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At least 145 records · Page 8

Selective sorption of oxygen and nitrous oxide by an electron donor-incorporated flexible coordination network

Incorporating strong electron donor functionality into flexible coordination networks is intriguing for sorption applications due to a built-in mechanism for electron-withdrawing guests. Here we report a 2D flexible porous coordination network, [Ni 2 (4,4'-bipyridine)(VTTF) 2 ]n(1) (where H 2 VTTF = 2,2;-[1,2-bis(4-benzoic acid)-1,2ethanediylidene]bis-1,3-benzodithiole), which exhibits large structural deformation from the as-synthesized or open phase (1α) into the closed phase (1β) after guest removal, as demonstrated by X-ray and electron diffraction. Interestingly, upon exposure to electron-withdrawing species, 1β reversibly undergoes guest accommodation transitions; 1α$\supset$O 2 (90 K) and 1α$\supset$N 2 O (185 K). Moreover, the 1β phase showed exclusive O 2 sorption over other gases (N 2 , Ar, and CO) at 120 K. The phase transformations between the 1α and 1β phases under these gases were carefully investigated by in-situ X-ray diffraction, in-situ spectroscopic studies, and DFT calculations, validating that the unusual sorption was attributed to the combination of flexible frameworks and VTTF (electron-donor) that induces strong interactions with electron-withdrawing species.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Inhibition of Alkali Metal Reduction of 1-Adamantanol by London Dispersion Effects

Here, a series of alkali metal 1-adamantoxide (OAd 1 ) complexes of formula [M(OAd 1 )(HOAd 1 ) 2 ], where M=Li, Na or K, were synthesised by reduction of 1-adamantanol with excess of the alkali metal. The syntheses indicated that only one out of every three HOAd 1 molecules was reduced. An X-ray diffraction study of the sodium derivative shows that the complex features two unreduced HOAd 1 donors as well as the reduced alkoxide (OAd 1 ), with the Ad 1 fragments clustered together on the same side of the NaO 3 plane, contrary to steric considerations. This is the first example of an alkali metal reduction of an alcohol that is inhibited from completion due to the formation of the [M(OAd 1 )(HOAd 1 ) 2 ] complexes, stabilized by London dispersion effects. NMR spectroscopic studies revealed similar structures for the lithium and potassium derivatives. Computational analyses indicate that decisive London dispersion effects in the molecular structure are a consequence of the many C–H•••H–C interactions between the OAd 1 groups.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Synthesis and Exploratory Catalysis of 3d Metals: Atom and Group-Transfer Reactions and the Activation and Functionalization of Small Molecules Including Greenhouse Gases

Determining ways to convert natural gas, with zero emissions, and to more value-added materials such as olefins is one of the main goals in my research group. Over this funding period, we explored the chemistry of early-transition metals with metal-nitrogen multiple bonds, specifically titanium and zirconium nitrides, and explored their redox properties, basicity and reactivity with small molecules including greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide. Some of these work serve as inspiration for the chemistry of important materials such as uranium nitride along with its unprecedented basicity and ability to activate C-H bonds. Using robust chelating templates we also examined rare examples of trivalent group 4 transition metal ions, and studied these spectroscopically. Using early transition metal ions we also explored synthetic routes to new phosphide based products using the phosphaethynolate salt. In addition, we also explored the chemistry of ferrous systems, and redox active ligand that can allow us to reversibly break and make C-S as well as N-N bonds, activate dinitrogen forming unusual MNNM topologies. Our final component describes how we activate methane and dehydrocouple if with a carbene source to form ethylene. Using this information, we also discovered a simple to make iridium catalyst that activate and functionalize methane with 9:1 selectivity for mono-functionalization. We have established a pathway that leads to poisoning of the catalyst and have found optimal conditions for higher selectivity and with over 170 Turnovers.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Polymer Architecture-Induced Trade-off between Conductivities and Transference Numbers in Salt-Doped Polymeric Ionic Liquids

Recent experiments have demonstrated that polymeric ionic liquids that share the same cation and anion but possess different architectures can exhibit markedly different conductivity and transference number characteristics when doped with lithium salt. In this study, we used atomistic molecular simulations on polymer chemistries inspired by the experiments to probe the mechanistic origins underlying the competition between conductivity and transference numbers. Our results indicate that the architecture of the polycationic ionic liquid plays a subtle but crucial role in modulating the anion–cation interactions, especially their dynamical coordination characteristics. Chemistries leading to longer-lived anion–cation coordinations relative to lithium–anion coordinations lead to lower conductivities and higher transference numbers. Furthermore, our results suggest that higher conductivities are accompanied by lower transference numbers and vice versa, revealing that alternative approaches may need to be considered to break this trade-off in salt-doped polyILs.

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS↗

A Nanosized {Ni II 18 } Cluster with a ‘Flying Saucer’ Topology Exhibiting Slow Relaxation of Magnetisation Phenomena at Both 15 K and 1.3 K

A high-nuclearity {Ni 18 } complex (1) with a unique ‘flying saucer’ motif has been prepared from the organic chelate, α-methyl-2-pyridine-methanol (mpmH), in conjunction with bridging azido (N 3 - ) and peroxido (O 2 2- ) ligands. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed the presence of both ferro- and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centres in 1, and the stabilization of spin states with appreciable S values at two different temperature regimes. The end-on bridging azido and alkoxido groups are in all likelihood the ferromagnetic mediators, while the η 3 :η 3 :μ 6 -bridging peroxides most likely promote the antiparallel alignment of the metals’ spin vectors, yielding an overall non-zero spin ground state for the centrosymmetric compound 1. Furthermore, the {Ni 18 } nanosized cluster behaves as a single-molecule magnet, exhibiting magnetic hysteresis at low temperatures and two relaxation processes at 15 K and 1.3 K, a very rare phenomenon in polynuclear magnetic 3d-metal clusters.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural characterization of a new samarium–sodium heterometallic coordination polymer

Lanthanide-containing materials are of interest in the field of crystal engineering because of their unique properties and distinct structure types. In this context, a new samarium–sodium heterometallic coordination polymer, poly[tetrakis(μ 2 -2-formyl-6-methoxyphenolato)samarium(III)sodium(I)], {[SmNa(C 8 H 7 O 3 ) 4 ]·solvent} n ( Sm-1 ), was synthesized and crystallized via slow evaporation from a mixture of ethanol and acetonitrile. The compound features alternating Sm III and Na I ions, which are linked by ortho -vanillin ( o -vanillin) ligands to form a mono-periodic chain-like coordination polymer. The chains propagate along the [001] direction. Residual electron density of disordered solvent molecules in the void space could not be reasonably modeled, thus the SQUEEZE function was applied. The structural, vibrational, and optical properties are reported.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Exploring the Role of Organic Functional Groups in the Ionothermal Synthesis of Uranyl Phosphate Materials

Four new hybrid organic-inorganic uranyl phosphate compounds were structurally characterized after single crystals were grown via ionothermal synthesis using the ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethyl phosphate and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dibutyl phosphate. Three of the new crystal structures presented here incorporate dimethyl or monomethyl phosphate ligands into the structural unit to form one chain-based compound and two sheet-based compounds. One of the structures utilizes dibutyl phosphate to form a previously reported uranyl compound, a structural polymorph that crystallized in space group P2 1 /c in contrast to the previously reported P-1 structure. The structural and topological relationships are compared to those of uranyl phosphate minerals as well as previously reported organophosphate compounds. Finally, the roles of the organics on the phosphate anions in impacting uranyl coordination and stabilizing the crystal structures are discussed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Supramolecular Assembly of One-Dimensional Coordination Polymers for Efficient Separation of Xenon and Krypton

Efficient separation and purification of xenon (Xe) from krypton (Kr) represent an industrially crucial but challenging process. While the adsorption-based separation of these atomic gases represents an energy-efficient process, achieving highly selective adsorbents remains a difficult task. Here, we demonstrate a supramolecular assembly of coordination polymers, termed as M(II)-dhbq (M = Mg, Mn, Co, and Zn; dhbq = 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinone), with high-density open metal sites (5.3 nm –3 ) and optimal pore size (5.5 Å), which are able to selectively capture Xe among other chemically inert gases including Kr, Ar, N 2 , and O 2 . Among M(II)-dhbq materials, Mn-dhbq exhibits the highest Xe uptake capacity of 3.1 mmol/g and a Xe/Kr selectivity of 11.2 at 298 K and 1.0 bar, outperforming many state-of-the-art adsorbents reported so far. Remarkably, the adsorption selectivity of Mn-dhbq for Xe/O 2 , Xe/N 2 , and Xe/Ar at ambient conditions reaches as high as 70.0, 139.3, and 64.0, respectively. Direct breakthrough experiments further confirm that all M(II)-dhbq materials can efficiently discriminate Xe atoms from other inert gases. Furthermore, it is revealed from the density functional theory calculations that the strong affinity between Xe and the coordination polymer is mainly attributed to the polarization by open metal sites.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structures of five salt forms of disulfonated monoazo dyes

The structures of five s -block metal salt forms of three disulfonated monoazo dyes are presented. These are poly[di-μ-aqua-diaqua[μ 4 -3,3'-(diazane-1,2-diyl)bis(benzenesulfonato)]disodium(I)], [Na 2 (C 12 H 8 N 2 O 6 S 2 )(H 2 O) 4 ] n , (I), catena -poly[[tetraaquacalcium(II)]-μ-3,3'-(diazane-1,2-diyl)bis(benzenesulfonato)], [Ca(C 12 H 8 N 2 O 6 S 2 )(H 2 O) 4 ] n , (II), catena -poly[[[diaquacalcium(II)]-μ-2-(4-amino-3-sulfonatophenyl)-1-(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenium] dihydrate], {[Na(C 12 H 10 N 3 O 6 S 2 )(H 2 O) 2 ]·2H 2 O} n , (III), hexaaquamagnesium bis[2-(4-amino-3-sulfonatophenyl)-1-(4-sulfonatophenyl)diazenium] octahydrate, [Mg(H 2 O) 6 ](C 12 H 10 N 3 O 6 S 2 ) 2 ·8H 2 O, (IV), and poly[[{μ 2 -4-[2-(4-amino-2-methyl-5-methoxyphenyl)diazen-1-yl]benzene-1,3-disulfonato}di-μ-aqua-diaquabarium(II)] dihydrate], {[Ba(C 14 H 13 N 3 O 7 S 2 )(H 2 O) 4 ]·2H 2 O} n , (V). Compound (III) is that obtained on crystallizing the commercial dyestuff Acid Yellow 9 [74543-21-8]. The Mg species is a solvent-separated ion-pair structure and the others are all coordination polymers with bonds from the metal atoms to sulfonate groups. Compound (I) is a three-dimensional coordination polymer, (V) is a two-dimensional coordination polymer and both (II) and (III) are one-dimensional coordination polymers. The coordination behaviour of the azo ligands and the water ligands, the dimensionality of the coordination polymers and the overall packing motifs of these five structures are contrasted to those of monosulfonate monoazo congers. It is found that (I) and (II) adopt similar structural types to those of monosulfonate species but that the other three structures do not.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Organometallic complexes as preferred precursors to form molecular Ir(pyalk) coordination complexes for catalysis of oxygen evolution

Our previously reported ‘blue solution’ oxygen-evolution catalyst consists of an isomeric mixture of coordination complexes containing the (pyalk)Ir IV –O–Ir IV (pyalk) core unit and is thus entirely molecular but only when formed from organometallic precursors such as Cp*Ir(pyalk)Cl or Ir(pyalk)(CO) 2 (pyalk = (2-pyridyl)-2-propanolate). We now show that attempts to form it from such obvious coordination precursors as Na[Ir(pyalk)Cl 4 ] or Na[IrCl 2 (pyalk)(O 2 CPh) 2 ], under a variety of conditions, always fail in our hands, leading to a mixture of molecular ‘blue solution’ species and IrO x nanoparticles, rather than the purely homogeneous catalyst formed from organometallic precursors. The loss of the pyalk ligand during the oxidative activation is associated with the nanoparticle generation. External chelating ligands also failed to stop the nanoparticle formation. This work implies the paradoxical conclusion that organometallic complexes are effective as catalyst precursors, even when coordination complexes are the catalytically active species, since the inner-sphere organometallic ligands, although ultimately lost or degraded, may nevertheless have a stabilizing effect sufficient to suppress undesirable nanoparticle production pathways in the activation of the catalyst precursor. Finally, a key aspect of the present study is that organometallic complexes in general may be useful catalyst precursors even if the organometallic ligands are lost in the activation process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Nanosized Zirconium Porphyrinic Metal–Organic Frameworks that Catalyze the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Acid

Porphyrinic metal–organic frameworks (PMOFs) are very appealing electrocatalytic materials, in part, due to their highly porous backbone, well-defined and dispersed metal active sites, and their long-range order. Herein a series of (Co)PCN222 (PCN: porous coordination network) (nano)particles with different sizes are successfully prepared by coordination modulation synthesis. These particles exhibit stability in 0.1 M HClO 4 electrolyte with no obvious particle size or compositional changes observed after being soaked for 3 days in the electrolyte or during electrocatalysis. This long-term stability enables the in-depth investigation into the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction, and it is further demonstrated that the (Co)PCN222 particle size correlates with its catalytic activity. Of the three particle sizes evaluated (characteristic length scales of 200, 500, and 1000 nm), the smallest size demonstrates the highest mass activity while the largest size has the highest surface area normalized activity. Together these results highlight the importance of determining the structural stability of framework catalysts and provide insights into the important roles of particle size, opening new avenues to investigate and improve the electrocatalytic performance of this class of framework material.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Isolation and characterization of a californium metallocene

Californium (Cf) is currently the heaviest element accessible above microgram quantities. Cf isotopes impose severe experimental challenges due to their scarcity and radiological hazards. Consequently, chemical secrets ranging from the accessibility of 5f/6d valence orbitals to engage in bonding, the role of spin–orbit coupling in electronic structure, and reactivity patterns compared to other f elements, remain locked. Organometallic molecules were foundational in elucidating periodicity and bonding trends across the periodic table, with a twenty-first-century renaissance of organometallic thorium (Th) through plutonium (Pu) chemistry, and to a smaller extent americium (Am), transforming chemical understanding. Yet, analogous curium (Cm) to Cf chemistry has lain dormant since the 1970s. Here, we revive air-/moisture-sensitive Cf chemistry through the synthesis and characterization of [Cf(C 5 Me 4 H) 2 Cl 2 K(OEt 2 )] n from two milligrams of 249 Cf. This bent metallocene motif, not previously structurally authenticated beyond uranium (U), contains the first crystallographically characterized Cf–C bond. Analysis suggests the Cf–C bond is largely ionic with a small covalent contribution. Lowered Cf 5f orbital energy versus dysprosium (Dy) 4f in the colourless, isoelectronic and isostructural [Dy(C 5 Me 4 H) 2 Cl 2 K(OEt 2 )] n results in an orange Cf compound, contrasting with the light-green colour typically associated with Cf compounds.

Chemical bonding↗

Praseodymium in the formal +5 oxidation state

Praseodymium in the +5 oxidation state is a long-sought connection between lanthanide, early-transition and actinide metal redox chemistries. Unique among the lanthanide series, evidence for molecular pentavalent praseodymium species has been observed in the gas phase and noble gas matrix isolation conditions. Here we report the low-temperature synthesis and characterization of a molecular praseodymium complex in the formal +5 oxidation state, [Pr 5+ (NP t Bu 3 ) 4 ][X − ] (where t Bu = tert -butyl and X − = tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate or hexafluorophosphate). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction, solution-state spectroscopic, solution magnetometric, density functional theory and multireference wavefunction-based methods indicate a highly multiconfigurational singlet ground state. Finally, an inverted ligand field drives this unique electronic structure, which establishes a critical link in understanding the bonding of high-valent metal complexes across the periodic table.

chemical bonding↗

Variable hydrazine coordination modes from reactions with dichlorotris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II)

The reactivity of the prominent ruthenium(II) catalyst and precursor, RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 , was explored with hydrazine and its derivatives. The reactions produced 6-coordinate ruthenium(II) products that bond with the hydrazine moiety in bridging (NH 2 NH 2 or NH 2 NHMe), end-on (NH 2 NHMe, NH 2 NHPh, or NH 2 NMe 2 ), or side-on (NH 2 NMe 2 ) fashions. The products have been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and 31 P NMR spectroscopy. With NH 2 NH 2 , the dimeric product, [RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ] 2 ($μ$-N 2 H 4 ) 2 , was formed under all conditions used. For other hydrazines, the reaction stoichiometry governed product formation to yield either bimetallic or monomeric products. When the RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 to hydrazine derivative ratio was 1:1 or lower, bimetallic complexes were formed while a 1:2 ratio produced monomeric compounds. The exception to the latter occurs with the production of the monomeric compound, RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 ($η$ 2 -NH 2 NMe 2 ), that forms employing a 1:1 ratio. In addition to stoichiometry, steric factors and hydrogen bonding played a significant role in dictating the bonding mode of hydrazines. The bimetallic complexes were further reacted to yield the corresponding monomeric products, adopting the form RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 2 (L) 2 (L = NH 2 NHMe, NH 2 NHPh, or NH 2 NMe 2 ). Reactions utilizing less than a 1:2 ratio of RuCl 2 (PPh 3 ) 3 to NH 2 NMe 2 produced a mixture of products that appear to be in equilibrium. In conclusion, FT calculations were performed to gain insight into the reaction energetics and molecular stability.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Modeling dark- and light-induced crystal structures and single-crystal optical absorption spectra of ruthenium-based complexes that undergo SO 2 -linkage photoisomerization

A family of coordination complexes of the type [Ru(SO 2 )(NH 3 ) 4 X] m+ Y n – (m, n = 1 or 2) exhibit optical switching capabilities in their single-crystal states. This striking effect is caused by the light-induced formation of SO 2 -linkage photoisomers, which are metastable if kept at suitably cool temperatures. We modeled the dark- and light-induced states of these large crystalline complexes via plane-wave (PW)- and molecular-orbital (MO)-based density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT in order to calculate their structural and optical properties; the calculated results are compared with experimental data. We show that the PW-DFT-based periodic models replicate the structural properties of these complexes more effectively than the MO-DFT-based molecular-fragment models, observing only small deviations in key bond lengths relative to the experimentally derived crystal structures. The periodic models were also found to more effectively simulate trends seen in experimental optical absorption spectra, with optical absorbance and coverage of the visible region increasing with the formation of the photoinduced geometries. The contribution of the metastable photoisomeric species more heavily focuses on the lower-energy end of the spectra. Spectra generated from the molecular-fragment models are limited by the geometry of the fragment used and the number of excited-state roots considered in those calculations. In general, periodic models outperform the molecular-fragment models owing to their ability to better appreciate the periodic phenomena that are present in these crystalline materials as opposed to MO approaches, which are finite methods. We thus demonstrate that PW-DFT-based periodic models should be considered as a more than viable method for simulating the optical and electronic properties of these single-crystal optical switches.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Bismuth-Polyoxocation Coordination Networks: Controlling Nuclearity and Dimension-Dependent Photocatalysis

Bismuth-oxocluster nodes for metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination networks/polymers are less prolific than other families featuring zinc, zirconium, titanium, lanthanides, etc. However, Bi 3+ is non-toxic, it readily forms polyoxocations, and its oxides are exploited in photocatalysis. This family of compounds provides opportunity in medicinal and energy applications. Here, we show that Bi node nuclearity depends on solvent polarity, leading to a family of Bi x -sulfonate/carboxylate coordination networks with x = 1–38. Larger nuclearity-node networks were obtained from polar and strongly coordinating solvents, and we attribute the solvent’s ability to stabilize larger species in solution. Here, the strong role of the solvent and the lesser role of the linker in defining node topologies differ from other MOF syntheses, and this is due to the Bi 3+ intrinsic lone pair that leads to weak node–linker interactions. We describe this family by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (eleven structures), obtained in pure forms and high yields. Ditopic linkers include NDS (1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate), DDBS (2,2'-[biphenyl-4,4'-diylchethane-2,1-diyl] dibenzenesulphonate), and NH 2 -benzendicarboxylate (BDC). While the BDC and NDS linkers yield more open-framework topologies that resemble those obtained by carboxylate linkers, topologies with DDBS linkers appear to be in part driven by association between DDBS molecules. An in situ small-angle X-ray scattering study of Bi 38 -DDBS reveals stepwise formation, including Bi 38 -assembly, pre-organization in solution, followed by crystallization, confirming the less important role of the linker. We demonstrate photocatalytic hydrogen (H 2 ) generation with select members of the synthesized materials without the benefit of a co-catalyst. Band gap determination from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–vis data suggest the DDBS linker effectively absorbs in the visible range with ligand-to-Bi-node charge transfer. In addition, materials containing more Bi (larger Bi 38 -nodes or Bi 6 inorganic chains) exhibit strong UV absorption, also contributing to effective photocatalysis by a different mechanism. All tested materials became black with extensive UV–vis exposure, and XPS, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray scattering of the black Bi 38 -framework suggest that Bi o is formed in situ, without phase segregation. This evolution leads to enhanced photocatalytic performance, perhaps due to increased light absorption.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Amino‐Functionalised Hybrid Ultramicroporous Materials that Enable Single‐Step Ethylene Purification from a Ternary Mixture

Abstract Pyrazine‐linked hybrid ultramicroporous (pore size <7 Å) materials (HUMs) offer benchmark performance for trace carbon capture thanks to strong selectivity for CO 2 over small gas molecules, including light hydrocarbons. That the prototypal pyrazine‐linked HUMs are amenable to crystal engineering has enabled second generation HUMs to supersede the performance of the parent HUM, SIFSIX‐3‐Zn , mainly through substitution of the metal and/or the inorganic pillar. Herein, we report that two isostructural aminopyrazine‐linked HUMs, MFSIX‐17‐Ni (17=aminopyrazine; M=Si, Ti), which we had anticipated would offer even stronger affinity for CO 2 than their pyrazine analogs, unexpectedly exhibit reduced CO 2 affinity but enhanced C 2 H 2 affinity. MFSIX‐17‐Ni are consequently the first physisorbents that enable single‐step production of polymer‐grade ethylene (>99.95 % for SIFSIX‐17‐Ni ) from a ternary equimolar mixture of ethylene, acetylene and CO 2 thanks to coadsorption of the latter two gases. We attribute this performance to the very different binding sites in MFSIX‐17‐Ni versus SIFSIX‐3‐Zn .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Defying Thermodynamics: Stabilization of Alane Within Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Reversible Hydrogen Storage

Metastable metal hydrides such as AlH 3 have many attractive features as hydrogen storage media, but generally require complex reaction schemes for regeneration following H 2 release. Here in this paper, we demonstrate that the highly unfavorable thermodynamics of direct aluminum hydrogenation can be overcome by stabilizing alane within a nanoporous bipyridine-functionalized Covalent Triazine Framework (AlH 3 @CTF-bipyridine). This material and the counterpart AlH 3 @CTF-biphenyl rapidly desorb H 2 between 95 and 154 °C, with desorption complete at 250 °C. Sieverts measurements, 27 Al MAS NMR and 27 Al{ 1 H} REDOR experiments, and computational spectroscopy reveal that AlH 3 @CTF-bipyridine dehydrogenation is reversible at 60 °C under 700 bar hydrogen, >10 times lower pressure than that required to hydrogenate bulk aluminum. DFT calculations and EPR measurements support an unconventional mechanism whereby strong AlH 3 binding to bipyridine results in single-electron transfer to form AlH 2 (AlH 3 ) n clusters. The resulting size-dependent charge redistribution alters the dehydrogenation/rehydrogenation thermochemistry, suggesting a novel strategy to enable reversibility in high-capacity metal hydrides.

Coordination Chemistry↗