Hf3 cluster is triply (sigma-, pi-, and delta-) aromatic in the lowest D3h, 1A1' state

The extensive search for the global minimum structure of Hf3 at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory revealed that D3h 3A2' (1a1'(2)1a2'(2)1e'(4)2a1'(2)1e'2) and D3h 1A1' (1a1'(2)2a1'(2)1e'(4)1a2'(2)3a1'2) are the lowest triplet and singlet states, respectively, with the triplet state being the lowest one. However, at the CASSCF(10,14)/Stuttgart+2f1g level of theory these two states are degenerate, indicating that at the higher level of theory the singlet state could be in fact the global minimum structure. The triplet D3h 3A2' (1a1'21a2'(2)1e'(4)2a1'(2)1e'2) structure is doubly (sigma- and pi-) aromatic and the singlet D3h 1A1' (1a1'(2)2a1'(2)1e'(4)1a2'(2)3a1'2) structure is the first reported triply (sigma-, pi-, and delta-) aromatic system.     

Lanthanide-transition-metal carbonyl complexes. 1. Syntheses and structures of ytterbium(II) solvent-separated ion pairs and isocarbonyl polymeric arrays of tetracarbonylcobaltate

Transmetalation reactions of metallic ytterbium with Hg[Co(CO)(4)](2) in the coordinating solvents pyridine and THF yield the solvent-separated ion pairs [Yb(L)(6)] [Co(CO)(4)](2) (1a, L = Pyr; 2a, L = THF). The IR spectrum of 1a in pyridine indicates that the tetracarbonylcobaltate anion is not directly bonded to the divalent Yb cation owing to the strong coordinating ability of pyridine. On the other hand, IR spectra of 2a in THF are concentration dependent. In dilute solutions there is an equilibrium between the solvent-separated ion pair and a weak contact ion pair. Higher concentrations of 2a facilitate the formation of a tight ion pair that has a low-frequency isocarbonyl absorption. Remarkably, complexes 1a and 2a are easily transformed in toluene into the two-dimensional sheetlike arrays [(Pyr)(4)Yb[(mu-CO)(2)Co(CO)(2)](2)](infinity) (1b) and [(THF)(2)Yb[(mu-CO)(3)Co(CO)](2).Tol](infinity) (2b). The two-dimensional frameworks are supported by isocarbonyl linkages. Infrared spectra of toluene solutions substantiate the existence of the isocarbonyl bridges with low-frequency absorptions at 1780 cm(-1). Compounds 1b and 2b belong to a rare class of lanthanide-transition-metal carbonyl extended arrays, only three others of which have been structurally established. Dissolving 1b in pyridine regenerates 1a, but the complete conversion of 2b into 2a cannot be achieved. Crystal data: 1a.Pyr is monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 11.171(1) A, b = 11.925(1) A, c = 33.978(1) A, beta = 95.10(1) degrees, Z = 4; 2a is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 17.724(1) A, b = 12.468(1) A, c = 18.413(1) A, beta = 100.34(1) degrees, Z = 4; 1b is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 11.047(1) A, b = 13.423(1) A, c = 21.933(1) A, beta = 103.49(1) degrees, Z = 4; 2b is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 28.589(1) A, b = 7.223(1) A, c = 14.983(1) A, beta = 118.90(1) degrees, Z = 4.     

Luminescence mechanochromism in cyclometallated Ir(III) complexes containing picolylamine

The synthesis, crystal structure and luminescence properties of three cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes of general formula [(ppy)(2)Ir(pam)]X, where X = Cl(-) (1), PF(6)(-) (2), ClO(4)(-)(3), and pam = 2-picolylamine, are described. While 2 and 3 crystallize in a unique form, two pseudo-polymorphs, a solvated (1a) and a non-solvated (1b) species, have been observed for compound 1. 1a crystallizes in the monoclinic centrosymmetric space group P2(1)/c. On the contrary, 1b, 2 and 3 crystallize in the non-centrosymmetric space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) (1b) and Pca2(1) (2 and 3), respectively. All the crystalline supramolecular materials have been fully photophysically characterized. While 1 shows a bright blue-green emission in both solution and solvated crystalline state 1a, crystals of 1b, 2 and 3 show a significantly red shifted emission with respect to solution. Unexpectedly, and differently from 1a, mechanical stimuli-responsive colour and luminescence changes have been observed for 1b, 2 and 3. Upon mechanical grinding the colour of the crystalline solids changes from orange to yellow while the emission energy is partially (2 and 3) or completely (1b) converted from orange to green. The grinding-triggered colour and luminescence changes have been attributed to a crystal-to-amorphous phase conversion for all crystalline solids.     

Square-planar N2S2NiII complexes with an extended pi-conjugated system

The reaction of a mixture of 2-(1-naphthyl)benzothiazoline (HL1) and 2,6-diphenylbenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d']bisthiazoline (H3L2) with nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate yielded three kinds of square-planar nickel(II) complexes: one nickel(II) complex with innocent ligands ([Ni(L1)2] (1c)) and two nickel(II) complexes with non-innocent ligands ([Ni(L1-L1)] (1a) and [Ni(L1-L2)] (1b)). The complex 1c has two bidentate-N,S ligands, which are formed via ring opening of HL1. On the other hand, the two complexes 1a and 1b contain a tetradentate-N2S2 ligand, which is created via ring opening of HL1 and H3L2, followed by bond formation between imino carbon atoms. Complexes 1a and 1b show very intense absorptions in the near-infrared (NIR) region, characteristic of square-planar complexes with non-innocent ligands. The third nickel(II) complex having a non-innocent tetradentate-N2S2 ligand ([Ni(L2-L2)] (2)) was prepared from H3L2 and nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate. The electronic spectrum of 2 exhibits a very intense absorption at 981 nm (epsilon = 3.6 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1), which is significantly red-shifted compared with those of 1a (837 nm and 4.4 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1) and 1b (885 nm and 4.5 x 10(4) M-1 cm-1), indicating the presence of an extended pi delocalization. The reaction of 2,6-bis(3,5-dichlorophenyl)benzo[1,2-d:4,5-d']bisthiazoline (H3L3) with nickel(II) acetate tetrahydrate also led to the formation of a nickel(II) complex with a non-innocent ligand ([Ni(L3-L3)] (3)). While complex 3 is analogous to 2, its electrical conductivity is much higher than that of 2. The molecular structures of 1b, 1c, 2, and 3 were determined by X-ray crystallography.     

A joint structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic investigation of substituent effects on host-guest complexation of bicyclic azoalkanes by beta-cyclodextrin.

Derivatives of the azoalkane 2,3-diazabicyclo[2,2,2]oct-2-ene (1a) with bridgehead 1,4-dialkyl (1b), 1,4-dichloro (1c), 1-hydroxymethyl (1d), 1-aminomethyl (1e), and 1-ammoniummethyl (1f) substituents form host-guest inclusion complexes with beta-cyclodextrin. They were employed as probes to assess substituent effects on the kinetics and thermodynamics of this complexation by using time-resolved and steady-state fluorimetry, UV spectrophotometry, induced circular dichroism (ICD) measurements, and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The kinetic analysis based on quenching of the long-lived fluorescence of the azoalkanes by addition of host provided excited-state association rate constants between 2.6 x 10(8) and 7.0 x 10(8) M(-)(1) s(-)(1). The binding constants for 1a (1100 M(-1)), 1b (900 M(-1)), 1c (1900 M(-1)), 1d (180 M(-1)), 1e (250 M(-1)), and 1f (ca. 20 M(-1)) were obtained by UV, NMR, and ICD titrations. A positive ICD signal of the azo absorption around 370 nm was observed for the beta-cyclodextrin complexes of 1a, 1d, and 1f with the intensity order 1a > 1d approximately 1f, and a negative signal was measured for those of 1b, 1c, and 1e with the intensity order 1c < 1b approximately 1e. The ICD was employed for the assignment of the solution structures of the complexes, in particular the relative orientation of the guest in the host (co-conformation).     

Syntheses of new model compounds related to an antigenic epitope from Bupleurum falcatum L. and their distributions in various ganglioside-phospholipid monolayers

6-N-[2-(Tetradecyl)hexadecanamido]hexyl beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1) and its clustering compound (2) carrying a tetravalent sugar unit, which are new model compounds related to a major antigenic epitope from antiulcer pectic polysaccharide of Bupleurum falcatum L., were synthesized and the distributions of 1 and 2 in mixed ganglioside (GM1, GD1a or GT1b)/phospholipid (DPPC) monolayers were observed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). AFM images showed that 1 was distributed in the GM1, GD1a and GT1b region of the mixed monolayers, in which 1 was miscible with GD1a. Specific distribution of 1 was observed in the mixed GM1/DPPC monolayer. Compound 2 was miscible with GM1, while 2 formed associations with GD1a and GT1b in the mixed monolayers. The distribution mode of 1 and 2 was different among the mixed ganglioside/DPPC monolayers.     

Three new steroidal saponins from the rhizome of Paris polyphylla

A mixture of a pair of stereoisomeric new spirostanol saponins (1a and 1b) and a new cholestane saponin (2) were isolated from the rhizome of Paris pollyphylla Smith var. yunnanensis. Their structures were elucidated as (25R)-spirost-5-en-3beta, 7beta-diol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1a), (25R)-spirost-5-en-3beta, 7alpha-diol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1b) and 26-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(25R)-Delta(5(6), 17(20))-dien-16, 22-dione-cholestan-3beta, 26-diol-3-O-alpha-L-arabinofuranosyl-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 --> 2)]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) by a combination of HR-ESI-MS, FAB-MS, 1D and 2D NMR techniques (including (1)H-NMR, (13)C-NMR, (1)H--(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY).     

Guest-induced assembly of tetracarboxyl-cavitand and tetra(3-pyridyl)-cavitand into a heterodimeric capsule via hydrogen bonds and CH-halogen and/or CH-pi interaction: control of the orientation of the encapsulated guest

The guest- or solvent-induced assembly of a tetracarboxyl-cavitand 1 and a tetra(3-pyridyl)-cavitand 2 into a heterodimeric capsule 1.2 in a rim-to-rim fashion via four intermolecular CO(2)H.N hydrogen bonds has been investigated both in solution and in the solid state. In the (1)H NMR study, a 1:1 mixture of1a and 2a (R = (CH(2))(6)CH(3)) in CDCl(3) gave a mixture of various complicated aggregates, whereas this mixture in CDCl(2)CDCl(2) or p-xylene-d(10) exclusively produced the heterodimeric capsule 1a.2a. It was found that an appropriate 1,4-disubstituted-benzene is a suitable guest for inducing the exclusive formation of 1a.2a in CDCl(3). The ability of a guest to induce the formation of guest-encapsulating heterodimeric capsule, guest@(1a.2a), increased in the order p-ethyltoluene < 1-ethyl-4-methoxybenzene < or = 1-ethyl-4-iodobenzene < or = 1,4-dibromobenzene < 1-iodo-4-methoxybenzene < or= 1,4-dimethoxybenzene < or = 1,4-diiodobenzene. The (1)H NMR study revealed that a CH-halogen interaction between the inner protons of the methylene-bridge rims (-O-H(out)CH(in)-O-) of the 1a and 2a units and the halogen atoms of 1,4-dihalobenzenes and a CH-pi interaction between the methoxy protons of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and the aromatic cavities of the 1a and 2a units play important roles in the formation of 1,4-dihalobenzene@(1a.2a) and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene@(1a.2a), respectively. A preliminary single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of guest@(1b.2b) (R = (CH(2))(2)Ph; guest = 1-iodo-4-methoxybenzene or p-xylene) confirmed that the guest encapsulated in 1b.2b is oriented with the long axis of the guest along the long axis of 1b.2b and that the iodo and the methoxy groups of the encapsulated 1-iodo-4-methoxybenzene are specifically oriented with respect to the cavities of the 2b and 1b units, respectively.     

Ab initio study on deactivation pathways of excited 9H-guanine

The complete active space with second-order perturbation theory/complete active space self-consistent-field method was used to explore the nonradiative decay mechanism for excited 9H-guanine. On the 1pipi* (1L(a)) surface we determined a conical intersection (CI), labeled (S0pipi*)(CI), between the 1pipi* (1L(a)) excited state and the ground state, and a minimum, labeled (pipi*)min. For the 1pipi* (1L(a)) state, its probable deactivation path is to undergo a spontaneous relaxation to (pipi*)min first and then decay to the ground state through (S0pipi*)(CI), during which a small activation energy is required. On the 1n(N)pi* surface a CI between the 1n(N)pi* and 1pipi* (1L(a)) states was located, which suggests that the 1n(N)pi* excited state could transform to the 1pipi* (1L(a)) excited state first and then follow the deactivation path of the 1pipi* (1L(a)) state. This CI was also possibly involved in the nonradiative decay path of the second lowest 1pipi* (1L(b)) state. On the 1n(O)pi* surface a minimum was determined. The deactivation of the 1n(O)pi* state to the ground state was estimated to be energetically unfavorable. On the 1pisigma* surface, the dissociation of the N-H bond of the six-membered ring is difficult to occur due to a significant barrier.     

X-ray Crystal Structure, ab Initio Calculations, and Reactivity of 1,3,2lambda(5)-Diazaphosphetes: A New Type of 4-pi-Electron 4-Membered Heterocycle

The structure of P,P-bis(diisopropylamino)-4-phenyl-1,3,2lambda(5)-diazaphosphete, 1a, has been determined by a single-crystal X-ray diffraction study (C(19)H(33)N(4)P, monoclinic system, space group P2(1), a = 9.482(1) ?, b = 11.374(3) ?, c = 9.668(2) ?, beta = 97.16(1) degrees, Z = 2). According to quantum chemical calculations at an RHF level of optimization utilizing the 6-31g(d,p) basis set, 1a has a zwitterionic structure with the negative charge delocalized on the NCN allylic fragment and the positive charge localized at the phosphorus. Heterocycle 1a reacts with water and benzaldehyde affording N-phosphoranylbenzamidine 3 (95% yield) and the expected aza-Wittig adduct 4 (85% yield), respectively. Addition of 1 equiv of methyl trifluoromethanesulfonate and of 2 equiv of BH(3).THF to 1a affords cyclic phosphonium salt 5 (94% yield) and the bis(borane) adduct 6a (90% yield), respectively. Dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate slowly reacts with 1a giving rise to 1,3,4lambda(5)-diazaphosphinine, 9, in 70% yield. The X-ray crystal structures of products 2,3, and 6a are reported (2: C(26)H(38)N(5)P, monoclinic system, space group C2/c, a = 16.337(8) ?, b = 19.810(2) ?, c = 8.800(2) ?, beta = 117.68(2) degrees, Z = 4. 3: C(19)H(35)N(4)OP, orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 9.090(1) ?, b = 12.955(2) ?, c = 17.860(3) ?, Z = 4. 6a: C(19)H(39)B(2)N(4)P, orthorhombic system, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), a = 10.340(1) ?, b = 13.247(1) ?, c = 16.996(1) ?, Z = 4).     

Multireference configuration interaction studies on higher valence and Rydberg states of OClO, ionization potentials, and electron detachment energies

MRCI results are reported for the vertical excitation energies (VEE) and oscillator strengths f of doublet states of OClO up to 11 eV, including 3b(1) → 4s, 4p, 3d, 5s, 5p, 4d, and most 1a(2), 8a(1), 5b(2) → 4s and 4p Rydberg states. The lowest Rydberg states 3b(1) → 4s and 3b(1) → 4p(x) have mixed valence-Rydberg character. The observed spectral bands were reassigned to include valence states which have generally higher oscillator strengths. The well-known valence state 1(2)A(2) has a VEE of 3.63 eV, and a relatively high f of 0.042. Overall, the calculated oscillator strengths are in good agreement with measured values. The lowest quartet state, 1(4)B(2), lies at 6.95 eV. Quartet Rydberg states start with 1a(2) → 4s at 9.28 eV. According to calculated vertical ionization potentials (VIP) of OClO, the second VIP at 12.59 eV is reassigned from 1(3)B(1) to 1(3)B(2) (ionization from 1a(2), rather than 8a(1)), and the third VIP at 12.63 eV from 1(1)B(1) to 1(3)B(1) (ionization from 8a(1)). Vertical electron detachment energies of OClO(-) have been calculated up to 8.9 eV. There is good agreement with experimental values.     

Calculations find that tunneling plays a major role in the reductive elimination of methane from hydridomethylbis(trimethylphosphine)platinum: how to confirm this computational prediction experimentally

DFT calculations, including the effects of small curvature tunneling, have been performed on the reductive elimination of methane from hydridomethylbis(trimethylphosphine)platinum (1d). The calculations find that at 250 K tunneling results in an increase in the rate constant for reductive elimination by a factor of 4, a lowering of Ea by 1.7 kcal/mol, and a decrease in A by a factor of nearly 10. Tunneling is also calculated to increase the primary H/D kinetic isotope effect (KIE) from k(1d)/k(1f) = 2.26 to k(1d)/k(1f) = 4.12 and to result in a large secondary KIE of k(1d)/k(1e) = 1.35. In addition, tunneling is predicted to result in a violation of the rule of the geometric mean, so that the secondary KIE for reductive elimination of methane-d1 from 1f is calculated to be k(1f)/k(1g) = 1.06, which is much smaller than the secondary KIE of k(1d)/k(1e) = 1.35 for reductive elimination of methane from 1d. Comparison of the measured values of k(1d)/k(1e) and k(1f)/k(1g) is therefore proposed as an experimental test of the prediction that tunneling plays an important role in the reductive elimination of methane from 1d.     

Crystal engineering of photochromic diarylethene single crystals

Photochromic performance of diarylethene single crystals was controlled by crystal engineering using non-covalent aromatic-aromatic interactions as the directional intermolecular force. A diarylethene derivative with two pentafluorophenyl groups, 1,2-bis(2-methyl-5-pentafluorophenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (1a), formed stoichiometric co-crystals with benzene (Bz) and naphthalene (Np) by aryl-perfluoroaryl interactions. Face-to-face pi-stacking interactions between the pentafluorophenyl groups of 1a and the aromatic molecules are responsible for 2:1 and 1:1 stoichiometric compositions in 1a/Bz and 1a/Np co-crystals, respectively. The diarylethene underwent thermally stable and photoreversible photochromic reactions in a homo-crystal of 1a and co-crystals 1a/Bz and 1a/Np. The absorption spectra of the photogenerated closed-ring isomers varied depending on the conformation of the diarylethene molecules packed in the crystals. The diarylethene 1a also formed 1:1 stoichiometric co-crystals with different kinds of diarylethenes, 1,2-bis(2-ethyl-5-phenyl-3-thienyl)perfluorocyclopentene (2a) and 1,2-bis[2-methyl-5-(1-naphthyl)-3-thienyl]perfluorocyclopentene (3a). Both co-crystals 1a/2a and 1a/3a showed photochromism. Although 1a, 2a, and 3a underwent efficient photocyclization reactions in their homo-crystals, highly selective photocyclization reactions of 2a or 3a were observed in the co-crystals. The selective reactions were confirmed by HPLC and X-ray crystallography. Excited energy transfers from 1a to 2a and from 1a to 3a are considered to occur and cause the selective reactions.     

Sub-Doppler rotationally resolved spectroscopy of lower vibronic bands of benzene with Zeeman effects

Sub-Doppler high-resolution excitation spectra and the Zeeman effects of the 6(0)(1), 1(0)(1)6(0)(1), and 1(0)(2)6(0)(1) bands of the S1(1)B2u<--S(0)(1)A1g transition of benzene were measured by crossing laser beam perpendicular to a collimated molecular beam. 1593 rotational lines of the 1(0) (1)6(0) (1) band and 928 lines of the 1(0)(2)6(0)(1) band were assigned, and the molecular constants of the excited states were determined. Energy shifts were observed for the S1(1)B2u(v1=1,v6=1,J,Kl=-11) levels, and those were identified as originating from a perpendicular Coriolis interaction. Many energy shifts were observed for the S1(1)B2u(v1=2,v6=1,J,Kl) levels. The Zeeman splitting of a given J level was observed to increase with K and reach the maximum at K=J, which demonstrates that the magnetic moment lies perpendicular to the molecular plane. The Zeeman splittings of the K=J levels were observed to increase linearly with J. From the analysis, the magnetic moment is shown to be originating mostly from mixing of the S1(1)B2u and S2(1)B1u states by the J-L coupling (electronic Coriolis interaction). The number of perturbations was observed to increase as the excess energy increases, and all the perturbing levels were found to be a singlet state from the Zeeman spectra.     

Thermolysis of 1-(1-aryl-1-bromomethyl)cyclopropyl bromides: a reinvestigation

Two compounds, the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 2,4-dibromo-1-p-tolyl-1-butene 2a and 3a, respectively, were isolated in 65% total yield when 1-(1-bromo-1-p-tolylmethyl)cyclopropyl bromide (1a) was heated at 150 degrees C for 1 h. 1,1-Dibromo-2-p-tolylcyclobutane (4a), previously reported to be the only product in this reaction, was not detected. The phenyl analogue of 1a reacted similarly and gave the (Z)- and (E)-isomers of 2,4-dibromo-1-phenyl-1-butene 2b and 3b, respectively, in 60% yield. A rationale for the reaction is presented.     

螯形主体分子的设计、包结性能及其在细辛挥发油 有效成分选择分离中的应用

设计了两种新的具有螯形骨架的主体分子反式-1,2-二苯基-1,2-苊二醇(1)和顺式-1,2-二(1'-萘基)-1,2-苊二醇(2),主体(1),(2)可与许多有机小分子化合物形成配位包合物。用IR和粉末XRD表征了主体分子(1)和(2)的包结物,用^1NMR测定了包结物的主客体分子摩尔比：(1)·DMF(1:2),(1)·DMSO(1:2),(1)·THF(1:2),(1)·二氧六环(1:1),(1)·吡啶(1:1),(2)·DMF(1:1)和(2)·DMSO(1:1)。单晶X射线衍射分析了包结物的晶体结构,(1)·DMF：空间群Pnaa,a=0.9377(1)nm,b=1.4351(1)nm,c=4.0463(3)nm;(1)·DMSO：空间群Pbcn,a=1.6278(1)nm,b=1.0751(1)nm,c=1.4980(1)nm;(2)·DMF：P2~1/n,a=0.9796(1)nm,b=1.2377(1)nm,c=2.2344(3)nm,β=93.02(1)°;游离主体(1)：空间群P1,a=1.0461(1)nm,b=1.1213(1)nm,c=1.5496(1)nm,α=81.74(1)°,β=75.71(1)°,γ=89.00(1)°;分析了主体分子的刚性和柔韧性对包结性能的影响。并研究了主体分子(1)选择分离细辛挥发油,将顺甲基异丁香酚从挥发油中分离出来。     

The liquid‐phase oxidation of isomeric methoxy‐(1‐methylethyl)benzenes with oxygen to the hydroperoxides

The kinetics of liquid‐phase oxidation of 1‐methoxy‐2‐(1‐methylethyl)benzene ( 1a ), 1‐methoxy‐3‐(1‐methylethyl)benzene ( 1b ), and 1‐methoxy‐4‐(1‐methylethyl)benzene ( 1c ) with oxygen as oxidant to yield the corresponding 1‐methyl‐1‐(2‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl ( 2a ), 1‐methyl‐1‐(3‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl ( 2b ), and 1‐methyl‐1‐(4‐methoxyphenyl)ethyl ( 2c ) hydroperoxides was studied. The oxidizabilities of 1a , 1b , and 1c were established over the temperature range 50–120°C. The overall activation energies of oxidation were determined for 1b and 1c over the temperature range 50–120°C. Thermal stability of 2a and 2b and the initiating properties of hydroperoxides 2a , 2b , and 2c were studied. Long‐term noncatalytic oxidations of 1b and 1c to respective hydroperoxides were carried out. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 10–16, 2005     

Crystal, molecular and electronic structure of N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine and the corresponding radical cation

Oxidation of N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(3-methylphenyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (TPD, 1 a) and N,N'-diphenyl-N,N'-bis(2,4-dimethylphenyl)-(1,1'-biphenyl)-4,4'-diamine (1 b) with SbCl(5) affords the corresponding radical cations quantitatively. The crystal and molecular structure of 1 b and [1 b]SbCl(6), the first tetraphenyl benzidene derivatives to be characterised crystallographically in both the neutral and radical cation states, reveal molecular parameters in agreement with the predictions made on the basis of DFT studies. Analysis of the NIR transition in the radical cations [1](+) (.) allows an estimate of the electronic coupling parameter V (1 a(+) (.) 3200 cm(-1); 1 b(+) (.) 3300 cm(-1)), the reorganisation energy lambda(1 a(+) (.) 7500 cm(-1); 1 b(+) (.) 7800 cm(-1)), and the linear coupling constant l (1 a(+) (.) 3100 cm(-1); 1 b(+) (.) 2700 cm(-1)) of the symmetric mode.     

Tris(pyronato)- and tris(pyridonato)-ruthenium(III) complexes and solution NMR studies

The water-soluble Ru(III) maltolato, ethylmaltolato, and pyridonato complexes, Ru(O-O')3 (O-O' = ma (1a), etma (1b), pyd (2a)), were synthesized (Hma = 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone, Hetma = 2-ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone, Hpyd = 3-hydroxy-1,2-dimethyl-4-pyridone). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR and IR spectroscopies, MS, solution conductivity, and cyclic voltammetry, and in the case of Ru(ma)(3), by X-ray crystallography, which revealed a mer configuration. The paramagnetic 1H NMR resonances of 1a, 1b, and 2a were assigned using 2D methods (1H COSY and 1H-13C HMQC) and variable-temperature 1H NMR data and showed that 1a and 1b exist in aqueous solution predominantly as a mer isomer, while 2a is a mixture of mer and fac isomers. Although a 13C NMR spectrum could not be measured directly for 1a, a partial (13)C spectrum was generated from the 1H-13C HMQC spectrum. Complexes 1a and 1b were tested for anti-proliferatory activity against the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-435S and gave IC50 values of 140 and 90 microM, respectively.     

Nickel oxidation states of F(430) cofactor in methyl-coenzyme M reductase

Magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy and variable-temperature variable-field MCD are used in combination with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) calculations to characterize the so-called ox1-silent, red1, and ox1 forms of the Ni-containing cofactor F430 in methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR). Previous studies concluded that the ox1 state, which is the precursor of the key reactive red1 state of MCR, is a Ni(I) species that derives from one-electron reduction of the Ni(II)-containing ox1-silent state. However, our absorption and MCD data provide compelling evidence that ox1 is actually a Ni(II) species. In support of this proposal, our DFT and TD-DFT calculations indicate that addition of an electron to the ox1-silent state leads to formation of a hydrocorphin anion radical rather than a Ni(I) center. These results and biochemical evidence suggest that ox1 is more oxidized than red1, which prompted us to test a new model for ox1 in which the ox1-silent species is oxidized by one electron to form a thiyl radical derived from coenzyme M that couples antiferromagnetically to the Ni(II) ion. This alternative ox1 model, formally corresponding to a Ni(III)/thiolate resonance form but with predicted S = 1/2 EPR parameters reminiscent of a Ni(I) (3dx2-y2)1 species, rationalizes the requirement for reduction of ox1 to yield the red1 species and the seemingly incongruent EPR and electronic spectra of the ox1 state.