Open AccessFormation of novel transition metal hydride complexes with ninefold hydrogen coordination
Author(s) -
Shigeyuki Takagi,
Yuki Iijima,
Toyoto Sato,
Hiroyuki Saitoh,
Kazutaka Ikeda,
Toshiya Otomo,
Kenji Miwa,
Tamio Ikeshoji,
Shin Ichi Orimo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep44253
Subject(s) - hydride , hydrogen , transition metal , chemistry , metal , biochemistry , organic chemistry , catalysis
Ninefold coordination of hydrogen is very rare, and has been observed in two different hydride complexes comprising rhenium and technetium. Herein, based on a theoretical/experimental approach, we present evidence for the formation of ninefold H- coordination hydride complexes of molybdenum ([MoH 9 ] 3− ), tungsten ([WH 9 ] 3− ), niobium ([NbH 9 ] 4− ) and tantalum ([TaH 9 ] 4− ) in novel complex transition-metal hydrides, Li 5 MoH 11 , Li 5 WH 11 , Li 6 NbH 11 and Li 6 TaH 11 , respectively. All of the synthesized materials are insulated with band gaps of approximately 4 eV, but contain a sufficient amount of hydrogen to cause the H 1 s -derived states to reach the Fermi level. Such hydrogen-rich materials might be of interest for high-critical-temperature superconductivity if the gaps close under compression. Furthermore, the hydride complexes exhibit significant rotational motions associated with anharmonic librations at room temperature, which are often discussed in relation to the translational diffusion of cations in alkali-metal dodecahydro- closo -dodecaborates and strongly point to the emergence of a fast lithium conduction even at room temperature.