Unified reciprocity of dithiophosphate by dichalcogenophosph(in)ate ligands on copper hydride nanoclusters via ligand exchange reaction

A structural study of ligand exchange on chalcogen‐passivated copper nanoclusters is far less developed. Herein, we report the synthesis of polyhydrido copper nanoclusters [Cu₂₀H₁₁{Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂}₉] ( 2 ) passivated by Se‐donor ligands via ligand replacement reaction on [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁱPr)₂}₉] ( 1 ) with NH₄[Se₂P(O ⁱBu)₂]. In parallel to the synthesis of 2 , cluster [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(CH₂CH₂Ph)₂}₉] ( 4 ) was produced by the ligand exchange reaction on a new derivative of 1 , that is [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(O ⁿPr)₂}₉] ( 3 ). Solid state structures of both clusters 2 and 4 were unequivocally established by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies and cluster 4 epitomizes exceptional case to preserve both the shape and size of the nanocluster during the course of ligand exchange. Structurally precise cluster 2 is the second example where the copper hydride nanocluster is stabilized by Se‐donor ligands. The anatomy of 2 can be visualized as a twisted cuboctahedral Cu₁₃ core, two triangular faces of which are capped by a Cu₆ cupola and a single Cu atom along the C₃ rotational axis.     

[Cu32(H)20{S2P(OiPr)2}12]: The Largest Number of Hydrides Recorded in a Molecular Nanocluster by Neutron Diffraction

An air‐ and moisture‐stable nanoscale polyhydrido copper cluster [Cu₃₂(H)₂₀{S₂P(OiPr)₂}₁₂] ( 1_H ) was synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecular structure of 1_H exhibits a hexacapped pseudo‐rhombohedral core of 14 Cu atoms sandwiched between two nestlike triangular cupola fragments of (2×9) Cu atoms in an elongated triangular gyrobicupola polyhedron. The discrete Cu₃₂ cluster is stabilized by 12 dithiophosphate ligands and a record number of 20 hydride ligands, which were found by high‐resolution neutron diffraction to exhibit tri‐, tetra‐, and pentacoordinated hydrides in capping and interstitial modes. This result was further supported by a density functional theory investigation on the simplified model [Cu₃₂(H)₂₀(S₂PH₂)₁₂].     

Diselenophosphate‐Induced Conversion of an Achiral [Cu20H11{S2P(OiPr)2}9] into a Chiral [Cu20H11{Se2P(OiPr)2}9] Polyhydrido Nanocluster

A polyhydrido copper nanocluster, [Cu₂₀H₁₁{Se₂P(OiPr)₂}₉] ( 2_H ), which exhibits an intrinsically chiral inorganic core of C₃ symmetry, was synthesized from achiral [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(OiPr)₂}₉] ( 1_H ) of C_3h symmetry by a ligand‐exchange method. The structure has a distorted cuboctahedral Cu₁₃ core, two triangular faces of which are capped along the C₃ axis, one by a Cu₆ cupola and the other by a single Cu atom. The Cu₂₀ framework is further stabilized by 9 diselenophosphate and 11 hydride ligands. The number of hydride, phosphorus, and selenium resonances and their splitting patterns in multinuclear NMR spectra of 2_H indicate that the chiral Cu₂₀H₁₁ core retains its C₃ symmetry in solution. The 11 hydride ligands were located by neutron diffraction experiments and shown to be capping μ₃‐H and interstitial μ₅‐H ligands (in square‐pyramidal and trigonal‐bipyramidal cavities), as supported by DFT calculations on [Cu₂₀H₁₁(Se₂PH₂)₉] ( 2_H′ ) as a simplified model.     

Synthesis of Bimetallic Copper‐Rich Nanoclusters Encapsulating a Linear Palladium Dihydride Unit

The structurally precise Cu‐rich hydride nanoclusters [PdCu₁₄H₂(dtc/dtp)₆(C≡CPh)₆] (dtc: di‐butyldithiocarbamate ( 1 ); dtp: di‐isopropyl dithiophosphate ( 2 )) were synthesized from the reaction of polyhydrido copper clusters [Cu₂₈H₁₅(S₂CNⁿBu₂)₁₂]⁺ or [Cu₂₀H₁₁{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₉] with phenyl acetylene in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂. Their structures and compositions were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and the results supported by ESI‐mass spectrometry. Hydride positions in 1 were confirmed by single‐crystal neutron diffraction. Each hydride is connected to one Pd⁰ and four Cu^I atoms in slightly distorted trigonalbipyramidal geometry. The anatomies of clusters 1 and 2 are very similar and DFT calculations allow rationalizing the interactions between the encapsulated [PdH₂]^2? unit and its Cu₁₄ bicapped icosahedral cage. As a result, Pd has the highest coordination number (14) so far recorded.     

Hydride-containing 2-Electron Pd/Cu Superatoms as Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution

The first hydride-containing 2-electron palladium/copper alloys, [PdHCu₁₁{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆(C≡CPh)₄] ( PdHCu₁₁ ) and [PdHCu₁₂{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₅{S₂PO(OⁱPr)} (C≡CPh)₄] ( PdHCu₁₂ ), are synthesized from the reaction of [PdH₂Cu₁₄{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆(C≡CPh)₆] ( PdH₂Cu₁₄ ) with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA). X-ray diffraction reveals that the PdHCu₁₁ and PdHCu₁₂ kernels consist of a central PdH unit encapsulated within a vertex-missing Cu₁₁ cuboctahedron and complete Cu₁₂ cuboctahedron, respectively. DFT calculations indicate that both PdHCu₁₁ and PdHCu₁₂ can be considered as axially-distorted 2-electron superatoms. PdHCu₁₁ shows excellent HER activity, unprecedented within metal nanoclusters, with an onset potential of −0.05 V (at 10 mA cm⁻²), a Tafel slope of 40 mV dec⁻¹, and consistent HER activity during 1000 cycles in 0.5 M H₂SO₄. Our study suggests that the accessible central Pd site is the key to HER activity and may provide guidelines for correlating catalyst structures and HER activity.     

Eight‐Electron Silver and Mixed Gold/Silver Nanoclusters Stabilized by Selenium Donor Ligands

The first atomically and structurally precise silver‐nanoclusters stabilized by Se‐donor ligands, [Ag₂₀{Se₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂] ( 3 ) and [Ag₂₁{Se₂P(OEt)₂}₁₂]⁺( 4 ), were isolated by ligand replacement reaction of [Ag₂₀{S₂P(Oⁱ Pr)₂}₁₂] ( 1 ) and [Ag₂₁{S₂P(Oⁱ Pr)₂}₁₂]⁺ ( 2 ), respectively. Furthermore, doping reactions of 4 with Au(PPh₃)Cl resulted in the formation of [AuAg₂₀{Se₂P(OEt)₂}₁₂]⁺ ( 5 ). Structures of 3 , 4 , and 5 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The anatomy of cluster 3 with an Ag₂₀ core having C ₃ symmetry is very similar to that of its dithiophosphate analogue 1 . Clusters 4 and 5 exhibit an Ag₂₁ and Au@Ag₂₀ core of O_h symmetry composed of eight silver capping atoms in a cubic arrangement and encapsulating an Ag₁₃ and Au@Ag₁₂ centered icosahedron, respectively. Both ligand exchange and heteroatom doping result in significant changes in optical and emissive properties for chalcogen‐passivated silver nanoparticles, which have been theoretically confirmed as 8‐electron superatoms.     

Polynuclear thallium(I) N,N-cyclo-hexamethylenedithiocarbamate [Tl2{S2CN(CH2)6}2]n: Chemisorption properties and copper(II) fixation modes

The Cu²⁺ sorption properties of the polynuclear thallium(I) N,N-cyclo-hexamethylenedithiocarbamate complex [Tl₂{S₂CN(CH₂)₆}₂]n (I) are reported. The sorption capacity of the complex is ∼67 mg/g. According to EPR data, freshly precipitated I binds copper from the aqueous phase by chemisorption, which results in the formation of the β-form of the paramagnetic trinuclear complex [CuTl₂{S₂CN(CH₂)₆}₄] (containing a small amount of its α-form). Scanning electron microscopic data indicate cardinal reformation of the chemisorbent particles upon copper(II) sorption, including changes in the particle shape and size.     

Octanuclear Cu(I)‐dithiophosphates: An Efficient Catalyst System for N‐Arylation of Azoles,Amines, and Amides

The formation of a C‐N bond via the cross‐couplings of aryl iodides with azoles, aryl amine, and amides can be successfully achieved in decent yield by the utilization of both [Cu ₈(H){S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆]⁺ and [Cu₈{S₂P(OEt)₂}₆]²⁺ as the pre‐catalysts.     

Bis(homoleptische) vs. heteroleptische Kupfer(I)-Komplexe: Elektrosynthese,Spektroskopie und Kristallstruktur von {[Cu(BIK)2]+}2{[Cu4(SR)6]2−} · 3(CH3CN) · (RSH); BIK = Bis(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)keton,R = o-Tolyl

Bis(homoleptic) vs. Heteroleptic Copper(I) Complexes: Electrosynthesis, Spectroscopy, and Crystal Structure of {[Cu(BIK)₂]⁺}₂{[Cu₄(SR)₆]^2?} · 3(CH₃CN) · (RSH); BIK = Bis(2-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone, R = o-Tolyl Anodic oxidation of copper in acetonitrile/2 mM tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and in the presence of bis(N-methylimidazol-2-yl)ketone (BIK) and excess o-thiocresol RSH yields the title compound as main product. Whereas the dianionic cluster [Cu₄(SR)₆]^2? is similar to previously reported such species with R = phenyl or methyl, the purple cations [Cu(BIK)₂]⁺ exhibit spectroscopic and structural effects of π back bonding between electron-rich Cu¹ and the π acceptor ligand BIK. In contrast to the formally related [Zn(BIK)₂]²⁺, the copper(I) complex cations exhibit distorted tetrahedral structures with almost coplanar BIK chelate arrangements which ensures maximum metal-ligand π interaction.     

Functionalization of [Ge9] with Small Silanes:[Ge9(SiR3)3]– (R = iBu,iPr, Et) and the Structures of (CuNHCDipp)[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}3], (K‐18c6)Au[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}3]2, and (K‐18c6)2[Ge9{Si(iBu)3}2]

Novel silylation reactions at [Ge₉] Zintl clusters starting from the chlorosilanes SiR₃Cl (R = iBu, iPr, Et) and the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉ are reported. The formation of the tris‐silylated anions [Ge₉(SiR₃)₃]^– [R = iBu ( 1a ), iPr ( 1b ), Et ( 1c )] by heterogeneous reactions in acetonitrile was monitored by ESI‐MS measurements. For R = iBu ¹H, ¹³C and ²⁹Si NMR experiments confirmed the exclusive formation of 1a . Subsequent reactions of 1a with CuNHC^DippCl and Au(PPh₃)Cl result in formation of the neutral metal complex (CuNHC^Dipp)[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]·0.5 tol ( 2 ·0.5 tol) and the metal bridged dimeric unit {Au[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]₂}^– ( 3a ), isolated as a (K‐18c6)⁺ salt in (K‐18c6)Au[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₃]₂·tol ( 3 ·tol), respectively. Finally, from a toluene/hexane solution of 1a in presence of 18‐crown‐6, crystals of the compound (K‐18c6)₂[Ge₉{Si(iBu)₃}₂]·tol ( 4 ·tol), containing the bis‐silylated cluster anion [Ge₉(Si(iBu)₃)₂]^2– ( 4a ), were obtained. The compounds 2 ·0.5 tol, 3 ·tol and 4 ·tol were characterized by single‐crystal structure determination.     

A family of three-dimensional porous coordination polymers with general formula (Kat)2[{M(H2O)n}3{Re6Q8(CN)6}2]·xH2O (Q=S, Se; n=1.5, 2)

The X-ray crystal structures of a series of new compounds (H₃O)₂[{Mn(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·19H₂O (1), (Me₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·13H₂O (2), (Me₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)_1.5}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·3H₂O (3), (Et₄N)₂[{Mn(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆Se₈(CN)₆}₂]·6.5H₂O (4), (Et₄N)₂[{Ni(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·6.5H₂O (5), and (Et₄N)₂[{Co(H₂O)₂}₃{Re₆S₈(CN)₆}₂]·10H₂O (6) are reported. All six compounds are isostructural crystallizing in cubic space group with four formulae per unit cell. For compounds 1, 3-5 the following parameters were found: (1) a=19.857(2) Å, R1=0.0283; (3 at 150 K) a=19.634(1) Å, R1=0.0572; (4) a=20.060(2) Å, R1=0.0288; (5) a=19.697(2) Å, R1=0.0224. The structures consist three-dimensional cyano-bridged framework formed by cyano cluster anions [Re₆Q₈(CN)₆]⁴⁻, Q=S, Se and transition metal cations, M²⁺=Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺. Water molecules and large organic cations Me₄N⁺ and Et₄N⁺ are included in cavities of this framework. Porosity of the framework, its ability to accommodate different cations and water molecules by little changes in the structure, as well as distortion of coordination framework under loss of water of crystallization is discussed.     

Dinuclear Molybdenum(II) Complexes with Thioether Functionalized Silylamide Ligands

Treatment of molybdenum(II) acetate with thioether functionalized silylamides R₂Si(NLi-C₆H₄–2-SR')₂ leads to the formation of dinuclear Mo^II complexes [Mo₂{R₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SR')₂}₂]. According to X-ray crystal structure analyses the complexes [Mo₂{Me₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SMe)₂}₂] and [Mo₂{Ph₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SPh)₂}₂] comprise a Mo₂-unit which is coordinated by two μ-κ-N,N' silylamide ligands. The coordination sphere around the molybdenum atoms consists of two amide nitrogen atoms and two thioether sulfur atoms in a distorted square-planar arrangement. The Mo-Mo distances are 211.0(1) and 211.7(1) pm, resp. In the complex [Mo₂{Ph₂Si(NC₆H₄-2-SMe)₂}₂] the silyl amide units act as tetradentate κ-N,N',S,S'chelating ligands and the Mo-Mo distance is 218.6(1) pm.     

[Ag21{S2P(OiPr)2}12]+: An Eight‐Electron Superatom

A novel discrete [Ag₂₁{S₂P(OiPr)₂}₁₂](PF₆) nanocluster has been synthesized and characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and also NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ³¹P), ESI mass spectrometry, and other analytic techniques (XPS, EDS, UV/Vis spectroscopy). The Ag₂₁ skeleton has an unprecedented silver‐centered icosahedron that is capped by eight additional metal atoms. The whole framework is protected by twelve dithiophosphate ligands. According to the spherical Jellium model, the stability of monocationic nanocluster can be described by an 8‐electron superatom with 1S² 1P⁶ configuration, as confirmed by DFT calculations.     

Identification of an Eight-Electron Superatomic Cluster and Its Alloy in One Co-crystal Structure

Herein we report a crystal structure of [Au_0.5Ag_0.5@Ag₂₀{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂](PF₆) [Cl@Ag₈{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₆](PF₆) (1), which compositions were supported by positive-mode electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The structural elucidation indicates that the encapsulated atom of an Ag₁₃ the entered icosahedron can be replaced by a gold atom. Surprisingly, the capping Ag atoms on the surface of an icosahedron in 1 reveal a different arrangement from the previously reported [Ag₂₁{S₂P(OⁱPr)₂}₁₂](PF₆) of C₃ symmetry. Besides, the preference for the central silver atom being oxidized by Au(I) is rationalized by the DFT calculations on three different computed [AuAg₂₀{S₂PH₂}₁₂]⁺ models having C₁, C₃, and T symmetry, respectively.     

Linking of CuI Units by Tetrahedral Mo2E2 Complexes (E=P,As)

The reaction of [Cp₂Mo₂(CO)₄(μ,η^2:2-E₂)] ( A : E=P, B : E=As, Cp=C₅H₅) with the WCA-containing Cu^I salts ([Cu(CH₃CN)₄][Al{OC(CF₃)₃}₄] (CuTEF, C ), [Cu(CH₃CN)₄][BF₄] ( D ) and [Cu(CH₃CN)_3.5][FAl{OC₆F₁₀(C₆F₅)}₃] (CuFAl, E )) affords seven unprecedented coordination compounds. Depending on the E₂ ligand complex, the counter anion of the copper salt and the stoichiometry, four dinuclear copper dimers and three trinuclear copper compounds are accessible. The latter complexes reveal first linear Cu₃ arrays linked by E₂ units (E=P, As) coordinated in an η^2:1:1 coordination mode. All compounds were characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analysis. To define the nature of the Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu⋅⋅⋅Cu interactions, DFT calculations were performed.     

Hypervalent Organoselenium(II) Compounds with Organophosphorus Ligands. Crystal and Molecular Structure of [2‐(iPr2NCH2)C6H4]Se[S2PR′2] (R′ = Ph,OiPr)

Redistribution reactions between diorganodiselenides of type [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]₂Se₂ [R = Et, iPr] and bis(diorganophosphinothioyl disulfanes of type [R′₂P(S)S]₂ (R = Ph, OiPr) resulted in the hypervalent [2‐(R₂NCH₂)C₆H₄]SeSP(S)R′₂ [R = Et, R′ = Ph ( 1 ), OiPr ( 2 ); R = iPr, R′ = Ph ( 3 ), OiPr ( 4 )] species. All new compounds were characterized by solution multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P, ⁷⁷Se) and the solid compounds 1 , 3 , and 4 also by FT‐IR spectroscopy. The crystal and molecular structures of 3 and 4 were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. In both compounds the N(1) atom is intramolecularly coordinated to the selenium atom, resulting in T‐shaped coordination arrangements of type (C,N)SeS. The dithio organophosphorus ligands act monodentate in both complexes, which can be described as essentially monomeric species. Weak intermolecular S ··· H contacts could be considered in the crystal of 3 , thus resulting in polymeric zig‐zag chains of R and S isomers, respectively.     

On the Reactivity of Silylated Ge9 Clusters: Synthesis and Characterization of [ZnCp*(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], [CuPiPr3(Ge9{Si(SiMe3)3}3)], and [(CuPiPr3)4{Ge9(SiPh3)2}2]

We report on the synthesis of new derivatives of silylated clusters of the type [Ge₉(SiR₃)₃]^? (R = SiMe₃, Me = CH₃; R = Ph, Ph = C₆H₅) as well as on their reactivity towards copper and zinc compounds. The silylated cluster compounds were synthesized by heterogeneous reactions starting from the Zintl phase K₄Ge₉. Reaction of K[Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃] with ZnCl₂ leads to the already known dimeric compound [Zn(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)₂] ( 1 ), whereas upon the reaction with [ZnCp*₂] the coordination of [ZnCp*]⁺ to the cluster takes place (Cp*=1,2,3,4,5‐pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) under the formation of [ZnCp*(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 2 ). A similar reaction leads to [CuPiPr₃(Ge₉{Si(SiMe₃)₃}₃)] ( 3 ) from [CuPiPr₃Cl] (iPr=isopropyl). Further we investigated the novel silylated cluster units [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₃]^? ( 4 ) and [Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]^? ( 5 ), which could be identified by mass spectroscopy. Bis‐ and tris‐silylated species can be synthesized by the respective stoichiometric reactions, and the products were characterized by ESI‐MS and NMR experiments. These clusters show rather different reactivity. The reaction of the tris‐silylated anion 4 with [CuPiPr₃Cl] leads to [(CuPiPr₃)₃Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂]⁺ as shown from NMR experiments and to [(CuPiPr₃)₄{Ge₉(SiPh₃)₂}₂] ( 6 ), which was characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Compound 6 shows a new type of coordination of the Cu atoms to the silylated Zintl clusters.     

The conformations of two copper(I) complexes of 1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione and thiosaccharinate

(Acetonitrile‐1κN)[μ‐1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione‐1:2κ²S:S][1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione‐2κS]bis(μ‐1,1‐dioxo‐1λ⁶,2‐benzothiazole‐3‐thiolato)‐1:2κ²S³:N;1:2κ²S³:S³‐dicopper(I)(Cu—Cu), [Cu₂(C₇H₄NO₂S₂)₂(C₇H₆N₂S)₂(CH₃CN)] or [Cu₂(tsac)₂(Sbim)₂(CH₃CN)] [tsac is thiosaccharinate and Sbim is 1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione], (I), is a new copper(I) compound that consists of a triply bridged dinuclear Cu—Cu unit. In the complex molecule, two tsac anions and one neutral Sbim ligand bind the metals. One anion bridges via the endocyclic N and exocyclic S atoms (μ‐S:N). The other anion and one of the mercaptobenzimidazole molecules bridge the metals through their exocyclic S atoms (μ‐S:S). The second Sbim ligand coordinates in a monodentate fashion (κS) to one Cu atom, while an acetonitrile molecule coordinates to the other Cu atom. The Cu^I—Cu^I distance [2.6286 (6) Å] can be considered a strong `cuprophilic' interaction. In the case of [μ‐1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione‐1:2κ²S:S]bis[1H‐benzimidazole‐2(3H)‐thione]‐1κS;2κS‐bis(μ‐1,1‐dioxo‐1λ⁶,2‐benzothiazole‐3‐thiolato)‐1:2κ²S³:N;1:2κ²S³:S³‐dicopper(I)(Cu—Cu), [Cu₂(C₇H₄NO₂S₂)₂(C₇H₆N₂S)₃] or [Cu₂(tsac)₂(Sbim)₃], (II), the acetonitrile molecule is substituted by an additional Sbim ligand, which binds one Cu atom via the exocylic S atom. In this case, the Cu^I—Cu^I distance is 2.6068 (11) Å.