Theoretical Study of Substituent Effects on Geometric and Spectroscopic Parameters (IR, 13C, 29Si NMR) and Energy Decomposition Analysis of the Bonding in Molybdenum Silylidyne Complexes CpMo(CO)2(≡Si‐para‐C6H4X)

In this study, we report the substituent effect on the structures, frontier orbital analysis, and spectroscopic properties (IR , ¹³C , ²⁹Si NMR ) in the molybdenum silylidyne complexes CpMo (CO )₂(≡Si‐para ‐C₆H₄X ) (X = H, F, Cl, CN , NO₂ , Me, OMe , NH₂ , NHMe ) using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations. The calculated structural parameters and spectral parameters are compatible with the experimental values in similar complexes. The nature of the chemical bond between the [Cp(OC ) ₂Mo ]⁻ and [Si‐para ‐C₆H₄X ]⁺ fragments was explored with energy decomposition analysis (EDA ). The percentage composition in terms of the defined groups of frontier orbitals for CpMo (CO )₂(≡Si‐para ‐C₆H₄X ) complexes was investigated to explore the character of the metal–ligand bonds. The linear correlations between the properties and Hammett constants (σ _p) were illustrated. Natural bond orbital analysis (NBO ) was used to illustrate the electronic structure of the complexes.     

The Analysis of Electronic Structures,NBO, EDA,and QTAIM of trans‐(H3P)2(η2‐BH4 )W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X)(CO) Complexes

In the present research, the impact of substitution on the dipole moment, electronic structure, and frontier orbital energy in trans ‐(H₃P )₂(η²‐BH₄ )W(≡C‐para ‐C₆H₄X )(CO ) complexes (X = H, F, SiH₃ , CN , NO₂ , SiMe₃ , CMe₃ , NH₂ , NMe₂ ) was studied with mpw1pw91 quantum chemical computations. The nature of the chemical bond between the trans‐[Cl(η²‐BH₄ )(H₃P ) ₂W ]⁻ and [C‐para ‐C₆H₄X ]⁺ fragments was demonstrated through energy decomposition analysis (EDA ). The percentage composition in terms of the specified groups of frontier orbitals was examined for these complexes to investigate the feature in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM ) and natural bond orbital (NBO ) analysis were applied to elucidate these complexes’ metal–ligand bonds.     

Site‐Directed Dimerization of Bowl‐Shaped Radical Anions to Form a σ‐Bonded Dibenzocorannulene Dimer

Designed site‐directed dimerization of the monoanion radicals of a π‐bowl in the solid state is reported. Dibenzo[a,g]corannulene (C₂₈H₁₄) was selected based on the asymmetry of the charge/spin localization in the C₂₈H₁₄^.? anion. Controlled one‐electron reduction of C₂₈H₁₄ with Cs metal in diglyme resulted in crystallization of a new dimer, [{Cs⁺(diglyme)}₂(C₂₈H₁₄?C₂₈H₁₄)^2?] ( 1 ), as revealed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction study performed in a broad range of temperatures. The C?C bond length between two C₂₈H₁₄^.? bowls (1.560(8) Å) measured at ?143 °C does not significantly change upon heating of the crystal to +67 °C. The single σ‐bond character of the C?C linker is confirmed by calculations. The trans‐disposition of two bowls in 1 is observed with the torsion angles around the central C?C bond of 172.3(5)° and 173.5(5)°. A systematic theoretical evaluation of dimerization pathways of C₂₈H₁₄^.? radicals confirmed that the trans‐isomer found in 1 is energetically favored.     

Two CoII coordination polymers of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid with flexible N‐donor ligands: syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Two Co^II‐based coordination polymers, namely poly[(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){μ₂‐1,3‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)], [Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂]_n or [Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,3‐bimb)₂]_n ( I ), and poly[[aqua(μ₄‐biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylato){1,4‐bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene}dicobalt(II)] dihydrate], {[Co₂(C₁₆H₆O₈)(C₁₄H₁₄N₄)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n or {[Co₂(o,m‐bpta)(1,4‐bimb)₂(H₂O)₂]·4H₂O}_n ( II ), were synthesized from a mixture of biphenyl‐2,2′,5,5′‐tetracarboxylic acid, i.e. [H₄(o,m‐bpta)], CoCl₂·6H₂O and N‐donor ligands under solvothermal conditions. The complexes were characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction and powder X‐ray diffraction analysis. The bridging (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands combine with Co^II ions in different μ₄‐coordination modes, leading to the formation of one‐dimensional chains. The central Co^II atoms display tetrahedral [CoN₂O₂] and octahedral [CoN₂O₄] geometries in I and II , respectively. The bis[(1H‐imidazol‐1‐yl)methyl]benzene (bimb) ligands adopt trans or cis conformations to connect Co^II ions, thus forming two three‐dimensional (3D) networks. Complex I shows a (2,4)‐connected 3D network with left‐ and right‐handed helical chains constructed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? ligands. Complex II is a (4,4)‐connected 3D novel network with ribbon‐like chains formed by (o,m‐bpta)^4? linkers. Magnetic studies indicate an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment of I and II due to the longer Co…Co distances. An attempt has been made to fit the χ_MT results to the magnetic formulae for mononuclear Co^II complexes, the fitting indicating the presence of weak antiferromagnetic interactions between the Co^II ions.     

Substituent Effect on the Electronic Properties and Nature of the W≡C Bond in trans‐Cl(OC)(H3P)3W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X) (X = H,F, SiH3, CN,NO2, SiMe3, CMe3, NH2, NMe2) Complexes: A Computational Quantum Chemistry Study

In this investigation, we describe substituent effect on the dipole moment, ionization potential, electron affinity, structure, frontier orbitals energy, in the trans‐Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W(≡C‐para‐C₆H₄X) (X = H, F, SiH₃, CN, NO₂, SiMe₃, CMe₃, NH₂, NMe₂) complexes using MPW1PW91 quantum chemical calculations. The nature of chemical bond between the [Cl(OC)(H₃P)₃W]⁻ and [C‐para‐C₆H₄X]⁺ fragments was illustrated with energy decomposition analysis (EDA). Percentage composition in terms of the defined groups of frontier orbitals for these complexes was inspected to investigate the character in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was used for illustration of metal–ligand bonds in these complexes.     

Synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties of diaquabis(2,6‐diamino‐7H‐purin‐1‐ium‐κN9)bis(4,4′‐oxydibenzoato‐κO)cobalt(II) dihydrate

The title mononuclear Co^II complex, [Co(C₅H₇N₆)₂(C₁₄H₈O₅)₂(H₂O)₂]·2H₂O, has been synthesized and its crystal structure determined by X‐ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P, with one formula unit per cell (Z = 1 and Z′ = ). It consists of a mononuclear unit with the Co^II ion on an inversion centre coordinated by two 2,6‐diamino‐7H‐purin‐1‐ium cations, two 4,4′‐oxydibenzoate anions (in a nonbridging κO‐monodentate coordination mode, which is less common for the anion in its Co^II complexes) and two water molecules, defining an octahedral environment around the metal atom. There is a rich assortment of nonbonding interactions, among which a strong N⁺—H…O⁻ bridge, with a short N…O distance of 2.5272 (18) Å, stands out, with the H atom ostensibly displaced away from its expected position at the donor side, towards the acceptor. The complex molecules assemble into a three‐dimensional hydrogen‐bonded network. A variable‐temperature magnetic study between 2 and 300 K reveals an orbital contribution to the magnetic moment and a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between Co^II centres as the temperature decreases. The model leads to the following values: A (crystal field strength) = 1.81, λ (spin‐orbit coupling) = −59.9 cm⁻¹, g (Landé factor) = 2.58 and zJ (exchange coupling) = −0.5 cm⁻¹.     

Synthesis,XRD, spectral (IR,UV–Vis,NMR) characterization and quantum chemical exploration of benzoimidazole‐based hydrazones: A synergistic experimental‐computational analysis

Present study advocates the joint experimental and computational studies of two potent benzoimidazole‐based hydrazones with chemical formula C₂₃H₁₈F₂N₄O ( 5a ) and C₂₅H₂₂FN₅O₃ ( 5b ). Both 5a and 5b were synthesized and resolved into their crystal structures using SC‐XRD for the assessment of bond lengths, bond angles, unit cells and space groups. The structures of 5a and 5b were chemically characterized using infrared (FT‐IR), UV–Visible, nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR), EIMS and elemental analysis. DFT at M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory was performed to get optimized structures and countercheck the experimental findings. Overall, DFT findings show excellent concurrence with the experimental data which confirms the purity of both compounds. FMO, NBO analysis, MEP surfaces and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties were explored at same level of theory. UV–Vis analysis at TDDFT/M06‐2X/6‐31G(d,p) level of theory showed that 5b is red shifted with λ_max 331.69 nm as compared to 5a with λ_max 240.25 nm. Global reactivity parameters were estimated using energy of FMOs indicated the greater harness value than the softness values of 5a and 5b . NBO analysis confirmed that the presence of non‐covalent interactions, hydrogen bonding and hyper conjugative interactions are pivotal cause for the existence of 5a and 5b in the solid‐state. NLO results of 5a and 5b were observed better than standard molecule recommended the NLO activity of said molecules for optoelectronic applications.     

New hydrophobic L‐amino acid salts: maleates of L‐leucine,L‐isoleucine and L‐norvaline

Crystals of maleates of three amino acids with hydrophobic side chains [L‐leucenium hydrogen maleate, C₆H₁₄NO₂⁺·C₄H₃O₄⁻, (I), L‐isoleucenium hydrogen maleate hemihydrate, C₆H₁₄NO₂⁺·C₄H₃O₄⁻·0.5H₂O, (II), and L‐norvalinium hydrogen maleate–L‐norvaline (1/1), C₅H₁₁NO₂⁺·C₄H₃O₄⁻·C₅H₁₂NO₂, (III)], were obtained. The new structures contain C₂²(12) chains, or variants thereof, that are a common feature in the crystal structures of amino acid maleates. The L‐leucenium salt is remarkable due to a large number of symmetrically non‐equivalent units (Z′ = 3). The L‐isoleucenium salt is a hydrate despite the fact that L‐isoleucine is a nonpolar hydrophobic amino acid (previously known amino acid maleates formed hydrates only with lysine and histidine, which are polar and hydrophilic). The L‐norvalinium salt provides the first example where the dimeric cation L‐Nva...L‐NvaH⁺ was observed. All three compounds have layered noncentrosymmetric structures. Preliminary tests have shown the presence of the second harmonic generation (SGH) effect for all three compounds.     

ToF‐SIMS and computation analysis: Fragmentation mechanisms of polystyrene,polystyrene‐d5, and polypentafluorostyrene

We studied the time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry fragmentation mechanisms of polystyrenes—phenyl‐fluorinated polystyrene (5FPS), phenyl‐deuterated polystyrene (5DPS), and hydrogenated polystyrene (PS). From the positive ion spectra of 5FPS, we identified some characteristic molecular ion structures with isomeric geometries such as benzylic, benzocyclobutene, benzocyclopentene, cyclopentane, and tropylium systems. These structures were evaluated by the B3LYP‐D/jun‐cc‐pVDZ computation method. The intensities of the C₇H₂F₅⁺ (m/z = 181), CyPent‐C₉H₃F₄⁺ (m/z = 187), CyPent‐C₉H₄F₅⁺ (m/z = 207), and CyPent‐C₉H₂F₅⁺ (m/z = 205) ions were enhanced by resonance stabilization. The positive fluorinated ions from 5FPS tended to rearrange and produce fewer fluorine‐containing molecular ions through the loss of F (m/z = 19), CF (m/z = 31), and CF₂ (m/z = 50) ion fragments. Consequently, the fluorine‐containing polycyclic aromatic ions had much lower intensities than their hydrocarbon counterparts. We propose the fragmentation mechanisms for the formation of C₅H₅⁺, C₆H₅⁺, and C₇H₇⁺ ion fragments, substantiated with detailed analyses of the negative ion spectra. These ions were created through elimination of a pentafluoro‐phenyl anion (C₆F₅⁻) and H⁺, followed by a 1‐electron‐transfer process and then cyclization of the newly generated polyene with carbon‐carbon bond formation. The pendant groups with elements of different electronegativities exerted strong influences on the intensities and fragmentation processes of their corresponding ions.     

Quantum‐chemical,IR, NMR,and X‐ray diffraction studies on 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐methyl‐ 1H‐benzo[d]imidazole

The title molecule, 2‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1‐methyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazole (C₁₄H₁₁ClN₂), was prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The molecular geometry, vibrational frequencies, and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shift values of the title compound in the ground state have been calculated by using the Hartree‐Fock (HF) and density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP) method with 6‐31G(d) basis sets, and compared with the experimental data. The calculated results show that the optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters, and the theoretical vibrational frequencies and GIAO ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts show good agreement with experimental values. The energetic behavior of the title compound in solvent media has been examined using B3LYP method with the 6‐31G(d) basis set by applying the Onsager and the polarizable continuum model (PCM). Besides, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis, and nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of the title compound were investigated by theoretical calculations. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

Poly[[trans‐diaquabis(μ2‐biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylato)bis(μ2‐4,4′‐bipyridine)dicobalt(II)] biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylic acid disolvate]

In the title compound, {[Co₂(C₁₄H₈O₄)₂(C₁₀H₈N₂)₂(H₂O)₂]·2C₁₄H₁₀O₄}_n, each Co^II ion is six‐coordinate in a slightly distorted octahedral geometry. Both Co^II ions are located on twofold axes. One is surrounded by two O atoms from two biphenyl‐2,2′‐dicarboxylate (dpa) dianions, two N atoms from two 4,4′‐bipyridine (bpy) ligands and two water molecules, while the second is surrounded by four O atoms from two dpa dianions and two N atoms from two bpy ligands. The coordinated dpa dianion functions as a κ³‐bridge between the two Co^II ions. One carboxylate group of a dpa dianion bridges two adjacent Co^II ions, and one O atom of the other carboxylate group also chelates to a Co^II ion. The Co^II ions are bridged by dpa dianions and bpy ligands to form a chiral sheet. There are several strong intermolecular hydrogen bonds between the H₂dpa solvent molecule and the chiral sheet, which result in a sandwich structure.     

A new three‐dimensional cobalt(II) coordination polymer based on V‐shaped 3,4′‐oxydibenzoate: synthesis,crystal structure and magnetic properties

A new coordination polymer (CP), namely poly[(μ‐4,4′‐bipyridine)(μ₃‐3,4′‐oxydibenzoato)cobalt(II)], [Co(C₁₄H₈O₅)(C₁₀H₈N₂)]_n or [Co(3,4′‐obb)(4,4′‐bipy)]_n ( 1 ), was prepared by the self‐assembly of Co(NO₃)₂·6H₂O with the rarely used 3,4′‐oxydibenzoic acid (3,4′‐obbH₂) ligand and 4,4′‐bipyridine (4,4′‐bipy) under solvothermal conditions, and has been structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography and powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD). Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction reveals that each Co^II ion is six‐coordinated by four O atoms from three 3,4′‐obb^2? ligands, of which two function as monodentate ligands and the other as a bidentate ligand, and by two N atoms from bridging 4,4′‐bipy ligands, thereby forming a distorted octahedral CoN₂O₄ coordination geometry. Adjacent crystallographically equivalent Co^II ions are bridged by the O atoms of 3,4′‐obb^2? ligands, affording an eight‐membered Co₂O₄C₂ ring which is further extended into a two‐dimensional [Co(3,4′‐obb)]_n sheet along the ab plane via 3,4′‐obb^2? functioning as a bidentate bridging ligand. The planes are interlinked into a three‐dimensional [Co(3,4′‐obb)(4,4′‐bipy)]_n network by 4,4′‐bipy ligands acting as pillars along the c axis. Magnetic investigations on CP 1 disclose an antiferromagnetic coupling within the dimeric Co₂ unit and a metamagnetic behaviour at low temperature resulting from intermolecular π–π interactions between the parallel 4,4′‐bipy ligands.     

Breaking and Making of Carbon–Carbon Bonds by Lanthanides and Third‐Row Transition Metals

Carbon‐atom extrusion from the ipso‐position of a halobenzene ring (C₆H₅X; X=F, Cl, Br, I) and its coupling with a methylene ligand to produce acetylene is not confined to [LaCH₂]⁺; also, the third‐row transition‐metal complexes [MCH₂]⁺, M=Hf, Ta, W, Re, and Os, bring about this unusual transformation. However, substrates with substituents X=CN, NO₂, OCH₃, and CF₃ are either not reactive at all or give rise to different products when reacted with [LaCH₂]⁺. In the thermal gas‐phase processes of atomic Ln⁺ with C₇H₇Cl substrates, only those lanthanides with a promotion energy small enough to attain a 4fⁿ5d¹6s¹ configuration are reactive and form both [LnCl]⁺ and [LnC₅H₅Cl]⁺. Branching ratios and the reaction efficiencies of the various processes seem to correlate with molecular properties, like the bond‐dissociation energies of the C?X or M⁺?X bonds or the promotion energies of lanthanides.     

An experimental and theoretical approach to the molecular structure of 3‐{[4‐(3‐Methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐hydrazono}‐1,3‐dihydro‐ indol‐2‐one

The title molecule, 3‐{[4‐(3‐methyl‐3‐phenyl‐cyclobutyl)‐thiazol‐2‐yl]‐hydrazono}‐1,3‐dihydro‐indol‐2‐one (C₂₂H₂₀N₄O₁S₁), was prepared and characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, UV–visible, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21 with a = 8.3401(5), b = 5.6976(3), c = 20.8155(14) Å, and β = 95.144(5)°. Molecular geometry from X‐ray experiment and vibrational frequencies of the title compound in the ground state has been calculated using the Hartree–Fock with 6‐31G(d, p) and density functional method (B3LYP) with 6‐31G(d, p) and 6‐311G(d, p) basis sets, and compared with the experimental data. The calculated results show that optimized geometries can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters, and the theoretical vibrational frequencies values show good agreement with experimental data. Density functional theory calculations of the title compound and thermodynamic properties were performed at B3LYP/6‐31G(d, p) level of theory. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Spectral Properties of a Cobalt(II) Complex with N‐Salicylidene‐p‐Toluidine

The complex Co(C₁₄H₁₃NO)₂Cl₂ with the protonated N‐salicylidene‐p‐toluidine ligand was synthesized from an ethanolic solution of CoCl₂·6H₂O and N‐salicylidene‐p‐toluidine. The crystal structure was determined from X‐ray single crystal data (monoclinic, space group Cc, a = 1496.2(3) pm, b = 1257.4(4) pm, c = 1544.6(3) pm, β = 115.01(1)°, Z = 4). Co²⁺ adopts a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The UV‐Vis and IR spectra of the complex are discussed.     

Density functional theory study of calix[4]arene‐N‐azacrown‐5, calix[4]arene‐N‐phenyl‐azacrown‐5, and their complexes with alkali‐metal cations: Na+, K+, and Rb+

Theoretical studies of 1,3‐alternate‐25,27‐bis(1‐methoxyethyl)calix[4]arene‐azacrown‐5 ( L₁ ), 1,3‐alternate‐25,27‐bis(1‐methoxyethyl)calix[4]arene‐N‐phenyl‐azacrown‐5 ( L₂ ), and the corresponding complexes M⁺/ L of L₁ and L₂ with the alkali‐metal cations: Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺ have been performed using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP/6‐31G* level. The optimized geometric structures obtained from DFT calculations are used to perform natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The two main types of driving force metal–ligand and cation–π interactions are investigated. The results indicate that intermolecular electrostatic interactions are dominant and the electron‐donating oxygen offer lone pair electrons to the contacting RY* (1‐center Rydberg) or LP* (1‐center valence antibond lone pair) orbitals of M⁺ (Na⁺, K⁺, and Rb⁺). What's more, the cation–π interactions between the metal ion and π‐orbitals of the two rotated benzene rings play a minor role. For all the structures, the most pronounced changes in geometric parameters upon interaction are observed in the calix[4]arene molecule. In addition, an extra pendant phenyl group attached to nitrogen can promote metal complexation by 3D encapsulation greatly. In addition, the enthalpies of complexation reaction and hydrated cation exchange reaction had been studied by the calculated thermodynamic data. The calculated results of hydrated cation exchange reaction are in a good agreement with the experimental data for the complexes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Preparation and Application of Cholesteryl‐Benzo‐15‐Crown‐5/Cholesteryl Mixed Liquid Crystals

Various mixed liquid crystals containing crown ether‐cholesteryl liquid crystal, benzo‐15‐crown‐5‐COO‐C₂₇H₄₅ (B15C5‐COOCh), with various common cholesteric liquid crystals, e.g., cholesteryl chloride, cholesteryl benzoate and cholesteryl palmitate, were prepared and studied using polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Investigating the concentration effect of B15C5‐COOCh in mixed liquid crystals revealed that the addition of B15C5‐COOCh resulted in wider phase transition temperature ranges of these cholesteryl liquid crystals. The stability of these B15C5‐COOCh/cholesteryl mixed liquid crystals was studied using comprehensive graphic molecular modeling computer programs (Insight II and Discover) to calculate their molecular energy and stability energy. The effect of salts, e.g. Na⁺, Co³⁺, Y³⁺ and La³⁺, on the transition temperature range of the mixed liquid crystals was also investigated. The crown ether cholesteric liquid crystal B15C5‐COOCh was applied both as a surfactant and an ion transport carrier to transport metal ions through liquid membranes. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 exhibited distinctive characteristics of a surfactant and the critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the surfactant was investigated by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. Cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 was successfully applied as a good ion transport carrier (Ionophore) to transport various metal ions, e.g. Li⁺, Na⁺, La³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Co³⁺, through organic liquid membranes. The transport ability of the cholesteryl benzo‐15‐crown‐5 surfactant for these metal ions was in the order: Co³⁺ ≥ Li⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Na⁺ > La³⁺.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.     

Stabilized Carbenium Ions as Latent,Z‐type Ligands

Controlling the reactivity of transition metals using secondary, σ‐accepting ligands is an active area of investigation that is impacting molecular catalysis. Herein we describe the phosphine gold complexes [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Acr)AuCl]⁺ ([ 3 ]⁺; Acr=9‐N‐methylacridinium) and [(o‐Ph₂P(C₆H₄)Xan)AuCl]⁺ ([ 4 ]⁺; Xan=9‐xanthylium) where the electrophilic carbenium moiety is juxtaposed with the metal atom. While only weak interactions occur between the gold atom and the carbenium moiety of these complexes, the more Lewis acidic complex [ 4 ]⁺ readily reacts with chloride to afford a trivalent phosphine gold dichloride derivative ( 7 ) in which the metal atom is covalently bound to the former carbocationic center. This anion‐induced Au^I/Au^III oxidation is accompanied by a conversion of the Lewis acidic carbocationic center in [ 4 ]⁺ into an X‐type ligand in 7 . We conclude that the carbenium moiety of this complex acts as a latent Z‐type ligand poised to increase the Lewis acidity of the gold center, a notion supported by the carbophilic reactivity of these complexes.