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Thiolate-protected metal nanoclusters (TPNCs) have attracted great interest in the last few decades due to their high stability, atomically precise structure, and compelling physicochemical properties. Among their various applications, TPNCs exhibit excellent catalytic activity for numerous reactions; however, recent work revealed that these systems must undergo partial ligand removal in order to generate active sites. Despite the importance of ligand removal in both catalysis and stability of TPNCs, the role of ligands and metal type in the process is not well understood. Herein, we utilize Density Functional Theory to understand the energetic interplay between metal–sulfur and sulfur–ligand bond dissociation in metal–thiolate systems. We first probe 66 metal–thiolate molecular complexes across combinations of M = Ag, Au, and Cu with twenty-two different ligands (R). Our results reveal that the energetics to break the metal–sulfur and sulfur–ligand bonds are strongly correlated and can be connected across all complexes through metal atomic ionization potentials. We then extend our work to the experimentally relevant [M 25 (SR) 18 ] − TPNC, revealing the same correlations at the nanocluster level. Importantly, we unify our work by introducing a simple methodology to predict TPNC ligand removal energetics solely from calculations performed on metal–ligand molecular complexes. Finally, a computational mechanistic study was performed to investigate the hydrogenation pathways for SCH 3 -based complexes. The energy barriers for these systems revealed, in addition to thermodynamics, that kinetics favor the break of S–R over the M–S bond in the case of the Au complex. Our computational results rationalize several experimental observations pertinent to ligand effects on TPNCs. Overall, our introduced model provides an accelerated path to predict TPNC ligand removal energies, thus aiding towards targeted design of TPNC catalysts. 

Abstract Modifiers are commonly used in natural, biological, and synthetic crystallization to tailor the growth of diverse materials. Here, we identify tautomers as a new class of modifiers where the dynamic interconversion between solute and its corresponding tautomer(s) produces native crystal growth inhibitors. The macroscopic and microscopic effects imposed by inhibitor-crystal interactions reveal dual mechanisms of inhibition where tautomer occlusion within crystals that leads to natural bending, tunes elastic modulus, and selectively alters the rate of crystal dissolution. Our study focuses on ammonium urate crystallization and shows that the keto-enol form of urate, which exists as a minor tautomer, is a potent inhibitor that nearly suppresses crystal growth at select solution alkalinity and supersaturation. The generalizability of this phenomenon is demonstrated for two additional tautomers with relevance to biological systems and pharmaceuticals. These findings offer potential routes in crystal engineering to strategically control the mechanical or physicochemical properties of tautomeric materials. 

Intermolecular C–H difluoromethoxylation of (hetero)arenes remains a long-standing and unsolved problem in organic synthesis. Herein, we report the first catalytic protocol employing a redox-active difluoromethoxylating reagent 1a and photoredox catalysts for the direct C–H difluoromethoxylation of (hetero)arenes. Our approach is operationally simple, proceeds at room temperature, and uses bench-stable reagents. Its synthetic utility is highlighted by mild reaction conditions that tolerate a wide variety of functional groups and biorelevant molecules. Experimental and computational studies suggest single electron transfer (SET) from excited photoredox catalysts to 1a forming a neutral radical intermediate that liberates the OCF 2 H radical exclusively. Addition of this radical to (hetero)arenes gives difluoromethoxylated cyclohexadienyl radicals that are oxidized and deprotonated to afford the products of difluoromethoxylation. 

Abstract The trifluoromethoxy (OCF₃) radical is of great importance in organic chemistry. Yet, the catalytic and selective generation of this radical at room temperature and pressure remains a longstanding challenge. Herein, the design and development of a redox‐active cationic reagent (1) that enables the formation of the OCF₃radical in a controllable, selective, and catalytic fashion under visible‐light photocatalytic conditions is reported. More importantly, the reagent allows catalytic, intermolecular C−H trifluoromethoxylation of a broad array of (hetero)arenes and biorelevant compounds. Experimental and computational studies suggest single electron transfer (SET) from excited photoredox catalysts to1resulting in exclusive liberation of the OCF₃radical. Addition of this radical to (hetero)arenes gives trifluoromethoxylated cyclohexadienyl radicals that are oxidized and deprotonated to afford the products of trifluoromethoxylation.