Understanding the Role of Solvents and Spin–Orbit Coupling in an Oxygen-Assisted SN2-Type Oxidative Transmetalation Reaction

The aerial oxidation of Pd^II to Pd^IV has emerged as an integral component of sustainable catalytic C−H functionalization processes. However, a proper understanding of the factors that control the viability of this oxidative process remains elusive. An investigation of the intricate mechanism of the transmetalation reaction of the aerial oxidative transformation of [(Me₃tacn)Pd^IIMe₂] (Me₃tacn=N,N′,N′′-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) to [(Me₃tacn)Pd^IVMe₃]⁺ has been conducted by using DFT, along with multireference methods, such as second-order n-electron valence-state perturbation theory (NEVPT2) with complete active space self-consistent field theory (CASSCF). The present endeavor predicts that the thermodynamics and kinetics of the oxygen activation step are primarily dictated by the polarity of the solvents, which determine the amount of charge transfer to the oxygen molecule from the Pd^II center. Additionally, it is observed that the presence of a protic solvent has a significant effect on the spin–orbit coupling term at the minimum energy crossing point of the triplet and singlet surfaces. Moreover, it is shown that the intermetal ligand-transfer phenomenon is an important instance of an oxygen-assisted S_N2 reaction.     

Kinetics and Mechanism of the Reaction of a Ruthenium(VI) Nitrido Complex with HSO3− and SO32− in Aqueous Solution

The kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of S^IV (SO₃^2?+HSO₃^?) with a ruthenium(VI) nitrido complex, [(L)Ru^VI(N)(OH₂)]⁺ (Ru^VIN, L=N,N′‐bis(salicylidene)‐o‐cyclohexyldiamine dianion), in aqueous acidic solutions are reported. The kinetic results are consistent with parallel pathways involving oxidation of HSO₃^? and SO₃^2? by Ru^VIN. A deuterium isotope effect of 4.7 is observed in the HSO₃^? pathway. Based on experimental results and DFT calculations the proposed mechanism involves concerted N?S bond formation (partial N‐atom transfer) between Ru^VIN and HSO₃^? and H⁺ transfer from HSO₃^? to a H₂O molecule.     

Production of hyperlithiated Li2F by a laser ablation of LiF–Li3N mixture

Lithium-excess binary clusters Li_nF_n−1 (n=2–9) were detected by photoionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in a supersonic cluster beam generated by a laser ablation of a solid mixture of lithium fluoride and nitride. Laser power dependence of the Li₂F⁺ signal intensity has indicated that the ionization energy of the hyperlithiated Li₂F molecule is lower than 4.66 eV. The theoretical vertical ionization energy obtained by the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(d)//B3LYP/6-311+G(d) calculations are 4.47 eV. No nitrogen-containing clusters were detected. The absence of Li₄N is ascribed to the exothermicity of the reaction, 2Li₃N→N₂+Li₆.     

(Ba6O)(ReN3)2: Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Physical Properties

The reaction of a mixture of barium and rhenium (3:1) at 850 °C under flowing nitrogen yielded the nitride‐oxide (Ba₆O)(ReN₃)₂ (R (No. 148); a = 8.1178(2) Å, c = 17.5651(4) Å; V = 1002.43(5) Å³; Z = 6). According to a structure refinement on X‐ray powder diffraction data, this compound is isostructural to a recently described nitride‐oxide of osmium of analogous composition. The structure consists of sheets of trigonal ReN₃ units and trigonal antiprismatic Ba₆O groups. The Ba–O distance of 2.73 Å is close to the sum of the respective ionic radii. The trigonal ReN₃^5– nitride anion displays a Re–N bond length of 1.94 Å, and is planar within the limits of experimental error. The constitution of the anion was confirmed by IR and Raman spectroscopy. The nitride‐oxide is stable up to 1000 °C, semiconducting (σ = 4.57 × 10^–3 Ω^–1 · cm^–1 at RT), and paramagnetic down to 25 K. A Curie–Weiss analysis resulted in a magnetic moment of μ = 0.68 μ_B per rhenium atom.     

Surface analysis of nitride layers formed on Fe‐based alloys through plasma nitride process

Nitriding phenomena that occur on the surfaces of pure Fe and Fe? Cr alloy (16 wt% Cr) samples were investigated. An Ar + N₂ mixture‐gas glow‐discharge plasma was used so that surface nitriding could occur on a clean surface etched by Ar⁺ ion sputtering. In addition, the metal substrates were kept at a low temperature to suppress the diffusion of nitrogen. These plasma‐nitriding conditions enabled us to characterize the surface reaction between nitrogen radicals and the metal substrates. The emission characteristics of the band heads of the nitrogen molecule ion (N₂⁺) and nitrogen molecule from the glow‐discharge plasma suggest that the active nitrogen molecule is probably the major nitriding reactant. AES and angle‐resolved XPS were used to characterize the thickness of the nitride layer and the concentration of elements and chemical species in the nitride layer. The thickness of the nitride layer did not depend on the metal substrate type. An oxide layer with a thickness of a few nanometers was formed on the top of the nitride layer during the nitriding process. The oxide layer consisted of several species of N_x‐Fe_y‐O, NO⁺, and NO₂^?. In the Fe? Cr alloy sample, these oxide species could be reduced because chromium is preferentially nitrided. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Geometric analysis of anharmonic downward distortion following paths

A mathematical aspect of the anharmonic downward distortion following (ADDF) path is discussed. The ADDF method is utilized as an automated reaction path search method, which can explore transition state geometries on a potential energy surface from a potential minimum. We show that the maximum number of the ADD stationary paths intersecting the potential minimum is 2^{f + 1} ? 2 , where f denotes the degree of freedom of the system. We also show that the bifurcation of the ADD stationary path is essential to detect all the transition states connected from a given minimum. The ADDF computation is demonstrated for a H₂O molecule in which pitchfork bifurcation is observed.     

Construction of frustrated Lewis pair from nitride and phosphine for the activation and cleavage of molecular hydrogen

Activation and cleavage of molecular hydrogen (H₂) to proton and hydride is an important task for several reasons, especially as a reagent in hydrogenation. In this scenario, with the support of density-functional theory methods, a novel strategy has been devised for the conversion of coordinated nitride into ammonia using molecular hydrogen in the presence of tri-tert-butylphosphine (P^tBu₃). The proposed methodology is based on the formation of frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) from [Os^VI(tpy)(Cl)₂(N)]⁺ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine ) and P^tBu₃ followed by reaction with molecular hydrogen to form an FLP–H₂ adduct. The FLP–H₂ adduct can further undergo H–H bond cleavage heterolytically to produce proton and hydride which can be eventually used for the functionalization of coordinated nitride to ammonia. The calculated energy profile comprising all possible intermediates and transition-state molecules suggests that the proposed reaction pathway is energetically viable at elevated temperatures.     

On the Anion Distribution in Zr7O8N4

The effect of anion distribution on the stability of β‐zirconium oxide nitride Zr₇O₈N₄ (trigonal, ; a = 953.80(2) pm, c = 884.98(3) pm, Z=3) has been investigated quantum‐chemically. In agreement with experimental results for the structurally related β′‐type zirconium oxide nitride (Zr₇O₁₁N₂) nitride anions occupy sites in the central polyhedron of a Bevan cluster (A₇X₁₂ unit) in the most stable configurations. Other relevant structural ordering parameters are minimization of N^3?···N^3? contacts and of the number of quasi‐linear N–Zr–N bonds. The calculated electronic structure of β‐Zr₇O₈N₄ is in qualitative agreement with experimental observations.     

Oxidation Chemistry of Inorganic Benzene Complexes

The oxidation of the 28 VE cyclo‐E₆ triple‐decker complexes [(Cp^RMo)₂(μ,η⁶:η⁶‐E₆)] (E=P, Cp^R=Cp( 2 a ), Cp*( 2 b ), Cp^Bn( 2 c )=C₅(CH₂Ph)₅; E=As, Cp^R=Cp*( 3 )) by Cu⁺ or Ag⁺ leads to cationic 27 VE complexes that retain their general triple‐decker geometry in the solid state. The obtained products have been characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), EPR, Evans NMR, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, MS, and structural analysis by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The cyclo‐E₆ middle decks of the oxidized complexes are distorted to a quinoid ( 2 a ) or bisallylic ( 2 b , 2 c , 3 ) geometry. DFT calculations of 2 a , 2 b , and 3 persistently result in the bisallylic distortion as the minimum geometry and show that the oxidation leads to a depopulation of the σ‐system of the cyclo‐E₆ ligands in 2 a – 3 . Among the starting complexes, 2 c is reported for the first time including its preparation and full characterization.     

Revisiting the Intriguing Electronic Features of the BeOBeC Carbyne and Some Isomers: A Quantum-Chemical Assessment

Extensive high-level quantum-chemical calculations reveal that the rod-shaped molecule BeOBeC, which was recently generated in matrix experiments, exists in two nearly isoenergetic states, the ⁵Σ quintet (⁵ 6 ) and the ³Σ triplet (³ 6 ). Their IR features are hardly distinguishable at finite temperature. The major difference concerns the mode of spin coupling between the terminal beryllium and carbon atoms. Further, the ground-state potential-energy surface of the [2Be,C,O] system at 4 K is presented and differences between the photochemical and thermal behaviors are highlighted. Finally, a previously not considered, so far unknown C_2v-symmetric rhombus-like four-membered ring ³[Be(O)(C)Be] (³ 5 ) is predicted to represent the global minimum on the potential-energy surface.     

Theoretical Studies on the Asymmetric Baeyer–Villiger Oxidation Reaction of 4‐Phenylcyclohexanone with m‐Chloroperoxobenzoic Acid Catalyzed by Chiral Scandium(III)–N,N′‐Dioxide Complexes

The mechanism and enantioselectivity of the asymmetric Baeyer–Villiger oxidation reaction between 4‐phenylcyclohexanone and m‐chloroperoxobenzoic acid ( m ‐CPBA ) catalyzed by Sc^III–N,N′‐dioxide complexes were investigated theoretically. The calculations indicated that the first step, corresponding to the addition of m ‐CPBA to the carbonyl group of 4‐phenylcyclohexanone, is the rate‐determining step (RDS) for all the pathways studied. The activation barrier of the RDS for the uncatalyzed reaction was predicted to be 189.8 kJ mol^?1. The combination of an Sc^III–N,N′‐dioxide complex and the m ‐CBA molecule can construct a bifunctional catalyst in which the Lewis acidic Sc^III center activates the carbonyl group of 4‐phenylcyclohexanone while m ‐CBA transfers a proton, which lowers the activation barrier of the addition step (RDS) to 86.7 kJ mol^?1. The repulsion between the m‐chlorophenyl group of m ‐CPBA and the 2,4,6‐iPr₃C₆H₂ group of the N,N′‐dioxide ligand, as well as the steric hindrance between the phenyl group of 4‐phenylcyclohexanone and the amino acid skeleton of the N,N′‐dioxide ligand, play important roles in the control of the enantioselectivity.     

Carbon Nitride as a Ligand: Selective Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkenes Using [(η5-C5Me5)IrCl(g-C3N4-κ2N,N’)]Cl

Anchoring a homogeneous catalyst onto a heterogeneous support facilitates separation of the product from the catalyst, and catalyst-substrate interactions can also modify reactivity. Herein we describe the synthesis of composite materials comprising carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as the heterogeneous support and the well-established homogeneous catalyst moiety [Cp*IrCl]⁺ (where Cp*=η⁵-C₅Me₅), commonly used for catalytic hydrogenation. Coordination of [Cp*IrCl]⁺ to g-C₃N₄ occurs directly at exposed edge sites with a κ²N,N’ binding motif, leading to a primary inner coordination sphere analogous to known homogeneous complexes of the general class [Cp*IrCl(NN-κ²N,N’)]⁺ (where N,N’=a bidentate nitrogen ligand). Hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates using the composite catalyst is selective for terminal alkenes, which is attributed to the restricted steric environment of the outer coordination sphere at the edge-sites of g-C₃N₄.     

Electronic effect of β-diketonato ligands on the redox potential of fac and mer tris(β-diketonato) iron(III) complexes: A density functional theory study and molecular electrostatic potential analysis

Experimental redox potentials of 16 derivatives of tris(β-diketonato)iron(III) complexes (where β-diketonato(R₁COCHCOR₂)^─, with substituents R₁ and R₂ in different combinations of H, C₄H₃S, C₄H₃O, CH₃, Ph, CF₃, or C (CH₃)₃), and 11 additional isomers, were studied theoretically in terms of the electronic properties, substituent effects, electron affinity, and molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) analysis, using density functional theory methods. The computational methods reproduced the experimental reduction potential to a very high level of accuracy, especially when the M062X functional was used (with mean absolute deviation [MAD] = 0.054 and 0.093 and correlation R² = 0.978 and 0.981 obtained by application of two slightly different free energy cycles, respectively). The most negative computed reduction potential corresponds to the most negative reported experimental reductions, which is indicative of the least favorable reduction potential, also in most cases the most stable molecules energetically. The calculated reduction potentials of the fac isomers of the molecules were generally higher (less negative) than that of the mer isomers when one of the ligand substituents R₁ or R₂ was CF₃ (M062X results), indicating better ease of reduction, although in many cases, the experimental reduction potential agreed better with the calculated reduction potential of the mer isomer instead. The calculated reduction potentials were also affected by the substituents in the order of CF₃ > H > C₄H₃S > C₄H₃O > Ph > CH₃ > C(CH₃)₃ (the most negative value). The stronger the electron withdrawing tendency of the substituent, the more favorable (less negative value) the reduction potential becomes. In relation to the CH₃-substituted molecule 1 as a reference, the molecules with electron withdrawing substituents resulted in an electron-deficient MESP iso-surface, in both the neutral state and reduced state. All the molecules in their reduced state were characterized with an electron-deficient MESP iso-surface compared with the reduced CH₃-substituted molecule 1, with the deficiency increasing in mer compared with fac, for both the neutral and reduced molecules. The relative MESP values of ΔV_Fe in the reduced state of the molecules were able to predict the corresponding experimental reduction potential to a significant level of accuracy (with MAD = 0.091).     

Spin‐State‐Controlled Photodissociation of Iron(III) Azide to an Iron(V) Nitride Complex

The generation of iron(V) nitride complexes, which are targets of biomimetic chemistry, is reported. Temperature‐dependent ion spectroscopy shows that this reaction is governed by the spin‐state population of their iron(III) azide precursors and can be tuned by temperature. The complex [(MePy₂TACN)Fe(N₃)]²⁺ (MePy₂TACN=N ‐methyl‐N ,N ‐bis(2‐picolyl)‐1,4,7‐triazacyclononane) exists as a mixture of sextet and doublet spin states at 300 K, whereas only the doublet state is populated at 3 K. Photofragmentation of the sextet state complex leads to the reduction of the iron center. The doublet state complex photodissociates to the desired iron(V) nitride complex. To generalize these findings, we show results for complexes with cyclam‐based ligands.     

CHLOROPHYLL a AND CAROTENOID AGGREGATES AND ENERGY MIGRATION IN MONOLAYERS AND THIN FILMS

Abstract— The spectra of absorption, fluorescence and excitation of monolayers and thin films containing chlorophyll a together with a carotenoid (cis-β-carotene, trans-β-carotene, fucoxanthin, or zeaxanthin), were measured at — 196°C. The concentration ratios used, (Chl)/(Car), were 6:1, 4:1, 3:1, 2:1, 1:1 and 1:3, and the area densities, 3·70, 2·55, 1·76, 0·71, 0·37 and 0·17 nm²/pigment molecule. In dilute monolayers, (3·70 nm²/molecule), with a constant concentration ratio (Chl)/(Car) = 3:1, evidence of three β-carotene forms, with absorption bands at 460, 500 and 520 nm (C₄₆₀, C₅₀₀ and C₅₂₀), and of a chlorophyll a form with an absorption band at 669–672 (Chl_669–672) was found. On increasing the density to 0·2–0·3 nm²/molecule, a conversion of C₄₆₀ and C₅₂₀ into C₅₀₀, was observed, and several more additional (probably more strongly aggregated) chlorophyll a forms appeared, with absorption bands at 672–733 nm. With excess carotene [(Chi)/(Car) = 1:3] the forms C₄₆₀, C₅₀₀, C₅₂₀ and Chl_669–672 were present even in the most dense films (0·2–0·3 nm²/molecule). The same was found with other carotenoids: if one of the pigments was in excess, aggregated forms of the other tended to disappear. In the transfer of energy from carotenoids to chlorophyll a, C₅₀₀ was found to be the main donor. In layers with a concentration ratio (Chl)/(Car) = 3:1, the efficiency of transfer was less than 10 per cent at the lowest density used (3·70 nm²/molecule); it increased to 50 per cent, as the density was increased to 0·20 nm²/molecule. When the relative concentration of the carotenoid was increased to (Chl)/(Car) = 1:1, the efficiency of energy transfer dropped to 25 per cent even at 0·20 nm²/molecule. It seems that the efficiency of energy transfer between carotene molecules (prior to its transfer to chlorophyll a) is low, and effective transfer occurs only between β-carotene and immediately adjacent chlorophyll a molecules.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Bis(tetraethylammonium) Octabromo‐triselenate(II)‐{dibromodiselenate(I)}, [NEt4]2[Se3Br8(Se2Br2)], the Salt of a Mixed‐valence Bromoselenate(II,I) Anion

The brown crystals of [NEt₄]₂[Se₃Br₈(Se₂Br₂)] ( 1 ) were obtained when selenium and bromine reacted in the solution of acetonitrile in the presence of tetraethylammonium bromide. The crystal structure of 1 has been determined by the X‐ray methods and refined to R = 0.0308 for 10433 reflections. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2₁ with Z = 2 and a = 12.0393(3) Å, b = 11.8746(3) Å, c = 13.1946(3) Å, β = 96.561(1)° (123 K). In the solid state structure the anion of 1 is built up of Se₃Br₈ unit which consists of a triangular arrangement of three planar SeBr₄ units sharing a common edge through two μ₃‐bridging Br atoms, and one Se₂Br₂ molecule which is linked to one of μ₃‐bridging Br atoms. The three Se^II atoms form a triangle which is almost perpendicular to the planes given by three SeBr₄ moieties. The contact between the μ₃Br and the Se^I atom of the Se₂Br₂ molecule is 3.1711(8) Å and can be interpreted as a bond of the donor‐acceptor type with the μ₃Br as donor and the Se₂Br₂ molecule as acceptor. The terminal Se^II‐Br and μ₃Br‐Se^II bond lengths are in the ranges 2.3537(7)–2.4737(7) Å and 2.7628(7)–3.1701(7) Å, respectively. The bond lengths in coordinated Se₂Br₂ molecule are: Se^I‐Se^I = 2.2636(9) Å, Se^I‐Br = 2.3387(11) and 2.3936(8) Å.     

Experimental investigation and kinetic modeling of the negative temperature coefficient of the reaction rate in rich propane—oxygen mixtures

The phenomenon of the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of the reaction rate of the oxidation of rich propane—oxygen mixtures was experimentally studied. The NTC phenomenon is qualitatively described by a simple kinetic model containing a minimum set of reactions related to the oxidation of the starting hydrocarbon, propane, and the propyl C₃H₇ ^. radical formed. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2120–2124, December, 1997.     

Polyhedral boron nitride molecules

The geometrical and electronic structures of two isomers (1 and2) of the polyhedral boron nitride molecule, B₁₂N₁₂, have been calculated using the MNDO method. Structure1 having the form of a truncated octahedron is more energetically preferable (ΔH _f ⁰=−128 kcal mol⁻¹) than isomer2, which hasC _6v symmetry. The equilibrium geometries of the N₆B₆(CH₂)₆ isomers (3 and4), which simulate fragments of structure2, have been calculated. The stabilization mechanism of the N₆ nitrogen cluster (hexaazabenzene) in polyhedral structures is discussed. The parameters calculated for molecules1 and2 have been correlated with the corresponding characteristics of their carbon analogs. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 1712–1714, October, 1993.     

The structure of a valinomycin–hexaaquamagnesium trifluoromethanesulfonate compound

Valinomycin is a naturally occurring cyclic dodecadepsipeptide with the formula cyclo‐[d ‐HiVA→l ‐Val →l ‐LA→l ‐Val]₃ (d ‐HiVA is d ‐α‐hydroxyisovaleic acid, Val is valine and LA is lactic acid), which binds a K⁺ ion with high selectively. In the past, several cation‐binding modes have been revealed by X‐ray crystallography. In the K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺ complexes, the ester O atoms coordinate the cation with a trigonal antiprismatic geometry, while the six amide groups form intramolecular hydrogen bonds and the network that is formed has a bracelet‐like conformation (Type 1 binding). Type 2 binding is seen with the Na⁺ cation, in which the valinomycin molecule retains the bracelet conformation but the cations are coordinated by only three ester carbonyl groups and are not centrally located. In addition, a picrate counter‐ion and a water molecule is found at the center of the valinomycin bracelet. Type 3 binding is observed with divalent Ba²⁺, in which two cations are incorporated, bridged by two anions, and coordinated by amide carbonyl groups, and there are no intramolecular amide hydrogen bonds. In this paper, we present a new Type 4 cation‐binding mode, observed in valinomycin hexaaquamagnesium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) trihydrate, C₅₄H₉₀N₆O₁₈·[Mg(H₂O)₆](CF₃SO₃)₂·3H₂O, in which the valinomycin molecule incorporates a whole hexaaquamagnesium ion, [Mg(H₂O)₆]²⁺, via hydrogen bonding between the amide carbonyl groups and the hydrate water H atoms. In this complex, valinomycin retains the threefold symmetry observed in Type 1 binding, but the amide hydrogen‐bond network is lost; the hexaaquamagnesium cation is hydrogen bonded by six amide carbonyl groups. ¹H NMR titration data is consistent with the 1:1 binding stoichiometry in acetonitrile solution. This new cation‐binding mode of binding a whole hexaaquamagnesium ion by a cyclic polypeptide is likely to have important implications for the study of metal binding with biological models under physiological conditions.     

Zr2N2Se: The First Zirconium(IV) Nitride Selenide by the Oxidation of Zirconium(III) Nitride with Selenium

The oxidation of zirconium(III) nitride (ZrN) with suitable amounts of selenium (Se) in the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) as flux yields small yellow brownish platelets of the first zirconium(IV) nitride selenide with the composition Zr₂N₂Se. The new compound crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P6₃/mmc (no. 194) with a = 363.98(2) pm, c = 1316.41(9) pm (c/a = 3.617) and two formula units per unit cell. The crystallographically unique Zr⁴⁺ cations are surrounded by three selenide and four nitride anions in the shape of a capped trigonal antiprism. The Se^2– anions are coordinated by six Zr⁴⁺ cations as trigonal prism and the N^3– anions reside in tetrahedral surrounding of Zr⁴⁺ cations. These [NZr₄]¹³⁺ tetrahedra become interconnected via three edges each to form $\rm^{2}_{\infty}$ {[(NZr_4/4)₂]²⁺} double layers parallel to the (001) plane, which are held together by monolayers of Se^2– anions.