Axial Ligand and Spin‐State Influence on the Formation and Reactivity of Hydroperoxo–Iron(III) Porphyrin Complexes

The present study focuses on the formation and reactivity of hydroperoxo–iron(III) porphyrin complexes formed in the [Fe^III(tpfpp)X]/H₂O₂/HOO^? system (TPFPP=5,10,15,20‐tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)‐21H,23H‐porphyrin; X=Cl^? or CF₃SO₃^?) in acetonitrile under basic conditions at ?15 °C. Depending on the selected reaction conditions and the active form of the catalyst, the formation of high‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] could be observed with the application of a low‐temperature rapid‐scan UV/Vis spectroscopic technique. Axial ligation and the spin state of the iron(III) center control the mode of O? O bond cleavage in the corresponding hydroperoxo porphyrin species. A mechanistic changeover from homo‐ to heterolytic O? O bond cleavage is observed for high‐ [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OOH)] and low‐spin [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] complexes, respectively. In contrast to other iron(III) hydroperoxo complexes with electron‐rich porphyrin ligands, electron‐deficient [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] was stable under relatively mild conditions and could therefore be investigated directly in the oxygenation reactions of selected organic substrates. The very low reactivity of [Fe^III(tpfpp)(OH)(OOH)] towards organic substrates implied that the ferric hydroperoxo intermediate must be a very sluggish oxidant compared with the iron(IV)–oxo porphyrin π‐cation radical intermediate in the catalytic oxygenation reactions of cytochrome P450.     

Selective Formation of an FeIVO or an FeIIIOOH Intermediate From Iron(II) and H2O2: Controlled Heterolytic versus Homolytic Oxygen–Oxygen Bond Cleavage by the Second Coordination Sphere

We demonstrate that the devised incorporation of an alkylamine group into the second coordination sphere of an Fe^II complex allows to switch its reactivity with H₂O₂ from the usual formation of Fe^III species towards the selective generation of an Fe^IV‐oxo intermediate. The Fe^IV‐oxo species was characterized by UV/Vis absorption and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Variable‐temperature kinetic analyses point towards a mechanism in which the heterolytic cleavage of the O?O bond is triggered by a proton transfer from the proximal to the distal oxygen atom in the Fe^II‐H₂O₂ complex with the assistance of the pendant amine. DFT studies reveal that this heterolytic cleavage is actually initiated by an homolytic O?O cleavage immediately followed by a proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET) that leads to the formation of the Fe^IV‐oxo and release of water through a concerted mechanism.     

Catalytic Synthesis of 8‐Membered Ring Compounds via Cobalt(III)‐Carbene Radicals

The metalloradical activation of o‐aryl aldehydes with tosylhydrazide and a cobalt(II) porphyrin catalyst produces cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates, providing a new and powerful strategy for the synthesis of medium‐sized ring structures. Herein we make use of the intrinsic radical‐type reactivity of cobalt(III)‐carbene radical intermediates in the [Co^II(TPP)]‐catalyzed (TPP=tetraphenylporphyrin) synthesis of two types of 8‐membered ring compounds; novel dibenzocyclooctenes and unprecedented monobenzocyclooctadienes. The method was successfully applied to afford a variety of 8‐membered ring compounds in good yields and with excellent substituent tolerance. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental results suggest that the reactions proceed via hydrogen atom transfer from the bis‐allylic/benzallylic C?H bond to the carbene radical, followed by two divergent processes for ring‐closure to the two different types of 8‐membered ring products. While the dibenzocyclooctenes are most likely formed by dissociation of o‐quinodimethanes (o‐QDMs) which undergo a non‐catalyzed 8π‐cyclization, DFT calculations suggest that ring‐closure to the monobenzocyclooctadienes involves a radical‐rebound step in the coordination sphere of cobalt. The latter mechanism implies that unprecedented enantioselective ring‐closure reactions to chiral monobenzocyclooctadienes should be possible, as was confirmed for reactions mediated by a chiral cobalt‐porphyrin catalyst.     

Tracking the Process of a Solvothermal Domino Reaction Leading to a Stable Triheteroarylmethyl Radical: A Combined Crystallographic and Mass‐Spectrometric Study

A new free carbon radical was obtained in a microwave‐assisted solvothermal reaction of the primary amine (1‐methyl‐1H‐benzo[d]imidazol‐2‐yl)methanamine with FeCl₃?6 H₂O in methanol at 140 °C. Through a combination of crystallography and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, the reaction process was studied. The longest domino reaction includes 14 steps and forms up to 12 new covalent bonds (9 C?N and 3 C?C bonds) and 3 five‐membered heterocycles. For the first time, the homolytic cleavage of a C?O bond was used to synthesize a triarylmethyl radical.     

Hydroxylation of Aromatics with the Help of a Non‐Haem FeOOH: A Mechanistic Study under Single‐Turnover and Catalytic Conditions

Ferric–hydroperoxo complexes have been identified as intermediates in the catalytic cycle of biological oxidants, but their role as key oxidants is still a matter of debate. Among the numerous synthetic low‐spin Fe^III(OOH) complexes characterized to date, [(L₅²)Fe(OOH)]²⁺ is the only one that has been isolated in the solid state at low temperature, which has provided a unique opportunity for inspecting its oxidizing properties under single‐turnover conditions. In this report we show that [(L₅²)Fe(OOH)]²⁺ decays in the presence of aromatic substrates, such as anisole and benzene in acetonitrile, with first‐order kinetics. In addition, the phenol products are formed from the aromatic substrates with similar first‐order rate constants. Combining the kinetic data obtained at different temperatures and under different single‐turnover experimental conditions with experiments performed under catalytic conditions by using the substrate [1,3,5‐D₃]benzene, which showed normal kinetic isotope effects (KIE>1) and a notable hydride shift (NIH shift), has allowed us to clarify the role played by Fe^III(OOH) in aromatic oxidation. Several lines of experimental evidence in support of the previously postulated mechanism for the formation of two caged Fe^IV(O) and OH ^. species from the Fe^III(OOH) complex have been obtained for the first time. After homolytic O? O cleavage, a caged pair of oxidants [Fe^IVO+HO ^. ] is generated that act in unison to hydroxylate the aromatic ring: HO ^. attacks the ring to give a hydroxycyclohexadienyl radical, which is further oxidized by Fe^IVO to give a cationic intermediate that gives rise to a NIH shift upon ketonization before the final re‐aromatization step. Spin‐trapping experiments in the presence of 5,5‐dimethyl‐1‐pyrroline N‐oxide and GC‐MS analyses of the intermediate products further support the proposed mechanism.     

Factors That Affect the Nature of the Final Oxidation Products in “Peroxo‐Shunt” Reactions of Iron–Porphyrin Complexes

The present study focuses on the oxidation of the water‐soluble and water‐insoluble iron(III)–porphyrin complexes [Fe^III(TMPS)] and [Fe^III(TMP)] (TMPS=meso‐tetrakis(2,4,6‐trimethyl‐3‐sulfonatophenyl)porphyrinato, TMP=meso‐tetrakis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)porphyrinato), respectively, by meta‐chloroperoxybenzoic acid (m‐CPBA) in aqueous methanol and aqueous acetonitrile solutions of varying acidity. With the application of a low‐temperature rapid‐scan UV/Vis spectroscopic technique, the complete spectral changes that accompany the formation and decomposition of the primary product of O? O bond cleavage in the acylperoxoiron(III)–porphyrin intermediate [(P)Fe^III? OOX] (P=porphyrin) were successfully recorded and characterized. The results clearly indicate that the O? O bond in m‐CPBA is heterolytically cleaved by the studied iron(III)–porphyrin complexes independent of the acidity of the reaction medium. The existence of two different oxidation products under acidic and basic conditions is suggested not to be the result of a mechanistic changeover in the mode of O? O bond cleavage on going from low to high pH values, but rather the effect of environmental changes on the actual product of the O? O bond cleavage in [(P)Fe^III? OOX]. The oxoiron(IV)–porphyrin cation radical formed as a primary oxidation product over the entire pH range can undergo a one‐ or two‐electron reduction depending on the selected reaction conditions. The present study provides valuable information for the interpretation and improved understanding of results obtained in product‐analysis experiments.     

Amide‐Based Nonheme Cobalt(III) Olefin Epoxidation Catalyst: Partition of Multiple Active Oxidants CoVO,CoIVO,and CoIII?OO(O)CR

A mononuclear nonheme cobalt(III) complex of a tetradentate ligand containing two deprotonated amide moieties, [Co(bpc)Cl₂][Et₄N] ( 1 ; H₂bpc=4,5‐dichloro‐1,2‐bis(2‐pyridine‐2‐carboxamido)benzene), was prepared and then characterized by elemental analysis, IR, UV/Vis, and EPR spectroscopy, and X‐ray crystallography. This nonheme Co^III complex catalyzes olefin epoxidation upon treatment with meta‐chloroperbenzoic acid. It is proposed that complex 1 shows partitioning between the heterolytic and homolytic cleavage of an O? O bond to afford Co^V?O ( 3 ) and Co^IV?O ( 4 ) intermediates, proposed to be responsible for the stereospecific olefin epoxidation and radical‐type oxidations, respectively. Moreover, under extreme conditions, in which the concentration of an active substrate is very high, the Co? OOC(O)R ( 2 ) species is a possible reactive species for epoxidation. Furthermore, partitioning between heterolysis and homolysis of the O? O bond of the intermediate 2 might be very sensitive to the nature of the solvent, and the O? O bond of the Co? OOC(O)R species might proceed predominantly by heterolytic cleavage, even in the presence of small amounts of protic solvent, to produce a discrete Co^V?O intermediate as the dominant reactive species. Evidence for these multiple active oxidants was derived from product analysis, the use of peroxyphenylacetic acid as the peracid, and EPR measurements. The results suggest that a less accessible Co^V?O moiety can form in a system in which the supporting chelate ligand comprises a mixture of neutral and anionic nitrogen donors.     

Spectroscopic and Mechanistic Studies on Oxidation Reactions Catalyzed by the Functional Model SR Complex for Cytochrome P450: Influence of Oxidant,Substrate, and Solvent

Kinetic and mechanistic studies on the formation of an oxoiron(IV) porphyrin cation radical bearing a thiolate group as proximal ligand are reported. The SR complex, a functional enzyme mimic of P450, was oxidized in peroxo‐shunt reactions under different experimental conditions with variation of solvent, temperature, and identity and excess of oxidant in the presence of different organic substrates. Through the application of a low‐temperature rapid‐scan stopped‐flow technique, the reactive intermediates in the SR catalytic cycle, such as the initially formed SR acylperoxoiron(III) complex and the SR high‐valent iron(IV) porphyrin cation radical complex [( SR ^.+)Fe^IV?O], were successfully identified and kinetically characterized. The oxidation of the SR complex under catalytic conditions provided direct spectroscopic information on the reactivity of [( SR ^.+)Fe^IV?O] towards the oxidation of selected organic substrates. Because the catalytically active species is a synthetic oxoiron(IV) porphyrin cation radical bearing a thiolate proximal group, the effect of the strong electron donor ligand on the formation and reactivity/stability of the SR high‐valent iron species is addressed and discussed in the light of the reactivity pattern observed in substrate oxygenation reactions catalyzed by native P450 enzyme systems.     

Differences and Comparisons of the Properties and Reactivities of Iron(III)–hydroperoxo Complexes with Saturated Coordination Sphere

Heme and nonheme monoxygenases and dioxygenases catalyze important oxygen atom transfer reactions to substrates in the body. It is now well established that the cytochrome P450 enzymes react through the formation of a high‐valent iron(IV)–oxo heme cation radical. Its precursor in the catalytic cycle, the iron(III)–hydroperoxo complex, was tested for catalytic activity and found to be a sluggish oxidant of hydroxylation, epoxidation and sulfoxidation reactions. In a recent twist of events, evidence has emerged of several nonheme iron(III)–hydroperoxo complexes that appear to react with substrates via oxygen atom transfer processes. Although it was not clear from these studies whether the iron(III)–hydroperoxo reacted directly with substrates or that an initial O?O bond cleavage preceded the reaction. Clearly, the catalytic activity of heme and nonheme iron(III)–hydroperoxo complexes is substantially different, but the origins of this are still poorly understood and warrant a detailed analysis. In this work, an extensive computational analysis of aromatic hydroxylation by biomimetic nonheme and heme iron systems is presented, starting from an iron(III)–hydroperoxo complex with pentadentate ligand system (L₅²). Direct C?O bond formation by an iron(III)–hydroperoxo complex is investigated, as well as the initial heterolytic and homolytic bond cleavage of the hydroperoxo group. The calculations show that [(L₅²)Fe^III(OOH)]²⁺ should be able to initiate an aromatic hydroxylation process, although a low‐energy homolytic cleavage pathway is only slightly higher in energy. A detailed valence bond and thermochemical analysis rationalizes the differences in chemical reactivity of heme and nonheme iron(III)–hydroperoxo and show that the main reason for this particular nonheme complex to be reactive comes from the fact that they homolytically split the O?O bond, whereas a heterolytic O?O bond breaking in heme iron(III)–hydroperoxo is found.     

Heme Fe?SO2− intermediates in sulfite reduction: Contrasts with Fe?OO2− species from oxygen–oxygen bond activating systems

Sulfite reductase (SiR) catalyzes a six electron and six proton reduction of sulfite to sulfide. Similarly to the cytochrome P450 (cytP450) family, the active site in SiR contains a (partially reduced) heme bound axially to a cysteinate ligand—though with an extra Fe₄S₄ cluster. Fe(III) SO²⁻, Fe(III) SOH⁻, and Fe(III) SO(H₂) intermediates have been proposed for the catalytic cycle of SiR, leading to a formally Fe(V)S species—akin to the widely accepted reaction mechanism in cytP450. Here, density functional theory (DFT) data is reported for of such FeSO(H₂) intermediates. The Fe(III) SO²⁻ models display relatively high energies for homolytic bond breaking compared to their isomeric oxygen‐bound Fe(III) OS²⁻ models, and thus offer a better alternative in terms of avoiding radical side products able to induce enzyme suicide. This could be due to the fact that the (iron‐bound) sulfur is more active from a redox standpoint compared to oxygen, thus permitting the departing oxygen to maintain a redox‐inert state. Di‐protonation of the oxygen is computed to lead to a compound I type Fe(IV)S coupled to a porphyrin radical anion—consistent with an intermediate previously observed by x‐ray crystallography.     

Mechanistic Study on the Cleavage and Reorganization of C(sp3)?H and CN Bonds in Carbodiimides: Synthesis of 1,2‐Dihydrothiopyrimidines and 2,3‐Dihydropyrimidinthiones through Four‐Component Coupling

This study sheds light on the cleavage and reorganization of C(sp³)? H and C?N bonds of carbodiimides in a three‐component reaction of terminal alkynes, sulfur, and carbodiimides by a combination of methods including 1) isolation and X‐ray analysis of six‐membered‐ring lithium species 2‐S , 2) trapping of the oxygen‐analogues ( B‐O and D‐O ) of both four‐membered‐ring intermediate B‐S and ring‐opening intermediate D‐S , 3) deuterium labeling studies, and 4) theoretical studies. These results show that 1) the reaction rate‐determining step is [2+2] cycloaddition, 2) the C?N bond cleavage takes place before C(sp³)? H bond cleavage, 3) the hydrogen attached to C6 in 2‐S originates from the carbodiimide, and 4) three types of new aza‐heterocycles, such as 1,2‐dihydrothiopyrimidines, N‐acyl 2,3‐dihydropyrimidinthiones, and 1,2‐dihydropyrimidinamino acids are constructed efficiently based on 2‐S . All results strongly support the idea that the reaction proceeds through [2+2] cycloaddition/4π electrocyclic ring‐opening/1,5‐H shift/6π electrocyclic ring‐closing as key steps. The research strategy on the synthesis, isolation, and reactivity investigation of important intermediates in metal‐mediated reactions not only helps achieve an in‐depth understanding of reaction mechanisms but also leads to the discovery of new synthetically useful reactions based on the important intermediates.     

Iron‐Promoted ortho‐ and/or ipso‐Hydroxylation of Benzoic Acids with H2O2

Regioselective hydroxylation of aromatic acids with hydrogen peroxide proceeds readily in the presence of iron(II) complexes with tetradentate aminopyridine ligands [Fe^II(BPMEN)(CH₃CN)₂](ClO₄)₂ ( 1 ) and [Fe^II(TPA)(CH₃CN)₂](OTf)₂ ( 2 ), where BPMEN=N,N′‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)‐1,2‐ethylenediamine, TPA=tris‐(2‐pyridylmethyl)amine. Two cis‐sites, which are occupied by labile acetonitrile molecules in 1 and 2 , are available for coordination of H₂O₂ and substituted benzoic acids. The hydroxylation of the aromatic ring occurs exclusively in the vicinity of the anchoring carboxylate functional group: ortho‐hydroxylation affords salicylates, whereas ipso‐hydroxylation with concomitant decarboxylation yields phenolates. The outcome of the substituent‐directed hydroxylation depends on the electronic properties and the position of substituents in the molecules of substrates: 3‐substituted benzoic acids are preferentially ortho‐hydroxylated, whereas 2‐ and, to a lesser extent, 4‐substituted substrates tend to undergo ipso‐hydroxylation/decarboxylation. These two pathways are not mutually exclusive and likely proceed via a common intermediate. Electron‐withdrawing substituents on the aromatic ring of the carboxylic acids disfavor hydroxylation, indicating an electrophilic nature for the active oxidant. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibit similar reactivity patterns, but 1 generates a more powerful oxidant than 2 . Spectroscopic and labeling studies exclude acylperoxoiron(III) and Fe^IV?O species as potential reaction intermediates, but strongly indicate the involvement of an Fe^III? OOH intermediate that undergoes intramolecular acid‐promoted heterolytic O? O bond cleavage, producing a transient iron(V) oxidant.     

Aromatic Hydroxylation at a Non‐Heme Iron Center: Observed Intermediates and Insights into the Nature of the Active Species

Mechanism of substrate oxidations with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a highly reactive, biomimetic, iron aminopyridine complex, [Fe^II(bpmen)(CH₃CN)₂][ClO₄]₂ ( 1 ; bpmen=N,N'‐dimethyl‐N,N'‐bis(2‐pyridylmethyl)ethane‐1,2‐diamine), is elucidated. Complex 1 has been shown to be an excellent catalyst for epoxidation and functional‐group‐directed aromatic hydroxylation using H₂O₂, although its mechanism of action remains largely unknown. 1 , 2 Efficient intermolecular hydroxylation of unfunctionalized benzene and substituted benzenes with H₂O₂ in the presence of 1 is found in the present work. Detailed mechanistic studies of the formation of iron(III)–phenolate products are reported. We have identified, generated in high yield, and experimentally characterized the key Fe^III(OOH) intermediate (λ_max=560 nm, rhombic EPR signal with g=2.21, 2.14, 1.96) formed by 1 and H₂O₂. Stopped‐flow kinetic studies showed that Fe^III(OOH) does not directly hydroxylate the aromatic rings, but undergoes rate‐limiting self‐decomposition producing transient reactive oxidant. The formation of the reactive species is facilitated by acid‐assisted cleavage of the O? O bond in the iron–hydroperoxide intermediate. Acid‐assisted benzene hydroxylation with 1 and a mechanistic probe, 2‐Methyl‐1‐phenyl‐2‐propyl hydroperoxide (MPPH), correlates with O? O bond heterolysis. Independently generated Fe^IV?O species, which may originate from O? O bond homolysis in Fe^III(OOH), proved to be inactive toward aromatic substrates. The reactive oxidant derived from 1 exchanges its oxygen atom with water and electrophilically attacks the aromatic ring (giving rise to an inverse H/D kinetic isotope effect of 0.8). These results have revealed a detailed experimental mechanistic picture of the oxidation reactions catalyzed by 1 , based on direct characterization of the intermediates and products, and kinetic analysis of the individual reaction steps. Our detailed understanding of the mechanism of this reaction revealed both similarities and differences between synthetic and enzymatic aromatic hydroxylation reactions.     

Mechanistic Insights into the Ni‐Catalyzed Reductive Carboxylation of C−O Bonds in Aromatic Esters with CO2: Understanding Remarkable Ligand and Traceless‐Directing‐Group Effects

The mechanism of the Ni⁰‐catalyzed reductive carboxylation reaction of C(sp²)?O and C(sp³)?O bonds in aromatic esters with CO₂ to access valuable carboxylic acids was comprehensively studied by using DFT calculations. Computational results revealed that this transformation was composed of several key steps: C?O bond cleavage, reductive elimination, and/or CO₂ insertion. Of these steps, C?O bond cleavage was found to be rate‐determining, and it occurred through either oxidative addition to form a Ni^II intermediate, or a radical pathway that involved a bimetallic species to generate two Ni^I species through homolytic dissociation of the C?O bond. DFT calculations revealed that the oxidative addition step was preferred in the reductive carboxylation reactions of C(sp²)?O and C(sp³)?O bonds in substrates with extended π systems. In contrast, oxidative addition was highly disfavored when traceless directing groups were involved in the reductive coupling of substrates without extended π systems. In such cases, the presence of traceless directing groups allowed for docking of a second Ni⁰ catalyst, and the reactions proceed through a bimetallic radical pathway, rather than through concerted oxidative addition, to afford two Ni^I species both kinetically and thermodynamically. These theoretical mechanistic insights into the reductive carboxylation reactions of C?O bonds were also employed to investigate several experimentally observed phenomena, including ligand‐dependent reactivity and site‐selectivity.     

Quantum chemical study on enantioselective reduction of keto oxime ether with borane catalyzed by oxazaborolidine. Part 2. Structures of catalyst‐alkoxyborane adduct with a four‐membered ring and succeeding reaction intermediates

Quantum chemical ab initio computations of the structures and properties of oxazaborolidine‐alkoxyborane adduct with a B? N? B? O four‐membered ring and succeeding reaction intermediates are carried out in the current work by means of the Hartree–Fock (HF) and the density functional methods. All the structures are optimized completely at the HF/6‐31G(d) and Becke's three‐parameter exchange functional and the gradient‐corrected functional of Lee, Yang, and Paar (B3LYP)/6‐31G(d) levels. As shown in the obtained results, the oxazaborolidine‐alkoxyborane adduct with a B? N? B? O four‐membered ring may be formed during the reduction of the carbonyl bond of the catalyst‐borane‐keto oxime ether adduct. The breakdown of the B? N? B? O four‐membered ring results in the formation of the adduct with a B? N? B? O? C? C? N seven‐membered ring and an oxime bond. The reduction of the oxime bond leads to the adduct with a chiral oxime carbon. The B(2)? N_{C? N} bond in the B? N? B? O? C? C? N seven‐membered ring of the adduct with a reduced oxime bond is weaker comparatively and thus may be more easily broken down. All the adducts have four stable structures. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem 93: 294–306, 2003     

24(R)‐Acetyl­oxy‐1α,2α‐epoxy­cholesta‐4,6‐dien‐3‐one hydrate

In the title compound, C₂₉H₄₂O₄·H₂O, cyclo­hexane rings A and B are in the sofa conformation, ring C is in a chair conformation and the five‐membered ring D is in an envelope conformation. The structure is stabilized by inter‐ and intramolecular C—H?O and O—H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Highly Selective Phosphinylphosphination of Alkenes with Tetraphenyldiphosphine Monoxide

In sharp contrast to tetraphenyldiphosphine, which does not add to carbon–carbon double bonds efficiently, its monoxide, [Ph₂P(O)PPh₂] can engage in a radical addition to various alkenes, thus affording the corresponding 1‐phosphinyl‐2‐phosphinoalkanes regioselectively, and they can be converted into their sulfides by treatment with elemental sulfur. The phosphinylphosphination proceeds by the homolytic cleavage of the P^V(O)?P^III single bond of Ph₂P(O)PPh₂, followed by selective attack of the phosphinyl radical at the terminal position of the alkenes, and selective trapping of the resulting carbon radical by the phosphino group. Furthermore, the phosphinylphosphination product could be converted directly into its platinum complex with a hemilabile P,O chelation.     

Rearrangements in Model Peptide‐Type Radicals via Intramolecular Hydrogen‐Atom Transfer

Intramolecular H‐atom transfer in model peptide‐type radicals was investigated with high‐level quantum‐chemistry calculations. Examination of 1,2‐, 1,3‐, 1,5‐, and 1,6[C ? N]‐H shifts, 1,4‐ and 1,7[C ? C]‐H shifts, and 1,4[N ? N]‐H shifts (Scheme 1), was carried out with a number of theoretical methods. In the first place, the performance of UB3‐LYP (with the 6‐31G(d), 6‐31G(2df,p), and 6‐311+G(d,p) basis sets) and UMP2 (with the 6‐31G(d) basis set) was assessed for the determination of radical geometries. We found that there is only a small basis‐set dependence for the UB3‐LYP structures, and geometries optimized with UB3‐LYP/6‐31G(d) are generally sufficient for use in conjunction with high‐level composite methods in the determination of improved H‐transfer thermochemistry. Methods assessed in this regard include the high‐level composite methods, G3(MP2)‐RAD, CBS‐QB3, and G3//B3‐LYP, as well as the density‐functional methods B3‐LYP, MPWB1K, and BMK in association with the 6‐31+G(d,p) and 6‐311++G(3df,3pd) basis sets. The high‐level methods give results that are close to one another, while the recently developed functionals MPWB1K and BMK provide cost‐effective alternatives. For the systems considered, the transformation of an N‐centered radical to a C‐centered radical is always exothermic (by 25 kJ ? mol^?1 or more), and this can lead to quite modest barrier heights of less than 60 kJ ? mol^?1 (specifically for 1,5[C ? N]‐H and 1,6[C ? N]‐H shifts). H‐Migration barriers appear to decrease as the ring size in the transition structure (TS) increases, with a lowering of the barrier being found, for example when moving from a rearrangement proceeding via a four‐membered‐ring TS (e.g., the 1,3[C ? N]‐H shift, CH₃? C(O)? NH^. → ^.CH₂? C(O)? NH₂) to a rearrangement proceeding via a six‐membered‐ring TS (e.g., the 1,5[C ? N]‐H shift, ^.NH? CH₂? C(O)? NH? CH₃ → NH₂? CH₂? C(O)? NH? CH₂^.).     

Generation and Characterization of the First Persistent Platinum(I)‐Centered Radical

The first persistent platinum(I)‐centered radical was generated by homolytic cleavage of a Pt?HgSiR₃ bond of a mercury‐substituted platinum(II) complex. The Pt^I radical was characterized by EPR spectroscopy, chemical trapping experiments, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.     

Theoretical study on SH2 reaction of methyl radical with three‐membered ring

Bimolecular homolytic substitution (S_H2) reactions of the methyl radical with a series of three‐membered ring compounds have been given a systematic theoretical study. These reactions proceed predominantly via the backside displacement. The formation of the new radical product is thermodynamically favorable probably due to the release of the ring strain. Natural bond orbital analysis reveals that SOMO → σ*(C‐X) (X= C, N, O) interaction plays a major role in these S_H2 reactions, which shows the methyl radical mainly acts as a nucleophilic radical. In addition, according to the activation strain model analysis, an expected single correlation has not been obtained between the reactant distortion enthalpies and the overall activation enthalpies. However, these reactions can be divided into three groups and each group exhibits a good linear correlation. Marcus theory can thoroughly account for this phenomenon. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.