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Subcomponent self-assembly relies on cation coordination whereas the roles of anions often only emerge during the assembly process. When sites for anions are instead pre-programmed, they have the potential to be used as orthogonal elements to build up structure in a predictable and modular way. We explore this idea by combining cation (M + ) and anion (X − ) binding sites together and show the orthogonal and modular build up of structure in a multi-ion assembly. Cation binding is based on a ligand (L) made by subcomponent metal-imine chemistry (M + = Cu + , Au + ) while the site for anion binding (X − = BF 4 − , ClO 4 − ) derives from the inner cavity of cyanostar (CS) macrocycles. The two sites are connected by imine condensation between a pyridyl-aldehyde and an aniline-modified cyanostar. The target assembly [LM-CS-X-CS-ML], + generates two terminal metal complexation sites (LM and ML) with one central anion-bridging site (X) defined by cyanostar dimerization. We showcase modular assembly by isolating intermediates when the primary structure-directing ions are paired with weakly coordinating counter ions. Cation-directed (Cu + ) or anion-bridged (BF 4 − ) intermediates can be isolated along either cation–anion or anion–cation pathways. Different products can also be prepared in a modular way using Au + and ClO 4 − . This is also the first use of gold( i ) in subcomponent self-assembly. Pre-programmed cation and anion binding sites combine with judicious selection of spectator ions to provide modular noncovalent syntheses of multi-component architectures. 

Ferrocene1and its dianionic Fe(bis)(dicarbollide) analogue2are classical compounds that display unusual stability. These compounds are not known to undergo transmetallation chemistry of the Fe‐center and have been used extensively as chemical building blocks with consistent integrity. In this manuscript we describe the preparation of a charge compensated Fe(bis)(dicarbollide) species3 Feand its unprecedented transmetallation chemistry to Ir. Such reactions are hitherto unknown for any transition metal metallocene or metallacarborane complex. Additionally, we show that3 Fecan be deprotonated to afford the corresponding bis(NHC) Li‐carbenoid5that also displays unique reactivity. When5is reacted with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂it also undergoes a rapid transmetallation of the ferrocene “like” core to afford6but with the added twist that the Li‐carbenoid moiety stays intact and does not transmetalate. However, when6is subsequently treated with CuCl, the Li‐carbenoid transmetalates to Cu, which allows the controlled formation of the corresponding heterobimetallic Ir/Cu aggregate. Lastly, when Li‐carbenoid5is treated directly with CuCl, a double transmetallation occurs from both Fe to Cu and Li‐carbenoid to Cu, resulting in the trimetallic Cu cluster8. These novel reactions pave the way for new synthetic methods to build complicated polymetallic clusters in a controlled fashion.

 

Ferrocene1and its dianionic Fe(bis)(dicarbollide) analogue2are classical compounds that display unusual stability. These compounds are not known to undergo transmetallation chemistry of the Fe‐center and have been used extensively as chemical building blocks with consistent integrity. In this manuscript we describe the preparation of a charge compensated Fe(bis)(dicarbollide) species3 Feand its unprecedented transmetallation chemistry to Ir. Such reactions are hitherto unknown for any transition metal metallocene or metallacarborane complex. Additionally, we show that3 Fecan be deprotonated to afford the corresponding bis(NHC) Li‐carbenoid5that also displays unique reactivity. When5is reacted with [Ir(COD)Cl]₂it also undergoes a rapid transmetallation of the ferrocene “like” core to afford6but with the added twist that the Li‐carbenoid moiety stays intact and does not transmetalate. However, when6is subsequently treated with CuCl, the Li‐carbenoid transmetalates to Cu, which allows the controlled formation of the corresponding heterobimetallic Ir/Cu aggregate. Lastly, when Li‐carbenoid5is treated directly with CuCl, a double transmetallation occurs from both Fe to Cu and Li‐carbenoid to Cu, resulting in the trimetallic Cu cluster8. These novel reactions pave the way for new synthetic methods to build complicated polymetallic clusters in a controlled fashion.

 

Abstract Realization of practical sodium metal batteries (SMBs) is hindered due to lack of compatible electrolyte components, dendrite propagation, and poor understanding of anodic interphasial chemistries. Chemically robust liquid electrolytes that facilitate both favorable sodium metal deposition and a stable solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) are ideal to enable sodium metal and anode‐free cells. Herein we present advanced characterization of a novel fluorine‐free electrolyte utilizing the [HCB 11 H 11 ] 1− anion. Symmetrical Na cells operated with this electrolyte exhibit a remarkably low overpotential of 0.032 V at a current density of 2.0 mA cm −2 and a high coulombic efficiency of 99.5 % in half‐cell configurations. Surface characterization of electrodes post‐operation reveals the absence of dendritic sodium nucleation and a surprisingly stable fluorine‐free SEI. Furthermore, weak ion‐pairing is identified as key towards the successful development of fluorine‐free sodium electrolytes. 

This work demonstrates the dominance of a Ni(0/II/III) cycle for Ni‐photoredox amide arylation, which contrasts with other Ni‐photoredox C‐heteroatom couplings that operate via Ni(I/III) self‐sustained cycles. The kinetic data gathered when using different Ni precatalysts supports an initial Ni(0)‐mediated oxidative addition into the aryl bromide. Using NiCl₂as the precatalyst resulted in an observable induction period, which was found to arise from a photochemical activation event to generate Ni(0) and to be prolonged by unproductive comproportionation between the Ni(II) precatalyst and the in situ generated Ni(0) active species. Ligand exchange after oxidative addition yields a Ni(II) aryl amido complex, which was identified as the catalyst resting state for the reaction. Stoichiometric experiments showed that oxidation of this Ni(II) aryl amido intermediate was required to yield functionalized amide products. The kinetic data presented supports a rate‐limiting photochemically‐mediated Ni(II/III) oxidation to enable C−N reductive elimination. An alternative Ni(I/III) self‐sustained manifold was discarded based on EPR and kinetic measurements. The mechanistic insights uncovered herein will inform the community on how subtle changes in Ni‐photoredox reaction conditions may impact the reaction pathway, and have enabled us to include aryl chlorides as coupling partners and to reduce the Ni loading by 20‐fold without any reactivity loss.

 

This work demonstrates the dominance of a Ni(0/II/III) cycle for Ni‐photoredox amide arylation, which contrasts with other Ni‐photoredox C‐heteroatom couplings that operate via Ni(I/III) self‐sustained cycles. The kinetic data gathered when using different Ni precatalysts supports an initial Ni(0)‐mediated oxidative addition into the aryl bromide. Using NiCl₂as the precatalyst resulted in an observable induction period, which was found to arise from a photochemical activation event to generate Ni(0) and to be prolonged by unproductive comproportionation between the Ni(II) precatalyst and the in situ generated Ni(0) active species. Ligand exchange after oxidative addition yields a Ni(II) aryl amido complex, which was identified as the catalyst resting state for the reaction. Stoichiometric experiments showed that oxidation of this Ni(II) aryl amido intermediate was required to yield functionalized amide products. The kinetic data presented supports a rate‐limiting photochemically‐mediated Ni(II/III) oxidation to enable C−N reductive elimination. An alternative Ni(I/III) self‐sustained manifold was discarded based on EPR and kinetic measurements. The mechanistic insights uncovered herein will inform the community on how subtle changes in Ni‐photoredox reaction conditions may impact the reaction pathway, and have enabled us to include aryl chlorides as coupling partners and to reduce the Ni loading by 20‐fold without any reactivity loss.