An Acyclic Arsenium Cation Stabilised by a Single P–As π‐Interaction and a Cyclic Diphosphinophosphonium Salt

Stable acyclic arsenium cations R₂As⁺, isoelectronic analogues of germylenes, are rare in comparison to the corresponding phosphenium cations. The first example of a diphosphaarsenium salt, [{(Dipp)₂P}₂As][Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄]?1 PhMe, is described. This salt exhibits remarkable stability due to the delocalisation of a lone pair from a planar phosphorus centre into the vacant p‐orbital at arsenic; the bonding in 2 has been probed by DFT calculations. An attempt to synthesise an analogous diphosphaphosphenium salt unexpectedly generated the cyclic phosphonium salt [cyclo‐{(Mes)P}₂P(Mes)₂][BAr^F₄]?CyMe through the cyclisation of a putative phosphine‐substituted diphosphene cation intermediate.     

Total Synthesis and Anticancer Activity of (+)‐Hypercalin C and Congeners

The hypercalins are dearomatized acylphloroglucinols with a pendant complex cyclopentane ring that exhibit activity against several cancer cell lines. We report the first total synthesis of (+)‐hypercalin C employing a convergent strategy that enabled the dissection of the essential structural features required for the observed anticancer activity. A strategic disconnection involving an unusual C –C Suzuki–Miyaura coupling with an α‐bromo enolether also revealed an unexpected C?H activation. This strategy targeted designed analogues along the synthetic route to address particular biological questions. These results support the hypothesis that hypercalin C may act as a proton shuttle with the dearomatized acylphloroglucinol moiety being essential for this activity.     

The Nature of Hydrogen Adsorption on Platinum in the Aqueous Phase

The thermodynamic state of H₂ adsorbed on Pt in the aqueous phase was determined by kinetic analysis of H₂ reacting with D₂O to HDO, HD, and D₂, and by DFT‐based ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of H₂ adsorption on Pt(111), Pt(110), and Pt nanoparticles. Dissociative adsorption of H₂ on Pt is significantly weakened in the aqueous phase compared to adsorption at gas–solid interfaces. Water destabilizes the adsorbed H atoms, decreasing the heat of adsorption by 19–22 kJ while inducing an additional entropy loss of 50–70 J K^?1. Upon dissociative adsorption of H₂, the average distance of water from the Pt surface increases and the liquid adopts a structure that is more ordered than before close to the Pt surface, which limits the translation mobility of the adsorbed H atoms. The presence of hydrated hydronium ions next to the Pt surface further lowers the H?Pt bond strength.     

Impact of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding on the Reactivity of Cupric Superoxide Complexes with O−H and C−H Substrates

The dioxygen reactivity of a series of TMPA‐based copper(I) complexes (TMPA=tris(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine), with and without secondary‐coordination‐sphere hydrogen‐bonding moieties, was studied at ?135 °C in 2‐methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF). Kinetic stabilization of the H‐bonded [( TMPA)Cu^II(O₂^.?)]⁺ cupric superoxide species was achieved, and they were characterized by resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy. The structures and physical properties of [( TMPA)Cu^II(N₃^?)]⁺ azido analogues were compared, and the O₂^.? reactivity of ligand–Cu^I complexes when an H‐bonding moiety is replaced by a methyl group was contrasted. A drastic enhancement in the reactivity of the cupric superoxide towards phenolic substrates as well as oxidation of substrates possessing moderate C?H bond‐dissociation energies is observed, correlating with the number and strength of the H‐bonding groups.     

ɛ‐TiO,a Novel Stable Polymorph of Titanium Monoxide

For the Ti/O system, three titanium monoxide (TiO) phases (α, β, and γ) with defective NaCl‐type structures and a high‐temperature hexagonal phase (H) have been known for decades. In this work, single crystals of a novel polymorph, ɛ‐TiO, were synthesized by using a bismuth flux. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a hexagonal crystal structure (a=4.9936(3) Å, c=2.8773(2) Å, P 2m) that is isotypic with ɛ‐TaN. While the Ti atoms are surrounded by trigonal prismatic (sixfold coordination) and trigonal planar (threefold coordination) arrangements of O atoms, the O atoms are found in a pseudo‐square‐pyramidal arrangement of Ti atoms. First‐principles calculations of the formation enthalpy and the electron and phonon density of states and crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis revealed that ɛ‐TiO is more stable than α‐TiO, which had previously been regarded as the most stable phase at low temperatures.     

A Long Cycle-Life High-Voltage Spinel Lithium-Ion Battery Electrode Achieved by Site-Selective Doping

Spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) is a promising cathode candidate for the next-generation high energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Unfortunately, the application of LNMO is hindered by its poor cycle stability. Now, site-selectively doped LNMO electrode is prepared with exceptional durability. In this work, Mg is selectively doped onto both tetrahedral (8a) and octahedral (16c) sites in the Fd m structure. This site-selective doping not only suppresses unfavorable two-phase reactions and stabilizes the LNMO structure against structural deformation, but also mitigates the dissolution of Mn during cycling. Mg-doped LNMOs exhibit extraordinarily stable electrochemical performance in both half-cells and prototype full-batteries with novel TiNb₂O₇ counter-electrodes. This work pioneers an atomic-doping engineering strategy for electrode materials that could be extended to other energy materials to create high-performance devices.     

The tunnel manganese oxide Na4.32Mn9O18: a new Na+ site discovered by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction

The title compound, tetrasodium nonamanganese octadecaoxide, Na_4.32Mn₉O₁₈, was synthesized by reacting Mn₂O₃ with NaCl. One Mn atom occupies a site of 2/m symmetry, while all other atoms sit on mirror planes. The compound is isostructural with Na₄Ti₄Mn₅O₁₈ and suggestive of Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺ charge ordering. It has a double‐tunnel structure built up from double and triple chains of MnO₆ octahedra and single chains of MnO₅ square pyramids by corner sharing. Disordered Na⁺ cations occupy four crystallographic sites within the tunnels, including an unexpected new Na⁺ site discovered inside the large S‐shaped tunnel. A local‐ordering model is used to show the possible Na⁺ distribution, and the unit‐cell evolution during charging/discharging is explained on the basis of this local‐ordering model.     

Solvate‐Induced Semiconductor to Metal Transition: Flat [Bi1−] Zigzag Chains in Metallic KBi⋅NH3 versus [Bi1−] Helices in Semiconducting KBi

Polymeric [Bi]^? in KBi?NH₃ has planar zigzag chains with two‐connected Bi atoms and metallic properties, whereas KBi, which has helical chains of Bi atoms, is semiconducting. The isomerization of the Bi chain is induced by solvate molecules. In the novel layered solvate structure uncharged [KBi] layers are separated by intercalated NH₃ molecules. These layers are a structural excerpt of the iso(valence)electronic CaSi, whose metallic properties arise from the planarity of the zigzag chain of Si atoms. Computational studies support this view, they show an anisotropic metallic behavior along the Bi chain. Electron delocalization is also found in the new cyclic anion [Bi₆]^4? isolated in K₂[K(18‐crown‐6)]₂[Bi₆]?9 NH₃. Although [Bi₆]^4? should exhibit one localized double bond, electron delocalization is observed in analogy to the lighter homologues [P₆]^4? and [As₆]^4?. Both compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure determination.     

Atomically Dispersed Molybdenum Catalysts for Efficient Ambient Nitrogen Fixation

NH₃ synthesis by the electrocatalytic N₂ reduction reaction (NRR) under ambient conditions is an appealing alternative to the currently employed industrial method—the Haber–Bosch process—that requires high temperature and pressure. We report single Mo atoms anchored to nitrogen‐doped porous carbon as a cost‐effective catalyst for the NRR. Benefiting from the optimally high density of active sites and hierarchically porous carbon frameworks, this catalyst achieves a high NH₃ yield rate (34.0±3.6 μg h^?1 mg_cat.^?1) and a high Faradaic efficiency (14.6±1.6 %) in 0.1 m KOH at room temperature. These values are considerably higher compared to previously reported non‐precious‐metal electrocatalysts. Moreover, this catalyst displays no obvious current drop during a 50 000 s NRR, and high activity and durability are achieved in 0.1 m HCl. The findings provide a promising lead for the design of efficient and robust single‐atom non‐precious‐metal catalysts for the electrocatalytic NRR.     

A novel one‐dimensional complex: catena‐poly­[[manganese(III)‐di‐μ‐2‐[(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)­imino­methyl]­phenolato‐κ2O1,N:κO2;κO2:κ2O1] chloride]

In the title one‐dimensional complex, {[Mn^III(C₉H₁₀NO₂)₂]Cl}_n, the Schiff base ligand 2‐[(2‐hydroxy­ethyl)­imino­methyl]­phenolate (Hsae⁻) functions as both a bridging and a chelating ligand. The Mn^III ion is six‐coordinated by two N and four O atoms from four different Hsae⁻ ligands, yielding a distorted MnO₄N₂ octahedral environment. Each [Mn^III(Hsae)₂]⁺ cationic unit has the Mn atom on an inversion centre and each [Mn^III(Hsae)₂]⁺ cation lies about another inversion centre. The chain‐like complex is further extended into a three‐dimensional network structure through Cl⋯H—O hydrogen bonds and C—H⋯π contacts involving the Hsae⁻ rings.     

Modular and Selective Arylation of Aryl Germanes (C−GeEt3) over C−Bpin,C−SiR3 and Halogens Enabled by Light-Activated Gold Catalysis

Selective C –C couplings are powerful strategies for the rapid and programmable construction of bi- or multiaryls. To this end, the next frontier of synthetic modularity will likely arise from harnessing the coupling space that is orthogonal to the powerful Pd-catalyzed coupling regime. This report details the realization of this concept and presents the fully selective arylation of aryl germanes (which are inert under Pd⁰/Pd^II catalysis) in the presence of the valuable functionalities C−BPin, C−SiMe₃, C−I, C−Br, C−Cl, which in turn offer versatile opportunities for diversification. The protocol makes use of visible light activation combined with gold catalysis, which facilitates the selective coupling of C−Ge with aryl diazonium salts. Contrary to previous light-/gold-catalyzed couplings of Ar–N₂⁺, which were specialized in Ar–N₂⁺ scope, we present conditions to efficiently couple electron-rich, electron-poor, heterocyclic and sterically hindered aryl diazonium salts. Our computational data suggest that while electron-poor Ar–N₂⁺ salts are readily activated by gold under blue-light irradiation, there is a competing dissociative deactivation pathway for excited electron-rich Ar–N₂⁺, which requires an alternative photo-redox approach to enable productive couplings.     

Dipotassium tristrontium dimanganese tris­(diphosphate)

The structure of the title mixed trimetallic diphosphate, K₂Sr₃Mn₂(P₂O₇)₃, is constructed of a three‐dimensional matrix composed of SrO_8–10, MnO₅ and PO₄ polyhedra. The sharing of O atoms between these polyhedra creates tunnels of large dimensions parallel to (010), in which are found columns of K⁺ ions. Thus, the presence of several cations differing in size in the solid matrix leads to the formation of large tunnels and potential conductivity.     

A Low‐Spin Three‐Coordinate Cobalt(I) Complex and Its Reactivity toward H2 and Silane

A three‐coordinate low‐spin cobalt(I) complex generated using a pincer ligand is presented. Since an empty orbital is sterically exposed at the site trans to the N donor of an acridane moiety, the cobalt(I) center accepts the coordination of various donors such as H₂ and PhSiH₃ revealing σ‐complex formation. At this low‐spin cobalt(I) site, homolysis of H–H and Si?H bonds preferentially occurs via bimolecular hydrogen atom transfer instead of two‐electron oxidative addition. When the resulting Co^II–H species was exposed to N₂, H₂ evolution readily occurs at ambient conditions. These results suggest single‐electron processes are favored at the structurally rigidified cobalt center.     

Single Atoms of Iron on MoS2 Nanosheets for N2 Electroreduction into Ammonia

Efforts have been devoted to achieving a highly efficient artificial synthesis of ammonia (NH₃). Reported herein is a novel Fe-MoS₂ catalyst with Fe atomically dispersed onto MoS₂ nanosheets, imitating natural nitrogenase, to boost N₂ electroreduction into NH₃ at room temperature. The Fe-MoS₂ nanosheets exhibited a faradic efficiency of 18.8 % with a yield rate of 8.63 μg mg_cat.⁻¹ h⁻¹ for NH₃ at −0.3 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode. The mechanism study revealed that the electroreduction of N₂ was promoted and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction was suppressed by decorating the edge sites of S in MoS₂ with the atomically dispersed Fe, resulting in high catalytic performance for the electroreduction of N₂ into NH₃. This work provides new ideas for the design of catalysts for N₂ electroreduction and strengthens the understanding about N₂ activation over Mo-based catalysts.     

ZnSe Nanorods as Visible‐Light Absorbers for Photocatalytic and Photoelectrochemical H2 Evolution in Water

A precious‐metal‐ and Cd‐free photocatalyst system for efficient H₂ evolution from aqueous protons with a performance comparable to Cd‐based quantum dots is presented. Rod‐shaped ZnSe nanocrystals (nanorods, NRs) with a Ni(BF₄)₂ co‐catalyst suspended in aqueous ascorbic acid evolve H₂ with an activity up to 54±2 mmol g_ZnSe^?1 h^?1 and a quantum yield of 50±4 % (λ=400 nm) under visible light illumination (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2, λ>400 nm). Under simulated full‐spectrum solar irradiation (AM 1.5G, 100 mW cm^?2), up to 149±22 mmol g_ZnSe^?1 h^?1 is generated. Significant photocorrosion was not noticeable within 40 h and activity was even observed without an added co‐catalyst. The ZnSe NRs can also be used to construct an inexpensive delafossite CuCrO₂ photocathode, which does not rely on a sacrificial electron donor. Immobilized ZnSe NRs on CuCrO₂ generate photocurrents of around ?10 μA cm^?2 in an aqueous electrolyte solution (pH 5.5) with a photocurrent onset potential of approximately +0.75 V vs. RHE. This work establishes ZnSe as a state‐of‐the‐art light absorber for photocatalytic and photoelectrochemical H₂ generation.     

Harnessing Plasticity in an Amine-Borane as a Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric Flexible Film

We demonstrate that trimethylamine borane can exhibit desirable piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The material was shown to be able operate as a flexible film for both thermal sensing, thermal energy conversion and mechanical sensing with high open circuit voltages (>10 V). A piezoelectric coefficient of d₃₃≈10–16 pC N⁻¹, and pyroelectric coefficient of p≈25.8 μC m⁻² K⁻¹ were achieved after poling, with high pyroelectric figure of merits for sensing and harvesting, along with a relative permittivity of 6.3.     

A Long Cycle‐Life High‐Voltage Spinel Lithium‐Ion Battery Electrode Achieved by Site‐Selective Doping

Spinel LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) is a promising cathode candidate for the next‐generation high energy‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Unfortunately, the application of LNMO is hindered by its poor cycle stability. Now, site‐selectively doped LNMO electrode is prepared with exceptional durability. In this work, Mg is selectively doped onto both tetrahedral (8a) and octahedral (16c) sites in the Fd m structure. This site‐selective doping not only suppresses unfavorable two‐phase reactions and stabilizes the LNMO structure against structural deformation, but also mitigates the dissolution of Mn during cycling. Mg‐doped LNMOs exhibit extraordinarily stable electrochemical performance in both half‐cells and prototype full‐batteries with novel TiNb₂O₇ counter‐electrodes. This work pioneers an atomic‐doping engineering strategy for electrode materials that could be extended to other energy materials to create high‐performance devices.     

Generation of 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine in G‐Quadruplexes Models of Human Telomere Sequences by One‐electron Oxidation

The mechanistic aspects of one‐electron oxidation of G‐quadruplexes in the basket (Na⁺ ions) and hybrid (K⁺ ions) conformations were investigated by transient absorption laser kinetic spectroscopy and HPLC detection of the 8‐oxo‐7,8‐dihydroguanine (8‐oxoG) oxidation product. The photo‐induced one‐electron abstraction from G‐quadruplexes was initiated by sulfate radical anions (SO₄˙^?) derived from the photolysis of persulfate ions by 308 nm excimer laser pulses. In neutral aqueous solutions (pH 7.0), the transient absorbance of neutral guanine radicals, G(‐H)˙, is observed following the complete decay of SO₄˙^? radicals (~10 μs after the actinic laser flash). In both basket and hybrid conformations, the G(‐H)˙ decay is biphasic with one component decaying with a lifetime of ~0.1 ms, and the other with a lifetime of 20–30 ms. The fast decay component (~0.1 ms) in G‐quadruplexes is correlated with the formation of 8‐oxoG lesions. We propose that in G‐quadruplexes, G(‐H)˙ radicals retain radical cation character by sharing the N1‐proton with the O⁶‐atom of G in the [G˙⁺: G] Hoogsteen base pair; this [G(‐H)˙: H⁺G G˙⁺: G] leads to the hydration of G˙⁺ radical cation within the millisecond time domain, and is followed by the formation of the 8‐oxoG lesions.     

Snapshots of a Migrating H‐Atom: Characterization of a Reactive Iron(III) Indenide Hydride and its Nearly Isoenergetic Ring‐Protonated Iron(I) Isomer

We report the characterization of an S= iron π‐complex, [Fe(η⁶‐IndH)(depe)]⁺ (Ind=Indenide (C₉H₇^?), depe=1,2‐bis(diethylphosphino)ethane), which results via C?H elimination from a transient Fe^III hydride, [Fe(η³:η²‐Ind)(depe)H]⁺. Owing to weak M?H/C?H bonds, these species appear to undergo proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) to release H₂ through bimolecular recombination. Mechanistic information, gained from stoichiometric as well as computational studies, reveal the open‐shell π‐arene complex to have a BDFE_C‐H value of ≈50 kcal mol^?1, roughly equal to the BDFE_Fe‐H of its Fe^III?H precursor (ΔG°≈0 between them). Markedly, this reactivity differs from related Fe(η⁵‐Cp/Cp*) compounds, for which terminal Fe^III?H cations are isolable and have been structurally characterized, highlighting the effect of a benzannulated ring (indene). Overall, this study provides a structural, thermochemical, and mechanistic foundation for the characterization of indenide/indene PCET precursors and outlines a valuable approach for the differentiation of a ring‐ versus a metal‐bound H‐atom by way of continuous‐wave (CW) and pulse EPR (HYSCORE) spectroscopic measurements.     

Cyclohexanehexone with Ultrahigh Capacity as Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Organic carbonyl compounds show potential as cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) but the limited capacities (<600 mA h g^?1) and high solubility in electrolyte restrict their further applications. Herein we report the synthesis and application of cyclohexanehexone (C₆O₆), which exhibits an ultrahigh capacity of 902 mA h g^?1 with an average voltage of 1.7 V at 20 mA g^?1 in LIBs (corresponding to a high energy density of 1533 Wh kg^?1 ). A preliminary cycling test shows that C₆O₆ displays a capacity retention of 82 % after 100 cycles at 50 mA g^?1 because of the limited solubility in high‐polarity ionic liquid electrolyte. Furthermore, the combination of DFT calculations and experimental techniques, such as Raman and IR spectroscopy, demonstrates the electrochemical active C=O groups during discharge and charge processes.