Structure, spectrum and decomposition of the doubly charged ion C2N2++

The electronic structure and fragmentation of the cyanogen dication formed by double photoionisation of the neutral NCCN molecule, are investigated by means of time of flight photoelectron-photoelectron coincidence (TOF-PEPECO) and photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence (PEPIPICO) techniques. Large scale ab initio computations at the cc-pVDZ/RCCSD(T) and cc-pVQZ/CASSCF levels of theory are performed in order to provide detailed structures, harmonic wavenumbers, vertical excitation energies and unimolecular decay pathways of the NCCN(++) and CNCN(++) isomers. Both theoretical and experimental data show that the NCCN(++) dication is metastable; it converts rapidly into the CNCN(++) most stable isomer for internal energies above 2 eV. Multi-step dissociation pathways are proposed. The dominant production of ions from unsymmetrical fragmentations is rather unexpected and is explained by rapid rearrangement to the CNCN(++) isomer.     

Enzymatic method for assaying calcium in serum with Ca++ -ATPase

A kinetic assay for total calcium in serum was developed which is based on the activation of Ca(++)-ATPase by free Ca(++) [Ca(++)](f) maintained by EGTA in the reaction mixture. The concentration of Ca(++)(f) was dependent on total reference calcium added or serum calcium. Ca(++)-ATPase activity was coupled to the reduction of NADH by pyruvate kinase (PK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and monitored by change in absorbance at 340 nm. The calcium in normal serum was 10.08 +/- 0.24 mg/dl (n = 35) by our method while with o-cresolphthalein complexone (CPC) method, the total calcium in the same 35 serum samples was 10.14 +/- 0.54 mg/dl. The range of within-run coefficient of variations (CVs) by this method was 0.9-2.87% at 8-12 mg/dl and day-to-day CVs were 0.72-3.17%. The presence of other ions and standard clinical interfering agents did not affect this assay system. The correlation between values obtained with our method (y) and CPC method (x) for normal serum was: y = 1.064x-0.580 mg/dl (r = 0.912, n = 59).     

Butterfly C2H2++: new way for the decomposition of the acetylene dication

Using highly correlated ab initio methods, a new transition state is characterized in the lowest singlet potential energy surface of HCCH(++). This transition state possesses a dibridged (or "butterfly") form not observed yet for any acetylic compound. It can be reached either directly or after spin-orbit conversion of triplet HCCH(++) ions. In light of these calculations, a reaction pathway for the proton pair formation (i.e., HCCH(++)-->C(2)+H(+)+H(+)) is proposed.     

Influence of terpyridine as pi-acceptor ligand on the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of NO with ruthenium(III) complexes

The kinetics of the unusually fast reaction of cis- and trans-[Ru(terpy)(NH3)2Cl]2+ (with respect to NH3; terpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) with NO was studied in acidic aqueous solution. The multistep reaction pathway observed for both isomers includes a rapid and reversible formation of an intermediate Ru(III)-NO complex in the first reaction step, for which the rate and activation parameters are in good agreement with an associative substitution behavior of the Ru(III) center (cis isomer, k1=618 +/- 2 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 38 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -63 +/- 8 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -17.5 +/- 0.8 cm3 mol(-1); k -1 = 0.097 +/- 0.001 s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 27 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -173 +/- 28 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -17.6 +/- 0.5 cm3 mol(-1); trans isomer, k1 = 1637 +/- 11 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 34 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -69 +/-11 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -20 +/- 2 cm3 mol(-1); k(-1)=0.47 +/- 0.08 s(-1), DeltaH(++)=39 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -121 +/-18 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -18.5 +/- 0.4 cm3 mol(-1) at 25 degrees C). The subsequent electron transfer step to form Ru(II)-NO+ occurs spontaneously for the trans isomer, followed by a slow nitrosyl to nitrite conversion, whereas for the cis isomer the reduction of the Ru(III) center is induced by the coordination of an additional NO molecule (cis isomer, k2=51.3 +/- 0.3 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 46 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -69 +/- 5 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -22.6 +/- 0.2 cm3 mol(-1) at 45 degrees C). The final reaction step involves a slow aquation process for both isomers, which is interpreted in terms of a dissociative substitution mechanism (cis isomer, DeltaV(++) = +23.5 +/- 1.2 cm3 mol(-1); trans isomer, DeltaV(++) = +20.9 +/- 0.4 cm3 mol(-1) at 55 degrees C) that produces two different reaction products, viz. [Ru(terpy)(NH3)(H2O)NO]3+ (product of the cis isomer) and trans-[Ru(terpy)(NH3)2(H2O)]2+. The pi-acceptor properties of the tridentate N-donor chelate (terpy) predominantly control the overall reaction pattern.     

Determination of interconversion barriers by dynamic gas chromatography: epimerization of chalcogran

The four stereoisomers of chalcogran 1 ((2RS,SRS)-2-ethyl-1,6-di-oxaspiro[4.4]nonane), the principal component of the aggregation pheromone of the bark beetle pityogenes chalcographus, are prone to interconversion at the spiro center (C5). During diastereo- and enantioselective dynamic gas chromatography (DGC), epimerization of 1 gives rise to two independent interconversion peak profiles, each featuring a plateau between the peaks of the interconverting epimers. To determine the rate constants of epimerization by dynamic gas chromatography (DGC), equations to simulate the complex elution profiles were derived, using the theoretical plate model and the stochastic model of the chromatographic process. The Eyring activation parameters of the experimental interconversion profiles, between 70 and 120 C in the presence of the chiral stationary phase (CSP) Chirasil-beta-Dex, were then determined by computer-aided simulation with the aid of the new program Chrom-Win: (2R,5R)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K) = 108.0 +/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 47.1+/-0.2 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -204+/-6 JK(-1) mol(-1): (2R,5S)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K) = 108.5+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 45.8+/-0.2 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -210 +/-6 J K mol(-1); (2S,5S)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K)= 108.1+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 49.3+/-0.3 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -197+/-8 J K(-1) mol(-1); (2S,5R)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K)=108.6+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 48.0+/-0.3 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -203+/-8 J K(-1) mol(-1). The thermodynamic Gibbs free energy of the E/Z equilibrium of the epimers was determined by the stopped-flow multidimensional gas chromatographic technique: deltaG(E/Z) (298.15 K)= -0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(E/Z) = 1.4 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS(E/Z) = 6.3 J K(-1) mol(-1). An interconversion pathway proceeding through ring-opening and formation of a zwitterion and an enol ether/alcohol intermediate of 1 is proposed.     

Thermodynamics of light-induced and thermal degradation of bacteriochlorins in reaction center protein of photosynthetic bacteria

The rate constants of thermal (irreversible) damage of bacteriochlorin pigments (bacteriochlorophyll monomer [B], bacteriochlorophyll dimer [P] and bacteriopheophytine [H]) in reaction center [RC] protein from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides were studied in the dark and during intense (400 mW x cm(-2)) laser light excitation (wavelengths 488 and 515 nm) under deoxygenated conditions. While the kinetics of degradation of P and B were monoexponential, the decay kinetics of H were overlapped by an initial lag phase at elevated (>40 degrees C) temperature. This is explained by removal of the central metal ion from the bacteriochlorophylls as part of their degradation processes. At all temperatures, the rates of damage were very similar for all bacteriochlorin pigments and were larger in the light than in the dark. The logarithm of the rate constant of pigment degradation and loss of photochemistry as a function of reciprocal (absolute) temperature (Arrhenius/Eyring plot) showed single phase in the light and double phases in the dark. Below 20 degrees C, the rate of pigment degradation in the RC decreased so dramatically in the dark that it became limited by the natural degradation process of bacteriochlorophyll measured in solution. The function of loss of photochemistry in the dark was also biphasic and had a break point at 40 degrees C. The damage in the dark required high enthalpy change (DeltaH(++) = 64 kcal/mol for P and DeltaH(++) = 60 kcal/mol for B) and entropy increase (T x DeltaS(++) = 38 kcal/mol for P and T x DeltaS(++) = 34 kcal/mol for B at T = 300 K), whereas significantly smaller enthalpy change (DeltaH(++) = 21 kcal/mol for P and B and DeltaH(++) = 13 kcal/mol for H) and practically no (T x DeltaS(++) = -1 kcal/mol for P and B at T = 300 K) or small (T x DeltaS(++) = -9 kcal/mol for H at T = 300 K) entropy change was needed in the light. The thermodynamic parameters of activation reveal major steps common in the degradation of all bacteriochlorin pigments: ring opening reactions at C5 or C20 meso-bridges (or both) and breaking/removal of the phytyl chain. Their contribution in the degradation is probably reflected in the observed enthalpy/entropy compensation at an almost constant (DeltaG(++) = 22-26 kcal/mol at T = 300 K) free energy change of activation.     

The boron-catalyzed polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide. A living polymethylene synthesis

Trialkyl and aryl organoboranes catalyze the polymerization of dimethylsulfoxonium methylide (1). The product of the polymerization is a tris-polymethylene organoborane. Oxidation affords linear telechelic alpha-hydroxy polymethylene. The polymer molecular weight was found to be directly proportional to the stoichiometric ratio of ylide/borane, and polydispersities as low as 1.01-1.03 have been realized. Although oligomeric polymethylene has been the most frequent synthetic target of this method, polymeric star organoboranes with molecular weights of 1.5 million have been produced. The average turnover frequency at 120 degrees C in 1,2,4,5-tetrachlorobenzene/toluene is estimated at >6 x 10(6) g of polymethylene (mol boron)(-1) h(-1). The mechanism of the polyhomologation reaction involves initial formation of a zwitterionic organoborane.ylide complex which breaks down in a rate-limiting 1,2-alkyl group migration with concomitant expulsion of a molecule of DMSO. The reaction was found to be first order in the borane catalyst and zero order in ylide. DMSO does not interfere with the reaction. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate yielded the following activation energy parameters (toluene, DeltaH(++) = 23.2 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 12.6 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 19.5 kcal/mol; THF, DeltaH(++) = 26.5 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 21.5 cal deg/mol, DeltaG(++) = 20.1 kcal/mol).     

Reactivity of methacrylates in insertion polymerization

Polymerization of ethylene by complexes [{(P^O)PdMe(L)}] (P^O = κ(2)-(P,O)-2-(2-MeOC(6)H(4))(2)PC(6)H(4)SO(3))) affords homopolyethylene free of any methyl methacrylate (MMA)-derived units, even in the presence of substantial concentrations of MMA. In stoichiometric studies, reactive {(P^O)Pd(Me)L} fragments generated by halide abstraction from [({(P^O)Pd(Me)Cl}μ-Na)(2)] insert MMA in a 1,2- as well as 2,1-mode. The 1,2-insertion product forms a stable five-membered chelate by coordination of the carbonyl group. Thermodynamic parameters for MMA insertion are ΔH(++) = 69.0(3.1) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -103(10) J mol(-1) K(-1) (total average for 1,2- and 2,1-insertion), in comparison to ΔH(++) = 48.5(3.0) kJ mol(-1) and ΔS(++) = -138(7) J mol(-1) K(-1) for methyl acrylate (MA) insertion. These data agree with an observed at least 10(2)-fold preference for MA incorporation vs MMA incorporation (not detected) under polymerization conditions. Copolymerization of ethylene with a bifunctional acrylate-methacrylate monomer yields linear polyethylenes with intact methacrylate substituents. Post-polymerization modification of the latter was exemplified by free-radical thiol addition and by cross-metathesis.     

Calculated volume and energy profiles for water exchange on t2g6 rhodium(III) and iridium(III) hexaaquaions: conclusive evidence for an Ia mechanism

An I(a) mechanism was assigned for water exchange on the hexaaquaions Rh(OH(2))(6)(3+) and Ir(OH(2))(6)(3+) on the basis of negative Delta V(++) experimental values (-4.2 and -5.7 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively). The use of Delta V(++) as a mechanistic criterion was open to debate primarily because Delta V(++) could be affected by extension or compression of the nonparticipating ligand bond lengths on going to the transition state of an exchange process. In this paper, volume and energy profiles for two distinct water exchange mechanisms (D and I(a)) have been computed using quantum chemical calculations which include hydration effects. The activation energy for Ir(OH(2))(6)(3+) is 32.2 kJ mol(-1) in favor of the I(a) mechanism (127.9 kJ mol(-1)), as opposed to a D pathway; the value for the I(a) mechanism being close to Delta H(++) and Delta G(++) experimental values (130.5 kJ mol(-1) and 129.9 kJ mol(-1) at 298 K, respectively). Volumes of activation, computed using Connolly surfaces and for the I(a) pathway (DeltaV(++)(calc) = -3.9 and -3.5 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively, for Rh(3+) and Ir(3+)), are in agreement with the experimental values. Further, it is demonstrated for both mechanisms that the contribution to the volume of activation due to the changes in bond lengths between Ir(III) and the spectator water molecules is negligible: -1.8 for the D, and -0.9 cm(3) mol(-1) for I(a) mechanism. This finding clarifies the debate about the interpretation of Delta V(++) and unequivocally confirms the occurrence of an I(a) mechanism with retention of configuration and a small a character for both Rh(III) and Ir(III) hexaaquaions.     

Investigation of the mechanism of formation of a thiolate-ligated Fe(III)-OOH

Kinetic studies aimed at determining the most probable mechanism for the proton-dependent [Fe(II)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))](+) (1) promoted reduction of superoxide via a thiolate-ligated hydroperoxo intermediate [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OOH)](+) (2) are described. Rate laws are derived for three proposed mechanisms, and it is shown that they should conceivably be distinguishable by kinetics. For weak proton donors with pK(a(HA)) > pK(a(HO(2))) rates are shown to correlate with proton donor pK(a), and display first-order dependence on iron, and half-order dependence on superoxide and proton donor HA. Proton donors acidic enough to convert O(2)(-) to HO(2) (in tetrahydrofuran, THF), that is, those with pK(a(HA)) < pK(a(HO(2))), are shown to display first-order dependence on both superoxide and iron, and rates which are independent of proton donor concentration. Relative pK(a) values were determined in THF by measuring equilibrium ion pair acidity constants using established methods. Rates of hydroperoxo 2 formation displays no apparent deuterium isotope effect, and bases, such as methoxide, are shown to inhibit the formation of 2. Rate constants for p-substituted phenols are shown to correlate linearly with the Hammett substituent constants σ(-). Activation parameters ((ΔH(++) = 2.8 kcal/mol, ΔS(++) = -31 eu) are shown to be consistent with a low-barrier associative mechanism that does not involve extensive bond cleavage. Together, these data are shown to be most consistent with a mechanism involving the addition of HO(2) to 1 with concomitant oxidation of the metal ion, and reduction of superoxide (an "oxidative addition" of sorts), in the rate-determining step. Activation parameters for MeOH- (ΔH(++) = 13.2 kcal/mol and ΔS(++) = -24.3 eu), and acetic acid- (ΔH(++) = 8.3 kcal/mol and ΔS(++) = -34 eu) promoted release of H(2)O(2) to afford solvent-bound [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(OMe)](+) (3) and [Fe(III)(S(Me2)N(4)(tren))(O(H)Me)](+) (4), respectively, are shown to be more consistent with a reaction involving rate-limiting protonation of an Fe(III)-OOH, than with one involving rate-limiting O-O bond cleavage. The observed deuterium isotope effect (k(H)/k(D) = 3.1) is also consistent with this mechanism.     

Influence of ligand polarizability on the reversible binding of O2 by trans-[Rh(X)(XNC)(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br, SC6F5, C2Ph; XNC = xylyl isocyanide). Structures and a kinetic study

The complexes trans-[Rh(X)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] (X = Cl, 1; Br, 2; SC 6F 5, 3; C 2Ph, 4; XNC = xylyl isocyanide) combine reversibly with molecular oxygen to give [Rh(X)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] of which [Rh(SC 6F 5)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] ( 7) and [Rh(C 2Ph)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] ( 8) are sufficiently stable to be isolated in crystalline form. Complexes 2, 3, 4, and 7 have been structurally characterized. Kinetic data for the dissociation of O 2 from the dioxygen adducts of 1- 4 were obtained using (31)P NMR to monitor changes in the concentration of [Rh(X)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] (X = Cl, Br, SC 6F 5, C 2Ph) resulting from the bubbling of argon through the respective warmed solutions (solvent chlorobenzene). From data recorded at temperatures in the range 30-70 degrees C, activation parameters were obtained as follows: Delta H (++) (kJ mol (-1)): 31.7 +/- 1.6 (X = Cl), 52.1 +/- 4.3 (X = Br), 66.0 +/- 5.8 (X = SC 6F 5), 101.3 +/- 1.8 (X = C 2Ph); Delta S (++) (J K (-1) mol (-1)): -170.3 +/- 5.0 (X = Cl), -120 +/- 13.6 (X = Br), -89 +/- 18.2 (X = SC 6F 5), -6.4 +/- 5.4 (X = C 2Ph). The values of Delta H (++) and Delta S (++) are closely correlated (R (2) = 0.9997), consistent with a common dissociation pathway along which the rate-determining step occurs at a different position for each X. Relative magnitudes of Delta H (++) are interpreted in terms of differing polarizabilities of ligands X.     

Synthesis, basicity, and dynamics of a perfluorocyclohexenyl anion

Electron transfer to perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane in moist THF has yielded two quite different products. Tetrabutylammonium iodide irradiated with ultraviolet light gives a tetrabutylammonium enolate, but potassium fluorenone ketyl affords a cyclohexenyl anion. This allylic anion was isolated as its conjugate acid, a rather strong carbon acid. Ring inversion in the anion, measured by (19)F NMR line shape analysis, is characterized by these activation parameter values: DeltaH(++) = 8.84 +/-0.14 kcal/mol and DeltaS(++) = 0.81 +/- 0.6 cal mol(-1) K(-1).     

CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations on the cleavage and ring inversion of bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane find that these reactions involve formation of a common twist-boat diradical intermediate.

(6/6)CASSCF and CASPT2/6-31G calculations have been performed to understand the experimental finding of Goldstein and Benzon (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1972, 94, 5119) that exo-bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane-d(4) (1b) undergoes ring inversion to form endo-bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane-d(4) (4b) faster than it undergoes cleavage to form cis,trans-1,5-hexadiene-d(4) (3b). Goldstein and Benzon also found that the latter reaction, which must occur via a chairlike transition structure (TS), is much faster than cleavage of 1b to trans,trans-1,5-hexadiene-d(4) (2b) via a boatlike TS. Our calculations reveal that all three of these reactions involve ring opening of 1, through a boat diradical TS (BDTS), to form a twist-boat diradical intermediate (TBDI). TBDI can reclose to 4 via a stereoisomeric boat diradical TS (BDTS'), or TBDI can cleave, either via a half-chair diradical TS (HCDTS) to form 3 or via a boat TS (BTS) to form 2. The calculated values of DeltaH(++) = 34.6 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = -1.6 eu, and DeltaH(++) = 35.2 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = 2.0 eu for ring inversion of 1 to 4 and cleavage of 1 to 3, respectively, are in excellent agreement with the values measured by Goldstein and Benzon. The higher value of DeltaH(++) = 37.6 kcal/mol, computed for cleavage of TBDI to 2, is consistent with the experimental finding that very little 2b is formed when 1b is pyrolyzed. The relationships between BDTS, HCDTS, and BTS and the chair and boat Cope rearrangement TSs (CCTS and BCTS) are discussed.     

Kinetic study of the aminolysis and pyridinolysis of O-phenyl and O-ethyl O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonates. A remarkable leaving group effect

The reactions of a series of secondary alicyclic (SA) amines with O-phenyl and O-ethyl O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) thiocarbonates (1 and 2, respectively) and of a series of pyridines with the former substrate are subjected to a kinetic investigation in water, at 25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). Under amine excess over the substrate, all the reactions obey pseudo-first-order kinetics and are first-order in amine. The Br?nsted-type plots are biphasic, with slopes (at high pK(a)) of beta(1) = 0.20 for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2 and beta(1) = 0.10 for the pyridinolysis of 1 and with slopes (at low pK(a)) of beta(2) = 0.80 for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2 and beta(2) = 1.0 for the pyridinolysis of 1. The pK(a) values at the curvature center (pK(a)(0)) are 7.7, 7.0, and 7.0, respectively. These results are consistent with the existence of a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T++) and a change in the rate-determining step with the variation of amine basicity. The larger pK(a)(0) value for the pyridinolysis of 1 compared to that for 2 (pK(a)(0) = 6.8) and the larger pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SA amines with 1 relative to 2 are explained by the greater inductive electron withdrawal of PhO compared to EtO. The larger pK(a)(0) values for the reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2, relative to their corresponding pyridinolysis, are attributed to the greater nucleofugalities of SA amines compared to isobasic pyridines. The smaller pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SA amines with 2 than with O-ethyl S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) dithiocarbonate (pK(a)(0) = 9.2) is explained by the greater nucleofugality from T(++) of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide (DNPO(-)) relative to the thio derivative. The stepwise reactions of SA amines with 1 and 2, in contrast to the concerted mechanisms for the reactions of the same amines with the corresponding carbonates, is attributed to stabilization of T(++) by the change of O(-) to S(-). The simple mechanism for the SA aminolysis of 2 (only one tetrahedral intermediate, T(++)) is in contrast to the more complex mechanism (two tetrahedral intermediates, T(++) and T(-), the latter formed by deprotonation of T(++) by the amine) for the same aminolysis of the analogous thionocarbonate with 4-nitrophenoxide (NPO(-)) as nucleofuge. To our knowledge, this is the first example of a remarkable change in the decomposition path of a tetrahedral intermediate T by replacement of NPO(-) with DNPO(-) as the leaving group of the substrate. This is explained by (i) the greater leaving ability from T(++) of DNPO(-) than NPO(-) and (ii) the similar rates of deprotonation of both T(++) (formed with DNPO and NPO).     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aminolysis of aryl N-ethyl thiocarbamates in acetonitrile

The aminolysis of aryl N-ethyl thiocarbamates (EtNHC(=O)SC(6)H(4)Z) with benzylamines (XC(6)H(4)CN(2)NH(2)) in acetonitrile at 30.0 degrees C is investigated. The rates are faster than the corresponding values for aryl N-phenyl thiocarbamates (PhNHC(=O)SC(6)H(4)Z), reflecting a stronger push to expel the leaving group by EtNH than the PhNH nonleaving group in a concerted process. The negative rho(XZ) (-0.86) and failure of the reactivity-selectivity principle found are consistent with the concerted mechanism. The kinetic isotope effects involving deuterated nucleophiles (k(H)/k(D) = 1.5-1.7) and low Delta H(++) with large negative Delta S(++) values suggest a hydrogen bond cyclic transition state.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of heterocyclic nitrosimines

A series of substituted 2-nitrosiminobenzothiazolines (2) were synthesized by the nitrosation of the corresponding 2-iminobenzothiazolines (6). Thermal decomposition of 2a--f and of the seleno analogue 7 in methanol and of 3-methyl-2-nitrosobenzothiazoline (2a) in acetonitrile, 1,4-dioxane, and cyclohexane followed first-order kinetics. The activation parameters for thermal deazetization of 2a were measured in cyclohexane (Delta H(++) = 25.3 +/- 0.5 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = 1.3 +/- 1.5 eu) and in methanol (Delta H(++) = 22.5 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = -12.9 +/- 2.1 eu). These results indicate a unimolecular decomposition and are consistent with a proposed stepwise mechanism involving cyclization of the nitrosimine followed by loss of N(2). The ground-state conformations of the parent nitrosiminothiazoline (9a) and transition states for rotation around the exocyclic C==N bond, electrocyclic ring closure, and loss of N(2) were calculated using ab initio molecular orbital theory at the MP2/6-31G* level. The calculated gas-phase barrier height for the loss of N(2) from 9a (25.2 kcal/mol, MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE) compares favorably with the experimental barrier for 2a of 25.3 kcal/mol in cyclohexane. The potential energy surface is unusual; the rotational transition state 9a-rot-ts connects directly to the orthogonal transition state for ring-closure 9aTS. The decoupling of rotational and pseudopericyclic bond-forming transition states is contrasted with the single pericyclic transition state (15TS) for the electrocyclic ring-opening of oxetene (15) to acrolein (16). For comparison, the calculated homolytic strength of the N--NO bond is 40.0 kcal/mol (MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE).     

含呋喃环系西佛碱型大环化合物的合成

利用 Mn~(++)和 Ba~(++)作为模板离子,合成了一类新型的含呋喃环系西佛碱型大环化合物L~1 和配合物 L~2 Ba(ClO_4)_2、L~3 Ba(ClO_4)_2 和 L~4 Ba(ClO_4)_2.L~2～L~4 的 Ba~(++)配合物经与 Na_2 SO_4 水溶液反应解络,得到自由配体 L~2、L~3 和 L~4。配体 L~2 和 L~3 分别与 Sr~(++)作用,得到配合物 L~2 Sr(ClO_4)_2 和 L~3 Sr(ClO_4)_2。上述大环配体和各种配合物均经元素分析、IR、~1HNMR、MS 等证实了它们的结构和组成。     

Combined dual substituent constant and activation parameter analysis assigns a concerted mechanism to alkaline ethanolysis at phosphorus of Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates

Second-order rate constants have been measured for reactions of Y-substituted phenyl diphenylphosphinates (1a-h) with EtO(-)K(+) in anhydrous ethanol. A linear Br?nsted-type plot is obtained with beta(Lg) = -0.54, a typical beta(Lg) value for reactions which proceed through a concerted mechanism. The Hammett plots correlated with sigma(o) and sigma(-) constants are linear but exhibit many scattered points, while the corresponding Yukawa-Tsuno plot results in excellent linear correlation with r = 0.41. The r value of 0.41 indicates that the leaving group departs at the rate-determining step (RDS) whether the reactions proceed through either a concerted or a stepwise mechanism. However, a stepwise mechanism in which departure of the leaving group occurs at the RDS is excluded since the incoming EtO(-) ion is much more basic and a poorer leaving group than the leaving aryloxide. The DeltaH(++) values determined in the current reactions are strongly dependent on the nature of the substituent Y, while the DeltaS(double dagger) values remain constant on changing the substituent Y in the leaving group, i.e., from Y = H to Y = 4-NO(2) and Y = 3,4-(NO(2))(2). These DeltaH(++) and DeltaS(++) trends also support a concerted mechanism.     

Solvolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chlorides: evidence for pi-participation

Tertiary 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chloride (1) solvolyzes with significantly reduced secondary beta-deuterium kinetic isotope effect (substrate with two trideuteromethyl groups) and has a lower entropy and enthalpy of activation than the referent saturated analogue 4 (k(H)/k(D) = 1.30 +/- 0.03 vs k(H)/k(D) = 1.79 +/- 0.01; Delta Delta H(++) = -9 kJ mol(-1), Delta Delta S(++) = -36 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), indicating participation of the double bond in the rate-determining step. Transition structure 1-TS computed at the MP2(fc)/6-31G(d) level of theory revealed that the reaction proceeds through a late transition state with considerably pronounced double bond participation and a substantially cleaved C-Cl bond. The doubly unsaturated compound 3 (1,1-dimethyl-4,8-alkadienyl chloride) solvolyzes with further reduction of the isotope effect, and a drastically lower entropy of activation (k(H)/k(D) = 1.14 +/- 0.01; DeltaS(++) = -152 +/- 12 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), suggesting that the solvolysis of 3 proceeds by way of extended pi-participation, i.e., the assistance of both double bonds in the rate-determining step.     

Synthesis of deuterium-labeled cryptophane-A and investigation of Xe@cryptophane complexation dynamics by 1D-EXSY-NMR experiments

We present the synthesis of a series of deuterated cryptophanes 2-6 by a slightly modified procedure used for cryptophane-A. We show that for [Xe@cryptophane] complexes the use of variable-temperature one-dimensional 129Xe magnetization transfer (1D-EX-SY) allows the measurement of exchange rates. From these data the decomplexation activation energy Ea has been estimated to be 37.5+/-2 kJ mol(-1). The decomplexation activation enthalpy, deltaH(++) = 35.5+/-2 kJ mol(-1), and entropy, deltaS(++) = -60+/-5 J mol(-1) K(-1), have also been calculated. The calculated negative activation entropy suggests that the activated complex associated with decomplexation is conformationally more strained than the complex in its ground state.