Noble Gas−Transition Metal Complexes: Coordination of ScO+ by Multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe Atoms in Noble Gas Matrixes

In silico capture of noble gas atoms with a light atom molecule

Noble gas atoms (Ng = He, Ne, Ar, and Kr) can be captured in silico with a light atom molecule containing only C, H, Si, O, and B atoms. Extensive density functional theory (DFT) calculations on series of peri-substituted scaffolds indicate that confined spaces (voids) capable to energy efficiently encapsulate and bind Ng atoms are accessible by design of a tripodal peri-substituted ligand, namely, [(5-Ph₂B-xan-4-)₃Si]H (xan = xanthene) comprising (after hydride abstraction) four Lewis acidic sites within the cationic structure [(5-Ph₂B-xan-4-)₃Si]⁺. The host (ligand system) thereby provides an adoptive environment for the guest (Ng atom) to accommodate for its particular size. Whereas considerable chemical interactions are detectable between the ligand system and the heavier Ng atoms Kr and Ar in the host guest complex [(5-Ph₂B-xan-4-)₃Si·Ng]⁺, the lighter Ng atoms Ne and He are rather tolerated by the ligand system instead of being chemically bound to it, nicely highlighting the gradual onset of (weak) chemical bonding along the series He to Kr. A variety of real-space bonding indicators (RSBIs) derived from the calculated electron and pair densities provides valuable insight to the situation of an "isolated atom in a molecule" in case of He, uncovering its size and shape, whereas minute charge rearrangements caused by polarization of the outer electron shell of the larger Ng atoms results in formation of polarized interactions for Ar and Kr with non-negligible covalent bond contributions for Kr. The present study shows that noble gas atoms can be trapped by small light-atom molecules without the forceful conditions necessary using cage structures such as fullerenes, boranes and related compounds or by using super-electrophilic sites like [B₁₂(CN)₁₁]^- if the chelating effect of several Lewis acidic sites within one molecule is employed.

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopic investigation of TMO(CO)n+ (TM = Sc, Y, La): testing the 18-electron rule

Gaseous TMO(CO)_n⁺ (TM = Sc, Y, La) complex cations prepared via laser vaporization were mass-selected and studied by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the C-O stretching frequency region. The structures and vibrational frequencies were calculated by density functional theory to support and interpret the experimental results. The saturated coordination number of CO ligands for ScO(CO)_n⁺, YO(CO)_n⁺ and LaO(CO)_n⁺ was demonstrated to be six, seven and nine, respectively, namely, the nominal 18-, 20- and 24-electron gaseous cation complexes were synthesized. Based on our analysis of the electronic structure, the YO(CO)₇⁺ complex also obeys the 18-electron rule, since one of the occupied valence molecular orbitals is formed only by ligand orbitals. The contribution of 4f orbitals in LaO(CO)₉⁺ accounts for its high coordination number with a 24-electron valence shell.

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopic studies of ScO(H2O)n=1–3Ar+ cluster cations: solvation induced reaction of ScO+ and water

We investigate the gaseous ScO(H₂O)_1–3Ar⁺ cations prepared by laser vaporization coupled with supersonic molecular beam using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the O–H stretching region.

Metal Cluster Models for Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Matrix-Isolation Perspective

Metal cluster models are of high relevance for establishing new mechanistic concepts for heterogeneous catalysis. The high reactivity and particular selectivity of metal clusters is caused by the wealth of low-lying electronically excited states that are often thermally populated. Thereby the metal clusters are flexible with regard to their electronic structure and can adjust their states to be appropriate for the reaction with a particular substrate. The matrix isolation technique is ideally suited for studying excited state reactivity. The low matrix temperatures (generally 4-40 K) of the noble gas matrix host guarantee that all clusters are in their electronic ground-state (with only a very few exceptions). Electronically excited states can then be selectively populated and their reactivity probed. Unfortunately, a systematic research in this direction has not been made up to date. The purpose of this review is to provide the grounds for a directed approach to understand cluster reactivity through matrix-isolation studies combined with quantum chemical calculations.

Noble gas supported boron-pentagonal clusters B5Ngn3+: exploring the structures and bonding

A novel type of trivalent BNg five-membered cational species B₅Ng_n³⁺(Ng = He~Rn, n = 1~5) has been found and investigated theoretically using the B3LYP and MP2 methods with the def2-QZVPPD and def2-TZVPPD basis sets. The geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, bond energies, charge distribution, bond nature, aromaticity, and energy decomposition analysis of these structures were reported. The calculated B-Ng bond energy is quite large (the averaged bond energy is in the range of 209.2~585.76 kJ mol^-1) for heavy rare gases and increases with the Ng atomic number. The analyses of the molecular wavefunction show that in the BNg compounds of heavy Ng atoms Ar~Rn, the B-Ng bonds are of typical covalent character. Nuclear independent chemical shifts display that both B₅³⁺ and B₅Ng_n³⁺(n=1~5) have obvious aromaticity. Energy decomposition analysis shows that these BNg compounds are mainly stabilized by the σ-donation from the Ng valence p orbital to the B₅³⁺ LUMO. These findings offer valuable clues toward the design and synthesis of new stable Ng-containing compounds.

Pentavalent lanthanide nitride-oxides: NPrO and NPrO- complexes with N≡Pr triple bonds

The neutral molecule NPrO and its anion NPrO^- are produced via co-condensation of laser-ablated praseodymium atoms with nitric oxide in a solid neon matrix. Combined infrared spectroscopy and state-of-the-art quantum chemical calculations confirm that both species are pentavalent praseodymium nitride-oxides with linear structures that contain Pr≡N triple bonds and Pr=O double bonds. Electronic structure studies show that the neutral NPrO molecule features a 4f⁰ electron configuration and a Pr(v) oxidation state similar to that of the isoelectronic PrO₂⁺ ion, while its NPrO^- anion possesses a 4f¹ electron configuration and a Pr(iv) oxidation state. The neutral NPrO molecule is thus a rare lanthanide nitride-oxide species with a Pr(v) oxidation state, which follows the recent identification of the first Pr(v) oxidation state in the PrO₂⁺ and PrO₄ complexes (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 2016, 55, 6896). This finding indicates that lanthanide compounds with oxidation states of higher than +IV are richer in chemistry than previously recognized.

Pentavalent Lanthanide Compounds: Formation and Characterization of Praseodymium(V) Oxides

The chemistry of lanthanides (Ln=La-Lu) is dominated by the low-valent +3 or +2 oxidation state because of the chemical inertness of the valence 4f electrons. The highest known oxidation state of the whole lanthanide series is +4 for Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, and Dy. We report the formation of the lanthanide oxide species PrO4 and PrO2 (+) complexes in the gas phase and in a solid noble-gas matrix. Combined infrared spectroscopic and advanced quantum chemistry studies show that these species have the unprecedented Pr(V) oxidation state, thus demonstrating that the pentavalent state is viable for lanthanide elements in a suitable coordination environment.

Matrix isolation infrared spectra, assignment and DFT investigation on reactions of iron and manganese monoxides with CH3Cl

The reactions of iron and manganese monoxide molecules (FeO, and MnO) with monochloromethane in solid argon have been studied by matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemistry calculations. When annealing, the reactions of FeO and MnO with CH3Cl first form the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes, which can isomerize to CH3MOCl (MMn, Fe) upon 300<λ<580 nm irradiation. The products were characterized by isotopic IR studies with CD3Cl and (13)CH3Cl and density functional calculations. Based on theoretical calculations, the OFe-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) and OMn-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) complexes have (5)A' and (6)A' ground state with Cs symmetry, respectively. The accurate CCSD(T) single point calculations illustrate the CH3MOCl isomerism are 13.8 and 3.1 kcal/mol lower in energy than the OM-(η(Cl)-CH3Cl) (MMn, Fe) complexes.

Formation and characterization of magnesium bisozonide and carbonyl complexes in solid argon

The reactions of magnesium atoms with dioxygen and dioxygen/carbon monoxide mixture have been investigated by matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. Magnesium atoms react with dioxygen in solid argon to form the inserted MgO(2) molecules under UV excitation, which were previously characterized. Annealing allows the dioxygen molecules to diffuse and to react with MgO(2) and form the magnesium bisozonide complex, Mg(O(3))(2), which is proposed to be coordinated by two argon atoms in solid argon matrix. The Mg(O(3))(2)(Ar)(2) complex is characterized to have two equivalent side-on bonded ozonide ligands with a D(2h) symmetry. The coordinated argon atoms can be replaced by carbon monoxide to give the magnesium bisozonide dicarbonyl complex, Mg(O(3))(2)(CO)(2), a neutral magnesium carbonyl complex with CO binding to the Mg(2+) center.

Water adsorption on platinum dioxide and dioxygen complex: matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of three PtO(2)-H(2)O complexes

The interactions of water molecule with platinum dioxygen complex and dioxide molecule are investigated by means of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and density functional calculations. The platinum atoms reacted with dioxygen to form the previously reported Pt(O(2)) complex. The Pt(O(2)) complex reacted with water molecule to give the Pt(O(2))-H(2)O complex, which was characterized to involve hydrogen bonding between one O atom of Pt(O(2)) and one H atom of H(2)O (structure A). Upon visible light irradiation, the hydrogen bonded Pt(O(2))HOH complex rearranged to another Pt(O(2))-H(2)O isomer (structure B), which involves (O(2))PtOH(2) interaction. The Pt(O(2))-H(2)O complex in structure B can be isomerized to the weakly bound platinum dioxide-water complex (structure C) under UV irradiation.

Formation and Characterization of the Tetranuclear Scandium Nitride: Sc4N4

The scandium dimer reacts with dinitrogen in solid argon to form the previously characterized planar cyclic Sc(mu-N)2Sc molecule, with the N-N bond being completely cleaved. The cyclic Sc(mu-N)2Sc molecules dimerize on annealing to form a cubic Sc4N4 cluster with tetrahedral symmetry, which is a fundamental building block for ScN nanoparticles and crystals.

Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of Noble Gas Coordinated Rhodium−Dioxygen Complexes

Reactions of rhodium atoms with dioxygen molecules in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. The rhodium-dioxygen complexes, Rh(eta2-O2), Rh(eta2-O2)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO), are produced spontaneously on annealing. The Rh(eta2-O2) complex rearranges to the inserted RhO2 molecule under visible light irradiation. Experiments doped with xenon in argon show that the rhodium-dioxygen complexes are coordinated by one or two noble gas atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the Rh(eta2-O2), Rh(eta2-O2)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO) molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the Rh(eta2-O2)(Ng)2, Rh(eta2-O2)2(Ng)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO)(Ng) (Ng = Ar or Xe) complexes. The product absorptions are identified on the basis of isotopic substitution and density functional theory calculations.

Reactions of Gadolinium Atoms and Dimers with CO: Formation of Gadolinium Carbonyls and Photoconversion to CO Activated Molecules

Reactions of gadolinium atoms and dimers with carbon monoxide molecules in solid argon have been studied using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. Mononuclear Gd(CO)x (x = 1-3) and dinuclear Gd2(CO)x (x = 1, 2) gadolinium carbonyls formed spontaneously on annealing. The Gd(CO)x complexes are CO terminal-bonded carbonyls, whereas the Gd2CO and Gd2(CO)2 carbonyl complexes were characterized to have asymmetrically bridging and side-on-bonded CO, which are drastically activated with remarkably low C-O stretching frequencies. The cyclic Gd2(mu-C)(mu-O) and Gd3(mu-C)(mu-O) molecules in which the C-O triple bond is completely cleaved were also formed on annealing. The Gd2(CO)2 complex rearranged to the more stable c-Gd2(mu-O)(mu-CCO) isomer, which also has a four-membered ring structure with one CO being completely activated.

Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of NgMO (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) Complexes

The matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that late transition metal monoxides CrO through NiO coordinate one noble gas atom in forming the NgMO complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the late transition metal monoxides previously characterized in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the NgMO complexes, which were predicted to be linear. The M-Ng bond distances decrease, while the M-Ng binding energies increase from NgCrO to NgNiO. In contrast, the early transition metal monoxides, ScO, TiO, and VO, are not able to form similar noble gas atom complexes.

Methane Activation by Titanium Monoxide Molecules: A Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study

Reactions of titanium monoxides with methane have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. Titanium derivatives of several simple oxyhydrocarbons have been prepared and identified. The titanium monoxide molecules prepared by laser evaporation of bulk TiO2 target reacted with methane to form the TiO(CH4) complex in solid argon, which was predicted to have C3v symmetry with the oxygen atom coordinated to one hydrogen atom of the methane molecule. The complex rearranged to the CH3Ti(O)H titano-acetaldehyde molecule upon visible (lambda > 500 nm) irradiation. The titano-acetaldehyde molecule sustained further photochemical rearrangement to the CH2Ti(H)OH titano-vinyl alcohol molecule, which was characterized to be a simple carbene complex involving agostic bonding. The CH2Ti(H)OH molecule reacted with a second methane to form the (CH3)2Ti(H)OH titano-isopropyl alcohol molecule spontaneously on annealing. The (CH3)2Ti(H)OH molecule also can be produced via UV photon-induced rearrangement of the CH3Ti(O)H(CH4) complex.

Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations for M(OH)2,3 and HOMO Molecules and M(OH)2+ Cations (M = Y, La)

Reactions of laser-ablated Y and La atoms with H2O2 gives the M(OH)2 and M(OH)3 molecules and the HOMO dehydration product, and the cation M(OH)2+ in solid argon. Density functional calculations show that the dihydroxide molecules and cations are bent at the metal center, and the symmetric and antisymmetric O-H stretching modes are both observed in the infrared spectra. The trihydroxide molecules have calculated C(3h) structures characterized by strong antisymmetric O-H and M-O stretching modes. Mulliken charges increase for all product molecules going down the Group 3 family and increase as one, two, and three OH ligands are bonded to the metal center. Evidence is also presented for the Y(OH)4- anion.

Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations for the Sc(OH)2,3 and HOScO Molecules and the Sc(OH)2+ Cation in Solid Argon

Reactions of laser-ablated Sc atoms with H2O2 molecules or H2 and O2 mixtures in excess solid argon gives four major new products, which are identified from concentration dependence, isotopic substitution, the effect of electron trap doping, and comparison to frequencies calculated by the B3LYP density functional. These are the Sc(OH)3 trihydroxide, the Sc(OH)2 dihydroxide, the Sc(OH)2+ cation, and the trihydroxide anhydride HOScO molecule. The Sc(OH)2+ cation forms a complex in solid argon that is effectively modeled by calculations for the [(Ar)4Sc(OH)2]+ cation including frequency shifts between the neutral and cation dihydroxides. Finally, the Sc(OH)4- anion is detected in H2O2 experiments.

Noble Gas−Transition-Metal Complexes: Coordination of VO2 and VO4 by Ar and Xe Atoms in Solid Noble Gas Matrixes

The matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that vanadium oxides, VO2 and VO4, coordinate noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that VO2 coordinates two Ar or Xe atoms and that VO4 coordinates one Ar or Xe atom in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the VO2 and VO4 molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the VO2(Ng)2 and VO4(Ng) (Ng = Ar or Xe) complexes. The total V-Ng binding energies were predicted to be 12.8, 18.2, 5.0, and 7.3 kcal/mol, respectively, for the VO2(Ar)2, VO2(Xe)2, VO4(Ar), and VO4(Xe) complexes at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP level of theory.

Coordination of ScO+ and YO+ by Multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe Atoms in Noble Gas Matrixes: A Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results provide strong evidence that scandium and yttrium monoxide cations, ScO+ and YO+, coordinate multiple noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that ScO+ coordinates five Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms, and YO+ coordinates six Ar or Kr and five Xe atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the ScO+ and YO+ cations trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe), [YO(Ng)6]+ (Ng = Ar or Kr) or [YO(Xe)5]+ complexes. Experiments with dilute krypton or xenon in argon or krypton in xenon produced new IR bands, which are due to the stepwise formation of the [ScO(Ar)(5-n)(Kr)n]+, [ScO(Kr)(5-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-5), [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Kr)n]+ (n = 1-6), and [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-4) complexes.