Published in Henry Rzepa's Blog

I am completing my survey of the vote for molecule of the year candidates, which this year seems focused on chemical records of one type or another. The first article[cite]10.1002/chem.201601916[/cite] reports striving towards creating a molecule covering a complete column of the period table.

References

General ChemistryCatalysisOrganic Chemistry

Synthesis of a Molecule with Four Different Adjacent Pnictogens

Published in Chemistry – A European Journal
Authors Alexander Hinz, Axel Schulz, Alexander Villinger

AbstractThe synthesis of a molecule containing four adjacent different pnictogens was attempted by conversion of a Group 15 allyl analogue anion [Mes*NAsPMes*]− (Mes*=2,4,6‐tri‐tert‐butylphenyl) with antimony(III) chloride. A suitable precursor is Mes*N(H)AsPMes* (1) for which several syntheses were investigated. The anions afforded by deprotonation of Mes*N(H)AsPMes* were found to be labile and, therefore, salts could not be isolated. However, the in situ generated anions could be quenched with SbCl3, yielding Mes*N(SbCl2)AsPMes* (4).

General Chemistry

Preparation of an ion with the highest calculated proton affinity: ortho-diethynylbenzene dianion

Published in Chemical Science
Authors Berwyck L. J. Poad, Nicholas D. Reed, Christopher S. Hansen, Adam J. Trevitt, Stephen J. Blanksby, Emily G. Mackay, Michael S. Sherburn, Bun Chan, Leo Radom

Owing to the increased proton affinity that results from additional negative charges, multiply-charged anions are shown as a route to preparing powerful ‘superbases’.