Mechanism of olefin metathesis with catalysis by ruthenium carbene complexes: density functional studies on model systems

Gradient-corrected (BP86) density functional calculations were used to study alternative mechanisms of the metathesis reactions between ethene and model catalysts [(PH(3))(L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2)] with L=PH3 (I) and L=C(3)N(2)H(4)=imidazol-2-ylidene (II). On the associative pathway, the initial addition of ethene is calculated to be rate-determining for both catalysts (Delta G(22-25)*[double bond] kcal mol(-1)). The dissociative pathway starts with the dissociation of phosphane, which is rather facile (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 5-10 kcal mol(-1)). The resulting active species (L)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) can coordinate ethene cis or trans to L. The cis addition is unfavorable and mechanistically irrelevant (Delta G(298)* is approximately equal to 21-25 kcal mol(-1)). The trans coordination is barrierless, and the rate-determining step in the subsequent catalytic cycle is either ring closure of the complex to yield the ruthenacyclobutane (catalyst I, Delta G(298)*=12 kcal mol(-1)), or the reverse reaction (catalyst II, ring opening, Delta G(298)*=10 kcal mol(-1)), that is, II is slightly more active than I. For both catalysts, the dissociative mechanism with trans olefin coordination is favored. The relative energies of the species on this pathway can be tuned by ligand variation, as seen in (PMe(3))(2)Cl(2)Ru[double bond]CH(2) (III), in which phosphane dissociation is impeded and olefin insertion is facilitated relative to I. The differences in calculated relative energies for the model catalysts I-III can be rationalized in terms of electronic effects. Comparisons with experiment indicate that steric effects must also be considered for real catalysts containing bulky substituents.     

Equilibrium thermodynamic studies in water: reactions of dihydrogen with rhodium(III) porphyrins relevant to Rh-Rh, Rh-H, and Rh-OH bond energetics

Aqueous solutions of rhodium(III) tetra p-sulfonatophenyl porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh(III)) complexes react with dihydrogen to produce equilibrium distributions between six rhodium species including rhodium hydride, rhodium(I), and rhodium(II) dimer complexes. Equilibrium thermodynamic studies (298 K) for this system establish the quantitative relationships that define the distribution of species in aqueous solution as a function of the dihydrogen and hydrogen ion concentrations through direct measurement of five equilibrium constants along with dissociation energies of D(2)O and dihydrogen in water. The hydride complex ([(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4)) is a weak acid (K(a)(298 K) = (8.0 +/- 0.5) x 10(-8)). Equilibrium constants and free energy changes for a series of reactions that could not be directly determined including homolysis reactions of the Rh(II)-Rh(II) dimer with water (D(2)O) and dihydrogen (D(2)) are derived from the directly measured equilibria. The rhodium hydride (Rh-D)(aq) and rhodium hydroxide (Rh-OD)(aq) bond dissociation free energies for [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) and [(TSPP)Rh-OD(D(2)O)](-4) in water are nearly equal (Rh-D = 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1), Rh-OD = 62 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)). Free energy changes in aqueous media are reported for reactions that substitute hydroxide (OD(-)) (-11.9 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), hydride (D(-)) (-54.9 kcal mol(-1)), and (TSPP)Rh(I): (-7.3 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)) for a water in [(TSPP)Rh(III)(D(2)O)(2)](-3) and for the rhodium hydride [(TSPP)Rh-D(D(2)O)](-4) to dissociate to produce a proton (9.7 +/- 0.1 kcal mol(-1)), a hydrogen atom (approximately 60 +/- 3 kcal mol(-1)), and a hydride (D(-)) (54.9 kcal mol(-1)) in water.     

Ab initio studies on Al(+)(H(2)O)(n), HAlOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1), and the size-dependent H(2) elimination reaction

We report computational studies on Al(+)(H(2)O)(n), and HAlOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1), n = 6-14, by the density functional theory based ab initio molecular dynamics method, employing a planewave basis set with pseudopotentials, and also by conventional methods with Gaussian basis sets. The mechanism for the intracluster H(2) elimination reaction is explored. First, a new size-dependent insertion reaction for the transformation of Al(+)(H(2)O)(n), into HAlOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1) is discovered for n > or = 8. This is because of the presence of a fairly stable six-water-ring structure in Al(+)(H(2)O)(n) with 12 members, including the Al(+). This structure promotes acidic dissociation and, for n > or = 8, leads to the insertion reaction. Gaussian based BPW91 and MP2 calculations with 6-31G* and 6-31G** basis sets confirmed the existence of such structures and located the transition structures for the insertion reaction. The calculated transition barrier is 10.0 kcal/mol for n = 9 and 7.1 kcal/mol for n = 8 at the MP2/6-31G** level, with zero-point energy corrections. Second, the experimentally observed size-dependent H(2) elimination reaction is related to the conformation of HAlOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1), instead of Al(+)(H(2)O)(n). As n increases from 6 to 14, the structure of the HAlOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1) cluster changes into a caged structure, with the Al-H bond buried inside, and protons produced in acidic dissociation could then travel through the H(2)O network to the vicinity of the Al-H bond and react with the hydride H to produce H(2). The structural transformation is completed at n = 13, coincident approximately with the onset of the H(2) elimination reaction. From constrained ab initio MD simulations, we estimated the free energy barrier for the H(2) elimination reaction to be 0.7 eV (16 kcal/mol) at n = 13, 1.5 eV (35 kcal/mol) at n = 12, and 4.5 eV (100 kcal/mol) at n = 8. The existence of transition structures for the H(2) elimination has also been verified by ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G** level. Finally, the switch-off of the H(2) elimination for n > 24 is explored and attributed to the diffusion of protons through enlarged hydrogen bonded H(2)O networks, which reduces the probability of finding a proton near the Al-H bond.     

Mechanism of water exchange in aqueous uranyl(VI) ion. A density functional molecular dynamics study

Constrained Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations and thermodynamic integration have been performed for an associative pathway of water exchange between aqueous [UO2(OH2)5]2+ and bulk water. The simulated free energy of activation for this process, 6.7 kcal mol(-1), is significantly lower than that computed for a purely dissociative mechanism, 10.8 kcal mol(-1). Because the transient hexahydrate is indicated to have no chemically significant lifetime, the exchange mechanism can be classified as associative interchange.     

Molecule-induced alkane homolysis with dioxiranes.

The mechanisms of C-H and C-C bond activations with dimethyldioxirane (DMD) were studied experimentally and computationally at the B3LYP/6-311+G**//B3LYP/6-31G* density functional theory level for the propellanes 3,6-dehydrohomoadamantane (2) and 1,3-dehydroadamantane (3). The sigma(C-C) activation of 3 with DMD (Delta G(*) = 23.9 kcal mol(-1) and Delta G(r) = -5.4 kcal mol(-1)) is the first example of a molecule-induced homolytic C-C bond cleavage. The C-H bond hydroxylation observed for 2 is highly exergonic (Delta G(r) = -74.4 kcal mol(-1)) and follows a concerted pathway (Delta G(*) = 34.8 kcal mol(-1)), in contrast to its endergonic molecule-induced homolysis (Delta G(*) = 28.8 kcal mol(-1) and Delta G(r) = +9.2 kcal mol(-1)). The reactivities of 2 and 3 with CrO(2)Cl(2), which follow a molecule-induced homolytic activation mechanism, parallel the DMD results only for highly reactive 3, but differ considerably for more stable propellanes such as 4-phenyl-3,6-dehydrohomoadamantane (1) and 2.     

Electronic and steric effects on molecular dihydrogen activation in [CpOsH4(L)]+ (L = PPh3, AsPh3, and PCy3)

Single-crystal neutron diffraction, inelastic neutron scattering, and density functional calculations provide experimental and theoretical analyses of the nature of the osmium-bound, "elongated" dihydrogen ligands in [Cp*OsH(4)(L)][BF(4)] complexes (L = PPh(3), AsPh(3), or PCy(3)). The PPh(3) and AsPh(3) complexes clearly contain one dihydrogen ligand and two terminal hydrides; the H(2) ligand is transoid to the Lewis base, and the H-H vector connecting the central two hydrogen atoms lies parallel to the Ct-Os-L plane (Ct = centroid of Cp* ring). In contrast, in the PCy(3) complex the H-H vector is perpendicular to the Ct-Os-L plane. Not only the orientation of the central two hydrogen atoms but also the H-H bond length between them depends significantly on the nature of L: the H...H distance determined from neutron diffraction is 1.01(1) and 1.08(1) A for L = PPh(3) and AsPh(3), respectively, but 1.31(3) A for L = PCy(3). Density functional calculations show that there is a delicate balance of electronic and steric influences created by the L ligand that change the molecular geometry (steric interactions between the Cp* and L groups most importantly change the Ct-Os-L angle), changing the relative energy of the Os 5d orbitals, which in turn govern the H-H distance, preferred H-H orientation, and rotational dynamics of the elongated dihydrogen ligand. The geometry of the dihydrogen ligand is further tuned by interactions with the BF(4)(-) counterion. The rotational barrier of the bound H(2) ligand in [Cp*OsH(4)(PPh(3))](+), determined experimentally (3.1 kcal mol(-)(1)) from inelastic neutron scattering experiments, is in reasonable agreement with the B3LYP calculated H(2) rotational barrier (2.5 kcal mol(-)(1)).     

Structure and reactivity of bis(silyl) dihydride complexes (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))(2)(H)(2): model compounds and real intermediates in a dehydrogenative C-Si bond forming reaction

A series of stable complexes, (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiR(3))(2)(H)(2) ((SiR(3))(2) = (SiH(2)Ph)(2), 3a; (SiHPh(2))(2), 3b; (SiMe(2)CH(2)CH(2)SiMe(2)), 3c), has been synthesized by the reaction of hydridosilanes with (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiMe(3))H(3) or (PMe(3))(4)Ru(SiMe(3))H. Compounds 3a and 3c adopt overall pentagonal bipyramidal geometries in solution and the solid state, with phosphine and silyl ligands defining trigonal bipyramids and ruthenium hydrides arranged in the equatorial plane. Compound 3a exhibits meridional phosphines, with both silyl ligands equatorial, whereas the constraints of the chelate in 3c result in both axial and equatorial silyl environments and facial phosphines. Although there is no evidence for agostic Si-H interactions in 3a and 3b, the equatorial silyl group in 3c is in close contact with one hydride (1.81(4) A) and is moderately close to the other hydride (2.15(3) A) in the solid state and solution (nu(Ru.H.Si) = 1740 cm(-)(1) and nu(RuH) = 1940 cm(-)(1)). The analogous bis(silyl) dihydride, (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiMe(3))(2)(H)(2) (3d), is not stable at room temperature, but can be generated in situ at low temperature from the 16e(-) complex (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiMe(3))H (1) and HSiMe(3). Complexes 3b and 3d have been characterized by multinuclear, variable temperature NMR and appear to be isostructural with 3a. All four complexes exhibit dynamic NMR spectra, but the slow exchange limit could not be observed for 3c. Treatment of 1 with HSiMe(3) at room temperature leads to formation of (PMe(3))(3)Ru(SiMe(2)CH(2)SiMe(3))H(3) (4b) via a CH functionalization process critical to catalytic dehydrocoupling of HSiMe(3) at higher temperatures. Closer inspection of this reaction between -110 and -10 degrees C by NMR reveals a plethora of silyl hydride phosphine complexes formed by ligand redistribution prior to CH activation. Above ca. 0 degrees C this mixture converts cleanly via silane dehydrogenation to the very stable tris(phosphine) trihydride carbosilyl complex 4b. The structure of 4b was determined crystallographically and exhibits a tetrahedral P(3)Si environment around the metal with the three hydrides adjacent to silicon and capping the P(2)Si faces. Although strong Si.HRu interactions are not indicated in the structure or by IR, the HSi distances (2.00(4) - 2.09(4) A) and average coupling constant (J(SiH) = 25 Hz) suggest some degree of nonclassical SiH bonding in the RuH(3)Si moiety. The least hindered complex, 3a, reacts with carbon monoxide principally via an H(2) elimination pathway to yield mer-(PMe(3))(3)(CO)Ru(SiH(2)Ph)(2), with SiH elimination as a minor process. However, only SiH elimination and formation of (PMe(3))(3)(CO)Ru(SiR(3))H is observed for 3b-d. The most hindered bis(silyl) complex, 3d, is extremely labile and even in the absence of CO undergoes SiH reductive elimination to generate the 16e(-) species 1 (DeltaH(SiH)(-)(elim) = 11.0 +/- 0.6 kcal x mol(-)(1) and DeltaS(SiH)(-)(elim) = 40 +/- 2 cal x mol(-)(1) x K(-)(1); Delta = 9.2 +/- 0.8 kcal x mol(-)(1) and Delta = 9 +/- 3 cal x mol(-)(1).K(-)(1)). The minimum barrier for the H(2) reductive elimination can be estimated, and is higher than that for silane elimination at temperatures above ca. -50 degrees C. The thermodynamic preferences for oxidative additions to 1 are dominated by entropy contributions and steric effects. Addition of H(2) is by far most favorable, whereas the relative aptitudes for intramolecular silyl CH activation and intermolecular SiH addition are strongly dependent on temperature (DeltaH(SiH)(-)(add) = -11.0 +/- 0.6 kcal x mol(-)(1) and DeltaS(SiH)(-)(add) = -40 +/- 2 cal.mol(-)(1) x K(-)(1); DeltaH(beta)(-CH)(-)(add) = -2.7 +/- 0.3 kcal x mol(-)(1) and DeltaS(beta)(-CH)(-)(add) = -6 +/- 1 cal x mol(-)(1) x K(-)(1)). Kinetic preferences for oxidative additions to 1 - intermolecular SiH and intramolecular CH - have been also quantified: Delta = -1.8 +/- 0.8 kcal x mol(-)(1) and Delta = -31 +/- 3 cal x mol(-)(1).K(-)(1); Delta = 16.4 +/- 0.6 kcal x mol(-)(1) and Delta = -13 +/- 6 cal x mol(-)(1).K(-)(1). The relative enthalpies of activation (-)(1) x K(-)(1)). Kinetic preferences for oxidative additions to 1 - intermolecular SiH and intramolecular CH - have been also quantified: Delta (H)SiH(add) = 1.8 +/- 0.8 kcal x mol(-)(1) and Delta S((SiH-add) =31+/- 3 cal x mol(-)(1) x K(-)(1); Delta S (SiH -add) = 16.4 +/- 0.6 kcal x mol(-)(1) and =Delta S (SiH -CH -add) =13+/- 6 cal x mol(-)(1) x K(-)(1). The relative enthalpies of activation are interpreted in terms of strong SiH sigma-complex formation - and much weaker CH coordination - in the transition state for oxidative addition.     

Comprehensive thermochemistry of W-H bonding in the metal hydrides CpW(CO)2(IMes)H, [CpW(CO)2(IMes)H](•+), and [CpW(CO)2(IMes)(H)2]+. Influence of an N-heterocyclic carbene ligand on metal hydride bond energies

The free energies interconnecting nine tungsten complexes have been determined from chemical equilibria and electrochemical data in MeCN solution (T = 22 °C). Homolytic W-H bond dissociation free energies are 59.3(3) kcal mol(-1) for CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H and 59(1) kcal mol(-1) for the dihydride [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+) (where IMes = 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene), indicating that the bonds are the same within experimental uncertainty for the neutral hydride and the cationic dihydride. For the radical cation, [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](?+), W-H bond homolysis to generate the 16-electron cation [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](+) is followed by MeCN uptake, with free energies for these steps being 51(1) and -16.9(5) kcal mol(-1), respectively. Based on these two steps, the free energy change for the net conversion of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](?+) to [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+) in MeCN is 34(1) kcal mol(-1), indicating a much lower bond strength for the 17-electron radical cation of the metal hydride compared to the 18-electron hydride or dihydride. The pK(a) of CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H in MeCN was determined to be 31.9(1), significantly higher than the 26.6 reported for the related phosphine complex, CpW(CO)(2)(PMe(3))H. This difference is attributed to the electron donor strength of IMes greatly exceeding that of PMe(3). The pK(a) values for [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H](?+) and [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+) were determined to be 6.3(5) and 6.3(8), much closer to the pK(a) values reported for the PMe(3) analogues. The free energy of hydride abstraction from CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H is 74(1) kcal mol(-1), and the resultant [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](+) cation is significantly stabilized by binding MeCN to form [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+), giving an effective hydride donor ability of 57(1) kcal mol(-1) in MeCN. Electrochemical oxidation of [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)](-) is fully reversible at all observed scan rates in cyclic voltammetry experiments (E° = -1.65 V vs Cp(2)Fe(+/0) in MeCN), whereas CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)H is reversibly oxidized (E° = -0.13(3) V) only at high scan rates (800 V s(-1)). For [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(MeCN)](+), high-pressure NMR experiments provide an estimate of ΔG° = 10.3(4) kcal mol(-1) for the displacement of MeCN by H(2) to give [CpW(CO)(2)(IMes)(H)(2)](+).     

Synthesis and investigation of [Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H)(H(2))](+) and its partially deuterated and tritiated isotopomers: evidence for a hydride/dihydrogen structure

Hydrogenolysis of [Cp(PMe(3))Rh(Me)(CH(2)Cl(2))](+)BAr'(4)(-) (4, Ar' = 3,5-C(6)H(3)(CF(3))(2)) in dichloromethane afforded the nonclassical polyhydride complex [Cp*PMe(3))Rh(H)(H(2))](+)BAr'(4)(-) (1), which exhibits a single hydride resonance at all accessible temperatures in the (1)H NMR spectrum. Exposure of solutions of 1 to D(2) or T(2) gas resulted in partial isotopic substitution in the hydride sites. Formulation of 1 as a hydride/dihydrogen complex was based upon T(1) (T(1)(min) = 23 ms at 150 K, 500 MHz), J(H-D) (ca. 10 Hz), and J(H-T) (ca. 70 Hz) measurements. The barrier (Delta G(++)) to exchange of hydride with dihydrogen sites was determined to be less than ca. 5 kcal/mol. Protonation of Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H)(2) (2) using H(OEt(2))(2)BAr'(4) resulted in binuclear species [(Cp(PMe(3))Rh(H))(2)(mu-H)](+)BAr'(4)(-) (3), which is formed in a reaction involving 1 as an intermediate. Complex 3 contains two terminal hydrides and one bridging hydride ligand which exchange with a barrier of 9.1 kcal/mol as observed by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Additionally, the structures of 3 and 4, determined by X-ray diffraction, are reported.     

Selective functionalization of the Si(100) surface by a bifunctional alkynylamine molecule: density functional study of the switching adsorption linkage. 2

The reaction of the bifunctional organic molecule 1-(dimethylamino)-2-propyne (DMAP) on the Si(100) surface has been investigated by density functional calculations employing a two-dimer cluster model. We found that, once in the physisorbed dative bonded well (-20.0 kcal mol(-1)), DMAP can proceed via a number of pathways, involving the formation of Si-C sigma bonds, which lead to thermodynamically more stable configurations. We first considered the cycloaddition of the CC triple bond, leading to a Si-C di-sigma bonded product (-58.7 kcal mol(-1)), for which we computed an energy barrier of only 12.5 kcal mol(-1), consistently with the observed switching of DMAP adsorption linkage at 300 K. We also explored the dissociative pathway involving the methylene C-H bond cleavage on the dative bonded DMAP, leading to three adsorption products with one (-57.3 kcal mol(-1)) and three Si-C sigma bonds (-58.7 and -60.6 kcal mol(-1)). The energy barrier for this pathway is computed 24.7 kcal mol(-1) and may therefore compete at temperature above 300 K with the reaction pathway involving the addition of the alkyne unit.     

Structures and dynamic solution behavior of cationic, two-coordinate gold(I)-π-allene complexes

A family of seven cationic gold complexes that contain both an alkyl substituted π-allene ligand and an electron-rich, sterically hindered supporting ligand was isolated in >90% yield and characterized by spectroscopy and, in three cases, by X-ray crystallography. Solution-phase and solid-state analysis of these complexes established preferential binding of gold to the less substituted C=C bond of the allene and to the allene π face trans to the substituent on the uncomplexed allenyl C=C bond. Kinetic analysis of intermolecular allene exchange established two-term rate laws of the form rate=k(1)[complex]+k(2)[complex][allene] consistent with allene-independent and allene-dependent exchange pathways with energy barriers of ΔG(≠)(1)=17.4-18.8 and ΔG(≠)(2)=15.2-17.6 kcal mol(-1), respectively. Variable temperature (VT) NMR analysis revealed fluxional behavior consistent with facile (ΔG(≠)=8.9-11.4 kcal mol(-1)) intramolecular exchange of the allene π faces through η(1)-allene transition states and/or intermediates that retain a staggered arrangement of the allene substituents. VT NMR/spin saturation transfer analysis of [{P(tBu)(2)o-binaphthyl}Au(η(2)-4,5-nonadiene)](+)SbF(6)(-) (5), which contains elements of chirality in both the phosphine and allene ligands, revealed no epimerization of the allene ligand below the threshold for intermolecular allene exchange (ΔG(≠)(298K)=17.4 kcal mol(-1)), which ruled out the participation of a η(1)-allylic cation species in the low-energy π-face exchange process for this complex.     

Reactivity and equilibrium thermodynamic studies of rhodium tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin species with H2, CO, and olefins in water

Aqueous (D2O) solutions of tetrakis(3,5-disulfonatomesityl)porphyrin rhodium(III) aquo/hydroxo complexes ([(TMPS)Rh(III)(D2O)2]-7 (1), [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)(D2O)]-8 (2), and [(TMPS)Rh(III)(OD)2]-9 (3)) react with hydrogen (D2) to form an equilibrium distribution with a rhodium hydride ([(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 (4)) and a rhodium(I) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(I)(D2O)]-9 (5)). Equilibrium constants (298 K) are measured that define the distribution for all five of these (TMPS)Rh species in this system as a function of the dihydrogen (D2) and hydrogen ion (D+) concentrations. The hydride complex [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 is a weak acid in D2O (Ka(298 K) = 4.3 x 10(-8)). Steric demands of the TMPS porphyrin ligand prohibit formation of a Rh(II)-Rh(II)-bonded complex, related rhodium(I)-rhodium(III) adducts, and intermolecular association of alkyl complexes which are prominent features of the rhodium tetra(p-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin ((TSPP)Rh) system. The rhodium(II) complex ([(TMPS)Rh(II)(D2O)]-8) reacts with water to form hydride and hydroxide complexes and is not observed in D2O. The (TMPS)Rh-OD and (TMPS)Rh-D bond dissociation free energies (BDFE) are virtually equal and have a value of approximately 60 kcal mol(-1). Reactions of [(TMPS)Rh-D(D2O)]-8 in water with CO and olefins produce rhodium formyl and alkyl complexes which have equilibrium thermodynamic values comparable to the values for the corresponding substrate reactions of [(TSPP)Rh-D(D2O)]-4.     

Thermodynamic hydride donor abilities of [HW(CO)4L]- complexes (L = PPh3, P(OMe)3, CO) and their reactions with [C5Me5Re(PMe3)(NO)(CO)]+

The thermodynamic hydride donor abilities of [HW(CO)(5)](-) (40 kcal/mol), [HW(CO)(4)P(OMe(3))](-) (37 kcal/mol), and [HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) (36 kcal/mol) have been measured in acetonitrile by either equilibrium or calorimetric methods. The hydride donor abilities of these complexes are compared with other complexes for which similar thermodynamic measurements have been made. [HW(CO)(5)](-), [HW(CO)(4)P(OMe(3))](-), and [HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) all react rapidly with [CpRe(PMe(3))(NO)(CO)](+) to form dinuclear intermediates with bridging formyl ligands. These intermediates slowly form [CpRe(PMe(3))(NO)(CHO)] and [W(CO)(4)(L)(CH(3)CN)]. The structure of cis-[HW(CO)(4)(PPh(3))](-) has been determined and has the expected octahedral structure. The hydride ligand bends away from the CO ligand trans to PPh(3) and toward PPh(3).     

Structure and dynamics of a dihydrogen/hydride ansa molybdenocene complex

In contrast to [Cp(2)MoH(3)](+), which is a thermally stable trihydride complex, the ansa-bridged analogue [(eta-C(5)H(4))(2)CMe(2)MoH(H(2))](+) (1) is a thermally labile dihydrogen/hydride complex. Partial deuteration of the hydride ligands allows observation of J(H)(-)(D) = 11.9 Hz in 1-d(1) and 9.9 Hz in 1-d(2) (245 K), indicative of a dihydrogen/hydride structure. There is a slight preference for deuterium to concentrate in the dihydrogen ligand. A rapid dynamic process interchanges the hydride and dihydrogen moieties in complex 1. Low temperature (1)H NMR spectra of 1 give a single hydride resonance, which broadens at very low temperature due to rapid dipole-dipole relaxation (T(1) = 23 ms (750 MHz, 175 K) for the hydride resonance in 1). Low temperature (1)H NMR spectra of 1-d(2) allow the observation of decoalescence at 180 K into two resonances. The bound dihydrogen ligand exhibits hindered rotation with DeltaG(150) = 7.4 kcal/mol, but H atom exchange is still rapid at all accessible temperatures (down to 130 K). Density functional calculations confirm the dihydrogen/hydride structure as the ground state for the molecule and give estimates for the energy of two hydrogen exchange processes in good agreement with experiment. The presence of the C ansa bridge is shown to decrease the ability of the metallocene fragment to donate to the hydrogens, thus stabilizing the (eta(2)-H(2)) unit and modulating the barrier to H(2) rotation.     

Hydride donor abilities and bond dissociation free energies of transition metal formyl complexes

The hydride complex [Pt(dmpe)2H]+ (dmpe = 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane) reversibly transfers H- to the rhenium carbonyl complex [CpRe(PMe3)(NO)(CO)]+, giving the formyl CpRe(PMe3)(NO)(CHO). From the equilibrium constant for the hydride transfer (16.2), the DeltaGdegrees for the reaction was determined (-1.6 kcal/mol), as was the hydride-donating ability of the formyl (44.1 kcal/mol). The hydride-donating ability, DeltaGdegrees(H-), is defined as the energy required to release the hydride ion into solution by the formyl complex [i.e. M(CHO) right arrow M(CO)+ + H-]. Subsequently, the hydride-donating ability of a series of formyl complexes was determined, ranging from 44 to 55 kcal/mol. With use of this information, two rhenium carbonyl complexes, [CpRe(NO)(CO)2]+ and [Cp*Re(NO)(CO)2]+, were hydrogenated to formyls, employing [Pt(dmpp)2]2+ and Proton-Sponge. Finally, the E(1/2)(I/0) values for five rhenium carbonyl complexes were measured by cyclic voltammetry. Combined with the known DeltaGdegrees(H-) values for the complexes, the hydrogen atom donating abilities could be determined. These values were all found to be approximately 50 kcal/mol.     

A combined experimental and computational study of dihydrido(phosphinooxazoline)iridium complexes

The reaction of a [(PHOX)Ir(COD)](+) complex (COD = 1,5-cyclooctadiene) with dihydrogen was studied by NMR spectroscopy (PHOX = chiral phosphinooxazoline ligand). A single [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(COD)](+) isomer was formed as the primary product at -40 degrees C in THF. Subsequent reaction with H(2) at -40 to 0 degrees C led to a mixture of two diastereomeric [(PHOX)Ir(H)(2)(solvent)(2)](+) complexes with concomitant loss of cyclooctane. The stereochemistry of the three hydride complexes could be assigned from the NMR data. The structures and energies of the observed hydride complexes and the possible stereoisomers were calculated using density functional theory. The substantial energy differences (up to 39 kcal/mol) between the various stereoisomers demonstrate the strong influence of the chiral ligand. The observed stereoselective formation of dihydride complexes can be explained by steric effects of the PHOX ligand combined with a strong electronic influence of the coordinating N and P atoms, favoring addition of a hydride trans to the Ir-N bond.     

Mechanism of homogeneous Ir(III) catalyzed regioselective arylation of olefins

The mechanism of hydroarylation of olefins by a homogeneous Ph-Ir(acac)(2)(L) catalyst is elucidated by first principles quantum mechanical methods (DFT), with particular emphasis on activation of the catalyst, catalytic cycle, and interpretation of experimental observations. On the basis of this mechanism, we suggest new catalysts expected to have improved activity. Initiation of the catalyst from the inert trans-form into the active cis-form occurs through a dissociative pathway with a calculated DeltaH(0 K)() = 35.1 kcal/mol and DeltaG(298 K)() = 26.1 kcal/mol. The catalytic cycle features two key steps, 1,2-olefin insertion and C-H activation via a novel mechanism, oxidative hydrogen migration. The olefin insertion is found to be rate determining, with a calculated DeltaH(0 K)() = 27.0 kcal/mol and DeltaG(298 K)() = 29.3 kcal/mol. The activation energy increases with increased electron density on the coordinating olefin, as well as increased electron-donating character in the ligand system. The regioselectivity is shown to depend on the electronic and steric characteristics of the olefin, with steric bulk and electron withdrawing character favoring linear product formation. Activation of the C-H bond occurs in a concerted fashion through a novel transition structure best described as an oxidative hydrogen migration. The character of the transition structure is seven coordinate Ir(V), with a full bond formed between the migrating hydrogen and iridium. Several experimental observations are investigated and explained: (a) The nature of L influences the rate of the reaction through a ground-state effect. (b) The lack of beta-hydride products is due to kinetic factors, although beta-hydride elimination is calculated to be facile, all further reactions are kinetically inaccessible. (c) Inhibition by excess olefin is caused by competitive binding of olefin and aryl starting materials during the catalytic cycle in a statistical fashion. On the basis of this insertion-oxidative hydrogen transfer mechanism we suggest that electron-withdrawing substituents on the acac ligands, such as trifluoromethyl groups, are good modifications for catalysts with higher activity.     

Thermodynamic profiles for CO photodissociation from heme model compounds: effect of proximal ligands

Here we present a comprehensive study of the thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy, entropy, and volume changes) associated with carbon monoxide photodissociation and rebinding to Fe(II) microperoxidase-11 (Fe(II)MP11) and Fe(ll) tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphine complex (FeII4SP) with water and 2-methylimidazole as proximal ligands. CO photodissociation from FeII4SP complexes is accompanied by a positive volume change of approximately 17 mL mol(-1). A smaller volume change of approximately 12 mL mol(-1) was observed for CO dissociation from Fe(II)MP-11. We attribute the positive volume change to cleavage of the Fe-CO covalent bond and to solvent reorganization due to the low-spin to high-spin transition. CO binding is an exothermic reaction with an enthalpy change of -17 kcal mol(-1) for the CO-FeII4SP complexes and -13 kcal mol(-1) for the CO-Fe(II)MP11 complex. In all cases, the ligand recombination occurs as a single-exponential process indicating that CO dissociation is followed by direct CO rebinding to a high-spin five-coordinate complex without concomitant dissociation of the proximal base. In addition, observed negative activation entropies and volumes for ligand binding to (2-Melm)FeII4SP and MP-11, respectively, suggest that CO rebinding can be described by an associative mechanism with bond formation being the rate-limiting step.     

Determination of the C4-H bond dissociation energies of NADH models and their radical cations in acetonitrile

Heterolytic and homolytic bond dissociation energies of the C4-H bonds in ten NADH models (seven 1,4-dihydronicotinamide derivatives, two Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives, and 9,10-dihydroacridine) and their radical cations in acetonitrile were evaluated by titration calorimetry and electrochemistry, according to the four thermodynamic cycles constructed from the reactions of the NADH models with N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine radical cation perchlorate in acetonitrile (note: C9-H bond rather than C4-H bond for 9,10-dihydroacridine; however, unless specified, the C9-H bond will be described as a C4-H bond for convenience). The results show that the energetic scales of the heterolytic and homolytic bond dissociation energies of the C4-H bonds cover ranges of 64.2-81.1 and 67.9-73.7 kcal mol(-1) for the neutral NADH models, respectively, and the energetic scales of the heterolytic and homolytic bond dissociation energies of the (C4-H)(.+) bonds cover ranges of 4.1-9.7 and 31.4-43.5 kcal mol(-1) for the radical cations of the NADH models, respectively. Detailed comparison of the two sets of C4-H bond dissociation energies in 1-benzyl-1,4-dihydronicotinamide (BNAH), Hantzsch 1,4-dihydropyridine (HEH), and 9,10-dihydroacridine (AcrH(2)) (as the three most typical NADH models) shows that for BNAH and AcrH(2), the heterolytic C4-H bond dissociation energies are smaller (by 3.62 kcal mol(-1)) and larger (by 7.4 kcal mol(-1)), respectively, than the corresponding homolytic C4-H bond dissociation energy. However, for HEH, the heterolytic C4-H bond dissociation energy (69.3 kcal mol(-1)) is very close to the corresponding homolytic C4-H bond dissociation energy (69.4 kcal mol(-1)). These results suggests that the hydride is released more easily than the corresponding hydrogen atom from BNAH and vice versa for AcrH(2), and that there are two almost equal possibilities for the hydride and the hydrogen atom transfers from HEH. Examination of the two sets of the (C4-H)(.+) bond dissociation energies shows that the homolytic (C4-H)(.+) bond dissociation energies are much larger than the corresponding heterolytic (C4-H)(.+) bond dissociation energies for the ten NADH models by 23.3-34.4 kcal mol(-1); this suggests that if the hydride transfer from the NADH models is initiated by a one-electron transfer, the proton transfer should be more likely to take place than the corresponding hydrogen atom transfer in the second step. In addition, some elusive structural information about the reaction intermediates of the NADH models was obtained by using Hammett-type linear free-energy analysis.