RESUMEN
The gas-phase reactions of [NiL]+ (L=C6 H5 , C5 H4 N, CN) with methane have been explored by using electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) complemented by quantum chemical calculations. Though the phenyl Ni complex [Ni(C6 H5 )]+ exclusively abstracts one hydrogen atom from methane at ambient conditions, the cyano Ni complex [Ni(CN)]+ brings about both H-atom abstraction and ligand exchange to generate [Ni(CH3 )]+ . In contrast, the complex 2-pyridinyl Ni [Ni(C5 H4 N)]+ is inert towards this substrate. The presence of the empty 4s(Ni) orbital dominates the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes for the investigated systems.
RESUMEN
The thermal gas-phase reactions of methane with [OMoH]+ and [MoH]+ were investigated by using electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) complemented by quantum-chemical calculations. In contrast to the inertness of [MoH]+ towards methane, [OMoH]+ activates the C-H bond to form the ionic product [OMo(CH3 )]+ concomitantly with the liberation of H2 . The origin of the varying reactivities is traced back to a different influence of the oxo ligand on the Mo-C and Mo-H bonds. While the presence of this ligand weakens both the Ti-H and the Ti-CH3 bonds, both the Mo-H and Mo-CH3 bonds are strengthened. The more pronounced strengthening of the Mo-CH3 bond compared to the Mo-H bond favors the exothermicity of the reaction of [OMoH]+ with CH4 .
RESUMEN
The potential of carbonyl rhenium complexes in activating and coupling carbon dioxide and methane has been explored by using a combination of gas-phase experiments (FT-ICR mass spectrometry) and high-level quantum chemical calculations. While the complexes [Re(CO)x]+ (x = 0, 1, 3) are thermally unreactive toward CO2, [Re(CO)2]+ abstracts one oxygen atom from this substrate spontaneously at ambient conditions. Based on 13C and 18O labeling experiments, the newly generated CO ligand is preferentially eliminated, and two mechanistic scenarios are considered to account for this unexpected finding. The oxo complex [ORe(CO)2]+ reacts further with CH4 to produce the dihydridomethylene complex [ORe(CO)(CH2)(H)2]+. However, coupling of the CO and CH2 ligands to form CH2âCâO does not take place. Further, the complexes [Re(CO)x(CH2)]+ (x = 1, 2), generated in the thermal reaction of [Re(CO)x]+ (x = 1, 2) with CH4, are inert toward CO2. Mechanistic insight on the origin of this remarkable reactivity pattern has been derived from detailed quantum chemical calculations.
RESUMEN
The thermal reactions of [Ta,O,H](+) with methane and carbon dioxide have been investigated experimentally and theoretically by using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and density functional theory calculations. Although the activation of methane proceeds by liberation of H2 , the activation of CO2 gives rise to the formation of [OTa(OH)](+) under the elimination of CO. Computational studies of the reactions of methane and carbon dioxide with the two isomers of [Ta,O,H](+) , namely, [HTaO](+) and [Ta(OH)](+) , have been performed to elucidate mechanistic aspects and to explain characteristic reaction patterns.