Ammonia Activation by a Nickel NCN‐Pincer Complex featuring a Non‐Innocent N‐Heterocyclic Carbene: Ammine and Amido Complexes in Equilibrium

A Ni⁰‐NCN pincer complex featuring a six‐membered N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) central platform and amidine pendant arms was synthesized by deprotonation of its Ni^II precursor. It retained chloride in the square‐planar coordination sphere of nickel and was expected to be highly susceptible to oxidative addition reactions. The Ni⁰ complex rapidly activated ammonia at room temperature, in a ligand‐assisted process where the carbene carbon atom played the unprecedented role of proton acceptor. For the first time, the coordinated (ammine) and activated (amido) species were observed together in solution, in a solvent‐dependent equilibrium. A structural analysis of the Ni complexes provided insight into the highly unusual, non‐innocent behavior of the NHC ligand.     

Reactions of Polyarsenides with Acetylene: Synthesis and Characterization of [Cs([18]crown‐6)]2As7C14H11·6NH3 and As2C6H6

The reaction of Cs₃As₇ with diphenylacetylene in the presence of 18 crown‐6 in liquid ammonia results in the formation of the new compound [Cs( 18 crown‐6)]₂As₇C₁₄H₁₁ · 6NH₃, which crystallizes in black monoclinic crystals. It contains the first monosubstituated heptaarsenide anion with a hydrocarbon‐only substituent and theoretical calculations show a significant influence of the organic substituent on the electronic structure within the cage. The (Z)‐1, 2‐diphenylethenyl‐heptaarsenide di‐anion can be seen as the first step towards the formation of 1, 2,3‐triarsolides. Further experiments regarding the reaction of Rb₃As₁₁ and Cs₃As₁₁ with acetylene gas in liquid ammonia reveal the formation of the diarsabarrelene As₂C₆H₆, which crystallizes as colorless orthorhombic crystals. Calculations based on the structural data obtained by X‐ray crystallography show the electronically inert character of the arsenic lone pair.     

Selective Probing of Gaseous Ammonia Using Red‐Emitting Carbon Dots Based on an Interfacial Response Mechanism

Solid‐state fluorescence sensing is one of the most appealing detection techniques because of its simplicity and convenience in practical operation. Herein, we report the development of a red‐emitting carbon dots (RCDs)‐based material as a solid‐state fluorescence sensor for the selective probing of gaseous ammonia. The RCDs were prepared by a low‐cost, one‐step carbonization method using sugar cane bagasse as the carbon precursor. The pristine RCDs were then directly coated on polyvinylidene fluoride membrane to produce a new fluorescence sensor capable of selectively distinguishing toxic gaseous ammonia from other analyte vapors through sensitive fluorescence quenching with a low detection limit. More importantly, the interfacial response mechanism occurring on the surface of the RCDs has been studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman measurements. The results indicate that fluorescence quenching in the RCDs might result from ammonia‐induced Michael addition through insertion of N into the C?C group and deprotonation of the carboxyl group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report that provides clear insight into the mechanism of surface chemistry on CDs in the solid state.     

含有二维十二核水簇的银配合物的合成及结构表征

以Hpda[3-(3-吡啶基)乙烯酸]为配体、AgNO_3为金属源,常温下合成了一个新颖的Ag配合物[Ag_2(pda)_2(H_2O)_3]n.通过往AgNO_3和Hpda的悬浊液中滴加氨水,室温下随着氨水的挥发澄清液中析出无色的晶体,所得产物经红外、XRD及热重表征.该分子中含有2个Ag中心,每个Ag中心通过pda配体及Ag—Ag键相连形成花生形状的一维链,该链进一步被Ag—Ag键连接形成双链结构.游离的水分子之间相互作用形成二维层状水簇,呈有趣的L4(4)12(8)形状.水分子与pda配体中的羧基氧通过氢键相互作用,将一维双链延伸成三维网络结构.     

Facile transformation of esters to nitriles

Various esters were efficiently converted into the corresponding nitriles in good yields by the treatment with sodium diisobutyl-tert-butoxyaluminium hydride (SDBBA-H), followed by treatment with molecular iodine in aq ammonia. The present one-pot method is very efficient and practical for the conversion of various aromatic and aliphatic esters into the corresponding nitriles.     

The Complex Amide K2[Zr(NH2)6]

We present the low‐temperature synthesis of potassium hexaamido zirconate(IV) from the transition metal tetrafluoride and thealkali metal dissolved in liquid ammonia at –40 °C. Potassium hexaamido zirconate(IV) K₂[Zr(NH₂)₆] is the first ternary amide reported for elements of group 4 of the periodic table It crystallizes with a novel structure type in the trigonal space group R$\bar{3}$ c with a = 6.5422(2) Å, c = 32.824(2) Å, V = 1216.66(9) Å³, Z = 6 and c/a = 5.017. The structure can be derived from the K₂PtCl₆ type. The compound contains discrete D₃‐symmetric [Zr(NH₂)₆]^2– anions which differ significantly from octahedral shape. Quantum chemical calculations show the distortion to arise from a splitting of degenerate d‐orbitals on the zirconium atom leading to a significant gain in energy.     

Oxidative fragmentation of oxiranes to nitriles with hypervalent iodine(V) reagents in aqueous ammonia

Oxiranes undergo oxidative fragmentation when treated with hypervalent iodine(V) reagents particularly o-iodoxybenzoic acid in aqueous ammonia to give nitriles. The reaction goes via the formation of 1, 2-amino alcohols as intermediates followed by C-C bond cleavage.     

The route to a feasible hydrogen-storage material: MOFs versus ammonia borane

The replacement of fossil fuels is one of the greatest challenges that chemistry and material sciences will have to face in the near future. While hydrogen seems to be the most likely candidate for this, a material able to store the hydrogen itself is sorely needed. Intense research in the past decade has narrowed down the field of possible concepts to two materials: ammonia borane with chemically bound hydrogen atoms and metal-organic frameworks with physisorbed hydrogen molecules. Herein we want to give an overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each concept, discuss the challenges that need to be overcome, and try to compare the future capabilities of these two materials.     

A novel way to synthesize Pb nanotapes in liquid ammonia

Lead nanotapes were synthesized in liquid ammonia solvent in the presence of sodium metal at low temperature.The process was template free.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) observations and X-ray diffraction(XRD) characterizations revealed that the as-prepared Pb nanotapes have average diameters in the range of 40-50 nm.and lengths up to several hundred nanometers, and exhibit cubic crystal structures.