The first silicon-based cationic clathrate III with high thermal stability: Si172-xPxTey (x=2y, y>20)

A new representative of a very rare clathrate III family, Si130P42Te21, has been synthesized from the elements. It crystallizes in the tetragonal space group P4(2)/mnm (no. 136) with the unit cell parameters a=19.2632(3) angstroms, c=10.0706(2) angstroms. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and solid state 31P NMR revealed a non-random distribution of phosphorus atoms over the framework positions. The crystal structure features a peculiar packing of large polyhedra Te@(Si/P)(n) never observed before for cationic clathrates. Despite the structural complexity, the composition of the novel clathrate Is in accordance with the Zintl rule, which was confirmed by a combination of optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and wavelength dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (WDXS), as well as by diamagnetic and semiconducting behavior of the synthesized phase. Clathrate Si130P42Te21 exhibits the highest reported thermal stability for this class of materials, it decomposes at 1510 K. This opens new perspectives for the creation of clathrate-based materials for high-temperature applications.     

Structural and dynamic properties of the polyanionic hydrides SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH

The quaternary aluminium hydrides SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH were synthesized from either hydrogenating the intermetallic AlB₂-type precursors SrAlGe and BaAlGe or reacting SrH₂ with a mixture of Al and Ge in the presence of pressurized hydrogen. Their structures were characterized by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction of the corresponding deuterides. The compounds crystallize with the trigonal SrAlSiH structure type (space group P3m1, Z = 1, a = 4.2435(2) and 4.3450(2) Å, c = 4.9710(3) and 5.2130(4) Å for SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH, respectively) and feature a two-dimensional polyanion [AlGeH]²⁻ which represents a corrugated hexagon layer built from three-bonded Al and Ge atoms. H is terminally attached to Al. Polyanions [AlGeH]²⁻ are electron precise and, according to electronic structure calculations, the quaternary hydrides display band gaps with sizes between 0.7 and 0.8 eV. Infrared and inelastic neutron scattering spectroscopy show Al–H stretching and bending mode frequencies at around 1250 and 870 cm⁻¹, respectively. SrAlGeH and BaAlGeH are thermally stable up to at least 500 °C. When exposed to air the hydrides decompose rapidly to amorphous, orange colored materials.     

First investigation of non-classical dihydrogen bonding between an early transition-metal hydride and alcohols: IR, NMR, and DFT approach

The interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with fluorinated alcohols to give dihydrogen-bonded complexes was studied by a combination of IR, NMR and DFT methods. IR spectra were examined in the range from 200-295 K, affording a clear picture of dihydrogen-bond formation when [NbCp(2)H(3)]/HOR(f) mixtures (HOR(f) = hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) or perfluoro-tert-butanol (PFTB)) were quickly cooled to 200 K. Through examination of the OH region, the dihydrogen-bond energetics were determined to be 4.5+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for TFE (TFE = trifluoroethanol) and 5.7+/-0.3 kcal mol(-1) for HFIP. (1)H NMR studies of solutions of [NbCp(2)H(2)(B)H(A)] and HFIP in [D(8)]toluene revealed high-field shifts of the hydrides H(A) and H(B), characteristic of dihydrogen-bond formation, upon addition of alcohol. The magnitude of signal shifts and T(1) relaxation time measurements show preferential coordination of the alcohol to the central hydride H(A), but are also consistent with a bifurcated character of the dihydrogen bonding. Estimations of hydride-proton distances based on T(1) data are in good accord with the results of DFT calculations. DFT calculations for the interaction of [NbCp(2)H(3)] with a series of non-fluorinated (MeOH, CH(3)COOH) and fluorinated (CF(3)OH, TFE, HFIP, PFTB and CF(3)COOH) proton donors of different strengths showed dihydrogen-bond formation, with binding energies ranging from -5.7 to -12.3 kcal mol(-1), depending on the proton donor strength. Coordination of proton donors occurs both to the central and to the lateral hydrides of [NbCp(2)H(3)], the former interaction being of bifurcated type and energetically slightly more favourable. In the case of the strong acid H(3)O(+), the proton transfer occurs without any barrier, and no dihydrogen-bonded intermediates are found. Proton transfer to [NbCp(2)H(3)] gives bis(dihydrogen) [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and dihydride(dihydrogen) complexes [NbCp(2)(H)(2)(eta(2)-H(2))](+) (with lateral hydrides and central dihydrogen), the former product being slightly more stable. When two molecules of TFA were included in the calculations, in addition to the dihydrogen-bonded adduct, an ionic pair formed by the cationic bis(dihydrogen) complex [NbCp(2)(eta(2)-H(2))(2)](+) and the homoconjugated anion pair (CF(3)COO...H...OOCCF(3))(-) was found as a minimum. It is very likely that these ionic pairs may be intermediates in the H/D exchange between the hydride ligands and the OD group observed with the more acidic alcohols in the NMR studies.     

Formation of ferraboranes from pentaborane(9) or BH3 · thf and an electron-rich cyclopentadienyl iron phosphine hydride

[(η⁵-C₅R₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] (R = H, Me) can be made in good yields in a simple one-pot reaction between FeCl₂, PMe₃, C₅R₅H (R = H, Me) and Na/Hg in thf. Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with pentaborane(9) gives the known metallaborane [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (1) in improved yield as well as the new metallaboranes [(η-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₈{μ-5,6-Fe(η⁵-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)(μ-6,7-H)}] (2), [(η-C₅H₅)(PMe₃)-arachno-2-FeB₃H₈] (3), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)₂-capped-nido-2,3-Fe₂B₄H₈] (4), [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₄H₇(PMe₃)] (5) and [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₈(PMe₃)] (6). Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with pentaborane(9) gives predominantly [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (7) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)(PMe₃)-arachno-2-FeB₃H₈] (8). Reaction of [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(PMe₃)₂H] with 2 equiv. of BH₃ · thf gives low yields of ferrocene and compound 3. Compound 7 thermally isomerises to the apical isomer [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₁₀] (9) in low yield. Compounds 1 and 7 deprotonate cleanly in the presence of KH at the unique B-H-B bridge to give [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₉⁻][K⁺] (10) and [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₉⁻][K⁺] (11) respectively, whilst 6 deprotonates more slowly at one of two equivalent B-H-B bridges to give the fluxional anion [(η⁵-C₅H₅)-nido-2-FeB₅H₇(PMe₃)⁻] (12).     

Synthesis of polyacetylene with titanocene-aluminum hydride catalysts

Heterometallic hydride titanocene-aluminum complexes Cp₂Ti(-H)₂AlH(X) and (Cp₂Ti)₂AlH₄X are highly efficient homogeneous catalysts for acetylene polymerization. The binuclear complex of the composition Cp₂Ti(-H)₂AlH₂ at 2.2–3.2M concentrations in ether-toluene solutions exhibits the maximum activity in this reaction. It is believed that the mechanisms of the isomerization of olefins and the polymerization of acetylene are similar and, correspondingly, the compositions and structures of the active sites in both processes are close to each other. The polyacetylene formed with hydride catalysts (mostly thecis-isomer) after doping with iodine has an electrical conductivity of 1.5–2.0 · 10⁴ Ohm^–1 cm^–1.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 405–409, March, 1994.The work was carried out with the financial support of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project No. 93-03-5757.     

Synthesis,Structure, Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy,and Electronic Structures of the Phosphidotrielates Li3AlP2 and Li3GaP2

The lithium phosphidoaluminate Li₉AlP₄ represents a promising new compound with a high lithium ion mobility. This triggered the search for new members in the family of lithium phosphidotrielates, and the novel compounds Li₃AlP₂ and Li₃GaP₂, obtained directly from the elements via ball milling and subsequent annealing, are reported here. It was unexpectedly found through band structure calculations that Li₃AlP₂ and Li₃GaP₂ are direct band gap semiconductors with band gaps of 3.1 and 2.8 eV, respectively. Rietveld analyses reveal that both compounds crystallize isotypically in the orthorhombic space group Cmce (no. 64) with lattice parameters of a=11.5138(2), b=11.7634(2) and c=5.8202(1) Å for Li₃AlP₂, and a=11.5839(2), b=11.7809(2) and c=5.8129(2) Å for Li₃GaP₂. The crystal structures feature TrP₄ (Tr=Al, Ga) corner- and edge-sharing tetrahedra, forming two-dimensional layers. The lithium atoms are located between and inside these layers. The crystal structures were confirmed by MAS-NMR spectroscopy.     

Vibrational properties of the gallium monohydrides SrGaGeH, BaGaSiH, BaGaGeH, and BaGaSnH

Vibrational properties of the gallium monohydrides SrGaGeH, BaGaSiH, BaGaGeH, and BaGaSnH (AeGaTtH) have been investigated by means of inelastic neutron scattering (INS) and first principles calculations. The compounds contain separated Ga–H units being part of a two dimensional polyanionic layer, [TtGaH]²⁻ (Tt=Si, Ge, Sn). The INS spectra show internal Ga–H bending and stretching modes at frequencies around 900 and 1200 cm⁻¹, respectively. While the stretching mode is virtually invariant with respect to the variable chemical environment of the Ga–H unit, the bending mode frequency varies and is highest for BaGaSiH and lowest for BaGaSnH. The stretching mode is a direct measure of the Ga–H bond strength, whereas the bending mode reflects indirectly the strength of alkaline earth metal–hydrogen interaction. Accordingly, the terminal Ga–H bond in solid state AeGaTtH is distinct, but—compared to molecular gallium hydrides—very weak.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermally robust amidinato group 13 hydride complexes

The reactivity of two sterically bulky amidines, ArNC(R)N(H)Ar (Ar=2,6-diisopropylphenyl; R=H (HFiso); tBu, (HPiso)) towards LiMH4, M=Al or Ga, [AlH3(NMe3)], and [GaH3(quin)] (quin=quinuclidine) has been examined. This has given rise to a variety of very thermally stable aluminum and gallium hydride complexes. The structural motif adopted by the prepared complexes has been found to be dependent upon both the amidinate ligand and the metal involved. The 1:1 reaction of HFiso with LiAlH4 yielded dimeric [{AlH3(mu-Fiso)Li(OEt2)}2]. Amidine HFiso reacts in a 1:1 ratio with [AlH3(NMe3)] to give the unusual hydride-bridging dimeric complex, [{AlH2(Fiso)}2], in which the Fiso- ligand is nonchelating. The equivalent reaction with the bulkier amidine, HPiso, yielded a related hydride-bridging complex, [{AlH2(Piso)}2], in which the Piso- ligand is chelating. In contrast, the treatment of [GaH3(quin)] with one equivalent of HFiso afforded the four-coordinate complex [GaH2(quin)(Fiso)], in which the Fiso- ligand acts as a localized monodentate amido-imine ligand. The 2:1 reactions of HFiso with [AlH3(NMe3)] or [GaH3(quin)] gave the monomeric complexes [MH(Fiso)2], which are thermally robust and which exhibit chelating amidinate ligands. In contrast, HPiso did not give 2:1 complexes in its reactions with either of the Group 13 trihydride precursors. For sake of comparison, the reactions of [AlH3(NMe3)] and [GaH3(quin)] with the bulky carbodiimide ArN=C=NAr and the thiourea Ar(H)NC(=S)N(H)Ar were examined. These last reactions afforded the five-coordinate thioureido complexes, [MH{N(Ar)C[N(H)(Ar)]S}2], M=Al or Ga.     

Structural assignment of organotin hydrides containing the oxazoline ligand

A series of triorganotin hydrides and diorganotin dihydrides containing the optically active 2-(4-isopropyl-2-oxazolinyl)-5-phenyl ligand have been characterized by means of the multinuclear low-temperature NMR investigations, the results of which are discussed. In the corresponding organotin hydrides values of the ¹J(¹H-^117/119Sn) couplings appeared to be temperature dependent, supporting an axial/equatorial position of the hydrogen attached to the tin.     

From 3D to 2D: Structural,Spectroscopic and Theoretical Investigations of the Dimensionality Reduction in the [PtAl2]δ− Polyanions of the Isotypic MPtAl2 Series (M=Ca–Ba,Eu)

Four new MPtAl₂ (M=Ca, Sr, Ba, Eu) compounds, adopting the orthorhombic MgCuAl₂-type structure, have been synthesized from the elements using tantalum ampoules. All compounds are obtained as platelet-shaped crystallites and exhibit an increasing moisture sensitivity with increasing size of the formal M cation. Structural investigations indicate a pronounced elongation of the crystallographic b-axis, which results in a significant distortion of the [PtAl₂]^δ− polyanion. Within the polyanion, layer-like arrangements can be found with bonding Pt−Al interactions within the slab; the increase of the b-axis can be attributed to increasing Al−Al distances and therefore decreasing interactions between the slabs, caused by the differently-sized formal M cations. While the alkaline earth (M=Ca, Sr) representatives exhibit Pauli paramagnetism, BaPtAl₂ shows diamagnetic behavior, finally EuPtAl₂ is ferromagnetic with T_C=54.0(5) K. The effective magnetic moment indicates that the Eu atoms are in a divalent oxidation state, which is confirmed by ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopic investigations. Measurements below the Curie-temperature show a full magnetic hyperfine field splitting with B_hf=21.7(1) T. ²⁷Al and ¹⁹⁵Pt magic-angle spinning NMR spectroscopy corroborates the presence of single crystallographic sites for the Pt and Al atoms. The large ²⁷Al nuclear electric quadrupolar coupling constants confirm unusually strong electric field gradients, in agreement with the structural distortions and the respective theoretical calculations. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been utilized to investigate the charge transfer within the polyanion. The Pt 4f binding energy decreases with decreasing electronegativity / ionization energy of the alkaline earth elements, suggesting an increasing electron density at the Pt atoms. Theoretical investigations underline the platinide character of the investigated compounds by Bader charge calculations. The analysis of the integrated crystal orbital Hamilton population (ICOHP) values, electron localization function (ELF) and isosurface analyses lead to a consistent structural picture, indicating stable layer-like arrangements of the [PtAl₂]^δ− polyanion.     

Partial incorporation of a cyclopentadienyl ligand into a molybdaborane to form a molybdacarbaborane

Reaction of the molybdaborane arachno-2-[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)B₄H₇] (I) with NEt₃ in toluene at 120 °C for 7 days gives a 90% yield of the molybdacarbaborane nido-1-[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η³:η²-C₃H₃)C₂B₃H₅] (II). Two of the carbon atoms in the substituted cyclopentadienyl ring in I are incorporated into the metallacarbaborane cluster II. The carbaborane {C₂B₃H₅} fragment in II is attached to an allylic {C₃H₃} group and can be thought of as a new non-planar {C₅B₃H₈} ligand providing seven electrons to the molybdenum atom. Reaction of I with KH in thf at 20 °C gives the anion via deprotonation of a B-H-B bridging proton.     

Hydrocarbon-soluble calcium hydride: a "worker-bee" in calcium chemistry

The reactivity of the hydrocarbon-soluble calcium hydride complex [{CaH(dipp-nacnac)(thf)}(2)] (1; dipp-nacnac=CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N)}(2)) with a large variety of substrates has been investigated. Addition of 1 to C=O and C=N functionalities gave easy access to calcium alkoxide and amide complexes. Similarly, reduction of the C[triple chemical bond]N bond in a cyanide or an isocyanide resulted in the first calcium aldimide complexes [Ca{N=C(H)R}(dipp-nacnac)] and [Ca{C(H)=NR}(dipp-nacnac)], respectively. Complexation of 1 with borane or alane Lewis acids gave the borates and alanates as contact ion pairs. In reaction with epoxides, nucleophilic ring-opening is observed as the major reaction. The high reactivity of hydrocarbon-soluble 1 with most functional groups contrasts strongly with that of insoluble CaH(2), which is essentially inert and is used as a common drying agent. Crystal structures of the following products are presented: [{Ca{OC(H)Ph(2)}(dipp-nacnac)}(2)], [{Ca{N=C(H)Ph}(dipp-nacnac)}(2)], [{Ca{C(H)=NC(Me)(2)CH(2)C(Me)(3)}(dipp-nacnac)}(2)], [{Ca{C(H)=NCy}(dipp-nacnac)}(2)], [Ca(dipp-nacnac)(thf)](+)[H(2)BC(8)H(14)](-) and [{Ca(OCy)(dipp-nacnac)}(2)]. The generally smooth and clean conversions of 1 with a variety of substrates and the stability of most intermediates against ligand exchange make 1 a valuable key precursor in the syntheses of a wide variety of beta-diketiminate calcium complexes.     

Metal fragment exchange from a molybdaborane to a tungstaborane

Reaction of the molybdaborane arachno-2-[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)B₄H₇] (I) with the electron-rich molecule [W(PMe₃)₃H₆] at 60 °C for 12 h in toluene gives the novel tungstaborane nido-2-W(PMe₃)₃H₂B₄H₇[Mo(η-C₅H₅)(η⁵:η¹-C₅H₄)H₂] (II) in 60% yield. The reaction is almost quantitative when followed by NMR. This is a rare example of metal fragment exchange within a metallaborane cage. The molybdenum atom is retained in the molecule via a σ-bond between the substituted cyclopentadienyl ring and a basal boron atom in the metallaborane cluster.     

Motion of Li+ in Nanoengineered LiBH4 and LiBH4:Al2O3 Comparison with the Microcrystalline Form

The introduction of structural disorder and large volume fractions of different kinds of interfaces enables the manipulation of ion dynamics in solids. Variable-temperature solid-state NMR relaxometry is highly useful to study Li⁺ jump processes. If carried out as a function of frequency, the resulting NMR relaxation rates also contain information on the dimensionality (1D, 2D, or 3D) of the diffusion process. Recently, NMR relaxometry has revealed the 2D nature of Li hopping in LiBH₄, and thus this hydride is an interesting ion conductor for further diffusion studies on the spatially confined motion of Li spins. Here, nanocrystalline LiBH₄ and the two-phase analogue LiBH₄:Al₂O₃, which are prepared by ball milling, serve as interesting model systems to track the changes in NMR relaxation rates with respect to coarse-grained, thermodynamically stable LiBH₄. This reveals that interface (nano)engineering influences the hexagonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition and thus alters the ion-transport properties of Li in one- and two-phase LiBH₄ towards higher diffusivities at lower temperatures.     

A new look at the nido-undecaborate system

The structure of the nido-undecaborate anion, [B₁₁H₁₄]⁻, has been re-examined because of what appear to be discrepancies that were observed between our determination of the structure of the anion in [(Cp₂Zr)₂B₅H₈][B₁₁H₁₄] (1) and previously published structures. The structure of 1 indicated the presence of two bridging H atoms and another pseudo-bridging one whereas those of a series of published structures indicate the presence of a plane of symmetry with two bridging H atoms and one endo-H atom. Thus, we undertook a series of structural determinations and also a computational study at the B3LYP/6-31++G(d,p) level. In addition to 1, the species studied included [NBnEt₃][B₁₁H₁₄] (2), [NBnEt₃][7-Br-nido-B₁₁H₁₃] (3) and [NBnEt₃][7-(η¹-dppm)-nido-B₁₁H₁₂] (4). Our structure of 2 indicated the presence of two bridging H atoms and an endo-hydrogen atom with some bridging character but that of 3 contained three bridging atoms. As expected the structure of 4 contains two bridging H atoms. Calculations of bond parameters fit well with the experimental data as do the ¹¹B NMR chemical shifts. The latter were calculated for the average of the two open face configurations, one with two bridging and one endo-hydrogen and the other with three bridging hydrogen atoms. The difference in energies for these two open face configurations is calculated to be 0.36 kJ/mol, which effectively suggests that the two structures are equally favored.     

Analysis of silica hydride and surface hydrosilation reactions by solid-state NMR in the preparation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> p</Emphasis>-chlorobenzamide bonded silica phase

²⁹Si and ¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to follow the conversion of native silica to a p-chlorobenzamide bonded silica material. The benzamide bonded phase was prepared via a hydrosilation reaction of a hydride silica intermediate with p-chloro-N-allylbenzamide. Solid-state NMR was used to show the disappearance of reactive surface hydride species (M_H) and to identify newly formed bonded chemical species on the silica surface. DRIFT spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and specific surface-area determinations (BET) of the prepared phases are also reported.