Structural evidence for undecabromide [Br11]-

trans-Cyclooctenes as Scavengers of Bromine Involved in Catalytic Bromination

Scavengers that capture reactive chemical substances are used to prevent the decomposition of materials. However, in the field of catalysis, the development of scavengers that inhibit background pathways has attracted little attention, although the concept will open up an otherwise inaccessible reaction space. In catalytic bromination, fast non-catalyzed background reactions disturb the catalytic control of the selectivity, even when using N-bromoamide reagents, which have a milder reactivity than bromine (Br2 ). Here, we developed a trans-cyclooctene (TCO) bearing a 2-pyridylethyl group to efficiently retard background reactions by capturing Br2 in bromocyclization using N-bromosuccinimide. The use of less than a stoichiometric amount of the TCO was sufficient to inhibit non-catalyzed reactions, and mechanistic studies using the TCO revealed that in situ-generated Br2 provides non-catalyzed reaction pathways based on a chain mechanism. The TCO is useful as an additive for improving enantioselectivity and regioselectivity in catalytic reactions. Cooperative systems using the TCO with selective catalysts offer an alternative strategy for optimizing catalyst-controlled selectivity during bromination. Moreover, it also served as an indicator of Br2 involved in catalytic reaction pathways; thus, the TCO was useful as a probe for mechanistic investigations into the involvement of Br2 in bromination reactions of interest.

Investigation of Molecular Iridium Fluorides IrFn (n=1-6): A Combined Matrix-Isolation and Quantum-Chemical Study

The photo-initiated defluorination of iridium hexafluoride (IrF6 ) was investigated in neon and argon matrices at 6 K, and their photoproducts are characterized by IR and UV-vis spectroscopies as well as quantum-chemical calculations. The primary photoproducts obtained after irradiation with λ=365 nm are iridium pentafluoride (IrF5 ) and iridium trifluoride (IrF3 ), while longer irradiation of the same matrix with λ=278 nm produced iridium tetrafluoride (IrF4 ) and iridium difluoride (IrF2 ) by Ir-F bond cleavage or F2 elimination. In addition, IrF5 can be reversed to IrF6 by adding a F atom when exposed to blue-light (λ=470 nm) irradiation. Laser irradiation (λ=266 nm) of IrF4 also generated IrF6 , IrF5 , IrF3 and IrF2 . Alternatively, molecular binary iridium fluorides IrFn (n=1-6) were produced by co-deposition of laser-ablated iridium atoms with elemental fluorine in excess neon and argon matrices under cryogenic conditions. Computational studies up to scalar relativistic CCSD(T)/triple-ζ level and two-component quasirelativistic DFT computations including spin-orbit coupling effects supported the formation of these products and provided detailed insights into their molecular structures by their characteristic Ir-F stretching bands. Compared to the Jahn-Teller effect, the influence of spin-orbit coupling dominates in IrF5 , leading to a triplet ground state with C4v symmetry, which was spectroscopically detected in solid argon and neon matrices.

Visible-Light Switching of Metallosupramolecular Assemblies

A photoswitchable ligand and palladium(II) ions form a dynamic mixture of self-assembled metallosupramolecular structures. The photoswitching ligand is an ortho-fluoroazobenzene with appended pyridyl groups. Combining the E-isomer with palladium(II) salts affords a double-walled triangle with composition [Pd3 L6 ]6+ and a distorted tetrahedron [Pd4 L8 ]8+ (1 : 2 ratio at 298 K). Irradiation with 410 nm light generates a photostationary state with approximately 80 % of the E-isomer of the ligand and results in the selective disassembly of the tetrahedron, the more thermodynamically stable structure, and the formation of the triangle, the more kinetically inert product. The triangle is then slowly transformed back into the tetrahedron over 2 days at 333 K. The Z-isomer of the ligand does not form any well-defined structures and has a thermal half-life of 25 days at 298 K. This approach shows how a thermodynamically preferred self-assembled structure can be reversibly pumped to a kinetic trap by small perturbations of the isomer distribution using non-destructive visible light.

Properties of Bromine Fused Salts Based on Quaternary Ammonium Molecules and Their Relevance for Use in a Hydrogen Bromine Redox Flow Battery

Bromine complexing agents (BCA) in aqueous electrolytes for hydrogen bromine flow batteries are used to reduce bromine‘s vapour pressure, while an insoluble and liquid fused salt is formed. The properties (concentrations, composition, conductivity and viscosity) of this fused salt are investigated in this study systematically ex situ by using 7 BCAs at different state of charge in HBr/Br₂/H₂O electrolytes with a theoretical capacity of 179.6 Ah L⁻¹. Bromine is stored in the fused salt at concentrations up to 13.6 M, reaching theoretical volumetrical capacities up to 730 Ah L⁻¹ in fused salts. The fused salt consists of a pure, bromine‐ and water‐free ionic liquid of organic [BCA]⁺ cations and polybromides, and its conductivity bases on a hopping mechanism among the polybromides. Alkyl side chain length of the BCAs and distribution of polybromides influence strongly the conductivity and viscosity of the fused salts. 1‐ethylpyridin‐1‐iumbromide results to be favoured BCA for application.

Systematic Study of Quaternary Ammonium Cations for Bromine Sequestering Application in High Energy Density Electrolytes for Hydrogen Bromine Redox Flow Batteries

Bromine complexing agents (BCAs) are used to reduce the vapor pressure of bromine in the aqueous electrolytes of bromine flow batteries. BCAs bind hazardous, volatile bromine by forming a second, heavy liquid fused salt. The properties of BCAs in a strongly acidic bromine electrolyte are largely unexplored. A total of 38 different quaternary ammonium halides are investigated ex situ regarding their properties and applicability in bromine electrolytes as BCAs. The focus is on the development of safe and performant HBr/Br2/H2O electrolytes with a theoretical capacity of 180 Ah L-1 for hydrogen bromine redox flow batteries (H2/Br2-RFB). Stable liquid fused salts, moderate bromine complexation, large conductivities and large redox potentials in the aqueous phase of the electrolytes are investigated in order to determine the most applicable BCA for this kind of electrolyte. A detailed study on the properties of BCA cations in these parameters is provided for the first time, as well as for electrolyte mixtures at different states of charge of the electrolyte. 1-ethylpyridin-1-ium bromide [C2Py]Br is selected from 38 BCAs based on its properties as a BCA that should be focused on for application in electrolytes for H2/Br2-RFB in the future.

Noncatalytic Bromination of Icosahedral Dicarboranes: The Key Role of Anionic Bromine Clusters Facilitating Br Atom Insertion into the B-H σ-Bond

The mechanism of the noncatalytic bromination of carboranes was studied experimentally and theoretically. We found that the reactions of o- and m-carboranes 1 and 2 with elemental bromine are first order in the substrate but unusually high (approximately fifth) order in bromine. The calculated energy barriers of these reactions decrease sharply as more bromine molecules are added to the quantum-chemical system. A considerable primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect for the bromination of 2 indicates that the rate-limiting stage is B-H bond breakage. According to quantum-chemical reaction path calculations, the bond breakage proceeds after the intrusion of a bromine atom into the B-H σ-bond. The 9-Br and 9-OH substituents in carborane 1 strongly retard the bromination of the corresponding derivatives. The bromination mechanism of 9-OH-1 is complex and includes neutral, deprotonated, and protonated forms of the carborane. The high experimental kinetic reaction order in bromine, together with quantum chemical modeling, points to a specific mechanism of bromination facilitated by anionic bromine clusters which significantly stabilize the transition state.

High energy density electrolytes for H2/Br2 redox flow batteries, their polybromide composition and influence on battery cycling limits

Hydrogen–bromine redox flow batteries (H₂/Br₂-RFB) are a promising stationary energy storage solution, offering energy storage densities up to 200 W h L⁻¹. In this study, high energy density electrolytes of concentrated hydrobromic acid of up to 7.7 M are investigated. Particular polybromide ion (Br_2n+1⁻; n = 1–3) concentrations in the electrolyte at different states of charge, their effect on the electrolytic conductivity and cell operation limits are investigated for the first time. The concentrations of individual polybromides in the electrolytes are determined by Raman spectroscopy. Tribromide (Br₃⁻) and pentabromide (Br₅⁻) are predominantly present in equal concentrations over the entire concentration range. Besides Br₃⁻ and Br₅⁻, heptabromide (Br₇⁻) exists in the electrolyte solution at higher bromine concentrations. It is shown that polybromide equilibria and their constants of Br₃⁻ and Br₅⁻ from literature are not applicable for highly concentrated solutions. The conductivity of the electrolytes depends primarily on the high proton concentration. The presence of higher polybromides leads to lower conductivities. The solubility of bromine increases disproportionately with increasing bromide concentration, since higher polybromides such as Br₇⁻ or Br₅⁻ are preferably formed with increasing bromide concentration. Cycling experiments on electrolyte in a single cell are performed and combined with limitations due to electrolyte conductivity and bromine solubility. Based on these results concentrations of the electrolyte are defined for potential operation in a H₂/Br₂-RFB in the range 1.0 M < c(HBr) < 7.7 M and c(Br₂) < 3.35 M, leading to a theoretical energy density of 196 W h L⁻¹.

Polybromides formation in aqueous bromine electrolytes and influence on H₂/Br₂ redox flow battery performance is investigated the first time.

Synthesis and Characterization of [Br3 ][MF6 ] (M=Sb, Ir), as well as Quantum Chemical Study of [Br3 ]+ Structure, Chemical Bonding, and Relativistic Effects Compared with [XBr2 ]+ (X=Br, I, At, Ts) and [TsZ2 ]+ (Z=F, Cl, Br, I, At, Ts)

[Br₃ ][SbF₆ ] and [Br₃ ][IrF₆ ] were synthesized by interaction of BrF₃ with Sb₂ O₃ or iridium metal, respectively. The former compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with a=11.9269(7), b=11.5370(7), c=12.0640(6) Å, V=1660.01(16) ų , Z=8 at 100 K. The latter compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P 1 ‾ (No. 2) with a=5.4686(5), b=7.6861(8), c=9.9830(9) Å, α=85.320(8), β=82.060(7), γ=78.466(7)°, V=406.56(7) ų , Z=2 at 100 K. Both compounds contain the cation [Br₃ ]⁺ , which has a bent structure and is coordinated by octahedron-like anions [MF₆ ]^- (M=Sb, Ir). Experimentally obtained cell parameters, bond lengths, and angles are confirmed by solid-state DFT calculations, which differ from the experimental values by less than 2 %. Relativistic effects on the structure of the tribromonium(1+) cation are studied computationally and found to be small. For the heaviest analogues containing At and Ts, however, pronounced relativistic effects are found, which lead to a linear structure of the polyhalogen cation.

Oriented External Electric Fields: Tweezers and Catalysts for Reactivity in Halogen-Bond Complexes

This theoretical study establishes ways of controlling and enabling an uncommon chemical reaction, the displacement reaction, B:---(X-Y) → (B-X)⁺ + :Y^-, which is nascent from a B:---(X-Y) halogen bond (XB) by nucleophilic attack of the base, B:, on the halogen, X. In most of the 14 cases examined, these reactions possess high barriers either in the gas phase (where the X-Y bond dissociates to radicals) or in solvents such as CH₂Cl₂ and CH₃CN (which lead to endothermic processes). Thus, generally, the XB species are trapped in deep minima, and their reactions are not allowed without catalysis. However, when an oriented-external electric field (OEEF) is directed along the B---X---Y reaction axis, the field acts as electric tweezers that orient the XB along the field's axis, and intensely catalyze the process, by tens of kcal/mol, thus rendering the reaction allowed. Flipping the OEEF along the reaction axis inhibits the reaction and weakens the interaction of the XB. Furthermore, at a critical OEEF, each XB undergoes spontaneous and barrier-free reaction. As such, OEEF achieves quite tight control of the structure and reactivity of XB species. Valence bond modeling is used to elucidate the means whereby OEEFs exert their control.

Investigation of Large Polychloride Anions: [Cl11 ]- , [Cl12 ]2- , and [Cl13 ]. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2018;57:9136-9140. [PMID: 29737601 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201803486]

For decades the chemistry of polyhalides was dominated by polyiodides and more recently also by an increasing number of polybromides. However, apart from a few structures containing trichloride anions and a single report on an octachloride dianion, [Cl₈ ]^2- , polychlorine compounds such as polychloride anions are unknown. Herein, we report on the synthesis and investigation of large polychloride monoanions such as [Cl₁₁ ]^- found in [AsPh₄ ][Cl₁₁ ], [PPh₄ ][Cl₁₁ ], and [PNP][Cl₁₁ ]⋅Cl₂ , and [Cl₁₃ ]^- obtained in [PNP][Cl₁₃ ]. The polychloride dianion [Cl₁₂ ]^2- has been obtained in [NMe₃ Ph]₂ [Cl₁₂ ]. The novel compounds have been thoroughly characterized by NMR spectroscopy, single-crystal Raman spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The assignment of their spectra is supported by molecular and periodic solid-state quantum-chemical calculations.

Synthesis and Characterization of Nonclassical Interhalides Based on Bromine Monochloride

Due to a more distinct σ-hole, BrCl is able to form stronger halogen bonds than those in polyhalogen anions based on Cl₂ and Br₂ . This stabilization allows the crystallographic characterization of a variety of new polyinterhalides, in which chloride functions as the central ion as shown by the molecular structures of [AsPh₄ ][Cl(BrCl)₃ ] and [CCl(NMe₂ )₂ ][Cl(BrCl)₅ ]. Furthermore, the solid-state structure of an octahedrally coordinated nonclassical interhalide is reported for the first time. The tridecainterhalide monoanion [Cl(BrCl)₆ ]^- consists of a central chloride ion, which is coordinated by six BrCl molecules in a slightly distorted octahedral structure. All new compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), NMR and Raman spectroscopy, as well as quantum-chemical calculations.

Further Development of Weakly Coordinating Cations: Fluorinated Bis(triarylphosphoranylidene)iminium Salts

So far unknown bis(triarylphosphoranylidene)iminium cations [PPN]⁺ with one fluorine atom in para ([PPN-1^F ]⁺ ), two in meta ([PPN-2^F ]⁺ ), or three in para and meta positions of the phenyl rings ([PPN-3^F ]⁺ ) were obtained by a newly developed one-pot reaction. These halogenated [PPN]⁺ cations were characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy in comparison with quantum-chemical calculations, ESI⁺ mass spectrometry, NMR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. To assess their quality as weakly coordinating cations and the associated ability to stabilize labile anions, the electrostatic potential and fluoride-ion affinity were calculated and compared with those of the unsubstituted and so far unknown perfluorinated [PPN-5^F ]⁺ cations.

Factors influencing the formation of polybromide monoanions in solutions of ionic liquid bromide salts

Six different bromide salts - tetraethylammonium bromide ([N2,2,2,2]Br, Br), 1-ethyl-1-methylpiperidinium bromide ([C2MPip]Br, Br), 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide ([C2MPyrr]Br, Br), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([C2MIm]Br, Br), 1-ethylpyridinium bromide ([C2Py]Br, Br), and 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)pyridinium bromide ([C2OHPy]Br, Br) - were studied in regards to their capacity to form polybromide monoanion products on addition of molecular bromine in acetonitrile solutions. Using complementary spectroscopic and computational methods for the examination of tribromide and pentabromide anion formation, key factors influencing polybromide sequestration were identified. Here, we present criteria for the targeted synthesis of highly efficient bromine sequestration agents.

Halogen Bonding in Organic Synthesis and Organocatalysis

Halogen bonding is a noncovalent interaction similar to hydrogen bonding, which is based on electrophilic halogen substituents. Hydrogen-bonding-based organocatalysis is a well-established strategy which has found numerous applications in recent years. In light of this, halogen bonding has recently been introduced as a key interaction for the design of activators or organocatalysts that is complementary to hydrogen bonding. This Concept features a discussion on the history and electronic origin of halogen bonding, summarizes all relevant examples of its application in organocatalysis, and provides an overview on the use of cationic or polyfluorinated halogen-bond donors in halide abstraction reactions or in the activation of neutral organic substrates.

Coordination Chemistry of Diiodine and Implications for the Oxidation Capacity of the Synergistic Ag(+) /X2 (X=Cl, Br, I) System

The synergistic Ag(+) /X2 system (X=Cl, Br, I) is a very strong, but ill-defined oxidant-more powerful than X2 or Ag(+) alone. Intermediates for its action may include [Agm (X2 )n ](m+) complexes. Here, we report on an unexpectedly variable coordination chemistry of diiodine towards this direction: (A)Ag-I2 -Ag(A), [Ag2 (I2 )4 ](2+) (A(-) )2 and [Ag2 (I2 )6 ](2+) (A(-) )2 ⋅(I2 )x≈0.65 form by reaction of Ag(A) (A=Al(OR(F) )4 ; R(F) =C(CF3 )3 ) with diiodine (single crystal/powder XRD, Raman spectra and quantum-mechanical calculations). The molecular (A)Ag-I2 -Ag(A) is ideally set up to act as a 2 e(-) oxidant with stoichiometric formation of 2 AgI and 2 A(-) . Preliminary reactivity tests proved this (A)Ag-I2 -Ag(A) starting material to oxidize n-C5 H12 , C3 H8 , CH2 Cl2 , P4 or S8 at room temperature. A rough estimate of its electron affinity places it amongst very strong oxidizers like MF6 (M=4d metals). This suggests that (A)Ag-I2 -Ag(A) will serve as an easily in bulk accessible, well-defined, and very potent oxidant with multiple applications.

Ionic-liquid-assisted synthesis of the phosphorus interhalides [PBr4][IBr2] and [PBr4][I5Br7]

Ionic-liquid based synthesis results in the phosphorus interhalides [PBr₄][IBr₂] and [PBr₄]₂[I₅Br₇] whereof the latter shows thermal halogen release of 96.8 wt% (≤300 °C).

Noncatalytic bromination of benzene: A combined computational and experimental study

The noncatalytic bromination of benzene is shown experimentally to require high 5-14 M concentrations of bromine to proceed at ambient temperatures to form predominantly bromobenzene, along with detectable (<2%) amounts of addition products such as tetra and hexabromocyclohexanes. The kinetic order in bromine at these high concentrations is 4.8 ± 0.06 at 298 K and 5.6 ± 0.11 at 273 K with a small measured inverse deuterium isotope effect using D6 -benzene of 0.97 ± 0.03 at 298 K. These results are rationalized using computed transition states models at the B3LYP+D3/6-311++G(2d,2p) level with an essential continuum solvent field for benzene applied. The model with the lowest predicted activation free energies agrees with the high experimental kinetic order in bromine and involves formation of an ionic, concerted, and asynchronous transition state with a Br8 cluster resembling the structure of the known Br9 (-). This cluster plays three roles; as a Br(+) donor, as a proton base, and as a stabilizing arm forming weak interactions with two adjacent benzene CH hydrogens, these aspects together combining to overcome the lack of reactivity of benzene induced by its aromaticity. The computed inverse kinetic isotope effect of 0.95 agrees with experiment, and arises because C-Br bond formation is essentially complete, whereas C-H cleavage has not yet commenced. The computed free energy barriers for the reaction with 4Br2 and 5Br2 for a standard state of 14.3 M in bromine are reasonable for an ambient temperature reaction, unlike previously reported theoretical models involving only one or two bromines.

Fluorine-Rich Fluorides: New Insights into the Chemistry of Polyfluoride Anions

Polyfluoride anions have been investigated by matrix-isolation spectroscopy and quantum-chemical methods. For the first time the higher polyfluoride anion [F5 ](-) has been observed under cryogenic conditions in neon matrices at 850 cm(-1) . In addition, a new band for the Cs(+) [F3 ](-) complex in neon is reported.

The formation of high-order polybromides in a room-temperature ionic liquid: from monoanions ([Br5 ](-) to [Br11 ](-) ) to the isolation of [PC16 H36 ]2 [Br24 ] as determined by van der Waals Bonding Radii

An unprecedented diversity of high-order bromine catenates (anionic polybromides) was generated in a tetraalkylphosphonium-based room temperature ionic liquid system. Raman spectroscopy was used to identify polybromide monoanions ranging from [Br5 ](-) to [Br11 ](-) in the bulk solution, while single-crystal X-ray diffraction identified extended networks of linked [Br11 ](-) units, forming a previously unknown polymeric [Br24 ](2-) dianion. This represents the largest polybromide species identified to date. In combination with recent work, this suggests that other, higher order molecular polybromide ions might be isolated.