Synthesis, structural characterization, and multifrequency electron paramagnetic resonance studies of mononuclear thiomolybdenyl complexes

Reaction of Tp*MoVSCl2 with a variety of phenols and thiols in the presence of triethylamine produces mononuclear, thiomolybdenyl complexes Tp*MoVSX2 [Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate; X = 2-(ethylthio)phenolate (etp), 2-(n-propyl)phenolate (pp), phenolate; X2 = benzene-1,2-dithiolate (bdt), 4-methylbenzene-1,2-dithiolate (tdt), benzene-1,2-diolate (cat)]. The complexes have been characterized by microanalysis, mass spectrometry, IR, EPR, and UV-visible spectroscopic data, and X-ray crystallography (for the etp, pp, bdt, and cat derivatives). The mononuclear, six-coordinate, distorted-octahedral Mo centers are coordinated by terminal sulfido (MoS = 2.123(1)-2.1368(8) A), tridentate facial Tp*, and monodentate or bidentate O/S-donor ligands. Multifrequency (S-, X-, Q-band) EPR spectra of the complexes and selected molybdenyl analogues were acquired at 130 K and 295 K and yielded a spin Hamiltonian of Cs symmetry or lower, with gzz < gyy < gxx < ge and Az'z' > Ax'x' approximately Ay'y', and a noncoincidence angle in the range of beta = 24-39 degrees . Multifrequency EPR, especially at S-band, was found to be particularly valuable in the unambiguous assignment of the spin Hamiltonian parameters in these low-symmetry complexes. The weaker pi-donor terminal sulfido ligand yields a smaller SOMO-LUMO gap and reduced g-values for the thiomolybdenyl complexes compared with molybdenyl analogues, supporting existing crystallographic and EPR data for an apically coordinated oxo group in the active site of xanthine oxidase.     

Understanding the origin of metal-sulfur vibrations in an oxo-molybdenum dithiolene complex: relevance to sulfite oxidase

X-ray crystallography and resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy have been used to further characterize (Tp*)MoO(qdt) (Tp* is hydrotris(3,5-dimethyl-1-pyrazolyl)borate and qdt is 2,3-quinoxalinedithiolene), which represents an important benchmark oxomolybdenum mono-dithiolene model system relevant to various pyranopterin Mo enzyme active sites, including sulfite oxidase. The compound (Tp*)MoO(qdt) crystallizes in the triclinic space group, P1, where a = 9.8424 (7) A, b = 11.2323 (8) A, c = 11.9408 (8) A, alpha = 92.7560 (10) degrees, beta = 98.9530 (10) degrees, and gamma = 104.1680 (10) degrees. The (Tp*)MoO(qdt) molecule exhibits the distorted six-coordinate geometry characteristic of related oxo-Mo(V) systems possessing a single coordinated dithiolene ligand. The first coordination sphere bond lengths and angles in (Tp*)MoO(qdt) are very similar to the corresponding structural parameters for (Tp*)MoO(bdt) (bdt is 1,2-benzenedithiolene). The relatively small inner-sphere structural variations observed between (Tp*)MoO(qdt) and (Tp*)MoO(bdt) strongly suggest that geometric effects are not a major contributor to the significant electronic structural differences reported for these two oxo-Mo(V) dithiolenes. Therefore, the large differences observed in the reduction potential and first ionization energy between the two molecules appear to derive primarily from differences in the effective nuclear charges of their respective sulfur donors. However, a subtle perturbation to Mo-S bonding is implied by the nonplanarity of the dithiolene chelate ring, which is defined by the fold angle. This angular distortion (theta = 29.5 degrees in (Tp*)MoO(qdt); 21.3 degrees in (Tp*)MoO(bdt)) observed between the MoS2 and S-C=C-S planes may contribute to the electronic structure of these oxo-Mo dithiolene systems by controlling the extent of S p-Mo d orbital overlap. In enzymes, the fold angle may be dynamically modulated by the pyranopterin, thereby functioning as a transducer of vibrational energy associated with protein conformational changes directly to the active site via changes in the fold angle. This process could effectively mediate charge redistribution at the active site during the course of atom- and electron-transfer processes. The rR spectrum shows bands at 348 and 407 cm(-1). From frequency analysis of the normal modes of the model, [(NH3)3MoO(qdt)]1+, using the Gaussian03 suite of programs, these bands are assigned as mixed-mode Mo-S vibrations of the five-membered Mo-ditholene core structure. Raman spectroscopy has also provided additional evidence for an in-plane pseudo-sigma dithiolene S-Mo d(xy) covalent bonding interaction in (Tp*)MoO(qdt) and related oxo-Mo-dithiolenes that has implications for electron-transfer regeneration of the active site in sulfite oxidase involving the pyranopterin dithiolene.     

Synthesis and characterisation of second-generation metallodithiolene complexes of the type [Tp*ME(dithiolene)](M=Mo, W; E=O, S) and a novel 'organoscorpionate' complex of tungsten

Paramagnetic, chalcogenido-M(v) dithiolene complexes, [Tp*ME{S2C2(CO2Me)2}][M=Mo, E=O, S; M=W, E=O, S; Tp*=hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate] are generated in the reactions of dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAC) and the sulfur-rich complexes NEt4[Tp*MoS(S4)] and NEt4[Tp*WS3]; the oxo complexes result from hydrolysis of the initial sulfido products. As well, a novel 'organoscorpionate' complex, [W{S2C2(CO2Me)2}{SC2(CO2Me)2-Tp*}], has been isolated from the reactions of NEt4[Tp*WS3] with excess DMAC. Complexes , and have been isolated and characterised by microanalytical, mass spectrometric, spectroscopic and (for and) X-ray crystallographic techniques. Complexes and have been partially characterised by mass spectrometry and IR and EPR spectroscopy. Six-coordinate, distorted-octahedral contains a terminal sulfido ligand (W=S=2.108(3)A), a bidentate dithiolene ligand (S-Cav=1.758 A, C=C=1.332(10)A) and a fac-tridentate Tp* ligand. Seven-coordinate contains a planar, bidentate dithiolene ligand (S-Cav=1.746 A, C=C=1.359(5)A) and a novel pentadentate 'organoscorpionate' ligand formed by the melding of DMAC, sulfido and trispyrazolylborate units. The latter is coordinated through two pyrazolyl N atoms (kappa2-N,N') and a tridentate kappa3-S,C,C' unit appended to N-beta of the third (uncoordinated) pyrazolyl group. The second-generation [Tp*ME(dithiolene)] complexes represent a refinement on first-generation [Tp*ME(arene-1,2-dithiolate)] complexes and their synthesis affords an opportunity to compare and contrast the electronic structures of true vs. pseudo-dithiolene ligands in otherwise analogous complexes.     

Paramagnetic oxotungsten(V) complexes containing the hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate ligand

Sky-blue Tp*WOCl(2) has been synthesized from the high-yielding reaction of Tp*WO(2)Cl with boron trichloride in refluxing toluene. Dark-red Tp*WOI(2) was prepared via thermal decarbonylation followed by aerial oxidation of Tp*WI(CO)(3) in acetonitrile. From these precursors, an extensive series of mononuclear tungstenyl complexes, Tp*WOXY [X = Cl(-), Y = OPh(-), SPh(-); X = Y = OPh(-), 2-(n-propyl)phenolate (PP(-)), SPh(-), SePh(-); XY = toluene-3,4-dithiolate (tdt(2-)), quinoxaline-2,3-dithiolate (qdt(2-)), benzene-1,2-diselenolate (bds(2-)); Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate], was prepared by metathesis with the respective alkali-metal salt of X(-)/XY(2-) or (NHEt(3))(2)(qdt). The complexes were characterized by microanalysis, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, IR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and electronic absorption spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography (for X = Y = OPh(-), PP(-), SPh(-); XY = bds(2-)). The six-coordinate, distorted-octahedral tungsten centers are coordinated by terminal oxo [W≡O = 1.689(6)-1.704(3) ?], tridentate Tp*, and monodentate or bidentate O/S/Se-donor ligands. Spin Hamiltonian parameters derived from the simulation of fluid-solution X-band EPR spectra revealed that the soft-donor S/Se ligand complexes had larger g values and smaller (183)W hyperfine coupling constants than the less covalent hard-donor O/Cl species. The former showed low-energy ligand-to-metal charge-transfer bands in the near-IR region of their electronic absorption spectra. These oxotungsten(V) complexes display lower reduction potentials than their molybdenum counterparts, underscoring the preference of tungsten for higher oxidation states. Furthermore, the protonation of the pyrazine nitrogen atoms of the qdt(2-) ligand has been examined by spectroelectrochemistry; the product of the one-electron reduction of [Tp*WO(qdtH)](+) revealed usually intense low-energy bands.     

Comparative density-functional study of the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters of amavadin

Electronic g tensors and hyperfine coupling tensors have been calculated for amavadin, an unusual eight-coordinate vanadium(IV) complex isolated from Amanita muscaria mushrooms. Different density-functional methods have been compared, ranging from local via gradient-corrected to hybrid functionals with a variable Hartree-Fock exchange admixture. For both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) properties, hybrid functionals with an appreciable exact-exchange admixture provide the closest agreement with experimental data. Second-order spin-orbit corrections provide non-negligible contributions to the 51V hyperfine tensor. The orientation of g and A tensors relative to each other also depends on spin-orbit corrections to the A tensor. A rationalization for the close resemblance of the EPR parameters of amavadin to those of the structurally rather different vanadyl complexes is provided, based on the nature of the relevant frontier orbitals.     

Synthesis, structure, and properties of low-spin manganese(III)-poly(pyrazolyl)borate complexes

The manganese(III)-bis[poly(pyrazolyl)borate] complexes, Mn(pzb)2SbF6, where pzb- = tetrakis(pyrazolyl)borate (pzTp) (1), hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) (2), or hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate (Tp*) (3), have been synthesized by oxidation of the corresponding Mn(pzb)2 compounds with NOSbF6. The Mn(III) complexes are low-spin in solution and the solid state (microeff = 2.9-3.8 microB). X-ray crystallography confirms their uncommon low-spin character. The close conformity of mean Mn-N distances of 1.974(4), 1.984(5), and 1.996(4) A in 1, 2, and 3, respectively, indicates absence of the characteristic Jahn-Teller distortion of a high-spin d4 center. N-Mn-N bite angles of slightly less than 90 degrees within the facially coordinated pzb- ligands produce a small trigonal distortion and effective D3d symmetry in 1 and 2. These angles increase to 90.0(4)degrees in 3, yielding an almost perfectly octahedral disposition of N donors in Mn(Tp*)2+. Examination of structural data from 23 metal-bis(pzb) complexes reveals systematic changes within the metal-(pyrazolyl)borate framework as the ligand is changed from pzTp to Tp to Tp*. These deformations consist of significant increases in M-N-N, N-B-N, and N-N-B angles and a minimal increase in Mn-N distance as a consequence of the steric demands of the 3-methyl groups. Less effective overlap of pyrazole lone pairs with metal atom orbitals resulting from the M-N-N angular displacement is suggested to contribute to the lower ligand field strength of Tp* complexes. Mn(pzb)2+ complexes undergo electrochemical reduction and oxidation in CH3CN. The electrochemical rate constant (ks,h) for reduction of t2g4 Mn(pzb)2+ to t2g3eg2 Mn(pzb)2 (a coupled electron-transfer and spin-crossover reaction) is 1-2 orders of magnitude smaller than that for oxidation of t2g4 Mn(pzb)2+ to t2g3 Mn(pzb)22+. ks,h values decrease as Tp* > pzTp > Tp for the Mn(pzb)2+/0 electrode reactions, which contrasts with the behavior of the comparable Fe(pzb)2+/0 and Co(pzb)2+/0 couples.     

Electronic structure of nickel(II) and zinc(II) borohydrides from spectroscopic measurements and computational modeling

The previously reported Ni(II) complex, Tp*Ni(κ(3)-BH(4)) (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate anion), which has an S = 1 spin ground state, was studied by high-frequency and -field electron paramagnetic resonance (HFEPR) spectroscopy as a solid powder at low temperature, by UV-vis-NIR spectroscopy in the solid state and in solution at room temperature, and by paramagnetic (11)B NMR. HFEPR provided its spin Hamiltonian parameters: D = 1.91(1) cm(-1), E = 0.285(8) cm(-1), g = [2.170(4), 2.161(3), 2.133(3)]. Similar, but not identical parameters were obtained for its borodeuteride analogue. The previously unreported complex, Tp*Zn(κ(2)-BH(4)), was prepared, and IR and NMR spectroscopy allowed its comparison with analogous closed shell borohydride complexes. Ligand-field theory was used to model the electronic transitions in the Ni(II) complex successfully, although it was less successful at reproducing the zero-field splitting (zfs) parameters. Advanced computational methods, both density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio wave function based approaches, were applied to these Tp*MBH(4) complexes to better understand the interaction between these metals and borohydride ion. DFT successfully reproduced bonding geometries and vibrational behavior of the complexes, although it was less successful for the spin Hamiltonian parameters of the open shell Ni(II) complex. These were instead best described using ab initio methods. The origin of the zfs in Tp*Ni(κ(3)-BH(4)) is described and shows that the relatively small magnitude of D results from several spin-orbit coupling (SOC) interactions of large magnitude, but with opposite sign. Spin-spin coupling (SSC) is also shown to be significant, a point that is not always appreciated in transition metal complexes. Overall, a picture of bonding and electronic structure in open and closed shell late transition metal borohydrides is provided, which has implications for the use of these complexes in catalysis and hydrogen storage.     

Model complexes of cobalt-substituted matrix metalloproteinases: tools for inhibitor design

The tetrahedral cobalt(II) complex [(Tp(Ph,Me))CoCl] (Tp(Ph,Me) = hydrotris(3,5-phenylmethylpyrazolyl)borate) was combined with several hydroxypyridinone, hydroxypyridinethione, pyrone, and thiopyrone ligands to form the corresponding [(Tp(Ph,Me))Co(L)] complexes. X-ray crystal structures of these complexes were obtained to determine the mode of binding for each ligand L. The structures show that the [(Tp(Ph,Me))Co(L)] complexes are pentacoordinate complexes, with a general tendency toward square pyramidal geometry. The electronic, EPR, and paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy of the [(Tp(Ph,Me))Co(L)] complexes have been examined. The frozen-solution EPR spectra are indicative of pentacoordination in frozen solution, while the NMR indicates some dynamics in ligand binding. The findings presented here suggest that [(Tp(Ph,Me))Co(L)] complexes can be used as spectroscopic references for investigating the mode of inhibitor binding in metalloproteinases of medicinal interest. Potential limitations when using cobalt(II) model complexes are also discussed.     

Sulfur K-edge spectroscopic investigation of second coordination sphere effects in oxomolybdenum-thiolates: relationship to molybdenum-cysteine covalency and electron transfer in sulfite oxidase

Second-coordination sphere effects such as hydrogen bonding and steric constraints that provide for specific geometric configurations play a critical role in tuning the electronic structure of metalloenzyme active sites and thus have a significant effect on their catalytic efficiency. Crystallographic characterization of vertebrate and plant sulfite oxidase (SO) suggests that an average O(oxo)-Mo-S(Cys)-C dihedral angle of approximately 77 degrees exists at the active site of these enzymes. This angle is slightly more acute (approximately 72 degrees) in the bacterial sulfite dehydrogenase (SDH) from Starkeya novella. Here we report the synthesis, crystallographic, and electronic structural characterization of Tp*MoO(mba) (where Tp* = (3,5-dimethyltrispyrazol-1-yl)borate; mba = 2-mercaptobenzyl alcohol), the first oxomolybdenum monothiolate to possess an O(ax)-Mo-S(thiolate)-C dihedral angle of approximately 90 degrees . Sulfur X-ray absorption spectroscopy clearly shows that O(ax)-Mo-S(thiolate)-C dihedral angles near 90 degrees effectively eliminate covalency contributions to the Mo(xy) redox orbital from the thiolate sulfur. Sulfur K-pre-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy intensity ratios for the spin-allowed S(1s) --> Sv(p) + Mo(xy) and S(1s) --> Sv(p) + Mo(xz,yz) transitions have been calibrated by a direct comparison of theory with experiment to yield thiolate Sv(p) orbital contributions, c(j)(2), to the Mo(xy) redox orbital and the Mo(xz,yz) orbital set. Furthermore, these intensity ratios are related to a second coordination sphere structural parameter, the O(oxo)-Mo-S(thiolate)-C dihedral angle. The relationship between Mo-S(thiolate) and Mo-S(dithiolene) covalency in oxomolydenum systems is discussed, particularly with respect to electron-transfer regeneration in SO.     

Synthesis and characterization of di- and trivalent pyrazolylborate β-diketonates and cyanometalates

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of a series of di- and trivalent hydridotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate (Tp*) cyanomanganates are described. Treatment of tris(acetylacetonate)manganese(III) [Mn(acac)(3)] with KTp* and tetra(ethyl)ammonium cyanide affords [NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac)(CN)] (1), as the first monocyanomanganate(II) complex; attempted oxidation of 1 with iodine affords {(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac(3-CN))}(n) (2) as a one-dimensional chain and bimetallic {[NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(κ(2)-acac(3-CN))](2)(μ-CN) (3) as the major and minor products, respectively. A fourth complex, [NEt(4)][(Tp*)Mn(II)(η(2)-acac(3-CN))(η(1)-NC-acac)] (4), is obtained via treatment of Mn(acac(3-CN))(3) with KTp* and [NEt(4)]CN, while [NEt(4)](2)[Mn(II)(CN)(4)] (5) was prepared from manganese(II) trifluoromethanesulfonate and excess [NEt(4)]CN. Tricyanomanganate(III) complexes, [cat][(Tp*)Mn(III)(CN)(3)] [cat = NEt(4)(+), 7; PPN(+), 8], are prepared via sequential treatment of Mn(acac(3-CN))(3) with KTp*, followed by [NEt(4)]CN, or [cat](3)[Mn(III)(CN)(6)] with (Tp*)SnBu(2)Cl. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1, 2, and 4 contain isotropic Mn(II) (S = (5)/(2); g = 2.00) centers, and no long-range magnetic ordering is found above 1.8 K. Compounds 7 and 8 contain S = 1 Mn(III) centers that adopt singly degenerate spin ground states without orbital contributions to their magnetic moments.     

Solid-state (15)N CPMAS NMR and computational analysis of ligand hapticity in rhodium(η-diene) poly(pyrazolyl)borate complexes

Novel [Rh(η-diene)Tp(x)] complexes of sterically encumbered Tp(x) ligands (Tp(x) = Tp(4Bo), diene = cod, 1; nbd, 2; Tp(x) = Tp(4Bo,5Me), diene = cod, 3; nbd, 4; Tp(x) = Tp(a,3Me), diene = cod, 5; nbd, 6; Tp(x) = Tp(a*,3Me), diene = cod, 7; nbd, 8) have been prepared by treatment of [Rh(η-diene)(μ-Cl)](2) with TlTp(x) (Tp(x) in general, in detail: Tp(4Bo) = hydrotris(indazol-1-yl)borate, Tp(4Bo,5Me) = hydrotris(5-methyl-indazol-1-yl)borate, Tp(a,3Me) = hydrotris(3-methyl-2H-benz[g]-4,5-dihydroindazol-2-y1)borate, Tp(a*,3Me) = hydrotris(3-methyl-2H-benz[g]indazol-2-yl)borate), and characterized by analytical and spectral data (IR, (1)H, (11)B, and (13)C NMR solution). The structures adopted by [Rh(nbd)Tp(4Bo)] 2, [Rh(cod)Tp(4Bo,5Me)] 3, [Rh(nbd)Tp(a,3Me)] 6, [Rh(nbd)Tp(a*,3Me)] 8, and [Rh(nbd)Tp(a*,3Me*)] 8* (incorporating a borotropomeric ligand), have been investigated. Low steric hindrance between the ligands in 2 and 3 permits κ(3) coordination of the pyrazolylborate while the high steric encumbrance present in 6, 8, and 8* results in κ(2) ligands. The coordination modes of the ligands to the metal have also been established by (15)N CPMAS studies of selected ligands and their corresponding Rh complexes. These spectroscopic data are in agreement with the (15)N chemical shifts obtained by using quantum-chemical methods to assist reliable assignments of the experimental values, affording new insights into the extraction of structural information concerning the hapticity (κ(2) or κ(3)) of the poly(pyrazolyl)borate ligands to the Rh metal.     

CpNi(diselenolene)] neutral radical complexes: electron paramagnetic resonance and density functional theory investigations

77Se-enriched CpNi(bds) (bds = 1,2-benzenediselenolate), has been synthesized and its g tensor and 77Se hyperfine tensors have been obtained from its frozen solution electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum. These parameters are consistent with those calculated by density functional theory (DFT); it is shown that 10% of the spin is localized on each selenium and that the direction associated to the maximum 77Se couplings is aligned along the gmin direction, perpendicular to the Ni(bds) plane. EPR measurements and DFT calculations are also carried out on the 77Se enriched complex CpNi(dsit) as well on the two dithiolene analogues CpNi(bdt) and CpNi(dmit). The optimized structures of the isolated CpNi(bds) and CpNi(bdt) complexes have been used to generate the idealized dimers (bds)NiCp...CpNi(bds) and (bdt)NiCp...CpNi(bdt) characterized by Cp...Cp overlap. The exchange parameters J calculated at the DFT level for these systems are in reasonable accord with the experimental values. The influence of the geometry of the dimer on its magnetic properties is assessed by calculating the variation of J as a function of the relative orientation of the two Ni(diselenolene) or Ni(dithiolene) planes.     

蝎型钒氧配合物Tp*VO(OOCHCCHCOOCH3)(pz*H)和Tp*VO(DMSO)(NCS)的合成、结构及量子化学研究

本文在室温条件下,甲醇体系中,设计并首次合成了2种蝎型半夹心钒氧配合物Tp*VO(OOCHCCHCOOCH3)(pz*H)(1)和Tp*VO(DMSO)(NCS)(2)(Tp*=三聚3,5-二甲基吡唑硼酸根),通过元素分析、红外光谱对配合物进行了表征,利用X-射线单晶衍射方法对晶体结构进行了测定,并结合从头计算结果进一步分析了配合物的稳定性及分子中配键的共价特征。分析结果表明,配合物1和2的稳定性相近,且中心钒原子周围的价键类型都属于共价键范畴,键序分析结果与晶体结构测定的键长结果是一致的。     

DFT analysis of g and 13C hyperfine coupling tensors for model Ni(I)(CO)(n)L(m) (n = 1-4, L = H2O, OH-) complexes epitomizing surface nickel(I) carbonyls

Relativistic calculations within the spin-orbit mean-field (SOMF) approximation, the zero-order regular approximation (ZORA), and the scalar relativistic method based on the Pauli Hamiltonian were performed for the prediction and interpretation of the electronic g tensor and (13)C hyperfine tensor for a set of model polycarbonyl nickel(I) complexes with aqua or hydroxy coligands. They exhibit extensive similarities with heterogeneous [Ni(I)(CO)(n)]-surface complexes produced upon adsorption of carbon monoxide on Ni(I) ions grafted on silica or inside the zeolite channels. Benchmark calculations showing the influence of the exchange-correlation functional on the g tensor were carried out for well-defined nickel(I) complexes of known structure. On this basis, the SOMF-B3LYP scheme was chosen for calculations of the g tensor, and the obtained results were in satisfactory agreement with literature EPR data found for the [Ni(I)(CO)(n)]/SiO(2) system. The calculated g and A((13)C) tensors allowed polycarbonyl complexes of various stereochemistries to be distinguished. The nature of the Deltag(ii) shifts was assessed in terms of the molecular orbital contributions due to the magnetic-field-induced couplings and their structure sensitivity. The noncoincidence of g and (13)C hyperfine principal axes and their orientation with respect to the molecular framework was also examined. The ability of DFT calculations to follow consistently variations of the EPR parameters induced by stereochemical changes around the Ni(I) center provides an invaluable reference for the interpretation of experimental results.     

A stable monomeric nickel borohydride

A stable discrete nickel borohydride complex (Tp*NiBH(4) or Tp*NiBD(4)) was prepared using the nitrogen-donor ligand hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate (Tp*-). This complex represents one of the best characterized nickel(II) borohydrides to date. Tp*NiBH(4) and Tp*NiBD(4) are stable toward air, boiling water, and high temperatures (mp > 230 degrees C dec). X-ray crystallographic measurements for Tp*NiBH(4) showed a six-coordinate geometry for the complex, with the nickel(II) center facially coordinated by three bridging hydrogen atoms from borohydride and a tridentate Tp(-) ligand. For Tp*NiBH(4), the empirical formula is C(15)H(26)B(2)N(6)Ni, a = 13.469(9) A, b = 7.740(1) A, c = 18.851(2) A, beta = 107.605(9) degrees, the space group is monoclinic P2(1)/c, and Z = 4. Infrared measurements confirmed the presence of bridging hydrogen atoms; both nu(B[bond]H)(terminal) and nu(B[bond]H)(bridging) are assignable and shifted relative to nu(B-D) of Tp*NiBD(4) by amounts in agreement with theory. Despite their hydrolytic stability, Tp*NiBH(4) and Tp*NiBD(4) readily reduce halocarbon substrates, leading to the complete series of Tp*NiX complexes (X = Cl, Br, I). These reactions showed a pronounced hydrogen/deuterium rate dependence (k(H)/k(D) approximately 3) and sharp isosbestic points in progressive electronic spectra. Nickel K-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements of a hydride-rich nickel center were obtained for Tp*NiBH(4), Tp*NiBD(4), and Tp*NiCl. X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy results confirmed the similar six-coordinate geometries for Tp*NiBH(4) and Tp*NiBD(4). These contrasted with XAS results for the crystallographically characterized pseudotetrahedral Tp*NiCl complex. The stability of Tp*Ni-coordinated borohydride is significant given this ion's accelerated decomposition and hydrolysis in the presence of transition metals and simple metal salts.     

Rhodium-catalyzed alkyne hydrothiolation with aromatic and aliphatic thiols

Alkyne hydrothiolation is a potentially attractive method for the formation of vinyl sulfides, which are valuable synthetic intermediates. Known methods for hydrothiolation using alkyl thiols are quite limited. We report herein that Tp*Rh(PPh3)2 (Tp* = hydrotris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) is a highly active catalyst for alkyne hydrothiolation with alkyl and aryl thiols. Hydrothiolation using alkyl thiols proceeds with excellent regioselectivity, providing convenient access to branched alkyl vinyl sulfides, which are difficult to synthesize by other means. A mixture of regioisomers is obtained when using aryl thiols, with the branched isomer as the major product, opposite that reported for other Rh complexes.