Coordination Modes and Hydride Exchange Dynamics in Transition Metal Tetrahydroborate Complexes

Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry and DFT Survey of Copper(I) Ate Complexes Containing Coordinated Borohydride Anions

Copper(I) borohydride ate complexes of the type Cat⁺[XCu(BH₄)]^- have been previously postulated as intermediates in the reactions of copper salts with borohydride. Negative ion electrospray ionization of an acetonitrile solution of copper(I) phenylacetylide with a 10-fold excess of sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) revealed the formation of a diverse range of mononuclear, dinuclear and trinuclear cuprates with different numbers of BH₄^-, H^- and CN^- ligands, the latter likely being formed by abstraction of CN^- from the acetonitrile solvent. Collision-induced dissociation was used to examine the fragmentation reactions of the following borohydride containing cuprates: [Cu(H)(BH₄)]^-, [Cu(BH₄)₂]^-, [Cu(BH₄)(CN)]^-, [Cu₂(H)(BH₄)₂]^-, [Cu₂(H)₂(BH₄)]^-, [Cu₂(BH₄)₂(CN)]^-, [Cu₂(H)(BH₄)(CN)]^-, [Cu₃(H)(BH₄)₃]^-, [Cu₃(H)₂(BH₄)₂]^-, [Cu₃(H)₃(BH₄)]^-, [Cu₃(BH₄)₂(CN)₂]^-, and [Cu₃(H)(BH₄)₂(CN)]^-. In all cases, BH₃ loss is observed. For many of the dinuclear and trinuclear complexes cluster fragmentation by loss of CuH was also observed. In the case of [Cu₂(H)₂(BH₄)]^- and [Cu₃(H)₃(BH₄)]^-, loss of H₂ was also observed. DFT calculations were used to explore potential structures of the various borohydride-containing cuprates and to predict the overall reaction energetics for the various fragmentation channels.

Coordination mode and stability of the tetrahydroborate ligand in group 10 metal pincer complexes

The coordination mode of the BH₄^- ligand in transition metal tetrahydroborate complexes is mainly dominated by the nature of the metal centres. However, other factors can also play important roles sometimes. In order to rationalize the coordination modes and the stability of the BH₄^- ligand in group 10 metal tetrahydroborate pincer complexes, [2,6-(^tBu₂PO)₂C₆H₃]Pt(η¹-HBH₃) and [C₆H₄-o-(NCH₂P^tBu₂)₂B]M(η²-H₂BH₂) (M = Ni, Pt) were prepared and characterized. A structural comparison of [2,6-(^tBu₂PCH₂)₂C₆H₃]Ni(BH₄), [2,6-(^tBu₂PO)₂C₆H₃]M(BH₄) and [C₆H₄-o-(NCH₂P^tBu₂)₂B]M(BH₄) (M = Ni, Pd, and Pt) indicates that the M-P bond length, the P-M-P bite angle and the trans-influence of the central atom in the pincer platform also affect the coordination mode of the BH₄^- ligand. The nickel complexes tend to adopt a monodentate coordination mode while the palladium and platinum complexes can adopt either the monodentate or the bidentate mode depending on the structural features of the pincer platforms. Longer M-P bonds and smaller P-M-P bite angles favour the bidentate mode. The stability of the BH₄^- ligand is influenced by both the coordination mode and the nature of the metal centre. The BH₃ species is released more easily from complexes with less electron rich metal centres. Following the series of Ni, Pd, and Pt, complexes with the same pincer ligand more easily lose a BH₃ moiety.

Low-Valent Titanium Species Stabilized with Aluminum/Boron Hydride Fragments

Low-valent titanium species were prepared by reaction of [TiCp*X₃ ] (Cp*=η⁵ -C₅ Me₅ ; X=Cl, Br, Me) with LiEH₄ (E=Al, B) or BH₃ (thf), and their structures elucidated by experimental and theoretical methods. The treatment of trihalides [TiCp*X₃ ] with LiAlH₄ in ethereal solvents (L) leads to the hydride-bridged heterometallic complexes [{TiCp*(μ-H)}₂ {(μ-H)₂ AlX(L)}₂ ] (L=thf, X=Cl, Br; L=OEt₂ , X=Cl). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations for those compounds reveal an open-shell singlet ground state with a Ti-Ti bond and can be described as titanium(II) species. The theoretical analyses also show strong interactions between the Ti-Ti bond and the empty s orbitals of the Al atom of the AlH₂ XL fragments, which behave as σ-accepting (Z-type) ligands. Analogous reactions of [TiCp*X₃ ] with LiBH₄ (2 and 3 equiv.) in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature and at 85 °C lead to the titanium(III) compounds [{TiCp*(BH₄ )(μ-X)}₂ ] (X=Cl, Br) and [{TiCp*(BH₄ )(μ-BH₄ )}₂ ], respectively. The treatment of [TiCp*Me₃ ] with 4 and 5 equiv. of BH₃ (thf) produces the diamagnetic [{TiCp*(BH₃ Me)}₂ (μ-B₂ H₆ )] and paramagnetic [{TiCp*(μ-B₂ H₆ )}₂ ] complexes, respectively.

Metal Borohydrides beyond Groups I and II: A Review

This review consists of a compilation of synthesis methods and several properties of borohydrides beyond Groups I and II, i.e., transition metals, main group, lanthanides, and actinides. The reported properties include crystal structure, decomposition temperature, ionic conductivity, photoluminescence, etc., when available. The compiled properties reflect the rich chemistry and possible borohydrides’ application in areas such as hydrogen storage, electronic devices that require an ionic conductor, catalysis, or photoluminescence. At the end of the review, two short but essential sections are included: a compilation of the decomposition temperature of all reported borohydrides versus the Pauling electronegativity of the cations, and a brief discussion of the possible reactions occurring during diborane emission, including some strategies to reduce this inconvenience, particularly for hydrogen storage purposes.

Using electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry to explore formation and gas-phase chemistry of silver nanoclusters generated from the reaction of silver salts with NaBH4 in the presence of bis(diphenylarsino)methane

Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) of mixtures of AgBF4 or AgNO3 with the capping ligand bis(diphenylarsino)methane ((Ph2 As)2 CH2 = dpam) in a solution of acetonitrile revealed the formation of the following cations: [Ag(CH3 CN)(dpam)]+ , [Ag(dpam)2 ]+ , [Ag2 (Cl)(dpam)2 ]+ , and [Ag3 (Cl)2 (dpam)3 ]+ . Addition of NaBH4 to these solutions results in the formation of the cluster cations [Ag2 (BH4 )(dpam)2 ]+ , [Ag2 (BH4 )(dpam)3 ]+ , [Ag3 (H)(BH4 )(dpam)3 ]+ , [Ag3 (BH4 )2 (dpam)3 ]+ , [Ag3 (H)(Cl)(dpam)3 ]+ , and [Ag3 (I)(BH4 )(dpam)3 ]+ , as established by ESI-MS. Use of NaBD4 confirmed that borohydride is the source of the hydride in these clusters. An Orbitrap Fusion LUMOS mass spectrometer was used to explore the gas-phase unimolecular chemistry of selected clusters via multistage mass spectrometry (MSn ) experiments employing low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) and high-energy collision-induced dissociation (HCD) experiments. The borohydride containing clusters fragment via two competing pathways: (i) ligand loss and (ii) B-H bond activation involving BH3 loss. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to calculate the energetics of the optimized structures for all precursor ions, fragment ions, and neutrals and to estimate the reaction endothermicities. Generally, there is reasonable agreement between the most abundant product ion formed and the predicted endothermicity of the associated reaction channel. The DFT calculations predicted that the novel dimer [Ag2 (BH4 )(dpam)2 ]+ has a paddlewheel structure in which the dpam and BH4 - ligands bridge both silver centers.

Organometallic Zirconium Compounds in an Oxygen-Rich Coordination Environment: Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroboratozirconium Compounds

A series of tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, which serve as L₂X [O₃] donors, have been employed to obtain organometallic zirconium compounds in an uncommon oxygen-rich coordination environment. For example, Cp[To^MeBenz]ZrCl₂ has been synthesized via the reaction of [To^MeBenz]Na with CpZrCl₃ and bears a structural resemblance to the bent metallocene dichloride derivative Cp₂ZrCl₂. In addition, the half-sandwich counterparts [To^MeBenz]ZrCl₃ and [To^But]ZrCl₃ have been obtained by metathesis of ZrCl₄ with [To^MeBenz]Na and [To^But]Na, respectively. The structurally related zirconium benzyl compounds [To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₃ (R = Me, Bu^t, 1-Ad) have also been synthesized via the reactions of [To^RBenz]Tl with Zr(CH₂Ph)₄, and X-ray diffraction studies demonstrate that the benzyl ligands in these compounds are conformationally flexible and exhibit a large range of Zr-CH₂-Ph bond angles (94.7-131.7°). Protolytic cleavage of one of the benzyl ligands of [To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₃ (R = Bu^t, 1-Ad) may be achieved by treatment with [PhNHMe₂][B(C₆F₅)₄] to generate {[To^RBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂}[B(C₆F₅)₄], which are catalysts for the polymerization of ethylene. The molecular structure of the ether adduct, {[To^ButBenz]Zr(CH₂Ph)₂(OEt₂)}[B(C₆F₅)₄], has been determined by X-ray diffraction. In addition to the use of tris(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands, bis(oxoimidazolyl)hydroborato ligands have also been used to obtain zirconium benzyl compounds in oxygen-rich environments, namely, [Bo^MeBenz]₂Zr(CH₂Ph)₂ and [Bo^AdBenz]₂Zr(CH₂Ph)₂.

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.

Synthesis, structure and gas-phase reactivity of the mixed silver hydride borohydride nanocluster [Ag3(μ3-H)(μ3-BH4)L(Ph)3]BF4 (L(Ph) = bis(diphenylphosphino)methane)

Borohydrides react with silver salts to give products that span multiple scales ranging from discrete mononuclear compounds through to silver nanoparticles and colloids. The cluster cations [Ag3(H)(BH4)L3](+) are observed upon electrospray ionization mass spectrometry of solutions containing sodium borohydride, silver(I) tetrafluoroborate and bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (L(Me)) or bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (L(Ph)). By adding NaBH4 to an acetonitrile solution of AgBF4 and L(Ph), cooled to ca. -10 °C, we have been able to isolate the first mixed silver hydride borohydride nanocluster, [Ag3(μ3-H)(μ3-BH4)L(Ph)3]BF4, and structurally characterise it via X-ray crystallography. Combined gas-phase experiments (L(Me) and L(Ph)) and DFT calculations (L(Me)) reveal how loss of a ligand from the cationic complexes [Ag3(H)(BH4)L3](+) provides a change in geometry that facilitates subsequent loss of BH3 to produce the dihydride clusters, [Ag3(H)2Ln](+) (n = 1 and 2). Together with the results of previous studies (Girod et al., Chem. - Eur. J., 2014, 20, 16626), this provides a direct link between mixed silver hydride/borohydride nanoclusters, silver hydride nanoclusters, and silver nanoclusters.

Sodium borohydride stabilizes very active gold nanoparticle catalysts

Long-term stable 3 nm gold nanoparticles are prepared by a simple reaction between HAuCl4 and sodium borohydride in water under ambient conditions which very efficiently catalyze 4-nitrophenol reduction to 4-nitroaniline.

Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Co(II) and Ni(II) PCP Pincer Borohydride Complexes

The 15e square-planar complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (2a) and [Co(PCP-tBu)Cl] (2b), respectively, react readily with NaBH4 to afford complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Co(PCP-tBu)(η2-BH4)] (4b) in high yields, as confirmed by IR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. The borohydride ligand is symmetrically bound to the cobalt center in η2-fashion. These compounds are paramagnetic with effective magnetic moments of 2.0(1) and 2.1(1) μB consistent with a d7 low-spin system corresponding to one unpaired electron. None of these complexes reacted with CO2 to give formate complexes. For structural and reactivity comparisons, we prepared the analogous Ni(II) borohydride complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) via two different synthetic routes. One utilizes [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)Cl] (3) and NaBH4, the second one makes use of the hydride complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)H] (6) and BH3·THF. In both cases, 5 is obtained in high yields. In contrast to 4a and 4b, the borohydride ligand is asymmetrically bound to the nickel center but still in an η2-mode. [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) loses readily BH3 at elevated temperatures in the presence of NEt3 to form 6. Complexes 5 and 6 are both diamagnetic and were characterized by a combination of 1H, 13C{1H}, and 31P{1H} NMR, IR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Additionally, the structure of these compounds was established by X-ray crystallography. Complexes 5 and 6 react with CO2 to give the formate complex [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(OC(C=O)H] (7). The extrusion of BH3 from [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) with the aid of NH3 to yield the respective hydride complexes [Co(PCPMe-iPr)H] and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)H] (6) and BH3NH3 was investigated by DFT calculations showing that formation of the Ni hydride is thermodynamically favorable, whereas the formation of the Co(II) hydride, in agreement with the experiment, is unfavorable. The electronic structures and the bonding of the borohydride ligand in [Co(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (4a) and [Ni(PCPMe-iPr)(η2-BH4)] (5) were established by DFT computations.

Nickel(II) hydride and fluoride pincer complexes and their reactivity with Lewis acids BX3·L (X = H, L = thf; X = F, L = Et2O)

Reaction of the pincer hydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(H) [(tBu)PCP = 2,6-C(6)H(3)(CH(2)P(t)Bu(2))(2)] with BH(3)·thf in THF at 190 K generates the corresponding borohydride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BH(4)). The kinetically stable (but thermodynamically unstable) species undergoes reversible borane loss. The related fluoride complex ((tBu)PCP)Ni(F) shows the same reactivity towards BF(3)·Et(2)O, producing ((tBu)PCP)Ni(BF(4)) as the main final product. The processes were followed through multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations, at the M06//6-31+G(d,p) level of theory.

Probing mesitylborane and mesitylborate ligation within the coordination sphere of Cp*Ru(P(i)Pr3)+: a combined synthetic, X-ray crystallographic, and computational study

The reaction of Cp*Ru(P(i)Pr(3))Cl (1) with MesBH(2) (Mes = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl) afforded the mesitylborate complex Cp*Ru(P(i)Pr(3))(BH(2)MesCl) (2, 66%). Exposure of 2 to the chloride abstracting agent LiB(C(6)F(5))(4)·2.5OEt(2) provided [Cp*Ru(P(i)Pr(3))(BH(2)Mes)](+)B(C(6)F(5))(4)(-) (3, 54%), which features an unusual η(2)-B-H monoborane ligand. The related borate complex Cp*Ru(P(i)Pr(3))(BH(3)Mes) (5, 65%) was prepared from 1 and LiH(3)BMes. Attempts to effect the insertion of unsaturated organic substrates into the B-H bonds of 3 were unsuccessful, and efforts to dehydrohalogenate 2 using KO(t)Bu instead afforded the mesitylborate complex Cp*(P(i)Pr(3))Ru(BH(2)MesOH) (6, 48%). Treatment of 1 with benzyl potassium generated an intermediate hydridoruthenium complex (7) resulting from dehydrogenation of a P(i)Pr fragment, which in turn was observed to react with MesBH(2) to afford the mesitylborate complex Cp*(P((i)Pr)(2)(CH(3)CCH(2)))Ru(BH(3)Mes) (8, 47%). Crystallographic characterization data are provided for 2, 3, 5, 6, and 8. A combined X-ray crystallographic and density functional theory (DFT) investigation of 3 and 5, using Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) and Atoms in Molecules (AIM) analysis, revealed that 3 and 5 are best described as donor-acceptor complexes between a Cp*(P(i)Pr(3))Ru(+) fragment and a bis(η(2)-B-H) coordinating mesitylborane(borate) ligand. Significant σ-donation from the B-H bonds into the Ru(II) center exists as evidenced by the NBO populations, bond orders, and AIM delocalization indices. In the case of 3, the vacant p orbital on boron is stabilized by Ru→B π back-donation as well as by resonance with the mesityl group.

Synthetic approaches to inorganic borohydrides

Inorganic borohydrides are actively studied in view of potential hydrogen storage applications. These compounds can be obtained by a variety of reactions ranging from high temperature reactions of the elements to exchange reactions in solution or in solid state. Different approaches will be discussed and compared.