The kinetics and the mechanism of the thermal decomposition of bis-pentafluorosulfurtrioxide (SF5OOOSF5)

The thermal decomposition of SF₅O₃SF₅ has been investigated between 5 and 25°C. In the presence of sufficient high pressures of O₂ the only products formed are SF₅O₂SF₅ and O₂: The reaction is homogeneous. Its rate is strictly first order with respect to the trioxide pressure and independent of the total pressure of the reaction products and of oxygen above a certain limiting pressure: The experimental results can be explained with the following mechanism: In the presence of O₂ > 100 Torr the concentration of SF₅ is insignificantly small. Therefore reactions (5) and (6) do not have to be considered any more, and steps (2) and (2′) will be of no importance. From reactions (1)–(4) it follows: The numerical value of the factor [1 + (k′₁²/2k₃k₄)^1/2] is small. It can be estimated that E₃ ? 2 ± 1 kcal; therefore, E – E₁ ≤ 1 kcal, and D = (26 – 1) ± 1.0 kcal.     

Photochemische Reaktionen. 118. Mitteilung [1] Zur vinylogen β-Spaltung von Enonen. UV.-Bestrahlung von 4-(3',7',7'-Trimethyl-2'-oxabicyclo [3.2.0]hept-3'-en-1'-yl)but-3-en-2-on

Vinylogous β-Cleavage of Enones: UV.-irradiation of 4-(3′,7′,7′-trimethyl-2′-oxabicyclo[3.2.0]hept-3′-ene-1′-yl)but-3-ene-2-on On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm) in acetonitrile (E/Z)- 2 is converted into the isomers 4–9 and undergoes fragmentation yielding 10 ; in methanol (E/Z)- 2 gives 7–10 and is transformed into 11 by incorporation of the solvent. On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ λ?347 nm; benzene-d₆) (E)- 2 is isomerized into (Z)- 2 , which is converted into the isomers 3 and 4 by further irradiation. ¹π,π*-Excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of 4 gives 6 and (E)- 9 , whereas UV.-irradiation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile-d₃) of 5 yields (E)- 7 and 8 . On ¹π,π*-excitation (λ = 254 nm; acetonitrile) of (E/Z)- 12 the compounds (E)- 14 and (E)- 15 are obtained.     

New Results in Homoheptalene Chemistry

The thermal reaction of homoazulene (=bicyclo[5.3.1]undeca‐1,3,5,7,9‐pentaene; 2 ) with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (ADM) in 1,2‐dichloroethane (ClCH₂CH₂Cl) results, in contrast to an earlier report [5], in formation of not only dimethyl homoheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylate (=bicyclo[5.5.1]trideca‐1,3,5,7,9,11‐hexaene‐4,5‐dicarboxylate; 3 ), but also of a 4 : 1 mixture of 3 and dimethyl homoheptalene‐2,3‐dicarboxylate ( 13 ) in almost quantitative yield (Schemes 1 and 3). The structures of both homoheptalenes have been corroborated by X‐ray crystal‐structure analysis (Fig. 5). The double‐bond‐shifted (DBS) isomers 3 ′ and 13 ′ of 3 and 13 , respectively, could not be detected in their ¹H‐NMR spectra (600 MHz threshold of detection ≥0.5%), in agreement with the AM1‐calculated ΔH values of the four isomeric homoheptalene‐dicarboxylates (cf. Table 4). Vilsmeyer formylation of homoazulene ( 2 ) gave homoazulene‐8‐carbaldehyde ( 14 ) in a yield of 67%, which, on treatment with benzylidene‐(triphenyl)‐λ⁵‐phosphane, gave, in almost quantitative yield, a 1.6 : 1 mixture of (Z)‐ and (E)‐8‐styrylhomoazulene ((Z)‐ 15 and (E)‐ 15 , resp.). Thermal reaction of the latter mixture with ADM in 1,2‐dichloroethane led, in a yield of 42%, to a 5 : 1 mixture of dimethyl (Z)‐ and (E)‐2‐styrylhomoheptalene‐4,5‐dicarboxylate ((Z)‐ 15 and (E)‐ 16 , resp.). Both isomers were separated by column chromatography on silica gel. Again, the DBS isomers of (Z)‐ 16 and (E)‐ 16 , i.e., (Z)‐ 16 ′ and (E)‐ 16 ′, could not be detected in the ¹H‐NMR spectra (600 MHz) of pure (Z)‐ 16 and (E)‐ 16 .     

Photochemische Reaktionen 113. Mitteilung [1]. Zur Photospaltung konjugierter γ, δ-Epoxyenone: UV.-Bestrahlung von 5, 6-Epoxy-3,4-didehydro-5,6-dihydro-β-jonon

The Photoinduced Cleavage of Conjugated γ, δ-Epoxyenones: UV.-Irradiation of 5,6-Epoxy-3, 4-didehydro-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone On ¹n, π*-excitation (λ ≥ 347 nm) in pentane or CClF₂CFCl₂ (E)- 1 is isomerized to the dihydrofurane (E/Z)- 2 as well to the ethers 3 and 5. Besides these products the isomeric cyclopropane derivative (E)- 4 and the acetal 6 are obtained in methanol. The detection of 6 indicates the formation of an intermediate ketoniumylide a which may give 6 by addition of methanol. ? On ¹π, π*-excitation (λ=254 nm) in acetonitrile-d₃, CClF₂CFCl₂ or pentane (E)- 1 yields almost exclusively (E)- 2. In methanol 6 is obtained in addition to (E/Z)- 2 , but no (E)- 4 and 5 is formed.     

Two pentadehydropeptides with different configurations of the ΔPhe residues

Comparison of the crystal structures of two pentadehydropeptides containing ΔPhe residues, namely (Z,Z)‐N‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)glycyl‐α,β‐phenylalanylglycyl‐α,β‐phenylalanylglycine (or Boc⁰–Gly¹–Δ^ZPhe²–Gly³–Δ^ZPhe⁴–Gly⁵–OH) methanol solvate, C₂₉H₃₃N₅O₈·CH₄O, (I), and (E,E)‐N‐(tert‐butoxycarbonyl)glycyl‐α,β‐phenylalanylglycyl‐α,β‐phenylalanylglycine (or Boc⁰–Gly¹–Δ^EPhe²–Gly³–Δ^EPhe⁴–Gly⁵–OH), C₂₉H₃₃N₅O₈, (II), indicates that the Δ^ZPhe residue is a more effective inducer of folded structures than the Δ^EPhe residue. The values of the torsion angles ϕ and ψ show the presence of two type‐III′β‐turns at the Δ^ZPhe residues and one type‐II β‐turn at the Δ^EPhe residue. All amino acids are linked trans to each other in both peptides. β‐Turns present in the peptides are stabilized by intramolecular 4→1 hydrogen bonds. Molecules in both structures form two‐dimensional hydrogen‐bond networks parallel to the (100) plane.     

Singlet-Oxygen Ene Reactions of (E)-4-Propyl[1,1,-2H3]oct-4-ene. Short Communication

Rose bengal-sensitized photooxygenation of 4-propyl-4-octene ( 1 ) in MeOH/Me₂CHOH 1:1 (v/v) and MeOH/H₂O 95:5 followed by reduction gave (E)-4-propyl-5-octen-4-ol ( 4 ), its (Z)-isomer 5 , (E)-5-propyl-5-octen-4-ol ( 6 ), and its (Z)-isomer 7 . Analogously, (E)-4-propyl[1,1,1-²H₃]oct-4-ene ( 2 ) gave (E)-4-propyl[1,1,1-²H₃]oct-5-en-4-ol ( 14 ), its (Z)-isomer 15 , (E)-5-[3′,3′,3′-²H₃]propyl-5-octen-4-ol ( 16 ), its (Z)-isomer 17 , and the corresponding [8,8,8-²H₃]-isomers 18 and 19 (see Scheme 1). The proportions of 4–7 were carefully determined by GC between 10% and 85% conversion of 1 and were constant within this range. The labeled substrate 2 was photooxygenated in two high-conversion experiments, and after reduction, the ratios 16/18 and 17/19 were determined by NMR. Isotope effects in 2 were neglected and the proportions of corresponding products from 1 and 2 assumed to be similar (% 4 ≈? % 14 ; % 5 ≈? % 15 ; % 6 ≈? % ( 16 + 18 ): % 7 ≈? % ( 17 + 19 )). Combination of these proportions with the ratios 16/18 and 17/19 led to an estimate of the proportions of hydroperoxides formed from 2 . Accordingly, singlet oxygen ene additions at the disubstituted side of 2 are preferred (ca. 90%). The previously studied trisubstituted olefins 20–25 exhibited the same preference, but had both CH₃ and higher alkyl substituents on the double bond. In these substrates, CH₃ groups syn to the lone alkyl or CH₃ group appear to be more reactive than CH₂ groups at that site beyond a statistical bias.     

Regio- and Z-Selective Alkyne Hydroamination and Hydrophenoxylation using Tetrafluoro-λ6-Sulfanyl Alkynes under Superbasic,Naked Anion Conditions

Alkyne hydroamination is an effective approach for the production of enamines and enamine-containing N-heterocycles. However, stereoselectivity control is a considerable challenge in this reaction because of the electronic repulsion between an incoming nitrogen lone pair and the alkyne π-system. Herein, we propose a methodology involving β-regio- and Z-selective alkyne hydroamination by using tetrafluoro-λ⁶-sulfanyl (SF₄) alkynes under superbasic, naked anion conditions. The reaction is compatible with a wide variety of N-heterocycles, including indoles, carbazoles, pyrazoles, and imidazoles, and selectively furnishes SF₄-linked Z-vinyl enamines with β-regioselectively. Moreover, the method can be extended to the β- and Z-controlled, base-mediated alkyne hydrophenoxylation with phenols to provide SF₄-linked Z-vinyl ethers in high yields. As the SF₄ unit has attracted attention as a bioisostere for alkynes, p-benzenes, bicyclo[1.1.1]pentyl (BCP) groups, and cubanes in medicinal chemistry, this chemistry represents an effective approach to creating novel drug candidates incorporating SF₄-containing molecules.     

Photochemical reactions. 137th communication. Preparation and photolysis of (E/Z)-7-methyl-β-ionone

The title compounds (E/Z)- 7 were prepared in 66% overall yield by reaction of β-ionone ((E)-( 1 ) with lithium dimethylcuprate, trapping of the intermediate enolate with benzeneselenenyl bromide and oxidation with H₂O₂. Analogously, (E/Z)-7-methyl-α-inone ((E/Z)- 12 ) was obtained in 65% yield from α-ionone ((E)- 11 ). ¹n, π^*- Excitation (λ > 347 nm, pentane) of (E)-7 causes rapid (E/Z)-isomerization and subsequent reaction of (Z)- 7 to 15 (66%). The formation of 15 is explained by twisting of the dienone chromophore due to repulsive interaction of the 7-CH₃-group with the CH₃-groups of the cyclohexene ring. On the other hand, irradiation λ > 347 nm, Et₂O) of (E)- 7 in the presence of acid leads to (Z)- 7 (5%) and to the novel compound 16 (88%).     

Light-Controlled Destruction and Assembly: Switching between Two Differently Composed Cage-Type Complexes

We report on two regioisomeric, diazocine ligands 1 and 2 that can both be photoswitched between the E- and Z-configurations with violet and green light. The self-assembly of the four species ( 1 -Z, 1 -E, 2 -Z, 2 -E) with Co^II ions was investigated upon changing the coordination vectors as a function of the ligand configuration (E vs Z) and regioisomer ( 1 vs 2 ). With 1 -Z, Co₂( 1 -Z)₃ was self-assembled, while a mixture of ill-defined species (oligomers) was observed with 2 -Z. Upon photoswitching with 385 nm to the E configurations, the opposite was observed with 1 -E forming oligomers and 2 -E forming Co₂( 2 -E)₃. Light-controlled dis/assembly was demonstrated in a ligand competition experiment with sub-stoichiometric amounts of Co^II ions; alternating irradiation with violet and green light resulted in the reversible transformation between Co₂( 1 -Z)₃ and Co₂( 2 -E)₃ over multiple cycles without significant fatigue by photoswitching.     

The Isotopomeric (Z)- and (E)-2,3-Dimethyl(1,1,1,4,4,4-2H6)but-2-enes: Mechanistic Probes for Stereospecific Epoxidation

By unambiguous methods, (Z)- and (E)-2, 3-dimethyl(1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 4-²H₆)but-2-enes ( 3 ) were synthesized and transformed to the epoxides 4 with 3-chloroperbenzoic acids. Both the isotopomeric olefins and the epoxides are detected separately by ¹H-NMR at 400 MHz. Epoxidation of (Z)- 3 with [Rh^ICl(PPh₃)₃]/cumene hydroperoxide resulted in a 1: 1 mixture of (Z)- and (E)- 4 , while reaction of (Z)- 3 with [Fe^III(tpp)]Cl/PhIO gave only (Z)- 4 (tpp = tetraphenylporphyrin).     

Reduktion von 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzol: Synthese von Cyclotrisazobenzol ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaen)

Reduction of 1,2-Bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene¹: Synthesis of Cyclotrisazobenzene ( = (5E,6aZ,11E,12aZ,17E,18aZ)-5,6,11,12,17,18-Hexaazatribenzo[aei][1,3,5,7,9,11]cyclododeca-hexaene) Na₂S reduction of 1,2-bis[(Z)-(2-nitrophenyl)-NNO-azoxy]benzene ( 2 ) yielded 3 deoxygenated products: the (known) red 2,2′-((E,E)-1,2-phenylenbisazo)dianiline ( 3 , 23%), the orange 2-[2-((E)-2-aminophenylazo)phenyl]-2H-benzotriazol ( 4 , 55%) and the colorless 2,2′-(1,2-phenylene)di-2H-benzotriazol ( 5 , 13%). The constitutions of 3 – 5 and of 6 , the N-acetyl derivative of 4 , were deduced from their ¹H-NMR spectra (chemical shifts, couplings, and symmetry properties), and the configurations of 3 , 4 , and 6 at their N,N-double bonds are assumed to be the same as in 2 . Oxidation of 3 with 2 mol-equiv. of Pb(OAc)₄ afforded 5 (47%) and a novel, highly symmetrical macrocycle, called cyclotrisazobenzene ( 7 , 24%). The constitution of 7 as a tribenzo-hexaaza[12]annulene and its (E)-configuration at the N,N-bonds was confirmed by X-ray analysis. The molecular symmetry expressed by the ¹H-, ¹³C- and ¹⁵N-NMR spectra of 7 reveals a rapid torsional motion around the six N,C bonds. This implies that the N,N-double bonds in the cyclic 12π-electron system (or 24π-electron system if the benzene rings are included) of 7 are highly localized.     

Studies on the Stereochemistry of 2-(Nitromethylidene)-Heterocycles

The ¹H-NMR spectra of 2-(nitromethylidene)pyrrolidine ( 7 ), 1-methyl-2-(nitromethylidene)imidazolidind ( 10 ) and 3-(nitromethylidene)tetrahydrothiazine ( 11 ) in CDCl₃ and (CD₃)₂SO indicate that these compounds have the intramolecularly H-bonded structures (Z)- 7 , (E)- 10 and (Z)- 11 while the N-methyl derivative 8 of 7 is (E)-configurated in both solvents. 1-Benzylamino-1-(methyltio)-2-nitroehtylene ( 13 ), an acylic model, has the H-bonded configuration (E)- 13 in CDCl₃ and in (CD₃)₂SO. 2-(Nitromethylidene)thiazolidine ( 3 ) has the (E)-configuration in CDCl₃ but exists in (CD₃)₂SO as a mixture of (Z)- and (E)-isomers with the former predominating. Both species are detected to varying proportions in a mixture of the two solvents. ¹⁵N-NMR spectroscopy of 3 ruled out unambiguously the nitronic acid structure 6 and the nitromethyleimine structure 5 . The N-methyl derivative 4 of 3 is (Z)-configurated in (CD₃)₂SO. Comparison of the olefinic proton shifts of (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 with those of analogues and also of 1,1-bis(methylti)-2-nitroethylene ( 12 ) shows decreased conjugation of the lone pair of electrons of the ring N-atom in (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 . This is also supported by ¹³C-NMR studies. Plausible explanations for the phenomenon are offered by postulating that the ring N-atoms are pyramidal in (Z)- 3 and (Z)- 4 and planar in other cases or, alternatively, that the conjugated nitroenamine system gets twisted due to steric interaction between the NO₂-group and the ring S-atom. Single-crystal X-ray studies of 3 and 8 show that the former exists in the (Z)-configuration and the latter in (E)-configuration; the ring N-atom in the former has slightly more pyramidal character than in the latter.     

Large-Z and -N dependence of atomic energies from renormalization of the large-dimension limit

By combining Hartree–Fock results for nonrelativistic ground-state energies of N-electron atoms with analytic expressions for the large-dimension limit, we have obtained a simple renormalization procedure. For neutral atoms, this yields energies typically threefold more accurate than the Hartree–Fock approximation. Here, we examine the dependence on Z and N of the renormalized energies E(N, Z) for atoms and cations over the range Z, N = 2 → 290. We find that this gives for large Z = N an expansion of the same form as the Thomas–Fermi statistical model, E → Z^7/2(C₀ + C₁Z^?1/3 + C₂Z^?2/3 + C₃Z^?3/3 + ?), with similar values of the coefficients for the three leading terms. Use of the renormalized large-D limit enables us to derive three further terms. This provides an analogous expansion for the correlation energy of the form δE δZ^4/3(δC₃ + δC₅Z^?2/3 + δC₆Z^?3/3 + ?); comparison with accurate values of δE available for the range Z ? 36 indicates the mean error is only about 10%. Oscillatory terms in E and δE are also evaluated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Sterospecific Syntheses and Spectroscopic Properties of Isomeric 2,4,6,8-Undecatetraenes. New Hydrocarbons from the Marine Brown Alga Giffordia mitchellae. Part IV.

Giffordene (=(2Z,4Z,6E,8Z)-2,4,6,8-undecatetraene; 9f ) and five steroisomers are new C₁₁H₁₆ hydrocarbons from the marine brown alga Giffordia mitchellae. Their synthesis is based on non-stereoselective Wittig reactions of (E)-2-alkenals with appropriate acetylenic phosphoranes and subsequent chromatographic separation of the resulting (E/Z)-pairs. The uniform enynes (>98% purity) are then stereospecifically reduced to (Z)-alkenes with Zn(Cu/Ag) in aq. MeOH at r.t. ¹³C- and ¹ H-NMR data of the new tetraenes are presented. Biosynthetically, giffordene ( 9f ) originates from dodeca-3,6,9-trienoic acid via an unstable (3Z,5Z,8Z)-1,3,5,8,-undecatetraene followed by a thermally allowed antarafacial 1,7-sigmatropic hydrogen shift to the (2Z,4Z,6E,8Z)-isomer 9f .     

New Insights on the Mechanism of Thermal Cleavage of Unsaturated Bicyclic Diaziridines: A DFT Study

A DFT calculations are carried out at UB3LYP/6‐311++G (3df, 2p) levels of theory to study electrocyclic thermal cleavage of four (R) derivatives of unsaturated bicyclic diaziridines, 1_X‐R , to produce corresponding (Z) and (E) azomethine imides ( 2_X‐Z , 2_X‐E , 3_X‐Z and 3_X‐E ), where X=H, Me, t‐Bu and Ph. Cleavage of 1_X‐R series to form the most stable 3_X‐Z product, (path 2) is found the favored procedure because of delocalized negative charge on five atoms and lower steric effect in related transition state. According to IRC calculations in paths 1 and 2, C⁶ N¹ bond is cleaved before the rate determinating step (transition state). The stability of unsaturated bicyclic diaziridines and their corresponding (Z) and (E) azomethine imides is in the following order in gas phase and chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, and acetone solvents: 3_X‐Z < 3_X‐E < 2_X‐Z < 2_X‐E < 1_X‐R < 1_X‐S .     

13C NMR studies of conformational isomerism in thioureas: Signal assignments via chemical shift and population trends

The 22.63 MHz ¹³C NMR spectra of a series of alkylated thioureas are reported. Characteristic Z and E spectral regions were found for the ¹³C ? S resonances. The two regions were generally found to be non-overlapping for the series, with the region of the Z, Z resonances occurring more downfield than those of either the Z, E or E, Z conformers in the cases of 1,3-disubstitution. The Z, Z configuration became favored and the relative chemical shift difference (Rδ) increased linearly with increasing substituent size. At 217 K, hindered internal rotation caused a multiplicity of resonances which were normally single peaks in the broad band ¹H decoupled 62.86 MHz ¹³C spectrum of CH₃NHCSNH(CH₂)₂NHCSNHCH₃ (2MTE) at room temperature. The trends in chemical shifts and populations were employed to assign tentatively the resonances of five of the six possible configurational isomers contributing to the 2MTE spectra at 217 K. The isomer populations are given. The ¹³C NMR spectra reported here led to signal assignments of Z and E isomers which supported prior ¹H NMR results and contradicted more recent results of another ¹³C NMR study of N-methylthiourea. The major peak of the exchange doublet occurs at relatively high field strengths in both methanol-d₅.     

Caulerpenyne-Amine Reacting System as a Model for in vivo Interactions of Ecotoxicologically Relevant Sesquiterpenoids of the mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed caulerpa taxifolia

Caulerpenyne ( 1 ), the most abundant of the ecotoxicologically relevant sesquiterpenoids of the Mediterranean-adapted tropical green seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, was found to react with Et₃N or pyridine in MeOH by initial deprotection of C(1)HO to give oxytoxin 1 ( 2a ), previously isolated from the sacoglossan mollusc Oxynoe olivacea. With BuNH₂, without any precaution to exclude light, 1 gave the series of racemic 3 and 4 , and achiral (4E,6E)- 5 , (4E,6Z)- 5 , (4Z,6E)- 5 , and (4Z,6Z)- 5 pyrrole compounds, corresponding to formal C(4) substitution, 4,5-β-elimination, and (E/Z)-isomerization at the C(4)?C(5) and C(6)?C(7) bonds. Changing to CDCl₃ as solvent in the dark, 1 gave cleanly, via 2a as an intermediate, 3 and (4E,6E)- 5 . The latter proved to be prone to (E/Z)-photoisomerization. Under standard acetylation conditions, 3 gave (4E,6E)- 5 via acetamide 7 as an intermediate. Particular notice is warranted by selective deprotection of 1 at C(1), mimicking enzyme reactions, and unprecedented formation of pyrrole compounds from freely-rotating, protected 1,4-dialdehyde systems.     

Structural studies of carbanionic species α to a phosphoryl group; anion from ketophosphonate comparison with related enoxysilanes and p-ylid

The structure of the carbanionic species 4 formed from diethyl(2-oxopropyl)phosphonate and t-BuOK has been studied by ¹H, ¹³C and ³¹P NMR. In an associating medium (pyridine), a single chelated (C) carbanionic species 4Z (C) is observed. Two slowly interconverting species 4Z and 4E co-exist when the anion-cation interaction is loose, i.e. in Me₂SO and when the gegenion K⁺ is complexed to (2,2,2)cryptand in Me₂SO. The anionic carbon of 4Z and 4E is planar, and they have a strong enolate character as shown by the barrier to rotation around the C-1? C-2 bond (ΔG_c?～92 KJ mol^?1). Their structures are compared to those of the related E and Z 1-diethylphosphonato-2-trimethylsilyloxypropenes and to (acetylmethylene)triphenylphosphorane.     

Stereoselectivity and nonmigratory insertion mechanism of dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate into metallocene-hydride of Cp2M(L)H [Cp = η5-C5H5; M = Nb,V; L = CO,P (OMe)3]: A DFT study

The insertion of an alkyne into transition metal–hydrogen bonds is a key elementary step in catalytic polymerization and hydrogenation processes. It was found that a (Z)- or (E)-type alkyenyl complex can be formed through trans/cis stereospecific processes. In this work, the reaction mechanism of Cp₂M(L)H [Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅; M = Nb, V; L = CO, P (OMe)₃] with dimethylacetylene dicarboxylate (DMAD), and the factors influencing the stereoselectivity have been investigated based on density functional theory calculations. The calculated results show that all of the reactions are exothermic. For L = CO, the Z-isomer product forms first even at low temperatures because of the low Gibbs free energy barrier (ΔG^#). Then the Z-pro converts to E-pro , while for L = P (OMe)₃, the exclusive product is the E-isomer. For different metal centers, the reaction mechanisms of the Cp₂M(CO)H + DMAD (M = Nb and V) reaction are similar, while their products are different at room temperature. For M = Nb, because the energy barrier of the isomerization from Z-pro to E-pro is low and the relative free energies of Z-pro and E-pro are almost equal, both Z-pro and E-pro can be obtained. While for the Cp₂V(CO)H + DMAD reaction, only the Z-pro can be obtained under mild conditions, E-pro can be obtained only at high temperatures. For the Cp₂M(CO)H+DMAD(M=V and Nb) reactions, the formation of E-isomer products proceeds via two five-membered ring transition states. The calculated results provide an reasonable explanation for the experimental results and predict a new insertion reaction.     

Spectroscopic Study of the E/Z Photoisomerization of a New Cyrhetrenyl Acylhydrazone: A Potential Photoswitch and Photosensitizer†

The new cyrhetrenyl acylhydrazone [(CO)₃Re(η⁵‐C₅H₄)‐C(O)‐NH‐N = C(CH₃)‐(2‐C₄H₂S‐5‐NO₂)] ( E‐CyAH ) has been designed, synthesized and fully characterized to study the effect of having a cyrhetrenyl fragment (sensitizer) covalently bonded to an acylhydrazone moiety (switch), on its photophysical and photochemical properties. The crystal structure reveals that E‐CyAH adopts an E‐configuration around the iminic moiety [‐N = C(CH₃)]. The absorption spectrum of E‐CyAH displays two bands at 270 and 380 nm, which are mainly ascribed to π → π* intraligand (IL) and d_π → π* metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions, being consistent with DFT/TD‐DFT calculations. Upon 365 nm irradiation, E‐CyAH photoisomerizes to Z‐CyAH , as evidenced by UV‐Vis and ¹H‐NMR spectral changes, with a quantum yield value Φ_{E‐CyAH →Z‐CyAH} of 0.30. Z‐CyAH undergoes a first‐order thermal back‐isomerization process, with a relatively short half‐life τ_1/2 of 277 min. Consequently, E‐CyAH was quantitatively recovered after 24 h, making it a fully reversible T‐type molecular photoswitch. This remarkable behavior allows us to measure the individual photophysical properties for both isomers. In addition, E‐CyAH and Z‐CyAH efficiently photosensitize the generation of singlet oxygen (O₂ (¹Δ_g)) with good yield (Φ_Δ = 0.342).