A computational study on mixed-ligand N2P3 donor-set iron(II) and ruthenium(II) classical and non-classical hydrides

Iron and ruthenium classical and non-classical hydrides of the type [MH(N–N)P₃]⁺ and [M(η²-H₂)(N–N)P₃]²⁺ {M = Fe, Ru; N–N = 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen); P = phosphites} were reported in 2004 together with an evaluation of the pseudo-aqueous pK_a values of the η²-H₂ complexes. The non-classical hydrides, even if doubly charged, showed a relatively low acidity, their pK_a values ranging between −5.4 and −4.3. Moreover, ruthenium(II) derivatives showed to be more acidic than the corresponding iron(II) complexes. Information about the structural and electronic proprieties of complexes of this type, which allowed to better understand the role of both the metal centres and the ancillary ligands in the acidity of the co-ordinated hydrogen molecule, was obtained on the basis of DFT B3LYP calculations.     

Investigation of structural and hydrogen absorption properties in the LaNi5−xPtx-H2 system

The substitution of nickel by platinum in the binary LaNi₅ compound (CaCu₅ structure type, a=5.019(1) Å, c=3.981(1) Å, space group P6/mmm) and its effect on the hydrogenation properties was studied. The phase LaNi_5−xPt_x has a homogeneity domain ranging from x=0 to 5. For x<3, platinum substitutes almost exclusively on site 3g and also replaces nickel on site 2c for x>3. Contrary to what is observed in other systems, the hydrogen absorption plateau pressure was found to increase as a function of the cell volume. Powder neutron diffraction experiments were conducted for two deuterated compounds with x=0.25 and 0.75. Deuterium partial ordering occurs in the case of x=0.25 leading to a symmetry decrease to the space group P6mm (LaNi_4.75Pt_0.25D_5.23, a=4.225(1) Å, c=5.357(1) Å, Z=1, R_Bragg=3.3%). For x=0.75, an orthorhombic superstructure based on the CaCu₅-type lattice was found (LaNi_4.25Pt_0.75D_2.61, a_orth=√3a_hex=9.089(1) Å, b_orth=b_hex=5.272(1) Å, c_orth=2c_hex=8.145(1) Å, Z=4, SG Ibam, R_Bragg=6.1%).     

Hydrides compounds for electrochemical applications

Hydrides have been used since a long time for solid-state hydrogen storage and electrochemical nickel-metal hydride batteries. Besides these applications, growing attention has been devoted to their development as anode materials, as well as solid electrolytes for Li-ion and other ion batteries. Herein, we review and summarize the recent advances of hydrides as negative electrodes for Ni-MH and A-ion batteries (A = Li, Na), and as electrolyte for all solid-state batteries (ASSB). Metallic hydrides such as intergrowth compounds are highlighted as the best compromise up to now for Ni-MH. Regarding anodes of Li-ion batteries, MgH₂, especially its combination with TiH₂, provides very promising results. Complex hydrides such as Li-borohydride and related closo-borates and monovalent carborate boron clusters appear to be very attractive as solid electrolytes for Li-based ASSB, whereas closo-hydroborate sodium salts and closo-carboborates are investigated for Na- and Mg-ASSB. Finally, further research directions are foreseen for hydrides in electrochemical applications.     

Solvatons. II. Aqueous dissociation of hydrides in the MINDOS approximation

A simple electrostatic model of solvation is presented which allows the interaction with solvent to be included systematically within semiempirical SCF calculations. Solvent effects are incorporated into the Hamiltonian for a solute molecule through a series of imaginary particles, solvatons, which represent the oriented solvent distribution around the solute.The proposed model is based on an algorithm for approximating the enthalpy of solvation of each atomic center from its charge in the molecular system and the experimental hydration enthalpies of its various ions. The calculated atomic solvation energy of one center is then modified to include the interaction with other charged atomic centers in the molecule. The method, developed here for the MINDO/3 approximation, has been applied to the calculation of the aqueous dissociation of a series of hydrides. In general, it leads to fairly accurate solvation enthalpies andpK _a values when applied to systems with fixed molecular geometries. A general discussion of the problems associated with the development of a solvation model within a semiempirical framework is also presented.     

An AFM study of the processing of hydrogen passivated silicon(1 1 1) of a low miscut angle

We present atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements from a passivated silicon crystal miscut by 0.1° and show the etching regime to be significantly different from surfaces with a larger miscut angle. A simple kinetic model is developed to explain the results and is used to derive the optimal etching conditions for nominally flat Si(1 1 1)–(1×1)H. We show that small changes in miscut angle can alter the kinetic steady state and promote the formation of deep etch pits, even on the least stable, miscut surface. Collisions of steps with these pits result in arrays of stable, self-aligned ‘etch hillocks' over micron dimensions. Following preparation, we use AFM to observe the initial growth of native oxide on the Si(1 1 1)–(1×1)H surface, and demonstrate that AFM is a sensitive probe to surface oxidation in the sub-monolayer regime.     

Mg nanoparticle switchable mirror films with improved absorption-desorption kinetics

Optical and structural properties of rare-earth free and pure Mg nanoparticle thin film coated with Pd have been investigated. The thickness dependence of the switching properties of magnesium hydride films is presented. We have succeeded to load thin films of Mg to MgH₂ at room temperature and normal pressure of hydrogen gas. In less than 100 s transparent MgH₂ was obtained.     

Catalysis, by amorphous carbon, of H2 attack on oxidized U-0.1 wt% Cr surfaces

Amorphous carbon, evaporated on a thin oxide layer covered U-0.1 wt% Cr sample, was proven to significantly catalyze H₂ reaction with the metal. A hydride was formed preferentially on the carbon-covered surface, for vacuum pretreatment temperatures of 150 and 190 °C and hydrogen reactions of 150 and 90 °C, respectively. Dependence of the reaction rate on the thickness of the layer was observed.     

Dynamic processes in hydrido-carbonyl trirhenium clusters containing bridging nitrogen heterocyclic ligands: An NMR investigation

The dynamic processes occurring in the triangular clusters [Re₃(μ-H)₃(μ-pz-κN¹:κN²)(CO)₁₀]⁻ (pz = pyrazolate, 4), [Re₃(μ-H)₂(μ-pydz-κN¹:κN²)(CO)₁₀] ⁻ (pydz = pyridazine, 5) and [Re₃(μ-H)₃(μ-pydz-κN¹:κN²)(CO)₁₀] (6), have been investigated by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. In the pyrazolate derivative 4 the exchange (k ≈ 1 s⁻¹ at 320 K) between the two carbonyls in the trans-diaxial apical positions has been recognized, and its activation parameters, in C₂D₂Cl₄, have been determined (E_a = 68(3) kJ mol⁻¹). The exchange has been attributed to the rotation of the apical H₂Re(CO)₄ fragment with respect to the Re₂(μ-pz) basal fragment, a process analogous to that previously observed in the unsaturated dianion [Re₃(μ-H)₃(CO)₁₀] ²⁻ (2) and in the monoanion [Re₃(μ-H)₃(μ-NC₅H₄-κN¹:κC⁶)(CO)₁₀]⁻ (1), containing a bridging orthometallated pyridine ligand. The vertex rotation was not observed in the pyridazine derivatives 5 and 6. An explanation for this different behaviour is presented, based on the view of the fluxional clusters 1, 2 and 4 as adducts between the apical and basal moieties (π- or σ-complexes). The ΔG^#_312K value here measured in acetone for the σ-complex 4 (77 kJ mol⁻¹) is very similar to that previously determined for the other σ-complex 1 (ΔG^#_305K = 76 kJ mol^-1) and significantly higher than the values measured for the π-complex 2 (ΔG^#_260K = 60 kJ mol⁻¹). The di-hydrido derivative 5 shows a different much faster dynamic process, namely the hopping of one hydride between the two lateral edges, affording a pseudo C_s symmetry in the molecule. The process has been monitored by both ¹H and ¹³C analysis, affording quite similar activation parameters (E_a = 44(1) and 45(1) kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, in THF-d₈), that did not significantly change in CD₂Cl₂ solution, in agreement with an intramolecular process.     

La(Fe,Si)13-based magnetic refrigerants obtained by novel processing routes

The structure and magnetic properties of LaFe_13−xSi_x and Co-substituted LaFe_11.8−xCo_xSi_1.2 alloys prepared by melt spinning, as well as of LaFe_11.57Si_1.43H_x hydrides prepared by reactive milling are investigated. The hysteresis in the temperature- and field-induced phase transitions is significantly reduced as compared with conventional bulk alloys, which makes these materials very attractive for magnetic refrigerant applications. The unusual combination of features characteristic of first- and second-order phase transitions in the La(Fe,Si)₁₃-based compounds is discussed on the basis of density-functional electronic structure calculations.     

Lithium Aluminium Hydride and Metallic Iron: A Powerful Team in Alkene and Arene Hydrogenation Catalysis

Alkenes that normally do not react with LiAlH₄ (3-hexene, cyclohexene, 1-Me-cyclohexene), can be reduced to the corresponding alkanes by a mixture of LiAlH₄ and Fe⁰ (the iron was activated by Metal-Vapour-Synthesis). This alkene-to-alkane conversion with a stoichiometric quantity of LiAlH₄/Fe⁰ does not need quenching with water or acids, implying that both H's originate from LiAlH₄. The LiAlH₄/Fe⁰ combination is also a remarkably potent cooperative catalyst for hydrogenation of multi-substituted alkenes and benzene or toluene. An induction period of circa two hours and the minimally required temperature of 120 °C, suggests that the actual catalyst is a combination of Fe⁰ and the decomposition product of LiAlH₄ (LiH and Al⁰). A thermally pre-activated LiAlH₄/Fe⁰ catalyst did not need an induction time and is also active at room temperature and 1 bar H₂. A combination of AliBu₃ and Fe⁰ is an even more active hydrogenation catalyst. Without pre-activation, tetra-substituted alkenes like Me₂C=CMe₂ and toluene could be fully hydrogenated.