Superhalogens as Building Blocks of Super Lewis Acids

Dinitrogen Activation: A Novel Approach with P/B Intermolecular FLP

This study explores the reactivity of a new intermolecular P/B frustrated Lewis pair in the context of dinitrogen activation through a push-pull mechanism. The ab initio molecular dynamics model known as atom-centered density matrix propagation plays a pivotal role in elucidating the weakly associated encounter complex. In-depth analysis, mainly through intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations, supports a single-step mechanism. Notably, N2 activation is observed to proceed through a concerted mechanism, proving slightly endergonic in solvents like toluene and hexane. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations reveal that the N2 activation reaction becomes kinetically and thermodynamically favorable when it is subjected to a moderately oriented external electric field of 2.57 V nm-1 along the reaction axis. In addition, natural bonding orbital and extended transition state-natural orbitals for chemical valence analyses contribute to a more profound comprehension of the electron-transfer processes integral to the chemical reaction.

Superhalogens inside fullerenes X@C2n (X = BO2, BeF3; 2n = 60, 70)

The exploration of endohedral fullerenes has garnered significant attention recently due to their distinctive chemical, electrochemical, and optoelectronic properties. Charge transfer, which usually occurs from encapsulated species to fullerenes, importantly affects the structures and properties of endohedral fullerenes. In this study, we theoretically investigated endohedral superhalogen fullerenes X@C2n (X = BO2, BeF3; 2n = 60, 70), in which the charge is reversely transferred from the fullerene to the superhalogen, by using density functional theory calculations and ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Both natural population analysis and the quantum theory of atoms in molecules confirm about one electron transfer from the fullerene to the superhalogen, resulting in the formal valence state of X-@C2n+. Energy decomposition analysis on the interaction between the superhalogen and fullerene revealed that electrostatic energy contributes predominantly to the total interaction energy. These endohedral superhalogen fullerenes with cationic fullerenes were predicted to be able to serve as building blocks for one dimensional fullerene-based nanowires when combined with endohedral alkali-metallofullerenes with anionic fullerenes.

In Silico Investigation of the Mechanism of Disulfide Bond Dissociation by New Frustrated Lewis Pairs

Understanding the mechanism of disulfide bond cleavage is important in various scientific disciplines including organic synthesis, catalysis, and biochemistry. In this study, an in silico investigation has been carried out for the dissociation of disulfide bonds using newly designed frustrated Lewis pairs (FLPs). The study revealed that the cleavage of the disulfide bond by the FLP P(tBu)3/B(C2NBSHF2)3 can also be used like the conventional FLP (tBu)3P/B(C6F5)3. It has been observed that the reaction is almost thermoneutral in the gas phase but exothermic in nonpolar solvents, such as toluene, heptane, and hexane. Furthermore, the natural bond orbital (NBO) describes insights into the role of FLPs in facilitating this reaction. Additionally, reaction force and force constant studies shed light on the energy requirements for completing the reaction and the synchronous nature of the dissociation process, respectively. Reaction electronic flux (REF) and its separations give the pattern of electronic activity during the chemical reaction. Extended transition state-natural orbitals for chemical valence (ETS-NOCV) and principal interacting orbital (PIO) analysis provide valuable information about the orbital interactions during the chemical reaction.

SbCl4: An Exceptional Superhalogen as the Building Block of a Mixed Valence Supercrystal with Unconventional Ferroelectricity

Superhalogens are nanoclusters with high electron affinities, exhibiting behavior similar to that of halogens. Their dimerization yields nonpolar symmetrical clusters, akin to diatomic halogen molecules, and they are unstable in the condensed phase in the absence of charge-compensating cations. Herein, we provide ab initio evidence that SbCl₄ superhalogen is an exception: its dimerization yields a polar cluster that can be viewed as a quasi-bonded [SbCl₅]^δ- and [SbCl₃]^δ+ Lewis acid-base cluster. The symmetry breaking arises from the valence stratification of Sb into Sb⁵⁺ and Sb³⁺ as well as their lone pair electrons. When assembled, SbCl₄ clusters form a supercrystal that is thermodynamically stable up to 600 K, with the unique bonding feature of Sb₂Cl₈ prevailing in the bulk phase. Combination of mixed valence and lone pair electrons leads to electric polarizations along all directions, generating a type of unconventional multimode ferroelectricity in which three different modes of ferroelectricity with distinct magnitudes and Curie temperature are revealed.

Highly Colored Boron-Doped Thiazolothiazoles from the Reductive Dimerization of Boron Isothiocyanates

Reduction of (CAAC)BBr2 (NCS) (CAAC=cyclic alkyl(amino)carbene) in the presence of a Lewis base L yields tricoordinate (CAAC)LB(NCS) borylenes which undergo reversible E/Z-isomerization. The same reduction in the absence of L yields deep blue, bis(CAAC)-stabilized, boron-doped, aromatic thiazolothiazoles resulting from the dimerization of dicoordinate (CAAC)B(NCS) borylene intermediates.

Merging Boron with Nitrogen-Oxygen Bonds: A Review on BON Heterocycles

Cyclic boronate esters play important roles in organic synthesis, pharmacology, supramolecular chemistry and materials science owing to their stability in air and versatile reactivity. Most of these compounds contain a B-O-C linkage with an alkoxy- or carboxylate group bound to the boron atom (e.g. boronate-diol esters, MIDA boronates). Boron chelates comprising a B-O-N motif (BON heterocycles) are much less explored, although first representatives of this class were prepared in the early 1960s. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in BON heterocycles as new chemotypes for drug design. The exocyclic B-O-N linkage, which is readily formed under mild conditions, shows surprising hydrolytic and thermal resistance. This allows the formation of BON heterocycles to be used as click-type reactions for the preparation of bioconjugates and functionally modified polymers. We believe that BON heterocycles are promising yet underrated organoboron derivatives. This review summarizes the scattered information about known types of BON heterocycles, including their synthesis, reactivity and structural data. Available applications of BON heterocycles in materials science and medicinal chemistry, along with their prospects, are also discussed. The bibliography contains 289 references.

Designing aromatic heterocyclic superacids in terms of Brønsted and Lewis perspectives

The unexplored area of organic superacids was investigated in terms of both Brønsted and Lewis concepts of acids and bases. The primary requirement of a superacid-high affinity for electron/fluoride ions was fulfilled using two strategies: (i) using the superhalogen-type heterocyclic framework and (ii) selecting systems that have an electron count one short of attaining (4n + 2) Hückel aromaticity. With these in mind, eleven systems were considered throughout the study, expected to cross the target of 100% H₂SO₄ acidity and/or the fluoride affinity of SbF₅. To enhance the pK_a and F^- affinity values of the considered systems, electron-withdrawing ligands F and CN were employed. The superhalogen and aromaticity properties were verified by vertical detachment energy (VDE) and nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) calculations, respectively. Finally, the collective effect of the potential super Lewis acids was looked into using a BL₃ skeleton with them acting as ligands.