Synthesis and characterization of dimetallic oxorhenium(V) and dioxorhenium(VII) compounds, and a study of stoichiometric and catalytic reactions

Chelating dithiolate ligands--e.g., mtp from 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol, edt from 1,2-ethanedithiol, and pdt from 1,3-propanedithiol--stabilize high-valent oxorhenium(V) against hydrolytic and oxidative decomposition. In addition to the dithiolate chelating to a single rhenium, one sulfur forms a coordinate bond to the other rhenium. In one arrangement this gives a dimer with a nearly planar diamond core with different internal Re-S distances. The new compounds are [MeReO(edt)](2) (2) and [MeReO(pdt)](2) (3), which can be compared to the previously known [MeReO(mtp)](2) (1). Another mode of synthesis leads to [ReO](2)(mtp)(3) (5) and [ReO](2)(edt)(3) (6). They, too, have similar Re(2)S(2) cores that involve donor atoms from two of the dithiolate ligands; the third dithiolate chelates one of the rhenium atoms. Gentle hydrolysis of 1 affords [Bu(n)4][[MeReO(mtp)](2)(mu-OH)] (7) in low yield. It appears to be the first example of this structural type for rhenium. The use of dithioerythritol as a starting material allowed the synthesis of a dioxorhenium(VII) compound, [MeReO(2)](2)(dte) (8). Its importance lies in understanding the role such compounds are believed to play as intermediates in oxygen atom catalysis. Ligation of the dimers 1-3 converts them into monomeric compounds, MeReO(dithiolate)L. These reactions go essentially to completion for L = PPh(3), but reach an equilibrium for L = NC(5)H(4)R. With R = 4-Ph, the values of K/10(3) L mol(-1) for the reactions (1-3) + 2L = 2MeReO(dithiolate)L are identical within 3 sigma: 1.15(3) (1), 1.24(4) (2), and 1.03(16) (3). The rates of monomer formation follow the rate law -d ln [dimer]/dt = k(a)[L] + k(b)[L](2). These trends were found: (1) phosphines are slow to react compared to pyridines, (2) the edt dimer 2 reacts much more rapidly than 1 and 3. Dimer 1 and MeReO(mtp)PPh(3) both catalyze oxygen atom transfer: PicO + PPh(3) --> Pic + Ph(3)PO. Compound 1 is ca. 90 times more reactive, which can be attributed to its lability toward small ligands as opposed to the low rate of displacement of PPh(3) from the mononuclear catalyst. The kinetics of this reaction follows the rate law -d[PicO]/dt = k[PicO][1]/[1 + kappa[PPh(3)]], with k = 5.8 x 10(6) L mol(-1) s(-1) and kappa = 3.5 x 10(2) L mol(-1) at 23 degrees C in benzene. A mechanism has been proposed to account for these findings.     

Thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of the reversible formation of oxorhenium(VII) catecholate complexes

Mononuclear Re(V) compounds MeReO(mtp)NC(5)H(4)X, 3, where mtpH(2) is 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol have been prepared from the monomerization of [MeReO(mtp)](2) by pyridines with electron-donating substituents in the para or meta position; X = 4-Me, 4-Bu(t), 3-Me, 4-Ph, and H. Analogous compounds, MeReO(edt)N(5)H(4)X, 4, edtH(2) = 1,2-ethanedithiol, were prepared similarly. The equilibrium constants for the reaction, dimer + 2Py = 2M-Py, are in the range (2.5-31.6) x 10(2) L mol(-1). Both groups of monomeric compounds react with quinones (phenanthrenequinone, PQ, and 3,5-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone, DBQ), displacing the pyridine ligand and forming Re(VII) catecholate complexes MeReO(dithiolate)PCat and MeReO(dithiolate)DBCat. With PQ, the reaction MeReO(dithiolate)Py + PQ = MeReO(dithiolate)PCat + Py is an equilibrium; values of K(Q) for different Py ligands lie in the ranges 9.2-42.7 (mtp) and 3.2-11.2 (edt) at 298 K. These second-order rate constants (L mol(-1) s(-1)) at 25 degrees C in benzene were obtained for the PQ reactions: k(f) = (5.3-15.5) x 10(-2) (mtp), (6.6-16.4) x 10(-2) (edt); k(r) = (3.63-5.71) x 10(-3) (mtp), (14.7-22.0) x 10(-3) (edt). The ranges in each case refer to the series of pyridine ligands, the forward rate constant being the largest for C(5)H(5)N, with the lowest Lewis basicity. The reactions of MeReO(dithiolate)Py with DBQ proceed to completion. Values of k(f)/L mol(-1) s(-1) fall in a narrow range, 4.02 (X = Bu(t)) to 8.4 (X = H) with the dithiolate being mtp.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the monomerization of a Re(V) dithiolato dimer with monodentate ligands. Electronic and steric effects

The sulfur-bridged dimeric dithiolato rhenium(V) chelate [CH3(O)Re(eta 2,mu-o-SCH2C6H4S)]2 (D), derived from 2-mercaptothiophenol, was monomerized to give [CH3(O)Re(eta 2-o-SCH2C6H4S)]L (M-L) in benzene upon reaction with various neutral and anionic monodentate ligands (L) such as pyridine and its substituted derivatives, triarylphosphines, dimethyl sulfoxide, 4-picoline-N-oxide, and halide ions. The kinetic observations can readily be interpreted for all ligands by a unified mechanism in which the initial fast formation of a 1:1 (DL) and 1:2 (DL2) adduct is followed by the slow monomerization of each species so formed. The use of different ligands gave insight into different steps of the same multistep mechanism. The kinetics of ligand exchange between free L and the monomeric complexes was also studied; an associative pathway has been proposed to interpret the results. The crystal structures of two new monomeric ML complexes (with L = 4-acetylpyridine and 1,3-diethylthiourea) are reported.     

Kinetics and mechanism of rhenium-catalyzed oxygen atom transfer from pyridine N-oxides to phosphines

The oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reaction cited does not occur on its own in >10 h. Oxorhenium(V) compounds having the formula MeReO(dithiolate)PZ(3) catalyze the reaction; the catalyst most studied was MeReO(mtp)PPh(3), 1, where mtpH(2) = 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol. The mechanism was studied by multiple techniques. Kinetics (initial-rate and full-time-course methods) established this rate law: v = k(c)[1][PyO](2)[PPh(3)](-1). Here and elsewhere PyO symbolizes the general case XC(5)H(4)NO and PicO that with X = 4-Me. For 4-picoline, k(c) = (1.50 +/- 0.05) x 10(4) L mol(-1) s(-1) in benzene at 25.0 degrees C; the inverse phosphine dependence signals the need for the removal of phosphine from the coordination sphere of rhenium prior to the rate-controlling step (RCS). The actual entry of PPh(3) into the cycle occurs in a fast step later in the catalytic cycle, after the RCS; its relative rate constants (k(4)) were evaluated with pairwise combinations of phosphines. Substituent effects were studied in three ways: for (YC(6)H(4))(3)P, a Hammett correlation of k(c) against 3sigma gives the reaction constant rho(c)(P) = +1.03, consistent with phosphine predissociation; for PyO rho(c)(N) = -3.84. It is so highly negative because PyO enters in three steps, each of which is improved by a better Lewis base or nucleophile, and again for (YC(6)H(4))(3)P as regards the k(4) step, rho(4) = -0.70, reflecting its role as a nucleophile in attacking a postulated dioxorhenium(VII) intermediate. The RCS is represented by the breaking of the covalent N-O bond within another intermediate inferred from the kinetics, [MeReO(mtp)(OPy)(2)], to yield the dioxorhenium(VII) species [MeRe(O)(2)(mtp)(OPy)]. A close analogue, [MeRe(O)(2)(mtp)Pic], was identified by (1)H NMR spectroscopy at 240 K in toluene-d(8). The role of the "second" PyO in the rate law and reaction scheme is attributed to its providing nucleophilic assistance to the RCS. Addition of an exogenous nucleophile (tetrabutylammonium bromide, Py, or Pic) caused an accelerating effect. When Pic was used, the rate law took on the new form v = k(NA)[1][PicO][Pic][PPh(3)](-1); k(NA) = 2.6 x 10(2) L mol(-1) s(-1) at 25.0 degrees C in benzene. The ratio k(c)/k(NA) is 58, consistent with the Lewis basicities and nucleophilicities of PicO and Pic.     

Kinetics and mechanism of oxygen atom abstraction from a dioxo-rhenium(VII) complex

The kinetics of reaction between triarylphosphanes and two newly prepared dioxorhenium(VII) compounds has been evaluated. The compounds are MeRe(VII)(O)(2)("O,S") in which "O,S" represents an alkoxo, thiolato chelating ligand. With MeReO(3), ligands derived from 1-mercaptoethanol and 1-mercapto-2-propanol form MeRe(O)(2)(met), 2, and MeRe(O)(2)(m2p), 3. These compounds persist in chloroform solution for several hours at room temperature and for 2-3 weeks at -22 degrees C, particularly when water is carefully excluded. They were obtained as red oils with clean (1)H NMR spectra, but attempts to obtain pure, crystalline products were not successful because one decomposition pathway shows a kinetic order >1. The fastest reaction occurs between P(p-MeOC(6)H(4))(3) and 2; k(298) = 215(7) L mol(-1) s(-1) in chloroform at 25(1) degrees C. The other rate constants follow a Hammett correlation against 3sigma, with rho = -0.69(7). This study relates to oxygen atom transfer reactions catalyzed by MeReO(mtp)PPh(3), 1, in which MeRe(O)(2)(mtp), 4, is a postulated intermediate that does not build up to a measurable concentration during the catalytic cycle. Compound 2 does not react with MeSTol, but MeS(O)Tol was formed when tert-butyl hydroperoxide was added. This suggests that equilibrium lies to the left in this reaction, 2 + MeSTol + L = MeReO(met)L + MeS(O)Tol, and is drawn to the right by a reaction between MeReO(met)L and the hydroperoxide. Triphenyl arsane does not react with 2, but thermodynamic versus kinetic barriers were not resolved.     

Kinetics, mechanism, and computational studies of rhenium-catalyzed desulfurization reactions of thiiranes (thioepoxides)

The oxorhenium(V) dimer {MeReO(edt)}2 (1; where edt = 1,2-ethanedithiolate) catalyzes S atom transfer from thiiranes to triarylphosphines and triarylarsines. Despite the fact that phosphines are more nucleophilic than arsines, phosphines are less effective because they rapidly convert the dimer catalyst to the much less reactive catalyst [MeReO(edt)(PAr3)] (2). With AsAr3, which does not yield the monomer, the rate law is given by v = k[thiirane][1], independent of the arsine concentration. The values of k at 25.0 degrees C in CDCl3 are 5.58 +/- 0.08 L mol(-1) s(-1) for cyclohexene sulfide and ca. 2 L mol(-1) s(-1) for propylene sulfide. The activation parameters for cyclohexene sulfide are deltaH(double dagger) = 10.0 +/- 0.9 kcal mol(-1) and deltaS(double dagger) = -21 +/- 3 cal K(-1) mol(-1). Arsine enters the catalytic cycle after the rate-controlling release of alkene, undergoing a reaction with the Re(VII)(O)(S) intermediate that is so rapid in comparison that it cannot be studied directly. The use of a kinetic competition method provided relative rate constants and a Hammett reaction constant, rho = -1.0. Computations showed that there is little thermodynamic selectivity for arsine attack at O or S of the intermediate. There is, however, a large kinetic selectivity in favor of Ar3AsS formation: the calculated values of deltaH(double dagger) for attack of AsAr3 at Re=O vs Re=S in Re(VII)(O)(S) are 23.2 and 1.1 kcal mol(-1), respectively.     

Issues of microscopic reversibility and an isomeric intermediate in ligand substitution reactions of five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) dithiolate complexes.

Ligand substitution reactions between five-coordinate oxorhenium(V) dithiolates, [CH(3)ReO(SCH(2)C(6)H(4)S)X], or MeReO(mtp)X, and entering ligands Y have been studied; Y is a phosphine and X is a phosphine (usually) or a pyridine. Many of them occur in two distinct stages, and other two-stage reactions merge to a single kinetic term when the successive rate constants are quite different in value. An intermediate can be detected directly by electronic and NMR spectroscopy. Just for phosphines, the range of rate constants is remarkably large; in the first stage, k spans the range 10(-)(4)-10(1) L mol(-)(1) s(-)(1) at 25 degrees C in benzene; in the second, which also shows a first-order dependence on the concentration of the entering ligand, the range is 10(-)(4)-10(3) L mol(-)(1) s(-)(1). Spectroscopic evidence shows that the intermediate has the same composition as the product; the metastable form is designated as MeReO(mtp)Y. The structures of all the isolated products MeReO(mtp)Y have a single stereochemistry: Me and -SCH(2) lie in trans positions, as do Y and -SAr. This structure is believed to be reversed in the transient, Y and -SCH(2) occupying trans positions. Further support for this assignment comes from the (31)P splitting of the (1)H NMR spectrum, where additional coupling indicates unusual four-bond coupling from a W-pattern of the hydrogen and phosphorus atoms. The intermediate does not undergo an intramolecular rearrangement to the final product; instead, it reacts with a ligand of the same type in an intermolecular reaction leading to rearrangement. The activation parameters were determined for selected reactions, and the results support a mechanism with considerable associative character; DeltaS() values are ca. -125 J K(-)(1) mol(-)(1). Because ligand Y must enter the coordination sphere from the vacant coordination position trans to the Re=O group, a means must be devised for the leaving group X to gain that position. To account for the intervention of the isomer while honoring the principle of microscopic reversibility, two mechanisms are proposed. One involves a C(3) ("turnstile") rotation of a specific group of three ligands in the six-coordinate transition state. Turnstile rotation of the groups X, Me, and Y can accomplish the needed transposition; the transition state passes through an approximate trigonal prismatic configuration, giving rise to a different and less stable isomer. The alternative mechanism, which may more easily accommodate data for Y = Me(2)bpy, involves rearrangement of the common octahedral intermediate to a pentagonal pyramid. The arrangement of ligands in the intermediate, governed by their sizes, determines that isomerization accompanies product formation. Following either rearrangement, a second reaction, between MeReO(SCH(2)C(6)H(4)S)Y and Y, then ensues by the same mechanism. The second rearrangement process then generates the more stable isomer of the product. Results are also presented from a study of monomerization of the dimeric rhenium species, [MeReO(mtp)](2), with phosphines(X) of various size and basicity. The results support a mechanism with two intermediates on the pathway to MeReO(mtp)X.     

New oxorhenium(V) compound for catalyzed oxygen atom transfer from picoline N-oxide to triarylphosphines

The synthesis and characterization of a new oxorhenium(V) compound is reported; it is [MeReO(edt)(bpym)], 8, where edt = 1,2-ethanedithiolate and bpym = 2,2'-bipyrimidine. Compound 8 was characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray analysis. It exists as a six-coordinate Re(V) compound comparable to the previously known [MeReO(edt)(bpy)] and [MeReO(mtp)(bpy)]. Compound 8 catalyzes the oxygen-atom-transfer reaction PicO + PZ3 --> Pic + Z3PO, whereas the other two do not. The kinetics of this reaction with catalyst 8 follows the rate law -d[PicO]/dt = k[8][PicO]/(1 + c[PZ3]). With different phosphines, the rate law has the same k value, 4.17 L mol(-1) s(-1), but different c values. For tritolylphosphine, c = 67.5 L mol(-1) in benzene at 25 degrees C. A mechanism has been proposed to account for these findings. The data establish that an open coordination site on rhenium is necessary for oxygen-atom-transfer reactions.     

A density functional study of oxygen atom transfer reactions between biological oxygen atom donors and molybdenum(IV) bis(dithiolene) complexes

Density functional calculations have been used to investigate oxygen atom transfer reactions from the biological oxygen atom donors trimethylamine N-oxide (Me(3)NO) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) to the molybdenum(IV) complexes [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) (mnt = maleonitrile-1,2-dithiolate), which may serve as models for mononuclear molybdenum enzymes of the DMSO reductase family. The reaction between [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and trimethylamine N-oxide was found to have an activation energy of 72 kJ/mol and proceed via a transition state (TS) with distorted octahedral geometry, where the Me(3)NO is bound through the oxygen to the molybdenum atom and the N-O bond is considerably weakened. The computational modeling of the reactions between dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) or [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) indicated that the former is energetically unfavorable while the latter was found to be favorable. The addition of a methyl group to [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) to form the corresponding des-oxo complex not only lowers the relative energy of the products but also lowers the activation energy. In addition, the reaction with [Mo(OCH(3))(mnt)(2)](-) proceeds via a TS with trigonal prismatic geometry instead of the distorted octahedral TS geometry modeled for the reaction between [MoO(mnt)(2)](2-) and Me(3)NO.     

Mechanism of catalytic aziridination with manganese corrole: the often postulated high-valent Mn(V) imido is not the group transfer reagent

The reaction of Arl=NTs (Ar = 2-(tert-butylsulfonyl)benzene and Ts = p-toluenesulfonyl) and (tpfc)Mn (tpfc=5,10,15-tris(pentafluorophenyl)corrole), 1, affords the high-valent (tpfc)MnV=NTs, 2, on stopped-flow time scale. The reaction proceeds via the adduct [(tpfc)MnIII(ArINTs)], 3, with formation constant K3 = (10 +/- 2) x 10(3) L mol-1. Subsequently, 3 undergoes unimolecular group transfer to give complex 2 with the rate constant k4 = 0.26 +/- 0.07 s-1 at 24.0 degrees C. The complex (tpfc)Mn catalyzes [NTs] group transfer from ArINTs to styrene substrates with low catalyst loading and without requirement of excess olefin. The catalytic aziridination reaction is most efficient in benzene because solvents such as toluene undergo a competing hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) reaction resulting in H2NTs and lowered aziridine yields. The high-valent manganese imido complex (tpfc)Mn=NTs does not transfer its [NTs] group to styrene. Double-labeling experiments with ArINTs and ArINTstBu (TstBu = (p-tert-butylphenyl)sulfonyl) establish the source of [NR] transfer as a "third oxidant", which is an adduct of Mn(V) imido, [(tpfc)Mn(NTstBu)(ArINTs)](4). Formation of this oxidant is rate limiting in catalysis.     

Ligand displacement and oxidation reactions of methyl(oxo)rhenium(V) complexes

Compounds that contain the anion [MeReO(edt)(SPh)](-) (3-) were synthesized with the countercations 2-picolinium (PicH+3-) and 2,6-lutidinium (LutH+3-), where edt is 1,2-ethanedithiolate. Both PicH+3- and MeReO(edt)(tetramethylthiourea) (4) were crystallographically characterized. The rhenium atom in each of these compounds exists in a five-coordinate distorted square pyramid. In the solid state, PicH+3- contains an anion with a short (d(SH) = 232 pm) and nearly linear hydrogen-bonded (N-H.S) interaction to the cation. Ligand substitution reactions were studied in chloroform. Displacement of PhSH by PPh(3) follows second-order kinetics, d[MeReO(edt)(PPh(3))]/dt = k[PicH+3-][PPh3], whereas with pyridines an unusual form was found, d[MeReO(edt)(Py)]/dt = k[PyH+3-][Py](2), in which the conversion of PicH+3- to PyH+3- has been incorporated. Further, added Py accelerates the formation of [MeReO(edt)(PPh3)], v = k.[PicH+3-].[PPh3].[Py]. Compound 4, on the other hand, reacts with both PPh(3) and pyridines, L, at a rate given by d[MeReO(edt)(L)]/dt = k.[4].[L]. When PicH+3- reacts with pyridine N-oxides, a three-stage reaction was observed, consistent with ligand replacement of SPh(-) by PyO, N-O bond cleavage of the PyO assisted by another PyO, and eventual decomposition of MeRe(O)(edt)(OPy) to MeReO(3). Each of first two steps showed a large substituent effect; Hammett analysis gave rho(1) = -5.3 and rho(2) = -4.3.     

Carbon monoxide activation via O-bound CO using decamethylscandocinium-hydridoborate ion pairs

Ion pairs [Cp*(2)Sc](+)[HB(p-C(6)F(4)R)(3)](-) (R = F, 1-F; R = H, 1-H) were prepared and shown to be unreactive toward D(2) and α-olefins, leading to the conclusion that no back-transfer of hydride from boron to scandium occurs. Nevertheless, reaction with CO is observed to yield two products, both ion pairs of the [Cp*(2)Sc](+) cation with formylborate (2-R) and borataepoxide (3-R) counteranions. DFT calculations show that these products arise from the carbonyl adduct of the [Cp*(2)Sc](+) in which the CO is bonded to scandium through the oxygen atom, not the carbon atom. The formylborate 2-R is formed in a two-step process initiated by an abstraction of the hydride by the carbon end of an O-bound CO, which forms an η(2)-formyl intermediate that adds, in a second step, the borane at the carbon. The borataepoxide 3-R is suggested to result from an isomerization of 2-R. This unprecedented reaction represents a new way to activate CO via a reaction channel emanating from the ephemeral isocarbonyl isomer of the CO adduct.     

Modeling substrate- and inhibitor-bound forms of liver alcohol dehydrogenase: chemistry of mononuclear nitrogen/sulfur-ligated zinc alcohol,formamide, and sulfoxide complexes

Using a mixed nitrogen/sulfur ligand possessing a single internal hydrogen bond donor (N,N-bis-2-(methylthio)ethyl-N-(6-amino-2-pyridylmethyl)amine (bmapa)), we prepared and structurally and spectroscopically characterized a series of zinc complexes possessing a single alcohol ([(bmapa)Zn(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (1)), formamide ([(bmapa)Zn(DMF)](ClO(4))(2) (3), [(bmapa)Zn(NMF)](ClO(4))(2) (4)), or sulfoxide ([(bmapa)Zn(DMSO)](ClO(4))(2) (7), [(bmapa)Zn(TMSO)](ClO(4))(2) (8)) ligand. X-ray crystallographic characterization was obtained for 1.MeOH, 3, 4, 7.DMSO, and 8. To enable studies of the influence of the single hydrogen bond donor amino group of the bmapa ligand on the chemistry of zinc/neutral oxygen donor binding interactions, analogous alcohol ([(bmpa)Zn(MeOH)](ClO(4))(2) (2)), formamide ([(bmpa)Zn(DMF)](ClO(4))(2) (5), [(bmpa)Zn(NMF)](ClO(4))(2) (6)), and sulfoxide ([(bmpa)Zn(DMSO)](ClO(4))(2) (9), [(bmpa)Zn(TMSO)](ClO(4))(2) (10)) complexes of the bmpa (N,N-bis-2-(methylthio)ethyl-N-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine) ligand system were generated and characterized. Of these, 2, 5, 6, and 9.2DMSO were characterized by X-ray crystallography. Solution spectroscopic methods ((1)H and (13)C NMR, FTIR) were utilized to examine the formamide binding properties of 3-6 in CH(3)CN and CH(3)NO(2) solutions. Conclusions derived from this work include the following: (1) the increased donicity of formamide and sulfoxide donors (versus alcohols) makes these competitive ligands for a cationic N/S-ligated zinc center, even in alcohol solution, (2) the inclusion of a single internal hydrogen bond donor, characterized by a heteroatom distance of approximately 2.80-2.95 A, produces subtle structural perturbations in N/S-ligated zinc alcohol, formamide, or sulfoxide complexes, (3) the heteroatom distance of a secondary hydrogen-bonding interaction involving the oxygen atom of a zinc-coordinated alcohol, formamide, and sulfoxide ligand is reduced with increasing donicity of the exogenous ligand, and (4) formamide displacement on a N/S-ligated zinc center is rapid, regardless of the presence of an internal hydrogen bond donor. These results provide initial insight into the chemical factors governing the binding of a neutral oxygen donor to a N/S-ligated zinc center.     

A chromium(III)-superoxo complex in oxygen atom transfer reactions as a chemical model of cysteine dioxygenase

Metal-superoxo species are believed to play key roles in oxygenation reactions by metalloenzymes. One example is cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) that catalyzes the oxidation of cysteine with O(2), and an iron(III)-superoxo species is proposed as an intermediate that effects the sulfoxidation reaction. We now report the first biomimetic example showing that a chromium(III)-superoxo complex bearing a macrocyclic TMC ligand, [Cr(III)(O(2))(TMC)(Cl)](+), is an active oxidant in oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactions, such as the oxidation of phosphine and sulfides. The electrophilic character of the Cr(III)-superoxo complex is demonstrated unambiguously in the sulfoxidation of para-substituted thioanisoles. A Cr(IV)-oxo complex, [Cr(IV)(O)(TMC)(Cl)](+), formed in the OAT reactions by the chromium(III)-superoxo complex, is characterized by X-ray crystallography and various spectroscopic methods. The present results support the proposed oxidant and mechanism in CDO, such as an iron(III)-superoxo species is an active oxidant that attacks the sulfur atom of the cysteine ligand by the terminal oxygen atom of the superoxo group, followed by the formation of a sulfoxide and an iron(IV)-oxo species via an O-O bond cleavage.     

Oxygen transfer from sulfoxides: selective oxidation of alcohols catalyzed by polyoxomolybdates

Benzylic, allylic, and aliphatic alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes and ketones in a reaction catalyzed by Keggin-type polyoxomolybdates, PV(x)Mo(12-x)O(40)(-(3+x)) (x = 0, 2), with DMSO as a solvent. The oxidation of benzylic alcohols is quantitative within hours and selective, whereas that of allylic alcohols is less selective. Oxidation of aliphatic alcohols is slower but selective. Further mechanistic studies revealed that, for H(3)PMo(12)O(40) as a catalyst and benzylic alcohols as substrates, the sulfoxide is in fact an oxygen donor in the reaction. Postulated reaction steps as determined from isotope-labeling experiments, kinetic isotope effects, and Hammett plots include (a) sulfoxide activation by complexation to the polyoxometalate and (b) oxygen transfer from the activated sulfoxide and elimination of water from the alcohol. The mechanism is supported by the reaction kinetics.     

Oxygen transfer from sulfoxides: oxidation of alkylarenes catalyzed by a polyoxomolybdate, [PMo12O40]3-

The polyoxomolydate of the Keggin structure, PMo12O403-, catalyzes, under anaerobic conditions, oxygen transfer from sulfoxides to alkylarenes such as xanthene and diphenylmethane to yield xanthen-9-one and benzophenone, respectively. With use of 17O and 18O labeled phenylmethylsulfoxide it was shown that the sulfoxide is complexed by the polyoxometalate and the oxygen is transferred from the sulfoxide to the alkylarene. There is a good correlation between the reaction rate and the heterolytic benzylic C-H bond energy indicating a hydride transfer reaction from the alkylarene to the polyoxometalate-sulfoxide complex. In the case of triphenylmethane the resulting carbocation reacts to yield 9-phenylfluorene as the major product. The reaction kinetics supports such a reaction pathway.     

Bis(dithiolene)molybdenum analogues relevant to the DMSO reductase enzyme family: synthesis, structures, and oxygen atom transfer reactions and kinetics.

A series of dithiolene complexes of the general type [Mo(IV)(QR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) has been prepared and structurally characterized as possible structural and reactivity analogues of reduced sites of the enzymes DMSOR and TMAOR (QR' = PhO(-), 2-AdO(-), Pr(i)()O(-)), dissimilatory nitrate reductase (QR' = 2-AdS(-)), and formate dehydrogenase (QR' = 2-AdSe(-)). The complexes are square pyramidal with the molybdenum atom positioned 0.74-0.80 A above the S(4) mean plane toward axial ligand QR'. In part on the basis of a recent clarification of the active site of oxidized Rhodobacter sphaeroides DMSOR (Li, H.-K.; Temple, C.; Rajagopalan, K. V.; Schindelin, H. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2000, 122, 7673), we have adopted the minimal reaction paradigm Mo(IV) + XO right arrow over left arrow Mo(VI)O + X involving desoxo Mo(IV), monooxo Mo(VI), and substrate/product XO/X for direct oxygen atom transfer of DMSOR and TMAOR enzymes. The [Mo(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) species carry dithiolene and anionic oxygen ligands intended to simulate cofactor ligand and serinate binding in DMSOR and TMAOR catalytic sites. In systems with N-oxide and S-oxide substrates, the observed overall reaction sequence is [Mo(IV)(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) + XO --> [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) --> [Mo(V)O(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-). Direct oxo transfer in the first step has been proven by isotope labeling. The reactivity of [Mo(OPh)(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-) (1) has been the most extensively studied. In second-order reactions, 1 reduces DMSO and (CH(2))(4)SO (k(2) approximately 10(-)(6), 10(-)(4) M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -36, -39 eu) and Me(3)NO (k(2) = 200 M(-)(1) s(-)(1); DeltaS(double dagger) = -21 eu) in acetonitrile at 298 K. Activation entropies indicate an associative transition state, which from relative rates and substrate properties is inferred to be concerted with X-O bond weakening and Mo-O bond making. The Mo(VI)O product in the first step, such as [Mo(VI)O(OR')(S(2)C(2)Me(2))(2)](1)(-), is an intermediate in the overall reaction sequence, inasmuch as it is too unstable to isolate and decays by an internal redox process to a Mo(V)O product, liberating an equimolar quantity of phenol. This research affords the first analogue reaction systems of biological N-oxide and S-oxide substrates that are based on desoxo Mo(IV) complexes with biologically relevant coordination. Oxo-transfer reactions in analogue systems are substantially slower than enzyme systems based on a k(cat)/K(M) criterion. An interpretation of this behavior requires more information on the rate-limiting step(s) in enzyme catalytic cycles. (2-Ad = 2-adamantyl, DMSOR = dimethyl sulfoxide reductase, TMAOR = trimethylamine N-oxide reductase)     

Coordination and organometallic chemistry of relevance to the rhodium-based catalyst for ethylene hydroamination

The RhCl(3)·3H(2)O/PPh(3)/nBu(4)PI catalytic system for the hydroamination of ethylene by aniline is shown to be thermally stable by a recycle experiment and by a kinetic profile study. The hypothesis of the reduction under catalytic conditions to a Rh(I) species is supported by the observation of a high catalytic activity for complex [RhI(PPh(3))(2)](2). New solution equilibrium studies on [RhX(PPh(3))(2)](2) (X = Cl, I) in the presence of ligands of relevance to the catalytic reaction (PPh(3), C(2)H(4), PhNH(2), X(-), and the model Et(2)NH amine) are reported. Complex [RhCl(PPh(3))(2)](2) shows broadening of the (31)P NMR signal upon addition of PhNH(2), indicating rapid equilibrium with a less thermodynamically stable adduct. The reaction with Et(2)NH gives extensive conversion into cis-RhCl(PPh(3))(2)(NHEt(2)), which is however in equilibrium with the starting material and free Et(2)NH. Excess NHEt(2) yields a H-bonded adduct cis-RhCl(PPh(3))(2)(Et(2)NH)···NHEt(2), in equilibrium with the precursors, as shown by IR spectroscopy. The iodide analogue [RhI(PPh(3))(2)](2) shows less pronounced reactions (no change with PhNH(2), less extensive addition of Et(2)NH with formation of cis-RhI(PPh(3))(2)(NHEt(2)), less extensive reaction of the latter with additional Et(2)NH to yield cis-RhI(PPh(3))(2)(Et(2)NH)···NHEt(2). The two [RhX(PPh(3))(2)](2) compounds do not show any evidence for addition of the corresponding X(-) to yield a putative [RhX(2)(PPh(3))(2)](-) adduct. The product of C(2)H(4) addition to [RhI(PPh(3))(2)](2), trans-RhI(PPh(3))(2)(C(2)H(4)), has been characterized in solution. Treatment of the RhCl(3)·3H(2)O/PPh(3)/nBu(4)PI/PhNH(2) mixture under catalytic conditions yields mostly [RhCl(PPh(3))(2)](2), and no significant halide exchange, demonstrating that the promoting effect of iodide must take place at the level of high energy catalytic intermediates. The equilibria have also been investigated at the computational level by DFT with treatment at the full QM level including solvation effects. The calculations confirm that the bridge splitting reaction is slightly less favorable for the iodido derivative. Overall, the study confirms the active role of rhodium(I) species in ethylene hydroamination catalyzed by RhCl(3)·3H(2)O/PPh(3)/nBu(4)PI and suggest that the catalyst resting state is [RhCl(PPh(3))(2)](2) or its C(2)H(4) adduct, RhCl(PPh(3))(2)(C(2)H(4)), under high ethylene pressure.     

Is it true dioxygenase or classic autoxidation catalysis? Re-investigation of a claimed dioxygenase catalyst based on a Ru(2)-incorporated, polyoxometalate precatalyst

A 1997 Nature paper reported that a novel Ru(2)-incorporated sandwich-type polyoxometalate, {[WZnRu(III)(2)(OH)(H(2)O)](ZnW(9)O(34))(2)}(11)(-), is an all-inorganic dioxygenase catalyst for the hydroxylation of adamantane and the epoxidation of alkenes using molecular oxygen. Specifically, it was reported that the above Ru(2)-containing polyoxometalate catalyzes the following reaction by a non-radical-chain, dioxygenase mechanism: 2RH + O(2) --> 2ROH (R = adamantane). A re-investigation of the above claim has been performed, resulting in the following findings: (1) iodometric analysis detects trace peroxides (0.5% relative to adamantane), the products of free-radical-chain autoxidation, at the end of the adamantane hydroxylation reaction; (2) a non-dioxygenase product, H(2)(18)O, is observed at the end of an adamantane hydroxylation reaction performed using (18)O(2); (3) kinetic studies reveal a fractional rate law consistent with a classic radical-chain reaction; (4) a non-dioxygenase approximately 1:1 adamantane products/O(2) stoichiometry is observed in our hands (instead of the claimed 2:1 adamantane/O(2) dioxygenase stoichiometry); (5) adamantane hydroxylation is initiated by the free radical initiator, AIBN (2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile), or the organic hydroperoxide, t-BuOOH; (6) four radical scavengers completely inhibit the reaction; and (7) {[WZnRu(III)(2)(OH)(H(2)O)](ZnW(9)O(34))(2)}(11)(-) is found to be an effective catalyst for cyclohexene free-radical-chain autoxidation. The above results are consistent with and strongly supportive of a free-radical-chain mechanism, not the previously claimed dioxygenase pathway.     

Catalytic cyclopropanation of alkenes via (2-furyl)carbene complexes from 1-benzoyl-cis-1-buten-3-yne with transition metal compounds

The reaction of alkenes with conjugated ene-yne-ketones, such as 1-benzoyl-2-ethynylcycloalkenes, with a catalytic amount of Cr(CO)(5)(THF) gave 5-phenyl-2-furylcyclopropane derivatives in good yields. The key intermediate of this cyclopropanation is a (2-furyl)carbene complex generated by a nucleophilic attack of carbonyl oxygen to an internal alkyne carbon in pi-alkyne complex or sigma-vinyl cationic complex. A wide range of late transition metal compounds, such as [RuCl(2)(CO)(3)](2), [RhCl(cod)](2), [Rh(OAc)(2)](2), PdCl(2), and PtCl(2), also catalyzes the cyclopropanation of alkenes with ene-yne-ketones effectively. When the reactions were carried out with dienes as a carbene acceptor, the more substituted or more electron-rich alkene moiety was selectively cyclopropanated with the (2-furyl)carbenoid intermediate.