Claire Besson

A Fast Soluble Carbon-Free Molecular Water Oxidation Catalyst Based on Abundant Metals

Bulking Up Water Oxidation Storing solar energy by water oxidation, in a process akin to photosynthesis, is a promising approach for building a renewable energy infrastructure. Unfortunately, many of the most active synthetic catalysts for this process fall prey to degradation by the generated oxygen. Yin et al. (p. 342, published online 11 March; see the Perspective by Hurst) used bulky polyoxometalate ligands to protect a catalytic cobalt center from this fate. The full complex was easily prepared by mixing proper ratios of inexpensive tungsten, cobalt, and phosphate salts in boiling water. After isolating and redissolving the catalyst in slightly basic aqueous solution, rapid oxygen generation was observed with a ruthenium-based oxidant. Bulky polytungstate ligands stabilize a cobalt-based catalyst highly active for splitting water. Traditional homogeneous water oxidation catalysts are plagued by instability under the reaction conditions. We report that the complex [Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10–, comprising a Co4O4 core stabilized by oxidatively resistant polytungstate ligands, is a hydrolytically and oxidatively stable homogeneous water oxidation catalyst that self-assembles in water from salts of earth-abundant elements (Co, W, and P). With [Ru(bpy)3]3+ (bpy is 2,2′-bipyridine) as the oxidant, we observe catalytic turnover frequencies for O2 production ≥5 s−1 at pH = 8. The rate’s pH sensitivity reflects the pH dependence of the four-electron O2-H2O couple. Extensive spectroscopic, electrochemical, and inhibition studies firmly indicate that [Co4(H2O)2(PW9O34)2]10– is stable under catalytic turnover conditions: Neither hydrated cobalt ions nor cobalt hydroxide/oxide particles form in situ.

Structural, Physicochemical, and Reactivity Properties of an All-Inorganic, Highly Active Tetraruthenium Homogeneous Catalyst for Water Oxidation

Several key properties of the water oxidation catalyst Rb(8)K(2)[{Ru(IV)(4)O(4)(OH)(2)(H(2)O)(4)}(gamma-SiW(10)O(36))(2)] and its mechanism of water oxidation are given. The one-electron oxidized analogue [{Ru(V)Ru(IV)(3)O(6)(OH(2))(4)}(gamma-SiW(10)O(36))(2)](11-) has been prepared and thoroughly characterized. The voltammetric rest potentials, X-ray structures, elemental analysis, magnetism, and requirement of an oxidant (O(2)) indicate these two complexes contain [Ru(IV)(4)O(6)] and [Ru(V)Ru(IV)(3)O(6)] cores, respectively. Voltammetry and potentiometric titrations establish the potentials of several couples of the catalyst in aqueous solution, and a speciation diagram (versus electrochemical potential) is calculated. The potentials depend on the nature and concentration of counterions. The catalyst exhibits four reversible couples spanning only ca. 0.5 V in the H(2)O/O(2) potential region, keys to efficient water oxidation at low overpotential and consistent with DFT calculations showing very small energy differences between all adjacent frontier orbitals. The voltammetric potentials of the catalyst are evenly spaced (a Coulomb staircase), more consistent with bulk-like properties than molecular ones. Catalysis of water oxidation by [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) has been examined in detail. There is a hyperbolic dependence of O(2) yield on catalyst concentration in accord with competing water and ligand (bpy) oxidations. O(2) yields, turnover numbers, and extensive kinetics data reveal several features and lead to a mechanism involving rapid oxidation of the catalyst in four one-electron steps followed by rate-limiting H(2)O oxidation/O(2) evolution. Six spectroscopic, scattering, and chemical experiments indicate that the catalyst is stable in solution and under catalytic turnover conditions. However, it decomposes slowly in acidic aqueous solutions (pH < 1.5).

Cs(9)[(gamma-PW(10)O(36))(2)Ru(4)O(5)(OH)(H(2)O)(4)], a new all-inorganic, soluble catalyst for the efficient visible-light-driven oxidation of water.

The tetraruthenium-substituted polyoxometalate Cs(9)[(gamma-PW(10)O(36))(2)Ru(4)O(5)(OH)(H(2)O)(4)] was synthesized and structurally, spectroscopically and electrochemically characterized; it was shown to be a catalyst for visible-light-induced water oxidation.

Base-Catalyzed Synthesis of Substituted Indazoles under Mild, Transition-Metal-Free Conditions**

Back to basics: A transition-metal-free method developed for the synthesis of indazoles involves an inexpensive catalytic system composed of a diamine and K2CO3. Various (Z)-2-bromoacetophenone tosylhydrazones were converted into indazoles at room temperature in excellent yields (see example; Ts = p-toluenesulfonyl). The yield was improved by photoisomerization with UV light when E/Z isomeric mixtures of the starting material were used.

Accessing 4f-states in single-molecule spintronics

Magnetic molecules are potential functional units for molecular and supramolecular spintronic devices. However, their magnetic and electronic properties depend critically on their interaction with metallic electrodes. Charge transfer and hybridization modify the electronic structure and thereby influence or even quench the molecular magnetic moment. Yet, detection and manipulation of the molecular spin state by means of charge transport, that is, spintronic functionality, mandates a certain level of hybridization of the magnetic orbitals with electrode states. Here we show how a judicious choice of the molecular spin centres determines these critical molecule-electrode contact characteristics. In contrast to late lanthanide analogues, the 4f-orbitals of single bis(phthalocyaninato)-neodymium(III) molecules adsorbed on Cu(100) can be directly accessed by scanning tunnelling microscopy. Hence, they contribute to charge transport, whereas their magnetic moment is sustained as evident from comparing spectroscopic data with ab initio calculations. Our results showcase how tailoring molecular orbitals can yield all-electrically controlled spintronic device concepts.

Iron-catalysed oxidative cleavage of lignin and β-O-4 lignin model compounds with peroxides in DMSO

Simple FeCl3-derived iron catalysts are used for the cleavage of β-O-4 linkages in lignin and lignin model compounds. The degradation of the β-O-4 linkages and the resinol structures in both organosolv and kraft lignin was proven by 2D-NMR (HSQC) experiments, and the oxidative depolymerisation of these lignin sources was confirmed by GPC. Key reactive species facilitating this cleavage are methyl radicals generated from H2O2 and DMSO.

Supramolecular Recognition Influences Magnetism in [X@HVIV8VV14O54]6− Self-Assemblies with Symmetry-Breaking Guest Anions

Mixed-valence polyoxovanadates(IV/V) have emerged as one of the most intricate class of supramolecular all-inorganic host species, able to encapsulate a wide variety of smaller guest templates during their self-assembly formation process. As showcased herein, the incorporation of guests, though governed solely by ultra-weak electrostatic and van der Waals interactions, can cause drastic effects on the electronic and magnetic characteristics of the shell complex of the polyoxovanadate. We address the question of methodology for the magnetochemical analysis of virtually isostructural {V(IV/V) 22 O54 }-type polyoxoanions of D2d symmetry enclosing diamagnetic VO2 F2 (-) (C2v ), SCN(-) (C∞v ), or ClO4 (-) (Td ) template anions. These induce different polarization effects related to differences in their geometric structures, symmetry, ion radii, and valence shells, eventually resulting in a supramolecular modulation of magnetic exchange between the V(3d) electrons that are partly delocalized over the {V22 O54 } shells. We also include the synthesis and characterization of the novel [V(V) O2 F2 @HV(IV) 8 V(V) 14 O54 ](6-) system that comprises the rarely encountered discrete difluorovanadate anion as a quasi-isolated guest species.

Addition of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes to a Ruthenium(VI) Nitrido Polyoxometalate: a New Route to Cyclic Guanidines

The scope of N-atom transfer from the electrophilic ruthenium(VI) nitrido containing polyoxometalate [PW(11)O(39)Ru(VI)N](4-) has been extended to the N-heterocyclic carbene {CH(2)(Mes)N}(2)C and the coupling product {CH(2)(Mes)N}(2)CNH(2)(+) characterized by (1)H NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Because guanidines display many fields of applications ranging from biology to supramolecular chemistry, this could afford an original route to the synthesis of cyclic guanidines. This also enlarges the potential of nitrido complexes in the synthesis of heterocycles, mainly illustrated in the literature through the formation of aziridines through N-atom transfer to alkenes. In the course of the reaction, the ruthenium(III)-containing polyoxometallic intermediate [PW(11)O(39)Ru(III){NC{N(Mes)CH(2)}(2)}](5-) has been thoroughly characterized by continuous-wave and pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance, which nicely confirms the presence of the organic moiety on the polyoxometallic framework, Ru K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure, and electrochemistry.

Nitrogen-Atom Transfer from [PW11O39RuVIN]4- to PPh3

The nitrido derivative (n-Bu(4)N)(4)[PW(11)O(39)Ru(VI)N] transfers its nitrogen atom to triphenylphosphine to give quantitatively the bis(triphenylphosphane)iminium cation [Ph(3)PNPPh(3)](+). An intermediate can be prepared by the reaction of a single molecule of triphenylphosphine with the polyoxometalate, the iminophosphorane derivative (n-Bu(4)N)(3)[PW(11)O(39)Ru(V){NPPh(3)}]. The reactivity of the latter species has been investigated to complete the general scheme of the nitrogen-transfer reaction. By the addition of 1 equiv of hydroxide, [PW(11)O(39)Ru(III){N(OH)PPh(3)}](4-) is obtained. The reaction can be reversed by the addition of one proton. The phosphinoxime derivative [PW(11)O(39)Ru(III){N(OH)PPh(3)}](4-) can be prepared in solution but is unstable. It decomposes to yield quantitatively (n-Bu(4)N)(4)[PW(11)O(39)Ru(III){OPPh(3)}]. All of those species have been thoroughly characterized by mass spectrometry, paramagnetic (31)P NMR, IR, Raman, UV-visible, XANES, and EXAFS spectroscopies.

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF SINGLE BIS(PHTHALOCYANINATO)-NEODYMIUM(III) MOLECULES ON METAL SURFACES WITH DIFFERENT REACTIVITY

Magnetic molecules are auspicious candidates to act as functional units in molecular spintronics. Integrating molecules into a device environment providing mechanical support and electrical contacts requires their deposition as intact entities onto substrates. Thermal sublimation is a very clean deposition process that, however, thermally decomposes molecules of insufficient stability leading to the deposition of molecular fragments. Here, we show that the molecule-surface interaction of chemisorbed molecules affects the intramolecular bonding and can lead depending on the surface reactivity to either molecular decomposition or enhanced stability. We study the integrity of single bis(phthalocyaninato)-neodymium(III) molecules (NdPc2) deposited by sublimation on differently reactive surfaces, namely Au(111), Cu(100), and two atomic layers of Fe on W(110), on the single molecular level by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy. We find a strongly substrate-dependent tendency of the NdPc2 molecules to decompose into two Pc molecules. Surprisingly, the most reactive Fe/W(110) surface shows the lowest molecular decomposition probability, whereas there are no intact NdPc2 molecules at all on the least reactive Au(111) surface. We attribute these findings to substrate-dependent partial charge transfer from the substrate to the Pc ligands of the molecule, which strengthens the intramolecular bonding mediated predominantly by electrostatic interaction.