. The observed solid state structures of S8(2+) and Se8(2+) with the unusually long transannular bonds of 2.8-2.9 A were reproduced computationally for the first time, and the E8(2+) dications were shown to be unstable toward all stoichiometrically possible dissociation products En+ and/or E4(2+) [n = 2-7, exothermic by 21-207 kJ/mol (E = S), 6-151 kJ/mol (E = Se)]. Lattice potential energies of the hexafluoroarsenate salts of the latter cations were estimated showing that S8(AsF6)2 [Se8(AsF6)2] is lattice stabilized in the solid state relative to the corresponding AsF6- salts of the stoichiometrically possible dissociation products by at least 116 [204] kJ/mol. The fluoride ion affinity of AsF5(g) was calculated to be 430.5 +/- 5.5 kJ/mol [average B3PW91 and MPW1PW91 with the 6-311 + G(3df) basis set]. The experimental and calculated FT-Raman spectra of E8(AsF6)2 are in good agreement and show the presence of a cross ring vibration with an experimental (calculated, scaled) stretching frequency of 282 (292) cm-1 for S8(2+) and 130 (133) cm-1 for Se8(2+). An atoms in molecules analysis (AIM) of E8(2+) (E = S, Se) gave eight bond critical points between ring atoms and a ninth transannular (E3-E7) bond critical point, as well as three ring and one cage critical points. The cage bonding was supported by a natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis which showed, in addition to the E8 sigma-bonded framework, weak pi bonding around the ring as well as numerous other weak interactions, the strongest of which is the weak transannular E3-E7 [2.86 A (S8(2+), 2.91 A (Se8(2+)] bond. The positive charge is delocalized over all atoms, decreasing the Coulombic repulsion between positively charged atoms relative to that in the less stable S8-like exo-exo E8(2+) isomer. The overall geometry was accounted for by the Wade-Mingos rules, further supporting the case for cage bonding. The bonding in Te8(2+) is similar, but with a stronger transannular E3-E7 (E = Te) bonding. The bonding in E8(2+) (E = S, Se, Te) can also be understood in terms of a sigma-bonded E8 framework with additional bonding and charge delocalization occurring by a combination of transannular n pi *-n pi * (n = 3, 4, 5), and np2-->n sigma * bonding. The classically bonded S8(2+) (Se8(2+) dication containing a short transannular S(+)-S+ (Se(+)-Se+) bond of 2.20 (2.57) A is 29 (6) kJ/mol higher in energy than the observed structure in which the positive charge is delocalized over all eight chalcogen atoms.     

A Homoleptic KrF2 Complex, [Hg(KrF2)8][AsF6]2⋅2 HF

The reaction of Hg(AsF₆)₂ with a large molar excess of KrF₂ in anhydrous HF has afforded the first homoleptic KrF₂ coordination complex of a metal cation, [Hg(KrF₂)₈][AsF₆]₂?2 HF. The [Hg(KrF₂)₈]²⁺ dication is well‐isolated in the low‐temperature crystal structure of its HF‐solvated [AsF₆]^? salt, and consists of eight KrF₂ molecules that are terminally coordinated to Hg²⁺ by means of Hg?F(KrF) bonds to form a slightly distorted, square‐antiprismatic coordination sphere around mercury. The Raman spectrum of [Hg(KrF₂)₈]²⁺ was assigned with the aid of calculated gas‐phase vibrational frequencies. Computational studies indicate that both electrostatic and orbital interactions are important for metal–ligand bonding and provide insight into the geometry of the [Hg(KrF₂)₈]²⁺ cation and the nature of noble‐gas difluoride ligand bonding.     

The Simultaneous Oxidation of Tellurium and Transition Metals by AsF5 – Syntheses and Crystal Structures of [M(SO2)6](Te6)[AsF6]6 (M = Ni,Zn) and [Cd(SO2)2][AsF6]2

The reactions of elemental nickel and tellurium and of ZnTe with excess AsF₅ in liquid SO₂ yield [M(SO₂)₆](Te₆)[AsF₆]₆ (M = Ni, Zn) as orange crystals. The crystal structure determinations (triclinic, , M = Ni: a = 1632.59(2), b = 1795.06(1), c = 1822.97(2) pm, α = 119.11(4), β = 90.78(4), γ = 106.28(4)°, V = 4408.24(8)·10⁶pm³, Z = 4) show the two compounds to be isotypic. The structures are made up of discrete [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes, Te₆⁴⁺ clusters and octahedral [AsF₆]^? ions. In the [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes the metal ions are surrounded octahedrally by six SO₂ molecules bound via the O atoms. The Te₆⁴⁺ polycations are of trigonal prismatic shape with short Te–Te bonds within the triangular faces (270 pm) and long Te–Te bonds along the edges parallel to the pseudo C₃ axes of the prisms (312 pm). The arrangement of the ions is related to the Li₃Bi structure type. [M(SO₂)₆]²⁺ complexes and Te₆⁴⁺ polycations together form a distorted cubic closest packing with all tetrahedral and octahedral interstices filled by [AsF₆]^? ions. The analogous reaction starting from CdTe did not yield a compound containing simultaneously [Cd(SO₂)_n]²⁺ complexes and tellurium polycations but instead Te₆[AsF₆]₄ · 2 SO₂ besides [Cd(SO₂)₂][AsF₆]₂ were obtained. It crystallizes isotypically to [Mn(SO₂)₂][AsF₆]₂ (Mews, Zemva, 2001) (orthorhombic, Fdd2, a = 1534.96(3), b = 1812.89(3), c = 892.28(3) pm, V = 2483·10⁶ pm³, Z = 4).     

Kristallstruktur und Raman-Spektrum von Trifluor(methyl)arsoniumHexafluorarsenat CH3AsF3+AsF6–

Crystal Structure and Raman Spectrum of Trifluoro(methyl)arsoniumHexafluoroarsenate CH₃AsF₃⁺AsF₆^– Trifluoro(methyl)arsonium hexafluoroarsenate was prepared and characterized by Raman spectroscopy and its crystal structure, determined by X-ray diffraction. Trifluoro(methyl)arsonium hexafluoroarsenate crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n (no. 14) with Z = 4 and a = 787.5(1), b = 892.9(1), c = 1061.4(1) pm, β = 96.96(1)°, V = 0.74083(14) nm³. The final R factor is 0.0343 for 2009 reflections with I > 2σ(I). The cation has C_3v symmetry and the anion shapes a distorted octahedron.     

New coordination compounds of Cd(AsF6)2 with HF and XeF2

Two new coordination compounds of cadmium with HF and XeF2 as ligands have been synthesized. Solid white [Cd(HF)](AsF6)2 is obtained from an anhydrous HF (aHF) solution of Cd(AsF6)2. It crystallizes in a monoclinic P2(1)/c space group with a = 9.4687(14) A, b = 9.2724(11) A, c = 10.5503(18) A, beta = 104.887(7) degrees, and Z = 4. The coordination sphere of Cd consists of 7 + 2 fluorine atoms, which are in a capped trigonal-prismatic arrangement. The reaction between Cd(AsF6)2 and XeF(2 in aHF yields a solid white product at room temperature having the composition [Cd(XeF2)4](AsF6)2 after the excess XeF2 and solvent have been removed under dynamic vacuum. [Cd(XeF2)4](AsF6)2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with a = 8.6482(6) A, b = 13.5555(11) A, c = 16.6312(14) A, and Z = 4. The coordination sphere of Cd consists of eight fluorine atoms, which are at the corners of a trigonal prism with two capped side faces.     

Dihydroxycarbeniumhexafluorometallate – Synthese,spektroskopische Charakterisierung sowie Kristallstruktur von HC(OH)2+AsF6−

Dihydroxycarbeniumhexafluorometallates – Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Crystal Structure of HC(OH)₂⁺AsF₆^? The preparation of HC(OH)₂⁺ MF₆^? (M = As, Sb) by protonation of HCOOH in the superacid systems HF/MF₅ is reported. The very hydrolysable and thermolabile salts are characterized by vibrational and NMR spectroscopic methods. Under inert conditions they are stable at ?40°C for some weeks. HC(OH)₂⁺AsF₆^? crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbca (No. 61) with a = 965.8(1), b = 1582.20(16), c = 766.40(8) pm with eight formula units per unit cell.     

Rigid pi-conjugated mono-, bis-, and tris(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridines)

A set of rigid, pi-conjugated linear mono- and bisterpyridines and star-shaped tristerpyridines have been synthesized using Pd(0)-catalyzed coupling reactions and the Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction. The terpyridyl ligands obtained feature strong emission in the blue range with high quantum yields in dilute solution and thin films.     

(2,2':6',2' '-Terpyridine)platinum(II) complexes containing (thioalkyl)dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) ligands

A series of novel platinum(II)-2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine (trpy) complexes containing (thioalkyl)dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (closo-carborane) derivatives were prepared by treatment of the labile precursor species [Pt(MeCN)(trpy)](OTf)2 with R(CH2)nSH (R = closo-1,2-carborane, n = 0-3; R = closo-1,7-carborane, n = 1; R = closo-1,12-carborane, n = 1) in the presence of NEt3 to afford brightly colored complexes of the type [PtS(CH2)nR(trpy)]OTf. All products were characterized by means of multinuclear (1H, 13C, 11B, and 195Pt) 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy, ESI-MS, and, for the 1,7-carborane derivative, X-ray crystallography. Preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity studies of selected complexes against human ovarian carcinoma cells are also reported.     

Electron delocalization in a ruthenium(II) Bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridyl) complex

Photophysical properties have been recorded for a ruthenium(II) bis(2,2':6',2' '-terpyridine) complex bearing a single ethynylene substituent. The target compound is weakly emissive in fluid solution at room temperature, but both the emission yield and lifetime increase dramatically as the temperature is lowered. As found for the unsubstituted parent complex, the full temperature dependence indicates that the lowest-energy triplet state couples to two higher-energy triplets and to the ground state. Luminescence occurs only from the lowest-energy triplet state, but the radiative and nonradiative decay rates indicate that electron delocalization occurs at the triplet level. Comparison of the target compound with the parent complex indicates that the ethynylene group reduces the size of the electron-vibrational coupling element for nonradiative decay of the lowest-energy triplet state. Although other factors are affected by substitution, this is by far the most important feature with regard to stabilization of the triplet state.