Synthesis and structure of diamine bis(phenolate) complexes containing the Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt) function

Reaction of diamine-bis(phenol) ligands containing a mixture of N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl-N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L¹ and H₂L³, with [Ti(OCHMe₂)₄ in absolute ethanol under reflux without exclusion of air and moisture gives [(L¹)Ti (OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹)] (1). [(L³)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L³)] (2) forms when the remaining solution containing [(L³)Ti(OEt)₂] (3) (characterised by X-ray crystallography) is hydrolysed with H₂O. For the N-methyl and N,N′-dimethyl ligand mixture H₂L² and H₂L⁴, which contain tert-butyl groups on the ortho-positions of the aryl rings, [(L²)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L²)] (4) forms much more slowly and [(L⁴)Ti(OEt)₂] (5) does not hydrolyse when H₂O is added. When the N-protonated ligand N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁵, is used, rapid hydrolysis to two isomers of [(L⁵)Ti(OEt–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁵)] (6) occurs without addition of water. For N,N-bis(2-hydroxy-3,5-di-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁶, hydrolysis to [(L⁶)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁶)] (7) occurs slowly when H₂O is added. For pendant NMe₂ ligand N,N-dimethyl-N′,N′-bis(2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-tert-butylbenzyl)ethylenediamine, H₂L⁷, the hydrolysis reaction readily gives [(L⁷)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁷)] (8) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained. The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L⁸ formed a complex analysing as [(L⁸)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁸)] (9) which could not be studied further due to insolubility. Pendant pyridine ligand N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N,N-bis(2′-hydroxy-3′-methyl-5′-tert-butylbenzyl)amine, H₂L⁹, apparently forms isomers of [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L⁹)] and possibly [{(L⁹)Ti(O)}₂] from [(L⁹)Ti(OEt)₂] (10). The ortho-tert-butyl ligand derivative H₂L¹⁰ formed [(L¹⁰)Ti(OEt)–O–Ti(OEt)(L¹⁰)] (11) for which an X-ray crystal structure was obtained.     

Quinobis(imidazolylidene): Synthesis and Study of an Electron‐Configurable Bis(N‐Heterocyclic Carbene) and Its Bimetallic Complexes

Reaction of bromanil with N,N′‐dimesitylformamidine followed by deprotonation with NaN(SiMe₃)₂ afforded 1,1′,3,3′‐tetramesitylquinobis(imidazolylidene) ( 1 ), a bis(N‐heterocyclic carbene) (NHC) with two NHC moieties connected by a redox active p‐quinone residue, in 72 % yield of isolated compound. Bimetallic complexes of 1 were prepared by coupling to FcN₃ ( 2 ) or FcNCS ( 3 ; Fc=ferrocenyl) or coordination to [M(cod)Cl] ( 4 a or 4 b , where M=Rh or Ir, respectively; cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene). Treatment of 4 a and 4 b with excess CO(g) afforded the corresponding [M(CO)₂Cl] complexes 5 a and 5 b , respectively. Analysis of 2 – 5 by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicated that the electron‐deficient quinone did not significantly affect the inherent spectral properties or coordination chemistry of the flanking imidazolylidene units, as compared to analogous NHCs. Infrared spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry revealed that decreasing the electron density at ML_n afforded an increase in the stretching energy and a decrease in the reduction potential of the quinone, indicative of metal–quinone electronic interaction. Differential pulse voltammetry and chronoamperometry of the metal‐centered oxidations in 2 – 4 revealed two single, one‐electron peaks. Thus, the metal atoms bound to 1 are oxidized at indistinguishable potentials and do not appear electronically coupled. However, the metal–quinone interaction was used to increase the electron density at coordinated metal atoms. Infrared spectroelectrochemistry revealed that the average ν_CO values for 5 a and 5 b decreased by 14 and 15 cm^?1, respectively, upon reduction of the quinone embedded within 1 . These shifts correspond to 10 and 12 cm^?1 decreases in the Tolman electronic parameter of this ditopic ligand.     

BF3-activated oxidation of alkanes by MnO4 -

The oxidation of alkanes and arylalkanes by KMnO(4) in CH(3)CN is greatly accelerated by the presence of just a few equivalents of BF(3), the reaction occurring readily at room temperature. Carbonyl compounds are the predominant products in the oxidation of secondary C-H bonds. Spectrophotometric and kinetics studies show that BF(3) forms an adduct with KMnO(4) in CH(3)CN, [BF(3).MnO(4)](-), which is the active species responsible for the oxidation of C-H bonds. The rate constant for the oxidation of toluene by [BF(3).MnO(4)](-) is over 7 orders of magnitude faster than by MnO(4)(-) alone. The kinetic isotope effects for the oxidation of cyclohexane, toluene, and ethylbenzene at 25.0 degrees C are as follows: k(C6H12)/k(C6D12) = 5.3 +/- 0.6, k(C7H8)/k(C7D8) = 6.8 +/- 0.5, k(C8H10)/k(C8D10) = 7.1 +/- 0.5. The rate-limiting step for all of these reactions is most likely hydrogen-atom transfer from the substrate to an oxo group of the adduct. A good linear correlation between log(rate constant) and C-H bond energies of the hydrocarbons is found. The accelerating effect of BF(3) on the oxidation of methane by MnO(4)(-) has been studied computationally by the Density Functional Theory (DFT) method. A significant decrease in the reaction barrier results from BF(3) coordination to MnO(4)(-). The BF(3) coordination increases the ability of the Mn metal center to achieve a d(1) Mn(VI) electron configuration in the transition state. Calculations also indicate that the species [2BF(3).MnO(4)](-) is more reactive than [BF(3).MnO(4)](-).     

Assigning carbon-13 NMR spectra to crystal structures by the INADEQUATE pulse sequence and first principles computation: a case study of two forms of testosterone

A (13)C CPMAS NMR experiment at high field (11.7 T) has produced significantly improved dispersion for the alpha form of testosterone, allowing revisions and extensions to be made to the assignments. Correlations shown by an INADEQUATE two-dimensional spectrum, recorded at 16.5 T, have allowed the components of most of the doublet signals to be grouped into two sets (for the two crystallographically independent molecules). First-principles computations, employing a fully solid-state approach, have been used to obtain values for the crystallographic splittings, which are discussed in relation to the experimental values. This procedure enables assignments to the two groups to be suggested for all but one of the remaining doublet signals. It also allows the two sets of signals to be identified specifically to the two independent molecules in the crystal structure. Computations were also carried out for the beta form of testosterone (a dihydrate). The shift differences between the alpha and beta forms were compared with the experimental data, with encouraging results. Comparisons were also made between computed and experimental shielding anisotropies and asymmetries for three of the carbons of the alpha form. The methodology has a high potential for future applications, though more examples need to be evaluated before general conclusions can be drawn.     

Ab-initio and approximately rigorous calculations on small,medium, and large systems

We have explored two areas of approximately rigorous calculations for computing nonempirical wave functions for heavy and/or large molecules orders of magnitude faster than with conventional ab-initio methods but with the same chemical accuracy. First, we have developed and used a series of programs (starting from our new fast sets of ab-initio Gaussian SCF and SCF -CI programs) incorporating ab-initio effective core model potentials (MOD -POT ) which allow one to treat only the valence electrons explicitly, plus a charge conserving integral prescreening, which cuts down significantly on the number of integrals that have to be calculated, stored, or processed for a large molecule. We have named this latter procedure VRDDO (variable retention of diatomic differential overlap). With these MODPOT and MODPOT /VRDDO methods we have explored a variety of small, medium, and large systems ranging from electron affinities of atoms through to molecules of biological interest and large boron hydrides. The results compared to ab-initio SCF or SCF /CI calcuations are very good, usually within 0.001 to 0.002 a.u. for orbital energies and gross atomic populations (GAPS ) and even better along potential energy curves. Secondly, we have explored the use of the MS -Xα method for less conventional molecules and properties than those for which it is customarily employed.     

Selective derivatization and sequestration of ribose from a prebiotic mix

Observations regarding the catalytic potential of RNA and the role of RNA in biology have formed the basis for the "RNA world" hypothesis, which suggests that a genetic system based on self-replicating polyribonucleotides preceded modern biology. However, attempts to devise a realistic prebiotic synthesis of nucleic acids from simple starting materials have been plagued by problems of poor chemical selectivity, lack of stereo- and regiospecificity, and similar rates of formation and degradation of some of the key intermediates. For example, ribose would have been only a small component of a highly complex mix of sugars resulting from the condensation of formaldehyde in a prebiotic world. In addition, ribose is more reactive and degrades more rapidly compared with most other monosaccharides. This study demonstrates an approach for the preferential sequestration of ribose relative to other sugars that takes advantage of its greater reactivity. Cyanamide reacts especially rapidly with ribose to form a stable bicyclic adduct. This product crystallizes spontaneously in aqueous solution, whereas the corresponding products derived from threose, galactose, glucose, mannose, and each of the other pentoses do not. Furthermore, when employing a racemic mixture of d- and l-ribose, enantiomerically twinned crystals are formed that contain discrete homochiral domains.