Formation of a Propeller-Shaped Ni4Ga3 Cluster Supported by Transmetalation of Cp* from Ga to Ni.

The reactivity of GaCp* toward different Ni0 olefin complexes is investigated. The reaction of GaCp* with [Ni(cdt)] (cdt = all-trans-1,5,9-cyclododecatriene) leads to simple adduct formation and the 18 valence electron (ve) compound [Ni(GaCp*)(cdt)] (1). In contrast, [Ni2(dvds)3] (dvds = 1,1,3,3-tetramethyl-1,3-divinyldisiloxane) is converted to the undercoordinated and highly reactive 16 ve complex [Ni(GaCp*)(dvds)] (2), which represents an intermediate in the formation of the propeller-shaped M7 cluster [Ni4Ga3](Cp*)3(dvds)2 (3). Extensive characterization of the latter compound by experimental and computational means reveals the Cp* transfer from Ga to Ni. Therefore, the title compound can be best expressed by the structural formula [(µ2-GaCp*)(Ni2)(µ2-GaNiCp*)2(dvds)2]. The flexible dvds ligands stabilize this arrangement via alkene-Ni and O-Ga interactions. Furthermore, compound 2 exhibits a fast GaCp* ligand exchange with external GaCp*, which is rather unexpected for the [TM(ECp*)a] compounds; they usually do not undergo substitution reactions with two electron donor ligands like CO, phosphines, or GaCp*.

Correction: Luminescent Nd2S3 thin films: a new chemical vapour deposition route towards rare-earth sulphides.

Correction for 'Luminescent Nd2S3 thin films: a new chemical vapour deposition route towards rare-earth sulphides' by Stefan Cwik et al., Dalton Trans., 2019, 48, 2926-2938.

Luminescent Nd2S3 thin films: a new chemical vapour deposition route towards rare-earth sulphides.

Neodymium sulphide (Nd2S3) belongs to the exciting class of rare earth sulphides (RES) and is projected to have a serious potential in a wide spectrum of application either in pure form or as dopant. We demonstrate a facile and first growth of Nd2S3 thin films via metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) at moderate process conditions using two new Nd precursors, namely tris(N,N'-diisopropyl-2-dimethylamido-guanidinato)Nd(iii) and tris(N,N'-diisopropyl-acetamidinato)Nd(iii). The promising thermal properties and suitable reactivity of both Nd precursors towards elemental sulphur enabled the formation of high purity γ-Nd2S3. While the process temperature for film growth ranged from 400 °C to 600 °C, the films were crystalline above 500 °C. We also demonstrate that the as-deposited γ-Nd2S3 are luminescent, with the optical bandgap ranging from 2.3 eV to 2.5 eV. The process circumvents post-deposition treatments such as sulfurisation to fabricate the desired Nd2S3, which paves the way for large scale synthesis and also opens up new avenues for exploring the potential of this class of materials with properties for functional applications.

Suppressed Phosphine Dissociation by Polarization Effects on the Donor-Acceptor Bonds in [Ni(PEt3)4- n(ECp*) n] (E = Al, Ga).

A series of heteroleptic complexes [Ni(PEt3)4- n(ECp*) n] (E = Al, Ga, Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, n = 0-4) was prepared and characterized by experimental as well as computational means. The series of compounds was studied with respect to ligand dissociation processes which are fundamental for reactivity. In contrast to the homoleptic complexes [Ni(PR3) n] phosphine dissociation is remarkably suppressed in the heteroleptic title complexes. Single crystal X-ray structures as well as density functional theory calculations reveal a gradual decrease of the Ni-PEt3 distances with increasing number of coordinated group-13 ligands ECp*. Accordingly, variable-temperature UV-vis studies of [Ni(PEt3)4- n(AlCp*) n] in solution indicate no ligand dissociation equilibrium for n ≥ 2. Energy decomposition analysis with the natural orbital for chemical valence extension shows higher Ni-P interaction energies for [Ni(PEt3)4- n(AlCp*) n] than for [Ni(PEt3)4] which is mainly a result of an increase in columbic attraction forces induced by Ni-PEt3 bond polarization upon ECp* coordination.

Intermetalloid Clusters: Molecules and Solids in a Dialogue.

Atom-precise, ligand-stabilized metalloid clusters have emerged as outstanding model systems to study fundamental structure and bonding situations of compositionally related molecules and extended solid phases. However, this fascinating field of research is still largely restricted to homometallic and pseudo-heterometallic systems of closely related d-block metals. In this review, we will highlight our own and others' efforts to project the structural and compositional diversity of intermetallics with dissimilar d- and p-block metal combinations, particularly the Zintl and Hume-Rothery phases, onto the molecular level in order to bridge the still gaping chasm between heterometallic molecular coordination chemistry and solid-state intermetallics. Herein, fundamental synthetic approaches, as well as structural and electronic properties of thus accessible "molecular alloys" will be addressed, and placed against their exceptional position as intermediates on the way to nanomaterials.

The Mackay-Type Cluster [Cu43 Al12 ](Cp*)12 : Open-Shell 67-Electron Superatom with Emerging Metal-Like Electronic Structure.

The paramagnetic cluster [Cu43 Al12 ](Cp*)12 was obtained from the reaction of [CuMes]5 and [AlCp*]4 (Cp*=η5 -C5 Me5 ; Mes=mesityl). This all-hydrocarbon ligand-stabilized M55 magic atom-number cluster features a Mackay-type nested icosahedral structure. Its open-shell 67-electron superatom configuration is unique. Three unpaired electrons occupy weakly antibonding jellium states. The situation prefigures the formation of a conduction band, which is in line with the measured temperature-independent magnetism. Steric protection by twelve Cp* ligands suppresses the intrinsic polyradicalar reactivity of the Cu43 Al12 core.

Diverse Reactivity of ECp* (E = Al, Ga) toward Low-Coordinate Transition Metal Amides [TM(N(SiMe3)2)2] (TM = Fe, Co, Zn): Insertion, Cp* Transfer, and Orthometalation.

The reactivity of the carbenoid group 13 metal ligands ECp* (E = Al, Ga) toward low valent transition metal complexes [TM(btsa)2] (TM = Fe, Co, Zn; btsa = bis(trimethylsilyl)amide) was investigated, revealing entirely different reaction patterns for E = Al and Ga. Treatment of [Co(btsa)2] with AlCp* yields [Cp*Co(µ-H)(Al(κ2-(CH2SiMe2)NSiMe3)(btsa))] (1) featuring an unusual heterometallic bicyclic structure that results from the insertion of AlCp* into the TM-N bond with concomitant ligand rearrangement including C-H activation at one amide ligand. For [Fe(btsa)2], complete ligand exchange gives FeCp*2, irrespective of the employed stoichiometric ratio of the reactants. In contrast, treatment of [TM(btsa)2] (TM = Fe, Co) with GaCp* forms the 1:1 and 1:2 adducts [(GaCp*)Co(btsa)2] (2) and [(GaCp*)2Fe(btsa)2] (3), respectively. The tendency of AlCp* to undergo Cp* transfer to the TM center appears to be dependent on the nature of the TM center: For [Zn(btsa)2], no Cp* transfer is observed on reaction with AlCp*; instead, the insertion product [Zn(Al(η2-Cp*)(btsa))2] (4) is formed. In the reaction of [Co(btsa)2] with the trivalent [Cp*AlH2], transfer of the amide ligands without further ligand rearrangement is observed, leading to [Co(µ-H)4(Al(η2-Cp*)(btsa))2] (5).

The intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)6H4], embedding a Cu6 core inside an octahedral Al6 shell: molecular models of Hume-Rothery nanophases.

Defined molecular models for the surface chemistry of Hume-Rothery nanophases related to catalysis are very rare. The Al-Cu intermetalloid cluster [(Cp*AlCu)6H4] was selectively obtained from the clean reaction of [(Cp*Al)4] and [(Ph3PCuH)6]. The stronger affinity of Cp*Al towards Cu sweeps the phosphine ligands from the copper hydride precursor and furnishes an octahedral Al6 cage to encapsulate the Cu6 core. The resulting hydrido cluster M12H4 reacts with benzonitrile to give the stoichiometric hydrometalation product [(Cp*AlCu)6H3(N=CHPh)].

Lewis base mediated efficient synthesis and solvation-like host-guest chemistry of covalent organic framework-1.

N-Lewis base mediated room temperature synthesis of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) starting from a solution of building blocks instead of partially soluble building blocks was developed. This protocol shifts COF synthetic chemistry from sealed tubes to open beakers. Non-conventional inclusion compounds of COF-1 were obtained by vapor phase infiltration of ferrocene and azobenzene, and solvation like effects were established.