White phosphorus as a ligand for the coinage metals.

Reaction of equimolar quantities of MX (M = Au, Cu, X = Cl; M = Ag, X = OTf) and GaCl(3) in CH(2)Cl(2) with P(4) leads to phosphorus ligating a cationic coinage metal centre. For Cu and Ag, ion-contacted coordination polymers are formed; for Au, an ion-separated complex is observed that features the [Au(η(2)-P(4))(2)](+) cation, which is the first homoleptic Au-P(4) complex to be characterised in the condensed phase.

Homogeneous catalytic dehydrocoupling/dehydrogenation of amine-borane adducts by early transition metal, group 4 metallocene complexes.

The efficient catalytic dehydrocoupling of a range of amine-borane adducts, R'RNH x BH(3) (R' = R = Me 1a; R' = R = (i)Pr 1b; R' = Me, R = CH(2)Ph 1c) by a series of group 4 metallocene type precatalysts has been demonstrated. A reduction in catalytic activity was detected upon descending the group and also on substitution of the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) ligands with sterically bulky or electron-donating substituents. Precatalysts Cp(2)TiCl(2)/2(n)BuLi and Cp(2)Ti(PMe(3))(2), which are believed to act as precursors to [Cp(2)Ti], were found to promote the transformation of 1a to [Me(2)N-BH(2)](2) (3a) in a homogeneous catalytic process. Mechanistic studies identified the linear dimer Me(2)NH-BH(2)-NMe(2)-BH(3) (2a) as a reaction intermediate, which subsequently undergoes further catalytic dehydrogenation to form cyclic dimer 3a. Synthesis of the (2)H-isotopologues of 1a allowed the extraction of phenomenological kinetic isotope effects for 1a --> 2a and 2a --> 3a from initial rate data, which permitted the proposal of a catalytic cycle with plausible intermediates. Support for the presence of an active Ti(II) catalyst was provided by the lack of reactivity of Ti(III) complexes TiCl(3) and Cp(2)TiCl or Ti(0) in the form of THF soluble colloids or bulk Ti powder toward 1a or 1b. Modeling of the rates of consumption of 1a and formation of 3a during catalysis by Cp(2)Ti(PMe(3))(2) supported this conclusion and allowed the proposal of a two cycle, four step reaction mechanism. The proposed first cycle generates 2a in a two step process. In the second cycle, interaction of 2a with the same catalyst then results in a catalytic dehydrogenative ring closing reaction to form 3a, also in a two step process.

Tunable high performance cross-linked alkaline anion exchange membranes for fuel cell applications.

Fuel cells are energy conversion devices that show great potential in numerous applications ranging from automobiles to portable electronics. However, further development of fuel cell components is necessary for them to become commercially viable. One component critical to their performance is the polymer electrolyte membrane, which is an ion conductive medium separating the two electrodes. While proton conducting membranes are well established (e.g., Nafion), hydroxide conducting membranes (alkaline anion exchange membranes, AAEMs) have been relatively unexplored by comparison. Operating under alkaline conditions offers significant efficiency benefits, especially for the oxygen reduction reaction; therefore, effective AAEMs could significantly advance fuel cell technologies. Here we demonstrate the use of ring-opening metathesis polymerization to generate new cross-linked membrane materials exhibiting high hydroxide ion conductivity and good mechanical properties. Cross-linking allows for increased ion incorporation, which, in turn supports high conductivities. This facile synthetic approach enables the preparation of cross-linked materials with the potential to meet the demands of hydrogen-powered fuel cells as well as direct methanol fuel cells.

Identification and management of persistently active brachytherapy seed implants.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the history of permanently implanted brachytherapy sources and to establish methods of identifying radon sources and discussing appropriate management. CONCLUSION: There are likely thousands of people bearing radon seeds that continue to emit radiation decades after implantation. They can be identified by clinical history and emission of characteristic x-rays. Surgical removal of these sources is rarely warranted.

A ring-opening metathesis polymerization route to alkaline anion exchange membranes: development of hydroxide-conducting thin films from an ammonium-functionalized monomer.

We report the development of a facile ring-opening olefin metathesis route to alkaline anion exchange membranes via the copolymerization of a tetraalkylammonium-functionalized norbornene with dicyclopentadiene. The thin films generated are mechanically strong and exhibit high hydroxide conductivities and exceptional methanol tolerance.

Homogeneous catalytic dehydrogenation/dehydrocoupling of amine-borane adducts by the Rh(I) Wilkinson's complex analogue RhCl(PHCy2)3 (Cy = cyclohexyl).

The Rh(I) complex RhCl(PHCy(2))(3) (1) (Cy = cyclohexyl, C(6)H(11)) has been investigated as a catalyst for the dehydrogenation/dehydrocoupling of dimethylamine-borane adduct Me(2)NH.BH(3) (3) at 20 degrees C to afford the cyclic dimer [Me(2)N-BH(2)](2) (4). Unlike previously studied neutral and cationic Rh(I) precatalysts such as [{Rh(mu-Cl)(1,5-cod)}(2)] and [Rh(1,5-cod)(2)]OTf (1,5-cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene, C(8)H(12), OTf = OSO(2)CF(3)) with weakly electron-donating ligands at the metal center, which are reduced to catalytically active Rh(0) species, catalytic dehydrogenation of 3 using 1 was found to occur in a homogeneous manner according to nanofiltration experiments, Hg(0) poisoning and kinetic studies. Moreover, the presence of the sterically bulky ligand PHCy(2) in complex 1 has been found to significantly increase the rate of reaction previously reported for Wilkinson's catalyst RhCl(PPh(3))(3). The catalytic activity of 1 toward a range of other amine-borane adducts RR'NH.BH(3) (e.g., RR' = (i)Pr(2), MeBz, MeH) at 20 degrees C was also investigated. The third row transition metal analogue of 1, the Ir(I) complex IrCl(PHCy(2))(3) (2), was also explored as a catalyst for the dehydrocoupling of 3 and was found to exhibit much reduced catalytic activity compared to 1 but proved significantly more active for sterically encumbered substrates. Addition of the strong Lewis acid B(C(6)F(5))(3) as a co-catalyst to both 1 and 2 has been found to significantly increase the rate of the dehydrocoupling reactions in all cases. The Rh(I) complex 1 (but not the Ir(I) analogue 2) was also found to be active for the catalytic dehydrocoupling of the phosphine-borane adduct Ph(2)PH.BH(3) (14) at 60-90 degrees C to afford linear dimer Ph(2)PH-BH(2)-PPh(2)-BH(3) (15).

Synthesis and dehydrocoupling reactivity of iron and ruthenium phosphine-borane complexes.

The Fe and Ru phosphine-borane complexes CpM(CO)2PPh2 x BH3 (1, M = Fe, 4, M = Ru) were synthesized utilizing the reaction of the phosphine-borane anion Li[PPh2 x BH3] with the iodo complexes CpM(CO)2I. The Fe complex 1 reacted with PMe3 to yield CpFe(CO)(PMe3)(PPh2 x BH3) (2) and CpFe(PMe3)2(PPh2 x BH3) (3) whereas the Ru species 4 gave only CpRu(CO)(PMe3)(PPh2 x BH3) (5). The complexes 1-5 were characterized by 1H, 11B, 13C and 31P NMR spectroscopy, MS, IR and X-ray crystallography for 1 to 4, and EA for 1, 2 and 4. The reactivity of 1 and 4 towards PPh2H x BH3 was explored. Although no stoichiometric reactions were detected under mild conditions, both 1 and 4 were found to function as dehydrocoupling catalysts to afford Ph2PH x BH2 x PPh2 x BH3 in the melt at elevated temperature (120 degrees C). The carbonyl Fe2(CO)9 also functioned as a dehydrocoupling catalyst under similar conditions. Complex 1 and Fe2(CO)9 represent the first reported active Fe complexes for the catalytic dehydrocoupling of phosphine-borane adducts.

Transition metal-catalyzed dissociation of phosphine-gallane adducts: isolation of mechanistic model complexes and heterogeneous catalyst poisoning studies.

Attempts to induce the catalytic dehydrocoupling of the phosphine-gallane adduct Cy2PH.GaH3 (Cy=cyclohexyl) (1) by treatment with ca. 5 mol% of either the Rh(I) complex [{Rh(mu-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2] (cod=cyclooctadiene) or the Rh(0) species Rh/Al2O3 and [Oct4N]Cl-stabilized colloidal Rh led to catalytic P-Ga bond cleavage to generate the phosphine, H2, and Ga metal. Interestingly, subsequent treatment of the reaction mixtures with Me2NH.BH3 failed to lead to the formation of [Me2N-BH2]2 via Rh-catalyzed dehydrocoupling, which suggested that catalyst deactivation was taking place. Poisoning studies involving the treatment of the active Rh(0) catalyst with Cy2PH, PMe3, or GaH3.OEt2 showed that deactivation indeed occurred as the dehydrocoupling of Me2NH.BH3 either dramatically decreased in rate or did not take place at all. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis of colloidal Rh(0) that had been treated with Cy2PH and PMe3 confirmed the presence of phosphorus on the catalyst surface in each case, consistent with catalyst poisoning via phosphine ligation. A mechanism for the Rh-catalyzed P-Ga bond cleavage reaction of 1 and Me3P.GaH3 (2) is proposed and involves the initial reaction of Ga-H bonds with the Rh colloid surface, which weakens and ultimately breaks the P-Ga bond. The reasonable nature of this mechanism is supported by a model reaction between the zerovalent group 9 complex Co2(CO)8 and 2 which afforded Me3P.Ga[Co(CO)4]3 (3). Consistent with the elongated and thus weakened P-Ga bond in 3, solutions of this species in Et2O subsequently form the known complex [(Me3P)Co(CO)3]2 (4) and Ga metal after 4 h at 25 degrees C.

Highly efficient colloidal cobalt- and rhodium-catalyzed hydrolysis of H3N.BH3 in air.

The compound H3N.BH3 (1) is currently attracting considerable attention as a potential hydrogen storage material. Group 9 catalysts which rapidly and conveniently hydrolyze aqueous 1 in air are described. When treated with 1 mol % [{Rh(mu-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2] (cod=cyclooctadiene) in air, aqueous 1 undergoes rapid hydrolysis to afford the ionic species [NH4][BO2] in approximately 40 s. Higher catalyst loadings (3 mol %) result in a reduction in reaction time to 10 s. Quantification of the hydrogen evolved revealed that, on average, 2.8 of a maximum possible 3.0 equivalents (93%) were generated during the course of the reaction. Rh(0) species (e.g., Rh black, Rh stabilized on alumina, aqueous Rh colloids) were also found to be active hydrolysis catalysts, and evidence for a heterogeneous mechanism is provided. Significantly, although Ir(0) colloids are less active, aqueous Co(0) colloids are also effective catalysts for this process. This result is particularly important as Co, a first-row metal, is considerably more economical than the precious metal catalysts typically employed.

Transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrocoupling: a convenient route to bonds between main-group elements.

The development of transition-metal-catalyzed dehydrocoupling reactions as a synthetic method for the formation of main-group element-element bonds provides an increasingly attractive and convenient alternative to traditional routes such as salt metathesis/elimination-type reactions. Since the first reported examples in the early 1980s, there has been a rapid expansion of this field, with extensions to a wide variety of metal-mediated homonuclear and heteronuclear bond-forming processes. Applications of this new chemistry in molecular and polymer synthesis, materials science, hydrogen storage and the transfer hydrogenation of organic substrates are attracting growing attention. An overview of this emerging area is presented in this Concepts article with a focus on recent results.

Anionic ring-opening polymerization of a strained phosphirene: a route to polyvinylenephosphines.

A strained 1-phenyl-2,3-dimethylphosphirene undergoes anionic ring-opening polymerization upon initiation with n-butyl lithium at ambient temperature to yield polyvinylenephosphine, an unsaturated organophosphorus polymer.

Homogeneous, titanocene-catalyzed dehydrocoupling of amine-borane adducts.

Transition metal catalysis represents a relatively unexplored but potentially useful route to form bonds between main group elements. Previous work in the area of amine-borane adduct dehydrocoupling has exclusively employed late transition metal (e.g., Rh) catalysts which were found to predominantly operate via a heterogeneous mechanism. Herein, we present a new, early transition-metal-catalyzed, homogeneous system which exhibits higher activity.

Rhodium-catalyzed dehydrocoupling of fluorinated phosphine-borane adducts: synthesis, characterization, and properties of cyclic and polymeric phosphinoboranes with electron-withdrawing substituents at phosphorus.

The dehydrocoupling of the fluorinated secondary phosphine-borane adduct R2PH.BH3 (R = p-CF3C6H4) at 60 degrees C is catalyzed by the rhodium complex [{Rh(mu-Cl)(1,5-cod)}2] to give the four-membered chain R2PH-BH2-R2P-BH3. A mixture of the cyclic trimer [R2P-BH2]3 and tetramer [R2P-BH2]4 was obtained from the same reaction at a more elevated temperature of 100 degrees C. The analogous rhodium-catalyzed dehydrocoupling of the primary phosphine-borane adduct RPH2.BH3 at 60 degrees C gave the high molecular weight polyphosphinoborane polymer [RPH-BH2]n (Mw = 56,170, PDI = 1.67). The molecular weight was investigated by gel permeation chromatography and the compound characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy. Interestingly, the electron-withdrawing fluorinated aryl substituents have an important influence on the reactivity as the dehydrocoupling process occurred efficiently at the mildest temperatures observed for phosphine-borane adducts to date. Thin films of polymeric [RPH-BH2]n (R = p-CF3C6H4) have also been shown to function as effective negative-tone resists towards electron beam (e-beam) lithography (EBL). The resultant patterned bars were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS).

Poisoning of heterogeneous, late transition metal dehydrocoupling catalysts by boranes and other group 13 hydrides.

Borane reagents are widely used as reductants for the generation of colloidal metals. When treated with a variety of heterogeneous catalysts such as colloidal Rh, Rh/Al2O3, and Rh(0) black, BH3.THF (THF = tetrahydrofuran) was found to generate H2 gas with the concomitant formation of a passivating boron layer on the surface of the Rh metal, thereby acting as a poison and rendering the catalyst inactive toward the dehydrocoupling of Me2NH.BH3. Analogous poisoning effects were also detected for (i) colloidal Rh treated with other species containing B-H bonds such as [HB-NH]3, or Ga-H bonds such as those present in GaH3.OEt2, (ii) colloidal Rh that was generated from Rh(I) and Rh(III) salts using borane or borohydrides as reductants, and (iii) for other metals such as Ru and Pd. In contrast, analogous poisoning effects were not detected for the catalytic hydrogenation of cyclohexene using Rh/Al2O3 or the Pd-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling of PhB(OH)2 and PhI. These results suggest that although this poisoning behavior is not a universal phenomenon, the observation that such boron layers are formed and surface passivation may exist needs to be carefully considered when borane reagents are used for the generation of metal colloids for catalytic or materials science applications.