DFT study on the unsaturated germylenoid H2CGeNaF

The unsaturated germylenoid H₂CGeNaF was studied by using the DFT B3LYP method in conjunction with the 6-311+G(d, p) basis set. Geometry optimization calculations indicate that H₂CGeNaF has three equilibrium configurations, in which the p-complex is the lowest in energy and is the most stable structure. Two transition states for isomerization reactions of H₂CGeNaF are located and the energy barriers are calculated. For the most stable one, vibrational frequencies and infrared intensities have been predicted.     

Argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared spectrum of H2CMH2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf): A theoretical study

Within the framework of polarizable continuum model with integral equation formalism (IEF-PCM), an argon matrix effect on the geometry and infrared frequencies of the agostic H₂CMH₂ (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) methylidene complexes was investigated at B3LYP level of theory with the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set for C, H, and Ti atoms and Stuttgart/Dresden ECPs MWB28 and MWB60 for the Zr and Hf atoms. At the B3LYP/IEF-PCM level of theory, H₂CTiH₂ was optimized to an energy minimum having a pyramidal structure. The calculated dipole moment of this structure is 3.06 D. The B3LYP/IEF-PCM simulations gave the three complexes’ agostic angle ∠HCM (°), distance r(H?M) (Å), and CM bond length r(CM) (Å) as follows: ∠HCTi = 87.4, r(H?Ti) = 2.079, r(CTi) = 1.803; ∠HCZr = 89.3, r(H?Zr) = 2.243, r(CZr) = 1.956; ∠HCHf = 94.7, r(H?Hf) = 2.343, r(CHf) = 1.972. As a comparison, the B3LYP simulations gave the values as follows: ∠HCTi = 91.5, r(H?Ti) = 2.150, r(CTi) = 1.811; ∠HCZr = 92.9, r(H?Zr) = 2.299, r(CZr) = 1.955; ∠HCHf = 95.6, r(H?Hf) = 2.352, r(CHf) = 1.967. As far as the MH₂ symmetric and asymmetric stretching and CH₂ wagging frequencies are concerned, the IEF-PCM calculated values are in better agreement with the experimental argon matrix ones than those calculated based on a gas phase model.     

Ruthenium carbene complexes containing bidentate and tridentate PO ligands

Treatment of [Ru(CHR)Cl₂(PCy₃)₂] (Cy = cyclohexyl) with Tl[N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂] and AgL_OEt (L_OEt⁻ = [CpCo{P(O)(OEt)₂}₃]⁻) afforded the Ru carbene complexes [Ru(CHPh)(PCy₃)Cl{N(Pr₂ⁱPO)₂}] (1) and [L_OEtRu(CHR)(PCy₃)Cl] (2), respectively. Chloride abstraction of complex 2 with TlPF₆ in MeCN afforded [L_OEtRu(CHPh)(PCy₃)(MeCN)][PF₆] (3). Complexes 1 and 2 are capable of catalyzing ring-closing metathesis of diethyl 1,2-diallylmalonate. The crystal structure of complex 2 has been determined.     

Intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the binary mixture [(C2H5)2CO + CH3OH] probed by polarized Raman measurements and DFT calculations

The Raman spectra of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO (pentanone) and its binary mixtures with hydrogen donor solvent (CH₃OH), [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] having different mole fractions of the reference system, (C₂H₅)₂CO in the range 0.1-0.9 at a regular interval of 0.1 were recorded in the CO stretching region. In neat liquid, the Raman peak appears asymmetric. The asymmetric nature of the peak has been attributed to the CO stretching mode of the two conformers of (C₂H₅)₂CO having C₂ and C_2v point groups and the corresponding bands at ∼1711 and ∼1718 cm⁻¹, respectively. A careful analysis of the I_iso (isotropic component of the Raman scattered intensity) at different concentrations reveals that upon dilution with methanol, at mole fraction C = 0.6, an additional peak in the CO stretching region is observed at ∼1703 cm⁻¹ which is attributed to the hydrogen bonding with methanol. A peculiar feature in this study is that upon dilution, the peak at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ shows a minimum at C = 0.6, but on further dilution it shows a blue shift. However, the other peak at ∼1711 cm⁻¹ shows a continuous red shift with dilution as well as a maximum at C = 0.7 in the linewidth vs. concentration plot, which is essentially due to competition between motional narrowing and diffusion phenomena. A significant amount of narrowing in the Raman band at ∼1718 cm⁻¹ can be understood in terms of caging effect of the reference molecule by the solvent molecules at high dilution. A density functional theoretic (DFT) calculation on optimized geometries and vibrational frequencies of two conformers of neat (C₂H₅)₂CO in C₂ ad C_2v forms and the complexes with one and two CH₃OH molecules with both the conformers was performed. The experimental results and theoretical calculations together indicate a co-existence of two conformers as well as hydrogen bonded complex with methanol in the binary mixture, [(C₂H₅)₂CO + CH₃OH] at intermediate concentrations.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of 2,2′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl)bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole 3-oxide 1-oxyl)

An approach to the synthesis of nitronyl nitroxide 2,2′-(buta-1,3-diyne-1,4-diyl)bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole 3-oxide 1-oxyl) (4) was developed. Compound 4 is the first diradical with nitronyl nitroxide groups directly linked through a diacetylene fragment. In solid phase the diradicals are arranged in stacks with parallel CC fragments, with the distances between the terminal carbon atoms of the neighboring diacetylene groups (T and d) being 6.170 and 4.466 Å, respectively, and the angle between the translation vector and the median line passing through the CCCC fragment of 45.9°. The values of T and d are outside the range of structural criteria allowing a topochemical reaction. Thus UV irradiation does not initiate solid phase polymerization of 4. After exposure at 373 K for 1 h the crystals of 4 turn dark-brown, become X-ray amorphous and lose the majority of their paramagnetic centers without significantly changing their mass. Upon further heating up to 400-420 K the product explodes, releasing about 360 kJ/mol of heat. A diluted solution of 4 in 1,4-dioxane produces an EPR spectrum typical of a strong exchange (a multiplet of nine broadened lines with A_4N = 0.35 mT), indicating the efficiency of the CCCC fragment as an exchange channel. The character of the experimental μ_eff(T) dependence for 4 indicates a strong intramolecular antiferromagnetic-type exchange interaction (J/k_B ∼ −104 K) and the dominating weak intermolecular ferromagnetic exchange.     

Osmium assisted C-H activation and CN cleavage of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl) benzaldimines. Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of some organoosmium complexes

Reaction of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-4-R-benzaldimines (L-R, R = OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂) with [Os(PPh₃)₃Br₂] in refluxing 2-methoxyethanol in the presence of triethylamine affords two families of organoosmium complexes (1-R and 2-R). In both 1-R and 2-R complexes a benzaldimine ligand is coordinated to the metal center as tridentate C,N,O-donor. In the 1-R complexes, a bidentate N,O-donor imionsemiquinonate ligand, derived from the hydrolysis of another benzaldimine, and a PPh₃ ligand are also coordinated to osmium. In the 2-R complexes, a carbonyl, derived from decarbonylation of 4-R-benzaldehyde (derived from the same hydrolysis stated above), and two PPh₃ ligands take up the remaining coordination sites on osmium. Structures of the 1-Cl and 2-OCH₃ complexes have been determined by X-ray crystallography. All the 1-R and 2-R complexes are diamagnetic, and show characteristic ¹H NMR signals and intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry on the 1-R complexes shows a reversible Os(III)-Os(IV) oxidation within 0.47-0.67 V (vs SCE), followed by an irreversible oxidation of the imionsemiquinonate ligand within 1.10-1.36 V. An irreversible Os(III)-Os(II) reduction is also displayed by the 1-R complexes within −1.02 to −1.14 V. Cyclic voltammetry on the 2-R complexes shows a reversible Os(II)-Os(III) oxidation within 0.29-0.51 V, followed by a quasi-reversible oxidation within 1.04-1.29 V, and an irreversible reduction of the coordinated benzaldimine ligand within −1.16 to −1.31 V.     

Copper-catalyzed oxidative cleavage of carbon-carbon double bond of enol ethers with molecular oxygen

A novel CC bond cleavage reaction of aromatic enol ethers (1) to give ketones (2) using molecular oxygen as oxidant is described. Among the examined catalysts (Cu(II), Pd(II), Ru(II), and H⁺), CuCl₂ exhibited the highest activity. The reaction proceeded smoothly with several kinds of substrates.     

BF3·OEt2-catalyzed synthesis of 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran and trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives

A novel intramolecular Prins cyclization of (E)-5-(2-(hydroxymethyl)phenyl)pent-4-en-1-ol with aldehydes has been achieved using 10 mol % BF₃·Et₂O to produce 1-(tetrahydropyran-3-yl)-1,3-dihydroisobenzofuran derivatives in good to excellent yields with high selectivity. Similar type of coupling with salicylaldehydes provides the trans-fused hexahydropyrano[3,2-c]chromene derivatives in excellent yields.     

A turn-on and reversible fluorescence sensor with high affinity to Zn in aqueous solution

A new simple receptor 1 based on aminosalicylimine was prepared. It exhibited an ‘off–on fluorescence type’ mode with high sensitivity in the presence of Zn²⁺. In particular, this chemosensor could clearly distinguish Zn²⁺ from Cd²⁺. Also, it could be a reusable chemosensor because the addition of EDTA quenched the fluorescence of the Zn²⁺-2·1 complex. Furthermore, receptor 1 had a sufficiently low detection limit (68 nM) in aqueous solutions, which implies that 1 could sense the nanomolar concentration of Zn²⁺. Therefore, this sensor has the ability to be a practical system for the monitoring of Zn²⁺ concentrations in aqueous samples.     

Organic reactions in water: an efficient one-pot synthesis of acyloxiranes from Baylis-Hillman adducts using hypervalent iodine

Treatment of Baylis-Hillman adducts with iodosobenzene (PhIO) in the presence of a catalytic amount of KBr in water at room temperature afforded the corresponding acyloxiranes in good yields.     

Phosphorus-supported multidentate coumarin-containing fluorescence sensors for Cu

Phosphorus hydrazides PhP(O)[N(Me)NH₂]₂, (S)P[N(Me)NH₂]₃, and N₃P₃[N(Me)NH₂]₆ were condensed with 7-diethylaminocoumarin-3-aldehyde (RCHO) to afford the corresponding hydrazones PhP(O)[N(Me)NCHR]₂ (1), (S)P[N(Me)NCHR]₃ (2), and N₃P₃[N(Me)NCHR]₆ (3). The structural characterization of 1-3 was carried out by their HRMS, ¹H and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectra. The molecular structure of 2 was established by a single-crystal X-ray analysis. Interaction of 1 and 2 with various transition metal ions revealed substantial fluorescence enhancement upon interaction with Cu²⁺ enabling a selective detection mechanism for this metal ion. However, such a fluorescence enhancement was not observed in the case of 3. A 1:1 complex [2·Zn][ClO₄]₂·4CH₂Cl₂ was isolated in the reaction of 2 with Zn(ClO₄)₂·6H₂O. The molecular structure of this complex revealed that the Zn^II is encapsulated by the ligand utilizing a 3N, 3O coordination set.     

Theoretical investigation on H2 elimination reactions of germylenoid H2GeLiF with RH (R = F, OH, and NH2)

The H₂ elimination reactions of the germylenoid H₂GeLiF with RH (R = F, OH, NH₂) have been studied by using the DFT B3LYP and QCISD methods. The calculated results indicate that all the mechanisms of the three reactions are identical to each other and under the same condition the H₂ elimination reactions should occur easily in the order of H-F > H-OH > H-NH₂. In THF solvent the H₂ elimination reactions get more difficult than in gas phase. Compared with the insertion reactions of H₂GeLiF with RH (R = F, OH, NH₂), the H₂ elimination reactions have the lower activation barriers and should be more favorable.     

Clay-anchored non-heme iron-salen complex catalyzed cleavage of CC bond in aqueous medium

Clay-anchored iron[N,N′-ethylenebis(salicylideneaminato)] complex, synthesized by direct exchange, oxidizes various olefins and chalcones in aqueous acetonitrile using hydrogen peroxide as terminal oxidant. Aldehyde and its derivatives are obtained as oxidation products by the cleavage of CC double bond. In comparison with the catalysis by iron-salen complex in solution, the clay catalyzed pathway not only increases the rate of reaction significantly, but also provides selective oxidation toward the aldehyde. Some chalcones also give very good yield in water, compared to the solution and clay catalyzed pathways.     

Rhodium assisted CH activation of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzaldimines. Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of a group of organorhodium complexes

Reaction of a group of N-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzaldimines, derived from 2-aminophenol and five para-substituted benzaldehydes (the para substituents are OCH₃, CH₃, H, Cl and NO₂), with [Rh(PPh₃)₃Cl] in refluxing toluene in the presence of a base (NEt₃) afforded a family of organometallic complexes of rhodium(III). The crystal structure of one complex has been determined by X-ray crystallography. In these complexes the benzaldimine ligands are coordinated to the metal center, via dissociation of the phenolic proton and the phenyl proton at the ortho position of the phenyl ring in the imine fragment, as dianionic tridentate C,N,O-donors, and the two PPh₃ ligands are trans. The complexes are diamagnetic (low-spin d⁶, S = 0) and show intense MLCT transitions in the visible region. Cyclic voltammetry shows a Rh(III)Rh(IV) oxidation within 0.63-0.93 V vs SCE followed by an oxidation of the coordinated benzaldimine ligand. A reduction of the coordinated benzaldimine is also observed within −0.96 to −1.04 V vs SCE. Potential of the Rh(III)Rh(IV) oxidation is found to be sensitive to the nature of the para-substituent.     

Group 9 complexes of an N-heterocycle carbene bearing a pentafluorobenzyl substituent: attempted dehydrofluorinative coupling of cyclopentadienyl and N-heterocycle carbene ligands

Treatment of N-methylimidazole with pentafluorobenzyl bromide produces 1-pentafluorobenzyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (1), which reacts with silver(I) oxide to give the N-heterocycle carbene (NHC) complex 1-pentafluorobenzyl-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene silver(I) bromide (2). Complex 2 acts as a carbene transfer reagent giving the complexes [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl₂(NHC)] (3a, M = Rh; 3b M = Ir) on reaction with [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)MCl(μ-Cl)]₂. An attempt to use intramolecular dehydrofluorinative coupling methodology to link the carbene and the pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands of [(η⁵-C₅Me₅)RhCl(CN^tBu)(NHC)]BF₄ was unsuccessful.     

Aliphatic carboncarbon bond activation of ketones by rhodium(II) porphyrin radical

Aliphatic carboncarbon bond activation of both enolizable and non-enolizable ketones occurred successfully with rhodium(II) porphyrin radical to give rhodium(III) porphyrin alkyls. Added Ph₃P promoted the yields of products.     

Copper(I) 3-methylsalicylate,an efficient catalyst for N-arylation of heterocycles under moderate reaction conditions

Copper(I) 3-methylsalicylate mediates N-arylation reactions of both aliphatic and aromatic heterocycles under moderate reaction conditions. Both electron rich and electron poor aryl bromides and a diverse set of N-heterocycles were allowed to react and gave N-arylation products in high yields which demonstrated the efficiency and utility of this catalyst.