Carbenerhodium complexes of the half-sandwich-type: synthesis, substitution, and addition reactions

A series of carbenerhodium(I) complexes of the general composition [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CRR')(L)] (2a-2i) with R = R'= aryl and L = SbiPr3 or PR3 has been prepared from the square-planar precursors trans-[RhCl(=CRR')(L)2] and NaC5H5 in excellent yields. Reaction of the triisopropylsibane derivative 2a. which contains a rather labile Rh-Sb bond, with CO, PMe3, and CNR (R = Me, CH2Ph, tBu) leads to the displacement of the SbiPr3 ligand and affords the substitution products [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(=CPh2)(L)] (3-7). In contrast, treatment of the triisopropylphosphane compound 2c with CO and CNtBu leads to the cleavage of the Rh=CPh2 bond and gives besides [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(PiPr3)(L)] (10, 12) by metal-assisted C-C coupling diphenylketene Ph2C=C=O (11) or the corresponding imine Ph2C=C=NtBu (13). While the reaction of 2a, c with C2H4 yields [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(C2H4)(L)] (14, 15) and the trisubstituted olefin Ph2C=CHCH3 (16), treatment of 2a, c with RN3 leads to the cleavage of both the Rh-EiPr3 and Rh=CPh2 bonds and gives the chelate complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-RNNNNR)] (19, 20). The substitution products 3 (L=CO) and 4 (L= PMe3) react with an equimolar amount of sulfur or selenium by addition of the chalcogen to the Rh=CPh2 bond to generate the complexes [(eta5-C5H5)Rh(kappa2-ECPh2)(L)] (21-24) with thio- or selenobenzophenone as ligand. Similarly, treatment of 3 with CuCl affords the unusual 1:2 adduct [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(mu-CPh2)(CuCl)2] (25), which reacts with NaC5H5 to form [(eta5-C5H5)(CO)Rh(muCPh2)Cu(eta5-C5H5)] (26). The molecular structures of 3 and 22 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Electrochromic devices based on binuclear mixed valence compounds adsorbed on nanocrystalline semiconductors

A series of cyano-bridged binuclear mixed valence complexes of the general formula M-Ru(III)(NH(3))(4)pyCOOH [pyCOOH = isonicotinic acid; M = cis-Ru(bpy)(2)(CN)(2), 1 (bpy = 2,2' bipyridine); trans-Ru(py)(4)(CN)(2), 2 (py = pyridine); [Ru(CN)(6)](4)(-), 3; [Fe(CN)(6)](4)(-), 4] have been prepared and anchored through the carboxylic function to nanocrystalline TiO(2) or SnO(2) electrodes. The complexes display a reversible electrochromic behavior in the range of applied potential from -0.5 to +0.5 V, versus SCE. Tuning of the electronic transitions in the visible and near-infrared spectral regions is achieved through changes of the solvent and of the cyano-bridged metal moiety M.     

Molecular structure of an alkyl-side-chain polymer-water interface: origins of contact angle hysteresis

A new and direct approach to verify surface heterogeneity as the microscopic origin of contact-angle hysteresis is demonstrated. IR-visible sum-frequency-generation spectroscopy (SFG) was used to selectively probe the molecules at the interface of an alkyl-side-chain polymer [poly(vinyl n-octadecyl carbamate-co-vinyl acetate)] with water. The spectra indicate that in contact with water, the polymer surface is heterogeneous (having areas of differing surface energies). This evidence of surface heterogeneity supports the hysteresis observed in the advancing and receding contact angles of the polymer surface with water. The same measurements made for the chemically and structurally similar surface of an octadecyltrichlorosilane self-assembled monolayer indicates a homogeneous surface at the water interface. In this case, contact-angle hysteresis measurements implicate surface roughness as the cause of hysteresis. Atomic force microscopy measurements of roughness for these surfaces further support our conclusions. The polymer-water interface was probed using SFG at above-ambient temperatures, and an order-to-disorder transition (ODT) of alkyl side chains at the interface was observed, which closely follows the melting of crystalline side chains in the bulk. This transition explains the increased wettability of the polymer, by water, when the temperature is raised above the bulk melting temperature. Furthermore, the irreversibility of this ODT suggests that the disordered polymer-water interface is the thermodynamic equilibrium state, whereas the before-heating structure of this interface is a kinetically hindered metastable state.     

Gibt es gekoppelte Gas—Festkörper-Katalysen?

Zusammenfassung Die katalytische Spaltung der Ameisensäure an Natriumsulfat und Kaluimperchlorat hat keinen Einfluß auf die sehr große Umwandlungsgeschwindigkeit dieser Salze beim Umwandlungspunkt, ebensowenig auf die Umwandlungen des Thallium(I)jodids.Die sehr verzögerte Umwandlung heiß-kalt des Thalliumjodids kann durch Behandeln mit Chlorwasserstoffgas weiterhin irreversibel verzögert werden.Die Einsatztemperatur der Reaktion BaO + CuSO₄ wird durch die gleichzeitig katalysierte Zersetzung von Äthanol von 345°0 auf etwa 280°0 herabgesetzt, die der Reaktion ZnSO₄ + BaO von 340°0 auf 305°0. Im ersten Fall findet dabei eine Aktivierung der Kupferkomponente durch Reduktion, im zweiten eine solche der Bariumkomponente durch Bindung des Alkohols statt.Das Verglimmen von Eisen(III)oxydhydrat und die Zersetzung von Silberoxyd werden durch eine gleichzeitig katalysierte Oxydation von Äthanol mit Sauerstoff nicht beeinflußt.Es wird vermutet, daß die Reaktionszentren des festen Zustands zu starr sind, um durch Gaskatalyse verändert zu werden.Wir haben an dieser Stelle den Herren Prof. Dr. G. Matthäopoulos und Dr. K. Makris von Herzen zu danken, die durch die unserem Laboratorium gewährte großzügige Gastfreundschaft in ihren Institutsräumen die Durchführung der Untersuchung ermöglicht haben. Herrn Prof. G. F. Hüttig danken wir für wertvolle Diskussionen.     

TRIGLYCERIDE–METHANOL MICROEMULSIONS

Even-numbered 1-alkanols from butanol to tetradecanol were evaluated for solubilizing and microemulsifying methanol in triolein and for their effectiveness on water tolerances of the hybrid fuels. Photon correlation spectroscopy determinations indicated molecular dispersions formed rather than nonaqueous microemulsions, but the addition of water to the solubilized systems did produce certain quarternary compositions that exhibited microemulsion properties. 1-Octanol imparted optimal, whereas 1-butanol and 1-tetradecanol imparted minimal, water tolerance for the hybrid fuels. Among four isomeric octanols studied, the 1- and 4-octanols were superior to the 2- and 3-octanols for water tolerance. This superiority is attributed to stronger hydrogen bonding and greater association in the 1-and 4-isomers compared to the 2- and 3-isomers.