An Asymmetric Edge-Sharing Bioctahedral Complex: (η2-DAniF)MoIII(μ-DAniF)2(μ-O,Cl)MoVCl2 (DAniF=N,N′-di-p-anisylformamidinate)

A novel asymmetric, edge-sharing bioctahedral complex with formamidinato ligands ( ²-DAniF)Mo(-DAniF)₂(-O,Cl)MoCl₂, 1, (DAniF=N,N-di-p-anisylformamidinate) has been isolated as a byproduct from the preparation of the dimolybdenum(II,III) compound Mo₂(DAniF)₃Cl₂. An X-ray crystallographic study shows that the structure consists of edge-sharing bioctahedra, with the shared edge defined by the vector joining the: -O and -Cl ligands. Compound 1 is best formulated as a mixed-valent Mo^IIIMo^V compound, the Mo(V) ion being that with the two terminal Cl^– ligands. The cyclic voltammogram of 1 shows a reversible reduction at –0.472 V and a reversible oxidation at 1.028 V vs. the Ag/AgCl reference electrode, while the absorption spectrum of 1 reveals an intense low energy absorption at 523 nm ( _max=12 500) which is attributed to an intervalence charge transfer transition. Crystallographic data for 1 are as follows: a=13.387(1) Å, b=15.500(2) Å, c=21.855(2) Å, =98.786(2)°, V=4481.8(8) ų, P2₁/c, R1 (wR2)=0.082 (0.177).     

Pb_9~(4-)与 M(acacen)(M=Ni~(2+),Cu~(2+))反应的研究

大约六十年前,Zintl 等采用电化学方法研究了钠与过渡后元素合金在液氨中的萃取物,发现了 Sn_(?)~(4-),Pb_9~(4-),Bi_5~(4-),Te_4~(2-)等物种,后来被称为 Zintl 离子。七十年代以后,由于合成技术的突破和现代谱学的进步,Zintl 离     

Mono-Phosphazenyl Phosphines (R2N)3P=N–P(NR2)2 – Strong P-Bases,P-Donors,and P-Nucleophiles for the Construction of Chelates

We present a convenient three-step synthesis of amino substituted phosphazenyl phosphines of the general formula (R₂N)₃P=N–P(NR₂)₂ [NR₂ = N(CH₂)₄, N(CH₂)₅, N(CH₂)₆]. These easily accessible mixed valent compounds display a surprisingly high proton affinity and basicity in the same range as the corresponding Schwesinger diphosphazene (Me₂N)₃P=N–P=NEt(NMe₂)₂ (Et-P₂) and Verkade's proazaphosphatrane superbases. Within the central [P^III–N=P^V] scaffold, the phosphine P^III and not the phosphazene N^III atom is the center of highest proton affinity, basicity and donor strength. As P-bases, the title compounds display calculated proton affinities between 265.8 (NR₂ = NMe₂) and 274.7 kcal · mol^–1 [NR₂ = N(CH₂)₄] and pK_BH⁺ values between 26.4 (NR₂ = NMe₂) and 31.5 [NR₂ = N(CH₂)₄] on the acetonitrile scale. As P-nucleophiles, they are key intermediates in the synthesis of hyperbasic bis(diphosphazene) proton sponges, chiral bis(diphosphazene) proton pincers, bisphosphazides, and superbasic P₂-bisylides. Their Staudinger reactions as nucleophile towards 1,8-diazidonaphthalene leading to 1,8-naphthalene-bisphosphazides is described in detail. The donor strength of the title compounds towards fragments [Se] and [Ni(CO)₃] is in the same range as that of N-heterocyclic carbenes.     

cis-Bis[N1,N2-bis(trimethylsilyl)benz­amidinato-κ2N1,N2]chloro(4-tolyl­imido-κN)vanadium(V)

The title complex, [V(C₇H₇N)(C₁₃H₂₃N₂Si₂)₂Cl], consists of a V metal centre coordinated to five N atoms and a Cl⁻ ion in a pseudo-octahedral arrangement. The N atoms of the benzamidinate ligands form two four-membered chelate rings to V, with bite angles of 63.59 (8) and 64.36 (8)°, whilst the fifth N atom is from a p-tolyl­imido ligand [V—N—C 172.2 (2)°] located cis with respect to the Cl⁻ ion [Cl—V—N_imido 96.96 (8)°].     

Mesoporous TiO2−xAy (A = N,S) as a visible-light-response photocatalyst

Mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) thin films were fabricated using thiourea as a doping resource by a combination of sol-gel and evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) processes. The results showed that thiourea could serve two functions of co-doping nitrogen and sulfur and changing the mesoporous structure of TiO₂ thin films. The resultant mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) exhibited anatase framework with a high porosity and a narrow pore distribution. The formation of the O–Ti–N and O–Ti–S bonds in the mesoporous TiO_2?xA_y (A = N, S) were substantiated by the XPS spectra. A new bandgap in visible light region (520 nm) corresponding to 2.38 eV could be formed by the co-doping. After being illuminated for 3 h, methyl orange could be degraded nearly completely by the co-doped sample under both ultraviolet irradiation and visible light illumination. While pure mesoporous TiO₂ could only degrade 60% methyl orange under UV illumination and showed negligible photodegradation capability in the visible light range. Furthermore, the photo-induced hydrophilic activity of TiO₂ film was improved by the co-doping. The mesoporous microstructure and high visible light absorption could be attributed to their good photocatalytic acitivity and hydrophilicity.     

Chlorine reaction with platinum triamine [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)PyCl3]Cl (N,N-DimeTm = (CH3)2N(CH2)3NH2). Crystal structure of [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl2], [Pt(N,N-DimeTm(Py)Cl3]Cl · H2O and [Pt{(CH3)2N(CH2)2C(O)NH}(Py)Cl3]

Treatment of platinum(II) diamine [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Cl₂] (I) with pyridine gave tetramine [Pt(N,N-DimeTm)Py₂]Cl₂ (II); by oxidation with chlorine this was converted to Pt(IV) triamine, [Pt“(N,N-DimeTm(Py)Cl₃]Cl (III) with a six-membered chelate ring. According to X-ray diffraction data, the reaction of complex II with chlorine is accompanied by removal of the pyridine molecule from the trans-position to the NH₂ group of N,N-dimethyltrimethylenediamine. The reaction of complex III with chlorine at 20°C afforded a mixture of compounds (IV) and the complex [Pt“(CH₃)₂N(CH₂)₂C(O)NH”(Py)Cl₃] (V) with an amidate six-membered metal ring, dimethylpropioamide, which was also isolated upon refluxing a mixture of IV in an aqueous solution. The UV/Vis and IR spectra of the obtained complexes were studied, and X-ray diffraction analysis of I, III, and V was performed. The crystals of I are triclinic, space group P $ \bar 1 $ ; a = 7.6526(4) Å, b = 11.5571(6) Å, c = 12.4432(7) Å, α = 113.85(1)°, β = 96.54(2)°, γ = 106.78(2)°; Z = 4; R _hkl = 0.051. The crystals of III are monoclinic, space group C2/c; a = 36.715(2) Å, b = 7.8179(4) Å, c = 29.721(16) Å, β = 127.80(1)°; Z = 16; R _hkl = 0.036. The crystals of V are monoclinic, space group P2₁/n; a = 7.0398(6) Å, b = 27.458(2) Å, c = 7.687(6) Å, β = 106.270(1)°; Z = 4; R _hkl = 0.052.     

NbX(X=C,N,O)的能带结构研究

本文采用EHT近似下的紧束缚能带方法,计算了NbX(X=C,N,O)的能带结构。结果表明,它们的能带结构相近,Nb—X间存在较强的成键作用,传导电子主要具有Nb的4d特征,Nb—Nb键与超导电性相关,从C到N,Nb—Nb键共价性削弱,Tc提高。尽管计算所得NbO中Nb—Nb键强度介于NbC和NbN之间,但其实际Tc却比NbC和NbN的都低,这是NbO的空位效应所致,这一结果可从我们对有序缺陷的Nb_(0.75)O_(0.75)晶体能带结构的计算得到验证。     

Stabilities,Electronic Structures,and Bonding Properties of Iron Complexes (E1E2)Fe(CO)2(CNArTripp2)2 (E1E2=BF,CO, N2, CN−, or NO+)**

The coordination of 10-electron diatomic ligands (BF, CO N₂) to iron complexes Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ [Ar^Tripp2=2,6-(2,4,6-(iso-propyl)₃C₆H₂)₂C₆H₃] have been realized in experiments very recently (Science, 2019 , 363, 1203–1205). Herein, the stability, electronic structures, and bonding properties of (E₁E₂)Fe-(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ (E₁E₂=BF, CO, N₂, CN⁻, NO⁺) were studied using density functional (DFT) calculations. The ground state of all those molecules is singlet and the calculated geometries are in excellent agreement with the experimental values. The natural bond orbital analysis revealed that Fe is negatively charged while E₁ possesses positive charges. By employing the energy decomposition analysis, the bonding nature of the E₂E₁–Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ bond was disclosed to be the classic dative bond E₂E₁→Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ rather than the electron-sharing double bond. More interestingly, the bonding strength between BF and Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ is much stronger than that between CO (or N₂) and Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂, which is ascribed to the better σ-donation and π back-donations. However, the orbital interactions in CN⁻→Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ and NO⁺→Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ mainly come from σ-donation and π back-donation, respectively. The different contributions from σ donation and π donation for different ligands can be well explained by using the energy levels of E₁E₂ and Fe(CO)₂(CNAr^Tripp2)₂ fragments.     

Can [M(H)2(H2)(PXP)] Pincer Complexes (M=Fe,Ru, Os; X=N,O, S) Serve as Catalyst Lead Structures for NH3 Synthesis from N2 and H2?

The potential of pincer complexes [M(H)(2)(H(2))(PXP)] (M=Fe, Ru, Os; X=N, O, S) to coordinate, activate, and thus catalyze the reaction of N(2) with classical or nonclassical hydrogen centers present at the metal center, with the aim of forming NH(3) with H(2) as the only other reagent, was explored by means of DF (density functional) calculations. Screening of various complexes for their ability to perform initial hydrogen transfer to coordinated N(2) showed ruthenium pincer complexes to be more promising than the corresponding iron and osmium analogues. The ligand backbone influences the reaction dramatically: the presence of pyridine and thioether groups as backbones in the ligand result in inactive catalysts, whereas ether groups such as gamma-pyran and furan enable the reaction and result in unprecedented low activation barriers (23.7 and 22.1 kcal mol(-1), respectively), low enough to be interesting for practical application. Catalytic cycles were calculated for [Ru(H)(2)(H(2))(POP)] catalysts (POP=2,5-bis(dimethylphosphanylmethyl)furan and 2,6-bis(dimethylphosphanylmethyl)-gamma-pyran). The height of activation barriers for the furan system is somewhat more advantageous. Formation of inactive metal nitrides has not been observed. SCRF calculations were used to introduce solvent (toluene) effects. The Gibbs free energies of activation of the numerous single reaction steps do not change significantly when solvent is included. The reaction steps associated with the formation of the active catalyst from precursors [M(H)(2)(H(2))(PXP)] were also calculated. The otherwise inactive pyridine ligand system allows for the generation of the active catalyst species, whereas the ether ligand systems show activation barriers that could prohibit practical application. Consequently the generation of the active catalyst species needs to be addressed in further studies.     

STRUCTURE OF NOVEL DICOPPER(Ⅱ) COMPLEX Cu_2 (oxpn) (NCS)_2 (H_2O)(oxpn=N,N''''-bis(3-aminopropyl) oxamido)

<正> C10H10Cu2N6O4S2,Mr = 475. 41,monoclinic,space group P2/c,a = 8. 531 (2),b= 6. 870(1) ,c= 14. 463(2) A ,β=93. 84 (2), V= 845. 7 A3,Z=2,D = 1. 866 g·cm-3,μ=27. 799cm-1,F(000) = 484,R=0. 071. The molecules possesse basically a planar structure ,with the two aquamolecules displaced 2. 75 A to opposite sides of this plane and being at the apexpositions of the square pyramidal coordination of the two Cu atoms, respectively, the two carbonyls of the oxamide show the "trans-form".     

[M(dap)3]2(Sb2Se5)·xH2O(M=Ni,x=2;M=Zn,x=0)的溶剂热合成及晶体结构

利用溶剂热法合成了2种新的有机杂化锑硒化合物[Ni(dap)3]2(Sb2Se5)].2H2O(1)和[Zn(dap)3]2(Sb2Se5)](2)(dap=1,2-丙二胺),单晶X射线衍射分析结果表明,1属于三方晶系,P3121空间群,晶胞参数为a=10.7574(14),b=10.7574(14),c=31.672(4),γ=120.00°,z=4。2属于单斜晶系,P21空间群,晶胞参数为a=10.772(2),b=16.391(3),c=11.704(2),β=100.912(4)°,z=4。在2种化合物中,Ni2 与Zn2 离子分别与3个dap配体螯合形成畸变八面体几何构型,其中dap配体的N原子是无序的,而二聚[Sb2Se5]2-阴离子是由2个SbSe3三角锥共用1个Se原子连接而成。     

Synthesis,Crystal Structures,and Properties of (4,4'-Hbipy)2[Sn2(C2O4)3] and (4,4'-Hmbipy)[SnX2] (X = C2O42–, m = 2; X = Cl,m = 0; bipy = bipyridine)

Three new tin coordination compounds (4,4'-Hbipy)₂[Sn₂(C₂O₄)₃] ( 1 ), (4,4'-H₂bipy)[Sn(C₂O₄)₂] ( 2 ), and SnCl₂(4,4'-bipy) ( 3 ) were synthesized under hydro-(solvo-)thermal conditions and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound 1 exhibits a ionic structure based on discrete [4,4'-Hbipy]⁺ cations and [Sn₂(C₂O₄)₃]^2– anions. These two units are linked via N–H ··· O hydrogen bonds to form a pseudo-one-dimensional zigzag hydrogen-bonded chain. In compound 2 , four-coordinate Sn atoms form monomeric tin dioxalato complexes, which are connected to the doubly protonated [4,4'-H₂bipy]²⁺ cations through N–H ··· O hydrogen bonded to give a one-dimensional zigzag hydrogen-bonded chain. Compound 3 forms a three-dimensional hydrogen-bonded network, in which ¹_∞[SnCl₂(4,4'-bipy)] linear chains are interconnected to each other by C–H ··· Cl hydrogen bonding. The solid-state UV/Vis/NIR diffuse reflectance spectroscopy shows that three compounds are broadband semiconductors. The thermogravimetric analysis evidences the thermal stability of the three compounds up to 175, 201, and 246 °C, respectively.     

Ir(CO)Cla(Ph2Ppy)2HgClb(HgCl2)c (a,b=1, 2, c=0, 1)的Ir-Hg相互作用和氧化还原反应性质

应用密度泛函理论(DFT)的PBE0方法, 金属原子采用SDD基组, H、C、O和N原子采用6-31G*基组, P和Cl原子采用6-311G*基组, 对单核配合物Ir(CO)Cl(Ph2Ppy)2(1), 双核配合物Ir(CO)(Cl)2(Ph2Ppy)2HgCl(2)、Ir(CO)Cl(Ph2Ppy)2HgCl2(3)和Ir(CO)(Cl)2(HgCl2)(Ph2Ppy)2HgCl(4)进行结构优化, 并在优化的基础上采用基组重叠误差(BSSE)校正计算相互作用能, 通过自然键轨道(NBO)和前线轨道分析研究Ir-Hg相互作用和氧化还原反应的实质. 通过计算发现, Ir(CO)Cl(Ph2Ppy)2与HgCl2发生氧化还原反应得到的产物2和4比非氧化还原产物3稳定. Ir-Hg相互作用强度顺序为3<4<2, 且随着Ir-Hg相互作用强度增大, HOMO轨道中Ir和Hg成分逐渐趋于接近. 配合物2和4都具有一对Ir-Hg成键与反键轨道, 其成键轨道的组成分别为0.5985sd0.06Hg+0.8012sd2.48Ir和0.5794sd0.05Hg+0.8151sd2.48Ir, 但3中Ir与Hg的相互作用较弱, 只存在弱相互作用(电荷转移作用), 表现为nIr→nHg的直接作用和σIr—P(1)→nHg、σIr—C(1)→nHg的间接作用.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of [Ni(bdpm)2(OAc)]2(N3)2·5H2O (bdpm = Bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)methane, OAc = CH3COO-)

A Ni(Ⅱ) complex [Ni(bdpm)2(OAc)]2(N3)2·5H2O (bdpm = bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)-methane) was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c with a = 18.630(2), b =16.6624(19), c = 19.821(2) (A), β = 90.146(2)°, V = 6152.9(12) (A)3, Z = 4, C48H8oN22Ni2O9, Mr =1226.76, Dc = 1.324 g/cm3, F(000) = 2600 andμ = 0.680 mm-1. The structure was refined to the final R = 0.0578 and wR = 0.1337 for 10848 independent reflections (Rint = 0.0311) and 6915 observed reflections (I ＞ 2σ(Ⅰ)). The complex contains two asymmetric molecules in the cell with small difference in bond distances and bond angles. Each Ni(Ⅱ) ion is bound by four nitrogen atoms of two chelating bdpm groups in a six-membered boat conformation and two oxygen atoms from one chelating bidentate acetate group to form a distorted octahedral geometry. The complex also contains azide anion outside acting as counteranion and two crystalline water molecules to link two discrete mononuclear cations though hydrogen bonds.     

Spectroscopic investigation and thermal behavior of new carbonyl complexes [M(CO)4(N—N)(CuX)], (M = W,Mo; N—N = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline; X = Cl,SCN)

[M(CO)₄(N—N)] reacts with CuCl to give new heterobimetallic metal carbonyls of the type [M(CO)₄(N—N)(CuCl)], M = W, Mo; N—N = 2,2-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Reactions of [M(CO)₄(N—N)(CuCl)] with NaSCN produced the series of complexes of general formula [M(CO)₄(N—N)(CuSCN)]. The i.r. spectral of all the bimetallic carbonyls exhibited the general four (CO) band patterns of the precursors. The u.v.–vis. spectral data for precursors and products showed bands associated with * (nitrogen ligands), dd (intrametal), as well as MLCT d* (nitrogen ligands) and MLCT d *(CO) transitions. The [M(CO)₄(N—N)(CuX)] (X = Cl, SCN) emission spectra showed only one band associated with the MLCT transition. The t.g. curves revealed a stepwise loss of CO groups. The initial decomposition temperatures of the [M(CO)₄(N—N)(CuX)] series suggest that the bimetallic compounds are indeed thermally less stable than their precursors, and the X-ray data showed the formation of MO₃, CuMO₄, Cu₂O and CuO as final decomposition products, M = W, Mo. The spectroscopic data suggests that the heterobimetallic compounds are polymeric.     

Polymeric (NO)3(N2O) n , (NO)3(N2O) n + , and (NO)3(N2O) n − : an interpretation of experimental observations

Semi-empirical and ab initio calculations are reported which provide a possible explanation for reported experimental results on 2-photon ionization of NO containing a few percent of N₂O, which found (NO)₃(N₂O) _n ^+or? clusters to be significantly more abundant than other (NO) _m (N₂O) _n products. It is found that the observed abundances of (NO)₃(N₂O) _n ionic clusters may be accounted for by the existence of covalent cyclic trimers of nitric oxide attached to oligomers of nitrous oxide. The extra stability of NO trimers in the observed clusters appears to arise from (NO) ₃ ⁺ rather than (NO)₃. Attachment of an (N₂O) _n side chain to (NO) ₃ ⁺ occurs exothermically. It is suggested that the addition of N₂O to cyclic-(NO) ₃ ⁺ might provide a means of making a polymer of nitrous oxide, which could have useful properties.     

Co-M(M=La,Ce, Fe,Mn, Cu,Cr)复合金属氧化物催化分解N2O

通过共沉淀法制备了一系列Co-M(M= La, Ce, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr)复合金属氧化物及纯Co3O4催化剂, 考察了其催化分解N2O 的活性. 结果表明在研究的系列催化剂中, Co-Ce 复合氧化物催化剂具有最好的催化分解N2O的活性; 其活性与Ce/Co 摩尔比有直接的关系, 当Ce/Co 摩尔比为0.05 时(CoCe0.05 催化剂)催化活性最佳; 当有NO 和O2共存时, 可能在催化剂活性中心上形成表面硝酸盐或亚硝酸盐吸附物种而使其活性受到较大影响. 通过对Co-M 催化剂的XRD、BET、O2-TPD及H2-TPR 等表征结果的分析, 发现作为主要活性位的Co2+的氧化还原能力是影响催化剂活性的主要原因. 这是因为根据反应机理, N2O 的表面分解步骤与Co2+氧化成Co3+的能力相关, 而吸附氧的脱附与Co3+还原成Co2+的能力相关. 在所研究的催化剂中, 添加除CeO2之外的其它过渡金属氧化物时, 催化剂中Co3+/Co2+的氧化还原能力降低, 因此其催化性能降低. 另外, 添加不同过渡金属氧化物也改变了N2O 催化分解反应的速控步骤.     

Density functional study of S(N) 2 substitution reactions for CH(3) Cl + CX(1) X(2•-) (X(1) X(2) = HH, HF, HCl, HBr, HI, FF, ClCl, BrBr, and II)

A systematic investigation on the S_N2 displacement reactions of nine carbene radical anions toward the substrate CH₃Cl has been theoretically carried out using the popular density functional theory functional BHandHLYP level with different basis sets 6‐31+G (d, p)/relativistic effective core potential (RECP), 6‐311++G (d, p)/RECP, and aug‐cc‐pVTZ/RECP. The studied models are CX¹X^2?? + CH₃Cl → X²X¹CH₃C^? + Cl^?, with CX¹X^2?? = CH₂^??, CHF^??, CHCl^??, CHBr^??, CHI^??, CF₂^??, CCl₂^??, CBr₂^??, and CI₂^??. The main results are proposed as follows: (a) Based on natural bond orbital (NBO), proton affinity (PA), and ionization energy (IE) analysis, reactant CH₂^?? should be a strongest base among the anion‐containing species (CX¹X^2??) and so more favorable nucleophile. (b) Regardless of frontside attacking pathway or backside one, the S_N2 reaction starts at an identical precomplex whose formation with no barrier. (c) The back‐S_N2 pathway is much more preferred than the front‐S_N2 one in terms of the energy gaps [ΔE(front)?ΔE(back)], steric demand, NBO population analysis. Thus, the back‐S_N2 reaction was discussed in detail. On the one hand, based on the energy barriers (ΔE and ΔE) analysis, we have strongly affirmed that the stabilization of back attacking transition states (b‐TSs) presents increase in the order: b‐TS‐CI₂ < b‐TS‐CBr₂ < b‐TS‐CCl₂ < b‐TS‐CHI < b‐TS‐CHBr < b‐TS‐CHCl < b‐TS‐CF₂ < b‐TS‐CHF < b‐TS‐CH₂. On the other hand, depended on discussions of the correlations of ΔE with influence factors (PA, IE, bond order, and ΔE), we have explored how and to what extent they affect the reactions. Moreover, we have predicted that the less size of substitution (α‐atom) required for the gas‐phase reaction with α‐nucleophile is related to the α‐effect and estimated that the reaction with the stronger PA nucleophile, holding the lighter substituted atom, corresponds to the greater exothermicity given out from reactants to products. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012     

Redox Routes to Substitution of Aluminum(III): Synthesis and Characterization of (IP(-))(2)AlX (IP = α-iminopyridine, X = Cl, Me, SMe, S(2)CNMe(2), C≡CPh, N(3), SPh, NHPh)

Redox active ligands are shown to facilitate a variety of group transfer reactions at redox inert aluminum(III). Disulfides can be used as a two-electron group transfer reagent, and we show that (IP(-))(2)AlSR can be formed by reaction of [(THF)(6)Na][(IP(2-))(2)Al] (1c) with disulfides RSSR (where X = C(S)NMe(2), 4; SMe, 5). In a more general redox route to substitution of aluminum bis(iminopyridine) complexes, we report zinc(II) salts as a group transfer reagent. Reaction of [((R)IP(2-))(2)Al](-) (R = H, 1c; Me, 1d) with ZnX(2) affords ((R)IP(-))(2)AlX (where IP = iminopyridine, R = H, and X = Cl, 2; CCPh, 6; N(3), 7; SPh, 8; or R = Me and X = NHPh, 9). Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of the complexes reveal that each of the five coordinate complexes reported here has a trigonal bipyramidal geometry with τ = 0.668 - 0.858. We observed a correlation between the greatest deviations from ideal trigonal bipyramidal symmetry (lowest τ values), the bond lengths consistent with smallest degree of ligand reduction, and the least polarizable X ligand in (IP(-))(2)AlX. Complex 4 is six-coordinate and is best described as distorted octahedral. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements indicate that each of the complexes 3-9 has a biradical electronic structure similar to previously reported 2. Magnetic exchange coupling constants in the range J = -94 to -212 cm(-1) were fit to the data for 2-9 to describe the energy of antiferromagnetic interaction between ligand radicals assuming a spin Hamiltonian of the form ? = -2J?(L(1))·?(L(2)). The strongest coupling occurs when the angle between the ligand planes is smallest, presumably to afford good overlap with the Al-X σ* orbital. Electrochemical properties of the complexes were probed using cyclic voltammetry and each of 3-9 displayed a reversible two-electron reduction and two quasi-reversible one-electron oxidation processes. The energy of the ligand based redox processes for 2-9 differ by about 150 mV over all complexes and show a correlation with the degree of IP(-) reduction observed crystallographically; more reduced IP(-) ligands require higher potentials for further reduction. Comproportionation constants that describe the equilibrium for the reaction (IP(-))(2)AlX + (IP)(2)AlX ? (IP(-))(IP)AlX fall in the range of K(c) = 10(5.7) to 10(7.9) for 3-9.     

Intermediates-induced CO2 Reduction Reaction Activity at Single-Atom M−N2 (M=Fe,Co, Ni) Sites

Single-atom M−N₂ (M=Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts exhibit high activity for CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR). However, the CO₂RR mechanism and the origin of activity at the single-atom sites remain unclear, which hinders the development of single-atom M−N₂ catalysts. Here, using density functional theory calculations, we reveal intermediates-induced CO₂RR activity at the single-atom M−N₂ sites. At the M−N₂ sites, the asymmetric *O*CO configuration tends to split into *CO and *OH intermediates. Intermediates become part of the active moiety to form M−(CO)N₂ or M-(OH)N₂ sites, which optimizes the adsorption of intermediates on the M sites. The maximum free energy differences along the optimal CO₂RR pathway are 0.30, 0.54, and 0.28 eV for Fe−(OH)N₂, Co−(CO)N₂, and Ni−(OH)N₂ sites respectively, which is lower than those of Fe−N₂ (1.03 eV), Co−N₂ (1.24 eV) and Ni−N₂ (0.73 eV) sites. The intermediate modification can shift the d-band center of the spin-up (minority) state downward by regulating the charge distribution at the M sites, leading to less charge being accepted by the intermediates from the M sites. This work provides new insights into the understanding of the activity of single-atom M−N₂ sites.