Aryl‐Copper(III)‐Acetylides as Key Intermediates in CCsp Model Couplings under Mild Conditions

The mechanism of copper‐mediated Sonogashira couplings (so‐called Stephens–Castro and Miura couplings) is not well understood and lacks clear comprehension. In this work, the reactivity of a well‐defined aryl‐Cu^III species ( 1 ) with p‐R‐phenylacetylenes (R=NO₂, CF₃, H) is reported and it is found that facile reductive elimination from a putative aryl‐Cu^III‐acetylide species occurs at room temperature to afford the C_aryl?C_sp coupling species ( I_R ), which in turn undergo an intramolecular reorganisation to afford final heterocyclic products containing 2H‐isoindole ( P , P , P_Ha ) or 1,2‐dihydroisoquinoline ( P_Hb ) substructures. Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies support the postulated reductive elimination pathway that leads to the formation of C?C_sp bonds and provide the clue to understand the divergent intramolecular reorganisation when p‐H‐phenylacetylene is used. Mechanistic insights and the very mild experimental conditions to effect C_aryl?C_sp coupling in these model systems provide important insights for developing milder copper‐catalysed C_aryl?C_sp coupling reactions with standard substrates in the future.     

Peculiar kinetics of the complex formation in the iron(III)–sulfate system

The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+The results of comprehensive equilibrium and kinetic studies of the iron(III)–sulfate system in aqueous solutions at I = 1.0 M (NaClO₄), in the concentration ranges of T = 0.15–0.3 mM, and at pH 0.7–2.5 are presented. The iron(III)–containing species detected are FeOH²⁺ (=FeH_?1), (FeOH) (=Fe₂H_?2), FeSO, and Fe(SO₄) with formation constants of log β = ?2.84, log β = ?2.88, log β = 2.32, and log β = 3.83. The formation rate constants of the stepwise formation of the sulfate complexes are k_1a = 4.4 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm Fe}^{3+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-}\,\stackrel{k_{1a}}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ step and k₂ = 1.1 × 10³ M^?1 s^?1 for the ${\rm FeSO}_4^+ + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_2}{\rightleftharpoons}\, {\rm Fe}({\rm SO}_4)_2^-$ step. The mono‐sulfate complex is also formed in the ${\rm Fe}({\rm OH})^{2+} + {\rm SO}_4^{2-} \stackrel{k_{1b}}{\longrightarrow} {\rm FeSO}_4^+$ reaction with the k_1b = 2.7 × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1 rate constant. The most surprising result is, however, that the 2 FeSO? Fe³⁺ + Fe(SO₄) equilibrium is established well before the system as a whole reaches its equilibrium state, and the main path of the formation of Fe(SO₄) is the above fast (on the stopped flow scale) equilibrium process. The use and advantages of our recently elaborated programs for the evaluation of equilibrium and kinetic experiments are briefly outlined. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 40: 114–124, 2008     

Trans‐Selective Radical Silylzincation of Ynamides

The silylzincation of terminal ynamides is achieved through a radical‐chain process involving (Me₃Si)₃SiH and R₂Zn. A potentially competing polar mechanism is excluded on the basis of diagnostic control experiments. The unique feature of this addition across the CC bond is its trans selectivity. One‐pot electrophilic substitution of the C Zn bond by Cu^I‐mediated C C bond formation and subsequent manipulation of the C Si bond provides a modular access to Z‐α,β‐disubstituted enamides.     

The quantum efficiency of the primary processes in formaldehyde photolysis at 3130 Å and 25°C

The mechanism of the photolysis of formaldehyde was studied in experiments at 3130 Å and in the pressure range of 1–12 torr at 25°C. The experiments were designed to establish the quantum yields of the primary decomposition steps (1) and (2), CH₂O + hν → H + HCO (1): CH₂O + hν → H₂ + CO (2), through the effects of added isobutene, trimethylsilane, and nitric oxide on Φ_CO and Φ. The ratio Φ_CO/Φ was found to be 1.01 ± 0.09(2σ) and (Φ + Φ_CO)/2 = 1.10 ± 0.08 over the range of pressures and a 12-fold change in incident light intensity. Isobutene and nitric oxide additions reduced Φ to about the same limiting value, 0.32 ± 0.03 and 0.34 ± 0.04, respectively, but these added gases differed in their effects on Φ_CO. With isobutene addition Φ_CO/Φ reached a limiting value of 2.3; with NO addition Φ_CO exceeded unity. The addition of small amounts of Me₃SiH reduced Φ to 1.02 ± 0.08 and lowered Φ_CO to 0.7. These findings were rationalized in terms of a mechanism in which the “nonscavengeable,” molecular hydrogen is formed in reaction (2) with ?₂ = 0.32 ± 0.03, while the “free radical” hydrogen is formed in reaction (1) with ?₁ = 0.68 ± 0.03. In the pure formaldehyde system these reactions are followed by (3)–(5): H + CH₂O → H₂ + HCO (3); 2HCO → CH₂O + CO (4); 2HCO → H₂ + 2CO (5). The data suggest k₄/k₅ ? 5.8. Isobutene reduced Φ by the reaction H + iso-C₄H₈ → C₄H₉ (20), and the results give k₂₀/k₃ ? 43 ± 4, in good agreement with the ratio of the reported values of the individual constants k₃ and k₂₀.     

Metal‐Porphyrin Orbital Interactions in Paramagnetic Iron Complexes Having Planar and Deformed Porphyrin Ring

¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts of iron porphyrin complexes are determined mainly by the spin densities at the peripheral carbon and nitrogen atoms caused by the interaction between paramagnetic iron 3d and porphyrin molecular orbitals. This review describes how the half‐occupied iron 3d orbitals such as d_π(d_xz, d_yz), d_xy, d, and d‐ interact with a specific porphyrin molecular orbital and affect the ¹H and ¹³C NMR chemical shifts in planar, ruffled, saddled, and domed complexes. Revealing the relationship between the orbital interactions and NMR chemical shifts is quite important to determine the fine electronic structures of synthetic iron porphyrin complexes as well as naturally occurring heme proteins.     

A Rational Approach to Selective Recognition of NH4+ over K+

An ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on receptor 1 is highly selective for binding NH₄⁺ over K⁺ (lg K=−2.6); the three imine nitrogen atoms in 1 are ideally positioned for hydrogen bonding with the tetrahedral NH₄⁺ ion. This selectivity is considerably greater than that found for commercial ISEs based on nonactin (lg K=−1.0).     

Über die Reaktion von Schwefel mit Aminen und Formaldehyd. Eine neue Methode zur Herstellung von Thioformamiden und Dithiocarbamaten

The reaction of sulfur with primary or secondary amines and formaldehyde has been studied. A simple one step process for the preparation of thioformamides (RR′NCHS; R ? H, R′ ? CH₃, C₂H₅; R ? R′ ? CH₃, C₂H₅; R+R′ ? ? (CH₂), ? (CH₂), ? C₂H₄OC₂H) and the amine salts of N, N-dialkyl-dithiocarbamic acids (R₂NCS₂ · H₂NR₂, R ? CH₃, C₂H₅, C₄H₉; R₂ ? ? (CH₂), ? (CH₂), ? C₂H₄OC₂H) is reported. In addition, the isolation of diethylamidosulfoxylic acid, (C₂H₅)₂NSOH · 1/2 H₂O, the first derivative of a new class of compounds, is described. The physical properties and the ¹H-NMR. spectra of the above mentioned compounds are given.     

Recommendations for measuring second-order rate constants and kinetic solvent isotope effects on acid-catalyzed reactions

Kinetic solvent isotope effects (KSIE) were measured for the hydrolyses of acetals of benzaldehydes in aqueous solutions covering the pH (pD) range of 1–6. For p-methoxybenzaldehyde diethyl acetal, k/k = 1.8–3.1, depending on the procedure used to calculate the KSIE and on the pH (pD) range used as the basis for k(k). It is shown that this variation is an experimental artifact, and is a characteristic of KSIE measurements in general. It is recommended that k be calculated from a least-squares fit of data to the equation k_obs = k[L⁺], and that the KSIE be reported as k/k. The limitation remains, however, that the KSIE measured for a variety of substances over quite different pH (pD) ranges may not be comparable to more than ?20%. The source of these observations is discussed in terms of small changes in the activity coefficient ratios (a specific salt effect), including the solvent isotope effect on the activity coefficient ratio [eq. (3)].     

The 13C and D kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of CH4 with Cl

The kinetic isotope effects in the reaction of methane (CH₄) with Cl atoms are studied in a relative rate experiment at 298 ± 2 K and 1013 ± 10 mbar. The reaction rates of ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl radicals are measured relative to ¹²CH₄ in a smog chamber using long path FTIR detection. The experimental data are analyzed with a nonlinear least squares spectral fitting method using measured high‐resolution spectra as well as cross sections from the HITRAN database. The relative reaction rates of ¹²CH₄, ¹³CH₄, ¹²CH₃D, ¹²CH₂D₂, ¹²CHD₃, and ¹²CD₄ with Cl are determined as k/k = 1.06 ± 0.01, k/k = 1.47 ± 0.03, k/k = 2.45 ± 0.05, k/k = 4.7 ± 0.1, k/k = 14.7 ± 0.3. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 37: 110–118, 2005     

Barriers to internal rotation in neopentylbenzenes substituted on the benzyl group. A 13C NMR band shape study

Two series of neopentylbenzenes with one or two substituents on the benzyl group have been synthesized. In one series the substituents were H, F, Cl, Br, I, OCH₃, OCOCH₃, OSi(CH₃)₃ CH₃ and CH₂CH₃, and in the other OH and R [R ? H, CH₃, CH₂CH₃, (CH₂)₃CH₃, CH(CH₃)₂ and C(CH₃)₃]. Barriers to internal C? C and C? C rotation have been estimated by ¹³C NMR band shape methods. Estimated barriers were found to increase as the size of the substituent increases. The results are discussed in terms of possible initial and transition states, based on summations of results from molecular mechanics (MM) calculations, using the Allinger MMP1 program. Barriers estimated experimentally are compared with results from other systems found in the literature.     

The effect of water content on the ultimate properties of rubbery nanocomposite gels

An investigation was conducted into the effects of water content (R) on the ultimate tensile properties of nanocomposite hydrogels (NC gels) based on poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)/clay networks. Rubbery NC gels with low clay contents (<NC10) exhibited unique changes in their stress–strain curves, depending on the R. At high R, where PNIPA chains are fully hydrated, NC gels retained their rubbery tensile properties, whereas they changed to exhibit plastic‐like deformations with decreasing R. Consequently, for a series of NC gels with different R, a failure envelope was obtained by connecting the rupture points in the stress–strain curves. Here, the counterclockwise movement was observed as either the R decreased or the strain rate increased. This seemed to be analogous to that of a conventional elastomer (e.g., SBR), although the mechanisms are different in the two cases. From the R and C_clay dependences of the ultimate properties, three critical values of R were defined, where R showed a maximum strain at break, a steep increase in initial modulus, and onset of brittle fracture. Compared with NC gels, OR gels (chemically crosslinked hydrogels) showed similar but very small changes in their stress–strain curves on altering R, whereas LR (viscous PNIPA solution) showed a monotonic decrease (increase) in ε_b (E_i) with decreasing R. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 2328–2340, 2009     

Couplages J des groupes méthyle dans les phényltriméthylsilanes p-substitués: Effets de solvants

The J coupling constants of a series of p-substituted phenyltrimethylsilanes were measured in CH₂Cl₂ and CCl₄ solutions. The solvent effect is discussed; it is too large to allow any straightward conclusion on ring-substituent interaction.     

Thermisches Verhalten und Kristallstruktur von YAl3Cl12

Thermal Behaviour and Crystal Structure of YAl₃Cl₁₂ We determined the thermodynamic data of YAl₃Cl₁₂ ΔH = ?739.9 ± 3 kcal/mol and S = 136.1 ± 4 cal/K · mol by total pressure measurements and ΔH = ?739.1 ± 1.6 kcal/mol by solution calorimetry. Using DTA-investigations we established the phase diagram in the system AlCl₃–YCl₃. The crystal structure was refined on the basis of single crystal data (P3₁ 12; Z = 3; a = 1 046.8(2); c = 1 562.3(3) pm).     

Small Molecule Activation by POCOP‐Nickel Complexes

This contribution describes the reactivities of CO₂, CO, O₂, and ArNC with the pincer‐type complexes [(κ^P,κ^C,κ^P′‐POCOP)NiX] (POCOP=(R₂POCH₂)₂CH; R=iPr; X=OSiMe₃, NArH; Ar=2,6‐iPr₂C₆H₃). Reaction of the amido derivative with CO₂ and CO leads to a simple insertion into the Ni?N bond to give stable carbamate and carbamoyl derivatives, respectively, the pincer ligand backbone remaining intact in both cases. In contrast, the analogous reactions with the siloxide derivative produced kinetically labile insertion products that either revert to the starting material (in the case of CO₂) or react further to give the mixed‐valent, dinickel species [(POCOP)Ni^II{μ,κ^O,κ^P,κ^P′‐OCOCH(CH₂CH₂OPR₂)₂}Ni⁰(CO)₂]. The zero‐valent center in the latter compound is ligated by a new ligand arising from transformation of the POCOP ligand backbone. The carbonylation and carboxylation of the siloxido derivative also produced minor quantities of a side‐product identified as the trinickel species, [{(η³‐allyl)Ni(μ^O,κ^P‐R₂PO)₂}₂Ni], arising from total dismantling of the POCOP ligand. Similar reactivities were observed with isonitrile, ArNC: reaction with the siloxido derivative resulted in a complex sequence of steps involving initial insertion, a 1,3‐hydrogen shift, and an Arbuzov rearrangement to give [Ni(CNAr)₄] and a methacrylamide based on fragments of the POCOP ligand. Oxygenation of the amido and siloxido derivatives led to the phosphinate derivative, [(POCOP)Ni(OP(O)R₂)], arising from oxidative transformation of the original ligand frame; the reaction with the Ni‐NHAr derivative also gave ArHNP(O)R₂ through a complex N?P bond‐forming reaction.     

Key counter ion parameters governing polluted nafion membrane properties

Some properties of perfluorosulphonated ionomer membranes contaminated by a series of 10 counter ions were investigated by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis coupled to mass spectroscopy (TG‐MS), and dynamic mechanical spectrometry (DMA). Distinctive parameters were extracted and regarded as a function of the cations' properties. An optimum interaction between sulfonate group and cation was found for cations with Lewis Acid Strength (LAS) in the 0.2–0.3 range. This critical value is found to be the Lewis Basic Strength (LBS‐) of the sulfonate anion in Nafion membrane. Thermal stability analyses also point out the influence of this cation parameter on the polymer degradation process. Cations with LAS values lower than LBS‐ improve the thermal stability of the side chains while cations with LAS values higher than LBS‐ enhance the thermal degradation. Moreover, the temperature of the modulus drop increases with the LAS of the counter ion. For cations with values lower 0.5, the transition is attributed to the glass relaxation of the polymer while for cations showing LAS values higher than 0.5, the loss of stiffness originates from the polymer thermal degradation process. The overview of the experimental data allows the definition of calibration curves as a function of the cations' LAS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 47: 1381–1392, 2009     

Synthesis and Characterization of a Family of POCOP Pincer Complexes with Nickel: Reactivity Towards CO2 and Phenylacetylene

A cyclohexyl‐based POCOP pincer ligand (POCOP=cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphinito)cyclohexyl) cyclometalates with nickel to generate a series of new POCOP‐supported Ni^II complexes, including the halide, hydride, methyl, and phenyl species. trans‐[NiCl{cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphinito)cyclohexane}], [(POCOP)NiCl] ( 1 a ) and the analogous bromide complex ( 1 b ) were synthesized and fully characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry measurements of 1 a and 1 b alongside their bis(phosphine) analogues [(PCP)NiCl] ( 2 a ) and [(PCP)NiCl] ( 2 a ) (PCP=cis‐1,3‐bis(di‐tert‐butylphosphino)cyclohexyl) indicate a reduced electron density at the metal center upon introducing electron‐withdrawing oxygen atoms in the pincer arms. The methyl [(POCOP)NiMe] ( 3 ) and phenyl [(POCOP)NiPh] ( 4 ) complexes were formed from 1 a by reaction with the corresponding organolithium reagents. 1 a also reacts with LiAlH₄ to give the hydride complex [(POCOP)NiH] ( 5 ). The methyl complex 3 reacts with phenyl acetylene to give the acetylide complex [(POCOP)NiCCPh] ( 6 ). The reactivity of compounds 3 – 5 towards CO₂ was studied. The hydride complex 5 and the methyl complex 3 both underwent CO₂ insertion to form the formate species [(POCOP)NiOCOH] ( 7 ) and acetate species [(POCOP)NiOCOCH₃] ( 8 ), respectively, although with a higher barrier of insertion in the latter case. Compound 4 was unreactive towards CO₂ even at elevated temperatures. Complexes 3 – 8 were all characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography.     

CO2‐promoted Water‐medium Ullmann Reaction over a Pd/Phenyl‐SBA‐15 Mesoporous Catalyst

Water‐medium Ullmann reaction was carried out in CO₂ atmosphere over the mesoporous Pd/Ph‐SBA‐15 catalyst exhibiting high activity and selectivity owing to the uniform dispersion of Pd particles and hydrophobilic mesoporous channels which facilitate the diffusion and adsorption of organic molecules, especially in an aqueous medium. The CO₂ also shows promoting effect on activity and selectivity, which could be understood by considering the role of H⁺ in the mechanism of Ullmann reaction. The optimum Ph‐Ph yield (84.0%) was obtained at p=0.8 MPa and V=6.0 mL and could remain almost unchanged even after the catalyst has been used repetitively for 5 times.     

The complexing of polymetaphosphate anions with calcium cations: A potentiometric (pCa) study

Calcium cation complexing by polymetaphosphate anions was studied by direct potentiometric measurements with a calcium-ion-sensitive electrode. The moderately stable neutral chelate (Ca₂P₄O)_n is formed in (CaP₂O₆)_n solutions according to the equilibria logK₁₂ values for complexing with polyanions of M_av ? 1200 and 2500 (at C = 0.0003_M) were 5.86 and 6.26, respectively; the K₁₂ values then decreased with increasing polyanion concentration and were reduced by addition of equivalent sodium chloride. The very stable chelate anion (CaP₄O)_n is then formed in (Na₂CaP₄O₁₂)_n solutions according to the equilibrium logK₁₄ values for complexing with polyanions of M_av ? 1200 and 2500 (at C = 0.0003_M) were 7.48 and 8.08, respectively; these K₁₄ values also decreased with polyanion concentration. A less stable complex anion (CaP₆O)_n is formed in more concentrated solutions at PO₃/Ca ratios > 6.     

The First Lutetacyclopentadienes: Synthesis,Structure, and Diversified Insertion/CH Activation Reactivity

The first well‐defined lutetacyclopentadienes are synthesised from pentamethylcyclopentadienyl lithium (Cp*Li), 1,4‐dilithio‐1,3‐butadienes, and LuCl₃. The lutetacyclopentadiene shows excellent reactivity towards some small molecules, such as pivalaldehyde, Se, carbon dioxide, and isonitrile to efficiently construct 3‐, 5‐, 7‐, 8‐, and 9‐membered rare‐earth metallacycles. Both monoinsertion and double‐insertion of two Lu?C bonds are observed. Specially, the reaction between lutetacyclopentadiene and isonitrile afforded [3,5,5]‐fused metallacycles. The distinguished reactivity can be attributed to the highly ionic character and the cooperative reactivity of two Lu?C bonds.     

Generalized statistical gelation theory

Gel points in random polymerizations of the general type Σ_iRA + Σ_jRB in which A-groups react with A- and B-groups, and B-groups react only with A-groups are considered. (The symbols Σ_i and Σ_i signify that the A- and B-bearing reactants RA and RB can be mixtures of monomers of different functionalities, denoted generally as f_ai and f_bj.) The usual case of A-groups reacting only with B-groups is a special case of the present theory. The effects of chemical kinetics, the competitive reaction of A- and B-groups, are separated from the generalized statistical condition for gelation. The former are used to define reaction curves and the latter, gelation curves. Both types of curve are represented as p_a as a function of p_b. For a given polymerization, gelation occurs when the reaction curve and the gelation curve intersect. When A-groups react only with B-groups, the gel points are those for the usual type of Σ_iRA + Σ_jRB polymerization, and, in the limit of A-groups only reacting with A-groups, the gel points are those for Σ_iRA self polymerizations.