New aspects of diphenylbutadiene photochemistry. Regiospecific hula-twist photoisomerization

In EPA glass at liquid nitrogen temperature, the E,E isomer of diphenylbutadiene (DPB) was photostable, while both the Z,E and Z,Z isomers underwent selective HT isomerization at center 1 giving the stable conformer of the double-bond isomerized trans product. That HT-1 was involved rather than the OBF process was shown by results of o,o'-dimethyl-DPB. Formation of unstable trans product corresponded to simultaneous configurational and conformational isomerization. The regioselectivity was found not sensitive to a substituent effect, as shown by the similar reactivity in p,p'- or o,o'-bistrifluoromethyl-DPB.     

Dissociation energetics of the phenol(+)⋯Ar(2) cluster ion: The role of π→H isomerization

The dissociation energetics in the phenol(+)?Ar(2)(2π) cluster ion have been investigated using photoionization efficiency and mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy. The appearance energies for the loss of one and two Ar atoms are determined as ～210 and ～1115?cm(-1), respectively. The difference between the appearance energy for the first Ar ligand in phenol(+)?Ar(2)(2π) and the dissociation energy of the phenol(+)?Ar(π) dimer (535cm(-1)) is explained by the isomerization of one π-bound Ar ligand to the OH binding site (H-bond) upon ionization. The energy difference between phenol(+)?Ar(2)(2π) and phenol(+)?Ar(2)(H/π) could also be estimated to be around 325cm(-1), which corresponds roughly to the difference of the binding energy of a π-bound and H-bound Ar ligands. The binding energy of the H-bound Ar atom in phenol(+)?Ar(2)(H/π) is derived to be ～905cm(-1).     

Mechanism of methoxide ion substitution in the z and e isomers of o-methylbenzohydroximoyl halides

Kinetics and stereochemical studies have been carried out on the reactions of the Z and E isomers of O-methylbenzohydroximoyl halides [1Z and 1E, ArC(X)=NOCH(3)] with sodium methoxide in 9:1 DMSO-methanol. The reactions of methoxide ion with hydroximoyl fluorides (X = F) are stereospecific. The reaction with 1Z (X = F) gives only the Z substitution product (1Z, X =OCH(3)). The reaction of methoxide ion with 1E (X = F) is less selective, giving ca. 85% E substitution product. The Hammett rho-values for the Z and E isomers (X = F) are +2.94 and +3.30, respectively. The element effects for 1Z (Ar = C(6)H(5)) are 2.21 (X = Br):1.00 (X = Cl):79.7 (X = F). The 1E element effects are (Ar = C(6)H(5)) 1.00 (X = Cl):18.3 (X = F) and (Ar = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4)) 1.97 (X = Br):1.00 (X = Cl):12.1 (X = F). The entropies of activation for these reactions are negative (for example, DeltaS() = -15 eu for 1Z and DeltaS() = -14 eu for 1E, Ar = 4-CH(3)OC(6)H(4), X = F). These experimental observations are consistent with a mechanism proceeding through a tetrahedral intermediate. Ab initio calculations were carried out to help explain the stereospecificity of these reactions. These calculations indicate that the tetrahedral intermediate from the Z isomer undergoes rapid elimination to the Z substitution product before stereomutation can take place. These calculations also show that the lowest barrier for rotation around the carbon-nitrogen single bond in the tetrahedral intermediate derived from 1E leads to an intermediate that eliminates fluoride ion to give E product.     

Ab initio study of the substituent effects on the relative stability of the E and Z conformers of phenyl esters. Stereoelectronic effects on the reactivity of the carbonyl group

Equilibria between the Z (tau1= 0 degrees) and E (tau1= 180 degrees) conformers of p-substituted phenyl acetates 4 and trifluoroacetates 5 (X = OMe, Me, H, Cl, CN, NO2) were studied by ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* levels of theory. The preference for the Z conformer, DeltaE(HF), was calculated to be 5.36 kcal mol(-1) and 7.50 kcal mol(-1) for phenyl acetate and phenyl trifluoroacetate (i.e., with X = H), respectively. The increasing electron-withdrawing ability of the phenyl substituent X increases the preference of the Z conformer. An excellent correlation with a negative slope was observed for both series between DeltaE of the E-Z equilibrium and the Hammett sigma constant. By using an appropriate isodesmic reaction, it was shown that electron-withdrawing substituents decrease the stability of both conformers, but the effect is higher with the E conformer. Electron-withdrawing phenyl substituents decrease the delocalization of the lone pair of the ether oxygen to the C=O antibonding orbital (nO--> pi*C=O) in both the E and Z forms and in both series studied; this effect is higher in the E conformer than in the Z conformer. The nO --> pi*C=O electron donation has a minimum value with tau1= 90 degrees and a maximum value with tau1= 0 degrees (the Z conformer), the value with tau1= 180 degrees (the E conformer) being between these two values, obviously due to steric hindrance. The effects of the phenyl substituents on the reactivity of the esters studied are discussed in terms of molecular orbital interactions. ED/EW substituents adjust the availability of the pi*C=O antibonding orbital to interact with the lone pair orbital of the attacking nucleophile and therefore affect the reactivity: EW substituents increase and ED substituents decrease it. Excellent correlations were observed between the rate coefficients of nucleophilic acyl substitutions and pi*C=O occupancies of the ester series 4 and 5.     

Tautomerism of anthraquinones: III. Tautomerization and rotational isomerization as processes responsible for the appearance of several π1,π*-bands in the absorption spectra of hydroxy-substituted quinones

Hydroxy-substituted anthraquinones, naphthoquinones, and naphthacenequinones exist as equilibrium mixtures of different tautomers and rotational isomers which give rise to several π₁,π* bands in their electronic absorption spectra. Each π₁,π* band can be assigned to a particular tautomer and conformer on the basis of the substituent constants σ^A.     

Tuning of switching properties and excited-state dynamics of fulgides by structural modifications

The ultrafast photo-induced dynamics of the E-isomers of four selected photochromic fulgides with distinct structural motifs have been elucidated by femtosecond broadband transient absorption spectroscopy in n-hexane as solvent. E→C and E→Z isomerisations, respectively, with time constants of ～0.12 ± 0.02 ps and ～0.34 ± 0.03 ps taking place in parallel were found for derivatives with a methyl substituent at the central hexatriene (HT) unit. In contrast, fulgides with increased steric constraints by an iso-propyl substituent or by intramolecular bridging displayed virtually zero E→Z isomerisation, but instead a desired accelerated and more efficient ring closure in a reaction time of only ～50 ± 10 fs. Both photoisomerisations appear to follow excited-state pathways with distinctive conical intersections. For the ring closure, direct barrierless pathways with steep downhill gradients are likely. Furthermore, the results indicate conformer-specific reactions, with ring closure exclusively by the E(α) conformer and E→Z isomerisation predominantly by the E(β) conformer, because the E(α)→Z channel is unfavoured by the faster and kinetically more competitive E(α)→C reaction. DFT calculations of the equilibrium structures showed that the sterically demanding groups at the HT unit shift the conformer equilibria towards the E(α) conformers. At the same time, they appear to cause a favourable pre-orientation of the furyl unit that accelerates the conrotatory ring closure in the E(α)→C reaction. Benzo-annulation of the furyl unit has little effect on the observed dynamics. Overall, the results demonstrate how the excited-state dynamics and thereby the photoswitching properties of fulgides can be successfully tuned and improved by structural modifications at the chromophores.     

Substituent effects in π-(tricarbonylchromium)arenes: V. Thermodynamic dissociation constants of some substituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids

The thermodynamic dissociation constants of a series of 38 substituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids in 50% aqueous ethanol at 25°C have been determined. The results require revision of some literature values.The pK_a^*-values of the π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids were correlated with the electronic substituent parameters in terms of the Yukawa-Tsuno equation. The reaction constant (ρ) decreases from 1.4 for the benzoic acids to 0.8 for the π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids, reflecting the decreased ability of the complexed aromatic system to transmit electronic substituent effects. For the alkylsubstituted π-(tricarbonylchromium)benzoic acids, conformational effects of the Cr(CO)₃ group can account for some of the anomalies observed. The substituent parameters, σ_meta and σ_para, of the π-(Cr(CO)₃)phenyl group as a substituent were derived from the dissociation constants of the complexed phenylbenzoic acids.     

Crystalline-state Z,E-photoisomerization of a series of (Z,E,Z)-1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid dialkyl esters. Chain length effects on the crystal structure and photoreactivity

[reaction: see text] Crystalline-state Z,E-photoisomerization of a series of (Z,E,Z)-1,6-diphenylhexa-1,3,5-triene 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid dialkyl (R) esters [(Z,E,Z)-1a, R = Me; (Z,E,Z)-1b, R = Et; (Z,E,Z)-1c, R = n-Pr; (Z,E,Z)-1d, R = n-Bu] was investigated. All Z,E,Z isomers underwent one-way isomerization to the corresponding E,E,E isomers. The reaction efficiency was strongly enhanced as the length of the alkyl chain increased. Single-crystal X-ray analyses of (Z,E,Z)-1a-d showed that the alkyl chain part of the crystals became larger as the chain length increased. The conformational flexibility of the alkyl chains made the large change in the triene geometry in the lattice possible, leading to the enhancement of the photoreactivity in the crystalline state.     

Synthesis of (10Z)- and (10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3: compounds to probe vitamin D conformation in receptor complex by 19F-NMR

To study the interaction of vitamin D with its receptor by 19F-NMR, (5Z,10Z)- and (5Z,10E)-19-fluoro-1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 were synthesized starting from vitamin D2 via electrophilic fluorination of vitamin D-SO2 adducts as the key step. Regio- and stereoselective electrophilic fluorination at C(19) of vitamin D-SO2 adducts was achieved under the conditions using (PhSO2)2NF and bulky bases. The stereochemistry of the addition and elimination of SO2 of various vitamin D derivatives was studied in detail. SO2 causes Z-E isomerization of the 5,6-double bond of vitamin D and adds to the resulting (5E)-isomer from the sterically less hindered side opposite to the substituent at C(1). Elimination of SO2 from 19-substituted vitamin D-SO2 adducts proceeded exclusively in a suprafacial manner with respect to the diene part under either thermal or reductive conditions. Dye-sensitized photochemical isomerization of 19-fluorovitamin D derivatives was studied in detail. The rapid isomerization at the 5,6-double bond was followed by the slow isomerization at the 10,19-double bond to yield the (5E,10Z)-isomer (by nomenclature of the 1-OH derivatives) as the major product. (10Z)- and (10E)-19-Fluorovitamin Ds were also interconverted thermally probably via the corresponding previtamin D by 1,7-sigmatropic isomerization.     

Photochemische Reaktionen 122. Mitteilung [1]. Zur vinylogen β-spaltung von epoxy-enonen: Photoisomerisierung des 3,4:5,6-diepoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-jonons

Vinylogous β-Cleavage of Epoxy-enones: Photoisomerization of 3,4: 5,6-Diepoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone On ¹n,π*-excitation (λ>347 nm), 3,4:5,6-diepoxy-5,6-dihydro-β-ionone ((E)- 3 ) shows the typical behaviour of α,β-unsaturated γ,δ-epoxy ketones furnishing the (Z)-enone 3 and by C(γ),O cleavage of the oxirane the dihydrofuryl ketone 10 and the cyclohexanones (E/Z)- 11 . However, on ¹π,π*-excitation an unexpected type of transformation is observed: (E)- 3 is isomerized to the four aliphatic triketones 5 – 8 as the main products. To a smaller extent the allene diketone 9 is formed by a known type of isomerization as well as (Z)- 3 . As the starting material for the preparation of (E)- 3 , the known epidioxy-enone (E)- 4 was used. In addition to (E)- 3 , (E)- 4 gives the aliphatic triketone 6 and the hydroxyenone 15 by thermal or catalytic isomerization.     

Quantitative Assessment of Ligand Substituent Effects on σ- and π-Contributions to Fe−N Bonds in Spin Crossover FeII Complexes

The effect of para-substituent X on the electronic structure of sixteen tridentate 4- X -(2,6-di(pyrazol-1-yl))-pyridine ( bpp^X ) ligands and the corresponding solution spin crossover [Fe^II( bpp^X )₂]²⁺ complexes is analysed further, to supply quantitative insights into the effect of X on the σ-donor and π-acceptor character of the Fe- N_A (pyridine) bonds. EDA-NOCV on the sixteen LS complexes revealed that neither ΔE_orb,σ+π (R²=0.48) nor ΔE_orb,π (R²=0.31) correlated with the experimental solution T_1/2 values (which are expected to reflect the ligand field imposed on the iron centre), but that ΔE_orb,σ correlates well (R²=0.82) and implies that as X changes from EDG → EWG (Electron Donating to Withdrawing Group), the ligand becomes a better σ-donor. This counter-intuitive result was further probed by Mulliken analysis of the N_A atomic orbitals: N_A (p_x) involved in the Fe−N σ-bond vs. the perpendicular N_A (p_z) employed in the ligand aromatic π-system. As X changes EDG → EWG , the electron population on N_A (p_z) decreases, making it a better π-acceptor, whilst that in N_A (p_x) increases, making it a better σ-bond donor; both increase ligand field, and T_1/2 as observed. In 2016, Halcrow, Deeth and co-workers proposed an intuitively reasonable explanation of the effect of the para- X substituents on the T_1/2 values in this family of complexes, consistent with the calculated MO energy levels, that M→L π-backdonation dominates in these M−L bonds. Here the quantitative EDA-NOCV analysis of the M−L bond contributions provides a more complete, coherent and detailed picture of the relative impact of M−L σ-versus π-bonding in determining the observed T_1/2, refining the earlier interpretation and revealing the importance of the σ-bonding. Furthermore, our results are in perfect agreement with the ΔE(HS-LS) vs. σ_p⁺(X) correlation reported in their work.     

Peroxy acid epoxidation of acyclic allylic alcohols. Competition between s-trans and s-cis peroxy acid conformers

[Reaction: see text]. RB3LYP calculations, reported here, indicate that peroxy acid s-cis conformer is more stable than its s-trans counterpart, in agreement with experimental data. Difference in stability is the highest in the gas phase, but it falls considerably on going from the gas phase to moderately polar solvent. In the case of peroxy formic acid, the enthalpy (free energy) difference is about 3.4 (2.5) kcal/mol, respectively, in the gas phase but decreases to 1.2 (0.6) kcal/mol in dichloromethane solution. Introduction of an alkyl or aryl substituent on the peroxy acid, that is, on passing to peroxy acetic, peroxy benzoic (PBA), and m-chloroperoxy benzoic acid (MCPBA), adds a further significant (1.0-1.5 kcal/mol) favor to the s-cis isomer. RB3LYP/6-31+G(2d,p) calculations on the epoxidation of 2-propenol with peroxy formic and peroxy benzoic acids, respectively, suggest that the less stable peroxy acid s-trans conformer can compete with the more stable s-cis form in epoxidation reaction of these substrates. Transition structures arising from s-trans peroxy acids ("trans" TSs) retain both the well-established, for "cis" TS, perpendicular orientation of the O-H peroxy acid bond relative to the C=C bond and the one-step oxirane ring formation. These TSs collapse to the final epoxide via a 1,2-H shift at variance with the 1,4-H transfer of the classical Bartlett's "cis" mechanism. The "trans" reaction pathways have a higher barrier in the gas phase than the "cis" reaction channels, but in moderately polar solvents they become competitive. In fact, the "trans" TSs are always significantly more stabilized than their "cis" counterparts by solvation effects. Calculations also suggest that going from peroxy formic to peroxy benzoic acid should slightly disfavor the "trans" route relative to the "cis" one, reflecting, in an attenuated way, the decrease in the peroxy acid s-trans/s-cis conformer ratio. The predicted behavior for MCPBA parallels that of PBA acid.     

基于苯甲酸受体的咔唑染料敏化剂的合成和光电性能

选择N-正丁基咔唑作为电子给体,芴酮作为桥键,苯甲酸作为受体,通过桥键芴酮与给体和受体连接位置的改变,设计合成了两个咔唑染料4-(6-(N-正丁基咔唑-3-基)-9-氧-9H-芴-3-基)苯甲酸(HXL-3W)和4-(7-(N-正丁基咔唑-3-基)-9-氧-9H-芴-2-基)苯甲酸(HXL-4Z).对咔唑染料的光谱性能、电化学性能和光电转换性能进行了研究,并运用密度泛函理论(DFT)方法对其几何结构和紫外-可见光谱进行了优化计算.结果表明, HXL-4Z的吸收光谱呈现两个明显的π→π^*跃迁吸收峰和一个较小的对应于分子内电荷转移的吸收峰,而HXL-3W的吸收光谱则仅呈现一个π→π^*跃迁吸收峰,且摩尔吸光系数远小于HXL-4Z.可能是HXL-3W分子结构中给体和受体距离较近,张力较大,导致较差的分子平面性和分子内电荷转移.因而HXL-4Z的光吸收能力和电子注入效率较优,从而具有较好的光电转换效率(2.03%) (短路电流(J_SC) = 3.88 mA·cm^-2,开路电压(V_OC) = 700 mV,填充因子(FF) = 0.75).     

Is the Hammett's constant free of steric effects?

In this work, we have explored the validity of the hypotheses on which rest the Hammett's approach to quantify the substituent effect on a reaction center, by applying two DFT energy decomposition schemes. This is performed by studying the change in the total electronic energy, ΔΔE, associated with a proton transfer isodesmic equilibrium. For this reaction, two sets of substituted benzoic acids and their corresponding benzoate anions have been considered. One of these sets contains para- and meta-substitutions, whereas the other one includes ortho-substituted benzoic acids. For each case, the gas phase change in the total electronic energy has been calculated, and two DFT energy decomposition schemes have been applied. The experimental σ(X) was found to be nearly proportional to the computed ΔΔE. The results for the para- and meta-substituted benzoic acids lead to the conclusion that it is possible to treat separately and, in an additive manner, the electrostatic and steric contributions; and also that the Hammett constant depends mainly on the electronic contributions to the free energy, while the steric contribution is negligible. However, the results for the ortho-substituted cases lead to the conclusion, as was assumed by Hammett, that there are significant qualitative differences between the effects on a reaction site of substituents in the meta- and para-positions and those in the ortho-position.     

Computational study on the kinetics and mechanisms for the unimolecular decomposition of formic and oxalic acids

The kinetics and mechanisms for the unimolecular decomposition reactions of formic acid and oxalic acid have been studied computationally by the high-level G2M(CC1) method and microcanonical RRKM theory. There are two reaction pathways in the decomposition of formic acid: The dehydration process starting from the Z conformer is found to be the dominant, whereas the decarboxylation reaction starting from the E conformer is less competitive. The predicted rate constants for the dehydration and decarboxylation reactions are in good agreement with the experimental data. The calculated CO/CO2 ratio, 13.6-13.9 between 1300 and 2000 K, is in close agreement with the ratio of 10 measured experimentally by Hsu et al. (In The 19th International Symposium on Combustion; The Combustion Institute: Pittsburgh, PA, 1983; p 89). For oxalic acid, its isomer with two intramolecular hydrogen bonds is the most stable structure, similar to earlier reports. Two primary decomposition channels of oxalic acid producing CO2+HOCOH with barriers of 33-36 kcal/mol and CO2+CO+H2O with a barrier of 39 kcal/mol were found. At high temperatures, the latter process becomes more competitive. The rate constant predicted for the formation of CO2 and HOCOH (the precursor of HCOOH) agrees well with available experimental data. The mechanism for the isomerization of HOCOH to HCOOH is also discussed.     

Synthesis and structural features of α-acyloxy-(η-allyl)palladium complexes

α-Acetoxy (η³-allyl)palladium complexes were prepared from acyloxy functionalized allylsilanes under mild conditions and in good isolated yields. The substituent and ligand effects of the acetoxy group on the palladium-allyl bonding were studied by X-ray diffraction. These studies show that the acetoxy group generates a strongly deformed bonding between the metal atom and the allyl moiety. This unsymmetrical bonding is modulated by the σ-donor/π-acceptor properties of the ligands. The ¹³C NMR studies indicated that the shift values correlate with the carbon-palladium bond lengths and the inductive effects of the acetoxy group.     

Rhodium- and palladium-catalyzed 1,5-substitution reactions of 2-en-4-yne acetates and carbonates with organoboronic acids

Two methods involving the rhodium-catalyzed reaction of 2-en-4-yne acetates and the palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-en-4-yne carbonates with organoboronic acids were investigated; both afforded exclusively the (E)-configured vinylallenes. The coordinative interaction of the rhodium with the acetate group promoted the δ-elimination of Rh(I)-OAc from the alkenylrhodium intermediate II in both syn and anti modes, with the syn-elimination being the major path. DFT calculations revealed that a conformer of this intermediate (II), which can lead to the (E)-configured vinylallene product via the syn-elimination mode, is energetically the most favorable conformer. The rhodium-catalyzed procedure is not applicable to reactions involving (E)-configured enyne acetates, because the geometry of the alkenylrhodium intermediate that is derived from the corresponding (E)-enyne acetate would not allow such coordinative interaction to occur. The palladium-catalyzed method, which proceeds through formation of the σ-vinylallenylpalladium intermediate, B, is suitable for both the (E)- and (Z)-configured enyne carbonates and appears to have a wider scope for both organoboronic acids and enyne substrates. The palladium-catalyzed reaction of an enantiomerically enriched enyne carbonate proceeded with racemization.     

Fragmentation energetics of the phenol(+)···Ar(3) cation cluster

The various dissociation thresholds of phenol(+)···Ar(3) complexes for the consecutive loss of all three Ar ligands were measured in a molecular beam using resonant photoionization efficiency and mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy via excitation of the first excited singlet state (S(1)). The adiabatic ionization energy is derived as 68077 ± 15 cm(-1). The analysis of the dissociation thresholds demonstrate that all three Ar ligands in the neutral phenol···Ar(3) tetramer are attached to the aromatic ring via π-bonding, denoted phenol···Ar(3)(3π). The value of the dissociation threshold for the loss of one Ar ligand from phenol(+)···Ar(3)(3π), ～190 cm(-1), is significantly lower than the binding energy measured for the π-bonded Ar ligand in the phenol(+)···Ar(π) dimer, D(0) = 535 ± 3 cm(-1). This difference is rationalized by an ionization-induced π → H isomerization process occurring prior to dissociation, that is, one Ar atom in phenol(+)···Ar(3)(3π) moves to the OH binding site, leading to a structure with one H-bonded and 2 π-bonded ligands, denoted phenol(+)···Ar(3)(H/2π). The dissociation thresholds for the loss of two and three Ar atoms are also reported as 860 and 1730 cm(-1). From these values, the binding energy of the H-bound Ar atom can be estimated as 870 cm(-1).     

Synthesis of (Z)-4-hydroxytamoxifen and (Z)-2-[4-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenyl]-1butenyl]phenoxyacetic acid

The synthesis of (Z)-4-hydroxytamoxifen and (Z)-2-[4-[1-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-phenyl]-1-butenyl]phenoxyacetic acid was accomplished using a McMurry reaction as the key step. The perfluorotolyl derivatives of the McMurry products enabled the separation of the minor undesirable geometrical isomer. The methodology proceeds without E,Z isomerization, employs a very mild final debenzylation step compatible with a large array of functional groups, and can be applied to the generation of a variety of 4-hydroxytamoxifen analogues.     

σ-Acceptor, Z-type ligands for transition metals

The ability of Lewis acids to coordinate to transition metals as σ-acceptor ligands was recognized as early as in the 1970's, but so-called Z-type ligands remained curiosities until the early 2000's. Over the last decade, significant progress has been made in this area, especially via the incorporation of Lewis acid moieties into multidentate, ambiphilic ligands. Our understanding of the nature and influence of TM → Z interactions has considerably improved and the scope of Lewis acids susceptible to behave as σ-acceptor ligands has been significantly extended. This feature article summarizes these recent achievements.