In search for structure of active site in iron-based oxygen reduction electrocatalysts.

Calculations to elucidate the structure of Fe-based electrocatalysts were performed. Lowest energy configurations for incorporation of nitrogen in bulk of graphene sheet as well as on edge were determined. Substitution of nitrogen in bulk graphene is endothermic, while on the edge it can be either exothermic, if hydrogen is present, or endothermic. Energies of various configurations for the incorporation of iron on the edge of the nitrided graphene sheet were also examined. In the absence of hydrogen, iron prefers to bond with nitrogen and a carbon atom. In the presence of hydrogen, however, iron was found to prefer bonding to two nitrogen atoms on the graphene edge.

Reactions of the perfluoroalkyltriazapentadiene Ph2N3C2(C3F7)2H with acids, bases, and water.

Treatment of the bis(perfluoroalkyl)triazapentadiene PhN=C(C(3)F(7))-N=C(C(3)F(7))-NHPh, 2, with bases affords salts of the conjugate base. Alkylation of the Na(+) salt with CH(3)I yields PhN=C(C(3)F(7))-N=C(C(3)F(7))-NMePh. The crystal structure of [Bu(4)N][Ph(2)N(3)C(2)(C(3)F(7))(2)] demonstrates a twisted, zigzag geometry for the anion in the solid state, but in solution, it is conformationally unstable. Both compounds are stable in aqueous methanol, but hydrolysis occurs under acidic conditions. Protonation with CF(3)SO(3)H acid occurs at the sp(2) nitrogen to give [PhN-(H) HC(C(3)F(7))-C(C(3)F(7))-NHPh][CF(3)SO(3)]. Heating 2 in CF(3)SO(3)H produces 2,4-bis(heptafluoropropyl)-1,3-quinazoline.

Perfluoroalkyl-substituted triazapentadienes and their metal complexes.

Triazapentadienides, C(3)F(7)-C(=NR)-N=C(NHR)-C(3)F(7), result from the reaction of primary amines RNH(2) with the fluorinated imine C(3)F(7)-CF=N-C(4)F(9). The aniline derivative (R = Ph) is a weak monoprotic acid in dmso. Its conjugate base exhibits an extensive coordination chemistry. It acts as a bidentate ligand toward the molecular fragments Pd(C(3)H(5)), Rh(c-C(8)H(12)), Ir(c-C(8)H(12)), and Rh(CO)(2). The chelates [C(3)F(7)-C(NPh)-N-C(NPh)-C(3)F(7)](2)M, M = Mg, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Pd, were prepared. In the crystallographically characterized Co complex, the metal is 3d(7), S = (3)/(2) and tetrahedrally coordinated. Spin densities at carbon in the C(6)H(5) and C(3)F(7) groups were estimated from the (1)H and (19)F contact shifts. Spin delocalization onto phenyl sp(2) carbons is approximately 10 times greater than onto the fluorinated sp(3) carbons.