Gas‐phase reactions of XH3+ (X = C,Si, Ge) with NF3: a comparative investigation on the detailed mechanistic aspects

The gas‐phase reaction of CH₃⁺ with NF₃ was investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry (ITMS). The observed products include NF₂⁺ and CH₂F⁺. Under the same experimental conditions, SiH₃⁺ reacts with NF₃ and forms up to six ionic products, namely (in order of decreasing efficiency) NF₂⁺, SiH₂F⁺, SiHF₂⁺, SiF⁺, SiHF⁺, and NHF⁺. The GeH₃⁺ cation is instead totally unreactive toward NF₃. The different reactivity of XH₃⁺ (X = C, Si, Ge) toward NF₃ has been rationalized by ab initio calculations performed at the MP2 and coupled cluster level of theory. In the reaction of both CH₃⁺ and SiH₃⁺, the kinetically relevant intermediate is the fluorine‐coordinated isomer H₃X‐F‐NF₂⁺ (X = C, Si). This species forms from the exoergic attack of XH₃⁺ to one of the F atoms of NF₃ and undergoes dissociation and isomerization processes which eventually result in the experimentally observed products. The nitrogen‐coordinated isomers H₃X‐NF₃⁺ (X = C, Si) were located as minimum‐energy structures but do not play an active role in the reaction mechanism. The inertness of GeH₃⁺ toward NF₃ is also explained by the endoergic character of the dissociation processes involving the H₃Ge‐F‐NF₂⁺ isomer. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

On the synthesis of the N2F+5 cation. A critical comment on the paper by Toy and Stringham.

Toy and Stringham recently reported [1] the synthesis of N₂F⁺₅ (CF₃)₃CO^-, a salt containing the novel pentafluorohydrazinium cation. This cation would be of significant academic and practical interest [2] since it would constitute the first known example of a substituted NF⁺₄ cation, i.e. an NF⁺₄ cation in which a fluorine ligand is replaced by an NF₂ group. According to the authors of [1], N₂F⁺₅(CF₃)₃CO^- was formed in a very unusual reaction involving the transfer of a fluorine cation from (CF₃)₃COF to N₂F₄ according to:

     

Fluorierung von Cyanurchlorid und Tieftemperatur-Kristallstruktur von [(ClCN)3F]+ [AsF6]−

Fluorination of Cyanuric Chloride and Low-Temperature Crystal Structure of [(ClCN)₃F]⁺[AsF₆]^? The low-temperature fluorination of cyanuric chloride, (ClCN)₃, with F₂/AsF₅ in SO₂F₂ solution yielded the salt [(ClCN)₃F]⁺ [AsF₆]^? ( 1 ) essentially in quantitative yield. Compound 1 was identified by a low-temperature single crystal X-ray structure determination: R 3 c, trigonal, a = b = 10.4246(23) Å, c = 15.1850(24) Å, V = 1429.1(4) Å 3, Z = 6, R_F = 0.056, R_w = 0.076 (for significant reflections), R_F = 0.088, R_w = 0.079 (for all reflections). Fluorination of neat (ClCN)₃ with [NF₄]⁺ [Sb₂F₁₁]^? yielded NF₃, CClF₃, SbF₃, N₂ and traces of CF₄. A qualitative scale for the oxidizing strength of the oxidative fluorinators NF₄⁺ and (XCN)₃F⁺ (X = H, F, Cl) has been computed ab initio.     

Mass spectrometric study of NF3 plasma etching of silicon

NF₃ plasma etching is used for dry cleaning of reactors after plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of hydrogenated amorphous silicon from SiH₄. The NF₃ plasma chemistry, in a closed isothermal plasma box with silicon coated walls, is analyzed by mass spectrometry of gases. Silicon is etched as SiF₄ by F atoms produced in the NF₃ dissociation into F+NF₂, or 2F+NF. The NF radicals recombine as N₂ +2F whereas the long-lived NF₂ radicals do not react with Si, but recombine as N₂F₄ This is the main limitation (or fluorine conversion into SiF₄. The pressure increase at the end point of etching is attributed to the sudden increase of F atom concentration in the gas phase and the consequent recombination q( F atoms as F₂.     

A comparison of enthalpies of tetrafluoroammonium salts and other fluoro-nitrogen species

It is shown that enthalpies of nitrogen fluorides and oxo fluorides deviate markedly from enthalpies of corresponding hydroxo compounds, whereas there is good agreement (circa 2%) between carbon mono, di and trifluoro compounds and their hydroxo analogues. The extent of deviation correlates with the extra number of lone pair repulsions of fluoro over oxo compounds. The enthalpy of NF₄⁺(g) can be extrapolated from the other (N,F) and (N,O,F) compounds. The enthalpies of solid NF₄⁺ salts are close to those of corresponding NO₂⁺ salts and from this an exothermic heat of formation for NF₄⁺F^? is predicted.     

Gas‐phase reactions of SiHn+ (n = 1,2) with NF3: A computational investigation on the detailed mechanistic aspects

The mechanism of the gas‐phase reactions of SiH_n⁺ (n = 1,2) with NF₃ were investigated by ab initio calculations at the MP2 and CAS‐MCSCF level of theory. In the reaction of SiH⁺, the kinetically relevant intermediates are the two isomeric forms of fluorine‐coordinated intermediate HSi‐F‐NF₂⁺. These species arise from the exoergic attack of SiH⁺ to one of the F atoms of NF₃ and undergo two competitive processes, namely an isomerization and subsequent dissociation into SiF⁺ + HNF₂, and a singlet‐triplet crossing so to form the spin‐forbidden products HSiF⁺ + NF₂. The reaction of SiH₂⁺ with NF₃ involves instead the concomitant formation of the nitrogen‐coordinated complex H₂Si‐NF₃⁺ and of the fluorine‐coordinated complex H₂Si‐F‐NF₂⁺. The latter isomer directly dissociates into NF₂⁺ + H₂SiF, whereas the former species preferably undergoes the passage through a conical intersection point so to form a H₂SiF‐NF₂⁺ isomer, which eventually dissociates into H₂SiF⁺ and NF₂. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Vibrational spectra of AuF5 complexes with nitrogen fluorides and oxofluorides

Vibrational spectra and structural features of AuF₅ complexes with nitrogen fluorides (NF₃, N₂F₄) and oxofluorides (FNO, NF₃O) are investigated. Vibrational frequency assignment in the solid phase and in solution of anhydrous HF was made. Distinctive features of vibrational spectra of X⁺AuF₆ ^? (X = NF₄ ⁺, N₂F₃ ⁺, NO⁺, NOF₂ ⁺) related to structural transformations of cations and hexafluoroaurate anion due to the influence of the crystal field and cation-anion interactions are discussed.     

A Thallium Coated Dianion: Trigonal Bipyramidal [F2Al(OR)3]2— Coordinated to Three Tl+ Cations in the Ion Pair [Tl3F2Al(OR)3]+[Al(OR)4]— [R = CH(CF3)2]

The reproducible synthesis of the unusual ionic aluminum compound [Tl₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺[Al(OR)₄]^— ( 1 ) is reported. In the reaction of Li[Al(OR)₄] [R = C(H)(CF₃)₂] with TlF the initially desired Tl[Al(OR)₄] only formed with an exact 1:1 stoichiometry, while an excess of TlF led to [Tl₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺[Al(OR)₄]^— ( 1 ). Additionally the x‐ray single crystal structure of the byproduct [(R‐OH)TlAl(OR)₃(μ‐F)]₂ ( 2 ) was determined. Compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by X‐ray single crystal structure determinations and 1 also by NMR spectroscopy and an elemental analysis. In 1 the [Tl₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺ cation forms a trigonal bipyramid with a pentacoordinate aluminum atom. Three Tl⁺ cations cover the [F₂Al(OR)₃]^2— dianion core and the charge of the resulting [Tl₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺ cation is compensated by a weakly coordinating [Al(OR)₄]^— anion. Compound 2 contains a centrosymmetric [Al(OR)₃(μ‐F)]₂^2— dianion core with pentacoordinate aluminum atoms building a distorted edge sharing double trigonal bipyramid. The [Al(OR)₃(μ‐F)]₂^2— dianion coordinates two [Tl(R‐OH)]⁺ cations giving the non charged molecular [(R‐OH)TlAl(OR)₃(μ‐F)]₂ ( 2 ). Based on BP86/SVP (DFT‐) and lattice enthalpy calculations a pathway of the reaction was proposed to rationalize the formation of the [M₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺ cation upon reaction of Li[Al(OR)₄] with MF for M = Tl but not for M = Cs (cf. Cs⁺ and Tl⁺ have very similar ionic radii). Using a suitable BorñHaber cycle and in agreement with the experiment, the enthalpies of the reaction of 2 M[Al(OR)₄] with 2 MF giving [M₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺[Al(OR)₄]^— and MOR were shown to be favorable for M = Tl by 127 kJ/mol but endothermic for the formation of the hypothetical [Cs₃F₂Al(OR)₃]⁺[Al(OR)₄]^— by 95 kJ/mol. It is suggested that in the reaction leading to 1 initially Tl[Al(OR)₄] is formed, followed by an abstraction of TlOR and Al(OR)₃. The latter very strong Lewis acid reacts subsequently with an excess of TlF yielding 1 .     

Mass-spectrometric study of tetrafluorohydrazine and the products resulting from its breakdown under electron impact

Conclusions Electron-impact methods have been used to study positive (NF⁺, NF₂ ⁺, N₂F₂ ⁺) and negative (F^–, F₂ ^–, N₂F^–, NF₂ ^–) ion formation in the mass spectra of tetrafluorohydrazine and its decomposition products.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 1306–1311, June, 1978.The authors would like to thank V. Ya. Rosolovskii for a discussion of the results obtained in this work.     

Production of electronically excited NF by the reaction of fluorine atoms with HN3

Electronically excited NF in both the a¹Δ and b ¹Σ⁺ states hasbeen observed from the reaction of fluorine atoms with HN₃. The results suggest that fluorine atoms first abstract the hydrogen atom from HN₃, then react with the remaining N₃ to form NF^≠(a¹Δ). NF^*(b¹Σ⁺) is produced by a subsequent energy pooling reaction between NF^≠(a¹Δ) and vibrationally excited HF. The rate of the F + N₃ reaction is estimated to be ≈ 10¹² and ³ mole^?1 s^?1.     

Thermal Dehydrogenation of Base‐Stabilized B2H5+ Complexes and Its Role in CH Borylation

Thermally induced dehydrogenation of the H‐bridged cation L₂B₂H₅⁺ (L=Lewis base) is proposed to be the key step in the intramolecular C? H borylation of tertiary amine boranes activated with catalytic amounts of strong “hydridophiles”. Loss of H₂ from L₂B₂H₅⁺ generates the highly reactive cation L₂B₂H₃⁺, which in its sp²‐sp³ diborane(4) form then undergoes either an intramolecular C? H insertion with B? B bond cleavage, or captures BH₃ to produce L₂B₃H₆⁺. The effect of the counterion stability on the outcome of the reaction is illustrated by formation of LBH₂C₆F₅ complexes through disproportionation of L₂B₂H₅⁺ HB(C₆F₅)₃^?.     

Reactions of (Nonafluorocyclohexen-1-yl)xenon(II) Hexafluoroarsenate with Halide Anions

The products of the reaction between the electrophilic alkenylxenonium cation [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] and the halide anions I^?, Br^?, Cl^? and F^? depend on the hardness of the halide anion. With the soft halides I^? and Br^? Xe(II) is formally displaced by halogen as well in basic MeCN as in superacidic (AHF¹), whereas with hard fluoride and chloride no reaction takes place in AHF. In MeCN F^? initiates the formation of alkenyl radicals, which abstract hydrogen from the solvent, whereas Cl^? exhibits borderline character: RH and RCl formation. Possible reaction paths are discussed. The reactivity of the arylxenonium cation [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ in AHF toward halide ions is reported and the relative electrophilicity of the cations [C₆F₅Xe]⁺ and [1-Xe⁺–C₆F₉] is determined by the competitive reaction with Cl^?. In addition the synthesis of cyclohexene 1-CF₃–C₆F₉ from C₆F₅CF₃ and XeF₂ is performed and its electrophilicity is compared with that of the aromatic compound C₆F₅CF₃.     

From Monomers to π Stacks,from Nonconductive to Conductive: Syntheses,Characterization, and Crystal Structures of Benzidine Radical Cations

Salts that contain radical cations of benzidine (BZ), 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), 2,2′,6,6′‐tetraisopropylbenzidine (TPB), and 4,4′‐terphenyldiamine (DATP) have been isolated with weakly coordinating anions [Al(OR_F)₄]^? (OR_F=OC(CF₃)₃) or SbF₆^?. They were prepared by reaction of the respective silver(I) salts with stoichiometric amounts of benzidine or its alkyl‐substituted derivatives in CH₂Cl₂. The salts were characterized by UV absorption and EPR spectroscopy as well as by their single‐crystal X‐ray structures. Variable‐temperature UV/Vis absorption spectra of BZ ^{. +}[Al(OR_F)₄]^? and TMB ^{. +}[Al(OR_F)₄]^? in acetonitrile indicate an equilibrium between monomeric free radical cations and a radical‐cation dimer. In contrast, the absorption spectrum of TPB ^{. +}SbF₆^? in acetonitrile indicates that the oxidation of TPB only resulted in a monomeric radical cation. Single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies show that in the solid state BZ and its methylation derivative (TMB) form radical‐cation π dimers upon oxidation, whereas that modified with isopropyl groups (TPB) becomes a monomeric free radical cation. By increasing the chain length, π stacks of π dimers are obtained for the radical cation of DATP. The single‐crystal conductivity measurements show that monomerized or π‐dimerized radicals (BZ ^{. +}, TMB ^{. +}, and TPB ^{. +}) are nonconductive, whereas the π‐stacked radical (DATP ^{. +}) is conductive. A conduction mechanism between chains through π stacks is proposed.     

Thermal Dehydrogenation of Base‐Stabilized B2H5+ Complexes and Its Role in C?H Borylation

Thermally induced dehydrogenation of the H‐bridged cation L₂B₂H₅⁺ (L=Lewis base) is proposed to be the key step in the intramolecular C H borylation of tertiary amine boranes activated with catalytic amounts of strong “hydridophiles”. Loss of H₂ from L₂B₂H₅⁺ generates the highly reactive cation L₂B₂H₃⁺, which in its sp²‐sp³ diborane(4) form then undergoes either an intramolecular C H insertion with B B bond cleavage, or captures BH₃ to produce L₂B₃H₆⁺. The effect of the counterion stability on the outcome of the reaction is illustrated by formation of LBH₂C₆F₅ complexes through disproportionation of L₂B₂H₅⁺ HB(C₆F₅)₃⁻.     

Fragmentation of the valence electronic states of NF3 studied by threshold photoelectron–photoion coincidence spectroscopy

The valence threshold photoelectron spectrum of NF₃ is reported for the first time in the literature, and threshold photoelectron–photoion coincidence (TPEPICO) spectroscopy has measured, state-selectively, the decay dynamics of the valence states of NF₃⁺ in the range 13–23 eV. Vacuum–UV radiation from the Daresbury synchrotron source dispersed by a 1 m Seya-Namioka monochromator photoionises the parent molecules. Electrons and ions are detected by threshold electron analysis and time-of-flight mass spectrometry, respectively. TPEPICO spectra are recorded continuously as a function of photon energy, allowing coincidence ion yields of the fragment ions and the breakdown diagram to be obtained. A comparison of the integrated threshold photoelectron and the total ion signals as a function of energy suggests that, in the range 16–19 eV, autoionisation via Rydberg states of NF₃ makes a significant contribution to the production of threshold electrons. The 50% crossover energy for production of NF₂⁺ from NF₃⁺ is determined to be 14.10±0.05 eV. The first onsets for NF₂⁺ and NF⁺ production are 13.95±0.05 and 17.6±0.1 eV, respectively. The majority of the Franck–Condon region of the ground state of NF₃⁺ is stable with respect to dissociation to NF₂⁺, whereas the unresolved states and most of the state dissociate exclusively to NF₂⁺. The and states dissociate to NF⁺. Translational kinetic energy releases have been measured in NF₂⁺ and NF⁺ at the energies of the Franck–Condon maxima of the valence states of NF₃⁺. The results are compared with models assuming statistical and impulsive dissociation. The Ã/ states of NF₃⁺ dissociate directly from the excited-state potential energy surface to NF₂⁺, whereas the higher-lying state probably dissociates off the ground-state surface following rapid internal conversion. It is not possible to correlate unambiguously the formation of NF⁺ with either F₂ or 2F, although on energetic grounds the latter products are more likely. Assuming that the neutral products are 2F, no information is obtained whether the two N–F bonds break simultaneously or sequentially.     

Photodifluoramination of a series of hexafluoroacetone imines

Gas phase irradiation of N₂F₄ (NF₂) in the presence of hexafluoroacetone imine (I), N-chlorohexafluoroacetone imine (II), or N-bromohexafluoroacetone imine (III) resulted in the formation of products that correspond to either perhalogenation of the unsaturation or conversion of the substrate to a saturated halocarbon. The mechanism suggested involves the formation of an imino radical that reacts with N₂F₄(NF₂) to produce N,N-difluorohydrazone, (CF₃)₂CNNF₂. A bimolecular homolytic displacement (S_H2′) by Cl and F on the hydrazone forms an intermediate diazene which leads to the observed products. N-fluorohexafluoroacetone imine is inert to F atoms and NF₂ under the reaction conditions.     

Bimolecular Homolytic Substitutions at Nitrogen: An Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Gas‐Phase Reactions of Alkyl Radicals with NF3

The X‐ray irradiation of binary mixtures of alkyl iodides R?I (R=CH₃, C₂H₅, or i‐C₃H₇ radicals) and NF₃ produces R?NF₂ and R?F. Based on calculations performed at the CCSD(T), MRCI(SD+Q), G3B3, and G3 levels of theory, the former product arises from a bimolecular homolytic substitution reaction (S_H2) by the alkyl radicals R, which attack the N atom of NF₃. This mechanism is consistent with the suppression of R?NF₂ by addition of O₂ (an efficient alkyl radical scavenger) to the reaction mixture. The R?F product arises from the attack of R to the F atom of NF₃, but additional contributing channels are conceivably involved. The F‐atom abstraction is, indeed, considerably more exothermic than the S_H2 reaction, but the involved energy barriers are comparable, and the two processes are comparably fast.     

Cyclic(Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene (CAAC)-Supported Zn Alkyls: Synthesis,Structure and Reactivity in Hydrosilylation Catalysis

The reactivity of Zn^II dialkyl species ZnMe₂ with a cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene, 1-[2,6-bis(1-methylethyl)phenyl]-3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-2-pyrrolidinylidene (CAAC, 1 ), was studied and extended to the preparation of robust CAAC-supported Zn^II Lewis acidic organocations. CAAC adduct of ZnMe₂ ( 2 ), formed from a 1:1 mixture of 1 and ZnMe₂, is unstable at room temperature and readily undergoes a CAAC carbene insertion into the Zn−Me bond to produce the ZnX₂-type species (CAAC-Me)ZnMe ( 3 ), a reactivity further supported by DFT calculations. Despite its limited stability, adduct 2 was cleanly ionized to robust two-coordinate (CAAC)ZnMe⁺ cation ( 5⁺ ) and derived into (CAAC)ZnC₆F₅⁺ ( 7⁺ ), both isolated as B(C₆F₅)₄⁻ salts, showing the ability of CAAC for the stabilization of reactive [ZnMe]⁺ and [ZnC₆F₅]⁺ moieties. Due to the lability of the CAAC−ZnMe₂ bond, the formation of bis(CAAC) adduct (CAAC)₂ZnMe⁺ cation ( 6⁺ ) was also observed and the corresponding salt [ 6 ][B(C₆F₅)₄] was structurally characterized. As estimated from experimental and calculations data, cations 5⁺ and 7⁺ are highly Lewis acidic species and the stronger Lewis acid 7⁺ effectively mediates alkene, alkyne and CO₂ hydrosilylation catalysis. All supporting data hints at Lewis acid type activation–functionalization processes. Despite a lower energy LUMO in 5⁺ and 7⁺ , their observed reactivity is comparable to those of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) analogues, in line with charge-controlled reactions for carbene-stabilized Zn^II organocations.     

From Ion‐Like Ethylzinc Aluminates to [EtZn(arene)2]+[Al(ORF)4]− Salts

Attempts to prepare previously unknown simple and very Lewis acidic [RZn]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salts from ZnR₂, AlR₃, and HO?R^F delivered the ion‐like RZn(Al(OR^F)₄) (R=Me, Et; R^F=C(CF₃)₃) with a coordinated counterion, but never the ionic compound. Increasing the steric bulk in RZn⁺ to R=CH₂CMe₃, CH₂SiMe₃, or Cp*, thus attempting to induce ionization, failed and led only to reaction mixtures including anion decomposition. However, ionization of the ion‐like EtZn(Al(OR^F)₄) compound with arenes yielded the [EtZn(arene)₂]⁺[Al(OR^F)₄]^? salts with arene=toluene, mesitylene, or o‐difluorobenzene (o‐DFB)/toluene. In contrast to the ion‐like EtZn(η³‐C₆H₆)(CHB₁₁Cl₁₁), which co‐crystallizes with one benzene molecule, the less coordinating nature of the [Al(OR^F)₄]^? anion allowed the ionization and preparation of the purely organometallic [EtZn(arene)₂]⁺ cation. These stable materials have further applications as, for example, initiators of isobutene polymerization. DFT calculations to compare the Lewis acidities of the zinc cations to those of a large number of organometallic cations were performed on the basis of fluoride ion affinity. The complexation energetics of EtZn⁺ with arenes and THF was assessed and related to the experiments.     

A Janus‐Headed Lewis Superacid: Simple Access to,and First Application of Me3Si‐F‐Al(ORF)3

Upon reaction of gaseous Me₃SiF with the in situ prepared Lewis acid Al(OR^F)₃, the stable ion‐like silylium compound Me₃Si‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃ 1 forms. The Janus‐headed 1 is a readily available smart Lewis acid that differentiates between hard and soft nucleophiles, but also polymerizes isobutene effectively. Thus, in reactions of 1 with soft nucleophiles (Nu), such as phosphanes, the silylium side interacts in an orbital‐controlled manner, with formation of [Me₃Si?Nu]⁺ and the weakly coordinating [F?Al(OR^F)₃]^– or [(^FRO)₃Al‐F‐Al(OR^F)₃]^– anions. If exchanged for hard nucleophiles, such as primary alcohols, the aluminum side reacts in a charge‐controlled manner, with release of FSiMe₃ gas and formation of the adduct R(H)O?Al(OR^F)₃. Compound 1 very effectively initiates polymerization of 8 to 21 mL of liquid C₄H₈ in 50 mL of CH₂Cl₂ already at temperatures between ?57 and ?30 °C with initiator loads as low as 10 mg in a few seconds with 100 % yield but broad polydispersities.