Yu-Chiao Liu

[Ag21{S2P(OiPr)2}12]+: An Eight‐Electron Superatom

A novel discrete [Ag21{S2P(OiPr)2}12](PF6) nanocluster has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and also NMR spectroscopy ((1)H, (31)P), ESI mass spectrometry, and other analytic techniques (XPS, EDS, UV/Vis spectroscopy). The Ag21 skeleton has an unprecedented silver-centered icosahedron that is capped by eight additional metal atoms. The whole framework is protected by twelve dithiophosphate ligands. According to the spherical Jellium model, the stability of monocationic nanocluster can be described by an 8-electron superatom with 1S(2) 1P(6) configuration, as confirmed by DFT calculations.

Electron delocalization from the fullerene attachment to the diiron core within the active-site mimics of [FeFe]hydrogenase.

Attachment of the redox-active C(60)(H)PPh(2) group modulates the electronic structure of the Fe(2) core in [(μ-bdt)Fe(2)(CO)(5)(C(60)(H)PPh(2))]. The neutral complex is characterized by X-ray crystallography, IR, NMR spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. When it is reduced by one electron, the spectroscopic and density functional theory results indicate that the Fe(2) core is partially spin-populated. In the doubly reduced species, extensive electron communication occurs between the reduced fullerene unit and the Fe(2) centers as displayed in the spin-density plot. The results suggest that the [4Fe4S] cluster within the H cluster provides an essential role in terms of the electronic factor.

Biomimetic Model Featuring the NH Proton and Bridging Hydride Related to a Proposed Intermediate in Enzymatic H2 Production by Fe-Only Hydrogenase

Iron azadithiolate phosphine-substituted complex and its protonated species featuring the NH proton and/or bridging Fe hydride, [Fe(2)(mu-S(CH(2))(2)N(n)Pr(H)(m)(CH(2))(2)S)(mu-H)(n)(CO)(4)(PMe(3))(2)](2)((2m+2n)+) (1, m = n = 0; [1-2H(N)](2+), m = 1, n = 0; [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+), m = n = 1), are prepared to mimic the active site of Fe-only hydrogenase. X-ray crystallographic analyses of these three complexes reveal that two diiron subunits are linked by two azadiethylenethiolate bridges to construct a dimer-of-dimer structure. (31)P NMR spectroscopy confirms two trimethylphosphine ligands within the diiron moiety are arranged in the apical/basal configuration, which is consistent with the solid-state structural characterization. Deprotonation of the NH proton in [1-2H(N)](2+) and [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+) occurs in the presence of triethanolamine (TEOA), which generates 1 and [1-2H(Fe)](2+), respectively. Deprotonation of the Fe hydride is accomplished by addition of bistriphenylphosphineimminium chloride ([PPN]Cl). It is observed that the Fe hydride species, [1-2H(Fe)](2+), is a kinetic product which converts to its thermodynamically stable tautomer, [1-2H(N)](2+), in solution, as evidenced by IR and NMR spectroscopy. The pK(a) values of the aza nitrogen and the diiron sites are estimated to be 8.9-15.9 and <8.9, respectively. [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+) has been observed to evolve H(2) electrocatalytically at a mild potential (-1.42 V vs Fc/Fc(+)) in CH(3)CN solution. Catalysis of [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+) is found to be as efficient as that of the related diiron azadithiolate complexes. In the absence of a proton source, [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+) undergoes four irreversible reduction processes at -1.26, -1.42, -1.82, and -2.43 V, which are attributed to the reduction events from [1-2H(N)2H(Fe)](4+), [1-2H(Fe)](2+), [1-2H(N)](2+), and 1, respectively, according to bulk electrolysis and voltammetry in combination of titration experiments with acids.

[Cu32(H)20{S2P(OiPr)2}12]: The Largest Number of Hydrides Recorded in a Molecular Nanocluster by Neutron Diffraction

An air- and moisture-stable nanoscale polyhydrido copper cluster [Cu32 (H)20 {S2 P(OiPr)2 }12 ] (1H ) was synthesized and structurally characterized. The molecular structure of 1H exhibits a hexacapped pseudo-rhombohedral core of 14 Cu atoms sandwiched between two nestlike triangular cupola fragments of (2×9) Cu atoms in an elongated triangular gyrobicupola polyhedron. The discrete Cu32 cluster is stabilized by 12 dithiophosphate ligands and a record number of 20 hydride ligands, which were found by high-resolution neutron diffraction to exhibit tri-, tetra-, and pentacoordinated hydrides in capping and interstitial modes. This result was further supported by a density functional theory investigation on the simplified model [Cu32 (H)20 (S2 PH2 )12 ].

[Ag20{S2P(OR)2}12]: A Superatom Complex with a Chiral Metallic Core and High Potential for Isomerism

The synthesis and structural determination of a silver nanocluster [Ag20 {S2 P(OiPr)2 }12 ] (2), which contains an intrinsic chiral metallic core, is produced by reduction of one silver ion from the eight-electron superatom complex [Ag21 {S2 P(OiPr)2 }12 ](PF6 ) (1) by borohydrides. Single-crystal X-ray analysis displays an Ag20 core of pseudo C3 symmetry comprising a silver-centered Ag13 icosahedron capped by seven silver atoms. Its n-propyl derivative, [Ag20 {S2 P(OnPr)2 }12 ] (3), can also be prepared by the treatment of silver(I) salts and dithiophosphates in a stoichiometric ratio in the presence of excess amount of [BH4 ](-) . Crystal structure analyses reveal that the capping silver-atom positions relative to their icosahedral core are distinctly different in 2 and 3 and generate isomeric, chiral Ag20 cores. Both Ag20 clusters display an emission maximum in the near IR region. DFT calculations are consistent with a description within the superatom model of an 8-electron [Ag13 ](5+) core protected by a [Ag7 {S2 P(OR)2 }12 ](5-) external shell. Two additional structural variations are predicted by DFT, showing the potential for isomerism in such [Ag20 {S2 P(OR)2 }12 ] species.

[FeFe] hydrogenase active site modeling: a key intermediate bearing a thiolate proton and Fe hydride

The first di-protonated [FeFe] hydrogenase model relevant to key intermediates in catalytic hydrogen production is reported. The complex bearing the S-proton and Fe-hydride is structurally and spectroscopically characterized as well as studied by DFT calculations. The results show that the thiolate sulfur can accept protons during the catalytic routes.

[Cu13{S2CNnBu2}6(acetylide)4]+: A Two-Electron Superatom

The first structurally characterized copper cluster with a Cu13 centered cuboctahedral arrangement, a model of the bulk copper fcc structure, was observed in [Cu13 (S2 CNn Bu2 )6 (C≡CR)4 ](PF6 ) (R=C(O)OMe, C6 H4 F) nanoclusters. Four of the eight triangular faces of the cuboctahedron are capped by acetylide groups in μ3  fashion, and each of the six square faces is bridged by a dithiolate ligand in μ2 ,μ2 fashion, which leads to a truncated tetrahedron of twelve sulfur atoms. DFT calculations are fully consistent with the description of these Cu13 clusters as two-electron superatoms, that is, a [Cu13 ]11+ core passivated by ten monoanionic ligands, with an a1 HOMO containing two 1S jellium electrons.

Secondary coordination sphere interactions within the biomimetic iron azadithiolate complexes related to Fe-only hydrogenase: dynamic measure of electron density about the Fe sites.

A series of iron azadithiolate complexes possessing an intramolecular secondary coordination sphere interaction and an ability to reduce HOAc at the potential near the first electron-transfer process are reported. A unique structural feature in which the aza nitrogen has its lone pair point toward the apical carbonyl carbon is observed in [Fe(2)(mu-S(CH(2))(2)NR(CH(2))(2)S)(CO)(6-x)L(x)](2) (R = (n)Pr, x = 0, 1a; R = (i)Pr, x = 0, 1b; R = (n)Pr, L = PPh(3), x = 1, 2; R = (n)Pr, L = P(n)Bu(3), x = 1, 3) as biomimetic models of the active site of Fe-only hydrogenase. The presence of this weak N...C(CO(ap)) interaction provides electronic perturbation at the Fe center. The distance of the N...C(CO(ap)) contact is 3.497 A in 1a. It increases by 0.455 A in 2 when electronic density of the Fe site is slightly enriched by a weak sigma-donating ligand, PPh(3). A longer distance (4.040 A) is observed for the P(n)Bu(3) derivative, 3. This N...C(CO(ap)) distance is thus a dynamic measure of electronic nature of the Fe(2) core. Variation of electronic richness within the Fe(2) moiety among the complexes reflects on their electrochemical response. Reduction of 2 is recorded at the potential of -2.17 V, which is 270 mV more negative than that of 1. Complex 3 requires additional 150 mV for the same reduction. Such cathodic shift results from CO substitution by phosphines. Electrocatalytic hydrogen production from HOAc by both kinds of complexes (all-CO and phosphine-substituted species) requires the potential close to that for reduction of the parent molecules in the absence of acids. The catalytic mechanism of 1a is proposed to involve proton uptake at the Fe(0)Fe(I) redox level instead of the Fe(0)Fe(0) level. This result is the first observation among the all-CO complexes with respect to electrocatalysis of HOAc.

Eight-Electron Silver and Mixed Gold/Silver Nanoclusters Stabilized by Selenium Donor Ligands

The first atomically and structurally precise silver-nanoclusters stabilized by Se-donor ligands, [Ag20 {Se2 P(Oi Pr)2 }12 ] (3) and [Ag21 {Se2 P(OEt)2 }12 ]+ (4), were isolated by ligand replacement reaction of [Ag20 {S2 P(Oi Pr)2 }12 ] (1) and [Ag21 {S2 P(Oi Pr)2 }12 ]+ (2), respectively. Furthermore, doping reactions of 4 with Au(PPh3 )Cl resulted in the formation of [AuAg20 {Se2 P(OEt)2 }12 ]+ (5). Structures of 3, 4, and 5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The anatomy of cluster 3 with an Ag20 core having C3 symmetry is very similar to that of its dithiophosphate analogue 1. Clusters 4 and 5 exhibit an Ag21 and Au@Ag20 core of Oh symmetry composed of eight silver capping atoms in a cubic arrangement and encapsulating an Ag13 and Au@Ag12 centered icosahedron, respectively. Both ligand exchange and heteroatom doping result in significant changes in optical and emissive properties for chalcogen-passivated silver nanoparticles, which have been theoretically confirmed as 8-electron superatoms.

Utilization of Non-Innocent Redox Ligands in [FeFe] Hydrogenase Modeling for Hydrogen Production

Biomimetic diiron complexes bearing redox non-innocent ligands are discussed in this review. The complexes are synthesized to model the active site of [FeFe] hydrogenase in order to elucidate the catalytic mechanism of H2 evolution and design superior artificial catalysts. Employment of the redox active ligands serves an important factor to modulate electronic structure of the Fe2 core as the similar functionality exerted by the [4Fe4S] cofactor within the H-cluster. Different types of redox active ligands are summarized. The influence of their ligation is observable in spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry, and studied by theoretical calculation. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT