Pentaatomic planar tetracoordinate silicon with 14 valence electrons: A large‐scale global search of (n + m = 4; q = 0, ±1, −2; X,Y = main group elements from H to Br)

Designing and characterizing the compounds with exotic structures and bonding that seemingly contrast the traditional chemical rules are a never‐ending goal. Although the silicon chemistry is dominated by the tetrahedral picture, many examples with the planar tetracoordinate‐Si skeletons have been discovered, among which simple species usually contain the 17/18 valence electrons. In this work, we report hitherto the most extensive structural search for the pentaatomic ptSi with 14 valence electrons, that is, (n + m = 4; q = 0, ±1, ?2; X, Y = main group elements from H to Br). For 129 studied systems, 50 systems have the ptSi structure as the local minimum. Promisingly, nine systems, that is, , HSiY₃ (Y = Al/Ga), Ca₃SiAl^?, Mg₄Si^2?, C₂LiSi, Si₃Y₂ (Y = Li/Na/K), each have the global minimum ptSi. The former six systems represent the first prediction. Interestingly, in HSiY₃ (Y = Al/Ga), the H‐atom is only bonded to the ptSi‐center via a localized 2c–2e σ bond. This sharply contradicts the known pentaatomic planar‐centered systems, in which the ligands are actively involved in the ligand–ligand bonding besides being bonded to the planar center. Therefore, we proposed here that to generalize the 14e‐ptSi, two strategies can be applied as (1) introducing the alkaline/alkaline‐earth elements and (2) breaking the peripheral bonding. In light of the very limited global ptSi examples, the presently designed six systems with 14e are expected to enrich the exotic ptSi chemistry and welcome future laboratory confirmation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Lanthanoid‐Peroxo‐Komplexe mit μ3‐η2:η2:η2‐(O22—)‐Koordination. Die Kristallstrukturen von [Ln4(O2)2Cl8(Py)10] · Py mit Ln = Sm,Eu, Gd

Lanthanoid Peroxo Complexes with μ₃‐η²:η²:η²‐(O₂^2—) Coordination. Crystal Structures of [Ln₄(O₂)₂Cl₈(Py)₁₀] · Py mit Ln = Sm, Eu, Gd The four‐nuclear peroxo complexes [Ln₄(O₂)₂Cl₈(Py)₁₀]·py (py = pyridine) with Ln = Sm ( 1 ·py), Eu ( 2 ·py) und Gd ( 3 ·py) are formed as pale yellow ( 1 ·py) and colourless ( 2 ·py and 3 ·py) crystals by action of atmospheric oxygen on heated solutions of the anhydrous trichlorides LnCl₃ in pyridine/ diacetone alcohol (4‐hydroxy‐4‐methyl‐2‐pentanone). According to the X‐ray structural analyses the three complexes crystallize isostructural in the triclinic space group PP1¯ with two formula units per unit cell. 1—3 form centrosymmetrical molecular structures, in which the four lanthanoid atoms in coplanar array are linked via the two peroxo groups in a hitherto unobserved μ₃‐η²:η²:η² coordination. Additionally, they are bonded by four �μchloro bridges. Two of the Ln atoms complete their coordination sphere by three pyridine molecules each, the other two by two chlorine atoms and two pyridine molecules. The gadolinium compound is additionally characterized by its complete vibrational spectrum (i.r. and Raman).     

Hydrogen bond and σ‐hole interaction in M2C=S···HCN (M = H,F, Cl,Br, HO,H3C,H2N) complex: Dual roles of C=S group and substitution effect

An ab initio computational study of the dual functions of C?S group in the M₂C?S ··· HCN (M = H, F, Cl, Br, HO, H₃C, H₂N) complex has been performed at the MP2(Full)/aug‐cc‐pVTZ level. The C?S group can act as both the electron donor and acceptor, thus two minima complexes were found for each molecular pairs. The interaction energy of hydrogen bond in the F, Cl, or Br substituted complexes is less negative than that in the corresponding H₂CS one, while the interaction energy of the σ‐hole interaction is more negative. The OH substitution weakens the hydrogen bond, whereas the H₃C and H₂N substitution strengthens it. The σ‐hole interaction in the HO, H₃C, and H₂N complexes is very weak. The substitution effect has been understood with electrostatic induction and conjugation effects. The energy decomposition analysis has been performed for the halogen‐substituted complexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2012.     

The Effect of Backbone Stereochemistry on the Folding of Acyclic β2, 3‐Aminoxy Peptides

As a new type of foldamer, β‐aminoxy peptides have the ability to adopt novel β N? O turns or β N? O helices in solution. Herein, we describe a new subclass of β‐aminoxy peptide, that is, peptides of acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy acids (NH₂OCHR₁CHR₂COOH), in which the presence of two chiral centers provides insight into the effect of backbone stereochemistry on the folding of β‐aminoxy peptides. Acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy peptides with syn and anti configurations have been synthesized and their conformations investigated by NMR, IR, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic, and X‐ray crystallographic analysis. The β N? O turns or β N? O helices, which feature nine‐membered rings with intramolecular hydrogen bonds and have been identified previously in peptides of β³‐ and β^{2, 2}‐aminoxy acids, are also predominantly present in the acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy peptides with a syn configuration and N? O bonds gauche to the C_α? C_β bonds in both solution and the solid state. In the acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy peptides with an anti configuration, an extended strand (i.e., non‐hydrogen‐bonded state) is found in the solid state, and several conformations including non‐hydrogen‐bonded and intramolecular hydrogen‐bonded states are present simultaneously in nonpolar solvents. These results suggest that the backbone stereochemistry does affect the folding of the acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy peptides. Theoretical calculations on the conformations of model acyclic β^{2, 3}‐aminoxy peptides with different backbone stereochemistry were also conducted to elucidate structural characteristics. Our present work may provide useful guidelines for the design and construction of new foldamers with predicable structures.     

DFT studies on hydrogen‐bonding,Stacking, and XH···π‐Bonded systems in presence of external electric field

Effect of external electric field on interaction energy as well as stability of the hydrogen‐bonding, stacking, and O? H π‐bonded systems are analyzed in the light of density functional theory (DFT) and conceptual DFT. Interaction energy and stability measured in terms of global hardness and highest occupied molecular orbital energy of the considered systems are observed to be sensitive toward the strength and direction of the applied external electric field. The curvature of the potential energy surfaces gets changed in presence of an external electric field. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prominent enhancing effects of substituents on the strength of π···σ‐hole tetrel bond

The potential applications of tetrel bonds involving π‐molecules in crystal materials and biological systems have prompted a theoretical investigation of the strength of π···σ‐hole tetrel bond in the systems with acetylene and its derivatives of CH₃, AuPH₃, Li, and Na as well as benzene as the π electron donors. A weak tetrel bond (ΔE < 15 kJ/mol) is found between acetylene and tetrel donor molecule TH₃F (T = C, Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb). All substituents strengthen the π tetrel bond, but the electron‐donating sodium atoms have the largest enhancing effect and the interaction energy is up to about 24 kJ/mol in C₂Na₂‐CH₃F. The electron‐donating ability of the AuPH₃ fragment is intermediate between the methyl group and alkali metal atom. The origin of the stability of the π tetrel‐bonded complex is dependent on the nature of the tetrel donor and acceptor molecules and can be regulated by the substituents.     

Reactions of Cyclohexyl Isocyanide with η5‐Substituted Cyclo‐pentadienyl MoMo Triply Bonded Complexes. Crystal Structure of [Mo(CO)2(η5‐C5H4CO2CH3)]2(μ‐η2‐CNC6H11)

Reactions of one or two equiv. of cyclohexyl isocyanide in THF at room temperature with Mo?Mo triply bonded complexes [Mo(CO)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄R)]₂ (R=COCH₃, CO₂CH₃) gave the isocyanide coordinated Mo? Mo singly bonded complexes with functionally substituted cyclopentadienyl ligands, [Mo(CO)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄R)]₂(μ‐η²‐CNC₆H₁₁) ( 1a , R=COCH₃; 1b , R=CO₂CH₃) and [Mo(CO)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄R)(CNC₆H₁₁)]₂ ( 2a , R=COCH₃; 2b , R=CO₂CH₃), respectively. Complexes 1a , 1b and 2a , 2b could be more conveniently prepared by thermal decarbonylation of Mo? Mo singly bonded complexes [Mo(CO)₃(η⁵‐C₅H₄R)]₂ (R=COCH₃, CO₂CH₃) in toluene at reflux, followed by treatment of the resulting Mo?Mo triply bonded complexes [Mo(CO)₂(η⁵‐C₅H₄R)]₂ (R=COCH₃, CO₂CH₃) in situ with cyclohexyl isocyanide. While 1a , 1b and 2a , 2b were characterized by elemental analysis and spectroscopy, 1b was further characterized by X‐ray crystallography.     

Stabilization of a Silaaldehyde by its η2 Coordination to Tungsten

Treatment of pyridine‐stabilized silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂(H)W?SiH(py)(Tsi)] (R=Me, Et; py=pyridine; Tsi=C(SiMe₃)₃) with an N‐heterocyclic carbene ^MeIⁱPr (1,3‐diisopropyl‐4,5‐dimethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) caused deprotonation to afford anionic silylene complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W?SiH(Tsi)][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 1‐Me ); R=Et ( 1‐Et )). Subsequent oxidation of 1‐Me and 1‐Et with pyridine‐N‐oxide (1 equiv) gave anionic η²‐silaaldehydetungsten complexes [(η⁵‐C₅Me₄R)(CO)₂W{η²‐O?SiH(Tsi)}][H^MeIⁱPr] (R=Me ( 2‐Me ); R=Et ( 2‐Et )). The formation of an unprecedented W‐Si‐O three‐membered ring was confirmed by X‐ray crystal structure analysis.     

Using (FH)2 and (FH)3 to Bridge the σ‐Hole and the Lone Pair at P in Complexes with H2XP,for X=CH3, OH,H, CCH,F, Cl,NC, and CN

Ab initio MP2/aug′‐cc‐pVTZ calculations are used to investigate the binary complexes H₂XP:HF, the ternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₂, and the quaternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₃, for X=CH₃, OH, H, CCH, F, Cl, NC, and CN. Hydrogen‐bonded (HB) binary complexes are formed between all H₂XP molecules and FH, but only H₂FP, H₂ClP, and H₂(NC)P form pnicogen‐bonded (ZB) complexes with FH. Ternary complexes with (FH)₂ are stabilized by F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds and F???P pnicogen bonds, except for H₂(CH₃)P:(FH)₂ and H₃P:(FH)₂, which do not have pnicogen bonds. All quaternary complexes H₂XP:(FH)₃ are stabilized by both F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds and P???F pnicogen bonds. Thus, (FH)₂ with two exceptions, and (FH)₃ can bridge the σ‐hole and the lone pair at P in these complexes. The binding energies of H₂XP:(FH)₃ complexes are significantly greater than the binding energies of H₂XP:(FH)₂ complexes, and nonadditivities are synergistic in both series. Charge transfer occurs across all intermolecular bonds from the lone‐pair donor atom to an antibonding σ* orbital of the acceptor molecule, and stabilizes these complexes. Charge‐transfer energies across the pnicogen bond correlate with the intermolecular P?F distance, while charge‐transfer energies across F?H???P and F?H???F hydrogen bonds correlate with the distance between the lone‐pair donor atom and the hydrogen‐bonded H atom. In binary and quaternary complexes, charge transfer energies also correlate with the distance between the electron‐donor atom and the hydrogen‐bonded F atom. EOM‐CCSD spin‐spin coupling constants ^2hJ(F–P) across F?H???P hydrogen bonds, and ^1pJ(P–F) across pnicogen bonds in binary, ternary, and quaternary complexes exhibit strong correlations with the corresponding intermolecular distances. Hydrogen bonds are better transmitters of F–P coupling data than pnicogen bonds, despite the longer F???P distances in F?H???P hydrogen bonds compared to P???F pnicogen bonds. There is a correlation between the two bond coupling constants ^2hJ(F–F) in the quaternary complexes and the corresponding intermolecular distances, but not in the ternary complexes, a reflection of the distorted geometries of the bridging dimers in ternary complexes.     

Syntheses,and Crystal Structures of Indium Complexes with η2‐Piperidinyldithiocarbamate and η2‐Pyridine‐2‐Thionate Containing Ligands: Structures of [In(η2‐S2CNC5H10)3] and [In(η2‐pyS)3]

The η²‐thio‐indium complexes [In(η²‐thio)₃] (thio = S₂CNC₅H₁₀, 2 ; SNC₄H₄, (pyridine‐2‐thionate, pyS, 3 ) and [In(η²‐pyS)₂(η²‐acac)], 4 , (acac: acetylacetonate) are prepared by reacting the tris(η²‐acac)indium complex [In(η²‐acac)₃], 1 with HS₂CNC₅H₁₀, pySH, and pySH with ratios of 1:3, 1:3, and 1:2 in dichloromethane at room temperature, respectively. All of these complexes are identified by spectroscopic methods and complexes 2 and 3 are determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Crystal data for 2 : space group, C2/c with a = 13.5489(8) Å, b = 12.1821(7) Å, c = 16.0893(10) Å, β = 101.654(1)°, V = 2600.9(3) ų, and Z = 4. The structure was refined to R = 0.033 and Rw = 0.086; Crystal data for 3 : space group, P2₁ with a = 8.8064 (6) Å, b = 11.7047 (8) Å, c = 9.4046 (7) Å, β = 114.78 (1)°, V = 880.13(11) ų, and Z = 2. The structure was refined to R = 0.030 and Rw = 0.061. The geometry around the metal atom of the two complexes is a trigonal prismatic coordination. The piperidinyldithiocarbamate and pyridine‐2‐thionate ligands, respectively, coordinate to the indium metal center through the two sulfur atoms and one sulfur and one nitrogen atoms, respectively. The short C‐N bond length in the range of 1.322(4)–1.381(6) Å in 2 and C‐S bond length in the range of 1.715(2)–1.753(6) Å in 2 and 3 , respectively, indicate considerable partial double bond character.     

Ab initio study of 4-monosubstituted pyrimidines in ground and excited n → π* states

Ab initio SCF and SCF -CI calculations have been performed to investigate substituent effects on ground- and excited-state properties of 4-R-pyrimidines, and to compare these with substituent effects in 2- and 4-R-pyridines, with R including the π donating and σ withdrawing groups CH₃, NH₂, OH, F, and C₂H₃ and the σ and π electron-withdrawing groups CHO and CN. Substitution leads to significant changes in the internal angles of the pyrimidine ring, which are independent of the nature of the substituent. The geometry of the pyrimidine ring is more sensitive to substitution in the 4 position than the pyridine ring geometry is to substitution in either the 2 or the 4 position. The isodesmic reaction energies for substituent transfer from the 4 position of pyrimidine to the 2 or 4 position of pyridine indicate that all R groups except CN have a relative stabilizing effect in pyrimidine. The presence of a π donating group leads to an increase in the n→π* transition energy of 4-R-pyrimidines, while the π withdrawing group CN leads to a decrease in the transition energy relative to pyrimidine. Orbital energy differences and virtual excitation energies tend to correlate with n→π* transition energies of 4-R-pyrimidines with saturated R groups, but such correlations are masked by π conjugation, n orbital interaction, and configurational mixing when the unsaturated groups C₂H₃, CHO, and CN are present. The electronic effects of a π donating group are stronger when the group is bonded to pyrimidine than to pyridine, but those of a π withdrawing group are weaker when the group is bonded to pyrimidine.     

A New Germanium Complex Containing Chelating Pyridinecarboxylate Ligands: cis‐Dihydroxybis(pyridine‐2‐carboxylato‐κN1,κO2)germanium Hydrate (1 : 2) (cis‐[Ge(pyca)2(OH)2]⋅2 H2O)

A new germanium complex, cis‐[Ge(pyca)₂(OH)₂]?2 H₂O ( 1 ; pyca=pyridine‐2‐carboxylato), was synthesized by the reaction of [Ge(acac)₂Cl₂] (acac=acetylacetonato=pentane‐2,4‐dionato) with potassium pyridine‐2‐carboxylate (Kpyca) in H₂O/THF. According to the single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis, each Ge‐atom of 1 is coordinated by two pyca ligands and two OH^? groups (Fig. 1). These molecules are bonded to each other via a system of H‐bonds resulting in a sheet‐like structure (Fig. 2). The complex is decomposed during heating with stepwise mass loss and formation of GeO₂ as final product (Fig. 3).     

Synthesis,Structures, Ligand Substitution Reactions,and Electrochemistry of the Nitrile Complexes cis‐[Ru(dppm)2Cl(NCR)]+ PF6– (dppm = Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane,R = CH3, C2H5, tBu,Ph)

Isomerically pure nitrile complexes cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl(NCR)]⁺ ( 2 a – d ) are formed upon chloride displacement from cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl₂] ( 1 ) or, alternatively, by ligand substitution from the acetonitrile complex 2 a . This latter approach does also allow for the introduction of pyridine ( 3 a , b ), heptamethyldisilazane ( 4 ) or isonitrile ligands ( 5 ). All complexes are obtained as the configurationally stable cis‐isomers. Only cis‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl(CN^tBu)]⁺ slowly isomerizes to the trans from. The solid state structures of the CH₃CN, C₂H₅CN and the trans‐^tBuNC complexes were established by X‐ray crystallography. Electrochemical investigations of the nitrile complexes 2 a – d show in addition to a chemically reversible one‐electron oxidation an irrversible reduction step. In CH₂Cl₂ solution, cis‐ and trans‐[Ru(dppm)₂Cl₂] have been identified as the final products of the electrochemically induced reaction sequence.     

Synthesis and Characterization of the Lewis Acid‐Base Complexes SbCl5 · LB (LB = ICN,BrCN, ClCN, 1/2(CN)2, NH2CN,Pyridine) – a Combined Theoretical and Experimental Investigation. The Crystal Structures of SbCl5 · NCCl and SbCl5 · NCCN · SbCl5

The Lewis acid‐base complexes SbCl₅ · LB (LB = ICN, BrCN, ClCN, ¹/₂(CN)₂, NH₂CN, pyridine) were prepared. The products formed were characterized by Raman and NMR spectroscopy. Density functional theory (B3LYP) was applied to calculate structural and vibrational data. Vibrational assignments of the normal modes for these Lewis acid‐base adducts was made on the basis of their Raman spectra in comparison with computational results. The stability of the complexes was investigated by calculating the bond dissociation enthalpy. SbCl₅ · NCCl and SbCl₅ · NCCN · SbCl₅ were characterized by X‐ray structural analysis. NBO analyses were performed on the crystallographic data.     

Theoretical investigations on the weak nonbonded CS···CH2 interactions: Chalcogen‐bonded complexes with singlet carbene as an electron donor

In this article, we explored the noncovalent bonding interactions between O?C?S, S?C?S, F₂C?S, Cl₂C?S, and singlet carbene. Six chalcogen‐bonded complexes were obtained. It is found that all the vibrational frequencies of C?S bond presented a red shift character. Interaction energy, topology property of the electron density and its Laplacian, and the donor–acceptor interaction have been investigated. All these results show that there exists a weak nonbonded interaction between the chalcogen bond donor and CH₂. An energy decomposition analysis was performed to disclose that the electrostatic interaction is the main stabilized factor in these nonbonded complexes. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2011     

2,6‐Bis[bis(2‐pyridiniomethyl)aminomethyl]‐4‐tert‐butylphenol dichloride diperchlorate hydrate

The title compound, C₃₆H₄₄N₆O⁴⁺·2Cl^?·2ClO₄^?·0.132H₂O, is shown to be protonated at all the pyridine N atoms; the two chloride ions are hydrogen bonded to three pyridine N atoms and to the phenolic O atom of the same cation [Cl?N = 3.045 (2)–3.131 (2) Å and Cl?O = 2.938 (2) Å], and the remaining pyridine N atom is hydrogen bonded to the phenolic O atom [N?O = 2.861 (2) Å]. The mean value of the C—N—C angle of the protonated pyridine rings is 123.4 (1)°, which is significantly larger than that found for unprotonated pyridine rings.     

The Dependence on H2O and on NH3 of the Kinetics of the self-reaction of HO2 in the gas-phase formation of HO2·H2O and HO2·NH3 complexes

Electron pulse radiolysis at ?298°K of 2 atm H₂ containing 5 torr O₂ produces HO₂ free radical whose disappearance by reaction (1), HO₂ + HO₂ →H₂O₂ + O₂, is monitored by kinetic spectrophotometry at 230.5 nm. Using a literature value for the HO₂ absorption cross section, the values k₁ = 2.5×10^?12 cm³/molec·sec, which is in reasonable agreement with two earlier studies, and G(H) G(HO₂) ?13 are obtained. In the presence of small amounts of added H₂O or NH₃, the observed second-order decay rate of the HO₂ signal is found to increase by up to a factor of ?2.5. A proposed kinetic model quantitatively explains these data in terms of the formation of previously unpostulated 1:1 complexes, HO₂ + H₂O ? HO₂·H₂O (4a) and HO₂ + NH₃? HO₂·NH₃ (4b), which are more reactive than uncomplexed HO₂ toward a second uncomplexed HO₂ radical. The following equilibrium constants, which agree with independent theoretical calculations on these complexes, are derived from the data: 2×10^?20?K_4a?6.3 × 10^?19 cm³/molec at 295°K and K_4b = 3.4 × 10^?18 cm³/molec at 298°K. Several deuterium isotope effects are also reported, including k_H/k_D = 2.8 for reaction (1). The atmospheric significance of these results is pointed out.     

Homonuclear chalcogen–chalcogen bond interactions in complexes pairing YO3 and YHX molecules (Y = S,Se; X = H,Cl, Br,CCH, NC,OH, OCH3): Influence of substitution and cooperativity

MP2/aug‐cc‐pVTZ calculations are performed on complexes of YO₃ (Y = S, Se) with a series of electron‐donating chalcogen bases YHX (X = H, Cl, Br, CCH, NC, OH, OCH₃). These complexes are formed through the interaction of a positive electrostatic potential region (π‐hole) on the YO₃ molecule with the negative region in YHX. Interaction energies of the binary O₃Y???YHX complexes are in the range of ?4.37 to ?12.09 kcal/mol. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules and the natural bond orbital analysis were applied to characterize the nature of interactions. It was found that the formation and stability of these binary complexes are ruled mainly by electrostatic effects, although the electron charge transfer from YHX to YO₃ unit also seems to play an important role. In addition, mutual influence between the Y???N and Y???Y interactions is studied in the ternary HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. The results indicate that the formation of a Y???N interaction tends to weaken Y???Y bond in the ternary systems. Although the Y???Y interaction is weaker than the Y???N one, however, both types of interactions seem to compete with each other in the HCN???O₃Y???YHX complexes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

2‐Ethyl‐6‐methylpyridin‐3‐ol and its salt bis(2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐methylpyridinium) succinate

The title compounds, C₈H₁₁NO, (I), and 2C₈H₁₂NO⁺·C₄H₄O₄²⁻, (II), both crystallize in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c. In the crystal structure of (I), intermolecular O—H...N hydrogen bonds combine the molecules into polymeric chains extending along the c axis. The chains are linked by C—H...π interactions between the methylene H atoms and the pyridine rings into polymeric layers parallel to the ac plane. In the crystal structure of (II), the succinate anion lies on an inversion centre. Its carboxylate groups interact with the 2‐ethyl‐3‐hydroxy‐6‐methylpyridinium cations via intermolecular N—H...O hydrogen bonds with the pyridine ring H atoms and O—H...O hydrogen bonds with the hydroxy H atoms to form polymeric chains, which extend along the [01] direction and comprise R₄⁴(18) hydrogen‐bonded ring motifs. These chains are linked to form a three‐dimensional network through nonclassical C—H...O hydrogen bonds between the pyridine ring H atoms and the hydroxy‐group O atoms of neighbouring cations. π–π interactions between the pyridine rings and C—H...π interactions between the methylene H atoms of the succinate anion and the pyridine rings are also present in this network.     

A comparative DFT study on the mechanism of olefin epoxidation catalyzed by substituted binuclear peroxotungstates ([SeO4WO(O2)2MO(O2)2]n− (M = TiIV,VV, TaV,MoVI, WVI,TcVII, and ReVII))

The selective epoxidation of olefins catalyzed by substituted binuclear peroxotungstates ([SeO₄WO(O₂)₂MO(O₂)₂]^n? (M = Ti^IV, V^V, Ta^V, Mo^VI, W^VI, Tc^VII, and Re^VII)) are investigated at the density functional theory level. The computational results reveal that the activation barrier corresponding to the oxygen transfer to the ethylene step decreases with M = V > Ti > Ta > Mo > W > Tc > Re. The Re and Tc substituted species can effectively improve the catalytic activity with lower Gibbs free energy barriers of 22.53 and 25.82 kcal/mol relative to the others under normal conditions. This suggests that Re and Tc center peroxo complexes would improve the catalytic performance. The higher activity of the substituted species is directly attributed to the lower energy of the σ*(O? O) orbital. The reaction barriers in epoxidation process are rationalized by analyzing the atomic charge, the O? O bond length, and the interaction between the substituted metal and the peroxo group of the precursor complexes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.