Solvent-mediated reduction of carbon dioxide in anionic complexes with silver atoms

Photoelectron spectroscopic and computational study of (M-CO2)(-) anions, M = Cu, Ag, Au

In a combined photoelectron spectroscopic and computational study of (M-CO2)(-), M = Au, Ag, Cu, anionic complexes, we show that (Au-CO2)(-) forms both the chemisorbed and physisorbed isomers, AuCO2(-) and Au(-)(CO2), respectively; that (Ag-CO2)(-) forms only the physisorbed isomer, Ag(-)(CO2); and that (Cu-CO2)(-) forms only the chemisorbed isomer, CuCO2(-). The two chemisorbed complexes, AuCO2(-) and CuCO2(-), are covalently bound, formate-like anions, in which their CO2 moieties are significantly reduced. These two species are examples of electron-induced CO2 activation. The two physisorbed complexes, Au(-)(CO2) and Ag(-)(CO2), are electrostatically and thus weakly bound.

Carbon dioxide is tightly bound in the [Co(Pyridine)(CO2)](-) anionic complex

The [Co(Pyridine)(CO2)](-) anionic complex was studied through the combination of photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. This complex was envisioned as a primitive model system for studying CO2 binding to negatively charged sites in metal organic frameworks. The vertical detachment energy (VDE) measured via the photoelectron spectrum is 2.7 eV. Our calculations imply a structure for [Co(Pyridine)(CO2)](-) in which a central cobalt atom is bound to pyridine and CO2 moieties on either sides. This structure was validated by acceptable agreement between the calculated and measured VDE values. Based on our calculations, we found CO2 to be bound within the anionic complex by 1.4 eV.

Infrared spectroscopic studies on the cluster size dependence of charge carrier structure in nitrous oxide cluster anions

We report infrared photodissociation spectra of nitrous oxide cluster anions of the form (N2O)(n)O(-) (n = 1-12) and (N2O)n(-) (n = 7-15) in the region 800-1600 cm(-1). The charge carriers in these ions are NNO2(-) and O(-) for (N2O)(n)O(-) clusters with a solvation induced core ion switch, and N2O(-) for (N2O)n(-) clusters. The N-N and N-O stretching vibrations of N2O(-) (solvated by N2O) are reported for the first time, and they are found at (1595 ± 3) cm(-1) and (894 ± 5) cm(-1), respectively. We interpret our infrared spectra by comparison with the existing photoelectron spectroscopy data and with computational data in the framework of density functional theory.

Theoretical investigation of boron-doped lithium clusters, BLin (n = 3–6), activating CO2: an example of the carboxylation of C–H bonds

Boron-doped lithium clusters BLin activating CO₂ is reported. And the carboxylation of C–H bond of benzene can be achieved through C–C bond formation and H-atom-transfer from C to O via two H₂O molecules acting as an H-transfer tunnel.

Structures of [CoO(CO2)n]- and [NiO(CO2)n]- clusters studied by infrared spectroscopy

We present infrared spectra of [CoO(CO2)n](-) and [NiO(CO2)n](-) clusters and interpret them in the framework of computational results employing density functional theory. We find that both [CoO(CO2)n](-) and [NiO(CO2)n](-) clusters are generally composed of the same core isomers. The dominant isomers consist of an η(2) CO2 ligand and a CO3 moiety that can be bound to the metal atom with monodentate (η(1)) or bidentate (η(2)) connectivity. Minor structural isomers observed are composed of a C2O4 moiety with a lone oxygen atom or a CO3 unit.

Spectroscopic identification of a bidentate binding motif in the anionic magnesium-CO2 complex ([ClMgCO2 ](-))

A magnesium complex incorporating a novel metal-CO2 binding motif is spectroscopically identified. Here we show with the help of infrared photodissociation spectroscopy that the complex exists solely in the [ClMg(η(2) -O2 C)](-) form. This bidentate double oxygen metal-CO2 coordination has previously not been observed in neutral nor in charged unimetallic complexes. The antisymmetric CO2 stretching mode in [ClMg(η(2) -O2 C)](-) is found at 1128 cm(-1) , which is considerably redshifted from the corresponding mode in bare CO2 at 2349 cm(-1) , suggesting that the CO2 moiety has a considerable negative charge (∼1.8 e(-) ). We also employed electronic structure calculations and kinetic analysis to support the interpretation of the experimental results.

Interaction of nickel with carbon dioxide in [Ni(CO2)(n)](-) clusters studied by infrared spectroscopy

We present infrared photodissociation spectra of [Ni(CO2)n](-) clusters (n = 2-8) in the wavenumber region of 1000-2400 cm(-1) using the antisymmetric stretching vibrational modes of the CO2 units in the clusters as structural probes. We use density functional theory to aid in the interpretation of our experimental results. The dominant spectral signatures arise from a core ion composed of a nickel atom and two CO2 ligands bound to the Ni atom in a bidentate fashion, while the rest of the CO2 molecules in the cluster play the role of solvent. Other core structures are observed as well but as minor contributors. The results for [Ni(CO2)n](-) clusters are discussed in the context of other anionic transition- metal complexes with CO2.

Infrared spectra and structures of anionic complexes of cobalt with carbon dioxide ligands

We present infrared photodissociation spectra of [Co(CO2)n](-) ions (n = 3-11) in the wavenumber region 1000-2400 cm(-1), interpreted with the aid of density functional theory calculations. The spectra are dominated by the signatures of a core ion showing bidentate interaction of two CO2 ligands with the Co atom, each forming C-Co and O-Co bonds. This structural motif is very robust and is only weakly affected by solvation with additional CO2 solvent molecules. The Co atom is in oxidation state +1, and both CO2 ligands carry a negative charge.