1
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Wang J, Fan W, Cheng SB, Chen J. Tailoring the Superatomic Characteristics and Optical Behavior of Metal-Free Boron Clusters via Ligand Engineering. J Phys Chem A 2024; 128:7869-7878. [PMID: 39231803 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.4c04808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
It is of great importance to understand how the number and type of ligands influence the properties of clusters through ligand engineering, as this knowledge is crucial for the rational design and optimization of functional materials. Herein, the geometrical structures, binding energies, and electronic properties of nonmetallic Bn (n = 20 and 40) clusters with CO, PEt3, F, NO2, and CN ligands are systematically explored based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Our findings demonstrate that the CO ligand acts as an electron donor when attached to these two boron clusters, in contrast to their role as electron acceptors in interactions with metal oxide and metal chalcogenide clusters. This emphasizes the necessity of considering the intrinsic properties of the host cluster when modifying with ligands. Moreover, it was observed that substituting PEt3 with F, NO2, or CN converted the B20 cluster from an electron acceptor to an electron donor, thereby demonstrating the versatility in tuning the redox characteristics of boron clusters by selecting appropriate ligands. Intriguingly, the attachment of the PEt3, F, NO2, and CN ligands to B20 can significantly modulate the electronic properties of B20 to realize the formation of metal-free superalkali (B20(PEt3)n, n = 3-5) and superhalogen (B20F, B20NO2, and B20CN) clusters. Furthermore, the structure, stability, and optical absorption of the charge transfer complex B20(PEt3)3+B20F were analyzed. This complex has been identified as an efficient material for harvesting visible light. Our findings provide insights into the effects of ligand variations on boron cluster functionalities, offering a new perspective for the design of advanced materials with tailored cluster properties through ligand engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiliu Fan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Bo Cheng
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shandong University, Jinan 250100, People's Republic of China
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2
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Parveen D, Yadav RK, Mondal B, Dallon M, Sarazin Y, Roy DK. Bis(diiminate)-based boron difluoro complexes: effective synthon for bis(borenium) cations. Dalton Trans 2024; 53:14139-14143. [PMID: 39145492 DOI: 10.1039/d4dt02050b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
A series of boron difluoro bis(diiminate) complexes have been prepared and used to obtain triflate substituted fluoroborane complexes. The corresponding well-defined bis(borenium) cations were subsequently synthesized and structurally authenticated. We are also presenting the first experimental and theoretical study of bis(borenium) cations that are derivative of cationic borinic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darakshan Parveen
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
| | - Rahul Kumar Yadav
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
| | - Bijan Mondal
- Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Universität Regensburg, Universität Strasse 31, 93040 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Marie Dallon
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Yann Sarazin
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, ISCR-UMR 6226, 35000, Rennes, France
| | - Dipak Kumar Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Madhya Pradesh, 453552, India.
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3
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Wang LS. Borozenes: Benzene-Like Planar Aromatic Boron Clusters. Acc Chem Res 2024; 57:2428-2436. [PMID: 39096510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.4c00380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
ConspectusWith three valence electrons and four valence orbitals, boron (2s22p1) is an electron-deficient element, resulting in interesting chemical bonding and structures in both borane molecules and bulk boron materials. The electron deficiency leads to electron sharing and delocalization in borane compounds and bulk boron allotropes, characterized by polyhedral cages, in particular, the ubiquitous B12 icosahedral cage. During the past two decades, the structures and bonding of size-selected boron clusters have been elucidated via combined photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical investigations. Unlike bulk boron materials, finite boron clusters have been found to possess 2D structures consisting of B3 triangles, dotted with tetragonal, pentagonal, or hexagonal holes. The discovery of the planar B36 cluster with a central hexagonal hole provided the first experimental evidence for the viability of 2D boron nanostructures (borophene), which have been synthesized on inert substrates. The B7-, B8-, and B9- clusters were among the first few boron clusters to be investigated by joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations, and they were all found to possess 2D structures with a central B atom inside a Bn ring. Recently, the B73- (C6v), B82- (D7h), and B9- (D8h) series of closed-shell species were shown to possess similar π bonding akin to that in the C5H5-, C6H6, and C7H7+ series, respectively, and the name "borozene" was coined to highlight their analogy to the classical aromatic hydrocarbon molecules.Among the borozenes, the D7h B82- species is unique for its high stability originating from both its double aromaticity and the fact that the B7 ring has the perfect size to host a central B atom. The B82- borozene has been realized experimentally in a variety of MB8 and M2B8 complexes. In particular, the B82- borozene has been observed to stabilize the rare valence-I oxidation state of lanthanides in LnB8- complexes, as well as a Cu2+ species in Cu2B8-. The B6 ring in B73- is too small to host a B atom, resulting in a slight out-of-plane distortion. Interestingly, the bowl-shaped B7 borozene is perfect for coordination to a metal atom, leading to the observation of a series of highly stable MB7 borozene complexes. On the other hand, the B8 ring is slightly too large to host the central B atom, such that a low-lying and low-symmetry isomer also exists for B9-. Even though most 2D boron clusters are aromatic, the B73-, B82-, and B9- borozenes are special because of their high symmetries and their analogy to the series of C5H5-, C6H6, and C7H7+ prototypical aromatic compounds. This Account discusses recent experimental and theoretical advances on the investigations of various borozene complexes. It is expected that many new borozene compounds can be designed and may be eventually synthesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
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4
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Chen WJ, Pozdeev AS, Choi HW, Boldyrev AI, Yuan DF, Popov IA, Wang LS. Searching for stable copper borozene complexes in CuB 7- and CuB 8. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:12928-12938. [PMID: 38456623 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp00296b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Copper has been shown to be an important substrate for the growth of borophenes. Copper-boron binary clusters are ideal platforms to study the interactions between copper and boron, which may provide insight about the underlying growth mechanisms of borophene on copper substrates. Here we report a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study on two copper-doped boron clusters, CuB7- and CuB8-. Well resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained for the two clusters at different wavelengths and are used to understand the structures and bonding properties of the two CuBn- clusters. We find that CuB8- is a highly stable borozene complex, which possesses a half-sandwich structure with a Cu+ species interacting with the doubly aromatic η8-B82- borozene. The CuB7- cluster is found to consist of a terminal copper atom bonded to a double-chain B7 motif, but it has a low-lying isomer composed of a half-sandwich structure with a Cu+ species interacting with an open-shell η7-B72- borozene. Both ionic and covalent interactions are found to be possible in the binary Cu-B clusters, resulting in different structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Anton S Pozdeev
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
| | - Hyun Wook Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Alexander I Boldyrev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, USA
| | - Dao-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Ivan A Popov
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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5
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de Azevedo Santos L, Trujillo-González DE, Jiménez-Halla JOC, Bickelhaupt FM, Solà M. Stabilization of Diborynes versus Destabilization of Diborenes by Coordination of Lewis Bases: Unravelling the Dichotomy. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303185. [PMID: 37870211 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
We have quantum chemically investigated the boron-boron bonds in B2 , diborynes B2 L2 , and diborenes B2 H2 L2 (L=none, OH2 , NH3 ) using dispersion-corrected relativistic density functional theory at ZORA-BLYP-D3(BJ)/TZ2P. B2 has effectively a single B-B bond provided by two half π bonds, whereas B2 H2 has effectively a double B=B bond provided by two half π bonds and one σ 2p-2p bond. This different electronic structure causes B2 and B2 H2 to react differently to the addition of ligands. Thus, in B2 L2 , electron-donating ligands shorten and strengthen the boron-boron bond whereas, in B2 H2 L2 , they lengthen and weaken the boron-boron bond. The aforementioned variations in boron-boron bond length and strength become more pronounced as the Lewis basicity of the ligands L increases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas de Azevedo Santos
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, AIMMS, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel E Trujillo-González
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Unversidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, C.P. 36050, Gto., Mexico
- Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, 17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - J Oscar C Jiménez-Halla
- Departamento de Química, División de Ciencias Naturales y Exactas, Unversidad de Guanajuato, Noria Alta S/N Col. Noria Alta, Guanajuato, C.P. 36050, Gto., Mexico
| | - F Matthias Bickelhaupt
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, AIMMS, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1108, 1081 HZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Miquel Solà
- Institut de Química Computacional i Catàlisi and Departament de Química, Universitat de Girona, C/ Maria Aurèlia Capmany, 69, 17003, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
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6
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Chen Q, Chen WJ, Wu XY, Chen TT, Yuan RN, Lu HG, Yuan DF, Li SD, Wang LS. Investigation of Pb-B Bonding in PbB 2(BO) n- ( n = 0-2): Transformation from Aromatic PbB 2- to Pb[B 2(BO) 2] -/0 Complexes with BB Triple Bonds. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024; 26:5356-5367. [PMID: 38269413 DOI: 10.1039/d3cp02800c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Boron has been found to be able to form multiple bonds with lead. To probe Pb-B bonding, here we report an investigation of three Pb-doped boron clusters, PbB2-, PbB3O-, and PbB4O2-, which are produced by a laser ablation cluster source and characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. The most stable structures of PbB2-, PbB3O-, and PbB4O2- are found to follow the formula, [PbB2(BO)n]- (n = 0-2), with zero, one, and two boronyl ligands coordinated to a triangular and aromatic PbB2 core, respectively. The PbB2- cluster contains a BB double bond and two Pb-B single bonds. The coordination of BO is observed to weaken Pb-B bonding but strengthen the BB bond in [PbB2(BO)n]- (n = 1, 2). The anionic [PbB2(BO)2]- and its corresponding neutral closed-shell [PbB2(BO)2] contain a BB triple bond. A low-lying Y-shaped isomer is also observed for PbB4O2-, consisting of a central sp2 hybridized B atom bonded to two boronyl ligands and a PbB unit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Chen
- Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
| | - Xin-Yao Wu
- Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Teng-Teng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Rui-Nan Yuan
- Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hai-Gang Lu
- Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Dao-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.
| | - Si-Dian Li
- Institute of Molecular Science, Key Laboratory of Materials for Energy Conversion and Storage of Shanxi Province, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Chemical Biology and Molecular Engineering of Ministry of Education, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, People's Republic of China
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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7
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Pozdeev AS, Chen WJ, Choi HW, Kulichenko M, Yuan DF, Boldyrev AI, Wang LS. Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Theoretical Study of Di-Copper-Boron Clusters: Cu 2B 3- and Cu 2B 4. J Phys Chem A 2023. [PMID: 37235389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c02417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Copper has been found to be able to mediate the formation of bilayer borophenes. Copper-boron binary clusters are ideal model systems to probe the copper-boron interactions, which are essential to understand the growth mechanisms of borophenes on copper substrates. Here, we report a joint photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study on two di-copper-doped boron clusters: Cu2B3- and Cu2B4-. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained, revealing the presence of a low-lying isomer in both cases. Theoretical calculations show that the global minimum of Cu2B3- (C2v, 1A1) contains a doubly aromatic B3- unit weakly interacting with a Cu2 dimer, while the low-lying isomer (C2v, 1A1) consists of a B3 triangle with the two Cu atoms covalently bonded to two B atoms at two vertexes. The global minimum of Cu2B4- (D2h, 2Ag) is found to consist of a rhombus B4 unit covalently bonded to the two Cu atoms at two opposite vertexes, whereas in the low-lying isomer (Cs, 2A'), one of the two Cu atoms is bonded to two B atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton S Pozdeev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Hyun Wook Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Maksim Kulichenko
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Dao-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
- Hefei National Research Center for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Alexander I Boldyrev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
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8
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Huang TX, Yuan YQ, Ding JJ, Li YY, Li QY, Chen GL, Lin W. Probing the Structural Evolution, Stabilities and Properties of LiBn (n = 2–12) Clusters. J CLUST SCI 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s10876-023-02428-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
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9
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Li PF, Zhai HJ. Structures and chemical bonding of boron-based B 12O and B 11Au clusters. A counterexample in boronyl chemistry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:10952-10961. [PMID: 35466336 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp01277d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Boron oxide clusters have structural diversity and unique chemical bonding, and recent literature has shown that boronyl complexes dominate boron-rich oxide clusters. A counterexample in boronyl chemistry is presented in this work. Using global structural searches, electronic structure calculations, and chemical bonding analyses, we shall report on the computational design of two boron-based quasi-planar or planar clusters: B12O and B11Au. Contrary to expectation, the B12O cluster has a circular quasi-planar shape with a peripheral B-O-B bridge, which resembles bare B12 cluster. It does not contain a boronyl ligand. The isomeric boronyl complex turns out to be 10.32 kcal mol-1 higher in energy at the single-point CCSD(T) level. In contrast, B11Au cluster behaves normally with an elongated B11 moiety and a terminal Au ligand. Chemical bonding analyses reveal three-fold π/σ aromaticity in circular B12O cluster, including global 6π aromaticity, as well as spatially isolated inner 2σ aromaticity and outer 10σ aromaticity. The three-fold 6π/2σ/10σ aromaticity underlies the stability of B12O cluster. This bonding picture is unknown for bare B12 cluster and its derivatives. The elongated B11Au cluster has conflicting π/σ aromaticity (with 6π versus 8σ electron-counting). The B12O cluster is actually isoelectronic with bare B12 cluster in terms of delocalized π/σ bonding, which inherits the structural and electronic robustness of the latter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng-Fei Li
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
| | - Hua-Jin Zhai
- Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China.
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10
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Chen WJ, Chen TT, Chen Q, Lu HG, Zhao XY, Ma YY, Yan QQ, Yuan RN, Li SD, Wang LS. Boron-lead multiple bonds in the PbB 2O - and PbB 3O 2- clusters. Commun Chem 2022; 5:25. [PMID: 36697605 PMCID: PMC9814552 DOI: 10.1038/s42004-022-00643-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite its electron deficiency, boron can form multiple bonds with a variety of elements. However, multiple bonds between boron and main-group metal elements are relatively rare. Here we report the observation of boron-lead multiple bonds in PbB2O- and PbB3O2-, which are produced and characterized in a cluster beam. PbB2O- is found to have an open-shell linear structure, in which the bond order of B☱Pb is 2.5, while the closed-shell [Pb≡B-B≡O]2- contains a B≡Pb triple bond. PbB3O2- is shown to have a Y-shaped structure with a terminal B = Pb double bond coordinated by two boronyl ligands. Comparison between [Pb≡B-B≡O]2-/[Pb=B(B≡O)2]- and the isoelectronic [Pb≡B-C≡O]-/[Pb=B(C≡O)2]+ carbonyl counterparts further reveals transition-metal-like behaviors for the central B atoms. Additional theoretical studies show that Ge and Sn can form similar boron species as Pb, suggesting the possibilities to synthesize new compounds containing multiple boron bonds with heavy group-14 elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Chen
- grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 USA
| | - Teng-Teng Chen
- grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 USA
| | - Qiang Chen
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Hai-Gang Lu
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Xiao-Yun Zhao
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Ma
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Qiao-Qiao Yan
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Rui-Nan Yuan
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Si-Dian Li
- grid.163032.50000 0004 1760 2008Nanocluster Laboratory, Institute of Molecular Science, Shanxi University, 030006 Taiyuan, China
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- grid.40263.330000 0004 1936 9094Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912 USA
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11
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Chen TT, Cheung LF, Wang LS. Probing the Nature of the Transition-Metal-Boron Bonds and Novel Aromaticity in Small Metal-Doped Boron Clusters Using Photoelectron Spectroscopy. Annu Rev Phys Chem 2022; 73:233-253. [PMID: 35044792 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-physchem-082820-113041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Photoelectron spectroscopy combined with quantum chemistry has been a powerful approach to elucidate the structures and bonding of size-selected boron clusters (Bn-), revealing a prevalent planar world that laid the foundation for borophenes. Investigations of metal-doped boron clusters not only lead to novel structures but also provide important information about the metal-boron bonds that are critical to understanding the properties of boride materials. The current review focuses on recent advances in transition-metal-doped boron clusters, including the discoveries of metal-boron multiple bonds and metal-doped novel aromatic boron clusters. The study of the RhB- and RhB2O- clusters led to the discovery of the first quadruple bond between boron and a transition-metal atom, whereas a metal-boron triple bond was found in ReB2O- and IrB2O-. The ReB4- cluster was shown to be the first metallaborocycle with Möbius aromaticity, and the planar ReB6- cluster was found to exhibit aromaticity analogous to metallabenzenes. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Physical Chemistry, Volume 73 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng-Teng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA; .,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ling Fung Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA; .,Hitachi Ltd., Research and Development Group, Center for Technology Innovation-Decarbonized Energy, Hitachi-shi, Ibaraki-ken, Japan
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA;
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12
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Barroso J, Pan S, Merino G. Structural transformations in boron clusters induced by metal doping. Chem Soc Rev 2022; 51:1098-1123. [PMID: 35029622 DOI: 10.1039/d1cs00747e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In the last decades, experimental techniques in conjunction with theoretical analyses have revealed the surprising structural diversity of boron clusters. Although the 2D to 3D transition thresholds are well-established, there is no certainty about the factors that determine the geometry adopted by these systems. The structural transformation induced by doping usually yields a minimum energy structure with a boron skeleton entirely different from that of the bare cluster. This review summarizes those clusters no larger than 40 boron atoms where one or two dopants show a radical transformation of the structure. Although the structures of these systems are not easy to predict, they often adopt familiar shapes such as umbrella-like, wheel, tubular, and cages in various cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Barroso
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad Mérida, km 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73, Cordemex 97310, Mérida, Yuc., Mexico.
| | - Sudip Pan
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad Mérida, km 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73, Cordemex 97310, Mérida, Yuc., Mexico.
| | - Gabriel Merino
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados, Unidad Mérida, km 6 Antigua carretera a Progreso, Apdo. Postal 73, Cordemex 97310, Mérida, Yuc., Mexico.
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13
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Wang J, Zhang NX, Wang CZ, Wu QY, Lan JH, Chai ZF, Nie CM, Shi WQ. Theoretical probing of twenty-coordinate actinide-centered boron molecular drums. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:26967-26973. [PMID: 34842871 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp03900h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The exploration of metal-doped boron clusters has a great significance in the design of high coordination number (CN) compounds. Actinide-doped boron clusters are probable candidates for achieving high CNs. In this work, we systematically explored a series of actinide metal atom (U, Np, and Pu) doped B20 boron clusters An@B20 (An = U, Np, and Pu) by global minimum structural searches and density functional theory (DFT). Each An@B20 cluster is confirmed to be a twenty-coordinate complex, which is the highest CN obtained in the chemistry of actinide-doped boron clusters so far. The predicted global minima of An@B20 are tubular structures with actinide atoms as centers, which can be considered as boron molecular drums. In An@B20, U@B20 has a relatively high symmetry of C2, while both Np@B20 and Pu@B20 exhibit C1 symmetry. Extensive bonding analysis demonstrates that An@B20 has σ and π delocalized bonding, and the U-B bonds possess a relatively higher covalency than the Np-B and Pu-B bonds, resulting in the higher formation energy of U@B20. Therefore, the covalent character of An-B bonding may be crucial for the formation of these high CN actinide-centered boron clusters. These results deepen our understanding of actinide metal doped boron clusters and provide new clues for developing stable high CN boron-based nanomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Wang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. .,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Nai-Xin Zhang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Cong-Zhi Wang
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Qun-Yan Wu
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Jian-Hui Lan
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Zhi-Fang Chai
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China. .,Engineering Laboratory of Advanced Energy Materials, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Chang-Ming Nie
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Wei-Qun Shi
- Laboratory of Nuclear Energy Chemistry, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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Chen WJ, Kulichenko M, Choi HW, Cavanagh J, Yuan DF, Boldyrev AI, Wang LS. Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Size-Selected Bismuth-Boron Clusters: BiB n- ( n = 6-8). J Phys Chem A 2021; 125:6751-6760. [PMID: 34333984 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c05846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Because of its low toxicity, bismuth is considered to be a "green metal" and has received increasing attention in chemistry and materials science. To understand the chemical bonding of bismuth, here we report a joint experimental and theoretical study on a series of bismuth-doped boron clusters, BiBn- (n = 6-8). Well-resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained and are used to understand the structures and bonding of BiBn- in conjunction with theoretical calculations. Global minimum searches find that all three BiBn- clusters have planar structures with the Bi atom bonded to the edge of the planar Bn moiety via two Bi-B σ bonds as well as π bonding by the 6pz orbital. BiB6- is found to consist of a double-chain B6 with a terminal Bi atom. Both BiB7- and BiB8- are composed of a Bi atom bonded to the planar global minima of the B7- and B8- clusters. Chemical bonding analyses reveal that BiB6- is doubly antiaromatic, whereas BiB7- and BiB8- are doubly aromatic. In the neutral BiBn (n = 6-8) clusters, except BiB6 which has a planar structure similar to the anion, the global minima of both BiB7 and BiB8 are found to be half-sandwich-type structures due to the high stability of the doubly aromatic B73- and B82- molecular wheel ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Jia Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Maksim Kulichenko
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Hyun Wook Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Joseph Cavanagh
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Dao-Fu Yuan
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
| | - Alexander I Boldyrev
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, Logan, Utah 84322, United States
| | - Lai-Sheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, United States
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