Development and comparison of the substrate scope of Pd-catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols

[reaction: see text] Three catalysts for aerobic oxidation of alcohols are discussed and the effectiveness of each is evaluated for allylic, benzylic, aliphatic, and functionalized alcohols. Additionally, chiral nonracemic substrates as well as chemoselective and diastereoselective oxidations are investigated. In this study, the most convenient system for the Pd-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols is Pd(OAc)(2) in combination with triethylamine. This system functions effectively for the majority of alcohols tested and uses mild conditions (3 to 5 mol % of catalyst, room temperature). Pd(IiPr)(OAc)(2)(H(2)O) (1) also successfully oxidizes the majority of alcohols evaluated. This system has the advantage of significantly lowering catalyst loadings but requires higher temperatures (0.1 to 1 mol % of catalyst, 60 degrees C). A new catalyst is also disclosed, Pd(IiPr)(OPiv)(2) (2). This catalyst operates under very mild conditions (1 mol %, room temperature, and air as the O(2) source) but with a more limited substrate scope.     

Theoretical study of O--O single bond formation in the oxidation of water by the ruthenium blue dimer

The first key step in the oxidation of water to O(2) by the oxidized species [(bpy)(2)(O)Ru(V)ORu(V)(O)(bpy)(2)](4+) of the Ru blue dimer is studied using density functional theory (DFT) and an explicit solvent treatment. In the model reaction system [L(2)(O)Ru(V)ORu(V)(O)L(2)](4+)·(H(2)O)(4)·W(76), the surrounding water solvent molecules W are described classically while the inner core reaction system is described quantum mechanically using smaller model ligands (L). The reaction path found for the O--O single bond formation involves a proton relay chain: direct participation of two water molecules in two proton transfers to yield the product [L(2)(HOO)Ru(IV)ORu(IV)(OH)L(2)](4+)·(H(2)O)(3)·W(76). The calculated ～3 kcal/mol reaction free energy and ～15 kcal/mol activation free energy barrier at 298 K are consistent with experiment. Structural changes and charge flow along the intrinsic reaction coordinate, the solvent's role in the reaction barrier, and their significance for water oxidation catalysis are examined in detail.     

Synthesis, characterization, reactivity and catalytic activity of oxidovanadium(IV), oxidovanadium(V) and dioxidovanadium(V) complexes of benzimidazole modified ligands

The reaction between [V(IV)O(acac)(2)] and the ONN donor Schiff base obtained by the condensation of pyridoxal and 2-aminoethylbenzimidazole (Hpydx-aebmz, I) or 2-aminomethylbenzimidazole (Hpydx-ambmz, II) in equimolar amounts results in the formation of [V(IV)O(acac)(pydx-aebmz)] 1 and [V(IV)O(acac)(pydx-ambmz)] 2, respectively. The aerobic oxidation of the methanolic solution of 1 yielded [V(V)O(2)(pydx-aebmz)] 3 and its reaction with aqueous H(2)O(2) gave the oxidoperoxidovanadium(v) complex, [V(V)O(O(2))(pydx-aebmz)] 4. The formation of 4 in solution is also established by titrations of methanolic solutions of 1 with H(2)O(2). By titrating solutions of 3 and of 4 with aqueous H(2)O(2) several distinct V(V)-pydx-aebmz species also containing the peroxido ligand are detected. The full geometry optimization of all species envisaged was done using DFT methods for suitable model complexes. The (51)V NMR chemical shifts (δ(V)) have also been calculated, the theoretical data being used to support assignments of the experimental chemical shifts. The (51)V hyperfine coupling constants are calculated for 1, the obtained values being in good agreement with the experimental EPR data. Reaction between the V(IV)O(2+) exchanged zeolite-Y and Hpydx-aebmz and Hpydx-ambmz in refluxing methanol, followed by aerial oxidation results in the formation of the encapsulated V(V)O(2)-complexes, abbreviated herein as [V(V)O(2)(pydx-aebmz)]-Y 5 and [V(V)O(2)(pydx-ambmz)]-Y 6. The molecular structure of 1, determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction, confirms its distorted octahedral geometry with the ONN binding mode of the tridentate ligand, with one acetylacetonato group remaining bound to the V(IV)O-centre. Oxidation of styrene is investigated using some of these complexes as catalyst precursors with H(2)O(2) as oxidant. Under optimised reaction conditions for the conversion of styrene in acetonitrile, a maximum of 68% conversion of styrene (with [V(V)O(2)(pydx-aebmz)]-Y) and 65% (with [V(V)O(2)(pydx-ambmz)]-Y) is achieved in 6 h of reaction time. The selectivity of the various products is similar for both catalysts and follows the order: benzaldehyde (ca. 55%) > 1-phenylethane-1,2-diol > benzoic acid > styrene oxide > phenyl acetaldehyde. Speciation of the systems and plausible intermediates involved in the catalytic oxidation processes are established by UV-Vis, EPR, (51)V NMR and DFT studies. Both non-radical (Sharpless) and radical mechanisms of the olefin oxidations were theoretically studied, and the radical pathway was found to be even more favorable than the Sharpless mechanism.     

磷钼钒杂多酸-聚邻苯二胺修饰碳糊电极示差脉冲溶出伏安法测定对苯二酚和邻苯二酚

在由磷钼钒杂多酸和邻苯二胺组成的支持电解质中,以0.100V.s-1扫速在碳糊电极上,于0.800～-0.800V范围内循环扫描20周后,制得磷钼钒杂多酸-聚邻苯二胺修饰碳糊电极。循环伏安法研究发现:对苯二酚(HQ)和邻苯二酚(CC)在该修饰电极上均出现了一对氧化还原峰;示差脉冲溶出伏安法研究发现:HQ和CC分别在0.140V和0.288V处出现二次微分溶出峰,两峰电位差为0.148V。HQ和CC的线性范围均为1.50×10-7～7.50×10-4 mol.L-1,检出限(3S/N)均为6.80×10-8 mol.L-1。据此提出了示差脉冲溶出伏安法测定模拟水样中HQ和CC,测得回收率在94.0%～106.0%之间。     

Aerobic oxidation reactions catalyzed by vanadium complexes of bis(phenolate) ligands

Vanadium(V) complexes of the tridentate bis(phenolate)pyridine ligand H(2)BPP (H(2)BPP = 2,6-(HOC(6)H(2)-2,4-(t)Bu(2))(2)NC(5)H(3)) and the bis(phenolate)amine ligand H(2)BPA (H(2)BPA = N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylbenzyl)propylamine) have been synthesized and characterized. The ability of the complexes to mediate the oxidative C-C bond cleavage of pinacol was tested. Reaction of the complex (BPP)V(V)(O)(O(i)Pr) (4) with pinacol afforded the monomeric vanadium(IV) product (BPP)V(IV)(O)(HO(i)Pr) (6) and acetone. Vanadium(IV) complex 6 was oxidized rapidly by air at room temperature in the presence of NEt(3), yielding the vanadium(V) cis-dioxo complex [(BPP)V(V)(O)(2)]HNEt(3). Complex (BPA)V(V)(O)(O(i)Pr) (5) reacted with pinacol at room temperature, to afford acetone and the vanadium(IV) dimer [(BPA)V(IV)(O)(HO(i)Pr)](2). Complexes 4 and 5 were evaluated as catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol and arylglycerol β-aryl ether lignin model compounds. Although both 4 and 5 catalyzed the aerobic oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, complex 4 was found to be a more active and robust catalyst for oxidation of the lignin model compounds. The catalytic activities and selectivities of the bis(phenolate) complexes are compared to previously reported catalysts.     

Structure and reactivity of V(2)O(5): bulk solid, nanosized clusters, species supported on silica and alumina, cluster cations and anions

Vanadyl bond dissociation energies are calculated by density functional theory (DFT). While the hybrid (B3LYP) functional results are close to the available reference data, gradient corrected functionals (BP86, PBE) yield large errors (about 50 to 100 kJ mol(-1)), but reproduce trends correctly. PBE calculations on a V(20)O(62)H(24) cluster model for the (001) surface of V(2)O(5) crystals virtually reproduce periodic slab calculations. The low bond dissociation energy (formation of oxygen surface defect) of 113 kJ mol(-1)(B3LYP) is due to substantial structure relaxations leading to formation of V-O-V bonds between the V(2)O(5) layers of the crystal. This relaxation cannot occur in polyhedral (V(2)O(5))(n) clusters and also not for V(2)O(5) species supported on silica or alumina (represented by cage-type models) for which bond dissociation energies of 250-300 kJ mol(-1) are calculated. The OV(OCH(3))(3) molecule and its dimer are also considered. Radical cations V(2)O(5)(+) and V(4)O(10)(+) have very low bond dissociation energies (22 and 14 kJ mol(-1), respectively), while the corresponding radical anions have higher dissociation energies (about 330 kJ mol(-1)) than the neutral clusters. The bond dissociation energies of the closed shell V(3)O(7)(+) cation (165 kJ mol(-1)) and the closed shell V(3)O(8)(-) anion (283 kJ mol(-1)) are closest to the values of the neutral clusters. This makes them suitable for gas phase studies which aim at comparisons with V(2)O(5) species on supporting oxides.     

Mechanisms of water oxidation catalyzed by the cis,cis-[(bpy)2Ru(OH2)]2O4+ ion

The cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(III)(OH(2))](2)O(4+) micro-oxo dimeric coordination complex is an efficient catalyst for water oxidation by strong oxidants that proceeds via intermediary formation of cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)(O)](2)O(4+) (hereafter, [5,5]). Repetitive mass spectrometric measurement of the isotopic distribution of O(2) formed in reactions catalyzed by (18)O-labeled catalyst established the existence of two reaction pathways characterized by products containing either one atom each from a ruthenyl O and solvent H(2)O or both O atoms from solvent molecules. The apparent activation parameters for micro-oxo ion-catalyzed water oxidation by Ce(4+) and for [5,5] decay were nearly identical, with DeltaH(++) = 7.6 (+/-1.2) kcal/mol, DeltaS() = -43 (+/-4) cal/deg mol (23 degrees C) and DeltaH(++) = 7.9 (+/-1.1) kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = -44 (+/-4) cal/deg mol, respectively, in 0.5 M CF(3)SO(3)H. An apparent solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect (KIE) of 1.7 was measured for O(2) evolution at 23 degrees C; the corresponding KIE for [5,5] decay was 1.6. The (32)O(2)/(34)O(2) isotope distribution was also insensitive to solvent deuteration. On the basis of these results and previously established chemical properties of this class of compounds, mechanisms are proposed that feature as critical reaction steps H(2)O addition to the complex to form covalent hydrates. For the first pathway, the elements of H(2)O are added as OH and H to the adjacent terminal ruthenyl O atoms, and for the second pathway, OH is added to a bipyridine ring and H is added to one of the ruthenyl O atoms.     

Highly reduced, polyoxo(alkoxo)vanadium(III/IV) clusters

A family of high nuclearity oxo(alkoxo)vanadium clusters in unprecedentedly low oxidation states is reported, synthesised from simple vanadium diketonate precursors in alcohols under solvothermal conditions. Crystal structures of [V18(O)12(OH)2(H2O)4(EtO)22(O2CPh)6(acac)2] (1), [V16Na2(O)18(EtO)16(EtOH)2(O2CPh)6(HO2CPh)2]infinity (2), [V13(O)13(EtO)15(EtOH)(RCO2)3] in which R=adamantyl (3) or Ph3C (4), and [V11(O)12(EtO)13(EtOH)(Ph3CCO2)2(MePO3)] (5) are reported, revealing these to be {VIII 16VIV 2} (1), {VIII 9VIV 3VV} (3 and 4) and {VIII 3VIV 8} (5) clusters, while 2 consists of isolated {VIII 8VIV 8} clusters bridged into polymeric chains by {Na2(OEt)2} fragments. Solvothermal conditions are essential to the formation of these species, and the level of oxidation of the isolated clusters is in part controlled by the crystallisation time, with the lowest mean-oxidation-state species being isolated by direct crystallisation on controlled cooling of the reaction solutions.     

Gas-phase uranyl, neptunyl, and plutonyl: hydration and oxidation studied by experiment and theory

The following monopositive actinyl ions were produced by electrospray ionization of aqueous solutions of An(VI)O(2)(ClO(4))(2) (An = U, Np, Pu): U(V)O(2)(+), Np(V)O(2)(+), Pu(V)O(2)(+), U(VI)O(2)(OH)(+), and Pu(VI)O(2)(OH)(+); abundances of the actinyl ions reflect the relative stabilities of the An(VI) and An(V) oxidation states. Gas-phase reactions with water in an ion trap revealed that water addition terminates at AnO(2)(+)·(H(2)O)(4) (An = U, Np, Pu) and AnO(2)(OH)(+)·(H(2)O)(3) (An = U, Pu), each with four equatorial ligands. These terminal hydrates evidently correspond to the maximum inner-sphere water coordination in the gas phase, as substantiated by density functional theory (DFT) computations of the hydrate structures and energetics. Measured hydration rates for the AnO(2)(OH)(+) were substantially faster than for the AnO(2)(+), reflecting additional vibrational degrees of freedom in the hydroxide ions for stabilization of hot adducts. Dioxygen addition resulted in UO(2)(+)(O(2))(H(2)O)(n) (n = 2, 3), whereas O(2) addition was not observed for NpO(2)(+) or PuO(2)(+) hydrates. DFT suggests that two-electron three-centered bonds form between UO(2)(+) and O(2), but not between NpO(2)(+) and O(2). As formation of the UO(2)(+)-O(2) bonds formally corresponds to the oxidation of U(V) to U(VI), the absence of this bonding with NpO(2)(+) can be considered a manifestation of the lower relative stability of Np(VI).     

Synthesis, characterization, reactivity, and catalytic potential of model vanadium(IV, V) complexes with benzimidazole-derived ONN donor ligands

Reaction between [VO(acac)(2)] and the ONN donor Schiff base Hsal-ambmz (I) (Hsal-ambmz = Schiff base obtained by the condensation of salicylaldehyde and 2-aminomethylbenzimidazole) resulted in the formation of the complexes [V(IV)O(acac)(sal-ambmz)] (1), [V(V)O(2)(acac-ambmz)] (2) (Hacac-ambmz = Schiff base derived from acetylacetone and 2-aminomethylbenzimidazole), and the known complex [V(IV)O(sal-phen)] (3) (H(2)sal-phen = Schiff base derived from salicylaldehyde and o-phenylenediamine). Similarly, [V(IV)O(acac)(sal-aebmz)] (7) has been isolated from the reaction with Hsal-aebmz (II) (Hsal-aebmz derived from salicylaldehyde and 2-aminoethylbenzimidazole). Aerial oxidation of the methanolic solutions/suspensions of 1 and 7 yielded the dioxovanadium(V) complexes [V(V)O(2)(sal-ambmz)] (4) and [V(V)O(2)(sal-aebmz)] (8), respectively. Reaction of VOSO(4) with II gave [{V(IV)O(sal-aebmz)}(2)SO(4)] (9) and [V(IV)O(sal-aebmz)(2)] (10), along with 3 and 8. Under similar reaction conditions, I gave only [{V(IV)O(sal-ambmz)}(2)SO(4)] (5) and 3 as major products. Treatment of 1 and 7 with benzohydroxamic acid (Hbha) yielded the mixed-chelate complexes [V(V)O(bha)(sal-ambmz)] (6) and [V(V)O(bha)(sal-aebmz)] (11). The crystal and molecular structures of 2, 3.1/2DMF, 7.1/4H(2)O, 8, 9.2H(2)O, 10, and 11 have been determined, confirming the ONN binding mode of the ligands. In complex 10, one of the ligands is coordinated through the azomethine nitrogen and phenolate oxygen only, leaving the benzimidazole group free. In the dinuclear complex 9, bridging functions are the phenolate oxygens from both of the ligands and two oxygens of the sulfato group. The unstable oxoperoxovanadium(V) complex [V(V)O(O(2))(sal-aebmz)] (12) has been prepared by treatment of 7 with aqueous H(2)O(2). Acidification of methanolic solutions of 7 and 10 lead to (reversible) protonation of the bemzimidazole, while 8 was converted to an oxo-hydroxo species. Complexes 2, 4, and 8 catalyze the oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide to methyl phenyl sulfoxide and methyl phenyl sulfone, a reaction mimicking the sulfideperoxidase activity of vanadate-dependent haloperoxidases. These complexes are also catalytically active in the oxidation of styrene to styrene oxide, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, and 1-phenylethane-1,2-diol.     

Basic ancillary ligands promote O-O bond formation in iridium-catalyzed water oxidation: a DFT study

The cationic iridium complex [Ir(OH(2))(2)(phpy)(2)](+) (phpy = o-phenylpyridine) is among the most efficient mononuclear catalysts for water oxidation. The postulated active species is the oxo complex [Ir(O)(X)(phpy)(2)](n), with X = OH(2) (n = +1), OH(-) (n = 0) or O(2-) (n = -1), depending on the pH. The reactivity of these species has been studied computationally at the DFT(B3LYP) level. The three [Ir(O)(X)(phpy)(2)](n) complexes have an electrophilic Ir(v)-oxo moiety, which yields an O-O bond by undergoing a nucleophilic attack of water in the critical step of the mechanism. In this step, water transfers one proton to either the Ir(V)-oxo moiety or the ancillary X ligand. Five different reaction pathways associated with this acid/base mechanism have been characterized. The calculations show that the proton is preferably accepted by the X ligand, which plays a key role in the reaction. The higher the basicity of X, the lower the energy barrier associated with O-O bond formation. The anionic species, [Ir(O)(2)(phpy)(2)](-), which has the less electrophilic Ir(V)-oxo moiety but the most basic X ligand, promotes O-O bond formation through the lowest energy barrier, 14.5 kcal mol(-1). The other two active species, [Ir(O)(OH)(phpy)(2)] and [Ir(O)(OH(2))(phpy)(2)](+), which have more electrophilic Ir(V)-oxo moieties but less basic X ligands, involve higher energy barriers, 20.2 kcal mol(-1) and 25.9 kcal mol(-1), respectively. These results are in good agreement with experiments showing important pH effects in similar catalytic systems. The theoretical insight given by the present study can be useful in the design of more efficient water oxidation catalysts. The catalytic activity may increase by using ligand scaffolds bearing internal bases.     

Oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde on supported vanadium oxide catalysts compared to gas phase molecules

The oxidation of methanol to formaldehyde on silica supported vanadium oxide is studied by density functional theory. For isolated vanadium oxide species silsesquioxane-type models are adopted. The first step is dissociative adsorption of methanol yielding CH3O(O=)V(O-)2 surface complexes. This makes the O=V(OCH3)3 molecule a suited model system. The rate-limiting oxidation step involves hydrogen transfer from the methoxy group to the vanadyl oxygen atom. The transition state is biradicaloid and needs to be treated by the broken-symmetry approach. The activation energies for O=V(OCH3)3 and the silsesquioxane surface model are 147 and 154 kJ/mol. In addition, the (O=V(OCH3)3)(2) dimer (a model for polymeric vanadium oxide species) and the O=V(OCH3)3(*+) radical cation are studied. For the latter the barrier is only 80 kJ/mol, indicating a strong effect of the charge on the energy profile of the reaction and questioning the significance of gas-phase cluster studies for understanding the activity of supported oxide catalysts.     

Characterization of the O(2)-evolving reaction catalyzed by [(terpy)(H2O)Mn(III)(O)2Mn(IV)(OH2)(terpy)](NO3)3 (terpy = 2,2':6,2"-terpyridine).

The complex [(terpy)(H(2)O)Mn(III)(O)(2)Mn(IV)(OH(2))(terpy)](NO(3))(3) (terpy = 2,2':6,2' '-terpyridine) (1)catalyzes O(2) evolution from either KHSO(5) (potassium oxone) or NaOCl. The reactions follow Michaelis-Menten kinetics where V(max) = 2420 +/- 490 mol O(2) (mol 1)(-1) hr(-1) and K(M) = 53 +/- 5 mM for oxone ([1] = 7.5 microM), and V(max) = 6.5 +/- 0.3 mol O(2) (mol 1)(-1) hr(-1) and K(M) = 39 +/- 4 mM for hypochlorite ([1] = 70 microM), with first-order kinetics observed in 1 for both oxidants. A mechanism is proposed having a preequilibrium between 1 and HSO(5-) or OCl(-), supported by the isolation and structural characterization of [(terpy)(SO(4))Mn(IV)(O)(2)Mn(IV)(O(4)S)(terpy)] (2). Isotope-labeling studies using H(2)(18)O and KHS(16)O(5) show that O(2) evolution proceeds via an intermediate that can exchange with water, where Raman spectroscopy has been used to confirm that the active oxygen of HSO(5-) is nonexchanging (t(1/2) > 1 h). The amount of label incorporated into O(2) is dependent on the relative concentrations of oxone and 1. (32)O(2):(34)O(2):(36)O(2) is 91.9 +/- 0.3:7.6 +/- 0.3:0.51 +/- 0.48, when [HSO(5-)] = 50 mM (0.5 mM 1), and 49 +/- 21:39 +/- 15:12 +/- 6 when [HSO(5-)] = 15 mM (0.75 mM 1). The rate-limiting step of O(2) evolution is proposed to be formation of a formally Mn(V)=O moiety which could then competitively react with either oxone or water/hydroxide to produce O(2). These results show that 1 serves as a functional model for photosynthetic water oxidation.     

Pt@MOF-177: synthesis, room-temperature hydrogen storage and oxidation catalysis

The gas-phase loading of [Zn(4)O(btb)(2)](8) (MOF-177; H(3)btb=1,3,5-benzenetribenzoic acid) with the volatile platinum precursor [Me(3)PtCp'] (Cp'=methylcyclopentadienyl) was confirmed by solid state (13)C magic angle spinning (MAS)-NMR spectroscopy. Subsequent reduction of the inclusion compound [Me(3)PtCp'](4)@MOF-177 by hydrogen at 100 bar and 100 degrees C for 24 h was carried out and gave rise to the formation of platinum nanoparticles in a size regime of 2-5 nm embedded in the unchanged MOF-177 host lattice as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). The room-temperature hydrogen adsorption of Pt@MOF-177 has been followed in a gravimetric fashion (magnetic suspension balance) and shows almost 2.5 wt % in the first cycle, but is decreased down to 0.5 wt % in consecutive cycles. The catalytic activity of Pt@MOF-177 towards the solvent- and base-free room temperature oxidation of alcohols in air has been tested and shows Pt@MOF-177 to be an efficient catalyst in the oxidation of alcohols.     

Nickel and iron complexes with N,P,N-type ligands: synthesis, structure and catalytic oligomerization of ethylene

The N,P,N-type ligands bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine (), bis(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine (), bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine () and bis(2-picolyloxy)phenylphosphine () were used to synthesize the corresponding pentacoordinated Ni(ii) complexes [Ni{bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine}Cl(2)] (), [Ni{bis(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine}Cl(2)] (), [Ni{bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine}Cl(2)] () and [Ni{bis(2-picolyloxy)phenylphosphine}Cl(2)] (), respectively. The hexacoordinated iron complexes [Fe{bis(2-picolyl)phenylphosphine}(2)][Cl(3)FeOFeCl(3)] (), [Fe{bis(4,5-dihydro-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine}(2)][Cl(3)FeOFeCl(3)] () and the tetracoordinated complex [Fe{bis(4,4-dimethyl-2-oxazolylmethyl)phenylphosphine}Cl(2)] (abbreviated [FeCl(2)(NPN(Me2)-N,N)]) were prepared by reaction of FeCl(2).4H(2)O with ligands , respectively. The crystal structures of the octahedral complexes and , determined by X-ray diffraction, showed that two tridentate ligands are facially coordinated to the metal centre with a cis-arrangement of the P atoms and the dianion (mu-oxo)bis[trichloroferrate(iii)] compensates the doubly positive charge of the complex. The cyclic voltammograms of and showed two reversible redox couples attributed to the reduction of the dianion (Fe(2)OCl(6))(2-) (-0.24 V for and -0.20 V for vs. SCE) and to the oxidation of the Fe(ii) ion of the complex (0.67 V for and 0.52 V for vs. SCE). The cyclic voltammogram of [FeCl(2)(NPN(Me2)-N,N)] showed a reversible redox couple at -0.17 V vs. SCE assigned to the oxidation of the Fe(ii) atom and an irreversible process at 0.65 V. The complexes , and [FeCl(2)(NPN(Me2)-N,N)] have been evaluated in the catalytic oligomerization of ethylene with AlEtCl(2) or MAO as cocatalyst. The nickel complex proved to be the most active precatalyst in the series, with a turnover frequency (TOF) of 61 800 mol(C(2)H(4)) mol(Ni)(-1) h(-1) with 10 equiv. of AlEtCl(2) and 12 200 mol(C(2)H(4)) mol(Ni)(-1) h(-1) with 200 equiv. of MAO. Precatalysts and were the most selective in butenes, up to 90% with 6 equiv. of AlEtCl(2) and 89% with 2 equiv. of AlEtCl(2), respectively, and up to 92% butenes with 400 equiv. of MAO and 91% butenes with 200 equiv. MAO, respectively. The best selectivities for 1-butene were provided by and AlEtCl(2) (up to 31% with 6 equiv.) and with MAO (up to 72% with 200 equiv.). The iron complexes were not significantly active with AlEtCl(2) or MAO as cocatalyst.     

Redox chemistry of the acetato-bridged clusters [M3(mu3-O)n(mu-O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ (M = Mo, W, n = 1, 2): reversible redox between mono-micro3-oxo d8 M(III)2M(IV) and d9 M(III)3 forms

A cyclic voltammogram of aqueous 0.1 mol dm(-3) triflic acid solutions of the d6 bioxo-capped M-M bonded cluster [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ at a glassy carbon electrode at 25 degrees C gives rise to an irreversible 3e- cathodic wave to a d9 Mo(III)3 species at -0.8 V vs. SCE which on the return scan gives rise to two anodic waves at +0.05 V vs. SCE (E(1/2), 1e- reversible to d8 Mo(III)2Mo(IV)) and +0.48 V vs. SCE (2e- irreversible back to d6 Mo(IV)3). The number of electrons passed at each redox wave has been confirmed by redox titration and controlled potential electrolysis which resulted in 90% recovery of [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ following electrochemical re-oxidation at +0.8 V. A corresponding CV study of the d8 monoxo-capped W(III)2W(IV) cluster [W3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ gives rise to a reversible 1e- cathodic process at -0.92 V vs. SCE to give the d9 W(III)3 species [W3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]+; the first authentic example of a W(III) complex with coordinated water ligands. However the cluster is too unstable (O2/water sensitive) to allow isolation. Comparisons with the cv study on [Mo3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ suggest irreversible reduction of this complex to monoxo-capped [Mo(III)3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]+ followed by reversible oxidation to its d8 counterpart [Mo3(mu3-O)(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ (Mo(III)2Mo(IV)) and finally irreversible oxidation back to the starting bioxo-capped cluster. Exposing the d9 Mo(III)3 cluster to air (O2) however gives a different final product with evidence of break up of the acetate bridged framework. Corresponding redox processes on d6 [W3(mu3-O)2(O2CCH3)6(H2O)3]2+ are too cathodic to allow similar generation of the monoxo-capped W(III)3 and W(III)2W(IV) clusters at the electrode surface.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of hydroquinones by a trans-dioxoruthenium(VI) complex

The kinetics of the oxidation of hydroquinone (H(2)Q) and its derivatives (H(2)Q-X) by trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) (tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) have been studied in aqueous acidic solutions and in acetonitrile. In H(2)O, the oxidation of H(2)Q has the following stoichiometry: trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) + H(2)Q --> trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(OH(2))](2+) + Q. The reaction is first order in both Ru(VI) and H(2)Q, and parallel pathways involving the oxidation of H(2)Q and HQ(-) are involved. The kinetic isotope effects are k(H(2)O)/k(D(2)O) = 4.9 and 1.2 at pH = 1.79 and 4.60, respectively. In CH(3)CN, the reaction occurs in two steps, the reduction of trans-[Ru(VI)(tmc)(O)(2)](2+) by 1 equiv of H(2)Q to trans-[Ru(IV)(tmc)(O)(CH(3)CN)](2+), followed by further reduction by another 1 equiv of H(2)Q to trans-[Ru(II)(tmc)(CH(3)CN)(2)](2+). Linear correlations between log(rate constant) at 298.0 K and the O-H bond dissociation energy of H(2)Q-X were obtained for reactions in both H(2)O and CH(3)CN, consistent with a H-atom transfer (HAT) mechanism. Plots of log(rate constant) against log(equilibrium constant) were also linear for these HAT reactions.     

Oxygen Atom Transfer, Coupled Electron-Proton Transfer, and Correlated Electron-Nucleophile Transfer Reactions of Oxomolybdenum(IV) and Dioxomolybdenum(VI) Complexes

The oxo-Mo(IV) complexes LMoO(S(2)PR(2)-S,S') [L = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; R = Me, Et, Pr(i)(), Ph] were prepared by reacting MoO(S(2)PR(2))(2) and KL in refluxing toluene. The dioxo-Mo(VI) complexes cis-LMoO(2)(S(2)PR(2)-S) (R = Pr(i)(), Ph) were prepared by oxidation of the oxo-Mo(IV) complexes or by reaction of LMoO(2)Cl with NaS(2)PR(2). Oxygen atom transfers from Me(2)SO to LMoO(S(2)PR(2)) were first-order with respect to Me(2)SO and complex; the overall second-order rate constants at 40 degrees C range from 9.0(1) x 10(-)(5) M(-)(1).s(-)(1) for LMoO(S(2)PMe(2)) to 2.08(5) x 10(-)(4) M(-)(1).s(-)(1) for LMoO(S(2)PPr(2)); activation parameters were in the ranges DeltaH() = 63(1) to 73(1) kJ.mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -88(1) to -111(1) J.K(-)(1).mol(-)(1), and DeltaG() = 100(2) kJ.mol(-)(1) for LMoO(S(2)PMe(2)) to 98(2) kJ.mol(-)(1) for LMoO(S(2)PPr(2)). Oxygen atom transfer from pyridine N-oxide to LMoO(S(2)PPr(2)) was also second-order with a rate constant of 1.54(5) x 10(-)(3) M(-)(1).s(-)(1) at 40 degrees C, DeltaH() = 62(1) kJ.mol(-)(1), DeltaS() = -90(1) J.K(-)(1).mol(-)(1), and DeltaG() = 90(1) kJ.mol(-)(1). The second-order rate laws and large negative entropies of activation are consistent with associative mechanisms for the above reactions. Oxygen atom transfer from LMoO(2)(S(2)PPr(2)) to PPh(3) was first-order with respect to reactants, with an overall second-order rate constant of 2.5(3) x 10(-)(4) M(-)(1).s(-)(1) at 30 degrees C. In toluene at 40 degrees C, all the above complexes catalyzed the oxidation of PPh(3) by Me(2)SO, with turnover rates of ca. 0.9 mol of PPh(3)/(mol of catalyst/h). Reduction of LMoO(2)(S(2)PR(2)) by SH(-) led to the generation of the dioxo-Mo(V) anions [LMoO(2)(S(2)PR(2)-S)](-), which were slowly converted to the analogous oxothio-Mo(V) complexes [LMoOS(S(2)PR(2)-S)](-). Dioxygen reacted with [LMoOS(S(2)PPr(2))](-) to produce the oxothio-Mo(VI) complex LMoOS(S(2)PPr(2)-S). The (hydroxo)oxo-Mo(V) complexes LMoO(OH)(S(2)PR(2)-S) were formed upon reduction of LMoO(2)(S(2)PR(2)) with PPh(3) in wet (3-5 M H(2)O) tetrahydrofuran or upon ferrocenium oxidation of LMoO(S(2)PR(2)) in wet tetrahydrofuran. In dry solvents, LMoO(S(2)PR(2)) were oxidized to the corresponding cations, [LMoO(S(2)PR(2)-S,S')](+), which reacted with water to form LMoO(OH)(S(2)PR(2)). The Mo(V) complexes have been characterized by EPR spectroscopy.     

cis,cis-[(bpy)2RuVO]2O4+ catalyzes water oxidation formally via in situ generation of radicaloid RuIV-O*

The mechanism of the catalytic oxidation of water by cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(OH(2))](2)O(4+) to give molecular dioxygen was investigated using Density Functional Theory (DFT). A series of four oxidation and four deprotonation events generate the catalytically competent species cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)O](2)O(4+), which breaks the H-OH bond homolytically at the rate determining transition state to give a hydroperoxo intermediate. Our calculations predict a rate determining activation barrier of 25.9 kcal/mol in solution phase, which is in reasonable agreement with the previously reported experimental estimate of 18.7-23.3 kcal/mol. A number of plausible coupling schemes of the two metal sites including strong coupling, weak ferromagnetic and weak antiferromagnetic coupling have been considered. In addition, both high-spin and low-spin states at each of the Ru(V)-d(3) centers were explored and we found that the high-spin states play an important mechanistic role. Our calculations suggest that cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(V)O](2)O(4+) performs formally an intramolecular ligand-to-metal charge transfer when reacting with water to formally give a cis,cis-[(bpy)(2)Ru(IV)O*](2)O(4+) complex. We propose that the key characteristic of the diruthenium catalyst that allows it to accomplish the most difficult first two oxidations of the overall four-electron redox reaction is directly associated with this in situ generation of two radicaloid oxo moieties that promote the water splitting reaction. A proton coupled metal-to-metal charge transfer follows to yield a Ru(V)/Ru(III) peroxo/aqua mixed valence complex, which performs the third redox reaction to give the superoxo/aqua complex. Finally, intersystem crossing to a ferromagnetically coupled Ru(IV)/Ru(III) superoxo/aqua species is predicted, which will then promote the last redox event to release triplet dioxygen as the final product. A number of key features of the computed mechanism are explored in detail to derive a conceptual understanding of the catalytic mechanism.     

Nitrosation, thiols, and hemoglobin: energetics and kinetics

Nitrosothiols are powerful vasodilators. Although the mechanism of their formation near neutral pH is an area of intense research, neither the energetics nor the kinetics of this reaction or of subsequent reactions have been addressed. The following considerations may help to guide experiments. (1) The standard Gibbs energy for the homolysis reaction RSNO → RS(?) + NO(?)(aq) is +110 ± 5 kJ mol(-1). (2) The electrode potential of the RSNO, H(+)/RSH, NO(?)(aq) couple is -0.20 ± 0.06 V at pH 7. (3) Thiol nitrosation by NO(2)(-) is favorable by 37 ± 5 kJ mol(-1) at pH 7. (4) N(2)O(3) is not involved in in vivo nitrosation mechanisms for thermodynamic--its formation from NO(2)(-) costs 59 kJ mol(-1)--or kinetic--the reaction being second-order in NO(2)(-)--reasons. (5) Hemoglobin (Hb) cannot catalyze formation of N(2)O(3), be it via the intermediacy of the reaction of Hb[FeNO(2)](2+) with NO(?) (+81 kJ mol(-1)) or reaction of Hb[FeNO](3+) with NO(2)(-) (+88 kJ mol(-1)). (6) Energetically and kinetically viable are nitrosations that involve HNO(2) or NO(?) in the presence of an electron acceptor with an electrode potential higher than -0.20 V. These considerations are derived from existing thermochemical and kinetics data.