CH Ph Research Articles

Unusually high selectivity (100 %) of photocatalytic C[sbnd]C coupling achieved by instant reverse reduction of byproducts

The photocatalytic CC coupling of benzyl alcohol (BA) into hydrobenzoin (HB), is appealing to obtain high-value chemicals. However, the selectivity of HB is still low due to the inevitable formation of benzaldehyde. Herein, we report In(OH)3-ZnS photocatalyst for CC coupling of BA into HB with very high selectivity (∼100 %). The introduction of In(OH)3 onto ZnS with stable interaction facilitates light harvesting and separation of photo-excited charges. As a result, BA conversion on optimized In(0.1)-ZnS catalyst (73 %) is much higher than ZnS (29 %). Besides, the surface hydroxyl groups derived from In(OH)3 enables the facile desorption of CH(OH)Ph radical. Therefore, the over oxidation of CH(OH)Ph radical into by-product of benzaldehyde can be effectively inhibited. More significantly, in-situ FTIR spectra and reduction of by-product manifest the instant reverse reduction process of benzaldehyde into CH(OH)Ph radical during CC coupling of BA, which is the key to realizing satisfied HB selectivity (100 %). Theoretical simulations reveal that the weak adsorption of CH(OH)Ph radical over catalyst and the high energy barrier of over-oxidation of CH(OH)Ph into benzaldehyde contributes to the formation of highly selective coupling products. This work will inspire new insights to design rational photoredox systems for organic transformations with high selectivity

A Chiral Hexa-amino Cyclotriphosphazene for Enantioselective Recognition of Small Organic Compounds.

Chiral recognition and separation studies are of paramount importance in research in view of their applications in asymmetric catalysis and substrate recognition in biological processes. The efficiencies of these processes are governed by the subtle differences in noncovalent interactions between the host and guest molecules. Hexakis(organoamino)phosphazenes are versatile building blocks for host-guest chemistry for their ability to act as both the donor and the acceptor of H-bonds. Herein, we report an enantiomeric pair of cyclotriphosphazenes [P3N3(NHR*)6], [R* = (R)-(CH(CH3)Ph)] (1-R) and [(S)-(CH(CH3)Ph)] (1-S), with chiral α-methylbenzylamino substituents. The chiral recognition capabilities of its R-enantiomer were further probed for several chiral organic compounds containing a range of functional groups. Among these, a remarkable guest selectivity (ξ) value of 2506 was observed for binol (BOL) in favor of its R-enantiomer. DFT-optimized structures of the host-guest pairs suggest that the multiple noncovalent interactions between the molecules in the two unique types of binding sites at the phosphazenes play a crucial role in the observed high binding selectivities.

Microencapsulation of turmeric oleoresin: complex coacervation and crosslinking strategies for improving encapsulation efficiency and stability in gastrointestinal simulated fluids

Turmeric oleoresin microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation of gum arabic (GA) and chitosan (Ch) using genipin as a crosslinker. For this propose, the effect of pH and the biopolymer mass ratio ( R GA / Ch pH ) on the zeta-potential and coacervate yield and their viscoelastic properties were evaluated. A liquid-like behavior was found for all the samples in the small- and large-amplitude oscillatory shear regions, with sample R 5 4.5 having the highest viscoelastic properties. Samples R 6 3 , R 5 4.5 and R 4 6 with the highest coacervate yield (∼98%) for each pH chosen to produce the microcapsules. Then, turmeric oleoresin-gum arabic emulsions were produced and characterized. The pH affected the droplet size and charge. At pH 3.0, the droplets were about 50 nm and had a negative charge. At pH 4.5 and 6.0, the droplets were larger but more negatively charged. These emulsions were coated with chitosan and crosslinked with genipin were lyophilized to make microcapsules, showing high encapsulation efficiency (>98%) and low surface oil content (4.5–9.0%). The crosslinked turmeric oleoresin microcapsules showed lower swelling and water uptake in gastrointestinal media than did the uncrosslinked powders. The results of this research will contribute to the knowledge of coacervate systems for nutraceutical applications.

Mechanochemical Synthesis of Chromium(III) Complexes Containing Bidentate PN and Tridentate P-NH-P and P-NH-P' Ligands.

Chromium(III) complexes bearing bidentate {NH2(CH2)2PPh2: PN, (S,S)-[NH2(CHPh)2PPh2]: P'N} and tridentate [Ph2P(CH2)2N(H)(CH2)2PPh2: P-NH-P, (S,S)-(iPr)2PCH2CH2N(H)CH(Ph)CH(Ph)PPh2: P-NH-P'] ligands have been synthesized using a mechanochemical approach. The complexes {cis-[Cr(PN)Cl2]Cl (1), cis-[Cr(P'N)Cl2]Cl (2), mer-Cr(P-NH-P)Cl3 (3), and mer-Cr(P-NH-P')Cl3 (4)} were obtained in high yield (95-97%) via the grinding of the respective ligands andthe solid Cr(III) ion precursor [CrCl3(THF)3] with the aid of a pestle and mortar, followed by recrystallization in acetonitrile. The isolated complexes are high spin. A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of 2 revealed a cationic chromium complex with two P'N ligands in a cis configuration with P' trans to P' with chloride as the counteranion. The X-ray study of 4 shows a neutral Cr(III) complex with the P-NH-P' ligand in a mer configuration. The difference in molecular structures and bulkiness of the ligands influence the electronic, magnetic, and electrochemical properties of the complexes as exhibited by the bathochromic shifts in the electronic absorption peaks of the complexes and the relative increase in the magnetic moment of 3 (4.19 μβ) and 4 (4.15 μβ) above the spin only value (3.88 μβ) for a d3 electronic configuration. Complexes 1-4 were found to be inactive in the hydrogenation of an aldimine [(E)-1-(4-fluorophenyl)-N-phenylmethanimine] under a variety of activating conditions. The addition of magnesium and trimethylsilyl chloride in THF did cause hydrogenation at room temperature, but this occurred even in the absence of the chromium complex. The hydrogen in the amine product came from the THF solvent in this novel reaction, as determined by deuterium incorporation into the product when deuterated THF was used.

Probing the Electronic Structure of Dinuclear Carbon-Rich Complexes Containing an Octa-3,5-diene-1,7-diyndiyl Bridging Ligand

One electron oxidation of the monometallic alkenylacetylide complexes [Ru{C≡CC(R)=CH2}(dppe)Cp*] (1) and [Ru{C≡CC(R)=CH2}Cl(dppe)2] (2) (R = Ph (a); R = 4-MeS-C6H4 (b)) generates in each case a dinuclear bis(allenylidene) complex [{Ru}2{μ-C=C=C(R)–CH2–H2C–(R)C=C=C}][PF6]2 ({Ru} = Ru(dppe)Cp* ([3a,b][PF6]2); {Ru} = RuCl(dppe)2 ([4a,b][PF6]2), containing an unsaturated ethane bridge between both allenylidene moieties. Deprotonation of this ethane bridge results in the formation of the previously reported octa-3,5-diene-1,7-diyndiyl-bridged bimetallic species [{Ru}2{μ-C≡CC(R)=CH–HC=(R)CC≡C}] ({Ru} = Ru(dppe)Cp* (5a,b); {Ru} = RuCl(dppe)2 (6a,b). The isolation of these complexes illustrates a general synthetic route to these conjugated bimetallic species from monomeric alkenylacetylide precursors. Electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical investigations evince the ready formation of the representative redox series [5a]n+, and TD-DFT calculations performed on optimised structures featuring the simplified {Ru(dmpe)Cp} coordination sphere [{Ru(dmpe)Cp}2{μ-C≡CC(Ph)=HC–CH(Ph)CC≡C}]n+ ([5a†]n+) (n = 0, 1, 2) reveal significant delocalisation of the unpaired charge in the formally mixed-valent species (n = 1), consistent with Class III assignment within the Robin–Day classification scheme.

Metal Nanoclusters as a Superior Polysulfides Immobilizer toward Highly Stable Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Due to their high designability, unique geometric and electronic structures, and surface coordination chemistry, atomically precise metal nanoclusters are an emerging class of functional nanomaterials at the forefront of materials research. However, the current research on metal nanoclusters is mainly fundamental, and their practical applications are still uncharted. The surface binding properties and redox activity of Au24 Pt(PET)18 (PET: phenylethanethiolate, SCH2 CH2 Ph) nanoclusters are herein harnessed as an high-efficiency electrocatalyst for the anchoring and rapid conversion of lithium polysulfides in lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs). Au24 Pt(PET)18 @G composites are prepared by using the large specific surface area, high porosity, and conductive network of graphene (G) for the construction of battery separator that can inhibit polysulfide shuttle and accelerate electrochemical kinetics. Resultantly, the LSB using a Au24 Pt(PET)18 @G-based separator presents a high reversible specific capacity of 1535.4mA h g-1 for the first cycle at 0.2 A g-1 and a rate capability of 887mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 . After 1000 cycles at 5 A g-1 , the capacity is 558.5mA h g-1 . This study is a significant step toward the application of metal nanoclusters as optimal electrocatalysts for LSBs and other sustainable energy storage systems.

Nucleophilic Attack at Pentaarsaferrocene [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )]-The Way to Larger Polyarsenide Ligands.

By the reaction of [Cp*Fe(η5 -As5 )] (I) (Cp*=C5 Me5 ) with main group nucleophiles, unique functionalized products with η4 -coordinated polyarsenide (Asn ) units (n=5, 6, 20) are obtained. With carbon-based nucleophiles such as MeLi or KBn (Bn=CH2 Ph), the anionic organo-substituted polyarsenide complexes, [Li(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp*Fe(η4 -As5 Me)] (1 a) and [K(2.2.2-cryptand)][Cp*Fe{η4 -As5 (CH2 Ph)}] (1 b), are accessible. The use of KAsPh2 leads to a selective and controlled extension of the As5 unit and the formation of the monoanionic compound [K(2.2.2-cryptand][Cp*Fe(η4 -As6 Ph2 )] (2). When I is reacted with [M]As(SiMe3 )2 (M=Li ⋅ THF; K), the formation of the largest known anionic polyarsenide unit in [M'(2.2.2-cryptand)]2 [(Cp*Fe)4 {μ5 -η4 :η4 :η3 :η3 :η1 :η1 -As20 }] (3) occurred (M'=Li (3 a), K (3 b)).

In-situ construction of FAPbBr3-wrapped MoS2 heterostructure for photocatalytic H2 evolution from dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols

Photocatalytic H2 evolution from organics dehydrogenation has sparked tremendous research attention. Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) with unique photoelectrical properties are deemed as a promising new-generation photocatalysts. Here, FAPbBr3-wrapped MoS2 heterostructure photocatalysts are in-situ constructed by an anti-solvent method for photocatalytic dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols, which realizes a co-production of clean H2 fuel and value-added aldehydes. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations disclose that the introduction of MoS2 decreases the size of the FAPbBr3, and forms a built-in electric field in the composite, which synergistically inhibit the electron-hole pairs recombination and enhance the charge separation. Meanwhile, the MoS2 with low hydrogen binding energy provides abundant reduction sites to accelerate the kinetic of H2 evolution. As a consequence, the optimal FAPbBr3/MoS2-7 composite exhibits a H2 evolution rate of 1150 μmol g−1 h−1 and a benzyl aldehyde (BAD) generation rate of 1040 μmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation, which is about 6 times of blank FAPbBr3. The activity is comparable to the reported value of H2 production from photocatalytic haloid acid splitting using MHPs-based catalysts. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurement reveals that carbon-centered radical of •CH(OH)Ph is the primary intermediate for the photocatalytic dehydrogenation of aromatic alcohols.

Hydroboration of Imines and Alkynes Catalyzed by Electronically Unsaturated Aluminum Hydride and Methyl Aluminum Cations.

Aluminum hydride cations, [LAlH]+[HB(C6F5)3]- (1) and [LAlH]+[B(C6F5)4]- (2), and the methyl aluminum cation, [LAlMe]+[B(C6F5)4]- (3) (L = [{(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)P(Ph2)}2N]), due to their electronic and coordinative unsaturation at the Al center, exhibit high Lewis acidity and have been exploited for catalytic hydroboration (using HBpin/HBcat) of a variety of imines and alkynes. These catalysts, under mild reaction conditions, afford excellent yields of the respective products. Thorough mechanistic investigations have been performed using a series of stoichiometric experiments and successful isolation of the key intermediates was accomplished. The obtained results demonstrate the predominant Lewis acid activation mechanism over the pathways previously reported for covalent aluminum complexes catalyzed hydroboration of imines. The title cations form Lewis adducts with imines which are thoroughly characterized via multinuclear NMR measurements. For the hydroboration of alkynes, a detailed mechanistic study with the most efficient catalyst 2 supports the formation of a novel cationic aluminum alkenyl complex [LAl-C(Et)═CH(Et)]+[B(C6F5)4]- (7) via the hydroalumination reaction between the Al-H cation 2 and 3-hexyne. Similarly, hydroalumination of an unsymmetric internal alkyne 1-phenyl-1-propyne with 2 occurs regioselectively, leading to the formation of [LAl-C(Me)═CH(Ph)]+[B(C6F5)4]- (8). These unique cationic aluminum alkenyl complexes have been isolated and well characterized by multinuclear 1-D and 2-D NMR measurements. These alkenyl complexes further act as catalytically active species to carry forward the hydroboration reaction via the Lewis acid activation pathway.

Homoleptic Enantiopure Lanthanide Complexes: Synthesis, Structure, and Characterization

Herein, we report on a new class of enantiopure homoleptic lanthanide complexes stabilized by chiral iminophosphonamide ligands. The reaction of anhydrous lanthanide trichlorides with [KL]2 (L = [Ph2P{N(R)CH(CH3)Ph}2] = (R)-PEPIA)) in a 1:3 molar ratio yielded a series of homoleptic lanthanide complexes with the general formula of L3Ln (Ln = Y, La, Sm, Tb, and Lu). The X-ray structural determination revealed that the rare-earth metal ion is hexacoordinated by three iminophosphonamide ligands, and an enantiomeric pure propeller-type structure with a Λ-configuration was observed for all complexes. The photoluminescence properties of the Sm(III) complex and the Tb(III) complex were studied. The Tb(III) complex showed ligand-absorption-enhanced, long-lived, metal-centered green photoluminescence with a quantum yield of 15% in the solid state.

Osmathiazole Ring: Extrapolation of an Aromatic Purely Organic System to Organometallic Chemistry.

An osmathiazole skeleton has been generated starting from the cation of the salt [OsH(OH)(≡CPh)(IPr)(PiPr3)]OTf (1; IPr = 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolylidene; OTf = CF3SO3) and thioacetamide; its aromaticity degree was compared with that of thiazole, and its aromatic reactivity was confirmed through a reaction with phenylacetylene. Salt 1 reacts with the thioamide to initially afford the synthetic intermediate [OsH{κ2-N,S-[NHC(CH3)S]}(≡CPh)(IPr)(PiPr3)]OTf (2). Thioamidate and alkylidyne ligands of 2 couple in acetonitrile at 70 °C, forming a 1:1 mixture of the salts [OsH{κ2-C,S-[C(Ph)NHC(CH3)S]}(CH3CN)(IPr)(PiPr3)]OTf (3) and [Os{κ2-C,S-[CH(Ph)NHC(CH3)S]}(CH3CN)3(IPr)]OTf (4). Treatment of 3 with potassium tert-butoxide produces the NH-deprotonation of its five-membered ring and gives OsH{κ2-C,S-[C(Ph)NC(CH3)S]}(IPr)(PiPr3) (5). The osmathiazole ring of 5 is slightly less aromatic than the osmathiazolium cycle of 3 and the purely organic thiazole. However, it is more aromatic than related osmaoxazoles and osmaoxazoliums. There are significant differences in behavior between 3 and 5 toward phenylacetylene. In acetonitrile, the cation of 3 loses the phosphine and adds the alkyne to afford [Os{η3-C3,κ1-S-[CH2C(Ph)C(Ph)NHC(CH3)S]}(CH3CN)2(IPr)]OTf (6), bearing a functionalized allyl ligand. In contrast, the osmathiazole ring of 5 undergoes a vicarious nucleophilic substitution of hydride, by acetylide, via the dihydride OsH2(C≡CPh){κ2-C,S-[C(Ph)NC(CH3)S]}(IPr)(PiPr3) (7), which releases H2 to yield Os(C≡CPh){κ2-C,S-[C(Ph)NC(CH3)S]}(IPr)(PiPr3) (8).

Stannyl phosphaketene as a synthon for phosphorus analogues of β-lactams.

The reaction of the stannyl phosphaketene (Nacnac)SnPCO 1 (Nacnac = CH{(CMe)(2,6-iPr2C6H3N)}2) with B(C6F5)3 produced the 1,4-addition product of (Nacnac)SnPCO(B(C6F5)3). However, the corresponding reactions in the presence of dimethyl maleate, diisopropyl fumarate or diethyl-but-2-ynedioate gave [2+2] addition yielding four-membered phosphacycles, ((Nacnac)Sn(MeO2C))CHPC(OB(C6F5)3)CH(CO2Me), [(C6F5)3B)PC(OSn)C(CO2Me)CH(CO2Me)]2, (Nacnac)Sn(iPrO2C)CC(OAl(C6F5)3)P[CH(CO2iPr)CH2(CO2iPr)]CH(CO2iPr), and (Nacnac)SnP (EtO2CCC(CO2Et))CO(B(C6F5)3), respectively. In contrast, the corresponding reaction of phenylacetylene gave the FLP-addition product (Nacnac)SnOC(P)C(Ph)CH(B(C6F5)3). Collectively, this reactivity demonstrates that the stannyl phosphaketene 1 can act as a synthon for P-analogues of β-lactam derivatives.

Monomeric lithium and sodium silylbenzyl complexes: syntheses, structures, and CO bond olefination.

Herein we report the syntheses, structures and reactivity studies of two new monomeric alkali metal silylbenzyl complexes stabilised by a tetradentate amine ligand, tris[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl]amine (Me6Tren). The two complexes, namely [MR'(Me6Tren)] (R': CH(Ph)(SiMe3)) (2-Li: M = Li; 2-Na: M = Na), exhibit significant different coordination modes according to their metal identity (Li: σ-coordination; Na: π-coordination). Reactivity studies of 2-Li and 2-Na reveal that they are efficient in promoting a widely-used class of organic functional group interconversion: CO bond olefination of ketones, aldehydes and amides, to produce tri-substituted internal alkenes.

Modulation of the Sorption Characteristics for an H-bonded porous Architecture by Varying the Chemical Functionalization of the Channel Walls.

Five isostructural microporous supramolecular architectures prepared by H-bonded assembly between the hexa-anionic complex [Zr2 (Ox)7 ]6- (Ox=oxalate, (C2 O4 )2- ) and tripodal cations (H3 -TripCH2 -R)3+ with R=H, CH3 , OH and OBn (Bn=CH2 Ph) are reported. The possibility to obtain the same structure using a mixture of tripodal cations with different R group (R=OH and R=CH3 ) has also been successfully explored, providing a unique example of three-component H-bonded porous framework. The resulting SPA-1(R) materials feature 1D pores decorated by R groups, with apparent pore diameters ranging from 3.0 to 8.5 Å. Influence of R groups on the sorption properties of these materials is evidenced through CO2 and H2 O vapor sorption/desorption experiments, as well as with I2 capture/release experiments in liquid media. This study is one of the first to demonstrate the possibility of tuning the porosity and exerting precise control over the chemical functionalization of the pores in a given H-bonded structure, without modifying the topology of the reference structure, and thus finely adjusting the sorption characteristics of the material.

Structural Regulation at Poly(ethylene glycol) Termini Facilitates the Formation of Injectable Hydrogels with Modulated Degradation and Release of Biomacromolecules

Hydrogels possessing modulated degradation and release behaviors are beneficial for the biological field. However, modulating the degradability and release behavior of a particular class of hydrogels requires a major structural alteration of a cross-linker as well as an adjustment in concentration, both of which affect the initial modulus and gelation kinetics. Herein, we address this shortcoming by a single step installation of a leaving nucleophile at the termini of PEG via the ether (O–CH2–Ph–, Cl′-PEG-Cl′) and ester (−Ph–COO–, Cl-PEG-Cl) spacers separately. These two PEG derivatives separately or in combination lead to the rapid formation of hydrogels when combined with a variety of macromolecules with tertiary amine functional group. The hydrogels exhibit a wide variation in degradation properties and time-dependent water swelling depending on the type and proportion of the PEG derivatives. The gelation kinetics is faster when the termini of the PEG derivative contain benzyl chloride groups connected through the ether spacer and is explained by density functional theory. Importantly, the ultimate moduli of the as prepared hydrogels are almost similar irrespective of the termini structure of the PEG derivatives and their proportion. The hydrogels exhibit modulated release profiles of model dextran and bovine serum albumin at pH 7.4. Prolonged delivery of biomacromolecules is achieved with the hydrogel prepared with Cl′-PEG-Cl′ or the combination Cl′-PEG-Cl′+Cl-PEG-Cl. More importantly, hydrogels prepared with Cl′-PEG-Cl′ or the Cl′-PEG-Cl′+Cl-PEG-Cl combination exhibit triggered release (60–100%) of a model protein (isoelectric point ≤ 7.4) and high molecular weight dextran (neutral) at a constant pH of 5 when compared to that at pH 7.4. The key advantages of our design are the access to a library of biological relevant hydrogels from easily available/synthesized amine-functional macromolecules and PEG derivatives with slight variations in the termini structures.

Molecular Environment Effects That Modulate the Photophysical Properties of Novel 1,3-Phosphinoamines Based on 2,1,3-Benzothiadiazole.

We report synthesis, crystal structure, and photophysical properties of novel 1,3-phosphinoamines based on 4-amino-2,1,3-benzothiadiazole (NH2-btd): Ph2PCH(Ph)NH-btd (1) and Ph2P(E)CH(Ph)NH-btd, (E = O (2α and 2β·thf), S (3), Se (4)). Chalcogenides 2–4 exhibit bright emissions with a major band at 519–536 nm and a minor band at 840 nm. According to TD-DFT calculations, the first band is attributed to fluorescence, while the second band corresponds to phosphorescence. In the solid state, room temperature quantum yield reaches 93% in the case of the sulphide. The compounds under study feature effects of the molecular environment on the luminescent properties, which manifest themselves in fluorosolvatochromism as well as in a luminescent response to changes in crystal packing and in contributions to aggregation effects. Specifically, transformation of solid 2β·thf to solvate-free 2β either by aging or by grinding causes crystal packing changes, and, as a result, a hypsochromic shift of the emission band. Polystyrene films doped with 2 reveal a bathochromic shift upon increasing the mass fraction from 0.2 to 3.3%, which is caused by molecular aggregation effects.

Crystalline Derivatives of Dipyrazolo-1,5-diazocine and Dipyrazolopyrimidine: A Case of Unexpected Synthesis and Isostructural Polymorphism

Pyrazole-phenylmethanimines (Shiff bases), Py–N=CH–Ph, form molecular crystals whose supramolecular and self-assembly properties can be tuned according to the substitution made on the aromatic and pyrazole rings. In pursuit of the first pyrazole-pyridinemethanimine member, Py–N=CH–Pyr, by following the well-known synthetic scheme for these Shiff bases, two hitherto unknown crystalline derivatives of dipyrazolo-1,5-diazocine and dipyrazolopyrimidine were obtained instead, this depending on the use or not of acetic acid as the catalyst. 1,5-diazocine crystallizes in a single P-1 triclinic packing system (Z = 2, Z′ = 1), while dipyrazolopyrimidine exhibits isostructural dimorphic behavior by adopting two (pale pink and yellow) alike P21/c monoclinic systems (both Z = 4, Z′ = 1) as a function of the solvent used. Crystal structures were resolved by means of X-ray diffraction technique and their intramolecular, intermolecular, and supramolecular assemblies analyzed with the assistance of decorated Hirshfeld surfaces and the topology study of electron density using the quantum-theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). Although both dipyrazolopyrimidine polymorphs are stabilized by the same type of noncovalent motifs, the pale pink crystal has a slightly more compact structure, with more efficient inter- and intramolecular interactions.

Photoredox coupling of benzyl alcohol oxidation with CO2 reduction over CdS/TiO2 heterostructure under visible light irradiation

Coupling CO2 photoreduction with selective organic synthesis offers a promising modus operandi to enable simultaneous utilization of photogenerated electrons and holes to realize solar fuels production and chemicals synthesis. Herein, we report a bifunctional zero-dimensional cadmium sulfide quantum dots-two-dimensional titanium dioxide nanosheets (CdS/TNS) heterostructure for photoredox-catalyzed coupling of C–C bond synthesis via selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol with CO2 photoreduction to CO under visible light. The compositing heterointerface is beneficial for the adsorption and activation of CO2, thereby promoting the photoreduction of CO2. Remarkably, the synergistic interaction between CdS and TNS tunes the selectivity of benzyl alcohol oxidation from carbonyl compound to the C–C coupled products. Mechanistic studies unveil that the generation of C–C coupled products processes via key radical •CH(OH)Ph intermediates. Theoretical simulations reveal that the weaker adsorption of •CH(OH)Ph radical over CdS/TNS than bare CdS contributes to the formation of highly selective C–C coupled products. The findings are expected to offer instructive guidance on rationally designing the dual-functional catalysts with efficient photoredox-catalyzed coupling reaction systems for integrating CO2 reduction with selective organic transformations.

Indium(III)/2-benzoylpyridine chemistry: interesting indium(III) bromide-assisted transformations of the ligand.

Reactions of 2-benzoylpyridine, (py)(ph)CO, with InX3 (X = Cl, Br) in EtOH at room temperature have been studied. The InCl3/(py)(ph)CO system has provided access to complex [InCl3{(py)(ph)CO}(EtOH)]·{(py)(ph)CO} (1) and the byproduct {(pyH)(ph)CO}Cl (2). The reaction of InBr3 with (py)(ph)CO has led to a mixture of (L)[InBr4{(py)(ph)CO}] (3) and [In2Br4{(py)(ph)CH(O)}2(EtOH)2] (4), where L+ is the 9-oxo-indolo[1,2-a]pyridinium cation and (py)(ph)CH(O)- is the anion of (pyridin-2-yl)methanol. Based on solubility and crystallisation time differences between the two components of the mixture, complex 4 was isolated in pure form, i.e. free from 3. The formations of the counterion L+ and the coordinated (py)(ph)CH(O)- anion represent clearly InBr3-promoted/assisted transformations. Reaction mechanisms have been proposed for the formation of 2, 3 and 4. Complex 4 could also be isolated by the reaction of InBr3 and pre-formed (py)(ph)CH(OH) in EtOH. The solid-state structures of 1, 3 and 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography, while the identity of the salt 2 was confirmed by microanalyses and a variety of spectroscopic techniques, including ESI-MS spectra. In the indium(III) complexes, the metal ions are 6-coordinate with a distorted octahedral geometry. The halogeno groups (Cl-, Br-) in the three complexes are terminal. The (py)(ph)CO molecule behaves as a N,O-bidentate (1.11) ligand in 1 and 3. A terminal EtOH ligand completes the coordination sphere of InIII in 1. The alkoxo oxygen atoms of the two 2.21 (py)(ph)CH(O)- ligands doubly bridge the InIII centers in 4 creating a {InIII2(μ-OR)2}4+ core; a nitrogen atom of one reduced organic ligand, two bromo ions and one terminal EtOH molecule complete the 6-coordination at each metal centre. Complexes 1, 3 and 4 were characterised by IR and Raman spectroscopies, and the data were discussed in terms of their known solid-state structures. Molar conductivity data and 1H NMR spectra were used in an attempt to probe the behaviour of the complexes in DMSO. The to-date observed metal ion-assisted/promoted transformations of (py)(ph)CO are also discussed.

Polyanionic Imido-P(V) Ligands: From Transition Metal Complexes to Coordination Driven Self-Assemblies.

The chemistry of the imido-anions of the main group elements has been studied for more than three decades. The imido (NR)- group is isoelectronic to the oxo (=O) group and can coordinate with metal ions through its lone pairs of electrons. The polyimido-P(V) anions are well explored as they resemble the phosphorus oxo moieties such as H3 PO4 , H2 PO4 - , HPO4 2- and PO4 3- species. These imido anions are typically generated using strong main group organometallic reagents such as n BuLi, Et2 Zn, Me3 Al and n Bu2 Mg, etc. As a result, their coordination chemistry has been restricted to reactions in anhydrous aprotic solvents for a few main group metal ions. This account presents our findings on using certain soft transition metal such Ag(I) and Pd (II) for isolating these imido-P(V) anions as their corresponding self-assembled clusters and cages. Using the various salts of Ag(I) ions in reaction with 2-pyridyl (2 Py) functionalized phosphonium salts and phosphoric triamides, we obtained the mono- and dianionic form of these imido ligands {[P(N2 Py)2 (NH2 Py)2 ]- , [P(N2 Py)2 (NH2 Py)]- , [PO(N2 Py)(NH2 Py)2 ]2- } and derived interesting examples of tri, penta, hepta and octanuclear Ag(I) clusters. Interestingly, by using the salts of Pd (II) ions, the elusive imido-phosphate trianions of the type [(RN)3 PO]3- (R=t Bu, c Hex, i Pr) were generated in a facile one pot reaction as their corresponding tri- and hexanuclear clusters of the type {Pd3 [(NR)3 PO](OAc)3 }n (n=1 or 2). These trianions acts as a cis-coordinated hexadentate ligand for a trinuclear Pd (II) cluster and serve as the polyhedral building units for constructing hitherto unknown family of neutral cages in tetrahedral {Pd3 [(Ni Pr)3 PO]4 (L)6 } and cubic {Pd3 [(Ni Pr)3 PO]8 (L)12 } structures in the presence of suitable linker ligands (L2- ). These cages show interesting host-guest chemistry and post-assembly reactions. Remarkably, by employing chiral tris(imido)phosphate trianions, enantiopure chiral cages of the type [(Pd3 X*)4 (L)6 ], ([X*]3- =RRR- or SSS-[PO(N(*CH(CH3 )Ph)3 ]3- ), were synthesized and used for the chiral-recognition and enantio-separation of small racemic guest molecules. Some of these chiral cages were also shown to exhibit polyradical framework structures. In future, these and other similar types of cages are envisioned as potential molecular vessels for performing the reactions in their confined environment. The enantiomeric cages can be probed for asymmetric catalysis and the separation of a range of small chiral molecules.