Spiro-Carbon: A Metallic Carbon Allotrope Predicted from First Principles Calculations

A structurally stable microporous metallic carbon allotrope, poly(spiro[2.2]penta-1,4-diyne) or, for short, spiro-carbon, with I4₁/amd (D_4h) symmetry is predicted by first-principles calculations using density functional theory (DFT). The calculations of electronic, vibrational, and structural properties show that spiro-carbon has lower relative energy than other elusive carbon allotropes such as T-Carbon and 1-diamondyne (Y-Carbon). Its structure can be pictured as a set of trans-cisoid-polyacetylene chains tangled and interconnected together by sp³ carbon atoms. Calculations reveal a metallic electronic structure arising from an “intrinsic doping” of trans-cisoid-polyacetylene chains with sp³ carbon atoms. Possible synthetic routes and various simulated spectra (XRD, NMR, and IR absorption) are provided in order to guide future efforts to synthesize this novel material.     

New framework nanostructures of carbon atoms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">sp</Emphasis><Superscript>2</Superscript> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">sp</Emphasis><Superscript>3</Superscript> hybridized states

A new family of framework nanostructures including carbon atoms in _sp ² and sp ³ hybridized states is reported. Structure optimization was fulfilled using MM+ molecular mechanics and Hückel semiempirical methods. The energy characteristics of the structures have been evaluated. Comparative analysis of the stability of the title nanostructures has been performed in relation to their geometry and relative contents of sp ²/sp ³ atoms.     

A review of linear carbon chains

Linear carbon chains (LCCs) are a one-dimensional sp¹-hybridized allotrope of carbon. LCCs are extremely unstable: The longer the LCCs, the less stable the materials. Thus, it is a big challenge to synthesize long LCCs. Although the research on the short LCCs, e.g., polyynes, can be traced back to the 18^th, LCCs are still not well-known compared to other allotropes of carbon, e.g., fullerenes, carbon nanotubes and graphene. Therefore, introducing recent progress on LCCs is of great significance to draw more attention in the community of nanocarbons as well as nanomaterials in general. Theoretically, various excellent properties have been predicted. Experimentally, LCCs with different length in many kinds of forms have been successfully synthesized. In this review, we summarized recent studies of polyynic LCCs from both theoretical and experimental aspects. Also, perspectives are highlighted to point out the further investigations of the materials.     

Graphynes and graphdyines

In this paper, the experimental and theoretical results that may give an insight into the current status and possible prospects of the family of (sp¹ + sp²) hybridized carbon allotropes: graphynes (GYs) and graphdiynes (GDYs), are reviewed. These allotropes, which can form a rich variety of 0D-3D forms and demonstrate a set of distinguished properties, have attracted now increased attention and research interest as promising materials, which can compete in various potential applications with “conventional” sp² carbon systems such as fullerenes, nanotubes or graphene and meet the increasing requirements to carbon-based nanomaterials.It can be seen from the increasing number of publications in the last five years that the interest in GYs and GDYs rapidly grows, and a lot of new results have been obtained today. For example, a set of 0D-3D forms of GYs and GDYs have been successfully synthesized and (or) predicted theoretically, and their key properties (structural, mechanical, electronic etc.) have been measured or estimated from ab initio calculations. This gives a strong impetus to further progress in applications of GYs and GDYs as materials for nanoelectronics, energy storage, as anode materials in batteries, as membranes for facilitating selective gas separation etc. All these efforts promote the expansion of the palette of promising carbon materials and accelerate the development of modern carbon-based technologies.     

Pseudopotential-fragment spectroscopy for organic molecules and carbon allotropes

Following on from a previous work (Punter et al., IJQC 2019, 119, 23), pseudopotential sets are developed and tested for a variety of sp² and sp³ carbon fragments. These fragments contain only one or two explicit protons and electrons, and make use of non-atom-centered potentials. They are tested with density functional theory calculations in a selection of chemical environments in which several physical characteristics, including orbital and first ionization energies, are found to be well reproduced. They are then employed in the reproduction of molecular absorption spectra for large organic molecules and carbon allotropes, and are found to recreate both absorption and electronic circular dichroism spectra to a high accuracy. They are also found significantly to increase the computational efficiency of time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations in which they are used.     

Multivariate Auger Feature Imaging (MAFI) – a new approach towards chemical state identification of novel carbons in XPS imaging

The clear identification of allotropes and similar chemical states of carbon in XPS imaging can be made difficult because of the subtle differences observed in spectra, particularly when varying from sp² to sp³ hybridised carbon. By shifting focus from the commonly analysed C1s region in XPS spectra to the often ignored C KVV region, we utilise the so‐called D‐Parameter to identify different forms of carbon in a surface. When this methodology is applied to XPS imaging, the result is a powerful and unambiguous tool for the chemical state identification of carbon in XPS images. Further enhancement by multivariate statistics improves XPS spectral and image quality, and we call this technique Multivariate Auger Feature Imaging. Herein, we have applied this technique to clearly identify in XPS imaging a graphite film mounted on carbon tape. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ab initio study of mechanism of forming bis-heterocyclic compound with Si and Ge between dimethylsilylene germylidene (Me2Si=Ge:) and ethene

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet dimethylsilylene germylidene (Me₂Si=Ge:) and ethene has been investigated with the CCSD(T)//MP2/6-31G* method. From the potential energy profile, it could be predicted that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The reaction rules presented is that the two reactants firstly form a Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Due to the sp ³ hybridization of the Ge: atom in Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene, the Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene further combined with ethene to form a bis-heterocyclic product with Si and Ge (P2).     

Carbon-Based Material-Supported Palladium Nanocatalysts in Coupling Reactions: Discussion on their Stability and Heterogeneity

Scientific interest in carbon-based materials (CBMs) has grown dramatically over the past few decades. Due to a variety of atomic orbital hybrid forms (sp, sp² and sp³ hybridization), carbon can form a variety of materials with diverse structures and characteristics. CBMs used as efficient catalyst supports show extensive promise in organic reactions, which is attributed to their structural similarity with organics, large specific surface area, chemical stability, and photocatalytic properties. This review presents the synthesis of CBM-supported palladium nanocatalysts based on impregnation, template methods, etc. The CBMs include activated carbon (AC), graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and their functionalized products, as supports for improving the activity and recyclability of simple Pd nanocatalysts. After surveying the literature where these catalysts have been utilized for carbon–carbon coupling reactions, there is a particular emphasis on Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira reactions. The catalytic mechanism of these Pd nanocatalysts (surface heterogeneous catalysis or homogeneous catalysis caused by Pd leaching) is discussed in detail, especially the effect of Pd leaching on the stability of the catalyst.     

Rhodium(I)‐Catalyzed Sequential C(sp)C(sp3) and C(sp3)C(sp3) Bond Formation through Migratory Carbene Insertion

A Rh^I‐catalyzed three‐component reaction of tert‐propargyl alcohol, diazoester, and alkyl halide has been developed. This reaction can be considered as a carbene‐involving sequential alkyl and alkynyl coupling, in which C(sp)? C(sp³) and C(sp³)? C(sp³) bonds are built successively on the carbenic carbon atom. The Rh^I‐carbene migratory insertion of an alkynyl moiety and subsequent alkylation are proposed to account for the two separate C? C bond formations. This reaction provides an efficient and tunable method for the construction of all‐carbon quaternary center.     

氮掺杂有序介孔碳-Ni纳米复合材料的制备及电化学性能

以F127为模板剂,Ni Cl2为镍源,尿素为氮源,间苯二酚甲醛原位聚合树脂为碳源,分别采用均相法和两相法制备Ni-NOMC-1,Ni-N-OMC-2纳米复合材料。X射线衍射(XRD)、激光拉曼以及透射电子显微镜(TEM)等测试结果表明,复合材料具有有序介孔结构,Ni以金属微粒形式嵌于碳骨架中,提高了有序介孔碳的石墨化程度。X射线光电子能谱测试(XPS)表明尿素热解后以4种形式存在:sp3杂化与C结合的N原子,吡啶N原子,sp2杂化与C结合的N原子以及quaternary-N原子。Ni-N的共改性改变了碳载体的理化性质,有利于Pt纳米粒子的负载与分散。均相法制备的Ni-N-OMC-1复合材料微波负载Pt后,氧还原极限电流密度为5.32 m A·cm-2,氢氧化电化学活性面积高达138.53 m2·g-1,电化学催化活性优于商业20%Pt/C材料(4.49 m A·cm-2,96.98 m2·g-1)。     

C(spn)−X (n=1–3) Bond Activation by Palladium

We have studied the palladium-mediated activation of C(spⁿ)−X bonds (n = 1–3 and X = H, CH₃, Cl) in archetypal model substrates H₃C−CH₂−X, H₂C=CH−X and HC≡C−X by catalysts PdL_n with L_n = no ligand, Cl⁻, and (PH₃)₂, using relativistic density functional theory at ZORA-BLYP/TZ2P. The oxidative addition barrier decreases along this series, even though the strength of the bonds increases going from C(sp³)−X, to C(sp²)−X, to C(sp)−X. Activation strain and matching energy decomposition analyses reveal that the decreased oxidative addition barrier going from sp³, to sp², to sp, originates from a reduction in the destabilizing steric (Pauli) repulsion between catalyst and substrate. This is the direct consequence of the decreasing coordination number of the carbon atom in C(spⁿ)−X, which goes from four, to three, to two along this series. The associated net stabilization of the catalyst–substrate interaction dominates the trend in strain energy which indeed becomes more destabilizing along this same series as the bond becomes stronger from C(sp³)−X to C(sp)−X.     

Influence of post‐annealing on a diamondlike carbon film analyzed by Raman spectroscopy

The influence of a post‐annealing treatment on the chemical structure of a diamondlike carbon (DLC) film was clarified by Raman spectroscopy. The DLC films were synthesized by ionized deposition. The structures were elucidated via Raman analysis in conjunction with the sp² cluster model. The as‐prepared DLC film consisted of a dielectric matrix including sp³ carbon, where sp² clusters were floating. When the post‐annealing treatment commenced, especially between 450 and 600°C, carbon─hydrogen bonds were cleaved, and the hydrogen atoms were desorbed from the film, creating defects or dangling bonds. The defects were reactive in growing sp² clusters that were strained with numerous defects because of the restricted degrees of freedom in the solid. As the post‐annealing temperature further increased, the clusters became dominant and the strain was gradually dissolved.     

氮掺杂有序介孔碳-Ni纳米复合材料的制备及电化学性能

以F₁₂₇为模板剂,NiCl₂为镍源,尿素为氮源,间苯二酚甲醛原位聚合树脂为碳源,分别采用均相法和两相法制备Ni-N-OMC-1,Ni-N-OMC-2纳米复合材料.X射线衍射(XRD)、激光拉曼以及透射电子显微镜(TEM)等测试结果表明,复合材料具有有序介孔结构,Ni以金属微粒形式嵌于碳骨架中,提高了有序介孔碳的石墨化程度.X射线光电子能谱测试(XPS)表明尿素热解后以4种形式存在:sp³杂化与C结合的N原子,吡啶N原子,sp²杂化与C结合的N原子以及quaternary-N原子.Ni-N的共改性改变了碳载体的理化性质,有利于Pt纳米粒子的负载与分散.均相法制备的Ni-N-OMC-1复合材料微波负载Pt后,氧还原极限电流密度为5.32mA·cm^-2,氢氧化电化学活性面积高达138.53m²·g^-1,电化学催化活性优于商业20%Pt/C材料(4.49mA·cm^-2,96.98m²·g^-1).     

Atomic pseudopotentials for reproducing π-orbital electron behavior in sp2 carbon atoms

A pseudopotential system for an sp² carbon atom is built and tested as a building block for various pseudohydrocarbon polyenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This pseudosystem has a central charge of Z = 1; it contains only one electron. It is employed in ab-initio calculations in which several physical characteristics including the orbital energies and first ionization energy, as well as first excitation energy and UV spectra, are found to be well-reproduced by the pseudosystem. Remarkably, not only are the π excitation energies in good agreement with the reference calculations, but also transition densities and intensities, confirming that the virtual space obtained with the pseudopotentials is of excellent quality. Finally, this approach is capable of reproducing the π electron systems of small or large, planar or nonplanar hydrocarbons at low computational cost.     

Ab initio study of the formation of bis-heterocyclic compound involving Si and Ge from dichlorosilylene germylidene (Cl2Si=Ge:) and ethene

The mechanism of the cycloaddition reaction between singlet state dichlorosilylene germylidene (Cl₂Si=Ge:) and ethene has been investigated with CCSD(T)//MP2/6-31G* method, from the potential energy profile, we predict that the reaction has one dominant reaction pathway. The presented rule of the reaction is that the two reactants firstly form a Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene through the [2+2] cycloaddition reaction. Due to the sp ³ hybridization of the Ge: atom in Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene, the Si-heterocyclic four-membered ring germylene further combined with the ethene to form a bis-heterocyclic compound with Si and Ge.     

2,4-Bis{[6-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-3-ethyl-1,3-benzothiazol-2(3H)-yl­idene]methyl}cyclobutenediylium-1,3-­diolate

The title compound, C₃₄H₄₀N₂O₂S₂, adopts a trans conformation. The four conjugated Csp²—Csp² single and double bonds of the polymethinic moiety, which bridges both heterocyclic end groups and the central four-membered ring, display nearly equal bond lengths. The mol­ecule is nearly planar, with interplanar angles between the benzo­thia­zole end groups and the central four-membered ring of 6.9 (1) and 7.7 (1)°; the angle between the heterocyclic systems is 1.8 (1)°. The crystal packing involves π-stacking effects, with intermolecular C⃛C distances varying from 3.755 (3) to 3.991 (3) Å.     

On some carbon clusters containing sp2- and sp3-hybridized atoms

A new class of thread-like carbon clusters consisting of dodecahedra and containing sp²- and sp³-hybridized atoms is described. Molecular and electronic structures of the simplest representative of this class (the C₁₀₂ cluster) and of the polyhedral C₉₀H₁₂ hydrocarbon molecule, whose carbon framework is identical to the toroidal fragment of the C₁₀₂ cluster, have been calculated by the MNDO and MNDO-PM3 methods.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya. No. 3, pp. 551–553, March, 1996.     

Photoredox-Controlled Mono- and Di-Multifluoroarylation of C(sp3)−H Bonds with Aryl Fluorides

A controllable mono- and di-multifluoroarylation of acyclic and cyclic N-aryl amines with aryl fluorides by photocatalyzed dual C(sp³)−H/C(sp²)−F functionalization has been developed, providing new access to a wide array of valuable α-fluoroarylated amines. In addition, the one-pot consecutive hetero-di-multifluoroarylation of N-aryl pyrrolidines and N,N-dimethylanilines was achieved with high to excellent diastereoselectivity. This new defluorinative C(sp³)−C(sp²) coupling is distinguished by a broad scope, good regioselectivity, and mild conditions as well as gram-scale and late-stage applicability, and thus constitutes a significant advance in the arylation of unactivated C(sp³)−H bonds with aryl fluorides.     

Surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon film analyzed by difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Difference X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (D‐XPS) revealed the surface oxidation process of a diamond‐like carbon (DLC) film. Evaluation of surface functional groups on DLC solely by the C 1s spectrum is difficult because the spectrum is broad and has a secondary asymmetric lineshape. D‐XPS clarified the subtle but critical changes at the DLC surface caused by wet oxidation. The hydroxyl (C―OH) group was dominant at the oxidized surface. Further oxidized carbonyl (C?O) and carboxyl (including carboxylate) (COO) groups were also obtained; however, the oxidation of C?O to COO was suppressed to some extent because the reaction required C―C bond cleavage. Wet oxidation cleaved the aliphatic hydrogenated and non‐hydrogenated sp² carbon bonds (C―H sp² and C―C sp²) to create a pair of C―OH and hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―H sp³) bonds. The reaction yield for C―H sp² was superior at the surface, suggesting that the DLC film was hydrogen rich at the surface. Oxidation of aromatic sp² rings or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as nanographite to phenols did not occur because of their resonance stabilization with electron delocalization. Non‐hydrogenated sp³ carbon (C―C sp³) bonds were not affected by oxidation, suggesting that these bonds are chemically inert. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

MoS2 incorporated carbon allotropes (activated carbon,graphene, MWCNT) as electrodes in symmetric supercapacitors

Symmetric supercapacitor devices were fabricated from MoS₂ incorporated carbon allotropes such as activated carbon (AC)/MoS₂, graphene/MoS₂ and MWCNT/MoS₂. The device performance was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The electrochemical properties of the devices fabricated from carbon allotropes (activated carbon, graphene, MWCNT) were remarkably enhanced to above 50% by the incorporation MoS₂ phases. Out of the three fabricated devices, electrochemical performance of AC/MoS₂ as found to be superior. The specific capacitance and energy density of this device is 216 ​F/g and 6.2 ​Wh/Kg respectively with excellent higher rate capability and longer cyclic durability. The devices fabricated from graphene/MoS₂ and MWCNT/MoS₂ has exhibited a specific capacitance value of 202 ​F/g and 161 ​F/g with an energy density value of 5.68 ​Wh/Kg and 3.95 ​Wh/Kg respectively.