Endohedral and Exohedral Metalloborospherenes: M@B40 (M=Ca,Sr) and M&B40 (M=Be,Mg)

The recent discovery of the all‐boron fullerenes or borospherenes, D_2d B₄₀^−/0, paves the way for borospherene chemistry. Here we report a density functional theory study on the viability of metalloborospherenes: endohedral M@B₄₀ (M=Ca, Sr) and exohedral M&B₄₀ (M=Be, Mg). Extensive global structural searches indicate that Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 , C_2v, ¹A₁) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 , D_2d, ¹A₁) possess almost perfect endohedral borospherene structures with a metal atom at the center, while Be&B₄₀ ( 5 , C_s, ¹A′) and Mg&B₄₀ ( 7 , C_s, ¹A′) favor exohedral borospherene geometries with a η⁷‐M atom face‐capping a heptagon on the waist. Metalloborospherenes provide indirect evidence for the robustness of the borospherene structural motif. The metalloborospherenes are characterized as charge‐transfer complexes (M²⁺B₄₀²⁻), where an alkaline earth metal atom donates two electrons to the B₄₀ cage. The high stability of endohedral Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 ) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 ) is due to the match in size between the host cage and the dopant. Bonding analyses indicate that all 122 valence electrons in the systems are delocalized as σ or π bonds, being distributed evenly on the cage surface, akin to the D_2d B₄₀ borospherene.     

Endohedral and Exohedral Metalloborospherenes: M@B40 (M=Ca,Sr) and M&B40 (M=Be,Mg)

The recent discovery of the all‐boron fullerenes or borospherenes, D_2d B₄₀^?/0, paves the way for borospherene chemistry. Here we report a density functional theory study on the viability of metalloborospherenes: endohedral M@B₄₀ (M=Ca, Sr) and exohedral M&B₄₀ (M=Be, Mg). Extensive global structural searches indicate that Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 , C_2v, ¹A₁) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 , D_2d, ¹A₁) possess almost perfect endohedral borospherene structures with a metal atom at the center, while Be&B₄₀ ( 5 , C_s, ¹A′) and Mg&B₄₀ ( 7 , C_s, ¹A′) favor exohedral borospherene geometries with a η⁷‐M atom face‐capping a heptagon on the waist. Metalloborospherenes provide indirect evidence for the robustness of the borospherene structural motif. The metalloborospherenes are characterized as charge‐transfer complexes (M²⁺B₄₀^2?), where an alkaline earth metal atom donates two electrons to the B₄₀ cage. The high stability of endohedral Ca@B₄₀ ( 1 ) and Sr@B₄₀ ( 3 ) is due to the match in size between the host cage and the dopant. Bonding analyses indicate that all 122 valence electrons in the systems are delocalized as σ or π bonds, being distributed evenly on the cage surface, akin to the D_2d B₄₀ borospherene.     

Structure and Fluxionality of B13+ Probed by Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy

We use cryogenic ion vibrational spectroscopy to characterize the structure and fluxionality of the magic number boron cluster B₁₃⁺. The infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectrum of the D₂‐tagged all‐¹¹B isotopologue of B₁₃⁺ is reported in the spectral range from 435 to 1790 cm⁻¹ and unambiguously assigned to a planar boron double wheel structure based on a comparison to simulated IR spectra of low energy isomers from density‐functional‐theory (DFT) computations. Born–Oppenheimer DFT molecular dynamics simulations show that B₁₃⁺ exhibits internal quasi‐rotation already at 100 K. Vibrational spectra derived from these simulations allow extracting the first spectroscopic evidence from the IRPD spectrum for the exceptional fluxionality of B₁₃⁺.     

High‐Resolution Photoelectron Imaging of IrB3−: Observation of a π‐Aromatic B3+ Ring Coordinated to a Transition Metal

In a high‐resolution photoelectron imaging and theoretical study of the IrB₃^? cluster, two isomers were observed experimentally with electron affinities (EAs) of 1.3147(8) and 1.937(4) eV. Quantum calculations revealed two nearly degenerate isomers competing for the global minimum, both with a B₃ ring coordinated with the Ir atom. The isomer with the higher EA consists of a B₃ ring with a bridge‐bonded Ir atom (C_s , ²A′), and the second isomer features a tetrahedral structure (C_3v , ²A₁). The neutral tetrahedral structure was predicted to be considerably more stable than all other isomers. Chemical bonding analysis showed that the neutral C_3v isomer involves significant covalent Ir?B bonding and weak ionic bonding with charge transfer from B₃ to Ir, and can be viewed as an Ir–(η³‐B₃⁺) complex. This study provides the first example of a boron‐to‐metal charge‐transfer complex and evidence of a π‐aromatic B₃⁺ ring coordinated to a transition metal.     

Formation of an Isolable Divinylborinium Ion through Twofold 1,2‐Carboboration between a Diarylborinium Ion and Diphenylacetylene

Borinium ions, that is, two‐coordinate boron cations, are the most electron‐deficient isolable boron compounds. As borinium ions have only four formal valence electrons on boron, they should show a strong tendency to accept electron pairs on the boron atom to fill its valence shell. Thus chemical reactions of borinium ions are expected to give products in which the coordination number of boron is increased from two to three or four. However, contrary to this expectation, we found that the dimesitylborinium ion (Mes₂B⁺) undergoes twofold 1,2‐carboboration reactions with two equivalents of diphenylacetylene to yield an unprecedented borinium ion ( 1 ⁺) with two substituted vinyl groups on the boron center. NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction analysis of 1 ⁺, together with electronic‐structure calculations, revealed that the positive charge is delocalized over the entire π‐conjugated system. The fact that the chemical transformation of a borinium ion gives rise to a different borinium ion without a change in the coordination number is remarkable and should provide new insight into the chemistry of the Group 13 elements.     

Deuteration of closo-1,2- and 1,7-C2B10H12 using C6D6/AlCl3: Mechanistic considerations

Regioselective deuteration of 1-X-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ (X = 2, 7) cage systems with C₆D₆/AlCl₃ is correlated to ab initio calculational results on a [C₂B₁₀H₁₃]⁺ intermediate. Full geometry optimizations of pertinent [C₂B₁₀H₁₃]⁺ isomers, derived from each of the two 1-X-C₂B₁₀H₁₂ carborane isomers, result in cage geometries not unlike the (nearly) icosahedral starting carborane. Each isomer contains a BH₂ group having an acute H-B-H angle, long B–H bonds, and a very short H · · · H distance, hinting that the pertinent boron shares the electrons of a hydrogen molecule σ pair. It is suggested that the structural differences between the BH₂ group of [C₂B₁₀H₁₃]⁺ and the CH₂ group of the benzenium ion, [C₆H₇]⁺ (the intermediate strongly intimated upon protonation of benzene), can be explained, in part, by (a) the availability of the π-ring electrons for bonding to the (extra) proton in the latter and (b) the unavailability of π electrons from the carborane. Thus, the C₂B₁₀H₁₂ cage is most probably very reluctant to give up a cage electron pair in order to assist in bonding to an (externally bound) proton. Instead, it is more probable that “hydridic” B–H sigma electrons could very well play the important role in providing bonding to the attacking proton. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 9:95–102, 1998     

Analysis of Why Boron Avoids sp2 Hybridization and Classical Structures in the BnHn+2 Series

We performed global minimum searches for the B_nH_n+2 (n=2‐5) series and found that classical structures composed of 2c–2e B? H and B? B bonds become progressively less stable along the series. Relative energies increase from 2.9 kcal mol^?1 in B₂H₄ to 62.3 kcal mol^?1 in B₅H₇. We believe this occurs because boron atoms in the studied molecules are trying to avoid sp² hybridization and trigonal structure at the boron atoms, as in that case one 2p‐AO is empty, which is highly unfavorable. This affinity of boron to have some electron density on all 2p‐AOs and avoiding having one 2p‐AO empty is a main reason why classical structures are not the most stable configurations and why multicenter bonding is so important for the studied boron–hydride clusters as well as for pure boron clusters and boron compounds in general.     

Chiral anionic layers in tartramide spiroborate salts and variable solvation for [NR4][B(TarNH2)2] (R = Et,Pr or Bu)

The spiroborate anion, namely, 2,3,7,8‐tetracarboxamido‐1,4,6,9‐tetraoxa‐5λ⁴‐boraspiro[4.4]nonane, [B(TarNH₂)₂]^?, derived from the diol l ‐tartramide TarNH₂, [CH(O)(CONH₂)]₂, shows a novel self‐assembly into two‐dimensional (2D) layer structures in its salts with alkylammonium cations, [NR₄]⁺ (R = Et, Pr and Bu), and sparteinium, [HSpa]⁺, in which the cations and anions are segregated. The structures of four such salts are reported, namely, the tetrapropylazanium salt, C₁₂H₂₈N⁺·C₈H₁₂BN₄O₈^?, the tetraethylazanium salt hydrate, C₈H₂₀N⁺·C₈H₁₂BN₄O₈^?·6.375H₂O, the tetrabutylazanium salt as the ethanol monosolvate hemihydrate, C₁₆H₃₆N⁺·C₈H₁₂BN₄O₈^?·C₂H₅OH·0.5H₂O, and the sparteinium (7‐aza‐15‐azoniatetracyclo[7.7.1.0^2,7.0^10,15]heptadecane) salt as the ethanol monosolvate, C₁₅H₂₇N₂⁺·C₈H₁₂BN₄O₈^?·C₂H₅OH. The 2D anion layers have preserved intermolecular hydrogen bonding between the amide groups and a typical metric repeat of around 10 × 15 Å. The constraint of matching the interfacial area organizes the cations into quite different solvated arrangements, i.e. the [NEt₄] salt is highly hydrated with around 6.5H₂O per cation, the [NPr₄] salt apparently has a good metric match to the anion layer and is unsolvated, whilst the [NBu₄] salt is intermediate and has EtOH and H₂O in its cation layer, which is similar to the arrangement for the chiral [HSpa]⁺ cation. This family of salts shows highly organized chiral space and offers potential for the resolution of both chiral cations and neutral chiral solvent molecules.     

Synthesis,Structure, and Luminescent Property of the Templated Borate [C9H14N]·[B5O6(OH)4]

The templated borate, [C₉H₁₄N] · [B₅O₆(OH)₄], was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction techonology reveals that it crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P$\bar{1}$ (No. 2). The material was also characterized by element analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG‐DTA), and luminescence spectroscopy. The compound consisted of isolated pentaborate [B₅O₆(OH)₄]^– and N‐butylpyridinium cations [C₉H₁₄N]⁺. The [B₅O₆(OH)₄]^– anions are connected together by hydrogen bonds to form a three‐dimensional framework, in which [C₉H₁₄N]⁺ cations are located in. [C₉H₁₄N] · [B₅O₆(OH)₄] exhibits tunable luminescence emission at 415–458 nm by means of heating treatment from 100 to 300 °C.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Li‐containing Boron Carbide r‐Li~1B13C2

Transparent and nearly colorless single crystals of r‐LiB₁₃C₂ were obtained by reaction of boron with Li₂CO₃ in a Cu melt at 1250–1300 °C. The structure analysis [R3 m, a = 5.6535(1), c = 12.5320(2) Å, 421 independent reflections, 22 parameters, R₁ = 0.034, wR₂ = 0.093] revealed a crystal structure that can be described as a filling variant of rhombohedral B₁₃C₂. Li⁺ is located in a void above or below the linear CBC unit. The site occupation is close to 50 % resulting in an electron‐precise composition according to Wade's rules if a positive charge is given to the CBC entity: Li⁺(B₁₂)^2–(CBC)⁺. The displacement parameters of the CBC unit indicate disorder in the [001] direction, that relates to the short Li–C distance and the partial occupation of the Li⁺ site. The composition is confirmed by EELS measurements of single crystals. Band gap calculations give a value of 2.94 eV, which is in agreement to the crystals being colorless. The evaluation of the electron density by application of the QTAIM formalism as proposed by Bader modifies the assignment pictured above according to Wade's rules. In agreement to the electronegativities the carbon atoms carry a negative charge (–2.31/–2.42) and the effective charges are: Li^+0.81(B₁₂)^+2.02(CBC)^–2.83.     

[B30]−: A Quasiplanar Chiral Boron Cluster

Chirality is vital in chemistry. Its importance in atomic clusters has been recognized since the discovery of the first chiral fullerene, the D₂ symmetric C₇₆. ¹ A number of gold clusters have been found to be chiral, ² raising the possibility to use them as asymmetric catalysts. The discovery of clusters with enantiomeric structures is essential to design new chiral materials with tailored chemical and physical properties. ³ Herein we report the first inherently chiral boron cluster of [B₃₀]^? in a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study. The most stable structure of [B₃₀]^? is found to be quasiplanar with a hexagonal hole. Interestingly, a pair of enantiomers arising from different positions of the hexagonal hole are found to be degenerate in our global minimum searches and both should co‐exist experimentally because they have identical electronic structures and give rise to identical simulated photoelectron spectra.     

B−B Bond Nucleophilicity in a Tetraaryl μ‐Hydridodiborane(4) Anion

The tetraaryl μ‐hydridodiborane(4) anion [ 2 H]^? possesses nucleophilic B?B and B?H bonds. Treatment of K[ 2 H] with the electrophilic 9‐H‐9‐borafluorene (HBFlu) furnishes the B₃ cluster K[ 3 ], with a triangular boron core linked through two BHB two‐electron, three‐center bonds and one electron‐precise B?B bond, reminiscent of the prominent [B₃H₈]^? anion. Upon heating or prolonged stirring at room temperature, K[ 3 ] rearranges to a slightly more stable isomer K[ 3 a ]. The reaction of M[ 2 H] (M⁺=Li⁺, K⁺) with MeI or Me₃SiCl leads to equimolar amounts of 9‐R‐9‐borafluorene and HBFlu (R=Me or Me₃Si). Thus, [ 2 H]^? behaves as a masked [:BFlu]^? nucleophile. The HBFlu by‐product was used in situ to establish a tandem substitution‐hydroboration reaction: a 1:1 mixture of M[ 2 H] and allyl bromide gave the 1,3‐propylene‐linked ditopic 9‐borafluorene 5 as sole product. M[ 2 H] also participates in unprecedented [4+1] cycloadditions with dienes to furnish dialkyl diaryl spiroborates, M[R₂BFlu].     

Two new structures in the glycine–oxalic acid system

Glycinium semi‐oxalate‐II, C₂H₆NO₂⁺·C₂HO₄⁻, (A), and diglycinium oxalate methanol disolvate, 2C₂H₆NO₂⁺·C₂O₄²⁻·2CH₃OH, (B), are new examples in the glycine–oxalic acid family. (A) is a new polymorph of the known glycinium semi‐oxalate salt, (C). Compounds (A) and (C) have a similar packing of the semi‐oxalate monoanions with respect to the glycinium cations, but in (A) the two glycinium cations and the two semi‐oxalate anions in the asymmetric unit are non‐equivalent, and the binding of the glycinium cations to each other is radically different. Based on this difference, one can expect that, although the two forms grow concomitantly from the same batch, a transformation between (A) and (C) in the solid state should be difficult. In (B), two glycinium cations and an oxalate anion, which sits across a centre of inversion, are linked via strong short O—H...O hydrogen bonds to form the main structural fragment, similar to that in diglycinium oxalate, (D). Methanol solvent molecules are embedded between the glycinium cations of neighbouring fragments. These fragments form a three‐dimensional network via N—H...O hydrogen bonds. Salts (B) and (D) can be obtained from the same solution by, respectively, slow or rapid antisolvent crystallization.     

Using Ylide Functionalization to Stabilize Boron Cations

The metalated ylide YNa [Y=(Ph₃PCSO₂Tol)⁻] was employed as X,L‐donor ligand for the preparation of a series of boron cations. Treatment of the bis‐ylide functionalized borane Y₂BH with different trityl salts or B(C₆F₅)₃ for hydride abstraction readily results in the formation of the bis‐ylide functionalized boron cation [Y−B−Y]⁺ ( 2 ). The high donor capacity of the ylide ligands allowed the isolation of the cationic species and its characterization in solution as well as in solid state. DFT calculations demonstrate that the cation is efficiently stabilized through electrostatic effects as well as π‐donation from the ylide ligands, which results in its high stability. Despite the high stability of 2 [Y−B−Y]⁺ serves as viable source for the preparation of further borenium cations of type Y₂B⁺←LB by addition of Lewis bases such as amines and amides. Primary and secondary amines react to tris(amino)boranes via N−H activation across the B−C bond.     

Hexagonal Bipyramidal [Ta2B6]−/0 Clusters: B6 Rings as Structural Motifs

It has been a long‐sought goal in cluster science to discover stable atomic clusters as building blocks for cluster‐assembled nanomaterials, as exemplified by the fullerenes and their subsequent bulk syntheses. ¹ , ² Clusters have also been considered as models to understand bulk properties, providing a bridge between molecular and solid‐state chemistry. ³ Because of its electron deficiency, boron is an interesting element with unusual polymorphism. While bulk boron is known to be dominated by the three‐dimensional (3D) B₁₂ icosahedral motifs, ⁴ new forms of elemental boron are continuing to be discovered. ⁵ In contrast to the 3D cages commonly found in bulk boron, in the gas phase two‐dimensional (2D) boron clusters are prevalent. ⁶ – ⁸ The unusual planar boron clusters have been suggested as potential new bulking blocks or ligands in chemistry. ^6a Herein we report a joint experimental and theoretical study on the [Ta₂B₆]⁻ and [Ta₂B₆] clusters. We found that the most stable structures of both the neutral and anion are D_6h bipyramidal, similar to the recently discovered MB₆M structural motif in the Ti₇Rh₄Ir₂B₈ solid compound. ⁹      

Assignment on the X,A, B,C, and D states of the C6H5Br+ cation based on high‐level calculations

Geometries, frequencies, and energies of the 1²B₁, 1²A₂, 1²B₂, 2²B₁, 2²B₂, and 1²A₁, of the C₆H₅Br⁺ ion were calculated by using CASSCF and CASPT2 methods in conjunction with an ANO‐RCC basis. The CASPT2//CASSCF adiabatic excitation energies and CASPT2 relative energies for the six states are in good agreement with experiment. The X, A, B, C, and D electronic states of the C₆H₅Br⁺ ion were assigned to be X²B₁, A²A₂, B²B₂, C²B₁, and D²B₂ based on the CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations. The assignment on the D state of the C₆H₅Br⁺ ion is different from the previously published works. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

La4B14O27: Ein Lanthan‐ultra‐Oxoborat mit Raumnetzstruktur

La₄B₁₄O₂₇: A Lanthanum ultra‐Oxoborate with a Framework Structure Single crystals of La₄B₁₄O₂₇ could be synthesized by the reaction of La₂O₃, LaCl₃ and B₂O₃ with an access of CsCl as fluxing agent in gastightly sealed platinum ampoules within twenty days at 710 °C and appear as colourless, transparent and waterresistant platelets. The new lanthanum oxoborate La₄B₁₄O₂₇ (monoclinic, C2/c; a = 1120.84(9), b = 641.98(6), c = 2537.2(2) pm, β = 100.125(8)°; Z = 4) is built of a three‐dimensional boron‐oxygen framework containing seven crystallographically different boron atoms. Four of these B³⁺ cations are surrounded by four O^2? anions tetrahedrally, whereas the other three have only three oxygen neighbours with nearly plane triangular coordination figures. Three of the [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra form [B₃O₉]^9? rings by cyclic vertex‐condensation, which are further linked via [BO₃]^3? units to infinite layers. Two of these layers connect via one [B₂O₇]^8? unit of two corner‐shared [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra to double layers, which themselves build up a three‐dimensional framework together with chains consisting of two [BO₄]^5? tetrahedra and one [BO₃]^3? triangle. One of the two crystallographically independent La³⁺ cations (La1) is surrounded by ten O^2? anions and resides within the oxoborate double layers. (La2)³⁺ shows a (8+2)‐fold coordination of O^2? anions and occupies channels along the [110] direction.     

[Fc2B2(Br)(μ‐NPEt3)2]+Br– – ein Ferrocenyl‐substituierter Phosphaniminato‐Komplex des Bors

[Fc₂B₂(Br)(μ‐NPEt₃)₂]⁺Br^– – a Ferrocenyl‐substituted Phosphoraneiminato Complex of Boron [Fc₂B₂(Br)(μ‐NPEt₃)₂]⁺Br^– has been prepared from ferrocenylboron dibromide, [Fe(η⁵‐C₅H₅)(η⁵‐C₅H₄BBr₂)], and the silylated phosphoraneimine Me₃SiNPEt₃ in dichloromethane solution to give orange‐red single crystals which were characterized by IR, NMR and ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra, as well as by a crystal structure determination. [Fc₂B₂(Br)(μ‐NPEt₃)₂]⁺Br^– · 3 CH₂Cl₂ ( 1 · 3 CH₂Cl₂): Space group P2₁/n, Z = 4, lattice dimensions at –50 °C: a = 1370.6(3), b = 2320.9(5), c = 1454.4(2), β = 95.38(1)°, R₁ = 0.061. In the cation of 1 the ferrocenyl‐substituted boron atoms are connected by the nitrogen atoms of the [NPEt₃]^– groups to form a planar B₂N₂ four‐membered ring. One of the boron atoms having planar, the other tetrahedral coordination.     

Li6+2x[B10Se18]Sex (x ≈ 2), ein ionenleitendes Doppelsalz

Li_6+2x[B₁₀Se₁₈]Se_x (x ≈ 2), an Ion‐conducting Double Salt Li_6+2x[B₁₀Se₁₈]Se_x (x ≈ 2) was prepared in a solid state reaction from lithium selenide, amorphous boron and selenium in evacuated carbon coated silica tubes at a temperature of 800 °C. Subsequent cooling from 600 °C to 300 °C gave amber colored crystals with the following lattice parameters: space group I2/a (at 173 K); a = 17.411(1) Å, b = 21.900(1) Å, c = 17.820(1) Å, β = 101.6(1)°. The crystal structure contains a well‐defined polymeric selenoborate network of composition ([B₁₀Se₁₆Se_4/2]^6?)_n consisting of a system of edge‐sharing [B₁₀Se₁₆Se_4/2] adamantanoid macro‐tetrahedra forming large channels in which a strongly disorderd system of partial occupied Li⁺ cations and additional disordered Se^2? anions is observed. The crystal structure of the novel selenoborate is isotypic to Li_6+2x[B₁₀S₁₈]S_x (x ≈ 2) [1]. X‐ray and ⁷Li magic‐angle spinning NMR data suggest that the site occupancies of the three crystallographically distinct lithium ions exhibit a significant temperature dependence. The lithium ion mobility has been characterized by detailed temperature dependent NMR lineshape and spin‐lattice relaxation measurements.     

C2 in a Box: Determining Its Intrinsic Bond Strength for the X1Σg+ Ground State

The intrinsic bond strength of C₂ in its ¹Σ_g⁺ ground state is determined from its stretching force constant utilizing MR‐CISD+Q(8,8), MR‐AQCC(8,8), and single‐determinant coupled cluster calculations with triple and quadruple excitations. By referencing the CC stretching force constant to its local counterparts of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene, an intrinsic bond strength half way between that of a double bond and a triple bond is obtained. Diabatic MR‐CISD+Q results do not change this. Confinement of C₂ and suitable reference molecules in a noble gas cage leads to compression, polarization, and charge transfer effects, which are quantified by the local CC stretching force constants and differences of correlated electron densities. These results are in line with two π bonds and a partial σ bond. Bond orders and bond dissociation energies of small hydrocarbons do not support quadruple bonding in C₂.