Access to C(sp3)-C(sp2) and C(sp2)-C(sp2) bond formation via sequential intermolecular carbopalladation of multiple carbon-carbon bonds

A synthetic strategy of 4-benzyl-substituted 1,3-butadiene derivatives through Pd-catalyzed three-component coupling reaction of benzyl chlorides, alkynes, and monosubstituted alkenes is described. This tandem coupling reaction forms a C(sp(3))-C(sp(2)) bond and a C(sp(2))-C(sp(2)) bond sequentially in a single-step operation.     

Atomic alignment effect in the dissociative energy transfer reaction of metal carbonyls (Fe(CO)5, Ni(CO)4) with oriented Ar (3P2, M(J) = 2)

The atomic alignment effect has been studied for the dissociative energy transfer reaction of metal carbonyls (Fe(CO)(5), Ni(CO)(4)) with the oriented Ar ((3)P(2), M(J) = 2). The emission intensity from the excited metal products (Fe*, Ni*) has been measured as a function of the atomic alignment in the collision frame. The selectivity of the atomic orbital alignment of Ar ((3)P(2), M(J) = 2) (rank 2 moment, a(2)) is found to be opposite for the two reaction systems; the Fe(CO)(5) reaction is favorable at the Π configuration (positive a(2)), while the Ni(CO)(4) reaction is favorable at the Σ configuration (negative a(2)). Moreover, a significant spin alignment effect (rank 4 moment, a(4)) is recognized only in the Ni(CO)(4) reaction. The atomic alignment effect turns out to be essentially different between the two reaction systems; the Fe(CO)(5) reaction is controlled by the configuration of the half-filled 3p atomic orbital of Ar ((3)P(2)) in the collision frame (L dependence), whereas the Ni(CO)(4) reaction is controlled by the configuration of the total angular moment J (including spin) of Ar ((3)P(2)) in the collision frame (J dependence). As the origin of J dependence observed only in the Ni(CO)(4) reaction, the correlation (and/or the interference) between two electron exchange processes via the electron rearrangements is proposed.     

Radical coupling reaction of paramagnetic endohedral metallofullerene La@C82

The thermal reaction of La@C(82)(C(2v)) with 3-triphenylmethyl-5-oxazolidinone (1) in toluene affords benzyl monoadducts La@C(82)(C(2v))(CH(2)C(6)H(5)) (2a-2d). The same monoadducts are also obtained by the photoirradiation of La@C(82)(C(2v)) in toluene without the existence of 1. These reactions are applicable to paramagnetic metallofullerenes, such as La@C(82)(C(s)) and Ce@C(82)(C(2v)). The photoirradiation of La@C(82)(C(2v)) in 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the presence of alpha,alpha,2,4-tetrachlorotoluene also affords the monoadducts La@C(82)(C(2v))(CHClC(6)H(3)Cl(2)) (3a-3d). The monoadducts are fully characterized by spectroscopic analyses. Single-crystal X-ray structure analysis for 3d reveals the unique structure. Theoretical calculations show that the cage carbons having high spin densities are selectively attacked by radical species to form the monoadducts linked by a carbon-carbon single bond. The thermal reaction of La@C(82)(C(2v)) with 1 in benzene affords metallofulleropyrrolidine La@C(82)(C(2v))(C(2)H(4)NCPh(3)) (5), unlike the reaction in toluene.     

An evaluation of monovalent osmium supported by the PNP ligand environment

Nitrogen is essential to reaction of (PNP)OsI (PNP is N(SiMe(2)CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)) and Mg powder in THF, to give equimolar (PNP)OsH(N(2)) and hydrido carbene [((t)Bu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2))N(SiMe(2)CH(2)P(t)Bu(CMe(2)CH)]OsH. This reaction is attributed to H(2) evolution from solid magnesium, rather than high energy H atom transfer between molecules, but relies also on the strong π-basicity of Os in favoring α-H migration from the metallated (t)Bu group on Os to form the second product, the hydrido carbene species. The path to two different products begins because the simple N(2) adduct of (PNP)OsI undergoes spontaneous heterolytic H-C splitting of the (t)Bu methyl group, to produce a secondary amine intermediate [((t)Bu(2)PCH(2)SiMe(2))N(H)(SiMe(2)CH(2)P(t)Bu(CMe(2)CH(2))]OsI(N(2)) which can then be dehydrohalogenated by Mg. The analogous reaction for (PNP)RuCl shows production of only (PNP)RuH(N(2)), with none of the hydride carbene dehydrogenation product. Comparative (Ru vs. Os) DFT calculations reveal the reaction steps where the Os analog is much more exothermic, accounting for certain reaction selectivities.     

Bis(phosphinimino)methanide rare earth amides: synthesis, structure, and catalysis of hydroamination/cyclization, hydrosilylation, and sequential hydroamination/hydrosilylation

A series of yttrium and lanthanide amido complexes [Ln{N(SiHMe(2))2}2{CH(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))2}] (Ln=Y, La, Sm, Ho, Lu) were synthesized by three different pathways. The title compounds can be obtained either from [Ln{N(SiHMe(2))2}3(thf)2] and [CH(2)(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))2] or from KN(SiHMe(2))2 and [Ln{CH(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))2}Cl(2)]2, while in a third approach the lanthanum compound was synthesized in a one-pot reaction starting from K{CH(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))2}, LaCl3, and KN(SiHMe(2))2. All the complexes have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The new complexes, [Ln{N(SiHMe(2))2}2{CH(PPh(2)NSiMe(3))2}], were used as catalysts for hydroamination/cyclization and hydrosilylation reactions. A clear dependence of the reaction rate on the ionic radius of the center metal was observed, showing the lanthanum compound to be the most active one in both reactions. Furthermore, a combination of both reactions--a sequential hydroamination/hydrosilylation reaction--was also investigated.     

Theoretical study of the Cp2Zr-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ethylene. Reaction mechanism including new sigma-bond activation

The Cp(2)Zr-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ethylene was theoretically investigated with DFT and MP2-MP4(SDQ) methods, to clarify the reaction mechanism and the characteristic features of this reaction. Although ethylene insertion into the Zr-SiH(3) bond of Cp(2)Zr(H)(SiH(3)) needs a very large activation barrier of 41.0 (42.3) kcal/mol, ethylene is easily inserted into the Zr-H bond with a very small activation barrier of 2.1 (2.8) kcal/mol, where the activation barrier and the energy of reaction calculated with the DFT(B3LYP) method are given and in parentheses are those values which have been corrected for the zero-point energy, hereafter. Not only this ethylene insertion reaction but also the coupling reaction between Cp(2)Zr(C(2)H(4)) and SiH(4) easily takes place to afford Cp(2)Zr(H)(CH(2)CH(2)SiH(3)) and Cp(2)Zr(CH(2)CH(3))(SiH(3)) with activation barriers of 0.3 (0.7) and 5.0 (5.4) kcal/mol, respectively. This coupling reaction involves a new type of Si-H sigma-bond activation which is similar to metathesis. The important interaction in the coupling reaction is the bonding overlap between the d(pi)-pi bonding orbital of Cp(2)Zr(C(2)H(4)) and the Si-H sigma orbital. The final step is neither direct C-H nor Si-C reductive elimination, because both reductive eliminations occur with a very large activation barrier and significantly large endothermicity. This is because the d orbital of Cp(2)Zr is at a high energy. On the other hand, ethylene-assisted C-H reductive elimination easily occurs with a small activation barrier, 5.0 (7.5) kcal/mol, and considerably large exothermicity, -10.6 (-7.1) kcal/mol. Also, ethylene-assisted Si-C reductive elimination and metatheses of Cp(2)Zr(H)(CH(2)CH(2)SiH(3)) and Cp(2)Zr(CH(2)CH(3))(SiH(3)) with SiH(4) take place with moderate activation barriers, 26.5 (30.7), 18.4 (20.5), and 28.3 (31.5) kcal/mol, respectively. From these results, it is clearly concluded that the most favorable catalytic cycle of the Cp(2)Zr-catalyzed hydrosilylation of ethylene consists of the coupling reaction of Cp(2)Zr(C(2)H(4)) with SiH(4) followed by the ethylene-assisted C-H reductive elimination.     

Synthesis of dibenzofurans directly from aryl halides and ortho-bromophenols via one-pot consecutive SNAr and intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl-aryl coupling reactions

A series of dibenzofurans were efficiently and conveniently synthesized via one-pot consecutive C(sp(2))-O bond formation reaction (SNAr) in the presence of anhydrous K(2)CO(3), followed by C(sp(2))-C(sp(2)) bond formation reaction (intramolecular palladium-catalyzed aryl-aryl coupling reaction) between aryl halides and ortho-bromophenols. The desired dibenzofurans were obtained in 32-99% isolated yields.     

Trapping of anionic organic radicals by (TpMe2)2Ln (Ln = Sm, Eu)

Stoichiometric reaction of [ Sm(Tp(Me2))2 ], 1, with a variety of reducible ketone- and quinone-type substrates gave thermally stable, isolable radical anions/ketyls in moderate to good yields. Thus reaction with benzophenone gave [Sm(Tp(Me2))2(OCPh2)], 2, with fluorenone [Sm(Tp(Me2))2(eta1-OC13H8)], 3, and di-tert-butylparaquinone [Sm(Tp(Me2))2(eta1-OC6H2(tBu)2O)], 4, each of which was structurally characterized. In the case of the less-hindered benzoquinone, an unimetallic semiquinone [Sm(Tp(Me2))2(OC6H4O)], 5, could be isolated, although it was unstable with respect to formation of the dimetallic complex [Sm(Tp(Me2))2]2(mu-OC6H4O), 6. Compound 6 was structurally characterized, as was its anthraquinone analogue [Sm(Tp(Me2))2]2(mu-OC14H8O), 7. When the analogous reaction was carried out between the less-reducing [Eu(Tp(Me2))2] and benzoquinone, only the europium analogue of the semiquinone 5, [Eu(Tp(Me2))2(OC6H4O)], 8, could be isolated. The use of the sterically hindered 3,5-di-tert-butyl-o-benzoquinone allowed isolation of [Sm(Tp(Me2))2(DTBSQ)], 9.     

The stepwise formation of mixed-metal coordination networks using complexes of 3-cyanoacetylacetonate

The complexes [Cu(L(1))2] 1, [Fe(L(1))3] 3 and [Al(L(1))3] 4 [L(1) = CH(3)C(O)C(CN)C(O)CH(3)] have been prepared for use as metallo-ligands in mixed-metal coordination networks. Surprisingly, the nature of the copper precursor is important in the synthesis of 1, with the reaction between Cu(NO3)2.3H2O, HL(1) and NEt3 giving [Cu6(micro(3)-OMe)4(micro-OMe)2(L(1))6] 2 instead of the anticipated 1, which was obtained with CuCl2.2H2O under the same conditions. Compound 1 reacts with AgNO3 to form [Cu(L(1))2.AgNO3](infinity) 5, the structure of which contains one-dimensional chains in which Ag+ ions bridge between molecules of 1. These chains are cross-linked into ladders by bridging nitrates. The product obtained from the reaction of 3 and AgNO3 is crucially dependent on the solvent used. The reaction in methanol-acetone gives [Fe(L(1))3.AgNO3](infinity) 6, {[Fe2(micro-OMe)2(L(1))4.2AgNO3].CH(3)C(O)CH(3)}(infinity) 7 and [Fe2(micro-OMe)2(L(1))4.AgNO3](infinity) 8. Compounds 6 and 8 both have one-dimensional chain structures, whereas 7 has a two-dimensional layer structure. The reaction in methanol gives 6 and 8 as the major products and, in addition, small quantities of {[AgFe2(micro-OMe)2(L(1))4]OH.0.4H2O](infinity) 9. Compound 9 has a three-dimensional structure based on doubly interpenetrated PtS nets. Compounds 7-9 contain Fe2(micro-OMe)2(L(1))4 dimers, but the coordination properties of the dimers differ, with all the cyanides coordinated in 7 and 9 but one uncoordinated in 8. The orientation of the cyanide groups depends on the relative chirality of the iron centres. A transmetallation reaction occurs between 4 and AgNO3 to give [Ag(L(1))](infinity) 10, which has a two-dimensional layer structure. Compounds 2, 3 and 5-10 have been characterised by X-ray crystallography.     

Investigation of rational syntheses of heteroleptic porphyrinic lanthanide (europium, cerium) triple-decker sandwich complexes

The use of lanthanide triple-decker sandwich molecules containing porphyrins and phthalocyanines in molecular information storage applications requires the ability to attach monomeric triple deckers or arrays of triple deckers to electroactive surfaces. Such applications are limited by existing methods for preparing triple deckers. The reaction of a lanthanide porphyrin half-sandwich complex ((Por)M(acac)) with a dilithium phthalocyanine (PcLi2) in refluxing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (bp 214 degrees C) affords a mixture of triple deckers of composition (Pc)M(Pc)M(Por), (Por)M(Pc)M(Por), and (Pc)M(Por)M(Pc). We have investigated more directed methods for preparing triple deckers of a given type with distinct metals in each layer. Application of the method of Weiss, which employs reaction of a (Por)M(acac) species with a lanthanide double decker in refluxing 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, afforded the desired triple decker in some cases but a mixture of triple deckers in others. The approach we developed employs in situ formation of the lanthanide reagent EuCl[N(SiMe3)2]2 or CeI[N(SiMe3)2]2, which upon reaction with a porphyrin affords the half-sandwich complex (Por)EuX or (Por)CeX' (X = Cl, N(SiMe3)2; X' = I, N(SiMe3)2). Subsequent reaction with PcLi2 gives the double decker (Por)M(Pc). The (Por(1))EuX half-sandwich complex gave the desired triple decker upon reaction with (Pc)Eu(Pc) but little of the desired product upon reaction with (Por(2))Eu(Pc). The (Por(1))CeX' half-sandwich complex reacted with europium double deckers (e.g., (tBPc)Eu(Por(2)), (tBPc)2Eu) to give the triple deckers (Por(1))Ce(tBPc)Eu(Por(2)) and (Por(1))Ce(tBPc)Eu(tBPc) in a rational manner (tB = tetra-tert-butyl). The reactions yielding the half-sandwich, double-decker, and triple-decker complexes were performed in refluxing bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (bp 162 degrees C). The porphyrins incorporated in the various triple deckers include meso-tetrapentylporphyrin, meso-tetra-p-tolylporphyrin, octaethylporphyrin, and meso-tetraarylporphyrins bearing iodo, ethynyl, or iodo and ethynyl substituents. The triple deckers bearing iodo and/or ethynyl substituents constitute useful building blocks for information storage applications.     

Three dimensional quantum dynamics of (H-, H2) and its isotopic variants

We present the results of a time-dependent quantum mechanical investigation using centrifugal sudden approximation in the form of reaction probability as a function of collision energy (E(trans)) in the range 0.3-3.0 eV for a range of total angular momentum (J) values and the excitation function sigma(E(trans)) for the exchange reaction H(-) + H(2) (v = 0, j = 0) --> H(2) + H(-) and its isotopic variants in three dimensions on an accurate ab initio potential energy surface published recently (J. Chem. Phys. 2004, 121, 9343). The excitation function results are shown to be in excellent agreement with those obtained from crossed beam measurements by Zimmer and Linder for H(-) + D(2) collisions for energies below the threshold for electron detachment channel and somewhat larger than the most recent results of Haufler et al. for (H(-), D(2)) and (D(-), H(2)) collisions.     

New ab initio coupled potential energy surfaces for the Br(2P(3∕2), 2P(1∕2)) + H2 reaction

The three lowest (1A('), 2A('), and 1A(')) adiabatic potential energy surfaces (PESs) for the Br((2)P) + H(2) reactive system have been computed based on the multi-reference configuration interaction (MRCI) method including the Davidson's correction with a large basis set. These three adiabatic PESs have been transformed to a diabatic representation, leading to four coupling potentials. In addition, the spin-orbit matrix elements were also obtained using the Breit-Pauli Hamiltonian and the unperturbed MRCI wavefunctions in the Br + H(2) channel and the transition state region. Consequently, six coupling potentials were obtained and their characteristics were extensively discussed. Nonadiabatic quantum dynamics calculations for this system have been realized with these realistic diabatic potentials instead of previous semi-empirical diabatic potentials. Based on two-state model nonadiabatic calculations for the Br((2)P(3∕2), (2)P(1∕2)) + H(2) reaction, the Br((2)P(1∕2)) + H(2) reaction was found to show less reactivity than the Br((2)P(3∕2)) + H(2) reaction at collision energies beyond the threshold of the Br((2)P(3∕2)) + H(2) reaction. Our results are consistent with the previous studies on the XH(2) (X = F, Cl) system, which indicate that the adiabatically forbidden channel is dominant at low energies in the open-shell halogen atom plus H(2) reactions.     

Effect of bending and torsional mode excitation on the reaction Cl+CH4-->HCl+CH3

A beam containing CH(4), Cl(2), and He is expanded into a vacuum chamber where CH(4) is prepared via infrared excitation in a combination band consisting of one quantum of excitation each in the bending and torsional modes (nu(2)+nu(4)). The reaction is initiated by fast Cl atoms generated by photolysis of Cl(2) at 355 nm, and the resulting CH(3) and HCl products are detected in a state-specific manner using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). By comparing the relative amplitudes of the action spectra of Cl+CH(4)(nu(2)+nu(4)) and Cl+CH(4)(nu(3)) reactions, we determine that the nu(2)+nu(4) mode-driven reaction is at least 15% as reactive as the nu(3) (antisymmetric stretch) mode-driven reaction. The REMPI spectrum of the CH(3) products shows no propensity toward the formation of umbrella bend mode excited methyl radical, CH(3)(nu(2)=1), which is in sharp distinction to the theoretical expectation based on adiabatic correlations between CH(4) and CH(3). The rotational distribution of HCl(v=1) products from the Cl+CH(4)(nu(2)+nu(4)) reaction is hotter than the corresponding distribution from the Cl+CH(4)(nu(3)) reaction, even though the total energies of the two reactions are the same within 4%. An explanation for this enhanced rotational excitation of the HCl product from the Cl+CH(4)(nu(2)+nu(4)) reaction is offered in terms of the projection of the bending motion of the CH(4) reagent onto the rotational motion of the HCl product. The angular distributions of the HCl(nu=0) products from the Cl+CH(4)(nu(2)+nu(4)) reaction are backward scattered, which is in qualitative agreement with theoretical calculation. Overall, nonadiabatic product vibrational correlation and mode specificity of the reaction indicate that either the bending mode or the torsional mode or both modes are strongly coupled to the reaction coordinate.     

Temperature-dependent kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of OH with n- and i-propyl bromide

An experimental, temperature-dependent kinetics study of the gas-phase reactions of hydroxyl radical with n-propyl bromide, OH+n-C3H7Br-->products (reaction 1), and i-propyl bromide, OH+i-C3H7Br-->products (reaction 2), has been performed over wide ranges of temperatures 297-725 and 297-715 K, respectively, and at pressures between 6.67 and 26.76 kPa by a pulsed laser photolysis/pulsed laser-induced fluorescence technique. Data sets of absolute bimolecular rate coefficients obtained in this study for reactions 1 and 2 demonstrate no correlation with pressure and exhibit positive temperature dependencies that can be represented with modified three-parameter Arrhenius expressions within their corresponding experimental temperature ranges: k1(T)=(1.32x10(-17))T1.95 exp(+25/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for reaction 1 and k2(T)=(1.56x10(-24))T4.18exp(+922/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for reaction 2. The present results, which extend the current kinetics data base of reactions 1 and 2 to high temperatures, are compared with those from previous works. On the basis of the present data and available data from previous studies, the following bimolecular rate coefficient temperature dependencies can be recommended for the purpose of kinetic modeling: k1(T)=(1.89x10(-19))T2.54exp(+301/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 for reaction 1 in a temperature range 210-725 K, and k2(T)=(2.83x10(-21))T3.1exp(+521/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) and k2(T)=(4.54x10(-24))T4.03exp(+860/T) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1) for reaction 2 in temperature ranges 210-480 and 297-715 K, respectively.     

Theoretical mechanistic study on the radical-radical reaction of ketenyl with nitrogen dioxide

The radical-radical reaction between the ketenyl radical (HCCO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) played a very important role in atmospheric and combustion chemistry. Motivated by recent laboratory characterization about the reaction kinetics of ketenyl radical with nitrogen dioxide, in this contribution, we applied the coupled cluster and density functional theory to explore the mechanism of the title reaction. These calculations indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways, less go through triplet pathways. It is found that the HCCO + NO(2) reaction initially favors formation of adduct OCCHNO(2) (1) with no barrier. Subsequently, starting from isomer 1, the most feasible pathway is ring closure of 1 to isomer O-cCCHN(O)O (2) followed by CO(2) extrusion to product HCNO + CO(2) (P(1)), which is the major product with predominant yields. Much less competitively, 1 can take the successive 1,3-H- and 1,3-OH-shift interconversion to isomer OCCNOHO (3(a), 3(b), 3(c)) and then to isomer OCOHCNO (4(a), 4(b)), which can finally take a concerted H-shift and C-C bond fission to give HCNO + CO(2) (P(1)). The least competitive pathway is the ring-closure of isomer 3(a) to form isomer O-cCCN(OH)O (5(a), 5(b)) followed by dissociation to HONC + CO(2) (P(2)) through the direct side CO(2) elimination. Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the most favorable channel all lie below the reactants, the title reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. Therefore, it can be significant for elimination of nitrogen dioxide pollutants. The present results can lead us to a deep understanding of the mechanism of the title reaction and can be helpful for understanding NO(x)-combustion chemistry.     

Vibrationally controlled chemistry: mode- and bond-selected reaction of CH3D with Cl

Selective vibrational excitation controls the competition between C-H and C-D bond cleavage in the reaction of CH(3)D with Cl, which forms either HCl + CH(2)D or DCl + CH(3). The reaction of CH(3)D molecules with the first overtone of the C-D stretch (2nu(2)) excited selectively breaks the C-D bond, producing CH(3) exclusively. In contrast, excitation of either the symmetric C-H stretch (nu(1)), the antisymmetric C-H stretch (nu(4)), or a combination of antisymmetric stretch and CH(3) umbrella bend (nu(4) + nu(3)) causes the reaction to cleave only a C-H bond to produce solely CH(2)D. Initial preparation of C-H stretching vibrations with different couplings to the reaction coordinate changes the rate of the H-atom abstraction reaction. Excitation of the symmetric C-H stretch (nu(1)) of CH(3)D accelerates the H-atom abstraction reaction 7 times more than excitation of the antisymmetric C-H stretch (nu(4)) even though the two lie within 80 cm(-1) of the same energy. Ab initio calculations and a simple theoretical model help identify the dynamics behind the observed mode selectivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se2 nanocrystals for low-cost thin film photovoltaics

Chalcopyrite quaternary semiconductor Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) nanocrystals have been successfully prepared via a relatively simple and convenient solvothermal route. The effect of different solvents on the formation of the product also indicates that diethylenetriamine is the optimal solvent for this reaction. The device parameters for a single junction Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) solar cell under AM1.5G are as follows: an open circuit voltage of 265 mV, a short-circuit current of 25.90 mA/cm(2), a fill factor of 34%, and a power conversion efficiency of 2.34%. Based on a series of comparative experiments under different reaction conditions, the probable formation mechanism of crystal Cu(In(x)B(1-x))Se(2) nanorods is proposed.     

Density functional theory study of water activation and COads + OHads reaction on pure platinum and bimetallic platinum/ruthenium nanoclusters

A density functional theory study of the elementary steps that lead to the removal of CO(ads(Pt)) over alloyed and sequentially deposited Pt/Ru bimetallic nanoclusters is presented. The reaction energies and activation barriers for the H2O(ads(Ru)) dissociation and CO(ads(Pt)) + OH(ads(Ru)) reaction are estimated in solid-gas interface and in a microsolvated environment to determine which surface morphology is more tolerant to COads poisoning. On the basis of the energetics, the sequentially deposited Pt/Ru nanocluster is predicted to be a much more promising anode catalyst than the alloy cluster surface in fuel cell applications.     

Aryl C-H amination by diruthenium nitrides in the solid state and in solution at room temperature: experimental and computational study of the reaction mechanism

Diruthenium azido complexes Ru(2)(DPhF)(4)N(3) (1a, DPhF = N,N'-diphenylformamidinate) and Ru(2)(D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF)(4)N(3) (1b, D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF = N,N'-bis(3,5-dichlorophenyl)formamidinate) have been investigated by thermolytic and photolytic experiments to investigate the chemical reactivity of the corresponding diruthenium nitride species. Thermolysis of 1b at ~100 °C leads to the expulsion of N(2) and isolation of Ru(2)(D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF)(3)NH(C(13)H(6)N(2)Cl(4)) (3b), in which a nitrogen atom has been inserted into one of the proximal aryl C-H bonds of a D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF ligand. A similar C-H insertion product is obtained upon thawing a frozen CH(2)Cl(2) solution of the nitride complex Ru(2)(DPhF)(4)N (2a), formed via photolysis at -196 °C of 1a to yield Ru(2)(DPhF)(3)NH(C(13)H(10)N(2)) (3a). Evidence is provided here that both reactions proceed via direct intramolecular attack of an electrophilic terminal nitrido nitrogen atom on a proximal aryl ring. Thermodynamic and kinetic data for this reaction are obtained from differential scanning calorimetric measurements and thermal gravimetric analysis of the thermolysis of Ru(2)(D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF)(4)N(3), and by Arrhenius/Eyring analysis of the conversion of Ru(2)(DPhF)(4)N to its C-H insertion product, respectively. These data are used to develop a detailed, experimentally validated DFT reaction pathway for N(2) extrusion and C-H functionalization from Ru(2)(D(3,5-Cl(2))PhF)(4)N(3). The diruthenium nitrido complex is an intermediate in the calculated reaction pathway, and the C-H functionalization event shares a close resemblance to a classical electrophilic aromatic substitution mechanism.