Electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 with CCC-NHC pincer nickel complexes.

A CCC-NHC pincer Ni(ii)Cl complex was prepared according to the metallation/transmetallation methodology. It was fully characterized by electrochemical, NMR spectroscopic, theoretical, and X-ray crystallographic methods. The complex and its cation were evaluated for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 under a variety of conditions and found to provide some of the fastest catalytic rates and highest substrate selectivities (CO2vs. H+) reported. Rates improved in the presence of water and, significantly, catalysis occurred at the first reduction potential, presumably at the Ni(i) state. Controlled potential electrolysis (CPE) was found to yield CO at 34% and formate at 47% Faradaic efficiency (FE).

Crystal structure of tris-(di-methyl-amido-κN)-bis-(di-methyl-amine-κN)-zirconium(IV) iodide.

Zirconium amides have become increasingly popular and useful due to their widespread use as precursors to other zirconium complexes and their use in the production of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Herein we report the mol-ecular structure of tris-(di-methyl-amido)-bis-(di-methyl-amine)-zirconium(IV) iodide, [Zr(C2H6N)3(C2H7N)2]I. The bond lengths and bond angles are consistent with a slightly distorted trigonal-bipyramidal coordination geometry around the metal atom. N⋯I contacts of 3.6153 (15) and 3.5922 (14) Šare consistent with the presence of N-H⋯I inter-actions. These N-H⋯I inter-actions link the complex cations and iodide anions into extended chains that propagate parallel to the a axis.

Transmetallation from CCC-NHC pincer Zr complexes in the synthesis of air-stable CCC-NHC pincer Co(iii) complexes and initial hydroboration trials.

Development of CCC-NHC pincer Co complexes via transmetalation from Zr is reported. Formation of these air-stable Co(iii) complexes was achieved through use of a CoCl2 or Co(acac)3in situ or with a discrete CCC-NHC pincer Zr transmetallating agent. Preliminary activity in the hydroboration of styrene is reported. This facile methodology will further the development of CCC-NHC pincer first-row transition metal complexes.

Direct Observation of Ion Pairing at the Liquid/Solid Interfaces by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy.

Ion-pairing, the association of oppositely charged ionic species in solution and at liquid/solid interfaces has been proposed as a key factor for a wide range of physicochemical phenomena. However, experimental observations of ion pairing at the ligand/solid interfaces are challenging due to difficulties in differentiating ion species in the electrical double layer from that adsorbed on the solid surfaces. Using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with electrolyte washing, we presented herein the first direct experimental evidence of ion pairing, the coadsorption of oppositely charged ionic species onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Ion pairing reduces the electrolyte concentration threshold in inducing AuNP aggregation and enhances the competitiveness of electrolyte over neutral molecules for binding to AuNP surfaces. The methodology and insights provided in this work should be important for understanding electrolyte interfacial interactions with nanoparticles.

Synthesis, characterization, photophysical properties, and catalytic activity of an SCS bis(N-heterocyclic thione) (SCS-NHT) Pd pincer complex.

Treatment of 1,3-bis(3'-butylimidazolyl-1'-yl)benzene diiodide with elemental sulfur in the presence of a base produced a bis(N-heterocyclic thione) (NHT) pincer ligand precursor. Its reaction with PdCl2(CH3CN)2 produced chloro[1,3-bis(3'-butylimidazole-2'-thione-κ-S)benzene-κ-C]palladium(ii), a 6,6-fused ring SCS-NHT palladium pincer complex. This air stable compound is, to our knowledge, the first SCS pincer complex that utilizes N-heterocyclic thione (NHT) donor groups. The molecular structures of the ligand precursor and the palladium complex were determined by X-ray crystallography and computational studies provided insight into the interconversion between its rac and meso conformations. The photophysical properties of the complex were established, and its catalytic activity in Suzuki, Heck, and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions was evaluated.

An efficient synthesis of bis-1,3-(3'-aryl-N-heterocycl-1'-yl)arenes as CCC-NHC pincer ligand precursors.

A report that demonstrated an efficient methodology for the arylation of imidazoles has been extended to bis(N-heterocyclic) compounds. Using bis(aryl) iodonium salts provides high-yielding access to CCC-NHC ligand precursors in a single step. Examples of arylation using various iodonium salts are reported herein with an investigation into the factors governing their relative rate of reactivity. The metalation of one of these compounds using Zr(NMe2)4 and its subsequent treatment with [Pt(COD)Cl2] to yield a transmetalated product are reported.

Platinum CCC-NHC benzimidazolyl pincer complexes: synthesis, characterization, photostability, and theoretical investigation of a blue-green emitter.

The recently reported metallation/transmetallation route for the synthesis of CCC-bis(NHC) pincer ligand architectures was extended to 1,3-bis(3'-(trimethylsilylmethyl)-benzimidizol-1'-yl)benzene. The precursor was metallated with Zr(NMe2)4 and transmetallated to Pt using [Pt(COD)Cl2]. This Pt complex was found to resist photobleaching under UV irradiation in ambient conditions. Density functional theory (DFT) computations were used to generate the emission spectrum of the complex and reveal that this spectrum is the result of a transition from the triplet excited state (T1) to the ground state (S0). The Pt complex's molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. The UV-vis absorption and emission spectra in solution and the solid-state emission spectra are reported. The solid-state photostability data and the radiative lifetime is also reported.

Toward molecular rotors: tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene Ag(I)-halide cubane-type clusters.

1,3-Bis(3'-butylimidazol-1'-yl)benzene diiodide (2a), 1,3-bis(3'-but-3''-enyl-imidazolium-3'-yl)benzene diiodide (2b), 1,3-bis(3'-pent-4''-enyl-imidazolium-3'-yl)benzene diiodide (2c), 1,3-bis(4'-butyl-1',2',4'-triazolium-1'-yl)benzene diiodide (2d), or 1,3-bis(4'-butyl-1',2',4'-triazolium-1'-yl)benzene dibromide (2e) was reacted with Ag2O yielding unprecedented tetra-N-heterocyclic carbene-Ag(I)-X cubane-type clusters. These were characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, ESI-TOF MS, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Results from VT (13)C NMR spectroscopy and cross-over experiments are consistent with intramolecular exchange suggesting that the Ag(I) complexes are molecular rotors.

An improved method for the synthesis of zirconium (CCC-N-heterocyclic carbene) pincer complexes and applications in hydroamination.

Upon heating Zr(NMe(2))(4), 1,3-bis(N-butyl-imidazolium)benzene diiodide and toluene analytically pure Zr pincer complex was obtained, which was found to be an intramolecular hydroamination catalyst.

Air- and water-stable catalysts for hydroamination/cyclization. Synthesis and application of CCC-NHC pincer complexes of Rh and Ir.

The scope of CCC-NHC pincer complex synthetic methodology by metalation/transmetalation has been extended to Ir. Structural characterization revealed that it is isomorphous with the Rh complex. Both Rh and Ir complexes are efficient catalysts for the hydroamination/cyclization of secondary amines in the presence of air and/or water.

Perforated organometallic nanotubes prepared from a Rh N-heterocyclic carbene using a porous alumina membrane.

Fabrication of perforated organometallic nanotubes using a di-rhodium bis(N-heterocyclic carbene) complex by a simple nanoporous template wetting technique is described along with characterization data from scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), proton NMR and Mass spectroscopy.

Efficient route to 1,3-Di-N-imidazolylbenzene. A comparison of monodentate vs bidentate carbenes in Pd-catalyzed cross coupling.

A new bis(carbene) ligand architecture has been developed and was evaluated in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of various aryl halides with phenylboronic acid. Several new bis(carbene) ligands were tested in different carbene:Pd ratios. Pd(OAc)(2) and Pd(2)(dba)(3) were compared for efficiency as a Pd source. It was found that the Pd(OAc)(2)/bis(carbene) system formed a catalyst for the activation of chlorobenzene. [reaction: see text]

Demonstration of a phosphazirconocene as a catalyst for the ring opening of epoxides with TMSCl.

[reaction: see text] In this study, it was demonstrated for the first time that a phosphazirconocene catalyzes the ring opening of epoxides with TMSCl. This reactivity leads to a facile preparation of chlorohydrins. The late transition metal Fe analogue was found to catalyze the reaction at rates and stereoselectivity comparable to those of the Zr complex.

The first structural characterization and determination of the isomerization activation parameters of a chiral phosphatitanocene.

The activation parameters (delta G++298 = 11.5 (+/- 1.0) kcal mol-1, delta H++ = 16.3 (+/- 3.0) kcal mol-1, delta S++ = 16 (+/- 11) cal mol-1 K-1) have been determined for the rac to meso isomerization of a phosphametallocene, bis(3,4-dimethyl-2-phenylphospholyl)titanium dichloride, 2, which has been structurally characterized.