Hydride Clusters Research Articles

Molecular Magnesium Hydrides.

Solid magnesium hydride [MgH2 ]∞ has been pursued as a potential hydrogen-storage material. Organic chemists were rather interested in soluble magnesium hydride reagents from mid-20th century. It was only in the last two decades that molecular magnesium hydride chemistry received a major boost from organometallic chemists with a series of structurally well-characterized examples that continues to build a whole new class of compounds. More than 40 such species have been isolated, ranging from mononuclear terminal hydrides to large hydride clusters with more than 10 magnesium atoms. They provide not only insights into the structure and bonding of Mg-H motifs, but also serve as models for hydrogen-storage materials. Some of them are also recognized to participate in catalytic transformations, such as hydroelementation. Herein, an overview of these molecular magnesium hydrides is given, focusing on their synthesis and structural characterization.

Simple Access to the Heaviest Alkaline Earth Metal Hydride: A Strongly Reducing Hydrocarbon-Soluble Barium Hydride Cluster.

Reaction of Ba[N(SiMe3 )2 ]2 with PhSiH3 in toluene gave simple access to the unique Ba hydride cluster Ba7 H7 [N(SiMe3 )2 ]7 that can be described as a square pyramid spanned by five Ba2+ ions with two flanking BaH[N(SiMe3 )2 ] units. This heptanuclear cluster is well soluble in aromatic solvents, and the hydride 1 H NMR signals and coupling pattern suggests that the structure is stable in solution. At 95 °C, no coalescence of hydride signals is observed but the cluster slowly decomposes to undefined barium hydride species. The complex Ba7 H7 [N(SiMe3 )2 ]7 is a very strong reducing agent that already at room temperature reacts with Me3 SiCH=CH2 , norbornadiene, and ethylene. The highly reactive alkyl barium intermediates cannot be observed and deprotonate the (Me3 Si)2 N- ion, as confirmed by the crystal structure of Ba14 H12 [N(SiMe3 )2 ]12 [(Me3 Si)(Me2 SiCH2 )N]4 .

Simple Access to the Heaviest Alkaline Earth Metal Hydride: A Strongly Reducing Hydrocarbon‐Soluble Barium Hydride Cluster

AbstractReaction of Ba[N(SiMe3)2]2 with PhSiH3 in toluene gave simple access to the unique Ba hydride cluster Ba7H7[N(SiMe3)2]7 that can be described as a square pyramid spanned by five Ba2+ ions with two flanking BaH[N(SiMe3)2] units. This heptanuclear cluster is well soluble in aromatic solvents, and the hydride 1H NMR signals and coupling pattern suggests that the structure is stable in solution. At 95 °C, no coalescence of hydride signals is observed but the cluster slowly decomposes to undefined barium hydride species. The complex Ba7H7[N(SiMe3)2]7 is a very strong reducing agent that already at room temperature reacts with Me3SiCH=CH2, norbornadiene, and ethylene. The highly reactive alkyl barium intermediates cannot be observed and deprotonate the (Me3Si)2N− ion, as confirmed by the crystal structure of Ba14H12[N(SiMe3)2]12[(Me3Si)(Me2SiCH2)N]4.

Sequential Dihydrogen Desorption from Hydride-Protected Atomically Precise Silver Clusters and the Formation of Naked Clusters in the Gas Phase.

We report the formation of naked cluster ions of silver of specific nuclearities, uncontaminated by other cluster ions, derived from monolayer-protected clusters. The hydride and phosphine co-protected cluster, [Ag18(TPP)10H16]2+ (TPP, triphenylphosphine), upon activation produces the naked cluster ion, Ag17+, exclusively. The number of metal atoms present in the naked cluster is almost the same as that in the parent material. Two more naked cluster ions, Ag21+ and Ag19+, were also formed starting from two other protected clusters, [Ag25(DPPE)8H22]3+ and [Ag22(DPPE)8H19]3+, respectively (DPPE, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane). By systematic fragmentation, naked clusters of varying nuclei are produced from Ag17+ to Ag1+ selectively, with systematic absence of Ag10+, Ag6+, and Ag4+. A seemingly odd number of cluster ions are preferred due to the stability of the closed electronic shells. Sequential desorption of dihydrogen occurs from the cluster ion, Ag17H14+, during the formation of Agn+. A comparison of the pathways in the formation of similar naked cluster ions starting from two differently ligated clusters has been presented. This approach developed bridges the usually distinct fields of gas-phase metal cluster chemistry and solution-phase metal cluster chemistry. We hope that our findings will enrich nanoscience and nanotechnology beyond the field of clusters.

Synthesis and Characterization of Bioinspired [Mo2 Fe2 ]-Hydride Cluster Complexes and Their Application in the Catalytic Silylation of N2.

The hydride-supported [Mo2 Fe2 ] cluster complex {Cp*Mo(PMe3 )}2 {FeN(SiMe3 )2 }2 (H)8 (2 a; Cp*=η5 -C5 Me5 ) and its [Mo2 Mn2 ] congener 2 b were synthesized from the reactions of Cp*Mo(PMe3 )(H)5 (1) with M{N(SiMe3 )2 }2 (M=Fe, Mn). The amide-to-thiolate ligand-exchange reactions of complex 2 a with bulky thiol reagents (HSR; R=2,4,6-iPr3 C6 H2 (Tip), 2,6-(SiMe3 )2 C6 H3 (Btp)) furnished the corresponding hydride-supported [Mo2 Fe2 ](SR)2 cluster complexes. The [Mo2 Fe2 ] clusters served as catalyst precursors for the reductive silylation of N2 and yielded ≈65-69 equivalents of N(SiMe3 )3 relative to the [Mo2 Fe2 ] clusters. Treatment of complexes 2 a and b with an excess of CNtBu resulted in the formation of dinuclear Mo-Fe and Mo-Mn complexes, which indicated that the [Mo2 M2 ] cores (M=Fe, Mn) split into two dinuclear species upon accommodation of substrates.

Cationic Copper Hydride Clusters Arising from Oxidation of (Ph3P)6Cu6H6.

Transfer of the first electron from (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 to Cp*2Fe+ is fast (k > 106 L·mol-1·s-1). Transfer of a second electron to the same oxidant has a much lower thermodynamic driving force and is considerably slower, with k = 9.29(4) × 103 L·mol-1·s-1. The second oxidation leads to the formation of [(Ph3P)6Cu6H5]+. The structure of [(Ph3P)6Cu6H5]+ has been confirmed by its conversion back to (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 and by microanalysis; X-ray diffraction shows that the complex is a bitetrahedron in the solid state. [(Ph3P)6Cu6H5]+ can also be prepared by treating (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 with MeOTf. With less than 1 equiv of Cp*2Fe+ as oxidant, (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 gives [(Ph3P)7Cu7H6]+ as the major product; X-ray diffraction shows a Cu6 octahedron with one face capped by an additional Cu. [(Ph3P)7Cu7H6]+ can also be prepared by treating (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 with [Cu(CH3CN)4]+ (along with 1 equiv of Ph3P), and can be converted back to (Ph3P)6Cu6H6 with base/H2.

Enhancement of Destabilization and Reactivity of Mg Hydride Embedded in Immiscible Ti Matrix by Addition of Cr: Pd-Free Destabilized Mg Hydride

Nanometer-sized Mg hydride clusters may form in a self-organized way by the hydrogenation of a nonequilibrium Mg–Ti alloy. Here the Mg hydride is destabilized by the interface energy between the two metal hydrides. To obtain an even more destabilized Mg hydride, we increased the interface energy by the addition of Cr, which is immiscible with Mg as Ti. Indeed, Mg layers surrounded by Ti–Cr layers show hydrogen plateau pressures higher than when Mg is surrounded by Ti. Destabilization of Mg hydride is also observed in hydrogenated Mg–Ti–Cr thin-film alloys, resulting in hydrogenation plateaus flatter and at higher pressures than in hydrogenated Mg–Ti thin film alloys. Our results suggest that by screening alloys on the basis of their immiscibility with Mg, we can tune the thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen absorption and desorption in Mg–H. This concept paves the way for the development of light-weight and cheap Mg-based functional materials in the metal–hydrogen system.

A Fluxional Cu8 H6 Cluster Supported by Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and its Facile Reaction with CO2.

A copper hydride cluster [Cu8 (μ-H)6 (μ-dppm)5 ](PF6 )2 (dppm=bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) was prepared from reaction of [CuH(PPh3 )]6 with dppm in the presence of [Cu(CH3 CN)4 ]PF6 and exhibited fluxional behaviors in solution where the hydrides and the phosphines are scrambling around the trans-bicapped octahedral Cu8 framework. The Cu8 H6 complex showed facile reactivity with CO2 (1 atm, RT) to afford a tricopper complex, [Cu3 (μ-H)(μ-O2 CH)(μ-dppm)3 ]PF6 , which could be developed to unprecedented hydrosilylation of CO2 catalyzed by multinuclear CuH species under mild conditions.

Fe4] and [Fe6] Hydride Clusters Supported by Phosphines: Synthesis, Characterization, and Application in N2 Reduction.

Multiple iron atoms bridged by hydrides is a common structural feature of the active species that have been postulated in the biological and industrial reduction of N2. In this study, the reactions of an Fe(II) amide complex with pinacolborane in the presence/absence of phosphines afforded a series of hydride-supported [Fe4] and [Fe6] clusters Fe4(μ-H)4(μ3-H)2{N(SiMe3)2}2(PR3)4 (PR3 = PMe3 (2a), PMe2Ph (2b), PEt3 (2c)), Fe6(μ-H)10(μ3-H)2(PMe3)10 (3), and (η6-C7H8)Fe4(μ-H)2{μ-N(SiMe3)2}2{N(SiMe3)2}2 (4), which were characterized crystallographically and spectroscopically. Under ambient conditions, these clusters catalyzed the silylation of N2 to furnish up to 160 ± 13 equiv of N(SiMe3)3 per 2c (40 equiv per Fe atom) and 183 ± 18 equiv per 3 (31 equiv per Fe atom). With regard to the generation of the reactive species, dissociation of phosphine and hydride ligands from the [Fe4] and [Fe6] clusters was indicated, based on the results of the mass spectrometric analysis on the [Fe6] cluster, as well as the formation of a diphenylsilane adduct of the [Fe4] cluster.

Self‐Assembly of Magnesium Hydride Clusters Driven by Chameleon‐Type Ligands

AbstractWhile magnesium hydride complexes are generally stabilized by hard, bulky N‐donor ligands, softer ligands with a broad variety of coordination modes are shown to efficiently adapt themselves to the large variety of Mg2+ centers in a growing magnesium hydride cluster. A P,N‐chelating ligand is introduced that displays coordination modes between that of enamide, aza‐allyl, and phosphinomethanide. Slight changes in the ligand bite angle have dramatic consequences for the structure type. The hitherto largest neutral magnesium hydride clusters are isolated either in a nonanuclear sheet‐structure (brucite‐type) or a dodecanuclear ring structure.

Self-Assembly of Magnesium Hydride Clusters Driven by Chameleon-Type Ligands.

While magnesium hydride complexes are generally stabilized by hard, bulky N-donor ligands, softer ligands with a broad variety of coordination modes are shown to efficiently adapt themselves to the large variety of Mg2+ centers in a growing magnesium hydride cluster. A P,N-chelating ligand is introduced that displays coordination modes between that of enamide, aza-allyl, and phosphinomethanide. Slight changes in the ligand bite angle have dramatic consequences for the structure type. The hitherto largest neutral magnesium hydride clusters are isolated either in a nonanuclear sheet-structure (brucite-type) or a dodecanuclear ring structure.

Correction: Theoretical design of stable hydride clusters: isoelectronic transformation in the EnAl4−nH7+n− series

Correction for ‘Theoretical design of stable hydride clusters: isoelectronic transformation in the EnAl4−nH7+n− series’ by Carolina Giraldo et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 16069–16077.

Low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions: LAlH- and LAln- (n = 2-4, L = N[Si(Me)3]2).

Several low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions, LAlH- and LAln- (n = 2-4, L = N[Si(Me)3]2), were produced via reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions, AlxHy-, and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS). These clusters were characterized by mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) based calculations. Agreement between the experimental and theoretical vertical detachment energies (VDEs) and adiabatic detachment energies (ADEs) validated the computed geometrical structures. Reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions and ligands promise to be a new synthetic scheme for low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Reactivity of the Group 11 Hydrido Clusters [Ag6H4(dppm)4(OAc)2] and [Cu3H(dppm)3(OAc)2

The group 11 hydride clusters [Ag6H4(dppm)4(OAc)2] (1) and [Cu3H(dppm)3(OAc)2] (2) (dppm = 1,1-bis(diphenylphosphino)methane) were synthesized in moderate yields from the reaction of M(OAc) (M = Ag, Cu) with Ph2SiH2, in the presence of dppm. Complex 1 is the first structurally characterized homometallic polyhydrido silver cluster to be isolated. Both 1 and 2 catalyze the hydrosilylation of (α,β-unsaturated) ketones. Notably, this represents the first example of hydrosilylation with an authentic silver hydride complex.

Co6H8(PiPr3)6: A Cobalt Octahedron with Face‐Capping Hydrides

AbstractA square‐planar Co4 amide cluster, Co4{N(SiMe3)2}4 (2), and an octahedral Co6 hydride cluster, Co6H8(PiPr3)6 (4), were obtained from metathesis‐type amide to hydride exchange reactions of a CoII amide complex with pinacolborane (HBpin) in the absence/presence of PiPr3. The crystal structure of 4 revealed face‐capping hydrides on each triangular [Co3] face, while the formal CoII2CoI4 oxidation state of 4 indicated a reduction of the cobalt centers during the assembly process. Cluster 4 catalyzes the hydrosilylation of 2‐cyclohexen‐1‐one favoring the conjugate reduction. Generation of the catalytically reactive Co cluster species was indicated by a trapping experiment with a chiral chelating agent.

Co6 H8 (Pi Pr3 )6 : A Cobalt Octahedron with Face-Capping Hydrides.

A square-planar Co4 amide cluster, Co4 {N(SiMe3 )2 }4 (2), and an octahedral Co6 hydride cluster, Co6 H8 (Pi Pr3 )6 (4), were obtained from metathesis-type amide to hydride exchange reactions of a CoII amide complex with pinacolborane (HBpin) in the absence/presence of Pi Pr3 . The crystal structure of 4 revealed face-capping hydrides on each triangular [Co3 ] face, while the formal CoII2 CoI4 oxidation state of 4 indicated a reduction of the cobalt centers during the assembly process. Cluster 4 catalyzes the hydrosilylation of 2-cyclohexen-1-one favoring the conjugate reduction. Generation of the catalytically reactive Co cluster species was indicated by a trapping experiment with a chiral chelating agent.

Photoelectron spectroscopic study of carbon aluminum hydride cluster anions.

Numerous previously unknown carbon aluminum hydride cluster anions were generated in the gas phase, identified by time-of-flight mass spectrometry and characterized by anion photoelectron spectroscopy, revealing their electronic structure. Density functional theory calculations on the CAl5-9H- and CAl5-7H2- found that several of them possess unusually high carbon atom coordination numbers. These cluster compositions have potential as the basis for new energetic materials.

Mechanistic Insights into Ring Cleavage and Contraction of Benzene over a Titanium Hydride Cluster.

Carbon-carbon bond cleavage of benzene by transition metals is of great fundamental interest and practical importance, as this transformation is involved in the production of fuels and other important chemicals in the industrial hydrocracking of naphtha on solid catalysts. Although this transformation is thought to rely on cooperation of multiple metal sites, molecular-level information on the reaction mechanism has remained scarce to date. Here, we report the DFT studies of the ring cleavage and contraction of benzene by a molecular trinuclear titanium hydride cluster. Our studies suggest that the reaction is initiated by benzene coordination, followed by H2 release, C6H6 hydrometalation, repeated C-C and C-H bond cleavage and formation to give a MeC5H4 unit, and insertion of a Ti atom into the MeC5H4 unit with release of H2 to give a metallacycle product. The C-C bond cleavage and ring contraction of toluene can also occur in a similar fashion, though some details are different due to the presence of the methyl substituent. Obviously, the facile release of H2 from the metal hydride cluster to provide electrons and to alter the charge population at the metal centers, in combination with the flexible metal-hydride connections and dynamic redox behavior of the trimetallic framework, has enabled this unusual transformation to occur. This work has not only provided unprecedented insights into the activation and transformation of benzene over a multimetallic framework but it may also offer help in the design of new molecular catalysts for the activation and transformation of inactive aromatics.

Aluminum hydride cluster cations: A mass spectrometric and computational study

A combined study using mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) was conducted to investigate aluminum hydride cluster cations, AlnHm+ (1⿤n⿤5, 0⿤m⿤12). The mass spectra revealed about 20 previously-unknown aluminum hydride cluster cations. Among these species, several showed high mass spectral intensities, suggesting that they had unusual stabilities. Density functional theory calculations were conducted to investigate the geometric structures of these clusters. Many of these clusters can be viewed as being composed of smaller, stable units, such as Al+, AlH3, Al2+/0, H+ and H2.

Low oxidation state aluminum-containing cluster anions: Cp(∗)AlnH(-), n = 1-3.

Three new, low oxidation state, aluminum-containing cluster anions, Cp*AlnH(-), n = 1-3, were prepared via reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions, AlnHm (-), and Cp*H ligands. These were characterized by mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy, and density functional theory based calculations. Agreement between the experimentally and theoretically determined vertical detachment energies and adiabatic detachment energies validated the computed geometrical structures. Reactions between aluminum hydride cluster anions and ligands provide a new avenue for discovering low oxidation state, ligated aluminum clusters.