In Situ Anomalous Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Studies of Platinum Nanoparticle Fuel Cell Electrocatalyst Degradation

Polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are a promising high-efficiency energy conversion technology, but their cost-effective implementation, especially for automotive power, has been hindered by degradation of the electrochemically active surface area (ECA) of the Pt nanoparticle electrocatalysts. While numerous studies using ex situ post-mortem techniques have provided insight into the effect of operating conditions on ECA loss, the governing mechanisms and underlying processes are not fully understood. Toward the goal of elucidating the electrocatalyst degradation mechanisms, we have followed Pt nanoparticle growth during potential cycling of the electrocatalyst in an aqueous acidic environment using in situ anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering (ASAXS). ASAXS patterns were analyzed to obtain particle size distributions (PSDs) of the Pt nanoparticle electrocatalysts at periodic intervals during the potential cycling. Oxide coverages reached under the applied potential cycling protocols were both calculated and determined experimentally. Changes in the PSD, mean diameter, and geometric surface area identify the mechanism behind Pt nanoparticle coarsening in an aqueous environment. Over the first 80 potential cycles, the dominant Pt surface area loss mechanism when cycling to 1.0-1.1 V was found to be preferential dissolution or loss of the smallest particles with varying extents of reprecipitation of the dissolved species onto existing particles, resulting in particle growth, depending on potential profile. Correlation of ASAXS-determined particle growth with both calculated and voltammetrically determined oxide coverages demonstrates that the oxide coverage is playing a key role in the dissolution process and in the corresponding growth of the mean Pt nanoparticle size and loss of ECA. This understanding potentially reduces the complex changes in PSD and ECA resulting from various voltage profiles to a response dependent on oxide coverage.     

Monovalent chiral-at-copper complexes: halide-controlled diastereoselectivity

An unusual example of diastereoselectivity has been observed in Cu(κ(3)-P,C,P'-1)X complexes where 1 is an asymmetric tridentate ligand containing a bicyclic NHC framework and X is a halide. When X is Cl(-), the S(Cu) isomer is formed selectively whereas when X = I(-) the R(Cu) diastereomer is preferred.     

New 2,3-disubstituted-5-hydroxyquinoxaline ligands and their coordination chemistry with cyclometallated iridium(III): syntheses, structures and tunable electronic properties

A new series of para-substituted 2,3-diphenyl-5-hydroxyquinoxaline ligands (LH(n)) were synthesised and characterised. These ligands were prepared in high yield via a two-step synthetic method. Four novel heteroleptic iridium(III) complexes were correspondingly prepared in high yield giving [Ir(ppy)(2)(L(n))]. Two X-ray crystallographic studies were undertaken on LH(3) and [Ir(ppy)(2)(L(2))] with each confirming the proposed formulations, with the complex showing the O,N-coordination mode of the quinoxalinato ligand. Density functional theoretical calculations were performed, firstly to compare the coordinated quinoxalinato system with the related quinolinato analogue, and secondly to probe the influence of the variation in para-substitution on the ancillary ligand. The calculations suggest that for either the quinoline or quinoxaline systems ligand-centred character appears to dominate the HOMO and LUMOs. Experimental electrochemical and spectroscopic characterisation showed that the subtle variations in absorption and emission wavelengths are probably due to ligand-dominated transitions that are influenced by the electronic nature of the para-substituted phenyl units in coordinated L(n).     

2-azapinanes: aza analogues of the enantiomeric pinyl carbocation intermediates in pinene biosynthesis

The enantiomeric 2-azapinanes, aza analogues of the pinyl carbocation intermediates in pinene biosynthesis, were synthesized from (-)- and (+)-cis-pinonic acids. The individual reactions in the 5-step sequence were Beckmann rearrangement of the pinonic acid oximes, cyclization to the N-acetyl lactams, hydrolysis to the NH-lactams, N-methylations, and LiAlH(4) reductions. The anti stereochemistry of the N-methyl groups in the salts with respect to the gem-dimethyl bridge was established by NOE measurements and by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Reaction of 1,1′‐Divinyl Ferrocene with One‐Electron Oxidants: Entry into Functionalised [4]Ferrocenophanes and Observation of an Isotope‐Dependent Chemoselectivity Effect

1,1′‐Divinyl ferrocene ( 2 ) reacts with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] under basic biphasic conditions to give a [4]ferrocenophane ( 4 ) in good yield. Incorporating deuterium labels into the internal positions of the vinyl groups of 2 affects the chemoselectivity of the reaction; thus under identical reaction conditions, [D₂]‐ 2 reacts to provide a diol‐functionalised [4]ferrocenophane, [D₂]‐D /L ‐ 6 in addition to the expected keto‐alcohol, [D₁]‐ 4 . Variants on this one‐electron oxidative cyclisation methodology can be used to give other [4]ferrocenophanes; thus, the reaction of 2 with CuCl₂ in MeOH or iPrOH leads to dialkoxy [4]ferrocenophanes 19 and 20 , respectively, whereas the reaction of 2 with benzyl carbamate in the presence of tBuOCl gives a bis(carbamate)[4]ferrocenophane, 21 . Mechanisms to account for the formation of the products, the stereoselectivity, and the unusual isotope‐dependent chemoselectivity in the reaction of 2 and [D₂]‐ 2 with K₃[Fe(CN)₆] are proposed.     

Expanded ring N-heterocyclic carbene complexes of zero valent platinum dvtms (divinyltetramethyldisiloxane): Highly efficient hydrosilylation catalysts

The synthesis and characterisation of a series of new 6- and 7-membered NHC (N-heterocyclic carbene) complexes 7-12 of zero valent platinum dvtms (divinyltetramethyldisiloxane), [Pt(NHC)(dvtms)] are reported. A number of the complexes were investigated as catalyst precursors in the hydrosilylation of a range of unsaturated substrates, including alkynes, alkenes and a ketone with triethylsilane and bis(trimethylsiloxy)methylsilane (MD’M), at low catalyst loading (0.005 mol %); in general, the activity, and the selectivity for 1-functionalised product was found to be high.     

A rapid and efficient protocol for the synthesis of novel nitrothiazolo[3,2-c]pyrimidines via microwave-mediated Mannich cyclisation

Several 6-substituted-8-nitrothiazolo[3,2-c]pyrimidine derivatives have been obtained very efficiently by a multicomponent cyclisation of 2-(nitromethylene)thiazolidine, formaldehyde and various aliphatic or aromatic amines in water, using both microwave irradiation and conventional heating. Reaction yields were considerably higher and the reaction times very much reduced using microwave heating when compared to conventional heating, resulting in the definition of a rapid and efficient synthetic protocol.     

Base-promoted new C–C bond formation: an expedient route for the preparation of thiazolo- and imidazolo-pyridinones via Michael addition

Base-catalyzed one-pot cyclocondensation reactions of acryloyl and cinnamoyl chlorides with β-nitroenamine derivatives have been performed under mild conditions and target 7-substituted thiazolo-[3,2-a] or imidazolo-[1,2-a]pyridin-5-one derivatives were prepared successfully in moderate to good yields. The cyclization reactions may proceed via Michael addition followed by iminoketene-amide tautomerization in view of the products formed.