Dihydrogen bonding: structures, energetics, and dynamics

Hydrogen bonds, and σ-hole and π-hole bonds – mechanisms protecting doublet and octet electron structures

For various interactions electron charge shifts try to protect the former doublet or octet electronic structure of the Lewis acid centre.

Metal borohydrides and derivatives – synthesis, structure and properties

A comprehensive review of metal borohydrides from synthesis to application.

B–H⋯π: a nonclassical hydrogen bond or dispersion contact?

Quantum mechanical calculations disprove the attractive electrostatic nature of B–H⋯π motif and define it as dispersion-driven contact.

Dihydrogen intermolecular contacts in group 13 compounds: H⋯H or E⋯H (E = B, Al, Ga) interactions?

A theoretical analysis rationalises the energetics and topology of B–H⋯H–B and B–H⋯B short contacts present in the crystal structures of many borane derivatives.

Influence of intramolecular vs. intermolecular phosphonium-borohydrides in catalytic hydrogen, hydride, and proton transfer reactions

The thermodynamics of hydrogen, hydride, and proton transfer from 22 intramolecular and intermolecular phosphonium-borohydrides to eight substrates are described.

Unravelling the Mechanism of Basic Aqueous Methanol Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by Ru-PNP Pincer Complexes

Ruthenium PNP complex 1a (RuH(CO)Cl(HN(C₂H₄Pi-Pr₂)₂)) represents a state-of-the-art catalyst for low-temperature (<100 °C) aqueous methanol dehydrogenation to H₂ and CO₂. Herein, we describe an investigation that combines experiment, spectroscopy, and theory to provide a mechanistic rationale for this process. During catalysis, the presence of two anionic resting states was revealed, Ru-dihydride (3^-) and Ru-monohydride (4^-) that are deprotonated at nitrogen in the pincer ligand backbone. DFT calculations showed that O- and CH- coordination modes of methoxide to ruthenium compete, and form complexes 4^- and 3^-, respectively. Not only does the reaction rate increase with increasing KOH, but the ratio of 3^-/4^- increases, demonstrating that the "inner-sphere" C-H cleavage, via C-H coordination of methoxide to Ru, is promoted by base. Protonation of 3^- liberates H₂ gas and formaldehyde, the latter of which is rapidly consumed by KOH to give the corresponding gem-diolate and provides the overall driving force for the reaction. Full MeOH reforming is achieved through the corresponding steps that start from the gem-diolate and formate. Theoretical studies into the mechanism of the catalyst Me-1a (N-methylated 1a) revealed that C-H coordination to Ru sets-up C-H cleavage and hydride delivery; a process that is also promoted by base, as observed experimentally. However, in this case, Ru-dihydride Me-3 is much more stable to protonation and can even be observed under neutral conditions. The greater stability of Me-3 rationalizes the lower rates of Me-1a compared to 1a, and also explains why the reaction rate then drops with increasing KOH concentration.

On the Stability of Cis- and Trans-2-Butene Isomers. An Insight Based on the FAMSEC, IQA, and ETS-NOCV Schemes

In the present account, the real space fragment attributed molecular system energy change (FAMSEC) approach, interacting quantum atoms energy decomposition scheme as well as molecular orbitals based the extended transition state scheme coupled with natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) have been, for the first time, successfully used to delineate factors of importance for stability of the 2-butene conformers (cis-eq, cis-TS, trans-eq, trans-TS). Our results demonstrate that atoms of the controversial H-H contact in cis-eq (i) are involved in attractive interaction dominated by the exchange-correlation term, (ii) are weekly stabilized, (iii) show trends in several descriptors found in other typical H-bonds, and (iv) are part of most stabilized CH-HC fragment (loc-FAMSEC = -3.6 kcal/mol) with most favourably changed intrafragment interactions on trans-eq→cis-eq. Moreover, lower stability of cis-eq vs. trans-eq is linked with the entire HCCH (ethylenic) fragment which destabilized cis-eq (mol-FAMSEC, +3.9 kcal/mol) the most. Although the H-H contact can be linked with smaller, relative to trans-, rotational energy barrier in cis-2-butene, we have proven that to rationalize this phenomenon one must account for changes in interactions between various fragments that constitute the entire molecule. Importantly, we discovered a number of comparable trends in fundamental properties of equivalent molecular fragments on a methyl group rotation; for example, interaction between BP-free H-atoms in trans-eq (involving CH bonds of the methyl and ethylenic units) and BP-linked H-atoms in cis-eq. Clearly, rotational energy barrier cannot be entirely (i) rationalized by the properties of or (ii) attributed to the H-H contact in cis-eq. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

H-Bond: Τhe Chemistry-Biology H-Bridge

H-bonding, as a non covalent stabilizing interaction of diverse nature, has a central role in the structure, function and dynamics of chemical and biological processes, pivotal to molecular recognition and eventually to drug design. Types of conventional and non conventional (H-H, dihydrogen, H- π, CH- π, anti- , proton coordination and H-S) H-bonding interactions are discussed as well as features emerging from their interplay, such as cooperativity (σ- and π-) effects and allostery. Its utility in many applications is described. Catalysis, proton and electron transfer processes in various materials or supramolecular architectures of preorganized hosts for guest binding, are front-line technology. The H-bond-related concept of proton transfer (PT) addresses energy issues or deciphering the mechanism of many natural and synthetic processes. PT is also of paramount importance in the functions of cells and is assisted by large complex proteins embedded in membranes. Both intermolecular and intramolecular PT in H-bonded systems has received attention, theoretically and experimentally, using prototype molecules. It is found in rearrangement reactions, protein functions, and enzyme reactions or across proton channels and pumps. Investigations on the competition between intra- and intermolecular H bonding are discussed. Of particular interest is the H-bond furcation, a common phenomenon in protein-ligand binding. Multiple H-bonding (H-bond furcation) is observed in supramolecular structures.

Frustrated Lewis Pair Catalyzed Dehydrogenative Oxidation of Indolines and Other Heterocycles

An acceptorless dehydrogenation of heterocycles catalyzed by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs) was developed. Oxidation with concomitant liberation of molecular hydrogen proceeded in high to excellent yields for N-protected indolines as well as four other substrate classes. The mechanism of this unprecedented FLP-catalyzed reaction was investigated by mechanistic studies, characterization of reaction intermediates by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystal analysis, and by quantum-mechanical calculations. Hydrogen liberation from the ammonium hydridoborate intermediate is the rate-determining step of the oxidation. The addition of a weaker Lewis acid as a hydride shuttle increased the reaction rate by a factor of 2.28 through a second catalytic cycle.

Hydrogen and Dihydrogen Bonds in the Reactions of Metal Hydrides

The dihydrogen bond-an interaction between a transition-metal or main-group hydride (M-H) and a protic hydrogen moiety (H-X)-is arguably the most intriguing type of hydrogen bond. It was discovered in the mid-1990s and has been intensively explored since then. Herein, we collate up-to-date experimental and computational studies of the structural, energetic, and spectroscopic parameters and natures of dihydrogen-bonded complexes of the form M-H···H-X, as such species are now known for a wide variety of hydrido compounds. Being a weak interaction, dihydrogen bonding entails the lengthening of the participating bonds as well as their polarization (repolarization) as a result of electron density redistribution. Thus, the formation of a dihydrogen bond allows for the activation of both the MH and XH bonds in one step, facilitating proton transfer and preparing these bonds for further transformations. The implications of dihydrogen bonding in different stoichiometric and catalytic reactions, such as hydrogen exchange, alcoholysis and aminolysis, hydrogen evolution, hydrogenation, and dehydrogenation, are discussed.

Challenges and Opportunities for the Application of Boron Clusters in Drug Design

There are two branches in boron medicinal chemistry: the first focuses on single boron atom compounds, and the second utilizes boron clusters. Boron clusters and their heteroatom counterparts belong to the family of cage compounds. A subset of this extensive class of compounds includes dicarbadodecaboranes, which have the general formula C2B10H12, and their metal biscarboranyl complexes, metallacarboranes, with the formula [M(C2B10H12)2(-2)]. The unique properties of boron clusters have resulted in their utilization in applications such as in pharmacophores, as scaffolds in molecular construction, and as modulators of bioactive compounds. This Perspective presents an overview of the properties of boron clusters that are pertinent for drug discovery, recent applications in the design of various classes of drugs, and the potential use of boron clusters in the construction of new pharmaceuticals.

Dihydrogen bond interactions as a result of H2 cleavage at Cu, Ag and Au centres

A quantum chemical study of H2 activation at fluorides of coinage metals, MF (M = Cu, Ag and Au), and its splitting was performed. The following reaction path was analyzed: FMH2→ FHHM → HMFH, where both the molecular complexes and the corresponding transition states have been characterized at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVQZ level of theory. Further single-point CASSCF/CASPT2 calculations, including spin-orbit coupling effects, were also performed to analyze the role of non-dynamic correlation. The scalar relativistic effects are included via aug-cc-pVQZ-PP basis sets used for the metals. The dihydrogen-bonded copper (FHHCu) and silver (FHHAg) complexes are observed as a result of H2 cleavage, while the corresponding FHHAu gold complex is not found but the HAuHF arrangement is observed, instead. The energetic and geometrical parameters of the complexes have been analyzed and both the Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules approach and the Natural Bond Orbitals method were additionally applied to analyze the intermolecular interactions.

Bioinspired Design and Computational Prediction of Iron Complexes with Pendant Amines for the Production of Methanol from CO2 and H2

Inspired by the active site structure of [FeFe]-hydrogenase, we built a series of iron dicarbonyl diphosphine complexes with pendant amines and predicted their potentials to catalyze the hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol using density functional theory. Among the proposed iron complexes, [(P(tBu)2N(tBu)2H)FeH(CO)2(COOH)](+) (5COOH) is the most active one with a total free energy barrier of 23.7 kcal/mol. Such a low barrier indicates that 5COOH is a very promising low-cost catalyst for high-efficiency conversion of CO2 and H2 to methanol under mild conditions. For comparison, we also examined Bullock's Cp iron diphosphine complex with pendant amines, [(P(tBu)2N(tBu)2H)FeHCp(C5F4N)](+) (5Cp-C5F4N), as a catalyst for hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol and obtained a total free energy barrier of 27.6 kcal/mol, which indicates that 5Cp-C5F4N could also catalyze the conversion of CO2 and H2 to methanol but has a much lower efficiency than our newly designed iron complexes.

Theoretical study on σ- and π-hole carbon⋯carbon bonding interactions: implications in CFC chemistry

In this manuscript the ability of CO₂ and several CFCs to establish noncovalent carbon⋯carbon interactions with atmospheric gases CO, ethene and ethyne has been studied at the RI-MP2/def2-TZVPD level of theory.

C–H⋯Br–C vs. C–Br⋯Br–C vs. C–Br⋯N bonding in molecular self-assembly of pyridine-containing dyes

We have studied N-(5-bromosalicylidene)-x-aminopyridine dyes (x = 2, 1; 3, 2; 4, 3) by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction and Hirshfeld surface analysis. Their optical properties were also examined and correlated with structural findings.

Tunable dipole induced hydrogen bonds between a hydrogen molecule and alkali halides

Hydrogen bonding (HB) systems are known to be X-H∙∙∙Y type complexes, which are called conventional HB systems if the X and Y are strongly electronegative atoms such as O, N and halides or unconventional systems if the X is replaced by C. In this study, we devise a new dipole-induced HB that is formed between a hydrogen molecule and an alkali halide using ab initio calculations. The HB is depicted as H-H∙∙∙Y-M, in which MY are alkali halides. Analysis of the possible structures and properties of the proposed compounds, including their geometries, frequencies, bond strength, and natural charge distribution, as well as a topological analysis of electronic density, shows that the large dipole moment of the Y-M molecule is responsible for the generation of the proposed HB. We also find that the strength of HB can be tuned by adopting MY with various polarities. We hope that our findings could provide a new insight into HB.

Molecular electrocatalysts for oxidation of hydrogen using earth-abundant metals: shoving protons around with proton relays

Sustainable, carbon-neutral energy is needed to supplant the worldwide reliance on fossil fuels in order to address the persistent problem of increasing emissions of CO2. Solar and wind energy are intermittent, highlighting the need to develop energy storage on a huge scale. Electrocatalysts provide a way to convert between electrical energy generated by renewable energy sources and chemical energy in the form of chemical bonds. Oxidation of hydrogen to give two electrons and two protons is carried out in fuel cells, but the typical catalyst is platinum, a precious metal of low earth abundance and high cost. In nature, hydrogenases based on iron or iron/nickel reversibly oxidize hydrogen with remarkable efficiencies and rates. Functional models of these enzymes have been synthesized with the goal of achieving electrocatalytic H2 oxidation using inexpensive, earth-abundant metals along with a key feature identified in the [FeFe]-hydrogenase: an amine base positioned near the metal. The diphosphine ligands P(R)2N(R')2 (1,5-diaza-3,7-diphosphacyclooctane with alkyl or aryl groups on the P and N atoms) are used as ligands in Ni, Fe, and Mn complexes. The pendant amines facilitate binding and heterolytic cleavage of H2, placing the hydride on the metal and the proton on the amine. The pendant amines also serve as proton relays, accelerating intramolecular and intermolecular proton transfers. Electrochemical oxidations and deprotonations by an exogeneous amine base lead to catalytic cycles for oxidation of H2 (1 atm) at room temperature for catalysts derived from [Ni(P(Cy)2N(R')2)2](2+), Cp(C6F5)Fe(P(tBu)2N(Bn)2)H, and MnH(P(Ph)2N(Bn)2)(bppm)(CO) [bppm = (PAr(F)2)2CH2]. In the oxidation of H2 catalyzed by [Ni(P(Cy)2N(R')2)2](2+), the initial product observed experimentally is a Ni(0) complex in which two of the pendant amines are protonated. Two different pathways can occur from this intermediate; deprotonation followed by oxidation occurs with a lower overpotential than the alternate pathway involving oxidation followed by deprotonation. The Mn cation [Mn(P(Ph)2N(Bn)2)(bppm)(CO)](+) mediates the rapid (>10(4) s(-1) at -95 °C), reversible heterolytic cleavage of H2. Obtaining the optimal benefit of pendant amines incorporated into the ligand requires that the pendant amine be properly positioned to interact with a M-H or M(H2) bond. In addition, ligands are ideally selected such that the hydride-acceptor ability of the metal and the basicity of a pendant are tuned to give low barriers for heterolytic cleavage of the H-H bond and subsequent proton transfer reactions. Using these principles allows the rational design of electrocatalysts for H2 oxidation using earth-abundant metals.

Diiron azadithiolates as models for the [FeFe]-hydrogenase active site and paradigm for the role of the second coordination sphere

The [FeFe] hydrogenases (H2ases) catalyze the redox reaction that interconverts protons and H2. This area of biocatalysis has attracted attention because the metal-based chemistry is unusual, and the reactions have practical implications. The active site consists of a [4Fe-4S] cluster bridged to a [Fe2(μ-dithiolate)(CN)2(CO)3](z) center (z = 1- and 2-). The dithiolate cofactor is [HN(CH2S)2](2-), called the azadithiolate ([adt(H)](2-)). Although many derivatives of Fe2(SR)2(CO)6-xLx are electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), most operate by slow nonbiomimetic pathways. Biomimetic hydrogenogenesis is thought to involve intermediates, wherein the hydride substrate is adjacent to the amine of the adt(H), being bonded to only one Fe center. Formation of terminal hydride complexes is favored when the diiron carbonyl models contain azadithiolate. Although unstable in the free state, the adt cofactor is stable once it is affixed to the Fe2 center. It can be prepared by alkylation of Fe2(SH)2(CO)6 with formaldehyde in the presence of ammonia (to give adt(H) derivatives) or amines (to give adt(R) derivatives). Weak acids protonate Fe2(adt(R))(CO)2(PR3)4 to give terminal hydrido (term-H) complexes. In contrast, protonation of the related 1,3-propanedithiolate (pdt(2-)) complexes Fe2(pdt)(CO)2(PR3)4 requires strong acids. The amine in the azadithiolate is a kinetically fast base, relaying protons to and from the iron, which is a kinetically slow base. The crystal structure of the doubly protonated model [(term-H)Fe2(Hadt(H))(CO)2(dppv)2](2+) confirms the presence of both ammonium and terminal hydrido centers, which interact through a dihydrogen bond (dppv = cis-C2H2(PPh2)2). DFT calculations indicate that this H---H interaction is sensitive to the counterions and is strengthened upon reduction of the diiron center. For the monoprotonated models, the hydride [(term-H)Fe2(adt(H))(CO)2(dppv)2](+) exists in equilibrium with the ammonium tautomer [Fe2(Hadt(H))(CO)2(dppv)2](+). Both [(term-H)Fe2(Hadt(H))(CO)2(dppv)2](2+) and [(term-H)Fe2(adt(H))(CO)2(dppv)2](+) are highly active electrocatalysts for HER. Catalysis is initiated by reduction of the diferrous center, which induces coupling of the protic ammonium center and the hydride ligand. In contrast, the propanedithiolate [(term-H)Fe2(pdt)(CO)2(dppv)2](+) is a poor electrocatalyst for HER. Oxidation of H2 has been demonstrated, starting with models for the oxidized state ("Hox"), for example, [Fe2(adt(H))(CO)3(dppv)(PMe3)](+). Featuring a distorted Fe(II)Fe(I) center, this Hox model reacts slowly with high pressures of H2 to give [(μ-H)Fe2(adt(H))(CO)3(dppv)(PMe3)](+). Highlighting the role of the proton relay, the propanedithiolate [Fe2(pdt)(CO)3(dppv)(PMe3)](+) is unreactive toward H2. The Hox-model + H2 reaction is accelerated in the presence of ferrocenium salts, which simulate the role of the attached [4Fe-4S] cluster. The redox-complemented complex [Fe2(adt(Bn))(CO)3(dppv)(FcP*)](n+) catalyzes both proton reduction and hydrogen oxidation (FcP* = (C5Me5)Fe(C5Me4CH2PEt2)).

Designing metal hydride complexes for water splitting reactions: a molecular electrostatic potential approach

The hydridic character of octahedral metal hydride complexes of groups VI, VII and VIII has been systematically studied using molecular electrostatic potential (MESP) topography. The absolute minimum of MESP at the hydride ligand (Vmin) and the MESP value at the hydride nucleus (VH) are found to be very good measures of the hydridic character of the hydride ligand. The increasing/decreasing electron donating feature of the ligand environment is clearly reflected in the increasing/decreasing negative character of Vmin and VH. The formation of an outer sphere metal hydride-water complex showing the HH dihydrogen interaction is supported by the location and the value of Vmin near the hydride ligand. A higher negative MESP suggested lower activation energy for H2 elimination. Thus, MESP features provided a way to fine-tune the ligand environment of a metal-hydride complex to achieve high hydridicity for the hydride ligand. The applicability of an MESP based hydridic descriptor in designing water splitting reactions is tested for group VI metal hydride model complexes of tungsten.

Increasing the rate of hydrogen oxidation without increasing the overpotential: a bio-inspired iron molecular electrocatalyst with an outer coordination sphere proton relay

Oxidation of hydrogen (H2) to protons and electrons for energy production in fuel cells is currently catalyzed by platinum, but its low abundance and high cost present drawbacks to widespread adoption. Precisely controlled proton removal from the active site is critical in hydrogenase enzymes in nature that catalyze H2 oxidation using earth-abundant metals (iron and nickel). Here we report a synthetic iron complex, (CpC5F4N)Fe(PEtN(CH2)3NMe2 PEt)(Cl), that serves as a precatalyst for the oxidation of H2, with turnover frequencies of 290 s-1 in fluorobenzene, under 1 atm of H2 using 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as the exogenous base. The inclusion of a properly tuned outer coordination sphere proton relay results in a cooperative effect between the primary, secondary and outer coordination spheres for moving protons, increasing the rate of H2 oxidation without increasing the overpotential when compared with the analogous complex featuring a single pendant base. This finding emphasizes the key role of pendant amines in mimicking the functionality of the proton pathway in the hydrogenase enzymes.

Rovibrational energy and spectroscopic constant calculations of complexes pairing via dihydrogen bonds

In the present investigation, we performed a thorough study of potential energy curves, rovibrational spectra, and spectroscopic constants for complexes pairing via dihydrogen bonds. In particular, we dealt with LiH···HX (X = F, CN, CCH, CCF, CCCl) complexes by employing accurate electronic energy calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level of theory. Following this, the Numerov method was applied to solve the nuclear Schrödinger equation, thus obtaining spectroscopic constants and rovibrational spectra. Good linear correlation between the magnitudes of the interaction energies for interaction of HX with LiH, and the most positive electrostatic potentials of hydrogen in HX, was established.

Dihydrogen bond intermediated alcoholysis of dimethylamine-borane in nonaqueous media

Dimethylamine-borane (DMAB) acid/base properties, its dihydrogen-bonded (DHB) complexes and proton transfer reaction in nonaqueous media were investigated both experimentally (IR, UV/vis, NMR, and X-ray) and theoretically (DFT, NBO, QTAIM, and NCI). The effects of DMAB concentration, solvents polarity and temperature on the degree of DMAB self-association are shown and the enthalpy of association is determined experimentally for the first time (-ΔH°assoc = 1.5-2.3 kcal/mol). The first case of "improper" (blue-shifting) NH···F hydrogen bonds was observed in fluorobenzene and perfluorobenzene solutions. It was shown that hydrogen-bonded complexes are the intermediates of proton transfer from alcohols and phenols to DMAB. The reaction mechanism was examined computationally taking into account the coordinating properties of the reaction media. The values of the rate constants of proton transfer from HFIP to DMAB in acetone were determined experimentally [(7.9 ± 0.1) × 10(-4) to (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10(-3) mol(-1)·s(-1)] at 270-310 K. Computed activation barrier of this reaction ΔG(‡theor)298 K(acetone) = 23.8 kcal/mol is in good agreement with the experimental value of the activation free energy ΔG(‡exp)270 K = 21.1 kcal/mol.