Cl(3)V(mu-S(CH(3))(2))(3)VCl(3)(2)(-): a first-row,face-shared bioctahedral complex with multiple metal-metal bonding

Density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the structure and bonding of the d(3)d(3) bioctahedral complexes X(3)V(mu-S(CH(3))(2))(3)VX(3)(2)(-) (X = F(-), Cl(-), OH(-), SH(-), NH(2)(-)). According to geometry optimizations using the broken-symmetry approach and the VWN+B-LYP combination of density functionals, the halide-terminated complexes have a V-V bond order of approximately 2, while complexes featuring OH(-), SH(-), or NH(2)(-) as terminal ligands exhibit full triple bonding between the vanadium atoms. The tendency toward triple bonding in the latter complexes is consistent with an increased covalency of the vanadium-ligand bonds, and the influence of bond covalency is apparent also in the tendency for V-V bond elongation in the complexes with OH(-) and NH(2)(-) terminal ligands. Detailed examination of the composition of molecular orbitals in all of the thioether-bridged V(II) complexes substantiates the conclusion that the strong antiferromagnetic coupling which we have determined for these complexes (-J > 250 cm(-)(1)) is due to direct bonding between metal atoms rather than superexchange through the bridging ligands. As such, these V(II) complexes comprise the first apparent examples of multiple metal-metal bonding in first-transition-row, face-shared dinuclear complexes and are therefore of considerable structural and synthetic interest.     

Density functional investigation of metal-metal interactions in d4d4 face-shared [M2Cl9]3 - (M = Mn, Tc, Re) systems

The molecular and electronic structures of the d(4)d(4) face-shared [M(2)Cl(9)](3)(-) (M = Mn, Tc, Re) dimers have been calculated by density functional methods in order to investigate metal-metal bonding in this series. The electronic structures of these systems have been analyzed using potential energy curves for the broken-symmetry and other spin states arising from the various d(4)d(4) coupling modes, and closed energy cycles have been utilized to identify and quantify the parameters which are most important in determining the preference for electron localization or delocalization and for high-spin or low-spin configurations. In [Tc(2)Cl(9)](3)(-) and [Re(2)Cl(9)](3)(-), the global minimum has been found to be a spin-triplet state arising from the coupling of metal centers with low-spin configurations, and characterized by delocalization of the metal-based electrons in a double (sigma and delta(pi)) bond with a metal-metal separation of 2.57 A. In contrast, high-spin configurations and electron localization are favored in [Mn(2)Cl(9)](3)(-), the global minimum for this species being the ferromagnetic S = 4 state with a rather long metal-metal separation of 3.43 A. These results are consistent with metal-metal overlap and ligand-field effects prevailing over spin polarization effects in the Tc and Re systems, but with the opposite trend being observed in the Mn complex. The ground states and metal-metal bonding observed for the d(4)d(4) systems in this study parallel those previously found for the analogous d(2)d(2) complexes of V, Nb, and Ta, and can be rationalized on the basis that the d(4)d(4) dimer configuration is the hole equivalent of the d(2)d(2) configuration.     

Metal-metal interactions in mixed-valence [M2Cl9]2- species: electronic structure of d1d2 (V, Nb, Ta) and d4d5 (Fe, Ru, Os) face-shared systems

The molecular and electronic structures of mixed-valence d1d2 (V, Nb, Ta) and d4d5 (Fe, Ru, Os) face-shared [M2Cl(9)]2- dimers have been calculated by density functional methods in order to investigate metal-metal bonding in this series. General similarities are observed between d1d2 and d4d5 systems and can be considered to reflect the electron-hole equivalence of the individual d1-d5 and d2-d4 configurations. The electronic structures of the dimers have been analyzed using potential energy curves for the broken-symmetry and other spin states resulting from the d1d2 and d4d5 coupling modes. In general, a spin-doublet (S = 1/2) state, characterized by delocalization of the metal-based electrons in a metal-metal bond with a formal order of 1.5, is favored in the systems containing 4d and 5d metals, namely, the Nb, Ta, Ru, and Os dimers. In contrast, the calculated ground structures for [V2Cl9]2- and [Fe2Cl9]2- correspond to a spin-quartet (S = 3/2) state involving weaker coupling between the metal centers and electron localization. In the case of [Ru2Cl9]2-, both the spin-doublet and spin-quartet states are predicted to be energetically favored suggesting that this species may exhibit double-minima behavior. A comparison of computational results across the (d1d1, d1d2, d2d2) [Nb2Cl9]z- and [Ta2Cl9]z- and (d4d4, d4d5, d5d5) [Ru2Cl9]z- and [Os2Cl9]z- series has revealed that, in all four cases, the shortening of the metal-metal distances correlates with an increase in formal metal-metal bond order.     

Density functional investigation of metal-metal interactions in mixed-valence d2d3 (Cr, Mo, W) and d3d4 (Mn, Tc, Re) face-shared [M2Cl9]2- systems

The molecular and electronic structures of mixed-valence face-shared (Cr, Mo, W) d(2)d(3) and (Mn, Tc, Re) d(3)d(4) [M(2)Cl(9)](2-) dimers have been calculated by density functional methods in order to investigate metal-metal bonding in this series. The electronic structures of these systems have been analyzed using potential energy curves for the broken-symmetry and other spin states arising from the d(2)d(3) and d(3)d(4) coupling modes. In (d(2)d(3)) [Mo(2)Cl(9)](2-) and [W(2)Cl(9)](2-), the global minimum has been found to be a spin-doublet state characterized by delocalization of the metal-based electrons in a multiple metal-metal bond (with a formal bond order of 2.5). In contrast, weak coupling between the metal centers and electron localization are favored in (d(2)d(3)) [Cr(2)Cl(9)](2-), the global minimum for this species being a ferromagnetic S = 5/2 state with a relatively long Cr-Cr separation. The (d(3)d(4)) [Re(2)Cl(9)](2-) system also exhibits a global minimum corresponding to a metal-metal bonded spin-doublet state with a formal bond order of 2.5, reflecting the electron-hole equivalence between d(2)d(3) and d(3)d(4) configurations. Double minima behavior is predicted for (d(3)d(4)) [Tc(2)Cl(9)](2-) and [Mn(2)Cl(9)](2-) due to two energetically close low-lying states (these being S = 3/2 and S = 5/2 states for the former, and S = 5/2 and S = 7/2 states for the latter). A comparison of computational results for the d(2)d(2), d(2)d(3), and d(3)d(3) [W(2)Cl(9)](z-) series and the d(3)d(3), d(3)d(4), and d(4)d(4) [Re(2)Cl(9)](z-) series indicates that the observed trends in metal-metal distances can only be rationalized if changes in both the strength of sigma bonding and metal-metal bond order are taken into consideration. These two factors act conjointly in the W series but in opposition to one another in the Re series. In the case of the [Cr(2)Cl(9)](z-) and [Mn(2)Cl(9)](z-) dimers, the metal-metal bond lengths are significantly shorter for mixed-valence (d(2)d(3) or d(3)d(4)) than d(3)d(3) systems. This result is consistent with the fact that some degree of metal-metal bonding exists in the former (due to partial delocalization of a single sigma electron) but not in the latter (where all metal-based electrons are completely localized).     

Ligand dependence of metal-metal bonding in the d(3)d(3) dimers M(2)X(9)(n-) (M(III) = Cr, Mo, W; M(IV) = Mn, Tc, Re; X = F, Cl, Br, I)

The ligand dependence of metal-metal bonding in the d(3)d(3) face-shared M(2)X(9)(n-) (M(III) = Cr, Mo, W; M(IV) = Mn, Tc, Re; X = F, Cl, Br, I) dimers has been investigated using density functional theory. In general, significant differences in metal-metal bonding are observed between the fluoride and chloride complexes involving the same metal ion, whereas less dramatic changes occur between the bromide and iodide complexes and minimal differences between the chloride and bromide complexes. For M = Mo, Tc, and Re, change in the halide from F to I results in weaker metal-metal bonding corresponding to a shift from either the triple metal-metal bonded to single bonded case or from the latter to a nonbonded structure. A fragment analysis performed on M(2)X(9)(3-) (M = Mo, W) allowed determination of the metal-metal and metal-bridge contributions to the total bonding energy in the dimer. As the halide changes from F to I, there is a systematic reduction in the total interaction energy of the fragments which can be traced to a progressive destabilization of the metal-bridge interaction because of weaker M-X(bridge) bonding as fluoride is replaced by its heavier congeners. In contrast, the metal-metal interaction remains essentially constant with change in the halide.     

Electronic structure and metal-metal interactions in trinuclear face-shared [M3X12]3- (M = Mo, W; X = F, Cl, Br, I) systems

The molecular and electronic structures of trinuclear face-shared [M3X12]3-species of Mo (X = F, Cl, Br, I) and W (X = Cl), containing linear chains of metal atoms, have been investigated using density functional theory. The possibility of variations in structure and bonding has been explored by considering both symmetric (D3d) and unsymmetric (C3v) forms, the latter having one long and one short metal-metal distance. Analysis of the bonding in the structurally characterized [Mo3I12]3- trimer reveals that the metal-metal interaction qualitatively corresponds to a two-electron three-center sigma bond between the Mo atoms and, consequently, a formal Mo-Mo bond order of 0.5. However, the calculated spin densities suggest that the electrons in the metal-metal sigma bond are not fully decoupled and therefore participate in the antiferromagnetic interactions of the metal cluster. Although the same observation applies to [Mo3X12]3- (X = Br, Cl, F) and [W3Cl12]3-, both the spin densities and shorter distances between the metal atoms indicate that the metal-metal interaction is stronger in these systems. The broken-symmetry approach combined with spin projection has been used to determine the energy of the low-lying spin multiplets arising from the magnetic coupling between the metal centers. Either the symmetric and unsymmetric S = 3/2 state is predicted to be the ground state for all five systems. For [Mo3X12]3- (X = Cl, Br, I), the symmetric form is more stable but the unsymmetric structure, where two metal centers are involved in a metal-metal triple bond while the third center is decoupled, lies close in energy and is thermally accessible. Consequently, at room temperature, interconversion between the two energetically equivalent configurations of the unsymmetric form should result in an averaged structure that is symmetric. This prediction is consistent with the reported structure of [Mo3I12]3-, which, although symmetric, indicates significant movement of the central Mo atom toward the terminal Mo atoms on either side. In contrast, unsymmetric structures with a triple bond between two metal centers are predicted for [Mo3F2]3- and [W3C12]3-, as the symmetric structure lies too high in energy to be thermally accessible.     

Electronic structures of M21S8 (M = Nb, Zr) and (M,M')21S8 (M, M' = Hf, Ti; Nb, Ta) phases and reasons for variations in the metal site occupations

The electronic structures of binary M21S8 (M = Nb, Zr) and isostructural ternary (M,M')21S8 (M, M' = Hf, Ti; Nb, Ta) phases have been studied by means of extended Hückel tight-binding band structure calculations. For the valence electron concentration in the binary group 5 metal phase Nb21S8, metal-metal bonding is optimized whereas, in the isostructural group 4 metal phase Zr21S8, metal-metal bonding levels exist above the Fermi level. However, the electronic structure analysis suggests a stable structure for M21S8 phases with group 4 metals and that (M,M')21S8 phases with mixed group 4 and group 5 metals, even if not yet reported, could well exist. In the ternary phase Nb6.9Ta14.1S8, a linear relationship exists between the magnitude of the metal-metal bonding capacity (as expressed by the total metal-metal Mulliken overlap population) of each crystallographically independent metal site and the occupation of the site with the heavier metal (i.e., the element with the greater bonding capability). The situation is quite more complex in Hf7.5Ti13.5S8, where the metal-metal bonding capacity of each site, differences in electronegativity between Ti and Hf, and site volume arguments must be taken into account to understand the metal site occupation.     

Icosahedral gold cage clusters: M@Au12- (M=V, Nb, and Ta)

We report the observation and characterization of a series of stable bimetallic 18-valence-electron clusters containing a highly symmetric 12-atom icosahedral Au cage with an encapsulated central heteroatom of Group VB transition metals, M@Au(12) (-) (M=V,Nb,Ta). Electronic and structural properties of these clusters were probed by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Characteristics of the M@Au(12) (-) species include their remarkably high binding energies and relatively simple spectral features, which reflect their high symmetry and stability. The adiabatic electronic binding energies of M@Au(12) (-) were measured to be 3.70+/-0.03, 3.77+/-0.03, and 3.76+/-0.03 eV for M=V, Nb, and Ta, respectively. Comparison of density-functional calculations with experimental data established the highly symmetric icosahedral structures for the 18-electron cluster anions, which may be promising building blocks for cluster-assembled nanomaterials in the form of stoichiometric [M@Au(12) (-)]X(+) salts.     

Probing the electronic structure of early transition-metal oxide clusters: polyhedral cages of (V2O5)n(-) (n = 2-4) and (M2O5(2)(-) (M = Nb, Ta)

Vanadium oxide clusters, (V2O5)n, have been predicted to possess interesting polyhedral cage structures, which may serve as ideal molecular models for oxide surfaces and catalysts. Here we examine the electronic properties of these oxide clusters via anion photoelectron spectroscopy for (V2O5)n(-) (n = 2-4), as well as for the 4d/5d species, Nb4O10(-) and Ta4O10(-). Well-resolved photoelectron spectra have been obtained at 193 and 157 nm and used to compare with density functional calculations. Very high electron affinities and large HOMO-LUMO gaps are observed for all the (V2O5)n clusters. The HOMO-LUMO gaps of (V2O5)n, all exceeding that of the band gap of the bulk oxide, are found to increase with cluster size from n = 2-4. For the M4O10 clusters, we find that the Nb/Ta species yield similar spectra, both possessing lower electron affinities and larger HOMO-LUMO gaps relative to V4O10. The structures of the anionic and neutral clusters are optimized; the calculated electron binding energies and excitation spectra for the global minimum cage structures are in good agreement with the experiment. Evidence is also observed for the predicted trend of electron delocalization versus localization in the (V2O5)n(-) clusters. Further insights are provided pertaining to the potential chemical reactivities of the oxide clusters and properties of the bulk oxides.     

Robust, alkali-stable, triscarbonyl metal derivatives of hexametalate anions, [M6O19[M'(CO)3]n](8-n)- (M = Nb, Ta; M' =Mn, Re; n = 1, 2)

Ten 1:1 and 2:1 complexes of [Mn(CO)(3)](+) and [Re(CO)(3)](+) with [Nb(6)O(19)](8)(-) and [Ta(6)O(19)](8)(-) have been isolated as potassium salts in good yields and characterized by elemental analysis, (17)O NMR and infrared spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray structure determinations. Crystal data for 1 (t-Re(2)Ta(6)): empirical formula, K(4)Na(2)Re(2)C(6)Ta(6)O(35)H(20), monoclinic, space group, C2/m, a = 17.648(3) A, b = 10.056(1) A, c = 13.171(2) A, beta = 112.531(2) degrees, Z = 2. 2 (t-Re(2)Nb(6)): empirical formula, K(6)Re(2)C(6)Nb(6)O(38)H(26), monoclinic, space group, C2/m, a = 17.724(1) A, b = 10.0664(6) A, c = 13.1965(7) A, beta = 112.067(1) degrees, Z = 2. 3 (t-Mn(2)Nb(6)): empirical formula, K(6)Mn(2)C(6)Nb(6)O(37)H(24), monoclinic, space group, C2/m, a = 17.812(2) A, b = 10.098(1) A, c = 13.109(2) A, beta = 112.733(2) degrees, Z = 2. 4 (c-Mn(2)Nb(6)): empirical formula, K(6)Mn(2)C(6)Nb(6)O(50)H(50), triclinic, space group, P1, a = 10.2617(6) A, b = 13.4198(8) A, c = 21.411(1) A, alpha = 72.738(1) degrees, beta = 112.067(1) degrees, gamma = 83.501(1) degrees, Z = 2. 5 (c-Re(2)Nb(6)): empirical formula, K(6)Re(2)C(6)Nb(6)O(54)H(58), monoclinic, space group, P2(1)/c, a = 21.687(2) A, b = 10.3085(9) A, c = 26.780(2) A, beta = 108.787(1) degrees, Z = 4. The complexes contain M(CO)(3) groups attached to the surface bridging oxygen atoms of the hexametalate anions to yield structures of nominal C(3)(v)() (1:1), D(3)(d)() (trans 2:1), and C(2)(v)() (cis 2:1) symmetry. The syntheses are carried out in aqueous solution or by aqueous hydrothermal methods, and the complexes have remarkably high thermal, redox, and hydrolytic stabilities. The Re-containing compounds are stable to 400-450 degrees C, at which point CO loss occurs. The Mn compounds lose CO at temperatures above 200 degrees C. Cyclic voltammetry of all complexes in 0.1 M sodium acetate show no redox behavior, except an irreversible oxidation process at approximately 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. In contrast to the parent hexametalate anions that are stable only in alkaline (pH >10) solution, the new complexes are stable, at least kinetically, between pH 4 and pEta approximately 12.     

Low-lying electronic states of M(3)O(9)(-) and M(3)O(9)(2-) (M = Mo, W)

Multiple low-lying electronic states of M(3)O(9)(-) and M(3)O(9)(2-) (M = Mo, W) arise from the occupation of the near-degenerate low-lying virtual orbitals in the neutral clusters. We used density functional theory (DFT) and coupled cluster theory (CCSD(T)) with correlation consistent basis sets to study the structures and energetics of the electronic states of these anions. The adiabatic and vertical electron detachment energies (ADEs and VDEs) of the anionic clusters were calculated with 27 exchange-correlation functionals including one local spin density approximation functional, 13 generalized gradient approximation (GGA) functionals, and 13 hybrid GGA functionals, as well as the CCSD(T) method. For M(3)O(9)(-), CCSD(T) and nearly all of the DFT exchange-correlation functionals studied predict the (2)A(1) state arising from the Jahn-Teller distortion due to singly occupying the degenerate e' orbital to be lower in energy than the (2)A(1)' state arising from singly occupying the nondegenerate a(1)' orbital. For W(3)O(9)(-), the (2)A(1) state was predicted to have essentially the same energy as the (2)A(1)' state at the CCSD(T) level with core-valence correlation corrections included and to be higher in energy or essentially isoenergetic with most DFT methods. The calculated VDEs from the CCSD(T) method are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values for both electronic states if estimates for the corrections due to basis set incompleteness are included. For M(3)O(9)(2-), the singlet state arising from doubly occupying the nondegenerate a(1)' orbital was predicted to be the most stable state for both M = Mo and W. However, whereas M(3)O(9)(2-) was predicted to be less stable than M(3)O(9)(-), W(3)O(9)(2-) was predicted to be more stable than W(3)O(9)(-).     

Synthesis,characterization, and solution redox properties of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) complexes [M = V,Nb, Ta; trimpsi = (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3)

Treatment of [Et(4)N][M(CO)(6)] (M = Nb, Ta) with I(2) in DME at -78 degrees C produces solutions of the bimetallic anions [M(2micro-I)(3)(CO)(8)](-). Addition of the tripodal phosphine (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3) (trimpsi) followed by refluxing affords (trimpsi)M(CO)(3)I [M = Nb (1), Ta (2)], which are isolable in good yields as air-stable, orange-red microcrystalline solids. Reduction of these complexes with 2 equiv of Na/Hg, followed by treatment with Diazald in THF, results in the formation of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) [M = Nb (3), Ta (4)] in high isolated yields. The congeneric vanadium complex, (trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO) (5), can be prepared by reacting [Et(4)N][V(CO)(6)] with [NO][BF(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) to form V(CO)(5)(NO). These solutions are treated with 1 equiv of trimpsi to obtain (eta(2)-trimpsi)V(CO)(3)(NO). Refluxing orange THF solutions of this material affords 5 in moderate yields. Reaction of (trimpsi)VCl(3)(THF) (6) with 4 equiv of sodium naphthalenide in THF in the presence of excess CO provides [Et(4)N][(trimpsi)V(CO)(3)] (7), (trimpsi)V(CO)(3)H, and [(trimpsi)V(micro-Cl)(3)V(trimpsi)][(eta(2)-trimpsi)V(CO)(4)].3THF ([8][9].3THF). All new complexes have been characterized by conventional spectroscopic methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 2.(1)/(2)THF, 3-5, and [8][9].3THF have been established by X-ray diffraction analyses. The solution redox properties of 3-5 have also been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. Cyclic voltammograms of 3 and 4 both exhibit an irreversible oxidation feature in CH(2)Cl(2) (E(p,a) = -0.71 V at 0.5 V/s for 3, while E(p,a) = -0.55 V at 0.5 V/s for 4), while cyclic voltammograms of 5 in CH(2)Cl(2) show a reversible oxidation feature (E(1/2) = -0.74 V) followed by an irreversible feature (0.61 V at 0.5 V/s). The reversible feature corresponds to the formation of the 17e cation [(trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO)](+) ([5](+)()), and the irreversible feature likely involves the oxidation of [5](+)() to an unstable 16e dication. Treatment of 5 with [Cp(2)Fe][BF(4)] in CH(2)Cl(2) generates [5][BF(4)], which slowly decomposes once formed. Nevertheless, [5][BF(4)] has been characterized by IR and ESR spectroscopies.     

Differing reactivities of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) complexes [M = V,Nb, Ta; trimpsi = (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3)] with halogens and halogen sources

Treatment of (trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO) (trimpsi = (t)BuSi(CH(2)PMe(2))(3)) with 1 equiv of PhICl(2) or C(2)Cl(6) or 2 equiv of AgCl affords (trimpsi)V(NO)Cl(2) (1) in moderate yields. Likewise, (trimpsi)V(NO)Br(2) (2) and (trimpsi)V(NO)I(2) (3) are formed by the reactions of (trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO) with Br(2) and I(2), respectively. The complexes (trimpsi)M(NO)I(2)(PMe(3)) (M = Nb, 4; Ta, 5) can be isolated in moderate to low yields when the (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) compounds are sequentially treated with 1 equiv of I(2) and excess PMe(3). The reaction of (trimpsi)V(CO)(2)(NO) with 2 equiv of ClNO forms 1 in low yield, but the reactions of (trimpsi)M(CO)(2)(NO) (M = Nb, Ta) with 1 equiv of ClNO generate (trimpsi)M(NO)(2)Cl (M = Nb, 6; Ta, 7). Complexes 6 and 7 are thermally unstable and decompose quickly at room temperature; consequently, they have been characterized solely by IR and (31)P[(1)H] NMR spectroscopies. All other new complexes have been fully characterized by standard methods, and the solid-state molecular structures of 1.3CH(2)Cl(2), 4.(3/4)CH(2)Cl(2), and 5.THF have been established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses. A convenient method of generating Cl(15)NO has also been developed during the course of these investigations.     

Coordination Adducts of Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V) Azide M(N3)5 (M=Nb,Ta) with Nitrogen Donor Ligands and their Self‐Ionization

Several new donor–acceptor adducts of niobium and tantalum pentaazide with N‐donor ligands have been prepared from the pentafluorides by fluoride–azide exchange with Me₃SiN₃ in the presence of the corresponding donor ligand. With 2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline, the self‐ionization products [MF₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻, [M(N₃)₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻ and [M(N₃)₄(1,10‐phen)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]⁻ were obtained. With the donor ligands 3,3′‐bipyridine and 4,4′‐bipyridine the neutral pentaazide adducts (M(N₃)₅)₂⋅L (M=Nb, Ta; L=3,3′‐bipy, 4,4′‐bipy) were formed.     

Coordination Adducts of Niobium(V) and Tantalum(V) Azide M(N3)5 (M=Nb,Ta) with Nitrogen Donor Ligands and their Self‐Ionization

Several new donor–acceptor adducts of niobium and tantalum pentaazide with N‐donor ligands have been prepared from the pentafluorides by fluoride–azide exchange with Me₃SiN₃ in the presence of the corresponding donor ligand. With 2,2′‐bipyridine and 1,10‐phenanthroline, the self‐ionization products [MF₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^?, [M(N₃)₄(2,2′‐bipy)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^? and [M(N₃)₄(1,10‐phen)₂]⁺[M(N₃)₆]^? were obtained. With the donor ligands 3,3′‐bipyridine and 4,4′‐bipyridine the neutral pentaazide adducts (M(N₃)₅)₂?L (M=Nb, Ta; L=3,3′‐bipy, 4,4′‐bipy) were formed.     

Electronic structures and chemical bonding in transition metal monosilicides MSi (M = 3d, 4d, 5d elements)

Bond distances, vibrational frequencies, electron affinities, ionization potentials, dissociation energies, and dipole moments of the title molecules in neutral, positively, and negatively charged ions were studied using the density functional method. Ground state was assigned for each species. The bonding patterns were analyzed and compared with both the available data and across the series. It was found that besides an ionic component, covalent bonds are formed between the metal s,d orbitals and the silicon 3p orbital. The covalent character increases from ScSi (YSi) to NiSi (PdSi) for 3d (4d) metal monosilicides, then decreases. For 5d metal monosilicides, the covalent character increases from LaSi to OsSi, then decreases. For the dissociation of cations, the dissociation channel depends on the magnitude of the ionization potential between metal and silicon. If the ionization potential of the metal is smaller than that of silicon, channel MSi+ --> M+ + Si is favored. Otherwise, MSi+ --> M + Si+ will be favored. A similar behavior was observed for anions, in which the dissociation channel depends on the magnitude of electron affinity.     

Bonding analysis of metal-metal multiple bonds in R3M-M'R3 (M, M' = Cr, Mo, W; R = Cl, NMe2)

The bonding situation of homonuclear and heteronuclear metal-metal multiple bonds in R(3)M-M'R(3) (M, M' = Cr, Mo, W; R = Cl, NMe(2)) is investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, with the help of energy decomposition analysis (EDA). The M-M' bond strength increases as M and M' become heavier. The strongest bond is predicted for the 5d-5d tungsten complexes (NMe(2))(3)W-W(NMe(2))(3) (D(e) = 103.6 kcal/mol) and Cl(3)W-WCl(3) (D(e) = 99.8 kcal/mol). Although the heteronuclear molecules with polar M-M' bonds are not known experimentally, the predicted bond dissociation energies of up to 94.1 kcal/mol for (NMe(2))(3)Mo-W(NMe(2))(3) indicate that they are stable enough to be isolated in the condensed phase. The results of the EDA show that the stronger R(3)M-M'R(3) bonds for heavier metal atoms can be ascribed to the larger electrostatic interaction caused by effective attraction between the expanding valence orbitals in one metal atom and the more positively charged nucleus in the other metal atom. The orbital interaction reveal that the covalency of the homonuclear and heteronuclear R(3)M-M'R(3) bonds is due to genuine triple bonds with one σ- and one degenerate π-symmetric component. The metal-metal bonds may be classified as triple bonds where π-bonding is much stronger than σ-bonding; however, the largest attraction comes from the quasiclassical contribution to the metal-metal bonding. The heterodimetallic species show only moderate polarity and their properties and stabilities are intermediate between the corresponding homodimetallic species, a fact which should allow for the experimental isolation of heterodinuclear species. CASPT2 calculations of Cl(3)M-MCl(3) (M = Cr, Mo, W) support the assignment of the molecules as triply bonded systems.     

On the oxidation states of metal elements in MO3- (M=V,Nb, Ta,Db, Pr,Gd, Pa) anions

Relativistic quantum chemistry investigations are carried out to tackle the puzzling oxidation state problem in a series of MO_3~- trioxide anions of all d- and f-block elements with five valence electrons. We have shown here that while the oxidation states of V, Nb, Ta, Db, Pa are, as usual, all +V with divalent oxygen O(-II) in MO_3~- anions, the lanthanide elements Pr and Gd cannot adopt such high +V oxidation state in similar trioxide anions. Instead, lanthanide element Gd retains its usual +III oxidation state, while Pr retains a +IV oxidation state, thus forcing oxygen into a non-innocent ligand with an uncommon monovalent radical(O~·) of oxidation state -I. A unique Pr·- ·(O)_3 biradical with highly delocalized unpairing electron density on Pr(IV) and three O atoms is found to be responsible for stabilizing the monovalent-oxygen species in PrO_3~- ion, while GdO_3~- ion is in fact an OGd~+(O_2~(2-)) complex with Gd(III). These results show that a na?ve assignment of oxidation state of a chemical element without electronic structure analysis can lead to erroneous conclusions.     

过渡金属氧化物(M2O5)+m=1,2(M=V, Nb, Ta)与C2H4气相反应机理的密度泛函研究

采用密度泛函理论研究了过渡金属钒族氧化物阳离子团簇(M2O5)+m=1,2(M=V, Nb, Ta)与C2H4气相反应机理. 反应为(M2O5)m++C2H4→(M2O5)m-1M2O4++C2H4O, 反应物先化合生成C—O键相连的化合物, 经过过渡态后M—O键断裂, 从而发生氧原子转移到碳氢化合物上的反应. 对于V2O5+与C2H4的反应, 存在经顺式和反式两种过渡态结构路径, 从能量上看, 经反式过渡态结构的路径更有利. 计算结果表明, 发生反应时C2H4与钒氧化物阳离子反应大量放热, 而与铌、钽氧化物阳离子反应却放热较少甚至不放热, 这与实验结果一致. 钒、铌、钽氧化物阳离子团簇发生氧转移反应活性不同的原因是金属-氧键的强弱不同所致.