High‐Resolution Photoelectron Imaging of IrB3−: Observation of a π‐Aromatic B3+ Ring Coordinated to a Transition Metal
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title
Angewandte Chemie
Publication Date
4-25-2019
Publisher
Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA
Award Number
NSF, Division of Chemistry (CHE) 1664379
Funder
NSF, Division of Chemistry (CHE)
Volume
131
Issue
26
First Page
8969
Last Page
8973
Abstract
In a high‐resolution photoelectron imaging and theoretical study of the IrB3− cluster, two isomers were observed experimentally with electron affinities (EAs) of 1.3147(8) and 1.937(4) eV. Quantum calculations revealed two nearly degenerate isomers competing for the global minimum, both with a B3 ring coordinated with the Ir atom. The isomer with the higher EA consists of a B3 ring with a bridge‐bonded Ir atom (Cs , 2A1), and the second isomer features a tetrahedral structure (C3v , 2A1). The neutral tetrahedral structure was predicted to be considerably more stable than all other isomers. Chemical bonding analysis showed that the neutral C3v isomer involves significant covalent Ir−B bonding and weak ionic bonding with charge transfer from B3 to Ir, and can be viewed as an Ir–(η3‐B3+) complex. This study provides the first example of a boron‐to‐metal charge‐transfer complex and evidence of a π‐aromatic B3+ ring coordinated to a transition metal.
Recommended Citation
Czekner, Joseph, et al. “High‐Resolution Photoelectron Imaging of IrB 3 − : Observation of a Π‐Aromatic B 3 + Ring Coordinated to a Transition Metal.” Angewandte Chemie, vol. 131, no. 26, June 2019, pp. 8969–73. DOI.org (Crossref), doi:10.1002/ange.201902406.
