Synthesis of aluminum hydrazides by hydroalumination of 2,3-diazabutadienes--formation of an Al4(N2)3 cage compound and an Al3(N2)3 macrocyclic ligand

Treatment of 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-2,3-diazabutadiene with the alane adduct [AlH3(NMe2Et)] yielded the hydrazine derivative (AlH2)2-(AlH)2(N2iPr2)3 (1) by the hydroalumination of both C N double bonds. Compound 1 has a complicated cage structure formed by three hydrazido groups and four aluminium atoms. As a particularly interesting structural motif it contains a N-N group side-on-coordinated to one aluminium atom through its lone pairs of electrons. Sublimation of 1 gave a heterocubane-type compound (HAlNiPr)4 (2) by the complete cleavage of all N-N bonds, one face of which is bridged by weakly coordinated diisopropyldiazene with a N-N double bond. Repeated sublimation gave the pure, unsupported heterocubane molecule 3. Heating of the rough product of the reaction of alane and diazabutadiene to 90 degrees C in a closed vessel yielded another product Al(AlH2)3(N2iPr2)3 (4), which contains a cyclic chelating ligand formed by three hydrazido groups and three aluminium atoms. This heterocycle coordinates a fourth aluminum atom in the molecular center by close contacts to all six nitrogen atoms. A strongly flattened, distorted octahedral coordination sphere results for the inner metal atom.     

Ab initio studies on photochemical reactions of Al atoms with H2 molecules

Potential energy surfaces are computed for the five lowest electronic states of the Al + H₂ system in its symmetric nuclear arrangement. Mechanisms of photochemical reactions of Al atoms with H₂ molecules are proposed, based on the calculated potential energy surfaces. The insertion reaction of the ground-state Al atom into the H₂ molecule is difficult under normal conditions. However, photoexcited Al atoms are capable of reacting with H₂ molecules along different pathways. The results obtained are consistent with experimental findings. The potential energy profiles of the dissociation reaction, AlH₂ → AlH + H, are traced by employing the UMP2 energy gradient method. Photocexcited Al atoms react with H₂ molecules along the 2 ²A₁ state pathway, and the AlH₂(²Σ_g⁺) formed dissociates easily into AlH(¹Σ) and H(²S). The dissociation reaction of ground-state AlH₂ is difficult.     

Infrared spectra of aluminum hydrides in solid hydrogen: Al2H4 and Al2H6

The reaction of laser-ablated Al atoms and normal-H(2) during co-deposition at 3.5 K produces AlH, AlH(2), and AlH(3) based on infrared spectra and the results of isotopic substitution (D(2), H(2) + D(2) mixtures, HD). Four new bands are assigned to Al(2)H(4) from annealing, photochemistry, and agreement with frequencies calculated using density functional theory. Ultraviolet photolysis markedly increases the yield of AlH(3) and seven new absorptions for Al(2)H(6) in the infrared spectrum of the solid hydrogen sample. These frequencies include terminal Al-H(2) and bridge Al-H-Al stretching and AlH(2) bending modes, which are accurately predicted by quantum chemical calculations for dibridged Al(2)H(6), a molecule isostructural with diborane. Annealing these samples to remove the H(2) matrix decreases the sharp AlH(3) and Al(2)H(6) absorptions and forms broad 1720 +/- 20 and 720 +/- 20 cm(-1) bands, which are due to solid (AlH(3))(n). Complementary experiments with thermal Al atoms and para-H(2) at 2.4 K give similar spectra and most product frequencies within 2 cm(-1). Although many volatile binary boron hydride compounds are known, binary aluminum hydride chemistry is limited to the polymeric (AlH(3))( solid. Our experimental characterization of the dibridged Al(2)H(6) molecule provides an important link between the chemistries of boron and aluminum.     

On the structure and chemical bonding of tri-tungsten oxide clusters W3On- and W3On (n=7-10): W3O8 as a potential molecular model for O-deficient defect sites in tungsten oxides

Electronic and structural properties of a series of tri-tungsten oxide clusters, W3On- and W3On (n=7-10), are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Both W 5d and O 2p detachment features are observed for n=7-9, whereas only detachment features from O 2p-type orbitals are observed for W3O10- at high electron binding energies (>7 eV). A large energy gap (approximately 3.4 eV) is observed for the stoichiometric W3O9 cluster, which already reaches the bulk value, suggesting that W3O9 can be viewed as the smallest molecular model for bulk WO3. DFT calculations are carried out to locate the most stable structures for both the anion and neutral clusters; time-dependent DFT method is used to predict the vertical detachment energies and to compare with the experimental data. It is shown that W3O9 possesses a D3h structure, in which each W atom is tetrahedrally coordinated with two bridging O atoms and two terminal O atoms. W3O8 and W3O7 can be viewed as removing one and two terminal O atoms from W3O9, respectively, whereas W3O1) can be viewed as replacing a terminal O in W3O9 by a peroxo O2 unit. We show that W3O8 contains a localized W4+ site, which can readily react with O2 to form the W3O10 clusters with a calculated O2 adsorption energy of -78 kcal/mol. It is suggested that the W3O8 cluster can be viewed as a molecular model for O-deficient site in tungsten oxides.     

Hydrogen storage in LiAlH4: predictions of the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases from quantum mechanics

We use the density functional theory and x-ray and neutron diffraction to investigate the crystal structures and reaction mechanisms of intermediate phases likely to be involved in decomposition of the potential hydrogen storage material LiAlH(4). First, we explore the decomposition mechanism of monoclinic LiAlH(4) into monoclinic Li(3)AlH(6) plus face-centered cubic (fcc) Al and hydrogen. We find that this reaction proceeds through a five-step mechanism with an overall activation barrier of 36.9 kcal/mol. The simulated x ray and neutron diffraction patterns from LiAlH(4) and Li(3)AlH(6) agree well with experimental data. On the other hand, the alternative decomposition of LiAlH(4) into LiAlH(2) plus H(2) is predicted to be unstable with respect to that through Li(3)AlH(6). Next, we investigate thermal decomposition of Li(3)AlH(6) into fcc LiH plus Al and hydrogen, occurring through a four-step mechanism with an activation barrier of 17.4 kcal/mol for the rate-limiting step. In the first and second steps, two Li atoms accept two H atoms from AlH(6) to form the stable Li-H-Li-H complex. Then, two sequential H(2) desorption steps are followed, which eventually result in fcc LiH plus fcc Al and hydrogen: Li(3)AlH(6)(monoclinic)-->3 LiH(fcc)+Al(fcc)+3/2 H(2) is endothermic by 15.8 kcal/mol. The dissociation energy of 15.8 kcal/mol per formula unit compares to experimental enthalpies in the range of 9.8-23.9 kcal/mol. Finally, we explore thermal decomposition of LiH, LiH(s)+Al(s)-->LiAl(s)+12H(2)(g) is endothermic by 4.6 kcal/mol. The B32 phase, which we predict as the lowest energy structure for LiAl, shows covalent bond characters in the Al-Al direction. Additionally, we determine that transformation of LiH plus Al into LiAlH is unstable with respect to transformation of LiH through LiAl.     

Unsaturated platinum-rhenium cluster complexes. Synthesis, structures and reactivity

Two new compounds PtRe3(CO)12(PBut3)(micro-H)3, 9, and PtRe2(CO)9(PBut3)(micro-H)2, 10, were obtained from the reaction of Pt(PBut3)2 with Re3(CO)12(micro-H3), 8, at room temperature. Compound 9 contains a butterfly cluster of four metals formed by the insertion of the platinum atom from a Pt(PBut3) group into one of the hydride-bridged metal-metal bonds of 8. The three hydrido ligands are bridging ligands across each of three new Pt-Re bonds. Compound 10 contains a triangular PtRe2 cluster with two hydrido ligands; one bridges a Pt-Re bond, and the other bridges the Re-Re bond. The new compound Pt2Re2(CO)7(PBut3)2(micro-H)2, 11, was obtained from the reaction of 8 with Pt(PBut3)2 in hexane at reflux. Compound 11 was also obtained from 10 by reaction with an additional quantity of Pt(PBut3)2. Compound 11 contains a tetrahedral cluster of four metal atoms with two dynamically active hydrido ligands. A CO ligand on one of the two platinum atoms also exchanges between the two platinum atoms rapidly on the NMR time scale. Compound 11 is electronically unsaturated and was found to add hydrogen at room temperature to form the tetrahydrido cluster complex, Pt2Re2(CO)7(PBut3)2(micro-H)4, 12. Compound 12 has a structure similar to 11 but contains one triply bridging hydrido ligand, two edge bridging hydrido ligands, and one terminal hydrido ligand on one of the two platinum atoms. A kinetic isotope effect D/H of 1.5(1) was determined for the addition of H2 to 11. Hydrogen can be eliminated from 12 by heating to 97 degrees C or by the application of UV-vis irradiation at room temperature. Compound 12 adds CO at room temperature to yield the complex Pt2Re2(CO)8(PBut3)2(micro-H)4, 13, which contains a planar cluster of four metal atoms with a Pt-Pt bond and four edge bridging hydrido ligands. Compounds 11 and 12 react with Pt(PBut3)2 to yield the known five metal cluster complexes Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3(micro-H)2, 14, and Pt3Re2(CO)6(PBut3)3(micro-H)4, 15, respectively. Density functional calculations confirm the hydride positions in the lowest energy structural isomers of 11 and 12 and suggest a mechanism for H2 addition to 11 that occurs on the Pt atom with the lower coordination number.     

Infrared spectroscopic observation of the group 13 metal hydroxides, M(OH)1,2,3 (M =Al, Ga, In, and Tl) and HAl(OH)2

Reactions of laser-ablated Al, Ga, In, and Tl atoms with H2O2 and with H2 + O2 mixtures diluted in argon give new absorptions in the O-H and M-O stretching and O-H bending regions, which are assigned to the metal mono-, di-, and trihydroxide molecules. Isotopic substitutions (D2O2, 18O2, 16,18O2, HD, and D2) confirm the assignments, and DFT calculations reproduce the experimental results. Infrared spectra for the Al(OH)(OD) molecule verify the calculated C2v structure. The trihydroxide molecules increase on annealing from the spontaneous reaction with a second H2O2 molecule. Aluminum atom reactions with the H2 + O2 mixtures favor the HAl(OH)2 product, suggesting that AlH3 generated by UV irradiation combines with O2 to form HAl(OH)2.     

LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的成键特性及热力学稳定性

采用基于密度泛函理论(DFT)的平面波赝势(PW-PP)方法, 计算了LiAlH4分解反应中各个产物的晶胞参数、电子结构、生成焓和分解反应的反应焓. 反应中各固态、气态物质的晶胞的结构优化后的晶格参数与相应的实验值均符合得较好. 对LiAlH4与Li3AlH6的电子结构分析均表明, 其中的Al—H键为共价键、Li—H键为离子键. 对各分解反应的反应焓计算结果表明, (1) LiAlH4→1/3Li3AlH6+2/3Al+H2,(2) 1/3Li3AlH6→LiH+1/3Al+1/2H2及(3) LiH+Al→LiAl+1/2H2均为吸热反应, 298 K时计算的反应焓分别为14.3、14.9 与50.9 kJ·mol-1, 与相应的实验值符合得较好.     

Secondary Amine Stabilized Aluminum Hydrides Derived from N,N'-Di-tert-butylethylenediamines

The metalation of substituted N,N'-di-tert-butylethylenediamines by various aluminum hydride sources has been investigated. HN(t-Bu)CH(t-Bu)CH(2)N(H)(t-Bu) forms a dimeric lithium chelated adduct of LiAlH(4), [{[HN(t-Bu)CH(t-Bu)CH(2)N(H)(t-Bu)]Li(&mgr;-H)(2)AlH(2)}(2)], 4, which thermally decomposes to yield the tetrameric lithium diamidoaluminum hydride [{Li[N(t-Bu)CH(t-Bu)CH(2)N(t-Bu)]AlH(2)}(4)], 5. The same diamine reacts with AlH(3).NMe(3) or AlH(3) diethyl etherate to give the secondary amine stabilized amidoaluminum hydride species [{HN(t-Bu)CH(t-Bu)CH(2)N(t-Bu)}AlH(2)], 2. Similarly, the same aluminum hydride sources react with the diamine rac-HN(t-Bu)CH(Me)CH(Me)N(H)(t-Bu) to yield [{rac-HN(t-Bu)CH(Me)CH(Me)N(t-Bu)}AlH(2)], 3. Compounds 2 and 3 are stable with respect to elimination of hydrogen to form diamidoaluminum hydrides, but can be converted to the alane rich species, [H(2)Al{N(t-Bu)CH(t-Bu)CH(2)N(t-Bu)}AlH(2)],6, and [H(2)Al{rac-N(t-Bu)CH(Me)CH(Me)N(t-Bu)}AlH(2)], 7, by reaction with AlH(3).NMe(3) under special conditions. The varying reactivity of the three aluminum hydride sources in these reactions has enabled mechanistic information to be gathered, and the effect of the different steric requirements in the diamines on the stability of the complexes is discussed. Crystals of 3are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), with a = 8.910(4), b = 14.809(1), and c = 12.239(6) ?, beta = 109.76(2) degrees, V = 1520(1) ?(3), and Z = 4. Crystals of 4 are orthorhombic, space group Pbca (No. 61), with a = 15.906(9), b = 24.651(7), and c = 9.933(7) ?, V = 3895(3) ?(3), and Z = 4. Crystals of 6 are monoclinic, space group P2(1)/c (No. 14), with a = 8.392(1), b = 17.513(2), and c = 12.959(1) ?, beta = 107.098(8) degrees, V = 1820.4(3) ?(3), and Z = 4.     

Double-bridge bonding of aluminium and hydrogen in the crystal structure of gamma-AlH3

Aluminum trihydride (alane) is one of the most promising among the prospective solid hydrogen-storage materials, with a high gravimetric and volumetric density of hydrogen. In the present work, the alane, crystallizing in the gamma-AlH3 polymorphic modification, was synthesized and then structurally characterized by means of synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction. This study revealed that gamma-AlH3 crystallizes with an orthorhombic unit cell (space group Pnnm, a = 5.3806(1) A, b = 7.3555(2) A, c = 5.77509(5) A). The crystal structure of gamma-AlH3 contains two types of AlH6 octahedra as the building blocks. The Al-H bond distances in the structure vary in the range of 1.66-1.79 A. A prominent feature of the crystal structure is the formation of the bifurcated double-bridge bonds, Al-2H-Al, in addition to the normal bridge bonds, Al-H-Al. This former feature has not been previously reported for Al-containing hydrides so far. The geometry of the double-bridge bond shows formation of short Al-Al (2.606 A) and Al-H (1.68-1.70 A) bonds compared to the Al-Al distances in Al metal (2.86 A) and Al-H distances for Al atoms involved in the formation of normal bridge bonds (1.769-1.784 A). The crystal structure of gamma-AlH3 contains large cavities between the AlH6 octahedra. As a consequence, the density is 11% less than for alpha-AlH3.     

Al(2Pu)+H2(X1Σ+g)的分子反应动力学

基于多体展式方法所导出的ＡｌＨ２（Ｘ＾２Ａ１）分析势能函数,用准经典的Ｍｏｎｔｅ－Ｃａｒｌｏ轨迹法对Ａｌ（＾２Ｐｕ）＋Ｈ２（Ｘ＾１∑＾＋ｇ,ｕ＝ｊ＝０）的分子反应动力学过程进行了计算。结果表明,此反应的主产物为交换反应Ａｌ（＾２Ｐｕ）＋Ｈ２（Ｘ＾１∑＾＋ｇ,ｖ＝ｊ＝０）→ＡｌＨ（Ｘ＾１∑＾＋,Ｖ’,ｊ’）＋Ｈ（＾２Ｓｇ）的ＡｌＨ（Ｘ＾１∑＾＋,ｖ’,ｊ’）没有发现ＡｌＨ２（Ｘ＾２Ａ１）的络合物。而     

Energetics and structure of single Ti defects and their influence on the decomposition of NaAlH(4)

The energetics and structure of various types of single extrinsic Ti defects in NaAlH(4) bulk and (001) slab at the hydriding/dehydriding critical point environment were studied systematically. It is found that the most favorable situation is Ti substituting Al at the subsurface (Ti(Al)(2nd)), which has the highest coordination number for extrinsic Ti ions. The most stable Ti defect in the 1st layer is located at the Al rich interstitial site, namely Ti(i)(1st), accompanied with remarkable strength of Ti-H/Al bond and local geometry deformation at the 1st layer around Ti. Deeper insight of the formation mechanism of Ti defects is obtained by dividing the formation enthalpy of Ti defects into three terms, which are contributed from the cost of removing a substituted host atom if necessary, the cost of structure deformation, and the gain of bonding between Ti and its surrounding ions in the formation of the defects. This associates the formation energy directly with the local structure of Ti defects. For the first time, we adopt H(f)(H), H(f)(H-H), H(f)(AlH(3)) and H(f)(Na) to discuss the hydrogen release ability of the Ti doped NaAlH(4). We find that TiAl(4)H(20) and TiAl(3)H(12) complexes are formed around Ti(Al)(2nd) and Ti(i)(1st) respectively, which significantly promotes the dehydriding ability of NaAlH(4). What is more, the catalyst mechanism of Ti on the decomposition of NaAlH(4) is linked to the AlH(3) mechanism according to our calculations.     

Structure and bonding in cyclic isomers of B2AlH(n)(m) (n = 3-6, m = -2 to +1): a comparative study with B3H(n)(m), BAl2H(n)(m) and Al3H(n)(m)

The structure, bonding and energetics of B(2)AlH(n)(m) (n = 3-6, m = -2 to +1) are compared with corresponding homocyclic boron, aluminum analogues and BAl(2)H(n)(m) using density functional theory (DFT). Divalent to hexacoordinated boron and aluminum atoms are found in these species. The geometrical and bonding pattern in B(2)AlH(4)(-) is similar to that for B(2)SiH(4). Species with lone pairs on the divalent boron and aluminum atoms are found to be minima on the potential energy surface of B(2)AlH(3)(2-). A dramatic structural diversity is observed in going from B(3)H(n)(m) to B(2)AlH(n)(m), BAl(2)H(n)(m) and Al(3)H(n)(m) and this is attributable to the preference of lower coordination on aluminum, higher coordination on boron and the higher multicenter bonding capability of boron. The most stable structures of B(3)H(6)(+), B(2)AlH(5) and BAl(2)H(4)(-) and the trihydrogen bridged structure of Al(3)H(3)(2-) show an isostructural relationship, indicating the isolobal analogy between trivalent boron and divalent aluminum anion.     

Decaborane thiols as building blocks for self-assembled monolayers on metal surfaces

Three nido-decaborane thiol cluster compounds, [1-(HS)-nido-B(10)H(13)] 1, [2-(HS)-nido-B(10)H(13)] 2, and [1,2-(HS)(2)-nido-B(10)H(12)] 3 have been characterized using NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, and quantum-chemical calculations. In the solid state, 1, 2, and 3 feature weak intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the sulfur atom and the relatively positive bridging hydrogen atoms on the open face of an adjacent cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the value of the interaction energy is approximately proportional to the number of hydrogen atoms involved in the interaction and that these values are consistent with a related bridging-hydrogen atom interaction calculated for a B(18)H(22)·C(6)H(6) solvate. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 1, 2, and 3 on gold and silver surfaces have been prepared and characterized using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The variations in the measured sulfur binding energies, as thiolates on the surface, correlate with the (CC2) calculated atomic charge for the relevant boron vertices and for the associated sulfur substituents for the parent B(10)H(13)(SH) compounds. The calculated charges also correlate with the measured and DFT-calculated thiol (1)H chemical shifts. Wetting-angle measurements indicate that the hydrophilic open face of the cluster is directed upward from the substrate surface, allowing the bridging hydrogen atoms to exhibit a similar reactivity to that of the bulk compound. Thus, [PtMe(2)(PMe(2)Ph)(2)] reacts with the exposed and acidic B-H-B bridging hydrogen atoms of a SAM of 1 on a gold substrate, affording the addition of the metal moiety to the cluster. The XPS-derived stoichiometry is very similar to that for a SAM produced directly from the adsorption of [1-(HS)-7,7-(PMe(2)Ph)(2)-nido-7-PtB(10)H(11)] 4. The use of reactive boron hydride SAMs as templates on which further chemistry may be carried out is unprecedented, and the principle may be extended to other binary boron hydride clusters.     

Synthesis and characterization of a twin Cubane-type molybdenum-rhodium-sulfur cluster, [{Mo3RhCp*S4(H2O)7(O)}2]8+. X-ray structure of [{Mo3RhCpS4(H2O7O}2](CH3C6H4SO3)(8).14H2O

The reaction of [Mo(3)S(4)(H(2)O)(9)](4+) (1) with [(CpRhCl(2))(2)] afforded a novel rhodium-molybdenum cluster, [{Mo(3)RhCpS(4)(H(2)O)(7)(O)}(2)](8+) (2). X-ray structure analysis of [2](pts)(8).14H(2)O (pts(-) = CH(3)C(6)H(4)SO(3)(-)) has revealed the existence of a new oxo-bridged twin cubane-type core, (Mo(3)RhCpS(4))(2)(O)(2). The high affinity of the CpRh group for sulfur atoms in 1 seems to be the main driving force for this reaction. The strong Lewis acidity of the CpRh group in intermediate A, [Mo(3)RhCpS(4)(H(2)O)(9)](6+), caused a release of proton from one of the water molecules attached to the molybdenum atoms to give intermediate B, [Mo(3)RhCpS(4)(H(2)O)(8)(OH)](5+). The elimination of two water molecules from two intermediate B molecules, followed by the deprotonation reaction of hydroxo bridges, generated the twin cubane-type cluster 2. The formal oxidation states of rhodium and molybdenum atoms are the same before and after the reaction (i.e., Mo(IV)(3), Rh(III)). The Mo-O-Mo moieties in [2](pts)(8).14H(2)O are nearly linear with a bond angle of 164.3(3) degrees, and the basicity of the bridging oxygen atoms seems to be weak. For this reason, protonation at the bridging oxygen atoms does not occur even in a strongly acidic aqueous solution. The binding energy values of Mo 3d(5/2), Rh 3d(5/2), and C 1s obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements for [2](pts)(8).14H(2)O are 229.8, 309.3, and 285 eV, respectively. The XPS measurements on the Rh 3d(5/2) binding energy indicate that the oxidation state of Rh is 3+. The binding energy of Mo 3d(5/2) (229.8 eV) compares with that observed for [1](pts)(4).7H(2)O (230.7 eV, Mo 3d(5/2)). A lower energy shift (0.9 eV) is observed in the binding energy of Mo 3d(5/2) for [2](pts)(8).14H(2)O. This energy shift may correspond to the coordination of an oxygen atom having a negative charge to the molybdenum atom.     

Hydrazine bisalane is a potential compound for chemical hydrogen storage. A theoretical study

Electronic structure calculations suggest that hydrazine bisalane (AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2)AlH(3), alhyzal) is a promising compound for chemical hydrogen storage (CHS). Calculations are carried out using the coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. Potential energy surfaces are constructed to probe the formation of, and hydrogen release from, hydrazine bisalane which is initially formed from the reaction of hydrazine with dialane. Molecular and electronic characteristics of both gauche and trans alhyzal are determined for the first time. The gauche hydrazine bisalane is formed from starting reactants hydrazine + dialane following a movement of an AlH(3) group from AlH(3)AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2) rather than by a direct attachment of a separate AlH(3) group, generated by predissociation of dialane, to AlH(3)NH(2)NH(2). The energy barriers for dehydrogenation processes from gauche and transalhyzal are in the range of 21-28 kcal mol(-1), which are substantially smaller than those of ca. 40 kcal mol(-1) previously determined for the isovalent hydrazine bisborane (bhyzb) system. H(2) release from hydrazine bisalane is thus more favored over that from hydrazine bisborane, making the Al derivative an alternative candidate for CHS.     

Neutral and ionic aluminum,gallium, and indium compounds carrying two or three terminal ethynyl groups

The syntheses of the ionic compounds [Li(+).2 dioxane (2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Al(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3))(-)].0.75 dioxane (1), [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))Ga(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (2), and [(Li(+))(2).(dioxane)(7)](0.5) [2,6-iPr(2)C(6)H(3)N(SiMe(3))In(C triplebond CSiMe(3))(3)(-)].1.5 dioxane (3) by the reaction of the corresponding organo metal chloride with LiC triplebond CSiMe(3) are reported. The neutral ethynyl compounds Br-Al(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (4), Cl-Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(2).THF (5), Cl-In(C triplebond CtBu)(2).2 THF (6), Al(C triplebond CtBu)(3).C[N(Me)CMe](2) (7), Ga(C triplebond CtBu)(3).dioxane (8), and In(C triplebond CtBu)(3).NEt(3) (9) have been obtained in good yields from the reaction of AlBr(3), GaCl(3), and InCl(3) with LiC triplebond CtBu in the presence of a Lewis base. Compound 7 is the first heterocyclic carbene substituted ethynyl derivative. Aluminum and gallium compounds with three terminal ethynyl groups Al(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (10) and Ga(C triplebond CPh)(3).NMe(3) (11) have been prepared by the reaction of AlH(3).NMe(3) or GaH(3).NMe(3) with three equivalents of phenylethyne. All the above-mentioned compounds have been structurally studied. In compound 1 the lithium ion is coordinated to the three terminal ethynyl groups, whereas in compounds 2 and 3 the lithium is coordinated to the solvent (dioxane). Compound 8 crystallizes as a coordination polymer with dioxane molecules bridging the individual gallium units.     

Protonation of phosphovanadomolybdates H(3+x)PV(x)Mo(12-x)O40: computational insight into reactivity

Protonated phosphovanadomolybdates of the Keggin structure, H(3+x)PV(x)Mo(12-x)O(40) where x = 0, 1, 2, and derivatives with surface defects formed by loss of constitutional water were studied using high-level DFT calculations toward determination of the most stable species and possible active forms in oxidation catalysis in both the gas phase and in polar solutions. The calculations demonstrate that protonation at bridging positions is energetically much more favorable than protonation of terminal oxygen atoms. The preferential protonation site is determined by the stability of the metal-oxygen bond rather than the negative charge on the oxygen atom. In H(3)PMo(12)O(40), maximum distances between protons at bridging oxygen atoms are energetically favored. In contrast, for H(4)PVMo(11)O(40) and H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40) protons prefer nucleophilic sites adjacent to vanadium atoms. Up to three protons are bound to the nucleophilic sites around the same vanadium atom in the stable isomeric forms of H(5)PV(2)Mo(10)O(40) that result in strong destabilization of oxo-vanadium(V) bonding to the Keggin unit. Such behavior arises from the different nature of the Mo-O and V-O bonds that can be traced to the different sizes of the valence d orbitals of the metals. Coordination of two protons at the same site yields water and an oxygen defect as a result of its dissociation. The energetic cost for the formation of surface defects decreases in the order: O(t) ? O(c) ? O(e) and is lower for the sites adjacent to vanadium atoms. Vanadium atoms near defects also have a significant contribution to the LUMO. Thus, vanadium-substituted polyoxometalates with defects near and, especially, between vanadium atoms present a plausible active form of polyoxometalates in oxidation reactions.     

Competition between nonclassical hydrogen-bonded acceptor sites in complexes of neutral AH2 Radicals (A = B, Al, and Ga): A theoretical investigation

An ab initio computational study of the properties of the neutral AH2 radicals (A = B, Al, Ga) as hydrogen-bond (HB) acceptors, with H-X (X = F, Cl, Br, CN, and CCH) as HB donors, is carried out at the UMP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) level. Two different minima have been found for each of the 15 possible dimers. One structure corresponds to a single-electron hydrogen-bonded complex (SEHB), with the A atom acting as an HB acceptor. The second corresponds to a dihydrogen bond complex between one of the hydrogen atoms of AH2 and the H-X molecule. Thus, all the atoms of the neutral AH2 molecule can act as HB acceptors and none as donors. The stability of the SEHB complexes decreases as BH2 > AlH2 > GaH2, while for the dihydrogen-bonded complexes the order is AlH2 > GaH2 > BH2. For the BH2 radical the SEHB complexes are stronger than the dihydrogen bonded ones, while the opposite is found for the AlH2 and GaH2 systems. Regarding the HB donors, the order found for the binding energy in the two types of complexes is H2A...HF > H2A...HCl > H2A...HBr > H2A...HCN > H2A...HCCH.