Counterion-Trapped-Molecules: From High Polarity and Enriched IR Spectra to Induced Isomerization

We report extensive computational studies of some novel intermolecular systems and their properties. Recombination of alkali-halide counterions separated by a noncovalently trapped hydrocarbon molecule is prevented by significant potential energy barriers, resulting in unusual metastable insertion complexes. These systems are extremely polar, while the inserted molecule is strongly counter-polarized, leading to significant cooperative nonadditivity effects. The compression and electric field produced by the counterions favours isomerization of the trapped molecule via a significant reduction of the barriers to bond rearrangement, in a field-induced mechanochemical process. The predicted IR intensity spectra clearly reflect (1) formation of the insertion complex, rather than simple attachment of alkali halide, and (2) isomerization of the trapped molecule, thus allowing experimental access to these events.     

Sulphur dioxide insertion into tin―carbon bonds: solvent effects and the nature of the transition state

Data describing the insertion of sulphur dioxide into the carbon―tin bond of a range of substituted phenyltrimethyltin compounds in methanol and benzene solvents have been reconsidered. The reaction in methanol is cleanly second order, but the reaction in benzene has both a second‐order and third‐order component, the latter ascribable to an initial equilibrium formation of a SO₂ complex with the phenyl ring followed by the insertion of a second SO₂ molecule into the carbon–tin bond. Molecular orbital calculations have identified the transition states (TS) and the favoured reaction pathways for the second‐order and third‐order reaction pathways in benzene. The effects of solvents on TS and enthalpies of reaction have also been examined. New insights into the types of TS involved in electrophilic substitution reactions are revealed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fervent Hype behind Magnesium Batteries: An Open Call to Synthetic Chemists—Electrolytes and Cathodes Needed

Magnesium metal is a superior anode which has double the volumetric capacity of lithium metal and has a negative reduction potential of −2.37 V vs. the standard hydrogen electrode. A major benefit of magnesium is the apparent lack of dendrite formation during charging which is one of the crucial concerns of using a lithium metal anode. In this Review, we highlight the foremost research in the development of electrolytes and cathodes and discuss some of the significant challenges which must be overcome in realizing a practical magnesium battery.     

Reaction mechanism and rate constants of the CH+CH4 reaction: a theoretical study

Ab initio and density functional calculations have been performed to elucidate the mechanism of CH radical insertion into methane. The results show that the reaction can be viewed to occur via two stages. On the first stage, the CH radical approaches methane without large structural changes to acquire proper positioning for the subsequent stage, where H-migration occurs from CH₄ to CH, along with a C–C bond formation. Where the first stage ends and the second begins, a tight transition state was located using the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MP4(SDQ)/6-311++G(d,p) methods. Using a rigid rotor – harmonic oscillator approach within transition state theory, we show that at the MP5/6-311++G(d,p)//MP4(SDQ)/6-311++G(d,p) level the calculated rate constants are in a reasonably good agreement with experiment in a broad temperature range of 145–581 K. Even at low temperatures, the insertion reaction bottleneck is found about the location of the tight transition state, rather than at long separations between the CH and CH₄ reactants. In addition, high level CCSD(T)-F12/CBS calculations of the remainder of the C₂H₅ potential energy surface predict the CH+CH₄ reaction to proceed via the initial insertion step to the ethyl radical which then can emit a hydrogen atom to form highly exothermic C₂H₄+H products.     

Synthesis of oxazole and furan derivatives via Rh2(OAc)4-catalyzed C≡X bond insertion of cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones with nitriles and arylacetylenes

Abstract

A convenient and efficient procedure for the synthesis of 2-substituted-6,7-dihydrobenzo[d]oxazol-4(5H)-ones and 2-aryl-6,7-dihydrobenzofuran-4(5H)-ones through a Rh₂(OAc)₄-catalyzed C≡X (X?=?N, C) insertion of cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketones with nitriles and aromatic alkynes has been developed. This reaction uses readily available starting materials and stable cyclic 2-diazo-1,3-diketone compounds, with desired products formed in good to high yields. A tentative mechanism involving a C≡X bond insertion and 1,5-dipolar electrocyclization/ring opening and cyclization sequence for this reaction is proposed.     

Arene C?H Amination at Nickel in Terphenyl–Diphosphine Complexes with Labile Metal–Arene Interactions

The meta‐terphenyl diphosphine, m‐P₂, 1 , was utilized to support Ni centers in the oxidation states 0, I, and II. A series of complexes bearing different substituents or ligands at Ni was prepared to investigate the dependence of metal–arene interactions on oxidation state and substitution at the metal center. Complex (m‐P₂)Ni ( 2 ) shows strong Ni⁰–arene interactions involving the central arene ring of the terphenyl ligand both in solution and the solid state. These interactions are significantly less pronounced in Ni⁰ complexes bearing L‐type ligands ( 2‐L : L=CH₃CN, CO, Ph₂CN₂), Ni^IX complexes ( 3‐X : X=Cl, BF₄, N₃, N₃B(C₆F₅)₃), and [(m‐P₂)Ni^IICl₂] ( 4 ). Complex 2 reacts with substrates, such as diphenyldiazoalkane, sulfur ylides (Ph₂S?CH₂), organoazides (RN₃: R=para‐C₆H₄OMe, para‐C₆H₄CF₃, 1‐adamantyl), and N₂O with the locus of observed reactivity dependent on the nature of the substrate. These reactions led to isolation of an η¹‐diphenyldiazoalkane adduct ( 2‐Ph₂CN₂ ), methylidene insertion into a Ni? P bond followed by rearrangement of a nickel‐bound phosphorus ylide ( 5 ) to a benzylphosphine ( 6) , Staudinger oxidation of the phosphine arms, and metal‐mediated nitrene insertion into an arene C? H bond of 1 , all derived from the same compound ( 2 ). Hydrogen‐atom abstraction from a Ni^I–amide ( 9 ) and the resulting nitrene transfer supports the viability of Ni–imide intermediates in the reaction of 1 with 1‐azido‐arenes.     

Carbon‐Coated LiTi2(PO4)3: An Ideal Insertion Host for Lithium‐Ion and Sodium‐Ion Batteries

We report the extraordinary performance of carbon‐coated sodium super ion conductor (NASICON)‐type LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ as an ideal host matrix for reversible insertion of both Li and Na ions. The NASICON‐type compound was prepared by means of a Pechini‐type polymerizable complex method and was subsequently carbon coated. Several characterization techniques such as XRD, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), field‐emission (FE) SEM, TEM, and Raman analysis were used to study the physicochemical properties. Both guest species underwent a two‐phase insertion mechanism during the charge/discharge process that was clearly evidenced from galvanostatic and cyclic voltammetric studies. Unlike that of Li (≈1.5 moles of Li), Na insertion exhibits better reversibility (≈1.59 moles of Na) while experiencing a slightly higher capacity fade (≈8 % higher than Li) and polarization (780 mV) than Li. However, excellent rate capability profiles were noted for Na insertion relative to its counterpart Li. Overall, the Na insertion properties were found to be superior relative to Li insertion, which makes carbon‐coated NASICON‐type LiTi₂(PO₄)₃ hosts attractive for the development of next‐generation batteries.     

Facile Insertion of Carbon Dioxide into Cu2(μ‐H) Dinuclear Units Supported by Tetraphosphine Ligands

Reactions of meso‐bis[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphino]methane (dpmppm) with Cu^I species in the presence of NaBH₄ afforded di‐ and tetranuclear copper hydride complexes, [Cu₂(μ‐H)(μ‐dpmppm)₂]X ( 1 ) and [Cu₄(μ‐H)₂(μ₄‐H)(μ‐dpmppm)₂]X ( 2 ) (X=BF₄, PF₆). Complex 1 undergoes facile insertion of CO₂ (1 atm) at room temperature, leading to a formate‐bridged dicopper complex [Cu₂(μ‐HCOO)(dpmppm)₂]X ( 3 ). The experimental and DFT theoretical studies clearly demonstrate that CO₂ insertion into the Cu₂(μ‐H) unit occurred with the flexible dicopper platform. Complex 2 also undergoes CO₂ insertion to give a formate‐bridged complex, [Cu₄(μ‐HCOO)₃(dpmppm)₂]X, during which the square Cu₄ framework opened up to a linear tetranuclear chain.     

Solution Phase Reactivity of Dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine: Activation and Insertion into Si-E Single Bonds (E=H,OSi(CH3)3, F,Cl) by a BN-Aryne

The boron-nitrogen analogue of ortho-benzyne, 1,2-azaborinine, is a reactive intermediate that features a formal boron-nitrogen triple bond. We here show by combining experimental and computational techniques that the Lewis acidity of the boron center of dibenzo[c,e][1,2]azaborinine allows interaction with the silicon containing single bonds Si−E through the silicon bonding partner E (E=F, Cl, OR, H). The binding to boron activates the Si−E bonds for subsequent insertion reaction. This shows that the BN-aryne is a ferocious species that even can activate and insert into the very strong Si−F bond.