From an Icosahedron to a Plane: Flattening Dodecaiodo‐dodecaborate by Successive Stripping of Iodine

It has been shown by electrospray ionization–ion‐trap mass spectrometry that B₁₂I₁₂^2? converts to an intact B₁₂ cluster as a result of successive stripping of single iodine radicals or ions. Herein, the structure and stability of all intermediate B₁₂I_n^? species (n=11 to 1) determined by means of first‐principles calculations are reported. The initial predominant loss of an iodine radical occurs most probably via the triplet state of B₁₂I₁₂^2?, and the reaction path for loss of an iodide ion from the singlet state crosses that from the triplet state. Experimentally, the boron clusters resulting from B₁₂I₁₂^2? through loss of either iodide or iodine occur at the same excitation energy in the ion trap. It is shown that the icosahedral B₁₂ unit commonly observed in dodecaborate compounds is destabilized while losing iodine. The boron framework opens to nonicosahedral structures with five to seven iodine atoms left. The temperature of the ions has a considerable influence on the relative stability near the opening of the clusters. The most stable structures with five to seven iodine atoms are neither planar nor icosahedral.     

Stereoselective synthesis and relative configuration assignment of gabosine J

The first total synthesis of (+)-gabosine J and that of the epimer at C4 of its enantiomer have been accomplished through an enantioselective approach from a common intermediate 1. These syntheses have allowed us to establish the correct relative configuration of the natural metabolite, which was originally misassigned. This work, together with our former syntheses of other gabosines and related compounds, validates enone 1 as a general synthetic precursor for this kind of carbasugars.     

AlGaN-based UV photodetectors

Al_xGa_1−xN alloys are very attractive materials for application to ultraviolet photodetection. AlGaN photoconductors, Schottky photodiodes, metal–semiconductor–metal photodiodes, p–n junction photodetectors and phototransistors have been recently developed. In this work we analyse the performance of AlGaN-based photodetectors, discussing present achievements, and comparing the characteristics of the various photodetector structures developed to date.     

Hemilabile MIC^N ligands allow oxidant-free Au(i)/Au(iii) arylation-lactonization of γ-alkenoic acids

Oxidant-free Au-catalyzed reactions are emerging as a new synthetic tool for innovative organic transformations. Oxidant-free Au-catalyzed reactions are emerging as a new synthetic tool for innovative organic transformations. Still, a deeper mechanistic understanding is needed for a rational design of these processes. Here we describe the synthesis of two Au(i) complexes bearing bidentated hemilabile MIC^N ligands, [Au^I(MIC^N)Cl], and their ability to stabilize square-planar Au(iii) species (MIC = mesoionic carbene). The presence of the hemilabile N-ligand contributed to stabilize the ensuing Au(iii) species acting as a five-membered ring chelate upon its coordination to the metal center. The Au(iii) complexes can be obtained either by using external oxidants or, alternatively, by means of feasible oxidative addition with strained biphenylene C_sp²–C_sp² bonds as well as with aryl iodides. Based on the fundamental knowledge gained on the redox properties on these Au(i)/Au(iii) systems, we successfully develop a novel Au(i)-catalytic procedure for the synthesis of γ-substituted γ-butyrolactones through the arylation-lactonization reaction of the corresponding γ-alkenoic acid. The oxidative addition of the aryl iodide, which in turn is allowed by the hemilabile nature of the MIC^N ligand, is an essential step for this transformation.

A novel hemilabile MIC^N ligand-based Au(i)-catalytic procedure for the synthesis of γ-substituted γ-butyrolactones through the arylation-lactonization reaction of the corresponding γ-alkenoic acid is presented.     

Nitride-based photodetectors: from visible to X-ray monitoring

The performance of nitride-based photodetectors is investigated beyond the usual near-UV (400–300 nm) and mid-UV (300–200 nm) operation ranges. The responses of metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) photodiodes were analyzed in the vacuum–UV and soft X-ray regions. To interpret the results, the absorption properties and the attributes of each of the photons with energies for producing multiple electron–hole pairs were considered. The soft X-ray characterization showed that in-plane MSMs worked efficiently up to photon energies of 600 eV. Above this value, the absorption decrease makes the diffusion length and layer thickness become critical parameters for the detector behavior. To perform detection in the violet and near-UV, InGaN-based photoconductors were fabricated and spectrally characterized. The devices presented abrupt wavelength cut-offs, demonstrating that the InGaN compositional fluctuations were tolerable up to In contents of 10% for fabricating selective photodetectors. Back-face illumination allowed us to obtain bandpass detectors for these spectral ranges.     

Bingel–Hirsch Addition of Diethyl Bromomalonate to Ion-Encapsulated Fullerenes M@C60 (M=Ø, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cl−)

In the last 30 years, fullerene-based materials have become popular building blocks for devices with a broad range of applications. Among fullerene derivatives, endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs, M@C_x) have been widely studied owing to their unique properties and reactivity. For real applications, fullerenes and EMFs must be exohedrally functionalized. It has been shown that encapsulated metal cations facilitate the Diels–Alder reaction in fullerenes. Herein, the Bingel–Hirsch (BH) addition of ethyl bromomalonate over a series of ion-encapsulated M@C₆₀ (M=Ø, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻; Ø@C₆₀ stands for C₆₀ without any endohedral metal) is quantum mechanically explored to analyze the effect of these ions on the BH addition. The results show that the incarcerated ion has a very important effect on the kinetics and thermodynamics of this reaction. Among the systems studied, K⁺@C₆₀ is the one that leads to the fastest BH reaction, whereas the slowest reaction is given by Cl⁻@C₆₀.