Synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional N-heterocyclic carbene lattices

The covalent interaction of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) with transition metal atoms gives rise to distinctive frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs). These emergent electronic states have spurred the widespread adoption of NHC ligands in chemical catalysis and functional materials. Although formation of carbene-metal complexes in self-assembled monolayers on surfaces has been explored, design and electronic structure characterization of extended low-dimensional NHC-metal lattices remains elusive. Here we demonstrate a modular approach to engineering one-dimensional (1D) metal-organic chains and two-dimensional (2D) Kagome lattices using the FMOs of NHC-Au-NHC junctions to create low-dimensional molecular networks exhibiting intrinsic metallicity. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy and first-principles density functional theory reveal the contribution of C-Au-C π-bonding states to dispersive bands that imbue 1D- and 2D-NHC lattices with exceptionally small work functions.

Synchronous Diagnosis of Respiratory Viruses Variants via Receptonics Based on Modeling Receptor-Ligand Dynamics

The transmission and pathogenesis of highly contagious fatal respiratory viruses are increasing, and the need for an on-site diagnostic platform has arisen as an issue worldwide. Furthermore, as the spread of respiratory viruses continues, different variants have become the dominant circulating strains. To prevent virus transmission, the development of highly sensitive and accurate on-site diagnostic assays is urgently needed. Herein, a facile diagnostic device is presented for multi-detection based on the results of detailed receptor-ligand dynamics simulations for the screening of various viral strains. The novel bioreceptor-treated electronics (receptonics) device consists of a multichannel graphene transistor and cell-entry receptors conjugated to N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC). An ultrasensitive multi-detection performance is achieved without the need for sample pretreatment, which will enable rapid diagnosis and prevent the spread of pathogens. This platform can be applied for the diagnosis of variants of concern in clinical respiratory virus samples and primate models. This multi-screening platform can be used to enhance surveillance and discriminate emerging virus variants before they become a severe threat to public health.

N-heterocyclic carbene adsorption states on Pt(111) and Ru(0001)

N-heterocyclic carbene ligands (NHCs) are increasingly used to tune the properties of metal surfaces. The generally greater chemical and thermal robustness of NHCs on gold, as compared to thiolate surface ligands, underscores their potential for a range of applications. While much is now known about the adsorption geometry, overlayer structure, dynamics, and stability of NHCs on coinage elements, especially gold and copper, much less is known about their interaction with the surfaces of Pt-group metals, despite the importance of such metals in catalysis and electrochemistry. In this study, reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) is used to probe the structure of benzimidazolylidene NHC ligands on Pt(111) and Ru(0001). The experiments exploit the intense absorption peaks of a CF3 substituent on the phenyl ring of the NHC backbone to provide unprecedented insight into adsorption geometry and chemical stability. The results also permit comparison with literature data for NHC ligands on Au(111) and to DFT predictions for NHCs on Pt(111) and Ru(0001), thereby greatly extending the known surface chemistry of NHCs and providing much needed molecular information for the design of metal-organic hybrid materials involving strongly reactive metals.

N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes: Molecular Porters of Surface Mounted Ru‐Porphyrins

Ru-porphyrins act as convenient pedestals for the assembly of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) on solid surfaces. Upon deposition of a simple NHC ligand on a close packed Ru-porphyrin monolayer, an extraordinary phenomenon can be observed: Ru-porphyrin molecules are transferred from the silver surface to the next molecular layer. We have investigated the structural features and dynamics of this portering process and analysed the associated binding strengths and work function changes. A rearrangement of the molecular layer is induced by the NHC uptake: the NHC selective binding to the Ru causes the ejection of whole porphyrin molecules from the molecular layer on silver to the layer on top. This reorganisation can be reversed by thermally induced desorption of the NHC ligand. We anticipate that the understanding of such mass transport processes will have crucial implications for the functionalisation of surfaces with carbenes.

Growth of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Assemblies on Cu(100) and Cu(111): From Single Molecules to Magic-Number Islands

N‐Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have superior properties as building blocks of self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). Understanding the influence of the substrate in the molecular arrangement is a fundamental step before employing these ligands in technological applications. Herein, we study the molecular arrangement of a model NHC on Cu(100) and Cu(111). While mostly disordered phases appear on Cu(100), on Cu(111) well‐defined structures are formed, evolving from magic‐number islands to molecular ribbons with coverage. This work presents the first example of magic‐number islands formed by NHC assemblies on flat surfaces. Diffusion and commensurability are key factors explaining the observed arrangements. These results shed light on the molecule‐substrate interaction and open the possibility of tuning nanopatterned structures based on NHC assemblies.

A green route to platinum N-heterocyclic carbene complexes: mechanism and expanded scope

A sustainable and facile weak-base synthetic route to platinum N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes is disclosed. The mechanism of this reaction is also elucidated via experimental and computational investigations. This straightforward protocol is then used for the synthesis of novel Pt(II)-NHC complexes and its utility is further explored to access key Pt(0)-NHC precatalysts.

Highly Ordered N-Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers on Cu(111)

The benzannulated N-heterocyclic carbene, 1,3-dibenzylbenzimidazolylidene (NHC^DBZ) forms large, highly ordered domains when adsorbed on Cu(111) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. A combination of scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM), high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveals that the overlayer consists of vertical benzannulated NHC moieties coordinating to Cu adatoms. Long-range order results from the placement of the two benzyl substituents on opposite sides of the benzimidazole moiety, with their aromatic rings approximately parallel to the surface. The organization of three surface-bound benzyl substituents from three different NHCs into a triangular array controls the formation of a highly ordered Kagome-like surface lattice. By comparison with earlier studies of NHCs on Cu(111), we show that the binding geometry and self-assembly of NHC^DBZ are influenced by intermolecular and adsorbate-substrate interactions and facilitated by the flexibility of the methylene linkage between the N-heterocycle and the aromatic wingtip substituents.

Self-assembly of N-heterocyclic carbenes on Au(111)

Although the self-assembly of organic ligands on gold has been dominated by sulfur-based ligands for decades, a new ligand class, N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs), has appeared as an interesting alternative. However, fundamental questions surrounding self-assembly of this new ligand remain unanswered. Herein, we describe the effect of NHC structure, surface coverage, and substrate temperature on mobility, thermal stability, NHC surface geometry, and self-assembly. Analysis of NHC adsorption and self-assembly by scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory have revealed the importance of NHC-surface interactions and attractive NHC-NHC interactions on NHC monolayer structures. A remarkable way these interactions manifest is the need for a threshold NHC surface coverage to produce upright, adatom-mediated adsorption motifs with low surface diffusion. NHC wingtip structure is also critical, with primary substituents leading to the formation of flat-lying NHC2Au complexes, which have high mobility when isolated, but self-assemble into stable ordered lattices at higher surface concentrations. These and other studies of NHC surface chemistry will be crucial for the success of these next-generation monolayers.

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes Reduce and Functionalize Copper Oxide Surfaces in One Pot

Benzimidazolium hydrogen carbonate salts have been shown to act as N-heterocyclic carbene precursors, which can remove oxide from copper oxide surfaces and functionalize the resulting metallic surfaces in a single pot. Both the surfaces and the etching products were fully characterized by spectroscopic methods. Analysis of surfaces before and after NHC treatment by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates the complete removal of copper(II) oxide. By using ¹³ C-labelling, we determined that the products of this transformation include a cyclic urea, a ring-opened formamide and a bis-carbene copper(I) complex. These results illustrate the potential of NHCs to functionalize a much broader class of metals, including those prone to oxidation, greatly facilitating the preparation of NHC-based films on metals other than gold.

Platinum nanoparticles stabilized by N-heterocyclic thiones. Synthesis and catalytic activity in mono- and di-hydroboration of alkynes

N-Heterocyclic Thiones (NHT) proved to be efficient ligands for the stabilization of small platinum nanoparticles (1.3-1.7 nm), synthesized by decomposition of [Pt(dba)₂], under a H₂ atmosphere, in the presence of variable sub-stoichiometric amounts of the NHT. Full characterization by means of TEM, HR-TEM, NMR, ICP, TGA and XPS have been carried out, providing information about the nature of the metal nanoparticles and the interaction of the NHT ligands to the metal surface. Importantly, DFT calculations indicate that some NHT ligands interact with the metal through the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond of the imidazole fragment in addition to the sulfur atom, thus providing additional stabilization to the nanoparticles. According to XPS, TGA and ICP techniques, the surface coverage by the ligand increases by decreasing the size of the substituents on the nitrogen atom. The platinum nanoparticles have been used as catalyst in the hydroboration of alkynes. The most active system is that with a less covered surface area lacking an interaction of the ligand by means of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond. This catalyst hydroborates alkynes with excellent selectivities towards the monoborylated anti-Markovnikov product (vinyl-boronate) when one equiv. of borane is used. Very interestingly, aliphatic alkynes undergo a second hydroborylation process leading to the corresponding 1,1- and 1,2-diboroylated species with good selectivities towards the former.

Strong Metal-Adsorbate Interactions Increase the Reactivity and Decrease the Orientational Order of OH-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers

Fundamental understanding of the correlation between the structure and reactivity of chemically addressable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) molecules on various surfaces is essential for the design of functional NHC-based self-assembled monolayers. In this work, we identified the ways by which the deposition of chemically addressable OH-NHCs on Au(111) or Pt(111) surfaces modified the anchoring geometry and chemical reactivity of surface-anchored NHCs. The properties of surface-anchored NHCs were probed by conducting X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and polarized near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure measurements. While no preferred orientation was identified for OH-NHCs on Pt(111), the anchored molecules adopted a preferred flat-lying position on Au(111). Dehydrogenation and aromatization of the imidazoline ring along with partial hydroxyl oxidation were detected in OH-NHCs that were anchored on Au(111). The dehydrogenation and aromatization reactions were facilitated, along with partial decomposition, for OH-NHCs that were anchored on Pt(111). The spectroscopic results reveal that stronger metal-adsorbate interactions increase the reactivity of surface-anchored OH-NHCs while decreasing their molecular orientational order.

Elucidating the Influence of Anchoring Geometry on the Reactivity of NO2-Functionalized N-Heterocyclic Carbene Monolayers

The development of chemically addressable N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) based self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) requires in-depth understanding of the influence of NHC's anchoring geometry on its chemical functionality. Herein, it is demonstrated that the chemical reactivity of surface-anchored NO₂-functionalized NHCs (NO₂-NHCs) can be tuned by modifying the distance between the functional group and the reactive surface, which is governed by the deposition technique. Liquid deposition of NO₂-NHCs on Pt(111) induced a SAM in which the NO₂-aryl groups were flat-lying on the surface. The high proximity between the NO₂ groups and the Pt surface led to high reactivity, and 85% of the NO₂ groups were reduced at room temperature. Lower reactivity was obtained with vapor-deposited NO₂-NHCs that assumed a preferred upright geometry. The separation between the NO₂ groups in the vapor-deposited NO₂-NHCs and the reactive surface circumvented their surface-induced reduction, which was facilitated only after exposure to harsher reducing conditions.

N-Heterocyclic Carbenes in Materials Chemistry

N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) have become one of the most widely studied class of ligands in molecular chemistry and have found applications in fields as varied as catalysis, the stabilization of reactive molecular fragments, and biochemistry. More recently, NHCs have found applications in materials chemistry and have allowed for the functionalization of surfaces, polymers, nanoparticles, and discrete, well-defined clusters. In this review, we provide an in-depth look at recent advances in the use of NHCs for the development of functional materials.