环戊二烯基钌配合物催化的高选择性苯乙炔二聚反应

Transition metal vinylidene complexes (M=C=CHR) have attracted a great deal of attention in recent years as a new type of organometallic intermediates that may have unusual reactivity[1]. Their reactivity has been explored and their application to organic synthesis is developed[2]. Recent reports on the ruthenium-vinylidene complexes[3]suggest that the reaction of ruthenium-vinylidene complexes with a base generates the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium acetylide species, which are involved in a number of catalytic and stoichiometric reactions of alkynes. For example,the coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium acetylide species C5Me5Ru(PPh3)-C≡CPh,formed from the reaction of the vinylidene complex C5Me5Ru(PPh3) (Cl)=C=CHPh with a base was reactive toward a variety of small molecules and active in catalytic dimerization of terminal alkynes[4]. The dimerization of terminal alkyne is an effective method of forming enynes, but its synthetic application in organic synthesis has been limited dueto low selectivity for dimeric products[5]. In this communication, we report that three ruthenium complexes were used as catalysts for the highly selective dimerization of phenylacetylene.     

Oxidation of zinc-thiolate complexes of biological interest by hydrogen peroxide: a theoretical study

Zinc-thiolate complexes play a major structural and functional role in the living cell. Their stability is directly related to the thiolate reactivity toward reactive oxygen species naturally present in the cell. Oxidation of some zinc-thiolate complexes has a functional role, as is the case of zinc finger redox switches. Herein, we report a theoretical investigation on the oxidation of thiolate by hydrogen peroxide in zinc finger cores of CCCC, CCHC, and CCHH kinds containing either cysteine or histidine residues. In the case of the CCCC core, the calculated energy barrier for the oxidation to sulfenate of the complexed thiolate was found to be 16.0 kcal mol(-1), which is 2 kcal mol(-1) higher than that for the free thiolate. The energy barrier increases to 19.3 and 22.2 kcal mol(-1) for the monoprotonated and diprotonated CCCC cores, respectively. Substitution of cysteine by histidine also induces an increase in the magnitude of the reaction energy barrier: It becomes 20.0 and 20.9 kcal mol(-1) for the CCCH and CCHH cores, respectively. It is concluded that the energy barrier for the oxidation of zinc fingers is strictly dependent on the type of ligands coordinated to zinc and on the protonation state of the complex. These changes in the thiolate reactivity can be explained by the lowering of the nucleophilicity of complexed sulfur and by the internal reorganization of the complex (changes in the metal-ligand distances) upon oxidation. The next reaction steps subsequent to sulfenate formation are also considered. The oxidized thiolate (sulfenate) is predicted to dissociate very fast: For all complexes, the calculated dissociation energy barrier is lower than 3 kcal mol(-1). It is also shown that the dissociated sulfenic acid can interact with a free thiolate to form a sulfur-sulfur (SS) bridge in a reaction that is predicted to be quasi-diffusion limited. The interesting biological consequences of the modulation of thiolate reactivity by the chemical composition of the zinc finger cores are discussed.     

Monomeric MnIII/II and FeIII/II complexes with terminal hydroxo and oxo ligands: probing reactivity via O-H bond dissociation energies

Non-heme manganese and iron complexes with terminal hydroxo or oxo ligands are proposed to mediate the transfer of hydrogen atoms in metalloproteins. To investigate this process in synthetic systems, the monomeric complexes [M(III/II)H(3)1(OH)](-/2-) and [M(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) have been prepared, where M(III/II) = Mn and Fe and [H(3)1](3-) is the tripodal ligand, tris[(N'-tert-butylureaylato)-N-ethyl)]aminato. These complexes have similar primary and secondary coordination spheres, which are enforced by [H(3)1](3-). The homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDEs(O-H)) for the M(III/II)-OH complexes were determined, using experimentally obtained values for the pK(a)(M-OH) and E(1/2) measured in DMSO. This thermodynamic analysis gave BDEs(O-H) of 77(4) kcal/mol for [Mn(II)H(3)1(O-H)](2-) and 66(4) kcal/mol for [Fe(II)H(3)1(O-H)](2-). For the M(III)-OH complexes, [Mn(III)H(3)1(OH)]- and [Fe(III)H(3)1(OH)]-, BDEs(O-H) of 110(4) and 115(4) kcal/mol were obtained. These BDEs(O-H) were verified with reactivity studies with substrates having known X-H bond energies (X = C, N, O). For instance, [Fe(II)H(3)1(OH)](2-) reacts with a TEMPO radical to afford [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and TEMPO-H in isolated yields of 60 and 75%, respectively. Consistent with the BDE(O-H) values for [Mn(II)H(3)1(OH)](2-), TEMPO does not react with this complex, yet TEMPO-H (BDE(O-H) = 70 kcal/mol) reacts with [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-), forming TEMPO and [Mn(II)H(3)1(OH)](2-). [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) react with other organic substrates containing C-H bonds less than 80 kcal/mol, including 9,10-dihydroanthracene and 1,4-cyclohexadiene to produce [M(II)H(3)1(OH)](2-) and the appropriate dehydrogenated product in yields of greater than 80%. Treating [Mn(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) and [Fe(III)H(3)1(O)](2-) with phenolic compounds does not yield the product expected from hydrogen atom transfer but rather the protonated complexes, [Mn(III)H(3)1(OH)]- and [Fe(III)H(3)1(OH)]-, which is ascribed to the highly basic nature of the terminal oxo group.     

Ligand and pH influence on manganese-mediated peracetic acid epoxidation of terminal olefins

[reaction: see text] Nineteen Mn(II) complexes were screened for the catalytic epoxidation of terminal olefins using peracetic acid. Few of these complexes are efficient catalysts at pH < 2, but many are effective at 1 mol % catalyst loading at pH 4. With 0.1 mol % loading, four complexes epoxidize 1-octene in approximately 80% yield in 5 min. The relative reactivity of the catalysts toward different olefins was probed using a multicomponent intermolecular competition reaction.     

The first example of a nitrile hydratase model complex that reversibly binds nitriles

Nitrile hydratase (NHase) is an iron-containing metalloenzyme that converts nitriles to amides. The mechanism by which this biochemical reaction occurs is unknown. One mechanism that has been proposed involves nucleophilic attack of an Fe-bound nitrile by water (or hydroxide). Reported herein is a five-coordinate model compound ([Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+)) containing Fe(III) in an environment resembling that of NHase, which reversibly binds a variety of nitriles, alcohols, amines, and thiocyanate. XAS shows that five-coordinate [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) reacts with both methanol and acetonitrile to afford a six-coordinate solvent-bound complex. Competitive binding studies demonstrate that MeCN preferentially binds over ROH, suggesting that nitriles would be capable of displacing the H(2)O coordinated to the iron site of NHase. Thermodynamic parameters were determined for acetonitrile (DeltaH = -6.2(+/-0.2) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -29.4(+/-0.8) eu), benzonitrile (-4.2(+/-0.6) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -18(+/-3) eu), and pyridine (DeltaH = -8(+/-1) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -41(+/-6) eu) binding to [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) using variable-temperature electronic absorption spectroscopy. Ligand exchange kinetics were examined for acetonitrile, iso-propylnitrile, benzonitrile, and 4-tert-butylpyridine using (13)C NMR line-broadening analysis, at a variety of temperatures. Activation parameters for ligand exchange were determined to be DeltaH(+ +) = 7.1(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -10(+/-1) eu (acetonitrile), DeltaH(+ +) = 5.4(+/-0.6) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -17(+/-2) eu (iso-propionitrile), DeltaH(+ +) = 4.9(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -20(+/-3) eu (benzonitrile), and DeltaH(+ +) = 4.7(+/-1.4) kcal/mol DeltaS(+ +) = -18(+/-2) eu (4-tert-butylpyridine). The thermodynamic parameters for pyridine binding to a related complex, [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Pr,Pr))](+) (DeltaH = -5.9(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS = -24(+/-3) eu), are also reported, as well as kinetic parameters for 4-tert-butylpyridine exchange (DeltaH(+ +) = 3.1(+/-0.8) kcal/mol, DeltaS(+ +) = -25(+/-3) eu). These data show for the first time that, when it is contained in a ligand environment similar to that of NHase, Fe(III) is capable of forming a stable complex with nitriles. Also, the rates of ligand exchange demonstrate that low-spin Fe(III) in this ligand environment is more labile than expected. Furthermore, comparison of [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Et,Pr))](+) and [Fe(III)(S(2)(Me2)N(3)(Pr,Pr))](+) demonstrates how minor distortions induced by ligand constraints can dramatically alter the reactivity of a metal complex.     

A high-valent iron-oxo corrolazine activates C-H bonds via hydrogen-atom transfer

Oxidation of the Fe(III) complex (TBP(8)Cz)Fe(III) [TBP(8)Cz = octakis(4-tert-butylphenyl)corrolazinate] with O-atom transfer oxidants under a variety of conditions gives the reactive high-valent Fe(O) complex (TBP(8)Cz(+?))Fe(IV)(O) (2). The solution state structure of 2 was characterized by XAS [d(Fe-O) = 1.64 ?]. This complex is competent to oxidize a range of C-H substrates. Product analyses and kinetic data show that these reactions occur via rate-determining hydrogen-atom transfer (HAT), with a linear correlation for log k versus BDE(C-H), and the following activation parameters for xanthene (Xn) substrate: ΔH(++) = 12.7 ± 0.8 kcal mol(-1), ΔS(++) = -9 ± 3 cal K(-1) mol(-1), and KIE = 5.7. Rebound hydroxylation versus radical dimerization for Xn is favored by lowering the reaction temperature. These findings provide insights into the factors that control the intrinsic reactivity of Compound I heme analogues.     

Phenalenyl-based organozinc catalysts for intramolecular hydroamination reactions: a combined catalytic, kinetic, and mechanistic investigation of the catalytic cycle

Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of two organozinc complexes that contain symmetrical phenalenyl (PLY)-based N,N-ligands. The reactions of phenalenyl-based ligands with ZnMe(2) led to the formation of organozinc complexes [N(Me),N(Me)-PLY]ZnMe (1) and [N(iPr),N(iPr)-PLY]ZnMe (2) under the evolution of methane. Both complexes (1 and 2) were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The solid-state structures of complexes 1 and 2 were determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1 and 2 were used as catalysts for the intramolecular hydroamination of unactivated primary and secondary aminoalkenes. A combined approach of NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations was utilized to obtain better insight into the mechanistic features of the zinc-catalyzed hydroamination reactions. The progress of the catalysis for primary and secondary aminoalkene substrates with catalyst 2 was investigated by detailed kinetic studies, including kinetic isotope effect measurements. These results suggested pseudo-first-order kinetics for both primary and secondary aminoalkene activation processes. Eyring and Arrhenius analyses for the cyclization of a model secondary aminoalkene substrate afforded ΔH(≠) =11.3?kcal?mol(-1) , ΔS(≠) =-35.75?cal?K(-1) mol(-1) , and E(a) =11.68?kcal?mol(-1) . Complex 2 exhibited much-higher catalytic activity than complex 1 under identical reaction conditions. The in situ NMR experiments supported the formation of a catalytically active zinc cation and the DFT calculations showed that more active catalyst 2 generated a more stable cation. The stability of the catalytically active zinc cation was further supported by an in situ recycling procedure, thereby confirming the retention of catalytic activity of compound 2 for successive catalytic cycles. The DFT calculations showed that the preferred pathway for the zinc-catalyzed hydroamination reactions is alkene activation rather than the alternative amine-activation pathway. A detailed investigation with DFT methods emphasized that the remarkably higher catalytic efficiency of catalyst 2 originated from its superior stability and the facile formation of its cation compared to that derived from catalyst 1.     

Generation of transient neutrals in the gas phase from anionic precursors. Does energised CNCCO rearrange to NCCCO?

The stability and reactivity of the neutral species CNCCO generated by one electron oxidation of the anion [CNCCO](-) have been investigated by a combination of theoretical calculations (carried out at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVDZ//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory) and tandem mass spectrometric experiments. Some of the neutrals formed in this way are stable for the microsecond duration of the experiment, but others are energised. The neutrals which are energised may either (i) dissociate [CNCCO --> CNC + CO (+92 kJ mol(-1))], and/or (ii), undergo the isonitrile to nitrile rearrangement to yield NCCCO energised neutrals (barrier 133 kJ mol(-1), reaction exothermic by 105 kJ mol(-1)). Some of these rearranged neutrals NCCCO have excess energies as high as 238 kJ mol(-1) and will dissociate [NCCCO --> NCC + CO (+203 kJ mol(-1))].     

Theoretical study of the mechanism of hydrogenation of side-on coordinated dinitrogen activated by Zr binuclear complexes ([(eta5-C5Me4H)2Zr]2(mu2,eta2,eta2-N2))

The reaction mechanism of the reduction of dinitrogen coordinated side-on to a binuclear Zr complex, [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) (T1), was investigated theoretically using a model complex, [(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(2)Zr](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)) (A1), employing density functional theory calculations. The effectiveness of A1 in describing T1 was confirmed by comparing the structures, distributions of charge, and frontier molecular orbitals. Our calculations showed that A1 has a twisted structure, resembling that of T1, which results in similar properties. The calculations for A1 and its derivatives on H(2) addition clearly explain the reaction mechanism and the reaction path that T1 follows, as well as the experimentally required reaction conditions. The immediate reaction of the first and second H(2) additions produces [(eta(5)-C(5)Me(4)H)(2)ZrH](2)(mu(2),eta(2),eta(2)-N(2)H(2)) (T2), and this is explained by the barrier heights of the reaction, which were calculated to be 20.4 and 10.9 kcal/mol, respectively. The latter barrier was below that of A1 + 2H(2). Complex T2 may be the initial complex for further H(2) addition under proper conditions, or it could lose one H(2) molecule followed by H migration from the Zr site to the N site. Both reactions are expected to occur, because of the closeness of the barrier heights (25.1 and 36.5 kcal/mol, respectively). Gentle warming is required for further H(2) additions, which can be understood from the energetics as well. The high reactivity of T1 with H(2) has been discussed by the comparison of the calculation of A1 and another complex with different ligands, presenting an interesting indication on the effects of the ligands. These theoretical results and discussion explaining the experiment should provide insight into the nature of the hydrogenation mechanism.     

A Ru catalyzed divergence: oxidative cyclization vs cycloisomerization of bis-homopropargylic alcohols

During the course of investigating the development of catalytic reactions involving ruthenium vinylidene intermediates, a novel divergence of reactivity was discovered. The oxidative cyclization of bis-homopropargylic alcohols with Ru(+2) complexes as catalysts and N-hydroxysuccinimide as oxidant, which requires formation of a ruthenium vinylidene intermediate, is complicated by the simple electrophilically initiated direct attack of the hydroxyl group on a pi-complex of the alkyne and ruthenium. A catalytic system composed of CpRu[(p-CH(3)O(6)H(4))(3)P](2)Cl and excess (p-CH(3)O-C(6)H(4))(3)P directs the reaction toward the oxidative cyclization to form delta-lactones in good yields. Significantly, a simple switch of catalyst to CpRu[(p-FC(6)H(4))(3)P](2)Cl redirects the reaction to a cycloisomerization to form dihydropyrans in good yields. The synthetic utility of the oxidative cyclization is illustrated by the synthesis of oviposition attractant pheromone of the mosquito Culex pipens. The utility of the cycloisomerization to dihydropyrans is demonstrated by an iterative process leading to the antiviral agent narbosine B. A rationale for this dramatic switch by simple ligand modification is proposed.     

Hydroxyl radical reactions with adenine: reactant complexes, transition states, and product complexes

In order to address problems such as aging, cell death, and cancer, it is important to understand the mechanisms behind reactions causing DNA damage. One specific reaction implicated in DNA oxidative damage is hydroxyl free-radical attack on adenine (A) and other nucleic acid bases. The adenine reaction has been studied experimentally, but there are few theoretical results. In the present study, adenine dehydrogenation at various sites, and the potential-energy surfaces for these reactions, are investigated theoretically. Four reactant complexes [A···OH]* have been found, with binding energies relative to A+OH* of 32.8, 11.4, 10.7, and 10.1 kcal mol(-1). These four reactant complexes lead to six transition states, which in turn lie +4.3, -5.4, (-3.7 and +0.8), and (-2.3 and +0.8) kcal mol(-1) below A+OH*, respectively. Thus the lowest lying [A···OH]* complex faces the highest local barrier to formation of the product (A-H)*+H(2)O. Between the transition states and the products lie six product complexes. Adopting the same order as the reactant complexes, the product complexes [(A-H)···H(2)O]* lie at -10.9, -22.4, (-24.2 and -18.7), and (-20.5 and -17.5) kcal mol(-1), respectively, again relative to separated A+OH*. All six A+OH* → (A-H)*+H(2)O pathways are exothermic, by -0.3, -14.7, (-17.4 and -7.8), and (-13.7 and -7.8) kcal mol(-1), respectively. The transition state for dehydrogenation at N(6) lies at the lowest energy (-5.4 kcal mol(-1) relative to A+OH*), and thus reaction is likely to occur at this site. This theoretical prediction dovetails with the observed high reactivity of OH radicals with the NH(2) group of aromatic amines. However, the high barrier (37.1 kcal mol(-1)) for reaction at the C(8) site makes C(8) dehydrogenation unlikely. This last result is consistent with experimental observation of the imidazole ring opening upon OH radical addition to C(8). In addition, TD-DFT computed electronic transitions of the N(6) product around 420 nm confirm that this is the most likely site for hydrogen abstraction by hydroxyl radical.     

Alkyne versus allene activation in platinum- and gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization of hydroxylated 1,5-allenynes

Chemo- and stereoselective transformations of 3-hydroxy-1,5-allenynes 1 into a variety of new and potentially useful cyclic compounds have been achieved. Substrates bearing a silyl group at the alkyne moiety undergo purely thermal or Lewis acid catalyzed Alder-ene type transformations into 2-methylene-3-vinylcyclopent-3-enol derivatives 2. When heated in the presence of a catalytic amount of PtCl(2) or PtCl(4), these incipient cyclopentenols could be further transformed into 3-vinylcyclopent-2-enones 3. On the other hand, alkyl-substituted 3-hydroxy-1,5-allenynes proved to be stable under refluxing conditions. Nevertheless, PtCl(2) and PtCl(4) could selectively activate the alkyne moiety of these substrates toward intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the internal allene double bond to yield unprecedented 6-methylenebicyclo[3.1.0]hexan-3-one derivatives 4. With gold-based catalysts, provided that the reaction is carried out in dichloromethane, both Au(I) and Au(III) complexes selectively activate the allene fragment of the substrates toward intramolecular nucleophilic attack of the hydroxyl group to yield 2-ethynyl-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyrans 5. Compounds of type 4 can also be formed with Au(I) and Au(III) complexes if the reaction is carried out in toluene. The reactivity of these new compounds has been partially investigated, and polycyclic ketones were obtained after oxidation under mild conditions or gold-catalyzed cycloisomerization.     

Is benzene oxide homoaromatic? A microcalorimetric study

Rate constants and heats of reaction for the aromatization of benzene oxide (1) and the acid-catalyzed aromatization of benzene hydrate (2) in highly aqueous solution giving phenol and benzene, respectively, have been measured by heat-flow microcalorimetry. The measured heat of reaction of benzene oxide, DeltaH = -57.0 kcal mol(-1), is much larger than that of benzene hydrate, DeltaH = -38.7 kcal mol(-1), despite an unusually low reactivity of benzene oxide, rate ratio 0.08. The measured enthalpies agree with those calculated using the B3LYP hybrid functional corrected with solvation energies derived from semiempirical AM1/SM2 calculations. Comparison with the measured enthalpies of the corresponding reactions of the structurally related 1,3-cyclohexadiene oxide (3) and 2-cyclohexenol (4) of DeltaH = -24.9 kcal mol(-1) (includes a small calculated correction of -1.2 kcal mol(-1)) and DeltaH approximately 0 kcal mol(-1), respectively, gives a smaller aromatization energy for the benzene oxide than for the benzene hydrate reaction (DeltaDeltaDeltaH = 6.6 kcal mol(-1)). This suggests that benzene oxide is unusually stabilized by a significant amount of homoaromatization as has been proposed previously (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 5458). This unusual stability accounts for more than half of the approximately 10(7) times lower than expected reactivity of benzene oxide toward acid-catalyzed isomerization. The rest is suggested to originate from an unusually high energy of the carbocation-forming transition state.     

The almost bottleable triplet carbene: 2,6-dibromo-4-tert-butyl-2',6'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4'-isopropyldiphenylcarbene.

Computations on 2,6-dibromo-4-tert-butyl-2',6'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4'-isopropyldiphenylcarbene (1) using ab initio and density functional theory methods underscore the unusual stability of the triplet over the singlet state. At the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level, the triplet state had a slightly bent central C-C-C bond angle of 167 degrees, whereas this angle in the singlet was 134 degrees. The B3LYP singlet-triplet splitting (12.2 kcal/mol) was larger than that of the parent molecule (5.8 kcal/mol), diphenylcarbene (2), which also has a triplet ground state. The energy of a suitable isodesmic reaction showed the triplet and singlet states of (1) to be destabilized, by 6.3 and 12.5 kcal/mol, respectively, due to the combined effects of the CF3, Br, and alkyl substituents. The linear-coplanar form of (3)(1), which might facilitate dimerization or electrophilic attack at the more exposed diradical center, was prohibitively (35.9 kcal/mol) higher in energy. Our results confirm Tomioka's conclusion that the triplet diarylcarbene, ortho-substituted with bulky CF3 and Br substituents, is persistent due to steric protection of the diradical center. Dimerization and other possible reaction pathways are inhibited, not only by the bulky ortho substituents but also by the para alkyl groups. The increase in stability of the triplet ((3)(1)) state relative to the singlet ((1)(1)) state does not influence the reactivity directly.     

A DFT computational study of the bis-silylation reaction of acetylene catalyzed by palladium complexes

In this paper we have investigated at the DFT(B3LYP) level the catalytic cycle for the bis-silylation reaction of alkynes promoted by palladium complexes. A model-system formed by an acetylene molecule, a disilane molecule, and the Pd(PH(3))(2) complex has been used. The most relevant features of this catalytic cycle can be summarized as follows: (i) The first step of the cycle is an oxidative addition involving H(3)Si-SiH(3) and Pd(PH(3))(2). It occurs easily and leads to the cis (SiH(3))(2)Pd(PH(3))(2) complex that is 5.39 kcal mol(-1) lower in energy than reactants. (ii) The transfer of the two silyl groups to the C-C triple bond does not occur in a concerted way, but involves many steps. (iii) The cis (SiH(3))(2)Pd(PH(3))(2) complex, obtained from the oxidative addition, is involved in the formation of the first C-Si bond (activation barrier of 18.34 kcal mol(-1)). The two intermediates that form in this step cannot lead directly to the formation of the final bis(silyl)ethene product. However, they can isomerize rather easily (the two possible isomerizations have a barrier of 16.79 and 7.17 kcal mol(-1)) to new more stable species. In both these new intermediates the second silyl group is adjacent to the acetylene moiety and the formation of the second C-Si bond can occur rapidly leading to the (Z)-bis(silyl)ethene, as experimentally observed. (iv) The whole catalytic process is exothermic by 41.54 kcal mol(-1), in quite good agreement with the experimental estimate of this quantity (about 40 kcal mol(-1)).     

Mechanistic studies of platinum(II)-catalyzed ethylene dimerization: determination of barriers to migratory insertion in diimine Pt(II) hydrido ethylene and ethyl ethylene intermediates

The diimine platinum(II) ethylene hydride complex [(N/\N)Pt(H)(ethylene)][BAr'4] (1, N/\N = [(2,6-Me2C6H3)N=C(An)-C(An)=N(2,6-Me2C6H3)], An = 1,8-naphthalenediyl, Ar' = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3) was prepared by protonation of the diethyl complex (N/\N)PtEt2 with [H(OEt2)2][BAr'4]. The energy barrier to interchange of the platinum hydride with the olefinic hydrogens in 1 was determined to be 19.2 kcal/mol by spin saturation transfer experiments. Complex 1 initiates ethylene dimerization; the ethyl ethylene complex (N/\N)Pt(Et)(ethylene)+ (2) has been identified as the catalyst resting state. Trapping of 1 by ethylene to yield 2 is a second-order process; kinetic studies suggest this occurs via trapping of a reversibly formed beta-agostic ethyl complex. Complex 2 has been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The barrier to migratory insertion of 2, the turnover-limiting step in catalysis, was determined to be 29.8 kcal/mol. The 1-butene hydride complex, (N/\N)Pt(H)(1-butene)+ (3), is a key intermediate in the dimerization cycle and has also been isolated and characterized. Surprisingly rapid rates of degenerate associative exchange of free ethylene with bound ethylene in complexes 1 and 2 as well as the rate of degenerate exchange of free nitrile with bound nitrile in (N/\N)Pt(Et)(CH3CN)+ are reported.     

Synthesis and characterization of mononuclear ruthenium(III) pyridylamine complexes and mechanistic insights into their catalytic alkane functionalization with m-chloroperbenzoic acid

A series of mononuclear RuIII complexes [RuCl2(L)]+, where L is tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (TPA) or one of four TPA derivatives as tetradentate ligand, were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic methods, X-ray crystallography, and electrochemical measurements. The geometry of a RuIII complex having a non-threefold-symmetric TPA ligand bearing one dimethylnicotinamide moiety was determined to show that the nicotine moiety resides trans to a pyridine group, but not to the chlorido ligand. The substituents of the TPA ligands were shown to regulate the redox potential of the ruthenium center, as indicated by a linear Hammett plot in the range of 200 mV for RuIII/RuIV couples with a relatively large rho value (+0.150). These complexes act as effective catalysts for alkane functionalization in acetonitrile with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) as terminal oxidant at room temperature. They exhibited fairly good reactivity for oxidation of cyclohexane (C--H bond energy 94 kcal mol(-1)), and the reactivity can be altered significantly by the electronic effects of substituents on TPA ligands in terms of initial rates and turnover numbers. Catalytic oxygenation of cyclohexane by a RuIII complex with 16O-mCPBA in the presence of H2 18O gave 18O-labeled cyclohexanol with 100% inclusion of the 18O atom from the water molecule. Resonance Raman spectra under catalytic conditions without the substrate indicate formation of a RuIV==O intermediate with lower bonding energy. Kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) in the oxidation of cyclohexane suggest that hydrogen abstraction is the rate-determining step and the KIE values depend on the substituents of the TPA ligands. Thus, the reaction mechanism of catalytic cyclohexane oxygenation depends on the electronic effects of the ligands.     

Rearrangement of allyl homoallyl ethers to gamma,delta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds catalyzed by iridium complexes

Iridium complexes were found to promote the conversion of allyl homoallyl ethers to gamma,delta-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. For example, treatment of 1-allyl-1-allyloxycyclohexane in the presence of catalytic amounts of [Ir(cod)Cl](2), PCy(3), and Cs(2)CO(3) in toluene at 100 degrees C afforded 4-cyclohexyliden-2, 3-dimethylbutanal in 74% yield. The reaction presumably proceeds through double bond migration to allyl vinyl ethers, which then undergo the Claisen rearrangement.     

Products and mechanism of acene dimerization. A computational study

The high reactivity of acenes can reduce their potential applications in the field of molecular electronics. Although pentacene is an important material for use in organic field-effect transistors because of its high charge mobility, its reactivity is a major disadvantage hindering the development of pentacene applications. In this study, several reaction pathways for the thermal dimerization of acenes were considered computationally. The formation of acene dimers via a central benzene ring and the formation of acene-based polymers were found to be the preferred pathways, depending on the length of the monomer. Interestingly, starting from hexacene, acene dimers are thermodynamically disfavored products, and the reaction pathway is predicted to proceed instead via a double cycloaddition reaction (polymerization) to yield acene-based polymers. A concerted asynchronous reaction mechanism was found for benzene and naphthalene dimerization, while a stepwise biradical mechanism was predicted for the dimerization of anthracene, pentacene, and heptacene. The biradical mechanism for dimerization of anthracene and pentacene proceeds via syn or anti transition states and biradical minima through stepwise biradical pathways, while dimerization of heptacene proceeds via asynchronous ring closure of the complex formed by two heptacene molecules. The activation barriers for thermal dimerization decrease rapidly with increasing acene chain length and are calculated (at M06-2X/6-31G(d)+ZPVE) to be 77.9, 57.1, 33.3, -0.3, and -12.1 kcal/mol vs two isolated acene molecules for benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, pentacene, and heptacene, respectively. If activation energy is calculated vs the initially formed complex of two acene molecules, then the calculated barriers are 80.5, 63.2, 43.7, 16.7, and 12.3 kcal/mol. Dimerization is exothermic from anthracene onward, but it is endothermic at the terminal rings, even for heptacene. Phenyl substitution at the most reactive meso-carbon atoms of the central ring of acene blocks the reactivity of this ring but does not efficiently prevent dimerization through other rings.