Cu(II)-Mediated decomposition of phosphorothionate P=S pesticides. Billion-fold acceleration of the methanolysis of fenitrothion promoted by a simple Cu(II)-ligand system

The kinetics of methanolysis of the title compound (3) were studied in the presence of Cu(2+), introduced as Cu(OTf), in the presence of 0.5-1.0 eq. of methoxide and in the presence of 1.0 eq. of a ligand such as bipyridyl (5), phenanthroline (6) or 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane (4). In all cases the active species involve Cu(2+)((-)OCH(3)). In the case of added strong-binding ligands 5 or 6, a plot of the observed rate constant for methanolysis of 3 vs. [Cu(2+)](total) gives a curved line modelled by a process having a [Cu(2+)](1/2) dependence consistent with an active monomeric species in equilibrium with an inactive dimer i.e.[LCu(2+)((-)OCH(3))](2) <==> 2LCu(2+)((-)OCH(3)). In the case of the added strong binding ligand 4, the plot of the observed rate constant for methanolysis of 3 vs.[Cu(2+)](total) gives a straight line consistent with the catalytically active species being Cu(2+)(OCH(3)) which shows no propensity to form inactive dimers. Turnover experiments where the [3] > [Cu(2+)](total) indicate that the systems are truly catalytic. In the optimum case a catalytic system comprising 1 mM of the complex 4Cu(2+)((-)OCH(3)) catalyzes the methanolysis of 3 with a t(1/2) of approximately 58 s accounting for a 1.7 x 10(9)-fold acceleration relative to the background reaction at near neutral (s)(s)pH (8.75).     

Billion-fold acceleration of the methanolysis of paraoxon promoted by La(OTf)3 in methanol

The methanolysis of the insecticide paraoxon (2) was investigated in methanol solution containing varying [La(OTf)(3)] (OTf = (-)OS(O)(2)CF(3)) as a function of at 25 degrees C. Plots of the pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obs)) for methanolysis as a function of [La(OTf)(3)](total) were obtained under buffered conditions from 5.15 to 10.97, and the slopes of the linear parts of these were used to determine the second-order rate constants (k(2)(obs)) for the La(3+)-catalyzed methanolysis of 2. Detailed analysis of the potentiometric titration data of La(OTf)(3) in methanol through fits to a multicomponent equilibrium mixture of dimers of general stoichiometry La(3+)(2)((-)OCH3)n, where n assumes values of 1-5, gives the equilibrium distribution of each as a function of. These data, when fit to a second expression describing k(2)(obs) in terms of a linear combination of individual rate constants k(2)(2:1), k(2)(2:2).k(2)(2:)n for the dimers, allow one to describe the overall catalytic profile in terms of the individual contributions. The most catalytically important species are the three dimers La(3+)(2)((-)OCH3)1, La(3+)(2)((-)OCH3)2, and La(3+)(2)((-)OCH3)3. The catalysis of the methanolysis of 2 is spectacular: a 2 x 10(-3) M solution of [La(3+)](total), at neutral, affords a 10(9)-fold acceleration relative to the base reaction (t(1/2) approximately 20 s at 8.2) with excellent turnover. A mechanism of the catalyzed reaction involving the La(3+)(2)((-)OCH3)2 species is proposed.     

La3+-catalyzed methanolysis of N-aryl-beta-lactams and nitrocefin

The kinetics of the La(3+)-catalyzed methanolysis of N-phenyl-beta-lactam (2) and N-p-nitrophenyl-beta-lactam (3) as well as that of nitrocefin (1) were studied at 25 degrees C under buffered conditions. In the case of 2 and 3, the observed second-order rate constants (k(2)(obs)) for catalysis plateau at pH 7.5-7.8, reaching values of 1 x 10(-)(2) and 35 x 10(-)(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1) respectively. Potentiometric titrations of solutions of 2 x 10(-)(3) M La(OTf)(3) were analyzed in terms of a dimer model (La(3+)(2)((-)OCH(3))(n)()), where the number of methoxides varies from 1 to 5. The species responsible for catalysis in the pH range investigated contain 1-3 methoxides, the one having the highest catalytic activity being La(3+)(2)((-)OCH(3))(2), which comprises 80% of the total La(3+) forms present at its pH maximum of 8.9. The catalysis afforded by the La(3+) dimers at a neutral pH is impressive relative to the methoxide reactions: at pH 8.4 a 1 mM solution of catalyst (generated from 2 mM La(OTf)(3)) accelerated the methanolysis of 2 by approximately 2 x 10(7)-fold and 3 by approximately 5 x 10(5)-fold. As a function of metal ion concentration, the La(3+)-catalyzed methanolysis of 1 proceeds by pathways involving first one bound metal ion and then a second La(3+) leading to a plateau in the k(obs) vs [La(3+)](total) plots at all pH values. The k(max)(obs) pseudo-first-order rate constants at the plateaus, representing the spontaneous methanolysis of La(3+)(2)(1(-)) forms, has a linear dependence on [(-)OCH(3)] (slope = 0.84 +/- 0.05 if all pH values are used and 1.02 +/- 0.03 if all but the two highest pH values are used). The speciation of bound 1 at a La(3+) concentrations corresponding to that of the onset of the kinetic plateau region was approximated through potentiometric titration of the nonreactive 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid in the presence of 2 equiv of La(OTf)(3). A total speciation diagram for all bound forms of La(3+)(2)(1(-))((-)OCH(3))(n)(), where n = 0-5, was constructed and used to determine their kinetic contributions to the overall pH vs k(max)(obs) plot under kinetic conditions. Two kinetically equivalent mechanisms were analyzed: methoxide attack on La(3+)(2)(1(-))((-)OCH(3))(n)(), n = 0-2; unimolecular decomposition of the forms La(3+)(2)(1(-))((-)OCH(3))(n)(), n = 1-3.     

Solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effects for the methanolyses of neutral C=O, P=O and P=S esters catalyzed by a triazacyclododecane : Zn(2+)-methoxide complex

The methanolyses of several organophosphate/phosphonate/phosphorothioate esters (O,O-diethyl O-(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate, paraoxon, ; O,O-diethyl S-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) phosphorothioate, ; O-ethyl O-(2-nitro-4-chlorophenyl) methylphosphonate, ; O,O-dimethyl O-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate, fenitrothion, ; O-ethyl S-(3,5-dichlorophenyl) methylphosphonothioate ) and a carboxylate ester (p-nitrophenyl acetate, ) catalyzed by methoxide and the Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) complex of 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane ( : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3))) were studied in methanol and d(1)-methanol at 25 degrees C. In the case of the methoxide reactions inverse skie's were observed for the series with values ranging from 2 to 1.1, except for where the k(D)/k(H) = 0.90 +/- 0.02. The inverse k(D)/k(H) values are consistent with a direct nucleophilic methoxide attack involving desolvation of the nucleophile with varying extents of resolvation of the TS. With the : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) complex all the skie values are k(D)/k(H) = 1.0 +/- 0.1 except for where the value is 0.79 +/- 0.06. Arguments are presented that the fractionation factors associated with complex : Zn(2+)((-)OCH(3)) are indistinguishable from unity. The skie's for all the complex-catalyzed methanolyses are interpreted as being consistent with an intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the Zn(2+)-coordinated methoxide within a pre-equilibrium metal : substrate complex.     

La3+-catalyzed methanolysis of O,O-diethyl S-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate and O,O-diethyl S-phenyl phosphorothioate. Millions-fold acceleration of the destruction of V-agent simulants

The La3+-catalyzed methanolysis of two phosphorothioate derivatives, O,O-diethyl S-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphorothioate (4a) and O,O-diethyl S-phenyl phosphorothioate (4b) were studied as a function of [La3+] and pH in methanol solvent. In both cases the kinetics of catalyzed methanolysis maximize at pH 9.1 and a detailed analysis indicates that the dominant species responsible for catalysis are dimers formulated as La3+(2)(-OCH3)2 and La3+(2)(-OCH3)4. The catalysis is compared with that seen for the corresponding phosphate esters, namely paraoxon (3a) and O,O-diethyl phenyl phosphate (3b) for which La3+ catalysis is slightly better and markedly worse than for 4a and 4b respectively. Overall, at s(s)pH 9.1, a 2 mmol dm-3 solution of La(OTf)3 with equimolar NaOCH3 provides accelerations of 2.2x10(8)-fold, 9.7x10(6)-fold and 9.3x10(6)-fold for methanolysis of 3a, 4a and 4b, relative to the background reaction of methoxide reacting with the three substrates. In each case, the P-containing product of the reactions is exclusively diethyl methyl phosphate. Turnover experiments with 6-fold and 100-fold excesses of 4a and 4b respectively, methanolyzed in the presence of approximately 10 mmol dm-3 La3+ and equimolar NaOCH3, indicate that the reactions are essentially complete within 103 s and 70 min respectively. The latter turnover experiment with 4b corresponded to 100 turnovers in 70 min and an overall reaction t1/2 of 8 min. A common mechanism of reaction is postulated for each of the substrates which involves Lewis acid coordination of one of the La3+ to the P=O unit, followed by nucleophilic attack by the second La3+-(-)OCH3.     

A simple DNase model system comprising a dinuclear Zn(II) complex in methanol accelerates the cleavage of a series of methyl aryl phosphate diesters by 10(11)-10(13)

The di-Zn(II) complex of 1,3-bis[ N1, N1'-(1,5,9-triazacyclododecyl)]propane with an associated methoxide ( 3:Zn(II) 2: (-)OCH 3) was prepared and its catalysis of the methanolysis of a series of fourteen methyl aryl phosphate diesters ( 6) was studied at s (s)pH 9.8 in methanol at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Plots of k obs vs [ 3:Zn(II) 2: (-)OCH 3] free for all members of 6 show saturation behavior from which K(M) and kcat (max) were determined. The second order rate constants for the catalyzed reactions (kcat (max)/K(M)) for each substrate are larger than the corresponding methoxide catalyzed reaction (k 2 (-OMe)) by 1.4 x 10(8) to 3 x 10 (9)-fold. The values of k cat (max) for all members of 6 are between 4 x 10(11) and 3 x 10(13) times larger than the solution reaction at s (s)pH 9.8, with the largest accelerations being given for substrates where the departing aryloxy unit contains ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups. Based on the linear Br?nsted plots of k cat (max) vs s (s)pKa of the phenol, beta lg values of -0.57 and -0.34 are determined respectively for the catalyzed methanolysis of "regular" substrates that do not contain the ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups, and those substrates that do. The data are consistent with a two step mechanism for the catalyzed reaction with rate limiting formation of a catalyst-coordinated phosphorane intermediate, followed by fast loss of the aryloxy leaving group. A detailed energetics calculation indicates that the catalyst binds the transition state comprising [CH 3O (-): 6], giving a hypothetical [ 3:Zn(II) 2:CH 3O (-): 6] complex, by -21.4 to -24.5 kcal/mol, with the strongest binding being for those substrates having the ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups.     

La(3+)-Catalyzed methanolysis of hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate as a model for the RNA transesterification reaction

The methanolysis of hydroxypropyl-p-nitrophenyl phosphate (HPNPP, 1) promoted by La(OTf)(3) under buffered conditions was studied in methanol as a function of pH at 25 degrees C. (31)P NMR studies at -90 degrees C indicate that there are at least three La/1 complexes formed at pH approximately 5.3 of 1:1, 2:2, and 1:2 stoichiometry. Kinetic studies of the observed pseudo-first-order rate constants for the methanolysis of 1 as a function of [La(3+)] at 4.5 < pH < 10.5 indicate there are two general pH regimes. In the low pH regime between 4.5 and 7.6, the plots of k(obs) versus [La(3+)] exhibit saturation behavior with very strong 1:1 binding, with a plateau rate constant that depends on [OCH(3)(-)]. The catalytically productive species is shown to be a 2:2 complex of La(3+) and 1, where the phosphate is proposed to be doubly activated, thereby promoting the methoxide reaction by some 4.6 x 10(10)-fold. In the high pH regime from 7.9 to 10.5, 1:1, 2:2, and 2:1 La(3+)/1 complexes are formed with the La(3+) coordinated in the form of [La(3+)(OCH(3)(-))](1,2). Throughout this pH regime at high [La(3+)], a saturation complex, (La(3+)OCH(3)(-))(2)/1, is formed that spontaneously decomposes with a rate constant of (5-10) x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1), leading to an acceleration of 10(9)-fold at pH 8.0.     

Catalysis of the methanolysis of activated amides by divalent and trivalent metal ions. The effect of Zn(2+), Co(2+), and La(3+) on the methanolysis of acetylimidazole and its (NH(3))(5)Co(III) complex.

The metal ions Zn(2+), Co(2+), and La(3+) strongly catalyze the methanolysis of the activated amides acetylimidazole (1) and its ligand-exchange-inert Co(III) complex, (NH(3))(5)Co(III)-AcIm (2). Studies of the kinetics of methanolysis are performed with pH measurement and control, and the metal ions are soluble in the medium throughout the pH regions where ionization of the M(x+)(CH(3)OH)(y) occurs. Zn(2+) and Co(2+) act as Lewis acids toward 1, catalyzing attack of external methoxide on a 1:M(2+) complex at values only 100-fold lower than the diffusion limit, the k(OR) values being 5.6 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and 2.5 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), while that for CH(3)O(-) attack on 2 is 4.69 x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1). Since neither Zn(2+) nor Co(2+) promotes the methanolysis of 2, these metals appear to be acting through transient binding to the distal N of 1, which activates the C=O of the complex to external CH(3)O(-) attack. La(3+) catalyzes the methanolysis of both 1 and 2, which occurs by a mechanism that is fundamentally different from that exhibited by Zn(2+) and Co(2+) in that the active species appears to be a bis-methoxy-bridged dimer (La(3+))(2)(CH(3)O(-))(2)(CH(3)OH)(x)() that interacts directly with the C=O unit of the substrate.     

Group 12 metal zwitterionic thiolate compounds: preparation and structural characterization

Reactions of TabHPF(6) (Tab = 4-(trimethylammonio)benzenethiolate) with three equiv. of M(OAc)(2)·2H(2)O (M = Zn, Cd) gave rise to two tetranuclear adamantane-like compounds, [M(4)(μ-Tab)(6)(Tab)(4)](PF(6))(8)·S (·S: M = Zn, S = DMF·4H(2)O; ·S: M = Cd, S = DMF·5H(2)O). The similar reactions of MCl(2) (M = Zn, Cd, Hg) with four equiv. of TabHPF(6) in the presence of Et(3)N afforded three mononuclear compounds [M(Tab)(4)](PF(6))(2)·S (·S: M = Zn, S = 2(H(2)O)(0.5); ·S: M = Cd, S = 2(H(2)O)(0.5); ·S: M = Hg, S = 2DMF). Treatment of the precursor complex or with equimolar MCl(2) and two equiv. of TabHPF(6) and Et(3)N produced one dinuclear compounds [M(μ-Tab)(Tab)(2)](2)(PF(6))(4)·2DMF·2H(2)O (·2DMF·2H(2)O: M = Zn; ·2DMF·2H(2)O: M = Hg) while analogous reactions of with CdCl(2)·2H(2)O gave rise to [Cd(μ-Tab)(2)(Tab)](2)(PF(6))(4)·2DMF (·2DMF). These compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectra, UV-Vis spectra, (1)H NMR and single-crystal X-ray crystallography. In or , four M(2+) ions and six S atoms of Tab ligands constitute an adamantane-like [M(4)(μ-S)(6)] cage in which each M(2+) ion is tetrahedrally coordinated by one terminal S and three bridged S atoms from four different Tab ligands. In , each M(2+) center of the [M(Tab)(4)](2+) dication is tetrahedrally coordinated by four S atoms of Tab ligand. Two [M(Tab)(2)](2+) dications in or are further bridged by a pair of Tab ligands to form a dimeric [M(μ-Tab)(Tab)(2)](2)(4+) structure. Each dimeric [(Tab)Cd(μ-Tab)(2)Cd(Tab)](4+) unit in is linked to its two neighboring units via two couples of bridging Tab ligands, thereby generating a unique 1D cationic chain. These results may provide useful information on interpreting structural data of MTs containing group 12 metals.     

Solvent induced cooperativity of Zn(II) complexes cleaving a phosphate diester RNA analog in methanol

The kinetics of cyclization of 2-hydroxypropyl p-nitrophenyl phosphate (1) promoted by two mononuclear Zn(II) catalytic complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl)benzylamine (4) and bis(2-methyl 6-pyridylmethyl)benzylamine (5) in methanol were studied under (s)(s)pH-controlled conditions (where (s)(s)pH refers to [H(+)] activity in methanol). Potentiometric titrations of the ligands in the absence and presence of Zn(2+) and a non-reactive model for 1 (2-hydroxylpropyl isopropyl phosphate (HPIPP, 6)) indicate that the phosphate is bound tightly to the 4:Zn(II) and 5:Zn(II) complexes as L:Zn(II):6(-), and that each of these undergoes an additional ionization to produce L:Zn(II):6(-):((-)OCH(3)) or a bound deprotonated form of the phosphate, L:Zn(II):6(2-). Kinetic studies as a function of [L:Zn(II)] indicate that the rate is linear in [L:Zn(II)] at concentrations well above those required for complete binding of the substrate. Plots of the second order rate constants (defined as the gradient of the rate constant vs. [complex] plot) vs. (s)(s)pH in methanol are bell-shaped with rate maxima of 23 dm mol(-1) s(-1) and 146 dm mol(-1) s(-1) for 4:Zn(II) and 5:Zn(II), respectively, at their (s)(s)pH maxima of 10.5 and 10. A mechanism is proposed that involves binding of one molecule of complex to the phosphate to yield a poorly reactive 1 : 1 complex, which associates with a second molecule of complex to produce a transient cooperative 2 : 1 complex within which the cyclization of 1 is rapid. The observations support an effect of the reduced polarity solvent that encourages the cooperative association of phosphate and two independent mononuclear complexes to give a reactive entity.     

Palladacycle-promoted solvolytic cleavage of O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothioates. Converting a phosphorane-like transition state to an observable intermediate

The mechanism of cleavage of a series of seven O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothioates (6a-g) promoted by a C,N-palladacycle, (2-[N,N-dimethylamino(methyl)phenyl]-C(1),N)(pyridine) palladium(II) triflate (5:OTf) in methanol at 25 °C was investigated with the aim of identifying catalytically important intermediates. Complete (s)(s)pH/rate profiles (in methanol) were conducted for the cleavage of 6a-g in the presence of 0.08 mM 5. The log k(obs) for the catalyzed methanolysis of 6a increases linearly with (s)(s)pH with a plateau above the (s)(s)pK(a)(1) of 11.16 for formation of 5:(-)OCH3. The profiles for 6b-g are bell-shaped, depending on the apparent ionizations of two acidic groups, with the rate constant maximum of the bell and the (s)(s)pK(a)(1) values shifting to higher (s)(s)pH values as the (s)(s)pK(a)(HOAr) of the leaving group phenol increases. A Br?nsted plot of the log k(obs)(max) (the maximum rate constants for cleavage of 6a-g) vs (s)(s)pK(a)(HOAr) exhibits a downward break at ~ (s)(s)pK(a)(HOAr) 13, with the two wings having β(lg) values of 0.01 and -0.96. A model describing the kinetically important species involves a complex series of equilibria: 5:(HOCH(3)):pyr <=> 5:((-)OCH3):pyr + H(+) <=>(6) 5:((-)OCH3):6 + pyr <=> phosphorane 7 → product, where the rate limiting steps change from formation of 5:((-)OCH3):6 to formation of thiophosphorane 7 and then to product formation as the aryloxy leaving groups of 6 get progressively worse. Kinetic experiments indicate that the reaction of 5 with 6e, having a 4-chlorophenoxy leaving group, rapidly produces a transient intermediate, postulated to be the palladacycle-bound 5-coordinate thiophosphorane (7e) that exists long enough to obtain its UV/vis spectrum by stopped-flow spectrophotometry. Detailed analysis of the data sheds light on the origins of a previously reported anomalously large β(lg) of -1.93 for the descending wing of a Br?nsted plot (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2010, 132, 16599). Finally, energetics analysis indicates that the binding of palladacycle to the transition state comprising attack of methoxide on 6e, [MeO(-) + 6e](++), stabilizes the latter by 34.9 kcal/mol, converting that transition state into an observable intermediate.     

Mechanistic studies of La3+- and Zn2+-catalyzed methanolysis of aryl phosphate and phosphorothioate triesters. Development of artificial phosphotriesterase systems

The methanolyses of a series of O,O-diethyl O-aryl phosphates (2,5) and O,O-diethyl S-aryl phosphorothioates (6) promoted by methoxide and two metal ion systems, (La3+)2(-OCH3)2 and 4:Zn2+:-OCH3 (4 = 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane) has been studied in methanol at 25 degrees C. Br?nsted plots of the logk2 values vs. pKa for the phenol leaving groups give beta(lg) values of -0.70, -1.43 and -1.12 for the methanolysis of the phosphates and -0.63, -0.87 and -0.74 for the methanolysis of the phosphorothioates promoted by the methoxide, La3+ and Zn2+ systems respectively. The kinetic data for the metal-catalyzed reactions are analyzed in terms of a common mechanism where there is extensive cleavage of the P-XAr bond in the rate-limiting transition state. The relevance of these findings to the mechanism of action of the phosphotriesterase enzyme is discussed.     

Metal ion promoted transesterifications of carboxylate esters. A structure/activity study of the efficacy of Zn2+ and La3+ to catalyze the methanolysis of some aryl and aliphatic esters

The methanolysis of various aryl and aliphatic carboxylate esters promoted by methoxide, 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane : Zn2+(-OCH3) and La3+(-OCH3), were studied and the derived rate constants (kOCH3, kcat3:Zn(OCH3) and kcatLa(OCH3)) correlated in various ways. The metal ion catalyzed reactions are very much faster than the background reactions in some cases reaching up to 7 x 10(6)-fold acceleration when present at concentrations of 5 mmol dm(-3). The data for both metals exhibit non-linear Bronsted correlations with the pKa of the leaving group which are analyzed in terms of a change in rate limiting step from formation to breakdown of a metal-coordinated tetrahedral intermediate as the pKa increases above values of approximately 14.7. Plots of the log kOCH3 reaction vs. the log kcat values for each metal ion indicate low sensitivity for aryl esters and a higher sensitivity for the aliphatic esters. A mechanistic rationale for the observations is presented.     

Influence of the chelate ligand structure on the amide methanolysis reactivity of mononuclear zinc complexes

Zinc complexes of three new amide-appended ligands have been prepared and isolated. These complexes, [(dpppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (4(ClO4)2; dpppa = N-((N,N-diethylamino)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), [(bdppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (6(ClO4)2; bdppa = N,N-bis((N,N-diethylamino)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), and [(epppa)Zn](ClO4)2 (8(ClO4)2; epppa = N-((2-ethylthio)ethyl)-N-((6-pivaloylamido-2-pyridyl)methyl)-N-((2-pyridyl)methyl)amine), have been characterized by X-ray crystallography (4(ClO4)2 and 8(ClO4)2), 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. Treatment of 4(ClO4)2 or 8(ClO4)2 with 1 equiv of Me4NOH.5H2O in methanol-acetonitrile (5:3) results in amide methanolysis, as determined by the recovery of primary amine-appended forms of the chelate ligand following removal of the zinc ion. These reactions proceed via the initial formation of a deprotonated amide intermediate ([(dpppa-)Zn]ClO4 (5) and [(epppa-)Zn]ClO4 (9)) which in each case has been isolated and characterized (1H and 13C NMR, IR, elemental analysis). Treatment of 6(ClO4)2 with Me4NOH.5H2O in methanol-acetonitrile results in the formation of a deprotonated amide complex, [(bdppa-)Zn]ClO4 (7), which was isolated and characterized. This complex does not undergo amide methanolysis after prolonged heating in a methanol-acetonitrile mixture. Kinetic studies and construction of Eyring plots for the amide methanolysis reactions of 4(ClO4)2 and 8(ClO4)2 yielded thermodynamic parameters that provide a rationale for the relative rates of the amide methanolysis reactions. Overall, we propose that the mechanistic pathway for these amide methanolysis reactions involves reaction of the deprotonated amide complex with methanol to produce a zinc methoxide species, the reactivity of which depends, at least in part, on the steric hindrance imparted by the supporting chelate ligand. Amide methanolysis involving a zinc complex supported by a N2S2 donor chelate ligand (3(ClO4)2) is more complicated, as in addition to the formation of a deprotonated amide intermediate free chelate ligand is present in the reaction mixture.     

Europium ion catalyzed methanolysis of esters at neutral pH and ambient temperature. catalytic Involvement of Eu3+(CH3O-)(CH3OH)x

The Eu(3+)-promoted methanolysis of three esters, p-nitrophenyl acetate (1), phenyl acetate (2), and ethyl acetate (3) is reported, as well as the potentiometric titration of Eu(3+) in MeOH at various [Eu(SO(3)CF(3))(3)] (SO(3)CF(3) = OTf). The titration data are analyzed in terms of two ionizations corresponding to macroscopic and values, which are respectively defined as the values at which the [CH(3)O(-)]/[Eu(3+)] = 0.5 and 1.5. As a function of increasing [Eu(OTf)(3)], increases slightly due to a proposed Eu(3+)/(-)OTf ion pairing effect, which tends to reduce the acidity of the metal-coordinated CH(3)OH, while decreases due to the formation of Eu(3+) dimers and oligomers which stabilize the (Eu(3+)(CH(3)O(-))(2))(n)forms through bridging of the methoxides between two or more metal ions. For ester 1, a detailed kinetic analysis of the reaction rates as a function of both [Eu(OTf)(3)] and in buffered methanol reveals that the /second-order rate constant (k(2)) plot for the catalyzed reaction follows a bell-shaped profile, suggesting that the active form is a Eu(3+)(CH(3)O(-)) monomer with a kinetic of 6.33 +/- 0.06 for formation and a of 8.02 +/- 0.10 for its conversion into the inactive (Eu(3+)(CH(3)O(-))(2))(n)oligomeric form. At higher values, plots of k(obs) vs [Eu(OTf)(3)] are linear at low metal concentration and plateau at higher metal concentration due to the formation of inactive higher order aggregates. The Eu(3+)(CH(3)O(-)) catalysis of the methanolysis of esters 1, 2, and 3 is substantial. Solutions of 10(-2) M of the catalyst at 7.12 accelerate the reaction relative to the methoxide reaction at that by 8 530 000-, 195 000 000- and 7 813 000-fold, respectively.     

Crystal retro-engineering: structural impact on silver(I) complexes with changing complexity of tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligands

The preparation and structures of seven new silver(I) complexes involving the parent tris(pyrazolyl)methane unit, [C(pz)(3)], as the donor set, {[C6H5CH2OCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(BF4), {[C6H5CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2Ag3}(CF3SO3)3, {[HOCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(BF4), {[HOCH2C(pz)3]Ag}(CF3SO3), {[HC(pz)3]2Ag2(CH3CN)}(BF4)2, {[HC(pz)3]Ag}(PF6), and {[HC(pz)3]Ag}(CF3SO3), are reported. This project is based on a retro-design of our multitopic C6H(6-n)[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]n (pz = pyrazolyl ring, n = 2, 3, 4, and 6) family of ligands in such a way that each new ligand has one fewer organizational feature. The kappa2-kappa1 bonding mode of the [C(pz)3] units to two silvers, also observed with the multitopic ligands, is the dominant structural feature in all cases. Changing the counterion has important effects on the local structures and on crystal packing. When these structures are compared to similar ones based on the multitopic C6H(6-n)[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]n ligands, it has been shown that the presence of the rigid parts (central arene core and the [C(pz)3] units) are important in order to observe highly organized supramolecular structures. The presence of the flexible ether linkage is also crucial, allowing all noncovalent forces to manifest themselves in a cumulative and complementary manner.     

Conversion of bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate to phosgene and reactivity of triphosgene, diphosgene, and phosgene with methanol(1)

Triphosgene was decomposed quantitatively to phosgene by chloride ion. The reaction course was monitored by IR spectroscopy (React-IR), showing that diphosgene was an intermediate. The methanolysis of triphosgene in deuterated chloroform, monitored by proton NMR spectroscopy, gave methyl chloroformate and methyl 1,1, 1-trichloromethyl carbonate in about a 1:1 ratio, as primary products. The reaction carried out in the presence of large excess of methanol (0.3 M, 30 equiv) was a pseudo-first-order process with a k(obs) of 1.0 x 10(-)(4) s(-)(1). Under the same conditions, values of k(obs) of 0.9 x 10(-)(3) s(-)(1) and 1.7 x 10(-)(2) s(-)(1) for the methanolysis of diphosgene and phosgene, respectively, were determined. The experimental data suggest that, under these conditions, the maximum concentration of phosgene during the methanolysis of triphosgene and diphosgene was lower than 1 x 10(-)(5) M. Methyl 1,1,1-trichloromethyl carbonate was synthesized and characterized also by the APCI-MS technique.     

Self-assembly, crystal structures, and properties of metal-2-sulfoterephthalate frameworks based on [M4(μ3-OH)2]6+ clusters (M = Co, Mn, Zn and Cd)

Hydro- and solvo-thermal reactions of d-block metal ions (Mn(2+), Co(2+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+)) with monosodium 2-sulfoterephthalate (NaH(2)stp) form six 3D coordination polymers featuring cluster core [M(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)](6+) in common: [M(2)(μ(3)-OH)(stp)(H(2)O)] (M = Co (1), Mn (2) and Zn (3)), [Zn(2)(μ(3)-OH)(stp)(H(2)O)(2)] (4), [Zn(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)(stp)(2)(bpy)(2)(H(2)O)]·3.5H(2)O (5) and [Cd(2)(μ(3)-OH)(stp) (bpp)(2)]·H(2)O (6) (stp = 2-sulfoterephthalate, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridine and bpp = 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane). All these coordination polymers were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and elemental analysis. Complexes 1-3 are isostructural coordination polymers with 3D frameworks based on the chair-like [Zn(4)(μ(3)-OH)(2)](6+) core and the quintuple helixes. In complex 4, there exist double helixes in the 3D framework based on the chair-like cluster cores. Complex 5 possesses a 2-fold interpenetration structure constructed from boat-like cluster core and the bridging ligands stp and bpy. For complex 6, the chair-like cluster cores and stp ligands form a 2D (4,4) network which is further pillared by bpp linkers to a 3D architecture. Magnetic studies indicate that complex 1 exhibits magnetic ordering below 4.9 K with spin canting, and complex 2 shows weak antiferromagnetic coupling between the Mn(II) ions with g = 2.02, J(wb) = -2.88 cm(-1), J(bb) = -0.37 cm(-1). The fluorescence studies show that the emissions of complexes 3-6 are attributed to the ligand π-π* transition.     

A new zinc(II) fluorophore 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane

A new 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl-appended cyclen, L(3) (1-(2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane), was synthesized and characterized for a new Zn(2+) chelation-enhanced fluorophore, in comparison with previously reported 9-anthrylmethylcyclen L(1) (1-(9-anthrylmethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) and dansylamide cyclen L(2). L(3) showed protonation constants log K(a)(i)() of 10.57 +/- 0.02, 9.10 +/- 0.02, 7.15 +/- 0.02, <2, and <2. The log K(a3) value of 7.15 was assigned to the pendant 2-(9-anthrylmethylamino)ethyl on the basis of the pH-dependent (1)H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic measurements. The potentiometric pH titration study indicated extremely stable 1:1 Zn(2+)-L(3) complexation with a stability constant log K(s)(ZnL(3)) (where K(s)(ZnL(3)) = [ZnL(3)]/[Zn(2+)][L(3)] (M(-)(1))) of 17.6 at 25 degrees C with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3)), which is translated into the much smaller apparent dissociation constant K(d) (=[Zn(2+)](free)[L(3)](free)/[ZnL(3)]) of 2 x 10(-)(11) M with respect to 5 x 10(-)(8) M for L(1) at pH 7.4. The quantum yield (Phi = 0.14) in the fluorescent emission of L(3) increased to Phi = 0.44 upon complexation with zinc(II) ion at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The fluorescence of 5 microM L(3) at pH 7.4 linearly increased with a 0.1-5 microM concentration of zinc(II). By comparison, the fluorescent emission of the free ligand L(1) decreased upon binding to Zn(2+) (from Phi = 0.27 to Phi = 0.19) at pH 7.4 (excitation at 368 nm). The Zn(2+) complexation with L(3) occurred more rapidly (the second-order rate constant k(2) is 4.6 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) at pH 7.4 than that with L(1) (k(2) = 5.6 x 10 M(-)(1) s(-)(1)) and L(2) (k(2) = 1.4 x 10(2) M(-)(1) s(-)(1)). With an additionally inserted ethylamine in the pendant group, the macrocyclic ligand L(3) is a more effective and practical zinc(II) fluorophore than L(1).     

A double-functionalized cyclen with carbamoyl and dansyl groups (cyclen = 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane): a selective fluorescent probe for Y(3+) and La(3+).

A cyclen (=1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane) doubly functionalized with three carbamoylmethyl groups and one dansylaminoethyl (dansyl = 2-(5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonyl) group (L(2) = 1-(2-(5-(dimethylamino)-1-naphthalenesulfonylamido)ethyl)-4,7,10-tris(carbamoylmethyl)-cyclen) was synthesized and characterized. Potentiometrtic pH titration and UV spectrophotometric titration of L(2) served to determine deprotonation of the pendant dansylamide (L(2) --> H(-1)L(2)) with a pK(a) value of 10.6, while the fluorometric titration disclosed a pK(a) value of 8.8 +/- 0.2, which was assigned to the dansyl deprotonation in the excited state. The 1:1 M(3+)-H(-1)L(2) complexation constants (log K(app) = 6.0 for Y(3+) and 5.2 for La(3+), where K(app)(M-H(-1)L(2)) = [M(3+)-H(-1)L(2)]/[M(3+)](free)[L(2)](free) (M(-1)) at pH 7.4) were determined by potentiometric pH titration and UV and fluorescence spectrophotometric titrations (excitation at 335 nm and emission at 520 nm) in aqueous solution (with I = 0.1 (NaNO(3))) and 25 degrees C. The X-ray structure analysis of the Y(3+)-H(-1)L complex showed nine-coordinated Y(3+) with four nitrogens of cyclen, three carbamoyl oxygens, and the deprotonated nitrogen and a sulfonyl oxygen of the dansylamide. The crystal data are as follow: formula C(28)H(49)N(11)O(13.5)SY (Y(3+)-H(-1)L(2) x 2(NO(3)(-)) x 2.5H(2)O), M(r) = 876.73, monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), a = 18.912(3) A, b = 17.042(3) A, c = 24.318(4) A, beta = 95.99(1) degrees, V = 7794(2) A(3), Z = 8, R1 = 0.099. Upon M(3+)-H(-1)L(2) complexation, the dansyl fluorescence greatly increased (8.6 and 3.8 times for Y(3+) and La(3+), respectively) in aqueous solution at pH 7.4. Other lanthanide ions also yielded Ln(3+)-H(-1)L(2) complexes with similar K(app) values, although all the dansyl fluorescences were weakly quenched. On the other hand, zinc(II) formed only a 1:1 Zn(2+)-L(2) complex at neutral pH with negligible fluorescence change. The X-ray crystal structure of the Zn(2+)-L(2) complex confirmed the pendant dansylamide being noncoordinating. The crystal data are as follow: formula C(28)H(51)N(11)O(14)SZn (Zn(2+)-L(2) x 2(NO(3)(-)) x 3H(2)O), M(r) = 863.22, monoclinic, space group C2/n (No. 15), a = 35.361(1) A, b = 13.7298(5) A, c = 18.5998(6) A, beta = 119.073(2) degrees, V = 7892.3(5) A(3), Z = 8, R1 = 0.084. Other divalent metal ions did not interact with L(2) at all (e.g., Mg(2+) and Ca(2+)) or interacted with L(2) with the dansyl fluorescence quenched (e.g., Cu(2+)).