Stereoselective preparation, structures, and reactivities of phosphine-bridged mixed-metal trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes with tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine

The phosphine-bridged linear trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes with Pd(II)-Pt(II)-Pd(II), Ni(II)-Pt(II)-Ni(II), and Rh(III)-Pd(II)-Pt(II)-Pd(II)-Rh(III) metal-ion sequences were almost quantitatively formed by the stepwise phosphine-bridging reaction of the terminal phosphino groups of tris[2-(diphenylphosphino)ethyl]phosphine (pp3), which is the tetradentate bound ligand of the starting Pd(II) and Ni(II) complexes. The solid-state structures of the trinuclear complexes were determined by X-ray structural analyses, and the structures of the polynuclear complexes in solution were characterized by NMR spectroscopy. The trans and cis isomers of the trinuclear and pentanuclear complexes, which arise from the geometry around the Pt(II) center, were selectively obtained simply by changing the counteranion of the starting complexes: the tetrafluoroborate salts, [MX(pp3)](BF4) [M = Pd(II) or Ni(II), X = Cl- or 4-chlorothiophenolate (4-Cltp-)], gave only the trans isomers, and the chloride salt, [PdCl(pp3)]Cl, gave only the cis isomers. The formation of the trinuclear complex with the 4-Cltp- and chloro ligands, trans-[Pt(4-Cltp)2{PdCl(pp3)}2](BF4)2, proceeded with exchange between the thiolato ligand in the starting Pd(II) complex, [Pd(4-Cltp)(pp(3))](BF4), and the chloro ligands in the starting Pt(II) complex, trans-[PtCl2(NCC6H5)2], retaining the trans geometry around the Pt(II) center. In contrast, the formation reaction between [PdCl(pp3)]Cl and trans-[PtCl2(NCC6H5)2] was accompanied by the trans-to-cis geometrical change on the Pt(II) center to give the trinuclear complex, cis-[PtCl2{PdCl(pp3)}2]Cl2. The mechanisms of these structural conversions during the formation reactions were elucidated by the 31P NMR and absorption spectral changes. The differences in the catalytic activity for the Heck reaction were discussed in connection with the bridging structures of the polynuclear complexes in the catalytic cycle.     

Rational Design of Pt−Pd−Ni Trimetallic Nanocatalysts for Room-Temperature Benzaldehyde and Styrene Hydrogenation

Nanostructures of the multimetallic catalysts offer great scope for fine tuning of heterogeneous catalysis, but clear understanding of the surface chemistry and structures is important to enhance their selectivity and efficiency. Focussing on a typical Pt−Pd−Ni trimetallic system, we comparatively examined the Ni/C, Pt/Ni/C, Pd/Ni/C and Pt−Pd/Ni/C catalysts synthesized by impregnation and galvanic replacement reaction. To clarify surface chemical/structural effect, the Pt−Pd/Ni/C catalyst was thermally treated at X=200, 400 or 600 °C in a H₂ reducing atmosphere, respectively termed as Pt−Pd/Ni/C−X. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized complementarily by XRD, XPS, TEM, HRTEM, HS-LEIS and STEM-EDS elemental mapping and line-scanning. All the catalysts were comparatively evaluated for benzaldehyde and styrene hydrogenation. It is shown that the “PtPd alloy nanoclusters on Ni nanoparticles” (PtPd/Ni) and the synergistic effect of the trimetallic Pt−Pd−Ni, lead to much improved catalytic performance, compared with the mono- or bi- metallic counterparts. However, with the increase of the treatment temperature of the Pt−Pd/Ni/C, the catalytic performance was gradually degraded, which was likely due to that the favourable nanostructure of fine “PtPd/Ni” was gradually transformed to relatively large “PtPdNi alloy on Ni” (PtPdNi/Ni) particles, thus decreasing the number of noble metal (Pt and Pd) active sites on the surface of the catalyst. The optimum trimetallic structure is thus the as synthesised Pt−Pd/Ni/C. This work provides a novel strategy for the design and development of highly efficient and low-cost multimetallic catalysts, e. g. for hydrogenation reactions.     

Atomically Dispersed Copper–Platinum Dual Sites Alloyed with Palladium Nanorings Catalyze the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Designing highly active catalysts at an atomic scale is required to drive the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Copper–platinum (Cu‐Pt) dual sites were alloyed with palladium nanorings (Pd NRs) containing 1.5 atom % Pt, using atomically dispersed Cu on ultrathin Pd NRs as seeds. The ultrafine structure of atomically dispersed Cu‐Pt dual sites was confirmed with X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurements. The Pd/Cu‐Pt NRs exhibit excellent HER properties in acidic solution with an overpotential of only 22.8 mV at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² and a high mass current density of 3002 A g⁻¹_(Pd+Pt) at a −0.05 V potential.     

Dynamics of ternary complex formation in the reaction of diaquoanthranilato-N,N-diacetatonickelate(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline

Dynamics of ternary complex formation in the reaction of diaquoanthranilato-N, N-diacetatonickelate(II) with 2,2′-bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline. $\rm Ni(ada)(H_2O)_2^{-}$ $+$ $L\rightleftharpoons Ni(ada)(L)^{-}$ $+$ $2 H_20;$ $- {{d[Ni(ada)^{-}]}\over{dt}}$ $=$ $k_f[Ni(ada)^{-}][L]+k_d\ [Ni(ada)(L)];$ $\ ada^{3-}=$anthranilate-N, N-diacetate; and L=bipy or phen. The kinetics of formation of ternary complexes by diaquoanthranilato-N, N-diacetatonickelate(II). [Ni(ada)(H₂O)]⁻ with 2,2′-bipyridine (bipy) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) have been studied under pseudo-first-order conditions containing excess bipy or phen by stopped-flow spectrophotometry in the pH range 7.1–7.8 at 25°C and λ = 0.1 mol dm⁻³. In each case, the reaction is first-order with respect to both Ni(ada)⁻ and the entering ligand (ie., bipy, phen). The reactions are reversible. The forward rate constants are: $k^{\rm Ni(ada)}_{\rm Ni(ada)(bipy)}=0.87\times10^3{\rm dm}^3 {\rm mol}^{-1}{\rm s}^{-1}$, . $k^{\rm Ni(ada)}_{\rm Ni(ada)(phen)}=1.87\times10^3{\rm dm}^3 {\rm mol}^{-1}{\rm s}^{-1}$; and the reverse rate constants are: $k^{\rm Ni(ada)(bipy)}_{\rm Ni(ada)}=1.0{\rm s}^{-1}$ and $k^{\rm Ni(ada)(phen)}_{\rm Ni(ada)}=2.0{\rm s}^{-1}$. The corresponding stability constants of ternary complex formation are: and , . The observed rate constants and huge drops in stability constants in ternary complex formation agree well with the mechanism in which dissociation of an acetate arm of the coordinated ada³⁻ prior to chelation by the aromatic ligand occurs. The observations have been compared with the kinetics of ternary complex formation in the reaction Ni(ada)⁻ - glycine in which the kinetics involves a singly bonded intermediate, N(ada)((SINGLE BOND)O(SINGLE BOND)N)²⁻ in rapid equilibrium with the reactants followed by a sluggish ring closure step. The reaction with the aromatic ligands conforms to a steady-state mechanism, while for glycine it gets shifted to an equilibrium mechanism. The cause of this difference in mechanistic pathways has been explained. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

CO\begin{document}$ _{2} $\end{document} Reduction on Metal-Doped SnO\begin{document}$ _{2} $\end{document}(110) Surface Catalysts: Manipulating the Product by Changing the Ratio of Sn:O

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO₂RR) producing HCOOH and CO is one of the most promising approaches for storing renewable electricity as chemical energy in fuels. SnO₂ is a good catalyst for CO₂-to-HCOOH or CO₂-to-CO conversion, with different crystal planes participating the catalytic process. Among them, (110) surface SnO₂ is very stable and easy to synthesisze. By changing the ratio of Sn: O for SnO₂(110), we have two typical SnO₂ thin films: fully oxidized (stoichiometric) and partially reduced. In this work, we are concerned with different metals (Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au)-doped SnO₂(110) with different activity and selectivity for CO₂RR. All these changes are manipulated by adjusting the ratio of Sn: O in (110) surface. The results show that stochiometric and reduced Cu/Ag doped SnO₂(110) have different selectivity for CO₂RR. More specifically, stochiometric Cu/Ag-doped SnO₂(110) tends to generate CO(g). Meanwhile, the reduced surface tends to generate HCOOH(g). Moreover, we also considered the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The catalysts SnO₂(110) doped by Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, and Pt have high activity for HER, and others are good catalysts for CO₂RR.     

Icosahedral platinum alloy nanocrystals with enhanced electrocatalytic activities

This communication describes the synthesis of Pt-M (M = Au, Ni, Pd) icosahedral nanocrystals based on the gas reducing agent in liquid solution method. Both CO gas and organic surface capping agents play critical roles in stabilizing the icosahedral shape with {111} surfaces. Among the Pt-M alloy icosahedral nanocrystals generated, Pt(3)Ni had an impressive ORR specific activity of 1.83 mA/cm(2)(Pt) and 0.62 A/mg(Pt). Our results further show that the area-specific activity of icosahedral Pt(3)Ni catalysts was about 50% higher than that of the octahedral Pt(3)Ni catalysts (1.26 mA/cm(2)(Pt)), even though both shapes are bound by {111} facets. Density functional theory calculations and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that this improvement may arise from strain-induced electronic effects.     

First-principles Density Functional Theory Elucidation of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction on TM-promoted TiC2 (TM=Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, Ru,Rh, Pd,Ag, Os,Ir, Pt,and Au)

Single-atom-catalyst-based systems have been attractive by virtue of their desirable catalytic performance. Herein, the possibility of the 15 transition-metal (TM)-promoted (TM=Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg) and their hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance were investigated on two-dimensional titanium carbides (TiC₂). It is found that the adsorption strength of TMs on TiC₂ is stronger than that of TMs on γ-graphyne and weaker than that of TMs on Ti₃C₂. Among the fifteen investigated catalysts, Ru−TiC₂, Ag−TiC₂, Ir−TiC₂, Au−TiC₂, and Fe−TiC₂ exhibits overpotential of −0.18, −0.15, −0.18, −0.17, and −0.04 V, respectively. In addition, the Volmer-Tafel step was preferred to the Volmer-Heyrovsky step on Fe−TiC₂. This work suggests that Fe−TiC₂ is possibly a superior HER electrocatalyst.     

Über die Dispersität von Metallen in Trägerkatalysatoren. II. Röntgenkleinwinkeluntersuchungen an Platin- und Palladium-Tonerde-Katalysatoren

On the Dispersion of Metals in Supported Catalysts. II. Small Angle X-ray Investigation. on Platinum/Alumina and Palladium/Alumina Catalysts The metal dispersion in 0.5% Pd/A1₂O₃. 0.5°% Pt/Al₂O₃ abd 1.5% Pt/Al₂O₃ catalysts was investigated by small angle X-ray scattering, Using a Kratky camera the difference scattering curves catalyst-carrier were evaluated. The assumption was made that the scattering centres are globular and that there is no interparticular scattering. From the Guinier approximation the Guinier radii R_G of the metal particles were determined. With the Pd catalyst always positive difference scattering curves were found, whereas negative values were found with the Pt catalysts at a scattering angle greater than 0.022 rad. Therefore only for the sample with 0.5% Pd the Porod invariant \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm \tilde Q}$\end{document} and the Porod radius R_P could be determined. From R_G and R_P the parameters of a two- and of a one-parametric distribution were calculated. The results are in good agreement with data from wide angle X-ray diffraction measurements.     

Electrochemical Study on Hydrogen Evolution and \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}$\end{document}\begin{document}$_\rm{2}$\end{document} Reduction on Pt Electrode in Acid Solutions with Different pH

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is the major cathodic reaction which competes \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} reduction reaction (\begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} RR) on Pt electrode. Molecular level understanding on how these two reactions interact with each other and what the key factors are of \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} RR kinetics and selectivity will be of great help in optimizing electrolysers for \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} reduction. In this work, we report our results of hydrogen evolution and \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} reduction on Pt(111) and Pt film electrodes in \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} saturated acid solution by cyclic voltammetry and infrared spectroscopy. In solution with pH > 2, the major process is HER and the interfacial pH increases abruptly during HER; \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{ad}$\end{document} is the only adsorbed intermediate detected in \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} reduction by infrared spectroscopy; the rate for \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{ad}$\end{document} formation increases with the coverage of UPD-H and reaches maximum at the onset potential for HER; the decrease of \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{ad}$\end{document} formation under HER is attributed to the available limited sites and the limited residence time for the reduction intermediate (\begin{document}$\rm{H}_\rm{ad}$\end{document}), which is necessary for \begin{document}${\rm C}\rm{O}_\rm{2}$\end{document} adsorption and reduction.     

Infrared and raman spectroscopic investigations of cadmium tetracyanonickelate complexes of aminopyridines

The infrared and Raman spectra of three new complexes of the formula CdL₂Ni(CN)₄ {L = 2-aminopyridine or 2-amino-4-methylpyridine} and Cd(L) (NH₃)-Ni(CN)₄ {L = 2-amino-3-methylpyridine} are reported. It is concluded that the ring nitrogen and not the amino nitrogen is involved in complex formation. Vibrational assignments for all the bands observed are proposed. The complexes are shown to have a structure consisting of two dimensional polymeric layers formed with Ni(CN)₄ ions bridged by CdL₂ {L = 2-aminopy or 2-amino-4-methylpy} or Cd(NH₃)(L) {L = 2-amino-3-methylpy} cations. Several modes of coordinated aminopyridines have upward wavenumber shifts in comparison to those of the free molecules. These are thought to be due to the coupling of the internal modes of aminopyridines with the MN vibrations.     

Polymerization of σ-bonded organo-transition metal derivatives of styrene

Five new monomers of transition metal complexes containing a styryl group, trans-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm Pd}({\rm PBu}_{\rm 3})_2 \rlap{--} ({\rm C}_6 {\rm H}_4 {\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} {\rm CH}_2 ){\rm X\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Cl(Ia),\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Br(Ib)},\ {\rm X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} CN(Ic),\ X \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} Ph(Id)} $\end{document} and trans-\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm Pt(PBu}_{\rm 3} {\rm )}_{\rm 2} \rlap{--} ({\rm C}_{\rm 6} {\rm H}_{\rm 4} {\rm CH} \hbox{=\hskip-2pt=} {\rm CH}_2 ){\rm Cl}({\rm II})$\end{document}, were synthesized. The monomers were readily homopolymerized in benzene with the use of AIBN or BBu₃–oxygen as the initiator. Copolymerization of Ia with styrene was carried out by using AIBN. From the Cl content of the copolymers by analysis, monomer reactivity ratios and Q–e values were obtained as follows: r₁ = 1.49, r₂ = 0.45; Q₂ = 0.41, e₂ = ?1.4 (M₁ = styrene, M₂ = Ia). Based on the above data, the σ-bonded palladium moiety at para position of styrene acts as a strongly electron-donating group to the phenyl ring. This is also supported by the olefinic β-carbon chemical shift of ¹³C NMR for Ia.     

Palladized aluminum as a novel substrate for electrosynthesis of polyaniline in sulfuric acid solutions

The electropolymerization of aniline on a palladized aluminum electrode (Pd/Al) by potentiodynamic as well as potentiostatic methods is described. The effect of the monomer concentration between 0.01 and 0.4 M on the polyaniline (PANI) formation and its growth on the Pd/Al electrode was investigated and a suitable concentration of 0.2 M is suggested. A similar study was carried out to investigate the effect of sulfuric acid concentration and 0.1 M sulfuric acid was chosen. A study on the influence of electropalladization time on the polymer formation and its growth suggested a convenient time of 40 s. The stability of the PANI film on the Pd/Al electrode was studied as function of the potential imposed on the electrode. For applied electrode potentials of 0.1–0.7 V, the first-order degradation rate constant, k, of PANI film varies between 1×10⁻⁶ and 2×10⁻⁵ s⁻¹, and a relatively low slope (i.e., 2.2) was obtained for the plot of log k versus E. The coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cyclic voltammetric behavior of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode is discussed. The electrocatalytic activity of the PANI-deposited Pd/Al electrode against para-benzoquinone/hydroquinone (Q/H₂Q) and redox systems were investigated and on the basis of of the corresponding cyclic voltammograms and the redox systems were identified as the reversible and quasi-reversible systems, respectively.     

In Situ Growth of Ultrafine Pt Nanoparticles onto Hierarchical Co3O4 Nanosheet-Assembled Microflowers for Efficient Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution

The development of Pt-based electrocatalysts with high Pt utilization efficiency toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is of great significance for the future sustainable hydrogen economy. For rational design of high-performance HER electrocatalyst, the simultaneous consideration of both thermodynamic and kinetic aspects remains greatly challenging. Herein, a simple template-derived strategy is demonstrated for the in situ growth of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles onto Co₃O₄ nanosheet-assembled microflowers (abbreviated as Pt/Co₃O₄ microflowers hereafter) by using the pre-fabricated PtCo-based Hofmann coordination polymer as reactive templates. The elaborate preparation of such intriguing hierarchical architecture with well-dispersed tiny Pt nanoparticles, abundant metal/oxide heterointerfaces and open configuration endows the formed Pt/Co₃O₄ microflowers with high Pt utilization efficiency, rich active sites, lowered energy barrier for water dissociation and expedited reaction kinetics. Consequently, the Pt/Co₃O₄ microflowers exhibit superior HER activity with a relatively low overpotential of 34 mV to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², small Tafel slope (34 mV dec⁻¹) and outstanding electrochemical stability, representing an attractive electrocatalyst for practical water splitting. What's more, our concept of in situ construction of metal/oxide heterointerfaces may provide a new opportunity to design high-performance electrocatalysts for a variety of applications.     

Alloyed Tetranuclear Metal Chains of Pd4−nPtn (n=0–3) Scaffolded by a New Linear Tetraphosphine Containing a PNP Bridge

A new linear tetraphosphine containing a PNP phosphazane bridge, rac-bis[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphino]phenylamine (rac-dpmppan), was synthesized and utilized to support a series of Pd/Pt mixed metal tetranuclear chains, [Pd_4−nPt_n(μ-rac-dpmppan)₂(XylNC)₂](PF₆)₂ (XylNC=xylyl isocyanide; n=0: Pd₄ ( 1 ), 1: PtPd₃ ( 2 ), 2: PtPd₂Pt ( 3 ), 2: Pt₂Pd₂ ( 4 ), 3: Pt₂PdPt ( 5 )), in which the number and positions of additional Pt atoms were successfully controlled depending on the respective synthetic procedures using transformations from 1 to 3 through 2 and from 4 to 5 by redox-coupled exchange reactions. The ³¹P{¹H} NMR and ESI mass spectra and X-ray diffraction analyses revealed almost identical tetranuclear structures, with slight contraction of metal-metal bonds according to incorporation of Pt atoms. The electronic absorption spectra of 1 – 5 exhibited characteristic bands at 635–510 nm with an energy propensity depending on the number and positions of Pt centres, which were assigned to HOMO (dσ*σσ*) to LUMO (dσ*σ*σ*) transition by theoretical calculations. The present results demonstrated that the electronic structures of Pd/Pt mixed-metal tetranuclear complexes are finely tuned as orbital-overlapping alloyed metal chains by atomically precise Pt incorporation in the Pd₄ chain.     

Fabrication of Trimetallic Pt−Pd−Co Porous Nanostructures on Reduced Graphene Oxide by Galvanic Replacement: Application to Electrocatalytic Oxidation of Ethylene Glycol

In present work, reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (rGO) decorated with trimetallic three‐dimensional (3D) Pt−Pd−Co porous nanostructures was fabricated on glassy carbon electrode (Pt−Pd−Co/rGO/GCE). First, GO suspension was drop‐casted on the electrode surface, then GO film reduction was carried out by cycling the potential in negative direction to form the rGO film modified GCE (rGO/GCE). Then, electrodeposition of the cobalt nanoparticles (CoNPs) as sacrificial seeds was performed onto the rGO/GCE by using cyclic voltammetry. Afterward, Pt−Pd−Co 3D porous nanostructures fabrication occurs through galvanic replacement (GR) method based on a spontaneous redox process between PtCl₂, PdCl_2, and CoNPs. The morphology and structure of the Pt−Pd−Co/rGO porous nanostructure film was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction method. The performance of the prepared electrode was investigated by various electrochemical methods including, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The electrocatalytic activity of the as‐prepared modified electrode with high surface areas was evaluated in anodic oxidation of ethylene glycol. The study on electrocatalytic performances revealed that, in comparison to various metal combinations in modified electrodes, trimetallic Pt−Pd−Co/rGO/GCE exhibit a lower onset potential, significantly higher peak current density, high durability and stability for the anodic oxidation of ethylene glycol. The excellent performances are attributed to the rGO as catalysts support and resulting synergistic effects of the trimetallic and appropriate characteristics of the resulted 3D porous nanostructures. Moreover, the influence of various concentrations of ethylene glycol, the potential scan rate and switching potential on the electrode reaction, in addition, long‐term stability have been studied by chronoamperometric and cyclic voltammetric methods.     

Coordination compounds of platinum(II) and palladium(II) with pyrazole as a ligand. New synthetic procedures and characterisation

Summary The synthesis and characterisation of a number of new coordination compounds of Pt^II and Pd^II with the nitrogen donor ligand pyrazole (PzH) is described. These compounds arecis-Pt(PzH)₂X₂,tans-Pt(PzH)₂X₂, Pt(PzH)₄X_{2 · n} H₂O (n = 0 or 1), Pd(PzH)₄X₂ and Pt(PzH)₄PtCl₄ where X = Cl, Br and I.cis-Pd(PzH)₂X₂ compounds could not be obtained;trans-Pd(PzH)₂X₂ compounds seem to exist in more than one crystal form.The new compounds were characterised by chemical analyses, x-ray powder diffraction, i.r. and far-i.r. and by¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy. The metal(II) ions are in all cases coordinated in a square planar geometry.     

Dinuclear Pd(II) and Pt(II) compounds bearing a bridging π-conjugated moiety: synthesis and reactivity toward alkynes and isocyanides

Abstract

Dinuclear Pd(II) halides that contain bridging π-conjugated groups, trans,trans-[(PR₃)₂(X)Pd–Y–Pd(X)(PR₃)₂] (X?=?Br; YH₂ = terpyridine, fluorenone, benzil, benzthiadiazole), were prepared by the oxidative addition of corresponding dihalo π-conjugated reagents to [Pd(styrene)(PR₃)₂]. Similar reactions involving dihalobenzil, dihalobithiophene, or dihaloterthiophene afforded dinuclear Pt(II) halides containing bridging π-conjugated groups. Additionally, when the dihalosilole derivatives {2,5-dibromo-1,1-dimethyl (or diphenyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole} reacted with [Pd(styrene)(PR₃)₂], mono or dinuclear Pd(II) complexes bearing a dimethyl (or diphenyl)-3,4-diphenylsilole group were obtained. π-Conjugation extension reactions of dinuclear bithiophene-bridged Pd(II) halides with HC≡C–R {R?=?SiPh₃, C(O)OMe} in the presence of CuI and HNEt₂ led to the unexpected formation of bis(acetylide) Pd(II) complexes of the form, [Pd(C≡C–R)₂(PR₃)₂] and bithiophene. In contrast, treatment of the dinuclear Pd(II) halides with two equiv of organic isocyanide resulted in isocyanide insertion into the Pd???C bonds to afford π-conjugation-extended dinuclear Pd(II) compounds bearing a π-conjugated moiety.     

Assessing Density Functionals for Describing Methane Dissociative Chemisorption on Pt(110)-(2×1) Surface

In this work, we explore the suitability of several density functionals with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and beyond for describing the dissociative chemisorption of methane on the reconstructed Pt(110)-(2\begin{document}$ \times $\end{document}1) surface. The bulk and surface structures of the metal, methane adsorption energy, and dissociation barrier are used to assess the functionals. A van der Waals corrected GGA functional (optPBE-vdW) and a meta-GGA functional with van der Waals correction (MS PBEl-rVV10) are selected for ab initio molecular dynamics calculations of the sticking probability. Our results suggest that the use of these two functionals may lead to a better agreement with existing experimental results, thus serving as a good starting point for future development of reliable machine-learned potential energy surfaces for the dissociation of methane on the Pt(110)-(2\begin{document}$ \times $\end{document}1) surface.     

Modifications on reduced titanium dioxide photocatalysts: A review

A large variety of reduced titanium dioxide (TiO_2-x) materials have been reported recently. Reduced TiO₂, usually resulting from the removal of oxygen atoms or hydrogen incorporation, is proved to be efficient for achieving highly photocatalytic performance including photodegradation of organic compounds, hydrogen generation from water splitting, CO₂ reduction for CH₄ evolution, solar cells, etc. To further improve the properties and activities of TiO_2-x, a combination of the Ti³⁺ self-doping and other traditional modifications like nonmetals doping has been proposed in the past decades. This paper provides a general and critical review on the further modifications on reduced TiO₂ samples, including non-metal elements (N, B, S, F and I) doping, noble-metal (Au, Pt, Pd and Ag) and iron-group metal (Fe, Co and Ni) grafting, metal oxide compositing, carbon (nanotubes and graphene) and carbon-based-material compositing, special facets exposure (mainly dual {001}-{101} and {111}-{110} facets) of TiO_2-x and ordered structure controlling of TiO_2-x. These modifications enhance the physical and/or chemical properties of the reduced TiO₂, or create new features for the modified TiO_2-x samples, which finally leads to the enhancement of photocatalytic performance. Key examples such as N-doping, Au grafting and graphene-based compositing are discussed carefully, and the mechanisms for solar light enhancement, electron transfer and charge separation are also investigated. Finally, some challenging issues on TiO_2-x catalysts are also proposed to encourage new approaches for preparation of TiO_2-x catalysts with efficiently photocatalytic performance.