Synthesis and Characterization of the Phosphorus Halide−Boron Halide Complexes X3PBY3 (X = Cl, Br, I; Y = Br, I) by31P MAS NMR, IR, and Raman Spectroscopy and the Crystal Structure of Br3PBBr3

Exploring the chemistry of free CI3+: reactions with the weak Lewis bases PX3 (X = Cl-I), AsI3 and Et2O

What is the preferred coordination site of CI3+? Recent computational work suggested the iodine atoms of the Lewis acid CI3+ to be more electrophilic than the classically expected carbon atom, e.g. the complex with water is of type I2C-I...OH2+ and not the classically expected I3C-OH2+. If this structure is correct, one may also anticipate reactions of CI3+ as an I+ donor. Thus, we were interested in investigating the chemistry of CI3+ in the room-temperature stable salt [CI3]+[pftb](-) ([pftb](-) = [Al(OC(CF3)3)4]-) with weak nucleophiles that i) mimic water (OEt2) or ii) are electronically deactivated weak nucleophiles (PX3, X = Cl-I; AsI3). One question was: is it possible to obtain iodine-coordinated Lewis acid-base adducts of the CI3+ cation? With Et2O as a base, the cation behaves as a strong Lewis acid and cleaves the ether to give I3C-OEt, C2H4 and [H(Et2O)2]+. By contrast PX3 and AsI3 coordinate to the CI3+ cations and the adducts have classical, carbon-bound ethane-like structures, as proven by X-ray single-crystal diffraction, IR, UV-Vis and NMR spectroscopy. From variable temperature 13C NMR studies, it followed for the I3C-AsI3+ salt that the equilibrium between CI3+ and AsI3 is reversible and temperature dependent in solution. The I3C-PI3+ salt decomposes at room temperature giving PI4+ and C2I4, likely through an iodine coordinated I2C-I[dot dot dot]PI3+ intermediate. Thus CI3+ may also act as an I+ donor. All reactions are in agreement with ab initio quantum chemical calculations at the MP2/TZVPP level and assignments of experimental spectra were aided by quantum chemistry.

Solid-state NMR spectroscopy of the quadrupolar halogens: chlorine-35/37, bromine-79/81, and iodine-127

A thorough review of 35/37Cl, 79/81Br, and 127I solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) data is presented. Isotropic chemical shifts (CS), quadrupolar coupling constants, and other available information on the magnitude and orientation of the CS and electric field gradient (EFG) tensors for chlorine, bromine, and iodine in diverse chemical compounds is tabulated on the basis of over 200 references. Our coverage is through July 2005. Special emphasis is placed on the information available from the study of powdered diamagnetic solids in high magnetic fields. Our survey indicates a recent notable increase in the number of applications of solid-state quadrupolar halogen NMR, particularly 35Cl NMR, as high magnetic fields have become more widely available to solid-state NMR spectroscopists. We conclude with an assessment of possible future directions for research involving 35/37Cl, 79/81Br, and 127I solid-state NMR spectroscopy.

A theoretical and experimental study on the Lewis acid-base adducts (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) and (P(4)Se(3)).(NbCl(5))

The Lewis acid-base adducts (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) and (P(4)Se(3)).(NbCl(5)) have been prepared and characterized by Raman, IR, and solid-state (31)P MAS NMR spectroscopy. Hybrid density functional calculations (B3LYP) have been carried out for both the apical and the basal (P(4)E(3)).(BX(3)) (E = S, Se; X = Br, I) adducts. The thermodynamics of all considered species has been discussed. In accordance with solid-state (31)P MAS NMR and vibrational data, the X-ray powder diffraction structures of (P(4)S(3)).(BBr(3)) [monoclinic, space group P2(1)/m (No. 11), a = 8.8854(1) A, b = 10.6164(2) A, c = 6.3682(1) A, beta = 108.912(1) degrees, V = 568.29(2) A(3), Z = 2] and (P(4)S(3)).(BI(3)) [orthorhombic, space group Pnma (No. 62), a = 12.5039(5) A, b = 11.3388(5) A, c = 8.9298(4) A, V = 1266.09(9) A(3), Z = 4] indicate the formation of an apical P(4)S(3) complex in the reaction of P(4)S(3) with BX(3) (X = Br, I). Basal adducts are formed when P(4)Se(3) is used as the donor species. Vibrational assignment for the normal modes of these adducts has been made on the basis of comparison between theoretically obtained and experimentally observed vibrational data.