Effect of conformational changes on a one-electron reduction process: evidence of a one-electron P-P bond formation in a bis(phosphinine)

EPR spectra show that one-electron reduction of bis(3-phenyl-6,6-(trimethylsilyl)phosphinine-2-yl)dimethylsilane (1) on an alkali mirror leads to a radical anion that is localized on a single phosphinine ring, whereas the radical anion formed from the same reaction in the presence of cryptand or from an electron transfer with sodium naphthalenide is delocalized on the two phosphinine rings. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that in the last species the unpaired electron is mainly confined in a loose P-P bond (3.479 A), which results from the overlap of two phosphorus p orbitals. In contrast, as attested by X-ray spectroscopy, the P-P distance in neutral 1 is large (5.8 A). As shown by crystal structure analysis, addition of a second electron leads to the formation of a classical P-P single bond (P-P 2.389 A). Spectral modifications induced by the presence of cryptand or by a change in the reaction temperature are consistent with the formation of a tight ion pair that stabilizes the radical structure localized on a single phosphinine ring. It is suggested that the structure of this pair hinders internal rotation around the C-Si bonds and prevents 1 from adopting a conformation that shortens the intramolecular P-P distance. The ability of the phosphinine radical anion to reversibly form weak P-P bonds with neutral phosphinines in the absence of steric hindrance is confirmed by EPR spectra obtained for 2,6-bis(trimethylsilyl)-3-phenylphosphinine (2). Moreover, as shown by NMR spectroscopy, in this system, which contains only one phosphinine ring, further reduction leads to an intermolecular reaction with the formation of a classical P-P bond.     

From galactose to highly functionalized seven- and eight-membered carbocyclic rings by ring-closing metathesis

[reaction: see text]A short synthesis of highly functionalized seven- and eight-membered carbocyclic rings from galactose derivatives has been achieved. The key steps are a zinc-mediated reductive ring opening of 6-iodogalactopyranoses and a subsequent ring-closing olefin metathesis using Grubbs' ruthenium catalyst.     

Analysis of sterol oxidation products in foods

The main aspects related to the analysis of sterol oxidation products (SOP) in foods are comprehensively reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the critical and controversial points of this analysis because these points affect crucial analytical parameters such as precision, accuracy, selectivity, and sensitivity. The effect of sample preparation and the conditions of quantification by gas chromatography and liquid chromatography on these parameters are also reviewed. The results show that, in order to choose an adequate method to analyze SOP in a certain food, the analyst must consider its SOP concentration and matrix complexity. The term SOP includes both cholesterol oxidation products (COP) and phytosterol oxidation products (POP). The state of the art of COP and POP analysis is quite different; many more studies have dealt with the analysis of COP than of POP. However, most of the results presented here about COP analysis may be extrapolated to POP analysis because both groups of compounds show similar structures and characteristics.     

Reversal of facial selectivity in complex Diels-Alder reactions

A complex Diels-Alder reaction between a semi-cyclic diene with allylic silyloxy substituents and a bromo enone presented an unusual diastereoselectivity: attack of the diene occured on its more hindered face, and this reversal of selectivity was shown to be induced by the presence of a bromo substituent in the dienophile.     

Bonding and redox properties of [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)(L)] (tmbp=4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine; L=CO, PPh(3)) clusters with an unprecedented electron-deficient metallic core and doubly bridging biphosphinine dianion

Herein we describe in detail the bonding properties and electrochemical behavior of the first known triosmium carbonyl clusters with a coordinated redox-active ligand 4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine (tmbp), the phosphorus derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine. The clusters investigated were [Os(3)(CO)(10)(tmbp)] (1) and its derivative [Os(3)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(tmbp)] (2). The crystal structures of both clusters are compared with those of relevant compounds; they served as the basis for density functional theory (DFT and time-dependent DFT) calculations. The experimental and theoretical data reveal an unexpected and unprecedented bridging coordination mode of tmbp, with each P atom bridging two metal atoms. The tmbp ligand is formally reduced by transfer of two electrons from the triangular cluster core that consequently lacks one of the metal-metal bonds. Both 1 and 2 therefore represent 50e(-) clusters with a coordinated 8e(-) donor, [tmbp](2-). The HOMO and LUMO of 1 and 2 possess a predominant contribution from different pi*(tmbp) orbitals, implying that the lowest energy excited state possesses a significant intraligand character. This is in agreement with the photostability of these clusters. DFT calculations also predict the experimentally observed structure of 1 to be the most stable one in a series of several plausible structural isomers. Stepwise two-electron electrochemical reduction of 1 and 2 results in dissociation of CO and PPh(3), respectively, and formation of the [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)](2-) ion. The initially produced radical anions of the parent clusters, in which the odd electron is predominantly localized on the tmbp ligand, are sufficiently stable at low temperatures and can be observed with IR spectroelectrochemistry. The electron-deficiency of the cluster core in 1 permits facile electrocatalytic substitution of a CO ligand by tertiary phosphane and phosphite donors.     

A comparative study on the photochemistry of two bipyridyl derivatives: [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine and [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol.

The two isoelectronic bipyridyl derivatives, [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine and [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol, are experimentally known to undergo very different excited-state double-proton-transfer processes, which result in fluorescence quantum yields that differ by four orders of magnitude. Herein, density functional theory (DFT), time-dependent DFT (TDDFT), and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations are used to study the double-proton-transfer processes in the ground and first singlet pi-->pi* excited state. The quantum-chemistry calculations indicate 1) the existence of only one energy minimum in the ground electronic state corresponding to reactants (thus avoiding the possibility of a fast fluorescent relaxation process from the photoproducts region), 2) an endoergic process of the complete double proton transfer, and 3) the presence of a conical intersection in the excited intermediate region of [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine. These facts explain the very low fluorescence quantum yield in [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diamine compared to [2,2'-bipyridyl]-3,3'-diol.     

Optical second-harmonic generation from a monolayer of centrosymmetric molecules adsorbed on silver

An increase in the optical second-harmonic signal arising from an electrochemically treated silver surface upon adsorption of a monolayer of the centrosymmetric molecule pyrazine is reported and an effective second-order non-linear polariz-ability for the adsorbed species deduced. These investigations illustrate the potential of second-harmonic generation in the elucidation of interfaces.     

Iron porphyrins as models of cytochrome c oxidase

A series of iron porphyrins has been synthesized as models of cytochrome c oxidase; their activity as 4e catalysts in the reduction of dioxygen has been studied at pH 7. These compounds have been obtained by grafting very different residues onto the same iron complex, namely tripodal tetraamines, pickets, and straps, in order to change the environment of the metal center. In the case of porphyrins bearing a tripodal cap, the secondary amines have been alkylated with different substituents so as to modify the electronic environment of the distal pocket. Surprisingly, when the iron porphyrin is functionalized with four identical acrylamido pickets, the resulting complex exhibits biomimetic activity in that it catalyzes oxygen reduction with almost no production of hydrogen peroxide. The crystal structure of the redox-inactive zinc(II) analogue is reported; this shows how the metal influences the spatial arrangement of the four pickets through axial coordination and hydrogen bonding. Even a bis-strapped iron porphyrin, for which no dimerization or self-aggregation can occur at the electrode surface, acts as a 4e catalyst for O2 reduction. It is thus demonstrated that at pH close to physiological values, the iron porphyrin is an intrinsically efficient catalyst for the reduction of oxygen to water.