Experimental and theoretical comparison of actinide and lanthanide bonding in M[N(EPR(2))(2)](3) complexes (M = U, Pu, La, Ce; E = S, Se, Te; R = Ph, iPr, H).

Treatment of M[N(SiMe3)2]3 (M = U, Pu (An); La, Ce (Ln)) with NH(EPPh2)2 and NH(EPiPr2)2 (E = S, Se), afforded the neutral complexes M[N(EPR2)2]3 (R = Ph, iPr). Tellurium donor complexes were synthesized by treatment of MI3(sol)4 (M = U, Pu; sol = py and M = La, Ce; sol = thf) with Na(tmeda)[N(TePiPr2)2]. The complexes have been structurally and spectroscopically characterized with concomitant computational modeling through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The An-E bond lengths are shorter than the Ln-E bond lengths for metal ions of similar ionic radii, consistent with an increase in covalent interactions in the actinide bonding relative to the lanthanide bonding. In addition, the magnitude of the differences in the bonding is slightly greater with increasing softness of the chalcogen donor atom. The DFT calculations for the model systems correlate well with experimentally determined metrical parameters. They indicate that the enhanced covalency in the M-E bond as group 16 is descended arises mostly from increased metal d-orbital participation. Conversely, an increase in f-orbital participation is responsible for the enhancement of covalency in An-E bonds compared to Ln-E bonds. The fundamental and practical importance of such studies of the role of the valence d and f orbitals in the bonding of the f elements is emphasized.

Synthesis of nanoscale NbSe2 materials from molecular precursors.

This communication describes a new synthetic approach to one- (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) NbSe2 nanoscale materials using soft chemical methods. Our one-pot synthesis provides a direct route to control the morphology of nanostructures that can exhibit complex electronic properties, and can produce layered, nanocrystalline materials in high yield.

Syntheses and characterization of some mixed Te/Se polychalcogenide anions [Te(m)Se(n)]2-.

Several mixed Te/Se polychalcogenide anions [Te(m)Se(n)](2-) were synthesized at 293 K by reactions between Te(n)(2-)and Se(n)(2-) anions in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in the presence of different-size ammonium or phosphonium cations, in some cases in the presence of metal species. The structures of these anions were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. The crystal structures of [NEt(4)](2)[Te(3)Se(6)] (1) and [NEt(4)](2)[Te(3)Se(7)] (2) consist, respectively, of one-dimensional infinite 1(infinity)[Te(3)Se(6)(2-)] and 1(infinity)[Te(3)Se(7)(2-)] anionic chains separated by NEt(4)(+) cations. In compound 1, each chain comprises Te(3)Se(5) eight-membered rings bridged by Se atoms. The Te(3)Se(5) ring has an "open book" conformation. The NMR spectrum of a DMF solution of [NEt(4)](2)[Te(3)Se(6)] crystals at 223 K shows (77)Se resonances at delta = 290, 349, and 771 ppm and a single (125)Te resonance at delta = 944.7 ppm. In compound 2, each chain comprises Te(3)Se(6) five- and six-membered rings bridged by Se atoms. The Te(3)Se(6) ring can be regarded as an inorganic analogue of bicyclononane. The anion of [PPh(4)](2)[Te(2)Se(2)] (4) contains a Se-Te-Te-Se chain with the terminal Se atoms trans to one another. The new compounds [PPN](2)[TeSe(10)] (3), [NMe(4)](2)[TeSe(3)].DMF (5), and [NEt(4)](2)[TeSe(3)] (6) contain known anions.

Synthesis and characterization of HN(SPiPr2)(SePPh2) and [Te[N(SPiPr2)(SePPh2)]2].

The compound HN(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2)) has been synthesized from the reaction of Ph(2)P(Se)NH(2) with (i)()Pr(2)P(S)Cl in the presence of NaH in THF. HN(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2)) crystallizes with eight formula units in space group Pbca of the orthorhombic system in a cell of dimensions at -120 degrees C of a = 9.9560(6) A, b = 17.9053(10) A, c = 22.4156(13) A, and V = 3995.9(4) A(3). The square-planar Te(II) complex [Te[N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2))](2)] has been isolated from the reaction of Te(tu)(4)Cl(2) x 2H(2)O (tu = thiourea) with the anion [N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2))](-), generated in situ from HN(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2)) in the presence of KO(t)Bu. [Te[N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2))](2)] is dimorphic, crystallizing with one formula unit in space group P1 of the triclinic system in a cell of dimensions at -120 degrees C of a = 9.8476(9) A, b = 10.3296(9) A, c = 11.3429(10) A, alpha = 101.903(1) degrees, beta = 115.471(1) degrees, gamma = 92.281(2) degrees, and V = 1008.4(2) A(3) and also crystallizing with two formula units in space group P2(1)/n of the monoclinic system in a cell of dimensions at -120 degrees C of a = 8.7931(5) A, b = 17.1830(10) A, c = 14,1026(9) A, beta = 104.696(1) degrees, and V = 2061.1(2) A(3). In each instance, the [Te[N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2))](2)] molecule possesses a center of symmetry, comprising a Te center liganded in a trans manner by two bidentate N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2)) groups. However, the (31)P, (77)Se, and (125)Te NMR spectra of [Te[N(SP(i)Pr(2))(SePPh(2))](2)] show two sets of resonances at 25 degrees C. The (31)P VT NMR spectra show two sets of resonances between -50 and +50 degrees C that coalesce between 80 and 100 degrees C, consistent with the presence of the cis as well as the trans isomer in solution.

Synthesis and structure of [PPh(4)](3)[Cr(Te(4))(3)].DMF: the first tris(tetratelluride) complex.

The compound [PPh(4)](3)[Cr(Te(4))(3)].DMF has been synthesized from the reaction of Cr(CO)(6) with a polytelluride solution in dimethylformamide at 100 degrees C. The compound has been characterized by (125)Te NMR and single-crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P(-)1, with a = 12.991(3) A, b = 14.782(3) A, c = 24.628(5) A, alpha= 90.63(3)o, beta= 104.45(3)o, gamma= 106.49(3)o, and Z = 2 (T = 153 K). The [Cr(Te(4))(3)](3-) anion consists of a Cr(III) center chelated by three Te(4)(2-) ligands in a distorted octahedral environment. The anion has the Deltalambdalambdalambda (or Lambdadeltadeltadelta) conformation.

Synthesis, structure, and theoretical study of the nonclassical [CuTe(7)](3-) anion.

The compound [PPh(4)](2)[NEt(4)][CuTe(7)] has been synthesized from the reaction of CuCl with a polytelluride solution in dimethylformamide at room temperature. The compound crystallizes with two formula units in the triclinic space group P(-)1 in a cell with dimensions a = 8.9507(18) A, b = 14.714(3) A, and c = 23.277(5) A and alpha= 86.32(3) degrees, beta= 80.17(3) degrees, and gamma= 75.63(3) degrees (T = -120 degrees C). Ab initio calculations indicate that the nonclassical [CuTe(7)](3)(-) anion is the result of joining Te(3)(2-) and [CuTe(4)](1-) fragments through donor-acceptor interactions.