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1. Structural and energetic properties of OC–BX ₃ complexes: unrealized potential for bond-stretch isomerism

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d1cp02230j  

   Munos, Jordan A.; Lowney, Diego T.; Phillips, James A. (July 2021, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics)

   null (Ed.)

   We have explored the structural and energetic properties of OC–BX 3 (X = F, Cl, or Br) complexes using computations and low-temperature infrared spectroscopy. Quantum-chemical calculations have provided equilibrium structures, binding energies, vibrational frequencies, and B–C potential energy curves. The OC–BF 3 system is a weak, long-bonded complex with a single minimum on the B–C potential ( R (B–C) = 2.865 Å). For the remaining two complexes, OC–BCl 3 and OC–BBr 3 , computations predict two stable minima on their B–C potential curves. The BCl 3 system is a weak complex with a long bond ( R (B–C) = 3.358 Å), but it exhibits a secondary, meta-stable minimum with a short bond length of 1.659 Å. For OC–BBr 3 , the system is a weak complex with a relatively short bond of 1.604 Å (according to wB97X-D/aug-cc-pVTZ), but also has a secondary minimum at R (B–C) = 3.483 Å. This long-bond structure is the global minimum according to CCSD/aug-cc-pVTZ. In addition, the long-bond forms of both OC–BCl 3 and OC–BBr 3 were observed in matrix-isolation IR experiments. The measured CO stretching frequencies were 2145 cm −1 and 2143 cm −1 , respectively. No signals due to the short-bond forms of OC–BCl 3 and OC–BBr 3 were observed. 

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2. Origin of the ²⁹ Si NMR chemical shift in R ₃ Si–X and relationship to the formation of silylium (R ₃ Si ⁺ ) ions

   https://doi.org/10.1039/D0DT02099K  

   Huynh, Winn; Conley, Matthew P. (November 2020, Dalton Transactions)

   null (Ed.)

   The origin in deshielding of 29 Si NMR chemical shifts in R 3 Si–X, where X = H, OMe, Cl, OTf, [CH 6 B 11 X 6 ], toluene, and O X (O X = surface oxygen), as well as i Pr 3 Si + and Mes 3 Si + were studied using DFT methods. At the M06-L/6-31G(d,p) level of theory the geometry optimized structures agree well with those obtained experimentally. The trends in 29 Si NMR chemical shift also reproduce experimental trends; i Pr 3 Si–H has the most shielded 29 Si NMR chemical shift and free i Pr 3 Si + or isolable Mes 3 Si + have the most deshielded 29 Si NMR chemical shift. Natural localized molecular orbital (NLMO) analysis of the contributions to paramagnetic shielding ( σ p ) in these compounds shows that Si–R (R = alkyl, H) bonding orbitals are the major contributors to deshielding in this series. The Si–R bonding orbitals are coupled to the empty p-orbital in i Pr 3 Si + or Mes 3 Si + , or to the orbital in R 3 Si–X. This trend also applies to surface bound R 3 Si–O X . This model also explains chemical shift trends in recently isolated t Bu 2 SiH 2 + , t BuSiH 2 + , and SiH 3 + that show more shielded 29 Si NMR signals than R 3 Si + species. There is no correlation between isotropic 29 Si NMR chemical shift and charge at silicon. 

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3. Synthesis, reactivity, structures, and dynamic properties of gyroscope like iron complexes with dibridgehead diphosphine cages: pre- vs. post-metathesis substitutions as routes to adducts with neutral dipolar Fe(CO)(NO)(X) rotors

   https://doi.org/10.1039/c6dt03258c  

   Lang, Georgette M.; Skaper, Dirk; Hampel, Frank; Gladysz, John A. (January 2016, Dalton Transactions)

   Three routes are explored to the title halide/cyanide complexes trans -Fe(CO)(NO)(X)(P((CH 2 ) 14 ) 3 P) ( 9c-X ; X = Cl/Br/I/CN), the Fe(CO)(NO)(X) moieties of which can rotate within the diphosphine cages (Δ H ‡ /Δ S ‡ (kcal mol −1 /eu −1 ) 5.9/−20.4 and 7.4/−23.9 for 9c-Cl and 9c-I from variable temperature 13 C NMR spectra). First, reactions of the known cationic complex trans -[Fe(CO) 2 (NO)(P((CH 2 ) 14 ) 3 P)] + BF 4 − and Bu 4 N + X − give 9c-Cl /- Br /- I /- CN (75–83%). Second, reactions of the acyclic complexes trans -Fe(CO)(NO)(X)(P((CH 2 ) m CHCH 2 ) 3 ) 2 and Grubbs’ catalyst afford the tris(cycloalkenes) trans -Fe(CO)(NO)(X)(P((CH 2 ) m CHCH(CH 2 ) m ) 3 P) ( m /X = 6/Cl,Br,I,CN, 7/Cl,Br, 8/Cl,Br) as mixtures of Z / E isomers (24–41%). Third, similar reactions of trans -[Fe(CO) 2 (NO)(P((CH 2 ) m CHCH 2 ) 3 ) 2 ] + BF 4 − and Grubbs’ catalyst afford crude trans -[Fe(CO) 2 (NO)P((CH 2 ) m CHCH(CH 2 ) m ) 3 P)] + BF 4 − ( m = 6, 8). However, the CC hydrogenations required to consummate routes 2 and 3 are problematic. Crystal structures of 9c-Cl /- Br /- CN are determined. Although the CO/NO/X ligands are disordered, the void space within the diphosphine cages is analyzed in terms of horizontal and vertical constraints upon Fe(CO)(NO)(X) rotation and the NMR data. The molecules pack in identical motifs with parallel P–Fe–P axes, and without intermolecular impediments to rotation in the solid state. 

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4. Photophysical Insights of Halogenated Dipyrrolonaphthyridine‐Diones as Potential Photodynamic Therapy Agents ^†

   https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13757  

   Morgan, Jayla; Yun, Young Ju; Jamhawi, Abdelqader M.; Islam, Shahidul M.; Ayitou, A. Jean‐Luc (January 2023, Photochemistry and Photobiology)

   Abstract We report the synthesis and photophysical characterization of novel halogenated dipyrrolonaphthyridine‐diones (X₂–DPNDs, X = Cl, Br, and I), as candidates for photodynamic therapy (PDT) application. Apart from the heavy atom‐induced spin‐orbit coupling (SOC) dynamics in the investigated X₂–DPNDs, it was found that the position of the halogen atom (relative to the nitrogen of the pyrrole ring) also influenced the triplet excited state behavior. Interestingly, the faster/efficiency sensitization of³O₂to¹O₂using X₂–DPND correlates with the rate of triplet population,k_ISC >1.6 × 10⁸s⁻¹for I₂–DPNDvs k_ISC >2.9 × 10⁹s⁻¹for Cl₂–DPND and Br₂–DPND (whereτ_ISC = 343 ± 3 ps for I₂–DPND andτ_ISC = 5–6 ns for Cl₂–DPND and Br₂–DPND are the lowest time constants/values for ISC). Furthermore, the heavy atom‐induced SOC in Cl₂–DPND and Br₂–DPND did not lead to a reduction of the corresponding fluorescence (ca75%vs67% for the parent DPND). The attractive photophysical characteristics of Cl₂/Br₂–DPND put them on the landscape as not only promising PDT agents but also as fluorescence probes. The present study is a stepping stone in the development of novel organic photosystems for synergistic photomedicinal applications. 

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5. Al⁺ Activates Acetone to Form Pinacolate

   https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01360  

   Phasuk, Apakorn; Metz, Ricardo B (July 2023, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters)

   The interaction between aluminum cations and acetone is studied in the gas phase via photodissociation vibrational spectroscopy from 1100 to 2000 cm-1. Spectra of Al+(acetone)(N2) and ions with the stoichiometry of Al+(acetone)n (n=2-5) were measured. The experimental results are compared to DFT calculated vibrational spectra to determine the structures of the complexes. The spectra show a red shift of the C=O stretch and a blue shift of the CCC stretch which decrease as the size of the clusters increases. The calculations predict that the most stable isomer for n≥3 is a pinacolate in which oxidation of the Al+ enables reductive C-C coupling between two acetone ligands. Experimentally, pinacolate formation is observed for n=5, as evidenced by a new peak observed at 1185 cm-1 characteristic of the pinacolate C-O stretch. 

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