Approaching the gas-phase structures of [AgS8]+ and [AgS16]+ in the solid state

Dynamics and Counterion-Dependence of the Structures of Weakly Bound Ag+–P4S3 Complexes

In an earlier publication (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2002, 124, 7111) we showed that polymeric cationic [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) complexes (n=1, 2) are accessible if partnered with a suitable weakly coordinating counterion of the type [Al(OR(F))(4)](-) (OR(F): poly- or perfluorinated alkoxide). The present work addresses the following questions that could not be answered in the initial report: How many P(4)S(3) cages can be bound to a Ag(+) ion? Why are these complexes completely dynamic in solution in the (31)P NMR experiments? Can these dynamics be frozen out in a low-temperature (31)P MAS NMR experiment? What are the principal binding sites of the P(4)S(3) cage towards the Ag(+) ion? What are likely other isomers on the [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) potential energy surface? Counterion influence: Reactions of P(4)S(3) with Ag[Al{OC(CH(3))(CF(3))(2)}(4)] (Ag[hftb]) and Ag[{(CF(3))(3)CO}(3)Al-F-Al{OC(CF(3))(3))}(3)] (Ag[al-f-al]) gave [(P(4)S(3))Ag[hftb]](infinity) (7) as a molecular species, whereas [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(6)](2+)[al-f-al](-) (2) (8) is an isolated 2:1 salt. We suggest that a maximum of three P(4)S(3) cages may be bound on average to an Ag(+) ion. Only isolated dimeric dications are formed with the largest cation, but polymeric species are obtained with all other smaller aluminates. Thermodynamic Born-Haber cycles, DFT calculations, as well as solution NMR and ESI mass spectrometry indicate that 8 exhibits an equilibrium between the dication [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(6)](2+) (in the solid state) and two [Ag(P(4)S(3))(3)](+) monocations (in the gas phase and in solution). Dynamics: (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy showed these solid adducts to be highly dynamic, to an extent that the (2)J(P,P) coupling within the cages could be resolved (J-res experiment). This is supported by DFT calculations, which show that the extended PES of [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) (n=1-3) and [Ag(2)(P(4)S(3))(2)](+) is very flat. The structures of alpha- and gamma-P(4)S(3) were redetermined. Their variable-temperature (31)P MAS NMR spectra are discussed jointly with those of all four currently known [Ag(P(4)S(3))(n)](+) adducts with n=1, 2, and 3.

Silver Complexes of Cyclic Hexachlorotriphosphazene

The first solid-state structures of complexed P3N3X6 (X = halogen) are reported for X = Cl. The compounds were obtained from P3N3Cl6 and Ag[Al(OR)4] salts in CH2Cl2/CS2 solution. The very weakly coordinating anion with R = C(CF3)3 led to the salt Ag(P3N3Cl6)2+[Al(OR)4]- (1), but the more strongly coordinating anion with R' = C(CH3)(CF3)2 gave the molecular adduct (P3N3Cl6)AgAl(OR')4 (3). Crystals of [Ag(CH2Cl2)(P3N3Cl6)2]+[Al(OR)4]- (2), in which Ag+ is coordinated by two phosphazene and one CH2Cl2 ligands, were isolated from CH2Cl2 solution. The three compounds were characterized by their X-ray structures, and 1 and 3 also by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy. Solution and solid-state 31P NMR investigations in combination with quantum chemically calculated chemical shifts show that the 31P NMR shifts of free and silver-coordinated P3N3Cl6 differ by less than 3 ppm and indicate a very weakly bound P3N3Cl6 ligand in 1. The experimental silver ion affinity (SIA) of the phosphazene ligand was derived from the solid-state structure of 3. The SIA shows that (PNCl2)3 is only a slightly stronger Lewis base than P4 and CH2Cl2, while other ligands such as S8, P4S3, toluene, and 1,2-Cl2C2H4 are far stronger ligands towards the silver cation. The energetics of the complexes were assessed with inclusion of entropic, thermal, and solvation contributions (MP2/TZVPP, COSMO). The formation of the cations in 1, 2, and 3 was calculated to be exergonic by delta(r)G(degrees)(CH2Cl2) = -97, -107, and -27 kJ mol(-1), respectively. All prepared complexes are thermally stable; formation of P3N3Cl5+ and AgCl was not observed, even at 60 degrees C in an ultrasonic bath. Therefore, the formation of P3N3Cl5+ was investigated by quantum chemical calculations. Other possible reaction pathways that could lead to the successful preparation of P3N3X5+ salts were defined.

Syntheses and Characterization of the MF6- (M = As, Sb) Salts of the Simple Trithietanylium PhCS3+ Cation and the Identity of PhCS3Cl

MF6- (M = As or Sb) salts of a simple derivative of the trithietanylium PhCSSS+, 1, were synthesized for the first time by the reaction of PhCS3Cl and AgMF6 in liquid SO2. 1SbF6 was characterized by IR, FT-Raman, and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and a preliminary X-ray crystal structure. 1AsF6 was characterized by 1H NMR and FT-Raman spectroscopy. The calculated (MPW1PW91/3-21G* or 6-31G*) geometries, 1H and 13C chemical shifts (MPW1PW91/6-311G(2DF)//MPW1PW91/3-21G*), and vibrational frequencies and intensities (MPW1PW91/6-31G*) were in satisfactory agreement with the observed values. The calculated pi type molecular orbitals of HCSSS+ (MPW1PW91/6-311+G*) and 1 (MPW1PW91/3-21G*) imply that the 6pi-CSSS+ ring has some aromatic character. 1SbF6 undergoes a metathesis reaction with NBu4Cl in liquid SO2 to give PhCS3Cl, which was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The evidence indicates that PhCS3Cl has the ionic formulation PhCSSS+ Cl- with significant cation-anion interactions in the solid state. ArCSSS+ SbF6- (Ar = 1-naphthyl), 14SbF6, was prepared from ArCS3Cl and AgSbF6, suggesting that the synthesis of MF6- (M = As or Sb) salts of RCSSS+ is potentially general for aryl derivatives. The structure of 14SbF6 was established by 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and FT-Raman spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations gave values in agreement with the experimental data.

Electrophilic Attack on Sulfur-Sulfur Bonds: Coordination of Lithium Cations to Sulfur-Rich Molecules Studied by Ab Initio MO Methods

Complex formation between gaseous Li+ ions and sulfur-containing neutral ligands, such as H2S, Me2Sn (n = 1-5; Me = CH3) and various isomers of hexasulfur (S6), has been studied by ab initio MO calculations at the G3X(MP2) level of theory. Generally, the formation of LiS(n) heterocycles and clusters is preferred in these reactions. The binding energies of the cation in the 29 complexes investigated range from -88 kJ mol(-1) for [H2SLi]+ to -189 kJ mol(-1) for the most stable isomer of [Me2S5Li]+ which contains three-coordinate Li+. Of the various S6 ligands (chair, boat, prism, branched ring, and triplet chain structures), two isomeric complexes containing the S5==S ligand have the highest binding energies (-163+/-1 kJ mol(-1)). However, the global minimum structure of [LiS6]+ is of C(3v) symmetry with the six-membered S(6) homocycle in the well-known chair conformation and three Li--S bonds with a length of 256 pm (binding energy: -134 kJ mol(-1)). Relatively unstable isomers of S6 are stabilized by complex formation with Li+. The interaction between the cation and the S6 ligands is mainly attributed to ion-dipole attraction with a little charge transfer, except in cations containing the six sulfur atoms in the form of separated neutral S2, S3, or S4 units, as in [Li(S3)2]+ and [Li(S2)(S4)]+. In the two most stable isomers of the [LiS6]+ complexes, the number of S--S bonds is at maximum and the coordination number of Li+ is either 3 or 4. A topological analysis of all investigated complexes revealed that the Li--S bonds of lengths below 280 pm are characterized by a maximum electron-density path and closed-shell interaction.

The reaction of Li[Al(OR)4] R = OC(CF3)2Ph, OC(CF3)3with NO/NO2giving NO[Al(OR)4], Li[NO3] and N2O. The synthesis of NO[Al(OR)4] from Li[Al(OR)4] and NO[SbF6] in sulfur dioxide solution

NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)] 1 and NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] 2 were obtained by the metathesis reaction of NO[SbF(6)] and the corresponding Li[Al(OR)(4)] salts in liquid sulfur dioxide solution in ca 40% (1) and 85% (2) isolated yield. 1 and 2, as well as Li[NO(3)] and N(2)O, were also given by the reaction of an excess of mixture of (90 mol%) NO, (10 mol%) NO(2) with Li[Al(OR)(4)] followed by extraction with SO(2). The unfavourable disproportionation reaction of 2NO(2)(g) to [NO](+)(g) and [NO(3)](-)(g)[DeltaH degrees = +616.2 kJ mol(-1)] is more than compensated by the disproportionation energy of 3NO(g) to N(2)O(g) and NO(2)(g)[DeltaH degrees =-155.4 kJ mol(-1)] and the lattice energy of Li[NO(3)](s)[U(POT)= 862 kJ mol(-1)]. Evidence is presented that the reaction proceeds via a complex of [Li](+) with NO, NO(2)(or their dimers) and N(2)O. NO(2) and Li[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] gave [NO(3)(NO)(3)][Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](2), NO[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] and (NO(2))[Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)] products. The aluminium complex [Li[AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)]](2) 3 was prepared by the thermal decomposition of Li[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)]. Compounds 1 and 3 were characterized by single crystal X-ray structural analyses, 1-3 by elemental analyses, NMR, IR, Raman and mass spectra. Solid 1 contains [Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and [NO](+) weakly linked via donor acceptor interactions, while in the SO(2) solution there is an equilibrium between the associated [NO](+)[Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and separated solvated ions. Solid 2 contains essentially ionic [NO](+) and [Al(OC(CF(3))(3))(4)](-). Complex 3 consists of two [Li[AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)]] units linked via fluorine lithium contacts. Compound 1 is unstable in the SO(2) solution and decomposes to yield [AlF(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)](-), [(PhC(CF(3))(2)O)(3)Al(mu-F)Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(3)](-) anions as well as (NO)C(6)H(4)C(CF(3))(2)OH, while compound 2 is stable in liquid SO(2). The [small nu](NO(+)) in 1 and [NO](+)(toluene)[SbCl(6)] are similar, implying similar basicities of [Al(OC(CF(3))(2)Ph)(4)](-) and toluene.