Protic conversion of nitrile into azavinylidene complexes of rhenium, a mechanistic theoretical study

The mechanism of the protonation of the rhenium nitrile chloro-complexes [ReCl(NCCH3)(PH3)4] (2), taken as models of the real systems [ReCl(NCR)(dppe)(2)] (dppe = Ph2PCH2CH2PPh2), leading to the azavinylidene products [ReCl(NC(H)CH3)(PH3)4]+ (3) was investigated by theoretical methods at the B3LYP level of theory. Electrostatic and molecular orbital arguments and thermodynamic, kinetic, and steric factors are analyzed and indicate that the chlorine atom is the most probable site of the initial proton attack, although the direct protonation of the nitrile carbon atom is also possible as a concurrent process. For the cis-isomer of 2, the initially formed chloro-protonated species cis-[Re(ClH)(NCCH3)(PH3)4]+ further converts to the azavinylidene cis-3 via either an acid-independent 1,4-proton shift or an acid-base catalyzed pathway involving a second protonation of the nitrile carbon atom to give cis-[Re(ClH)(NC(H)CH3)(PH3)4]2+ followed by elimination of the proton from the chlorine atom.     

Nucleophilic de-coordination and electrophilic regeneration of "hemilabile" pincer-type complexes: formation of anionic dialkyl, diaryl, and dihydride Pt(II) complexes bearing no stabilizing pi-acceptors

Novel anionic dialkyl, diaryl, and dihydride platinum(II) complexes based on the new "long-arm" hemilabile PCN-type ligand C6H4[CH2P(tBu)2](CH2)2N(CH3)2 with the general formula Li+[Pt(PCN)(R)2]- (R=Me (4), Ph (6) and H (9)) were prepared by reaction of [Pt(PCN)(R)] complexes (obtained from the corresponding chlorides) with an equivalent of RLi, as a result of the opening of the chelate ring. Alkylating agents based on other metals produce less stable products. These anionic d8 complexes are thermally stable although they bear no stabilizing pi acceptors. They were characterized by 1H, 31P[1H], 13C, and 7Li NMR spectroscopy; complex 9 was also characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, showing that the Li+ ion is coordinated to the nitrogen atom of the open amine arm and to the hydride ligand (trans to the P atom) of a neighboring molecule (H--Li=2.15 A), resulting in a dimeric structure. Complexes 4 and 9 exhibit high nucleophilic reactivity, upon which the pincer complex is regenerated. Reaction of 4 with water, methyl iodide, and iodobenzene resulted in the neutral complex [Pt(PCN)(CH3)] (3) and methane, ethane, or toluene, respectively. Labeling studies indicate that the reaction proceeds by direct electrophilic attack on the metal center, rather than attack on the alkyl ligand. The anionic dihydride complex 9 reacted with water and methyl iodide to yield [Pt(PCN)(H)] (8) and H2 or methane, respectively.     

Reactivity of [Fe4S4(SR)4]2-,3- clusters with sulfonium cations: analogue reaction systems for the initial step in biotin synthase catalysis

The first step in catalysis by a class of iron-sulfur enzymes that includes biotin synthase is the one-electron reductive cleavage of the obligatory cofactor S-adenosylmethionine by an [Fe(4)S(4)](+) cluster to afford methionine and the deoxyadenosyl radical (DOA*). To provide detailed information about the reactions of sulfonium ions with [Fe(4)S(4)](2+,+) clusters, the analogue reaction systems [Fe(4)S(4)(SR')(4)](2)(-)(,3)(-)/[PhMeSCH(2)R](+) (R' = Et (4, 6), Ph (5, 7); R = H (8), COPh (9), p-C(6)H(4)CN (10)) were examined by (1)H NMR spectroscopy. Sulfonium ions 8-10 react completely with oxidized clusters 4 and 5 to afford PhSMe and R'SCH(2)R in equimolar amounts as a result of electrophilic attack by the sulfonium ion on cluster thiolate ligands. Reactions are also complete with reduced clusters 6 and 7 but afford, depending on the substrate, the additional products RCH(3) (R = PhCO, p-C(6)H(4)CN) and the ylid PhMeS=CHR or (p-NCC(6)H(4)CH(2))(2). Redox potentials of 9 and 10 allow electron transfer from 6 or 7. The reaction systems 6/9,10 and 7/9,10 exhibit two reaction pathways, reductive cleavage and electrophilic attack, in an ca. 4:1 ratio inferred from product distribution. Cleavage is a two-electron process and, for example in the system 6/9, is described by the overall reaction 2[Fe(4)S(4)(SR')(4)](3)(-) + 2[PhMeSCH(2)R](+) --> 2[Fe(4)S(4)(SR')(4)](2)(-) + PhSMe + RCH(3) + PhMeS=CHR. This and other reactions may be summarized as [PhMeSCH(2)R](+) + 2e(-) + H(+) --> PhSMe + RCH(3); proposed reaction sequences parallel those for electrochemical reduction of sulfonium ions. This work demonstrates the intrinsic ability of [Fe(4)S(4)](+) clusters with appropriate redox potentials to reductively cleave sulfonium substrates in overall two-electron reactions. The analogue systems differ from the enzymes in that DOA* is generated in a one-electron reduction and is sufficiently stabilized within the protein matrix to abstract a hydrogen atom from substrate or an amino acid residue in a succeeding step. In the present systems, the radical produced in the initial step of the reaction sequence, [Fe(4)S(4)(SR')(4)](3)(-) + [PhMeSCH(2)R](+) --> [Fe(4)S(4)(SR')(4)](2)(-) + PhSMe + RCH(2)*, is not stabilized and is quenched by reduction and protonation.     

Reactions of mu3-alkenyl triruthenium carbonyl clusters with alkynes: synthesis of trinuclear mu-//-alkyne, mu-vinylidene, and mu-dienoyl derivatives

The reactions of doubly face-capped triruthenium cluster complexes of the type [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu(3)-kappa(2)-R(2)CCHR(1))(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(6)] (HNNMe(2) = 1,1-dimethylhydrazide; R(2)CCHR(1) = alkenyl ligand) with terminal and internal alkynes have been studied in refluxing toluene. The following derivatives have been isolated from these reactions: [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu(3)-kappa(2)-R(2)CCHR(1))(mu-kappa(2)-//-HCCH)(CO)(7)] (R(1) = R(2) = H, 5; R(1) = Ph, R(2) = H, 6; R(1) = CH(2)OMe, R(2) = H, 7 a; R(1) = H, R(2) = CH(2)OMe, 7 b) from acetylene, [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HCCH(2))(mu-kappa(2)-//-PhCCPh)(CO)(7)] (11) from diphenylacetylene, and three isomers of [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HCCH(2))(mu-kappa(2)-//-PhCCH)(CO)(7)] (14, 15 a, and 15 b) from phenylacetylene. These products result from substitution of a CO ligand by the alkyne and contain an Ru--Ru edge bridged by the alkyne ligand in a parallel manner. DFT calculations on selected isomeric products have helped to establish that the type of Ru--Ru edge bridged by the alkyne depends more on kinetic factors related to the size of the alkyne substituents than on the thermodynamic stability of the final products. The preparation of triruthenium cluster complexes with mu-//-alkyne ligands is unprecedented and seems to relate to the fact that the starting trinuclear complexes have their two triangular faces protected by capping ligands. The clusters bearing mu-//-acetylene (5-7) are thermodynamically unstable with respect to their transformation into edge-bridging vinylidene derivatives, [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HCCHR)(mu-kappa(1)-CCH(2))(CO)(7)] (R = H, 8; Ph, 9; CH(2)OMe, 10). DFT calculations have shown that complex 8 is 11.2 kcal mol(-1) more stable than its precursor 5. The thermolysis of compound 11 leads to [Ru(3)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(mu-kappa(4)-H(2)CCHCPhCPhCO)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(5)] (12), which contains a novel edge-bridging dienoyl ligand that arises from an unusual coupling of diphenylacetylene, carbon monoxide, and the ethenyl ligand of complex 11. A chloro-bridged dimer of trinuclear clusters, [Ru(6)(mu-Cl)(2)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HNNMe(2))(2)(mu(3)-kappa(2)-HCCH(2))(2)(mu-kappa(2)-PhCCHPh)(2)(mu-CO)(2)(CO)(10)] (13), has been prepared by treating compound 11 with hydrogen chloride. Therefore, edge-bridging parallel alkynes are susceptible to protonation to give edge-bridging alkenyl ligands. Compound 13 is the first complex to contain two alkenyl ligands on a trinuclear cluster, one face-capping and the other edge-bridging.     

New methods for functionalizing biologically important molecules using triosmium metal clusters

This perspective report summarizes recent work on the interactions of the triosmium clusters of general formula Os(3)(CO)(9)(μ(3)-η(2)-L-H)(μ-H) (L = bicyclic benzoheterocycle) with DNA and proteins. The early work focused on how the structure of the benzoheterocycle influenced the binding of the cluster to plasmid DNA, albumin and the inhibition of telomerase. Later, selective binding of the triosmium clusters to guanine was targeted using a range of alkylating functionalities. In connection with these efforts some very recent unpublished work will be presented. Suggestions for future directions in this area and a summary of the problems and difficulties encountered will be discussed.     

Theoretical studies on structures and spectroscopic properties of photoelectrochemical cell ruthenium sensitizers, [Ru(Hmtcterpy)(NCS)3]n- (m = 0, 1, 2, and 3; n = 4, 3, 2, and 1)

A series of ruthenium(II) complexes, [Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3](4-) (0H), [Ru(Htcterpy)(NCS)3](3-) (1H), [Ru(H2tcterpy)(NCS)3](2-) (2H), and [Ru(H3tcterpy)(NCS)3](-) (3H) (tcterpy = 4,4',4'-tricarboxy-2,2':6',2'-terpyridine), are investigated theoretically to explore their electronic structures and spectroscopic properties. The geometry structures of the complexes in the ground and excited states are optimized by the density functional theory and single-excitation configuration interaction methods, respectively. The absorption and emission spectra of the complexes in gas phase and solutions (ethanol and water) are predicted at the TDDFT(B3LYP) level. The calculations indicate that the protonation effect slightly affects the geometry structures of the complexes in the ground and excited states but leads to significant change in the electronic structures. In cases of both absorptions and emissions, the energy levels of HOMOs and LUMOs for 0H-3H decrease dramatically as a result of the introduction of the COOH groups. The protonation much stabilizes the unoccupied orbitals with respect to the occupied orbitals. Thus, both the absorptions and emissions are red-shifted from 0H to 3H. The phosphorescence of 0H-3H are attributed to tcterpyridine --> d(Ru)/NCS ((3)MLCT/(3)LLCT) transitions. The solvent media can influence the molecular orbital distribution of the complexes; as a consequence, the spectra calculated in the presence of the solvent are in good agreement with the experimental results. The MLCT/LLCT absorptions of 0H in ethanol and water are red-shifted relative to that in the gas phase. However, the MLCT/LLCT absorptions of the protonated complexes (1H-3H) are blue-shifted in ethanol and water with respect to the gas phase. Similarly, the solvent effect causes a blue-shift of the phosphorescent emission for 0H-3H.     

Structures and energetics of hydrated oxygen anion clusters

Hydration of the atomic oxygen radical anion is studied with computational electronic structure methods, considering (O(-))(H(2)O)(n) clusters and related proton-transferred (OH(-))(OH)(H(2)O)(n)(-)(1) clusters having n = 1-5. A total of 67 distinct local-minimum structures having various interesting hydrogen bonding motifs are obtained and analyzed. On the basis of the most stable form of each type, (O(-))(H(2)O)(n)) clusters are energetically favored, although for n > or = 3, there is considerable overlap in energy between other members of the (O(-))(H(2)O)(n) family and various members of the (OH(-))(OH)(H(2)O)(n)(-)(1) family. In the lower-energy (O(-))(H(2)O)(n) clusters, the hydrogen bonding arrangement about the oxygen anion center tends to be planar, leaving the oxygen anion p-like orbital containing the unpaired electron uninvolved in hydrogen bonding with any water molecule. In (OH(-))(OH)(H(2)O)(n)(-)(1) clusters, on the other hand, nonplanar arrangements are the rule about the anionic oxygen center that accepts hydrogen bonds. No instances are found of OH(-) acting as a hydrogen bond donor. Those OH bonds that form hydrogen bonds to an anionic O(-) or OH(-) center are significantly stretched from their equilibrium value in isolated water or hydroxyl. A quantitative inverse correlation is established for all hydrogen bonds between the amount of the OH bond stretch and the distance to the other oxygen involved in the hydrogen bond.     

Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations of an excited state of X(-)(H(2)O)(3) (X = Cl, I) complex

Upon excitation of Cl(-)(H(2)O)(3) and I(-)(H(2)O)(3) clusters, the electron transfers from the anionic precursor to the solvent, and then the excess electron is stabilized by polar solvent molecules. This process has been investigated using ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations of excited states of Cl(-)(H(2)O)(3) and I(-)(H(2)O)(3) clusters. The AIMD simulation results of Cl(-)(H(2)O)(3) and I(-)(H(2)O)(3) are compared, and they are found to be similar. Because the role of the halogen atom in the photoexcitation mechanism is controversial, we also carried out AIMD simulations for the ground-state bare excess electron -- water trimer [e(-)(H(2)O)(3)] at 300 K, the results of which are similar to those for the excited state of X(-)(H(2)O)(3) with zero kinetic energy at the initial excitation. This indicates that the rearrangement of the complex is closely related to that of e(-)(H(2)O)(3), whereas the role of the halide anion is not as important.     

Carbon monoxide promoted reductive elimination of hydrogen from Tp' platinum complexes

Acid-assisted reductive elimination of hydrogen from Tp'PtH(3) and of methane and hydrogen from Tp'PtMeH(2) (Tp' = hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) is examined herein. Loss of H(2) is observed from solutions containing platinum(IV) complexes of the type Tp'Pt(R)(H)(2) (R = Me, H) upon protonation and addition of a ligand such as CO. Results of kinetic studies on reductive elimination of H(2) and formation of [kappa(2)-(HTp')Pt(R)(L)][BAr'(4)] products from intermediates derived from Tp'Pt(R)(H)(2) precursors are described. Elimination appears to occur from cationic 6-coordinate [kappa(2)-(HTp')Pt(R)(H)(2)(L)][BAr'(4)] species.     

Acid-Catalyzed Hydration of anti-Sesquinorbornene

The acid-catalyzed hydration of anti-sesquinorbornene (1) has been studied at 25 degrees C in 20% DME/H(2)O from 0.001 M < [HC1] < 0.05 M. The second-order rate constant for hydration is 5.35 +/- 0.07 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) which can be compared with a value of 1.38 +/- 0.06 M(-)(1) s(-)(1) for ethyl vinyl ether determined under the same conditions. The solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect for hydration of 1 is 2.7, and a plot of the observed second-order rate constant for the hydration in a mixed solvent system of H(2)O/D(2)O against the atom fraction of deuterium (n) is bowed upward. The reaction also shows marked buffer catalysis by formic, chloroacetic, and dichloroacetic acids, the Br?nsted alpha being 1 for these three carboxylic acids: H(3)O(+) does not fit on this Br?nsted line. A mechanism for the reaction is presented which is consistent with the generally accepted one for acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene in which the rate-limiting step involves proton transfer from H(3)O(+) to the double bond. Whether attack of a second water on the developing carbocation occurs simultaneously with protonation cannot be ascertained from the data for 1, but if so, the extent of its C-OH(2) bond formation must be small enough that there is little change in the bonding of these O-H bonds.     

Nucleophilic Attack on an Electronically Unsaturated Triosmium Cluster Complex of 2-Methylbenzoxazole: An Unusual Oxidative Ring Opening

In the course of our studies of nucleophilic attack on electronically unsaturated benzoheterocycle triosmium clusters we have studied the reaction of the 2-methylbenzoxazole complex (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η²-2-CH₃–C₇H₃NO) (1) with hydride followed by protonation with acid. In sharp contrast to our previous studies with related benzoheterocycle triosmium clusters, where the nature of the heterocycle controls the regiochemistry of nucleophilic attack, we observe here an unusual ring opening of the heterocyclic ring, coupled with rearrangement of the carbocyclic ring to a 2-imino-ethyl-phenol complex (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η³-N=CHCH₃–C₆H₃(OH)) (2). Deuterium labeling experiments verify initial attack by hydride at the 2-position followed by protonation at oxygen. Reaction of 1 with two equivalents of hydride followed by two equivalents of acid results in reduction of the C=N bond in 2 and on standing in air, oxidation of the carbocyclic ring occurs to give the 2-ethyl-amino hydroquinolyl derivative (μ-H)Os₃(CO)₉(μ₃-η³-NHCH₂CH₃–C₆H₃(2-O)(5-OH)) (3). The solid-state structure of 3 is reported and a plausible mechanism, supported by deuterium labeling experiments, is presented, for the formation of 2 and 3.     

The synthesis, structure and dynamic behaviour of disubstituted alkenylphosphine derivatives of [Rh6(CO)16

A series of [Rh(6)(CO)(16)] substituted derivatives containing Ph(2)P(alkenyl) ligands has been synthesized starting from the [Rh(6)(CO)(16-x)(NCMe)(x)](x= 1, 2) clusters and Ph(2)P((CH(2))(n)CH=CH(2))(n= 2, 3) phosphines. It was shown that the terminal alkenyl substituents in these phosphines easily undergo isomerization in the coordination sphere of the hexarhodium complexes to give the allyl -CH(2)CH=C(H)R (R = Me and Et) fragments coordinated through the double bond of the rearranged organic moieties. The solid-state structure of two clusters, [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(3))](4) and [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=C(H)CH(2)CH(3))](8), was established by X-ray crystallography. Solution structures of the products obtained were also characterized by IR and NMR ((1)H, (31)P, (1)H-(1)H COSY and (1)H-(1)H NOE) spectroscopy. It was shown that 4 and 8 exist in solution as mixtures of three isomers (A, B and C), which differ in the conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment. A similar (two species, A and B) equilibrium was found to occur in the solution of the [Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH(2)CH=CH(2))](2) cluster. The dynamic behaviour of 2, 4 and 8[Rh(6)(CO)(14)(mu2,kappa3-Ph(2)PCH=CH(2))] has been studied using VT (31)P and (1)H-(1)H NOESY NMR spectroscopy, rate constants and activation parameters of the (A<-->B) isomerization processes were determined. It was shown that the most probable mechanism of this isomerization involves a dissociative [Rh6(CO)(14)(kappa1-Ph(2)P(alkenyl))] intermediate and re-coordination of the double bond to the same metal atom where the process started from. The conversion of the A and B species in and into the third isomer very likely occurs through the transfer of an allyl hydrogen atom onto the rhodium skeleton to give eventually cis conformation of the coordinated allyl fragment.     

Reactivity of triruthenium thiophyne and furyne clusters: competitive S-C and P-C bond cleavage reactions and the generation of highly unsymmetrical alkyne ligands

The synthesis and reactivity of the thiophyne and furyne clusters [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, O) is reported. Addition of P(C4H3E)3 to [Ru3(CO)10(mu-dppm)] (1) at room temperature in the presence of Me3NO gives simple substitution products [Ru3(CO)9(mu-dppm)(P(C4H3E)3)] (E = S, 2; E = O, 3). Mild thermolysis in the presence of further Me3NO affords the thiophyne and furyne complexes [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 4; E = O, 6) resulting from both carbon-hydrogen and carbon-phosphorus bond activation. In each the C4H2E (E = S, O) ligand donates 4-electrons to the cluster and the rings are tilted with respect to the mu-dppm and the phosphido-bridged open triruthenium unit. Heating 4 at 80 degrees C leads to the formation of the ring-opened cluster [Ru3(CO)5(mu-CO)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta3-SC4H3)(mu-P(C4H3S)2)] (5) resulting from carbon-sulfur bond scission and carbon-hydrogen bond formation and containing a ring-opened mu3-eta3-1-thia-1,3-butadiene ligand. In contrast, a similar thermolysis of 3 affords the phosphinidene cluster [Ru3(CO)7(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2O)(mu3-P(C4H3O))] (7) resulting from a second phosphorus-carbon bond cleavage and (presumably) elimination of furan. Treatment of 4 and 6 with PPh3 affords the simple phosphine-substituted products [Ru3(CO)6(PPh3)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 8; E = O, 9). Both thiophyne and furyne clusters 4 and 6 readily react with hydrogen bromide to give [Ru3(CO)6Br(mu-Br)(mu-dppm)(mu3-eta2-eta1-C4H2E)(mu-P(C4H3E)2)(mu-H)] (E = S, 10; E = O, 11) containing both terminal and bridging bromides. Here the alkynes bind in a highly unsymmetrical manner with one carbon acting as a bridging alkylidene and the second as a terminally bonded Fisher carbene. As far as we are aware, this binding mode has only previously been noted in ynamine complexes or those with metals in different oxidation states. The crystal structures of seven of these new triruthenium clusters have been carried out, allowing a detailed analysis of the relative orientations of coordinated ligands.     

Silicon monohydride clusters Si(n)H (n = 4-10) and their anions: structures, thermochemistry, and electron affinities

The molecular structures, electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the Si(n)H/Si(n)H- (n = 4-10) species have been examined via five hybrid and pure density functional theory (DFT) methods. The basis set used in this work is of double-zeta plus polarization quality with additional diffuse s- and p-type functions, denoted DZP++. The geometries are fully optimized with each DFT method independently. The three different types of neutral-anion energy separations presented in this work are the adiabatic electron affinity (EA(ad)), the vertical electron affinity (EA(vert)), and the vertical detachment energy (VDE). The first Si-H dissociation energies, D(e)(Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) for neutral Si(n)H and D(e)(Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H) for anionic Si(n)H- species, have also been reported. The structures of the ground states of these clusters are traditional H-Si single-bond forms. The ground-state geometries of Si5H, Si6H, Si8H, and Si9H predicted by the DFT methods are different from previous calculations, such as those obtained by Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics and nonorthogonal tight-binding molecular dynamics schemes. The most reliable EA(ad) values obtained at the B3LYP level of theory are 2.59 (Si4H), 2.84 (Si5H), 2.86 (Si6H), 3.19 (Si7H), 3.14 (Si8H), 3.36 (Si9H), and 3.56 (Si10H) eV. The first dissociation energies (Si(n)H --> Si(n) + H) predicted by all of these methods are 2.20-2.29 (Si4H), 2.30-2.83 (Si5H), 2.12-2.41 (Si6H), 1.75-2.03 (Si7H), 2.41-2.72 (Si8H), 1.86-2.11 (Si9H), and 1.92-2.27 (Si10H) eV. For the negatively charged ion clusters (Si(n)H- --> Si(n)- + H), the dissociation energies predicted are 2.56-2.69 (Si4H-), 2.80-3.01 (Si5H-), 2.86-3.06 (Si6H-), 2.80-3.03 (Si7H-), 2.69-2.92 (Si8H-), 2.92-3.18 (Si9H-), and 2.89-3.25 (Si10H-) eV.     

Electrocatalytic proton reduction by phosphido-bridged diiron carbonyl compounds: distant relations to the H-cluster?

Intermediates formed during reduction of Fe(2)(mu-PPh(2))(2)(CO)(6) (1) in the presence of protons have been identified by spectroelectrochemical, continuous-flow, and interrupted-flow techniques. The mechanism for electrocatalytic proton reduction suggested by these observations yields digital simulation of the voltammetry in close agreement with measurements conducted in THF over a range of acid concentrations. The mechanism for electrocatalytic proton reduction involves initial formation of the dianion, 1(2-), which is doubly protonated prior to further reduction and dihydrogen elimination. The IR spectra of the singly and doubly protonated forms of 1(2-) indicate structures corresponding to [FeH(CO)(3)(mu-PPh(2))(2)Fe(CO)(3)](-) (1H-) and FeH(CO)(3)(mu-PPh(2))(2)FeH(CO)(3) (1H(2)). The thiolato and dithiolato analogues of 1 exhibit electrocatalytic proton reduction associated with the two-electron reduction step, and this implies that the corresponding two-electron reduced doubly protonated species is unstable with respect to dihydrogen elimination. The stability of 1H(2) is most likely to be due to the weak interactions between the iron centers of the flattened [2Fe2P] core. Whereas 1H(2) is stable in the absence of a reducing potential, 1H- rearranges rapidly to a product previously described as [Fe(2)(mu-PPh(2))(mu-CO)(PHPh(2))(CO)(5)](-) (1H-(W)). Another protonation product of 1(2-), previously formulated as [Fe(2)(mu-PPh(2))(2)(mu-CO)H(CO)(5)](-), has been reformulated as [Fe(2)(mu-PPh(2))(mu-CO)(CO)(6)](-) (2) on the basis of a range of spectroscopic measurements. Solution EXAFS measurements of 1, 1(2-), 1H-(W), and 2 are reported, and these yield model-independent Fe-Fe distances of 2.61 (1), 3.58 (1(2-)), 2.58 (1H-(W)), and 2.59 A (2). The presence of an Fe-Fe bond for both 1H-(W) and 2 is a key aspect of the proposed structures, and this strongly supports the deductions based on spectroscopic evidence. The fits of the solution EXAFS to different structural models give statistics in agreement with the proposed structures.     

Oxygen cluster anions revisited: solvent-mediated dissociation of the core O4(-) anion

The electronic structure and photochemistry of the O(2n)(-)(H(2)O)(m), n = 1-6, m = 0-1 cluster anions is investigated at 532 nm using photoelectron imaging and photofragment mass-spectroscopy. The results indicate that both pure oxygen clusters and their hydrated counterparts with n ≥ 2 form an O(4)(-) core. Fragmentation of these clusters yields predominantly O(2)(-) and O(2)(-)·H(2)O anionic products, with the addition of O(4)(-) fragments for larger parent clusters. The fragment autodetachment patterns observed for O(6)(-) and larger O(2n)(-) species, as well as some of their hydrated counterparts, indicate that the corresponding O(2)(-) fragments are formed in excited vibrational states (v ≥ 4). Yet, surprisingly, the unsolvated O(4)(-) anion itself does not show fragment autodetachment at 532 nm. It is hypothesized that the vibrationally excited O(2)(-) is formed in the intra-cluster photodissociation of the O(4)(-) core anion via a charge-hopping electronic relaxation mechanism mediated by asymmetric solvation of the nascent photofragments: O(4)(-) → O(2)(-)(X(2)Π(g)) + O(2)(a(1)Δ(g)) → O(2)(X(3)Σ(g)(-)) + O(2)(-)(X(2)Π(g)). This process depends on the presence of solvent molecules and leads to vibrationally excited O(2)(-)(X(2)Π(g)) products.     

Reactivity of the heterometallic clusters [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides, including selenium transfer. Crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)], [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)], and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2

The reactivity of [HMCo3(CO)12] and [Et4N][MCo3(CO)12] (M = Fe, Ru) toward phosphine selenides such as Ph3PSe, Ph2P(Se)CH2PPh2, Ph2(2-C5H4N)PSe, Ph2(2-C4H3S)PSe, and Ph2[(2-C5H4N)(2-C4H2S)]PSe has been studied with the aim to obtain new selenido-carbonyl bimetallic clusters. The reactions of the hydrido clusters give two main classes of products: (i) triangular clusters with a mu3-Se capping ligand of the type [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)(9-x)L(y)] resulting from the selenium transfer (x = y = 1, 2, with L = monodentate ligand; x = 2, 4, and y = 1, 2, with L = bidentate ligand) (M = Fe, Ru) and (ii) tetranuclear clusters of the type [HMCo3(CO)12xL(y)] obtained by simple substitution of axial, Co-bound carbonyl groups by the deselenized phosphine ligand. The crystal structures of [HRuCo3(CO)7(mu-CO)3(mu-dppy)] (1), [MCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppy)] (M = Fe (16) or Ru (2)), and [RuCo2(mu3-Se)(CO)7(mu-dppm)] (12) are reported [dppy = Ph2(2-C5H4N)P, dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2]. Clusters 2, 12, and 16 are the first examples of trinuclear bimetallic selenido clusters substituted by phosphines. Their core consists of metal triangles capped by a mu3-selenium atom with the bidentate ligand bridging two metals in equatorial positions. The core of cluster 1 consists of a RuCo3 tetrahedron, each Co-Co bond being bridged by a carbonyl group and one further bridged by a dppy ligand. The coordination of dppy in a pseudoaxial position causes the migration of the hydride ligand to the Ru(mu-H)Co edge. In contrast to the reactions of the hydrido clusters, those with the anionic clusters [MCo3(CO)12]- do not lead to Se transfer from phosphorus to the cluster but only to CO substitution by the deselenized phosphine.     

Radical versus Nucleophilic Mechanism of Formaldehyde Polymerization Catalyzed by (WO(3))(3) Clusters on Reduced or Stoichiometric TiO(2)(110)

(WO(3))(3) clusters deposited on the (110) rutile TiO(2) surface are excellent catalysts for the formaldehyde (CH(2)O) polymerization reaction (J. Phys. Chem. C2010, 114, 17017). The present B3LYP study unravels the possible paths of this catalyzed reaction. According to the stoichiometry of the r-TiO(2) surface, the (WO(3))(3) clusters can be neutral, singly charged, or doubly charged. We find that only neutral (WO(3))(3) and anionic (WO(3))(3)(-) clusters are reactive toward CH(2)O molecules. In both cases it is possible to determine more than one mechanism on the basis of a nucleophilic attack of the formaldehyde O atom to the W ions of the cluster. The reaction proceeds through successive attacks of other CH(2)O molecules and the formation of acetal and polyacetal intermediates, which inhibits the chain propagation. Only in the case of the anionic (WO(3))(3)(-) catalyst is a totally different reaction path possible at low temperatures. This path involves the formation of radical species where the unpaired electron is localized on the organic moiety bound to the cluster. The polymer chain propagation follows a radical mechanism with low activation barriers. Thus, a cluster's electron charging speeds up the formaldehyde polymerization at low temperatures. On the basis of these unexpected results, we conclude that electron-rich supports and low working temperatures are the keys to kinetic control of the reaction favoring a fast radical chain propagation mechanism.     

Bonding and redox properties of [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)(L)] (tmbp=4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine; L=CO, PPh(3)) clusters with an unprecedented electron-deficient metallic core and doubly bridging biphosphinine dianion

Herein we describe in detail the bonding properties and electrochemical behavior of the first known triosmium carbonyl clusters with a coordinated redox-active ligand 4,4',5,5'-tetramethyl-2,2'-biphosphinine (tmbp), the phosphorus derivative of 2,2'-bipyridine. The clusters investigated were [Os(3)(CO)(10)(tmbp)] (1) and its derivative [Os(3)(CO)(9)(PPh(3))(tmbp)] (2). The crystal structures of both clusters are compared with those of relevant compounds; they served as the basis for density functional theory (DFT and time-dependent DFT) calculations. The experimental and theoretical data reveal an unexpected and unprecedented bridging coordination mode of tmbp, with each P atom bridging two metal atoms. The tmbp ligand is formally reduced by transfer of two electrons from the triangular cluster core that consequently lacks one of the metal-metal bonds. Both 1 and 2 therefore represent 50e(-) clusters with a coordinated 8e(-) donor, [tmbp](2-). The HOMO and LUMO of 1 and 2 possess a predominant contribution from different pi*(tmbp) orbitals, implying that the lowest energy excited state possesses a significant intraligand character. This is in agreement with the photostability of these clusters. DFT calculations also predict the experimentally observed structure of 1 to be the most stable one in a series of several plausible structural isomers. Stepwise two-electron electrochemical reduction of 1 and 2 results in dissociation of CO and PPh(3), respectively, and formation of the [Os(3)(CO)(9)(tmbp)](2-) ion. The initially produced radical anions of the parent clusters, in which the odd electron is predominantly localized on the tmbp ligand, are sufficiently stable at low temperatures and can be observed with IR spectroelectrochemistry. The electron-deficiency of the cluster core in 1 permits facile electrocatalytic substitution of a CO ligand by tertiary phosphane and phosphite donors.     

Proton induced P-H and Mo-H bond activation at the phosphide bridged dimolybdenum complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4](R = Cy, 2,4,6-C6H2R'3; R'= H, Me, tBu)

The new hydride complexes [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHR)(CO)4] having bulky substituents (R = 2,4,6-C(6)H2tBu3= Mes*, R = 2,4,6-C6H2Me3= Mes) have been prepared in good yield by addition of Li[PHR] to the triply bonded [Mo2Cp2(CO)4] and further protonation of the resulting anionic phosphide complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]-. Protonation of the Mes* compound with either [H(OEt2)2][B{3,5-C6H3(CF3)2}4] or HBF4.OEt2 gives the cationic phosphinidene complex [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PMes*)(CO)4]+ in high yield. In contrast, protonation of the analogous hydride compounds with Mes or Cy substituents on phosphorus give the corresponding unsaturated tetracarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(CO)4]+, which are unstable at room temperature and display a cis geometry. Decomposition of the latter give the electron-precise pentacarbonyls [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHR)(mu-CO)(CO)4]+, also displaying a cis arrangement of the metal fragments. In the presence of BF4- as external anion, fluoride abstraction competes with carbonylation to yield the neutral fluorophosphide hydrides [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFR)(CO)4]. Similar results were obtained in the protonation reactions of the hydride compounds having a Ph substituent on phosphorus. In that case, using HCl as protonation reagent gave the chloro-complex [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4] in good yield. The structures and dynamic behaviour of the new compounds are analyzed on the basis of solution IR and 1H, 31P, 19F and 13C NMR data as well as the X-ray studies carried out on [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PHMes)(CO)4](cis isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-H)(mu-PFMes)(CO)4](trans isomer), [Mo2Cp2(mu-PHCy)(mu-CO)(CO)4](BF4) and [Mo2ClCp2(mu-PHPh)(CO)4].