New methods of preparation of hydroxy-closo-decaborates [B10H10 − n (OH) n ]2− (n = 1, 2)

New methods of preparation of hydroxy-closo-decaborates [B₁₀H_{10 ? n} (OH) _n ]^2? (n = 1, 2) that are based on the reaction of anions [B₁₀H_{10 ? n} (OAc) _n ]^2? and alkoxyethylidenoxonio-closo-decaborates [2-B₁₀H₉OC(OR)CH₃]^? with aqueous solution of hydrazine are proposed. The obtained compounds were characterized by IR, ESI/MS, and NMR (¹H, ¹¹B, ¹³C) spectroscopy.     

Why edge inversion? Theoretical characterization of the bonding in the transition states for inversion in F n NH(3−n) and FnPH(3−n) (n = 0–3)

As first noted by Dixon et al. (J Am Chem Soc 108:2461–2462, 1986), heavily fluorinated pyramidal phosphorus compounds, e.g., F _n PH_(3?n) with n > 1, invert through a T-shaped transition state (edge inversion) rather than the D_3h-like transition states (vertex inversion) found in the corresponding nitrogen compounds and less fluorinated phosphorus compounds. Subsequent studies by Dixon and coworkers established that this is a general phenomenon and has important chemical consequences. But what is the reason for the change in the structure of the transition state? Recent theoretical investigations have resulted in the discovery of a new type of chemical bond, the recoupled pair bond. In particular, it was found that recoupled pair bond dyads account for the hypervalency of the elements beyond the first row. In this paper, we show that recoupled pair bond dyads also account for the existence of the edge inversion pathway in heavily fluorinated phosphorus compounds and likely account for the presence of the lower energy inversion pathways in pyramidal compounds of other elements beyond the first row.     

Gaussian density-functional study for small neutral (Al n ), positive (Al n + ) and negative (Al n − ) aluminium clusters (n=2–5)

The structures and properties of Al _n , Al _n ⁺ , Al _n ^– (n=1,5) clusters have been investigated by using the Linear Combination of Gaussian Type Orbitals (LCGTO) method, considering Local (LSD) and Non Local (NLSD) Spin Density Approximations and employing a Model Core Potential (MCP) that allows the explicit treatment of 3s ² 3p ¹ valence electrons. For each system different geometrical structures and electronic states have been considered. For Al₃, Al ₃ ⁺ , Al ₃ ^– the most stable geometry proved to be the equilateral triangle (D _3h ). Al₄ and Al ₄ ⁺ prefer the rhombus (D _2h ) structure, while the corresponding anion prefers the square (D _4h ) one. The trapezoidal form (C _2v ) is the most stable isomer for Al₅, Al ₅ ⁺ and Al ₅ ^– clusters. The analysis of vibrational frequencies shows that these structures are minima in the potential energy surface. The binding energies (D _e), the adiabatic ionization potentials (IP) and electron affinities (EA), the chemical potentials or absolute hardnesses () and electronegativities () have been computed. Results are in good agreement with the available experimental data and the previous high level theoretical computations.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of (CO2)n(H2O) m − clusters

Photoelectron spectra of (CO₂)_nH₂O^? (2≤n≤8) and (CO₂)_n(H₂O) ₂ ^? (1≤n≤2) were measured at the photon energy of 3.49 eV. The spectra show unresolved broad features, which are approximated by Gaussians. The vertical detachment energies (VDEs) were determined as a function of the cluster size. For (CO₂)_nH₂O^?, the VDE-n plots exhibit a sharp discontinuity between n=3 and 4; the VDE value is ≈3.5 eV at n=3, while it drops down abruptly to 2.59 eV at n=4. This discontinuity in VDE is ascribed to "core switching" at n=4; a C₂O ₄ ^? dimer anion forms the core of (CO₂)_nH₂O^? for n≤3, while a monomer CO ₂ ^? is the core for n≥4. The (CO₂)₂(H₂O) ₂ ^? ion has a VDE of 2.33 eV, indicating the presence of a CO ₂ ^? monomer core in the binary clusters containing two H₂O molecules.     

Energetics and structure in I 2 − (CO2) n clusters

We have implemented a model of I ₂ ^? (CO₂) _n (2 ≤n ≤ 17) clusters and present an analysis of the minimum energy structures obtained from a quenching procedure. A discussion of the importance of various potential contributions to the energetics of the clusters is also presented. Given the current state of understanding of structural control of caging and the time scales of recombination and evaporation, this model has important implications for understanding the picosecond dynamics observed by the Lineberger group and for rigorous studies of evaporation rates.     

Spatial structure and electronic spectrum of TiSi n − clusters (n = 6–18)

Results from optimizing the spatial structure and calculated electronic spectra of anion clusters TiSi _n ^? (n = 6–18) are presented. Calculations are performed within the density functional theory. Spatial structures of clusters detected experimentally are established by comparing the calculated and experimental data. It is shown that prismatic and fullerene-like structures are the ones most energetically favorable for clusters TiSi _n ^? . It is concluded that these structures are basic when building clusters with close numbers of silicon atoms.     

Pressure tuning spectroscopy of [Pt3(CO)6]2−n (n=3–5)

The pressure shifts of the first three bands appearing in the visible spectra of [Pt₃(CO)₆]²⁻_n (n = 3–5) have been measured in solution over the range 0–10 kbar. Previous electronic calculations performed on the dimer in conjunction with these results afford a possible set of assignments for the first three bands appearing in the visible spectrum for the dimer.     

Polymeric (NO)3(N2O) n , (NO)3(N2O) n + , and (NO)3(N2O) n − : an interpretation of experimental observations

Semi-empirical and ab initio calculations are reported which provide a possible explanation for reported experimental results on 2-photon ionization of NO containing a few percent of N₂O, which found (NO)₃(N₂O) _n ^+or? clusters to be significantly more abundant than other (NO) _m (N₂O) _n products. It is found that the observed abundances of (NO)₃(N₂O) _n ionic clusters may be accounted for by the existence of covalent cyclic trimers of nitric oxide attached to oligomers of nitrous oxide. The extra stability of NO trimers in the observed clusters appears to arise from (NO) ₃ ⁺ rather than (NO)₃. Attachment of an (N₂O) _n side chain to (NO) ₃ ⁺ occurs exothermically. It is suggested that the addition of N₂O to cyclic-(NO) ₃ ⁺ might provide a means of making a polymer of nitrous oxide, which could have useful properties.     

Theoretical Study of Electronic Structure and Stability of Mixed AlmBn−mH n 2− and CmBn−mH n 2−m (n = 6, 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) Clusters

Density functional theory (DFT) method with B3LYP functional and 6-311++G(d,p) basis set has been used to predict the geometries, relative stabilities, electronic structures and bonding analysis of Mixed Al_mB_n?mH _n ^2? and C_mB_n?mH _n ^2?m (n = 6, 10, 12 and m = 1, 2) clusters; being compared to the B_nH _n ^2? ones. Therefore, the DFT results suggest that the replacing of boron by aluminium or carbon is governed by Natural net charges following Gimar’s and Williams’s rules. The Al_mB_n?mH _n ^2? structures are relatively distorted compared to those of B_nH _n ^2? and C_mB_n?mH _n ^2?m . In Al_mB_n?mH _n ^2? structures Al atoms prefer the adjacent sites, however for the C₂B_n?2H_n cluster cages, the carbon atoms are positioned at diametrically opposed sites. The large HOMO–LUMO gaps show that the predicted clusters have chemical stabilities, principally, those of Al_mB_n?mH _n ^2? ones, which are not experimentally isolated. The optimized geometries obtained through boron substitution by Al and C lead to compactness and to contracted structures, respectively, where B–B bonds are the shortest in mono- and di-carbaboranes.     

The reactions of [Fe2(η-C5H5)2(CO)4−n(CNMe)n] (n = 0–4) complexes with halogens and mercury(II) salts

Halogens, X₂, and HgY₂ (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = X, F, NO₃, BF₄) cleave the metalmetal bonds in [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CO)_4−n(CNMe)_n] complexes (n = 0–4). Typically, e.g., when n = 2, X₂ electrophiles give [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNMe)X] (a) and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)(CNMe)₂]X (b) in relative yields which depend on X, the reaction solvent and n, but HgY₂ give equimolar amounts of [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CNMe)₂Y] (c and [Fe(η-C₅H₅)(CO)₂HgY] only. Hg(CN)₂ reacts more slowly than other HgY₂, and [Hg(PPh₃)₂I₂] does not react at all. It is suggested that the reactions which give rise to products of type (a), (b) or (c) are all two-electron oxidation which proceed by way of adducts containing μ-CA → X₂ or μ-CA → HgX₂ groups (Ca = CO or CNMe). One of these adducts has been isolated, namely [Fe₂(η-C₅H₅)₂(CNMe)₂{μ-CN(Me)HgCl₂}₂] · CHCl₃.     

Vibrational spectra and electronic structure of 1-germatranol, 1,1-quasi-germatrandiole,and 1,1,1-hypogermatrantriole (HO)4−n Ge(OCH2CH2) n NR3−n (R = H,Me; n = 1–3)

IR spectra of 1-germatranol, 1,1-quasi-germatrandiole, 1,1,1-hypogermatrantriole with a general formula (HO)_4?n Ge(OCH₂CH₂) _n NR_3?n (n = 1–3) are obtained. At the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVDZ density functional level the equilibrium structures and vibrational spectra of these compounds along with their hydrogen-bonded dimers are calculated. Based on the calculations the band assignment is performed in the IR spectra of 1-germatranol, 1,1-quasi-germatrandiole, and 1,1,1-hypogermatrantriole. The existence of dimers is manifested in the IR spectra as the absence of bands in the frequency ranges characteristic of the bending vibrations of Ge-OH groups and the presence of bands in the vibrational range of hydrogen-bonded germatranyl groups.     

Vibrational spectra,force fields and NMR-data for triorganyl-tetrelomethanes CH4−n(TtR3)n (Tt = Sn and Pb)

Based on vibrational spectra normal coordinate calculations have been carried out for trimethyltetrelomethanes CH_4−n(TtMe₃)_n (Tt = Sn and Pb, n = 2 and 4). The resulting comparable force constants of the two distinguishable types of carbon-metal bonds for Tt = Sn (range K(C-Sn) 220 - 180 Nm⁻¹) are 10 – 15% higher than for Tt = Pb (K(C-Pb) 190 - 170 Nm⁻¹). These force constants K(C-Tt) are similar to the K(C-Hg) values of corresponding methylmercuriomethanes CH_4−n(HgMe)_n. The force constants K (C-Tt), and also the coupling constants ¹J(Tt,C) from NMR spectra, indicate weakening of the carbon-metal bonds in the central CTt_n groups with growing n, whereas the peripheral TtMe bonds are almost unaffected by variations of n.     

Theoretical studies of the reactions of Cl atoms with CF3CH2OCH n F(3−n) (n = 1, 2, 3)

This paper presents the theoretical studies of the reactions of Cl atoms with CF₃CH₂OCH₃, CF₃CH₂OCH₂F and CF₃CH₂OCHF₂ using an ab initio direct dynamics theory. The geometries and vibrational frequencies of the reactants, complexes, transition states and products are calculated at the MP2/6-31+(d,p) level. The minimum energy path is also calculated at same level. The MC-QCISD method is carried out for further refining the energetic information. The rate constants are evaluated with the canonical variational transition state theory (CVT) and CVT with small curvature tunneling contributions in the temperature range 200–1,500 K. The results are in good agreement with experimental values.     

Covalent Bonding in Au(BO) 2 − and Au(BS) 2 −

We perform in this work a comprehensive first-principles investigation on the geometric and electronic structures of Au(BO) ₂ ^? and Au(BS) ₂ ^? which are valent isoelectronic to the well-known Au(CN) ₂ ^? monoanion. Au(BO) ₂ ^? and Au(BS) ₂ ^? complexes prove to possess linear ground-state structures similar to Au(CN) ₂ ^? and the BO^? and BS^? ligands in them are found to be coordinated terminally via boron atoms to gold centers which are weakly negatively charged. Au–B bonds in Au(BO) ₂ ^? and Au(BS) ₂ ^? appear to have higher Wiberg bond indices (0.79 and 0.80) and more covalent components (60 and 53 %) than the corresponding values of Au–C interaction in Au(CN) ₂ ^? (0.67 and 39 %, respectively) at the same theoretical levels. Their Au–B bifurcation values of the electronic localization function also turn out to be higher than Au–C. These results strongly suggest that the Au–B bonds in Au(BO) ₂ ^? and Au(BS) ₂ ^? with multiple-bond character possess stronger covalent characters than Au–C in Au(CN) ₂ ^? .     

Synthesis and Structure of Two Keggin-Type Heteropolyanions: [VMo12O40]3n− n (1) and [H3PMoVMoVI 11O40]1− (2)

Two Keggin-type heteropolyanions were synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystal structure and elemental analysis as well as infrared spectroscopy. Both K₃[VMo₁₂O₄₀]19H₂O (1) and [N _i (H₂O)₆][H₃PMo^VMo^VI ₁₁O₄₀]₂30 H₂O (2) were prepared in aqueous solution. Compound 1 crystallized in the space group Pm-3m, a=10.6513(1) Å, V=1208.4(3) ų, Z=1. Compound 2 crystallized in the space group R-3 with a=b=13.9669(2) Å, c=42.0075(5) Å, V=7096.71(2) ų, Z=3. The compound 1 contains a {K₆VMo₁₂O₄₀} group in which six potassium ions form a regular {K₆} octahedron. The heteropolyanion [VMo₁₂O₄₀]^3– was capped by six potassium ions and enclosed by {K₆} octahedron. A three-dimensional structure was formed by the buildup of {K₃[VMo₁₂O₄₀]} _n . Compound 2 contains a one-electron reduced heteropolyanion [H₃PMo^VMo^VI ₁₁O₄₀]^1–. Ni²⁺ coordinated by six water molecules as the counter cation balances the negative charge of the molecule.     

Gaussian binning of the vibrational distributions for the Cl + CH4(v(4/2) = 0, 1) → H + CH3Cl(n(1)n(2)n(3)n(4)n(5)n(6)) reactions

We test several binning techniques to obtain mode-specific final-state distributions for polyatomic reactions. Normal mode analysis is done after an exact transformation to the Eckart frame. Standard histogram binning (HB) and three different variants of the energy-based Gaussian binning (1GB) are employed to obtain the probabilities of the vibrational states. We consider the two major issues of the polyatomic quasiclassical product analysis, i.e., (1) rounding the classical action to the nearest integer can result in unphysical states and (2) the normal-mode analysis can break down for highly distorted geometries. We show that 1GB can handle issue 1 when the total vibrational energy is evaluated in the normal mode space using the harmonic approximation and both issues 1 and 2 can be solved when the total vibrational energy is calculated exactly in the Cartesian space. We found that anharmonicity in the quantized energy levels does not have a significant effect on the final-state distributions. Quasiclassical trajectory calculations are performed for the reactant ground-state and bending-excited Cl((2)P(3/2)) + CH(4)(v(4/2) = 0, 1) → H + CH(3)Cl reactions using an ab initio potential energy surface. The product analysis techniques are successfully applied to the CH(3)Cl product molecules and some qualitative features of the results are discussed.     

A G2(MP2) theoretical study of substituent effects on H3BNHnCl3−n (n= 3-0) donor-acceptor complexes

The complexation energies of H₃BNH_nCl_3−n (n= 3-0) complexes and the proton affinities of NH_nCl_3−n compounds have been computed at the G2(MP2) level of theory. G2(MP2) results show that the successive chlorine substitution on the ammonia decreases both the basicity of the NH_nCl_3−n ligands and the stability of H₃BNH_nCl_3−n complexes. The findings are interpreted in terms of the rehybridisation of the nitrogen lone-pair orbital. The NBO partitioning scheme shows that the variation of the N-H and N-Cl bond lengths, upon complexation, is due to variation of “s” character in these bonds.      

(HAlNH)n(n=2～3)环状化合物的结构特征

用自洽场理论 (HF)和密度泛函理论 (DFT)的B3LYP方法 ,在 6 31G 的水平上对化合物(HAlNH) 2 和 (HAlNH) 3 的几何结构进行优化 ,并分别与环丁二烯C4 H4 和苯分子C6H6的结构和成键方式进行比较。以B3LYP STO 3G方法讨论其分子轨道波函数 (Ψ)。结果表明 :C4 H4 和 (HAlNH) 2 均为D2h对称 ,前者为长方形结构 ,形成两个孤立的π键 ;而后者为菱形结构 ,形成一个π44键。C6H6和 (HAlNH) 3分子点群分别为D6h和D3h,并均形成一个π66键。成键原子对分子轨道的贡献不同 ,其中C原子是完全等价的 ,而Al和N原子各不相同 ,N原子比Al的贡献要大得多     

Catalytic Activity of Molecular Rhenium Sulfide Clusters [Re6S8(OH)6−n (H2O) n ](4−n)− (n = 0, 2, 4, 6) with Retention of the Octahedral Metal Frameworks: Dehydrogenation and Dehydration of 1,4-Butanediol

A series of molecular rhenium sulfide clusters [Re₆S₈(OH)_6?n (H₂O) _n ]^(4?n)? (n = 0, 2, 4, 6) catalyze dehydrogenation of alcohols, and hydrogenation of ketones and olefins in a hydrogen stream at 350 °C. The catalytic activities of the dianionic and neutral clusters (n = 2, 4) are lower than those of tetraanionic and dicationic clusters (n = 0, 6) for all the reactions. When 1,4-butanediol is allowed to react over K₄[Re₆S₈(OH)₆], dehydrogenation proceeds to yield 2-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and successively γ-butyrolactone above 300 °C. Over [Re₆S₈(H₂O)₆]SO₄ dehydration proceeds to yield tetrahydrofuran above 250 °C. The thermal activation mechanisms of these clusters were studied by powder X-ray diffraction analyses, Raman spectrometry, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectrometry, thermogravimetry, and differential thermal analyses. The catalytically active site of K₄[Re₆S₈(OH)₆] is an uncoordinated metal site (Lewis acid site) developed by the loss of a water molecule from two hydroxo ligands. The active site of [Re₆S₈(H₂O)₆]SO₄ is a Brønsted acid site; the anhydrous aqua cluster dication disproportionates to a hydroxo cluster monocation and a proton. Both of the octahedral cluster frameworks are retained up to 500 °C.