Substitution and Redox Chemistry of [Bu(4)N](2)[Ta(6)Cl(12)(OSO(2)CF(3))(6)]

From Solid-State Cluster Compounds to Functional PMMA-Based Composites with UV and NIR Blocking Properties, and Tuned Hues

New nanocomposite materials with UV-NIR blocking properties and hues ranging from green to brown were prepared by integrating inorganic tantalum octahedral cluster building blocks prepared via solid-state chemistry in a PMMA matrix. After the synthesis by the solid-state chemical reaction of the K₄[{Ta₆Brⁱ₁₂}Br^a₆] ternary halide, built-up from [{Ta₆Brⁱ₁₂}Br^a₆]^4- anionic building blocks, and potassium cations, the potassium cations were replaced by functional organic cations (Kat⁺) bearing a methacrylate function. The resulting intermediate, (Kat)₂[{Ta₆Brⁱ₁₂}Br^a₆], was then incorporated homogeneously by copolymerization with MMA into transparent PMMA matrices to form a brown transparent hybrid composite Ta@PMMA_brown. The color of the composites was tuned by controlling the charge and consequently the oxidation state of the cluster building block. Ta@PMMA_green was obtained through the two-electron reduction of the [{Ta₆Brⁱ₁₂}Br^a₆]^2- building blocks from Ta@PMMA_brown in solution. Indeed, the control of the oxidation state of the Ta₆ cluster inorganic building blocks occurred inside the copolymer, which not only allowed the tuning of the optical properties of the composite in the visible region but also allowed the tuning of its UV and NIR blocking properties.

Unprecedented electron-poor octahedral Ta(6) clusters in a solid-state compound: synthesis, characterisations and theoretical investigations of Cs(2)BaTa(6)Br(15)O(3)

The crystal structure of Cs2BaTa6Br15O3 has been elucidated by using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and absorption experiments. It is built from edge-bridged octahedral [(Ta6Bri9Oi3)Bra6]4− cluster units with a singular poor metallic electron (ME) count equal to thirteen. This leads to a paramagnetic behaviour related to one unpaired electron. The arrangement of the Ta6 clusters is similar to that of Cs2LaTa6Br15O3 exhibiting 14-MEs per [(Ta6Bri9Oi3)Bra6]5− motif. The poorer electron-count cluster presents longer metal–metal distances as foreseen according to the electronic structure of edge-bridged hexanuclear cluster. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on molecular models were used to rationalise the structural properties of 13- and 14-ME clusters. Periodic DFT calculations demonstrate that the electronic structure of these solid-state compounds is related to those of the discrete octahedral units. Oxygen–barium interactions seem to prevent the geometry of the octahedral cluster to strongly distort, allowing stabilisation of this unprecedented electron-poor Ta6 cluster in the solid state.

Using EPR to follow reversible dihydrogen addition to paramagnetic clusters of high hydride count: [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(12)](+) and [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(14)](+)

A combined structural/EPR/computational chemistry investigation is reported on the two paramagnetic hydrido-cluster salts [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(12)][BAr(F)(4)] and [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(14)][BAr(F)(4)], the latter being formed by reversible addition of H(2) to the former, [BAr(F)(4)](-) = [B{C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)}(4)](-). The solid-state structure of [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(14)][BAr(F)(4)] shows an expanded cluster core compared to previously reported [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(12)][BAr(F)(4)] indicative of the addition of hydrogen to the cluster surface. This expansion correlates well with the calculated (PH(3) replaces PCy(3)) structures. EPR measurements on [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(12)][BAr(F)(4)] indicate two isomers at low temperature, which are tentatively assigned as diastereomers that result from locked phosphine rotation and bridging hydride/semi bridging hydride tautomerism. The EPR signal disappears above 60 K which is suggested to occur due to fast Raman-type relaxation-a phenomenon consistent with the calculated small SOMO/SOMO - 1 and SOMO/LUMO gaps. For [Rh(6)(PCy(3))(6)H(14)][BAr(F)(4)] EPR measurements indicate two isomers, the proportion of which change with temperature and deuteration-one axial isomer and one rhombic isomer. DFT calculations on a number of plausible isomers give EPR parameters which fit the experimentally determined rhombic isomer to one in which there is an interstitial hydride in the cluster and thirteen hydride ligands on the surface, while the axial isomer has two dihydrogen-like ligands on the cluster surface. That these isomers lie close in energy comes from both the EPR measurements (as measured from equilibrium constants over a variable temperature range) and DFT calculations. Deuteration of the hydrides should favour the isomer with the lowest zero-point energy and this is the case, with the axial isomer (two D(2) ligands on the surface) being favoured over the rhombic.

Sequential Reduction of High Hydride Count Octahedral Rhodium Clusters [Rh6(PR3)6H12][BArF4]2: Redox-Switchable Hydrogen Storage

Cyclic voltammetry on the octahedral rhodium clusters with 12 bridging hydride ligands, [Rh6(PR3)6H12][BArF4]2 (R = Cy Cy-[H12]2+, R = iPr iPr-[H12]2+; [BArF4]- = [B{C6H3(CF3)2}4]-) reveals four potentially accessible redox states: [Rh6(PR3)6H12]0/1+/2+/3+. Chemical oxidation did not produce stable species, but reduction of Cy-[H12]2+ using Cr(eta6-C6H6)2 resulted in the isolation of Cy-[H12]+. X-ray crystallography and electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) show this to be a monocation, while EPR and NMR measurements confirm that it is a monoradical, S = 1/2, species. Consideration of the electron population of the frontier molecular orbitals is fully consistent with this assignment. A further reduction is mediated by Co(eta5-C5H5)2. In this case the cleanest reduction was observed with the tri-isopropyl phosphine cluster, to afford neutral iPr-[H12]. X-ray crystallography confirms this to be neutral, while NMR and magnetic measurements (SQUID) indicate an S =1 paramagnetic ground state. The clusters Cy-[H12]+ and iPr-[H12] both take up H2 to afford Cy-[H14]+ and iPr-[H14], respectively, which have been characterized by ESI-MS, NMR spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Inspection of the frontier molecular orbitals of S = 1 iPr-[H12] suggest that addition of H2 should form a diamagnetic species, and this is the case. The possibility of "spin blocking" in this H2 uptake is also discussed. Electrochemical investigations on the previously reported Cy-[H16]2+ [J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2006, 128, 6247] show an irreversible loss of H2 on reduction, presumably from an unstable Cy-[H16]+ species. This then forms Cy-[H12]2+ on oxidation which can be recharged with H2 to form Cy-[H16]2+. We show that this loss of H2 is kinetically fast (on the millisecond time scale). Loss of H2 upon reduction has also been followed using chemical reductants and ESI-MS. This facile, reusable gain and loss of 2 equiv of H2 using a simple one-electron redox switch represents a new method of hydrogen storage. Although the overall storage capacity is very low (0.1%) the attractive conditions of room temperature and pressure, actuation by the addition of a single electron, and rapid desorption kinetics make this process of interest for future H2 storage applications.

Preparation and substitution chemistry of [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(p-OSO2C6H4CH3)6]. A useful precursor for pseudohalide, acetate, and organometallic complexes containing the [W6Cl8](4+) core

The tosylate (p-toluenesulfonate) cluster [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(p-OSO2C6H4CH3)6] (1) has been prepared and characterized by IR and NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and an X-ray crystal structure. This cluster complex is shown to be a useful starting material for the preparation of pseudohalide clusters, [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(NCQ)6] (Q = O (2), S (3), and Se (4)), in high yields. Cluster 1 also serves as a precursor to the new cluster compounds: [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(O2CCH3)6] (5), [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8((mu-NC)Mn(CO)2(C5H5))6] (6), [W6Cl8((mu-NC)Ru(PPh3)2(C5H5))6][ p-OSO2C6H4CH3]4 (7), and [W6Cl8((mu-NC)Os(PPh3)2(C5H5))6][ p-OSO2C6H4CH3]4 (8). X-ray crystal structures are reported for 1, 4, and 5.

Synthesis, characterization, and substitution chemistry of [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(OSO2CF3)6]. A versatile precursor for axially substituted clusters containing the (W6Cl8)4+ core

The new cluster [Bu4N]2[W6Cl8(OSO2CF3)6] (1) has been prepared and structurally characterized. This material is an effective precursor for the generation of cluster ions with the general formula [W6C18L6]n (L = Cl-, Br-, I-, NCS-, NCO-, NCSe-, and O=PPh3; n = 2- or 4+). The last three clusters are new. The products have been characterized by IR spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and FAB mass spectrometry. In addition to 1, the products [Bu4N]2[W6C18(NCS)6] (5) and [Bu4N]2[W6C18(NCO)6] (7) were structurally characterized. Crystal data for 1: space group, P2(1/c) (No. 14); a = 11.116(5) A; b = 27.952(1) A; c = 24.516(1) A; beta = 95.182(9) degrees; V = 7586.3(5) A3; Z = 4. Crystal data for 5: space group, P2(1/n) (No. 14); a = 11.3323(9) A; b = 12.3404(9) A; c = 44.583(3) A; beta = 97.089(1) degrees ; V = 6187.1(7) A3; Z = 4. Crystal data for 7: space group, P1 (No. 2); a = 11.8009(8) A; b = 11.9332(8) A; c = 11.9522(8) A; alpha = 77.904(1) degrees; beta = 95.182(9) degrees; gamma = 62.574(1) degrees V = 1450.5(2) A3; Z = 1.