The Saunders-Bell Analysis of Tunnel Effects in Reactions with Kinetic Isotope Effects

The primary kinetic isotope effects of deuterium were investigated in 22 hydrogen and deuterium transfer reactions, including enzymatic and nonenzymatic hydride transfer reactions, elimination reactions, and reactions catalyzed by enzymes lipooxygenase, amine dehydrogenase, and methylmalonyl-CoA mutase. In each case, the Saunders-Bell analysis was applied to calculate the tunnel effects and the corresponding thermodynamic parameters. The Saunders-Bell analysis was effective in 14 cases out of 22. A high degree of correlation was found between the barrier factor, the tunnel factor, and the entropy factor among all reactions studied. From this, a general relationship between the three factors was derived, based on the Saunders-Bell analysis of the Bell equation; the Saunders-Bell analysis is valid within certain limits of the barrier factor. This general relationship is universally valid for all hydrogen/deuterium transfer reactions in nature with moderate tunneling, when the Saunders-Bell analysis applies.     

取代基对有机金属铼化合物中分子内α-氢转移反应势垒的影响

使用B3LYP方法研究了有机铼化合物R³R⁵(NHR⁴)Re(＝CHR¹)(＝NR²)中分子内α-氢转移反应, 探讨了不同取代基对α-氢转移反应势垒的影响. 研究发现, 可以通过改变取代基来影响过渡金属Re有机化合物中的α-氢转移反应. R¹位置的取代基为Me或CMe₃时, 可以较大程度降低α-氢转移反应的势垒. R²为H时, α-氢转移反应势垒最低. R³和R⁵位置为SiH₃时的反应势垒最低. R⁴为CMe₃时, α-氢转移反应势垒最低. 研究结果还表明, 取代基对于反应势垒的影响有加和性.     

The ‘preference factor’ and isotope effect in the loss of hydrogen or deuterium from labeled toluenes

Metastable ion decompositions involving the loss of hydrogen and deuterium from partially deuterated toluene ions were studied using a double focusing mass spectrometer. The electric sector voltage was adjusted so that the only ions transmitted were those which lost a particular fraction of their kinetic energy in decompositions taking place in front of the electric sector. Transitions involving loss of mass 1 or mass 2 from the molecular ions of toluene-α-d₃ and toluene-2,3,4,5,6-d₅ were studied. The results showed that in these slow reactions, the ‘preference factor’ defined as the ratio of the probability of loss of a hydrogen atom from a side-chain position to loss of a hydrogen atom from a ring position was 1.00. The ‘isotope factor,’ defined as the ratio of the probability of loss of a hydrogen atom from any position to that for the loss of a deuterium atom from the same position was found to be 3·50.     

Multicomponent QM study on the reaction of HOSO + NO2 with H2O: Nuclear quantum effect on structure and reaction energy profile

The hydrogen transfer reaction in the reaction of HOSO + NO₂ with and without H₂O have been investigated using multicomponent quantum-mechanics method, which can directly take nuclear quantum effect (NQE) of light nuclei into account. For the case of the reaction without H₂O, our calculation reveals that the reaction leading to trans-HONO is preferred. For the reaction with H₂O, water-non-mediated and water-mediated (hydrogen-relay) hydrogen transfer mechanism are investigated. The NQE of hydrogen nucleus lowers the relative energy of the stationary point structures and reduces the activation barrier of the reactions. The largest stabilization is found in the transition state structure of the hydrogen-relay type reaction. H/D isotope effects for the reactions are also analyzed. In particular, H/D isotope effect on the activation barrier is analyzed in detail with the aid of the active strain model.     

Theoretical Study of Structure,Energetic, Hydrogen Bonds Strength and Intramolecular Proton Transfer of 2‐(2‐R (ROH,NH2, SH) Phenyl (or Pyridyl)) Benzoxazoles (or Benzothiazoles)

The ground‐ and excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer processes of 2‐(2‐R (R?OH, NH₂, SH) phenyl (or pyridyl)) benzoxazoles (or benzothiazoles) are investigated by the DFT methods. The calculated results indicate that in the ground state there is a high correlation (R=0.9950) between the proton transfer barrier and the intramolecular hydrogen bonds (IMHB) strength. The increase of the strength of IMHB in the proton transfer processes leads to a larger barrier contributions. Intramolecular proton transfer process pathway is along with the minimal difference of change value in the IMHB angle. In the excited‐state, there is a similar relationship between the IMHB and the barrier.     

Tunneling Assists the 1,2‐Hydrogen Shift in N‐Heterocyclic Carbenes

At room temperature, 1,2‐hydrogen‐transfer reactions of N‐heterocyclic carbenes, like the imidazol‐2‐ylidene to give imidazole is shown to occurr almost entirely (>90 %) by quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT). At 60 K in an Ar matrix, for the 2, 3‐dihydrothiazol‐2‐ylidene→thiazole transformation, QMT is shown to increase the rate about 10⁵ times. Calculations including small‐curvature tunneling show that the barrier for intermolecular 1,2‐hydrogen‐transfer reaction is small, and QMT leads to a reduced rate of the forward reaction because of nonclassical reflections even at room temperature. A small barrier also leads to smaller kinetic isotope effects because of efficient QMT by both H and D. QMT does not always lead to faster reactions or larger KIE values, particularly when the barrier is small.     

Unusual deuterium isotope effects in 13C NMR spectra of trans-stilbene

A detailed analysis of the ¹³C NMR spectra of trans-stilbene and ten deuteriated trans-stilbenes has been undertaken. Some unusual deuterium isotope effects on carbon–hydrogen spin–spin coupling constants could not be explained by the ordinary primary and secondary isotope effects. The positive and negative changes of ⁿJ(CH) were interpreted in terms of a steric effect, the vibrational influence of the C? D bond and the para-effect induced by deuterium. In this respect, deuterium behaves as a real substituent with electronic properties different from those of hydrogen. The deuterium isotope effects on ¹³C NMR chemical shifts and carbon–deuterium coupling constants have also been determined.     

“<Emphasis Type="Italic">ortho</Emphasis>-Effect” in thermal curtius rearrangement of alkylbenzoyl azides into isocyanates: A quantitative interpretation

The reasons for abnormally high reactivity of ortho-alkylbenzoyl azides in thermal Curtius rearrangement were established by the density functional method (PBE/TZ2P approximation). The key factor responsible for the rearrangement rate is the destabilization of the conjugated structure of arylacyl azide through steric effects of the ortho-substituents. Additional intramolecular hydrogen bonding, as in o-hydroxybenzoyl azide molecule, stabilizes the conjugated structure and increases the energy barrier to the reaction. Quantitative interpretation of the “ortho-effect” is given based on the dependence of the reactivity of ortho-alkylbenzoyl azides on the dihedral angle, which characterizes the extent of coplanarity of the acyl azide group and benzene ring. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 7–13, January, 2007.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of Chiral Isotopomers of 1‐Alkanols by a ZACA–Cu‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Protocol

Chiral compounds arising from the replacement of hydrogen atoms by deuterium are very important in organic chemistry and biochemistry. Some of these chiral compounds have a non‐measurable specific rotation, owing to very small differences between the isotopomeric groups, and exhibit cryptochirality. This particular class of compounds is difficult to synthesize and characterize. Herein, we present a catalytic and highly enantioselective conversion of terminal alkenes to various β and more remote chiral isotopomers of 1‐alkanols, with ≥99 % enantiomeric excess (ee), by the Zr‐catalyzed asymmetric carboalumination of alkenes (ZACA) and Cu‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions. ZACA‐in situ iodinolysis of allyl alcohol and ZACA‐in situ oxidation of TBS‐protected ω‐alkene‐1‐ols protocols were applied to the synthesis of both (R)‐ and (S)‐difunctional intermediates with 80–90 % ee. These intermediates were readily purified to provide enantiomerically pure (≥99 % ee) compounds by lipase‐catalyzed acetylation. These functionally rich intermediates serve as very useful synthons for the construction of various chiral isotopomers of 1‐alkanols in excellent enantiomeric purity (≥99 % ee) by introducing deuterium‐labeled groups by Cu‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions without epimerization.     

Mechanistic Study on Oxorhenium‐Catalyzed Deoxydehydration and Allylic Alcohol Isomerization

The reaction mechanism of 1,2×n‐deoxydehydration (DODH; n=1, 2, 3 …) reactions with 1‐butanol as a reductant in the presence of methyltrioxorhenium(VII) catalyst has been investigated by DFT. The reduced rhenium compound, methyloxodihydroxyrhenium(V), serves as the catalytically relevant species in both allylic alcohol isomerization and subsequent DODH processes. Compared with three‐step pathway A, involving [1,3]‐transposition of allylic alcohols, direct two‐step pathway B is an alternative option with lower activation barriers. The rate‐limiting step of the DODH reaction is the first hydrogen transfer in methyltrioxorhenium(VII) reduction. Moreover, the increase in the distance between two hydroxyl groups in direct 1,2×n‐DODH reactions for C4 and C6 diols results in a higher barrier height.     

Large Isotope Effects in Organometallic Chemistry

The kinetic isotope effect (KIE) is key to understanding reaction mechanisms in many areas of chemistry and chemical biology, including organometallic chemistry. This ratio of rate constants, k_H/k_D, typically falls between 1–7. However, KIEs up to 105 have been reported, and can even be so large that reactivity with deuterium is unobserved. We collect here examples of large KIEs across organometallic chemistry, in catalytic and stoichiometric reactions, along with their mechanistic interpretations. Large KIEs occur in proton transfer reactions such as protonation of organometallic complexes and clusters, protonolysis of metal–carbon bonds, and dihydrogen reactivity. C−H activation reactions with large KIEs occur with late and early transition metals, photogenerated intermediates, and abstraction by metal-oxo complexes. We categorize the mechanistic interpretations of large KIEs into the following three types: (a) proton tunneling, (b) compound effects from multiple steps, and (c) semi-classical effects on a single step. This comprehensive collection of large KIEs in organometallics provides context for future mechanistic interpretation.     

The expulsion of OH˙ from the [M ? C2H4]+˙ ion from ethyl benzoate: Ring-deuterated compounds

Mass spectra and ion kinetic energy (IKE) spectra of o-, m- and p-d₁ ethyl benzoates have given further information on the loss of OH˙ and OD˙ from the [M ? C₂H₄]⁺˙ ions. The ‘metastable peaks’ in the mass spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region following the electric sector; the IKE spectra give information on fragmentations in the field-free region preceding this sector. Transfer of hydrogen and deuterium from the ortho-positions on the ring to the carboxyl group can occur, but scrambling of ring hydrogens does not take place. A sample of o-d₁ benzoic acid was also examined and confirmed that similar transfer reactions occur in this compound too.     

Effects of strong inter-hydrogen bond dynamical couplings in the polarized IR spectra of adipic acid crystals

This paper presents the results of the re-investigation of polarized IR spectra of adipic acid and of its d₂, d₈ and d₁₀ deuterium derivative crystals. The spectra were measured at 77 K by a transmission method using polarized light for two different crystalline faces. Theoretical analysis concerned linear dichroic effects and H/D isotopic effects observed in the spectra of the hydrogen and deuterium bonds in adipic acid crystals at the frequency ranges of the ν_O–H and the ν_O–D bands. The two-branch fine structure pattern of the ν_O–H and ν_O–D bands and the basic linear dichroic effects characterizing them were ascribed to the vibronic mechanism of vibrational dipole selection rule breaking for IR transitions in centrosymmetric hydrogen bond dimers. It was proved that for isotopically diluted crystalline samples of adipic acid, a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons occurs in the dimers (H/D isotopic “self-organization” effect). This effect results from the dynamical co-operative interactions involving the dimeric hydrogen bonds.     

An Interfacial View of Cation Effects on Electrocatalysis Systems

The identity of alkali metal cations in the electrolyte of electrocatalysis systems has been recently introduced as a crucial factor to tailor the kinetics and Faradaic efficiency of many electrocatalytic reactions. In this Minireview, we have summarized the recent advances in the molecular-level understanding of cation effects on relevant electrocatalytic processes such as hydrogen evolution (HER), oxygen evolution (OER), and CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR) reactions. The discussion covers the effects of electrolyte cations on interfacial electric fields, structural organization of interfacial water molecules, blocking the catalytic active sites, stabilization or destabilization of intermediates, and interfacial pHs. These cation-induced interfacial phenomena have been reported to impact the performance (activity, selectivity, and stability) of electrochemical reactions collaboratively or independently. We describe that although there is almost a general agreement on the relationship between the size of alkali cations and the activities of HER, OER, and CO₂RR, however, the mechanism by which the performance of these electrocatalytic reactions is influenced by alkali metal cations is still in debate.     

Theoretical investigation of the decomposition mechanisms of N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea

The initial reaction mechanisms of N-(2- chloroethyl)-N-nitrosourea (CENU) decomposition have been investigated at the MP2/6-311+G(d,p) level. The mechanistic processes considered were the hydrogen shifting from the nitrogen to the oxygen of the nitroso group, the oxygen of the nitroso and the carbonyl groups nucleophilic displacing the chlorine. The computational results showed that the energy barrier of retro-ene reaction was lower in the gas phase than that of substitution reactions. In the solvent, however, the energy values of each barrier in these three processes approach each other. It is concluded that the CENU decomposition in solvent can proceed via retro-ene reaction and intramolecular substitution reactions.     

Theoretical study of the influence of para- and meta-substituents on X-pyridineHF hydrogen bonding

The effects of O⁻, N (CH₃)₂, NH (CH₃), NH₂, C₂H₅, CH₃, OH, F, Cl, OF, Br, NO₂ and substituents in para- and meta-positions on X-pyridineHF hydrogen bond has been studied by HF, B3LYP and MP2 methods using 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The relationship between hydrogen bond formation energy ΔE and electron donating (or withdrawing) of substituents has been investigated. In this respect, population analysis has been performed by atoms in molecules (AIM) and natural bond orbital (NBO) theories. The results of AIM and NBO analyses are in good agreement with calculated energy values. The relationship between Hammett coefficient and complexation energy has been established and the ρ constant has been calculated for hydrogen bonding. There is a relationship between σ and ΔE with a correlation coefficient equal to 0.94.     

Photochemische Reaktionen 49. Mitteilung [1] Spezifisch π → π*-induzierte Keton-Photoreaktionen: Die Doppelbindungsverschiebung von O-Acetyl-10α-testosteron Protonisierung der Doppelbindung seines δ5-Isomeren

The α,β-unsatured ketone 10α-testosterone has been reported previously [6] to photoisomerize in t-butanol solution to the β,γ-unsaturated ketone. The irradiation had been carried out using a high-pressure mercury lamp in a quartz vessel. For structural reasons this double bond shift cannot proceed through a photoenolization mechanism involving an intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the γ-position to the enone oxygen as has been suggested to operate in several formally analogous cases of aliphatic enone isomerizations. In the present reinvestigation, O-acetyl 10α-testosterone ( 1 ) was used, employing selectively either excitation of its n → π* (with wavelengths > 300 nm) or its π → π* absorption band (with 253,7 nm). In t-butanol solution the doublebond shift 1 → 2 could be effected with π→* excitation only. Experiments in deuterated solvent (t-BuOD) resulted in deuterium in corporation in both the δ5-ketone in the C(4)-position, cf.( 3 ) and in the conjugated ketone. These results indicate that the reactions is initiated either in the, S_π,π* state or in a high vibrational mode of the S₀ or t_ππ*state. n→ π* Excitation of 1 in t-butanol gave essentially no over-all chemical change, while in benzene solution it resulted again in a double bond isomerization ( 1 → 2 ). In analogy to results with similar enones [28] under identical conditions the deconjugation in benzene may be the consequence of an intermolecular hydrogen abstraction of the T_n,π* excited state of the enone. Another specifically π →π* induced photoreaction was observed on irradiation of the β, γ-unsaturated ketone 2 in t-BuOD with 253,7 nm. The olefinic hydrogen at C-6 of 2 was exchanged with deuterium and, to a small extent, isomerization to the conjugated ketone 1 with concomitant deuterium incorporation occurred. It is concluded that from the higher excited state of the β, γ-unsaturated ketone, but not from its S_n,π* state, an activation mode of the double bond is accessible to effect D+ addition at C-6 followed by deprotonation to 4 and to deuterated 1 , respectively.     

Heteronuclear NMR spectroscopic investigations of hydrogen bonding in 2‐(benzo[d]thiazole‐2′‐yl)‐N‐alkylanilines

The 2‐(benzo[d]thiazole‐2′‐yl)‐N‐alkylanilines have previously revealed the presence of a strong intramolecular hydrogen bond. This in turn gives rise to a more complicated multiplet for the protons attached to the carbon adjacent to the amino group. This intramolecular hydrogen bond was investigated by a deuterium exchange experiment using heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁵ N and ²H). We observed changes in the multiplet structure and chemical shifts providing further evidence that the deuterium replaces the hydrogen in the intramolecular hydrogen bond. A time course study of the D₂O exchange confirmed the presence of a strong hydrogen bond. The comparison of the structures obtained by X‐ray crystallography showed a very small difference in planarity between the two‐substituted and four‐substituted amino compounds. In both the cases, the phenyl ring is not absolutely coplanar with the thiazole unit. The existence of this intramolecular hydrogen bond in 2‐(benzo[d]thiazole‐2′‐yl)‐N‐alkylanilines was further confirmed by single crystal X‐ray crystallography. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Theoretical study of one‐carbon unit transfer between methyl‐AICA and N1‐methyl‐N1‐acryloyl‐formamide

The mechanism of one‐carbon unit transfer between 1‐methyl‐5‐amino‐4‐carboxamide imidazole (M‐AICA) and N¹‐methyl‐N¹‐acryloyl‐formamide (the model molecule of 10‐f‐H4F) is investigated by the Hartree–Fock and DFT methods, respectively, at the 6‐31G* basis level. There are two different channels for the proton transfer, resulting in two reaction pathways with different properties. The results indicate that both channels can complete the reaction, but path a is slightly favored due to its lower active energy barrier. Furthermore, the influence of 4‐carboxamindde in M‐AICA is also discussed. This group can stabilize the reactant and intermediates, and reduce the active energy barrier through the intermolecular hydrogen bond. The intermolecular hydrogen bond results in an enlarged conjugation system and makes the transition states more stable. Our results are in agreement with experiments. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2005     

Steric hindrance as a key factor on proton transfer in the σ-adduct forming reactions of <Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-substituted anilines with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene in dimethylsulfoxide

Kinetic and equilibrium studies are reported of the reactions of 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB) with a series of o-substituted anilines in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in the presence of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2.]octane (DABCO). The pK _a values in DMSO for the aniline derivatives were measured using the proton-transfer equilibrium with 2,4-dinitrophenol. Kinetic studies are compatible with a two-step process involving initial nucleophilic attack on TNB by amine to give a zwitterionic intermediate which may transfer an acidic proton to DABCO to yield the anionic product. The results indicate steric hindrance to proton transfer in reactions involving 2,6-disubstituted anilines. Correspondence: Basim H. Asghar, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, P.O. Box 9569, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.