Reactions of Dihydrogen(norbornadiene) Complexes

Nondissociative Activated Dihydrogen Binding on CeO2 Revealed by High-Pressure Operando Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy

Dihydrogen complexes, which retain the H-H bond, have been extensively studied in molecular science and found to be prevalent in homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis. However, their counterparts in heterogeneous catalysis, specifically nondissociative chemisorbed dihydrogen binding on the catalyst surface, are rarely reported experimentally. This scarcity is due to the complexity of typical material surfaces and the lack of effective characterization techniques to prove and distinguish various dihydrogen binding modes. Herein, using high-pressure operando solid-state NMR technology, we report the first unambiguous experimental observation of activated dihydrogen binding on a reduced ceria catalyst through interactions with surface oxygen vacancies. By employing versatile NMR structural and dynamical analysis methods, we establish a proportional relationship between the degree of ceria surface reduction and dihydrogen binding, as evidenced by NMR observations of H-D through-bond coupling (JHD), T1 relaxation, and proton isotropic chemical shifts. In situ NMR analysis further reveals the participation of bound dihydrogen species in a room-temperature ethylene hydrogenation reaction. The remarkable similarities between surface-activated dihydrogen in heterogeneous catalysis and dihydrogen model molecular complexes can provide valuable insights into the hydrogenation mechanism for many other solid catalysts, potentially enhancing hydrogen utilization.

A Lead-μ2-Tetrylide Complex with Osmium(IV) Terminal Components

A bare lead atom is a σ-donor ligand capable of linearly bonding and stabilizing two units of a classical polyhydride complex, with a high-valent metal center. As a proof of concept, we have prepared and characterized the μ2-tetrylide complex (PiPr3)2H4Os═Pb═OsH4(PiPr3)2 in the reaction of OsH6(PiPr3)2 with Pb{N(SiMe3)2}2. Although the Pb-Os bonds exhibit electrostatic interaction, the main orbital interactions result from two dative σ bonds from the lead atom to the osmium centers. The latter also provide much weaker π-backdonations.

Elongated Dihydrogen versus Compressed Dihydride in Osmium Complexes

Small modifications on the co-ligands of complexes containing two coordinated hydrogen atoms can determine the elongated dihydrogen versus compressed dihydride nature of these species and therefore their chemical behavior. 2,6-diphenylpyridine favors the formation of the osmium(IV) cation [OsH₂ (C₆ H₄ pyPh)(PiPr₃ )₂ ]⁺ , whereas 2-phenoxy-6-phenylpyridine, which contains an oxygen atom between the heterocycle and one of the phenyl groups, stabilizes the osmium(II) elongated dihydrogen species [Os(C₆ H₄ pyOPh)(η² -H₂ )(PiPr₃ )₂ ]⁺ . In contrast to the latter, the former shows a marked tendency to undergo reductive elimination of the heterocycle.