Aluminum complexes with mono-and dianionic diimine ligands

The metathesis reaction of the magnesium complex [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻Mg²⁺(THF)₃] (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with one equivalent of AlCl₃ in toluene gave the [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlCl₂]⁻[Mg₂Cl₃(THF)₆]⁺ complex (1). Reduction of dpp-BIAN with aluminum metal in the presence of AlCl₃ and AlI₃ in toluene and diethyl ether afforded the radical-anionic complex [(dpp-BIAN)⁻AlCl²] (2) and the dianionic complexes [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlI(Et₂O)] (3) and [(dpp-BIAN)²⁻AlCl(Et₂O)] (4), respectively. Compounds 1–4 were isolated in the crystalline state and characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The structures of compounds 1–3 were established by X-ray diffraction. Compound 2 was characterized by ESR spectroscopy. Compounds 3 and 4 were studied by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 409–415, March, 2006.     

Synthesis and structure of novel chiral amido-imine complexes of aluminum,gallium, and indium

The reactions of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN, 1) with tri-iso-butylaluminum, triethylgallium or trimethylindium give the novel amido-imine complexes (Buⁱ—dpp-BIAN)AlBuⁱ ₂ (4), (Et—dpp-BIAN)GaEt₂ (5), and (Me—dpp-BIAN)InMe₂ (6), respectively. The reaction of (dpp-BIAN)AlI(Et₂O) (7) with allyl bromide affords analogous chiral amido-imine derivative (All—dpp-BIAN)AlBrI (8). Hydrolysis of 8 affords the amino-imino compound (All—dpp-BIAN)H (9). The new compounds 4–6, 8, and 9 have been characterized by ¹H NMR and IR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of 5, 6, and 9 were determined by single crystal X-ray analysis.     

Anionic and neutral bis(diimine)lanthanide complexes

Oxidation of ytterbium(II) complex (dpp-BIAN)Yb(DME)₂ (1) with dpp-BIAN affords an ionic compound [(dpp-BIAN)₂Yb]^?[(dpp-BIAN)Yb(DME)₂]⁺ (2) (dpp-BIAN = 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene), in which the oxidation states of the metals in anionic and cationic counterparts are different. Structurally related lanthanum(III) complex [(dpp-BIAN)₂La]^?[(dpp-BIAN)La(DME)₂]⁺ (3) has been prepared reacting excess of metallic lanthanum with dpp-BIAN. Compound [(dpp-BIAN)₂La]^?[K(Et₂O)₄]⁺ (4) has been isolated from the reaction of LaI₃ with three molar equivalents of potassium and one molar equivalent of dpp-BIAN in diethyl ether. The reaction of SmI₂ with dpp-BIAN and potassium affords complex [(dpp-BIAN)₂Sm]^?[K(C₆H₆)]⁺ (5). Treatment of compound 5 with 0.5 molar equivalent of iodine produces neutral complex (dpp-BIAN)₂Sm (6). Molecular structures of complexes 2–6 have been determined by X-ray crystallography.     

Reactions of germanium(II), tin(II), and antimony(III) chlorides with acenaphthene-1,2-diimines

Reactions of diimines dtb-BIAN and dph-BIAN with GeCl₂ afford germanium(II) complexes with radical-anionic ligands, (dtb-BIAN)GeCl (5) and (dph-BIAN)GeCl (6a), respectively, where dtb-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene and dph-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2-biphenyl)imino]acenaphthene. The latter reaction gives 6a along with [(dph-BIAN)GeCl]⁺[GeCl₃]⁻ (6b). The reactions of tin(II) and antimony(III) chlorides with dtb-BIAN and dpp-BIAN produce complexes of these halides with neutral coordinated diimines, viz., (dtb-BIAN)SnCl₂ (7) and (dpp-BIAN)SbCl₃ (8) (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene). Paramagnetic complexes 5 and 6a were studied by ESR spectroscopy. Diamagnetic compounds 7 and 8 were characterized by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The structures of complexes 5, 6a,b, 7, 8, and (dpp-BIAN)Ge (9) were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 71–80, January, 2006.     

Magnesium and calcium complexes with two diimine radical-anion ligands. Molecular structure of the Ca complex with 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene

Four- and five-coordinate magnesium and calcium complexes containing two diimine radical-anion ligands with compositions (dpp-BIAN)₂Mg (1), (dpp-BIAN)₂Ca (2), (dtb-BIAN)₂Mg (3), and (dtb-BIAN)₂Ca(THF) (4) (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene and dtb-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) were synthesized. At 120 K, the ESR spectra of complexes 1–4 in a toluene matrix show signals characteristic of biradical derivatives. The molecular structure of compound 2 was established by X-ray diffraction analysis. At 293 K, the magnetic moments of compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4 are 2.55, 2.57, 2.76, and 2.79 μ_B, respectively, which are indicative of the presence of two unpaired electrons localized on the ligands.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 10, pp. 2051–2055, October, 2004.     

Generation of a Hetero Spin Complex from Iron(II) Iodide with Redox Active Acenaphthene-1,2-Diimine

The reaction of the redox active 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN) and iron(II) iodide in acetonitrile led to a new complex [(dpp-BIAN)Fe^III₂] (1). Molecular structure of 1 was determined by the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The spin state of the iron cation in complex 1 at room temperature and the magnetic behavior of 1 in the temperature range of 2–300 K were studied using Mossbauer spectroscopy and magnetic susceptibility measurements, respectively. The neutral character of dpp-BIAN in 1 was confirmed by IR and UV spectroscopy. The electrochemistry of 1 was studied in solution and solid state using cyclic voltammetry. The generation of the radical anion form of the dpp-BIAN ligand upon reduction of 1 in a CH₂Cl₂ solution was monitored by EPR spectroscopy.     

Acenaphthylene-1,2-diamine radical cation. Molecular structure of the [(dpp-BIAN)H2]·+[X]− complex ((dpp-BIAN)H2 is N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthylene-1,2-diamine; X = Cl or I)

Oxidation of N,N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)acenaphthylene-1,2-diamine (dpp-BIAN)H₂ with silicon tetrachloride or mercury(II) chloride affords the [(dpp-BIAN)H₂]·⁺[Cl]⁻ compound. The corresponding iodine derivative, [(dpp-BIAN)H₂]·⁺[I]⁻, was prepared by hydrolysis of the reaction products of the magnesium complex (dpp-BIAN)Mg(THF)₃ with tetraiodosilane. X-ray diffraction study demonstrated that the [(dpp-BIAN)H₂]^·+ radical cation in these compounds chelates the corresponding halide anion. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 3, pp. 436–440, March, 2006.     

Reactions of (dpp-BIAN)Mg(thf)<Subscript>3</Subscript> complex (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene) with halogen-containing reagents

The reactions of the acenaphthenediimine complex (dpp-BIAN)Mg(thf)₃ (1) (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis{ (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene) with various chlorine-, bromine-, and iodine-containing reagents afforded the unsymmetrical compounds [(dpp-BIAN)MgCl(thf)]₂ (6), [(dpp-BIAN)MgBr(thf)]₂ (7), and (dpp-BIAN)MgI(DME) (8). The reaction of complex 1 with Me₃SiCl in THF is accompanied by the cleavage of the THF molecule to form [{dpp-BIAN(CH₂)₄OSiMe₃}MgCl]₂ (9), in which the trimethylsilanyloxybutyl group is bound to one of the carbon atoms of the diimine fragment. The reaction of complex 1 with Me₂NCH₂CH₂Cl in THF produces the [dpp-BIAN(H)(CH₂)₂NMe₂] compound (10) containing no magnesium. Paramagnetic complexes 6–8 were characterized by ESR spectroscopy. Diamagnetic compounds 9 and 10 were studied by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of complexes 6–10 were established by X-ray diffraction analysis. In the crystalline state, compounds 6, 7, and 9 exist as halogen-bridged dimers. In all magnesium derivatives, BIAN serves as a chelate ligand.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2641–2651, December, 2004.     

New high-spin iron complexes based on bis(imino)acenaphthenes (BIAN): synthesis,structure, and magnetic properties

The reactions of iron diiodide with one and two equivalents of the monopotassium salt of 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN) in diethyl ether gave the complexes [(dpp-BIAN)FeI]₂ (1) and (dpp-BIAN)₂Fe (2), respectively. The bis-ligand complex (tms-BIAN)₂Fe (3) was synthesized by the exchange reaction of the monosodium salt of 1,2-bis(trimethylsilylimino)acenaphthene (tms-BIAN) with iron diiodide. The reaction of FeI₂ with tms-BIAN affords the chelate complex (tms-BIAN)FeI₂ (4), whereas the reaction of FeBr₂·2H₂O with tms-BIAN is accompanied by elimination of trimethylsilyl groups to form the tris-ligand acenaphthene-1,2-diimine complex [(H₂BIAN)₃Fe][FeBr₃·THF]₂ (5) containing two types of iron ions. Compounds 1–5 were characterized by IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The molecular structures of 1–5 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. For high-spin complexes 1–3, the temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibilities were measured in the range of 4–300 K.     

Protonation of magnesium and sodium complexes containing dianionic diimine ligands. Molecular structures of 1,2-bis{(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN), [(dph-BIAN)H<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)], and [(dpp-BIAN)HNa(Et<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)]

Hydrolysis of magnesium complexes containing the dianionic acenaphthenediimine ligands, (dpp-BIAN)Mg(thf)₃ (1), (dph-BIAN)Mg(thf)₃ (2), and (dtb-BIAN)Mg(thf)₂ (3) (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis{ (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene; dph-BIAN is 1,2-bis{(2-diphenyl)imino}acenaphthene; dtb-BIAN is 1,2-bis{(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)imino}acenaphthene), affords the corresponding diamines (dpp-BIAN)H₂ (4), (dph-BIAN)H₂(Et₂O) (5), and (dtb-BIAN)H₂ (6). Compounds 4 and 5 were isolated in the crystalline state and characterized by UV-Vis, IR, and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Partial hydrolysis of (dpp-BIAN)Na₂(Et₂O)₃ gave the crystalline (dpp-BIAN)HNa(Et₂O)₂ complex (7), which was also characterized by spectroscopic methods. The structures of compounds 5 and 7 and free diimine dpp-BIAN were established by X-ray diffraction analysis.__________Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2634–2640, December, 2004.     

Coordination of benzene to a sodium cation

The complexes Na(Et₂O)(dpp-BIAN)AlEt₂ (5) and Na(η⁶-C₆H₆)(dpp-BIAN)AlEt₂ (6) were synthesized by reactions of the disodium salts of dpp-BIAN (dpp-BIAN is 1,2-bis[(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene) with 1 equiv. of Et₂AlCl in diethyl ether and benzene, respectively. The structures of both complexes were established by X-ray diffraction. In molecules 5 and 6, diethylaluminum is chelated by the dianionic dpp-BIAN ligand. The sodium cations in molecules 5 and 6 are located above the plane of the diimine fragments and coordinate the Et₂O or benzene molecule, respectively. Dedicated to Academician G. A. Abakumov on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1702–1707, September, 2007.     

Sodium cation migration above the diimine pi-system of solvent coordinated dpp-BIAN sodium aluminum complexes (dpp-BIAN=1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene)

The reactions of the disodium salt of the 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene (dpp-BIAN) ligand with one equivalent of Me2AlCl in diethyl ether, toluene, and benzene produced the complexes [Na(Et2O)2(dpp-BIAN)AlMe2] (1), [Na(eta6-C7H8)(dpp-BIAN)AlMe2] (2) and [Na(eta6-C6H6)(dpp-BIAN)AlMe2] (3), respectively. Recrystallization of 1 from hexane afforded solvent-free [{Na(dpp-BIAN)AlMe2}n] (4) or [Na(Et2O)(dpp-BIAN)AlMe2] (5) depending on the temperature of the solvent. The molecular structures of 1-5 have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The sodium cation coordinates either one of the naphthalene rings (1) or the diimine part of the dpp-BIAN ligand (2-5). In the complexes 2 and 3, the sodium cation additionally coordinates the toluene (2) or benzene molecule (3) in an eta6-fashion.     

Bis(tetraethylammonium) tetrabromocobaltate(II) and bis(tetrabutylammonium) tetrabromomanganate(II): structure and magnetic properties

The crystal structures of tetrabromocobaltate(II) and tetrabromomanganate(II) salts of general formula [(C₂H₅)₄N]₂[CoBr₄] (1) and [(C₄H₉)₄N]₂[MnBr₄] (2) were determined. The manganese and cobalt cations are four-coordinated by bromide anions and they adopt a slightly distorted tetrahedral coordination. In the structure of both compounds there are neither hydrogen bonds nor any unusual short-range intermolecular interactions. Magnetic measurements of the powdered samples gave negative values of the Weiss constants equal to −4.9 and −1.1 K for (1) and (2), respectively, which suggest antiferromagnetic interactions to be transferred within the crystal lattice.     

Reactions of Ru3(CO)12 with Ene-yne and Alkoxy-silyl Functionalized Compounds. The Crystal Structure of (μ-H)Ru3(CO)9[μ3-η2-HC=N(CH2)3Si(OEt)3]

Ru₃(CO)₁₂ has been reacted with the compounds hex-1-en-3-yne [EtC≡CCH=CH₂], 2-methyl-hex-1-en-3-yne [EtC≡CC(=CH₂)CH₃] and with 3(ethoxy-silyl)propyl isocyanate [(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃NCO] and the compound tb [(EtO)₃Si(CH₂)₃NHC(=O)OCH₂C≡CCH₂OC(=O)NH(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] in hydrocarbon solution. Some reactions in CH₃OH/KOH solution (followed by acidification) have also been performed. The main products of the reactions with ene-ynes are the clusters Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂L₂ (L = C₆H₈, C₇H₁₀) and their demolition products, the “ferrole” Ru₂(CO)₆L₂ complexes. One of the isomers of Ru₃(CO)₆(μ-CO)₂L₂, and Ru₂(CO)₆L₂ (L = C₇H₁₀) have been reacted with vinyl-triethoxysilane [(EtO)₃SiCH=CH₂]: these reactions did not afford complexes containing new carbon–carbon bonds or triethoxy-silyl groups. Only polymerization of vinyl-triethoxysilane occurred. The reactions of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ with triethoxysilyl-propyl-isocyanate and tb (in the presence of Me₃NO) lead to the same products, that is the isomeric complexes (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[C=N(H)(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] with a “perpendicular” ligand (complex 3, as proposed on the basis of spectroscopic results) and (μ-H)Ru₃(CO)₉[HC=N(CH₂)₃Si(OEt)₃] with a “parallel” ligand (complex 4, as confirmed by a X-ray analysis). The reaction pathways leading to these products are discussed. Complex 4 has been reacted with tetraethyl orthosilicate and the resulting material has been characterized. These reactions are part of a study on the synthesis of inorganic-organometallic materials through sol–gel techniques. This paper is dedicated to Prof. Gunther Schmid in the occasion of his 70th birthday.     

Syntheses, Structures, and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Two Crown-like Heteroselenometallic Compounds [Et4N]4[(μ5-WSe4)(CuX)5(μ-X)2] (X = Cl, Br)

Two isostructural crown-like heteroselenometallic cluster compounds, [Et₄N]₄[(μ₅-WSe₄)(CuX)₅(μ-X)₂] (X = Cl 1, Br 2), were prepared from the reactions of [Et₄N]₂[WSe₄] with CuX and [Et₄N]X· xH₂O in the presence of 2-picoline and characterized by single-crystal diffraction analysis. The [(μ₅-WSe₄)(Cu-X)₅(μ-X)₂]⁴⁻ anions in the cluster compounds consists of five CuX fragments coordinated to the five edges of the tetrahedral [WSe₄]²⁻ moiety along with two bridging halides connected to each of the two pairs of the symmetric copper atoms, exhibiting a novel crown-like core structure. The nonlinear optical absorption and refraction of cluster compound 2 were determined to be α₂ = 6.15 × 10⁻¹⁰ m/W and n ₂ = 4.18 × 10⁻¹¹ esu, respectively.     

Hydroamination of 2-vinylpyridine,styrene, and isoprene with pyrrolidine catalyzed by alkali and alkaline-earth metal complexes

The complexes (dpp-bian)Mg(thf)₃, (dpp-bian)Ca(thf)₄ and (dpp-bian)Mg(pyr)₃ (dpp-bian is the 1,2-bis[(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imino]acenaphthene dianion; pyr is the pyrrolidine) catalyze the addition of pyrrolidine to 2-vinylpyridine at room temperature. The compound (dppbian)Mg[N(SiMe₃)₂] containing a dpp-bian radical anion catalyzes the addition of pyrrolidine to styrene at 60 °C. The dpp-bian radical anion lithium-sodium salt [(dpp-bian)Li{N-(SiMe₃)₂}][Na(C₇H₈)] is an active catalyst of the addition of pyrrolidine to styrene and isoprene at 60 °C. In all the case, the content of the catalyst was from 1 to 2 mol.%. For styrene and 2-vinylpyridine, the reactions proceeded with the formation of anti-Markovnikov addition product, while 1,4-addition product was obtained in the case of isoprene.     

Synthesis and properties of bis(biphenyl)chromium(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">i</Emphasis>) 1,4-di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofulleride and 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofullerene

Radical-ion salts bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) 1,4-di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀]^−· and bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀]^−·, the salt bis(biphenyl)chromium(i) (2-cyanoisopropyl)fulleride [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[(CMe₂CN)C₆₀]⁻, and neutral 1-(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,2-dihydrofullerene 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀ have been synthesized for the first time. The compounds [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀]^−· and [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀]^−· decompose in THF to form [(Ph₂)₂Cr]^+·[(CMe₂CN)C₆₀]⁻, whose protonation affords 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀. 1,4-Di(2-cyanoisopropyl)-1,4-dihydrofullerene 1,4-(CMe₂CN)₂C₆₀ and 1,2-(CMe₂CN)(H)C₆₀ are stable in vacuo up to 513 K. Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 9, pp. 1935–1939, September, 2008.     

Formation of p-terphenyl excited states in the ionic liquid methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide: pulse radiolysis study

Solutions of 80 mM benzophenone (BP) and up to 14 mM p-terphenyl (TP) in the ionic liquid methyltributylammonium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl]imide (R₄NNTf₂) have been investigated by nanosecond pulse radiolysis. The resulting transient absorption spectra of pulse-irradiated argon saturated solutions correspond to the formation of several intermediates derived from BP and TP: benzophenone radical anion [(C₆H₅)₂CO]^•− (BP^•−) converted after ~20 μs into ketyl radicals (C₆H₅)₂C^•OH (BP^•H), a hydrogen adduct to the phenyl ring of benzophenone C₆H₅COC₆H₆^•, p-terphenyl triplet excited state ³TP*, and traces of TP radical ions. ³TP* was formed in two steps, the first immediately during the pulse and the second in pseudo-first order process with a second order reaction rate constant calculated from TP concentration dependence: k = ~2 × 10⁸ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Tuning the bridging modes of Cu-azido complexes with Schiff bases by varying the terminal groups

Three azido-bridged copper(II) complexes, [Cu₂(L¹)₂(μ_1,1,3-N₃)₂] _n ·2nH₂O (1), [Cu₄(L²)₄(μ_1,1-N₃)₂(μ_1,1,3-N₃)₂] _n (2), and [Cu₂(L³)₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂] (3), where L¹, L², and L³ are the deprotonated forms of 4-bromo-2-[(2-methylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL¹), 4-bromo-2-[(2-ethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL²), and 4-bromo-2-[(2-isopropylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol (HL³), respectively, have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and IR spectra. The slight differences in the terminal groups of the Schiff bases lead to different bridging modes of the azido groups.     

Phosphodiester hydrolysis promoted by dinuclear iron(III) complexes

We report the reactivity of three binuclear non-heme Fe(III) compounds, namely [Fe₂(bbppnol)(μ-AcO)(H₂O)₂](ClO₄)₂ (1), [Fe₂(bbppnol)(μ-AcO)₂](PF₆) (2), and [Fe₂(bbppnol)(μ-OH)(Cl)₂]·6H₂O (3), where H₃bbppnol = N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)-N,N′-bis(2-methylpyridyl)–1,3-propanediamine-2-ol, toward the hydrolysis of bis-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)phosphate as models for phosphoesterase activity. The synthesis and characterization of the new complexes 1 and 3 was also described. The reactivity differences observed for these complexes show that the accessibility of the substrate to the reaction site is one of the key steps that determinate the hydrolysis efficiency.