Influence of the Homopolar Dihydrogen Bonding CH⋅⋅⋅HC on Coordination Geometry: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

The reaction of the N‐thiophosphorylated thiourea (HOCH₂)(Me)₂CNHC(S)NHP(S)(OiPr)₂ (HL), deprotonated by the thiophosphorylamide group, with NiCl₂ leads to green needles of the pseudotetrahedral complex [Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] ? 0.5 (n‐C₆H₁₄) or pale green blocks of the trans square‐planar complex trans‐[Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂]. The former complex is stabilized by homopolar dihydrogen C?H???H?C interactions formed by n‐hexane solvent molecules with the [Ni(L‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] unit. Furthermore, the dispersion‐dominated C?H??? H?C interactions are, together with other noncovalent interactions (C?H???N, C?H???Ni, C?H???S), responsible for pseudotetrahedral coordination around the Ni^II center in [Ni(L ‐1,5‐S,S′)₂] ? 0.5 (n‐C₆H₁₄).     

Aqueous Self‐Assembly and Cation Selectivity of Cobaltabisdicarbollide Dianionic Dumbbells

The anion [3,3′‐Co(C₂B₉H₁₁)₂]^? ([COSAN]^?) produces aggregates in water. These aggregates are interpreted to be the result of C?H???H?B interactions. It is possible to generate aggregates even after the incorporation of additional functional groups into the [COSAN]^? units. The approach is to join two [COSAN]^? anions by a linker that can adapt itself to act as a crown ether. The linker has been chosen to have six oxygen atoms, which is the ideal number for K⁺ selectivity in crown ethers. The linker binds the alkaline metal ions with different affinities; thus showing a distinct degree of selectivity. The highest affinity is shown towards K⁺ from a mixture containing Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺; this can be indicative of pseudo‐crown ether performance of the dumbbell. One interesting possibility is that the [COSAN]^? anions at the two ends of the linker can act as a hook‐and‐loop fastener to close the ring. This facet is intriguing and deserves further consideration for possible applications. The distinct affinity towards alkaline metal ions is corroborated by solubility studies and isothermal calorimetry thermograms. Furthermore, cryoTEM micrographs, along with light scattering results, reveal the existence of small self‐assemblies and compact nanostructures ranging from spheres to single‐/multi‐layer vesicles in aqueous solutions. The studies reported herein show that these dumbbells can have different appearances, either as molecules or aggregates, in water or lipophilic phases; this offers a distinct model as drug carriers.     

Insights into electrocatalytic activity of epitaxial graphene on SiC from cyclic voltammetry and ac impedance spectroscopy

Electrocatalytic activity of graphene grown epitaxially on SiC is studied using cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. AFM images show step-like topography of SiC-graphene. For ferri-/ferrocyanide redox couple, no voltammetric response is observed at the pristine graphene. Basal planes of graphite are electrochemically inactive as well. After electrochemical oxidation, apparent redox peaks appear at both the graphene and graphite electrode. However, more intensive redox peaks are observed at graphene, where simultaneous redox reaction with the adsorbed and the diffused ferri-/ferrocyanide ions occurs. Electrochemical impedance measurements show that the graphene electrode behaves like an array of microelectrodes. We used the partially blocked electrode model to fit impedance data. Using the fitting parameters, a size of microelectrodes was found to be 23.8?±?2.1 μm and the active surface of graphene was estimated to be 21 %. A value of the standard electron transfer rate constant found for the anodized epitaxial graphene (2.16?±?0.32)?×?10^??3cm???s^??1) is by one order of magnitude lower than the standard rate constant estimated for the anodized graphite basal planes (～5?×?10^??2cm???s^??1). Electrochemical reduction causes total disappearance of electrochemical responses at the graphene electrode, whereas only slight decrease of the peak currents is observed at the reduced graphene. Such behavior proves that different activation mechanisms occur at the graphene and graphite electrodes.     

Synthesis and characterization of a new hybrid TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> filler for lithium conducting gel electrolytes

This paper describes the synthesis and properties of a new type of ceramic fillers for composite polymer gel electrolytes. Hybrid TiO₂-SiO₂ ceramic powders have been obtained by co-precipitation from titanium(IV) sulfate solution using sodium silicate as the precipitating agent. The resulting submicron-size powders have been applied as fillers for composite polymer gel electrolytes for Li-ion batteries based on poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF/HFP) copolymeric membranes. The powders, dry membranes and gel electrolytes have been examined structurally and electrochemically, showing favorable properties in terms of electrolyte uptake and electrochemical characteristics in Li-ion cells.     

CdS-containing nano-assemblies of double hydrophilic block copolymers in water

Two samples of poly(sodium(sulfamate-carboxylate)isoprene)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer (SCIEO-1 and SCIEO-2) differing in molecular weight and relative length of polyelectrolyte blocks have been used as templates for the synthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles in aqueous media. The double-hydrophilic copolymer SCIEO has very high 1D charge density, and its polymer chain structure mimics that of polysaccharide heparin. It is soluble in aqueous media, but the addition of cadmium acetate (Cd(Ac)₂) to its aqueous solution causes the formation of micellar aggregates with Cd²⁺containing insoluble cores above the threshold Cd²⁺ concentration. The trapped Cd²⁺ ions can be chemically transformed to CdS nanoparticles. The stability of hybrid SCIEO/CdS micelles depends on the ratio of PEO-to-SCI lengths: it was found that the SCIEO-2 copolymer with sufficiently long PEO block behaves as an effective stabilizer for the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles embedded in micelles, while SCIEO-1 does not. The morphology of aggregates varies with the Cd-to-SCI ratios and ranges from spherical to mixture of spherical and necklace-like micellar aggregates. A number of experimental techniques including static and dynamic light scattering, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, atomic force and transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy were employed for the characterization of both CdS containing hybrid micelles and embedded CdS nanoparticles.     

Impact of selected supramolecular additives on the initial electrochemical lithium intercalation into graphite in propylene carbonate

Impact of silicon tripodand-type electrolyte additives and graphite pre-treatment agents on the electrochemical intercalation of lithium cations into graphite was investigated. Addition of Si-tripodand-type silanes to propylene carbonate-based electrolytes was found to suppress detrimental solvent co-intercalation and graphite exfoliation. Similar effects were observed for graphite pre-treated with the reported silane agents. It was observed that the presented supramolecular additives allow for the formation of effective passive layers on graphite during first charging, and thus can be considered as novel low-cost film-forming components for rechargeable lithium batteries.      

The structure of 7,14-dicarbonylethoxyacenaphth[l,2-k]-fluoranthene and its tetracyanoquinodimethane charge transfer complex

A molecular mechanics simulation of the structure of 7,14-dicarbonylethoxyacenaphth[l,2-k]fluoranthene,1, indicated a preferred geometry for the hindered substituents in which the carbonyl groups were constrained to an anti conformation because of the steric hindrance associated with the in-plane buttressing hydrogen atoms. X-ray crystallographic analysis of1 verifies the correctness of the computation. Compound1 and tetracyanoquinodimethane,2, form a charge transfer complex, and a crystal structure analysis shows a slightly offset, nearly parallel arrangement of the acceptor with the cloud of the donor. The interplanar distance of 3.45 Å between acceptor and donor lies within the statistical limits of the interplanar distance of complexes formed between2 and a variety of PAH donors. The steric hindrance caused by the substituents in1 appears to offer only minimal interference to the formation of the complex.     

Homoleptic hexa and penta gallylene coordinated complexes of molybdenum and rhodium

The reactions of molybdenum(0) and rhodium(I) olefin containing starting materials with the carbenoid group 13 metal ligator ligand GaR (R = Cp*, DDP; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, DDP = HC(CMeNC(6)H(3)-2,6-(i)Pr(2))(2)) were investigated and compared. Treatment of [Mo(η(4)-butadiene)(3)] with GaCp* under hydrogen atmosphere at 100 °C yields the homoleptic, hexa coordinated, and sterically crowded complex [Mo(GaCp*)(6)] (1) in good yields ≥50%. Compound 1 exhibits an unusual and high coordinated octahedral [MoGa(6)] core. Similarly, [Rh(GaCp*)(5)][CF(3)SO(3)] (2) and [Rh(GaCp*)(5)][BAr(F)] (3) (BAr(F) = B{C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)}(4)) are prepared by the reaction of GaCp* with the rhodium(I) compound [Rh(coe)(2)(CF(3)SO(3))](2) (coe = cyclooctene) and subsequent anion exchange in case of 3. Compound 2 features a trigonal bipyramidal [RhGa(5)] unit. In contrast, reaction of excess Ga(DDP) with [Rh(coe)(2)(CF(3)SO(3))](2) does not result in a high coordinated homoleptic complex but instead yields [(coe)(toluene)Rh{Ga(DDP)}(CF(3)SO(3))] (4). The common feature of 2 and 4 in the solid state structure is the presence of short CF(3)SO(2)O···Ga contacts involving the GaCp* or rather the Ga(DDP) ligand. Compounds 1, 2, and 4 have been fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, variable temperature (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, as well as elemental analysis.     

Anion⋅⋅⋅Anion Attraction in Complexes of MCl3− (M=Zn,Cd, Hg) with CN−

High-level ab initio calculations show that the MCl₃⁻ anions comprising Group 2B M atoms Zn, Cd, and Hg form a stable complex with the CN⁻ anion, despite the like charge of the two ions. The complexation occurs despite a negative π-hole region above the M atom of MCl₃⁻. The dimerization distorts the planar geometry of MCl₃⁻ into a pyramidal shape which reduces the negative potential above the M atom, facilitating a close approach of the two anions, with R(M⋅⋅⋅C)∼2 Å, and an overall attractive electrostatic attraction within the dimer. In the gas phase, this dimer is less stable than the pair of separated ions by some 30 kcal/mol. However, the dissociation must surmount an energy barrier of roughly 25 kcal/mol which occurs at an intermolecular distance of 4 Å. In aqueous solution, the dimerization process is exothermic and barrier-free, with a binding energy in the 11–18 kcal/mol range.