Matrix Infrared Spectroscopy and Quantum‐Chemical Calculations for the Coinage‐Metal Fluorides: Comparisons of Ar?AuF,Ne?AuF,and Molecules MF2 and MF3

The reactions of laser‐ablated Au, Ag, and Cu atoms with F₂ in excess argon and neon gave new absorptions in the M? F stretching region of their IR spectra, which were assigned to metal‐fluoride species. For gold, a Ng? AuF bond was identified in mixed neon/argon samples. However, this bonding was much weaker with AgF and CuF. Molecules MF₂ and MF₃ (M=Au, Ag, Cu) were identified from the isotopic distribution of the Cu and Ag atoms, comparison of the frequencies for three metal fluorides, and theoretical frequency calculations. The AuF₅ molecule was characterized by its strongest stretching mode and theoretical frequency calculations. Additional evidence was observed for the formation of the Au₂F₆ molecule.     

A Convenient and Selective Palladium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols

An efficient procedure for the oxidation of primary and secondary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones, respectively, with molecular oxygen under ambient conditions has been achieved. By applying catalytic amounts of Pd(OAc)₂ in the presence of tertiary phosphine oxides (O?PR₃) as ligands, a variety of substrates are selectively oxidized without formation of ester byproducts. Spectroscopic investigations and DFT calculations suggest stabilization of the active palladium(II) catalyst by phosphine oxide ligands.     

Determination of rhenium and osmium complexes by surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization coupled to Orbitrap mass analyzer

A surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization (SALDI) source is coupled to the Orbitrap mass analyzer; the instrumental approach is tested for the analysis of rhenium (Re) and osmium (Os) complexes with 8-mercaptoquinoline. Silicon (Si) material obtained by laser treatment of monocrystalline Si is used as SALDI substrate. All studied complexes are detected as radical cations, with no protonated molecules. The comparison of SALDI, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), and direct laser desorption/ionization (LDI) on metal plates in the same instrumental setup demonstrated that the detection of the studied complexes using SALDI provides the highest sensitivity. The ability to analyze samples rapidly, high purity of spectra, and good analytical parameters make SALDI coupled to the Orbitrap mass analyzer a potentially powerful tool for the detection of Re and Os complexes and related organic, UV-absorbing compounds.

X‐Band DNP Hyperpolarization of Viscous Liquids and Polymer Melts

NMR studies of synthetic polymers and biomacromolecules, which provide insight into the conformation and dynamics of these materials, can benefit strongly from the increased sensitivity offered by dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and other hyperpolarizing methods. In this study ¹H DNP nuclear spin hyperpolarization of two polybutadiene samples, representing a supercooled liquid and an entangled polymer melt, is demonstrated at 0.35 T magnetic field strength and at temperatures between −80 and +50 °C. Electron spin polarization transfer from the α,γ‐bisdiphenylene‐β‐phenylallyl radical to the sample nuclei is achieved by the Overhauser and solid effect. DNP signal enhancements are studied, varying the electron spin resonance offset, microwave power, and sample temperature. The influence of spin relaxation times, line widths, and molecular dynamics are discussed. The results show promising, up to 15‐fold NMR signal enhancements using noncryogenic temperatures and an inexpensive setup that is less technically demanding than current high‐field DNP setups.

     

Pyrimidoquinazolinophenanthroline Opens Next Chapter in Design of Bridging Ligands for Artificial Photosynthesis**

The synthesis and detailed characterization of a new Ru polypyridine complex containing a heteroditopic bridging ligand with previously unexplored metal-metal distances is presented. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). The localization of the initially optically excited and the nature of the long-lived excited states on the Ru-facing ligand spheres is evaluated by resonance Raman and fs-TA spectroscopy, respectively, and supported by DFT and TDDFT calculations. Coordination of a second metal (Zn or Rh) to the available bis-pyrimidyl-like coordination sphere strongly influences the frontier orbitals, apparent by, for example, luminescence quenching. Thus, the new bridging ligand motif offers electronic properties, which can be adjusted by the nature of the second metal center. Using the heterodinuclear Ru−Rh complex, visible light-driven reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH was achieved, highlighting the potential of this system for photocatalytic applications.     

Insights on the Lewis Superacid Al(OTeF5)3: Solvent Adducts,Characterization and Properties**

Preparation and characterization of the dimeric Lewis superacid [Al(OTeF₅)₃]₂ and various solvent adducts is presented. The latter range from thermally stable adducts to highly reactive, weakly bound species. DFT calculations on the ligand affinity of these Lewis acids were performed in order to rank their remaining Lewis acidity. An experimental proof of the Lewis acidity is provided by the reaction of solvent-adducts of Al(OTeF₅)₃ with [PPh₄][SbF₆] and OPEt₃, respectively. Furthermore, their reactivity towards chloride and pentafluoroorthotellurate salts as well as (CH₃)₃SiCl and (CH₃)₃SiF is shown. This includes the formation of the dianion [Al(OTeF₅)₅]²⁻.     

Radical C−H Trifluoromethoxylation of (Hetero)arenes with Bis(trifluoromethyl)peroxide

Trifluoromethoxylated (hetero)arenes are of great interest for several disciplines, especially in agro- and medicinal chemistry. Radical C−H trifluoromethoxylation of (hetero)arenes represents an attractive approach to prepare such compounds, but the high cost and low atom economy of existing ^. OCF₃ radical sources make them unsuitable for the large-scale synthesis of trifluoromethoxylated building blocks. Herein, we introduce bis(trifluoromethyl)peroxide (BTMP, CF₃OOCF₃) as a practical and efficient trifluoromethoxylating reagent that is easily accessible from inexpensive bulk chemicals. Using either visible light photoredox or TEMPO catalysis, trifluoromethoxylated arenes could be prepared in good yields under mild conditions directly from unactivated aromatics. Moreover, TEMPO catalysis allowed for the one-step synthesis of valuable pyridine derivatives, which have been previously prepared via multi-step approaches.     

Matrix Isolation Spectroscopic and Relativistic Quantum Chemical Study of Molecular Platinum Fluorides PtFn (n=1–6) Reveals Magnetic Bistability of PtF4

Molecular platinum fluorides PtF_n, n=1–6, are prepared by two different routes, photo-initiated fluorine elimination from PtF₆ embedded in solid noble-gas matrices, and the reaction of elemental fluorine with laser-ablated platinum atoms. IR spectra of the reaction products isolated in rare-gas matrices under cryogenic conditions provide, for the first time, experimental vibrational frequencies of molecular PtF₃, PtF₄ and PtF₅. Photolysis of PtF₆ enabled a highly efficient and almost quantitative formation of molecular PtF₄, whereas both PtF₅ and PtF₃ were formed simultaneously by subsequent UV irradiation of PtF₄. The vibrational spectra of these molecular platinum fluorides were assigned with the help of one- and two-component quasirelativistic DFT computation to account for scalar relativistic and spin–orbit coupling effects. Competing Jahn-Teller and spin–orbit coupling effects result in a magnetic bistability of PtF₄, for which a spin-triplet (³B_2g, D_2h) coexists with an electronic singlet state (¹A_1g, D_4h) in solid neon matrices.