Photoinduced single- versus double-bond torsion in donor-acceptor-substituted trans-stilbenes

The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra, quantum yields for fluorescence (Phi(f)) and trans --> cis photoisomerization (Phi(tc)), and fluorescence lifetimes of trans-4-(N-arylamino)-4'-cyanostilbenes (2H, 2Me, 2OM, 2CN, and 2Xy with aryl = phenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, and 2,5-dimethylphenyl, respectively), trans-4-(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene (2MP), trans-4-(N,N-diphenylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene (2PP), trans-4-(N-methyl-N-phenylamino)-4'-nitrostilbene (3MP), and three ring-bridged analogues 2OMB, 2MPB, and 3MPB are reported. Whereas fluorescence and torsion of the central double bond account for the excited decay of the majority of these donor-acceptor substituted stilbenes in both nonpolar and polar solvents (i.e., Phi(f) + 2Phi(tc) approximately 1), exceptions are observed for 2OM, 3MP, and 3MPB in solvents more polar than THF and for 2Me and 2MP in acetonitrile as a result of the formation of a weakly fluorescent and isomerization-free twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state (i.e., Phi(f) + 2Phi(tc) < 1). The TICT state for 2OM, 2Me, and 2MP results from the torsion of the stilbenyl-anilino C-N single bond, but the torsion of the styryl-anilino C-C bond is more likely to be responsible for the TICT state formation of 3MP and 3MPB. In conjunction with the behavior of aminostilbenes 1, a guideline based on the values of Phi(f) and Phi(tc) for judging the importance of a TICT state for trans-stilbenes is provided. Accordingly, the TICT state formation is unimportant for the excited decay of trans-4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene (DCS). In contrast, our results support the previously proposed TICT state for trans-4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-4'-nitrostilbene (DNS).     

Meta conjugation effect on the torsional motion of aminostilbenes in the photoinduced intramolecular charge-transfer state

The photochemical behavior of a series of trans-3-(N-arylamino)stilbenes (m1, aryl = 4-substituted phenyl with a substituent of cyano (CN), hydrogen (H), methyl (Me), or methoxy (OM)) in both nonpolar and polar solvents is reported and compared to that of the corresponding para isomers (p1CN, p1H, p1Me, and p1OM). The distinct propensity of torsional motion toward a low-lying twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) state from the planar ICT (PICT) precursor between the meta and para isomers of 1CN and 1Me reveals the intriguing meta conjugation effect and the importance of the reaction kinetics. Whereas the poor charge-redistribution (delocalization) ability through the meta-phenylene bridge accounts for the unfavorable TICT-forming process for m1CN, it is such a property that slows down the decay processes of fluorescence and photoisomerization for m1Me, facilitating the competition of the single-bond torsional reaction. In contrast, the quinoidal character for p1Me in the PICT state kinetically favors both fluorescence and photoisomerization but disfavors the single-bond torsion. The resulting concept of thermodynamically allowed but kinetically inhibited TICT formation could also apply to understanding the other D-A systems, including trans-4-cyano-4'-(N,N-dimethylamino)stilbene (DCS) and 3-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzonitrile (3DMABN).     

Twisted intramolecular charge-transfer state of trans-3-(N,N-Dimethylamino)-4'-cyanostilbene: The C−C bond twisting

Whether a twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) state is formed is an important issue for understanding the fluorescence properties of a push-pull organic dye. Here we report a position effect of the donor substituent on the TICT state formation of aminostilbenes: namely, trans-3-(N,N-dimethylamino)-4′-cyanostilbene ( mDCS ) behaves differently from its TICT-free para isomer DCS and forms a TICT state in acetonitrile (MeCN). The TICT state of mDCS also differs from that of many previously reported aminostilbenes by twisting a C−C bond instead of a C−N bond. In addition, among the ring-bridged model compounds mDCS-N , mDCS-C1 , and mDCS-C2 , we observed an unusual electronic effect of the ring-bridging in mDCS-C2 that mitigates the impact of the TICT state on the fluorescence properties. Both the C−C bond twisting in mDCS and the ring-bridging electronic effect in mDCS-C2 provide new insights into the TICT chemistry of aminostilbenes.     

Investigating CN- cleavage by three-coordinate M[N(R)Ar]3 complexes

Three-coordinate Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 binds cyanide to form the intermediate [Ar((t)Bu)N]3Mo-CN-Mo[N((t)Bu)Ar]3 but, unlike its N2 analogue which spontaneously cleaves dinitrogen, the C-N bond remains intact. DFT calculations on the model [NH2]3Mo/CN- system show that while the overall reaction is significantly exothermic, the final cleavage step is endothermic by at least 90 kJ mol(-1), accounting for why C-N bond cleavage is not observed experimentally. The situation is improved for the [H2N]3W/CN- system where the intermediate and products are closer in energy but not enough for CN- cleavage to be facile at room temperature. Additional calculations were undertaken on the mixed-metal [H2N]3Re+/CN- /W[NH2]3 and [H2N]3Re+/CN-/Ta[NH2]3 systems in which the metals ions were chosen to maximise the stability of the products on the basis of an earlier bond energy study. Although the reaction energetics for the [H2N]3Re+/CN /W[NH2]3 system are more favourable than those for the [H2N]3W/CN- system, the final C-N cleavage step is still endothermic by 32 kJ mol(-1) when symmetry constraints are relaxed. The resistance of these systems to C-N cleavage was examined by a bond decomposition analysis of [H2N]M-L1[triple bond]L2-M[NH2]3 intermediates for L1[triple bond]L2 = N2, CO and CN which showed that backbonding from the metal into the L1[triple bond]L2 pi* orbitals is significantly less for CN than for N2 or CO due to the negative charge on CN- which results in a large energy gap between the metal d(pi), and the pi* orbitals of CN-. This, combined with the very strong M-CN- interaction which stabilises the CN intermediate, makes C-N bond cleavage in these systems unfavourable even though the C[triple bond]N triple bond is not as strong as the bond in N2 or CO.     

Syntheses and 1H-, 13C- and 15N-NMR spectra of ethynyl isocyanide, H-C triple bond C-N triple bond C, D-C triple bond C-N triple bond C and prop-1-ynyl isocyanide, H3C-C triple bond C-N triple bond C, D3C-C triple bond C-N triple bond C: high resolution infrared specturm of prop-1-ynyl isocyanide

Ethynyl isocyanide, H-C triple bond C-N triple bond C (1a), deuteroethynyl isocyanide, D-C triple bond C-N triple bond C (1b), prop-1-ynyl isocyanide, H3C-C triple bond C-N triple bond C (1c), and trideuteroprop-1-ynyl isocyanide, D3C-C triple bond C-N triple bond C (1d) are synthesized by flash vacuum pyrolysis of suitable organometallic precursor molecules (CO)5Cr(CN-CCl triple bond CClH) (5a), (CO)5Cr(CN-CCI=CClD) (5b), (CO)5Cr(CN-CCl=CCl-CH3) (5c) and (CO)5Cr(CN-CCI=CCl-CD3) (5d), respectively. Compounds 5a-d are formed in two steps by radical alkylation of tetraethyl-ammonium pentacarbonyl(cyano)chromate, NEt4[Cr(CO)5(CN)] (2) by 1,1,2,2,-tetrachloroethane (3a), 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro-1,2-dideuteroethane (3b), 1,1,2,2,-tetrachloropropane (3c), and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloro- 1,3,3,3-tetradeutero-propane (3d) yielding [(CO)5Cr(CN-CCl2-CCl2-H)] (4a), [(CO)5Cr(CN-CCl2-CCl2D)] (4b), [(CO)5Cr(CN-CCl2-CCl2-CH3)] (4c), and [(CO)5Cr(CN-CCl2-CCl2-CD3)] (4d). Dehalogenation of 4a-d using zinc in diethylether/acetic acid gives 5a-d, respectively. A multinuclear NMR study revealed the 1H-, 13C- and 15N-NMR data of 1a and 1c. Molecular spectroscopic data of 1c were determined by high resolution infrared spectroscopy. The by-products of the pyrolysis are the E and Z isomers of the halogenated ethenyl isocyanides H(Cl)C=CCl-NC (6a) and H3C(Cl)C=CCl-NC (6c) which have been characterized by IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy.     

Time-dependent density functional theory study on hydrogen-bonded intramolecular charge-transfer excited state of 4-dimethylamino-benzonitrile in methanol

The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method was carried out to investigate the hydrogen-bonded intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) excited state of 4-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (DMABN) in methanol (MeOH) solvent. We demonstrated that the intermolecular hydrogen bond C[triple bond]N...H-O formed between DMABN and MeOH can induce the C[triple bond]N stretching mode shift to the blue in both the ground state and the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) state of DMABN. Therefore, the two components at 2091 and 2109 cm(-1) observed in the time-resolved infrared (TRIR) absorption spectra of DMABN in MeOH solvent were reassigned in this work. The hydrogen-bonded TICT state should correspond to the blue-side component at 2109 cm(-1), whereas not the red-side component at 2091 cm(-1) designated in the previous study. It was also demonstrated that the intermolecular hydrogen bond C[triple bond]N...H-O is significantly strengthened in the TICT state. The intermolecular hydrogen bond strengthening in the TICT state can facilitate the deactivation of the excited state via internal conversion (IC), and thus account for the fluorescence quenching of DMABN in protic solvents. Furthermore, the dynamic equilibrium of these electronically excited states is explained by the hydrogen bond strengthening in the TICT state.     

Scope and mechanistic study of the ruthenium-catalyzed ortho-C-H bond activation and cyclization reactions of arylamines with terminal alkynes

The cationic ruthenium hydride complex [(PCy(3))(2)(CO)(CH(3)CN)(2)RuH](+)BF(4)(-) was found to be a highly effective catalyst for the C-H bond activation reaction of arylamines and terminal alkynes. The regioselective catalytic synthesis of substituted quinoline and quinoxaline derivatives was achieved from the ortho-C-H bond activation reaction of arylamines and terminal alkynes by using the catalyst Ru(3)(CO)(12)/HBF(4).OEt(2). The normal isotope effect (k(CH)/k(CD) = 2.5) was observed for the reaction of C(6)H(5)NH(2) and C(6)D(5)NH(2) with propyne. A highly negative Hammett value (rho = -4.4) was obtained from the correlation of the relative rates from a series of meta-substituted anilines, m-XC(6)H(4)NH(2), with sigma(p) in the presence of Ru(3)(CO)(12)/HBF(4).OEt(2) (3 mol % Ru, 1:3 molar ratio). The deuterium labeling studies from the reactions of both indoline and acyclic arylamines with DCCPh showed that the alkyne C-H bond activation step is reversible. The crossover experiment from the reaction of 1-(2-amino-1-phenyl)pyrrole with DCCPh and HCCC(6)H(4)-p-OMe led to preferential deuterium incorporation to the phenyl-substituted quinoline product. A mechanism involving rate-determining ortho-C-H bond activation and intramolecular C-N bond formation steps via an unsaturated cationic ruthenium acetylide complex has been proposed.     

Twisting dynamics in the excited singlet state of Michler's ketone

Ultrafast relaxation dynamics of the excited singlet (S(1)) state of Michler's ketone (MK) has been investigated in different kinds of solvents using a time-resolved absorption spectroscopic technique with 120 fs time resolution. This technique reveals that conversion of the locally excited (LE) state to the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state because of twisting of the N,N-dimethylanilino groups with respect to the central carbonyl group is the major relaxation process responsible for the multi-exponential and probe-wavelength-dependent transient absorption dynamics of the S1 state of MK, but solvation dynamics does not have a significant role in this process. Theoretical optimization of the ground-state geometry of MK shows that the dimethylanilino groups attached to the central carbonyl group are at a dihedral angle of about 51 degrees with respect to each other because of steric interaction between the phenyl rings. Following photoexcitation of MK to its S1 state, two kinds of twisting motions have been resolved. Immediately after photoexcitation, an ultrafast "anti-twisting" motion of the dimethylanilino groups brings back the pretwisted molecule to a near-planar geometry with high mesomeric interaction and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) character. This motion is observed in all kinds of solvents. Additionally, in solvents of large polarity, the dimethylamino groups undergo further twisting to about 90 degrees with respect to the phenyl ring, to which it is attached, leading to the conversion of the ICT state to the TICT state. Similar characteristics of the absorption spectra of the TICT state and the anion radical of MK establish the nearly pure electron transfer (ET) character of the TICT state. In aprotic solvents, because of the steep slope of the potential energy surface near the Franck-Condon (FC) or LE state region, the LE state is nearly nonemissive at room temperature and fluorescence emission is observed from only the ICT and TICT states. Alternatively, in protic solvents, because of an intermolecular hydrogen-bonding interaction between MK and the solvent, the LE region is more flat and stimulated emission from this state is also observed. However, a stronger hydrogen-bonding interaction between the TICT state and the solvent as well as the closeness between the two potential energy surfaces due to the TICT and the ground states cause the nonradiative coupling between these states to be very effective and, hence, cause the TICT state to be weakly emissive. The multi-exponentiality and strong wavelength-dependence of the kinetics of the relaxation process taking place in the S1 state of MK have arisen for several reasons, such as strong overlapping of transient absorption and stimulated emission spectra of the LE, ICT, and TICT states, which are formed consecutively following photoexcitation of the molecule, as well as the fact that different probe wavelengths monitor different regions of the potential energy surface representing the twisting motion of the excited molecule.     

Intramolecular charge-transfer state formation of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzonitrile in acetonitrile solution: RISM-SCF study

Intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) state formation of 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)benzonitrile in acetonitrile solution is studied by the reference interaction site model self-consistent field (RISM-SCF) method. Geometry optimizations are performed for each electronic state in solution with the complete-active-space SCF wave functions. Dynamic electron correlation effects are taken into account by using the multiconfigurational quasidegenerate perturbation theory. Two-dimensional free energy surfaces are constructed as the function of the twisting and wagging angles of the dimethylamino group for the ground and locally excited (LE) states. The calculated absorption and fluorescence energies are in good agreement with experiments. The validity of the twisted ICT (TICT) model is confirmed in explaining the dual fluorescence, and the possibility of the planar ICT model is ruled out. To examine the mechanism of the TICT state formation, a "crossing" seam between the LE and charge-transfer (CT) state surfaces is determined. The inversion of two electronic states occurs at a relatively small twisting angle. The effect of solvent reorganization is also examined. It is concluded that the intramolecular twisting coordinate is more important than the solvent fluctuation for the TICT state formation, because the energy difference between the two states is minimally dependent on the solvent configuration.     

o-Amino conjugation effect on the photochemistry of trans-aminostilbenes

The excited-state behavior of a series of trans-2-(N-arylamino)stilbenes (aryl = phenyl (o1H), 4-methylphenyl (o1Me), 4-methoxyphenyl (o1OM), and 4-cyanophenyl (o1CN)) and trans-2-(N,N-diphenylamino)stilbene (o2) in both nonpolar and polar solvents is reported and compared to that of the parent trans-2-aminostilbene and the corresponding meta- and para-isomers (m1R and p1R, where R = H, Me, OM, and CN, and m2 and p2). Two types of torsional motions, the D-A torsion that results in a nonfluorescent twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state and the C═C torsion that leads to the cis isomers, account for the radiationless decays of o1R and o2. The relative efficiencies of these torsions can be readily evaluated from their quantum yields for fluorescence (Φ(f)) and trans → cis isomerization (Φ(tc)). The propensities of the D-A torsion are similar for the ortho and meta isomers, which is 1OM > 1Me and negligible for 1H, 1CN, and 2. The activation parameters determined from temperature-dependent fluorescence lifetimes suggest that the C═C torsion occurs mainly via the triplet state for the ortho systems, a behavior again similar to that of the meta isomers. Whereas the intersystem crossing in o1R, m1R, and m2 is essentially a nonactivated process, it encounters a barrier of 2.7-3.8 kcal mol(-1) in o2. As a result of the barriers that decelerate the radiationless decays and the slow fluorescence rate for o2 in acetonitrile, the observed long fluorescence lifetime 24.5 ns at room temperature reaches a new record for unconstrained trans-stilbenes.     

Modeling the active sites in metalloenzymes. 3. Density functional calculations on models for [Fe]-hydrogenase: structures and vibrational frequencies of the observed redox forms and the reaction mechanism at the Diiron Active Center.

Optimized structures for the redox species of the diiron active site in [Fe]-hydrogenase as observed by FTIR and for species in the catalytic cycle for the reversible H(2) oxidation have been determined by density-functional calculations on the active site model, [(L)(CO)(CN)Fe(mu-PDT)(mu-CO)Fe(CO)(CN)(L')](q)(L = H(2)O, CO, H(2), H(-); PDT = SCH(2)CH(2)CH(2)S, L' = CH(3)S(-), CH(3)SH; q = 0, 1-, 2-, 3-). Analytical DFT frequencies on model complexes (mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(6) and [(mu-PDT)Fe(2)(CO)(4)(CN)(2)](2)(-) are used to calibrate the calculated CN(-) and CO frequencies against the measured FTIR bands in these model compounds. By comparing the predicted CN(-) and CO frequencies from DFT frequency calculations on the active site model with the observed bands of D. vulgaris [Fe]-hydrogenase under various conditions, the oxidation states and structures for the diiron active site are proposed. The fully oxidized, EPR-silent form is an Fe(II)-Fe(II) species. Coordination of H(2)O to the empty site in the enzyme's diiron active center results in an oxidized inactive form (H(2)O)Fe(II)-Fe(II). The calculations show that reduction of this inactive form releases the H(2)O to provide an open coordination site for H(2). The partially oxidized active state, which has an S = (1)/(2) EPR signal, is an Fe(I)-Fe(II) species. Fe(I)-Fe(I) species with and without bridging CO account for the fully reduced, EPR-silent state. For this fully reduced state, the species without the bridging CO is slightly more stable than the structure with the bridging CO. The correlation coefficient between the predicted CN(-) and CO frequencies for the proposed model species and the measured CN(-) and CO frequencies in the enzyme is 0.964. The proposed species are also consistent with the EPR, ENDOR, and M?ssbauer spectroscopies for the enzyme states. Our results preclude the presence of Fe(III)-Fe(II) or Fe(III)-Fe(III) states among those observed by FTIR. A proposed reaction mechanism (catalytic cycle) based on the DFT calculations shows that heterolytic cleavage of H(2) can occur from (eta(2)-H(2))Fe(II)-Fe(II) via a proton transfer to "spectator" ligands. Proton transfer to a CN(-) ligand is thermodynamically favored but kinetically unfavorable over proton transfer to the bridging S of the PDT. Proton migration from a metal hydride to a base (S, CN, or basic protein site) results in a two-electron reduction at the metals and explains in part the active site's dimetal requirement and ligand framework which supports low-oxidation-state metals. The calculations also suggest that species with a protonated Fe-Fe bond could be involved if the protein could accommodate such species.     

Bond selection in the photoisomerization reaction of anionic green fluorescent protein and kindling fluorescent protein chromophore models

The chromophores of the most widely known fluorescent proteins (FPs) are derivatives of a core p-hydroxybenzylidene-imidazolinon-5-one (HBI) motif, which usually occurs as a phenolate anion. Double bond photoisomerization of the exocyclic bridge of HBI is widely held to be an important internal conversion mechanism for FP chromophores. Herein we describe the ground and excited-state electronic structures and potential energy surfaces of two model chromophores: 4- p-hydroxybenzylidiene-1,2-dimethyl-imidazolin-5-one anion (HBDI), representing green FPs (GFPs), and 2-acetyl-4-hydroxybenylidene-1-methyl-imidazolin-5-one anion (AHBMI), representing kindling FPs (KFPs). These chromophores differ by a single substitution, but we observe qualitative differences in the potential energy surfaces which indicate inversion of bond selection in the photoisomerization reaction. Bond selection is also modulated by whether the reaction proceeds from a Z or an E conformation. These configurations correspond to fluorescent and nonfluorescent states of structurally characterized FPs, including some which can be reversibly switched by specific illumination regimes. We explain the difference in bond selectivity via substituent stabilization effects on a common set of charge-localized chemical structures. Different combinations of these structures give rise to both optically active (planar) and twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) states of the molecules. We offer a prediction of the gas-phase absorption of AHBMI, which has not yet been measured. We offer a hypothesis to explain the unusual fluorescence of AHBMI in DMF solution, as well as an experimental proposal to test our hypothesis.     

An experimental test of C-N bond twisting in the TICT state: syn-anti photoisomerization in 2-(N-methyl-N-isopropylamino)-5-cyanopyridine

A previously untested essential consequence of the "TICT" (twisted internal charge transfer) interpretation of the nature of the "anomalous" excited state of p-dimethylaminobenzonitrile (1) and related compounds has now been verified: at -90 degreesC, the dual fluorescence of a desymmetrized analogue, 2-(N-methyl-N-isopropylamino)-5-cyanopyridine (2), in methanol (MeOH) is accompanied by syn-anti isomerization around the C-N bond, whereas its ordinary fluorescence in tetrahydrofuran is not.     

Coupled cluster investigation on the low-lying electronic states of CuCN and CuNC and the ground state barrier to isomerization

The observation of several metal cyanides and isocyanides in interstellar space has raised much interest these molecules. Optimum molecular structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and dipole moments of the ground electronic states (X1Sigma+), triplet excited states, and open shell singlet excited states of CuCN and CuNC were determined using different levels of nonrelativistic and scalar relativistic (Douglas-Kroll) [Ann. Phys. 82, 89 (1979)] coupled cluster theory in conjunction with atomic natural orbital basis sets and correlation consistent basis sets. For the relativistic computations the specially contracted correlation consistent Douglas-Kroll (DK) basis sets were used. Moreover, barriers to isomerization from CuCN to CuNC were computed. The predicted structures of the X1Sigma+ state for CuCN are re(Cu-C)=1.826 A and re(C-N)=1.167 A, at the most sophisticated level of theory, the scalar relativistic DK-CCSD(T)/cc-pVQZ(DK) method. These results are in excellent agreement with the experimentally determined Cu-C bond length of 1.829 A and C-N bond distance of 1.162 A. At the same level of theory, the zero-point corrected barrier to isomerization from CuCN to CuNC is estimated to be 14.7 kcal mol(-1), and the cyanide is more stable than the isocyanide by 11.5 kcal mol(-1). For both CuCN and CuNC the 3Sigma+ state is the lowest lying excited electronic state. At the DK-CCSD/cc-pVQZ(DK) level of theory, the energetic ordering of excited states of CuCN and CuNC is X1Sigma+相似文献   

铁硫原子簇配合物(μ-MeS)[μ-Fe(CO)2CpS]Fe2(CO)6的晶体和分子结构

标题化合物为单斜晶系, 空间群P2_1/n, 晶胞参数:a=0.79099(7), b=1.0774(1), c=2.2531(4) nm, γ=92.91(1)°, Z=4。本文讨论了铁硫原子簇配合物(μ-R~1S)(μ-R~2S)Fe_2(CO)_6中, 取代基R~1, R~2大小对化合物结构的影响。当R为较大的基团, 如PPh_3或Fe(CO)_2Cp时, 平均Fe-S键增长。而且簇骨架外的Fe-S键增长比簇骨架内的Fe-S键增长更加明显, 说明Fe-Fe键有稳定骨架的作用。R基团的大小对簇骨架内的扭角S-Fe-Fe-S也有明显的影响。标题化合物中R~1, R~2取代基采取(a,e)构象排布, 有利于缓解取代基间的空间排斥作用。     

Mechanisms of catalyst poisoning in palladium-catalyzed cyanation of haloarenes. remarkably facile C-N bond activation in the [(Ph3P)4Pd]/[Bu4N]+ CN- system

Reaction paths leading to palladium catalyst deactivation during cyanation of haloarenes (eq 1) have been identified and studied. Each key step of the catalytic loop (Scheme 1) can be disrupted by excess cyanide, including ArX oxidative addition, X/CN exchange, and ArCN reductive elimination. The catalytic reaction is terminated via the facile formation of inactive [(CN)4Pd]2-, [(CN)3PdH]2-, and [(CN)3PdAr]2-. Moisture is particularly harmful to the catalysis because of facile CN- hydrolysis to HCN that is highly reactive toward Pd(0). Depending on conditions, the reaction of [(Ph3P)4Pd] with HCN in the presence of extra CN- can give rise to [(CN)4Pd]2- and/or the remarkably stable new hydride [(CN)3PdH]2- (NMR, X-ray). The X/CN exchange and reductive elimination steps are vulnerable to excess CN- because of facile phosphine displacement leading to stable [(CN)3PdAr]2- that can undergo ArCN reductive elimination only in the absence of extra CN-. When a quaternary ammonium cation such as [Bu4N]+ is used as a phase-transfer agent for the cyanation reaction, C-N bond cleavage in the cation can occur via two different processes. In the presence of trace water, CN- hydrolysis yields HCN that reacts with Pd(0) to give [(CN)3PdH]2-. This also releases highly active OH- that causes Hofmann elimination of [Bu4N]+ to give Bu3N, 1-butene, and water. This decomposition mode is therefore catalytic in H2O. Under anhydrous conditions, the formation of a new species, [(CN)3PdBu]2-, is observed, and experimental studies suggest that electron-rich mixed cyano phosphine Pd(0) species are responsible for this unusual reaction. A combination of experimental (kinetics, labeling) and computational studies demonstrate that in this case C-N activation occurs via an S(N)2-type displacement of amine and rule out alternative 3-center C-N oxidative addition or Hofmann elimination processes.     

Ultrafast Relaxation Dynamics of the Excited States of 1‐Amino‐ and 1‐(N,N‐Dimethylamino)‐fluoren‐9‐ones

The dynamics of the excited states of 1‐aminofluoren‐9‐one (1AF) and 1‐(N,N‐dimethylamino)‐fluoren‐9‐one (1DMAF) are investigated by using steady‐state absorption and fluorescence as well as subpicosecond time‐resolved absorption spectroscopic techniques. Following photoexcitation of 1AF, which exists in the intramolecular hydrogen‐bonded form in aprotic solvents, the excited‐state intramolecular proton‐transfer reaction is the only relaxation process observed in the excited singlet (S₁) state. However, in protic solvents, the intramolecular hydrogen bond is disrupted in the excited state and an intermolecular hydrogen bond is formed with the solvent leading to reorganization of the hydrogen‐bond network structure of the solvent. The latter takes place in the timescale of the process of solvation dynamics. In the case of 1DMAF, the main relaxation pathway for the locally excited singlet, S₁(LE), or S₁(ICT) state is the configurational relaxation, via nearly barrierless twisting of the dimethylamino group to form the twisted intramolecular charge‐transfer, S₁(TICT), state. A crossing between the excited‐state and ground‐state potential energy curves is responsible for the fast, radiationless deactivation and nonemissive character of the S₁(TICT) state in polar solvents, both aprotic and protic. However, in viscous but strong hydrogen‐bond‐donating solvents, such as ethylene glycol and glycerol, crossing between the potential energy surfaces for the ground electronic state and the hydrogen‐bonded complex formed between the S₁(TICT) state and the solvent is possibly avoided and the hydrogen‐bonded complex is weakly emissive.     

Substituent effects on the ring opening of 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals

[reaction: see text] Substituent effects on the ring-opening reactions of 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals were studied systematically for the first time utilizing the ONIOM(QCISD(T)/6-311+G(2d,2p):B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p)) method. It was found that various substituents on the nitrogen atom had a relatively small effect on the ring opening of the 2-aziridinylmethyl radical. A pi-acceptor substituent at the C(1) position reduced the energy barrier for C-C cleavage dramatically, but it increased the energy barrier for C-N cleavage significantly at the same time. When the C(1) substituent is alkyl, the ring opening should always strongly favor the C-N cleavage pathway, regardless of whether the N substituent is alkyl, aryl, or COR. When the C(1) substituent is CHO (or CO-alkyl, CO-aryl, or CO-OR but not CO-NR(2)), the ring opening strongly favors the C-C cleavage pathway, regardless of whether the N substituent is alkyl, aryl, or COR. When the C(1) substituent is aryl (or alkenyl or alkynyl), the ring opening should favor the C-C cleavage pathway if the N substituent is alkyl or COR. If both the C(1) substituent and the N substituent are aryl, the ring opening should proceed via both the C-C and C-N cleavage pathways. The solvent effect on the regioselectivity of the ring opening of the 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals was found to be very small. The substituent effects on C-C cleavage could be explained successfully by the spin-delocalization mechanism. For the substituent effects on C-N cleavage, an extraordinary through-bond pi-acceptor effect must be taken into account. Furthermore, studies on bicyclic 2-aziridinylmethyl radicals showed that the ring strain could also affect the regiochemistry of the ring-opening reactions.     

Simulation of the photodeactivation of formamide in the nO-pi* and pi-pi* states: an ab initio on-the-fly surface-hopping dynamics study

The short-time photodynamics (1 ps) of formamide in its low-lying singlet excited n(O)-pi(*) and pi-pi(*) states have been investigated by the direct trajectory surface-hopping method based on multiconfigurational ab initio calculations. The simulations showed that in both states, the primary deactivation process is C-N bond dissociation. In the ground state, the energy is transferred to (a) translational motion of the HCO and NH(2) fragments, (b) additional C-H dissociation from the vibrationally hot HCO fragment, or (c) formation of NH(3) and CO. In addition to the C-N dissociation pathway, C-O bond fission is found to be an additional primary deactivation path in the pi-pi(*) dynamics. From fractional occupations of trajectories, lifetimes of formamide were estimated: tau(S(1))=441 fs and tau(S(2))=66 fs.     

Experimental and computational investigation of C-N bond activation in ruthenium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

A combination of experimental studies and density functional theory calculations is used to study C-N bond activation in a series of ruthenium N-alkyl-substituted heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complexes. These show that prior C-H activation of the NHC ligand renders the system susceptible to irreversible C-N activation. In the presence of a source of HCl, C-H activated Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H (1, I(i)Pr(2)Me(2) = 1,3-diisopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) reacts to give Ru(I(i)PrHMe(2))(PPh(3))(2)(CO)HCl (2, I(i)PrHMe(2) = 1-isopropyl-4,5-dimethylimidazol-2-ylidene) and propene. The mechanism involves (i) isomerization to a trans-phosphine isomer, 1c, in which hydride is trans to the metalated alkyl arm, (ii) C-N cleavage to give an intermediate propene complex with a C2-metalated imidazole ligand, and (iii) N-protonation and propene/Cl(-) substitution to give 2. The overall computed activation barrier (ΔE(++)(calcd)) corresponds to the isomerization/C-N cleavage process and has a value of +24.4 kcal/mol. C-N activation in 1c is promoted by the relief of electronic strain arising from the trans disposition of the high-trans-influence hydride and alkyl ligands. Experimental studies on analogues of 1 with different C4/C5 carbene backbone substituents (Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Ph(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H, Ru(I(i)Pr(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H) or different N-substituents (Ru(IEt(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H) reveal that Ph substituents promote C-N activation. Calculations confirm that Ru(I(i)Pr(2)Ph(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H undergoes isomerization/C-N bond cleavage with a low barrier of only +21.4 kcal/mol. Larger N-alkyl groups also facilitate C-N bond activation (Ru(I(t)Bu(2)Me(2))'(PPh(3))(2)(CO)H, ΔE(++)(calcd) = +21.3 kcal/mol), and in this case the reaction is promoted by the formation of the more highly substituted 2-methylpropene.