On the Structural Chemistry of γ‐Brasses: Two Different Interpenetrating Networks in Ternary F‐Cell Pd–Zn–Al Phases

Novel ternary phases, (Pd_1?xZn_x)₁₈(Zn_1?yAl_y)_86?δ (0≤x≤0.162, 0.056≤y≤0.088, 0≤δ≤4), which adopt a superstructure of the γ‐brass type (called γ′‐brass), have been synthesized from the elements at 1120 K. Single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis reveals a phase width (F$\bar 4$ 3m, a=18.0700(3)–18.1600(2) Å, Pearson symbols cF400–cF416), which is associated with structural disorder based on both vacancies as well as mixed site occupancies. These structures are constructed of four independent 26‐atom γ‐clusters per primitive unit cells and centered at the four special positions A (0, 0, 0), B (1/4, 1/4, 1/4), C (1/2, 1/2, 1/2) and D (3/4, 3/4, 3/4). Two of these, centered at B and C , are completely ordered Pd₄Zn₂₂ clusters, whereas the other two, centered at A and D , contain all structural disorder in the system. According to our single‐crystal X‐ray results, Al substitutions are restricted to the A ‐ and D ‐centered clusters. Moreover, the outer tetrahedron (OT) site of the 26‐atom cluster at D is completely vacant at the Al‐rich boundary of these phases. Electronic structure calculations, using the tight‐binding linear muffin‐tin orbital atomic‐spheres approximation (TB‐LMTO‐ASA) method, on models of these new, ternary γ′‐brass phases indicate that the observed chemical compositions and atomic distributions lead to the presence of a pseudogap at the Fermi level in the electronic density of states curves, which is consistent with the Hume‐Rothery interpretation of γ‐brasses, in general.     

The Silicides M4Si4 with M = Na,K, Rb,Cs, and Ba2Si4 – NMR Spectroscopy and Quantum Mechanical Calculations

The Zintl phases M₄Si₄ with M = Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Ba₂Si₄ feature a common structural unit, the Si₄^4– anion. The coordination of the anions by the cations varies significantly. This allows a systematic investigation of the bonding situation of the anions by ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy. The compounds were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, magnetic susceptibility measurements, ²³Na, ²⁹Si, ⁸⁷Rb, ¹³³Cs NMR spectroscopy, and quantum mechanical calculation of the NMR coupling parameter. The chemical bonding was investigated by quantum mechanical calculations of the electron localizability indicator (ELI). Synthesis of the compounds results for all of them in single phase material. A systematic increase of the isotropic ²⁹Si NMR signal shift with increasing atomic number of the cations is observed by NMR experiments and quantum mechanical calculation of the NMR coupling parameter. The agreement of experimental and theoretical results is very good allowing an unambiguous assignment of the NMR signals to the atomic sites. Quantum mechanical modelling of the NMR shift parameter indicates a dominant influence of the cations on the isotropic ²⁹Si NMR signal shift. In contrast to this a negligible influence of the geometry of the anions on the NMR signal shift is obtained by these model calculations. The origin of the systematic variation of the isotropic NMR signal shift is not yet clear although an influence of the charge transfer estimated by calculation using the QTAIM approach is indicated.     

Isolatable Organophosphorus(III)–Tellurium Heterocycles

A new structural arrangement Te₃(RP^III)₃ and the first crystal structures of organophosphorus(III)–tellurium heterocycles are presented. The heterocycles can be stabilized and structurally characterized by the appropriate choice of substituents in Te_m(P^IIIR)_n (m=1: n=2, R=OMes* (Mes*=supermesityl or 2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl); n=3, R=adamantyl (Ad); n=4, R=ferrocene (Fc); m=n=3: R=trityl (Trt), Mesor by the installation of a P^V₂N₂ anchor in RP^III[TeP^V(tBuN)(μ‐NtBu)]₂ (R=Ad, tBu).     

The Zintl Phase Cs7NaSi8 – From NMR Signal Line Shape Analysis and Quantum Mechanical Calculations to Chemical Bonding

Powder samples as well as red and transparent single crystals of the Zintl phase Cs₇NaSi₈ were synthesized and characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction and differential thermal analysis. Cs₇NaSi₈ was found to be isotypic to the recently reported phase Rb₇NaSi₈. It crystallizes in the Rb₇NaGe₈ structure type forming trigonal pyramidal Si₄^4– anions. Two unique environments of the cations are observed, a linear arrangement [Na(Si₄)₂]^7– with short Na–Si distances of 3.0 Å and a Cs2 atom coordinated by six Si₄^4– anions with long Cs–Si distances of 4.2 Å. The bonding situation was investigated by a combined application of ²⁹Si, ²³Na, and ¹³³Cs solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and quantum mechanical calculations of the NMR coupling parameters. In addition the electronic density of states (DOS), the electron localizability indicator (ELI) and the atomic charges using the QTAIM approach were studied. Good agreement of the calculated and experimental values of the NMR coupling parameters was obtained. An anisotropic bonding situation of the silicon atoms is indicated by the chemical shift anisotropy being similar to Rb₇NaSi₈. Confirmation is given by the observation of one lone‐pair‐like feature for each silicon atom and two types of two‐center Si–Si bonds using the ELI. Calculation and NMR spectroscopic determination of the ²³Na and ¹³³Cs electric field gradients prove anisotropies of the charge distribution around the cations. Due to the similar values for the Na atoms in M₇NaSi₈ (M = Rb, Cs) equal bonding situations can be concluded. The much larger anisotropy of the charge distribution of the Cs atoms can be addressed as the main difference to Rb₇NaSi₈.     

Schrittweise Darstellung von verzweigten tripodalen Chlor‐Methyl‐Siloxanen der allgemeinen Formel tBuSi[{OSiMe2}yOSiMe3–xClx]3 [x = 0–3; y = 0–2] sowie Synthese der Silanole tBuSi[(OSiMe2)xOH]3 [x = 1, 2] und des bicyclischen Siloxans tBuSi(OSiMe2O)3SitBu

The branched tripodal chloro‐methyl‐siloxanes of the general formula tBuSi[{OSiMe₂}_yOSiMe_3–xCl_x]₃ [x = 0–3; y = 0–2] were synthesized, starting with tert‐Butyl‐trisilanol ( 1 ). The treatment of 1 with the chloro‐methyl‐silanes (Me_3–xSiCl_x+1) (x = 0–3) in the presence of triethylamine leads to the compounds tBuSi(OSiMe₂Cl)₃ ( 2 ), tBuSi(OSiMeCl₂)₃ ( 3 ) and tBuSi(OSiCl₃)₃ ( 4 ). The siloxanes 2 – 4 are colourless oily liquids, which can be purified by distillation. Their yields decrease with the number of chloro substituents. In the reaction of compound 2 with three equivalents of water the silantriol tBuSi(OSiMe₂OH)₃ ( 5 ) is generated which is used to create the branched tripodal chloro‐methyl‐siloxanes tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMe₃)₃ ( 6 ), tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMe₂Cl)₃ ( 7 ), tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMeCl₂)₃ ( 9 ) and tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiCl₃)₃ ( 10 ). Compound ( 7 ) is only a side product with a yield of 25 %., The cyclic tBuSi[{(OSiMe₂)₂Cl}(OSiMe₂)₃O] ( 8 ) can be isolated and characterised. The transformation of the compound tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMe₂Cl)₃ ( 7 ) into the trisilanol tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMe₂OH)₃ ( 11 ) allows to prepare the tripodale siloxane tBuSi(OSiMe₂OSiMe₂OSiMe₃)₃ ( 12 ) in good yields., The reaction of tBuSi(OSiMe₂Cl)₃ ( 2 ) with tert‐butyl trisilanol 1 leads to the formation of bicyclic tBuSi(OSiMe₂O)₃SitBu ( 13 ). An X‐ray structure determination on 13 reveals a [3.3.3]‐bicycle with a C₃ axis, which crystallizes in the cubic crystal system in the space group Pa . The reported compounds 2 – 13 were characterised by NMR‐ and IR spectroscopy ( 5 , 11 ) and show correct elemental analyses. The ²⁹Si‐NMR‐data of the compounds show interesting trends with respect to the Si–O chain length and the chloro substistuents.     

A Study of 5‐(1,2,4‐Triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ols: Combining the Benefits of Different Heterocycles for the Design of Energetic Materials

The synthesis and full structural and spectroscopic characterization of three 5‐(1,2,4‐triazol‐C‐yl)tetrazol‐1‐ol compounds with selected energetic moieties including nitrimino ( 5 ), nitro ( 6 ) and azido ( 7 ) groups are reported. The influence of those energetic moieties as well as the C? C connection of a tetrazol‐1‐ol and a 1,2,4‐triazole on structural and energetic properties has been investigated. All compounds were well characterized by various means, including IR and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and DSC. The molecular structures of 5 – 8 were determined in the solid state by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The standard heats of formation were calculated on the CBS‐4M level of theory utilizing the atomization energy method, revealing highly positive values for all compounds. The detonation parameters were calculated with the EXPLO5 program and compared to the common secondary explosive RDX. Additionally, sensitivities towards impact, friction and electrostatic discharge were determined.     

Ammelinium Sulfate Monohydrate and Ammelinium Sulfate Cyanuric Acid – Synthesis and Structural Characterization

Two ionic carbon nitride type compounds containing the ammelinium cation, ammelinium sulfate cyanuric acid (6C₃N₅H₆O⁺ · 3SO₄^2– · 1?C₃N₃H₃O₃ · H₂O) ( 1 ) and ammelinium sulfate monohydrate (2C₃N₅H₆O⁺ · SO₄^2– · H₂O) ( 2 ) were synthesized through hydrolysis of melam (C₆N₁₁H₉) in diluted sulfuric acid. 1 crystallizes in hexagonal space group P6₃ (no. 173) with lattice parameters of a = 14.642(3), c = 13.113(4), and Z = 2. The structure is comprised of protonated ammelinium ions and neutral cyanuric acid molecules, which form a layered structure, as well as sulfate ions that span through these layers. 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with lattice parameters of a = 7.404(3), b = 9.673(4), c = 10.040(4), α = 91.098(15), β = 109.884(10), γ = 92.567(13), and Z = 2. As for 1 , the ammelinium rings form layers with the sulfate ions located in between. In both structures, no extended hydrogen bond networks between the respective triazine‐based molecules are formed. Instead, single molecules or small building blocks occur isolated and interact primarily with sulfate anions. Compound 1 , which was obtained phase pure, was further investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, solid‐state NMR spectroscopy and powder X‐ray diffractometry.     

Phosphine Ligands in the Palladium‐Catalysed Methoxycarbonylation of Ethene: Insights into the Catalytic Cycle through an HP NMR Spectroscopic Study

Novel cis‐1,2‐bis(di‐tert‐butyl‐phosphinomethyl) carbocyclic ligands 6 – 9 have been prepared and the corresponding palladium complexes [Pd(O₃SCH₃)(L‐L)][O₃SCH₃] (L‐ L=diphosphine) 32 – 35 synthesised and characterised by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction. These diphosphine ligands give very active catalysts for the palladium‐catalysed methoxycarbonylation of ethene. The activity varies with the size of the carbocyclic backbone, ligands 7 and 9 , containing four‐ and six‐membered ring backbones giving more active systems. The acid used as co‐catalyst has a strong influence on the activity, with excess trifluoroacetic acid affording the highest conversion, whereas excess methyl sulfonic acid inhibits the catalytic system. An in operando NMR spectroscopic mechanistic study has established the catalytic cycle and resting state of the catalyst under operating reaction conditions. Although the catalysis follows the hydride pathway, the resting state is shown to be the hydride precursor complex [Pd(O₃SCH₃)(L‐ L)][O₃SCH₃], which demonstrates that an isolable/detectable hydride complex is not a prerequisite for this mechanism.     

New Phases in the Lithiumnitridovanadate System — The Solid Solution Li7‐2xMgx[VN4] with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1

Solid solution phases Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] (0 < x ≤ 1) with varying Mg‐content are obtained as yellow microcrystalline powders from heat treatment of mixtures of VN, Li₃N and Mg₃N₂ or from mixtures of Li₇[VN₄] and Mg₃N₂ at 1370 K in N₂ atmosphere at ambient pressure. At substitution parameter values of x > 0.5 a subsequent distortion from the ideal cubic unit cell to an orthorhombic unit cell is observed. The crystal structure of Li_7‐2xMg_x[VN₄] with x ≈ 1 was refined from neutron and X‐ray powder diffraction data (space group Pbca, No. 61, a = 963.03(3) pm, b = 958.44(3) pm, c = 951.93(2) pm, neutron pattern 14° — 156° 2θ, step non‐linear ≈ 0.0782° 2θ, No. of measured points 1816, R_p = 0.089, R_wp = 0.115, R_Bragg = 0.155, R_F = 0.114; X‐ray pattern 10° — 98° 2θ, step 0.005° 2θ, No. of measured points 17600, R_p = 0.028, R_wp = 0.045, R_Bragg = 0.113, R_F = 0.133, structure variables: 45). The crystal structure resembles a Li₂O type superstructure with the atomic arrangement of β‐Li₇[VN₄] and with two crystallographic Li‐sites each substituted by Mg with statistical occupation factors of 0.5. Chemical analyses prove the composition and XAS spectroscopy at the V K‐edge support the +5 oxidation state assignment for vanadium. XAS data also support the tetrahedral coordination of vanadium by N as indicated by the structure refinements.     

NMR Spectroscopy and X‐Ray Characterisation of Cationic N‐Heteroaryl‐Pyridylamido ZrIV Complexes: A Further Level of Complexity for the Elusive Active Species of Pyridylamido Olefin Polymerisation Catalysts

New [(N^?,N,N^?)ZrR₂] dialkyl complexes (N^?,N,N^?=pyrrolyl‐pyridyl‐amido or indolyl‐pyridyl‐amido; R=Me or CH₂Ph) have been synthesised and tested as pre‐catalysts for ethene and propene polymerisation in combination with different activators, such as B(C₆F₅)₃, [Ph₃C][B(C₆F₅)₄], [HNMe₂Ph][B(C₆F₅)₄] or solid AlMe₃‐depleted methylaluminoxane (DMAO). Polyethylene (M_w>2 MDa and M_w/M_n = 1.3–1.6) has been produced if pre‐catalysts were activated with 1000 equivalents of DMAO (based on Al) [activity >1000 kg_PE (mol_[Zr] h mol atm)^?1] or by using a higher pre‐catalyst concentration and a mixture of [HNPhMe₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] (1 equiv) and AliBu₂H (60 equiv). In the case of propene polymerisation, activity has been observed only if pre‐catalysts were treated with an excess of AliBu₂H prior to addition of DMAO, which led to highly isotactic polypropylene ([mmmm]>95 %). Neutral pre‐catalysts and ion pairs derived from their activation have been characterised in solution by using advanced 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy experiments. The detection and rationalisation of intercationic NOEs clearly showed the formation of dimeric species in which some pyrrolyl or indolyl π‐electron density of one unit is engaged in stabilising the metal centre of the other unit, which relegates the counterions in the second coordination sphere. The solid‐state structure of the dimeric indolyl‐pyridyl‐amidomethylzirconium derivative, determined by X‐ray diffraction studies, points toward a weak Zr???η³‐indolyl interaction. It can be hypothesised that the formation of dimeric cationic species hampers monomer coordination (especially of less reactive α‐olefins) and that addition of AliBu₂H is crucial to split the homodimers.     

Ammonolysis of 1,2‐Bis[dichloro(methyl)silyl]ethane. On the Structure of 1,3,6,8‐Tetramethyl‐2,7,11,12‐tetraaza‐1,3,6,8‐tetrasila‐tricyclo[6.2.1.13,6]‐dodecane

Ammonolysis of 1,2‐bis[dichloro(methyl)silyl]ethane afforded a crystalline tricyclic silazane along with polymeric material. The crystalline material could be isolated in pure state. It was analyzed by ¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy in solution, by ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²⁹Si MAS NMR spectroscopy in the solid state, as well as by single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. The title compound exists as a single isomer in solution, whereas in the solid state the presence of several modifications is indicated, in particular by the solid‐state MAS NMR spectra.     

Cyclic Hydroboration – The Structure of Perhydro‐9b‐boraphenalenes

Complete hydroboration of cyclododecatrienes was reported to give two isomers, depending on conditions. The assignment of their structure had been attempted without unequivocal proofs. We have now used NMR spectroscopy (¹¹B, ¹³C, ¹⁵N and ²³Na NMR) to study the sodium amides of these two polycyclic boranes. In addition, one of the isomeric borates could be crystallized, and the X‐ray analysis revealed a cis‐,cis‐,trans configuration of the six‐membered rings reversing the original structural assignment.     

Nitrous‐Acid‐Mediated Synthesis of Iron–Nitrosyl–Porphyrin: pH‐Dependent Release of Nitric Oxide

Two iron–nitrosyl–porphyrins, nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(3,4,5‐trimethoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) acetic acid solvate ( 3 ) and nitrosyl[meso‐tetrakis(4‐methoxyphenylporphyrin]iron(II) CH₂Cl₂ solvate ( 4 ), were synthesized in quantitative yield by using a modified procedure with nitrous acid, followed by oxygen‐atom abstraction by triphenylphosphine under an argon atmosphere. These nitrosyl porphyrins are in the {FeNO}⁷ class. Under an argon atmosphere, these compounds are relatively stable over a broad range of pH values (4–8) but, under aerobic conditions, they release nitric oxide faster at high pH values than that at low pH values. The generated nitric‐oxide‐free iron(III)–porphyrin can be re‐nitrosylated by using nitrous acid and triphenylphosphine. The rapid release of NO from these Fe^II complexes at high pH values seems to be similar to that in nitrophorin, a nitric‐oxide‐transport protein, which formally possesses Fe^III. However, because the release of NO occurs from ferrous–nitrosyl–porphyrin under aerobic conditions, these compounds are more closely related to nitrobindin, a recently discovered heme protein.     

Cobalt(III) Complexes of D‐Galactosylamine

The β‐pyranose isomer of D ‐galactosylamine ( 1 ) formed complexes with three different cobalt(III) fragments. Crystals containing the dication [Co(tren)(β‐D ‐Galp1N2H_–1‐κ²N¹,O²)]²⁺ ( 3 ) showed coordination through the anomeric amino group (N1) and the deprotonated hydroxy group (O2) of the ⁴C₁ β‐pyranose form, which is also the major isomer of free galactosylamine. The cationic complexes [Co(fac‐dien)(β‐D ‐Galp1N2H_–1‐κ²N¹,O²)]²⁺ ( 4 ) and [Co(phen)₂(β‐D ‐Galp1N2H_–1‐κ²N¹,O²)]²⁺ ( 5 ) were analysed by NMR spectroscopy and showed the same coordination mode as 3 . In terms of available ligand isomers it was shown that 1 exhibits an anomeric equilibrium in solution of both pyranose and both furanose forms as is typical for the parent glycose, galactose.     

Transformation of a Cp*–Iridium(III) Precatalyst for Water Oxidation when Exposed to Oxidative Stress

The reaction of [Cp*Ir(bzpy)NO₃] ( 1 ; bzpy=2‐benzoylpyridine, Cp*=pentamethylcyclopentadienyl anion), a competent water‐oxidation catalyst, with several oxidants (H₂O₂, NaIO₄, cerium ammonium nitrate (CAN)) was studied to intercept and characterize possible intermediates of the oxidative transformation. NMR spectroscopy and ESI‐MS techniques provided evidence for the formation of many species that all had the intact Ir–bzpy moiety and a gradually more oxidized Cp* ligand. Initially, an oxygen atom is trapped in between two carbon atoms of Cp* and iridium, which gives an oxygen–Ir coordinated epoxide, whereas the remaining three carbon atoms of Cp* are involved in a η³ interaction with iridium ( 2 a ). Formal addition of H₂O to 2 a or H₂O₂ to 1 leads to 2 b , in which a double MeCOH functionalization of Cp* is present with one MeCOH engaged in an interaction with iridium. The structure of 2 b was unambiguously determined in the solid state and in solution by X‐ray single‐crystal diffractometry and advanced NMR spectroscopic techniques, respectively. Further oxidation led to the opening of Cp* and transformation of the diol into a diketone with one carbonyl coordinated at the metal ( 2 c ). A η³ interaction between the three non‐oxygenated carbons of “ex‐Cp*” and iridium is also present in both 2 b and 2 c . Isolated 2 b and mixtures of 2 a – c species were tested in water‐oxidation catalysis by using CAN as sacrificial oxidant. They showed substantially the same activity than 1 (turnover frequency values ranged from 9 to 14 min^?1).     

Energetic Materials Based on the 5‐Azido‐3‐nitro‐1, 2,4‐tri­azolate Anion

This study presents the preparation of 5‐azido‐3‐nitro‐1H‐1, 2,4‐triazole ( 1 ) in both good yield and high purity, starting from commercially available chemicals in a three step synthesis. Furthermore, several metal and nitrogen‐rich salts with sodium ( 3 ), potassium ( 4 ), cesium ( 5 ), silver ( 6 ), lead ( 7 ), ammonium ( 8 ), guanidinium ( 9 ), and aminoguanidinium ( 10 ) were prepared by simple acid‐base reactions. All compounds were well characterized by various means, including vibrational (IR, Raman) and multinuclear (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁴N, ¹⁵N) NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and DSC. Additionally the structure of 7 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The sensitivities towards various outer stimuli (impact, friction, electrostatic discharge) were determined according to BAM standards. The metal salts were tested as potential primary explosives utilizing various preliminary tests.