The reactions of sulfur and selenium donor molecules with dihalogens and interhalogens

Formation, Characterization, and Bonding of cis- and trans-[PtCl2{Te(CH2)6}2], cis-trans-[Pt3Cl6{Te(CH2)6}4], and cis-trans-[Pt4Cl8{Te(CH2)6}4]: Experimental and DFT Study

[PtCl2{Te(CH2)6}2] (1) was synthesized from the cyclic telluroether Te(CH2)6 and cis-[PtCl2(NCPh)2] in dichloromethane at room temperature under the exclusion of light. The crystal structure determination showed that in the solid state, 1 crystallizes as yellow plate-like crystals of the cis-isomer 1cis and the orange-red interwoven needles of 1trans. The crystals could be separated under the microscope. NMR experiments showed that upon dissolution of the crystals of 1cis in CDCl3, it isomerizes and forms a dynamic equilibrium with the trans-isomer 1trans that becomes the predominant species. Small amounts of cis-trans-[Pt3Cl6{Te(CH2)6}4] (2) and cis-trans-[Pt4Cl8{Te(CH2)6}4] (3) were also formed and structurally characterized. Both compounds show rare bridging telluroether ligands and two different platinum coordination environments, one exhibiting a cis-Cl/cis-Te(CH2)6 arrangement and the other a trans-Cl/trans-Te(CH2)6 arrangement. Complex 2 has an open structure with two terminal and two bridging telluroether ligands, whereas complex 3 has a cyclic structure with four Te(CH2)6 bridging ligands. The bonding and formation of the complexes have been discussed through the use of DFT calculations combined with QTAIM analysis. The recrystallization of the mixture of the 1:1 reaction from d6-DMSO afforded [PtCl2{S(O)(CD3)2}{Te(CH2)6}] (4) that could also be characterized both structurally and spectroscopically.

Functional Ionic Liquid Polymer Stabilizer for High-Performance Perovskite Photovoltaics

The stability-related issues arising from the perovskite precursor inks, films, device structures and interdependence remain severely under-explored to date. Herein, we designed an ionic-liquid polymer (poly[Se-MI][BF₄ ]), containing functional moieties like carbonyl (C=O), selenium (Se⁺ ), and tetrafluoroborate (BF₄ ^- ) ions, to stabilize the whole device fabrication process. The C=O and Se⁺ can coordinate with lead and iodine (I^- ) ions to stabilize lead polyhalide colloids and the compositions of the perovskite precursor inks for over two months. The Se⁺ anchored on grain boundaries and the defects passivated by BF₄ ^- efficiently suppress the dissociation and migration of I^- in perovskite films. Benefiting from the synergistic effects of poly[Se-MI][BF₄ ], high efficiencies of 25.10 % and 20.85 % were exhibited by a 0.062-cm² device and 15.39-cm² module, respectively. The devices retained over 90 % of their initial efficiency under operation for 2200 h.

Reactions of N-heterocyclic carbene-based chalcogenoureas with halogens: a diverse range of outcomes

We have investigated the reactions of chalcogenoureas derived from N-heterocyclic carbenes, referred to here as [E(NHC)], with halogens. Depending on the structure of the chalcogenourea and the identity of the halogen, a diverse range of reactivity was observed and a corresponding range of structures was obtained. Cyclic voltammetry was carried out to characterise the oxidation and reduction potentials of these [E(NHC)] species; selenoureas were found to be easier to oxidise than the corresponding thioureas. In some cases, a correlation was found between the oxidation potential of these compounds and the electronic properties of the corresponding NHC. The reactivity of these chalcogenoureas with different halogenating reagents (Br₂, SO₂Cl₂, I₂) was then investigated, and products were characterised using NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. X-ray analyses elucidated the solid-state coordination types of the obtained products, showing that a variety of possible adducts can be obtained. In some cases, we were able to extrapolate a structure/activity correlation to explain the observed trends in reactivity and oxidation potentials.

Charge-Transfer Adducts of Chalcogenourea Derivatives of N-Heterocyclic Carbenes with Iodine Monochloride

In this communication, we investigate the reaction between seleno- and thiourea, derived from N-heterocyclic carbenes, with the interhalogen iodine monochloride. The formation of all three products was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy, while single-crystal X-ray analyses were able to establish a charge-transfer coordination type, which showed a linear Se/S-I-Cl arrangement, for all adducts formed. Based on a detailed crystallographic analysis, we can deduce the zwitterionic character of these compounds.

A new assembly of diiodine molecules at the 1,3-dimethylimidazole-2-thione (Me2ImS) template: crystal structure of (Me2ImS)2·(I2)5

The poly(I2) adduct [(Me2ImS)2·(I2)5] has been synthesised using a two-step process. The FT-Raman spectrum and MEP maps are discussed.

Synthesis of Functionalized Chiral Imidazole Derivatives Based on a Bornane Skeleton Bearing a Sterically Crowded Spirocyclic Substituent at the C-3 Position

10-Imidazolylbornane-2-one bearing a sterically crowded spirocyclic substituent at the C-3 position was prepared from d-camphor through the procedure involving the formation of 10-bromobornane-2-thiones or 10-iodobornane-2-thiones and the subsequent conversion into the corresponding 10-imidazolylbornane-2-thiones followed by an efficient oxidative S-O exchange via thione S-oxides.

NHCs in Main Group Chemistry

Since the discovery of the first stable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) in the beginning of the 1990s, these divalent carbon species have become a common and available class of compounds, which have found numerous applications in academic and industrial research. Their important role as two-electron donor ligands, especially in transition metal chemistry and catalysis, is difficult to overestimate. In the past decade, there has been tremendous research attention given to the chemistry of low-coordinate main group element compounds. Significant progress has been achieved in stabilization and isolation of such species as Lewis acid/base adducts with highly tunable NHC ligands. This has allowed investigation of numerous novel types of compounds with unique electronic structures and opened new opportunities in the rational design of novel organic catalysts and materials. This Review gives a general overview of this research, basic synthetic approaches, key features of NHC-main group element adducts, and might be useful for the broad research community.

Structural diversity in the products formed by the reactions of 2-arylselanyl pyridine derivatives and dihalogens

The presence of competing donor sites in L1–L4 influences their reactivity towards dihalogens and interhalogens.

Hydrogen- and halogen-bond cooperativity in determining the crystal packing of dihalogen charge-transfer adducts: a study case from heterocyclic pentatomic chalcogenone donors

A synergic cooperation between HB and XB interactions determines the supramolecular architectures in dihalogen CT adducts of hydantoin-like chalcogen donors.

Transition metal mediated formation of dicationic diselenides stabilised by N-heterocyclic carbenes: designed synthesis

Designed syntheses of dicationic diselenides have been developed by (i) reduction of dihaloselones (routes A and B) and (ii) by oxidation of selone adducts of metal halides (route C).

Halogen bonds with coordinative nature: halogen bonding in a S–I+–S iodonium complex

A thorough characterization of unusually strong I⁺–S halogen bonds indicates that halogen bonding is not merely an electrostatic contact but also has a strong coordinative nature, thus expanding the scope of halogen bonding.

Decomposition of benzoylthioureas into benzamides and thiobenzamides under solvent-free conditions using iodine–alumina as the catalyst and its mechanistic study by density functional theory

Iodine–alumina catalyzed formation of benzamides and thiobenzamides through different paths by the microwave irradiation of benzoylthioureas.

Modification of the supramolecular structure of [(thione)IY] (Y = Cl, Br) systems by cooperation of strong halogen bonds and hydrogen bonds

Strong halogen bonds and hydrogen bonds cooperated to control the supramolecular structures of [(thione)IY] (Y = Cl, Br) compounds.

Fundamental chemistry of iodine. The reaction of di-iodine towards thiourea and its methyl-derivative: formation of aminothiazoles and aminothiadiazoles through dicationic disulfides

The reactivity of di-iodine towards thiourea (TU) and its derivative methylthiourea (MeTU) is studied. A diversity of products was obtained from these reactions.

1-Methyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-benzimidazole-2-selone

The title compound C₈H₈N₂Se, is the product of the reaction of 2-chloro-1-methyl­benzimidazole with sodium hydro­selenide. The mol­ecule is almost planar (r.m.s. deviation = 0.041 Å) owing to the presence of the long chain of conjugated bonds (Se=C—NMe—C=C—C=C—C=C—NH). The C=Se bond length [1.838 (2) Å] corresponds well to those found in the close analogs and indicates its pronounced double-bond character. In the crystal, mol­ecules form helicoidal chains along the b axis by means of N—H⋯Se hydrogen bonds.

A unique case of oxidative addition of interhalogens IX (X=Cl, Br) to organodiselone ligands: nature of the chemical bonding in asymmetric I-Se-X polarised hypervalent systems

The reactivity of the imidazoline-2-selone derivatives 1,1'-methylenebis(3-methyl-4-imidazoline-2-selone) (D1) and 1,2-ethylenebis(3-methyl-4-imidazoline-2-selone) (D2) towards the interhalogens IBr and ICl has been investigated in the solid state with the aim of synthesising "T-shaped" hypervalent chalcogen compounds featuring the extremely rare linear asymmetric I-E-X moieties (E=S, Se; X=Br, Cl). X-ray diffraction analysis and FT-Raman measurements provided a clear indication of the presence in the compounds obtained of discrete molecular adducts containing I-Se-Br and I-Se-Cl hypervalent moieties following a unique oxidative addition of interhalogens IX (X=Cl, Br) to the organoselone ligands. In all asymmetric hypervalent systems isolated, a strong polarisation was observed, with longer bond lengths at the selenium atom involving the most electronegative halogen. A topological electron density analysis on model compounds based on the quantum theory of atoms-in-molecules (QTAIM) and electron localisation function (ELF) established the three-centre-four-electron (3c-4e) nature of the bonding in these very polarised selenium hypervalent systems and new criteria were suggested to define and ascertain the hypervalency of the selenium atoms in these and related halogen and interhalogen adducts.

The nature of the interaction of organoselenium molecules with diiodine

The electronic structure of charge-transfer complexes of organoselenium compounds with diiodine has been studied at several levels of theory (Hartree-Fock, second order Møller-Plesset, and density functional theory). The complexation energies, optimized geometries, and the topology of the electron density and its Laplacian distribution, including domain averaged properties, have been analyzed. Special attention was paid to the influence of basis set superposition error on the energy of complexation. A tendency of organoselenium molecules to form more covalent intermolecular bonds with electron acceptors than with nitrogen atoms or other conventional electron donors has been revealed. The changes in atomic charges under complexation follow the main trends expected for the charge transfer. By means of the interacting quantum atoms (IQA) approach it has been found that the Se···I interaction is dominated by its quantum mechanical exchange-correlation contribution, the electrostatic interaction having a minor, repulsive role. IQA data have also been used to explain the value of the Se···I-I valence angle, as well as the topological charges on the iodine atoms in the complexes studied.

Aminothiocarbamate-catalyzed asymmetric bromolactonization of 1,2-disubstituted olefinic acids

An efficient and enantioselective bromolactonization of 1,2-disubstituted olefinic acids using an amino-thiocarbamate catalyst has been developed, resulting in the formation of δ-lactones containing two chiral centers with up to 99% yield, 95% ee.