Application of Brønsted-type LFER in the study of the phospholipase C mechanism

Phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C cleaves the phosphodiester bond of phosphatidylinositol to form inositol 1,2-cyclic phosphate and diacylglycerol. This enzyme also accepts a variety of alkyl and aryl inositol phosphates as substrates, making it a suitable model enzyme for studying mechanism of phosphoryl transfer by probing the linear free-energy relationship (LFER). In this work, we conducted a study of Br?nsted-type relationship (log k = beta(lg) pK(a) + C) to compare mechanisms of enzymatic and nonenzymatic reactions, confirm the earlier proposed mechanism, and assess further the role of hydrophobicity in the leaving group as a general acid-enabling factor. The observation of the high negative Br?nsted coefficients for both nonenzymatic (beta(lg) = -0.65 to -0.73) and enzymatic cleavage of aryl and nonhydrophobic alkyl inositol phosphates (beta(lg) = -0.58) indicates that these reactions involve only weak general acid catalysis. In contrast, the enzymatic cleavage of hydrophobic alkyl inositol phosphates showed low negative Br?nsted coefficient (beta(lg) = -0.12), indicating a small amount of the negative charge on the leaving group and efficient general acid catalysis. Overall, our results firmly support the previously postulated mechanism where hydrophobic interactions between the enzyme and remote parts of the leaving group induce an unprecedented negative-charge stabilization on the leaving group in the transition state.     

A simple DNase model system comprising a dinuclear Zn(II) complex in methanol accelerates the cleavage of a series of methyl aryl phosphate diesters by 10(11)-10(13)

The di-Zn(II) complex of 1,3-bis[ N1, N1'-(1,5,9-triazacyclododecyl)]propane with an associated methoxide ( 3:Zn(II) 2: (-)OCH 3) was prepared and its catalysis of the methanolysis of a series of fourteen methyl aryl phosphate diesters ( 6) was studied at s (s)pH 9.8 in methanol at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. Plots of k obs vs [ 3:Zn(II) 2: (-)OCH 3] free for all members of 6 show saturation behavior from which K(M) and kcat (max) were determined. The second order rate constants for the catalyzed reactions (kcat (max)/K(M)) for each substrate are larger than the corresponding methoxide catalyzed reaction (k 2 (-OMe)) by 1.4 x 10(8) to 3 x 10 (9)-fold. The values of k cat (max) for all members of 6 are between 4 x 10(11) and 3 x 10(13) times larger than the solution reaction at s (s)pH 9.8, with the largest accelerations being given for substrates where the departing aryloxy unit contains ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups. Based on the linear Br?nsted plots of k cat (max) vs s (s)pKa of the phenol, beta lg values of -0.57 and -0.34 are determined respectively for the catalyzed methanolysis of "regular" substrates that do not contain the ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups, and those substrates that do. The data are consistent with a two step mechanism for the catalyzed reaction with rate limiting formation of a catalyst-coordinated phosphorane intermediate, followed by fast loss of the aryloxy leaving group. A detailed energetics calculation indicates that the catalyst binds the transition state comprising [CH 3O (-): 6], giving a hypothetical [ 3:Zn(II) 2:CH 3O (-): 6] complex, by -21.4 to -24.5 kcal/mol, with the strongest binding being for those substrates having the ortho-NO 2 or C(O)OCH 3 groups.     

Study on the transesterification of methyl aryl phosphorothioates in methanol promoted by Cd(II), Mn(II), and a synthetic Pd(II) complex

Methanol solutions containing Cd(II), Mn(II), and a palladacycle, (dimethanol bis(N,N-dimethylbenzylamine-2C,N)palladium(II) (3), are shown to promote the methanolytic transesterification of O-methyl O-4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate (2b) at 25 °C with impressive rate accelerations of 10(6)-10(11) over the background methoxide promoted reaction. A detailed mechanistic investigation of the methanolytic cleavage of 2a-d having various leaving group aryl substitutions, and particularly the 4-nitrophenyl derivative (2b), catalyzed by Pd-complex 3 is presented. Plots of k(obs) versus palladacycle [3] demonstrate strong saturation binding to form 2b:3. Numerical fits of the kinetic data to a universal binding equation provide binding constants, K(b), and first order catalytic rate constants for the methanolysis reaction of the 2b:3 complex (k(cat)) which, when corrected for buffer effects, give corrected (k(cat)(corr)) rate constants. A sigmoidal shaped plot of log(k(cat)(corr)) versus (s)(s)pH (in methanol) for the cleavage of 2b displays a broad (s)(s)pH independent region from 5.6 ≤ (s)(s)pH ≤ 10 with a k(minimum) = (1.45 ± 0.24) × 10(-2) s(-1) and a [lyoxide] dependent wing plateauing above a kinetically determined (s)(s)pK(a) of 12.71 ± 0.17 to give a k(maximum) = 7.1 ± 1.7 s(-1). Br?nsted plots were constructed for reaction of 2a-d at (s)(s)pH 8.7 and 14.1, corresponding to reaction in the midpoints of the low and high (s)(s)pH plateaus. The Br?nsted coefficients (β(LG)) are computed as -0.01 ± 0.03 and -0.86 ± 0.004 at low and high (s)(s)pH, respectively. In the low (s)(s)pH plateau, and under conditions of saturating 3, a solvent deuterium kinetic isotope effect of k(H)/k(D) = 1.17 ± 0.08 is observed; activation parameters (ΔH(Pd)(++) = 14.0 ± 0.6 kcal/mol and ΔS(Pd)(++)= -20 ± 2 cal/mol·K) were obtained for the 3-catalyzed cleavage reaction of 2b. Possible mechanisms are discussed for the reactions catalyzed by 3 at low and high sspH. This catalytic system is shown to promote the methanolytic cleavage of O,O-dimethyl phosphorothioate in CD3OD, producing (CD3O)2P═O(S(-)) with a half time for reaction of 34 min.     

A concerted mechanism for the transfer of the thiophosphinoyl group from aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters to oxyanionic nucleophiles in aqueous solution

Earlier work on the hydrolysis of aryl phosphinothioate esters has led to contradictory mechanistic conclusions. To resolve this mechanistic ambiguity, we have measured linear free energy relationships (beta(nuc) and beta(lg)) and kinetic isotope effects for the reactions of oxyanions with aryl dimethylphosphinothioates. For the attack of nucleophiles on 4-nitrophenyl dimethylphosphinothioate, beta(nuc) = 0.47 +/- 0.05 for phenoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) < 11) and beta(nuc) = 0.08 +/- 0.01 for hydroxide and alkoxide nucleophiles (pK(a) >or= 11). Linearity of the plot in the range that straddles the pK(a) of the leaving group (4-nitrophenoxide, pK(a) 7.14) is indicative of a concerted mechanism. The much lower value of beta(nuc) for the more basic nucleophiles reveals the importance of a desolvation step prior to rate-limiting nucleophilic attack. The reactions of a series of substituted aryl dimethylphosphinothioate esters give the same value of beta(lg) with the nucleophiles HO(-) (beta= -0.54 +/- 0.03) and PhO(-) (beta = -0.52 +/- 0.09). A significantly better Hammett correlation is obtained with sigma(-) than with sigma or sigma degrees , as expected for a transition state involving rate-limiting cleavage of the P-OAr bond. The (18)O KIE at the position of bond fission ((18)k = 1.0124 +/- 0.0008) indicates the P-O bond is approximately 40% broken, and the (15)N KIE in the leaving group ((15)k = 1.0009 +/- 0.0003) reveals the nucleofuge carries about a third of a negative charge in the transition state. Thus, both the LFER and KIE data are consistent with a concerted reaction and disfavor a stepwise mechanism.     

Elimination reactions of (E)-2,4-dinitrobenzaldehyde O-benzoyloximes promoted by R2NH/R2NH2(+) in 70 mol % MeCN(aq). Change of reaction mechanism

Elimination reactions of (E)-2,4-(NO(2))(2)C(6)H(3)CHNOC(O)C(6)H(4)X (1) promoted by R(2)NH/R(2)NH(2)(+) in 70 mol % MeCN(aq) have been studied kinetically. The reactions are second-order and exhibit Bronsted beta = 0.27-0.32 and |beta(lg)| = 0.28-0.32. The result can be described by a negligible p(xy) interaction coefficient, p(xy) = partial differential beta/partial differential pK(lg) = partial differential beta(lg)/partial differential pK(BH) approximately = 0, which describes the interaction between the base catalyst and the leaving group. The negligible p(xy) coefficients are consistent with the (E1cb)(irr) mechanism.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the pyridinolysis of S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-substituted thiobenzoates

[reaction: see text] The reactions of S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-methyl (1), S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-H (2), S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-chloro (3), and S-2,4-dinitrophenyl 4-nitro (4) thiobenzoates with a structurally homogeneous series of pyridines are subjected to a kinetic investigation in 44 wt % ethanol-water, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions are studied spectrophotometrically (420 nm) by monitoring the appearance of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate anion. Pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are obtained for all the reactions, employing excess of amine. The plots of k(obsd) vs [free pyridine] at constant pH are linear with the slopes (k(N)) independent of pH. The Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N) vs pK(a) of the conjugate acid of the pyridines) are curved for all the reactions. The Br?nsted curves are in accordance with stepwise mechanisms, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)), and a change in the rate-limiting step. An equation based on this hypothesis accounts well for the experimental points. The Br?nsted lines were calculated with the following parameters: Reactions of thiolbenzoate 1: beta(1) 0.33 (slope at high pK(a)), beta(2) 0.95 (slope at low pK(a)), and pK(a)(0) = 8.5 (pK(a) at the curvature center); thiolbenzoate 2: beta(1) 0.30, beta(2) 0.88, and pK(a)(0) = 8.9; thiolbenzoate 3: beta(1) 0.33, beta(2) 0.89, and pK(a)(0) = 9.5; thiolbenzoate 4: beta(1) 0.21, beta(2) 0.97, and pK(a)(0) = 9.9. The increase of the pK(a)(0) value with the increase of the electron-withdrawing effect of the acyl substituent is explained by the argument that the rate of pyridine expulsion from T(+/-) (k(-)(1)) is favored over that of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate leaving (k(2)), i.e., k(-)(1)/k(2) increases, as the acyl group becomes more electron withdrawing. The pK(a)(0) values for the title reactions are smaller than those for the reactions of the corresponding 4-nitrophenyl 4-substituted thiolbenzoates with the same pyridine series. This is explained by the larger k(2) value for 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate leaving from T(+/-) compared with 4-nitrobenzenethiolate, which results in lower k(-)(1)/k(2) ratios for the dinitro derivatives. The pK(a)(0) value obtained for the pyridinolysis of thiolbenzoate 2 (pK(a)(0) = 8.9) is smaller than that found for the same aminolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (pK(a)(0) = 9.5). This is attributed to the greater nucleofugality from T(+/-) of 2,4-dinitrobenzenethiolate (pK(a) of conjugate acid 3.4) relative to 2,4-dinitrophenoxide (pK(a) of conjugate acid 4.1). The title reactions are also compared with the aminolysis of similar esters to assess the effect of the amine nature and leaving and acyl groups on the kinetics and mechanism.     

Solution studies of dinuclear polyamine-linked platinum-based antitumour complexes

The aquation profiles of two novel dinuclear polyamine-linked, platinum-based antitumour complexes [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](3+) (BBR3007, 1,1/t,t-6,6, 1) and [{trans-PtCl((15)NH(3))(2)}(2){μ-((15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(2)(15)NH(2)(CH(2))(6)(15)NH(2))}](4+) (BBR3610, 1,1/t,t-6,2,6, 1') have been probed using 2D [(1)H, (15)N] HSQC NMR spectroscopy. Reported herein are the rate constants for the hydrolysis of 1 and 1', as well as the acid dissociation constants of the coordinated aqua ligands in their aquated derivatives. The aquation and anation rate constants for the single step aquation model in 15 mM NaClO(4) (pH 5.4) at 298 K are, for 1, k(1) = 7.2 ± 0.1 ×10(-5) s(-1), k(-1) = 0.096 ± 0.002 M(-1) s(-1) and, for 1', k(1) = 4.0 ± 0.2 × 10(-5) s(-1), k(-1) = 1.4 ± 0.1 M(-1) s(-1). The effect of the linker backbone (Pt(tetra(m)mine vs. polyamine) was evaluated by comparison with previous data for the trinuclear complex [{trans-PtCl(NH(3))(2)}(2)(μ-trans-Pt(NH(3))(2){NH(2)(CH(2))(6)NH(2)}(2))](4+) (1,0,1/t,t,t or BBR3464). The pK(1) for 1,0,1/t,t,t (3.44) is closest to that of 1 (3.12), while the pronounced difference for 1' (4.54), means that 1' is the least aquated of the three complexes at equilibrium. pK(a) values of 5.92 were calculated for the aquated forms of both 1 and 1', which are 0.3 pK units higher than for either 1,0,1/t,t,t, or the dinuclear 1,1/t,t. The higher pK(a) values for both polyamine-linked compounds may be attributed to the formation of macrochelates between the central NH(2) groups and the {PtN(3)O} coordination sphere of the aquated species.     

Mechanistic and computational study of a palladacycle-catalyzed decomposition of a series of neutral phosphorothioate triesters in methanol

The methanolytic cleavage of a series of O,O-dimethyl O-aryl phosphorothioates (1a?g) catalyzed by a C,N-palladacycle, (2-[N,N-dimethylamino(methyl)phenyl]-C1,N)(pyridine) palladium(II) triflate (3), at 25 °C and sspH 11.7 in methanol is reported, along with data for the methanolytic cleavage of 1a?g. The methoxide reaction gives a linear log k2?OMe vs sspKa (phenol leaving group) Br?nsted plot having a gradient of βlg = ?0.47 ± 0.03, suggesting about 34% cleavage of the P?OAr bond in the transition state. On the other hand, the 3-catalyzed cleavage of 1 gives a Br?nsted plot with a downward break at sspKa (phenol) 13, signifying a change in the rate-limiting step in the catalyzed reaction, with the two wings having βlg values of 0.0 ± 0.03 and ?1.93 ± 0.06. The rate-limiting step for good substrates with low leaving group sspKa values is proposed to be substrate/pyridine exchange on the palladacycle, while for substrates with poor leaving groups, the rate-limiting step is a chemical one with extensive cleavage of the P?OAr bond. DFT calculations support this process and also identify two intermediates, namely, one where substrate/pyridine interchange has occurred to give the palladacycle coordinated to substrate through the S═P linkage and to methoxide (6) and another where intramolecular methoxide attack has occurred on the P═S unit to give a five-coordinate phosphorane (7) doubly coordinated to Pd via the S? and through a bridging methoxide linked to P and Pd. Attempts to identify the existence of the phosphorane by 31P NMR in a d4-methanol solution containing 10 mM each of 3, trimethyl phosphorothioate (a very slow cleaving substrate), and methoxide proved unsuccessful, instead showing that the phosphorothioate was slowly converted to trimethyl phosphate, with the palladacycle decomposing to Pd0 and free pyridine. These results provide the first reported example where a palladacycle-promoted solvolysis reaction exhibits a break in the Br?nsted plot signifying at least one intermediate, while the DFT calculations provide further insight into a more complex mechanism involving two intermediates.     

Physical organic chemistry of transition metal carbene complexes. 25. Kinetic and thermodynamic acidities of substituted (methylthiophenylcarbene)pentacarbonyl tungsten(0) and (Benzoxymethylcarbene)pentacarbonyl tungsten(0) in aqueous acetonitrile. Evidence for transition state imbalances

A kinetic study of the reversible deprotonation of substituted (methylthiophenylcarbene)pentacarbonyltungsten(0) ((CO)(5)W=C(SC(6)H(4)Z)CH(3)) and of substituted (benzoxymethylcarbene)pentacarbonyltungsten(0) ((CO)(5)W=C(OCH(2)C(6)H(4)Z)CH(3)) by primary aliphatic and secondary alicyclic amines in 50% MeCN-50% water (v/v) at 25 degrees C is reported. From the dependence of the deprotonation rate constants on amine basicity and on carbene complex acidity (variation of Z), Br?nsted beta(B) and alpha(CH) values, respectively, were obtained. The alpha(CH) values were found to be smaller than the beta(B) values. These results indicate a transition state imbalance in which the loss of the carbene complex stabilizing pi-donor effect of the OCH(2)Ar and SAr groups lags behind the proton transfer. These findings confirm a previously formulated hypothesis as to how pi-donor groups attached to the carbene carbon of carbene complexes can affect transition state imbalances and mask the experimental manifestation of such imbalances. It is also shown that the transition state structure of the reactions examined in this work is subject to changes with changing amine basicity and carbene complex acidity; these changes can be expressed by p(xy)() cross correlation coefficients, which are positive.     

Ketene-forming eliminations from aryl bis(4'-chlorophenyl)acetates promoted by R2NH-R2NH2+ in aqueous MeCN. Change of mechanism

Elimination reactions of (4'-ClC6H4)2CHCO2C6H3-2-X-4-NO2 promoted by R2NH-R2NH2+ in 70 mol% MeCN (aq.) have been studied kinetically. The reactions are second-order and exhibit Br?nsted beta = 0.44-0.86 and /beta(lg)/ = 0.41-0.71. The Br?nsted beta decreased with a poorer leaving group and /beta(lg)/ increased with a weaker base. The results are consistent with an E2 mechanism. When X=H, the reaction proceeded by the concurrent E2 and Elcb mechanism.     

Gold nanoparticles generated by thermolysis of "all-in-one" gold(I) carboxylate complexes

Consecutive synthesis methodologies for the preparation of the gold(I) carboxylates [(Ph(3)P)AuO(2)CCH(2)(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)OCH(3)] (n = 0-6) (6a-g) are reported, whereby selective mono-alkylation of diols HO(CH(2)CH(2)O)(n)H (n = 0-6), Williamson ether synthesis and metal carboxylate (Ag, Au) formation are the key steps. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of 6a (n = 0) and 6b (n = 1) were carried out showing that the P-Au-O unit is essentially linear. These compounds were applied in the formation of gold nanoparticles (NP) by a thermally induced decomposition process and hence the addition of any further stabilizing and reducing reagents, respectively, is not required. The ethylene glycol functionalities, providing multiple donating capabilities, are able to stabilise the encapsulated gold colloids. The dependency of concentration, generation time and ethylene glycol chain lengths on the NP size and size distribution is discussed. Characterisation of the gold colloids was performed by TEM, UV/Vis spectroscopy and electron diffraction studies revealing that Au NP are formed with a size of 3.3 (±0.6) to 6.5 (±0.9) nm in p-xylene with a sharp size distribution. Additionally, a decomposition mechanism determined by TG-MS coupling experiments of the gold(i) precursors is reported showing that 1(st) decarboxylation occurs followed by the cleavage of the Au-PPh(3) bond and finally release of ethylene glycol fragments to give Au-NP and the appropriate organics.     

Mechanistic studies of La3+- and Zn2+-catalyzed methanolysis of aryl phosphate and phosphorothioate triesters. Development of artificial phosphotriesterase systems

The methanolyses of a series of O,O-diethyl O-aryl phosphates (2,5) and O,O-diethyl S-aryl phosphorothioates (6) promoted by methoxide and two metal ion systems, (La3+)2(-OCH3)2 and 4:Zn2+:-OCH3 (4 = 1,5,9-triazacyclododecane) has been studied in methanol at 25 degrees C. Br?nsted plots of the logk2 values vs. pKa for the phenol leaving groups give beta(lg) values of -0.70, -1.43 and -1.12 for the methanolysis of the phosphates and -0.63, -0.87 and -0.74 for the methanolysis of the phosphorothioates promoted by the methoxide, La3+ and Zn2+ systems respectively. The kinetic data for the metal-catalyzed reactions are analyzed in terms of a common mechanism where there is extensive cleavage of the P-XAr bond in the rate-limiting transition state. The relevance of these findings to the mechanism of action of the phosphotriesterase enzyme is discussed.     

The first complete identification of a diastereomeric catalyst-substrate (alkoxide) species in an enantioselective ketone hydrogenation. Mechanistic investigations

The enantioselective hydrogenations of the dialkyl 3,3-dimethyloxaloacetate ketone substrates (2, 3, and 4; alkyl = Me, (i)Pr, and (t)Bu, respectively) were catalyzed by [Ru((R)-BINAP)(H)(MeCN)(n)(sol)(3-n)](BF(4)) (1, n = 0-3, sol = THF or MeOH, (R)-BINAP = (R)-2,2'-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1'-binaphthyl) in up to 82% ee (R). Reaction of the active catalyst 1 with 1 equiv of substrate (2, 3, or 4) in THF or MeOH solution formed the diastereomeric catalyst-alkoxide complexes [Ru((R)-BINAP)(MeCN)(OCH(CO(2)R)-(C(CH(3))(2)CO(2)R))](BF(4)) (5/6 R = Me, 8/9 R = (i)Pr, and 10 R = (t)Bu, respectively) via hydride addition to the ketone carbonyl carbon and ruthenium addition to oxygen. The absolute configurations at the alkoxide groups ((R)- for the major diastereomers 5, 8, and 10) were determined via cleavage of the ruthenium-alkoxide bond with 1 equiv of HBF(4).OEt(2). The solution structures of the major diastereomer catalyst-alkoxide complexes (5, 8, and 10) were unambiguously determined by variable-temperature NMR spectroscopy. The major diastereomers (5, 8, and 10) had the same absolute configuration as the major product enantiomers from the catalytic hydrogenation of 2, 3, and 4 with 1 as catalyst. The ratio of major to minor alkoxide diastereomers was similar to the ee of the catalytic hydrogenation. The catalyst-alkoxide complexes are formed at temperatures as low as -30 degrees C with no other precursors or intermediates observed by NMR showing that ketone-hydride insertion is likely not the turnover limiting step of the catalytic hydrogenation. Results from the stoichiometric hydrogenolysis of 5/6, 8/9, or 10 indicate that their formation is rapid and only partially reversible prior to the irreversible hydrogenolysis of the ruthenium-oxygen bond. The stereoselectivities of the formation and hydrogenolysis of 5/6, 8/9, and 10 sum up to equal the stereoselectivities of the respective catalytic hydrogenations of 2, 3, and 4. The rates of the hydrogenolysis were consistent with these diastereomers being true catalytic intermediates.     

Mapping the synthesis of low nuclearity polyoxometalates from octamolybdates to Mn-Anderson clusters

A comprehensive study of the isomer-independent synthesis of TRIS ((HOCH(2))(3)CNH(2)) Mn-Anderson compounds from Na(2)MoO(4)·2H(2)O, via the corresponding octamolybdate species, is presented. Three octamolybdate salts of [Mo(8)O(26)](4-) in the β-isomer form, with tetramethylammonium (TMA), tetraethylammonium (TEA) and tetrapropylammonium (TPA) as the counter cation, were synthesised from the sodium molybdate starting material. Fine white powdery products for the three compounds were obtained, which were fully characterised by elemental analysis, TGA, solution and solid state Raman, IR and ESI-MS, revealing a set ratio of Na and organic cations for each of the three compounds; (TMA)(2)Na(2)[Mo(8)O(26)] (1), (TEA)(3)Na(1)[Mo(8)O(26)] (2) and (TPA)(2)Na(2)[Mo(8)O(26)] (3), and the analyses also confirmed that the three compounds all consisted of the octamolybdate in the β-isomeric form. ESI-MS analyses of 1, 2 and 3 show similar fragmentation for these β-isomers compared to the previously reported study for the α-isomer ((TBA)(4)[α-Mo(8)O(26)]) (A) in the synthesis of ((TBA)(3)[MnMo(6)O(18)((OCH(2))(3)CNH(2))(2)]) (B), and compounds 1, 2 and 3 were successfully used to synthesise equivalent TRIS Mn-Anderson compounds: (TMA)(3)[MnMo(6)O(18)((OCH(2))(3)CNH(2))(2)] (4), (TEA)(3)[MnMo(6)O(18)((OCH(2))(3)CNH(2))(2)] (5) and (TPA)(2)Na(1)[MnMo(6)O(18)((OCH(2))(3)CNH(2))(2)] (6), as well as Na(3)[MnMo(6)O(18)((OCH(2))(3)CNH(2))(2)] (7). This is the first example where symmetric organically-grafted Mn-Anderson compounds have been synthesised in DMF from anything but the {Mo(8)O(26)} α-isomer.     

Mechanistic study of protein phosphatase-1 (PP1), a catalytically promiscuous enzyme

The reaction catalyzed by the protein phosphatase-1 (PP1) has been examined by linear free energy relationships and kinetic isotope effects. With the substrate 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (4NPP), the reaction exhibits a bell-shaped pH-rate profile for kcat/KM indicative of catalysis by both acidic and basic residues, with kinetic pKa values of 6.0 and 7.2. The enzymatic hydrolysis of a series of aryl monoester substrates yields a Br?nsted beta(lg) of -0.32, considerably less negative than that of the uncatalyzed hydrolysis of monoester dianions (-1.23). Kinetic isotope effects in the leaving group with the substrate 4NPP are (18)(V/K) bridge = 1.0170 and (15)(V/K) = 1.0010, which, compared against other enzymatic KIEs with and without general acid catalysis, are consistent with a loose transition state with partial neutralization of the leaving group. PP1 also efficiently catalyzes the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl methylphosphonate (4NPMP). The enzymatic hydrolysis of a series of aryl methylphosphonate substrates yields a Br?nsted beta(lg) of -0.30, smaller than the alkaline hydrolysis (-0.69) and similar to the beta(lg) measured for monoester substrates, indicative of similar transition states. The KIEs and the beta(lg) data point to a transition state for the alkaline hydrolysis of 4NPMP that is similar to that of diesters with the same leaving group. For the enzymatic reaction of 4NPMP, the KIEs are indicative of a transition state that is somewhat looser than the alkaline hydrolysis reaction and similar to the PP1-catalyzed monoester reaction. The data cumulatively point to enzymatic transition states for aryl phosphate monoester and aryl methylphosphonate hydrolysis reactions that are much more similar to one another than the nonenzymatic hydrolysis reactions of the two substrates.     

Kinetic investigation of the reactions of S-4-nitrophenyl 4-substituted thiobenzoates with secondary alicyclic amines in aqueous ethanol

The reactions of S-4-nitrophenyl 4-X-substituted thiobenzoates (X = H, Cl, and NO(2): 1, 2, and 3, respectively) with a series of secondary alicyclic amines (SAA) were subjected to a kinetic investigation in 44 wt % ethanol-water, at 25.0 degrees C and an ionic strength of 0.2 M (KCl). The reactions were followed spectrophotometrically by monitoring the release of 4-nitrobenzenethiolate anion at 420-425 nm. Under excess amine, pseudo-first-order rate constants (k(obsd)) are obtained for all reactions. The plots of k(obsd) vs [SAA] at constant pH are linear with the slope (k(N)) independent of pH. The statistically corrected Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N)/q vs pK(a) + log p/q) for the reactions of 1 and 2 are nonlinear with slopes at high pK(a), beta(1) = 0.27 and 0.10, respectively, and slopes at low pK(a), beta(2) = 0.86 and 0.84, respectively. The Br?nsted curvature is centered at pK(a) (pK(a)(0)) 10.0 and 10.4, respectively. The reactions of SAA with 3 exhibit a linear Br?nsted-type plot of slope 0.81. These results are consistent with a stepwise mechanism, through a zwitterionic tetrahedral intermediate (T(+/-)). For the reactions of 1 and 2, there is a change in rate-determining step with amine basicity, from T(+/-) breakdown to products at low pK(a), to T(+/-) formation at high pK(a). For the reactions of 3, breakdown to products of T(+/-) is rate limiting for all the SAA series (pK(a)(0) > 11). The increasing pK(a)(0) value as the substituent in the acyl group becomes more electron withdrawing is attributed to an increasing nucleofugality of SAA from T(+/-). The greater pK(a)(0) value for the reactions of SAA with 1, relative to that found in the pyridinolysis of 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (pK(a)(0) = 9.5), is explained by the greater nucleofugality from T(+/-) of the former amines, compared to isobasic pyridines, and the greater leaving ability from T(+/-) of 2,4-dinitrophenoxide relative to 4-nitrobenzenethiolate.     

Lactone enols are stable in the gas phase but highly unstable in solution

2-Hydroxyoxol-2-ene (C(5)-1), the enol tautomer of gamma-butyrolactone, was generated in the gas phase as the first representative of the hitherto elusive class of lactone enols and shown by neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry to be remarkably stable as an isolated species. Ab initio calculations by QCISD(T)/6-311+G(3df,2p) provided the enthalpies of formation, proton affinities, and gas-phase basicities for gaseous lactone enols with four- (C(4)-1), five- (C(5)-1), and six-membered rings (C(6)-1). The acid-base properties of C(4)-C(6) lactones and enols and reference carboxylic acid enols CH(2)=C(OH)(2) (3) and CH(2)=C(OH)OCH(3) (4) were also calculated in aqueous solution. The C(4)-C(6) lactone enols show gas-phase proton affinities in the range of 933-944 kJ mol(-)(1) and acidities in the range of 1401-1458 kJ mol(-)(1). In aqueous solution, the lactone enols are 15-20 orders of magnitude more acidic than the corresponding lactones, with enol pK(a) values increasing from 5.6 (C(4)-1) to 14.5 (C(6)-1). Lactone enols are moderately weak bases in water with pK(BH) in the range of 3.9-8.1, whereas the lactones are extremely weak bases of pK(BH) in the range of -10.5 to -17.4. The acid-base properties of lactone enols point to their high reactivity in protic solvents and explain why no lactone enols have been detected thus far in solution studies.     

Concerted mechanisms of the reactions of methyl aryl carbonates with substituted phenoxide ions

The reactions of 4-nitrophenyl, 2,4-dinitrophenyl, and 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl methyl carbonates (NPC, DNPC, and TNPC, respectively) with substituted phenoxide ions are subjected to a kinetic study in water at 25.0 degrees C, ionic strength 0.2 M (KCl). Production of the leaving groups (the nitro derivatives) is followed spectrophotometrically. Under excess of the phenoxide ions pseudo-first-order rate coefficients (k(obsd)) are found throughout. Plots of k(obsd) vs substituted phenoxide concentration at constant pH are linear, with the slope (k(N)) independent of pH. The Br?nsted-type plots (log k(N) vs pK(a) of the phenols) are linear with slopes beta = 0.67, 0.48, and 0.52 for the phenolysis of NPC, DNPC, and TNPC, respectively. The magnitudes of these Br?nsted slopes are consistent with a concerted mechanism. In the particular case of the phenolysis of NPC the expected hypothetical curvature center of the Br?nsted plot for a stepwise mechanism should be pK(a)(0) = 7.1 (the pK(a) of 4-nitrophenol). This curvature does not appear within the pK(a) range of the substituted phenols studied (5.3--10.3), indicating that these reactions are concerted. The phenolysis of DNPC and TNPC should also be concerted in view of the even more unstable tetrahedral intermediates that would be formed if the reactions were stepwise. The reactions of the same substrates with pyridines are stepwise, which means that substitution of a pyridine moiety in a tetrahedral intermediate by a phenoxy group destabilizes the intermediate perhaps to the point of nonexistence. The k(N) values for the title reactions are larger than those for the concerted phenolysis of the corresponding ethyl S-aryl thiolcarbonates. The k(N) values found in the present reactions are subjected to a dual regression analysis as a function of the pK(a), of both the nucleophile and leaving group, the coefficients being beta(N) = 0.5 and beta(lg) = -0.3, respectively. These coefficients are consistent with a concerted mechanism.     

Transition metal chemistry of cyclodiphosphanes containing phosphine and amide-phosphine functionalities: formation of a stable dipalladium(II) complex containing a Pd-P σ-bond

Cyclodiphosphazanes containing phosphine or phosphine plus amide functionalities {((t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)PPh(2)-o)}(2) (3), {(t)BuNP(OCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))}(2) (4), {(t)BuHN((t)BuNP)(2)OC(6)H(4)PPh(2)-o} (5), and {(t)BuHN((t)BuNP)(2)OCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2)} (6) were synthesized by reacting cis-{(t)BuNPCl}(2) (1) and cis-[(t)BuHN((t)BuNP)(2)Cl] (2) with corresponding phosphine substituted nucleophiles. The reactions of 3 and 5 with excess of elemental sulfur or selenium produce the corresponding tetra and trichalcogenides, {((t)BuNP(E)(OC(6)H(4)P(E)Ph(2)-o)}(2) (7, E = S; 8, E = Se) and {(t)BuHN((t)BuNP)(2)OC(6)H(4)P(E)Ph(2)-o} (9, E = S; 10, E = Se), respectively, in quantitative yields. The reactions between 3 and [Rh(COD)Cl](2) or [M(COD)Cl](2) (M = Pd or Pt) afford bischelated complexes [Rh(CO)Cl{(t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)PPh(2)-o)}](2) (11), and [MCl(2){(t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)PPh(2)-o)}](2) (12, M = Pd; 13, M = Pt) in good yield. The 1 : 2 reaction between 3 and [PdCl(η(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) in dichloromethane resulted initially in the formation of a tripalladium complex of the type [Pd(3)Cl(4)(η(3)-C(3)H(5))(2){(t)BuNPOC(6)H(4)PPh(2)}(2)] (14a) which readily reacts with moisture to form an interesting binuclear complex, [Cl(2)Pd{μ-(PPh(2)C(6)H(4)OP(μ-(t)BuN)(2)P(O)}(μ-Cl)Pd(OC(6)H(4)PPh(2))] (14b). One of the palladium(II) atoms forms a simple six-membered chelate ring, whereas the other palladium(II) atom facilitates the moisture assisted cleavage of one of the endocyclic P-O bonds followed by the oxidation of P(III) to P(V) thus forming a Pd-P σ-bond. The broken ortho-phosphine substituted phenoxide ion forms a five-membered palladacycle with the same palladium(II) atom. Similar reaction of 5 with [PdCl(η(3)-C(3)H(5))](2) also affords a binuclear complex [{PdCl(η(3)-C(3)H(5))}(t)BuNH{(t)BuNP}(2)OC(6)H(4)PPh(2){PdCl(2)}] (15) containing a PdCl(2) moiety which forms a six-membered chelate ring via ring-phosphorus and PPh(2) moieties on one side and a PdCl(η(3)-C(3)H(5)) fragment coordinating to amide bound phosphorus atom on the other side of the ring. Treatment of 3 with four equivalents of AuCl(SMe(2)) produces a tetranuclear complex, [(AuCl)(4){(t)BuNP(OC(6)H(4)PPh(2))}(2)] (16), whereas a 1 : 3 reaction between 5 and AuCl(SMe(2)) leads to the formation of a trinuclear complex, [(t)BuNH{(t)BuNP(AuCl)}(2)OC(6)H(4)P(AuCl)Ph(2)] (17). The crystal structures of 3, 5, 9-11 and 13-17 are reported.     

Alcohol addition to acetonitrile activated by the [Re6(mu3-Se)8]2+ cluster core

The addition of methanol and ethanol to the previously reported cluster solvates [Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5(MeCN)](SbF6)2 and trans-[Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)4(CH3CN)2][SbF6]2 afforded three cluster complexes with imino ester ligands: {Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5[HN=C(OCH3)(CH3)]}(SbF6)2, {Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)5[HN=C(OCH2CH3)(CH3)]}{SbF6}2, and trans-{Re6(mu3-Se)8(PEt3)4[HN=C(OCH3)(CH3)]2}{SbF6}2. In all cases, predominant formation of the Z isomers was observed.