Spectroscopy of Fluid Phases—The Study of Chemical Reactions and Equilibria up to High Pressures

The properties of fluid phases can be altered considerably by the external conditions. Phase equilibria and chemical equilibria can be greatly affected, and it is possible to carry out chemical reactions by exploiting the special properties of compressed fluid phases. The use of high pressure in chemical reactions is of considerable diagnostic and preparative value. Applied research is directed towards elucidating the details of existing technical high pressure processes and to the development of novel fluid phase reactions where the application of high pressure is able to induce selectivity. In order to pursue these lines of research, and to study structure and dynamics throughout the entire range from gaseous to liquidlike states, it is important to have spectroscopic methods for characterizing systems at high pressures and temperatures. This article is concerned with quantitative absorption spectroscopy in the infrared to the ultraviolet spectral region at pressures up to about 7 kbar and temperatures up to 900 K.     

Perspectives in Chemistry—Steps towards Complex Matter

Chemistry is progressively unraveling the processes that underlie the evolution of matter towards states of higher complexity and the generation of novel features along the way by self‐organization under the pressure of information. Chemistry has evolved from molecular to supramolecular to become adaptive chemistry by way of constitutional dynamics, which allow for adaptation, through component selection in an equilibrating set. Dynamic systems can be represented by weighted dynamic networks that define the agonistic and antagonistic relationships between the different constituents linked through component exchange. Such networks can be switched through amplification/up‐regulation of the best adapted/fittest constituent(s) in a dynamic set. Accessing higher level functions such as training, learning, and decision making represent future lines of development for adaptive chemical systems.     

Valence Changes at High Pressure in Systems Containing Lanthanoids

Pressure-induced valence change in samarium sulfide SmS is reminiscent of alchemy, for when the electronic transition has taken place, the originally dull looking substance glitters like gold. Although it is not the realization of the alchemist's dream in the true sense, the material in the new state exhibits extraordinarily interesting behavior. As a novel feature, the valence state of the samarium fluctuates between two electronic configurations at a very fast rate. The physical properties of systems containing lanthanoids can be profoundly altered by manipulating the valence state by pressure or by chemical substitution. These phenomena will be described and discussed in the present article.     

High Pressure Kinetic Investigations in Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry

High pressure kinetics appears to be a valuable tool in investigating the mechanism of specific organic reactions. For instance, in pericyclic, Mentshutkin, cage, and polymerization reactions, such studies reveal various features of the transition state, in particular its localization along the reaction coordinate and its nature. However, precise conclusions require separation of the different effects (electrostatic, steric, orbital, etc.) which may contribute to the structure of the transition state.     

Two 2D Metal‐organic Networks Based on a Rigid Imidazolate/Sulfonate Functionalized Ligand – Effect of the Coordination Modes of the Ligand on Crystal Structures

A rigid imidazolate/sulfonate functionalized ligand, 6‐(4‐sulfonatopheny)imidazo[4, 5‐f]isoindole‐5, 7‐dione (SPID) was designed and used for assembling reactions with Mn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Two 2D frameworks compounds, [Mn(H_‐1SPID)₂(DMAC)₂] ( 1 ) and [Cu(H_‐2SPID)(H₂O)₂] · 0.7DMAC · 0.3H₂O ( 2 ) (DMAC = N,N‐dimethylacetamide) were obtained. Single crystal X‐ray analyses show that 1 has a 2D (4, 4)‐net based on 4‐connected Mn²⁺ nodes and μ₂‐coordinated H_‐1SPID spacers, whereas compound 2 has a 2D (6, 3)‐net built of 3‐connected Cu²⁺ nodes and μ₃‐coordinated H_‐2SPID spacers. Additionally, the thermal behavior of 1 and 2 is presented.     

Electronic Transitions in Transition Metal Compounds at High Pressure

Very high pressure is becoming increasingly important for investigating electronic structure. The relative shift in energy of electronic orbitals which is commonly observed at high pressure can frequently lead to a new ground state for the system. These electronic transitions may result in changes in electrical, optical, or magnetic properties as well as changes in chemical reactivity. Electronic transitions in metals and insulator-metal transitions have been widely studied by physicists. Recently, it has been found that electronic transitions in aromatic hydrocarbons and their electron donor-acceptor complexes can induce chemical reactivity and lead to the formation of new classes of hydrocarbons. Electronic transitions in transition metal complexes may lead to changes in spin state; both increase and decrease in multiplicity with increasing pressure have been observed. In addition, it has been shown that Fe(III ) and Cu(II ) reduce at high pressure in a variety of compounds. The behavior of these transition metal ions is described in some detail in relation to the general area of high pressure and electronic structure.     

Some Concepts in Reaction Dynamics (Nobel Lecture)

The objective in this work has been one which I have shared with the two other 1986 Nobel lecturers, D. R. Herschbach and Y. T. Lee, as well as with a wide group of colleagues and co-workers who have been responsible for bringing this field to its current state. That state is summarized in the title; we now have some concepts relevant to the motions of atoms and molecules in simple reactions, and some examples of the application of these concepts. We are, however, richer in vocabulary than in literature. The great epics of reaction dynamics remain to be written. I shall confine myself to some simple stories. For corrigendum see DOI: 10.1002/anie.198712982     

氟原子与反式1,3-丁二烯分子反应动力学的理论研究

Theoretical studies of F atom reaction with trans-1,3-butadiene were carried out at the CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p)/B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) levels. Energies and structures for all reactants, products and transition states were determined. Two reaction pathways involving the formation of the complexes CH2CHCHFCH2 and CH2CHCHCH2F were found in this reaction. Theoretical results suggest that the H atom channel observed in previous crossed beam experiment occurs likely via these two long-lived complex formation pathways. For the complex CH2CHCHFCH2 pathway, another reaction channel (C2H3+C2H3F) is also accessible. Relative importance of the C2H3+C2H3F channel versus the H formation channel via the same reaction pathway has also been estimated, suggesting that it would be difficult to observe the C2H3+C2H3F channel in a crossed molecular beam experiment. Theoretical analysis also shows that the HF formation proceeds via direct abstraction mechanisms, though it is likely a minor process in this reaction.     

Combinatorial Chemistry—Challenge and Chance for the Development of New Catalysts and Materials

One should not underestimate the capability of the combinatorial method in solid-state chemistry; this is the opinion of the author. Combinatorial chemistry can provide a large number of new compounds, but once the components that are interesting for a certain application have been successfully selected, the techniques of conventional catalysis and materials research are required. The strengths of conventional chemistry lie in the optimization, systematic modification, and improvement of new lead structures. In contrast, discovery is the potential strength of combinatorial chemistry. Careful design is most important for the synthesis of useful libraries, since the diversity of the periodic table is much too large to be accessed comprehensively or systematically by such large libraries.     

Methoxide Coordination at the Pocket of [CuIITpCum,Me] and a Simple Model for the Cu Center of Galactose Oxidase

An unusually negative oxidation potential is found for the tyrosine residue in the center of fungal galactose oxidase. The complex [Cu(Tp^Cum,Me){O(MeS)C₆H₄}] (see picture on the right; Tp^Cum,Me=hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate) offers insight into the mode of (cysteinyl-tyrosine) coordination to the copper center, and the reason for the low oxidation potential.     

Stanna‐closo‐dodecaborate: A New Ligand in Coordination Chemistry

Most of the divalent compounds of tin have a lone pair and hence can act as donors. In tin‐transition metal chemistry neutral molecules as well as anions have been studied as ligands. This research report summarizes recent research on coordination compounds with a closo‐heteroborate cage compound stanna‐closo‐dodecaborate [SnB₁₁H₁₁]^2?. The syntheses of the first coordination compounds and studies on the ligand abilities of this tin borate are discussed in this article.     

Counterion Dynamics in an Interpenetrated Coordination Cage Capable of Dissolving AgCl

In solution, the eight BF₄^? counterions of a positively charged D₄‐symmetric interpenetrated [Pd₄ligand₈]⁸⁺ double cage ( 1 ) are localized in distinct positions. At low temperatures, one BF₄^? ion is encapsulated inside the central pocket of the supramolecular structure, two BF₄^? ions are bound inside the equivalent outer pockets, and the remaining five BF₄^? ions are located outside the cage structure (expressed by the formula [3 BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅). On warming, the two BF₄^? ions in the outer pockets are found to exchange with the exterior ions in solution whereas the central BF₄^? ion stays locked inside the central cavity (here written as [BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₇). The exchange kinetics were determined by exchange spectroscopy (EXSY) NMR experiments and line‐shape fitting in different solvents. The tremendously high affinity of this double cage for the binding of two chloride ions inside the outer pockets allows for complete exchange of two BF₄^? ions by the addition of solid AgCl to give [2 Cl+BF₄@ 1 ][BF₄]₅. The uptake of the two chloride ions is allosteric and is thus accompanied by a structural rearrangement (compression along the Pd₄ axis) of the double cage structure. An analysis by using 900 MHz NOESY NMR spectroscopy shows that this compression of about 3.3 % is associated with a helical twist of 8°, which together resemble a screw motion. As a consequence of squeezing each of the outer two pockets by 53 %, the volume of the central pocket is increased by 43 %, which results in an increase of 36 % in the ¹⁹F spin‐lattice relaxation time (T₁) of the central BF₄^? ion. The packing coefficients (PC) for the ions in the outer pockets (103 % for BF₄^? and 96 % for Cl^?) were calculated.     

氟分子与乙烯反应的直接动力学模拟

Direct dynamics within the framework of DFT was used to study the long-time puzzling mechanism of the reaction between F2 and ethylene. Three types of reactions are widely accepted : F atom elimination reaction, HF elimination reaction and the addition reaction. Several reaction mechanisms have been proposed, but only the radical mechanism can reasonably explain the initial reaction at low temperature. In this article, our calculations support the radical mechanism and the reaction mechanisms of the three reactions, and they are described in detail by trajectory simulation. The reactions in a cryogenic matrix with the reaction mechanism were also discussed.     

Defects in Surface Chemistry—Reductive coupling of Benzaldehyde on Rutile TiO2(110)

The surface chemistry of oxygen and oxygenates on Rutile TiO₂(110) is of great interest for various applications such as heterogeneous catalysis and photo catalysis. Though it is generally accepted that surface defects are active sites, the role of subsurface defects is under debate. We have therefore investigated the influence of the bulk defect density on the reductive coupling of benzaldehyde to stilbene as a model system. Using IRRAS we identify stilbene diolate as a reduction intermediate. The concentration of this intermediate is proportional to the bulk defect density, whereas adsorption of benzaldehyde at lower temperatures is not affected, which indicates a dominant role of Ti interstitials at temperatures above 400 K.     

Ligand Exchange Processes on Solvated Zinc Cations – DFT Analysis of Hydrogen Cyanide Exchange on [Zn(HCN)6]2+

The mechanisms for hydrogen cyanide exchange on [Zn(HCN)₆]²⁺ were studied using density functional theory (B3LYP/6‐311+G**), and showed that the limiting dissociative (D) pathway is more favorable than the associative interchange (I_a) mechanism. The activation barrier for the dissociative mechanism (7 kcal · mol^–1) is clearly lower than for the interchange mechanism (15.9 kcal · mol^–1).     

Perspectives in Supramolecular Chemistry—From Molecular Recognition towards Molecular Information Processing and Self-Organization

The selective binding of a substrate by a molecular receptor to form a supramolecular species involves molecular recognition which rests on the molecular information stored in the interacting species. The functions of supermolecules cover recognition, as well as catalysis and transport. In combination with polymolecular organization, they open ways towards molecular and supramolecular devices for information processing and signal generation. The development of such devices requires the design of molecular components performing a given function (e.g., photoactive, electroactive, ionoactive, thermoactive, or chemoactive) and suitable for assembly into an organized array. Light-conversion devices and charge-separation centers have been realized with photoactive cryptates formed by receptors containing photosensitive groups. Eleclroactive and ionoactive devices are required for carrying information via electronic and ionic signals. Redox-active polyolefinic chains, like the “caroviologens”, represent molecular wires for electron transfer through membranes. Push-pull polyolefins possess marked nonlinear optical properties. Tubular mesophases, formed by organized stacking of suitable macro-cyclic components, as well as “chundle”-type structures, based on bundles of chains grafted onto a macrocyclic support, represent approaches to ion channels. Lipophilic macrocyclic units form Langmuir-Blodgett films that may display molecular recognition at the air-water interface. Supramolecular chemistry has relied on more or less preorganized molecular receptors for effecting molecular recognition, catalysis, and transport processes. A step beyond preorganization consists in the design of systems undergoing self-organization, that is, systems capable of spontaneously generating a well-defined supramolecular architecture by self-assembling from their components under a given set of conditions. Several approaches to self-assembling systems have been pursued: the formation of helical metal complexes, the double-stranded helicates, which result from the spontaneous organization of two linear polybipyridine ligands into a double helix by binding of specific metal ions; the generation of mesophases and liquid crystalline polymers of supramolecular nature from complementary components, amounting to macroscopic expression of molecular recognition; the molecular-recognition-directed formation of ordered solid-state structures. Endowing photo-, electro-, and ionoactive components with recognition elements opens perspectives towards the design of programmed molecular and supramolecular systems capable of self-assembly into organized and functional supramolecular devices. Such systems may be able to perform highly selective operations of recognition, reaction, transfer, and structure generation for signal and information processing at the molecular and supramolecular levels.     

Rate Coefficients of Roaming Reaction H+MgH Using Ring Polymer Molecular Dynamics

The ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD) was used to calculate the thermal rate coefficients of the multi-channel roaming reaction H+MgH→Mg+H₂. Two reaction channels, tight and roaming, are explicitly considered. This is a pioneering attempt of exerting RPMD method to multi-channel reactions. With the help of a newly developed optimization-interpolation protocol for preparing the initial structures and adaptive protocol for choosing the force constants, we have successfully obtained the thermal rate coefficients. The results are consistent with those from other theoretical methods, such as variational transition state theory and quantum dynamics. Especially, RPMD results exhibit negative temperature dependence, which is similar to the results from variational transition state theory but different from the ones from ground state quantum dynamics calculations.     

The Coordination Chemistry and Organometallic Chemistry of Tridentate Oxygen Ligands with π-Donor Properties

Metal complexes are capable of accomplishing almost anything, provided they contain the proper metal/ligand combinations. A host of essential biochemical transformations—but also a great many industrially significant reactions—occur within the coordination spheres of metal ions. For instance, the particular arrangement of ligands in the zinc-containing enzyme carboanhydrase is responsible for an acceleration in the hydration of CO₂ by a factor of 10⁹. It is the ligands that determine whether an iron atom will transfer molecular oxygen, as in the case of hemoglobin, or electrons, as with the cytochromes. By varying the ligands it is possible to establish in advance whether a metal ion in the presence of synthesis gas will cause an olefin to be hydrogenated or hydroformylated. Stated more generally, it is the ligands that stabilize the particular oxidation states of a metal and determine how substrate molecules will be coordinated and undergo reaction. The synthesis of new ligands that confer specific reactivity on metal ions is thus an important challenge for the coordination chemist. The following article describes organometallic compounds of the type [CpCo{P(O)R′R″}₃]^?, which have developed from an extremely unreactive laboratory curiosity into versatile oxygen-containing ligands whose steric and electronic properties promise a series of interesting applications.     

2‐Iminoimidazoline — starke Stickstoffbasen als Koordinationspartner in der Anorganischen Chemie

2‐Iminoimidazolines — Strong Nitrogen Bases als Ligands in Inorganic Chemistry Due to the tendency of the 5‐membered cyclic fragment to accept a positive charge which yields an ylide type bonding situation, 2‐iminoimidazolines are strong nitrogen bases. They can serve as neutral ligands being 2+2 electron donors. Deprotonation leads to the anions which are potential 2+4 electron donors. We describe first the synthesis and characterization of the title compound 2‐imino‐1, 3‐dimethylimidazoline (ImNH, 8 ) and its anion 9 . Next we demonstrate their properties as ligands in complexes of main group elements and transition metals. In a third chapter we describe attempts to functionalize iminoimidazolines with the goal to create neutral ligands that coordinate in a semistable fashion. On this way we want to make a contribution to the chemistry of complex compounds directed towards catalysis.