A convenient method for the Ru(0)-catalyzed regioselective deuteration of N-alkyl-substituted anilines

A highly effective and operationally practical method for the regioselective deuteration of N-alkyl-substituted anilines employing Ru₃(CO)₁₂ (?1 mol %) as catalyst and D₂O as deuterium source was described. A variety of N-alkyl-substituted anilines were efficiently deuterated (up to 98%) at the ortho and/or para position with respect to the nitrogen at neutral conditions. Under the present conditions, deuterated anilines can be easily obtained with simple extraction and evaporation. Substituents with aromatic methoxy groups would not influence the selectivity compared to previous method.     

Synthesis and reactivity of new methylallylpalladium(II) complexes with bidentate 2-(methylthio-N-benzylidene)anilines

This work describes the synthesis, characterisation and reactivity of new methylallyl Pd(II) complexes that contain bidentate 2-(methylthio-N-benzylidene)anilines as ligands. The reaction of the binuclear complex [(η³-Me-allyl)Pd(μ-Cl)₂] with AgBF₄ causes the total abstraction of the chloride bridges, with the subsequent formation of an intermediary fragment of Pd(II). This fragment in turn reacts with neutral bidentate 2-(methylthio-N-benzylidene)anilines to give cationic complexes of Pd(II) of general formula [(η³-Me-allyl)Pd(η²-S,N-MeSC₆H₄NCHC₆H₄(X)Y)]BF₄ [X=H, Y=H (1); X=F, Y=H (2); X=Me, Y=H (3); X=H, Y=Cl (4); X=H, Y=Me₂N (5); X=H, Y=NO₂ (6)]. The new complexes were characterised by means of elemental analysis, IR, NMR [¹H, ¹⁹F{¹H}, ¹³C{¹H}, ³¹P{¹H}, Dept, ¹H-¹H-COSY, HSQC, HMBC] and mass spectroscopies. The reaction of the Pd(II) complexes with nucleophiles such as NaI, (EtO)₂PS₂K, KCN, KSCN or NaH lead to the deco-ordination of the bidentate ligands to give dimeric or polymeric complexes of Pd(II). The reactivity pattern observed is discussed by a theoretical analysis based on Fukui functions.     

Basicity of {(2-amino)- and (2-aminomethyl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-3-yl}anilines in nitromethane

Ionization constants of {(2-amino)-bicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-3-yl}anilines and {(2-aminomethyl)bicyclo [2.2.1]-hept-3-yl}anilines in nitromethane have been determined by potentiometric titration. Due to high values of pK _{a 1} ^BH+ and pK _{a 2} ^BH+ (close to known adamantane-containing diamines) the studied compounds are promising candidates for preparation of (co)polyimides with a complex of excellent utilitarian properties.     

Substituent effects in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of para-(para-substituted benzylidene amino)benzonitrile and para-(ortho-substituted benzylidene amino)benzonitrile

¹³C NMR chemical shifts were measured in CDCl₃ for two series of substituted benzylidene anilines. The substituted benzylidene anilines p-X-C₆H₄CH=NC₆H₄-p-CN p-X-C₆H₄CH=NC₆H₄-o-CN (X = NO₂, F, Cl, Br, H, Me, MeO, NMe₂). The substituent dependence of δC(C=N) was used as a tool to study electronic substituent effects on the azomethine unit. The benzylidene substituents X have a reverse effect on δC(C=N): electron-withdrawing substituents cause shielding, while electrondonating ones do the reverse, the resonance effects clearly predominating over the inductive effects. Additionally, the presence of a specific cross-interaction between X and C=N could be verified. The electronic effects of the neighboring aromatic ring substituents systematically modify the sensitivity of the C=N group to the electronic effects of the benzylidene substituents. These results can be rationalized in terms of the substituent-sensitive balance of the electron delocalization (mesomeric effects).     

Structure and Kinetics of Oxidation of Amphiphilic Nickel(II) Pentaazamacrocycles by Peroxodisulfate and by a Nickel(III) Pendant-Arm Macrocycle

Three nickel(II) pentaazamacrocycles bearing pendant alkyl tails have been synthesized,and the crystal structure of one (bearing an octyl tail) is reported. The redox potentials of the complexes, for oxidation of the nickel(II) centre, is 0.72 V (versus S.H.E.) in all cases, indicating that the pendant alkyl tails have no effect on the redox site. The kinetics of oxidation of the complexes by peroxodisulfate, S₂O₈ ^2- and by aqua(5, 5, 7,12, 12, 14-hexamethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1-acetato)nickel(III),[Ni(hmca)(OH₂)]²⁺ have been studied. Oxidation by S₂O₈ ^2- occursby ion-pairing of the reactants, followed by electron transfer with concomitant peroxo bond fissure. Oxidation by [Ni(hmca)(OH₂)]²⁺ occurs by an outer sphere electron transfer process. Redox kinetics at the nickel centre provides a probe for supramolecular interactions at the pendant tails in such complexes.     

Quantitative relations holding in coordination of (Tetraphenylporphyrinato)zinc(II) and nucleophilic substitution with anilines

Thermodynamic parameters (??G°, ??S°) of quasi-isoenthalpic coordination of (tetraphenylporphyrinato) zinc(II) with anilines (except for 4-halo derivatives) in chloroform at 273?C313 K in the absence of steric factors are linearly related to shifts of their absorption bands in the electronic spectra in reactions with anilines, as well as with logarithms of the stability constants of the complexes, pK _a values of the ligands in water, and Hammett substituent constants ??⁺. Linear relations were also found between thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of some nucleophilic substitution reactions and complex formation of (tetraphenylporphyrinato) zinc(II) with anilines.     

Highly efficient copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem Ullman reaction/arylation of azoles via C-H activation: synthesis of benzofuranyl and indolyl azoles from 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols(anilines) with azoles

In this paper, a novel and highly efficient copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem intramolecular Ullman-type C-O(N) coupling reaction of 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols(anilines) followed by an intermolecular arylation of azoles through C-H activation has been developed. In the presence of CuBr with Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ used as co-catalyst, and LiO^tBu as a base, the one-pot reactions of 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)phenols and 2-(gem-dibromovinyl)anilines with a variety of azoles, including oxazoles, imidazoles, thiazoles, and oxadiazoles underwent smoothly in toluene at 100 °C to generate the corresponding biheteroaryl products in high yields. A tentative mechanism of copper/palladium-catalyzed tandem reaction was described.     

The mass spectra of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedione and its Al(III), Cr(III), Fe(III), Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes

The compounds 1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedione, Cu(II)tca₂, Co(II)tca₂, Mn(II)tca₂, Al(III)tca₃, Cr(III)tca₃ and Fe(III)tca₃ (tca?1,1,1-trichloro-2,4-pentanedionato, [CCl₃COCHCOCH₃]^?) have been prepared and their mass spectra have been obtained. The mass spectral results have been compared with findings for comparable fluorinated and nonhalogenated compounds. Comparisons are made in terms of internal redox reactions and hard and soft acid base theory. Rearrangement of chloride from ligand to metal accompanied by the elimination of CO or other neutral even electron fragments emerges as an important reaction for the ions of these compounds. While the internal redox reactions characteristic of all previous β-diketonate complex mass spectra still occur, their importance appears reduced to some degree by the facility of the chlorine rearrangement.     

Organometallic ligands : II. The coordination chemistry of 1-[(dimethylamino)-methyl]-2-(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene

Complexes of the organometallic ligand (h⁵-C₅H₅)Fe[(h⁵-C₅H₃)(1-CH₂NMe₂)(2-PPh₂)] (FcCNP) have been prepared with the carbonyls of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, iron, and cobalt and with borane. With the Group VIB metals, the ligand forms complexes of the type (FcCNP)M(CO)₄ in which the FcCNP ligand is chelating. However, in the case of (FcCNP)Fe(CO)₄ and [(FcCNP)₂Co(CO)₃]BPh₄ the ligand is monodentate, the phosphorus acting as the donor atom. Infrared and NMR data were used to establish the mode of coordination in each case. The electrochemistry of the Group VIB metal carbonyl complexes has been investigated, the chromium complex being of particular interest. The cyclic voltammogram of (FcCNP)Cr(CO)₄ consists of two, reversible, one electron redox waves at E_{peak, anodic} + 0.54 V and + 0.96 V (vs. SCE in CH₂Cl₂), and a third, irreversible wave at E_{peak, anodic} + 1.47 V. At + 0.54 V the solution color changed from yellow to orange and the v(CO) bands shifted from 2011 w, 1891 s, and 1831 s (cm^?1) in the neutral complex to 2080 m, 2000 s, and 1970 s (cm^?1) in the singly oxidized species. At + 0.96 V, the color changed further to blue-green, but no additional shift in v(CO) was observed. On the basis of this information, it is concluded that the first redox wave represents the process Cr⁰ → Cr⁺ and the second wave Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺. Other aspects of the electrochemistry of the Group VIB metal carbonyl complexes are discussed.     

Site-selective amination and/or nitrilation via metal-free C(sp2)–C(sp3) cleavage of benzylic and allylic alcohols

Benzylic/allylic alcohols are converted via site-selective C(sp²)–C(sp³) cleavage to value-added nitrogenous motifs, viz., anilines and/or nitriles as well as N-heterocycles, utilizing commercial hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (HOSA) and Et₃N in an operationally simple, one-pot process. Notably, cyclic benzylic/allylic alcohols undergo bis-functionalization with attendant increases in architectural complexity and step-economy.

Benzylic/allylic alcohols are converted via site-selective C(sp²)–C(sp³) cleavage to value-added nitrogenous motifs, viz., anilines and/or nitriles as well as N-heterocycles, utilizing commercial hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid (HOSA) and Et₃N in an operationally simple, one-pot process.     

Redox properties of bis(1,10-phenanthroline)-(pyridine)ruthenium(II) complexes

The redox properties of a series of [Ru(phen)₂(py)X]ⁿ⁺ cations (X = pyridine, NH₃, Cl, Br, I, CN, SCN, N₃ and NO₂) have been investigated in acctonitrile. Two reversible reduction steps are seen at ? 1.35 and ? 1.6 V vs Ag/AgCl; the invariance of these processes with X-group is indicative of electron addition to molecular orbitals mainly of phenanthroline ligand π^* origin. Irreversible multi-electron reductions follow below ? 2.20 V. The Ru(II)/Ru(III) couple is seen as a reversible wave near + 0.8 V vs the normal hydrogen electrode, from calibration with ferrocene, except in the cases of the NO₂ and SCN complexes, where rapid reactions involving these ligands occur.     

Triggering Redox Activity in a Thiophene Compound: Radical Stabilization and Coordination Chemistry

The synthesis, metalation, and redox properties of an acyclic bis(iminothienyl)methene L⁻ are presented. This π‐conjugated anion displayed pronounced redox activity, undergoing facile one‐electron oxidation to the acyclic, metal‐free, neutral radical L ^. on reaction with FeBr₂. In contrast, the reaction of L⁻ with CuI formed the unique, neutral Cu₂I₂( L ^.) complex of a ligand‐centered radical, whereas reaction with the stronger oxidant AgBF₄ formed the metal‐free radical dication L ^.2+.     

Bis(Iminophosphorano)-Substituted Pyridinium Ions and their Corresponding Bispyridinylidene Organic Electron Donors

Optimized synthetic procedures for pyridinium ions featuring iminophosphorano (−N=PR₃; R=Ph, Cy) π-donor substituents in the 2- and 4- positions are described. Crystallographic and theoretical studies reveal that the strongly donating substituents severely polarize the π-electrons of the pyridyl ring at the expense of aromaticity. Moreover, the pyridinium ions are readily deprotonated to generate powerful bispyridinylidene (BPY) organic electron donors. Electrochemical studies show exceptionally low redox potentials for the two-electron BPY/BPY²⁺ couples, ranging from −1.71 V vs the saturated calomel electrode for 3PhPh (with four Ph₃P=N− groups) to −1.85 V for 3CyCy (with four Cy₃P=N− groups). These new compounds represent the most reducing neutral organic electron donors (OEDs) currently known. Some preliminary reductions involving 3CyCy showed enhanced capability owing to its low redox potential, such as the thermally activated reduction of an aryl chloride, but purification challenges were often encountered.     

A practical and expedient synthesis of 2-heterocycle (C-N bond) substituted 4-oxo-4-arylbutanoates

A practical and expedient synthesis of the titled compounds is described. Using the same simple procedure (DBU was reacted with the mixture of an alkynol and a nitrogen heterocycle in CH₂Cl₂ at rt for 16 h), a wide variety of diverse NH-containing nucleophiles such as pyrazoles, indazoles, indoles, imidazoles and benzoimidazole, oxazolidinone and benzooxazolone, triazoles, phthalimides, and N-formyl anilines, have been reacted with 4-aryl-4-hydroxy-alkynyl esters to afford good yields of desired products. This reaction proceeded by the DBU catalyzed redox isomerization of ethyl 4-aryl-4-hydroxybut-2-ynoate to (E)-ethyl 4-aryl-4-oxobut-2-enoate, followed by the DBU catalyzed aza-Michael reactions with the isomerized product in one-pot.     

Ruthenium(III) complexes of amine-bis(phenolate) ligands as catalysts for transfer hydrogenation of ketones

Twelve ruthenium(III) complexes bearing amine-bis(phenolate) tripodal ligands of general formula [Ru(L¹–L³)(X)(EPh₃)₂] (where L¹–L³ are dianionic tridentate chelator) have been synthesized by the reaction of ruthenium(III) precursors [RuX₃(EPh₃)₃] (where E = P, X = Cl; E = As, X = Cl or Br) and [RuBr₃(PPh₃)₂(CH₃OH)] with the tripodal tridentate ligands H₂L¹, H₂L² and H₂L³ in benzene in 1:1 molar ratio. The newly synthesized complexes have been characterized by analytical (elemental and magnetic susceptibility) and spectral methods. The complexes are one electron paramagnetic (low-spin, d⁵) in nature. The EPR spectra of the powdered samples at RT and the liquid samples at LNT shows the presence of three different ‘g’ values (g_x ≠ g_y ≠ g_z) indicate a rhombic distortion around the ruthenium ion. The redox potentials indicate that all the complexes undergo one electron transfer process. The catalytic activity of one of the complexes [Ru(pcr-chx)Br(AsPh₃)₂] was examined in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones and was found to be efficient with conversion up to 99% in the presence of isopropanol/KOH.     

Electron affinities of biscyclopentadienyl and phospholyl uranium(IV) borohydride complexes: Experimental and DFT studies

Electron affinities (EAs) of a series of biscyclopentadienyl and phospholyl uranium(IV) complexes L₂U(BH₄)₂ [L₂ = Cp₂, (tmp)₂, (tBuCp)₂, (Cp*)(tmp) and Cp*₂] related to the U(III)/U(IV) redox system were calculated using relativistic Density Functional Theory (DFT) based methods coupled with the Conductor-like Screening Model for Real Solvents (COSMO-RS) approach. Electrochemical measurements of half-wave potentials in solution (tetrahydrofuran THF) were carried out for all these compounds under the same rigorous conditions. A good correlation (r² = 0.99) is obtained between the calculated EA values, at the ZORA/BP86/TZ2P level, and the half-wave reduction potentials measured by electrochemistry. The investigations bring to light the importance of spin-orbit coupling and solvent effect and the use of a large basis set in order to achieve such a good agreement between theory and experiment. The study confirms the instability of the Cp₂U(BH₄)₂ complex during the reduction process. The influence of the substituted aromatic ligand L₂, namely their electron donating ability, on EA was studied. The role of involved orbitals (singled occupied molecular orbital –SOMO– of anionic species or lowest unoccupied molecular orbital –LUMO– of neutral species) in the redox process was revealed.     

Monitoring formation of poly(neutral red) film by EQCM

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) is employed for monitoring the growth of poly(neutral red) films on platinum in the electrolytic solution containing 5.0 mmol dm⁻³ neutral red, 0.3 mol dm⁻³ H₂SO₄, and 0.5 mol dm⁻³ Na₂SO₄. The in situ measurement of the frequency changes of the EQCM reveals that both the adsorption/desorption of neutral red and the formation of poly(neutral red) film can be observed together with anion sorption/desorption during the redox transformation of the polymer, and that the polymerization rate of neutral red increases slowly before the 11th cycle and then increases quickly with increasing number of potential cycles. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 284–289. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

The Formazanate Ligand as an Electron Reservoir: Bis(Formazanate) Zinc Complexes Isolated in Three Redox States

The synthesis of bis(formazanate) zinc complexes is described. These complexes have well‐behaved redox‐chemistry, with the ligands functioning as a reversible electron reservoir. This allows the synthesis of bis(formazanate) zinc compounds in three redox states in which the formazanate ligands are reduced to “metallaverdazyl” radicals. The stability of these ligand‐based radicals is a result of the delocalization of the unpaired electron over four nitrogen atoms in the ligand backbone. The neutral, anionic, and dianionic compounds (L₂Zn^0/?1/?2) were fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, spectroscopic methods, and DFT calculations. In these complexes, the structural features of the formazanate ligands are very similar to well‐known β‐diketiminates, but the nitrogen‐rich (NNCNN) backbone of formazanates opens the door to redox‐chemistry that is otherwise not easily accessible.     

Stopped-flow kinetic analysis of the oxidation of semicarbazide by hexachloroiridate(IV)

A kinetic analysis of the oxidation of semicarbazide (SEM) by the single-electron oxidant [IrCl₆]^2? has been carried out by stopped-flow spectrometric techniques. The reaction proved to be first order each in [IrCl₆ ^2?] and [SEM]_tot, leading to overall second-order kinetics. The variation in the observed second-order rate constant k′ with pH was explored over the pH range of 0–7.11. Spectrophotometric titration revealed a stoichiometry of Δ[IrCl₆ ^2?]/Δ[SEM]_tot = 4:1 for the redox reaction. On the basis of the rate law, the redox stoichiometry, and the rapid scan spectra, a reaction mechanism is proposed which involves parallel attacks of [IrCl₆]^2? on both H₂NCONHNH₃ ⁺ and H₂NCONHNH₂ as rate-determining steps, followed by several rapid reactions. The rate expression, derived from the reaction mechanism, was utilized to simulate the k′–pH profile yielding a virtually perfect fit and indicating that the reaction path involving H₂NCONHNH₃ ⁺ does not make a significant contribution to the overall rate. The reaction between [IrCl₆]^2? and H₂NCONHNH₂ was further studied as a function of both temperature and ionic strength. From the temperature dependence, activation parameters were obtained as: ?H ₂ ^?  = 34.9 ± 1.5 kJ mol^?1 and ?S ₂ ^?  = ?78 ± 5 J K^?1 mol^?1. The observed ionic strength dependence suggests that the rate-determining step is between [IrCl₆]^2? and a neutral species of SEM. Hence, both the temperature and ionic strength dependency studies are in good agreement with the proposed reaction mechanism, in which the rate-determining step involves an outer sphere electron transfer.     

Solution phase electron transfer versus bridge mediated electron transfer across carboxylic acid terminated thiols

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols with carboxylic acid terminal groups were formed on gold substrates. The electron transfer characteristics of redox species on the above SAM-modified electrodes were studied in acid and neutral media with the help of voltammetry under two different conditions: (1) solution phase electron transfer and (2) bridge mediated electron transfer. Two redox systems, viz., [Fe(CN)₆]^4-/3− and Ru[(NH₃)₆]^2+/3+ were chosen for the solution phase study. Investigations of bridge mediated electron transfer were carried out by functionalising the SAM with redox moieties and then studying their redox behaviour. For this study, ferrocene carboxylic acid and 1,4-diamino anthraquinone were used and they were linked to carboxylic acid terminated thiols by covalent linkage. The voltammetric results with mercaptoundecanoic acid SAM demonstrate the difference in behaviour between solution phase and bridge mediated electron transfer processes.