Ternary Sulfides: Model Compounds for the Correlation of Crystal Structure and Magnetic Properties

Relationships between crystal structure and magnetic properties enable an insight into the nature of the binding of atoms or ions in the solid state. Suitable as model substances are transition metal compounds in which the collective bonds that are generally present are directively degraded by incorporation of diamagnetic cations. This requirement of progressive degradation is met with in sulfides of the general composition A_xM_yS_z, where A ? alkali metal and M ? transition metal.     

Noncovalent anchoring of homogeneous catalysts to silica supports with well-defined binding sites

The efficient reversible functionalization of silica with catalytic sites using noncovalent interactions is described. We prepared silica materials with well-defined binding sites that selectively bind guest molecules that are equipped with the complementary binding motif, with the interaction between the two components being based on either hydrogen bonds or metal-ligand interactions. Several phosphine ligands functionalized with glycine-urea groups, required for hydrogen bond formation to the complementary host on the silica, have been prepared. The resulting noncovalently immobilized complexes have been used as a ligand system in the Pd-catalyzed allylic substitution and Rh-catalyzed hydroformylation of 1-octene. The supramolecular interaction between the transition-metal catalyst and the binding site located at the support is sufficiently strong to enable efficient catalyst recycling. In addition, the nature of the support facilitates the de- and refunctionalization of support, allowing the recycling of both homogeneous catalysts and the functionalized support. A rhodium catalyst based on a functionalized xantphos ligand was used in the hydroformylation of 1-octene in 11 consecutive reactions without showing catalyst deterioration or metal leaching.     

Li2PtH2, Darstellung und Struktur

Li₂PtH₂, Synthesis and Structure The synthesis of Li₂PtH₂ succeeded in decomposing Li₅Pt₂H₉ at 220°C in an argon atmosphere. X-ray investigations on a powdered sample and elastic neutron diffraction experiments on the deuterated compound led to the complete structure. Li₂PtH₂ crystallizes in the space group Immm with Z = 2. The structure is characterized by [PtH₂]^2? -dumb-bells which are hitherto unknown in platinum compounds. The arrangement of the [PtH₂]^2? -anions and of the lithium cations shows a close relationship to the hydride Li₂PdH₂ which crystallizes tetragonal I-centred.     

Inelastic neutron scattering and Raman spectroscopies and periodic DFT studies of Rb(2)PtH(6) and Rb(2)PtD(6)

The present work has provided a complete set of assignments for the vibrational spectrum of Rb(2)PtH(6) and Rb(2)PtD(6). To confirm the assignments, a periodic density functional theory (DFT) code has been applied to the analysis of the inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectrum of an ionic material for the first time. The work has also provided an explanation for the unusual infrared spectrum of the potassium salt. The most significant aspect of the work is the use of the momentum transfer information provided by an INS chopper spectrometer. The straightforward method employed for the analysis of the data is applicable to any molecular system (organic or inorganic) and demonstrates the potential of these instruments for chemistry. Periodic DFT was also used to study the other A(2)PtH(6) (A = alkali metal) including, the at present, unknown Li salt, which is found to be stable. The DFT studies have also highlighted the crucial role of the cation in removing charge from the transition metal and "hydride" ligand. It is suggested that this is a general occurrence.