Structural, solid-state NMR and theoretical studies of the inverse-coordination of lithium chloride using group 13 phosphide hosts

The reaction of MeAlCl2 with 'PhPLi2' in THF gives [{MeAl(PPh)3Li(4).3 THF}4(mu4-Cl)]-Li+ (1). The GaIII and InIII analogues, [{MeE(PPh)3Li(4).3 THF}4(mu4-Cl)]-Li+(THF)3 (E=Ga (2), In (3)), are obtained by the in situ reactions of MeECl2 with PhPLi2 in THF. For all of the complexes, the cage anions have an unusual cubic arrangement that is similar to a zeolite, and contain large voids (ca. 17 A). The location of the Li+ counterions in 1-3 and their coordination environment appears to subtly reflect variations in packing and lattice energy. Whereas in 1 highly mobile, loosely coordinated Li+ counterions are present, 2 and 3 contain less mobile THF-solvated counterions within the cavities. X-ray crystallographic and solid-state NMR studies are reported on 1-3, together with model DFT calculations on the selectivity of halide coordination.     

Recent topics of the metallacycles composed of the heavier group 14 elements

This Letter reviews recent advance of metallacycles with chelating Si-, Ge-, and Sn-ligands. Dehydrogenative bond-forming reactions of organosilanes, -germanes, and -stannanes promoted by Pd and Pt complexes afford four- and five-membered metallacycles composed of heavier group 14 elements. It has a couple of advantages such as easier preparation of the starting compounds and reaction procedure than the common metathesis reactions of dianions with transition metal dihalide complexes. These metallacycles are regarded as possible intermediates in catalytic dehydrocoupling polymerizations or as convenient precursors to form discrete oligomers.     

Protonation of group 14 oxides: the proton affinity of SnO

Molecular orbital calculations are reported for the monoxides, XO, of group 14 elements (X = C, Si, Ge and Sn) and for both isomers, XOH⁺ and HXO⁺, of the protonated monoxides. Structure optimisation has been carried out using the Density Functional Theory employing the B3LYP procedure and at both Hartree-Fock and MP2 (full) levels, all with a variety of medium-sized Gaussian basis sets. In all XO molecules the oxygen atom is the preferred site for protonation, except when X = C where HCO⁺ is the lower energy isomer. Barriers to interconversion between the two isomers XOH⁺ and HXO⁺ are over-estimated by the Hartree-Fock calculations, but with wave functions that include electron correlations they generally fall into the range 27-44 kcal mol⁻¹. Proton affinities increase as the atomic number of X increases, and values calculated by averaging over all wave functions that include electron correlation, give the following proton affinities: for CO, 141.5; for SiO, 189.3; for GeO, 196.1; and for SnO, 215.6 (all in kcal mol⁻¹).     

Development of novel and efficient synthesis of group 14 element (Ge and Sn) catenates by use of samarium (II) diiodide

Group 14 element catenates such as di-, tri-, poly-germanes, and polystannanes are efficiently synthesized by use of the one-electron reducing agent SmI₂ under mild homogeneous conditions in good yields.     

Synthesen und Molekülstrukturen von [Cu20Ga10Cl4Se23(PEt2Ph)12] und [Cu14In6Se7(iPrSe)18]

Syntheses and Structures of [Cu₂₀Ga₁₀Cl₄Se₂₃(PEt₂Ph)₁₂] and [Cu₁₄In₆Se₇(iPrSe)₁₈] CuCl and GaCl₃ react with Se(SiMe₃)₂ in thf solution to yield in the presence of PEt₂Ph [Cu₂₀Ga₁₀Cl₄Se₂₃(PEt₂Ph)₁₂] ( 1 ). Reaction of CuCl, InCl₃ and TMEDA with iPrSeSiMe₃ in DME results in the crystallisation of [Cu₁₄In₆Se₇(iPrSe)₁₈] ( 2 ). The structures of 1 and 2 were determined by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis and display two new types of molecular clusters formed by the elements of group 11, 13, and 16. However, both cluster structures show no analogy to the structures of the related bulk phases.     

Tuning main group redox chemistry through steric loading: subvalent Group 13 metal complexes of carbazolyl ligands

The ability of substituted carbazol‐9‐yl systems to ligate in σ fashion through the amido N‐donor, or to adopt alternative coordination modes through the π system of the central five‐membered ring, can be tuned by systematic variation in the steric demands of substituents in the 1‐ and 8‐positions. The differing affinities of the two modes of coordination for hard and soft metal centres can be shown to influence not only cation selectivity, but also the redox properties of the metal centre. Thus, the highly sterically sterically demanding 1,3,6,8‐tetra‐tert‐butylcarbazolyl ligand can be used to generate the structurally characterised amido‐indium(I) complex, [{(tBu₄carb)In}_n], (together with its isostructural thallium counterpart) in which the metal centre interacts with the central pyrrolyl ring in η³ fashion [d(In? N)=2.679(3) Å; d(In? C)=2.819(3), 2.899(3) Å]. By contrast, the smaller 3,6‐di‐tert‐butylcarbazolyl system is less able to restrict the metal centre from binding at the anionic nitrogen donor in the plane of the carbazolyl ligand (i.e. in σ fashion). Analogous chemistry with In^I precursors therefore leads to disproportionation to the much harder In^II [and In⁰], and the formation of the mixed‐valence product, [In₂{In₂(tBu₂carb)₆}], a homoleptic molecular [In₄(NR₂)₆] system. This chemistry reveals a flexibility of ligation for carbazolyl systems that contrasts markedly with that of the similarly sterically encumbered terphenyl ligand family.     

tBuP(NH2)2--a reactive synthon for the synthesis of molecular imidophosphinates of group 13 metals

Reactions of tBuP(NH(2))(2) with Group 13 trialkyls MR(3) (M=Al, Ga, In; R=Me, tBu) were investigated in detail. According to variable-temperature (VT) NMR investigations, the reaction proceeds stepwise with the initial formation of aminophosphane adducts, which subsequently react to give iminophosphorane adducts and finally the heterocyclic metallonitridophosphinates. BP86/TZVPP (DFT) calculations were performed to verify this reaction pathway, to elucidate the influence of the central Group 13 element on the stability of the reaction intermediates and the heterocycles, as well as to assess the thermodynamics of their formation. The relative stability of free and complexed aminophosphane RP(NH(2))(2) and iminophosphorane R(H(2)N)(H)P=NH (adducts) with P(III) and P(V) centers was studied in more detail with DFT and MP2 methods. In addition, the influence of the substituent R was investigated by variation of R from H to Me, tBu, F, and NH(2). In general, the aminophosphane form was found to be favored for the free ligand, however, upon complexation with MR(3) (M=Al, Ga; R=alkyl) both forms are almost equal in energy.     

Synthese und thermische Eigenschaften von molekularen Clusterverbindungen zusammengesetzt aus Elementen der Gruppen 11‐13‐16

Syntheses and Thermal Properties of Cluster Molecules, formed from Groups 11‐13‐16 Elements In the presence of PPh₃, CuX (X = Cl, CH₃COO) or AgOC(O)C₆H₅ and GaCl₃ react in THF with S(SiMe₃)₂ or Se(SiMe₃)₂ to yield [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄S₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 1 ), [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 2 ), [Ag₆Ga₈Cl₄S₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 4 ) and [Ag₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PPh₃)₆] ( 5 ). The use of PⁿPr₂Ph instead of PPh₃ and subsequent layering with n‐hexane leads to the formation of the cluster [Cu₆Ga₈Cl₄Se₁₃(PⁿPr₂Ph)₁₂] ( 3a , 3b ). Reaction of CuCl, GaCl₃ and PⁿPr₃ with Se(SiMe₃)₂ in THF results in the crystallisation of the ionic cluster (HPⁿPr₃)₂[Cu₂Ga₄Cl₄Se₆(PⁿPr₃)₄] ( 6 ). The structures of 1 — 6 were determined by X‐ray single crystal structure analysis. Thermogravimetric measurements of the cluster molecules and powder diffraction patterns of the remaining powders reveal the potential use of them as single source precursor compounds for the synthesis of the related ternary solid state materials.     

Zintl ions, cage compounds, and intermetalloid clusters of Group 14 and Group 15 elements

For a long time, Zintl ions of Group 14 and 15 elements were considered to be remarkable species domiciled in solid-state chemistry that have unexpected stoichiometries and fascinating structures, but were of limited relevance. The revival of Zintl ions was heralded by the observation that these species, preformed in solid-state Zintl phases, can be extracted from the lattice of the solids and dissolved in appropriate solvents, and thus become available as reactants and building blocks in solution chemistry. The recent upsurge of research activity in this fast-growing field has now provided a rich plethora of new compounds, for example by substitution of these Zintl ions with organic groups and organometallic fragments, by oxidative coupling reactions leading to dimers, oligomers, or polymers, or by the inclusion of metal atoms under formation of endohedral cluster species and intermetalloid compounds; some of these species have good prospects in applications in materials science. This Review presents the enormous progress that has been made in Zintl ion chemistry with an emphasis on syntheses, properties, structures, and theoretical treatments.     

Symmetry coordinates and group orbitals from basis functions

The gradients of the basis functions of group theory are vector-valued basis functions. When one of the components of such a gradient is evaluated at atomic positions, and the values are summed over a set of equivalent atoms, the result represents a symmetry coordinate and/or a group orbital.     

9-Triptycenyl complexes of group 13 and 15 halides and hydrides

The reactions of 9-lithiotriptycene with AlCl₃, GaCl₃ and InBr₃ have been carried out and have yielded the complexes, [(tript)AlCl₂(OEt₂)], [(tript)GaCl₂(THF)] and [(tript)InBr(μ-Br)₂Li(OEt₂)₂], tript=9-triptycenyl. The latter two complexes have been structurally characterised. The corresponding reactions of 9-lithiotriptycene with ECl₃ (E=P, As, Sb or Bi) afforded the complexes, [(tript)ECl₂], of which all but the phosphorus compound have been crystallographically authenticated. In addition, the high yield syntheses of the thermally stable primary pnictanes [(tript)EH₂] (E=As, Sb) have been achieved by reaction of the relevant halide complex with LiAlH₄. The X-ray crystal structure of the antimony hydride complex is reported.     

Structure-direct assembly of hexagonal pencil-like ZnO group whiskers

Hexagonal ZnO group whiskers synthesized from Zn(NH₃)₄²⁺ precursor at 145°C in a structure-directing template solvent (2.5% v/v alcohol) show strong photoluminescence at 409 and 420 nm. FE-SEM and TEM observation reveals that the ZnO group whiskers consist of uniform pencil-like whiskers with the diameter of around 1.5 μm and the length of up to 6 μm.     

Comments on group theoretical analysis of NQR spectra of crystals

The use of generating function methods for the number of NQR lines of crystals exhibiting distortion is outlined. The intensity ratios of NQR lines can be obtained using a double coset method.     

Trapping the Parent Inorganic Ethylenes H(2) SiGeH(2) and H(2) SiSnH(2) in the Form of Stable Adducts at Ambient Temperature

Putting on some weight: A series of stable adducts featuring the hitherto unknown mixed heavy ethylene analogues H(2) SiGeH(2) and H(2) SiSnH(2) were prepared using a versatile donor-acceptor method.     

A Germanium(II) Cation with [1+1] Coordination

Breaking the molecular symmetry by protonation of germylene 1 is the key step in the synthesis of the germyliumylidene 2 , which is stabilized by an intramolecular interaction with a distant imido group.

     

Some past vignettes of and future prospects for Main Group chemistry

The present article traces, from the author's perspective, some of the important developments in the chemistry of the Group 13 and 15 elements that have taken place over the past three decades. Included in the review are compounds that feature multiple bonding between heavier Main Group elements, the coordination chemistry of Group 13 and 15 carbene analogues, and novel ring systems involving these elements. Some materials science and medicinal aspects of this area of chemistry are also presented.     

Prediction of Antoine constants using a group contribution method

Vapor pressure is one of the important properties necessary for process design. Antoine equation has been widely used to evaluate the vapor pressures. This article deals with the proposal of a method for predicting the Antoine constants using a group contribution method. The 1817 compounds treated here are grouped into six classes. The group contribution parameters for each class have been determined using a regression analysis. The group contribution method with help of experimental normal boiling point has good results for predicting the vapor pressures.     

Growth of group III nitride films by pulsed electron beam deposition

We have grown group III nitride films on Al₂O₃ (0 0 0 1), 6H-SiC (0 0 0 1), and ZnO () substrates by pulsed electron beam deposition (PED) for the first time and investigated their characteristics. We found that c-plane AlN and GaN grow epitaxially on these substrates. It has been revealed that the growth of GaN on atomically flat 6H-SiC substrates starts with the three-dimensional mode and eventually changes into the two-dimensional mode. The GaN films exhibited strong near-band-edge emission in their room temperature photoluminescence spectra. We also found that the use of PED allows us to reduce the epitaxial growth temperature for GaN down to 200 °C.     

Some past achievements and future perspectives in main group chemistry

A survey of some recent developments and past achievements in low-valent main group chemistry is presented. Some emerging implications of this area of chemistry in materials science, catalysis and new reagent development are also discussed.