Enhanced 1T′-Phase Stabilization and Chemical Reactivity in a MoTe2 Monolayer through Contact with a 2D Ca2N Electride

Among the widely studied 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), MoTe₂ has attracted special interest for phase-change applications due to its small 2H-1T′ energy difference, yet a large scale phase transition without structural disruption remains a significant challenge. Recently, an interesting long-range phase engineering of MoTe₂ has been realized experimentally by Ca₂N electride. However, the interface formed between them has not been well understood, and moreover, it remains elusive how the presence of Ca₂N would affect the basal plane reactivity of MoTe₂. To address this, we performed density functional theory (DFT) calculations to investigate the potential of tuning the phase stability and chemical reactivity of a MoTe₂ monolayer via interacting with Ca₂N to form a van der Walls heterostructure. We found that the contact nature at the 2H-MoTe₂/Ca₂N interface is Schottky-barrier-free, allowing for the spontaneous electron transfer from Ca₂N to 2H-MoTe₂ to make it strongly n-type doped. Moreover, Ca₂N doping significantly lowers the energy of 1T′-MoTe₂ and dynamically triggers the 2H-to-1T′ transformation. The Ca₂N-induced phase modulation can also be applied to tune the phase energetics of MoS₂ and MoSe₂. Furthermore, using H adsorption as the testing ground, we also find that the H binding on the basal plane of MoTe₂ is enhanced after forming heterostructure with Ca₂N, potentially providing basis for surface modification and other related catalytic applications.     

Assessing the nucleophilic character of 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles through coupling with 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan: Experimental and theoretical approaches based on structure-reactivity relationships

A kinetic study of the reactions of potentially bioactive 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles with highly reactive 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (DNBF) is reported herein in acetonitrile solution. The complexation reaction was followed by recording the UV–vis spectra with time at λ_max = 482 nm. Electronic effects of substituents influencing the rate of reaction have been studied using structure-reactivity relationships. It is shown that the Hammett plot relative to the reaction of DNBF with 2-amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl)thiazole exhibit positive deviation from the log k₁ versus σ correlation, while it showed excellent linear correlation in terms of Yukawa–Tsuno equation. It has be noticed that the nonlinear Hammett plot observed for 2-amino-4-(4-chlorophenyl) thiazole is not attributed to a change in rate-determining step but is due to nature of electronic effect of substituent caused by the resonance of stabilization of substrates. The second-order rate constant (k₁) relating to the bond C–C and C-N forming step of the complexation processes of DNBF with 4-substituted-aminothiazoles and 2-amino-5-methyl-4-phenylthiazole, respectively, is fit into the linear relationship log k = s_N (N + E), thereby permitting the assessment of the nucleophilicity parameter (N) of the 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles of the range (4.90 < N < 6.85). 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles is subsequently ranked by positioning its reactivity on the general nucleophilicity scale developed recently by Mayr and coworkers (2003) leading an interesting and a direct comparison over a large domain of π-, σ -, and n-nucleophiles. The global electrophilicity/nucleophilicity reactivity indexes of the 2-amino-4-arylthiazoles have been investigated by means of a density functional theory (DFT) method. .     

Terpolymerization of Triisopropylsilyl Acrylate,Methyl Methacrylate,and Butyl Acrylate: Reactivity Ratio Estimation

Ternary monomer reactivity ratios of triisopropylsilyl acrylate (SiA), methyl methacrylate (MMA), and n‐butyl acrylate (BA), as common monomers in self‐polishing coatings (SPCs) binders are obtained using experimental data collected from free radical bulk polymerization at 70 °C. Different terpolymerizations at low and medium‐high conversions are performed at optimized feed compositions. Estimations are made using the error‐in‐variables model (EVM) framework, applying the recast form of the Alfrey–Goldfinger (AG) model and a direct numerical integration (DNI) approach to the collected data. Estimations from individual low and medium‐high conversion data are compared to those found with the combined data (full conversion range data). The highest certainty in point estimates are obtained with analysis of the full conversion range data. Furthermore, the reactivity ratios determined from the combined data fall between those found with analysis of individual low and medium‐high conversion data, another corroboration of reliable data collection. Reactivity ratios determined from analysis of the combined data (r_SiA/MMA = 0.4185, r_MMA/SiA = 1.3754, r_SiA/BA = 0.8739, r_BA/SiA = 0.5736, r_BA/MMA = 0.3692, r_MMA/BA = 1.7919) are used in the recast AG model to predict cumulative terpolymer composition as a function of conversion. The experimental data and model prediction show satisfactory agreement.     

NMR Reveals That a Highly Reactive Nonheme FeIV=O Complex Retains Its Six-Coordinate Geometry and S=1 State in Solution

The [Fe^IV(O)(Me₃NTB)]²⁺ (Me₃NTB=tris[(1-methyl-benzimidazol-2-yl)methyl]amine) complex 1 has been shown by Mössbauer spectroscopy to have an S=1 ground state at 4 K, but is proposed to become an S=2 trigonal-bipyramidal species at higher temperatures based on a DFT model to rationalize its very high C−H bond-cleavage reactivity. In this work, ¹H NMR spectroscopy was used to determine that 1 does not have C₃-symmetry in solution and is not an S=2 species. Our results show that 1 is unique among nonheme Fe^IV=O complexes in retaining its S=1 spin state and high reactivity at 193 K, providing evidence that S=1 Fe^IV=O complexes can be as reactive as their S=2 counterparts. This result emphasizes the need to identify factors besides the ground spin state of the Fe^IV=O center to rationalize nonheme oxoiron(IV) reactivity.     

Redox and Coordination Behavior of the Hexaphosphabenzene Ligand in [(Cp*Mo)2(μ,η6:η6‐P6)] Towards the “Naked” Cations Cu+, Ag+, and Tl+

Although the cyclo‐P₆ complex [(Cp*Mo)₂(μ,η⁶:η⁶‐P₆)] ( 1 ) was reported 30 years ago, little is known about its chemistry. Herein, we report a high‐yielding synthesis of 1 , the complex 2 , which contains an unprecedented cyclo‐P₁₀ ligand, and the reactivity of 1 towards the “naked” cations Cu⁺, Ag⁺, and Tl⁺. Besides the formation of the single oxidation products 3 a,b which have a bisallylic distorted cyclo‐P₆ middle deck, the [M( 1 )₂]⁺ complexes are described which show distorted square‐planar (M=Cu( 4 a ), Ag( 4 b )) or distorted tetrahedral coordinated (M=Cu( 5 )) M⁺ cations. The choice of solvent enabled control over the reaction outcome for Cu⁺, as proved by powder XRD and supported by DFT calculations. The reaction with Tl⁺ affords a layered two‐dimensional coordination network in the solid state.     

3‐(Pyridin‐4‐yl)acetylacetone: CdII and HgII compete for nitrogen coordination

3‐(Pyridin‐4‐yl)acetylacetone (HacacPy) acts as a pyridine‐type ligand towards Cd^II and Hg^II halides. With CdBr₂, the one‐dimensional polymer [Cd(μ‐Br)₂(HacacPy)Cd(μ‐Br)₂(HacacPy)₂]_∞ is obtained in which five‐ and six‐coordinated Cd^II cations alternate in the chain direction. Reaction of HacacPy with HgBr₂ results in [Hg(μ‐Br)Br(HacacPy)]_∞, a polymer in which each Hg^II centre is tetracoordinated. In both compounds, each metal(II) cation is N‐coordinated by at least one HacacPy ligand. Equimolar reaction between these Cd^II and Hg^II derivatives, either conducted in ethanol as solvent or via grinding in the solid state, leads to ligand redistribution and the formation of the well‐ordered bimetallic polymer catena‐poly[[bromidomercury(II)]‐μ‐bromido‐[aquabis[4‐hydroxy‐3‐(pyridin‐4‐yl)pent‐3‐en‐2‐one]cadmium(II)]‐di‐μ‐bromido], [CdHgBr₄(C₁₀H₁₁NO₂)₂(H₂O)]_n or [{HgBr}(μ‐Br){(HacacPy)₂Cd(H₂O)}(μ‐Br)₂]_∞. Hg^II and Cd^II cations alternate in the [100] direction. The HacacPy ligands do not bind to the Hg^II cations, which are tetracoordinated by three bridging and one terminal bromide ligand. The Cd^II centres adopt an only slightly distorted octahedral coordination. Three bromide ligands link them in a (2 + 1) pattern to neighbouring Hg^II atoms; two HacacPy ligands in a cis configuration, acting as N‐atom donors, and a terminal aqua ligand complete the coordination sphere. Classical O—H…Br hydrogen bonds stabilize the polymeric chain. O—H…O hydrogen bonds between aqua H atoms and the uncoordinated carbonyl group of an HacacPy ligand in a neighbouring strand in the c direction link the chains into layers in the (010) plane.     

Analyzing Reaction Rates with the Distortion/Interaction‐Activation Strain Model

The activation strain or distortion/interaction model is a tool to analyze activation barriers that determine reaction rates. For bimolecular reactions, the activation energies are the sum of the energies to distort the reactants into geometries they have in transition states plus the interaction energies between the two distorted molecules. The energy required to distort the molecules is called the activation strain or distortion energy. This energy is the principal contributor to the activation barrier. The transition state occurs when this activation strain is overcome by the stabilizing interaction energy. Following the changes in these energies along the reaction coordinate gives insights into the factors controlling reactivity. This model has been applied to reactions of all types in both organic and inorganic chemistry, including substitutions and eliminations, cycloadditions, and several types of organometallic reactions.