Metal-like Ductility in Organic Plastic Crystals: Role of Molecular Shape and Dihydrogen Bonding Interactions in Aminoboranes

Ductility is a common phenomenon in many metals but is difficult to achieve in molecular crystals. Organic crystals bend plastically on one or two face-specific directions but fracture when stressed in any other arbitrary directions. An exceptional metal-like ductility and malleability in the isomorphous crystals of two globular molecules, BH₃NMe₃ and BF₃NMe₃, is reported, with characteristic tensile stretching, compression, twisting, and thinning. The mechanically deformed samples, which transition to lower symmetry phases, retain good long-range order amenable to structure determination by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Molecules in these high-symmetry crystals interact through electrostatic forces (B⁻−N⁺) to form columnar structures with multiple slip planes and weak dispersive forces between columns. On the other hand, the limited number of facile slip planes and strong dihydrogen bonding in BH₃NHMe₂ negates ductility. Our study has implications for the design of soft ferroelectrics, solid electrolytes, barocalorics, and soft robotics.     

Effect of Fullerene Volume Fraction on Two‐Dimensional Crystal‐Constructed Supramolecular Liquid Crystals

The volume fraction plays an important role in phase segregated soft matters. We demonstrate here that at high fullerene volume fraction in soft chain‐tethered‐fullerene dyads, different two‐dimensional (2D) crystal‐constructed smectic‐like lamella liquid crystalline (LC) phases can be formed with triple‐layer (S_T phase) or quadruple‐layer (S_Q phase) stacking of fullerenes in 2D crystals. The combination of 2D crystal and LC properties in one system affords these fullerene dyads controlled electron mobility in the range of 10^?5–10^?3 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at room temperature (S_T phase), by regulating the insulated soft layer thickness between 2D crystals via the manipulation of fullerene volume fraction.     

Cationic Chains of Phosphanyl‐ and Arsanylboranes

Whilst catena‐phosphorus cations have been intensively studied in the last years, mixed Group 13/15 element cationic chains have not yet been reported. Reaction of the pnictogenboranes H₂EBH₂?NMe₃ (E=P, As) with monohalideboranes lead to the cationic chain compounds [Me₃N?BH₂EH₂BH₂?NMe₃][X] (E=P, As; X=AlCl₄, I) and [Me₃N?BH₂PH₂BH₂PH₂BH₂?NMe₃][X] (X=I, VCl₄(thf)₂), respectively. All of the compounds have been characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. DFT calculations elucidate the reaction pathway, the high thermodynamic stability, the charge distribution within the chain and confirm the observed solid‐state structures.     

Metal‐Free Addition/Head‐to‐Tail Polymerization of Transient Phosphinoboranes,RPH‐BH2: A Route to Poly(alkylphosphinoboranes)

Mild thermolysis of Lewis base stabilized phosphinoborane monomers R¹R²P? BH₂?NMe₃ (R¹,R²=H, Ph, or tBu/H) at room temperature to 100 °C provides a convenient new route to oligo‐ and polyphosphinoboranes [R¹R²P‐BH₂]_n. The polymerization appears to proceed via the addition/head‐to‐tail polymerization of short‐lived free phosphinoborane monomers, R¹R²P‐BH₂. This method offers access to high molar mass materials, as exemplified by poly(tert‐butylphosphinoborane), that are currently inaccessible using other routes (e.g. catalytic dehydrocoupling).     

Isolation and Characterization of Lewis Base Stabilized Monomeric Parent Stibanylboranes

The synthesis of the Lewis base stabilized monomeric parent compound of stibanylboranes, “H₂Sb? BH₂”, is reported. Through a salt metathesis route, the silyl‐substituted compounds (Me₃Si)₂Sb? BH₂?LB (LB=NMe₃, NHC^Me) were synthesized as representatives of derivatives with a Sb? B σ bond. Under very mild conditions, they could be transformed into the target compounds Me₃N?H₂B? HSb? BH₂?NMe₃ and H₂Sb? BH₂?NHC^Me, respectively. The products were characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. DFT calculations give further insight into the stability and bonding of these unique compounds.     

Vibrational studies of BH−4 and BD−4 isolated in alkali halides

Single crystals of alkali halides doped with BH^?₄ and BD^?₄ were grown from the melt. Previously unreported bands in the infrared spectra of BH^?₄ and BD^?₄ isolated in different alkali halides are interpreted in terms of summation bands of internal and external modes of vibration. This has allowed the torsional and translational modes of the impurity ion to be identified. The tetrahedral symmetry of the borohydride ion is retained when it is isolated within alkali halides with the NaCl structure. A reduction of symmetry towards C_3v was observed when BH^?₄ (or BD^?₄) was isolated within lattices with CsCl structure.Raman and far infrared spectra of alkali halide/BH^?₄ systems will be reported for the first time, and high pressure infrared studies of these systems will be described. The effects of pressure in the internal mode, external modes, Fermi resonance and NaCl to CsCl structural phase changes will be discussed.     

Anionic Chains of Parent Pnictogenylboranes

We report on the synthesis and structural characterization of unprecedented anionic parent compounds of mixed Group 13/15 elements. The reactions of the pnictogenylboranes H₂E‐BH₂?NMe₃ ( 1 a =P, 1 b =As) with phosphorus and arsenic centered nucleophiles of the type [EH₂]^? (E=P, As) lead to the formation of compounds of the type [H₂E‐BH₂‐E′H₂]^? ( 2 : E=E′=P; 3 : E=E′=As; 4 : E=P, E′=As) containing anionic pnictogen–boron chain‐like units. Furthermore, a longer 5‐membered chain species [H₂As‐BH₂‐PH₂‐BH₂‐AsH₂]^? ( 5 ) and a cyclic compound [NHC^dipp‐H₂B‐PH₂‐BH₂‐NHC^dipp]⁺[P₅B₅H₁₉]^? ( 6 ) containing a n‐butylcyclohexane‐like anion were obtained. All the compounds have been characterized by X‐ray structure analysis, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. DFT calculations elucidate their high thermodynamic stability, the charge distribution, and give insight into the reaction pathway.     

Comment on “Realization of Lewis Basic Sodium Anion in the NaBH3− Cluster”

We challenge the interpretation of the chemical bond in NaBH₃^? proposed by Liu et al. We argue that NaBH₃^? has an electron‐sharing Na?BH₃^? covalent bond rather than a dative bond Na^?→BH₃.     

Dipole‐bound anions supported by charge–transfer interaction: Anionic states of HnF3−nN → BH3 and H3N → BHnF3−n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3)

The possibility of electron binding to five molecules (i.e., F₃N → BH₃, H₂FN → BH₃, HF₂N → BH₃, H₃N → BH₂F, H₃N → BHF₂) was studied at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and noniterative triple excitations and compared to earlier results for H₃N → BH₃ and H₃N → BF₃. All these neutral complexes involve dative bonds that are responsible for significant polarization of these species that generates large dipole moments. As a consequence, all of the neutral systems studied, except F₃N → BH₃, support electronically stable dipole‐bound anionic states whose calculated vertical electron detachment energies are 648 cm^?1 ([H₂FN → BH₃]^?), 234 cm^?1 ([HF₂N → BH₃]^?), 1207 cm^?1 ([H₃N → BH₂F]^?), and 1484 cm^?1 ([H₃N → BHF₂]^?). In addition, we present numerical results for a model designed to mimic charge–transfer (CT) and show that the electron binding energy correlates with the magnitude of the charge flow in the CT complex. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2003     

A Convenient Route to Mixed Pnictogenylboranes

We report on the synthesis and characterization of mixed pnictogenylboranes. The substitution of the Lewis base SMe₂ in (OC)₅W–PH₂BH₂–SMe₂ ( 2 ) by different pnictogenylboranes ER₂BH₂–LB (E=P, As, Sb) leads to the Lewis acid/base stabilized butane analogue (OC)₅W–PH₂BH₂ER₂BH₂–LB ( 3 a , b : E=P; R=H, SiMe₃; LB=NMe₃; 4 a , b : E=As; R=H, SiMe₃; LB=NMe₃; 5 : E=Sb; R=SiMe₃; LB=NHC^Me). All of these compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis, mass spectrometry, NMR, and IR spectroscopy. In addition, the very unstable phosphanylborane chain PH₂BH₂PH₂BH₂–NMe₃ ( 1 ) was synthesized. DFT calculations provide insight into the thermodynamics of these reactions.     

A Cobalt(I) Pincer Complex with an η2‐Caryl−H Agostic Bond: Facile C−H Bond Cleavage through Deprotonation,Radical Abstraction,and Oxidative Addition

The synthesis and reactivity of a Co^I pincer complex [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ featuring an η²‐ C_aryl?H agostic bond is described. This complex was obtained by protonation of the Co^I complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. The Co^III hydride complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂(H)]⁺ was obtained upon protonation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)₂]. Three ways to cleave the agostic C?H bond are presented. First, owing to the acidity of the agostic proton, treatment with pyridine results in facile deprotonation (C?H bond cleavage) and reformation of [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]. Second, C?H bond cleavage is achieved upon exposure of [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ to oxygen or TEMPO to yield the paramagnetic Co^II PCP complex [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺. Finally, replacement of one CO ligand in [Co(?³P,CH,P‐P(CH)P^NMe‐iPr)(CO)₂]⁺ by CNtBu promotes the rapid oxidative addition of the agostic η²‐C_aryl?H bond to give two isomeric hydride complexes of the type [Co(PCP^NMe‐iPr)(CNtBu)(CO)(H)]⁺.     

Ion‐Pairing Assemblies Based on Pentacyano‐Substituted Cyclopentadienide as a π‐Electronic Anion

Pentacyanocyclopentadienide (PCCp^?), a stable π‐electronic anion, provided various ion‐pairing assemblies in combination with various cations. PCCp^?‐based assemblies exist as single crystals and mesophases owing to interionic interactions with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations with a variety of geometries, substituents, and electronic structures. Single‐crystal X‐ray analysis revealed that PCCp^? formed cation‐dependent arrangements with contributions from charge‐by‐charge and charge‐segregated assembly modes for ion pairs with π‐electronic and aliphatic cations, respectively. Furthermore, some aliphatic cations gave dimension‐controlled organized structures with PCCp^?, as observed in the mesophases, for which synchrotron XRD analysis suggested the formation of charge‐segregated modes. Noncontact evaluation of conductivity for (C₁₂H₂₅)₃MeN⁺ ? PCCp^? films revealed potential hole‐transporting properties, yielding a local‐scale hole mobility of 0.4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 at semiconductor–insulator interfaces.     

Borane and Borohydride Complexes of the Rare‐Earth Elements: Synthesis,Structures, and Butadiene Polymerization Catalysis

The reaction of potassium 2,5‐bis[N‐(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)iminomethyl]pyrrolyl [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with the borohydrides of the larger rare‐earth metals, [Ln(BH₄)₃(thf)₃] (Ln=La, Nd), afforded the expected products [Ln(BH₄)₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)₂]. As usual, the trisborohydrides reacted like pseudohalide compounds forming KBH₄ as a by‐product. To compare the reactivity with the analogous halides, the dimeric neodymium complex [NdCl₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)]₂ was prepared by reaction of [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with anhydrous NdCl₃. Reaction of [(dip₂‐pyr)K] with the borohydrides of the smaller rare‐earth metals, [Sc(BH₄)₃(thf)₂] and [Lu(BH₄)₃(thf)₃], resulted in a redox reaction of the BH₄^? group with one of the Schiff base functions of the ligand. In the resulting products, [Ln(BH₄){(dip)(dip‐BH₃)‐pyr}(thf)₂] (Ln=Sc, Lu), a dinegatively charged ligand with a new amido function, a Schiff base, and the pyrrolyl function is bound to the metal atom. The by‐product of the reaction of the BH₄^? anion with the Schiff base function (a BH₃ molecule) is trapped in a unique reaction mode in the coordination sphere of the metal complex. The BH₃ molecule coordinates in an η² fashion to the metal atom. The rare‐earth‐metal atoms are surrounded by the η²‐coordinated BH₃ molecule, the η³‐coordinated BH₄^? anion, two THF molecules, and the nitrogen atoms from the Schiff base and the pyrrolyl function. All new compounds were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. Low‐temperature X‐ray diffraction data at 6 K were collected to locate the hydrogen atoms of [Lu(BH₄){(dip)(dip‐BH₃)‐pyr}(thf)₂]. The (DIP₂‐pyr)^? borohydride and chloride complexes of neodymium, [Nd(BH₄)₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)₂] and [NdCl₂(dip₂‐pyr)(thf)]₂, were also used as Ziegler–Natta catalysts for the polymerization of 1,3‐butadiene to yield poly(cis‐1,4‐butadiene). Very high activities and good cis selectivities were observed by using each of these complexes as a catalyst in the presence of various cocatalyst mixtures.     

ESR study of spin-adducts of trimethylaminoboryl radicals with fullerene C60

It was established by ESR that trimethylaminoboryl radicals formed by UV irradiation of BH₃NMe_6w in the presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide in saturated benzene solutions of fullerene C₆₀, add to fullerenes to give C₆₀-BH₂NMe₃ spin-adducts. The latter undergo dimerization with a rate constant ofca. 2.5 · 10⁶ L mol^–1 s^–1. A more prolonged photolysis of excess BH₃NMe₃ in a benzene solution of C₆₀ results in multiple addition of the trimethylaminoboryl radicals to the fullerene to give stable radicals C₆₀[BH₂NMe₃]_n.Translated fromIzyestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 673–675, April, 1994.     

Ab initio scf and ci study of the electronic structure of BH3CO

Results of ab initio SCF and CI calculations employing a Gaussian basis set of double-zeta quality are reported for BH₃CO. The heat of formation for the gas-phase reaction, BH₃ + CO → BH₃CO, is calculated as ?10.98 kcal mol^?1 within the SCF approximation, and as ?14.56 kcal mol^?1 if the CI treatment is included. This is in good agreement with the estimated experimental value of ?16.6 kcal mol^?1. The energy of rearrangement of the BH₃ fragment from D_3h to C_3v symmetry in BH₃CO is calculated as 15.97 kcal mol^?1. Molecular properties have been studied in terms of the calculated electron populations, the dipole moment and the electric Field gradient of ¹¹B in BH₃CO.     

[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH2]+[Bis(triazolyl)–BH2]− Ionic Liquids with High Density and Energy Capacity

[Bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[bis(triazolyl)–BH₂]^? and [bis(imidazolyl)–BH₂]⁺[tris(triazolyl)–BH]^? were synthesized, the cations and anions of which were functionalized with B?H groups and azoles. As B?H groups contribute to the hypergolic activity and azole groups improve the energy output, the resulting ionic liquids exhibited ignition delay times as low as 20 ms and energy outputs as high as 461.1 kJ mol^?1. In addition, densities (1.07–1.22 g cm^?3) and density‐specific impulse (≈360 s g cm^?3) values reached a relatively high level. These ionic liquids show great promise as sustainable rocket fuels.     

Isotopic Exchange in Porous and Dense Magnesium Borohydride

Magnesium borohydride (Mg(BH₄)₂) is one of the most promising complex hydrides presently studied for energy‐related applications. Many of its properties depend on the stability of the BH₄^? anion. The BH₄^? stability was investigated with respect to H→D exchange. In situ Raman measurements on high‐surface‐area porous Mg(BH₄)₂ in 0.3 MPa D₂ have shown that the isotopic exchange at appreciable rates occurs already at 373 K. This is the lowest exchange temperature observed in stable borohydrides. Gas–solid isotopic exchange follows the BH₄^?+D^.→BH₃D^?+H^. mechanism at least at the initial reaction steps. Ex situ deuteration of porous Mg(BH₄)₂ and its dense‐phase polymorph indicates that the intrinsic porosity of the hydride is the key behind the high isotopic exchange rates. It implies that the solid‐state H(D) diffusion is considerably slower than the gas–solid H→D exchange reaction at the surface and it is a rate‐limiting steps for hydrogen desorption and absorption in Mg(BH₄)_2.     

Exploring Sustainable Rocket Fuels: [Imidazolyl−Amine−BH2]+‐Cation‐Based Ionic Liquids as Replacements for Toxic Hydrazine Derivatives

The application of hypergolic ionic liquids as propellant fuels is a newly emerging area in the fields of chemistry and propulsion science. Herein, a new class of [imidazolyl?amine?BH₂]⁺‐cation‐based ionic liquids, which included fuel‐rich anions, such as dicyanamide (N(CN)₂^?) and cyanoborohydride (BH₃CN^?) anions, were synthesized and characterized. As expected, all of the ionic liquids exhibited spontaneous combustion upon contact with the oxidizer 100 % HNO₃. The densities of these ionic liquids varied from 0.99–1.12 g cm^?3, and the heats of formation, predicted based on Gaussian 09 calculations, were between ?707.7 and 241.8 kJ mol^?1. Among them, the salt of compound 5 , that is, (1‐allyl‐1H‐imidazole‐3‐yl)?(trimethylamine)?dihydroboronium dicyanamide, exhibited the lowest viscosity (168 MPa s), good thermal properties (T_gT_d>130 °C), and the shortest ignition‐delay time (18 ms) with 100 % HNO₃. These ionic fuels, as “green” replacements for toxic hydrazine‐derivatives, may have potential applications as bipropellant formulations.     

The Analysis of Electronic Structures,NBO, EDA,and QTAIM of trans‐(H3P)2(η2‐BH4 )W(≡C‐para‐C6H4X)(CO) Complexes

In the present research, the impact of substitution on the dipole moment, electronic structure, and frontier orbital energy in trans ‐(H₃P )₂(η²‐BH₄ )W(≡C‐para ‐C₆H₄X )(CO ) complexes (X = H, F, SiH₃ , CN , NO₂ , SiMe₃ , CMe₃ , NH₂ , NMe₂ ) was studied with mpw1pw91 quantum chemical computations. The nature of the chemical bond between the trans‐[Cl(η²‐BH₄ )(H₃P ) ₂W ]⁻ and [C‐para ‐C₆H₄X ]⁺ fragments was demonstrated through energy decomposition analysis (EDA ). The percentage composition in terms of the specified groups of frontier orbitals was examined for these complexes to investigate the feature in metal–ligand bonds. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM ) and natural bond orbital (NBO ) analysis were applied to elucidate these complexes’ metal–ligand bonds.     

N‐Functionalized Ferrocenes: Subvalent Group XIV Element Chlorides and tert‐Butyllithium‐Induced C−C Bond Cleavage under Mild Conditions

The ferrocene derivative (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArNCH)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)} ( 1 ; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃)) reacts diastereoselectively with LiR by carbolithiation and subsequent hydrolysis to give (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArHNCHR)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)} ( 3 : R=tBu; 4 : R=Ph; 5 : R=Me) in high yields. For R=tBu, the organolithium derivative (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArLiNCHR)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)} ( 2 ) was isolated. Compound 2 reacts with GeCl₂?dioxane and SnCl₂ to give the metallylene amide chlorides (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArMNCHtBu)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)} 6 (M=GeCl) and 7 (M=SnCl), respectively, which each contain three stereogenic centers. The potential of 7 as a ligand in transition‐metal chemistry is demonstrated by formation of its complex (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArMNCHtBu)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)} [ 9 , M= Sn(Cl)W(CO)₅]. Treatment of 3 with tert‐butyllithium at room temperature causes an unprecedented carbon–carbon bond cleavage whereas under kinetic control, lithiation at the Cp‐3 position takes place, which leads to the isolation of (η⁵‐Cp)Fe{η⁵‐C₅H₃‐1‐(ArHNCHtBu)‐2‐(CH₂NMe₂)‐3‐SiMe₃} ( 10 ).