Pascual Oña-Burgos

[Ln(BH4)2(THF)2] (Ln = Eu, Yb)—A Highly Luminescent Material. Synthesis, Properties, Reactivity, and NMR Studies

The divalent lanthanide borohydrides [Ln(BH(4))(2)(THF)(2)] (Ln = Eu, Yb) have been prepared in a straightforward approach. The europium compound shows blue luminescence in the solid state, having a quantum yield of 75%. Nonradiative deactivation of C-H and B-H oscillator groups could be excluded in the perdeuterated complex [Eu(BD(4))(2)(d(8)-THF)(2)], which showed a quantum yield of 93%. The monocationic species [Ln(BH(4))(THF)(5)][BPh(4)] and the bis(phosphinimino)methanides [{(Me(3)SiNPPh(2))(2)CH}Ln(BH(4))(THF)(2)] have been prepared from [Ln(BH(4))(2)(THF)(2)]. They show significantly lower or no luminescence. Using the diamagnetic compound [{(Me(3)SiNPPh(2))(2)CH}Yb(BH(4))(THF)(2)], we performed a 2D (31)P/(171)Yb HMQC experiment.

Electronic effects of triarylphosphines in metal-free hydrogen activation: a kinetic and computational study

The frustrated Lewis pair-mediated reversible hydrogen activation is studied as a function of the electron-donor quality of a series of phosphines. The increasing acidity of the generated phosphonium species leads to a stepwise lowering of the temperature for the highly reversible H2-activation and permits concrete classification for the first time. The influence of the acid strength on the metal-free hydrogenation of selected olefins is investigated by kinetic experiments and quantum chemical calculations. Detailed information for the rate-determining steps fully support our mechanistic model of a protonation step prior to hydride transfer. The rate of hydrogenation is strongly dependent on the electronic nature of the phosphine and of the acidity of the corresponding phosphonium cation. A careful balance of these two factors provides highly efficient metal-free hydrogenation catalysts. The provided findings are used to revise the reactivity of Lewis bases in the hydrogenation of imines, one of the most recognized applications of FLPs.

Mechanistic Investigations of Water Oxidation by a Molecular Cobalt Oxide Analogue: Evidence for a Highly Oxidized Intermediate and Exclusive Terminal Oxo Participation.

Artificial photosynthesis (AP) promises to replace societys dependence on fossil energy resources via conversion of sunlight into sustainable, carbon-neutral fuels. However, large-scale AP implementation remains impeded by a dearth of cheap, efficient catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Cobalt oxide materials can catalyze the OER and are potentially scalable due to the abundance of cobalt in the Earths crust; unfortunately, the activity of these materials is insufficient for practical AP implementation. Attempts to improve cobalt oxides activity have been stymied by limited mechanistic understanding that stems from the inherent difficulty of characterizing structure and reactivity at surfaces of heterogeneous materials. While previous studies on cobalt oxide revealed the intermediacy of the unusual Co(IV) oxidation state, much remains unknown, including whether bridging or terminal oxo ligands form O2 and what the relevant oxidation states are. We have addressed these issues by employing a homogeneous model for cobalt oxide, the [Co(III)4] cubane (Co4O4(OAc)4py4, py = pyridine, OAc = acetate), that can be oxidized to the [Co(IV)Co(III)3] state. Upon addition of 1 equiv of sodium hydroxide, the [Co(III)4] cubane is regenerated with stoichiometric formation of O2. Oxygen isotopic labeling experiments demonstrate that the cubane core remains intact during this stoichiometric OER, implying that terminal oxo ligands are responsible for forming O2. The OER is also examined with stopped-flow UV-visible spectroscopy, and its kinetic behavior is modeled, to surprisingly reveal that O2 formation requires disproportionation of the [Co(IV)Co(III)3] state to generate an even higher oxidation state, formally [Co(V)Co(III)3] or [Co(IV)2Co(III)2]. The mechanistic understanding provided by these results should accelerate the development of OER catalysts leading to increasingly efficient AP systems.

[2.2]Paracyclophane derived bisphosphines for the activation of hydrogen by FLPs: application in domino hydrosilylation/hydrogenation of enones

The heterolytic splitting of hydrogen by two types of [2.2]paracyclophane derived bisphosphines (1, 2a and 2b) in combination with tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (3) at room temperature is described. The corresponding frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) exhibit different behavior in the activation of hydrogen. This results from diverse steric and electronic properties of the bisphosphines. The reactivity of the frustrated Lewis pairs was exploited in the first diastereoselective domino hydrosilylation/hydrogenation reaction catalyzed by FLPs.

Enantioselective Desymmetrization of Diphenylphosphinamides via (−)-Sparteine-Mediated Ortho-Lithiation. Synthesis of P-Chiral Ligands

Asymmetric ortho-lithiation of N-dialkyl-P,P-diphenylphosphinamides using [n-BuLi.(-)-sparteine] is described as an efficient method for the synthesis of P-chiral ortho-functionalized derivatives in high yields and ees from 45 to >99%. The method allows access to new enantiomerically pure P-chiral phosphine and diimine ligands.

Peptoid‐Ligated Pentadecanuclear Yttrium and Dysprosium Hydroxy Clusters

A new family of pentadecanuclear coordination cluster compounds (from now on simply referred to as clusters) [{Ln15 (OH)20 (PepCO2 )10 (DBM)10 Cl}Cl4 ] (PepCO2 =2-[{3-(((tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino)methyl)benzyl}amino]acetate, DBM=dibenzoylmethanide) with Ln=Y and Dy was obtained by using the cell-penetrating peptoid (CPPo) monomer PepCO2 H and dibenzoylmethane (DBMH) as supporting ligands. The combination of an inorganic cluster core with an organic cell-penetrating peptoid in the coordination sphere resulted in a core component {Ln15 (μ3 -OH)20 Cl}(24+) (Ln=Y, Dy), which consists of five vertex-sharing heterocubane {Ln4 (μ3 -OH)4 }(8+) units that assemble to give a pentagonal cyclic structure with one Cl atom located in the middle of the pentagon. The solid-state structures of both clusters were established by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. MS (ESI) experiments suggest that the cluster core is robust and maintained in solution. Pulsed gradient spin echo (PGSE) NMR diffusion measurements were carried out on the diamagnetic yttrium compound and confirmed the stability of the cluster in its dicationic form [{Y15 (μ3 -OH)20 (PepCO2 )10 (DBM)10 Cl}Cl2 ](2+) . The investigation of both static (dc) and dynamic (ac) magnetic properties in the dysprosium cluster revealed a slow relaxation of magnetization, indicative of single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior below 8 K. Furthermore, the χT product as a function of temperature for the dysprosium cluster gave evidence that this is a ferromagnetically coupled compound below 11 K.

1H,89Y HMQC and further NMR spectroscopic and X-ray diffraction investigations on yttrium-containing complexes exhibiting various nuclearities.

2D (1)H,(89)Y heteronuclear shift correlation through scalar coupling has been applied to the chemical-shift determination of a set of yttrium complexes with various nuclearities. This method allowed the determination of (89)Y NMR data in a short period of time. Multinuclear NMR spectroscopy as function of temperature, PGSE NMR-diffusion experiments, heteronuclear NOE measurements, and X-ray crystallography were applied to determine the structures of [Y(5)(OH)(5)(L-Val)(4)(Ph(2)acac)(6)] (1) (Ph(2)acac=dibenzoylmethanide, L-Val=L-valine), [Y(2)(OTf)(3)] (3), and [Y(2)(4)(OTf)(5)] (5) (2: [(S)P{N(Me)N=C(H)Py}(3)], 4: [B{N(Me)N=C(H)Py}(4)](-)) in solution and in the solid state. The structures found in the solid state are retained in solution, where averaged structures were observed. NMR diffusion measurements helped us to understand the nuclearity of compounds 3 and 5 in solution. (1)H,(19)F HOESY and (19)F,(19)F EXSY data revealed that the anions are specifically located in particular regions of space, which nicely correlated with the geometries found in the X-ray structures.

Catching gaseous SO2 in cone-type lanthanide complexes: an unexpected coordination mode for SO2 in f-element chemistry.

Easy come, easy go: the first molecular SO(2) complexes of the lanthanides (Ln=Sm, Eu) have been prepared. The compounds can reversibly coordinate gaseous SO(2). Concomitant with the addition and removal of SO(2), the color of the complexes changes reversibly. The structures of the SO(2) compounds could be confirmed in solution and in the solid state.

Mechanisms of Stereomutation and Thermolysis of Spiro-1,2-oxaphosphetanes: New Insights into the Second Step of the Wittig Reaction

The experimentally observed stereomutation of spiro-1,2-oxaphosphetanes is shown by DFT calculations to proceed through successive M(B2) or M(B4) and M(B3) mechanisms involving two, four, and three Berry pseudorotations at phosphorus, respectively. Oxaphosphetane decomposition takes place in a single step via a polar transition state. The calculated activation parameters for this reaction are in good agreement with those determined experimentally.

Solution and computed structure of O-lithium N,N-diisopropyl-P,P-diphenylphosphinic amide. Unprecedented Li-O-Li-O self-assembly of an aryllithium.

The structural characterization of an ortho-lithiated diphenylphosphinic amide is described for the first time. Multinuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H, (7)Li, (13)C, (31)P) studies as a function of temperature and concentration employing 1D and 2D methods showed that the anion exists as a mixture of one monomer and two diastereomeric dimers. In the dimers the chiral monomer units are assembled in a like and unlike manner through oxygen-lithium bonds, leading to fluxional ladder structures. This self-assembling mode leads to the formation of Li(2)O(2) four-membered rings, a structural motif unprecedented in aryllithium compounds. DFT computations of representative model compounds of ortho-lithiated phosphinic amide monomer and Li(2)C(2) and Li(2)O(2) dimers with different degrees of solvation by THF molecules showed that Li(2)O(2) dimers are thermodynamically favored with respect to the alternative Li(2)C(2) structures by 4.3 kcal mol(-1) in solvent-free species and by 2.3 kcal mol(-1) when each lithium atom is coordinated to one THF molecule. Topological analysis of the electron density distribution revealed that the Li(2)O(2) four-membered ring is characterized by four carbon-lithium bond paths and one oxygen-oxygen bond path. The latter divides the Li-O-Li-O ring into two Li-O-Li three-sided rings, giving rise to two ring critical points. On the contrary, the bond path network in the Li(2)C(2) core includes a catastrophe point, suggesting that this molecular system can be envisaged as an intermediate in the formation of Li(2)O(2) dimers. The computed (13)C chemical shifts of the C-Li carbons support the existence of monomeric and dimeric species containing only one C-Li bond and are consistent with the existence of tricoordinated lithium atoms in all species in solution.