Transition metal clusters and supported species with metal-carbon bonds from first-principles quantum chemistry

We discuss the impact of density functional electronic structure calculations for understanding the organometallic chemistry of transition metal (TM) surface complexes and clusters. Examples will cover three types of systems, mainly of interest in the context of heterogeneous catalysis: (i) supported carbonyl complexes of rhenium on MgO and of rhodium in zeolites, (ii) TM clusters with CO ligands and adsorbates, and (iii) metal clusters exhibiting chemical bonds with atomic carbon. The first group of case studies promotes the concept that surface groups of oxide supports are bonded to TM complexes in the same way as common (poly-dentate) ligands are bonded in coordination compounds. The second group of examples demonstrates various “ligand effects” of TM clusters. Finally, we illustrate how carbido centers stabilize TM clusters and modify the propensity for adsorption at the surface of such clusters.     

19F-NMR-spektroskopischer Nachweis und Berechnung der statistischen Bildung der gemischten Clusteranionen [(Mo6BrCl)F]2−, n = 0 – 8

¹⁹F NMR Spectroscopic Evidence and Calculation of the Statistical Formation of Mixed Cluster Anions [(Mo₆Br Cl )F ]^2?, n = 0 – 8 The complete system of the innersphere mixed clusters (Mo₆BrCl)⁴⁺ is formed by exchange of innersphere bound Clⁱ against outersphere bound Br^a on tempering the solid [(Mo₆Cl)Br] at 500°C for 16 h. After conversion with conc. HCl into (H₃O)₂[(Mo₆BrCl)Cl] and precipitation of the outer Cl^a with AgBF₄ in ethanol, treatment with tetrabutylammonium(TBA)fluoride yields (TBA)₂ [(Mo₆BrCl)F], a mixture of 22 different species. According to the sets of chemical equivalent fluorine atoms in total 55 ¹⁹F nmr signals are expected, which are really observed in the high resolution 1D-¹⁹F-nmr spectrum. Using increments of chemical shifts, peak intensities and multiplet structures as well as the 2D-¹⁹F/¹⁹F-COSY spectrum the complete and unambiguous assignment of all resonances is achieved. From the measured integral intensities the distribution of the different compounds is determined, revealing statistical formation of the geometrical isomers.     

Reactions of the Ru3(CO)10(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2) cluster with enynes RCH=CHC≡CR (R is phenyl or ferrocenyl). Formation of indenone derivatives of triruthenium clusters

The thermal reaction of Ru₃(CO)₁₀(-Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) (1) with enyne PhCH=CHCCPh afforded the trinuclear ruthenium clusters Ru₃(CO)₆{₃-P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂}{₃-C(Ph)=CHCC(Ph)(1,2-C₆H₄)C(=0)} (2), Ru₃(-H)(CO)₅{₃-P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂}{₃-C(Ph)=CHCC(Ph)(1,2-C₆H₄)C(—0)} (3), and Ru₃(CO)₆(-CO){₃-P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂}{₃-C(C=CPh₂)CH=C(H)Ph} (4) and also two isomers of Ru₃(CO)₅(-CO)(-Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂){₃-C₄Ph₂(CH=CHPh)₂} (5a and 5b). Clusters 2, 3, and 4 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, ¹H and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis. The reaction of complex 1 with enyne FcCH=CHCCFc gave rise to the Ru₃(CO)₆{₃-P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂}{₃-C(Fc)=CHCC(Fc)(1,2-C₆H₄)C(=0)} (6) and Ru₃(-H)(CO)₅{₃-P(Ph)CH₂PPh₂}{₃-C(Fc)=CHCC(Fc)(1,2-C₆H₄)C(—0)} (7) clusters. According to the spectral data, the latter compounds are isostructural to complexes 2 and 3, respectively.     

Functionalization of the macropolyhedral borate anion cluster [B22H22]: isolation and characterization of the OH and OEt derivatives

Preparation and characterization of the first derivatives of the fused macropolyhedral anion [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻ are reported. The species [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ (1) and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ (2) are obtained from workup of the products of the reaction between HgBr₂ and [NBzlEt₃]₂[B₂₂H₂₂]; a cluster involving the conjoining of a closo-B₁₂ icosahedron with a nido-B₁₀ cluster. Washing the products with ethanol followed by thin-layer chromatography allows the isolation of 1 and 2, reproducibly, in yields of 27 and 20%, respectively. The species were characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction studies. The crystal structure determinations of the two species identify novel features. Apparently the influence of the O atoms in the ions [B₂₂H₂₁OH]²⁻ and [B₂₂H₂₁OEt]²⁻ results in the lengthening of what was a gunwale B---B connection adjacent to the junction of the two cages such that the distances are 2.180 and 2.230 Å, respectively. These latter are longer than the corresponding distance in the parent species [B₂₂H₂₂]²⁻, which is 2.09 Å; quite long for a normal B---B distance. Thus it is assumed that these B atoms, in 1 and 2, one of which bears the substituent, are not bonded to each other.     

A Theoretical Study of LiHe+ n , NaHe+ n , and MgHe+ n Complexes, with n=1, 2, 3, 4

The LiHe⁺ _n , the NaHe⁺ _n , and the MgHe⁺ _n complexes with n=1, 2, 3, 4 were studied using ab initio calculations with the MP2/6-311+G(3df, 3pd) method. The complexes are found to be stable. For the n=1 complexes, previous results were available and the calculations performed are in good agreement with those results. This lends credibility to the results obtained for the complexes with higher n.     

锌族和钛族卤化物振动光谱的理论计算

采用ab initio RHF,MP2和B3LYP方法以及LanL2DZ和SDD基组计算了四面体锌族卤素阴离子化合物(MX₄^2-,M=Zn(Ⅱ),Cd(Ⅱ),Hg(Ⅱ);X=F^-,Cl^-,Br^-,I^-)和钛族卤化物(MX₄,M=Ti(Ⅳ),Zr(Ⅳ),Hf(Ⅳ);X=F^-,Cl^-,Br^-,I^-)的几何构型和振动频率。计算结果表明,LanL2DZ基组是合适的基组,能得到合理的电荷分布,几何参数以及振动频率。在锌族卤化物的计算中发现,角弯曲振动频率与实测值相当一致,键伸缩振动频率略为偏低,这主要是由于计算的键长略为偏长所致。MP2方法计算的振动频率更接近于实测值。在钛族卤化物的计算中,三种计算方法都相当地再现了实测值,而以B3LYP方法更为满意。     

Designed Construction of SrTiO3/SrSO4/Pt Heterojunctions with Boosted Photocatalytic H2 Evolution Activity

Efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs is a crucial factor for high-performance photocatalysts. Effective electron–hole separation and migration could be achieved by heterojunctions with suitable band structures. Herein, a porous SrTiO₃/SrSO₄ heterojunction is prepared by a sol-gel method at room temperature followed by an annealing process. XRD characterization suggests high crystallinity of the heterostructure. A well-defined interface between the two phases is confirmed by high-resolution (HR)TEM. The photocatalytic H₂ evolution productivity of the SrTiO₃/SrSO₄ heterojunction with Pt as co-catalyst reaches 396.82 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, which is 16 times higher than that of SrTiO₃/Pt. The boosted photocatalytic activity of SrTiO₃/SrSO₄/Pt can be ascribed to the presence of SrSO₄, which promotes the transfer and migration of photogenerated carriers by forming the heterojunction and porous structure, which provides a large amount of active sites. This novel porous heterostructure brings new ideas for the development of high-efficiency photocatalysts for H₂ release.     

Polysulfide Coordination Clusters of the Lanthanides

The reaction of [(DippForm)₂Ln(thf)₂] with an excess of elemental sulfur in toluene resulted in the formation of the trinuclear polysulfide coordination clusters [(DippForm)₃Ln₃S₁₂] (Ln=Sm, Yb; DippForm=N,N′‐bis(2,6‐diisopropylphenyl)formamidinate). These are the first f element coordination clusters (Ln_nS_x) with a larger polysulfide unit (n and x>2). The formation of the coordination clusters can be rationalized by the reductive cleavage of S₈ with divalent lanthanides.