The Role of 2,6‐Diaminopyridine Ligands in the Isolation of an Unprecedented,Low‐Valent Tin Complex

Stabilization of the central atom in an oxidation state of zero through coordination of neutral ligands is a common bonding motif in transition‐metal chemistry. However, the stabilization of main‐group elements in an oxidation state of zero by neutral ligands is rare. Herein, we report that the transamination reaction of the DAMPY ligand system (DAMPY=2,6‐[ArNH‐CH₂]₂(NC₅H₃) (Ar=C₆H₃‐2,6‐iPr₂)) with Sn[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂ produces the DIMPYSn complex (DIMPY=(2,6‐[ArN?CH]₂(NC₅H₃)) with the Sn atom in a formal oxidation state of zero. This is the first example of a tin compound stabilized in a formal oxidation state of zero by only one donor molecule. Furthermore, three related low‐valent Sn^II complexes, including a [DIMPYSn^IICl]⁺[SnCl₃]^? ion pair, a bisstannylene DAMPY{Sn^II[N(SiMe₃)₂]₂}₂, and the enamine complex MeDIMPYSn^II, were isolated. Experimental results and the conclusions drawn are also supported by theoretical studies at the density functional level of theory and ¹¹⁹Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

New Acyclic Neutral Phosphorus Sulfides and Sulfide Oxides

A great number of binary neutral phosphorus sulfides was discovered and investigated. However all stable representatives of this family of compounds adopt a polycyclic structure in contrast to their lighter homologues, the nitrogen oxides. Acyclic representatives can be stabilized by adduct formation with a nitrogen base. The bis(pyridine) adduct py₂P₂S₅ of the unstable acyclic phosphorus sulfide P₂S₅ is readily obtained stirring P₄S₁₀ in pyridine at ambient temperature. X‐ray diffraction studies on single crystals of py₂P₂S₅ · 0.5 py ( 1b ) show a N₂O₅ like structure for the P₂S₅ framework. The long P–N distances of 1.86 Å indicate only weak coordination of the pyridine molecules to phosphorus. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction studies on py₂P₂S_4.34O_0.66 ( 2 ) reveal the presence of py₂P₂S₄O ( 3 ) together with py₂P₂S₅ in the crystal. Compound 3 contains the mixed phosphorus oxide sulfide molecule P₂S₄O stabilized as bis(pyridine) adduct. It is readily obtained from pyP₂S₅ by oxidation with KMnO₄ in pyridine. The oxygen atom occupies the bridging position between the two phosphorus atoms. Quantum chemical calculations at the MPW1PW91 level of theory as well as DTA/TG thermal analyses confirm the weak coordination of the pyridine molecules in py₂P₂S₅, py₂P₂S₄O, and py₂P₂S₇ to phosphorus.     

Finite Element Based Micro-mechanical Modeling of Interphase in Filler Reinforced Elastomers

Characteristic properties of elastomers can be tailored by embedding them with filler particles. Along with enhancing the overall properties of the composite, filler particles also induce some inelastic effects. In this paper, a finite element computational model is used to study the effect of microstructure morphology in filled elastomers, on its macroscopic large deformation behavior. A multiphase material model that accounts for the hypothesis of shift in glass transition temperature in the vicinity of the filler particle is developed to simulate the interphase between the fillers and the matrix. It also accounts for the breakdown and re-aggregation of filler networks under cyclic loading. Examples at the microstructural level, demonstrating the dynamics of the interphase using the developed multiphase model have been successfully simulated. The obtained results are in good qualitative agreement with the Mullins effect. Therefore, computational experiments using this methodology enable the prediction of the experimentally observed softening behavior in filled elastomers based on its microstructure evolution.     

Application of a cohesive zone element for the prediction of damage in nano/micro coating

Many tools in production technology are nowadays coated to obtain a satisfactory lifetime and degradation resistance. Therefore, the main goal of this study is to investigate antiadhesive and wear resistant coatings made of ceramics, plastics and metals produced by High Power Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering (HPPMS) technique [1]. A cohesive zone element technique (CZ) is applied to model the interactions of the coatings and the substrate surfaces (see [2]). This goes along with the investigations of the delamination and failure behavior of the involved surfaces. To illustrate the applicability of the model, several structural simulations are performed. The developed CZ element model is capable of modeling the separation, the contact and also the irreversible reloading conditions in both normal and tangential directions [3]. The model is further developed to be applicable for different structures including different bonding behaviors, with a higher stability. The talk concludes with a detailed discussion of the numerical results of different material and interface properties. (© 2015 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Direct Addition of Grignard Reagents to Aliphatic Carboxylic Acids Enabled by Bulky turbo-Organomagnesium Anilides

The synthesis of ketones through addition of organometallic reagents to aliphatic carboxylic acids is a straightforward strategy that is limited to organolithium reagents. More desirable Grignard reagents can be activated and controlled with a bulky aniline-derived turbo-Hauser base. This operationally simple procedure allows the straightforward preparation of a variety of aliphatic and perfluoroalkyl ketones alike from functionalized alkyl, aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents.     

Pyrimidoquinazolinophenanthroline Opens Next Chapter in Design of Bridging Ligands for Artificial Photosynthesis**

The synthesis and detailed characterization of a new Ru polypyridine complex containing a heteroditopic bridging ligand with previously unexplored metal-metal distances is presented. Due to the twisted geometry of the novel ligand, the resultant division of the ligand in two distinct subunits leads to steady state as well as excited state properties of the corresponding mononuclear Ru(II) polypyridine complex resembling those of prototype [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ (bpy=2,2'-bipyridine). The localization of the initially optically excited and the nature of the long-lived excited states on the Ru-facing ligand spheres is evaluated by resonance Raman and fs-TA spectroscopy, respectively, and supported by DFT and TDDFT calculations. Coordination of a second metal (Zn or Rh) to the available bis-pyrimidyl-like coordination sphere strongly influences the frontier orbitals, apparent by, for example, luminescence quenching. Thus, the new bridging ligand motif offers electronic properties, which can be adjusted by the nature of the second metal center. Using the heterodinuclear Ru−Rh complex, visible light-driven reduction of NAD⁺ to NADH was achieved, highlighting the potential of this system for photocatalytic applications.     

Model based prediction of the trap limited diffusion of hydrogen in post‐hydrogenated amorphous silicon

The diffusion of hydrogen within an hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) layer is based on a trap limited process. Therefore, the diffusion becomes a self‐limiting process with a decreasing diffusion velocity for increasing hydrogen content. In consequence, there is a strong demand for accurate experimental determination of the hydrogen distribution. Nuclear resonant reaction analysis (NRRA) offers the possibility of a non‐destructive measurement of the hydrogen distribution in condensed matter like a‐Si:H thin films. However, the availability of a particle accelerator for NRR‐analysis is limited and the related costs are high. In comparison, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is also a common method to determine the total hydrogen content of an a‐Si:H layer. FTIR spectrometers are practical table‐top units but lack spatial resolution. In this study, an approach is discussed that greatly reduces the need for complex and expensive NRR‐analysis. A model based prediction of hydrogen depth profiles based on a single NRRA measurement and further FTIR measurements enables to investigate the trap limited hydrogen diffusion within a‐Si:H. The model is validated by hydrogen diffusion experiments during the post‐hydrogenation of hydrogen‐free sputtered a‐Si. The model based prediction of hydrogen depth profiles in a‐Si:H allows more precise design of experiments, prevents misinterpretations, avoids unnecessary NRRA measurements and thus saves time and expense. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Effective fields in laser-driven electron recollision and charge localization

We propose a model to describe correlated two-electron dynamics in strong laser fields during laser-induced recollision between an electron and its parent ion. We derive an effective interaction potential which describes the effect of the laser-driven electron collision with an ion while retaining the correlation between the colliding and the bound electron. Using dissociative ionization of molecular hydrogen as an example, we analyze the dynamics of correlation-driven electron localization in a dissociating hydrogen molecular ion.