Isolation and Structural X‐ray Investigation of Perfluoroalkyl Derivatives of Six Cage Isomers of C84

Perfluoroalkylation of a higher fullerene mixture with CF₃I or C₂F₅I, followed by HPLC separation of CF₃ and C₂F₅ derivatives, resulted in the isolation of several C₈₄(R^F)_n (n=12, 16) compounds. Single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography with the use of synchrotron radiation allowed structure elucidation of eight C₈₄(R^F)_n compounds containing six different C₈₄ cages (the number of the C₈₄ isomer is given in parentheses): C₈₄ (23)(C₂F₅)₁₂ ( I ), C₈₄ (22)(CF₃)₁₆ ( II ), C₈₄ (22)(C₂F₅)₁₂ ( III ), C₈₄ (11)(C₂F₅)₁₂ ( IV ), C₈₄ (16)(C₂F₅)₁₂ ( V ), C₈₄ (4)(CF₃)₁₂ ( VI with toluene and VII with hexane as solvate molecules), and C₈₄ (18)(C₂F₅)₁₂ ( VIII ). Whereas some connectivity patterns of C₈₄ isomers (22, 23, 11) had previously been unambiguously confirmed by different methods, derivatives of C₈₄ isomers numbers 4, 16, and 18 have been investigated crystallographically for the first time, thus providing direct proof of the connectivity patterns of rare C₈₄ isomers. General aspects of the addition of R^F groups to C₈₄ cages are discussed in terms of the preferred positions in the pentagons under the formation of chains, pairs, and isolated R^F groups.     

The Unanticipated Dimerization of Ce@C2v(9)‐C82 upon Co‐crystallization with Ni(octaethylporphyrin) and Comparison with Monomeric M@C2v(9)‐C82 (M = La,Sc, and Y)

We report that Ce@C_2v(9)‐C₈₂ forms a centrosymmetric dimer when co‐crystallized with Ni(OEP) (OEP = octaethylporphyrin dianion). The crystal structure of {Ce@C_2v(9)‐C₈₂}₂?2[Ni(OEP)]?4 C₆H₆ shows that a new C?C bond with a bond length of 1.605(5) Å connects the two cages. The high spin density of the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) on the cage and the pyramidalization of the cage are factors that favor dimerization. In contrast, the treatment of Ni(OEP) with M@C_2v(9)‐C₈₂ (M = La, Sc, and Y) results in crystallization of monomeric endohedral fullerenes. A systematic comparison of the X‐ray structures of M@C_2v(9)‐C₈₂ (M = Sc, Y, La, Ce, Gd, Yb, and Sm) reveals that the major metal site in each case is located at an off‐center position adjacent to a hexagonal ring along the C₂ axis of the C_2v(9)‐C₈₂ cage. DFT calculations at the M06‐2X level revealed that the positions of the metal centers in these metallofullerenes M@C_2v(9)‐C₈₂ (M = Sc, Y, and Ce), as determined by single‐crystal X‐ray structure studies, correspond to an energy minimum for each compound.     

14‐Vertex Heteroboranes with 14 Skeletal Electron Pairs: An Experimental and Computational Study

Three isomers of [(Cp*Ru)₂C₂B₁₀H₁₂], the first examples of 14‐vertex heteroboranes containing 14‐skeletal electron pairs, have been synthesized by the direct electrophilic insertion of a {Cp*Ru⁺} fragment into the anion [4‐Cp*‐4,1,6‐RuC₂B₁₀H₁₂]^?. All three compounds have the same unique polyhedral structure having an approximate C_s symmetry and featuring a four‐atom trapezoidal face. X‐ray diffraction studies could confidently identify only one of the two cage C atoms in each structure. The other C atom position has been established by a combination of i) best fitting of computed and experimental ¹¹B and ¹H NMR chemical shifts, and ii) consideration of the lowest computed energy for series of isomers studied by DFT calculations. In all three isomers, one cage C atom occupies a degree‐4 vertex on the short parallel edge of the trapezium.     

A Robust Porous Quinoline Cage: Transformation of a [4+6] Salicylimine Cage by Povarov Cyclization

Porous shape-persistent organic cages have become the object of interest in recent years because they are soluble and thus processable from solution. A variety of cages can be achieved by applying dynamic covalent chemistry (DCC), but they are less chemically stable. Here the transformation of a salicylimine cage into a quinoline cage by a twelve-fold Povarov reaction as the key step is described. Besides the chemical stability of the cage over a broad pH regime, it shows a unique absorption and emission depending on acid concentration. Furthermore, thin films for the vapor detection of acids were investigated, showing color switches from pale-yellow to red, and characteristic emission profiles.     

Synthesis and Structure of (CH3Si)6(NH)9: A Si–N Cage Made from Methyltrichlorosilane and Ammonia

No bulky substituents are bonded to the silicon centers of the cagelike title compound 1 , which is readily formed by reaction of methyltrichlorosilane with ammonia and sodium. According to X-ray structure analysis, 1 consists of two Si₃N₃ rings in the chair conformation that are bridged through the silicon centers by NH groups. The result is a cage in which three bars are missing, as can be seen on the right.     

An Open‐Cage Fullerene That Mimics the C60H10 (5,5)‐Carbon Nanotube Endcap to Host Acetylene and Hydrogen Cyanide Molecules

Treatment of the open‐cage fullerene C₆₃H₄NO₂(Ph)₂(Py)(N₂C₆H₄) ( 1 ) with methanol at 150 °C results in an orifice‐enlargement reaction to give C₆₉H₈NO(CO₂Me)(Ph)(Py)(N₂C₆H₄) ( 2 ). The overall yield from C₆₀ to isolated 2 is 6.1 % (four steps). Compound 2 contains a 24‐membered elliptic orifice that spans 8.45 Å along the major axis and 6.37 Å along the minor axis. The skeleton of 2 resembles the hypothetic C₆₀H₁₀ (5,5)‐carbon nanotube endcap. The cup‐shaped structure of 2 is able to include water, hydrogen cyanide, and acetylene, forming H₂O@ 2 , HCN@ 2 , and C₂H₂@ 2 , respectively. The molecular structures of H₂O@ 2 and HCN@ 2 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. The ¹H NMR spectra reveal substantial upfield shifts for the endohedral species, such as δ=?10.30 (for H₂O), ?2.74 and ?14.26 (for C₂H₂), and ?1.22 ppm (for HCN), owing to the strong shielding effects of the fullerene cage.     

[Co@Ge10]3−: An Intermetalloid Cluster with Archimedean Pentagonal Prismatic Structure

Inorganic pentaprismane : The unusual structure of the anion [Co@Ge₁₀]^3?, which was obtained by the reaction of K₄Ge₉ with [Co(C₈H₁₂)(C₈H₁₃)] in ethylenediamine, raises questions about chemical bonding in the anion. The Zintl ion cluster has virtual D_5h symmetry and is a unique example of a ligand‐free cluster that is not a deltahedron. The delocalized chemical bonding is represented in the picture by one of the bonding orbitals of the anion.

     

[{LiCH(CH2CH2OMen)SO2Ph}4] (OMen = Menthyl): Synthesis and First Structure of a Chiral Solvent Free Lithiated Sulfone with a Direct Li–C Bond

R*OCH₂CH₂CH₂SO₂Ph (R*OH = MenOH, (–)‐menthol, ( 3a ); BorOH, (1S)‐(–)‐borneol, ( 3b )) were found to react with n‐BuLi in n‐pentane/n‐hexane and toluene/n‐hexane under deprotonation yielding LiCH(CH₂CH₂OR*)SO₂Ph (R* = Men, ( 4a ); Bor, ( 4b )) which reacted with n‐Bu₃SnCl forming the requisite tri(n‐butyl)tin compounds n‐Bu₃SnCH(CH₂CH₂OR*)SO₂Ph (R* = Men, ( 5a ); Bor, ( 5b )) as diastereomeric mixtures. The identities of 5a and 5b were unambiguously proved by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopic measurements. Solutions of 4a afforded crystals of [{LiCH(CH₂CH₂OMen)SO₂Ph}₄] ( 4a′ ) for which the structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography. Complex 4a′ crystallized in a tetrameric structure without any additional solvent molecules. There were found direct Li–C bonds (Li1–C1/Li2–C20 2.231(9)/2.236(9) Å). The tetrahedral donor set of Li is completed by three oxygen atoms. One oxygen atom comes from the OMen substituent via intramolecular coordination and two oxygen atoms come from SO₂ groups of neighboured LiCH(CH₂CH₂OMen)SO₂Ph moieties. Thus, a heterocubane structure with a Li₄S₄ core is built up.     

Chlorination‐Promoted Cage Transformation of IPR C92 Discovered via Trifluoromethylation under Formation of Non‐classical C92(NC)(CF3)22

High‐temperature trifluoromethylation of isolated‐pentagon‐rule (IPR) fullerene C₉₂ chlorination products followed by HPLC separation of C₉₂(CF₃)_n derivatives resulted in the isolation and X‐ray structural characterization of IPR C₉₂(38)(CF₃)₁₈ and non‐classical C₉₂(NC)(CF₃)₂₂. The formation of C₉₂(38)(CF₃)₁₈ as the highest CF₃ derivative of the known isomer C₉₂(38) can be expected. The formation of C₉₂(NC)(CF₃)₂₂ was interpreted as chlorination‐promoted cage transformation of C₉₂(38) followed by trifluoromethylation of non‐classical C₉₂(NC) chloride. Noticeably, C₉₂(NC)(CF₃)₂₂ shows the highest degree of trifluoromethylation among all known CF₃ derivatives of fullerenes. The addition patterns of C₉₂(38)(CF₃)₁₈ and C₉₂(NC)(CF₃)₂₂ are discussed and compared to the chlorination patterns of C₉₂(38)Cl_n compounds.     

Encapsulation of Formaldehyde and Hydrogen Cyanide in an Open‐Cage Fullerene

Reaction of C₆₃NO₂(Ph)₂(Py) ( 1 ) with o‐phenylenediamine and pyridine produces a mixture of C₆₃H₄NO₂(Ph)₂(Py)(N₂C₆H₄) ( 2 ) and H₂O@ 2 . Compound 2 is a new open‐cage fullerene containing a 20‐membered heterocyclic orifice, which has been fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy, high‐resolution mass spectrometry, and X‐ray crystallography. The elliptical orifice of 2 spans 7.45 Å along the major axis and 5.62 Å along the minor axis, which is large enough to trap water and small organic molecules. Thus, heating a mixture of 2 and H₂O@ 2 with hydrogen cyanide and formaldehyde in chlorobenzene affords HCN@ 2 and H₂CO@ 2 , respectively. The ¹H NMR spectroscopy reveals substantial upfield shifts for the endohedral species (δ=?1.30 to ?11.30 ppm), owing to the strong shielding effect of the fullerene cage.     

Chlorination‐Promoted Skeletal‐Cage Transformations of C88 Fullerene by C2 Losses and a CC Bond Rotation

High‐temperature chlorination of fullerene C₈₈ (isomer 33) with VCl₄ gives rise to skeletal transformations affording several nonclassical (NC) fullerene chlorides, C₈₆(NC1)Cl_24/26 and C₈₄(NC2)Cl₂₆, with one and two heptagons, respectively, in the carbon cages. The branched skeletal transformation including C₂ losses as well as a Stone–Wales rearrangement has been comprehensively characterized by the structure determination of two intermediates and three final chlorination products. Quantum‐chemical calculations demonstrate that the average energy of the C?Cl bond is significantly increased in chlorides of nonclassical fullerenes with a large number of chlorinated sites of pentagon–pentagon adjacency.     

Synthesis and structural analysis of the polymetallated alkali calixarenes [M4(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)x]2.n THF (M=Li,K; n=6 or 1; x=4 or 5) and [Li2(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-2H)(H2O)(mu-H2O)(thf)].3 THF

To study the structures and reactivities of alkali metallated intermediates of calix[4]arenes, three compounds were isolated: [Li(4)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)(4)](2).6 THF (1), [Li(2)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-2H)(H(2)O)(mu-H(2)O)(thf)].3 THF (2), and [K(4)(p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-4H)(thf)(5)](2).THF (3). The structure of 1 is shown to be dependent on the coordinating solvent. Partial hydrolysis of 1 leads to the formation of 2. The potassium compound 3 features a different structure to that of 1, due to a higher coordination number as well as stronger cation-pi-bonding interactions.     

Cage‐like Fe,Na‐Germsesquioxanes: Structure,Magnetism, and Catalytic Activity

A series of four unprecedented heterometallic metallagermsesquioxanes were synthesized. Their cage‐like architectures have a unique type of molecular topology consisting of the hexairon oxo {Fe₆O₁₉} core surrounded in a triangular manner by three cyclic germoxanolates [PhGe(O)O]₅. This structural organization induces antiferromagnetic interactions between the Fe^III ions through the oxygen atoms. Evaluated for this first time in catalysis, these compounds showed a high catalytic activity in the oxidation of alkanes and the oxidative formation of benzamides from alcohols.     

Zinc Hydrazides and Alkoxyhydrazides: Organometallic Compounds with Novel Zn4N8, Zn4N6O and Zn4N4O2 Cage Structures

Tetrameric [{RZn(NHNMe₂)}₄] (R = Me, Et), the first organometallic zinc hydrazides to be described, have been prepared by alkane elimination from dialkylzinc solutions and N,N‐dimethylhydrazine. They were characterised by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystallography. The compounds form asymmetric aggregates containing the novel Zn₄N₈ core; tetrahedra of Zn atoms bear the alkyl groups at Zn, with the triangular faces bridged by NHNMe₂ substituents. The NH groups are connected to two Zn atoms, and the NMe₂ groups to one. Hydrolysis of the compounds with water gives [(RZn)₄(OH)(NHNMe₂)₃] as products, which also were characterised as described above. Higher yields of these hydroxo clusters were achieved in one‐pot syntheses by reaction of dialkylzinc solutions with mixtures of N,N‐dimethylhydrazine and water. They contain Zn₄N₆O cages, in which one hydroxide in the tetrameric hydrazides described above replaces one NHNMe₂ group. Similar products can be prepared with alkoxy instead of hydroxy groups, in analogous one‐pot syntheses with alcohols. Alcoholysis of [EtZn(NHNMe₂)]₄ with methanol or ethanol gave zinc trishydrazide monoalkoxides, [(EtZn)₄(OR)(NHNMe₂)₃] (R = Me, Et), which have constitutions analogous to the monohydroxides. The organozinc bishydrazide bisalkoxides [(MeZn)₄(NHNMe₂)₂(OEt)₂] and [(EtZn)₄(NHNMe₂)₂(OEt)₂] were obtained in one‐pot reactions from dialkylzinc solutions with mixtures of the hydrazine and alcohol, and their crystal structures, confirmed by spectroscopic methods in solution, show an unsymmetrical aggregation with the novel Zn₄N₄O₂ cage structure.