Exploring the activities of vanadium,niobium, and tantalum PNP pincer complexes in the hydrogenation of phenyl-substituted CN,CN, CC,CC, and CO functional groups

The structures and stability of the designed PNP pincer amido M(NO)₂(PNP) and amino ^HM(NO)₂(PN^HP) complexes [M = V, Nb, and Ta, PNP = N(CH₂CH₂P(isopropyl)₂)₂, PN^HP = HN(CH₂CH₂P(isopropyl)₂)₂] and their hydrogenation mechanisms for phenyl-substituted unsaturated functional groups have been explored at the B3PW91 level of density functional theory. Under H₂ environment, these conjugated complexes can form equilibrium and fulfill the criteria of metal–ligand cooperated bifunctional hydrogenation catalysts. For the hydrogenation of Ph-CN, Ph-CHNH, Ph-CHNH-Ph, Ph-CHNCH₂Ph, Ph-CCH, Ph-CHCH₂, Ph-CHO, and Ph-COCH₃, the reaction prefers either a two-step or one-step mechanism for the hydridic MH and protonic NH transfer. These results clearly show that the V, Nb, and Ta complexes are promising catalysts for the hydrogenation reactions, and these provide experimental challenges.     

DFT study of the IR and Raman spectra of a fluorescent dendron built from cyclotriphosphazene core

Combined experimental and theoretical studies on molecular structure of the zero generation dendron, built from the hexafunctional cyclotriphosphazene core, with five OC₆H₄(CH₂)₂NHSO₂C₁₀H₆N(CH₃)₂ terminal groups and one oxybenzaldehyde group G₀ are reported. The Fourier transform Raman and IR spectra of G₀ have been recorded. Conformations of low energy isomers of G₀ have been studied at quantum-chemical level. The optimized geometry has been calculated by density functional (DFT) method at the PBE/TZ2P level of theory. The theoretical geometrical parameters, harmonic vibrational frequencies, IR intensities and Raman scattering activities are predicted in a good agreement with the experimental data. It was found that dendron molecule G₀ has a concave lens structure with planar OC₆H₄CHO fragments and slightly non-planar cyclotriphosphazene core. Relying on DFT calculations the bands of the core and terminal groups were assigned. The frequencies of ν(NH) bands in the IR spectrum reveal the presence of the H-bonds in the dendron.     

Ni–Mo2C supported on alumina as a substitute for Ni–Mo reduced catalysts supported on alumina material for dry reforming of methane

In this study, alumina-supported NiMo catalysts were carburized to obtain alumina-supported nickel–molybdenum carbides as potential catalysts for dry reforming of methane. The typical carbide was compared with a low carburized material (in 5% H₂/CH₄) and a reduced NiMo catalyst. It was shown that the passivated alumina-supported NiMo catalysts by carbon lead to higher reactivity, selectivity, and stability for dry methane reforming reaction.     

A theoretical study on the alkene insertion step in Rh-Yanphos catalyzed hydroformylation

This paper studied the mechanism of the alkene insertion elementary step in the asymmetric hydroformylation （AHF） catalyzed by RhH（CO）2[（R,S）-Yanphos] using four alkene substrates （CH2=CH- Ph, CH2=CH-Ph-（p）-Me, CH2=CH-C（==O）OCH3 and CH2=CH-OC（=O）-Ph, abbreviated as A1-A4）. Interestingly, the equatorial vertical coordination mode （A mode） with respect to the Rh center was found for AI and A2 but not for A3 and A4, although the equatorial in-plane coordination mode （E mode） was found for A1 -A4. The relative energy of the E mode of the -q2-intermediates is lower than that of the A mode. In the alkene insertion step, Path 1 is more favorable than Path 2 for this system. As for AI and A2, there could be a transformation between 2eq and 2ax.     

The Raman spectra of serine and 3,3-dideutero-serine in aqueous solution

The Raman spectra of serine [α-amino-β-hydroxypropionic acid; HOCH₂CH(NH₃)⁺COO⁻] and 3,3-dideutero-serine [HOCD₂CH(NH₃)⁺COO⁻] in aqueous solution were studied in the range 4000–300 cm⁻¹. The data obtained for the deuterated compound are novel and provide compelling evidence that previously reported assignments for the undeuterated amino acid should be revised.     

Nitrogen- and oxygen-bridged bidentate phosphaalkene ligands

An overview is given on synthesis and structures of new bidentate phosphaalkene ligands [(RMe₂Si)₂CP]₂E (E = O, NR, N^?) and (RMe₂Si)₂CPN(R′)PR′′₂. Exceptional properties of these ligands, extending beyond predictable properties of phosphaalkenes are: (i) the NSi bond cleavage of [(iPrMe₂Si)₂CP]₂NSiMe₃ with Au^I and Rh^I chloro complexes under mild conditions leading to binuclear complexes of the 6π-delocalised imidobisphosphaalkene anion [(iPrMe₂Si)₂CP]₂N^?, and (ii) the chlorotropic formation of molecular 1:2 Pd^II and Pt^II metallochloroylid complexes with novel ylid-type ligands [(RMe₂Si)₂CP(Cl)N(R)PR₂]^?, and the transformation of a P-platina-P-chloroylid complex into a C-platina phosphaalkene by intramolecular chlorosilane elimination. Properties of the heavier congeners [(RMe₂Si)₂CP]₂E (E = S, Se, Te, PR, P^?, As^?) and (RMe₂Si)₂CPEPR′′₂ (E = S, Se, Te) are also described.     

Theoretical calculations of the substituent effect on molecular properties of the RCN⋯HF hydrogen-bonded complexes with R = NH2, CH3O,CH3, OH,SH, H,Cl, F,CF3, CN and NO2

DFT calculations with B3LYP and PBE1PBE functionals and 6–311++G(d,p) basis set have been performed in order to obtain molecular geometries, binding energies and vibrational properties of the RCN?HF H-bonded complexes with R = NH₂, CH₃O, CH₃, OH, SH, H, Cl, F, CF₃, CN and NO₂. As expected, it has been verified as a red-shift of the HF stretching frequency (ν_HF), in conformity with the elongation of the bond after complexation. On the other hand, the CN stretching frequency (ν_CN) is blue-shifted and corresponds to a shortening of the bond. The binding energies (ΔE_c), including BSSE and ZPVE corrections, show a linear correlation with several structural, electronic and vibrational properties. In particular, an important linear dependence between the binding energy and the calculated dipole moment of the free RCN molecule (μ_RCN) has been found. This result suggests that μ_RCN can be a useful quantity in order to predict the ability of this fragment to form a hydrogen-bond. The IR intensities of stretching and bending modes of complexed HF acid fragment are adequately interpreted through the atomic polar tensor of the hydrogen atom in HF using the modified CCFO model for infrared intensities. The new vibrational modes arising from complexation show several interesting features.     

Magnetic properties of ammonia intercalates of some IV B and V B transition metal disulfides

Intercalates 3RVS₂NH₃ and 3RTaS₂NH₃, isostructural with 3RTiS₂NH₃, are described for the first time. Magnetic properties of 3RTiS₂NH₃, 3RVS₂NH₃, and 2HTaS₂NH₃ respectively are interpreted in terms of a charge transfer (in agreement with an ionic model) from the intercalant to the lowest conduction band which consists mainly ofe_g, a_1g anda′₁ transition metald states.     

CH⋯Ni interactions and cyano-bridged heteronuclear polymeric complexes studied by vibrational spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations

Three 1D bimetallic M(II)/Ni(II) (M = Cu, Zn and Cd) complexes, [Cu(OHepy)₂Ni(CN)₄]_n (1), [Zn(OHepy)₂Ni(CN)₄]_n (2) and [Cd(OHepy)₂Ni(CN)₄]_n (3) (2-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridine abbreviated to OHepy), have been synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy, elemental, thermal analyses and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. FT-IR and Raman spectra of OHepy have been experimentally and theoretically investigated in the region of 4000–250 cm⁻¹. The corresponding vibrational assignments of OHepy are examined by means of B3LYP hybrid density functional theory (DFT) method together with 6-311++G(d, p) basis set. Moreover, reliable vibrational assignments have been made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED). The structures of the complexes consist of one-dimensional polymeric chain M(OHepy)₂NCNi(CN)₂CNM(OHepy)²⁻, in which the M(II) and Ni(II) atoms are linked by CN groups. The nickel atom is fourfold coordinated with four cyanide-carbon atoms in a square planar arrangement and the metal(II) atoms are sixfold coordinated with two cyanide nitrogen, two OHepy nitrogen and two OHepy oxygen atoms, in a distorted octahedral arrangement. In all the complexes adjacent chains are connected by π⋯π, CH⋯Ni and OH⋯N hydrogen bonding interactions to form two and three dimensional networks.     

Rh（Ⅱ） carbene S-H insertion into H2S via the stepwise mechanism

The mechanism of Rh(Ⅱ)carbene S-H insertion into H_2S in gas phase has been studied by B3LYP functional.Calculation results showed that the Rh(Ⅱ)carbene S-H insertion into H_2S took only stepwise channels and no concerted channels had been located, which was different from the Rh(Ⅱ)carbene C-H and O-H insertions.     

Polyaniline-based electrocatalysts through emulsion polymerization:Electrochemical and electrocatalytic performances

One of the major challenges associated with fuel cells is the design of highly efficient electrocatalysts to reduce the high overpotential of the oxygen reduction reaction(ORR). Here we report Polyaniline(PANI)based micro/nanomaterials with or without transition metals, prepared by the emulsion polymerization and subsequent heat treatment. PANI microspheres with the diameter of about 0.7 μm have been prepared in basic(NH3solution) condition, using two different types of surfactant(CTAB, SDS) as the stabilizer, ammonium persulphate(APS) as oxidant with aniline/surfactants molar ratio at 1/1 under the hydrothermal treatment. PANI nanorods, Fe–PANI, and Fe–Co–PANI have been synthesized in acidic(HCl)medium with aniline/surfactants molar ratio at 1/2 and polymerization carried out without stirring for24 h. Products mainly Fe–Co–PANI have shown high current density with increasing sweep rate and excellent specific capacitance 1753 F/g at the scan rate of 1 m V/s. Additionally, it has shown high thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis(TGA). Fe–PANI has been investigated for excellent performance toward ORR with four electron selectivity in the basic electrolyte. The PANI-based catalysts from emulsion polymerization demonstrate that the method is valuable for making non-precious metal heterogeneous electrocatalysts for ORR or energy storage and conversion technology.     

Metal-(phenylthio)alkanoic acid interactions— VII. The crystal and molecular structures of diaquabis[(benzylthio)acetato]-zinc(II), catena- [diaqua-tetra[(benzylthio)acetato]-bis[cadmium(II)], catena-tetra-μ-{2-methyl-3- (phenylthio)propionato-O,O′]-bis[copper(II)]} and tetra-μ-[2-methyl-2-(phenylthio)propionato-O,O′]- bis[ethanolcopper(II)]

The crystal structures of diaquabis[(benzylthio)acetato]zinc(II), [Zn(BTA)₂ (H₂O)₂] (1), catena-[diaqua-tetra[(benzylthio)acetato)]-bis[cadmium(II)], [Cd₂(BTA)₄ H₂O)₂]_n (2), catena-{tetra-μ-[2-methyl-3-(phenylthio)propionato-O,O′]-bis[copper (II)]}, [Cu₂(MPTP)₄]_n (3) and tetra-μ-[2-methyl-2-(phenylthio)propionato-O,O′]- bis[ethanol copper(II)], [Cu₂(PTIBA)₄(EtOH)₂] (4) have been determined using X-ray diffraction techniques. Complex (1) is monomeric with distorted octahedral stereochemistry and lies on a two-fold rotational axis. The MO₆ coordination involves four oxygens from two slightly asymmetric bidentate BTA car☐yl groups [ZnO, 2.138(3), 2.28(3)Å] and two cis-related waters [ZnOw, 1.996(3)Å]. The cadmium complex (2) is best described in terms of a polymer with the repeating unit consisting of two different centres, one seven, the other six-coordinate. With the first, the distorted MO₆S coordination sphere has four oxygens from two asymmetric bidentate car☐ylate groups (ligands B and C) [CdO, 2.36, 2.56(1)Å; 2.26, 2.67(1)Å], an oxygen and a sulphur from a bidentate chelate ligand (A) [CdO, 2.36(1)Å; CdS, 2.773(4)Å] and an oxygen from a bridging car☐yl group (ligand D) [CdO, 2.28(1)Å]. Ligands C and D also bridge two Cd centres through sulphurs [CdS, 2.739, 2.723(4)Å]. The second car☐yl oxygen of ligand A also forms a bridge to the second Cd [(CdO, 2.30(1)Å], while the distorted octahedral MO₄S₂ stereochemistry is completed by two waters [CdO, 2.25(1), 2.49(1)Å] and a sulphur from ligand D [CdS, 2.723(4)Å] giving a polymer structure. Complexes (3) and (4) are centrosymmetric tetra-car☐ylate bridged dimers [for (3) Cu ··· Cu, 2.586(3)Å; mean CuO(equatorial), 1.957(11)Å; for the two independent dimers in (4), Cu ··· Cu, 2.596(1), 2.616(1)Å; CuO (equatorial), 1.952(4), 1.968(4)Åmean]. The axial positions of the dimer in (3) are occupied by car☐yl oxygens of adjacent dimers [CuO, 2.280(9)Å] forming a polymer structure. In contrast, these positions in (4) are occupied by ethanol molecules with CuO, 2.222(3) and 2.177(4)Årespectively for the two independent dimers.     

Mechanism of rhodium(III)-catalyzed formal C(sp3)H activation/spiroannulation of α-arylidene pyrazolones with alkynes: A computational study

DFT calculations were performed to investigate the rhodium-catalyzed formal C(sp³)-H activation/ spiroannulation of α-arylidene pyrazolones with alkynes. The calculations indicate that the spiroannulation through the proposed C-C reductive elimination is kinetically unfeasible. Instead, the C-C coupling from the eight-membered rhodacycle was proposed to account for the experimental results     

The structure and two-dimensional correlation infrared spectroscopy study of a new 2D polyoxomolybdate complex containing β-octamolybdate linked up by potassium ions: (4,4′-Hbpy)2(K2Mo8O26)

A novel compound, (4,4′-Hbpy)₂(K₂Mo₈O₂₆) 1 (bpy = bipydine), was synthesized by hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray single analysis, thermalgravimetric analysis, one-dimensional (1D) infrared spectroscopy and two-dimensional (2D) correlation infrared spectroscopy under thermal perturbation. In the compound 1, the [Mo₈O₂₆] units link to potassium ions to form layer structure, and the protonated 4,4′-bpy are linked to chains by hydrogen bonds. The 2D IR correlation spectroscopy study indicates that the intensity changes of MoO, NH and CC stretching vibration are sensitive to the temperature variation, and the intensity changes of asymmetry stretching vibration of the terminal MoO occur prior to that of terminal MoO linked by K atom. At the same time, the peaks of asymmetry stretching vibrations of the terminal MoO and the stretching vibrations of NH split into two peaks respectively in 2D IR correlation spectroscopy.     

Molecular structure of caffeine as determined by gas electron diffraction aided by theoretical calculations

The molecular structure of caffeine (3,7-dihydro-1,3,7-trimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione) was determined by means of gas electron diffraction. The nozzle temperature was 185 °C. The results of MP2 and B3LYP calculations with the 6-31G⁷ basis set were used as supporting information. These calculations predicted that caffeine has only one conformer and some of the methyl groups perform low frequency internal rotation. The electron diffraction data were analyzed on this basis. The determined structural parameters (r_g and ∠_α) of caffeine are as follows: <r(NC)_ring> = 1.382(3) Å; r(CC) = 1.382(←) Å; r(CC) = 1.446(18) Å; r(CN) = 1.297(11) Å; <r(NC_methyl)> = 1.459(13) Å; <r(CO)> = 1.206(5) Å; <r(CH)> = 1.085(11) Å; ∠N₁C₂N₃ = 116.5(11)°; ∠N₃C₄C₅ = 121. 5(13)°; ∠C₄C₅C₆ = 122.9(10)°; ∠C₄C₅N₇ = 104.7(14)°; ∠N₉–C₄=C₅ = 111.6(10)°; <∠NCH_methyl> = 108.5(28)°. Angle brackets denote average values; parenthesized values are the estimated limits of error (3σ) referring to the last significant digit; left arrow in parentheses means that this parameter is bound to the preceding one.     

Continous gradient temperature Raman Spectroscopy identifies flexible sites in proline and alanine peptides

Continuous gradient temperature Raman spectroscopy (GTRS) applies the temperature gradients utilized in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to Raman spectroscopy, providing a straightforward technique to identify molecular rearrangements that occur near phase transitions. Herein we apply GTRS and DSC to the solid dipeptides Ala-Pro, Pro-Ala, and the mixture Ala-Pro/Pro-Ala 2:1. A simple change in residue order resulted in dramatic changes in thermal stability and properties. Characteristic Pro vibrations were observed at ∼75 °C higher temperature in Pro-Ala than Ala-Pro. The appearance/disappearance of characteristic vibrational modes with increasing temperature showed that a double peak in the Ala-Pro major phase transition (174–184 °C) was due to a gauche to anti 165° rotation of H₃CC*NH₃ about C*. CH₂ rocking and wagging frequencies present in Pro-Ala were not observed in Ala-Pro. For Ala-Pro, the Ala ⁺NH_3, and Pro COO⁻ sites were flexible whereas the Pro ring moiety was not; since the OCN (C)₂ amide bond is planar the CNC moiety keeps the Pro ring rigid. For Pro-Ala, CH₂ sites in the Pro ring were flexible and the OCNH amide bond is perpendicular to the Pro ring. Since the mass of the Pro ring is significantly larger than the mass of the flexible Ala ⁺NH₃ moiety, Pro-Ala absorbs more thermal energy, corresponding to a higher phase transition temperature (240–260 °C). Ala-Pro, Pro-Ala, and Ala-Pro/Pro-Ala 2:1 exhibited α-helix, β-sheet, α-helix secondary structure conformations, respectively.     

Superexchange interaction enhanced through spin delocalisation in Rb2FeBr5·H2O as studied by polarised neutron diffraction

Polarised neutron diffraction experiments on crystals of Rb₂FeBr₅·H₂O are reported. Experimental magnetic structure factors were analysed using a multipolar model for the magnetisation density on the iron and ligand atoms. Our results indicate that there exists an important spin transfer of 20% from the iron to the ligands. Also, a small asphericity is observed on Fe(III) ion due to the presence of the ligands. The hydrogen bridge, in the superexchange pathway FeBr⋯HOFe, seems to favour the spin-density transfer from the iron through bromine, thus enhancing the magnetic interaction.     

In silico quest for stable phosphastannaallenes

A computational study at different levels of theory was performed for the not yet synthesized phosphastannaallenes >SnCP– in order to evaluate the strength of the SnC bond, the main postulated factor to stabilize such species, and the geometry in R₂SnCPR derivatives. The influence of the substituents with various electronic effects (H, Me, Ph, F, Cl, OMe, SiMe₃) at the Sn or P atoms of the SnCP unit on the SnC bond order was evaluated in the quest for a substituent that would stabilize the phosphastannaallenic unit. PC bond orders have also been calculated.     

Nucleophilic substitution of 4-bromomethyltriazolium with different nucleophiles

1,2,3-Triazolium salts draw much attentions in recent years. We developed a new synthetic method to heteroatom-functionalized triazoliums via nucleophilic substitution of 4-bromomethyltriazolium. This method afforded triazoliums with different S, N, and O heteroatom-substituents. Moreover, S_N2′ reaction was observed with alcohols or hydroxides. In addition, debromination and debromomethylation reaction occurred in some cases.     

Thermal effect on microstructure vibration of SiO2 thin films

The microstructure of amorphous SiO₂ thin film is a random network structure in which a large amount of [SiO₄] is interconnected with a specific SiOSi bond angle. The SiO₂ thin films used in this paper were prepared by ion beam sputtering and electron beam evaporation deposition techniques. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy analysis techniques were used in this study. By measuring the infrared temperature spectrum, we obtained the two-dimensional correlation synchronous spectrum and asynchronous spectrum, and decomposed the in-phase and out-phase asymmetric stretching vibration characteristics of SiOSi. As the temperature increases, the spectral transmittance of the vibrating peak decreases, and the relative change of in-phase asymmetric stretching vibration absorption peak is higher than that of the out-phase asymmetric stretching vibration absorption peak.