An aryldimethylalane-appended analogue of 1,1'-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene, FcPPAl, was prepared, and reaction with [Pt(nb)3 ] (nb=norbornene) afforded [Pt(η(2) -nb)(FcPPAl)] (1). Heating a solution of 1 to 80 °C resulted in crystallization of [{Pt(FcPPAl)}2 ] (2), whereas treatment of 1 with C2 H4 , C2 Ph2 , H2 , or CO provided [PtL(FcPPAl)] [L=C2 H4 (3), C2 Ph2 (4)], [PtH2 (FcPPAl)] (5), and [Pt(CO)(FcPPAl)] (6). In all complexes, the FcPPAl ligand is coordinated through both phosphines and the alane. Whereas 2 adopts a T-shaped geometry at platinum, 3-5 are square-pyramidal, and 6 is distorted square-planar. The hydride and carbonyl complexes feature unusual multicenter bonding involving platinum, aluminum, and a hydride or carbonyl ligand.

Avenues to S-based Lewis acids were developed via the oxidation of aryl-sulfoxides with XeF, giving difluorodiarylsulfoxides which react via fluoride abstraction to afford Lewis acidic fluorosulfoxonium cations; this acidity is derived from the S-F σ* orbital and has been probed both experimentally and computationally.

Nonlinear optics and polymer systems are distinct fields that have been studied for decades. These two fields intersect with the observation of nonlinear wave propagation in photoreactive polymer systems. This has led to studies on the nonlinear dynamics of transmitted light in polymer media, particularly for optical self-trapping and optical modulation instability. The irreversibility of polymerization leads to permanent capture of nonlinear optical patterns in the polymer structure, which is a new synthetic route to complex structured soft materials. Over time more intricate polymer systems are employed, whereby nonlinear optical dynamics can couple to nonlinear chemical dynamics, opening opportunities for self-organization. This paper discusses the work to date on nonlinear optical pattern formation processes in polymers. A brief overview of nonlinear optical phenomenon is provided to set the stage for understanding their effects. We review the accomplishments of the field on studying nonlinear waveform propagation in photopolymerizable systems, then discuss our most recent progress in coupling nonlinear optical pattern formation to polymer blends and phase separation. To this end, perspectives on future directions and areas of sustained inquiry are provided. This review highlights the significant opportunity in exploiting nonlinear optical pattern formation in soft matter for the discovery of new light-directed and light-stimulated materials phenomenon, and in turn, soft matter provides a platform by which new nonlinear optical phenomenon may be discovered.

1-Bora-4-tellurocyclohexa-2,5-diene undergoes sequential [4 + 2] cycloadditions/alkyne-elimination reactions to incorporate 2 equiv of terminal alkyne with the loss of diarylalkyne, affording access to a series of 11 new tellurium-boron heterocycles. These alkyne exchange reactions proceed regioselectively and can tolerate a variety of functional groups, thus providing the potential for further derivatization. The mechanism of the exchange reaction is confirmed by a DFT study to involve the interaction of the Te and B with the alkyne in a frustrated Lewis pair fashion in the transition states.

Reactions of boranes with Te(CCPh)2 proceed via initial intermolecular 1,1-carboboration followed by either an intramolecular carboboration or an FLP addition to a second molecule of the intermediate, yielding 1-bora-4-tellurocyclohexa-2,5-diene heterocycles or tricylic derivatives of 1,4-ditellurocyclohexa-2,5-diene, respectively. The latter species is also shown to convert to the former upon heating.