Photosensitized oxidation of alkyl phenyl sulfoxides. C-S bond cleavage in alkyl phenyl sulfoxide radical cations

The 3-cyano-N-methylquinolinium perchlorate (3-CN-NMQ(+)ClO4(-))-photosensitized oxidation of phenyl alkyl sulfoxides (PhSOCR1R2R3, 1, R1 = R2 = H, R3 = Ph; 2, R1 = H, R2 = Me, R3 = Ph; 3, R1 = R2 = Ph, R3 = H; 4, R1 = R2 = Me, R3 = Ph; 5, R1 = R2 = R3 = Me) has been investigated by steady-state irradiation and nanosecond laser flash photolysis (LFP) under nitrogen in MeCN. Steady-state photolysis showed the formation of products deriving from the heterolytic C-S bond cleavage in the sulfoxide radical cations (alcohols, R1R2R3COH, and acetamides, R1R2R3CNHCOCH3) accompanied by sulfur-containing products (phenyl benzenethiosulfinate, diphenyl disulfide, and phenyl benzenethiosulfonate). By laser irradiation, the formation of 3-CN-NMQ(*) (lambda(max) = 390 nm) and sulfoxide radical cations 1(*+) , 2(*+), and 5(*+) (lambda(max) = 550 nm) was observed within the laser pulse. The radical cations decayed by first-order kinetics with a process attributable to the heterolytic C-S bond cleavage leading to the sulfinyl radical and an alkyl carbocation. The radical cations 3(*+) and 4(*+) fragment too rapidly, decaying within the laser pulse. The absorption band of the cation Ph2CH(+) (lambda(max) = 440 nm) was observed with 3 while the absorption bands of 3-CN-NMQ(*) and PhSO(*) (lambda(max) = 460 nm) were observed just after the laser pulse in the LFP experiment with 4. No competitive beta-C-H bond cleavage has been observed in the radical cations from 1-3. The C-S bond cleavage rates were measured for 1(*+), 2(*+), and 5(*+). For 3(*+) and 4(*+), only a lower limit (ca. >3 x 10(7) s(-1)) could be given. Quantum yields (Phi) and fragmentation first-order rate constants (k) appear to depend on the structure of the alkyl group and on the bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) of the C-S bond of the radical cations determined by a thermochemical cycle using the C-S BDEs for the neutral sulfoxides 1-5 obtained by DFT calculations. Namely, Phi and k increase as the C-S BDFE becomes more negative, that is in the order 1 < 5 < 2 < 3, 4, which is also the stability order of the alkyl carbocations formed in the cleavage. An estimate of the difference in the C-S bond cleavage rate between sulfoxide and sulfide radical cations was possible by comparing the fragmentation rate of 5(*+) (1.4 x 10(6) s(-1)) with the upper limit (10(4) s(-1)) given for tert-butyl phenyl sulfide radical cation (Baciocchi, E.; Del Giacco, T.; Gerini, M. F.; Lanzalunga, O. Org. Lett. 2006, 8, 641-644). It turns out that sulfoxide radical cations undergo C-S bond breaking at a rate at least 2 orders of magnitude faster than that of corresponding sulfide radical cations.     

Synthesis, structures, and kinetics of mixed-donor amido-amino-siloxo ligands from symmetrical diamidosilyl ether ligands via a retro-brook rearrangement

Deprotonation of the new (R = propyl, 3,5-Me(2)Ph) and previously prepared (R = 2,4,6-Me(3)Ph, 2,6-(i)Pr(2)Ph, 3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph) symmetrical diamidosilyl ether ligand precursors {[RNHSiMe(2)](2)O} with 2 equiv of nBuLi in THF resulted in a new class of mixed-donor amido-amino-siloxo ligands of the form {RNLiSiMe(2)N(R)SiMe(2)OLi} (R= propyl (1c), 3,5-Me(2)Ph (2c), 2,4,6-Me(3)Ph (3c), 2,6-(i)Pr(2)Ph (4c), 3,5-(CF(3))(2)Ph (5c)) in one-step and high yield via a retro-Brook-type rearrangement mechanism. Ligands 1c, 3c, and 4c have been structurally characterized in the presence and absence of THF/ether donor solvents and exhibited a range of aggregated structures with ring-laddering, ring-stacking, and cubane motifs; higher-nuclearity clusters for base-free systems were observed for 1c and 4c. 1H, (7)Li, and selected (13)C{(1)H} NMR spectra in THF-d(8) and toluene-d(8) are described; the (7)Li data are indicative of intramolecular fluxional behavior as a function of temperature but do not shed light on the nuclearity of the salts in solution. Reaction kinetics were investigated by variable-temperature 1H NMR spectroscopy and showed that the rate of rearrangement reactions increases with decreasing steric hindrance and with increasing electron-donating ability of the R substituents, with tau(1/2) values ranging from 5.7 x 10(1) to 1.5 x 10(8) s for 2c and 5c, respectively.     

NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical containing 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical dimer exhibiting triplet excited states at low temperature and thermal hysteresis on melting-solidification: structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic characterization

A high yield, one-pot synthesis of the 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical by reduction of the corresponding 1,3,2,4-dithiadiazolium salt is reported. In the solid state, the title compound is dimerized in trans-cofacial fashion with intra-dimeric Sdelta+...N(delta-) interactions of ca. 3.2 angstroms, and the dimeric units are linked by electrostatic -C triple bond N(delta-)...Sdelta+ interactions forming an infinite chain. Magnetic susceptibility measurements performed on the solid state sample indicate a magnetic moment of 1.8 microB per dimer (1.3 microB per monomer) at 300 K and a good fit to the Bleaney-Bowers model in the temperature range 2-300 K with 2J = -1500 +/- 50 cm(-1), g = 2.02(5), rho = 0.90(3)%, and TIP = 1.25(4) x 10(-3) emu mol(-1). The [NC-(CF2)4-CNSSN radical]2 dimer is the second example of a 1,2,3,5-dithiadiazolyl radical dimer with an experimentally detected triplet excited state as probed by solid-state EPR [2J = -1730 +/- 100 cm(-1), |D| = 0.0278(5) cm(-1), |E| = 0.0047(5) cm(-1)]. The value of the singlet-triplet gap has enabled us to estimate the "in situ" dimerization energy of the radical dimer as ca. -10 kJ mol(-1). The diradical character of the dimer was calculated [CASSCF(6,6)/6-31G*] as 35%. The title radical shows magnetic bistability in the temperature range of 305-335 K as probed by the solid-state EPR presumably arising from the presence of a metastable paramagnetic supercooled phase. Bistability is accompanied by thermochromic behavior with a color change from dark green (dimeric solid) to dark brown (paramagnetic liquid).     

Synthesis and reactivity of the imido analogues of the uranyl ion

Addition of 1.5 equiv of I2 to a THF solution of UI3(THF)4, containing either 6 equiv of tBuNH2 or 2 equiv of RNH2 (R = Ph, 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, 2,6-(iPr)2C6H3) and 4 equiv of NEt3, generates orange solutions containing U(NtBu)2I2(THF)2 (1) or U(NAr)2I2(THF)3 (Ar = Ph, 2; 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3, 3; 2,6-(iPr)2C6H3, 4), respectively, all of which can be isolated in good yields. Alternatively, 1 can be prepared by reaction of uranium metal with 3 equiv of I2 and 6 equiv of tBuNH2, also in good yield. Complexes 1-4 have been characterized by X-ray crystallography, and each of these complexes exhibits linear N-U-N linkages and short U-N bonds. Using density functional theory simulations of complexes 1 and 2, two triple bonds between the metal center and the nitrogen ligands were identified. Complexes 1 and 2 readily react with neutral Lewis bases such as pyridine or Ph3PO to form U(NR)2I2(L)2 (R = tBu, L = py, 5; Ph3PO, 7; R = Ph, L = py, 6; Ph3PO, 8), and with PMe3 to form U(NR)2I2(THF)(PMe3)2 (R = tBu, 9; Ph, 10). The solid-state molecular structures of 5, 7, and 9 have been determined by X-ray crystallography, and these complexes, like their parent compounds, exhibit linear N-U-N angles and short U-N bonds. Complexes 1 and 2 also react with AgOTf in CH2Cl2, forming U(NR)2(OTf)2(THF)3 (R = tBu, 11; Ph, 12) after recrystallization from THF. Crystals of 12 grown from CH2Cl2 were found to contain a dimer, [U(NPh)2(OTf)2(THF)2]2, a complex possessing bridging triflate groups.     

Mechanistic borderline between one-step hydrogen transfer and sequential transfers of electron and proton in reactions of NADH analogues with triplet excited states of tetrazines and Ru(bpy)(3)2+

Efficient energy transfer from Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, denotes the excited state) to 3,6-disubstituted tetrazines [R(2)Tz: R = Ph (Ph(2)Tz), 2-chlorophenyl [(ClPh)(2)Tz], 2-pyridyl (Py(2)Tz)] occurs to yield the triplet excited states of tetrazines ((3)R(2)Tz(*)), which have longer lifetimes and higher oxidizing ability as compared with those of Ru(bpy)(3)(2+). The dynamics of hydrogen-transfer reactions from NADH (dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) analogues has been examined in detail using (3)R(2)Tz(*) by laser flash photolysis measurements. Whether formal hydrogen transfer from NADH analogues to (3)R(2)Tz(*) proceeds via a one-step process or sequential electron and proton transfer processes is changed by a subtle difference in the electron donor ability and the deprotonation reactivity of the radical cations of NADH analogues as well as the electron-acceptor ability of (3)R(2)Tz(*) and the protonation reactivity of R(2)Tz(*)(-). In the case of (3)Ph(2)Tz(*), which is a weaker electron acceptor than the other tetrazine derivatives [(ClPh)(2)Tz; Py(2)Tz], direct one-step hydrogen transfer occurs from 10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH(2)) to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*) without formation of the radical cation (AcrH(2)(*)(+)). The rate constant of the direct hydrogen transfer from AcrH(2) to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*) is larger than that expected from the Gibbs energy relation for the rate constants of electron transfer from various electron donors to (3)Ph(2)Tz(*), exhibiting the primary deuterium kinetic isotope effect. On the other hand, hydrogen transfer from 9-isopropyl-10-methyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrHPr(i)) and 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH) to (3)R(2)Tz(*) occurs via sequential electron and proton transfer processes, when both the radical cations and deprotonated radicals of NADH analogues are detected by the laser flash photolysis measurements.     

Cis-Trans Isomerization and Oxidation of Radical Cations of Stilbene Derivatives

Isomerization from cis stilbene derivatives (c-S (S = RCH=CHC(6)H(5): 1, R = C(6)H(5); 2, R = 4-CH(3)C(6)H(4); 3, R = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4) (= An); 4, R = 2,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 5, R = 3,4-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 6, R = 3,5-(CH(3)O)(2)C(6)H(3); 7, AnCH=C(CH(3))C(6)H(5); 8, AnCH=CHAn)) to trans isomers (t-S) and oxidation of S with O(2) were studied in gamma-ray radiolyses of c-S in Ar-saturated 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) and of S in O(2)-saturated DCE, respectively. On the basis of product analyses, it is suggested that a smaller barrier to c-t unimolecular isomerization for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) than for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) due to the single bond character of the central C=C double bond for c-3(*+)-5(*+) and 8(*+) with a p-methoxyl group but not for c-1(*+), 2(*+), and 6(*+) without a p-methoxyl group because of the contribution of a quinoid-type structure induced by charge-spin separation. The isomerization proceeds via chain reaction mechanisms involving c-t unimolecular isomerization and endergonic hole transfer or dimerization and decomposition. The isomerization of c-3(*+) to t-3(*+) is catalyzed by addition of 1,4-dimethoxybenzene but terminated by triethylamine. The regioselective formation of 3d in oxidation of 3(*+) with O(2) is explained by spin localization on the beta-olefinic carbon in 3(*+). The results of product analyses are compared with the rate constants of the unimolecular isomerization and the oxidation for S(*+) measured with pulse radiolyses.     

One electron oxidation induced dimerization of 5-hydroxytryptophol: role of 5-hydroxy substitution

Reaction of one-electron oxidant (Br(2)(*-)) with tryptophol (TP) and 5-hydroxytryptophol (HTP) have been studied in aqueous solution in the pH range from 3 to 10, employing nanosecond pulse radiolysis technique and the transients detected by kinetic spectrophotometry. One-electron oxidation of TP has produced an indolyl radical that absorbs in the 300-600 nm region with radical pK(a) = 4.9 +/- 0.2, while the reaction with HTP has produced an indoloxyl radical with lambda(max) at 420 nm and radical pK(a) < 3. Hydroxyl radicals ((*)OH) react with these two compounds producing (*)OH radical adducts that undergo water elimination to give one-electron-oxidized indolyl and indoloxyl radical species, respectively. The indoloxyl radicals react with the parent compound to form dimer radicals with an average association constant of (6.7 +/- 0.4) x 10(4) M(-1). No such dimerization is observed with indolyl radical, indicating that the presence of the 5-hydroxy group markedly alters its ability to form a dimer. A possible explanation behind such a difference in reactivity has been supported with ab initio quantum chemical calculations.     

Photo-impulsive reactions in the electronic ground state without electronic excitation: non-photo, non-thermal chemical reactions

Allyl phenyl ether has an absorption band in the ultraviolet region (λ < 400 nm); therefore, irradiation with few-optical-cycle ultraviolet pulses (λ = 360-440 nm) causes a transition to the ultraviolet band, which leads to an electronic state and a photo-Claisen rearrangement (radical reaction) in the electronic excited state. However, the reaction scheme of allyl phenyl ether under irradiation with few-optical-cycle visible pulses (λ = 525-725 nm) was determined to be same as that of the thermal Claisen rearrangement ([3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement), which is symmetry-allowed in the electronic ground state. Photo-excitation with few-optical cycle visible pulses below the absorption band induces a photo-impulsive reaction in the electronic ground state without electronic excitation, of which the trigger scheme is different from that of photoreaction or thermal-reaction. The photo-impulsive reaction in the electronic ground state is highly possible as a novel reaction scheme.     

Syntheses, structure, and derivatization of potassium complexes of penta(organo)[60]fullerene-monoanion, -dianion, and -trianion into hepta- and octa(organo)fullerenes

Two-electron reduction of penta(organo)[60]fullerenes C(60)Ar(5)H (Ar = Ph and biphenyl) by potassium/mercury amalgam afforded potassium complexes of the corresponding open-shell radical dianions [K+(thf)n]2[C60Ar5(2-.)]. These compounds were characterized by UV-visible-near-IR and electron spin resonance spectroscopy in solution. Anaerobic crystallization of [K+(thf)n]2[C60(biphenyl)(5)(2-.)] that exists largely as a monomer in solution gave black crystals of its dimer [K+(thf)3]4[(biphenyl)5C60-C60(biphenyl)5(4-)], in which the two fullerene units are connected by a C-C single bond [1.577(11) A] as determined by X-ray diffraction. Three-electron reduction of C60Ar5H with metallic potassium gave a black-green trianion [K+(thf)n]3[C60Ar5(3-)]. The reaction of the trianion with an alkyl halide RBr (R = PhCH(2) and Ph(2)CH) regioselectively afforded a hepta-organofullerene C60Ar5R2H, from which a potassium complex [K+(thf)n][C60(biphenyl)5(CH2Ph)(2)(-)] and a palladium complex Pd[C60(biphenyl)5(CH2Ph)2](pi-methallyl) as well as octa-organofullerene compounds C60(biphenyl)5(CH2Ph)3H2 and Ru[C60(biphenyl)5(C2Ph)3H]Cp were synthesized. These compounds possess a dibenzo-fused corannulene pi-electron conjugated system and are luminescent.     

Use of gas-phase (1)H NMR to determine the kinetics of unimolecular rearrangement of 2,2-dichloro-1-methylenecyclopropane and the bimolecular dimerization of (dichloromethylene)cyclopropane

Gas-phase (1)H NMR analysis has been applied to investigate the kinetics of the unimolecular rearrangement of 2,2-dichloro-1-methylenecyclopropane (1) to (dichloromethylene)cyclopropane (2) [k(1) = 7.9 x 10(12) exp(-34.4 +/- 0.6 kcal mol(-1)/RT)], as well as for the subsequent second-order dimerization of 2 [k(2) = 2.4 x 10(6) exp(-18.5 +/- 1.1 kcal mol(-1)/RT)] to form 7,7,8,8-tetrachlorodispiro[2.0.2.2]octane (3)     

Synthesis, X-ray diffraction studies, and DFT calculations on hexacoordinated germanium derivatives: the case of germaspirobis(ocanes)

Synthesis of the title compounds, viz. [RN(CH2CHR'O)2]2Ge (1, R = Me, R' = H; 2, R = Me, R' = Ph; 3, R = Ph, R' = H), by the reaction of 2 equiv of corresponding dialkanolamines RN(CH2CHR'OH)2 (4, R = Me, R' = H; 5, R = Me, R' = Ph; 6, R = Ph, R' = H) with (AlkO)4Ge is reported. Composition and structures of all novel compounds were established by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry as well as elemental analysis data. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction of 2 has clearly indicated the presence of two transannular interactions Ge<--N in the compound. N atoms are cis-orientated. The compound 3 possesses long Ge...N distances. The structural data obtained from geometry optimizations by DFT calculations on 1-3 reproduces experimental results. Both cis- and trans-isomers were studied, and cis-configuration was found to be more thermodynamically stable for all three compounds. The transition states for possible cis <--> trans rearrangement processes in 1-3 were calculated. The properties of the Ge-O and Ge<--N bonds in 1-3 were analyzed by the AIM approach. The interactions between the Ge atom and N atoms as well as O atoms possess predominantly ionic character.     

First generation and characterization of the enol of glycine, H(2)N--CH=C(OH)(2), in the gas phase

The enol of glycine, H(2)N-CH&dbond;C(OH)(2), is generated in the gas phase by neutralization of the corresponding radical cation, which is available by dissociative electron ionization of isoleucine. Reionization approximately 0.6 micros later shows that the isolated enol (2) exists and does not isomerize to the significantly more stable glycine molecule, H(2)N--CH(2)--COOH (1); hence the intramolecular tautomerization 2-->1 must be associated with high barriers. The neutralization-reionization reactivity of 1(+*) further confirms that neutral glycine has a canonical structure (1) and is not a zwitterion. The unimolecular chemistry of 1(+*) is dominated by C--C bond cleavage to the immonium ion (+)H(2)NCH(2); in sharp contrast, 2(+*) primarily loses H(2)O. The ylide ion (+)H(3)N--CH(*)--COOH, an intermediate in the water loss from 2(+*), is found to readily equilibrate to 2(+*) prior to dissociation. Tautomers 1(+*) and 2(+*) differ in their charge-stripping behavior, with only 2(+*) forming a stable dication. The radical anions 1(-*) and 2(-*), formed by charge reversal of 1(+*) and 2(+*), respectively, dissociate extensively to (mainly) different closed-shell fragment anions. An important channel is H(*) loss; 1(-*) yields the carboxylate ion H(2)N--CH(2)--COO(-) whereas 2(-*) yields the enolate ion H(2)N--CH=C(OH)O(-).     

Synthesis and characterisation of benzyl phosphino-thioether and -thiolato Pd(II) complexes and their applications in Suzuki coupling reactions

The synthesis of the benzyl phosphinothioether derivatives Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(Et)SR and their corresponding palladium complexes are reported, where R = CH(2)Ph, R = CH(2)-3,5-Me-C(6)H(3) and R = 1-CH(2)C(10)H(7)(5). Crystallographic data obtained for the complexes Pd(3)Cl(2) and Pd(4)Cl(2) show intra- and inter-molecular pi-pi interactions between the aromatic rings on the P and S substituents, and NOE experiments for Pd(4)Cl(2) show that these interactions persist in solution. The performance of the phosphinothioether palladium complexes in aryl-aryl cross-coupling reactions is compared with that of the corresponding complex of the parent phosphinothiolato ligand Ph(2)PCH(2)CH(Et)S(-)(1). High turnover numbers up to 2000000 are reported for the coupling of bromobenzene, using the palladium dimer [Pd(1)I](2) as the catalyst precursor. Kinetic studies show a linear dependence of the reaction on catalyst loading. The effect of other variables on the cross-coupling reaction, such as temperature, solvent and base, is also reported.     

Ab initio evaluation of the thermodynamic and electrochemical properties of alkyl halides and radicals and their mechanistic implications for atom transfer radical polymerization

High-level ab initio molecular orbital calculations are used to study the thermodynamics and electrochemistry relevant to the mechanism of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Homolytic bond dissociation energies (BDEs) and standard reduction potentials (SRPs) are reported for a series of alkyl halides (R-X; R = CH 2CN, CH(CH 3)CN, C(CH 3) 2CN, CH 2COOC 2H 5, CH(CH 3)COOCH 3, C(CH 3) 2COOCH 3, C(CH 3) 2COOC 2H 5, CH 2Ph, CH(CH 3)Ph, CH(CH 3)Cl, CH(CH 3)OCOCH 3, CH(Ph)COOCH 3, SO 2Ph, Ph; X = Cl, Br, I) both in the gas phase and in two common organic solvents, acetonitrile and dimethylformamide. The SRPs of the corresponding alkyl radicals, R (*), are also examined. The computational results are in a very good agreement with the experimental data. For all alkyl halides examined, it is found that, in the solution phase, one-electron reduction results in the fragmentation of the R-X bond to the corresponding alkyl radical and halide anion; hence it may be concluded that a hypothetical outer-sphere electron transfer (OSET) in ATRP should occur via concerted dissociative electron transfer rather than a two-step process with radical anion intermediates. Both the homolytic and heterolytic reactions are favored by electron-withdrawing substituents and/or those that stabilize the product alkyl radical, which explains why monomers such as acrylonitrile and styrene require less active ATRP catalysts than vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. The rate constant of the hypothetical OSET reaction between bromoacetonitrile and Cu (I)/TPMA complex was estimated using Marcus theory for the electron-transfer processes. The estimated rate constant k OSET = approximately 10 (-11) M (-1) s (-1) is significantly smaller than the experimentally measured activation rate constant ( k ISET = approximately 82 M (-1) s (-1) at 25 degrees C in acetonitrile) for the concerted atom transfer mechanism (inner-sphere electron transfer, ISET), implying that the ISET mechanism is preferred. For monomers bearing electron-withdrawing groups, the one-electron reduction of the propagating alkyl radical to the carbanion is thermodynamically and kinetically favored over the one-electron reduction of the corresponding alkyl halide unless the monomer bears strong radical-stabilizing groups. Thus, for monomers such as acrylates, catalysts favoring ISET over OSET are required in order to avoid chain-breaking side reactions.     

Transients in the oxidative and H-atom-induced degradation of 1,3,5-trithiane. Time-resolved studies in aqueous solution

The (*)OH-induced oxidation of 1,3,5-trithiacyclohexane (1) in aqueous solution was studied by means of pulse radiolysis with optical and conductivity detection. This oxidation leads, via a short-lived (*)OH radical adduct (<1 micros), to the radical cation 1(*+) showing a broad absorption with lambda(max) equal to 610 nm. A defined pathway of the decay of 1(*+) is proton elimination. It occurs with k = (2.2 +/- 0.2) x 10(4) s(-1) and yields the cyclic C-centered radical 1(-H)(*). The latter radical decays via ring opening (beta-scission) with an estimated rate constant of about 10(5) s(-1). A distinct, immediate product (formed with the same rate constant) is characterized by a narrow absorption band with lambda(max) = 310 nm and is attributed to the presence of a dithioester function. The formation of the 310 nm absorption can be suppressed in the presence of oxygen, the rationale for this being a reaction of the C-centered cyclic radical 1(-H)(*) with O(2). The disappearance of the 310 nm band (with a rate constant of 900 s(-1)) is associated with the hydrolysis of the dithioester functionality. A further aspect of this study deals with the reaction of H(*) atoms with 1 which yields a strongly absorbing, three-electron-bonded 2sigma/1sigma* radical cation [1(S therefore S)-H](+) (lambda(max) = 400 nm). Its formation is based on an addition of H(*) to one of the sulfur atoms, followed by beta-scission, intramolecular sulfur-sulfur coupling (constituting a ring contraction), and further stabilization of the S therefore S bond thus formed by protonation. [1(S therefore S)-H](+) decays with a first-order rate constant of about 10(4) s(-1). Its formation can be suppressed by the addition of oxygen which scavenges the H(*) atoms prior to their reaction with 1. Complementary time-resolved conductivity experiments have provided information on the quantification of the 1(*+) radical cation yield, the cationic longer-lived follow-up species, extinction coefficients, and kinetics concerning deprotonation processes as well as further reaction steps after hydrolysis of the transient dithioesters. The results are also discussed in the light of previous photochemical studies.     

Steady-state and laser flash photolysis study of the carbon-carbon bond fragmentation reactions of 2-arylsulfanyl alcohol radical cations

The N-methylquinolinium tetrafluoroborate (NMQ(+))-sensitized photolysis of the erythro-1,2-diphenyl-2-arylsulfanylethanols 1-3 (1, aryl = phenyl; 2, aryl = 4-methylphenyl; 3, aryl = 3-chlorophenyl) has been investigated in MeCN, under laser flash and steady-state photolysis. Under laser irradiation, the formation of sulfide radical cations of 1-3, in the monomeric (lambda(max) = 520-540 nm) and dimeric form (lambda(max) = 720-->800 nm), was observed within the laser pulse. The radical cations decayed by first-order kinetics, and under nitrogen, the formation of ArSCH(*)Ph (lambda(max) = 350-360 nm) was clearly observed. This indicates that the decay of the radical cation is due to a fragmentation process involving the heterolytic C-C bond cleavage, a conclusion fully confirmed by steady-state photolysis experiments (formation of benzaldehyde and the dimer of the alpha-arylsulfanyl carbon radical). Whereas the fragmentation rate decreases as the C-C bond dissociation energy (BDE) increases, no rate change was observed by the replacement of OH by OD in the sulfide radical cation (k(OH)/k(OD) = 1). This suggests a transition state structure with partial C-C bond cleavage where the main effect of the OH group is the stabilization of the transition state by hydrogen bonding with the solvent. The fragmentation rate of 2-hydroxy sulfanyl radical cations turned out to be significantly slower than that of nitrogen analogues of comparable reduction potential, probably due to a more efficient overlap between the SOMO in the heteroatom and the C-C bond sigma-orbital in the second case. The fragmentation rates of 1(+*)-3(+*) were found to increase by addition of a pyridine, and plots of k(base) against base strength were linear, allowing calculation of the beta Bronsted values, which were found to increase as the reduction potential of the radical cation decreases, beta = 0.21 (3(+*)), 0.34 (1(+*)), and 0.48 (2(+*)). The reactions of 1(+*) exhibit a deuterium kinetic isotope effect with values that increase as the base strength increases: k(OH)/k(OD) = 1.3 (pyridine), 1.9 (4-ethylpyridine), and 2.3 (4-methoxypyridine). This finding and the observation that with the above three bases the rate decreases in the order 3(+*) > 1(+*) > 2(+*), i.e., as the C-C BDE increases, suggest that C-C and O-H bond cleavages are concerted but not synchronous, with the role of OH bond breaking increasing as the base becomes stronger (variable transition state). It is probable that, with the much stronger base, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, a change to a stepwise mechanism may occur where the slow step is the formation of a radical zwitterion that then rapidly fragmentates to products.     

Organogermanium reactive intermediates. The direct detection and characterization of transient germylenes and digermenes in solution

Diphenylgermylene (Ph2Ge) and its Ge=Ge doubly bonded dimer, tetraphenyldigermene (6a), have been characterized directly in solution for the first time by laser flash photolysis methods. The germylene is formed via (formal) cheletropic photocycloreversion of 3,4-dimethyl-1,1-diphenylgermacyclopent-3-ene (4a), which is shown to proceed in high chemical (>95%) and quantum yield (phi = 0.62) by steady-state trapping experiments with methanol, acetic acid, isoprene, and triethylsilane. Flash photolysis of 4a in dry deoxygenated hexane at 23 degrees C leads to the prompt formation of a transient assigned to Ph2Ge (lambda(max) = 500 nm; epsilon(max) = 1650 M(-1) cm(-1)), which decays with second-order kinetics (tau approximately 3 micros), with the concomitant growth of a second transient species that is assigned to digermene 6a (tau approximately 40 micros; lambda(max) = 440 nm). Analogous results are obtained from 1,1-dimesityl- and 1,1-dimethyl-3,4-dimethylgermacyclopent-3-ene (4b and 4c, respectively), which afford Mes2Ge (tau approximately 20 micros; lambda(max) = 560 nm) and Me2Ge (tau approximately 2 micros; lambda(max) = 480 nm), respectively, as well as the corresponding digermenes, tetramesityl- (6b; lambda(max) = 410 nm) and tetramethyldigermene (6c; lambda(max) = 370 nm). The results for the mesityl compound are compared to the analogous ones from laser flash photolysis of the known Mes2Ge/6b precursor, hexamesitylcyclotrigermane. The spectra of the three germylenes and two of the digermenes are in excellent agreement with calculated spectra, derived from time-dependent DFT calculations. Absolute rate constants for dimerization of Ph2Ge and Mes2Ge and for their reaction with n-butylamine and acetic acid in hexane at 23 degrees C are also reported.     

Ligand rotation in [Ar(R)N]3M-N2-M'[N(R)Ar]3(M, M' = MoIII, NbIII; R = iPr and tBu) dimers

Earlier calculations on the model N2-bridged dimer (micro-N2)-{Mo[NH2]3}2 revealed that ligand rotation away from a trigonal arrangement around the metal centres was energetically favourable resulting in a reversal of the singlet and triplet energies such that the singlet state was stabilized 13 kJ mol(-1) below the D(3d) triplet structure. These calculations, however, ignored the steric bulk of the amide ligands N(R)Ar (R =iPr and tBu, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) which may prevent or limit the extent of ligand rotation. In order to investigate the consequences of steric crowding, density functional calculations using QM/MM techniques have been performed on the Mo(III)Mo(III) and Mo(III)Nb(III) intermediate dimer complexes (mu-N(2))-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 and [Ar(R)N]3Mo-(mu-N2)-Nb[N(R)Ar]3 formed when three-coordinate Mo[N(R)Ar]3 and Nb[N(R)Ar]3 react with dinitrogen. The calculations indicate that ligand rotation away from a trigonal arrangement is energetically favourable for all of the ligands investigated and that the distortion is largely electronic in origin. However, the steric constraints of the bulky amide groups do play a role in determining the final orientation of the ligands, in particular, whether the ligands are rotated at one or both metal centres of the dimer. Analogous to the model system, QM/MM calculations predict a singlet ground state for the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 dimers, a result which is seemingly at odds with the experimental triplet ground state found for the related (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(tBu)Ph]3}2 system. However, QM/MM calculations on the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(tBu)Ph]3}2 dimer reveal that the singlet-triplet gap is nearly 20 kJ mol(-1) smaller and therefore this complex is expected to exhibit very different magnetic behaviour to the (mu-N2)-{Mo[N(R)Ar]3}2 system.     

Platinum(II) complexes with pi-conjugated, naphthyl-substituted, cyclometalated ligands (RC N N): structures and photo- and electroluminescence

The crystal structures and photophysical properties of mononuclear [(RC N N)PtX](ClO4)n ((RC N N)=3-(6'-(2'-naphthyl)-2'-pyridyl)isoquinolinyl and derivatives; X=Cl, n=0; X=PPh(3) or PCy(3), n=1), dinuclear [(RC N N)2Pt2(mu-dppm)](ClO4)2 (dppm=bis(diphenyphosphino)methyl) and trinuclear [(RC N N)3Pt3(mu-dpmp)](ClO4)3 (dpmp=bis(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphine) complexes are presented. The crystal structures show extensive intra- and/or intermolecular pipi interactions; the two (RC N N) planes of [(RC N N)2Pt2(mu-dppm)](ClO4)2 (R=Ph, 3,5-tBu2Ph or 3,5-(CF3)2Ph) are in a nearly eclipsed configuration with torsion angles close to 0 degrees. [(RC N N)PtCl], [(RC N N)2Pt2(mu-dppm)](ClO4)2, and [(RC N N)3Pt3(mu-dpmp)](ClO4)3 are strongly emissive with quantum yields of up to 0.68 in CH2Cl2 or MeCN solution at room temperature. The [(RC N N)PtCl] complexes have a high thermal stability (T(d)=470-549 degrees C). High-performance light-emitting devices containing [(RC N N)PtCl] (R=H or 3,5-tBu2Ph) as a light-emitting material have been fabricated; they have a maximum luminance of 63,000 cd m(-2) and CIE 1931 coordinates at x=0.36, y=0.54.