Cp Ring Research Articles

Formation of Carbon–Carbon Double Bond between Cp Ligand and Alkenyl Carbon of Titanacyclopentenes

AbstractReactions of bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanacyclopentenes with BiI3 gave coupling products of one Cp ligand and the alkenyl carbons in moderate yields. An NMR study of the tetracyanoethylene (TCNE) adduct of the product showed that the coupled Cp ring and the alkenyl carbons were connected by one carbon–carbon double bond. This is in sharp contrast to coupling reactions of one Cp ligand with the diene moiety in bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanacyclopentadienes, where two carbon–carbon single bonds were formed between those two components to give dihydroindenes or spiro compounds.

Exploring the Magnetism of C5/C2B3 Heteroleptic Organolanthanide Sandwiches

Comprehensive SummaryTwo families of cyclopentadienyl (Cp)/carboranyl heteroleptic sandwiched organolanthanide complexes, namely [Ln{η5:σ‐Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)}2][Li(DME)3] (1Ln, Ln = Tb, Dy, Ho, Er) and [2‐THF‐2'‐(μ2‐Cl)Li(THF)3‐2,2'‐Ln(nido‐1,7‐C2B9H11)Cp*] (2Dy), were synthesized. Family of 1Ln has been proposed based on the mixing‐ligands idea by linking Cp and nido‐dicarborllide. However, the carborane cage of [Me2C(C5H4)(C2B10H10)]2− deprotons and forms a mono‐C− anion rather than deboron to form dicarborllide dianion. Hence, the family of 1Ln features a dysprosocenium skeleton with extra two coordination of C− anions of carborllides. Such coordination geometry is more like a tetrahedron if abstracting the centroids of two coordinated Cp rings. In this cubic‐type geometry, no significant magnetic axiality is presented; only 1Dy and 1Tb show field‐induced slow magnetic relaxation behavior below 10 K. Inspired by 1Ln, the free pentamethylcyclopentadienyl (Cp*−) and nido‐dicarborllide ligands are used to sandwich central Dy3+ ion, achieving heteroleptic complex 2Dy. The bending angle by linking the centroid of Cp*−, Dy3+ and C2B32− in 2Dy is increased to 132.8(1)°. As such, the effective energy barrier for magnetic reversal (Ueff) and magnetic blocking temperature TB (ZFC) are both increased (Ueff = 616(10) K; TB = 6 K). The effort of further enhancing Ueff and TB in such heteroleptic organolanthanide sandwiches should rely on keeping increasing the ligand axiality.

Imidobis(tetraphenylphosphinato)lanthanoid(III) complexes: Synthesis by oxidative protolysis, and redox transmetallation/protolysis, structural studies and Hirshfeld surface analysis

Redox protolysis of [YbCp2(dme)] (dme = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) by imidotetraphenyldiphosphinate, ({Ph2PO}2NH) LH yields [YbCp{(Ph2PO)2N}2}(MeCN)] 1 and [Yb{(Ph2PO)2N}3] 2 with the last also obtained by oxidative protolysis of Yb(C6F5)2. The complexes [Ln{(Ph2PO)2N}3] ((Ln = Yb 2, Er 3, Gd 4), [Sm{(Ph2PO)2N}3(MeCN)3] 5 and [Nd{(Ph2 PO)2N}3] 6 have all been prepared by redox transmetallation/protolysis reactions between Yb, Er, Gd, Sm or Nd metals, bispentafluorophenylmercury and proligand LH. Complex 1 is formally eight coordinate with an acetonitrile, cyclopentadienyl (Cp) and two chelating O,O′-(Ph2PO)2N ligands, with the MeCN trans to the Cp ring. Complexes 2 and 4·C7H8 are six coordinate monomers with three chelating O,O′ diphosphinate ligands. By contrast 5 is a highly symmetrical nine-coordinate monomer with three acetonitrile and three chelating O,O′-L ligands. The three-dimensional Hirshfeld surface (3D-HS) analysis and the two-dimensional fingerprint plots (2D-FP) were quantified for different intermolecular interactions in complexes 2 and 4.

Towards building blocks for metallosupramolecular structures: non-symmetrically-functionalised ferrocenyl compounds.

Metallosupramolecular architectures formed from metal ions and bridging ligands are increasing in popularity due to their range of applications and ease of self-assembly. Many are able to readily change their shape and/or function in response to an external stimulus and have the ability to encapsulate guest molecules within their internal cavities. Ferrocenyl groups (Fc) have been incorporated previously within the bridging ligands of metallosupramolecular structures due to their ideal attributes brought about by the structural and rotational flexiblity of the two cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings coordinated to the Fe(II) centre. However, the majority of these Fc-based structures contain symmetrically substituted Cp rings. We report the synthesis and characterisation of non-symmetrically functionalised Fc-based ligands incorporating both N,N' and NHC-donor groups chosen for their differing coordination properties. Both substituents were designed to coordinate to a single metal centre with the dissimilar coordination properties of each donor group facilitating stimulus-induced dissociation/association of one of the substituents as an opening/closing mechanism. Preliminary investigations into the coordination of these Fc-based ligands to a [Ru(η6-p-cymene)]2+ moiety indicated complexation through a mixture of either a bi- or tridentate fashion, as alluded by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed the Fc-based ligands adopt a syn conformation driven by H-bonding and π-interactions between the two Cp substituents, which facilitate coordination of both donor groups towards the metal centre.

Synthesis of New Rh-Cp Complex with an Ester Group Tethered on the Cp Ring and Its Application in the Catalytic Synthesis of iso-Quinolines

Synthesis of New Rh-Cp Complex with an Ester Group Tethered on the Cp Ring and Its Application in the Catalytic Synthesis of <i>iso</i>-Quinolines

A theoretical study of ferrocene based on combined configuration interaction singles (CIS) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) approach

The state-of-the art density functional theory (DFT) is used to clearly resolve the two parallel cyclopentadienyl rings of ferrocene, which are either staggered (D5d symmetry) or eclipsed (D5h symmetry), in their ground-state conformation. Present result revealed that the eclipsed conformer with D5h point group represents the true minimum ground state structure of ferrocene. Natural population analysis is used to determine how atomic charge is distributed across different atoms of ferrocene D5h conformer and also the distribution of electrons in the core, valence, and Rydberg sub-shells. It is further investigated in potential energy scan that the rotation of the dihedral angle δ from 0° to 3π/5 will reproduce three times D5h or D5d conformers periodically as the period of 2π/5 due to the pentagonal structure of the CP ring. Further to examine optical spectra in the ultraviolet-visible (UV–vis) range, configuration interaction single (CIS) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) have conducted which help in locating the significant electronic shifts between different energy levels. Absorption spectra for high spin states were also generated in order to comprehend the characteristics of low-lying spin excitation. According to our estimates, the greatest absorption intensity is restricted to an energy range of 4–6 eV. Knowledge of ferrocene conformers will improve the research on other metallocenes and their derivatives, which have applications in biotechnology, nanotechnology, and solar technology.

Stability Trends in disubstituted Cobaltocenium Based on the Analysis of the Machine Learning Models.

Cobaltocenium derivatives have shown great potential as components of anion exchange membranes in fuel cells because they exhibit excellent thermal and alkaline stability under operating conditions while allowing for high anion mobility. The properties of the cobaltocenium-anion complexes can be chemically tuned through the substituent groups on the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings of the cation CoCp2+. However, the synthesis and characterization of the full range of possible derivatives are very challenging and time-consuming, and while the computational tools can greatly expedite this process, full screening of the electronic structure at a high level of theory is still computationally intensive. Therefore, in this work, we consider the machine learning (ML) modeling as a tool of predicting stability of disubstituted [CoCp2]OH complexes measured by their bond-dissociation energy (BDE). The relevant process here is the dissociation of the cobaltocenium-hydroxide complex into fragments [CoCpY']OH and CpY, where Y and Y' each represent one out of 42 substituent groups of experimental interest. In agreement with the previous ML study of 120 mono- and selected disubstituted species [Wetthasinghe et al. J. Chem. Phys. A (2022) 126], our analysis of the data set expanded to all possible disubstituted cobaltoceniums, points to the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, along with the Hirshfeld charge on the singly substituted benzene, to be the key features predicting the BDE of the unseen complexes. Based on the examination of the outliers, the acidity of substituents ((CO)NH2 in our case) is found to be of special significance for the cobaltocenium stability and for the model development. Moreover, we demonstrate that upon the data set refinement, the conventional ML models are capable of predicting the BDE close to 1 kcal/mol based on the properties of just the fragments, thereby greatly reducing the total number of species and of the computational time of each calculation. Such fragment-based "combinatorial" approach to the BDE modeling is noteworthy, since the geometry optimization of complexes in solution is conceptually challenging and computationally demanding, even when leveraging high-performance computing resources.

Essential Roles of Cp Ring Activation and Coordinated Solvent During Electrocatalytic H2 Production with Fe(CpN3) Complexes

Essential Roles of Cp Ring Activation and Coordinated Solvent During Electrocatalytic H₂ Production with Fe(Cp^N3) Complexes

3-Ferrocenyl-estra-1,3,5 (10)-triene-17-one: Synthesis, Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, DFT Studies, and Its Binding to Human Serum Albumin Studied through Fluorescence Quenching and In Silico Docking Studies.

3-ferrocenyl-estra-1,3,5 (10)-triene-17-one (2), [Fe(C5H5)(C24H25O3)], crystallizes in the monoclinic space group C2. The cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings adopt a nearly eclipsed conformation, and the Cp plane is tilted by 87.66° with respect to the substituted phenyl plane. An average Fe-C(Cp) bond length of 2.040(13) Å was determined, similar to the one reported for ferrocene. Hirshfeld surfaces and two-dimensional fingerprint plots were generated to analyze weak intermolecular C-H···π and C-H···O interactions. Density functional theory studies revealed a 1.15 kcal/mol rotational barrier for the C3-O1 single bound. Fluorescence quenching studies and in silico docking studies suggest that human serum albumin forms a complex with 2 via a static mechanism dominated by van der Waals interactions and hydrogen bonding interactions.

Unraveling the Major Differences between the Trinuclear Cyclopentadienylmetal Carbonyl Chemistry of Cobalt and That of Nickel-A Theoretical Study.

The geometries and energetics of the trinuclear cyclopentadienylmetal carbonyls Cp3M3(CO)n (Cp = η5-C5H5); M = Co, Ni; n = 3, 2, 1, 0) have been investigated by density functional theory. The cobalt and nickel systems are found to be rather different owing to the different electronic configurations of the metal atoms. For cobalt, the small calculated energy separation of 5.0 kcal/mol between the two lowest-energy singlet Cp3Co3(μ3-CO)(μ-CO)2 and Cp3Co3(μ-CO)3 tricarbonyl structures accounts for the experimental results of both isomers as stable species that can be isolated and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The corresponding Cp3Ni3(CO)3 species in the nickel system are predicted not to be viable owing to exothermic CO dissociation to give the experimentally observed very stable Cp3Ni3(μ-CO)2, which is found to be the lowest-energy isomer by a substantial margin of ∼25 kcal/mol. In all of the low-energy Cp3M3(CO)n (n = 2, 1) structures, including that of the experimentally known triplet spin state Cp3Co3(μ3-CO)2, all of the carbonyl groups are face-bridging or face-semi-bridging μ3-CO groups bonded to all three metal atoms of the M3 triangle. In the lowest-energy carbonyl-free Cp3M3 (M = Co, Ni) structures, agostic C-H-M interactions are found using hydrogens of the Cp rings. In addition, the lowest-energy Cp3Ni3 is the only structure among all of the low-energy Cp3M3(CO)n (M = Co, Ni; n = 3, 2, 1, 0) structures in which each Cp ring is a bridging rather than terminal ligand.

Study the Chemical Bonding of Heterometallic Trinuclear Cluster Containing Cobalt and Ruthenium: [(Cp*Co) (CpRu)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3] using QTAIM Approach

The topological parameters of the metal-metal and metal-ligand bonding interactions in a trinuclear tetrahydrido cluster [(Cp*Co) (CpRu)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3]1 (Cp* = η5 -C5Me4Et), (Cp = η5 -C5Me5), was explored by using the Quantum Theory of Atoms-in-Molecules (QTAIM). The properties of bond critical points such as the bond delocalization indices δ (A, B), the electron density ρ(r), the local kinetic energy density G(r), the Laplacian of the electron density ∇2ρ(r), the local energy density H(r), the local potential energy density V(r) and ellipticity ε(r) are compared with data from earlier organometallic system studies. A comparison of the topological processes of different atom-atom interactions has become possible thanks to these results. In the core of the heterometallic tetrahydrido cluster, the Ru2CoH4 part, the calculations show no existence of any bond critical points (BCP) or identical bond paths (BPs) between Ru-Ru and Ru-Co. Electron densities are determined by the position of bridging hydride atoms coordinated to Ru-Ru and Ru-Co, which significantly affects the bonds between these transition metal atoms. On the other hand, the results confirm that the cluster under study contains a 7c–11e bonding interaction delocalized over M3H4, as shown by the non-negligible delocalization index calculations. The small values for electron density ρ(b) above zero, together with the small values, again above zero, for Laplacian ∇2ρ(b) and the small positive values for total energy density H(b), are shown by the Ru-H and Co-H bonds in this cluster is typical for open-shell interactions. Also, the topological data for the bond interactions between Co and Ru metal atoms with the C atoms of the cyclopentadienyl Cp ring ligands are similar. They show properties very identical to open-shell interactions in the QTAIM classification.

Theoretical DFT Investigation of Structure and Electronic Properties of η5-Cyclopentadienyl Half-Sandwich Organochalcogenide Complexes

For the first time, an extensive theoretical comparative study of the electronic structure and spectra of the η5-cyclopentadienyl half-sandwich [(Cp)(EPh3)], E = Se, Te) organochalcogenides was carried out using direct space electronic structure calculations within hybrid, meta, and meta-hybrid DFT GGA functionals coupled with double-ζ polarized 6-31G* and correlation-consistent triple-zeta cc-pVTZ-pp basis sets. The absence of covalent bonding between the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands and Te/Se coordination centers was revealed. It was found that the chalcogens are partially positively charged and Cp ligands are partially negatively charged, which directly indicates a visible ionic contribution to Te/Se-Cp chemical bonding. Simulated UV–Vis absorption spectra show that all complexes have a UV-active nature, with a considerable shift in their visible light absorption due to the addition of methyl groups. The highest occupied molecular orbitals exhibit π-bonding between the Te/Se centers and Cp rings, although the majority of the orbital density is localized inside the Cp π-system. The presence of the chalcogen atoms and the extension of π-bonds across the chalcogen-ligand interface make the species promising for advanced photovoltaic and light-emitting applications.

Cyclopentadienyl ring activation in organometallic chemistry and catalysis.

The cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligand is a cornerstone of modern organometallic chemistry.Since the discovery of ferrocene, the Cp ligand and its various derivatives have become foundational motifs in catalysis, medicine and materials science. Although largely considered an ancillary ligand for altering the stereoelectronic properties of transition metal centres, there is mounting evidence that the core Cp ring structure also serves as a reservoir for reactive protons (H+), hydrides (H-) or radical hydrogen (H•) atoms. This Review chronicles the field of Cp ring activation, highlighting the pivotal role that Cp ligands can have in electrocatalytic H2 production, N2 reduction, hydride transfer reactions and proton-coupled electron transfer.

A Theoretical Investigation of Chemical Bonding of a Heterometallic Trinuclear Cluster Containing Iridium and Ruthenium: [(Cp*Ir) (CpRu)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3] by QTAIM Approach

Numerous integral and local electron density’s topological parameters of significant metal-metal and metal-ligand bonding interactions in a trinuclear tetrahydrido cluster [(Cp* Ir) (Cp Ru)2 (μ3-H) (μ-H)3]1 (Cp = η5 -C5Me5), (Cp* = η5 -C5Me4Et) were calculated and interpreted by using the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM). The properties of bond critical points such as the delocalization indices δ (A, B), the electron density ρ(r), the local kinetic energy density G(r), the Laplacian of the electron density ∇2ρ(r), the local energy density H(r), the local potential energy density V(r) and ellipticity ε(r) are compared with data from earlier organometallic system studies. A comparison of the topological processes of different atom-atom interactions has become possible thanks to these results. In the core of the heterometallic tetrahydrido cluster, the Ru2IrH4 part, the calculations showed that there are no bond critical points (BCPs) or identical bond paths (BPs) between Ru-Ru and Ru-Ir. The distribution of electron densities is determined by the position of bridging hydride atoms coordinated to Ru-Ru and Ru-Ir, which significantly affects the bonds between these transition metal atoms. On the other hand, the results confirm that the cluster under study contains a 7c–11e bonding interaction delocalized over M3H4, as shown by the non-negligible delocalization index calculations. The small values for ρ(b) above zero, together with the small values, again above zero, for Laplacian ∇2ρ(b) and the small positive values for total energy density H(b), are shown by the Ru-H and Ir-H bonds in this cluster is typical for open-shell interactions. Also, the topological data for the bond interactions between Ir and Ru metal atoms with the C atoms of the cyclopentadienyl Cp ring ligands are similar. They show properties very identical to open-shell interactions in the QTAIM classification.

Investigation of hydrogen adsorption sites in ferrocene-based hypercrosslinked polymers by DFT calculations

Herein, two types of Fc-based hypercrosslinked polymers (HHCP and DHCP) with high BET surface area (953.9 and 1062.7 m2 g−1) were prepared by direct one-step phenolic polycondensation aiming at high uptake capacity towards H2. As expected, the hydrogen uptake values of HHCP and DHCP were notably higher than those of porous polymers with a higher surface area under the same conditions. The maximum H2 uptake of HCPs at 77 K/1.0 bar are determined to be 2.51 wt % for HHCP and 2.74 wt % for DHCP, respectively. Despite the pore structure playing a determinant role in hydrogen adsorption, the adsorption sites in the polymer framework can be another essential factor to influence the hydrogen adsorption capacity. The interactions between the Fc building block and H2 are revealed by DFT calculation to fully illustrate the role of Fc in H2 adsorption. The results indicate that both iron atoms and benzene rings in Fc-based HCPs contribute to the adsorption of hydrogen. Moreover, it is interesting to find that the most stable adsorption site around the Fc building unit is the position directly above the Cp ring. The results in this work may more reasonably explain the phenomenon that the introduction of Fc units could enhance the adsorption of H2 in many studies, which also provides possible insights into the application of metallocene compounds in H2 adsorption.

Experimental Validation and Computational Predictions Join Forces to Map Catalytic C-H Activation in Ferrocene Metalated Porous Organic Polymers.

In recent times, a self-complementary balanced characteristic feature with the combination of both covalent bonds (structural stability) and open metal sites (single-site catalysis) introduced an advanced emerging functional nanoarchitecture termed metalated porous organic polymers (M-POPs). However, the development of M-POPs in view of the current interest in catalysis has been realized still in its infancy and remains a challenge for the years to come. In this work, we built benzothiazole-linked Fe-metalated porous organic polymer (Fc-Bz-POP) using ferrocene dicarboxaldehyde (FDC), 1,3,5-tris(4-aminophenyl) benzene (APB), and elemental sulfur (S8) via a template-free, multicomponent, cost-effective one-pot synthetic approach. This Fc-Bz-POP is endowed with unique features including an extended network unit, isolated active sites, and catalytic pocket with a possible local structure, in which convergent binding sites are positioned in such a way that substrate molecules can be held in close proximity. Prospective catalytic application of this Fc-Bz-POP has been explored in executing catalytic allylic "C-H" bond functionalization of cyclohexene (CHX) in water at room temperature. Catalytic screening results identified that a superior performance with a CHX conversion of 95% and a 2-cyclohexene-1-ol selectivity (COL) of 80.8% at 4 h and 25 °C temperature has been achieved over Fc-Bz-POP, thereby addressing previous shortcomings of the other conventional catalytic systems. Comprehensive characterization understanding with the aid of synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis manifested that the Fe atom with an oxidation state of +2 in our Fc-Bz-POP catalytic system encompasses a sandwich structural environment with the two symmetrical eclipsed cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings, featuring nearest-neighbor (NN) Fe-C (≈2.05 Å) intramolecular bonds, as validated by the Fe L3-edge EXAFS fitting result. Furthermore, in situ attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR) analysis data for liquid-phase oxidation of cyclohexene allow for the formulation of a molecular-level reaction mechanistic pathway with the involvement of specific reaction intermediates, which is initiated by the radical functionalization of the allyl hydrogen. A deep insight investigation from density functional theory (DFT) calculations unambiguously revealed that the dominant pathway from cyclohexene to 2-cyclohexene-1-ol is initiated by an allyl-H functionalization step accompanied by the formation of 2-cyclohexene-1-hydroperoxide species as the key reaction intermediate. Electronic properties obtained from DFT simulations via the charge density difference plot, Bader charge, and density of state (DOS) demonstrate the importance of the organic polymer frame structure in altering the electronic properties of the Fe site in Fc-Bz-POP, resulting in its high activity. Our contribution has great implications for the precise design of metalated porous organic polymer-based robust catalysts, which will open a new avenue to get a clear image of surface catalysis.

Unexpectedly Large Structural Variations in Benzyl-Substituted Sila[1]ferrocenophanes.

A set of four planar-chiral sila[1]ferrocenophanes equipped with a benzyl group in the α-position, either on one or both Cp rings, and substituted on the bridging silicon atom, either by methyl or phenyl groups, were prepared. While NMR, UV/Vis, and DSC measurements did not show anything uncommon, single crystal X-ray analyses revealed unexpectedly large variations of the dihedral angles between both Cp rings (α tilt angle). While DFT calculations predicted α between 19.6 and 20.8°, measured values were found between 16.6(2) and 21.45(14)°. However, experimentally determined conformers differ significantly from those calculated for the gas phase. For the sila[1]ferrocenophane with the largest mismatch between the experimental and predicted α angle, it was shown that the orientation of benzyl groups have a significant influence on the ring-tilted structure. Packing of molecules in the crystal lattice forces benzyl groups into unusual orientations, resulting in a significantly reduced α angle through steric repulsions.

Dipole-Moment Modulation in New Incommensurate Ferrocene.

Despite 70 years of research on metallocenes and their applications, there are still unresolved regions in its phase diagram of the prototypic sandwich compound, ferrocene Fe2+[C5H5]-2 (FeCp2), and its molecular 5-fold symmetry cannot be reconciled with the dielectric response of this crystal. We found a new phase I″ of ferrocene, which reveals the relationships between the molecular conformation, intermolecular interactions, and electric permittivity of this compound. Between 172.8 and 163.5 K, the conformational disorder of ferrocene molecules transforms into the incommensurate modulation. The structure of phase I″ is described in the (3+2)-dimensional superspace, where the molecular conformations, rotations and inclinations of the Cp rings, molecular tilts, and displacements of the Fe2+ cations, as well as the CH···π bonds in the crystal environment, are modulated. These geometric changes combine into the FeCp2 bending distortion, breaking the 5-fold symmetry and generating waves of molecular dipole moments with their amplitudes approaching 4 × 10-30 C·m.

Rac-1-(4-tert-Butyl-phen-yl)-5-ethyl-4-ferrocenyl-5-hy-droxy-1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-one.

The title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C21H24NO2)], which is produced by the oxidation of 1-(4-tert-butyl-phen-yl)-2-ethyl-3-ferrocenyl-pyrrole, crystallizes as a racemic mixture in the centrosymmetric space group P21/n. The central heterocyclic pyrrole ring system subtends dihedral angles of 13.7 (2)° with respect to the attached cyclo-penta-dienyl ring and of 43.6 (7)° with the major component of the disordered phenyl group bound to the N atom. The 4-tert-butyl-phenyl group, as well as the non-substituted Cp ring are disordered with s.o.f. values of 0.589 (16) and 0.411 (16), respectively. In the crystal, mol-ecules with the same absolute configuration are linked into infinite chains along the b-axis direction by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between the hy-droxy substituent and the carbonyl O atom of the adjacent mol-ecule.

Oxo‐Bridged Zr Dimers as Well‐defined Models of Oxygen Vacancies on ZrO2

AbstractWhile ZrO2 is known to have a large effect on the activity and selectivity of the Cu/ZrO2 catalyst for methanol synthesis, its role in this process is poorly understood. Surface defects such as oxygen vacancies could play a role in the strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI) between Cu and ZrO2. However, due to the complexity of the surfaces, the exact molecular nature of this interaction is not at present known. Here, we make well‐defined models of both reduced and coordinatively unsaturated surface oxygen vacancies on ZrO2 using the molecular precursor [Cp2ZrCl]2(μ2‐O) (1). Complex 1 can be reduced to form a complex (2) containing one Zr(III) center and a bridging hydride ligand (according to EPR and IR spectroscopy) derived from C−H activation of either thf or the Cp ring. Complex 2 reacts with CO2 to largely produce CO, suggesting that surface defects with similar structures probably do not play a role in the industrial catalyst. Halide abstraction from complex 1 results in the Lewis acidic species 3, which has similar Lewis acid properties to acidic defects on the ZrO2 surface. Similarities of both of these model species to real surface oxygen vacancies and their role in the catalytic reaction are discussed.