Three-dimensional nitrogen-doped graphene hydrogel supported Co-CeOx nanoclusters as efficient catalysts for hydrogen generation from hydrolysis of ammonia borane

Benefit from the strong synergistic electronic effect between Co and CeO_x, as well as the strong metalsupport interaction between Co-CeO_x and 3D NGH, the as-synthesized Co-(CeO_x)_0.91/NGH catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward hydrolysis of ammonia borane, with the turnover frequency (TOF) value of 79.5 min^-1.     

Metal-Stabilized [B8H8]2− Derivatives with Dodecahedral Structure in the Solid and Solution States: [(Cp2MBH3)2B8H6] (Cp=η5-C5H5; M=Zr (1-Zr) and Hf (1-Hf)).

Despite the synthesis and structural characterization of closo-hydroborate dianions, [B_nH_n]²⁻ (n=6–12) more than 50 years ago, some ambiguity remains about the structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻. Although the solid-state structure of [B₈H₈]²⁻ was established by single-crystal X-ray studies in 1969, fast rearrangements in solution at accessible temperatures prevented its detailed characterization. We therefore stabilized a derivative of [B₈H₈]²⁻ by using Cp₂MBH₃ and structurally characterized two new octaborane analogues, [(Cp₂MBH₃)₂B₈H₆] (Cp=η⁵-C₅H₅; M=Zr ( 1-Zr ) and Hf ( 1-Hf )), so that the dynamics of the B₈ skeleton were arrested. The solid-state structures of both 1-Zr and 1-Hf comprise a dodecahedron core protected by {Cp₂MBH₃} moieties on both sides of the cluster. Spectroscopic characterization (¹¹B NMR) validates the intactness of the B₈ dodecahedron core in solution as well. Theoretical calculations establish that the two exo-{Cp₂MBH₃} fragments provide structural and electronic structural stability to the B₈ core and its intact dodecahedral dianionic nature. Furthermore, we propose isodesmic equations for the formation of higher analogues of the B_n core (n>8) guarded by different group 4 transition metals. Our analysis suggests that, as we move to higher polyhedra (n>10), the formation becomes unfavourable irrespective of metal.     

Three‐step synthesis of arylpolyboronic acids from phenols via organotin compounds

In this paper we describe a three‐step synthesis of aryldi‐ and triboronic acids starting from phenols. Several substituted phenols (I) were converted into the corresponding aryldiethylphosphates (II) in good to excellent yields. The latter, on reaction with sodium trimethylstannide in liquid ammonia, under irradiation, afforded the aryl‐ and heteroarylpoly(trimethylstannyl) derivatives in 65–90% yield. The third step is the reaction of the organotin compounds with borane in THF, which leads to the corresponding arylpolyboronic acids in around 80% yield. In order to confirm their structure, some of the diboronic acids were converted into the corresponding pinacol esters. The results obtained in a study on the synthesis of various terphenyls through double and triple Suzuki couplings catalyzed by palladium acetate between the obtained arylpolyboronic acids and various aryl halides are also reported. These reactions proceeded with an average 65% yield, and also enabled us to confirm the structures of some of the diboronic acids. The structure of the new compounds was determined by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹¹⁹Sn NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and IR spectroscopy. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Asymmetric reduction of aminoketones with borane and chiral oxazaborolidine catalyst

A group of α‐ and β‐N, N‐dialkyl amino ketones were reduced enantioselectively by 2 moles of borane‐tetrahydrofuran in the presence of 10 mol% of the in‐situ formed chiral oxazaborolidine, followed by diluted hydrochloric acid. The resulting amino alcohol‐borane complexes were treated with hydrogen chloride‐glycol‐methanol to give the optically active amino alcohol with the ee up to 99%.     

Amine–Borane Dehydropolymerization: Challenges and Opportunities

The dehydropolymerization of amine–boranes, exemplified as H₂RB⋅NR′H₂, to produce polyaminoboranes (HRBNR′H)_n that are inorganic analogues of polyolefins with alternating main-chain B−N units, is an area with significant potential, stemming from both fundamental (mechanism, catalyst development, main-group hetero-cross-coupling) and technological (new polymeric materials) opportunities. This Concept article outlines recent advances in the field, covering catalyst development and performance, current mechanistic models, and alternative non-catalytic routes for polymer production. The substrate scope, polymer properties and applications of these exciting materials are also outlined. Challenges and opportunities in the field are suggested, as a way of providing focus for future investigations.     

Ammonia Borane,NH3BH3: A Threshold Photoelectron–Photoion Coincidence Study of a Potential Hydrogen-Storage Material

We have investigated the photoionization of ammonia borane (AB) and determined adiabatic ionization energy to be 9.26±0.03 eV for the X^{+ 2}E←X ¹A₁ transition. Although the threshold photoelectron spectrum appears at first glance to be similar to the one of the isosteric ethane, the electronic situation differs markedly, due to different orbital energies. In addition, an appearance energy AE_0K(NH₃BH₃, NH₃BH₂⁺)= 10.00±0.03 eV has been determined, corresponding to the loss of a hydrogen atom at the BH₃-site. From the data, a 0 K bond dissociation energy for the B−H bond in the cation of 71.5±3 kJ mol⁻¹ was derived, whereas the one in the neutral compound has been estimated to be 419±10 kJ mol⁻¹.     

The Striking Stabilization of Ni0(η6‐Arene) Complexes by an Ylide‐Like Silylene Ligand

The right mix does the trick : Elusive {Ni⁰(η⁶‐arene)} moieties can be dramatically stabilized by the N‐heterocyclic silylene ligand 1 , which has a zwitterionic mesomeric structure. The σ, π‐acid–base synergism between nickel and 1 explains the unexpectedly high stability of the new silylene complexes 2 , which enables arene exchange studies at a Ni⁰ center. Addition of B(C₆F₅)₃ to 2 affords the zwitterionic silylene complex 3 (see scheme, R=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃).

     

Effects of tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane on the activation of the Ni(II)-based catalyst in the addition polymerization of norbornene

The activity of the transition metal complex, such as Ni(2-ethyl hexanoate)₂ (1), Co(2-ethyl hexanoate)₂ (2), TiCl₄ (3), or CpTiCl₃ (4) (Cp = cyclopentadiene), in combination with MAO (methylaluminoxane), was investigated in the polymerization of norbornene. The Ni(II) complex 1 with MAO showed moderate activity to give 20.8 kg_polymer/mol_Ni h, while the other three complexes 2-4 with MAO just showed trivial activity. Effects of the Lewis acids on the activation of the catalyst of 1/MAO were examined. The employment of B(C₆F₅)₃ with 1/MAO significantly enhanced the activity to give up to around 133 kg_polymer/mol_Ni h. The use of other borane compounds, such as B(C₆H₅)₃ and BEt₃, or the stronger electron acceptor BF₃ · OBu₂, with 1/MAO in place of B(C₆F₅)₃ clearly showed the main functions of B(C₆F₅)₃. The high Lewis acidity of B(C₆F₅)₃ enabled it to develop matured active complexes, thus enhancing the activity. Several Ni(II) complexes were employed to determine whether their activity was comparable to that of complex 1 in norbornene polymerization. The study of the ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectra of the polynorbornene produced with 1/B(C₆F₅)₃/MAO showed that the initiation of addition polymerization occurred through the insertion of the exo face of the norbornene into the active complex. Effects of the variation in the polymerization variables, such as the levels of B(C₆F₅)₃ and MAO, temperature, and solvent, on the polymerization were discussed.     

Co-crystallization of octahedral and icosahedral fluoroanions in K3(AsF6)(B12F12) and Cs3(AsF6)(B12F12). Rare examples of salts containing fluoroanions with different shapes and charges

Crystals grown from anhydrous HF solutions of CsAsF₆ and Cs₂B₁₂F₁₂ or KAsF₆ and Cs₂B₁₂F₁₂ are shown by Raman spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction to be the ternary salts K₃(AsF₆)(B₁₂F₁₂) or Cs₃(AsF₆)(B₁₂F₁₂). Both compounds exhibit a modified version of the anti-perovskite structure. They are rare examples of crystals that simultaneously contain octahedral and icosahedral molecular species and are also rare examples of salts containing fluoroanions with different shapes and charges. The crystallographic results show that both compounds are densely packed.