The Role of Pd2+/Pd0 in Hydrogenation by [Pd(2‐pymo)2]n: An X‐ray Absorption and IR Spectroscopic Study

The metal–organic framework (MOF) [Pd(2‐pymo)₂]_n (2‐pymo=2‐pyrimidinolate) was used as catalyst in the hydrogenation of 1‐octene. During catalytic hydrogenation, the changes at the metal nodes and linkers of the MOF were investigated by in situ X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and IR spectroscopy. With the help of extended X‐ray absorption fine structure and X‐ray absorption near edge structure data, Quick‐XAS, and IR spectroscopy, detailed insights into the catalytic relevance of Pd²⁺/Pd⁰ in the hydrogenation of 1‐octene could be achieved. Shortly after exposure of the catalyst to H₂ and simultaneously with the hydrogenation of 1‐octene, the aromatic rings of the linker molecules are hydrogenated rapidly. Up to this point, the MOF structure remained intact. After completion of linker hydrogenation, the linkers were also protonated. When half of the linker molecules were protonated, the onset of reduction of the Pd²⁺ centers to Pd⁰ was observed and the hydrogenation activity decreased, followed by fast reduction of the palladium centers and collapse of the MOF structure. Major fractions of Pd⁰ are only observed when the hydrogenation of 1‐octene is almost finished. Consequently, the Pd²⁺ nodes of the MOF [Pd(2‐pymo)₂]_n are identified as active centers in the hydrogenation of 1‐octene.     

Adsorption characteristic of self‐assembled corrole dimers on HOPG

Our study first focus on two types of corrole dimers oxidized and reduced forms on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measurement (CAM) were used to investigate the self‐assembled monolayers of corrole dimers adsorbed on HOPG surfaces at room temperature in air. XPS and CAM results have confirmed both two molecules adsorbed on an HOPG surface and formed self‐assembled films, and STM experiments found that the corrole dimers adsorbed on HOPG surfaces form similar lobes. The different stable space structure of the oxidized form molecule (OFM) and reduced form molecule (RFM), led to the diversity of the tetramer structural dimensions. The occurrence of molecular aggregations and assembly was controlled by the interactions between molecular–molecular and molecule–substrate. The electrostatic interactions between the molecules control the geometrical sizes and molecule–substrate interactions determine topographical shapes of the self‐assembled corrole dimers on HOPG surface. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Understanding the Effect Models of Ionic Liquids in the Synthesis of NH4‐Dw and γ‐AlOOH Nanostructures and Their Conversion into Porous γ‐Al2O3

Well‐dispersed ammonium aluminum carbonate hydroxide (NH₄‐Dw) and γ‐AlOOH nanostructures with controlled morphologies have been synthesized by employing an ionic‐liquid‐assisted hydrothermal process. The basic strategies that were used in this work were: 1) A controllable phase transition from NH₄‐Dw to γ‐AlOOH could be realized by increasing the reaction temperature and 2) the morphological evolution of NH₄‐Dw and γ‐AlOOH nanostructures could be influenced by the concentration of the ionic liquid. Based on these experimental results, the main objective of this work was to clarify the effect models of the ionic liquids on the synthesis of NH₄‐Dw and γ‐AlOOH nanostructures, which could be divided into cationic‐ or anionic‐dominant effect models, as determined by the different surface structures of the targets. Specifically, under the cationic‐dominant regime, the ionic liquids mainly showed dispersion effects for the NH₄‐Dw nanostructures, whereas the anionic‐dominant model could induce the self‐assembly of the γ‐AlOOH particles to form hierarchical structures. Under the guidance of the proposed models, the effect of the ionic liquids would be optimized by an appropriate choice of cations or anions, as well as by considering the different effect models with the substrate surface. We expect that such effect models between ionic liquids and the target products will be helpful for understanding and designing rational ionic liquids that contain specific functional groups, thus open up new opportunities for the synthesis of inorganic nanomaterials with new morphologies and improved properties. In addition, these as‐prepared NH₄‐Dw and γ‐AlOOH nanostructures were converted into porous γ‐Al₂O₃ nanostructures by thermal decomposition, whilst preserving the same morphology. By using HRTEM and nitrogen‐adsorption analysis, the obtained γ‐Al₂O₃ samples were found to have excellent porous properties and, hence, may have applications in catalysis and adsorption.     

Pt‐Pd‐Co Trimetallic Alloy Network Nanostructures with Superior Electrocatalytic Activity towards the Oxygen Reduction Reaction

Pt alloy nanostructures show great promise as electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cell cathodes. Herein, three‐dimensional (3D) Pt‐Pd‐Co trimetallic network nanostructures (TNNs) with a high degree of alloying are synthesized through a room temperature wet chemical synthetic method by using K₂PtCl₄/K₃Co(CN)₆–K₂PdCl₄/K₃Co(CN)₆ mixed cyanogels as the reaction precursor in the absence of surfactants and templates. The size, morphology, and surface composition of the Pt‐Pd‐Co TNNs are investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected‐area electron diffraction (SAED), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), EDS mapping, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The 3D backbone structure, solid nature, and trimetallic properties of the mixed cyanogels are responsible for the 3D structure and high degree of alloying of the as‐prepared products. Compared with commercially available Pt black, the Pt‐Pd‐Co TNNs exhibit superior electrocatalytic activity and stability towards the ORR, which is ascribed to their unique 3D structure, low hydroxyl surface coverage and alloy properties.     

Pd‐Cu alloy nanoparticle supported on amine‐terminated ionic liquid functional 3D graphene and its application on Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction

Well distributed Pd‐Cu bimetallic alloy nanoparticles supported on amine‐terminated ionic liquid functional three‐dimensional graphene (3D IL‐rGO/Pd‐Cu) as an efficient catalyst for Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction has been prepared via a facile synthetic method. The introduction of IL‐NH₂ cations on the surface of graphene sheets can effectively avoid the re‐deposition of graphene sheets, allowing the catalyst to be reused up to 10 cycles. The addition of Cu not only saves cost but also ensures high catalytic efficiency. It is worthy to note that the catalyst 3D IL‐rGO/Pd_2.5Cu_2.5 can efficiently catalyze the Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction with the yield up to 100% in 0.25 h, almost one‐fold higher than that by the pristine IL‐rGO/Pd_2.5 catalyst (52%). The Powder X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD), combining energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping results confirm the existence and distribution of Pd and Cu in the bimetallic nanoparticles. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the nanoparticle size with an average diameter of 3.0 ± 0.5 nm. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis proved the presence of electron transfer from Cu to Pd upon alloying. Such alloying‐induced electronic modification of Pd‐Cu alloy and 3D ionic liquid functional graphene with large specific surface area both accounted for the catalytic enhancement.     

rac‐(Z)‐2‐(2‐Thienylmethylene)‐1‐azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐3‐ol

The asymmetric unit of the racemic form of the title compound, C₁₂H₁₅NOS, contains four crystallographically independent molecules. The olefinic bond connecting the 2‐thienyl and 1‐azabicyclo[2.2.2]octan‐3‐ol moieties has Z geometry. Strong hydrogen bonding occurs in a directed co‐operative O—H...O—H...O—H...O—H R₄⁴(8) pattern that influences the conformation of the molecules. Co‐operative C—H...π interactions between thienyl rings are also present. The average dihedral angle between adjacent thienyl rings is 87.09 (4)°.     

Tl4Pd3Cl10 – eine Verbindung mit neuartiger [(PdCl2Cl2/2)4]4–‐Baugruppe

Tl₄Pd₃Cl₁₀ – A Compound with a New [(PdCl₂Cl_2/2)₄]^4– Group Single crystals of Tl₄Pd₃Cl₁₀ can be obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. They show tetragonal symmetry with lattice parameters a = 15.956(1) Å and c = 14.146(1) Å, Z = 8 and space group I42d (No. 122). The atomic arrangement of Tl₄Pd₃Cl₁₀ is explored by X‐ray crystal structure analysis. Tl₄Pd₃Cl₁₀ is the first example of a new structural type with a hitherto not isolated tetramer [(PdCl₂Cl_2/2)₄]^4– group.     

Synthesis and Characterization of β‐Co(OH)2, CuO and ZnO Nanostructures by Solvothermal Method without Any Additive

β‐Co(OH)₂, CuO and ZnO nanostructures with plate‐like, particle‐like and flower‐like morphologies were prepared through the use of simple solvothermal method using of melt salt and 1,10‐phenanthroline as complexing agent and sodium hydroxide. β‐Co(OH)₂ consisted of a plate‐like structure, and the nanoplates size was about 29 nm. The structure was comprised of regular sheets which were assembled together. Furthermore, the as‐obtained β‐Co(OH)₂ nanoplates can be easily converted into Co₃O₄ nanoplates by calcining in air at 500 °C for 2 h. The results indicate that ZnO powder is of hexagonal wurtzite structure and well crystallized with high purity. CuO powder is pure monoclinic‐structured crystalline. The products were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra. Possible formation mechanism of the nanostructures is proposed.     

Tris[N‐(4‐fluorophenyl)pyridine‐2‐carboxamidato‐κ2N,N′]cobalt(III) trihydrate: a novel meridional complex

The title complex, [Co(C₁₂H₈FN₂O)₃]·3H₂O, has been synthesized for the first time. The complex comprises three bidentate ligands containing the pyridine‐2‐carbox­amide stem. The distorted octahedral coordination around the Co atom is formed via the pyridine (py) N atom and the deprotonated amide N atom of each ligand, with the three pyridine rings in a meridional arrangement. For each ligand, the pyridine ring and the carbonyl group are nearly coplanar, with torsion angles in the range 0.4 (3)–4.8 (4)°. The Co—N_py distances [1.9258 (16)–1.9656 (17) Å] are shorter than the corresponding Co—N_amide distances [1.9372 (17)–1.9873 (15) Å]. In addition, the Co—N_py distances are closely related to the magnitudes of the chelate angles, a shorter Co—N_py distance corresponding to a larger angle. Five intermolecular hydrogen bonds, involving carbonyl O atoms of the ligands and lattice water mol­ecules, lead to the formation of a mesh structure.     

2,2′‐(Ethane‐1,2‐diyl)bis[2‐(5‐bromothiophen‐2‐yl)‐1,3‐dioxolane] at 100 K refined using a multipolar atom model

The title compound, C₁₆H₁₆Br₂O₄S₂, which is a precursor for the synthesis of oligothiophenes and their substituted homologues, was synthesized and its X‐ray crystal structure determined at 100 K. The experimental electron‐density parameters for the available atom types were transferred from the ELMAM2 database. The compound lies about an inversion centre, which coincides with the mid‐point of a C—C bond. The molecules in the crystal are linked by several types of weak interactions; the largest contact surfaces are for H...H and H...Br.     

Bis[S‐benzyl‐3‐(4‐n‐octyloxybenzylidene)dithiocarbazato‐κ2N3,S′]palladium(II)

In the title compound, [Pd(C₂₃H₂₉N₂OS₂)₂], the Pd^II atom displays the expected square‐planar coordination geometry. However, the trans configuration, which allows the Pd^II atom to be located on a crystallographic inversion centre, is unusual with respect to the cis arrangement found in analogous Pd complexes comprising similar N,S‐chelating ligands.     

β,β′‐Bipyrrole Fusion‐Driven cis‐Bimetallic Complexation in Isomeric Porphyrin

An unprecedented cis‐bimetallic complex of dinaphthoporphycene (DNP), namely [Pd₂(μ‐DNP)(μ‐OAc)₂], is reported. The most striking feature of this complex is that two palladiums coordinate to the macrocycle on the same side and are closely held together (Pd? Pd: 2.67 Å) by two bridging acetate ligands exhibiting significant metal–metal bonding interaction (bond order 0.18 evaluated by NBO analysis). Interestingly, replacing acetate with acetylacetonate (acac) could stabilize an unusual mono‐palladium complex of DNP, where Pd coordinates unsymmetrically to two ring Ns above the macrocyclic plane, as well as coordinating with two Os of the acac ligand. Remarkably, the rigid DNP core displays enhanced complexation induced aromaticity (as per NICS and HOMA analysis), despite undergoing severe core deformation during complexation with metal ion(s) as noticed from their solid‐state structures.     

Octadecanuclear Gear Wheels by Self‐Assembly of Self‐Assembled “Double Saddle”‐Type Coordination Entities: Molecular “Rangoli”

A series of self‐assembled “double saddle”‐type trinuclear complexes of [Pd₃L′₃ L ₂] formulation have been synthesized by complexation of a series of cis‐protected palladium(II) components with a slightly divergent “E‐shaped” non‐chelating tridentate ligand, 1,1′‐(pyridine‐3,5‐diyl)bis(3‐(pyridin‐3‐yl)urea ( L ). The cis‐protecting agents L′ employed in the study are ethylenediamine (en), tetramethylethylenediamine (tmeda), 2,2′‐bipyridine (bpy), and 1,10‐phenanthroline (phen), for 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 , respectively. The crystal structures of [Pd₃(tmeda)₃( L )₂](NO₃)₆ ( 2 ), [Pd₃(bpy)₃( L )₂](NO₃)₆ ( 3 ), and [Pd₃(phen)₃( L )₂](NO₃)₆ ( 4 ) unequivocally support the new architecture. Two of the “double saddle”‐type complexes ( 3 and 4 ) are suitably crafted with π surfaces at the strategically located cis‐protecting sites to facilitate intermolecular π–π interactions in the solid state. As a consequence, six units of the 3 (or 4 ) are assembled, by means of six‐pairs of π–π stacking interactions, in a circular geometry to form an octadecanuclear molecular ring of [(Pd₃L′₃ L ₂)₆] composition. The overall arrangement of the rings in the crystal packing is equated with the traditional Indian art form rangoli.     

Synthesis,characterization and in vitro cytotoxicity of homobimetallic complexes of palladium(II) with 2‐thiouracil ligands. Crystal structure of [Pd2(TU)(PPh3)3Cl2]

Square planar metallic and homonuclear bimetallic complexes of Pd(II) with 2‐thiouracil (HTU) and organophosphines have been synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR and multinuclear ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR spectroscopy. The thiouracil ligand TU acts as bidentate, is bound through the thioxo moiety and the endo amino group and forms a bridge between a PdCl(R₃P) and a PdCl(R₃P)₂ moiety [R₃P = Ph₃P (o‐tolyl)₃P, ClPh₂P] in the homonuclear bimetallic complexes. The square planar geometry around Pd(II) has been confirmed for these complexes by a single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction study of compound 1 , [Pd₂(TU)(PPh₃)₃Cl₂]. These compounds were also screened against human tumor cell lines and showed promising in vitro cytotoxicity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient Noble‐Metal‐Free γ‐Fe2O3@NiO Core–Shell Nanostructured Photocatalysts for Water Oxidation

Flowerlike noble‐metal‐free γ‐Fe₂O₃@NiO core–shell hierarchical nanostructures have been fabricated and examined as a catalyst in the photocatalytic oxidation of water with [Ru(bpy)₃](ClO₄)₂ as a photosensitizer and Na₂S₂O₈ as a sacrificial electron acceptor. An apparent TOF of 0.29 μmols^?1 m^?2 and oxygen yield of 51 % were obtained with γ‐Fe₂O₃@NiO. The γ‐Fe₂O₃@NiO core–shell hierarchical nanostructures could be easily separated from the reaction solution whilst maintaining excellent water‐oxidation activity in the fourth and fifth runs. The surface conditions of γ‐Fe₂O₃@NiO also remained unchanged after the photocatalytic reaction, as confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).     

Ca[PO2(NH)3(CO)2]2 – The First Biuretooxophosphate with a Divalent Cation

Calcium biuretooxophosphate Ca[PO₂(NH)₃(CO)₂]₂ was synthesized by ion exchange reaction in aqueous solution. The crystal structure of the salt was elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Anionic 1‐phospha‐2, 4, 6‐s‐triazine rings exhibiting a half‐chair conformation act as monodentate ligands for the calcium ions. A 3D network is formed by the resulting CaO₆ octahedrons together with the anionic rings interconnected by hydrogen bonds. Beside the crystal structure, FTIR and photoluminescence spectra of calcium biuretooxophosphate are discussed. The thermal behavior of the salt is examined by means of temperature‐dependent powder X‐ray diffraction measurements and combined TG and DTA analyses.     

Solid‐State [2+2] Photodimerization of 1‐Aryl‐4‐pyridylbutadienes in Cation‐π‐Controlled Crystals

Irradiation of HX (X=CF₃SO₃ or CF₃CO₂) salts of 1‐aryl‐4‐pyridylbutadienes 1 a – 1 c in the solid‐state afforded syn head‐to‐tail dimers in good yields among a number of possible dimers, whereas irradiation of the neutral substrates gave a complex mixture or no products. A comparison of the X‐ray crystal structures of the neutral compounds and the HX salts clarified that their orientation modes are head‐to‐head and head‐to‐tail, respectively. Moreover, while the distances between the two neighboring double bonds of the neutral compounds are relatively far apart from each other, those of HX salts are close together, satisfying Schmidt's requirement. These findings suggested that cation‐π interactions between the pyridinium and aromatic rings are effective for the preorientation of the HX salts of substrates, leading to photodimers in high regio‐ and stereoselectivities.     

The First Metal‐Carbon Bond β‐Isomer Paddlewheel Pd24+ Compounds

The first metal‐carbon bond β‐form paddlewheel complexes containing a Pd₂⁴⁺ core, [Pd(η²‐dithio)]₂(μ‐dppa)( μ‐SCNMe₂) (dithio = S₂P(OEt)₂, 2 ; S₂COEt, 3 ; S₂CNC₄H₈, 4 ), were prepared by the reactions of the α‐form paddlewheel‐type Pd₂⁺⁴ dipalladium complex [Pd₂ (μ‐Hdppa)₂(μ‐SCNMe₂)₂][Cl]₂, 1 with various dithio‐ligands, [NH₄][S₂P(OEt)₂], [K][S₂COEt] and [NH₄][S₂CNC₄H₈], in methanol at ambient temperature (Hdppa = bis(diphenylphosphino)amine). Electronic spectra and two X‐ray structures of the Pd₂⁺⁴ species have been determined.     

Self‐assembled three‐dimensional flower‐like α‐Fe2O3 nanostructures and their application in catalysis

Three‐dimensional flower‐like α‐Fe₂O₃ nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by a simple surfactant‐free environmental friendly solvolthermal process. The as‐prepared products were investigated by X‐ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. By adjusting the synthetic parameters, the shape of the α‐Fe₂O₃ nanostructures can be controlled. The three‐dimensional flower‐like α‐Fe₂O₃ nanostructures were found to be highly active as catalysts for phenol alkylation. The effects of various parameters, such as reaction temperature, reaction time and the amount of catalyst, were studied. The catalyst was stable and could be reused three times in normal atmosphere without suffering appreciable loss in catalytic activity. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

[Co(g5‐Me5C5)(g3‐tBu2PPCH–CH3)] aus [Co(g5‐Me5C5)(g2‐C2H4)2] und tBu2P–P=P(Me)tBu2

Coordination Chemistry of P‐rich Phosphanes and Silylphosphanes. XVII [1] [Co(g⁵‐Me₅C₅)(g³‐^tBu₂PPCH–CH₃)] from [Co(g⁵‐Me₅C₅)(g²‐C₂H₄)₂] and ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅)(η³‐^tBu₂PPCH–CH₃)] 1 is formed in the reaction of [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅)(η²‐C₂H₄)₂] 2 with ^tBu₂P–P 4 (generated from ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ 3 ) by elimination of one C₂H₄ ligand and coupling of the phosphinophosphinidene with the second one. The structure of 1 is proven by ³¹P, ¹³C, ¹H NMR spectra and the X‐ray structure analysis. Within the ligand ^tBu₂P¹P²C¹H–CH₃ in 1 , the angle P1–P2–C1 amounts to 90°. The Co, P1, P2, C1 atoms in 1 look like a „butterfly”︁. The reaction of 2 with a mixture of ^tBu₂P–P=P(Me)^tBu₂ 3 and ^tBu–C?P 5 yields [Co(η⁵‐Me₅C₅){η⁴‐(^tBuCP)₂}] 6 and 1 . While 6 is spontaneously formed, 1 appears only after complete consumption of 5 .