Gold(III) amine complexes in aqueous alkali solutions

The gold(III) 1,3-diaminopropane complex [Au(1,3-pn)(1,3-pn-H)]Cl₂ has been synthesized. Its dissociation constant has been determined: Au(1,3-pn)₂³⁺ = Au(1,3-pn-H)²⁺ + H⁺, logK _a1 = −7.03 ± 0.05 (I = 0.1 mol/L NaClO₄). Considerable spectral changes are observed for strong alkali solutions (pH 11–14) containing the monoamido forms of the gold(III) ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, and diethylenetriamine complexes (Au(en)(en-H)²⁺, Au(1,3-pn)(1,3-pn-H)²⁺, Au(dien-H)OH⁺). These changes are attributed to the formation of the diamido species Au(en-H)₂⁺, Au(1,3-pn-H)₂⁺, and Au(dien-2H)OH⁰. The dissociation constants of the monoamido complexes have been determined: Au(en)(en-H)²⁺ (logK _a2 = −10.9 ± 0.1 at I = 0.001–0.01 mol/L NaCl); Au(1,3-pn)(1,3-pn-H)²⁺ (logK _a2 = −11.3 ± 0.1 at I = 0.1 mol/L NaCl); Au(dien-H)OH⁺ (logK _a2 = −12.4 ± 0.1 at I = 0.1 mol/L NaCl).     

Self‐assembly properties of Salamo‐type trinuclear Cu(II) and Co(II) complexes based on the regulation of H+/OHˉ

A novel naphthalenediol‐based bis(salamo)‐type tetraoxime compound (H₄L) was designed and synthesized. Two new supramolecular complexes, [Cu₃(L)(μ‐OAc)₂] and [Co₃(L)(μ‐OAc)₂(MeOH)₂]·4CHCl₃ were synthesized by the reaction of H₄L with Cu(II) acetate dihydrate and Co(II) acetate dihydrate, respectively, and were characterized by elemental analyses and X‐ray crystallography. In the Cu(II) complex, Cu1 and Cu2 atoms located in the N₂O₂ sites, and are both penta‐coordinated, and Cu3 atom is also penta‐coordinated by five oxygen atoms. All the three Cu(II) atoms have geometries of slightly distorted tetragonal pyramid. In the Co(II) complex, Co1 and Co3 atoms located in the N₂O₂ sites, and are both penta‐coordinated with geometries of slightly distorted triangular bipyramid and distorted tetragonal pyramid, respectively, while Co2 atom is hexa‐coordinated by six oxygen atoms with a geometry of slightly distorted octahedron. These self‐assembling complexes form different dimensional supramolecular structures through inter‐ and intra‐molecular hydrogen bonds. The coordination bond cleavages of the two complexes have occurred upon the addition of the H⁺, and have reformed again via the neutralization effect of the OH^?. The changes of the two complexes response to the H⁺/OH^? have observed in the UV–Vis and ¹H NMR spectra.     

Cationic versus neutral Ru(II)--N-heterocyclic carbene complexes as latent precatalysts for the UV-induced ring-opening metathesis polymerization

A series of cationic and neutral Ru^II complexes of the general formula [Ru(L)(X) (tBuCN)₄]⁺X^? and [Ru(L)(X)₂(tBuCN)₃)], that is, [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 1 ), [Ru(CF₃SO₃){NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺[CF₃SO₃]^? ( 2 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMes)]⁺Cl^? ( 3 ), [RuCl{NCC(CH₃)₃}₄(IMesH₂)⁺Cl^?]/[RuCl₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 4 ), and [Ru(NCO)₂{NCC(CH₃)₃}₃(IMesH₂)] ( 5 ) (IMes=1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene, IMesH₂=1,3‐dimesityl‐imidazolin‐2‐ylidene) have been synthesized and used as UV‐triggered precatalysts for the ring‐opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of different norborn‐2‐ene‐ and cis‐cyclooctene‐based monomers. The absorption maxima of complexes 1 – 5 were in the range of 245–255 nm and thus perfectly fit the emission band of the 254 nm UV source that was used for activation. Only the cationic Ru^II‐complexes based on ligands capable of forming μ²‐complexes such as 1 and 2 were found to be truly photolatent in ROMP. In contrast, complexes 3 – 5 could be activated by UV light; however, they also showed a low but significant ROMP activity in the absence of UV light. As evidenced by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, the structure of the polymers obtained with either 1 or 2 are similar to those found in the corresponding polymers prepared by the action of [Ru(CF₃SO₃)₂(IMesH₂)(CH‐2‐(2‐PrO)‐C₆H₄)], which strongly suggest the formation of Ru‐based Grubbs‐type initiators in the course of the UV‐based activation process. Precatalysts that have the IMesH₂ ligand showed significantly enhanced reactivity as compared with those based on the IMes ligand, which is in accordance with reports on the superior reactivity of IMesH₂‐based Grubbs‐type catalysts compared with IMes‐based systems.     

Resonance Character of Copper/Silver/Gold Bonding in Small Molecule⋅⋅⋅MX (X=F,Cl, Br,CH3, CF3) Complexes

The resonance character of Cu/Ag/Au bonding is investigated in B???M?X (M=Cu, Ag, Au; X=F, Cl, Br, CH₃, CF₃; B=CO, H₂O, H₂S, C₂H₂, C₂H₄) complexes. The natural bond orbital/natural resonance theory results strongly support the general resonance‐type three‐center/four‐electron (3c/4e) picture of Cu/Ag/Au bonding, B:M?X?B⁺?M:X^?, which mainly arises from hyperconjugation interactions. On the basis of such resonance‐type bonding mechanisms, the ligand effects in the more strongly bound OC???M?X series are analyzed, and distinct competition between CO and the axial ligand X is observed. This competitive bonding picture directly explains why CO in OC???Au?CF₃ can be readily replaced by a number of other ligands. Additionally, conservation of the bond order indicates that the idealized relationship b_B???M+b_MX=1 should be suitably generalized for intermolecular bonding, especially if there is additional partial multiple bonding at one end of the 3c/4e hyperbonded triad.     

Two mononuclear cobalt(III) complexes exhibiting phenoxazinone synthase activity

Two mononuclear cobalt(III) complexes, namely [LCo(tmtp)(H₂O)]ClO₄?MeOH ( 1 ) (tmtp = tri(m‐tolyl)phosphine) and [LCo(PPh₃)(H₂O)]PF₆ ( 2 ), have been prepared from a polydentate ligand, N,N′‐bis(3‐methoxysalicylidehydene)cyclohexane‐1,2‐diamine ( H ₂ L ). Standard analytical techniques such as elemental analysis and UV–visible and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies were used to characterize both complexes. The solid‐state molecular structures of both complexes were confirmed from single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Structural analyses show that the Co(III) ion occupies the centre of a distorted octahedron in a complex cation: [LCo(tmtp)(H₂O)]⁺ and [LCo(PPh₃)(H₂O)]⁺ for 1 and 2 , respectively. Phenoxazinone synthase activities of both complexes were screened. Kinetic studies and other experimental observations reveal that the reaction follows rate saturation kinetics and proceeds through the formation of a catalyst (complex)–substrate adduct. The turnover number (K_cat) of complex 2 is 54.07 h^?1, exhibiting better catalytic activity compared to 1 (K_cat = 45.11 h^?1).     

Synthesis,Stabilization, Functionalization and,DFT Calculations of Gold Nanoparticles in Fluorous Phases (PTFE and Ionic Liquids)

Gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs) were reproducibly obtained by thermal, photolytic, or microwave‐assisted decomposition/reduction under argon from Au(CO)Cl or KAuCl₄ in the presence of n‐butylimidazol dispersed in the ionic liquids (ILs) BMIm⁺BF₄^?, BMIm⁺OTf^?, or BtMA⁺NTf₂^? (BMIm⁺=n‐butylmethylimidazolium, BtMA⁺=n‐butyltrimethylammonium, OTf^?=^?O₃SCF₃, NTf₂^?=^?N(O₂SCF₃)₂). The ultra small and uniform nanoparticles of about 1–2 nm diameter were produced in BMIm⁺BF₄^? and increased in size with the molecular volume of the ionic liquid anion used in BMIm⁺OTf^? and BtMA⁺NTf₂^?. Under argon the Au‐NP/IL dispersion is stable without any additional stabilizers or capping molecules. From the ionic liquids, the gold nanoparticles can be functionalized with organic thiol ligands, transferred, and stabilized in different polar and nonpolar organic solvents. Au‐NPs can also be brought onto and stabilized by interaction with a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE, Teflon) surface. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations favor interactions between IL anions instead of IL cations. This suggests a Au???F interaction and anionic Au_n stabilization in fluorine‐containing ILs. The ¹⁹F NMR signal in BMIm⁺BF₄^? shows a small Au‐NP concentration‐dependent shift. Characterization of the dispersed and deposited gold nanoparticles was done by transmission electron microscopy (TEM/HRTEM), transmission electron diffraction (TED), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV/Vis absorbance spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron spin resonance (ESR), and electron probe micro analyses (EPM, SEM/EDX).     

Synthesis of gem‐Diaurated Species from Alkynols

A number of enol ether‐derived diaurated species were synthesized directly from different alkynols and cationic gold complexes in the presence of a non‐nucleophilic base (proton sponge). The reaction can be easily applied for in situ generation of diaurated species from all common types of hydroalkoxylation substrates: 5‐endo, 5‐exo/6‐endo, 6‐exo/7‐endo and intermolecular types. Six examples were also synthesized in individual state as stable hexafluoroantimonate salts. Whereas diaurated species are obtained reliably from all conventional mononuclear gold catalysts, application of binuclear ones often gave diaurated species with unusual properties. The preliminary results point to complexities of behavior of binuclear gold catalysts and would require more research in future for this subclass. The formation of diaurated species from various gold‐oxo compounds (LAu)₂OH⁺, (LAu)₃O⁺, and LAuOH (L=phosphine ligand) was also studied. Of these three types, only (LAu)₂OH⁺ is reactive, whereas (LAu)₃O⁺ and LAuOH are not reactive alone but require acidic promoters to enable the reaction. These differences in reactivity were explained by ability of these compounds to generate the necessary acetylene π‐complex intermediate.     

The Reaction of Ozone with the Hydroxide Ion: Mechanistic Considerations Based on Thermokinetic and Quantum Chemical Calculations and the Role of HO4− in Superoxide Dismutation

The reaction of OH^? with O₃ eventually leads to the formation of ^.OH radicals. In the original mechanistic concept (J. Staehelin, J. Hoigné, Environ. Sci. Technol. 1982 , 16, 676–681), it was suggested that the first step occurred by O transfer: OH^?+O₃→HO₂^?+O₂ and that ^.OH was generated in the subsequent reaction(s) of HO₂^? with O₃ (the peroxone process). This mechanistic concept has now been revised on the basis of thermokinetic and quantum chemical calculations. A one‐step O transfer such as that mentioned above would require the release of O₂ in its excited singlet state (¹O₂, O₂(¹Δ_g)); this state lies 95.5 kJ mol^?1 above the triplet ground state (³O₂, O₂(³Σ_g^?)). The low experimental rate constant of 70 M ^?1 s^?1 is not incompatible with such a reaction. However, according to our calculations, the reaction of OH^? with O₃ to form an adduct (OH^?+O₃→HO₄^?; ΔG=3.5 kJ mol^?1) is a much better candidate for the rate‐determining step as compared with the significantly more endergonic O transfer (ΔG=26.7 kJ mol^?1). Hence, we favor this reaction; all the more so as numerous precedents of similar ozone adduct formation are known in the literature. Three potential decay routes of the adduct HO₄^? have been probed: HO₄^?→HO₂^?+¹O₂ is spin allowed, but markedly endergonic (ΔG=23.2 kJ mol^?1). HO₄^?→HO₂^?+³O₂ is spin forbidden (ΔG=?73.3 kJ mol^?1). The decay into radicals, HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.?, is spin allowed and less endergonic (ΔG=14.8 kJ mol^?1) than HO₄^?→HO₂^?+¹O₂. It is thus HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.? by which HO₄^? decays. It is noted that a large contribution of the reverse of this reaction, HO₂^.+O₂^.?→HO₄^?, followed by HO₄^?→HO₂^?+³O₂, now explains why the measured rate of the bimolecular decay of HO₂^. and O₂^.? into HO₂^?+O₂ (k=1×10⁸ M ^?1 s^?1) is below diffusion controlled. Because k for the process HO₄^?→HO₂^.+O₂^.? is much larger than k for the reverse of OH^?+O₃→HO₄^?, the forward reaction OH^?+O₃→HO₄^? is practically irreversible.     

An Organogold(III) Difluoride with a trans Arrangement

The trans isomer of the organogold(III) difluoride complex [PPh₄][(CF₃)₂AuF₂] has been obtained in a stereoselective way and in excellent yield by reaction of [PPh₄][CF₃AuCF₃] with XeF₂ under mild conditions. The compound is both thermally stable and reactive. Thus, the fluoride ligands are stereospecifically replaced by any heavier halide or by cyanide, the cyanide affording [PPh₄][trans‐(CF₃)₂Au(CN)₂]. The organogold fluoride complexes [CF₃AuF_x]^? (x=1, 2, 3) have been experimentally detected to arise upon collision‐induced dissociation of the [trans‐(CF₃)₂AuF₂]^? anion in the gas phase. Their structures have been calculated by DFT methods. In the isomeric forms identified for the open‐shell species [CF₃AuF₂]^?, the spin density residing on the metal center is found to strongly depend on the precise stereochemistry. Based on crystallographic evidence, it is concluded that Auⁱⁱⁱ and Agⁱⁱⁱ have similar covalent radii, at least in their most common square‐planar geometry.     

Unique Hydrogen‐Bonded Complex of Hydronium and Hydroxide Ions

H₃O⁺ and OH^?, formed by the self‐ionization of two coordinating water molecules during the crystal growing of a host molecule [1,3,5‐tris(hydroxymethyl)2,4,6‐triethylbenzene ( 1 )], could be effectively stabilized by hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the preorganized hydroxy groups of three molecules of 1. The binding motifs observed in the complex ( 1 )₃?H₃O⁺?HO^? show remarkable similarity to those postulated for the hydrated hydronium and hydroxide ion complexes, which play important roles in various chemical, biological, and atmospheric processes, but their molecular structures are still not fully understood and remain a subject of intensive research.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of hexaaqua rhodium (III) with sulphur (IV) in aqueous medium

An O-bonded sulphito complex, Rh(OH₂)₅(OSO₂H)²⁺, is reversibly formed in the stoppedflow time scale when Rh(OH₂) ₆ ³⁺ and SO₂/HSO ₃ ⁻ buffer (1 <pH< 3) are allowed to react. For Rh(OH₂)₅OH₂₊+ SO₂ □ Rh(OH₂)₅(OSO₂H)²⁺ (k₁/k_-1), k₁ = (2.2 ±0.2) × 10³ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹, k₋1 = 0.58 ±0.16 s⁻¹ (25°C,I = 0.5 mol dm⁻³). The protonated O-sulphito complex is a moderate acid (K _d = 3 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³, 25°C, I= 0.5 mol dm⁻³). This complex undergoes (O, O) chelation by the bound bisulphite withk= 1.4 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ (31°C) to Rh(OH₂)₄(O₂SO)⁺ and the chelated sulphito complex takes up another HSO ₃ ⁻ in a fast equilibrium step to yield Rh(OH₂)₃(O₂SO)(OSO₂H) which further undergoes intramolecular ligand isomerisation to the S-bonded sulphito complex: Rh(OH₂)₃(O₂SO)(OSO₂)^- → Rh(OH₂)₃(O₂SO)(SO₃)⁻ (k _iso = 3 × 10⁻⁴ s⁻¹, 31°C). A dinuclear (μ-O, O) sulphite-bridged complex, Na₄[Rh₂(μ-OH)₂(OH)₂(μ-OS(O)O)(O₂SO)(SO₃) (OH₂)]5H₂O with (O, O) chelated and S-bonded sulphites has been isolated and characterized. This complex is sparingly soluble in water and most organic solvents and very stable to acid-catalysed decomposition     

Mechanistic Origin of Antagonist Effects of Usual Anionic Bases (OH−, CO32−) as Modulated by their Countercations (Na+, Cs+, K+) in Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions

The mechanism of the reaction of trans‐ArPdBrL₂ (Ar=p‐Z‐C₆H₄, Z=CN, H; L=PPh₃) with Ar′B(OH)₂ (Ar′=p‐Z′‐C₆H₄, Z′=H, CN, MeO), which is a key step in the Suzuki–Miyaura process, has been established in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) with two bases, acetate (nBu₄NOAc) or carbonate (Cs₂CO₃) and compared with that of hydroxide (nBu₄NOH), reported in our previous work. As anionic bases are inevitably introduced with a countercation M⁺ (e.g., M⁺OH^?), the role of cations in the transmetalation/reductive elimination has been first investigated. Cations M⁺ (Na⁺, Cs⁺, K⁺) are not innocent since they induce an unexpected decelerating effect in the transmetalation via their complexation to the OH ligand in the reactive ArPd(OH)L₂, partly inhibiting its transmetalation with Ar′B(OH)₂. A decreasing reactivity order is observed when M⁺ is associated with OH^?: nBu₄N⁺> K⁺> Cs⁺> Na⁺. Acetates lead to the formation of trans‐ArPd(OAc)L₂, which does not undergo transmetalation with Ar′B(OH)₂. This explains why acetates are not used as bases in Suzuki–Miyaura reactions that involve Ar′B(OH)₂. Carbonates (Cs₂CO₃) give rise to slower reactions than those performed from nBu₄NOH at the same concentration, even if the reactions are accelerated in the presence of water due to the generation of OH^?. The mechanism of the reaction with carbonates is then similar to that established for nBu₄NOH, involving ArPd(OH)L₂ in the transmetalation with Ar′B(OH)₂. Due to the low concentration of OH^? generated from CO₃^2? in water, both transmetalation and reductive elimination result slower than those performed from nBu₄NOH at equal concentrations as Cs₂CO₃. Therefore, the overall reactivity is finely tuned by the concentration of the common base OH^? and the ratio [OH^?]/[Ar′B(OH)₂]. Hence, the anionic base (pure OH^? or OH^? generated from CO₃^2?) associated with its countercation (Na⁺, Cs⁺, K⁺) plays four antagonist kinetic roles: acceleration of the transmetalation by formation of the reactive ArPd(OH)L₂, acceleration of the reductive elimination, deceleration of the transmetalation by formation of unreactive Ar′B(OH)₃^? and by complexation of ArPd(OH)L₂ by M⁺.     

An experimental and computational approach to pH‐dependent self‐aggregation of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline)

Besides temperature, self‐aggregation of poly(2‐isopropyl‐2‐oxazoline) (PIPOX) can also be triggered via pH in aqueous solution (25 °C, pH > 5). Lowest energy structures and interaction energies of PIPOX with H₃O⁺, OH^?, and H₂O were calculated by DFT methods showed that, in addition to their ability to protonate PIPOX, H₃O⁺ ions had strong interaction with both water and PIPOX in acidic conditions. H₃O⁺ ions acted as compatibilizer between PIPOX and water and increased the solubility of PIPOX. OH^? ions were found to have stronger interaction with water compared to PIPOX resulting in desorption of water molecules from PIPOX phase and decreased solubility, leading to enhanced hydrophobic interactions among isopropyl groups of PIPOX and formation of aggregates at high pH. Results concerning the effect of end‐groups on aggregate size were in good agreement with statistical mechanics calculations. Moreover, the effect of polymer concentration on the aggregate size was examined. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 210–221     

On the Gas‐Phase Reactivity of Complexed OH+ with Halogenated Alkanes

OH⁺ is an extraordinarily strong oxidant. Complexed forms (L? OH⁺), such as H₂OOH⁺, H₃NOH⁺, or iron–porphyrin‐OH⁺ are the anticipated oxidants in many chemical reactions. While these molecules are typically not stable in solution, their isolation can be achieved in the gas phase. We report a systematic survey of the influence on L on the reactivity of L? OH⁺ towards alkanes and halogenated alkanes, showing the tremendous influence of L on the reactivity of L? OH⁺. With the help of with quantum chemical calculations, detailed mechanistic insights on these very general reactions are gained. The gas‐phase pseudo‐first‐order reaction rates of H₂OOH⁺, H₃NOH⁺, and protonated 4‐picoline‐N‐oxide towards isobutane and different halogenated alkanes C_nH_2n+1Cl (n=1–4), HCF₃, CF₄, and CF₂Cl₂ have been determined by means of Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance meaurements. Reaction rates for H₂OOH⁺ are generally fast (7.2×10^?10–3.0×10^?9 cm³ mol^?1 s^?1) and only in the cases HCF₃ and CF₄ no reactivity is observed. In contrast to this H₃NOH⁺ only reacts with tC₄H₉Cl (k_obs=9.2×10^?10), while 4‐CH₃‐C₅H₄N‐OH⁺ is completely unreactive. While H₂OOH⁺ oxidizes alkanes by an initial hydride abstraction upon formation of a carbocation, it reacts with halogenated alkanes at the chlorine atom. Two mechanistic scenarios, namely oxidation at the halogen atom or proton transfer are found. Accurate proton affinities for HOOH, NH₂OH, a series of alkanes C_nH_2n+2 (n=1–4), and halogenated alkanes C_nH_2n+1Cl (n=1–4), HCF₃, CF₄, and CF₂Cl₂, were calculated by using the G3 method and are in excellent agreement with experimental values, where available. The G3 enthalpies of reaction are also consistent with the observed products. The tendency for oxidation of alkanes by hydride abstraction is expressed in terms of G3 hydride affinities of the corresponding cationic products C_nH_2n+1⁺ (n=1–4) and C_nH_2nCl⁺ (n=1–4). The hypersurface for the reaction of H₂OOH⁺ with CH₃Cl and C₂H₅Cl was calculated at the B3 LYP, MP2, and G3_m* level, underlining the three mechanistic scenarios in which the reaction is either induced by oxidation at the hydrogen or the halogen atom, or by proton transfer.     

Expanded‐Ring N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes Efficiently Stabilize Gold(I) Cations,Leading to High Activity in π‐Acid‐Catalyzed Cyclizations

A series of six‐ and seven‐membered expanded‐ring N‐heterocyclic carbene (er‐NHC) gold(I) complexes has been synthesized using different synthetic approaches. Complexes with weakly coordinating anions [(er‐NHC)AuX] (X^?=BF₄^?, NTf₂^?, OTf^?) were generated in solution. According to their ¹³C NMR spectra, the ionic character of the complexes increases in the order X^?=Cl^?<NTf₂^?<OTf^?<BF₄^?. Additional factors for stabilization of the cationic complexes are expansion of the NHC ring and the attachment of bulky substituents at the nitrogen atoms. These er‐NHCs are bulkier ligands and stronger electron donors than conventional NHCs as well as phosphines and sulfides and provide more stabilization of [(L)Au⁺] cations. A comparative study has been carried out of the catalytic activities of five‐, six‐, and seven‐membered carbene complexes [(NHC)AuX], [(Ph₃P)AuX], [(Me₂S)AuX], and inorganic compounds of gold in model reactions of indole and benzofuran synthesis. It was found that increased ionic character of the complexes was correlated with increased catalytic activity in the cyclization reactions. As a result, we developed an unprecedentedly active monoligand cationic [(THD‐Dipp)Au]BF₄ (1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydrodiazepin‐2‐ylidene gold(I) tetrafluoroborate) catalyst bearing seven‐membered‐ring carbene and bulky Dipp substituents. Quantitative yields of cyclized products were attained in several minutes at room temperature at 1 mol % catalyst loadings. The experimental observations were rationalized and fully supported by DFT calculations.     

N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes and Imidazole‐2‐thiones as Ligands for the Gold(I)‐Catalysed Hydroamination of Phenylacetylene

Gold(I) complexes of 1‐[1‐(2,6‐dimethylphenylimino)alkyl]‐3‐(mesityl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (C^Imine_R), 1,3‐dimesitylimidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) and of the corresponding thione derivatives (S^Imine_R and IMesS) were prepared and structurally characterised. The solid‐state structure of the C^Imine_R and S^Imine_R gold(I) complexes showed monodentate coordination of the ligand and a dangling imine group that could bind reversibly to the metal centre to stabilise otherwise unstable catalytic intermediates. Interestingly, reaction of C^Imine_tBu with [AuCl(SMe₂)] led to the formation of [(C^Imine_tBu)AuCl], which rearranges upon crystallisation into the unusual complex cation [(C^Imine_tBu)₂Au]⁺, with AuCl₂^? as the counterion. The activity of the gold complexes in the hydroamination of phenylacetylene with substituted anilines was tested and compared to control catalyst systems. The best catalytic performance was obtained with [(C^Imine_tBu)AuCl], with the exclusive formation of the Markovnikov addition product in excellent yield (>95 %) regardless of the substituents on aniline.     

Oxygen electrodes in fused salts: Investigation and mechanistic remarks on the system (Ni)O2, H2O/OH− in the (Na,K)NO3 eutectic melt

A potentiometric investigation on the system (Ni)O₂, H₂O/OH^? was carried out within the temperature range 513?T?636 K in the (Na, K)NO₃ equimolar mixture containing OH^? ions in the concentration range 5×10^?6<[OH^?]<10^?1m and flushed with a mixture of O₂ and H₂O at variable partial pressures. The system has been found to behave reversibly in all hydroxide concentration and temperature intervals studied with respect to all the species involved in the over-all electrode reaction ½ O₂+H₂O+2e^?=2OH^? so that the following nernstian relationship could be written E=E_O2,H₂O/OH^?+RT/Fln{[O₂]^1/4[H₂O]^1/2/[OH^?]} This potentiometric behaviour was tentatively interpreted on the basis of mechanistic models involving, in some steps, solid nickel oxides formed on the electrode surface by contact with the melt. The actual formation and existence of these compounds on the electrode surface under the given experimental conditions was proved by a proper XPS investigation.     

Aggregation and Degradation of White Phosphorus Mediated by N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Nickel(0) Complexes

The reaction of zerovalent nickel compounds with white phosphorus (P₄) is a barely explored route to binary nickel phosphide clusters. Here, we show that coordinatively and electronically unsaturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) nickel(0) complexes afford unusual cluster compounds with P₁, P₃, P₅ and P₈ units. Using [Ni(IMes)₂] [IMes=1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene], electron‐deficient Ni₃P₄ and Ni₃P₆ clusters have been isolated, which can be described as superhypercloso and hypercloso clusters according to the Wade–Mingos rules. Use of the bulkier NHC complexes [Ni(IPr)₂] or [(IPr)Ni(η⁶‐toluene)] [IPr=1,3‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin‐2‐ylidene] affords a closo‐Ni₃P₈ cluster. Inverse‐sandwich complexes [(NHC)₂Ni₂P₅] (NHC=IMes, IPr) with an aromatic cyclo‐P₅^? ligand were identified as additional products.     

Mechanism of Palladium‐Catalyzed Suzuki–Miyaura Reactions: Multiple and Antagonistic Roles of Anionic “Bases” and Their Countercations

In Suzuki–Miyaura reactions, anionic bases F^? and OH^? (used as is or generated from CO₃^2? in water) play multiple antagonistic roles. Two are positive: 1) formation of trans‐[Pd(Ar)F(L)₂] or trans‐[Pd(Ar)‐ (L)₂(OH)] (L=PPh₃) that react with Ar′B(OH)₂ in the rate‐determining step (rds) transmetallation and 2) catalysis of the reductive elimination from intermediate trans‐[Pd(Ar)(Ar′)(L)₂]. Two roles are negative: 1) formation of unreactive arylborates (or fluoroborates) and 2) complexation of the OH group of [Pd(Ar)(L)₂(OH)] by the countercation of the base (Na⁺, Cs⁺, K⁺).     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Reactivity of Cationic Gold Diarylallenylidene Complexes

Methoxide abstraction from gold acetylide complexes of the form (L)Au[η¹‐C≡CC(OMe)ArAr′] (L=IPr, P(^tBu)₂(ortho‐biphenyl); Ar/Ar′=C₆H₄X where X=H, Cl, Me, OMe) with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf) at ?78 °C resulted in the formation of the corresponding cationic gold diarylallenylidene complexes [(L)Au=C=C=CArAr′]⁺ OTf^? in ≥85±5 % yield according to ¹H NMR analysis. ¹³C NMR and IR spectroscopic analysis of these complexes established the arene‐dependent delocalization of positive charge on both the C1 and C3 allenylidene carbon atoms. The diphenylallenylidene complex [(IPr)Au=C=C=CPh₂]⁺ OTf^? reacted with heteroatom nucleophiles at the allenylidene C1 and/or C3 carbon atom.