Olefin epoxidation by molybdenum peroxo compound: molecular mechanism characterized by the electron localization function and catastrophe theory

The oxygen atom transfer reaction from the Mimoun-type complex MoO(η(2)-O(2))(2)OPH(3) to ethylene C(2)H(4) affording oxirane C(2)H(4)O has been investigated within the framework of the Bonding Evolution Theory in which the corresponding molecular mechanism is characterized by the topological analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) and Thom's catastrophe theory (CT). Topological analysis of ELF and electron density analysis reveals that all Mo-O bonds in MoO(η(2)-O(2))(2)OPH(3) and MoO(2)(η(2)-O(2))OPH(3) belong to closed-shell type interactions though negative values of total energy densities E(e)(r(BCP)) imply some covalent contribution. The peroxo O(i)-O(j) bonds are characterized as charge-shift or protocovalent species in which pairs of monosynaptic basins V(3)(O(i)), V(3)(O(j)) with a small electron population of ~0.25e each, are localized between core basins C(O(i)), C(O(j)). The oxygen transfer reaction from molybdenum diperoxo complex MoO(η(2)-O(2))(2)OPH(3) to C(2)H(4) system can be described by the following consecutive chemical events: (a) protocovalent peroxo O(2)-O(1) bond breaking, (b) reduction of the double C(1)=C(2) bond to single C(1)-C(2) bond in ethylene, (c) displacement of oxygen O(1) with two nonbonding basins, V(i=1,2)(O(1)), (d) increase of a number of the nonbonding basins to three (V(i=1,2,4)(O(1))); (e) reorganization and reduction in the number of nonbonding basis to two basins (V(i=1,4)(O(1))) resembling the ELF-topology of the nonbonding electron density in oxirane, (e) formation of the first O(1)-C(2) bond in oxirane, (f) C(2)-O(1)-C(2) ring closure, (g) formation of singular nonbonding basin V(O(2)) in new Mo=O(2) bond. The oxygen atom is transferred as an anionic moiety carrying a rather small electronic charge ranging from 0.5 to 0.7e.     

Remarkable dynamical opening and closing of platinum and palladium pentaruthenium carbido carbonyl cluster complexes

The reaction of Ru(5)(CO)(15)(mu(5)-C), 1, with Pt(PBu(t)(3))(2) at room temperature yielded the mixed-metal cluster complex PtRu(5)(CO)(15)(PBu(t)(3))(C), 2, in 52% yield. Compound 2 consists of a mixture of two interconverting isomers in solution. One isomer, 2A, can be isolated by crystallization from benzene/octane solvent. The second isomer, 2B, can be isolated by crystallization from diethyl ether. Both were characterized crystallographically. Isomer 2A consists of a square pyramidal cluster of five ruthenium atoms with a phosphine-substituted platinum atom spanning the square base. Isomer 2B consists of a square pyramidal cluster of five ruthenium atoms with a phosphine-substituted platinum atom on an edge on the square base. The two isomers interconvert rapidly on the NMR time scale at 40 degrees C, deltaG(313)++ = 11.4(8) kcal mol(-1), deltaH++ = 8.8(5) kcal mol(-1), deltaS++ = -8.4(9) cal mol(-1) K(-1). The reaction of Pd(PBu(t)(3))(2) with compound 1 yielded two new cluster complexes: PdRu(5)(CO)(15)(PBu(t)(3))(mu(6)-C), 3, in 50% yield and Pd(2)Ru(5)(CO)(15)(PBu(t)(3))(2)(mu(6)-C), 4, in 6% yield. The yield of 4 was increased to 47% when an excess of Pd(PBu(t)(3))(2) was used. In the solid state compound 3 is structurally analogous to 2A, but in solution it also exists as a mixture of interconverting isomers; deltaG(298)++ = 10.6(6) kcal mol(-1), deltaH++ = 9.7(3) kcal mol(-1), and deltaS++ = -3(1) cal mol(-1) K(-1) for 3. Compound 4 contains an octahedral cluster consisting of one palladium atom and five ruthenium atoms with an interstitial carbido ligand in the center of the octahedron, but it also has one additional Pd(PBu(t)(3)) grouping that is capping a triangular face of the ruthenium cluster. The Pd(PBu(t)(3)) groups in 4 also undergo dynamical interchange that is rapid on the NMR time scale at 25 degrees C; deltaG(298)++ = 11(1) kcal mol(-1), deltaH++ = 10.2(4) kcal mol(-1), and deltaS++ = -3(2) cal mol(-1) K(-1) for 4.     

A theoretical study of the primary oxo transfer reaction of a dioxo molybdenum(VI) compound with imine thiolate chelating ligands: a molybdenum oxotransferase analogue.

The reaction mechanism of an analogue system of the molybdenum oxotransferases was investigated at the density functional (B3P86) level of theory. Kinetic measurements by Schultz and Holm suggest that the reaction MoO(2)(t-BuL-NS)(2) + X --> MoO(t-BuL-NS)(2) + OX (t-BuL-NS = bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-pyridylmethanethiolate(1-)) occurs through an associative transition state. Our results on the model reaction, MoO(2)(SCH(2)CHNH)(2) + P(CH(3))(3) --> MoO(SCH(2)CHNH)(2) + OP(CH(3))(3), support this hypothesis, and indicate that this reaction proceeds through a two-step mechanism via an associative intermediate. The DeltaH(++) for the first, and rate-determining, step was predicted to be 9.4 kcal/mol, and DeltaH(++) for the second step (release of the OP(CH(3))(3) product) was predicted to be 3.3 kcal/mol. These results are in good agreement with the experimental system, for which the rate determining DeltaH(++) = 9.6(6) kcal/mol. Shultz and Holm's experimental model undergoes a significant ligand rearrangement in the oxo transfer reaction: the reactant, MoO(2)(t-BuL-NS)(2), has a trans-S arrangement of the ligands, while the product, MoO(t-BuL-NS)(2), has a trans-N arrangement. To investigate the driving force behind the ligand rearrangement, four model compounds, that systematically removed the unsaturation at the N and the chelate character of the ligands, were modeled at the B3P86 level of theory. For all models of the dioxo species, the trans-N isomer was higher in energy than the trans-S isomer. The analysis of these results indicated that a trans influence accounts for approximately 16% of the energy difference, the unsaturation at the nitrogens accounts for approximately 26%, and the ring strain from the chelator accounts for approximately 58% of the energy difference between the two isomers (trans-N and trans-S). For all models of the monooxo species, only the trans-N species was a stable geometry. Therefore, for the reverse oxo transfer reaction, ligand rearrangement must occur after or during the attack of the OX substrate.     

Theoretical studies of molybdenum peroxo complexes [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)] as catalysts for olefin epoxidation

The equilibrium geometries of the molybdenum oxo/peroxo compounds MoOn(O2)3-n and the related complexes [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)] and [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)(H2O)] (n = 0-3) have been calculated using gradient-corrected density-functional theory at the B3LYP level. The structures of the peroxo complexes with ethylene ligands [MoOn(O2)3-n(C2H4)] and [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)(C2H4)] (n = 1, 2) where ethylene is directly bonded to the metal have also been optimized. Calculations of the metal-ligand bond-dissociation energies show that the OPH3 ligand in [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)] is much more strongly bound than the ethylene ligand in [MoOn(O2)3-n(C2H4)]. This makes the substitution of phosphane oxide by olefins in the epoxidation reaction unlikely. An energy-minimum structure is found for [MoO(O2)2(OPH3)(C2H4)], for which the dissociation of C2H4 is exothermic with D0 = -5.2 kcal/mol. The reaction energies for the perhydrolysis of the oxo complexes with H2O2 and the epoxidation of ethylene by the peroxo complexes have also been calculated. The peculiar stability of the diperoxo complex [MoO(O2)2(OPH3)(H2O)] can be explained with the reaction energies for the perhydrolysis of [MoOn(O2)3-n(OPH3)(H2O)]. The first perhydrolysis step yielding the monoperoxo complex is less exothermic than the second perhydrolysis reaction, but the further reaction with H2O2 yielding the unknown triperoxo complex is clearly endothermic. CDA analysis of the metal-ethylene bond shows that the binding interactions are mainly caused by charge donation from the ligand to the metal.     

Tandem mass spectra of divalent metal ion adducts of glycosyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones; distinction among stereoisomers

The tandem mass spectra of the divalent metal ion (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+ and Zn2+) adducts of acetylated 1,2-trans-glycosyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones were examined using low energy collision-induced dissociation on a Quattro II quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer. Abundant doubly charged ions, such as [3M + Met]2+ and [2M + Met]2+, were observed with alkaline earth metal chlorides. The other ions observed were [M + MetCl]+, [M + MetOAc]+, [M + MetO2SPh]+ and [2M + MetCl]+. The deprotonated metal adducts [M + Met-H]+ were seen only in the sulfones. The divalent metal ion adducts showed characteristic fragmentation pathways for the glycosyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones, depending on the site of metal attachment. The doubly charged metal ion adducts dissociate to two singly charged ions, [M + MetOAc]+ and [M - OAc]+, in the sulfides and sulfoxides. In the sulfones, the adducts dissociate to [M + MetO2SPh]+ and [M - O2SPh]+. In contrast to the alkaline earth metals, which attach to the acetoxy functions, the transition metals attach to the sulfide and sulfoxide functions. The metal chloride adducts display characteristic fragmentation for the sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones. The glucosyl, mannosyl and galactosyl sulfides, sulfoxides and sulfones could be differentiated on the basis of the stereochemically controlled MS/MS fragmentations of the metal chloride adducts.     

Oxidation of sulfoxides by hydrogen peroxide,catalyzed by methyltrioxorhenium(VII)

Dialkyl and diaryl sulfoxides are oxidized to sulfones by hydrogen peroxide using methyltrioxorhenium as the catalyst. The reaction rate is negligible without a catalyst. The kinetics study was performed in CH3CN-H2O (4:1 v/v) at 298 K with [H+] at 0.1 M, conditions which make the equilibration between MTO and its peroxo complexes more rapid than the oxygen-transfer step. The values for the rate constant for the oxygen-transfer step lie in the range 0.1-3 L mol-1 s-1. The rate constants were significantly smaller than for the oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides. A study of ring-substituted diaryl sulfoxides yielded kinetics results that are consistent with nucleophilic attack of the sulfur atom on the peroxide oxygen group since rho = -0.65. The results cited refer to the reactions of the diperoxo from the catalyst, MeRe(O)(eta 2-O2)2H2O. The monoperoxo complex showed no measurable reactivity toward sulfoxides, in contrast with the situation for nearly every other substrate. That unusual finding suggests a hydrogen-bonded interaction between the substrate and the diperoxorhenium compound which cannot exist with the monoperoxo compound.     

Fe(NO3)3·9H2O-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of sulfi des to sulfoxides under mild conditions with the aid of trifl uoroethanol

Selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides was successfully performed by employing readily available Fe(NO3)3·9H2O as the active catalyst with oxygen as the oxidant in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) without the formation of sulfones. Nitrate anion could play a crucial role in promoting the reaction due to the oxidation capacity under acidic media. High yields of sulfoxides were exclusively obtained from the corresponding sulfides. Furthermore, both aromatic and aliphatic sulfides gave moderate to high yields of sulfoxides with this protocol.     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of alkane hydroxylation and ethylene epoxidation reactions catalyzed by diiron bis-oxo complexes. The effect of substrate molecules

The hybrid density functional method B3LYP was used to study the mechanism of the hydrocarbon (methane, ethane, methyl fluoride, and ethylene) oxidation reaction catalyzed by the complexes cis-(H(2)O)(NH(2))Fe(mu-O)(2)(eta(2)-HCOO)(2)Fe(NH(2))(H(2)O), I, and cis-(HCOO)(Imd)Fe(mu-O)(2)(eta(2)-HCOO)(2)Fe(Imd)(HCOO) (Imd = Imidazole), I_m, the "small" and "medium" model of compound Q of the methane monooxygenase (MMO). The improvement of the model from "small" to "medium" did not change the qualitative conclusions but significantly changed the calculated energetics. As in the case of methane oxidation reported by the authors previously, the reaction of all the substrates studied here is shown to start by coordination of the substrate molecule to the bridging oxygen atom, O(1) of I, an Fe(IV)-Fe(IV) complex, followed by the H-atom abstraction at the transition state III leading to the bound hydroxy alkyl intermediate IV of Fe(III)-Fe(IV) core. IV undergoes a very exothermic coupling of alkyl and hydroxy groups to give the alcohol complex VI of Fe(III)-Fe(III) core, from which alcohol dissociates. The H(b)-atom abstraction (or C-H bond activation) barrier at transition state III is found to be a few kcal/mol lower for C(2)H(6) and CH(3)F than for CH(4). The calculated trend in the H(b)-abstraction barrier, CH(4) (21.8 kcal/mol) > CH(3)F (18.8 kcal/mol) > or = C(2)H(6) (18.5 kcal/mol), is consistent with the C-H(b) bond strength in these substrates. Thus, the weaker the C-H(b) bond, the lower is the H(b)-abstraction barrier. It was shown that the replacement of a H-atom in a methane molecule with a more electronegative group tends to make the H(b)-abstraction transition state less "reactant-like". In contrast, the replacement of the H-atom in CH(4) with a less electronegative group makes the H(b)-abstraction transition state more "reactant-like". The epoxidation of ethylene by complex I is found to proceed without barrier and is a highly exothermic process. Thus, in the reaction of ethylene with complex I the only product is expected to be ethylene oxide, which is consistent with the experiment.     

Experimental and computational investigation of C-N bond activation in ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A combination of experimental studies and density functional theory calculations is used to study C-N bond activation in a series of ruthenium N-alkyl-substituted heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. These show that prior C-H activation of the NHC ligand renders the system susceptible to irreversible C-N activation. In the presence of a source of HCl, C-H activated Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H (1, I(i)Pr(2)Me(2) = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) reacts to give Ru(I(i)PrHMe(2))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)HCl (2, I(i)PrHMe(2) = 1-isopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) and propene. The mechanism involves (i) isomerization to a trans-phosphine isomer, 1c, in which hydride is trans to the metalated alkyl arm, (ii) C-N cleavage to give an intermediate propene complex with a C2-metalated imidazole ligand, and (iii) N-protonation and propene/Cl(-) substitution to give 2. The overall computed activation barrier (ΔE(++)(calcd)) corresponds to the isomerization/C-N cleavage process and has a value of +24.4 kcal/mol. C-N activation in 1c is promoted by the relief of electronic strain arising from the trans disposition of the high-trans-influence hydride and alkyl ligands. Experimental studies on analogues of 1 with different C4/C5 carbene backbone substituents (Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Ph(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H, Ru(I(i)Pr(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H) or different N-substituents (Ru(IEt(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H) reveal that Ph substituents promote C-N activation. Calculations confirm that Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Ph(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H undergoes isomerization/C-N bond cleavage with a low barrier of only +21.4 kcal/mol. Larger N-alkyl groups also facilitate C-N bond activation (Ru(I(t)Bu(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H, ΔE(++)(calcd) = +21.3 kcal/mol), and in this case the reaction is promoted by the formation of the more highly substituted 2-methylpropene.     

Two diphosphonate-functionalized asymmetric polyoxomolybdates with catalytic activity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde

Two asymmetric polyoxomolybdates Na(6){Mo(2)O(5)[(Mo(2)O(6))NH(3)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(O)(PO(3))(2)](2)}·16H(2)O (1) and (NH(4))(7)Na{MoO(2)[(Mo(2)O(6))NH(3)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(O)(PO(3))(2)]}(4)·H(2)O (2) have been synthesized by the reactions of alendronic acid with molybdate. Structure analysis revealed that the polyoxoanions 1 and 2 can be described as dimeric and tetrameric aggregates of the {MoO(3)[(Mo(2)O(6))NH(3)CH(2)CH(2)CH(2)C(O)(PO(3))(2)]} units respectively. Their tetrabutylammonium salts show efficient selective oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde with 72.5% and 81.5% benzyl alcohol conversion, and 87.1% and 82.4% benzaldehyde selectivity, respectively.     

Selective catalytic oxidation of organosulfur compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide

Rates and selectivities for the oxidation of various organosulfur compounds with tert-butyl hydroperoxide were measured on CoAPO-5 (APO = aluminophosphate; Co/P = 0.05), Co/H-Y (Co/Al = 0.15), and MoO(x)/Al2O3 (15 % wt MoO3). Rates increased with increasing electron density at the sulfur atom (methyl phenyl sulfide>diphenyl sulfide>4-methyldibenzothiophene>2,5-dimethyl thiophene). Rates (per metal atom) were significantly higher on CoAPO-5 than on Co/H-Y, MoO(x)/Al2O3, or homogeneous Co acetate catalysts. Small amounts of sulfoxides (1-oxide) were detected on all catalysts at low reactant conversions, together with their corresponding sulfones; at higher conversions, only sulfones (1,1-dioxide) were detected, indicating that the oxidation of sulfoxides is much faster than for organosulfur reactants in the sequential oxidation pathways prevalent on these catalysts. Framework Co cations were not leached from CoAPO-5 during the oxidation of 4-methyldibenzothiophene, but most exchanged Co cations in H-Y and >20 % of Mo cations in MoO(x)/Al2O3 were extracted during these reactions. The fraction of redox-active Co cations in CoAPO-5 and Co/H-Y was measured by reduction-oxidation cycles using H2 and O2 and by UV-visible spectroscopy. This fraction was much larger in CoAPO-5 (0.35) than in Co/H-Y (0.01), consistent with the higher oxidation rates measured on CoAPO-5 and with the involvement of redox-active species in kinetically-relevant steps in catalytic oxidation sequences. Redox-active Co cations at framework positions within accessible channels are required for catalytic activity and structural stability during oxidative desulfurization, whether hydroperoxides are used as reactants or as intermediates (when O2 is used as the oxidant).     

New chloro,mu-oxo,and alkyl derivatives of dioxomolybdenum(VI) and -tungsten(VI) complexes chelated with N(2)O tridentate ligands: synthesis and catalytic activities toward olefin epoxidation

A new series of cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes MoO(2)(L(n))Cl (n = 1-5) were prepared by the reaction of MoO(2)Cl(2)(DME) (DME = 1,2-dimethoxyethane) with 2-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)aminophenol (HL(1)) or its N-alkyl derivatives (HL(n)) (n = 2-5) in the presence of triethylamine. The new mu-oxo dimolybdenum compounds [MoO(2)(L(n))](2)O (n = 1, 4, 5, 7) were also prepared by treating the corresponding ligand HL(n) with MoO(2)(acac)(2) (acac = acetylacetonate) in warm methanolic solutions or (NH(4))(6)[Mo(7)O(24)].4H(2)O in the presence of dilute HCl. Treatment of MoO(2)(L(1))Cl or [MoO(2)(L(1))](2)O with the Grignard reagent Me(3)SiCH(2)MgCl gave the alkyl compound MoO(2)(L(1))(CH(2)SiMe(3)), which represents the first example of dioxomolybdenum(VI) alkyl complex supported by a N(2)O-type ancillary ligand. The analogous chloro and mu-oxo tungsten derivatives WO(2)(L(n))Cl (n = 6, 7) and [WO(2)(L(n))](2)O (n = 1, 4, 6, 7) were prepared by the reaction of WO(2)Cl(2)(DME) with HL(n) in the presence of triethylamine. Similar to their molybdenum analogues, the tungsten alkyl complexes WO(2)(L(n))(R) (n = 6, 7; R = Me, Et, CH(2)SiMe(3), C(6)H(4)(t)Bu-4) were synthesized by treating WO(2)(L(n))Cl or [WO(2)(L(n))](2)O (n = 6, 7) with the appropriate Grignard reagents. The catalytic properties of selected dioxo-Mo(VI) and -W(VI) chloro and mu-oxo complexes toward epoxidation of styrene by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) were also investigated.     

Theoretical study of rhodium(III)-catalyzed hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into formic acid. Significant differences in reactivity among rhodium(III), rhodium(I), and ruthenium(II) complexes

The title reaction was theoretically investigated, where cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) and cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+) were adopted as models of the catalyst. The first step of the catalytic cycle is the CO(2) insertion into the Rh(III)-H bond, of which the activation barrier (E(a)) is 47.2 and 28.4 kcal/mol in cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) and cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+), respectively, where DFT(B3LYP)-calculated E(a) values (kcal/mol unit) are given hereafter. These results indicate that an active species is not cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(3)](+) but cis-[RhH(2)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+). After the CO(2) insertion, two reaction courses are possible. In one course, the reaction proceeds through isomerization (E(a) = 2.8) of [RhH(eta(1)- OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](+), five-centered H-OCOH reductive elimination (E(a) = 2.7), and oxidative addition of H(2) to [Rh(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(2)](+) (E(a) = 5.8). In the other one, the reaction proceeds through isomerization of [RhH(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)(H(2))](+) (E(a) = 5.9) and six-centered sigma-bond metathesis of [RhH(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)O)](+) with H(2) (no barrier). RhH(PH(3))(2)-catalyzed hydrogenation of CO(2) proceeds through CO(2) insertion (E(a) = 1.6) and either the isomerization of Rh(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2)(H(2)) (E(a) = 6.1) followed by the six-centered sigma-bond metathesis (E(a) = 0.3) or H(2) oxidative addition to Rh(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2) (E(a) = 7.3) followed by isomerization of RhH(2)(eta(1)-OCOH)(PH(3))(2) (E(a) = 6.2) and the five-centered H-OCOH reductive elimination (E(a) = 1.9). From these results and our previous results of RuH(2)(PH(3))(4)-catalyzed hydrogenation of CO(2) (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 3867), detailed discussion is presented concerning differences among Rh(III), Rh(I), and Ru(II) complexes.     

Density functional study of the O2 binding to [CuI(TPAR)]+ (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) in THF and EtCN

Density functional theory using the B3LYP hybrid functional has been employed to study the formation of [Cu(II)(TPA(H))(O2-)]+ and [Cu(II)(TPA(MeO))(O2-)]+ (TPA = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) in two different solvents, THF and EtCN. The thermodynamics of solvent coordination as well as that of the overall reactions with O2 has been computed. The formations of [Cu(II)(TPA(H))(O2-)]+ in THF and of [Cu(II)(TPA(MeO))(O2-)]+ in both THF and EtCN are found to be initiated from the [Cu(I)(TPA(R))]+ species, that is, the Cu complex possessing an empty coordination site. In contrast, the formation of [Cu(II)(TPA(H))(O2-)]+ in EtCN is found to be initiated from the [Cu(I)(TPA(H))(EtCN)]+ species, that is, one solvent molecule being coordinated to Cu(I). In general, good agreement is found between theoretical and experimental results. The high accuracy of the B3LYP functional in reproducing experimental thermodynamic data for the present type of transition metal complexes is demonstrated by the fact that the differences between measured and computed thermodynamic parameters (DeltaG degree, DeltaH degrees , and -TDeltaS degree, in most cases are less than 2.0 kcal mol(-1). An attempt was made to investigate the kinetics of the formation of [Cu(II)(TPA(H))(O2-)]+ in THF and EtCN. Computed free energies of activation, DeltaG, are in good agreement with experimental results. However, an analysis of the partitioning of the free energy barriers in enthalpic and entropic contributions indicates that the computationally studied reaction pathway might differ from the one observed experimentally.     

Insights into the mechanism of O₂ formation and release from the Mn₄O₄L₆ "cubane" cluster

To probe photoinduced water oxidation catalyzed by the Mn?O?L? cubane clusters, we have computationally studied the mechanism and controlling factors of the O? formation from the [Mn?O?L?] catalyst, 6. It was demonstrated that dissociation of an L = H?PO?? ligand from 6 facilitates the direct O-O bond formation that proceeds with a 28.3 (33.4) kcal/mol rate-determining energy barrier at the transition state TS1. This step (the O-O single bond formation) of the reaction is a two-electron oxidation/reduction process, during which two oxo ligands are transformed into to μ2:η2-O?2? unit, and two ("distal") Mn centers are reduced from the 4+ to the 3+ oxidation state. Next two-electron oxidation/reduction occurs by "dancing" of the resulted O?2? fragment between the Mn1 and Mn2/Mn(2')-centers, keeping its strong coordination to the Mn(1')-center. As a result of this four-electron oxidation/reduction process Mn centers of the Mn?-core of I transform from {Mn1(III)-Mn(1')(III)-Mn2(IV)-Mn(2')(IV)} to {Mn1(II)-Mn(1')(II)-Mn2(III)-Mn(2')(III)} in IV. In other words, upon O? formation in cationic complex [Mn?O?L?](+), I, all four Mn-centers are reduced by one electron each. The overall reaction I → TS1 → II → III → TS2 → IV → TS3 → V → VI + O? is found to be exothermic by 15.4 (10.5) kcal/mol. We analyze the lowest spin states and geometries of all reactants, intermediates, transition states, and products of the targeted reaction.     

3d-Metal derivatives of the [Cu(I)(SO3)4]7- ion: structure and magnetism

The Cu(SO(3))(4)(7-) anion, which consists of a tetrahedrally coordinated Cu(I) centre coordinated to four sulfur atoms, is able to act as a multidentate ligand in discrete and infinite supramolecular species. The slow oxidation of an aqueous solution of Na(7)Cu(SO(3))(4) yields a mixed oxidation state, 2D network of composition Na(5){[Cu(II)(H(2)O)][Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)]}·6H(2)O. The addition of Cu(II) and 2,2'-bipyridine to an aqueous Na(7)Cu(SO(3))(4) solution leads to the formation of a pentanuclear complex of composition {[Cu(II)(H(2)O)(bipy)](4)[Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)]}(+); a combination of hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking interactions leads to the generation of infinite parallel channels that are occupied by disordered nitrate anions and water molecules. A pair of Cu(SO(3))(4)(7-) anions each act as a tridentate ligand towards a single Mn(II) centre when Mn(II) ions are combined with an excess of Cu(SO(3))(4)(7-). An anionic pentanuclear complex of composition {[Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)](2)[Fe(III)(H(2)O)](3)(O)} is formed when Fe(II) is added to a Cu(+)/SO(3)(2-) solution. Hydrated ferrous [Fe(H(2)O)(6)(2+)] and sodium ions act as counterions for the complexes and are responsible for the formation of an extensive hydrogen bond network within the crystal. Magnetic susceptibility studies over the temperature range 2-300 K show that weak ferromagnetic coupling occurs within the Cu(II) containing chains of Na(5){[Cu(II)(H(2)O)][Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)]}·6H(2)O, while zero coupling exists in the pentanuclear cluster {[Cu(II)(H(2)O)(bipy)](4)[Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)]}(NO(3))·H(2)O. Weak Mn(II)-O-S-O-Mn(II) antiferromagnetic coupling occurs in Na(H(2)O)(6){[Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)][Mn(II)(H(2)O)(2)](3)}, the latter formed when Mn was in excess during synthesis. The compound, Na(3)(H(2)O)(6)[Fe(II)(H(2)O)(6)](2){[Cu(I)(SO(3))(4)](2)[Fe(III)(H(2)O)](3)(O)}·H(2)O, contained trace magnetic impurities that affected the expected magnetic behaviour.     

Cheletropic decomposition of cyclic nitrosoamines revisited: the nature of the transition states and a critical role of the ring strain

The cheletropic decompositions of 1-nitrosoaziridine (1), 1-nitroso-Delta(3)-pyrroline (2), 7-nitroso-7-azabicyclo[2.2. 1]hepta-2,5-diene (3), and 6-nitroso-6-azabicyclo[2.1.1]hexa-4-ene (4) have been studied theoretically using high level ab initio computations. Activation parameters of the decomposition of nitrosoaziridine 1 were obtained experimentally in heptane (DeltaH()(298) = 18.6 kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS()(298) = -7.6 cal mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)) and methanol (20.3 kcal mol(-)(1), 0.3 cal mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)). Among employed theoretical methods (B3LYP, MP2, CCD, CCSD(T)//CCD), the B3LYP method in conjunction with 6-31+G, 6-311+G, and 6-311++G(3df,2pd) basis sets gives the best agreement with experimental data. It was found that typical N-nitrosoheterocycles 2-4 which have high N-N bond rotation barriers (>16 kcal mol(-)(1)) extrude nitrous oxide via a highly asynchronous transition state with a planar ring nitrogen atom. Nitrosoaziridine 1, with a low rotation barrier (<9 kcal mol(-)(1)) represents a special case. This compound can eliminate N(2)O via a low energy linear synperiplanar transition state (DeltaH()(298) = 20.6 kcal mol(-)(1), DeltaS()(298) = 2.5 cal mol(-)(1) K(-)(1)). Two higher energy transition states are also available. The B3LYP activation barriers of the cheletropic fragmentation of nitrosoheterocycles 2-4 decrease in the series: 2 (58 kcal mol(-)(1)) > 3 (18 kcal mol(-)(1)) > 4 (12) kcal mol(-)(1). The relative strain energies increase in the same order: 2 (0 kcal mol(-)(1)) < 3 (39 kcal mol(-)(1)) < 4 (52 kcal mol(-)(1)). Comparison of the relative energies of 2-4 and their transition states on a common scale where the energy of nitrosopyrroline 2 is assumed as reference indicates that the thermal stability of the cyclic nitrosoamines toward cheletropic decomposition is almost entirely determined by the ring strain.     

Insights into the metathesis reaction involving M-M,C-C,and M-C triple bonds from computations employing density functional theory on model compounds M2(OH)6 and M2(SH)6, where M = Mo and W

Calculations employing density functional theory (Gaussian 98, B3LYP, LANL2DZ, 6-31G) have been undertaken to interrogate the factors influencing the metathesis reaction involving M-M, C-C, and M-C triple bonds for the model compounds M(2)(EH)(6), M(2)(EH)(6)(mu-C(2)H(2)), and [(HE)(3)M(tbd1;CH)](2), where M = Mo, W and E = O, S. Whereas in all cases the ethyne adducts are predicted to be enthalpically favored in the reactions between M(2)(EH)(6) compounds and ethyne, only when M = W and E = O is the alkylidyne product [(HO)(3)W(tbd1;CH)](2) predicted to be more stable than the alkyne adduct. For the reaction M(2)(EH)(6)(mu-C(2)H(2)) --> [(HE)(3)M(tbd1;CH)](2), the deltaG degrees values (kcal mol(-)(1)) are -6 (M = W, E = O), +5 (M = Mo, E = O), +18 (M = W, E = S), and +21 (M = Mo, E = S) and the free energies of activation are calculated to be deltaG() = +19 kcal mol(-)(1) (M = W, E = O) and +34 kcal mol(-)(1) (M = Mo, E = O), where the transition state involves an asymmetric bridged structure M(2)(OH)(4)(mu-OH)(2)(CH)(mu-CH) in which the C-C bond has broken; C.C = 1.89 and 1.98 A for W and Mo, respectively. These results are discussed in terms of the experimental observations of the reactions involving ethyne and the symmetrically substituted alkynes (RCCR, where R = Me, Et) with M(2)(O(t)()Bu)(6) and M(2)(O(t)()Bu)(2)(S(t)()Bu)(4) compounds, where M = Mo, W.     

Periodic density functional theory study of methane activation over La(2)O(3): activity of O(2-), O(-), O(2)(2-), oxygen point defect,and Sr(2+)-doped surface sites

Results of gradient-corrected periodic density functional theory calculations are reported for hydrogen abstraction from methane at O(s)(2-), O(s)(-), O(2)(s)(2-) point defect, and Sr(2+)-doped surface sites on La(2)O(3)(001). The results show that the anionic O(s)(-) species is the most active surface oxygen site. The overall reaction energy to activate methane at an O(s)(-) site to form a surface hydroxyl group and gas-phase (*)CH(3) radical is 8.2 kcal/mol, with an activation barrier of 10.1 kcal/mol. The binding energy of hydrogen at an site O(s)(-) is -102 kcal/mol. An oxygen site with similar activity can be generated by doping strontium into the oxide by a direct Sr(2+)/La(3+) exchange at the surface. The O(-)-like nature of the surface site is reflected in a calculated hydrogen binding energy of -109.7 kcal/mol. Calculations indicate that surface peroxide (O(2(s))(2-)) sites can be generated by adsorption of O(2) at surface oxygen vacancies, as well as by dissociative adsorption of O(2) across the closed-shell oxide surface of La(2)O(3)(001). The overall reaction energy and apparent activation barrier for the latter pathway are calculated to be only 12.1 and 33.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Irrespective of the route to peroxide formation, the O(2)(s)(2-) intermediate is characterized by a bent orientation with respect to the surface and an O-O bond length of 1.47 A; both attributes are consistent with structural features characteristic of classical peroxides. We found surface peroxide sites to be slightly less favorable for H-abstraction from methane than the O(s)(-) species, with DeltaE(rxn)(CH(4)) = 39.3 kcal/mol, E(act) = 47.3 kcal/mol, and DeltaE(ads)(H) = -71.5 kcal/mol. A possible mechanism for oxidative coupling of methane over La(2)O(3)(001) involving surface peroxides as the active oxygen source is suggested.