Michail Vasil'evič Lomonosov

This paper is dedicated to the 300^th anniversary of Michail Vasil'evič Lomonosov, Russiás first world‐renowned scholar. He was educated in Russia and Germany and founded the first chemical laboratory in the Academy of St. Petersburg. There he carried out many quantitative experiments especially in the field of melting glasses. He argued in favor of a corpuscular structure of matter and explained physical and chemical phenomena on the basis of his theory. He also contributed to the humanities by writing numerous papers about the history of the Russian nation and the grammar and the poetics of the Russian language. In his personal life he also wrote himself poems and odes.     

The approach to 4d/4f-polyphosphides

The first 4d/4f polyphosphides were obtained by reaction of the divalent metallocenes [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] or [Cp*Mo(CO)₂(η³-P₃)]. Treatment of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [{CpMo(CO)₂}₂(μ,η^2:2-P₂)] gave the 16-membered bicyclic compounds [(Cp₂*Ln)₂P₂(CpMo(CO)₂)₄] (Ln = Sm, Yb) as the major products. From the reaction involving samarocene, the cyclic P₄ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₂P₄(CpMo(CO)₂)₂] and the cyclic P₅ complex [(Cp*₂Sm)₃P₅(CpMo(CO)₂)₃] were also obtained as minor products. In each reaction, the P₂ unit is reduced and a rearrangement occurred. In dedicated cases, a P–P bond formation takes place, which results in a new aggregation of the central phosphorus scaffold. In the reactions of [Cp*₂Ln(thf)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) with [Cp*Mo(CO)₂P₃] a new P–P bond is formed by reductive dimerization and the 4d/4f hexaphosphides [(Cp*₂Ln)₂P₆(Cp*Mo(CO)₂)₂] (Ln = Sm, Yb) were obtained.     

Homoatomic d10–d10 Interactions: Their Effects on Structure and Chemical and Physical Properties

The distinction between valence electrons and essentially inactive core electrons is the basis of many classifying concepts in chemistry. However, it has recently been recognized that this is an oversimplification and should, at least in some areas of chemistry, be modified. Many cases are known where cations with closed d¹⁰ configurations are subject to homoatomic interactions that influence structure and properties. A characteristic and surprisingly uniform structural feature (e.g., of a number of compounds containing monovalent coinage metals) is a clusterlike assembly of d¹⁰ cations that corresponds in geometry and bond lengths to fragments of the metal structures themselves. Further evidence for a special type of bonding in such compounds is provided by their physical properties; for example, the absorption in the UV/VIS region shows a drastic redshift and the compounds are often conductors or semiconductors. The d electrons in such cases have obviously lost their pure “core” nature. All bonding models so far proposed for such systems involve mixing of higher orbitals.     

On‐site correlation of p‐electron in d10 semiconductor zinc oxide

Using GGA+U approach based on the density functional theory, the on‐site correlation and the electronic structure of wurtzite zinc oxide are investigated. By atomic population analysis, the zinc 3d orbital is found to be almost fully filled, but the oxygen 2p orbital is partially filled. So, the zinc oxide can be approximately regarded as a sort of d¹⁰ semiconductor. Similar to that of d⁰ magnets found previously, the on‐site Coulomb repulsion of 2p orbital in such a d¹⁰ system is shown to be also indispensable in addition to that of 3d orbital. As the unconventional on‐site Coulomb repulsion of O 2p is considered, the theoretical results agree with the previous experimental observations satisfactorily. The partial density of states shows significant O? Zn hybridization in the valence band, but it decreases a little as the on‐site correlations are taken into account. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A Controlled Route to a Luminescent 3 d10–5 d10 Sulfido Cluster Containing Unique AuCu2(μ3‐S) Motifs

The first examples of gold(I) trimethylsilylchalcogenolate complexes were synthesized and their reactivity showcased in the preparation of a novel gold–copper–sulfur cluster [Au₄Cu₄S₄(dppm)₂] (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane). The unprecedented structural chemistry of this compound gives rise to interesting optoelectronic properties, including long‐lived orange luminescence in the solid state. Through time‐dependent density functional theory calculations, this emission is shown to originate from ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer facilitated by Au???Cu metallophilic bonding.     

Luminescent metal complexes of d6, d8 and d10 transition metal centres

This highlight focuses on various luminescent complexes with different transition metal centres of d(6), d(8) and d(10) electronic configurations. Through the systematic study on the variation of ligands, structural and bonding modes of different metal centres, the structure-property relationships of the various classes of luminescent transition metal complexes can be obtained. With the knowledge and fundamental understanding of their photophysical behaviours, their electronic absorption and luminescence properties can be fine-tuned. Introduction of supramolecular assembly with hierarchical complexity involving non-covalent interactions could lead to research dimensions of unlimited possibilities and opportunities. The approach of "function by design" could be employed to explore and exploit the potential applications of such luminescent transition metal complexes for future development of luminescent materials.     

Diaryldichalcogenide radical cations

One-electron oxidation of two series of diaryldichalcogenides (C₆F₅E)₂ (13a–c) and (2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃E)₂ (16a–c) was studied (E = S, Se, Te). The reaction of 13a and 13b with AsF₅ and SbF₅ gave rise to the formation of thermally unstable radical cations [(C₆F₅S)₂]˙⁺ (14a) and [(C₆F₅Se)₂]˙⁺ (14b) that were isolated as [Sb₂F₁₁]^– and [As₂F₁₁]^– salts, respectively. The reaction of 13c with AsF₅ afforded only the product of a Te–C bond cleavage, namely the previously known dication [Te₄]²⁺ that was isolated as [AsF₆]^– salt. The reaction of (2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃E)₂ (16a–c) with [NO][SbF₆] provided the corresponding radical cations [(2,6-Mes₂C₆H₃E)₂]˙⁺ (17a–c; E = S, Se, Te) in the form of thermally stable [SbF₆]^– salts in nearly quantitative yields. The electronic and structural properties of these radical cations were probed by X-ray diffraction analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and density functional theory calculations and other methods.     

Nonlinear d10-ML2 Transition-Metal Complexes

Invited for this month′s cover is the group of Prof. F. Matthias Bickelhaupt. The cover picture illustrates the authors′ quantum chemical finding that π electrons can significantly bend otherwise linear d¹⁰-ML₂ complexes through backbonding. For more details, see the Full Paper on p. 106 ff.The Group of F. Matthias BickelhauptDepartment of Theoretical Chemistry Amsterdam Center for Multiscale Modeling VU University E-mail: ln.uv@tpuahlekciB.M.FInstitute for Molecules and Materials Radboud University Nijmegen     

Synthesis and Structures of d10–d10 M2(μ‐dppm)2 Complexes with Sensitive Metal–Metal Distances in Response to the Binding of Sigma Donors

Diphosphine‐bridged dicopper(I) acetate complexes [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)]X ( 2 X; X^? = , ) and [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)(MeCN)]X ( 4 X) were prepared and the structures of 2 (PF₆ ) and 4 (PF₆ ) determined by X‐ray crystallography. The ground‐state geometries of [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)]⁺ and [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)(L)]⁺ (L = py, MeCN, THF, acetone, MeOH) were also obtained using density functional theory (DFT). The increased Cu – Cu distances found experimentally and theoretically by comparing the structures of cation [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)]⁺ and its derivatives [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)(L)]⁺ reflect the binding of various sigma donors (L). When using [Cu₂(μ‐dppm)₂(μ‐OAc)]⁺ as a structure sensor, the electron‐donating strength of a sigma donor can be quantitatively expressed as a DFT‐calculated Cu – Cu distance with the relative strength in the order py > MeCN > THF > acetone > MeOH, as determined.     

A hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster

The hexanuclear gold carbonyl cluster [PPh₄]₂[Au₆(CF₃)₆Br₂(CO)₂] (4) has been obtained by spontaneous self-assembly of the following independent units: CF₃AuCO (1) and [PPh₄][Br(AuCF₃)₂] (3). The cyclo-Au₆ aggregate 4, in which the components are held together by unassisted, fairly strong aurophilic interactions (Au···Au ∼310 pm), exhibits a cyclohexane-like arrangement with chair conformation. These aurophilic interactions also result in significant ν(CO) lowering: from 2194 cm^–1 in the separate component 1 to 2171 cm^–1 in the mixed aggregate 4. Procedures to prepare the single-bridged dinuclear component 3 as well as the mononuclear derivative [PPh₄][CF₃AuBr] (2) are also reported.     

Dmitrij Ivanovič Mendeleev (1834–1907): Zum 100. Todestag

The 100th anniversary of death of Mendeleev is occasion for us to appreciate live and work of this great scientist whose name is inseparable from the periodical system of elements and who accomplished pathbreaking benefits not only in the chemical field.     

One-pot synthesis of VO x /Al 2 O 3 as efficient catalysts for propane dehydrogenation

Vanadium oxides, as highly efficiently catalysts, are widely applied in various catalytic reactions, such as the dehydrogenation of light alkanes and epoxidation of alkenes. In this paper, a series of VO _x /Al ₂ O ₃ catalysts were fabricated by the 1-pot method for catalytic propane dehydrogenation. The results indicated that the VO _x /Al ₂ O ₃ catalysts with loading of 10 wt.% vanadium exhibited optimized catalytic performance. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by N ₂ adsorption-desorption, XRD, TEM, H ₂ -TPR, and XPS to explore the texture properties, morphology, and electronic environment of vanadium. In addition, several vanadium catalysts were also prepared by the incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) method to compare their catalytic performance with the 1-pot synthesized catalysts. The catalysts synthesized by the 1-pot method exhibited higher selectivity of propylene and longer catalyst lifetime at high propane conversion when compared to the counterpart synthesized by the IWI method.     

Conducting polyfurans by electropolymerization of oligofurans

Polyfurans have never been established as useful conjugated polymers, as previously they were considered to be inherently unstable and poorly conductive. Here, we show the preparation of stable and conducting polyfuran films by electropolymerization of a series of oligofurans of different chain lengths substituted with alkyl groups. The polyfuran films show good conductivity in the order of 1 S cm^–1, good environmental and electrochemical stabilities, very smooth morphologies (roughness 1–5 nm), long effective conjugation lengths, well-defined spectroelectrochemistry and electro-optical switching (in the Vis-NIR region), and have optical band-gaps in the range of 2.2–2.3 eV. A low oxidation potential needed for polymerization of oligofurans (compared to furan) is a key factor in achievement of improved properties of polyfurans reported in this work. DFT calculations and experiments show that polyfurans are much more rigid than polythiophenes, and alkyl substitution does not disturb backbone planarity and conjugation. The obtained properties of polyfuran films are similar or superior to the properties of electrochemically prepared poly(oligothiophene)s under similar conditions.