In a high‐resolution photoelectron imaging and theoretical study of the IrB3−cluster, two isomers were observed experimentally with electron affinities (EAs) of 1.3147(8) and 1.937(4) eV. Quantum calculations revealed two nearly degenerate isomers competing for the global minimum, both with a B3ring coordinated with the Ir atom. The isomer with the higher EA consists of a B3ring with a bridge‐bonded Ir atom (
- Award ID(s):
- 2053541
- NSF-PAR ID:
- 10319797
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Chemical Communications
- Volume:
- 58
- Issue:
- 19
- ISSN:
- 1359-7345
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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Abstract Cs ,2A′), and the second isomer features a tetrahedral structure (C 3v ,2A1). The neutral tetrahedral structure was predicted to be considerably more stable than all other isomers. Chemical bonding analysis showed that the neutralC 3v isomer involves significant covalent Ir−B bonding and weak ionic bonding with charge transfer from B3to Ir, and can be viewed as an Ir–(η3‐B3+) complex. This study provides the first example of a boron‐to‐metal charge‐transfer complex and evidence of a π‐aromatic B3+ring coordinated to a transition metal. -
Abstract In a high‐resolution photoelectron imaging and theoretical study of the IrB3−cluster, two isomers were observed experimentally with electron affinities (EAs) of 1.3147(8) and 1.937(4) eV. Quantum calculations revealed two nearly degenerate isomers competing for the global minimum, both with a B3ring coordinated with the Ir atom. The isomer with the higher EA consists of a B3ring with a bridge‐bonded Ir atom (
Cs ,2A′), and the second isomer features a tetrahedral structure (C 3v ,2A1). The neutral tetrahedral structure was predicted to be considerably more stable than all other isomers. Chemical bonding analysis showed that the neutralC 3v isomer involves significant covalent Ir−B bonding and weak ionic bonding with charge transfer from B3to Ir, and can be viewed as an Ir–(η3‐B3+) complex. This study provides the first example of a boron‐to‐metal charge‐transfer complex and evidence of a π‐aromatic B3+ring coordinated to a transition metal. -
Abstract The structure and bonding of a Pr‐doped boron cluster (PrB7−) are investigated using photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemistry. The adiabatic electron detachment energy of PrB7−is found to be low [1.47(8) eV]. A large energy gap is observed between the first and second detachment features, indicating a highly stable neutral PrB7. Global minimum searches and comparison between experiment and theory show that PrB7−has a half‐sandwich structure with C6vsymmetry. Chemical bonding analyses show that PrB7−can be viewed as a PrII[η7‐B73−] complex with three unpaired electrons, corresponding to a Pr (4f26s1) open‐shell configuration. Upon detachment of the 6s electron, the neutral PrB7cluster is a highly stable PrIII[η7‐B73−] complex with Pr in its favorite +3 oxidation state. The B73−ligand is found to be highly stable and doubly aromatic with six delocalized π and six delocalized σ electrons and should exist for a series of lanthanide MIII[η7‐B73−] complexes.
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