Reversibly reducible cis-dichloroplatinum(II) and cis-dichloropalladium(II) complexes of bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)glyoxal

Complexes cis-MCl2(big), big=bis(1-methylimidazol-2-yl)glyoxal, M=Pt, Pd, were prepared and characterized through electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and for M=Pt, by X-ray structure analysis. The seven-membered chelate ring formed through N,N' coordination of the ligand big shows a boat conformation in agreement with density functional theory (DFT) calculation results. No significant intermolecular interactions were observed for the platinum compound. Both the PdII and PtII complexes undergo reversible one-electron reduction in CH2Cl2/ 0.1 M Bu4NPF6; the reduced palladium compound disintegrates above -30 degrees C. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), UV-vis, and IR spectroelectrochemistry studies were employed to study the monoanions. The anion radical complex [cis-PtCl2(big)]*- exhibits a well-resolved EPR spectrum with small but well-detectable g anisotropy and an isotropic 195Pt hyperfine coupling of 12.2 G. DFT calculations confirm the spin concentration in the alpha-semidione part of the radical complex with small delocalization to the bis(imidazolyl)metal section. The results show that EPR and electroactive moieties can be linked to the cis-dichloroplatinum(II) group via imidazole coordination.     

Intraparticle Charge Delocalization through Conjugated Metal-Ligand Interfacial Bonds: Effects of Metal d Electrons?

Intraparticle charge delocalization occurs when metal nanoparticles are functionalized with organic capping ligands through conjugated metal-ligand interfacial bonds. In this study, metal nanoparticles of 5d metals (Ir, Pt, and Au) and 4d metals (Ru, Rh, and Pd) were prepared and capped with ethynylphenylacetylene and the impacts of the number of metal d electrons on the nanoparticle optoelectronic properties were examined. Both FTIR and photoluminescence measurements indicate that intraparticle charge delocalization was enhanced with the increase of the number of d electrons in the same period with palladium being an exception.     

Mechanism of ketone and alcohol formations from alkenes and alkynes on the head-to-head 2-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex

Reactions of the head-to-head 2-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex having nonequivalent two platinum atoms, Pt(N(2)O(2)) and Pt(N(4)), with p-styrenesulfonate, 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonate, 4-penten-1-ol, and 4-pentyn-1-ol were studied kinetically. Under the pseudo first-order reaction conditions that the concentration of the Pt(III) dinuclear complex is much smaller than that of olefin, a consecutive basically four-step reaction was observed: the olefin pi-coordinates preferentially to the Pt(N(2)O(2)) in the first step (step 1), followed by the second pi-coordination of another olefin molecule to the Pt(N(4)) (step 2). In the next step (step 3), the nucleophilic attack of water to the coordinated olefin triggers the pi-sigma bond conversion on the Pt(N(2)O(2)), and the second pi-bonding olefin molecule on the Pt(N(4)) is released. Finally, reductive elimination occurs to the alkyl group on the Pt(N(2)O(2)) to produce the alkyl compound (step 4). The first water substitution with olefin (step 1) occurs to the diaqua and aquahydroxo forms of the complex, whereas the second substitution (step 2) proceeds either on the coordinated OH(-) on the Pt(N(4)) (path a) or on the coordinatively unsaturated five-coordinate intermediate of the Pt(N(4)) (path b), in addition to the common substitution of H(2)O (path c). The reactions of p-styrenesulfonate and 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonate proceed through paths b and c, whereas the reactions of 4-penten-1-ol and 4-pentyn-1-ol proceed through paths a and c. This difference reflects the difference of the trans effect and/or trans influence of the pi-coordinated olefins on the Pt(N(2)O(2)). The pentacoordinate state in path b is employed only by the sulfo-olefins, because these exert stronger trans effect. The steps 3 and 4 reflect the effect of the axial alkyl ligand (R) on the charge localization (R-Pt(IV)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(II)(N(4))) and delocalization (R-Pt(III)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(III)(N(4))-OH(2)); when R is p-styrenesulfonate having an electron withdrawing group, the charge localization in the dimer is less pronounced and the water molecule on the Pt(N(4)) atom is retained (R-Pt(III)(N(2)O(2))-Pt(III)(N(4))-OH(2)) in the intermediate state. In both routes, the alkyl group undergoes nucleophilic attack of water, and the oxidized products are released via reductive elimination.     

Nanostructured Polyaniline-Decorated Pt/C@PANI Core-Shell Catalyst with Enhanced Durability and Activity

We have designed and synthesized a polyaniline (PANI)-decorated Pt/C@PANI core-shell catalyst that shows enhanced catalyst activity and durability compared with nondecorated Pt/C. The experimental results demonstrate that the activity for the oxygen reduction reaction strongly depends on the thickness of the PANI shell and that the greatest enhancement in catalytic properties occurs at a thickness of 5 nm, followed by 2.5, 0, and 14 nm. Pt/C@PANI also demonstrates significantly improved stability compared with that of the unmodified Pt/C catalyst. The high activity and stability of the Pt/C@PANI catalyst is ascribed to its novel PANI-decorated core-shell structure, which induces both electron delocalization between the Pt d orbitals and the PANI π-conjugated ligand and electron transfer from Pt to PANI. The stable PANI shell also protects the carbon support from direct exposure to the corrosive environment.     

Poly-p-phenylene phosphine/polyaniline alternating copolymers: electronic delocalization through phosphorus

Phosphorus-containing poly(N-arylaniline)s and related polymer model compounds have been prepared. The spectroscopic and electronic properties of the materials were investigated via UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. PPPP-PANI copolymers containing p-phenylene diamine units in the polymer backbone have electronic and spectroscopic properties characteristic of aromatic substituted p-phenylene diamines. Copolymers containing -(-C(6)H(4)-P-C(6)H(4)-P-C(6)H(4)-)- linkages between nitrogen centers show evidence for weak electronic delocalization along the polymer chain. The electrochemical and spectroscopic properties support strong electronic delocalization in copolymers containing -(-P-C(6)H(4)-N-C(6)H(4)-)- repeat units. The presence of a single diphenylphosphine bridge between nitrogen centers provides an efficient mode of electronic delocalization between nitrogen centers. PPPP oxide-PANI copolymers and related polymer model compounds were also prepared and investigated. The resemblance of PPPP oxide-PANI copolymers to isolated p-phenylene diamines or triarylamines suggests electronic isolation of the amine fragments in the polymer. The conversion of phosphorus(III) phosphines to phosphorus(V) phosphine oxides inhibits electronic delocalization through phosphorus, further supporting delocalization of the lone pair of electrons on phosphorus in PPPP-PANI copolymers. PPPP-PANI copolymers are a new type of pi-conjugated polymer with low oxidation potentials and electronic delocalization through phosphorus along the polymer chain.     

Dianionic platinadiphospholene complexes

1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-1,2-dihydrodiphosphetene 1 reacts with lithium or sodium naphthalenide to afford the corresponding dianionic salts 2 and 3. An X-ray crystal structure analysis shows that dianion 3 of general formula [(1)2-2Na3(DME)2, Na(DME)3] is a polymeric structure consisting of [(1)2-2Na3(DME)2] units which are connected together through one sodium atom. Reaction of the dianionic lithium salt 2 with [Pt(COD)Cl2] affords the 4[Li(2.2.1)]2 complex, after the addition of 2 equiv of (2.2.1) cryptate. The overall geometry around platinum in 4[Li(2.2.1)]2 can be described as distorted square planar, and only the diastereomer (1-R, 2-S, 3-R, 4-S) is formed. X-ray data indicate that no delocalization takes place within each platinadiphospholene unit and that complex 4[Li(2.2.1)]2 must be regarded as the coordination of two molecules of dianion 2 onto a Pt2+ center. Reaction of the dianionic sodium salt 3 with 1 equiv of [Pt(COD)Cl2] produces the 4[Na(DME,Et2O)]2 complex which adopts a pseudotetrahedral geometry around platinum ( between interplane angles = 35), the two cationic units [Na(DME, Et2O)] being located along a C2 axis. Four weak interactions exist between the sodium cations and the phosphorus atoms. Only the (1-S, 2-S, 3-S, 4-S) diastereomer is formed. Bond distances in the diphospholene units of 4[Na(DME,Et2O)]2 are close to that of dianion 3 indicating that, like in 4[Li(2.2.1)]2, the complex can be described as a platinum (+2) dianionic species.     

Analysis of Hückel's [4n + 2] rule through electronic delocalization measures

In the present work, we analyze the pi-electronic delocalization in a series of annulenes and their dications and dianions by using electron delocalization indices calculated in the framework of the quantum theory of atoms in molecules. The aim of our study is to discuss the Hückel's 4n + 2 rule from the viewpoint of pi-electronic delocalization. Our results show that there is an important increase of electronic delocalization (of about 1 e) when going from antiaromatic 4n pi systems to aromatic (4n + 2)pi systems. Less clear is the change in pi-electronic delocalization when we move from a (4n + 2)pi-aromatic to a 4n pi-antiaromatic species by adding or removing a pair of electrons.     

Electron delocalization patterns in models of distorted (D2d) mixed-valence cubanes

Low-symmetry distortions are present in cubanes such as Fe(4)S(4), but their effects on electron delocalization properties are not well-understood. Mixed-valence cubanes often exhibit experimentally measurable "pair delocalization" of a delocalizable electron. An important question is, what is the role of physical interactions (vibronic, electronic, exchange) and symmetry distortions in determining the electron delocalization pattern? Semiclassical models are used to explore the electron delocalization patterns of S=1/2 tetragonally (D(2d)) distorted mixed-valence cubanes comprising four metal centers with bridging ligands, a single delocalizable "excess" electron, and either closed-shell or open-shell ion cores. Phase diagrams show that distorted S=1/2 ground state cubanes with antiferromagnetic exchange (as found in nature) have delocalization patterns qualitatively similar to those of an S=1/2 model with no Heisenberg exchange, suggesting that exchange is not necessarily a dominant factor in determining electron delocalization properties. The open-shell model reveals two types of pair delocalization for the S=1/2 ground state, with differing dimer subunit spins for compressed and elongated geometries. Previous studies emphasize the importance of exchange interactions for pair delocalization. Here, it is shown that electron exchange is not always necessary for pair delocalization and that it can be achieved with relatively small tetragonal distortions from tetrahedral (T(d)) symmetry. The results contradict those of an earlier theoretical study of distorted Fe(4)S(4) clusters, which concluded that distortions of lower symmetry than D(2d) are necessary to induce a transition to pair delocalization.     

Synthesis, characterization, and cytotoxicity of a novel highly charged trinuclear platinum compound. Enhancement of cellular uptake with charge

Charge delocalization (6+ to 8+) in "noncovalent" linear trinuclear platinum complexes produces compounds with cytotoxicity in some cases equivalent to cisplatin. The cellular uptake of a novel 8+ compound is greater than that of neutral cisplatin as well as other multinuclear Pt compounds.     

Star-Shaped nanomolecules based on p-phenylene sulfide asterisks with a persulfurated coronene core

Persulfurated p-phenylene sulfide (PPS) molecular asterisks (6-9) from "generations" 1 to 4 were efficiently prepared. They represent a new class of electron-accepting PPS star-shaped nanomolecules. Spectroelectrochemistry, cyclic voltammetry and UV-visible studies were performed for the asterisks and for functionalized p-phenylene sulfide oligomers (1-4). These data confirmed for the first time that an electronic delocalization through the whole asterisk molecule exists in the radical anionic or dianionic forms, in spite of divalent sulfur bridges between phenyl groups. They could be seen as globular spheres with a three-dimensional electronic network and delocalization. Electrochemical studies indicated that sulfur substituents strongly stabilize the reduced form of the asterisk relative to coronene itself, and the ease of reduction depends on the PPS chain length.     

High activity of Pt(4)Mo alloy for the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid

Surface processes on Pt4Mo alloy well-defined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were studied in acid solution by cyclic voltammetry. It was established that Mo in the alloy is much more resistant toward electrochemical dissolution than pure Mo. During the potential cycling of Pt4Mo surfaces in completely quiescent electrolyte, hydrous Mo-oxide could be generated on Mo sites. Investigation of the formic acid oxidation revealed that this type of Mo-oxide enhances the reaction rate by more than 1 order of magnitude with respect to pure Pt. Surface poisoning by CO(ads) is significantly lower on Pt4Mo alloy than on pure Pt. The effect of hydrous Mo-oxide on the HCOOH oxidation rate was explained through the facilitated removal of the poisoning species and through its possible influence on the intrinsic rate of the direct reaction path.     

Theoretical study of CCl(4) adsorption and hydrogenation on a Pt (111) surface

The adsorption and hydrogenation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) on a Pt (111) surface have been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). We have performed calculations on the adsorption energies and structures of CCl(4) on four different adsorption sites of a Pt (111) surface using the full adsorbate geometry optimization method. The results show that the adsorption energy of all of the potential sites is less than -17 kcal/mol, which indicates that CCl(4) is physiosorbed on a Pt (111) surface through van der Waals interactions. The dissociation and hydrogenation pathways were investigated by a transition state search. For the Pt(15), Pt(19), and Pt(25) cluster surfaces, the activation energies of dissociation obtained in this work are 15.69, 16.94, and 16.77 kcal/mol, respectively. The hydrogenation of CCl(3). was studied at the on-top site of the Pt(15) cluster, and the calculated activation energy is 5.06 kcal/mol. The small activation energies indicate that the Pt (111) surface has high catalytic activity for the CCl(4) hydrogenation reaction. In addition, the Hirshfeld population analysis reveals that the charge transfer from the Pt (111) surface to the adsorbates occurs in both the dissociation and hydrogenation pathways.     

Synthese und Kristallstruktur von dimerem Dipyrazoldipyrazolato-platin(II), [Pt(pz)2(Hpz)2]2

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Dimeric Dipyrazole Dipyrazolato Platinum(II), [Pt(pz)₂(Hpz)₂]₂ The dimeric complex [Pt(pz)₂(Hpz)₂]₂ (Hpz = pyrazole) is obtained in water from [Pt(Hpz)₄]²⁺ and OH^? or pz^?. The colorless compound is insoluble in water. It decomposes at 191°C to form Pt(pz)₂. [Pt(pz)₂(Hpz)₂]₂ crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2/c with the lattice constants a = 2 165.5, b = 972,0, c = 1 648.4 pm, β = 123.09°, Z = 4. Each Pt²⁺ ion is coordinated in a square-planar arrangement by two Hpz molecules and two pz^? anions. The dimeric complex is formed by four symmetrical N? H? N bridges between the Hpz and pz^? ligands of both Pt atoms causing a complete charge delocalization between the ligands. The complex has the symmetry C₂ with two of the bridging H atoms lying on the symmetry axis. The Pt? N distances of 200 pm correspond to covalent single bonds. v(NH) is observed as broad absorption at 2 400 cm^?1.     

Mechanism of the axial ligand substitution reactions on the head-to-tail alpha-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex with olefins

Reactions of the head-to-tail alpha-pyridonato-bridged cis-diammineplatinum(III) dinuclear complex having equivalent two platinum atoms, Pt(N(3)O), with p-styrenesulfonate and 4-penten-1-ol were studied kinetically. Under the pseudo first-order reaction conditions in which the concentration of the Pt(III) dinuclear complex is much smaller than that of olefin, a consecutive basically four-step reaction was observed for the reaction with p-styrenesulfonate, but for the reaction with 4-penten-1-ol, the reaction was three step. The olefin pi-coordinates to one of the two equivalent Pt atoms in the first step (step 1), followed by the second pi-coordination of another olefin molecule to the other Pt atom (step 2). In the next step (step 3), the nucleophilic attack of water to the first pi-coordinated olefin initiates its pi-sigma bond conversion on the Pt atom, and the second pi-bonding olefin molecule on the other Pt atom is released. Finally, dissociation of the alkyl group on the Pt(N(3)O) and reduction of the Pt(III) dinuclear complex to the Pt(II) dinuclear complex occur (step 4). The first water substitution with olefin (step 1) consists of two paths, the reaction of the diaqua dimer complex (path a) and the reaction of the aquahydroxo dimer complex (path b), whereas the second substitution (step 2) proceeds through three reaction paths: the normal path of the direct substitution of H(2)O (path c), the path of the coordinated OH(-) substitution (path d), and the path via the coordinatively unsaturated five-coordinate intermediate (path e). The reaction with p-styrenesulfonate proceeds through paths c, d, and e, whereas the reaction with 4-penten-1-ol proceeds through paths c and d. The third step (step 3) for the reaction with p-styrenesulfonate involves the coordinatively unsaturated intermediate, but that for the 4-pentene reaction does not. The reactivities of the HH dimer and HT dimer with olefins are compared and discussed.     

Dinuclear nickel and palladium complexes with bridging 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinonediimines: synthesis, structures, and catalytic oligomerization of ethylene

Dinuclear, divalent acetylacetonato (acac) complexes of the type [M(acac){mu-C6H2(--NR)4}M(acac)] (M = Ni, Pd) have been prepared by the reaction of the corresponding bis(acac) metal precursor with 2,5-diamino-1,4-benzoquinonediimines C6H2(NHR)2(=NR)2 (4a, R = CH2-t-Bu; 4b, R = CH2Ph; 4c, R = Ph), which are metalated and become bridging ligands, also like in the complex [(C8H11)Pt{mu-C6H2(--NCH2-t-Bu)4}Pt(C8H11)] (6) obtained by the reaction of 4a with [PtCl2(COD)]. The complexes were fully characterized, including by X-ray diffraction for [Ni(acac){mu-C6H2(--NCH2Ph)4}Ni(acac)] (9b) and [Pd(acac){mu-C6H2(--NCH2-t-Bu)4}Pd(acac)] (10a). The coordination geometry around the metal ions is square-planar, and a complete electronic delocalization of the quinonoid pi system occurs between the metal centers over the two N--C--C--C--N halves of the ligand. The nature of the N substituent explains the differences between the supramolecular stacking arrangements found for [Ni(acac){mu-C6H2(--NR)4}Ni(acac)] (9a; R = CH2-t-Bu; 9b, R = CH2Ph). The Ni complexes were evaluated as catalyst precursors for ethylene oligomerization in the presence of AlEtCl(2) or MAO as the cocatalyst, in particular in order to study possible cooperative effects resulting from electronic communication between the metal centers and to examine the influence of the N substituent on the activity and selectivity. These catalysts afforded mostly ethylene dimers and trimers.     

Length-controllable catalyzing-synthesis and length-corresponding properties of FeCo/Pt nanorods

Newly designed magnetic-alloy/noble-metal FeCo/Pt nanorods have been first reported and fabricated through a length-controllable catalyzing-synthesis process in which the growth of FeCo nanorods was induced on Pt nanotips. The length of FeCo/Pt nanorods depends on the number of platinum nanotips. The proposed synthesis mechanism was corroborated by scanning electron microscopy, transition electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. With the decrease of Fe content in Fe(x)Co(96-x)/Pt(4) nanoalloys from 77 to 15, the morphology changes from nanorods with different lengths to nanoparticles. The analysis of the magnetic hysteresis loops indicated that the magnetic saturation and coercivity were strongly dependent on the length of the nanorods in which maximum saturation magnetization and minimum coercivity were obtained for Fe(77)Co(19)/Pt(4) nanorods with the length of ～2.5 μm. In particular, FeCo/Pt exhibited length-dependent reactivity towards 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, and Fe(77)Co(19)/Pt(4) nanorods with the length of ～2.5 μm yielded the greatest dechlorination rate. Moreover, Pt can enhance the dechlorination of 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane.     

Pt-Ag clusters and their neutral mononuclear Pt(II) starting complexes: structural and luminescence studies

The mononuclear complexes [Pt(bzq)(S^S)] [S^S = pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (pdtc 1), dimethyldithiocarbamate (dmdtc 2)] were prepared by reaction of [Pt(bzq)(NCMe)(2)]ClO(4) with an equimolecular amount of [NH(4)(pdtc)] and [Na(dmdtc)·2H(2)O] respectively in MeOH. Reactions of 1 and 2 with AgClO(4) in 1 : 1 and 2 : 1 molar ratios rendered the heteropolinuclear compounds [{Pt(bzq)(S^S)Ag}(2)](ClO(4))(2) (S^S = pdtc 3, dmdtc 4) and [{Pt(bzq)(S^S)}(2)Ag](ClO(4)) (S^S = pdtc 5, dmdtc 6) respectively. The X-ray studies on single crystals of 3 and 4 showed that both consist of tetranuclear [Pt(2)Ag(2)] clusters with the Pt-Ag and the Ag-Ag distances in the range of those corresponding to Pt-Ag dative bonds and argentophilic interactions. In 3 the tetranuclear [Pt(2)Ag(2)] clusters are connected into infinite polymeric chains by Pt···Pt metallophilic interactions (Pt···Pt = 3.1890(7) ?). The X-ray study on a single crystal of 5 showed that it is a polymer based on trinuclear [Pt(2)Ag] clusters containing two unsupported Pt-Ag dative bonds and connected by Ag-S bonds in such a way that the "Pt-Ag-S-Pt-Ag-S" atoms draw a zigzag polymeric chain. TD-DFT calculations carried out for 1 indicate that the lowest energy absorption band in CH(2)Cl(2) can be described as a mixture of (1)MLCT, (1)IL and (1)L'LCT transitions. Powdered samples of 1 at 298 K and 77 K show a green-yellow emission band coming mainly from a (3)LC excited state. However complex 2 shows "luminescence thermochromism": the colour of its luminescence changes from green-yellow at 77 K to orange-red at 298 K. The emission of the Pt-Ag clusters, 3-6, in the solid state, are due to excimeric (3)ππ and/or (3)MMLCT (dσ* →π*) low-lying excited states, indicating that the presence of silver in the clusters makes the "Pt(bzq)(S^S)" fragments interact to a large extent through Pt···Pt and/or π-π interactions. Solid 3 is a highly selective vapochromic compound towards acetonitrile although this behaviour is not fully reversible.     

原位FTIR及探针反应法研究Pt与L沸石的相互作用

本文报道了一种适合催化研究的金属原位IR池,Pt分散在NH~4L沸石上呈缺电子性,在异丙醇分解反应中不显示脱氢活性,但通过加氢抗结炭作用保护着沸石上的酸位,从而增强了NH~4L沸石的酸性催化作用,负载在碱性KL沸石上的Pt呈富电子性,在反应中极易被噻吩中毒(Pt/KL+NH~4L)混合样品在预处理和反应的过程中Pt从KL 向NH~4L沸石上迁移,导致其催化性能相似于Pt/NH~4L,实验证明:Pt与L 沸石载体之间存在着明显的相互作用,由于Pt易给出电子而不易接受电子,因此与酸位的相互作用强于与碱位的相互作用.     

Self-assembly, structures, and photophysical properties of 4,4'-bipyrazolate-linked metallo-macrocycles with dimetal clips

By employing functional diimine ligands coordinated dipalladium(II,II) or diplatinum(II,II) clips as corners and the coplanar 4,4'-bipyrazolate dianion (L(2-)) ligand as linker, a series of bipyrazolate-bridged metallo-macrocycles, namely, [M8L4](NO3)8 (M = Pd(dmbpy), 1; Pd(bpy), 2; Pt(bpy), 3a; Pd(phen), 4; Pt(phen), 5; Pd(15-crown-5-phen), 6; Pd(18-crown-6-phen), 8; Pd(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 10a; Pt(15-crown-5-phen), 7a, Pt(18-crown-6-phen), 9a; Pt(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 11a) and [M6L3](NO3)6 (M = Pt(bpy), 3b; Pt(15-crown-5-phen), 7b; Pt(18-crown-6-phen), 9b; Pd(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 10b; Pt(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 11b), have been synthesized through a directed self-assembly approach that involves spontaneous deprotonation of the 1H-bipyrazolyl ligands in aqueous solution. All these compounds have a crown-shaped cavity that can serve as host to solvent molecules and anions. The structures are characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H and (13)C NMR, ESI-MS, and in the cases of 1a (the BF4(-) salt of 1), 2a (the BF4(-) salt of 2), and 3b by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Photophysical properties for complexes 1 and 2 are discussed.     

Structure sensitivity of methanol electrooxidation pathways on platinum: an on-line electrochemical mass spectrometry study

By monitoring the mass fractions of CO(2) (m/z 44) and methylformate (m/z 60, formed from CH(3)OH + HCOOH) with on-line electrochemical mass spectrometry (OLEMS), the selectivity and structure sensitivity of the methanol oxidation pathways were investigated on the basal planes--Pt(111), Pt(110), and Pt(100)--and the stepped Pt electrodes--Pt(554) and Pt(553)--in sulfuric and perchloric acid electrolytes. The maximum reactivity of the MeOH oxidation reaction on Pt(111), Pt(110), and Pt(100) increases in the order Pt(111) < Pt(110) < Pt(100). Mass spectrometry results indicate that the direct oxidation pathway through soluble intermediates plays a pronounced role on Pt(110) and Pt(111), while, on Pt(100), the indirect pathway through adsorbed carbon monoxide is predominant. In 0.5 M H(2)SO(4), introducing steps in the (111) plane increases the total reaction rate, while the relative importance of the direct pathway decreases considerably. In 0.5 M HClO(4), however, introducing steps increases both the total reaction rate and the selectivity toward the direct oxidation pathway. Anion (sulfate) adsorption on (111) leads to a more prominent role of the direct pathway, but, on all the other surfaces, (bi)sulfate seems to block the formation of soluble intermediates. For both electrolytes, increasing the step density results in more methylformate being formed relative to the amount of CO(2) detected, indicating that the [110] steps themselves catalyze the direct oxidation pathway. A detailed reaction scheme for the methanol oxidation mechanism is suggested based on the literature and the results obtained here.