Synthesis and structure of Ta4SI11: disorder and mixed valency in the first tantalum sulfide iodide

The new compound Ta(4)SI(11) has been prepared by direct reaction of the elements at 430 degrees C for 2 weeks in evacuated Pyrex ampules and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and semiempirical electronic structure calculations. Ta(4)SI(11) crystallizes with orthorhombic symmetry in space group Pmmn; a = 16.135(3) A, b = 3.813(1) A, c = 8.131(2) A, and Z = 1. The disordered structure involves two crystallographically distinct sites for Ta atoms, both of which are 50% occupied as well as a bridging anion site that is 50% S and 50% I. Magnetic susceptibility above 100 K gives micro (eff) = 1.53 micro (B) to suggest one unpaired electron per formula unit. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and extended Hückel calculations suggest that the structure consists of Ta(3) triangles and "isolated" Ta atoms, leading to the formulation (Ta(3))(9+)(Ta(4+))(S(2)(-))(I(-))(11) and we hypothesize that each Ta(3) is capped by a sulfur atom.     

Intramolecular homolytic substitution of sulfinates and sulfinamides--a computational study

Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations predict that intramolecular homolytic substitution by alkyl radicals at the sulfur atom in sulfinates proceeds through a smooth transition state in which the attacking and leaving radicals adopt a near collinear arrangement. When forming a five-membered ring and the leaving radical is methyl, G3(MP2)-RAD//ROBHandHLYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations predict that this reaction proceeds with an activation energy (ΔE(1)(?)) of 43.2 kJ mol(-1). ROBHandHLYP/6-311++G(d,p) calculations suggest that the formation of five-membered rings through intramolecular homolytic substitution by aryl radicals at the sulfur atom in sulfinates and sulfinamides, with expulsion of phenyl radicals, proceeds with the involvement of hypervalent intermediates. These intermediates further dissociate to the observed products, with overall energy barriers of 45-68 kJ mol(-1), depending on the system of interest. In each case, homolytic addition to the phenyl group competes with substitution, with calculated barriers of 51-78 kJ mol(-1). This computational study complements and provides insight into previous experimental observations.     

Sulfur K-edge X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory of Dithiophosphinate Extractants: Minor Actinide Selectivity and Electronic Structure Correlations

The dithiophosphinic acid HS(2)P(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))(2) is known to exhibit exceptionally high extraction selectivities for trivalent minor actinides (Am and Cm) in the presence of trivalent lanthanides. To generate insight that may account for this observation, a series of [PPh(4)][S(2)PR(2)] complexes, where R = Me (1), Ph (2), p-CF(3)C(6)H(4) (3), m-CF(3)C(6)H(4) (4), o-CF(3)C(6)H(4) (5), o-MeC(6)H(4) (6), and o-MeOC(6)H(4) (7), have been investigated using sulfur K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT). The experimental analyses show distinct features in the spectrum of S(2)P(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))(2)(-) (5) that are not present in the spectrum of 4, whose conjugate acid exhibits reduced selectivity, or in the spectra of 2 and 3, which are anticipated to have even lower separation factors based on previous studies. In contrast, the spectrum of 5 is similar to those of 6 and 7, despite the significantly different electron-donating properties associated with the o-CF(3), o-Me, and o-OMe substituents. The TDDFT calculations suggest that the distinct spectral features of 5-7 result from steric interactions due to the presence of the ortho substituents, which force the aryl groups to rotate around the P-C bonds and reduce the molecular symmetry from approximately C(2v) in 2-4 to C(2) in 5-7. As a consequence, the change in aryl group orientation appears to make the ortho-substituted S(2)PR(2)(-) anions "softer" extractants compared with analogous Ph-, p-CF(3)C(6)H(4)-, and m-CF(3)C(6)H(4)-containing ligands (2-4) by raising the energies of the sulfur valence orbitals and enhancing orbital mixing between the S(2)P molecular orbitals and the aryl groups bound to phosphorus. Overall, we report that sulfur K-edge XAS experiments and TDDFT calculations reveal unique electronic properties of the S(2)P(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))(2)(-) anion in 5. These results correlate with the special extraction properties associated with HS(2)P(o-CF(3)C(6)H(4))(2), and suggest that ligand K-edge XAS and TDDFT can be used to guide separation efforts relevant to advanced fuel cycle development.     

The role of chalcogen-chalcogen interactions in the intrinsic basicity acidity of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH

The intrinsic acidity and basicity of a series of beta-chalcogenovinyl(thio)aldehydes HC([double bond]X)[bond]CH[double bond]CH[bond]CYH (X=O, S; Y=Se, Te) were investigated by B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) density functional and G2(MP2) calculations on geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level for neutral molecules and at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level for anions. The results showed that selenovinylaldehyde and selenovinylthioaldehyde should behave as Se bases in the gas phase, because the most stable neutral conformer is stabilized by an X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) intramolecular hydrogen bond (IHB). In contrast the Te-containing analogues behave as oxygen or sulfur bases, because the most stable conformer is stabilized by typical X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interactions. These compounds have a lower basicity than expected because either chalcogen-chalcogen interactions or IHBs become weaker upon protonation. Similarly, they are also weaker acids than expected because deprotonation results in a significantly destabilized anion. Loss of the proton from the X[bond]H or Y[bond]H groups is a much more favorable than from the C[bond]H groups. Therefore, for Se compounds the deprotonation process results in loss of the X[bond]H...Se (X=O, S) IHBs present in the most stable neutral conformer, while for Te-containing compounds the stabilizing X...Y[bond]H chalcogen-chalcogen interaction present in the most stable neutral conformer becomes repulsive in the corresponding anion.     

Studies on the intramolecular C[bond]H...X (X = O,S) interactions in (S)-N-acyl- 4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones and related 1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones

[reaction: see text] Two intramolecular C[bond]H...X (X = O, S) interactions in (S)-N-acyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-thiazolidine-2-thiones are documented through crystallographic and spectroscopic evidence and high-level theoretical calculations. The key role played by the sulfur atoms has been made clear by comparison with structurally related (S)-N-acyl-4-isopropyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-ones.     

Intramolecular N-H...S hydrogen bonding in the zinc thiolate complex [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)NHPh: a mechanistic investigation of thiolate alkylation as probed by kinetics studies and by kinetic isotope effects

The zinc thiolate complex [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph, which features a tetrahedral [ZnS4] motif analogous to that of the Ada DNA repair protein, may be obtained by the reaction of Zn(NO3)2 with [Tm(Ph)]Li and Li[SCH2C(O)N(H)Ph] ([Tm(Ph)] = tris(2-mercapto-1-phenylimidazolyl)hydroborato ligand). Structural characterization of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph by X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the molecule exhibits an intramolecular N-H...S hydrogen bond between the amide N-H group and thiolate sulfur atom, a structure that is reproduced by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The thiolate ligand of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph is subject to alkylation, a reaction that is analogous to the function of the Ada DNA repair protein. Specifically, [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph reacts with MeI to yield PhN(H)C(O)CH2SMe and [Tm(Ph)]ZnI, a reaction which is characterized by second-order kinetics that is consistent with either (i) an associative mechanism or (ii) a stepwise dissociative mechanism in which the alkylation step is rate determining. Although the kinetics studies are incapable of distinguishing between these possibilities, a small normal kinetic isotope effect of kH/kD = 1.16(1) at 0 degrees C for the reaction of [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H*)Ph (H* = H, D) with MeI is suggestive of a dissociative mechanism on the basis of DFT calculations. In particular, DFT calculations demonstrate that a normal kinetic isotope effect requires thiolate dissociation because it results in the formation of [PhN(H)C(O)CH2S]- which, as an anion, exhibits a stronger N-H...S hydrogen bonding interaction than that in [Tm(Ph)]ZnSCH2C(O)N(H)Ph. Correspondingly, mechanisms that involve direct alkylation of coordinated thiolate are predicted to be characterized by kH/kD < or = 1 because the reaction involves a reduction of the negative charge on sulfur and hence a weakening of the N-H...S hydrogen bonding interaction.     

Unique {H(SiR(3))(2)}, (H(2)SiR(3)), H(HSiR(3)), and (H(2))SiR(3) ligand sets supported by the {Fe(Cp)(L)} platform (L=CO, PR(3))

This work deals with the type and incidence of nonclassical Si--H and H--H interactions in a family of silylhydride complexes [Fe(Cp)(OC)(SiMe(n)Cl(3-n))H(X)] (X=SiMe(n)Cl(3-n), H, Me, n=0-3) and [Fe(Cp)(Me(3)P)(SiMe(n)Cl(3-n))(2)H] (n=0-3). DFT calculations complemented by atom-in-molecule analysis and calculations of NMR hydrogen-silicon coupling constants revealed a surprising diversity of nonclassical Si--H and H--H interligand interactions. The compounds [Fe(Cp)(L)(SiMe(n)Cl(3-n))(2)H] (L=CO, PMe(3); n=0-3) exhibit an unusual distortion from the ideal piano-stool geometry in that the silyl ligands are strongly shifted toward the hydride and there is a strong trend towards flattening of the {FeSi(2)H} fragment. Such a distortion leads to short Si--H contacts (range 2.030-2.075 A) and large Mayer bond orders. A novel feature of these extended Si--H interactions is that they are rather insensitive towards the substitution at the silicon atom and the orientation of the silyl ligand relatively the Fe--H bond. NMR spectroscopy and bonding features of the related complexes [Fe(Cp)(OC)(SiMe(n)Cl(3-n))H(Me)] (n=0-3) allow for their rationalization as usual eta(2)-Si--H silane sigma-complexes. The series of "dihydride" complexes [Fe(Cp)(OC)(SiMe(n)Cl(3-n))H(2)] (n=0-3) is different from the previous two families in that the type of interligand interactions strongly depends on the substitution on silicon. They can be classified either as usual dihydrogen complexes, for example, [Fe(Cp)(OC)(SiMe(2)Cl)(eta(2)-H(2))], or as compounds with nonclassical H--Si interactions, for example, [Fe(Cp)(OC)(H)(2)(SiMe(3))] (16). These nonclassical interligand interactions are characterized by increased negative J(H,Si) (e.g. -27.5 Hz) and increased J(H,H) (e.g. 67.7 Hz).     

Photodissociation of ethylene sulfide at 193 nm: a photofragment translational spectroscopy study with VUV synchrotron radiation and ab initio calculations

Photodissociation of ethylene sulfide at 193 nm has been studied using photofragment translational spectroscopy and ab initio theoretical calculations. Tunable synchrotron radiation was used as a universal but selective probe of the reaction products to reveal new aspects of the photodissociation dynamics. The channel giving S + C2H4 was found to be dominated by production of ground-state sulfur atoms (S(3P):S(1D) = 1.44:1), mostly through a spin-forbidden process. The results also suggest the presence of a channel giving S(3P) in conjunction with triplet ethylene C2H4 (3B(1u)) and allow insight into the energy of the latter species near its equilibrium geometry, in which the two methylene groups occupy perpendicular planes. In addition, a channel leading to the production of H2S with C2H2 also has been observed. Our experimental results are supported and elaborated by theoretical calculations.     

硅-硫二元团簇[(SiS2)nS]-(n=1～4)的结构和稳定性的量子化学研究

用密度泛函（DFT）方法（B3LYP／6－31＋G^*)研究了硅硫团簇[(SiS2)nS]^-(n=1-4)的可能几何构型,得到各稳定构型的电子结构,并 相应的振动频率,预测了稳定构型的振动光谱,由其稳定构型的比较可在理论上预测团簇的生长规律,并可初步预测团簇的形成机理。     

The unexpected desulfurization of 4-aminothiophenols

Thermolysis of 4-aminophenyl benzyl sulfide at 523 K in the hydrogen donor solvent (HDS), 9,10-dihydroanthracene (AnH2), gave 4-aminothiophenol and toluene as the predominant products of the homolytic S-C bond cleavage. Under these conditions, a portion of the 4-aminothiophenol was desulfurized to aniline with first-order kinetics and with a rate constant estimated by kinetic modeling to be 7.0x10(-6) s-1. Starting with 4-NH2C6H4SH at 523 K, it was found that sulfur loss was more efficient in the non-HDSs, anthracene and hexadecane, than in AnH2. Under similar (competitive) reaction conditions, YC6H4SHs with Y=H, 4-CN, and 3-CF3 were completely inert; with Y=4-CH3O, there was some very minor desulfurization, whereas with Y=4-N(CH3)2 and 4-N(CH3)(H), the sulfur extrusions were as fast as that for Y=4-NH2. We tentatively suggest that this apparently novel reaction is a chain process initiated by the bimolecular formation of diatomic sulfur, S2, followed by a reversible addition of ground state, triplet 3S2 to the thiol sulfur atom, 4-NH2C6H4S upward arrow(SS upward arrow)H, and insertion into the S-H bond, 4-NH2C6H4SSSH. In a cascade of reactions, aniline and S8 are formed with the chains being terminated by reaction of 4-NH2C6H4S upward arrow(SS upward arrow)H with 4-NH2C6H4SH. Such a reaction mechanism is consistent with the first-order kinetics. That this reaction is primarily observed with 4-YC6H4SH having Y=N(CH3)2, N(CH3)(H), and NH2 is attributed to the fact that these compounds can exist as zwitterions.     

Does the interconversion of polysulfur compounds proceed via hypervalent intermediates? An ab initio MO study

Ab initio MO calculations at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2df,p)//MP2/6-311++G** level have been carried out to determine the reaction energies and Gibbs energies of the homolytic dissociation of the S-S bonds in the chainlike sulfanes H2Sn (n = 2-4). Good agreement with the experimental data is observed. At the same level of theory, the formation of the hypothetical sulfuranes H2S(SH)2, H2S(SSH)2, and S(SH)4 from H2S and the mentioned sulfanes has been studied. Species of this type had been proposed as intermediates in the interconversion reactions of polysulfur compounds (e.g., formation of S7 from S8 and vice versa). The three sulfuranes serve here as model compounds. On the basis of the Gibbs energies and activation energies at 298 K, it is shown that the formation of the three sulfuranes from sulfanes requires too much energy and activation energy to successfully compete with homolytic dissociation reactions. In addition, the formation of the methylsubstituted sulfurane S(SMe)4 from the sulfanes Me2S2 and Me2S3 was studied to elucidate the mechanism of the formal exchange of sulfur atoms between polysulfane molecules. However, both the reaction energy of 199 kJ mol(-1) and the activation energy of 287 kJ mol(-1), calculated at the MP2/6-31G* level, are much higher than the homolytic dissociation energy of the S-S bonds in chain- and ringlike polysulfur compounds, such as Me2S4 (140 kJ mol(-1)) and sulfur homocycles (150 kJ mol(-1)). Therefore, it is concluded that the observed interconversion reactions of sulfur rings and of chainlike polysulfanes do not proceed via sulfurane-type intermediates. Instead, these reactions will take place by a radical chain mechanism at high temperatures, while at temperatures below 100 degrees C they are most probably initiated either by traces of nucleophiles that are present as impurities or by the polar surface groups usually present on the walls of the vessels used.     

Intramolecular chalcogen-tin interactions in (o-MeE-C6H4)CH2SnPh3-nCln (E = S, O; n = 0, 1, 2), characterized by X-ray diffraction and 119Sn solution and solid-state NMR

Organotin(IV) compounds of the type (o-MeE-C6H4)CH2SnPh3-nCln were synthesized, E = O, n = 0 (1), n = 1 (2), n = 2 (3) and E = S, n = 0 (4), n = 1 (5), n = 2 (6). The complexes exhibit significant trigonal bipyramidal pentacoordination at tin as a consequence of intramolecular Sn-O (1-3) and Sn-S (4-6) interactions upon substitution of the phenyl groups by chloro groups. The intramolecular Sn-O distances in 1, 2, and 3 are 83%, 75%, and 79% of the sum of the van der Waals radii. The equivalent Sn-S values for 4, 5, and 6 are 90%, 73%, and 71%, respectively. The geometry of compound 3 is complicated by intermolecular dimerization via bridging chlorines creating a distorted octahedral geometry at tin. The related dichloro sulfur compound 6 also exhibits an intermolecular association in the form of Sn-Cl-H hydrogen bonding leading to a polymeric structure in the solid state. CPMAS 119Sn NMR spectroscopy suggests that the intramolecular Sn-E interactions persist in solution and also facilitated the discovery of a new crystalline form of 4, 4', that contains a Sn-S distance which is 95% the sum of the van der Waals radii.     

Calorimetric and computational study of 1,3-dithiacyclohexane 1,1-dioxide (1,3-dithiane sulfone)

The enthalpies of combustion and sublimation of 1,3-dithiacyclohexane 1,1-dioxide (1,3-dithiane sulfone) were measured by a rotating-bomb combustion calorimeter and the Knudsen effusion technique, and the gas-phase enthalpy of formation was determined, Delta(f)H(m)*(g) = -326.3 +/- 2.0 kJ mol(-1). Standard ab initio molecular orbital calculations at the G2(MP2) level were performed, and a theoretical study on molecular and electronic structure of the compound has been carried out. Calculated Delta(f)H(m)*(g) values agree very well with the experimental one. These experimental and theoretical studies support the relevance of the repulsive electrostatic interaction between sulfur atoms in 1,3-dithiane sulfone, that apparently counterbalances any n(S) --> rho(C-SO2)* stabilizing hyperconjugative interaction.     

Theoretical study on the substitution reactions of silylenoid H2SiLiF with CH4, NH3, H2O, HF, SiH4, PH3, H2S, and HCl

DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level have been performed to explore the substitution reactions of silylenoid H(2)SiLiF with XH(n) hydrides, where XH(n) = CH(4), NH(3), H(2)O, HF, SiH(4), PH(3), H(2)S, and HCl. We have identified a previously unreported reaction pathway on each reaction surface, H(2)SiLiF + XH(n) --> H(3)SiF + LiXH(n-1), which involved the initial formation of an association complex via a five-membered cyclic transition state to form an intermediate followed by the substituted product H(3)SiF with LiXH(n-1) dissociating. These theoretical calculations suggest that (i) there is a very clear trend toward lower activation barriers and more exothermic interactions on going from left to right along a given row in the periodic table, and (ii) for the second-row hydrides, the substitution reactions are more exothermic than for the first-row hydrides and the reaction barriers are lower. The solvent effects were considered by means of the polarized continuum model (PCM) using THF as a solvent. The presence of THF solvent disfavors slightly the substitution reaction. Compared to the previously reported insertions and H(2)-elimination reactions of H(2)SiLiF and XH(n), the substitution reactions should be most favorable.     

Density functional theory study of the d(10) series (H3P)3M(eta 1-SO2) and (MenPh(3-n)P)3M(eta 1-SO2) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; n = 0-3): SO2 pyramidality and M-S bond dissociation energies

Quantum mechanical density functional theory (DFT) and coupled DFT/molecular mechanics (QMMM) studies of the compounds (H(3)P)(3)M(eta(1)-SO(2)) and (Me(n)Ph(3-n)P)(3)M(eta(1)-SO(2)) (M = Ni, Pd, Pt; n = 0-3) model the experimental data well, particularly the planar/pyramidal geometries at sulfur. Bond dissociation energy (BDE) calculations confirm that Pd/Pt systems with pyramidal SO(2) ligands exhibit M-S BDEs smaller by 30-50% than Ni systems with planar SO(2). However, scans of the potential energy surfaces show that flexing the planar/pyramidal torsion angle within ranges of 20-30 degrees requires little energy. Bond energy decomposition calculations indicate that the electrostatic Delta E(elstat) term determines the BDE for Pd/Pt molecules where the sulfur is pyramidal, whereas all three terms matter when the sulfur is planar, as for Ni compounds. However, this accounts only for a fraction of the BDE differences; orbital energy matching accounts for the balance.     

Microsolvation of hydrogen sulfide: exploration of H2S.(H2O)n and SH-.H3O+.(H2O)n-1 (n = 5-7) cluster structures on ab initio potential energy surfaces by the scaled hypersphere search method

The scaled hypersphere search method was applied to ab initio potential energy surfaces of the H2S.(H2O)n/SH-.H3O+.(H2O)n-1 system with n = 5-7. Local minima databases including 121, 326, and 553 structures for n = 5-7, respectively, were obtained based on calculations at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31+G** level. In these small cluster sizes, the SH-.H3O+.(H2O)n-1 type is still unstable relative to the H2S.(H2O)n type, and the global minima for H2S.(H2O)n are very similar to those of pure water clusters of (H2O)n+1. Thermodynamic simulations based on the present databases showed a structure transition from the well-mixed (H2O)n+1-like global minimum at low temperatures to unmixed complexes between H2S and (H2O)n at high temperatures.     

Thiodiacetate-manganese chemistry with N ligands: unique control of the supramolecular arrangement over the metal coordination mode

Compounds based on the Mn-tda unit (tda=S(CH(2)COO)(2)(-2) ) and N co-ligands have been analyzed in terms of structural, spectroscopic, magnetic properties and DFT calculations. The precursors [Mn(tda)(H(2)O)](n) (1) and [Mn(tda)(H(2)O)(3)]·H(2)O (2) have been characterized by powder and X-ray diffraction, respectively. Their derivatives with bipyridyl-type ligands have formulas [Mn(tda)(bipy)](n) (3), [{Mn(N-N)}(2)(μ-H(2)O)(μ-tda)(2)](n) (N-N=4,4'-Me(2)bipy (4), 5,5'-Me(2)bipy, (5)) and [Mn(tda){(MeO)(2)bipy}·2H(2)O](n) (6). Depending on the presence/position of substituents at bipy, the supramolecular arrangement can affect the metal coordination type. While all the complexes consist of 1D coordination polymers, only 3 has a copper-acetate core with local trigonal prismatic metal coordination. The presence of substituents in 4-6, together with water co-ligands, reduces the supramolecular interactions and typical octahedral Mn(II) ions are observed. The unicity of 3 is also supported by magnetic studies and by DFT calculations, which confirm that the unusual Mn coordination is a consequence of extended noncovalent interactions (π-π stacking) between bipy ligands. Moreover, 3 is an example of broken paradigm for supramolecular chemistry. In fact, the desired stereochemical properties are achieved by using rigid metal building blocks, whereas in 3 the accumulation of weak noncovalent interactions controls the metal geometry. Other N co-ligands have also been reacted with 1 to give the compounds [Mn(tda)(phen)](2)·6H(2)O (7) (phen=1,10-phenanthroline), [Mn(tda)(terpy)](n) (8) (terpy=2,2':6,2'-terpyridine), [Mn(tda)(pyterpy)](n) (9) (pyterpy=4'-(4-pyridyl)-2,2':6,2'-terpyridine), [Mn(tda)(tpt)(H(2)O)]·2H(2)O (10) and [Mn(tda)(tpt)(H(2)O)](2)·2H(2)O (11) (tpt=2,4,6-tris(2-pyridyl)-1,3,5-triazine). Their identified mono-, bi- or polynuclear structures clearly indicate that hydrogen bonding is variously competitive with π-π stacking.     

Chelate control of diiron(I) dithiolates relevant to the [Fe-Fe]- hydrogenase active site

The reaction of Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)6 with cis-Ph2PCH=CHPPh2 (dppv) yields Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)4(dppv), 1(CO)4, wherein the dppv ligand is chelated to a single iron center. NMR analysis indicates that in 1(CO)4, the dppv ligand spans axial and basal coordination sites. In addition to the axial-basal isomer, the 1,3-propanedithiolate and azadithiolate derivatives exist as dibasal isomers. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the axial-basal isomer is destabilized by nonbonding interactions between the dppv and the central NH or CH2 of the larger dithiolates. The Fe(CO)3 subunit in 1(CO)4 undergoes substitution with PMe3 and cyanide to afford 1(CO)3(PMe3) and (Et4N)[1(CN)(CO)3], respectively. Kinetic studies show that 1(CO)4 reacts faster with donor ligands than does its parent Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)6. The rate of reaction of 1(CO)4 with PMe3 was first order in each reactant, k = 3.1 x 10(-4) M(-1) s(-1). The activation parameters for this substitution reaction, DeltaH = 5.8(5) kcal/mol and DeltaS = -48(2) cal/deg.mol, indicate an associative pathway. DFT calculations suggest that, relative to Fe2(S2C2H4)(CO)6, the enhanced electrophilicity of 1(CO)4 arises from the stabilization of a "rotated" transition state, which is favored by the unsymmetrically disposed donor ligands. Oxidation of MeCN solutions of 1(CO)3(PMe3) with Cp2FePF6 yielded [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)2(dppv)(PMe3)(NCMe)](PF6)2. Reaction of this compound with PMe3 yielded [Fe2(S2C2H4)(mu-CO)(CO)(dppv)(PMe3)2(NCMe)](PF6)2.     

Acid-catalyzed nucleophilic aromatic substitution: experimental and theoretical exploration of a multistep mechanism

The mechanism for the acid-mediated substitution of a phenolic hydroxyl group with a sulfur nucleophile has been investigated by a combination of experimental and theoretical methods. We conclude that the mechanism is distinctively different in nonpolar solvents (i.e., toluene) compared with polar solvents. The cationic mechanism, proposed for the reaction in polar solvents, is not feasible and the reaction instead proceeds through a multistep mechanism in which the acid (pTsOH) mediates the proton shuffling. From DFT calculations, we found a rate-determining transition state with protonation of the hydroxyl group to generate free water and a tight ion pair between a cationic protonated naphthalene species and a tosylate anion. Kinetic experiments support this mechanism and show that, at moderate concentrations, the reaction is first order with respect to 2-naphthol, n-propanethiol, and p-toluenesulfonic acid (pTsOH). Experimentally determined activation parameters are similar to the calculated values (Delta H exp not equal =105+/-9, Delta H calcd not equal =118 kJ mol(-1); Delta G exp not equal =112+/-18, Delta G calcd not equal =142 kJ mol(-1)).     

Proton mobility and stability of water clusters containing the bisulfate anion, HSO4(-)(H2O)n

Bisulfate water clusters, HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n), have been studied both experimentally by a quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer and by quantum chemical calculations. For the cluster distributions studied, there are some possible "magic number" peaks, although the increase in abundance compared to their neighbours is small. Experiments with size-selected clusters with n = 0-25, reacting with D(2)O at a center-of-mass energy of 0.1 eV, were performed, and it was observed that the rate of hydrogen/deuterium exchange is lower for the smallest clusters (n < 8) than for the larger (n > 11), with a transition taking place in the range n = 8-11. We propose that the protonic defect of the bisulfate ion remains rather stationary unless the degree of hydration reaches a given level. In addition, it was observed that H/D scrambling becomes close to statistically randomized for the larger clusters. Insight into this size dependency was obtained by B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p) calculations for HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n) with n = 0-10. In agreement with experimental observations, these calculations suggest pronounced effectiveness of a 'see-saw mechanism' for pendular proton transfer with increasing HSO(4)(-)(H(2)O)(n) cluster size.