Theoretical investigation into the structural, thermochemical, and electronic properties of the decathio[10]circulene

For the first time, a theoretical study has been performed on the prototypical decathio[10]circulene (C(20)S(10)) species, which is an analogue of the novel octathio[8]circulene "Sulflower" molecule (C(16)S(8)). Examinations of the singlet and triplet states of C(20)S(10) were made at the B3LYP/6-311G(d) level. Local minima of C(2) and C(s) symmetry were found for the lowest singlet and triplet states, respectively. The stability of C(20)S(10) was assessed by calculating the ΔH°(f) of C(16)S(8) and C(20)S(10) and the ΔH(o) for their decomposition into C(2)S units. Frontier molecular orbital plots show that structural adjacent steric factors along with the twist and strain orientations of C(20)S(10) do not disturb the aromatic π-delocalizing effects. In fact, C(20)S(10) maintains the same p(z) HOMO character as C(16)S(8). These similarities are further verified by density-of-states characterization. Calculated infrared spectra of C(16)S(8) and C(20)S(10) show broad similarities. Molecular electrostatic potential results reveal that eight of the peripheral sulfur atoms are the most electronegative atoms in the molecule, while the interior ten-membered ring exhibits virtually no electronegativity.     

Two modifications formed by "sulflower" C16S8 molecules, their study by XRD and optical spectroscopy (Raman, IR, UV-Vis) methods

Sublimation of sulflower, octathio[8]circulene C 16S 8 ( 1), on heating under high vacuum ( approximately 10 (-5) Torr) leads to successive formation of two modifications: a white film ( 1W) and a red polycrystalline solid ( 1R). When kept at room temperature for several weeks, 1W spontaneously turns pink, reflecting the monotropic phase transition 1W --> 1R. The accurate molecular and crystal structure of 1R has been studied using low-temperature (100 K) high-resolution single crystal X-ray analysis. The C 16S 8 molecule in crystal is strictly planar with nearly equalized bonds of each type (C-C, C-S, and CC). The point symmetry group of the free molecule is D 8 h , and the crystal space group is P2 1/ n. These data allowed group-theoretical analysis of vibrational normal modes to be accomplished. Investigation of the charge density distribution of 1R including Bader's AIM approach has revealed rather strong intermolecular S...S, S...C, and C...C interactions of charge transfer and pi-stacking types with overall lattice energy of 28.5 kcal/mol. The charge transfer due to the S...S interactions is the reason for the red coloration of 1R. The latter is reflected by its UV-vis spectrum exhibiting absorption bands in the visible region which are absent from that of 1W. Both modifications were studied comparatively by vibrational (Raman, IR) and electronic spectroscopies as well as XRD powder diffraction. All the results obtained are fully consistent and show that 1W is much less ordered than 1R with significantly weakened intermolecular interactions. Rationalizing of these results has led to an idea that 1W could be soluble, in contrast to 1R. Indeed, 1W appeared soluble in common solvents; this finding opens the way to the study of the chemistry of 1 and investigation of its electrooptical properties.     

Dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene: Synthesis,Characterization and Application in OLEDs

A soluble, green-blue fluorescent, π-extended azatrioxa[8]circulene was synthesized by oxidative condensation of a 3,6-dihydroxycarbazole and 1,4-anthraquinone by using benzofuran scaffolding. This is the first circulene to incorporate anthracene within its carbon framework. Solvent-dependent fluorescence and bright green electroluminescence accompanied by excimer emission are the key optical properties of this material. The presence of sliding π-stacked columns in the single crystal of dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene is found to cause a very high electron-hopping rate, thus making this material a promising n-type organic semiconductor with an electron mobility predicted to be around 2.26 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹. The best organic light-emitting diode (OLED) device based on the dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene fluorescent emitter has a brightness of around 16 000 Cd m⁻² and an external quantum efficiency of 3.3 %. Quantum dot-based OLEDs were fabricated by using dianthracenylazatrioxa[8]circulene as a host matrix material.     

MP2 and DFT calculations on circulenes and an attempt to prepare the second lowest benzolog, [4]circulene

MP2 and DFT calculations have been carried out for [n]circulenes for n=3 to 20 in order to predict the strain energy and topology of these cyclically condensed aromatic systems. To synthesise [4]circulene (2), 1,5,7,8-tetrakis(bromomethyl)biphenylene (14) was prepared from the corresponding tetramethyl derivative (8) and subjected to various dehalogenation reactions; all attempts to obtain [2.2]biphenylenophane (7) as a precursor for 2 by this route failed. Treatment of 14 with sodium sulfide furnished the thiaphanes 16 and 17, thermal and photochemical desulfurization of which also failed to provide 7. In a second approach [2.2]paracyclophane was converted to the pseudo-geminal dithiol 23, which was subsequently bridged to the thiaphanes 22 and 24. On flash vacuum pyrolysis at 800 degrees C these were converted exclusively into phenanthrene (30). An approach to dehydrochlorinate the commercial product PARYLENE C to the tetrahydro[4]circulene 7 led only to polymerisation. The X-ray structures of the intermediates 8, 14, 17, 23, 24, 26, and 35 are reported.     

Synthesis and Structural Data of Tetrabenzo[8]circulene

In 1976, the first attempted synthesis of the saddle‐shaped molecule [8]circulene was reported. The next 37 years produced no advancement towards the construction of this complicated molecule. But remarkably, over the last six months, a flurry of progress has been made with two groups reporting independent and strikingly different strategies for the synthesis of [8]circulene derivatives. Herein, we present a third synthetic method, in which we target tetrabenzo[8]circulene. Our approach employs a Diels–Alder reaction and a palladium‐catalyzed arylation reaction as the key steps. Despite calculations describing the instability of [8]circulene, coupled with the reported instability of synthesized derivatives of the parent molecule, the addition of four fused benzenoid rings around the periphery of the molecule provides a highly stable structure. This increased stability over the parent [8]circulene was predicted by using Clar’s theory of aromatic sextets and is a result of the compound becoming fully benzenoid upon incorporation of these additional rings. The synthesized compound exhibits remarkable stability under ambient conditions—even at elevated temperatures—with no signs of decomposition over several months. The solid‐state structure of this compound is significantly twisted compared to the calculated structure primarily as a result of crystal‐packing forces in the solid state. Despite this contortion from the lowest‐energy structure, a range of structural data is presented confirming the presence of localized aromaticity in this large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.     

Reactions of 16e CpCo half-sandwich complexes containing a chelating 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane-1,2-dichalcogenolate ligand with ethynylferrocene and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate

The reaction of the 16e half-sandwich complex [CpCo(S2C2B10H10)] (1S; Cp: cyclopentadienyl) with ethynylferrocene in CH2Cl2 at ambient temperature leads to [CpCo(S2C2B10H9)-(CH2CFc)] (2S; Fc: ferrocenyl) and 1,2,4-triferrocenylbenzene. In 2S, B substitution occurs at the carborane cage in the position B3/B6 with the formation of a C-B bond. In the presence of the protic solvent MeOH, 2S loses a CpCo fragment to generate [(CH2CFc)(S2C2B10H9)] (3S). On the other hand, 2S can take a free CpCo fragment to form [(CpCo)2(S2C2B9H8)-(CHCFc)] (4S) containing a nido-C2B9 unit. In sharp contrast, [CpCo-(Se2C2B10H10)] (1Se) does not react with the alkyne in CH2Cl2, but in MeOH [(CHCFc)(Se2C2B10H10)] (5Se) is generated without the presence of a CpCo unit. The reaction of 1 with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate at ambient temperature leads to insertion compounds [CpCo(E2C2B10H10){(MeO2C)-C=C(CO2Me)}] (6S, E=S; 6 Se, E=Se). Upon heating, 6S rearranges to two geometrical isomers [CpCo(S2C2B10H9){(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}] (7S) and [CpCo(S2C2B10H9){(MeO2C)-CHC(CO2Me)}] (8S). In both, B-H functionalization takes place at the carborane cage in the position B3/B6, but 7S is a 16e complex with an olefinic unit in a Z configuration, and 8S is an 18e complex containing an alkyl B-CH group. Further treatment of 7 S with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate at ambient temperature affords two B-disubstituted complexes at the carborane cage in the positions of the B3 and B6 sites, that is, [CpCo(S2C2-B10H8){(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}2] (9S) and [CpCo(S2C2B10H8){(MeO2C)-CHC(CO2Me)}{(MeO2C)C=CH-(CO2Me)}] (10S). Compound 9S is a 16e complex with two olefinic units in E/E configurations, whereas 10S is an 18e species containing both an olefinic substituent and an alkyl B--CH unit. The reaction of 7S with methyl acetylenemonocarboxylate at ambient temperature leads to the sole 16e compound [CpCo(S2C2B10H8){CH=CH(CO2Me)}-{(MeO2C)C=CH(CO2Me)}] (11S). In contrast, 6Se does not rearrange. All new complexes 2S-4S, 5Se, 6Se, and 7S-11S were characterized by NMR spectroscopy (1H, 11B, 13C) and X-ray structural analyses were performed for 2S-4S, 5Se, 6Se, and 7S-9S.     

Compressing a Non-Planar Aromatic Heterocyclic [7]Helicene to a Planar Hetero[8]Circulene

This work describes a synthetic approach where a non-planar aromatic heterocyclic [7]helicene is compressed to yield a hetero[8]circulene containing an inner antiaromatic cyclooctatetraene (COT) core. This [8]circulene consists of four benzene rings and four heterocyclic rings, and it is the first heterocyclic [8]circulene containing three different heteroatoms. The synthetic pathway proceeds via a the flattened dehydro-hetero[7]helicene, which is partially a helicene and partially a circulene: it is non-planar and helically chiral as helicenes, and contains a COT motif like [8]circulenes. The antiaromaticity of the COT core is confirmed by nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations. The planarization from a helically π-conjugated [7]helicene to a fully planar heterocyclic [8]circulene significantly alters the spectroscopic properties of the molecules. Post-functionalization of the [7]helicenes and the [8]circulenes by oxygenation of the thiophene rings to the corresponding thiophene-sulfones allows an almost complete fluorescence emission coverage of the visible region of the optical spectrum (400–700 nm).     

Molecular mechanics calculations on the structures and conformational properties of [8]circulene and some related phane compounds

Molecular mechanics calculations on [8]circulene and some related compounds have been performed in order to gain insight into the geometrical and conformational properties of these molecules [8]Circulene is predicted to undergo a facile “bond-shift” process between two saddle shaped conformations. The relation between the geometrical and conformational properties of 1 and 2 and the so far unsuccessful attempts to synthesize [8]circulene is discussed.     

Synthesis, structure and physical properties of the manganese(ii) selenide/selenolate cluster complexes [Mn(32)Se(14)(SePh)(36)(PnPr(3))(4)] and [Na(benzene-15-crown-5)(C(4)H(8)O)(2)](2)[Mn(8)Se(SePh)(16)

The synthesis, molecular structures, and magnetic and optical properties of [Mn(32)Se(14)(SePh)(36)(PnPr(3))(4)] and [Na(benzene-15-crown-5)(C(4)H(8)O)(2)](2)[Mn(8)Se(SePh)(16)] have been investigated which are the first examples of manganese chalcogenide cluster complexes, despite known manganese oxo compounds, which comprise more than four manganese atoms.     

Synthesis and reactions of group 6 metal half-sandwich complexes of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dichalcogenolates [(Cp*)M[E(2)C=C(CN)(2)](2)]-(M = Mo,W; E = S,Se)

A series of group 6 transition metal half-sandwich complexes with 1,1-dichalcogenide ligands have been prepared by the reactions of Cp*MCl(4)(Cp* = eta(5)-C(5)Me(5); M = Mo, W) with the potassium salt of 2,2-dicyanoethylene-1,1-dithiolate, (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mnt), or the analogous seleno compound, (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) (K(2)-i-mns). The reaction of Cp*MCl(4) with (KS)(2)C=C(CN)(2) in a 1:3 molar ratio in CH(3)CN gave rise to K[Cp*M(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (M = Mo, 1a, 74%; M = W, 2a, 46%). Under the same conditions, the reaction of Cp*MoCl(4) with 3 equiv of (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) afforded K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3a) and K[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))] (4) in respective yields of 45% and 25%. Cation exchange reactions of 1a, 2a, and 3a with Et(4)NBr resulted in isolation of (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (1b), (Et(4)N)[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (2b), and (Et(4)N)[Cp*Mo(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (3b), respectively. Complex 4 crystallized with one THF and one CH(3)CN molecule as a three-dimensional network structure. Inspection of the reaction of Cp*WCl(4) with (KSe)(2)C=C(CN)(2) by ESI-MS revealed the existence of three species in CH(3)CN, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-, and [Cp*W(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))(2)]-, of which [Cp*W(Se(2)C=C(CN)(2))(Se(Se(2))C=C(CN)(2))]-(5) was isolated as the main product. Treatment of 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in refluxing THF resulted in sulfur insertion and gave rise to K[Cp*W(S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(S(S(2))C=C(CN)(2))](6), which crystallized with two THF molecules forming a three-dimensional network structure. 6 can also be prepared by refluxing 2a with 1/4 equiv of S(8) in THF. 3a readily added one Se atom upon treatment with 1 mol of Se powder in THF to give 4 in high yield, while the treatment of 3a or 4 with 2 equiv of Na(2)Se in THF led to formation of a dinuclear complex [(Cp*Mo)(2)(mu-Se)(mu-Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2))] (7). The structure of 7 consists of two Cp*Mo units bridged by a Se(2-) and a [Se(Se(3))C=C(CN)(2)](2-) ligand in which the triselenido group is arranged in a nearly linear way (163 degrees). The reaction of 2a with 2 equiv of CuBr in CH(3)CN yielded a trinuclear complex [Cp*WCu(2)(mu-Br)(mu(3)-S(2)C=C(CN)(2))(2)] (8), which crystallized with one CH(3)CN and generated a one-dimensional chain polymer through bonding of Cu to the N of the cyano groups.     

Synthesis and structure of heterometallic complexes (RhFe, CoFe) containing bridging 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecarborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

The prototype hetero-binuclear complexes containing metal-metal bonds, {CpRh[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (Cp = Cp* = eta 5-Me5C5, E = S(5a), Se(5b); Cp = Cp = eta 5-1,3-tBu2C5H3, E = S(6a), Se(6b)) and {CpCo[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (Cp = Cp* = eta 5-Me5C5, E = S(7a), Se(7b); Cp = Cp = eta 5-C5H5, E = S(8a), Se(8b)) were obtained from the reactions of 16-electron complexes CpRh[E2C2(B10H10)] (Cp = Cp*, E = S(1a), Se(1b); Cp = Cp, E = S(2a), Se(2b)), CpCo[E2C2(B10H10)] (Cp = Cp*, E = S(3a), Se(3b); Cp = Cp, E = S(4a), Se(4b)) with Fe(CO)5 in the presence of Me3NO. The molecular structures of {Cp*Rh[E2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (E = S(5a), Se(5b)), {CpRh[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (6a) {Cp*Co[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (7a) and {CpCo[S2C2(B10H10)]}[Fe(CO)3] (8a) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All these complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and IR and NMR spectra.     

Crystal structures, electronic properties, and pressure-induced superconductivity of the tetrahedral cluster compounds GaNb(4)S(8), GaNb(4)Se(8), and GaTa(4)Se(8)

The crystal structures of the tetrahedral cluster compounds GaNb(4)S(8) and GaTa(4)Se(8) were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. They crystallize in the cubic GaMo(4)S(8) structure type (F3m), which can be derived from the spinel type by shifting the metal atoms off the centers of the chalcogen octahedra along [111]. Electrical resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements show that the electronic conduction originates from hopping of localized unpaired electrons (S = (1)/(2)) among widely separated Nb(4) or Ta(4) clusters, and thus these materials represent a new class of Mott insulators. Under high pressure we find that GaNb(4)S(8) undergoes a transition from the Mott insulating to a superconducting state with T(C) up to 4 K at 23 GPa, similar to GaNb(4)Se(8) and GaTa(4)Se(8). High-pressure single-crystal X-ray studies of GaTa(4)Se(8) reveal that the superconducting transition is connected with a gradual decrease of the octahedral distortion with increasing pressure. DFT band structure calculations show that weakly coupled cluster orbitals are responsible for a high density of states at the Fermi level. The correct insulating magnetic ground state for GaNb(4)S(8) with mu(eff) = 1.73 mu(B) is for the first time achieved by the LDA+U method using U = 6 eV and rhombohedral symmetry.     

A Twisted Nanographene Consisting of 96 Carbon Atoms

Herein we report synthesis, structure and properties of a new type of twisted nanographene, which contains an [8]circulene moiety in a polycyclic framework of 96 sp² carbon atoms. The key steps in this synthesis are the Diels–Alder reaction of a macrocyclic diyne and the subsequent Scholl reaction forming the [8]circulene moiety. Two incompletely cyclized products were isolated from the Scholl reaction, providing insight into the cyclization of the strained octagon. This nanographene is twisted along two directions with end‐to‐end twists of 142.4° and 140.2° as revealed by X‐ray crystallography, and is flexible at room temperature as found from the computational and experimental studies.     

Per‐Substituted [8]Circulene and Its Non‐Planar Fragments: Synthesis,Structural Analysis,and Properties

The syntheses, structures, and physical properties of a full series of benzannulated tetraphenylenes are reported. The palladium‐catalyzed annulation of tetraiodo‐substituted 2,3,6,7,10,11,14,15‐octamethyltetraphenylene with insufficient di(4‐anisyl)ethyne yielded a mixture of per‐substituted [8]circulene and its non‐planar fragments, including mono‐, para‐di‐, ortho‐di‐, and triannulated products. Their structures were unambiguously verified by X‐ray crystallography. Successive benzannulations significantly affect the molecular geometries, dynamic behaviors, and physical properties of the compounds. In this series of compounds, [8]circulene is the most strained one, as reflected by the significant deplanarization of the phenanthrene moieties (ca. 63° in the bay region) and the fact that it has the highest strain energy (120.6 kcal mol^?1). The dynamic behaviors of these compounds were examined both experimentally and theoretically. The ring flipping of per‐substituted [8]circulene is confirmed to proceed through pseudorotation with a barrier of around 21 kcal mol^?1, whereas its non‐planar fragments require much more energy for the ring inversion. The photophysical and electrochemical properties of the investigated compounds depend strongly on the extent of efficient π conjugation. The successive benzannulations red‐shift both the absorption and the emission bands, and reduce the first oxidation potential.     

A facile and general approach to the Rh-M (M = Co, Rh) single bond supported by ortho-carborane-1,2-dichalcogenolato ligands

A series of hetero- and homo-dinuclear complexes with direct metal-metal interaction are synthesized through reaction of Cp*Rh[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] (E = S (1a), Se (1b)) and CpRh[S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] (2a) with low valent half-sandwich CpCo(CO)(2) or CpRh(C(2)H(4))(2) under moderate conditions. The resulting products, namely (Cp*Rh)(CpCo)[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] (E = S(3a); Se(3b)), (Cp*Rh)(CpRh)[E(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] (E = S(4a); Se(4b)) and (CpRh)(CpRh)[S(2)C(2)(B(10)H(10))] (5a), are fully characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5a are established by X-ray crystallography analyses, and the Rh-Co (2.4778(11) (3a) and 2.5092(16) (3b) A) and Rh-Rh bonds (2.5721(8) (4a), 2.6112(10) (4b), 2.5627(10) (5a) A) fall in the range of single bonds.     

Synthesis of heterometal cluster complexes by the reaction of cobaltadichalcogenolato complexes with groups 6 and 8 metal carbonyls

Metalladichalcogenolate cluster complexes [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) (3), [{CpCo(S2C6H4)}2W(CO)2] (4), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Fe(CO)3] (5), [CpCo(S2C6H4)Ru(CO)2(P(t)Bu3)] (6), [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}2Mo(CO)2] (7), and [{CpCo(Se2C6H4)}(Se2C6H4)W(CO)2] (8) were synthesized by the reaction of [CpCo(E2C6H4)] (E = S, Se) with [M(CO)3(py)3] (M = Mo, W), [Fe(CO)5], or [Ru(CO)3(P(t)Bu3)2], and their crystal structures and physical properties were investigated. In the series of trinuclear group 6 metal-Co complexes, 3, 4, and 7 have similar structures, but the W-Se complex, 8, eliminates one cobalt atom and one cyclopentadienyl group from the sulfur analogue, 4, and does not satisfy the 18-electron rule. 1H NMR observation suggested that the CoW dinuclear complex 8 was generated via a trinuclear Co2W complex, with a structure comparable to 7. The trinuclear cluster complexes, 3, 4, and 7, undergo quasi-reversible two-step one-electron reduction, indicating the formation of mixed-valence complexes Co(III)M(0)Co(II) (M = Mo, W). The thermodynamic stability of the mixed-valence state increases in the order 4 < 3 < 7. In the dinuclear group 8 metal-Co complexes, 5 and 6, the CpCo(S2C6H4) moiety and the metal carbonyl moiety act as a Lewis acid character and a base character, respectively, as determined by their spectrochemical and redox properties. Complex 5 undergoes reversible two-step one-electron reduction, and an electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study indicates the stepwise reduction process from Co(III)Fe(0) to form Co(III)Fe(-I) and Co(II)Fe(-I).     

Cadmium(II) and Nickel(II) 1-Oxypyridyl-2-Selenolates: Synthesis and Molecular and Crystal Structures

Russian Journal of Coordination Chemistry - Cadmium (C20H16Cd2N4O4Se4) (I) and nickel (C10H8N2NiO2Se2) (II) selenolates are synthesized by the exchange reactions of sodium 1-oxypyridyl-2-selenolate...     

A family of octahedral rhenium cluster complexes [Re6Q8(H2O)n(OH)6-n]n-4 (Q=S, Se; n=0-6): structural and pH-dependent spectroscopic studies

The conversions of hexahydroxo rhenium cluster complexes [Re6Q8(OH)6]4- (Q=S, Se) in aqueous solutions in a wide pH range were investigated by chemical methods and spectroscopic measurements. Dependences of the spectroscopic and excited-state properties of the solutions on pH have been studied in detail. It has been found that a pH decrease of aqueous solutions of the potassium salts K4[Re6Q8(OH)6].8H2O (Q=S, Se) results in the formation of aquahydroxo and hexaaqua cluster complexes with the general formula [Re6Q8(H2O)n(OH)6-n]n-4 that could be considered as a result of the protonation of the terminal OH- ligands in the hexahydroxo complexes. The compounds K2[Re6S8(H2O)2(OH)4].2H2O (1), [Re6S8(H2O)4(OH)2].12H2O (2), [Re6S8(H2O)6][Re6S6Br8].10H2O (3), and [Re6Se8(H2O)4(OH)2] (4) have been isolated and characterized by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and elemental analyses and infrared (IR) spectroscopy. In crystal structures of the aquahydroxo complexes, the cluster units are connected to each other by an extensive system of very strong hydrogen bonds between terminal ligands.     

Structural studies on single crystals of Chevrel phase selenides REMo6Se8 (RE = La,Ce, Pr,Nd, or Sm) at 298 K

We report on structural studies at room temperature of rare-earth based Chevrel phase selenides of the formula RExMo6Se8, where RE stands for a light rare-earth La (1), Ce (2), Pr (3), Nd (4), or Sm (5). The single crystals were grown at 1650 degrees C < T < 1690 degrees C from off-stoichiometric starting compositions, with the exception of 3, which was grown at 1710 degrees C from a stoichiometric charge (congruently melting material). The crystal structures were solved in space group R3 (No. 148; Z = 1) and found to be isostructural with the well-known Chevrel phases having large cations (e.g., PbMo6S8, REMo6S8). The structures are based on Mo6Se8 metallic clusters that are slightly rotated inside a pseudocubic rare-earth sublattice. Structural refinements revealed that the origin site, occupied by the RE atoms, exhibits slight deficiencies, leading to a RExMo6Se8 composition, with x ranging between approximately 0.82 and approximately 0.92: 1 La0.88Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7577(9) A, alpha rh = 88.62(2) degrees; 2a Ce0.82Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7407(6) A, alpha rh = 88.83(2) degrees; 2b Ce0.92Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7473(9) A, alpha rh = 88.69(2) degrees; 3 Pr0.86Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7385(6) A, alpha rh = 88.81(2) degrees; 4 Nd0.85Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7286(5) A, alpha rh = 88.85(1) degrees; and 5 Sm0.87Mo6Se8, arh = 6.7182(2) A, alpha rh = 88.956(3) degrees. All of the structural data presented in this work (lattice constants, positional parameters and interatomic distances) concern an average RE content of x approximately 0.87. In this way, any influence due to electronic effects (VEC number) can be discarded, and exact correlations between these parameters and the ionic radius of the rare-earth atoms can then be established.     

Mechanistic aspects of the reaction between Br2 and chalcogenone donors (LE; E=S, Se): competitive formation of 10-E-3, T-shaped 1:1 molecular adducts, charge-transfer adducts, and [ (LE)2]2+ dications

The synthesis and spectroscopic characterisation of the products obtained by treatment of N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine-2-thione (1), N,N'-dimethylimidazolidine-2-selone (2), N,N'-dimethylbenzoimidazole-2-thione (3) and N,N'-dimethylbenzoimidazole-2-selone (4) with Br2 in MeCN are reported, together with the crystal structures of the 10-E-3, T-shaped adducts 2 . Br2 (12), 3 . Br2 (13) and 4 . Br2 (14). A conductometric and spectrophotometric investigation into the reaction between 1-4 and Br2, carried out in MeCN, allows the equilibria involved in the formation of the isolated 10-E-3 (E = S, Se) hypervalent compounds to be hypothesised. In order to understand the reasons why S and Se donors can give different product types on treatment with Br2 and I2, DFT calculations have been carried out on 1-8, 19 and 20, and on their corresponding hypothetical [LEX]+ cations (L = organic framework; E = S, Se; X = Br, I), which are considered to be key intermediates in the formation of the different products. The results obtained in terms of NBO charge distribution on [LEX]+ species explain the different behaviour of 1-8, 19 and 20 in their reactions with Br2 and I2 fairly well. X-ray diffraction studies show 12-14 to have a T-shaped (10-E-3; E = S, Se) hypervalent chalcogen nature. They contain an almost linear Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) system roughly perpendicular to the average plane of the organic molecules. In 12, the Se atom of each adduct molecule has a short interaction with the Br(1) atom of an adjacent unit, such that the Se atom displays a roughly square planar coordination. The Se-Br distances are asymmetric [2.529(1) vs. 2.608(1) A], the shorter distance being that with the Br(1) atom involved in the short intermolecular contact. In contrast, in the molecular adducts 13 and 14, which lie on a two-fold crystallographic axis, the Br-E-Br system is symmetric and no short intermolecular interactions involving chalcogen and bromine atoms are observed. The adducts are arranged in parallel planes; this gives rise to a graphite-like stacking. The new crystalline modification of 10, obtained from acetonitrile solution, confirms the importance of short intermolecular contacts in determining the asymmetry of Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) and I-Se-I groups in hypervalent 10-E-3 compounds. The analogies in the conductometric and spectrophotometric titrations of 1 and 2-4 with Br2, together with the similarity of the vibrational spectra of 11-14, also imply a T-shaped nature for 11. The vibrational properties of the Br-E-Br (E = S, Se) systems resemble those of the Br3- and IBr2- anions: the Raman spectrum of a symmetric Br-E-Br group shows only one peak near 160 cm(-1), as found for symmetric Br3- and IBr2- anions, while asymmetric Br-E-Br groups also show an antisymmetric Br-E-Br mode at around 190 cm(-1), as observed for asymmetric Br3- and IBr2- ions. Therefore, simple IR and Raman measurements provide a useful tool for distinguishing between symmetric and asymmetric Br-E-Br groups, and hence allow predictions about the crystal packing of these hypervalent chalcogen compounds to be made when crystals of good quality are not available.