Superionic Conduction in Co‐Vacant P2‐NaxCoO2 Created by Hydrogen Reductive Elimination

The layered P2‐Na_xMO₂ (M: transition metal) system has been widely recognized as electronic or mixed conductor. Here, we demonstrate that Co vacancies in P2‐Na_xCoO₂ created by hydrogen reductive elimination lead to an ionic conductivity of 0.045 S cm^?1 at 25 °C. Using in situ synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy, the composition of the superionic conduction phase is evaluated to be Na_0.61(H₃O)_0.18Co_0.93O₂. Electromotive force measurements as well as molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the ion conducting species is proton rather than hydroxide ion. The fact that the Co‐stoichiometric compound Na_x(H₃O)_yCoO₂ does not exhibit any significant ionic conductivity proves that Co vacancies are essential for the occurrence of superionic conductivity.     

N−N Bond Forming Reductive Elimination via a Mixed‐Valent Nickel(II)–Nickel(III) Intermediate

Natural products containing N–N bonds exhibit important biological activity. Current methods for constructing N?N bonds have limited scope. An advanced understanding of the fundamental N?N bond formation/cleavage processes occurring at the transition‐metal center would facilitate the development of catalytic reactions. Herein we present an N?N bond‐forming reductive elimination, which proceeds via a mixed‐valent Ni^II–Ni^III intermediate with a Ni–Ni bond order of zero. The discrete Ni^II–Ni^III oxidation states contrast with the cationic dimeric Ni analogue, in which both Ni centers are equivalent with an oxidation state of 2.5. The electronic structures of these mixed‐valent complexes have implications for the fundamental understanding of metal–metal bonding interactions.