Structural reorganization in the excited state of transition metal complexes

The lifetimes of the lowest excited state and the Raman spectra of Pt(bpy)(4-X-PhS)₂ complexes were measured. The results are consistent with the assumption about the formation of transient three-electron sulfur-sulfur bond in the excited state and show that this bonding can be employed for controlling the excited-state reactivity.     

OXIDATION OF ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS WITH DINITROGEN TETROXIDE

Abstract

Symmetrical disulfides were known to be oxidized with excess N₂O₄ to the corresponding sulfonic anhydride in good yields. We have found that the oxidation of methyl phenyl disufide or an intermediate, phenyl methanethiolsulfinate undergoes via forming the unstable intermediate, i.e. the thionitrite, which are derived by the cleavage of sulfur-sulfur bond of the subsrates. The oxidation products were symmetrical disulfides, thiolsulfonates, and sulfonic acids which were undoubtedly derived from the scission of sulfur-sulfur bond.     

Morphology controlled nanostructures self-assembled from phthalocyanine derivatives bearing alkylthio moieties: effect of sulfur-sulfur and metal-ligand coordination on intermolecular stacking

To investigate the effect of sulfur-sulfur and metal-ligand coordination on the molecular structure and morphology of self-assembled nanostructures, metal-free 2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis(isopropylthio)phthalocyanine H(2)Pc(β-SC(3)H(7))(8) (1) and its copper and lead congeners CuPc(β-SC(3)H(7))(8) (2) and PbPc(β-SC(3)H(7))(8) (3) are synthesized and fabricated into organic nanostructures by a phase-transfer method. The self-assembly properties are investigated by electronic absorption and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Experimental results reveal different molecular packing modes in these aggregates, which in turn result in self-assembled nanostructures with different morphologies ranging from nanobelts for 1 through nanoribbons for 2 to cluster nanoflowers for 3. Intermolecular π-π and sulfur-sulfur interactions between metal-free phthalocyanine 1 lead to the formation of nanobelts. The additional Cu-S coordination bond between the central copper ion of 2 and the sulfur atom of the adjacent molecule of 2 in cooperation with the intermolecular π-π stacking interaction increases the intermolecular interaction, and results in the formation of long nanoribbons for 2. In contrast to compounds 1 and 2, the special molecular structure of complex 3, together with the intermolecular π-π stacking interaction and additional Pb-S coordination bond, induces the formation of Pb-connected pseudo-double-deckers during the self-assembly process, which in turn further self-assemble into cluster nanoflowers. In addition, good semiconducting properties of the nanostructures fabricated from phthalocyanine derivatives 1-3 were also revealed by I-V measurements.     

On the structures and fragmentation of [Me2S∵SMe2]+ and [Et2S∵SEt2]+: Tandem mass spectrometry metastable and collision-induced dissociation results

An experimental study of the metastable and collision-induced dissociation (CID) spectra of [Me₂S∵SMe₂]⁺ and [Et₂S∵SEt₂]⁺ has been carried out. These ions are examples of species that contain two-center-three-electron (2c–3e) sulfur-sulfur bonds. The metastable and CID spectra provide experimental evidence of the atomic connectivity and of the 2c–3e bonds. The metastable cleavage of the S∵S 2c–3e bonds appears to occur with no reverse activation barriers and to result in small average kinetic energy releases. Fragmentation of the same bonds by CID results in the most intense product for both ions. Comparisons with the metastable and CID spectra of [MeSSMe]⁺, an ion with a two-center-two-electron (2c–2e) sulfur-sulfur bond, are made and strongly support the difference in the sulfur-sulfur bonding.     

Electrochemical reduction of S-oxides of diphenyl disulfide: Part II. Polarography in aqueous ethanol

In 50% ethanol the polarographic reduction of the S-oxides of diphenyl disulfide results in a fission of the sulfur-sulfur bond. Diphenyl disulfone is reduced by 2 electrons per molecle with benzenesulfinate ion as reduction product and gives rise to one polarographic wave. In the polarograms of phenyl benzenethiolsulfonate as well as phenyl benzenethiolsul-finate several waves appear due to the intermediate formation of a mercury compound, which is strongly adsorbed at the mercury electrode. Under polarographic and coulometric conditions the thiolsulfonate is reduced by 2 electrons in all with benzenesulfinate ion and thiophenol as reduction products. The total limiting current of the thiolsulfinate corresponds to a reduction by 4 electrons whereas 3 electrons per molecule are exchanged in coulometric experiments at a Hg-pool with thiophenol as the main reduction product.     

Investigation of lead thiosulfate photolysis in aqueous solutions

A model of photolysis of PbS₂O₃ aqueous solutions has been proposed on the basis of identified photolysis products and semiempirical quantum-chemical calculations. The degradation of PbS₂O₃ starts with the dissociation of the sulfur-sulfur bond in the thiosulfate group via photochemical excitation and transition of the system a whole to the activated state, which is decomposed by the solvent. The interaction of the primary photolysis products with PbS₂O₃ results in the formation of final products.     

Small, nonstoichiometric zinc sulfide clusters

Recent experiments indicated that the formation of small, nonstoichiometric clusters Zn(n)S(m) and Zn(n)S(m)+ was possible. In this work, the ground states of these clusters, where 1 < or = n, m < or = 4, were studied using density functional theory. Global minima were found to be primarily cyclic structures in which the S-Zn-S preference for large bond angles was preserved. Ionization was shown to lead to structural relaxation and occasionally major changes in conformation. Cohesive energies are reported as a function of cluster composition. Qualitative comparisons were extracted from the energetics resulting from structural optimizations, and such comparisons appear to be consistent with the experiment. The computational data for the ZnS(n) and Zn(n)S(m) (where m > n) clusters indicated that sulfur-sulfur bonding in larger ZnS clusters could be feasible without significant energetic cost and that such structures should at least be considered.     

In search of a new class of stable nitroxide: synthesis and reactivity of a peri-substituted N,N-bissulfonylhydroxylamine

Acyclic bissulfonylnitroxides have never been isolated, and degrade through fragmentation. In an approach to stabilising a bissulfonylnitroxide radical, the cyclic, peri-substituted N,N-bissulfonylhydroxylamine, 2-hydroxynaphtho[1,8-de][1,3,2]dithiazine 1,1,3,3-tetraoxide (1), has been prepared by formal nitrogen insertion into the sulfur-sulfur bond of a sulfinylsulfone, naphtho[1,8-cd][1,2]dithiole 1,1,2-trioxide. The heterocyclic ring of 1 is shown to adopt a sofa conformation by X-ray crystallography, with a pseudo-axial hydroxyl group. N,N-Bissulfonylhydroxylamine 1 displays high thermal, photochemical and hydrolytic stability compared to acyclic systems. EPR analysis reveals formation of the corresponding bissulfonylnitroxide 2 upon oxidation of 1 with the Ce(IV) salts CAN and CTAN. Although 2 does not undergo fragmentation, it cannot be isolated, since hydrogen atom abstraction to reform 1 occurs in situ. The stability and reactivity of 1 and 2 are compared with the known cyclic benzo-fused N,N-bissulfonylhydroxylamine, N-hydroxy-O-benzenedisulfonimide (6), for which the X-ray data, and EPR of the corresponding nitroxide 10, are also reported for the first time.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy,Photoionization Mass Spectroscopy,and Theoretical Study on CCl3SSCN

Trichloromethanesulfenyl thiocyanate, CCl3SSCN, was generated and studied by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS), and theoretical calculations. This molecule exhibits a gauche conformation, and the torsional angle around S-S bond is 91.4 o due to the sulfur-sulfur lone pair interactions. After ionization, the ground-state cationic-radical form of CCl3SSCN*+ adopts a trans planar main-atom structure with Cs symmetry. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of CCl3SSCN corresponds to the electrons mainly localized on the sulfur 3p lone pair MO. The first ionization energy is determined to be 10.40 eV.     

Crystal Structure of Bis(3-hydroxy-2-pyridyl)disulfide

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On the mechanism of the copper-mediated C-S bond formation in the intramolecular disproportionation of imine disulfides

The mechanism of the copper-mediated disproportionation of aromatic imine disulfides to benzothiazoles in the gas phase is investigated by experimental and theoretical methods. Application of infrared multiphoton dissociation and hydrogen/deuterium exchange experiments combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations of the relevant molecular structures and the associated infrared spectra allows the identification of the observed ionic intermediates. The theoretical investigation of the possible reaction pathways supported by collision-induced dissociation experiments provides a consistent mechanistic picture of the reaction catalyzed by a single copper(I) ion. Activation of the substrate proceeds via homolytic sulfur-sulfur bond cleavage, yielding metal complexes in the formal +3 oxidation state; carbon-sulfur coupling and hydrogen-atom transfer complete the transformation to the products. Exploratory studies demonstrate that in the gas phase, the disproportionation of the imine disulfide can also be mediated by other metal ions via different either homo- or heterolytic mechanisms without involving high-valent intermediates.     

Ab initio study of structural stability of Mo-S clusters and size specific stoichiometries of magic clusters

Using first-principles calculations with ultrasoft pseudopotential formalism and the generalized gradient approximation for the exchange-correlation functional, we study the stability of MonSm (n =1-6 and m ranging from n to 3n) clusters and obtain the optimal stoichiometry for each n corresponding to the magic cluster. It is found that in this size range, the lowest-energy structures favor a core of metal atoms, which is covered by sulfur. In particular, we observe that for Mo6S14 isolated clusters, a 3D structure is significantly lower in energy as compared to platelet structures found recently on Au (111) surface. The composition ratio between S and Mo in the magic clusters is less than 2 for n=3 and greater than 2 for n<3. The structural stability of the magic clusters arises from the optimization of the Mo-Mo and Mo- S bonding as well as the symmetry of the cluster. Addition of a terminal sulfur in a magic cluster generally lowers its binding energy. The presence of partially occupied d-orbitals in Mo atoms contributes to Mo-Mo bonding and for higher S concentration it leads to sulfur-sulfur bond formation. The variation in energy due to a change in the sulfur composition suggests that sulfurization of the magic clusters is generally more favorable than desulfurization.     

New zinc(II), copper(II), nickel(II), and vanadium(IV) complexes containing disulfide ligand: Synthesis,spectroscopic studies and calf thymus DNA interaction investigation

New Schiff base complexes of zinc(II), copper(II), nickel(II), and vanadium(IV) were synthesized using the Schiff base ligand formed by the condensation of 2-aminoethanethiol and 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde. The tetradentate Schiff base ligand N,N´-(3,4-dithiahexane-1,6-diyl)bis(2-hydroxy-1-naphthaleneimine), containing a disulfide bond, was coordinated to the metal(II) ions through the two azomethine nitrogen atoms and two deprotonated phenolic oxygens of two different ligands which was connected to each other by sulfur-sulfur bond. The molar conductivity values of complexes in DMSO solvent implied the presence of nonelectrolyte species. The fluorescence properties of the Schiff base ligand and its complexes were studied in dimethylsulfoxide. The Schiff base ligand and its complexes were characterized by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and conductometry. The crystal structure of tetradentate Schiff base ligand was characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The Schiff base ligand was contained disulfide bond. Furthermore, the binding interaction of these complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated by different methods.     

Study on the Physical and Dissociation Properties of Disulfur Dichloride under Electric Fields

Disulfur dichloride is a hazardous substance, which is irritating to the eyes. It is significant to study the physical and dissociation properties under external electric fields. The bond length, energy, dipole moment, orbital energy level distribution, infrared spectra and dissociation properties of disulfur dichloride molecule under different external fields are obtained by using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d, p) basis set level. In addition, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra of the molecule in different electric fields are studied with configuration interaction-single excitation(CIS)/6-311++G(d, p) method. According to the results, it has been found that as the electric field exerted along the positive direction of the z-axis increases, the two sulfur-chlorine(S-Cl) bond lengths become longer and tend to break, while the sulfur-sulfur(S-S) bond length becomes shorter and the energy gap decreases. The infrared spectrum and ultraviolet-visible absorption spectra both exhibit red shift under electric field. Moreover, by scanning the potential energy surface of disulfur dichloride about S-Cl bond, the dissociation barrier decreases with the increase of positive electric field. When the external electric field arrives at 0.040 atomic units, the barrier disappears, meaning the dissociation of disulfur dichloride. The present results offer an important reference to further study of disulfur dichloride.     

Bis(trifluoroaceto) disulfide (CF3C(O)OSSOC(O)CF3): a HeI photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical study

Bis(trifluoroaceto) disulfide CF(3)C(O)OSSOC(O)CF(3) was prepared and studied by Raman, photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), and theoretical calculations. This molecule exhibits gauche conformation with both C=O groups cis to the S-S bond; the structure of the OSSO moiety is characterized by dihedral angle delta(OSSO) = -95.1 degrees due to the sulfur-sulfur lone pair interactions. The contracted S-S bond (1.979 Angstroms) and relatively high rotational barrier (19.29 kcal mol(-1) at the B3LYP/6-31G level) of the delta(OSSO) indicate the partial resonance-induced double bond character in this molecule. After ionization, the ground cationic-radical form of CF(3)C(O)OSSOC(O)CF(3)(*+) adopts a trans planar main-atom structure (delta(OSSO) = 180 degrees and delta(OCOS) = 0 degrees ) with C(2)(h) symmetry. The S-S bond elongates to 2.054 Angstroms, while the S-O bond shortens from 1.755 Angstroms in neutral form to 1.684 Angstroms in its corresponding cationic-radical form. The adiabatic ionization energy of 9.91 eV was obtained accordingly. The first two HOMOs correspond to the electrons mainly localized on the sulfur 3p lone pair MOs: 3ppi {36a (n(A)(S))](-1) and 3ppi [35b (n(B)(S), n(B)(O(C)(=)(O)))](-1), with an experimental energy separation of 0.16 eV. The first vertical ionization energy is determined to be 10.81 eV.     

On the origin of cytotoxicity of the natural product varacin. A novel example of a pentathiepin reaction that provides evidence for a triatomic sulfur intermediate

A density functional theoretical study is presented, which implicates a novel S(3)-cleavage in the decomposition of a pentathiepin. This study predicts an interconversion between a pentathiepin and an open-chain polysulfur ion intermediate from which a key determinant in the chemistry then follows. Expulsion of diatomic sulfur, S(2), is unlikely from the unimolecular collapse of the open-chain polysulfur ion. Instead, S(3) can dissociate due to an unusually long and weak sulfur-sulfur (S4-S5) bond. A mechanistic picture now emerges which predicts that the novel S-S cleavage reaction and the unanticipated S(3) fragmentation are a result of delocalization of the negative charge within the remaining carbon-sulfur fragment. The computed results presented here reveal a new aspect to the chemistry of pentathiepins, that of S(3) unit transfer, which is proposed to have significance in the mechanism of cytotoxicity of the natural product varacin, 1.     

Influence of external force on properties and reactivity of disulfide bonds

The mechanochemistry of the disulfide bridge--that is, the influence of an externally applied force on the reactivity of the sulfur-sulfur bond--is investigated by unrestricted Kohn-Sham theory. Specifically, we apply the COGEF (constrained geometry simulates external force) approach to characterize the mechanochemistry of the disulfide bond in three different chemical environments: dimethyl disulfide, cystine, and a 102-atom model of the I27 domain in the titin protein. Furthermore, the mechanism of the thiol-disulfide reduction reaction under the effect of an external force is investigated by considering the COGEF potential for the adduct and transition-state clusters. With the unrestricted Becke-three-parameter-Lee-Yang-Parr (UB3LYP) exchange-correlation functional in the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) orbital basis, the rupture force of dimethyl disulfide is 3.8 nN at a disulfide bond elongation of 35 pm. The interaction with neighboring groups and the effect of conformational rigidity of the protein environment have little influence on the mechanochemical characteristics. Upon stretching, we make the following observations: the diradical character of the disulfide bridge increases; the energy difference between the singlet ground state and low-lying triplet state decreases; and the disulfide reduction is promoted by an external force in the range 0.1-0.4 nN. Our model of the interplay between force and reaction mechanism is in qualitative agreement with experimental observations.     

Stabilization of sulfide radical cations through complexation with the peptide bond: mechanisms relevant to oxidation of proteins containing multiple methionine residues

The recent study on the *OH-induced oxidation of calmodulin, a regulatory "calcium sensor" protein containing nine methionine (Met) residues, has supported the first experimental evidence in a protein for the formation of S therefore N three-electron bonded radical complexes involving the sulfur atom of a methionine residue and the amide groups in adjacent peptide bonds. To characterize reactions of oxidized methionine residues in proteins containing multiple methionine residues in more detail, in the current study, a small model cyclic dipeptide, c-(L-Met-L-Met), was oxidized by *OH radicals generated via pulse radiolysis and the ensuing reactive intermediates were monitored by time-resolved UV-vis spectroscopic and conductometric techniques. The picture that emerges from this investigation shows there is an efficient formation of the Met (S therefore N) radicals, in spite of the close proximity of two sulfur atoms, located in the side chains of methionine residues, and in spite of the close proximity of sulfur atoms and oxygen atoms, located in the peptide bonds. Moreover, it is shown, for the first time, that the formation of Met(S therefore N) radicals can proceed directly, via H+-transfer, with the involvement of hydrogen from the peptide bond to an intermediary hydroxysulfuranyl radical. Ultimately, the Met(S therefore N) radicals decayed via two different pH-dependent reaction pathways, (i) conversion into sulfur-sulfur, intramolecular, three-electron-bonded radical cations and (ii) a proposed hydrolytic cleavage of the protonated form of the intramolecular, three-electron-bonded radicals [Met(S therefore N)/Met(S therefore NH)+] followed by electron transfer and decarboxylation. Surprisingly, also alpha-(alkylthio)alkyl radicals enter the latter mechanism in a pH-dependent manner. Density functional theory computations were performed on the model c-(L-Met-Gly) and its radicals in order to obtain optimizations and energies to aid in the interpretation of the experiments on c-(L-Met-L-Met).     

Unusual carbon-sulfur bond cleavage in the reaction of a new type of bulky hexathioether with a zerovalent palladium complex

The reaction of a bulky hexathioether, TbtS(o-Phen)S(o-Phen)SS(o-Phen)S(o-Phen)STbt (o-Phen = o-phenylene, Tbt = 2,4,6-tris[bis(trimethylsilyl)methyl]phenyl) (1), with 3 molar amounts of Pd(PPh3)4 afforded trinuclear palladium complex bridged by two benzenedithiolato ligands via a three-step palladium insertion reaction into one sulfur-sulfur and two carbon-sulfur bonds of 1.