Generation and reactivity of rhodium(IV) complexes in aqueous solutions

At pH = 1 and 25 degrees C, the Fenton-like reactions of Fe(aq)(2+) with hydroperoxorhodium complexes LRh(III)OOH(2+) (L = (H(2)O)(NH(3))(4), k = 30 M(-1) s(-1), and L = L(2) = (H(2)O)(meso-Me(6)-[14]aneN(4)), k = 31 M(-1) s(-1)) generate short-lived, reactive intermediates, believed to be the rhodium(IV) species LRh(IV)O(2+). In the rapid follow-up steps, these transients oxidize Fe(aq)(2+), and the overall reaction has the standard 2:1 [Fe(aq)(2+)]/[LRhOOH(2+)] stoichiometry. Added substrates, such as alcohols, aldehydes, and (NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)RhH(2+), compete with Fe(aq)(2+) for LRh(IV)O(2+), causing the stoichiometry to change to <2:1. Such competition data were used to determine relative reactivities of (NH(3))(4)RhO(2+) toward CH(3)OH (1), CD(3)OH (0.2), C(2)H(5)OH (2.7), 2-C(3)H(7)OH (3.4), 2-C(3)D(7)OH (1.0), CH(2)O (12.5), C(2)H(5)CHO (45), and (NH(3))(4)RhH(2+) (125). The kinetics and products suggest hydrogen atom abstraction for (NH(3))(4)RhO(2+)/alcohol reactions. A short chain reaction observed with C(2)H(5)CHO is consistent with both hydrogen atom and hydride transfer. The rate constant for the reaction between Tl(aq)(III) and L(2)Rh(2+) is 2.25 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1).     

Aqueous ferryl(IV) ion: kinetics of oxygen atom transfer to substrates and oxo exchange with solvent water

The aqueous iron(IV) ion, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+), generated from O(3) and Fe(aq)(2+), reacts rapidly with various oxygen atom acceptors (sulfoxides, a water-soluble triarylphosphine, and a thiolatocobalt complex). In each case, Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) is reduced to Fe(aq)(2+), and the substrate is oxidized to a product expected for oxygen atom transfer. Competition methods were used to determine the kinetics of these reactions, some of which have rate constants in excess of 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) has k = 1.26 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1) and shows no deuterium kinetic isotope effect, k(DMSO-d(6)) = 1.23 x 10(5) M(-1) s(-1). The Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+)/sulfoxide reaction is the product-forming step in a very efficient Fe(aq)(2+)-catalyzed oxidation of sulfoxides by ozone. This catalytic cycle, combined with labeling experiments in H(2)(18)O, was used to determine the rate constant for the oxo-group exchange between Fe(IV)(aq)O(2+) and solvent water under acidic conditions, k(exch) = 1.4 x 10(3) s(-1).     

Acid-catalyzed oxidation of iodide ions by superoxo complexes of rhodium and chromium

Superoxometal complexes L(H(2)O)MOO(2+) (L = (H(2)O)(4), (NH(3))(4), or N(4)-macrocycle; M = Cr(III), Rh(III)) react with iodide ions according to the stoichiometry L(H(2)O)MOO(2+) + 3I(-) + 3H(+) --> L(H(2)O)MOH(2+) + 1.5I(2) + H(2)O. The rate law is -d[L(H(2)O)MOO(2+)]/dt = k [L(H(2)O)MOO(2+)][I(-)][H(+)], where k = 93.7 M(-2) s(-1) for Cr(aq)OO(2+), 402 for ([14]aneN(4))(H(2)O)CrOO(2+), and 888 for (NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)RhOO(2+) in acidic aqueous solutions at 25 degrees C and 0.50 M ionic strength. The Cr(aq)OO(2+)/I(-) reaction exhibits an inverse solvent kinetic isotope effect, k(H)()2(O)/k(D)2(O) = 0.5. In the proposed mechanism, the protonation of the superoxo complex precedes the reaction with iodide. The related Cr(aq)OOH(2+)/I(-) reaction has k(H)2(O)/k(D)2(O) = 0.6. The oxidation of (NH(3))(5)Rupy(2+) by Cr(aq)OO(2+) exhibits an [H(+)]-dependent pathway, rate = (7.0 x 10(4) + 1.78 x 10(5)[H(+)])[Ru(NH(3))(5)py(2+)][Cr(aq)OO(2+)]. Diiodine radical anions, I(2)(*)(-), reduce Cr(aq)OO(2+) with a rate constant k = 1.7 x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1).     

Reaction of a superoxochromium(III) ion with nitrogen monoxide: kinetics and mechanism.

The kinetics of the rapid reaction between Cr(aq)OO(2+) and NO were determined by laser flash photolysis of Cr(aq)NO(2+) in O(2)-saturated acidic aqueous solutions, k = 7 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) at 25 degrees C. The reaction produces an intermediate, believed to be NO(2), which was scavenged with ([14]aneN(4))Ni(2+). With limiting NO, the Cr(aq)OO(2+)/NO reaction has a 1:1 stoichiometry and produces both free NO(3)(-) and a chromium nitrato complex, Cr(aq)ONO(2)(2+). In the presence of excess NO, the stoichiometry changes to [NO]/[Cr(aq)OO(2+)] = 3:1, and the reaction produces close to 3 mol of nitrite/mol of Cr(aq)OO(2+). An intermediate, identified as a nitritochromium(III) ion, Cr(aq)ONO(2+), is a precursor to a portion of free NO(2)(-). In the proposed mechanism, the initially produced peroxynitrito complex, Cr(aq)OONO(2+), undergoes O-O bond homolysis followed by some known and some novel chemistry of Cr(aq)O(2+) and NO(2). The reaction between Cr(aq)O(2+) and NO generates Cr(aq)ONO(2+), k > 10(4) M(-1) s(-1). Cr(aq)OO(2+) reacts with NO(2) with k = 2.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1).     

Disproportionation of aquachromyl(IV) ion by hydrogen abstraction from coordinated water

In aqueous solutions, the aquachromyl(IV) ion, Cr(aq)O(2+), disproportionates to Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-). The reaction exhibits second-order kinetics with an inverse [H(+)] dependence, -d[Cr(aq)O(2+)]/dt = 38.8[Cr(aq)O(2+)](2)[H(+)](-1) at 25 degrees C. The combination of the rate law and substantial kinetic isotope effect, k(H)/k(D) = 6.9, suggests a mechanism whereby a hydrogen atom is abstracted from a coordinated molecule of water or hydroxo group within a singly deprotonated transition state. The buildup of chromate is more complicated and somewhat slower than the loss of chromyl, suggesting the involvement of intermediates.     

Aqueous coordination chemistry and photochemistry of uranyl(VI) oxalate revisited: a density functional theory study

Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we revisited a classical problem of uranyl(VI) oxalate photochemical decomposition. Photoreactivities of uranyl(VI) oxalate complexes are found to correlate largely with ligand-structural arrangements. Importantly, the intramolecular photochemical reaction is inhibited when oxalate is bound to uranium exclusively in chelate binding mode. Previously proposed mechanisms involving a UO(2)(C(2)O(4))(2)(2-) (1:2) complex as the main photoreactive species are thus unlikely to apply, because the two oxalic acids are bound to uranium in a chelating binding mode. Our DFT results suggest that the relevant photoreactive species are UO(2)(C(2)O(4))(3)(4-) (1:3) and (UO(2))(2)(C(2)O(4))(5)(6-) (2:5) complexes binding uranium in an unidentate fashion. These species go through decarboxylation upon excitation to the triplet state, which ensues the release of CO(2) and reduction of U(vi) to U(v). The calculations also suggest an alternative intermolecular pathway at low pH via an electron transfer between the excited state *UO(2)(2+) and hydrogen oxalate (HC(2)O(4)(-)) which eventually leads to the production of CO and OH(-) with no net reduction of U(VI). The calculated results are consistent with previous experimental findings that CO is only detected at low pH while U(IV) is detected only at high pH.     

Oxygen atom transfer from a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex to nitric oxide

In aqueous acidic solutions trans-[Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) (L=1,12-dimethyl-3,4:9,10-dibenzo-1,12-diaza-5,8-dioxacyclopentadecane) is rapidly reduced by excess NO to give trans-[Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+). When ≤1 mol equiv NO is used, the intermediate Ru(IV) species, trans-[Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+), can be detected. The reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO is first order with respect to [Ru(VI)] and [NO], k(2)=(4.13±0.21)×10(1) M(-1) s(-1) at 298.0 K. ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) are (12.0±0.3) kcal mol(-1) and -(11±1) cal mol(-1) K(-1), respectively. In CH(3)CN, ΔH(≠) and ΔS(≠) have the same values as in H(2)O; this suggests that the mechanism is the same in both solvents. In CH(3)CN, the reaction of [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) with NO produces a blue-green species with λ(max) at approximately 650 nm, which is characteristic of N(2)O(3). N(2)O(3) is formed by coupling of NO(2) with excess NO; it is relatively stable in CH(3)CN, but undergoes rapid hydrolysis in H(2)O. A mechanism that involves oxygen atom transfer from [Ru(VI)(L)(O)(2)](2+) to NO to produce NO(2) is proposed. The kinetics of the reaction of [Ru(IV)(L)(O)(OH(2))](2+) with NO has also been investigated. In this case, the data are consistent with initial one-electron O(-) transfer from Ru(IV) to NO to produce the nitrito species [Ru(III)(L)(ONO)(OH(2))](2+) (k(2)>10(6) M(-1) s(-1)), followed by a reaction with another molecule of NO to give [Ru(L)(NO)(OH)](2+) and NO(2)(-) (k(2)=54.7 M(-1) s(-1)).     

Nitrous acid as a source of NO and NO(2) in the reaction with a macrocyclic superoxorhodium(III) complex

The title reaction takes place according to the stoichiometry 2L(2)RhOO(2+) + 3HNO(2) + H(2)O --> 2L(2)Rh(OH(2))(3+) + 3NO(3)(-) + H(+) (L(2) = meso-Me(6)-[14]ane-N(4)). The kinetics are second order in HNO(2) and independent of the concentration of L(2)RhOO(2+), rate = (k(1) + k(2)[H(+)])[HNO(2)](2), where k(1) = 10.9 M(-1) s(-1) and k(2) = 175 M(-2) s(-1) at 25 degrees C and 0.10 M ionic strength. The reaction produces two observable intermediates, the nitrato (L(2)RhONO(2)(2+)) and hydroperoxo (L(2)RhOOH(2+)) complexes. The product analysis and kinetics are indicative of the initial rate-controlling formation of NO and NO(2), both of which react rapidly with L(2)RhOO(2+) in subsequent steps. The reaction with NO produces mainly L(2)RhONO(2)(2+), which hydrolyzes to L(2)Rh(OH(2))(3+) and NO(3)(-). Another minor pathway generates the hydroperoxo complex, which was detected by its known reaction with Fe(aq)(2+). The reaction of NO(2) with L(2)RhOO(2+) requires an additional equivalent of HNO(2) and produces L(2)Rh(OH(2))(3+) and NO(3)(-) via a proposed peroxynitrato complex L(2)RhOONO(2)(2+). This work provides strong evidence for the long-debated reaction between HNO(2) and H(2)NO(2)(+) to generate N(2)O(3).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of Cr(II) aqua ions with benzoylpyridine N-oxide

Aqueous chromium(II) ions, Cr(aq)(2+), react with benzoylpyridine oxide (BPO) much more rapidly than with other pyridine N-oxides previously explored. The kinetics were studied under pseudo-first order conditions with either reagent in excess. Under both sets of conditions, the major kinetic term exhibits first order dependence on limiting reagent, and second order dependence on excess reagent, i.e.k(Cr) = k2(Cr)[BPO][Cr(aq)(2+)]2 (excess Cr(aq)(2+)), and k(BPO) = k2(BPO)[Cr(aq)(2+)][BPO](2) (excess BPO), where k2(Cr) = (6.90 +/- 0.27) x 10(4) M(-2) s(-1) and k2(BPO) = (3.32 +/- 0.28) x 10(5) M(-2) s(-1) in 0.10 M HClO4. The rate constant k2(Cr) contains terms corresponding to [H+]-independent and [H+]-catalyzed paths. In the proposed mechanism, the initially formed Cr(aq)(BPO)(2+) engages in parallel oxidation of Cr(aq)(2+) and reduction of BPO. The latter reaction provides the basis for a convenient new preparative route for the BPO complex of Cr(III).     

Photocatalytic Oxidation of Aromatic Hydrocarbons

In acidic aqueous solutions UO(2)(2+) serves as a photocatalyst (lambda(irr) >/= 425 nm) for the oxidation of benzene by H(2)O(2). Under conditions where 50% of the excited state UO(2)(2+) is quenched by H(2)O(2) (k = 5.4 x 10(6) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and 50% by benzene (k = 2.9 x 10(8) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)), the quantum yield for the formation of phenol is 0.70. The yield does not change when benzene is replaced by benzene-d(6), but decreases by a factor of approximately 4 upon the change of solvent from H(2)O to D(2)O. Photocatalytic oxidation of toluene by UO(2)(2+)/H(2)O(2) produces PhCHO, PhCH(2)OH, and a mixture of cresols with a total quantum yield of 0.28 under conditions where 50% of UO(2)(2+) is quenched by H(2)O(2). The quenching of UO(2)(2+) by benzene and substituted benzenes takes place with k > 10(8) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). The system UO(2)(2+)/t-BuOOH/C(6)H(6)/hnu does not result in the oxidation of benzene, but instead yields methane and ethane.     

A kinetic and thermodynamic study of the unexpected comproportionation reaction between cis-[Os(VIII)O4(OH)2](2-) and trans-[Os(VI)O2(OH)4](2-) to form a postulated [Os(VII)O3(OH)3](2-) complex anion

A kinetic study of [OsO(4)] reduction by aliphatic alcohols (MeOH and EtOH) was performed in a 2.0 M NaOH matrix at 298.1 K. The rate model that best fitted the UV-VIS data supports a one-step, two electron reduction of Os(VIII) (present as both the [Os(VIII)O(4)(OH)](-) and cis-[Os(VIII)O(4)(OH)(2)](2-) species in a ratio of 0.34:0.66) to form the trans-[Os(VI)O(2)(OH)(4)](2-) species. The formed trans-[Os(VI)O(2)(OH)(4)](2-) species subsequently reacts relatively rapidly with the cis-[Os(VIII)O(4)(OH)(2)](2-) complex anion to form a postulated [Os(VII)O(3)(OH)(3)](2-) species according to: cis-[Os(VIII)O(4)(OH)(2)](2-) + trans-[Os(VI)O(2)(OH)(4)](2-) (k+2) (k-2) 2[Os(VII)O(3)(OH)(3)](2-). The calculated forward, k(+2), and reverse, k(-2), reaction rate constants of this comproportionation reaction are 620.9 ± 14.6 M(-1) s(-1) and 65.7 ± 1.2 M(-1) s(-1) respectively. Interestingly, it was found that the postulated [Os(VII)O(3)(OH)(3)](2-) complex anion does not oxidize MeOH or EtOH. Furthermore, the reduction of Os(VIII) with MeOH or EtOH is first order with respect to the aliphatic alcohol concentration. In order to corroborate the formation of the [Os(VII)O(3)(OH)(3)](2-) species predicted with the rate model simulations, several Os(VIII)/Os(VI) mole fraction and mole ratio titrations were conducted in a 2.0 M NaOH matrix at 298.1 K under equilibrium conditions. These titrations confirmed that the cis-[Os(VIII)O(4)(OH)(2)](2-) and trans-[Os(VI)O(2)(OH)(4)](2-) species react in a 1:1 ratio with a calculated equilibrium constant, K(COM), of 9.3 ± 0.4. The ratio of rate constants k(+2) and k(-2) agrees quantitatively with K(COM), satisfying the principle of detailed balance. In addition, for the first time, the molar extinction coefficient spectrum of the postulated [Os(VII)O(3)(OH)(3)](2-) complex anion is reported.     

Reactions of superoxo and oxo metal complexes with aldehydes. Radical-specific pathways for cross-disproportionation of superoxometal ions and acylperoxyl radicals

The aquachromyl(IV) ion, Cr(aq)O(2+), reacts with acetaldehyde and pivaldehyde by hydrogen atom abstraction and, in the presence of O(2), produces acylperoxyl radicals, RC(O)OO(*). In the next step, the radicals react with Cr(aq)OO(2+), a species accompanying Cr(aq)O(2+) in our preparations. The rate constant for the Cr(aq)OO(2+)/CH(3)C(O)OO(*) cross reaction, k(Cr) = 1.5 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1), was determined by laser flash photolysis. The evidence points to radical coupling at the remote oxygen of Cr(aq)OO(2+), followed by elimination of O(2) and formation of CH(3)COOH and Cr(V)(aq)O(3+). The latter disproportionates and ultimately yields Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-). No CO(2) was detected. The Cr(aq)OO(2+)/C(CH(3))(3)C(O)OO(*) reaction yielded isobutene, CO(2), and Cr(aq)(3+), in addition to chromate. In the suggested mechanism, the transient Cr(aq)OOOO(O)CC(CH(3))(3)(2+) branches into two sets of products. The path leading to chromate resembles the CH(3)C(O)OO(*) reaction. The other products arise from an unprecedented intramolecular hydrogen transfer from the tert-butyl group to the CrO entity and elimination of CO(2) and O(2). A portion of C(CH(3))(3)C(O)OO(*) was captured by (CH(3))(3)COO(*), which was in turn generated by decarbonylation of acyl radicals and oxygenation of tert-butyl radicals so formed.     

Potentially important nighttime heterogeneous chemistry: NO3 with aldehydes and N2O5 with alcohols

We report the first measurements of the reactive uptake of NO(3) with condensed-phase aldehydes. Specifically, we studied NO(3) uptake on solid tridecanal and the uptake on liquid binary mixtures containing tridecanal and saturated organic molecules (diethyl sebacate, dioctyl sebacate, and squalane) which we call matrix molecules. Uptake on the solid was shown to be efficient, where γ = (1.6 ± 0.8) × 10(-2). For liquid binary mixtures the reactivity of aldehyde depended on the matrix molecule. Assuming a bulk reaction, H(matrix)√(D(matrix)k(2°,aldehyde)) varied by a factor of 2.6, and assuming a surface reaction H(matrix)(S)K(matrix)(S)k(2°,aldehyde)(S) varied by a factor of 2.9, where H(matrix)√(D(matrix)k(2°,aldehyde)) and H(matrix)(S)K(matrix)(S)k(2°,aldehyde)(S) are constants extracted from the data using the resistor model. By assuming either a bulk or surface reaction, the atmospheric lifetimes for aldehydes were estimated to range from 1.9-7.5 h. We also carried out detailed studies of N(2)O(5) uptake kinetics on alcohols. We show that uptake coefficients of N(2)O(5) for five different organics at 293 K varied by more than 2 orders of magnitude, ranging from 3 × 10(-4) to 1.8 × 10(-2). We show that the uptake coefficients correlate with √(D(alcohol)(OH concentration)) but more work is needed with other alcohols to completely understand the dependence. Using this kinetic data we show that the atmospheric lifetime of alcohols with respect to N(2)O(5) heterogeneous chemistry can vary from 0.6-130 h, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the organic liquid.     

Reactivity of the "yl"-bond in uranyl(VI) complexes. 1. Rates and mechanisms for the exchange between the trans-dioxo oxygen atoms in (UO2)2(OH)2 2+ and mononuclear UO2(OH)n 2-n complexes with solvent water

The stoichiometric mechanism, rate constant, and activation parameters for the exchange of the "yl"-oxygen atoms in the dioxo uranium(VI) ion with solvent water have been studied using 17O NMR spectroscopy. The experimental rate equation, (-->)v= k(2obs)[UO2(2+)]tot2/[H+]2, is consistent with a mechanism where the first step is a rapid equilibrium 2U(17)O2(2+) + 2H2O<==>(U(17)O2)2(OH)2(2+) + 2H+, followed by the rate-determining step (U(17)O2)2(OH)2(2+) + H2O<==>(UO2)2*(OH)2(2+) + H2(17)O, where the back reaction can be neglected because the (17)O enrichment in the water is much lower than in the uranyl ion. This mechanism results in the following rate equation (-->)v= d[(UO2)2(OH)2(2+)]/dt = k(2,2)[(UO2)2(OH)2(2+)] = k(2,2*)beta(2,2)[UO2(2+)]2/[H + ]2; with k(2,2) = (1.88 +/- 0.22) x 10(4) h(-1), corresponding to a half-life of 0.13 s, and the activation parameters DeltaH++ = 119 +/- 13 kJ mol-1 and DeltaS++ = 81 +/- 44 J mol(-1) K(-1). *Beta(2,)2 is the equilibrium constant for the reaction 2UO2(2+) + 2H2O<==>(UO2)2(OH)2(2+) + 2H+. The experimental data show that there is no measurable exchange of the "yl"-oxygen in UO2(2+), UO2(OH)+, and UO2(OH)4(2-)/ UO2(OH)5(3-), indicating that "yl"-exchange only takes place in polynuclear hydroxide complexes. There is no "yl"-exchange in the ternary complex (UO2)2(mu-OH)2(F)2(oxalate)2(4-), indicating that it is also necessary to have coordinated water in the first coordination sphere of the binuclear complex, for exchange to take place. The very large increase in lability of the "yl"-bonds in (UO2)2(OH)2(2+) as compared to those of the other species is presumably a result of proton transfer from coordinated water to the "yl"-oxygen, followed by a rapid exchange of the resulting OH group with the water solvent. "Yl"-exchange through photochemical mediation is well-known for the uranyl(VI) aquo ion. We noted that there was no photochemical exchange in UO2(CO3)3(4-), whereas there was a slow exchange or photo reduction in the UO2(OH)4(2-) / UO2(OH)5(3-) system that eventually led to the appearance of a black precipitate, presumably UO2.     

Oxidative homolysis of a nitrosylchromium complex

Metal(III)-polypyridine complexes [M(NN)(3)](3+) (M = Ru or Fe; NN = bipyridine (bpy), phenanthroline (phen), or 4,7-dimethylphenanthroline (Me(2)-phen)) oxidize the nitrosylpentaaquachromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)NO](2+), with an overall 4:1 stoichiometry, 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](3+) + [Cr(aq)NO](2+) + 2 H(2)O --> 4 [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) + [Cr(aq)](3+) + NO(3)(-) + 4 H(+). The kinetics follow a mixed second-order rate law, -d[[M(NN)(3)](3+)]/dt = nk[[M(NN)(3)](3+)][[Cr(aq)NO](2+)], in which k represents the rate constant for the initial one-electron transfer step, and n = 2-4 depending on reaction conditions and relative rates of the first and subsequent steps. With [Cr(aq)NO](2+) in excess, the values of nk are 283 M(-1) s(-1) ([Ru(bpy)(3)](3+)), 7.4 ([Ru(Me(2)-phen)(3)](3+)), and 5.8 ([Fe(phen)(3)](3+)). In the proposed mechanism, the one-electron oxidation of [Cr(aq)NO](2+) releases NO, which is further oxidized to nitrite, k = 1.04x10(6) M(-1) s(-1), 6.17x10(4), and 1.12x10(4) with the three respective oxidants. Further oxidation yields the observed nitrate. The kinetics of the first step show a strong correlation with thermodynamic driving force. Parallels were drawn with oxidative homolysis of a superoxochromium(III) ion, [Cr(aq)OO](2+), to gain insight into relative oxidizability of coordinated NO and O(2), and to address the question of the "oxidation state" of coordinated NO in [Cr(aq)NO](2+).     

Hydroxy- and alkoxy-bridged dinuclear uranyl-Schiff base complexes: hydrolysis, transamination and extraction studies

The reaction of uranyl nitrate with 1,3-bis(salicylideneamino)-2-propanol (H(3)L1) and 1,3-bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylideneamino)-2-propanol (H(3)L2) in the presence of triethylamine (Et(3)N) yielded hydroxy- and alkoxy-bridged dinuclear complexes; [(UO(2))(2)(L1)(OH)(MeOH)(2)].(MeOH)(2) (.(MeOH)(2)) and [(UO(2))(2)(L2)(OH)(MeOH)(2)].(MeOH)(2) (.(MeOH)(2)). The crystal structures of .(DMF)(2) and .(DMF)(2) exhibit an unsymmetrical central U(2)O(2) core involving bridging alkoxy- and hydroxy-oxygen atoms. The geometry around the uranium center in .(DMF)(2) and .(DMF)(2) is that of a distorted pentagonal bipyramid with the solvent molecule occupying the fifth coordination site. The flexible nature of the ligand backbone is more pronounced in .(DMF)(2) compared to .(DMF)(2), yielding two molecules per unit cell in different conformations. Under similar reaction conditions, using ethylenediamine as a base, the respective Salen-based uranyl compounds, [UO(2)(Salen)(MeOH)] () and [UO(2)(Bu(t)(2)-Salen)(MeOH)] () are obtained due to transamination of the ligand backbone. Complexes .(MeOH)(2) and .(MeOH)(2) when reacted with an excess of ethylenediamine failed to yield the respective Salen-based complexes, and , respectively. The new compounds have been characterized using solution (NMR and UV-Vis) and solid-state (IR, X-ray crystallography) techniques. Hydrolysis of .(MeOH)(2) and .(MeOH)(2) in the pH range 1-14 was studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy and compared with the hydrolysis of and [UO(2)(Salophen)(MeOH)] (). A two-phase extraction study suggests quantitative removal of uranyl ions from the aqueous phase at higher pH conditions.     

Geminate proton recombination at the surface of SDS and CTAC micelles probed with a micelle-anchored anthocyanin

The functionalized flavylium salt 6-hexyl-7-hydroxy-4-methyflavylium chloride (HHMF) was employed to probe some of the fundamental features of proton transfer reactions at the surface of anionic sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) micelles. In contrast to most ordinary flavylium salts, HHMF is insoluble in water, but readily incorporates into SDS and CTAC micelles. In the ground state, the rate constant for deprotonation of the acid form (AH+) of HHMF decreases 100-fold upon going from CTAC (kd = 3.0 x 10(6) s(-1)) to SDS (kd = 1.4 x 10(4) s(-1)), consistent with the presence of an activation barrier for proton transfer in the ground state and reflecting, respectively, stabilization or destabilization of the AH+ cation by the micelle. Reprotonation of A is diffusion-controlled in both micelles (kp(SDS) = (2.1 x 10(11))[H+]aq s(-1) and kp(CTAC) = (3.7 x 10(8))[H+]aq s(-1)), the difference reflecting the rate of proton entry into the micelles. In the excited singlet state, the rate constants for deprotonation of the AH+* form of HHMF are similar in the two micelles (2.4 x 10(10) s(-1)), consistent with activationless proton transfer. Reprotonation of the excited A is dominated by fast geminate recombination of the photogenerated (A*-H+) pair at the micelle surface (k(rec)(SDS) = 6.1 x 10(9) s(-1) and k(rec)(CTAC) = 3.4 x 10(10) s(-1)) and the net efficiencies of geminate recombination are quite similar in SDS (0.89) and CTAC (0.86).     

Rapid cross-disproportionation between superoxometal ions and acylperoxyl radicals

A superoxochromium complex Cr(aq)OO(2+) reacts with acetylperoxyl radicals, CH(3)C(O)OO(*), with a rate constant of 1.49 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1). The kinetics were determined by laser flash photolysis, using an organocobalt complex as a radical precursor and ABTS(*-) as a kinetic probe. The initial step is believed to involve radical coupling at the remote oxygen of Cr(aq)OO(2+), followed by elimination of O(2) and formation of CH(3)COOH and Cr(V)(aq)O(3+). The latter disproportionates and ultimately yields Cr(aq)(3+) and HCrO(4)(-).     

Hydride reduction of NAD+ analogues by isopropyl alcohol: kinetics, deuterium isotope effects and mechanism

Observed pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obs)) of the hydride-transfer reactions from isopropyl alcohol (i-PrOH) to two NAD(+) analogues, 9-phenylxanthylium ion (PhXn(+)) and 10-methylacridinium ion (MA(+)), were determined at temperatures ranging from 49 to 82 degrees C in i-PrOH containing various amounts of AN or water. Formations of the alcohol-cation ether adducts (ROPr-i) were observed as side equilibria. The equilibrium constants for the conversion of PhXn(+) to PhXnOPr-i in i-PrOH/AN (v/v = 1) were determined, and the equilibrium isotope effect (EIE = K(i-PrOH)/K(i-PrOD)) at 62 degrees C was calculated to be 2.67. The k(H) of the hydride-transfer step for both reactions were calculated on the basis of the k(obs) and K. The corresponding deuterium kinetic isotope effects (e.g., KIE(OD)(H) = k(H)(i-PrOH)/k(H)(i-PrOD) and KIE(beta-D6)(H) = k(obs)(i-PrOH)/k(obs)((CD3)2CHOH)), as well as the activation parameters, were derived. For the reaction of PhXn(+) (62 degrees C) and MA(+) (67 degrees C), primary KIE(alpha-D)(H) (4.4 and 2.1, respectively) as well as secondary KIE(OD)(H) (1.07 and 1.18) and KIE(beta-D6)(H) (1.1 and 1.5) were observed. The observed EIE and KIE(OD)(H) were explained in terms of the fractionation factors for deuterium between OH and OH(+)(OH(delta+)) sites. The observed inverse kinetic solvent isotope effect for the reaction of PhXn(+) (k(obs)(i-PrOH)/k(obs)(i-PrOD) = 0.39) is consistent with the intermolecular hydride-transfer mechanism. The dramatic reduction of the reaction rate for MA(+), when the water or i-PrOH cosolvent was replaced by AN, suggests that the hydride-transfer T.S. is stabilized by H-bonding between O of the solvent OH and the substrate alcohol OH(delta+). This result suggests an H-bonding stabilization effect on the T.S. of the alcohol dehydrogenase reactions.     

Gas-phase coordination complexes of dipositive plutonyl, PuO2(2+): chemical diversity across the actinyl series

We report the first transmission of solvent-coordinated dipositive plutonyl ion, Pu(VI)O(2)(2+), from solution to the gas phase by electrospray ionization (ESI) of plutonyl solutions in water/acetone and water/acetonitrile. ESI of plutonyl and uranyl solutions produced the isolable gas-phase complexes, [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(4,5,6)](2+), [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(3)(H(2)O)](2+), and [An(VI)O(2)(CH(3)CN)(4)](2+); additional complex compositions were observed for uranyl. In accord with relative actinyl stabilities, U(VI)O(2)(2+) > Pu(VI)O(2)(2+) > Np(VI)O(2)(2+), the yields of plutonyl complexes were about an order of magnitude less than those of uranyl, and dipositive neptunyl complexes were not observed. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) of the dipositive coordination complexes in a quadrupole ion trap produced doubly- and singly-charged fragment ions; the fragmentation products reveal differences in underlying chemistries of plutonyl and uranyl, including the lower stability of Pu(VI) as compared with U(VI). Particularly notable was the distinctive CID fragment ion, [Pu(IV)(OH)(3)](+) from [Pu(VI)O(2)(CH(3)COCH(3))(6)](2+), where the plutonyl structure has been disrupted and the tetravalent plutonium hydroxide produced; this process was not observed for uranyl.