The formation chemistry of graphite/electrolyte interface and its dependence on electrolyte bulk composition were investigated by conducting electrochemical impedance analyses on interfaces systematically formed in various electrolytes and NMR identification of surface species harvested therefrom. The interpretation of these analyses strongly suggests that Li+ solvation sheath structure is central in defining the anode surface chemistry, because solvent molecules preferentially recruited by Li+ into the solvation sheath would be preferentially reduced on graphene surface upon initial charge of the electrode. Due to the preference of Li+ in binding the more polar molecules from the electrolyte solvent mixture, the contributions from cyclic and linear carbonates to the interface chemistry are unsymmetrical, and ethylene carbonate, the universal cosolvent in all electrolyte formulations, consequently becomes the favored chemical source for the interfacial ingredients. Since the chemical composition of the interface dictates Li+ transport kinetics at low temperatures, the understandings about how the electrolyte cosolvents share the responsibility for the graphite/electrolyte interfacial chemistry will benefit the efforts to tailor an interface that is more tolerant toward the operation of Li ion devices at sub-zero temperatures.

It's platonic: The Pt centered [Pb12]2− icosahedron (depicted) was prepared from the [Pb9]4− Zintl ion and [Pt(PPh3)4] in good yield. The anion has virtual Ih point symmetry and is a rare example of a free‐standing carbon‐free aromatic inorganic cluster.

Sn94- reacts with Pt(PPh3)4 in ethylenediamine/toluene solvent mixtures in the presence of 2,2,2-cryptand to give four different complexes: "Rudolph's complex" of proposed formula [Sn9Pt(PPh3)x]4- (2), the previously reported [Pt@Sn9Pt(PPh3)]2- ion (3), and the title complexes Pt2@Sn174- (4) and Pt@Sn9H3- (5). The use of Pt(norbornene)3 instead of Pt(PPh3)4 gives complex 4 exclusively. The structure of 4 contains two Pt atoms centered in a capsule-shaped Sn17 cage. The complex is highly dynamic in solution showing single, mutually coupled 119Sn and 195Pt NMR resonances indicative of an intramolecular liquidlike dynamic exchange process. Complex 5 has been characterized by selectively decoupled 1H, 119Sn, and 195Pt NMR experiments and shows similar liquidlike fluxionality. In addition, the H atom scrambles across the cage showing small couplings to both Sn and Pt atoms. Neither 3 nor 4 obeys Wades rules; they adopt structures more akin to the subunits in alloys such as PtSn4. The structural and chemical relevance to supported PtSn4 heterogeneous catalysts is discussed.

We describe the preparation of five triazene-arylene oligomers (3, 4, 7, 8, and 11) and investigations of their folding properties in aqueous solution. These oligomers contain four 2-fold rotors and populate a conformational ensemble comprising at least 10 states. Extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies as well as X-ray crystallography establish that the presence of three members of the cucurbit[n]uril family (CB[n]), CB[10], CB[7], and CB[8], results in the selective population of the (a,a,a,a)-, (a,s,s,a)-, and (a,a,a,s)-conformers. As a result of the high affinity and highly selective binding properties of the CB[n] family, it is possible to fold a single foldamer strand (3) into the CB[8].(a,a,a,s)-3 conformer by the addition of CB[8], then unfold and refold it into the CB[7].(a,s,s,a)-3.CB[7] conformer by addition of CB[7] and 3,5-dimethylaminoadamantane (17), then unfold and refold it again into the CB[10].(a,a,a,a)-3 conformer by addition of CB[10].CB[5] and aminoadamantane (18). The transformation of CB[8].(a,a,a,s)-3 into CB[7].(a,s,s,a)-3.CB[7] proceeds through the intermediacy of CB [8].(a,a,s,a)-3.CB[7], which enhances the rate of dissociation of strand 3 from CB[8].