Electronic structure of high-valent transition metal corrolazine complexes. The young and innocent?

This is a first quantum chemical study of corrolazine complexes. DFT calculations suggest that despite their extremely contracted central cavities, compared with porphyrins, a variety of corrolazine complexes may be expected to exist as stable compounds. The calculations also indicate that corrolazine complexes may be regarded as strongly electron-deficient analogues of corrole complexes. Thus, the calculated valence ionization potentials of P(V) and Cu(III) corrolazine derivatives are dramatically higher than those of analogous corrole derivatives. In addition, DFT calculations on Fe(IV) and Mn(IV) corrole and corrolazine derivatives suggest that compared with the often noninnocent corrole ligands, corrolazines are electronically more innocent and stabilize "purer" high-valent states of transition metal ions.     

Low-energy states of manganese-oxo corrole and corrolazine: multiconfiguration reference ab initio calculations

Manganese(V)-oxo corrole and corrolazine have been studied with ab initio multiconfiguration reference methods (CASPT2 and RASPT2) and large atomic natural orbital (ANO) basis sets. The calculations confirm the expected singlet d(δ)(2) ground states for both complexes and rule out excited states within 0.5 eV of the ground states. The lowest excited states are a pair of Mn(V) triplet states with d(δ)(1)d(π)(1) configurations 0.5-0.75 eV above the ground state. Manganese(IV)-oxo macrocycle radical states are much higher in energy, ≥1.0 eV relative to the ground state. The macrocyclic ligands in the ground states of the complexes are thus unambiguously 'innocent'. The approximate similarity of the spin state energetics of the corrole and corrolazine complexes suggests that the latter macrocycle on its own does not afford any special stabilization for the Mn(V)O center. The remarkable stability of an Mn(V)O octaarylcorrolazine thus appears to be ascribable to the steric protection afforded by the β-aryl groups.     

Experimental and Theoretical Investigations of the Existence of CuII,CuIII, and CuIV in Copper Corrolato Complexes

The most common oxidation states of copper in stable complexes are +I and +II. Cu^III complexes are often considered as intermediates in biological and homogeneous catalysis. More recently, Cu^IV species have been postulated as possible intermediates in oxidation catalysis. Despite the importance of these higher oxidation states of copper, spectroscopic data for these oxidation states remain scarce, with such information on Cu^IV complexes being non‐existent. We herein present the synthesis and characterization of three copper corrolato complexes. A combination of electrochemistry, UV/Vis/NIR/EPR spectroelectrochemistry, XANES measurements, and DFT calculations points to existence of three distinct redox states in these molecules for which the oxidation states +II, +III, and +IV can be invoked for the copper centers. The present results thus represent the first spectroscopic and theoretical investigation of a Cu^IV species, and describe a redox series where Cu^II, Cu^III, and Cu^IV are discussed within the same molecular platform.     

The molecular structure and vibrational spectra of corrolazine metal complexes (CzM) by density functional theory

The ground-state geometries, electronic structures and vibrational frequencies of metal corrolazine complexes, CzM (M=Mn, Co, Ni and Fe) have been studied using B3LYP/6-311 g(d) method. The molecular geometries are sensitive to the species of the metal, and the bond length of the MN is increase with the metal atom radii. The ground-state electronic structures indicate that there are strong interactions between dx2-y2 of the metal fragments and the corrolazine fragments. The calculations also indicate that the CzNi is the stabilest among the four metal corrolazine complexes. Vibrational frequencies of these metal corrolazine complexes were also calculated and were assigned to the local coordinates of the corrolazine ring, which reveals the some common feature of the molecular vibrations of the metal corrolazine complexes as four-coordination metallocorrolazines.     

A cornucopia of cycloadducts: theoretical predictions of the mechanisms and products of the reactions of cyclopentadiene with cycloheptatriene

The potential cycloaddition reactions between cyclopentadiene and cycloheptatriene have been explored theoretically. B3LYP/6-31G was used to locate the transition states, intermediates, and products for concerted pathways and stepwise pathways passing through diradical intermediates. Interconversions of various cycloadducts through sigmatropic shifts were also explored. CASPT2/6-31G single point calculations were employed to obtain independent activation energy estimates. MM3 was also used to compute reaction energetics. Several bispericyclic cycloadditions in which two cycloadducts are linked by a sigmatropic shift have been identified. B3LYP predicts, in line with frontier molecular orbital predictions, that the [6+4] cycloaddition is the favored concerted pathway, but an alternative [4+2] pathway is very close in energy. By contrast, CASPT2 predicts that a [4+2] cycloaddition is the preferred pathway. B3LYP predicts that the lowest energy path to many of the cycloadducts will involve diradical intermediates, whereas CASPT2 predicts that each of the products of orbital symmetry allowed reactions will be reached most readily by closed shell processes-concerted cycloadditions and sigmatropic shift rearrangements of cycloadducts.     

A theoretical study of Favorskii reaction stereochemistry. Lessons in torquoselectivity

The mechanisms of the chloroenolate-->cyclopropanone step of the "normal" Favorskii rearrangement have been investigated in detail using high-level ab initio calculations. A series of simple alpha-chloroenolates, based on chloroacetone (6), all monomethyl derivatives (7-9), a dimethyl analogue (10), and 1-acetyl-1-chlorocyclohexane (11) was first used to explore and define the basic features of the mechanism, which include the finding of both an "inversion" and a "retention" transition state and that in most cases these arise from separate ground-state conformations of the chloroenolate. These theoretical studies were then extended to an isomeric pair of chloroenolates 1 and 2, the cis- and trans-2-methyl derivatives of 11, which are the reactive intermediates involved in a well-known experimental study carried out by Stork and Borowitz (S-B). Finally, three alpha-chlorocyclohexanone enolate systems 12-14 were studied, since these intermediates have a more restricted enolate geometry. The "inversion" mechanism has been described as an SN2 process but the present results, while supporting a concerted process, is better described as an oxyallyl structure undergoing concerted ring closure. The "retention" mechanism has been described as SN1-like, but the calculations show that this process is also concerted, although much less so, and again involves oxyallyl-like transition-states. The model systems 6-8, 10, and 11 with a potential plane of symmetry have two enantiomeric transition states for inversion and another two for retention of configuration (at the C-Cl center). With 9 and the S-B models 1 and 2, with no symmetry plane, there are a calculated total of four diastereomeric transition states for cyclopropanone ring closure in each case, two for inversion and two for retention. While the transition-state energies calculated for simple chloroenolates favor the inversion process, the S-B models 1 and 2 have almost equal inversion-retention transition-state energies. Solvation simulation calculations of ground states and transition states suggest that the retention mechanism becomes relatively more favored in polar solvents, in agreement with some experimental results. In the chloroenolates 12-14, both inversion and retention mechanisms were also located, these arising from two different ground-state ring conformations of the enolate. In these models, one also finds similar inversion and retention transition-state energies, but again with a small preference for the inversion process.     

Stepwise diels-alder: more than just an oddity? A computational mechanistic study

We have employed hybrid DFT and SCS-MP2 calculations at the SMD-PCM-6-311++G(2d,2p)//6-31+G(d) level to investigate the relationship between three possible channels for forming a Diels-Alder adduct from a highly nucleophilic diene and moderately to highly electrophilic dienophiles. We discuss geometries optimized using the B3LYP and M06-2X functionals with the 6-31+(d) basis set. The transition states and intermediates are characterized on the basis of geometric and electronic properties, and we also address the possibility of predicting detectability of a zwitterionic intermediate based on its relative stability. Our results show that a conventional Diels-Alder transition state conformation yields intermediates in all four investigated cases, but that these are too short-lived to be detected experimentally for the less activated reactants. The stepwise trans pathway, beginning with a conjugate addition-like transition state, becomes increasingly competitive with more activated reactants and is indeed favored for the most electrophilic dienophiles. Addition of a trans diene leads to a dead-end as the trans intermediates have insurmountable rotation barriers that prohibit formation of the second bond, unless another, heterocyclic intermediate is formed. We also show that introduction of a hydrogen bond donating catalyst favors a stepwise pathway even for less activated dienophiles.     

Synthesis of NIPU by the carbonation of canola oil using highly efficient 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato‐manganese(III) complex as novel catalyst

For the green synthesis of polyurethane (PU), non‐isocyanate routes are worthy alternatives. In the present work, we have explored 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato‐manganese(III) complex as novel catalyst for coupling reaction between epoxidized canola oil and CO₂ (gaseous) to introduce cyclic carbonate moieties in the oil and further used it to obtain non‐isocyanate PU, generally abbreviated as NIPU, by curing with different diamines. The results obtained indicated a 1/4th of the reduction in reaction time with the use of 5,10,15‐tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrolato‐manganese(III) complex as catalyst as compared to the previously reported literature data. As per the reported studies, the corrole metal complex has not been used for this reaction earlier. The structure of products and intermediates were confirmed by using different characterization techniques like ¹H NMR and FTIR spectroscopies. The thermal and mechanical behavior of final product was analyzed by TGA and universal testing machine, respectively. The non‐isocyanate PU obtained showed a good thermal stability up to 200°C and a tensile strength of up to 8 MPa. The effect of structure of diamines on the properties of non‐isocyanate PU was also extensively studied.     

Mechanistic insights into triterpene synthesis from quantum mechanical calculations. Detection of systematic errors in B3LYP cyclization energies

Most quantum mechanical studies of triterpene synthesis have been done on small models. We calculated mPW1PW91/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G* energies for many C30H51O+ intermediates to establish the first comprehensive energy profiles for the cationic cyclization of oxidosqualene to lanosterol, lupeol, and hopen-3beta-ol. Differences among these 3 profiles were attributed to ring strain, steric effects, and proton affinity. Modest activation energy barriers and the ample exothermicity of most annulations indicated that the cationic intermediates rarely need enzymatic stabilization. The course of reaction is guided by hyperconjugation of the carbocationic 2p orbital with parallel C-C and C-H bonds. Hyperconjugation for cations with a horizontal 2p orbital (in the plane of the ABCD ring system) leads to annulation and ring expansion. If the 2p orbital becomes vertical, hyperconjugation fosters 1,2-methyl and hydride shifts. Transition states leading to rings D and E were bridged cyclopropane/carbonium ions, which allow ring expansion/annulation to bypass formation of undesirable anti-Markovnikov cations. Similar bridged species are also involved in many cation rearrangements. Our calculations revealed systematic errors in DFT cyclization energies. A spectacular example was the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G* prediction of endothermicity for the strongly exothermic cyclization of squalene to hopene. DFT cyclization energies for the 6-311+G(2d,p) basis set ranged from reasonable accuracy (mPW1PW91, TPSSh with 25% HF exchange) to underestimation (B3LYP, HCTH, TPSS, O3LYP) or overestimation (MP2, MPW1K, PBE1PBE). Despite minor inaccuracies, B3LYP/6-31G* geometries usually gave credible mPW1PW91 single-point energies. Nevertheless, DFT energies should be used cautiously until broadly reliable methods are established.     

Dihydrogen to dihydride isomerization mechanism in [(C5Me5)FeH2(Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2)]+ through the experimental and theoretical analysis of kinetic isotope effects

The isomerization of complex [Cp*Fe(dppe)(eta2-H2)]+, generated in situ by low-temperature protonation of Cp*Fe(dppe)H with either HBF4 or CF3COOH, to the dihydride tautomer trans-[Cp*Fe(dppe)(H)2]+ is irreversible and follows first-order kinetics in the -10 to +15 degrees C range with Delta H double dagger = 21.6 +/- 0.8 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS double dagger = 5 +/- 3 eu. The isomerization rate constant is essentially independent of the nature and quantity of a strong acid. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations on various models, including the complete system at both the quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) and full QM levels, probe the relative importance of steric and electronic effects for the relative stability of the nonclassical and classical isomers and identify two likely isomerization mechanisms: a "direct" pathway involving simultaneous H-H bond breaking and cis-trans isomerization and a "via Cp" pathway involving agostic C5Me5H intermediates. Both pathways are characterized by activation energies in close correspondence with the experimental value (21.3 and 22.2 kcal mol(-1), respectively). Further kinetic studies were carried out for the Cp*Fe(dppe)H + CF3COOD and Cp*Fe(dppe)D + CF3COOD systems at 273 K. The [Cp*Fe(dppe)(eta2-HD)]+ complex establishes a very rapid isotope redistribution equilibrium with the eta2-H2 and eta2-D2 analogues. The equilibrium constant value (K = 3.3 +/- 0.3) indicates a significant equilibrium isotope effect. Simulation of the rate data provides access to the individual isomerization rate constants kHH, kHD, and kDD for the three isotopomers, yielding kinetic isotope effects: kHH/kHD = 1.24 +/- 0.01 and kHD/kDD = 1.58 +/- 0.01 (and, consequently, kHH/kDD = 1.96 +/- 0.02). The analysis of the DFT-calculated frequencies, using the [Cp*Fe(dhpe)H2]+ model system, for the [Cp*Fe(dhpe)(eta2-XY)]+ isotopomers as well as transition states for the "direct" (TSdir) and "via Cp" (TSrot) pathways (X = H, D) allowed the computation of the expected isotope effects. A comparison with the experiment strongly suggests that the mechanism occurs via the "direct" pathway for the present system, although the small difference in the calculated energy barriers suggests that the "via Cp" pathway may be preferred in other cases.     

Studies relevant to catalytic reduction of dinitrogen to ammonia by molybdenum triamidoamine complexes

In this paper we explore several issues surrounding the catalytic reduction of dinitrogen by molybdenum compounds that contain the [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]3- ligand (where HIPT = 3,5-(2,4,6-i-Pr3C6H2)2C6H3). Four additional plausible intermediates in the catalytic dinitrogen reduction have now been crystallographically characterized; they are MoN= NH (Mo = [(HIPTNCH2CH2)3N]Mo), [Mo=NNH2][BAr'4] (Ar' = 3,5-(CF3)2C6H3), [Mo=NH][BAr'4], and Mo(NH3). We also have crystallographically characterized a 2,6-lutidine complex, Mo(2,6-Lut)+, which is formed upon treatment of MoH with [2,6-LutH][B(C6F5)4]. We focus on the synthesis of compounds that have not yet been isolated, which include Mo=NNH2, Mo=NH, and Mo(NH2). Mo=NNH2, formed by reduction of [Mo=NNH2]+, has not been observed. It decomposes to give mixtures that contain two or more of the following: MoN=NH, Mo triple bond N, Mo(NH3)+, Mo(NH3), and ammonia. Mo=NH, which can be prepared by reduction of [Mo=NH]+, is stable for long periods in the presence of a small amount of CrCp*2, but in the absence of CrCp*2, and in the presence of Mo=NH+ as a catalyst, Mo=NH is slowly converted into a mixture of Mo triple bond N and Mo(NH2). Mo(NH2) can be produced independently by deprotonation of Mo(NH3)+ with LiN(SiMe3)2 in THF, but it decomposes to Mo triple bond N upon attempted isolation. Although catalytic reduction of dinitrogen could involve up to 14 intermediates in a "linear" sequence that involves addition of "external" protons and/or electrons, it seems likely now that several of these intermediates, along with ammonia and/or dihydrogen, can be produced in several reactions between intermediates that themselves behave as proton and/or electron sources.     

Synthesis,structures, and properties of a series of four-, five-, and six-coordinate cobalt(III) triazacorrole complexes: the first examples of transition metal corrolazines

The syntheses of the first transition metal corrolazine complexes, in which the meso carbon atoms of a corrole framework have been replaced by N atoms, are reported. Metalation of the corrolazine [(TBP)(8)CzH(3)] (TBP = 4-tert-butylphenyl) (1) with Co(acac)(2) gives [(TBP)(8)CzCo(III)] (2) in good yield. Addition of PPh(3) to 2 in pyridine results in the formation of [(TBP)(8)CzCo(III)(PPh(3))] (3), which was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Likewise, addition of an excess of pyridine to 2 in CH(2)Cl(2) followed by slow diffusion of MeOH gives [(TBP)(8)CzCo(III)(py)(2)] (4) as a crystalline solid, which was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The crystal structures of 3 and 4 reveal that the corrolazine cavity is significantly smaller ( approximately 0.1 A) than their regular corrole analogues. Characterization of 2-4 by UV-vis spectroscopy reveals some interesting features in the absorption spectra of these compounds, including a dramatic red-shift of the Soret band. In addition, binding of pyridine to 2 was evaluated quantitatively by UV-vis titration, revealing a formation constant of beta(2) = 9.0 x 10(7) M(-)(2), which is larger than any of the regular Co(III) corrole analogues.     

A density functional theory study clarifying the reactions of conjugated ketenes with formaldimine. A plethora of pericyclic and pseudopericyclic pathways

The reactions of vinylketene (1a), imidoylketene (1b), and formylketene (1c) with formaldimine (2) were studied at the B3LYP/6-31G* level. For the cycloadditions of these conjugated ketenes with 2, several possible pathways to both [4 + 2] and [2 + 2] products were examined. The lowest energy [2 + 2] pathways are, in most cases, calculated to be stepwise, forming the products via rate-determining conrotatory electrocyclization of zwitterionic intermediates. However, concerted transition structures analogous to the ketene plus ethene [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction were also located; the existence of multiple transition states offers a resolution to a long-standing controversy regarding the mechanism of ketene plus imine cycloadditions. Both stepwise and concerted [4 + 2] pathways were calculated for 2b and for 2c; both these pathways are pseudopericyclic. The inherently low barriers associated with pseudopericyclic transition states provide an explanation of the experimental preference for [4 + 2] cycloadditions of alpha-oxoketenes and predict [4 + 2] cycloadditions should also be favored for imidoylketenes. For a vinylketene constrained to a Z-geometry, the concerted [4 + 2] cycloaddition is also predicted to be the lowest energy pathway. An explanation is offered for the unusual thermal equilibration from a six-membered ring (3d) to a four-membered ring (4d) observed by Sato et al. Transition structures for facile pseudopericyclic 1,3- and 1,5-hydrogen shifts in the zwitterions were also calculated.     

NCS自由基与NO反应动力学的理论研究

用量子化学密度泛函理论B3LYP/6-31+G^*和高级电子相关校正的偶合簇[CCSD(T)/6-311+G^*]方法,对NCS自由基与NO反应的机理和动力学进行了理论研究,得到了体系的势能面信息和可能的反应机理.计算了反应的热力学参数及反应能垒.采用传统过渡态理论计算了各反应通道的速率常数.研究结果表明,NCS自由基与NO反应中存在4个反应通道,产物分别为OCS+N₂,CS+N₂O,ONS+CN和ONCNS.从能量变化和反应速率两方面考虑,NCS+NOOCS+N₂应为主反应通道.     

HNCO与CX（X=F，Cl，Br）自由基反应机理的密度泛函理论研究

用量子化学密度泛函理论的B3LYP方法,在6-31+G~*水平上按BERNY能量梯度解 析全参数优化了HNCO与CX（X=F,Cl,Br）反应势能面上各驻点的几何构型,通过 振动频率分析确认了中间体和过渡态,内禀反应坐标（IRC）对反应物、中间体、 过渡态和产物的相关性予以证实,对各驻点进行了零点能校正（ZPE）在此基础上 计算了反应能垒。研究结果表明,与HNCO和其它小分子自由基反应不同,HNCO与 CX自由基反应首先发生分子间H原子迁移,随后N与CX的C（1）原子相互靠近成键并 生成较稳定的中间体,再发生N-C（2）键的断裂,完成N向C（1）上的迁移并进一 步解离为产物。反应按反应物→TS1→IM→TS2→产物通道进行。反应为放热反应。     

Copper(III) and vanadium(IV)-oxo corrolazines

As part of our efforts to develop the transition metal chemistry of corrolazines, which are ring-contracted porphyrinoid species most closely related to corroles, the vanadium and copper complexes (TBP)(8)Cz(H)V(IV)O (1) and (TBP)(8)CzCu(III) (2) of the ligand octakis(para-tert-butylphenyl)corrolazine [(TBP)(8)Cz] have been synthesized. The coordination behavior, preferred oxidation states, and general redox properties of metallocorrolazines are of particular interest. The corrolazine ligand in 1 was shown to contain a labile proton by acid/base titration and IR spectroscopy, serving as a -2 ligand rather than as the usual -3 donor. The oxidation state of the vanadium center in 1 was shown to be +4, in agreement with the overall neutral charge for this complex. The EPR spectrum of 1 reveals a rich signal consistent with a V(IV)(O) (d(1), S = 1/2) porphyrinoid species (g(xx) = 1.989, g(yy) = 1.972, g(zz) = 1.962). The electrochemical analysis of 1 shows behavior closer to that of a porphyrazine than a corrolazine, with a positively shifted, irreversible reduction at -0.65 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Resonance Raman and IR data for 1 confirm the presence of a triply bonded terminal oxo ligand with nu(V(16)O) = 975 cm(-1) and nu(V(18)O) = 939 cm(-1). The copper complex 2 exhibits a diamagnetic (1)H NMR spectrum, indicative of a bona fide square planar copper(III) (d(8), low-spin) complex. Previously reported copper corroles have been characterized as copper(III) complexes which exhibit a paramagnetic NMR spectrum at higher temperatures, indicative of a thermally accessible triplet excited state ([(corrole(*+))Cu(II)]). The NMR spectrum for 2 shows no paramagnetic behavior in the range 300-400 K, indicating that compound 2 does not have a thermally accessible triplet excited state. These data show that the corrolazine system is better able to stabilize the high oxidation state copper center than the corresponding corroles. Electrochemical studies of 2 reveal two reversible processes at +0.93 and -0.05 V, and bulk reduction of 2 with NaBH(4) generates the copper(II) species [(TBP)(8)CzCu(II)](-) (2a), which exhibits an EPR signal typical of a copper(II) porphyrinoid species.     

OBrO+NO反应机理的量子化学研究

用密度泛函B3LYP/6-311+G^**和高级电子相关偶合簇CCSD(T)/6-311+G^**方法研究了OBrO与NO反应的微观机理.优化得到反应路径上的反应物、过渡态、中间体和产物的几何构型,通过频率振动分析对过渡态和中间体进行了确认.结果表明;该反应是多通道多步骤的放热反应,分别可以在单重态和三重态势能面上进行,OBrO与NO通过加成及加成-消除机理分别形成产物BrONO₂和BrO+NO₂,从能量上看,形成离解产物的通道更容易进行.     

η(6)-Hexahelicene Complexes of Iridium and Ruthenium: Running along the Helix

The first η(6)-complexes of iridium and ruthenium coordinated to helicenes have been obtained. Hexahelicene (1), 2,15-dimethylhexahelicene (2), and 2,15-dibromohexahelicene (3) react with [Cp*IrCl(2)](2) and AgBF(4) in CD(3)NO(2) to afford quantitatively the complexes [Cp*Ir(η(6)-1)][BF(4)](2) (4A), [Cp*Ir(η(6)-2)][BF(4)](2) (5A), and [Cp*Ir(η(6)-3)][BF(4)](2) (6A), respectively. In all cases, the final thermodynamic products are similar, and they exhibit coordination between the 12 e(-) metal fragment [IrCp*](2+) and the terminal ring of the helicene. Monitoring the reaction by NMR shows formation of intermediates, some of which have been fully characterized in solution. These intermediates exhibit the metal fragment coordinated to the internal rings. We have also synthesized the bimetallic complex [(Cp*Ir)(2)(μ(2)-η(6):η(6)-2)][BF(4)](4) (7), achieving coordination between two units [IrCp*](2+) and the helicene 2. Following an analogous methodology, we have prepared the complex [(η(6)-cymene)Ru(η(6)-2)][BF(4)](2) (8), which has been studied by X-ray diffraction, confirming the preferential binding to the terminal aromatic ring.     

O~3＋NH→HNO＋O~2反应机理的量子化学研究

用密度泛函(DFT)的B3LYP方法(6－31++G^*^*)研究了臭氧与NH自由基反应的微观机理,优化得到反应途径上的反应物,过渡态,中间体和产物的构型,通过振动分析对过渡态和中间体进行了确认。对单点用QCISD(T)/6－31++G^*^*方法计算能量,同时进行零点能校正。研究结果表明：NH与O~3反应有两条不同的反应通道,且均表现为亲电反应特征,两条不同的反应均为强放热反应。