Fingerprint patterns from laser-induced Azido photochemistry of spin-labeled photoaffinity ATP analogs in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

The photochemical reaction of azide derivatives induced by ultraviolet (UV) laser in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) is reported. A novel synthesized class of azide aromatic derivatives, spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analogs which are useful probes in study of muscle contraction mechanism, is used in this investigation. In the negative ion MALDI spectra of these ATP analogs, “fingerprint” peaks corresponding to [M − 10 − 1]⁻, [M − 12 − 1]⁻, [M − 16 − 1]⁻, [M − 26 − 1]⁻, [M − 28 − 1]⁻, [M − 41 − 1]⁻, and [M − 42 − 1]⁻ were observed with relative intensities depending on the MALDI matrix. Only the [M − 16 − 1]⁻ is present in the similar mass spectra of the analog in which the azido group is replaced by a hydrogen. A model is suggested for the photochemical reactions of azide derivatives under UV laser irradiation. The photoreaction fingerprint information is diagnostically useful in characterization of azido compounds, especially for spin-labeled photoaffinity non-nucleoside ATP analogs.     

Chemical ionization mass spectrometry of hydrofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbon ethers and perfluoroalkenes

Positive and negative chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry is studied for hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrofluorocarbon ethers (HFEs), and perfluoroalkenes (PFCs) using various kinds of reagent gas. While no quasi-molecular ion was observed under electron impact ionization for saturated MFCs, [M-F]⁺ is detected under CI conditions using methane as a reagent gas. Mechanisms for the generation of [M-F]⁺ are discussed. Furthermore, nitrogen monoxide can be used as a reagent gas to observe [M + NO]⁺ for many HFCs and HFEs. In negative mode chloroform is also available to generate [M + Cl]⁻ for HFCs and HFEs containing -CHF- groups.     

Kinetics and mechanisms of the redox reaction of hexaaquotitanium(III) and the ethylenediamine tetraacetato titanium(III) complex by aqueous solutions of bromine

At 25°C, I = 1.0 M (CF₃SO₃⁻Li⁺+CF₃SO₃H), [H⁺] = 0.034–0.274 M and λ = 453 nm, the rate equation for the oxidation of Ti(H₂O), ₆³⁺ by bromine was found to be: −d/[Br₂]T/dt=kK/[Br₂][Ti^III]/[H⁺]+K+kK/[Br₃⁻][Ti^III]/[H⁺+K, where k = 9.2 × 10⁻³ M ⁻¹ s ⁻¹ and K = 4.5 × 10⁻³ M. At [H⁺] = 1.0 M, [Br⁻] = 0.05–0.4 M, the apparent second-order rate constant decreases as [Br⁻] increases.

The pH-dependence of the oxidation of Ti^III-edta by bromine is interpreted in terms of the change in identity of the Ti^III-edta species as the pH of the reaction medium changes. The second-order rate constants were fitted using a non-linear least-square computer program with (1/k₀^edta)² weighting into an equation of the form: k₀^edta =k₁+k₂K₁[H⁺]⁻¹+k₃K₁K₂[H⁺]^−2/1+K₁[H⁺[H⁺⁻¹+K₁K₂[H⁺]⁻², with K₁ and K₂ fixed as earlier determined at 9.55 × 10⁻³ and 2.29 × 10⁻⁹ M, respectively, for the oxidation of bromine. k₁=k₂=(3.1±0.32)×10³M⁻¹s⁻¹ k₃=(2.3±0.45)×10⁶N⁻¹s⁻¹.

It is proposed that these electron transfer reactions proceed by univalent changes with the production of Br₂^.− as a transient intermediate. An outer-sphere mechanism is proposed for these reactions. The homonuclear exchange rate for Ti^III-edta+Ti^IV-edta is estimated at 32 M⁻¹ s⁻¹.     

Das perfluortriazinium-kation als oxidationsmittel in der metallorganischen synthese—ein neuer weg zur darstellung von [Cp2MCl2](M = Mo

The oxidation of Cp₂MCl₂ (M= Mo, W) with perfluortriazinium tetrafluoroborate, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in the presence of a flouride ion acceptor (BF₃ or PF₅) in SO₂ solution yielded the cationic metallocene complexes [Cp₂MCl ₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ or [C_p2MCl₂] ²⁺[BF₄]⁻[PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W), respectively. In these reactions, for the first time the perfluortriazinium cation has proved to be easy to handle and a useful oxidizer in organometallic chemistry. The oxidizer strength of three fluorotriazinium cations, [(XCN)₃F]⁺ (X = F, Cl, H), has been computed ab initio (HF/6 − 31 + G) and calibrated on literature data which were obtained by local density functional calculations. It was anchored to its F⁺ zero point by an experimental value for KrF⁺. ab]Die Oxidation von Cp²MCl₂ mit (M = MO, W) Perfluortriaziniumtetrafluoroborat, [(FCN)₃F]⁺[BF₄]⁻, in Anwesenheit eines Fluoridionenakzeptors (BF₃ oder PF₅) führte in SO₂-Lösung zur Bildung der kationischen Metallocen-Komplexe [Cp₂MCl₂₊]²⁺[BF₄]₂⁻ bzw. [Cp₂MCl₂]²⁺[BF₄]⁻ [PF₆]⁻ (M = Mo, W). In diesen Reaktionen konnte erstmals gezeigt werden, daß Perfluortriazinium-Kationen einfach zu handhabende und nützliche Oxidationsmittel im Bereich der metallorganischen Synthese darstellen. Das (Mdationsvermögen von drei Fluorotriazinium-Kationen, [(XCN)₃F]⁺(X = F, Cl, H), wurde ab initio berechnet (HF/6 − 31 + G) und mit Hilfe von Literaturdaten, die mittels local density functional-Berechnungen erhalten und am experimentellen Wert von KrF ⁺ bezüglich des F⁺ Nullpunktes verankert wurden, kalibriert.     

[NHN] and [OHO] hydrogen bonding in the adduct of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) with 1,8-dihydroxy-2,4-dinitronaphthalene (DHDNN)

X-Ray diffraction, IR and ¹H NMR studies were performed on the 1:1 adduct of 1,8-bis(dimethylamino)naphthalene (DMAN) with 1,8-dihydroxy-2,4-dinitronaphthalene (DHDNN). The adduct crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group , a = 9.911(2) Å, b = 11.212(2) Å, c = 11.194(2) Å, = 68.95(2)°, β = 79.72(2)°, γ = 73.78(2)°, Z = 2. Both [NHN]⁺ and [OHO]⁻ hydrogen bonds formed in the ion pairs are asymmetrical with lengths equal to 2.574(2) Å and 2.466(4) Å respectively. The [NHN]⁺ bridge shows a typical behaviour in the IR spectrum, i.e. a low-frequency absorption between 300 and 700 cm⁻¹. The coupling of [OHO]⁻ hydrogen bonds with the naphthalene π-electron system is so strong that no absorption related to the proton stretching vibrations can be detected in the high- and low-frequency regions. The ¹H NMR chemical shifts for the [NHN]⁺ and [OHO]⁻ bridge protons of 18.63 and 15.81 ppm respectively confirm the strong hydrogen bonds.     

Gas phase hydrogen deuterium exchange reactions of a model peptide: FT-ICR and computational analyses of metal induced conformational mutations

We utilized gas phase hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions and ab initio calculations to investigate the complexation between a model peptide (Arg-Gly-AspRGD) with various alkali metal ions. The peptide conformation is drastically altered upon alkali metal ion complexation. The associated conformational changes depend on both the number and type of complexing alkali metal ions. Sodium has a smaller ionic diameter and prefers a multidentate interaction that involves all three amino acids of the peptide. Conversely, potassium and cesium form different types of complexes with the RGD. The [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺ species exhibit the slowest H/D exchange reactivity (reaction rate constant of 6 × 10⁻¹³ cm³molecule⁻¹s⁻¹ for the fastest exchanging labile hydrogen with ND₃). The reaction rate constant of the protonated RGD is two orders of magnitude faster than that of the [RGD + 2Cs − H]⁺. Addition of the first cesium to the RGD reduces the H/D exchange reaction rate constant (i.e., D₀) by a factor of seven whereas sodium reduces this value by a factor of thirty. Conversely, addition of the second alkali metal ions has the opposite effect; the rate of D₀ disappearance for all [RGD + 2Met − H]⁺ species (MetNa, K, and Cs) decreases with the alkali metal ion size.     

Isotopic exchange reactions between iron-sulphur-nitrosyl clusters and nitrite

The anion [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]⁻ undergoes slow exchange with labelled nitrite [¹⁵NO₂]⁻ to yield a product [Fe₄S₃(¹⁴NO)(¹⁵NO)₆]⁻ in which complete isotopic exchange has occurred at the basal Fe(NO)₂ groups, but with no exchange at the apical Fe(NO) group. The neutral Fe₄S₄(NO)₄ reacts rapidly with [¹⁵NO₂⁻ to give fully exchanged [Fe₄S₃(¹⁵NO)₇]⁻, and it is proposed that the conversion proceeds by fragmentation, followed by complete isotopic exchange and rapid reassembly. The binuclear anion [Fe₂S₂(NO)₄]²⁻ also yields, with [¹⁵NO₂]²⁻ in CD₂Cl₂ solution, the fully exchanged [Fe₄S₃(¹⁵NO)₇]⁻, and a mechanism involving successive fragmentation, exchange and reassembly steps is proposed; however in aqueous solution, a clean exchange reaction occurs to give [Fe₂S₂(¹⁵NO)₄]²⁻. Neutral binuclear esters Fe₂(SR)₂(NO)₄ (R = Me, Et, or Ph) with [¹⁴NO₂]⁻ yield the mononuclear paramagnetic [Fe(¹⁴NO)₂(¹⁴NO₂)₂]⁻, and with [¹⁵NO₂]⁻ the analogous [Fe(¹⁵NO)₂(₁₅NO₂)₂]⁻.     

New aspects of the reaction of silver(I) cations with the ethylenediaminetetraacetate ion

The highly neutralized ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) titrant (95–99% as Y⁴⁻ anion) precipitates with Ag⁺ cations to form the Ag₄Y species, in aqueous medium, which is well characterized from conductometric titration, thermal analysis and potentiometric titration of the silver content of the solid. The precipitate dissolves in excess Y⁴⁻ to form a complex, AgY³⁻. Equilibrium studies at 25°C and ionic strength 0.50 M (NaNO₃) have shown from solubility and potentiometric measurements that the formation constant (95% confidence level) β₁ = (1.93 ± 0.07) × 10⁵ M⁻¹ and the solubility products are K_S0 = [Ag +]⁴[Y⁴⁻] = (9.0 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁸ M⁵ and K_S1 = [Ag +]³[AgY³⁻] = (1.74 ± 0.08) × 10⁻¹² M⁴. The presence of Na⁺, rather than ionic strength, markedly affects the equilibrium; the data at ionic strength 0.10 M are: β₁ = (1.19 ± 0.03) × 10⁶ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (1.6 ± 0.4) × 10⁻¹⁹ M⁵ and K_S1 = (1.9 ± 0.5) × 10⁻¹³ M⁴; at ionic strength tending to zero; β₁ = (1.82 ± 0.05) × 10⁷ M⁻¹, K_S0 = (2.6 ± 0.8) × 10⁻²² M⁵ and K_S1 = (5 ± 1) × 10⁻¹⁵ M⁴. The intrinsic solubility is 2.03 mM silver (I) in 0.50 M NaNO₃. Well-defined potentiometric titration curves can be taken in the range 1–2 mM with the Ag indicator electrode. Thermal analysis revealed from differential scanning calorimetry a sharp exothermic peak at 142°C; thermal gravimetry/differential thermal gravimetry has shown mass loss due to silver formation and a brown residue, a water-soluble polymeric acid (decomposition range 135–157°C), tending to pure silver at 600°C, consistent with the original Ag₄Y salt.     

Synthesis and characterization of two new bulky tris(mercaptoimidazolyl)borate ligands and their zinc and cadmium complexes

The sodium salts of the tris(2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^Bz]⁻ and tris(2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazolyl)borate [Tm^p-Tol]⁻ anions have been readily prepared in very good yield from NaBH₄ and 2-mercapto-1-benzylimidazole or 2-mercapto-1-p-tolylimidazole, respectively. These new monoanionic tripodal sulfur-donor ligands have been used to prepare the Group 12 derivatives (Tm^R)MBr (M=Zn, Cd; R=Bz, p-Tol), all of which have been characterized by a combination of analytical and spectroscopic techniques, including electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS) and, in the case of both benzyl-substituted derivatives, single-crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Kinetics of formation and dissociation of the ternary complex ion (pentane-2,4-dionato)(nitrilotriacetato)chromate(III) in aqueous media

Synthesis of solid [Cr(nta)(H₂O)₂] 1, kinetics and equilibrium of ots reaction with pentane-2,4-dione (Hpd) to form [Cr(nta)(pd)]⁻ 2 (H₃nta is nitrilotriacetic acid), aquation of 2 into 1, and some related reactions have been described. Parallel proton-independent and inverse proton-dependent paths lead from 1 to 2. The [H⁺]⁻¹ path arises from metal assisted deprotonation of HE, the enol form of Hpd. Aquation of 2 into 1 involves [Cr(Hnta)(pd)(H₂O]⁺ 2H (Hnta is tridentate nta) in addition to 2. The nta comples 1 is considerably more labile and a weaker acid than [Cr(H₂O)₆]³⁺.     

MRD CI study on the low-lying states of AlP

Large-scale MRD CI calculations assign to AlP the ground state X ³Σ⁻ (9σ²3π²) and a close-lying state 1 ³Π (9σ3π³) (T_e = 0.08 eV). Up to transition energies of 2.0 eV, other states are described by the configurations 9σ3π³ (1¹Π), 8σ²3π⁴ (1 ¹Σ⁺), 9σ²3π² (1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺) and 9σ3π²4π (1 ⁵Π). The 2 ³Π state, located at ≈ 2.30 eV, shows a shallow double minimum. Numerous perturbations are expected to induce predissociation upon 2 ³Π. Multiplets arising from the occupation 8σ²3π³4π are clustered in the 3.25–3.50 eV region. Quintet states with the configuration 8σ9σ3π³4π are bound, with T_e values (in eV) of 3.80 (1 ⁵Σ⁺), 4.44 (1 ⁵Δ) and 4.88 (3 ⁵Σ⁻), respectively. The 9σ → 4s Rydberg members ⁵Σ⁻ and ³Σ⁻ lie in the 4.58–4.72 eV energy region. The first ionization potential (ionization to X⁴Σ⁻ of AlP⁺, 9σ → ∞) is estimated to be 7.65 eV. Ionization to the 1 ²Σ⁻ and 1 ²Π states of AlP⁺ is suggested to occur between 8.0 and 8.8 eV. The dipole moments of X ³Σ⁻, 1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺ are close to 1.0 D, whereas the 1 ¹Σ⁺ state has μ = 3.49 D; 1 ³Π and 1 ¹Π have dipole moments from 2.45 to 2.91 D. All low-lying states show a polarity Al⁺P⁻. Finally, the electronic structure and transition energies of AlP are compared with those of the isoelectronic species BN, AIN, and SiP⁺.     

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster cations [Pt3{M(CO)3}(μ-Ph2PCH2PPh2)3] (M = Re, Mn)

The coordinatively unsaturated cluster [Pt₃(μ₃-CO)(μ-dppm)₃]²⁺ (1, dppm = Ph₂PCH₂PPh₂) reacts with Na⁺[M(CO)₅]⁻ to give the mixed metal clusters [Pt₃{M(CO)₃}(μ-dppm)₃]⁺ (M = Re, 2; Mn, 3). The new clusters are characterized by spectroscopic methods and, for M = Re, by an X-ray structure determination. The Pt₃Re core in 2 is tetrahedral with particularly short metal-metal distances.     

Synthesis and resonance raman study of conductive iodinated materials derived from [M(dmit)(phen)] complexes [M = Pd(II), Pt(II)]

The synthesis and characterization of the [M(dmit)(phen)] complexes [M = Pd(II), Pt(II); H₂dmit = 4,5-dimercapto-1,3-dithiole-2-thione; PHEN = 1,10-phenanthroline) and of the iodinated [M(dmit)(phen)]I compounds are described. The conductivity of [M(admit)(phen)] increases upon oxidation by a factor of 10⁶, and is ca. 5 × 10⁻³ ohm⁻ cm⁻ for the [M(admit)(phen)]I compounds. The nature of the iodine species in these solids is determined by UV-visible and resonance Raman spectroscopies. The only polyiodide present is I⁻₃ and, thus, the charge distribution can be expressed as [M(dmit) (phen)^0.33+[I⁻₃]_0.33.     

Collision of molecular anions of benzenedicarboxylic esters with oxygen in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

A series of symmetrical phthalate, isophthalate, and terephthalate ester molecular anions were reacted with oxygen in the collision cell of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer to produce characteristic [M − R]⁻ fragments that can be used to identify these compounds. The [M − R]⁻/M^−· intensity ratios decreased for homologous esters in the following order: phthalates > isophthalates terephthalates. Based on the [M − R]⁻ ion intensities for different alkyl substituents, on ¹⁸O₂ labeling experiments, and on the reactivity of bis(t-butylcyclohexyl)phthalates, it was concluded that M − R anions are generated through an S_N2 nucleophilic displacement at the alpha carbon of the saturated alkyl substituent. For the phenyl ester, the reaction proceeds through attack at the carbonyl carbon.     

Effect of presence of 18-crown-6 on the response of 1-pyrrolidine dicarbodithioate-based lead selective electrode

The lipophilic ammonium salt of 1-pyrrolidine dicarbodithioic acid (PCDT)[I] was introduced as a selective ionophore for a sensitive Pb-ion selective electrode. Also, the effect of immobilization of 18-crown-6 (CW), into the above membrane, on the electrode performance was discussed. The slope of the PCDT-based [I] electrode was (26–30 mV decade⁻¹), while it was (29-30 mV decade⁻¹) for (PCDT+CW)-based [II] electrode according to the doping time. The linear concentration ranges were (1×10⁻⁶–1×10⁻¹ M) and (5×10⁻⁵–1×10⁻¹ M) for electrode types [I] and [II] after one-day doping. The working pH ranges were (5.0–10.0) and (7.0–10.0) for electrode types [I] and [II], respectively. Most of the common cations were tested for the evaluation of the electrode selectivity with correlation to the ionic radii of the tested cations. Among them only Na⁺, Ag⁺ and Fe³⁺ were the real interference. Application of using the electrode for the determination of lead in lubrication oil samples was performed with RSD (0.86–1.03%). The obtained results were compared to those of an atomic absorption spectrophotometric method.     

Quantitative determination of sulfonamide in meat by liquid chromatography-electrospray-mass spectrometry

This paper describes a newly developed liquid chromatography–electrospray-mass spectrometry (LC–ES-MS) method for the quantitative determination of nine commonly used sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfapyridine, sulfamerazine, sulfamethazine, sulfamonomethoxine, sulfisoxazole, sulfadimethoxine, sulfaquinoaline and sulfaphenazole) in meat. [M+H]⁺ and [M+Na]⁺ were the two major ions detected in positive ion mode. Selective ion monitoring was employed for quantitative determination. Satisfactory linearity, 0.1–10 μg ml⁻¹, of each compound was obtained. Blank meat samples were fortified at levels between 50 and 500 μg kg⁻¹. [Phenyl-¹³C6]sulfamethazine was used as internal standard. Sulfonamides were isolated from meat with a solvent extraction procedure and then determined by LC–ES-MS. The limits of detection were below 10 μg kg⁻¹. The application of this newly developed method was demonstrated by analyzing various beef, pork and chicken samples from local markets.     

激光解吸电离飞行时间质谱下的银簇行为

近年来,对金属簇的研究已成为化学与物理学中最活跃的研究领域之一［１］．金属簇被认为是介于单个原子与固体之间的中间相［２］．深入地研究其结构、形成机理及物理与化学行为,对于寻找新的催化剂［３］,重新认识气相化学与凝聚相化学的关系［４］,都有非常重要的意...     

Electron paramagnetic resonance study of the reactions of tetrathiomolybdate with roussin salts and esters, and with some related iron nitrosyls

The tetrathiomolybdate ion [MoS₄]²⁻ reacts in DMF solution with Roussin esters Fe₂(SR)₂(NO)₄ (R = Me, Et, n-Pr, i-Pr, n-Bu,t-Bu, n-C₅H₁₁) to yield the paramagnetic iron nitrosyls [Fe(NO)₂(SR)₂]⁻ (1), [Fe(NO)₂(S₂MoS₂]⁻ (2) and [Fe(NO)(S₂MOS₂)₂]⁻ (3). The new complexes (2) and (3) have been characterized by EPR spectroscopy and the assignment to them of constitutions based respectively upon tetrahedral and square pyramidal iron is supported by EHMO calculations. Fe₂(SPh)₂(NO)₄ with [MoS₄]²⁻ yields only [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻, and preformed (3) reacts with PhS⁻ to give firstly EPR-silent species, and then [Fe(NO)₂(SPh)₂]⁻. The mononitrosyl (3) can also be formed by reaction of [MoS₄]²⁻ with [Fe₄S₃(NO)₇]⁻, Fe₄S₄(NO)₄, or Fe₂I₂(NO)₄.     

Proton transfer reactions from N-H acid [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-21-H, 23-H-porphyrin] to strong bases in acetonitrile

Deprotonation of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-21-H, 23-H-porphyrin (PhF₅PorH₂) by various bases has been studied by ¹H NMR and kinetic methods. The kinetic parameters in acetonitrile were defined for proton transfer reactions yielding [NH]⁺ protonated bases and [NHN]⁻ anions with intramolecular hydrogen-bonded chains.     

Reactivity of tri- and tetra-nuclear ethylidyne cyclopentadienylcobalt clusters towards protonic acids

The bis(μ₃-ethylidyne) tricobalt cluster [(CpCo)₃(μ₃-CCH₃)₂] (1b) is protonated by trifluoroacetic acid to give the dicobalt edge-protonated cation [H(CpCo)₃(μ₃-CCH₃)₂]⁺ [lb + H]⁺. Protonation of the μ₃-ethylidyne tetracobalt cluster hydride [H(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)] (3) takes place in two consecutive steps. At low temperature [H₂(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)]⁺ [3 + H]⁺ is formed first, and is then slowly converted into [H₃(CpCo)₄(μ₃-CCH₃)]²⁺ [3 + 2H]²⁺ by an excess of acid. As judged by the ¹H NMR data and the crystal structure of [3 + X]⁺[(CF₃COO)₂X]⁻ (X = H or D) the endo hydrogens in [3 + H]⁺ and [3 + 2H]²⁺ occupy μ₃-(Co₃) face capping hydridic positions. The cations [1b + H]⁺ and [3 + H]⁺ show hydride fluxionality in solution, which in the case of [3 + H]⁺ can be frozen out on the NMR timescale at low temperature (ΔG ^≠ (203 K) = 40.8 kJ/mol). The structure of [3 + X]⁺ [(CF₃COO)₂X]⁻ (X = H or D) was determined by X-ray crystallography. One of the hydrides/deuterides is located on the crystallographic mirror plane, capping a tricobalt face of the cluster cation. The other endo hydrogen atom is believed to be disordered between the other two μ₃-(Co₃) sites, which are related by space group symmetry. Deuteronation of 3 shows a strong normal kinetic deuterium isotope effect. From the temperature independence of the ¹H NMR spectrum of [3 + 2D]²⁺ a non-fluxional solution structure can be inferred. In all the systems studied, hydridic (μ₂- or μ₃-) sites are thermodynamically preferred to possible isomeric agostic CoHC or Co₂HC sites for the endo hydrogens. Agostic interactions cannot, however, be ruled out in transient intermediates during the course of the protonations.